Fitz POV

Her apartment was exactly how I imagined it. It was a reflection of a side of Olivia that I'd only seen on occasion. The side of her I saw during thanksgiving when we were away from everyone.

A free Olivia.

We checked into a hotel an hour away from her county last night and drove to the clerk's office this morning to prove that she was indeed within the city and state. Their judge appeared to be very knowledgeable on the case and I was pleased to see that he'd done his homework. He understood my plea for opening the jurisdiction of our case into North Carolina so that Olivia could be in a safe environment, but he denied it. His orders were to stay in town at Olivia's current residence unless her safety was truly threatened, and would then re-evaluate the arrest warrant was put out for Russell but we knew he had gone into hiding. There was a patrol car parked outside of her building that was supposed to provide comfort to them, but Olivia was still shaky. Huck made it clear that he wouldn't step ten feet away from her front door unless she was with him and before he allowed us to come inside, he did his usual sweep. There was one 'bug' found almost a foot away from the front door but Huck was certain that it had been placed there before Olivia fled town. There wasn't a current signal coming from the device and he was certain her apartment wasn't currently under surveillance by anyone but him. Lastly, Huck had left us with a gun just in case something happened and he couldn't get to us right away.

Olivia's neighborhood was fancy. She lived in one of those high rise apartments with about ten floors. She had a doorman, twenty-four-seven security on the property, elevators, and all types of fancy things. When we walked in, she gripped my hand tightly, seeing the state of her apartment and knowing she hadn't left it that way. Sure she had taken clothes and was in a rush, but it had been ransacked. It was a total mess and I immediately began picking up things and placing them where I assumed they went.

"You don't have to do that, Fitz."

"It's fine. We can clean this up in no time, order some food and rest."

"I'll never be able to sleep here again Fitz. Not while they're out there."

"Hey. Look at me," I moved closer to her and reached for her face, forcing her to look at me. "you're gonna get through this. We're gonna get through this. Together. We know what to expect, and if it happens, we will deal with it. All we can do is hope for the best."

"I'm trying. I swear I am but it's hard."

"I know… let's take it a few hours at a time. Just be here with me, okay?"

She nodded her head and I wasted no time connecting our lips, happy to taste hers and take her mind off of every negative thing she was conjuring in her head.

It was hours later that we sat together on the couch, legs intertwined, eating burgers and drinking milkshakes from Flip Burger Boutique. It was her favorite place in town. We had just spent the last hour face-timing CJ on Olivia's MacBook and said our goodnights just before the food arrived.

"This is amazing. Like everything I ever dreamed of."

She laughed. A real laugh, before dipping a few fries into her shake and stuffing the food in her mouth.

"It's my favorite. You like the shake, don't you? Best you've ever had?"

I could only nod, taking a long pull of the thick drink.

"Nutella and Burnt Marshmallow is like the best shake that's probably ever been created."

I did my best to take her mind off of everything that would happen tomorrow. We went over everything that I would present tomorrow at the hearing. The goal was to see when the actual trial would take place and for me to present the names of the true criminals that were to blame. They needed to be fully investigated and I wanted to get more information on their counsel. I also wanted to prove that I had a judge back home that was willing to apply all Georgia laws towards the case. He was a close friend but I knew he wouldn't give me any favors as far as the verdict would go. He couldn't be bought and was trustworthy.

The ringing cell phone brought us out of the bubble we were in and I reached over to answer before Olivia was the ringtone I had specifically for Huck and she knew it well.

"Hey?"

"There's a guard shift coming up and with the car that's been circling the block every nineteen minutes, I expect they're going to try something soon."

"Do you know who it is?"

"Chris. He's alone. I doubt if he's bold enough to make a move this soon but Russell is desperate. He doesn't want his name out there and he knows the only person that can flush his name out is Liv."

"So what do you think we should do?"

"Nothing. Everything we do has to be by the books, especially if we want to prove that there are people here that would kill her just so she won't be able to testify. If anything happens, I'll call you but just sit tight. If it's anything at all, he won't get close enough to her."

"Thanks Huck."

