Disclaimer: I do not own Scandal

Prologue

Santa Barbara, California - 2008

"I'm telling you, Liv, this guy is the real deal." Cyrus Rutherford Beene led the way through the expansive Grant Compound in the countryside of Santa Barbara, California.

DC attorney Olivia Pope-Davis rolled her brown eyes in exasperation. Cyrus always was a little melodramatic and had a way of overstating things, "You keep saying that, Cy, but I don't exactly know what you want from me." She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow as they made their way out to the backyard.

"I want you to fix him." Cyrus patted her hand, "This guy can do it, Liv, he can make history, but there's something" he sighed, "something not connecting and I need you to fix him."

Olivia let out a sigh, "How many times do I have to tell you, Cyrus, I'm not a fixer. I'm an attorney. And I can't help a Republican candidate." She pulled her arm out of his grasp.

"And why not?" Cyrus asked, stopping them in the sun porch before they could meet everyone outside.

"Oh, I don't know, Cy, maybe because my husband is the Senate Majority leader and a Democrat." She reminded him.

"Do you think Edison will honestly care that you're doing your job well?" Cyrus asked, "And just think of what this could do for your career? Getting a president elected, Republican or Democrat, what does it matter?"

"It'll matter to Edison." Olivia argued.

"Oh, you're apolitical and you're completely capable of making your own decisions and working for a candidate even if your husband won't agree. Please, just meet him. Meet the Grant family. For me?" He asked, "I thought you said you owed me a favor. Consider this me cashing it in now."

Olivia scowled at him, but motioned for him to open the door. She let him lead her out onto the back porch where a group of people sat surrounded by glasses of wine and scotch. "Ah, Cyrus, this must be our savior." An older man stood up, "Jerry Grant."

Olivia gave him a firm handshake, "Olivia Pope." She introduced herself.

"Ah, Cyrus's prodigy," Big Jerry motioned to his side, "this is my son, Fitzgerald Grant, III. He's our next President of the United States."

"Confident, I like it." Olivia held out her hand, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Grant."

Fitzgerald Thomas Grant, III gave the woman a tight smile, "It's nice to meet you as well, Ms. Pope."

"Olivia will do just fine." She shook his hand.

"Then you can call me Fitz." He stepped aside, "This is my wife, Mellie."

A brunette woman stood up, patting her hair into place. Her ice blue eyes assessed Olivia critically. After a moment she smiled widely at her, "It is just so nice to meet you. Thank you for coming all the way out to California to meet with us." She drawled. Her accent was nice, southern, something that would go over very well with the public on the whole. You can trust a delicate, musical southern accent.

"My pleasure, anything for my friend Cyrus." Olivia took the proffered seat and accepted a glass of wine.

SCANDAL

Washington, DC

Olivia sighed as she set her bag by the front door, "Edison?"

"In the kitchen. Dinner's almost ready. How was Cyrus?" He called out.

Olivia followed the sound of his voice into the kitchen of their Georgetown home, "You know Cyrus. He's like a dog with a bone with Grant." She pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, "Smells amazing."

"Well, it's not popcorn, but there is wine." He motioned to the bottle breathing on the countertop, "So is Grant a winner?"

Olivia shrugged, "Not sure, he's got something I can work with. If I take it that is."

"What do the partners think?" He asked, stirring some spices into the pot on the stove.

"Haven't told them. I'm an attorney, not a fixer. And I don't have a team. I'm not sure what I'm thinking. He's a Republican." She pointed out.

Edison shrugged, "Wouldn't bother me."

"It wouldn't?" Olivia asked, "Because we both agreed not to screw with each other's careers and I'd hate to step into your jurisdiction. I don't do politics, I'm an attorney."

Turning, Edison wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, "Don't worry about that. My career is set." He paused, "I know you, Liv, you're not completely satisfied where you are now. I think this is the perfect opportunity to branch out, maybe you should be fixing. I always thought you'd be a shark in the political waters."

Olivia chuckled and rocked up on her heels, pressing a kiss to his lips. "I'll call Cyrus right now." Unwinding herself from his grasp, she reached for her phone. Pouring a glass of wine, she took a sip as Cyrus picked up, "Cy, it's Olivia."

"Liv, have you considered my offer?"

"I'm in. I'll be out in California to meet with your team on Monday."

"Thanks, Liv. I'm telling you, with you here we're going to make a President."

"Whatever you say, Cy. See you Monday morning." She hung up.

SCANDAL

XOXO

MAS