Secrets 20- Friend Becomes Foe

A/N: Hi! No, your eyes are not deceiving you. It really is me with and update. It's kind of short but I needed to start somewhere. For the first time in a long time, I found myself daydreaming about this story. I was due to bring it to an end, but I changed my mind. I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be, so I will just keep writing. I'm currently rereading & taking notes for the sequel to LL&L.

I will not be on FB interacting with everyone because they just want too much of my personal information in order to sign into my page. So please leave a review. I promise to answer all who has an FF sign-in name. The guest reviews I will answer in the A/N. I really miss corresponding with the FB readers. I will try to create another page and see if that works. It did last time, but they combined them together and locked me out of both of them because of my IP address. Censorship is real. I'm a non-controversial person, but I will speak my mind and/or state my opinion. I guess FB don't like it very much. LOL! If the new name works, I will be sending a request to join the group. If not…I won't. Let's get to the story.

Happy Reading!

Stephen was so caught up in Abby that he did not think rationally. He only wanted to please her and keep her in his life as well as his baby. Abby however had other plans. She had no plans of keeping the baby and had no plans of informing Stephen. She felt as if Olivia had wronged her, and she was owed reparations for not taking care of Charles permanently. She had ended her pregnancy and didn't care whether Stephen approved or not.

Stephen was surprised to see his password was still valid and allowed him into OPA's system. What he did not know is that Huck was expecting it. Once he was sure of what Stephen was looking for, he blocked his access and sent out a warning signal that read he was trying to access secure information. After several tries with Abby sitting next to him watching, he gave up.

"I can't get into any files. My clearance has been limited."

Abby blows out an agitated breath as she plops back against the sofa. "Ugg, you need to go back to work and find out why?"

Stephen drops his head somewhat afraid to share with her that he hadn't stepped foot in OPA since the day she left. Abby takes his silence as hesitation. "If you don't want to help me Stephen, why are you here?"

He swiftly turns to her "No, baby it's not that." She becomes impatient "What is it then? Speak up Stephen. Stop being a bitch baby!"

He ignores her comment "I'm not sure I still have a job. I haven't been back to work since the day you left and I'm not sure if I still have a the right to step foot in OPA."

Abby crosses her arms and take a moment to think "Well you won't know until you go back. You have to get back on Liv's good side. She'd forgive you. She always does when you have a third leg."

Rubbing his hand over his face he exhales an exaggerated breath "Why do you need to get into the files Ab's, Liv never black filed you. She forgave you. She helped you. She considered you her friend…family even one of her best friends. I don't get it."

"Whatever Stephen, Jay is actually her best friend now and if you don't want to help me, I will figure it out myself…oh and I won't be having this baby."

Stephen become irate "What the bloody hell Abby! Why are you like this? Our child had done nothing to you, and neither has Liv. Why are you so hell bent on getting in Liv's files, and killing our child? What is really bothering you? Abby, please talk to me, help me understand? Liv has done nothing but bloody help you and you are looking to get information on her to what…destroy her? What the holy hell is going on Abigail? Talk to me love, help me understand. I'm here for you. Please my love, talk to me?"

Without notice tears began to stream down Abby's cheeks, prompting Stephen to swiftly move to her side and pull her into his embrace only to be rebuffed and pushed away. Fear, anger, and desperation radiated from Abby's every being as she lashes out. "I fucked up okay Stephen! I crossed the line with Liv. She was all I had, and I fucked up. I can admit that now, but she didn't have to leave me out here like this. She embarrassed me in front of everyone then tossed me away." She pauses "You don't get it Stephen, she left me out to dry. She made a deal with the devil. She was supposed to ruin him, take away his power, take everything that gave him that power, rid of him completely but instead she made a deal with him. He's still powerful you know. He will come for me, and if he finds out I'm pregnant by someone else he will kill me. I know he will." She pauses as she paces around the room.

Stephen is stunned silent as he listens. "Charles doesn't give up easily. He's a patient and meticulous man. Liv promised me she would take care of him so that he could never harm me again, but she didn't. She made a deal with him instead. A deal that will eventually cost me my life. I can't take that chance with a child as well. Charles will come for me I'm sure of it. Now that Liv has thrown me away and I have no protection, he will come for me, and he will kill me. I need to know what kind of deal she made with him, and I need you to get me those files." Abby shared without conviction still envious of Liv and Fitz's relationship and the fact that Liv had it all and she was left feeling left out and afraid.

Stephen still speechless just stares at her. You would have thought Abby's declaration would have moved him, but it hadn't. Instead, it gave him pause. He finally saw in Abby what Liv saw…jealousy and envy. It was now clear to him why Liv did what she did concerning her relationship with Abby. His loyalty was being tested. Abby was testing him. She never intended on keeping his baby. He needed to accept that realty. It was her body and ultimately her choice. He had no say as far as Abby was concerned in the matter.

