A/N: Loving the reviews. Please keep them coming. Good, bad, questions, or anything, I read them all. As for the baby's name, we'll hit that plateau when we come to it, yes his name is Grant Thomas Pope. Happy reading and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 4

Vivian had worked for five years as a hotel bar server. It was her night job, her day job was being a clerk in a day care, taking care of paperwork and registrations. She needed the money to one day further her career and go to college to become a psychologist.

She worked many nights at the bar having seen and heard it all. People come and go, being a hotel, and Vivian doesn't think much of anyone she has interactions with. It's all part of the job and she continues to the next day and waits for what is yet to come.

Now, frustrated and a bit angry, she is sitting in a waiting room across from the bar. She would be lying if she told you the two people she met last night did not have a lasting affect on her. She never did get the woman's name she helped up to her room, but she couldn't shake the sadness she heard in her voice. From what she gathered she lost, to death, her best friend, and Vivian could tell it tore her heart apart.

Then there was the future governor. Just sitting with him for the ten minutes that she did, she could tell why he was political gold. He could talk a good game, but he was genuine. She ran into many politicians, none as smooth as he was. He meant what he said, and he seemed to be the perfect fit for California and what the state needed to be turned around.

He was so lonely, though, so was the woman. She could only imagine if they met up, had the future governor not been engaged, how they would be meant for one another. Ironically, now it was Mr. Grant's fault she was sitting in this room.

He never did return for his third drink, and after ten minutes, the security detail was on red alert. They had realized he had escaped from their watch and good for him. The poor guy needed some rest. He was exhausted, hadn't looked like he had any sleep in days. She knew what no one else did, he had a master key and access to over 1500 rooms. Searching for him could take a while.

He was without Botox beauty by his side, so he should take advantage of being alone. Now, Vivian was waiting to be questioned by his detail. They hadn't let any of the staff head home, and Vivian was just two more people away from being called in when her phone rang.

She noticed the hotel's number on the display, crossing her eyebrows in confusion, she picked it up. "This is Vivian Simmons." The voice on the other end had her take a deep breath of relief.

"This is Olivia Pope, room 782" Olivia paused hoping that was all the identity she needed.

"Oh my gosh, I was just thinking about you. I never did get your name and I didn't realize until after your hotel door closed. Is everything alright, are you alright?" Vivian was so happy she called.

"I'm ok, a bit hungover, but ok. I wanted to thank you for getting me safe to my room. I know I babbled on about a few things, thank you also for listening." Liv was trying to whisper as to not wake Fitz.

"Anytime, I meant that. You know I am still at the hotel; I haven't been allowed to leave." Vivian said in frustration.

That's right, Liv thought of Big Gerry's words that the staff hadn't been able to leave. Liv needed to play along.

"What's going on?"

"Remember the would-be governor that was coming in as you were leaving the bar? He went missing. Took off on the security detail. They are asking all the workers if they have seen or know anything. Since I was one of the last people to interact with him, I am here, still. Yay me." She heard a long pause and deep breath.

Liv really didn't want to lie to Vivian. She also didn't want to tell Vivian the whole truth. She just wanted to keep Fitz away from them for one more night. "Look Vivian, about that, if I give you my number could you text me on what's going on with that investigation? I'm kind of curious. I was downstairs to get some food and it was a chaotic mess."

Vivian didn't know Olivia Pope at all, but for some reason, she could tell there was more to what she was feeding her. "Olivia, did he wind up in your room. I know he had a master key, there's a possibility with how drunk he was that he wound up in your room accidentally." Vivian had a feeling she was right, at least she was hoping she was.

"A master key?" Liv wanted to know how Vivian knew about that.

"Yeah, remember, well, probably not, but when I was walking you up one of his goons bumped into me and dropped the key. I didn't even look at who I handed it to behind the guy that dropped it. After I left you and was serving Mr. Grant, he told me it was him I gave the key too. Then, he took off."

Olivia stayed quiet. She looked at Fitz, still sleeping soundly. This guy was exhausted. Liv put her hand over her eyes and rubbed down her face. "Vivian, please, just let me know how your questioning goes, please." Liv was pleading now with her. She wanted to trust her, but she wasn't sure just yet.

"Sure, Olivia, no problem." Vivian didn't need confirmation. They were together, she knew it, and Olivia probably saw what she saw in Grant, the guy needed some time. Olivia needed some company, Botox beauty would be shit out of luck for sure.

