Disclaimer: I do not own the LG characters they belong to the wonderful people of Lost Girl, Showcase, Prodigy, et al. And all Scandal characters belong to the Goddess (of The Underworld) Shonda Rhimes, Shondaland, and AB
They were moments away from her last speaking engagement in Birmingham and Lauren was pacing around so she wouldn't think about the fact that she was going to be speaking to a crowd of almost a thousand people. While she paced Olivia asked her questions about the key points that she was supposed to cover at this event. Lauren was making her second lap around the backstage area when she saw Cara walk through the door that led to it. Ever since Montgomery the woman had been cold and distant towards her and Lauren assumed that it was because of the latest scandal. But Lauren felt there was more to it. Something more hostile.
She watched as Cara walked over to Olivia then she gave the woman her phone. Olivia tapped something on the screen and Lauren could hear the audio coming from it but she wasn't able to make out the words so she moved closer to the two women. As she peered over Olivia's shoulder she saw that a video of Bo's dad was playing and he was talking to the press as he walked out of the congressional building. "Why yes I did see Dr. Lewis's interview in the Washington Post today and I think her not commenting on the fact that she is manipulating my unstable daughter is deplorable." The dark haired man commented. His Georgia accent made the statement seem as though Lauren had committed an abomination against the church. "Now I know you fine folks of the press know about my daughter Bo and her long fight with her alcohol and drug addiction. I have tried to help her but she refuses it. What's not to say that my daughter isn't on one of her benders or mental episodes? Does this give Dr. Lewis the right to take advantage of her for some political ploy?" The senator got an angry look upon his face, "It certainly doesn't and I for one am not going to stand for it."
Off-screen a reporter asked, "Senator have you spoken with your daughter on the matter?"
A lump formed in Lauren's throat. She knew that Bo had seen her father last night and now she realised what Bo had meant by the comment she had made on the phone. Bill answered the question, "I did reach out to my daughter and she did visit me last night at my office but she was under the influence and the conversation didn't go as I had hoped it would." The man had the right to look sad for his wayward daughter, "All I want to say is that I hope that Dr. Lewis can see that what she's doing is wrong and that she realises that Bo needs to get the help that she greatly deserves." He paused and looked into the camera, "I implore her to remember her physician's oath of first do no harm."
The video ended and as Cara closed out of the application that it had been playing on she remarked, "You certainly know how to pick them huh Lauren? A drunkard with a drug addiction and daddy issues."
Lauren stood there seething and Cara's snide remark only added to her anger. She looked at the woman and snapped, "You're fired Cara. I want you off my campaign and I want you the fuck away from me. You have done nothing constructive during this entire Bo scandal." She stepped closer to her and said in a biting tone, "Clearly there is a reason why Olivia keeps sending you away. So I'm helping her and doing this campaign a huge favour by firing you. Now go."
"Lauren-"
"No. She leaves now." Lauren stated as she stared Cara down for a moment then she headed for to an isolated part of the backstage area. She was lucky that Lauren had been that nice. The real person she wanted to unleash her anger onto was Bo's dad. The man clearly had no idea who his daughter was and was using whatever drivel the tabloids and newspapers reported about her in his favour.
Olivia watched as Lauren stalked away from the two women. Angry Lauren was back except this time she was in love and not wallowing in self-pity. She looked at Cara, who's face held a mixture of expressions, and sighed, "Give her some space Cara."
The other woman scoffed and remarked, "She can have all the fucking space she wants."
Olivia took a deep breath as she watched Cara walk out to the auditorium. Maybe this was the thing that would rid her of her infatuation with Lauren. She walked over to Lauren and when she was close enough Olivia said, "That woman is the only reason why I'm here so you essentially owe your campaign to her. Treating her like crap because you're pissed doesn't help anything."
"Yeah well her acting like a bitch towards Bo for no reason isn't helping anything." Lauren retorted then she ran her hand through her hair, "I can't believe that man. He is the world's worst father and he uses his daughter to make me seem like a villain." She let out a frustrated breath then said, "I can't believe this shit."
