"How's your father doing?"

"He's fine. Surgery was successful." Fitz sighed. "Hey, I'm gonna be out here a little longer. I'm just-."

Liv interrupted. "Fitz, I understand. Take your time and stay as long as you need."

"Sorry, we got cut short. I'll make it up to you," he smirked.

liv felt a pang of excitement when he mentioned their other night.

"I miss you" she smiled.

"I miss you. You, sleeping on me like a teddy bear."

"You're comfortable" she teased.

"I just want to hold you"

"Me too" she smiled softly. "Call me tomorrow."

"Will do."

/

Fitz has been in California for the last three days. Big Gerry is already checked out of the hospital. He stayed to help his dad so that he's more comfortable. The next gallery is Saturday night. Liv was glad that she finished everything before going to New York. Seeing her mom and brother was; a breath of fresh air. Fitz made a good impression. And knowing that her mother and brother really liked Fitz made dating; him so much sweeter. Liv could feel herself being more open with him and letting him in. There was so much she wanted to tell him and after being in New York with him. Experiencing that level of intimacy with him besides the sexual stuff was refreshing. David informed her that Jake would be served in the next couple of days; It would have been sooner but Jake has been working from home as requested by Fitz.

"Liv, while you were you gone Sarah finished your dress," Abby informed.

"Where is it?"

"She's having it sent over. She's not sure how long she'll be in California." Abby got up taking her mug to the kitchen.

Liv followed continuing their conversation. "I'm going to the gallery today. Is there anything you need me to pick up?"

Abby sighed. "Liv, I'm nervous. In three weeks I'll be walking down the aisle."

"To the man that you love," liv finished. "There's nothing to worry about" She assured.

Abby exhaled giving liv a nod. "Thanks"

"I have to go. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

Jake sat in his study trying to focus on work but he just kept thinking about Olivia and where she was or if she was coming home; to him. It's been weeks she's had time to forgive him and move past whatever they were going through. The thought of divorce never crossed Jake's mind the idea of her leaving him made him angry. Jake knew there were some problems in their marriage. Actually, he was downplaying "some problems." But jake would never admit that to anyone; not even himself. Things; besides his marriage was going downhill. His boss all of a sudden didn't like him, obviously, Fitz never said that but it was a feeling Jake had.

"Shit" jake exclaimed. Spilling coffee in his lap from being startled by the doorbell. "Coming!" he yelled.

Jake opened the door. A young man around 25 standing opposite of Jake.

"Can I help you?" He asked politely.

"Are you...Jacob Ballard?" the man asked.

"Yes...what's this about?"

He handed jake the manila envelope. "You've been served." The man quickly retreated to his vehicle. While jake was distracted opening the envelope.

"What the fuck is this," jake cursed himself. Jake slammed the door.

Jake darted up the stairs. He made two phone calls; one to Olivia and the other to Charlie's home. He only got liv's voicemail just like the last couple of weeks.

"Hey, Quinn can you call liv for me. We made up but I wanna surprise her." he lied.

"Okay, I'll call you back" Quinn being oblivious to their situation called liv and got her location for Jake.

"Hey, Liv I'm gonna go grab lunch is there anything you want? Bill asked.

"A salad would be great. Thank you"

"No problem I'll be back," Bill said leaving liv's office.

Liv went back to work she was packaging sculptures that were custom made for certain customers. Bill went downstairs and out the front door where he ran into Jake.

"Hey, jake is it?" Bill extended his hand.

Jake returned the handshake "Bill...right? "

"Yeah"

"Is liv in?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'm just going for lunch."

"Have a nice lunch." Jake offered.

"Thanks, man" bill went on his way.

/

Jake walked in meeting liv in her office.

"Hi liv" jake smirked

Liv snapped her head in his direction "Jake" liv shook her head annoyed.

Jake moved closer trying to embrace her "I miss you." He ignored the papers hoping he wouldn't have to mention them. And she would come home.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned.

"You haven't been home in weeks. I wanted to see you." jake moved in cornering her.

