xoxo
X
The sunshine peeks through the open blinds in the bedroom where Olivia sleeps peacefully under the covers. The clock reads 10:59 a.m. and when it hits 11:00 a.m., the alarm blares off. A hand reaching aimlessly from under the blankets, she struggles a bit to hit the button before finally shutting it off.
Not really a morning person, it takes her a while before she moves to sit up in bed. Back pressed against the grey upholstered panel headboard. Brown's wandering around the room, she notices the tidiness which draws a blank stare to her face. In her many days of waking up, she's never seen it this spotless.
What kind of sorcery is this?
Nevertheless, a smile graces her lips as she slips out of bed into her comfortable slippers. A quick stretch of her arms before venturing to the bathroom to do her morning routine.
X
Standing in the mirror, she revels in who she sees looking back at her. The confidence clear, the glow, and more importantly, the happiness. Beautiful inside and out, she's always been above the fray even when the times are tough. Even when she has no will to keep going. She always finds a way to remain true to herself.
A constant beacon of light.
Brown's wandering over her reflection, she stuns in a black Alexander McQueen off-the-shoulder double-breasted wool-blend dress complemented by a black foiled-logo leather wallet belt wrapped perfectly around her waist, black studded leather slingback pumps, a silver heart-locket charm necklace, and of course, a black The Story whipstitched leather purse sitting on the tall dresser to the right of her. All from the same designer.
To complete her outfit, she removes the pink bonnet allowing her box braids to fall a little past her shoulders. Silver and gold hair cuffs around a few of the braids tying everything together. One final spin to check herself out, she grabs her purse with a smile and departs from the room heading downstairs. The smell of food making her stomach rumble and growl.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she finds herself walking into an empty kitchen. Though there's a plate of food on the table with a note attached. Placing her purse on the counter, she walks around it to take a better look at the note but feels someone's arms wrapping around her waist pulling her close.
X
With her mind still wandering through the fragmented memories, in reality, Olivia tosses and turns in bed but doesn't awake due to Viper's magic looming over her. The slight movements allow Viper to see that Olivia has made contact with the shattered memories. To keep her under she must utilize more magic for reopening the locked doors in one's mind could go wrong if they wake up too soon.
Oculars transitioning to violet, Viper waves a hand. The same three glittering spell symbols appearing before dispersing into a cloud of dust that calms Olivia, lulling her back to deep sleep.
"Ryan." She calls to him and within seconds he enters the room.
"Everything okay?"
"She's made contact. She doesn't know who he is just yet but that's the next door we're going through. So, I need you here."
"Why?"
"To restrain her. I can't focus on keeping her under and the constant convulsions of her body." She informs.
"If I lose focus for even a second, she could lose more than she already has."
He understands. "Okay. I'm here."
"She'll be making contact again in a few moments." Heaving a soft sigh, feeling another door opening inside of Olivia's mind. Another memory she's able to retrieve.
"Now."
X
"Hello, beautiful. Did you see the wonderful breakfast I made you?"
"I did." A chuckle leaves her lips. "It looks good, but there's only one plate."
"I ate already." Pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Because I have a day full of excitement planned for us today and needed to leave early to get some things set up."
And that's when she turns to him. The moment their eyes meet it's like the world stops. Years of being together and she still feels life pushing them together and never pushing them apart. There's no movement, only sounds of their hearts mending as one.
Becoming lost in his cerulean orbs, she finds the place she desires to be. Chills down her spine, goosebumps covering her arms. He's everything. She wonders how she managed to get so lucky with everything going on in her life. How she found a home within a home.
Surrounded by his embrace, her browns familiarize his features to her memory. Always finding something new about him. The hint of gray hairs mixing into his brown curls, the designer stubble growing in perfectly after months of a bare face.
And his eyes. Though they haven't changed much, the way he looks at her did. So much admiration, lust, love. She doesn't know how she can stand the sight of him, but she manages for he's there to hold her— to make sure she always has someone to catch her.
And just like Olivia, Fitz can't seem to speak as he follows the light in her eyes to a blissful reality that they were meant to be. Nothing or no one could tear them apart and he would be the man to show her that— to assure her that she's not alone in this dark, cruel world.
