Chapter 13- The Raid

Olivia got a solid four hours of sleep without a single nightmare waking her up. When she did finally wake up, she was curled in the arms of Fitz. He had fallen asleep also, but what Olivia didn't know was he spent most of the time admiring her while she was sleeping.

Huck had called him early this morning and told him about the nightmares Olivia had been having. Huck mentioned to Fitz how Olivia was losing sleep. Fitz didn't need to hear much more. He cleared his schedule for the next two days and headed to see Olivia. She was so exhausted that she fell asleep in the middle of their kiss. She buried her head deep into his neck and she was out. That's when he finally had the time to admire her beauty. He looked over every inch of her body. He wanted her, he wanted all of her. He held her comfortably in his arms and felt her breathing on his chest. He wasn't even turned on by this. He was more in awe of the woman he had fallen in love with.

As he was watching her, worry, intrigue, and admiration all went through his mind. The raids were scheduled for the day after tomorrow. He would have streaming from the cameras Huck set up in the warehouse through to the Joint Chiefs room. He couldn't bear the pain if anything was to happen to Olivia. No matter how good an agent she was, there is always the chance of the unknown. He was intrigued by her bravery, her hard work here in St. Paul has paid off and has moved fast. He had heard from the other agents how thorough she was and how she took a no-nonsense approach. Fear had no home in her workplace, and the agents fed off her lead. Admiration? Just looking at her, what was there not to admire? She was gorgeous, smart, and stubborn. He loved every emotion about her, and although she drove him mad with her stubbornness, he loved that she was not intimidated by him. She told him straightforward how things were, and she didn't hold back. Watching her, holding her, he drifted off into his own sleep, forgetting how tired he was also. He had his Livvie in his arms, that's all that mattered.

When Olivia realized where she was, she just lay there. She had no desire to move and since he was sleeping soundly, she didn't want to wake him. She felt his chest slowly rising and falling in shallow breaths. She looked up at him and couldn't believe how fast she had fallen for him. She could see right through his eyes into his soul. This was a good man, a man of compassion and empathy. She could feel his love for her every time he looked at her. When she looked into his eyes, she fell in love more each time. It frightened her. There was nothing she wouldn't do for him.

The assignment was going so well, and she was proud that he would take credit for it. The teams had worked out brilliantly. She was worried about the raids coming up but had all the confidence in her team and the extra enforcement Fitz was going to send over. Barring any surprises, this should go well. The only thing Olivia was weary about was Russian Agent Pig. She knew he was there, but they couldn't pinpoint his location. This may be a problem, but right now, Liv just wanted to stay in this moment. She moved herself closer to his body, and he stirred a bit, as he slowly woke up.

"Livvie? You awake?" He looked down at her.

She looked up and their eyes met, "I'm awake, thank you Fitz, I needed the rest."

"Hi" He said. "Hi" Liv said with a smile.

"So, you've been having nightmares? Want to talk about it?"

"It's just my guilt taking over. Guilt over my parents, guilt over Abby, and guilt over…"and she stopped.

"Guilt over what? Me? What do you have to feel guilty about with me, Livvie?"

She pulled back off his chest so she could be face to face with him. "It's just recurring, that a Russian agent is in the Oval and I am there, as he…..well kills you, and I can't do anything because I am just frozen. It's like I can't do my job and protect you."

"Nothing like that will happen, I am the most protected man in the universe, you know that."

"Yeah, but you're not protected by me, not while I am here."

"Livvie, you can't be everywhere. I hear Abby is making good progress, and your parents, that was just something you had no control over. There was nothing you could've done to save them even if you were home. You must stop being so hard on yourself. Oh, I have something for you."

He went and got his bag he had left outside the door. He pulled something out and handed it to Olivia. Olivia immediately brought it up to her nose to take in the scent and she held it up in front of her.

"Your Navy shirt, Fitz, why?"

"Well, I figured it may help you sleep more if you had a piece of me on you when I am not here."

He grabbed her into his arms, and they began to kiss, Olivia pulling him closer as he pulled off her shirt and his. Leaning down into her, he felt her breasts against his chest and was so ready to take her. She realized how much she missed him and wanted all of him. He reached back into his bag, got his protection, took off his pants, and went back down into the kiss. He groaned softly and his arms circled her as he pulled her against him. He took off what was left of her clothes.

