I hope you enjoy this chapter. I know I usually update every three days, but I will be traveling next week so I can't promise that I will be able to keep up with that. I'll try my best though!

"What about the Lincoln Memorial, Mr. Super-Tour-Guide?", Olivia teased, raising her eyebrow at the man sitting across from her.

They were sitting on the patio of a small Italian restaurant, their empty plates on the table between them. Fitz had convinced her to have dinner with him to thank Olivia for the meal she had cooked him the night before. For hours, they had explored Washington D.C. He had shown her many of the famous sights, but also took her to spots that weren't as well-known, but oftentimes even more beautiful. Olivia had been excited and happy in a way that had lifted his spirits. Her historical knowledge of the things they'd visited that day was just as good as his own, but Fitz knew she had enjoyed listening to him explain everything. When the afternoon had begun turning into early evening, Fitz had taken Olivia to his favorite restaurant.

"I haven't forgotten about that.", he grinned.

Olivia had spotted the memorial earlier, but they hadn't actually gone there to see it. She'd wanted to bring it up, but he was her guide and she was enjoying his way of showing her the city way too much to suggest anything other than what he was doing.

"So, we'll go there?", Olivia asked, confused.

The sun was beginning to set, and in another hour it would be dark. Although she was enjoying the time she was spending with Fitz, Olivia had hoped to be back at her apartment before darkness would settle over the city.

"Have you ever seen pictures of D.C. by night?", Fitz asked, watching Olivia nod her head slowly. "There is a special tour that doesn't start until after dark, taking tourists to a number of monuments and sights that are especially beautiful all lit up at night. The Lincoln Memorial is one of them. I've always thought out of all the sights they show on this tour, that one is the most stunning. So… I was hoping to take you there once the sun has set."

Olivia didn't know how to reply to his offer. Being with him today had been wonderful. Fitz was lighthearted and funny, and she had marveled at how well he knew the city. It was so different to see him in jeans and t-shirt rather than a suit and watching him smile – genuinely – after the heartache of their conversation the day before made her happy. But now, Olivia could feel her nerves beginning to get the better of her once again. It was irrational, because the logical part of her knew that there would be many people around doing exactly what they were doing, especially because it was such a warm and beautiful evening. However, she couldn't help but feel afraid.

Now, Fitz was looking at her expectantly, waiting for her answer. She wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial by night, but more than that, she wanted to keep the smile on his face, and in his eyes. For the second time in only two days, Olivia took at leap of faith at the hands of the man she was beginning to trust more than she trusted anyone.

"Okay.", she agreed.

He smiled, but noticed her hesitance and the inner battle raging behind her chocolate eyes. Determined not to allow Olivia to pull back from him like she seemed to do frequently, Fitz called for their waitress.

"We're having dessert and you're picking.", he ordered playfully.

She relaxed visibly and replied: "Well, since you're paying, I'm going all out.", adding: "We'll have the brownie sundae."

A genuine laugh escaped him, surprised by her playfulness. Dessert arrived with two spoons and they smiled at each other shyly before beginning to eat. Every now and then, their eyes would meet over the tall sundae, and Fitz reveled in the light blush that seemed to color her cheeks permanently now. When they were done, he pushed the dish out of the way and grinned at Olivia.

"You have good taste, Miss Pope. That was delicious."

She nodded absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on the small drop of chocolate sauce that had caught on his bottom lip. To Olivia's surprise, his lips looked inviting. She was young, but not young enough to be unaware that such feelings existed. To her, however, these feelings were foreign. Her fingers twitched uncharacteristically in her lap, and before she could stop herself, Olivia was reaching out to him.

The soft skin of her thumb meeting his lip startled Fitz. She stared at him, wide-eyed and completely surprised by her own actions. Carefully, Olivia wiped the tiny drop of chocolate off his lip, showing him the evidence with a sheepish smile. She watched as his eyes lowered to inspect the tip of her finger, before meeting hers once again. Before she had a chance to pull her hand away, Fitz caught her wrist in a gentle grasp. He leaned forward, and quickly kissed the chocolate off Olivia's finger. When he released her hand, she pulled it back into her lap quickly. They both lowered their heads, embarrassed. Olivia had to bit the inside of her cheek so he wouldn't see her smile.

