AN:Happy thanksgiving everyone! I'm so sorry it took long to update but, when I was set to update the story, I realized my younger brother deleted it so I had to re-write the whole thing.

I enjoyed reading your reviews. I'll answer them one by one this week.

Anyways, here's chapter 10. Enjoy and review.

This is a Liv centric chapter. Longest chapter so far.

DISCLAIMER: Scandal and its characters belong to Shonda Rhimes and ABC/Disney.

Manhattan, New York 8pm

"What?" He heard. Oh boy, maybe it was an error.

"Umm... Am I calling at a wrong time?" He heard her demeanor change.

"Hi" she said with a smile in her voice

"Hi" he smiled "Did I wake you? You sounded frustrated." He asked with guilt in his voice.

"No, no, it's not that. It's just, I have a lot on my mind right now."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Um..." Now was the time to decide if she'd follow Huck's advice or not. The decision was hers to make.

San Francisco

She didn't know what to do. He had shared with her what he confessed to have never shared with anyone just minutes upon meeting her, so she'd have to trust him right? But, she wasn't an open person, she didn't like to share. But then, she remembered Huck's words:"You should take your time. Get to know him as a friend and let him see you. If as you say he's feeling the same way about you, it should come on its own. And, if while getting to know him what you feel subsides then at least you will have gained a new friend. Liv, allow yourself to be happy. You deserve to be happy." Okay Liv, you have a huge crush on him, just, share, he won't judge. He's had almost a life as crappy as yours, he'll understand. After a mental pep talk, she decided to bite the bullet.

"Um... I think I'm in way over my head. I'm Olivia Pope, no situation is supposed to be too overwhelming, and, I can't seem to know what to do and, I always know what to do. I can't concentrate on my job. And, I can't fail at my job cause, I'm supposed to be the best, so, failure is not an option.

But, I also have to be a better person, a better human being, a good friend. However, I can't seem to do both. God, I'm a failure of a human being. I can't do my job and have a social life. And... My goodness, she was right, I'm a disappointment, oh no..." She was cut off by Fitz.

"Liv, Liv, you're rambling. Take a deep breath." She did as he said and he felt her relax on the other line. She didn't know how, but, his voice seemed to calm her. "Okay, now, tell me what's going on. I didn't get a word of what you said."

She took another deep breath. "I don't know what to do." She admitted mostly to herself. "I can't seem to concentrate on work because," she stopped herself. What should I say? Because I have a major crush on my boss who might be the future president of the United States?

So, instead she said "... Of some personal reasons. And, late this afternoon, I received a call from a friend that I hadn't seen to since I graduated Law School and she really needs my help right now, and, I can't abandon her in her hour of need, she was there for me through undergrad and grad school. But, I don't seem to have time to do my job adequately and be a good friend. I... I... I don't know."

She sighed deeply. "The story of my life... And I know you didn't call me to have me talking about my life. But, I was so caught up with everything that I forgot to follow up with Huck. But, if you want to know what he found, I can get you the info in about 10 minutes. I'm sure he's done by now. And, you did good today, your numbers dropped but not as bad as could be expected. I'm confined we'll be able to raise them in no time."

He let her speak sensing that she needed to let all that off her chest. Once he felt like she was done, he decided to speak.

"First of all, I didn't call to talk about work. I called to talk to you." At that he mind started racing going a 100mph. Could he actually be as interested as she was? He couldn't be, could he?

"Secondly, you don't have to choose between your job and your social life. You are a good person, I don't know that many people who'd drop everything to do a favor for a friend and you are the best at what you do.

And, you are not a failure, and, far from that. You are an accomplished woman, an inspiration to many. Did you know Karen wants to be like you when she grows up? She worships the grounds you walk on. Heck, even Cyrus worships the ground you walk on if he thought you were the only one who could deal with my situation, and I think we both know that Cyrus worships no one except himself.

And, the fact that your friend's situation affects this much doesn't make you a failure, rather a human being, and a human with a heart, a big heart. If you think you can't do your job adequately due to personal issues then, resolve them first."

The last part of his monologue had her smirking, if only you knew. But, generally she was just shocked. She could have sworn that that would have been the speech Huck would have given her and he had known her for nearly 9 years. But, to have it come from Fitz who she had known for less that a week came as a shock. Could he actually read her? Most people didn't even bother to try and, it had even taken Huck a while to do so. Why was it easier with Fitz? Why did she feel like she could be herself with him and not be judged or thought less of?

