“Sophie I'm home.” Fitz said as he came through the door. Fitz loved coming home to Sophie, he loved being married to her and more than anything he loved spending time together. They had started as friends who really learned to trust and lean on one another during many hours of cognate training. Over the years fighting the Neverseen it had matured beyond infatuation into love. Edaline had been right, when Sophie finally knew without any doubts what she wanted she didn't care who knew. Everyone saw it and sometimes just because you see it happening doesn't mean you have to accept it or that it doesn't tear you apart.

It was the day after the Neverseen had been defeated. That was when Sophie and Fitz went to visit the matchmakers and get their top consideration list. She had filled out the packet during her 5th year at Foxfire, partially under the pressure from Biana and part from her own curiosity. There was only one name that mattered for Sophie and Fitz, and the matchmakers confirmed what they already knew. They were cognates, friends in love and both the number one name on each others lists. There was no reason for anyone to stop them from getting married.

It was when Fitz and Sophie got engaged that the fissures in the group were finally able to deepen from the pressure. Keefe was devastated, he had always felt something for Sophie and while he knew she liked Fitz he always hoped someday she would return his feelings. With Sophie so openly giddy in love, Keefe felt her emotions in superdrive and at times it was unbearable for the fledgling empath. He started to go numb to his own emotions so rather than be subjected to the constant waves of adrenaline it was easier to stay away. He couldn't tell Sophie what was happening with his emotions because he knew the guilt would destroy her so he turned to his childhood hero Alvar’s example. Sure Alvar had his dark side, but so did Keefe and when Keefe slipped that he had 3 girlfriends, including Biana that was the last straw for Fitz who finally released the rage he had pent up from when Keefe had joined the Neverseen.

Betrayal was the only feeling Dex felt after his best friend basically stopped seeing him and spent all her time with Fitz, things had already been stressed since their incredibly awkward kiss but nothing prepared him for the isolation and loneliness that he had suppressed since being best friends with Sophie. He became totally engrossed in gadgets and figuring out elixirs, hoping to figure out how the magic formula to heal his broken heart. It would take years before he found the right combination, but by then he felt he had lost his chance to restore any friendship that once was there.

Even Biana was sensitive to the distance that was between her and “Sophitz,” but her parents were smart enough to council her to give them time together to figure out the right balance. She just didn't know how much time they would need and when Keefe started to show interest in her she was happy for the distraction. It was only after learning of Keefe's multiple relationships she decided family first and gave herself the space she craved while isolating herself from the others, in bitter rage one day she swore she wouldn't date for at least 100 years since that was the age difference between her parents and things had worked out well for them.

It was easier for Tam and Linh, they had always been outsiders and didn't share the same connection as the 5 friends but the sting was still there as they had been so close to finally feeling the full strength from the group. They struggled with what they had wanted and expected from the group, both wanting to become an integral piece and stay on the outside unable to be hurt. Yet it was probably this outsider mentality that made Linh’s meet up for the group possible. Linh had never intentionally put distance she just went along with what the others had done to the group. So when they pulled back she didn't fight it and Tam still struggled with his role in being a hero and hiding in the shadows so going silent was easy.

As for Wylie, he never asked to be a part of the group but he was there just the same. They all suspected it was more to be with Linh and after all he had gone through it just fit. So when the group struggled he turned to Linh and their relationship continued to grow. They were painfully shy about it and it took decades for them to finally confess their feelings, but now they were together and happy.

Fitz glanced around the cozy little house and seeing that Sophie wasn't home sat down on the couch and flipped on the TV. He checked his messages from work as he casually listened to what was happening on the news channel he had turned on. Something about a peace sumit with the UN peaked his interest but the sound of her vehicle being docked for charging at the house brought him back to the task at hand.

Sophie was home and she needed to be told about the meeting tomorrow that was now only hours away.