Hey everyone, it's us again, lol. Sorry for the wait. we just had some Beta-ing problems. Thank you SO freaking much Mid Night-Cougar for helping us out, as the little green things in Toy Story say "You have saved our lives, we're eternally grateful" ;) 3

Also wanted to say that we were overwhelmed with the love and excitement for the prologue, we really hope we don't disappoint you guys. Seriously thank you so much for your support, we were squealing with every review, alert, favorite... Etc

Now this is a Message from Reem and I will keep it exactly as it is and hope it shows you guys how special this story is to us.

As you read in the summary, this story is set in Iraq during 2004 and we want to make it as real as possible, some of the events in this story are real and some of the characters too. I (Reem) know those people and lived through some of these events, so this will be a new, different ride, filled with love, pain, tears and smiles, so please, open your heart and join us …
Before you start with chapter one, please take a minute and think about every Iraqi human being who has suffered in the past 9 years and still is.…
song for the fic :

www . youtube watch?v=W86jlvrG54o (remove spaces)

Reem

Also this is the one and only warning for this story

This story will deal with a very sensitive topic (The war and the fragile relationship between the American and the Iraqi people) so if it's not the thing for you, I'm sorry but this will be your last warning.

Boo

Enjoy

Chapter one

(The journey begins)

Jordan national airspace,

May 2004

I roll my shoulders, trying to stretch in the cramped airplane seat. I sigh and check my watch, thinking we should have landed in Amman already. I'm still thankful the agency was able to find me a direct flight to Amman, seeing as they are few and far between. I'm dead on my feet and can't imagine having to stop anywhere in the middle of this ten-hour flight. On cue, as if the pilot had heard my thoughts, I see the seatbelt sign blinking, and hear the flight attendant's soft voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Queen Alia International Airport. Local time is ten forty-five pm, and the temperature is twenty-six degrees Celsius, seventy-nine degrees Fahrenheit. For your safety and comfort…"

I tune her out, fasten my seatbelt, and ready myself for landing.

"…on behalf of US Airways and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip, and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice evening!"

Fucking finally.

~~~~(((*TWWM*)))~~~~

Walking with my carry-on bag, I look through the faces waiting in the airport and find nothing. Continuing on a little more, I see a veiled girl, who looks barely eighteen, holding a sign that says, "Dr. EDWARD CULLEN",and she's searching the faces coming out of the walkway. I go straight to her and wonder why the agency is using teens in Amman. Only when I'm standing right in front of her does she notice me, and a smile breaks across her face. On closer inspection, she doesn't look eighteen, but maybe early to mid-twenties tops. Her dark beauty is not hidden by her face being veiled, and I admire her soft, glowing complexion. My appraisal of her is interrupted, though, when I realize she's extending her hand to shake mine.

"Hello, Dr Cullen. Welcome to Amman. I'm Zena Ammar, one of the doctors in our team. We've been waiting for you for some time now." Her warm smile sets me at ease in this unfamiliar country.

"Hello Zena, and please call me Edward. And yes, it seems the flight took longer than it was supposed to."

"Well you're here now, and that's what matters. Let's go join the others," she tells me with a smile.

"Very well. Are we taking the helicopter from this airport?" I ask while walking with her.

"No, we need to drive for about twenty minutes to where the helicopter is waiting."

I notice her British accent and can't help my curiosity. "Have you been staying in Amman, or did you also fly in from somewhere?"

"I flew here from London this morning. I'm Iraqi, but was born and raised in London. Both my parents are still there."

"Oh, that's interesting." I really want to keep talking to her, but we've already reached two men whom I assume have been waiting for us.

Zena introduces the men as Dr. Tony Clarks from South Africa, who also arrived today, and Dr. Mahmoud Sadek, an Egyptian who's been waiting for our arrival for two days. I listen as Mahmoud tells me that it's not his first visit to Jordan, so he had fun exploring and sight seeing until the three of us arrived.

It takes us almost two hours for me to collect my bags, them to gather all their belongings, and then make the twenty minute drive to the next airport for our final flight or helicopter ride to Baghdad.

~~~~(((*TWWM*)))~~~~

I sit with the huge headphones covering my ears, with the light off, and my new colleagues snoozing behind me. Looking out the window, I can only see the darkness. I pat my pocket feeling Alice's letter and smile as I remember her face when she pushed it in my face in the car. I know I'll cherish it and that it will keep me company during those long six months. I take it out and with the small flashlight I like to keep in my pocket, I open it and start to read.

Dear Edward,

I smile at her words. God, I'm going to miss her. I take a deep breath, and continue reading.

