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Unedited.

Sophie stared out the plane, Rosethorn's windshield. Her sunglasses blocked the glare of the sun. The thin air was cold, but Sophie's jacket protected her from most of it.

Glancing down at the gorgeous green and white Alaskan land below, she could see the shadow of the shadow of the plane wavering over the land. Beside her in the pilot seat Kyle spoke through the static filled headset. His voice almost sounded electrontic.
"You'll ease the plane sideways, nothing to drastic, just a small tip of the wing." He said. He had his own pair of sunglasses on, and instead of a brown leather jacket like Sophie's, his was black.

"You fess up to Rose yet?" Sophie asked through her own headset. Referring to the red headed, curvy cop with eyes as green as moss and Kyle's best friend, who he was in love with. Kyle shook his head, "I don't want to ruin what we have as it is. Things could get really bad." He said. Sophie nodded, "Okay." She knew all to well how things so delicate as romance could turn bad.

"Sure is a warm summer this year." Kyle said changing the subject. "I'm glad you got to see Alaska's beauty before you go..." Kyle trailed off. He still seemed to be trying to wrap his head around the idea of elves, Atlantis and everything else Sophie had spilled out, in an emotional breakdown.
"Home." Sophie offered. Kyle nodded. "Yeah. Home." He said. "Dex might be able to make my phone still work there, I'll call you." Sophie said. Rose had bought her the cell phone as an emergency phone, when Kyle's phone -which Sophie had borrowed- had gone out and Sophie had been stuck up in the mountains with Myth for nearly a full night.

The mix breed between a Bora Wolf and Rouge Beast, with a white coat of fur was happy to share his warmth with his master. Nearly as big as a bear, but with graceful and sleek limbs lined with muscle to spare, Myth managed to look more like a faithful dog than a burly bear. "You think you could send me some pictures of a T-rex before you forget about me?" Kyle smiled. "I'll try, but I'm telling you they aren't what we imagined them to be." Sophie said. Kyle nodded as he fiddled with the controls of the plane. "Check your wing flaps often." Kyle said, as he glanced over his shoulder.

Due to having lost a bet with Sophie he had to teach her the basics of flying and confess his feelings for his best friend Rose Brown. Sophie loved flying, she wouldn't press Kyle to much about confessing, but she was determined to learn to fly. The propeller spun at the nose of the plane, blurring into a metal circle, whirring as it cut through the clouds and thin air.

"So you and Fitz figure things out?" Kyle asked as he took a sip from a tall thermos of coffee. "We're..." Sophie blushed at the thought of her cognate  partner as her heart pounded. "We're figuring things out. For now...for now we're friends, and that's the best I can do right now, I don't think Fitz minds either....not to much at least." Sophie said.
"Take things at your own pace." Kyle said. "Don't feel rushed." He said. "I don't. Fitz....he's had a lot of patience with me, and not just...well y'know. He's been very kind about asking if I'm okay. It's...it feels like something has changed between us. Like we've gotten closer somehow."

"You've changed." Kyle said. Sophie tilted her head to the side to look at him. "You matured after everything. It's like you know what you can take, you are starting to open up more, you are strong in what you stand for." Kyle said. Strong in what I stand for. Sophie thought smiling as she remembered a New York cab driver talking about the Statue of Liberty. 'It's not her sculpted face that makes her beautiful, it's what she stands strong for'. That was what the nearly toothless cabbie had told her. "You seem more sure of yourself." Kyle continued.

"You have a spring to your step, you're ready to face everything with a nicely screwed on head that's not frozen." Kyle laughed. Sophie grinned, she did feel at peace with herself, she had accepted herself, and Sophie had started loving herself. Every time Sophie looked in the mirror she liked to see the gold flecks bright in her eyes, but not wild with uncertainty and fear, they were calm steady, Sophie loved the person she saw in the mirror. The way she had grown confident in her own differences.

