White

Memories of their fleeting time together flash before his eyes, blending into one blinding haze of grief and contentment – an odd mix that only makes Bill want to howl out in mourning. A dazzling white flash dances before his eyes as he continues to pilot the raptor, commandeering its last flight through the unmistakably devastating present, and the slightly happier past playing through his mind.

The beep of machinery is discernible in sickbay, and as Bill enters he has to suppress a chuckle at seeing the white-clad Cottle cursing under his breath as he emerges from Laura's cubicle.

"Tell that woman of yours to stop being so damned stubborn, and to stop working!" growls Cottle menacingly. Bill grins at him, and lifts his copy of Blood Runs at Midnight slyly for him to see. Nodding his approval, Cottle moves away, still shooting annoyed glares over his shoulder at Laura's curtain.

Walking in quietly, Bill steps in front of Laura and removes the file from her small and fragile hands. Placing it gently on the bedside table, he stoops down to press a chaste kiss against her forehead. A smile lights up her features as he sits, opens the book, and begins to read to her in his gravelly tones. Her eyes flutter shut, and an indulgent smile passes Bill's lips as he takes in her frail form, dying yet still possessive of such strength. Even now, as she lies peacefully – near sleep, but not quite there yet – she seems to glow, ethereal in beauty and fortitude. He continues to speak from memory, his eyes too busy lingering on Laura's still frame.

As quickly as it arrived, the memory fades, leaving Bill to gaze forlornly at Laura's still body – almost marble-like in death, though still warm. His heart clenches, and he gives up the charade of talking to her, reaching instead for Laura's hand. Raising it to his lips, he allows tears to drip from his face unabashed as he presses a final kiss into her knuckles. She's gone, and anguish racks through his body, causing convulsive tremors to shake his entire frame in agony. For a solitary dark moment, Bill considers piloting the raptor straight into the face of a mountain or cliff, believing that it would be better to die now and be with her, than to continue life without her. He realises, however, that though that would certainly be easier, Laura –his Laura - deserves better. Swooping down, he finds the perfect place, a mountainous crag with just the right amount of sunlight – so heavenly that it almost matches Laura's beauty – and lands. Lifting her out of the raptor with ease (she'd gotten so very light these past few months), he guides her down onto the grassy plains, and buries his love beneath stones as white as her soul.

She's gone.