Chapter 26

Time waits for no man. Apparently it didn't stall for women either. And as the days passed Mellie Grant found the adage applying to her situation more and more. She had reached the point where she no longer had the luxury of waiting around for Fitz to come to his senses. For him to put a stop to the public humiliation his fling with Olivia Pope brought to their family and himself. If she was going to make her name a force to be reckoned with within the political arena she had to begin taking steps to ensure that future; even if she had to navigate the beginning stages alone and without the backing of the one man who she had given her life to.

Although Fitz's choices increasingly infuriated her and gave her pause she was confident that he would return to her side where he belonged. But until then there was still work to be done, one of the first things on her agenda being a brunch hosted in her home.

For the better part of the day she would charm and flatter and hold court over some of the Party's biggest donors. She just prayed they focused more on her and the potential she had to polish their tarnished image and less on Fitz's midlife crisis. Hour upon hour of rehearsing possible scenarios with a consultant had left her confident in her ability to skillfully deflect or address numerous topics that might be thrown her way.

Her mood light and hopeful, she floated into the kitchen to check on the menu's progress before moving throughout the rest of the house to make sure it was spotless and inviting. On the way back to her bedroom images on one of the television screens captured her attention and stopped her in her tracks. She gawked and seethed at the pictures of Fitz and Olivia playing on the beach; walking hand in hand and lovingly holding onto one another as they stood in the ocean. Another showed the duo at dinner, one

caught them dancing; all smiles, curly hair and sun kissed skin, both dressed in white. The last photo in the slide included the couple, along with Karen and Gerry, shopping. The sights were taunting her, causing her stomach to churn but she couldn't look away.

"Turn it up!" she demanded to a worker before commenting on the noise the vacuum created. "And turn that off and get out!"

She slid into the leather chair and listened to the discussion, hoping that the words would drown out the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. The female panel posited the question of whether today's woman could really have it all and were using Olivia as their avatar.

Her liaison with Fitz, the ratings bonanza created by her special reports combined with the rise and sustaining of her morning audience all were seen as factors in her star steadily ascending. She was an accomplished, well educated woman romantically involved with a prominent man who shamelessly adored her in public. The acceptance of his children, evidenced by the connection she seemed to have with them, made those whose points leaned more towards the belief of career and love and family being attainable seem valid.

According to the majority of pundits Olivia was living out the ideal and quite fabulously. By the time the segment, in which she was hastily mentioned, was over, Mellie was seeing red. She shot out of her seat with a roar and paced and panted just like she had finished a marathon. If there was ever any doubt before, she now knew that Fitz's fascination with Olivia Pope had gone on entirely too long. It needed to come to an end and quickly. She stormed out of the room in a huff more determined than ever to succeed in the righteous cause of delivering him from his stupidity.

In between meetings, answering work correspondence and beginning preparation for the evening news broadcast, Olivia exchanged texts with Fitz that ranged from sweet and simple to sensual. He had completely obliterated her train of thought on more than one occasion throughout the course of their conversation to the point where she had to halt their discussion for long periods of time.

Once an impromptu gab session with Abby came to an end, her hunger for him had simmered to a level that she deemed safe enough to resume communication. Sauntering back to her office, she looked down and smiled at the swiftness in which he replied to her.

How much longer until you're finished with that place? I want to take you to lunch.

Eager to see him and touch him her response was on the tip of her finger, ready to be typed and sent but was hindered by her body colliding with another's. The contact was hard and abrupt, sending her device as well as files flying. Apologizing profusely for her inattention she bent down and began correcting the mess she made, gathering papers that had landed in every possible direction. Then she heard a strong voice, felt a strong familiar hand interrupt her movements; a hand she immediately withdrew hers from and stood. She smoothed her hands down her charcoal pencil skirt in an attempt to covertly create distance and collect her composure.

"My God, I'm so sorry. Forgive me for being a brainless idiot by acting like I'm the only person walking these halls."

