Chapter 10

The night of the fundraiser had finally arrived. Olivia sat on her couch sipping a glass of wine waiting for Cyrus to arrive to pick her up. Her phone rang, "Olivia Pope" she said picking it up off the coffee table.

"Hey Liv, I'm downstairs" came Cyrus' voice.

"You're not coming to the door, Cy?"

"Liv, this isn't a date" chuckled Cyrus, "I don't think James would approve of me picking you up at the door."

"What a gentleman" Liv returned his laugh, "I'll be down in a minute."

Olivia picked up her wrap and evening bag, replaced an errant curl on the side of her head, smiled at her reflection in the mirror and breezed out the door. She was looking forward to a great night with the campaign staff and, of course, she couldn't wait to see Fitz in his tuxedo. As she neared the limo the chauffer opened the door. Olivia ducked inside, taking her seat and smoothing her red Zuhair Murad dress. She felt nervous though she wasn't quite sure why the emotion hit her so strongly at that moment.

"Hello, Olivia" her eyes sprang to Fitz's in surprise, "You look stunning."

She felt herself blush, acutely aware that Cyrus was sitting just across from her, "Thank you Governor" she managed, "You gentlemen look very handsome this evening." Olivia felt Fitz's eyes travel up and down her silk tulle gown. She didn't think Fitzgerald Grant could get any better-looking but Fitz in a tux was nothing short of striking. The trio chatted as they made one final stop to pick up James. Though Cyrus swore to most people that he and James were simply friends, Olivia and Fitz knew they were dating. As they pulled up to James' building Fitz crossed to sit in the seat next to Olivia under the guise of letting James sit next to Cyrus. As the driver opened the door for Cyrus to exit, Olivia playfully called behind him, "Oh, you're going to pick him up at the door. I see where I stand." Cyrus turned to Olivia with a sly smile as the driver closed the door. Suddenly the atmosphere changed. Fitz turned to Olivia, unable to control the urge to kiss her lips, "Livie….you look amazing. That dress….you're gorgeous" She found herself blushing again, "Thank you, Governor, you look pretty amazing yourself."

He pulled her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles lightly, each contact sending a shock of passion scorching up her arm. Fitz began tracing a molten path of kisses from Olivia's hand up to her elbow where he outlined the crease with his fiery tongue. A small squeal escaped Olivia's lips at the sensation of his caresses. That only encouraged Fitz to continue his assault on her slender arm as he kissed up the inside to her upper arm, then her shoulder, stopping to pay particular attention to the pulse point on her neck. His tongue in that spot sent desire deep to her core. Knowing they were short on time, Fitz moved quickly to capture her plump lips tasting them hungrily as his tongue plunged into her mouth. She returned the fevered pace, their hands roaming each other's bodies. "Liv, Cyrus will be back in a minute," Fitz muttered into Olivia's mouth. Olivia groaned as their lips lost contact, "Rain check?" she asked wiping her lipstick off Fitz's mouth. "How's this for an answer?" he took her hand rubbing it up and down by the zipper of his pants. She could feel his rock hard erection straining against the fabric, instantly causing wetness to pool between her thighs. They shared one more fervent kiss before straightening themselves. Fitz laid his hand on her knee not wanting to release his touch upon her. She placed her hand on top of his, lacing their fingers together then leaning close to his ear to whisper, "The spaces between your fingers were meant to be filled with mine."

The car door opened bringing them back to the present. Cyrus and James climbed in and the group enjoyed their ride to the country club discussing the campaign and exchanging amusing stories. When the limo came to a stop, they exited, Olivia careful to place some distance between herself and Fitz knowing that the press would be taking pictures and not wanting to arouse suspicion. Fitz waved as he walked in, looking ever the politico. This Fitz awakened a sense of pride in Olivia; this was her guy, her candidate. She and Cyrus were going to put him in the White House. The nagging thought of what would happen to her when Fitz got elected entered her mind for a split second before she pushed it away. Not tonight, just go inside and enjoy the night, whatever comes of it. Olivia set her jaw and followed "her guy" into the ballroom.

