S.M. owns Twilight. Thank you all for reading.


"Operation Cowboy" Begins - BPOV

"Zach, is she in bed still?" I shouted on my way back to their room.

"Yep, but I don't advise waking her now, she was up late, Bells."

Ignoring Zach, I jumped on their bed, shaking her "Ali, wake up! I need you! We've got to get Operation Cowboy in high gear. Now!"

"Bells, go away, I'm sleeping." She groaned. I gave her a moment for my words to sink in. She sat straight up "Wait, what time is it, and why are you so excited?"

"I saw him this morning! We ran together! We had breakfast together! Alice, this just has to be perfect. I need your help or I'll fuck this up! Please." He's the one. Oh God, he is The One. I was gushing and trying not to end with a whine, but I knew I couldn't do it alone. And I was terrified of my revelation. But after touching his hand this morning, I knew.

"Alright, calm down. Well, don't calm all the way down, you giddy thing. Go get me a coffee while I take a shower and adjust my strategy. You need to tell me everything; every word, gesture, everything. Operation Cowboy will go off without a hitch, Bella, I promise."

"On my way, sir!" with a salute and Alice grumbled. "What would I do with out you?" I hugged her quickly and went to wake up Sammi. This time I knocked since I knew Edward didn't have class until later. That's the last thing I need to see.

Operation Headquarters was set up in my room and Alice and Sammi were intently listening to me tell about my morning.

"So, you know I've been running downtown before class. I got there a little earlier than usual and started stretching by the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue. I heard my name and when I turned around, he was walking up to me. I swear, I almost passed out! Any way, he called me "Bella" not "Miss Bella" so I tried to be fresh…

"What no 'Miss Bella' this morning? I'm already old news?" So he apologized, calling me "Miss" again, and said he was surprised to see me with "Stevie" and asked if I'd known him long. He's so cute! He has the most amazing smile. Alice. What am I going to do?"

"Stop worrying, Bells! He didn't have to say anything to you and he was playful. For first-thing in the morning, that's a good sign. Okay, keep going." Alice encouraged.

"Yeah, what she said, Bells." Sammi nodded, too.

"Okay, so I told him that "Stevie Ray" and I were old friends, but I usually see him later in the morning for my daily run. And then, ready… I asked him to run with me for the company and that I'd feel safer." I was bouncing on the bed when I got to the last part.

"Bella, I had no idea you had it in you! I knew I'd start influencing you eventually!" Sammi was grinning from ear-to-ear at my new-found confidence.

"Back to the story!" Alice was getting impatient.

"When we were done he asked me to breakfast, and I told him I knew the perfect place. So, I grabbed his hand to lead him to my car. I have never felt electricity like that. My whole body was on fire." The three of us were bouncing on my bed again and hugging.

"So you went to breakfast. Anything special?"

"We talked about what brought us to Austin and I told him about the whole gang coming down here with me. By the way, he's looking forward to meeting the people who would move cross-country to be with a friend; he was very impressed."

"And what did you find out about him?" Alice kept on-point.

"He grew up on a farm in Midland. His dad's best friend, Jack Morrison, was a Ranger and so he's always wanted to be one. His parents signed for him get into the Army at 17. After four years, he got out and joined the Midland police department. Mr. Morrison helped him with the process of getting to be a Ranger and he just transferred to Austin last month."

"Okay; dedicated, organized. Good. Anything else I should know about?" Alice, being thorough.

"Um – OH! He loves horses and rides every chance he gets. He used to ride in competitions; Western and English. And I have to tell you, I had a hard time not imagining him in those English riding pants and boots." That, of course, inspired a new wave of giggles.

"Okay, first step is shopping. I know you're in class all day today, but as soon as you get home, we've got to get you some new clothes! While you're at school, I'll figure out where to go for dinner and out afterwards. We may have to back out of dinner at the last minute." Alice winked after 'back out'. This time, I would not argue with Alice about shopping. I will do whatever she tells me to do, to make this work.

"Okay, my last class is over at 3:00, so we'll meet back here. Oh, and one other thing. We're going to run together in the morning." More squealing, jumping, and hugging.


APOV

Honestly, I have never, ever seen Bella this excited about a guy before. And brave. Bella, our sweet, shy, Bella, asked him out. WOW! He must be something special to get this kind of attention. I did notice something in her voice when Sammi and I thought she had found herself a baseball player. The way she said 'cop'… I know her dad is the chief in Forks, but I didn't think that would have any influence on her type of man. Of course, until now, she's only ever dated boys.

Now it's time for Phase I of Operation Cowboy. So, what do we know about Jasper?

- Above all else, Jasper likes Bella. That makes this much easier.

- He's a Ranger at a young age, and we know he asked his parents to let him join the army at 17, so he's dedicated and organized. That's something they both have in common.

- He is an accomplished horseman. Horseman – don't snicker in front of Bella or Jasper. Scratch that – he's an accomplished equestrian. We should get her riding lessons. I bet everyone would go in to get those for her.

- We're going to have to get Bella some new clothes. Boots and Wranglers, and a cute new dress. I draw the line at fringe and pearl-snap buttons, though.

- I'll have to find out about good restaurants for their first date and what bands are playing on Sixth Street on Thursday.

Sammi and I can work on Phase II after we meet Jasper.