His palm graces her cheek, and he smiles. Loving how she smiles back. And God is she beautiful. Like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon; fluttering to the bright blue sky, she warms his heart every time he lays his eyes on her. She's his world and she sees that in him.
"Have I told you how much I love you lately?" Her question brings forth that crooked grin of his.
"I think I need a reminder."
A chuckle leaves her lips, palms rubbing up against his defined chest. Leaning in slowly to kiss him.
X
In Olivia's mind, another door opens, and another memory is restored. But in the present, the convulsions continue as Viper struggles to keep her under. Her violet oculars fixated upon her.
"Restrain her, Ryan. Now!"
Oculars transitioning to bright red, Ryan generates tentacle-like appendages that extend from his back to the bed. Wrapping around Olivia's wrists, waist, and ankles. It helps... for now.
"What's happening to her?"
"Each time a memory is retrieved, her will to be under decreases." She informs. "Her journey isn't over. We still have much to uncover. Can you keep her still until then?"
"Of course, I can."
"Good." Oculars cutting to him. "Are you ready for what's to come once her trip is over?"
"No." The truth.
"Why not?"
"With the Band-Aid ripped off her and my wounds still healing, anything can happen."
X
"My father doesn't want me with you, Fitz. He's made that very clear." She says from the bathroom, tying her hair up for bed.
"And I don't trust him enough to leave us alone."
He understands. "But do you trust me enough to keep you safe?" The question makes her peek into the room, bewilderment rushing to her visage.
"Of course, I do. But you know my father. He's diabolical. If one way doesn't work, then he'll find another way." Shutting off the bathroom light, she returns to the bedroom. Placing her bonnet on before climbing into bed, pressing a kiss to Fitz's lips.
"If we don't magically separate, we might need protection from him."
He pulls her closer, wrapping her in his arms. Her hands meeting his back, nuzzling against him.
"So, you still want to be with me?"
"I do." The truth. "I want you. I want us. But I want to make sure you understand the consequences."
"I'm aware." And he is. "I don't care how your father feels or what he's capable of. My love for you and your love for me is worth fighting for. Don't you agree?"
"I do." A smile graces her lips. "You don't meet his expectations, but you've always met mine. I just— I wanted to give you the chance to run."
Lifting her chin with a finger, he kisses her lips.
"You are my home. Running isn't an option."
X
Olivia's mind still on a journey to the truth, her convulsions continue in the present. If it weren't for Ryan keeping her as still as he can without harming her, she'd be awake doing who knows what.
"How much longer does she have to be under?" He inquires. "I can hold her, but you look like you need a break."
"I'm fine." She assures. "She has to endure the final fragment. The day everything changed. The day you saved her."
"Okay." Oculars cutting to her. "I know what I said before. About not being ready to face the music, but I am."
A smile graces her lips. "What changed your mind?"
"I made the wrong decision and whatever happens, I know I want to make amends for that."
"She'll be angry."
"And rightfully so, but I can take it. I've been broken so much, what's a little bit more, right?"
"They say all things must crumble to be built anew. This is a turning point for both you and Olivia, but it's also a moment to be who you both were meant to be." Her hand graces his shoulder.
"As I said before, rifts can be mended, Ryan. It may take time, it may not. Just remember to be transparent."
"Will do."
X
They sit on the couch, wrapped in one another's embrace watching Courage the Cowardly Dog. Olivia's favorite cartoon. She's dying of laughter and Fitz just watches her, wondering how he's gotten so lucky to see this side of her. That crooked smile gracing his lips.
For a moment, she stops laughing and looks up at him to see him staring back at her. Her cheeks flushed with red.
"You are so beautiful." A faint whisper. "I have to be the luckiest man in the universe."
"Are you saying that I'm your leprechaun? Because that would be offensive seeing as I'm short."
The hearty laugh that leaves him makes her laugh.
"This is a serious matter, Fitz!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You're right. This is a serious matter." Pressing a kiss to her lips.
"But no, I'm not saying you're my leprechaun. I'm saying that I'm grateful to have an extraordinary woman in my life." Pausing for a second.
