`Chapter 10- Training Over

Olivia finally made it to the last day of training. As grueling as the days were, they better prepared her for being a good agent. She was ready to get out there and start doing, officially what she has been dreaming to do since she was a child.

Today was the last day she had to spend out doing the boys and pissing off Ballard. Although, the final three days, after the incident with Fitz, Ballard seemed to have a change of attitude. Olivia couldn't put her finger on it, but her gut told her he was up to something. He wasn't exactly nice or courteous to her, it seemed as if he just accepted she was there. That was fine with Olivia. She wanted this training over and done with.

The boys would be joining Olivia in exactly one month from the last day of training for a ceremony honoring the newly appointed agents. The president would be there to give awards and the Head of Homeland Security would be capping the even with a speech.

Although Olivia was looking forward to the event, she had her worries about being sent away. She told herself it was because there was no better agent to fulfill this mission, and she was determined to put a stop to this conspiracy.

As the training was ending, Ballard asked Burns to say something to the pending agents. Now, he knew Burns was not a man of many words, but not to be shown up, Burns played the part. Olivia knew the real reason he was there, but she wasn't going to blow his cover, it would give Ballard too much power. It would also show that he was under minded, once again by Fitz. Olivia was determined to just finish out the training without incident.

Burns took front and center. Although he didn't talk much, his words were inspirational. He also did not miss the opportunity to praise Olivia much to the anger of Ballard. So, Burns addressed the boys and Olivia.

"For the past two weeks I have watched a group of individuals train for one of the most important jobs within the United States government. You are the protectors; you protect our most important decision makers in the country. Without you, our leaders are vulnerable and put in the danger of people wanting to destroy us. You are going to become our sharp shooters, our investigators, and our eyes on the inside. You will be responsible to find the groups that dare to bring us down as a united front. I have no doubt the leaders you are sent to protect, the crimes you are going to investigate, and the surveillance you will perform are in good hands. You are four good, strong, and intelligent men. However, Olivia Pope, you are amazing."

Olivia was not ready for that, nor was she ready for the boys to start cheering with applause. It was all in fun and respect, but Ballard did look like he was about to punch a tree.

Burns continued, "Let me wrap this up. In all my years, and I've been in the military and I have been on training grounds, I have yet to see someone with a sharp eye for shooting as Olivia. I also am in awe at your athletic ability and your quest to never stop getting better. Whatever your assignment is, God help the individual or groups that mess with them when you're around." With that he nodded at the trainees and stepped away.

Ballard stood now, in front of them, staring at them with a smirk. "Boys and GIRL", his emphasis on the girl. "All I have to say is good work. I am not going to get into detail about your training or skills, as everyone performed at the level they were capable of performing at. I do have, in my hand, five envelopes. In these envelopes are the assignments you will be taking on beginning immediately tomorrow. Some of you will be on detail for the president, some of you will be on surveillance with the FBI, and some of you will be investigating crimes against our country. Whatever or wherever the agency brings you, I am certain you are all truly prepared. Your ceremony will be one month from today. You will be joining other field trainees from around the nation. At the ceremony, the highest awards are given to those who showed excellence in a certain area. There are five areas, and they are chosen from around the nation. Happy to report we have a recipient of one of the awards." He turned to Olivia, "MS. Pope, you are going to be awarded the excellence in sharp shooting award. The plaque will be designed specifically for you and presented to you from the President of the United States. Also, as a recipient, you get to have this", Burns handed him a box. "This is the latest model of the handgun used in training. Target your victim, and it's a sure hit, without the fear of hitting any others. Congratulations."

Olivia took the box. She wasn't vain enough to open it there and show off. She could only imagine what her father would be thinking. "you earned it baby girl, clear concise shots, just like I taught you. That's my girl. Twice as good!"

Next, Ballard handed them the envelopes, one by one, wished them luck and they were on their way. Olivia had no desire to open the envelope. She knew she would be packing tonight, and for a length of time. Huck was finding things out on the docks, useful to the investigation. Huck had stayed with Olivia, when they weren't with Abby, and they had compiled a list of Russian agents and American agents who have worked together or within the same states where counterfeit money was showing up. They narrowed the list down to fifteen working out of a cell in Minneapolis, St. Paul. Olivia had no doubt that's where she was heading. Huck had mentioned that her night terrors were happening at least twice, and Olivia was sure it was due to guilt. She cannot stop the feelings of guilt. She has so much guilt of what happened to Abby, she feels responsible for Simms, and the never ending guilt she will have about her parents. She is relieved Huck would be there with her, but upon arrival back in DC, Olivia is going to have to see a therapist. This could not continue.

