Chapter Four: Exculpatory Evidence

n. Evidence which tends to show the defendant's innocence

Fitz was in a bad mood. He had been since Olivia had first entered Cyrus's office. His face sat in a permanent scowl and his pacing was best described as aggressive. He made a distinct effort to avoid the corner of the room where Olivia stood, reducing the area for his pacing quite considerably. He only deigned to stop when the door opened, revealing a rather flustered looking Cyrus. Olivia sighed - with both in a mood, this meeting was unlikely to be very productive.

"More than two hours' notice would have been appreciated, Cyrus," Fitz seethed.

"So you would have more time to tell me no in colorful ways?" Cyrus rolled his eyes, sitting heavily at his desk.

"So we wouldn't look like complete idiots on national television." Fitz narrowed his eyes, glowering at his campaign manager and stalking toward the desk.

Now it was Olivia's turn to roll her eyes, crossing her arms and leaning further into her corner. The sturdy wall provided support as she crossed her ankles. "It's a ten minute interview with a local station. Since when are you the one to overreact?"

"Clearly I'm the only one who can react appropriately to the situation."

"Ah yes. Having a tantrum in Cyrus's office is an appropriate reaction to a short interview."

"Children!" Cyrus intervened as Fitz turned toward Olivia, mouth open and a vein near to bursting on his forehead. "You have two hours. Instead of arguing, maybe we should use that time to prepare? Olivia's right - it is only 10 minutes. Two hours should be plenty of time."

"You're right," Olivia conceded. "Where do you want to start?"

"Huh?" Cyrus furrowed his brow, clearly at a loss for words that he had won so easily.

"This isn't a fake photo shoot with my daughter, Olivia. We aren't —"

"You're right. It's a short interview with people who have never met either of us before. If we could pull off spending an hour with your own daughter without her realizing the truth of the situation, I think we can bullshit two reporters."

"Karen isn't observant. We're not going to be that lucky with a reporter looking for any and every reason to have a sensational primetime tell-all." Fitz frowned, clearing his throat and stepping back after the few paces he had taken in her direction during his rant - a rant that had seen his voice steadily growing in volume.

Olivia inhaled sharply, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose - already done with the conversation and ridiculous arguing.

"Your impression of my father is faultless." Olivia's voice was low, dispassionate, even, as she made the comparison. Fitz had hit nearly every check that her own father would have in a similar situation - disregard her opinion, refuse to collaborate, and attempt to make her seem like the irrational one.

"Grow up," Fitz scolded, blue eyes blazing and causing heat to build in Olivia's cheeks. One meeting without an argument. Was that too much to ask? They had almost accomplished it at his house, and while she was willing to admit that fallout had been her own fault, at least she had been making an effort now.

"Wow," Olivia began, bringing her hands together in a slow clap. "You should seriously consider a career change."

As she laughed, all too aware of just how obnoxious she was being, Fitz leaned against Cyrus's desk. Even with a scowl on his face, Olivia had to admit he looked good. Dressed impeccably, as always, in fitted blue trousers and a white button-up with the top couple buttons undone…She shook her head as her laughter faltered. The sound of Cyrus clearing his throat brought her out of her reverie just as Fitz remarked:

"I shouldn't be surprised that you have daddy issues. Such a fucking cliche."

"Nevermind. We'll just look like idiots," Olivia huffed, pushing away from the wall and stomping toward the door. Ignoring Cyrus's pleas, she slung the door open and crossed the hallway in large, quick strides. It may have been childish, but she made a point of slamming the door to her office.

Slumping against the door, squeezing her eyes shut, she forced herself to take deep, calming breaths. Why she ever allowed him to get so under her skin was beyond her. That jab about her father though…

Biting her lip, Olivia walked, with a little less aggression this time, toward her desk and sat in her black leather chair. Unlocking her computer and opening FaceTime, she clicked on Oriel's name and waited for her friend to answer.

"What's goin' on, lovely?" Oriel's cheery voice was loud.

"I can't do this."

"That's not the attitude you had after that shoot." Oriel frowned, holding her index finger to the camera, her nails, as always, nearly bitten to the quick. Olivia waited as she connected her headphones and adjusted one in her ear. "Are you still arguing over what you said?"

"That? I tried to apologize and…" Olivia shrugged. "He didn't refuse the apology but he also acted like he had no clue what I was talking about."

