A/N: Sorry this has taken a while! I'm trying to write slightly longer chapters lately because I think I prefer them, but let me know what your preference is.

"What?" Olivia fixes Fitz with a look from behind her laptop.

"Nothing."

"You're staring."

A rueful grin tugs at the corners of his mouth. "Sorry. Can't help it."

In the days that passed, Fitz had rearranged his office to accommodate Olivia. He'd removed the huge couch adjacent to the wall lined with bookcases and in its place he'd bought a brand new desk to match his, so she had her own space to work. He'd forgotten how much he enjoys working alongside her; her presence alone is comforting.

Comforting, yet incredibly distracting.

"You're supposed to be going over plans for your library." Olivia scolds softly, trying to hide an amused smile.

"I actually finished about half an hour ago, while you were on the phone," Fitz admits as he tosses the closed folder sitting on his lap onto the coffee table. "Are you hungry? I was thinking pasta for dinner. I've got a great pesto recipe."

"Sure, sounds good." She unplugs her laptop and picks it up as she rounds her desk. "Wanna take a look at the apartments I'm going to view this week?"

"Of course."

Olivia passes her laptop to Fitz and perches on the armrest of his brown leather chair. His eyes skims through the photos, quickly reading the details of each place.

"What is it?" She asks tentatively, noting the slight frown creasing his forehead.

"I don't know… They're nice apartments but I don't think any of them are right for you."

"I'll redecorate and make it my own, wherever I end up living."

"Yeah, I guess."

He's holding back, she can see it in his eyes and the way his lips purse together. She takes the laptop and closes the lid, setting it down beside his paperwork on the coffee table.

"Talk to me, Fitz."

Fitz heaves a sigh and leans back in his chair. "I'm concerned for your safety. I don't feel like the security of any of these places is going to be tight enough."

"Huck's always protected me." Olivia reasons weakly, knowing his worries aren't unfounded; he's been uneasy about the prospect of her being alone ever since Jake had shown up… And he isn't alone in that fear.

"There's only so much he can do for you... He wasn't there when you needed somebody to be." His jaw tightens and she knows he was battling with his own unresolved rage. She places her hand over his clenched fist, stroking her thumb over his knuckles. "He agrees with me, Liv."

"You spoke to him?" Her head snaps up and she freezes, eyes wide.

Fitz turns her hand over, tracing his finger along a crease in her palm. "You refuse to hire a bodyguard… I had to say something. We're both worried, we just want you safe."

Olivia softens at the deeprooted concern and love in his voice, but it doesn't do much to quell the nausea sweeping through her. Without saying a word, she repositions herself in his lap and curls her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest. He is her safe place.

"I'll call my realtor when I'm back on Thursday."

"God damn," Olivia is breathless, sweaty and her body aches from physical exertion. "I can't even keep up with you anymore."

Fitz throws his head back with a laugh. "You're out of practice, don't take it out on me."

They're making their way back from a morning run when she has to stop. Her injuries from the accident had healed but she hasn't built her strength back up yet and, of course, she's struggling to be patient with that fact.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" She glares up at him from her position bent over, her hands resting on her knees.

"I'm not, I swear." He laughs again.

"You know, you could go easy on me." Olivia stands up straight, lifting a hand to wipe her brow.

"And where would the fun be in that?" A teasing smirk outlines Fitz's lips.

"The least you can do is walk back with me. I don't think I can run."

"Okay."

"Good."

"So, I've been thinking," Fitz starts as they begin the walk back through the orchard to the house. His hand slips into hers easily. "I've wanted to have a permanent office back in D.C. for a while. Abby's actually been dropping hints since the day she came to work for me."

"Of course she has." Olivia exhales a quiet chuckle. "She probably misses David."

"Right." He smiles at her and continues, "Anyway, I've finally realized that if I'm going to make real changes, my foundation has to be in Washington."

"Are you asking if you can sleep over at my place a few days a week?" Her tongue brushes at the corner of her lips in amusement.

"Actually, no."

That has Olivia stopping in her tracks. When Fitz turns to face her he can already see the questions forming in her eyes.

"You're… You're not going to sell the house, are you?"

"God, no. I would never dream of that."

