The war ended months ago, and the colony was once again becoming prosperous as it once was. Life seemed to be back to normal, everything and everyone falling back into place.

Shulk and Fiora spent most of their time together. When they were apart, Shulk was always in the lab, trying to find new ways to make new weapons out of all the foreign materials brought over by not only the Machina, but the Nopon and High Entia as well. It was no secret that Fiora loved to cook, and she decided to start selling her goods all throughout the colony.

Riki lived comfortably with his wife Oka, and all of their littlepon.

Melia spent most of her time secluded away, which wasn't anything new. Everyone made it a priority to check up on her at least once a day, and she always appeared to be in good spirits. She was just a thinker. Every since the war, she always thought about her father, her brother, and her people. She did feel lost, although she was grateful her friends cared about her. Never once would she let her friends see her upset, because she owed her life to them.

Dunban was still working as hard as ever trying to rebuild every inch of Colony 9, with the help of Otharon and Vanea.

Reyn hadn't changed at all. He still loved to fight, workout, eat, and sleep. Nothing ever changed with him.

And then there was Sharla. She lived in a warm two-bedroom villa with Juju, who was always at the gem man's stall, eager to learn how to craft gems himself (since he never was much of a fighter). Now, don't get her wrong, she was so relieved that she and Juju could finally live safely, but it wasn't in her nature to sit back and act like she wasn't still troubled. Truthfully, she couldn't seem to escape her mind.

She couldn't stop thinking about Gadolt. About how he gave his life for her, just so she could live and see a new world. She had loved him more than anything, and she felt lost without him. Yet, in the back of her mind, she did want to find love again. Sharla did want to be able to love someone the way she loved Gadolt, she was just afraid. She felt guilty, as though it was wrong of her to feel this way. How long was long enough before she would be able to move on guilt free? She knew it wasn't healthy to keep holding onto the past, and she wasn't trying to, but all she ever wanted was to make Gadolt proud.

Gadolt told Reyn to take care of her, which meant he knew Reyn had the potential to provide for her. Gadolt wasn't the type to tell anyone to take care of Sharla. He didn't tell Shulk, heir to the Monado, the only one capable to saving them, to take care of her. He told REYN of all people.

Reyn took Gadolt's word as the okay to keep having feelings for Sharla. All he ever wanted to do was protect the one's he cared about, and Reyn cared about Sharla. A lot.

It was no secret that Reyn didn't have any experience when it came to girls. He had never had a girlfriend, let alone had feelings about a girl. But, when he saw Sharla, something just clicked. She was older, beautiful, and could totally kick his ass if she needed to.

It was funny, seeing Reyn so caught up over a girl. Even Shulk, his best friend, couldn't help but laugh over Reyn's desperate attempts to get Sharla's attention.

Later that day, Sharla was sitting inside polishing her gun when she heard a knock on the door.

"Hold on! I'm coming!" Sharla shouted, pulling herself off the couch.

The banging continued, until finally, Sharla threw the door open. She already knew who it was.

"Reyn, I know you heard scream that I was coming. Is it really necessary to keep knocking? I swear, you will do everything in your power to give me a headache."

"Sorry Sharla… I wanted to see if you wanted to go hunt some Bunniv's with me? Maybe if you're lucky, I'll even cook up some dinner for us." Reyn said cockily.

"You know, I think I have enough luck as it is. No thanks." Sharla rolled her eyes.

"Aw come on Sharla! Let me show you that I can cook!" Reyn pleaded.

"I've had you're food before, I'd be better off if I let Juju cook for me." Sharla laughed. Last time she let Juju try to cook a meal for her birthday, he set the kitchen on fire.

Reyn didn't find that funny, and continued. "Can I tell you something?"

"Sure. I'm listening."

"I've been going over to Fiora's lately….. so she could teach me how to properly cook a Bunniv, and other stuff." Reyn confessed.

"Why? You hate cooking. You hate everything besides eating and sleeping." Sharla was genuinely curious why Reyn had a sudden interest in cooking.

"I just want to impress you Sharla. Women like men that can cook, so heck, I can cook too!"

Sharla was taken aback. "Reyn, if you really want to cook for me, I won't decline, but you don't have to. That is nice of you."

"I know I don't have to Sharla. But I want to. So please let me. Please just come over tonight. 8 o clock. You don't even have to go hunt with me. Let me take care of it. You just show up."

"Alright. I'll be there at 8." Sharla promised, then went back to polishing her gun.