Title 7A WF 92135
Author: GEM
Date: 2-8-13
Pairing: Olivia/Fitz
Rating: T
Summary: Every decision we make influences our lives. Fitzgerald Grant never thought one of the most important people in this life would ever become a number. Someone close to the President has been kidnapped. Will they be found before it's too late? Will Olivia be able to save Fitz from himself? Warning: Dark and Angsty Fic ahead. Read and Review
Disclaimer: Scandal is Property of Shonda Rimes and ABC et al.
Disclaimer 2: As this seems to come up every chapter in the reviews. I don't own any of this. I do this for fun. While this may seem to be similar to an episode of Aaron Sorkin's West Wing. I don't own anything.
A/N: This story has nothing to do with House of Cards. This is a completely different ball game. For the purposes of this story we shall say the last night's episode of Scandal while brilliant hasn't happened yet. America's baby will be mentioned but not central to the story. This story has turned into a father daughter story. Mellie will make appearances but I when I watch this show I feel like Fitz was/is the primary parent. We will be exploring the relationship between Father and Daughter. Please remember to review, follow, and fav. reviews keep me writing. This chapter took some time to put together. I hope you will all enjoy it.
Chapter 10
Lesley sat in her office staring at her laptop and watching the ransom video footage for the millionth time. She cringed every time. She will never be able to get these sick images out of her head. She has seen some horrific things but this was pulling at her heartstrings. She stopped the video and looked at her notes. She closed the laptop and looked at the still pictures again. There was a burn on Karen's neck that looked familiar. She picked the picture to get a closer look. No, it can't be.
Lesley's thoughts were interrupted by the ring of her phone. "McGarry." She was certain if she was looking at herself in a mirror at this moment she would look a whiter shade of pale. "I'll be right there." She picked up the picture, slipped in the folder with her notes, and walked calmly from her office, feeling anything but calm.
OOO
Cyrus ran into Liv just as she was about to leave the West Wing. "You heard then?"
Liv looked a bit flustered but then they all did after thirty six hours. "I am on my way over to meet with Harrison and the team at the EEOB."
"They called me too. Lesley should be coming as well."
"I am right here. Lesley came up and joined them as they walked out the door and took the short walk across the street. "What do we know?"
"Harrison said the park service found a body on the Catoctin Trail. Does Sally know?" Liv asked turning to Cyrus.
"Does Fitz know?" Cyrus countered. As the three continued walking. They could see the Press in the distance as well as well wishes and people standing vigil by the fence.
"I snuck out and didn't tell him. He is finally sleep after almost two days Cy. I didn't have in me to wake him."
Lesley smiled sadly. "It's probably for the best. We don't know anything for sure. Why worry him more, until we know?"
"That what I keep telling myself but I still feel guilty for leaving." Olivia said as the finally reached the EEOB and walked through the door, making their way to the makeshift command center. Olivia immediately walked toward her team to get updates. Cy and Lesley began talking to the Secret Service and FBI liaisons
OOO
"Harrison"
"They are asking for someone who know Karen Grant to go with the task force to identify the body. I...Liv, I didn't think you'd want to send the President."
"No, I'll go." Cyrus walked over to Liv.
"I could if..."
"No, Cyrus it's part of what I do. It comes with this job, although to be honest I don't know I'm going to fix this, if it's her."
Lesley walked over to the group. "I think I may have found something. " I have been viewing that tape for the FBI for hours; trying to get an idea of what Karen's injuries are and I came across this." Lesley put the picture on the table in front of them. Does the indentation of that burn look familiar to anyone else?"
Cyrus looked for Liv to Lesley. "Holy mother of God."
"No, it can't be." Liv said strain to look at the indention on Karen's neck."
"That's what I said. I shared my finding with Mike just now. They are looking into it. I have the pin at home. I could go..."
Olivia took the picture to Huck. "I need you to blow this up as large as you can get it without distorting the image too much.
Cyrus looked at Lesley. "If that is what we think it is. It means we found a signature and it proves that these people are sick as all hell."
Cyrus looked a Lesley. "As if we needed more proof of that."
"Yeah, I'm heading back over Do either of you need anything." Lesley looked at Liv and Cy.
Olivia stopped Lesley as she was walking toward the door.. "Lesley. Fitz...you and Cy need to..keep a watchful eye."
