Not Again

by YELLOW JESUS

Fitz and Olivia are reunited after she's been gone with Jake for 3 months. Early on some truths come out and consequences must be handed out personally. Both are pushed to the absolute limit.

10. Chapter 10

Hello friends. Here's chapter 10. We are almost there guys but not quite. I hope you likey :)

Chapter 10

"Wait. What?" He asked in disbelief "How do you know what happened to Liv?"
Mellie quickly moved her hand to her mouth. Obviously she didn't mean to say that. Fitz was not sure that he had heard her correctly. He walked really close to her.
He asked her again "Answer me Mellie. How the fuck do you know about what happened to Liv?"
Mellie was feeling discombobulated and unsure of what to do. She never wanted to say what she had just revealed but Fitz just wouldn't back off about her rape. It pissed her off. Mellie knew Jake had to be dead and there was no doubt in her mind that it was Fitz that killed him. She knew that when it came to Olivia Fitz became an irrational maniac. Now a lethal, irrational maniac. She was fearful and was right to be. Now was not the time to play games, be bitchy, calculating and unnecessarily nasty. She was too busy being caught up in figuring out what she was going to do to realize that Fitz was right up on her.
"I didn't exactly know, I mean I," Mellie spoke nervously "I just, she, he told me, I heard about it."
Fitz face was turning red "Mellie."
It was like he was warning her. She could tell he wasn't playing.
"Fitz it's not what you think." Mellie began "Just listen."
"Jerry had just been attacked, you had just been reelected, some things came out."
She was avoiding saying her rape came out. Fitz was still looking eerily crazy. She had never seen that look before. He looked up and turned around to have a seat on his couch.
"It was a difficult time for us and I just, you didn't need any distractions Fitz."
She didn't know how to gauge him. By now he had removed his jacket. His elbows were resting on his knees, his head resting in his hands.
"You still haven't answered my question Mellie. How'd you know?" He tried his best not to do anything he would regret, not to do anything that would destroy their children.
Mellie was still nervous and thought it was best not to lie.
"I knew that she left with Jake Ballard."
She saw Fitz move and clinch his fists. The thought of Olivia and Jake being anywhere together still bothered him no matter how hard he was trying to cope.
"I did some digging and got in touch with him." She told Fitz.
With each word spoken Mellies fears increased.
Fitz nodded "You took a trip a couple months ago to go see the kids. You said that you just HAD to get away. Where'd you really go?"
Mellie was usually able to think quickly on her feet but she was to frightened. She still hadn't answered. Fitz stood.
He slowly walked back over to her "Mellie you know I can find out. Tell me where you were."
Mellie looked away but finally answered "St. Lucia."
Fitz saw blood. In the back of his mind he was hoping Mellie was just being Mellie and just trying to fuck with his head like she usually does but there was only one way that St. Lucia would come out of her mouth. Mellie observed his quickly changing demeanor. He unbuttoned a couple buttons and loosened his tie.
"I didn't know exactly what he was doing Fitz." Mellie tried to explain "I knew he wanted her and I wanted what I wanted and I knew there was no way I'd get what I wanted if Olivia Pope was still in our lives."
Fitz started rolling his sleeves up.
Mellie was a little panicked "All I told him was to do whatever he had to do to keep Liv out of DC. I thought he'd woo her not hurt her."
Fitz was looking so scary to Mellie but he was trying his best to refrain is all. There was nowhere Mellie could go. He stood right in front of her looking like a man with no hesitations.
"I swear Fitz I didn't know." Mellie continued "Not in the beginning. I didn't know until I spoke with Jake again. I asked him if he was able to make her happy, able to keep her there. He smirked and said he was keeping her there but she wasn't happy about it."
She saw Fitz clinch his teeth. Fitz backed up a bit and shoved his hands in his pockets.
He looked down and shook his head "I swear to God Mellie, it's taking everything I have not to wrap my hands around your throat and choke the shit out of you."
She continued "I was confused and asked him how he was keeping her there then. He was still sarcastic. He said that I never had to worry about Olivia Pope again. That her will was gone and that she was his now, she wasn't going anywhere. That you wouldn't want her anymore anyway if you knew what was going on. He said she didn't even put up a fight. I thought about it and my heart sank. I knew then and only then."
