Good morning/ afternoon or whatever time of day it is when you get a chance to read this. I know it feels like a minute since I've posted a new chapter but it's been freshman week at my school. All these chapters have skeleton figures, the hard part comes in putting the details in. Once school starts back up, the updates should come more regularly.

As usual, I don't own any of these characters or Scandal.

On their way home, Fitz shared the limo with his kids with Teddy in his lap and Jerry and Karen on either side. He was trying to keep up a conversation with them but between Teddy's portable DVD player, Jerry's video games, and Karen's constant involvement in social media, he wasn't getting too much attention from them.

'You know, one day you guys are going to regret not looking out the window at all this beautiful scenery.' Fitz lectured, earning an annoyed look from Teddy.

'Papa, I can't hear the movie.'

Fitz sighed and sat back in his seat. Fitz could still remember the day they brought Teddy home. It was only two years ago and Teddy had just turned three years old.

Having Teddy around made Fitz feel like a new father. He was so much different than Karen and Jerry when they were growing up but he fit right in with them. Mellie was against the idea of adopting a child but decided that if it kept Fitz content, she would put a happy face on.

Now, Fitz couldn't imagine his life without Teddy being in it.

June 13, 2000

'Mellie, I. I really don't know what to say here.'

'There's really nothing much you can say now. I've already had the procedure done.'

'That's my point. You didn't even try to ask me what I wanted.'

'Well it's my body so whatever you had to say didn't really matter.'

Fitz rubbed his temples. Mellie had been saying all during her pregnancy with Jerry that she didn't want any more kids. She said she was tired of her feet swelling and of being fat. She said that once Jerry was born, she would get her tubes tied, but Fitz never took her seriously because once she gave birth, she never mentioned it again.

'I'm First Lady of California now. I can't go around looking all bloated.'

'So you decide the solution is to get your tubes tied and wait a week to tell me?'

'You could have asked.'

'I didn't think I would have to ask something like that! Plus you know I've been busy!'

'Too busy to pay attention to your wife?' Mellie crossed her arms.

'You know it's not like that, Mellie. Don't try pushing this on me!'

'Look, I don't want to talk about it anymore. It's my body, I had every right. Now, goodnight Fitzgerald.' Mellie went up to their bedroom without another word. Fitz probably would've divorced Mellie right then if it weren't for his father. Big Jerry told him that it would be best for his administration and for the kids if he kept her around.

Present Day

Now that Olivia was around, Mellie's days were numbered. He couldn't live the next four years of his life without Oliva. He always wanted a large family and he could imagine having a beautiful one with Olivia. Karen, Jerry and Teddy loved her, now he had to do his part to win her over.

Fitz shut his eyes and let his mind wander on and on about Olivia until Karen's gasp brought him out his daze.

'Kareeennnnn I'm missing the best part!' Teddy whined about his sister's loud disturbance.

Karen started rapidly typing away on her phone. 'Sorry Teddy but dad, look at this Tweet.'

Fitz raised his eyebrows but took the phone.

'DJ_HD_JR_'

'Finally out on bail!'

Fitz raised his eyebrows and gave her back her phone. 'Who is this person, Karen? And why are you hanging around someone who went to jail?'

'Dad, that's Hall' Karen and Hollis Jr. had made friends during the first campaign and Karen gave him the nickname 'Hall'. They were inseparable and were best friends throughout their time in boarding school.

'He works at a DJ on the side so his name means DJ Hollis Doyle Jr.'

'Well, why was he in jail?'

Karen shrugged and started typing again. 'That's what I'm trying to figure out now.'

Olivia had just made it back to her apartment and had changed into her silk pajamas, leaving Vince and Brown at her front door. After Fitz was shot, he insisted that anyone working directly with him have security with them at all times. She didn't like the idea of being trailed around by other people but she agreed on the condition that they wouldn't come in her apartment. She sat on the couch with her foot propped up on the coffee table. It had been a long weekend and she wasn't ready to turn the television on just yet. She had to get her thoughts together first. The only long term relationship she had ever been in was with Edison and she had never felt this way about him. Fitz was not only handsome, but he was smart, and charming, and a family man. He was almost perfect for her, but he didn't belong to her. He was Mellie's, and she doubted Mellie would let him go very easily.

