OK here is the next chapter. I have at least one more and then I may end it. Though I am considering going into the re-election. There is a lot that could happen with that. Maybe I will leave up to you all. Let me know what you think I should do.

'Liv! What a surprise. Cyrus isn't here.' James said as he opened the front door to the Novak-Beene residence.

'I know James; I am actually here to see you.' Olivia explained.

'Oh well come on in. I just put Ella down for her nap so I have some time for a little grown up conversation. Coffee, oh wait Olivia Pope drinks tea. ' He smiled.

'Please. Thank you!' James led Olivia to the kitchen and motioned for her to have a seat at the table. James put the tea kettle on the stove and set up two coffee mugs with Chai Tea bags in them on the counter. Once the kettle started to whistle he picked it up and poured water into the mugs, turned off the stove and joined Olivia at the table.

'So what do I owe the pleasure of a visit?' James asked.

'I need a favor. Well actually The President and I need a favor.' She answered.

'Ok. Shoot!'

Olivia sighed. 'I guess I'd better get used to repeating this story. Ok. James, the President…Fitz and I are involved….in love. We have been since the campaign. We tried to fight it but it's impossible. We are connected in ways that cannot be broken. After a lot of missteps, and misunderstandings, and lies, and manipulations, and shootings we have given up the fight and decided to face the inevitable. Fitz has asked Mellie for a divorce. He wants to run for re-election. I want him to win. I do not want him to lose because of me. I can't allow his shot at a legitimate victory be lost because of me. So I need your help. '

James sat somewhat shocked for a moment. 'Liv, you know I would do anything for Ella's godparents but I don't know how I can help.'

'The key to making this work is Mellie. My team has gathered a ton of evidence against her that if we played it to the press would paint her as the Wicked Witch of the West and Fitz as the Santa Claus. The problem is I promised her I would not destroy her reputation if she followed the rules I laid out for her. And so far she has. What I need is for her to admit her wrongdoings and I need her to do so in some sort of a public arena. I know how to bait Mellie. I just need someone there to document it. I know you aren't technically a reporter anymore but I need someone I can trust. I need someone that has a stake in Fitz remaining in office. I need you, James.' Olivia pleaded with her friend.

'What are you suggesting, Liv? What is your plan?' James was still unclear on how he could help.

'I just need you and a couple other members of the press corps be taking a break or having lunch or whatever near the Rose Garden this afternoon around three. I have asked Mellie to fly back from Santa Barbara to meet with me. Can't you reach out to some old friends to catch up?' Olivia smiled.

'Well I have been meaning to catch up with Michelle King from the Times and Holly Sumner from the Post. They have been asking about Ella and Holly never goes anywhere without her portable video camera. You never know when a story is going to break.' James said with a smirk.

'Perfect! Three o'clock in the Rose Garden. Thank you James. You are literally saving my life!' Liv got up from the table kissed James and walked out. Now she had to mentally prepare herself for yet another showdown with Mellie Grant.

Liv sat on the bench in the Rose Garden with her eyes closed. It was a warm day so she soaked up the sun while she gathered her thoughts and her strength for this next battle. She opened her eyes as she heard heels approaching.

'Olivia. Hello.' Mellie was cold but polite. 'I came when summoned. What is this about?'

'Thank you for coming. I thought we should talk just the two of us. See if there is a way to sort this all out. Let's walk.' Olivia got up from the bench and started walking.

'I don't see how we sort this out Olivia. You are making a play for my position as First Lady and Fitz's wife. If you think I am going down without a fight, you are sorely mistaken! Come after me! Get your team of misfits to dig up everything they can on me. I have evidence of my own that I can use. I may lose Fitz and the White House but you Olivia will lose your reputation. Your lucrative career as 'Queen Fixer' will be a distant memory. You will lose everything and I can live with that!' Mellie's voice was starting to get louder.

'You're right. I will lose my career and my reputation but I am ok with it. You want to know why, Mellie? I will still have Fitz. I will still be with a man that loves me so much he is willing to give up his entire career to be with me. It must kill you to know he'd never do that for you! You'll never know the love of a man that would give up his life to be with you.' Come on Mellie….take the bait. Olivia said to herself. She could see James and his friends about 50 feet away. The camera was up and running.

