Of course he forgot, Laureline didn't even know why she was surprised. She paced around their craft, annoyed at her stupidity. When will you girls learn, she had thought when watching Jane make the walk of shame not ten minutes ago. When will you learn, Laureline.. An overwhelming sadness overcame her all of a sudden; she had half the mind to go AWOL for the day. However, the logical part of her knew she had to stay loyal to her duties, it gave her purpose after all, and a great distraction from the empty feeling in her heart.

Laureline heard the main door of the ship swish open and a second later came Alex's voice.

"Good morning Valerian."

"Morning Alex, is Laureline in the helm?" Came Valerian.

"Yes, she's waiting for you." Valerian knew this was not a good sign. He also knew she'll pretend that him forgetting her birthday, again, was no big deal. She could keep a straight face, and the regular tone of voice but that was the problem. He'll be treated with indifference for however long the hurt feelings are there. He entered the helm and took his seat. Laureline didn't even glance at him. Valerian had the crazy idea of not mentioning her birthday and pulling together a last minute surprise party but he knew that she would see through it and the consequences of that would be infinitely worse. It's best he doesn't try cover up his mistakes; it never worked with her in the past, and today would be no exception. He sat up in his seat a little and leaned over the console, placing a hand on her forearm.

Laureline jerked at the sudden touch on her arm and whirled wide-eyed to face Valerian. She was shocked that she had been caught off guard, especially when she knew he was sitting next to her, but she had still somehow managed to zone out completely. This was uncharacteristic of her and they both knew it. Valerian's head had dropped to the side, looking at her with caution. Laureline was always focussed.

"Laureline-" Valerian paused, unsure what to say. He didn't know he'd hurt her that bad. "- where did you go?" He asked softly. His eyes penetrated her own and he refused to let her look away. I slight blush made its way up Laureline's neck and she felt hot.

"Why Valerian, I went where I always try to go when you're within ten metres of me," Laureline quipped, determined to keep her cool and regain her focus.

Valerian smiled all off a sudden. "Oh yeah? Daydreaming about?"

"A world without you," Laureline replies coldly before starting the engine. She gave him one last look to the side and an expression of mock sympathy crossed her face. "You look shocked that a place like that actually exists." He gave me a wry smile and I lifted us into the air.

"Happy Birthday Laureline." He said quietly.

"Thank you." A small smile touched Laurelines lips. He got there eventually.


"Christ Laureline, slow down would you!" Valerian braced himself against his seat as they hurtled through time and space to get to a rendez vous they were probably late to.

"It's your fault you slept in," she replied bitterly.

"That doesn't justify killing us!" Valerian shouted in fear. Laureline suddenly takes her hands off the stick and turns in her chair to face Valerian, acting like she wasn't flying the ship.

"Laureline what are you doing?!" Fear struck through Valerian when she didn't put her hands back on the gears but instead rests her elbow on the side of her seat and her chin atop her palm, remaining eye contact with him the entire time. Her face was cool and unafraid. Valerian on the other hand was freaking out, eyes wild and hands running through his hair. This is a game they always seem to play and no matter how many times they do it his reaction is always the same. Always.

"Laureline, put your hands back on the wheel," Valerian growled. She had to admit, she loved the sound of his voice in these moments of panic, the desperate tone taken to his rugged voice. She loved the sound of him speaking, not that she'll ever tell him. She angled her head on him now and a smile tugged at her lips at his distressed state. I mean, they were hurtling through time and space after all.

"Laureline, I'm sorry I forgot your birthday okay? I'm sorry I made us late okay but just put your hands back on the controls," he shouts in a murderous tone, half shouts out of dread.

Laureline grinned, mischievously and placed her hands back on the controls, she wasn't going to hold out for a please in this situation. They both knew she wouldn't do anything to jeopardise either of their lives but the random fear he has whenever she lets go always amuses her. He was always so brave, and it thrilled her that she could do something so small to scare him. He glares at her just as we enter the atmosphere of planet Jacu.