"Thank you. Here's my number. Call anytime, text anytime, I really owe you one, maybe two now after last night." After giving Vivian the number Liv looked towards the bathroom. She really needed a shower, but she was afraid there may be a second wave of room checking. Legally they couldn't enter her room, but with the Senator leading the way, the legal system may not apply here.

She didn't know, with his back facing her, that Fitz heard the whole conversation she had with Vivian. He smiled, a big smile. She cared. She cared enough to continue to protect him and continue to keep him here with her. Once he heard the phone placed back in the receiver, he turned and grabbed her.

"OH MY GOD" she screamed in shock. "Fitz, damn it." She swatted at his shoulder. "You scared the crap out of me, don't do that." She was now sitting straddled around his waist and was face to face with him, his arms wrapped around her back.

"Not so tough without your bat?" He laughed.

"That's not funny." But she couldn't help but smile.

His forehead touched hers. Liv just turned her head away from getting caught in looking in his eyes. He used his finger to turn her head back, and she caught his gorgeous smile.

"What did you get us to eat?"

"A bagel and a juice."

"Wow, hearty, I better eat slow, I may fill up too fast."

"Shut up, there's an army of security downstairs. You would think the president…" and she stopped.

"I get it, trust me I do." He poked his jaw out towards her, hoping she would come in for a kiss.

Instead, she turned her head again. "I have to shower. Just don't answer the door if anyone knocks. I need to get the phone in case Vivian calls or texts with information. It's buried in my bag; I never took it out." She quickly jumped up because she wanted so much for her lips to connect to his, but she couldn't.

She shuffled through the things in her bag and found the phone. She tossed it to Fitz. He picked it up and looked at it.

"This is a burner phone. You don't have a real phone, like an iPhone?"

"No, I don't do iPhones, I don't trust them. I'll be out quickly, behave yourself."

"Wait! When do I find out about Olivia Pope?"

"Let me shower, then we will have all day, unless you want to be let go to the lion's den out there." She smiled and closed the bathroom door.

Fitz twirled the burner phone around in his hand. He was tempted to call his father, tell him he was fine, there was no need to worry, but you know what, let them worry for a while. He had to admit he thought he was done for when he heard Olivia pick up the hotel phone.

Fitz thought for sure she was calling down to the security detail He smiled to himself, she liked him, he knew it. He looked over at the small table. He saw the bagel and juice and got up. He only ate half and drank half the juice saving the other half for her.

He turned on the television. There was nothing on the news about him going missing, but there was news about the wedding being moved to next week. There was Mellie waving and smiling at the cameras heading into the bridal dress salon. The footage must have been taken the day he left for Oakland. He rolled his eyes and turned it off. Feeling bold, he looked at the bathroom door and walked towards it.

Liv was in the shower letting the water beat down on her. She held her face in her hands rubbing the water on her face. She thought of his father, she thought of his fiancé, she thought of him, and finally she thought of Abby.

She looked up to the ceiling. "What I wouldn't do to pick up the phone and tell you the mess I am in right now. What would you do? Oh Abby!" She had a good, quick cry. She wet her hair, no washing, scrubbed her body and rinsed off.

She grabbed the robe from the back of the shower door, dried her hair a bit with the towel, took a deep breath and opened the shower door. The door to the bathroom opened at the same time. He looked at her.

"Hi."

She gave a gentle smile, holding her clothes, after picking them up off the floor. "Hi". She walked by him, and he stopped her.

"Come back in with me." He gently kissed her forehead.

"Fitz." She faced him, turning her head.

"What? I need a shower too, and I just wanted some company."

Liv gave a small grunt. She shook her head. "There's still hot water, I didn't use it all." She turned to walk out with Fitz giving a sigh. As much as she wanted to stay, guilt overwhelmed her, and she left.

He watched her go, so he decided to make the shower quick, really quick, so he could be back out there with her. She couldn't ignore him in such a small hotel room.

Liv picked up the burner phone. While she had a few minutes, she called Huck.

"Liv, everything alright?" He answered on the first ring.

"Fine, complicated but fine. I need you to find everything you can about a Fitzgerald Grant the Third. His father is a Senator from here and he is running for Governor. I'll call you back in the morning, and Huck, everything you can on him."

"On it. You sure you are ok, you sound….different." Liv heard the water stop.

"Huck, I'm fine, it's the time change, I'll call you tomorrow." She clicked the phone down and turned towards the window.

Liv watched as Fitz came out of the shower, with just the towel wrapped around his waist, his curls all wet. He looked so good, and the water wasn't completely dried from his chest. She had the urge to take the towel off him, rub her hands through his wet curls, and assist him in drying his upper body. The things she thought about when it came to Fitz.