I know that you might not have internet connection once you arrive in Baghdad, so I thought writing a letter would be better. It has always been our thing, every time one of us went away. Will you be able to send me letters from Baghdad? I forgot to ask you about that yesterday, but then again, I barely talked to you all night. It was one hell of a party though, wasn't it?

Yes it was,I think to myself. I didn't expect any less from my sister Alice. As soon as she told me she was throwing me a party, I knew it would be loud, there would be dancing, and a lot of drinking. I was right, and we had a hell of a fun time. It was a great send-off, but also difficult to say goodbye to my friends and family.

My parents left early, but not before they found me, and took me to the hallway. My father hugged me, and told me to be careful, and that he was proud of me. My mom clung to my shirt and cried. She knew there was no point in asking but she did it anyway.

"Do you really have to go? Is there no way anyone else can take your place?" Esme desperately pleaded.

"No, Mom. You know I have to go. It's what I want," I replied rubbing her back soothingly.

"But it's so dangerous, Edward. It's a war zone. You can change the world anywhere. You're a wonderful doctor. You can do good anywhere you choose," she insisted.

"This is my first mission with the MSF Mom, and it won't be my last. Again, I don't get to choose where I'm going." I sighed. I couldn't go through this again with my mom, not now.

She continued, "But that country's at war with the United States. Why couldn't they find some country suffering from hunger, disease or whatever? Somewhere you can help the children, and not make me worry each night for your safety. You will not be welcomed there, and that will be the least of your problems."

"Esme!" my father interfered and stared at her. "It's too late for that, don't you think? Right now, you're really not helping Edward. We're supposed to be supporting him, not berating his life decisions."

I knew that was my father's way to remind her of how similar conversations between us had ended. He knew she wouldn't want me to go on this mission with things stressed between us. He wanted me to go on this mission knowing how proud and supportive my family was of me; he knew how important it was for my mindset.

She relented, getting the message. "You're right. I'm sorry."

She wrapped her arms around me again and sniffled. "You take care of yourself, baby, and please find a way to contact us from time to time to let us know you are safe. I don't care if it's through pigeons, but I need to know that you're okay in that place."

I held her tight. I could never stay mad at her for long, and I know how protective she is of her children. I smiled as I remembered the time I told her that I wanted to join the MSF, and her reaction. "Sure, Mom, I'll do my best. I promise."

Speaking of barely seeing you, don't think I didn't see you sneak in your room with Bree. I couldn't even say good bye, Edward! What's up with THAT? Are you thinking of maybe starting something with her? How dumb of me to think that! Of course not, you're going to Baghdad for six months. Of course you're not starting anything with her… right?

I chuckle both at my sister freaking out about me seeking a relationship with Bree, and the actual idea of having a relationship with Bree. Not that she's a bad person or anything; she's smart, beautiful, and the sex… God, the sex…

Images rush to my mind, making me have to stifle a groan. Her toned, tan body as she rode me and her wet warm pussy as I took her from behind. I was glad Bree liked it rough so I didn't need to hold back. Since I kept thinking about the six months I would spend on this job with nothing to satisfy my needs or desires, I didn't stop until the very early hours of the morning, until both of us were sated, and she was - in her own words - "a puddle of goo". It was like I wanted to savor what a woman's body felt and tasted like, afraid I would forget and miss it. Then, I got up, dressed and left her to sleep.

I shake my head to clear it from all the vivid images and sigh. Nope, no relationship with Bree. I'm not yet at that stage in my life where I want a relationship with anyone. I have bigger dreams; I want to leave a mark in the world. I'm not afraid of commitment or anything, I just believe that everything has its perfect timing. It's just better when it's planned. I don't understand what Alice's problem is with Bree, though, because she never liked her, and this wasn't the first time I had hooked up with her.

Anyway, I also wanted to tell you that Emmett called. He really wanted to come to the party, but you know how things are with him and Mom. He says he's really sorry, and that he will miss you, and he's hoping you'll be able to send him letters or emails, too. I really think you should, Edward. I don't like the idea of him all alone like this. He needs his family, and we shouldn't take sides; he's our brother. We shouldn't treat him differently because of what happened. He needs us.

I roll my eyes and sigh. My so-called brother could have called me instead of calling our sister; it's me who's leaving the country, not Alice. And Emmett shouldn't feel alone, he lives only twenty minutes from our parent's place. I'm the one who's traveling to a war zone, and who will need his family.

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. I know that's not fair. This is what I chose for my life. The problems between Emmett and my mother are far more complicated than that. I sigh again, remembering all the arguing and screaming. My mom's frantic phone calls saying she lost her eldest son and that he doesn't love her anymore. I cannot believe all this drama in my life is over a beautiful thirty- one year old blonde named Rosalie.

