A/N: To my sweet reviewer, Sammieanne. I wish I could write you back, but when you're signed in as a guest, I'm helpless and can't respond. In the top and bottom author's notes of Sunday's chapter, I mentioned the chapter was the Riley/Kalia/Nalani outtake from the Oklahoma compilation written in July. Sorry that it confused you. I wasn't permitted to post it until September 1st. I did say that the next chapter describing Bella & Edward's reunion would come along in a few days, and here it is! Enjoy!

^^TotS^^

BPOV

You can do this, Bella. Just fake it till you make it.

My inner voice talks a good game, but when I literally stand over to the side of the jet-way in order to follow the crowd, I know I'm a lost soul. I felt more prepared going to Korea. I have no idea why, maybe because I was planting my flag somewhere new, somewhere undiscovered by any of my family or friends. But here I am now, via All Nippon Airways, at the Naha Airport on Okinawa.

Edward lives in Okinawa…or will live, once he arrives. Emmett and Rosalie are here. Riley and Kalia will be here. If this was a month ago and I found out that my position was getting reassigned, I would've screamed for joy and probably had unbridled celebratory sex with my then-boyfriend. It would've been everything I'd hoped for suddenly within my grasp. A new teaching assignment surrounded by new friends who invaded my heart and I came to treasure so quickly. But then Nalani died, Edward shut me out, and everything shifted. If I could've pulled Edward out of that abyss, I would have. But he was too far gone and I was too much in love to stick around only to have him inevitably trample my heart.

I blink away the tears that sting the corners of my eyes. Crying's gotten me nowhere in the last few weeks. Let me not embarrass myself while surrounded by strangers.

I walk through the security gates to find a petite woman with strawberry-blonde hair holding a sign with my name on it. I was told by Mrs. Driscoll, my boss in Korea for all of fifteen minutes, that a colleague who'd been assigned to be my sponsor would meet me at the airport.

"Hi, I'm Bella." I wave as I approach.

"Hello! So great to meet you! I'm Siobhan Callahan," she says shaking my hand. "Are you freaked yet?"

I huff, readjusting my laptop bag on my shoulder. "You could say that. I went from not being able to understand Korean airport signs to not being able to understand Japanese airport signs."

"Yeah, you'll get used to it. It's a pretty humbling experience only knowing English and then landing in the middle of a foreign place, not having a clue what all the symbols and signs mean. Kinda like the hook to Survivor." She brings a fist up to her mouth, pretending it's a microphone. "Dropped in the middle of nowhere…now they have to figure out how to stay alive!" She laughs at herself while we head toward baggage claim.

"I talk really fast, so if you get confused or overwhelmed, just tell me to shut up. I'll pretty much be shuttling you everywhere for at least the next week until you get your driver's license, housing, food, etcetera."

"Do you live on Camp Kinser, too?"

She shakes her head as we lift my luggage off the turnstile. "No, my husband and I live on Foster, which is great because that's where your hotel is located. Plus the driving class is there, as well as pass and ID for the car that you'll eventually buy." She stops abruptly and turns to me, eyes wide. "You do have car money, right?"

"Yeah, I have a decent savings account."

She smiles in relief. "Awesome, because you can get a good deal on the cars that are resold on the base and usually make out really well if you get a car where the JCI is ready to expire."

"JCI?"

"Japanese Compulsory Inspection," she groans. "You'll figure out that driving in Japan is ridiculously more expensive than driving in the States." She starts ticking off her fingers. "You'll need a driver's license, liability insurance, Japanese compulsory insurance, a current JCI and then you have to pay a weight tax and road taxes before you're even allowed to hit the road."

"Jesus."

"Yeah, you're gonna need him, too!" We both giggle as I follow her out the door and have to do a double take watching the headlights of the oncoming cars on the wrong side of the road.

I mean the other side of the road.

I sigh, rolling my eyes at my own stupidity and hoping I don't get killed one day looking in the wrong direction for traffic.

^^TotS^^

It's a very daunting experience being completely out of your comfort zone. Yes, I have this person who's essentially babysitting me for the next week or so as I get my feet underneath me in this new land. After she's gone though, I'm on my own navigating this foreign life.

