A/N Good morning all, I'm so excited we're only a chapter away from the beginning of the big battle. Still I'm sad that we're so close because that means we're almost done and I don't want this to end. Alas, all good things must come to an end, but not yet.

Aleena23: I can neither accept nor reject what you think it is because that would be telling wouldn't it? I actually have not read allegiant but you've made me curious so maybe I will. And yes, I've absolutely read the Harry Potter books, multiple times, in fact I've been working on a fanfic for it on my other profile. *points to link in profile* It probably won't be up for a little while because I'm working on a few other things and school but hopefully I'll have time soon. Also, as far as classics go I love Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, but not Emily (I hated Wuthering Heights), I like Charles Dickens and Poe, as well as some Steinbeck and a few others.

Goofy4ever: Thanks, I figured they should have some cute alone time.

Jazybear.9: Sorry, one more kinda filler chappie and then I promise we'll be to the battle. Thanks.

lillydumbledore: Yay bromance! Well, I didn't want to have a full blown jealousy thing so this was the result. Actually, Kate's shock wasn't full blast, Bella's shield was still kinda partial so she didn't get knocked completely off her feet.

yesitsjennifer: Yeah, I totally ship Garrett and Kate, they are so cute. I'm so sorry about the barista but if it's meant to be it'll happen, things have a funny way of working out. Trust me, we all want a Senny thing but these kind of things take time. I'll let you in on a little secret: I have a massive crush on my best friend's brother but he doesn't like me like that, I'm pretty sure. So, you see how screwed I am? We can be lonely together.

Sarah (Guest): Of course Seth didn't want Kate hurting Penny but he trusts her so I guess he trusted her to be able to handle it. Thank you and you will have to read on to find out.

Me: Ah, Monday one of my favorite days of the week.

Charlie: Speak for yourself.

Me: Well, anyways I'm super nervous *paces*.

Quil: How come?

Me: I have auditions for a big musical today and I really want the lead.

Esme: Well, you just have to do the very best you can and hope for the best.

Me: *smiles* Thanks Esme. *clears throat dramatically* So, who wants to do the disclaimer. *several hands go up* Okay, um, Allistair go ahead.

Allistair: Though NataliaRoma97 is a formidable writer, she does not own Twilight and its associates. She only has claim of Penny.

Me: Enjoy!

On Christmas day Jake, Ness, Leah, Seth, Bella, Edward, and I all went to Charlie's house where Sue was making Christmas dinner. It was snowing and the snow was sticking which meant the Volturi would be here soon. I sat on Seth's lap in one chair as Leah sat in the other chair. Sneakily, I grabbed one of Seth's cookies and popped it in my mouth.

"Hey," Seth whined and I just smirked.

"All right! Present time! Let's go!" Charlie announced as he and Sue walked in from the kitchen. Bella and Edward joined us as well. "Seth, Leah, Pen, stop eating." I giggled as I placed mine and Seth's plates down. "Jake, you start. Get it going." Jake handed Ness her present.

"What did you get me?" Seth asked.

Leah glared at her brother, "I'm not giving you anything."

Seth rolled his eyes, "I wasn't talking to you."

I chuckled and grabbed the small blue wrapped box and handed it to Seth, "Here. Merry Christmas." Excitedly, Seth ordered it and grinned at the leather cuff bracelet inside. Carved into the leather was a wolf with the initials S.C. above it and P.B. below it.

Seth immediately put it on, "It's awesome. Thank you." He kissed my cheek before handing me red wrapped box.

I unwrapped it quickly and beamed at the double picture frame. In one frame was a picture of the two of us that Alice had taken a few weeks ago and in the other frame was a picture of my parents. Tears welled up in my eyes as I traced my parents' picture with my fingers. "It's beautiful. Thank you." I kissed him quickly.

"Well, Dad, we didn't have time to wrap yours, but here it is," Bella told Charlie as she handed him an envelope. Charlie sat down in his leather chair as he opened it. "It's a five day fishing trip to Fraser River. It's for you and Sue." That'll keep him safe.