"Truth be told, I haven't heard you curse in nearly three weeks." Kyle said. Sophie was proud of herself, once she realized cursing had started becoming a habit, she made a deal with herself. For every curse word she said she'd have to tell a secret to Fitz. Her cursing had stopped pretty quick after the first three slip ups she made. She had to tell Fitz about the time she choked in a public restaurant, another time she had fallen down half a flight of stairs at her high school, the last secret was having to admit she hadn't meant to pull away from the kiss he had given her at the ball, that's when all her cursing had stopped. She didn't want that kind of embarrassment again.

Fitz's cheeks had turned pink at her confession but his smile looked like it could of melted all of Alaska's ice. Rose and Kyle seemed to still try wrapping their heads around the whole idea of another world, but when Della and Biana vanished, they found it easier to believe? Of course Alden, Sophie and Fitz had promised they weren't reading minds because the way the human thoughts dig into their brains like daggers. But Kyle had her test it once and he nearly fainted once he realized it was true. Sophie had explained everything...she could, to Rose and Kyle. About the Neverseen being a rebellious group of elves starting a war, and about the two brothers who had transported her around the world wiping her memories and she even told them about Havenfield, Iggy, Sandor and Foxfire down to every last detail.

"So those two...or should I say four...were together?" Kyle asked. At one point everyone had caught Keefe and Linh making out, and when Tam, Linh's twin, found out he nearly burst a blood vessel. Keefe and him argued, threw some things at each other glared and nearly had chopped each others hair with rubber knives, but they managed to sit in the same room without trying to kill each other, or start an argument, which Sophie considered progress.

Dex and Biana both seemed to shy to do anything as  grown up as holding hands. Sophie had however heard some very deep and serious conversations of the future and foresight, Dex and Biana both seemed determined to make the relationship work, and last. They both seemed to realize love wasn't about kissing, romance or small touches of gentleness. They seemed to understand love was about sticking together through thick and thin, for genuinely caring about their equal, they knew love was making each other happy through sacrifices no matter how small, no matter how big and no matter how difficult. Dex and Biana both understood that love was so, so much more then dates, romance and public displays of affection.

Sophie had gotten information from Dex, that they had kissed twice. Recently Dex had started kissing Biana's cheek, when they said their goodnights. Which had drawn some attention, and a few raised eyebrows from some Vackers, such as Fitz and Alden, Della seemed to already know about it, she smiled and wished everyone goodnight. So Tam had started hanging out with Sophie and Fitz.

"Yeah." Sophie answered Kyle's question. "I'm not judging but it seemed kind of rushed." He said. Sophie shrugged. "Dex has liked Biana for a while now...Keefe and Linh I had no idea about them even hanging out." Sophie said. "I expected something like this from Keefe...but Linh? It does seem kind of rushed, but if their happy doing what their doing good for them." Sophie shrugged. "You mean having a lip locking battle?" Kyle asked. Sophie laughed, "Whatever you call that." She said. Kyle chuckled, "Teenage years sure are fun recalling. The heartbreak that felt like it'd last forever, and felt so lonely, the parties, the fights the sleepless  of trying to keep grades up...those were good times."

"Have you had a lot of girlfriends?" Sophie asked. Kyle made a face that said 'of course I have' "They never lasted long, but they were bittersweet." Kyle said. "Mostly bitter than sweet, but there was the sweet times." Kyle smiled. Sophie turned so she could face him. "What's the longest relationship you've been in?" She asked. "Olivia Freida Byskov. Two and a half years went to that two timing Russian."

"Biggest heartbreak?" Sophie asked. Kyle got a goofy smile on his face. "My first girlfriend, Macy Johnson, the relationship was doomed from the start, it lasted three months and by the time it was over I was exhausted and never wanted to get in another relationship."

"Worst break up?" Sophie asked, making Kyle sigh in exasperation. "Diana Bosell, she was a drama Queen with a capital 'D' destroyed my car, nearly got to my planes, she passed but my house day and night, and she started following me, texting me and even tried kidnapping me, do not ask about that." Kyle said grimly. "Mmm, yeah kidnapping is no fun at all." Sophie agreed rubbing her wrists. Remembering the burns Brant had seared into her skin. "What about you? You've had any heartbreaks... Besides the ones I know about?" Kyle asked.