I glanced at the front door, triple checking that all three locks were being used before I hung up the phone.

"What did he say? What happened?"

"Nothing, everything's fine. Just telling me about the shift change downstairs."

"Why were you asking if he knew them?"

"He uh.. he hacked into their system and saw who they have on each shift. He said he recognized some of them."

"Okay."

I hated how easy it was to come up with that lie. I could literally feel the bile rising in my throat and excused myself quickly to go to the restroom.

Liv POV

I never expected Fitz to lie to me and although I didn't believe that he did, the way he all of a sudden needed to use the bathroom, made me weary. Fitz wasn't a liar. That was a rule he had and he kept it.

When he was back on the couch, I immediately knew he had lied to me. The look on his face said it all, and he was quick to admit it.

"I only said it because I can't stand the thought of you being afraid even more than you already are."

"I can handle it, just be honest with me."

I squeezed his hands in mine, bracing myself for whatever he was going to tell me.

"Huck said that Chris has been circling the block and watching the apartment. He doubts if he will make a move, but if he does it will more than likely be once the shift change happens."

"How long until the shift change?"

He glanced at his watch before looking back at me.

"About twelve minutes."

I nodded, taking a few deep breaths before sitting back down on the couch. Fitz encouraged me to finish my food but I couldn't stomach eating another bite. My mood had completely changed and I felt as though I had ruined our night.

I looked up when he all of a sudden got up and walked towards my bedroom. When he didn't return within a few minutes, I began to move down the hall, all of a sudden hearing the sound of water running. I crossed the doorway of my connecting bathroom and saw Fitz bent over, looking through all of the products I had underneath my sink. I stayed silent, watching him pull out bottle after bottle and reading the back. Most of them were returned to their original spot, but some he set down next to him until he was done. He stood up and stretched his legs out a few times before turning back to the tub with the bottles in hand.

He poured a mixture of the salts and liquids together and I couldn't hold in the smile as he waved his hand around in the water, making the suds come alive instantly. I took it upon myself to start undressing as he began to put the items away. It wasn't lost on me that I was undressing in front of him without a care in the world; as if we had been doing this for years.

He turned to look at me and raised his eyebrows. I was bottomless and was ready to remove my top when I stopped at his expression.

"Is it wrong to assume this is for me?"

"It's definitely for you, I just wanted to provide as much help as possible and you've already done half the job."

I smiled at his words knowing he was serious. I also knew if I showed even the slightest bit of rejection, he would take it without complaint. Being one-hundred percent okay with the un-asked request, I took a step forward and lifted my arms in the air.

He removed my shirt easily, and smirked as he undid the clasp on my bra with one hand while the other rested on the base of my neck. He slid the straps from my shoulders and arms before taking hold of one of my hands and helped, gesturing for me to step into the hot water. Before I could sit down, he cradled my face and kissed my lips sensually. His tongue begged for entrance and I allowed him full access to my mouth, realizing my hands were automatically gripping his forearms. He pulled back at the perfect moment, when lack of air was becoming an issue for me.

"I've always protected what's mine. Protected it ferociously and now that means you. There is nothing I wouldn't do to protect you and I want you to believe me when I say it."

Fitz waited a beat before my glossy eyes stayed connected to his.

"I will always protect you."

As much as I wanted to be with him tonight, to feel every part of him and get lost in his touch, I couldn't do it. It would've taken my mind off of everything but I couldn't make myself indulge in the pleasure when I was this afraid. Instead Fitz kept a tight grip on my waist as he slept soundly pressed up against me. I promised him almost twenty minutes ago that I would relax and try to sleep and I definitely relaxed. I relaxed enough for Fitz to fall asleep but now I was back on high alert. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen and for the first time ever, I didn't feel safe in Fitz's arms.

My body jerked, responding before my brain could rationally understand the noise I'd just heard. It was loud and close. My hand tightened around Fitz's, shaking him enough to wake him. His arms tightened around me for a second and I felt him kiss my ear, whispering that he was 'right here' just as softly.

"Fitz.. wake up!" I whispered but was loud enough to wake him up.