Thinking her adorable in her flustered state, Keegan shot her a glorious smile. "It's okay, Olivia. My papers and I will survive. Luckily, so will your electronic life."

She accepted the smartphone he extended to her and caressed the screen to check for even the slightest damage. "It was still my fault. Although I didn't have any idea...you're back. Welcome back."

"Thanks. And yes, although vacation time seemed to do us all some good unfortunately the good times have ended."

"For some quicker than others," she added.

As soon as she had returned to New York at the start of the new year she had been tasked to step in and anchor the nightly news while the program's anchor recovered from injuries sustained during his holiday. The sudden shift in the lineup meant she spent more hours inside the building working than anywhere else which left her with less time for friends, Fitz and the kids. "Any word on when Grayson will be returning?"

He whistled, "With the amount of injuries he has, your guess is as good as mine. The broken bones alone...I won't even get into the swelling, cuts and bruises. Why, is there a problem?"

"None at all." She answered quickly. She didn't want to tell him how easy it was to settle into her new role as if it were designed for her and how she hated even the thought of giving it up.

"Look, Olivia we really haven't had a chance to talk to each other since before the Christmas party and then the night of with your guy...I feel like I should..."

Wondering when the topic would eventually rear its ugly head but not keen on ever discussing it, she waved her hands at him. "Everything's alright. Truly, we don't need to."

"Olivia, let's take this somewhere a little more private." he suggested without acknowledging her wish. He scooped up the rest of his paperwork, looked around and saw a group filing out of the conference room.

He walked in its direction without another word to her and she followed behind. His files hit the table and he turned to her just as soon as the door closed with a click.

"Look Keegan I think I know where this is going and..."

"Do you really, Olivia?" He softened his tone when she flinched "Sorry. Sit please."

"I think I'll stand."

Realizing she wasn't about to budge anytime soon he sighed. "All right. Judging by your vacation pics that have been slapped in the paper and everywhere else, I'd say it's safe to assume that you and Grant are still a thing, right?"

"We are."

"I also assume that you two talk a lot? I mean a journalist and a world leader I believe you two would be big on communicating, right?"

"We are."

"So he's shared his concerns? His belief that I might be interested in you outside of these four walls?"

"He has."

His eyes stayed on her while she looked everywhere but at him. He shoved his hands in pockets and exhaled at her avoidance tactic but pushed forward nonetheless. "You're a stunning woman, Olivia. Attractive. You're quick witted, smart and you work hard. There's not a lot of straight men who wouldn't be drawn to you and I'm not immune. I've even had my thoughts and an urge to do something about it. But I have no intention of crossing that line. The stories we tell, the work we do here is too important to get sidetracked by such messy entanglements. I don't need a threatened ex president breathing down my neck when I'm trying to keep BNN number one in news."

"So the fact that I'm in a relationship isn't enough to deter you in and of itself? It's Fitz's reaction and the work that takes priority, is that what you're saying?"

He smirked. "I never said I was a saint, Olivia. But you don't have to worry about me pursuing you or undermining your relationships, personal or professional. But if you ever found yourself single again I wouldn't drag my feet when it came to asking you out this time around."

"Keegan, please-"

"Olivia, I'm not about jeopardizing either of our positions with the network. I wasn't chosen to run an entire news division because I was easily led by emotions. Compartmentalizing and adapting can be wonderful things. I can separate my wants from the greater good."

"Then why say anything? Why tell me this when you know I can never unhear it!?"

"Your boyfriend brought it up so I assume it's nothing that's haven't been talked about before. Just wanted you to know where I stood if you ever find that this thing with Grant isn't all you dreamed it would be."

His blunt admissions floored her, wiped her of all thoughts except his words repeatedly running through her mind. Seeing her processing his confession right in front of him waited a beat before moving, breathing or anything else. When she said nothing else, he picked up his belongings and walked past her, careful not to touch her as he turned the door and held it open for her.