Because I arrived on an evening flight, I missed out on seeing what Okinawa looks like from the sky by day. I remember the morning Edward and I were lying at the foot of his bed, Googling images of the island as he tried to convince me that I should just give up my job and come with him to Japan. What started out as him persuading me with beautiful beaches kissed by crystal water and sensational pictures of pagodas and temples steeped in majesty, ended up with us naked, sweaty and writhing against each other, his laptop and Google long abandoned.

It didn't take much for us to get distracted. One look from him and those damn beach glass-colored bedroom eyes would be my undoing. We lived in our own little bubble, completely untouchable, it seemed. Everything was so perfect…until it wasn't.

Funny how fate has a way of intervening when you least expect it. And when I say 'funny,' I mean, 'you've gotta be fucking kidding me.'

I have exactly two weeks before he's scheduled to arrive and start working. Two weeks to figure out what to say, how to act and figure out if there's any way we can get back a fraction of what we had just a few short weeks ago.

I thought about calling him in those last few days at my parents' house in New York. But I figured he was enjoying time with his family and I didn't want to disturb him. He knew my number. I would've taken his call.

Why would he reach out, though? I'm the one who left him. I left the man I professed to love kneeling on the floor holding a damn Disney Princess movie while begging me to stay. As the tears streaked down his face, I waved goodbye from the door.

There's a special place in hell for people like me.

"So this is the main drag for the bases, Route 58." Siobhan's voice pulls me from my self-flagellation. "You'll be working on Kinser which is the southern-most base, but your school is right on the sea. I'm totally jealous, by the way. You might even have a view from your classroom windows!"

"You said you live on Camp Foster. Is that where you teach as well?"

She nods and pops her bubble gum as we wait at a traffic light. At least they use the same colors here. Thank God for small favors.

"Yup, fifth grade at Zukeran Elementary. I love it. We've been here almost six years now."

"I thought tours only lasted for three years?"

"Oh yeah, they do. But Will, my husband, he extended a couple times and just changed jobs after his three years by doing a permanent change of assignment."

I nod in understanding and look out the window to absorb the scenery. My eyes are bombarded with the neon signs, some even flashing in colors that rival the brightness of the sun. It's akin to the sights of downtown Las Vegas except that there are buildings everywhere, from high-rises to dinky little convenient stores, and every single billboard, street sign and marquis is unreadable. I don't see one blade of grass; it's literally a concrete jungle.

"You'll be staying at the WestPac Lodge while you go apartment hunting. Shouldn't take more than a week or so to get you settled in a place, assuming you find something in the next few days."

We turn off the main road, pulling up to a gate, and encounter Japanese police checking IDs and car stickers. I pass mine to him and the officer looks me over to make sure I match up to my picture. Moments later he returns our cards with a nod and, "Arigato gozaimasu."

"Camp Foster is huge compared to Kinser, where you'll work. That was the main gate we just drove through," she throws her thumb over her shoulder, "but there are several others. I promise to give you a great driving tour in the daylight this weekend."

After several turns and hills, we pull into the lodge's parking lot. I get myself checked in and discover that Siobhan has fully stocked the kitchenette and refrigerator of my hotel room.

"This is amazing. You didn't have to do this," I gush, looking at boxes of granola bars, cereal, junk food, bottles of water and juice. She was extremely generous.

"Oh, it was my pleasure! That's what a sponsor does! And hey, maybe you can pay it forward someday to an island newbie."

I snort. "Yeah, I don't think I'm ever going to feel knowledgeable enough to navigate this island for someone else. Talk about the blind leading the blind."

She winks at me. "I know it's overwhelming, but you'll catch on quick, I promise." As she heads for the door, she continues chattering. "I'll be back for you tomorrow at ten, sound good? We have several stops to make on base, car hunting in the lots and then an appointment with a realtor at four."

I breathe deeply and nod. "Thank you and yes, I'll be ready. Bring it on."

^^TotS^^

True to her word, not three days later I'm the owner of a new car, well, new to me. It's a teal 1997 Mitsubishi RVR Open Gear which has less than one hundred-thousand kilometers on it. The island is only so big, and military members just continue to pass them around when their three-year tours end. It's cute and sporty and runs perfectly well. Plus, it has a retractable roof that almost makes me feel like I'm driving a jeep. The JCI is about to expire so the Air Force family I purchased it from was willing to sell it a lot cheaper than most of the other cars I've looked at.

