Before Mellie could react, Fitz grabbed her face and kissed her as he backed her up against the door. He started to reach back to unzip her dress, and Mellie undid his tie. Once his shirt was off, and her dress was in a pool at her feet, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. She undid his belt, and he stepped out of his pants as she leaned back onto the bed.

"Fitz, we have to stop."

"Mellie, I need you," Fitz pressed his forehead to hers, and they both closed their eyes. Mellie knew it was a battle that she didn't have the strength to fight, so she gave in to him.

They both silently laid there for a few minutes. Mellie turned to face him, and he gave her a small smile. Mellie started to get up, but Fitz grabbed her arm.

"Fitz, people are going to notice that we're gone. I told Noah I was going to the bathroom half an hour ago."

"Okay."

Mellie grabbed her dress from the balcony, and put it on. Fitz came over to zip her up. She turned and automatically began to help him with his tie. Mellie helped him into his jacket before she walked into the bathroom to touch up her makeup. She didn't have much to help in her purse, so Fitz bent down and opened a drawer.

"I never had anyone clean out what you didn't take, so this stuff is still in here."

"Thank you."

After she was ready, she went back to the party, and Fitz followed after five minutes. He walked in to see her laughing with Noah. Fitz could tell that he was hopelessly in love with Mellie from the way he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He felt a pang of jealousy run through his body. He grabbed a glass of scotch before he joined the table.

Once he sat down, the table grew quiet. Emily silently sipped her drink, and her husband looked like he was uncomfortable. Mellie pulled out her phone, and Noah excused himself to answer a call. Mellie wouldn't look at Fitz, and she kept her gaze on her phone.

"Mellie, I'm sorry, but I have to fly back home now. I have a patient that needs surgery immediately."

"I'll come with you," Mellie started to grab her things, but Noah stopped her.

"Stay. Spend time with Emily. I'll see you in a couple days," Noah kissed her cheek and left.

Once the party was over, Mellie walked to her limo alone. She hated that Noah had to leave because she really didn't want to spend the weekend alone when Fitz could easily get to her. She made it to the hotel, and when she opened the door to her room, she saw Fitz waiting for her.

"Fitzgerald, what are you doing here?"

"We should talk."

"There's nothing to talk about. We talked plenty the last time we went to Camp David."

"Mellie, I'm just asking for another chance."

"Just asking for another chance? Fitz, I gave you countless chances when we were married. You should leave. Taylor is next door, and I told her I was on my way back, so she'll be over here any minute."

"Why is that a problem?"

"Because she doesn't know anything. As far as she knows, this is the first time we've seen each other since the divorce."

"Does that mean that this isn't the first time you've seen each other in the last two years?" Mellie whipped around to see Taylor standing in the doorway. Mellie hadn't heard the door unlock or open.

"Taylor…"

"How many times?"

"Taylor, I…"

"HOW MANY TIMES MELLIE? How many times have you lied to me about him?"

"I don't know how many," Mellie started to walk towards her, but Taylor backed away.

"I'm your best friend, and you didn't tell me a single thing. You lied to me. Does Noah know?"

"No, he doesn't know."

"For shits sake, Mellie. Noah is in love with you! He is a great guy, and you just continue to keep him around and use him when it's convenient for you. I know you've slept with him. He hasn't said anything, but I know you have. You can't hurt everyone that loves you for one man, Mellie. Especially a man that you don't have a good track record with. I'm done. You need to tell Noah," Taylor left and slammed the door behind her.

"I thought you weren't seeing him."

"I don't need shit from you too."

"I thought you weren't seeing him, Mellie."

"I'm not. Things with him are…"

"Are what?"

"I don't know how to explain it! He was there. He's always there. Every time I call, he shows up. No questions asked. He has always been willing to give, and we both know how well I take and take and take because I'm a selfish bitch."

"Mellie, don't say that."

"I ended things with us because I felt dirty about the whole situation and you wanted more than I was willing to give, so I found someone that would give me what I want. Just go, Fitz."

"I'm not leaving you alone. Not when you're like this. I'm not going to let you drink yourself into oblivion. We all do stupid things. Do you care about him?"

"Yes, I care about him, but I don't love him. I probably could love him if I wanted to, but every time I try to move on, you're right there. You're always in my head, or you pull this crap and just show up uninvited."

