Chapter 26

"Sally thanks for meeting with me on such a short notice." Mellie entered the Oval office and hugged Madame President Sally Langston.

"Oh Mellie, what kind of running mate would I be if I denied my future Vice President access to the Oval office her husband once occupied?" Sally met Mellie with a smile, a smile that somewhat caught Mellie off guard as Sally gestured for them to sit on the couches.

"Sally, I'm not going to beat around the bush. I need to know for certain that you will hold up your end of the bargain. I have done everything to get Fitz out of the office, from leaking Olivia's name to the public as his mistress to having him framed for murder. I've been loyal and rather accommodating and I need your insurance that you will stick to the plan and do as we've previously agreed."

Sally scoffed at the notion her loyalty would be called into question.

"Well, I don't understand your question Mellie and frankly I don't like where you're going with this. Why do you need such an assurance? Isn't my word enough?"

"Cyrus is in the Pentagon maximum security lock down, awaiting word from you that he can be released. He is there as an accomplice to the murder of Senator Davis. The only reason they released me is because I was used as bait. I had to sweet talk my way to come see you and they'll be coming for me momentarily to take me back. I need for you to use Executive order to release us both. That's why I'm here: to ask you to release us from detainment and to grant us immunity. After all, we did this so you could be President. I would hate for that little detail to come out during an election, wouldn't you?"

Sally smiled as she gathered her words carefully. "Mellie, dear, are you suggesting that I had anything to do with what happened to Senator Davis? Why would I? He and I were working on a piece of legislature that President Grant was planning to sign. I needed him so why would I assist in his murder? Murdering him would kill the very bill we worked so hard to pass. I wouldn't so much as harm the fly that landed on his skin during a plague even if it gave aid to him or that bill. Whatever you and Cyrus Beene cooked up is between you and him. Do not bring me into your ridiculous shenanigan that has gotten out of hand and I'm not going to bail you two out just because of a conversation we three had about a future election possibility should I choose to run in the next election."

Mellie looked at Sally incredulously as Sally moved from the couch to the leather, swivel chair behind the desk. Mellie stood, lightly shook her head as she followed Sally to the desk and began to speak, "I don't understand. Then what are we getting out this deal? We did this for you! Because you said that we would have roles, more powerful roles than just the First Lady and Chief of Staff. We did this because you promised more for us. I have kids whose futures I've sacrificed for you and now you're turning on us? Cyrus…Cyrus has Ella. Ella needs him as much as Cyrus needs her. Are you going to sacrifice them too for the sake of being in power? What are you getting out of it? What are you getting out of any of our misery for what we've done for you?" Mellie quieted herself down as she leaned on to the desk to stare Sally in her eyes.

Sally returned her gaze and spoke in a quieter voice, "You five did not have a clue that I was on to you the entire time, did you? You thought your smoke and mirrors trick with the machines in Defiance would escape the all-seeing eye of the Lord. But it didn't and when I found out, I had to make it right. You must reap what you sow. All of you must reap and its harvest season for you. Verna met her maker and she will answer to him for it but for you, Cyrus, Hollis Doyle and Olivia Pope, you all have yet to answer. But now you will. I could not be a part of the hypocrisy this administration was under and I will stop at nothing to bring you all down. You thought you leaked the information about Ms. Pope and your husband but no. It was leaked weeks before but never made it to press due to the promise that more would come if they'd conceal it until you spoke. And you spoke, loudly and clearly so that everyone could hear of how your husband's black mistress stole your husband like you did the election: fair and square and right under everyone's nose."

"But why Senator Davis? What did he have to do with anything?" Mellie smothered the yell that was to about to rise from the pit of her stomach. But Sally did very little to tame her anger.

