Old age hadn't been kind to Tammy. Her broken heart had weighed her down heavily. So, at seventy something years of age, she found herself laying on her deathbed. Her heart was simply… giving out. It no longer wanted to do its job. Rest called to it in such a beautiful voice, like a siren with the perfect song. All Tammy wanted to do was rest. To finally give in and just… sleep.

The bed she had been laid up in was soft, and the blankets laid over her were warm. Despite this, death's chill began to creep up through her bones. Hazy, half-blind eyes found comfort in the flickering flames of the fireplace as it cast shadows onto her short silvery hair. It hadn't been blonde in close to three decades.

"Mom…? Its me..." The soft voice of her daughter swept over her ears like a comforting breath of spring air. Pale eyes turned in her direction, taking in- despite her bad vision- what she knew to be very long, curly red hair, and a pair of the sweetest green eyes anyone had ever had the honor of looking into.

Tammy smiled softly, a tender love kindling to life in her chest. She stretched out an old, weathered hand to her one and only treasure. The smile brightened further when a much younger, smoother hand slid into her's gently. A gentle touch she knew by heart, and always looked forward to.

"How do you feel?" Daniella's voice was like a gentle wind. Shy and soft. But Tammy knew that it could grow to a mighty roar that would drown out all others when pressed. She, herself, had witnessed it, and knew it to be terrifying when unleashed. She hoped it would be enough to carry her through life.

"Tired. It won't be long now." Tammy winced at her own crackly, exhausted voice. No, it wouldn't be long at all. She could already see death's shadow in the doorway. Soon, very soon, she would be meeting her maker. Maybe she would see John again? The thought brought hope back to her, filling her lungs with air that tasted somehow sweeter than before.

Was it wrong to look forward to the end of this long road? It was like going to sleep after a long, hard day at work.

Something wet splashed against the skin of her arm, and the hand in her own trembled. Though silent, Daniella had begun to cry.

"Oh baby…" The whisper was soft, gentle, "It'll be alright. You're gonna go out, and do wonderful things." she could barely make out the motion of Daniella bobbing her head.

Daniella, who had grown into such a stunning woman. The little baby she had once held in her arms was ready to traverse the world now and find her place. Had it really been so many years ago? It felt like it had just happened yesterday to her.

Tammy could remember when she and John and joined the military. It felt like ages ago. So, so long ago. She had laughed and joked and played poker with her beloved, and two of the dearest friends she had ever had. Bobbi, Evan… what were they up to now? Had they found happiness? Love? Perhaps, if she had stayed, she would know. Tammy felt ancient.

Ah well, it was far too late now.

"Mom… don't go…" the tiny beg was nearly her undoing, and her heart threatened to shatter all over again.

"Shhhh, baby… it'll be okay." A wrinkled, heavy hand shakily patted the younger- it was all Tammy could do to offer Daniella some form of comfort.

That night, the once blonde woman took her finally breaths, and passed through death's threshold. Only one cried for her passing. The others who would cry were either no longer with this world, or hadn't heard of Tammy's death yet.

For the longest time, Tammy felt as if she were floating in nothingness. It was warm, and yet cold. Dark, and yet light. Death, and yet life. Everything, and yet nothing. All at once. It was heavy, grounding, yet pushed her up, higher than anything else, losing her in the clouds.

Then, she blinked, and found herself standing upon a field of pure white. Just as quickly as the sensations had began- they were over.

Silence greeted her ears, and there was nothing as far as the eye could see. Where was she? Tammy couldn't even begin to fathom the answer to her question. Memories began to fade in and out. What had happened? Maybe Bobbi had hit her in the head while trying to smash her alarm clock. Again.

Or maybe it was something else?

Unwilling to stand by and simply let everything pass around her, Tammy began to walk. She felt younger than she had in years. For the first time in forever, her heart felt light. Her spirit, free. And the pain? Gone. As if it had never been. She felt like skipping, running, flying.

The ex-soldier pondered on this strange turn of events. It was no question that something strange was happening. Perhaps she was dead? Very, very dead. Why else would she be in this strange place? Either that, or she was dreaming. Or in a coma. The answer didn't matter too much to her; as long as this wonderful feeling stayed. Tammy had missed feeling healthy.

Something like that was always taken for granted- until you didn't have it any more.

Finally, after what felt like hours of walking, Tammy came to a stop. She didn't feel tired, nor did she feel hungry, or thirsty. Instead, she simply felt the need to stop. Like the need for air. There wasn't even a need to question it. Her gut was in agreement with it, and that was all she needed to know as far as she was concerned.

So she waited.

And waited.

And when she finally felt she could wait no longer, and began to get jittery; a figure appeared on the landscape, walking in an unhurried fashion towards her. Interested, she watched it grow ever nearer. Slowly clearing up and becoming more distinct. Tears pricked at her eyes, as the figure came close enough to be recognized. Close enough to fully make out.

John. John was walking towards her. As young, handsome, and strong as ever.

Oh how she had missed his flaming red hair, his brilliant green eyes- that soft warmth in his face!

Filled with joy, Tammy sprinted for him. Sobs choked her, and spilled from her mouth as she pushed herself faster. Get to him- she had to get to him!

And then he was before her. Without hesitation or question, she leaped, body tackling him. Together, they fell to the ground, him laughing, her crying. How long had it been since she had heard his voice? How long had it been since she had heard him laugh?

Too long. It had been far too long.

"John!" The wail was muffled into his chest. Smiling softly, understanding, the red head rubbed her back gently in comfort.

"Yeah, it's me Tams. Come on now, you really shouldn't be crying. Its me, after all, not some big scary monster!" His joking made her sniffle back her tears, choke a bit and start to calm. He was here. He was really, really here.

"What's the difference?" Tammy was finally able to jib back at him. John burst out in laughter, his shoulders shaking.

She couldn't help but to join in.

When they had calmed, John got to his feet, helping her up as well. The smile on his face never left. "Welcome to the afterlife, hun."

"This is it then?"

"Well, not exactly. This is the 'waiting point', I suppose you could say." Tammy nodded a little at his words. Without another sound, he smiled wider, and began to pull her along. She followed without any resistance.

"What…?" A gasp of wonder left her. Around them, color began to fill in the void, chasing away the plain, sterile, cold white that had been there moments previous.

"Your happiness affects this place." John sounded bright, overjoyed.

"This is… my happiness?" Her free hand stretched out in an attempt to touch the color. To touch the void. But… there was nothing there.

"That's right."

"Where… is God?" Deciding to ask another question- she had been raised in a religious family, after all- Tammy dropped her free hand and looked around, still holding on to John. It would be a long time before she let him go.

"He's all around us. This is God. You can't see him?" The redhead gestured around him with one hand, amused.

"No… I don't see anything." Her tone was mystified.

"Don't worry. After a while, you'll see Him easy. And hear him clearly. We do have forever, after all." John's laugh was lighthearted.

"Yeah… forever." Tammy smiled and tucked herself into his side as she followed.

Forever with John? She could handle that.

Together, the two disappeared back into the landscape.