Chapter 25- The Talk

Eric opens the door to reveal our leader, Max. I can't see his reaction past his broad back. Eric leans against the side of the door comfortably to listen to what Max has to say.

"Eric. Have you seen Tris around the compound? I was going to show her to her sleeping quarters for the night and no one can find her" questions Max. He doesn't see me right away but catches sight of me sitting on the couch behind Eric. Eric notices him staring over his shoulder at me, drops his arm and turns as well to face me. He seems annoyed at Max for being here and adjusts himself into leader Eric mode.

"I wasn't sure if there were any plans set for Tris to sleep somewhere. So I just took it upon myself to allow her my couch for the night. Since it's a short trip and all." He explains to Max. I sit there not knowing what to say, feeling caught for something, I'm not sure why were hiding. Are we hiding this? Eric is making it seem like he doesn't want to tell him, yet he previously pressed me to tell Max about my pregnancy. This isn't making any sense.

"My previous initiate bed was full and wasn't sure where to go, I'm sorry if you were worried, Max" I explain to him.

"I wanted to speak to you before you were in for the night. Our time in the morning will be brief since Peter will be driving you back." He reveals to me.

"Oh, I didn't realize Peter was allowed to go by himself now. Its always been in pairs" I'm surprised that they would let Peter do something by himself, knowing how immature and obnoxious he can be.

"Peter has shown effort in helping me in my position, so I have him as my new assistant. He's proven to be loyal and has been efficient in all my tasks given" he explains to me. I look at Eric, no longer sure of what to say. Well, the drive home will suck some more. Eric looks at me and then finally speaks.

"I'll let you guys speak alone. I need to go to the dining call to get a few things so I'll be back in a few." Eric tells us and walks out sharing a look with Max that definitely tells me something is going on. Max steps aside to let Eric out and then comes inside and shuts the door gently.

"Sooo… what are your questions?" I ask him, raising my eyebrow in suspicion. I stand in the same spot and let him walk towards me.

"I've noticed something between you two. It's a lot different than when I dropped you off a few months ago." He says to me, looking around the apartment. I smile at the memory of us bickering before we were an us. Oh, how much has changed. How much he has changed. Max continues, "Eric allowed me the explanation on the car ride here when I picked him up a few weeks ago. He's claiming that your relationship is strictly for… play. Sexual that is." He says, seeming surprised. My mouth hangs open at what he just divulged. I can't believe that mother fucker said that to him.

"I'm sorry to start with this but I want to make something clear. Whatever is going on between you two, I can't have it here in Dauntless. Sexual relationships don't last long here in dauntless, sweetheart. They never do. Especially between two leaders. Dauntless men need constant attention and there are plenty of women here to help. I'm only looking after your feelings because Eric is one of those guys who needs it and I've seen women in and out of this apartment. And I'm only saying this because you're gonna be a damn good leader and I need your head on straight. I'm counting on you to keep up with two factions so it'll lighten my load up. And when I need reports from each faction, you're gonna be my girl." He tells me.

"But a relationship between us is allowed. There's no rule against that." I insist. He shrugs but doesn't say anything. He doesn't seem convinced we'd actually ever enter into a relationship. He thinks he knows the real Eric but he doesn't.

I don't even know what else to say back. Why would Eric say those things to him? And what does he mean about girls in and out of this apartment? I start fuming instantly at the thought of him with another woman on the couch we were just on together and then trying to keep us a secret. Eric has done some awful things before but this one is low.

I straighten my jaw and shoulders and look Max in the eye.

"Thank you, for that. But I am not one of those stupid girls. I can handle myself, Max. And if we were anything, then it is none of your business. I can handle my leadership" I explain to him, instantly feeling nauseous at the fact that I have to deny us for whatever reason.

My stomach rolls and I feel the sudden urge to vomit, so I rush to the bathroom to let out everything that is rushing upwards. "Excuse me," I say quickly while quickly walking to the toilet. I pull my hair back and spit into the now flushed toilet. "Damn hormones" I mutter. I hear Max's loud boots come to the open door of the small restroom. My head stays down but my eyes peer over to confirm he's there.

"Everything alright, Tris?" he asks me with furrowed brows.