"There's a reason." Liv pushed out of his embrace.

"Liv, why are you being like this. Now I wanted to give you time to get over whatever was bothering you. But this" Jake slammed the packet down. "That's going too far"

Jake noticed she wasn't wearing her wedding band or her necklace.

"No jake, you go too far. But I'm done." Liv sat down searching her purse. She pulled out a box containing the ring and necklace. "here."

She walked up; handing him the box. He was hesitant to take the box.

"Take it" she barked.

"Is this really necessary? I know what it is and I don't want it. Liv we made a promise" Jake was trying to stay calm but she was really starting to get on his nerves.

"I know and now I'm breaking it. Jake, I'm not happy. Don't you get that?"

"That's not my fault." Jake seethes with anger.

"Whose fault is it? Jake, you're draining me and I don't wanna be with you anymore." Liv attempted to leave the room but jake pulled her back.

"Therapy" He suggested trying calm himself and her but also trying to manipulate her.

Liv pulled her arm from his grasp. "It's never gonna be the same and quite frankly...jake, I don't want it to be." she shook her head.

Before jake even realized it liv was on the floor cupping her cheek.

"You're really gonna leave me now huh?" Jake said more like a taunt.

"That's all you can do is hit me" she cried.

"No uh... I tried talking to you" He then snatched her up by her hair pushing her into the wall. Delivering another hit to the face.

"Jake STOP" she pleads. Trying to block his hits.

Liv woke up in the hospital to Stephen. Sitting across from her, like he was guarding her.

"liv" Stephen stood up moving to her bedside.

"Hey Stephen," she said in a haze. she wasn't exactly sure how she got here but she remembers why she was here. The last thing she remembered was jake; dragging her down the marble stairs at the gallery and then that was it.

she tried to sit up but Stephen quickly stopped her movements.

"Abby's here too, she went to get some, water," he said in a comforting way.

Liv sank into her pillow "what time is it" she looked at the clock trying to focus on the numbers but her vision kept going blurry.

"It's 7:30 at night."

Abby walked seeing liv slouched against her pillows "liv, you scared me." Abby breathed a sigh of relief.

"sorry" Liv chuckled but immediately regretting it.

Abby saw her wince in pain "It's your ribs...the doctor said." Abby softens her tone sitting down.

"No, jake did" liv reached for the cup of water. She took slow small sips "is he in jail?"

"Not that we know of" Stephen chimed in. "Billy made a report and he said that jake was the last person you were with."

liv laid back "so what's wrong with me?"

"Nothing. Liv you didn't know he was gonna do this. It's not your fault" Abby assuaged.

"I mean my injuries. My leg hurts my chest and face. So what did the doctors say?"

"Oh..." Abby straightens her posture looking at Stephen.

Stephen gave her a nod like "Tell her."

Turning back to liv. She started explaining what the doctor told them "Well... your ribs are fractured. That's why it might be hard to breathe or eat. And your tibia is fractured in two places. you'll have to wear a cast for; seven weeks" Abby dreaded telling liv that part because of liv's reaction.

she huffed "I won't be dancing at your wedding then."

"Liv don't worry about that. Just focus on getting better. The doctor said that you need some more XRAYS and then we can take you home.

"Did you tell Sarah?" She sat up abruptly. Earning a scowl from Abby.

"Liv! be careful. No, I didn't tell Sarah because I didn't want her to tell Fitz."

"Thank you, Abby" she laid back sinking into the bed. "I didn't deserve this Abby" she sobbed.

"Liv, I know that. Jake is just a horrible jerk with mommy and daddy issues. Nothing that he has ever done to you; has been your fault."

"I just wish Fitz was here." She wiped away her tears.

"Do you want to call him?" Abby asked.

"No. if I call him I'll start crying and then he'll rush back here. And I want him to spend as much time with his father as he can."

"Ok," she said softly.

"I don't want him to see me like this anyway." liv added.

Abby saw liv, yawn. Which actually looked extremely painful; from the way she winced. "Go to sleep, I'm not going anywhere."

