Rowan sat in his office, mulling over his brief conversation with Olivia. He didn't know what to make of things. It had been so many years since he had last spoken to her. Sure, he had seen her, from a distance, and he'd even heard her voice, but it was never directed at him. His mind drifted to his conversation with Cyrus next. He hated to admit it but Cyrus was right, he did want her love. That's all he's ever wanted. Well, besides controlling the Republic. Rowan wanted to be Olivia's hero, her superman. Something his own father had never been: someone to look up to and admire. Could he trust her words, though? Why would she forgive him? Should she forgive him? He knew he had screwed up her life. It wasn't intentional, but it happened nonetheless.
Rowan absentmindedly drummed his fingers on his desk. Maybe he'd see how the first dinner went, then he'd decide. He realized that although she agreed to the Sunday dinners, they hadn't set a definite date. She didn't even know where he lived. He'd have to call her about that, or better yet, get Cyrus to relay the information.
And then there was this whole mess with Billy. Honestly, he could get rid of him in an instant and no one would be the wiser. Billy definitely wouldn't be missed by anyone. Rowan could right his wrongs, couldn't he?
The next morning, Fitz woke up disoriented. He still wasn't used to not being able to feel anything in his legs, but at least now he was starting to regain a little feeling. He was very relieved. He wasn't too sure he could handle being paralyzed and having to depend on others for the rest of his life. He truly felt sorry for anyone who was permanently paralyzed. He wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy. Well, he'd like to think he wouldn't.
Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he yawned. His hair was a mess of unruly curls at this point, from being bedridden and not being able to do anything to it, in addition to constantly running his hands through it. He had a five o-clock shadow to complete his caveman look, as well. But his appearance was the least of his worries at the moment. Glancing down, he noticed two things: Liv was still the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen while she was sleeping, and she had spent the night with him. He couldn't imagine how uncomfortable she must be, but he was glad that she was next to him where she belonged.
Fitz gently nudged Liv awake. He was mesmerized as he watched her start to stir. Wow, he thought.
"Livvy," he said, softly.
Slowly, Liv started to smile. She wasn't aware of where she was just yet. All she knew was that she hadn't felt this content in a very long time. Her head was resting on his chest, she could hear his heart beating. She was almost afraid to open her eyes and realize that she was only dreaming.
Fitz called her name again and Liv's eyes flew open. It wasn't a dream, it was real. Liv realized that she must've fallen asleep in his arms. It wasn't intentional, but she was glad that it happened. She was finally able to sleep peacefully.
"What time is it?" she asked. Fitz loved the deepness of her voice when she first woke up. It was so…sexy.
"I don't know. I just woke up right before you did," he said. Liv sat up, moving to get off the bed. She knew there wasn't much space to begin with and she didn't want to crowd his space. "Don't," he said, stopping her. "I like you here."
She stilled at his admission. Just then, Fitz's doctor walked in.
"Well good morning," he greeted, cheerfully.
"Good morning," they spoke simultaneously. They glanced at one another, smiling briefly.
The doctor looked on in amazement. He wasn't sure what he was witnessing, but he could tell there was something between these two people, something strong.
Clearing his throat, he spoke. "Fitz, today we're going to move your usual afternoon physical therapy session up. Are you up for therapy this morning?"
Fitz nodded his head after thinking it over for a minute. He felt fine. Everyday he had a little more energy, and with his newfound feeling in his legs he was excited to go to physical therapy so that hopefully he could start walking bit by bit soon.
Olivia wanted to ask if she could go with him, but she wasn't sure if she should. Maybe he needed more time. He had to get used to having feelings in his legs again first and her presence might put unnecessary pressure on him, she thought.
"Good. Your therapist should be here in about an hour to take you down. Other than that, we're going to let you continue resting."
"Thank you doctor," Fitz said. He waited until the doctor left. "Do you think you can stay—today? I mean, until I get back from therapy?"
Olivia hesitated. She really wanted to stick around, but she had business to tend to. God she'd be glad once everything was over. She didn't want to have to focus on anything or anyone except for Fitz. Maybe she should take Rowan up on his offer to help her get rid of her problems.
"Maybe for a little bit, but I have something to take care of."
Fitz understood.
"Cyrus," Rowan said.
"Rowan," Cyrus replied.
