Okay darlings here is your next chapter. I planned on updating something else but knew I could get this update done in one day. Aren't you all lucky?

Now ALL of you are wondering who the wife and girlfriend are. Well read on and see. Leave me #PumpkinSeeds if you want more. ;-)

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Chapter 2: "Gladiators With Paws…"

Fitz's girlfriend, sits next to him on the couch in the Oval Office. She is watching him closely thinking this may be their moment. They had been dating for over a year, and everything had been going smoothly. She and Fitz had not become intimate in their relationship as of it yet. She did not think much about it at first she hoped they could take that next step.

She was of course a "Southern Girl," and was raised to be a proper lady. Her mother raised her not to "just give it away" to anyone, and be careful who she was intimate with. Being from the south she was from "old money" and her parents had high expectations. They had always given her the best and now that she was dating Fitz, they hoped the next step would be for her to become First Lady. She went to the right schools, wore the best clothes and gradually turned herself into the proper woman to be on his arm.

They met at a campaign even when he was running for President. A mutual friend had introduced them. They talked on and off for the entire event and by the end of the evening Fitz mustered up the courage to ask for her number. Fitz waited a few days to call, but once he got up the courage, they easily fell into a conversation. After some talks on the phone for the next month, Fitz decided to finally ask her out.

Since he was the Governor of California, Fitz had her over to the Governor's mansion for dinner, one or twice a week. They after these private dates, Fitz decided to take her out publicly. For each one of their public dates Fitz was a true gentleman, and picked her up at her door. He gave her flowers, token gifts and when she allowed, Fitz paid for the date. He never asked to spend the night even when she asked him a few times.

"I want take this slow. I don't want to rush you into anything," Fitz explained after one of their dates.

"You're not," she insisted, bashfully. But Fitz insisted that he wanted them to wait until the time was right. Now they had been together over a year, and she was hoping they could finally take the next step in their relationship.

As they dated, things became more difficult when he won the Presidency. But once a month they could be seen out in public together, if Fitz's schedule allowed. She came to the White House to see him often and the American people liked her. She did attend an event with him. She was dressed to the nine's, shook hands, and acted the part of the political girlfriend of the President of the United States. Fitz had not had any formal events at the White House his first year in office but this year something was already in the works.

But as she sat their looking at him, she began to wonder what was up. "Fitz what did you want to talk to me about?"

"It's about this weekend," Fitz told her. "I…um…,"

"Do I finally get to know where I'm going," she sweetly replied. "You've been so secretive."

Fitz lightly smiled. "No it's not that. Look we can't go away this weekend," he finally made himself say.

"I thought your schedule had been cleared. Did something happen," she asked. His girlfriend reached for his hand and squeezed it. Fitz looked at her solemnly and nodded. "Well I can find ways to keep me busy. Let me know when you're free and I'll come by the Residence to see you," she ran her hands on his tie but he pulled away from her. "Fitz what's wrong?"

He got up and stood in front of his desk. "I won't be here this weekend. I have to go down South."

"Is this a working trip," she posed the next question.

"In a way. I have to take care of something. I should be back in a couple of days. I'll do my best to call you when I'm gone," Fitz did his best to explain. His voice was different and she picked up on it.

"What aren't you telling me Fitz," she asked. She stood up and walked up to him. He leaned against his desk and took her hands in his own.

"You have to promise you will not say anything to anyone," Fitz asked her. His voice was shaking and she now knew something was wrong. "I had no idea about any of this. I don't want you to think that I lead you on all this time, and that I don't want to be with you."

"Okay," she meekly answered him. Fitz then picked up the folder he had gotten from Cyrus and handed it to her. She looked at it seeing that he was previously married. "I know you were married Fitz. This is not new to me. You didn't hide this fact from me or anything."

"I know but that is not what this is about," Fitz explained. She asked him why and he pointed to the divorce decree. "I'm still…,"

"You're still what," she asked but when Fitz couldn't answer she figured out and recoiled. "You're still married aren't you Fitz." She backed away from him even further. "Answer me Fitz."

"Yes."

"HOW IN THE HELL COULD YOU NOT TELL ME YOU WERE MARRIED," she screamed out. "Oh my God my family, my reputation, everything," she lamented. "I'm going to be the laughing stock of the Beltway."

"No you won't be. I won't let that happen. I swear I didn't know. This is why Cyrus was in here a few minutes ago. I thought the paperwork was finalized," he explained. "I am not a cheater. I would have never asked you out and get involved with me if I had known. You have to believe me."

