A/N: So this story has been running around in my brain since last Thursday's episode. I wanted to throttle Olivia for kicking Fitz out after everything he did for her.
Anyway, this long one long-shot takes place two months after Liv threw her ring at Fitz and kicked him out. I know this is a stretch of the imagination, but just go with it! Besides the sooner I get this story out of my head, the sooner I can get back to Strangers on a Plane.
In His Arms
Fitz sits at his desk suit jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled up and his glasses perched on the end of his nose, reading yet another military briefing. The last of the troops he sent into West Angola two months ago are due home tomorrow. In all 60 soldiers lost their lives and another 25 were injured. He sighs deeply as he closes the blue notebook and sits back in his chair, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose.
A sharp knock at the door garners his attention.
"Enter," he calls out.
"Mr. President, may I have a moment," Abby inquires from her post at the door.
"Of course Abby, come in."
Abby crosses the room hesitantly, her eyes not quite meeting Fitz's. She clutches her portfolio to her chest and nibbles nervously on her bottom lip.
Fitz takes in her appearance and knows where this conversation is headed. He throws up his hand to stop her from talking.
"Whatever it is, I don't want to know. She made her position very clear Abby. So whatever is going on, count me out."
Unable to contain herself any longer Abby blurts out, "She needs you. She won't talk to anyone. She barely sleeps and barely eats. She's a walking zombie. You know how she is. She needs you."
"Abby enough!" Fitz yells louder than he intends. He takes a deep breath to calm down before he stands up from his chair. "I know you are concerned for her, but I can't do this anymore. Please go now."
Abby stands her ground. "I thought you loved her."
Fitz glares at her with a mixture shock and outrage on his face. "Abby, if you know what is good for you right now, you will get the hell out of my office," he warns.
Abby braces herself and takes a step closer to his desk, "You love her. You went to war to get her back. She is drowning in guilt and probably PTSD and you sit here . . . "
"ABBY! GET OUT!"
She continues as if he hasn't spoken, "feeling sorry for yourself because she hurt your feelings. She is going to wither away and die all because you can't swallow your pride and go to her."
Fitz's face is flush with anger. His stalks around the desk to stand directly in front of Abby. His blue eyes now steel gray and cold.
"You have no idea what she has put me through. How many times am I supposed to go to her and be summarily dismissed? How many times am I supposed to put my heart on the line only for her to break it into a million pieces? How many times and ways can I tell her that I love her and she not believe it?"
"I don't know," she fires back, "but doesn't love allow for forgiveness?" She pauses to see if her words are having an effect on him. "She's hurting and I'm afraid she won't come back from this," she whispers as a single tear escapes her eye and runs down her cheek.
"Well she's not the only one," he replies gruffly.
"So that's it? You're done with her? Just like that? You will send others in to battle but you won't take the field yourself," she scoffs.
Outraged by her accusations, Fitz yells, "You really are a piece of work, you know that! I have been battling for us since the day I first met her. At every turn she finds a way to push me away. Well guess what? She pushed one time too many."
They stand facing each other, both red faced and angry. Fitz retreats behind his desk, crossing his arms over his chest to prevent him from throttling the brash red head.
"I think it's best if you resign your post Ms. Whelan," Fitz says angrily. "It's obvious your loyalty and allegiance are not with me or my administration."
"Already handled sir," she replies curtly as she slips an envelope from her portfolio and tosses it onto his desk.
Abby turns on her heel and walks away from Fitz towards the door. As she reaches out to grab the knob she turns around to look at him.
"You should know she tried to buy a gun last week. Huck blocked the sale. I don't think she wanted it for protection. "
Satisfied with the look of shock on his face, Abby exits the room pulling the door closed behind her with a resounding thud. She walks down to her office and retrieves the lone box filled with her personal items. With her head held high, she walks out of the White House for the last time as Press Secretary.
