Author's Note: I am SO SO sorry this chapter took so long. I apologize in advance if the other one takes a minute as well because I'm doing some traveling right now. Anyways hope you enjoy this.

Chapter 25

Olivia got up the next morning hearing her alarm go off. She wish she could go back to sleep but she remembered where she was and why she had to get up. Olivia stretched and went into the bathroom to start her day. After fixing herself up she prepared to walk downstairs to the dining room when she peaked over at the double doors at the end of the Hall. It was the President's Bedroom. She hesitated knocking on it to see if Fitz was up yet. After thinking about it she walked over and knocked on the door.

She waited for a minute and knocked again. Still she got no answer.

He's probably already downstairs then. Olivia shrugged and walked down to the dining room. Olivia walked into the dining room seeing she was alone.

"Good Morning Mrs. Braxton." One of the dining room staffers greeted her.

"Good morning. Has the president eaten yet?"

"No Ma'am he has not come downstairs yet." Olivia raised an eyebrow. If she had to get up early he was going to have to do so as well.

"Okay well could you fix him some very strong coffee?"

"Of course I'll take it up to his room."

"No don't bother I'll do it." Olivia assured him. The Staffer grabbed the coffee for Olivia who went back upstairs. She turned the knob to Fitz's door and saw it was open. She walked inside looking around. She saw that the President Room was almost like a loft since it had it's own personal living room.

Olivia walked inside the Master bedroom and sucked her teeth annoyed. Fitz was still in bed fast asleep. It was amazing how he was the most powerful man in the Free world yet he looked as fragile as a baby slumbering. He had always been like that. Olivia would just watch him sleep sometimes if she got up a little earlier or he was lights out before she was.

Shaking past thoughts out her head she walked over to his side. Unfortunately for Fitz it was time for him to get out of dreamland.

"Fitz…" She said tapping his shoulder. He didn't respond. Olivia shook him a bit harder and still he didn't wake up. Olivia remembered that he was a bit of a hard sleeper so she was going to have to use some method to get him up. She looked and saw the alarm on the nightstand. She turned up the volume as high as it would go and placed it over his ear. Olivia pressed the on switch and the sound blared hard awaking the president out his slumber.

"What the HELL?! " Fitz said looking around when he noticed Olivia who was trying her hardest not to laugh. It was nice to see he still fell for that old trick.

"Good morning President Grant." She smiled.

"The hell you do that for?!" Fitz said ticked off at her.

"Well it's almost time for your morning Briefs and we have a lot to cover today since this is your first full day back on the job. Now here's a little pick me up for you." Olivia said handing him the cup of coffee.

"Thanks." Fitz took it grumbling. She was worst than Mellie.

"Now then what suit are you wearing today?" Olivia said going to his closet.

"I don't know and I don't care." Fitz said still trying to fight sleep.

"Well that doesn't help." Olivia called out from his closet. Thankfully his clothes were organized so picking him an outfit out was easy.

She walked back out with his suit and placed it down on the bed for him.

"Now you go on and get ready I'll wait for you outside. Then we'll go get some breakfast."

"Okay." Fitz said drinking the last bit of his coffee and going into the bathroom. He turned on the hot shower to help wake him up. He didn't understand it. He was only out a little over a week yet it felt so much longer. He had been so hard program for the longest.

He walked back out and changed into the black suit Olivia picked out for him. He remembered she used to make his outfits out for him because he used to have the hardest time deciding what to wear at times. After fixing himself up he walked out and saw Olivia had dozed off herself on the couch in his room.

Before Fitz could think of the perfect revenge for earlier she woke right back up almost as if by instinct.

"Oh good you're ready let's go." Olivia said trying to get herself together.

"You probably should have had some coffee too." Fitz said. He had to admit she was very cute asleep right then. He ALMOST didn't feel like trying to wake her.

"I'll get some when we go downstairs." Olivia yawned as they both went to the dining room.

"Good Morning President Grant." The same Staffer from earlier greeted Fitz.

"Good morning Oscar." Fitz said sitting down.

"Your usual breakfast sir?" He said fixing Fitz another cup of coffee.

"Sounds good." Fitz said.

"And you Mrs. Braxton?" He said as he gave Olivia her coffee.

