A/N: Thanks everyone for the reviews really appreciate it. This is a continuation of Not Gon Cry thought it would suck to leave you guys hanging. The next part of this will not be related it will stand on its own like Lately and will be the last part of this series. Thanks again for reading and reviewing.

Mellie signed the papers and moved out with no incidence. I was shocked that it was as easy as it was and honestly the fact that she didn't put up any fuss is quite worrisome. I can't help but to think that she is planning something. A part of me felt that the time was not right, there was something in her eyes, but we've been unhappy for so long. I couldn't stand it any longer. I felt like I was in a straight jacket and was ready to bust free from the confines of that relationship. She was not the woman I thought she was, I wanted a partner, but Mellie had no problem going behind my back and scheming for power. I could no longer trust her and I knew she wasn't going to change so I had to make a change and end it.

It's gonna burn for me to say this
But it's comin' from my heart
It's been a long time coming
But we done been fell apart
Really wanna work this out
But I don't think you're gonna change
I do but you don't
Think it's best we go our separate ways

I know to the outside world I look like I am being selfish, but after so many years of unhappiness for both of us it just didn't make sense to continue on this way. Mellie shutting me out hurt me deeper and more profoundly than I've ever been willing to admit even to myself. I loved her deeply, she was my everything and then she just…..changed. Well I guess not really I guess her true nature came out. After all my father brokered a deal so that I could have her. Once she had her hooks in me, marriage, a child all bets were off and she decided not to pretend to love me or even remotely care for me. Maybe she was tired too since she gave me the divorce so easily and left.

Tell me why I should stay in this relationship
When I'm hurting baby, I ain't happy baby
Plus there's so many other things I gotta deal with
I think that you should let it burn

It's been 2 months since Mellie moved out, the divorce is nearly final. I haven't seen her since the day I told her I was divorcing her. She's used her assistant to shuttle Teddy back and forth. I can't help that the curiosity has gotten the best of me and I have to see what she's up to. It's just all been so easy. I have Teddy, Mellie asked me to take him for a couple weeks which peaked my interest. I stand at her townhouse door waiting for her to answer. I never took Mellie for the townhouse type, palatial estates seemed more her type. I ring the bell two more times before I see her appear through the small glass pane in the door. She slowly opens the door and I can see she is shocked to see me.

"Fitz! What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" She is wearing a robe and looks like she just got out of bed. She doesn't look like herself. She steps aside and lets me come in, I notice she pulls her robe closed tighter. There is something off I cannot put my finger on it.

"Is Teddy ok?" She seems nervous and we don't move away from the door. I look at her attire and tired appearance and I wonder if she has a man over, maybe that's why she wanted Teddy out of her hair for a few weeks. I wonder if Andrew's been around.

"Yes he's fine. I came to check in on you." She furrows her brow.

"Why?" She states suspiciously. I shrug. "Well I'm really tired so if that was all." I push myself away from the door I'd been leaning on and walk further into the home, past the foyer and into the living room. It's decorated as I suspected, classic furniture, elegant rugs and lamps, very Mellie. She slowly follows behind me.

"I like it." I say as I turn and look at her. There is a weariness to her. The sparkle not in her blue eyes like I am used to. "Mellie are you ok?" She looks at me surprised.

"Yes…I'm fine." I don't believe her. Maybe she's taking our divorce harder than I anticipated. She walks to a high back chair and slowly sits down. I am about to question her further when I hear the door open. I can't imagine who it could be, but they must be ok if the Secret Service let them by. My mouth nearly drops on the floor when Andrew Nichols rounds the corner. My eyes narrow and I realize my suspicions were correct. She knew he was coming that's why she wanted me to leave.

"Andrew." I say through clinched teeth. He steals a look at Mellie.

"What are you doing here Fitz?"

"I could say the same of you." He ignores me and looks at Mellie.

"You ok?" I watch the interaction between them and I feel like I've been left out of the loop.

"Yes Andrew I'm fine. Fitz was just here to….. Why were you here Fitz?"

"I told you to check in on you." I look at her quizzically.