The cocktail hour was spent with Cyrus and Olivia talking closely with donors, introducing them to Fitz and highlighting all of the wonderful things he had planned for his presidency. As the dinner hour approached Fitz led Olivia to their table ensuring she was seated next to him. They took their seats and introduced themselves to the donors that were seated at the table. On the way to the benefit, Olivia and Cyrus had prepped Fitz that the donors sharing his table were those expected to donate large sums of money to one of the Republican candidates in addition to supporting them in the media. Olivia could tell that Fitz was nervous as he spoke to the contributors knowing that if just one of these people was willing to donate a significant sum of money it would mean not having to ask for his father's help. She reached under the table to softly pat his knee, silently showing her support. She felt him relax instantly at her touch as he continued to discuss his campaign strategies.

As everyone finished their dinner the band began to play and couples slowly made their way to the dance floor. Fitz watched as a young man that had been seated across the table approached Olivia and asked her to dance. He felt a burning rage rise in his gut at the sight of another man touching her arm. Fitz felt the room blur as he watched the man's hand slide around Olivia's waist. He barely heard Cyrus' voice through the haze, "Fitz…why don't you dance?" Fitz looked blankly in Cyrus' direction before forcing his mind off of Olivia and her dance partner, "Uh, yeah sure, good idea Cy." He rose from his seat, offering his hand to one of the women sitting at their table. She blushed and quickly stood to join him for a dance. Fitz was sure to position them close to Olivia in hopes of overhearing her conversation.

Olivia was surprised when Jake Ballard asked her to dance. She hadn't seen him since their days in boarding school. They had been friends in high school, sharing a lot of the same classes, but lost touch after Olivia headed to the University of Pennsylvania and Jake to the Naval Academy.

"So how did you end up on the Grant campaign?" Jake asked her as they moved to the music.

"Cyrus Beene was one of my law professors, Fitz hired him to run the campaign and he was nice enough to offer me the opportunity to help out" Olivia responded.

"Fitz, huh?" Jake cocked an eyebrow at Olivia.

"Well, Governor Grant," Olivia corrected, silently chiding herself for using the name, then changed the subject, "So Jake, what makes you such a supporter of our candidate?"

"Well, Fitz" he put a certain emphasis on the name, "and I were in the Navy together. Both pilots before he went off to law school. When Cyrus called me I didn't think twice about throwing some of my money behind Fitz. He would make a great President."

"He will make an incredible President" Olivia affirmed glancing in Fitz's direction. Her eyes met his and she quickly averted her gaze, focusing again on Jake.

When the song ended Cyrus approached asking Olivia to dance. They danced in a manner that reminded Olivia, in some strange way, of the way she danced with her middle school boyfriend. Cyrus was so excited to have Olivia as part of the team and they both felt that the fundraiser would be a great success. As the melody concluded Cyrus and Olivia parted and she headed in the direction of their table. She was stopped just before she reached the edge of the dance floor by a hand upon her arm. Though she hadn't known him that long, she knew without looking that it was Fitz. She turned, meeting blue eyes that, no matter how many times she gazed into them, astonished her in their brilliance, "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me, Olivia?"

"I would love to, Governor" she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her to the center of the dance floor, "just remember, people are watching."

"People are always watching you, Livie," he breathed, too close to her ear, "I've been watching you all night,"

"I know and you have to be more careful," she reprimanded, "I could read your face from across the room, Fitz. We can't let anyone know about this, you're married, you're running for president" She dropped her voice to a whisper and pasted on her best smile so no one would suspect anything was amiss.

"Olivia, you don't need to remind me of our circumstances," he looked into her eyes, "I am painfully aware of them, thank you."

"Stop looking at me," she whispered, "You are looking at me like a tiger stalking its prey."