"Mellie, look me in the eyes and tell me that you want me to leave you alone forever."

"I…"

"That's what I thought. We are going to work this out. I am going to fight for you."

"Fitz, can you please go? I need time to think."

"What is there to think about?"

"I just need to think, and I can't do that with you breathing down my neck! I can't think straight if you are here, so please leave. I'll fly home tomorrow, and I'll call you in a couple days."

"If you don't call, I will fly to Virginia and show up on your front door step."

"I don't doubt that," Mellie walked him to the door, and he leaned in to kiss her, but she put her hand up.

"I can't even kiss you goodbye?"

"No, you cannot. Now turn around and walk yourself out to your awaiting limo. I promise that I will call you eventually."

"How long is eventually?"

"I don't know, Fitz."

Mellie didn't call Fitz after she got home. She threw herself into her work to avoid thinking about him. She had a few missed calls from him, but for the most part he was giving her space. Mellie got home that night, and called Noah. It was Fitz's turn with Teddy, so Mellie had the house to herself.

"Are you busy?"

"I just finished an emergency surgery and was getting ready to head over to your house."

"Alright," Mellie felt guilty. She knew she shouldn't keep doing whatever this was with him, but she couldn't help herself.

"I'll grab something to eat and be over soon."

"Okay. Drive safe."

Noah came into the house, and Mellie instantly felt better. He was in gray sweats, a Harvard hoodie, and he had glasses on. Seeing him made her feel okay for the time being. He handed her the food and followed her into the kitchen.

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine. Why?"

"You're really quiet tonight. Usually you would've told me about your surgeries by now or at least mentioned something about your day."

"My day was the same as usual," Noah said without looking up from his food.

Mellie didn't know what was bothering him, and she didn't want to make his mood worse. After they finished their dinner, Mellie put a movie on. Noah was waiting on the couch and put his arm around her as soon as she sat down. She snuggled in closer to him. She turned to look up at him, and he leaned down to kiss her. Mellie moaned into his mouth, and he began to unbutton her shirt. Mellie pulled his sweatshirt over his head and ran her hands up and down his chest. Noah picked her up and carried her upstairs to her bedroom.

For that period of time, Mellie forgot about Fitz. She didn't think about how she knew she needed to call him, or how she knew in her heart what she needed to do. She let herself get lost in Noah's arms.

Mellie was laying on his chest when she heard him sigh. "What's wrong?"

"You slept with him, didn't you?"

"Noah…"

"Don't lie to me. I know you did. I always know when you have. You're always different after."

"What do you mean you always know?"

"For the last year, those meetings and trips on weekends, I know you would meet up with him and sleep with him. You always act a little different, and in bed, your touch is just different. Everything you do feels urgent like your life depends on it. I don't know how to explain it, Mellie. Why do you always call me after you've been with him?"

"Why do you always answer?"

"Because I can't just not answer your calls. That would hurt worse. Every time I think I can move on, I'm coming over. I let myself forget about how much you still love him. I know in the morning, I'll leave and you'll go back to thinking about him, but for the night, you're mine. Once I can't take it anymore, I guess I'll stop answering your calls, but how much is too much? Where do I draw the line?" Mellie laid there speechless. She didn't know what to say to him.

"I'm sorry I do this to you."

"Don't be. I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't want to be. "

"Fitz wants to try again. He wants me to give him another chance."

"Are you going to say yes?"

"I don't know if I have it in me to put myself through that again."

"Then tell him no for once."

"I also don't know if I have it in me to tell him no."

"I see," Noah said quietly.

"I didn't mean to upset you."

"You can tell me anything, Mel. That includes talking about Fitz. As long as I'm spending time with you, I don't care," Noah said and pulled her closer.

Mellie woke up the next morning to Noah quietly getting ready to go to the hospital. She saw him walk towards the bed to tell her he was leaving, and he smiled when he saw she was awake.

"Good morning. I was just going to wake you up and tell you that I was leaving."

"Have a good day," Mellie said as he bent down to kiss her goodbye.

"Call me when you get to D.C."

"How did you know?"

"I know you better than you know yourself. Go talk to him."

"I was just going to go get Teddy."

"I bet that's not all you were going there for."

Noah left, and Mellie sighed. He knew her too well. Mellie had made her decision, and she was going to D.C. before she changed her mind.