"Right he's here to make sure I'm not plotting and scheming." She smiles tightly. Andrew rocks back on his heels and seems impatient. I guess he can't wait to get my wife back in bed.

"Where's Mindy?" He addresses Mellie again.

"I told her that she could leave. I'm….fine." I narrow my eyes knowing that something is up.

"Who's Mindy?" I ask.

"My assistant. You know Fitz I've been a bit under the weather and I want to get back to bed. It was…nice of you to stop by."

"Really? You think I'm going to fall for that. Clearly you and Andrew have something going on so why don't we all just be honest with each other here?" I'm annoyed that they think they can pull one over on me.

"Fitz, Mellie and I are just friends not that either of us owe you any explanations." I look at both of them again. I know I won't be getting anything from them. I stand and decide to leave.

"Well I need to be getting back. Mellie glad to see you are doing well." I leave, but I am in no way done with this situation.

Deep down you know it's best for yourself but you
Hate the thought of her being with someone else
But you know that it's over
We know that it's through
Let it burn
Let it burn
Gotta let it burn

Mellie still has Secret Service agents assigned to her. I task one of them with reporting back to me with what is going on with her. She and Andrew are hiding something and my gut tells me it's not just some secret affair. It seems that they have a much deeper secret and while I should just let it go I can't. She is after all the mother of my children.

Mellie's agent reports to me daily regarding her whereabouts. I am concerned at the amount of times that she goes to a medical building. The agent is not one that is privy to go with her into the office so I have no clue what she's being seen for. I have researched the building and there are many doctors in the building. I charge the agent with getting me more information. Until then I think I will pay Andrew a visit to see if I can get any information from him. I look at the time I know he should be in his office.

I arrive at Andrew's office and breeze past his secretary. He's sitting behind his desk looking over files when I walk in.

"I need to know what's going on with my wife." I have no patience or time for pleasantries. He just quirks up his brow but does not speak. "I know something isn't right with her and I know you know what it is and I want you to tell me."

"If there is something going on with Mellie, since she's your wife wouldn't she have told you?"

"She is the mother of my children I deserve to know what is happening with her."

"I think you gave up any right to Mellie the minute you threw her out on the streets for your whore." He spits venomously at me. As much as I want to sit here and argue with him I know it's a waste of my time. I turn and stalk out of his office. I will find other ways to get what I need.

I can't get this off my mind. I can't get how dull her eyes were or the knowing glances between her and Andrew. I have to know what they are hiding from me.

"Fitz what has you so preoccupied?" Olivia runs her fingers through my hair and kisses the side of my neck. I momentarily get lost in her touch but my mind goes back to the day I asked her for divorce. I think back to how she appeared to be in pain.

"Maybe I should talk to her former assistant." Olivia stops her motions.

"What?"

"Mellie's former assistant. She probably knows what's going on with her." I hear her sigh when I stand from the bed and begin to pace.

"Why does it matter Fitz? She's gone isn't that what you wanted?" I stop pacing and look at her.

"Yes but I still need to know what's going on with her. We have three children together." I look at her confused by her questions. She sighs and goes to the bathroom. My mind won't stop turning and I decide to try to get some information tonight. I leave the Residence and head back to the Oval.

Once in the Oval I track down the phone number of Mellie's old assistant. I take a quick glance at the clock, 10:43 I decide It isn't too late to give her a call. The phone rings twice before she answers. She is shocked it's me. I don't waste any time asking her about Mellie and as expected she is hesitant to divulge the secrets of her former boss. After more prodding she lets me know that Mellie had an outpatient surgery right before she left that she swore her to secrecy about. I thank her and hang up. My mind is still going 100 miles per hour. Whatever is going on with her she is clearly still ill.

I make my way back up to the Residence. Olivia is waiting up for me. I can tell from her folded arms and hard set mouth that she isn't happy with me.

"What?" I ask as I sit on the edge of the bed removing my shoes. She doesn't answer. I look over my shoulder at her. "Clearly you aren't happy so what is it?"

"You have told me for the last six years that you don't love her that you are indifferent to her and now that she is gone you can't stop talking about her, thinking about her." I am surprised that she seems to be jealous. I turn and walk over to her side of the bed.

