This just popped into my head, thought I'd write it down and see where it goes. It is based during the Civil War but will not be historically accurate. I'm too lazy to do the research for that, so I'll be writing whatever fits with the story. Anyway hope you enjoy, tell me if you think I should continue.

Chapter 1

Jasper's POV

I was moving forward slowly through the underbrush, carefully so being in enemy territory. The wind blew harder and the air was chilled, signs of the fast approaching October. Dried brown oak leaves crackled under my feet despite my cautious and slow low walk forward. I was sure I was off course, my team and I had spread out to different towns, separating on a mission to gain inside information. On the way to my destination, Fairbrook, a small northern town filled with many volunteer Northern soldiers and the home of two Yankee generals, I had gone off path and into the wilderness to avoid a confrontation with a group of Yankees walking down the same path. I wanted to settle in town and be fully submersed in my cover story before talking to any suspicious folk.

Hearing foot steps to my right I spun my head to look, hoping it was some small animal or another, only to be stopped half way by the barrel of a rifle pressing into my temple.

"Move and I'll put a bullet through your head." I heard a melodic yet strong female voice warn, "Stay on your knees and answer my questions."

I could tell from her accent she was from the North, probably from Fairbrook even. Well… this was one way to make my entrance.

"Yes Miss." I felt like an idiot on my knees being held at gun point by a young lady, stupid enough to have been snuck up on in the first place.

"Thank you." Apparently her manners ran as deep as mine, despite the gun she had pressed to my head. "Well, from accent I can tell you're from the South."

I swallowed my pride and forced out the word "unfortunately," I had to keep up appearances.

"Unfortunately?" She sounded genuinely confused. It wasn't often you meet a Southerner who wasn't proud to be so.

"Yes unfortunately." I played my voice to sound like I had explained this a bunch of times before and was tired of no one understanding, "Believe me, I love my home but I can't stand fighting for something I don't agree with. That's why I'm here." I wonder why she's out in the forest. What proper prissy Northern lady wonders through the woods on her own?

"On my property?"

"Huh?" What?

"We're in my backyard; the manor is a little ways from here to the west. My mother likes the big properties." Of course she does, she's a materialistic Northerner. "You think I hold random strangers in the wood at gun point for fun?" she said sarcastically.

I chuckled, "At first I did." She giggled; it was an innocent sweet sound. It momentarily distracted me before I continued. "I'm sorry Miss; I didn't know this was someone's property. I got lost in the woods and just stumbled upon it."

"Well I can understand that." She said kindly. "However, I still don't fully trust random men in the woods."

"You mean you don't trust Southerners."

"No," she said sternly "I meant exactly what I said; I don't trust random men in the woods. North or South. I hold nothing for Southerners except for a difference in opinion."

"Really?" I said surprised and suddenly ashamed of my earlier commit that now seemed rude.

"Really." She confirmed, "Now, do you have any weapons on you?"

"Yes…" I said warily.

"Please remove them from your person and place them slowly on the ground before you."

"Are you serious?" I blanched "I'll be defenseless." I was in enemy territory, this wasn't a good idea. I tried to turn my head to look at her but the rifle just pressed harder into my head.

"Completely." I didn't move, she sighed. "Listen, you seem like a nice guy and I'd like to give you a place to stay for the night or however long you may need. But I don't know you, I can't completely trust, and if I'm not the only one with the weapon advantage I have no doubt you can over take me. You're a big man. I'm not gonna shoot you unless you try to hurt me so keep smart and you've got nothing to worry about. I'll give 'em back when you need them."

I sighed. I really did see her point but I didn't have to like it. I did need a place to stay though and she was the nicest Northerner I've ever meet, even at gun point.

"Okay." I gave in, setting my knife, pistol, and sword on the ground before me.

"Thank you." She said sincerely and for a moment I was content to just make her happy. "Now stand and turn away from my voice. Please."

I rose and felt the barrel of her gun follow me and once I turned it slid to the back of my head, pushing through my blond locks.

"Walk forward about five paces please." It baffled me how she managed to sound so utterly sweet and stern all at once. I did as she asked; the gun no longer against my head but no doubt aimed in my direction.

