A/N: Happy Reading. Hope to read some reviews. They not only help the story move along, they make me smile. Enjoy, and if you celebrate, enjoy your Thanksgiving. Stay safe.

Chapter 22—

It was a tossing and turning type of night and Liv felt terrible for disturbing Fitz, knowing how much sleep he needed. She was just so anxious for the morning to come. She finally stopped tossing and was lying belly down, facing Fitz.

"Are you comfortable now?" He asked, his eyes opened, smirk on his face.

She took a deep breath. "I think so." Her hands were under her cheek, and she was just looking at him. "I think it's a combination of finally doing something, something I haven't done in about a year, and meeting women who have been abused, hoping I can help them in some way." She closed her eyes.

"I have no doubt you will do just fine, Livvie. They need your advice, your legal advice. They need someone they can trust and follow through with getting justice for them without fear of retaliation."

That word, for some reason sent chills up Liv's spine. "Retaliation", she repeated. Liv let out a "hmm" and turned to face the ceiling. Suddenly her heart began to pound. She retaliated, not Abby, but yet Abby was dead.

She took a few deep breaths. She really needed to calm down and get some sleep, otherwise she should just leave the bed and let Fitz be. She hadn't even realized; her body began to shiver.

Fitz sat up and looked at her. "Liv, what's wrong?" He rubbed the back of his hand on her cheek. "All of a sudden you began to shiver, are you cold?"

Liv shook her head. "No, Fitz, I'm going downstairs, you need your rest, this isn't fair to you."

"Stop, you're not going anywhere, come on Liv, talk to me."

She didn't want to bring up anything Putney. She closed her eyes. "I'm fine Fitz, really."

"You know what I think you need; I think you need some superpowers to exhaust you a bit. Let me get out my superpowers." He dipped his head, reaching her bare stomach. He loved when she slept in a sports bra.

"Superpowers activated." He kissed her stomach. That smooth flat stomach that showed no signs at all of a baby once being in there.

Liv smiled, a bit of a chuckle and she felt his warm kiss on her skin. Her body rested immediately. He did have that effect on her. "Fitz", she whispered.

His hand, actually, his finger, when to her lips and he pressed it against them, to quiet her down and let her focus. He shifted his body, now his head above her torso and his bottom hanging a bit off the bed.

He continued his soft, warm kisses down her stomach, and her hands fiddled with his hair, as her head turned, eyes closed and she began to melt, leaving her thoughts behind. Fitz used his teeth to grab her black lace panties, and one finger to pull them completely off her.

His warm breath over her sweetness now, and she almost rose her hips at record height to feel his tongue swirl around, but Fitz knew her too well, and knew she liked to be teased, even for a moment.

He looked at her, she looked down at him. "Don't drive me insane, Fitz, you're supposed to be calming me." She could feel how wet she was getting.

The tip of his tongue found the top of her clit and her stomach went down with her sigh of pleasure. "Ahh," was all she could muffle out of her mouth.

His hand now rested on her hip, as he rubbed around, and used his tongue to work his way down, then back up. "Oh God", now it was a moan. "MMMM"

He stopped completely, her stomach now rising and dropping with long deep, wanting breaths. "Feeling better?" He smiled.

Her legs were curling up and back down, "Fitz, don't stop, I am so close."

"Oh yeah?" He took his finger, outlined her lips with it and put it in her mouth. She took it, like an ice pop quenching her thirst. He kissed his way back down, and his tongue, without warning, found her entrance, and Liv almost lost it all right there.

She felt her legs curl up, almost trapping his head right where it was, and when his tongue exited and found her top again, that was her smoke flag, her I'm done, "Superpowers win", she got the words out as her body quivered and her head went back.

Before she could take a breath, he was above her, his lips waiting for hers when her head came back down. She smiled midway thorough the passionate kiss, and had to hold him in place there, as her body was still feeling the effects.

He felt her heart pounding. "Better?" He went to his side, watching her. He caught a glimpse of her small scar from her stab wound and wondered if sending her to the shelter was a good idea.

"So much better, thank you." Her arm wrapped around his back, and she pushed him, so he was now lying completely on his back, and her head was in the crook of his neck. She was breathing rapidly, her body still coming down, and her thought now was sleep.

