Chapter 1 - Family

Olivia Pope seemingly had the perfect life. Seemingly. She had a good family consisting of her, her parents and her not so annoying little brother. Overall, she had a good childhood. She went to a decent school and then a top university. What was so bad about that?

All through school she had been an athlete and it wasn't just one sport she was good at. She played most sports and then sports that she hadn't played before, she picked up easily. Sport just came naturally to her. She didn't rub it in people's faces, but some still found it annoying, that she didn't even really have to try to be good.

She had always wanted to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional athlete, and football was all she'd ever wanted to take to the next level. That was her first sport and her most loved sport. The one rule that her parents had was that, she had to go to university first. Her education was just as important as her sport. So that's what she did.

"No, no, no, no..." Olivia spoke quickly as she briskly walked back to her brother and grabbed his hand before he had a chance to do something that would likely end in trouble.

"But Libs..."

"No, Mikey. We don't have time. Okay?"

"But..."

"Mikey come on, we can't be late to this."

He struggled against Olivia and managed to free his tiny hand from her grasp. When she turned to look at him he took off his small backpack and dropped it to the floor, landing in a heap by his feet.

"Mikey pick your bag up." She said trying to stay calm. They really didn't have time for this right now.

"It's too heavy." He said defiantly. "And my legs are hurt and tired."

Olivia reached down and picked his backpack up off the floor, she threw it over her shoulder then reached for his hand again, to which he willingly placed his hand into before she had to say anything.

"We're almost there now, okay?"

"Okay..."

Michael or Mikey to Olivia was just now five years old. After their parents passed away, the only family they had we're each other. Neither of their parents had any siblings, their grandparents on their mothers side had already passed away and, they never knew their fathers side of the family.

As Michael was only four at the time, he needed to be cared for and seeing as Olivia was 20, she was appointed as Michael's legal guardian. It had been almost a year since their passing and although things had been difficult they somehow managed to get through them.

They were left a large sum of money by their parents but Olivia couldn't have access to that until her 21st birthday.

Olivia was still playing football professionally which helped, it allowed her to comfortably support herself and Michael until the money was released to her, but for other reasons it still wasn't easy.

Adjustments had to be made in all aspects of their lives. For the first few months Michael refused to leave Olivia's side which meant that, he would tag along to all of her games and practice sessions. He was getting better but there were still some days that he would be feeling particularly sad. This often meant he wouldn't leave her side. For a long time he basically became her shadow, which wasn't ideal but it couldn't be helped.

"Libs. I can't walk anymore." Michael whined, slowing down again.

Olivia stopped and looked at him for a moment before deciding what needed to be done. She knelt down, took his backpack off her back and placed it back on his back, helping him to get his arms through. She then readjusted her own backpack so she was now wearing it back to front, then turned around.

"Jump on Mikey." She said smiling at him over her shoulder, waiting for him to climb onto her back for a piggyback.

Although they were almost at their gate, this would be easier. It would keep him happy for now.

"Where to Sir?" Olivia asked playfully.

"That way!" Michael exclaimed, pointing in the complete wrong direction.

"Well we will have to take the long way around, to avoid the traffic." Olivia played along, walking off in the direction they actually needed to be heading.

It was less than 5 minutes later when they reached their gate, they had a bit of a wait again but, at least Michael could sit down now.

Before their parents had passed away they had been investing in properties. They had managed to finalise the deal and payment on a small holiday villa on the east coast of Spain. Their parents had been out to view the property but Olivia and Michael hadn't. They were promised a trip but with everything that had happened, it never came to be.

Olivia had promised Michael that they would go, so when her season finished they jetted off and spent just over 3 weeks there before she needed to be back for pre-season training.

They had only been waiting by their boarding gate for about 5 minutes and she could already see that Michael was starting to drift off to sleep, and trying to sleep standing up was never a good idea, for anyone, let alone a five year old.

"C'mere Mikey."

