It was early, of that she was sure and that could only mean trouble. She was shaken away and she stumbled from her bed groaning as she grabbed the nearest suit offered to her and began to dress., it was times like this during campaigning she had mastered dressing with her eyes closed particularly when she had to sneak out of his room with whispered kisses and goodbyes trailing back to her door. Again she faced the harsh reality, like light blasting through windows in the early morning, that he wasn't there and her eyes would sting slightly but she would always keep herself in check for she was the President and she knew her heart didn't belong in the White House.

By the time she had assembled herself and was rushed the the situation room, her mind was wide awake and her eyes open to the world around her that seemed filled with grey and black suites. The stood when she entered and she nodded them at ease before taking her place at the head of the table.

"What do we have?" She wasn't in the mood, having been living roughly the past few days. They hadn't spoken in a while because she was busy running the world and he wasn't answering. It made her nervous more than anything but it tore her heart strings too and she'd become clouded and sleepless without the warmth of his voice to bask in before bed, then at least the fantasies would come readily to her and she wouldn't have to work to keep him in her dreams.

"Madam President, we're sorry to wake you with bad news but we regret to inform you that as of this morning the news cycles will be filled with this," The room's eyes fell on the large screen with pictures on a slideshow, the Vice President's hand was entangled with a young man with blonde hair and green eyes. The photo was taken from a distance but everyone could see the look they shared, it was similar to those stolen entreaties with him that made her shudder to think. Now wasn't the time and she knew but he was like a fog that shrouded her thoughts and her clarity, impossible to clear. She shook her head and inhaled deeply. "Is the Vice President on his way?"

"Madam President." Daniel Douglas smiled cautiously as he entered the room, taking up a chair next to Olivia before extending his hand, only to be met with a challenging look from Olivia and to cower back with the little dignity that remained.

"Has the family been informed?" She addressed the room, it was imperative that this be met with all the authority she could muster and Daniel Douglas wasn't going to be of any help. A grey suit nodded and handed her a folder full of emails between Doug and his wife (or soon to be ex-wife), Sally Langston.

A black suit cleared his throat, "Mr. Vice President, Sir, I assume your wife is briefing your children?"

Daniel nodded and the room seemed to settle slightly before Olivia's brain began to spin out of control.

"This isn't my problem, Daniel." She narrowed her eyes and glared at the man who would no doubt occupy the air space for the next 48 hours at least meanwhile she was desperately trying to draw attention to her latest gun control bill and this would thwart the plans her team had given months in the making.

He had the good sense to look embarrassed as the entire room watched him closely, "I know that Madam President and I apologise, I'll be sure to-"

"No, you won't." She cut him off and threw the folder across the table where it was whisked out of her sight. She sighed before standing, "You will wait in this room while I call another sleeping person from their bed and so that they can clean up the mess you've made and maybe clear some air time in the media cycle for a story of national importance, rather than the closeted VP I stupidly chose to share the ticket with. To be honest Daniel, I don't give a damn weather you like women, men, cats dog, fuck whoever you want but for God's sake Do. It. In. Private!" She whole space seemed to hesitate as she bent down to bear those final words that had him cowering and practically shaking in his chair.

She fled as quickly as she left, her heels clacking on the marble floors as she made her way to the Oval, saying the words she'd secretly wanted to every day, "Get me Fitzgerald Grant, now."

XxXxXx

Fitz wasn't a light sleeper, when he was a baby his mother was astonished at how she could have the tv up so loudly and still have him settled, sucking his thumb in his crib as his eyelids drooped closed. Now it was different, she was his drug and he was an addict, she would wake him like a Sleeping damsel with her voice as if they were a fairytale because in so many ways she was his saviour. Just as soon as she held him then he would be comforted and still, settled. Only now he was neither, a restless soul that lay wreaked beneath the sheets of his bed, too big for him and yet too small for his dreams.

Many nights he lay, staring at the blank ceiling and projecting their dreams and memories over and over, like the highlights of a football game. But that was the trouble with highlights, they were never the truth, edited and uncomplicated, so unlike them. It was unfair to wait and watch for her so he would frown himself in images of her instead because fantasies made reality easier to cope with and didn't feel as if they gave him false hope, rather the hope that perhaps in another life they were living the highlights as their reality.

But tonight she hadn't called and perhaps he should have been grateful but he was worried and regretful. Wearied with the thought of her he began to sketch her, the elegance of her jaw and the smoothness of her cheeks, she would keep him forever guessing in the secrets her face held with it's shadows, lines and curves. He looked at the clock more out of habit now than out of need and noted the time. 3.30 am. He could see the sun if he waited long enough, surely if anything she had taught him patience. He could almost chuckled at the small joke but bitterness swept through him like the sharp taste of a lemon in his mouth. Then the phone rang and in his muddled haze he picked up the object before he thought not to.

He heard her breathing first and it was like the wings of his soul opened and flew with her. His heart leapt.

