Chapter One: Quid Pro Quo
n. "Something for Something"; a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something
"Marry him."
"I beg your pardon?" Olivia gaped at her mentor, heat rising to her cheeks at the old man's suggestion.
"You said it yourself, Livvie. Fitz isn't going to win the primary let alone the White House. Not as a divorced father of two." Cyrus placed his hands on the wooden table, leaning forward, eyes blazing with determination.
"The divorce wasn't amicable and her reputation was shattered by the cheating scandal. The governor was given full custody - it's a closed case."
"And how long before Mellie throws the 'he was the governor' card? We have to prepare for that and, well, a single dad of two doesn't fit the nuclear conservative family image, does it?"
"Black stepmom does?" Olivia snorted. "Comedy is not a good fit for you, Cy."
"It's not conventional, but it may bring some people off the fence."
"It might also lose some votes."
"Possible though I think those same people would be impressed with a forty-year-old, powerful male marrying his twenty-five-year-old, pretty campaign manager. In the process, with a few right rumors, swaying her from her liberal views." Cyrus sighed, his face contorting into the familiar fight stance Olivia had seen many times during her tutelage - primarily when Cyrus knew he was on the verge of losing his argument.
"This is ridiculous." Olivia scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back in her seat. She honestly couldn't explain why she was even entertaining this conversation.
"Come on, Liv." Cyrus was practically pleading - another not good look although slightly more satisfying - "This is the only way."
"No. It's the only way you can think to salvage your reputation." Olivia rolled her eyes.
"You've seen the polls, Liv."
"Ten points. We can make that up," Olivia insisted.
"If we lose Ohio, he loses the primary. We aren't making up ten points in three weeks' time, Liv. Not unless –"
"Not unless he has a big, feel-good announcement," Olivia huffed, shaking her head even more vigorously than before. "Why would I marry him, Cy?"
"Because…"
"Precisely. I don't like him. Haven't made a big secret of that," Olivia continued when Cyrus took too long with his response.
"If you agree, that could work in our favor," Cyrus argued. "You're one of his campaign managers - you wouldn't want your accomplishments overshadowed by a relationship."
"Okay. Say that pans out. We've known each other what? Eight months?"
"Whirlwind romance and his kids love you. Next." The smug expression that was slowly overtaking Cyrus's pinched, concerned one did nothing to change Olivia's mood.
"What. Would. I. Get. Out. Of. This?" Olivia spoke through gritted teeth, the tension in her shoulders moving slowly up her neck and culminating in a throbbing headache.
"Think of the causes you can champion as –"
"Name a piece of legislation. Any one. And I will throw my support behind it. I will do whatever it takes to make sure it becomes law."
Olivia twisted in her seat at the governor's voice, meeting Fitz's blue gaze. He was leaning casually against the doorframe, one hand in the pocket of his tailored suit. His stance, casual to the average observer, was rigid with tension. Olivia bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smirking. So Cyrus had roped Fitz into this insane plan. Or it was Fitz's idea in the first place.
No. Olivia shook her head, hard, again. There was no way it was Fitz's plan. He would have come up with a better suggestion than her.
"Whatever I want?" Olivia repeated, waiting for Fitz's nod of agreement. "A cap on police spending?"
"Deal."
"Hold up there," Olivia chuckled. "That's not what I want. I wanted to see how far Mr. Republican was willing to go."
"What do you want?" The corners of his mouth turned downward in the slightest hint of a frown - one Olivia relished. She was always happy to be the cause of his politician's mask slipping.
"I haven't decided."
This time, Fitz rolled his eyes. Slipping his hand from his pocket, he dropped both to his sides as he stood straight. "We have to make an announcement soon if we decide to do this. Cyrus says –"
"I'm sure he does." Olivia cast a dark glare toward her mentor. "I'll give you my answer tomorrow."
He nodded once, turning his back to her and preparing to walk out of the room.
"Governor Grant."
Fitz stopped at Olivia's call. When he tilted his head to the side, indicating that he was listening, Olivia continued.
"If I agree, do I have to give you a legislative issue right away or do I have time to decide?"
"That would be agreeable."
"And if you don't win?" Olivia asked before he could begin walking once more.
"You can divorce me and never look back." He didn't stay around to hear her response after that, long legs taking him quickly away from the room.
It was, perhaps, one of the nicest conversations they had ever had.
That night saw Olivia pacing in front of the floor-length mirror of her hotel room, a frown marring her face. Despite her feelings toward the governor, she could not find it in herself to outright turn his, and Cyrus's, offer down. Not without considering it, at least. Truthfully, she knew that Cyrus had been right. They were unlikely to make up those ten points in time to hand Fitz the Ohio primary. Not at the rate they were going, anyway.
Rolling her shoulders, Olivia stopped in front of the glass - her eyes taking in the lights that were providing enough of a glow to obscure the stars. She kept stealing glances toward her phone, resting undisturbed on the nightstand. It was midnight - 9:00 in California. Oriel would still be awake, fretting over whatever paper she had due next.
Chewing on her bottom lip, Olivia took the few, small steps to the nightstand and unplugged her phone. The screen lit up, showing a younger, smiling version of herself in front of the Grand Canyon - a memento of her first girls' trip after starting university. Inhaling, she unlocked the screen and navigated to her contacts, finding Oriel's name and pressing call.
