Disclaimer: I do not own the Book Thief, Rudy, or Death, no matter how much I wish I did (and that's a lot.)

"Wake up-Wake up, Rudy, godammit, Rudy, Wake up!" Liesel cried as she stood cradeling Rudy's lifeless body. He wanted to tell her to stop crying, not to worry, he was right here beside her, but either she would not listen or he could make no sound.

"Please, Rudy."

He watched as she stroked back his hair- 'the color of lemons', as she and Max described it. He knew everything now, and loved her all the more for it.

Liesel leaned in and gently carressed Rudy's lips with her own, then fiercer. Rudy, also watching from the side, felt his heart race, even though his heart could no longer beat. She was kissing him! She loved him!

Too bad he had to learn it after he was dead...

Death stood beside him, patting his shoulder. He spoke in Rudy's mind. Come along, Rudy, he told him. You have to leave her.

Rudy sighed. I know. He took one last, sad glance at Liesel, standing over what was Rudy Steiner, and felt a rush of happiness, despite the situation. She would live, and he knew she would never forget him.

As Death began to lead him away, he stopped. Please, he pleaded. Just one last kiss?

Death looked back at Rudy with understanding in his dark eyes. He waved his hand to Liesel. Go ahead.

Rudy's soul slowly drifted over to where Liesel was standing now, crying over he best friend's body. How about a kiss, Saumensch, he thought, then gently brushed her cheek with his light breezy lips. He knew Liesel would not feel it, but be able to sense it. Rudy cried silent, invisible soul-tears that matched Liesel's very visible ones as she was escorted away by the soldiers. He then took Death's hand and allowed him to escort him away from his death scene, to his new life.

90 years later

Liesel was 104. She was on her deathbed. And she was ready to die.

"Mrs. Hubermann?" Her caregiver called, a sweet young girl named Maria. "Time to take your medicine."

Liesel shook her head, pretty much one of the only actions she could do any more. "No medicine today, Maria."

Maria looked confused. "But, Mrs. Hubermann, you have to."

Liesel smiled sadly. "No amount of medicine will save me now, child, "she told Maria. "It's my time to go." Maria's hand flew up to her mouth. She seemed to be saying something, but Liesel tuned her out. Staring at the ceiling, she thought back on her life. She had lived long and good- with one regret.

How about a kiss, Saumensch?

A boy of about 14 with hair the color of lemons stood over her, smiling. Ready to go? He asked. A tall man stood next to him that Liesel immediately knew as Death. She nodded. Rudy, she whispered. Take me home.

The boy smiled, and kissed her gently on the lips, exactly the same as she had done 90 years ago. She smiled, tears now cascading down her cheeks. She loved Rudy- always had- and now she could be with him forever.

She took one hand in Rudy's, and one hand in Death's, and left her body behind, walking with them as just three old friends, ready to embrace the end.