Olivia moved to where she was standing in front of Lauren and advised, "I know you're mad but you can't go out there mad." She pointed out to the stage, "They're expecting you to be collected, put together, and mild-mannered." Knowing that Olivia was right Lauren took several deep breaths and Olivia nodded, "Good. Take a few more then you'll be okay."
One of the event organisers came up to them and smiled, "Dr. Lewis if you're ready it's time for your speech."
Lauren gave a slight nod. If these people wanted a speech then she would give them one. Screw the repercussions. Olivia walked over to the stage with Lauren and when the presenter announced her name she made her way to the podium. As the doctor walked across the stage Olivia hoped that Lauren would be able to keep it together. Lauren smiled out at the applauding crowd then said, "I would like to thank each of you for being here and believing in me to bring about the change that is needed to get this country where it should be."
She paused for a moment as the crowd cheered then as the noise died down she continued, "As most of you are aware of by now, in the last twenty-four hours it has been reported about my connection with Bo Dennis, Senator William Dennis's daughter. Though our relationship is a private matter I will not stand by and let the woman I love be vilified by her own father on national television." Lauren got a determined look on her face as she began to tear into the man and his politics, "Senator Dennis is a man who has proven time and time again that he cannot be trusted to run this country. He sides with the big corporations while defunding the programs that build up our education system or programs that benefit those that are struggling to provide food for their families. Senator Dennis has also proven that, despite his family rhetoric, he is no family man. It is all a farce to gain the religious right's money. He should be defending his wayward daughter but instead he is using her build up his campaign. In short Senator Dennis is a man who has contradicted himself time and time again."
Olivia was clenching her jaw. Lauren wasn't ready for this type of politics. These type of politics, the aggressive politics, were going eat her and her campaign alive. Olivia began to think about the combative strategy that the campaign would now have to take when Lauren began to discuss a topic that caused her anger to rise, "And though Senator Dennis is probably the worst option for everyday, hardworking citizens; he isn't as bad as his middle of the road-Republican compatriot Fitzgerald Grant." She paused for effect then began to explain why Fitz wasn't a good president, "President Grant has done enough to appease the American populace yet at the same time he has waged wars in countries that we have no right being in. If you take a look at President Grant's track record you can see that he has based all his decisions on whichever outcome will gain him favour with whatever party is in control of congress. Before mid-term elections he was conservative in the legislation that he signed or supported yet after mid-term elections he became more moderate, and dare I say liberal, in regards to his legislation because the Democratic party now has control of both the House and Senate." Lauren could feel her heart race as her passion rose, "The American people do not deserve a President who is this loose with their beliefs. They need someone who is consistent and will stand behind what they believe. And I'm not saying that it has to be me but it has to be someone who is willing to fight for the American people."
As Lauren continued Olivia stood in the wings seething with anger. The woman on stage had crossed a line by laying into Fitz. Olivia knew why Fitz had made the decisions he had made. She had been the one to provide him counsel on legislation when Cyrus failed to make him see the bigger pictures. When Congress had him in a vice she was there to make him feel better about the decision he had made because Fitz had felt as though he had failed the people he was supposed to lead. Lauren had no right to talk about him like that especially since she had no clue what the man had been through for the last four years. Olivia stood rooted in her spot and she glared at the woman who was giving the most fervent speech of her campaign. The tables had turned for the Lewis campaign.
Lauren gave a final wave to the cheering crowd then made her way off the stage. As she walked behind the curtain that hid the backstage area Lauren saw the scathing look in Olivia's eyes and she knew the woman was mad at her. She could admit that going off script wasn't a good idea but Bo's dad had brought Bo into a political race that she had no right being in. However she couldn't start in on Dennis without mentioning the current President's own transgressions. She had wanted to speak on it for awhile considering every candidate was taking a jab at her but she had been a candidate who was placed above all the mudslinging. But all that had been forgotten when Bill Dennis decided to use Bo as political fodder. Olivia watched her every movement as she walked down the stairs and as she passed by her the woman asked in a low, dangerous tone, "Do you have any idea what you've just done?"