"You are to me, everything. And I wouldn't trade the life we have for anything else. You understand every facet of me and vice versa. You are the nucleus of my life, the glue that keeps everything from falling apart. And there's nothing... I mean nothing that can tear us—"
A heavy knock echoes from the front door, attracting Fitz and Olivia's attention. The uncertainty looming over them for it's the middle of the night and they aren't expecting any guests this late. Retrieving the tv remote, Fitz pauses the show and proceeds to the door, but he doesn't answer it. Instead, he peeks through the peephole.
To his surprise, it's Rowan on the other side accompanied by two large, heavily equipped men.
"Who is it?" Olivia calls from the living room.
Retreating from the door, Fitz proceeds to the living room. The look on his face saying it all.
"My father?"
"Yes. Did he tell you he was coming?"
Retrieving her phone from the table, she unlocks it but there're no missed calls or messages.
"No."
"Then why the hell is he here?"
"I don't know, but whatever we do we can't—"
Vibrating in her hand, her phone displays Dad. This brings her and Fitz to a silence, uncertain of what to do or why he's calling.
"Should I answer it?"
"What does your gut tell you? You've always done right by it."
And that's true. "Since he came all this way to be disappointed, I might as well see what he wants."
Answering the phone, she curls up on the couch. Fitz taking a seat in his rocking chair not wanting to be intrusive.
"Dad, hi."
"Olivia."
"Why are you calling? It's late."
"I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by, but when no one answered I figured I'd call. Have you put any thought into what we discussed?"
"I'm not in the mood to—."
"Please. It's the least you can do."
Her oculars cut to Fitz, heaving a sigh.
"I'm not interested in being your test dummy. Based on your record, hundreds of people like me have died by your hand."
"And thousands have survived." He counters. "Your gift can be the end to all war. Your gift can be the salvation this world needs."
"My gift? You mean the gift you bestowed upon me when I was a child? When I had no idea what would come out of this? That gift?" A scoff.
"You turned me into something I didn't want to be and then you suppressed it within my memories. And now you want me to come with you so you can extract the said gift and use it to build some army. This gift is nothing but a curse."
"I just want you to be great." A long pause. "I know I have my ways of going about that but what I did I did for your own good."
Disbelief rushes to her visage. "My own good? You turned me into a science experiment for God's sake! You never loved me; I was never the child you wanted. And this idea that you have in your head is beneath you."
"This idea can save the world, Olivia. This idea can be the breakthrough we need to assure our safety." Heaving a sigh.
"As my daughter, I thought you would see that what I'm trying to do is right."
"It's wrong. You're taking on the role of a mad scientist but how long are you going to continue down this road? Until everyone dies? Until I... die?"
"You're not listening to me!"
"And you aren't being clear, so I guess we're both missing the point."
She can hear the irritation in his voice through the phone and outside of the door.
"Let me make this very clear, Olivia. If you do not heed my advice and come with me... you will die. This isn't about me being your father or lack thereof or you being my daughter. No, this is about life and death. Right and wrong and you are on the wrong side. You choose this life over me and you will regret it."
Something dawns on her. "So, this was never about Fitz was it?"
"In the smallest way possible, it is. You see, Olivia. Fitz is a lap dog. A lap dog that's keeping you bound to some life that will never exist. So, of course, I don't want you with him because you are an alpha. You belong by my side."
"This life is what I wanted. I'm tired of living in your vision— of being a carbon copy of you. I'm standing on my own."
"Then you won't see the light of day for as long as I live."
"Is that a threat?" Brows knitted.
"It's a promise." The frigidness clear.
"So, now what? Hm?"
"I'm going to give you a choice and this choice will be the outcome of your life."
"Dad..."
"Him or me? Choose."
This is a no-brainer for Olivia. She and her father's relationship was doomed from the start. He took away her childhood and turned her into something peculiar. Years of testing, using her as a lab rat so that he can have his moment where he feels like he succeeded in life. This drove a wedge between them and ever since then, he's been trying to reel her in with false prophecy that she was made for something other than a test subject.