Her arm securely around the Governor's chest, her head now on his shoulder, and she was fast asleep, his superpowers doing the trick. He kissed her forehead and reached his cell phone.

"Location?" he texted.

Not even a thirty second wait. "Still in St. Lucia, Sir."

"Contacts?"

"Just with Dez from what I'm getting."

"Dez's contacts?"

"Still working on it."

"The moment he leaves St. Lucia, I want to know."

"On it Sir."

"Sir, one more thing."

"I'm here, go on."

"Andres, his driver, still in the states, has been trying to contact him. Several phone calls in the past six hours."

"He won't take the calls?"

"I don't know if he won't or can't, just wanted to give you a heads up."

"Good work, Thank you."

"Good night, Sir."

One more text to send.

"Huck, everything you can find on Andres Travez."

"I already have everything, he's Putney's driver. Has a brother that works for Jax too. The guy seems quiet, had a brief run in with the law in NY a few years ago, but no charges stayed."

"Keep a lookout for him tomorrow, just a heads up."

"Will do."

Something wasn't sitting right with Fitz. If Andres was here trying to get Jax, there was something up. He wouldn't put it past Jax trying to find out Olivia's whereabouts and what she was doing. He pulled her closer to him, as if that could protect her more. He took a deep breath.

Fitz did have a long day tomorrow, meeting with Senate and convincing them to put this tax on oil companies through. He needed this to gain more trust from taxpayers, and to eventually feel comfortable enough to come forward with Liv and Grant.

Fitz put his phone down. He glanced at the clock. 12:30. Liv wanted to be at the shelter for when the doors opened. She wanted to be the first to greet any newcomers who may have checked in overnight.

Grant would also need a feeding. Liv pumped earlier and left three bottles for MiMi. The shelter opened at 7. He figured they'd both be up by 5:30 and just use the time to get ready. This, Fitz remembered, would all depend on Grant. He looked at the monitor.

Grant was soundly asleep in his crib. "You make the rules kid, just give us a few hours, ok." Fitz closed his eyes, resting his head on Liv's, and Grant's parents were sleeping peacefully.

Liv heard the squeaky voice. She felt something feather like on her face. She took a soft swat to it. "Mommy, mommy, I'm hungry, wake up." Again, the feather like feeling and she swatted again.

What is that? She knew she was dreaming. She heard the voice come through again. Squeaky, like a little mouse. "Mommy." Liv opened her eyes.

She closed them back up in laughter and lifted her head from the pillow. "What the heck is wrong with you?"

Fitz was laughing, holding Grant against his chest. Grant was sitting up against his father and his little fist was being moved by Fitz onto Liv's face. That's what she was feeling. "I'm hungry mommy." Fitz said in the squeaky little voice.

"What time is it?' Liv grabbed his little fist and kissed it.

"4:27 a.m." Fitz said. "Technically we have one more hour to sleep, but little guy here…"

"I know, is hungry. How long has he been up?"

Liv laid him so he latched on to breastfeed. Almost immediately after he began sucking, his eyes were closing, her head was resting on Fitz's chest.

"About a half hour. After he didn't go back to sleep, I figured he wouldn't because he was hungry." He kissed her head. "Sorry for waking you up."

Liv looked down at Grant now, sleeping, but still sucking. She looked up at Fitz, looking at the television with the closed captioning on because it was muted. "MMM, I could wake up like this every morning. What are you watching?"

"Oh, I was showing Grant some stocks he could buy, and then he saw my picture on the television and he waved."

Liv laughed. "He did not wave."

"He did, why would I lie. He waved and he said Hey Daddy-O."

Liv couldn't hold in her laughter. "Stop, he did not!" Liv looked at the tv. Fitz took the mute button off to hear it now.

"That's Joyce Waters. Putney is going all out for her to win a California Senate seat. He wants Sanderson out. Take a listen."

"Joyce Waters didn't have a chance to win the Senate seat she so boldly put her name in to run for. She must win the Republican Primary first, and that's no easy task against longtime seat holder Ian Sanderson, until now. Jax Putney putting 5 million dollars into the race before the primary is showing he is going all out to get politicians in to go against Grant's policies, this is going to be a race to watch."