Fitz noticed her looking and gave a small smile.

"That shower was quick." Liv broke the sexual tension rising.

Fitz took a step to her and sat down in the chair. Before Liv could react, Fitz wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her into his lap. She tried to stop it, but he was too strong.

"Fitz." She couldn't help but smile. Him in his towel, her in her bathrobe like they were a newly married couple.

"What? I saved you some bagel, and some juice." He held the bagel up and put it to her mouth. She reached in and took a bite and Fitz would have to put money down that it was the cutest thing he had ever seen.

"You didn't have to." She said as she swallowed, "but thank you." She looked at him, took in his fresh shower smell. "Fitz we should really talk about…." Fitz put his finger on her lips.

"Don't….. Just let's be here, ok."

Liv nodded. Fair enough. "Ok" She hopped down and went by the window. She took a deep breath. "I met your father." She looked at his reaction.

"You what?" His head went back in confusion.

"He's downstairs leading Operation Find Fitz. He was yelling at the detail. They weren't going to let me get anything to eat saying it was a closed meeting, but he came over. In fact, that bagel we ate, he paid for it."

Fitz stood up. "He didn't pay for anything; he probably has the staff scared they'll be jobless. Probably has the whole hotel on lockdown." Fitz shook his head.

"In fact, he does, which is why I reached out to Vivian. Hopefully she'll call soon, and we can get an update."

She turned back and faced the window, looking at the clear Oakland day developing outside. She put her head down. "Your fiancé is here too. She just arrived as I was leaving."

Fitz's shoulders slumped. Olivia didn't deserve this. He just shook his head. "Olivia, I'm sorry."

"Why should you be sorry? I'm sorry. It's just a mess. Why are you so secured, what are they afraid of with you?" Liv was trying to understand.

Fitz took a step closer to her, he was now just behind her, looking out the window with her. "It's a political power game, and I am the pawn. There's no other way to put it. The GOP is putting their money down on having me in the White House in eight years, I wouldn't be surprised if they narrow it to four."

"But is it what you want?" She looked at him waiting for an answer and she could see he was struggling to answer it.

"I don't know how to answer that."

"Do you want to get married?" She didn't look at him, she continued to stare out the window. She's known him less than 24 hours, it really was none of her business.

"Livvie." He put his head down. He didn't want to marry Mellie, but California politics were double down and stay there. The risks people take, the things they do. She didn't know the whole story, yet.

"When I was 12, my mother passed away suddenly." Liv just began talking. Her arms were crossed, and she turned and leaned on the window now, looking at Fitz. "I had a happy life up until that very moment. My father, a week later, couldn't take the strain of anything and took off and I never saw him again. I'm sure he never really wanted the life he was living. Anyway, I had no one and I was put in the system. So, at the age of 12, I became a foster kid."

Fitz leaned on the wall next to the window, facing her and listening. He still only had the towel wrapped around him and Liv couldn't help but stare at the beauty of a body this man has. He watched her and she saw he wanted her to continue. She had to continue to keep her mind off him sexually.

His hand reached out and he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "Go on."

"I didn't get put in many foster homes, spent most of the time at the group home. I wasn't a bad kid, I dealt with the hand life gave me and moved on, what else could I do? For about two years I was in and out of foster homes. Because I was one of the good kids, I was taken out, so the less behaved ones got out of the group home and got into a stable one." She shrugged.

She leaned her head against the window. She could feel how tired she was becoming. She looked over at the bed, checked the phone just to be sure Vivian didn't call, and looked back at Fitz.

"Anyway, my sophomore year in high school, I met the most beautiful red-haired girl in the world. We became friends instantly and were inseparable." She took a deep breath. She couldn't believe how easily the words were coming out, and Fitz just looked into her eyes and listened.

"Her name was Abby" Liv smiled in thought for a moment, "and she was amazing. After one visit to the group home with me, she went home and begged her mother to take me in, to be my foster parent. Within a month, I was living there, and we became a family. Just like that, I was happy again." She saw Fitz smile, but Liv's face remained serious.

"Abby and I applied to and got accepted to the same college. We went to NYU together. She got her degree in criminal justice; I went on to law school. We never moved out of her mom's house. Her mom never thought of me as anyone other than another daughter."

"I did some work overseas learning international law and when I came back, Abby was married, pregnant, and so unhappy. Just like that, married a political guy." She looked at Fitz who was the serious one now, still listening intently.

"She wanted to make it work, but she miscarried, and it broke her. Then he broke her. He beat her, senseless, and I convinced her to move out of his place and get a restraining order."

