The Secret That I Hide

by AgentRez

Series of "deleted scenes" explaining how Olivia & Fitz kept their relationship secret for so long, how each of the Gladiators found out about it & reacted to it. Stephen's impressed she had sex on the desk in the Oval, Huck's known for longer than she realized, Quinn asks tons of questions as usual, & Abby tries hard not to judge. Rated T for slightly smutty scene in chapter 2.

1. Chapter 1

One thing that bugged me about the first two seasons is that with the exception of Harrison, we never find out how or when any of the Gladiators found out about Olivia's relationship with Fitz. We know that Stephen knew as of the last episode of season 1 when he said "you can't have him", and Huck seems to have known as early as 2x09, when he says to Olivia "I don't tell you who to love, so you don't tell me." But they never tell us how or when they found out, and they never say when or how Quinn and Abby first know.

So this is just a little story I came up with to try to answer that question. Implied Olitz, but it's mostly a story about the friendship between the original Gladiators.

This first part takes place right after the opening scene in 1x04, when Stephen drives Olivia to the office after she freaks out about Amanda Tanner being pregnant.

"What?" Olivia asks Stephen as they drive to the office.

"I didn't say anything," Stephen insists.

"I know. Which is how I know there's something you want to say but aren't saying."

Stephen chuckles at how well she knows him. "It's just that - you seem really worked up over this whole Amanda Tanner thing. I've never seen you get this emotional about a client before, and I just - look, I don't like to pry into your personal life, even though you have no problem prying into mine. But when you call me up at 3 in the morning freaking out over Amanda Tanner being pregnant, I have to wonder why you're taking this case so personally. Look, I know you gave your heart and soul to get him elected and of course you're disappointed in his behavior...I get it, really, but..."

"Stephen, if you want to ask me something, I suggest you just ask it," Olivia says exasperatedly. Stephen hesitates. He's long had suspicions but has always avoided inquiring.

"You want to know if I had an affair with the president, right?" she prompts. As soon as she does it she kicks herself and the bottle of wine that is undoubtedly clouding her judgment.

"I know it sounds crazy..." Stephen says cautiously.

"No," she responds.

"No. Okay. I don't know why I even went there. I mean, you basically told me to go there, but..."

Olivia listens him ramble for a moment, feeling relieved that she has seemingly allayed his suspicions. But then she finds herself opening her mouth again and speaking without thinking, in much the same way she will do five years later in front of a pack of reporters.

"Stephen, stop!" she says anxiously. He looks at her curiously. She takes a deep breath and then forces herself for the first time ever to 'stand in her truth' and reveal her shameful secret. "I meant no you're not crazy," she admits.

-
I hope you like this short introduction. In the next chapter, Olivia and Stephen will have a longer conversation about it, and then later chapters will explain how other Gladiators found out. I will also try to update my other stories soon. I am figuring out how and how much of the current season to incorporate into them.