Liv was rubbing Grant's curls now as he slept. "How does any woman get on Jax Putney's side?"

"Oh, she's been a councilwoman in San Francisco for two years. He's been getting away with a lot there since she won that seat." Fitz shrugged. "My dad said he helped her family financially one year and she owes him. I'm hoping Sanderson can pull this off though."

"I think your son has had enough." Liv looked down at him now, just sleeping, his little fist on his forehead like he had a rough night. Fitz scooped him and put him the cradle next to the bed.

"Now we have some cuddle time. Feeling, ok?" Fitz asked. "I could…."

"No, I'm fine." Liv took her hand and covered his mouth. She shrugged, her head on his chest. "Not nervous now, I think anxious. If I help one woman, then it will all be worth it."

"Like I said, they can use someone like you, you won't judge them, you'll listen. That's what they need."

"I was talking to Huck." Liv was tracing his lips with her finger. "Maybe down the line we can start a foundation in Abby's name? It can help abused women trying to get back on their feet."

Fitz stopped her hand. He kissed it gently. "I think that's a wonderful idea." Liv put her head back on his chest.

"Do you think this Joyce Waters really has a chance to unseat Sanderson?"

"Sanderson talked to me last night after the little leaguers left. I told him he has to look beyond the money do things for his constituents. Oh yeah, and he has a picture of us in a shop in Avila Beach."

Liv shot her head back up. "He has what?"

Fitz shrugged. "He showed me the picture last night he asked if we were dating."

"What did you say?" Liv couldn't believe how calm Fitz was about this revelation.

"I asked him why it mattered. He kind of used it as a threat that he wouldn't put my name out there for president. I don't care. I didn't take it any further. Right now, I'm the Governor and that's the job I need to do, and he needs to focus on keeping Putney's claws out of my Senate."

Liv didn't know what to say. Fitz didn't seem the least bit upset or worried that a picture existed of them, and they didn't have possession of it.

"You ever hear of a Fallon Keltos?" Liv broke the silence.

"No, the name doesn't sound familiar. Should it?"

"Apparently she's a relative of Putney's. Huck told me to be on the lookout for her around the shelters. Why would she hang around shelters?"

"Why does anyone associated with the Putney's do anything?" He pulled her now on top of him, he was done talking politics for now.

Joyce Waters

The pain medication worked for a few hours, but now Joyce Waters, "Evelyn," was wide awake in the small bed. She looked around, only the streetlights from the windows above glared in. She was in the middle of a row of beds, she couldn't count how many beds there were, but there were many. All of these women abused in some way, what had she done as a council woman to help them, she though now.

Joyce heard heavy breathing coming from all angels, and she closed her eyes to the pain she felt. Her jaw felt like it had been punched, wait, it had. She tried to move it, but the ache stopped that.

She felt the open wound on her cheekbone, the bleeding she guessed had finally stopped. Her tongue went to the inside of her cheek, and she tasted blood. The inside of her mouth had been cut when he hit her and cut it on her teeth, the impact causing her to bite down.

Her eyes swelled with tears, and she felt them fall. She turned into the pillow and began crying heavily into it, as quiet at she could be. She had yet to know the damage Andres had done, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to know.

Joyce wanted to go home, just get back to her house in San Francisco and forget this whole thing had ever happened. She had a campaign to run, a mayor's ball to attend, and a Senate seat to win. She stopped mid cry. Fuck.

The mayor's ball was in less than two weeks. Her wounds would never heal. What would she tell Putney? She heard movement, and she grew alarmed. What if a woman was coming to attack her?

"Evelyn." The soft, soothing voice whispered. "Evelyn, are you ok? Did the medication wear off?"

The nurse who had checked her in, cleaned her up, performed the rape kit, did all the necessities was sitting on her bed, resting her hand on her shoulder.

"I'm just sore."

"Good news, the x rays showed nothing broken, but you may want to keep your shoulder in a sling. It will limit your movement."

"Can I go home at daylight?"

"Honey, we have a lawyer coming first thing in the morning, my advice is you speak to her. Don't let this go."

