"I suppose this is it, Hershel." A pang of sadness erupted in her stomach. "I have to go back to my own time...Back to that day when...we parted." Hershel mumured "No, Claire." The pang of sadness blossemed, consuming her in a sadness that was unlike anything. However, Claire refused to let Hershel know this. She didn't want to make him feel any worse then he already was. She forced herself to walk forwards, putting herself in Hershel's arms. For a brief, wonderful moment, he held her, making her feel happier then she had for a long time.
Placing her hand on his cheek, Claire leaned forward and upwards ("He was always taller then me." Claire thought.), and gave Herschel a small, lingering kiss. After only a few seconds of pure bliss, she pulled away, leaving a look of longing and sadness etched on Herschel's face that made her heart sink to her stomach. She pulled her hand away from his cheek. Turning away, she began to walk away from Hershel, and she would have kept walking, if not for him suddenly calling her name: "Claire!"
Claire stopped. Her expression saddened, hidden away from Hershel. She didn't want him to see her so upset. Turning back to face him, she smiled. And even as she turned, her entire body began to glow. It was almost time. Soon, her body would return to the time machine explosion and then...well, Claire was pretty sure what would happen. Looking down at her glowing hands, she began to speak again.
"We had so many...plans for the future. Do you remember, Hershel?" She couldn't stop the tears that suddenly began to well up in her eyes. Trying hard not to burst into tears, she continued. "I..I'll miss you...and our...Unwound future..." And then Hershel did somthing she had never seen him do before. Fighting back tears, Hershel yelled: "You can't go!" Claire's eyes opened wide as he continued. "I don't want to say goodbye again! I can't! I won't!" His voice was alive with emotion; it was hard enough to say goodbye with him being calm, but now...
Claire forced a smile. "...I know I'll know you'll stay strong...After all, that's what a gentlemen does." As tears began to seep from her eyes, she knew now was the time. "I must go now...Hershel. Thank you for everything." Claire turned away and began to walk.
"Goodbye."
Claire heard Hershel give a small gasp as she began to leave him. AS she rounded the corner, tears practically poured out of her eyes. She heard footsteps running behind, but she couldn't be sure if it was Hershel or Luke. The light began to engulf her, and she shut her eyes, preparing herself for whatever came next. As she felt herself begin to vanish back to her own timeline, she silently mouthed a few words.
"I love you, Hershel." Claire vanished, but to the fatal time machine accident.
~End
LLL
Author's Note: Sniff...The Unwound Future ending saddened me D: