I've had this idea for a while now. It's my first fanfic so dot be too harsh. Please tell me what you think. What if Fitz was divorcing Mellie when he met Olivia?

Disclaime: I own nothing. All belongs to Shonda Rhimes and ABC

Santa Barbara- California around 2 a.m

"Are you out of your mind? You really think you can divorce me and still make it to the White House? I never thought you could be so stupid! I am your shut if you want to make it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." Mellie screamed at him in disbelief. She knew that one of these days he would demand for a divorce but she never thought he would do it just after announcing that he was running for office.

"First, I'm not out of my mind. I'm completely sane I actually think I was insane for waiting so long to ask you for a divorce. Second, I do think I can make it to the White House without you. I don't think the American people want to have a First Lady who disrespects her marriage every second she gets. (Mellie looked shocked at that admission, she didn't think he knew) Why do you look so shocked? You thought I didn't know? You screw around every occasion you get and that was even before we got married. And just because I choose not to say anything doesn't mean I don't know. Third, I'm not stupid, I'm far from that actually or may I remind you that I was one of the youngest people to graduate from Harvard Law at 22. The youngest person to be elected for governor of the great state of California at 27. And now the youngest person running for office. I would say I'm far from stupid. I'm actually brilliant after all I graduated High School 3 years early, finished my undergrad in 2 years and law school in 3. And not to mention the 2 years I was in the Navy. Some people might actually consider me a genius! And no, you are not my only shut to the highest office in the land. When the American people see this young ambitious genius single father of 2 running for office, they will love me. Did I mention that I'm filling for full custody of the kids?" He added with an evil smirk of his face. That last comment infuriated Mellie. How in the world could he think think like that. Was he really thinking about himself only and not her political gain? And then he added the comment that he knew would infuriate her.

"We all know you had kids for me isn't it?" He knew it was below the belt to use her own words against her but he was done. Done of pretending to be happily married when inside he wanted to strangle her. Done of playing the happy husband when he wasn't even sure if he was one considering the fact that he never touched her. Done pretending not to be the other guy when he knew all along he would be the other guy who just happens to be married to her. Done pretending that they were husband and wife when they hadn't touched each other since the birth of the twins. Done being faithful to something that didn't really exist. He was done pretending with his life. He wanted to live a normal life without pretending with his kids that was all whether or not he made it to the White House. He was done. Mellie was stunned never in all the time she had known Fitz had she seen him so determined. The passion that burned his eyes was something she had never seen before. At that instant, she knew there was no way she was changing his mind so, she tried to see the error of his ways.

"The party will never let you run for office single. It's one thing that you're young but it's an other to be running for office in your thirties and single. They will crucify you! And the kids, they will hate you. You can't take their mother away just like that and expect them to like you..." He let out a huge laugh which irritated her even more. "It's not funny" she fumed. He laughed even harder.

"What's so funny?" She was seriously irritated with how immature he was acting.

He finally calmed down and let out a sigh and then said: "You? A mother?" He laughed again. "I must be dreaming. You were never a mother to Karen and Keith except in the eyes of the unsuspecting media. For the kids you are not a mother, you are nothing more than a surrogate who just leaves the care of their nannies. I am the only real parent they've ever had so no, they won't hate me. Quite the opposite actually, they'll love me for delivering them from the witch they are obliged to call a mother. And for the party, I couldn't care less of what they think. If they don't want me, then I'll run as a liberal, the democrats would love that thus giving me more votes." She was defeated, never in her life had she thought she would lose a battle to Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, but she wasn't giving in. "I will not sign the papers, you're crazy if you thought that for a single moment I would." He sighed. "You better do. Cause I'm an enemy you don't want to have."

"I know you Fitzgerald. And I am telling you that I am not signing. I've known you since you were 20. Who is she?" Fitz was taken back be her question.

"What?"

"I know you Fitzgerald. There is no way you though of this by yourself. So, who is she? Who are you living me for?"