She's immediately filled with relief, then the confusion takes over. "What are you trying to tell me?"

"I'm going to need a place. And I thought…" His sentence trails off as he tries to choose his words carefully. "Why don't we look for somewhere to live together?"

Olivia's stomach drops and she instinctively takes a step back, out of his reach. "What?"

"We could move in together. Buy a house together." Fitz clarifies with more conviction and a self-assured glint in his eyes.

"That's a big step, Fitz…" If the look on her face hadn't told him how uneasy she is at the idea, the apprehension in her voice would have.

"I know."

"We only just got back together."

"I know."

"Don't you think it's too fast?"

Fitz pauses for a brief moment, calmly studying her expression. "I know it's fast but Liv, I'm ready. We've wasted so much time over the past ten years and I just want you. I want to be with you."

"I want to be with you too, it's just…" Olivia blurts out, worried he may think she's having second thoughts about them. "It's huge. It's a lot… I don't want us to rush into a commitment like this."

"So take some time to think about it." He offers gently with a tiny shrug, trying to downplay how big of a deal it is.

"I'm not saying no… It's just a lot to take in. I didn't –" She cuts herself off and avoids his questioning stare.

"What?"

"I didn't think we were at that place… I didn't think you were."

Fitz half smiles as he wraps an arm around her shoulders and they continue to walk to the house. "Things may be different this time, but that doesn't mean I see no future with you. I want to share my life with you, wake up with you every day."

Olivia rests her head against his shoulder and hugs into his side. "I'll think about it."

"Good… Remind me, when are you back in Vermont again?"

"Two and a half weeks."

He lets out a pained groan. "That's far too long... I'm postponing your flight until later tonight."

"I have work in the morning, Fitz."

"We're spending the rest of the day in bed. No excuses."

Before Olivia has a chance to object again, Fitz scoops her up and throws her over his shoulder. Shrieks of his name and giggles erupt from her lips.

Huck hovers in the doorway of Olivia's office, observing her with mild bemusement and curiosity in his eyes. He'd seen her in her moments of complete darkness, just struggling to keep herself from drowning; the laughter in her voice is certainly a novelty.

"I have to go… Because you're distracting me and I have tons of work to catch up on, mister!" She giggles again as she listens to the response. "I'll call you later. Bye."

Olivia ends the call with a dazed grin and when Huck realizes she's clearly unaware of his presence, he clears his throat. Her eyes meet his and she straightens up in her seat.

"I brought you tea." He offers with a small smile, lifting a paper cup and steps into the room to place it on her desk.

"Thanks, Huck."

"You seem happy, Liv… He makes you happy. And I trust him."

Huck's admission makes Olivia's brows lift slightly in surprise. In all the years she'd known him, he'd never given his approval of any of her romantic partners. He's always kept a watchful eye on her – and an even closer one on any man in her life.

"I am happy." She nods, unable to suppress the smile spreading across her face again. "He wants us to buy a house together, in D.C."

"It seems like a good idea." Huck agrees, his eyes glazing over with thought for a second.

"It's not too fast?" Olivia stares at him, expecting a much less encouraging response from somebody so protective.

"You've been seeing him on-off for a decade, Liv." His lips twitch with the hint of a smirk.

"I know," She frowns in annoyance that's mostly directed at herself. "I just feel like we're rushing into things."

"What do you really have to lose?" Huck asks and when she opens her mouth but can't find the words, he continues, "It's okay to put yourself first, you know? He makes you happy, you said it yourself."

"He does." Olivia concedes softly with a nod.

"So you don't have to keep holding yourself back. You're allowed to be a little selfish sometimes." He utters and then adds as an afterthought, "Especially after everything you went through to get here."

Her eyes fill with tears and she swallows against the lump in her throat. "You're better at this than you think, Huck… Thank you."

The corners of Huck's mouth pull into a crooked grin and he leaves her office without another word. In a moment of spontaneity, Olivia turns to her laptop and in a few quick clicks, she's booked a flight back to Vermont the following evening.

Olivia's foot taps restlessly on the carpeted floor of the car; the decision to surprise Fitz had been a last minute, reckless one, but she can't wait to see him. She's ready for whatever is ahead of them, ready for them to live together, ready to share her life with him; she wants it all. The thought of telling him is making her pulse race quicker and her excitement only doubles as the house comes into view.

