"Wow... I-- Wow."

A week after that conversation between Fitz and Olivia, she had eventually decided to discuss it with her trusted friend, Abby.

"That's all you're going to say?"

Abby wasn't exactly shocked. It just genuinely surprised her that Fitz had admitted his feelings for Liv. "Look, you know I've always said that the two of you would actually make a great couple but I'm just trying to wrap my head around this. He really just blurted it out?"

"Well not blurted it out but it definitely caught me off guard."

"So then what happened?"

"We talked."

Abby gave her best friend a comforting smile. "You talked. Okay. That's good."

"We both value our friendship."

"Of course. So how do you move forward now that he's made you aware of his feelings?"

"We remain friends, I mean why not?"

"But you'll always have that in the back of your mind now. Are you sure it won't have an impact on your friendship?"

Olivia bit the inside of her cheek, then sighed. "I don't know Abby. I really don't."

"You and I have always been really close; literally like sisters. But the bond you share with Fitz is different and I know I always bicker back and forth with him but I do respect his role in your life because I know he cares a lot about you. You don't want to lose him do you?"

"I don't." Liv answered, shaking her head.

After a moment of comfortable silence Abby looked over at Liv. "This might probably sound a little bizarre to you but..do you-- Is there some part of you that feels the same way about him?"

Olivia made a face. "I'm a whole lesbian."

"That doesn't make it impossible for you to develop feelings for a guy. It happens sometimes."

"I'm not in love with him Abby." Liv stated matter-of-factly.

"You care about him. And I really wouldn't describe your relationship as a brother-sister type of relationship. I'm not saying that you're in love with him, I'm not. But from the outside looking in, you two have always looked like a couple."

"I don't think anything you're saying right now is being helpful."

"Hey as your best friend, I'm required to be honest with you."

"And I appreciate that but come on Abby."

"He knows you're gay Liv. So I think that he feels like there might be a chance that you feel the same way which is why he laid it all out."

"I have never given him any indication that could've lead him to think that way."

"Okay well then just stay friends then and don't let things get awkward."

"We intend to and it won't. We've never been awkward."

"You know what? I really admire the way you two are handling this like grown ups. Talking it through and trying to understand. You guys are way more mature than I am." Abby offered a laugh.

"Don't worry, it's not always fun being an adult and making mature decisions. You'll see one day when you get there." Liv joked causing them both to erupt in a fit of laughter.

XXX

2 months later. . .

"Excuse me. I need to use the restroom." Olivia said to the three other people at the table.

Abby's eyes followed her, "Wait, I'll go with you." So the two ladies left. Leaving Fitz and the other person alone at the table.

Abby had a pretty good idea of what was up with her friend. It was amusing really.

"You okay?" She asked re-doing her lipstick while Olivia washed her hands.

"Sure."

"How do we feel about her?"

"Who are you talking about?" Liv asked, getting her hand lotion out of her bag.

"Fitzgerald's date. She seems okay, right?"

"She's an old college buddy, not his date." Liv paused then continued, "She's a little extra though. I mean she's all over him like she's trying to prove something."

"Are you sure they're not intimate 'cause sis was hanging on to him like he's her one and only."

Olivia just rolled her eyes. "Who knows. But still, it's as if she's trying to show off that she knew Fitz way before us - that they have a history. Talk about petty."

Abby's soft chuckle earned her a confused frown from Liv. "What's so funny?" Asked Olivia.

"I'm going to ask you something and you gotta answer it honestly, okay?"

"Uh whatever, okay."

"Are you jealous?"

"Jealous?" Olivia scoffed. "Jealous of what exactly?"

"Fitz and his lady friend."

"And why the hell would I be jealous Abby?" She asked with an attitude which left Abby with a smirk.

"I wouldn't know, you tell me. I mean it's not like you have feelings for him or anything. Pfft that would be crazy. " Abby was teasing her and enjoying it.

"You're trying to be funny huh?" Olivia asked dryly.

"Not at all. But I gotta say, all the signs are there Liv. Just admit it; seeing him with that woman out there is making you feel some type of way."

Olivia avoided eye contact, looking at her reflection in the wide mirror on the bathroom wall.

"Hey, it's me you're talking to." Abby said with reasurrance. "I'm not judging you."