And then she met Fitz. The one man who made her feel like the world was her oyster. The one man who took everything she is and nourished her with no hidden agenda or motive. The choice is clear. She's found the place her heart wants and she's not willing to give that up. Not for anyone. Not even the man that used to be her father. The man she used to look up to, to protect her. But little did she know he was the monster underneath her bed. And he still is.
With her gaze still set on Fitz, she smiles. Holding her hand out for his in which he doesn't hesitate, locking his fingers within hers. Thumb rubbing gently.
"I choose Fitz. I will always choose Fitz."
"Then you're dead to me."
For a moment it's silent, though the clear sounds of footsteps departing can be heard. It's unnerving and just when they think things couldn't get any eerier, their front door is kicked down and the two men accompanying Rowan barge inside, but Fitz being the man that he is rushes to the men and swings. A right hook followed by a left one. Knocking one to the floor, the other tackling Fitz into the wall behind them. The impact of contact leaving a dent.
"Olivia... run!"
He's able to recover quickly, trapping the assailant in a headlock. His knee striking his chest. Though he told Olivia to run, her mind is telling her to help him. When she sees the other assailant rising to his feet, she grabs a nearby glass vase and launches it. The glass breaking on his face causing him to stumble back a bit holding his eyes. Fitz on the other hand is overpowered, his body lifted into the air and slammed to the ground.
The assailant now focuses his attention on Olivia, and she runs through the house to the back door, but these aren't ordinary soldiers. They're enhanced which allows him to catch her with ease, hoisting her into the air by her neck. The breath leaving her with ease as she struggles to remove his hand from her throat, legs flailing. Kicking him everywhere she can but her efforts are futile as she's lifted higher, the grip around her neck tightening.
"Olivia..." pushing himself from the floor, Fitz rushes and spears the man holding Olivia over the couch and into the glass table, freeing Olivia from his grip. The shards cutting and puncturing his skin, though it's not enough to slow him.
Posthaste, he moves to his feet and grabs the assailant by his vest. Bombarding his face with a series of punches that leave his knuckles and the assailant's face bloodied. From the left, the other assailant tackles him into the fireplace, punching him in his gut and then his face which sends him to the floor. He's winded, but he does his best to crawl to Olivia who's catching her breath. However, he's pulled back by his legs and swung into the television.
The impact is tremendous.
Olivia glances back and when she sees Fitz not moving, she drags herself to the kitchen. The assailant following her. She manages to pull herself to her feet using the counter, quickly running around it to retrieve a kitchen knife. Pointing it in the direction of the assailant entering the kitchen. He doesn't seem fazed; he doesn't seem like he's in control of his actions either. He's just a hollow vessel. The human inside of him is gone.
As he steps closer to Olivia, a low, drawn-out growl can be heard as Fitz rushes into the kitchen, spearing the assailant through the glass door onto the back porch. As their bodies fall down the stairs to the yard, Olivia rushes after them only to make sure Fitz is okay. The sight is disheartening. He's bruised, battered, cut. He's lost a lot of blood and if they didn't get out of here, he'll die. Dropping the knife beside him, she cups his face.
"Fitz, we have to get out of here." Oculars cutting to the assailant not too far away from where they landed.
"Please. No more fighting. You can't go on for much longer."
He hears her words, but he doesn't move, the pain wearing down his body. Dazed.
"Livvie..." a faint whisper, his hand lifting to grace her cheek.
"You have to run."
"No! Not without you!" Leaning in to kiss him. "Now get up, Fitz! Get up!"
Something takes over him. His need— his want to protect her. Shaking the daze off, he slowly sits up. From there she helps him off the ground using as much strength as she could. And she doesn't forget to grab the knife.
They take off towards the backwoods, but Fitz is too wounded to keep up with her though she tries with all her might to move him along with her. Not only that, when he looks behind them the assailants aren't too far away. Perfectly healed as if nothing happened to them. He won't make it, but she will.
"Olivia, you have to go. Alone."
"What? No! I'm not leaving you!"
"I'll hold them off for as long as I can, but you can't carry me to safety."
"Fitz..." feeling her heart breaking, knowing he won't make it.
"... I can't let you do that."
"You have to. You know why?" He stops, turning to her. Ceruleans locked on her browns.
