Abby made her way into OPA holding the basket. She had remembered in her earlier days how much Olivia would love to make a pot of tea and munch on her muffins. She figured that she could sit down with her friend and give the pitch. She had to admit that Fitz was the charmer, but she knew in her heart that only one woman would do for Fitzgerald Grant.

"Huck is in his office, Quinn went on a date, and Marcus is at a client's house , so we can have some girl time." Olivia said as she saw the basket. "I see you have been busy."

"Ever since I left the White House, I have some time to kill , so I have been doing some baking. These are my new gluten free ones." Abby bragged. She brushed aside her red bangs as she sat the basket on the table. "I think this might be my best bunch."

"Well, I am willing to try one." Olivia took a bite and closed her eyes. "Mmm" she exclaimed.

"I also wanted to tell you about my New York trip." Abby wanted a way to lead into her spiel.

"You went to NY, was it business or pleasure?" Olivia was curious. She poured the tea from the silver kettle and then set them in English bone china cups that were placed on matching saucers.

"I guess it was business. I have gotten a job offer because of my connections in the WH. I went to NY to interview . I think its going to work out." Abby started.

Olivia was happy for her friend, but sad for all of the time that she had been at odds with her. Now it looked like Abby was going to be in New York and she was going to still be around. She had talked about possibly getting back together with David, but now it looked like he and Susan were making a go of a relationship. Her and Leo had parted when a motion picture studio hired him as a PR exec and he moved to California.

" I am happy for you. Now I have an excuse to go to the Big Apple." She threw her arms around her. "We can shop, go to a great restaurants, and see shows. Plus I am sure that you will hook up with some guy and then forget David and Leo at one of these political functions." Olivia said slyly.

"Have you thought any about hiring a new gladiator? " Abby started nervously. "I mean the cases are growing and it would definitely help. Plus you never know who will crack next in this business."

"It might be a good idea. I mean, I am thinking about trying to make it work between me and Fitz. If I didn't have to be here all the time, then maybe I could visit him in Vermont more. The only problem is that I think I should do the interviewing this time. I want to make sure that this new gladiator can do the job and we don't have the same problems from the past. Quinn and Huck left Marcus out at first, and Huck scared the hell out of him." Olivia said. "I have the perfect candidate. He is well trained, we know him and has helped in the past."

Abby braced herself when she thought about Olivia's answer. Was she actually reading her mind?

"Jake. He needed something to do after taking down my father." Olivia exclaimed. "He would be great."

Abby knew what would happen if Jake Ballard returned. It was a war of wits between him and Fitz. They had competed for Liv's affections for way too long. Now that Fitz wanted to stop playing games , a reappearance by Jake is the last thing Livia needed. Fitz would think that Jake was back to his old tricks and then any reconciliation would be out of the question. Jake would swoop in and seduce a confused Liv like he always did. No , Jake could not return.

"Why don't you let me interview the candidates ? Then I can pass them on to you." Abby suggested . That way she could bring Fitz's resume to the table. But she would be sneaky. She would disguise it a little bit so Liv couldn't recognize it.

"Okay , I trust your judgement." Olivia was relieved.

Abby took the resume and looked it over . She then took out a red pencil and started to circle things. First of all, the name had to go.

"Thomas Anthony" she exclaimed. " By the time she was finished, she had made Fitz a viable candidate for the newest gladiator. The best part was that Liv had no idea as she read over the resume .

"Military Navy, good , that means he has discipline . Seals means he can defend if he has to. It also means he can take care of business if it comes down to it. Background in Government Service and Communications. Graduated from Harvard." Olivia read . "And you have met with Thomas?"

"Sure have, he knows how to talk to people and to be honest. He also seems to be a charmer as well. We could use another one with our female clients. " Olivia looked over the paper again.

Olivia decided to meet with her new gladiator candidate. She wanted to interview him personally . Abby gave Fitz the news and then he had her help him disguise himself. Olivia could not know who he really was which would be very hard. She knew Fitz intimately and had memorized his body. His eyes were also a giveaway , so he put hazel contacts in them to disguise the steel blue color she had grown to love. Abby also helped him color his hair darker and put some product in it to tame the curl. Nexr came the clothes. Obviously , he couldn't wear jeans because they showed off the snug fit and his bulging member. The jeans they chose were baggy and the shirt was flannel.

"But what about my voice.?That will be a dead giveaway. ." Fitz exclaimed

"Then I guess you will have to use an accent. Texas might be nice." Abby said.

Finally Abby had finished her work and added a Stetson hat . Fitz took the hat and tipped it. In a Texan brawl he proclaimed "Thank you ma'am."

"Now let's see her turn you down." Abby smiled. The two headed for OPA and his interview.

.