Joyce shook her head. "I don't want a lawyer; I just want to go home."

"And what, this happens again, only the next time he kills you? I can't hold you here, but I strongly suggest you speak to the lawyer. Try to get some rest. She'll be here by 7 when we open our doors, and you can go if you're strong enough."

Having a few more hours left to sleep, Joyce closed her eyes. She remembered the first day she met Andres. He delivered the package she was waiting for to give to her father. The package was from Jax Putney.

Joyce's family struggled to make ends meet. Joyce was given the opportunity to go to Community College for free and depending on her grades, get to the University where she would study Political Science.

Her parent's store, the one they relied heavily on for their income was burned in a fire. The fire was deemed suspicious, and her parents lost everything. With Joyce just graduating and running for a term on the City Council, she didn't think much about the fire being deliberate because of her and her position.

Jax Putney reached out to Joyce's father. Jax needed favors and he needed them done quickly. The city council was one vote short of acting in his favor on many issues and having Joyce on there would be a welcome delight. It also would give James Waters a nice amount of money.

That money would come after he talked to his daughter, and she was on board with voting the way Jax needed. It was the right amount of money Joyce's family needed to get back on their feet, retire, and live a good life, so how could Joyce say no?

Being the only woman on the council was hard enough, getting elected was difficult, but the anonymous donor to her campaign helped things along. The night of the election, she was approached by Andres, the trusted driver for the Jax Putney himself.

It didn't take long for Joyce to fall for him, and they began a relationship. Joyce did not know Andres had already been in trouble with the law, having been accused of domestic abuse in New York. Because his ex-girlfriend was scared into not pressing charges, Andres got off, but not without a price.

He had been approached by a young Chip, who directed him back to California and got him in contact with Fallon. Fallon was a new lawyer fresh out of law school. Andres wanted to stay out of jail, he joined the payroll of Putney, and so began his employment and life of crime in the world of the Putney's.

Fallon had spoken to a judge in New York. He was on the Putney's payroll and when the charge of a restraining order finally came in front of him, the judge knew what he had to do, and he ignored it. Andres was a free man, only a small run in with an officer on his record.

Joyce had no idea, only knowing Andres worked closely with Jax. He had never physically hit Joyce before in their three years on and off relationship, but something was wrong with him on this night.

After Joyce left the Governor's mansion, she was walking to her car. Andres approached her, grabbing her arm, and pulled her to the vehicle. Andres had thought she was conspiring against Jax and working with Governor Grant. Joyce told him that was the farthest from the truth.

She had been invited as a councilwoman and president to join in celebrating the state's little league team. Andres didn't hear it. Jax was away, this pissed him off enough. His friend of several years, Chip, had been killed, and Andres had enough of Joyce and his first blow to her face landed on her jaw.

She fell into the back seat of the car, where Andres joined her, closing her door. When she tried to sit up, he hit her one more time contacting her cheek bone and slicing open her skin. Joyce began to plead with Andres to stop. The pain was unbearable.

Andres opened the door. In the parking garage, no one around, he pushed Joyce out of her own car, keeping her purse and her cellphone. Joyce landed hard on the concrete, her shoulder hitting the ground first, and all she could do before getting a taxi to the shelter was lay there on the hard concrete for a half hour.

Having absolutely nothing and too embarrassed to turn to anyone, she had heard about the Help for You Overnight Women's Shelter. It was both a medical care center and a women's shelter. She needed both, medical help and shelter, so that is why Joyce Waters, City Council President for San Francisco was crying in a shelter bed with bruises on her face and shoulders. What was she going to do?

Jax

Since the death of his son, Jax didn't get much sleep. Because of this, he didn't expect anyone to sleep either. There was work that needed to get done, and sleep wouldn't get the work done. First up, the mayor's ball.

Jax had planned to leave St. Lucia in two days, ironically the same day Erin Whelan would be arriving in Santa Barbara to begin living her life in California. Jax put three pieces of paper in front of him, the same three in front of Dez.

"Evan is a friend of Fitz's, has been for several years. He worked on his administration when Fitz was mayor. He was Director of sales and city growth. The guy never gave developers a chance, always with Fitz in helping out the little guys, the mom and pop's of the town." Jax shook his head.

