On the ride back to the White House Fitz restlessly moved around in his seat. Tears had gathered at the corners of his eyes. He'd hated to leave her that way. His emotions were so mixed up. He was so angry with her. Just when he thought that things were about to go well for them. Why was life so unfair? He rested his elbow on the ledge of the car window. He bit his finger as he stared out the window, to keep himself from cursing out loud. He needed an outlet for the smoldering rage that simmered right below the surface. The exterior that masked his all-consuming fury was quickly coming undone. He was like a caged animal wanting to get out.

As soon as the car pulled up to the White House he walked a direct path to the Oval. He slammed the door shut and went straight for the scotch. He poured a glass full and knocked it back. He poured a second one and downed that one just as quickly. The third glass he poured sloshed slightly over his hand. He carried the drink as he loosened his tie. He walked over to the sofa and dropped his body onto it. The amber liquid burned his throat going down and did nothing to assuage his wrath. He sat on the sofa staring into space as his mind played back tonight's events. The more he thought, the angrier he grew. He emptied his cup for the third time. He got up to refill it. His hand shook with the violence that threatened to overtake him and before he knew it he had hurled the glass across the room. It shattered against the wall and splintered into shards. He felt destructive. He wanted to tear his office apart, but what would that solve. He breathed heavily with the exertions of his anger. He slowly slid down the wall as his rage was replaced by the hurt he felt, the betrayal at the hands of the woman he loved. He let the tears flow freely then, the scotch helped to push his emotions further over the edge and make him weak. His brain was foggy from the effects of the alcohol and his over-fraught nerves. He held his head in his hands as he cried.

That's where Cy would find him the next morning, passed out on the floor of the Oval, snoring softly.

Fitz could feel someone shaking him. It took his mind a second to swim up through the layers of sleep and booze to regain consciousness. Once he did he could feel the pounding and throbbing in his head. He looked up into the face of Cy as he clutched his head. His brain felt like it was on fire.

"Mr. President, is everything okay? Why did you sleep here on the floor?"

Fitz could see all the unasked questions on Cy's face.

All the memories from last night came flooding back and with it the realization of Cy's involvement with the cover-up. He attempted to stand up trying to back away from Cy like Cy could hurt him.

"Get out."

"Mr. President?!"

Cy questioned, puzzled at Fitz's odd behavior.

"I'm just trying to make sure you're alright. What happened?"

Cy took a couple steps back from Fitz, unsure why his presence agitated him, but he wanted to keep him at ease. He's eyes had taken in the shattered glass on the floor, along with the less than half full scotch bottle and knew there was trouble before he had woken Fitz.

"Mr. President, I need to get you to the private residence before the press corps sees you like this. I wouldn't want them talking. Will you let me help you get to the residence?"

Cy spoke to him as if speaking to an unruly child.

"Cy, I have a hangover, I'm not daft."

"My mistake sir, seeing as how only a fool would put himself in a situation that would cause tongues to wag, which wouldn't be an issue if you weren't the leader of the free world."

If Fitz had still been inebriated he's sure at this moment he would have punched Cy, decorum be damned.

"I can make it on my own. Just leave me alone."

Fitz headed to the door, a little wobbly at first, but before opening the door he composed himself and walked out the door without giving a hint to the state he was in. Cy stood staring after him, still perplexed as to why Fitz was giving him such attitude. James, his wife was known to be a queen when upset, he didn't need that behavior from Fitz as well. Cy blew out a breath.

Olivia could hear a persistent knocking. She lifted her head from the couch cushion. Someone was at her front door. The light hurt her eyes as she sat up. She had not made it to her bed. As she slowly began to wake up, little by little, last night came back to her. The knocking wasn't going to stop. She had to answer the door. She did not want company. Not now. She checked herself in the mirror on the way to the door. She looked like death warmed over. There was nothing she could do right now. She looked through the peephole and then opened the door.

Harrison thrust a hot beverage container at her as he stepped into her apartment.

"It's after 9am and you're usually at the office at 8am or you've at least checked in. I was concerned so I came over."

He took in her appearance.

"It looks like it's a good thing that I did."