But she couldn't have mistaken the mutual attraction. She knew Fitz had to feel the same way about her. If he would have her, she wanted to be his.

Before she could go deeper into her thoughts, her phone started to ring. She checked the Caller ID and it was Cyrus.

'Yes?'

'We have a situation.'

'Already? It's only been a couple hours.'

'Olivia I know you're probably resting your ankle, but you know I wouldn't call unless it was an emergency. Vince and Brown will bring you.'

'Alright, I'll be there soon.'

'Thanks, see you soon.' Cyrus hung the phone up.

Olivia sighed and stood up to get dressed again. She was actually looking forward to having some time off before she had to go to the White House later that week. She was starting to wonder exactly what she had signed up for.

Agents Vince and Brown showed up soon to pick Olivia up and they were on their way to the White House. Finding an outfit to wear that went well with her crutches was impossible so she settled on gray blazer and slacks, and opting to wear the matching flats that she passed up during her first meeting with Cyrus.

When they arrived, they immediately escorted her to the room Cyrus was in. It was a large conference room and Cyrus had papers sprawled all over the table. She sat directly across from him.

'What happened, Cyrus?'

'Hollis Jr. decided it would be a great idea to get high and go driving around with Samuel Reston's daughter, Jennifer or Sandy, whatever her name is. This is going to look bad on him. He's going to try and play it like she was the innocent little victim, convinced by some boy to go out with him. That's going to reflect on Hollis, therefore reflect back on Fitz. We need to get some control over this before it spreads like wildfire.'

'Well let's get to work.' Olivia grabbed the remote to turn the news on.

When Fitz finally got back to the White House the first thing he wanted to do before he picked up some work was to take a hot shower. As he walked down the hall to get to the stairs leading to the residence floor, he couldn't help but notice Agents Vince and Brown standing outside of one the conference rooms. He stopped in front of them.

'Aren't you two supposed to be with Ms. Pope?'

'She is in a meeting with Mr. Beene, sir.' Vince spoke up.

He raised his eyebrows. 'Olivia's here? In there?' he gestured to the door.

Neither of them responded. They had been given orders not to let Fitz in the room. Cyrus didn't want to bother him with something that could be handled.

'Alright, I'm going to ask this one more time and one of you needs to answer. Is Olivia Pope in that room?'

Brown looked away but subtly nodded his head while Vince mumbled 'Yes sir' under his breath.

'Thank you both' Fitz moved past them to go inside the room. The sound of the opening door caused Cyrus and Olivia to both look away from what was going on in the news. Cyrus quickly muted the television.

'I see I was missing the party. What's going on?' he sat down beside Olivia.

'Sir it's just a small situation that Olivia and I have to handle. It's nothing you have to worry about.'

'Cyrus if it has anything to do with my presidency, then I want to know.'

Cyrus and Fitz went back and forth, debating on how much information he should actually tell Fitz, but Olivia didn't think it was fair. She knew he could handle the information. She had faith in him. She lightly touched his hand, quickly catching his attention.

'Fitz, Hollis Jr. was arrested last night. We're just working on some damage control to make sure it doesn't reach you.'

Cyrus groaned as if someone had just stabbed him in the stomach but Fitz couldn't help but smile. She was on his side and that's all that really mattered to him right then.

'Well, what's the plan so far?' Fitz sat back in his seat.

'We just started working so we've been brain storming. No plan yet, though.' Olivia remarked.

'Why don't we just get rid of Hollis?' Fitz never liked Hollis and he didn't want him on the campaign but Cyrus insisted.

'That sounds like a wonderful idea.' Olivia smirked.

'No! That's enough! Hollis stays. Come up with something else.'

Fitz and Olivia couldn't help but snicker at their mentor and how upset he was getting over their idea. Cyrus was about to yell again but his cell phone rang. He looked at the Caller ID and sighed but answered.

'Yes, dear? Alright, alright, I'm on my way.' He hung up the phone and looked at Fitz and Olivia.

'Look, I'm going to be gone for 45 minutes. James wants to have lunch and apparently has some type of huge surprise. You two just don't do anything drastic while I'm gone, alright?'

Fitz put on a faux serious face, making Olivia chuckled. 'Yes sir, Mr. Beene.'

'I'm serious! No funny business!' he stormed out the room, annoyed that they weren't taking the situation serious and completely oblivious to the chemistry that he left in the room behind the shut door. It didn't help that James was yelling about having brunch together.