"No." Tears welling up, though she tries to remain strong. Resolute.
"Because as a man— as your man it is my job to protect you. To— to make sure that whatever happens, you are free." A hand graces his abdomen in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
"I can't let you make this decision for me. I'm doing this for you— for us. So that we... can have a fighting chance."
"You won't make it, Fitz." Quickly wiping the tears before they fall.
"I can't lose you. Not like this. Not by my fathers—"
"You won't." He promises. "I'll be right behind you. Meet me at our spot. The riverbed that leads to the waterfall. I'll be there."
"Promise me." Her walls cracking. "You promise me you'll be there."
"I promise."
With everything in her, she kisses him, making sure this one lasts. She has hope that she'll see him again, that he'll be at their spot just like he promised even with the voice in her head telling her that this is their last kiss.
"I love you, Fitz." A faint whisper against his lips.
"I love you, too, Olivia. Always." Slowly pulling away, turning his attention to the assailants before him. Not wanting to see her leave.
"Now go. Run. And whatever you do, don't look back."
And with the last bit of energy he has, he rushes the assailants while she turns and runs through the woods as fast as she can.
This is far from how she saw her night going, but circumstances change. There's no time for her to react, to break down, to have a moment. No, she must keep running. Not only for herself but him as well. Though the pain of separating is evident with each step her foot makes, there's hope. Hope that they'll see each other once again.
With his words wrapping around her heart, she sprints through the woods and makes it out on the other end. Taking off in the direction of the city. Never once looking back, tears like streams down her cheeks. But something's wrong. The further she runs; the more chaos seems to be ensuing. Cars on fire, people running in fear, explosions in the distance. That's when she slows.
Everything is spinning. She's in the eye of the storm and it's only getting worse. And that's when she sees it in the distance. The cause of the disorder. Men dressed like the ones that came to her home killing and destroying everything they encounter. And when they see her, her instincts kick in and she runs as fast as she can.
Avoiding as many people as possible, steering clear of her father's men, the life she had dreams of living is becoming less of a reality. Everything she built with Fitz shattered in a matter of minutes. All because her father didn't get his way. She despised him with every fiber of her being and if she makes it out alive, her goal is to see him perish.
As she ventures further down the street, another explosion ensues. This one so close it sends Olivia flying in the opposite direction into a tree, her body hitting the ground soon after. Skin severely charred, her consciousness fading. There's a hoard of people coming her way bound to trample, but before they reach her a hemisphere of blood forms around her.
And then it disappears with her.
X
Olivia's fighting Viper's advances as hard as she can and if it weren't for Ryan restraining her, she'd be free, and her mind would be just as damaged. Luckily, she's still under, and with only one fragment left, her questions will be answered, and Ryan's words will make a lot more sense.
"I can recover one more memory, Ryan. I'm sure you know which one that is."
He nods. "What do you need me to do?"
"You need to inform everyone. She'll be fine. The convulsions are a part of the process. They'll be less violent now that she has all she needs."
"And you're sure about this?"
"I am." Four glittering spell symbols appearing before dispersing into a cloud of dust that lulls Olivia back to deep sleep.
"Now go."
Dispersing into a puddle of blood, Ryan vanishes into nothingness while Viper keeps Olivia under for the grand finale.
"This is the last step of your journey. All I could retrieve from your memories. The next time you wake up, you'll be in control of your life."
X
"Who is she?" Abby inquires, walking around the table inside of the medical bay. Examining the woman.
"Her name is Olivia Pope. She's an old friend of mine. She's—"
"The daughter of Rowan." Sensing the faint signal of Olivia's mind. "Why is she here? She's the spawn of the man that's trying to kill us."
His bright red oculars fixate on her. "That's harsh."
"I'm just saying, you're not thinking clearly."
"Please refrain from insulting my knowledge of the situation. Regardless of who she is, she's always been a good friend to me, Abby." Approaching the table.
"Is she still alive? I can't tell by her blood."
"She is. If you're going to save her, you better hurry."
"She'll be manic when she wakes."
"Why do you think that is?"
"Because she was alone." His palm gracing her forehead. "Fitz wasn't with her."