After greeting the members of secret service stationed at his front door, she pushes it open and steps inside, wheeling a small suitcase in behind her. The sound of the TV immediately signals she isn't alone and a slow grin spreads uncontrollably across her face.

"Fitz?"

As Olivia steps into the living room, her suspicions are confirmed. But it isn't Fitz lying on the couch – it's his daughter, Karen. And she isn't without company, either; her lips are locked with another girl with short blond hair, her hands under the girl's shirt. A gasp sounds from Olivia's lips, unintentionally announcing her presence. Karen and the girl break apart instantaneously in horror. There's a beat of awkward, stunned silence and then Karen strides towards Olivia with fear in her eyes.

"Please, please, please don't tell my dad. He doesn't know and I was going to tell him, but I just hadn't found the right moment." Karen pleads in desperation, babbling nervously. "He can't find out like this. You can't tell him! I…"

As she trails off, Olivia watches some of the panic disappear. It's replaced by confusion and then in an instant anger and realization flash behind her eyes.

"Why are you here?" Karen's question is pointed. Her gaze shifts to the keys in Olivia's hand. "And why do you have a set of keys to my dad's house?"

"I-I'll give you some space." The blond girl quickly excuses herself and makes an escape down the hall, obviously feeling the tension in the room.

"Karen, I…" Olivia starts but she struggles to find the words to explain. She has no idea how to deal with this in a way that Fitz would be happy with.

"What are you doing here?"

"I just… I don't… Where's Fitz?"

"He's out."

"Maybe we should wait for him…"

"Jerry always had suspicions about you and Dad, you know? I told him he was crazy, that you were a good friend to him and Mom. And even when I caught Mom with Andrew, I still didn't think Dad could cheat…" Karen blinks back tears of anger and hurt. "Jerry was right, wasn't he? I should've listened to him."

"I'm sorry, I didn't… It's not what you think."

"Not what I think? So you weren't screwing my dad behind my mom's back?"

"It wasn't like that… Listen, I think you should talk to your dad about this."

Karen is all but screaming in Olivia's face now. "You're here and I'm asking you: how long have you been screwing my dad?"

At that moment the front door clicks as Fitz closed it behind him. Olivia spins on her heels to face him.

"Fitz, I'm sorry." Her apology is futile; she can see the fury in his piercing gaze and tightly clenched jaw.

"Karen, can you give us a moment?" Fitz turns to his daughter, refusing to acknowledge Olivia directly.

Karen scoffs, "You have got to be kidding me! I want to know what the hell is going on!"

"You and I can sit down and I'll explain. But first, I need to speak with Olivia."

"Fine."

His daughter storms down the hall and slams the door, leaving them alone. Before Olivia even opens her mouth to speak, Fitz is snapping at her.

"What are you doing here, Olivia?" His tone is harsh and catches her off guard, causing tears to sting her eyes.

"I only wanted to surprise you." She declares softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Fitz rubs a hand over his face, trying to keep his anger under control and failing miserably. "What the hell am I supposed to tell Karen?"

"I didn't want her to find out this way either, Fitz!" Olivia retorts, folding her arms across her chest defensively.

"God damn it! You can't just show up unannounced."

"I showed up unannounced to tell you I want to move in with you, want to buy a house with you, share my life with you."

He heaved a sigh and guilt washes over his face. "Liv –"

"Don't… Go talk to your daughter." The hurt glazed over in her eyes is unmistakable as she pushes past him and heads out the door.

A little after midnight, Olivia returns to the house following an evening of drinking Abby's apartment dry of red wine. Fitz is sitting up in bed, reading a book, when she walks into the bedroom. She doesn't give him a second glance as she kicks off her heels and gathers her things, choosing to get undressed in the bathroom.

When Olivia walks out, Fitz has set aside his book. She avoids his gaze, knowing he'll immediately break down the guard she's built up and she wants him to know she isn't just about to let it go. His eyes follow her as she crosses the room and slides between the sheets, keeping her back to him.

