Somewhere in Vermont

The insects and the rhythmic creak of the rocking chairs are the only sounds of life in the cool Vermont air. Both Olivia and Fitz heads are turned toward the constellations of stars free from the light pollution indicative of metropolitan Washington, DC. He turns his head to gaze upon the love of his life. The calm serenity of her profile makes his heart hum. She turns her head and smiles at him and because his every feeling and action is controlled by the look on her face he smiles in return. He stands stepping toward her before reaching down to scoop her into his arms. She squeezes her arms around his neck breathing in his unique scent that feels like home. He carries her into the house, down the hall and places her on his desk before falling into the chair and scooting forward. She drapes her legs over the arms of the brown leather chair. "Tell me why? Why is this so important?"

"I am the leader of the free world whether they like it or not. Billy Chambers came with his blackmail and Hollis came with his assassin and I am still here. Those facts alone must mean something…I have to make it mean something. The next generations of doctors, teachers and presidents are dying every single day in cities because of the racist policies and practices that create the despair of generational poverty not to mention making privilege possible. Babies…children are slaughtered at school and the best we can do is thoughts and prayers. I cannot…I will not accept this status quo."

Olivia nods. This is the man I voted for…the man who can change the world. "Okay. I will get the team here this weekend and we will plan your return to the presidency and re-election campaign."

He smiles and studies her eyes for the true reaction. She is disappointed. "You want to stay in Vermont. You want the life we have here. I guess…I just assumed you were ready to get back."

"No, I do…you are being noble and brave and a million other things I love about you. The waiting will be difficult, but I will manage."

"The waiting?"

"Yeah, another four years, but we can manage."

"Exactly what are we waiting for?"

"Fitz, you can return to the presidency after a failed assassination attempt. However, your return to the presidency without a First Lady who just had your baby requires you to be a monk…a celibate monk. The public is not that progressive. Even Nancy Pelosi will give you the side-eye. We have to maintain the illusion."

"No, I will have the presidency…the life I want. Do you know why?" He pauses. "I will tell you why. I love Olivia Pope and she is brilliant; so smart and clever she will figure out a way for us do this together as the universe intended."

She climbs into his lap places a hand on each side of his face. "You expect me to come up with a plan that dispatches Sally Langston back to Number One Observatory Circle and provides a credible explanation for the first presidential divorce and the denial of paternity on top of re-election."

"Yep, how much time to you need? A few hours…a couple days?"

"Funny…you are a funny man. Call Russell Simmons, tell him you want to bring back Def Comedy Jam."

He unbuttons her jeans and pulls down the zipper to slide his hand into her panties toying with her warm thick folds. He watches her body come alive. Her pupils dilate and her breath quickens. "Sweet Baby…we are living our dream in the here and now. Say you are with me?"

Her eyes roll back, "Yes Mr. President."

Three weeks later

Breaking News…Hal Rambeau resigns from the Secret Service after his attorney submitted a legal filing claiming as an act of patriotism, he provided sperm to Mellie Grant…demands paternity test.

Six weeks later

Metro Police announce arrest in the death of former White House aide Amanda Tanner. Bernard Gusky aka Charlie has been charged with her murder, but his attorney declares he will cooperate with the District Attorney's Office.

The non-descript African American gentleman joins Cyrus on the park bench. "I am a smart man…some would even call me brilliant. For the life of me I cannot understand how you managed to destroy everything I put in motion. How am I supposed to maintain the Republic when the soldiers at my disposal demonstrate this level of incompetence?"

"You want to put this on me? This is all you fault…you raised her, and now she is beating you at your own game."

"Not possible. She prides herself on a moral code and the headlines for the past month are high risk and utterly ruthless."

"This is not your Olivia Pope. This is his Olivia fighting for the life they want. The raw truth is that none of us are prepared for them indivisible. At this point I am joining their team if they will have me or at the very least getting out of their way."

"Mr. Beene, need I remind you I am the hell and the high water…nothing shall pass."

"Rowan, you better be right because the upcoming battle will be Old Testament…wrath of God and I am confident they will not take prisoners. Is your life worth your desperate attempt at control?"

Eli Pope stares. Could I really lose the war?

Four weeks later

The 'Take Back Our Streets' gun control rally is in full swing. Activists, students, parents and survivors of gun violence have spoken and 'The Roots' band is performing a rousing rendition of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. As the song ends Black Thought resumes his hosting duties. "The final speaker is not someone I agree with on many things, but he came to me…man to man; serious about ending gun violence as we know it in this country. So, I need everyone on their feet to give a presidential welcome to Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III!"

He enters from the wings to a hip-hop version of Hail to the Chief much to his amusement. "Thank you, I am thrilled to be with you today. I want to thank all the individuals and organizations that made today possible. I stand before you today as a gun violence survivor. However, as the President of the United States, I can introduce legislation to ban assault weapons, tighten background checks and rid our streets of high-capacity magazines. I need your help to make sure the House and the Senate pass the proposals and get them to my desk for signing. Are you with me?"

The response is palpable. The cheers and clapping give him a surge of adrenaline. He smiles wide pumping his fist in the air. The local and national news go live with the breaking news headline: President Grant is Back!