Fitz falls back into his chair. He wearily runs a hand through his hair. The thought of Olivia harming herself has him reconsidering his stance. He does love her. But is that enough? Can he stand another rejection from her? He wonders if he would ever be able to forgive himself if she did harm herself and he did nothing to try and prevent it.
The grandfather clock chimes three times. He has another two hours before his next meeting. He decides to retreat to his personal office and relax for a little while.
He pushes the intercom button on his phone, "Lauren, since my schedule is clear until 5pm, I do not want to be disturbed."
"Yes Mr. President," she replies.
Fitz retreats from the Oval office into his personal office. He toes off his shoes and loosens his tie before pouring a two finger glass of scotch from the ever present decanter. He takes a generous sip and then reclines on the couch. He grabs the remote from the coffee table and turns on the television in hopes of a distraction from his conversation with Abby. He flips through the channels until he finds a generic judge show, two women arguing over borrowed money and a wrecked car.
He tosses the remote back onto the table. With one arm propped behind his head and the other balancing the near empty glass of scotch on his stomach, Fitz drifts off to sleep. His nap is quickly disrupted by the distinct sounds of a new flash coming from the television.
"This is Brian Jepsum with ABC news with a special report. We were just informed that Clifton Webber, CEO of Webber Financial, will make a statement from outside the court room where he was just found innocent of embezzlement charges. Ashley Bardstrom is on the scene. Ashley."
"Thanks Brian. Mr. Webber is due out any moment to make his first public statement since this story broke a month ago. I should point out that this has been the fastest trial in recent memory . . . ."
Fitz can no longer hear what the reporter is saying because all of his senses have focused on one thing. Olivia. She is standing in the background just to the left of Clifton Webber as he makes a statement to the group of reporters.
Her appearance frightens him to the point that he sits up and moves to the edge of the couch to get a closer look at her. For someone who doesn't know her intimately, she looks fine. Well put together with her signature white pant suit and oversized purse perched on her arm. Her hair is brushed back in a bun giving her a conservative corporate look. She looks poised and polished as always. To the untrained observer.
For Fitz, he sees the dullness in her eyes. The slight puffiness under them that indicates she hasn't slept in some time. Well neither have I, he thinks to himself. Those things are not as alarming as the amount of weight she has lost. While she is a petite woman to begin with, Fitz can tell that she has lost at least ten to twelve pounds since he last saw her two months ago. Her adorably round cheeks are now hollow and slightly sunken.
"Oh Livvie," he whispers he heart breaking at the sight of her.
He watches her until the video feed switches back to the anchor in the studio. Switching off the television he stands and straightens his tie. He leaves his private office and returns to the Oval, fully intending on going to Olivia when his office door opens.
"Good evening sir," Cyrus begins. "The Joint Chiefs are ready for our meeting."
He groans inwardly, knowing that he won't be able to get away for at least three hours. "Alright Cy. I'll be right down."
"Very well sir," Cyrus says while giving him a long look. "Everything okay sir?"
"Yeah, just fine," he sighs.
Cyrus knows that sigh all too well. That's the "Olivia Pope is back in my orbit" sigh. He's surprised Fitz stayed away from her this long.
Cyrus just nods and walks out of the Oval. A few minutes later, Fitz exits the Oval on his way to the Situation Room. Hal and Daniel, his secret service detail, follow behind him.
"Hal as soon as my meeting is done, I need a car ready."
"Yes sir. Where to?"
"Ms. Pope's apartment," Fitz says before entering his meeting.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Olivia sits on her newly upholstered sofa sipping on a glass of wine. She has lost count of the number of glasses she has consumed this evening, but whatever it is, it isn't enough to put her to sleep just yet. The television is on, but the sound is off. She stares blankly at the screen. Not really interested in rehashing of her client's innocent verdict.
While the world may still see her as the formidable Olivia Pope, she is a far cry from the woman she used to be.
