Okay, I really appreciate all of y'all hanging in there for this story. I'm going to make it easy on y'all and post a couple of long chapters back-to-back over the next few days. I'm just as ready to get out of writing their slump as y'all are of reading!
These will be tough couple of chapters to read, but it's an arc that I've been planning for a minute. I promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Fallin' – Valerie June
Dancing on the devil's door
Back again and wanting more
Keeps me hanging on what's in our minds
Looking through the broken glass
Something that we hoped would last
Seeking, searching for what you cannot find
Falling out of love with love
All the things you're dreaming of
Time was just a dusty ground
Bear without the slightest sound
And I am willing to let go what was never mine
And I am willing to let go what was never mine
Olivia stretched out in the warm sunshine. The water droplets as temporary souvenirs from the ocean, slowly dried away, leaving her skin salty. A shadow briefly covered her, letting her know that she was not alone.
She felt the string on her top loosen as familiar fingers untied the knot holding it in place.
"What are you doing?" Olivia mumbled, not lifting her head.
"Can't be having tan lines." His hand wandered down to her ass, exploring the skin that her bikini bottom barely covered. "Not on my watch."
Olivia finally lifted her head, looking back at him. "Did you have a nice swim?"
"It was freezing."
"It's always freezing, babe. It's the Pacific Ocean" Olivia rolled on her side, giving him a view of almost all of her. She loved the immediate impact she had on him, as he never hid how incredibly attractive he found her. "Come closer."
Fitz joined her on her towel, laying next to her. He ran his hand down her side, pulling her leg to rest over his hip. "What else can I do for you?"
Olivia shut her eyes and tilted her head back, silently requesting a kiss. Only it never came. She opened her eyes and realized she was alone on the beach.
Fitz was gone, and she was by herself. Suddenly, she felt nauseous, like she was tumbling through the sky with no parachute. But she was physically still anchored to her towel on the beach. She felt completely out of her body.
/
Olivia woke up in a jolt from her dream. She frowned at the lack of Fitz's clothes in her closet. There was no trace of him in her apartment when she got back from New York, Sunday night. She would have hope that he left a few things behind, maybe some shirts or his toothbrush, but there was nothing. It just felt so final. Now, it was Monday morning, and they had not spoken since. Something just wasn't right with her.
She pulled out her phone and dialed his number. While it was early, she hoped that she would be able to reach him. He answered on the last ring, before she gave up.
"Hi." Olivia said. "Fitz, are you there?"
"What do you need?"
"Nothing, I... I wanted to see how you are. I know we left things off in an uncertain place."
"You can't call me." Fitz said bluntly. It was the hurt in his voice that stung more than his actual words. "You wanted space, so… This is space."
"I know that, but I'm just... I'm worried about you."
"What right do you have?"
"I love you."
"Then why are we taking a break."
"We don't have to— We aren't going to hash this out again." Olivia sighed, "If we are taking a break, that doesn't mean we can't talk."
"I don't want to take a break, Livvie. I want to be with you."
"Well that isn't an option right now."
"Then I want to break up."
"Fitz—"
"I don't want to do this break shit. If you want to be with me, then be with me. And I mean actually being with me. No in-betweens."
"You are giving me an ultimatum." Olivia scoffed. "I don't respond to ultimatums."
"Isn't that what you gave me the other day? Be okay with me publicly being with someone else, or don't be with me at all?"
"That is not what I did." Olivia defended. "You know what, I don't want to fight like this over a phone call."
"Call me if you want to be together. Otherwise don't waste my time."
"Fitz—" He hung up on her. Olivia felt tears sting her eyes as she dropped the phone to her lap.
/
Fitz went back to Boston, with everything he owned out of her apartment. While she only asked that they take a break, he knew what that meant. She wanted to be able to carry on with Edison, without the guilt. He was just making it easier for her.
If she wanted to actually be with him, then she would prove it to him. She would call him, and let him know that she was all in.
But his phone never rang. Not after he gave her his ultimatum Monday morning.
So he went around his apartment, doing the same thing he did at her place. Plucking every single item that she belonged from it. He was going to show her what it really looked like to be apart from him.
Even after he purged any physical mementos of her, he couldn't stop seeing her everywhere. She was in the kitchen, sitting on the counter, stealing bits of food from him as he cooked. She was on the couch, laying her head against his chest, as she read whatever book she would inevitably insist he had to read too. She was in the shower, lathering soap into his chest and shampoo into his curls. She was standing in front of the bathroom mirror applying the finishing touches to her makeup, wrapped in his arms, looking so proud to be his.
And his bed… He wasn't sure if he could ever sleep in it again.
He gathered her things into a box and slapped a shipping label on it. Then, he booked a ticket to fly to California. He couldn't stay in Boston, where everything reminded him of her.
/
Olivia knew that she shouldn't be taking time off of work, when everything was so hectic. But Dani didn't protest, as she took a random Wednesday off.
She needed to get to Boston. She needed to see Fitz. After their last phone call, she wasn't sure where they stood. He said they were broken up, but she couldn't believe it. You don't just break up with someone over the phone like that. Especially not with the love they shared.
And she wasn't ready to accept it, if that were the case. She wasn't ready to not be with him anymore. She knew that things were bad, but she was terrified of losing him forever. She could handle a break. They had survived worse before. But breaking up, seemed absolutely unbearable.
