Chapter 7/A Sad Time

A/N: Final Chapter. I will, however, be adding a part two to this and I'll be updating at least once a week, depending on when I have computer access. It's a short chapter, but I'll be starting work on the next story later today, so it might be uploaded some time tonight.

Stampy held back from everyone else surrounding the grave with Lee's name set in stone. Amy and Rosie were putting some roses around the headstone. Squid, Sqaishey and Choo-Choo had their heads together and their voices low. Every so often, they'd cast a concerned look Stampy's way. Many people had already gone home. It was down to these six now. Stampy sat in his spot, staring at the grave. He wasn't crying. He was numb. He didn't notice the rest of the group start to leave.

It was sunset when Squid and Stampy were the last two around. Squid walked over to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder. Stampy looked up at him, but his mind wasn't with him. It was lost somewhere far off.

"Come on, Stamps," Squid mumbled. "It's getting late. Time to go home."

Stampy shook his head. "I'm not ready to go..."

Squid nodded in understanding. After a moment of silence, he said, "I'm going home. I would really appreciate you coming to see me in the morning, okay?" Stampy nodded. Squid said goodnight and walked away, casting one last sad glance at the poor cat.

Stampy sat in the same spot for a few more hours. When the moon was high overhead, he finally decided to walk over to the grave. He kneeled down in front of the headstone, and that's when he finally lost his composure. "Lee," he sobbed, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I should have tried to help you. I should have tried to be a better friend from the day I realized something was wrong. I didn't mean for us to grow apart. I didn't mean for you to run away. Now, you're gone and it's all my fault." For a while, he could do nothing but sit there and cry. "I'm going to miss you, Lee. You were my best friend. I almost wish I would've told you before this all happened...I love you, Lee Bear." With that, Stampy laid down next to the grave and fell asleep next to his friend one last time.