"I'll just have some eggs and oatmeal with a slice of grapefruit please." Olivia said.

"Of course." He said going back into the kitchen to inform the chef.

"So we go to morning briefs and take it from there if I recall?" Olivia said sipping her coffee.

"Yes ma'am." Fitz said.

"Did you sleep well last night?" He asked.

"Yeah I did thankfully."

"That's good. I'm glad the room is comfortable for you." Fitz said. The air between them was a bit on the awkward side. They kept the small talk to a minimum focus only on policy. After breakfast was over they went to the meeting room where they met up with Cyrus and the others of Fitz's cabinet.

Olivia didn't take long to get back into the grove of things. Fitz found a bit of comfort seeing her face at the meetings again. Just like in the old days.

"So far so good it seems." Olivia said as they all sat in the Oval Office.

"Yep seems like it." Fitz said.

"This is for you." Cyrus handed her a file. Olivia looked seeing it was a plan for the upcoming state dinner.

"What's this about?" Olivia said.

"You forgot you're the current White House Hostess so this is part of your job." Cyrus reminded her. This was a job usually done by the FLOTUS but since there was none currently it was put on Olivia.

"Alright I'll get to it." Olivia said. She didn't really like planning Parties and such but she had no choice.

"The Event Coordinator will help you get things together don't worry." Cyrus said.

"That's good to know." Olivia said.

"Who's the State Dinner with?" Fitz said.

"It's the Prime Minister of China." Cyrus said.

"I thought he was supposed to come earlier?" Fitz said.

"He was but considering what happen he postponed his trip."

"I see…" Fitz said.

"Cyrus have you…" Fitz began to ask.

"The doctor said there is no change in Miles' status." Cyrus said.

"Okay…" Fitz said sighed. Olivia could see he was tired of hearing that line but at the same time it was better than to hear Miles is no longer among the living or a vegetable permanently.

"Well what is the Prime Minister coming for?" Olivia said trying to change the topic.

"He'll be here for the trading positions and NATO agreement. So we do that then the State Dinner." Cyrus said.

"Alright then." Olivia said.

"How are things on your end with the Sons of Liberation?" Cyrus said.

"Well I talked to my source but they are afraid of getting blackballed by the Agency if word got out. That was even after I told them they would be protected by the President's Office."

"Well they are strict as hell over there." Cyrus said.

"Did you get anything yourself?" Olivia asked.

"No, from what I'm getting on the official investigation they are no where near close to having any leads. These guys are like Ghosts or something."

"Well we know who their targets are. Former President Graham, the Senators who were on the committee with my husband and Nielson himself. If I'm right they're all trying to cover their butts right now." Olivia said.

"You think they destroyed things from the case?" Fitz said.

"Probably, Probably not. Of course…All of us are targets too even after they get their revenge on the others. I know too much and Fitz is the President. Of course they may seem perfect but they aren't. Fitz is still here and so am I."

"I swear I'm starting to think Al-Qaeda isn't as bad as these guys." Fitz said.

"We have to find the Mole in the Agency. That's step number one." Olivia said.

"So where do we begin searching?" Fitz said.

"We get everybody who is currently involved in the case monitored to make sure nothing is getting leaked out. Also maybe we could put some fake information out that way we see who gets their hands on it. That way we know how the information is getting out possibly."

"That's a good suggestion." Fitz said.

"What exactly will the false information be though?" Cyrus said.

"That I'm not sure yet but we can think of something." Olivia said.

"Of course we'll also have to see how we are going to spread it without the Mole getting suspicious."

"We got our work cut out for us." Cyrus said.

"Yeah we do." Olivia said. The three went on about the rest of day doing work. After the day was over Olivia looked out at the Balcony that overlooked DC. The Night air was quite refreshing and welcoming after a long day's work.

"There you are." She looked over and saw Fitz walking beside her.

"Hey is anything wrong?" Olivia said.

"No just wondering where you went that's all." Fitz said.

"Okay." She said going back to her sight-seeing.

"You mind if I join you or would you rather be alone?" He said. Olivia shrugged.

"It's up to you." She said.

"Thanks." He said joining her.

"This spot has like the best view in the white house to me personally. Even better than the one in the Oval Office." Fitz said.