She sat on the couch. He began to walk over to her but she stopped him. "No don't touch me." He stopped. Then she realized where he was going this weekend. "You're going to see HER this weekend aren't you," but Fitz didn't say anything. "Aren't you," she asked again, raising her voice.

"Yes."

"Why, can you just send the papers to her, and have her sign them," she pointed out. "There is no reason for you to have to go to her is there."

Fitz let out a breath, "Since she's the First Lady," Fitz felt himself cringe, "she needs to be protected. I have a duty to protect her now."

"A duty," the girlfriend starred at him. "Wait do want her back?"

"No, we have been over for a long time. But I need to see her to find out if she knew about this, and finalize the divorce," Fitz tried to explain, hoping she would understand. "I can only assume she thought we were legally divorced too."

"But what if you see her and begin to fall for her all over again," his girlfriend lamented. "We've been together for a while now and I hoped that we could take things differently. I really wanted us to..well…," she blushed.

Fitz sat down next to her. "I know. Let me handle this mess with her, and once everything is settled then you and I can have our romantic weekend. I promise when I get back things will be normal for us again. This is just a clerical area, and I have Cyrus looking into what happened."

"But what if she won't sign the papers again and decide not go through with it Fitz. What if seeing you, brings back all those old feelings and wants you back. It could happen. I've seen it happen. Ex's run into each other, realize there's something still there, and give it another chance. You could fall head over heels all over again." She whimpered.

"Not going to happen. She made it clear long ago that we were over," Fitz took her hands in his, to offer some comfort.

"Once you tell her she's First Lady, she may not walk away either," she explained to Fitz. "That is not something any woman in their right mind would want to give up."

Fitz shook his head. His "wife," he thought back, never wanted this kind of life. At one time, she did but that all changed. His "wife" soon began to realize that being in "his" world, she called it, was not the place for her. She wanted the simple things, not to be on display 24 – 7 for the country and world to critique her every move.

After the crisis that changed their marriage happened, things drastically changed for them. He never got his wife back, and he lost a part of himself along the way. Maybe going to see her, they could both move on and be happy. It would finally offer some closure for them both. He knew deep down it was needed for him at least.

"She's not most women," Fitz groaned. "She's Southern, head strong, and most of all stubborn. It is either her way, or pick a switch in the back yard," Fitz smiled remembering how she used to be, and began to wonder if she changed at all. He looked at his girlfriend. She saw something in his eyes that made her begin to wonder if he still carried a torch for her all this time.

To put her at ease, Fitz said, "We won't get back together. She's moved on I'm sure and so have I, with you." He moved to sit right next to her. With me," she whispered. "You still want this?"

"Absolutely," Fitz explained. She smiled. They leaned in and gave each other a quick kiss. They agreed to not cool things off but to take a break from going out publicly until the divorce went through. His girlfriend would not say anything to anyone and prayed to keep her man. She waited a long time to be with him and hoped this problem would not get in their way. Fitz then told her goodbye and he went off to put things in motion to settle his divorce and move on with his life. He was taking a trip down South and whether he liked it or not, it had to be done.

/

"Marmalade, Alabama…" (The Next Day)

As Air Force One touched down Robbins Air Force Base, Alabama, Fitz felt strange coming here after all this time. It had been YEARS since he was last here and it was before he ran for Governor of California. The Air Force personnel rushed to secure his air craft once it touched down and taxied to a nearby hanger big enough to hide it from prying eyes. Once it was inside the hanger, the steps were placed against the aircraft and his door was opened. No press was allowed on this trip, because it was announced he went away for some personal R and R to an undisclosed location.

He looked down beside him and saw his sleeping friend. She had not been with him very long, but could not leave home without her. Fitz began to scratch her head in order for her to wake up. "Rogue, come on, got to wake up. I have to put your leash on and get you out of the plane. You get to ride with me and Uncle Cyrus for a special trip."

The three month old Siberian-Husky puppy woke up and climbed into Fitz's lap. Fitz adopted her from a Siberian Rescue League in DC. Cyrus didn't like the idea at first but turns out, he grew to "put up" with Rogue now. She had bright blue eyes, and brown and white fur; the rarer colors of her breed. When Fitz saw her, he instantly fell in love, and took her home to the White House. Her story made headlines and helped his approval ratings. Since adopting her, he tried to volunteer at the rescue league whenever he has free time.