"What is it, Livvie?"

"Listen"

I squeezed his hand tightly and when the next sound came, Fitz was on high alert and climbing off the bed.

"Stay here."

Fitz POV

I immediately felt like an idiot for leaving the gun in the living room and grabbed it the second I was close enough. I glanced back to where I knew Olivia was standing at the bedroom door and shook my head at her, wanting her to stay back and not worry about me. The knob on the front door turned and my phone buzzed simultaneously, making the both of us jump. I gestured for Olivia to check the phone and waited for her to come back with the device, while pointing the gun towards the front door just in case.

"It's Huck! He said he's at the door."

Seeing that she was actually holding the phone up to her ear, I held the weapon steady and moved closer until I was able to look out of the peephole.

It was him.

I opened the door and he was quick to come in and shut it himself. Huck glanced at me, then Olivia.

"I told her about Chris. Is everything okay?"

"He tried to get upstairs but without being cleared by the security you have, they wouldn't let him up and asked for help from the officers on watch. They realized who he was and took him in."

"He's going to jail?" Olivia asked hopefully.

"Probably just overnight but he'll be ordered to stay away from you and if he violates the order then he'll be arrested until the trial."

"He'll be dead before the trial or Russell will get him out again."

"That's a plan I'd be happy with."

Olivia looked like she was going to be sick and I knew she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight unless there was something to take her mind off of everything.

"Thank you Huck."

He nodded once before letting us know he would be downstairs.

I fixed all the locks on the door before deliberately standing behind Olivia. I brought my hands to her shoulders before beginning with a gentle massage, kneading the deep knots that had formed since we arrived. Knowing that she hadn't been asleep worried me and I wanted to do whatever I could to relax her. The bath had helped but I could feel her getting worked up again.

I moved my lips to the base of her neck, softly nipping at her skin, wanting so badly to release the tension in her stature.

"Fitz I can't…not here, not now. I'm sorry. I know you're trying to take my mind off of everything but I just can't."

I nodded before turning her in my arms and pulling her into my chest.

"Don't apologize. I do want you to relax but we don't have to do that. Just come lay with me and try to let everything go for the night. I'll stay up all night if I need to so that you feel safe."

"As long as you're here, I feel safe."

I finally felt her arms squeeze me back and I sighed before taking her hand and walking the both of us back into her bedroom.

"I miss CJ." She spoke softly once we were lying down on the bed.

I sighed, taking a moment, doing my best not to let sadness creep into my mind. It'd only been one day and the pain of not having my little girl with me ran deep.

"You have no idea."

Fitz POV

Huck found out that Chris was released the following afternoon. He was given a no contact order and we were on high alert, waiting for him to make his next move so he could be arrested. I did my best to keep Olivia occupied during the day as I finished up some final things for the case. We stayed in her apartment and tried not to go crazy. She watched movies, took sporadic naps here and there if I was close by, did her best to eat, and asked me any and everything she could about the case and possible outcomes. We went through the minimum and maximum sentencing possible if she were convicted and we went through the possible charges they could legally try her for.

I doubted if they would charge her with Armed Robbery. If they did, I knew I could get the charges dropped without a problem. The penalty would be ten to twenty years easy and if Jake, Chris or Russell made it to sentencing day, that's a penalty they would surely get plus more. The state could try to get her on Aiding and Abetting, but she clearly didn't want to be there, and video footage would show that. There were a few witnesses that told the officers their account and could prove that Olivia wanted to take no part in everything, and I knew I could get that to stick. The only charge that I was honestly worried about was the simplest of charges that I knew Olivia hadn't thought of.

Liv POV

It was around three-thirty when I couldn't take it anymore. All I wanted to do was get some fresh air and I had to leave the apartment. I didn't feel that Chris would try anything else, and although I couldn't be sure, I had to get out. Fitz jumped at the chance to leave the apartment immediately and go for a walk in the courtyard. The gated community was the perfect place to take a stroll without going too far and giving any of them a better chance of seeing me outside.

"Do you want to work out too?"

Fitz raised an eyebrow at me and I laughed. A real laugh.

