(Hello everyone. I know it has been a LONG time since I have updated this story but hopefully you won't be disappointed by this update. I hope you will continue to read and review. As always, any and all feedback is certainly welcome. I hope everyone is having a great summer. Thanks again for your continued support.)

Rules of Engagement

The week's news cycle was full to the lid – multiple high-profile, volatile stories were working at once. The stories were gaining traction, attracting the attention of the national news circuit. Reporters were abuzz, coveting the latest juicy detail of a sex scandal, a resignation, a government restructure, a suicide and a murder. California news had never been so hot. News station producers worked overtime sending reporters into the field, working their inside sources to cover all the angles for what they were confident was the biggest news explosion California had in a long time. Four stories ran and re-ran with consistent regularity on all major networks and smaller affiliates - Secretary of State Scandal and possible resignation, death of the CEO of Citron Technology, Lt Governor Position eliminated and US Congressman's wife murdered in her home – all in the same week.

Elizabeth Ashford, California Chief Deputy Press Secretary addressed the press corps:

"Ok everyone, quiet down, we have a full docket today…. And by my calendar we have two birthdays, so congratulations. There is one cake, only one, but it's good to share right," there were a couple of small chuckles from the audience of journalists who hoped that she was in a good mood. Her mood determined how much information she was willing to give.

"Liz, is the Governor going to comment on the Secretary of State situation?" a journalist called out.

"Hold on guys, let's not get ahead of ourselves….let me just go through my whole spill and then I'll take questions….alright…alright," she took a deep breath before continuing in her normal rapid-fire fashion.

"At 7:05AM, the Secretary of State officially resigned his position. The scandal involving him and the alleged prostitution charges will not be addressed from this podium and certainly not by me. Mr. Secretary is expected to give his own announcement – on what day and in what form is unknown at this time but you can expect more details as I become aware of them. Although Governor Gray is only here for a short time, he will be exercising his executive authority to appoint another Secretary of State instead of opening another election, especially since the election for the next Governor is imminent. There is a short list of potential candidates for the position. I don't have that list and therefore cannot confirm or deny anyone at this time; however I am assured that the Governor will have made a selection by the end of next week….so stay tuned," she took a breath and was poised to continue, but some eager reporters started up with questioning. She gave them a stern look over the brim of her glasses. They knew that look and got the message to wait for her to finish. It was quiet once again.

"And moving on….of course you know that several days ago, there was a tragedy involving one of the country's Fortune 500 companies called Citron Technology. The company was a major contributor and supporter of the Governor and this administration. Reports confirm that their CEO Jeffrey Sanders took his own life. He leaves behind his widow, Mellie Sanders. The funeral arrangements are being finalized and are expected to be announced by the end of the week. The future of the company has yet to be determined.

"The Lt Governor position has been eliminated. It should be noted that this decision was made by the legislative branch of the government with no involvement by the Office of the Governor. The Governor has commented that the decision was made in the interests of the citizens of this state. Independent streamlining, cost analysis and audit reviews were conducted and it was determined that the position carried little responsibilities that could not have been divided among other Senior Staff. Of course, now the next person in line of succession to fulfill the duties of the Governor in the event he or she cannot do so will be the Secretary of State…A new Governor and a new Secretary of State at the same time…how about that," she joked.

"We previously reported to you that Samantha Barrett, wife of US Congressman Jeremy Barrett was tragically murdered in their Sacramento home. Updated information from local law enforcement indicates that Mrs. Barrett was attacked as she walked in her home during a burglary. The investigation into this matter continues and the suspect has yet to be identified. Their young son, Jeremy, is reportedly unharmed and with his father, the Congressman, who flew to California immediately upon notification of the incident."

She drew another breath and said, "Now…any questions."

XXXXXX

2 weeks earlier

"So, um, who exactly was that man I shared my bed with last night?" she asked playfully.

"What?" he turned, surprised by her words. He raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, angry sex is fun and exciting but that was not the Fitzgerald Grant standing here with me right now. That was…somebody else. An alter ego, an evil twin perhaps," she said smiling up at him as they dressed for the day.

He gave her a charming smile but no response. Still unusually quiet.

She sighed; getting him to open up about his father was going to be a challenge. One that she would have to tackle this morning or she was confident that they would have another day like yesterday.

When Fitz' father, Big Gerry, arrived, Olivia had the hopeful feeling that perhaps time, illness and separation had made the heart grow fonder – perhaps he would be a kinder, more understanding version of the man she knew before. It didn't take long for her to realize that she was wrong.

Fitz had done several run-throughs of the speech he was scheduled to give at the University. It was good but not great. The nervous glances he kept giving to his father stifled his ability to relax and be himself. He was so worried about doing it exactly right that he ended up doing it wrong. He was losing his confidence and the speech was coming across dry and unenthusiastic.

