Mercedes shook her head gently, but her eyes never left Jonas'. "I'd really rather it not." Her fingers slid along his palm as she squeezed his hand. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she looked at him. "I know that our duty is to the community first and I fully intend to serve that, but I don't think that means I have to deny myself everything including the company of someone that I'm...coming to care for."