She could feel his warm body against hers. She ran her hands through his hair and down along his back, as he entered her gently. This time the groan came from her, as she felt the rotation from his hips. She brought her hands down to his ass, and he heard her moan "Fitz". His desire for her grew as he was inside her. This went beyond sexual pleasure, and he looked at her, kissed her, and he loses himself in her.

Olivia takes it all in, and after she feels him weaken, she let's herself go. She grabs his hair as her body quivers in his arms. She buries herself deep in his neck and can taste the salt of his skin. This man makes every unknown emotion come out in Olivia. They lay there for a few minutes, when Olivia's phone starts to vibrate on the nightstand.

It was Callie. "Liv, you need to get to store right away. They've been murdered. The couple, their throats slit, there's a note in Russian in his hand. Liv, they told me to go to an early lunch. I left for fifteen minutes and something didn't feel right, so I came back, and they were dead."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes, don't touch anything and stay out of sight."

Liv called Huck and told him to head to the store. When Fitz heard the word murdered, he immediately jumped up.

"What's going on? Liv, who was murdered?"

The couple who's store we were using as HUB, the elderly Russian couple. Callie stepped out for a few minutes and someone got to them, they left a note. I have to head there now Fitz." She quickly got dressed. "You should head back Fitz, there really isn't much more you can do here."

"That's it? Geez, I feel so used" he grabbed her, kissed her, and held her face in his hands. "You be careful Olivia Pope, and you need to call me immediately with any details, you sure you don't want me to spend the night?"

"No, I will probably be investigating all night with Huck and the team. We'll be back and forth from the store to headquarters, go, I will be fine. She grabbed him into a hug, "you be careful yourself Mister. Tell Burns I will be responsible for his demise if something happens to you."

"Livvie, the raids, you watch yourself. I love you."

"I love you too" as she walked out the door.

Broken hand Russian knew Olivia Pope was behind this whole operation going sour. He wasn't about to let that happen. When he got to the store, he noticed the worker they had inside. She hadn't seen him though the window, but the couple had. He made it clear to get rid of her. The couple feared for their lives and told Callie to take an early lunch. Callie said she was fine, but the man yelled, like he hadn't ever before, and Callie didn't want to upset him anymore than she had. Halfway up the block, though, she felt something was wrong and she wanted to kick herself for not picking up on it. She ran back to the store to find the both behind the counter, him on top of her with both throats slit ear to ear. Callie didn't see anyone in the area, that's when she picked up the phone to call Olivia.

Broken hand Russian had gone in to the store demanding to know what the had told Olivia Pope. When they denied even knowing Olivia the agent showed them pictures of her in the store and on the street engaged in conversation. They would only tell him that she had come in asking about fake handbags and they told her nothing. He was getting ready to rough them up a bit when he got word through his earpiece that the worker was on her way back. He acted quickly, killing them instantly to leave Pope a message, and he grabbed the note from his pocket. She would understand. He bolted out the back door as Callie made her way in the front.

As the bodies were collected an placed into body bags, Huck and Callie checked around the store. Because of Callie's quick action to come back, there wasn't time for any of their bugs or cameras to be discovered which was a good thing. Huck went into action to take them all down and out. They had to clean up anything they had planted there. No doubt he would be back to scope over every inch of the place. Maybe then they will get him.

Olivia stared at the note. It was clearly meant specifically for her.

Pope: If you don't want more Americans dead, stand down. Don't think you are going to find anything here. Remember, you keep this up the blood will be on your hands. End the investigation.

The good news, they didn't seem to know how much they really knew about the operation, the bad news, there was still time for their operation to go sour. They would need that enforcement here sooner than expected. Olivia called Fitz. He would be sending five agents tomorrow first thing in the morning.

The team were all at headquarters now discussing and going over the events that happened. Their strategy didn't change. In fact, with the sweep of the store it got even better. There was clear picture of how the goods were being brought in to the country. They were using names and other identifying information of legitimate companies and faked the description on customs paperwork. They were then loaded on the boat and brought in there. From there they were loaded on to trucks and would make their way to St. Paul, where the biggest Russian cell was operating.

In these small businesses, they would re-sell the fakes. This was going to lead up to one of the biggest counterfeit busts in history if Olivia pulled this off right. One thing for sure the printing press would be arriving in Baltimore and three truck loads were on schedule to come into the warehouse.