Without exchanging a word, they exited the room together but went separate ways. She spun in the direction of her office and saw Fitz standing watching them.

"What are you doing here?"

"What was that about?"

The questions were asked simultaneously out of confusion and curiosity, her mouth hanging ajar because of the surprises that apparently wouldn't stop coming.

"Olivia?" He said, his eyes intensely trained on her. "What's going on?"

She gave him a small smile, touched his face and the visitor's badge on his suit pocket before taking him by the hand and guiding him until they reached her office. As soon as they were shielded from prying eyes his mouth and hands went exploring. His kisses were enticing and consuming, his touch feather light and tempting as his fingers played with the bow of her blouse before dipping underneath her skirt and blindly feeling his way around skin, satin and lace and then cupping her behind. Their lack of connection maddening he pressed his body more fully into hers.

Remembering where they were, she tore her lips from his and moaned."Fitz-"

"Missed you, Livvie."

"Missed you too but this is work, we can't."

"I know."

They stayed in each other's embrace smiling, bumping foreheads and noses. "Hi."

"Hi." She stole a quick kiss from his addictive lips. "So how did you make it all the way up here? I didn't give my okay."

"It's not like you would turn me away."

"I know, but protocol."

He shrugged and then chuckled. "Now you know that a presidency in any stage trumps protocol. When you never got back to me about lunch I decided to come down and see what was going on for myself. So what I walked in on, was that what was going on? Are you going to tell me about it?"

She took a deep breath and then let it out; fidgeted with his lapel, his collar. "Let's just say that you were right about Keegan Patrick."

"Oh?" He asked with increased interest. "Do tell. But start by letting me know if I need to begin hunting him down this very minute."

She shook her head no. "But if we had bet on the depth of his interest in me I'd owe you a steak. So let me buy you one right now."

The ride to the restaurant was informative and tense as Olivia recounted Keegan's revelation and Fitz took it all in. He was surprised that the man had come clean, curious how Olivia would handle it going forward and uncomfortable with the thought of the two working so closely together. He had plenty of ideas on how to rectify the situation to his satisfaction but he couldn't see Olivia agreeing or being pleased with any of them. Instead he sat back in his seat and brought her with him, wrapping her in his arms.

He kissed her head. "So what are you going to do now that you know what you know?"

Genuinely puzzled, she lifted her head from his chest and looked into his eyes "What do you mean?"

"That man, your boss, came right out and said he has a thing for you. What do you mean what do I mean?"

"He copped to feelings he stated he has no intention of acting on. He hasn't done anything inappropriate. There's been no threats against my career if I don't reciprocate, no suggestive touching or hinting or anything else. He hasn't even asked me out! Hasn't offered to buy me so much as a bagel. He knows that I'm seeing you, that I'm happy with you. What do you suggest I do?"

The thoughts of her quitting, him getting Keegan Patrick reassigned to Timbuktu kept piercing his thoughts but he knew neither of those would really benefit him in the long run. He looked into her wide eyes, saw the fire dancing in them as she waited for the next words to leave his mouth and knew he had to tread carefully. He averted his gaze and stared out into the city.

"What were you going to say, Fitz?"

"Nothing. I'm just not thrilled about you working under the guy, with the guy or anything else with the guy."

"Well whenever you feel you're about to pop a vessel over it just remember work is the operative word."

He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her back to him. "I'll try."

Ecstatic that there was finally an opening wide enough in her schedule that allowed for time to spend with Fitz, her smile was immense and steps brisk as they were escorted through the dining room and to their table. She was looking forward to basking in his always lavish attention while enjoying a nice meal and conversation, anxious just to focus on the two of them for part of her day before getting back to business.

But the plan that seemed so simple, so promising even a few seconds prior quickly deflated once she took a good look at her surroundings. Feeling her hand jerk in his, Fitz stopped walking and turned to face her. "Liv?"

Her eyes were sharp as she ignored his questioning tone. He followed her gaze and spotted her parents walking towards them.

