When Olivia wakes in the morning (at least, she assumes it's still morning; she hasn't slept so well in years), she aches. Not in the way she has done each day since the accident, due to her injuries; it's a pleasurable kind of pain, the kind that instantly reminds her of how Fitz had made love to her the night before. It wasn't just a meaningless screw... It can't be. It was never just about sex with them and she's sure that hasn't changed.

A smile touches her kiss-swollen lips before she's even opened her eyes, but it quickly fades when she slides a hand out over the mattress in search of naked skin, only to find nothing but cold, empty sheets. Sure enough, when her eyes flutter open, she's alone in bed. She throws back the covers and is instantly relieved to find Fitz had moved her suitcase into the room while she'd slept, so she walks through to the bathroom to get ready for the day. After a quick shower, she throws on a chunky white sweater dress over a pair of wool tights and finishes off by applying light makeup, just a little concealer, a slick of tinted balm and a couple coats of mascara.

The house is quiet when she steps out of the room and Olivia tries to ignore the feeling of anxiety stirring in the pit of her stomach. Hoping she'll find Fitz in the kitchen, she wanders down the hall. Abby is already sitting at the breakfast bar, surrounded by folders and paperwork, but Fitz is nowhere to be seen.

"Good morning… Or shall I say afternoon?" Abby smirks, glancing up from the file she's going over as Olivia walks into the kitchen.

"You're back." Olivia states and it sounds more like a question.

"The snow eased up and we've got a ton of work to catch up on," Abby explains and lifts her mug of coffee to her lips. She narrows her eyes as she takes a sip. "Besides, I was worried about you."

"Me? I'm fine."

Abby arches a skeptical brow. "I can see that now. But last night…"

"I should've called you back. I got caught up…" Olivia can feel a blush rising to her face.

"Well, you're a lot more discreet about it…" Abby pauses, absently opening another folder up. "But I had my suspicions when I saw Fitz earlier."

"Suspicions about what?"

"That you two ended up sleeping together," When Olivia remains silent and her cheeks turn pinker, Abby continues. "And judging by that huge hickey you've got there, I guess I was right."

Olivia breathes out a quiet laugh as she sheepishly tugs at the neckline of her sweater in an attempt to hide the mark Fitz had left on her. "How did he seem? Is he okay?"

Abby opens her mouth to speak but she's interrupted by the sound of the door opening down the hall and Rufus comes bounding into the room, immediately nudging at Olivia's hand for a pet.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Abby raises her brows and lifts her shoulders in a shrug, making no attempt to hide the grin on her face.

Olivia can't ignore the way her heart races a little faster as she hears footsteps growing closer. When Fitz enters the room they fall into an expectant silence, waiting for somebody to break the tension.

"Fitz." Olivia dares to speak first, a shy smile touching her lips.

"Hey," Fitz responds with a smile of his own.

"Can we… talk?" She swallows, nerves getting the better of her.

"Sure. Abby, can you work from home today?" Fitz turns his attention to Abby, who has been watching them intently since they locked eyes.

"Of course. Let me know if you need anything." Abby hastily gathers her things while Olivia follows Fitz to the living area, Rufus trailing behind them.

As she settles on the couch next to Fitz and Rufus slumps in a heap at their feet, she's all too aware of the smirk being worn by Abby as she leaves the house, closing the heavy door behind her. When they're finally alone, Olivia is the one to break the silence again.

"So… How are you feeling?" She asks with an air of hesitance as she watches Fitz, carefully trying to study his expression. "I mean… After last night…"

"Last night meant a lot to me." Fitz begins slowly, as if he's still processing what happened between them.

"But?"

"What makes you think there's a 'but'?"

"You left me in your bed, Fitz…"

"I didn't wanna wake you. I figured you could use some rest…" He pauses and when she lifts her eyebrows expectantly, he drops his shoulders in defeat. "Fine. I freaked out a little too."

"You know, I didn't expect things to immediately go back to how they were just because of what happened between us," She states simply, cupping his jaw with a gentle hand. Her thumb grazes over his cheekbone. "As much as I still want you, I know it's not that easy."

Fitz sighs, leaning slightly into her gentle caresses. And then he appears to catch himself. "I need time."

"Okay." Olivia's shoulders sink and she drops her hand into her lap. "So, what? You want me to give you space?"

"No, Olivia… No." He finds himself reaching out for her again, already missing her touch. He curls his fingers around her wrist, then exhales deeply with a troubled frown adorning his face. "I don't know what I want… But I don't want you to avoid me."

"Okay. We can take things slow. At your pace." She murmurs softly with a gentle smile. "I'll wait for you."

"You sound so sure of yourself…" He tilts his head to one side, staring intently at her.

"Well…" Her smile falters and she lifts her shoulders in a shrug. "I have to be. I can't stand the thought of us not ending up together… I think it would kill me if that happened."

He nods gently in understanding as he threads his fingers between hers. Of course he knows that feeling – he's told her enough times in the past.

