Chapter 37

Fitz paced around the Oval Office, his mind running a million miles a minute as he tried to figure out what could have happened to Olivia last night. She couldn't have just disappeared out of thin air, he thought. And yet, he had no clue where to start in terms of where to look or how to find her. A buzz from his secretary promptly pulled The President out of his thoughts.

"President Grant," his secretary said, "Solomon Grundy is here."

"Good, let him in." Fitz replied. The door to the Oval Office open and in walked Solomon, the same swagger in his step that he'd had the first night he'd ever come into the Office. But Fitz noticed that Solomon looked annoyed. He knew that he wasn't the man's favorite person in the world right now.

"How can I help you, Mr. President?" Solomon asked him, only just barely tucking away the snark in his voice.

"Yes. Well, I don't know if you know," Fitz started, "but Olivia went missing last night…"

"Oh, well, that's too bad," Solomon said, bluntly cutting Fitz off. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Well, I need your help finding out-" But before the President could go any further, Solomon raised a hand.

"Let me stop you right there, President Grant." Solomon said. "Embarking on some side investigation to find out what happened to your little crush, is not part of my job description. Nor is it amongst the duties of CP9."

"CP9 is under the Commander-in-Chief's authority," Fitz barked angrily. "So it - and you - will do whatever the hell I want it to do!" Solomon simply looked at the President for a second. Then he let out a laugh, a laugh that The President himself found almost… sinister.

"What's so damn funny?" Fitz asked. Solomon's behavior had him a little concerned, but he was trying to remain cool.

"Well, Mr. President," Solomon started, pulling a piece of paper from out of his suit jacket pocket and handing it to Fitz. "I appreciate you trying to tell me how to do my job. But I know my duties.

"CP9's mission is to eliminate all threats to the people of the United States, both foreign and domestic. It is because of that mission that CP9 often ends up employing certain methods one would not discuss in polite company.

"In other words, our mission is NOT to assist a President who has been clearly harassing a private citizen of these United States." Solomon cast a look at Fitz for dramatic effect. "There are things that I could EASILY tell a Congressional Committee about, if you'd prefer, President Grant. Then, when I get on the stand, all I have to do is say how the President forced me to be an accomplice."

Fitz's jaw dropped open at Solomon's words. He wasn't sure he was more taken aback by Solomon's boldness or by the fact that he had no reply.

"It's quite simple, really," Solomon continued with a smirk. "CP9 can take suggestions from the Commander in Chief but we damn sure don't take Orders. You can't disband us or make us do anything that doesn't involve protecting this country. So with that said… if you want my help, you better damn sure make it interesting for me."

The look of shock on Fitz's face told Solomon everything he needed to know. The President was not only using his power to cause harm to U.S. citizens, but he was also a whiny coward on top of that. Solomon couldn't help but to wonder if he might be doing the country a favor by taking Fitz out.

Fitz still hadn't responded to Solomon's ultimatum, so Solomon took that as a cue.

"Well, I guess you don't have anything for me after all," Solomon told Fitz. "So I'll take my leave now." And with that, Solomon turned his back on The President and headed out of the Oval Office door.

"WAIT!" Fitz cried out. "What… what DO you want, Solomon?" The pleading tone of Fitz's voice caused Solomon to pause at the door and look back at The President.

"I WANTED Ethan Daniels dead," Solomon admitted, "but you robbed me of that."

"I can help you-"

"No, you can't," Solomon cut him off. "Daniels is alert now. You will never catch him slipping like that ever again. I provided you with a Golden Opportunity and you wasted it, for nothing. All the work I did, all that planning… just for you to turn around and give Daniels a goddamn pardon."

"You're right," Fitz croaked. "I was wrong, okay?" He was swallowing his pride now and doing his best to cater to Solomon. CP9 was the best chance Fitz had to get Olivia back while keeping his own hands clean of the whole situation.

"Now please, Solomon," the President begged. "Help me… and I promise I will help you."

"Hmm," Solomon replied, rolling his eyes. "Because helping me before worked out so well, eh?"

"Solomon, seriously - what do you want? Money?" Solomon scoffed at the idea and turned his back to the President once more.

