Artemis-

My penpal and I have been writing each other for about six months now. We knew almost everything about each other. I say almost because he still didn't know I was blind.

"Hey Artie, you got a letter", Paige said.

I heard her pull out a chair and sit down, listening to her rip the envelope and pulling out the sheet of paper.


AR,

How was your day at work? I hope it's easier than mine. I know we discussed waiting to tell each other our names, but I can't take it anymore. You don't have to tell me yours yet, but I want to tell you mine. Roman. I've told my family about you, they hope one day they can meet you but first things first, I get to meet you. Speaking of meeting, I'll be home soon, next month to be exact. I was wondering if you would like to meet?

No forcing it, if you say no, it's no. Anyway, how did that thing go? You said in your last letter you had something important come up and to cross my fingers and wish you good luck. I did, but what was this important thing? And is everything okay? Are you okay?

Any Thanksgiving plans? I'll be home before then and my mom really wants me to spend it around my family, but I don't know if I can. The last thing I need right now is everyone constantly asking if I'm okay or giving me weird looks, wondering if I'll snap because I have PTSD, which I don't. I trust you, I know that's weird because we haven't even spoken over the phone yet, but I do. So help me, what should I do?

I guess this is where I leave you, think about everything I asked.

Your Friend, Roman .R.


I heard Paige sigh and fold the letter.

"Say it", I said.

"I think you should talk to him. You don't have to meet him, but I say finally hearing his voice is a step to meeting him soon", she said.

I nodded.

"And I see you still haven't told him about being blind", she said.

"I was hoping I didn't have too", I said.

"How did your doctor's appointment go?", she asked.

"Doctor said I can get my eyesight back with surgery. I didn't pay much attention because I didn't really understand, but he said it was simple", I said.

"But?", she asked.

"The odds of me regaining my eyesight even if I come out of it okay, fifty percent", I said.

"What did your dad say?", she asked.

"He didn't like the percentage. He's afraid that if it doesn't work, I'll be depressed but", she cut me off.

"Do you want to do this?", she asked.

"I want to try. I'm tired of living in the dark. I remember colors and trees. The color of my room, my mom's face, but it's not enough. If I wouldn't have gone blind, my brother would be in school with a possible NFL career, I ruined that. My uncle Seth wouldn't have resigned with the Marines if it wasn't for me. The only reason my dad can afford these doctor bills and my visits are because of uncle Seth's insurance", I said.

"Stop it, they didn't have to make the choices they made but they did", I cut her off.

"Because of me", I said.

She hugged me.

"Because they love you Artemis, not because they had too. Are you telling me you wouldn't have done the same if you were in their shoes?", she said.

"I would have done everything I could for them", I said.

"That is the same way they feel. They don't resent you for it", she said.

I nodded. I felt her move away from me and then I heard something smack the table in front of me.

"Was that my laptop?", I asked.

"Yeah, sorry", she said.

"Uncle Seth will kill you and me if it breaks. That thing's expensive", I said.

"Yeah yeah. Whatever you decide, just make sure you trust your choice and feel like it's the right thing. No one else can decide this but you", she said.

I nodded. I opened the laptop, the voice telling me it was on.


Roman-

We had just come back from patrol when Sgt. Rollins came over to me. He handed me a letter and then continued passed me.

"Man that guy and his attitude. He thinks he's the shit because he has Hunter in the palm of his hand", Dean said.

"Dean, you need to stop talking like that. If someone else heard you they would rat you out and you could get into some serious trouble", I said.

He shrugged.

"Why are you always defending the guy?", he asked.

"I've known him a long time, he's not a bad guy", I said.

"Have you noticed that he's always hand delivering your letters, just yours?", Dean asked.

I raised a brow and then shrugged. I opened my letter and Dean took that as his hint to leave me alone. He knew I didn't like reading my letters with others around me. I found a quiet place outside, the sun wasn't as hot as it usually was.


Dear Roman,

Work is the same, shelving books, reading your letter, and writing to you. Before I tell you my name, you can't laugh okay. See, my mom had this obsession with Greek mythology, anyway that explains my name. So it's Artemis, can you guess my brother's name?

How about we talk over the phone before meeting? Baby steps please. I would rather tell you about that important detail when and if we ever meet face to face. Things are fifty fifty with it, there's a big decision only I can make that needs to be made. It scares me though, but not as much as it scares my dad and brother. They already lost my mom, I don't think they'll make it if they lose me too.