She answered on the second ring.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?" The blonde's southern twang came through the speaker.
"What are you, my mother?" It was a half-hearted jest. Oriel was certainly more proactive in Olivia's life than her father. Sometimes, the concern Oriel showed was enough for Olivia to imagine that this would be what it was like to have a mother.
"Someone's gotta do the hard job, kiddo." Her laugh was soft and full. Lighthearted. "What's going on in the Ohio?"
"Oh God," Olivia groaned, a smile spreading, as she rolled her eyes. "People actually say that here. The Ohio State University. Like there's another one that it could possibly be confused with."
"Ha! What's going on? I doubt you called me to complain about Ohio," Oriel probed.
"You're right," Olivia sighed, stalking back across the room and leaning her forehead against the cool glass of the window, her eyes adjusting the murky darkness outside. The lights were just bright enough to make out the murky river water down below. "We're probably going to lose the primary."
"What? No way. You and Cyrus Beene are the dream team, Liv. The two of you will find a way."
"Cyrus already…presented…a way to make up the points." Olivia nibbled on her bottom lip, apprehension growing in the pit of her stomach.
"You don't like his plan?" Oriel guessed, a loud pop punctuating her words. Olivia grinned at that - imagining her friend in her horrible, snowflake print pajamas with a large, plaid blanket wrapped around her shoulders, chewing on her customary bubblegum (always original flavor) as she stared at a computer screen that would be barely visible from beside a stack of law texts.
"It's a good plan…" Olivia would give Cyrus that much. It was a good plan and would make up a few points in their favor. She just wasn't a fan of her role in said plan. "He doesn't think Fitz can win as a single dad."
"Old man's got a point. People want to see family values in the White House. Or as long as it appears that way. Most people don't want to be confronted with the reality that the whole 'nuclear family' thing is misogynistic bullshit. Especially conservatives which, unfortunately for you boo, are the very people whose votes you are attempting to win for the governor." Oriel had ended her rant with a good natured 'blah' that forced a quiet laugh from Olivia.
"Cy thinks Fitz and I should announce an engagement." Olivia gripped the back of an armchair as she rushed those words through her clenched teeth.
"You? And…Fitz?" Olivia hmmed before Oriel continued. "Fitzgerald Grant III? Governor of California and the very man you complain to me about at least twice a day? Oh that will go over well."
"I haven't agreed to it! And you haven't heard the entire offer yet."
"Please enlighten me."
"He'll spearhead a piece of legislation of my choosing." She rounded the chair, tearing her gaze from outside the window, and sat heavily on the soft leather.
"Interesting," Oriel drawled, pausing for a moment. "That could almost make it worth your time. Do you have to actually marry him?"
"If he wins the primary, a big wedding before the election would seal the deal. According to Cy, that is."
"All on his dime?"
Olivia rolled her eyes at that comment from her friend - though understandable. Oriel wasn't shy about her background and had been pretty proud that she had gotten into Stanford solely on scholarship.
"I'm not paying for anything."
"I say go for it, then. What's the worst that could happen?"
"That's…not very helpful," Olivia sighed, letting her head fall back against the cushioned seat.
"Babe…would you rather have a failed campaign or First Lady on your resume?"
"Well, if you put it that way…" Leave it to Oriel to be blunt about the options - though that bluntness did help lessen some of Olivia's nervousness about making a decision.
"And I've heard hate sex is fairly decent."
"You are disgusting!" Olivia squealed, throwing a hand over her eyes as her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
"Don't worry, love - you can still call me to complain about him." Oriel's laughter filled the speaker.
"Ugh. I'm hanging up now."
"Love you, Livvie."
"Love you, too, O."
That night, despite her conversation with Oriel, Olivia struggled to sleep as she pondered over the different scenarios related to any possible decisions regarding Cyrus's proposal. Saying yes wasn't as easy as her friend made it out to be. There would be… consequences. Other opponents could use it against Fitz, and her, if their lie were discovered. Olivia's dad…Olivia wasn't sure just how her dad would react, but she couldn't imagine it would be good. His daughter marrying a man instead of making her own name would not sit well with Eli.
At the same time, there was the very real chance of losing if they didn't attempt this half-baked plan and, ridiculous as the plan may be, Olivia Pope did not back down easily.
"I'll do it." Olivia stood by Cyrus in the small, hotel dining area as he filled a bowl with cereal. Her eyes were bloodshot - there had been little sleep that night.
"I will let Fitz know." Cyrus didn't give much indication that he had heard Olivia aside from the small smirk that had replaced his early morning frown.
Olivia nodded, reaching for a muffin. Breakfast in hand, she left the room for her makeshift office at the small desk in her room - someone would have to work out the finer details of this charade. In the elevator, she ran into the governor and a small entourage of his.
"Liv!" He greeted, his wide grin showcasing his annoyingly perfect teeth.
"Can I help you?" Olivia heard the bite in her own tone, wincing slightly. Fitz's jovial attitude had caught her off guard - even with an audience they had never pretended to like each other.
"Have you spoken to Cyrus?" His smile faltered slightly, creases appearing beside his eyes.
Inhaling, heart beating because this seemed more real than minutes earlier when she had given Cyrus her decision, she nodded.
"It's a go."
