I still don't own anything Twilight! I'm just playing with the characters. No copyright infringement intended! Also, if I get anything wrong in describing the Sniper life, I'M SORRY. I apologize immensely and I mean no disrespect. This is FICTION. I just needed Bella to be a badass in the Military for this story to work, and considering she's a woman, there's not really any place that she can be more of a badass than as a Sniper.

BPOV

Today is my graduation from the US Army Sniper School. It amazes me just how far I've come in this amount of time. I can never thank my dad enough for sending me to the Military High School that he did. I had finished school on time with the rest of my class and I even graduated with honors. I made a few friends, but none of which I had kept in contact with. I was never impolite to anyone, but I wasn't exactly overly friendly to anyone either. I'm still that way now. There's just something about me that won't let anyone get close to me. Most of my class decided on a non-military college to attend, but I found that I enjoyed this way of life.

My dad was correct when he said that I would become more self-confident. I am. Although I was shocked to find out exactly what it was that brought out my confidence. Basic Training was something no one was looking forward to, not even me, but I realized that the physical activity helped my mental state a bit more every day. Learning hand-to-hand combat was amazingly fun and the self-defense classes were a treat. I'm not sure how or why, but learning anything physical was both fun and highly self-assuring. I learned to trust my body more and more every day and every day it got stronger and stronger.

Learning how to shoot handguns and rifles was an even better challenge, although I did have a bit of experience. I'm sure that my dad being the Forks Police Chief had something to do with that. What I did not expect was how good I would be with a Sniper Rifle. I didn't mind the waiting for the go-ahead to shoot. I didn't mind working with a spotter to get the right distance and wind speed. I enjoyed working with a good partner. It was almost zen-like for me to be in that mental state. I'm not sure what that says about me, but hey, I gave up caring what other people thought about me a long time ago. I wasn't concerned.

Along with my new and improved body image, and skill set, I realized that other people-both in my senior year of Military School and in Sniper School-relied on me to get things accomplished. Nothing that reminded me of how I was when I lived with Charlie or my mom, thank goodness, but other things that would give me the lack of opportunity for self-doubt. I learned to trust myself and my decisions more every day. A person actually listening to and taking my views into account was a new experience, but I really enjoyed giving my thoughts and opinions to others and was overjoyed when those opinions came to fruition. Over time I became more of the woman that my parents had wanted me to be. I actually managed to get several promotions in rank and will graduate out of Sniper School as an Officer. I'm quite proud of myself for that accomplishment.

I'll admit that my parents were a bit shocked when I told them that I would stay in the military. I had wanted to become an MP after reading about and studying them. I found that I had a knack for criminal law as well and that helped tremendously. Who knew, maybe I could follow in my dad's footsteps and become a cop when I decided to leave? Besides, as a woman, I was limited as to what I could and couldn't do in the military. Being an MP gave me the opportunity to put all of that training to good use.

However, that was not what fate had in store for me. I had been approached by a superior officer after our latest Sniper practice and was requested to stay on to shoot targets that were a bit farther out and more difficult to get to. I had exceeded his expectations by 700 yards and was given a special assignment after graduation. I was being sent to a Military base overseas. I didn't have my orders as of yet, but I knew that wherever I ended up, I would do my damndest to make my parents and myself proud.

Even Billy and Jake Black were coming to show their support for me today and I was glad that they agreed to come. I know my relationship with Jake was strained at best over the months before I was sent to Military School. I'm just glad that we were able to keep our friendship intact over the years. I loved him, I truly did, but just not in the way he wanted me to. It was difficult letting him down as many times as I did, but I would always see him as a brother. He was nothing if not persistent, though. I remember a time that I had gone back home to spend the Holidays with Charlie and of course we had gone to the Rez to visit everyone. It wasn't unusual to spend several days visiting with the Blacks, but after several attempts from Jake to change my mind about dating him, I had lost my temper with him and, after giving him a black eye and a broken nose, he decided that 'no' really did mean 'no'.

It was remarkable how quickly he managed to heal from both, though. It had taken me weeks to get rid of similar bruises, but for him, it only took about a day. It was fascinating and astonishing to watch, but at least he finally got the point. He only brings it up now to see if he can get a rise out of me. Mostly he's just joking around, but I think there's still a part of him that wishes I would agree.

"Swan, you're late! Get your ass in gear!" My Staff Sergeant shouts at me.