Mellie hated to admit that even though she knew what Jake was doing to Olivia was horrific, part of her felt justified for not doing anything about knowing Olivia was being raped. She told Olivia about her rape and she chose to tell Fitz. Obviously she didn't want Fitz to know but Olivia told him anyway. Mellie didn't tell Fitz she knew about Olivia being raped because she wanted Olivia to know what it was like to have to deal with being raped all alone just like she had to. She wanted Olivia to know what it was like to have to deal with a horrific secret like she did. She was also upset and pissed off about how Fitz swooped in and saved Olivia and now everything is going to be alright for her eventually. Noone swooped in saved her and things sure as hell aren't going to be alright.
"And you said nothing?" Fitz asked pained "you knew where she was the whole time. That she was being hurt, raped?!"
"You stupid bitch you should have told me." Fitz yelled "I love her."
Fitz love for Olivia seem to still bother Mellie. She was jealous. Not because she wanted Fitz, jealous because sometimes it seems that everybody got to be happy and in love but her. Hearing him yell that he loves her struck a nerve. Mellie started getting emotional. It wasn't fair. She felt like she was the only one who had sacrificed. After everything that had happened Olivia and Fitz still managed to come back to one another and she was still alone.
"Who's going to love me?" Mellie said sadly.
Her question softened Fitz up a little "Mel."
He thought about her and Andrew and started to feel badly about having Olivia end things between the two. He knows that he can be selfish at times and knows that it's terribly hypocritical for him to be able to have Olivia but Mellie not have Andrew. He began to regret his actions. He began to truly feel sorry for Mellie. Like Olivia, she too is ill and needs help. And for whatever reason he feels obligated to help her get what she needs.
"There's a good person inside you Mellie, it just sort of got lost." He told her "Or perhaps it was taken. Years ago."
Mellie thought about what he was saying. She had been this way for so long that she forgot about the girl she used to be. It hurt to think about how much she had changed for the worst. At times she felt like all the damage was irreparable and that she should just embrace her coldness. Fitz was right earlier. She is bitter and angry. She had been for quite some time.
"Mellie I'm sorry." Fitz said sincerely "There's nothing any of us can do about the past. I take full responsibility for any role I've played in ever hurting you. I should have tried harder to see things from your point of view. I wish I had known what happened to you."
Fitz had never really apologized to her before. He usually was always grumpy towards her but he now sounded genuine. She was speechless. This whole confrontation had completely caught her off guard and now she was confused. She couldn't think long because there was a knock on the door. They looked away from each other and towards the door.
"Mr. President." The young woman nodded "Mrs. Grant. Could you come with me please? We have to do some test shots."
Mellie looked back over at Fitz and he back at her. This was the last thing she needed. She was moments a away from a live press conference and here Fitz was bring up all this sadness and pain that she usually so easily suppressed. Mellie smoothed her clothes and headed for the door. Fitz stood there feeling a mixture of anger and sorrow. She was almost out the bedroom door.
"Mellie." Fitz called out to her "everything's going to be alright."
Mellie stopped when she heard her name but didn't turn around. She did however turn when she heard what he had to say. Without saying anything she turned back around and walked out leaving Fitz alone. His mind was blown. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. With a mixture of anger, sadness and sorrow, he wondered how he was going to explain this to Olivia. It'd make her feel horrible. He felt a little guilty about this as well. His navy buddy and his wife in cahoots to keep the woman he loves, Olivia, away from him. He knew he had to get back to her. He didn't want Cyrus finding her and stressing her out. After fixing his clothes he headed to his office. The whole time he was in the tunnel he was trying to shake what he had just heard. Him and Olivia agreed to no secrets but he was seriously contemplating not telling her this. He couldn't find what good it could possibly do. His mind went back and forth as he walked. Once he reached the White House he headed straight for The Oval. He nodded at Lauren and after taking a deep breath he walked into his office. Olivia was seated on the phone and didn't hear him come in right away.
