Well hello loves. I tried and succeeded in updating another story besides my Xmas Fic. I hope it continues. But "Mr. President There is A Santa Claus" is my first priority at the moment. I want to keep you in the #FitzMas season but I hope this helps too.

So leave me some #Jam and #Marmalade on your way out, if you want more. I think you will.

Take Care…Me's

Chapter 4: Southern Hospitality…

Olivia heard the words come out his mouth, but still couldn't believe them. The news footage was on replay on every channel announcing that the President of the United States – was indeed a married man. She looked on the TV screen and saw the tag at the bottom of the screen with her name.

"Olivia Carolyn Pope (Grant) – First Lady of the United States. Wife of Fitzgerald Grant III. President of the United States of America."

She picked up the remote and put on another channel.

"President Grant is a married man. Olivia Pope, Alabama Veterinarian is the First Lady."

She blinks quickly, staring the TV, like she is some kind of nightmare. She again changes the channel, thinking it may help. She sees and hears this;

"America's hope and dreams have come true. We have a First Lady. President Grant has a wife!"

She flips to another network. Olivia sees her name flash across the screen, and feels the walls in her office begin to close in around her.

"From small town Veterinarian - to First Lady of the United States. Olivia Carolyn Pope just became the countries – no the Worlds most sought after woman. She is definitely being cursed throughout the world by millions of woman for stealing perhaps the World's Most Eligible Bachelor. And President Grant is one good looking man," she heard the news anchor gush on the screen.

This can't be happening. How can this be true? Their divorce was "finalized" seven years ago. She could feel everyone's eyes on her in the room. Fitz was keeping his distance. He figured if he attempted to touch her, she flip out on him even more.

"Liv," Abby called her name. She looked at Fitz, Cyrus, and then to the Secret Service agent – Tom. He was listening in his head piece, and she knew it wasn't good. Abby walked in front of her friend. Abby made motions to get her attention but all she could do was stare blankly at the TV.

"Liv," she waved her hands in front of her face, but Olivia was unresponsive. She walked up to Fitz. "How in the hell can you two still be married? It's not possible."

Fitz turned to face Abby. "Well it is Abby. You think I want this. We let each other go. She didn't want me anymore. Olivia made that point clear when the papers were signed. Neither one of us were even there. Our lawyers did it all," he whispered.

"You come with me," Abby gestured to Fitz for him to follow her. Tom tried to stop her from leaving, but Fitz nodded signaling that it was okay. Cyrus left the room to make another phone call to find out what was going on with the story being leaked.

Fitz then asked Tom to stay with Olivia for protection. "She won't hurt me Tom. Don't worry."

"You want to make a bet on that darling," Abby sneered as they walked out of the room. She winked at Tom, making him shift in his shoes. They went in the adjoining room, and she shut the door.

"Explain Fizzy boy," Abby sneered crossing her arms.

"Fizzy really," Fitz countered. "I'm the President."

"No Shit Sherlock," she huffed. "I don't care if I am overstepping my place but right now I am NOT talking to the President of the United States. I am talking to my best friend's not-so-ex-husband. She is finally happy, and moving on. How the hell can you do this to her now?"

"You think I want to be her husband," Fitz threw back. "You actually think I want to be married to her still. I'm indifferent Abby. I made peace with the fact that she didn't want us anymore seven years ago."

"Is that what you really think what happened? That she didn't want you," Abby said to him. "She never stopped wanting you Fitz."

"She wouldn't let me touch her Abby. I tried to get my wife back and she wouldn't let me in. You know what that does to a man," Fitz couldn't believe he was saying this to her of all people.

"You hurt her. It wasn't her fault everything went pear shaped. It was both of you. You wouldn't let her in either Fitz. When she needed you most, you were not there. You were too busy running for Governor of California." Abby shouted. "You ruined her."

"She ruined me," Fitz screamed. "You think I wanted to lose my wife, our…" he couldn't say the words. "I lost everything that day Abby. It's taken me this long to move on. Why, when I am finally happy with a woman that wants me, would I come down here and do this to us both?"

"I don't know. Maybe you just wanted to rub Miss Prissy Pants in her face. I can see her fake smile from here Mr. President. You chose well," Abby snickered. "You don't look at her, the way you STILL look at Liv," she pointed out.

"You don't know what you are talking about," he huffed in defiance. "This is bull shit."