By the third attempt, Gerry had enough and interrupted, "Fitzgerald, what the hell is the matter with you!?" his voice booming across the meeting room. Although he was in a wheel chair and his speech slurred at times, he still commanded attention. A few of the people in the room actually jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Come on man! You have the looks, where is the charm? You think you're going to win over the crowd with this boring speech. I'm already falling asleep over here! This is bullshit, I thought I came here to see a winner….I don't know what this is. Take me back to my room, I'm tired of this," he said and his nurse, who was entirely too young and attractive to just be a nurse, wheeled him from the room.

The room was uncomfortably quiet after he left. Everyone was looking at Fitz while he kept his gaze cast downward.

"Okay everyone, that's it for tonight. Make sure you are at the bus no later than 9AM so we can leave on time. Thank you," Olivia said. She waited until everyone left the room and only she and Cyrus remained with Fitz.

Cyrus spoke up first, "What's the matter Fitz? You were doing fine, I don't understand what happened."

"Nothing happened, I'm just tired," he said, still not looking either one of them in the eye.

Cyrus sighed in frustration and ran his hand through his hair, "OK, so you want to get some rest and try to get some practice in early tomorrow morning before we leave?"

"No I'll be fine," Fitz responded.

"I don't think you will," Cyrus countered.

"I'll be fine…..just leave it," Fitz said finally meeting his eyes.

The intensity Cyrus saw in his eyes told him to not press the issue any further. He looked at Olivia who nodded in agreement. "Alright then I'll see you both in the morning."

When they were alone, Olivia approached him and put her hand on top of his. She was saddened by the look in his eyes. To her, he looked like a lost little child. She fought the urge to pull him into a warm embrace. She knew he hated feeling weak like this and as much as she wanted to talk about it, she didn't want to force him into a conversation he wasn't quite ready to have. "Do you want to talk about it or do you want some time alone?"

"I'm sorry; can I just get some time, please?"

"Don't be sorry, of course you can be alone. I'll be in my room if you need me," she kissed his cheek and told him she loved him before leaving.

He didn't get to her room until midnight.

At night, no words were required. They could communicate with moans, sighs, smiles and caresses. But as daylight ascended and morning approached, Olivia felt like they could not leave her room without talking.

He was working on his tie when she grabbed his hand and brought him to the bed to sit next to her. He knew what was coming and let out a sigh. He needed to talk about it but he didn't want to. He never liked talking about his relationship with his father.

"Do you trust me?" Olivia asked as she looked at him, while he kept his face forward choosing to focus on anything in the room except her eyes; afraid he might find the disappointment in him that he already felt for himself.

"I do, of course I do."

"Then talk to me….You can't keep going like this."

He suddenly pulled her into him as if he needed her to melt into him; to make him feel whole and complete. He inhaled her sweet scent and whispered, "Livvy, I know you want to talk about me and Gerry and I want to let you in….I will let you in, but let me do it when I'm ready; let me handle this first. I wasn't my best yesterday and I'm sorry," he could feel her trying to pull away from his grasp. He knew she wanted to tell him that he didn't need to apologize to her but he did; he felt like he did. He kept his hold in place.

"No…I really am. I want you to be proud of me but let me handle it my way. I need to resolve the problems I have with Gerry. I was thrown off yesterday but today will be much better. I promise."

When he released his hold she lifted up and searched his stormy grey eyes. She was relieved to find the confidence and strength there that she knew he had. She gave him a winning, supportive smile. "Ok we will do it your way but just so that you know, I can have him taken out."

He laughed. "Oh I don't doubt that. You, Olivia Pope, are the most brilliant, talented, resourceful and beautiful woman I have ever known." The gentle kiss he gave her sealed his words.

XXXXXX

"I helped you!...I got you what you wanted. I set up that little photo shoot for you….Now you can't even protect me and my son?" Samantha said practically screaming in desperation through the phone.

"Yes, you did help me and I appreciate it. But it got us nowhere. You didn't get what you wanted and I sure as hell didn't get what I wanted. Face it, we failed. So the best thing is to end our little business agreement and go our separate ways. You don't know me…I don't know you," Mellie said in as calm of voice as she could muster being that Samantha's whining voice was literally working her nerves.

"Listen Mellie, I know that you and your husband have connections. You can protect me if you wanted to….I admit I'm desperate, I don't know what my husband is planning on doing and I don't trust Olivia Pope and this Abby person she sent over," she sighed in frustration and realized she needed to use her last card. "What if…what if… I told you what it is my husband was after. It's obviously very valuable to him and I imagine it would be to you as well."

Mellie silently contemplated her offer. She was never one to pass up an opportunity and this one sounded very tantalizing. She could have valuable information that no doubt would prove useful in the political arena. Perhaps it was even something that could get her the position she wanted. Her eyes started to gleam and her mouth watered at the possibility. Maybe, she hadn't failed after all. Maybe she would come out the winner.

"Alright, I guess that would be okay," the trick was not to sound too eager. Mellie secretly smiled with an urge to pat herself on the back.

"Ok…..Ok…..great," Samantha's panic was subsiding; her breath was calming at the possibility that everything would be alright, "so how can you protect me and my son?"

"Well let's not get ahead of ourselves. You tell me what you have and then I will tell you what, if anything, I'm willing to do for you?"