Lauren looked at her campaign manager and stated, "I do. I expressed my views on the other candidates that are in the race and their shortcomings."
"Including the current president?"
Lauren regarded Olivia for a moment then remarked in concise manner, "I know you have a past with him but he's not above reproach Olivia. He's not the golden boy you thought he was. He is flawed. So much so that I do believe it has had a detrimental effect on his presidency." She narrowed her eyes at the woman, "And if you believe that is someone who should be in office then clearly you're as flawed as he is."
Olivia stepped closer to the blonde and in cold, hard tone she warned, "You do not want to cross this line Lauren. You have no idea what President Grant has to go through to keep this country safe." She gave Lauren a pointed look, "So I advise you, Dr. Lewis, to mind what you say about the Grant administration or they will destroy your campaign."
"Be that as it may. The people have a right to know about those that are leading them. Let my campaign get destroyed. But if it's destroyed it's only because I spoke the truth." Lauren countered. Her tone daring Olivia to challenge her. She might have crossed the line but she wasn't going to idly stand by while Bo was attacked by another politician. Even if that other politician was her father.
Olivia let out a slow breath through her nose and decided to take a rational route instead of letting her emotions fuel her anger, "Lauren, I understand that you're angry but you need to keep a level head about this. You are not ready to play this type of politics. Believe me."
Lauren's voice rose as she argued, "I don't fucking care. I'm not going to fail Bo like I did Rachel. Rachel, like Bo, had been an innocent bystander in all this and she ended up being murdered." Her vision began to blur with unshed tears, "I didn't protect Rachel, but I'm going to protect Bo with everything that I have. So what if I lose the election? Or so what if I'm destroyed? At least the woman I love will be safe from the darker side of the political arena."
Lauren turned around then walked away from Olivia and she watched as several Secret Service agents covered the woman. Lauren was right in her anger. Her anger wasn't just because of the attack on Bo it was because of that and everything else that this campaign had put her through. Olivia let out an aggravated sigh. It was time for Lauren to concede. She wasn't thinking about the campaign any longer and now she had a huge target on her back.
xXxXxX
Olivia's phone had been ringing non-stop since the senator's remarks this morning but it seemed to have gotten worse after the national networks had picked up Lauren's speech from this morning. The people seemed to respond to a fierce Lauren and the news pundits seemed to like her defensive stance in regards to Bo. Olivia's private line began to ring and she answered it, "Olivia Pope."
"You would think that another scandal would teach Lauren Lewis to keep her head down and shut up but no. Here she is vilifying a sitting president as if he were nothing but some junior representative. Why can't you keep control of your candidate?" Cyrus asked and each word came out more biting than the last.
Olivia let out a tired sigh. She was due to be on the bus in an hour because Lauren's campaign was headed to Jackson, Mississippi for the next stop and it was going to be a long bus ride. "I advise my candidate Cyrus, but ultimately, anything she says is up to her."
"Then advise her to keep her mouth shut on subjects she isn't knowledgeable on." He shouted into the phone.
There was some shuffling and Olivia could hear Fitz's voice in the background then he got on the phone, "Olivia..."
Olivia bit her bottom lip then said, "Fitz."
"I'll have to come after her." He stated.
She had known that this was going to happen but what Olivia hadn't been expecting was a phone call. She cleared her throat and replied, "I know Fitz and we will fight back with what we have in response."
Fitz took a deep breath then sighed, "She needs to get out of this Liv."
Olivia didn't say anything. Instead she hung up the phone. If Fitz was being understanding about this whole matter and telling her that Lauren should drop out it meant that something big was coming from his administration. He was warning her. Olivia shook her head and muttered, "Dammit Lauren."
