Author's Note: Greetings! I have to admit, I have a sickness for the bad guys. They are so much more interesting, having so many different layers to play with. I think The hard part is keeping them rough around the edges, but to show that even the bad guy has people they considers his own. To be honest I never thought I'd be writing a fic about Eric, but I had stumbled upon a few stories that just made my inner muse itch to add onto his legacy.

This won't exactly be cannon, and if there needs to be a timetable to adjust to, it would probably be the year before Tris entered the picture. Eric is 24, while Chloe (OC) is 19. In my minds eye Chloe looks like Amanda Seyfried.

I really hope you all enjoy, and I accept all constructive criticism.

Cracking her right eye open as the sound of her alarm woke her from a very bizarre dream, Chloe Morgan let out a disgruntled groan and pulled her fluffy blue comforter firmly over her head, in a weak attempt to block out the offending noise, and let the lull of sleep pull her back into her dream. But the longer she stayed there, the more annoying beeping sound became, refusing to let her completely rejoin the dream world. With a sigh of resignation, Chloe reached out blindly trying find the right button to silence the insulting noise. Rolling onto her back, she rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms, trying to convince herself she needed to be a functioning adult and get her lazy butt out of bed.

Kicking the warm cocoon off with a frustrated kick, she grimaced as the cool air settled upon her flesh, raising goosebumps along her legs and arms. The low temperatures at the Erudite faction was just one of the many things she hated about this place. No matter how many times her father explained the necessity to conserve energy for the labs, Chloe never could understand why a faction who claimed to be so much more intelligent and better than the others, hadn't found a way to heat their stupid pristine and sterile buildings.

Frowning up at the ceiling, Chloe knew if she didn't force herself out of bed soon, she'd be late for work, again. She'd been docked way too many points over the last few months, and if she didn't pull it together soon, she'd find herself being the oldest, and poorest teacher's aide in Erudite's history. Most of those she'd gone through initiation with were well on their way to receiving their job offers from their chosen profession.

Maybe that was it? They had chosen their professions, where unlike her, she never had any real interest in becoming a teacher. Hell, she hadn't had any interest in choosing Erudite. How she was still stuck here a year and a half after her Choosing ceremony was still a mystery.

Dragging herself out of bed, the cold marble floor freezing her feet, she headed toward the bathroom. The lukewarm water woke her up enough to force her through her morning ritual of trying to appear presentable enough to pass her father's stern inspection. No matter what she wore, or how well she behaved, he always seemed to find some sort of blemish, or invisible imperfection to lecture her on.

For the hundredth time wishing Jeanine and her butt kissing toads hadn't instated Compatibility Diagnostic Matrix, three years prior. A program designed to align the most compatible Erudites together, promising harmonious marriages, and perfect little spawn. Because who didn't want a system, designed by the most heartless woman in Chicago, to choose their forever match?

But that in itself wasn't the worst part. Apartment assignments were now delayed until Erudites were paired. Meaning she was stuck under her father's roof for another six months. Chloe didn't know what was worse, knowing her freedom was coming to an end soon, or knowing she had another six months living with her father. Thinking about either for too long would make her mental.

Giving the reflection one last look, she let her eyes take in the too sharp, too blue skirt that ended just beneath her knees. It was the appropriate length, so her father couldn't say much on that. The light blue button down shirt was starched to perfection. The only problem was the slight gap always present around her chest. Her father was going to have to deal with it, she refused to have another argument over why her feminine body wasn't the proper shape for Erudite's go-to for suitable blouses.

How dare she actually have boobs. At least the sweater would hide the unsightly gap.

At last her gaze moved to her hair. Well at least the outfit was Erudite, there was nothing she could do about her natural waves, not without unless she had an hour to spare. At least her waist length hair was the right shade of blonde that seemed to be all the rage lately. Quickly pulling it into a neat braid, she gave her reflection one last look.

A knock at the door pulled her gaze away from the mirror. "Chloe, you're going to be late." Her Father's tone sounded tired and annoyed. She listened as the sound of his retreating footsteps could be heard. If she was lucky, he'd already be gone by the time she left her room.

