A/N: So, I am so sorry this story is going to end to suddenly, but I've watched War horse again last night, and had to admit there weren't many things to add to the plot.

And about the playlist, I appreciate the fact that you, Destrier, have added each and every song. :) Love you for that! And add Dark paradise by Lana Del Rey, brilliant text.

12. The charge is coming

Emie was standing in front of her barrack on that night. She was standing there to think, mostly, and also to take a deep breath of fresh country air.

And she knew that something important had occurred. The men were nervous, stealing glances between them.

That's when she saw him.

James was standing across the road, staring at her.

His blue eyes full of fear.

He lifted his hand. He put the left one on his right elbow and waved the two towards his torso.

Emie gasped as he turned around and walked towards the wood.

He had signed "Help me".

She literally ran behind him.

"James!" Emie lifted her skirts to run faster, as he was walking awfully quickly. She hadn't realised he was driving her far from the camp.

He suddenly stopped. She did as well, still standing a good yard apart from him. "James?"

He turned on his heels, his eyes still torn, and walked to her.

He took her face in his hands and crashed his lips on hers, desperately.

She put her own hands on his, kissing back as equally desperate.

He pushed her against a tree, still cupping her face and tracing circles of fire against her skin. She put her hands down on his back, pulling him closer.

Without any sense of consciousness, Emie slowly opened her lips and put her tongue in James' mouth.

He tasted so good. Something between fresh herbs and smoke.

He parted their lips and rested his forehead against hers.

She didn't have to ask. "We are going tomorrow."

She let out a small cry before he stole her lips again.

And this time nothing tore them apart.

The following morning, Emie got out of scratching soldier's sheets. And she wasn't lying under them alone.

She smiled in the darkness, and then remembered what had pushed her to do this. What had pushed her to sleep with James. For the first, and probably the last time.

He stirred next to her and she put a comforting hand to his chest. He shuddered under her touch and opened his eyes.

He bolted upright when he saw her face.

"Oh, dear God! I thought-" She put a finger on his lips.

"Sshh, James." And she replaced her finger with her lips.

He didn't kiss her back, still stunned. "I thought it had been a dream." She chuckled. "I'm so sorry, Emie. Because of me, you are compromised."

She shook her head and pushed his back onto the pillow. "Stop saying nonsense, James. If I hadn't done it, I would have regretted it my whole life."

He smiled faintly. "But...what if the others-"

"I don't care what your fellow soldiers will think of me. All that counts is what you think of me."

James outstretched his hand and caressed Emie's cheek. She closed her eyes to take in the awakening feeling in her stomach. "I am so sorry. If I had had even the slightest chance of coming back-"

"I would have loved to be your wife, James Nicholls."

He smiled. "You know, sometimes you should let me end my sentences." She chuckled. His eyes darkened. "I should get up. We are going early."

She nodded and leaned in to kiss him carefully and deeply. "I love you, James."

He looked at her, a mix of joy and pain in his blue orbs. "I love you too, Emie."

And he got up, turning to put his soldier uniform back on.

As he turned one last time to say goodbye, Emie got up, wrapped in James' sheets, and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him more closely than anything else she had ever held.

They kissed desperately one last time, and James said her once again how much he was sorry.

Her last words for him were "Be careful".

And James was gone.

Later that day, Perkins came storming into Emie and Henry's barrack while she was preparing the midday meal without much heart.

"Miss Tate. You and the Dr are requisitioned for the battlefield, Miss. The Major's orders."

She looked at him blankly. "But...the men are gone since early this morning!"

"They are due to fight only this afternoon, Miss. The Major thought it better if the nurse team arrived later than the cavalry, in case. The Germans won't kill you anyway, so..."

She looked down to hide the tears she had been repressing all day. "Thank you, Perkins."

"Pleasure Miss. Oh, and, the Cap'n gave me that for you."

He handed her a letter. She took it, shaking, and thanked the lad once again before exiting to her room to read.

"Emie, dear Emie,

I would have so loved to spend the rest of my life at your side.

I am sorry the events took such turn that I will not be able to see your face ever again.

You are the love of my life, Emie Tate. Never forget that.

I'm counting on you to take care of Joey, if he ever makes it. He will be the link between you and I, wherever I will be.

I love you,

James."

Emie sobbed and her tears wetted the paper.

Two strong arms came wrapping themselves around her. She turned around and hugged Henry tightly, wishing so much to wipe the pain away.

"I'm so sorry, Emie. So sorry."

And they stayed like this until Perkins came to fetch them.

Emie was heartbroken.

I'm so mean. I know that.

Next chap will be the charge and Emie coping with you-know-what. I'm already crying writing about it. Bugger.

I'll make chap fourteen a little lighter, but you'll all wait for chap fifteen. I can't promise how this is gonna end, sorry.

Review anyway, and try not to cry on your keyboard, that won't do it any good. :'(