Disclaimer:HP is JKR's. The song is Josh Groban's.
Author's Notes: I think I mentioned in my last HP fic that Josh is a good muse for Snape/Lily. He really is. It's very short, but… yeah. :-)

A breath away's not far
To where you are.
- Josh Groban, To Where You Are

"Lily Potter, born January 30 1960, died October 31 1981."

Long, thing fingers trace the letters on the gravestone, not for the first time. Severus Snape has often visited the grave of Lily Evans (he always refuses to call her by her married name). Sometimes it's to ask her forgiveness, other times to simply remember.

This time: "I need your help, Lily. More than I've ever needed anyone's help before." He pauses, and once again touches the grave for reassurance. "I promised Dumbledore I'd help protect Harry - for you - but god, Lily, it's hard. Every day it gets harder. The time is going to come soon, very soon, when Harry and the Dark Lord will meet again for the last time, and I don't know if I'll be able to keep my promise. Lily, if you can hear me, wherever you might be, help me now."

He stops, as though waiting for a sign. The sun is hidden by the church, behind which it has sunk, and the cemetery is deathly quiet. No sign appears to be forthcoming. But then, almost unnoticeable at first, words begin to form beneath the original inscription. Snape watches, mesmerised, as the message appears, words spreading out across the sandstone block and then disappearing to make way for new ones.

Severus,

You are by far the bravest man I had the honour of knowing. I am so thankful to you for everything you have done for Harry since he started school. Countless times you have put yourself at risk for him, regardless of your mutual dislike, and I know this was on account of how you felt for me. I promise you that I will be with you for every moment from now on. I am never further than a breath away.

Yours always,

Lily.

As her name disappears into the stone, Snape wipes away the tears in his eyes. A breeze ripples past him, tickling the back of his neck and he is reminded of Lily's final words to him: "I am never further than a breath away."

He smiles, for the first time in a long while. A breath away's not far.