Grabbing her tablet, and shoving it into her satchel, Chloe made sure she had everything to get her through the day. With a sigh, she knew there was no longer any reason to drag her feet. With a frown, she slung the strap of her bag high on her shoulder and left her room.

Moving down the hall, past her father's study and into the living room, she was only feet away from freedom when the sound of her father's voice froze her in place.

"You're not missing breakfast, again are you?" His wearied, dry tone implied he really did not care if she ate or not, but that she followed the proper way things were done. In the Morgan family, it meant a civilized breakfast. Where she sat silent, and her father reminded her of all the ways she was failing him.

She wanted nothing more than to ignore him and head to the education building. To pretend this was the life she had wanted and just make it through the damn day. But having learned from past experiences, her father's pent up passive aggressive comments were worse than just dealing with it in small doses.

Dropping her bag near the door, she made her way to the dinning room, and took her seat. Oatmeal was already placed out for her to eat, the typical nuts and berries already on top. By the looks of it, the bowl had been sitting there for some time. Just another silent way her father was letting her know he was disappointed.

"I assume you and your class will be at the assembly today?" Staring down at his tablet, Alan Morgan lifted his eyes when she failed to respond in the proper amount of time. "Chloe?"

"What?" Tearing her eyes from the lumpy bowl of mush, Chloe looked over at her father.

"Will your class be attending the assembly?" He repeated, his tone tight.

Well this was a change, Chloe thought as her head tilted to the side, trying to figure out why her father, Alan Morgan, ass kisser extraordinaire of Jeanine was making small talk over bowls of congealed goo. She didn't appreciate how he was straying from their typical protocol, and if she were to be honest with herself, it made her kind of uneasy.

"It's a mandatory assembly." Turning her attention back to her meal, she decided the pecan was probably edible, and tried to rid her spoon of the rest of the mush. "Not much of an option."

Out of the corner of her eye, Chloe watched the way her father's lips pursed in agitation, feeling a moments victory. It wasn't everyday someone could ruffle the feather's of Erudite's third best lab rat. Alan Morgan had never been what one would consider a loving father. But he hadn't always been the soulless jackwad he was now. When her mother had been alive, he at least had moments of humanity. Now, he was just another one of Jeanine's puppets she played with when it suited her.

"Is there a particular reason you've become so defiant? I thought you were past this sulky, teenage behavior years ago." Setting down his tablet, he aimed his narrowed gaze at her. "It's rather unattractive."

Of course, there was a reason for her horrible attitude, a really good one. Too bad she couldn't seem to remember it. But that didn't mean what she felt now toward the man who raised her wasn't relevant.

"A reason?" Picking up her napkin to wipe her mouth, Chloe fought to keep her irritation hidden. It was widely known in Erudite that any argument was lost at the first sign of anger. "None that I can think of. I was just confused how you might think I wouldn't be at a mandatory assembly." Her hand shook as she sat the napkin next to her plate, the only sign she'd been affected.

It wasn't as if his words were the worst he'd ever directed at her. No, it was more of a gut feeling, that there was something she was supposed to be angry about. He had done something, and no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't seem to remember what.

"Someday this attitude of yours is going to get you into trouble." Setting his napkin down with precision, he picked up his tablet and left the table. When she knew he was gone, Chloe pushed away her bowl of mush and quickly made her way to the door.

The education building was a solid ten minute walk from the apartment she'd grown up in. She could shave off two minutes and use the inner corridors that attached each of the Erudite's buildings, like a confusing maze, but she enjoyed the ten minutes of freedom, out in the sunlight instead. Lifting her face up to the rays, Chloe felt the sun beat down on her, warming her skin from the constant chill of Erudite's hallways.

"You know you're going to burn your retinas if you keep staring up at the sun." A voice chided her from behind. "Miss Fish-Face is gonna dock you points if you're late again."

Turning to find her best friend smirking at her, Chloe let out a small huff. "I swear that woman hates me."

"Well I love you." Molly grinned, as reached into a bag and pulled out a mouthwatering treat. "Chocolate éclair."

"You're the best." Her mouth already watering, Chloe snagged the sugary pastry from Molly's hand. "Where did you get this from?"

"It's my little secret." Shaking her head, Molly took another éclair from the bag. "If I tell you, then I won't have the upper hand in this relationship."

