A/N: Here it is, the final chapter! Please let me know what you thought of 'Fire Fox' and stayed tuned for the sequel. Thank you everyone for the follows, reviews and favourites! :)

The party was still in full swing when Eric and Fox entered the Pit, Eric's arm slung over Fox's shoulders. The few partygoers they passed still coherent enough to understand what they were seeing raised their eyebrows and nudged their neighbours, but no one seemed put out or scandalized. Why wouldn't the most epic female of this year's initiate crop catch the eye of the most dangerous leader in Dauntless?

"Fox!" Someone called out and Fox looked around for the owner. Tris waved from a table she and Four sat at, near a fire someone had started in a large truck rim. Will and Christina sat there as well, and Fox saw Four beckoning Uriah over, who was holding Marlene's hand and was looking quite chipper. Fox took a deep breath and turned to Eric, his arm dropping off her shoulder to rest gently on her hip.

"You ready?" She murmured.

Eric looked over at the table. The only one there he got along with was Uriah, because he was close to his older brother; and more recently, Four. The others only knew him as Eric the asshole, Eric the hard-ass jerk who pushed you until you broke. He brought his free hand up and rested it on Fox's other hip, squeezed his fingers slightly. Lifting his head he allowed the true extent of his apprehension show for a heartbeat before dropping his eyes again.

Fox reached out and cupped his cheek, raising his head. "Look at me." She whispered.

Reluctantly, Eric opened up his eyes. He hated being so anxious, hated worrying about how Fox's friends would accept him. The old Eric wouldn't care, wouldn't even be in this position. The old Eric was desperately lonely and heartbreakingly alone.

Fox waited until Eric unwillingly met her gaze, then smiled reassuringly. Eric found himself smiling back. He could do this, if Fox stayed at his side. Fox took a step back and extended her hand. Eric reached out and grabbed it, took a deep breath and let Fox lead him to the table.

"Hey guys." Fox greeted.

"Hey you!" Tris laughed. "Took you long enough, how many times did you-" she broke off laughing as Four poked her gently in the ribs.

"Ignore her, she's discovered rum." Four laughed. Standing, he extended his hand. "Hey, Eric. How ya been?"

Four's approval of Eric seemed to be the push the table needed to accept his presence. Even Christina threw Fox an excited smile before returning to murmuring in Will's ear. Eric was quickly brought into the various conversations, his place with the group cemented as they realized just how happy Fox was with him, and how easy he actually was to talk to with his guard dropped. Eric pulled Fox into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, resting his head in the crook of her neck. Will was telling some outlandish tale that was probably only half true, if that, and was making Tris roll her eyes.

"Are you feeling okay?" Eric murmured in her ear. Four and Tris had made a drink run, returning with enough for everyone, and Fox's sat untouched in front of her. She sipped instead at water, a jug had been left at the table, but no one else was drinking it.

"A little queasy." Fox admitted. She'd felt flutters of nausea the last few days, assumed it was nerves for the upcoming final test.

"Do you want to leave?" Eric whispered, his lips brushing her ear.

Fox considered a moment before shaking her head. Eric was having a good time, the group had relaxed, seemed willing to leave the past where it belonged, and had brought him into the fold, including him in the ridiculous conversations the liquor was pulling out of them. She shimmied her hips ever so slightly, and bit her lip wickedly as Eric groaned in her ear.

"Don't tease me. I'll bend you over right here." He breathed, his tongue flicking briefly against the shell of her ear.

"Save it Lovebirds." Christina laughed, slapping the table and startling Uriah, who'd stated a few minutes ago that he was 'just resting his head for a minute' and had fallen asleep.

Cheeks reddening, Fox stuck her tongue out at her and giggled when Eric tightened his arms around her, leaned past her shoulder into her peripheral vision and stuck his tongue out too.

Christina, Tris and Marlene shrieked with laughter, startling Uriah again, who'd dropped his head a second time to the table, and making Four chuckle. He saluted Eric with his beer and took a drink, shaking his head.

Finally, a few hours later, Eric could stand it no longer to have Fox in his lap with her clothes still on, and murmured in her ear that he was ready to go. Marlene had led Uriah home awhile ago, and Will and Christina had disappeared not long after, leaving Four, Tris, Eric and Fox alone. Tris had climbed into Four's lap and Fox had grinned at her, remembering her fantasy in the mess hall from so long ago. The four of them out in public, together. Free to show their love for each other. Tris and Four. Eric and Fox.

