Olivia Pope had been working for GNN for ten years. She had started right after she graduated from Georgetown. Having grown up on the east coast she was anxious to see what the west coast had to offer. Los Angeles had been quite the experience for her. It was interesting to live amongst the rich and famous. Olivia had just received her biggest break so far as a journalist. She hosted a weekly true crime talk show. She would have different guests on to discuss current cases that currently gripped the nation. The show had been on for six months and was steadily climbing in ratings. Viewers connected with Olivia because she was accurate, balanced, empathic, graceful, and honest. She was the anti-Nancy Grace. Olivia loved her job and her life. She really couldn't' ask for more. She was single but had her dog that kept her company. She was Siberian Husky name Sabra. Olivia and Sabra lived a very nice three bedroom condo she had purchased a year ago in West Hollywood. It was in a high rise building that had a doorman that made her feel secure. Several celebrities lived in the building as well.

It was Thursday morning and Olivia had just finished getting ready for her day. Guilt and Innocence was filmed on Thursdays so she had to go into the studio. On the days she was not shooting she would research and plan the next weeks show. Over the last few weeks the show was gearing up for day to day coverage of the Chad Bristow murder trial. Chad Bristow was a young singer who was accused of murdering his girlfriend Raven Fields during a fight following a have night of partying. Raven was also a singer. One that was far more famous and successful than Chad. There had been increasing incidents of violence from Chad Bristow for several months so in the eyes of the public he was already guilty. Chad Bristow's trial was set to begin the following Monday. Olivia and her team had been working day and night to prepare for the show to air five days a week. Today's show was going to focus on what had happened up to this point. It was a recap of sorts of the Raven Fields murder. Olivia was a little nervous to be doing a daily show but this was the biggest case the nation had seen since Casey Anthony. It would be a lot of exposure and a new way for Olivia to reach more people. She was standing in front of her full length mirror. She had chosen a black pant suit with a soft gray shirt and matching gray heels. Her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail that started at the base of her neck and she was wearing a small amount of makeup. The makeup people at the studio would touch it up for her when it was time to go live. After a final look, Olivia picked up her purse, laptop bag, and keys and headed out the door.

Olivia arrived at the station in just under fifteen minutes. Part of why she chose Weho was because the show taped in Hollywood and she did not want to battle LA traffic on a regular basis.

'Hey Liv!' Harrison Wright her producer said as she walked into the studio. Olivia had known Harrison since College. In fact he was the biggest reason she was working at GNN. 'You all set for the show?'

'Am I ever not prepared, Wright?' she smirked at him.

'Nope. I know you will be as badass as usual. I have a meeting with Rosen at the network so I will be gone for a while. I will have my phone if anything comes up. Otherwise I will be back by six when you go on, ok?'

'Sounds good. Have you seen Quinn? She was supposed to get me some information on Chad Bristow's lawyer John Kettle.' Olivia asked.

'Last time I saw her she was heading to your dressing room. I think she was going to leave it all there for you. She had to go down to the courthouse with Huck to scope out a spot for the updates Abby is going to do outside the courthouse.'

Quinn Perkins was Olivia's wide-eyed and eager assistant. She was fresh out of college and held Olivia up as her professional idol. Huck was a cameraman who doubled as security a lot of the time. He was extremely protective of the on-air personalities. Abby Whelan was another reporter for the network. The plan was for Abby to sit in on the trial and give insight as to what was happening within the walls of the trial while Olivia remained in the studio for a roundtable discussion with court experts and attorneys.

'Ok, thanks. I will see you later.' Olivia said and turned to head to her dressing room. As she moved down the long corridor her cellphone rang. 'Olivia Pope.'

'That's one.' An unfamiliar voice said.

'I'm sorry? Who is this?' Olivia asked.

'That's one.' The voice said again and then hung up.