Olivia's bottom lip began to quiver. In the past, Stephen would have been the one to come over and inquire after her. Harrison noticed and slowly stepped toward her and put his arm over her shoulder guiding her to the sofa. He sat down with her and took the drink from her hands placing it on the coffee table.

"We all need someone to take care of us. Who's taking care of you Liv? Let me be there for you. I'm more than just your employee. You don't have to talk about anything if you don't want to, but I'm here."

Olivia leaned on Harrison and began to cry. Even despite all the tears she had shed last night, she found that the pain was till so fresh and she still had so much grieving to do. Harrison leaned back against the sofa and just let her sob her heart out.

Fitz had come up to the residence. He sat on the edge of the bed in the bedroom that he had occupied for the last month. He felt so tired and weary. Plus the hangover didn't help. He rubbed the back of his head. He hoped a shower would help clear his head and help him to think about how to handle all the new information he received last night. He stripped down leaving his clothes on the floor as he walked into the bathroom and started the shower. He stood under the warm spray and just let it wake his body up. He put his hand over his heart and rubbed as he remembered Liv's face right before he had turned his back on her. He winces at the memory. What was he going to do about this whole ugly mess they were all in, because like it or not, he was now a part of it. He ran his hands through his hair pushing the sopping wet mass back from his face.

It wasn't just the situation he was thinking about. How were he and Liv supposed to move past this? Could they move past this? She should have just come to him the minute she knew. He could expect something like this from the others, but from her. He was trying to look at her decision to keep the secret from every angle. He knew how much protecting him and his presidency meant to her. He'd seen her make decisions based on it before, usually less than savory ones, ones that kept them apart. He loved her, more than he thought he would ever be capable of loving another person with the exception of his children. He didn't want to be angry with her, but he was, and he wasn't sure when he would stop being upset. He needed her for once to put them ahead of duty, responsibility, the greater good. She had finally said those words that he had been longing to hear, but it had not been the way he had long imagined. Why had it taken this situation to force her to say those words? He didn't doubt she meant them, but he would have preferred her just voluntarily telling him because she wanted him to know, not because there was something precipitating her to say the words. First things first though, he had to deal with The Council crisis before he could deal with the relationship crisis.

Sometime later, Fitz sat at his desk. He was pondering the situation with The Council. Fitz wanted to put them all off their game, so he knew he had to call her in order to set things in motion for his plan. He sat at his desk staring at the phone for long minutes. He finally picked up the phone.

"I need a secure line."

Olivia was grateful, yet slightly embarrassed for crying on Harrison's shoulder. He had asked nothing of her. Once she had finished she had just rested there in the comfort of his embrace. After a few more minutes she scooted away from him to the edge of the sofa and began to wipe her face. She didn't look at him.

"Thank you."

"No need."

Harrison scooted to the end of the sofa as well.

"What now? What do you need?"

Olivia finished wiping her face before responding.

"You may not like it."

Olivia looked into Harrison's eyes.

"Liv, I know that there are secrets that you keep and things that can't be said, but I trust you. I know that despite whatever you may ask of me, the ends justify the means. Whatever you need."

Olivia nodded and preceded to tell Harrison about the plan she had concocted for Abby and the part she needed him to play in seeing the plan be successful. Once they finished talking Harrison put on his jacket as he headed for the door. He turned to Liv before walking out the door.

"Consider it handled."

After he had left, Olivia went to take a shower. She wished the water could wash all of her problems and pain down the drain. While the burden of the secret had been lifted from her, it had been replaced with the pain and uneasiness of not knowing whether Fitz would forgive her. She wanted more than anything for things to be right between them again. She pulled on her robe after her shower and walked to the kitchen to make some tea. As the tea was brewing she heard her cell phone ring. She ignored it, but it began to ring again. She finally went into the living room to retrieve it and noticed the unknown caller. Her breath caught in her throat for a second and on the third ring she answered without speaking.

"Liv…"

She closed her eyes at the sound of his voice.

"Fitz…"

At the sound of her voice he fought the urge to ask if she was all right. The niceties would have to wait.

Olivia gripped the phone tightly waiting for him to continue.

"I need you to call a meeting for The Council. I don't care what you have to tell them to get everyone assembled, but you need to do it tonight."