"I'm sorry Isaac. I just won't be able to do it." Fitz heard her say "If you like I can email you a few names."
Fitz was pleased to hear that she was telling him that she couldn't do it like he told her to. He made his presence known and Olivia turned around. He had a seat next to her.
"I told you I'm fine." Olivia said "You have a nice afternoon."
Olivia hung up and turned her body in Fitz direction, crossing her legs in the process.
Fitz put his hand on her knee "So you let him know."
"I did." Olivia confirmed.
"What'd he say?"
"He just explained how he felt like I was the best one to take on his case." Olivia spoke.
Fitz was looking at her "Is that all?"
"He asked me how I was feeling and wanted to have another follow up appointment."
Fitz rolled his eyes "What a jackass. Did you shut it down?"
"Yes of course I, shut it down." Olivia said, having a chuckle at his choice of words.
Fitz nodded and gently rubbed her knee. He seemed a little off to her. She assumed it had something to do with his talk with Mellie.
"Fitz?" Olivia said full of concern.
Fitz could hear the concern in her voice. Since walking into his office he had been trying to fake it and look like nothing was wrong. He was obviously failing.
"Are you ok?" She asked "How'd your talk with Mellie go?"
"It went uh," Fitz began "It was-"
"It's ok." Olivia put her hand on top of his on her knee "I know she's prob going to put us both through the wringer."
Fitz looked over at her.
Olivia tried to give a reassuring smile "I'm anticipating that. Been there, done that. This isn't the first time we've been exposed."
Fitz was amazed at how positive Olivia suddenly seemed to be. He had seen her smile more today then he had since her return. He didn't want that to end. He wasn't going to tell her about Mellie knowing but it'd be such a setback for them if Olivia found out he knew and didn't tell her. Mellie was vengeful and unpredictable. He didn't want Mellie mentioning it to Olivia or other people just to spite him and Olivia assuming he was the one that told Mellie. He had to let her know about Mellie and Jakes meeting.
Fitz sat up straight and scooted up a bit "Olivia."
Olivia noticed that she was called by her whole name immediately. Her smile slowly faded. Fitz was dreading talking about this so he was trying to think of a way to ease into it.
"When you were with Jake," Fitz began "Did he ever have secret phone calls or meetings that you knew of?"
Olivia kind of knew where this was going "My father mostly. Why?"
She could tell Fitz needed to say something but was having a hard time getting it out.
"Well do you know of anybody else he would talk to?" Fitz asked her.
Judging by the questioning, him talking with Mellie and his demeanor, she knew what was going on. He was feeling awkward talking about this and she didn't want him to feel that way.
"Fitz it's ok." Olivia said "I know Mellie knows."
Fitz was both shocked and relieved. Relieved so he didn't have to say it, shocked because she already knew about it. Olivia could tell he was confused and was starting to think too much.
"Jake wanted to make sure I stayed. He couldn't wait to tell me he met with Mellie and that she was probably going to tell you a very warped version of events." Olivia told him.
"Mellie isn't exactly one of my fans and I believed that" Olivia said sadly.
Fitz just wanted all of this to be over. He removed his hand from her knee, sat all the way back and placed his arm over his head. He was visibly overwhelmed and distressed. He just didn't know how much more he could take.
"Why is it so hard?" Fitz asked. He was emotionally drained "Will it ever be easy?"
It looked like everything was starting to take its toll on him. All he wanted was Olivia but it seemed like there was always obstacles. Olivia watched him. She thought about how he literally had the weight of the world on his shoulders and was killing himself with trying to get her better. Olivia reached over and interlaced her fingers with his after taking it from his forehead.
She laid her head down on his shoulder "I know you're overwhelmed. I get that way too."
Fitz listened.
"But you did a great job showing me that with love and support, even the worst situations will work themselves out." She told him as he brushed the back of his hand with her thumb.
Olivia thought about everything he was doing for her to try and help her. It was her turn to help him in any way she could. She wanted to alleviate some of his stress and the only way to do that was to start trying to get better herself.
"Perhaps you were right. I probably do need to see a doctor." Olivia admitted "It won't hurt to at least talk right?"
