~ Dauntless to the Core ~

Chapter 23: Epilogue

Three Months. Three long months, that is what it took to go through the factionless and sort the ready to help bring change to the city from the bad and wanting to take over. Tris had barely a moment alone with Eric the entire time. Eric was either constantly with Erudite as they started making changes to the programs in the school and Tris was normally at Candor with Jack Kang going through the factionless and giving those jobs to do if they were cleared to work. Tris ran her fingers through her hair as she walked back to her apartment, her eyes brightening slightly at the sight of her little wolf cubs and Fox kits making their way over to her happily. Leaning over to pet them Tris tiredly made her way to her bedroom, her boots being kicked off and her jacket dropped onto the bed as she ran her fingers though her hair, her hairband on her wrist.

"You need to stop working so hard" Eric purred his hands grasping Tris's shoulders, not at all surprised that she didn't notice him leaning on the wall by her closet.

"I could say the same about you too" Tris said leaning back against Eric's chest, a sigh on contentment leaving her lips as his arms wrapped around her.

"I heard Four is joining Peter in testing serums for Erudite. I didn't think he would be sentenced to that" Eric mused before he started pressing kisses to Tris's neck slowly.

"He wasn't just planning on over throwing Abnegation and Erudite. He was planning on helping Evelyn in destroying the city and leaving the walls around us. They were going to make things different. It would be first come first serve when it came to food and help." Tris said feeling Eric growl against her neck before he kissed it in apology and let her continue.

"He was going to also kill you and stake your body out in the hub while he forced me to be his wife among other things" Tris said shuddering as she remembered what he had said, Eric's eyes dark as he spun Tris around to look at him. Seeing her look so confused with his sudden act Eric slipped his one hand around her neck and cradled her close as he kissed her harder that he normally would have, Tris's arms going around him after she got over her shock of the action, kissing him back as hard as he was kissing her. Tris worked her fingers into Eric's hair and with his hands on her hips and pulling her against him, Eric's hand moving over her back as he held her tighter against him.

The mere idea of Four taking his Tris away from him and making her be his bride after killing him was not a thought he liked and the fact that Tris had heard it made his blood boil. Eric backed Tris against the wall, her hands moving from his hair to push his vest of his shoulders Eric's fingers doing the same to hers: their vest hitting the floor at almost the same time. Tris moaned softly as Eric started trailing his mouth over her jaw and throat. Tris could tell knowing what Four had wanted to do pissed Eric off but for him to resort to affection was very different from his normal temper and swearing and hitting things.

"Eric?" Tris asked softly feeling Eric still and press his lips to her neck his arms around her tightening.

"Love what's wrong?" Tris asked softly wanting to know why he was acting like this. She shouldn't complain since she liked it but she wanted to know.

"What he wanted to do to you," Eric said pulling back and cupping her jaw, Tris feeling his hand shaking against her skin. Grabbing his hands in hers, she held them tightly.

"He's not going to do any of that. He's been dealt with." Tris said watching as Eric refused to let her out of his sight, his hands tightening in hers.

"If the bastard even tries I'll kill him myself," Eric growled his eyes promising pain on the other as Tris stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

"I love you Eric. No one else" Tris said as Eric relaxed slightly and gave her a gentle smile.

"I know but the thought of him touching you" Eric's eyes darkened with rage making Tris's lips part before she pressed her lips to his hard. Eric rocked back slowly, his fingers digging into Tris's skin a little bit, as he kissed her back, their tongues soon battling for dominance. Submitting to Eric, Tris relaxed against his chest making his arms tighten around her waist before he spun them around and backed Tris to her bed, his mouth never leaving hers. Falling back, Eric caught himself before he crushed her under him and finally broke their kiss, Tris's hair messy around her shoulders and her lips swollen from their kisses. Licking her lips slowly Tris moved further onto the bed and gave Eric a look, which was all the encouragement he needed to follow her. Grabbing his shirt Tris kissed him, her hands tugging his shirt up and off him, Eric doing nothing to stop her. Saying nothing Eric grabbed the edge of Tris's shirt and pulled it up and off of her, tossing it somewhere in the room as they kissed, Tris's fingers trailing over his shoulders. Moving his hand under Tris's back, he rolled over so Tris sprawled over his chest, his fingers stroking her spine slowly before undoing her bra and dropping it onto the floor. Tris pulled back from their kiss to look at Eric her eyes searching his.

"I believe I promised you many things some months ago." Eric said as Tris smiled and blushed the slightest bit.

"I think you did" Tris said as Eric ran his tongue over her throat before he bit gently on her pulse point. Tris whimpered softly in both pleasure and pain as Eric ran his hands over her waist and hips. Tris pulled away licking her lips and rolled off Eric her hands on her hips as she wiggled out of her pants and left herself in her underwear, Eric's eyes following her every move as he did the same. Pulling Tris back towards him, he kissed her lips gently before starting to work his mouth down slowly, taking the time to tease her nipples and kiss each of the scars on her breast. Biting her lower lip Tris watched Eric work himself lower on her body his fingers moving over her skin gently before he managed to discarded her underwear without her noticing, and lay her on her back. She only noticed that it was gone when Eric started gently pressing kisses to the scar on her hip.

