Second Chances (Eric and Tris)

A new beginning: Part 8

"Tris? What happened?" Eric took a step forward but stopped when a sob escaped from her lips. Tris put the beer on the counter and continued to cry. She was so angry, but was not able to get the feelings out any other way. Once the beer was on the counter she turned to Eric. He just silently opened his arms and she flew into them. She crushed her arms around his waist and held on for dear life. Eric just stood there rubbing his hand up and down her back to try to calm her down. Once the trembling stopped, Eric pulled back a bit. He glanced down at her with a small smile. "You mind if it go throw some clothes on, then we can talk?" Tris's eyes got wide again when she realized that he was still only in a towel. She dropped her arms quickly. She shook her head and grabbed the remainder of her beer and went to sit on the couch. Eric walked into the bedroom, threw on some pajama bottoms and walked back out into the kitchen. From there he could see Tris without her seeing him. He stood there for a minute wondering what the hell happened. She sat on the couch sideways, her feet up and her arms around her knees. It was then that he noticed the bruises in shapes of fingers on her upper arm. Anger bubbled hot in his stomach. Taking a deep breath to calm down, he grabbed a beer for himself and slowly made his way to Tris. He sat down, facing her. He gently ran his fingers over her bruised arm. "What happened?" He said, his voice barely controlling the anger he was feeling. Tris could hear this and watched as his hand moved away from her arm.

"We broke up and I left." Unwilling to say more, yet knowing that was not what Eric was referring to.

"And this?" Eric said pointing to her arm. Tris sighed. Might as well get it all out at once.

"He wouldn't let me leave." Tris then continued to tell Eric what had happened. Everything. Never once did he interrupt. He just watched her face as she spoke. When she was done, she took another long drink from her beer. Eric was still quiet. This was starting to worry Tris.

"Eric, tell me that you are not going to say anything to him. Please. It is over. I don't want anything else to come of this. He is not worth it to me." Eric met her eyes for the first time in a few minutes. They softened when meeting hers.

"I promise only that I will not touch him. I can't and won't promise not to have words." Tris let out a long sigh. She knew that was the best she could hope for.

"Whatever. I don't even care at this point. I'm so tired. I feel so heavy." Tris said, dropping her forehead onto her knees. She felt Eric get up but was surprised to feel his hands on her shoulders. He applied quite a bit of pressure as he pressed his thumbs into her spine at the base of her neck. He continued to massage her neck and shoulders for about 10 minutes. Tris couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips. After a few minutes his touch gentled. His hands came to rest on her shoulders. She thought she felt his lips press a kiss to her head, but she couldn't be sure. It was there and gone before she could process it. Plus she didn't want to over think anything. Not tonight. She just wanted to go to bed and forget. Grabbing the 2 bottles, Eric stood and grabbed her hand. "Let's go. You need sleep." Allowing herself to be pulled along, Tris followed as he threw the trash away and headed for the bedroom. Eric pulled her side of the covers down and then tucked them back around her once she was in. Walking back to his side, he flipped the light off and got into bed. Turning to face her in the darkness, Eric said, "Why don't you skip your run tomorrow and we go spar? I think you need to get some anger out. It will do you some good to hit something." Tris smiled at his dark form.

"Sounds great." Her voice scratchy from lack of use and crying. "Thank you Eric."

"You're welcome Tris." Eric said as he closed his eyes and listened to her steady breathing. He waited about 15 minutes to make sure that she was asleep before reaching for her. He moved over and gathered her up into his arms. Her head came to rest on his chest and he brought his arms around her to hold her close. Stroking her hair away from her face, he kissed her head again. "Sleep well. You're safe now." He whispered before closing his eyes and drifting off. He never felt her smile against his chest. Yes, she was safe now.

The next morning, Tris didn't even bother moving off Eric when his alarm went off. She was too comfortable and knowing that he had pulled her to him took away the embarrassment she would have felt. When he reached down to get the alarm she just snuggled closer, burying her face in his neck. He chuckled as he turned off his alarm. "Come on, sleepy head. We gotta get up." He said as he rubbed her back. Tris sighed.

"No. Too comfy." She mumbled. Eric pulled close for a quick hug before detaching himself to get out of bed. Tris moaned, yet amazed herself that she felt no embarrassment at her contact with Eric.