The Secret Life of Olivia Shaw

Disclaimer: I do not own Scandal or any of its characters. Moreover, Jacob (Jack) Shaw is the congressmen from Rhode Island that appeared in season two, not the Jake Ballard character.

Fitz turned on his television, and there she was…smiling. He hoped to avoid all the hoopla surrounding the inauguration and Jack's retirement. He sat on the couch and began searching for a channel…any channel…that wasn't covering Washington.

"Here comes the President Shaw and the First Lady now," announced the CNN anchor. "They look more in love than they did eight years ago.

[CLICK]

"They are an amazing couple. Their marriage is an inspiration to all of us," chimed the MSNBC anchor.

[CLICK]

"Whatever the next chapter holds in their lives, I can't wait to see it. They will continue changing the world for the better," added the CBS reporter.

Olivia and Jack walked out to Marine One and waved at the American public. They shook hands with the incoming President and First Lady and grinned for the cameras. They hugged Vice-President Rosen and the Second Lady one more time and wished them the best. Jacob placed his hand on Olivia's lower back and ushered her towards the helicopter. They paused on the steps for a moment to take it all in one last time. For the last eight years, they had called the White House home. It had protected them from the press, from the politics, and from the real world. It was their bubble. They had raised three beautiful boys in it, and it was the only home that Daniel knew. He was born late in Jack's first term, so "White House life" was all he understood. Olivia glanced down at Jack and nodded. They continued up the stairs and stepped onto Marine One. They buckled their seatbelts and waited for an all clear from the Secret Service. Olivia stared out the window at the crowd gathered around the South Lawn. They were cheering and waving American flags enthusiastically. Olivia took a deep breath and laid her hand on top of Jack's. She gently squeezed it and prayed for the right words to say.

"For what it is worth," she started. "I never meant to hurt you." She whispered it so lightly that he almost didn't hear her. "If I could go back and do things differently…god I would." Olivia turned around, so she could completely face Jack. "We're going to be okay…" It sounded like a reassuring statement, but it really was a question. She had sunk fifteen years into that marriage. They had a family together, a home, and most of all, a life together. She couldn't lose all of that. Olivia raised Jack's hand to her lips and kissed it.

Jack slowly slid his hand away from her and wiped it on the leg of his pants. He looked over at her with such disgust. She was no longer the woman he married. "I want a divorce" he responded. "I've been talking to Cyrus, and he thinks that we should wait at least a year before we announce it." He took another deep breath. "You and the boys can have house in Rhode Island. I'm taking the job at the UN, so I'm staying in New York. The boys will visit me on the weekends, and you'll have them on the weekdays…"

"Jack, please don't do this," she cried.

"We keep the charade going for a year. Then, we sit down with Oprah…Barbara Walters…or the reporter of our choice to announce the split. We will tell them that we drifted apart and that we have decided that it was best for us and the boys to divorce…"

"I can fix this. Just give me a chance, Jacky."

"Liv, it's too late. We can't…I can't do this anymore. I want a divorce." he finished.

The Secret Service finally cleared the helicopter for takeoff. The engine started, and the plane began slowly rising off the ground. They plastered a smile on their faces and looked out at the crowd. Jack leaned down and gave Olivia a kiss. They broke apart and continued waving at the cameras.

Once in the air, Jack and Olivia continued to ignore each other. There was no warmth between them. Olivia reflected on her life up to this point. "How did I get to this point?" she thought to herself. "How could I let that man come in like a hurricane and destroy everything?" They hadn't seen each other in eleven years, but he still controlled her.

"I've stopped talking to him…" she started.

Jack glared at Olivia indignantly. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it doesn't. You cheated Olivia! You opened your legs to man who was not me. Did you like it? Did he make you scream? Did he touch you in all the right places? Was he everything you ever dreamed of, honey? " he shot back.

"I know you are upset with me, but…"

"Upset! I am more than upset. I am angry. I am livid. I am fuming!"

"Jack, tell me what to do and I will do it." Olivia was on the verge of breaking down. This was the first time…in a long time…that she felt weak and vulnerable.

"Give me the divorce."

"Anything but that..." she pleaded. " Let's make a deal…we've done it before."

Jack stared Olivia in the eyes. "Here's the deal," he laughed. "Olivia, quietly give me the divorce, and I will keep the affair to myself. I won't expose it and hurt your bid for senate. I will support you in any way that I can."

"You think this is about my senate campaign? I could care less about that! I am talking about our family." interrupted Olivia.

Jack ignored her outburst and continued talking. "If you don't, I will leak it to some conservative news outlet like Fox or The Continental, and when asked about it, I will confirm it. I will give them Fitz's name and I will tell the world how my wife is a whore and a home wrecker. How as an undergrad at Washington-Adams, you two fucked in his office on more than one occasion. God, I will tell them everything, Olivia."

Olivia took a deep breath and mulled over options. To be honest, Jack had her over a barrel, and she couldn't do anything about it. She could give Jack the divorce quietly and protect Fitz from a messy scandal. He deserved a nice life. Or, she could fight him on it and wait for him to come back her. Her boys needed their father. Once again, she was forced to choose between protecting Fitz and doing what was best for her.

"Fine," she murmured. "You can have the divorce."

Jack called over Cyrus and began talking about the divorce and his ambassadorship.

"Now that the ceremonial fly around is over, Marine One is headed to Andrews Air Base. The President…I apologize…the former President and First Lady will catch a small Jetstream from there and head home to Rhode Island."

[CLICK]

"Diane, sorry for the interruption, I just got word that the President has accepted an ambassadorship for the United Nations. There is still no word on whether Mrs. Shaw will run in the next election cycle."

[CLICK]

"Goodbye Mr. President, and on behalf of the nation, I would like to say 'Thank you.' That's all we have for you from the White House. Have wonderful afternoon everyone, and back to you, Charles, in the studio."

Fitz turned off the TV and threw the remote against the wall. He was angry with her. "My world is shattered, and she's on TV smiling like America's sweetheart," he thought. Fitz brushed past Mellie in the kitchen. She didn't bother to ask what was wrong because she already knew. Twenty years later and that girl still had an effect on him. Fitz grabbed his coat and keys from the table and walked out the door.