Lauren was pacing around her room. Now that she was alone and not consumed with a boiling rage the severity of her speech and what she had said had finally hit her. She was still angry because Bo's father was the worst example of what a father should be and the fact that he had thrown Bo under the bus all for some political game made her want to commit an act of violence against the man. But her anger had also driven her to take several shots at President Grant and even though she didn't regret any of it but Lauren was still astonished by her verbal tirade. Then the biggest thing that had her freaking out was the fact that she had told a group of almost a thousand people that she loved Bo. She hadn't even told Bo that she loved her. Lauren hadn't even admitted out loud that she loved Bo. She stopped pacing and placed her hand on her stomach. She felt like she was going to throw-up. Luckily there was a knock on her door and she had to take several deep breaths to rid herself of her nausea before opening the door. Sean was standing in front of it and he chuckled, "You just like giving the press ammo don't you?"
Lauren got a confused look on her face, "What are you talking about?"
He moved out of the way and she saw that Bo standing behind him. Lauren was about to smile but before she could do anything Bo rushed forward and captured her lips for a kiss that made her breath catch in her throat. Lauren moved her hands to Bo's hips and she pulled her closer as she moaned. The kiss turned into an intense and passionate one and Lauren could tell that Bo wanted to take it further but that wasn't possible because the door to her room wide open and Sean was standing less than a foot away. Bo must have realised that and she pulled away then rested her forehead on Lauren's before whispering, "You love me?"
When she saw the tears glimmering in Bo's eyes Lauren's heart clenched at the sight of them. She pressed another kiss onto Bo's lips then said, "Of course I love you. Did you doubt that I did? Especially after the other night?"
A small laugh escaped Bo's lips then she said, "No but there was a part of me that thought that you would regret everything and tell me that it was all mistake."
Lauren moved away from Bo and shook her head as she said in an earnest voice, "No Bo I would never regret anything with you nor would I think this, whatever it is, is a mistake." She pulled Bo into the room and she glanced at Sean who was trying to suppress a smile. After she closed the door Lauren turned to look at Bo then as she moved closer to her she sighed, "Bo you provided me an endless amount of support at a time when I was going to self-destruct. You let me lash out at you and you held me when I blamed myself for Rachel's murder." She looked away and let out a breath. Bo took hold of her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She looked back at her and with a small smile on her face she continued, "I still do but with you here I don't blame myself so much. So yes Bo I love you. More than anything."
Bo looked in her eyes for another moment then she stepped closer to Lauren and kissed her. As she pulled back she whispered, "I love you too."
Lauren's heart soared once she heard the words and she smiled, "You're not mad that I confessed my love for you to a crowd of almost a thousand people while bashing your father and his politics?"
Bo chuckled and said, "No I'm not mad." Her smile faded a bit as she continued, "I'm just worried now Lauren. You didn't just go after my father. You went after Grant and his administration is ruthless. Cyrus Beene has a reputation for ending political careers."
Lauren shook her head. There were too many thoughts running through her mind that prevented her from worrying about her political career although she should. "It doesn't matter. And you're sure you're not mad about me saying that I love you like that?"
Bo chuckled then brushed a lock of hair out of Lauren's face as she remarked, "No Lauren I'm not. Trust me." She grinned, "I thought it would be a year before you would say something of that nature."
Lauren smiled and replied, "I doubt you would have stuck around that long. You probably would have given up after another month."
Bo got a slight frown on her face as she said, "Lauren I'm not certain where this is coming from but you need to understand one thing." She got a an honest and open look in her eyes that made Lauren nervous to find out what Bo was going to say next. "No matter if it had taken you a year, two years, or an entire fucking lifetime I will always be by your side. You hold a special place in my heart now that I wouldn't allow anyone else to fill. You mean everything and so much more to me." She smiled, "You're a beautiful person no matter if you're angry or sad or happy and I will always want such beauty in my life."