"Fitz?"
"Her husband."
"Shit. You don't think?"
"Hard to say." Feeling her blood slowly rushing to his palm. "She's savable."
"I have a suggestion."
"What?" Oculars cutting to her.
"I can hide the truth from her. A manic mind will cause more damage than a reset one."
"That's not— no. We can't do that to her."
"It's the only way she'll be able to have a normal life."
"You'd be taking away everything she's ever known. Rowan, Fitz. Things that made her the woman she is today. That's wrong, that's— that's immoral, Abby."
"So, I'm guessing you want her to end up like you."
That hurt. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're miserable. And with you being miserable about your ex-boyfriend your choices around here are less than stellar." Her honesty is brutal.
"You have become less of a leader and more of a lover scorned. And in this world, you can't be both. Not when there's a war on the horizon."
"Abby..."
"Make a choice. Her life or yours."
His attention on Olivia, the healing process begins. Blood wrapping around her body. He's not going to let her die, but he also feels that Abby is right. He's been drowning in his sorrow ever since his relationship with Mike ended. He doesn't want anyone to feel that pain.
The silence lasts for an extended amount of time before he makes his decision.
"Do it." The regret already seeping in.
With confirmation, Abby's hands rest on the sides of the blood cocoon. Her oculars yellow, she telepathically intrudes on Olivia's mind and locks the memories of Fitz, Rowan, and this encounter in the depths of her mind.
"It's done." Abby states, removing her hands.
"When she wakes up, she'll have a new life."
"Are you sure we did the right thing?" Oculars cutting to Abby.
"It's already eating me up alive."
"I'm sure, Ryan."
X
When she awakes from Viper's magic-induced slumber, the room is quiet, empty. She has a hell of a headache, but her thoughts are no longer screaming at her. For once, they're calm. Sliding out of bed, she walks onto the balcony and leans against the stone railing. The cool breeze wrapping around her.
She's unsure how to feel aside from betrayed. Betrayed by someone she trusted. Fitz is her husband. Rowan is her father. And she knew Ryan longer than he led on. Her life was different before Rowan came for her and now that life's gone. With the man she loves most under the control of the man she despises most, that life seems distant, obscure.
"What did I do to deserve this?" A faint whisper to herself, fingers combing through her hair.
"On the contrary..." Viper enters the room in a violet shimmer behind Olivia.
"... you have done nothing wrong."
"It feels like my own life is against me."
"Life has a way of putting us through hell, but it is up to us to choose what we accept." Her words cause Olivia to turn around.
"You're hurt, but none of this is your fault. You have been the victim of circumstance the moment you were born, but now you have the chance to confront those demons. The first one being in the other room."
Olivia's eyes well with tears. "What about Abby?"
"There's a fate much worse waiting for Abby, but this isn't about her. It's about you and how someone you trusted, someone you knew and respected took something so dear to you and had it locked away." Hovering over to her, both hands gracing her shoulders.
"I think Ryan's heart was in the right place, but that wasn't his call to make. You need to express that. You need to say everything that's on your mind and your heart no matter how much it hurts." Removing her hands.
"You're a powerful woman, formidable. Both past and present. Own it. Be the woman you know you're meant to be and take control of your life. Be a victor instead of a victim."
"You're right." Proceeding to the door, she's stopped by Viper's hand on her shoulder.
"Before you go, there's one last thing I want to show you. A memory that almost slipped through the cracks."
Turning to face her, brows knitted.
"I won't have to be put to sleep, will I?"
"No, this one is easily accessible." Her oculars transitioning to violet, waving her fingers. The glittering dust surrounding Olivia. Unlocking the final fragmented memory.
X
Her ring.
Like a star in the darkest sky, it shines bright on her finger. She becomes entranced by its beauty, wondering how Fitz managed to acquire good taste in a span of a few years. It's a custom made, platinum, Sweeping Ivy diamond ring that wraps perfectly around her finger reminiscent of the leaves she was enthralled by on their first date.
A picnic by a riverbed that led to a rock waterfall, surrounded by a bed of assorted flowers, leaves, and trees.
Ivy being one of them.