"What's your plan?" Dez yawned. "I mean why are we going to the ball?"

"This is a charity event for Evan. He needs money in his campaign to run for Mayor again. He's going to have the glowing support of Fitz. Hell, Fitz may even run his campaign. Anyway, Joyce makes an appearance, knowing the money she has now from me…."

"Evan may be enticed." Dez nodded understanding.

"We get the mayor of Santa Barbara, we get Fitz. That's his baby, his hometown, we own him." Jax clapped his hands, ready for this to happen. "Joyce will know the right things to say, being the only woman on a city council, Evan will listen." He patted Dez on the shoulder. "Things are starting to look up."

"Don't forget, special session boss. The oil companies. You may lose millions in taxes if Fitz gets his way, so don't over donate." Dez warned him.

"Fitz is not going to have an easy time in tomorrow's session. This may be his first defeat. I have some insider information there aren't too many on board with him on this."

"Jax, California residents are paying $6 a gallon for gas, you think they don't want to adhere to the constituent's needs? Don't be so sure…"

"Go to bed, Dez, you're letting your exhaustion talk."

Dez didn't have to be told twice. He walked away, finally getting a chance to look at his cell phone. He saw five missed calls from Andres. He ignored it. "Little shit can wait until the morning to get a call back."

Dez turned and looked back at Jax. Jax had retreated to writing notes furiously on the pages in front. The man was on a mission, and Dez was happy he wasn't on his path of wrath.

Andres

Within the Governor's mansion there was a shelter within nine miles. Andres was sure with no where else to go, Joyce would wind up there. After he drove off with her car, his heart began to pound in his chest.

His boss had just shelled out five million dollars to this woman, expecting her to run a campaign to become a state senator. What the fuck had he done? He really thought Joyce was giving information to Fitz. This was Jax's fault.

When it came to Fitz, Jax had Andres on high alert. When Joyce came out smiling, happy about being in the presence of that little shit governor, Andres's face burned in anger. He can only imagine now how her face looked.

He took a deep swallow. He had to let Jax know the damage he had done. Holding his forehead in his hand, he didn't know what to do. He was parked two blocks away from the shelter. He wasn't even sure if she was in there, but he needed to believe she was.

Jax wasn't taking his calls, Dez wasn't taking his calls. What if she was pressing charges? He got off once, but now he just beat a councilwoman. He looked in the rearview mirror. "Fuck!" he screamed and smacked the mirror. It fell to the floor of the car, and Andres put his seat back. There was nothing he could do, nothing but wait. He had to find a way to get closer to the shelter to see if he could get any access to who was inside.

Perhaps he could call Sergio, his cousin on the police force here in Sacramento, maybe he could gain access and find out. But what would he tell him? I beat the shit out of my girlfriend, could you see if she is conscious? He leaned back in the seat. He didn't want to think anymore, he just wanted to sleep, so he did.

Olivia

Fitz's Governor's car pulled up around the back of entrance of the shelter. Once it stopped, he looked at Liv. "Huck is behind us, in his own car. You sure you're up to this?" Fitz's eyes were trying to read hers.

"I'm fine, Fitz. I'll see you back home later." She kissed his cheek. He grabbed her hand and before the door opened, he pulled her back to him.

He kissed her temple softly. "Don't let it get too hard, ok. I love you."

She smiled at him. "Love you too. Good luck today with the Senate."

He watched as she knocked on the door, showed her ID and was led into the building. He took a deep breath. He could only leave her in Huck's hands, and besides himself, that was the best set of hands she could be in. The car pulled away heading to the statehouse.

It was still eerily quiet in the shelter. The woman who let Liv in introduced herself as Janice Sullivan. She was the overnight nurse and she had two women she needed Liv to meet. "You come highly recommended from Governor Grant." Janice shook Olivia's hands. "I hope you can help them."

Liv listened to cases of "Evelyn and Jocelyn", two women coming in overnight half hour after one another. Evelyn had finally fallen asleep, and Janice was not in a rush to wake her up, so she suggested Liv go see Jocelyn first.