"Eric" Tris said wiggling slightly as he chuckled and trailed his mouth over her slowly. Giving her a wicked smirk he leaned down further and set out to prove he could write the alphabet with his tongue on her making her moan and work her fingers into his hair, his hands holding her hips down onto the bed. Tris tilted her head back and bit her lower lip to keep from crying out. Soon as Eric predicted Tris, was soon doing nothing more than moaning and crying out his name. Pulling back Eric rubbed his lips over her hip gazing up at Tris who relaxed into the mattress.

"Feeling better?" He teased as Tris looked at him, her fingers tight in his hair as she pulled him up and kissed him.

"Much. But I think it's time for you to relax too." Tris said with a grin before she rolled him onto his back, his grey eyes showing surprise.

"Tris I'm not asking you to do that" Eric said as Tris ran her hands over his chest her lips finding his tattooed neck and soon kisses were peppered onto every inch.

"I want to" Tris said as she kissed lower, her fingers traveling over his exposed skin, Eric's breath catching as Tris worked her way across his body and down. Tris didn't seem to realize the effect she had on him and the lower she got the more he had to hold back from grabbing her to get her to stop. Moaning softly as Tris ran her hand over his erection he bucked up into her hand, his eyes half closed. With a grin Tris pulled his briefs down and took him into her hand and stroked him a couple times, his strangled moan making her grin grow before she took him into her mouth and started sucking on him. Eric sat up onto his elbows, his hand going into Tris's hair.

"Tris" Eric said moaning softly as Tris worked him in and out of her mouth, taking him deeper as she got more comfortable with it.

"Fuck Tris, Tris you're going to make me cum" Eric warned as he tilted his head back and moaned as he came. Lifting his head, he glanced at Tris to see her licking her lips, his eyes dark with lust as he pulled her towards him and hugged her tight.

"Where did you learn that?" He murmured into her hair making her giggle.

"It's amazing what happens when you listen to teenage men talk in the showers." Tris said as she glanced at Eric who clearly didn't believe her too much.

"That explain some but not all." He said as she laughed again.

"If I said Veronica is a landmine of sexual information?" Tris said with a smile and Eric chuckled lightly.

"That I can believe," He said pulling the sheet over their bodies as they relaxed on the bed together, his fingers trailing his girlfriend's naked body as she did the same to him.

"I missed you" Tris said into his shoulder his arm tightening around her waist.

"I missed you too. Things should settle down now. The trials are over, Ace was found dead with his squad. Luis wants to step down in the next couple years, so he's going to pick and train someone." Eric said as he looked at Tris as she curled up at his side.

"What happened to Evelyn?"

"She was sentenced to death. She had more than plans to overthrow Erudite and dismantle the faction system. She wanted to become a dictator. Tobias only got some of her plans nowhere near, what she wanted. It was disturbing. Anyone that refused to conform would be put to death no matter their age." Tris said her hand curling into a fist on his chest.

"I trust it was with the death serum, since it's more humane." Eric said as he ran his fingers through Tris's hair.

"It was strange. One moment she was staring at me with hate in her eyes the next they were empty, nothing in them anymore." Tris said shuddering and curling closer to him.

"I wish they would have let me do that." Eric said as Tris looked up at him with a small smile.

"You can't protect me from everything Eric," Tris said as Eric looked at her fondly.

"Can't I try?" Eric said before pressing a kiss to her lips when she tried to protest her lips turning up into a smile.

"I love you"

"I love you too tough guy," Tris said teasingly making him chuckle. Curling together they slowly fell asleep together.

Morning dawned over them, Tris hiding her face into Eric's neck, his face hiding in her hair the two of them not wanting to face the day. Tris was the first to register that she wasn't alone in her bed, and Eric was still with her. Looking up at him, she smiled slightly before she started kissing his jaw, the kisses stirring him awake.

"I could get used to waking up like this every morning" Eric said his eyes opening to look at Tris as she teased his by refusing to hiss him properly. Groaning Eric cupped her breasts in his hands as Tris stilled and stole a proper kiss.

"You tease me I tease you back" Eric said as Tris glared at him. Rolling her eyes Tris rolled off the bed making Eric pout.

"If you want me come and get me Eric," Tris countered as she walked to the bathroom, Eric groaning but following his girlfriend into the shower and took advantage of her turned back to run his hands over her body. Smacking his hands Tris started washing her hair before turning to him and washing his body.

"Behave Eric" Tris said as he chuckled and kept touching her, this time using the soap as an excuse.

"I am, I'm washing your body," Eric said with a smirk making her laugh.

"Come on. Four is going to be coming to Dauntless with Peter today to make sure they have all their clothes." Tris said as Eric scowled.

