Chapter Three:

My dear friend,

I have written a letter to both Beth and the base there in Atlanta. You're story will check out if she asks. I hate lying to her, but it's the only way to keep her out of harms way. I feel so much more comfort, knowing that I have you looking after her. She is in good hands.

Yes, I did with hold the information of her beauty from you, but I wasn't aware it mattered much to you. Yes, I realize you are a young man, but, I know that you of all people will be able to control yourself. She is a lady, you are a gentleman. And a Southern gentleman, too. I am certain that you will be courteous and sweet at all times, Jasper. That is you're way.

I have mentioned in my letter to her that a friend of mine is there in Atlanta, and that she should perhaps talk to them, they are kind and calm. That friend is you. I am sure I will get word back that she has already met you and that you are more amazing.

Jasper, I will never be able to repay you for this feeling of security for my beloved that I feel knowing that you are there, with her, watching out for her. I can thank you over and over again until my dying day, but that will never be enough. You are setting my mind at ease, and freeing my heart from the hard squeeze of worry.

I think you again, and I hope to hear from you again soon.

Goodbye, Jasper,

Robert E. Lee

"Are you still cross at me, or may I walk with you?" I asked, leaning against the fence outside of her home, smiling a little as she held her back nimrod face, her face stone set and unemotional.

"Whatever you like, Major Whitlock. I care not what you do." She said.

"Aw, come on, Beth. Beth… Beth…" I said. She cracked a smile. "See, as smile. You're not angry with me. Let's walk, then, shall we?" I held out my arm for her.

She shook her head, but still linked her arm through mine, holding her umbrella today. I guess I didn't care much that she had, although I felt terrible that I had made her irritated with me. "I still think you're way too young to be in the war. Young men like you should be settling down and getting married, not on battlefields, risking your lives…" she said.

"The risk is minimal to me. The push I receive from a defeat pushes me to gain a victory. A victory gives me a feeling of absolute magnificence, and I want to feel that again, so I push myself to win again. The risk is worth that feeling."

"Well, Jasper, I never thought of you as a bard before, but now I believe I might have been wrong." She smiled.

"Oh, me? No. Not a poet, just a man." I smiled back.

"Modest too? But too young to be in the army, and you're beautiful words will not change my mind on that."

"Why does it matter the age? I'm just fighting for the land and people I love."

"So? You shouldn't have to. You're so young, so beautiful. So alive. You shouldn't put your life in danger…"

"And men older than I should?"

"No one should have to. But, especially not you."

"There's no exclusion. I am not more special, more special, then the rest of those men. If they should fight, so should I. My birth isn't of high rank. I'm not a mayor, or a king, or even a count of anything. I am just Jasper Whitlock, farmer and Major in the Confederate army. There are men who are the sons of mayors, men better than I, who are fighting. If they shall, so shall I."

"It makes sense, I suppose. However… I don't know any of those other men besides my uncle. At least, not as well as I know you. And, sadly, I've started to grow quite fond of you. I just keep thinking of you, out there on the field; bleed to death from an untreated wound…"

"But, as you can tell, I'm not out on the field, and possibly won't be for a long time." I stopped walked and turned to face her, taking her hand in mine. "Elisabeth, I… I'm flattered you care enough about me to not want me to risk my life, but that's my life. I live to protect the things I love. Even though I'm very doting of you as well, I'm not going to give it up. Ever."

I had no idea what I had said that. Yes, it was true, but what did truth matter with us anymore? All I did was lie to her. Every other word was a lie. I shouldn't have had a problem with saying I was flattered that she enjoyed my company that much, but that I wasn't that fond of her. That would have made things a lot less complicated.

"You should come to diner tonight." She replied.

A/N: Right, well, it's 2:09 in the morning, and I still have a few more updates to write, so I'm just going to drop it at this. Okay? Sweet.

-Beat Down and Drained Kate