He chuckled. "I'm wnot the one who cheated in this relationship Mellie. I'm not you remember?" That was a slap in her face.

"I know you. There is no way you suddenly grew some balls without someone behind you."

He sighed. "Mellie. Mellie. Mellie. You so don't know me. You know, I'm no longer the 20 year old who got tricked into marriage by a 25 year old just because he didn't know better. I am a man and I won't tolerate you treating me like I'm a child anymore. I'm a man and expect to be treated as such. I don't need anyone to be able to make decisions. So, I'm done with you treating me that way and from now on I expect nothing more from you rather than the respect I deserve." Mellie didn't know what to do other than being shocked. Her Fitz was no longer the young man she could bust around as she pleased and one of the way he was making that be known was by asking for a divorce.

She couldn't allow this to happen. All of this would compromise her plans and her political future. The clearing of Fitz's throat snapped her out of her thoughts.

"24 hours." She didn't get what he meant.

"What?"

"I forgot to make myself clear, you have 24 hours to sign the papers."

"What if I don't."

"Then honey (he said sarcastically) I would advise you to call your mother and flavor of the month." He said with an evil grin.

"What? Why?" She said with her heart pounding.

"Because by Friday you three will be sharing the headlines. I can already see the titles: 'Like mother like daughter, is infidelity a transmitted character?" With that comment, all the blood was drained in Mellie's face.

She bearly got out "How...? Since when...?"

Fitz let out a chuckle. "Mellie, you don't really think that the great Big Jerry Grant would let his only son get married without a deep background check? You underestimate us Grants! I was born from one of the wealthiest political families in this country not to ad my mother's part of the family cause I can't even begging to count the number of companies they have; from cars to perfumes, it's exhausting to count. And you think they would have let me marry you without a background check?Also considering the fact that they hated you, a background check was the easiest and common thing to do. But if I recall, your mother was not only unfaithful but, a call girl. Wow, Friday would be a very busy day for the journalists don't you think? But that would be even better if the knew how you cheated yourself through law school." He winked at her. "But since you're a sane person who cares for her own political future, I don't think we'll need to go there will we?"

He went to her and kissed her on the chick and whispered: "Remember, 24 hours or I go nuclear on you." She was still speechless. He then went to the door and said "I'll be in the study if you decide to sign them early." And then he was gone. She stayed there, petrified and unable to move. This new Fitz was causing her to tremble out of fear. She thought that maybe she pushed him too far and now he's using her own game against her. The worst was that she believed he was able to do what he said he would do. He would be able to tarnish his own reputation for the kids' sake. And at that moment,the only one thought was able to snap Fitz out of that crazy idea; the one and only Cyrus Rutherford Beene. She got out and headed to his room.

Washington DC that morning

Olivia was in her office at 6:30 like usual. Today was an other normal day at D&C law firm. Her morning was quite and uneventful, she hated it. She wanted a case to handle. She was tired of the boredom she felt at that moment. She lived for the excitement that was brought by a desperate case, the rush of saving some's reputation and of course the joy of being the one to wear the white hat. However, today, she wouldn't be feeling any of that, the fact that she finished the required cases for the firm in less than a week and having no interest in the new cases. Today was going to be than other boring day. Her life was becoming a routine and she despised that idea.

She was the great Olivia Pope who graduated High School at 15, had 2 PhDs at 21 and made partners at the firm at 24. She missed having a goal to look after. She had all she ever wanted in life, a amazing reputation, a great job, a great house and she did it all by herself yet she was not happy. She dated but nothing beyond 4 months. She had all you can ask for in life; beauty, fortune and every man drawling about yet her life felt empty but did not know what she lacked.

Today she had a feeling in her gut that something big was going to happen but couldn't figure out what it was. He train of thoughts was interrupted by Stephen knocking at her door. The two had been friends since law school and he was one of the true friend she had beside her best friend Huck and her brother Harrison. "You know you don't have to knock right?"

