Sneakers squeaked across the hardwood floor and shouts echoed off the walls - from both the coaches and the watching crowd. The sound of a whistle blowing filled the gym, stopping the game. The ball exchanged hands from the black and gold team to the blue and white. Fitz's attention was drawn to the sidelines where Athena was yelling to her squad:

"What's that? A travel?"

The rest of the girls joined in with her, stomping their feet and clapping their hands.

"You travelled, you travelled, you walk too much

You travelled, you travelled, you walk too much

You travelled, you travelled:

Take a bus, take a bus, take a bus!"

"Kid's got a set of lungs on her!"

Fitz turned his head to see Eddie settling beside him on the hard bleachers. Susanna accompanied him, settling in beside her husband.

"Your kid's not half-bad with the ball," Fitz observed, nodding toward the bright mop of red hair crowding around the assistant coach and waving his hands as he spoke.

"Kid loves basketball. He's a little smitten with Ath, too."

"Ha!" Fitz rested his elbows on the empty seat behind him, leaning backward and laughing as he observed the two kids on the basketball court. "We always said that'd happen one day."

"Ah to be young and in love again." Eddie shrugged, eyes scanning the crowded gym. "Liv not come?"

"She's getting tea." Fitz jerked his head toward the far right double doors that led out of the gymnasium, across the hall, and into the large cafeteria that housed the concession booths.

"No coffee? That's not like Liv."

"She's supposed to avoid caffeine."

"How is she...handling things?" Susanna leaned across Eddie. Her eyebrows knitted together only deepened the crease in her forehead. She looked tired - and worried.

"She's on a mood stabiliser. Goes to therapy. So far she's taking her psychiatrist's suggestion seriously and avoiding caffeine. That's just the medical side. The life side is a lot harder. We haven't told Seph - she's too young to understand. Lio's great. We have a lot of work ahead of us with Ath. The university's been understanding, but Liv still has a lot of rebuilding to do. That son of a bitch took her for everything. She's been spending a lot of time with my dad. He understands what she's going through."

"Fitz." Still leaning across Eddie, Susanna laid her hand atop Fitz's knee. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

"She had no business being on the medicine I gave her. I thought she was depressed. I thought I was helping -"

"Susanna." Fitz waited until she stopped talking and looked at him. "It's in the past. It happened and it wasn't intentional. Just promise me that it won't happen again. Leave mental health to the mental health professionals."

She smiled, softly, and patted his knee a couple times before withdrawing her hand. Sitting upright once more, Susanna spoke: "After what I did to my two best friends, I can agree to that promise."

A loud whistle coming from the floor drew the trio's attention and Fitz's gaze focused on the redheaded number 12 as he was ushered toward the freethrow line by a referee. When had he been substituted in?

"Where's Tiffani?" Eddie asked, squeezing that question in as the referee was waiting for everyone to get into place. Soon, the voices of about eight cheerleaders were filling the stands - trying to get their chant in before any shots were attempted. Like normal, Athena was leading them.

"Hey, hey Maxson:

What'cha gonna do?

Step up to the line

And score

Two!"

Fitz smiled as Athena held her white and blue pom-poms in the air, waving them with the rest of the squad in a gesture that had their section of fans quieting down. That didn't stop the other fans from yelling, of course. As Maxson made his second basket, Fitz answered Eddie.

"We're taking a break. She - We're just taking a break." Fitz shook his head, eyes landing on Olivia as she climbed the bleachers with a styrofoam cup in her hands. He was still trying to get used to the grey sweatpants and sweatshirt she had thrown on for the game. It wasn't very Olivia-like.

"Hi Liv!" Susanna greeted as Olivia took the seat beside Fitz, gaze travelling briefly to the scoreboard.

"Hi."

Fitz sighed. The timid approach Olivia used with nearly everyone was wearing thin. It just wasn't her.

"Ah hell. You were right," Fitz chuckled, elbowing Eddie. Athena wore a wide smile on her face, exchanging a few words with Maxson as he passed her.

"Are we taking bets on Athena?" Olivia questioned, leaning behind Fitz to meet Susanna's gaze.

"Maxson has a bit of a crush on Ath," Susanna explained.

"They'll be planning dates, soon." Olivia giggled, turning her attention back to the game.

"Not my little girl." Fitz frowned.

"She's got to grow up eventually."

"Not this soon."

After the game, Fitz and Eddie found themselves milling about on the floor - speaking with Maxson's coach as Olivia and Susanna stood to the side with Athena and the rest of the cheerleaders.

"That was a hell of a game!" Eddie slapped the coach on the back, nodding toward the scoreboard. It had been a close game, but the Wildcats had squeaked by with a last minute shot thanks to Eddie's son.

"We almost got our asses handed to us. They're a good team." The coach grinned, punching Fitz in the shoulder. "When are you going to come help me coach, Sheriff?"

"I don't have time for that," Fitz laughed. Eddie's younger brother was always trying to talk him into coaching. He loved watching the games, but coaching wasn't something he was interested in - or had time for. He barely had time to coach Ath's soccer team or Lio's baseball team.

"Maybe one of these days, eh?" Alex continued to prod.

"Maybe." Fitz shook his head, his eyes landing on the balding coach heading toward the trio. The old man was new - Fitz didn't recall seeing him last year when they had played this team.

"Good game, coach." The old man shook Alex's hand. His polo, embroidered with a golden 'G', was fancier than the t-shirts and jeans that everyone else wore to these games. It was just middle school afterall.

"Right back at ya," Alex grinned. "Couldn't even tell this is your first year with these guys."

"They listen, I'll give them that." The old man laughed, turning his attention to Eddie and Fitz. It only took Alex a fraction of a second before his eyes widened and he began to make introductions.