After several hours of running around collecting all the necessary paperwork to be a car-owner on Okinawa, plus appointments at the insurance company and the JCI office, I'm all set. The next step is getting my driver's license. My mini driving course starts tomorrow. Right now, though, we're on our way to visit a third apartment.

"Look at this view, Bella! You should totally take this one," Siobhan hisses as I approach the sliding-glass door.

In the Nakagami District, the realtor found a recently-vacated quaint, fully furnished, two-bedroom apartment with an open kitchen and living area and windows on three of the four walls. There are one and a half bathrooms with a stacked washer and dryer in a closet in the foyer. It's funny to see appliances that are so much smaller in scale than we're used to in America.

The view truly is the best part, though. It's on the third floor and overlooks a lovely park that's right on the East China Sea. The water is a spectacular shade of mint-green and the small waves lap at the beach, which backs up to the park.

I remember standing on lanais on all the Hawaiian Islands looking out at similar scenes, Edward's strong arms wrapped lovingly around my waist. The thought tugs on my heart again. Doesn't take much these days.

The park is filled with walking paths, beautiful bushes and trees with colorful flowers blooming all around. There's also a small amphitheater in the middle of the park. I wonder if I'll be listening to free concerts from time to time.

The balcony is nice and roomy with enough space for a small barbeque, a couple of chairs and an end table in between. With traffic, it'll be about a twenty-minute drive south on 58 to get down to Kinser for school. It's perfect and another boost in my confidence that things are moving along quickly and successfully. This decision's a no-brainer.

"I'll take it."

^^TotS^^

Thank goodness my stuff was re-routed quickly from Korea or else I'd probably be ready to collapse from a mental breakdown. I've only been on this island for ten days but in that time I've bought a car, gotten a license to drive in Japan, rented and moved into a fantastic apartment across from Camp Foster and have spent every other waking moment in my classroom preparing for tomorrow's first day of school.

I glance at the wall clock to see it creeping up on seven o'clock. The janitor told me he'd have to kick me out by eight. I think I'm pretty well set at this point. I have the first two weeks' worth of lesson plans already written out. My treasure box is fully stocked with fun little trinkets I found at the hundred yen store. The cubbies are all labeled. Centers are set up. I have a couple of basic bulletin boards decorated and ready for the kiddos to admire. Parents always get a kick out of my "Newton's Laws of Kindergarten" and the atom name tags I have for each of the kids labeled as "Newton's Balls of Energy." What better way is there than to describe a bunch of five year-olds just starting out and learning the ropes of school? I think Sir Isaac would agree wholeheartedly.

I think it's time to get back home and get some rest for tomorrow. I've been living off adrenaline and round-the-clock mugs of coffee. Sadly, earlier this afternoon I finished the last of my stash I'd purchased in Kona. I had to snap myself out of the funk that settled when the last of the grounds were poured into the filter. Honest to God, it felt like another chapter with Edward was over. How fucking stupid do I sound? I got sad because I finished the frigging package of coffee I bought when we were together.

I'm either completely losing my marbles or delirious with exhaustion. It's probably a little of both.

I know he'll be arriving on the island by the end of this week. Just the thought of running into him makes my heart race and my palms sweaty. I've been so damn busy with everything, I haven't given any thought to figuring out how best to apologize, explain my side of things…or even just how to approach him.

My mother said I need to be brave. All I can focus on is the fear I have of losing him all over again. I won't even allow myself to think of what'll happen if he says he wants me back.

I know some say worrying is pointless. But people who say that can't possibly be human. And if they are, in fact, human, then they never made the selfish and abrupt choice to toss out the best thing that ever happened to them. And they certainly never concerned themselves with the possibility that they could hopefully get that one person back.

By the time I get home and into my pajamas, I only have enough energy to make myself a pack of creamy chicken ramen noodles. For as wiped out as my body is though, I'm really wired with the nerves that typically descend the night before a new school year starts.

Sleep is evading me, so I end up out on the couch with the remote control, scrolling through the sparse channels provided by Mediatti Cable Company.