"We have a fitness center we can go to. It'll be fun and a good distraction. You brought tennis shoes, so just throw on some shorts and a t-shirt and we can race on the treadmills." I knew my face was hopeful.

"A race? You're really challenging me to a race?"

"I am. Are you up for the challenge?"

He pretended to think for a second before he lifted his leg behind him and grabbed a hold of his foot in a stretching motion.

"Let's do it little lady. You gonna put those tight little work out leggings on that I saw in your drawer?

I looked at him shocked, wondering how the hell he knew what type of work out clothes I had since I hadn't had any with me while staying at his house.

"So you've gone through my drawers? What else have you been doing when I wasn't looking?"

Fitz POV

I smiled and inched closer to her. This was the first time all day I'd seen her even remotely carefree and I wasn't going to pass up this moment of being so playful with her. I dropped the files I was holding on the table and moved into her personal space. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her in closely before squinting one eye and looking up, trying to recall everything I had honestly done since we arrived.

"Well I used your body wash this morning."

"My body wash? I guess that's not too bad even though I know you packed your own. Did you like it?"

"I loved it. It smelled just like you and now so do I."

She playfully leaned in and sniffed at my neck, making me squirm a bit at the soft touches.

"Let me think…. I admit to going through all of your cabinets in the bathroom, I might have gone through your closet too."

"Really? Why?" Her laugh made me smile.

"Because I wanted to see what was in there that I could look forward to seeing you in. Oh and believe me, I found a few things I want to stash in my suitcase right now."

She rolled her eyes at me and I smiled even brighter, not giving two shits about how creepy I was probably being. It was making her smile and if creepy made her smile, then she'd get creepy.

"Anything else you want to reveal to me?"

"I used your toothbrush this morning."

Her face said it all. That wasn't okay. She actually looked disgusted for a second and I could see her swallow before trying to cover up the look on her face.

"I'm kidding Liv."

She released a heavy breath and I pulled her in even tighter to my chest.

"I'm not stupid. You'd all but have a heart attack if that was in fact true. I've noticed your little OCD tendencies Livvie and I wouldn't do that to you so relax."

She shook her head at me before playfully pushing me away and going into her closet. I could hear her messing with the chest of drawers inside and seconds later she walked out holding a pair of the leggings I saw earlier and what looked like a sports tank top.

"Where are you going with those?"

"To change so I can beat you in our race."

Liv POV

We were both running fast. I was running faster and I wasn't sure if he was letting me get ahead of him or not. The pace he had set when we first began wasn't fast by any means and once he noticed how fast I was moving, he sped his treadmill up.

"Thirty seconds left. Don't hold back!"

He looked over at me and moved his legs as fast as he could until the timer ran out. He was breathing loudly and I could only laugh at him. He was the one that ran almost religiously but this work out room and treadmill was my safe place. I would run on this treadmill after work as much as possible, and anytime I dealt with something devastating at work, it was my go-to.

"I have a feeling that you're more used to running than you let on."

"You're like an old man."

"Old man?"

I suddenly began huffing and puffing, purposefully exaggerating my imitation of Fitz.

"Very funny. You're mean. You tricked me."

"I just challenged you and you lost. I think you owe me a shoulder massage."

"Since when did we discuss rewards?"

"Since I just thought of it. Unless you wanna go one more round?"

"How about..."

Fitz POV

My phone began ringing in the small storage space on the treadmill I was using. I glanced at Olivia before reaching for the phone. We had already spoke to CJ before she left for school and gave my mother an update as well which meant it was more than likely something regarding the case.

I used the towel and wiped the sweat from my face before answering.

"This is Grant."

"Hello Mr. Grant, this is Legal Aid from the three-hundred-third district, we found a discrepancy in some of the files without your signature and need you to come down so we can sort these documents out before we file them on record."

"Ok, what did you say your name was?"

"Last name Hammons but that's beside the point sir. Any of the aids could be here when you arrive and have the paperwork for you to look over. Bottom line is we are filing everything right now and found this so we need this taken care of within the hour or it's null and void."

"I'll be down as soon as possible."