Fitz laughed at her comment, considering how easily she compartmentalized things in her life; he wondered how she turned off all of the emotions that, for him, were irrepressible. He wondered if the heat he felt as they danced was shared by her, if seeing him dance with another woman made her feel the way he had felt when she danced with Jake, if the mere sight of him made her question everything else in her life the way he questioned his. They shared the next dance then agonizingly ended their contact and returned to their table.

The night ended with large donations from several contributors including Jake who asked Olivia for her phone number suggesting they get together to reminisce about their time at boarding school and catch up on what each had been doing since. She reluctantly gave him her number, believing it would seem suspect if she didn't. They shared a polite hug then Jake moved to say goodbye to Fitz.

"Governor" smiled Jake as he approached Fitz, "I just wanted to say again how much I appreciate the invitation and look forward to watching your rise to the Oval Office."

"Jake, it's great to see you," responded Fitz, "I'm glad you could make it tonight and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the generous campaign donation."

"Well, I think you're the right guy for the job," Jake and Fitz clasped hands in a hearty handshake, "plus, your staff is very convincing." Fitz followed Jake's gaze as it settled on Olivia feeling a wave of nausea ripple through him. "I try to surround myself with good people," Fitz managed, trying to sound casual.

"Well I, for one, think Olivia Pope looks like a good person." Fitz didn't like the way Jake said the word good and he certainly didn't like the way Jake was ogling Olivia. How did Olivia put it….like a tiger stalking its prey. He took a deep breath to regain his composure, "She has been very helpful."

"She gave me her phone number…" Jake continued talking but Fitz suddenly lost the ability to comprehend English at the thought of Olivia and Jake together, "Hopefully she'll let me take her out sometime."

Fitz suddenly noticed that his hands were fisted to the point that his knuckles were white. It took all of his self-control not to physically harm Jake and he had no hope of being able to speak. He was lost in swirls of emotion, imagining Olivia's body responding to another man, another man's hands touching her, her whispering another man's name; it was more than he could bear. Then before he could begin to process his feelings he felt a small hand touch his arm and he was brought quickly out of his head. "Olivia…" he said in a distant, ghostly tone.

"We are getting ready to leave," Olivia noticed his tone but decided she would ask him about it later, "Are you riding in the limo or did you have other plans?"

"The limo," Fitz managed then turned back to Jake, "I will talk to you soon Jake. Thanks again for your donation. It will definitely help our bid for the White House."

"Nice seeing you Governor," replied Jake again shaking hands with Fitz, "Best of luck in the campaign."

Fitz ran to catch up with Cyrus, James and Olivia as they walked to the limo. They rode to James' house in near silence all of them exhausted from the night's activities. Olivia could feel herself grow drowsy, fighting the urge to lay her head on Fitz's shoulder. When they arrived at James' house Cyrus sent Olivia and Fitz ahead with the car saying he had some information to go over with the reporter. As the driver closed the door, and Fitz and Olivia were left alone, Olivia felt his hand come to rest on her thigh, a scorching hand mark imprinted upon the skin beneath.

"You were wonderful tonight," she breathed, "We raised far more money than I thought we would."

Fitz held her gaze as he began to move his hand up and down her thigh, "You were wonderful," he whispered. Then his conversation with Jake came flooding back along with the vision of his Navy buddy with his hands on Olivia, "You and Jake Ballard looked pretty cozy."

"He donated a lot of money," she replied flatly.

"So, what, a guy can put his hands on you as long as there's a lot of money involved?" Fitz's tone became sharp, his hand never leaving her leg, "Olivia, that sounds dangerously close to being a…."

"Be careful about the next words that leave your mouth Governor," she warned, "We were dancing and talking...that's all" She offered as a means of explanation.

"He made you laugh," whispered Fitz his fingers softly stroking her cheek, "I didn't like it."

"We went to school together, Fitz" Olivia explained, "I haven't seen him since high school."

"I didn't like it," Fitz admitted, "The way he looked at you. His hands touching you." He looked down to the place on her waist where Jake's hands had been as they danced.