I discovered that the shows we see here on Okinawa are on a one-week delay in comparison to what the people in the states are seeing. As football season approaches, I realize that my only hope will be to keep up with my Giants via NFL websites this season. Most sports are shown live and in real-time on AFN, but being thirteen hours ahead of the east coast time zone puts Sunday afternoon games on in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Siobahn also told me that reality shows like The Bachelor— which is totally my guilty pleasure— air the next day and I'll need to stay away from social media and entertainment news reports that will spoil the results twenty-fours before they're seen over here.

I finally settle on Sleepless in Seattle on the AFN movie channel and giggle as Rob Reiner gives Tom Hanks dating advice. It's somewhat helpful to hear how screwed up other people's love lives are, even if they are fictional.

^^TotS^^

The first week of school goes smoothly considering I was a last-minute addition to their faculty. My colleagues seem quite friendly, especially those on my grade-level. On the third day of school, I was assigned a paraprofessional, Mallory, who'll be with me for two and a half hours each day to assist with the nineteen little peanuts who are in my class. After spending that first day with her, I came home and cried myself to sleep because she reminded me so much of Nalani, only a couple years younger. She's small in stature, lovely caramel-colored skin, with long, dark hair. She's from Tahiti and met her husband on a singles cruise out of San Diego last summer. He's a Lance Corporal who works for Motor T on base here at Kinser. They've been on the island since January.

My ears perk up when she said they live on base. Everyone else I've met so far somehow doesn't have a spouse who works on Camp Kinser. I really don't know much about how the offices and regiments work, but if Edward is in a position of authority, maybe his name will be one that's known throughout the base.

I decide that after the first of September, once I know Edward's on the island and working, I'll casually drop his name to Mallory and see if she can do some digging for me. I've already filled her in on the highlights of my life, which definitely include everything that happened with Edward. I even asked what she thought of my situation. She was kind and soft-spoken about it, but she basically told me that I probably should've tried to hear him out a little more as well.

On Friday morning, my principal, Mr. Kubrough, comes to visit during my prep period, asking if I'd be willing to help out with the Kinser Fall Festival. It's an annual event coordinated by a Marine-spouse's group known as the Key Volunteers in cooperation with our school and the Marines on base. He said the faculty are already preparing their class displays and exhibits, mostly artwork, maybe a science experiment here or there, but it's a fun event that brings together all the facets of military life here on base.

I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity, not only because it guarantees I'll meet some new people, but it will also help me to network a bit in order to track down Edward. I know Mallory is willing to pick her husband's brain, but every bit of information I can garner will help.

Edward and I already have so many issues to work through, I don't need the added stress of a cold-turkey, face-to-face meeting. I'm trying to dial down the crazy, not add fuel to a fire that's already threatening to burn out of control with each day that passes and still no contact between us.

^^TotS^^

7:05 p.m.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit. Way to make an impression, Bella." I continue to chastise myself, side-eying the dashboard clock as I drive around in circles among buildings that all look the same. Mallory clued me in that this stretch of road is affectionately-termed "warehouse row." And with good reason, because there's nothing that stands out about any of these structures with the exception of the small red and yellow metal signs that sit on the grass next to the entrance. Monstrosities, completely bland with cream-colored facades, Army Corps of Engineers' finest construction, I'm sure. Considering it needs to withstand typhoon weather, I suppose nothing is going to be flashy, but come on, I'm just a clueless teacher living in a foreign country for the first time in my life. Help a girl out with a sign pointing which building is this way or that!

"Headquarters, thank God!" I find an available space and turn to my left to open the door. Joke's on me though, because even after two weeks, I'm still not used to everything being on the opposite side. There is no door on my immediate left; it's on my right. I swear to the high heavens, it's a wonder I passed my driver's exam. I have a master's degree and I know how to study. I can regurgitate information when necessary. Written tests are a piece of cake. Without proving myself in a road test, however, is like unleashing the blind on poor, unsuspecting Japanese drivers.

I've already memorized the term gomenasai. It's the, "I'm sorry I just crashed into your car" lump sum that Americans end up handing over to the Japanese every time there's an accident on the island. The Marine instructors for the driving course put the fear of God in me and the rest of the class.