I hung up and looked at Olivia who was eyeing me curiously. I was pretty sure she could hear everything that was going on, and she looked as confused as I did.

"I need to go down to the courthouse and be there within the hour." I grabbed my water bottle and began walking towards the door so we could leave.

Olivia followed suit and I held the door open for her and we walked over to the double elevators, grateful when it opened right away.

I watched as Olivia took a long drink from her water bottle before turning to face me. She opened her mouth just as the doors opened to her floor, and waited until we stepped out before she began speaking.

"They said paperwork wasn't signed?"

I shook my head still trying to wrap my head around it but not wanting to waste anytime getting there.

"I'll see. I don't get it, but okay."

I didn't say anything else and waited as she unlocked the door and headed straight for the bathroom to shower.

Liv POV

I sat down at the breakfast nook and pulled open a Luna bar that was probably stale by now, but I didn't care. I needed something small that would provide energy. Huck was following a lead on Jake in the city and I wondered if Fitz had told him anything. He had taken his phone with him and expressed on every occasion that he wouldn't be leaving me by myself even with the patrols still downstairs. Yes, they'd caught Chris the first time but that was only with the help of my buildings security.

I was surprised to hear the water turn off so soon and could hear him shuffling through the room to get dressed. I stared at the clock and counted ten full minutes until he walked out in his suit, fixing his cufflinks. I knew it wasn't the most appropriate time to mention it, but he was the sexiest man I'd ever seen to wear a suit. To wear anything. If the judge was a woman or gay and believed nothing we said, I'd be getting off simply on my lawyers looks alone.

"Huck is on his way, should be parking within minutes. He said there was a big pile up on the freeway and if I want to make it there on time I need to leave now."

"I'm not allowed to go with you, am I?"

I could tell that he hated this as much as I could and it probably drove him crazy every time I asked. We were in a relationship and he was my lawyer. Those two shouldn't and couldn't go hand and hand. Our only saving grace was the fact that we had proof that our relationship began before he knew what I was involved in. We also hoped that no one found out and even went as far as booking a room at a nearby hotel under Fitz's name as to not draw attention to his lodging while in town.

Bottom line, things were always tricky knowing we wouldn't be able to be seen together in town and especially not when Fitz was on official duty taking care of such things.

"It would be suspicious if you did. It's something I need to just go look over and come straight back. I'm still not understanding what the hell happened."

"I'll wait for Huck to get here and go for a walk in the courtyard. I need it."

I didn't want to get him sweaty but couldn't stop myself from bringing his arms around me, all but forcing him to hold me for a few moments. I eased my arms under his jacket and wrapped them around his waist, splaying my hands against his back and bringing him closer to me. A few seconds of feeling him and smelling his very Fitz scent calmed me immediately and all was well.

He leaned down and kissed me, telling me that he loved me and Huck should be up any second before he instructed me to lock the door.

Fitz POV

I made it to my car and got in, bringing up the directions to the courthouse. Huck was right about the traffic and if I wanted to get there on time I had no choice but to leave now. I made my way through the parking garage and out onto the main road, going over in my head all the paperwork that I had turned in the previous day.

Liv POV

I peeked out the window, trying to see if I could spot Fitz leaving when my cell phone went off from it's spot on the counter. It was a text from Huck.

"Here"

There was a small knock on the door and I immediately went to answer it, happy that he was in fact here so soon after Fitz had left. I unlatched the few locks and opened it to reveal a masked man that charged at me immediately, pushing his way inside.

Fitz POV

I was caught at the first light and took my time going over every single piece of paper that both myself and Olivia put together before we left my house two days ago. I double checked every line and Olivia did as well before it was nearly stacked in the case file and I checked it before I handed it over. I hadn't made any mistakes.

When the light turned green, I turned right and pulled onto the side of her building before calling the main number for the clerks that I'd turned everything into.

"Hi, this is Attorney Fitzgerald Grant, I turned in my case files yesterday to the aids on the third floor and just received a phone call about fifteen minutes ago saying I needed to come in and go over paperwork that hadn't been signed in the files. Are you able to tell me exactly who I'd be asking for when I arrive?"