"Wait till I get you back Laureline, you won't be so smug then," he promises darkly.

"If only I had fears," she replies, smugly. He doesn't know what scares me.

Laureline lands the ship and turns on the camouflage system before they step and leave Alex behind. Jacu was a small planet, and basically one massive city. There was not a lot of green. It was a planet of concrete slabs, bricks and windows. It was the central trading place for most companies. It was a place of business. They had parked in an abandoned lot, which was hard to come by on this planet, they're beings everywhere and they were always busy. They head towards the main streets and bend in with the crowd. After five minutes, Laureline addresses her communicator before putting it away. "We just need to turn left at the alley ahead and keep going till we see them."

Valerian doesn't say anything. In fact he had been quiet the entire time. It bothered Valerian how smug she was about not fearing anything. He knew she was brave but he wished she's just once let her guard down. Not for the whole world to see her, but just for him. It was only when they turned onto the alleyway that Valerian lost all patience and snapped.

Laureline gasped, the breath knocked out of her as her back roughly hits the side of the building. Valerians grabbed her arms and pinned them at her sides, pressing himself against her so that she couldn't move an inch. She could always head-butt him but she had no room to gain momentum. His face was inches from hers. Her eyes slide to his lips which turn into a smirk when he notices her looking. Her eyes shoot up to meet his and she glares. The smirk remains on his face as he leans in closer.

"Everyone's afraid of something Laureline, and you can be sure that as soon as I find out what makes you run for the hills, I'm going to make it my new duty to torture you with it." He whispers it with equal amounts of charm and menace. The foreboding sound in his voice sends shivers down her spine. With that, he let her go and continued down the alleyway.

Valerian fought off the urge to run back to her and kiss her senseless. However, he didn't deserve her after last night and he sure as hell wasn't going to mess up their partnership over it. He did, however, have his heart set on finding what she was afraid of. The thought of finally getting revenge on her bought a smile to his mouth. He wanted to see her flustered, writhing beneath him- Stop thinking about having sex with her. He cursed his mind for betraying him. How easily his thoughts had strayed. But he couldn't help but run the fantasy through his head. Finding what she feared most, saving her from them, and then hot sex afterwards. Of course he knew this would never happen. She was much to brave and stubborn and prideful to let herself be stuck in that situation. Valerian tripped all of a sudden, but Laureline grabbed his arm to steady him, a wolfish grin on her face. He hadn't even noticed she had caught up, and the child she was she stuck out her foot to trip him.

It's the little things in life, thought Laureline, sighing in content. Up ahead a figure came into view. They came to a stop in front of the man in the nice business suit. Laureline admired the slick undercover outfit.

"You're late," General Oktobar gruffed.

"My bad," Valerian offers.

"You read your missions right, it's just you two and there will be no back up. The circumstances make it impossible for us to watch your six. This artefact you're stealing from the trades department is highly sensitive, expensive and dangerous. Don't get caught because there won't be anyone to save either of you, understand?" Oktobar's tone is all business, fitting his suit entirely too well.

"I got you guys passes into the building and floor that it's being held on. It is heavily guarded so be careful. Here are your packs," General Oktobar says, handing over two backpacks filled with everything we'd need for the mission. "Good luck," he says with a brief nod before turning around and walking away. Laureline turns to leave too but stops at the sound of General Oktobar.

"Oh and Laureline?" he calls.

"Yes general?"

"Happy birthday," he says with a kind smile. Laureline grins, a slight blush on her cheeks and Valerian frowns at her. As they made their way back down the alleyway, Valerians frown only deepened.

"Oh stop moping Valerian, it's very unbecoming of you," Laureline rolls her eyes.

"I'm not moping."

"Good, because you'd only have yourself to blame," Laureline says, a smirk playing on her lips.

"That would imply I did something wrong," Valerian quips back. Laureline scoffed, Idiot, and punched him in the arm.


A/N: Here is the next chapter, hope ya'll liked it. Let me know what you think.

Thanks lovlies xoxox