"Yeah it is nice plus you can feel the air here." Olivia said.

"Indeed." Fitz caressed the railing.

"Miles and I…used to talk here sometimes." Olivia looked over at Fitz.

"I would be busy and he would be busy but we just come to this spot and talk about each other's days even if it's for a little while. It's amazing what goes through that kid's head. I swear I wish I had myself together as much as he does at that age."

"Fitz...you can't think you're not going to be able to speak to him again. You got to keep hope alive that he's going to recover. I already know he's strong because he's still here fighting. You have to be strong for him too."

"I know…but every day I don't hear anything changing the more worried I get. I really would love to just jump on the first thing smoking out there to be with him. However, I'm not allowed to because of security risk and what not. I just…want him to look at me again and crack some joke about me being an old man who can't beat him in chess."

"Miles has beaten YOU in chess?" Olivia said a little stunned by that.

"Mr. Chess Master himself has been beaten by a 16 year old?" Fitz chuckled.

"I swear he can strategize like there is no tomorrow. He can predict my next two moves before I can make them. I regret teaching the joker how to play at times." He said which made Olivia laugh.

"I can't believe Miles beats YOU up in Chess. As much as you used to brag about being undefeated?! HA!"

"Hey if I'm going to get my butt whooped might as well be my son. Lord knows he does that to me on his Video games." Olivia could imagine Fitz playing with Miles and getting his butt handed to him. He was a bit of a sore loser even if he didn't want to admit it.

"I'm glad you got a laugh out of that." Fitz said.

"I'm sorry but I can see you rage quitting now." Olivia kept laughing.

"I don't rage quit on my son." Olivia gave him a look knowing he wasn't telling the truth.

"Okay maybe once or twice I was tired and he a worst winner than I am." Olivia went back to her laughing.

"That's not funny." Fitz said chuckling himself watching Olivia laughing. He was glad for it. He hadn't seen her laugh like that in ages.

"The hell it's not!" Olivia said trying to get herself.

"Oh my goodness, I can still see it. That will keep me good tomorrow." Olivia said rubbing the tears out her eyes.

"I'm glad I brighten your day up a bit." Fitz said as Olivia rubbed his shoulder.

"Anyways like I was saying...don't think your last game with him will be your last. It's going to be okay. He's going to recover and he can whoop up on you so more or you can get revenge and beat him."

"Thanks." Fitz said feeling a bit better himself.

"No problem. Now let's go get some rest we got a long day tomorrow."

"Right." Fitz as they walked to their rooms to rest for the evening.

Olivia left out the meeting with the Event Coordinator and staffers for the State Dinner. It would be the day after tomorrow. Olivia yawned stretching because she had to deal with this on top of everything else. She had been at the white house for about two weeks and so far things were running smoothly. She had gotten a bit more comfortable about being around Fitz more as well.

They were secretly monitoring those who were involved in the Sons of Liberation case and so far the mole had not slipped up to reveal themselves. Graham was still nowhere to be found and the CIA director was laying low as well. It was bit frustrating to the White House but they kept going.

Olivia went to her room to start getting ready for bed when she got a knock on her door.

"Who is it?" She said.

"It's Me Olivia." She heard Fitz's voice.

"Come in." Olivia said as Fitz entered the room.

"Hey I needed to ask you something." Fitz said.

"Sure what's up?" Olivia said.

"Well…do you have a dress for the Dinner coming up?"

"You know now that I think about it I don't. I've been so busy I forgot about getting one lined up. I guess I could go to my house and get one or something."

"I'll have somebody come over and have you fitted for one." Fitz insisted.

"Okay that works." Olivia shrugged

"Also…I was thinking that since you are considered the Official Hostess for the White house now… uh…would you be MY official guest?" Olivia looked over at him when he said that.

"You want me to what?" Olivia asked.

"I want you as my official guest at the dinner." Fitz said.

"Fitz…do you understand what you're asking me?" Olivia said. She had just planned to greet the guests and make sure things were going right NOT being an actual dinner guest let alone Fitz's. That would require her sitting at the President's Table among other things.

"I'm asking you to go to the dinner with me." Fitz said.

"If I go to an Official Event on the President of the United States' arm, we'll see the headlines popping up before we get back to our rooms." Olivia said. She didn't want to be labeled his "new girlfriend" especially since she didn't even know if she wanted to go that route with him again.