"I do but I prefer to knock. It seems it always snaps you out of your bubble." He chuckled. She looked at the clocked and said "How come you're in early today?" "I wanted to speak to my best friend alone and figured you'd be here." She was a little surprised by the fact that he came to her, usually he went to Harrison when he wanted to talk. "Sure, have a sit." He sat. "So, what's on your mind that made you wake up, I know how much you value your beauty sleep." They both laughed.

" You're a girl right?" He said nervously. "No, I like to think that I'm a man." She said trying to lighten the mood. "So, there is this girl right, she's gorgeous beyond imaginable, and she's a really good friend of mine. I have been in love with her since we met but she seems not to notice how I feel about her. I want to ask her out but I'm afraid that she'll say no and I'll lose her and I don't want that at all. I value her friendship dearly and I can't afford losing her. What should I do?"

She chuckled a bit and saw that he was serious. "You're seriously asking me for relationship advice?" He nodded. "You know I'm Olivia Pope right?" She asked in disbelief. "Yes" he answered plainly. "I don't really date."

"I know but you're a woman and you know how women can be."

"I think you should ask for Harrison for relationship advice but, know that she might know how you feel but does not feel the same way so she does as if she doesn't know to preserve your friendship. Or, she knows how you feel and feels the same way but does not know what to do about it. Or she simply has no clue. So, who's the girl? Anyone I know?" She asked getting excited. He then got very uncomfortable and said: "I should go, we'll talk at lunch." He kissed her on the chick and left before she could interject.

The rest of the morning was pretty much loss time because in the incoming cases none caught her attention so she decided to go to the park and relax while waiting for lunch with Stephen since she couldn't bother her brother, who took his new girlfriend to South Africa for the summer, or Huck who was in an internship at Apple California for the summer. Stephen on the other hand kept on thinking on his discussion with Olivia trying to decide whether or not to ask her out. He had been in love with her for 8 years now but feared that asking her out might cause him to loose her forever. He resolved into asking her out hoping she would say yes and in case of the contrary taking the job offer he received from a competitive firm. By the time it was lunch Stephen would go to a florist and buy a rose for Liv before heading to their favorite Chinese restaurant. Where he would Liv sited at their usual table.

Santa Barbara - California 3 a.m

Mellie practically ran to Cyrus' room. She was so afraid that she couldn't breath. She was thinking that in 24 hours whether or not she signs the divorce papers her world was about to crumble. She made it to his door out of breath. She felt as if the walls were closing on her and didn't know what to do. She banged at the guest room so hard she thought she could wake up everyone at the ranch. After what felt like eternity, Cyrus finally opened.

"We have a problem" she said out of breath.

"That we do. I get that I'm staying at your house before we depart to the campaign trail but it is no reason to wake me up at 3 in the morning." He said a little annoyed.

"I don't think I'm going on the trail Cy." She said catching her breath.

"What do you mean you're not going on the trail? It's your husband's campaign for God's sake!" He said in disbelief. "He won't be my husband for long" Cy looked at her confused.

She then continued handing him the divorce file: "He's filling for divorce." Cyrus looked at her in shock and then looked at the file.

He ran his hands through his hair with frustration before screaming; "Is he out of his mind?"

"I thought he was as well but, the look of determination of his face, is one I've never seen before. There is no way he's changing his mind on this one". Cy paced back and forth around the room. Then said "Are you going to sign?"

"I don't know but I think it's the best option I have." She told him the whole situation. He ran his through his hair once again and said, "What do you want me to do?".

She thought for a second and said "Try to persuade him otherwise or at least insure that we come from this with our political futures intact." He went to the mini fridge and grabbed two beers. He handed her one and took the other.

After one sip he said "Since he was brave enough to give you the papers himself and is threatening you, I think dissuading him is impossible. So, we'll try to save your careers. However, I'll need the help of a close friend of mine. She's the best but, she has to be willing to help first. She is a very busy woman and has many cases."

"If she's the best as you say, you do the best that you can to get her here. I am not losing everything I worked my whole life for."