Rogue definitely made things at the White House interesting with the staff and Secret Service. She liked Tom Stanton, Fitz's top agent, and Fitz's secretary Lauren. His girlfriend, she was gradually warming up too, and she would go to Cyrus now if he called for her. Cyrus entered his office and saw Fitz leashing her up. "Are you seriously bringing that dog on this trip?"

"Yes Cyrus. I am not leaving her here alone with the staff," Fitz insisted picking her up in his arms. "She's coming with me."

"And if she has to pee," Cyrus groaned.

"Don't worry Cy I won't let her go on your suit in the car," Fitz smiled wickedly. "She's been doing pretty well with house breaking."

"Urgh," Cyrus grumbled. "What is it with you and the women in your life? They all love to aggravate me." Fitz smiled and they left his office and headed out Air Force One to the waiting cars.

Fitz approached the Secret service not to bring his motorcade and alert the local police. His motorcade was waiting for him if need be, but he hoped it would on be needed. If anyone knew he was here, it would send alarm bells off around the surrounding area. He was in a dark blue SVU with bullet proof windows. There would also be one SUV in front and behind him for protection different colors and models not to draw attention. He knew his "wife" would not be happy to see him after all this time, and he didn't want to intrude on her life until he had too.

As they drove down the one-lane road, Fitz looked out the window. It had been years since he was here in this area. When Fitz and his "wife" got married they stayed in Alabama for the first year of their marriage. When he decided it was time to run for office, they moved to California. Things were great at first, then into their third year, a happy moment, turned into a heart-breaking one. Fitz blamed her for what happened, but she placed a lot on him as well.

He remembers her words, "You are standing there pointing one finger at me, but just you remember darling, there are three pointing RIGHT back at you. This is not ALL my fault. It is yours too." And now years later, he realizes, especially being back here in this place, she was right. But the way his life turned out, would any he change any of it. He was happy. He became Governor of California without her, and now he's President of the United States.

He had a great girlfriend, the country seemed to like, but was there something missing. He could talk to her, but not the way he needed to. And in a sense he was alone. Yes he could talk to Cyrus, and Andrew Nichols his Vice President. But the one person who knew him best, wanted nothing to do with him. He made the choice to let her go, and never looked back. Why should he start now? He came down here to make sure she was safe, and to get those divorce papers finalized. He planned on proposing when he got back, and nothing was going stand in the way of that plan.

"Cyrus," Fitz spoke first.

"Yes Mr. President."

"Did you contact the judge to help finalize my divorce? I want this handled as soon as the papers are signed and notarized," Fitz voiced with conviction. "I don't believe I'm back here," Fitz then grumbled.

"I left him a message with his wife. She is going to have Patrick call you when he gets back," Cyrus explained. Fitz nodded. "So how far are we from her now?" They were driving for about twenty minutes and Cyrus was growing impatient.

Fitz asked Tom. "About ten minutes out Sir. Her hospital is just over the Vermont-Town County line, in Marmalade."

"Marmalade," Cyrus asked in disbelief. "What the hell do they make here, jam," he sarcastically voiced next.

Then they saw the town's sign:

"Welcome to Marmalade, Alabama; Where Momma makes the best Jam in three counties."

Fitz and Cyrus looked at each other. "Seriously Sir," Cyrus bellowed. He was not a 'southern' boy and he felt like the confederate army was about to jump out of the trees any moment and attack the cars. He felt like a fish out of water, unable to breath. He hated everything to do with the South except for votes and some friend foods.

"Her Momma," getting an eye raise from Cy, "did make the best Jam I ever tasted. She always told me the fruit that it almost spoiled, made the best Jam." Cyrus heard something different in his voice. "What?"

"Sir I just never heard you talk 'this way' before," Cyrus pointed out. "You sound," he stopped seeing Fitz's agitation. "I'll stop."

"Wise choice Cy," Fitz agreed. Fitz then remembered what Tom said to him right before his car crossed the town line. "Tom, she has a hospital?"

/

"Gladiators In Paws…"

Tom turned to face Fitz and Cyrus. "Yes Sir. Apparently the First Lady," seeing Fitz scowl, "I mean Mrs. Grant," then Fitz looking more perturbed, "Sir, I'll stop while I'm ahead," getting a smile from Fitz." She opened a Veterinarian Hospital right down the road. It's been opened now for about four years. She is doing quite well," Tom handed him the folder, on the First Lady.