I heard her messing with my things and fought the urge to turn and take them back, "Be careful, don't want you hurtin' yourself Miss."

"Of course." I got the feeling she handled weapons more often than you'd expect of a prissy Northern woman. "Okay you can turn around."

Finally I could put a face to the sweet voice, I turned quickly.

She was breath taking. Dark, chocolate, red tinted, loose curls cascaded down her back and over her shoulders, she had red smooth lips, a thin yet strong beautiful womanly figure, about 5 foot 6, and the most striking green eyes; like crystalline green summer grass. A bright smile on her face that could leave the toughest of men stunned for a moment. The thing that brought an amused smile to my lips was my scabbard belted around her waist, my pistol tucked in the belt of it, and her hand reached out for a handshake. Her other hand holding her rifle now pointed at the ground.

"My names Isabelle." Her musical voice most definitely matching her appearance.

I took her soft small hand in mine, relishing the feeling. How can this strange lady have me so enraptured? I mentally shook myself of the confusing feelings. "Jasper, Jasper Whitlock." I smiled down at her and reluctantly released her hand.

"You can walk next to me or in front of me. Which will it be?" she said, still smiling politely but thinking to keep and eye on me.

I chuckled at her kitten like ferociousness, "I'll walk next to if that's alright Miss Isabelle."

"Only if you call me Belle." Punctuating her sentence with a nod of her head.

"Alright Miss Belle, lead the way." I held out my arm like a gentleman, all the while my mind racing of who she could live with and if any of them were soldiers.

She placed her hand delicately in the crook of my elbow, "This way." She said smiling as if we had been friends for awhile now, I couldn't help but return it.

As we walked her back was erect and her stride graceful, that of a proper lady. At the same time though she talked with animation, silly and joking constantly, a smile gracing her face most of the time. She would talk to me about everything, asking big and small questions about me and answering them in return when I fired them back. From what I could tell so far she was well educated and able to keep up her end of any debated started flawlessly. Talking showed me she was truly stubborn but I liked it. She stuck to what she believed with complete faith and determination. Never was it acknowledged that we were from different sides of the war line. We were just two people fast becoming friends. Strangest Northerner I ever met. She had me completely enthralled and I couldn't get enough of her personable company. It was easy, comfortable, and enjoyable.

"Do you have a horse? I do, she's beautiful and all white. Her name's Freya" she was walking backwards to face me as we walked, occasionally jumping up to grab low branches before swing off as far as she could. As she got more comfortable the stranger her walking habits became and usually kept an amused smile on my face.

"You ride?" I asked surprised. Even if she did ride it hardly counted, both legs on one side at a slow trot.

"Yes, I like freedom of it, the speed."

"Speed?" she really rides?

"Yes." She rolled her eyes at me, "Don't act so surprised, I can ride just as good as most." She fixed me with a look that dared I challenge her.

So I did, "You'll have to show me that some time."

"As soon as we get the chance I'll amaze you. You'll hardly be able to keep up."

"I'm keeping you to the Ms. Bella."

She smiled smugly, "Wouldn't have it any other way. Now, Tell me about you horse."

I smiled, "Well she likes sugar cubes and apples."

She looked at me with big sarcastic eyes, "No. Way."

I laughed, "Yes you smart aleck, you asked for a description and now your getting one."

She laughed, the sound singing to me. "Okay, okay, tell me more unique things about your horse."

I rolled my eyes but continued anyway, "She's a beautiful all black mare, her name's Bess."

"Isn't Bess a cow name?" She asked, one eyebrow raised.

"What?"

"You know. There are always cows named Bess or Bessie." I raised my own eyebrow at her, she changed her voice to sound like an old man as best she could, "This here is Ol' Bessie, this girls been with us a long time now." Her hand was out making the motions of petting an invisible cow.

I burst out laughing, "Suurrree, whatever you say Bella."

"Bella?"

I paused and looked down, embarrassed. "Uh, yeah, I don't know. It just came out. Sorry."

She laughed and put her fingers under my chin, raising my head to look her in the eye. "Calm down. I like it." she said smiling. She went to my side and hooked her arm through mine and started walking forward again. "It has a certain ring to it. And it's not quite so formal."