"I'll do my best. Go, have some sleep. We'll talk everything over after breakfast so we can see Fitz' intake on this then I'll call her."

She the got up and readied herself to leave once in the doorway she turned to Cyrus and said "This better work, I am not to loose everything." He nodded and she left. After closing the door, he spent the rest of the night thinking on how to persuade Olivia to help.

Washington DC at lunch

Stephen entered the restaurant and saw Olivia at their usual table and went to see her. He handed her the rose which surprised her. "Why the rose?" She asked. "Because I wanted to do something special for you today." She didn't push further the issue cause it was like Stephen to do such things.

They ordered and made small talks throughout the meal. Halfway through their lunch, Stephen spoke up: "Liv, there is something I need to ask you." He said nervously. "Sure, anything." She said as she took an other bite.

"Liv, I care about you very much. You're one of my closest friends. I can't afford to loose you. Please promise me that what I'm about to ask you won't come between us or destroy our friendship." She looked at him confused.

"I promise. Now tell me cause I'm freaking out here."

He took a sip of his drink and a deep breath and said: "Would you like to go on a date with me?" She almost chocked on her food. She didn't know what to say. She did like Stephen but, she never thought about dating him. For her he was just a friend, a close friend. She didn't know how to let him down easy without loosing their friendship. A few moment went by but no answer.

Then Stephen called her: "Liv? So?" He asked with a hopeful tone.

She took a sip at her drink and cleared her throat looking for the right words. "Stephen, I really care about you. I really do. God knows I do. But, I don't think I can date you. You know I don't really date. It's 4 months and then they are gone but, I don't want that with you. I want you in my life more than 4 months. You are better than my usual boyfriends. You are one of my best friends. I can't risk losing you in my life over some 4 months. You're too important for that. Please try to understand me. And I hope this doesn't make things weird between us cause I care for you too much not to not have you in my life." She looked at him and all she could see was the hurt in his eyes. She felt so bad knowing she caused him pain. She gave him time to let her words sink in.

He understood what she was saying and where she was coming from but it didn't mean that it didn't hurt. He finally spoke up "I understand what you're saying and why you're doing this. But it does kinda hurt." She felt even worse. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean..." He cut her off and said. "It's okay. I'll be fine. It will be awkward for a little while but I should be fine."

They finished their meal in an uncomfortable silence. When it was time for desert he spoke up again. "So, I guess I'll be changing firms." She looked shocked.

"What do yo mean you'll be changing firms?"

"Since things will be a little awkward between us for a little moment, I thought I would accept that job offer." She was taken back by his admission.

"You are not changing jobs. Do you hear me? You are not..." She was interrupted by her phone ringing.

Stephen looked as she took the call trying to discover who was at the other end. Their call was brief, a little over 3 minutes and it was done.

She then went back to the table and said: "So, I was saying, you are not changing jobs because of me. And, FYI, there will be no awkwardness because for the next year, I'll be running a presidential campaign." He looked at her in disbelief

"What? Really? How about your job?" She looked excited

"Yes. Cyrus just asked me to join his as a campaign manager for the Grant's campaign. And as for my job, if I can let you in on a little secret, it was becoming boring cause I only need to work a week a month as you said yourself. In addition, I was kind of loosing myself, I need some excitement, I need a new goal, I need crazy." She said almost overwhelmed by how much this actually means to her.

"So, you're sure you're not running away from me?" He dared to ask. "Of course not silly. You're not that special to make me run half the way across the country." She said messing up his hair. They finished their lunch in laughter before heading to the office for Liv to take a leave of absence.

Santa Barbara - California around 10 pm

It was after breakfast and Cyrus assembled all of them to talk about the situation. Seeing that they had reached a point of no return, he went to call Liv. Cyrus re-entered the main house with a huge smile and his eyes full of hope and releath. He seemed happy and screamed "She said yes." Fitz and Mellie both let out a huge sigh. And Cyrus said "A long year awaits us." And Fitz added "A long year indeed."

Please tell me what you think.