"Mr. Grant, I'm sorry to be contacting you."

His brow furrowed and his heart began racing as did his mind.

"Liv, what's happened?"

"We need your presence in the White House ASAP. There's a car downstairs."

"Of course. And Liv,"

She hesitated and smiled for a moment before she heard him, "I love you."

Now probably wasn't the time but it almost never was and their feelings would melt and slip through the cracks in professionalism.

"Me too." She replied swiftly before hanging up and beginning the war.

XxXxXx

"Mr. Grant, the President advised you should go right in." Lauren beamed at him and he nodded before thanking her. His hands shook slightly, in anticipation or nervousness, he couldn't tell. All he knew was that she was there and the thought sent chills down his spine and weakness to his knees, she was unlike any woman he's ever known.

The door opened ti reveal Olivia Pope, buried in paperwork, her form looking old small against the giant desk. He could see it now, their talks at night, when her feet would ease out of her shoes as she lent forward over the flat mahogany in jubilation and exhaled, falling back into the comfort of the dark leather chair. Now she noticed his presence and quickly pushed her priorities away, standing and walking to greet him.

Before each of them knew it they were facing one another. He drowned in the luscious browns and golds of her eyes, forgetting himself and almost lifting his hand to caress her cheek. She did much the same and found herself leaning forward, so close to his scent and not to be buried deep in his chest, his hands rifling through her hair, she felt out of place. Instead she smiled with a warmth that was only them and gripped his arm softly before letting it fall and stoke him slightly, their fingers holding one another for a simple moment before she slipped away and stepped back.

He cleared his throat and bowed his head, "Madam President."

She rolled her eyes, "Fitz, please."

"What?"

"Aren't we so far beyond that at this point?" It felt silly to pretend anything else, even if they couldn't fly be themselves, they were never estranged.

"I thought you'd want to keep things professional, we decided-"

"I know what we decided." She snapped, she didn't need a history lesson today of all days, "I just meant-" she cut herself off and held up her hands before exhaling and admitting defeat, turning away, "You know, I just thought that since I'd known you so long and we were friends and all, even before anything else, we could be mature about this, but I see now I was gravely mistaken. If you want things to be that way Mr. Grant, that's fine." She removed herself from them and reiterated to her desk but he gently tugged at her arm before she could reach it. She turned to see the same loss in his eyes, the same pain. It stung, to be so close and yet so far removed from their happiness.

"I'm sorry, okay." He meant it and she conceded with a small nod before hesitating slightly as he reached up to bring his face down to hers. Their lips brushed gently against each other and they both seemed to sigh in relief, like they were breathing for the first time in years, they were oxygen and sunlight that broke down all the barriers. He leaned further and trailed kissed kisses from her jaw to her neck before she nudged him away gently with her forehead and the stood, their heads pressed against one another for just the smallest of moments before she pulled away again.

She seemed to remember herself, her status and their place, clearing her throat she began again, "So now we've cleared that up," And he had to laugh because she was a business first and her heart later, it's what lead her there after all, "I'm sure you know why you're here."

"It's my job to know."

"Of course."

Just as always, things seemed to stop as they basked in their presence, just knowing that this moment was real and there were so many more to come was thrilling and brilliant but it scared them. The magnitude of this office was a stage of the world and they weren't prepared should anything happen to them, they prayed they'd never have to fix their own crisis. As soon as the thought became apparent they both assumed their respective roles and played their parts accordingly.

"Well, I just wanted to touch base about everything. I'm sorry you're here doing this, I know how busy you are-"

"Anything for you, Liv. You call, I come." He meant it, he would scale mountains and jump cliffs for her and always be worshiping at her feet just for the chance of a smile or a laugh. He was a mortal and she was a God, he couldn't know any other way.

"They've set up a war room in the East Wing, I'll stop by later to check on your progress." He turned to leave and she began before she could stop herself, "Or…or, you could come by my office this evening and give me a report then?" She couldn't help but sound hopeful, bashful and small all at once and she saw stars when she notice his smile.

"I'd like that."

"Until then." She nodded again politely as he began to leave.

"Have a good morning, Madam President." Despite the long battle before him, he knew her heart would be won in the war.

XxXxXxX

A/N: Fitz is back in the White House! Yay! I'm not too sure about this chapter, I hope I did everybody justice but please let me know! The reason Liv was do hard on Daniel Douglas (as you may have already figured out) was because it really hits close to home for her, she can really see he name up there instead of his and it terrifies her to see what happens when this stuff plays out before her eyes. I like how you're all guessing who Liv's husband is, I'm pretty sure he's going to be a chapter of my own creation merely because I don't think Edison or Jake fit the role he's going to play. Anyway, thank you SO So much for all your support, favourites and follows mean so much to me but it really makes my heart (and my muse) sing whenever I read a beautiful review or a PM so thank you in particular for those and please leave me a review or a PM telling me your thoughts on this chapter as I'd LOVE to know what you think! Much love xx Sam