Her voice was icy and firm as she spoke. "No. Just no. You two have got to be kidding me. Out of all the city's in the entire world you have to show up here? You've resorted to stalking now?"

Maya shot Fitz a steely glare while Elijah stood stoic beside her. "Now don't be so dramatic, baby. How could we be stalking if we were here first? We're in town through the weekend and I simply told Eli you thought highly of this place so here we are. I did plan on calling you so we could get together..."

"Sure just like you called over to Pop Pop's on Thanksgiving or the millions of other times you show up here outside my apartment door at a moment's notice. Yeah, I really believe you were sparing me the element of surprise because you've been so disciplined about it in the past."

"Hold on, that's your mother you're talking to, Olivia."

Her face heated and blood boiled at the sound of her father's voice. In that instant she couldn't control her temper and immediately turned her irritation towards him; in part because he had chosen to insert himself and partly because he was the driving force behind it anyway. "No! You do not address me. Not now, not ever!"

Accustomed to numerous sets of eyes on him all at once, Fitz felt the exact moment they started receiving more attention than any of them would have liked. He knew that if Olivia was not swept up in her emotions she would be mortified that they were gaining an audience. He was just thankful that their late lunch meant the amount of people patronizing the restaurant had thinned considerably from the establishment's usually crowded atmosphere.

Obviously the clearest thinker in the group he moved closer to Olivia and whispered in her ear. She nodded and turned on her heel without another word to either of her parents.

As soon as they were alone in the back of the car, she released a ear piercing shriek.

"Better now?" Fitz asked, his voice and expression calm while he studied her.

"No." She shook her hands in the air to emphasize her point. "Whenever I think of the level of gall that they both possess. What is wrong with them? I just can't for the life of me comprehend..."

Desiring to soothe and distract her, to take her far away from the source of her problem, he tossed out suggestions. "You want to go somewhere and talk about it? Another restaurant? Your place? Mine?"

She heaved a sigh and stared straight ahead. "I'm sorry but I just want to go back to the studio and work. Maybe the faster I plow through it, the faster we can put this day down."

His own mood taking a hit because of her response, it was his turn to sigh and fuss."But you're upset. Do you really want to go back in there like that?"

"I need to. I need to go somewhere where I'm not someone's Liv or Livvie or baby. I just need to go be Olivia Pope. Can you understand that?"

In spite his own disappointment he kissed her and assured her that he could.

For the rest of the afternoon and well into evening, Fitz decided to take his cue from Olivia and bury himself in work. It gave him a chance to take his mind off the fact that the day would go down as one of his worst thanks to the continued limits on Olivia's time due to her ever increasing workload, her boss owning up to his obvious desire for her as well as her parents' arrival; the Pope's unwelcome presence killing any chance for romance.

Thinking about the effect Elijah and Maya had on Olivia's psyche depressed him. It was the second time he witnessed his confident carefree Olivia dissolve into a ball of anger and sadness. Watching her reaction left him helpless, utterly stumped as to the best way to remedy the situation for her emotional well being. But in knowing that there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to erase her pain, the fact that she chose to deal with her feelings for her parents by shutting him out too, stung.

The longer the day dragged on and the longer he was separated from Olivia, Fitz became even more annoyed, frustrated and confused. So to avoid blaming others that had nothing to do with the storm of emotions brewing within thanks to the Pope Predicament, he wrote. After reaching an acceptable stopping point, he reviewed his upcoming schedule and then approved more items to be preserved in his library.

After cooking dinner and spending time with Karen and Gerry he wrote some more only breaking to commend himself for getting through the day without crowding Olivia. Although it irked him that she hadn't even bothered to call or text him to check on him, he had given her the space she requested; whether to work through or ignore the re reemergence of her parents altogether. Unsure of what her plans were once her workday came to an end, he passed the time on the lowest level of the house in silence until he tired of waiting for her to show up.

