Disclaimer: I do not own Scandal or How I Met Your Mother
Chapter Twenty-Four: The One With The Baby Reporter
June 2008
"Cyrus, is this him?" Olivia asked as she approached their Chief of Staff and a younger man.
"This is James Novak." Cyrus muttered, motioning between the him and Olivia, "He wants an interview with Fitz now, which is totally"
"Fine." Olivia cut in, "Let me find him, I think he's getting an update from Jake right now. As soon as their done. Take him back to the dressing room."
Cyrus narrowed his eyes, "Liv," he moved to whisper to her, "Fitz is freaking out and word about Lorraine is getting out and"
"And we could use a reporter on our team." Olivia interrupted. "Now is the time to play super nice with the press, Cy, so let's see what this reporter wants to ask him and just go from there, okay? Besides, it'll be a good learning experience for Brenda. Just make sure the questions are simple. I'll handle Fitz." She promised. Patting Cyrus on the arm, Olivia turned and went off in search of her husband.
She found him sitting in a corner, his face scrunched up as he reviewed Abby's notecards. He looked up at the clicking of her heels on the linoleum floor, "Hey Livie." He murmured.
Pulling a stray chair up next to him, she rested her hand on his knee and squeezed gently, "How are you doing, baby?"
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "I'm not going to lie, Livie, I'm worried. This is it. This debate determines if I face off against Reston or if Sally does." He murmured.
Leaning forward, Olivia brushed a kiss to his temple, "Fitz, this debate is not the end all be all. You're up in the polls. Sally is floundering. Her marriage isn't holding up to scrutiny. There are rumors about her daughter having an abortion floating around. Trust me, I'm fairly certain you could blow this debate and still win the primary."
He snorted at that, "You and I both know that's not how this works. They're saying I'm too green still. And then there's"
"The race thing." Olivia shook her head, "Baby, if the American people actually care about that, do you honestly want to represent them? I bet you anything that overall they really don't. It's just a bunch of loud mouths who keep bringing it up so it seems like the country cares, when really, most people like watching us interact."
"I love you, Livie." He murmured.
"I love you too, Fitzgerald." She stood up and held out her hand, "Now come on, there's a new reporter here who wants to chat with you. He's young and energetic and seems to like you for President."
"Think he'd be a good addition to our team?" Fitz asked.
Olivia shrugged, "Honestly," she grinned, "I think he's going to be a good addition to our family."
Present Day - 2025
"You didn't say that, Liv!" James objected.
"Oh I predicted you two the moment I saw you." Olivia wagged her finger at Cyrus, "I suspected something when Cyrus came flying in all aggravated about you, but I wasn't sure until I actually saw you. Then I knew that the two of you would fall in love and get married and live happily ever after." At Cyrus's snort she rolled her eyes, "Well, as happily ever after as Cyrus can manage."
"I'm a cantankerous old meanie." Cyrus interjected.
"You got that right." James and Abby chorused together.
"Anyhow," Fitz interrupted, "at Olivia's request, I went to meet James."
"And how did that go, Uncle Fitz?" Ella asked eagerly.
June 2008
"Mr. Novak, I'm Fitzgerald Grant." Fitz entered the dressing room once again, shutting the door behind him and Olivia.
"Governor Grant, it's an honor to meet you." James stumbled over the leg of the chair he was sitting in to introduce himself.
Fitz laughed, "Please, Fitz works just fine." He assured James.
"Really?" James asked, his glasses slipping down his nose and his eyes wide.
"As long as I can call you James." Fitz negotiated playfully.
"Deal!" James darted back over to his bag and pulled out his recorder and notebook.
Olivia took a seat next to Cyrus with an amused smile on her face and Fitz and James sat across from each other. James began with easy questions, like why Fitz wanted to run for president and how his career in the Navy helped him or hindered him. He asked about Fitz's marriage and Jer and his views on the deficit.
"James will be an asset." Olivia whispered, "So play nice." She warned.
"He's wide-eyed and green, we can use him." Cyrus murmured back.
Olivia's eyes narrowed, "He's not a chess piece." Olivia scolded, "He's a human being." A slight flush at her disapproving words rose up his neck, "And you like him." Olivia commented softly.
"He's a reporter," Cyrus grumbled, "what is there to like? If anything he may prove useful and tolerable."
Olivia snorted softly, "Oh wow, you more than like him. You like him like him."
"What are we fifteen? Are we going to braid hair and gossip about boys and eat popcorn and talk about how Fitz gave you his letterman jacket?" Cyrus snapped.
"This is going to be so much fun." Olivia smirked at him with a wink.
"You're intolerable."
"And you're an insufferable ass whom I love dearly." Olivia patted his shoulder lightly, "And you don't have to admit it yet, Cy." She stood up as Fitz was shaking James's hand. "How'd it go?"
"You were sitting right there, Livie." Fitz pointed out.
"I wasn't listening." She admitted with a grin.
Rolling his eyes, Fitz snorted, "Of course not, well James, I hope you'll join us for dinner after the debate."
"Of course. I should go find a seat in the audience." He moved to dash off, but Olivia caught his arm.
At his questioning look she smiled, "Tell Abby that you're sitting with us. She's the loud redhead. You can't miss her. She'll be bossing around a really tall, good looking guy with brown hair."
"Thanks, Mrs. Grant."
"Olivia please, I'm so not old enough to be a Mrs anything." Olivia shooed him and Cyrus from the room before turning to Fitz. "You ready, Governor?" She asked quietly.
"I think so. I can do this, I know I can." He stated with determination.
"Damn straight." Olivia pressed a kiss to his lips. "I'm going to find my seat. You just focus on me if you get rattled. Good luck, baby."
SCANDAL
XOXO
MAS