She knows that her friends are worried about her. Huck brings her coffee every day and has even started giving her hugs. Quinn is her ultra-cheery self and is always quick with a compliment or a bright smile in hopes of cheering Olivia up. Abby has taken to calling and showing up at OPA at random times. Always with some freshly baked goodie for them, as an excuse to come and see her.
Olivia tries to put up a good front, but she knows that she is not fooling her friends. It's only a matter of time before someone gets the bright idea of staging an intervention. She hopes to be gone before that happens.
She sighs as she drains her glass and immediately refills it with one of the three bottles perched on her coffee table. As she sits back her phone begins to ring. The caller ID reads Jake. She presses the ignore button before tucking her feet under her and sipping her wine.
She finally told Jake he had to go. That she could not be with him anymore. Of course he went on the spiel about returning to the island and standing in the sun with her, but she pointedly told him those days were over. She explained that she wasn't the same Olivia that he knew and that she didn't think that version was ever coming back. Ultimately, she just told him to fuck off because he was only a poor substitute for what she really wanted. He left dejected and bitter, but that didn't stop him from calling her once a week, just to see if she changed her mind.
Surprisingly, at 10:30, the glorious indications of sleep begin to seep into her body. Maybe I'll sleep more than three hours tonight, she thinks. Maybe I won't have nightmares, she prays.
As she clicks off the television and drains the last her wine there is a knock at the door. She stands silently in the middle of her living room, hoping that whoever is on the other side of the door will just go away. To her utter dismay not only does the unwanted visitor not go away, it is the last person she ever wants to see again.
"Livvie, open up please. I know you are in there," Fitz calls from outside the door.
"Go away!" she yells.
"No. Now open the door please," he responds.
She doesn't say anything or move from her spot for a few moments.
"Livvie, I can get secret service to break the door down. Just open up."
She groans knowing that while he wouldn't actually have them break down the door, he is not going anywhere until she opens the door.
She stomps across the room and disengages the deadbolts that Huck installed, pulling the door open just enough for Fitz to see her.
"What do you want?" she asks gruffly.
"Aren't you going to let me in?" he asks trying not to let his shock at seeing her this way seep into his voice.
She huffs and rolls her eyes before opening the door wider for him to enter. She walks away from him and retreats to the front of the couch where she plops down. She reaches out for her empty glass and pours the remainder of the third bottle of wine into it.
"So you're in. What do you want?" she says before gulping down the wine.
"How are you?" he asks with great concern.
"Fitz, we are NOT doing this. I don't want to talk to you about how I'm feeling or how I'm doing. Just go back to the White House where you belong and leave me alone."
"Thank God! I didn't want to talk tonight anyway. I'm so tired I could sleep for a month," he exclaims as he takes off his jacket and loosens his tie.
She watches him as he tosses his jacket and tie onto the arm of the couch. Next he takes off his shoes and pushes them under the side table out of the way.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Me, I'm going to bed," he says as he walks down the hallway and disappears from sight.
She sits flabbergasted for a moment before she hops up and rushes down the hall. She finds Fitz sitting on the far side of the bed, taking off his socks.
"Fitzgerald, have you lost your damn mind?!"
He turns and looks at her over his shoulder, "No," he calmly replies.
She is confused by not only his actions but his calm demeanor. She watches as he unbuttons and then slips off his dress shirt, tossing it on the end of the bed. He stands up and takes his phone from his pants pocket and places it on the nightstand. He unbuttons and unzips his pants, grabbing them before letting them fall to the floor. He folds them neatly and lays them on the end of the bed as well. He pulls back the covers and slides into her queen size bed.
Immediately he is overwhelmed by her scent that permeates the bed. He actually feels like he could sleep for a month swaddled in the fragrance of her. He reaches out and double checks his phone alarm is set and he clicks off the bedside lamp all the while keeping his back to Olivia.
"Get out of my bed!"
"Olivia," he says with a mixture of exasperation and exhaustion, "I don't want to argue I just want to sleep. Please just get in bed and go to sleep."