Olivia tried to keep herself calm but it felt amazing to have Fitz this close to her while they were alone. She tried to keep busy, taking notes on what the reported on television was saying but she could feel him watching her. She reached to grab her highlighter off the table but he grabbed her hand.

She could feel herself tense up under his touch but she didn't want to pull her hand away.

'Fitz, I-'

'Olivia, let's just enjoy this moment together. It's just us.'

'You're married.' She reminded.

'Yes.' He slightly shrugged, still not releasing her hand.

'You have children.' She rebuffed.

'I know. Three of them.' He remarked.

'You're the leader of the free world.' She raised an eyebrow.

'And you work for me as my fixer, I know. I know who I am but I've never felt this way about anyone else. Let's just sit here and enjoy this moment together. Let's forget all about the things that are keeping us apart because right now in this moment in time, there's nothing between us.'

This was the moment of truth for Fitz. If she agreed then he knew they were in this together.

Olivia turned her wrist so that their palms were together and intertwined their fingers.

'Fine, but only for a minute.' Olivia softly smiled, slightly conceding with her conscious. She wanted to spend all day with him but she didn't want anyone walking in on them, either.

'One minute.' They both smiled at each other. Smiles full of promises and affection. They would have to have a long talk about their future and where they were headed with their relationship but it could wait. Right now, they just needed a minute to themselves.

'Cyrus? Cyrus..? Cy- CYRUS! Are you listening to me?' James yelled as Cyrus read an email on his phone.

'Of course, of course. I'm sorry, I just got an email in.' He turned his screen around to show that he turned his phone off, then put his phone on the middle of the table.

'Now, I belong to two of the loveliest people in the world.' He winked at his daughter, making her giggle. She was going to be put in the same kindergarten class as Teddy. It was a very exclusive school and they would only have 3 other class mates.

'Daddy! We were trying to tell you something!'

'What is it dear?' he sipped on his water. He sat and listened to his daughter's ramblings about her recent horseback riding adventures, trying to keep his mind off the email from his assistant.

'Governor Reston is here to see you. He says he'll wait in your office until you get back.'

Cyrus knew Reston would want either money or some type of position. He didn't want to have to see Reston but he would handle him for the sake of the campaign.

Once lunch was over, he kissed James and Ella goodbye and continued on his way back to the White House. He walked right past his secretary and into his office.

'Reston. What an unpleasant surprise.'

'The feeling is mutual, Cyrus. Now let's get down to business. Hollis Jr. could've killed my little girl.'

Cyrus raised his hand and sat at his desk. 'Now the reports say that they both had drugs and alcohol in their system.'

'He pushed them on her!'

'No need to get loud. What is it that you want?'

'I want a position in cabinet next term.'

'No, not happening.'

'Now don't be unreasonable. You know I can spin this story. Hollis Doyle Jr. has connections with Fitz's daughter. It would be a shame if some story about her getting drunk were to reach the media.'

'Now if you did that, you wouldn't be able to deny Tessa's connection with him either.'

'Jessica. My daughter's name is Jessica.'

'It could be ham sandwich for all I care.' Cyrus shrugged and sat back in his seat.

'And I could confirm Jessica's involvement. I'll publicly send her to a rehab facilitation and resign my position. I'll be a martyr for the Republican Party. We all know Fitz is becoming a bit too far left. They're going to want him out of office soon anyway. Now with a far right winger, as myself, we may be able to balance things out.'

'Reston you're not going to win this.'

'I'll give you until 3:00 p.m. to think this over. Talk to Hitchenson about it and see what he says. I'll be back with my representation from Olivia Pope & Associates.' Cyrus wanted to laugh in Reston's face. Usually that name would cause fear in the hearts of those who apposed it but in the case, Cyrus knew he had the upper hand.

'Alright fine. Come back then and we'll tell you our decision.'

Reston smiled and stood up, buttoning the bottom buttons on his suit. 'Glad to see your'e cooperating. See you at 3.' He left Cyrus' office.

Once their one minute was over, Olivia got back to work. Fitz had Tom bring some paperwork in from his office so that he could work on his things while staying close to Olivia. They had both been mostly quiet except for during a coffee break that they shared when he told jokes and she teased him about how lame they were.

