The rain tapped gently against the windows, you lay curled on the couch under thick blankets, your body trembling with the same pain that has been going on for months. The cancer has spread too far, the doctors had said. "Terminal." That word haunted Simon day and night.

You turned your head toward him, eyes hollow, lips pale. "Simon.." You whispered, barely audible over the crackle of the fireplace. "Please..."

He knew what was coming. He's heard it before, many times, but this time... there was something final in your voice, something that said to him that this is over now.

"I can't," he said quietly, his gloved hands fisting at his sides.

"You can," your eyes teared up,streaking down your cheeks. "You have the gun, you keep it in the drawer, for emergencies, remember? This is one, I can't take this anymore Simon. It hurts, every breath hurts."

Simon turned away, jaw clenched, fighting the scream rising in his throat. He had faced enemies in every part of the world. He had watched comrades bleed out. But this was the one thing he couldn't fight. He walked to the drawer with heavy steps and opened it. The cold steep of the pistol greeted his hand like an old friend.

He turned back to you, and your expression softened. "It's okay," you whispered. "I'm ready."

He dropped to his knees in front of you, cradling your face with trembling hands. "You're not supposed to ask me for this."

"You're the only one I'd trust to do it," you said. "Please." His finger hovered over the trigger as he raised the gun slowly, his eyes never leaving yours. "I love you," he said, voice breaking for the first time.

"I love you more," you mouthed.

And then- Bang.

Your body went still in his arms, your blood staining his hands, shirt and floor. He didn't move nor blink, he just held you as the silence screamed.

Then.

Bzzzt bzzzt. His phone vibrated on the table. He reached for it with his blood covered fingers.

"Lieutenant Riley?" The voice on the other end said, bright. "It's Dr. Keller. We found something. A treatment protocol, it's experimental, but early results show remission in every patient we've tested. You need to bring her in, there's hope."

Simon stared down at your lifeless face. Your skin was still warm.

"No," he breathed, barely audible.

The phone slipped from his hand and shattered against the floor. His scream followed, raw and inhuman.