Penname: Alsper

Rating/Warnings/Notes: T Jay's being good ;-)

Word Prompt: Military

Disclaimer: Twilight is Stephenie Meyer's, This incarnation of Jasper is OURS.

You know, not many people give the military much thought when they join. Sure they say they're doing what needs to be done for the country, hell, there's even so guys in my unit that claim to have come from a long line of military men. But that doesn't mean they had to join.

I, on the other hand, had to join. I had to leave my new wife at home while I worked to the point of exhaustion, got locked into a gas chamber and puked until my head throbbed. All of this was done for one factor. One reason, that no matter what I've been through now, I wouldn't change.

For her. I was here because I protected her.

It's funny that I see it now. When I was younger, I always thought I had failed her and crippling James was somehow, my sick redemption for breaking that promise.

"Whitlock! Mail!" I jumped out of my bunk and rushed over to Gary. "I'm guessing by the hand writing, it's that pretty little thing you call a wife."

I snatched the letter out of his hand, muttering under my breath as I walked away. Any other man here would have been decked, but not my commanding officer. Oh no. Lay one hand on Gary and I'm in deep shit.

I flopped back down onto the bed, carefully tearing the envelope. I could smell her perfume as I removed the letter, every time I get a new one, it hurt to smell her but not have her here.

The letter was written on custom paper, the type face boldly and proudly stating that it came from the desk of Mrs. Jasper W. Whitlock Jr. I smiled as I read her letter. Every event from the day was mentioned. Constant hellos from my parents, friends, even the cat were shared.

This letter was different than the others and that wasn't counting the stationary it was on. No, in this letter I could almost see the longing in her blue eyes as she wrote, see her bounce in excitement as she recounted the 'thrift store steal' she got on something for our place. Most of all, I could feel the love of her words as if she was laying here reading it to me.

Only two more weeks...

End note: Ah, Jay… you love sick fool. Did y'all miss him?