Olivia looked at her phone confused. She scrolled back to see what the number said but all her screen told her was that the number was 'unavailable'. Olivia shrugged it off. Being a public figure came with the occasional weird phone call or meaningless threat. She put her phone back into her purse and continued walking until she was in front of her dressing room door. She was a little confused because the door was slightly ajar. Quinn must have left the door opened. She thought and continued through the door. What she saw caused her to drop her laptop bag and then let out a blood curdling scream.

Detectives Fitzgerald 'Fitz' Grant and Nick Cavanaugh walked into the studio. They were both the textbook definition of 'hot cop'. Nick was about six three with dark blonde hair and honey brown eyes. He was thin but not skinny. He had what most women would describe as a 'swimmer's body.' He was thirty-five and single and had been on the force for ten years. He became a detective about two years ago and was partnered with Fitz. Fitz was older than Nick by ten years. He had been on the force for twenty years and had been a detective for twelve years. He was just a hair shorter than Nick standing at six two. His body however rivaled Nick's. In fact it surpassed his. Fitz was broad shouldered and fuller. He had the body of a Greek God as all the badge bunnies told him. Fitz has been divorced and has a ten year old son named Justin. Justin lived with Fitz's ex-wife and Fitz had him on the weekends he wasn't working.

'I hate Hollywood cases. Everyone lies and you have to get through nineteen people just to talk to one person. It's a waste of time.' Nick complained. He was not happy when Fitz volunteered to take the case. Fitz was a Southern California boy and had lived in LA most of his life. There wasn't an inch of the city he didn't know like the back of his hand which is why he tended to volunteer for high profile cases. It made the higher ups less nervous about the scrutiny the department would be under if Fitz was on these assignments. However if he were to be completely honest with himself he had volunteered more so for who was involved. Fitz had been watching Olivia Pope on GNN for years and he had a little crush on her. He was interested in what she really was like.

'This isn't a Hollywood case. There are no movie stars involved. Olivia Pope is a journalist.'

'Whatever. You know what I mean.' Nick said rolling his eyes.

'Are you the detectives?' Harrison asked as he approached them quickly.

'Yes. I am Detective Cavanaugh and this is Detective Grant.' Nick said.

'Harrison Wright. I am a producer here.

Can you tell us what happened, Mr. Wright' Fitz asked.

'I am not sure. I talked to Olivia when she got in this morning about the show tonight. I was about to head to a meeting with the studio when I heard her scream. I ran to see what was wrong and that is when I saw her.' Harrison said

'Saw who? Olivia Pope?' Fitz asked.

'Well yes and no. Olivia was sitting in the hallway. She had her back against the wall with her legs pulled up to her chest sobbing. When I got to her all she could to do was point. I went into her dressing room and that is when I saw all of the blood and Quinn lying on the floor. I stepped out of the room and called you guys immediately.' 'Ok. Where is Miss Pope now?'

'Um she is in the green room. It's down that hall. It's the first door on your left.' Harrison directed.

'All right, this officer is going to take your statement while I go talk to Miss Pope.' Fitz motioned for the nearest uniformed officer. Harrison nodded and he and the officer walked away. 'You go check out the crime scene. The ME and CSI should already be there. I will catch up with you after I am done with her.'

Fitz followed Harrison's directions to the green room as Nick went the opposite way down the hall. When Fitz got to the doorway of the green room he stopped. Olivia Pope was sitting alone on a sofa, blankly staring at the wall. She was no longer crying but Fitz could tell she was on the verge at any second. Fitz knocked softly so as not to startle her. Olivia came out of her reverie and looked at him. For a moment Fitz's heart stopped. She had the most amazing brown eyes he had ever seen. He struggled with his words.

'Can I help you?' Olivia said. She didn't recognize the man standing in the doorway and with the day's events she was defensive and leery.

'I am sorry. I am Detective Grant, Miss Pope.' Fitz finally responded.

'Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I guess I am a little on edge and forgot my manners. Please come in.' Olivia motioned as she stood up.