"You're kidding, right? You have to be joking."
He turns over in the bed to look at her. "Does it look like I am kidding?" he questions before turning back over.
Unprepared for his actions, Olivia stomps out of the room. She sits on the couch completely outdone by Fitz's actions.
It will be a cold day in hell before I sleep in there with him, she thinks.
Where does he get off coming in here like?
She sits fuming on the couch for some time before sleep finally comes for her. She pulls the cashmere blanket from the back of the couch onto her body as she curls up and falls asleep.
She wakes a few hours later in a cold sweat. The remnants of her dream slipping away as her eyes scan the room and she realizes she is in the safety of her own apartment. She is confused by the fact that she is asleep on the couch until she remembers her encounter with Fitz. Given the vividness of her nightmares, she wonders if she dreamt the whole thing with Fitz. She gets up from the couch and tip toes down the hallway to her bedroom. To her happiness, the bed is made up and empty.
"What a dream," she says out loud with a brief chuckle.
She decides to try and sleep for another hour or so. She pulls back the covers and gets into bed. Immediately, her senses are flooded with Fitz's masculine scent. She gets out of bed like it is on fire.
"It wasn't a dream!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Fitz makes it back to the White House the next morning before the Press Corps comes in for the day. Before he enters the Residence he informs Hal and Daniel that he will be returning to Olivia's apartment that evening.
He dismisses them for the day and goes into his room to quickly shower and shave before he heads down to the Oval.
Cyrus comes into his office around 8:00am and notices that Fitz is more relaxed and focused than he has been in quiet sometime.
"You are awfully chipper this morning sir."
"I had a great night's sleep last night. The best I have had in I can't tell you when," Fitz confesses.
"Good to hear sir. Well we have a full schedule today, starting with Senator Beekman and his energy commission report."
"Bring it on Cy, bring it on," a newly energized Fitz replies.
Meanwhile, Olivia sits behind her desk and ponders over the previous evenings events. She still can't believe that Fitz showed up at her house and slept in her bed. Before she can focus on it any further, Quinn comes in with a folder on their new client. The rest of the day flies by as Quinn, Huck and Olivia try and determine the best way to handle their new case.
After stopping off at her favorite wine shop, Olivia wearily makes her way home. All she can think of is a nice hot shower and as many glasses of her favorite wine it will take to make her go to sleep. She is so focused on getting her keys from her bag that she doesn't notice Fitz standing at her front door with his overnight bag as she exits the elevator.
"Hell no!" she says when she finally senses his presence.
"This is happening, whether you like it or not," he states firmly.
"I'm calling the police," she says pulling out her phone.
Fitz only nods at one of his agents who then summarily plucks her phone from her hands.
"Give me back my phone!"
"Not until we are safely inside," he says as he extends his hands for her to give him the keys.
She glares at him. She stiffens her back and pushes passed him and his agents and unlocks the door herself. As she enters, she tries to close the door quickly behind her, but Fitz is able to catch the door. She stalks off towards the kitchen, tossing her keys and purse on the dining room table.
Fitz grabs the keys and hands them to one of the agents, "Go get copies made of all her keys for me. Also, she is not to leave this apartment at any time tonight. Understood?"
"Yes sir," the agents reply before Fitz closes the door. Sensing that Olivia needs some time to calm down, he heads off to the bedroom.
Olivia downs a glass and a half of wine before she exits the kitchen. The dining room and living room are empty. She sighs with relief. Kicking off her shoes she heads to the bedroom so she can undress and soak in a warm tub. Her relief is short lived when she sees Fitz's overnight bag on the bench at the end of her bed and hears the shower running in her bathroom.
She sits fuming on the end of the bed for a few moments before retreating to the kitchen for another glass of wine. When she returns to the bedroom, filled with the liquid courage to tell Fitz off, she finds him already in bed, flipping through a magazine.
"Why are you doing this? I told you I didn't want to talk."
