Welcome back! Let me just start by saying how sorry I am for making you wait so long for this chapter. I'm actually moving soon so I've been a little busier than usual. But don't worry! I'm still writing!

And, I finally included Dex and Keefe! If you're one of those picky people who are like "where's Marella?" or something…well don't expect her. I don't think she'll be included in this particular fanfic.

DISCLAIMER: IF ONLY I WAS A PUBLISHED AUTHOR WITH THE AMAZING SERIES KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES TO CLAIM. BUT, SURPRISE SURPRISE! I'M NOT. THANKS, SHANNON!

Alright, that's covered. R&R please!

I have a plan.

Sophie mentally gave herself a pat on the back.

That staring technique? Out the window. Now, every time she felt herself sinking into a wave of despair, she repeated those words.

I have a plan.

She knew it wouldn't be easy, but it was what she had to do. To save Tam. To save Linh. Hopefully, if it played out correctly, it would save all elves from the Neverseen's wrath.

These are the thoughts that had kept Sophie going during another grueling week at Foxfire.

Now, though, she and all her friends – Fitz, Biana, Dex, and Keefe – had gathered together at Havenfield to discuss their next course of action.

"I have a plan," she said aloud.

Everyone turned to stare gratefully at her. They had been getting nowhere lately, and the idea of…well, an idea lifted their hopes.

Fitz squeezed her hand reassuringly, which reminded Sophie that they were all waiting to hear her out – including Fitz.

"Alright. Foster, no need to keep us on the edge of our seats. What is this magnificent plan that you claim to have concocted?" Keefe asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Biana elbowed him. "This is serious, Keefe."

Keefe nodded. "This is my serious face," he said, scrunching his eyebrows tight and crossing his icy blue eyes, earning a small giggle from Biana.

Sophie cleared her throat.

Everyone fixed their eyes on Sophie rather than Keefe and Biana.

"Go ahead," Fitz prompted, eagerly.

Sophie smiled. "Okay, but you're not going to like it – at first. You'll just have to trust me." She looked at each of them in turn, awaiting their responses.

Keefe's expression softened. "I always do."

Biana said, "You know it."

Dex grinned, saying, "Of course, Sophie," as if it should have been obvious.

Do I even have to answer that?

"Yes," Sophie said aloud, turning to Fitz.

"Always. With anything." His teal eyes sparkled proudly.

"Thank you," Sophie said, addressing everyone.

"So…" Biana drawled.

"So…" Sophie decided it would be best just to say it flat out. "I need to contact the Neverseen," she blurted.

In the next couple minutes, her ears rang with "No way's," "Not happening's," or "Uh-uh's."

But she just sat silently, waiting for them to get it out of their systems. She had anticipated this reaction.

What she hadn't expected was for Fitz to sit quietly.

What're you thinking? she transmitted to him.

His crisp, accented voice filled her head. I'm thinking…well, I'm thinking about all the crazy plans you've ever had – and that we have followed. I know there is more to your plan than what you have said. I trust you.

Even though Sophie should be used to those words by now, her heart seemed to disagree. It fluttered excitedly.

She laced her fingers with Fitz's. Sophie knew how hard it was for him not to react like the others. That gave her confidence.

Are you sure? I mean, now's your chance to yell at me and let me know what a stupid idea this is.

Fitz smiled. I'll wait to yell…I have to hear the whole thing first.

"Hey, lovebirds!" Keefe snapped a finger in front of Sophie's face as if to say Earth to Sophie!

Sophie averted her eyes from Fitz's. Fitz did the same. But neither denied the fact that Keefe had called them "lovebirds."

"Sophie," Dex inquired, "We all know how smart you are. But has the pressure gotten to you? Why would you even think about getting in touch with the Neverseen?"

"She hasn't told us everything yet," Fitz pointed out.

Everyone turned to stare at him in shock – devoid of Sophie – but he stared back as if he hadn't said anything unlike himself.

"Fitz! Did you even hear what she said?" Biana asked. "This is absolutely - "

"Do you have a better idea?" He shot back. "Calm down, guys. At least hear it out before you start rejecting it."

Sophie sighed. "Thanks, Fitz. But, just to give you a heads up, that wasn't even close to the worst part."

The disbelieving glares she received almost made her laugh. Almost.

They had no idea.

Biana scoffed. "What could be worse than contacting murderers? You going to turn yourself into them or something? Pfft," she remarked sarcastically.

When Biana was answered with silence, she shook her head. "I was kidding. You know that, right? You're not seriously thinking…" She trailed off.

"I was," Sophie replied softly, not daring to look at Fitz.

The room fell silent.

When no one protested any further, Sophie decided to relent.

"I'm going to ask them to come meet me along with Tam and Linh. If they agree, and we see both of the twins, I will trade myself in, as the moonlark, for them. They can't resist a deal like that."