But in this instant, she didn't know what to say except: "Thanks. It's very kind of you to say."

"I'm just telling you the truth Liv, it's not about being kind. And, for you friend, take the next 2 weeks off, it's not really like you're doing that much at the moment. For the next week, focus on your friend. And, when I come, we'll still have a week left to prep for the interview. There isn't that much to be done right now and your friend need your help. Go help your friend. I'm sure Cyrus can survive without you, he's been doing good so far."

"Thanks, but I can't really do that. You'd be paying me for nothing. And, I know money isn't an issue for you, me either but, it wouldn't feel right with me if I just took off for 2 weeks and still being paid. Besides, unlike what you think, there's a lot to do here."

"Okay, if it's about that then, as your client, I demand that for the next 2 weeks, you take care of your friend."

"You can't really demand of me that I do that!"

"Yes, I can and I just did.I'm you client, and you do what I want. So, for the next 2 weeks, you're gonna help your friend, as part of you job with me."

"Okay then. But, I refused to be paid for those 2 weeks."

"Fair enough with me."

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me. I should actually be thanking you. I mean, I'm divorced and still have a chance for a political future and that thanks to you."

"No, I actually have to thank you. For listening to me without judging and forcing me to take care of my friend. It means a lot. Anyways, I know you didn't call to hear the story of my life, so, what did you want to talk about?"

"You're welcome. And, I don't mind hearing the story of your life Livvie." Had he just called her Livvie? Only one person called her that and that person was in France. Did he know what it meant to her? What it entitled?

"I called just to talk to you. The other day when I unloaded everything on you, it was easy. You're easy to talk to. It feels right to talk to you. And, that's why I called. I want to talk. But, I'd like if you were the one talking. You don't have to unload anything, I'd like to talk about any and everything with you." He said somewhat fearful. Was he pushing? The last thing he needed was for her to think that he was pushy.

She hesitated a little and then remembered Huck's words, and decided that to talk she could do. And, she was thankful that he wasn't pushing and didn't expect her to have the same disclosure he'd displayed earlier that week.

"Sure, we can talk. But nothing too heavy. Heavy stuff aren't meant to be discussed over the phone."

He let out a relieved sigh. He was glad she wasn't freaked out like he thought she would and had all the right to. After all he'd pretty much told her his entire life in less than an hour after knowing her. He just hoped that him saying he wanted to her didn't make her think that she had to share her story too. On his behalf he'd told her his story as his fixer and because he needed to get it off his chest. He didn't want her to feel pressured. He wanted her to share her story when she felt like it, if she felt like it, not because she felt like she needed to.

"Ok then. Since last time I am the only one who pretty much talked the whole time, I'll let you choose what we talk about."

"Am okay with that. So, tell me, how's New York? The kids?"

"It's busy as always, but you already knew that. I mean, it's New York. The kids are great, they'd missed coming here. It had been a while. The seem to enjoy themselves so, that's good. We just had dinner."

"That sound good. It's good that they're enjoying themselves. Their lives were altered in a mater of days. Where did you guys eat? I mean, since you didn't have reservations, it must have been hard to find a restaurant on such short notice."

"Actually, we didn't go out. The kids were tired and so was I. So, we ordered pizza instead. We ordered Joe's pizza; best pizza in New York!"

"That's where you're wrong, Motorino is the best pizza in New York."

"I'll have to disagree with you on that one, Motorino is disgusting; Joe's is the best."

"Between you and I, I'm the one who lived in New York and goes there more often, so, by experience I know New York's best pizza. And I am telling you that it's Motorino."

He laughed. "You're never wrong are you?"

She laughed as well. "No, I'm never wrong. But you on the other hand..." She trailed off with giggles.

He made an audible gasp. "Moi? I'm not wrong missy, just 'cause you don't have good taste doesn't mean other people are wrong!"

"You? How can you talk about taste? I mean you like Joe's pizza; total sign that you are tasteless..."

"Okay, okay. Lets just agree to disagree."

She huffed. "I still am right though!" He grinned, he liked this. It felt natural, normal, right. It felt like they had known each other their whole lives rather done days. "So, what are you and the kids doing tomorrow?" She asked changing subjects.