Just as he started to climb the stairs he heard movement outside the front door. Believing Olivia had calmed enough to seek him out, he hurried to the foyer only to have his hopes dashed by the sight of Cecily. Even though he felt like the poster boy for grinning and bearing it, he pasted a smile on his face and welcomed her into his home.

"It's beginning to come together so beautifully," she remarked after a brief tour through the guest quarters; wholeheartedly approving of the subtle mint and grey decor. "Don't you love just love the fact that we're a hop, skip, and a jump away from each other now?"

"Oh yeah, just thrilled," he said dryly.

She hit his chest and rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Fitz, if I didn't know how much you loved me, quite frankly, I'd be insulted."

Being called out on his foul mood left him feeling sheepish so he apologized and sincerely.

"That's better," she smiled triumphantly. "Where's Liv?. I know she's not still working because I watched her sign off for the night a while ago." She tried to decode his shrug to no avail. "What does that mean?"

"That I don't know where she is at the moment."

"What do you mean you don't know? How can you not know?"

"Because I'm not her keeper. I'm not her husband. I'm definitely not her parent. Apparently I'm just the man who's in love with her and nothing more."

She detected weariness in his voice and hurt in his eyes. It explained why his fuse was even shorter than usual. "Is there a problem? Are you two fighting?"

"No. At least I don't think so. She just...she has a lot on her plate."

"Which has you stressed on her behalf," she deduced. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Nope."

"You wanna drink about it?"

Liking the sound of that idea very much he grinned."I knew you were my favorite cousin for a reason."

They sat in his office downing his best scotch, chatting and occasionally laughing. Though he kept his words light and avoided commenting on anything of substance, worry lines and fatigue were etched on his features. It was evident he was going through it, whatever it was. While CiCi thought of ways to get him to spill what was on his mind Fitz slid documents in front of her, watched her read them and then gasp in surprise.

"Fitzgerald. Fitzy. Fitz. I know you're in love with her, even a blind woman could see it, but this..."

"I was going to give this to her tonight. I thought that maybe she was reluctant to move in because this place would be all mine and legally she wouldn't have a say in anything. That's why I requested the deed be modified. Once this is recorded we'll have 50/50 ownership of this place."

"Well, I'll say you're giving new meaning to grand gestures the world over. To step out like that with no guarantee that she'll accept or that you two will last." She sighed. "Fitz, you're family and I love you. And I adore Liv because I think she's good for you, she makes you happy and I believe that she really loves you too. Everybody deserves a real love and everything that comes with it, but I need for you to be sure about this. All you two have is the love in your hearts and the words of your mouths. You're gambling with millions upon millions of dollars here, banking on this relationship to last when you haven't even taken the ultimate plunge in commitment yet. I wouldn't be a good cousin to you if I didn't say anything at all."

"I asked her about marriage," He scowled as she clapped and squealed. She was all misty eyes and slacked jawed and he hated bursting her bubble seeing as how she was more excited about the prospect than Olivia was. He finished off his drink and winced. "I didn't propose. Just asked her feelings on the subject. She says she doesn't know if that's her thing. At first I thought that maybe she's one of those people who doesn't need all of that, that her career is more than enough, but now I can't help but wonder if it has more to do with her parents than anything. And if it does how do we get past if? I mean she'll talk to me about any and every topic under the sun except them, so how can we overcome something she won't face? I want us to have more, be more, I want us to have it all. But I'm afraid if I push..."

Wanting him to have the happiness that he so deserved, that was just within his reach, her voice was adamant as she squeezed his hand. "Then tell her how you're feeling, Fitz. Let her know the two of you are in this relationship together. That includes all the good and the bad..."

"Hi, you two."

Fitz and Cecily's heads whipped in the direction of Olivia's voice. They spotted her standing in the doorway looking exhausted and sad. He was unsure if he should interpret her arms crossed at her chest as a defensive tactic or not so he just sat quietly and observed her.

"Liv!" Cici said with a beaming smile and high pitched voice .