After standing and walking around for a few minutes he finally speaks. "Abby, I don't understand your excuse for deceiving Liv, I do however understand your reason for wanting to abort our baby, and since it's your body it's ultimately your choice, and I accept that. I don't like it, but I accept it. He momentarily pauses before continuing "So I will not try and stop you. I will not go against Olivia for you or anyone either. I have shown you my heart and what lengths I will go to for you, but you give me nothing in return."

Abby started to speak but he stops her with the raising of his hand. "But know what you are doing. Know what you're getting yourself into. Liv is not just anyone. She is protected as is Fitz…by killers might I add. If Charles had crossed her and came after you, he also would have met his demise, and still can. Huck and Tom are not ordinary people. They have special skills inquired during their time in the military and CIA. They both know how to make people disappear without a trace and spin the story so quick, that people forget about you and the fact that you are missing, especially if they deem you a threat to either of them. Think about that while you plot against Liv. If you decide to keep the baby let me know and we can coparent, but if you decide to not…let this be the last time you speak to me. Now can I have back my credit card or do I need to cancel it?"

Abby slowly retrieves his card out of her wallet and hands it to him as she is left in awe of everything he had said to her. It dawns on her who's side he was on. He chose Olivia not her. Her plan to play on his feelings for her failed. She was speechless as she watched Stephen walk out of the door closing it behind him. She slumps down on the sofa in defeat.

…

Things seemed to just fall in place. It was now 3 weeks since the birth of the twins and life was good. Olivia was loving her life and so was Fitz. Trouble was unseen by them, but not the ones who loved them most. Jay, Huck, and Tom connected on a different but yet the same level. They did not trust those whose posed them or someone they all loved harm. Huck and Tom were so similar in their ways that they immediately shared their expertise with each other. Huck didn't trust Max, Stephen nor Abby. Tom didn't trust Mellie's family, Max, Marcus, nor anyone along those lines. Their mistrust was indeed valid so they both decided to work together and share their expertise and contact information. Thank goodness they did. Huck and Tom would take down anyone before they would allow harm to come to Fitz and Olivia or anyone they loved. They would put an end to it all before he let that happen.

….

Fitz massages Liv's feet as she feeds the twins. One on each breast. Fitz is left in amazement of how she has taken to motherhood. How she had learned to balance taking care and feeding both twins at the same time. Their schedules where so close together she decided to put them both on the same schedule by feeding them, bathing, changing, and loving on them at the same time as to not always have to do the same thing twice. She fell in love with being a mother. She had wanted this for so long and now it was a reality. She could not have imagined how great motherhood would be.

She had mastered the art of multitasking which taught Fitz at the same time how to master fatherhood. Each bath, feeding and diaper change were simultaneous. She would allow one twin a 5 minute at the most to cry without interference in which the pediatrician stated was good for their lungs and development. This allowed her time to get on twin taken care of as she handled the other during bath time, diaper change and getting them dressed. Most times just the sound of her or Fitz voice or touch always seems to calm them.

Elijah always took longer to feed because he would keep eating and then cry because he was overfed. Miya was more like her mom and only ate just enough to fill her up. Which made Liv and Fitz agree to introduce him to the pacifier, since it came down to him loving to suckle which they learned very quickly brought Elijah comfort in which Olivia equated it to him being his father's son and his love of the breast.

Liv looked up at Fitz when he stopped massaging her feet. "Why'd you stop love? It was feeling so good."

With his crooked smile, he answers "You are so good with them."

Returning the smile "So are you. I love watching you with our babies…" She stops and turns to her ringing phone as Fitz stands to retrieve it handing it to her before lifting their daughter from her arms after seeing she had stopped nursing and was in a milk coma.

She frowns as she sees the caller ID as she looks up at her husband "It Stephen." Fitz nods as he cradles Miya in his arms "What Stephen." She answers with her signature greeting

"Hey Liv, umm I'm sorry I haven't called or been around, I just had to get myself together…Abby and I are done, she thinks she may still be in danger of Charles, just have Huck keep an eye on her, also I apologize for how I spoke to you. I was out of line. I just thought I owed it to you to apologize and also let you know I will be leaving the States and Liv…, Thank you. For everything." There is a long pause before Stephen speaks again. "Take care Liv."

"Take care Stephen and thank you…for apologizing. Bye Stephen."

"Bye Liv."

She hangs up and tosses her phone on the bed before standing and walking next to Fitz placing Elijah in the bassinet next to his sister before looking up at Fitz. "Stephens gone. He's leaving the States. He said he and Abby are done."

Fitz pulls her into an embrace "Are you okay? What do you need?"

"You… Just you to hold me." And he does

After a moment she shares again "He said Abby may still be in danger of Charles and I should have Huck keep an eye on her." "I'll have Tom keep an eye on Charles as well. How does that sound?" She pulls back and looks up at him "I'd like that."

"Consider it handled." He tells her before pecking her on the lips

…..

Two weeks prior…

Charles started to leave small indicators in Abby's car, hotel room or wherever he knew she would be that told her he was watching her. He finally left a message on her bathroom mirror that stated I will see you soon my love. This scared the entire shit out of her. Two days after she changed hotel's he revealed himself to her. He still did not know of her and Stephen's relationship.

