Fitz had fallen asleep in a chair beside Mellie's bed. He had excused the nurse so he could be there if she needed anything when she woke up.

Mellie wakes up and sees him slumped in the chair next to the bed. He is unshaven, hair unkempt and he still wears the same clothing from the day before. He looks slightly younger in sleep. She just lay there looking at him for a minute. She doesn't want to disturb him just yet. Even now, as she looks at him, and despite all that has transpired she felt nothing for him, nothing in that romantic way that one should feel as a wife. She has a deep respect for Fitz, but there has never been the tender feelings of first love or anything like that. She lets out a breath as she feels the baby kick. She places her hands over her stomach and just lay there, relishing the quiet for a minute longer.

She'd almost lost the baby. She was still conflicted in her thoughts and emotions. She knows that she had gotten pregnant to save his presidency. She hadn't wanted to have another child, but she had to protect his legacy, their legacy. So she'd taken one for the team so to speak. But, when she'd almost lost him yesterday, was it relief that she'd felt when she regained consciousness? She's unsure, because right now as she lay there feeling the soft kicking hitting her abdomen, a single tear slipped down her cheek at the thought that this could have all turned out differently. She mouths to herself.

"I want this baby."

She hears Fitz begin to stir and she quickly wipes away the tear.

Fitz's eyes flutter open. He can feel the kinks in his neck and back from sleeping sitting up. The chair was not as comfortable as it looked. He looks over at Mellie and sees that she is awake. He goes to the side of the bed.

"Good morning. How do you feel?"

Fitz looks down at her. Mellie returns his gaze.

"I feel okay. Just a little thirsty."

Fitz grabs the pitcher of water from the nightstand and pours some water into the empty glass sitting next to it. He talks as he pours the water.

"You gave me quite a scare yesterday."

Mellie does not respond as she sits up against the pillows. Fitz reaches her the glass, as he sits on the edge of the bed. Mellie gulps down the contents of the glass. She hands the empty glass back to him. They sit in an awkward silence for a moment. Fitz stares at the empty glass he still holds in his hand and Mellie smooths the comforter that lays across her belly. They both begin to speak at once. There is uneasy laughter from both.

"I know it usually should be ladies first, but if you don't mind, I would really like to speak first."

Mellie nods her head. Fitz places the empty glass back on the nightstand and clears his throat.

"I know I've been an ass to you. I know that I have acted less than enthusiastic about this baby…"

He looks into her eyes before continuing. Debating whether to say more, whether to be honest about how he had felt during the crisis and decides against it.

"I'm just glad…that you…and the baby are alright."

He looks down at the comforter.

Mellie places her hand over his. He looks up at her again. They just look into each other's eyes. So many unsaid things lay between them. Mellie isn't sure what to say. Nothing she says can erase the past or things that she's done. She can't even say that she has many regrets about her actions. She also doesn't want to share her thoughts about the baby. Fitz looks down and pats her hand lying on top of his. They both just sit there, knowing that there isn't much to say.

Olivia hates having clients that don't listen. This client was proving to be a pain in the ass. She'd sent Quinn and Harrison to track them down again. They were a man down currently since she'd given Abby some time off. She happens to glance at the calendar on her desk and realizes that Fitz's birthday is coming up. She'd almost forgotten the plans that she had made when they had gotten back together. She needed to cancel them. She sighed. His birthday was in a week. It was wishful thinking to hope that somehow they would patch things up by then and be back in each other's arms. Olivia reaches down to her bottom desk drawer to retrieve something from her purse. She hears a knock on her office door and looks up to see Edison standing in the doorway. He leans against the door frame smiling at her.

"Hey."

Olivia breathes heavily before responding. She tries not to look annoyed.

"Hi."

He walks into her office and stands in front of her desk.

"I know what a workaholic you are and I thought I would come by and see if you wanted to grab some lunch."

He fingers a paperweight on her desk.

"I figured you probably hadn't eaten yet."

Olivia just stares at him. She'd forgotten what she meant to pull from her purse. How did he always manage to show up at the most inopportune times?

"I'm not hungry."

She looks back down at the paperwork on her desk.

"What's going on Olivia? I don't get it. I asked around. Everyone says that you haven't been in a serious relationship in a while, so why do you keep pushing me away?"

Edison tries not to sound exasperated as he waits for Olivia to respond. Olivia stands up from her desk.

"I don't owe you an explanation as to why I'm not interested in dating right now."

She looks at him challenging him. Edison does not look away. He speaks softly.

"We were good together, Olivia. We could still be good together, if you give me a chance."