Lesley smiled. "Will do. " Cyrus nodded as well.
Olivia turned back to her team. "Huck, I'll make sure to get you access to all the information from the scene. Look into that picture and the burn being a signature. I think we should shift our search to Stanton's known associates in and around Fredrick County. Is there a family camping site, home, or anything in the area where the park service located this girl's body?"
"You got it Liv."
"Harrison, concern yourself with Quinn's case today. Go check on her. See if she's willing to give you anything else. When you're done come back and help Huck."
"I help Huck for now. I won't be able to see Quinn until later this morning."
"Abby, take some of the men Stanton has working for him. Concentrate on looking into their backgrounds concerning the Fredrick area there has to be a connection."
"Got it."
Cyrus looked on. "It could be symbolic Liv. Fredrick County, Maryland, the Catoctin Trail, the burn mark, and kidnapping the President's Daughter?"
"Camp David." Liv added as she suddenly felt nauseous again.
Mike Lawrence joined the group. "This all fits a revenge profile but it's really all conjecture until we are sure our victim is Karen Grant. Ms. Pope, the team is ready to go."
"Okay," Olivia walked away from the team. Cy and Lesley followed her to the door. "I call you as soon as I know anything. "
OOO
Cyrus found Lesley sitting in her office. "How long has it been since you slept?"
"I got a couple of hours over night." Lesley said looking through her desk drawer. "Here it is I knew it was here." She pulled out a small jewelry box and opened.
"Cyrus sat down in front of her desk. "So, it wasn't home."
"No, Cy it matches. I'll never look at this the same way again." Lesley handed Cy the box.
"They are branding her with Fitz's inaugural pin. Son of a Bitch."
"I told Mike I thought that's what it was." Lesley took the box and put it by in her drawer. "How many people got those last year?"
"Those closest to the inauguration and about eight hundred volunteers. "
"I wonder how many ended up on Ebay?"
"Enough I am sure. " Cyrus stood up. "We have a meeting with Sally in twenty. Could you stop and see J.P. and Sally for me."
"Do you think we are there Cy. We haven't heard from Liv yet." Lesley said as she pick up the information for the meeting."
"I am not giving up on her. I never will. If we don't get her back we'll lose Fitz too." Lesley took a deep breath and nodded in agreement. "We are there, Lesley. We're there."
Lesley looked at Cy. "Okay, I'll go see them. I'll meet you in the Cabinet Room. One of us should call Meghan too and did you tell Britta."
"I spoke to Britta. She's referring everything to the FBI and I'll call Meghan." Cyrus said as they walked through the West Wing.
OOO
Olivia walked up the trail surrounded by FBI and Secret Service Agents. She could see the park ranger up ahead and took a breath. She sent a silent prayer up above to anyone that would listen. "Miss Pope." Olivia stepped underneath the crime scene tape and stood at the side of the trail. "Lift it up." The agent next to her ordered. The medical examiner lifted the sheet.
Olivia had done this kind of thing many times. More times than she cared to admit in her line of work. When they revealed the girl's face, she had never been so relieved as she was in that moment. The girl before her was approximately fifteen years old, four foot ten inches with light brown hair but it was not Karen Grant. "It's not Karen." The question still remained if it wasn't Karen how was see and how did she get here.
"Do you think she's just a random victim?" The medical examiner asked.
The agents were looking at the evidence. Olivia walked forward and looked at the girl. "I don't think so." Olivia turned to the Mike Lawrence. "Mike take a look at this. Does that look familiar?
"Yes, it looks like the same size, shape and pattern of the burn that was on Karen's neck."
"We need to figure out who this girl is. I think she was their first Victim." Olivia turned and walked away from the scene deep in thought. Too many innocent people were dying at the hands of this lunatic. They needed to end this and soon.
OOO
Fitz rolled over in the bed and looked the clock on his bedside table. He couldn't have possible slept that long. He rolled the other way extending his arm to reach for Livvie. The sheets next to him were cold and the space she occupied only hours ago was empty. Fitz quickly sat up in bed; his heart was in his throat. Where was Livvie? She wouldn't leave without saying something to him.
Fitz quickly got out of bed and threw on a pair of pants along with his Navy T-shirt. He walked over and opened the bedroom door. "Tom, would you come in here please."