"Money bores me." He replied.

"Then what else can I offer you?" Fitz wondered. "... Power?" Now THAT seemed to get Solomon's attention. He looked over at Fitz curiously.

"What kind of power are we talking about here?" Solomon asked him.

"I can appoint you to any department or position that you'd like," Fitz insisted. "You just name it."

"I don't know about that, President Grant," Solomon said with a shrug. "That might require too much being in the public light and I much rather prefer to operate in the shadows."

"You're sure there's not a SINGLE position you'd be interested in having?" Fitz asked again. He was desperate at this point, and willing to make this man his new Vice-President if that's what it took.

"I can't really say any-" Solomon began, but then he stopped himself. An idea had surfaced in his head. An idea that was so crazy and yet… if what Fitz was saying was true that he could have ANY position… Solomon was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even hear himself utter, "B613."

Fitz had heard him, however. "B613?" he repeated, but then he remembered. B613 was the other "secret" government organization alongside CP9.

"Well, then, how about this?" Fitz asked. "How about I make you the Head of both CP9 AND B613?" A wicked smile overtook Solomon's face as he looked at Fitz.

"You're going to give ME B613?" Solomon knew that B613 was higher up on the food chain than CP9. But if he were put in control BOTH of them...

"Yes," Fitz insisted. "We can get the current head of B613 removed with ease. Then I'd appoint you to the position myself." The gears in Solomon's brain were churning full force now.

"If I become the head of B613…I would have the power to…" His smile grew into a demonic grin.

"The power to do what?" Fitz asked. Solomon's demeanor made the President worry a little.

"The power to lift the protective order on Ethan Daniels," Solomon finished. "I can have him killed myself." Fitz sighed in relief. For a second, he'd thought Solomon might be up to something rash, but Ethan out of the picture would be beneficial for him as well.

"Then it's settled," Fitz said with finality. "I'll get you appointed as soon as you help."

"Wait…" Solomon started. He realized that he and The President might be getting ahead of themselves, because there was still the CURRENT head of B613 to deal with.

"How are you going to get rid of Eli Pope?" Solomon asked. "You know Eli's not going to take you snatching away his job lying down, even if that demand comes from the President himself."

"We'll do whatever it takes," Fitz assured him.

"Ha! Good luck with that, Mr. President," Solomon said. "The only way in the world that you could get Eli Pope out of the way is if… " He trailed off because another sudden thought had taken over him.

"I think I have an idea to get rid of him," Solomon said, nodding to himself. "You just make sure you watch my back, Mr. President, and that I'm appointed as SOON as it's been completed."

"What are you going to do?" Fitz couldn't help but to ask him.

"I already told you," Solomon replied, trying to maintain his cool in spite of his excitement. "I'm going to get rid of him. "And since you're the President, I'll trust you to make it so that I don't face any retaliation whatsoever once Eli Pope is taken out of the equation."

"You're… you're going to do it yourself?" Fitz asked.

"Oh, no, I won't take care of him personally," Solomon said. "But… I do have a good sacrificial lamb on hand that should be able to handle that for me. He'll just need a little… guidance, is all."

"Oh. Well, okay, then," Fitz replied. He didn't need to know the details of whatever Solomon was planning. He was only focused on one thing. And speaking of that one thing…

"Anyway," Fitz said, trying to get back to the reason he'd agreed to this in the first place. "Do you think you could find Olivia for me, Solomon?"

"Oh, of course," Solomon insisted, leaving his plotting behind for a moment. "Wherever Daniels is, I'm sure Olivia won't be too far behind him. As a matter of fact, I'm certain I can send her back to you gift-wrapped with a bow on top. If that's your kind of thing, I mean. I don't judge." Fitz simply shrugged.

"I'm okay with that."

"Good," Solomon replied. "I'll start the search for Olivia. In the meantime, you get me that clearance on Eli Pope."

"Will do," Fitz said with a nod as Solomon walked out of the Oval Office. He felt a bit of a pep in his step knowing what was to come. After all, once he became the head of B613, Ethan Daniels wouldn't be the only one in Solomon's crosshairs.

