And although Chloe continued to fly and slowly make progress with her career while Spectre awaited the outcome of his now famous strafing incident, the two never let it get between them.

Spectre supported her as she struggled through the upgrade program. The squadron seemed to have it out for her, determined to make it painful for her to upgrade. She had reflown several of the upgrade rides and her instructors had threatened a few times to have her pulled from the upgrade program to give her more time in the jet before trying again.

Spectre helped her prepare and study for every flight, giving her advice on how to deal with the squadron that had turned its back on him, while Chloe listened patiently and gave him advice while he relived his own life changing moments over and over.

It had been a tough decision to let it all go, but with his career behind him and the Generals giving him a firm “hell no” on returning to the jet, Spectre decided to move on to civilian life. He would not lose Chloe and his career. He could manage moving with her every three years. He liked the stability the relationship gave him. So he finally proposed.

Now he was sitting on their couch staring at the ring he had given her as she twisted it around on her finger. It had been his mother’s ring. His father had given it to him after she had been killed in a car accident. It had been his grandmother’s ring before that. It was the greatest gesture of love he could think of at the time.

“Cal, I love you, but the spark is just not there anymore. You and I have grown apart, and I don’t think you even know who you are since you quit flying,” she said. She was no longer looking at him, but staring at the ring as she twisted it on her finger.

“So what does this mean? You’re done? It’s over? You’re the one! We can make this work!” His eyes were starting to water.

“I’m sorry baby, but I just don’t think so,” she replied with a tear rolling down her cheek.

“I thought I was your symbolon, remember? Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” Spectre pleaded. It was a nickname Chloe had called him since the day he proposed. It was a term coined by Plato referring to two halves yearning to be joined as one. However, as Spectre asked the question, he realized she hadn’t called him that in a while. Maybe they really were growing apart after all.

Chloe frowned. She pulled off the ring and looked at it. Time seemed to stand still as she offered it to Spectre.

“Just like that?” he asked. His face felt flush and his heart sank as he took the ring from her.

“I’ll sleep in the guest room until we figure out what we’re going to do with the house,” she offered as she wiped away the tears. Her tone had suddenly turned very business-like. She got up and walked past him, pausing to touch his shoulder. He grabbed her hand.