Chapter 11: Keys and Locks
As she digs through her purse for the keys to lock the door, she pulls it open. She is startled when she literally runs into the person standing at her front door.
"Shit Fitz, you scared me!" she gasps.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to," he says sheepishly.
"What are you doing lurking outside my door? Are you here to tease me so more?" Her tone a bit harsher than she intends, but she can't help it. Her body still tingles from their unfinished encounter at this very door.
"I, um, I . . ." he stumbles along for words. He feels a little guilty for leaving her the way he did and it pangs him to see her so soon.
"Spit it out Grant, I have things to do today," she says tapping her foot impatiently.
"I'm locked out. In my haste to leave you, I forgot my keys and phone on the night stand," he confesses.
She looks at him for a moment and then bursts into laughter. "This is priceless. So you have this grand plan to work me into a sexual frenzy and then leave me at the brink of release, but you forgot your keys. So have you been out here this entire time?"
"No, I haven't be out here the whole time, I went down to the super's apartment, but he wasn't there. I have been standing out here trying to gather up the courage to knock on your door. I was afraid of what you would do to me if you saw me this soon. My plan was not to see you until this evening. By then I hoped you would have calmed down over the course of the day and forgiven me."
He looks like a little boy who just confessed he broke his mom's favorite vase. His eyes are downcast and bottom lip is slightly poked out.
"Oh my god, cut the bullshit Grant. I know you are not sorry one bit for what you did to me. That "little boy" act will not work on me. Get in here and get your crap so I can get to work," she snaps with a small smile.
His head pops up and on his face holds a sly grin. "Can't blame me for trying," he says as he enters the apartment. He goes to the bedroom to retrieve his belongings while she waits at the front door.
"For the record, I was a little anxious about how you would react," he says as he reaches her again.
"Don't worry, I forgive you, but don't worry, I am plotting ways to get my revenge. Now get out so I can get going," she pushes him gently out the door before closing and locking it.
"See you tonight Livvie."
"See you tonight baby," she replies and places a kiss on his cheek.
He watches her walk down the hallway before he enters his apartment. No one has ever made him feel this happy. She is his world and he plans to do whatever he has to do in order to protect her.
The classic R&B song My Girl drifts into his head. He begins to sing it as he strips down and heads for the shower. Maybe this will be the song he sings to her next karaoke night.
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Edison's Town Car comes to a stop in front of Olivia's building. He gives the driver instructions to wait for him as he exits the car. He takes the steps to her floor two at a time and before he knows it he is standing at her front door. The drive over to her apartment did nothing to dampen his anger. He plans to exact a certain amount of punishment from her for her rejection of him.
He pounds loudly on her door but receives no answer. He places his ear to the front door and tries to listen for any movement on the other side. No hearing anything, he reaches into his pants pocket and removes a key ring. Selecting a key, he inserts it into the lock and turns. The door opens and he quickly steps into the apartment, closing and locking the door behind him. He hopes she is sleeping or in the shower. He would love nothing better than to surprise her.
He walks quietly down the hall towards the bedroom. He peers into the room and only sees her unmade bed. No Olivia. The bathroom is empty except for the scent of her body wash.
"Damn," he mutters.
He turns to leave, but something catches his eye. Hanging just out of the edge of her dirty clothes hamper are the electric blue panties she had on earlier. On impulse, he grabs them and brings them to his face and inhales. Her scent is intoxicating. He shoves the panties in his pockets and retreats to the front door. Taking one last look around the apartment, he exits. Reaching his car he climbs in the back seat and instructs the driver to take him to the office. All the while he fingers the lacy fabric in his pocket with thoughts of Olivia running through his mind.
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Olivia arrives at the office ten minutes early. Just as she steps off the elevator she is immediately greeted by Quinn.
"Good morning Olivia. I was just on my way to your desk. I read your work this morning. It was awesome. Edison is going to be blown away, not only by the fact you were able to meet his ridiculous deadline, but the work is flawless."