"Liv," Fitz speaks in a soft voice. When she doesn't react, he continues, "Liv, are you going to just keep ignoring me?"

"We can talk in the morning." Olivia responds curtly and she has every intention of going to sleep angry at him.

"Livvie, please."

"Don't Livvie me. I'm not in the mood."

"Look, I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I was an ass."

"You were."

"I'm sorry." He exhales quietly, daring to reach out a hand to touch her hip. She doesn't immediately flinch away, so he takes his chances and loops an arm around her waist.

"You can't punish me for this, Fitz. I would never intentionally jeopardize the relationship you have with your kids." She silently curses herself when her voice cracks.

"I know. I just didn't know how to deal with her finding out accidentally. I'd always thought I would – we would have control over how our relationship came out."

"If I'd known Karen was visiting…"

"Liv, it's okay. I know." Fitz feels her tense up in his arms and tightens his embrace, pulling her close. "I talked things over with her and she's okay. She was hurt that she was lied to, but she understands now that things were too complicated and I wanted to protect her."

"That's good, I'm glad." Olivia softens and smooths a hand over his, caressing his knuckles with the tips of her fingers. Her thoughts drift to her arrival and the incident with Karen; she wonders if she had breached the subject of her sexuality with her dad. "Did you talk about anything else?"

"Hmmm? Like what?" He asks absently as he presses his lips against her shoulder

"I don't know." She lies, deciding that it isn't her secret to tell. She isn't about to make his daughter hate her any more than she probably does already.

They're quiet for a while until Fitz finally speaks, "Do you still want us to move in together?"

"Yes." Olivia twists in his arms to face him and slides her fingers into his curls, scratching his scalp gently. "I do."

"Really? I thought I was an ass."

"You are an ass but I figure you'll have more time to make it up to me if we're living together."

"You know, I could get a head start on that right now…" He leans into her, hovering a hairsbreadth over her lips. "Can I kiss you now?"

She smiles. "Mmhm."

"Missed you." Fitz sighs into their kisses, luxuriating in the taste of her sweet mouth as he trails his hand down her flat stomach.

"Fitz –" Olivia's breath catches in her throat when his hand slips below the waistband of her silk pajama bottoms and into her damp panties. She grabs his wrist, stilling his movements. "No. We can't. What about Karen?"

"You can be quiet, can't you?" He whispers, sucking at her bottom lip and biting softly. "You've got years of practice, baby. All those times on the campaign and then in the Oval…"

The reference to the beginning of their relationship makes her wetter and she arches her hips into him, pushing herself against his teasing fingers. When he lowers his head, dipping to kiss down her throat and between her breasts, she stops him.

"If you go down on me I won't be able to stay quiet." Olivia murmurs lowly as she tugs at his hair, pulling him back up to her lips. "Like this, baby. Touch me like this. Wanna kiss you."

Fitz strokes her expertly and in minutes he has her falling apart, moaning into his mouth as he curls his fingers against her g-spot and rubs her clit with his thumb. It isn't nearly enough for her, but it takes the edge off.

"Tomorrow I'm going to fuck you so good you won't be able to stop yourself screaming." He declares with the most devilish smirk as she catches her breath. "Karen and her friend Ana leave early afternoon, so you won't be waiting long."

"Stick to whatever plans you had with her for the morning, don't let my presence get in the way of you spending time with your daughter." Olivia utters, distractedly twisting her fingers in the soft curls at the nape of his neck.

"I want you to have breakfast with us, actually," Fitz states casually, as if it's nothing.

She pulls back, staring at him with wide eyes. "Are you really sure that's such a good idea? Karen hates me."

"She doesn't hate you."

"She certainly doesn't like me."

"Liv, she'll come around. How could she not when you're so god damn lovable?" Fitz reasons and gives her an obvious look, eyebrows raised.

"You are so ridiculous." Olivia rolls her eyes, giggling despite herself.

A/N: I had a couple people message me and comment that they'd like to see Fitz's kids, so I was trying to figure out a way to make that happen. Suddenly I had this idea for Karen and her sexuality (because if there's one thing Scandal has always lacked, it's LGBTQ+ representation) and this happened. Let me know your thoughts/opinions! Reviews really do help me and I love to read what you think!