XXXXXX

"You are being followed," Abby said matter-of-factly.

"What, how do you know that?" Samantha said. Her rising panic was causing her son to look at her in concern. She rubbed his back to calm him down although she couldn't quite get her own emotions under control.

"I know that. I know how to do my job Samantha, you should really trust me."

"And how do I know that it isn't one of your co-workers, someone from Olivia's office that my soon-to-be-ex-husband hired. It may very well be one of them. He hired them to follow me right?"

"True he did. But it's not them."

"How do you know?!" Samantha yelled.

Abby exhaled in irritation. "Look do you want to spend the next hour hashing out my abilities to know what's going on or do you want to talk about what to do next?"

Samantha stared at her for several minutes before finally saying, "OK fine what's next?"

"First you need to tell me what information you have on your husband."

"Hell no! It's my only leverage. It's the only thing I have to keep me and my son safe. I told Olivia I had something but I wasn't ready to tell her about it. We do this on my terms and I'm not telling you anything until I'm ready."

"Ok fine, then we need to get you out of here. You can't stay here anymore. You can come back to Olivia's place with me for the time being until we find you somewhere safe."

"NO! I'm not leaving my home. I'm more comfortable here. I won't leave."

Abby had reached her limit. She wasn't a patient person. She was completely irritated by her lack of cooperation. She almost gave up and left Samantha to her own devices but she promised Olivia to look after her. She stood up and said, "I'm going to say this one time and one time only. If you don't leave here, you may end up dead. Do you hear me?...Dead…..I'm trying to protect your stupid ass and you are not cooperating. So if you want to live just a little bit longer, then get your shit and be ready to go in the next 30 minutes."

XXXXXX

Hollis Doyle read and re-read the email. He laughed at the audacity of the message. He loved bold women; they really did something for him. Mellie reminded him of his 3rd wife. She could sass him something good and she never backed down from a fight. She could claw him tooth and nail to get her point across and when she reduced him to a pile of shreds on the floor she would kindly step over him with her sexy stiletto shoes. It was a shame that she left him; of all his wives he missed her the most. Oh well, he thought, if it was one thing she taught him, it was that sometimes women were right. And he was willing to admit that in this situation Mellie was right. He had backed the wrong horse and it was now time to switch teams. Team Mellie had a nice ring to it.

"Trixie!" he yelled out to his secretary. "Clear my schedule for the rest of the day. I need to go out."

He slipped on his coat and took out his cell phone to make a call. "So you want to get in the sandbox and play with me? Alright let's see how dirty you're willing to let your pretty little hands get," he said before disconnecting the call.

XXXXXX

"What is this?" Fitz asked his father as they sat down at dinner with Olivia and Cyrus. Gerry had just slipped him a large brown envelope.

"It's my gift to you son….Don't get me wrong you have done excellent in your speeches. I was a little worried in the beginning but over this past week you've really turned on the charm and you've had the crowds eating out of your hand. But I'm also realistic; I know that the winds can change overnight. You think you're up now but it only takes one thing to knock you back down. You need a plan, a silver bullet, something you can use if and only if things get a little crazy."

Fitz took the envelope, quickly peeked inside at the documents. He frowned at the contents, completely uncomfortable with this type of personal information about his opponent. He passed the envelope to Olivia, who looked at the documents briefly before giving them to Cyrus. No one remarked on the contents.

"I know you don't want a dirty campaign. So I'm just saying to use it as a last resort. You'll know when the time is right." He called for his nurse who came to wheel him away. "Goodnight everyone, I'll see you in the morning."

XXXXXX

"How long have you been standing there?" Olivia asked as she moved the water away from her face.

"Long enough…you're amazing. I knew you were on the swim team in college but I had no idea how good you were. You're beautiful," Fitz said as he bent down closer to her from the edge of the indoor pool.

"Thank you. How are you?" she asked with eyes full of concern. He was tired of her always worrying about him; always checking to make sure he was alright. He wanted a time when they could be carefree without the weight of life pressing against him. If he could, he would just pick her up and take her away from all the madness forever.

"I'm fine. Stop worrying Livvy. I came down to swim with you. It's late, everyone's asleep and I want to be with you." He didn't wait for her response but jumped in the pool.

Olivia watched him as he swam laps back and forth from one end of the pool to another. His muscles rippled through the water as he moved effortlessly. Gliding and treading through water as he stretched further and further. She hopped on to the edge of the pool and let her feet dangle in the water as she watched him admirably. He had dealt remarkably well with his father over the past week and a half. There were no more blow ups like the first day; obviously because Fitz was doing outstandingly well in the campaign so there was nothing his father could complain about. He worked himself tirelessly rehearsing, checking and double-checking to make sure that everything was perfect.

Fitz finished his last lap and came over to her. She instinctively opened her legs so that he could settle between them. She looked down at him and watched as he calmed his breath from the exercise. She reached out and moved his hair from his face. "You're not so bad yourself," she said lightly.

He gave her a small smile. She couldn't resist him any longer. She bent down and brushed her lips against his. "Do you think someone will catch us here?" she asked seductively.