Letting the local authorities take charge of the couple's murder, Olivia now set her sights on the strategy for the raid. Callie and Perch would lead behind Olivia who would follow the agents DC sends in. The arrests have to happen quickly and without gunfire or bloodshed. Olivia made it clear they were all to watch out for each other.

Huck had set up a watching point from the top of the warehouse. He would have an overhead view of all the action and would be hooked up to everyone's earpiece. There shouldn't be any surprises. Liv then took out a picture of the Russian agent they were to be on the lookout for. "Shoot to kill" that was Olivia's orders. This man is armed and dangerous and he has no problem taking your life, so be sure to take his first.

They spent the rest of the night going over strategies again. Callie and Huck were going to greet the agents in the morning and bring them up to speed with what was going on. Olivia was going to spend most of the day on the phone with Phillips and Fitz making last minute changes and set up. This is what Olivia had hoped for her whole life, there was nothing going to stop her. "You got this my girl. Your gut will lead the way."

Over at the warehouse everything looked in order. Four Russian agents were meeting with three of the grounds crew that were going to meet the trucks when they arrived. All in all, there would be about 75 workers there to make sure the goods are unloaded and sent to their proper stores. When the door to the warehouse opened and Agent broken hand walked in, the talking stopped.

There was shouting in Russian and two of the agents grabbed their guns. They were heading off to the store where the couple was murdered. This new development was unexpected and because of that, they would have another Russian agent in on the delivery. They really didn't trust him. He was a killer, and he would kill without hesitation. They had to be cautious and careful. He made it clear there would be no delivery without him being there. "Don't worry about where I'll be, just know I will be in the shadows." He was hoping Olivia Pope would show up, then he would finally have the revenge he wanted.

The next day, Fitz was busy in the White House. He was planning for the agents to head out and he had the other agents preparing to meet there tomorrow morning. He had spoken to Phillips who had his team all ready to go in Baltimore.

Cyrus was preparing the brief for the president to give after the raids took place. He also was arranging meetings with the top Russian officials from the United Nations for the day after the raid. On the schedule, Cyrus noticed the luncheon the president had scheduled with the women's auxiliary from North Carolina. He called in his secretary. The luncheon would have to be moved to a later date. He had to have the entire day cleared for the meeting with the Russian officials. If, God forbid, something does go wrong with the raids, there may even be attacks to be discussed and avoided. There was no way Fitz could be out of the White House that day. So, the luncheon would be moved. Cyrus was not aware that Mellie was supposed to be a guest there, as Fitz neglected to tell him. Not only was she going to be a guest there, the divorce would be finalized. Had Cyrus knew this, he would have arranged for Mellie to meet before the Russian officials, but for now things are as they stand.

The fired four were back out by the fire pit again. They were making plans for the assassination to go down swiftly. They wanted the only casualty to be Fitzgerald Grant. If any others got caught in the crossfire, that would just have to be their patriotic duty, Andrew shrugged.

They were drunk and they were loud. They were yelling and they were arguing. No one wanted to be the one holding the smoking gun that shot the president, so they were thinking about contracting out. This was going to be a woman's event, so why not hire a woman to do it. Jake wouldn't dare do that. No woman could shoot better than a man. So, Andrew looked at him and said, "then you do it tough guy, you think you're so good with a gun, as he pulled out one from his back."

"Woah, Andrew take it easy. I am not saying I am good with a gun; I am just saying we want to pull this off, we better get it right. We need the outdoor blueprint of where the luncheon will take place and we need to get positions."

"And how do you expect we do that Ballard, you fucking genius?"

Maxwell had enough of all of them. "You know Andrew you have us walking into a suicide mission because of your hate for Grant. I don't want any part of this."

"Oh, you're part of this Max, so sit your ass down. Why don't you put a gun in your hand and put a bullet in the head of Fitz? After all, you were the one embarrassed trying to leak a story to an undercover agent, you damn fool"

Maxwell had enough of Andrew, was done with Ballard and could give a shit about Vincent. He looked an Andrew. "Why don't you blame that asshole," he said pointing to Vincent. "He was the one caught trying to hack the computer. Your brother is a goddamn fool." With that, Maxwell, turned and spit on Vincent. Vincent, in turn punched him square in the face.

Ballard jumped up to stop the brawl, but before he could move, the gun went off and Maxwell went down. Andrew put a bullet right between his eyes. Jake just stared at Maxwell as he lay dead, eyes wide open.