"Am I talking? I'm here to sleep," he replies causally.
"Aren't there like 500 rooms at the White House? Couldn't you sleep in one of those?"
"It's not the same. I sleep really well here," he says as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Fine, enjoy!" she says stomping out of the room back out to the living room.
She flings open the front door to leave only to be blocked by one of Fitz' agents.
"Ma'am, please go back inside. We are under instructions not to let you leave the premises."
"What?!" she cries incredulously.
"Ma'am, please go back inside."
"Ugh," she groans before slamming the door in his face. Tears of frustration run from her eyes. She walks back to the bedroom.
"Why are you here? And don't give me some bullshit about sleeping better here."
"Someone told me you needed me. I know you are not ready to talk, but when you are, I'll be here."
"What about Mellie? How does she feel about you being here?"
"She doesn't know, but if she did she wouldn't care. She's in California right now anyway."
"So you're just going to come here every night until I'm ready to talk?"
"That's the plan."
"And what if I am never ready to talk? What then?"
"I don't know. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Now if you don't mind, I have a pretty full schedule tomorrow and I need to get to sleep."
He tosses his magazine on the nightstand and checks his phone alarm. He stretches and yawns before pulling his t-shirt over his head and tossing it to the end of the bed.
"Good night Livvie," he says as he turns off the lamp and closes his eyes.
She stands there in the semi darkness unsure of what to do. Finally, crosses the room and retrieves her pajamas from the drawer. She goes into the bathroom and takes a quick shower. As she clicks off the light and enters her bedroom, she can hear Fitz's low snores coming from her bed.
Determined to be as stubborn as he is in the matter, she quietly slips into the bed, as far away from Fitz as possible and closes her eyes. Surprisingly, she feels sleep claiming her almost immediately and before she knows it she's asleep.
Fitz wakes to the sound of her low whimpers and cries around 3:30am. He turns over to find her curled up in the fetal position. He scoots over to her and wraps one arm over her, pulling her closer to him.
"It's okay Livvie," he whispers, "you're safe. No one is going to hurt you. I'm here."
He whispers over and over again until she quiets down. He continues to hold her tense frame for the rest of the night. His heart breaking for her.
When she wakes in the morning, he is already gone.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
For the next couple of weeks, this is their pattern. He arrives late in the evening, they don't speak much other than idle chatter either about some event that happened that day or the unseasonable cold weather the city is experiencing. Then they shower separately and go to bed. Fitz usually flips through a magazine or reads a couple of chapters in the latest book he has before turning in. Olivia, down to two glasses of wine per night, sips her wine and works through any unfinished emails. At some point during the night, Fitz will wake to Olivia's cries and hold her, stroking her hair and whispering to her that she is safe until she quiets down. When she wakes in the morning, he is gone.
One night, Fitz arrives at Olivia's apartment around 8:00pm loaded down with dinner from the White House chef.
"Chef Pierre made Chicken Florentine. I know how much you love it, so I thought you might like some," he explains as he unpacks the two large picnic baskets he brought in.
They sit at the dining room table and feast on fresh baked bread, crispy salad and the best Chicken Florentine she has ever tasted, all paired with her favorite wine as they share bits and pieces about their day.
Later that night Fitz closes his book and tosses it on what he now considers his nightstand. Olivia emerges from the bathroom a few moments later and gets into bed turning off her light. Without thinking, Fitz leans over and kisses her temple, before pulling her into him in a spooning position.
"Good night Livvie," he says sleepily.
"Good night Fitz," she replies.
Neither comment on this new development. They just accept it for what it is. For the first time in months, they both sleep straight through the night and Olivia doesn't have a nightmare.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Over the next month or so, things slowly progress between them. Olivia wakes early every morning to have a quick breakfast and chaste peck on the lips with Fitz before he returns to the White House. They spend their evenings either watching television or quietly finishing up work while sitting on opposite ends of the couch.
