It had been two days. Two days since he had sat in his office for hours on end. Two days since he had sat in his office for hours on end thinking about Olivia. Two days since he had come to the conclusion that if they left things where they'd been that night in the restaurant, he would live the rest of his life in guilt and regret.

But he still hadn't done anything. Hadn't picked up the phone to call her. Hadn't made a deal with Tom and Hal to sneak out of the White House in the early hours of the morning to drop by her apartment. Hadn't even told Cyrus.

For him, when it came to her, everything was too precious. He couldn't talk to Cyrus about this. It meant too much to him. Besides, he already knew what his Chief of Staff thought of this whole thing.

"Fitz?" Oh brother. She was back. Mellie had been at some… he didn't even know what – he didn't even care what – for the past twenty-four hours. "Fitz are you in here – oh. I'm back," she said, standing in the doorway of the nursery.

"I can see that. And how was…"

"North Carolina."

"Right. North Carolina," god he didn't even care enough to remember where she'd been for a day and a half.

"Well I had thousands of women asking me how I'm handling the stress of pregnancy – like I haven't already gone through it before. God, these women. When I go to these things it makes me lose hope in the country's future," she was ranting. He hated it when she ranted. When they were first married he thought it was kind of cute. Now it's like nails on a chalkboard.

"Alright, well…" he was tired. And he couldn't think. Not with Mellie in the room. He couldn't think about the woman he loved with his wife in the room. "I'm gonna go take a shower… I uh, probably won't be back in residence for dinner, so…"

"I'll make due," and with that, she turned on her heel and left. Alone again. But what do I do? How do I make this right? …She has cancer you idiot – you don't make this right… There must be something I can do. Flowers? …No. There's nothing you can do.

But there was something he could do. He knew it and the voice in his head knew it and hell, even Tom and Hal knew it. He could leave Mellie for her. But is that even what she wants anymore? Is that ever what she wanted? …Of course that's what she wanted, you buffoon. But it may not be anymore…

He decided that for now, he would leave her be. Obviously she didn't want him knowing about it, or she would have told him herself. Right?

She knew something was wrong with him the moment she walked in. God, if ever anyone pulled off 'love-sick puppy dog' it was this man right here. Her husband. And as much as she would have liked to not care about any of this, she knew it would start affecting him publicly. Soon. And there was only one person to talk to when things got rough.

"Mellie, so good to see you back."

"You too, Cy," she replied. Cyrus was trying to shake her off, and as such, they were walking and talking. She should have worn more comfortable heels. "You know, it's been a while since you and I have had time to talk – just us."

"Indeed it has."

"So what say you and I have a little – I don't know – brunch? Tomorrow afternoon?" and just before Cyrus could refuse, "Great! I'll have my people contact your people to set this up," and she walked away.

"Well, this is nice, isn't it? Just you and me, sitting down for a quite brunch," said Mellie, her ever-present smile on her flawless face.

"What do you want, Mellie?" asked Cyrus – forward as always. He was no fool. Especially when it came to the First Family. He knew she wanted information on her troubled husband.

"Why would you think I want anything Cy? Come on – how's James? Still after a baby?" her sweet smile was sickening to Cyrus, and he wasn't sure how much more he could take of this.

"Spit it out, Mellie. I don't have all day. In fact," he said, turning his wrist over to look at his watch, "I have about two minutes. Whatever you want to get at you better get at fast."

With that, Mellie's whole demeanor changed. "Fine. You know what I want," she glanced sideways to make sure no one was listening, which of course they weren't, as no one was even around.

"Come on. Say it. Out loud," he was goading her on.

"I want to know what has him so goddamn fucked up. And if you say her name, I'll walk right out of here," she warned.

"Olivia. Pope," said Cyrus, a grin on his face. Mellie threw her napkin down as ladylike as she could and walked out.

TBC... reviews are appreciated