"I can't have feelings for him." Her voice was soft. The statement was directed more to her reflection in the mirror than to her red headed friend.

Abby moved closer to Liv and ran a comforting hand up and down her back. "It's okay you know."

"What is happening Abby? I-- He's my friend. He's a guy. He's straight. I'm gay. This doesn't make sense. Ugh!"

"Hey c'mon, don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes life comes with interesting twists and turns."

They stayed quiet when two other women entered.

"How about we step outside for some fresh air." Abby suggested which lead them to slip out front of the trendy lounge.

"Want a cigarette?"

With giggling laughter Olivia replied, "Neither one of us even smoke Abby!"

"I know but in a situation like this I feel like a cigarette could be totally useful."

"Yeah I know what you mean. Fuck! This is all his fault!"

"Oh?"

"Well not really but still. . What am I going to do Abby?"

"First of all, do you admit to having feelings for him?"

"...no."

"Liv. ."

"What? I don't know what I'm feeling, all I know is that little miss sunshine in there is starting to annoy me."

"Oh my word you guys are complicated as hell you know that?"

"No shit. This is all messed up."

"Okay. I think I might have a solution to clear things up for both of you once and for all."

"And what's that?"

"Kiss him."

Olivia's eyes grew twice it's normal size as her mouth fell open. "WHAT?" she asked incredulously.

"Kiss him. That's the only solution. A kiss will tell you exactly what you need to know. It'll clear up all the blurred lines."

"I'm not kissing Fitz." Olivia replied calmly.

"Well you two could always talk it out. Have that conversation again, only this time the roles will be reversed. You're gonna tell him how you feel--"

"I don't even know how I feel." Liv interjected.

"--you're gonna tell him how you feel when seeing him with other girls." Abby corrected herself. "And then you're both gonna agree that pursuing anything more than a platonic friendship is insane and will then continue to be just friends. After a while it's going to start to affect your friendship because neither one of you can stand the sight of the other one dating other people. Now eventually your friendship will be put in jeopardy because you guys were too scared to take that risk on each other."

"Remember when you told me how much you respected us for handling this situation so maturely?" Liv deadpanned.

"Yeah well you two are making my head spin with all these uncertain feelings and emotions. Do you want to stay friends and always wonder about what could have been? Or would you rather take the risk and cross that line even if it doesn't work out? Because even if things don't work out, you could always still be friends but at least you won't have to walk around with all these pent up feelings."

"We should probably get back inside." Liv said, changing the subject.

"Yeah.."

Fitz kept a steady gaze on Olivia the minute he saw them nearing the table.

"Everything okay? You two have been gone for a while."

"We ran into an old friend of ours. You know how that goes once you get talking." Abby lied. But Fitz knew something was up because Liv wasn't her usual self.

"Of course."

"We should probably ask for the bill.. Unless any of you still wants to order something." Olivia told the group.

"I already took care of it while you were gone." Came Fitz's reply.

"Fitz that really wasn't necessary. I figured we'd just split the bill."

"It's fine Livvie. Really."

"Olivia's right. We can't expect you to just pay for us."

"Relax Whelan, it's really okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Fitz chuckled.

XXX

About 15 minutes after arriving home to her apartment, there was a knock on Liv's door.

"Who is it?" She asked, not bothering to look through the peephole.

"It's me."

Olivia sighed upon hearing that all familiar baritone voice. She opened the door.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Can I come in?"

"Uh, sure."

"Thanks."

They moved in sync as they sat down on the couch.

"So what brings you by?"

"I wanted to check up on you."

She laughed softly. "I'm okay Fitz. Didn't we just all have a nice evening?"

"Something's off. I can tell. Why won't you tell me what's bothering you."

"It's not a big deal. Your date was enjoying herself tonight, I'm glad you brought her out to meet us. "

"Even if it's not a big deal, as your friend, I want to help. And c'mon now, you know she's just an old friend. I only brought her because she wanted to catch up and that was the perfect opportunity. But yeah, she uhh, she seemed to have fun."

"There's some things that I can and should handle on my own Fitz. And from her part it looked like you were more than old college friends."

"Well we're not. Is that what's bothering you?"

"What? No. Why would it bother me? You can date whoever you want." She replied quickly.