Olivia wanted to make a stop to see Abby at the rehab before leaving. Huck was there with her now. They were scheduled to depart on the midnight plane to Minneapolis. She had time for a visit, time to pack up some last minute things, and head to the airport. She would call Fitz. She did not want to see him. She couldn't see him. It was hurting so much that she would be away from him for a month. She wasn't angry. She had come to the fact this was for the protection of the country. That's what she signed up for. She just couldn't stop the fear of something happening to him and her not being there. So, she thought it best not to say goodbye, as it seemed too final. She arrived at the rehab.

Abby was coming around. Her recovery was on the fast track. As Fitz had promised, because that is the type of man he is and why Olivia cannot get enough of him, Abby was moved to one of the more prestigious rehabs in DC. She was being watched and protected round the clock. She was able to recognize Huck and Olivia with no problem. She didn't remember the attack. She could barely talk, but like it was originally thought, no brain damage. That was important. She was due for her first round of plastic surgery in a week. Fitz has assured Olivia someone will be there for her. In fact, one of the physical therapists there, David, had taken an immediate liking to Abby. Olivia liked him and could feel he was a good person. She would mention to Fitz that he should be there for her. They seemed to have connected with a touching friendship. As she entered Abby's room, she was so happy to see her friend try her best at smiling. Olivia sat next to Abby and held her hand while she talked to her about training. For the next two hours, Olivia would be there for Abby.

In a small briefing room in the White House, Fitz had called in five of his most trusted friends and advisors. He neglected to add Cyrus to this because he just wasn't sure at this point who he could truly trust. The five with him now, he had no doubt.

Fitz and Olivia had spoken at length about what needed to be done on this end. This was a clear-cut attack on the economy and made to make the country look vulnerable and weak to Russia. If a country looks like that, what does that say for its leader? So, Fitz put together a strategy. Using the players for Russia he was aware of, and the lists from Oliva and Huck, he was going into full attack mode.

Fitz had no choice but to send Olivia to St. Paul. The deep Russian cell within the streets of St. Paul was the HUB of this whole ring. There was no one he trusted more than Olivia, yet no one he feared sending more than Olivia. Although Huck would be with her, it was the yearning his heart would feel. He couldn't imagine being three days away from Olivia, never mind a month. He was looking forward to her stopping by before heading to the airport that evening, but now, he needed to get down to business.

Fitz had to look deep inside his administration. He knew someone was leaking information to the agents in the White House. Those agents would then feed that information to the Russian agents. They would then work along side one another to produce, distribute, and destroy counterfeit money. They were attacking small businesses around the country. Right now, there is sure intelligence a load of counterfeit money would make its way to the docks of Baltimore. If Fitz can stop this from happening, his administration would have performed quite a task his first year in office. He didn't like to be losing Huck off the docks, so that was his first replacement. He needed someone undercover on the docks in case that shipment came in before Olivia came back.

Gentlemen meet Lt. Leonard Phillips. Mr. Phillips worked on the police force back in Santa Barbara while I was governor. He wiped out corruption on the police force and was detrimental in bringing police reform back to the city. His work record speaks for itself and he is taking on the role of a dock worker for me. He will be our eyes and ears on the docks.

Next, is Burns. Burns has been working here with the secret service for several months. He has overseen training of our new agents and has worked in the intelligence areas of the military. Burnes and I served in the Navy together. Burns is just learning this information, but he will take over for Jake Ballard as director of Homeland Security and if this goes as far up as I think it does, he will be awarded the job of Secretary of Defense.

The other three men, Lance, Ericks, and Rosario had been service agents in Santa Barbara, and they were now hired to be service agents in and around the White House. They are former Navy seals and will be keeping an eye on the agents, especially those whose names were given to him.

Fitz was confident he put together a good team. For the next hour, he would brief them on the connection with St. Paul and Baltimore. He wanted to be done with this for when Olivia arrived to head out for her trip.

Jake Ballard had a feeling he wouldn't be in the Grant administration much longer. He tried to reconcile with Fitz. He showed up to the Oval with an apology, but Fitz wasn't having it. Jake needed to do something. He was in over his head now. Ever since that phone call, Jake had to deliver on his debt. He was a dead man if he didn't. He needed the president's list of events and venues for the next two months, and the only one he was certain the president would be at was the ceremony for the agents. He didn't want anything to happen there.

"Ballard, what we did for you, you know you owe us." His voice alone sent chills up Jake's spine. He knew he was a watched man ever since the former president gave him the position he had. Payback was only a matter of time. Now, they wanted headlines, and he had to deliver for them.

Jake was not privy to what was going one with the Russian investigation. Ever since the incident at Camp David, Fitz did not let him in on any of the details. He wasn't sure if the debt he had to pay had anything to do with what was going on with the Russians, but it was clear he was not to ask questions. Jake thought back to the phone call he received so late the other night.