She flew to Boston to see him. She snuck around the back way of his building to get to the service elevator. She noticed that there weren't actually any paparazzi camped outside of his building, which raised a red flag. She reached his floor, trying out her electronic key to his apartment. It didn't work.
She knocked, and there was no reply. Knowing she was crazy, she put her ear to his door. There was nothing. No sign of life.
Feeling panicky, she went to Abby's apartment, which was just a few blocks up the street. She knew she was home, by the loud music coming from the other side. She knocked loudly, waiting a few moments until Abby came to the door.
Abby answered the door in sweats and a tank top, with her long, red hair tied sloppily above her head. She had a highlighter tucked behind her ear and a few sticky notes stuck to her leg.
"Liv! What are you doing here?" Abby asked, in shock.
"Sorry to surprise you. I was just wondering if you've heard from Fitz recently? I went by his apartment, but he wasn't there."
"He's in Santa Barbara. He left this morning." Abby cocked her head in confusion. "He didn't tell you?"
Olivia didn't know how to respond. Clearly, Abby didn't know what was going on between them. "Did he say how long he was going for?"
"No, he just sent me a text saying he was going to be gone for a bit…I've just been so deep into prep for tomorrow, I didn't ask how long."
"Oh shit, your thesis defense is tomorrow. I forgot." Olivia suddenly felt foolish for coming over, especially unannounced. Abby had been a nervous wreck all week, as she was going to defend her research from the past year. The last thing she wanted to be was a distraction.
"Are you okay?" Abby asked, concerned for her friend. Olivia looked like she could break down into tears at any second. That combined with her not knowing that Fitz was choosing to complete his semester remotely from Santa Barbara had her really worried.
"I'm fine." Olivia insisted. "I won't keep you."
"Are you sure? I can make some tea, or something."
"I'm sure. Good luck tomorrow." Olivia insisted. "You've worked too hard not to have this in the bag. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks." Abby said, watching Olivia hastily leave her apartment. She pulled out her phone and shot Fitz a quick text
Is everything okay with you and Liv?
/
Fitz got Abby's message around the time his Uber was pulling up to his Santa Barbara home. Until they found Big Gerry, they were allowed to keep the home. There was no more money for landscaping or security, but the feds were constantly watching, in case Big Gerry tried to reach out or come home.
I'll explain later. He typed, but before he could hit send, his phone lit up with a phone call from Olivia.
"Are you ready to go all in?" Fitz asked.
"Fitz… Why didn't you tell me you were leaving Boston?" Olivia asked.
"Answer my question first." Fitz said.
"We shouldn't be having this conversation over the phone." Olivia said. "Why did you leave?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you, because we are not together anymore." Everything he was saying was the most painful thing he'd ever done.
"Fitz." Olivia choked. "Don't do this."
"I am not doing anything. You are." He said. "Look, I don't want to play any games, and I don't see the point of this conversation, when you aren't changing your mind. You wanted to take a break, and I don't think we should be together anymore either. I don't know what else there is to say, so… Goodbye, Olivia."
"Goodbye, Fitz." Was all Olivia could say, as the line went dead.
Fitz took a deep breath, walking into his home. He always hated coming home, because it meant Big Gerry was there. But now that he wasn't, it was just a building. A cold building that reminded him of everything Big Gerry did to be able to afford it.
He found his mother in the living room, reading a book. She looked 5 years older than the last time he saw her, but her face lit up when she saw Fitz.
"Fitz." She beamed, hugging him tightly. "What a surprise! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school?
"I needed a change of scenery." He explained. "My professors agreed to let me finish the summer remotely. I'll be heading back at the end of the summer."
"I'm glad you are here." Eleanor squeezed his hand. "Are you hungry? I had to let the staff go, but I can make something simple for lunch."
"I'm tired." He said. "I think I'll just go lay down."
"Then maybe dinner." Eleanor nodded, noticing that Fitz seemed exceptionally haggard. "Go rest."
Fitz went to his room and immediately crashed on his bed. His mind was racing as he mulled over the phone call with Olivia.
They were broken up.
Not together anymore.
He didn't know how to begin to process it.
So he just laid there, numb, choosing not to process it.
/
Olivia knocked on the door frame of Dani's office. "Got a minute?"
"Of course. What's up?"
Olivia shut her office door and tried her best to keep her voice neutral. "I wanted to let you know, as my employer, that there is no longer a conflict of interest with the investigation and my personal life."
"As your employer, I appreciate the information." Dani took her reading glasses off. "As your friend... How are you?"
"I haven't slept in three days. I have no appetite. I've contemplated jumping in front of the metro pretty much every time it comes through the station..." Olivia said dryly. "But you know... One day at a time or whatever."
"Liv, I am so sorry." Dani circled her desk. "What do you need? Ice cream? My Netflix password? A brick through his window?"
"Just, don't treat me any differently, please."
"I can do that. Come here." Dani hugged her tightly.
"Alright." Olivia pulled back when she felt that familiar lump in her throat. "I have work to do."
"You should take another day off."
"No." Olivia refused. "Work is literally the only think keeping me sane right now."
"In that case, I need your edits on this." Dani handed her a thick folder with a speech. "By Monday?"
"I'll have something for you tomorrow."
Olivia left Dani's office and checked Edison's schedule. He was available for the next fifteen minutes. She took a deep breath and walked over to his office. It wasn't lost on her, the ironic Catch 22 she was in. "Dating" Edison is what was keeping her from Fitz. But now that she wasn't with Fitz, there was no reason to keep pretending with Edison.
She leaned against his door frame. "Have a minute?"
