One-shot of Jasper Whitlock as a human, and meeting Maria. Review if you want me to continue and please tell me what you think. Enjoy, R&R!

1861, Houston – Texas.

The stern man inspected Mr Whitlock's paper thoroughly, glancing at him with natural unease.

"Whitlock, are you sure you have the appropriate age required?" The man decided that questioning Jasper would be best, for often he had seen men…boys, that had tried and failed to join, resulting in arrest.

Although Jasper's hands were sweating, his posture composed itself as relaxed, his charisma shining through as he replied: "Sir, I do believe that I am old enough to fight for my country."

For an unknown reason, this seemed to calm the stern-faced man; he glanced at the papers once more and made a decision.

A smirk graced his lips. "Welcome to the confederate army son, please note that we don't tolerate arrogance."

Jasper looked at the faded uniform, folded tightly into a ball. "I'll try my best, Sir."

~~~~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~~~~

The trail of Galveston to Houston.

Major Whitlock let his fingers caress the symbolic, metal badge clipped on his uniform.

He had come to the very pier point of his dreams, to stand in an army of men and fight for what he believed in.

But for him to be one of the leaders of that? That was something.

His charisma had led him to get what he deserved, power. The thought of power brought a strangely ominous taste to his lips.

Yet, fate had better plans for Jasper, he was soon to realise what was in store for him. Jasper's hands were suddenly tense over the Sandy's ropes; his pulse was fast not steady.

In the distance, near a lake, three figures stood motionless.

Beneath him, his horse; Sandy, trembled while sensing a predatorily whiff of danger.

Alright, he thought steadily, I may need to see what's going on here. Are they lost, perhaps?

In the blithering heat, Jasper hopped off the horse, and trekked over to the figures, making them out as feminine.

A sudden relief came to him. These women might be easier to talk to than men. He had never much experience with those 'little darlin' women' whom craved his friend's attention so dearly, his mind was always on his work as a major.

As his eyes cleared by the closer he came, he observed that these three women were extraordinarily beautiful, in all his nineteen years he had never seen such a sight.

Maria, Nettie and Lucy, all whispered to each other inconspicuously, plotting to take this young major's soul.

"I've seen him around." She drawled looking at him with lust. "He's one of the major's, Samuel's kept an eye on him. Jasper Whitlock."

The human then realised that these beautiful women had red eyes and pale skin, features that you wouldn't see around Texas. Maria's ever gazing red eyes shocked him to the core, too still to move.

She only permitted him four words. "I hope you survive."

~~~~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~~~~

Continue? What do you think? xx