One night while eating dinner, Olivia decides to brooch the subject of Mellie.
"Fitz," she says as she plays with her salad, "what does Mellie have to say about you being here practically every night?"
"Nothing really. She knows this is where I need to be," he states as a matter of fact.
"She has no problem with you sleeping here?" she asks mildly shocked.
"No she doesn't. Actually, she asked me for a divorce last week. I guess after the whole Andrew debacle, she is ready to just move on. We still have a few things to work out, but it looks like by this time next year, I will be a free man."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that. She figures if we divorce with two years left in my term that will give her a year to reinvent herself. She plans to run for Senate during my last year in office. In the meantime, she plans to move back to California in about a month. We will release to the media that we are separating and will share custody of the children."
"Wow, that's very progressive of her. What changed?"
"I think she really loved Andrew and was disappointed when he took the turn that he did. Also, she realized how much I loved you and what the kidnapping did to me. In the end, I just think she wants to be happy and torturing me doesn't make her happy anymore."
"Oh," Olivia says sadly pushing her salad away.
"What's wrong," he asks picking up on her sadness.
"Nothing, just a little headache," she claims not really wanting to tell him it was his use of the word loved instead of love that dampened her mood. She grabs her plate and gets up from the table.
"Livvie, wait a second." He motions for her to sit back down.
She sits back down, her eyes not quiet reaching his.
He wants to push her to tell him what is wrong, but he knows that will only make her close up more. Instead he decides to change subjects.
"So, I had Cyrus leak to the Press Corps that I am going to Camp David this weekend, but what I really plan to do is take you out for dinner and movie, maybe even some dancing. That is if you are up to it?"
"You want to take me out on a date?"
"Well what else would you call it? I mean it can't be girl's night out because we are not both girls. And the same would hold true for boy's night out. It would be needlessly long to call it boy and girl night out, so let's just call it a date," he says with a bright smile.
"It's a good thing that the general public doesn't know you are this goofy," she laughs.
"So will you go out with me?"
She finds it hard to resist the big puppy dog eye look he is giving her. "Fine," she relents, "I will go out with you. I assume you have a plan for avoiding unwanted attention from the public."
"Just leave all the details to me."
Later that night as they lay spooning in bed Olivia almost gives in and tells Fitz all she has been feeling since she has been home. His soft snores are the only thing that stopped her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The conference room wall at OPA is covered with photos and documents from their latest case. Abby, who since has returned to the firm as investigator, smiles inwardly as she watches Olivia pace back and forth in front of the case board revisiting all the pieces of the case.
It amazes her the transformation her friend has made in just a few months' time. She's picked up weight and the fire is back in her eyes. There were still times Abby would catch Olivia drifting away in thought but for the most part, Olivia was back and she seemed to be happy. The sound of Olivia's phone ringing brings Abby out of her thoughts.
"Excuse me," Olivia says to the group as she walks out of the conference room and heads to her office, "I need to take this call."
The twinkle in her eye left no doubt who was on the other end of the call.
"Hi," she says as she closes her office door.
"Hi. Are you ready for our date tonight?"
"Well I would be if you would tell me where we are going."
"Can't. It's a surprise. I will tell you that you should dress casually."
"That's my only hint," she pouts.
"Afraid so. Anyway, I will pick you up at 7:00pm sharp."
True to his word at 7:00pm Fitz knocks at Olivia's door. His breath leaves him as she opens the door. She is wearing a red off the shoulder sweater paired with dark wash skinny jeans and a sky high black leather boots. Her normally pin straight hair is a mass of curls around her smiling face.
"Right on time Mr. President," she says warmly.
"Livvie, you look beautiful."
"Thank you, you look very handsome yourself," she compliments. He is dressed in a black blazer with a dark purple button down shirt and dark wash jeans.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes, let me just get my jacket," she says as she turns to grab her jacket off the couch.
"Here, let me help you," Fitz says as he steps towards her and takes the jacket from her hands and helps her slip it on.
