War for the Heart

Disclaimer: Don't own Twilight or its Characters but the the plot is mine!


Chapter 1

"We are coming to you live from Freedom Camp in Kuwait City, and as you can see behind me the US Marine Corp, 1st Marine division, has finally got the go ahead to invade Baghdad, Iraq. Watching these men getting ready behind me, its really hitting home that America is really going to war. Many people are against this war, but judging by the exciting energy that is so palpable here; the marines are ready to fight, and happy that they get to. This Bella Swan reporting for KNWX News live from Kuwait City, goodnight."

"...And we're off, good job Bella."

Thats me Bella Swan, or as my mother would like to call me Isabella Marie Swan. From the time I was little I wanted to be a reporter, I would go around interviewing everyone, and when they got sick of me interview them, I interviewed my stuffed animals, Lucy my pink elephant especially. Those days are long gone now, and here I stand in Kuwait City living my dream. Little did I know, my life was about to change, forever.

"...Bella.....Bella, are you with me." A voice asked as a hand waved in my face.

" Sorry Jake, I zoned out for a second there." I said while shaking my head and memories away.

"No problem, you okay? You need to talk." He enquired his voice laced with barely concealed concern for me.

Jake...how could I describe him, I have know him since we were born, I guess I would describe him as one of my best friends and a confidant; who also happened to be the camera operator of KNWX news. Who wouldn't like to have their best friend working with them all day everyday; but there was one problem, he was in love with me. My friend Rose doesn't call it love though, she calls it a sickening bout of infatuation and borderline stalkish smothering tendencies. She tends to go for the over dramatic but the smothering tendency is definitely true. Like now for instance, he will keep asking me what is wrong all the way till we are ready to go home if I don't answer him, even if I tell him to drop it.

"Nothing Jake, I am just thinking about everything that is happening here. Its sounds crazy but I kinda wish that I could go with them. Can imagine the stories and adventure that would happen along the way."

" This isn't a fairytale Bells, and its definitely not one of your crazy imaginary stories you used to make up when we were little. This war, its going to be brutal, no one and definitely no woman should have to see it. "

That just pisses me off, "That is very sexist of you Jake, this isn't the forties. There are woman fighting in this war too you know, right now!"

"I'm just saying females are normally more...more...."

"More what Jake weak, puny, sheltered!" I yelled at him.

"Well for lack of better words, yeah" he said sheepishly while scratching the back of his neck.

I gave an unlady like grunt, hit him on the bicep, and walked away. I was so mad at him. This was one thing I didn't like about him. He had that whole woman in the kitchen man at the office mentality. I mean for fuck sake we are in the twenty-first century here, there are woman going to the moon....Ow when I punched him I really hurt my hand. We haven't been here 5 hours yet and I had got pissed off and hurt. My pocket was buzzing and it took me a split second to wonder what it was. I reached in my pocket and pulled out my international phone that the station gave me to keep in contact.

" Hello." I answered while I examined my bruised knuckles.

" Hello Bella, are you okay, you sound like your in pain." The deep voice asked me loudly. I had to take the phone away from my ear in fear that I might become deaf.

"I'm all right Mr. Banner, I just hurt my hand is all. You know me." I said suddenly feeling weary.

"Well I hope its nothing to serious because I have an assignment for you." He yelled in an excited tone.

"Mr Banner, sir, I am in Kuwait, do you remember. How can I do another assignment?" I asked exasperatedly.

Mr Banner, my boss, had a habit or forgetting everything that came out of his mouth. He was pleasant but crazy. He had a British accent and he was, well I don't want to say fat, so i will say he is excessively large.

"Well I just got off the phone with Lieutenant Jackson and he wants a reporter to follow the marines all the way to Iraq, I have nominated you Bella. Isn't it exciting?"

"S-sir...are you serious?" I asked not believing a word he said.

"Well I wouldn't be wasting money on this phone call if I wasn't would I. International calls are expensive Bella, especially to a mobile one at that." he said. He sounded little offended.

" I understand sir. I just cant believe I get to go!" I said excitedly. It was now beginning to hit me. This is amazing I would be the envy of all my colleagues and peers, not that it matters, but still.

"Now, we don't have time to waste, Lieutenant Jackson needs you to go to the main tent and ask for him once you get there. He will give you all the details, if you have any problems please ring me and we will get everything sorted for you."

"Sir what about my friends and family, how will I let them know, also sir I don't know if I am equipped for going across the desert to invade a country."

Its true I had nothing and I mean nothing with me Jake and I were only supposed to be here for ten hours......Jake!

"Bella dear thats where Lieutenant Jackson comes in, he says he will have everything you need."

"What about Jake?" I couldn't forget about my best friend.

"There is no room for him Bella. Just you and you alone. This is a once in a lifetime don't Bella, but if you don't think your equipped to go say so now." he stated very sternly. In fact I don't think I had every heard him sound so serious before.

"Sir I am ready for this, trust me I am." I said with as much conviction as possible. I wanted him to hear that i was serious.

"Thats great! I am giving you permission to use the phone to call your family and close friends only, understood."

" Yes Sir!" when I said that I had the sudden urge to salute. Man the corps is getting to me already...i like it.

"Goodbye and good luck Bella. I know you will do this station proud!"

"Thank you sir, I wont let you down." I said and hung up.

Now to find Jake and then Lieutenant Jackson. As I turned around to go and find Jake I ran into a warm solid wall, which n turn made me fall on my ass.

"I am so sorry are you ok?" my question faded out as I looked at what I had ran into. He was the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen, but his eyes and demeanor were not nice at all.

"Watch where your going, got it." he said coldly and walked away and into the main tent.

Well he is certainly rude, sexy, but rude. I better steer clear of him. Now where is Jake.

"Are you Miss Swan?" a man yelled from the opening of the main tent.

I quickly hurried over and stuck out my hand, "Yes I am, are you Lieutenant Jackson?"

"Yes I am, there is a problem over at another camp and I cant show you the ropes right now."

" Oh...well I guess that ok." i said disappointedly.

"No its not we are leaving here tomorrow at 23:00 hours and I need you to have all your gear. Heartless get over here!" he yelled to someone in the back of the tent.

Heartless stepped forward and I started shaking my head no. Heartless was the sexy, rude boy from earlier.

Bella Swan meet Sergeant Edward Cullen, Sergeant Cullen meet Bella Swan, the reporter that will be traveling in your Humvee.

Heartless mumbled, "Oh Christ!" I had to agree.

This is going to be hell I though as I reached out and shook his hand.