"If you get into a car accident, it will be your fault, even if it isn't your fault. I promise you this. You are to blame." My eyes widen listening to his asinine reasoning as he continues to bellow in his southern accent. "You are an American living on foreign soil. The fault will lie with you no matter how the accident occurred. If a Japanese car rear-ends you, you should not have hit the brakes. If they back up into your car in the parking lot, you should not have been driving there, and if they hit your parked car, it sucks to be you; you should not have parked there! You will always be at fault, it's a bunch of malarkey, but it is what it is. So unless you want to end up turning over your paycheck to a nice little Okinawan family for months on end, my sage advice to you is, do not get into an accident." I look around at my classmates. We're all in the midst of nervous laughter and groans. Good advice Sergeant Barks-a-lot. Will do and thanks.

The officer on duty catches my eye as I breeze in the building almost ten minutes late.

"Key Volunteers meeting?"

He nods. "Yes ma'am. Take a right at the end of the hall, room seventeen."

"Thanks!"

Room seventeen, room seventeen. I scan the numbers and name plaques until I reach the one labeled 'conference room.' I knock quietly, already hearing them speaking.

Several people look up and smile as I start with a quick apology, dropping my keys in my tote bag.

"Excuse me. I'm sorry for being late." I try to make eye contact with everyone. "I still haven't quite figured out the buildings on—"

My breath catches as his widening eyes meet mine.

"…base…y—yet."

"Oh, it's not a problem! Glad you could make it!"

I hear a woman's voice talking, but I can't tear my gaze away from Edward. His jaw falls open slightly as his pen clatters to the table and he straightens up in his chair.

What are the chances that he'd be here? Of all the days, of all the meetings…of COURSE he's at this one.

I think I'm gonna be sick.

"We were just going around the table introducing ourselves. And you are?"

My eyes dart to hers. "Is—Isabella Newton, I'm the new kindergarten teacher at Kinser."

"Oh great, well, welcome! Have a seat." She looks back down the table. "Okay, who's up next?"

While others continue to talk, I find the only available spot, which naturally happens to be directly across the table from Edward. I keep my eyes on him the whole time as I slide into the chair. He's now looking down at his stack of papers, though. I can see his jaw tensing, probably grinding his teeth which he often did when he was over-thinking a situation. He picks up his pen, clears his throat and pierces me with his stare.

Fuck. He looks pissed.

You're a funny, funny guy, God. I love that everything I hoped and prayed for about this reunion has just played out completely ass-backwards.

No, really, this is awesome.

A few more people rattle off their names as I get settled with my notebook and pen. When I look up, it's about to be Edward's turn to introduce himself.

"Major Edward Masen. I'm the assistant G4 for the MLG. My team and I will be heading up anything you need provided by the greenside. Captain Simmons and I have already coordinated with CLR-37's Motor-T to provide the trucks for the hayrides. We have two smokers and four barbeques ready and waiting. The tents and all of the tables and chairs will be set up by CLR-35's supply shop. I'll ensure that it's all ready for you early in the afternoon on the day of the festival."

My eyes glaze over as I stare and listen to him, mesmerized. Aside from the day I watched him get promoted, this is the first time I've seen him in action as an officer of Marines. His voice is commanding and sure, he doesn't fall over words. He's precise, crisp and totally organized.

It gives me a sense of pride hearing him speak with such authority. It also gives me a little inward chuckle knowing he can turn this off like a switch and become the incredibly playful, romantic, charming and sexy boyfriend who so often melted me with the timbre of his voice and one look from his exquisite eyes.

He continues to speak back and forth with the woman who seems to be running the meeting, Amanda. I force myself to take a breath and start doodling on the bottom corner of my page. If I'm not careful, I'll need to find myself a drier pair of panties after swooning over Edward and all of his irresistible qualities.

The meeting continues for another forty-five minutes. I find myself glancing at him from time to time, and I catch him looking at me twice. His poker face is in place though, and I can't tell if he's thrilled to see me or plotting my demise.

The committee touches on some other future events sponsored by the Key Volunteers and the timelines and personnel needed to coordinate those functions. For now, my job will be to set up all of the school tables, ask the staff for baked good donations for the cake walk they'll be having at the festival and to enlist some help from the KES staff to work some of the game booths, face painting, cupcake decorating and such.

