Between Life and Death (PG) Challenge 149 6/28/13

[darkstarrising]

In the spirit of 'unfinished business', I offer this piece (I don't know what to call it, actually). The idea came to me one morning at 4 am as I was trying to get back to sleep. While we heard Mick's thoughts via his voice over, I wondered what Josh was thinking as he lay dying.

In this piece, Josh's thoughts are countered by Mick's (in italics) each man knowing that death is near and lamenting what they wish they could have done.

As always, no copyright infringement is intended. I just like to play with the characters.

Between Life and Death

Don’t cry, Beth.
It’s all my fault, really. I was warned, but didn’t listen.
I wanted to be the hero in your eyes again, just not like this.
Life bleeds away, and with it, any hope of our being together.
Forgive me. Everything I did, I did for you. It just wasn’t enough.
I wasn’t enough.

Don’t cry, Beth.
It’s not my fault.
I’m doing all I can, but he’s slipping away.
Death is coming. I can see it in his eyes. I can smell it in his blood.
I’m sorry. I can’t save him.
There’s nothing more I can do.

Hold me, Beth.
I gave you my love and laughter, my hopes and dreams.
I did what was right, for you, for us, knowing what the price could be.
My body screams in agony, but the worst pain is knowing I’ll never hold you again.
At least now you’ll be safe. I know he’ll protect you.
He loves you, almost as much as I do.

Be strong, Beth.
Hold on and tell him how much you love him.
He followed his heart and did the right thing, knowing the cost.
I know his pain will soon be over, but yours is just beginning.
I swear on his blood, I won’t let them hurt you.
I swear on my own, I’ll make them pay.

Beth….
Everything is cold, so very cold.
I can’t speak or see anymore, but I know you’re there.
There is so much left unsaid, so much life unlived.
You were everything to me.
If only…

Beth!!
I can’t, I won’t do what you ask.
Death is the price for living.
If you loved him at all, let him go. Let him rest in peace.
Please, don’t hate me for doing what I know is right. Don’t push me away.
Without you, there is no reason to live.

[BlueEyedMonster]

DSR very intense.

Josh knew he was losing Beth to Mick and now he could never fight back so he let her go unfortunately she never knew what was in his heart or on his mind.

Beautiful

[allegrita]

Wow, I'm very glad you were taking dictation when your muse couldn't sleep! This is so poignant. Josh's fears and regrets are a perfect counterpoint to Mick's. Two brave, good men, one trying desperately to save the other... I love the interplay between their thoughts. It's such a sad, beautiful, poetic piece.

[Moonlightsonata]

This was lovely and sad. I really get say much more than has already been said. Thank you.

[MickLifeCrisis]

Oh my. This is heartbreaking. Loved the two POVs.

Wouldn't it have been something if Josh could have told Mick to take care of Beth? Or placed her hand in his or something? 'Course I would have sobbed if he had.

This was wonderful and very moving, dsr. Thanks for sharing!

[francis]

So sad, and so good. Beth is lucky to have two good men in her life, but now one of them has to say goodbye. I love how they both center their thoughts around Beth.

[jen]

This is wonderful!

The way Josh and Mick's thoughts in that terrible moment, centering on the woman both love, play on each other, are perfect counterpoints to each other is beautifully portrayed here.

Beth, being Beth, is swept along by events she is powerless to stop and as we know, she does not do well with accepting the inevitable. She will do anything in her power to change it.

It is especially nice here that Josh knew and recognized that his rival was a good man who would keep her safe, protect her and love her.

Thank you!

jenna

[cassysj]

This is sad but I really do feel like I've wandered into Josh's private thoughts.

[darkstarrising]

Thanks, ladies Watching the episode, Josh is focused on Beth, remembering some of the happier times they spent together. Yet I wonder what he thought about Mick trying to save him, knowing they were both rivals for Beth's affections.

[cassysj]

This is really such a beautiful piece.