Title: House of Cards
Author: GEM
Date: 11-12-12
Pairing: Olivia/Fitz
Rating: T
Summary: Olivia's world is crumbling around her. Fitz let Olivia go. They vowed to go their separate ways, but all roads lead to Fitz. Olivia/Other Olivia/Fitz
A/N: Your comments are greatly appreciated. Thank you to those of you who have reviewed. I enjoy reading the reviews, so keep them coming. Please don't be shy.
Disclaimer: Scandal is Property of Shonda Rimes and ABC et al.
Chapter 2
Olivia watched in shock as Edison got up off the bed and dressed. She couldn't believe she just did that. "Edison, I..."
Edison held up his hand quickly. He didn't trust himself to speak. He stood up and walked out of the room.
Liv waited a few minutes. She rose out of bed, wrapped in the sheet, and walked into her living room. She found Edison staring out the living room window.
"How long?" Edison asked the hurt evident in his voice.
"What?" Liv whispered as she sat on her couch.
Edison turned to face her for the first time since her outburst. He walked toward her and began to pace in front of her. "I said how long? How long have you been screwing the President of the United States? Edison practically screamed the last question.
"I...I won't answer that. I can't. Edison it's not important. It's over now."
"Not important. Not important! Liv we are good for each other. I let you go and run that campaign. I think I finally have you back and here we are; we're in bed and you are screaming out the President's name!"
"Will you keep your voice down and listen to me. I said it's over."
"You're right, Liv, it's over." Edison turned to leave and had his hand on her door handle.
"You're not listening to me Edison!" Liv stood up and walked toward the door. There was something in her voice that made Edison turn around. "It's over. He ended it. We ended it We ended something we had no right to start. Liv reached up and touch his face. I need a friend. I know I have no right to ask you this. You have every right to be angry with me, but I need a friend." Liv was crying again.
Edison took her hand in his and moved it away from his cheek. "Oh, my God, you're still in love with him."
"We breathe in sync. We broke it off and I have been living in a hellish world ever since." Olivia wiped the tears from her eyes.
Suddenly it all made sense the reason he was kicked off the Intel committee, the ethics inquiry, getting reinstated to the Intel committee. It was all Fitzgerald Grant...jealous boyfriend. "Okay." Edison picked Olivia up and carried her back into the bedroom. "I'll help you, get back with him, if that what you want."
"Edison you can't. He left me. He let me go. He's married." Edison laid her on the bed. "This is destroying you Liv. I loved you enough to marry you once. I want to help you. Let me help you."
"You're a Democrat. You could destroy us with what you know. Why would you help us...help him?"
Edison laid down next to Liv and wrapped his arms around her. "I would never use this against him. Do you know why?"
Olivia had the beginnings of an answer in her head but she wanted to hear it from Edison. "Why?"
"I love you...It would destroy you. If I took the information I learned tonight not only would it make me look like a vindictive ex fiancé with a grudge. it would destroy you as well as him. I don't want to destroy you. It won't help me give you back. I care about you and if you tell anyone this next part. I will deny it but I think Fitzgerald T. Grant III is one hell of a leader, even if he is a Republican. I don't think anyone should be destroyed because they are in love. I'm not that person Liv. Let me help you.
Okay.
Fitz had been back from the G-8 for two days. The total number of days away from Olivia was now at sixteen. It had been sixteen days of hell. It had been the longest sixteen days of his life. He knew he had to be responsible but the truth was that having Olivia made him a better man.
Cyrus walked toward the Oval Office with the folder Fitz had requested in his hand. He wasn't sure how Fitz would react to its contents. He wasn't sure why Fitz insisted on having her watched. He wasn't sure why Fitz wanted to torture himself watching Liv with Edison Davis.
Olivia it appeared had moved on. Cyrus wasn't sure if it would be for good or not. Olivia had been stressed lately, defiance was weighing heavily on everyone. Cyrus knocked on the door to the Oval Office and then entered. "She planning a damn Birthday Party, Cyrus and you're letting her. Fitz ranted as Cyrus came in.
Cyrus approached the desk and sat down next to Fitz. "Think of it as good Political capital. You are an excellent Politian sir use this Gala in your favor. "
"Why does everything have to be about politics?"
"You're the President Sir." Cyrus deadpanned. "And it is your Birthday."
Fitz looked over at his friend and Chief of Staff. "Cyrus, what do you have for me?"
"I have what you asked for." Cyrus handed him the folder. "Before you open that, I would like to know why you choose to torture yourself?"
"I let her go Cy. I let her go because it's what she wanted me to do. I am President of the United States. I am married. I have children. I let her go to try and be responsible but I'm dying inside. I need to know she's happy. I need to know at least one of us is happy, Cy."
Fitz opened the folder and looked at the pictures inside. Edison Davis and Olivia were present in every one. They were happy and intimate in each picture. Cyrus watched as the pain on Fitz's face increased and finally the pictures fell out of his hand onto the desk. "I lost her Cyrus...She moved on." I let her go Cy, and I sitting here complaining and I'm the one that let her go. I thought it would be better, for Olivia, for me, for Mellie and for the Country. I feel like hell and sure as hell don't want to celebrate my birthday."
Cyrus was quiet for a moment and then leaned forward in the chair. The words that he and Liv exchanged not more than a week ago in his head. All roads lead to Fitz. You know I'm on your side Mr. President. I know these pictures tell a different story than you would like. I don't know if you would believe me if I tell you this but don't give up on Liv. Give her time Fitz. Give her time. Little did Cyrus know, time was not something they had.
