Disclaimer: I own nothing. I am only playing with the characters Shonda has provided. The sandbox they're currently playing in, however, is mine.

Plans and Change

Chapter Twenty-Five

Olivia was seated at the table when Senator Benjamin Reston walked into the dining room of one of DC's most exclusive restaurants directly behind the maître d'. He gave Olivia a classic political smile, which never came close to reaching his eyes, and clasped her hand lightly. An obligatory gesture, she was sure, in case anyone was watching them. She returned the smile.

"Senator Reston, thank you for meeting me while I was in DC. I appreciate you making time in your busy day," she granted as he sat across from her.

"Oh, no, it was my pleasure. It was a surprise, of course." He placed his napkin in his lap; his eyes never left hers. "I can't say as I ever expected to get a call from Margret's daughter. I'm intrigued, though, and happy to help in anyway I can. We were all so sorry to hear about your parents' deaths of course. They were, well, many of us counted them as friends here in the beltway. They were so proud of you." He nodded at the waiter who appeared with a basket of bread, fresh water glasses and menus.

Right, Olivia thought to herself. My parents wouldn't have said two words about me to you or anyone like you. They spent energy and capital to make sure people like you never, ever got any information on me. But, go ahead and keep digging. She smiled serenely at the man across from her. "Well, Senator-"

"Please, Olivia, call me Benjamin." He held out the basket towards her. "Would you like some while we look over the menu? Have you been here before? Had a chance to look over the menu?"

Interesting.

"No, Senator, I haven't looked over the menu yet. And thank you, I'm fine." She waved her hand at the offered bread. "Sentor Reston, your son, Samuel, goes to Harvard, is that correct?"

His chest puffed as he buttered the piping hot pastry on his plate. "Yes, he does. He's studying political science. He's doing quiet well."

"Hmm," she replied noncommittally. "I thought he might've crossed my path a few weeks ago."

"Oh, really? You're going to Harvard as well?" The look of surprise was clear. "I would've thought you'd be at Yale, what with your parents being alumni. That was the plan, wasn't it? What, did Cyrus finally manage to get his hooks into you." He laughed dryly.

"Well, plans change, Senator. And yes, Cyrus was a factor, but so was Harvard's excellent academic record and their outstanding debate team. I was accepted to both; I chose Harvard."

"I suppose going to Yale, after everything, would've been difficult."

"My parents' deaths had nothing to do with my decision." Liar, Olivia chastised herself. But if a lie was what it took to deal with Reston and his son, then so be it. She wouldn't care. "Senator, your son, Samuel, ran into me, literally, while I was out running." Olivia lowered her voice. "He was the one who put my leg in this cast. He pushed me down to the ground. He assaulted me. He would have done worse, but someone came along and got him off of me and got me to a hospital."

Reston's eyes went dark as he stared at her. When he spoke, it was lethal. "Listen to me very carefully little girl. I don't know what you think you're saying, but Sam did not do this. And if he did, you don't have any proof or the police would be here, not you. You are not your mother. Do. Not. Threaten. Me."

Olivia smiled, just a little as she leaned in. "Oh, this is not a threat, Senator. This is a warning. You see, you're right. I'm not my mother. My mother had years of experience and she was very, very good and kept excellent files and has very, very loyal associates. Ones who love me very much. They happen to have a file on you and your son. I happen to have my own set of very loyal associates at Harvard, thanks in small part to your son. Understand this, he started something that night, that no one, not he, nor you, nor anyone can stop. Believe that." She stared at the man who was now only half a table away from her. "You will get your son to stand down and get him help. You will make sure he never, ever crosses my path or the paths of any of my friends or my mother's associates ever again. Or, I will bury both of you."

Reston laughed, only this time it dark, almost sinister. "Darling, you are not capable of burying anyone."

"Senator, I am Olivia Pope. I am Margret Pope's daughter. I can, I will end you both. You can count on that."

Whatever he heard in her voice, he blanched slightly. "I'll deal with Sam. I think we're done here." He threw some bills on the table. "I'd like to say it's been a pleasure…"

"Oh, and Senator?" He looked at her as he stood. "I have meetings scheduled all day with your colleagues and dinner with Fitz and Senator Grant. DC press has my itinerary and my mother's associates are expecting me tonight and tomorrow to catch up." She smiled. "Just in case you'd had any ideas of me not making it safely home tonight."

His jaw clenched. "Your mother would…"

"My mother would be very, very proud of me, Senator. Don't you dare try to insinuate otherwise. Have a very productive day on the hill. Try to get some bipartisan legislation passed. We could really use that healthcare reform and education reform passed. Our kids need proper healthcare and access to schools, don't you agree?" She sipped her water until he stormed off.

Once she saw him exit the restaurant, she slumped back in her chair for only a moment, letting out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. Then she picked up her crutches that had been laid behind her chair, the messenger bag that was also behind her and made her way out the door where Fitz was waiting for her.

"How'd it go?" His anxiety was present.

"He's going to deal with Sam." She shifted her weight and ran a hand up and down his arm. "He's upset, but I handled it."

"Upset? Handled it? Livvie, what's that mean?" He dragged his hand through his hair.

"It means, Fitzgerald, it's handled. And we're not going to stand out here and discuss it because," she nodded and lowered her voice, "we have company."

And right on time, the first reporter showed up, cameraman in tow, and was putting a microphone in her face. She put a smile on as Fitz slipped an arm around her waist. "Ms. Pope? Wow. The rumors are true? You're Olivia Pope? Justice Harwood and Margaret Pope's daughter?"

"Yes ma'am I am." Olivia kept her smile firmly intact. She'd watched Lawrence and Gayle coached other people on dealing with the press. Answer only the questions asked, smile, be polite, warm, friendly. This is what the team had wanted for her today. To show Olivia out and about in DC. Relatively high profile. Document her movements.

"And this is Fitzgerald Grant III, son of Senator Fitzgerald Grant." The reporter shifted her gaze and looked like she would swoon a bit as she said that.

Fitz flashed his famous Grant smile at her and Olivia suppressed the urge to elbow him in the side. "I am, of course."

"Just, wow. This is… you two are… you couldn't have been a better DC arranged power couple if someone had pre-ordered it! You'll be DC royalty," the reporter gushed. "Can we just ask you two a few questions? I mean, we've never once gotten to see, let alone, speak to you, Olivia. You've been DC's best kept kid, I mean…" She at least had the decency to blush.

Olivia felt Fitz's hand squeeze her side firmly. "I only have time for a couple of questions." Olivia feigned looking at her mother's Movado, which rested on her wrist. She'd worn it today for comfort, for strength, for luck. "I have a meeting with Senator Hutchins soon. I'm excited to talk to him about his wife's foundation and how we can do more on campus to help support it."

She smiled as Fitz leaned in and kissed her temple, his lips brushed close to her ear. "Very nicely done."

No, Olivia wasn't her mother. But, maybe, she didn't have to be. Maybe Olivia Pope would be someone just as unique and special.

Well now... How did she do with Reston? Do we really think the elder Reston is going to actually handle his son? What do you think he thinks Margaret had on him to make him think Olivia could do damage if she wanted to? Do you think we've seen the last of them? And what do we think of the budding young Olivia Pope giving her first interview? What about her first taste at being a true Gladiator? And look at supportive Fitz... - and DC's own "royal couple?" What say we? Remember this is the first time DC has gotten a look at the two of them and they were caught with his arm around her and there were no denials... and it's still early. What's going to happen to the media by dinner time? Did anyone think about that when they said 'let the media track you?' Hmm? So many questions! - Until next time... keep letting me know what you think!