Chapter 27
Olivia hasn't been on the White House grounds for far too long. It's probably not the smartest thing for her to return on this day, but the secret is out. The genie has been let out of the bottle; there's no way to go back. Not that she wants to. Not now.
This is the closest to happiness she's ever known. She has always been a woman of so many secrets. She has never known anything but the clear line that exists between her public and private self. Her secrets probably say more about her and her lack of trust, than anything else.
Now, there's a sense of rebirth within her. Another chance to get it right this time. With Fitz running again, and her on his team, she has a chance to let him earn the office, rather than fixing it for him. When his divorce is final, they can do all the little things that regular couples take for granted. By discovering her family, the strange people that they are, she has a sense of her personal history and why she is the way she is. This Olivia Pope has a chance at redemption. But first, first she has to convince Fitz to let her help him one more time.
She called him after she left her office. He always has time for her, he said. Couldn't wait to see her. Told her not to worry about what anyone would say or think because he – they – aren't going to let anyone control them anymore.
He was so determined this time. Spoke with an authoritative confidence that gave her strength. Allowed her to let loose because he has her, no matter what, he will be there to catch her.
She stops at the security gate, where Morris looks as though he's been waiting for her appear. He gives her the friendliest of smiles. "Ms. Pope, we've missed you around here."
"Well, I'm sure you know I've been a little busy. Not too busy to get something for you though." She thrusts the box of cupcakes toward him. "Just the way you like them."
"I knew there was a reason I liked you. Thanks."
"No problem." Olivia starts to walk away, "Oh, and Miss Pope?"
"Yes."
"I'm pulling for you."
Olivia smiles at him and turns to continue to the White House. She'll have some time on her hands before she sees Fitz. He decided to make an impromptu visit to the daily press briefing, keeping the press focused on him, rather than her arrival.
"Good afternoon, Lauren."
"Miss Pope the President said you could wait for him in his office."
"Thank you."
"Can I get you anything?"
"No. Thank you." Olivia steps inside the Oval Office and makes herself comfortable on one of the sofas. She looks around; it's been too long. It feels a little different this time; the overhead camera seems less intrusive because there's nothing left to hide.
She pulls out her phone and checks her e-mail, something she does more out of habit than the expectation that there's some important matter that needs her attention. The minutes tick by excruciatingly slow.
The door opens and Olivia is surprised to see a cart full of food being wheeled in, followed by a White House staffer she's never seen. He says nothing as he leaves the cart, then disappears as quietly as he entered. She's tempted to sneak a peak or even a bite of whatever it is that smells so good, but she resists the urge.
She hears him before she sees him. "Lauren, I don't want to be interrupted unless it's an emergency."
"Yes, sir."
He opens the door and his eyes immediately find Olivia. He smiles at her so warmly, it feels like an embrace. "Hi."
"Hi."
Neither is quite sure what to do next. To hug? Kiss? Nothing at all. "Can you stay for lunch?"
"Yes." He moves behind the cart and pushes it toward the room off his office, where there are no cameras. Olivia opens the door for him and watches how he moves as he steps inside. A million dirty thoughts race through her mind, but she shakes them off.
"Salmon okay?"
"Perfect."
He takes off his jacket and shoes, and she does the same. They've had many lunches in this room, casual, just Liv and Fitz. Informal. It's a place where they've shared their innermost thoughts and feelings, and more than a few intimate moments too.
They sit next to each other and the conversation flows easily. One would never know they, as a couple, had just gone through their worst nightmare. He caught her up on the status of his divorce, not that she asked; he wanted her to know it was moving forward. Though Mellie is no longer living in the White House and never will again, she will maintain the duties of first lady. Which is fine with both Olivia and Fitz, as long as she stays out of their way.
He shares things he would never share with Mellie. Talks about various bills he wants to pass and the whip count. She gives him the names of Senators and Congressmen to target to get to the number he needs. It's easy. This is easy. It's the two of them, two brilliant political minds, strategizing. It's actually perfect timing.
"As much as I love having you here, I know you didn't come to the White House to have lunch with me."
She pushes her plate away and turns completely toward him. "Cyrus came to see me."
"Oh, really?" There's more than a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"He made a very compelling case, actually."
"A case for what?"
She takes a deep breath. "A case for me joining your re-election campaign." She watches his face for any hint of a reaction. None comes, at least not immediately. So, she continues, "I know it sounds crazy, but I think it's worth thinking about."
"Why?"