"And you're patient enough to wait for me to figure things out?"

"Of course. I'll wait as long as it takes." Olivia hesitates, her eyes fixed on their entwined fingers. "You know, I think I was supposed to be in that crash."

"What the fuck? Don't say things like that, Liv." Fitz snaps and she raises her head to meet his gaze at his hurt tone. He feels his chest tightening at the thought that it could be some form of twisted fate that was the cause of the accident.

"I don't mean it like that… But it forced me to realize how much I needed to patch things up with you and I wouldn't be here now if it hadn't happened. It would've hurt me more to live without ever seeing you again than any car crash could..." She trails off with a shudder, the thought alone of a life without Fitz is too much to bear and it's too painful to absorb. "Whatever happens I'm glad I had a chance to make things right with you."

"Me too," He says in a murmur as he loops his arms around her, pulling her closer until she's sitting in his lap.

"I think I'll go back to D.C. tomorrow." She utters after a while, toying with the collar of his shirt.

"You don't have to leave, Livvie." His brows draw together and she pretends she can't hear how dejected he sounds.

"No, but I should." She's trying to convince herself as much as she's trying to convince him. "Besides, Quinn's past her due date now and she's going to need help when the baby arrives."

"I guess you're right."

"Let's just enjoy our the rest of our time here together." Olivia's voice comes out in a whisper and she buries his face into Fitz's chest, trying to ignore the painful lump that forms in her throat at the idea of saying goodbye.

When his arms tighten around her, it crosses her mind that maybe he feels the same and being apart is going to be just as hard for him.


Olivia's breath catches in her throat when she looks up as Fitz emerges from the bathroom, wearing just a pair of boxers, hair still damp from the shower.

She's even more convinced that this is a bad idea, sharing a bed for their last night together. After talking more that afternoon they'd agreed to refrain from having sex again, out of fear it'd cloud his judgment. She just wants him to arrive at his own conclusion about their relationship and his feelings for her without their sexual attraction interfering with that.

But there's something that feels so undeniably wrong for them to sleep in separate beds. Following a long night of dinner, movies, and popcorn, Fitz had wordlessly taken her hand and pulled her to her feet, leading the way to the bedroom down the hall that would've been theirs. He'd mumbled something about needing a shower, pressed a kiss to her forehead and then left her to get ready for bed. She'd slipped into some ivory silk pajamas and climbed into bed, waiting for him.

And now, with Fitz walking across the room to her, Olivia is beginning to regret the decision to get into his bed. She can barely take her eyes off of his sculpted chest.

"Hi." A knowing smirk teases at the corners of his mouth.

She meets his stare, subconsciously swiping her tongue along her bottom lip. "Hi."

"It's going to be a challenge, keeping my hands off of you." He utters lowly, making no attempt to disguise the lust in his voice.

"Fitz… We can't. We agreed." Her voice comes out in a whisper, her attempt to protest against him is weak, but she knows it's going to make leaving in the morning so much more difficult. She pulls the sheets back and swings her legs off the side of the bed. "Maybe I should sleep upstairs."

"Wait." Fitz catches her hand as she makes a move for the door. "Stay."

"Fitz –" Olivia sighs his name when he threads his fingers between hers. "I don't think this is a good idea."

"I just want to lay with you, Livvie." He declares in a quiet voice and suddenly he sounds vulnerable, almost lost. His eyebrows draw together in a soft frown. "I sleep better when you're in my arms."

It stirs something inside her and she finds herself nodding before she has a chance to hold back. "Okay."

Olivia slides back into bed and Fitz moves to the other side, switching off the lights before he joins her. They stares at each other in the dim light for a few quiet moments; her looming departure is weighing heavy on both of their minds and has left a somber air hanging between them. He edges across the mattress, closing the distance she had been desperately trying to keep between them.

"It's going to be strange not having you around," He whispers after a while, reaching out to push back her hair. "I've gotten used to having you back by my side."

"Likewise." She gives him a sad smile, leaning into his gentle caresses when he moves to stroke his hand along her jawline. She curls an arm around his torso and allows her fingertips to trace mindless patterns on his bare back, deliberately ignoring the part of her brain that's currently screaming at her to stop and get out of there while she still can.

"You should come visit me in here in a month or so."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I'd really like that."

Fitz's gaze drifts to linger on the outline of Olivia's lips for a brief second and then he pulls her close, tucking her head beneath his chin. With a deep sigh, he loops his arms around her shoulders and squeezes her for a brief second.

"Whatever happens… Just don't get distant with me, okay?" His voice tightens with emotion like he's holding back tears. "I couldn't go through that again."

"I'll call you every night." She presses her lips to his shoulder in a sweet kiss. "I promise, okay?"

"Good," He responds simply. He yawns and within a few minutes, his breathing becomes deep and even.

Olivia lies awake, trying to commit this moment to memory. There's something so soothing about the way their bodies still fit so perfectly together, she never wants to let go.