Edward smiled, "You leave tomorrow."

Charlie glanced up at them flabbergasted, "Wow, that's really nice. Thank you. Tomorrow? I can't leave tomorrow."

Sue then came to the rescue, "I made arrangements for you at work."

"Sneaky," Charlie said as he folded up the papers. "And extravagant."

"And non-refundable, I'm afraid," Edward announced.

"You two trying to get rid of me?" The room froze for a moment before Charlie chuckled. "Because it's working! Fraser River. That means we'll be chasing Cutthroat."

"We might even hook a Rainbow or some Bulls," Sue said as she sat down on his lap. I smiled at them. I was so glad Charlie had someone to not only care for him but love him.

Charlie grinned, "Woman knows her trout."

Bella bent down and admired the promise bracelet Jake had made for Nessie. I could tell Nessie loved it as Bella put it on her wrist. I glanced around the room. It was nice to be able to enjoy a normal moment before tomorrow.

That night all of the vamps plus Jake, Ness, Seth, and I camped out in the woods. Bella was with Nessie in one of the tents as I sat on a log between Seth and Tia. Jake carried an armful of firewood over and set it down in front of us. One of Benjamin's fingers caught fire and then four of his fingers were ablaze before he tossed the inferno on the wood, effectively creating a warm campfire.

Jake grinned, "That's what I'm talkin' about." I snuggled into Seth's side as Jake and Benjamin sat down on the other side of Tia. "A little pre-battle bonfire. Telling war stories." Jake looked up at the dispersed vamps who were standing extremely stiff. "Or just standing around like frinkin' statues."

Garrett suddenly appeared sitting on a tree stump, "Name any American battle. I was there."

"Little Bighorn," Jake prompted.

Garrett grinned, remembering, "I came this close to biting Custer. But the Indians got him first."

I smirked, "Iwo Jima."

"Got the Japanese General Tadamichi Kuribayashi in that battle," Garrett replied.

Kate suddenly appeared on Garrett's lap, "Try Oleg's assault on Constantinople. He didn't win that one on his own."

"If you're talking battles," Liam suddenly said from his seat next to Siobhan, "you're talking the Eleven Years' War. No one does rebellion like the Irish."

"You lost the Eleven Years' War," Garrett pointed out.

Liam nodded, "Aye. But it was one hell of a rebellion."

One-by-one all of the vampires gathered around the campfire and told different battle stories. It made me feel like a kid again, realizing how short my life had been compared to the hundreds, or even thousands in some cases, of years these vampires had been around.

Vladimir and Stefan's story about when they ruled before the Volturi was my favorite. "When we ruled," Vladimir began, "everything came to us. Prey, diplomats, favor seekers. Such was our power. But we never put on white hats and called ourselves saints."

"We were honest about what we were," Stefan added.

"We sat still for a very long time. We didn't notice we were beginning to petrify," Vladimir continued.

Stefan gazed into the fire, contemplating, "Perhaps the Volturi did us a favor when they burned our castles."

"We've been waiting fifteen hundred years to return that favor. We have been ready to do battle for ages," Vladimir finished.

I yawned suddenly. "We should get some sleep," Seth whispered in my ear. I nodded as the two of us went over to the tent next to Nessie's.

I curled into Seth's side, "Are you scared?"

Seth glanced down at me, "A little. I'm more scared of putting you in danger." I rolled my eyes causing him to chuckle. "I know, no matter what I say you're gonna be there."

"Yep. I'm going to help protect Ness…and you." Seth gave me a look. "I just…I don't want to see you get hurt for a third time. I might go on a rampage."

Seth chuckled as he pulled me nearer. "Don't worry about it right now. Maybe we'll get lucky and it won't come to a fight."

I glanced at all of the vampires. Tomorrow everything was going to change. I just hoped it would be for the better.

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