Disclaimer: Ok, I feel I need to stick one of these things in this story. Now, if you know me (from my stories here or on Twitter), you know that I'm ride or die Olitz. I wait for Olitz. I watch for Olitz. I can't breathe without Olitz. I exist for Olitz. That's never going to change. Y'all would also know that I'm not about that Edison "Puddin Pop" Davis life (see my mention of him in one of the chapters of The Trail Redux). However, THIS story will have its fair share of Edison. Groan away. Yes, yes, I know he sucks (even more so after we saw him in 2.10). But, believe me when I tell you that it's necessary and that I won't let you all down. So, I hope you all hop on the train and stay along for the ride until the LAST STOP. I promise you, all will be well.

"We can't always get what we want, can we?" Fitz asked facetiously as he got out of the limousine. He stood before a roaring crowd and pasted a grin on his face, hoping it looked more genuine and enthusiastic than he really felt. He wished he could have just gone back to the residence as Mellie suggested, but without a good reason, Fitz couldn't bring himself to stay home and waste all of the time and money spent on his 50th birthday celebration—despite the fact that he didn't want the celebration in the first place. He'd have rather stayed home with a nice meal, a tumbler of scotch and a movie instead of being here. Or maybe he'd have liked to have gone to Vermont to visit Karen and Gerry for a few days. Anything but this. Any other time Fitz may have been slightly more enthused, but the idea of having to deal with seeing Olivia Pope walk in on the arm of Edison Davis made an already miserable situation even worse. Happy Birthday to him.

Fitz buttoned his tuxedo jacket and reached for Mellie, who like him, wore one of her signature pasted on smiles. He still didn't understand why Mellie had a sudden change of heart. She usually grabbed any opportunity to be "First Lady" to the American public. Yet this time, Mellie wanted to go home. Sometimes—most times—Fitz didn't understand or know what was going on in her head. Regardless of Fitz's thoughts, he took Mellie's outstretched hand into his own as Mellie stepped to his side and they walked hand in hand into the entrance of the National Gallery. From the looks of everything, Fitz would be remiss if he didn't acknowledge the fact that Mellie and Cyrus did a good job of planning this whole thing.

As he walked into the main auditorium of the gallery, all he heard was the sound of applause. Despite not wanting to be there, Fitz was nothing but gracious and gave a truly heartfelt smile to everyone in attendance. For show, he gave Mellie a hug and a quick peck on the lips. Mellie, a master at this charade, smiled warmly back at him and swiped her thumb over his lips to wipe away traces of her lipstick. They walked further into the auditorium, still hand in hand, and greeted those in front of them. Cyrus and James were already there of course. James was clearly happy to be amongst all of the country's political elite and likely wanted to hound each and every one of them for an interview. As James and Mellie engaged in some light chit chat, Cyrus stepped up to Fitz.

"Mr. President. What do you think?" Cyrus asked, a cautious look on his face.

"You did a great job, Cy. Very nice," responded Fitz, who had returned to using his more reserved smile.

"Sir—" Cyrus began, and then stopped. Despite his earlier machinations, he really didn't want to be a party to this.

"What Cyrus? What is it now? What exactly do you want to tell me?" Fitz still grinned, but his grin had taken on a slightly crazed look, as his efforts to not betray his own annoyance and anger didn't mix well with his pasted on smile.

"Sir. She's already here. In the back. I just thought you should know." Cyrus looked uncomfortable as he relayed the news but Fitz couldn't bring himself to care about his comfort. Wasn't this the same man who, just this afternoon, gloated about losing a bet when Fitz maneuvered Edison David into the Senate Majority position? Fitz loved Cyrus, but there were times like right now when he couldn't give a shit about his comfort.

"Thank you, Cy. For letting me know. It's fine. I'll be fine." And Fitz walked off into the crowd to greet more of his guests.

In this moment, Olivia didn't know what she was thinking by agreeing to come to the gala with Edison. She wasn't ready. She couldn't do this. She didn't want to do this. But here she was, in a beautiful vintage gown, her hair straightened from its usual bouncy curls. She reached for a passing serving tray loaded with tomato ricotta basil bruschetta and grabbed one of the tasty treats. Edison stood to her right, his head titled slightly back as he sipped his wine. Olivia ate the hors d'oeuvre and wiped her hand on a napkin. She looked around the huge auditorium, looking for…

"Liv, what's wrong?" asked Edison as he placed his hand on the small of her back.

"Nothing's wrong, why do you ask?" Olivia said as she looked up at Edison and gave one of her rare smiles. She was trying. She really was…

"I don't know, you just looked sad and lost for a moment. Are you sure you're okay?" he asked once more.

"I'm fine. Promise."

