When A Man Loves A Woman

Chapter 2: Ain't To Proud To Beg

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"Ain't to Proud to Beg" By the Temptations.

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Olivia voice over: Maya Angelou said

First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love.

I know you wanna leave me,

but I refuse to let you go

I If I have to beg and plead for your sympathy,

I don't mind coz' you mean that much to me

The expression on Cyrus' face told the whole story. The room was silent and it was as if time was standing still. It was like they were stuck in this eternal purgatory, praying for this hell to be over. Cyrus couldn't begin to process what he had just walked in on. A empty feeling came to his stomach, almost like a heart break. He was like a little child who just found out there was no Santa Clause. Deflated.. Angry... Hurt.. Betrayed.

Cyrus quickly adjusted his head as Olivia and Fitz hurried to cover and adjust themselves. "Cyrus..." They yelled out in unison as they fumbled with their clothes.

"I am so sorry Sir... My deepest apologies... I didn't..." Cyrus stammered as he retreated out the door befuddled and confused. He wasn't sure how to process this all, all these thoughts started plowing through his head.

Olivia was beyond mortified, embarrassed and angry with herself for being so weak and getting caught in such a scandalous position. She started to panic as this all began to register, the magnitude of what just happened could be catastrophic.

"Fitz" Olivia softly let out in a murmur. Fitz proceeded to help adjust her skirt. "Shh.. It's okay Livie. Baby let me help you." Fitz said as he began to button her shirt back up. "Fitz how and the hell can you be so damn calm? Are you going to acknowledge the fact that we just got caught? Or how about this, mull over the fact that we got caught by Cyrus. Fitz... Cyrus! I just pray he didn't see me." Olivia said with a crackle in her voice as if she were ready to cry.

Ain't too proud to beg, sweet darlin

Please don't leave me girl, don't you go

Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby

Please don't leave me, girl, don't you go

"Liv... I was just trying to keep you calm. I guess that went out the window. Look I get it, I'm sorry it was my fault... I got you here and I initiated sex. I was foolish, I just missed you so damn much I couldn't control myself. I got careless, and put us in a bad spot. Forgive me... please." Fitz said as he place a soft kiss on her lips.

"Fitz, please don't." Olivia said as she turned away from him. "Olivia Caroline Pope, listen to me.." He gently turned her face to meet her eyes. "Look at me.. I will handle Cyrus, you have my word that I will fix this." He said lovingly.

"Fitz that doesn't help me... He walked in on you screwing me, I was bent over your desk. That's not the lasting impression I wanted for myself." Olivia said, Fitz smirked and replied, "Liv I covered you, trust me. You have nothing to worry about he wasn't looking at your private parts. He's gay if anything I should be freaking out, he would much rather want a peek at the presidential package." Fitz said as he laughed.

"In all seriousness Fitz, how do we end up here? How is that one minute we want to rip each other's head off then the next minute were ripping each other's clothes off? Olivia questioned.

"Livie... I hate to break it to you but we are in love, and when you're in love you tend to do some crazy things. Like letting you resign." Fitz replied as he gently rubbed her hand.

"Fitz, you know why I resigned... You know that we can't be together. It is just to damn hard, I can't do my job... Not if I'm involve with you." Olivia replied.

"Why do you always do that? You always have to focus in on the fact that this situation isn't perfect ... Let me enlighten you, love doesn't require you to be perfect!"

Fitz began to get fired up.

"No it doesn't, but what it does require is respect. I'm not your door mat! I'm not your whore! You can summon me like your little play thing whenever your heart desires." Olivia yelled out attempting to make a point.

"Liv, you might want to be real careful where your going with this." Fitz warned.

Now I heard a cryin' man,

is half a man with no sense of pride

But if I have to cry to keep you,

I don't mind weepin' if it'll keep you by my side

"I love you. I love you so much it hurts. Believe me I do, but I am sick and tired of being your dirty little secret. I'm sick and tired of stolen moments. I'm sick and tired of excuses, and feeling cheap and tainted. I'm sick and tired of being a cheater, your side piece... Your concubine, the one that does what your wife won't. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired." Olivia stated with purpose.

"Olivia... Shut up! Just shut the hell up. You are being disgusting, don't you ever call yourself a whore in my presence again! You are the love of my life, not my side piece or my groupie and to diminish our relationship is unconscionable! Don't you ever..."Fitz was cut off in mid- sentence.