"I will say that you are just my guest. You're the White House Hostess nobody will think otherwise. It won't be a date and I won't try anything with you."

"Fitz I don't think we should." It wouldn't be in good taste for him to be seen with her especially since his wife had JUST been buried. Also Olivia had buried her own husband, the Former Senate Majority Leader, not too long ago. That would just send people in a spiral.

"Olivia please…" Fitz said sitting across from her.

"I'll get you a dress and everything. Please go with me." Olivia could see he wasn't leaving her room till he got a yes.

"Very well I'll go." Olivia said.

"Wonderful!" He said giving her a kiss on the hand.

"Thank you. I'll have them get a dress for you first thing." He said leaving out. Olivia rolled her eyes not looking forward to this. She looked over at the picture of Edgar.

"It's not a date. I know better than to date him again." She said. Olivia kept his picture out and spoke with him at times to clear her mind. People would probably think she was crazy for it but it was calming to her. Olivia found herself getting a bit more uncomfortable with the notion as she thought about it further. She got on the phone and called Abby about it.

"You what?!" Abby said.

"It's an official state dinner." Olivia said.

"Olivia…." Abby said.

"Don't give me a lecture please." Olivia said knowing that tone.

"Olivia…you were finally over him. I knew this would happen when you moved into the white house."

"Abby we're not getting back together. I'm only here because of the Sons of Liberation case. When that is over I'm out of here and moving on with my son."

"Sure you are…" Abby said not believing a word out her mouth. It wasn't till Edgar came along that Olivia could actually say she was over Fitz and Abby believe her.

"Olivia…he just pulled the begging trick on you and it WORKED like it always does. You two are going to go out, probably have a great time, then next thing you know you two are making out in the rose garden."

"Abby!" Olivia said blushing at the thought of that.

"Olivia…I just don't want you to get hurt again."

"I won't. I know…I know not to get burned again." Olivia said. She still had to remember Fitz for all his charm was still the man who cheated on her after having a miscarriage then married another woman. Then later go off and was with another woman then lied to her about it. He was the man who made HER feel guilty for his mistakes. Their relationship had gotten to that of old friends and that's how it should remain for her.

"Olivia…I know you're feeling some kind of way now that Edgar's gone but…"

"No…he can't take Edgar's place…he never could." Olivia said stopping her.

"Olivia…you never got a chance to truly mourn him. As soon as the Funeral was done you were on the lookout for his murderers. Throwing yourself into your work like the old days. Before then you were looking after Nathan."

Olivia didn't want to hear it but Abby was right. Fitz was a surrogate for Edgar right now. She was getting lonely again. Her son was far away and her husband was dead. Fitz reached out to her and she grasped. The past two weeks at the white house had been really pleasant between them. She didn't want that to be ruined.

"I won't make the same mistake." Olivia said.

"Okay." Abby said. She didn't want Olivia to go back into that shell of a person she was after ending it with Fitz. Olivia got off the phone and got ready for bed. She leaned back in bed looking at her picture with Edgar.

"What should I do?" She said to the picture.

"What do you want to do?" She looked over and saw Edgar sitting down right on cue.

"I don't want to go." Olivia said.

"Then don't go." He said.

"I already said…"

"What is he going to do if you don't go?" Edgar said.

"Be mad at me." Olivia said.

"He'll live. He's hard headed." Edgar said.

"Yeah…" Olivia said with a slight chuckle.

"You actually feel bad about not going?" Edgar said.

"I don't know…What do you think?" Olivia said.

"Well he already said to punch his lights out if he tries you. Are you afraid you're going to give in?" Olivia slowly nodded her head. Fitz could be very persuasive at times especially in THAT department.

"Well then you better not go if you don't think neither one of you can control yourselves."

"Maybe…" Olivia said.

"Well think of it this way. You stopped him when he tried you at the house. So you can stop him if he tries anything during the dinner. I believe you're not as weak minded around him as you think you are. You'll be okay whether you go with him or not."

"I guess…" Olivia said as he disappeared. Olivia leaned back in bed thinking of what to do.

Maybe I'll know in the morning. She thought to herself as she fell asleep.