"CiCi," Olivia replied, taking notice of the woman's glassy eyes and flushed skin before focusing in on the half empty crystal decanter and glasses. She arched her impeccably arched brow at the both of them.

"Well," CiCi cleared her throat, "I'm going to leave now. I'm sure my driver's had two or three different dreams waiting on me to come out, so I'll just get out of your two's hair."

There were tight hugs and quick kisses on the cheek all around as well as a promise of a phone call to confirm her safe arrival home.

Once they were alone Olivia walked to Fitz and closed the distance between them. Her voice was faint, hesitant. "I hope you don't mind, I used my key."

"I don't mind at all," he played with the keys dangling from the chain and her fingers. "You're here."

"I'm here." She smiled but not fully.

"After the way we left things things and then when you didn't call at all, not one time, I wasn't so sure."

She heard the gentle reprimand in his voice and mentally prepared for a war of words. "You're mad."

"You're damn right I am. I don't appreciate you pushing me away, especially for something I didn't do."

"Fair enough. You're right. I'm sorry, forgive me. Will you forgive me?"

He kissed her, released his pent up passions and frustrations onto her.

She held onto his shoulder and cupped the hair at the nape of his neck until they broke apart, she fought for his next breath. "I want to spend the night. Can I stay?"

"Yes, you can stay. You can always stay, Olivia. That's one question you never need to ask ever again in life, okay?"

"Okay," she nodded. "I really am sorry, Fitz."

"I was waiting for you. I had no idea you would come."

"I was. I will. I always will, I promise."

"I don't want your parents' special appearances to keep affecting you and us by default. I love you, I'm in love with you. The things that hurt you, hurt me. The things that bother you, bother me."

"Fitz..."

"It's almost been two months now, Liv. Whether you have anything to do with them or not your parents will always be out there somewhere. I think you need to decide what you want to do about it. What l can do, if anything, to help. Whatever you want, we need to talk about it and figure it out."

She nodded and sighed, her fingers running over his bunched shoulders. "I know. We do. Just not tonight. Can you give me tonight?"

"Why?" he raised his eyes at her.

"Because I want to make it up to you. I want to make things right. Let me make it right," she pleaded.

His penetrating gaze darkened and his tongue darted from its home and touched his lips. Smiling and then whimpering as strong hands traveled her body, she stood on the tips of her toes to initiate a soul stirring kiss.

The delicate hand that came to rest at his shoulder snapped Elijah out of his reverie prompting him to turn, press his lips to the manicured digits and exhale.

Maya smiled as she leaned down to kiss the top of his head. "It's been a long day, Eli, you need sleep."

He heard her advice but didn't budge. He was too caught up in thoughts of his daughter and his view of the city from where his chair was positioned in the suite. "I know but I can't turn my mind off. I thought this would be easier, coming back here, coming back to her. But Olivia won't let me get a word in edgewise...She's...she's more stubborn than I first thought. But I guess I should have known, she is your daughter after all."

"Our daughter, Eli. That's our baby."

A proud smile lined his lips. "Our baby has grown into an amazingly headstrong woman. I'd be proud if I wasn't on the receiving end of it."

"It's a quality that comes in handy from time to time. I think it's served her well in her career. She's all over that network right now and hopefully it'll only keep going that way."

"It will if I have anything to say about it. If she wants to take it to the top like she's told you in the past she has to get away from Grant. Being with him is detrimental to everything's she's working towards."

Watching him become so animated bothered her, she tried soothing and agreeing to calm him down. "I know, Eli. I've tried to make her see reason but she won't listen."

He was thinking, hard, while explaining a point she already conceded to. "She has to extricate herself from that man's clutches before it's too late and she's destroyed. And if she won't do it, if she can't come to that realization all by herself, then it's my job as her father to help her see the light."

"How are you going to do that when she won't give either of us more than a second of her time."

"Where there's a will there's a way, my dear. And I'm more than willing to find that way."