"Don't what? Point out reality... Because what is real is the fact that this relationship has made us unrecognizable. Look in the mirror Fitz, just look at what we've become. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd become the girl who sleeps with another women's husband. I despise her... I hate that women, I hate who I have become." Olivia said honestly.

"So you hate who you've become huh? You want to know what I hate? I hate the fact that the women I love doesn't want to fight for us. She doesn't want to hold on and wait for me to get us to the finish line. I wish I could give you everything you want, and everything you deserve. It kills me that I can't give you that, but I am the leader of the free world it isn't that simple. I'm not some smock who's promising to leave his wife, but doesn't because he wants his cake and eat it to. I'm not sitting her looking into your eyes lying to you, telling you I'm leaving my wife with no real intentions of doing so." Fitz Fired back.

"You are absolutely right.. Your worse. This whole situation is worse. Let me tell you I much rather be that smocks girl. That girl is naïve and believes in fairy tales. That girl has hope. I'm not so lucky, I see the writing on the wall. I know what the end game is. I unfortunately know how the story ends." Olivia bellowed out.

"You are so fucking frustrating! You think I asked for this? Do you think this was the plan? News flash this wasn't the play I drew up! I didn't plan on falling in love with you, I didn't plan on you consuming every one of my thoughts. I didn't put everything I have, all that I worked for at risk for a fling... For a cheap tawdry affaire. You are everything, that's how this story ends... I can't help the fact that we were dealt this hand. What do you want from me blood?"

Fitz screamed.

"What do I want from you? I want you! I want to grow old with you. I want to celebrate birthdays. I want to eat dinner together, I want to get in the car and go somewhere without a care in the world. I want a family of our own someday. I want PTA meetings and Soccer games. I want Christmas and Thanksgiving. I want it all, everything we deserve." Olivia said challenging Fitz.

"You don't think I think about that stuff? Liv, I llive for you. I exist for you, you're the sun and I revolve around you! My days are consumed wondering, drifting off into a world where we could be together. My staff must think I'm crazy I'm in the oval and I'm just smiling to myself because I'm thinking about you, thinking about something we talked about or did. My mantra should be, what would Liv do? Because every time I sign a bill will or go into a meeting... I think to myself would Liv have like this? Is it good enough? You're my last thought when I go to bed and my first thought when I wake up... I dream of you. I breathe for you, my purpose is for you. I play this tough guy roll... It's a facade. You have the power over me, you say jump I say how high. I don't get how you just can't see." Fitz almost teared up.

Ain't to proud to beg, sweet darlin

Please don't leave me girl, don't you go

Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby

Please don't leave me girl, don't you go

"Fitz... I can't continue being stuck in this holding pattern waiting for you." Olivia shot back.

"Liv, I understand your plight...I understand your pain. Don't you realize it I want to be together just as much as you? You need understand what I go through. I'm not you average every day guy. I'm one of forty-four men to ever grace the most powerful office in the land. Just think, I'm one of forty-four people to be chosen to lead the most powerful nation in the world. That's rarified air where talking. I live in this bubble, you couldn't possibly imagine. I can't go to the bathroom without Secret Service a few steps away. I haven't driven my own car in years. I am grown man and I can't leave my own house without permission. If I want to go on vacation it has to be preapproved eight months in advance. I have haven't even been able to pick up my kids from school in god knows how long. Why ... because I'm the president of the United States and it would be unsafe for me to do so, it's unsafe for their father to pick them up from school. Who'd a thought it? If I get a cold or even a damn headache the death-con level rises. Do you know how many snakes in the grass there are around me? I can count the people I can trust on one hand. I couldn't begin to count how many vultures are circling in the wind praying for my demise. So don't talk to me about what's fair and don't talk to me about being in a holding pattern. That's what my damn life is, a holding pattern waiting and praying hoping for this all to be over. There is only one thing I want that is selfishly for me...and that's you. Yet I can't seem to even get that."

Fitz Retorted.

"Aw... the golden boy is upset, well you asked for this. You wanted to be President, so don't bitch and moan about the struggles of the Oval Office. You can't go into the game knowing the rules and then decided you don't like them when they start to inconvenience you. Nobody put a gun to your head, nobody had to sell you on being President. Fitz the remedy to all your misery... our misery, would have been to choose me. For you to pick me... Love me. Yet the oval always seems to win." Olivia said.