"You know I would've told you if there was anything going on between me and her. "

"Yes I know that." They came to a silent agreement.

"So what was your friend's name?" Fitz asked.

"What?"

"The one you and Abby said you ran into tonight." He clarified.

"Oh.. Um.."

"Livvie.. " He smiled and and it made her want to tell him all about what's going on in her head right now. "You know you can't lie to me."

"Technically I'm not lying since Abby was the one who told you that story."

"Talk to me."

She looked into his eyes then looked away. "I can't.. "

"Why not?" He asked, clasping his hands together and resting his forearms on his thighs - ready to listen to her explanation.

"Because.. I don't know what to tell you."

"Why do I have a feeling that whatever is going on has something to do with our conversation we had about two months ago."

"Do you-- Are you over the way you said you felt.. about me?"

"You want my honest answer?"

"Yes."

"I still feel the same."

"Can I ask you something else?"

"Sure."

"How would you feel if I had to start seeing someone?"

"Uhm.. Well, firstly I want you to be happy. I can't tell you what to do but if you find someone that makes you happy then of course I wouldn't stand in the way of that. Your happiness is way more important."

"How do you know that what you're feeling is real? Like.. I don't know how to put this.. How sure are you about your feelings?"

"Look Liv, I'm just happy we're still friends so let's not-- Let's not talk about this anymore. I know where you stand. Nothing's ever gonna happen between us for several reasons so why discuss it any further. I'm sorry for confusing you. I don't know if it's unfortunate or inconvenient that I've developed feelings for you but I have and I'm just gonna have to push that aside if we want to continue having a naturally good friendship. "

They took a pause.

"Did you tell Abby?"

"I did." Liv answered.

"I bet she thought I was stupid and had a good laugh." He said only half joking.

"She didn't. Why would you think that?"

Fitz shrugged. "..I don't know."

"Well if you're stupid then I'm right there with you." Liv admitted with a nervous giggle.

"What?"

"Abby said if I do this it'll bring clarity to both of us."

"Liv what are you talki--"

She cut him off by launching her lips on to his. All tentatively, because she was definitely not certain about this kiss.

Fitz was frozen in his spot. His eyebrows creased and his eyes were still very agape. But that lasted for a few seconds as his features eventually softened and his lips started to move with hers.

They were kissing now. It was real. His one hand found the back of her neck as he pulled her in - closer to him.

Olivia didn't know what the hell was happening but her body was feeling very tingly and her ears were practically on fire. Her heart was pounding against her chest - especially when Fitz sucked on her bottom lip and stuck his tongue in her mouth.

She stroked his stubbly cheek with her palm as they're make out session heated up.

Fitz on the other hand could feel his heart beat in his ears. This moment was definitely one of wonderment.

The kiss however came to an abrupt end when Olivia backed away. She couldn't anymore. She was scared.. afraid. Because she was enjoying it.

Why was she enjoying it!?

There was a quiet moment between the two before Liv spoke. "I-- You should go."

"Olivia.. I think we should talk."

"No, Fitz. Please just-- Please go?"

"You haven't been honest with me. That kiss. . You felt it too didn't you?"

"I need to rest. We can talk tomorrow."

Fitz looked at her with soft eyes. "Okay." He pressed a light kiss on her forehead. "We'll talk tomorrow. Goodnight Livvie."

"Goodnight Fitz."

The moment he left Olivia opened up a bottle of wine and started drinking.

After two glasses she laid her head down on the cold kitchen counter and closed her eyes. She replayed her kiss with Fitz over and over in her mind and everytime there was a fluttering going on inside her belly.

Could she really be falling for Fitz? Her Fitz? Her guy best friend?

'You're lesbian Olivia' Said the small voice in her head.

So she finished half the bottle and pulled out her phone.

"Hey. Yeah I know, it's been a while and you probably didn't expect to hear from me again..at all. Are you busy? Could you come over?"

She needed to get Fitz out of her system.

XXX

Hard nipples were rubbing on each other as they kissed wildly on the bed. Olivia legs was flipped open as the other girl straddled her.

"Fuck I've missed you." Logan groaned into Liv's neck. But Olivia didn't reply, she was too focused on getting Fitz off her mind - which seemed impossible at the moment.