The meeting adjourns and people mill about snacking on the tray of cookies and brownies provided, while chatting over small Styrofoam cups of coffee and bottles of water. These people have no idea that it would be much easier on Edward and me if they could vanish, lock the door behind them and dim the lights so we could get down to the business of a proper hello.

He closes his folder, whispers to the captain to his left and stands with a forced smile for the room. Without another look in my direction, I hear him quietly thank the ladies who ran the meeting before he walks out the door.

And here I am, frozen like a statue. The only moron still sitting at the table, like my ass is glued to pleather material, while everyone else carries on with their lives. Did the love of their lives just walk out the door without a backward glance? Nope, that would be mine.

I swallow the lump that forms in my throat as I wiggle my nose trying to quell the burning that comes with the gathering tears. I can't, I won't do this here. Maybe if I go quickly, I can try to catch him in the parking lot.

I say a rushed goodbye to the room and excuse myself back toward the main entrance. All of the doors to the separate offices are closed and probably locked, and when I was running in the building earlier, I certainly didn't see his name on any signs. There's another corridor that stretches out in the opposite direction, though. I wonder if he went that way.

I don't waste any more time in the hallway. I jog out the front door and scan the parking lot. My eyes find a light-colored sedan pulling out onto the main road, and I briefly wonder if I should chase it down. I suppose there's a chance I could catch him if I hop in my car this instant. After all, the speed limit on base is only twenty-five miles per hour.

I walk back toward the row where I parked, dashing an escaped tear that's rolling down my cheek. Movement in my periphery causes me to glance at the headquarters building. I'm shocked to find Edward's shadowed silhouette standing there adjusting the cover on his head. I lean onto my car in relief realizing he's walking toward me.

He didn't leave. He's doing this. We're doing this. No rehearsals. No preparations.

My relief is short-lived when I realize how ugly this might get. I didn't originally envision ugly, I'm hoping for hearts and rainbows, but that might be a tall order considering our circumstances.

He stops about three feet in front of me, his face illuminated by the overhead parking lot lights. We say nothing to each other for the longest ten seconds of my life.

"You're here."

"Yes," I respond, calmly, quietly.

"How long?"

"I'm sorry?"

"How long have you been here? How long have you known you were getting a job here?"

There's a biting accusation in the tone he's using. It stings but I guess it's understandable. I shake my head, gathering my thoughts as quickly as possible.

"Uhh, I've been here a little less than three weeks. And it's been that long since I knew I'd been reassigned."

He inhales sharply, looking over my shoulder before his eyes settle back on mine.

"I called your phone last month. I went looking for you, went to Korea. It was a wild goose chase. Fucking harassed people left and right to try to find you. And all this time…" he shakes his head with a chuff.

"I—I'm sorry. I didn't know."

He steps back from me. That motion actually stings more than his tone. "Yeah, well how would you? You walked out my door and it was all over for you, right?"

My voice comes out in a rushed whisper. "No, Edward."

He cocks his head to the side. "No? Well, it sure as shit felt like it, Bella. And to know that you've been here almost as long as I have."

"What do you mean? It's only the fifth of September. You didn't have to report until the first."

"Yeah, but I was only a two-hour flight away when I was running all over Osan looking for you. I wasn't about to fly back to the states and break Bailyn's heart again, y'know?"

Now, that jab hurt.

"Anyway, instead of going back I just flew here and crashed at Emmett's place until I checked in with my command last week. Were you staying at the WestPac?"

I nod, afraid to open my mouth for fear of another snappish comeback.

He rolls his eyes and smiles. "We were three blocks away from each other, probably for a couple weeks. I got to the island on the twentieth."

What he said a minute ago finally sinks in. "You went to Korea to look for me?" My voice is suddenly squeaky.

"Yeah, after I finally got my head out of my ass, I called and texted you like a deranged stalker. Then I said, 'fuck it,' and flew to Osan to stake out the lodge and your school." He shakes his head, remembering. "I'm guessing you never got the messages."

"No. I flew out of JFK on the twelfth. I decided to take an earlier flight because I wanted to get there and acclimate as best I could prior to my first day." I scoff. "Of course, it turned out to be my last day, as well. Anyway, I'd turned my cell off and put it on a dormancy plan before I left New York. International cellular packages are outrageous." I shrug. "I figured I'd use calling cards for the time being until I got a cell over here."