"I don't know and I don't care," he growled as he caught her neck and pulled her down further to him. He deepened the kiss until the intensity left them breathless. He reached up in untied the top of her bikini in one move. She had no idea that she was sitting on the side of a public pool topless until she felt his hands teasing her nipples. She moaned in his mouth attempting to protest but the sensations of his hands made her forget all attempts at propriety. She gave up and gave in.

He pulled her closer to the edge of the pool and he continued to turn her nipples into buds. He trailed his lips down her stomach; kissing and sucking the sweet skin that he could never get his fill of. He looked up at her and saw that she had leaned back on her hands with her head thrown back in ecstasy. He smiled in anticipation of tasting her.

Through her bikini bottoms he began stroking her; tantalizingly slow until he could feel her wetness. He pushed her bottoms to the side and continued rubbing her with feather-light touches that drove her crazy as she pushed herself further into his hands anxious for him to do more. He was holding back and she bit her lip to prevent herself from crying out and begging him for what she needed.

She then felt his lips on her core and she could hold back no longer, "Oh my god Fitz…oh my…god." He pulled her legs further apart so he could get closer to his goal. He licked and sucked her into frenzy, making all her juices flow. She was coming apart right before him but he wouldn't let up. Olivia thought she would die from pleasure in that moment. No one had ever kissed her there and she had no idea such intense emotions could come from it. It was amazing – the feelings were so overwhelming that she wanted him to stop but she didn't want it to ever end. When he opened her legs even wider she held her breath feeling powerless to erotic play and finding more enjoyment then she ever thought possible. When she finally came, it felt like nothing she experienced before. Her moans were so loud, they echoed over the water. She almost thought she saw stars.

He continued to lay kisses on the inside of her thighs. She jumped in to the pool, feeling the cool water around her bare breasts as she grabbed him and wrapped her legs around his waist. She kissed him, tasting herself on his lips and heightening her desire. She wanted to feel him inside her right now. Fitz backed them up to the steps of the pool and she pulled and tugged on his trunks, while he removed her bottoms completely. When he was free, she eased herself down on him and moaned with him filling her, going deeper and deeper. She looked down on him; his features shadowed by the dim lights. His blue eyes were intense, smoky with desire and excitement. She began to move on him, watching as he closed his eyes. She delighted in giving him such pleasure and tightened her pelvic muscles to increase her tightness around him. "Livvy, Livvy," he moaned. She continued to ride him harder, thrusting as she led him in and out of her. When he could take no more he grabbed her to him and buried himself inside her as deep as possible. "You feel so good." He lifted himself up to take her breasts into his mouth. He feasted on one and then the other; burying his face in the valley between, inhaling her scent. When she moved against him again, he let go and released inside of her.

Later in his room, when they had showered and lay in bed she asked, "How do you feel when you're around your father?"

He was silent for several moments and she wondered if he would answer the question. "On my 10th birthday, my brother hinted that Gerry was going to get me a dog. I had been asking for one all year. All my friends had one and I wanted one too. I went to his office one day, my mom told me to go meet him there because he was going to take me to pick out my dog as soon as he was done with work. I sat outside his office waiting. I heard him inside with his secretary. I sat there for I don't know how long. And then I heard them…he was having sex with his secretary in his office. He had forgotten all about me and was banging his secretary in his office….That's who my father is to me. He is the kind of man who would forget his son to take advantage of a woman who worked for him. When I'm around him I feel like that 10 year old boy waiting for a selfish, uncaring, unloving man. That is who he is to me. But as much as I hate him…I can't get rid of this feeling of always trying to please him, to make him proud of me…To make him love me."

She looked at his profile until he turned his head to look at her. "Your father is a hard man Fitz. He's small and petty and you're nothing like him. You're better than him and he knows it. He pushes and pushes you but he knows that you will be 10 times the man he is because you are a good man, a wonderful man from the inside out. That's why I fell in love with you."

He looked at her, basking in her love and comforted by her words. "You will win and you will be a better Governor than he was. You will win because the people want you as their Governor; you didn't lie or cheat to get here. They want you; they chose you."

XXXXXX

Olivia's cell phone was ringing by the bed. Fitz groaned from the noise but she kissed his cheek and whispered that she needed to take the call. She checked the time and it was 5AM.

"Abby, what's going on?" Olivia whispered into the phone.

"Liv, I'm sorry but she's gone. I woke up to check on her and her son and she's gone."

"What? Who's gone?"

"Samantha, she took her kid and left. I don't know where. They were here last night and now she is gone. I called her cell phone and no answer. I'll check her place, but Liv I don't think she left on her own. Her purse and their clothes are still here but she is gone."

"Ok, call Huck at the number I left you. Tell him to tap into the surveillance feed in my place and look through the footage. Call me back and let me know what you find…call me back Abby!"

When she disconnected the phone, Fitz was up and looking at her. "Who's gone Livvy? What's going on?"

She took a deep breath and recounted the events with Samantha and her husband. By the time she finished, Fitz was furious. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Fitz I don't talk about my clients with anyone," Olivia explained.