Fitz's tone was cold and formal. Olivia clutched the lapels of her robe in her hand. She gulped as she realized he wasn't calling to make up or talk about them. She swallowed as she fought back the tears that were threatening to spill over.

"Tonight?" her voice shook slightly as the emotion crept into her voice threatening to give her away. She cleared her throat.

Fitz felt like an ass. He could hear her struggling, he'd heard the hope in her voice when she first answered. He leaned his elbow on his desk as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He shut his eyes before responding. He kept his voice cold and detached as he responded.

"You better make it happen. I'll call you back in a few hours to get the time and location. Do not tell anyone that I know. Are we clear?"

She nodded her head as she responded.

"Yes."

A single tear slipped down her cheek as she was answered with the click of the phone being hung up on the other end and then the dial tone. She gulped back the sob wanting to rip itself from her body. She did not have time to cry anymore, not now. She needed to call everyone. She hurriedly got dressed and made her way to the office.

Everyone had agreed to meet so far. Few had questioned the urgency and agreed to show up at the designated location and hour. Her last call was to Hollis. The phone rung loudly in her ear, as she waited impatiently for Hollis to pick up.

"Hollis Doyle."

She knew there was no need to introduce herself.

"We need to meet tonight, it's urgent."

The tone of his voice changed, almost to a growl.

"What's this about?"

"You know I cannot discuss anything over the phone. Everyone else has already agreed."

"Fine."

Hollis hung up loudly in her ear. She didn't want to admit that she was doubly nervous about tonight. She was nervous about The Council finding out that she had told Fitz and she was nervous about being in his presence.

She was pacing in her office when she heard a knock on the door. She looked up to see Harrison standing on the other side of the door. She motioned for him to come in.

"I just wanted to check on you."

"I'm fine," Olivia stated still pacing the floor.

Harrison steps into her path and forces her to look at him.

"Liv, don't condescend to me. I know there are things you prefer to keep to yourself. I'm not asking you to spill your guts, but don't tell me everything's okay when it isn't…I'm here to help. Let me be here for you."

Olivia nods her head at him. Her phone begins to ring. She knows it is Fitz calling.

"I have to take this."

Harrison nods his understanding and closes her door on the way out. Olivia answers her phone.

"Are we all set for tonight?"

"Everyone will be at the meeting. It's at 8pm in the Capitol."

"Okay."

Olivia hung up the phone and walked over to the window. The sun had already begun to set. When was he going to tell her? When was he going to break the news to her that he no longer wanted to be with her? She held her tears in check. She knew she'd done the right thing by telling him. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

Olivia was the first one to arrive for the meeting; she was apprehensive to say the least. Again she paced the room waiting for the others to arrive. Verna arrived next, quickly followed by Cyrus. No one said a word as they came in and took their seats. Olivia still continued pacing as Mellie walked in and took a seat. Olivia could see she was grossly swollen in the last month of her pregnancy. After another 10 minutes Hollis entered the room. Everyone turned their attention to one another, but then realized that Olivia had not sat down. Verna looked at Olivia puzzled.

"Take a seat dear. Shouldn't we begin?"

Olivia looked toward the door as if she hadn't heard Verna, waiting for Fitz's entrance. She checked her watch. At that precise moment is when she heard the knob turn. Everyone's head whipped towards the door to see who would be intruding on their secret meeting. As they all saw who was entering the room, they all stood, even Mellie tried to raise herself from the chair. Cyrus was the first to speak.

"Mr. President."

He looked angrily at Olivia for a second before returning his attention to Fitz. Fitz came in and closed the door. Olivia looked at him nervously then returned her eyes to the carpet. Hollis stood looking down at the table shaking his head and chuckling to himself.

"What did you do Ms. Pope?"

His steely gaze landed on her then. She still continued to stare at the floor. Fitz looked at Liv for a second before moving his eyes to Hollis.

"That's enough Hollis. Why don't you take a seat. All of you, sit down."

Fitz motions for everyone to sit down, while he remains standing. As Olivia is taking her seat, Cyrus whispers harshly under his breath to her,

"You and I need to talk."

