Chapter 12-Strategies

Two weeks into her assignment, Olivia and her team were making great progress. Professionally, Olivia was killing it. Emotionally, she was a mess. She couldn't quite come to grips with the fact that she was indeed in love with Fitzgerald Grant.

In the days following the death of her parents, Olivia felt alone. So alone, there were times she wanted to end her own life. Her physical skills and career goal are what motivated her to keep going. She never thought there would come a time that she may have to pick love over career.

Right now, as she lay wide awake at 1 a.m. she didn't know a way to continue being a secret service agent on Grant's detail if she was in love with him. He was on her mind constantly; her thoughts were controlled by his face. Every time she made a decision, she saw his gorgeous smile. Lying in bed, alone, she longed to feel his arms around her.

The next few days were going to be intense for the team. They were in neck deep with the Russian counterfeit ring and they are three days away from a top secret scheduled raid. She always knew coming into this line of work she could be in the middle of gunfire, diffusing bombs, or putting her life on the line. They were all challenges she was ready to face and accept. Now, knowing she could one day save the life of the man she loves, or put her life on the line to have him succeed as president, she wanted to be "twice as good" more than ever.

When Olivia was on the police force, she saw her share of violence on the side of law enforcement. She knew cops that used their guns just to use them. She knew cops who did everything by the book. She knew criminals who committed the most heinous of crimes. She also knew that one day she would be in the line of fire, wanting to defend America as part of Homeland Security. She never thought it would happen in a street war with Russians.

Olivia was in daily contact with Lt. Phillips in Baltimore. Together they are coordinating a raid on the warehouse in St. Paul with a raid on a counterfeit delivery set to enter the Baltimore Port. The information Callie and Judith were getting along with Olivia was nothing short of great investigating. Callie and Judith were amazed the way Olivia used the Russian language to get store owners and Russian agents to start talking. In Baltimore, the immediate leadership role Lt. Phillips took placed him at the forefront of trust among the laborers. Both Olivia and Phillips briefed each other each day and then called Fitz to brief him at the White House. Now, much to Fitz's happiness but fear the raid was going down, he was going to continue making positive headlines as president. He just prayed for no casualties while doing so. FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security agents are on call and ready to move once the raids go down. All Fitz did was worry about Olivia. He didn't dare tell her, though, this is what she wants to do.

In St. Paul, after Olivia walked in to that first shop two weeks ago, it was discovered that the counterfeit ring went way beyond money making. St. Paul's economy was beginning to drown in debt with small businesses going under by the handful. While in that first shop, Russian owned, Callie began looking at merchandise while Perch started inspection for any hidden bugs or cameras. Olivia started talking to the elderly couple who owned the shop. Once they heard her Russian language, they immediately opened up to her. Olivia made them aware it was known that counterfeit items were being used as a means for illegal activity in their store. She didn't' mean to put any fear in them, but she made it clear that if they did not cooperate with the three agents, they could lose everything and risk going to prison.

In the days after the visit, they were able to get one of the owners to headquarters where they were able to give details about who and what were running the operation. The owners, as it turned out were being financially drained, but they were threatened with bankruptcy, foreclosure, and death, they had no choice but to cooperate. Callie was "hired" as a new employee in the store. It was coordinated with the Russian "bullies" as the owners pleaded with them needing to hire someone to organize the store. Callie came off as a struggling single mother who was in desperate need of a job to keep food on the table for her three children. Of course, her background was checked, but covered and cleared by Homeland Security. This became the HUB of the operation.

While Olivia was doing her job out in St. Paul, Fitz was in DC being the president the people voted for. After his meeting in the Oval, the media was overly impressed with his aggressive leadership. What took place in the Oval, two weeks ago, if you asked Cyrus, was nothing short of presidential kick ass.

As soon as they were all seated, except for Fitz, the firing and the explanations started. Fitz looked first at his soon to be former press secretary. Cyrus handed him a folder. "Maxwell, you want to tell me what you're speaking to the DC Times about?" Maxwell had made the mistake of seeing a new reporter on the press corp and began talking to him. He never would have imagined he was a new agent hired by Fitz to find leaks in the White House. Lance Eriks identified himself as a rookie reporter from the DC times and Maxwell called him over after a press briefing.