"YOU! YOU WERE EVERYTHING TO DO WITH SENATOR DAVIS! Did you think your little indiscretions with him had gone unseen? As if the entire world was blind to your liaisons? You were no better than your pathetic husband and you thought that I'd stand idly by as you flaunt your "holier than thou" ways against him when you were wolves of the same sheep's clothing. Now I know Fitz had nothing to do with Defiance. I've known that for a while but to watch the downfall of each and every person who helped him rise to Presidency has been nothing but sweet consolation for the pain of losing to a bunch of cheaters. That's the ironic part to me about all of this: that people who ran on honest, solid family values had to cheat to win! What did you think you all were doing? You all practically butchered the democratic process and wanted the American people to be okay with it. Fitzgerald Grant the third could have handled the loss. I could have handled the loss. We've even discussed concession speeches should we have lost. Was winning so important to you all that you ran the risk of jeopardizing our reputations and the trust from our constituents for a few years of maid service and photo ops? Were we not more important to you than that? I digress. Truth is, because of you and your indiscretion with Senator Davis, I had the opportunity to look again into the allegation you made about President Grant's supposed indiscretion and I did find some corroborating evidence to support your claim. It was shortly after your allegation that I was compelled to offer you the role of Vice President; however, in light of finding that you're guilty of the same thing, I cannot have anything further to do with you or the Grant Administration. I wish you all the best of luck in your life but as of now, there is nothing further this administration, this White House or anyone affiliated with either entity can do or will do for you or Mr. Beene. This does include the reason why you came as well. My prayers are with you both."

Mellie shoulders lowered and a sigh was released as she struggled to find a counterargument for Sally and Sally sat waiting on her reply.

"Will there be anything else, Mellie?" Sally asked impatiently, as if Mellie had overstayed her welcome. Mellie, stunned, shook her head slowly as she gradually straightened her back although her head still hung low. Mellie turned to leave the office, taking note of everything in it for the last time. Although much of Sally's things were in there, it still had the basics of Fitz's décor in it.

It was then that Mellie turned back towards Sally and said, "You know Sally, Karma has a way of coming back and biting you when you least expect it. So be careful with whatever you do or say. There is always someone watching you or listening to you, even when you least expect it." With that, Mellie walked out the door and greeted her escorts that will take her to the Pentagon.

The phone rang and Charlie winced at the thought of having to answer it. He knew he was the reason he was in Sicily at this moment and that he wanted an update, but he still did not want to give him the update that she was in the wind. The phone rang again, its familiar, designated tone echoed throughout the room. God, her voice is truly annoying! Who on earth would want to hear Mariah Carey sing anything. Finally the ring tone 'Obsessed' stopped and Charlie breathed a sigh of relief until two beeps sounded loudly signaling a voicemail was waiting on him. He pushed the button to let the phone call the voicemail number. He pushed his password into the phone and waited on the voicemail to come through. "You have one new message and seven saved message: Thursday, 5:37 p.m. "Charlie, hey it's Billy. Just wanted an update on things since I've not heard from you in a while plus, I thought you could use some company; you know, in case she's not as willing as we'd like. That's right! I'm on the island! I'm here in the land of Sicily. So I'd like to meet with you…" The call disconnected and the fact that he did not call back to finish it meant that he expected Charlie to return his call. Charlie knew he could not do that, seeing as how he needed to speak with Huck to see if he had reached her yet.

The phone call to Huck needed to be brief and direct. Does he know where she is or not was the question; however, he knew it would not be that simple.

"Huck."

"Have you seen her yet?"

"No. She's still in the wind and hasn't resurfaced yet."

"Have you called her since the last time?"

"Yes; an additional seven times. I was about to call her again when you called me."

"Billy's on the island. I've got to call him back and meet him somewhere."

"What are you going to tell him?"

"I'm going to see what he knows first and then I'll let him know something. Hopefully, something or someone would surface before it gets to the point of him knowing she's in the wind."

"Good idea. I'll try again and if I get her, I'll let you know something."

"Alright."

