"You're leaving."
Jim didn't even turn around from where he was packing his duffel on their bed. "Yeah."
Carol crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame. "You've been home for three days. You were supposed to have a week. It's 8am."
"I know." His shoulders slumped. "I need to go up to the ship for a couple of hours."
"Why the bag?"
He was silent for a minute. "In case I don't come back tonight," he said finally turning to face her.
Carol's steel mask slipped into place. "You and that damn ship."
She spun around and walked out, but Jim was on her heels. The apartment seemed to get smaller every time he came home. He grabbed her arm and jerked her around to face him. "Don't you dare," he hissed. "You've spent half the time since I've been home in the damn lab."
"I come home every night," she shot back, yanking her arm away. "I always come home!" Carol searched his face. "Every time you go off in that ship, the less of you that comes back."
"You always come home? You barely touch me! You slept on the other side of the bed last night," Jim said flinging his arm in the direction of their bedroom. "We've had sex once since I've been back. I was here for two days last month and we fought the entire time."
"Is that what you want from me? Sex?"
"I want you! Damn it, Marcus." He tried to kiss her but she turned her head. "Don't try to kiss me if you're going to leave," she said without looking at him.
"Don't block me out," Jim shot back, frustrated. He softened. "We're worn out, Carol," he said quietly. "This year has been tough, I know. We just need time - "
"No," she said, cutting him off. "If you go, then go. Get out and don't come back."
He opened his mouth but no words came out. Carol wrapped her arms around her waist protectively and wouldn't look at him. He slumped in defeat. He went back into the bedroom and Carol finally allowed herself to let out a haggard breath and drop down on the sofa. She could feel the tears threatening to spill, but Jim reappeared and she forced the steel mask back into place.
He had his duffel.
SO that's that.
She stared at the wall as he walked past her to the door and he stopped when opened it. He looked back at her. "Carol?"
Silence.
He swallowed. "I won't be back tonight," he whispered before closing the door behind him.