Olivia, still in her place in the queue, sat down on the floor with her legs crossed and her back was up against a wall. She moved both of their bags so that they were beside her then patted her lap. Michael willingly crawled into it and rested his head against her shoulder, almost instantly falling asleep against her.

It had been a hectic couple of days for the both of them. They had been on an almost 3 hour long flight from Spain into England, the previous day, opting to stay in a hotel in London overnight before their next flight. But, that meant that they would have to be up early this morning. Without much sleep, they were up again and at the airport and now they were about to spend another 11 hours or so on an aeroplane. At least they would be able to get some sleep.

"Mikey come on, you need to wake up now, just for a little." Olivia spoke softly whilst rubbing her hand up and down his back, trying to rouse him from his sleepy state. She placed a gentle kiss on his forehead before standing him on his own feet.

She helped him with his bag again before finding their passports and boarding passes. She allowed him to climb onto her back as the line started to slowly move, as people started to board the plane.

Seeing as they were first class they were amongst the first to board the plane. Olivia helped Michael into his seat before helping him to strap in. Before she sat herself down she reached into his bag and pulled out his dinosaur neck pillow. Placing it around his neck she hoped that he would get some sleep.

It was almost 4 hours into the flight when Olivia woke up. She hadn't even realised that she had fallen asleep. Before she had even opened her eyes she heard Michael giggling, assuming that he was watching a film she looked over to his seat but when she opened her eyes fully he wasn't there.

"Mikey?" She asked, sitting up in her seat, trying not to panic too much. It wasn't like he could get too far.

She heard him giggle again. Standing up quickly she followed the sound of his laughter, spotting his shoes on the floor by the seat across the aisle, in front of theirs.

Olivia clambered out from her seat and moved towards him, worried about why he wasn't in his own seat.

As she approached the seats from behind, she saw his light brown curly hair flopping around.

"Michael Pope." She said trying to sound stern. She wasn't impressed that he had left his seat without her, especially when she was asleep.

"Libs!" He replied cheerfully, not taking in her mood.

"Mikey what are you doing over here?" Stern voice affect gone. She knew she wouldn't be able to keep it up, no matter how mad at him she was.

"We're playing. Look at the pictures."

It was only then that she noticed his backpack open on his current seat, his small box of wax crayons and the various coloured sticky notes everywhere. Not only that but, also the stranger he was sat next to.

"I'm so sorry." She said instantly as she glanced up. "I hope he didn't bother you too much?"

It wasn't until she looked up for a second time that she really saw the young man. He didn't seem much older than she was and he was gorgeous. He had the most perfect looking tanned skin with, light brown venturing in dirty blonde hair. His hair was shorter at the sides than it was on top, with wild untamed curls flowing freely and his eyes. They were the most dazzling shade of blue she had ever seen. She mentally shook herself out of it, looking back down at Michael trying to remain focused on him rather than the stranger he was sat next to. Until he began to speak

"He was no trouble at all." He said looking Olivia directly in the eye.

"I'm sorry again, Mikey come on. Time to go."

Michael groaned in protest. "Please can I stay with Fitzy for a bit longer?"

"No, come on Mikey let's leave... Fitzy," she said unsure that, that was his actual name, "in peace. I'm sure he could do with a break from you."

Michael looked sad but it wouldn't be fair to leave him with this stranger. He definitely hadn't signed up for this. And that was just it, he was a stranger. She didn't know him, so there's no chance she was about to leave her little brother with a strange man. No matter how much he pleaded.

Fitz watched as Olivia helped the small boy out of the chair. Once he was out Fitz looked up towards the two of them offering them both a small smile.

Fitz turned his head to watch them both walk the extremely short distance back to their seats. That's when he noticed Michael looking back at him over the mysterious woman shoulder. Who was she to him?

Fitz smiled one last time before turning back in his seat.

A short while later, Olivia was woken by an announcement which was asking all passengers to return to their seats for their final descent. She was just waking up again to make sure Michael was strapped in properly when she realised he wasn't in his seat again. Immediately her eyes flew open, for the second time that flight, and she began to scan the area looking for him. Just as she was about to get out of here soon she heard the same voice from earlier on. That same very distinctive voice.

