A/N-Though I typically only do NCIS fanfiction, I just saw Toy Story 3 and was completely blown-over by the incinerator scene near the end of the film. It's no secret that I'm a major Pixar fan, but that scene not only shot to the top of my favorite scenes from their films, but it went almost to the very top of my list of favorite scenes from ANY movie. It was just so tragically beautiful, and there was something particularly existential about the whole situation, I just had to write a short drabble on it. This is told from the collective point-of-view of all the characters involved. I hope you enjoy (if that's at all possible, considering).

Sliding down. Sliding toward fire. Sliding toward Death.

There is no going back. There is no escape. There is only the inevitable slide to the end.

Ironically, though the fire may be brilliant, all is black. Black in our hearts, black in our minds. Black painting what little remains of our hope. Because though we fight in our heart of hearts, there is nothing to stop the slide.

And our view is nothing but black.

But hands slowly grasp and looks are lovingly shared. And an infinitesimal ray of light, not of the fire, is cast upon us. For though we share the same fiery fate, we are here. Together. We slide, but we slide together.

Though we give up our hope, and we utterly fear what is to come, we willingly accept this with grace and beauty. Because to face Death is all but guaranteed, whether it be now or later. But to meet it with dignity surrounded by those we love changes the way we view and experience this event.

It is not the way we die that matters. It is how we die. Though it is difficult, we quietly welcome Death with open arms, knowing that the time has come, and we are ready to accept it. Because we are in the presence of those we care for most.

So, hand-in-hand, we slide toward that encroaching light, thoughts of each other imprinting themselves across the insides of our eyelids, the feeling of the ones we love between our fingers.

A/N-Thank you for taking the time to read this very short reflection :)