Olivia was looking for Bette as she disappeared again hunting Ruiz down. Walking pass the VIP section she saw Leo from the corner of her eye and froze immediately.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She hissed.
"Nice to see you again, Olivia, you look absolutely amazing." He smirked at her.
"Oh spare me the galanterie! I asked you something! What are you doing here?!"
"Well...I'm here to make business with that ex husband of yours."
"You have got to be kidding me!" She was shocked.
"You see, after you fired me without even hearing me out, I had to find another job...so I'm working for Samuel now."
"Oh my God I can't believe you! You knew he and I are working together on behalf of the radio station! What kind of sick game is this? She asked appalled.
"Relax. Okay. It's just a job!" He laughed.
"You are impossible! You should be behind bars for what you did to my family!"
"Whoa, just hold on! I didn't do anything illegal! I was asked to find something out and I did! I didn't blackmail you, I didn't threaten you, I didn't even know who you were, I didn't do anything!" He was in defense.
"You helped AJ in his attempt to take my husband down!!" She was raging.
"Ex husband!" Leo corrected.
"I can't believe this is happening! Why? Why are you doing this?" She couldn't get over it.
"I told you, you need to hear me out! And you will, one day. I cannot believe how narrow minded you are about this!" He was offensive.
"-ah, what, so you think I should just forget about your involvement? About how you pretended to have just bumped into me in San Francisco? How you pretended to want to know me even tough you knew everything about me???"
"I told you, I had no clue until the day I actually met you! If i had known..."
"Known what?"
"If I had known how wonderful you are, what a charismatic personality you have...I would have never done anything to help that Deschanel out!"
"Just tell me one thing tough...why did you come after me in San Francisco? You had done your "great job" long before that. Why did you have to do it?"
"I had another job...I had to track you down..." he admitted.
"Who hired you? AJ? And why?"
"Olivia, it's all over anyway...you should put that behind now." He tried.
"You said I needed to hear you out. Here's your chance to tell me the truth!"
"It was a Deschanel alright, but it was Cole who hired me on this one..." he gave in.
"Cole?? What for?"
"He wanted me to find out about your intentions regarding your son. He was afraid that you would reveal his paternity. But you were faster and I didn't get the chance to..."
"To worm yourself into my life fast enough?"
"To be your friend..."
"I can't believe I have to even listen to this! Just stay away from me! Stay away from Gregory or else I'll,"
"Or else you'll what?" He was challenging.
"I swear to God I'll make sure you get fired and that you won't find another job anywhere near the west coast! Don't underestimate my connections in this field!" she menaced.
"Hahahaha, Olivia...you are enchanting when you're upset. You really don't have to go this far. I am no threat to you...I told you, my intentions are the best a man can have..."
Olivia saw Gregory, Samuel and Ben walk towards the VIP lounge and she immediately freaked out, afraid of Gregory's reaction if he was to find out that Leo was the same Leo who participated to his blackmail.
"This is not over!" She pointed her finger at Leo and quickly made her way to Gregory before he could reach the lounge.
"Gregory!"
"Ah, there you are. We have been looking for you!" Gregory said joyful.
"Uhm...Gregory I need to go! Would you please take me home? Now!?" She was insistent.
"Now? What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing, it's just been a long day and I really had enough. It's so loud in here, besides the music is quite disturbing..." she said laughing while they all listened carefully to the lyrics of "The Real Slim Shady" admitting the younger audience really had a weird taste in music.
"Gentlemen, you heard the lady. I'm afraid we will have to talk some other time. Let's meet in my office tomorrow to discuss about this project." Gregory offered.
"Alright, too bad you won't stay any longer but I guess this is really not the best environment to talk business. Olivia, Gregory."
"We'll see you tomorrow."
Olivia was relieved to have avoided a scene tonight as she and Gregory made their way out of the club. She clinched again in Gregory's arm hoping Leo would watch and get the message. Everyone else in fact. They said goodbye to a few other people on their way out, but Bette was no where to be found. Olivia had to smile at the thought that her friend was probably not going to sleep home that night.
Olivia headed for the limo but Gregory proposed a walk on the beach instead.
"A walk? I can't possibly walk home in these shoes..." she said exhausted as Gregory stared at her stilettos smirking. He turned around abruptly and lifted her into his arms as she couldn't help but laugh and squeak.
"Gregory what are you doing!?"
"Just let me carry you home then."
"Oh please, put me down! Alright, I'll walk with you..." she gave in still laughing.