They spoke for a few seconds asking me to repeat my last name as well as the name the case was under and the last four digits of the file number. My leg began shaking and I immediately knew something was wrong.

"Mr. Grant, your case was filed just a few short hours after you dropped everything off as Judge Moore requested it immediately. By the looks of it, there's no record of anyone here contacting you to come down."

I'm not sure if I left the car running or not, all I knew is that I did my best to flag down the patrol units as I ran as fast as I could back into the building.

Liv POV

I fought against him as much as I could but he was notably stronger than me. I tried screaming for help but everything was happening so fast, that I wasn't sure if my pleas would be heard by anyone. Before I knew it, I was being thrown onto the ground and his hands were around my throat squeezing with the intent to kill me. I clawed at his hands and face, kicking as much as I could, trying to cause as much noise as possible. My front door was still open and I could only pray someone would hear what was going on or that Huck would truly be 'here' as he said any minute. I felt myself slowly start to give into the lack of oxygen I was getting and just when I felt my arms and legs go weak, his hands were no longer on me.

I moved away from the spot I was in, doing my best to bring as much air in and out of my lungs all the while still feeling lightheaded. Huck was on the man, beating the living hell out of him before he had him in a chokehold until he passed out. I felt like my throat was burning and immediately flinched, covering my face to protect myself when multiple footsteps could be heard approaching my front door.

Fitz POV

Seeing Olivia huddled in a corner terrified made me snap. I took one look at the unconscious masked man and saw red. I wasn't sure how many times I was able to connect my foot to his head, but I was pulled away by the officers instantly. I began fighting against them to get off of me and Huck pulled me away from them before telling me to focus on what was more important. Olivia.

"I want a medic here now! Get him out of here! Huck, no one comes in here until I say!"

I was at her side in a second and scooped her up into my arms before taking her towards her bedroom and closing the door. I sat her on the bed and wanted to look at her but her arms were around my neck instantly and she was sobbing.

"I should've waited. It's my fault I didn't even check, I thought it was Huck."

"Shhh, this isn't your fault. None of this is. I'm so sorry Livvie."

It took a while to calm her down and I sat next to her holding her hand as she was checked out by an EMT that arrived minutes later. Huck informed me that the man was identified as Chris and was taken to the hospital under police custody.

The apartment had been cleared out and Huck sat watch in the living room. The judge was notified and we were set to meet with him in the morning. Until then he placed two cops outside of the apartment door, and requested two more cars to be parked outside. The plan was to escort us to a hotel of our choosing and Huck was making all the preparations for us.

With everything else going on, I could think of nothing else other than the woman in my arms. I had been holding her since the paramedics left nearly twenty minutes ago and wouldn't move until she was ready. Olivia was straddling my lap, her face tucked deep into the crook of my neck. The trembling had ceased, but I was still breathing deeply, making sure she was following the same pattern. I moved my fingers gently against the back of her neck, remembering the bruises that were tended to just a bit ago. A soft knock was heard on the bedroom door, a sign from Huck that everything was ready to go when we were.

"I want to take you out of here. Someplace safer."

Liv POV

I didn't move but my grip on his neck tightened and the trembling returned.

"I should've never left you alone. I'm so sorry baby."

"It's not your fault."

My voice was raw yet soft. The last time I'd said anything was when I was yelling for help. I felt like I had no words to say but couldn't let him take the blame for this.

"I should've never left before Huck was inside of this apartment with you. Never."

I could tell that the conversation was over and he wouldn't, not take the blame for what happened. I finally removed myself from his lap and we slowly began grabbing a few things to re-pack our suitcase to take to the hotel.

Liv POV

When we made it to the hotel, I felt like I had done something wrong. Fitz had barely spoken a word to me. He was silent but somehow still loving. He didn't let go of my waist during the duration of the car ride and held me closer as we made it to our suite. It was a bit more than I expected and felt we needed, but I knew any objections would fall on deaf ears. Fitz made sure I was comfortable and was completely taken care of. He all but forced me to order room service and eat, ran me a hot bath so that I could relax, and gently massaged my favorite oils into my skin, tending to my neck so delicately.

