Seattle Move

25. Guilt

The rain pattered softly against the windows of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, creating a rhythmic backdrop for the chaos of the emergency room. Christmas lights twinkled in the lobby, casting a warm glow that starkly contrasted the tension in the air. Nurses and doctors moved swiftly with the professional detachment that often masked their own struggles, even as they prepared to celebrate the holiday season. But for Amelia, the holiday was anything but cheerful.

She paced nervously in the break room, glancing at the clock as it inched closer to Dean's visit. Six months had flown by since she moved to Seattle with her two-year-old son, but every week had been a tumultuous rollercoaster since. She was undeniably attracted to Owen, her chief of surgery, but after a messy on-and-off relationship, she had been trying to focus on rebuilding her life with Dean, a kind and caring soul.

That had failed terribly. She felt guilty for what had happened between her and Owen last week, an encounter she could barely wrap her head around, but one she knew she couldn't deny or lie about any longer. She hadn't been able to resist herself after what had transpired earlier in the day, and although she was initially glad it happened, she still felt horribly about it and what it would mean for her relationship with Dean. She hadn't been thinking clearly when she invited Owen into that tub.

As expected, Dean arrived precisely on time, his expression brightening as he entered the break room. "Hey there," he said, his voice warm and inviting. He leaned in, giving her a quick kiss on the lips, which Amelia awkwardly half-returned before shifting her face. He then handed her a small gift.

"I'm glad you're here," she said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Dean studied her with a furrowed brow, sensing something off. "You okay? You seem a little... weird?"

Amelia shrugged it off, unwilling to delve into the storm brewing inside her. "Just tired, I guess. The holiday rush is doing a number on me. You know how it is."

With a nod, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face, a gesture that struck her with warmth, but unease. "You should take it easy. How about we head out after this shift? I'd love to take you to dinner."

She hesitated. The light offered by the tinsel and lights outside only heightened her anxiety, as if the reality of the situation was bearing down on her. "Look, Dean we—"

Before she could formulate an excuse, he gently took her hands in his. His deep green eyes searched hers with an intensity that made her heart race—though this time, it wasn't the good kind of race. As Dean's lips approached hers again, she instinctively turned her face, her heart pounding as she felt the heat of his breath brush past her cheek.

"Amelia..." he began softly, and the sweetness in his voice made her ache.

"We need to talk about Owen," she muttered weakly.

Dean's voice was unsteady, revealing the struggle behind his smile. "You don't have to keep making this difficult. Whatever happened between you and Owen is in the past."

She shook her head, desperate tears pricking at her eyes. "It's not in the past."

Owen leaned against the wall, his heart pounding in his chest as he stood just outside the break room; he'd almost lost his patient. The muted sounds of voices filtered through the door. He recognized one of them as Dean's—steady, relaxed. The other voice belonged to Amelia, full of the tension that always danced beneath her calm exterior. He didn't mean to eavesdrop; curiosity had gotten the better of him while he was trying to center himself.

"We weren't defining things, you were the one that kept saying you needed space..." Amelia lamely excused, her own frustration igniting.

"Space isn't a license to sleep with your boss..." Dean muttered, his voice slowly rising.