"Thanks Quinn. So he hasn't seen it yet?" she asks as she walks towards her desk.
"No, he isn't even here yet, which is odd. He didn't have any out of office appointments this morning. It's not like him to be late."
"Maybe he got hit by a bus on his way in," Olivia thinks to herself.
Quinn continues to follow her to her desk. Olivia deposits her purse in the drawer and sits down to take off her walking shoes to put on her pumps.
"So, you still want to get together today and talk," Olivia inquires as she logs into her computer.
"Yeah, sure. But not here are even at lunch. Let's go after work, someplace where we are not likely to run into anyone."
"Ok. You pick the place and time and I will be there. Now if you will excuse me, I am in desperate need of coffee," she stifles a yawn as she heads towards the break room.
"Sure, no problem. I know you were here super late last night. Oh, by the way, do you have my key card with you?"
"Oh yeah I do," she says as she digs into her purse and retrieves the card. "Thanks for your suggestion. It paid off for sure."
"No problem. Just don't tell Edison I let you use it. Before I forget, here is your next research project. The current due date is two weeks from today. As usual, provide daily updates to Edison with a copy to me," she says as she drops a folder on Olivia's desk and waves goodbye.
Olivia heads to the break room. She selects the largest cup available and fills it almost to the brim. She takes a tentative sip of the hot dark brew and swears she can feel the caffeine already coursing through her veins.
She runs into Hope in the hallway.
"Good morning Hope. Where are you off to?"
"Got a meeting on the 8th floor. Are we still on for lunch today?"
"Sure. Just pop over when you are ready to go."
Returning to her desk, Olivia begins working on her new project. She is so engrossed in her reading that she is startled when she hears Edison's voice right behind her.
"Miss Pope, what a surprise to see you here in the office today. Please give me fifteen minutes and then come into my office," he says stiffly.
"Of course Mr. Davis," she stammers a little due to his sudden appearance.
Edison enters his office and closes the door. He cannot believe the gall of this girl. Did she really think she could waltz back in the office like nothing was wrong, because he knows there is no way in hell she finished that report.
He sits back in his chair to reflect on what Olivia's presence today means. Then it comes to him, she needed to gather the courage to beg for an extension. It must have taken her all night to come up with a good sob story. There might be hope to yet. He realizes he can't wait the fifteen minutes he told Olivia to wait. He picks up his phone and dials her extension as he turns on and logs into his laptop.
"Yes, Mr. Davis," her voice is like a soft caress to his ears.
"Please come in my office now."
"I'll be right in."
There is a quick knock at the door and then she enters. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, please sit down." He motions to one of the chairs in front of his desk. He reaches in his pocket with his other hand and strokes her lacy panties.
"I must say I am surprised to see you this morning," he says.
"That's the second time you have said that to me. I am not sure why you are surprised."
"I thought I was perfectly clear yesterday that you no longer had a position here if you didn't complete your report. I left here after 9:00 last night and there was no report and you were nowhere to be found."
"Oh, I see. I didn't realize you were looking for me last night. I was in the research room on the 10th floor, that's where the pollution data is housed. It took me late into the night, but I finished the report. It should be in your inbox," she says.
His eyes widen slightly as she speaks. He turns to his computer and checks his email and sees her message. He is shocked that she actually completed the report.
"It seems I have underestimated you Ms. Pope. I look forward to reading this report. I assume Quinn has given you your new assignment?"
"Yes, she gave it to me this morning."
"Well, I guess we have nothing more to discuss this morning. I will review your work and get back to you later today. You may close the door on the way out," he says in a dismissive tone.
"Of course," she says as she rises from the chair and leaves his office. She can't help but have a smirk on her face as she walks out the door.
Edison watches her depart. He underestimated her tenacity. He chuckles to himself at the thought of the challenge set before him.
"You will be mine Olivia Pope," he says out loud. He pulls her panties from his pocket and puts them in the center drawer of his desk.