Liv reached for Abby's hand. Holding it as she fell asleep.

Olivia has been out of the hospital for a couple of days. She's also been dodging Fitz's calls. Fitz thought that as a little suspicious considering they just promised to be open with one another while in new york. There wasn't much he could do about with him still being in Santa Barbara. But his dad was up walking around and getting his strength back. Big Gerry was eager to get Fitz back to D.C. Mainly because he didn't want the firm to lose clients. There were other broad members but Gerry didn't trust them the way he trusted Fitz.

"Hey, good morning, son" Gerry greeted

"Dad, what are you doing?" Fitz asked worriedly

"Calm down. I'm making your mother, breakfast in bed"

"Dad...did you like Lilian?"

"That ditsy blonde?" Gerry frowned.

"That's the one" Fitz confirmed,

"You're not back with her...are you?" Gerry scrunched his nose in disgust.

That made Fitz laugh "No. But there's this girl in D.C..." He trailed off thinking about her smile.

"Is it serious? you look happy, happy" Gerry commented.

"I'm happy. She makes me happy. The way she looks at me."

"Another lawyer?"

"She's a sculptor. She made that" Fitz pointed to the statue.

"Talented" Gerry nodded " what are you hiding" Ever since Fitz was a little boy Gerry could always see right through him.

"Ok listen...this was a fluke and then everything came after." he started not feeling guilty at all. But knowing this next thing would for sure get his father's attention.

"Go on" He encouraged skeptically

"She's married" Fitz blurted out watching for Gerry's reaction.

Gerry turned away trying not to laugh. But for some reason, he wasn't surprised.

"Her husband is the star boy of the firm" Fitz added knowing; this would change Gerry's whole mood.

"Absolutely not" He shook his head. As he plated the scrambled eggs and sausage and poured a glass of orange juice.

"Here, Dad, I'll carry it up there" Fitz took the tray from jerry.

"Fitz, I'm serious" he warned "Dating married women I can understand. But don't bring the company into this."

Fitz continued upstairs dismissing what his father was saying. Fitz thought about telling Gerry about the abuse. But at the same time, he didn't know the full story. Whenever he brought up jake; liv had a way of steering the conversation in a different direction. For now, Fitz left it alone.

Gerry stopped Fitz at the door of his and mary's bedroom "I got it from here" Gerry took the tray "Son, you know I'm right"

Fitz nodded in agreement. "Enjoy breakfast" Fitz offered heading down the hall to his bedroom.

/

"Hey, you" he smirked hearing her voice in what felt like forever. "Wanna facetime? I just miss you so much."

Liv declined. Giving the excuse of bedhead. Odd because in D.C it was late afternoon. Fitz didn't push the issue.

"My dad made my mom breakfast in bed." He chuckled

"That's so sweet" liv smiled not too much. Because it still hurt a lot.

"I wish I could make you breakfast in bed. When I get back we'll do that." Fitz grinned.

"Okay" she answered almost coldly

"Liv...did I do something?" He asked. Usually, liv was lively and it really didn't help the fact that she had been ignoring him the last couple of days. Only picking up on his third call.

"I brought you an ice pack. How're your ribs?" Abby walked in asking. Unknownst to the fact that Fitz was on the phone.

"ABBY!" she mouthed pointing to the phone.

Fitz heard every word of that. But to Olivia's surprise, he continued conversing like he hadn't. After a little while, Fitz hung up. More worried about why she needed ice packs and what was wrong with her ribs? Fitz knocked at Sarah's door.

"What's up" she answered.

"I'm taking the jet."

"Is it a client?"

"Yeah," Fitz lied. " The Rodwell's" He continued lying. Lucky for him he could tell Sarah the sky was red and she is non-the-wiser.

"Ok, well I'll be here if mom needs help with dad," Sarah assured.

"Okay so yeah uh...I'll see you at Abby's wedding?"

Sarah nodded.

He made it back to D.C in under three hours. Fitz has never rushed through traffic so fast. finally, he arrived at Abby's.