"Then what happened?" The sun was high and bright behind Oriel, casting a glare across her tanned features and causing Olivia to squint, a sigh escaping. This was what she wanted - to make a name for herself, a foundation for her to build her career. Sometimes, though, she wished she was still sharing her crappy apartment with Oriel and worrying about pointless assignments. It was exponentially less complicated.

"Cyrus scheduled an interview. It's in…" she paused to look at the time, "...One hour and forty-five minutes. Fitz freaked and is convinced that we're going to fuck it up. They're going to immediately know this is a scam et cetra et cetra. Long story short, he's decided that I have daddy issues and –"

"Livvie…" Oriel interrupted, the pitying disbelief causing a fresh surge of anger that Olivia fought to surpress. If anyone knew anything about her relationship with her father, it was Oriel. But that didn't mean she was open to pity. "He doesn't know your dad. Yeah it's a bit of a dick comment, but…He was probably just lashing out because he's nervous and that's what you two do."

"What does that mean?"

"The two of you attack each other regardless of situation, policy, statements. You name it and the two of you are arguing or have argued about it. At this point, I would bet money that if you suddenly became the biggest supporter of the second ammendment in California, the governor would find some reason why you're wrong. And if Governor Grant suddenly decided that universal healthcare should probably be a thing, you would have a whole powerpoint ready to explain why he's wrong."

"We don't argue over every thing." Olivia frowned, huffing at her friend's statement.

"Shit," Oriel muttered, visibly distracted as she focused on something (or someone) off screen. Olivia tilted her head, ready to question Oriel's sudden shift in mood when a text popped across her screen:

I'm going to say some things. You don't necessarily need to react. We'll continue when I'm in my car.

"I'm just saying that you guys don't always mesh politically. Non-politically…you're both disgusting."

Olivia blinked, turning her attention from her screen as Oriel's scenery suddenly started to change rapidly. Still, the blonde continued her one-sided commentary.

"Dinner last week? Liv…for real? You aren't even married yet! How are you guys already hitting that honeymoon phase?"

Oriel fell silent once more and Olivia heard the distinctive sound of a car door opening and closing. Finally, the picture was stable once more as Oriel affixed her phone to the *holder* on her dash.

"Sorry. Someone was definitely listening into my conversation. My fault for actually saying the governor's name. Obviously people are going to try to get the 'real story' from your friends." Oriel rolled her eyes, resting her head against the back of her seat and giving Olivia a mischevious smile.

"That explains all that weirdness." Olivia laughed, feeling significantly lighter despite the situation. "How are we supposed to work together, O?"

"The first step is to not antagnoize each other."

"He's…" Olivia spluttered, words tumbling over themselves as she tried to think of a single way to describe just how frustrating she found the man.

"You hate him because he stands for things you could never imagine standing for. I get that. I really do. But…there's been some moments since this whole charade started that he's actually been kind of sweet to you. That ring? Covering for you in front of his daughter so you didn't look like a complete dolt? I think it may be time to admit that there's a bit more to him than you want to think."

"I hate you."

"You love me," Oriel corrected, laughing. "You hate what I'm saying."

"Nope. Nope. I hate you." Olivia smirked.

"Aw. Love you, too." Oriel blew a kiss before waggling her fingers at the screen.

"Bye, O."

Locking her computer, Olivia leaned back in her desk chair and sighed. Talking to Oriel helped. Usually. Even if it only served to give her a list of things to think about. Her friend had been right about her feelings toward the governor - she didn't give him a chance most of the time. She was a big enough person to admit to that. She was just petty enough to decide that now wasn't the time to change that fact, either.


The film crew had arrived with plenty of time to spare. Cyrus had guided them toward the garden outside and a white, metal bench that sat between two, fully bloomed rose bushes and in full shade beneath an oak tree. With the cloudless, vibrant blue of the sky enhancing the scenery, it was a picturesque backdrop for the interview between the governor and his fiancee.

Except the governor was nowhere to be found. Cyrus had dropped the news on Olivia as she was preparing to walk out the door, a forced smile plastered on her face. She had been surprised - petty arguments aside, Fitz never missed an obligation.

"I'll stall them," Olivia had whispered to Cyrus, displaying a sense of bravado she certainly did not feel. She had swept into the yard, that forced smile present once more, and set about charming the crew. Hands were shaken, drinks were offered, and small talk was made and still there was no sign of Fitz or Cyrus.

"Miss Pope, we really have to get started." One of the cameramen gave an apologetic smile, gesturing toward the bench.