"Ok, good," he grinned. At the same moment, the band started to play "Happy Birthday To You" as Fitz and Mellie walked to the center of the auditorium, the spotlight on the two of them. Olivia had a clear view of the couple and could see Fitz blushing in response to the music and the crowd serenading him. When the song was over everyone began clapping in earnest, Olivia right along with them. Then someone handed Fitz a microphone and the crowd quieted down.

"I'm sure if every person turning 50 was given a party like this, then reaching the half century mark wouldn't sound so bad anymore!" Fitz jokes and the crowed laugh. Olivia was surprised to hear Edison's deep baritone laughter. Surprised because it wasn't a big secret that Edison didn't care for Fitz on either a personal or professional level. Politically, Olivia could understand as Fitz and Edison were members of opposing parties. But personally? Olivia never understood it, especially since Edison didn't really know Fitz, he only knew of him.

"But seriously," Fitz continued, Olivia's attention once again focused solely on him, "I want to thank all of you for being here tonight. It means a lot to me. I'd like to thank my lovely wife for having this idea in the first place! Do you know I actually planned on staying home in some pajamas?" Once again the crowd laughed. "But Mellie talked me out of it, and of course she was right. So thank you, honey." And once again, Fitz kissed her in front of the crowd.

Olivia knew that kiss. She'd trained them on that kiss. The perfect kiss for the public. Fitz wasn't kidding when he'd told her that she taught him how to fake it with his wife very well. To the unsuspecting eye, they looked happy and still devoted to each other. Despite knowing all of that, Olivia still felt the slight sting of pain watching them together smiling and seemingly happy.

"And, because it's my birthday and I can do what I want," Fitz paused and gave the crowd one of his dazzling smiles, "I want all of you to have the time of your lives tonight! Thank you for coming. Now, let's party!"

The band began playing again, this time accompanied by the legendary Stevie Wonder, who regaled them with hit after hit for the first hour of the party. During that hour, Olivia mingled with the who's who of the US political elite, some of them former clients of hers. She smiled, jokes, asked about families and had her brain picked by a couple of governors and judges. Edison was often by her side, letting Olivia introduce him to those he didn't know so that he could strike up his own conversation. She didn't necessarily mind doing that; she and Edison always did function better when work was the common goal and focus.

Olivia spent that hour mingling and eating the passing hors d'oeuvres and enjoying Stevie's vocals. She caught herself singling along to "Signed Sealed Delivered" and gave Edison a little grin. After Stevie's set was over, a band began to play. Olivia reluctantly made her way to the dance floor at Edison's insistence. She didn't really feel like dancing, but decided to go with the flow, in the vain of "when in Rome…"

She danced with Edison for a few songs, and then James and then Cyrus. She'd danced with Cyrus a few times at various other functions. Those times were always comfortable and joked and made jabs at each other as they danced. But this time, there was a certain uneasiness between them. She knew why of course. All roads lead to…

"I didn't think you'd come tonight," Cyrus said as they swayed a bit to the beat.

"Honestly, I didn't think I'd come either. I had a moment earlier where I thought this was good, and it'd be good, and everything would be fine. But now I'm not so sure."

"Why?"

"Because…Cy…I. I didn't mean…I didn't want…" Olivia couldn't get the words out.

Cyrus nodded understandingly. "I don't know what I'm going to do with the two of you. I love you both, but I often want to ring both of your necks. Liv, he's trying. He's really trying. Please. He been better, but he's still not 100%. He's trying to get there."

"I know Cy, I know," Olivia sighed, still swaying in Cyrus arms. They continued to dance until the song finished and James came to collect his husband for another twirl on the dance floor. Olivia marveled at how Cyrus, very much an indoor person, wasn't afraid or too shy to be seen owning the dance floor with his husband.

Olivia felt an arm wrap itself around her waist and then a voice whispered in her ear "let's dance." She turned around and placed one hand on Edison's shoulder and the other in his hand and let him lead her in a classic dance around. She looked up into his face and took stock of his wide smile.

"I told you we were good together," he said and Olivia nodded in agreement. They were good together…then. "Were" being the operative past tense word. Olivia was unsure if there would be good together now…but she was trying. Trying until…

When Fitz saw her, he couldn't help it. His breath hitched and was caught in his throat. She looked a dream come true to him. The white flowing gown gave her an angelic quality. As she walked across the room it looked as if she was floating. She was magical, ethereal. He couldn't help but stare—he hadn't seen her up close since the night at the restaurant where he let her go. She was beautiful. Beautiful but dangerous, so Fitz actively worked to stay away from her. There were times that he could feel her presence or hear the remnants of her laughter floating toward his ear. At those times, times when they were clearly in the same vicinity, he ran like a scared little mouse.

His flitting from one part of the auditorium to another and yet another worked for some time. He was, of course, the honored guest in question and he had to make the proverbial rounds. Mellie stayed by his side for most of it, regaling them of the upcoming appearance of America's Baby and all that was left to be done before his arrival. Mellie spoke about Karen and Gerry and how much they were looking forward to meeting their new brother.