"Always for you." Edison smiled. "Evan, hold all calls."
Olivia shut his door behind her, leaning against it. "I wanted to tell you in person that I won't be going to the Georgetown BLSA Fundraiser dinner... Or the Firefighters Union thing... Or any of the other things I was scheduled to do."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"My conflict of interest with the investigation is no longer an issue... So we don't have to keep doing things together anymore."
"The hearings only just began—"
"My conflict of interest is no longer an issue." Olivia repeated, pointedly.
"Oh... I see." Edison nodded. "Are you...?"
"Be sure to have Evan reach out to the hosting orgs and take my name off of the programs. That's all."
"Wait, wait, hold on." Edison said. "Don't you think the timing of us 'breaking up' would raise eyebrows? Especially right after that article."
"There is no need to keep pretending."
"You are my plus one to a fundraising dinner where I am receiving an award and giving a speech, and that dinner is Saturday."
"So I come down with the flu." Olivia explained. "I'll even work from home for a few days to make it believable."
"I'm not okay with you deciding that we are ending this. Without any notice."
"We both knew this was coming at some point."
"I just…" Edison sighed, shifting in his chair uncomfortably.
"Why are you pushing back on this so hard?" Olivia accused, letting her frustration and lack of sleep flow into her words. Was Fitz right all along about Edison's intentions? "Did you think that after enough fake dinners and fake events, I would fall in love with you?"
"You really are some work." Edison scoffed, shaking his head. "For God's sake. Do the Georgetown event."
"Why?" Olivia crossed her arms. "I need an explanation."
"I've been seeing Skye for a few weeks."
"Skye… your ex-girlfriend?" Olivia asked.
"Yes." He nodded. "That Skye."
Olivia narrowed her eyes at him. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"Because this is a business relationship, what we have." Edison said, drawing an imaginary line between them. "Chinese wall."
"This just seems like something I should have known about… Not any details, but that you were seeing someone."
"So you can have a real boyfriend, but I can't have a real girlfriend?"
"She knows that what we are doing here is a sham. She is a liability."
"Look, when we first met, you and me, Skye and I weren't in a good place. Her company was going public, and after a few photos of us on a dinner date or two, she had to postpone it. There were too many questions about her being with a congressman."
"So publicly being tied to you damaged her career." Olivia concluded.
"Which made it impossible to be together." Edison sighed. "Which is why I agreed to this agreement with you. I saw you going through the exact thing I went through." He said sadly. "And it actually led to… Skye and I giving it a second chance. Us having the space to give it a second chance."
"Now I'm the beard." Olivia shook her head in disbelief, at the irony of it all. "I need to go."
"Wait. I need time, at least." Edison begged. "I'm not going to force you into a fake relationship that you don't want to be in, but I need some time to talk to Skye about it. At least grant me the BLSA dinner."
"I'll be there." Olivia nodded, trying to wrap her mind around the whole conversation that just happened as she walked back to her desk.
/
Olivia was realizing that she was not doing well with silence. Her apartment, which was always the quiet, lonely reprieve from her hectic workday, was now suffocating. She found herself playing music loudly to fill the air. She was drinking more wine than usual, just to dull her mind and keep it from wandering. She was okay during the week, with work, but as Saturday rolled around, Olivia was terrified of being alone.
She tried to get work done, but she wasn't too productive, since there weren't endless meetings and phone calls to hop on. She decided to go for a swim, which helped. She lost track of time in the pool, letting the patterns of her strokes and her breathing distract her from where her mind wanted to be: thinking of Fitz.
She came home in time to shower and change into her gown for the Georgetown BLSA annual gala dinner where Edison was being honored with an award. She was going to miss these dinners. Not the pretending to be with Edison, but the fancy dinner, the speeches, and the general self-aggrandizing.
She was surprised to see a box addressed to her outside of her apartment door. Her heart dropped when she saw the handwriting. It was Fitz's. She dragged it into her apartment and ripped it open.
Here were her things. Everything that was at his apartment that originally belonged to her. It felt like a punch to the gut – no, like a vacuum was shoved down her throat and all of her air was sucked out of her. She pulled her clothes off of the top to find her toothbrush, her essential toiletry items, the legal pad she used for work when she stayed with him, a few books, a pair of sunglasses she thought she lost months ago, and a few polaroid pictures that hurt more than anything. He took them of her at his Chelsea apartment over their perfect summer together. She adamantly resisted his request for nudes, so she let him take pictures of her completely covered by the covers, with only her eyes and messy hair peeping out. She was so happy, it radiated from her eyes. The next one was of her head on his chest, looking up at him.
Olivia felt like simply breathing was an athletic hurdle. This was it. This was Fitz sending the final message that they were over. This wasn't a break. This was it.
/
Edison knocked on the door of Olivia's apartment. Usually, he had to be buzzed up, but the exterior door was cracked, so he just walked right up.
"Your door was cracked open, that's a real security—" Edison was met with Olivia in a robe, barefaced, and she had obviously been crying. "You aren't ready."
"I'm so sorry, just give me a minute." Olivia frantically pulled the dress out of her closet and laid it on her bed. "I just need to do my makeup real quick."
"Olivia, no." Edison stopped her, with his hand gently on her shoulder. "You don't have to come."
"My name is on the program, you are the guest of honor, and I made a promise."
"I can make up an excuse." He assured. "I'm not going to force you to do this, when you are—"
"Fine, Edison. I'm fine." Olivia took a deep breath. "I made a commitment to this, and I really don't want to be alone tonight. Give me 15 minutes, okay?"
