Hey guys, sorry I've been late on getting back to this story, but I've been very busy with other things going on in my life. I finished this chapter and I'm already working on the next one, so look out for that one maybe this week also. Maybe. Thank you again for all your support.


When they both were almost at a peak, Olivia pulled away from Fitz and said, "take me to bed Fitz."

Fitz looked down at Olivia and saw all the need and passion shining through her face. Fitz felt his heart flip flop with all the possibilities they could be together, but he was going to have to do the hardest thing he's ever done in his life. He moved off Olivia and pulled her to her feet and embraced her.

"Olivia, I don't think we should have a drunken one night stand, if we're going to do this, I want you fully conscious of you decision and not one that is alcohol fueled."

Olivia felt all kinds of foolish. She tried to break free from Fitz's arms, but he wouldn't let her go until he calmed her. He put his fingers under her chin and made her look at him.

"Look at me."

She finally opened her eyes.

"You, have nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by, believe me. I want you just as much as you want me, but the one look on your face I would never get over is regret."

Olivia closed her eyes and sighed deeply and shook her head. In a small way she was glad that Fitz saved them both from making a big mistake, but she couldn't avoid the feeling of being foolish either.

"I'm going to catch a uber and I'll see you at work tomorrow." She picked up her things and headed for the door.

"I'll wait with you, it's late Olivia."

She shook her head and headed out toward the building entrance. It was terrible awkward waiting for her ride showed up. Fitz opened the door for her and off she went.

Fitz walked back up to his apartment and sat on the very couch with beer in hand. Shaking his head at what might of just happened. He pulled out his phone and dialed his brother Teddy. It was late but he needed to talk to his brother to get some prospective.

"This better be good Trey for you to be calling me at this time of the night."

"Sorry Ted, but I almost slept with my co-worker, and I need a little reality check and if nothing else you always seem to always point me in the right direction. Strange though since I'm older than you."

"Yeah, by ten minutes bro."

They both laughed.

"Is this the little hottie you told me your working with. I googled her and she is fine as hell. What in the hell would she want with your nerdy ass?"

"Funny dude! Now stop with the comments and talk me off the ledge, because if I get the chance again I'm going to take it."

"Listen Trey, I know you went to Atlanta to start over, but you still have obligations here. If your going to get involved with this women then you better be clear about your future. You can't have it both ways. Someone is going to get hurt."

"I know, but Olivia awakens everything in me that wanted to be a journalist in the first place. My past pulls me in directions I can't or won't accept responsibilities for. Pop and Mama have these over zealous expectations for me that I don't want to live up to."

"Trey we know that's a lie. You just don't want to disappoint anyone, and that my dear brother has always been your Achilles heel."

Fitz huff's out, "I know. I want her Ted in ways that I've never felt."

His brother sat up in bed, he had never heard his brother speak this way.

"Why Trey? Your married man. She is young and vibrant woman who could have anyone she wants. You do this and then turn around and change your mind, you are going to destroy her. Look, Mellie and I are never going to be very close, but you chose her. No one put a gun to your head and no one forced you down the isle. I know that her not being able to have children has thrown you for loop, but you guys can adopt and be the family you always dreamed of."

Fitz ran his hand in frustration threw his hair.

"You don't get it Ted. I want what you have with Elaine. I just thought growing to love someone was just the normal way of doing things. You know our families track record, you broke the mold Ted and now that I have a real chance at love and my own family I want to take it."

"That's well and good Trey, but you made a commitment and the only thing Mellie's done is not given you the family you wanted, or the love you should have waited for. I'm with you one way or the other brother, but either way someone is going to get hurt and you will be the cause of it. So you better think this through before you sleep with Olivia."

Tear pricked Fitz's eyes, his brother was talking some serious truths to him and he had to own up to them.

"Trey why don't you come home after you wrap up the under cover story. We can go to the cape and just hang out like we used to when we were younger. I miss you being here, my kids think you walk on water by the way."

Fitz chuckled.

"I miss you guys too."

"And Fitz, you owe Mellie the truth one way or the other, she's a mess about you leaving. You can't just breeze out of her life and start over without her. She at least deserves some courtesy as your wife. Talk to her man."

"I will Ted, I'll talk to you later this week. Sorry for waking you up."

"Who are you kidding, it's me bro. Take care Trey and stop beating yourself up and do the right thing."

"Love you Ted."

"Love you too man."


The next day at work, it was still a little awkward for Olivia, so Fitz pulled her aside.

"Listen Liv, lets just pretend that last night didn't happen and we just go back to being semi friends." He chuckled.

She drew a deep breath too and chuckled.

"Sure old man, let's get to work on how we close the deal on the governor as well."

They both went into Cyrus's office to view the video and discuss what was next.


"When I put you two together I thought you would do big things, but HOLY MOTHER OF CHRIST! I never thought you would pull this big of a story off! This story is going to rock politics to it's soul in this state."

