A/N – Even though he's dead, this is still from Vince's POV. And I was crying when I wrote this.

Disclaimer: Anything that you recognise, isn't mine. Song is Famous Last Words by My Chemical Romance

Chapter Eight
"Second Best"

I'm here now. An astral world. A spiritual plain.

I watched Howard fight his way to the top of the building.
I watched Howard read my note.
I watched Howard break down in tears.

I watched my funeral.
I watched the reading of my will, my final testimonies.

I watch everything up here. You can see everything.
Any time, any place, any person.
But I kept a close watch on Howard.

I watched Howard go to the same place I did.
Exactly a year on.
Exactly the same time.

I watched Howard write his note and knew what he was going to do.
I knew I could become a vision to him.
An angel.
I knew what I had to do. I searched for the transporter. I got there. And I arrived on earth just in time.

I floated down in front of Howard. All white robes and golden wings. He didn't notice me until I spoke.

"Don't do it."
"Vince?"
"Don't do it Howie."
"There's nothing left for me if you're dead."
"It's been a year."
"A year of hell."
"I'm sorry, Howard."
"What've you got to be sorry for. You only did what you did because of me."
"I was screwed up. No-one does that because someone tells them to. Especially not when you've been turned down. When you're turned down, you get on with your life, show 'em you ain't bothered. I did what I did because I was ill."
"I don't want to be here on my own"
"Howard…"
"Yeah, Vince?"
"Do you love me?"
"What?""Do you love me?"
"…Yes."
"Then I want you to do something for me."
"What?"
"I want you to keep on living. Walk the world alone and don't be afraid. Tell anyone who hurts you that nothing could stop you coming home."
"Okay, Vince. But in that case, I want you to tell me something."
"Yeah?"
"What's it like, up there?"
"It's like life itself. But you can't die until someone comes a-knocking on your door. A superior. They tell you it's time you were born again. But they only do that if you haven't got anything worth hanging around for."
"Vince?"
"Yeah?"
"Will you do something for me?"
"Of course!"
"Wait for me. Meet me when I die. Love me when I die."
"You know I will, Howie."

For the first time in my life. I didn't feel it. I didn't feel Second Best.

I am not afraid to keep on living,
I am not afraid to walk this world alone.
Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven,
Nothing you can say could stop me going home!