"We make a great team. Nobody can deny that. I know I screwed up last time and I'll spend the rest of my life regretting what I did, but this time, you can win clean. I can help you do that. Us against the world."
"I told you I don't want you fixing or handling me."
"I'm not. I'm the best at what I do. You know that. I know that."
Fitz gets up and moves away from her. Her first instinct is to go to him, touch him, calm him down. She doesn't. Instead, she sits and waits.
"Livvy, you've worked too hard to get off the front pages. Why would you want to go back to that?"
Part of it is to get back on the front pages. She knows they'll win and then OPA will thrive again. They will be the "go to" firm for DC crisis management. A bigger part is for Fitz. There are other people who can do her job, but none will do it with as much passion and dedication.
"Liv?"
Despite all the thoughts running through her mind, there is only one that seems right. One reason that rises above the others. "Because I believe in you."
He studies Olivia's face for more of an explanation. When she's keep something from him, she tends to bite the inside of her mouth and look away. He continues watching her, watching her shift under the weight of his unrelenting gaze.
"We'll work for you and only you through the election, pro bono-"
"No."
She ignores him. "When we win, and we will, OPA will have more work than we can handle."
"Livvy, I can't let you work for free."
"I have money. I can keep us afloat."
There is nothing Fitz wants more than to run with Olivia by his side. But there are so many complications. She will be crucified by the press. They will beat her down and she will say nothing; she'll take it and figure out how to use it to their advantage. They will tear her down again and watching it will be more than he can handle. "I appreciate the offer-"
"I'm a big girl."
"I know you are, but I have to take care of this myself."
"You once told me we were in this together-"
"And then you walked away."
"But I'm here now. I'm here and I'm all in and I'm fighting for my President. If it'll make you more comfortable, I'll stay behind the scenes. My team can travel with you, but I'll stay in DC and coordinate things from here."
"That's not going to work. You're too hands on." He knows how much this means to her, to be able to work together on this. It's the way it should have been the first time around. If only he hadn't married the wrong woman. Olivia has earned her place, not only in his heart, but on his campaign. There's no denying she is the best; having her on the team is a game changer. "What about us?"
"We're fine."
"I'm talking about on the trail. We don't have to be a secret this time. We're not going to be a secret."
"Cyrus will be the mouthpiece. I'll stay in the background and that's not keeping us a secret, that's us minimizing the number of distractions. We want your message to be heard."
"You know this is insane, right?"
She smiles. "I know."
"It's playing with fire."
"I know that too."
"But you don't care."
"Nope."
"Okay Olivia, we're doing this." In two long strides, he is right in front of her, looking down into her eyes.
She looks up at him, his eyes, his mouth, and silently thanks a higher power for his presence in her life. She is filled with love, so much love that she swears the dam is going to burst. And she doesn't care because he loves her right back, just as fiercely. She runs her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. She captures his lips and lets everything everything she's feeling pour from her body into his. They are one.
The phone rings, startling them both as they jump apart. He moves to answer it, while Olivia grabs her cell phone. She has one text message from Quinn. She opens it.
It's handled.
She smiles as she drops her phone back in her purse just as Fitz hangs up. "Cyrus needs to see me."
"I need to go anyway." She grabs her purse and he holds the door for her as they re-enter the Oval Office.
"Can I come and see you tonight?"
"Are you sure that's wise, Mr. President?"
"No, but I want to see you. I'll be careful, I promise." She nods.
His office door opens and a harried Cyrus enters, carrying a stack of folders. "Liv, I didn't know you were here." His eyes dart back and forth between Olivia and Fitz as he tries to read the expressions on their faces.
"Cyrus, welcome Olivia back to the team."
A visibly relieved Cyrus smiles at Olivia. "Welcome back."
"Thanks. I have to go."
Without another word, she leaves, strutting down the halls of the White House as only she can. She grabs her phone and calls Huck, "I need you to do opposition research on the potential democratic field and pull the files from last time. I have a feeling things are going to get really dirty."
"Are you ready for it?"
"Absolutely." Olivia continues to rattle off instructions. This is going to be the fight of their life, but she's ready. They are both ready for whatever comes.
Blame, blame is heavy. Blame is weighs you down. It drains you. Her whole life, built on a lie, kept her from truly being great. Whatever greatness people saw in her was a carefully crafted illusion. This time around, blame is gone. There is only forgiveness. Forgiveness. She is freer than she's ever felt, energized. Ready to confront whatever lies ahead with Fitz because they are starting over. They are a team and together, they will win.
