After all the begging and begging (Nova's words), she finally agreed to go on a date with Jake. Just one. She was convinced that this one date would get the need out of Jake's system and allow them to go their separate ways soon enough.

She was wrong. She was very wrong.

Because the longer she went on dates with Jake Seresin, the more she grew to like him. She saw through the facade he put up at work and saw the actual human being that was underneath.

Their first date was a simple dinner. Nova didn't want anything fancy so dinner was perfect. (She had flat out refused a movie, despite actually wanting to go see the one Jake had mentioned.)

It was there they had started to learn a little more about each other. Nothing too deep just yet, as those were reserved for later dates.

Nova learned that Jake was the first in his family to serve in the military. His parents owned a farm down in Texas that he visited whenever he had time off. He had two older sisters, making him the baby of the family, something Nova got a kick out of.

In return, Jake discovered that Nova was an only child but had a few friends that she was so close to they were practically family. So, counting those, she had two older ‘brothers’ and one younger ‘sister’ who she didn't get to see often, as they were all scattered most of the time.

It did take a bit of a turn when Jake learned Nova became a nurse because her mom was one. Nova’s mom had died shortly after her birth due to complications. Ever since Nova had learned that, she had been determined to help people, a small part of her always convinced she had accidently killed her own mother.

But the real moments they truly bonded came on a later date. One where Jake truly surprised Nova, in the best way possible.

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“A carnival??!! You brought me to a carnival??!!” Nova was practically vibrating with excitement. There was no explanation, but she loved the traveling carnivals that would come to town. There was something about the atmosphere and the chaos of them that drew her like a moth to flames.

Jake held in his laugh at the look on her face. She was practically crying with joy, her eyes squinted in excitement.

(Later, he would look back and realize this was the moment he started falling hard for Nova, and he wasn't going to stop anytime soon.)

“I take it you like this plan?” He asked, needlessly. Nova had already grabbed his hand and began to drag him to the entrance.

Jake grabbed his wallet and paid for their tickets before turning to Nova. “What do you want to do first?”

Nova practically ran to some of the rides they had. She didn't care if these rides were definitely not incredibly safe, she just enjoyed the adrenaline rush it gave her.

Uncle Ice always told her that was her ‘Maverick’ coming out. She didn't fly but still needed that rush. Mav couldn't argue as he also enjoyed the rides and was the only one willing to go on them with Nova.

After the spinning rides and one that Jake swore he was going to throw up on, Nova had her fill of adrenaline, at least for the time being.

“Now I must introduce you to the best carnival food they have to offer,” she told Jake, intertwining their hands and moving towards the food area. “You will be paying for it tomorrow but will love it for the moment.” Turns out, the food was the greasiest, most unhealthy thing they offered but with the way Nova was looking at Jake, happy to be sharing something she loved, he ate the entire thing with no complaint.

After their food, Jake suggested some of the games. He didn't think getting back on rides after that food was the best idea, especially for him.

Jake was now aware of how much Nova liked carnivals but he was not prepared for just how good she was at the games. Ring toss, balloon popping, water guns, you name it Nova was an ace.

A few stuffed animals and prizes later, there was one final game left. And Jake was determined to win it. One, so he could say he actually beat Nova in a game (his pride was only slightly wounded by the amount of losses he had had). But also so he could finally do the cliche thing of winning Nova a stuffed animal. So far, the ones they had won were all small ones, but Jake was confident he could get her one of the bigger bears. (Not the ones the size of a person but the ones that you still needed both arms for).

And win it he did, finally having beat the Queen of Carnival Games herself. But before they left, they had one final ride to hit.

The Ferris Wheel.

The two are able to get their own car, making it an easy ride. But as they go around the wheel, Jake asks something he's been dying to know the answer to, especially after a certain conversation he wasn't allowed to mention.

“When I first asked you out, you said you didn't date Navy guys. Why? And what makes me so special to finally break that rule?”

Nova looks at him before looking out at the sky. They are nearing the top of the Ferris Wheel, so she has a view of the entire carnival from here. She lets out a sigh before turning back to him.

“I'm sure you noticed that I was closer to the Admiral than most contractors would be.” Jake nodded his head, already knowing the relationship but keeping that to himself. “He may be the Commander of the Pacific Fleet to you but to me he is simply Uncle Ice. He and my father are best friends, have been since before I was born. And after my mom died, my dad needed help. Uncle Ice and Aunt Sarah had just had JJ, their oldest, so they helped my dad out where they could. JJ and I grew up alongside each other from day one, essentially.”

Nova took another deep breath. She hadn't explained this in years. “When people in the Navy find out you have connections, they take every advantage they can for it. Uncle Ice was the one who told me not to tell anyone of our connection because he didn't want me to get used to get to him. So I made the rule that I wouldn't date Navy guys to avoid the situation all together.”

Jake held her hand as she was explaining, though he couldn't catch her eye. When she wouldn't look at him, he gently grasped her chin with his other hand. Once she looked at him, he spoke.

“Well I can assure you, I wanted to go out with you long before that moment ever happened. If I'm being honest, the fact that you are so close with the Admiral is more nerve wracking than anything else.” Nova rose an eyebrow, asking for an elaboration.

“If anything happens or I mess up, you can easily tell him and I could be screwed. I'm not saying you would do anything,” he quickly stopped her from interjecting. “You clearly know how careers in the military work and I know you would never jeopardize someone's career, but it's a thought that lingers.”

Nova didn't get a chance to answer before they finally stopped the Ferris Wheel and the two were forced to get off. They were silent onto the way back to the car, though they were still holding hands.

Once in the car, Nova turned to Jake. “I want you to know one very important thing. I also didn't want to date Navy guys because I know Ice. And I know he would be doing all the background checks possible to look into whoever I was seeing. So when I tell you, there will be very few details I actually tell him, I mean it. He likes to meddle.” She smirked a bit at the end of her sentence.

Jake laughed a little, a bit more relieved at that information. He drove them back to Nova's house to drop her off, the two of them just talking for the ride, occasionally stopping to sing along with the radio.

Despite how many dates the two had been on so far, they hadn't kissed yet. Nova had been unsure for a while and Jake wasn't about to screw this up when he had to practically beg Nova to give him a shot in the first place.

But as Jake pulled the car into park, sitting in Nova's driveway, she turned to face him.

“I had a really good time tonight Jake. I wouldn't be opposed to doing this again. If only so I can kick your ass at carnival games again.” She laughed lightly at the offended look Jake put on. But she quickly wiped that off his face.

Nova leaned over and gave Jake a kiss on the cheek, her lips lingering just a little too long.

When she moved away, she grabbed her bear and purse, making for the door handle. “Good night Jake,” she hopped right out and walked to her door unlocking it and disappearing just as quickly.

Jake had been so stunned by the kiss that he didn't even have a chance to walk her to her door. Hell, he was so stunned he just sat there, in the driveway like an idiot for another few minutes. He finally snapped out of it and made his way back to his own apartment, smiling as widely as he could.

And Nova, as soon as she had closed her door, fell against it and squealed. She hadn't felt like this in a long time.

They didn't know it yet, but that night at the carnival was just the beginning of their love story.

And they wouldn't trade for the world.

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Word count: 1,693

Phew that was a lot. So I know people have probably been wondering about Nova's mom, as I never mentioned her. Well I never really pictured her mom in the story, so I kind of always had her dead. Oops. And we found out why Nova doesn't date Navy men.

But yea, Nova loves traveling carnivals and has no fear cause you wouldn't catch me on any of those rides.

But how did you like seeing some early Nova/Jake moments??!!

Stay tuned for some trips to the future soon!!

Bye guys!!!!