"Okay." Edison didn't push it, but he knew she wasn't fine. He was impressed, however, with how quickly she cleaned up for him. 15 minutes later, she was dressed, with her hair neatly pulled back into a bun. Her fresh makeup hid most of her earlier tears, but the sadness was still there.
"Okay, I'm ready." Olivia nodded.
/
There was nothing special about this dinner, in particular. It was your usual gala, with an open bar cocktail hour, 3 course meal, and awards presentation. But Olivia appreciated being in a room full of Black lawyers and law students. The energy was a welcome distraction.
"Red or white?" Olivia asked Edison, before going to get their drinks for a cocktail hour.
"White."
"Be right back." Olivia headed towards the bar, and was met with a unexpected, familiar face approaching her with an extra glass of red wine.
"Marcus." Olivia said, absolutely shocked to see him standing in front of her, in a tux.
"Liv." He grinned, hugging her.
"What are you doing here?" Olivia asked. "You didn't transfer to Georgetown, because you are still in love with me, did you?"
"I was visiting my folks and saw an opportunity to put on a tux." He straightened his tie with a wink. "What are you doing here? Don't tell me you reenrolled in law school, because you missed me."
"No, I'm actually here as a—"
"Guest." He pointed to the program. "I saw."
"Yeah." Olivia said. "Look at us."
"We clean up well." He shifted from foot to foot, looking at his program. "Are you really dating—"
"Edison." Olivia cut him off as she saw Edison approaching them. "I'd like to introduce you to an old friend of mine from law school."
"Oh, so you've known each other for almost a year." Edison teased, standing at Olivia's side and extending his hand. "Hi, Edison Davis."
"Marcus Walker." He shook his hand. "And we all know a semester of law school is like five years of normal human years. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"So you must still be at Columbia. Where are you summering?" Edison asked.
"Cravath's New York office."
"That's a tough one. Well done." Edison looked impressed. "A few of my old classmates are there in the New York office. Have you crossed paths with a Bill Norman yet?"
"No, not yet. He's in IP, and they've been staffing me on bank regulatory matters only."
"Ugh, my condolences." Edison grimaced. "Listen, on Monday, you reach out to Bill. Let him know that you met me. He'll take care of you."
"I appreciate it."
"Anything for a friend of Olivia's." Edison shook Marcus's hand and turned back to Olivia. "I was told that they are going to start soon, so we should head to our seats."
"I'll be right there." Olivia said, waiting until Edison was a few paces away, before turning back to Marcus. "Yes."
"Him?"
"Was that a question?" Olivia asked.
"I mean, he seems nice. Obviously, I'm rooting for a brother, and not bad on you for picking a congressman, but… Liv, what happened with Fitz?"
"Don't." Olivia winced at the mention of his name. "That chapter has been closed."
"Hey, there." Marcus squeezed her shoulder, realizing that it must've closed fairly recently. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I'm fine." Olivia took a deep breath, collecting herself. "I should go join Edison at the front."
"Maybe I'll find you after the ceremony."
"It's always good to see you, Marcus." Olivia nodded.
/
"That video was sooo corny though." Olivia said as they walked up the steps to her apartment building. "It looked like it was made in the 90s."
"It was pretty bad. The Brandy song really put it over the top."
"Hey now..." Olivia warned, tracking down her keys from her clutch. "That song was an essential part of my cassette collection growing up."
"You are too young to know what cassettes are."
"I grew up in Queens." Olivia rolled her eyes. "In the capitol of boomboxes hoisted over your shoulder as you walk to the bodega."
"You were still like four."
"Maybe." Olivia caught herself smiling at him.
"Are you glad that you came out tonight?"
Olivia opened the door to her building and turned around to face Edison. "I had a good time."
"Are you going to be okay tonight?" Edison asked. She put on a perfect charade for the other gala attendees, but now the night was over, and whatever demons were haunting her before were still present.
"I'm sure I'll be fine." Olivia smiled softly.
"So is this the break up?" Edison asked. "We can make a scene for the neighbors. I'm an excellent actor, just give me a moment to well up the tears."
"We don't have to break up yet." Olivia said. "I think I will need the social distractions, as I, you know, process everything else. And if it helps you and Skye, then I guess I'm just paying it back."
"Glad to hear it." Edison grinned. "I'll see you at work."
/
2 Weeks Later
"Hi stranger." Olivia hugged Abby, who was waiting for her at a park bench along the Mall with her coffee order. "Thank you, you are a lifesaver."
"It was hard enough getting you away from your desk." Abby handed her one of the two coffees in her hand. "I figured I had to make it easy on you to take 15 minutes to talk to me."
"I'm sorry." Olivia sighed. "I have just been so busy."
"Do you like it?"
"Yeah." Olivia nodded with a smile. "I do."
"Then that is all that matters."
"You should come by the office and meet Dani."
"I'd like that, after I get settled." Abby said.
"And congratulations." Olivia grinned. "A consultant for a prominent think tank with two degrees from Harvard... Not bad for your first gig out of college."
"My master's thesis almost killed me. I'm just happy to be done with school."
"And spread your wings beyond Cambridge, am I right?" Olivia said.
"So right." Abby confirmed. "I feel bad leaving Fi... Ah shit. Sorry."
"You can say his name." Olivia said. "How has he been?"
Abbey frowned. "Do you really want to know?"