"Have their things been checked for weapons?" Eric asked as Tris have Eric a look.

"Of Course, and if they don't behave then I'll sic my wolves on him." Eric snickered as he listened. Her wolves had gotten bigger over the last three months with steady feedings and love. If Tris wasn't around Eric would pay attention to the small animals, the wolf cubs having grown quite a bit , the fox kits now almost their adult size the wolf cubs about a third of their adult size. Stepping out of the shower with Tris and wrapping themselves in towels they walked back out to Tris's bedroom.

"Do you have clothes this time Eric are am I running again?" Tris teased, referring to the last time he had spent the night after the Faction party.

"I was prepared this time actually. I brought a bag over with me." Eric said moving to his bag and started getting dressed; his eyes travelling over Tris as she pulled on her clothes, her jeans were tight and looked almost like leather, which made him grin.

"Stop looking at my ass Eric," Tris said as she pulled on her tank top her towel around her head as she rubbed her hair dry before smoothing it with a comb.

"But those pants make it look amazing" He countered before making his way over to Tris and turning her to face him his eyes travelling over her shirt.

"Sorry? Boys? Is that what I am Tris, a Boy?" Eric taunted teasingly as she wiggled away.

"They had no; Sorry I only date men with tattoos when I went. Veronica promised to get me one when they had some in stock," Tris said as Eric grinned again.

"If you're going to wear a shirt with words I guess I'll put on mine," Eric said pulling his t-shirt over his head Tris's eyes travelling over his shirt.

"Your so annoying even an Amity would punch you. Where did you get that?" Tris asked as she giggled and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth, Eric following her.

"I had it made. I try not to wear it around the other faction's but sometimes it's too good of a chance to pass up. Abnegation is one." Eric said as he started brushing his teeth watching his girlfriend try not to laugh as she brushed hers. Running his fingers through his hair and passing the hair dryer to Tris he watched, as she got ready for the day.

"How you manage to get ready that quick I'll never know" Eric said as he watched Tris finish her hair and make-up.

"Practise and tips from Veronica" Tris said as she looked over at him and grabbed her leather jacket from the chair she had tossed it on a couple days before and linked her fingers with Eric as they walked from the apartment, Eric's other hand in his jacket pocket. Following behind them were Tris's little pets.

People stopped and stared at Tris and Eric as they entered the Pit, Four and Peter in cuffs as Erudite escorted them into the Compound.

"Tris, Eric" Jeanine said as she finished talking to the member who had brought Peter's and Four's things to the group. Embracing them both in hugs and kisses, she smiled at them warmly.

"I trust things are well" she said as Tris leaned her head on Eric's shoulder.

As well as they can be during the transition we are going through" Tris said as Eric wrapped his arm around her waist. A couple children ran through the pit on the way to their lesson's and some stopped and pet Tris's little pets before taking off again, a story ready to tell anyone. Tris chuckled fondly at the running children, before her attention shifted to Four and Peter.

"Any problems with them?" Tris said motioning to the two, Jeanine looking over her shoulder at them.

"Not really, Four is sim aware so it makes it harder to test but I've told them to work on the other serums and leave the sims to Peter." Jeanine said before smirking.

"Like right now Peter is under a simulation that everyone is from Amity here in Dauntless. As you can see he's unaware and uncomfortable." Jeanine said as Tris giggled unable to help herself.

"And Four?" Eric asked watching Jeanine shake her head slowly.

"Not at the moment, no. I want to create a serum that traps him for a longer period of time in his fear landscape but that might take months if not years." Jeanine said before she was pulled to the side by Tris as Four lunged at Eric.

"TRIS IS MINE!" He yelled practically foaming at the mouth.

"Get him" Tris hissed the three wolves attacking Four's legs and hands. After a moment of him, screaming Tris called them off and pet their heads, Eric doing the same beside her.

"We've been over this Four. I'm not yours. And the next time you try to do anything like that it means death. You do remember that don't you?" Tris said coldly standing up tall. Four glared at her, his eyes showing the same hatred his mothers did before she died but Tris refused to be swayed.

"This isn't over! You're fairy-tale isn't going to last!" Four yelled as Zeke and Uriah came to help drag Four and Peter out of Dauntless, the members around the pit shaking their heads.

"He had such promise" Max said as he appeared next to them before offering his arm to Jeanine.

"I'll walk you out, I know the stairs aren't the best for your shoes."

"Thank you Max" Jeanine said before turning to Tris and Eric and giving them another round of hugs and kisses on their cheeks.

"Next time you're in Erudite we must have lunch together," Jeanine said before taking Max's arm and starting to walk away.

"We'll see what we can do" Eric called knowing that somehow it would happen. His aunt wasn't the type to take no for an answer and he got along with her so there was no real harm in it.

"Quiet at last" Tris said making Eric chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her waist and felt her lean against his chest.

"Dauntless is never quiet" Eric said a loud crash followed by a yelled DAMNIT was heard in the halls making the pair laugh. This was Dauntless. This was their home.