The Stubhub Center in Carson, California was full of action. The stadium had been packed for the the California Clásico a game pitting the Los Angeles Galaxy against their oldest rival the San Jose Earthquakes. It was considered to be one of the most historical rivalries in American soccer, next to the Atlantic Cup. The rivalry originated from the historical Northern California vs. Southern California sporting and cultural rivalries, as well as from the relative proximity of the cities. The fans were chanting with jerseys and colors supporting their teams.
Although she didn't follow either team Olivia Pope could not help but root for the home team. She had been invited to watch the game through a friend of her manager, Harrison Wright. When asked if she could attend she had checked her schedule and since it was finally opening up she had agreed. In addition to the publicity perks one of her favorite guys was down there playing on the field. She was almost surprised at just how much she could see but since they were club seats she had known that the view would be great for watching the game.
The game was almost over and when a pass was made to the captain he propelled through the defenders and headed a shot in for the winning goal. Cheers grew in the stadium as his image came across the large jumbotron screen in the stadium. He was being lifted and carried by his teammates as they raised their hands in victory. Olivia found herself jumping out of her chair and clapping caught up in the excitement of the finish. Everyone in the box was gathering their things to head to a private meeting area to mingle with the players.
Following the small crowd Olivia walked into a small banquet hall. There were fruit platters and a small buffet was set up. There were reporters and there was a DJ playing music. It seemed more like an after party and she wondered if this was common after the home games. She moved over to the fruit and piled some strawberries and pineapple chunks onto a small plate. Her back was to the room entrance but she heard the commotion that indicated the team's arrival. She ignored it in favor of finishing her fruit since she had forgotten to eat lunch.
Fitzgerald Grant III walked into the banquet hall filled with a mix of elation from the win, exhaustion from the game and frustration at being clung to by the team owner Millicent Montgomery. He had been bombarded by reporters before entering the locker room and Mellie had rushed to his side during his interviews and been glued to his arm. He had tried telling her multiple times that the fling they had before she had inherited the team was over but she did not seem to understand him. Her clinginess was one of the main detractors of her personality. He wasn't interested in becoming attached to anyone let alone her.
He rubbed the back of his neck and rolled his shoulders lightly. Being social was not high on his list of things to do at the moment so when he saw the buffet he strode over to it. He eyed the main dishes and moved closer to the fruit. Seeing a good selection he grabbed a small plate and reached for the tongs but his hand bumped into someone else's.
Olivia pulled her hand back and lifted her face ready to apologize but when she opened her mouth the words that she had been forming escaped her. This was him. The guy. The captain who won the game. She had thought he looked good on the jumbotron but in person he was devastating. His chestnut brown hair framed his face with loose curls but the length that reached his neck seemed more wavy than curly. It looked like it was slightly wet from a shower and one of the curls fell over his forehead in Superman fashion. His cerulean blue gaze was steady and seemed to be studying her. He towered above her own five foot four inch height and stood at least a couple inches over six feet. He was decked in knee length camouflage shorts that showcased his strong legs and a pair of brown Sperry boat shoes. Bringing her gaze upward once more she took in his white knit polo, lightly tanned arms and was met a smile once she reached his face.
Fitz had been surprised when his hand had met another's but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise when he saw just who the hand was attached to. This was Olivia Pope. He had followed her acting career casually but if she was in a film he did try to make it a point to watch it. She was gorgeous and it clearly wasn't just Hollywood makeup, lighting or camera angles. Her warm brown looked even smoother in person if that was possible. He felt his hand open as if to reach out and stroke her skin but clenched his hand into a fist and shoved it into his pocket. She was looking him up and down so he did the same and took in her flats and strapless red sundress. The color complimented her skin which seemed to shine.
Her hair was straight and he wanted to see how it would look wrapped around his hand as he thrust into her. Wait...what? He shook his head.
He must need to get laid because that was not how his mind usually worked. He took a slight step forward and zeroed in on her face. Her mouth was made for sin with voluptuous lips that seemed like they were begging for attention.
Attention is exactly what he would like to give her lips and he felt himself tightening in response as he began picturing himself taking her lips and exploring her mouth. She was so close that it wouldn't take much effort to tug her close, tip her chin up and thrust his hands into her hair as he began to learn her taste. He wondered how she would react if she could get a glimpse at the direction his thoughts had taken. She was still continuing her perusal of him but he felt when she dragged his gaze to his face once more. He felt his mouth spread into a wide grin when he saw her slightly flushed cheeks that declared she had enjoyed the view.
Fitz removed his hand from his pocket to properly introduce himself when he felt a hand squeeze his shoulder before a friendly arm was thrown around him. He turned and saw his teammate Jake Ballard and lifted his head in recognition.
"Hey, Jake, what's up?" Fitz kept his voice friendly despite being annoyed at the intrusion. He had seen Olivia move as if to walk away but gave his head a slight shake wanting more time with her.
"Just came over to congratulate you again on that amazing shot! We're going to have a great season, man." Jake paused when he saw the beautiful woman standing in front of Fitz.
"I didn't mean to interrupt anything, sorry, bro. Let me apologize for the intrusion, ma'am." Jake reached a hand out to Liv.
"Jake Ballard, I cannot believe you don't remember me! It's me, Olivia!" She frowned slightly and crossed her arms.
"Ollie?! Wow! I haven't seen you since high school! You look great! Give me a hug!" Jake pulled his arm from around Fitz and walked to Olivia and pulled her into a tight hug and spun her around briefly before setting her back on the ground.
Fitz didn't like the scene that was unfolding in front of him for multiple reasons. He hadn't known that Olivia knew Jake and he couldn't identify why that even mattered to him. It wasn't as if they were on a first name basis. They had only bumped hands. But as he heard Jake's nickname for her and saw her willingly go into his embrace he felt something in him reject the thought that she would go willingly into another's arms. Jake was touching her and he had not yet introduced himself. Fitz wanted to walk between them and pull her away from Jake. He needed to do something. He felt the stirrings of possessiveness and dismissed them. He wasn't possessive or jealous. He simply wanted to get to know her.
Olivia felt herself get caught in Jake's hug and enjoyed the brief spin. He had always been a good friend to her and she could admit that she had missed him when they went to different schools for college. She stepped out of his embrace and patted his arm affectionately as she looked him over. He was still tall but seemed an inch or two shorter than the team captain. He had grown out his dark brown hair and green eyes still seemed to sparkle with playfulness. She felt the weight of her stranger's gaze on her and quickly shot him a glance. He tilted his head and beckoned her to him.
"Jake, it's great seeing you! But I was in the middle of a conversation with..." She still didn't know his name but gestured her hand in his direction.
"El capitan! His name is-" Jake didn't get the chance to finish his sentence.
Fitz walked over to them and cut Jake off. "I'm Fitzgerald Grant and I know who you are, Olivia Pope." He took the hand she offered and captured it between his and tugged her to him. He leaned down and spoke softly into her ear.
"But I want you to call me, Fitz, since we're going to get to know each other."