I haven't forgotten your little stunt, either, Mr. President, Solomon mused to himself on his way out of the White House. Don't worry: you'll get yours, too.

As the two men plotted in the White House, across town in the hideout, Ethan and Olivia had reunited and were making up for lost time showing one another how much they'd missed the other. They were going at it crazy in the shower. Ethan had picked his wife up in his arms and pinned her back against the wall, making love to her as water cascaded down upon and around their bodies.

"I love you," he told Olivia between kisses.

"I love you, too," Olivia responded, nearly breathless herself. Her lips went right back on his and she met his thrusts with her own intensity. It seemed their lovemaking gave both of them new energy. Once they had finished up in the shower, they took turns drying each other off and before they knew it, they started kissing once more.

"You don't how much I missed you," Ethan said.

"I missed you more," Olivia replied, and let out a gasp as he kissed her neck.

"I'm serious," Ethan said, looking up into his wife's eyes. "I was lost without you, Liv. I felt so empty when I went to that big house and you and the baby weren't there. I felt like… like I failed you."

"You didn't fail us," Olivia told him. "I was the one who failed."

"Liv…" But Olivia placed a finger on Ethan's lips to keep him quiet.

"I handled this situation horribly," Olivia said. "It should have never gotten to this point, to begin with. If anything, you were cleaning up my mess. I thought I was protecting you. And yet, you ended up protecting me in the end like you always do. I love you, Ethan."

"Olivia…" Ethan couldn't help but to kiss his wife again. Their kisses got deeper and deeper, and it seemed the two were about to start another round… until they heard a small whine from the other room, letting them know Amelia had woken up. The couple quickly got dressed and went to investigate.

"What's wrong, baby?" Olivia asked as she walked over to Amelia and took her up in her arms. The baby clutched her tightly.

"Mama…" Amelia said. Olivia deduced that Amelia's waking up in a strange new room, without her mother and father around, had scared the little girl.

"Hey, sweetheart," Ethan said. Amelia, upon seeing it was her father, let the brightest smile fill up her face.

"Dada!" She reached out for him and Ethan took her from Olivia. The baby planted a bunch of kisses all over his face, causing Ethan to laugh.

"I missed you, too!" he said with a smile.

"Dada STAY!" Amelia ordered him. She sounded even more forceful than the last time she'd told him that.

"Yes ma'am," Ethan replied playfully. "Daddy isn't going anywhere."

The family spent most of their morning together, making up for lost time, when Ethan suddenly got a phone call.

"Hello?" Ethan said. "Oh. Is that right?" Olivia watched her husband during the entire conversation, wondering who he was speaking to.

"Okay, I got it," Ethan said. "Thanks." And with that, he ended the call.

"Who was that?" Olivia asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.

"An informant on the Secret Service detail," Ethan replied. "Apparently, the president was VERY upset when he found out you were missing."

"Oh. He threw another tantrum, huh?" Olivia asked, and Ethan had to chuckle.

"Sounds like it. My informant also told me that President Grant sent some men to our house. He's apparently trying to find ME."

"Why you?" The news of the search made Olivia a little worried.

"Well, you went missing. Why not go after the only person who knew that you were kidnapped by the President?"

"Are you in trouble?" Olivia asked her husband.

"Nope," Ethan said with a shrug. "I'm listed as being on official military business. I couldn't be responsible for your disappearance if I'm officially not even in town."

"Huh. How did you pull that off?"

"Well, between Solomon and your dad, it wasn't hard to do at all," Ethan admitted. "Grant can accuse me of being involved but he has no way to prove it. And besides, it's not like what I did was illegal. After all… he kidnapped MY family and held them against their will. He has nothing to go after me with."

"That's good to know," Olivia said, letting out a sigh of relief. She didn't want Fitz to have ANYTHING that could be used to arrest her husband again.

"However, I WILL have to be careful moving around town," Ethan admitted. "And I'll have to keep an eye out on the house to make sure it isn't being monitored."

"Okay." Olivia had something else on her mind now. "Ethan… is it possible… you can find out what happened to Mellie Grant?" Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"First Lady Grant?" Ethan asked.

