Being with a senator comes with both perks and downsides. Compelling conversation? Perk. Opportunities for travel? Perk. Stolen moments in office hallways? Perk. That's where Olivia found herself in July, nearly two months after their first real, honest night together.

"You know," Fitz said, kissing her neck, "a day trip to Sacramento doesn't really count as a getaway. We didn't even stay the night." He continued nibbling at her neck, causing her to giggle uncontrollably in a way that only Fitz had ever witnessed.

She put her hands on his shoulders to break the spell. "Fitz, we're taking this slowly, remember? We work together. We have to tread lightly. The fact that I was even on that train with you," Olivia said.

"Was amazing," Fitz said, continuing to pepper her with kisses. She finally gave in and put her arms around his neck. He put his arms around her waist, lifting her off of the ground slightly. As he brought her down to the ground, she came down to Earth.

"It was fun, yes. But I'm not sure it's appropriate. I'm not sure either of us ready for anyone in the public to know about whatever this is. There's a lot of work to be done without unneeded distractions. Right now, for instance, the core is in a meeting. And I'm in the hallway being, I don't know, groped by my boss. It feels,"

"Wonderful. Exciting. Perfect. I'll settle for nice, even."

"It feels all of those things, but it also feels wrong. Not wrong fundamentally, because," Olivia said, kissing him sweetly on the cheek, "it is not wrong. But to be missing meetings, I don't know. It doesn't feel like me."

That got both of their attention. As much as she was enjoying beginning to date Fitz, and as many positive changes had come to her life in the last year, many due to him, it was still important to her that she stay true to herself. She was a hard worker. She wanted to change people, the country, the world, for the better. There were times when she was distracted by a message, or daydreaming uncharacteristically, or taking a train to Sacramento, when she found herself drifting away from that work.

"Livi, the work matters. I'm with you on that. I never want you to feel like you aren't here for the great work you're doing, and have done, and hopefully will do. But the dynamic has changed. We spend most evenings having dinner and watching the news. You're the last thing I think about before I fall asleep. When your name shows up on my phone or in my inbox, my heart starts beating a little faster. Standing here, not even touching you, just standing here with you has been the highlight of my day."

Olivia nodded in agreement. It was true. She felt the same. But she knew she had to do her best to keep herself grounded until she lost all control.

Cyrus, Abby and Harrison knew about the change in dynamic Fitz spoke of. Nobody was more surprised than Cyrus. He had known Fitz and Olivia separately, and though he loved them both dearly, he had never pictured them together. He was also so busy with work and his personal life that he had missed some of the small moments that others might have picked up on. Others like Abby, and by extension Harrison. Olivia assumed Greg and his wife knew, as well, because Greg and Fitz went way back. She wondered how Fitz had explained it, because even she had difficulty defining exactly what they were.

She knew there was nobody else, for either of them. She knew she wanted to be with Fitz whenever possible. Did that make him her boyfriend? She didn't know. And she wasn't sure how to broach the subject, or if it was even necessary.

There was a subject, though, she had finally talked about with Abby because she could feel in her gut that it was boiling to the surface. Intimacy, she and Fitz shared. She could feel it in every interaction. She trusted him. She liked the way his hands felt on the small of her back. She shared things with him she had never shared with anyone, never had even spoken the words aloud. Except for the one thing that was left, and that was that she had never had sex. With anyone. Ever.

Abby was surprisingly calm when presented with this information over late night tacos and sangria at Olivia's apartment.

"Okay, so that's a hurdle. Totally crossable though," she said.

"We're talking zero experience. I'm not underestimating or being modest."

"I know you. I know you're not. Look, you'll be mortified, but you have to tell him. It doesn't matter that you're inexperienced, but he needs to know. Before it goes further, he needs to know."

Olivia dipped her chip in the salsa they were sharing and thought for a moment before realizing that Abby was right. She told her as much.

"Look, Liv. You're the brains of this operation. That I can be right about something, or know more about something, even something as sundry as sex, I'll take it." They laughed and the subject was dropped, as Abby knew Olivia would need time to figure out her next move.

Olivia recalled that conversation as Fitz poured his heart out in the hallway of the corridor that was housed everyone on his staff. She decided she would tell him, and tell him soon. She made a pact with herself, and sealed it with a passionate kiss with Fitz before shooing him back to his office with the promise of meeting later for dinner.

The following week, Olivia received a message from Fitz as she walked to the train station.

We met a year ago today. Something to think about. See you later?
Fitz

She looked at the mental calendar in her head and found he was right. Had she only been in California for a year? It seemed impossible that so much had happened to her in such a short period of time, when for so many years her life was in cruise control, the years merging together, all the same, with no surprises or adventure. Her growing relationship with Fitz had been both.

Come over when you're done. I'll make dinner.
Livi

You cook, too?
Fitz

I'll order dinner. See you soon?
Livi

Where are you?
Fitz

Heading to train. Just tell me your ETA and I'll order something for us.
Livi

Wait for me. I'm coming down now.
Fitz

She knew she couldn't stop him, so she walked back toward the office building. Within minutes, Fitz was exiting with Greg and Mellie, who had been in the office helping advice Fitz's managerial staff.

"Olivia, hello. Good to see you again," Mellie said, a genuine smile on her face.

"You as well, Ms. Marshall. How's Hannah?"

"She's wonderful, thank you. She got my brains but her dad's laid back nature. We did good," Mellie said, looking at Greg. "And please, call me Mellie."

Olivia smiled. She glanced at Fitz, who looked handsome in his Friday casual clothes and sunglasses. He smiled at her and the mole she had noticed during the night in his office peaked out above the top of his glasses.

"Well guys, have a great weekend. Greg, call me if you get a tee time. Mellie, thanks again for kicking ass and taking names," Fitz said.

"My pleasure, you know that." Hugs were exchanged, and the two couples went in separate directions to their vehicles. Fitz put his hand on Olivia's back, and before she could protest said,

"Mellie knows. She knew at the birthday dinner. No need to worry."

"I wasn't, okay, yes I was."

"I know. I know you, remember?" Fitz stopped and kissed her in the middle of the parking lot.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi."

"So here's a good story. A year ago today Tock and I met this girl, woman, who knew where he got his name and knew me better than anyone I've ever known."

"I like that you include Tock. Please continue."

"He liked you from the start, and so did I. That's my point. I'm glad you're in my life, Livi. That's all I wanted to say."

"I'm glad you're in mine. I'm so far from where I thought I'd be, and I'm glad."

They shared a passionate kiss. Olivia reached up and removed Fitz's sunglasses as they were restricting her access to his handsome face. Fitz deepened the kiss, leaning into Olivia, holding her face in his hands, probing the inside of her mouth. She couldn't stop herself from moaning softly, looking up at the setting sun as Fitz ravaged her neck. They stumbled backward and Olivia ended up on the trunk of his car, her legs wrapped around him, the two of them giggling like high-schoolers in the parking lot during a football game.

"Fitz," she breathed, as put his hands on her waist. "Fitz, this isn't the place."

He put his head on her shoulder, breathing heavily.

"You're right. There's just one more thing."

She tilted her head and smoothed his hair. Some of his curls had fallen over his forehead. He searched her eyes for fear, and finding none, said what he had been holding onto for months.

"I love you."