Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

~MDE~

Chapter 12

"Alice," I cry into the phone when she answers.

"Bella, what's wrong? What happened?" she replies franticly.

"It's Edward." I stop and try to catch my breath.

"OK, calm down, and tell me what happened."

"There was some sort of accident. He said he's OK, but that one of his men was badly hurt."

"But Edward is OK, right?"

"He said he is."

"Take a breath, and listen to me. If he said he's fine then he is. Is there a reason you are so worked up?" I know what she is trying to get me to admit. Is it true?

"Alice, it made me think of all that could go wrong. All I could think about was something happening to him. I can't lose him. I can't fight it anymore. I have no clue what it is, but I like him."

"Have you told him?"

"No."

"Maybe you need to. What else did he say?"

I talk to Alice for another twenty minutes, and I end up reading her the email. She was in tears as I read what happened. She did make me see that I needed to tell him what I'm feeling. That it would help in the long run. She pointed out that he must feel something for me, as well. She was right. I know I can't delay my response to him. It will just keep my up all night, and I need to get this out. I finish my glass of water and hit the reply button to his message.

To:

Subject: Please tell me you are OK.

Date: August 3, 2011

I just read your email, and I couldn't wait to respond. I know it's late here, but I needed to reach out and make sure you were safe and to let you know that I'm thinking of you.

I'm at a loss for words. To be honest, your email scared the crap out of me, but not for the reason you thought. I'm not scared of your feelings for me, well, not in that sense anyway. I'll explain that in a minute. It scared me because it really put in perspective the job you do. Yes, I know there is a great possibility that you could get injured over there, or even worse, but reading your words broke my heart.

As I read your email, my body actually began to shake, and I had tears running down my face. I truly hope your friend is OK. Will you please tell him that even though I do not know him, he is in my thoughts and there is someone thinking of him and wishing him well?

I am so incredibly happy that you are OK. Please promise me that you are being careful. I know you are, but to hear it from you would make me feel at ease. I'm glad that I could calm you when you needed it. Thank you for letting me be that person for you. It's astonishing what the mind can do. Here I am, on the other side of the world, yet, I could be some sort of strength for you without even knowing that you needed it. When I read what happened, I had to stop and take a few breaths. I didn't realize how much I cared, but when I thought that you could have been injured, well, let's just say I needed a minute. What scares me is that here we are getting to know each other, we've never met, yet we have formed this incredible bond. I have never felt this way with anyone. Not that there have been many others, but you know what I mean. I think I'm scared of us being hurt, and let's face it, there is that possibility.

What are we going to do? I was scared of losing you, when you aren't even mine to lose. I can see why this would be so hard on families, but, please don't worry. I am not abandoning you. I will write to you for as long as you want me to. If that is what it takes to get you home to your family safe, then I will do it. I want to do it. I too, wonder what could have been, if we had met before. Who knows where we would be right now if we had. We could have met and fallen in love, or maybe we would have just passed each other by, but I'm not one to dwell on what ifs. I like to take charge of my life. So for now, I'm going to continue to be honest and see where this goes.

My friend Alice thinks this could be it, you know, the one. She is all for romance and seems to think we will be a perfect match. I laughed when she first told me, but you know what? I'm not going to think about it, and I hope that comment doesn't scare you off. I'm going to continue to write you, support you, and we will see where it takes us. Sure, it could be unbelievable if it were to become something more, but if we stay just friends than that's OK. I won't force anything, if something is meant to happen, it will happen. I just needed you to know that you are not alone in your feelings. I am just as confused as you are, but at the same time excited to see where our communication can bring us.

OK, so it's late here, and it's been a rather emotional night, so I am going to bed. I'm thinking of you, Edward. Please stay safe and be there for your men. You are a strong man, and they are lucky to have you watching over them.

Good night Edward,

Bella

P.S. I didn't forget about your questions. I would love to go on a date with you. Just tell me the movie and time, and I will be sure to be ready. Do you have access to IM? That would be faster than emails, and I would have said yes on day two.

I press send on the email, close the laptop, and head to my bed. As I settle my tired body in the warmth of my bed, I wonder where he is, and what he's doing. Does he have a safe, warm place to sleep tonight? My last thoughts are of him before I fall quickly asleep.

A/N:

I'm so excited. The next chapter is their first date. I wonder what it will bring.