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Fitz hums to himself as he completes the paperwork for a shipment that had just arrived from Japan. He files away the forms just as Harrison pops into his office.
"Yo Fitz, ready for lunch? Peter said he was in the mood for burritos from Taco Heaven."
"Sounds good. Let me just send a quick text. I will meet you out front."
"Tell that fine honey of yours I said hi," Harrison calls out as he heads down the hall.
FG: Hey baby. Hope you are having a better day today. I can't wait to see you tonight.
He wasn't sure if she would respond right away, but he wants her to know he is thinking about her. He grabs his wallet and heads out meet Harrison and Peter.
"So Fitz, what's up with you and that Olivia girl? This is the first time you have been hush-hush about some chick you are seeing," Harrison says with a mouthful of beef burrito.
"Look Harrison, I told you the other night, Olivia isn't just "some chick". I really like her a lot. As a matter of fact, I am in love with her."
"What!" Harrison blurts out and Peter chokes on his soda.
They both look at Fitz wide-eyed. Harrison speaks first, "You are in love? How long have you known her, a week?"
"Harrison lay off, okay," Fitz says in a huff.
"Fitz seriously, what is it with this girl?" Peter asks.
"She is my everything. She just makes me feel . . . ." he tries to find the right words.
Peter and Harrison exchange a glance. Neither of them had ever seen Fitz like this before. Maybe he was in love.
"So when do we get to see her again? Are you bringing her to Larry's barbeque this weekend?" Harrison asks.
"Oh man, I forgot about that. I'll ask her about it tonight. I want you guys to get to know her, because if I have anything to say about it, she's going to be around for a long time."
"Our boy is SPRUNG," Harrison laughs, clapping Fitz on the back.
They finish lunch and head back to work.
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Olivia and Hope grab deli sandwiches from the cafeteria and head out to the park around the corner from their office. It feels good to be out in the sunshine and the temperature is not too hot. They both dig into their sandwiches for a few minutes before either speak.
"Hope, how have you been?"
"I'm fine, really," she says with a weak smile.
"I meant what I said before, since we are both strangers here it would be nice to have a friend."
Hope stares at Olivia for a moment. Her eyes are full of fear and shame. She quickly looks away.
"He told me if I told anyone, I would lose my job," she whispers. "I need this job."
"I know. I am in the same position as you on that front. But what he is doing, is wrong. And he isn't the only one."
Hope turns to look at Olivia. "Who else?"
"I'm not sure, but I am working to find out who the others are and a way to stop them. Will you help me?"
Hope looks doubtful. "What can you do? What can we do?"
"I'm not sure just yet, but I will come up with something. Just trust me." She reaches out and grasps Hope's hand.
"I'll think about it. We better get back."
They head back to the office in silence. Olivia pulls out her phone and notices a text from Fitz. She smiles and sends him one back.
OG: Hey babe. Miss you so much. Today has been okay. Will be in late tonight. I promise to call you.
As they reenter the office, they run into Quinn. "Hey ladies, how was lunch?" she asks.
"Great, it was nice to get out and get some sunshine," Hope says before walking off.
"Hey Olivia, could you put this on Edison's desk for me? I have to run down to Accounting for a meeting," Quinn asks as she hands a large binder to her.
"Sure, no problem."
"Don't worry, he is out of the office at lunch meeting. He won't be back until later this afternoon," she says with a wink.
Olivia walks to her desk and puts her purse away. She takes the binder Quinn gave her and goes into Edison's office. As she places it on the desk, she hears something hit the floor on the other side of the desk. Going around the desk, she notices his Mont Blanc pen laying on the floor and she bends over to pick it up. As she straightens up she notices something sticking out of the slightly open center drawer.
"What the hell?!" she exclaims.