Liv's eyes began filling with tears and she turned away from Fitz. "I tried to protect her, keep her safe, but…. anyway, Abby is gone. He killed her, her husband, he killed her, and I vow to stop at nothing until the prick is behind bars." Liv began to sob now. Everything was hitting her at once.

It was the attraction to Fitz, the tiredness of her body, and just everything she witnessed downstairs. It also didn't help that this was all eerily coincidental to Abby's marriage, minus the domestic abuse. "It was just two weeks ago, Fitz, that's when we buried her. I just miss her so much, there's an aching in my heart, worse than when I lost my mother."

She felt Fitz's hand go around her back. He gently kissed her forehead and rested his chin on her head pulling her to his chest. "Come here, let's get you to lay down, you look exhausted."

Liv nodded her head. She needed to close her eyes. She just needed to stop thinking for a few hours. She grabbed the phone. He walked with her towards the bed, his arm around her shoulders.

She untied the bathrobe and it fell to the ground. She placed the phone on the nightstand. She fell to the bed and just a sheet was wrapped loosely around her thigh, other than that her body was pure brown bliss and Fitz had to take a hard swallow.

He still only had on his towel, and it wasn't going to do him any justice. He just laid next to her, not touching but looking in each other's eyes.

"When I told you before I needed company, that was selfish, I shouldn't have said that and now all that I unloaded on you…." Liv paused. "Thank you for listening."

"I like listening to you." He took a deep breath. "I am sorry about your friend. Why then are you defending someone like Jake Ballard? I saw the file on the desk."

Liv shook her head. "I can't even begin to go into that. You wonder why I was drunk last night? I am just too tired to go into that right now." She looked at him with pleading eyes, needing a break.

She rubbed his cheek. He really was gorgeous. She took a breath through her nose, shaking her head. He's engaged Liv, she told herself as her she closed her eyes to erase the thought of kissing him.

She didn't see his mouth open for her, he moved in towards her lips, and when she felt his breath on her skin, she buried her lips into his, her hand still cupping his cheek. He held her in the kiss. God, how Liv needed this. His hand was up and down her back, and the pain seemed to go away.

He felt her chest connect with his and he shivered to the touch of her breasts on his chest, she moved closer to him, disregarding how wrong this was again, but he continued to kiss her. He wanted her to feel no more sadness, just him. He felt down to the sheet around her thigh and pushed her thigh, so her leg rested around his waist.

He freed himself from the towel and looked at her. She was biting her bottom lip, her hand on his cheek, and her eyes closed. He planted his hand on her bottom back. She felt his erection again, and she opened her eyes to look at him. He was waiting, looking so seductively at her.

Liv was feeling so numb, yet so grateful he listened to her, she nodded leaving her leg around him, exposing her sweetness to him, his for the taking, and that was all the confirmation he needed. He found her entry and he penetrated up.

"This feel ok, Livvie?"

She shook her head yes, not opening her eyes. She didn't want to think, she just wanted to feel, and feel him she was. He was so gentle, yet it felt so good. Sideways sex was euphoric, and it was making Olivia weaken more into this man.

His hand glided up her bare back, her hand did the same to his back, then he moved his hand back down to her ass, pushing more into her, as if that was possible and Liv's head went back as his lips landed on her breast, his tongue lubricating her nipple.

He began breathing heavy, real heavy, going harder, beginning to suck now on her beautifully formed breast, the want for her overtaking him, and Olivia was completely at a loss. Her mouth opened, and only groans could come out as her leg was her only leverage around his waist. "Oh God, Fitz, please. We can't…." She was about to pull away.

His lips met hers, and she couldn't dare move, they were both breathing deep into each other while becoming one. Liv felt the chills go up her arms, and he gripped her closer as she let the kiss go and released herself into her orgasm, burying her head against his chest.

He felt her juices, knew she hit her climax, and he kept penetrating, he didn't want this to end, but his body couldn't take much more as he watched her weaken, and he came inside her, but did not disconnect. They both opened their eyes at the same time and looked at each other, breathing in sync. Her leg still resting, bent, around his waist.

Liv put her forehead to his. She gave him a small kiss on his lips. She whispered, "there has to be a reason something so wrong feels so right, we can't keep doing this." Exhaustion overtook her body, and she closed her eyes wrapped in his arms.

Fitz just held her close. He didn't move, he didn't want to disturb her at all. She had come to his rescue, twice, having to deal with his father and seeing Mellie. The second time they made love in less than 24 hours of knowing each other, and Fitz was already trying to think of ways to go 3,000 miles each week to NY to see her.