Edison's eyes plead with her to let him in.

"I think you should go."

Olivia looks down at her desk.

"Next time I think you should call before just dropping by."

It's a moment before Edison begins to leave Olivia's office, but as he leaves, he tosses over his shoulder,

"I don't give up so easily, Olivia."

She looks up at his retreating back and watches as he disappears out the door.

She sits back in her chair. It would be so easy to just be with Edison. She could have the normal that Stephen had left to go enjoy, but she knew she'd be settling. Yes, Edison was safe and familiar and once upon a time she had loved him, but she no longer felt that way and she wasn't going to pretend or try and force herself to feel something she didn't. She knew right now she had nothing with Fitz, but there was hope.

She sat down at her desk and reached for her purse again, remembering what she was going to look for. She retrieved the cufflink from the inside pocket of her purse. It had come off in his haste to get her clothes off one night and he had forgotten it when he left. She had meant to return it to him, but never got around to it. Since she couldn't have any other keepsakes, because it was too dangerous, she had treasured this one memento. She rubbed it between her fingers as she thought of him.

Fitz rummaged through the drawer again. He hadn't been able to find the other cufflink anywhere. Who knows where he could have lost it. He removed the one he had already put on and it clinked as he dropped it onto the top of the dresser. They had been his favorite. He grabbed another pair and fastened them onto the wrists of his shirt. He checked his watch. Mellie seemed to be fairing better. After their awkward encounter this morning he had found an excuse to leave her side. Thankfully he had foreign dignitaries that he could not ignore, especially since Mellie would be okay.

He needed to find some time to think about his plans for The Council and what his next move would be. He knew he had everyone entrenched on his side, with the exception of Hollis. He would need to stay a few steps ahead of him. Cyrus had said that Hollis could be dangerous, but just how dangerous was the question. His mind wandered to Liv for a second. Would Hollis' be angry enough to take something out on her for getting him involved? For a moment his heartbeat quickened and his mouth went dry at the thought of Liv being hurt. He had to find out as much information about Hollis Doyle as he could. He needed to find something to keep him from acting out his anger on anyone he cared about. Fitz, never for a second, thought that any real danger could be aimed at him.

David had tried calling his ex, but the number he dialed had been disconnected. He was trying to figure out why she had told all of those lies to Abby. Had someone put her up to it? Was it Hollis, Olivia? Would Olivia really have stooped so low? Would she really have hurt Abby like that? It was nice to be back at work, but he was still consumed with this whole Olivia/Hollis cover-up. He wasn't sure what to do about Abby. She wouldn't take his phone calls and had threatened a restraining order if he tried to come near her again. He really liked Abby, a lot. He didn't know how he could fix things. He sighed as he pushed his glasses back up on his nose. He continued working on the brief that lay spread out across his desk. He really needed to come up with a game plan to figure out the Hollis/Olivia connection, win Abby back and still manage to keep his job. He knew it was a tall order, but he would manage it some how. He'd ring Alissa in a second and let her know that they would probably be working late. After all, she owed him a favor, since he'd been able to wrangle her from Jane, whom she loathed, when he'd returned to work.

As Fitz walked into her bedroom, Mellie sat propped against the pillows, wearing a ruffled gown, holding court with her chief of staff and some other people, looking for all the world like Scarlett O'Hara from 'Gone With the Wind'. 'Fiddle dee dee,' ran through his head for a second. She was supposed to be resting and instead here she was planning God knows what.

"What's going on here?"

"That will be all ladies. We'll reconvene tomorrow at 10am sharp."

They all began to file out of the room after Mellie's dismissal. Cyrus walked in as the last staff member left. Now Fitz was really on alert. Cyrus and Mellie working together again.

"What's going on?"

Fitz eyed them both suspiciously.

"We're planning your birthday bash, dear. You do remember your birthday is in a week."

Mellie smiled sweetly at him, as Cyrus took a seat.

"But, you're on bed rest until the baby is born."

Fitz looked from Mellie to Cyrus trying to confirm. Cyrus' eyes were downcast.

"The doctor has cleared me for that night and then like Cinderella I must be in bed before the end of the night or I turn into a pumpkin."

Mellie laughed at her own joke.

"Maybe it's a little too late for that, seeing as how I'm as big as a house right now. Whatever am I going to wear?"

She removed her focus from Fitz as she started thumbing through a magazine trying to find looks that would work for her pregnant body.

"Don't you think you should have asked me if I wanted some big affair? I'm not exactly in a festive mood," Fitz said with his eyes on Cyrus, thinking him a traitor.