Cyrus smooths out his tie as he sits back down in his chair. Verna squeezes Olivia's hand under the table to reassure her that everything will be okay. Olivia looks up at her for a second. Verna gives her an imperceptible nod and small smile. Everyone's eyes, except Olivia's are riveted on Fitz as he commands their attention and begins to speak.

"My presence here tells you that I am now in the know about The Council and how it came to be. I can't say that I was happy to hear about the events that led up to this point or the methods used to orchestrate said events."

Fitz fixes Hollis with a cold stare before continuing. Hollis doesn't bat an eye and continues to sit there looking like a saint.

"The point is that I know now and I won't be kept in the dark any longer. We all need each other to make sure this doesn't get out, so you can either have me as an ally or an enemy. Not that I'm really giving you any choice in the matter."

No one says anything as they all cut their eye at each other, but the looks they shoot at Olivia are filled with spite. The only one who doesn't glare daggers at her is Verna, who seems to be looking at her with pity.

"Well, that's all for tonight gang. Now that we all know where we stand I look forward to the next meeting. You're all free to go."

Fitz's voice is dripping with sarcasm as he concludes. Chairs scrape the ground as people push away from the table. Hollis had quickly left before anyone else, almost overturning his chair in his attempt to make a quick getaway. Mellie walks by the back of Olivia's chair on her way out.

"I should have known that you would be the one to talk and here everyone thought I was the weak link. That's what happens when you let your heart rule your head."

Fitz stops her on her way out.

"I would think my wife would have more concern for the well being of our child. You shouldn't be running around all hours of the night in your condition. Some people could see you as an unfit mother. I'd hate for your adoring public to see you in a less than favorable light."

Mellie is clearly angry with Fitz for chastising her in front of everyone, especially with the veiled threat, but knows she is in enough trouble as it is so she stalks past him as best she can for being 8 months pregnant. Verna pats Olivia on the shoulder as she is leaving.

"Phone me tomorrow, kiddo."

She smiles at the president as she walks past him. Cy is the last one to leave the two of them alone. Without looking at Olivia, Cy stands by her chair. He taps his foot out of agitation, his fists are shoved into his pant's pockets.

"You and I have a lot to discuss. Tomorrow."

He doesn't give her time to respond. He goes to leave the room and Fitz's words stop him.

"Cy, you and I have a lot to talk about tomorrow."

Cy stops, looking at the ground. He and Fitz are shoulder to shoulder. He looks up at Fitz's profile.

"Yes sir, Mr. President."

He exits the room, leaving Fitz and Olivia alone in the room.

Fitz looks up then, from where he is leaning against the wall.

"Still here, Ms. Pope?"

Olivia has her hands folded across her chest, still seated in her chair. She looks over at Fitz. His expression is so cool. He's never looked at her that way before. Olivia doesn't realize it is only an act. She gets up and comes towards him. Fitz stands with his hands in his pockets and watches her walk towards him. He'd put his hands in his pockets so that he wouldn't be tempted to touch her. What is that he sees in her eyes? Defeat? Resignation? Regret? He's seen those looks before, on his own face.

"Why don't you just do it?"

"Do what?"

He searches her face.

"Tell me you don't want to be with me anymore. Just get it over with."

Olivia can't bring herself to look at him so she is staring at a button on his shirt. She can feel the tears stinging her eyes. If she looks at him the floodgates will open and she won't be able to stop them. She refuses to cry in front of him if he is about to break things off with her. She bites her lip waiting for the words to come. Fitz looks down at her. He wants so badly to crush her mouth in a kiss, but he remains stoic. He knows he must stay cool and detached.

"I don't walk away as easily as others, Ms. Pope."

Her eyes flash upwards and look directly into his. She knows the dig is meant for her. Fitz sees the hurt in her eyes and bites his tongue. The mask he wears not betraying the real emotion hidden underneath. They stare briefly at one another and then Fitz leans up off the wall for a moment invading Olivia's personal space. He breathes her in for a second without her noticing. Fitz leaves the room leaving Olivia once again standing alone. Olivia stares at the empty space he just occupied trying to figure out what exactly Fitz's intentions are.

I just want to thank everyone again for reading the story and for the awesome comments that you leave time and time again. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I do listen to your comments. Many of you had wanted Liv to tell Fitz the truth so I acquiesced. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.