Disclaimer: Somebody elses sandbox, I'm just playing in it.

Challenge Word: Fight

Post End of Time part 3

He didn't deserve her. He couldn't, not after what he had done, but he knew that she wouldn't see it that way. There would be tears and broken hearts all around before he was through, but it had to be done; he refused to hurt her any longer. It was for the best…

…or at least that's what he had told himself as he sat outside in the car, his breath fogging up the windows, and his heart aching in anticipation of the inevitable pain. But now, as he sat on the couch watching her crying softly, begging him to stay, he wasn't so sure.

Where had he gone wrong? He was a good father, a loving husband…so what had changed? How had they lost it?

"Wes," she wiped at her tears with the sleeve of her shirt. "Please, don't go." She whispered the words, the pain as evident in her voice as it was on her face.

"I can't stay anymore," he said softly, refusing to look at her. "You deserve so much better…." His voice trailed off and he choked back a sob.

He mentally kicked himself. Get a grip Collins! You have to be the strong one.

He heard her sniffle as the tears started again. "But I don't want you to go. I want you to stay with me an--and with Joey!!"

"No," he heard his voice say, distant and cold, even to his own ears. "I can't."

Wes lowered his eyes and fingered the gold band on his left hand that was a symbol of his love and undying devotion for the women sitting next to him….a symbol of forever.

So how did things get so wrong? Why couldn't it be forever…? He knew why, but she'd never understand.

Suddenly, Jen's broken voice pulled him out of his reverie. "I gave up everything for you, the least you could do is tell me why."

He stood to leave, not trusting himself to hold back the pain much longer. An old saying came unbidden to his mind and he shook his head in disgust. Sometimes you've got to be cruel to be kind. No it wasn't fair, and yes he owed her an explanation, but the truth was there was not a good enough explanation in the world for what he was doing.

"I just—I just can't do this anymore. Please Jen, I never meant to hurt you. It-it wasn't supposed to end this way."

His feet carried him to the door but he forced himself to look back, just one more time. The vision before him sent a searing pain through his heart. Jen, her beautiful face crumpled in pain, and her doe brown eyes red and filled with tears.

Tears that he had caused….but he had always hated to see her in pain…

"I'm sorry…" He quickly stepped outside and closed the door as hot tears began to fall freely down his own cheeks.

He leaned heavily on the door, his body slowly sliding to the ground as his emotions overwhelmed him. The sight of Jen, his beautiful Jen in so much pain, flashed before his eyes and he felt a piece of his soul shatter.

Wes forced himself to stand and walk to the solitude of his car, and with nothing but the echo of a thousand broken promises to keep him company, he hastily drove away. But he left his shattered heart on her doorstep…or at least, what was left of it…the pieces that fell to the harsh, unforgiving pavement, to sharp to pick up, and too small to matter anymore…

See that pretty little button? You know you want to push it!

Hmm...Seems like the last couple of these things have been kinda sad...I promise the next one will be much happier!