"Jocelyn has three broken ribs, and breathing is a bit difficult for her. Her drunk husband pushed her down when she turned off the television thinking he was asleep last night. When she was down, he stepped on her, breaking her ribs." Janice began putting away some supplies and handed the file to Liv.

Liv took a deep breath. "How did she get here?"

"He fell into a drunken sleep, and she took a taxi from 20 miles away. This isn't her first time here, and we're hoping you can help her get a restraining order in motion."

Liv nodded. She looked at the other file. "And Evelyn?"

Janice became tight lipped. Having worked with the governor, Janice knew her politicians. She wasn't going to identify Joyce to Liv, not yet. "Evelyn wants to leave. Because she is sleeping, I'm letting her sleep because she is eager to get out right away. She may be difficult."

Liv got up to head to the room the women were in. Before she left, she turned to Jocelyn. "Have you ever encountered someone named Fallon Keltos?"

Janice's head shook. "Not here, name is familiar though. I believe she speaks to women in shelters in San Diego. Why?"

"Just curious, thank you. Can I just step out and use the phone?" When he saw Liv, Huck sat up in the car and she waved to him signaling it was fine.

"Viv, you ready? I need you to find out what you can about these three judges. "Dave Ross, Jill Evers, and Rick Seamon. They are all out of San Diego. How many domestic abuse cases have gone before them and what did they do with them? I'll talk to you in two days. Thanks for being on board with this."

At the same time Olivia sat across from Jocelyn ready to speak to her, Fallon walked into the wellness center across town ready to give legal advice to Victoria, a young domestic abuse victim for the first time. Fallon was going to convince her there was no use in trying to get her abuser charged.

Although Victoria was hell bent on not letting Wayne walk away with no consequences for what he did, Fallon needed Wayne on Putney's side. After all, his work as a corrections officer gave Jax inside communication with the inmates, and Fallon wasn't going to let Jax down.

"Jocelyn, I'm Olivia Pope. I understand you came here last night and have several broken ribs; do you have any legal questions I can help you with?" Liv blinked back tears watching the woman try to sit up.

"No, don't sit up, you can speak to me lying down."

Once she was finished taking Jocelyn's story and giving her the options, Liv was feeling good. She wished she could have helped Abby the way she helped Jocelyn. Jocelyn would be staying at the shelter a few more days while Liv worked on getting a restraining order against her husband.

Fallon spoke Victoria. "The way I see it, Victoria, you have a few minor scratches and bruises, nothing a few days won't heal. You really don't have a case against him."

"The guy lunged at me with a knife, the only reason he didn't connect was because I kicked it out of his hand. You're telling me to just drop this?"

"Of course not, don't just drop it, go for a lesser charge, scare him a bit, he won't do it again, I've seen cases like this many times. I can have an officer pick him up, that'll scare him."

Vitoria wasn't quite sure she was getting the best advice, but it was all she had for now. She reluctantly followed the advice of Fallon, not realizing it would have her killed by day's end.

Liv walked into the room where Evelyn was. "Evelyn, I'm Olivia Pope, I'm here to see if…." Liv froze in her tracks when Evelyn turned around. "if you need any legal advice." Liv continued not wanting Joyce Waters to realize her identity was known. Liv didn't think she would make it to the other shelter today.

Liv's phone buzzed as she waited for an answer. She stepped out of the room for a moment. "Huck."

"Don't leave the building, do you hear me, do not leave the building for any reason at all."

"What's going on?"

Huck was staring at Andres. He had come into sight up the block walking towards the shelter. Huck was in the back seat of his car now, where the windows were completely tinted. He had no idea if Andres was there by chance or if he knew Liv was in there.

"Andres is walking towards the shelter.'

"What?" Liv peered back in the room. "Huck, I have to go." Liv realized it was no coincidence. Jax's biggest gamble for the California Senate was beat up and his driver was lurking outside. This was going to be interesting.

'Stay in the building Liv." Huck got the words out before Liv hung up.

Fitz

"Come on governor, you need to meet us halfway, this is ridiculous." Scott Demp, top Republican in the Senate behind Sanderson stood up in session.

"Sit down Demp. I don't have to meet you halfway. The prices are outrageous, and people can't afford to get gas in their cars. They can't get to the stores, to their children's sports events, or to visit sick relatives. Why don't you start thinking of the people who elected you instead of the people that line your pockets?"