Bo's words could have been taken a number of ways and the intensity behind them could only mean one thing but Lauren wasn't ready to deal with such powerful emotions. She moved away from Bo and sighed, "What about your father Bo? He's making claims that I'm taking advantage of you and that you're unstable mentally."
Bo let out an irritated breath, "That man doesn't belong in our current conversation nor does he demand any of our attention. He's a bigot and eventually one day he will not matter."
Lauren tilted her head a little as she looked at Bo and said, "Bo I have to worry about him. He is running against me." She sighed and asked, "What happened between you and your father for you to dismiss him the way you do? You tell me not to worry about him or you end any conversation about him by saying he's a bigot." She chuckled a little, "I know that Bo but he's my opponent so he has significance on my life, but more than anything," She moved to where Bo was standing and took her hand, "I need to know what I'm protecting you against now that he has dragged you into this."
Tears formed in Bo's eyes and Lauren began to regret her decision to press the other woman about the topic but she stayed silent. Bo took a deep breath then stated, "He broke me Lauren. He didn't physically abuse me but the verbal abuse growing up was so bad. The things he would call me and the things he would say to me were so painful and hateful." A tear escaped from one of her eyes and before it could make its way down her cheek Bo wiped it away, "He called me a deviant and told me how he hoped that my life would turn to shit. It was worse than that but I can't…" Lauren nodded even though her heart broke as she listened to Bo talk about her relationship with her father. Bo continued, "He never treated me like I was his child. He treated me like I was some burden that he never wanted to deal with. So I did fall into drugs and alcohol to deal with all my shit but my aunt on my mom's side she saved me. I went into rehab and I got help but that was years ago however I held onto my wild child press persona because I knew it pissed him off." She got a wry smile on her face, "There you go. My tragic back story."
Lauren cupped Bo's cheek as she said, "I'm so sorry Bo. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. You should have stopped me."
Bo covered her hand with her own and sighed, "You're already forgiven Lauren. You would have learned about all this eventually. I'm just upset that the circumstances made it sooner."
"Screw the circumstances Bo." Lauren said in a quiet voice, "All I care about is you and I'm not going to let this continue. I'm not going to let you become a political ploy."
Lauren wrapped her arms around Bo and she held the woman as the two of them stood in the middle of her room. Moments later the door to her room opend and Olivia walked in. Lauren let out an annoyed sigh before remarking, "You can't just barge in here without knocking."
"I told you that she was to stay away from the campaign." Olivia said as the door closed behind her. She watched as Bo moved away from Lauren and made her way over to the couch. Bo had given Lauren a small smile and the look on her face was one of love and adoration. A pang of jealousy went through Olivia but she shook it off then said, "We need to have a discussion in regards to your new relationship as well as your strategy against the Republican Party."
Lauren sat down next to Bo on the couch and as she took her hand she told Olivia, "There's nothing to discuss. Just because Bo's father has dragged her name into this doesn't mean I will be doing the same."
Olivia paced in front of the couch as she said, "I'm not talking about that. If you want her to stay out of it then that's fine but the press will have questions. Legitimate questions that deserve answers. Questions about how serious this is. Questions about Rachel's death. Questions about how Bo will fit into your campaign." She stopped in front of Lauren and gave her serious looked, "I need you to understand that Bo isn't just another woman. She is your opponent's daughter and this is newsworthy."
Bo gave Lauren's hand a reassuring squeeze and said, "I won't mind Lauren. If we need to do an interview or some-"
"No. We're not doing it. Bo Dennis will not be synonymous with the Lewis campaign. She is her own person. I don't want her involved at all." Lauren argued leaving no room for discussion. She let go of Bo's hand then stood up to pace behind the couch. Lauren stood behind Bo's spot on the couch and she placed her hands on the back it then bent down to kiss the top of her head. This was all she needed. This woman right here and she would be happy. She no longer cared about the presidency. Not after everything that she had lost and now that she was getting more than that she didn't want to lose it. Lauren stood up straight and looked at Olivia, "I think it's time for me to concede."