"One." Sophie said. "We were best friends. I was four and he was six and a half." Kyle looked over at her. "Who was it?" He asked. Sophie wrapped her arms around her. "Josh Loskie." She whispered.

~

"Do you think if we use a higher angle it might work?" Biana asked, as Sophie pulled off her earmuffs. "Maybe, but I think what we need is higher winds." Dex answered. Sophie looked up at the upgraded house, That Rose and Kyle decided to move in together. Dex was on the roof dressed in what looked to be a thin leather jacket with sleeves connected to the side. Biana stood next to him, wrapped in her coat, she watched as Dex flapped his arms like a featherless bird. Looking like a complete fool while at it.

"What are you doing?" Sophie asked. Dex and Biana looked off the roof. "Trying out my new invention." Dex called. "If it works we should be able to glide over heavy winds." Biana said, opening her jacket  reveal her own leathery like coat. Sophie shrugged, she'd let them be fools together. That's what love was about, doing things together that made you happy, even if it did get you in trouble, or made you look like fools. Sophie followed Kyle into the house, where they we're greeted by the sight of Keefe and Linh engaging in a lip locking war. Both Sophie and Kyle made loud gagging and rude noises as they passed. Keefe and Linh pulled away long enough to smirk at them before going deciding to go outside.

Sophie said hello to her adoption parents, as they quietly observed the soy ball she had lent them. Alden and Della were doing laundry together...and stealing kisses, but not near as wild as Keefe and Linh. They kindly said hello to Kyle and Sophie as they passed by. Passing but the kitchen Sophie pushed Kyle in, as Rose made dinner with Tam. Kyle shot her a look. Sophie smiled as she walked up the stairs. The second floor of the house was bedrooms and a single sitting room, which consisted of Dex's work space, Biana's designing table, Linh and Tam's games, and Keefe's art supplies.

Sophie and Fitz's work space was a bit cut off and sucked from the others, but it was still there. With a bookshelf against the wall, a lamp hang on the side, with a couch facing away from the others and a coffee table between. Of course there were multiple beanbags that were scattered around the room. Sophie found Fitz sitting on the red and black plaid couch, a weaved white and teal blanket was thrown over the back, with tan pillows. Fitz flipped through a book of wildlife. He looked up when Sophie reached the top step.

Sophie's heart fluttered at the sight of him, and his gentle smile. "Hey." He greeted softly, his voice echoing through Sophie's mind. "Hey." She said as she dropped her duffle bag to the ground. Kyle and she had gone to New York to visit Nick and his wife and new born twins. A boy and girl, named Josh Gabriel and Sophie Elizabeth. It'd been a week long trip, but Sophie had enjoyed it. "How'd it go?" Fitz asked as he placed a bookmark in his place before setting the book down, looking at Sophie. "Great. Josh and Eliza are healthy and really adorable." Sophie said, leaning against the post of the top stair rail.

"You seem tired." Fitz commented. Sophie raised her hand and tilted it in a back and forth in a slightly motioning. "Kyle and I-" Sophie yawned lightly as she rubbed the crick in her neck. "We stayed longer then we should have, so we made an over night trip." She said. Fitz nodded in understanding. "How has it been here?" Sophie asked. Fitz glanced around the room and shrugged, "Kinda, boring without you." Sophie felt her heart's fluttering turn to hammering, as heat crawled up to her cheeks. Any off hand comment like that from him, made her blush.

Fitz turned back to her with a smile. "No news from Mr. Forkle?" Sophie asked. She had tried telepathically contacting the representative of the Black Swan with Fitz, but he hadn't responded to any of their transmissions. Fitz's smile fell and he shook his head. "None." Sophie sighed deeply, as she ran a hand through her hair that needed a wash. If Mr. Forkle wasn't responding how was she supposed to get everyone home? Looking at the bright side she spoke. "No news is good news....right?" Fitz's smile returned. "Right." He agreed.