A smile graces her lips as she twiddles the ring around her finger. He did well.
Tonight, is date night. And instead of going out, she opted to stay inside and have a home-cooked meal which Fitz is putting the finishing touches on in the kitchen. The dining room table where she sits is decorated with a white cloth, vases of roses in the center, and small candles surrounding it. All his doing.
So, she figured she'd dress up for him. Stunning in a black, Ganni balloon-sleeved leather mini dress with a pair of black, Jimmy Choo Sae 90 chain-strap leather sandals and her braids up in a bun to accentuate her cheekbones. His favorite way of seeing her.
Whereas Fitz looks debonair in a cream The Elder Statesman tie-dyed cashmere sweater and pink Polo Ralph Lauren slim-fit stretch-cotton chino trousers with a pair of white Common Projects original Achilles leather trainers. Like a system, when she wore black, he always wore color.
"I hope you're hungry." He's beginning to make the plates. "Because I made your favorite but with a twist."
"Starving." She smiles back at him. He's so focused. "So, hurry before I pass out."
"You can't rush perfection, Liv." A chuckle leaves his lips and hers.
"Don't make me come back there."
"Are you wearing any panties?"
"What?" Now she's laughing. "What does that have to do with me dying of hunger?"
"Are you?" He's looking up at her, a crooked grin on display.
"Of course not."
"Then you lose automatically because if you come back here..." adding a little garnish to their plates, picking them up, and heading to the table.
"... I'll be tempted to use my other superpower and we both know how that one makes you feel." Placing the plates on the table, pressing a kiss to her lips.
A soft hum. "Stuffed and devoured."
Silence ensues before they burst into laughter. He kisses her once more before taking his seat across from her, taking her hand in his.
"I love you, beautiful."
"I love you, too, handsome."
"Now we can eat."
And they do. The food so good they could barely speak until they were almost done.
"I can't believe you can cook this good." Pushing her plate forward.
"If you don't make it this perfect every time, I'm leaving you and taking all of your money."
"I knew you'd be trouble." He's laughing as is she. "Will you at least pay my lawyer fees after the divorce? Since I'll be broke."
"Fine, but don't get too greedy or it's jail time."
"Jail?!" The laughter is uncontrollable. "Could you imagine us actually getting a divorce?"
"No. Because you are God's gift to me. The man I've been searching for." A smile graces her lips.
"There's no divorce. If you're mad... go in the other room until you're calm enough to talk."
Now he's beaming in delight."So, I'm stuck with you, huh?"
"You are." A soft conformation.
"Good, because you are stuck with me, too. I don't see myself loving anyone as much as I love you." Taking her hand in his, thumb brushing across her ring.
"Do you want kids?"
"Eventually. I'm not ready to share you yet."
A chuckle leaves his lips. "I'm okay with that. There's still much I want to do before that time comes."
"Really? Like what?"
"For starters, I want to travel the world with you. Take in the beauty of the unknown, learn how to love each other in new ways. Lots of stuff."
"Then I guess you better get started on the planning." The idea so perfect. "Because I'm ready now... if you are."
"For you? I'm always ready."
X
"How could you?" She stands behind him, oculars darkened with anger. All the fragmented memories painting a vivid image in her mind.
"After everything we've been through, how could you not tell me?"
"Because you didn't need to know." Turning to face her, arms folding across his chest. "Had I told you the truth, you would've jumped at the chance to save him without even thinking."
"He's my husband, Ryan!"
"Which is all the more reason why you didn't need to know." Stepping closer to her. "Do you know what Rowan does to people when he gets his hands on them?"
It's silent.
"He takes every shred of humanity and twists it into something much more malevolent. There's no hope on the horizon, there're no dreams, there's no future. Yes, I withheld information from you. I fucked up by having those memories locked away and I'm sorry, but I couldn't let you end up like me." Heaving a sigh.
"Constantly feeling emotions that prohibit me from being normal. Feeling guilty for not doing enough to stop it. Feeling like death is the only way out— the only way to feel something other than the gut-wrenching pain that never leaves. You deserved better."