"Here?" Fitz asked as he pointed to the seat next to Olivia.

When Michael nodded his head, Fitz lifted him onto the seat and tightened the belt around his small body. As he straightened up, he ruffled his hair then looked across at Olivia.

"Hi."

"Hi." Olivia replied, relaxing a tiny bit, she was grateful but furious with her disobedient brother.

Michael wouldn't look at her which showed he knew that he was going to be in trouble.

"Don't forget Rexy." Fitz said as he handed Michael back his favourite teddy. She watched intently, at the interaction between the two of them.

"Thank you." Olivia said not really knowing what else to say, "I'm so sorry… again."

"It's ok, really. He's a good kid." Fitz replied smiling at her.

Before Fitz had a chance to say anything more, one of the flight attendants was ushering him back to his seat.

The last Olivia saw of Fitz was him smiling from over his shoulder at her, on his way back to his own seat.

1 month later

Olivia was now back in full swing. She was currently in the middle of pre-season training with her team. This was a crucial stage of the year for her. She was walking through the halls, of the training centre, heading for the field when she was stopped.

Things had been going well. Well as well as they could be really. That was until Abby opened her mouth.

"Hey Liv... How's everything going? It's coming up for a year isn't it, your mom and dad. If you need any time or anything, just let me know."

She hadn't realised that Michael was behind her until she heard him cry and then she felt really guilty.

"Liv I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's okay Abby."

What else could she really say? It was an honest mistake. It's not like she went out of her way to upset Michael.

"Hey Mike. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." Abby tried, crouching down beside him, but he turned away from her.

Abby was Olivia's best friend on the team. She was a little bit older than her and had a tendency to be quite blunt but when Olivia joined the team she instantly took her under her wing, from there the friendship grew. Abby had just also been made captain of the team which Olivia thought she more than deserved.

Just as Abby was about to speak again they heard another voice.

"Whelan! Out onto the pitch. Training is starting."

"Yes Coach." She said jogging the remaining distance to the back exit, without looking back.

"Hey kid." Cyrus stopped in front of Olivia. He saw an upset Michael clinging to her side and he didn't even have to ask what it was about. He knew.

"Hey Cy." Olivia said, she sounded exhausted and he truly felt sorry for her.

She was dealing with so much at such a young age. Between her training and trying to entertain a five year old during the summer, she had her plate full.

"Hey Mike, do you want to hang out with me for a bit today?" Cyrus tried, although he could allow Olivia to just take him home, he knew that she needed a bit of a break, even if it was just for training.

Cyrus had been a close family friend for years. He had moved to the area when Olivia was playing youth football, and he had coached their team. Although he was qualified to coach professionally he wanted a change, plus at the time there wasn't a job going that he really wanted.

He had coached the team Olivia played on for 4 years leading them to victory every season. He got train and coach Olivia, and each year he would see her improve. He knew she had something special about her as soon as he saw her play.

After four years he applied to coach the professional women's team in California. He and Olivia's father had become close friends and kept in contact, basically becoming an uncle figure to her.

When she was old enough, he was determined to get her to sign for his team. He knew there would be competition for her, and he wasn't wrong. She was the type of player that could change a game in an instant. She was a hard worker too, she would do everything asked of her and more without complaint. Olivia was the type of player every manager wanted in their team, and he was lucky enough to get her.

"Cy, he's really bad today. I think I'm going to have to miss training today but I'll make up for it, I promise."

"Don't worry about that Liv." He said not wanting to add more to her plate.

He looked back down at Michael, who was now clinging to Olivia's leg, and held his hand. When Michael didn't even look up, or acknowledge the contact he knew that it was time for him to be taken home.

"Do you need anything?" Cyrus asked, he felt completely helpless.

"Just my bag, if you wouldn't mind?"

It wasn't what he meant, but he'd get her bag for her. About 5 minutes later Cyrus returned holding Olivia's bag out to her, watching as she was crouched down trying to comfort Michael.