"Oh yah. I saw how you looked at her in the waiting and exam room. You are STILL in love with her Fitz. Even after all this time, you STILL belong to Olivia." She walked closer to him and got into his face. "Deny it all you want, but remember I know you both better than you realize. You will NEVER be over her. If you were, you would have popped the question to Miss Prickle Pants by now."

"That is NOT her name Abigail," he scoffs. She was really pissing him now. "Her name is Melanie Hollingsworth. She's perfect me and this country."

"Now darling," she touched his cheek, shocking the hell out of Fitz. "If you believe that load of horse shit, than all your degrees have done you no good. You just keep right on deluding yourself Fizzy. Miss Melanie is no Olivia Pope. The life changing, painful, border line explosive extraordinary love with Liv, is not something that just vanishes. Do you really think, that's something you can just push aside and hide?"

"You full of it," Fitz said moving away. "I came down here to finalize the divorce Abby. I was supposed to be asking Mellie to marry me this weekend. I am shouldn't be here with you all," he leaned against the wall. "You actually think I'd be here if I had a choice?"

"You are the most Powerful Man in the World," she reminded him. "Are you trying to tell me that you couldn't send someone down here, give Liv the papers, and have her sign them again?" Fitz just stared at Abby unable to say a word.

Abby grinned wickedly, knowing she was right. "Ah huh, you wanted to see her for yourself. You found out Liv was STILL your wife and that fact alone, sent you running South for the winter, down here to see her for yourself."

"I don't have to listen to this Abigail," Fitz said going to the door.

"No then tell me I'm wrong," she countered. "Why didn't you send Cyrus, or an aide? Why did come yourself?"

"I wanted to make sure she was safe," Fitz grumbled. "If I had not had been here and this story would have broke," he paused. "Someone could have hurt her." Abby heard the fear in his voice. "Plus I at least owed this to her in person. I couldn't have her find out from someone else that she was still my wife."

Fitz sat in a chair and leaned his head against the wall. Abby then said, "That she is. So what are you going to do?"

"Do?" Fitz raised his eyes. "I have to take her to DC. The judge won't finalize the papers until he meets her. Even if she signs the papers, she has to come back with me on Air Force One."

"Are you out of your FREAKING MIND? You just can't TAKE her away. She'll never allow it," Abby pointed out to Fitz.

"Olivia doesn't have a say in this Abby. She has to come home with me. If she doesn't, we will never be free of the other. There's no other way," he solemnly met her eyes.

"Well you best brace yourself Mr. President, because it's going to take more than you and the Secret Service to get her to leave willingly. She won't go with you. She is not the same woman anymore," Abby breathed out. "She's changed."

Fitz looked up at Abby and then got up and gazed out the window. He could see the ground of the hospital she created, on her own. She did this without him, anyone for that matter. He couldn't be more proud of her, but yet a part of him wished he could have been here with her to see her fulfill her lifelong dream.

This was the life she wanted, hoped for. He knew she had fought hard to get to where she is today. Now he had to pull her away. Fitz for the life of him could not figure out why Justice Patrick Keating would not sign off on those divorce papers. It was just a formality. Fitz didn't want Olivia to be his First Lady, any more than she wanted that role and title.

However, seeing her again made him realize that she indeed had changed. She hated and feared horses when they were married. He begged her countless times to let him take her for a ride, but she never gave in. Now looking out her back window, he can see the horse stables and "Elsa" grazing. Watching her a few moments on the course earlier was amazing.

"She's good you know," Abby said as she walked up to him.

"I know. I saw her riding earlier," was all Fitz said.

"Oh. Well go handle it things with Olivia so she can move on too. She's finally trying to be happy Fitz. You should be proud," as she walked to the door. Fitz nodded and then walked out of the room.

/

I AM NOT YOURS….

As Fitz entered her office, he found her sitting on the window sill. Tom had stayed with her like he promised and Cyrus still had not returned. She had not said a word to anyone since the news broke that she was the First Lady.

"Tom we need the room," Fitz instructed.

"Sir I'll be right outside but we need to move before the…," Tom whispered. Fitz agreed but if he moved Olivia now it would not go well for anyone.

Tom told Fitz to "take his time" but not to linger either. Fitz heard the urgency in his voice and knew both of them needed to be moved quickly.

Olivia heard Fitz and his agent whispering but she just tuned everything and everyone out. Rogue sat in her lap and she lazily stroked behind her ears. The sight warmed Fitz's heart, because the puppy didn't warm up to strangers easily.