"Is that really the excuse you're going to give me?" he got out of bed and started putting on his clothes.

"It's not an excuse. My cases are private. If Samantha wanted you to know, she would have told you herself."

"And she might have, if we hadn't forced her to go away. Now she and her son are someplace you don't know where and possibly in danger. Did you ever think to get the police involved?"

"And tell them what Fitz?...That her soon-to-be-ex-husband hired my company to find dirt on her, which I might add is not a crime and what many husbands and wives probably do to make sure the divorce proceedings end up in their favor."

"This isn't right Olivia and you know it. This isn't just some person who walked in off the street to hire you. This is Samantha, she was my wife. How could you not think I would care about what happens to her or the danger she is in? Did you even consider that maybe I could help her?"

"I was trying to keep you from worrying about it. You needed to focus on the campaign," she reasoned.

"So you're handling me again, right? Is that it?...You decide what I can and cannot know. You decide what I can't handle because I'm too fragile and I might break any moment. Really Olivia?...I thought you knew me better than that, you haven't changed, you're just like everybody else," he said harshly then escaped to the bathroom, leaving her feeling miserable and cursing herself for how everything was handled.

XXXXXX

"What's the matter with you two? You're shooting daggers at each other and you look like somebody kicked your puppy," Cyrus asked Olivia as she sat next to each other on the way to the next venue.

"Nothing's wrong Cy. We just had a small argument. It's nothing it will blow over," Olivia said. "Do you have the report on the latest numbers?" She needed something to occupy her mind. Things were worse than she thought; Abby told her that the surveillance feed showed two men coming into her home taking both Samantha and her son in the middle of the night. Huck was still searching all the street cameras to get a lead on where they went and possibly a clearer look at the assailants. As far as they knew, there was no ransom demand. And the Congressman all of a sudden sent an aide to Pope and Associates to tell Harrison that their services were no longer needed and to pay them for their time and efforts.

For two days, she and Fitz had only exchanged minor civilities. She knew they needed to talk but she didn't know what to say. He was right. She should have told him about Samantha. In truth there was no confidentiality agreement because she really wasn't a paying client, Olivia just felt a need to help her. Fitz had a right to know about it. Now she felt bad because she was acting like everyone else in his life; keeping secrets from him, deciding what to tell him and what he could handle. She wasn't supposed to be that way with him; she was supposed to be on his team. She didn't like the rift between them; it hurt not to be able to talk to him like she wanted to and she missed having him next to her.

Fitz was surrounded by kids at the Pancake Breakfast and he was having a great time. His smile was contagious and Olivia found herself smiling just staring at him. She wished their relationship wasn't a secret and that she could be right by his side. She wanted to hold his hand in public, look up at him and kiss him. She wanted everyone to know that she belonged with him and he was hers. She sighed in frustration that it was not the time for fanciful ideas. He glanced at her, gave her a long look and then turned his attention to another child.

She pulled out her phone and sent him a text message. She knew he wouldn't be able to read it until later but she wanted to send it now anyway:

Can I buy you lunch, need to talk – Livvy

Olivia turned to go back inside and talk to Cyrus. Minutes later her phone chimed with a message:

Restaurant two blocks from hotel. Meet you there at 1pm. Will text you the address - Fitz

Olivia couldn't help but smile.

"Liv, Liv," Cyrus was calling her over to where he was standing with Gerry and another woman she didn't recognize.

Gerry spoke first, "Olivia, this is Sharon Roberts, you met her years ago at a fundraiser for the Children's Network. She is Senator Roberts' daughter."

Olivia's mind finally recalled when she had met the beautiful woman years ago. "Yes, Sharon, I remember, how nice to see you again," she said as she shook her hand.

"Nice to see you again. I'm a big supporter of children fundraising events. I heard Fitz was down here campaigning and I wanted to come and get a quick news story on him for the local station. Maybe he'll let me take him to lunch," she smiled.

Olivia smiled sweetly but groaned inside. She wouldn't be meeting him for lunch after all. It was more important for him to do the media spot. While Sharon looked in Gerry's direction, Olivia could look her up and down unobserved. She was gorgeous – long legs, tanned skin, long hair, pretty eyes and a great physique. Olivia had to blink several times to focus on the conversation. She tried to suppress any jealousy she may have felt but it would have been easier if she and Fitz were not in the midst of an argument and giving each other the silent treatment.

"I'm sure Fitz won't mind making time for you," Olivia offered.

"Making time for what?" Fitz said as walked up, overhearing Olivia's statement. She turned and met his eyes for a brief moment before Cyrus cut in.

"Sharon Roberts works for the local media outlet and would like to take you to lunch to get a couple of comments for a segment she's doing on you. It's a great idea," Cyrus excitedly said.

Fitz smiled but looked at Olivia, who kept her eyes averted. "That sounds great Sharon, let's say 1PM, wherever you like."

"Perfect, I will let your people know where to meet at. Thanks everyone. I'll see you soon Fitz," Sharon said as she hugged everyone but Olivia noticed her hug to Fitz included a kiss on the cheek.