"I deserve better?" A chuckle leaves her lips, the disbelief clear. "I know you thought you were doing me a favor, Ryan but you weren't. I'm sorry you lost Mike; I am but at least you got the chance to feel something other than emptiness. At least you have those memories. But me? One day I'm with the love of my life and the next I'm fighting for my life." A brief pause.
"That was selfish of you to take that right away from me. And now? I remember everything, but at what cost? All the memories, all the moments he and I built together are still gone because he's a slave to my father's crooked system! You don't know how I would've acted or what I would've done had I known everything from the beginning. We may have been friends, close friends but you didn't trust me. And that hurts just as much." Heaving a sigh.
"He's my husband, Ryan. I had a life with that man. You and I are not the same in that scenario. You hate who you've become because of guilt. I hate who I've become because I had no recollection of every aspect of myself until now. Barely. I may have become cold, bitter, and lonely because of you but I won't let this war stop me from being happy."
She storms out leaving Ryan behind.
As he processes everything knowing that this needed to happen, Abby enters from the other room having heard the entire exchange. Weary to approach him but she does, hesitantly.
"Are you okay?"
"She knows the truth. I'm ecstatic." Turning to her, brows knitted, "but something has me curious."
"What?"
"The team said you left for a moment. Where did you go?"
"I went out to clear my head, why? This conversation isn't about me. It's about you and Olivia."
A soft hum. "You're getting defensive."
"I'm not. I just— I wanted to make sure you were okay. I wanted to make sure that she was okay."
"She's dealing with the repercussions of our actions, but that doesn't answer my question as to where you were when you left. Because there're only a few places you go when you need to clear your head and they're all inside of the haven."
"You're just trying to flip this on me because you finally got caught meddling with someone's livelihood." She stings.
"I call that a guilty conscience."
Now he understands what Viper meant when she said, 'the wrong snake is in your garden'. The real Abby would never be so vile, even at her most honest moments. This was an imposter, and knowing that, the anger sets in.
"I rid myself of the guilt the moment I realized how fucked up my actions were. I anticipated the truth coming out. I advocated for the truth coming out when I saw how Olivia looked at Fitz and vice versa but when I did, you ran."
"So, what are you saying? That it's my fault."
"Nope." His oculars bright red, his entirety slowly liquefying into something much more horrendous. His blood form.
Lifting his head slightly, the blood concealing the last bit of his skin, Ryan's jaw begins to unhinge. The flesh upon his cheeks tearing apart causing blood to splatter, revealing his large, extended, snake-like mouth with rows of razor-sharp fangs similar to that of a shark. And large, red, feline-like eyes.
Grabbing her by the neck, he lifts her into the air whilst growing in size. Squeezing the air out of her. Watching as she struggles to get a grip on him, but her hands kept slipping through.
"You're not Abby." His voice deep and resounding.
"So, let's find out what other truths are hiding within the darkness."
X
The outside world has become so different to her, but one place remains the same. Her oasis. In better words: the riverbed she and Fitz went to on their first date.
It still looks the same, but more trees and flowers have grown since then and the water has somehow become bluer. The waterfall is still loud, but it calms her. It's greener and it smells just as it did the first time. Warm, freeing, normal.
She takes a seat on a rock near the river, kicking her shoes off and submerging her feet into the cool water. The feeling brings a smile to her lips as she heaves a sigh, letting go of everything stressing her and focusing on the question mark looming over her.
She doesn't know what to do now that she's aware of what happened. No tears to cry, no voice to yell. She's just... here. On one hand, she wants to crucify Ryan and Abby for what they did but on the other hand, she understands. As a lawyer, she makes tough decisions constantly, day in and day out. Decisions that can change anyone's livelihood.
The only difference with her is that she wasn't aware of that decision.
Still, she has a heart and can learn to move forward when the time is right. Right now, she needs to heal— to focus on herself.
Leaning forward, her fingers run through the crystal blue water. Watching as it flows as one down to the waterfall. Behind her, leaves fall from the trees and rustling can be heard in the bushes. It's not until a branch snapping attracts her attention. Her oculars fixating on the figure coming out of the darkness, seeing them clear as day.
Those cerulean orbs.
"Hi."
"Hi."