She pulls the panties out of the drawer. She is positive that they are hers. But how did they get here? Her blood runs cold as she realizes that the only way Edison could have gotten them is if he has a key to her apartment. Feeling sick, she shoves the panties back in the drawer and rushes from the office and heads directly for the ladies room. She enters the first stall and empties her stomach in the toilet.
"He's been in my apartment," she repeats over and over her mind. Feeling violated and exposed, she throws up again.
Quinn enters the ladies room and hears someone retching. "Hello?" she calls out. "Are you okay in there?"
Olivia moans and then stands. She flushes the toilet and exits the stall. She catches Quinn's eye and then proceeds to the sink to rinse out her mouth and splash cold water on her face.
"Olivia are you okay?" Quinn asks.
"I guess it was something I ate." She is not sure why she lies to Quinn, but something tells her to keep what she found to herself.
"Why don't you go home? I will let Edison know you got sick."
"Thanks Quinn. I think I will do that."
Olivia goes back to her desk and retrieves her belongings. She makes a hasty exit from the building. Her first instinct is to run home, but then she thinks about Edison being in her apartment. She can't go back there. She pulls out her phone and calls Fitz.
"Hi baby," he answers after the second ring.
"I need you," she whimpers.
"Livvie, where are you?" Fitz asks as he grabs his keys and heads to his car.
"I'm outside my office, but I can't stay here. I can't go home either."
"Okay baby. Just meet me outside the diner down the street from our building. I am on my way."
"Okay, I'll see you soon."
Fitz finds Harrison and tells him to take over for the rest of the afternoon. Harrison can tell that Fitz is frazzled, but doesn't ask any questions, he just agrees.
Fitz peels out of the parking lot and heads across town to his love. Whatever happened to her, he is determined to make it better. He just needs to get to her.
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Thirty minutes after her call to Fitz, Olivia waits outside the diner down the street from their apartment building. When Fitz arrives ten minutes later, she rushes to his arms and holds on to him for dear life.
"Livvie, what happened?" he asks as he rubs her back.
"Can we just go to your place?"
"Sure Livvie."
He walks her inside the building and up their stairs to his apartment. Once inside he walks her over to the couch and sits her down. He then goes to get her a drink of water.
"Here drink this," he says handing her the glass. She drinks down half the water and places the glass on the table.
"Just hold me for a minute, please. Just one minute," she pleads.
He sits down next to her and envelops her in his arms and begins to rub her back. After a few minutes, Olivia withdraws from his embrace and sits up.
"Livvie, what is going on?"
"He's been in my apartment," she says quietly.
"Who?"
"My boss, Edison. He has been in my apartment, TODAY! I found my panties in his desk drawer. The same panties I had on this morning."
"Wait, what?" he is confused and angry.
"The blue panties I had on this morning. I found them in his desk this afternoon. I went to put something on his desk and I accidently knocked his pen off his desk. I went around to pick it up and saw my panties hanging out of his drawer. Somehow he got into my apartment and took them."
"Are you sure they were yours?"
"What are the chances that he happens to have the exact same panties in his desk drawer that I had on this morning?"
"Good point. Where is this guy, I will beat the shit out of this sick pervert!" Fitz says angrily.
"Fitz, you can't. First off, you would go to jail for assault. Second, I need this job, remember?"
"Come on Livvie, he broke into your apartment and took your panties! This guy is one step away for skinning you and wearing you like a dress. I will figure out a way to help you pay for school. Just get out of that place before you get hurt."
"You are very sweet, but this isn't just about paying for school. I want to put Edison and all the other sick perverts at Doyle Energy out of commission for good. They need to pay for hurting so many innocent people. I can't just walk away. It would be like condoning what they are doing."
He sighs. He loves the fact that she wants to help others and put an end to the craziness that is going on at her job, but he doesn't want her to get hurt. Looking at her determined face though he knows she won't back down. He has no choice but to support her in efforts.
"If that is how you truly feel, I will support you. But, we need to get your locks changed. Until then, you are staying with me." He pulls her close to him again and rubs her back gently.