"Well if we head back to the hotel now, Fitz will have time to change to get to the lunch meeting on time," Cyrus said as he ushered them to the bus.

When they got back to the hotel, Olivia avoided Fitz' presence. Her feelings were too raw, exposed and vulnerable. She felt like an outsider looking in, standing on the sideline watching the person she loved be taken by someone else. It was ridiculous, jealous thinking, she knew. It was just one lunch, a working lunch that could work very well in Fitz' favor and gain him new supporters. And although it was a good idea, she still wished there was a valid reason to reject it and send Sharon on her way.

XXXXXX

Abby had spent the past couple of days talking to Samantha's neighbors trying to see if anyone had seen or heard from her but no one had. She encouraged them to call her if they saw her or anything changed.

Late one evening, she rummaged through Samantha's belongings left behind at Olivia's house. She was hoping to find something that would give her a hint as to what information she had on her husband. When she came up empty, she went to Samantha's home and under the cover of darkness broke in to search for information.

She looked around for over an hour with no results. She sat down and thought about it. She remembered the day when she kept pressing Samantha for information and although Samantha refused, she kept looking in a particular direction. Abby taxed her mind to remember where Samantha had looked and finally recalled that it was a painting on the wall. Abby went over to the painting and moved it from side to side to see if something happened and when nothing did; she pulled it off the wall. Taped to the back of it was a USB flash drive. "Jackpot" she said to herself and placed the painting back on the wall. She put the drive securely in her bra and quietly let herself out of the home.

Abby made it back to Olivia's place later than expected. She took several detours to make sure she was not followed. Once safely inside, she inserted the drive into the computer and waited several minutes to see what was on it. Her eyes went wide at what she saw, "Holy Shit" she said. She picked up the phone and called Huck.

XXXXXX

"Mrs. Sanders, we appreciate you giving us an interview so soon after your husband's death. We know this must be an extremely difficult time for you."

Mellie's sorrow-filled voice responded. "You're welcome. I will continue to mourn for my husband privately but I know he would have wanted it this way. He would want to make sure the employees of Citron were assured of the stability of the company and that everything was going to be alright."

"Can you tell us what happened with your husband?" the reporter asked.

"My husband was a troubled man. Our home life was….difficult. We were a private family and I tried to help him as best I could. He had varying mood swings and went through severe bouts of depression. I was with him as much as possible but I guess it was not enough. We had gone to several specialists for treatments, which I thought were finally working. It pains me deeply to know that he thought taking his own life was the only solution to his problems. I just wish he had come to me and we could have worked this out together, like a team, the way we always did. I will miss him terribly."

"And did he leave you a note?"

"Yes he did. It was sad and I can't bring myself to share it with the public."

"Will you be taking over the company, Mrs. Sanders?"

Mellie gave slight chuckle and said, "I have to admit, I don't have the background or expertise my husband had. He was such a great man and I could never fill his shoes. I'm afraid I wouldn't be any good running a technology company. But I'm sure we will find the best CEO for the company. And as you know my first love is politics so that is where my future lies."

After the interview was completed, the reporter, Jessica Hynes, said, "Thank you Mrs. Sanders for the exclusive interview, we really appreciate it."

"Of course, Jessica. I called you because you are very good at your job. I have admired your work for years so I know you would handle this sensitive matter very well….I have a proposition for you… I want to give you another exclusive but I need your guarantee that you will sit on it until I give you the go ahead."

Jessica laughed, "Mrs. Sanders, while I appreciate this opportunity, I'm afraid I can't make that kind of promise."

"Please call me Mellie. And I think you can and will make the promise Jessica. You see it has to do with the very secret, sexual, activities of the California Secretary of State. I can guarantee that you will be the only reporter, the only network featuring the story and I can guarantee that it is big enough that it may very well force him to resign."

Jessica eyed her warily, wondering if she could be trusted but realizing she couldn't pass up the opportunity. "OK let me talk to my manager and I can get back to you in an hour."

"That sounds great. I'll be waiting for your call."

Jessica and her camera crew left Mellie's home shortly thereafter. Mellie smiled to herself realizing that all the pieces were falling into place. She went to her safe and double checked that the information she got from Samantha about the Secretary of State was still there and ready to be used. She closed and re-locked the safe. It was a shame that she couldn't help Samantha more. She tried, she truly did but Samantha's husband had got to her first. In the reverse, Mellie had gotten to her husband before he could destroy her. She was sorry about Jeffrey, but it was clear that he would do anything to stifle her goals and dreams. He didn't love her. He had gone so far as to get Hollis Doyle involved to keep her quiet. She remembered their last argument:

"You are such an idiot. You really think Hollis Doyle is loyal to you," Mellie yelled.

Jeff was quiet, trying not to be baited.

"Hollis goes where the money is. Once you've given him the software he's asked for he will have no further use for you. You need to stop worrying about me and worry about yourself, dear."

