The twitching of his eye tells Fitz he's right. He smiled at him mockingly as he said, "You still believe this dude after all he's done. That's pretty fucked up. Maybe I can see if you two can have adjoining cells so you can spoon at night. Since it's clear, you're still his bitch by choice!"
His words anger Jake beyond measure and cause him to step closer to Fitz as he says, "That's why I enjoyed fucking your bitch! How is she anyway? Has she recovered from our talk last night?" Fitz loses his cool and hits him with a left cross, sending Jake flying backwards. Mark motions forward, but Fitz said, "Stay back!"
Jake touched his face to survey the shot he took. When he looked at his hand, he saw the blood on his fingers. He facetiously said, "Damn, I guess I found your hot button huh? Whatever happened to bros before hoes man?"
Fitz stood in front of him, watching Jake laugh mockingly as he continued to rub his jaw soothingly. Fitz felt substantial guilt in the moment. Which is what stopped him and had him contemplating what to do next. He'd already done more than he intended. He lost his cool and he hated that he allowed himself to do that.
Jake saw him in thought and decided to push him further as he said, "I wish i understood why you're so upset about her. She's a decent fuck at best. If you like mediocre pussy. But i guess given who you were married to for 20 years, I guess mediocre pussy is a step up from stale pussy huh?" Mark tried to be the voice of reason in a very unreasonable situation, as he hurriedly stepped between Jake and Fitz, to keep Fitz at bay. He begged as he said, "Sir please, he's not worth it. Let's go!"
Fitz considered leaving. He had Olivia's voice in his head. He heard her say he's better than this. And she doesn't need to be avenged. She told him no matter what Jake said, he could take it as lies. He never had her heart, and he never had with her. What they share. They are forever and nothing she had with Jake was worth mentioning. He was a place holder. Nothing more. Fitz believed her, and knew what she said was the truth. But he still couldn't let go of his rage for Jake.
Nonetheless, he decide to walk away, at the behest of Mark's urging and because he didn't want to dishonor Olivia. Again seeing that Fitz is withdrawing, Jake verbally went at him once again as he said, "Go ahead and leave. With your fake ass pretty boy smile, and weak ass charm. Keep playing your part in that Captain save a hoe routine you're caught up in with that slut, who has your nose wide open. I tore that weak piece of ass up though. So you enjoy what's left!"
Fitz's sudden movement faked Mark out, as he pushed him to the side, and hopped the table between him and Jake. He lunged toward Jake and grabbed him by his collar, as he said, "Shut the fuck up! Keep her name out of your mouth." Jake responded, "If only she could've kept my dick out of hers."
Fitz's anger reached it's ceiling as he flew into a rage. As he swung his right hand, Jake countered with his left. Jake's punch landed, and he hit Fitz in the jaw, knocking him back subtly. And allowed him to get in two body blows. However Fitz bubbled with fury, remained on his feet. As he charged Jake, which caused him to backpedal into the wall. Fitz showed no mercy as he hit him five more times in the face with his left hand, and unloaded a plethora of combination shots on his midsection that dropped him part way, only to hit him once more with a vicious, and unrelenting upper cut. which knocked him down and out.
Despite him being out like a light, as soon as he hit the floor. Fitz stomped him repeatedly, before secret service was able to pull him away from Jake's lifeless body. There was blood all over the floor and all over Fitz's shoes and hands. Immediately Secret Service pulled him out of the room in an effort to assess him, and insure he was not severely injured.
However, Fitz wasn't the most cooperative. He was breathing heavily, sweating and raging with anger. He wanted to go back in the room and finish him off. He wanted to end Jake's life. It eventually took four guards holding him back for several minutes. Before he regained his composure.
Once he was calmed down they got him in the car, and whisked him back to the Whitehouse to be checked out by the doctor. He learned during the drive that Cyrus was sent back to the Whitehouse, before the incident occurred because of his insistence that he be pulled from the room.
Fitz saw the concern and regret on Mark's face and said, "Don't worry about it Mark. You're not in any trouble, and you won't be reassigned. You were following my directive." Mark nodded as he responded, "Thank you sir. But right now I am more concerned that you're okay. That hand doesn't look good." Fitz appreciated his concern. but took a breath as he said, "I don't think there's anything to worry about. This isn't my blood. And my hand doesn't feel broken." Mark nodded as he said, "We'll have to let the doctor assess that sir." Fitz agreed as he sat back in the car in thought of what was to come. He knew he had a lot to think about pertaining to how he handled this situation, and the fall out from it.
Present Moment
As Fitz now sits in the oval with his left hand siting in an ice wrap, out of sight of the camera. He's finishing up his teleconference and at least on four occasions he's almost lifted his hand to the view of the prime minister from Canada. But he's managed to catch himself.
When the conference is over he calls Charlotte in to take away the monitor. She wheels it away, but first asks if he needs more ice. He declines and as she leaves he says, "Hey Charlotte. Can you do me a favor and not mention this to Liv if she calls." She nods as she says, "Very well Sir." He replies, "Thank you."