He listens intently and seems to accept my explanation.

My mind instantly scrolls through all of my activities and the places I've been in the last few weeks. To think that we could've run into each other a dozen different times before tonight basically blows my mind.

"Where are you staying now?"

I clear my throat. "Umm, I got an apartment down in Chatan, in the Nakagami District."

He nods.

"It's just after the main gate at Foster." I hook my hand to the left. "Just take a left at the Eneos station on 58. Number 21-10 Kitamae."

He can't hold back the hint of his crooked smile.

"Sounds like you've been doing this for years. You know your way around like an old pro."

I snort at the irony. If he only knew how scary this has all been for me. For so many reasons, most of which are standing right in front of me causing my heart to race.

"You'd like the place I got," I offer, hoping to go in a happier direction. "It's right on the beach. I get to wake up to a peaceful view of the East China Sea every morning. Looks exactly like the pictures you tried to entice me with."

He gets a far off look in his eyes for a few seconds then blinks himself back into the moment. "Sounds great."

The silence weighs heavily between us. It's like we don't know where to go from here. For everything we've been through together, here we are barely taking baby steps right now. I feel impotent, and it terrifies me.

"Bella, listen," he starts, thank God. "I know it's late and we both have to be at work early in the morning, but…there are things that need to be said. Somewhere other than a parking lot at night after we've both had the rug pulled out from underneath us."

I nod, swallowing tightly. My stomach is churning not knowing what's going on in his mind. He's the stoic Marine officer right now. The hint of my Edward that I saw a minute ago is gone again.

"Would you want to come over to my place for dinner?" I go out on a limb hoping he doesn't balk at the premise. "Or just to my place, for privacy, I mean. I didn't intend for that to sound like a date. I know you're not feeling—"

"Oh, I'm feeling," he interrupts. "I'm feeling lots of things. I've been waiting for this moment for the last month and a half, but my mind is a chaotic mess right now. I need to get my head together. I've lost all coherent thought, but I definitely don't want to bark at you like I did a few minutes ago. That wasn't fair and I apologize."

"I understand. I kinda deserved it."

I watch his Adam's apple bob up and down in the shadow his face casts. "Never." His whispered answer makes my heart clench. "You never deserved any of it."

What does that mean?

I never deserved his love? I never deserved his silence? My blank stare in response is interrupted when I feel his fingers grasping mine. He tugs my left hand forward and runs his fingers over the ring that sits on my middle finger.

"You still wear it."

My hand flexes in his as we both gaze down at the abalone shell ring he gave me that night on Maui when we officially started dating. The night he surprised me with an orchid to wear behind my left ear declaring I was spoken for. Before the luau was over, we wandered over to the vendor's area and I fell in love with this simple shell ring. He couldn't pull his wallet out fast enough that night.

Doesn't he realize that I've never taken it off? Aside from some pictures, it was the only physical evidence I had to prove that he ever existed in my world.

"Even if I took it off, it's been there for so long, it's left an imprint on my finger." I look into his eyes trying to communicate everything I just said, as well as everything I implied.

He allows himself a small smile and then drops my hand. I guess he's not ready to travel down that path.

"Where are you staying?"

He clears his throat. "The BOQ here on base. It's decent, quiet. I miss the bustling neighborhood that came with the townhouse in Kaneohe, though."

His cell phone rings, interrupting the stilted conversation we're pulling from each other. I can't say I'm not relieved.

"Major Masen." He listens and puts a finger up to the air and steps a few feet away from my car. I take that opportunity to open my door and put my bags inside. I lick my index fingers and pull them up under my eyes to make sure I don't have eyeliner melting down my cheeks. By the time I stand back up, he's walking over to me, his phone back on his hip.

"I have to run back into the office. My colonel needs some figures that I left on my desk"

I nod, inhaling, thankful that we're ending this impromptu reunion. It wasn't awful, but I've had root canals that were mildly better experiences.

"Okay, I understand. Umm…"

"So, I'll come over on Friday then? Can I bring anything?"

My ears perk up at his acceptance of my invitation. "Oh, um no. I've got it all covered."