"I'm not trying to get Mellie back. I am just concerned."

"If Mellie needs you she will tell you. Why don't you just leave it alone?"

"I can't." I say simply as I stand from the bed and go into the bathroom. I know she is going to be angry with me but this isn't about getting Mellie back, this isn't about romantic feelings this is about the woman who is still my wife, the mother of my children not being well, not coming to me for help.

Sendin' pages I ain't supposed to
Got somebody here but I want you
'Cause the feelin' ain't the same by myself
Callin' her your name
Ladies tell me do you understand?
Now all my fellas do you feel my pain?
It's the way I feel, I know I made a mistake
Now it's too late I know she ain't comin' back

I am shocked when the door to the Oval office opens and Mellie comes stalking in. I don't have a chance for pleasantries before she lights into me.

"How dare you go around asking about my personal business?" She says through clenched teeth.

"Am I supposed to know what you are talking about?" She plants both hands flat on my desk and leans in.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about Fitz. Stay out of my business. I am no longer your concern."

"When it comes to your health you are my concern. I will not stand idly by while you're going through something that could affect my children and not try to step in." Her eyes widen and she pushes away from the desk. She turns her back to me and takes a deep breath before turning to face me again.

"It's under control Fitz. I don't need you interfering."

"Does Andrew know?" I can't help the jealous feeling that surges through my body. She rolls her eyes.

"That's neither here nor there. Just back off." I stand and walk from around the desk to stand face to face with her.

"We are still husband and wife there isn't anything that he should know that I don't. If something goes on I would be the one that needs to talk to the children not him."

"Stop using the children to justify you nosing in my business Fitz."

"Mellie just tell me what's going on. If it's under control then it shouldn't be an issue." She closes her eyes and looks away. I know she is wrestling with herself. She opens her eyes and turns back to me.

"Leave it be Fitz." She says quietly before turning back and leaving the office.

I'm of course not going to do that. She looks better than when I last saw her, but still not one hundred percent. I move to my private office to make a few phone calls. After I hang up I await the information I asked for to be sent to my personal email. Finally I get the notification that an email has arrived. I open the files and begin to look through the documents. Suddenly something catches my eye and I take a deep shaky breath and close my eyes willing the information on the screen not to be correct. I open my eyes again and staring back at me medical records and claims for a lumpectomy and radiation. God she has cancer. My heart speeds up and feels like it's going to burst out of my chest.

I stand from my desk and pace, running my fingers through my hair. So many thoughts racing through my head. Most of all why didn't she tell me? Are we that fractured that she didn't think I needed to know this information? That I didn't deserve to have this information? I try to calm down so that I don't do anything rash. I reach over and dial Lauren.

"Has the firs….has Mellie left the White House yet?" She answers with an affirmative before I disconnect the call. I call my Secret Service team to let them know I need to leave the White House. I sit in my office trying to calm my nerves waiting for the word that everything is ready to go. Finally I get word that we can leave. The ride to her townhouse seems to take forever. Hopefully she has returned home. I am relieved when we arrive and I see her town car parked outside.

I wait for her to answer the door and when she does annoyance immediately colors her face. I don't wait to be invited in as I brush past her and walk into the living room. I hear her say please do come in under her breath. She follows me into the living room and I stand waiting.

"Why didn't you tell me that you had breast cancer?" She gasps.

"How did you find out?"

"It doesn't matter how I found out, what matters is I did and it wasn't from you!" I have tried to remain calm but I am angry.

"It was none of your business."

"Really! You didn't think I needed to know my wife and mother of my children was battling a deadly disease? Unbelievable!"

"My prognosis is good. It was caught early so I didn't think that it was something I needed to tell you. I'm not about to leave this earth anytime soon."

"Do you hear yourself? Mellie you have cancer, I needed to know that. These things could change at the drop of the hat and we need to talk to our children."

"No! We will not tell Karen and Gerry. I am fine, I will be fine!" Tears are pooling in her eyes and I lose some of my anger.

"Mellie."

"No Fitz!" I don't know why she is insistent that we not tell the kids.