Gregory carried her to the beach and put her down watching her take off her shoes. "Better?" He asked.
"Oh so much better!" She felt relived.
They took a few steps in silence, neither of them knowing what to say.
"Why did you want to leave the Deep so quickly?" He didn't buy her excuse.
"I told you...I am exhausted..."
"But I'm sure that's not all..is it?"
"Well...I don't want to talk about it right now. All I want is to get home, to Trey, and kiss him good night."
"Would it be alright if I came with you? I would like to see him too."
Olivia thought about it for a minute, being unsure if Gregory should come with her in the house but she gave in quickly knowing she wanted him around.
"Yes, I'm sure Trey would love it."
"He's sleeping, but still...I feel the need to see him..."
"And that's fine with me." She smiled.
He noticed she was cold, folding her arms together so he took his blazer off and swung it over her shoulders.
"Thank you." She said almost shy.
"Remember the last time I took you home when you were outside by the pier crying?"
She stopped to look at him wondering where he was getting at and nodded a weak : "yes I do...it was during Sean's surgery."
"I had no clue why you were so tormented, why you were crying, why you had the feeling you had to run away from me..." he remembered painfully.
"Gregory..."
"I always thought it would be enough for me to reassure you that things were going to be just fine. I thought if I told you that I'll work hard enough on us, you'll be alright..."
"It was alright tough!" She reassured him.
"Yes...but the damage was already done, wasn't it? Was it that night when you found out who Cole really was?" He dared asking.
"Yes, the night I found out he was dating Caitlin." She kept her answer short knowing that explaining herself or begging for forgiveness would be useless.
"I cradled you in my arms after we got home...I was really hurt to see you so devastated. I didn't even know what to think, you rejected me any intimacy...you only wanted me to hold you like a friend would." He continued remembering and stopped walking to grab her shoulders. "Olivia..."
"Gregory I'm so sorry! I couldn't tell you...I was so afraid I would lose you and the children!" She finally let herself into the conversation.
"Shh...listen to me. That's not why I'm bringing this up now. What happened is long gone. We can't change that..."
"I still feel so awful... I betrayed you in the worst possible way and even played pretend. But we were getting close again after such a long time...I needed it. I needed you!" She looked at him hoping he would at least understand.
"I know... but you see, I'm bringing this up now because I can't lose the feeling you are again in a dark place right now, keeping things from me...and I want to ask you to stop hiding and tell me what it is that really bothers you! Why you had to leave the Deep so abruptly! What happened in there?" He couldn't lose the feeling she was hiding something.
Olivia walked further, leaving him behind. She concentrated hard to figure out what to do and had to think about the Marina project. If she'd tell Gregory about Leo, he would deny Samuels investment and maybe lose the project. And that was something he couldn't afford, she figured. The Resort was just starting to rehabilitate, another project with new investors would strengthen Gregory's position in the market again...
"Olivia!" He was tired of her silence.
"Gregory, look. I know how this looks like to you. I know that seeing me now like this, in the same surrounding is bringing bad memories up. And I understand you, I do. But there are some things you need to finally learn."
"Like what?"
"Like the fact that pressuring me into some confession is not going to make me be honest. I need to think about things for myself first. I need to search for the right answers in me, first of all."
Gregory gulped knowing he was always being pushy and so determined to know things immediately.
"Alright, Liv...just... don't shut me out again. Just like you would have liked to hear of the incident with Alex from me, that's exactly what I would like from you. To tell me first. No matter how bad things might seem...please?" He begged.
"Oh...this is nothing like it was back then, don't worry!" She was nearly amused that he'd think something like it after everything she's been trough.
"Alright. I believe you. Not that you'd have to tell me anyway, you're a divorced and free woman after all. You have your needs...and..." he tried to be normal about it when it was obviously eating him up.
"Gregory! Would you stop!" She laughed. "Thank you for being concerned about my "needs". But what I need right now is to get a grip on my life again. Nothing more, nothing less! My early departure has nothing to do with...what you're thinking!" She smiled amused.
He was unsure if he should really trust her or not but he couldn't keep stop himself from wanting to believe her.
They made their way to the house and entered it trough the patio door. The house was dark and quiet. They made their way upstairs and into Treys room as Gregory admired the little boy sleeping.
"He's so peaceful." He said.
"Yes, I'm really lucky with him. Sean was much more "awake" during the nights back when he was this little." She giggled.
"You can't imagine how much I miss him around the house."