"I'll see you tomorrow. If he's not up for it just let me know. Okay?" He kissed her cheek and gave her a slight hug before letting them go.

"Thanks Cy."

She watched Cyrus walk away before she crouched down in front of Michael again.

"Hey Mikey... What do you say, we go home, huh?"

"I miss mommy." He sobbed as he fell forwards into her, attempting to wrap his small arms around her neck.

She held him for a minute, placed her bag over her shoulder then stood up, still holding onto him, as he wrapped his legs around her body.

"I know. I do too." Olivia sadly whispered into his ear as she began to walk towards the exit.

It was so hard for her to say those words out loud, whilst trying not to break down herself. She knew she had to be strong for him. When she felt a lone tear escape she knew it was time to leave, so they could both get home.

She made it out to the car park and was trying to balance Michael on her hip whilst looking through her bag for her car keys. She wasn't paying too much attention to where she was going, and then all of a sudden she collided with something or rather someone.

"I'm so sorry." She said quickly, placing Michael on his feet. He held onto her left hand, leaning into her side and was still sniffling but wasn't crying as much as he had been.

"It's my fault, I should have been looking." The stranger said picking his phone up off the floor.

"Fitzy?" Michael said looking up at the stranger.

Fitz looked up when he heard that name. Only one person had called him that. That couldn't really be them could it?

"Hi." Fitz said as he looked at Olivia. "Hey bud, you okay?" He said squatting down noticing his tear stained cheeks in the process.

"I miss my mommy." He cried again.

"Well are you now going to see her?" Fitz said not understanding.

"No... She's with daddy and the angels. It just me and my sister Libs, she looks after me now." He said cuddling into Olivia's side even further.

That was the first time she had ever heard him tell someone about their parents, and it brought a tear to her eye. Hearing someone so young, so innocent talk about the loss of their parents was heartbreaking.

"I'm sorry." Fitz said talking to Michael but looking at Olivia. "I didn't..."

"It's fine, Fitzy?"

"Fitz."

"Fitz." She repeated, looking at him.

"Libs?" He questioned her name just like she did to him. His sister, he thought to himself finally knowing a little more about who she was.

"Olivia... And you already know,"

"Mikey. Yeah, we've met." He chuckled, smiling at the young boy.

That shocked her too; he hasn't let anyone call him Mikey since his parent's accident, except Olivia. So when she heard Fitz say it, it threw her a little.

She watched as Fitz started to talk to Michael again. "Hey Mikey. I know you're feeling sad but, I sometimes feel sad too."

"Really?" Michael sniffled before unwrapping himself from his sister to look at Fitz, tears still running down his face.

"Yeah... Do you know what I do when I'm sad?"

Michael didn't say anything, instead he shook his head 'no'.

"I get ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream. How about if I show you where the best ice cream is, I mean if that's okay with your sister."

Michael looked up at Olivia almost pleading with his eyes.

"Okay." Olivia said, almost willing to try anything to make him feel a bit better. It was going to be a rough week.

"Come on then little man. To the ice cream!" He shouted playfully hoping to make Michael smile.

Michael practically threw himself into Fitz' arms which was a bit of a shock for him but he rolled with it. When it was clear that he wanted to be carried Fitz obliged, picking him up effortlessly and placing Michael on his shoulders.

As he began to walk towards his car he noticed that Olivia wasn't walking with them. He turned to see where she was and was met with her smile.

She didn't know who Fitz was but Michael was already comfortable with him, and that said a lot. He seemed kind and caring and genuine but she wanted to err on the side of caution until she knew him a bit better. It was only logical right?

What she was currently looking at though was adorable. It seemed so natural. Michael was sat on Fitz' shoulders, with his hands in his hair, holding on. It was like they had known each other for years instead of a matter of hours.

"We can take my car and I can drop you back here when we're done." Fitz said looking back at Olivia. "Or yours." Fitz suggested when she didn't reply.

AN: So this idea has been floating around in my head for a while but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, I don't want to ramble on too much so just let me know what you think.