That seemed to bring Fitz back to life a little.
Fitz looked down to his side at her "So you will see a doctor?"
Olivia nodded.
Fitz sat back up straight. He smiled "Livie that's wonderful. I'm glad you changed your mind."
He put his arm around her "I'm so proud of you. I'll make sure you get the best doctor. Only the best for me and mine."
Olivia thought about how much she loved him and how grateful she was. She knew that she seriously was his main priority.
"Thank you Fitz." Olivia spoke "For everything you've been doing. For not giving up on us. For helping me."
He kissed the top of her head "Sweetie, you don't have to thank me for doing the things I'm supposed to do. I love you and want the best for you."
Olivia seemed to have seriously come around these past couple days, even optimistic about things but Fitz still worried about Mellie's intentions. Mellie was planning on painting Olivia as some conniving home-wrecker and he was concerned that sort of stigma being associated with her name would be a set back for her.
"Livie, what you said earlier, about Mellie putting us through the wringer, she really is you know." Fitz said kind of nervous.
Olivia thought about it and if she was being honest to herself, she was worried. But in hindsight things could be way worse. She had been through worse. If all she had to worry about were people calling her names, she could manage.
"Yes. I know." Olivia answered.
Fitz knew what was headed their way and sadly we live in a world where the men are never held responsible. It's always the other woman's fault.
"I know the way people think and I don't want you to bear the brunt of this." Fitz said sadly "I actually love you. I don't want people thinking your some random Monica Lewinsky chicken head."
Suddenly Olivia burst into laughter. She couldn't believe what she had just heard come out of Fitz mouth. She threw her head back as she held her stomach. Fitz watched on. He hadn't seen Olivia really laugh hard like this in months maybe even a year. She may not have been but she looked happy on the surface and Fitz loved it.
"What?" Fitz asked her confused.
"Chicken head?" Olivia tried to speak through her laughter "First you asked me if I, shut it down, now your saying the word chicken head. Where are getting this from old man?"
Fitz smiled as he watched her "What do you mean where am I getting this from? I know these things. It's part of my swag baby."
Olivia erupted into more fits of laughter after hearing him say swag.
"Your swag huh?" Olivia said.
Fitz crossed his leg over the other "Yea. My swag."
Olivia fell into him laughing. Suddenly nothing mattered anymore. Things felt right and in that moment Fitz knew everything would be ok. They were to busy being silly that they didn't even notice that Cyrus had come in.
"Well isn't this just lovely." Cyrus said sarcastically.
Cyrus rolled his eyes after closing the door and stood there looking at them.
"Hello Cyrus." Fitz smiled followed by Olivia.
"Morning Cyrus."
"So you two are in here canoodling, cracking up over something stupid probably, meanwhile your wife is seconds away from destroying you?" Cyrus asked as he walked closer to them.
They both had simmered down quite a bit.
"What do you want me to do?" Fitz asked nonchalantly.
Cyrus was in disbelief at how casual they were being.
"Do something?" Cyrus said stressed. He looked to Olivia "Liv?"
"Yes?" Olivia spoke in the same calm way that Fitz did.
Cyrus had had it. He felt like his hands were tied.
"Ok, so we just don't care that everything that we have worked so hard for is about to be taken way?" Cyrus looked at Olivia then to Fitz.
Cyrus had been through so much dealing with the two of them and Mellie. He had had a heart attack, lost his husband and everything else imaginable. Including having a young girl killed. He was tired and maybe even ready to get off this turbulent roller coaster.
"Ok. Well if you two don't give a fuck, I don't give a fuck."
Cyrus started taking off his jacket and undid some of his buttons.
Olivia was confused "Cyrus, what are you doing?"
Cyrus had walked over to the desk and grabbed the remote to the tv. He walked over by them, plopped down in the adjacent chair and kicked off his shoes.
"This is me not giving a fuck." He said as he loosened his tie.
Cyrus aimed the remote at the tv but didn't turn it on.
He looked at the couple "I got world Mellie was here and ready. Shall we?"
Fitz looked Olivia in the eyes "You ready for this?"
Olivia returned his gaze "As ready as I'll ever be."
Fitz pulled her closer and tighter against him. Olivia was glad because no matter how well she prepared herself, she was still nervous. They both were.
"Go for it." Fitz told Cyrus.
Cyrus turned the tv on and turned to CNN.