"Ok we won't for now but I need you to be completely honest with me about your condition and progress." She nods affirmatively. "I assume Andrew knows." I can't keep the hard edge out of my voice.

"He's a good friend, has been for a long time." I clinch my jaw annoyed that he would know this information and not me.

"You should have told me."

"Maybe, but you know now."

"What's the plan?" I say as I sit on the sofa patting the cushion next to me. She goes to a chair and sits.

"I have two more weeks of radiation. It was caught very early and I had the lump removed. So far it doesn't appear to have spread."

"That's good Mellie. I know you will beat this thing." I say softly, feeling overwhelmed with the situation. "You should move back in the White House or at least Blair House so you can have round the clock care." She busts out laughing.

"When did you get such a sense of humor Fitz?"

"I'm not joking."

"I won't be moving anywhere. I get all the help I need here and plus I'm not an invalid. I have a nurse and Andrew comes and checks in on me." I roll my eyes.

"I bet he does." I say exasperated.

"Jealousy isn't becoming of you Fitz." She says in a teasing tone.

"I'm not jealous." I sound like a petulant child. "I just don't understand why you told him and not me." I'm whining I don't care.

"Because I needed a friend. This was not something I could keep to myself. I didn't want you to think I was using my condition to get out of the divorce." I blow out a breath surprised by her words.

"When did you find out?" She looks surprised by my question.

"The day you served me with papers, my doctor had just left telling me the news."

"I guess I have awesome timing, I'm sorry."

"It doesn't matter it's not like it was a surprise." She stands and I can tell she's wanting me to leave. I stand as well.

"Please keep me posted and I will be checking in on you." She nods and we stand staring at each other. I move across the room and before she can react I take her in my arms in a tight hug and kiss the top of her head. Mellie is stunned silent and stiff. "I'm so sorry Mellie." I release her and step back to see a silent single tear roll down her cheek. She nods her head at me and I know that she understands. We say our goodbyes and I leave her home. My thoughts are with her the entire ride back to the White House.

What I gotta do now
To get my shorty back
Man I don't know what I'm gonna do
Without my boo
You've been gone for too long
It's been fifty-leven days, um-teen hours
Imma be burnin' till you return

I make my way back to the White House and go up to the Residence, Olivia is waiting for me.

"Where have you been?"

"I went to see Mellie." She rolls her eyes and I can tell she's about to start in on me. "She has cancer." I say before she can start.

"Oh my God Fitz!" She says clutching her chest.

"Yeah, breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy and is going through radiation right now." Liv walks over to me and hugs me tightly. I hug her back burying my face in her neck as unshed tears flow from my eyes. "I'm scared. What if she…." She cuts me off.

"Don't even think like that. She's a fighter." She releases me. "When will you tell Gerry and Karen?"

"We aren't."

"What?"

"Mellie doesn't want them to know."

"I don't think that's wise Fitz." I give her a hard look that warns that she needs to let this go. "Fitz they deserve to know."

"Leave it." I walk into the bathroom and she follows me.

"Fitz this isn't…."

"I said leave it!" I yell at her and she jumps startled by my outburst. She nods and leaves me alone in the bathroom. I take a deep breath and hang my head, I can't deal with this. I'd convinced myself that Mellie was scheming and plotting I did not expect her to be facing a life threatening illness. For all the years I've known her she's barely even had a cold. I take another deep breath before pushing away from the sink and going back into the bedroom. Liv is nowhere to be found. I guess it's best. I remove my shoes and lay on the bed fully clothed. I am tired, weary the emotional load too much. Tears stream down my face. I cry for our kids, the thought of them losing their mother tears my heart to shreds. I cry for my marriage to Mellie, our friendship that fail by the waist side and not just because of her. I mostly cry for Mellie, that she has to go through this and without her husband. I close my eyes and say a silent prayer that she beats this, that we can be friends again and try to be a cohesive unit for our kids.

I'm twisted 'cuz one side of me is tellin' me that I need to move on
On the other side I wanna break down and cry
I'm twisted 'cuz one side of me is tellin' me that I need to move on
On the other side I wanna break down and cry, yeah