"I'm sorry I have to get going," he apologizes. "I know I said we shouldn't do this in a parking lot…but I'm finding it really difficult to walk away from you right now. I told myself that if I ever saw you again, I'd say everything I needed to say right then and there before you got away from me." He chuckles. "I'm breaking my rules again. You're the only person who's ever made me break my own rules."

I tuck my hair behind my ear, listening to his confession. I don't know what to do with his words. They still seem ambiguous to me. I know what I want them to mean, but I'm unsure of his intentions.

We both turn when a group of people from our meeting exit loudly from the building. Any intimacy we had a chance for has vanished. I'm only partly relieved.

He steps up to me so that the suede-feeling tips of his boots are ghosting the skin on my ankles. My breath catches in my throat now that he's narrowed the distance between us. We're close enough that I can smell his aftershave and I try to remain composed. It's not easy.

"I've missed you."

His confession thrills me, but he sounds so sad, so broken. He might've been damaged in certain ways before I came barreling back into his life with my heavy backpack on his unsuspecting nose, but now, his tone holds a sense of deep loss that makes me ache for him.

He already had so many demons to deal with, I probably only ruined him more.

"I don't know if you'll ever comprehend how much I've missed you, Bella."

I won't lie to him. I have no idea if this is the beginning of a new beginning for us, or if this is the beginning of the end, but I'll never lie to him.

"It can't be half as much as I've missed you." I spill my confession quickly, and for the first time tonight, I detect a glimmer of hope in his eyes. I refuse to believe that I'm fooling myself. This is me being brave.

The defibrillator paddles have been used multiple times tonight with mediocre results. But for the first time in a long while, I think I see a blip on the EKG. Both his and mine.

Perhaps there are signs of life.

"So, Friday?"

He grants me his half-grin, stepping away and whispering, "Friday."

Military & Japanese Terms:

Sponsor - assigned to every Marine or Marine family, as well as DODDS employees who are assigned to overseas duty stations. As with everything in life, there are good sponsors and bad ones, but a great one will set up appointments for you, stock your temporary living quarters and be available to you for any questions or running around you need to do for at least the first week or two after you've arrived on base.

Arigato gozaimasu - Japanese for "Thank you very much."

AFN - Armed Forces Network. A handful of channels run by the military to keep service members in touch with American television and programming. As Bella described, they're delayed whether it's by a day or a week. Even in the cases of a new series premiering in the states, AFN won't carry it for at least six months to ensure it hasn't been cancelled. For example, when LOST premiered in the states in the fall of 2004, and it was all anyone could talk about, I had to stick my fingers in my ears and not listen to my family bragging about it, because it didn't premiere in Okinawa on AFN until February of 2005.

Gomenasai- Japanese for "I'm very sorry." In this case, it's not a "Pardon me for bumping into you," or "Excuse me, could you give me directions to the _." Gomenasai is a serious apology for a serious infraction, like a car accident.

Motor T - Marines in Motor T are in charge of operating and maintaining tactical military and commercial motor vehicles. They're responsible for transporting resources, people, equipment and supplies.

KES - Kinser Elementary School

BOQ - Bachelor's Officers Quarters. If a Marine officer is single and chooses not to live off base, they can live on the base in the housing provided. It's furnished and has the basics, luxury it is not!

A/N: Okay, show of hands for who skimmed or totally skipped halfway through to the Key Volunteers meeting? (Be honest!) ;) LOL. I'm not upset, BUT I do want you to go back and read the first half thoroughly so that you have a true sense of what it's like to be a newbie in Okinawa. Many of you were desperate for a BPOV so you could understand what kept her from contacting Edward. I hope this gave you an idea that she truly did have her hands full for those first couple of weeks, to say nothing of the fact that she had no clue Edward arrived on Okinawa a few days after her.

So there you have it. "Friday." Lots to discuss for these two. Hopefully you'll have the chapter two weeks from today! :)

Big thanks as always to Team Cabana. LaMomo was out of commission for this chapter, but we love her dedication to Spearward even when she can't be here! Born and Cejsmom pre-read while Jules put on her beta cap this time around. Much love to all of them! And of course, thanks to my Major for his military knowledge and verbiage!

Love to all my readers and reviewers. I thank you so much for being here and caring for these characters. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the big reunion!

xo, Jen