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"Welcome to the Uni-Euro border, Soldier Cardry," the sergeant says from behind the dingy desk. He shakes my hand and pushes his HoloTablet across his tabletop.

"Thank you, sir," I reply curtly. He hands me a pen, and I sign my name in midair. The HoloTablet documents my signature, dragging and displaying the cursive on its screen. I tap the accept button, locking in my five-year enlistment.

"As we've previously discussed, you'll be beginning at the outskirts of the border, basic patrol."

"Of course," I say. "I've completed the trainings and screenings. Now I'm ready to start."

"Excellent," the sergeant says. He hands me a woven badge of the USA flag. I clip it to the front of my gray uniform. With another nod, the sergeant leads me outside towards the patrol building.

I follow the sergeant across the campus, kicking up dry dirt as our boots touch the ground. My dad would be so proud of me. He'd see why I chose the military over a job like a schoolteacher or an engineer.

My mom and siblings would agree, too. I know for a fact my mom would tell me it's okay to be happy, even when she's not here with me. She'd tell me to live my life and remember the good things. Keep going forward, don't regress.

So that's what I plan to do. I've spent most of my life hating Renegades, and I want to correct it. I'm in the best physical shape I can be in, and I'll use my strength to protect the USA from the Europeans. Being stationed at the Uni-Euro border will have enough purpose and danger to make my family proud. My days as a Renegade aren't over just yet.

The sergeant holds the door for me as we enter the air-conditioned patrol room. I'm handed a gun and a helmet as I suit up for my first six-hour patrol. "Keep your gun ready and your eyes focused."

I buckle the helmet strap underneath my chin. "Got it."

The sergeant leads me towards a window overlooking the border. At least a hundred soldiers on either side face each other without emotion.

"You're replacing this guy right here, with the blonde hair."

I nod, gazing at the back of the blonde-haired boy. A flash of recognition floods my senses, but I shove it away quickly; there's no way he's Daniel. No way. I'm not going to let myself be distracted in the middle of my first shift.

Remembering my military training, I focus my mindset and furrow my eyebrows. Marching out a metal door, I take a straightforward path to the solider I'm replacing. I halt my movements when I step beside him, relieving him of his position.

The Europeans across the border stare menacingly at us Americans, guns pointed at their sides. I know better than to be distracted by their laser-like stares and cold black uniforms. Pure confidence and skill is needed for me to maintain my stance.

I feel the blonde boy turn is eyes away from the enemy and onto me instead. He chuckles, and my nerves freeze. Oh, my gosh, I could identify that laugh from a mile away.

"Ashley," Daniel says under his breath. My heart beats a thousand times a minute. My palms dampen as my emotion fly in a thousand different direction. I can't help but flinch to free the instability building in my heart.

Daniel chuckles again, sending heat up my spine. "Meet me at Aria's Restaurant. 7 PM."

"Sounds like a plan," I hiss under my breath, praying the movement of my lips don't provoke the enemy. Daniel turn and marches back to the patrol room, leaving me with an eery silence and a boatload of thoughts.

I can't believe I came in contact with Daniel Fadhill. The Daniel Fadhill. It's been over a year since I've seen him last, and I'm not only relieved but... attracted. For some reason, Daniel knows how to torque with my heartstrings.

A flash of Daniel's iconic smirk pops into my mind. I shake it away quickly, stifling my thoughts and feelings. I focus on the Europeans across the border, prepared at any moment to fire my weapon. Safety first, Daniel later.

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I cross the busy street, avoiding a collision with a distracted group of people. Shaking my head, I step onto the sidewalk and enter the restaurant in my newly-purchased dress.

Though the interior is a bit shabby, I can tell I'm standing in a beautiful building. Dark tables and carpets are illuminated by small lights hanging over each table. Flowers top every surface available, instrumental music mixing with the quiet chatter of the diners.

"Welcome to Aria's," the hostess says, adorning a black uniform. She blends in with the pleasant half-darkness. "Table for one?"

"No, I'm supposed to meet someone here."

"Is his name... Daniel?" she asks, flipping through her HoloTablet.

"Yes." A nervous flutter travels through my stomach. I suddenly feel fidgety. 14 months away from a person can make you anxious.

"Then follow me this way, Miss," the hostess says. As directed, I follow her figure. We weave between a few carpeted paths, and I spot Daniel quickly. Wearing a white-collared dress shirt and dark pants, it's apparent we he dressed up for the occasion. Even his sleeves are rolled up, exposing his muscles. I don't bother the ignore my hyperactive attractions anymore.

"Ashley," Daniel says, rising from his seat. The hostess fades out of sight as I smile.

"Hey, Daniel. It's great to see you."

Without holding back, Daniel locks me in a hug. I relax against him, rising on my toes. He rests his chin on my shoulder.

"I've missed you so much, Ash," Daniel says, "including all your annoying banter and terrible knife-throwing."

"Shut up, Daniel," I laugh. "Like your temper tantrums are any better."

We sit down at the stable, resuming our usual back-and-forth conversation. A waiter soon stops by our table to take our orders.

"So how did you end up in the Midwest again?" Daniel asks after we order. He hands the waiter our menus.

"Well, I guess it was by chance," I say. "When I was picking a career, I was leaning towards owning a business, like a book store or something. But it didn't feel like the right thing to do, so I chose border patrol instead."

Daniel raises an eyebrow at me. "So seeing me again didn't contribute to your decision?"

I roll my eyes as Daniel laughs. "I've missed that reaction so much over the past year, Ashley."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." I feel my cheeks heat up. I uncross my legs, accidentally tapping Daniel's ankle. Under the table, he pulls away like I burned him.

Now it's my turn to smirk. "Someone seems a little nervous tonight."

Daniel grins, caught in my grip. He knows I'm catching on fast. "Maybe a little," he admits.

I pause for a moment. The fancy restaurant and expensive clothing don't add up. So I confirm my deepest suspicion. "This is a date," I drawl out.

"Well I knew you wouldn't agree to one willingly," Daniel says. Not missing a beat, he slides open his wallet and pulls out a crumpled paper.

I gasp, picking up the bill. It's an old ISA five-dollar bill. Scrawled next to one of the five's are six zeros. Five million bills.

"Where did you get this at?" I ask. "I spent it at the post-rebellion party over a year ago."

"It's a long story," Daniel says, "but I was hoping you'd stick around to hear it."

"Of course I will," I laugh. My heartbeat picks up again, pumping faster than I ever has before. Daniel leans across the table, and we kiss. Fireworks erupt as everything falls into place.

I pull back slowly, gazing into Daniel's eyes. "Five million bills," I confirm.

He nods, a smile creeping onto his lip. I grin and kiss him again. "Make that ten million?" Daniel asks.

I roll my eyes, cueing a laugh from him. "Fifteen if you finally shut up."

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okay, now that's the ending everyone wanted. feel free to imagine that as the true end of instability if you can now sleep soundly at night.

and i'd like to take a moment to acknowledge daniel's sweet moves. what a heartthrob ;)