Ratio decidendi. Latin for the "rule of decision"
Awoken in the dead of night by a hauntingly inexorable nightmare. His gaze went to his sleeping girlfriend. She's so beautiful even during her slumber: bonnet askew, mouth open softly snoring, and that rambunctious titty that has freed itself from the tank top she's wearing. He shoved the lingering thoughts of the dream he had out of his brain and tried to go back to sleep. Everyone fears that they can't protect the one person they value more than their own life. Fitz is fighting in a dark room, waving his arms around wildly, but no matter how hard he swings, he doesn't hit anything. How can he truly protect her if he doesn't know who he's fighting?
After failing to fall back to sleep, he got out of bed and went down the hall to his office.
What am I looking for? he whispered aloud to himself. Then a thought came to him, he was looking everywhere, but the person, his father, pointed him to Amber Lawson.
The only information he knew was that she worked for his father for nine years and some change. For as long as he's frequented Jerry's office, Amber sat at that desk taking his calls, making his schedules, and getting his lunch. Ms. Lawson was an attractive strawberry blonde in her early thirties though she was younger when she began working for Jerry. His initial search didn't provide as much information as he'd hoped for. Nonetheless, he wasn't surprised the FBI couldn't even find her. He sure as hell wasn't going to do it in one night with one google search.
His eyes grew weary and stung from staring at the bright screen. A yawn came, and he knew it was time to give up for the night and get some sleep. In the back of his head, the question remained: Why would jerry task me to find her?
What does she have on him? Fitz thought as he climbed under the duvet, pulling Olivia closer to spoon her. Safely where he could protect her, with that comforting feeling in mind, he drifted off.
Dean Coleman was completely blindsided. His guard was down after a month, and with no word from the FBI, he let himself believe the storm had cleared. So when an extremely handsome, well-dressed bald black man standing at six feet waltzed into his office demanding his resignation. He had no choice but to hand it over.
"You have until this afternoon to have your belongings cleared from this office, that is, if the FBI doesn't get you first." Mr. Hatch sounded, his voice was gruff, and his brows were drawn together in a frown... and yet his coffee eyes twinkled with humor.
"Yes, sir," Dean Coleman responded because whatever else kind of asshole Mr. Hatch is, he's still the president of this institute and demands the utmost respect.
"Very well then." and with that, he left, taking his large presence with him.
Coleman slouched back in his chair. In a matter of minutes, his career and reputation went out the window. He asked himself if this day could get any worse.
"Knock knock," Cyrus poked his head in, then his whole body. "You should consider it an honor that the president came himself," he comments.
He gets up, moving around the space. "I can guarantee he's heading to your office right now." he hissed through his teeth with a look of distaste.
"He stopped by on his way here and offered me your position. See, I wasn't stupid enough to embezzle school donations. You dumb son-of-a-bitch." He chuckled, a sound that somehow managed to be threatening.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hatch is making a statement about the upcoming changes with the campus and staff in the square. She'd opened a can of worms that's done more damage than she cares to take responsibility for. Olivia grips Fitz's hand as The president takes the stage.
"I will not stand here and insult your intelligence," he speaks to the clamoring crowd. "This is a campus that promotes integrity and ethics. Dean Coleman has degraded our code. So as president of this institution, I will make an example of him and his deplorable actions. He will be terminated immediately because they let you down and set bad examples when they let me down. It would be best if you weren't discouraged by what has happened here. I want us to continue to grow as a school and rise above the disappointment and shame of Dean Coleman." Mr. Hatch cleared his throat and looked over the crowd. "is just the first of examples I'll make until our campus is rid of scum like him and anyone else involved in the governs crimes..." He went on, and by the time he was finished, Fitz and Olivia made it to the parking lot. Neither of them addressed the speech. Guilt bubbled inside of her; she still doesn't say a word.
Fitz drifted through light traffic safely and responsibly. Olivia could feel the humiliation and anger radiating from him. His grip on the steering wheel and manner he clenched his jaw.
"Fitz," she spoke softly,
"What?" He hissed, glancing over. He hated himself for responding like that. "I'm sorry, Liv. But everything is coming down on me, and I don't have shit to do with my father; I'm not a part of his world anymore. It just feels like they're out to get me and..."
"I know, and I'm sorry I wanna help. I really do, but I need you to talk to me. Fitz, I need to know everything you know so that we can work together."
"Let's go to your place and talk, and there's a bunch of bs with the FBI," Fitz admits. Olivia nods softly. The remainder of the ride was silent as she respected his decision to hold what little information he had.