"Oh, I think I do!"
"I...need him." He turned around to look at Olivia who was moved by his statement.
"If you want, you...you can stay here tonight. For Trey."
He smiled happy about her invitation and leaned in to kiss her much to her surprise.
"With you?" He couldn't stop smiling and kissed her further while she nodded.
Olivia couldn't believe herself what she just said, and how tired she was of fighting her need to have Gregory around. But tonight was again a roller coaster of events and people who tried to stand in their way. She couldn't let herself stand in the way of what she really wanted, could she?
Before she knew it, Gregory directed her to their old bedroom, as he would have found his way in there even blind folded, closing the door shut with his left leg while Olivia pulled him closer to her.
This was indeed a hell of a night, just as Bette had predicted.
Gregory woke up early as usual even tough the night was short. He looked to his left making sure he didn't just dream about what had happened last night and had to smile watching Olivia still sleeping, naked under the satin sheets. He looked around the room he called his bedroom for 23 years and couldn't help feeling awkwardly moved. His house. His bedroom. His wife. His child. Everything he ever wanted was right under his nose and in immediate reach again. He couldn't ignore that - even tough he was never a man to really believe it and lose his time with thinking about such things - faith seemed to really exist. An ordinance greater than all he tried to manipulate into happening has brought everything he wanted back into its place.
Olivia turned around and instinctively nested herself under Gregory's arm while still sleeping, resting her head on his chest. He raised his arm allowing her to cuddle up and rested it then around her, stroking her skin softly.
This is all so perfect...too perfect. he thought to himself being used to an immediate deceit after thinking he finally got everything he ever wished for. What are you keeping from me again, Liv? he couldn't help fearing she was going down the same road like she always used to. Little did he know that this time, her only mistake was wanting Gregory to be again the business man he used to be before his downfall, especially now that he had lost his attorney practice license.
She slowly woke up, feeling the soft strokes tickling her skin. She moved around to raise her head and look at Gregory who had a worried face expression.
"Good morning beautiful." He smiled immediately noticing she was watching him.
"Morning." She was never fond of talking in the morning.
"Did you sleep well?" He continued.
"Mhm." She let a content laugh out while he placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Why the laugh?" He smiled himself knowing the answer to that very well.
"Need you ask?" She managed to reply lazily.
"Oh...I think I have a theory..." he kept his lips close to her forehead, placing little kisses on it every now and then.
"I don't want to stand up just yet..." she was the usual anti Morning person.
"You don't have to. You can stay home today, I'll inform you about the meeting afterwards." He offered.
"No!" She jumped up to look at him seriously. "I mean...I want to be there for you today!" She lied.
Gregory looked puzzled and again had the weirdest feeling about her reaction but decided to keep his wondering to himself.
"Alright...I'm afraid you have to stand up then..." he said while she turned away wanting to leave the bed.
"Wait!" He pulled her back.
"Hm?"
"Are you going to ask me to leave again like nothing happened, like the last time we ended up in bed together?" He was insecure since she usually liked to tag their lovemaking with the label "mistake".
"I...no..." she was unsure herself.
"Just stay with me a few more minutes..." he asked.
"Gregory...don't make things complicated. I know you must think I'm acting as tough I had two personalities...but I can't tell you what's going on. I don't know how to categorize what's happening between us, maybe we should just get ready for the day." She sighed
"Categorize? This is not just "a thing"! We love each other...why do you still feel like you have to run away every time?"
"Because..."
"Because?"
"This is frightening me Gregory!" She finally let out after all those weeks, "I mean, being with you is as wonderful as ever, but I'm not able to let go of this feeling that we're making a big mistake continuing where we left of before we..."
"Liv!" He interrupted. "Love and passion can never be a mistake...you're just thinking too much about it...just lay down, come to me." He guided her back in his arms. "Just close your eyes and feel. Don't think, feel!"
She sighed knowing she couldn't resist wanting to be so close to him.
"I want this to work..." she admitted.
"Then allow it to work. I can't do this alone."
"I don't think I ever felt so overwhelmed with these feelings I can barely control..."
They were both quiet for a few moments looking in empty corners of the room as Gregory kept stroking her shoulder in circles.
"Don't try to control your feelings, it's not doing any good. Look where I ended because I tried." He explained.
"But if I don't control them..." she said raising her head to look him in the eyes, "I can't help..."
"You can't help what?"
