She goes to see Eli. She is ready to renegotiate the agreement they had come to. And hopefully; get Quinn out of the mess; she had gotten herself into. She winds up in a deserted hallway. She is going to move; but quickly hides when she comes across a confined room. And sees him walking in it. The last thing she needs is to be caught in the heart of Wonderland. And happens to hear about her mother. She quickly makes a dash for the exit. Taking her shoes off. And knowing she will have to not leave Grant's or Tom's side now, due to the cameras. Not realizing that things will change for her, preventing her from being safe.
She exits and starts walking. She had put her heels on again before leaving. She accidentally comes across Charlie and Quinn. She chooses to watch them. She decides to use what Quinn did to her advantage. She knows they must be looking into who killed the guy. And since she isn't exactly on speaking terms with them. She has someone occupying the building to give them the info. If they could specifically give it to someone named Huck.
` She makes it to work, no longer distracted. She is on her way to talk to Ethan; so she can make good on her promise of him helping her. For the failure he had involving Marcus and Candace. She doesn't get far, for she hears him calling her. She enters the most important office on his instruction. She is standing by the door, as Mellie watches. Every time they are having a conversation, she wishes she wasn't around. But, knows that leaving his side; isn't much of an option. He gets up and starts walking to the door. She leaves with him.
She hears Cyrus and Mellie. "I'll be a few minutes. I'll catch up. I will call one of you." She says referring to either him or one of the agents. She silently follows them. She keeps her distance. And remains nonchalant, so they won't catch on. She hears what they are talking about. She knows she needs to call of the ones they plan to involve in their scheme. She hurries to Ethan.
He rises from his seat, when he sees her. "Ma'am." "No need to be so formal, Ethan, I have come to collect. You will help me. I love this job. But, its become to stressful (for my current condition). I need you to keep an eye on your boss and Mellie and others in particular. She lists the other people for him. You tell them (Cyrus and Mellie) nothing. I have eyes in more than one place. I'll know, if you do. I will be leaving now. Here's my number. I will keep in touch." She informs him.
"You waited for me?" She asks. "I couldn't very well leave you behind. You are my coach, after all, aren't you?" He asks. She smirks at this. Tom is holding the door open for them. She quickly gets in followed by him. The car starts moving. They both pull out their phones, halfway through the ride. She starts watching the live feed concerning Marcus. She starts laughing when she sees Candace talking to the press on her phone. .
Since, she is next to him. He turns to look at her. Conveying without actual speech to him what she thinks of the remarks being made. She watches as he gets on the phone. She knows instantaneously who he is calling. She wish he wouldn't. At this point, Ms. Pope is nothing, but bad news (for him). She hears Olivia yelling in no time at all.
She gets her phone out. "What have you found out?" (Ethan, he is in the car behind them). She asks. And listens as he responds. Before she hangs up "Oh, and tell your boss, I need to talk to him involving a delicate matter. (about what Mellie told Mr. Langston about hem having an open marriage)." She adds. She looks to him. "Are you going to be okay? You keep punishing yourself (emotionally). You deserve better. As much as we both don't like her. At least, Mellie has never lied to you. I do have to give her that. The vehicle stops. The door is opened.
She is standing next to Tom. Ethan behind them As Olivia is coming out of her apartment. Ms. Pope tries to avoid them. Tom is attempting to hand the envelope to her. "What are you doing here, Ashley? I thought I am the last person you would want to see." She says. "I think him insisting to see you at this point, isn't a good idea. But, he is a grown man. He can do what he wants to. If it were me though, I would have dropped you for being an unreasonable bitch. You can't just have it you way. That isn't how the world works.
Since, I serve him. I have to be around you. It is begrudgingly at the moment. And I really can't express enough; how much I would like to punch your lights out, for hurting him. But, its not my decision. He wouldn't want me to. And you are to never treat Tom; or any of the other agents that way again. Its not negotiable. Now let's go. He is waiting for us. "She says. She and Tom follow her. They reach the roof in no time. And board the helicopter in record time.
They reach their destination hours later. She had been holding Tom's hand. The experience and altitude, not doing wonders on her pregnancy. She is amazed that she hasn't gotten sick. She also tries to enjoy the scenery from their viewpoint. At one point, she puts her head on Tom's shoulder. She falls asleep without realizing it. She jerks awake when they have landed. And she doesn't feel anymore movement. The four of them get off; and see that they are surrounded by the country. They once again follow her. They approach him and the house. She still wants to deck the woman.
"One hour." Grant asks of her "One hour." She responds acquiescing. He leads her inside. She and Tom, Hal Ethan and Daniel follow, but stay quiet. Hal and Daniel opt to remain outside. The two eventually make their way to stand by The Marines. "I refuse to stay out here all night, in this weather." She says. Tom follows her. They walk in to find that he is explaining the house.
