Despite being planet-side for a few days, the Blue Raven's still needed to undergo various tests and debriefs before being allowed R&R.

As Jason stood outside Donnelly's room dressed in a smart civilian uniform he felt butterflies in his stomach, a small sense of anxiety he had never felt before.

He had come to greatly respect his colleague as they had trained together, fought together, and conspired together, but he had also come to see the woman behind the military facade. She was smart, witty, beautiful and fun to be around.

Jason shook his head. Despite this being a bet that he had won, it was also an opportunity to talk business away from the prying eyes of Colonel El-Hadji.

The last mission had to be discussed. At best the orders were illegal, at worst they would defy the Geneva convention. The very rules that keep humanity's military organisations in check.

Therefore, whatever strange and incomprehensible feelings Jason may be feeling for Donnelly, they were inappropriate and a distraction.

He waved his hand at the door to indicate his arrival.

Within moments the door slid open to reveal a sight that left him breathless.

Donnelly stood there in a long flowing red dress that stretched all the way to the floor while her sleeveless top flaunted her slightly tanned flawless arms.

She brushed a strand of her long flowing dusty brown hair from her shoulder. Jason smiled, and a giddiness flowed through his body leaving him feeling like he was floating. He had never seen her hair-free due to the very nature of their job, always tied up carefully to avoid distractions, but the sight of her now seemed to send a sense of release and calmness to her face.

Donnelly's smile seemed to make her deep brown eyes shine bright. It wasn't until that moment that Jason realised he was probably standing there like an idiot with his mouth wide open.

"Something the matter, Jason?" She chuckled.

Jason brushed the side of his hair. "Uh... no... no of course not." He blushed.

His childish behaviour seemed to make her smile even more.

As Jason took a hold of her hand he carefully led her to their transportation. Sitting inside the Europan hovercar the doors slid down and glided them out to join the thousands of other vehicles already streaming from various locations around the Europan skyline.

Jason smiled like a school kid as the automated car glided them towards their destination. He was simply speechless at his counterpart's appearance. As he realised the silence was a little painful he shouted out a little too enthusiastically "News."

Donnelly chuckled as the top news displayed on the car screens in front of them. "Have you never been on a date before?"

"Yes... I mean no... sorry, I just wasn't expecting you to go all out for this."

"Why not?" Donnelly replied, "This is a date after all."

Jason smiled at the date confirmation. He relaxed a little bit in his seat, feeling more at ease with the situation.

The two of them continued chatting as the car carried on its course. It wasn't until a news article grabbed their attention that their conversation flow stopped.

"The inquest into the death of Senator Cartwright-Evans was concluded today. The Senator's pleasure cruiser had been found drifting around Titan orbit with the entire crew dead on board. The inquest confirmed that pirates had infiltrated the craft and executed everyone on board. Various celebrities and statesmen have come forward to express their condolences on such a tragic affair. General Richard von Striken, Senator Cartwright-Evans' closest rival in the Europan elections had this to say."

"Senator Cartwright-Evans, despite being my rival in the current elections, had always performed with dignity and diligence in his time as Senator. While I never had the luxury to work directly with him, working against him has been a rewarding and educational experience. He will be sorely missed by all within the community."

The news reporter responded, "Do you have anything to add to those who committed this atrocity?"

General von Striken looked directly at the camera. "Beware! The Europan people have been aggrieved, and as a member of those people I will bring justice and demand the Senator's retribution."

"That's bullshit!" Jason frowned. "Everyone has just been played!"

Donnelly didn't seem to respond initially, but a small vein that protruded out from her forehead always gave Jason an indication that she was severely angry.

"We killed everyone on board that vessel to further a political career. That makes me sick to the very core." Donnelly fumed. "At least it confirms that General von Striken is indeed the one pulling the strings."

For a few moments, there was silence in the hovercar. The news report had dampened the mood somewhat, with both Jason and Donnelly contemplating the next steps.

Eventually, Donnelly turned and smiled at Jason. "Let us forget conspiracies, and assassinations, and all that crap and just concentrate on two friends getting to know each other."

They both eased back into their seats allowing them to discuss more trivial subjects.

"So," Donnelly started "has there been anyone special to you?"

"Apart from you?" Jason replied with a cheeky grin.

"Smooth Jason, but it doesn't get you any brownie points."

Jason laughed before his face grew more serious contemplating the question he had just been asked. "There was," he replied uneasily. "She was like a sister to me, although I know she wanted to be more to me than that."

Donnelly nodded, sensing how uncomfortable Jason was about the subject, but appreciating that he wanted to continue.

"Her name is Aurora. We grew up together here, in Europa, and we joined the academy together."

"You admire her?" Donnelly sensed in his voice.

Jason looked out towards the beautiful artificial sunset taking in its various stages of yellows, golds and reds. "I did, I mean I do." He corrected himself "She was a fantastic friend and a talented soldier."

Donnelly gently placed her hand on his leg. "You keep changing between past and present tense, is she KIA?"

Jason turned to her and smiled. "God no, she's too stubborn for that." He chuckled, "I let her down badly, and I never made up for it."

"How?"

"She followed me everywhere. If I had told her to go to hell with me, she'd have obliged without hesitation. Her loyalty was unquestionable and I abused that trust, taking her on more dangerous missions all for my own glory. As a result of our last mission together she was seriously injured, losing a leg in combat because I didn't give her the necessary support she deserved."

He sighed "I thought only of the mission and its success, as a result my best friend lost a limb. I never properly thanked her or gave her the credit and appreciation she deserved. While I got selected to join the Blue Ravens, she spent months in hospital and rehabilitation. Aurora was always the hero, not me."

Donnelly chuckled and sat back. "Jason, when I met you, you were egotistical and foolhardy, but you are also brilliant and a credit to the USM."

Leaning forward she once again placed her hand on his leg, which instantly grabbed his attention. Donnelly stared directly into Jason's crystal blue eyes. "You may feel that you let this Aurora down, but I don't see why. She isn't some lost puppy who follows you because she know nothing else, she followed you because she believed in you."

"How can you be so sure?" Jason asked.

"Because that's how I feel." Donnelly replied. "I would follow you to the end of the universe if I had to. I too don't do it for credit or appreciation but because there's something about you that appeals to me greatly. You're honourable and trustworthy but unconventional and unpredictable. I've never felt so alive with anyone before."

She edged forward and placed her lips on his. The feel of her soft lips was exhilarating and a sensation that made Jason feel more alive than he had ever done before.

As their lips parted, Donnelly smiled and placed her hand on his cheek.

"It takes every ounce of strength I have in me to not fall for you Raven Knight." Donnelly eventually responded with a slightly disappointed tone in her voice.

"Why not?" Jason asked, somewhat confused "You know I feel something for you?"

Donnelly sat back in the chair again. "Because we are Blue Ravens, the best of the best. Blue Ravens have, by nature, a ridiculously short life expectancy. We are trying to uncover a conspiracy which affects the entire Human Confederate involving some of the most powerful people imaginable. I will follow you anywhere but we can not afford to fall for each other because at any moment either one of us could make a fatal mistake."

Her eyes seemed to darken as she looked toward the horizon. "Then the other would finish their life full of regret."