"I am so sorry the governor got caught up." Olivia offered the apology again, walking stiffly toward the bench and sitting on the cold metal as though it were the executioner's chair. Going for the wide-eyed innocent look that had helped the campaign thus far, she continued: "I'm not sure what good I could be by myself. We all know everyone really wants to hear the governor!"

"Nonsense." The tall redhead who had introduced herself as the lead interviewer, settled into the chair arranged before the bench. Her green eyes had taken a near predatory gloss to them as she spoke: "Everyone wants to hear from the woman who managed to snag the most eligible bachelor in the state of California."

Biting her lip, Olivia exhaled heavily. She had been watching the crew from the corner of her eye and knew they had already started filming. No doubt a ploy to catch her making some off-guard remark. Unfortunately for them, Cyrus had called in his favor when he had asked Olivia to join the governor's campaign for this precise reason - she was crisis control. She had studied all the greats, learned the tricks and even wrote a few of her own - all to prevent the media from gaining the upper hand.

"You put it that way, Caroline, and it sounds as though I'm some vulture who attacked the governor." Olivia giggled, inwardly groaning at the sound. She had always hated women who got in front of the camera and giggled like some airhead, but she had to admit it had its appeal when it came to turning an obviously barbed comment into something lighthearted.

"Of course not, Liv!" Caroline grinned, exposing a row of perfectly straight, pearly white teeth. "But no one even knew you were dating. A few insider reports we've received felt they were even in the dark – and they work closely with you and Governor Grant!"

"Seeing as only our close friends and family were aware, once we were certain there was something to our connection of course, it's no surprise that your insiders were unaware."

"But why keep it such a secret? Both of you clearly went through quite the trouble to keep your relationship hidden! So many thought you hated each other –"

"More insider reports?" Olivia raised a brow.

"What other way is there for information when the governor's camp has been so quiet?" Caroline chuckled, her pale hands on the ends of the seat as she leaned forward as though she and Olivia were about to share a secret.

"The governor –" Olivia began, only to be stopped by a large hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. She tilted her head back to see Fitz standing behind her and, heart beating wildly, lean down to place his lips over hers. The kiss was brief, an innocent and quick peck, really, but that didn't stop a blush from spreading over Olivia's cheeks.

"As talented as Olivia is, it would not have been fair for her career, or her skills, to be overshadowed because I had the good fortune of her returning my feelings." Fitz rounded the bench, settling in beside Olivia and reaching for her hand. Numbly, she allowed him to pull her hand to his lap, linking their fingers together.

"Governor!"

Olivia found herself biting her tongue to stop the irrational, and unbidden, words that had formed at Caroline's greeting. The woman's enthusiastic reaction to Fitz's presence would be enough to make any woman jealous. Except, as Olivia reminded herself - berating herself for the need for such a reminder in the first place - Fitz wasn't hers.

"We've heard the two of you have often butted heads - openly feuding, some would say."

"Yes, well, just because we are in a relationship does not mean that we agree one-hundred percent of the time. Olivia has her own views and her own ways of doing things. Sometimes I disagree. Just as she, at times, disagrees with my actions." Fitz turned his head, bringing his free hand up to brush Olivia's cheek as the corners of his lips twisted upward. Inwardly, Olivia cheered. Her 'how tos' for interviews hadn't gone entirely unheeded.

"It's better we get our disagreements out and work on compromises at work. I think it's important we balance our work and personal lives. There's no place for work arguments at home." Olivia closed the small distance between them, her side flush with Fitz's and the back of her head resting against his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her.

"And home…is that together?" Caroline questioned, suggestively.

"Not yet," Olivia squeaked, taken aback by the question, but grateful for Fitz's quick follow-up:

"My divorce was very hard for my kids and so, while they love Olivia and accept our relationship, we are slowly taking steps to fully introducing her into their lives." It was the kind of vague, decisive statement Olivia would have written for him had she been remotely prepared for this situation.

"Have your –"

"I'm sorry," Fitz had a charming, half-smile as he held his hand up, interrupting the reporter, "My chief of staff is indicating that our time is up. It was nice talking to you."

He stood before the woman could say another word, offering his arm to Olivia with a chuckle: "Back to work, love, though I think we'd both prefer this be the end of the day already."

In a daze, Olivia allowed Fitz to lead her back inside - one thought swirling in her mind:

What the fuck had just happened?