It has been a long week. Hope you enjoy this chapter. For some reason I'm finding it easier to write the ending chapters. So it looks the last few chapters may come all at once. Oh, I forgot to add the standard disclaimer with the first two chapters. I don't own the characters, they all belong to Shondra. Happy Scandal Thursday!

Chapter 3 I See You Mellie

"Why is my son covered in piss and shit? What's with the mess on the floor in the hallway? We could have slipped and broken our necks. What kind of outfit are you running here?" Big Gerry and Mellie gingerly sidestepped the human waste on the floor of Fitz' hospital room and maneuvered themselves to the clean section of the floor next to Fitz' bed. "Well I'm waiting for an explanation! My son is a decorated officer and should be treated as such."

Dr. Benson clearly frustrated managed to muster the strength to face Big Gerry with an accommodating smile. "Senator Grant I think we should move this discussion to my office; we can come back once Major Grant is taken care of and this room is cleaned up."

"Mellie my dear, you stay here and wait for Fitz. I'm sure he's looking forward to spending some time with you. He needs your love and support now more than ever. Be a good girl comfort your man, he needs you right now." Big Gerry gave Mellie a parting smile and a shoulder rub as he exited the room with Dr. Benson.

She thought to herself, she has to find a way to make Fitz break-up with her permanently. She has no desire to be the longsuffering helpmate. She is too young and frankly too damn good looking to waste her prime years saddled with a gimp. Oh God, did she really just think that? She took a deep breath and shook her head. Am I that shallow she thought to herself? After all, isn't marriage about looking past the imperfections, shortcomings and idiosyncrasies of the person you chose to spend your life? Suddenly a wave of relief came over her. They're not even engaged! She's not that invested in her relationship with Fitz. She can cut her losses and move on. However, the key still lies in getting him to give her the boot. Damn! What was she going to do about Big Gerry? He's out to create what he calls a political dynasty. The man for all his political acumen is at heart a self-centered, egotistical also-ran. Big Gerry has no doubt in his mind that his descendants will shape the direction of the America for generations to come. Content with her exit strategy, she moved toward Big Gerry and placed her hand on his shoulder in an attempt to come him down as he exited the room with Dr. Benson.

As soon as Dr. Benson and Big Gerry left the room, an orderly entered to mop the floor. He rolled in the large creaky, yellow heavy duty industrial plastic mop bucket, rung the mop out and went straight to work cleaning up the evidence of this morning's collision. The strong smell of the disinfectant nearly caused Mellie to vomit. Mellie covered her nose and side stepped past the task focused orderly and took up position in the hallway. The hallway only provided a modicum of relief from the strong disinfectant smell. Mellie was about to leave to find fresher air when the door to Fitz' bathroom opened.

Harold pushed the still clearly mortified Fitz out of the bathroom. Fitz' head was down and he appeared to be muttering something to himself. Harold asked Fitz whether he wanted to stay in his room or go somewhere else while the floor dried and the room aired-out. Fitz exhaled deeply, ran his hand through his hair but before he could say anything, Mellie spoke up.

"Fitz honey, why don't we go down to the cafeteria and have a cup of coffee?" Even though he's blind, Fitz can still recognize insincere concern when he hears it. Mellie's melodious tone cannot mask the disingenuous feelings radiating from her core. The offensive stench from her bullshit made the odor from the disinfectant smell like flowers in comparison. Fitz thought for a second; maybe it is true, maybe your other senses do become sharper once you go blind.

"You need to get out of this stuffy room. Let's go and just sit and talk for a little while. It will be good for you. We haven't had any alone time since you came to the hospital." She knew she was laying it on a little thick but it had to be done. Mellie needed to exit stage right today, not tomorrow, not next week.

Fitz thought about the last time they were together before his mission. It was the one and only time they had sex. They were both a little drunk because there was no way in hell he would have touched her otherwise. The entire act of sex was labored, mechanical and silent. Her movements felt robotic, her touches obligatory. There was nothing sensual, loving or passionate in the coupling. There was no tongue exchange because he feared he'd hurl at the taste of her. The next morning he couldn't get into the shower fast enough to wash off the scent of her perfume, the sweat from her body, her lipstick; he shuddered at the memory of that night.

"Sure Mel, whatever you want." Mellie asked Harold if he would help escort Fitz to the cafeteria. Harold gave an obliging nod and the trio made their way to the elevators for the short trip down to the cafeteria.

Fitz knew Mellie was up to something. She was always up to something. He knew she could only care for him as long as her political aspirations were being served. His current situation did not lend itself to the optic of a rising political star; a fact that strangely brought him some comfort. He knew it was only a matter of time before Mellie would find a reason for them to break-up. Hell, he didn't even like her; and she knew it. Alone time? They never spent time alone. How could he spend time alone with someone he could barely stand the sight of. He loathed her because she was a relationship shape shifter. Mellie transformed into whatever she thought would serve her needs in any given circumstance. She had no soul; no true convictions. She was statuesque rouge painted abomination delivered to him hand-wrapped in a Michael Kors dress by his conniving father and her co-signing favor-seeking father.

