January 13, 2011

Scenario Prompt: On the streets of a small town, you shake a map out to try and find your exact location. Confused by your current location, you enter a local restaurant to ask for help. You spark a conversation with the man behind the counter that helps you far beyond just finding where you are on a map.

Pairing: Jasper/Alice

Storyline: Letters

~*Witfit*~

Jasper sat, defeated and weary, against the trunk of a tree somewhere deep in the woods of Tennessee. He and his men had finally made it through the Union line after winning several smaller skirmishes and escaping the bulk of the losses the rest of the Confederate army had sustained in Chattanooga. He had watched as his fellow soldiers fought valiantly for General Bragg, but after years on the move and being outnumbered, they really hadn't stood a chance.

The moans and cries of wounded men and the stench of death hung in the air. Makeshift tents were scattered throughout the woods, grey and brown peaks forming a canvas mountain range that was, for now, home. Pulling out a tin of tobacco, Jasper slowly rolled a cigarette, licked the edge of the paper, and placed it between his lips. He managed to procure a match from deep inside his bag, lit it, and inhaled deeply. He felt the familiar and comforting burn course through his lungs, a reminder he was still alive. Thank heavens for that.

He let his head fall back against the rough bark of the tree and closed his eyes. She appeared instantly – his saving grace. His Alice. She was the one constant on which he could count. She was the center of his world, and he desperately missed her. No matter where he was or what he was doing, she was with him. He carried her letters with him, the only true link he had to her as he traipsed across each battlefield.

Jasper shifted, taking another drag, as he tried to block out the devastating sounds of war. He had always wanted to be a soldier. He knew at a young age he wanted to join the army, but he had no idea the horrors he would see. He longed to get back to his Alice, to feel her arms wrap around his neck, taste the sweetness of her mouth, or hear her tinkling laughter. A flood of memories from their last days together filled him with a burning need that would only be quenched by his own hand or in the reel of memories that was on a constant loop in his mind.

Hours later, Jasper finally stood up, stiff and sore from staying in once place for so long. He unrolled his sleeping bag, sat down and removed his boots, and settled in for the night, hoping to see her gorgeous eyes in his sleep.

Three days later, he and his men, the few that remained, entered the edge of a small town. They had been walking for hours and were running ragged. They were covered in sweat, leftover remnants from battle, and dust from their travels. The slow dragging of feet and slump of shoulders was all Jasper needed to see. His men needed to rest, and by gosh he was going to figure out how to make that happen. He signaled for his men to stop as he unfurled the ripped up map he'd been carrying. As he scanned the landmarks and the lines, it became clear they'd need assistance. Nothing looked familiar and hadn't for the last couple of weeks. Other than being in Chattanooga a few weeks back, he had no idea where they were.

As they entered town, he hoped they'd be met with little resistance. One by one, they passed the townsfolk. Jasper hated the way they moved to the side of the road, cowering in fear or watched with blank stares. He knew his men wouldn't act out or cause trouble, but these people didn't know that.

Jasper's eyes remained sharp, always vigilant and watching, when they landed on a small restaurant. He moved across the road, climbed the steps, and pushed open the glass door.

McCarty's was dark inside with a smattering tables and a few pictures hanging crookedly on the dark paneled walls. The man at the bar, a hulking figure with shaggy blonde hair, looked up and nodded. He waved them in and pointed to the tables scattered around the room. Jasper took that as a positive sign and told his men to sit. Sidling up to the bar, Jasper extended his hand.

"Major Jasper Whitlock," he said coolly, trying gauge the response he might get.

"Emmett McCarty, owner of this restaurant. What can I do you for?"

Jasper was immediately put at ease. He had always had a sixth sense about people, almost as if he were able to read the emotions a person was feeling. Emmett's casual grin and demeanor was a welcome sight.

"My men and I'd like to get a meal before we head back out, and I'd appreciate if you could point me in the direction of the post office."

Jasper unrolled his map and handed it to Emmett. Emmett scanned the map, but it was clear he too was having difficulty reading it.

"I can't read this map, but let me get Rosie to help get your men some food and I'll find you a new one."

"Rosie, can you come give me a hand with this bunch?" Emmett called toward the kitchen.

A few seconds later, a tall, slender, blonde-haired woman came around the corner. She was easily the most beautiful woman Jasper had seen in a long while. She wasn't exactly his type, but he could appreciate a fine looking woman, and Rosie clearly fit that description.

The guys immediately started hooting and hollering when Rosie smiled and greeted them.

"Hi, boys. I'm Rosie, and we're gonna get some food and drink in those bellies of yours. Sit tight and I'll get it out to you."

Cheers erupted and the place was soon filled with laughter and conversation as she moved easily through in between the tables with a sassy smirk on her face. One his men were occupied, Jasper slipped out and made his way over to the post office. He had been carrying several letters to Alice around with him, and he knew she would be worried she hadn't heard from him in a long while.

When he arrived, he quickly scribbled a note to her.

My darlin', Alice,

We are in a small town in Tennessee, stopping only to eat, maybe find a place to bunk, and clean up. We barely managed to escape the battle in Chattanooga. We suffered a few losses but managed to retreat before the real damage was done. The Confederate Army is weak and vulnerable. My men are weary, and as each day passes, more and more sneak away. I think they all long to get home to their families, as do I. I pray this war ends soon, so I can come home. I miss you, Alice. Don't forget my promise – I'll come for you.

Please take care of yourself and know you are never far from my heart and mind.

Yours always,

Jasper

He quickly folded the letter, tucked it in the envelope and dropped it in the post box. Trudging back to the restaurant, he felt a sense of peace amidst the craziness of this war. He didn't know if it was having sent his letters or making it through another battle and another day, but he welcomed it with open arms, knowing it would be short lived.

When he arrived back at the restaurant, Emmett greeted him with a mug of beer and a slap on the back.

"Find the post office, man?"

Jasper took a large gulp, enjoying the bitter taste on his tongue, and nodded.

"Good. Good. Have a seat. Rosie and I would like to offer up the restaurant to you and your men tonight. It's not much, but it's a shelter over your heads and even a place to clean up a bit, if you're interested."

Jasper stared at him in disbelief. Had he actually heard what he thought he'd heard? Was this man really offering them a place to sleep? Jasper felt his mouth open and close several times before he managed to sputter out, "Really?"

Emmett let loose a roaring laugh. "Yes, we appreciate what you and your men are doing. Hell, I wish I were out there with you, but… well, that's for another time."

Jasper didn't press the issue. He could tell it was an uncomfortable topic, and he didn't want to push and risk getting kicked out. "Where are we exactly?"

"You're in Cornelia, Georgia."

"Georgia," Jasper said almost reverently. He was so close to home. The realization filled him with the most intense sense of longing and emptiness he'd felt the entire time he'd been away from her. He had to get to her, but he couldn't just leave his men. They would almost certainly be called on to march against Sherman, and they had to be available.

"I take it you've got a lady nearby?" Emmett said with a huge grin as his eyes swept the room and landed on Rosie. She turned and glanced over her shoulder and gave him a wink.

All Jasper could do was nod his head. He had never been one for big displays of emotion, but at that moment, he felt a tightening in his throat. He swallowed it away. He was a Major in the Confederate Army, and as much as he might want to see Alice, he had a job to do. He couldn't abandon his men. Alice would understand. After all, he'd promised to marry her, and as soon as this damned war was over, he would.

As evening turned to night, the men quieted down and settled in for what would be their first time sleeping under a roof in months. He looked over at Emmett as he wiped down the bar and felt grateful. He knew it wouldn't last, but he was thankful all the same.