Everytime she closed her eyes she imagined Fitz kissing her. She could somehow still smell him. She could still feel how his teeth grazed her lower lip during that kiss. And the taste of his tongue still lingered in her mouth.

"Logan stop!"

"You're funny." Came Logan's reply, with a chuckle.

"No I'm serious Logan. Stop." Olivia moved out of her grasp and grabbed a pillow to cover her naked body. "This was a mistake. I'm so sorry."

"Really Olivia??"

Liv just nodded.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me. So was this your way of getting back at me for our breakup? Because that's a shitty move Olivia, especially for you."

"It's not like that. I just had a lot to drink and.. Look I'm sorry, okay? It was wrong of me to lead you on."

"You know what? Forget it. It was foolish of me to even show up here. But that's a mistake I'll never make again." Logan got up and got dressed. "And for what it's worth, you should let that person know how you're feeling. Using me for sex isn't gonna make your feelings go away."

"Excuse me?"

"You forget I know you Olivia. And tonight your body and your mind were in two different places."

"I'm really sorry Logan."

"It's okay. In a way I feel like I deserved it. I broke your heart." A short silence fell over them before Logan spoke up again "Anyway, I'll just see myself out. Bye Liv."

"Bye Logan."

XXX

It has been three days since their kiss. Three days since they last spoke, even though Liv had agreed they would talk.

For three days she has been avoiding him. But that stopped today as she waited for him on the front steps of his house.

It took almost an half-hour until his black Mercedes pulled up.

"Hi." Liv greeted him with a smile. She was genuinely happy to see him after not seeing him for the past couple of days.

Fitz stood in front of her and breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought their friendship was over.

"Hi."

"I've been avoiding you." Her admittance sounded slightly sheepish.

"You have."

"I'm sorry. I-- Can we have that talk now? I mean unless you don't have time. I probably should have called first." She rambled.

"It's okay. We can talk. C'mon, let's go inside."

"Okay." Olivia waited for him to unlock the door then followed him into his home.

"Would you like to have some coffee or anything?" Fitz offered.

"Uh no thanks."

"Hey Liv?"

"Yeah?"

Fitz took off his tie, rolled up his sleeves and walked over to Olivia - giving her a hug. "I'm not mad at you, you can relax and stop being so tense."

Wrapping her arms around him, Olivia took a deep breath in and out. She was finding so much comfort in his embrace.

"Wanna sit down and talk now?" He asked and she nodded. So they moved to the couch.

"I don't know where to begin." Olivia admitted.

"How about you tell me why you kissed me. Which apparently was Abby's idea?"

"I told her..that I thought that I might also have feelings..for you."

"When I told you how I felt about you I never expected you to feel the same. I just wanted you to know. I hope that because of that I didn't push you into thinking that you had to feel a certain way as well."

"It's not like that. I guess because the feeling was foreign to me I chose to ignore it. I mean I definitely loved you as a friend, no doubt about it. But after what you told me and seeing you with Hillary the other night. . I guess I didn't know that deep down there was more to it. It wasn't just me being protective over my best friend. I didn't know I was actually attracted to you like that because technically I'm not supposed to be you know? I mean I'm gay. So you can imagine how confused I was - rethinking my identity."

"It was never my intention to put you through all that. Maybe I never should have said anything.. I don't want you to question who you are and cause you any strain."

"But you did tell me. And I did end up kissing you.. And now we're here."

"You really caught me off guard with that kiss." Fitz chuckled softly.

"The first and last time I kissed a boy was on a dare in high school and I hated it."

"And? Did you hate our kiss? Be honest."

"I didn't."

"Neither did I."

"I have to tell you something though."

"What's that?"

"That same night, after you had left, I was so out of it and tried to convince myself that I didn't feel anything during our kiss.. that it didn't mean anything. So to prove to myself that I wasn't losing it and that I was definitely still super gay, I-- I made a mistake. I called my ex."

"Logan?" Surprise evident in his voice. He knew how much strain Olivia took from her breakup with Logan.

"Yes. But before I called her and invited her over, I had a few glasses of wine. I was being irresponsible."

"Did you.. You know.." Fitz wasn't sure if he should actually be hurt if she did end up having sex with her ex on the same night she had kissed him.