Fitz widened his eyes in amazement. He handed the folder to Cyrus, not eager to learn anything about her new life "Wow Sir she has done so much. She opened her hospital and is the top Veterinarian in the State. She's won numerous awards for her surgeries and good will towards the community. It also states, that she has an "Animal Trust Fund" in the area. Money comes out of this 'kitty' if someone cannot pay the bill for their animal. The local and state business donate to it every year. She has a 'no gladiator in paws' will get turned away; policy."

Fitz didn't care to listen anymore and did his best to tune out Cy's ramblings. "Good for her Cyrus. I'm happy. It seems on paper, that she's happy. I am sure her family is proud."

"She never remarried Mr. President," Cyrus threw out. Fitz looked at him quickly and looked down at Rogue. She was in his lap, looking out the window. Fitz was about to comment, but the car began to slow down.

"Sir, we're almost there. You can see her hospital coming up now on your right," Tom told Fitz as the car began to slow down. He could now see the one floor long building. It was white, with red shutters. Flowers all in the front, and a wooden fence on the sides. A lot of land was behind it and he saw horses grazing in the grass and an obstacle course.

"Whoa," Fitz bellowed. Cyrus gave him a strange look. "She hated horses Cy. I wonder what changed her." Fitz then stated, "Tom pull across the street. I don't want her to notice these cars yet." Tom did what he was asked moved the SUV's. From where Fitz was parked he would see everything.

After some time passed, Cyrus began to get annoyed with Fitz. They had been there over an hour, and wanted to get this over with. He had things to do and sitting in a car, spying on his "wife' was not a good idea. "Mr. President," Cyrus addressed him formally.

"Yes," Fitz answered.

"How long are we going to wait? You are running a country and we need to handle this before someone finds out about her," Cyrus impatiently voiced his opinion.

"I know Cyrus. But I just can't go in there and demand to see her," Fitz told him. "She has patients to care for and a business to run."

"Really Sir. They are animals," Cyrus groaned his disapproval

"Not to her they're not," Fitz remembered vividly. "Don't ever let her hear you say that either. She will go for your jugular. Let's just wait till the opportunity arises," he finished just as he saw a woman riding a horse, come into view. She was taking the horse through the course in the back of the hospital. "It can't be. She was terrified of them." He told Tom he wanted to get out and see if it was her. He got out with Rogue and stood somewhere she couldn't see him.

He put Rogue down, holding her leash. Fitz looked on as the woman behind the fence, riding the horse practiced jumping over each obstacle. She was doing well but was having problems with one of the obstacles with three boards. Her friend called her name, and Fitz's eyes widened in shock.

"Is it really her," Fitz voiced out loud. He watched her make one more run through of the course and the horse this time wouldn't jump over that section at all. Fitz watched her come to a stop on the beautiful white horse she was riding, and take her helmet off. "Holy shit!"

"Mr. President," Cyrus asked him. He looked at the woman and realized it was his "wife."

She had changed. Her hair was still curly but half way down her back. It was in a long pony tail. Fitz watched her get off the horse, and she was wearing her scrubs. Her friend teased her about her riding attire and he watched her throw her hat at him.

"Oh come on," the unknown First Lady, said to her friend. "I did good Finn. It's not my fault Elsa won't jump it."

"It is to darling. If you want to beat Mirabelle Doyle, you have to relax on the course," her friend Finn explained. "Well show Miss Texas oil how we do things here in Alabama."

Fitz and Cyrus looked at each other. "You think it's one of the same." Cyrus grabbed his phone and checked sure enough it was one of the same. "Oh shit Sir, it is Hollis Doyle's daughter. This can't get any worse."

Just as the words left his mouth, Rogue got out of her harness and took off running. "Rogue come back here," Fitz yelled but could not stop her from going across the street. His "wife" saw Rogue running and jumped the fence. Fitz watched in horror as his "wife" ran out into the road, and grabbed Fitz's puppy just before a car came by and hit the puppy. It was a close call. Tom kept Fitz back and into his car before "the First Lady" noticed him.

"You and your damn dog," Cyrus grumbled.

"Shut it Cy. She saved her," Fitz said out of breath. "I never seen her doing anything like that before."

"Obviously she's changed."

Fitz glared at him and watched "his wife," talk to the motorist. She was still the same person he knew from long ago but she had changed. Her hair was still wild, little to no make-up, and she looked like she could care less what she looked like.

Rogue was in her arms, licking her face and nose. "It's okay darling. Where did you come from," she said to the dog. Fitz then instructed Tom to go and get her from 'his wife."

Tom walked over to Rogue and the First Lady. "Excuse Ma'am." She turned to him.

"Yes," Fitz's wife looked Tom up and down like she was ready to tan his hide. "My you look lost, can I help you honey?"