They know they are intruding on a very private moment. She walks to the entrance of the room. She stands in the doorway, waiting for him to get closer. She turns to the side when he does. He goes and stands in front of her. "I know you want to be far away when they lose control. And to explore this house. I would accompany you. Good thing Ethatn is here. He can be your companion. But, I am still on the clock. So, unfortunately, have to listen to them. Tell me how the rest of it is." He says as she kisses his cheek. Slowly releasing his hand.
She walks away to give them privacy. She wanders to the furthest part of the house she can find. She takes Ethan with her; so they can talk in private. And access Thorngate, and hear Mellie asking for Lauren to call him. She puts a finger to her mouth. She picks up her phone and dials Mellie's number.
"Just, because I helped you and am keeping your secret doesn't mean, we will ever be friends. He is still leaving you." She hangs up. Totaling ignoring the person next to her.
She sees the ledge by the mirror. She hoists herself up onto it. Wishing that Tom wasn't working. They could use, this time to have their own fun. She pulls out her phone. And dials a number to pass the time. "How is it going? Are you ready to give the information I gave you about the Langstons' away. Something has happened. And I need you to move up the process. Someone who is an innocent in all this will wind up paying. And no, I won't have sex with you again. No matter, how much you ask. However, I think my other would more than likely consent to you escorting me to the next social benefit. I will just explain the situation to him." She says. She turns to Ethan. "Anythign you have just herard is not to be repeated." She tells him.
She comes down the hallway. Ethan behind her. To be faced with Tom. Her hair not in the best style. "What did you think?" He asks. "It is very beautiful. I hope sometime in the future; we have one like this. Grant has very good taste." She says. "I am going to be escorting Ms. Pope and Ethan back." He informs her. "I'll be okay. Ethan take care of things for me." She says. The smile entering his (Tom's) eyes. He gets closer. Taking her hand in his, before bringing it to his lips. "I love you.." He says. She puts her head on his chest. They stay like this for a few minutes. "Be careful. And keep an eye on her." She says, before walking away.
She and Fitz watch their others walk away. "Sir, please, if you could put a shirt on." She tells him, running her hands through her hair. "We sure picked a couple of winners, huh." She says. He turns to her. "I can imagine Tom and I owning something like this." She adds, before walking away to freshen up. Before, she and Grant leave. She makes a phone call. And has someone tail Charlie and Quinn.
They hear him tell her that they like one another. The person had put it on three way call. She comes out of the bathroom a few minutes later. Straightening her hair and clothes, as much as possible. Fortunately, she brought deodorant with her. "Sir, are you ready to start?" She asks. He walks out the doors. She follows. As they get closer to their transportation. They are once again flanked by Daniel and Hal. And gone from the Vermont estate, before they know it.
She is by his side, during the press meeting. She is waiting patiently on the sidelines. Once they have finished. She gets on the phone. "How is it going? Okay. Now I want you to intercede on something for me…" She explains the rest of the situation to him. She has Ethan walk in on Mr. Langston and James.
He hands the phone to James, as per her instructions. They have a conversation. She hangs up; as she sees him and the others approaching. "You did very well. And you didn't even need me, Grant. There is hope for you, yet." She says. He smiles at the joke. The laughter meeting his eyes.
She is sitting on one end of the couch in her office. They are once more in The White House. She laughs again, when Marcus apologizes to the public. 'Well, that definitely takes care of one obstacle. She thinks; as she had been watching the latest news. She again, gets on the phone. "Thank you. I need you to focus on the Langstons' now. With the information I had given you. I owe you. And expect the results in the morning. And we have already discussed, what you will get in return. She gets up and leaves. Not minding and disregarding, that she is barefooted. The heels doing a number on her.
She is in the office with him and Mellie. Mellie is telling him; that Olivia should be free and ready to help this time. He agrees. She waits; until Mellie has left, before speaking. "Do it. She won't say no this time. And honestly, the stress has been too much for me, at this time. But, with how she has been lately. I will be keeping an eye on her. Despite what you think or say." She says.
She and Tom are off. And on the way home. She decides to follow Olivia. Keeping a minimal distance. They see and hear the unexpected reunion. She decides to go to them. "Olivia; we need to get her out of here. Your father has kept her prisoner this entire time. I just found out today. They will come after her. Her coming to you never happened. I'll keep you posted. Tom and I never came across you. You know that I am right. "She says. Tom gets the drop on her mother and picks her up, after causing her to pass out. She and Olivia follow him. "Once everything is situated, I will let you know where we are." She says. Knowing that she won't see those she cares about for awhile. Luckily she knows that Tom, Olivia and Will will handle her disappearance.