A/N: This popped into my head a bit earlier today. It didn't turn out at all like I expected, but at the end of the day, I'm not too upset by that. :)
Disclaimer: I just like to borrow them for the emotional torment.
Enough to Walk Away
By: SentientMist
She's looking down at the file in her hands as she enters his room, "Ah, there you are. I just wanted to make certain you-" Helen stops abruptly, eyes fixed on the duffle bag Will is currently filling with clothes. "Will? What's going on?"
He continues his task, not even bothering to look at her as he responds flatly, "I'm leaving."
Her eyes remain focused on the bag as her breath catches in her chest, startled. "Will, we should at least discuss this before you-"
"There's nothing to discuss. This isn't about the mission. It's about what happened," he glances up at her taking in her alarmed features and shakes his head. "It doesn't matter what it's about. I've already made up my mind."
Helen can scarcely breathe, so many questions swirling in her head. Her pulse quickens, and she begins to feel lightheaded. She can't lose him. "Why? Why are you doing this? I thought, I, you told me you loved me." It comes out as a frustrated exhale, her emotions breaching their careful containment.
"And I meant it," he says gently, finally ceasing his movement and facing her.
Dragging her gaze from the bed, the neat stacks of his familiar clothes, Helen meets his eye. "Then how can you do this?" she whispers, haunted, eyes pleading.
Sighing, Will drops the shirt he's been holding on top of the open bag. "You said it back."
"What?" she breathes, staggering backward as though she'd taken a physical blow.
Closing his eyes, Will pulls off his glasses, letting them slip from his grasp, falling to the bed. Crossing to stand in front of her, he takes her face in both hands, resting his forehead against hers. "I made a mistake. I let you fall in love with me. I shouldn't have done that." Leaving his head where it is, Will moves his hands to her upper arms, massaging them as he feels an involuntary shudder run through her body.
"Why does it have to be a mistake? I thought you loved me," she whispers brokenly.
"I do. But one day, you're going to lose me. If it happens now, this way-" He pauses, gathering his resolve, "I love you enough to walk away."
There's an unmistakable gravity to his words, and Helen feels the tears start to fall. She shifts slightly, tilting her head, in order to capture his lips in a tender kiss. As she pulls back, she murmurs against his lips, "I don't want you to go, Will."
"Helen-"
"Shh." Wrapping her arms tightly around him, she presses her face into his chest. "You are not going anywhere."