"Hey rookie, I have a scoop for you that will make you look like you broke the story of the year." Maxwell said to him. Maxwell though it was the first step in destroying the Grant presidency. "How about the president screwing around with one of his own secret service agents?"

Eriks took a step back, "seriously, who, what agent? How do you know this? I am going to need details if I am going to leak a story like this."

"At Camp David, a female agent was seen going into his cabin." Maxwell raised his eyebrows as if he just gave the nuclear codes to our enemy.

"That's it? Aren't agents all over Camp David when he is there in and out of his cabin giving him briefings? I need more than that"

"Aww, come on, a FEMALE agent in his cabin for hours, draw your own conclusions."

"Well, no, I won't. Are you sure there wasn't anyone in the room also, like the Chief of Staff, other agents? This is a joke, come to me when you have more."

Now, in the Oval, Fitz looked at Maxwell and said, you have a question about my relationship with one of my agents?

"No sir, I was just, well I was just…"

"You were just, nothing, you're relieved of your duties as Press Secretary. Fitz called Lauren who sent in Donna Harris. "Maxwell, meet your replacement. Take her to your office, pack up, and goodbye. If you as so mention one rumor about your ridiculous accusation, I will make sure you never work another day in the field of journalism."

He then turned to Vincent. "You seriously have to get the dumbest move in the world award. You really thought you could hack a highly classified computer and not get caught?"

What Vincent didn't know is Fitz had an ally in Huck. Huck was monitoring the computers in the White House and caught the security breech immediately. Turns out Vincent was very curious about things going on involving Russians and Fitz's agenda. These documents were classified and only a handful of people should have known been privy to that information. The most concerning of what Huck found out was the interest Vincent had in Olivia. He had created a folder about her background and her training skills. This alarmed Fitz and he showed great restraint in not choking the bastard right there. Instead Fitz through the folder at him and said, "why is a rookie agent, newly trained, sparking your interest?"

Vincent glanced over at Jake. "Ask him, he wanted everything he couldn't get on Olivia. Even though he is or was the director of Homeland Security, he felt you were holding out some pertinent information from him."

Jake wanted to punch him right there. "You fucking rat, that's a lie." He looked at Fitz, "it's a lie Mr. President, I never requested such a thing."

"Funny thing, Vincent I believe you, the Jake part. I don't know what you are scheming, but it ends now. You're fired, Cyrus is speaking to some replacements, so unlike your buddy Maxwell, you won't get to meet and escort your replacement to your office, however this agent," he nodded at Rosario, "will be happy to see you out."

What Fitz didn't know was Jake called Divirgil. Jake was aware of the skills Olivia possessed. He told both Andrew and Vincent if Olivia was on detail, they may want to think of any assassination plot. She was a sure shot and she would take them out simultaneously if needed. Andrew wanted all the information he could get on Olivia.

Fitz then dismissed the two agents. "You worked with enemy agents to coordinate an attack on my motorcade." He again called to Lauren. "You will be escorted by these two gentlemen and taken to the Dept of Justice where the Attorney General will take it from here. God help you if you leaked anything else that could be as damaging." Fitz had found out by the investigation into the agents on duty that day and the cameras inspected by the team Abby led to go through them. Before she was attacked, she was able to identify them.

Finally, it was just Fitz and Ballard. "Oh Ballard, your obsession with Olivia is going to be your demise. Are you attracted to her, what does she do to you that you want to destroy her so badly?"

"Mr. President, I don't have a problem with Olivia, I have a problem with you. I am not going to lie, you have a very skilled agent in Olivia Pope, people come after you and she is on detail, you may be more protected than you already are. I mean to raise no red flags…I apologize I went behind your"

"Save it Ballard, I don't care what you have to say. Your job performance alone is a joke. I don't know how you held this position for this long. The fact that the Russians could plan such an attack without you even being aware, or you were just stupid, deems for your immediate dismissal. The fact that you have numerous complaints against you and your history of the treatment of women has no room here. You're fired Jake, hand in your credentials, and meet your replacement.

