The End

Chapter 12: Rekindled Fire

Ellen paced as her children played in her backyard. It was nearly 6:00 PM and she had yet to hear from Patrick. Though there were still several hours left in the day she couldn't help but worry. Today would be the first day they hadn't spoken in weeks. 

When her phone finally vibrated in her pocket she felt slightly irritated. Part of her wanted to make him wait. The other part of her was desperate to see what he had to say. The latter half won the fight.

"I have a confession," Patrick's late message broke the seal on the day with a bang. Ellen's stomach erupted into a roar of butterflies.

"You and these confessions..." Ellen played it cool though she felt anything but.

"I can't stop thinking about that time in Seattle."

And just like that the butterflies unleashed a wave of heat through Ellen's entire body.

For the first time in their working relationship, life had been different. Ellen decided to marry Chris and end her two yearlong fling with Patrick. Thus, completely turning Patrick's world upside down. He had spent the last 6 months trying desperately to prove he was ok, and Ellen trying to prove she was in love with Chris.

Which brought them to here. The Twinkling night sky outside of Seattle. A house of candles and the most romantic scene she'd shot in a long time. Her emotions swirling as she stood in front of a man she'd fallen for. A man she'd spent 6 months apart from. Well, in the romantic sense. Working 16 hours a day with someone didn't leave much room for apart.

Patrick had never been part of the plan. The show, her now successful career, a stable family, those were the things she planned for, worked for. He was a detour she couldn't help but take. Yet every step of that detour felt fated. That was what made it so hard for her to walk away from him.

Tonight, Ellen felt a little more like Meredith than she should have. The lines came out in a jumbled ramble of emotion. It was on brand for Mer, but the truth was that she wanted this scene over as quickly as possible. She was fighting hard to maintain her new boundary and this house of candles was completely debilitating.

There was an unusual quietness after the director called "cut" and soon after "that's a wrap." It was late, so the crew moved quickly and quietly. Although everyone was eager for the last shoot day before hiatus, tomorrow would still come early.

Ellen and Patrick crossed the empty field in silence. Her lips still tingling from the touch of his. "Ellen," a male voice called to her from a few feet away. She looked up to see John, one of the PA's.

"The van was locked so I put your sweater in Patrick's car. I'll grab it for you and meet you at the van." Ellen had been shuttled over from base camp because it wasn't her only scene of the day. Patrick had driven his rental car over straight from the hotel.

"John," Patrick called back, "Don't worry about it. I'll drive her over. If you want..." Patrick looked to Ellen. There was so much weighing on such a simple decision.

"Okay," was all she could manage.

"Get some rest bud, early morning." Patrick smiled.

"Thanks," he answered, "See you in the AM."

Even Patrick's rental car somehow managed to be sexy. Ellen's hand hovered over the cold door handle. She could feel the crispness in the air. Glancing around she waited for someone to say something. To notice their stolen moment together.  There was a moment of hesitation before she opened the door and sat down.