"Not exactly. I couldn't, because it was impossible to forget about that kiss and to get you off my mind. I was stupid to think having sex with my ex would solve anything. I still regret my decision to call her. Although, I'm glad we didn't go all the way there because it would've complicated things a lot more for me."

"It's okay Livvie. I understand." And he did. But he was also relieved that she didn't have sex with Logan.

"What did you do after you left my place?"

"I uh.." He chuckled, "...I actually went to the gym. I figured that way I could clear my head. But like you said, nothing was enough to provide a distraction because occasionally I would just stare out in front of me and I'd still be able to feel your lips on mine."

"What happens now?" Her soft tone indicated a sense of vulnerability. She was scared..unsure.

"Whatever you want." With a heartwarming smile Fitz rested his hand on her leg, giving it a slight squeeze to assure her that he wasn't going to push or force her into anything she wasn't ready for.

"Don't do that. Don't leave it all up to me." Liv whispered back.

"Well I can't make a decision for you Livvie. Just remember, no matter what.. I'll always be in your life."

"What if I want this. What if.. what if I want to give us a try even though I'll be way out of my comfort zone. And even though it'll take me time, probably a lot of time to get comfortable with you on an intimate level and to get used to the idea of us being more than just friends."

"I would love to pursue a relationship with you Livvie and I'm in no rush. We can take this slow - at your pace. I promise not to put any pressure on you whatsoever. As long as I can make you happy."

"What if it doesn't work out?"

"There's no answer for that until we at least try first, right?"

Fitz noticed Olivia was overthinking. He could see from her body language and the way she avoided eye contact that she was caught up in her head a little bit. So he knew.. He knew he had to give her reason to trust him on this. He had to make sure that she knew he was serious and wouldn't let her down.

That's when he decided to cup her face in his palms, leaving her no choice but to look into his eyes.

"I'm in this with you Livvie. We're in this together."

"Promise?"

He smiled and nodded. "I promise." That's when Fitz leaned in to kiss her.

It was a slow and tender kiss. They both felt a spark as the kiss deepened. Olivia's hands travelled to the nape of his neck as her fingers combed through the soft hair.

Fitz pulled back and gave her his most genuine smile. It was captivating. One where she could see his soul shining through. Literally his whole face was smiling, that's how happy he was.

"Stop it." Olivia was actually blushing as she playfully pushed him back.

He couldn't help but to laugh at her being so adorable. "What?"

"Stop smiling like that."

"Why?" Fitz asked, his smile turning into a charming grin as he pulled her body against his solid chest - laughing into her hair.

"Just stop it, okay." She replied with laughter in her voice.

Olivia's cheeks was still a slight shade of pink. Fitz was really starting to have an effect on her.

When the laughter died down they sat in silence, wrapped up in an embrace.

"I should get home." Liv broke the silence.

Fitz nodded as they got up from the couch. "I'll walk you out."

"Okay."

The two made it outside to Liv's car. "Can I give you a hug?"

"You kiss me without asking but now you're asking for a hug? What's up with that Grant?" She was being her usual playful self and he was happy. From the way he found her waiting for him at his front door earlier it was certainly a welcomed upgrade to see her in such a pleasant mood.

"I could always ask for a kiss instead of that's what you're saying Pope." He matched her humour.

Olivia chuckled and stepped into his large frame for a hug. "I'm really happy that I came here instead of continuing to ignore you."

"Me too. Although I gotta say, those couple of days felt awful not knowing whether or not I had lost my best friend."

"I'm sorry."

"No no, it's okay. You needed time to process everything."

Liv released a sigh of content. "Goodnight Grant. Oh-" She giggled, "I should probably stop calling you that now."

Fitz pressed a loving kiss to her forehead. "Don't. I like it. In fact, I don't want you to change anything about you just because we're going to be in a relationship now. I fell for this version of you and that's who I wanna be with."

"Have you always been so sweet?"

"Uh-huh, but you used to make fun of me because of it, remember?"

"I did no such thing!" She laughed.

Fitz kissed both her cheeks then let her out of his arms. "Goodnight Livvie. Let me know when you get home, okay?"

"Okay." She replied getting into her car. "Bye Grant."

"Drive safe." He waved as she drove off.

Fitz was left standing there with the biggest grin on his face. He wanted to drop down to his knees and thank God for everything that had transpired..for his Livvie.. He was so thankful.