"Tell Olivia I'm expecting her this Sunday."
"Oh," Cyrus said. He was confused, but he didn't ask questions. He'd be better off getting information out of Olivia. "Um, can I assume she knows where to find you?"
"No. You tell her." Rowan didn't wait for Cyrus to agree, he just hung up the phone.
That's odd, Cyrus thought. True enough, Rowan was always abrupt with him, but Cyrus was expecting more like perhaps some sort of demeaning speech full of air; Rowan's specialty.
Cyrus decided to call Olivia now.
"What?" she answered.
"Why didn't you tell me you were meeting with Rowan this Sunday?"
"Because I wasn't aware that I was."
"What do you mean you weren't aware? He called me to tell me to give you his address and to let you know that he's expecting you this Sunday."
Olivia cursed to herself. Of course he would want to see her this Sunday. Did he have to be so controlling?
She sighed loudly. "Fine. Text me his address." Cyrus said okay. "And I would've told you, but it slipped my mind. I went to see Fitz right after."
"How is he?"
Olivia filled him in on everything that had been happening lately between her and Fitz.
Olivia was finally at home. She had waited around for Fitz to get out of physical therapy like he requested. She offered to massage his legs again while they talked. It felt good to be able to talk about nothing with someone and have it feel like everything. She'd only ever had that with him. The best part, though, was when he started to move his toes. He couldn't move them much, just a little wiggle, but it was still amazing to see. She was so happy for him that she shed a few tears. She was reluctant to leave him but she knew she couldn't be glued to his side like she wanted to just yet.
Olivia was flipping through her mail as she walked back to her bedroom. She stopped outside of the guestroom where Amanda was. She could hear the TV even though the volume was low. She'd have to remember to check on her later to make sure she was still okay. Which reminded her, she needed to check in with David as well.
There was so much that Olivia needed to do now that she thought about it. There was the Amanda/Billy issue, there was Rowan, and there was Fitz. She was beginning to think more and more about what Rowan could do to help her, but she wanted to have dinner with him first to see where his head was. After all, she doesn't really know the man.
Closing her bedroom door, Olivia decided she would take a nap. She always came up with great plans after a good nap. She drifted off to sleep with Fitz on her mind.
A few hours later, Olivia woke up. She decided to check on Amanda to see how she was doing.
"Hi," Olivia said as she walked into the guestroom.
"Hi," Amanda responded. "Thanks again for helping me."
Olivia didn't respond right away. She was trying to think. "What if I helped you go away for good?" Olivia blurted out.
Amanda frowned, trying to figure out what Olivia meant. After dealing with Billy for as long as she had been she knew that going away for good could mean death. "What do you mean?"
"You got in this mess because you wanted a new life. Right?" Olivia paused long enough for Amanda to agree. "Okay so, what if I got you a new identity and money? You won't be filthy rich but you'll be better off than you could've hoped. And it ends."
"You'd do that?"
"Sure, on one condition. You have to give a recorded confession to everything so that I have something to use against Billy."
Amanda's face was horror-stricken. "Wh-what?"
"Relax, I know people. You'd never have to face Billy again. He'll be handled in a way that won't involve you testifying."
"Isn't that illegal?" Amanda asked. Olivia didn't respond. She just stood there, patiently waiting on Amanda to give her an answer. After a few minutes had passed, Amanda nodded her head yes. It was so quick that Olivia almost missed it.
"Okay. I'll get back to you in a few days. Until then, continue to make yourself at home."
Olivia left the room, making her way to her living room. She didn't exactly know if what she said would, or even could, actually happen but she was going to try. She had to try. For Fitz, and herself. For them. She couldn't worry about what happened to Billy because at the end of the day he tried to hurt Fitz and that was an inexcusable offense in Olivia's opinion. An eye for an eye, right? Maybe he didn't have to die, but he definitely had to be punished, somehow. Surprisingly, Olivia was very much looking forward to this Sunday dinner with Rowan. She'd have to fill Fitz in afterwards, but before she made any final decisions. She wouldn't do anything without running it by him first; communication.
On Sunday, at 7 p.m. on the dot Olivia rang the doorbell. As soon as the door opened she just stood there for a moment. She was feeling a million different emotions at once.
Not sure how to greet him she took a deep breath and simply stated, "Rowan."
She could do this. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.