Yes, another one. What can I say? I'm on a roll today!

Disclaimer: I do not own Great Expectations.

As Pip walked with Estella out of the ruin he reflected on finally being with her. He smiled softly down at the top of her head. The light of the moon shined on her countenance, softening the curves of her face, and making her eyes shine. Without needing to speak, they walked closely together down into town. The soft thump of hard packed earth under their feet soothed them, and Estella glanced up at him, and smiled. He smiled back, and used one hand to open the door to Joe's house which they had approached moments before. They entered the silent dwelling together taking off their shoes.

"Biddy! Joe! I have had the fortune of encountering Estella at Ms. Havishams." Pip frowned slightly in consternation, and glanced around in confusion. "Joe? Biddy?" there was no reply, and Pip shook his head, his eyes reflecting his confusion. He looked into the dark kitchen, and saw no one. He went up the stairs, and saw no one, all the rooms were empty. Coming downstairs he realized that the forge was bright. He smiled at Estella, and beckoned her to his side as he opened the door.

Estella turned forward, and paled with horror. She gasped, and stumbled back a few steps. As Pip stared blankly at the fire poker that was impaled through her breast, she careened backwards falling to the ground dead.

As Pip swung around he saw Orlick standing in front of him, the light of the forge making the angles of his face sharp, and horrifying as though he was a devil come to earth. Pip stood frozen in Orlick's shadow, like a rabbit seeing an inevitable death in the claws of a hawk. Orlick bared his crooked yellow teeth in a parody of a smile.

"It's revenge, boy!" He said, "It's a sad business that Joe, and his little wife had to see me, I would have let them live elsewise. I can't go back till I see ya dead." He lunged at Pip bringing up a hammer, and bringing it violently against Pip's head. Pip careened backward, and fell to the ground. He watched through dull eyes as Orlick grabbed a torch, and threw it into the living room starting a small fire. The light slowly faded from Pip's eyes, and he crawled to Estella as Orlick turned from his deed, and escaped into the night. Using his last breath Pip took Estella's hand in his, and closed his eyes waiting for death.

It was in the early morning that the first sign of the fire was detected. The blacksmith's house was burning slowly, and the fire was easily put out. The bodies of Pip, and Estella were lost almost completely to the flame, but Joe and Biddy were found in the cellar. Two pairs of eyes, that of Pip II's, and the little girls, stared at the ruined wreckage of their home comprehending , even at their age, what had happened.

The children of Joe, and Biddy were given into the care of Herbert, and his wife. They grew old, and grey with many years of success, and children, and grand-children to enrich their lives. However they never told the tale of the death of Orlick, their parent's murderer to their children. That they kept to themselves.

Yes, more death. But I'm good at it what can I say?

Amaya130