Fitz held his composure making his way up to Abby's porch. He could his body vibrating nervous energy as he rang the doorbell. Now liv just told Abby that Fitz was in California so why was he at the door? She also hasn't met Fitz formally. She's only seen him in pictures and live talks about him...a lot.

"Abby" He whispered "is liv here?"

Abby didn't want to stand there and lie to his face. Knowing the reason he was there in the first place.

"Yeah" She spoke softly meeting his whisper "but she doesn't want to see anyone" Abby quipped.

"Abby" Fitz reasoned "I know something's up why doesn't she want to see me. she's been avoiding and I wasn't even in the same state as her. Something's up." he could tell by Abby's stance she was hiding something.

"The second door on the left. knock first" Abby stepped to the side letting Fitz pass.

Fitz darted up the stairs. calming himself before he walked into the dim-lit room. Olivia laying on her side turned facing away from the door.

most of her face bruises were healed the pain of them lingered. There was reminiscent of a black eye.

"Abby, I promise I'm not I pain" liv called out.

"Liv" he finally spoke. In that deep baritone voice; smooth like butter. He flicks on the light. His eyes bounced all over her body. From head to toe, she was covered in bruises

Liv looked over her shoulder careful not to hurt herself again. "Fitz" She was puzzled. He was actually standing in her room. The sadness in his eyes; was the very look she didn't want to see on his face when he looked at her.

"Were you not gonna tell me?" he asked moving to the edge of her bed.

"I was hoping...you wouldn't have to see me like this" she confessed

His jaw clenched as he asked, "Did he do this?"

She nodded. "He had just gotten served. I guess he came to talk me out of it." she scoffs.

"Is he-"

"Nope," she nervously laughed. "He got me this necklace that had his name on it." She could feel the tears rolling down her face as she spoke.

"Liv" he reached grabbing her hand to let her she didn't have to go on.

She paused wiping the tears "I gave it back to him. Along with the ring. I think that's what set him off. I just remember my legs hitting the stairs as he dragged me." she shook the thought of it all. Keeping her eyes pointed at the blanket laying across her.

Fitz looked physically sick. Olivia could see he was getting angry after each telling of what she can recollect.

Fitz softens his body language "I should've left you here" looking at the ceiling "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. He did this, not you."

Liv pulled the comforter back signaling for Fitz to get in. "Will you lay with me?"

"Yeah" He nodded. Fitz got up peeling his jacket and pants away. So he was just left in his boxers and t-shirt.

Olivia went downstairs finally using her crutches. She was hoping to find Fitz down there either talking to Abby or eating. Instead, she found Abby and Stephen making breakfast.

"Did Fitz say where he was going?" liv sat down

"The office," they said in unison.

"ok... so what's cooking?"

/

Fitz went to the office. walking through the bullpen; greeting everyone with smiles and waves. His attitude was considerably chipper considering how he found Olivia last night. He even went as far as calling Jake into the office. Jake didn't know what he was just excited to finally be back at the office. Walking around laughing and joking with the guys like he didn't just do a horrible thing. To the woman, he claimed to love. The anger, boiling in Fitz struck him at the moment he laid eyes on Jake.

Fitz entered his office calling jake over.

"I heard about your dad. I hope he's doing better" jake offered as he sat down.

Fitz smirked condescendingly "I slept with your wife" He admitted abruptly.

"excuse me," jake asked incredulously

Fitz folded his arms grinning. "Olivia. When you were out of town I fucked her." he bragged knowing he was lying.

Jake thought this was some kind of practical joke. "Sir, are you joking?" he leaned forward trying to figure out what he was saying and why he was saying it.

Fitz laughed nodded "That beautiful; birthmark shaped like texas on the inside of her thigh."

Jake realized he was telling the truth and this wasn't a "joke" Jake laughed shaking his head. He lunged forward attacking Fitz.

Fitz quickly defended himself putting jake in a chokehold. "Knowing that Olivia was screaming my name as I made love to her. Makes this so much better." Fitz laughed releasing jake from the hold. Pushing him towards the door.

