The General's Epitaph
She cried at the side of the General's grave. S/J implied.
The General's Epitaph
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or the characters. This is merely an outlet for the imagination. Your reviews are the only payment I shall receive.
Warning: Contains character death.
Empty. That was how she felt. The service had ended nearly an hour before, and yet there she remained. At the side of the General's grave.
Alone. That was how she felt. The General would never walk by her side again. And tears fell once again at the side of the General's grave.
Hollow. That was how she felt. The tears ran dry and yet she wished they would continue and wash her away; as she wished to be once more, with the General in the grave.
A stifled breath flittered through her lips as she clutched tightly the flag in her arms. The flag that had been folded before her as she sat, rigid and cold. Looking down now she studied the colors of it, how vibrant they were as the General had once been. Slowly she allowed her fingers to wander over the fabric, much rougher than a memory should feel. For the first time she lifted the symbol from her, and placed it on the empty seat at her side.
This lone woman, in the middle of an empty cemetery, stood from her chair and stepped forward, only to fall to her knees. She reached out towards the gravestone and once again tried to feel something in her fingers. Tracing the words on the stone she etched them into her memory, even though they had always been there.
"I'll be here for you. Always."
And then she smiled for the first time in days as she remembered hearing those words. Their meaning stayed the same. Even with death between them, the General's love would be there for her. Always.
When she finally felt as if she could lie down and fall asleep on the stirred earth, a hand came to rest on her shoulder. There was a gentle pressure, love, and encouragement and she stood and tried to gather herself before turning and falling into his arms.
"They're both still here you know." He whispered into her ear. As she leaned back he placed his hand gently over her heart now draped in black cloth. "Always."
She tried not to let her voice crack, but it did. "And now they can be together always." Her lips quickly pressed together to hold back a sob.
He retrieved the flag; then took her hand and began to lead her towards the car. But not before she looked over her shoulder once more. There was the newer stone, next to the old. Both Generals, both love, both with the same epitaph that said so much to them.
"Come on Grace. Let's go home." He requested patiently.
"Goodbye Mom." She whispered. "Take care of Dad." And then she walked away.
Loved always. That was how she felt…at the side of her parents' graves.