Jake turned to see Burns walk into the Oval. Jake just tilted his head in defeat. "Really Burns, you think you know someone."

"Nah, Ballard, I don't want to know you. From what I witnessed; you are not a person I would want to be acquainted with. Don't worry I will fill your shoes just fine. Good luck in your future endeavors. "

"Stay away from Pope, Jake, that's not an order that's a threat. You as so go within ten miles of her, I will have you thrown in a bunker and you won't be found until I finish office."

Jake just met his stare finally turned and walked out the door. Once the door slammed, Cyrus clapped his hands. "Hot Damn Fitz, that was brilliant. I am going to talk to the press now. Sir, good job"

Burnes left to get comfortable with his office and up to date on everything going on. Fitz stood in the Oval. At that moment, he wanted nothing more then to have Olivia in his arms and plant a victory kiss while she ran her hands through his hair.

That was two weeks ago. Now, Fitz was having trouble sleeping. Between the folder he found from Vincent and Olivia deep into this raid, Fitz was in a position where he felt helpless. He talked to Olivia every single day. He hung up with an I love you every time. She would say it occasionally, but there was something in her voice that concerned him.

Between the two of them, they were making strides in his presidency. Every single person who witnessed Olivia training, told him how protected he would be to have her on his detail. They didn't know as much as that was true, he couldn't bring himself to do it. She cannot put her life on the line for him. He lays awake, finding it hard to sleep every night. He has come to terms she owns him, all he thinks about is her. There is nothing he wouldn't do for her. There is nothing he would want more than to just pack up and run away with her. Both, on this night, lay in bed, thousands of miles apart thinking about each other and the love they have for one another.

Huck was staying in the room just next to Olivia. Their rooms were separated by a door that was accessible for Huck to get to Oliva and Olivia to get to Huck. Lately, it was Huck who was in Olivia's room more than he figured he would be. She seemed passed the night terrors, but she was having hideous nightmares.

Olivia, unlike when she had night terrors, was aware of her nightmares, which is why sleep was at a minimal from her. One night it would be Fitz getting his throat slit while Olivia stood helplessly watching. The Russian with a broken hand would then turn smiling at her with a bloody knife as Fitz lay dead at his feet. That nightmare had Olivia jump out of sleep in cold sweats.

Another nightmare was Abby, standing at Liv's door with her face bloody. As Liv would open the door, a secret service agent would come up behind Abby with a bat, going for the final blow. Olivia would try to scream out, but nothing would come out of her mouth, and Abby would fall dead at her feet. This usually woke her up screaming Abby's name.

It was for this reason, she made it a priority to talk to David every day to hear about Abby. Olivia was so relieved when, yesterday, Abby was on the phone. She was not easy to understand, but Olivia heard her loud and clear. "Hi Liv," all muffled as if she was talking with her teeth clenched, "still with him." Olivia laughed out loud. No matter the situation, Abby would always be concerned with her sex life. She couldn't thank David enough for taking care of her. Her physical therapy was coming along also, and she would soon be promoted from walker to cane. Olivia still felt so much guilt for not being with Abby the night the attack happened.

Her final recurring nightmare, as usual, involved her parents. This time, she was home during the fire. She stood in the doorway to her room as the house burned down around her. She would see her parents come trying to save her, but she couldn't run to them. She would notice the flames behind the both of them and as she was yelling for them to stop, they kept coming, because she was yelling in Russian and her parents couldn't understand Russian. She usually woke up from this nightmare clutching her pillow, and as Huck would tell her, yelling incoherently in Russian.

When Huck came in that night, they talked about her nightmares. She told him tonight it was the one about Fitz. Huck looked at his friend "Liv, you're in love, I am happy for you, but this may not be as easy as you think."

"I know that, you don't think I know that. I can do this Huck, I really can. Look how much progress we have been making."

"yes but look how much sleep you have been losing. Liv, you can't save everyone. You can't keep this guilt inside you, this fear inside you. You're going to destroy yourself emotionally."