"Um. Its nothing, it seems." I say, wiping my mouth dry. Saying that makes my eyes well with tears. I breathe in with my nose to rid myself of going full blown crazy with my tears. "Eric will probably be back soon. Is there anything else we needed to discuss?" I ask, keeping it to business rather than saying what I really want to. I follow him back into the living room, feeling awful still. Wanting to get this conversation over, I wait for him to talk so I stand there with my arms crossed looking at him.

"Johanna and I are very pleased with your training. You've done everything you've been asked to do. However, I would like you to look over the Abnegation papers. You weren't an adult while living in Abnegation so I imagine you aren't completely aware of everything happening with the faction." he suggests. I nod, and he replies, "Is there anything else you would like to discuss with me while I am here, Tris?". I hesitate whether to tell him everything or not. But it would mean Eric is a liar and I don't have the heart to make him out as one to Max even though he well deserves it. But I am still me and I won't change that. Deciding to be somewhat honest and take the Abnegation and Amity way, I tell him "There is more to me and Eric then he wants to admit. But for now, I would like to speak with him first about it and then you will know. And, training has been going well, ill be done with the Abnegation reading before you know it".

"Okay, just remember what I told you. I need my top student to do as expected". He commands.

And with that, we both hear the door open slowly and in comes Eric's head peeking in. Max gives me one last look and walks to the door, opening it more to let Eric in. "Eric." He greets and nods to him and with that, he's out the door. As soon as Max leaves, I walk back to the couch to sit down.

After everything Max had just revealed, my heart can't decide what it wants to do with this information. I feel hurt, lied to and even a little jealous which makes me feel like I'll go crazy on him. And that isn't even the pregnancy hormones.

"Hey" he simply says to me, walking closer to me. I still haven't looked up at him yet, not wanting to see his face potentially lie to me. "What did Max say to you?" he asks curiously. Where do I start? That you're a bigger playboy then I imagined? I mean I guess I knew that but still, it hurts to hear it coming from someone else. Have there been girls here while I've been home crying my eyes out? Does he want me still? Maybe he realized dauntless girls are better than me. God, I'm so stupid thinking all of this.

"He… explained somethings to me" I finally say to him. I slowly look up at him and his hands are on his sides waiting for me to answer him better. I notice two plates of chocolate cake on the table beside him. Why does he have to pull something so nice on me right now? Not even the chocolate cake can make this better, so I decide to just confess. Hell, I go home tomorrow so might as well get this over. It's close to being ten o clock at night time and that means I leave in eight hours.

"Eric… why are we hiding us?" I ask him, looking directly into his eyes with tears forming. He finally sees my eyes and his face drops even more.

"What went on when I wasn't here?" he asks suspiciously.

"Just answers the question" I demand. He gives me an annoyed look.

"I… I just…I wanted to talk to you first and we never really talked about us and how we were going to tell people" he stammers.

"How about just telling the truth and saying 'Hey, tris and I are together now. We love each other. And that's that'" I tell him louder. He stares at me, no doubt because I just said the 'L' word. Of course, I love him. I wouldn't have had sex with him if I didn't.

"I don't want Max or anyone to use us and make each other's lives hell. Four and Max could easily tear us apart if they wanted to." He tells me.

"No they cant, and they won't. I won't allow that. Do you want to know why? Because I love you and I would do anything to protect us and our family. That's what a family does, isn't it? I'm a leader now and I have some say in this faction now, whether they like it or not. I could easily get Abnegation and Amity on my side and have Max shaking. "I tell him furiously. Eric raises his eyebrows in astonishment.

"Damn you're hot when you're angry and pregnant" he tells me smirking. I break into a smile and relax my body some. "You can't do that when I'm mad at you" I tell him, trying not to laugh.

"You're mad at me?" he asks concerned.

"Yes. You lied to Max about us and denied us. And then…" I can't even say it or else I'll seem crazy.
"Tell me, Tris. You can't yell at me for lying then hold something back" he lectured.

"You… since he thinks we're in some sexual relationship or whatever, he said that we should end it or else ill get hurt. Because you have or had women here in and out. Apparently, a lot. Something I didn't bother me until Max confirmed to me. I don't even know what 'a lot' means but it doesn't exactly make me feel good." I confess to him. He looks at me and releases a breath in frustration.