I was surprised at my earlier nervousness, I'm usually good with people, outgoing. But she was different. I wanted to be sure she liked me. The more I thought about it though, it seems she likes me the way I am, when I act like my self were both comfortable and happy.

"I'm glad you like it." I smiled down at her from my 6 foot 3 height and she beamed right back up at me. She was such a little thing, so delicate it seemed. But I could see the fire within her, she'd put up one hell of a fight against any opponent. She could probably take any other girl down. I smiled at the thought of little Bella knocking another girls lights out.

She leaned her head on my shoulder as if we had been friends for a long time. "So, tell me about your family."

And I did. I told her about my ever sweet mother and how she made the best Sheppard's Pie, but you never wanted to break any of her precious china dishes. About my younger brother that wanted nothing more than to spend all his time with me out by a lake in our little town. About my fathers intense fire for what he believes is right, how he coughs constantly but refuses to stop smoking his cigars. How we all got along, sure we quarreled, what family didn't? But we were always there for each other, always comfortable talking about anything; how home was always home if my family was there.

During my description of family I had her complete attention. She looked at me with big green eyes seeming to be completely enthralled with all that I was saying, a small smile on her face as I described everyone's characteristics.

When I finished she looked forward smiling, with a far away look on her face.

"What about your family Bella?"

Her smile fell a little but remained on her face. "My family is… not quite as… comfortable as yours." Her eyes got big and she turned placing her hands on my shoulder, "Not that I don't love them." She stated as if I had said otherwise. "I truly do."

She started walking again, this time not taking my arm, I wanted to reach out and take hers missing the warmth, but I decided to let her start any physical contact. I didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

"They're just…" she began and sighed. "Stricter, I suppose." She continued walking, looking down at her boots. Kicking a random rock every now and then. "My mother is very consumed with our social status and my father is hardly home. I know he loves me, but he's not very good at expressing emotion." She paused and I felt for her. I can see bright vibrant Bella surrounded by this restricting environment. I was glad she was loved though. "My mothers name is Mrs. Renee Swan" where had I heard the name Swan? "and my father is General Charles Swan."

I stopped walking and at first she didn't notice. Charles Swan, I'd heard of him, he was one of the most successful Northern Generals out there and had one many battles. Unless I thought of something quick I'd be sleeping under his roof, all though I'm sure I could use that to my advantage… overhear insider information.

Noticing I stopped Bella come back to me, laying a gentle hand on my arm, concern on her face. "Jasper? Are you alright?" I looked at her, not only would I be in General Swan's house, I'd see the lovely Bella all the time, sleep under the same roof. I shivered, in a good way. "Don't worry," she continued "they'll let you stay with us; you're a kind young man. I doubt they won't, but if they don't, I'll hide you. Either way you'll have some where to stay. But don't worry. They'll love you."

I smiled at her, that wasn't what I was worried about, but I'll let her think that. "Thanks."

"Oh no problem." She said smiling and waving her hand to emphasize it really was no problem. She hooked her arm with mine and I relished her warmth, "Look," she pointed through the trees, "We're almost there. I'm sure you're hungry to, come on." She started to pull me forward and I went willing. Becoming clearer and clearer through the trees was a huge, white, Victorian style, manor. "I'm afraid we don't have any of your mother's famous Sheppard Pie and if my mother decided she wanted to cook I would suggest you found a place to run and hide to. Her cooking is absolutely atrocious. She would make up new recipes when I was younger and force me to try them. Disgusting. Whenever I caught wind of her cooking I made sure to avoid her at all cost." I laughed at the image of little Bella with her nose scrunched up against the taste.

I was about to say I could imagine that when I was cut of by a rain drop landing of my check and watching more getting caught in Bella's hair and falling like diamonds down her face. She smiled brightly and turned her face up to the rain, spreading her arms out and spinning in a slow circle. She was beautiful.

"Oh!" she stopped and looked at me with surprise, "You have no bag! Which means you have no other clothes and you're getting them all wet!" She grabbed my hand and I never wanted to let go. "Come on!"

With that we were off running and laughing in the rain toward the Swan Manor.