Of course, he didn't believe her and after that she could no longer trust him. She no longer believed he had her best interest at heart and since it was clear that he wasn't with her, he was obviously against her. One of them would have to go and it wasn't going to be her. So she easily enticed Hollis with something he salivated for anyway: Citron. She promised to sell it to him after her husband's untimely death. Now all that was left was to get an audience with the Secretary of State to discuss his recommendation for the person replacing his position.

XXXXXX

Olivia tried to keep herself busy the entire day. She didn't want to think about Fitz being out with Sharon for so long and what they were discussing or what they were doing. She stayed in the conference room reviewing the plans for the next speaking arrangement, the upcoming debates and his current poll standings. She checked her watch for the thousandth time and saw that it was time for dinner and she still had not seen or heard from him.

"Hey Liv, you want to go get some dinner?" Marcus asked.

"Where are you all going?"

"There's a bar up the street with a pool table in it. We were going to check it out."

"Sounds like fun. I'll meet you there; I just need to wrap up a couple things before I go."

"Alright see you there."

Cyrus walked up to her and said, "How are you doing kiddo?"

"I'm good. You want to go to dinner. There's a bar up the street everyone is going to check out. You can be my date," she joked.

"Sounds fine….We don't need to wait for Fitz. Apparently, Gerry and Sharon took him out to dinner too. I think Gerry is trying to play matchmaker. Sharon looks like a nice person. She might be good for Fitz. It might do him some good to get out and go on a date with someone, right?"

Olivia had to take several deep breaths to calm her nerves. Of course Gerry would try to set Fitz up with Sharon; they looked like the perfect couple. And Sharon's father was a Senator which would look even better in the family line. "Of course, you're right," Olivia said in a strained voice.

"So you ready to go…I feel like I could use a drink," Olivia said, desperately needing to change the subject.

XXXXXX

Fitz was not having a good night. He knew this wasn't right. He was only supposed to be having lunch with Sharon. That was it. But then his father arranged for him to tour the news set which led to more discussions with the crew and before he knew it, it was time for dinner. Gerry was obviously trying to play matchmaker and Fitz felt like a kid all over again. He had the unwelcome feeling of being a ploy in his father's scheme to get whatever it was he wanted at the moment. More than likely to ensure the family line continued to have the proper pedigree.

Sharon was a nice person. She was a very attractive woman. But he was not attracted to her. His father made the stupid assumption that Fitz was like him, willing to chase after any beautiful woman – Fitz would never be like that. He knew who he wanted on his arm and it was not Sharon. He politely humored her in the conversation, but it didn't require much input from him because Sharon was perfectly comfortable talking about herself all night. She focused on her personal accomplishments and accolades, which made Fitz think she was running down her resume to him. He continued to interject small remarks here and there like "That's great", "Congratulations" and "Well deserved" but by the time the main course came he was itching to get out of there. He needed to talk to Olivia. He could only imagine what she could be thinking he was doing with Sharon. If the situation were reversed he knew exactly what he would be thinking.

The more he thought about their relationship the more he realized how unfair it was to Olivia. While he was confident enough to know that she would not be seen with another man, she couldn't say the same. As long as it appeared that he was single, there would always be people trying to set him up with one woman or the other. And all Olivia could do for the time being was stand in the background and watch it unfold without saying a word. He suddenly felt extremely bad and that intensified his need to get out of there and get back to her. He knew they still weren't technically on speaking terms due to the recent argument but he gave her credit for making the first move and taking the initiative to talk with him by arranging to have lunch; even though it got waylaid by the plans arranged for him with Sharon.

In the midst of Sharon talking, Fitz stood up, "Fitz are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm sorry Sharon, please excuse me for cutting you off but I suddenly remembered something that I need to take care of urgently before the morning. You two continue eating and enjoy your dinner. I'll talk to you both later." And before they could say anything further he left the restaurant.

He tried Olivia's cell phone but it kept going to voice mail. He sent her a brief text, "Where are you?" before heading back to the hotel. He hoped she would be in a good mood or at least be willing to talk.

XXXXXX

Olivia put back two shots of tequila. She was in a contest with several of the other staffers to see who could make it to five shots first. After two the room was starting to spin for her but she was determined and wouldn't give up so she took the third but she could only handle a sip of the fourth. Still she came in 4th place, which wasn't bad considering she wasn't a drinker. The winner was a guy named Jason who apparently could drink anyone under the table. He asked for a second round and she declined as Cyrus suddenly appeared at her side and helped her back to the table.

"Never seen you do that, kid," Cyrus joked and handed her some water, which she gladly guzzled down.

"Yeah well I needed something to take my mind off things," she said.

"What things? Is everything okay?" Cyrus asked.

"Oh don't listen to me Cyrus. I'm just babbling," Olivia said hoping to take his mind off of what she said.

"Well it's getting late and I'm too old for this, so I'm thinking I will head back to the hotel. You're coming or staying."

"Cy it's only 11:00, stay 30 more minutes then I'll go back with you."

He sighed, "Alright 30 minutes. I'm getting a beer, what do you want?"