By the time Fitz awoke to aid Karen and Gerry in their preparation for school the next morning, Olivia was already gone. Instead of waking up to her warm smile and even warmer touch there was a note on her pillow. Lucky for him her intoxicating scent still lingered in her absence. Thankful for even the smallest links to her, he inhaled, snatched the paper from its spot and read. His smile brightened in answer to her promises to him; her words of love and adoration and contentment invigorated him.

Once he was on his feet, he played the role of human alarm, commanding teenagers from the comfort of their beds before beginning chef's duties. He made breakfast, packed up requested leftovers; visibly smug that they enjoyed his cooking enough to ask for more even without bribes or threats. When they joined him in the kitchen he assumed the role of game show host and quizzed Karen on points she would be tested on until Gerry took over. From there he cheered her on, impressed with how she retained even the most minute of details, expounding far beyond required until both father and son were begging to move on. When time ran out, forcing them to face the day, he ushered them out the door to their waiting detail.

Alone in the house, he trekked through rooms, humming, observing and tidying. He briefly entertained thoughts of various renovations and then dismissed them. Moving on, he retrieved the remnants of his tete a tete with Cecily and then tackled the mess he'd made in the kitchen. Back upstairs, he stopped by Gerry's room on the way to his own to return his beloved headphones to their proper place. He groaned at the messy room and the television still playing loudly. The fact that it was broadcasting the radio show of one of America's crudest 'entertainment' personalities made it worse. It also drove home the need for him to not only have another talk with the boy about caring for his personal belongings but also his taste in television programs. Exasperated, he strode forward with the intent to turn it off but plopped down on the bed when a picture of Olivia and the female guest appeared on screen.

It took racking his brain followed by unfortunately concentrating on the conversation taking place for him to recognize her as the woman whom Olivia had replaced on Top of the Morning. She was beautiful no doubt but her vivaciousness easily veered into Ditzville which in turn made her annoying. Once she burst into a fit of grating giggles Fitz's recollection of her became even clearer. He remembered continuously tuning her and the show out most mornings until Olivia emerged and made everything much better. Torn between seeking Olivia out via television or suffering through whatever could be gleaned from Caitlin Montgomery he decided a few more minutes of torture couldn't hurt.

It didn't take him long to figure out that she was there on a mission to defame and she had been expressly invited for any information she could reveal. The host threw out question after question each one raunchier than the last, making disgusting inquiries into Olivia's sex life pre-presidential hookup, speculating on her penchant for power and the people who possessed it. Caitlin played coy, neither confirming or denying but strongly insinuating that his beliefs could be true, citing her suspicions due to things she witnessed during her tenure at BNN. She spoke of how one person, who would remain nameless, in particular, had a blatant interest in Olivia and Olivia used that knowledge secure her position as anchor while she was shown the door.

When asked outright if she was confirming rumours that Olivia had indeed slept her way into her place at the table, the offensive giggles returned. Fitz rolled his eyes and groaned as Caitlin avoided answering definitively, but was firm in stating that she was certain Olivia had a powerful angel in her corner at the network.

Although he was certain that Keegan was the angel she spoke, he quickly dismissed the notion of anything intimate ever occurring in the past. He knew that there had never been anything physical between Keegan and Olivia because until yesterday she was blissfully unaware that the man saw her as more than an employee.

But the thought of the man working in such close proximity, having any amount of control or influence over Olivia while openly lusting after her infuriated him all over again. Fitz realized the only time he found any solace in the whole situation was when he envisioned Keegan far far away from Olivia and BNN.

AN: So there was a lot going on here. Almost everybody and Liv's mama showed up in this chapter and they all have these feelings that they're feeling, wanting each other to just go away, except for CiCi. She was just there for tea on Olitz and booze, she's my kinda girl lol. Had so much fun with this chapter hope you all enjoyed it too. Thanks so much for the feedback last chapter, it helps knowing I haven't completely lost my mind or my way in telling this.

Cleo, I just had to let you know I see your reviews by the way lol