"No." Olivia lowered her eyes away from Abbey. "I guess not."
"You seem to be doing well. I've been following you in the news. The press is still hanging on to this whole Edison spiel…"
"What about you?" Olivia changed the subject. "Did that mystery guy develop into a living, breathing guy?"
"Things have been really good, actually. He's the younger brother of one of Henry's golfing buddies, which is why I was so against him in the beginning. But I gave it a chance, and he's actually really nice. He's super-hot, too, which doesn't hurt."
"Does he have a name yet?"
"Charles Putney."
"Of the Virginia Putneys?" Olivia raised an eyebrow.
"He may be of some relation."
"He comes from one of the most powerful political families in America." Olivia said. The expansive Putney legacy had produced a former Vice President, two senators, two governors, an Ambassador to Italy, four congressmen, and three mayors over the last century. "He is one of the most powerful political families."
"You should meet him. Chip is brilliant."
"I'd set up a double date, but my boyfriend as far as the American public is concerned, is Edison."
"How long are you planning on faking this relationship with Edison?" Abby asked.
"Until I don't need to."
"Why are you still doing it? I mean, if you and..." Abby was hesitant to say his name around her, because she didn't exactly trust the I'm fine façade she was holding on to.
"You can say his name." Olivia said.
"If you and Fitz are not together, then why are you still pretending to be with Edison?" Abby asked.
"It's easier to keep going to events with him, than explain to people why we aren't together anymore."
"Okay." Abby frowned. She didn't want to say anything, but she didn't understand it all. That was a conversation for another day. "Well, Chip's family is having a barbeque on Saturday. It's going to be a huge thing. I can put you on the guest list."
"You are already at the meet the parents stage?" Olivia raised an eyebrow.
"You know how these families work." Abby rolled her eyes. "You meet the parents before you get to second base."
"I did meet Fitz's parents before we had our first kiss."
"The event will be all day, but most people won't arrive until lunch."
"I'll try to make it."
/
Olivia decided to take Abby up on the invitation, but she wasn't going to do it alone. After researching the Putneys, she knew that this barbeque was more than a summertime get together. It was an annual birthday celebration for the patriarch, Neil Patrick Putney IV. The event entertained hundreds of guests and was crawling with the elite men and women of power in the DMV. It was a perfect opportunity for her use Edison's status to make new friends to benefit his political career.
Olivia took Edison's hand as he helped her out of his car. He looked at the looming mansion. "Fancy friends."
"My best friend from college is dating the youngest grandson of the man they are celebrating today." Olivia said, slipping her hand into the crook of his arm as they walked across the lawn. "This is a networking opportunity for your political career, and mine. Don't forget that."
"I know the rules." Edison chuckled.
"Only one drink every ninety minutes, but always keep a glass in your hand. Don't say that you are my date. Pretend that you were on the original guest list. You are also going to want to always stay touching me somehow. This is a casual family event, not anything official from your office."
It surprisingly didn't take long for Olivia to find Abby. She was hanging on the arm of a tall, blonde boy with a strong jawline and a dazzlingly bright smile. He was in a light blue button down, with the sleeves rolled up and pastel pants. He looked every bit the poster boy for Tommy Hilfiger or Ralph Lauren. Abby looked every bit the trophy girl who belonged at his side. She could have passed for a model, with his arm hung loosely around her waist and her perfectly timed laughs.
"Liv!" Abby beamed when she saw her. "Come meet Chip."
"Olivia Pope." Olivia extended her hand to Chip. "This is my boyfriend Edison Davis."
"Abby mentioned you were her best friend from college. She didn't mention that you were dating a congressman." Chip grinned, shaking both of their hands.
"That's probably because I'm my own person, regardless of who I associate myself with." Olivia responded in a calm voice.
"Ooh, I like her." Chip squeezed Abby's waist. "She's feisty."
"Liv is the Director of Communications for Dani Flores's office." Edison bragged. "She worked her way up from volunteering last summer on her campaign."
"I followed that campaign. The social media strategy was a risky move, but it worked. Especially for a candidate as inexperienced as Flores."
"What Flores lacked in experience, she makes up for in intelligence, work ethic, and a passion to make the country better." Olivia said. "I just amplified her skills."
"Congressman, your hands are empty. What are you drinking?"
"I'll have a whiskey on the rocks."
"Babe, why don't you go get our drinks?" Chip kissed Abby's temple, before releasing her.
Abbey nodded her head to Olivia, letting her know to come with her. "Well?" Abby asked once they were out of ear range.
"He's cute." Olivia said. "He's also..."
"A little arrogant and silver spoon-ish?"
"You said it, not me." Olivia laughed, grateful that Abby saw it too.
"I know. He isn't always like that. It's just how he thinks he is supposed to act at things like these. How he was raised to act."
"And you like that?"
"He's cut from the same cloth as me." Abby said. "He knows how to switch it on and off."
"If you are happy, then I am happy for you." Olivia said. There was something deep in her gut that gave her pause when it came to Chip Putney, but she couldn't place it. Abby seemed completely smitten with him, so there was only so much she could do about it.
"I didn't realize this was a work event for you."
"What?"
"Edison."
"Edison is rising in profile, so I figured a little schmoozing with America's most powerful political family wouldn't be a bad opportunity."
"You two are very good at pretending. I almost couldn't tell the difference." Abby handed Olivia two drinks and grabbed two drinks to carry back. "Anyways, I have already started planning your birthday. Don't look at me like that. You can't do anything about it, because I already know you don't have plans."
