We do not own Twilight
Chapter 25
by La Ginsper
Three Weeks Later
The Cullens were back at their home in Forks. Rick James was still on the run. Bella had chased after him, but was too easily distracted by fresh nipples and he was able to slip away.
The realization that Mike was dead took some getting used to, but the Cullens found that they had become so accustomed to him being there, that they just couldn't bear the thought of letting him go. This relieved Bella.
The Cullen family was still trying to adapt to life without khaki. This transition was more difficult for some than it was for others.
Bella was distraught over the loss of her beloved khaki, and even more distraught that Edward seemed to be going through some strange changes. One day she walked in on him running his fingers through Mike's hair and staring longingly into his dead eyes.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Bella snapped as she ran to Mike, sheltering him from Edward.
"Uhhhmmm….Nothing," Edward responded, drawing his hand back quickly.
Alice had been shopping for weeks, working to replenish the Cullen wardrobe. She tried to ease Edward into it, offering him an array of browns and earth tones, but he was difficult to please.
"I don't like these! Get them away from me!" Edward pouted as he threw a pair of jeans at Alice.
"Edward, have you learned nothing? Look at what we've been through. You must learn to live without khaki. It's for the greater good," Alice explained.
"Fine. I'll just have to endure it," Edward snapped as he stomped away.
He went outside, where he found Emmett.
"You okay, Edward?" Emmett asked. "You've got that whole tortured soul look going again."
After an extended silence, Edward finally found his voice.
"Emmett, have you ever noticed how intense Mike is sometimes? I mean, I spent his entire life hating him, but now there's something so innocent about him, so ….. receptive," Edward said, longingly.
Emmett stared at him, jaw dropped, in disbelief.
"No, dude. I have definitely NOT noticed that," Emmett answered.
Edward looked sheepishly embarrassed and ran off into the woods to hunt. He was so depressed that he stayed gone for several days. When he finally returned, the entire Cullen family and Mike were gathered in the living room waiting for him.
"What's going on, why is everyone here?" Edward questioned.
"Please have a seat, Edward. We're all here because we love you," Carlisle said. "Bella, why don't you go first."
"Edward, I love you, but your khaki addiction has got to stop. It is hurting you, and it's hurting me. Emmett told us what you said about Mike, and we think that is inappropriate and we're concerned for your mental wellbeing. We want you to get help. This is an intervention," Bella explained.
One at a time each of the Cullens took turns telling Edward how his khaki addiction had hurt them. When it was Mike's turn, Bella leaned her ear towards him, and spoke on his behalf.
After weeping his notears for a few hours, they finally got him to agree to going to a meeting. Later that night they dropped him off for his first meeting of KLA: Khaki Lovers Anonymous. With the khaki ban still in effect, Edward Cullen was not the only one having trouble adjusting.
"Hello everyone, my name is Tyler and I'll be leading the meeting tonight, let's start with some introductions," said the leader of KLA, then he turned to Edward, "Why don't you go first?"
"Hello, my name is Edward and I'm a khaki addict."
"Hi Edward," the group answered.
Edward broke down and cried more of his notears as he told the group of his passion for khaki.
After the meeting, Tyler called Edward aside.
"Listen Edward, I think you're a true believer. I'd like to invite you to join my crusade," Tyler whispered as he removed his glasses. By this point, the rest of the group had left and it was only Edward and Tyler.
He unzipped his hoodie and Edward gasped at what he saw. It was a fitted ivory turtleneck sweater – identical to the one that chaffed Edward's nipples. Next, Tyler reached down and pulled at his pants, which were apparently breakaways – and revealed that he was wearing khakis underneath.
"What is this?" Edward demanded, confused.
Tyler went to the back of the room and pulled a book from the shelf. All of a sudden the bookcase slid over and revealed a hidden door and staircase.
When Edward reached the bottom of the stairs he couldn't believe what he saw – boxes and boxes of khaki – everywhere! Sorting through the boxes were Stacy and Clinton of What Not To Wear.
"Welcome Edward. If you've made it this far, that means you are a true believer in the khaki cause. We are the Khaki Liberation Front, the KLF, an underground movement that advocates the legalization of khaki. We believe in khaki rights for all, by any means necessary," Tyler explained as he ran his hand over his short, cropped hair. "I used to have a fro. It was glorious. I wore it with pride, too. But I've had to make some sacrifices to keep my identity secret. And I suppose I can tell you now, 'Tyler' is the Clark Kent to my Superman. Down here I'm known as Mr. Justice."
"You're Mr. Justice?!" Edward asked incredulously. "You're the Khaki Crusader? What are you planning?"
"This Edward," Mr. Justice said as he picked up a khaki top from the box. "Feel it. This is khaki made of 100% natural fibers. Check it out."
Edward ran his fingers along it. It was smooth, breathable, yet still khaki.
"No chaffing?" Edward asked.
"Nope," Mr. Justice answered with a smile. "This will revolutionize the way the world uses khaki."
"What can I do to help?" Edward asked anxiously.
Stacy stepped forward to explain the plan. "We act tonight. We are delivering khaki all over the country, women and children first. Once people see the beauty of khaki, they will have to lift the ban," she said as she handed him a flyer. In big letters at the top it read, "Khaki: It Matches Everything, Let it Complete Your Wardrobe".
Edward's super speed made him the ultimate ally for the KLF. That night Edward became a soldier in the KLF militia and spread khaki throughout the country. By morning, families from coast to coast awoke to find the amazing, all natural khaki sitting on their doorsteps with the flyer from the KLF.
Mr. Justice planned a press conference with Stacy and Clinton addressing the nation. They explained how they had learned the error of their ways, and that the world needed khaki back in it. As the renowned fashion police that they were, the nation responded to this message.
That afternoon khaki was legalized.
Edward Cullen shed his notears of joy and returned to his family.
A/N: Sorry that was so long, I had a lot of ground to cover! Khaki is legal again!!! Woohoo!