"Doing this!" She kissed him out of the blue pressuring her body against his. "Your smallest touch, the circles and loops you draw on my skin...they make me lose my mind and if don't control it..." she looked lost.
Gregory smiled pulling her into another kiss.
"Don't be afraid. I want this just as much as you do."
"I ..."
Before she could say another word, Gregory pulled her up to him and shut her up with kisses.
Space and time became irrelevant as they let themselves drawn into each other's love. There was nothing both of them could have wanted more than this. But Gregory couldn't ignore the bitterness in her eyes and the almost tortured look on her face.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He paused to make sure.
She let a laugh out. "I am...but I can't get over the fact that it wasn't even a year ago when you hated me so badly that I wished I was never born..." her eyes filled with tears running down her pale cheeks.
"Liv..." he sighed sinking his head and resting it on her chest while placing another kiss on her skin. He closed his eyes to listen to her heartbeat and the rhythmical sound of her breath. "I am sorry for what I did to you, I really am..."
"I know you are...but are you going to be able to promise me that you won't ever do that again? That you won't try to crush me at the first sign of trouble? That you won't hate me if I don't do what you want and think like you?" She asked going with her fingers trough his hair like she always did.
"You don't have to do what I want and think like me!" He raised his head to look her in the eyes, the sheets dropping from his body.
"You could never accept me having a mind of my own..."
"I love you for that beautiful mind of yours! It wasn't your mind I couldn't accept being your own...it was the life you seemed to have chosen to live on your own that I couldn't handle...the alcohol, the secrets, the lies. You slipped away from me, each day a bit more...that's what I couldn't bear: you, living a different life...you left me after we thought we had lost our son to come back with AJ...and you...and I also... " he didn't want to bring it all up again.
„But you blamed me for our son's death! You made me go away...I couldn't handle going trough the same procedure a second time. I needed you so badly!" she cried, „I needed you to suffer with me but instead you have chosen to suffer alone and look for comfort in..." she didn't spell Annie's name out being too painful. „You have chosen to believe her when she manipulated you into thinking I was to blame for our child's loss! You believed a stranger basically over your own wife because it was easier to project your pain into hate towards me and I couldn't, I just couldn't do this a second time!" she was sobbing.
Gregory knew he couldn't say anything to his defense since Olivia was right to throw that at him. He began trusting Annie over his own wife and for that there was no excuse. He squeezed her tightly, his eyes squeezed shut, desperately hoping she would understand the gesture.
Olivia looked at him, at how vulnerable he was in her arms, how different they were when lying like this, naked in bed, cuddling up to each other. She realized how wrong she was to assume he had no feelings, that he was a monster who only cared about power and control but the scars were deep and even tough loving each other was still as easy and beautiful as ever, it couldn't force the shadow of pain hanging over them into disappearing.
"How did we end up here...?" She asked after some moments of silence.
"Here? In bed with each other?" He laughed adjusting his body to make themselves comfortable.
"No silly!" She had to laugh. "I think I can recall that! I mean, how did we end up divorcing each other, torturing each other, hating each other...only to realize that this, what we have right now, just you and me, is the only thing we long for and the only thing we've wanted our entire lives?" She continued stroking her fingers trough his hair while he continued resting his head on her chest. He kissed her gently before answering:
"I really don't know...I guess it was a chain of wrong decisions, a lot of false pride, heartache..."
"Do you think we are ever going to be able to break that chain?"
"I think we already did. Don't you see how much we've both changed? I have never thought it possible to ever talk to you like this again and yet here we are you and me and the rays of a morning sunlight." He explained caressing her skin, tracing a line from her knee to her shoulder as she felt little thunderbolts igniting in her body.
"I just can't believe that after all that's been said and done, we can just continue like that morning after Caitlin's wedding, before everything started to collapse..." she thought about the pain she's been trough thinking she had lost the baby.
"It's not. Because a lot happened since that day. The only thing that hasn't changed ever since are my feelings for you. And I know you feel the same Liv, don't you?"
She decided to answer his question in the sincerest way she knew how and dragged him into a passionate kiss only she knew how to place on his lips, marking her territory only she knew so well after all those years. He took the invitation to continue where he left off before worrying about her state of mind and devoured her lips with insistent pressure until she had to giggle.
"What's funny?" He stopped to admire her, wondering about her ability to be happy and sad basically at the same time.
"We're going to be late.." she looked at her alarm clock.
"Oh let them wait. Let the whole damn world wait because there is nothing that's going to keep me away from you right now!"