"She's not her husband, please don't put him on her," Olivia insisted. "I'm just a little worried about her. She didn't show up to the ball last night, and Mellie never misses things like that."

"Oh, well, no need to worry about that," Ethan assured her. "The First Lady's in California with her family." Another sigh of relief escaped Olivia.

"Thank goodness." She had thought the President might have been lying about Mellie's whereabouts, but she was okay after all.

"Anyway, it's about time for you to get you and the baby's stuff together. We'll be leaving tonight."

"I thought I was staying here?" Olivia asked him, confused.

"Not anymore," Ethan informed her. "The plan was to keep you here for a little while and then move you at the first opportunity." Olivia still didn't quite get it.

"So you're going to keep changing my location?" Ethan shook his head "no."

"Not exactly," Ethan replied. "I just wanted to mix things up so that Solomon especially has no idea where you are." Now Olivia was even more confused.

"But I thought the two of you were working together," she thought aloud.

"Babe, I tried to kill Solomon when he was in our house," Ethan admitted. "And I may have put a gun to his head recently. He only helped out because I made him." Ethan's confession caused Olivia's jaw to drop.

"A gun?" she repeated. "Ethan!"

"I know, Liv," Ethan said, trying to quiet her down. "I know. But I was trying to get my girls back. Anyway, long story short, I'm moving you somewhere that Solomon doesn't know about because I'm pretty sure he's planning on stabbing me in the back. He doesn't really care for me at all.

"Ethan, would you just tell me what's going on?" Olivia finally asked. Her confusion had overwhelmed her at this point, and she was tired of being left in the dark.

"Okay," Ethan started. "I got word that Solomon is meeting with Fitz right now. And I guarantee you - that bastard president is probably groveling and stroking Solomon's ego just because it takes one psychopath to know another. He's promising anything he can to get Solomon to work with him, and Solomon being Solomon, he'll definitely make a deal with President Grant once the offer is right.

"So now I have to make sure that, not only are you out of Grant's reach, but that Solomon can't touch you, either. Make sense now?"

It took Olivia a second to really wrap her head around what she'd been told, but she soon nodded. "Yes, it does."

"Great! Now, the sooner we get everything packed up, the sooner we can leave," Ethan told her. Olivia busied herself with gathering up her and Amelia's things, while Ethan packed up their luggage in the car. Once the bags and the baby were secured, the couple hopped into their car to hit the road.

"It will take us a minute," Ethan started, "but we should arrive…" Ethan stopped himself short and looked over at Olivia. His wife's furrowed eyebrows and the worried expression on her face told him everything he needed to know: she was clearly overwhelmed and still blaming herself for everything that had happened.

"This is too much," Olivia murmured. "I should've never answered that phone call. If I'd just hung up the phone, then you wouldn't have had to do any of this. Now, here we are, running around like a bunch of fugitives. Not only that, but now you have to-"

"Olivia," Ethan said, cutting her off and reaching across to the passenger seat to take her hand in his. "I already told you - this isn't your fault. There was no way, NO WAY, you could've known Grant would go crazy like this. And he had no right to treat you with the way he did."

"But if I had said something earlier-"

"Damn it, stop it, Liv!" Ethan shouted, and she jumped at Ethan raising his voice.

"I'm not about to let you sit here and beat yourself up over some shit that can't be changed," Ethan told her, bringing his voice down to a calmer tone. "I love you.

"Our vows said 'for better or for worse,' babe, and we've reached the 'worse' part," Ethan continued. "But I'm still here, and so are you. We'll get through this and laugh about it years from now. Hell, it might make for a good story to tell Amelia once she's older, who knows? The point is, we're in this together. I've got your back the same way you've got mine. You never give up easily on anything else, so I need you to not give up now, either."

Olivia looked her husband in the eyes and squeezed his hand tighter. She knew Ethan was right.

"We're in this together," she told him.

"That's more like it," Ethan said with a smile, leaning across to kiss his wife.

"Now, let's get out of here," Olivia told him.

"I thought you'd never ask." With that, Ethan started up the car and they drove off into the night.