"Ready?", Fitz asked after he had paid the bill, hoping to break their somewhat awkward silence.

"Let's do it."

The Lincoln Memorial was no more than a ten minute walk from the restaurant, but they'd barely taken a handful of steps when Fitz noticed Olivia's mood shift once again. The sun had set, leaving the city with a soft glow. With every step they took, Olivia's eyes would dart left and right, almost as if she was looking for something or someone. The fingers of her left hand were bunched into the soft material of her sundress, while the other hand seemed to have an almost bruising grip on her purse. Fitz watched out of the corner of his eyes for another minute or two, trying to decide what he could say to bring her out of the trance she seemed to be in. Finally, he decided to throw caution in the wind.

Olivia nearly jumped when she felt her hand being caught in his much bigger one. She had been scanning the darkened streets ever since they had left the restaurant, but now her eyes snapped up to meet his. Fitz didn't say anything, but simply smiled at her. His large hand covered hers completely, giving her a sense of security. Her racing heart began to beat more steadily as the neared the Lincoln Memorial.

He'd been right. Washington D.C. was absolutely stunning by night. Fitz grinned at her surprised gasp when the sight came into view, leading her closer.

"I told you!"

"Fitz, it's so beautiful."

She sounded like she was completely in awe, and he remembered feeling the same way many years ago when he'd first come to D.C.

"I always thought it makes this strange, powerful place look so much more gentle and romantic. It almost turns it into a different city."

"Pictures really don't do it justice.", Olivia spoke.

"I agree. It's not the same as actually sitting on the steps of the famous Lincoln Memorial and taking in the view."

He pulled her along, pleased with himself for bringing her here. Olivia seemed completely fascinated, and it made Fitz happy that she was having the reaction he had hoped for. Hand in hand, they arrived on the steps of the famous sight, and he motioned for her to sit with him. Fitz sat close to her, so close that she could feel his thigh touch hers through the material of their clothing. He was talking to her, explaining the history of the monument to her much like he had been doing all day, but this time Olivia wasn't paying attention. Fitz' deep voice was soothing even when she wasn't following the words he was speaking. A shiver ran down her spine.

"Are you cold?", Fitz asked, always able to pick up on the slight changes in her.

"A little.", she lied, not wanting to explain the real reason behind the goose bumps that were beginning to form on her skin.

Her dress was light, but the air was still warm around them. Still, Fitz hated to think Olivia was anything other than comfortable. He paused for a moment, because even though he always picked up on Olivia's moods, he could never quite interpret or understand them. Finally, Fitz lifted his arm, giving her enough time to process his intentions. Olivia felt stunned, but forced herself to show him none of that. Eventually, his arm wrapped around her shouldesr slowly. When she didn't pull away from him, Fitz brought her closer against his side.

"Better?", he asked quietly.

"Yes.", Olivia replied, even though the shivers continued.

She wasn't sure if he was doing it consciously, but Fitz had begun to gently run his fingers up and down her bare arm. Her eyes traveled across the city, and Olivia allowed herself to actually enjoy the mix of darkness and light. Fitz' body was warm and solid beside her, and she barely even remembered that he was her boss and she was his intern. This time, she didn't hesitate or question herself; she simply let her head fall to his shoulder. Looking down at her, Fitz smiled. His heart was racing, but Olivia seemed completely calm now. He leaned down, kissing the side of her head affectionately.

"You're something special, Liv.", Fitz whispered so quietly that she almost missed it.

Olivia smiled to herself, lifting her hand to cover his that was still stroking her arm. She removed her head from his shoulder and looked into his beautiful eyes. The only sound he could hear was the insistent thrumming of his heart slamming against his chest. He leaned in but waited, giving her time to say 'no'. When Olivia only looked at him with hooded eyes, Fitz closed the small gap between them and kissed her softly.

For the first time in nearly three years, she wasn't afraid of the dark.