"Are you going to tell me what your plans are?"
"Nope." Abby grinned.
"This sounds more like a hostage situation."
"I don't want you to stress about a thing. Just block off the whole day." Abby handed Chip his drink, settling back into his side.
"What were you two talking about" Chip asked.
"Liv's birthday." Abby said.
"What are your plans?"
"Apparently I'm not allowed to make any." Olivia laughed. "Abby has hijacked my day."
"Well I hope I get an invitation." Edison teased, resting his hand against Olivia's back. She stepped away from him casually. He knew that Abby was under the impression that it was a farce, so there was no reason to "pretend" in front of her.
"I'll put you on the waitlist." Abby said.
"It was lovely to meet you two." Chip extended his hand. "But if you excuse us, I see Nana Putley waving me over, and you just don't ignore Nana Putley."
"It was a pleasure." Edison said.
"Let's get drinks next week." Abby said, being pulled along by Chip's arm around her waist.
"Wow." Edison said after they were past ear's range.
"Hey, now. Abby is my best friend."
"I was talking about Chip."
"Yeah, he's... I just hope Abby knows what she's getting into."
"I think I need a breather from hearing about Chip's last yachting trip in Nantucket. Is there anybody here that doesn't own a summer home on the vineyard?"
Olivia rested her hand within the crook of his arm. "Welcome to the real world of politics."
/
Fitz downed another glass. Just one gulp this time. It didn't matter anymore. The only thing that had been holding himself together anymore left. She made it clear that he was expendable. That he didn't matter to her. He wasn't worth the fight.
"Slow down." Leonard, his lawyer said.
Fitz almost forgot he had company. "I'm fine." he rolled his eyes. "Ask me the questions."
"Alright." Leonard adjusted his glasses and held the papers closer to his eyes. "Did your father, Fitzgerald Grant Jr., ever mention any contracts with military arms manufacturers from the dates of June 2, 1999 to April 29, 2006?"
"I was like three, so obviously not."
"Fitzgerald."
"While we are on the topic of that name, please stop referring to me as such, and please start referring to my bastard of a dad as Big Gerry."
"The committee will refer to the both of you as such." Leonard argued. "And while I don't give a shit how lubricated you are in this practice run, I would sleep better at night if you grew up, and answered these questions like you will on the Hill next week."
"Alright." Fitz settled back into his chair. "Ask me."
"Did your father, Fitzgerald Grant Jr., ever mention any contracts with military arms manufacturers from the dates of June 2, 1999 to April 29, 2006?"
"No. He never talked about any work-related stuff to me."
"Did he ever mention the man Admiral Phillips to you?"
"No."
"Do you know who Admiral Phillips is?"
"Yes."
"Please describe your relationship with Admiral Phillips."
"I never really met him."
"That isn't the question." Leonard pointed out. "Answer anything other than exactly what they ask, and it will look like you are dodging the question. Now, please describe your relationship with Admiral Phillips."
"He was the commanding officer over my unit in the Navy. I never really met interacted with him."
"Don't say really, it leaves room for doubt."
Fitz sighed, fixing his words. "I never met Admiral Phillips. I became aware of him as the commanding officer of my base in the Navy, but I never met him, nor did I have any direct, personal contact with the man."
"Better." Leonard said. "Please describe for the record, the circumstances around you enlisting in the Navy."
/
ONE WEEK LATER
"So, your birthday is coming soon." Edison said, after the waiter poured their wine. "Any plans?"
"Abby said she would plan something. I usually put blind faith in her on these things." Olivia said. "Although, she's been kind of distant lately."
"Well, she has a very important boyfriend, now." Edison reminded. "Maybe she's just figuring out what it means to be in a relationship."
"Maybe…" Olivia took a sip of her wine, "I also think it might be a problem with you. She's Fitz's friend too, and I think it might be painful for her to see me with you."
"She knows that we are faking it, though."
"Yeah, but I still think it is difficult." Olivia shook her head. "Anyways, it isn't anything for you to worry about. We'll get through it. Just growing pains."
"Why plan ahead, when she is approaching us our table right now." Edison nodded his head over to Abby, who was approaching their table. Chip was a few paces behind her.
"Liv! What a coincidence." Abby looked at Edison then back to Olivia with an awkward look. Between the restaurant choice and the wine selection, this was obviously a personal dinner and not an official Edison Davis appearance. In a lower voice, she asked, "Am I interrupting something? Is the press around or something?"
"There is a columnist from the Hill at the bar and apparently a very famous twitter user in the corner booth." Edison smiled politely, resting his hand over Olivia's, but she pulled her hands to her lap. "Why don't you join us?"
"No." Olivia and Chip – who had now made it to the table – said in unison. Olivia looked at Chip, then Edison, then Abby. "I'm sure that you two were looking for a private, romantic dinner. We don't want to encroach."
"It looks like you were looking for the same. Chez Francois." Abby said with a fake smile on her face.
"Babe, our table is ready." Chip placed his hand on Abby's back, pulling her away. "It was nice seeing you both, again."
"Abby..." Olivia stopped her. "Can we talk outside for a minute?"
Abby looked to Chip, as if she was asking his permission. "Order for me."
Olivia stood and walked out of the restaurant with Abby. She was dreading this conversation and couldn't think of a more embarrassing way to have it, but it was happening. The short journey from their table to the sidewalk outside of the restaurant was not enough time to put her words together.
"Is something wrong?" Olivia asked, once they were outside.