His guiding hand at her lower back is both comforting and arousing, two feelings that have eluded her for some months.
After closing and locking door, they enter the waiting elevator with two secret service agents. Olivia gives a brief nod to both of them.
"Don't worry Livvie," Fitz whispers in her ear, "these guys won't spoil our night."
A few minutes later their unmarked black SUV pulls up in front of The Winterborne Movie House.
"Oh no," Olivia says pointing to the sign posted out front, "it's closed until next week due to remodeling."
"Not quite. Jeffrey Winterborne, the owner of this theater, is an old school buddy of mine. The theater is actually completely remodeled and he has agreed to let us use it before its grand re-opening next week."
"Just us?"
"Just us. Come on."
They quickly exit the car and enter the theater. Jeffrey meets them and gives them a grand tour of the theater. It has been remodeled to look like the beautiful movie theaters at the beginning of the cinema era. It even has a pipe organ.
"So," Jeffrey says as they sit in his office, "we have a catalogue of over 200 movies. Take your pick and I will get it set up for you."
Fitz hands the catalogue to Olivia, "It's your choice."
She flips through the first two pages and immediately points to a movie she wants.
"Really," Fitz says slightly shocked.
"Yeah. It's one of my favorite movies."
"Okay," Jeffrey says, "I'll get it set up in the main theater and you two can go see Donna at the refreshment stand."
Five minutes and two tubs of popcorn, because she refuses to share hers, one box of Milk Duds and two giant sodas later, Fitz and Olivia sit in the center of the back row of the 250 seat theater.
"Are you sure about this?" he asks again. "We can watch a chick flick if you want."
"Fitz this movie is perfect. Lt. Ellen Ripley is the quintessential gladiator. She's my hero. She kicks ass and takes no prisoners, just like me."
"Just like you," he beams. His Livvie is back.
They sit and watch Aliens and stuff themselves with popcorn and candy. After the movie they thank Jeffrey and duck back into the SUV.
"Are you hungry?" he asks.
"Not really. Too much popcorn."
"Well . . . " he is interrupted by his cell phone ringing. He answers and Olivia immediately knows by his tone that their date night is over.
"Sorry," he says after hanging up the phone, "I need to get back to the White House. Can we continue our date tomorrow night?"
"Of course. Does this mean you won't be sleeping at my house tonight?"
"Yes, unfortunately. It looks like I'll have to pull an all-nighter. Cyrus even alerted the press that I am "coming back" from Camp David for this."
"Well don't push yourself on my account. If we can't go out, I'll be fine," her voice betraying a little disappointment.
He appreciates the brave face she puts on for him.
"Don't worry Livvie, tomorrow I will pick you up at 8:00pm sharp to take you for dinner and dancing."
They pull up in front of her building and Fitz gets out and escorts her to her apartment. He places a sweet kiss on her cheek before he leaves.
Olivia goes to bed later with a huge smile on her face and the reassurance that life is certainly worth living.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next evening, Fitz arrives at her apartment promptly at 8:00pm. Once again he becomes breathless when Olivia appears. Tonight she has chosen to wear a short dark grey spaghetti strap dress that is embellished with a mixture of silver sequins and rhinestones. She her a burgundy pashmina and pumps add a pop of color to her outfit. Her hair is pin straight and spills over her shoulders and down her back. Fitz's black suit with an open collared white dress shirt are a perfect complement to her outfit.
The ride to the Black Jack Club is short. They enter through a rear door and are seated in a corner section of the club that is for private parties. The two-way glass means they can see out into the club, but no one can see in.
They dine on Cajun cuisine and drink way too much wine. As their meal ends, the band takes center stage and begins to play a tribute to Stevie Wonder. They laugh, sing and dance while the band plays.
What seems like mere minutes later the lead singer addresses the crowd, "Thank you ladies and gentlemen. You have been a gracious audience. We have a special dedication to go along with our last song of the night. This one is for Livvie."