Scott waved both his hands in disgust at Fitz. "You're a piece of work, you think another tax is going to be a solution?" He sat down shaking his head.

"What's your solution Scott? I'm waiting." The room grew quiet, all eyes on Scott. Fitz chuckled. "Typical, scream and yell at the problem, but don't solve it." Fitz looked around. "Anyone?"

Sandra Fletcher stood up. "Sir, if I may."

Fitz nodded as she handed him a piece of paper. "Several of us, the names are on the paper, wrote a letter to the top oil companies demanding an explanation on behalf of our constituents."

Fitz looked over at Scott. "Look at that Demp, someone with a start of a solution." He looked back at Sandra. "Although this is a start, it doesn't explain the difference we are paying here in California as compared to the rest of the country. Don't let up on the companies. Go public with the letter and the half assed response they gave."

"Yes sir." Sandra nodded at one of her aides who walked out of the room, to work on it.

Fitz stood up. "In the meantime, I want numbers. I want numbers from Putney refinery, Chuck Industries, and Gold Oil. I want their profits and I want them publicly released. I'll expect two Bills written to attack this problem and a few solutions by Friday afternoon."

Long whines came from the Legislature. "Friday, Governor, you're kidding us right." Demp had enough of Fitz by now and he stood back up.

Fitz walked over to him. Face to face with one of Putney's top endorsements on the Senate, he looked him dead in the eye. "See if I'm kidding. Have a solution. You don't work hours here, you work every day, every hour for the people who elected you, not the people who favor you and give you money. Should I have you audited, Demp?"

Demp looked away. He sat down, throwing his pen onto his pad. Fitz looked around the room. "You have a few days..." He looked back at Demp. "Give my best to Jax, you hear." He smiled and walked out as the mumbles became louder and both sides were yelling at each other.

Fitz's phone buzzed. Five hours with California Legislature had him on the brink to down some scotch. He read the text and he smiled.

"Wanted the airport for Wednesday in Santa Barbara, it's booked up by you. He's still flying in, regular airport."

"Good, time of arrival?"

"Working on that, seems to be two different times."

"Find out, I want him picked up for questioning."

"Yes sir."

Fitz was sitting up against the couch watching Grant sleep in his cradle. He had some rare alone time with his son. He read to him, his favorite book, and Grant was so content. Looking down at his son now, he smiled.

While Grant was on his tummy time, he had rolled over and it was the first time Fitz had seen it. He was bummed Liv wasn't there, but secretly happy it was a moment he got to see while alone with Grant. "You did it big guy." He scooped Grant up and held him above his head, bringing his nose down to his and kissing him.

That roll and the book must have exhausted him because he was sleeping now for an hour in the cradle and Fitz was just waiting for Liv to walk through the door. He looked over at the dining room table. The food covered to keep warm, candles burning and a bouquet of pink and white carnations waiting for her also.

Liv walked in; Huck nodded at Fitz. "Uh, see you later Liv." He walked away, and Liv walked in. She stood by the couch, Fitz looking up at her.

"Hi." He said.

"Hi". She said. She tilted her head towards him. Tears began filling her eyes.

"Liv" he whispered. He was about to get up, but Grant began to cry.

Liv scooped him up, hugging him close to her body, giving him soft kisses. She held his head on her shoulder. One more kiss and she handed him to Fitz as she got ready to feed him.

"Don't move." Liv rested her body against Fitz on the couch. He wrapped his arms around her, as she sat up feeding Grant.

Fitz looked down at them both, the greatest feeling in the world having the two of them close to him. He kissed her head. "How did it go?"

She took a deep breath. She knew she could trust Fitz. She trusted him and Huck with every ounce of her being. "Well, I don't think Joyce Waters will be making it to the mayor's ball as she recovers from the beating Andres Travez gave her last night."

"Holy Shit." Fitz said.

Liv looked down at Grant, letting him continue to feed. "I couldn't convince her to press charges, she walked out, I didn't let on that I knew who she was, I think she knew, but I say nothing. She's beat up badly Fitz. Jax put a lot of money down on her, I don't know how this will play out." She looked over at the table.