"What are you doing?" Abby asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you still pretending with him? It's been weeks. And this restaurant? Very romantic."
"It's complicated."
"You aren't sleeping with him, are you?"
"No." Olivia defended. "But if I was, then that would be my choice."
"Jesus, Liv. You and Fitz have barely been apart."
"He broke up with me." Olivia hissed, aware that they were on the street and both of them had a certain profile in D.C., but it didn't stop the emotion from cracking in her voice. "He made it crystal clear that there was no future for me and him."
"You two love each other, dammit." Abby snapped in low voice for the same reason Olivia was trying to keep her cool. She was also conscious of Chip watching from the inside. She was now a Putney girl and public outbursts were not allowed. "Fitz calls you the love of his life. Whatever you need to work through, it needs to be worked through. But if you stay with Edison, even just as pretend, or whatever the fuck you think you are doing… It will only hurt him even more."
Olivia crossed her arms, taking a calming breath so her words came out evenly. "Fitz broke up with me. I tried everything, but it wasn't enough. He is the one that walked out."
"You can try to justify what you are doing, but it isn't right."
"You really don't know the full story." Olivia looked inside where she could see both Edison and Chip watching them closely, then back at Abby. It wasn't her place to tell Abby about Edison's real relationship. She wasn't sure if that would change Abby's stance either way. "You have a right to disagree, but it doesn't change the reality. We should get back inside."
"I don't think you understand, Olivia." Abby's voice was calm and measured, but there was a seriousness to it that Olivia had never heard from her best friend. "You continuing to 'date' Edison, after everything that happened... I can't be neutral anymore. It isn't fair to expect me to be okay with you hurting him like this..."
"What am I supposed to do, Abby?" Olivia asked earnestly. "I can't be with Fitz. I can't be without him."
"I don't want to have to pick a side, but you are forcing me to." Abby began to walk past Olivia, but Olivia stopped her, tears threatening to run.
"Losing Fitz destroyed me, Abby. I can't lose you too."
"You aren't losing me." Abby said softly. "You are just making it really difficult to be your friend."
Abby walked past Olivia, leaving her stunned. She needed a minute to collect herself, because the tears were so close to coming. When she walked inside, she headed straight to her table, not even glancing at Abby and Chip's side of the restaurant.
"Olivia, are you okay?" Edison asked, concerned. He watched their entire exchange. He knew they were fighting, and from how Olivia hung her head for a moment after Abby left, he knew that she didn't win.
"Put your jacket on. We are leaving."
"But we haven't even ordered yet."
"Then stay. Order." Olivia gathered her things, setting some cash down on the table to cover her glass of wine. "I can't be here anymore."
/
"Again?" Olivia asked. It wasn't lost on her that everybody was tired. It had been a long day, but tomorrow would only be longer. The hearings had just started the day before. It was 8 hours of congressional hearings, on top of prep for the following day every evening.
Tomorrow was Fitz's day.
"Let's call it a day, everybody. It's late, and everybody should head off to enjoy the remaining fireworks outside. Enjoy the holiday and report back bright and early tomorrow." Dani said, earning a disapproving look from Olivia. "What?"
"Nothing." Olivia said, waiting for the majority of the staff to return to their cubicles and offices. Most of them gratefully started to gather things to head home and get what little sleep they could before the following day's trial. "I just want to make sure you are the most prepared."
"And I will be." Dani encouraged. "But we've been at this for hours. It won't do any good to be spinning our wheels like this."
"Alright." Olivia accepted, knowing she was right. She glanced at her phone to see if there was a text from Abby. There was nothing. She dropped her phone back into her purse.
"Are you okay?" Dani asked.
"I'm fine." Olivia said.
"If you need to take some distance on this, I mean with..." Dani didn't say his name, lest anybody in the office heard.
"I'm fine." Olivia insisted. "There is nothing there to worry about."
"Today is your birthday." Dani said, once more people had cleared out of the office.
"It is." Olivia confirmed, collecting her papers from the table.
"So do you have any plans ?"
Olivia had no plans, so she shook her head. Ever since her fight with Abby, she had not heard from her. Whatever birthday party that she had planned was nonexistent. Olivia considered going home to New York to watch fireworks on the pier with her mom, but the congressional hearing was the next day, and she needed to stay in D.C. Tomorrow, she would watch her "boyfriend" interrogate her ex-boyfriend about the war crimes his father committed, on national television.
That made her birthday seem inconsequential.
"Happy birthday, Liv." Dani handed her a gift bag.
"You didn't have to do that." Olivia said, accepting the gift. It was clearly a bottle of wine, from the weight and feel of the package.
"I know tomorrow isn't going to be easy for you. If you want to take the day off, I understand."
"Thank you." Olivia smiled. "I'm fine, though. I'll be here."
/
"A plain black coffee with absolutely nothing destroying it." Edison handed Olivia her morning cardboard cup, as she passed through security.
"You want something." She smiled sweetly.
"There's this fundraiser event, and…"
"Sure, I'm there."
"Thank you." Edison grinned. "Big day, today."
"I don't want to make small talk about you cross examining my ex-boyfriend." Olivia said.
"That makes sense." Edison nodded. "My bad."
"I'm going to be watching from the gallery." Olivia said as they approached the chambers. "Behave."
"I will be on my best behavior." Edison said, holding up three fingers. "Scout's honor."