They sit like this until Fitz's phone rings. Olivia stands up so that he can reach the phone in his back pocket. The caller ID reads Harrison.
"What's up Harrison?" he answers, pulling Olivia back down on his lap.
"Nothing man, just wanted to make sure everything was okay with you. You left out of here like a man on a mission."
"I'm fine. Something happened with Olivia."
"Oh man, anything I can do?"
Suddenly, Fitz had a thought. "Yeah, maybe. I need you, Petra, Peter and Sandy to come over to my house tonight. We need to put our heads together on a little project."
"Sure no problem. I'll talk to Peter right now. How about we pick up some pizzas on the way?"
"Thanks Harrison. See you later." Fitz ends the call and looks at Olivia.
"Baby, the Calvary is coming. We will figure out a way to help you catch Edison and his cronies."
She kisses him and whispers, "Thank you."
"I should go get some things from my apartment before everyone gets here," she says as she gets off of his lap.
"Okay, I will come with you."
"No, I can do it by myself. I'll be fine. Besides, I need to go see Mr. Diaz about my locks?" She kisses him again and then heads out the door.
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Olivia walks downstairs to Mr. Diaz's apartment and knocks on the door.
"Oh, hello Ms. Pope. What brings you to my door today?" Mr. Diaz asks with a warm smile.
"I need to have the locks on my front door changed please. I someone was in my apartment today."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Do we need to call the police? Was anything taken or broken?"
"No need to call the police. Nothing of value was taken. I would just feel safer having new locks."
"Of course, that is not a problem. I will put in a work order today. It will probably take until Monday to get it approved, but I will make sure it gets done."
"Thanks Mr. Diaz, I appreciate your help. I will be staying with a friend until the locks get changed, just call me when I can pick up the new keys."
"Not a problem Ms. Pope. Try and enjoy your weekend." He smiles again and closes the door. He checks the peep hole to make sure she has walked away before he pulls out his cellphone and places a call.
"Why are you calling me?" Edison asks annoyed.
"She says someone was in her apartment today and she wants to me to change the locks," Mr. Diaz responds.
"I wonder how she knew. No matter, just change the locks and make an extra set of keys for me."
"Of course, Mr. Davis," he says before disconnecting the call.
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Olivia shivers slightly as she enters her apartment, nothing looks disturbed or out of order but she can't shake the feeling of being violated. She heads to the bathroom to collect her toiletries and glances briefly at the clothes hamper. Her stomach rolls in disgust at the thought of Edison being in her apartment and touching her things. She quickly gathers what she needs for the next couple of days and returns to Fitz's apartment. He helps her put her things away in his bedroom room
"Here before I forget," he says with his hand extended. "It's a key to my apartment. Anytime you want to stay here you can."
"That's a pretty big step Fitz, giving me the key to your apartment."
"Look, I want you to be safe. Anytime you don't feel safe next door, I want you to feel free to come here. You can even come here when you feel safe. I just want you to know I am here for you."
She takes the key from him and puts it on the dresser next to her phone. "Thank you." She is moved by his words.
"Let's take a nap before the gang gets here," he suggests.
She nods as he hands her one of his t-shirts to sleep in and begins to undress. He quickly undresses down to his boxers and climbs into bed. She gets into bed and snuggles up next to him. She is emotionally and physically exhausted and falls asleep in moments. Fitz lays there listening to her breathe, plotting ways to end Edison Davis' life.
A/N: So most of you assumed it would be Edison at Olivia's door. Ha! That would have been too easy. Although he did show up later and took Liv's panties (the creep).
Poor Hope, she opened up a little to Liv, but she is still too scared to help herself.
Never fear, while Fitz is plotting ways to kill Edison, he won't do anything that will cause him to go to jail. Or maybe I should say he won't get caught at anything that would cause him to go to jail!
As always, comment/rave/rant I love it all! I do not own Scandal or its characters. But I wish I did!