Mellie never glanced up from the magazine as she responded to Fitz.

"Tsk, tsk darling. It's exactly what we need right now after our little scare, a celebration to let the public know that we are moving on. Tell him, Cy."

Cyrus finally speaks up.

"It's actually a really good idea and will show the American public that Mellie is doing well and that 'America's baby' is fine, healthy and strong…just like his father."

Cyrus, almost chokes on the last words. Mellie subtly flinches at Cyrus' words, but never takes her eyes from the pages of the magazine.

"I really don't want a party."

"We can't always get what we want, can we?"

She finally looks up as she delivers those words. They stare at each other for a moment. Despite this morning, it looked like civility was out of the question. Fitz was not going to be goaded by her. He turned on his heel to leave. As he walked away, he heard Mellie speak to Cyrus.

"I'll supply you the guest list in the morning, oh and make sure Olivia gets an invite."

Fitz almost stopped and walked back as he heard Mellie's last words. What was he doing? They might not have made up, but maybe at the party he could forgive her in person. It would be a nice birthday gift to get to hold her in his arms and dance. Maybe something good could come of this stupid party after all. He continued on his trip back to the Oval.

When the invitation had come days ago, Olivia had been excited by the prospect of seeing Fitz again. She knew Edison had received an invite as well, because he'd called her up to ask if she wanted to be his date. It must have been Mellie's attempt at being humorous. She was not amused. Olivia had turned him down, much to his dismay. She had found the perfect gold, strapless, floor length dress to wear for the occasion. She couldn't wait for tomorrow night. She was hoping to get a few moments alone with Fitz, but she was happy to get the chance to see him. They had not spoken since the night of the emergency.

She was happy they had just wrapped up the case. She'd gotten her client out of yet another scrape without them becoming tabloid fodder, all in a day's work. She had sat with Verna earlier during her chemo session. They hadn't really talked, just sat together, which was nice. She had already scheduled all of her appointments to get beautified for tomorrow night's event. She wanted to look amazing.

She was happy to be home. Abby was back in the office, back to being her naturally bossy, judgmental self. She never thought she'd say she was happy to have that back, but she was. It was nice to have everyone back on track. She nudged the guilt that tried to creep up at the methods she'd used to get everyone back on track. Not tonight. She was having a good night and she didn't want to spoil it, by having those thoughts. She munched the popcorn she had made upon her arrival home and sunk lower into the couch as she flipped through the channels, surfing for something to watch.

Her phone began to ring. Not tonight. She'd just gotten home, she didn't want to leave her comfortable position on the sofa. She reluctantly picked up.

"Hello."

"Hi."

Olivia instantly sat up and hit the mute button on the remote.

"Hi."

There was silence on the line as neither one of them spoke. She settled back into her seat, waiting for him to say something.

"I'd told Mellie and Cy that I didn't want a party, but as usual my requests get ignored."

Olivia wanted to keep things light, keep him on the line.

"You're just upset, because you're becoming an old man."

Fitz snorted as he began to laugh.

"I'm not old."

Olivia laughed along with him.

"Keep telling yourself that…old man."

Fitz laughed softly and then sobered.

"Are you coming tomorrow night?"

"Yes."

Olivia held the phone waiting. Was he going to ask her not to come? Did he want to see her? She could hear his hesitation as he prepared to ask his next question. She was holding her breath.

"Are you bringing a date?"

"No," she breathed out. That was a good sign if he was asking her if she was bringing a date. There was another awkward silence. Fitz finally broke the silence, changing the subject.

"We should schedule another meeting, so we can decide what the next course of action should be. Can you set that up?"

"…Yes."

She was not going to be disappointed. She knew he was protecting himself. She had to resign herself to the fact that him forgiving her could take a little longer than she would like, but at least it still seemed like he cared. Why else would he ask her if she had a date?

"Good…I guess I'll see you tomorrow night."

With that he hung up the phone. Olivia hung up the phone and picked up her remote. She just sat there for a while in the silence of her apartment, the TV casting its eerie, blue glow over her.

The call was picked up after the first ring. The person who answered said nothing, but the caller's voice was recognizable.

"So you should be prepared for tomorrow night. You'll have a perfect shot. Don't miss."

The other person hung up without speaking.

Fitz woke the morning of his birthday feeling better than he'd felt in a while. It was always good to hear her voice. He was happy that she did not have a date. He was resolved to put things right between them. He could hear the hope in her voice last night. He was looking forward to tonight, but he had to get through the rest of the day, before he could enjoy dancing with her. He refused to let Cyrus or Mellie ruin his good mood as he went about his day.