Olivia wasn't listening to a word he was saying. Suddenly, the bustling halls of the Capitol were empty and there was just one other person. Fitz was standing a good twenty yards down the hall. A short man in a suit, who she assumed was his lawyer, was speaking something very important to him before they went in to be questioned, but Fitz wasn't listening. His dead eyes burned into Olivia like acid. She held his gaze despite how much it hurt her. She did nothing wrong. He broke up with her. He was just as much to blame as he was probably blaming her.
They stood there in a silent, distant stand-off, both too proud to move, until Edison realized what was happening. He intercepted her stare, by stepping in front of her. "Maybe you should go home." He said with concern. "Sit this one out."
"No." Olivia shook her head. "But good luck in there."
And with that, she slipped away to the nearest ladies room to empty her stomach into one of the stalls.
/
Fitz tried to focus on the papers in front of him. His lawyer laid out everything he would need to answer the questions from the investigative committee.
But his mind was up in the gallery, where she was. He saw them earlier in the hallway, walking side by side. Clearly, she was still pretending to be with Edison, which only proved his point. Now she had the nerve to come to his hearing. I mean, technically, it was her job, but she could have very well caught it on CSPAN like the rest of the country.
And yet there she was. Practically flaunting her relationship with Edison for him to see.
"So you thought that the United States military was, what, a summer camp?"
The line of questioning pulled him back to the panel of politicians questioning him. He was doing fine so far, but this particular congressman was coming in hot with a vendetta.
"I wasn't thinking, Representative Meyers." Fitz said, raising his gaze to the congressman from Iowa. "I was a kid who had a lot of growing to do."
"You were 19." Meyers said pointedly. "I was 18 when I enlisted. 19 when they put a gun in my hand and sent me overseas to fight in a war that your father fabricated. I was 19 when I saw men my age lose limbs and lives to that war. The fact that you sit here and chalk it up to being immature, is just…" He shook his head. "How do you sleep at night?"
"I don't." Fitz looked at the notes he had from his lawyer. They all said to steer away from talking about Big Gerry or his thoughts on him, and stick to the facts that proved Fitz's innocence. But that didn't fly with Fitz right now. People were angry, and rightfully so. This was his moment to speak his truth.
He looked up to the gallery to see Olivia sitting there, holding her breath. Even though they weren't together, he remembered her advice to him from the beginning. Use this event to finally break free from Big Gerry.
"To be honest, congressman, I haven't been able to sleep since I found out what he did. I am disgusted, truly to my core." Fitz' lawyer began scribbling STOP on his legal pad, but Fitz ignored him. "Even though I had nothing to do with the events that led to this war, I certainly reaped the benefits. I have lived a life of affluence, funded by the blood of American soldiers and countless innocent civilians overseas. I went on the most exotic vacations. I went to the best schools. I was offered so many second chances, while others were granted none.
"I may not have been conscious of the harm I was causing, but the harm is still there. If I were in your shoes, I would hate me. Honestly, I don't think to highly of myself at the moment either. So if there is anything I can do to make it right, I will." He looked up to the gallery to see Olivia with moist eyes, and a faint smile. He looked back to the congressman. "I will face whatever punishment the committee finds fitting. But know that I had no knowledge of Admiral Phillips, Big Gerry's war crimes, or that I was benefitting from it in any way."
The congressman was a little shocked. He was not expecting such an earnest and vulnerable response. "I yield my time."
/
"What were you thinking?" Leonard asked, once they got into a car to drive away from the Capitol. "We had a plan."
"That plan wasn't going to work." Fitz said. He felt like a brick was lifted off of his chest.
"I will face whatever punishment the committee finds fitting?" Leonard asked. You just opened it up for them to throw the book at you."
"They aren't." Fitz shook his head.
"You don't know that." Leonard argued. "If you would have stuck to my advice, then there would be absolutely no proof to support any consequences for your shortened time in the Navy."
"But it would have made me look like a privileged prick." Fitz countered. "People are angry, and rightfully so. If they want to make me the face of affluenza, and the punching bag of privilege in this whole case, then so be it. But not before I stated my case."
"Image can always be repaired. The time to do it, is not on the floor of congress in a criminal investigation hearing."
"Look, I appreciate all of your help. You are a great lawyer. But I'm exhausted." Fitz sighed. "I'm tired of always gaming the system. If they want to fucking lock me up, then so be it. I've gotten away with enough, I'm sure it was just a matter of time.
/
Olivia was incredibly proud of Fitz. It took incredible courage to say what he said in front of that committee. It got off to a rocky start, with Congressman Meyers coming in hot, but after Fitz went off script (or what she assumed was off script by how incredibly uncomfortable his lawyer was), the dynamic changed.
It shifted from adverse and tense to honest, open, and refreshing. Fitz answered every question with aplomb, showing the committee that he was deeply sorry, but ultimately innocent as far as intent and knowledge went.
It was being very well received online. His response to Meyers was trending on Twitter. There were a few people, as could be expected, who would never be happy with Fitz, but most people were recognizing that he was trying his best. It wasn't necessarily his fault that he was born into a terrible family. It wasn't even really his fault that he benefitted from the war crimes of his father that he knew nothing about. But it was up to him to make things right, and that is what he was doing.
She wanted to call him so bad. She wanted to let him know how proud she was of him. How, even though they weren't together anymore, she was so proud to see him standing up to Big Gerry, even figuratively.
But she couldn't. She saw how he looked at her in the hallway. He hated her, and she had to accept that, and give him the space he wanted.
Ch. 26 will be coming soon!