Epilogue

 September 6th 2010.

"We have breaking news of a plane crash at Andrews Air Force Base, lets join NBC reporter Jessica Stanley for more information."

"Thank you Dale, this is Jessica Stanley reporting from Andrews Air Force Base where it has been revealed that this evening an operation involving Navy Seals, and CIA operatives, thwarted a plot by the infamous crime syndicate the Volturi to assassinate the President. While details of the operation are still very hush hush, it has been revealed that missing CIA analyst Isabella Swan was instrumental in the sourcing of the intelligence that lead to the joint operation. It has been confirmed that numerous chemical bombs have been found and made safe in and around the Smithsonian, which we are all aware was holding a Presidential gala this evening. In a related turn of events, Miss Swan is believed to have been on the plane that crashed barely thirty minutes ago at Andrews, along with Seal team commander, Master Chief Edward Cullen. It is believed that the aircraft was an integral part of the Volturi plot and that Miss Swan and Mr Cullen had somehow found themselves on board the flight."

"Do we have any information on the status of Miss Swan and Mr Cullen, Jess?"

"Good question Dale, as you can see behind me, emergency services are working hard to control the fire that engulfed the aircraft moments after it hit the ground, at this time there is no information on whether Miss Swan or Mr Cullen made it out prior to this happening."

"We can only pray that they make it back to their families."

"Absolutely Dale, it's the heroic sacrifices and endeavours made by those such as Miss Swan and Mr Cullen that make us proud to be American."

*~*~*~*~*

September 20th 2010

"On NBC tonight, details are emerging of the Volturi plot to bring chaos to the United States."

"Swan and Cullen, America's unsung heroes."

"President Schrieber to be endited for apparent secret involvement with the Volturi, Vice President Jason Banner to be sworn in, in the interim."

"Phil Dwyer, the secret Volturi assassin."

"Nuclear scientist for the DOD Waylon Jennings found dead in Volterra, Italy."

"But first, it has been announced that Lauren Mallory, former assistant to Director of Operations Phil Dwyer of the CIA has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Virginia state penitentiary as a traitor to the United States. As you are aware Miss Mallory was found to be selling secrets and planting false intelligence while in her trusted position at the CIA, which resulted in the deaths of Chief Petty Officer Peter Jackson, Senior CIA Intelligence Analyst Albert Berty, and the life threatening injury to colleague Angela Webber. Also mentioned in the prosecution was the abduction of Miss Isabella Swan and Master Chief Edward Cullen, who were both taken and tortured by the Volturi. Miss Mallory apparently fell into a bad situation with the Volturi due to gambling debts at a casino that had been used as a front by them during the few years they had been quiet. She only escaped the death sentence because she gave herself up and supplied information that could be used to bring them to justice."

"In other news, Mastermind Aro Volturi and bomb maker Demetri Volakov have been named among casualties of a helicopter crash over the Balkans. Mr Volturi has been on the run since the events of Labour Day when a Volturi plot to not only assassinate President Schrieber, but also a majority of the men and women of the Senate was foiled by a joint operation between Navy Seals and the CIA. It is still unclear as to the reasons behind the Volturi plot; however sources at the Pentagon have said that they are breathing a huge sigh in relief that there is one less threat to our nation’s stability tonight."

"Stay tuned for further updates. I'm Dale Cleary and this is NBC news."

The TV blared noisily over the thrum of patrons. Standing at the bar in Whitlows Bar and Grill on Wilson, Charlie Swan sighed. Over the last few months he'd aged nearly ten years, his brown curly locks were now peppered with white flecks, his face sallow and his eyes shrunken and surrounded by deep dark circles. Sleep was no longer a commodity that he was familiar with. He looked around the bar at the assembled men and women, all of them here to pay homage to the lost. His heart ached as much as his body; he understood the grief many of these people assembled felt intimately. Scratching the back of his neck a gesture that he'd come to understand as a nervous tick he took a swig from his glass and then tapped the bar to gain attention of the crowd.

"I um, I'm not big on talking, but I just have to say my piece." He mumbled out.

The bar was silent, all eyes fixed on the middle aged man, whose eyes bore a frightening resemblance to those of his daughter. He was flanked by his wife Sue and the large muscular forms of Emmett McCarty and Jasper Whitlock, adjacent to them stood Carlisle Cullen and his wife Esme, and lastly their daughter Alice. Charlie's shoulder sagged a little under the weight of the feelings he was holding in, his only comfort coming from the elegant hand of Emmett's heavily pregnant wife Rosalie, who looped her arm through his. He nodded to her thanking her for her kindness.

Two folded flags held places of honour within the group placed with care upon a tall table alongside a pair of framed photographs of Edward and Bella. The assembled people stood in silence as the quiet spoken man prepared to speak.

"I just w-wanted to say thank you, the support and acceptance I've received these last few months has been overwhelming, as you may know I'm a quiet guy and don't really socialise with folks. I'd like to think that despite the sacrifices that my Bella and your Edward made that I've found something that was missing, family. We may not be family by blood, but we're united in our grief for our missing loved ones. Bella and Edward were alike in so many ways, but what made them stand out was their shared courage and love for their country. I'm proud to have been able to call Bella my daughter, just like I'm proud to be able to say that I knew Edward. In protecting what they loved they made the ultimate sacrifice, and while I'm saddened that they can't be here to see the good that they have done, I know that wherever they are now is a better place." Charlie choked slightly as he lifted his glass once more.

"Bella and Edward always remembered, never forgotten."

The crowd lifted their glasses and the toast chorused throughout the bar.