"Tris, you know damn well I would not cheat on you. Especially after being cheated on. And yeah I've had my fair share of women and experience but that's the past. I don't give a shit about those other women. You are my woman now and someday even my wife. We're dauntless, we are loyal. And even… even if you are divergent you still hold those qualities just as I do" he convinces me.

"Then prove to me that I am your woman" looking into his eyes and wrapping my arms around him now.

"How?" he asks me, squeezing me tighter.

"I don't know, parade me around dauntless by holding my hand or something" I laugh. "Or let's go tell Four! Or oooh, what about making out in the middle of the dining hall on top of a table. That would definitely get some amazing looks and would be a fair claim upon me" I tell him jokingly. He laughs and looks at me, trying to find words but is struggling to find them.

"You are, as I always say, one hell of a woman. I don't need to do any of that. I don't need to stake claims over something that isn't property. We'll tell people in our own time and when we're both back. I don't feel like being the only one being the brunt of this and you having the luxury of leaving before breakfast time. You don't get to suffer the gossip. And also, I wanted to let Max know first before everyone else but I didn't want it to happen so soon" He says to me while his hands glide over my stomach.

"Oh ha-ha, you are so worried about petty conversations of new initiates gossiping over big bad Eric falling in love? Really?" I tease him, smiling.

"Honestly, I don't feel like dealing with Four and plus, it not a fair fight since he's sick. You know he'll try and claim I'm forcing you or something." He says to me. I sigh and suck in my bottom lip, mulling over what I say next.

"Then fine, I will wait till we're together. But I am telling Joanna and not hiding my bump in Amity." I stubbornly say. He smiles bigger, looking at my stomach. I look down at with him wondering how big it'll grow the next time I see him.

"I can't wait to see this bump grow. I'm going to miss you and this so much" he says rubbing the sides of hips. His smile drops and looks at me, "Just be careful. I hate that you must go back alone. Only forty more days, maybe less, we'll see. I have to see these initiates through and then I'll be back home. I'll figure out the logistics of it all as soon as I can" He tells me sadly.

"Forty days without you is going to suck. Try and sneak a call to me through the tablet on Christmas at least. Just so I can see your face." I tell him wrapping my arms around him, hugging him tightly. He smiles, wrapping his big arms around me and placing his head on mine. We stay like this for a while until we get too tired of standing.

The next morning, I awake to an empty bed. He's probably gone to wake up all the initiates and get his frustrations out since he was forced to wake up earlier than my departure. I only feel slightly bad for them. Angry Eric in the morning is not fun. I uncover myself and sit up slowly, feeling my morning sickness roll in. I head to the kitchen to find a small breakfast awaiting me, covered in tinfoil to keep it warm. I unwrap it to the smell of warm toast, strawberries and honey. One of my favourite breakfasts and I'm so happy that it hasn't been ruined by morning sickness.

After I'm done eating, I run my fingers through my now shorter hair do. Thanking myself for cutting it shorter since it makes for quicker mornings. I walk downstairs to the pit to find Eric but finally find him near the mats. The new initiates are already doing there morning laps and from what I can tell, they don't look happy. He must have been rough on them.

I grab his arm which startles him, and he turns around and looks around as if to see if anyone's watching.

"Hey, I leave in a few" I tell him quickly, so we can have a long goodbye. He looks to his initiates and yells "Five more laps, I'll be right back". A collective groan can be heard from across the room.

"Let's walk over here" he says grabbing my arm to guide me out of here. He walks me to a darkened hall and pushes me gently against a wall and kisses me hard. We continue kissing, while our hands explore as much as we can in the time we have. At one point his hands went into my pants and were grabbing my ass, pushing me against him to feel him.

"It's almost time, Eric" I say between kisses and he hushes me.

"Let me" - "just have" - "one more" - "minute" he says in between kisses. I laugh into his lips and push him slightly.

"Eric, Max is going to come find me. One more and walk me to the car" I ask him. He doesn't answer but kisses my jawline. He finally looks at me and into my eyes.

"Tell me you love me again" he commands me.

"I love you" I say without hesitation.

"I love you too" he says, resting his forehead on mine.

And with that, he walks me to my ride. He helps me into the vehicle and I chuckle at his chivalry. I roll the window down to wave at him and to get one last look at him before I go. Forty more days, Tris. You can do it.