The cafeteria was bustling with activity when they arrived because it was almost noon. Many of the tables were already occupied. There were only three unoccupied tables. One was located in the center of cafeteria surrounded by lunching staff and the other two in a secluded area close to the back. Mellie of course motioned Harold to the table in the center. If she played her cards right, some loose-lipped gossip spreading staffer would be able to bear witness to her break-up with Fitz.

"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer one of the tables in the back? It's less noisy and there's a lot less foot traffic." Harold asked Mellie.

"No this will be fine. Fitz needs to be around people;" smirked Mellie. Harold rolled Fitz up to the table and locked the wheels of the wheelchair. Harold took an instant dislike to Mellie. You only had to spend two minutes with Fitz to know he wasn't one to suffer crowds. Harold knew Fitz' unpleasant demeanor had to be tied to his disability. How could she not know this if she cared for him?

Why was she doing this to the major?

"Will you need me to send someone to help you get the major back to his room? I'll be going off shift in half an hour or so." Harold asked softly.

Fitz released an angry huff. "I'm not deaf or feeble minded. You should address your question to me not her!"

"Sorry major, I meant no disrespect." Harold said apologetically.

"Yes, please send someone back to help return to my room in about half an hour."

"Fitz darling we have a lot to discuss I don't think we can cover much in half an hour."

"Mellie, I took a tumble this morning and really do not have the energy to sit in a crowded cafeteria and talk about absolutely inconsequential drivel,."

"Hon, Amanda and Billy want to visit you. I told them you'll probably be up to seeing friends in a couple of weeks."

"Mellie, those two are your friends not mine. I don't want to see them." He chuckled to himself as he thought about the irony of his statement.

Mellie, not getting the joke continued. "Don't be silly Fitz, my friends are your friends and vice versa. In two weeks, you'll be more like your old self. It will be fine."

Fitz slams his hands on the table. His display garners curious stares from nearby onlookers. He repeats in a slow deliberate tone, "I. Do. Not. Want. Billy and Amanda. To Visit. Me. Have I made myself clear?"

"Okay honey, we can talk about this another time. How is your physical therapy going? Big Gerry expects you to be up and about before the end of year. It was a lie but she needed him to hurry up and do the selfless act and letting her go. She had a Brazilian bikini wax scheduled in a couple of hours. "We have a few engagements already scheduled for November and December. "

"It's the holidays so there will be plenty of singing, dancing and overall general schmoosing. It will be a fantastic opportunity for you to parlay your hero status into your choice of political appointments. Gerry and I are confident an intensive physical therapy schedule will resolve your current predicament. You are a fighter Fitz. You are an overcomer. This little setback will not derail your destiny." Twist the knife. Mellie smiled to herself.

"Mellie are you insane or just cruel? What about my current circumstance is unclear or confusing to you? I won't be attending any fundraisers, meet and greets or any other type of social event now or later. I neither welcome nor appreciate your faux optimism. You know damn well my condition will not change by the end of the year. If you want out of this asinine arrangement just say so. I don't love you. I will never be in love with you. I don't even like you. Just tell Big Gerry I let you off the hook because I didn't want to ruin your prospects for a happy successful future. We mutually agreed going our separates ways is best. We harbor no ill feelings towards one another, we will always be friends, yada,.. yada, ..yada. In other words, continue to lie through your pretty little capped teethe."

"Fitz I don't know what to say. How can you speak such hurtful words to me?" She lowers her head and fakes a sniffle.

"Whatever Melanie, Fitz says as he shakes his head in disgust. Is the half hour up? I really need to lie down"

Harold walks over to the table a few moments later. "Major I'll going off shift in a few minutes but I thought I'd checked to see if you were ready to return to your room now." Harold sensed Fitz' discomfort with Mellie the moment she began speaking to him in his room. "Thank you Harold. Yes, I'm more than ready to return to my room.

"Good-bye Mellie. Thanks for stopping by. I trust there's no need for either of us to cross paths again."

Harold unlocks the wheels of the wheelchair, pulls Fitz away from the table and heads towards the elevator in the front of the cafeteria. Mellie watches as Harold abruptly stops and bends down to listen to something Fitz is saying to him. He then turns around and brings Fitz back to table where Mellie is still sitting.

Fitz clears his throat. "Mellie, one more thing; please defriend me."

Mellie, momentarily stunned by the change in the direction of the conversation, watches intently as Harold and Fitz disappear into the elevator. She looks around to see if anyone witnessed the break-up exchange. She thought, "how the hell did he get the upper hand in this little drama? Oh well, it doesn't matter. I AM FREE.