Chapter 2: Dinner with the Neighbor

Olivia woke to the sound of her stomach rumbling. She stretched her neck from side to side to work out the kink that had developed while she was sleeping on the couch.

She still couldn't believe what her neighbor had said to her. Could it be true, were previous interns sexually involved with people at the firm? Was that expected of her? There was no way in hell she would do anything like that for a job. She wasn't a prude, but this was akin to prostitution and she was no one's prostitute. She would rather go back and work in the restaurant for the rest of life than to do something like that.

She decided that she needed more information from Fitz. She wanted to be as prepared as possible on Monday morning when she met with Mr. Davis. She dug her toothbrush out of her overnight bag and headed to the bathroom to freshen up before she went to speak with Fitz.

Ten minutes later she rang Fitz's doorbell.

Fitz was catching up on emails and watching the evening ESPN broadcast when his doorbell rang. He peered out the peephole. To his surprise, it was his new neighbor at the door. Quickly running his fingers through his hair and casting a glance around his living room to make sure there was nothing too embarrassing lying around he opened the door.

"Hi. What brings you by?" He asked.

"I wanted to talk to you about what you know about the other interns that lived in my apartment. Would that be okay?" Olivia said.

"Sure." He stepped aside to let her into the apartment. "I don't know much, I will tell you what I know."

"Thanks."

"Make yourself at home. Would you like something to drink? I have beer or orange juice."

"A beer would be great." Olivia sat on the couch. Suddenly, her stomach growled like a hungry animal. "Oh my, I am so embarrassed" she said blushing.

"Whoa, do you keep that thing on a leash?" Fitz asked jokingly. "Sounds like someone hasn't eaten in quite some time. How about we order some Chinese food and talk about the interns over dinner?"

"Sounds wonderful." She said.

Fitz walked over to his desk and retrieved the takeout menu. After making several selections and calling in the order, he sits next to her on the couch.

Their close proximity allows her to smell his cologne and to once again admire his thick hair and piercing blue eyes. She almost forgets why she came by in the first place. All she wants to do is run her fingers through his silky hair. She almost reaches out to touch the one curl that has fallen forward on his forehead and catches herself. Olivia can't recall feeling this way about anyone.

"So," she blurts out suddenly, "what can you tell me about the previous tenants of apartment 3G?"

Fitz too was mesmerized by their closeness. He had been involved with some very beautiful women in his life, but Olivia was something completely different. She was petite, but had an aura of fierceness about her. He was sure she could handle herself in any situation. But he was most captivated by her eyes and lips. He could drown in her big brown eyes and never regret it. Her plump lips begged to be kissed long and hard. He had never found himself attracted to black women before, but Olivia had him in awe. He wanted to run his hands over her smooth mocha skin. He felt himself leaning in to kiss her when she asked him about his previous neighbors.

"Umm, well there have been at least five young ladies who have lived there in the past three years. The last one was Rebecca. She was a nice, kind of quiet. She reminded me of my kid sister, Leslie. I saw her crying one day and asked her what was wrong. She didn't say anything right away, but on another day when I saw her coming home, there was this guy with her. She had the same sad look on her face as they entered her apartment. The next day I ran into her in the laundry room and I asked her what was going on. She told me that this Eddie dude was forcing her to have sex with him in order to keep her position. She felt like she didn't have any choice because she was here all alone and really needed to keep the job."

"Could it have been Edison and not Eddie?" Olivia asked anxiously.

"Edison sounds right. The guy I saw was black, uh sorry, African American, about 35. I got a real sleazy vibe from this guy. Anyway, Rebecca moved out in the middle of the night like three days later. I never saw her again. I guess she just couldn't do it anymore. Now that I think back, I remember seeing several older guys going in and out of that apartment with the other interns. I assumed from what Rebecca told me that all the other ones had had the same deal as she had."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Fitz paid for the Chinese food and motioned for Olivia to join him at the dining table. After retrieving plates, forks and napkins, they began digging into the food.

After several minutes of silence and inhaling half a carton of Sesame Chicken, Olivia finally spoke.

"I had no idea that this went on in this intern program. There is no way I am going to be a part of this. I guess this means I need to stop unpacking and head back home." She said in a defeated tone.

Curiously, a sense of panic filled Fitz. He didn't want Olivia to leave. Something about her made him feel at peace and at ease. He never wanted her out of his sight again. This wasn't rational thinking he knew, but his heart was yelling at him to find a way to keep her close.

"Maybe what Rebecca experienced wouldn't be the same for you." He said quickly.

"Maybe, maybe not. I guess I will find out on Monday when I meet with Edison Davis."

"Let me know how things turn out." Fitz said. "Please don't leave without talking to me first."

Olivia was stunned by his request. Why did he care what happened to her and whether or not she left without speaking to him? But part of her understood what he was really saying to her. Please don't leave me without getting a chance to know what could be between us. She knew then that he felt the same pull towards her that she did towards him. Somehow she had to make this job at Doyle Energy work.

"I won't leave without telling you. Scout's honor." She smiles at him.

Her smile eases the tightness in his chest that he didn't even realize was there.

They eat the remainder of the meal chatting about their background and schooling. He learned that she left home right after high school to get away from domineering parents. She learned that it took him a little longer to break free from the same type of household. Disappointing his parents by dropping out of college and going to work doing manual labor.

At 24, Fitz worked loading trucks down at the docks. He won't really have to work at all after his next birthday, because his trust fund will kick in and he will become a multi-millionaire. But, he enjoys working and the friendships he has developed.

At 22, Olivia is pushing herself to succeed on her own merits. She has put herself through college, and is on track to graduate in the Spring of the following year. This internship was supposed to be her springboard into a marketing career. Now she is not so sure.

Over the next two hours, Olivia and Fitz reveal more about themselves to each other than they have ever done with anyone one else before.

After the meal is finished, they both start clearing the table of empty food containers. Moving in sync without even realizing it.

"Thank you dinner. It would have been a lonely and stressful first night if it weren't for you Fitz".

"That's what neighbors are for." He says with a huge smile. His blue eyes twinkly and make Olivia's heart beat double time.

"I guess I should get going."

"Drop by anytime." He walks her to the door. As his hand reaches for the door knob, he leans in slightly and kisses her on the cheek. They both feel a spark, a surge of sexual tension for such a small kiss. They both blink hard several times, but both silently dismiss the feeling.

"Goodnight Fitz."

"Goodnight Olivia."

That night, as each lay in their separate beds, both Olivia and Fitz fantasied about being together. They both began to think of ways to see each other again.

A/N: So what do you all think so far? I would love your comments/feedback. Please accept my apologies in advance for errors that may occur in New York locations (I do not live there).

Also, I do not own Scandal or the characters within. I just love putting them in my own fantasy world!