"Andrew, what the fuck was that? Are you crazy?"

"Yeah, Ballard, I guess I am, you want to join your little buddy there? " Jake shut up and just sat back down.

"Take a good look at little Maxwell there boys. That's exactly how I want the cover of every newspaper to look like, with the picture being that of Fitzgerald Grant. Now help me clean this up and dump him into the creek."

Olivia woke up the day of the raid ready and willing to go. She grabbed Fitz's Navy shirt took in his scent and put it on over her bra. It will be the closest thing to her body. She felt a feeling of protection with that being on. She put on her bulletproof vest and her service uniform shirt. Her holster had a gun on either side, and she packed one in her back. She covered it with her Homeland Security Jacket. She put on her earpiece and wrist radio and went into Huck's room.

He was ready to go. He turned to Liv "you've been waiting for this your whole life. You got this. You lead the team well, Liv. I have your back. Be careful."

Huck had no fear in his voice, just pure confidence. He had no doubt Olivia would come out of his unharmed and victorious. They headed out together where everyone was waiting at headquarters and Huck headed to the warehouse to take his position and make sure the streaming was working in DC.

In all, with Callie, Perch, Huck, and Olivia they had fifty six agents all ready to go. Some with full body armor, some with rifles, some with cuffs, but all of them ready for action. They listened to Liv, looked at the blueprint of the warehouse. They were aware of all their positions as they looked at all the possible exits. Liv had each one covered. No one knew exactly how many arrests there would be, but some may have to handle two people at once. They were all confident they could do this.

Olivia made her first call to Fitz. He was heading over to the Joint Chiefs to sit in. He had been in contact with Phillips and everything was set on the Baltimore side. When Liv hung up with Fitz, she called Phillips. Everything was in place and they were good to go. "I can't wait to finally meet you in person when this is all done" Liv said to Phillips. "Likewise, Agent Pope, you've led your team well."

The three agents set up on the road to the warehouse radioed into headquarters. The trucks were on their way and about a half hour out of the warehouse. Two agents would pick up the tail when they were about two miles away. Olivia started to load the team into their trucks checking for vests and guns on everyone. They tested their earpieces, and it was go time. Olivia wanted no casualties on her side. She couldn't bear losing anyone from her team or the agents Fitz put in her care. "Hey dad, you watch over me, I'm going in"

As soon as the trucks pulled their backs opened, Olivia signaled for it go. The agents rushed in guns pointing. There was yelling, screaming, things being thrown, workers being tossed to the ground and handcuffed. Olivia watched as they lined up the arrested one by one, including the truck drivers. She was in front of Callie and Perch and Huck was guiding them through their earpieces, there were no surprise attacks. Just as they rounded the last of the workers and the were all facedown and cuffed, the trucks started to get searched.

Olivia heard Huck's voice scream to her "LIV GET DOWN" Liv looked up and to her right. She saw movement on her right and she heard Callie's voice scream "LIV WATCH IT, as Callie ran in front of her. As Liv's gun went off, she heard three other shots simultaneously with hers. The guy running towards her to her right was shot dead by Callie as soon as Callie went down from a shot that came from above. Right in stride with that shot was Olivia's shot and Huck's shot both hitting the Russian with the broken hand and watching him fall dead from the rafters. Huck had seen him pointing the gun at Liv and when Liv saw Callie get in her line of fire for the guy to her right that's when Liv took the shot up to the movement in the rafters, as did Huck. He was shot point blank in the head from Huck and as he was coming down, Olivia nailed him right in the heart. Nothing like a Russian agent being shot dead twice.

Olivia ran over to Callie. She screamed into her wrist "agent down, agent down, we need assistance immediately. Liv heard Fitz from the stream "Someone talk to me!"

"Fitz I am ok, the team is ok. Two Russian casualties and one of ours down but not dead." Olivia went down and held Callie in her arms. It seemed to be a shoulder shot and she was going to be ok. Olivia didn't realize it at the time, but she had saved Callie's life. It was instinct when Olivia saw her shoot down the Russian coming the pushed Callie behind her as she fired up to the Russian who got his shot off towards Olivia but Olivia pulling Callie behind, had her body shift to the left causing the bullet to miss her completely, but pulling Callie out of the line of fire so that the bullet grazed her shoulder. It would be recorded on camera how her quick instincts saved Callie's life and simultaneously shooting the Russian down from above. "That's my girl".