As Olivia sat there blank staring out her window, she gazed over at her phone and saw all the missed calls and texts since the story broke. Her parents tried to phone her. She texted both of the back stating that she didn't want to see or talk to anyone.

Finn Danbridge, her close friend and Vet she worked with also saw the news. He phoned quickly and left a message on both her office phone and cell. Olivia listened to them both and hung up. Finn and Olivia had met after her "divorce" from Fitz. They had never dated, but she was well aware of his feelings towards her.

They met during the last year of her residency. He was already working for a local Vet and when Olivia finished, he helped her get a job. Finn knew she was just getting through a painful divorce and never pushed her to go out with him. They did go to dinner, and movies together, but it was never a date.

Her phone started chime again. Fitz looked down and noticed Finn's name. "Who's Finn?"

Olivia side eyed him. She could hear the jealousy in his voice. "My partner," her answer was short and to the point. But it was how she said it, that caught Fitz's attention.

"I thought you weren't seeing anyone," Fitz stood in front of her desk with his hands placed in his pockets. He saw this Finn outside when she was riding Elsa. The way he hugged her, made him think that there was something more going on. Olivia felt his eyes on her, and she shifted further away from him.

"I'm not dating anyone Mr. President. But if I was, it's none of your business," Olivia voiced in anger.

"Olivia I don't want to fight with you. I just came to here to…," and that is when she turned to face him. Immediately his vocal chords clamped down in his throat and he lost the ability to speak. In her eyes he saw sadness, and hatred of the like he'd never seen before.

"You came down here to what- to flaunt Miss Melanie in my face. What is she on Air Force One sipping wine waiting for her man to come home to her," the way the words came out of Olivia's mouth, were laced with anger, and distain. "Don't screw with me Fitzgerald. I am in no mood. I signed your damn papers, you can leave now. You back to where you came from and have your happy life with a fake wife and kids."

Fitz's mouth dropped open. She signed the papers again. He was free, well not really until Justice Keating finalized them. He walked up to on her desk and saw that she indeed did sign every spot. He swallowed quickly, and braced himself on the desk, feeling the pain all over again.

Unable to keep her tears at bay, she walked past him. He reached out and touched her hand, causing Olivia to whip around widely and stare at him. "Don't touch me," she breathed out. She couldn't breathe with him touching her. Even after all this time, the slightest touch from him, still has the same powerful, all consuming, craving, effect on her body.

He held onto her small hand, unable to let it go. The moment his skin felt hers, that same jolt of electricity returned. This is the kind of electricity that knocks you on your ass, and sends you half way across the room, unable to breath. It's powerful, and still to this day like anything he's ever felt with any other woman.

It's the type of connection he was positive was lost between them, not returning between because she never allowed him to get close to her again. Olivia refused to allow him to get close to her long enough to make contact. She rejected any advance he made back then.

Olivia met his gaze, swallowed hard, and she felt it too. She could believe that after all this time, he still had this hold on her body, mind, everything. Fitz laced his fingers with hers, and began to pull her closer. His mind was screaming, "Let her go," but his heart could not.

Every cell, organ, muscle craved the skin contact from her for years after they split, and now she's in her presence, just holding her hand, he can't let go. She tried to resist him. Olivia's breathing began to quicken. She dug her feet into the floor, hoping it would stop Fitz from get closer.

"Let me go. I signed the papers. You need to leave," she said to him in a shaky voice. His hand began to lightly rub circles on her skin. It was the lightest of touches. This movement used to calm her long ago, but now it caused pain. She had to get away from him. His presence was too much for her to handle.

Fitz felt her resisting and began to walk towards her. She pulled her hand out of his grasp, but he still came closer. "Liv," he whimpered her name.

"Don't," she flung her hands up by her face, an attempt to keep the distance between them. She closed her eyes and kept backing up until she hit the wall behind her. All she had to do was make it to the door, and she could run away from him- them.

Olivia refused to allow this man back into her life, and turn her into the person she used to be. She struggled to let go of her love for him. She fought her fantasies that they could ever get back what they lost. She purged all her feelings for him long ago.

She told herself that NO MAN would ever control her mind, body, and soul again. Olivia Carolyn Pope did not and HAD NOT belonged to anyone in over seven years, and it wasn't going to happen again. She fought her demons and let Fitz go. It was what he wanted.