"Please tell me this is where Sophie's cleverness seeps in and it's all a fib," Keefe suggested.

'Of course," Sophie replied. "I was thinking we could expertly hide a mini army – gnomes, goblins, whatever – and plan to attack. They will easily expect something like that, and will be on high guard. I know that battle is the last thing we would want to get into right now, but I don't see any other choice."

"So you expect us to just hand you over to them in the middle of full-fledged battle?" Biana asked.

"Yep."

Biana grimaced.

"I can take care of myself. I'll get out of there before anything can happen."

"What if we can't win, Sophie?" Dex asked.

She took a deep breath. "In truth? I don't know. I don't know if we can win. I don't know if the Neverseen will ever give up. But I'm not willing to take the chance and find out. Now's the time to make our move. We've been letting them manipulate us. Letting them toy with our feelings and emotions. I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty sure everyone is ready to take them out once and for all. Now's our chance."

"Why are we even considering his?" Keefe asked. "Have you lost your minds?"

Sophie dared a glance at Fitz. He looked to be deep in thought, not saying a thing.

"I don't like this either," she responded. "But I will not sit back and do nothing while Tam and Linh are who-knows-where doing who-knows-what, possibly hurt or worse. Especially when there's a chance we can get them out. Even if that chance is slim, and it means getting involved in the Neverseen's games. I know that if any of you were in my position, you would feel inclined to do the same thing."

Dex sighed. "I hate this. But if I know you, Sophie, I know that you won't take no for an answer. Unless anyone has another idea?"

Biana fidgeted with her sleeve. Keefe stared at his hands in his lap. Fitz kept a solid gaze on the ground.

"Alright, then." Dex relented.

Sophie nodded gratefully at him.

Biana looked on the verge of tears. "I would never want to put you in this situation, Sophie. And I'm sorry that you are stuck in it. But I don't really see how to avoid this. So if it's our only option – and I mean only – then you'd better promise me you'll get out of there in one piece."

"I promise."

Keefe cleared his throat. "Personally, I will never voluntarily agree to this plan. But I know that I'm out voted, and that you'll never stop persisting, Foster. Just please be careful."

"I always am."

Keefe's eyebrow seemed to crawl up his face.

"Well, you know what I mean. I will be this time."

"You'd better."

Sophie let out a breath she had been holding. Three out of four had agreed. She just needed…

Fitz hadn't spoken for a while. Sophie had known that he would be the hardest to persuade in the beginning, but it didn't make it any easier.

"Hey guys? Could I, er, speak to Fitz…you know…um, in private?" She asked sheepishly.

"Of course," Biana said, standing upright and pushing the other boys out of the room. When they were on the other side of the doorway, Biana turned around and gave Sophie a wink.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Here goes nothing, Sophie thought.

She decided that this conversation would be one to be spoken aloud. It just seemed to serious to discuss telepathically.

"You can yell at me now."

Fitz's lip twitched. "I'm not going to yell at you, Sophie. And I hope that's not what you expect from me."

"It's not. But this is kind of appropriate, don't you think?"

Sophie's answer was a hug. Fitz had leaned over and wrapped his arms around her.

"I don't want you to get hurt. Not again," he whispered into her shoulder.

"I know," Sophie cooed.

Neither spoke for a few moments.

When Fitz pulled away, his eyes were bloodshot. "You really think that this is our only shot?"

"I truly wish it wasn't. But not all wishes come true."

"If only," he responded.

"But, you know, one of mine did. See, there was this kind, caring, and beautiful elf that I fell in love with. Dark hair, teal eyes, always there for you. Have you meet him?"

Fitz's smile returned faintly, and he decided to play along. "Not sure I have. What happened?"

"Well, I was worried he didn't feel the same about me for a long time. I wished more than anything that he felt the same way. But I still doubted it. Then, one day, he admitted his feelings to me. One of the happiest moments in my life…besides the part with Silveny being in labor, but you know what I mean. The point is, my wish came true." Sophie pulled him in for another hug. "And I couldn't ask for anyone better. So, yes, some wishes come true. But I'm afraid this one is a tad bit too weighty for Santa to drop down my chimney."

"Huh?" Fitz asked, still in her embrace.

"Never mind. All I'm saying is that we'll get through this. Just like we always do. That's a promise."

Fitz stayed silent for a long time. Then, he pulled away and reached for Sophie's hand. He gently pulled it up, and when he did, their cognate rings had snapped together.

He nodded. "I trust you."

Yay! Chapter 5 is officially up!

I'm sorry for the quality, but I wrote most of this late at night…and most of it is dialogue, which can be tricky. I hoped you enjoyed it, though!

I'd appreciate ANY reviews, and thanks for reading. *Criticism is welcome!*

Looking forward to the next chapter,