Charlie disconnected the call and found himself pacing the room while he ate a cannoli. He struggled to find a balance between maintaining focus on the reason he was there and the cannoli in his hand. That was not like him. He used to have complete focus on his jobs. There was no job he could do that would lack his total commitment and focus. As far as he was concerned, his jobs and his focus was one in the same. Charlie did not know why this job was different for him. Perhaps it was seeing two people willing to risk everything, including all they no longer have as it was a part of their old life, to be with one another that did it for him. Whatever it was, it prompted him to risk more of everything just to be with the family he constantly leaves behind. He no longer had fear of what the security of the job provided him financially and was willing to work at the local burger joint to take care of his family. While it would not be comfortable for his family, he would be home: home to see his son play little league and eventually on a varsity team; home to see his daughter on the first day of school. Home. Time for that would come soon but first things first, he had to finish this job and if he finished it correctly, home would be closer than ever.

Charlie dialed Billy's number and waited the three rings before a stifled voice answered.

"Billy."

"Charlie here. I got your message. Sorry I was…um… busy at the moment you called."

"It's okay. It gave me time to stop and grab a bite to eat. Where are you?"

"In a place called Taormina. It's pretty nice here. Touristy though. The next small town over has a bar filled with a bunch of penises. It's odd but it has great food and an awesome almond wine."

"I'm staying in the Sheraton in downtown Catania. I advise you to move your location here…and, I'll take your word about the penis bar. I trust you'll need a reservation so I'll set you up one under my name."

"Which name? Mr. Montgomery or Chambers?"

"Very good question. You're still engaged in this, I see. For a while, I didn't think you'd still care, after, you know, having to leave your family again. B-613 isn't the only ones who are aware of your secret. Yes, yes, I do my homework too, especially when it seems as if the person assisting me needs a little…shall I say…attitude adjustment every once in a while. I digress unless you provoke me. The room will be under Montgomery."

Charlie's eyes widened. He wanted no harm to come to his family so he put down the cannoli and willed all of his focus on getting Olivia as fast as possible.

"Of course my attention is on the case. There is nowhere else I'd rather it be." Charlie said, hoping to sound convincing enough for Billy to leave his family alone.

Sensing a sudden shift in Charlie's voice when he discussed his family, Billy laughed. "Relax. I'm not going to touch your family, unless you feel it would be necessary for me to do so. I trust you and I trust that you'll complete this task effectively. After all, it could be both Olivia and I who could ensure your freedom from B-613, not just her. Wouldn't you like that? Wouldn't you like to double your chances of leaving B-613 safely so your family can see you?"

Charlie's voice stuck in his throat as tears pooled in his eyes. Charlie was never the one to cry but the thought of being out of the program seemed more and more real to him each and every day he got closer to getting Olivia. "Yes. I'll be in Catania in about two hours. I have some unfinished business here in Taormina. I'm sure by that time I can just come in and go to sleep to start fresh tomorrow."

"Business or not, see you here in ninety minutes. Don't forget I'm paying you to be here for me and the business I've placed in your hands comes first. Anything else is secondary. Remember that. And Charlie, about sleep; rest is for the weary. If you're weary, you're of no use to me or B-613 and you know what they do to weary members of B-613."

Charlie disconnected the call and it was then that Charlie swallowed. He blinked and then began to make a very important phone call.

"Huck"

"I've ran out of time. I need to find her now."

"What happened?

"He threatened my family. He knows about my family."

"I've tried to call her and she still hasn't answered her phone. I'm heading back to the airport. Want to meet me somewhere in between in about thirty minutes?"

"Can't. I need to pack. I'm moving to the Sheraton in downtown Catania as soon as possible. He wants me there so we can collaborate as much as possible on the assignment."

"I'll find a room closer there too. If we're going to work together, then I should be there too. Unless you're holding out on me." Huck uttered that last sentence sounded quite suspicious to Charlie as it was intended.

"C'mon down. You're the next occupant of the Sheraton." Charlie ended the call.

The next morning, Huck breathed a sigh of relief as he finally was able to talk to Olivia.

"Hello."

"You don't have much time. Billy's on the island. He's looking for you and wants to kill the President."