The opening strands of "Ribbon in the Sky" begin to play. Fitz extends his hand out to her and she gratefully accepts it as he pulls her into his arms for this last dance.
Oh so long for this night I prayed If allowed may I touch your hand
That a star would guide you my way
To share with me this special day
Where a ribbon's in the sky for our love
And if pleased may I once again
So that you too will understand
There's a ribbon in the sky for our love
Fitz holds her even closer. Wondering how he could ever live without this woman in his life.
"This is our song Livvie," he whispers in her ear.
This is not a coincidence
And far more than a lucky chance
But what is that was always meant
Is our ribbon in the sky for our love, love
We can't lose with God on our side There's a ribbon in the sky for our love
We'll find strength in each tear we cry
From now on it will be you and I
And our ribbon in the sky
Ribbon in the sky
A ribbon in the sky for our love
As the song ends, Fitz dips his head and gently kisses Olivia on the lips. Hands tenderly caress arms and backs as their kiss deepens.
Olivia pulls from his embrace and boldly looks him in the eye, "Take me home."
The drive to her apartment seems to take a lifetime. They sit in the back of the SUV in a warm embrace, stealing kisses from one another every few minutes. At last they reach her building and then her front door. As keys are inserted and locks are turned, Fitz plants kisses along her neck and wraps his arms around her waist. Finally once inside, they share a passion filled kiss.
"I need to freshen up," Olivia says as she pulls from his embrace. "Get some wine and meet me in the bedroom."
As he runs off to the kitchen, Olivia goes into the bedroom. She slips her iPod into the Bose docking station and selects her quiet storm playlist. As the music starts, she walks over to her dresser, she knows exactly what she wants to wear for Fitz tonight. She makes her choice and disappears into the bathroom.
Fitz enters a few minutes later with a bottle of wine and two glasses. He sets the glasses down on the dresser and pours them each a glass. He takes a couple of sips from his glass before he begins to get undressed. By the time Olivia opens the bathroom door, Fitz is standing there waiting for her in nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs.
"Livvie," he chokes out as his mouth goes dry. He stares at her perfectly naked body.
"There was only one thing I wanted to wear for your tonight Fitz," she says as she holds up her left hand.
The sight of his ring returned to the rightful spot on her index finger makes Fitz's heart soar. He crosses to her in two steps and gathers her into his arms. Their kiss is heated and hungry and is only disrupted by their need for oxygen and their desire to be in the bed exploring one another.
After making it to the bed and sliding under the covers, Fitz hovers over Olivia ready to reclaim her as his own when they both hear the song change on the radio.
"I guess this really is our song," Fitz says as "Ribbon in the Sky" begins to play.
They make love into the early hours of the morning, rediscovering one another and promising each other that this time they will be together forever.
As the sky begins to lighten, Olivia and Fitz are tangled in the sheets and wrapped in each other arms.
"I need help," she says as she traces random patterns on his chest.
"I know," he responds.
"I'm scared."
"I know, but you don't have to be because I'm here."
"I still have nightmares sometimes."
"I wish I could take them away for you."
"I want to not be afraid to love you."
"It will take time, but you will get there," he says placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"I think I should talk to someone about what happened to me," she confesses.
"I can help you find someone if you like."
"I would like that. Would you . . . " she hesitates.
He knows what she wants to ask but he doesn't make her. "Of course if you want me to come with you I will. I love you. I would do anything for you."
Tears of relief and gratitude fall from her eyes. He releases his hold on her to wipe them away before kissing her. He gathers her back into his arms and he drifts off to sleep.
All because this man held her in his arms, she feels safe and comforted. But most of all she is beginning to feel healed.
Disclaimer: I do not own Scandal or its characters, iPod or Bose. If I did I would be like a zillionaire! Ribbon in the Sky is by Stevie Wonder. I think it is a truly perfect Olitz song!