Down the hall leading to Olivia's door, they heard the distinctive sobs of a woman. Both confused by what they're hearing, Fitz gestured for Olivia to stay behind him; he wasn't 100 percent sure who would be waiting behind that corner. But he was relieved to see Abigail, sitting with her back against the door. She must've been waiting for her friend to get home.
Olivia rushed past Fitz to console her. "Abby, what happened?" Fitz hung back, not wanting to give Abby an even bigger reason to hate his guts. She prides herself on being the strong one, never showing emotions, so this must be deep.
Abby lifted her head slightly; her eyes were red and puffy from crying. "David broke up with me," she was able to get out.
"Okay, let's get inside, and I'll make some tea, and we can talk" she unlocked the door, and they all went in. Fitz walked straight to the bedroom and waited for Olivia.
A few minutes later, Olivia popped her head in to give him a bit of an update. "I know I said I would help, but can you give me a couple of hours. Abby needs me."
"Fine, I'll call later, " he said with a sigh, running fingers through his hair.
Shifting over to him, Olivia says, "I'm sorry, but I've not been there for her."
"I said it's fine, really." His warm hands slid around her waist, pulling her back against him. Fitz kissed her and left for the day to give them a bit of space. On his way out, he stopped by Abby. "I hope you feel better."
"I'll try, dipshit" Abby rolled her eyes and sipped the green tea Liv awarded her with. At least she still had a fighting spirit, Fitz thought as he exited. Olivia came out and sat beside her on the sofa.
"So tell me what happened? Why did he all of a sudden break things off?"
She shook her head, trying to prevent the waterworks. "Because he's graduating and moving to Arkansas," she said sniffly. "I think it's his mother, and she probably wants him with a nice Jewish girl."
"Oh, Abby, he's a jerk," she attempted to sympathize, but the redhead didn't have it. She got up from the sofa and b-lined to the kitchen.
"Where's the wine? I wanna get drunk and watch bad movies."
So that's what they did; Olivia didn't want to impose on Abigail. Whenever she's ready to talk, Olivia will be there as the loyal friend she's always been.
Bound to receive a noise complaint Olivia and Abby blasted music until 11 pm and had a dance party. Just anything to keep her mind off that asshole. Olivia mixed some drinks, and they continued to party.
"Oh god, I feel awful," Abby mumbled as her head hung in the toilet bowl.
"Yeah, sorry" she was at the sink setting a rag for Abby's head. It was already decided they'll miss the first course. Olivia was relatively sober but didn't think it wise to leave her best friend alone hungover.
"I called Fitz because I have to help him with some stuff; we're gonna be in the study," Liv said as she laid the cold towel across her neck.
"That's fine."
An hour later, Abby was asleep in the bedroom while Olivia cleaned up the kitchen and living room. After she finished, she fixed a cup of soothing green tea and got comfortable on the sofa waiting for Fitz.
XXXXX
By the time he arrived, Olivia was exhausted, but she was adamant about helping. The stuff this afternoon set them back a few hours, but she's confident they'll get somewhere.
The door opened, and he stepped inside. "Hi."
"Hi." Smiling ear to ear, Olivia pulled him close for a kiss. "We can go to the study,"
"Okay"
He didn't waste time pulling out his laptop and notepad he'd been jotting potential leads on. First, he needed to tell her everything. Fitz began a month ago when he was taken into custody up until now. For a moment, Olivia just sat quiet and absorbed all of it before speaking.
"I didn't want to make you paranoid or worry you any further. The trial competition and although graduation is 7 months away, I know how stressful all this shit with my father can be and school."
"I wouldn't have gotten paranoid; I would be cautious of my surroundings. But something you said got me thinking," she was a bit upset, except that wouldn't help anything right now, so she opened her laptop and began typing.
It took her no longer than 30 minutes to find exactly what she was looking for. She has to admit this isn't what either of them wanted, which definitely changes the game.
"You said Jerry wanted you to find Amber because she had something important, and the FBI wants her because they think it's the money. I don't Jerry would be stupid enough to entrust her with it." She turned the screen towards Fitz, revealing her findings. It took him a second to get what she was showing him. "But a family member, in this case, a child who wouldn't know what they have."
"Liv, this is substantial. My father had a lot of supporters in California. Think about it, he's not all that handsome, but he had a bit of power, and women would be stupid enough to name a child after him even if he isn't the father." Fitz moved closer to the screen, examining the birth certificate pdf. " also look at the year 2012. And as far as I know, Amber Lawson is her legal name." Noting Ms. Lilian Forrester as the listed mother and father listed as Robert Glad.
Shutting the laptop hard, Olivia got up and walked out, heading to the kitchen. She set the mug in the sink. Olivia sighed, shaking her head. "Livvie, I'm not saying you're wrong; it's unlikely, though."