Sophie glanced down the hall, where her room waited. She heard Fitz stand up, "Did you see Dex and Biana on the roof?" He asked passing her to look out the window. "Yeah, something about Dex's inventions." She said, glancing at Fitz's strong back, as he stared out the window. Fitz turned back to face her, "Some kind of wing suit." He said rolling his eyes, in good humor. "Does it bother you? Them being together?" Sophie asked. Fitz twisted his lips to the side before shrugging. "I can't really be mad at them. I mean if Dex hurts Biana, then I might have a very big problem, but I can be thankful they aren't like Keefe and Linh." Fitz said.

"You think they'll last?"

"Who?" Fitz asked. "Dex and Biana." Sophie clarified, as she stood beside Fitz to glance out the window. She could see Dex and Biana's shadows on the ground. Dex was kneeled in front of Biana, tying something to her shin. "I think that's up to them." Fitz said. "I hope they last, but they both seem a bit shy." He said. Sophie nodded, "I think they'll last. They both seem to understand they have futures and dreams of their own, and they are supporting each other in those." Sophie nodded as Biana's shadow vanished for only a second, before she returned to stomping her foot, causing heavy thumps on the roof. Dex however had his head back laughing.

"They enjoy each others company and they make each other happy." Sophie said. "Your fine with this?" Fitz asked, turning away from the window he leaned on the wall next to it. He stared at Sophie, his eyes burning her skin. "Why wouldn't I be?" Sophie asked, hoping Fitz wouldn't see the blush on her cheeks. "Well Biana was mean to you...at first and Dex is your cousin and best friend."

"I don't really have a say in this. They are old enough to understand what they were doing, and I'm happy for them, and Biana and I are friends." Sophie finally drew her eyes away from the shadows on the ground and looked up at Fitz. "I mean if Biana hurts Dex, then I might have a very big problem." Sophie said, repeating Fitz words.
"Understandable." Fitz murmured, his eyes never looking away from Sophie. His gaze swept over her before roving her face, never glancing away.

"I'm glad you're back Sophie." He said lowly. Sophie's blush deepened, "I'm glad I'm back too." She said. Fitz raised his hand and he didn't restrain himself like his brother once did, he brushed the back of his hand across Sophie's cheek. His touch was warm, and gentle, and Sophie wanted nothing more then to sink into it, to wrap herself in his embrace and breath in the smell of sandalwood and the musky scent of something darker and heavier, that weighed down around her senses, that smell alone made her drop all guards and walls she had created, and that is why she couldn't. Not yet any ways.

Fitz stared down at her, a smile pulling at his lips. It was these moments that Sophie felt closer to him then ever, yet she was the farthest away from him at the same time, those small caresses and touches of encouragements, the breathlessness in it all, the way her heart hammered, everything was perfect in those moments. She forgot about her worries, about her homesickness and about the war. Sophie brought her hand up to Fitz's wrist, as his hand brushed her jaw line.

Fitz let her bring down his hand, he rested it on the crook of her neck, where Sophie placed it. Sophie closed her eyes, trying to remember where she was at, and what she had to do. But her skin was buzzing and tingling, and her senses were on overload with the scent of Fitz swirling around her. Sophie felt Fitz lean closer, she didn't panic like she had last time, she didn't need to open her eyes, she trusted that he'd respect her and her boundaries. As predicted, Fitz didn't try to kiss her. His head rest against Sophie's own. Pressing down in a soft kind of way, Sophie breathed in the breath he let out, she squeezed his wrist in a silent thank you, a silent warning and a perfect subtle sign. No more, not now....not yet.

Fitz let out a small sigh, it sounded wistful and happy all at once. Sophie could feel the warmth of his hand sinking into her, making her hammering heart bash into jackhammering at the butterflies in her stomach. "I should probably go unpack." Sophie whispered, hating that the moment had to end.  "Yeah, you probably should." Fitz whispered back, neither of them moved.

They didn't want to end the moment, but it came crashing down around them, at Tam shouting at Keefe to stop lip battling with his sister. The normal routine that Sophie had become used too.