"We're going to the American Museum of Natural History then we'll have a picnic in Central Park. You can't really go to New York and not go the Central Park. That would be rude!" She laughed at his not so funny joke and didn't know why.

"A picnic sounds great. And it would be a crime to go to New York and not go to Central Park. It's really lovely but you should see it in Fall, it's absolutely breathtaking. Picnics there are amazing. My grandpa and I used to picnic there on Saturdays after church. It was our thing. I think that that's why I love Central Park so much. I have to go at least once when I'm in New York." She smiled reminiscing on the memories of her and her grand father in the park.

"Church on Saturday? You're Jewish?" He asked awkwardly. He'd never seen a black jew before. But, who knew? There's a time for everything right?

She giggled. "No, silly, my grandfather is a Seventh-day Adventist, we pray on Saturday. Have you ever seen a black jew?"

"Ow, that makes more sense than you being jewish. But, you never know, just because I haven't seen a black Jew do sent mean they don't exist. It also explains why you don't work on Saturday."

"Yeah, I try to keep our tradition alive. So, I take the whole Saturday off to do as I used to do with grandpa. When I was younger, he used to come and pick me up on Saturday mornings to go to church. It started when my parents had to out for an event and needed a babysitter but couldn't find one, so they called , they started calling him when they just wanted to be ride of me for the day.

And, it soon became a tradition. We'd go to church together, have picnics in Central Park and volunteer at a Meals on Wheels in the evening.

For a while, I stopped believing in God and going to church but, my grandpa was always there after church with a picnic basket. He never judged. He did ask why I didn't wanna go to church anymore and I told him. And that was it, the next Saturday, He just showed up at my house with the basket ready to go just like before except he came after church. I think that the fact that he was there helped me a lot at the time. We still did that even when I went to boarding school." It felt good to talk to someone. Sure she had Huck, but it wasn't the same. Huck listened but she felt like Fitz understood what she meant, what it's like.

And like that they talked the night away. They only realized the time, when Liv saw the sun rising in the morning and said their goodbyes.

San Francisco, the next morning

Liv came down the stairs around 8am. She found Huck and Abby already having breakfast.

"How did everyone sleep?" She asked with a yawn.

"Well." Said Huck biting his pancake.

"Well as well. You on the other hand look like you didn't sleep at all last night."

"Yeah, I didn't see the time pass." She said getting herself some water from the fridge and putting coffee in the coffeemaker before sitting on a bar stool. Huck gave her a knowing look.

"What were you doing?" Abby asked.

Huck stood to get some orange juice from the fridge and bent to Liv's ear whispering "Maybe you should tell you boyfriend to talk less so he could actually let you sleep next time. You look like crap."

She hit him on the arm. "He's not my boyfriend, Huck. Besides, how do you know I was speaking to someone? Did it come to you that I'm actually tired?"

"Last night you received a call, I was coming to show you my findings when I heard you speaking to someone. And, this morning when I went out for my morning run, you were talking on the phone, and that was 4.30 am. When I came back 2 hours later, you were still on the phone and actually giggling, it was creepy. And now, you look like crap but can't wipe that grin off your face. It took me about 2 seconds to know you were talking to HIM. He might no be your boyfriend but,you want him to be." He said sitting back on the bar stool. And she knew he'd done that on purpose.

"Okay, I'm lost here. Who's the guy who's not your boyfriend but with whom you spoke through the night? I swear I've been away far too long. Never thought I'd see a day where Olivia Pope spent the night speaking to a guy. I know you actually spoke mainly to guys in my college years but it's not the same. This one is making you look like a 14 year-old who just been asked out to a dance by her crush since elementary school. By the way, Huck, thanks for pointing out the grin; I hadn't noticed it. He must be darn special. You must tell me about him, I need to know such things. We really need to catch up."

Liv sent Huck the death glare and he shrugged. "We will catch up through the week. But, just so you know, there is no boyfriend."

"Oh come on,! Give a girl something. You can't tell me that there isn't someone responsible for that grin. At least tell me who was on the phone."

"Huck, this is all your fault." She glared at him.