I was twisting my hair in the bathroom when I heard the first round of obscenities leave his lips, but the second I heard glass breaking, I rushed out into the living room to see him on his knees in the small kitchen area. Glass was on the floor and I watched his shoulders shake as he did his best to safely pick up the pieces.

When it was all cleaned up, he stood up and stared at me silently. It was as if he was looking for something, doing his best to find it in me.

"What happens now? What are you thinking?"

He ignored me, pacing the room for a few seconds before kicking a hole in the wall, frightening me in a way I hadn't expected. I knew he was upset, but I hadn't seen him this angry before.

"I know you're upset and mad but we.."

"Mad?"

He finally stopped and turned to look at me.

"I'm terrified about what I might do but I'm more irate because that bastard hurt you! He put his hands on you! I should've been there with you! He could've killed you! He wanted to!"

"You were working, Fitz! You can't be everywhere at the same time. You're doing all this for me…."

"I shouldn't have gone in until I knew Huck had made it in. He's the only person I should've trusted with you instead of the shit-guards downstairs! I knew better! Something didn't feel right and I didn't listen to my instincts!"

I took a step towards him and stopped short when I realized he was doing his best not to cry. I moved towards him hesitantly. This would be my first time ever seeing him breakdown about anything and I wasn't sure if he needed time to himself or not. I watched him closely for a few seconds until I saw his hands go up to cover his eyes, all but forcing his tears to stay inside.

That was all it took.

I'm not exactly sure how long we spent on the floor in each other's arms. I was grateful that he'd let me hold him. Minutes upon minutes of him saying how sorry he was, were reciprocated by me telling him that it was okay and that I loved him repeatedly. I needed him to know that he did nothing wrong and it was a split-second mistake that happened and it was over now. The last thing I needed was for him to continuously blame himself for this when we still had so much fighting left to do.

Chris might have been taken care of, but we still had Jake and Russell to deal with.

Liv POV

It felt like a dream. It almost had to be.

"Ms. Pope, after Chris Harris was brought into custody, he was found this morning deceased in his cell. It does not appear that this death was the cause of self-harm, but a violent act that Warden Johnson has not been able to solve yet. After gathering everything that's transpired since you've returned to town, I have decided to open the jurisdiction of this case to the state of North Carolina. I have spoke with Judge Malcolm Bridges and he is prepared to accept the case. Mr. Grant as her Attorney, please ensure that she arrives in North Carolina in the city of Durham and is in front of Judge Bridges by tomorrow morning at nine a.m. I will have you, Ms. Pope escorted along with Mr. Grant back to North Carolina to ensure you arrive safely."

We had been on the road for two hours now driving home.

Home.

We did make love that night. There was something about being back here; a place I now knew as my home, our home. I felt safe here.

This was all my doing. As tired as I was, all I wanted was him and I wanted him to have me. He would disagree, but everything that happened today made me see him as some kind of superhero. I know he was still beating himself up over what happened to me and I wanted him to forget about it altogether. As scary as the past two days were, I still felt safe knowing he was here and taking care of things. Fitz staying by my side made me feel safe even though the danger was still present. The words he'd spoken were felt in the depths of my soul and I believed him. No matter what happened yesterday, I believed him.

He protected what was his and that now included me.

He moved gently inside of me. A gentleness that made me hands moved further down his waist until I was able to pull his lower half closer into mine, always surprised by how good he felt pressed so tightly against me. He lifted his head and stared at me with wide eyes as he pulled back slightly, then settled back even deeper. I felt his hands bring my legs up and spread them as far as they could go before resting my feet on his lower back.

Oh God.

I gasped, the sound foreign even to my own ears when he somehow went deeper. It sounded like I was crying and maybe I was but sadness was the furthest emotion possible that I was feeling. I was feeling love, and pleasure, and bliss in its purest form. The feeling of Fitz this way was new. It was as if his curve, his ridges fit so perfectly inside of me. He had been permanently etched into my walls, and I too was now his home.