"You know how towards the end of every presidency they give you that before and after picture. The one where they compare how young and vibrant you are when you take office, and then compare to when your getting ready to leave. That picture that one shot, the one that shows the grey and the wrinkles. The one where you can see the weight of the world on a man shoulders. When they do mine, my grey and thinning hair won't be from my Presidency. It will be from you! There is no buyers remorse here baby, I wanted to be President and I took it! Just to put in to perspective you can't bitch either. When this started I didn't lie to you, I didn't play you for a fool. I wasn't available... at least not in the way you wanted. Yet you still wanted to be with me, because love wins. Love trumps all!" Fitz felt he was saying what had to be said.

"Not when we put it through everything we do. It can't survive, it won't. I'm done. Fitz I'm done! I wish you luck with your bid for reelection. I truly mean that, but I am going to represent the Congress Women and try to move on with my life." Olivia said with sadness.

"Livie I don't want you to leave me. I refuse to let you walk away from us. If I have to beg and plead with you, if I have to get on my knees I will. You mean everything to me, and I would rather die than be without you." Fitz said trying to keep his composure.

If I have to sleep on your doorstep

all night and day just to keep you from walkin' away

let your friends laugh, even this I can stand

cause I want to keep you any way I can

"Fitz, there is no begging or pleading. If you want me, Earn me! Actions speak louder than words." Olivia began to cry, Fitz moved in towards her and engulf her in a hug.

"Shh.. Baby don't cry... Love please don't cry, you know I hate it." He gently caressed her as tears fell on his shoulder. That was the true weight of the world on his shoulders. "Liv, I don't care if you work for the congress woman. I'm not mad anymore." He placed a soft kiss on her head. She composed herself and said, "I think I should go."

Back at OPA

Olivia arrived back at OPA and tried to forget what happened.. "Liv..are you alright? Huck asked knowing his gladiator. Olivia just smiled, "I'm fine, just fill me in on what's been going on with Thompson, and her Swizz bank account." Huck pulled up his computer screen," I was able to break the encryption and get the accounts ABA and routing number, however I needed the pin." Abby then took out a folder and opened it, "That's where we came in. We had the Congress Woman come in to talk to Quinn, and while she was being kept busy. Harrison and I paid a little visit to her house. Some interference from Huck to get us past the alarms, low and behold we were in." Harrison laughed, "We found a safe in her office, which we were able to break into with a little tool from rain man over here." Huck showed Olivia the Computer,"I'm running the information now the I have the pin, it will be a hard firewall to crack but give me some time and I'll have it. Once I can trace the money, we'll have a better idea of what's going on and wil have our answers." Olivia was truly proud of her team,"Great work guys keep me posted the minute we have something."

The Oval

Fitz sat at his desk and pored over his speech for the last debate of the election. Just then Cyrus knocked," Sir is it okay if I come in?" Fitz just chuckled, "Oh Know we have manners. Come on in its safe Cy." Cyrus shut the door and approached the President. "Why are you here so late?"Fitz asked. "I think you know why Sir." Cyrus said harshly. Fitz put away his work and focused his attention on Cyrus. "Okay asked me what you need to ask me and say what you have to say." Fitz said as he relaxed back and folded his arms.

"Sir I'm going to be real frank with you. Olivia Pope! Why in the hell! End it now! End it yesterday... You damn fool." Cyrus began to yell. "Cyrus, watch your damn mouth... I'll give you the floor but tread lightly. Remember you are talking to the President of the United States." Fitz warned. Cyrus began to cover his mouth to stop the laughter. " President of the United States... Oh that's funny, you thinking that means something when congress gets a hold of you. Let me be the bad guy. Love let me count the ways thy screw me! Clinton... Kennedy...Edwards...Wiener. I can go on but we'd be here all night. Do you know what these men have in common? No matter what they did in office, no matter what they accomplished... There Paramore's that so eloquently manage to trip and land on their dicks are the first thing their remembered for."Cyrus screamed.

"Cyrus, do you want to have to explain to the press core tommrow why it is you have a black eye and a fat lip? Better yet why it is the I have a swollen bruised left hand." Fitz said with ice in his eyes. "I warned you.. Say what you have to say, but watch your fucking tone."

"How long Fitz?"

"From the beginning Cy, since you brought her in... about a month or two after."

What! Almost five years, you have been sleeping with Olivia for the past five years."Cyrus said in shock.

"Cy Olivia and I have been in a relationship, on and off everyday since I have been president. Let me do the math for you that's about fifteen hundred days, give or take." Fitz said.

