Anne Heche, James Tupper Defend Odd Relationship

We don't know what's weirder:

1. The fact that Anne Heche and her co-star from Men In Trees are now dating
2. The fact that Anne Heche was a lesbian at one point, but then got married to a guy and has a five-year-old son
3. The fact that Anne Heche's husband's name is Coley Laffoon

In any case, it's all true. But Men In Trees hunk James Tupper insists he's no Jason Wahler. In the sense that he's not a cheating SOB. Nor does he get arrested a lot.

Whatever. According to Tupper, his off-screen romance with Heche didn't commence until they were both single, he tells People.

"The line," he says, "was never crossed."

Instead, James Tupper, who earned the on-set nickname McTreemy** because of his heartthrob status among viewers**, says he and Heche "really trusted each other almost right from the beginning and leaned on each other as their respective marriages were coming to an end."

** - Please note that this was a marketing attempt by ABC to capitalize on the popularity of Grey's Anatomy, and that no one actually calls him this. Or watches Men In Trees, for that matter.

Tupper separated from his wife, Kate, late last year, but "We remain very good friends," he says. Sure thing. In January, Heche announced that she was separating from Laffoon, her husband of five years. They have a five-year-old son, Homer.

Though their relationship did not begin immediately, the spark between the actors, which is not by any means a fake relationship staged generate interest in the show, was clear as soon as they started working together.

"Anne and I have wonderful on-screen chemistry," Tupper said. "I'm happy that people like to watch us. It's a beautiful thing. I adore her, and I'm hopeful for the future."

But does Tupper, who says he'd love kids one day, see himself settling down with Heche?

"I'm not ready to rush into marriage," he says, but "I've never met anyone like her. There's something really comforting when you can truly connect with someone and be understood. Isn't that what we all want?"

Amen, James. The Gossip and Anne Hathaway definitely feel that same sort of bond. Even if the latter is not aware of this whatsoever.