'There is no reason to apologize. It has been a difficult day for you.' Fitz said as he moved toward her. She stuck out her hand and he took it a shook it gently. There was a charge that happened the moment they touched. He wondered if she felt it too. Get it together Grant. This is not the time. Do your damn job! He said to himself and released her hand. Olivia sat back on the sofa and motioned for Fitz to join her. 'Are you up to a few questions?

'Yes. Sure.' Olivia nodded apprehensively. The truth was she felt sick to her stomach and sad.

'Can you tell me what happened?'

'I got here a little before nine. I talked to Harrison for a while. He told me Quinn had gone with Huck…he's one of our camera guys, to do some scouting at the court house. My show is going to be covering the Chad Bristow trial everyday so we need a place for our people to kind of camp out at. Anyway after talking to Harrison I went to my dressing room and that's when I saw her. There was so much blood. I think I screamed. The next thing I remember Harrison was kneeling next to me in the hallway.' Olivia stammered as she spoke.

'OK. Did you notice anyone around that didn't belong? Did you notice anything out of the ordinary at all?

'No. Everyone I saw were the same people I see every day. There was nothing abnormal. Wait…I did get a strange phone call just before. But it's probably nothing. I get strange phone calls all of the time.' Olivia told him.

'What do you mean strange phone call?' Fitz asked.

'It was from an unavailable number. When I answered it there was a man on the other end. He said 'that's one'. I asked who he was and he just repeated 'that's one' and hung up.'

'OK. We can look into that. See if it's connected. How well do you know the victim…..?' Fitz started.

'Victim?' Olivia looked up at him with wet and scared eyes. She suddenly burst into tears. Fitz put his hand on her back.

'I am sorry Miss Pope. That was very callous of me. How well did you know Quinn? Did she have any enemies? A jealous ex? Anyone that would want her dead?'

Olivia tried to compose herself as she felt Fitz rubbing her back. It was incredibly soothing. She felt very safe with him. She looked up into his eyes. He had the most unique eyes she had ever seen. They were grey like the ocean after a storm. They also conveyed so much empathy and kindness. She didn't think cops were like this. After a few moments of gazing Olivia finally answered 'Quinn moved here from Seattle right after she graduated college. She's only been in LA a year. She came on as assistant here about nine months ago. She became my exclusive assistant when Guilt and Innocence started six months ago. As far as I know she doesn't have any enemies. She is the sweetest girl. I can't imagine anyone not liking her let alone wanting hurt her. She has a boyfriend. I think his name is Erik. He's a musician. They live together in Burbank.'

'Ok. Well thank you for your time Miss Pope. Here is my card. If you think of anything else please do not hesitate to call me.'

'Thank you Detective Grant. And please call me Olivia or Liv. Most people call me Liv.' She smiled sadly as she stood.

'Ok. Have a good day Liv.' He smiled back at her.

'Grant. We have a problem.' Nick said as he rushed into the room.

'What? What is it?' Fitz asked.

'The producer just received a video tape. It was addressed to Miss Pope but security brought to the producer first.'

'Why?' Fitz asked.

'They screen all my mail. Just to make sure it's not covered with Anthrax or a severe enough threat to be alarmed.' Olivia explained.

'Ok. So what was on the tape?' Fitz asked.

'The murder.' Nick replied.

'What? The killer recorded the murder? Why?' Fitz asked.

'Well according to the letter attached it's a warning to her.' Nick said motioning to Olivia.

'Me?' Olivia said shakily.

'Show me this tape. Miss Pope, please wait here.' Fitz stated.

'No way. If this is about me I have a right to know!' Olivia said defiantly.

'I am with her on this Grant. She at least needs to see the letter.' Nick replied.

'Fine. Come on.' Fitz said as the three of them walked out of the room.

Ok guys my creative juices started flowing again. This is clearly AU but let me know what you think. I am going to work on this until I can decide how I want the sequel to 'The Conversation' to go. Don't you think Fitz would make a hot cop? And yes the murder trial is loosely based on a very famous event. Please review and thanks for reading!