"I did nothing wrong Liv. I just think you should try and speak to a girl about it. I mean, get an other point of view. Besides, you knew Abby before we met, you can trust her. And the poor girl need some good news, she's been through so much." And with that she knew that he'd done a background check on her and that she could be trusted and what he feared. She groaned but she knew he was right. She needed to show Abby that she was wanted to avoid her becoming suicidal. She knew that feeling and she wished it on no one.

"Okay. I was speaking to my client who I might or might not have a huge crush on." She said rapidly in a low voice.

"What? I didn't catch you."

"I said I was my client."

"Why would you spend your night speaking to your boss?" And the realization hit her. Her friend had fallen hard for her boss and was having difficulties dealing with it. Not only did the first time she really fell for someone, fall hard and quickly, but, she fell for her boss. "Who's this client of yours?"

"Fitzgerald Grant, Governor of California, not even divorced yet, AKA probable the future President of the United States."

"Holy crap! The guy is gorgeous, a god. You're so lucky. If I didn't like you and owe you my life right now, I'd kick you for not making a move."

"Not that Abby! The guy isn't even divorced yet."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Huck suggested I befriend him and see where it goes. And, if it's just a crush, at least I would have a new friend. Otherwise we'd see..."

"Do you think he feels the same?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I mean, he did call just to talk to me which we did all night long."

Abby shrieked. "A guy liked that doesn't stay on the phone with you if he doesn't feel the same. I mean the guy could have anyone he'd like and you're the one he wants to talk to. I think he's in the same position as you are."

She sighed. "I hope so. Anyway, lets talk about you. We don't need to go to Santa Barbara before 2 weeks by orders so,we focus all our energy on your case. What's your endgame?"

"What?"

"I mean, what do you want from this? What do you expect?"

"I just want my old life back."

"So, you except no money from you husband, nothing?" She shook her head. "Do you have anywhere to go? Anywhere you want to go?"

"No. But, I could always go back to Connecticut."

"Is it where you want to go?"

"Not really."

"Okay. You'll be gong to Washington if you don't mind. You'll stay at my house. I'm sorry but, you'll be there alone until the end of the campaign. We need to get you a lawyer. I need Harrison back soon. Huck, the priority is Abby so, find anything and everything you need on a Charles Putney and his family. And I mean everything. If he didn't give back a book in 3rd grade, I need to know. The other background check, I'll need it in a week." He nodded and left. She then turned to Abby.

"Abby, I'm going to Skype call Lisa, my personal stylist, talk to her so she knows what to buy you. Your wardrobe should be ready by Saturday morning meanwhile, I'm taking you shopping for the clothes you'll be wearing before you go to DC this afternoon. On Thursday, you and I are going to see your husband. If everything goes well, you and Harrison should be meeting with him and his lawyers on Monday next week. I hope that everything will be done by wednesday. So, by Thursday, next week, you should be living in DC. I'll help you settle in and head back to Santa Barbara on Sunday night. Is that okay with you?"

"It's more than okay Liv, thank you very much. I don't know how to repay you."

"You don't have to repay me or thank me. This is what friends are for."

"Nevertheless, thank you from the bottom of my heart." She said hugging her.

"You're welcome. Now, lets make those calls, shall we?" First she called Lisa from her computer and told her that Abby would be staying in her guest room and that she needed a wardrobe for when she'd be there. While Abby spoke to Lisa, she called Harrison and told him she needed him ASAP. He told her he'd be there in about 24 hours.

After she spoke to Harrison, Liv called her as she'd promised to see what he wanted.

"Look who remembered that I existed!" Her father answered.

"Dad, I haven't forgotten that you exist, it's just that Abby needed my help last night and I really couldn't talk." She said with a eye roll. Her father had a thing for dramatics. "Okay, dad, we're not going over this again. So, please tell me what you wanted."

"So, remember when we had dinner and you said that you wanted to launch your own firm at some point?"

"Dad, please tell me you didn't? God, you promised that you wouldn't do it anymore."

"You didn't let me finnish."

She sighed. "Okay, go on."

"So, I spoke to the mayor and got you a working permit for your firm. The papers are ready, you just need to sign them. I didn't know which name you'd like so, I left the name part blank. And, I bought you the best office space, you'll love it. And, before you say anything, you can't refuse this."