At Fox's nod, Eric said. "We're going go, it was great to see you guys."

Four shot Eric a look of masculine understanding and turned to grin at Tris. "Yeah, I think we're going to shove off to."

"We're going to have sex." Tris hissed triumphantly, a huge drunken grin on her face.

Four chuckled as Fox gaped and Eric shook his head, fighting not to snort with amusement.

"We're going to put you to bed." Four replied, smiling down at her. He grinned apologetically at Fox and Eric. "See you later. If not tomorrow, then before the Selection ceremony?"

Eric nodded and shook his finger at Tris. "Behave yourself, Stiff." He said, mock-sternly.

"Oh boo." Tris babbled as Four lifted her into his arms, bridal style. "You used to be fun, Eric."

"Now I know you're drunk." Eric retorted, chuckling.

Four shook his head, laughing as he turned to leave, Tris was now singing some obnoxious pop song that had been playing earlier.

Eric watched them go for a moment, then reached down and hooked his arm behind Fox's legs, lifting her the same way Four had with Tris.

"Let's go home, baby." He grinned, pressing a kiss to the top of Fox's head.

As Fox had promised herself before, she and Eric never left the apartment the next day. They christened every room and close to every surface, twice in some cases and also just laid together, enjoying the downtime and each other's company.

Fox drowsed, her head in Eric's lap on the couch. They were dressed for a novel change and had put in a movie to watch, but Eric had pulled out a book and absently stroked his fingers through Fox's hair as he read. Princess lay on the couch behind him, against the back of his head and purred, her tail twitching occasionally. The queasiness had come and gone and Fox worked to ignore it. So much had happened in the last few days, it would pass.

That night, Eric took Fox to bed and made love to her, pouring his heart and soul into his every move, worshipping and ravishing her, bringing Fox to peak after peak before allowing himself to spill inside her, shuddering into her neck, their skin sweat-slicked, the musk of their lovemaking heavy in the air. Opening his eyes as he lay on her, his forearms braced on either side of her head, Eric found himself overwhelmed by the woman underneath him, by the emotions she brought out in him.

"Marry me." He blurted.

Fox giggled. "Ask me when you're not inside me still."

Eric frowned slightly. Although he'd blurted it out, and right now probably wasn't the greatest timing, he'd meant it.

"I'm serious...marry me, Fox."

Fox reached up and cupped his face. She looked directly into his eyes. "If you really mean this, ask me again, when we're not in bed together, when we've not just made love."

Disappointed, Eric nodded. He leaned down, pressed his lips to Fox's and tried to convey the seriousness of his request. Exhaling, he pulled away slightly and leaned his forehead against hers for a long moment. Withdrawing himself from between her legs, Eric lay down beside Fox and pulled her against him. She snuggled up tight, her breath tickling Eric's throat and he mused quietly to himself as he drifted off that he was exactly where he wanted to be; that perhaps his entire life had just been a sum of experiences meant to bring him here, to this woman; who had become his entire life.

Eric's work phone rang shrilly the next morning, startling Eric out of sleep. Fox hummed unhappily, still unconscious, and burrowed her face against Eric's chest. He hadn't received a call on this phone since he'd been suspended; had kept it charged and turned on only out of habit. Grumbling to himself, Eric reached over and snagged it. He pressed it to his ear.

"Eric Coulter speaking."

"Coulter, it's Max. My office, half an hour." The line disconnected. Max sounded hung over and grumpy. Great. Today was the Selection ceremony, he was probably officially firing Eric to make room for the new graduates.

"Mmmm, who was that?" Fox mumbled, her voice thick with sleep, her lips tickling Eric's skin.

Eric rested his free arm behind his head and gazed up at the ceiling. "Max." He replied. "Wants to see me in a half an hour. Probably to fire me."

Fox lifted her head, her eyes sleepy still but alarmed. She reached up and touched Eric's bottom lip. He grinned and nibbled at her fingers. "You really think so?" She asked worriedly.

Eric shrugged. "I don't know. Laying here with you right now, I don't really care."

Fox huffed angrily. "You worked hard to become a leader, Eric. Don't throw it away."

"I'm not throwing it away. I've chosen you. If that means I'm out of leadership, that's fine. I'll deal with it."