"Mr. President I walked into the oval praying that you would tell me that Olivia Pope was nothing more than a fling. Nothing more than an employee that got to you, that got your labideo going and got you all hot and bothered. I wanted you to tell me that you were just a squirrel just trying to get a nut. I was really looking forward to you telling me that it was just sex, two maybe three times. Never did I envision you telling me that you have been having an affair with this women from day one."Cyrus said as he thought he was having a stroke.

"Cyrus what I do and who I do it with is none of your business."Fitz said nonchalantly.

"Oh none of my business... That's rich. You maybe President, but you work for me... You work for the people. The people of this great nation of ours, this beautiful democracy... That will not allow you to be President and screw Olivia Pope at the same time. The rules don't work that way. The optics just don't work in your favor." Said Cyrus.

"Cyrus I feel like we are having some communication issues here. You just not getting it. Olivia is not a whore, and she's not some attention or fame monger. She didn't make one passed me, she didn't seduce me. I seduced her! I chased her, and to be perfectly honesty I wanted to. I practically begged her to be with me. Cyrus I love her, I will one day marry her. I will start a family with her. I will die in her arms when I'm eighty or nighty years old."Fitz said honestly.

"Sir stop talking, stop telling me these things. I can't be a witness called to testify, I know nothing. I wish I never walked in this damn room earlier today. This is worst then I thought. I can spin Monica Lewinsky. I can deal with a young White House employee who makes her way into the Oval. This is DC that happens once a week and twice on Sunday. This an actual relationship, this isn't just fear of impeachment. This is jail, congressional hearings ... If this gets out its not just your ass but Olivia's two. Olivia was your damn communications director. They will look into her massive salary. Investigators will seize our computers and phone records, pillage the office for our files. They'll want to know every little detail of your relationship. They'll want to know how much the First Lady knew. They'll find reasons to put the both of you in jail. They are going to look for the smoking gun, they don't want a sex scandal they will want federal crimes." Cyrus was besides himself.

Ain't too proud to beg, sweet darlin'

Please don't leave me girl, don't you go

Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby

Please don't leave me girl, don't you go

Fitz was frazzled he never looked at this situation from Cyrus' perspective. He knew it was bad, he knew Olivia and his relationship was something that needed to be handled with kit gloves. That's why he wanted to keep his relationship so tight to the vest, but federal crimes. Maybe he was brazen and reckless but he never concern himself with just how much Olivia was involved in running the country. "Cyrus I hear you. I understand that I just ruined your live, but Liv and I have a plan. We've keep it quite from you, my right hand man all this time. We will keep it quiet and when the time is right I will divorce Mellie... Then eight months to a year later Liv and I will spin this as greatest love story ever told." Fitz said proud of his plan.

"Sir I don't think you hear me! What's done in the dark comes into the light. You found that out first hand today. Your Harvard Law Sir, your no dummy. It pains me to know that you seem to think that just because I didn't know... Doesn't mean any one of the thousands of employees that work here didn't. Employees that are a lot less loyal than I. People like the press or the democrats here from the hill. They would love to derail you reelection bid or expose the scandal of the century. You know what makes you different from those other men, you can sweep it under the rug. You got the distinct privilege of living in the Information Age. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Hashtags and likes. Not to mention the endless number of all day news stations."Cyrus said.

"Cyrus I thank you for your concern, your friendship and loyalty. You always have my best interest at heart, I appreciate right about everything,but this is how it's going to go... You are going to home get some sleep. Let me handle my own business, and you are to leave Olivia alone. No threats, no holding this over her head, no blackmail and no trying to embarrass her or drive her out of town."Fitz stated his wishes.

"Yes Mr. President." Cyrus answered begrudgingly.

"I'm so glad where on the same page, because let me be frank if you don't listen to me... Lord have mercy on your soul. I may obliterate my political career in the process but I will crucify you to the oval. You now know my real relationship with Olivia, don't test me. Don't be afraid because I'm the President and your boss, be afraid that I'm a man in love who will do whatever it takes to protect and defend my women. Cyrus I love you like my brother but don't be on the wrong side on this one. I may be kind and you may be my brother but don't mistake my kindness for weakness. Don't think that just because I send you out as my pit-bull I don't have a bite. Challenge me on this and Kindness will be the furthest thing you'll remember me for! Fitz said meaning business.

"Sir I think that we've both made our fair points. I will listen to you, and stay out of this. I just want to say that when the shit hits the fan, and believe me it will ... don't ask me to help you. Not because I told you so, or because you hurt my feelings but because I can't. Not when you won't let me do what I do best not when you won't let me get on top of this. When this gets out it will be to late."Cyrus said

"That's fair Cy, I won't hold it against you. Anything else because if not we are done here now... You can leave." Cyrus just walked out and slammed the door.

