David and Willow spent most of their days together while he was in Meade. David was naturally charming, and he quickly enamored Willow, as they got along very well. After her usual morning run, Willow met David on her patio for breakfast.
�Good morning.� She said brightly as she took her seat.
�Good morning.� He replied from behind his newspaper.
�Have I told you that I love you today?�
�No, but you told me yesterday, and I thought you might feel the same today.� �Oh, you�re a tease.� She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek to ask, �What are you reading?�
�There�s a story about this poor family in the paper today. Their daughter is very ill and they can�t find a doctor to treat her because they can�t pay for her treatment. It�s very expensive.�
�You know, I can�t believe this is still a problem. Story after story, war after war, do the rulers learn nothing from anything?�
�Perhaps they can�t relate. Meanwhile, something must be done to help the child.�
�Yes, I agree. I�ll send Dr. Jamison to them on the next coach. I�m sure he�ll be happy to go when I ask.�
�You don�t want to go yourself?�
�The press is sure to follow up on this story, and they are best handled from here.�
�I only meant that the child and her family might feel uplifted by your visit. Don�t you want to see their faces?�
�Dr. Jamison will send my regards. This isn�t about me. This isn�t really even about the child or the family. It�s about the shameful leadership that is holding power over these people. Let�s not allow the media to confuse the issue.�
�Sometimes, I don�t understand you.�
�Often you don�t understand me, but we agree that to help is right, and so I shall. I just won�t stand in their doorway and hold a press conference.�
�You also don�t allow the family the opportunity to thank you. They�ll want that.�
�They may come see me once the child is well, for the child may still die, and I do not wish for praise from her grieving parents. I don�t need to rush to the rescue, as you do. My mission is to change the world so that becomes unnecessary.�
�Would you eliminate all the soldiers?�
�I would, but not until the battle is won.�
�Do you think the battle will ever be won?�
�I do. At least the large battles at home will be won.�
�And what would you have all the retired heroes do?�
�They may play champion to their lovers and their families, for love is the root of all good and love shall always be under attack.�
�Such is not in the nature of all soldiers, but this soldier will happily besiege you.�
�Nay, though I wish you could. You�ve set me on this small mission and I must see the good doctor if he is to catch the coachman.� She kissed his forehead. �I�ll be back in an hour.�
�I�ll be gone in an hour.�
�We�ve no timing at all.�
�Of course we do. It�s just bad timing.�
�Anytime you want to work on that, I�ll make myself available.�
�Shall I pencil you in for supper tonight?�
�You had better ink me in, and meet me at the hotel.�
�Why not here?�
�If you like, we can do that instead. What have you in mind?�
�You�ll find out tonight.�
�So I have to trust you?�
�So you do.�
�Alright, but don�t make me sorry.�
�Have I?�
�Let�s not fight. I�ll see you here at 8.�
Willow left David feeling very confused about their compatibility. If she says red, he says blue. If she says blue, suddenly he likes white. But his changeability wasn�t so much the problem as her perception of it. David�s independence read as a lack of love and a fear of intimacy. Willow could forgive anything, or bear anything but the growing fear that he may never fully open his heart to her, and therefore she would never be able to fully open to him. It was this great fear of love and intimacy that she imagined they shared and had no idea of how to overcome. She may slay dragons, but she could not conquer love