Wolfing down the delicacy, Chloe groaned when she got to the last bite. "So what level are you helping out with this week?"

"Level three." Making a face, Molly used a napkin to clean off her fingers. "You?"

"Still stuck in level one." Chloe muttered painfully.

Having grown up in Erudite, she knew the educational structure had its purpose. Broken up into five different stages, it was developed to shove as much information into faction members as it could in eleven short years. The first two levels were designated for little Erudite snots under the age of ten. Each level had several different clusters, determined by age. During the first two levels, the little ankle bitters were taught the most basic of skills. Reading, writing, mathematics, with some easy history and science thrown in. After level two, things got a little more competitive. Clusters determined by age were left behind, instead the students were clustered by their level of comprehension. Some never made it to level five, it being the most advanced in their studies.

"I really don't want to be a teacher." Chloe groaned as they made their way up the sidewalk, and her eyes landed on their destination.

"Well, if you keep doing what you've been doing you never will be." Molly snorted. "Have you heard back on your petition for reconsideration?"

"Another rejection." Chloe said, her mouth turning downward. "Stating I don't have the scores or disposition to be a member of Erudite's security."

"Maybe they think you're too delicate and pretty." Another voice came from behind, as the girls arrived at the entrance.

Rolling her eyes at the mocking commentary, Chloe moved aside as their friend Josh stepped between them to open the door. "Josh, do I need to give you another black eye to prove I'm not as delicate as I look."

Shoving his hands deep into his pockets, Josh looked over at her. "First off, we were like nine. And I still maintain that you landed that punch by pure accident."

"You said I had bug eyes." Chloe grinned at the memory.

Josh's face scrunched up as he tried to recall the memory. "No, not that time. Maybe the time when you were twelve."

"Oh, I remember that time." Molly laughed. "You threatened to tell Eric Coulter about the ginormous crush Chloe had on him."

"And again, landed that hit purely by accident." Josh smirked.

"I almost forgot about that." Molly said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Well you're lucky I was the one who hit you." Chloe sniffed, hating to be reminded of her pre-teen years, and of her unhealthy crush on Erudite's bad boy. "Can you imagine what he would've done to you if you'd embarrassed him like that? As if he wanted to know some gawky, bug eyed twelve year-old had a crush on him."

"What do you think he's doing now?" Josh pondered as he led them down the hallway to the staff lounge where the morning meeting was held. "Think he's still lurking in the shadows, sneering at anyone dumb enough to get close to him?"

"Probably." Molly answered as Chloe gave her friend a look that begged her not to play along. But Molly, being who she was couldn't help herself. "He probably has a bunch of tattoos and piercings."

"You two can stop anytime now." Walking into the lounge, Chloe was relieved to find they were some of the first to arrive. This wasn't something that typically happened, and she found a seat far away from where the Head Director of Education typically sat. "I'm not bringing up embarrassing facts from your past."

"Because you've got nothing on us." Josh gave her a devilish grin, as he took the seat next to her.

"Faction feast five years ago, and some really poorly made beer." Chloe sassed back as she dug in her bag for a pen, missing the startled expressions on her friend's faces. "Or, three years ago -."

"I really need to make different friends." Josh interrupted, as he tossed Chloe a pen. "Ones who don't seem to remember everything."

"Okay people, we have a busy day." Head Director Fish-Face hurried in taking her favorite seat, her beady eyes moving around the room to take note of who was there. Her eyes stalled on Chloe, before moving on. "At eleven o'clock sharp we are expected at the mandatory meeting. After the meeting there will be visitors in the classroom from the other factions. During this time, they will observe how we teach, studying our techniques to see if they are able to incorporate our ways of educating into their factions. We know from past failures that combining the children from all factions into one educational system is not viable, but perhaps with some insight, they can obtain a system that can benefit everyone in the long run."

A low murmuring among the staff filled the room, as Chloe eyed her friends. Never in their experience had other factions came to observe. At least not in their lifetimes.

"Amity educating their children?" One of the teachers murmured, as a few others around her tried to muffle their laughs. Chloe watched them, irritated by their superior attitudes.