As Charlotte leaves the room she's met by Cyrus. Fitz hears him in the hall talking to her. He can't avoid him forever, he knows this. But he still would love it if he could somehow escape seeing him right now. Seconds later Cyrus is standing in front of him as he tauntingly asks, "How's it going Rocky? Judging by the bruising pattern i hear that's on your hand; i hope it was all worth it."
Fitz is in no mood for games as he looks at Cyrus, clearly not pleased by his remark and he says, "Of all people I thought you'd be happy to hear some blood for blood vengeance was achieved." Cyrus responds, "While i'd be lying if i said i didn't enjoy the idea of him being beat to a bloody pulp. The Commander in Chief isn't the one that should be levying such a punishment. For the good of the country, you needed to stand down and not let your emotions get the better of you."
Fitz is aggravated with Cyrus' sudden appeal to his good senses. He knows full well that revenge is right in his wheel house. So his criticism of how he handled the interaction with Jake, feels as unauthentic as a three dollar bill. Unwilling to entertain his hypocrisy a moment further. He plainly asks, "What do you want Cyrus?"
Noticing he hasn't lifted his left hand, and not catching on to the fact that Fitz is completely over him right now, and just about ready to cut bait with him to boot. He says, "What I want is for the commander in chief to act like one, and not act like he's settling grudges like a child in a school yard. And using secret service agents like they are your minions, who are in charge of you setting up a damn fight club starring you as the main attraction." Fitz scoffs as he replies, "If you're waiting for an apology Cyrus it's not going to happen. So let it go!"
Cyrus is still trying to figure him out. He can't get a beat on him. He wonders what if anything did he find out when talking to Jake. Since he was ousted before the conversation could get started. He tries to calm his thoughts of paranoia that are resurfacing. He responds, "I'm not asking for your apology. I'm just trying to understand what is wrong with you? I know you don't have much time left in office. So I get that you're getting antsy. But to be as reckless as to beat the hell out of someone to the point where you're knuckles are bruised and bloodied, and you need medical attention is beyond overboard." Fitz's agitated state increases after hearing Cyrus' incessant desire to nag him to stop.
He glares at Cyrus as he replies, "Cyrus. Let's get one thing clear. I am your boss. You're not mine. Therefore what I would like at this point is for you to leave me alone. Because when it comes to judging anyone else's behavior and categorizing it as overboard; you have no room to talk whatsoever. So as I have overlooked your many offenses done in what can only be mildly stated to be nice, as out of line. I am asking you to do the same for me in this case. If you can't do that, you can always quit. Because as I said. I'm not apologizing. And as of right now. I'm done talking about this with you. And you will not mention this to Liv. Do I make myself clear?"
Cyrus sees the anger in his eyes looking back at him, and for the first time in a long time. He doesn't feel that pushing his buttons any further would be a good idea. He's obviously resigned to what he's said. There's a different look in his eye as well, that Cyrus doesn't recognize. One that he can't put his finger on. After clearing his throat he asks, "Did you need any more ice?" Fitz responds, "No. I don't. I'm actually going to call it a day, push the rest of my appointments to Monday." Cyrus wants to push back, but thinks better and says, "No problem. Have a good weekend sir." Fitz replies, "Cyrus, i asked you a question. But you didn't answer me. Is that a yes or a no?" Cyrus replies, "The answer is yes sir. I understand and i will of course not mention this situation to Liv, or anyone else." Fitz responds, Good. And by the way. Mark is my head agent unless i make the decision otherwise. Do you understand?" Cyrus nods as he says, "Yes. I understand." Fitz then replies, "Good. Good bye Cyrus."
He walks out of the office with his mind in a tizzy. He doesn't know what to make of what he just encountered. But he knows something is brewing, and he's desperate to know what's coming. With Cyrus gone Fitz thinks about a comment that Mark made to him regarding how nervous Cyrus looked when he and Jake were talking. He decides that perhaps the day or reckoning is upon them where Cyrus is concerned. Knowing he can't take back what he's about to put into motion. He makes the call and when the voice answers, he says, "It's time for the chickens to come home to roost."
Thank you for reading this fanfiction tale. What did you think of Fitz and Jake's altercation? I'm thinking Jake deserved what he got, and more. Do you think Fitz's actions were justified? How do you think Olivia will take the news of what happened between them? Will it cause any static between them? Or will she trust his actions were warranted? Fitz seems to be at the end of his rope with Cyrus; what do you think is going to happen with that? Has Cyrus' time finally run out?
In the next installment we find out who Fitz was talking to on the phone, and what that cryptic phone call was all about. Additionally, we get to see Olivia's reaction to Fitz's interaction with Jake. And we find out if Olivia addresses the potential ongoing issues that Mellie and Fitz will have with Karen; if they don't find a way to fix the acrimony between them and be parents. I'm curious to know if you feel that's Olivia's place to bring up to Fitz? Let me know what you all think. Please comment and review; I appreciate your support. And be sure to check out my latest one shots Last night, and Party Crasher, as well as my other stories: Realizing the Dream, The Candidate, With or Without Prejudice, and Timing is Everything. Be blessed!