Disclaimer:
BtVS created by Joss Whedon, Dead Like Me was created by Bryan Fuller.
She was dead- had been for years, really, but she'd just been too stubborn to let go. Now, though, as she stared down at her own body, all she could feel was relief it was finally over.
"What happens now?"
"Now, you get to move on."
She didn't know where the guy next to her had come from; didn't know why she hadn't startled at his sudden appearance.
"Where?"
"Wherever your lights take you."
She finally looked up. The man next to her had the kind of face that could be anywhere between 30 and 50.
"You don't know?"
"I don't get to move on until my replacement is ready.
Her attention shifted to the others milling around the factory, "And them?"
"Get their own lights."
"I'll wait. I couldn't... I couldn't protect them, but..."
He nodded, pointing to the gleaming images forming. Each of the dead vanished into a different scene until only she remained.
The final light formed and she swallowed convulsively against emotions she'd long ago blocked in order to survive just a little longer. Now, though, all the losses, betrayals, and painful memories gave way to deep homesickness.
"I'm really done?" She hated how she sounded like a little kid, but... "I can go home now?"
He smiled at her, "You just have to go in."
She couldn't remember the last time she'd truly smiled and it felt awkward now.
"Thank you."
"Go on. You can rest."
Her smile felt a little less forced as she turned to sprint into the house she hadn't seen in almost three years.