A small noise of sorrow and disappointment escaped Fox. "Don't do that. You deserve to be a leader, you belong as a leader."

"I belong with you, Fox." Eric replied simply. "The rest is just-" He fluttered his hand, "insignificant."

Fox grew fierce. She reached up and grabbed Eric's chin, her grip surprisingly firm. She yanked his chin down to force him to look at her. "Don't do that." She growled. "Don't throw away your life and dreams over me. You worked hard to get where you are, you deserve leadership. This faction is worse off without you."

Eric grew suddenly angry. Fox was completely missing the point, what he was trying to convey. Had she not figured out yet that she was his world? That nothing mattered without her? That Eric would wither and die without her at his side? Rolling he grabbed Fox's wrists and pinned her hands on either side of her face. He let his full weight rest on her to prevent Fox from struggling and glared down at her. The anger in Fox's eyes fled as she realized the depth of Eric's sudden rage, uncertainty warred with apprehension.

"Dammit, Fox. What do I have to say to convince you? You! You are my world, the ONLY thing that matters to me! Being a leader means nothing if you're not here with me? Do you understand? I can't... I won't live without you!"

Tears formed in Fox's eyes and trickled silently down her temples. A small part of her had been convinced that once she graduated, Max would dangle the leadership carrot at Eric and he would drift away, deciding she was too much trouble. A larger part of her shook it's head and sighed, you fucking dummy, he shows you every second of every day how much you mean to him. You feel the same way, stop fighting it, your past is your past; it doesn't define you, it doesn't mean you don't deserve happiness now. Happiness is staring you right in the face, snarling at you right now to see him. See him, for fuck's sake. You know you can't live without him too.

The tears came in earnest and Fox began to cry. Eric rumbled low in his chest in distress over her tears, and lowered his head, brushing his lips to hers. Gently he pulled away slightly and kissed away her tears.

"Don't cry, Fox. Please.' He whispered. "I meant it, you are the most important thing to me now...do you feel the same?"

Fresh tears came and Fox nodded, surrendering entirely to her feelings. "Yes." She whispered, "I do."

A low sound escaped Eric and he lowered his head to her throat; rolling slightly so as not to crush her, he pulled Fox tight against his chest and sighed, his body relaxing. He was about to drift off again when Fox asked quietly.

"Don't you have to meet Max?"

"Shit!" Eric barked, flying out of bed, nearly crashing into the doorframe as he scrambled into the bathroom. The shower started and Eric grumbled. "I completely forgot. Woman! You distract me!"

"Right back at you, Coulter." Fox appeared at the bathroom door, nude, as Eric turned to enter the shower. He groaned and shook his head. Fox laughed at him as he grumbled, muttering about 'damn woman, walking around naked'.

Fox turned and pulled Eric's shirt from last night over her head, she still had a few hours before the Selection ceremony. She wandering into the kitchen and poured a glass of orange juice for Eric. She would have breakfast waiting when he returned, and would accept whatever decision he'd made. Eric hurried in, grinned widely as Fox handed him the juice and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek.

"Thanks, baby. I gotta go." He sprinted out, the door slamming behind him.

Biting her lip, Fox walked to the bathroom.

She was just putting the finishing touches on breakfast when Eric came back. Fox looked up at him questioningly, and Eric couldn't stop a wide smile.

"Well?" Fox asked, grinning. Eric wouldn't be smiling like this for bad news.

"I got promoted."

"What?!"

Eric grabbed Fox around the waist and spun her in a circle. Kissing her hard, he repeated. "I got promoted, Zeke and I did. It's a secret right now, but Max will announce it at the ceremony."

"Not fired." Fox teased.

Eric shook his head. "Not fired." He agreed. Reaching down he grabbed Fox's ass and lifted her legs around his waist. He turned and walked back to the bedroom, grinning as Fox protested about breakfast.

"Breakfast can wait, I can't."

Hours later, Fox stood in front of the bathroom mirror, pulling at her dress uniform. She'd gone down to the dorm briefly yesterday to collect her clothes and found a wrapped package on her bed. In it was a Dauntless dress uniform, really just a crisp pair of black pants, a fitted black t-shirt and a black leather jacket, padded in the shoulders, arm and elbows for intimidation and protection. Fox had left her hair loose and long and curled her toes in her black boots.

Eric came up behind her, handsome in his matching uniform. The padding in the shoulders made him even more massive, a beast of a man in black leather. Fox smiled nervously. Eric stood behind Fox, and held her gaze in the mirror as he reached up and gently pulled her hair from her throat and pressed a tender kiss to her skin. Fox shivered and Eric straightened.

"Ready?" He murmured.

Fox nodded.

The Selection ceremony was being held in the same room the final test had been conducted in. Most of Dauntless had gathered, watching as Fox and the other graduates lined themselves up by final ranking before turning to face Max. He hid his hangover well, and lifted a fist in greeting.

"Welcome to the Selection ceremony. I will call the graduates in order of their ranking to choose their career. There are four leadership positions available."

A rumble went through the crowd, four was uncommon, two positions was the usual.

Max continued. "Zeke Pedrad has been promoted from Compound defence leader to City Defence and Protection. In his absence I have redrawn his position into two leaderships spots. Eric Coulter has been promoted as well, to Initiation Leader, he will oversee all facets of the Dauntless initiation. His previous post of initiation training has been divided into two spots also."

The crowd cheered, Eric and Zeke receiving numerous slaps on the shoulders and handshakes.

Max cleared his throat for silence then continued. "First ranked, Uriah Pedrad!"

Uriah stepped forward from his spot at Fox's left. The Selection ceremony was similar to the Choosing ceremony. A round table stood in front of the graduates. A wooden ring encircled the edge, small circles with the available jobs inscribed around it. To choose, you picked up the small knife provided and spun the wooden ring, stabbing the knife into your chosen inscription.

Uriah spun the circle and stabbed decisively. Max read out his choice. "Leader, Compound defence and Protection." Zeke's old position. The crowd cheered and clapped.

"Second ranked, Fox LaRue!"

Fox stepped forward, glancing back to catch Eric's eye. He watched her, love shining in his eyes. Fox picked up the knife and began to spin the circle slowly, looking for the right inscription. She stabbed the knife down.

Max gave her a quick grin before announcing. "Leader, initiate training!"

The crowd whooped, stomping their feet, but Fox only had eyes for Eric, who smiled back at her, eyes luminous.

Will chose the second Compound defence spot. He would be perfect for it, his Erudite upbringing an asset. Tris was next and chose the second initiate training spot without hesitation. Christina and Marlene chose Police force, but the surprise was Peter, with his ranking he was expected to choose Police as well, but when his time came, he dully stabbed Fence patrol. He'd changed since the final, and Fox had come to believe that he actually missed Molly and Drew. If he'd chosen the Police, he'd probably see them among the Factionless, and been reminded constantly that he was alone without them. Fox watched Peter with a new appreciation.

As the ceremony came to a close, Max announced that he needed to speak to each new graduate one at a time in his office before they went down to the Pit to continue the party.

At Fox's urging, Eric left with Four and Zeke to go to the Pit, she and Tris would join them later.

"Fox." Max called and she walked in. Max gestured to the chair opposite him and Fox sat.

"Congratulations." Max said.

"Thank you, sir."

"I believe you'll do well in your chosen spot, you made a good choice. But," he held up a finger. "Your home life stays at home, it is all business at work, understand?"

Fox nodded.

"I'm cautioning all the new leaders of this, Uriah will be working under his brother, you with Eric...Tris with Four."

Fox felt her skin warm, Max had known about Tris and Four all along.

"They hid it better." Max said by way of explanation. "Seeing your's and Eric's punishment ensured they stayed private."

Fox nodded, Max saw all, duly noted.

"Be back here tomorrow morning for orientation, and Fox. Congratulations, again. You did very well."

"Thank you, sir." Fox stood and left.

She didn't head down to the Pit, instead Fox returned to Eric's apartment, our apartment, and settled down to wait. Realizing she wasn't coming down, Eric would find her, and she wanted privacy right now. She fingered the item in her hands nervously, everything was changing and Fox wasn't sure if she was ready.

Boots sounded in the corridor and the door opened.

"Fox?" Eric called, stepping inside. Seeing Fox on the couch he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You were supposed to come down to the Pit."

Fox stood and took a hesitant step towards Eric. He frowned, beginning to worry at her silence. "Baby?" He asked quietly.

Fox exhaled slowly, holding out the object in her hand. "I'm pregnant." She whispered.