Clearing her throat, the Head Director waited until the room quieted. "I don't think I need to remind everyone that we are on display and must perform in a manner that will make our faction proud. Today I must insist on perfection." Beady little eyes landed on Chloe again, before moving around the room.

"This meeting is adjourned." The older woman stated, as the rest of the teachers rose from their chairs. "Ms. Morgan, a word please."

Her delicate brows drew together, as Chloe felt Molly place a supportive hand on her shoulder before heading toward the door. Typically, ole Fish-Face got this sour look on her face when she was late, or had broken some inane rule on the school's charter. But she'd been on time that morning, hadn't had time to break any infractions, so there was no telling how this was going to go.

"Mrs. Shaw is no longer on staff." Frowning, the Head Director looked a little put out. "You will be taking over her cluster."

"Me?" Eyes wide, Chloe felt her stomach drop. "I'm just a teacher's aide."

"I'm well aware of that." The older woman snapped. "And if I had any other option available at my disposal we wouldn't be in this predicament."

"You could merge Shaw's cluster with Mr. Conner's." Chloe tossed out, frantic to find a solution that wouldn't put her in a position to lose any more points.

"Not possible." Closing her eyes as if the entire conversation was giving her a headache, the Head Director took in a deep breath and sat up straight in her chair. "We need to show a flawless structure, and in a flawless structure when one of our teachers leaves, another takes their place."

"But there are more qualified aides." Chloe reasoned, knowing she was probably fighting this more than she should. But the thought of being in charge fifteen five year-olds made her ill. It wasn't that she disliked children, she was just terrified of them when they came in a pack, like a bunch of wild beasts.

"Of course, there are." Her boss snapped again, her tone implying that Chloe was being stupid. "The janitors are better qualified. But the situation is out of our hands."

Ouch, thought Chloe, but didn't take much offense to her boss's statement. The woman had transferred from Candor decades ago, and had only said what everyone else already knew. It was true, she was horrible candidate for this profession. She didn't have the patience, was too stubborn, and the thought of having to teach the youth of Erudite for the rest of her life brought tears to her eyes. So, Chloe couldn't help but wonder why anyone in their right mind would leave fifteen children in her care.

"I suggest Ms. Morgan that you get to your classroom before your charges tear it apart." Apparently done with the conversation, the older woman gathered her papers and stood. "Any shenanigans out of your class today will result in an astronomical point reduction."

By the time Chloe reached her classroom, the little terrors were already bouncing off the walls. Chloe you can do this, she silently told herself as she viewed the classroom through the large window. You wanted to be on the security detail for Erudite, a room of children should be a breeze.

By the time the meeting rolled around, Chloe was ready to hand the class over to the first janitor who made a mistake of wandering by. They'd barely gotten through a lesson, without some kind of outburst. She couldn't remember being so rambunctious at their age, but to be fair there were a lot of holes in her memory, so who was to say she hadn't been?

Once her class was out in the hallway, each of the little traitors seemed to slip into the well behaved students they were expected to be and made it to the large hall Erudite gatherings were held.

"I hear congratulations are in order." Josh whispered from behind, as he directed his charges to the hall.

Giving him a brittle smile, Chloe eyed one of her more rebellious students as he started to poke at one of his peers. "Now I know why Mrs. Shaw is a borderline alcoholic."

"Who's bright idea was it to put you in charge of children?" Molly joined them, after slipping away from her aide duties.

"Apparently the Head Director finally realized Chloe would make a great teacher." Josh was quick to defend Chloe.

Snorting, Molly shook her head. "The Head Director of Education hates Chloe."

"Please don't hold back on my account Molly." Chloe muttered under her breath, as she narrowed her eyes at the class troublemaker when he was about to poke the student next to him. The boy frowned back at her until he was the first to look away and took his seat.

"Molly can't help it." Josh smirked. "She may have chosen Erudite, but her blood bleeds Candor."

"And yours bleeds Abnegation." Molly shot back. "Always seeing the best in everyone."

Shrugging his shoulders Josh grinned back. "Its not my fault that I can see potential in Chloe."

Making sure their students were in their seats, the three friends sat down together. The rest of the faction was still filing in, as the stage at the front of the hall remained empty. The soft lull of quiet conversations moved around them.

"Any idea what this assembly is about?" Josh asked, as he looked up at the empty stage.