He wanted to be free so he could move on with someone worthy. Someone that could be the wife he wanted – no needed in HIS world. Olivia is not the "political wife" who stands by her man, shakes hands, smiles, and allows pieces of herself to get lost along the way. She didn't plan parties, get dolled up in a fancy dress, or plant gardens.

Fitz told her when they met and married he wanted to be in politics; to run for Governor and then the Presidency. He assured her that he didn't want her to change who she was. But after they married, and he started running for Governor, she saw a change in him. He wanted it more than anything, and but she wanted her dreams too.

He tried to give her the world, not allowing her to change. But deep down she knew she had too. Perfect political wives didn't work in Vet clinics, operating on animals, saving lives that were not of the two-legged variety. She wore scrubs with Hello Kitty, The Care Bears, My Little Pony, Cats, Dogs and any other animal she could think of.

She didn't go to a hairstylist for her hair. It was natural, a mess of curls, and if she felt like it hair products to calm the frizz. She was loud, noisy, and could care less if she offended anyone with her southern charms.

That is what she thought made Fitz fall in love with her so deeply and desperately. They were from different worlds on the outside but yet the same. It was inside the both of them was where it mattered. Their hearts, souls, minds, and bodies were made for each other in every way.

Every single time they held each other, made love, kissed, touched slightly, it was as if everything ceased to exist. The world faded away, and it was just Fitz and Livy. In those moments he was not running for Governor and her, his "Southern Belle." Nothing else mattered when they were in the other's presence.

When Fitz or Olivia walked into a room they immediately felt the other person, before a word was ever spoken. From the moment they met, it had been that way. Olivia felt Fitz watching her from across the room, and her life has never been the same. They were magnets being pulled to the other in an attraction she had never felt before.

It is the reason why, in this very moment she wanted to run. She looked away as he approached her. If she allowed Fitz in her personal space, she would fall apart. All the walls she placed around herself would come crumbling down, if he touched her again. She could not allow him to come back into her life and let that happen. She fought incredibly hard to break free from his hold on her.

Fitz's mind was telling him to back away, but his heart was controlling his feet. Each step he took to be close to her again, he felt himself breathing, coming alive for the first time in seven years. He vowed not to touch her, but as soon as they touched, every part of him responded.

"Livy," he said to her. "I'm...,"

"You're what," she knew what he wanted to say but it was too late. "Don't you dare tell me that you are sorry? I don't want to hear you lame ass apology Mr. President."

Fitz stopped just an arm's length away from her. All he had to do was reach out and touch her again. He placed his hands inside his pockets, to steady himself. "Livy please," he begged.

"I am NOT YOUR LIVY," she screamed at the top of her lungs. "She died the day you accused and laid all the blame on me for the collapse of our marriage." Fitz just stared at her unable to say a word. "But need I remind you Mr. President that it takes two to tango, and it was JUST not my fault."

"You pushed me away," Fitz blasted.

"Is that what this is about," she mocked walking away from him. "You expected me to forgive you for the things you said just like nothing. Did you really think I was going to let you anywhere near me, after you threw nasty things in my face? Just remember Fitzgerald, when you had that one finger pointed at me there are THREE back at you."

"Olivia I didn't come here to fight," he groaned.

"No you came here to put point out that we ARE still married. Instead of sending someone down here and have me sign these papers again you came yourself. Why so you could throw your "politically perfect" girlfriend in my face? Is she everything you ever dreamed Mr. President?"

Fitz had never heard her talk this way before. The hatred in her voice caused his heart to break. Did she really hate him that much? "You must really hate me," he finally said the words. He watched her stare at him.

"For loving you enough to let you go," Fitz finally made himself say the words. "So this is done. We are finally over."

Not sure what else to say, she said "Finally." Her voice was betraying her, and Fitz heard it. Did she really want the divorce? Yes they both thought they were not husband and wife but to find out that they really were, was it worth trying again to make it work.

"Good."

/

Home to D.C….

"Good, now leave and go home to Melanie," rolling her eyes and walked away. "I am sure she'll make the perfect First Lady."

"I can't," he grumbled out under his breath.

"Well why the hell not," she was growing more impatient. She wanted him to leave.

"Because the judge won't finalize the papers if he does not meet you," Fitz begrudgingly voiced.

"Excuse me," she asked in disbelief. "What do you mean meet me?"

"He wants to see the current First Lady before the papers become official."