"Dinner, candlelight, and flowers? Fitz." She sat up now, holding Grant.

"Just thought we would have a quiet dinner. What do you think is going on?"

"I'm checking out some judges in San Diego. I think Fallon is involved in a ring that gets these abusers off and in return they work for Putney."

"Jesus, Liv." He crossed his eyebrows. "Why are you about to cry?"

Grant latched off and Fitz took him to burp. "Seeing those women, hearing their stories, how did I get so lucky." She rested her head on his shoulder. "You are so good to me Fitz; I wish all men were like you and I am sure your son will mirror you."

He stood up, Liv putting her shirt back on. He held Grant close to him as they began to plate and eat their meal. It was going to be an interesting conversation. Liv glanced over at Fitz before she began to eat. She smiled as she watched him looking down at his son, gently kissing his soft sleeping head.

The small family sat at the table enjoying their son, savoring the meal, and talking about Erin's arrival in a few days, the mayor's ball in a week. In just about a half hour, both of their phones would ring.

Jocelyn sat with a book in the corner of a private room now in the shelter. Her torso still sore as hell, but able to move. She was safe, for now, her husband waking up to three police officers in the house to serve his warrant of arrest. While she snuggled up comfortable with her book, her husband was sobering up in a jail cell two towns over.

Victoria, on the advice of Fallon, left the shelter and headed home. She had no idea Wayne was approached by Andres. Andres was posing at a police officer for the Sacramento Police Department. Wayne was told his wife wanted to file a complaint but thought against it.

Wayne didn't think Andres (Officer Sanchez) was doing him a service at all. "You going to arrest me?"

"No." Andres said. "However, I need you to meet with me in an hour at this address." Fallon would be waiting there with further instructions. Andres walked away, not knowing he just set off a ticking time bomb.

Within that hour, Wayne saw his wife walking home. His face burning with anger that she contacted the police, he pushed down on the gas pedal. While Victoria was walking across the street, she didn't see the car that hit her straight on but kept going. Victoria was dead by the time she hit the pavement.

Governor Grant had to be called. This would disrupt traffic on the street that led to the Governor's mansion. The investigation would go well into the morning, and with a fatality, the Governor would want to know, to offer condolences to the family.

Joyce Waters was comfortable in her bed. After a long, hot shower, she headed straight to bed. Olivia had given her the options, gave her a phone number to call if she wanted to go further with this. She told Joyce to think about it and when she was ready, she would be there for her.

Huck called Liv back when he saw Andres answer a call and leave in a hurry. When Liv hung up the phone, she turned to Joyce. "He's gone."

Joyce looked at Liv. "Who is gone?"

"Andres, he left from outside in a hurry." Liv gave a sympathetic smile.

"How did you know?"

Liv grabbed both her hands. "Just know you can trust me, ok? Don't let him walk away."

Joyce thought of Olivia. There was something different about her, something genuine. She closed her eyes. She opened them back up looking at the paper with Liv's number. She picked up her phone to dial it. Andres had to pay for what he had done.

Jax

While Olivia was feeding Grant in Fitz's arms, Jax was cursing both their names. He had tried to schedule an arrival at the Santa Barbara private airport for Wednesday. "Sorry, Mr. Putney, the Governor has the airport booked for the day. No other planes in or out."

He had to settle for flying into the Santa Barbara airport. He was pissed, but he didn't want trouble, yet. Once he hung up with the airport, his phone rang. It was Demp.

"He's hell bent, Sir, on getting the companies to dish out millions to the taxpayers. We meet again on Friday."

"Good, I'll be back by then. We'll meet before that. Keep stalling and for God's sake get some republicans to go against him."

"Not the easiest thing to do." Demp said before he hung up.

On Fitz's orders, Huck released a picture of Liv outside the shelter. "If this Fallon is lurking around shelters and is working for Jax, let him know Olivia is her competition."

Jax looked down now at the picture that came from an anonymous fax number. "Looks like Olivia Pope found a hobby." The words written in black marker, as Jax sipped his bourbon and looked down at it.

"It really is time Pope is taken care of." He said out loud to no one.