"I think you don't want this to be true because it would hurt if it was. You are intelligent enough to know that people use fake names, and your father is the master of deception. Don't rule it out, okay?" She sighed, folding her arms.
"Livvie, let's just go to sleep, and we'll figure this out in the morning. I need to talk to Cyrus see what he says."
Olivi slapped her thighs as she threw her hands down in frustration. He specifically asked for her help, but now he has to get Cyrus' opinions over hers. She walked to the linen closet and pulled out a pillow and blanket.
"You can take the couch; I'm going to bed. Maybe Cyrus will share my thoughts, and then you can trust it." She let the door close with a hard thud.
Fitz sighed and then started getting ready for bed. Olivia was right about one thing, the prospect of having a sibling scared him, and it hurt. "Something more important than you'll ever be'' are the words that echo to this day. He settled on the couch and let sleep calm his tired bones.
Cyrus looked at the clock checking to see if he had the correct time. He had a few meetings lined up this morning but whoever was knocking at his door, was insanely early.
"Come in" he called out "Fitz what are you doing here?"
"I just have one question for you." Fitz sighed. "Does my father have other children?"
By the expression covering Cyrus' face, he already had his answer. He promised only one question but the reality of the situation made him angry. Fitz wanted to punch Cyrus but even more, he wanted to punch his father.
"I don't know what to say. How did you find out?"
"It doesn't matter. Did you know that the child is ten years old and he's Jerry Grant the fourth?" He runs his fingers through his hair, wanting to pull out every follicle. "This poor woman Amber is now part of this mess. God, Jerry is so messed up. I give up, there's nothing here for me anymore. I'm done with him."
"Fitz, I didn't tell you because I knew how hurt you would be."
"Correction, you didn't tell me because this secret kid has something to do with under-table dealings. So you guys would have hidden it regardless. " Then Fitz turned and walked out.
Fitz fished his cell phone out of his pocket. It's Olivia "I know you're going to have a lot of questions but listen to me." Olivia inhales a short breath before continuing. "I found Amber. She's in Alexandria."
"You were right, Liv. I'm sorry about last night."
"I didn't want to be right but it was the only thing making sense. But now you can get to the bottom of this and clear your name. We can finally move on, okay."
Fitz nodded because everything she proposed sounded like what he wanted. He never really wanted anything in his life until he met Olivia and if putting this shit behind them then he would do it in a heartbeat.
Brody seemed shocked by the call he received but gracious for the information.
"Just so you know you're not off the hook until I have her in custody."
"I doubt she has any idea you're coming"
Abby finally stopped crying, she even got out of Olivia's bed but only long enough to walk to the kitchen and get ice cream. Olivia understood her friend's pain because she was there not too long ago.
"You should cancel, and let Amanda fill in for you." Abby insists. Sitting criss-cross on the bed while Olivia packs.
"What no, I can't this is the championships. Why are you so against this?"
"Because you'll have to leave and then I'll be here alone and David is gonna be on campus another two weeks. I don't want to see him, Liv."
"You know it's a possibility you could see him while I'm here?" Olivia says
"Well, I wouldn't be alone. Mock trials are so stupid anyway, just wait until you pass the bar and you get to do it for real." The redhead whined.
"Stop because you're acting like a baby. This breakup is not the end of the world-"
"He's the only guy that's ever really seen me for who I am." Abby unfolds her legs and gets off the bed practically running to the bathroom. She slams the door and Olivia shrugs.
Olivia used the peace to finish packing for Houston. When she was done, she had to sit on the suitcase just to get it closed. Abby was still in the bathroom, probably waiting for Olivia to walk in with open arms and mollycoddle her. But Olivia didn't get half of that support from Abby after her breakup with Fitz.
Liv knocked on the door. "Abby, Fitz is on his way to drive me to the airport. If you want, we can drive you home."
"So you're kicking me out too?"
"I never said you could use my apartment while I'm gone. I don't want random frat guys in my bed." She chuckled at her own joke.
But Abigail wasn't laughing; she snatched the door open and stormed out. "So I'm an easy whore. Thanks so much, bestie." she started putting on her shoes. "Screw you, you bitch." She yanked the door open, just as Fitz was getting his key in the door.
"Move asshole."
"What? Abby cmon now." Olivia exclaimed.
"Woah careful," Fitz warned lightheartedly as the angry redhead stomped past him. "What's her problem?"
"I couldn't explain it if I tried."
"Okay, well are you all packed up?" Fitz asked.
"Yeah, let's go." Olivia headed out first while Fitz grabbed her suitcase.
Well would you look at that, I'm back. This draft has been written for months but I did a little editing. Leave a review, and more is to come next chapter.