"Fine turn on the computer, and he can see me. Then we can be done with this and then you can leave me alone," she began to go to her desk and wake up the computer. "Call him and have him meet us on line."

"That won't do it."

"Why the hell not," she asked.

"Supreme Court Justice Keating wants to meet you in person Liv," he finally told her.

"Are you out of your freaking mind? I am not going home or anywhere with you Mr. President."

"Here we go," Fitz groaned walking away. "Yes you are."

"No."

"You think I actually want you up there. I don't Liv. But if you don't come Justice Keating won't sign the papers and free us from each other. Trust me the sooner I am free of you the better," he said the words.

"You can't make me go anywhere Fitz. I am not yours," Olivia crossed her arms and starred at him. No one told her what to do.

Fitz walked to the door and called Tom to come inside. "Tom is she the First Lady." Tom nods. "If her presence is requested in DC by Justice Keating and myself, does she have to appear?" Tom agrees. "And what will happen if she does not comply?"

"Sir," Tom asked hesitantly.

"Tom what will happen if MY WIFE, the First Lady," making himself cringe, "refuses to comply with this request?"

"She will be taken by force," Tom looks at the President and then to Olivia.

"Go ahead and try Darling," Olivia challenged Tom. "You may be an agent, but I bet I can lay you flat on your ass. You lay ONE FINGER on me, I'll personally chop off your Secret Service Balls and send them home to your Momma."

Tom visibility backed up when he saw her pull a surgical blade out from her desk. "You attempt to touch me Tom, you'll never have kids. I will peal you like a grape. Call it a touch of Southern Hospitality."

Fitz raised his eyes, not believing she threatened his head agent. Tom had all the training in the world but to see him fear a five foot two woman, that is probably only 110 pounds soak and wet was a sight to behold. He had never seen this side of her before, and he found it a turn on.

"Are we clear Agent Stanton," Olivia voiced.

"Yes Ma'am," Tom replied respectfully. He looked at Fitz. "I am sorry Sir but she is all yours," and promptly left the room.

"Olivia, you are coming back to DC with me on Air Force One," he began to walk in her direction.

"No."

"I don't have time for this," he began to walk in her direction. "You want me gone. Out of your life then you are coming with me. Come hell or high water Olivia you are getting on that plane." He had enough. Another agent not afraid of Olivia came into the room and insisted that the move now.

"What's going on," she asked them.

"The Press is coming. They know who you are and if we don't get you out of here now, the place will be swarmed. We have to go Olivia," Fitz explained. He knew she was not ready for the kind of publicity that would ensure if they saw her.

She thought about it and agreed. "Fine but let me get a few things."

Fitz agreed and Olivia saw Abby and told her what was going on. She ran outside and closed the gates to the clinic so the Press could not get close to the building. When she ran outside, Abby heard the sirens coming in their direction. "Oh hell," she grumbled and locked the gates.

Abby ran inside a few moments later, and Cyrus was now with Fitz in the waiting room. He was growing impatient and he just wanted to get out of there. Rogue was running around and whining to go towards the back of the clinic. The puppy knew something was back there.

"Abby what is back there," Fitz asked.

"Is just the storage room Sir. I'll go get Liv," she said to him. The moment Abby walked off Rogue began to whine. Abby stopped and picked up Rogue to take her along. Fitz didn't mind.

A few minutes later, Abby came back as white as a ghost. Fitz seeing the fear in her face and eyes knew something was wrong. "Abby?"

"Elsa's gone," she said first.

"What do you mean Elsa's gone," Cyrus spoke first. "Who the hell is Elsa?"

"Olivia's horse," Abby looked at Fitz and he knew.

"Holy Shit Fuck," Fitz screamed out and looked at Tom.

"Tom you and the agents find Olivia and bring MY WIFE back here now!"

/

*Drops Jar of Jam and Runs!

Yup my little darlings, that is it. Now you are just going to have to wait till the next chapter to find out #WhereIsOliviaGrant (because she IS his wife.)

This chapter was difficult to write for me because of their argument. I know you want them to make up, because of ALL the angst we see on TV, but all this heartache has a purpose. You just have to trust me. I rather write "fluff" but that will come in time.

So leave me #Crumbs if you want more. The more my email goes bananas, the sooner you get the next chapter. Be on the lookout for my XmasFic. It's going to get updated over the weekend.

Peace, Love and Pumpkins…with Jam on Top.

Me's