They all gathered around Huck's laptop on Cyrus's desk to watch the video from the night before.

After it was over you could hear a pin drop. Cyrus couldn't find the words to describe what he just saw. Fitz and Olivia just grinned at each other with satisfaction written all over their faces.

Cyrus plopped back into the chair he was sitting in and steepled his fingers together under his nose. Before he spoke.

"Have we gotten the Fed's involved in this?"

"We have. My contact at the Bureau has a copy of this video as we speak. She said it's already been handed off to the Attorney General of the United States. She said, we should hear of indictments later this afternoon."

"Did you tell her that they needed to hold off until we got the governor on tape?"

"Yeah, she said this time the Fed's wanted to take the lead on taping, and they want to be in the other room ready to arrest them both when they get what they need."

"Sounds like we have just a little more work to do to close this out. How are you both feeling about the outcome so far?"

"I don't know about Olivia, but I feel like I did when I first chose this profession. Like I could take on the world and win. I'm ready to send these dirt bags to prison as soon as we can."

"Cy, this is all because of you. You could have given this story to anyone on the staff, but you trusted me again with one of the biggest stories of the century. I just hope I'm doing you proud."

A small tear escaped down Cy's face, but he brushed it back hoping that no one saw it. He cleared his voice.

"Olivia, you've been more like a daughter to me. I'm a proud parent knowing that I leave this business in your hands. It has always been my hope that you would follow in my foot steps after I'm gone."

Olivia rounded his desk and hugged him.

"Hey, what's all this mushy stuff, go out there and bring me the heads of those two assholes."

Everyone left his office.

"So, how long do we wait to lure the governor in?"

"Not long, this is getting way to big for someone not to blow the whistle on what we're doing. We are going to push up the meet and greet. Three days from now, the mayor and the governor get theirs."

"Agreed! Huck, can you find us a luxury apartment this time for the meet. I want the governor and the mayor to think that I'm moving to the city to set up shop. Also to give them a false sense of security."

"You bet Fitz. I'll have an address for you later today." Huck walked off.

"How does he do that?"

"Don't ask, cause he will tell you."


A week later...

Needless to say the sting went down as planned. They caught the governor and the mayor on tape offering up their services. It was the story of the century and it made national and international news. Fitz and Olivia were hailed as conquering hero's.

Everyone was so excited for them and what they had accomplished, that they planned an outing to celebrate. It was going to dinner and dancing. Olivia felt like really doing it up. They even got Cyrus to join them for the night. It was to funny when Olivia and Abbey got him out on the dance floor with them. He gave it the old college try, but he sat down and just enjoyed the ambiance of the club they were in.

A slow song came on and Fitz got up.

"May I have this dance young lady?"

"You may old man." She giggled.

"I'll show you old man in a minute."

He brought them to the center of the dance floor and Olivia wrapped her arms around his shoulders lightly as they swayed to the music.

"So, old man. Has this whole experience renewed your faith in journalism?"

Fitz looked over her head back at the table as he watch Cy, Abbey, Harrison, and Huck doing shots. He chuckled at the site.

"Maybe working with you has renewed my faith. I'd forgotten how important our jobs are and how we can literally change the shape of the political landscape in Atlanta, with one report. I really feel like a new man."

Olivia smiled at his admission. She still had it bad for Fitz, but she would let him lead the way. She felt like something was holding him back and she knew he would eventually tell her."

"How about we get out of here and take our celebratory walk around the park?"

Olivia looked down at the heels she had on.

"You might have to carry me, my feet are already killing me."

"It would be my pleasure. Lets go say goodbye to the group and head over."


Olivia giggle the entire time they walked toward their bench as he gave Olivia a piggy back ride with her shoes in her hand. When they finally made it to the bench he placed her standing on the bench.

"Now, we can see eye to eye short stuff." He chuckled.

She smacked his arm as he helped her step down and sit in their usual spots. Olivia was a little apprehensive to sit close due to their last encounter in the park. Fitz could tell she was a little stand offish so he scooted closer and threw his arm behind her head and stared down at the object of his growing desire. Olivia looked back up at him and smiled.

"See something you like?"

"I see a lot I like and if I had my wish, I would have it."

Olivia took in the look in his eyes and knew that they both wanted the same thing, but it wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

"I think I need to go home. How about a ride out of this park while I order an uber to pick me up."

"I can do that."

At the entrance to the part, they stood by each other as close as humanly possible without being in an embrace. Fitz felt his body just naturally pull toward her. He knew he was a goner already. This little pint size ball of energy had to be part of his life, but he needed to take care of things at home before he even thought about getting involved with her.

Her car pulled up.

"Well this is me."

Fitz looked down at her and couldn't resist her. He pulled her into his arms and gave her such a passionate kiss that the driver had to turn his head.

When they pulled away from each other they were both dizzy. They had to hold on to each other to steady themselves. They just stared at each other until the driver asked if she was going to get in the car or not. So without a word she got in the car with neither of them breaking their gaze.