Back At OPA

Olivia sat alone in her office sipping on her 94 du Bellay. She was replaying the rollercoaster ride she was just on with Fitz. She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of the door. "Hi Olivia." Cyrus appeared at her door.

"Cyrus." Olivia whispered, visibly uncomfortable.

"Oh... Liv, you can relax... Let your guard down. Your boyfriend made very clear the rules. I'm not here for that."

Cyrus said

"Than why are you here Cy?" Olivia asked.

"I'm here because I think you need to know that he is going to commit political suicide. He not listing to my warnings but I'm hoping you will convince him. The optics Liv, your the best in the world at what you do. So I don't need to tell you about the category five hurricane that will touch down because of this. You guys are safe for now but you and I both know no matter how good you can be. Somewhere there's a link the connection that links you and Fitz. I thought I taught better Olivia, you no everyone lives a trail everyone has a tell. Liv you do this shit for fun, and you and I both know you need to shut this down. Because if you're not going to end it with him then you need to be prepared for what's going to come. You at the very least need to give us the opportunity to continue this presidency because of this comes out that's it. Liv, he doesn't understand what's going to happen to him he's not planning he's not thinking... he's not being practical isn't using his brain and he's not the same man anymore. He's a lovestruck puppy but that's not my biggest concern with my biggest concern is is that you're the only one that can get through to him." Cyrus said.

"Cyrus what did he say to you. How much did he let you know?" Olivia asked

"I know enough." Cyrus responded.

"I'm sorry Cy... Why did you think I stepped away from the team. I don't even want to think of the possibility of Millie finding out. I know the ramifications of this all... assured mural destruction." Cyrus sat down next to his friend who his missed, "Do you mind if I have a glass?" Olivia smiled and poured him some. "Olivia the 94 du Bellay? It's a decent choice but next time I'll send you the 81 Sauvignon Blanc. Don't be an amateur I taught you better." Cyrus teased.

"Hey the heart wants what it wants Cy, but I'll definitely try the 81 if say so." Olivia said has she took a sip. "Liv you know how when something bad happens, like a terrorist plot, or an assassination, or major financial crisis? Do you know what they have in common? Everyone and their mother always comes out after about how they saw it coming and had the intelligence to stop it. This whole relationship you have with Fitz may not be an issue now... and I pray that it doesn't, but one day real soon we're going to be setting here wishing we were more proactive. Wishing we handled this differently." Cyrus said as he drink his wine.

"Cyrus I love him." Olivia said honestly.

" I know you do... I know he loves you too, I could tell after the talk I had with him." Cyrus said remember the Presidents words.

"I'm sorry we didn't tell you, we do love you." Olivia said hoping to ease the sting for Cyrus.

"I'm not going to lie, I was a little hurt by that. I thought we were the three amigos... a family. Then come to find out you two were incesting. The man I consider to be my brother and my best friend. That's a hard one to take. I still love you though." With those words Cyrus got up to leave. Olivia turned to him and said, "Thank you Cyrus. Just to let you know your right about everything, and when the shit hits the fan... do what you have to do. I'll understand I won't get mad, its the right play." Olivia said.

Now I've gotta love so deep in the pit of my heart

And each day it grows more and more

I'm not ashamed to come and plead to you baby

If pleadin' keeps you from walkin' out that door

Ain't too proud to beg, you know it sweet darlin'

Please don't leave me girl, don't you go

Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby

Please don't leave me girl, don't you go

Baby, baby, baby, baby (sweet darling)

White House

Fitz had went to bed in the guest room, for yet another night. Mellie tiptoed out of the residence into the East Wing. Careful not to set off anything. "Why did you call me here do you have anything good?" The Secret Service agent looked at her and said, "Ma'am we thought you'd want to know that Potus was with Ms. Pope today in the Oval at 1400. She stayed for about an hour." The agent said. "Do you mean to tell me that whore is back in my House!"

Cyrus' House

Cyrus went home and tried to sleep but just couldn't. He tossed and turned until he decided to get up and got to his office down stairs. He picked up the phone and made a call. "Hey it's me I need a favor. It's a big one, that pays handsomely." The voice on the other end listened and asked, "What is it?" Cyrus gritted his teeth and replied "Start a kill file on Olivia Pope!"