Meanwhile Mellie was standing behind the curtains while her make-up was being retouched. Her conversation with Fitz left her all anxious and confused. She began to perspire a little. She was supposed to have been started 10 mins ago but now she didn't know what she was going to say. She was wishing she could cancel this whole thing. Her mind was racing. She thought about the last 15 years, mostly the last 4 years she had been First Lady. As she reflected she wondered if it had all been worth it, if the years that led up to being First Lady had all been worth it.
"Mrs. Grant"
A random voice brought her out of her thoughts. She looked their way.
"It's time." The voice said.
Mellie nodded. After taking a deep breath she started walking and stopped once she reached her spot. The lights were so bright and hundreds of flashes were going off in her face. Mellie was a vision of perfection. Perfectly tailored royal blue suit. Pearl earrings, pearl necklace. Perfect hair. Everything she should be. The First Lady was standing at that podium. She looked out into the crowd at all the reporters that were sitting at the edge of their seats to see what the First Lady had to say.
Mellie swallowed "Good afternoon everyone."
The crowd hushed. You could hear a pin drop.
"As you all know, my husband, President Fitzgerald Grant III announced that there will be a divorce." Mellie began.
Mellie had a grip on the podium. She had no idea what was happening. She suddenly had a serious change of heart. She thought about her children, Fitz and even Olivia. Mostly she thought about herself. She wasn't getting any younger and she was tired. It was over. She just didn't have it in her anymore. It was time for her to finally begin to work on healing herself and she couldn't do that if she had to deal with the mess that was her current life. She braced herself for next statement.
"It's true. My husband and I have decided to file for divorce. We are normal people just like everyone else and these things happen. All we ask is that you please respect our decision and not pass judgement on our family as we begin this process. Thank you."
Mellie stepped down and walked away. She kept it short and sweet so she could get the hell out of there.

Back in the oval, Cyrus, Fitz and Olivia sat dumbfounded. Never in a million years would they have ever thought that Mellie would bow out gracefully. Fitz and Cyrus were speechless.
Cyrus was the first to speak "What just happened?"
Olivia sat up off Fitz chest and looked in his eyes. Fitz saw the twinkle in her eye.
Olivia's eyes watered "It's really happening."

ok. That was chapter 10. I'm glad I made it to 10 because I will admit that after the first half of the story I had no idea how in the hell I was going to make everything ok. I'm one of those writers that can have an outline and have it all planned out. Then I start writing and it's like I lose control of my mind and my fingers type what they want, then I'm left with the aftermath and have to think of a way to fix it lol. Example being that some of the worst things that happened to Liv in this story were not planned at all. i also didn't plan on having Fitz commit all these crimes of passion lol. It just came out that way lol. But anyways, let me stop ranting lol. please review. Thanks in advanced :)