I remember the day Emmett introduced Rosalie to the family. My mom was so charmed by Rose. She was stunning, successful, smart, and from a good family. She was so sweet that the whole family fell for her, until one day Emmett showed up at our parent's place, devastated because he found out she cheated on him after a two-year relationship. My mom and Alice had to pick up what was left of him. So it was shocking, especially to my mom, when four months later, he took her back with open arms. Mom said he's being manipulated and stupid, while Emmett said he's just following his heart.

I cringe as I remember the confrontations and the yelling which ended with Emmett stepping back from family dinners, or in my mom's book, "choosing Rosalie over his own family".

I won't let myself dwell on that topic, though. It won't get me anywhere thinking about this, anyway. Plus, I have more important stuff to think about and look forward to.

This is my first mission with the MSF, Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders organization, and I hope my time in Baghdad will be successful; I want to make a difference. This is my dream. My purpose in life. To save lives, and put smiles on the faces that forgot how to smile.

Oh, yeah, in case you're wondering, I am still the same, nothing new with me. School is starting soon, which is nothing to really look forward to, but at least since it's my last year, I won't suffer for long. Life is still pretty boring. Jazz is busy. He's always busy with work these days. Before when he was not, he would say he didn't want to keep me from my studies. And THEN when I finished the semester, I thought things would be better, but they're not. It's just not how it used to be. I'm just not sure what could be wrong.

It feels like we've been drifting apart these past few months, and I seriously don't know why. I know that he loves me, and God knows how much I love him, but I guess stuff like this is bound to happen after years of being together. Maybe I should do something to spark our love life again, don't you think?

I make a face; I do not want to think about my sister with that guy, Jasper. He seems like a decent guy, and has been committed to Alice for over four years, but I still can't help feeling that she is just too good for him. Maybe it's an older brother thing; I've always felt protective of Alice, ever since we were little. I've always felt compelled to look after her. She was always too kind, too compassionate, and very beautiful with her long light brown hair and green eyes. Her looks and personality always attracted the wrong kind of guys in my opinion, especially when we were both in school.

I remember when I was in college, whenever I went home on a holiday, I would find Alice with a new haircut, new wardrobe, and a new boyfriend. I know she is not twelve anymore, and she can take care of herself, but I can't help it. I also can't say that I wasn't shocked when she brought home Jasper four years ago. Jasper didn't seem like Alice's type. I mean, come on, Alice with an accountant? Really? But he proved to know how to keep her grounded. This is the longest Alice has been in a relationship, and I hope their problems aren't serious. I know my sister would be more than devastated if things ended for any reason between them.

I've always hoped you two could be friends, but I guess it's hard with how busy you are all the time, and because you will travel a lot now, too.

"Ha, yeah right. Friends. NOT happening," I scoff out loud in the plane, which earns me a strange look from the pilot. I smile in apology to the guy and continue reading.

I hope you have a safe landing, and please try to call me, or Dad, or anyone once you can. Oh, and call Mom, you know how worried she'll be. I will miss you so much. Please take care. I hope you get everything you want out of this mission, Edward. I have a feeling this mission will be different, REALLY different, and that it will be good for you. Of course, I didn't tell Mom that, lol.

Well, I have a brother to pick up in the morning and drive to the airport. A brother who better NOT have a girl named Bree in his bed when I get there, so I need to get some sleep now.

I'm proud of you.

Love,

Alice

I smile as I finish the letter, fold it, and put it back in my pocket. I don't feel that this mission will be different. Challenging, yes. Extremely difficult and dangerous, definitely. But my job is still the same. I am a doctor, first and foremost. Of course every mission has to be different in its own way, with regard to the diverse circumstances and events surrounding it, so maybe that's what Alice meant? Yeah, it has to be.

My sister's letter is what I needed to relax and close my eyes, but as soon as I do, I hear the pilot saying that we'll be landing soon.

I open my eyes when I hear Zena's soft voice. "Guys, hold my hand. Let's pray for God's blessing and for safety in this journey together, so we can achieve what we came here for. To help those in need."

I take her hand and give it a little squeeze, while Tony takes my other hand. I look at them all, and pray for a peaceful and safe mission.

~~~~(((*TWWM*)))~~~~

As I take the first steps onto Iraqi ground, I inhale a deep breath, filling my lungs as if to prepare myself for the six months ahead of me.

"And the journey begins," I say out loud. Indeed, it does.

So what do you think ?

Sorry there was no Bella in this but who thought the cute eighteen year-old veiled girl was gonna be Bella ?

please keep us squealing ;) :D