"What do you mean he's on the island Huck? He wasn't even supposed to know where we were. How does he know?"

Olivia did not understand how her wonderful morning of omelets and orgasms led to now fearing for their lives. The only thing she knew was that she was glad she woke to the sound of her phone buzzing on the dining room table and was able to grab it as quietly as the deliciously sore ache between her legs would allow.

"I was going to tell you that at our meeting last night."

Olivia cringed at the words Huck spat at her in displeasure. She knew she would make it up to him somehow.

"Charlie had been following you both but lost you at the airport."

"I didn't know if he was still here or… How long has he been here Huck?"

"I can't say for sure. I know he came in last night around dinner time but that's all Charlie told me." Huck decided to leave his location out of the conversation he could verify Olivia's location and the distance between the two locations. "Where are you?"

"We're staying at L'Isola Che Non C'e by Fontane Bianche. Will we need to leave?"

"Not yet. I'll let you know once I find out more from Charlie."

"Are you two working together on this?"

Huck hesitated a moment before answering. Not because of fear for what she might say but because he really did not know if answering the question would matter.

"Does it matter?"

It was Olivia's turn to hesitate before answering him. It has often been said that two heads are better than one but what if these two heads – the keenest, most diabolical minds that have seen more things and had to creatively devise a way out or into things – planned something that would benefit only Billy? It would leave her miserable and Fitz dead. She had to remind Huck she needed him. She needed him to work for her and to stay on her side. If he was ever doubtful of how much she needed him, as in her missing the meeting last night, she definitely had to remind him of it now.

"You're all I have Huck. You and I, there's no one like us. We need each other to survive – to make it. I trust only you to get us out of here safely and alive."

"Then you're going to have to help Charlie. That's the only way you two can be together safely without having to look for hiding spots. As soon as he gets his freedom, he can turn the tables on Billy. That's how it works for us and that's the only way you can be free too."

Olivia smiled a small grin. Freedom. I lived in the freest country on the planet for most of my life and as soon as I fall in love, it became my prison. The last twenty-four hours have been nothing but freedom and if that is a taste of the freedom Charlie desires, then I want it too. I want to live free with the man I love without fear or shame. His freedom secures my freedom too. I can do this.

"Okay"

"I'll let him know. Liv, I will get you two out of there alive and safe. I need you too.

Huck pushed the end button on the phone and then scrolled through his call log to find Charlie's number. He hit send and waited for an answer, which happened after the first ring.

"What did she say?"

"She'd help you but they must be out of there and safe before she does anything for you." Huck added a little more to it to see where Charlie stood in his thoughts about helping Olivia.

"Okay, whatever she needs, I'm ready to do it.

"Are you sure Charlie? Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"Yeah, I've been ready. Why?"

"Because you'll have one more job after this."

"What's that?

"You'll have to help me kill Billy."

Fitz walked into the family room, carefully to cover himself with only a pair of boxers before he looked for Olivia. He thought she had gone to the bathroom but it was empty. He searched all over the room for her but she was nowhere to be found and the family room was his last stop before having to search for her in the resort. Outside, he saw small footprints lead down to the water where a flower swimsuit glided across the water. Oh no, Fitz thought as he made his way to her. His feet hit the ocean and he waded into where she was floating. He noticed a trail where tears had been.

"Having fun?"

"Hardly."

"What's wrong?"

"Billy's here."

"Billy Chambers? From the Bali resort Billy Chambers? What does he want?"

"Me. He wants me. He's in love with me and he came for me."

Fitz was taken aback by her words. "He's in love with you? Seriously? He's really in love with you?"

Olivia floated to where she could stand in the water with her feet touching the bottom of the ocean. She turned to face Fitz with the most incensed look on her face. "Is it hard to believe a man could be in love with me? Is that so difficult to imagine: that I, Olivia Carolyn Pope, could have a man so interested in me that he'd come for me because I'm no longer by his side? Am I that unlovable? Whoa! Look at who I'm asking! A married man who had to be kidnapped in order to even begin to come for me and technically, he still wouldn't if we hadn't wound up in the same place. Just because they can't find your body or you alive doesn't mean you're free. Finally, I have a suitable single man searching for me because he's in love with me and I'm here arguing with you, a married man who'd rather live in a fantasy world than to confront the one thing he fears most: divorcing Mellie!"

