Six months had passed and though any sign of immediate danger had passed, Mulder and Scully had felt the familiarity of being on edge. Mulder had become more withdrawn, much to Scully's distaste. Today, Scully had returned early from the hospital. She had taken to Kim, Skinner's assistant and now wife, to watch Melissa on some occasions. It had been more frequently as Mulder had been more invested in his work. She knew this was part of who he was and what she loved about him, but it also killed her at times as well, especially now that they had another child to look after. They couldn't do anything that would place her in harm's way. Normally, she would go and get her baby, but she was exhausted and needed to be alone with Mulder for a little while. When she entered the house and noted his door was closed, she softly rapped on the door. "Come in, Doc."

She sighed and hesitantly opened the door. Mulder had his back turned towards her momentarily before he quickly glanced at her. It only took a moment for her to realize how little sleep he had gotten lately.

She knew it was because he was doing everything possible to keep them safe by trying to find the motive behind the man's attack. They had found nothing. The name he had been using had been false as well. "What are you doing, Mulder," she asked cautiously.

He sighed. Slightly aggravated by her tone of voice. "Same thing, different day."

She sighed. "Please Mulder, open up to me."

He finally turned to face her, seeing her arms crossed over her chest in frustration. "Same thing I do every day, Scully. Sit here and search for answers, to keep you and Melissa safe. Where is she?"

"I haven't picked her up yet. I uh...wanted to talk to you first."

Mulder turned towards her. She avoided his gaze and looked down at her hands, playing with a button on her coat. He didn't like where this was going.

"About?"

Scully knew they needed to focus on the latest threat against them, but she couldn't deal with this anymore. They were losing the life and safety they worked so hard for the last seven years. The recent home invasion had triggered so many emotions for Scully that she didn't ever want to have to revisit.

The PTSD she had suffered shortly after the kidnappings and attempted murder of William had returned with a vengeance and Mulder's emotional withdrawal and obsession these last several months hadn't helped matters. The thought that maybe they shouldn't have had Melissa tore her apart inside. She loved her child terribly and wanted a second chance so much. They both did, but now so much more was at stake. As tears filled her eyes, she had to swallow the lump in her throat before she could continue. "Mulder, I just can't do this anymore."

He felt as if a stake was just driven through his heart. He didn't want to hear this. Not from Scully, his life partner and the mother of his children. "What are you saying, Dana?"

She shook her head, her long strands of strawberry hair falling around her face as she looked down. "Mulder, what happened six months ago brought me back to a place I never wanted to revisit. The fear, the helplessness I felt while I was alone when someone tried to kill William and when I had to give him up. I have to live with myself each and every day, wondering if that was the right choice. Now, we have another child to worry about and I know I can't ever make that choice again, but I can't watch you lose yourself in this darkness anymore and I can't stop you from searching for that truth either."

He stood up and started to talk when she held her hand up. "I know that on some level, you resent me from giving away our child even though I know you understand and forgive me. And on some level, I know that you know that I resent what this quest has done to me; what I've had to lose as a result. And it's not your fault. I'm the one who fell in love with you and chose this path, but I'm not sure I can lose anything else. I can't lose you, or our daughter and if leaving will prevent that, I need to do it."

Mulder was speechless. He didn't expect this, not after everything else they had been through together. "So you're just going to walk away and take Melissa with you?"

She shook her head. "No, of course not. You're a good father, Mulder, I would never keep her from you. I just can't do this."

She made her way to the porch as he hurriedly followed behind her. He was honestly at a loss for words; he thought they were past this. "How long," he asked.

She stopped halfway down the steps. "I don't know, Mulder. I just know that if we stay together right now, we'll just resent each other and I can't live like that."

He couldn't believe this was happening. She was leaving and he couldn't convince her otherwise, because she was right. They were two damaged people.

Scully touched the ring that hung around the chain on her neck.

"You want a divorce."

"No, I just want some time. I love you Mulder, but sometimes love isn't enough."

"Dammit, Scully. Don't say those things to me, not if you're going to leave."

"I'm sorry, Mulder," her voice broke.

She had gotten into her car and looked back at him with one last tear filled gaze before he watched the love of his life drive off, taking a piece of his heart along with her.

END

A/N: I'm so sorry to have to end it this way, but at 25 chapters and dealing with writer's block, I'd like to focus on the next phase of this story, which will take place AU during the revival several years later. I want to keep writing about M&S and baby Melissa, but the ideas would turn into more random drabble and not tie in too well during the ending. So I've decided to do more one shot stories that could tie in with this one as the ideas come. Leave a review and let me know your thoughts. In the meantime, watch for the next phase titled X Files Alternate Season 10. Thanks for the support, everyone!