"This is my brother, Eddie and my other brother, Fitz. We're not actually related."

"I've been hearing that a lot," the older guy chuckled, "Joys of a small town, eh? I missed it like crazy."

"You from around here?" Fitz wondered.

"I grew up in Georgetown. Moved to Florida right after high school to escape a bad relationship. Realised about 40 years too late that running was the wrong answer."

"We can't all be expected to make good choices at that age, Mr. -"

"Pope. Eli Pope." The man held his hand toward Fitz, wrapping his fingers around Fitz's and shaking, firmly.

Fitz frowned - that name wasn't common around there. Stealing another glance at Olivia, now talking with Athena and Maxson, Fitz sighed.

"Do you teach?" Fitz had to practically shout to be heard over the growing hum in the large gym. There was always a celebration when the boys won.

"Substituting right now. I just put in an application here for the history position."

"You're a history teacher?"

"Love everything about it. What about you?"

"Fitz here is our resident badass - aka Sheriff." Alex slapped him on the back. Fitz's laugh was hollow. He didn't feel like goofing off with Alex at the moment.

"Sounds like an interesting job."

"Oh some days it is." He tried not to focus on how much the older man reminded him of Olivia. Absentmindedly, Fitz made his escape. "I think Liv's ready to go. I'll catch up with you later, Eddie. Nice meeting you, Eli. Alex? Stay out of trouble."

"Dad!" Athena protested as the trio marched out of the school.

They pulled their winter coats tighter, snow swirling around them. Another reminder that it was quickly approaching the end of December. Fitz wasn't ready for that. Thanksgiving had been awkward enough. Christmas, though? He stole a glance at Olivia, walking on the other side of Athena. They needed to lay better ground rules before the 25.

"We have to pick your brother up," Fitz reminded the tall 12 year old, stopping in front of his truck. Digging around his pocket, he pulled his key free and struggled to hit the correct button with the big fingers of his glove. "And we can't leave your sister with your grandparents all night. Not while she's running a fever."

"I was going to ask if I could spend the night with Gwynn!" Athena huffed, pulling the back door open and tossing her duffel bag into the backseat. Fitz sighed as he climbed into his own seat. That girl and her attitude lately.

"We will talk about it when we get home." Olivia had settled into the passenger seat and was pulling her door closed. "If Gwynn's parents are okay with you coming over, I will take you to her house."

Fitz met Olivia's gaze in the rearview mirror as he was backing out of the parking space. He didn't have to speak to convey his thanks - they were getting better at this united front thing for the kids' sakes. They still had kinks to work out and Olivia needed to have a heart-to-heart with Athena. All in due time.

"I didn't think you were coming back this semester!"

Olivia smiled, the blood red of her lipstick cracking just a bit, at the exclamation coming from the tiny redhead. Well, not that tiny. She was taller than Olivia by a good three inches without the heels she loved to wear. But she looked like a light breeze might blow her down at any second.

"I'm here to oversee my finals, Dr. Whelan."

"Is that so, Dr. Grant?" Abby raised a thin brow, shaking her head. There were few times that they were this formal with one another. With students milling around the hallway, it was a given that Olivia wouldn't use first names.

"Have you planned yours, yet?" Olivia slid her key into her office door and turned the lock. Inside her office, Olivia took her seat behind her desk while Abby chose to perch on the corner. Always a rulebreaker.

"You know me. I fly by the seat of my pants." Her blue eyes twinkled as she played with a pencil on the large desk.

"No you don't."

"Okay. Maybe not. How have you been, Liv?"

"Better."

Abby was her best friend at work. Which was the only place they ever saw each other. The fiery redhead hadn't taken over the Political Science department until last year and Jake wasn't keen on Olivia having friends over - or out. Like everyone in her life, Abby only received bits and pieces of Olivia.

"The doctor's helping then?"

"She is. Strangely enough, so is my ex."

"What?" Abby's mouth fell open in surprise and her eyes widened. "Your ex?"

"I've been staying with him. Jake got bailed out. Wiped my accounts clean and took everything."

"He's out?"

Olivia frowned. Abby had a big mouth and if she wasn't careful, everytime she screamed it would carry to the hallway. Olivia was not prepared for some passing student to hear more than she wanted and spread rumours around campus.

"He was. The judge offered him a deal and he pretty much skipped town."

"You aren't worried about him coming back?"

"I don't think he'd be that dumb. He knows Fitz has it out for him."

"Fitz...Your ex, right?" Abby barely waited for Olivia's nod before whistling. "Sounds like he's a lot more devoted than you make him out to be."

"What?" Olivia shook her head, her shoulder-length curls swaying. It was a new look - one she had been itching to try since her first psychiatrist appointment.

"Nothing, Liv," Abby whistled, a wide grin covering her face, "But a man who doesn't still have feelings - isn't this devoted."

"Abby don't even play like that." Olivia frowned, swatting her hand at her friend.

"You know it's true. Question is: what are you going to do with those feelings?"

Olivia sighed, settling back into her chair and hitting her head against the leather seat. Fitz didn't have feelings. Abby was making a mountain out of a mole-hill. Just like normal. Besides, she'd never met him. How could she possibly know what she was talking about? Right?

Right?

A/N - Susanna did not intentionally give Liv the wrong medication. Mellie and Jake on the other hand...Mellie is getting closer to being officially introduced. Jake is gone for good. The repercussions of what those two did still remain and have as of yet to be addressed or even clearly laid out.

Papa Pope made an official appearance, but his knowledge of Olivia and desire to know her are still unknown.

Abby has made her first appearance, too. Like everything else in Liv's life, though, she's been kept strictly in Olivia's 'work' category. Somewhat because of Jake and somewhat because Olivia had to make these separate categories of her life to function.

Until next time,

Gabi