Tom stepped forward. "Yes, Mr. President. "
"Close the door please. Fitz was no fully awake and in his own private hell. Karen was still missing and now his Livvie was gone as well. "Were you outside when Olivia left his morning?"
"Yes, Mr. President. She left rather early this morning, Sir. She asked me to tell you that she would be back as soon as she could and to not worry about her. She would be safe."
The message was cryptic but just like Livvie. She wouldn't want him to worry. He was anyway. "Do you know where she is Tom?" Fitz could tell by the look in the agents eyes that he knew more than he was letting on.
"Sir I'm not at liberty to share that information. Miss Pope should be returning here soon sir."
"Tom was she working on Karen's case. Is that way she didn't wake me?"
"Sir, I'm really not at liberty to share that information."
"Tom you know how I feel about Olivia don't you?" Fitz was leaning against the edge of the couch in the room.
"Yes, Sir."
"I have been in hell for the last...how long has it been now?"
Tom looked at his watch. "forty-one hours, Sir."
"Has it been that long already?"
"Yes, sir."
"And you can't tell me what's going on?" Fitz began to pace the room. "I know something's going on Tom. I have been in this building around you guys enough to know that it feels different today. You guys are walking around on eggshells, especially around me. If you want tell me what's going on then call downstairs and let me talk to some that will."
" Sir. I was told to let Olivia talk to you. I can guarantee you sir she is safe and on her way back to the White House."
"You are sure she's safe and unharmed."
"Yes, Sir."
OOO
Jeff walked around the small town market picking up the supplies on the list. He needed a few moments to collect his thoughts. He stopped in the first aid section and picked up more medical supplies. He needed to help keep Karen alive, even if it meant causing her pain. The more time he could spend with her the less time Marcus' animals had to torture her. He looked at the selection of burn treatment options. There really wasn't much he could do for the branding marks that began to appear on her neck this morning. She need to get to a hospital to be treated for those. He was also concerned about the head wound she received when they first arrived with her. Each time he was check on her she seemed more and more listless.
He paced the aisle of the store a couple of more time before walking to the back and picking up the phone. He dialed the same number he did a few hours before. He listed to the voicemail message and then spoke. "We spent so many summer's in school wandering around our place; talking about our dreams. You need to think about them now Mel. I know you are in insufferable pain but think of the good times. Think of the times before Fitz when we talked about You and I reaching your dreams. Right now, I am so close to your dreams I can almost touch them. At night when I can get away, I go to our spot and look out the horizon and I close my eyes. When I close my eyes I can almost see you standing next to Fitz on the veranda. We got close Mel, but now you are living the dream without me. I will keep your life safe for as long as I can but time is running out. I beg you please Mel, follow our dreams."
Jeff hung up the phone and walked to the front of the store. As he paid for his items he eyes were drawn to the TV screen 42 hours and no sign of America's Daughter. He was responsible at least in part for this sometime in the last two days. Mellie's daughter had gone from First Daughter to America's Daughter.
The store clerk got his attention after a few minutes. Jeff handed him money and picked up the bags he left before getting his change. "Hey, Mister...your change." The clerk picked up the bills and dropped them to the floor when he saw the small note written on the twenty dollar bill at the top of the stack. He picked up the phone and dialed as fast as he could.
OOO
Cyrus listened as Lesley gave her medical report on Karen Grant. It didn't sound good. Head wound, possible broken wrist, cuts and burns. Sally spoke when Lesley finished. "Thank You."
"You're welcome, Ma'am." Sally turned to the FBI liaison have we heard from the team or Olivia about the discovery by the park service?"
"Not yet, ma'am. I expect to hear from them any time now."
"What's our next move?"
"We need to have a positive identification of the girl along the trail. If it's not Karen Grant then we continue on with our plan.
Cyrus looked at Sally. "What plan?"
"We are staging the release of the two men named in the demands."
"If you do that they'll kill Karen!"
"She could be already dead." The FBI stated. "It's well over twenty four hours."
"You said staging. That means we aren't releasing them." Cyrus said looking at Sally.
"You are correct. We are staging the release in a sense. They are being extradited to Mexico for trial on a number of charges that our sure to get them life sentences in a Mexican prison.
