I looked up from my chores in time to see the wagon coming up the road. Raising from my stool beside Betty, our cow, I watched the wagon come to a stop in front of the house.

The year was 1863, the Civil War had been raging for two years and it had torn my family apart.

My name is Alice Brandon; I was born and raised here in Ohio on our family farm. I have a younger brother, and an older one, both are off fighting in the war.

My older brother Edward is my favorite he always seemed to understand me the most. I also liked his fiancée Isabella; we all normally just call her Bella.

My younger brother, Emmett, is just a pain in the butt but that might be why I love him so much. He's already off and married to Rosalie. They don't live all that far away, so I go over there often to visit.

Even though I was born here in Ohio my both parents, Carlisle and Esme, had lived in the South. Due to pride and foolishness, we have been disowned and ostracized from both families because my parents believed that the rest of the states should be free states.

Is it wrong to believe you should work for your own bread and not have other people do it for you? Apparently my Grandfather thinks so.

My brothers both signed up for the war as soon as the drafts started in Ohio, some days I can still hear the fight that had broken out between Rose and Emmett. Even though Rose is proud of Emmett for fighting, this was no time to go off and fight a war just recently married.

Bella took it better and promised to wait faithfully for Edwards return. I missed my brothers, but someone had to do the chores. Some days I think the only reason Edward signed up for the war was to get away from the chores.

Esme's cries brought me out of my revere, I ran over to the wagon. Grabbing the edge I hoisted myself so I could see into the bed. "EDWARD!" I yelled.

Jumping into the bed I quickly scooped my brother's head into my arms.

"Hey kid." Was the week reply.

Looking down I saw a bandage around his mid section and one around his shoulder. "What happened?" I whispered.

"Got a little close to a cannon explosion, sent me flying into a fence that thought it would be cool to stick through my shoulder and tear up my side.

"Don't worry the doctors said it missed everything important. I lost a lot of blood and won't be able to hold a gun for a while so they decided to send me home."

I cried silent tears and hugged him closer "I wished you home but I didn't wish it like this."

"Don't worry about it, give me a couple of weeks and I'll be up around the farm with you."

"NOT if I have my way with it."

Edward and me shared a smile then together we looked up to see Bella scrambling into the back of the wagon. I let go of Edward and moved so Bella could get close.

"Edward Brandon you promised not to come home in a casket, this is cutting way to close…." I gave Edward another smile and hopped out of the wagon.

Carlisle and Paul, a stable hand, got Edward out of the wagon as softly as they could but it was hard getting around Bella who won't let go of Edwards's hand.

The rest of the afternoon went by in a flurry of skirts and blankets. We made up a bed in the kitchen so Edward didn't have to climb up the latter to his old bed. Then Esme made dinner and eventually shoed everyone home or to bed so Edward could sleep.

I lay awake waiting for my chance to have Edward alone. When I finally heard Esme go to bed I slipped down the latter.

Tip toeing over to Edward I whispered "Are you still awake?"

"Of course I knew you would be down."

I could hear the mirth in his voice as well as the pain. Coming closer I sat on the floor by Edwards head "Where is he?"

I didn't have to specify Edward knew I meant Emmett; they had been in the same regiment.

"I don't know" the pain in Edward's voice constricted my throat

"They wouldn't let me look for him, just shipped me home. I don't know if he's alive or dead."

I bit my lip, no not Emmett he had to be alive. He couldn't be dead he has a wife and a boy that he has yet to meet. Grabbing Edward's hand I whispered "I'm going to go find him."

"No!" Was the harsh answer.

"Edward I have to, you know that. He's my little brother. Also I've never felt so useless sitting here waiting for you two to come home.

"I'm going I've been thinking about this for a long time and now its time for me to act. You take care of Bella and Mom you understand."

"Alice please, don't do this. I know what it's like out there I don't want you….please Alice."

"I have to Edward you know me all ambition no sense."

"War is no place for a woman, let alone my sister."

I leaned over and kissed Edwards cheek "I love you Edward Brandon remember that. Don't worry I'll come home."

"I'll stop you" It was a week threat and he knew it.

"You want to know as much as I do and this is the only way. Don't worry I'll find Emmett promise." I got up and quickly climbed the latter.

In the loft I used to share with my brothers I pulled out a pair of scissors from my sowing kit. Taking them I began cutting at my hair, I couldn't see what I was doing but I figured it would be good enough.

Then grabbing Edward extra uniform I had swiped from downstairs I slipped into it. Of course my chest would be an issue but I had been working on binding it for a while, it was uncomfortable at first but I was used to it now.

Strapping Edwards pack on to my back I went back down stairs.

"Alice" Edward called quietly.

Going over to him I took his hand again. "Be careful Alice and bring you both home, alive."

"Thank you Edward and I will."

"Remember on thing, don't hesitate. If the only way to live is to shoot, then shoot ,or to run then run. You can do it Alice, you were always the better shoot of the three of us and me and Emmett were the two best in our regiment."

I smile at the compliment "Good bye Edward."

"Goodbye Alice." Going to the door I grabbed Edward's gun, opening the door I left.

Edward's point of view

I woke up the next morning, praying that what had transpired last night hadn't happened, but one look to the door confirmed it.

My gun was gone; Alice had taken my place in the war. I sighed, I should have stopped her but then again she still would have left. Better to have left on good terms than on bad.

I heard mother come back down the latter asking Carlisle where Alice was.

"She's gone." I said.

Carlisle and Esme came into my view. "What do you means she's gone?" Esme asked.

I sighed 'You owe me big time Alice.' "She went after Emmett. I don't know where he is, she went to go find him."

"How?" Carlisle asked. I could see in his eyes he was praying I wouldn't answer how I was going to.

"She's joining the war."

Esme screamed and Carlisle swore, I closed my eyes and prayed 'Please come home Alice, please come home.'

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What can I say, I've always wanted to do this! Not just write about it, it has been a secret dream of mine to run off to war disguised as a man, breaking all unwritten rules about women, being different, and having an adventure. *sigh* Too bad we have modern technology and a society that supports different women. Oh well this will have to do . Read and Review, or just enjoy which ever you prefer to do.