"You can go now" Fitz taunted

"Son of a bitch" Jake lunged hitting him again.

This gave Fitz the full opportunity to handle jake; the right way.

Fitz slammed jake into the wall delivering brutal punches to Jake's face and abdomen.

Fitz's assistant rushed in upon hearing mumbled grunts and hollers coming from Jake mostly along with two security guards.

They pulled the two apart. Jake would have hit the floor if Morris wasn't holding him up.

"Call the police and hold him until they get here," Fitz huffed slouching into his desk chair. "You're fired by the way" he added.

Fitz gave a police report; saying that Jake attack him and he was just defending himself. He also handed over the camera footage from his office.

/

"Sorry, I rushed out this morning" Fitz sat down.

Liv smiled "That's okay. How was work?"

Fitz looked side to side giving a coy smile "It was ok. Good to be back" Fitz avoided telling liv what he did.

Forgetting about the fresh bruises in his hand. Fitz interlaced his and liv's fingers

"What happened to your hand," liv asked bringing her eyes up looking at him.

Fitz pulled his hand back. He withdrew his eyes from her "Um...uh it's nothing."

"At the office?" she raised her voice. Realizing what he did.

he nodded

"come here" she extended her arm allowing him to sink into her "Thank you. But Fitz you shouldn't have."

Fitz planted his head in her lap "liv, I...cried when I came here-" he choked back tears. "I'll never stop thinking about seeing you like this. And I wasn't about to just see him every day and be calm, cool, and, collected. I handled it."

"Fitz...you could get thrown off as senior partner" she worried.

"He hit me first. He's in jail for assault."

Liv stroked his curls "so you're keeping your job?"

"There has to be an investigation. But there's the footage." He looked at her smiling "Do you want to have dinner and see a movie or something?"

she was trying to think of something to say. "Fitz..." she trailed off not having the courage to tell him that she has a complex about being in public.

Fitz quickly picked up what she couldn't quite spit out. "I'll cook and we can stay in. I just wanna make you smile."

she blushed "ok"

"He should have chosen, Emma." Fitz commented referring to 'The bachelor

"They had more chemistry" liv added. "What did you say to jake to make him hit you?" liv asked

"I told him we slept together" Fitz smirked

liv raised from his chest giving him a confused look "but we-"

"You have a birthmark that's shaped like texas. That night in New York... I saw it" he smiled thinking about how he had her laid out.

"That's right...we almost"

Fitz grinned "yeah"

They turned hearing the elevator bell ding.

"Sarah's home, I guess," he said turning back to liv.

liv looked up seeing who stepped out of the elevator "Baby..." liv tapped his leg "that's your Dad" liv warned.

Fitz turned around. There he was Gerry standing there looking angry "Fitzgerald!" he called out.

Fitz bounced up "Dad what are you doing here?"

"Hello, Olivia. long time no see."

Fitz looked confused for a second but quickly remembered that Sarah and liv graduated together.

"Hi, Gerry." she greeted

"you didn't tell me you were dating Olivia Pope, Fitz" Gerry gave him a look.

"I didn't realize you two knew each other"

"I've actually had thanksgiving down here during Sarah's sophomore year. liv was kind enough to host us with red's help of course" Gerry offered a smile.

"That was a great year" liv smiled curtly. she already knew why Gerry was here and so did Fitz.

"Yeah, it was" Gerry turned to Fitz. "can we talk, son"

Fitz nodded "yeah" Fitz pointed Gerry in the direction of his room "I'll be right back. Don't leave okay" Fitz pleaded.

Olivia nodded feeling a little embarrassed about that interaction. She had already known his father for a while but he didn't know she was in an abusive relationship.

Ok yall, I know this is a DV story. But I had a really hard time going into detail about what he did to her. I don't ever want to trigger someone if that has ever been the case in their relationship. This was necessary to the story but I couldn't write it all out. Have a great night or day. And stay safe. I appreciate all of the kind words. until next time.