She must have drifted off at some point because when she opens her eyes, sunlight is peeking through the curtains. She realizes they'd switched positions during the night and Fitz's face is buried in her hair, his torso pressed snugly against her back and his strong arms wrapped around her body, giving her no chance to escape without disturbing him. Luckily she has no desire to go anywhere.

Olivia tries to remember the last time she'd woken up like this in Fitz's arms but she can't; she hadn't taken in all of those moments and it kills her. The thought that in a few short hours she'll have to say goodbye to Fitz and fly back to D.C. is so painful it causes her eyes to sting with tears. She swallows against the painful lump in her throat and holds him closer, weaving her fingers between his against her stomach.


"Are you sure you're okay?" Fitz asks as the car pulls into the airport, beside the private jet that has been awaiting their arrival.

Olivia gives him a quick nod, attempting to mask her uncertainty. "I'll be fine."

"If you feel any pain at all, promise me you'll let one of my staff on board know and you'll call me, okay?" He orders firmly, eyeing her with concern.

"Sure… I'm fine though, seriously." She exhales a nervous laugh. The reality of having to leave is really hitting her now, her stomach twists uncomfortably.

"It isn't safe to fly with broken ribs, I shouldn't be letting you go." His forehead creases as his brows draw together in a frown.

"You don't have to worry about me." She shakes her head softly, trying to ignore the way her heart flutters in her chest at his concern. "You've already done enough for me, Fitz. It made sense when Abby was with me, but I didn't need to borrow your jet to fly home."

"I had to. I wouldn't dream of letting you leave in your condition otherwise." He sighs inwardly, clearly regretting his decision already. "You're sure about this?"

"Fitz, look at me. I'm fine." Olivia gently pinches his chin with her thumb and forefinger, forcing his gaze to meet hers. She pauses, chewing at her lower lip. "You should go. You've got a ton of work to catch up on, Abby's going to kill us both if you keep procrastinating for me."

Fitz nods reluctantly. His expression changes into a look of discomfort and he lifts a hand to scratch at the back of his head. "This is weird, saying goodbye to you…"

"I know."

"It feels… wrong."

"It won't last this time, I promise." She reaches for his hands and laces their fingers together, staring at him with unblinking eyes. "I'll come see you soon."

He opens his mouth to say something, then his gaze drops to her lips for a brief second and he clears his throat like he thinks better of it. "Okay."

"Do I get a hug goodbye?" She asks quietly, tilting her head to one side.

"Yeah, of course." He immediately pulls her into a tight embrace. Her arms curl around his neck and she hugs him back. His fingertips stroke at the base of Olivia's spine and he exhales a trembling sigh into her hair. "God damn it. I don't wanna let go."

"I know, this is harder than I thought it'd be." She agrees, her voice uneven as she fights to keep her emotions under control.

Olivia is the one to pull away first, knowing how much more difficult it would going to make things by holding on even a second longer. She lifts her gaze to meet Fitz's and sees the tears glistening his sad eyes; in the same instance it breaks her heart and fills her with hope.

"Hey, it's okay." She reaches up to cup his face with both hands, gently brushing away a tear as it escapes the corner of his eye with her thumb. She sniffs, feeling her own eyes filling with tears. "I thought I could deal with this, but…"

"I know." He murmurs then stares at her, chewing his bottom lip for a moment. "I want to kiss you but it's just going to make it even harder, isn't it?"

"Probably." She laughs through her tears, removing a hand from Fitz's face to wipe her own cheeks.

"Screw it." He leans back in, capturing her lips tenderly with his own.

Fitz kisses Olivia with intent and it's too much but not enough all at once. It's over sooner than either of them want it to be and leaves her feeling weak and lightheaded; she's grateful for the support Fitz is giving her in the form of a tight hug.

"You better call me as soon as you land." He murmurs in her ear. He's attempting to sound firm but his voice shakes with emotion.

"Of course." She squeezes him one last time before finally detangling herself from their embrace. "You can't keep Abby waiting for you."

"Yeah…" He agrees reluctantly, taking a second to breathe and regain some composure. "Have a safe flight, okay?"

"Thank you." The hint of a sad smile touches her lips and she resists the urge to reach out for his hand. "You better go… I'll call you."

"The second you land, okay?" He reiterates as he stares at Olivia intently. She gives him a reassuring nod and he breathes out a quiet sigh of relief. "I'll see you soon."

"See you soon." Olivia echoes softly and then leaves Fitz with a smile, stepping out of the car.

It takes every bit of self-control she has to not look back as she walks away. The second she takes a seat on the plane, she bites her bottom lip to hold back the fresh tears that threaten to spill down her face and tries to ignore the heavy ache in her chest.


A/N: When I started this I wasn't anticipating for it to be much longer than 10 chapters, but now that I've written about that much there's no way I'll be ending it there. I have a lot of ideas and plans but I'd still love to know what you'd like to see from this fic. Also please tell me what you thought of this chapter! It's a little longer than usual and I hope you liked it.