Liv knew how much Huck cared for her. Anything he told her was out of love and protection for her. She told him everything. He knew about her relationship, he knew how she longed for Fitz, and he knew that she would be an amazing asset to the security of this country. Huck hated seeing Liv struggle so emotionally inside. He felt helpless. But she was right, they were making amazing strides in bringing this ring to an end.

Two nights ago, Huck hacked into a Russian agent's computer. The agent had gone into the mom and pop shop and Callie was able to get some pictures of the guy. Once identified, Huck was able to trace a computer in his name. On that computer, Huck hit the mother lode. He discovered more than 3,000 images of US currency. They were on to this guy.

The next day, with some chatter, Liv found out there was a storage unit somewhere in St. Paul that held 2.5 million dollars in counterfeit bills. Find the storage unit, they have an arrest. Perch was leading the investigation into that.

So, each day, Olivia worked tirelessly to get this assignment completed. There was no doubt in her mind one night in the arms of Fitz would have her mind at ease for at least a week. That wasn't happening anytime soon, so she went on with her day.

Today, she was on the phone with Phillips. Phillips got a tip from a wire tap that a shipment of stolen goods was coming into port in two days. At the same time, Olivia found out broken hand agent had been in St. Paul harassing some small owners. He was speaking to the store owners to prep them for money coming in soon, fake of course. Liv knew what he needed the warehouse for. In two days, a delivery of a printing press would arrive via a shipping truck. Olivia had to be careful the two of them didn't cross paths. Huck was gearing the team at the warehouse, Callie was monitoring the store, Perch was closing in on the storage unit, and Olivia was to blame for all of this going down. It was the middle of day; she was tired and there was really nothing more she could do but wait. She went back to her room to take a rest for a few hours.

The shouts coming from the back of the trailer in the rural deserted town went unnoticed. There was usually fighting every night in that area. This night, Andrew was screaming at Ballard being so careless to get all the others fired. The only thing Ballard had for certain was the awards ceremony Grant would be at in two more weeks. That would be pure stupidity as it would be filled with trained secret service agents, the best in the country. There wouldn't be room for an assassination attempt there. It would be a suicide mission. They needed one more outdoor event where this could happen. The only thing good that did come out of all their firings were now there were three more people who wanted Grant dead as much as Andrew Nichols did. The four of them sat together around the pit fire and tried to come up with the best way to pull off the crime of the decade.

When Andrew's phone rang, he was not expecting Mellie to be on the other end. She called to bash him, as she has normally been doing, but what Mellie didn't know, is she just gave Andrew the tip he needed that would put Fitzgerald Grant in the line of his fire.

Mellie had called Andrew at least once a month. Before he took off, he had taken some family heirlooms of hers and she wanted them back. He hadn't told her he had pawned them off, because, had she known, she'd stop calling. He kept telling her when he settled down she could come get them. Turns out, she was on the road now, heading to finalize the divorce with Fitz and would be passing his state. She told him she was due to meet with Fitz in about two weeks, the date the day after the ceremony. He was having an outdoor luncheon with prominent political women leaders from North Carolina, Mellie's home state, and Fitz couldn't think of a better function to finally rid himself of Mellie by making the divorce final. She, in turn, could make some strides talking to some of her fellow stateswomen. As Andrew hung up the phone, he turned to his boys. "Jackpot" as they all started coming up with a plan.

Back in St. Paul, Olivia finally felt her body starting to relax. She wasn't expecting the knock on the door and Olivia grabbed her gun as she cautiously made her way to open the door. She looked through the peephole but saw no one. As she opened the door slowly, gun ready, she announced, "I am armed." Before he showed himself, for his own safety, he said in his sensual voice, "Livvie, put the gun down, it's me."

Liv stepped into the hallway and was staring up at Fitz. He had a smile from ear to ear and said, "you and that gun, what am I going to do with you."

Liv didn't let him get another word out of his mouth as she planted her lips on him and jumped up into his arms. "All yours baby girl".

She rested her head on his shoulder and buried her face deep in his neck as he carried her inside. He had some explaining to do, but right now, Liv just wanted to feel the warmth of his arms. He put her on the bed where they just locked lips for the next several minutes. They'll be time for talking in a bit.