Disclaimer: I do not own Scandal
You know you turned my world around
Four Days Later
Lots of changes on Capitol Hill this month. Secretary to the President, Olivia Pope, is still in a coma at James Madison Hospital after being the victim of random shooting. The doctors say they're unsure if she'll pull through. The President's Chief of Staff, Cyrus Beene has resigned after suffering a heart attack. Supreme Court Justice Verna Thornton was found dead in her home this morning by her maid. Apparently, the justice has been battling cancer for the last six months. Services for her will be announced as details become available. The most shocking news from the White House, though, was Mellie Grant's announcement of divorce. A spokesperson for the former First Lady announced this morning that she and the President have filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. She said the divorce is amicable and that, while she will always love him, she has not been in love with him for quite some time. She is planning a move back to Kentucky.
Fitz cut off the television in the living room of the Residence. He wanted to go to the hospital to sit with Olivia, but the kids were due to arrive at any moment and he needed to be home with them. Mellie was wrapping up some last minute housekeeping items with her team before meeting them for dinner so they could speak as a family with the kids. He had to admit, he was surprised at how calm and supportive she was being.
Defiance must've really scared her.
"Are they here yet?" Mellie's voice came from the doorway.
Fitz glanced up, "No, not yet, probably another fifteen minutes. There was an accident on the highway."
She nodded, "Good, I didn't want to keep you guys waiting." She took a seat in one of the chairs, and leaned forward, "Fitz?" He looked up at her, "I'm really sorry about Olivia. I feel like this is all my fault."
He sighed and raked a hand through his hair, "Her getting shot is not your fault. Now, as for the rest of it," he shook his head, "I just wish of all people you'd stayed out of it." His eyes clouded over, "I realize that we've had problems for a long time, so this was a long time coming, but I don't want anything to happen to you. Karen and Jerry need you, Mel."
Her gaze dropped to the floor, "I know. It was petty and short-sighted of me." She agreed. She chewed on her bottom lip slowly, "And I should've believed in you enough. I should've believed that you could win on your own."
"I wish you had." He admitted.
SCANDAL
11:57pm
Jake, Huck and Charlie stood in the waiting room of James Madison Hospital. It only took a few more minutes for Stephen, Harrison, Abby, Leo, David and James to come screeching in. "Well?" Abby asked.
Charlie grinned, "She's awake. Fitz is in there now."
SCANDAL
Two Days Later
Olivia held out her hand and Fitz took it gently, "Welcome back, Livie." He murmured, dragging his chair up to the edge of her bed. She just hummed and he placed a kiss on her knuckles, "I was so scared. I don't think I've ever been this scared in my entire life." He admitted. The past two days she'd been in and out of actual sleep and he hadn't wanted her to focus on anything but getting better. Today was the first day the doctors said it was okay to really speak to her.
"Sorry," her voice caught in her throat slightly and she cleared it, "I didn't mean to get in the way of the bullet."
He laughed dryly at that, "You're more than forgiven. I'm just glad you're awake again."
She moved their joint hands to his face, "You need to shave." She commented.
He shook his head, pressing another kiss to her fingers, "It's been a hectic few days."
"Catch me up?" She requested softly, wincing as she tried to adjust her position.
"Let's just try to get you comfortable first." His voice was so quiet, almost as if he was afraid if he spoke to loudly she'd disappear.
"Just up a little bit." She groaned as she shuffled around the bed, "Wow, getting shot sucks."
He chuckled and nodded, knowing from personal experience that it did, "Yeah, it does."
When she was settled, her fingers firmly linked with his, she asked, "Okay, so what happened? It's been a week now, right?"
He nodded, "Very nearly." Fitz gently combed his fingers through her hair, "Your father's been arrested for embezzlement. He's got an attorney, but the cops have an airtight case against him."
"And when he inevitably gets out?" She asked quietly.
"B-613 has been shut down. Their accounts have been wiped out. After he was arrested, it was easy for Huck, Charlie and Jake to go in and really dig up everything. With David's help, they've been funneling money back to its proper places." Fitz explained.
Olivia nodded, her brow furrowing as she tried to comprehend everything. "And Defiance?"