Bo stood up and argued, "Lauren no. Think about what you're doing and how many people you could help."
Lauren got a small smile on her face as she said, "I can help them another way. If my heart isn't in it anymore Bo what good will I do as president?" She moved to where she was standing in front of Bo then she wrapped her arm around her waist before saying in a low voice, "My heart has found something that fulfils it completely and I'm happy. So I think it's time."
Bo looked in her eyes then placed a soft kiss on her forehead then she murmured against it, "Are you certain?"
Lauren took a deep breath. She believed that she was certain but she wanted to think about it. Bo had been right about one thing, there were people who believed in her and wanted her to see this through. Then on top of that there was so much she had lost on the campaign yet at the same time she had gained so much. Olivia watched the couple in front of her. Lauren did a complete one eighty when she was Bo. She was happy, relaxed, and she looked content. If Lauren conceded then it would be the right choice because she would be happy regardless. Lauren moved away from Bo then said to Olivia, "I need to think about it."
Olivia gave her a curt nod and told her, "Okay but don't think too long about it because once primaries begin then you will have to see this through. Until then we will continue with the tour." She headed for the door and she told Lauren over her shoulder, "The bus will be leaving in an hour Lauren so be prepared and don't get distracted."
Lauren smirked at Bo as she responded, "I will be ready to go before then Liv."
Olivia left out of the room and after the door closed behind her and Bo asked, "Are you really ready to concede this race? Lauren I don't want you to do something because you're afraid that something will happen to me."
Lauren gave Bo a quick kiss then went over to the closet and she pulled out her travel outfit for the day. She glanced at Bo then said, "That does play a part in this Bo, but that's not all there is." She walked over to Bo and took her hand then led her over to the couch where they sat down. Lauren looked down at their clasped hands and sighed before she proceeded to open up to Bo, "Rachel and I didn't have a good marriage. It hadn't been good for awhile. I had pushed her into the arms of another woman and I wasn't completely oblivious to the fact that I had done so but I also did nothing to stop it. We had been happy once before but between work and our ambitious careers as surgeons, well mine, it became her sacrificing more than I was." Lauren bit her bottom lip as tears formed in her eyes. She may have gotten to a point where she could move forward with Bo but the pain and guilt over Rachel still existed.
She took a deep breath then continued, "I was willing to sacrifice or compromise but she said that she was okay with it when clearly she hadn't been. Then Rachel wanted a family. At that point I was about to be published for a medical procedure that eliminated the need for invasive surgery and it was going to boost my career. At the same time her career was also moving forward. We decided that it wasn't the time for us to start a family and we held off. But I screwed up. I started getting involved in politics which was soon followed by my decision to run." Lauren took a moment to get a handle on the guilt that was now consuming her mind. She was brought back to reality when Bo placed a finger under her chin to lift her head then she wiped away the tears that were now staining Lauren's cheeks.
There was nothing but gentle support in Bo's eyes and a silent indication telling her that she didn't have to continue if she didn't want to. Lauren gave the woman who was becoming her everything a small smile to thank her then she blew out a shaky breath before saying, "We came to an agreement. I could run but once the election was over we were to start a family weather I won or not." Her eyes slipped close, "But we never got to that point." After another steadying breath Lauren opened her eyes and gazed into Bo's with an earnest look in hers, "I don't want another relationship like that. Where there is nothing but sacrifice from one of us. It leads to resentment and anger and I don't want that for us. We have something that is indescribable. It pulled me from a dark depression and it is my tether from the pain, guilt, and stress that I feel. So if conceding is the only way to preserve that then I will because I love you more than this campaign Bo."