"Jake Ballard, you old snake, you ready to pay me that debt, because it's time to pay in full." At first Jake didn't recognize the voice, then it chilled him.

"How did you get my number, I told you I would…."

"You told me? You don't tell me nothing you weasel; you wait for orders from me. Now, you sitting down with a pen a paper because you have some directions to follow."

"At least tell me where you're calling from, I can come meet you, we can talk face to face this way we know the line isn't recorded or traced."

"Ballard, shut up and listen. You know my brother is very close to getting caught here by that pathetic president of ours. Now, it's up to you stop that from happening. If you can't stop that from happening, then we need to get rid of Grant; then we will deal with you.

"Does Fitz know? Does Fitz know that he's your brother? Of course he doesn't know, the two of you have different last names. That never occurred to me."

"Yeah, you see that's why I make the calls, and you do the work. I am going to need Grant's venues for the next two months. Even if he gets wind of my brother and cans him, we are going through with the assassination. So, I will be calling you one week from today. I will be expecting good news from you."

With that Jake heard the laughter and the voice of some women at the other end and the line went dead. Jake rubbed his hands over his face. What the hell was he going to do?

Olivia was tearing up as she was saying goodbye to Abby. David had come in after his shift was over. The four of them were talking and laughing. Olivia saw the look in Abby's eyes when she looked at David. Olivia couldn't wait for her friend to get better to live a happy life in a healthy relationship. Even with her injuries she lit up when David walked in the room. David reassured Huck and Olivia that he would be there for Abby through any surgery and her therapy until they got back. He said even after they got back, he would be there for her.

Just as they were leaving, Huck's phone rang. Whomever he was talking to got him concerned enough to look at Liv. When he hung up, he told Liv to go ahead to the airport without him, he would meet her there before the flight left. Huck assured her he would have a car waiting for her to take her to the airport. He gave her the license number of the car so she would know it came from him. Liv just kept looking at Huck with suspicion. "Go, Liv, it's fine. I just have a few things I need to clear up with a client. I can't put it off until I get back."

What Huck wasn't telling Liv is he had ordered something as a favor to Fitz for the ceremony. The company working on the order had last minute changes to make and Huck had to make those changes before he left. They were due to come back the day of the ceremony so he couldn't take any chances.

Olivia was packed and ready to go. She had Huck's things to bring down to the car, so she called door service. When her car arrived, she would be notified and assisted down to the car. As she was waiting, she called Fitz.

"Livvie, your plane leaves soon, you heading over?"

"I'm not Fitz. Today was hectic getting packed and ready to go. I wanted to visit with Abby and that ran later than expected. Huck has a car picking me up in a few minutes. I just wanted to hear your voice before I left."

"Liv, I wanted to see you, I wanted to…..Liv, don't do this."

"Fitz, it's really not anything, I just want to go, do what I have to do and get back. I just don't want anything to…."

"Stop, Olivia, you cannot control everything. I'll be fine. Well I won't be fine, you won't be here, but I know this is best. Just put a close to this so I can thank you in a proper, dirty way."

"Listen Mister, watch it, I may just become a resident of St. Paul. Maybe I'll find the governor needs some awesome sharp shooting agent and I get hired."

"Livvie, call me when you're settled in, I love you."

With that, they hung up. Her doorbell rang, but it wasn't the door service, it was Brian. "What are you…how did you know where I lived?"

"Well, you had your contacts down for Abby and I took a peek."

"Brian, seriously, we've been over this. I am not interested. Also, I am about to head to the airport on assignment. I am going to be gone for a while."

"Liv, you can't blame me for trying, you know I've always had a crush on you. It wasn't just a coincidence that we met up again after all these years."

"Brian, I am going to say it is. I really respect our friendship and all the good times we had growing up, but that's all it will be, a friendship." The door service appeared at that moment.

"I'll walk down with you, then, carry some bags, at least I can say goodbye."

When Olivia got downstairs, they exited the building. She turned to Brian. "I'll see you soon", and much to her shock, he pulled her to him for a hug. "Brian, stop", as she pushed away. "come on, don't be like this." He just looked at her and walked away.

Olivia turned to the car. "Oh shit" she said without even realizing her profanity. There was Burns holding the back door open with Fitz in the back of the car. He had just witnessed what went down with her and Brian and as she approached the car, he said, "I heard you needed a ride to the airport, get in."

Olivia just tilted her head at him looked at Burnes, who gave her his infamous shrug. "Thanks" she said to him as she slid in right next to Fitz.

Fitz just looked at her with a bit of hurt in his eyes. "So, you can tell me all about your company on our way to the airport" he said as he put his arm around her.