"Fitz….we were dancing…"

"Livie…how am I going to be away from you for two weeks?"

"We'll figure it out," Olivia murmured as they pulled up to her building, "Why don't you come up?" She took Fitz's hand in hers leading him up to her apartment. As they walked through the door Fitz looked around, "This is great, Livie."

"I like it, its home," she replied removing her wrap and moving to take Fitz's coat, "sit down and relax. I'll open a bottle of wine." Fitz walked to the couch and took a seat, leaning back into the plush cushions. Everything in the apartment was what he thought of when he contemplated Olivia Pope; strength, elegance, refinement, and comfort. He watched Olivia saunter from the living room to the kitchen then into the dining room. She returned with the wine and two glasses. She poured each of them a glass of sauvignon Blanc then took a sip enjoying the cool smooth liquid. Fitz took a long swig of the wine then set his glass on the coffee table, "Livie, you really do look absolutely stunning." Fitz's hand found its way to her thigh again.

"How about that rain check?" Olivia whispered putting down her glass and moving closer to Fitz, "I've been thinking about you all night."

"First I have something for you" Fitz reached into his pocket producing a small blue box and handing it to Olivia. She held it in her palm, "You shouldn't have," she said, "What is it?"

"Well open it, Silly…" Fitz leaned over and kissed Olivia's neck, "I will explain when you open it." She smiled at him then slowly untied the dainty white satin bow before opening the box. Inside was a platinum bracelet with a diamond encrusted heart shape charm, "Oh Fitz, it's beautiful." She tentatively reached a finger into the box lightly touching the bracelet.

"It's a charm bracelet," he pulled the bracelet out of the box, "so I can always be close to you. I know we can't be together all the time so when I have to be somewhere away from you I will bring back a charm for you. Then every time you look at it you can be reminded of me." He clasped the bracelet around Olivia's small wrist, admiring how perfect it looked, "Now it's like you're always with me." He kissed her hand, relishing the taste of her soft skin, "I know there will come a day when we can be together always but until then I want you to know that you hold a special place in my life. I know it's not much…"

"Fitz…." She breathed, "Its perfect…." She looked at the gorgeous bracelet hanging from her wrist then leaned over kissing Fitz on the cheek. As she pulled back Fitz entwined his fingers in her hair holding her where she was then turned his lips to hers. His lips pressed to hers with an urgency and desire he had never before felt, like she was oxygen and he a suffocating man. As her tongue slid between his lips he felt fire burn in the pit of his stomach and pushed Olivia back against the couch cushions. Olivia could feel the pressure of his erection against her leg as he slid over top of her. She reached her hand to touch it through his pants adoring the moan it elicited from him then moving to feel his tight, wonderful ass in her hands. Fitz moved his hands to the bodice of her dress then around to unzip it. She felt the rush of cool air as he slid the dress down her torso, past her thighs and onto the floor. She worked quickly to remove his shirt, skating her fingers softly over his naked chest then moving to his waist freeing him of the confines of his pants. "Take me to bed Fitz…" he picked her up, wrapping her legs around his waist, her nails digging into his shoulders as they moved to her bedroom. As they fell to the sheets Fitz relished the sight of her in nothing but her bra, panties, and the bracelet. He took her hand in his pulling her wrist to his lips, "Mine" he said as he kissed where it graced her arm placing small kisses up her arm to her neck before repeating, "mine…" then to her ear lobe pulling it between his teeth, "my Livie…" His lips moved back to hers and the deep passion of their kisses continued.

They freed themselves of the remainder of their clothing allowing every inch of their flesh to meld together. Both Olivia and Fitz knew this would be the last time they would be together until they saw each other in California. Suddenly Fitz stilled his assault upon her lips to look into her eyes, "Livie?"

"Fitz…" she answered as the haze of their passion began to clear, "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to see you get hurt…" he whispered against her silken skin.

"Then don't hurt me…" it seemed simple, but nothing was ever how it seemed.

"I don't want to get hurt either" he continued, "Don't break my heart Livie."