"Dad, I thought we talked about this after the jet. You can't keep on buying me things, I need to work for my own success. It's even you who taught me that. This really needs to stop. No more 'gifts' with a no refusal clause. Actually, no more gifts with clauses. You know, this is the reason I don't answer your calls right? I never know with you. One of these days you might call me to announce me that you bought me an island and that I don't have the choice but accept it."

"Good idea. That'll be christmas though. I already have your birthday gift." He teased her.

"Dad, I'm serious. I know you mean well but I swear you're smothering me. I need to know that I can do things on my own without waiting for my dad to do them for me. So from now on, you are not allowed to give me something that exceeds $2500 or buy something and put it under my name.

And, no more jets or shares or firms. If you want to buy me a gift, buy me a watch or worse a car or something, not a jet. And, I mean a watch not the company. I am not spoiled, I was never spoiled and will never be spoiled. Please stop! I swear if you don't I'll put a restraining order against you. And we both know it wouldn't look good on you. Seriously, you're getting on my nerves and I know that that's not what you want."

"Okay, I'll stop. But, that won't apply to your birthday present cause I already have it. And, I have a condition; have Sunday dinners with me."

"You know, this isn't fair right? You get your way in both cases."

"It's settled then."

She sighed, they both knew he just won. "But, the dinners will have to wait. I'm in the middle of a campaign, so, I'm not in DC. How about I call you on Sundays till I'm back in DC?"

"Ok. Looking forward to it. Love you." And he hung up. She let out a frustrated sigh. Whatever happened in her life, her father always had it his way. She somehow missed the dad who pushed her to excellence and refused to have a spoiled brat on his hands. The irony, when he was like that, she wished he was like he is. And now that he is, she wishes he'd be like he used to be.

The 2 weeks went by rather quickly. Fitz and Liv talked everyday but, not as long as the first time. Fitz was insisting that Liv call him by his first name but, she was reticent about that. It wasn't that she didn't want to call him by his first name, but, she thought it would be best not to so over the phone. As the days passed, she found herself looking forward to a 'Good morning' text or the nightly phone calls from Fitz. She found herself longing for the day she'd see him again.

Fitz's poll numbers had slowly began to increase mostly after him and the kids were spotted picnicking in Central Park. Apparently the kids had enjoyed the first picnic so much that they wanted to do it again before going to the Hampton's and that was when they were spotted. It showed the image of a man who cared for his children and their well being and most rumors that had surfaced about the divorce started dying down.

However, in Liv's opinion. The interview still remained a necessity because it showed a man who was honest and didn't want to hide things like typical politicians. If he did the interview, then him saying that he didn't cheat would be more believable. And since in the interview he'd be talking about the kids' custody, he'd win more sympathizers' points from other divorced families, and mostly women since he was the one with kids' custody. He'd give a new image of family. And since he was a republican, he'd give the party some publicity as it would appear that the party is becoming more inclusive.

Abby and her husband had filed on tuesday after they met with the lawyers. He'd only agreed after Liv broke his knee cap when he tried to hit Abby and refused to give her her documents. Liv had threatened that not only would she help Abby file a claim against him for domestic abuse, she herself would testify for that and file for assault.

She now lived in Liv's penthouse. In about a week, she'd start working in Liv's firm, Olivia Pope and Associates. At this point in time, they were 4 associates: Liv, Huck, Abby and Harrison. But, they'd see if they could add Stephen to it. However, Huck was reticent at the idea since Liv had told him what happened between them. He didn't know why but, he was uncomfortable with the idea of Stephen as an associate.

Their only client was the Grant Campaign since they weren't officially open yet and Liv had taken it, or rather Fitz, as her client before the firm came to be. Liv's life was in a good place. She had a good carreer, fortune, beauty and wonderful friends. But, all that wasn't what was making her smile today. Today, she was smiling 'cause she'd be getting to see Fitz today and she couldn't wait.

AN: what do you think?

A lot happened:

= We got more of Liv's past.

= Liv's dad made an appearance

= What do you think of their relationship?

= What happened that made him change?

= Liv and Fitz daily conversations

= OPA came to life

= Huck doesn't trust Stephen.

= Liv attempted suicide?

= Don't you just love Liv's grandpa

Next chapter:

= the kids

= Cyrus

= the interview

= the background check

= maybe Fitz's family reaction to the divorce. (Choose who goes first in your reviews.)

Ghissie