The End

Chapter 24: The Affair

The first years of filming Greys were tainted with Patrick and Ellen's casual hookups. A handful of encounters where they had been unable to resist the chemical reaction that was innate inside of them. But the time between the NY&CO photoshoot and Ellen's birthday was different. If he was ever to write a book, his tell all memoir, Patrick would have titled this chapter, 'the affair'.

By text book definition, their affair had begun the night they left the Dresden. Patrick had written off the next several times as a mistake. A lapse in judgement, self-control. It wasn't until the summer hiatus that the truth slapped him in the face.

They were in the midst of a thousand press commitments. He had one excuse after another to see her but he found himself making more. Extending the amount of time, they spent together. Slipping into the abandoned corners of whatever event they found themselves at.

In a room full of people, he would lean in close to her and whisper something. His soft words would make her smile or blush. He was close enough to smell the sweetness on her skin.

He often found his hand resting just above her knee or pressed against the small of her back. His head leaning against hers.

This event hadn't been any different. They'd talked the talk and danced the dance all to end up wasting time alone in a hallway instead of going home.

Patrick couldn't bring himself to break her eyeline. He wanted more time, more excuses. There needed to be some kind of ease in the tension that the summer had been building. It was impossible to imagine going another week without seeing her.

Her cell phone rang abruptly breaking the connection between them. Ellen cleared her throat, "Sorry, it's my agent." She pressed the phone to her ear and carried on for a few seconds.

Patrick sighed quietly and kissed her cheek, "Good to see you," he whispered softly his arm squeezing her waist.

The painful ache in his chest as he walked away from her was yet another reminder of

As he walked away from her, he felt a painful ache in his chest, yet another reminder that he was avoiding his feelings.

"Patrick," he heard her call his name as he'd nearly made it to the door. She caught up to him, "I just bought a house a few blocks away in the hills. You want to go check it out with me? The agent is meeting me there with the keys."

The ache was replaced by a burst of excitement. "Of course," he said with a smile, "Congratulations. That's exciting." His smile genuinely happy for her.

"Thanks," she smiled, "I doubt I'll actually live in it. I'll probably rent it but it's a pretty cool property. It has the most amazing treehouse vibes."

The short drive to the house was filled with a self-inflicted tension and unsure expectations. His mind had already started lecturing him. Reminding himself he was married, she was in a relationship. They were only pretending to be in love.

When Patrick pulled into the driveway Ellen's real-estate agent was passing her the key. "Oh wow," the woman turned to look Patrick in the eye.

"We had a work event down the street," Ellen laughed her enchanting laugh. "Patrick this is Mary, Mary, Patrick Dempsey."

"Nice to meet you," her cheeks flushed a little, "well, I'll let you show him around."

"You too," he smiled sweetly but barely took his eyes off of Ellen.

"Thank you, Mary," Ellen hugged her, "I appreciate everything you did to get ahold of this."  Mary disappeared down the driveway.

"Dempsey," Ellen rolled her eyes, "Could you have been more obvious?"