Thanksgiving? My uncle is coming home as well, hey maybe you know him. Seth Rollins ring a bell? Anyways, as for you going to see your family, you should, they miss you and they just want to know that you're okay, they're looking out for you Roman. I know because it's how my aunts are towards my uncle, my dad as well but he tries not to show it. Just take a deep breath every now and then. Don't push PTSD aside, some guys don't even realize they have it till it's too late. Its not strange, for some reason I feel like I can trust you as well, that's why I want to wait to tell you about that important detail. By the way, here's my number ###-####. Hope to hear from you soon.

Your Friend, Artemis .R.


Rollins! I stood and angrily went to find Seth. Dean looked up when he passed me.

"Hey, what's up?", he asked.

"Where the hell is Sgt. Rollins?", I asked.

He pointed towards the back.

"On the phone with his family. Why? What's wrong?", he asked.

I stomped towards the back where the phones were. I saw him talking and he glanced up at me. I stood in front of him.

"Artie, hold on a second sweetheart", he said.

He put the phone on his shoulder.

"Yes, Reigns?", he asked.

I let the letter fall in front of him. He picked it up and sighed, shutting his eyes and then lifting the phone back to his ear.

"Artemis", he said.

I felt my heart beat faster, he was talking to her.

"I have to go ladybug. Yes, yes I promise to call you back soon. Yes I want to know how it went, okay, love you too", he said.

He hung up and leaned back in his chair.

"Sit down", he said.

I grabbed a chair and sat in front of him.

"You knew didn't you? You knew who was writing me and you knew I was writing her", I said.

He nodded and met my eyes.

"My ex and I planned this from the start. I didn't think you would find out this soon", he said.

"What do you mean planned it?", I asked.

"You know what I mean. Our families can't even be near each other without someone snapping and fighting. My niece has been kept out of it, we distanced her from it, me especially. She was too sweet to hate anyone or blame anyone. My ex and I thought we could find a way to bring everyone together, to forgive. What happened was an accident, a very heartbreaking accident that ruined both our families.", he said.

"What does this have to do with me and Artemis?", I asked.

"Don't deny it, you feel something for her and you haven't even met her yet", he said.

He was right, but I wasn't about to say that out loud.

"I believe you and her forming some sort of relationship, whether it's friendly or more, can heal our families", he said.

"Does she know you're doing this?", I asked.

He shook his head no.

"Like I said, we kept her in the dark about who", he stopped.

He looked down and then back at me.

"Anyway, we kept her in the dark. She doesn't know who caused the accident", he said.

"You mean she doesn't know it was my dad who killed her mother?", I asked.

"Exactly", he said.

"And what happens when your brother, your nephew, your sisters, what happens when they find out about me forming a relationship with Artemis? They will take her from me faster than I got her. What happens when she finds out who I am? What happens when she finds out that I knew about this? Did you ever stop to think about any of that?", I asked angry.

He nodded.

"I did, but I know Artemis, her heart is too big and gentle to ever harbor hate for anyone. No matter how bad they hurt her", he said.

"I know how much she loves you, she talks about you a lot uncle surprise. I don't want to ruin that", I said.

He laughed and shook his head.

"She told you that", he said.

"No names remember, so she called you uncle surprise", I said.

He nodded.

"I'll deal with that when it comes but for now, just make her happy. Whatever you choose to be in her life. She's a wonderful soul to have in your life, she is just like her mom", he said smiling.

"She doesn't talk about her mom much", I said.

"Give it time, she will", he said.

I nodded.

"You should call her", he said, patting my shoulder and walking away.

I was about to pick up the phone.

"Oh, don't say your last name if my brother or nephew answer", Seth said, walking out the door.

I picked up the phone and it rang three times before someone picked up.

"Hello?", the female voice answered.

I cleared my throat.

"Yes, I'm looking for Artemis Rollins", I said.

"Speaking, may I ask who's calling?", she asked.

I licked my lips.

"This is Roman", I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

Silence. I cleared my throat again.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?", I asked, breaking the silence.

"No, sorry, it's just, I didn't think you would call", she said.

I smiled.

"Why wouldn't I? We're friends", I said.

"Right", she laughed softly.

"You have a wonderful voice, you sound just like I imagined", I said.

"Same here", she said.