"Um," catching Tom off guard.

"Is this sweetheart yours," allowing Rogue to cuddle up to her more. The puppy was total mush in her arms. She placed her head in "his wife's" neck and nuzzled. Fitz watched closely in the car and was surprised. Normally Rogue did not like strangers.

"No Ma'am. She belongs to my boss," Tom explained. "He sent me over to get her."

"No," she answered. "You tell your boss is it," in her sweetest southern voice, "that if he wants her he'll after to wait till after 5:00 pm. I am taking," looking at her collar, "Rogue inside for an exam and some needed puppy attention."

"I'm sorry Ma'am but you can't do that," Tom said to her blocking her path. "Rogue belongs…,"

"I don't care if she belongs to the President of the United States," Fitz's wife blurted out. His window was lowered and he could hear her yelling at Tom. His lead agent looked terrified of her in pink Hello Kitty scrubs and Southern ways. "She stays here until I say otherwise darling. If your BOSS wants her, he can come get her when I say she's ready to go home. Down here in the South we take our pets seriously. Now leave me please, Rogue and I have work to do."

"Ma'am you need my contact information," Tom handed her a piece of paper with his number on it. He could not give her Fitz's cell phone for security reasons. Fitz's wife took the paper and read it. "Nice to meet you Tom. See you soon. And tell your boss if he does not know how to care for her properly, I will not give her back."

"Um," Tom replied. "I'll pass the message along." Tom watched her walk up to her friend and take Rogue inside her animal hospital. Tom walked back to Fitz and sat in the car. He leaned his head back and finally turned to face his boss. "Sir."

"So where's my dog," Fitz grinned.

"She refused to give Rogue back," Tom explained.

"I know Tom it's fine. We will stop by later and pick up Rogue. I heard her telling you off. This is going to be one reunion we won't forget anytime soon." Fitz leaned his head back. "This is great, I lose my dog - to the wife I didn't know I had, all on the first day. She is going to kill me. This is NOT going to be great."

/

"Doc" Meets the President…

As the "First Lady" walked back inside her clinic her lead nurse asked her who her new friend was. She told her who Rogue and that her owner would be back to get her after 5:00 pm.

"Okay Doc, let me take her," the nurse said and brought Rogue to a room for an exam. The "First Lady" went into the exam room and made sure that their new arrival was in tip top shape. She had been a Vet for some time and guess the puppy's breed and age.

After her exam, her nurse took her in the back for a bath, blow dry and to have her nails clipped and painted. "Doc" then let her run around in the back with the clinic animals to socialize Rogue. The rest of her day went by fairly quickly and it was soon 5:00 pm.

"Hey is Rogue's owner here yet," Doc asked in the back of the clinic. It was her and the nurse left over because it was now the end of the day. But her nurse didn't answer her. Her nurse was staring ahead, like she'd seen a ghost.

Rogue's owner, put his hand out and shook the nurse's hand. They exchanged pleasantries and she went back and got them. "She'll be right up with your dog Sir."

"Thank you," Fitz replied nicely. "Please don't tell I'm Rogue's owner," he said flashing a smile. The nurse just looked at him and nodded.

Rogue sensed Fitz was there and took off running from the back. Fitz bent down and picked her up in his arms. He was kneeling down petting Rogue when "Doc," or his wife entered the waiting room. She walked up to him, and said, "It seems Rogue is happy to see you Mr….,"

"Grant," Fitz answered, now standing up finally meeting his wife's gaze for the first time in over seven years. Their eyes locked and she felt her breath hitch, not believing who was standing before her. "But as you know now 'Doc' it's Mr. President."

/

Yup I am going to leave you right in this place. The President finally saw his First Lady but you STILL HAVE NO IDEA who she is. (Send me your guesses but I won't tell you.) But you know she's a VET and lives in Alabama. Vermont-town County to be exact in town called Marmalade. (I have to keep VT alive somehow.)

You got a little bit of their history and a hint at why they split. There is more to come on their failed marriage in future chapters.

Now if you want to FINALLY know who the HELL Fitz is married to, make my email go nuts. If this story hits over 100 reviews, I will update sooner. So I throw this #PumpkinSeedChallenge down and let's see how my pumpkins do.

#HandleItPumpkins…I'm waiting for the Dings and Blings.

Peace, Luv and Pumpkins…Me's

P.S. I am also writing another #OlitzChristmasFic this year. If you think it's a good idea let me know. Already have a story line in mind. ;-)