"Is this how you really feel? If you recall, I was in detainment for supposedly killing Senator Davis, your ex-husband. So we're not all that different, you know. Sure your marriage may have been dissolved and mine…well…it's still up in the air, but it still doesn't mean you're any better than me. For god's sake, we slept together when we were both married, although I didn't know you were married at the time. So don't try to make me feel horrible for loving you while we were both unavailable. Besides, you know as well as I do that being in detainment does hamper one's ability to pursue something or, in my case, someone."

Olivia stared at him. He wasn't going to be easy to shake this time. He knew the manly side of him would supersede rationale any day so she was going to have to provoke him. She couldn't up and leave him. She actually had to make him leave her this time so she would not know where he went should she be pressed for information. This time she would have to find him. Olivia knew he would not understand her idea. Any idea away from him would automatically send him into frenzy.

"What are you trying to do Olivia? Are you trying to leave me? Do you want to go? After all the love we made? After all of the promises we declared to one another? You want to leave now and for some guy who we all thought were in prison or dead before this time? For a guy who is, in your term, "single" all because he's in love with you? Come on Olivia! You're trying to put a wedge in between us on purpose."

He waded over to where she stood while circumventing some small waves, grabbed her to him and raised her chin so that their eyes met. "Why are you doing this to us? You said just yesterday that this is what you wanted. I asked you to trust me. You do not trust me right now. Why is that Livvie? What did I do now? Do you really want to leave me? Now, even after all we've been through? Why don't you say it Livvie?" He gently kissed her lips. "Say that you want to leave me?" He kissed her again. "Say that you no longer want to be with me." He kissed her a little harder this time. "Say you never want to see me again." As he went to kiss her again, she placed her hand between their lips.

With all the emotional strength she could muster, she looked into his eyes, swallowed hard and said, "Fitzgerald Thomas Grant, the third. I love you more than words can say but I can't be with you any longer. I'm going to leave you shortly. My bags are already packed. Do not bother to come find me. I've paid this room up until for the next thirteen days so stay here and enjoy it. Do not try to sway me from this decision. Should I find that it's wrong for me, I'll find you and if I do, I'll never leave you again. I swear. All I ask is for you to trust me."

He looked at her sadly as she removed her hand. "If you leave now, don't bother trying to come back to me. I can't take the constant leaving. If you no longer want me, say it. But don't try to come back to me. We will forever be finished. Think carefully and act sensibly."

"I have and you'll just have to trust me."

"What are you planning Livvie?"

Every time Olivia heard his special name for her, it made it that much harder to leave him. All this time she has wanted him and now that they were all alone, she had to leave because of Billy.

In a wavering voice, she said, "Nothing." Fitz got closer to her until the front of his body was pressed flat against hers.

"Livvie, what are you planning?"

Olivia shook her head, fighting with herself as to whether or not she should tell him and trust that he would trust her.

"Okay. I have to leave you because Billy is trying to kill you for taking me away from him. I didn't want you hurt so I figured leaving you would be better than for you to die because you were with me. I can forgive myself for leaving you but having you die because of me is something I'm not willing to do. So let me do this. For you. For us. I want to be the one who fights for us this time. This is the best way I can do it is if I leave you and not know where you've gone because if he presses me, I can break as much as possible without giving up your location. I can't give up something I don't know. Either way, I know if I have someone to come back to, I know I'll leave again. I was coming back to you. I don't even want to leave you now but I don't see it any other way."

"I do and here's where you can trust me. I think between the two of us, we can think of a way we can get Billy off of us without running again. However, I have one request."

"What's that?"

"I request that we figure it out back in the room before we turn into prunes out here." They laughed as they left the water.