The night had finally arrived. Mellie had had her gown specially designed. She preened in front of the mirror in the hallway. She looked good despite being pregnant.

"Excuse me, First Lady, I was told to deliver this to you."

One of the assistants from her office ran up to her with an envelope. Mellie was waiting patiently for the limo to be brought around so they could head to the party. She was standing in the foyer with the Secret Service agents. Fitz had not yet joined them.

"Can't this wait."

"I was told it was urgent," the out of breath assistant wheezed.

"Fine."

She snatched it out of their hand as they backed off and returned to the office.

Mellie tore open the envelope and a small slip of paper dropped out. As she read it, her eyes got big.

'Someone's been very naughty and tonight they must pay.'

Just then she heard the limo pulling up outside and Fitz walked towards them. She was trying to figure out what to do as she was ushered towards the car.

"Let's get this show on the road. The quicker we hurry up and get there, the quicker this will all be over."

She heard Fitz say.

She was hustled into the vehicle and Fitz followed behind her. She shivered as she thought about the implications of the note. She looked at Fitz as he stared out the window. She knew the drive wasn't that long to their destination. They could be moving targets even now. Was there anyway to stop what was surely to come tonight? What could she say? Who could she tell? She had no idea where the note had come from or what the sadistic creep had in store for them, but why send her the note?

She felt the car slowing down. What was she going to do?

"Fitz, I've changed my mind. Let's turn around and go home."

Fitz chuckled, but it wasn't good-natured.

"Are you serious?! This whole thing had been your idea, remember? And now you want to back out?"

She could hear the irritation in his voice.

"I know, chalk it up to hormones, but we should go back."

Fitz was oblivious to the jitteriness that Mellie was exhibiting as she looked around nervously, trying to see out the windows. The car pulled to a stop.

"What, now you're not feeling well? We have a lot of people waiting on us, that YOU invited."

"Let's not go. I don't want to go. I feel…I don't wanna go," she pleaded.

"We can't always get what we want, can we?"

Fitz said giving her back her own words from days ago. She swallowed as he opened up his door and proceeded to get out despite Mellie clutching his arm. He waved to the crowd as Mellie joined him. She franticly looked around not caring that she wasn't waving to her adoring public who was there supporting not only Fitz in his birthday celebration, but her recovery and health and the health of 'America's baby'.

"You should wave to your adoring fans."

Fitz said with a tight smile on his face.

She half-heartedly put her hand up to wave still unable to mask her unease as she searched for the threat. Suddenly as she stepped into Fitz's space to whisper in his ear, a shot rang out. Mellie felt a warm sensation. She looked up in Fitz's eyes and saw them take on a weird look; that was when she noticed, the red blossoming on his shirt.

"Fitz?"

She barely whispered, as they both fell backward, crashing into the limo. It all seemed to happen in slow motion as she heard the chaos ensue and felt the pressure of the bodies of the secret agents who had swung into action to protect them. Then her world faded to black.

Olivia sat in the back of the limo trying to figure out why they were moving at such a snail's pace. What was going on? Such heavy traffic tonight. She knew many of D.C.'s elite had been invited to the president's birthday bash, but was it really making traffic more horrendous than usual? There were events all the time in the city. She smoothed out her dress and then took her compact from her purse as she checked her make-up again. She wasn't sure why she was nervous. Actually yes, she did. She was hoping things could change between them tonight.

Her cell phone rung in her clutch. She took it out and saw Cyrus' number. He was probably calling her to berate her for running late. Well, she would give him a piece of her mind. She had no control over traffic.

"Cyrus, I am stuck in traffic. I'll be…"

Cyrus cut her off.

"Liv, he's been shot, they've both been shot…"

Olivia dropped the phone. She felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She felt dizzy. This couldn't be happening. She could hear Cyrus' voice still on the other end of the line, but she couldn't will her body to move and pick up the phone. She felt caged in this car, in this traffic. She couldn't get to him. She couldn't be with him. She said a silent prayer to herself. 'Please, let him be okay. Let him live.'

Wait! Had Cyrus said, 'They'd been shot?!'

Olivia slowly retrieved the phone from the floor of the car. As she brought the phone to her ear, she could hear Cyrus calling her name. She knew she had to be the fixer right now and get to the hospital as quickly as possible. She had to put her feelings and emotions on the back burner. She had to help Cy…and be able to be there to make sure she knew first hand, what was going on with Fitz.

"I'm here Cy."