After some time mingling, Mellie pulled Fitz toward the middle of the auditorium where many couples, friends, and acquaintances were already dancing to the sounds coming from the band. Fitz gave a slight gentlemanly bow to his wife and held out his hand, which she took and went into his arms. They began to dance slowly, her pregnant belly serving as a welcomed physical buffer between them.

"So, do you still have that feeling you were talking about earlier," Fitz asked as he led her slightly to the right.

Mellie shook her head. "No. I don't know what that was Fitz. I just had a feeling that something awful was going to happen. But, maybe it was just a fluke."

Fitz looked at her disbelievingly. "Or maybe your "feeling" disappeared after I told you that everything was over between me and Olivia." Fitz looked at her in the eye and gave her a look that dared her to lie.

"Well, maybe that helped a bit," Mellie smirked. She had won, just like she was a supposed to.

"You're a piece of work, you know that? I just can't believe I—"

"Hold that thought, dear," Mellie interrupted him and stepped back from him, letting go of his hand and dropping her other hand from his shoulder. "Olivia! How are you? Thank you for coming to celebrate Fitz's birthday."

Fitz turned around and saw Olivia in the arms of Edison Davis, mid dance stride. Edison had a smile on his face the bespoke of a man taken with a lovely woman. Olivia, on the other hand, looked like a deer in headlights—and just as skittish, as if she wanted to run away as he'd been doing all night.

Olivia took at step back from Edison and walked toward Mellie. They gave each other a small hug and Olivia turned to Fitz.

"Happy Birthday, Mr. President," she said, reaching out her hand. Fitz looked at her outstretched hand—her tiny and delicate hand. A hand that, in another life, felt so warm and loving on his skin, on his body. A hand whose painted nails once left vicious marks on his bed after a night of intense love making. A hand whose thumbs always delicately swept across his mouth to remove all traces of her lipstick.

Fitz looked Olivia in the eye as he took her hand in his and gave her a perfunctory handshake. "Thank you, Olivia. Thank you for coming."

Olivia gave him a small nod, then motioned over to Edison. "Mr. President, I believe you know Edison Davis."

The two men shook hands, with Fitz making his handshake slightly stronger than normal. He didn't miss the slight wince that appeared on Edison's face.

"Mr. President, happy birthday," Edison said. He didn't have much to say to him otherwise.

"Mellie, have you met Edison Davis?" Olivia asked, introducing the two.

"No, I don't believe I've had the pleasure," responded Edison as he shook Mellie's hand. "It's nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Grant."

"Likewise," Mellie said. In the midst of the introductions, the band began to play a brand new song. And Mellie, being in one of her moods, thought of a great idea. "Mr. Davis, would you like to dance? Honey, why don't you and Olivia dance and catch up." Mellie smiled at Fitz, daring him to decline thus making a scene.

Edison looked over at Olivia, who gave him a nod of approval. Then he took Mellie's hand and led her a few feet away from where Olivia and Fitz stood. The pair stared at each other before Fitz held out his hand, which Olivia quickly took. Fitz gently pulled her toward him but kept her at a respectable distance as they danced. The last time they danced together his hand hovered over the top of her bottom; this time Fitz placed his hand on the middle of Olivia's back.

They began dancing, Fitz leading the dance in his own learned and graceful way. It didn't take more than five seconds for Olivia to notice that Fitz wouldn't look at her. He kept his glazed eyes starring ahead. It looked to her as if Fitz was occupying his mind by counting the amount of steps to be made before he led them dancing in another direction. Olivia stared at his beautiful face for a few more moments before decided to just take the plunge.

"This gala is amazing. Cyrus did a great job of planning it," Olivia began, trying to strike up conversation.

"That he did." Fitz was still looking anywhere but at her face while Olivia couldn't help but keep her gaze fixed to his face. When Fitz didn't continue, Olivia was at a lost. It was obvious that Fitz didn't want to be near her and to know that was making her mind go into a tailspin. Olivia couldn't remember a time when Fitz didn't want to be near her.

"You look good. Well rested," Olivia tried once again. She meant it, too. She always liked Fitz in a tux. Olivia thought of the many nights that she'd taken her time removing all of the pieces of a tux from his body.

Fitz wanted so badly to tell Olivia how beautiful he thought she looked tonight. But felt that he'd come undone.

"Thank you. I feel good. The G8 went well and I got to sleep through the night for a change," He grinned, still looking past her.

Fitz knew that Olivia continued to stare at him, perhaps waiting for a return compliment. He may not have been looking directly at her, but he could feel her gaze in the same way that one could feel heat from a nearby furnace. Yes, her gaze burned him. Instead of want and arousal, however, her gaze only served to hurt him even more.