"Jeanine probably wanted to hear her voice again." Molly muttered underneath her breath. "Or maybe one of the lab rats found a new wonderful advance that will enhance our lives."

"Wish they found a way to stop sucking up all the energy so I can have a hot shower once in a while." Chloe sighed.

"Oh look." Josh grinned as he elbowed Molly. "Our fearless leader's trophy husband."

Chloe's eyes went up to the stage, as the impeccably groomed man took the podium. Letting her eyes roam over his athletically fit form, she supposed he could be considered handsome by some. With his perfect manners, perfect hair and perfect appearance, she also thought he was a perfect bore. Though not even close to having Jeanine's intelligence, he wasn't stupid either. But it was blaringly obvious who wore the figurative pants in that relationship.

"Do you think she used the Match Making program to find her little pet?" Molly tilted her head slightly, as Clayton raised his hands to quiet the crowd.

"Doubt it." Chloe whispered. "The program only came out a few years ago."

"People of Erudite." Speaking into the microphone, Clayton waited a moment as the crowd quieted down, and the few members standing found a seat. "Thank you for joining us today, we will begin in just a moment."

As he moved away from the podium and claimed one of the empty chairs, a few more Erudite joined him on stage. Shockingly, they were followed by five members of Candor, dressed in their typical black and white. Even more astonishing, they were followed by five others, all dressed in black. Chloe's pale green eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the last Dauntless member to take a seat.

"What are the chances?" Josh's mouth dropped a little in shock, as he too spotted Eric taking the stage. "Is it me, or did he grow like a foot?"

"He was always tall." Molly blinked, before eyeing Chloe.

"I didn't mean up." Josh muttered. "I swear he's at least a foot wider. What do they eat in Dauntless to gain that much muscle?"

"Newborn babies." Molly snickered. "And I was right about the tattoos."

Chloe tried to block out her friend's banter, as she let her eyes move over Eric's ridged form. It'd been five years since he'd left Erudite, and through he looked familiar enough to recognize, his transformation from teenager to man was certainly impressive. The last time she had seen him, had been his last day at Erudite. He'd attended the morning feast Erudite gave the morning of the Choosing Ceremony. It was the factions way of seeing off the youth who may choose to change factions, while trying to remind them all the reasons why they shouldn't.

That morning he'd sat alone, his perpetual scowl on his lips as he stared down at his plate. She'd known even before the gathering that he would not be returning to Erudite. Not that she blamed him. After his mother's mysterious death, life at Erudite hadn't been kind to him. His father had died years prior, and neither had been high up in rank, leaving little behind for their fourteen year old son. Having no other relatives, he'd been sent to live with the other orphans.

And the small section that housed the orphans was a cold, harsh place. Ran by strict and ridged patrons who made Fish-Face seem warm and bubbly.

But Josh was right. Where Eric had been on the cusp of manhood at eighteen, only starting to show the signs of what he could possibly become, he was nowhere near the muscled mass he was today. She remembered he always seemed to slouch, but now he sat tall, his body tense, as though he anticipated an attack at any second. A dark skinned man sitting next to him was saying something that he barely acknowledged with a tense nod.

One second Chloe was cataloging Eric's physical changes from the safety of her chair, the next his head suddenly shot up as his eyes swept over the crowd, until his hard penetrating gaze found hers. For a moment it felt as though the air was being squeezed from her chest. Clearly caught staring, Chloe felt heat warm her face.

"Crap." Josh gushed as he crouched down in his seat, feeling Eric's gaze brush past him as it settled on Chloe. "Do they have superhuman hearing as well?"

Tearing her gaze away from his, Chloe stared down at her clasped hands, mortified at being caught. Reasonably she knew he'd have no idea who she was. Just another faceless Erudite, curious about the inclusion of a Dauntless faction member. The worst that could come of her staring, was his already inflated ego getting just a little bit bigger.

"Ms. Morgan." A member of Erudite's security team stopped at the end of her row, his hands clasped in front of him.

Looking over at Molly and Josh for a brief second, taking in their confused expressions, Chloe turned her attention to the guard. "Yes?"

"Your presence is requested up on stage." Nodding toward the stage, the man waited patiently.