"Poetic justice for some at least. Lesley commented as she felt her phone buzz. She looked at the ID and her heart jumped in her throat. "Excuse me just one minute, Madame President."
Lesley left the room quickly stopping in the outer office area and picked up the phone. "Give me some good news, Olivia."
"It's not her Lesley."
"Oh, thank God." Lesley took a breath. "Sounds like there's more."
"There is. This girl, whoever she is was a dry run for Karen's kidnapping. She has some of the same injuries we've seen on the tape of Karen. The burns on her neck match the burns on Karen's neck. They are using the pin as a signature. This is all connected this administration to the Presidency. We running out of time and fast."
"We need to find out who this Jane Doe is and figure out how she's connected to this mess. I'll let everyone know. Are you on your way back."
"Yes, my people are working Jane Doe and the Presidential connection. Hopefully we've have something soon."
"Good to know I should get back to the meeting." Lesley looked up to see Tom walking toward her. "Looks like Tom lost round one with the President. What's your ETA?
I'll be there in about ten.
"I'll let him know." Olivia answered. "I sure he's confused. Let me take care of Fitz."
"You got it. I have to get back. They are all waiting for me."
"Talk to you soon."
Lesley hung up the phone and looked at Tom. "She's on her way. How bad is it? Should Cy and I come up to run interference? "
"He didn't take it too well but he calmed down now...at least it looks like he's calm. "
"That could be good or bad. If I were you I'd go back upstairs."
"I'm on my way. I came down to tell you he was up and not happy. Also the head of the First Lady's detail called.
"What happened?" Lesley mood dropped.
"Peter says she got another voice mail. We have it and are analyzing it now."
"Thanks I'll fill everyone in. Good luck upstairs."
OOO
Olivia walked through the south east entrance and directly up to the residence. She was talking on the Cell phone. "You're sure."
"Yes, Liv Jane Doe matches the description on the Missing Person's Report." Abby began reading the report as Olivia got closer to her destination. "She'd been missing from her team competition. The school contacted her parents and they filed a missing person's report twenty four hours ago. The FBI got involved then but with Karen missing. It hasn't been high priority. Abby said. She'd been missing from her team competition. The school and her parents filed a missing person's report twenty four hours ago. The FBI got involved then but with Karen missing. It hasn't been high priority."
"What do we know about the family?"
"They are from Indiana. Huck's looking into it. "
Olivia stopped outside Fitz's bedroom door. "We need the information on them yesterday. This spiraling and fast."
"You got it Liv."
"I have to go." Olivia looked at Tom and Hal. "Tom, Hal."
"Ma'am."
Liv took a deep breath and then entered the room. Liv could see Fitz standing by the window staring out of it. He began to speak as soon as he heard the door close. "Do have any idea how scared I am?" Fitz turned around so he was facing her. It was clear that even with the sleep she knew he had gotten that this ordeal was taking its toll on him. "I went to sleep last night for the first time in a long time. You were wrapped in my arms. I was at peace for first time since this hell started
Liv moved closer as he turned away from her and looked out the window again. "I went to see with you in my arms, knowing that my daughter is out there somewhere all alone and I am powerless to help her.
"Fitz. You are not powerless. You are doing everything you can." Olivia said as she snaked her arms around his midsection. He place his hands over hers and loosened her grip on him so he could turn around and face her."
"If I am not powerless then how come they woke you up this morning and not me? How come you left in the middle of the night and I woke up in bed cold and alone scared not only for Karen's life but for yours as well. Livvie, I can't do this. I can't live without you. I can't sleep without you. I can't breathe without you. If anything happen to you. If Karen isn't found. I wouldn't be able to function without you. I can't function without you in my life. If Karen is found or she's not."
"Don't do this Fitz. Don't give up on her."
"I am not Livvie, but don't give up on me. Don't cut me out. You left me this morning. This place had a different air for the time I was waiting for you. No one would say a word. Lesley, Cyrus and Sally were in closed door meetings. Livvie what is going on?"
Liv reached up and brushed tears away from his face. "I'll tell you but we need to sit. Liv lead him to the couch. He sat down and she curled up against him. "One minute?"
"Livvie, you're stalling." Fitz looked deep in her eyes something in them told him he was going to need this one minute. "One minute, but then I want to know everything."