Silent tears fell from Bo's eyes and Lauren reached out to wipe them away like Bo had done for her. The other woman chuckled, "It's an emotional day for us." Lauren let out a small laugh and Bo smiled, "Lauren if you want to be president I'm not going to stop you. Hell I want you to be president. Me supporting you in that isn't me compromising anything. I'll still do my work like I have always done. But if you think concession is the best then I'll stand behind you on that as well. As long as I'm with you then I don't care what you choose."
Lauren smiled at Bo. She knew what she wanted to do. She leaned in and took gentle hold of Bo's face before pressing their lips together for a kiss that she hoped conveyed how much she loved, respected, and admired the woman. The kiss lasted a second longer then she pulled back and whispered, "I love you Bo Dennis."
Bo smiled and replied in a quiet voice, "I love you too Dr. Lewis."
As Olivia walked away from Lauren's room her mind began to wonder as to what she would do if Lauren did decide to concede. It was something that she should probably figure out now because the look on Lauren's face told her that the woman would be dropping out of the race by the end of the month. Lauren's heart had found a new home and a new purpose and it lied with the woman that she had fallen in love with. A fleeting thought of joining Fitz's campaign crossed her mind as she pressed the down button for the elevator but as soon as the lift arrived Olivia realised that wasn't possible. She wasn't that woman anymore. Willing to start a clandestine affair with a married man and falling for the whispered promises that he had told her.
Even if working on Fitz's campaign would give her redemption for how she had gotten him elected the first time around she didn't want to be in that position again. It was bad enough that she had sex with him when they were in Florida. The lift came to a stop on the mezzanine level of the hotel and she walked down the corridor to the large conference room that was serving as temporary office quarters for Lauren's tour staff. When she walked into the room she found Cara ordering interns around about latest polls and how Lauren's remarks as well as Senator Dennis's comments were affecting the numbers. Green eyes spotted her and Cara walked over to her then she asked, "Is she going to make a statement and denounce her relationship with Bo Dennis?"
Olivia studied the woman before her. Cara's reactions to Bo and Lauren's public declaration of love for the woman had gotten to a point that Olivia was starting to believe that this was more than a severe infatuation. Olivia took hold of Cara's upper arm then pulled her over to a quiet corner then in a forced whisper she said, "Cara whatever your deal is with Lauren and Bo Dennis you need to get over. Lauren has chosen her and that's that." She sighed then told her, "Lauren is going to concede."
"What? Why? For that whore?"
Olivia was taken back by Cara's choice of words and she stated in a clip tone, "It doesn't matter why she's conceding that is her personal choice and we will stand by it."
Cara scoffed then spat, "Of course you would support her decision. Don't think I haven't heard the rumours Olivia. You and President Grant and the late night consultation meetings. There is something there and if you don't want it leaked to the press you will do everything in your power to make sure that Lauren stays in this race."
Olivia didn't take kindly to threats and she warned, "Cara you might want to go take a break and get your thoughts together before I get rid of you permanently."
The two stared each other down then Cara turned away from her and stalked out of the conference. Olivia wasn't certain what other interest Cara had in Lauren but she wanted to find out if there were any. Olivia pulled out her phone and called Huck. After the first ring it was picked up and she said, "Huck I need a favour."
The hacker's gruff voice came through the line, "Sure thing Liv. We're still working on how that information was submitted to the bank in the Caymans."
Olivia nodded her head and said, "Good. Can you look into Cara Lopez? Tell me what she's been up to for the last few years. Look into her financials and look for anything suspicious or anything concerning Lauren."
"Sure thing Liv. I'll get you any information right away." Huck told her and she could hear the tapping of his fingers flying across the keyboard that was in front of him.
She sighed and said, "Thanks Huck. I'll call back later." Olivia ended the call and she hoped that her gut was wrong. But it was typically never wrong and if that was the case then she would have to make sure that Cara had no interaction with Lauren for the rest of the campaign.
This was a loaded chapter but so good. I've never done political intrigue but I could probably do it again. Review please! Pretty please? I've been begging a lot. It's not beneath me. Please review!