"I remember a time when you told me not to look at you as we danced because everyone would know. Why aren't you taking your own advice? Why are you staring at me?" Fitz asked. His tone wasn't harsh or cold—it was merely matter of fact.

"Fitz…what are you—Why are you," Olivia couldn't even get her words out. She didn't know what to say in response, partly because he was right.

"Yes, Olivia?" Once again, Olivia was shocked, this time by the use of her full name. It was rare for Fitz to call her Olivia; he mainly only did so when he was angry or had something very important to say.

"Olivia, I would think that you wouldn't want Senator Davis to look over at us, see you staring at me," Fitz said, this time tipping his hand and looking at her face to face.

"Fitz why are you being this way. You act like you don't even want to be near me, to talk to me," Olivia said, her voice low so as not to be overheard by prying ears.

"I'm doing what you asked me to do, Olivia. I let you go."

"Yes, but…does that mean we can't be friends? Does that mean you won't even look at me now?"

"I could have sworn that you once told me that we weren't friends. Are you changing your mind about that now?" Fitz asked her, looking at her intently. Olivia shifted under the intensity of his gaze. This was the second time that he'd used her own words against her. She looked off to the side and saw that, a couple away, Mellie and Edison seemed to have been having a very good conversation judging by the smiles on both of their faces.

Looking back at Fitz, Olivia said "Are you mad about me bringing Edison? Look, I wasn't even going to come. I was all set not to until I found out that you'd made it so that Edison would become the new Senate Majority Leader. After I found that out I realized that…" Olivia paused, not knowing if she should show her hand and continue.

"You realized what?" Fitz tipped his head to the side, his gaze questioning. He looked sincere so Olivia decided to take the plunge.

"I realized that you were serious about letting me go. I didn't even go out with Edison anywhere that I'd thought people would know us and it'd get back to you. I wasn't ready…and then when you gave Edison the job…" Olivia's voice drifted off as she continued to star at Fitz. She didn't know what she was doing, she didn't know what she wanted. But she knew she'd made a mistake—two of them: forcing Fitz's hand and coming here with Edison.

Fitz's sincere look changed to one of disbelief then anger laced with sarcasm. "So you were testing me?"

Olivia didn't speak. She was testing him, subconsciously, but she was. Her silence was the answer that find both needed and didn't want at the same time.

"Senator Davis was the best man for the job. Despite any feelings I may have had for you, I wasn't going to deny him the job. I learned my lesson the last time," he said, referring to the abandoned ethics committee review that he'd once initiated.

"Feeling you may have had?" Olivia questioned, shocked once more.

"Olivia, what do you want from me? You asked me to let you go, and I did. Despite your efforts, I knew about you and Edison."

"How did you…"

"Cyrus. And I'm sorry…but Cyrus still had you under surveillance. I'd told them to stop after the whole Thorngate debacle, but somehow—aka, Cyrus—they didn't get the message. It won't happen again.," Fitz finished, needing to let her know that he wouldn't invade her personal life like that.

"I see," Olivia said after swallowing some of the saliva that had fathered in her mouth.

"Three weeks Olivia. Three weeks. I was gone for three weeks and you have another man practically living with you. If I didn't mean what I said about letting you go at the restaurant—and I did—I would have meant it after seeing those pictures." Fitz's voice had gone hard as he said this, his anger very evident to her despite the benign look on his face that would have caused onlookers no need for concern. His voice and tone answered her previous question about the nature of the pictures he saw. And for some reason, this made Olivia very angry.

"Really Fitz? You want to do there? What about Amanda Tanner? I can't believe you! How dare you!" she exclaimed in a hushed whisper

"As I said before, you left me. You told me we were in this together and the next day you were gone with nothing more than a form resignation letter. That was it. You know I regret the whole Amanda Tanner situation. But I wasn't building a relationship with her. I didn't take up with her within three weeks of you leaving." Fitz paused. "Edison is practically living with you! You never really cared, Olivia. I'm now realizing it."

"Fitz, that's not true. I love you." It took a second for Olivia to realize that she said love in the present tense.

"So you say. But I guess it doesn't matter now does it? Now that I've let you go at your request." At that moment, the band stopped and the patrons broke out into an applause. Fitz dropped his hand from Olivia's back and let go of the hand he was holding.

"Goodbye Olivia," was all Fitz said as he went to go find his wife. After two steps, he turned back and said "you look beautiful, by the way" and continued his departure.

Olivia looked at Fitz, his back to her as he walked up to Mellie and Edison. Edison bowed to Mellie, shook Fitz's hand and began walking back toward her with a big smile on his face. As Olivia stood to greet him, a smile on her face that did not travel to her eyes and only served to keep her tears locked in, she wondered—not for the first time—what she'd done to her life.

A/N: As you can tell, this story won't be lighthearted. But, I ask you to go along for the ride and trust me! Please read and review :-)