She wished they could go back to that one minute in time but she couldn't dwell on it. She had a job to do.

Cyrus joined them soon and sat across from them. 'Olivia, I need a favor from you.'

2:30 p.m.

Harrison had talked to Samuel Reston on the phone earlier that morning. They hadn't officially agreed on the settlement yet but Reston was confident that they would take his case.

He met Reston at a coffee shop, from there; they were to proceed to the White House.

'I never saw Olivia Pope in person in person but I had always assumed she would be a woman.' Reston chuckled as if he had just told the funniest joke in the world.

Harrison rolled his eyes but held his hand out to shake Reston's. 'My name is Harrison Wright. My boss, Olivia Pope, is preoccupied so I'll be handling the case.'

'Are you as good as Olivia Pope?'

'My team and I are as good as you're going to get so you can take it or leave it.'

Reston raised his eyebrows, appalled by the man's tone but also impressed. He shook the Harrison's hand. 'I'll take it.'

'Good. Now let's get to the White House.'

When they arrived in Cyrus' office, Reston comfortably sat in the seat while Harrison stood. Cyrus joined them soon and sat behind his desk.

'We've made our decision.'

'And what is it?' Reston sat with his legs crossed; confident he was going to get what he wanted.

'We want you to shoot your best at us.'

'That's ashamed Cyrus. Mr. Wright, please tell him what we plan to do if the White House does not comply.'

'Actually, Olivia Pope & Associates won't be taking your case. It seems we have a conflict of interests.' He went and stood next to Cyrus' desk, facing towards Reston.

1:34 p.m.

'Hello?'

'Harrison, I have to ask you something.'

'Go ahead, Olivia.'

'Are you going to be representing Governor Reston?'

'I actually have a meeting with him today at 3:00p.m. in the White House.'

'That wasn't my question, Harrison.'

'Well the answer is no. We had no intentions on representing him since you've been doing work directly with the White House. We as a team decided it wouldn't look good if Olivia Pope & Associates were going against its namesake.'

'Good. That's all I needed to know.'

'I have to go, but I'll talk to you later.'

'Wait, Harrison. Is everything going ok there?'

Harrison smirked at her concern. 'Everything's fine. Quinn and Huck have been working on some computer things while Abbey and I are putting things away in the warehouse. We haven't gotten too many cases in but that's not really a concern. I'm sure we'll be busy here soon.'

Olivia sighed, relieved. 'Alright. I'll let you go now.'

'Bye, Liv.'

'Bye Harrison.'

'You lose, Reston. We have the upper hand. Now like I said, I want you to shoot your best at us. But until you come up with your best, I would appreciate you getting out of my office.' Cyrus shot him a smile, lined with venom.

Reston cut his eyes in the men's direction. 'This is nowhere near over.'

He stood and gathered himself and walked out with his head held high but was crumbling on the inside, knowing he had no plan to turn to.

It was time for Olivia to go home. Cyrus left after dealing with Reston, though assuring he'll be back the next day to finish work on damage control for the case. As Olivia stood up, she caught Fitz's attention.

She had been there all day but he wasn't ready for her to leave yet. He wanted more time.

'Olivia, I-'

'Fitz, we can't do this. It's way too risky. I don't know what the attracting between us means but we're going to have to ignore it.' She tried to say with finality in her voice but that wasn't working.

He stood up 'I know you want this just as much as I do. Give me a chance. Say you'll give us a chance.' He grabbed her hands and gently pulled her closer, being careful because of her ankle.

He leaned in slowly and pecked Olivia's lips. Something he had been wanting to do since he laid eyes on her.

She trembled against his lips. Her heart wanted to stay, but her brain was going through a million reasons why this wouldn't work.

He mumbled against her lips. 'Livvie, say you'll do this with me. Say it. Stop calculating the reasons why we wouldn't work.' He placed kisses on both her cheeks then his lips went up to her forehead.

Olivia slightly nodded and mumbled 'I'll do it.'

Fitz pulled back to look her in the eyes, clasping her hands tighter. 'We're in this?'

Olivia's bottom lip slightly quivered but she let the word slip out.

'Together.'

So I apologize for any weird spacing in the story thing time around. My computer is just being so nice and lovely towards me. As usual, I love reviews and share the story around. We're almost at 40 followers you guys don't understand how much that means to me! Until next time!