As Abby walked out of the bathroom after getting out of the shower. She turned to find Charles sitting on the bed which caused her to jump damn near out of her skin. "Ch…charles, how did you get in here?"

Bringing his finger to his mouth "Shhhhhh. I told you Abby, you can't get away from me. Even after divorce. I told you, you will always belong to me. You thought Olivia and her minions would protect you? Have you forgotten I'm a very patient man?"

Abby was shaking so bad her legs were about to give out. Charles slid from the bed and approached her. She was too frightened to move. "Aren't you gonna properly greet me Abby?" He states once he directly in front of her holding her up with one arm around her waist preventing her from hitting the floor.

Remembering what the rules where whenever he came home. She kisses him with great hesitancy unable to stop trembling as tears falls from her eyes. He uses his free hand to tightly grip her jaw while staring her in the eyes before connecting with her lips forcing his tongue in her mouth. Abby damn near pisses herself wishing that she still had the protection of OPA.

He would spend the next hour with Abby, convincing her that she would always be his. He also told her that he needed all the information that Olivia had on him and that she needed to do whatever it took to get it. If she wanted her freedom, she needed to help him get his. He didn't care how she made it happen but to get it done. Deep down she knew he would never let her go, so out of total fear she agreed before allowing him to have sex with her.

Charles had patiently bided his time. After having Abby followed for several months, he finally put his plan into action. Now knowing that she and Olivia where on the outs he knew he could plot his revenge. Olivia took someone he loved from him he would gladly return the favor by taking away someone she loved…Fitzgerald Grant by teaming up with his nemesis Cyrus Beene Attorney at Law.

He knew through whispers around the senator's office that Cyrus had it out for Fitz and Gerry. He actually had it out for the entire Grant clan. He would start with Olivia's ex-husband and his unfair conviction. He followed the short trial and seen how long of a reach the Grants had. He understood dirty politics and how the wealthy used it to get what they wanted. Fitz had requested Verna Thornton to help him falsely convict Max and he had a way to prove it and would used Cyrus to put his plan to take Fitzgerald Grant III down and ruin the entire Grant name. Olivia would lose the love of her life to the same prison she threatened to send him too.

Two days after bomb rushing Abby he exits his car. Charles makes his way into the Law Office of Cyrus Beene and Associates. After stopping at the security desk, he's escorted to the 15th floor of the building to find Cyrus waiting at the elevator to greet him. "Senator Putney, great seeing you again."

"You as well Cyrus." He answers as he accepts his outstretched hand shaking it with glee.

"Come let's go to my office, and chat." Cyrus states and the two men make their way.

After getting comfortable inside of Cyrus private office Cyrus asks Charles what brings him to his office.

"Well Cy I think I have some information that may just make your firm number one in the city."

Cyrus raised a brow "Oh really? How so?"

"What do you know about Fitzgerald Grant?"

This really gets Cyrus's attention "Son or Father?"

"Son." He smugly answers

"I hate the sonofabitch, as a matter of fact I hate both sonsofbitches."

"I thought so. What would you say if I have information that could ruin him, his name, his firm and possibly his father?"

Sitting up on the edge of his leather seat "I say we need a drink while you tell me how."

"Do you remember the big case his firm just won whereas the sports agent Maxwell King was arrested?" Cyrus nods "Well for starters, Fitzgerald was sleeping with Mr. Kings wife Olivia at the time of the trial." Cyrus listens intently "Second he was her lawyer and his Firm represented her. She recently delivered twins and guess who's the father?"

"Fitzgerald?" Cyrus questions

"Bingo! That's a conflict of interest right there, possible cause for disbarment or loss of his license but that's not all. Olivia's now married to Mr. Grant. During the case Grant Sr. reached out to friends at the DA's office and called in some favors. Guess who their judge was?" Cyrus just gives Charles a curious look "Verna Thornton. She and Grant Sr. are related. Conflict of interest number two. There's grounds to call for a mistrial on behalf of Maxwell King's case and ruin the entire Grant empire. We just have to get Mr. King on board, and I don't see a problem doing that."

Cyrus being a very smart man sits back in his seat thinking things over. He had to see all angles here. "So what is in this for you? Why'd you come to me? Did Grant do something to you?"

"As you know I had to drop out of the Governor's race. I had some issues concerning my ex-wife and let's just say he stuck his nose in my business along with OPA…Olivia's firm and used my ex to keep me from winning. Not only did I lose out on the Governor's race, but I lost my wife. For this I want them both to pay. I came to you because I need a damn good lawyer who hates him as much as I do on my team."

Cyrus likes what he hears "I'm in. First, I have to pay Maxwell King a visit. That should get the ball rolling. I will need information on Olivia Pope and what she has on you. Do you still have some contact with your ex-wife?"

"Yep, and she's on board. She's working on getting me the information OPA has on me as we speak."

"Good, good." Cyrus states while nodding his head. The next day Cyrus flew out to visit Maxwell King at Rikers.