He nodded, "Apparently, they wanted me in office because they thought they could use me. There are rumors of wanting to start a war in the Sudan." She scowled at that. "I know, it didn't work, Livie, it's okay." She nodded slowly, "Anyhow, brace yourself for all of this." Olivia tightened her grip on his hand and waited, "Mellie is moving back to Kentucky. She's here now with the kids, but she'll be moving next week into our home there. She's getting it in the divorce. The kids are going to start school here in DC in the fall. We offered to transfer them, but they want to finish out the year in Santa Barbara." He explained. He paused, "Cyrus had a heart attack, he's okay, but he's resigned. Doyle has fled to Texas. And Verna died."
"What?" Olivia asked.
"She had cancer, Liv." He murmured, "Though, apparently it seems she hired the shooter, so it's possible your father had a hit put out on her before we had him arrested."
Olivia swallowed hard, "He's a monster." She murmured.
Fitz nodded and continued to stroke her forehead, "I know, Livie, but even if he gets out, he's just going to be Eli Pope. We're done with him, we're done with Mellie and now we just need to focus on getting you better."
She turned her head slightly into his palm, "You have a country to run." She reminded him, "Who's your new chief of staff?"
Fitz chuckled, "Would you believe I was stupid enough to put Leo in that position?"
Olivia laughed and groaned, "Shit." She muttered, "Um, yeah, I would believe it." She sighed, "How is everyone?"
"Well, right now they're all at work. Stephen's doing well, you know working on the first ever presidential divorce got him a promotion?" Olivia just smiled at that, "I hired Harrison. I know, he's a felon, but I overlooked it. He's working for David now." He paused, "Abby's doing great. She's handled the press like a real pro. James is covering a story on a terrorist attack in France. We may have to start to really get involved with the ISIS threat."
"What about Huck, Charlie and Jake?" She asked quietly.
"You're worried about Huck, aren't you?" His voice was soft and lilting. She nodded and waited for him to continue, "I don't think you need to worry about them. None of them want to work for us. I think they all want to freelance. I'm not sure what Huck will do. I'd love to have him working on our side, that's for sure." He shrugged, "I'll have to start thinking about re-election soon. He'd be a great addition to the team."
She hummed, "Yes." Her eyes fluttered closed, "Fitz, I'm tired now. I think I want to sleep. Can you stay?"
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, "I'm not going anywhere, Livie. And everything is alright. Everyone is alright." He promised her.
SCANDAL
The Next Morning
Olivia was sleeping soundly in her hospital bed and Fitz had spread out at the table, briefs on the threat with ISIS laid out before him. When a light knock sounded he looked up to find Huck poking his head inside. "Hey."
Fitz grinned, "She's out like a light, but doing very well. The doctors said she can go home in a couple of days."
Huck stopped by her bedside and stared down at Olivia's small form, just like he did a couple of times everyday, before joining Fitz at the table. "I have something for you."
Fitz nodded, "Okay, what's up?"
"First, I know you were worried about what Charlie, Jake and I are going to be doing." He paused, "Olivia said she wanted to move. She doesn't want to stay in that apartment. We found her a few new options. We're packing up her apartment and then we're going to watch her for a while, just to make sure, while we look for Becky. That's what we're going to do. We're going to find Becky and watch over all of you guys."
Fitz was touched to be included in that group, "Thank you, Huck. We really appreciate it."
Huck ducked his head and cleared his throat, "I thought you'd like to see this." He placed a folder on the table.
With a questioning glance, Fitz opened it, "Huck, what is this?"
"The numbers from Defiance. The real numbers." He clarified. "It took me a while to go through and retally everything, but you won Defiance. You won it by enough to win the election without their help." He murmured, "So you do deserve to be president and you did win it honestly."
Fitz just stared at him in awe for a few minutes, "You did this for me?"
Huck shrugged, "Of course." He cleared his throat and stood, "I'll be back later to check on her. I've got to go get boxes."
Fitz stopped him before he could get to the door and held out a hand, "Thank you, Huck."
Huck stared at the outstretched hand for a moment before shaking it, "Your welcome, Fitz."
SCANDAL
XOXO
MAS