Olivia was right, he thought sadly. There had to be a reason something so wrong felt so right. He put his head down, taking in her smell, and just held on to her, kissing her cheek. She didn't' move, that's how tired she was, her hand just resting on his side and her other tucked under her head.

He looked at her, really taking in her beauty. He thought of her life as she described it.

Two weeks out of losing her best friend, to domestic violence. A political marriage gone bad. He took a breath, this couldn't work, she knew it, and he knew it. He was certain she was going to wake up with more guilt than what she felt before.

Now Fitz was feeling the effects. He shouldn't have gotten her into this mess, he couldn't stay in there with her forever. This would have to end, then what? How could he just go back to being with Mellie?

Fitz couldn't remember when he was surrounded by silence for so long. It had been two hours since Liv had fallen asleep. He was in heaven just holding her close to his body, feeling her smooth skin against his. He was thinking about nothing, drifting in and out of sleep. It was so calming, so peaceful.

He wanted to kiss every part of her up and down her body. She was everything, beautiful, smart, tough, and caring all in one. As he was thinking of her, she began to stir a bit, her forehead gently hitting his chest, and he looked down at her.

Her eyes still closed, but surely awake, he saw her smile, realizing he was holding her. Without moving her head to meet his eyes, her hand began caressing his side, going to his back.

"You held me?" she asked still not looking up.

"The whole time. You were very tired."

"Hiding a Governor is grueling work." She smiled and finally looked up at him. "I am so hungry."

"You want to chance room service? I don't mind." The phone began to buzz on the nightstand.

"I don't trust room service either."

Fitz shook his head. What did she trust and why didn't she trust all of this?

Liv picked it up. "Olivia Pope."

"It's Vivian. I just got done answering about 5,237 questions. I think they were about to ask me the color of underwear he was wearing."

"Dark blue." Liv answered.

"I knew it!" Vivian said with what Liv thought was pure happiness.

"Is it safe for him to go out there yet?"

Vivian took a sigh. "The media is here. They are playing up his bachelor party. Botox beauty is about to deliver a message. I overheard them trying to get a warrant to search rooms with guests registered but who did not answer the first knock. I don't think they are going to wait for the warrant with the Senator being in charge."

Liv took a deep breath. She reached out for his hand and caressed it as she held it. "Thanks Vivian. How did your questioning go?"

"Fine, they asked when I saw him last, I said he up and left, threatened his detail not to follow him and when he didn't return I went on about on my shift. I didn't lie. I was concerned about him but he seemed well protected."

"Thank you Vivian, I'll be in touch. Do you think you could risk dropping food off?"

"Sure, the bar is open, I'll bring you something up, what do you want?"

She looked at Fitz. "Bring up a burger, medium rare, no onions, and a Caesars salad, just text when it's outside the door."

She looked at Fitz. "Media is on the way. They're going to begin a second sweep of the rooms. They are playing up the bachelor party, really riding on the wedding." Liv took a deep breath.

Fitz got up from the bed. He put his dark blue boxers on and walked towards the window.

Liv grabbed the remote. She wanted to know what was going on. Fitz reached towards her and held her hand. "Don't, Livvie, please don't. I don't want to hear anything right now."

Liv tilted her head at him. He left the TV off, got up and put on a long NYU shirt with mesh shorts. She brushed her teeth, all the time, Fitz was just staring out the window.

Her phone buzzed. "Open your door." the text read. Two food bags were there and the hallway was thankfully empty.

After they ate, mostly in silence, the mood change obvious, Olivia spoke up.

"What now Fitz?"

He rubbed his eyes, looking at her. "I go face the music. I created the mess, I have to clean it up."

"Now?"

"When will it be a better time?" he looked at her. "I can't drag you into this any longer.

She thought of his fiance, has yet to ask her name for obvious reasons, and the fake tears. She thought of the swarm of security, now the media. She looked at him. Did she really want him to walk into all that, but when will it get batter?

He stood up, as did she. The window darkened now, the dark sky setting in. He looked down at her, waiting for her to say something.

"When do I get to know about Fitzgerald Grant?" she tightened her lips in a smile. He knew she was stalling. She knew she was falling. They both just accepted it for now.

Fitz smiled at her. When he saw her smile back, the world outside could wait another few hours, it surely wouldn't end without his presence. "So, what do you want to know about Fitzgerald Grant the Third?"

Liv looked up at him. Her arms reached up and she pulled him into a hug. Burying her face into his neck, she finally let her feelings go. "Everything"