Chapter 10

Olivia was standing in her office with the door closed. She was standing behind her desk looking at the faces in front of her: Fitz, Mellie and Jake.

"Where is he?" Mellie demanded.

"He'll be here," Olivia replied smoothly. Although OPA was her arena, it currently didn't feel like it. She was also spinning out of control. Going to her father had been a last effort possibility but now she needed him. They all needed him and the scary thing was thinking how far he would go to stop her mother.

She knew he could care less about the Grant children but he would do it for her and only her. She saw him through the glass door and went to meet him. She closed the door behind her.

"Dad," she greeted.

"Olivia," Eli said. "You said it was urgent." He peeked over her shoulder to see the two people he hated the most but what got his attention was Mellie. He figured something must have happened in order for her to be sitting in his daughter's office.

"It is," she said. "It's mom," she continued.

Olivia saw how rigid he went. "What did that woman do this time?"

"Kidnapping," Olivia answered. He nodded his head.

"That's why she is sitting in there," Eli replied. "Only Maya can bring enemies together. Would you like me to do?"

"We have to figure that out," she responded. She turned around and he followed.

"Mr. President, First Lady, Jake," Eli greeted. "I hear my wife has caused you some trouble."

"My children have been kidnapped," Mellie hissed.

Eli could see her weariness and it did create a slight ache. Maya was a thorn in his side and always would be. As much as he despised Fitz and would relish in seeing his world crumble, he had to do this for his daughter.

"Tell me everything," Eli instructed.

Mellie told him all she knew about the phone call and pictures that were sent to her phone. Jake showed him maps of possible locations. Fitz said nothing which he found odd.

Eli studied the evidence set before him. There were only so many places Maya would go and he knew the one she would pick because it was dear to her heart. "Berlin."

"What about Berlin?" Olivia asked.

"She took them to Berlin," Eli said. "Berlin is where some of her allies died. Some are being held prisoner and my guess is she wants the President to let them out. The mission was Operation Mockingbird. Marxists were gathering for an anti-American rally and planned to bomb the US embassy. Maya was the leader of that operation. When it failed, she fled to the United States and the rest is history."

"What is she hoping to do?" Jake questioned.

"Hit the country where it hurts," he guessed looking at Fitz in particular. "You ought to be more careful of who you allow on government planes."

"Dad," Olivia reprimanded.

"What's your plan Mr. President?" Eli asked.

"We thought of negotiating with her. We just want our kids back," Fitz said.

Eli let out a sigh. "Negotiating will not deter Maya. If you want your kids back, you have to do it by force. Whether it's by B613, the military or a few of your secret service, there will be bloodshed. Whose blood will be spilt? That is up to you."

There was a heaviness that descended on the room. Olivia's question rang in Fitz's head. Could he kill the love of his life's mother? Could he really get his children back without bloodshed? Deep down he knew he probably couldn't. He knew Jake would have no problem doing his job. It was what he was placed as Command to do no matter how much it would affect Olivia. He knew Mellie could care less about what happened to Maya. He also knew Mellie would probably pull the trigger herself if allowed.

Then there was Eli. Eli could easily be the one to track Maya down and do away with her. He wasn't sure if Eli would do it because of the same reason: Olivia. In this moment, he had a decision to make. One where he had to act like the President and a father at the same time. He had to be one in the same. One decision could mean death for his children.

"How far are you willing to go?" Eli asked challenging him. Fitz could hear the word "boy" practically come out.

"Far," he answered not daring to look at Olivia. He looked to Mellie instead whose eyes were steel.

"Then far we will go," Eli said. He turned to Jake. "I need a plane ready to go at a moment's notice. If we want to do this right, she can't know I'm coming or for that matter Olivia."

All eyes snapped to him but he didn't flinch. "You wanted to go far. This is it. Maya will only stop this insanity if something she loves is in harm's way."

"Oliva has nothing to do with this," Fitz countered.

"She has everything to do with this," Eli said. "It's because of her that Maya figured out the perfect target and the perfect way to knock the two of you," he started pointing at Fitz and Mellie, "the most powerful couple in the world off balance."

He turned toward the door. "I suggest you pack light," he said. He went out and Olivia bolted after him.

"Is this really necessary? You are playing with innocent lives," Olivia said.

"No. The only one playing with lives is your mother," Eli argued. "You better hope the Grants don't give Maya a reason to kill them," he continued in a low voice. "She will not hesitate to break people. It's a habit of hers."

She watched him go to the elevator speechless.

Mellie and Fitz sat back down in their seats. Fitz had his head in his hands. Mellie was tapping her fingers against the armrest.

"Are we really going to do this?" she asked Jake and Fitz. "Can you really give the order to kill Maya Pope?"

"If it comes to it," Jake said. "As much as it would hurt her, I'm still loyal to the President and this country. A terrorist cannot walk the streets."

She turned to Fitz. "And you?"

He looked at her with eyes she rarely saw anymore. She had her answer and it was a yes.

Olivia walked back in staring at them. She said, "Go home and pack. We want the element of surprise."

Mellie and Fitz were getting out of their seats when Abby rushed in. "Turn on the tv."

Olivia did and on the screen was footage of Jerry and Karen tied and gagged to the chairs. The next shot was of reporters on the White House lawn asking a series of questions and giving their own speculations on the matter.

Olivia heard a slight gasp and turned around. Mellie's knees were starting to buckle and Fitz had to hold her up.

"Fitz," Mellie whispered after a few seconds. Her voice was hard and unforgiving.

"I know," Fitz said. "We'll do whatever to bring them home."