Summary: A one-shot expressing Jake's thoughts when Olivia walked out of the conference room in "Everything's Coming Up Mellie."
A/N: I love Jake Ballard and can finally hear his voice in my head. As a writer, I need that before I can produce. So for those of you like me who love him, I hope you enjoy this.
Disclaimer: No infringement intended. All characters belong to ABC and Shonda Rhimes. I just borrowed them for my "short" short.
Jake watched as Olivia left the conference room. He wanted to go to her but held himself back. Jake had meant it when he told her he didn't play second to any one, but that didn't mean he didn't care for her... maybe even love her. And, because he had feelings for her, he didn't plan on settling for scraps.
Under the President and Rowan's orders, he'd watched Olivia for many weeks before contacting her. She was amazing and now she was hurting. He didn't know how long it would be before she crashed but he would be there for her. He'd told her he wasn't going anywhere and he wasn't. She'd saved his life and he was still under orders to protect her even if they were his own.
He would protect her with his life. Jake has already proven that but he knew they were all in more danger than anyone other than Huck truly realized. As he was getting to know each of the "gladiators", he realized more and more why Olivia loved them so... for all their quirks, they were loyal to a fault. Just like him, she had saved each one in some special way. But it wasn't debt that bonded them to her, it was the strength in her vulnerability that drew them in. It was the drive and passion that overshadowed the inherent sadness she carried.
Olivia was beautiful inside and out. She was flawed, but beautiful. And, Jake knew she deserved the world, but he couldn't give her that unless she chose it. He wouldn't push but he would be there for her when she needed him. Olivia had been broken over her mom's death and had never truly recovered. She carried that as well as the fact that her father was a monster with her every day. Jake would make sure she didn't carry that load alone anymore. He would be there just as he promised.