'That is where you are dead wrong! I have a man that is willing to give up everything for me. I have a man that already has given up everything for me! I have a man that was willing to take a job in the White House to be close to me. A man that took a bullet to protect me! You know him Liv. Hal from Fitz's Secret Service detail! He used to be the most decorated detective for the DCPD! He walked away from it to be with me! When that psycho Becky took shots at Fitz, I wasn't afraid for Fitz. I was afraid for Hal! I don't care what happens to Fitz. I don't care if he leaves me and takes those ungrateful and biased spawns of his with him. 'Mellie was shouting now. 'All I care about is maintaining my position in the public eye and being with Hal. Hell Hal isn't even a necessity. I'd be just fine without him as well. You see Olivia, every single move I have made since meeting that sad, weak, and worthless husband of mine has been to get me what I want and what I want is a seat at the table! So take it all Olivia! I do not care. Take my husband, the bratty kids, the community service, and the ornamental not functional part of this life! Take it all! I want the real power. I want the Oval and NOTHING will stop me. So whatever sort of truce you are trying to negotiate Olivia. Keep it and go straight to hell.' Mellie turned and walked away.

Olivia took a deep breath and looked over at James who gave her thumbs up. Olivia walked over after she saw Michelle and Holly hurry away.

'How did it play? Did they play it back for you?' Olivia was hoping she had been able to keep her voice low enough that the camera didn't pick up her admission about Fitz.

'All they got in terms of a vocal was Mellie's tirade. The rest of it was inaudible. You're good Liv. You are good! This is going to hit the airwaves within the hour. We need to let Cyrus and The President know right away.' James and Olivia headed into the White House.

James and Olivia found Fitz and Cyrus in the Oval discussing some details on the budget.

'James? What are you doing here?' Cyrus asked as he stood.

'Cy take a seat. We have to tell you something and we don't have a ton of time. Louise!?' Olivia called out.

'Miss Pope?'

'Louise I need you to call the school and pull Karen and Jerry from class. Please have their security detail stay with them. They are not to have access to any media whatsoever. No TV, No internet, and No phones. We will be sending Harrison Wright to pick them up. Is that clear?' Olivia asked. Louise looked to Fitz who nodded his head.

'Yes Miss Pope.' Louise left.

'Olivia what is happening?' Fitz asked. Olivia and James rehashed the entire story for them. Both Fitz and Cyrus were in shock. 'I thought you wanted to keep your word of not dragging Mellie through the mud?'

'I didn't drag her through the mud. This was all her. You have to be very careful what you do and say especially as a public figure. There are cameras everywhere.' Olivia smiled.

'Mr. President. I think you need to turn on the television.' Louise said. 'Also the children have been removed from class and are being sequestered with their security detail awaiting the arrival of Mr. Wright. '

'Thank you Louise.' Fitz said as Cyrus turned on the television. The four of them sat silently as Mellie's rant played out in front of them. Fitz flinched at her description of him and their children. Olivia moved next to him and took his hand. He looked at her and mouthed "thank you." He knew her quick thinking regarding the children was to protect them from their mother's hateful words. Eventually they would need to be told but this way it allowed for Fitz to break it to them gently.

'This is…this is gold! This is Olivia Pope's brilliance at work. There is absolutely nothing Mellie will be able to do or say that will erase this image. You could have a harem of women and you would still be the sympatric figure here. Olivia Pope you are something! I need to start preparing our response. James, you're a writer. Feel like helping your infinitely grateful husband out?' Cyrus asked. James smiled and nodded and the two walked out leaving Olivia and Fitz alone. Olivia shut the television off.

'Are you ok?' She asked. 'I know that could not have been easy to hear.' Fitz was looking at his shoes.

'I'm ok.' He replied as he looked up at her. 'I am more than ok. Liv, you just saved us. Mellie is going to be so busy trying to do damage control; she won't contest any aspect of the divorce. This is it. This is the beginning. I knew you were the one the moment I saw you but you…..' Fitz's voice broke. He took a second to compose himself. 'You are a miracle. The lengths you will go to in order to protect me and my children leave me in awe. Livvie, thank you. Thank you!' He pulled her into his arms.

Olivia was overcome with emotion. She allowed the tears to fall which is something she almost never did in front of people. 'You and me against the world.' She smiled at him.