I don't say anything, there's no need. I just finish adding the last of the bobby pins in my hair and head out the door to the ceremony. I used to have an issue with everyone shouting at me all the time, but after a while, it just became normal. The first time I actually obeyed a command that was shouted at me, I was shocked. It was almost like my body and mind were two separate entities and even though my mind was in an unhealthy place, my body responded to the order. After I had finished my task, I had thought about why I had acted without putting up a fight. The only possible explanation that I could come up with was that my body wanted something to do other than mope around for the rest of my life. After that, it just became normal to act on the orders my superiors shouted at me.

I finish the last bobby pin and head out the door to finish this chapter of my life and start on a brand new one. I admit that I haven't been this excited over something in quite some time. Hopefully whatever orders I get after this will help point me in the right direction that my life should take. A girl can certainly dream.

After the ceremony I had 24 hours free before my orders were given to me. I wanted to celebrate with what little family I had. Charlie, Billy, Jake, Renee and Phil were all here today and I was going to enjoy what little time I had left here in the States. After pictures were taken and hugs were given, I told everyone to meet at a local restaurant in town. It was a quaint little place that had fast become my favorite dining establishment over the past few years and by now it was considered odd if I didn't show up at least once a week. It reminded me of that little diner in Forks that my dad would go to all the time. I was beginning to realize that maybe I had more in common with Charlie than I had thought.

Once everyone arrived we ordered dinner and began discussing the possibilities of places I might be assigned to. Renee was hoping that I was going to be stationed somewhere like Paris or Rome. Somewhere more out of the way and less dangerous. I hated to break it to her, but I seriously doubted the likelihood that I would be going somewhere like that. Phil and Charlie were debating over the possibility of Iraq versus Iran and where I might be needed most out of those two countries. Jake was more of the Afghanistan train of thought considering there had been some fairly recent disturbances there. Honestly, I just didn't care. As long as I got the opportunity to get away from the States for a little while, it really didn't matter to me where I ended up.

As our food began arriving, I realized that I was going to miss all of this. The sense of family and belonging that I was having wasn't a strong feeling, but it was infinitely better than nothing and I would take it over nothing in a heartbeat. I knew what nothing felt like. I was intimately familiar with that feeling and I refused to feel that ever again. I knew that this feeling wouldn't last forever, but I was determined to make the most of it while I had the chance.

"We'll need to do this again when you get back, Bells." Charlie says out of the blue.

"I agree." Billy replies.

"I'm up for that," Jake states smiling, "you just tell me when and where."

"We can do this again, but only if she can handle it." Phil replies. "We don't want to overwhelm her when she gets back stateside."

"What do you mean 'if she can handle it'?" I ask defensively.

"Being in a war zone can affect different people in different ways." Phil begins pointedly, "We just want to take your best interest at heart."

The realization that I may be a completely different woman when I got back was a bit overwhelming. I knew that most people that completed their tours overseas were a little…different when they got back. Some of that was due to PTSD, some had injuries to deal with, and some didn't come back at all. I would do everything in my power to come back, but some things you just can't prepare for. This was my time to come to terms with that and be prepared for anything that may happen.

"So, how long will you be overseas?" Billy asks, taking a bite out of his steak.

"I'm not sure yet." I reply as I reach for the ketchup. "I'm guessing a couple of years at the very least, but I can't be too sure. My orders could change before I even get there."

"So what are you hoping for?" Phil asks.

"What do you mean?" I reply.

"Well," he says finishing up his dinner, "we've all put in our two cents when it comes to where you'll be stationed. Where would you prefer to go?"

"Honestly, it doesn't really matter." I state simply. "I couldn't care less where I go. As long as I'm being useful and getting my missions completed it doesn't matter to me."

We finished up our dinner soon after and we all said goodnight to one another before I headed back to campus for my last night. Phil and Renee were going to leave first thing in the morning for a flight back to Florida and Billy, Jake, and Charlie were going to leave tomorrow afternoon for a flight back to Washington. I had told everyone I would let them know as soon as I found out where I was going and where they could send mail or care packages.

The next morning, after a rather fitful night's sleep of red-eyed and black cloaked figures, I reported to my superior officer and was given verbal orders to be at the airport, bound for a flight to a military base in Afghanistan, in two hours. It seemed Jake was right after all. I would have to call him later and let him know. Although, knowing him, he'd probably placed a bet with someone on the Rez as to where I'd end up, so perhaps it was in my best interest to make him wait a bit until I got there to let him know. Not that I was betting against him, or anything. I would never do that.

I was also told that I would be meeting my spotter and long-term partner once I arrived. Her name was Charlotte Winchester and from what I read the file my Lieutenant gave me, she had the best eyes in the business. Apparently, she had been abroad for six months already and her current partner had done the four years they were contracted for and got out while the getting was good. I couldn't really blame them, this life isn't for everybody, but I couldn't see myself leaving it anytime soon.