"Cadillac, please. I'm going to the ladies room." Olivia stood up and righted her balance. She was really starting to feel the alcohol in her system but she didn't care. She hoped that it would leave her numb; she didn't want to feel anything tonight. She didn't want to think about anything. She walked to the ladies room and suddenly felt a strange person pulling her to him and putting his hand on her ass.

"Hey get off me!" she yelled to the man.

"Aw come on baby, come hang out with me at my table," he said as he was trying to pull on her more.

"Let me go!" she screamed even louder. Then Marcus appeared at her side and tried to diffuse the situation.

"Come on man, the lady is with us. Let her go, no harm, no foul." Upon seeing the exchange and the tensions building, Jason and Stanley came over too and finally the guy let her go.

"Hey sorry guys you need to keep a better eye on your women."

"You're an asshole. It's a good thing these guys came along 'cause I was about to kick your ass!" Olivia yelled and started pointing her finger in the man's face. The guys looked at each other and knew they had to get her away from the situation before she started a bar fight. Marcus physically picked her up and carried her away. "Put me down, I need to go to the bathroom," Olivia said and when they were in a safe distance Marcus complied. All three of them were smiling realizing that she was practically drunk.

"What's just happened?" Fitz said as he appeared in the bar just in time to see Marcus carrying Olivia across the room. He was happy that the front desk remembered where everyone went for dinner and he was able to get there when he did.

Marcus spoke up, "Nothing much, we were just trying to keep Olivia from starting a bar fight. She was about to attack a guy who was trying to hit on her….She's a little bit….well she's drunk."

"I'm not drunk….I'm going to the ladies room," she said and started to walk away. When all three guys tried to follow her, Fitz spoke up and said, "I got it."

Olivia walked away and went to the ladies bathroom, not realizing that Fitz followed her all the way in. "Get out…it's the ladies room."

He crossed his arms and leaned against the bathroom sink. He calmly responded, "I know where I am Livvy but you're drunk and I'll wait for you right here until you go to the bathroom."

"I don't want you in here when I go…It's….it's …not ladylike and I'm embarrassed. Can you please wait for me outside?"

Fitz rolled his eyes and said, "Fine I'll wait outside but if you are not out in 5 minutes, I'm coming back in no matter what you're doing," he said smiling down at her.

When she finally came out, she saw him leaning against the wall waiting for her. Why did he have to be so damned attractive? "What are you doing here?" she asked him angrily. She knew it was not logical to be mad at him but she didn't care; he ruined her buzz.

"I'm here to take you to bed," he said with a smirk.

"You've got to be kidding. I'm not sleeping with you tonight."

"Oh we won't be sleeping," he guaranteed. She was getting worked up and he was enjoying it.

"Cy is taking me back to the hotel, not you…not you," she said confidently.

"I told Cy to head on back and everyone else for that matter. It's really only you and me left and you're too drunk to drive yourself so let's go."

She finally looked around the bar and realized that he was right. Everyone was gone. Her shoulders slumped in defeat. He came up behind her and took her hand, "Come on Livvy, let me take you back," he said softly and this time she let him lead her through the bar. She stopped at her table because she saw the Cadillac drink Cy ordered for her. She took two full gulps of it, praying for liquid courage and set it back down.

When she stopped, Fitz turned around and was about to ask what was the matter. He saw her take another drink and laughed. "I really hope that was your drink and not someone else's." Olivia didn't respond.

They rode to the hotel in silence. Olivia kept her face turned to the window; she didn't want to look at him. He had her emotions all over the place and she didn't trust herself to speak, afraid of what she might say.

When they got to the hotel he helped her to her room. She said "Thank you" and attempted to say goodnight to him at the door but he was having none of that. He picked her up and used his foot to close the door. He carried her to the bed and laid her down. "Do you want me to run a shower for you, help you undress?" he asked.

"Yes and No. Can you run the shower and then can you leave? I can't talk to you tonight. I can't concentrate. When you're near me I start feeling things and then I want to kiss you and then I won't be able to think clearly on what I need to say."

He smiled at her comment. He liked knowing that he had that effect on her. "That's fine you listen, I'll talk….I know you wanted to apologize for the Samantha situation and I accept it. I know you were not deliberately trying to shut me out but I hope you realize how much it hurts me when you do and you will try not to do it again. Now for the Sharon thing – I didn't want to go to dinner with her. I was sitting there with her and my father and all I kept thinking was I hope Livvy isn't mad at me or I hope she doesn't think anything bad is going on. I needed to get back to you so I just left them there at the table and came to get to you….Livvy I don't want anyone else. I only want you and I know it's hard right now, trying to pretend that we're not together but in my mind we are and nothing is going to change that."

He looked at her, waiting for a reaction to what he said and he got an unexpected one. She burst into tears. He sat on the bed and gathered her into his arms. He rubbed her back until she calmed down, then he asked, "Livvy we just made up, why are you crying?"

"I'm crying because it's all my fault. I messed up and it's all my fault and now you are going to hate me and you will never forgive me."

"I just did forgive you and everything is not your fault Livvy, why are you saying that?"

"Because it is my fault Fitz….It's my fault because…..because I think Samantha's dead."