Liv has been replaying that moment in her head, over and over again. She can still feel him on her skin. She can still smell the aroma of his cologne. The gentle touch of his lips that kissed her skin. When it was all over she felt like a teenager that had just been touched by her crush. She didn't want to shower. She wanted to stay with that feeling of him on her. And she hated herself for it. She's grateful for the separation of being in DC. Even if it is for a little while. She is sitting on the porch of her parents house, rocking in her mom's rocking chair. It was her grandmother's passed down to her mom.

Eli Pope, her sometimes categorized brooding dad stands in the door watching her. Olivia is a perfect mix of him and her mother. They are both strong willed, all about family, and tenacious in everything they do. That's Olivia. He knows her, sometimes better than she knows herself. He can tell something is wrong.

"Permission to join," he jokes as he comes out.

Liv looks up, "Of course," she smiles.

"What's going on Chunky?" Eli says.

"Daddy," she says, shaking her head at the nickname.

"When they showed you to me, the first thing I saw were those perfect chunky jaws you had. I loved it."

"It's better than what Harrison calls me," she says.

"Trixie," Eli laughs.

"He's so annoying," Liv says.

"He's your brother. He's supposed to be annoying," Eli responds as she laughs. "What's going on?"

"What do you mean?" Liv says.

"I know that look. You've had that look your whole life, when you are deep in thought. Even as a baby you had that look."

"Just a lot on my mind," she answers.

"Like what…"

"Just stuff," she says.

"If it's that husband I should have never given your hand in marriage to then I have one thing to say. I'll go to Chicago and whip his ass."

"No daddy! Don't do that!"

"No, I will. He hurt my only baby girl and I won't forgive him for that."

"I told him it's over and when I get back home. I have an appointment with a lawyer. There's not much to fight over. My business is mine and his business is his. We may fight over the house and, I don't know."

"Listen, you always take things to heart. And of course I talked to your mother. If you both messed up in this marriage that's something you both have to own up to. But, sleeping with another woman."

"I know," she takes a breath.

"We will be right here to help you get through it."

"Thank you daddy," she says. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, except cooking," he laughs.

"No, it's about you and mom and marriage."

"The marriage therapist wants my advice on marriage. I'm flattered."

"I became a therapist because I wanted to help people. Somehow, my speciality trickled into the world of marriage. And it's odd, I studied to become a child psychologist, which I still want to do."

"Then do it," Eli says.

"But you and mom, your marriage. I hold it to a standard and I knew when I married Jake, I wasn't even close to that standard but losing Stephen, the way we did. I just wanted to move on from it and Jake was sweet. He was kind and he did treat me well. I think I just made myself love him for the wrong reasons."

"It's understandable. Your boyfriend was robbed at gunpoint and killed. You should have been hurt."

Liv has tears in her eyes, "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was very hurt."

"And it's understandable you just wanted to put that all away."

"Yeah, in some ways, I am glad he cheated on me. I'm glad we've been separated this past year because it made me think about a lot of things and be honest with myself."

"What did you figure out?"

"I have never been in love with Jake. I replaced him with Stephen and it was bad. It was wrong. In time, I was able to accept Stephen's death and be as at peace as I could be with it, and Jake did help me do that. I love him, but I'm not in love."

"Don't beat yourself up. You of all people know how people tend to deal with pain."

"Yes, I just wish I hadn't involved Jake in how I dealt with that."

"What was your question?"

"What?"

"The question you had for me."

"When you met mom. What happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did you see stars? Where there stars in your eyes or in her eyes? Was it kismet?"

"No, it wasn't actually. Your mother didn't like me and she was dating my best friend."

"What? Mom never told me that," Liv says.

"Told you what?" Maya says appearing on the porch.

"That you were dating Dad's best friend when you met."

Maya walks over to the other, smacking Eli on the shoulder, "My daughter thought I was perfect. You couldn't leave it that way."

"No, of course not," Eli jokes.

"So what happened?" Liv asks.

"Your dad knew he liked me and I just didn't like anything about him, so I thought."

"I knew I had a task on hand. I had to make her believe my best friend wasn't good enough for her and I was."

"Dad! You stole mom from your best friend."

"All is fair in love and war," Eli finishes.

"And the corniest thing happened," Maya says.

"My car got a flat tire one night and your father was passing by, remember I was only 22 at the time. I didn't know how to change a flat tire and that night, he just so happened to be the one to rescue me."

"Something else must have happened," Liv says.

"Yes, it did," Maya responds.

"We touched," Eli answers.

"What do you mean?" LIv says.

"I fell into the ditch. I've always been clumsy. He reached for my hand and it felt like a shockwave and we stood there holding hands for I don't know how long.."

"And I knew it, at that moment," Eli says.

"I knew it! I tried to stay with Larry a little while longer but I couldn't."

"Wait, Larry Wilkes! You dated Larry! That's why he and dad are still beefing. Harrison said I couldn't invite him to the party."

"Yes, I stole your mother from Larry Wilkes but it was worth it."

Liv just shakes her head, Eli finishes. "Sometimes our soulmates aren't wrapped in the package they should be. It might be messy and you might have to lose something but what you might gain is important," he ends.

Liv drops her head back, looking up. Suddenly she feels like she's not the heartless tramp she was feeling like for the past few days. She felt like a woman who has to choose between what's wrong and what's right. The problem is, she can't figure out what's going to be considered right. Eli and Maya look at each other, knowing there's something their daughter is keeping to herself. They know her, she's always done things on her own time, so they'll just wait.


Fitz has fought not taking that card and calling Liv with an "emergency," but he knows this is hard and he doesn't want to make it any harder on her. But the heart wants what it wants and he wants to read this new book and he wants to read it closely. It's Monday morning and Fitz has no meetings. He was supposed to meet with the landscaper last week but it didn't pan out. So now since Mellie is at the office. He's meeting with the landscaper. He watches as Jake arrives with what he's guessing is one of his partners or drive up. Jake gets out as he looks around the property.

"Are you Fitzgerald Grant?" Jake asks.

"Yes, and you are?," Fitz says extending his hand, "I'm sorry, my wife just said that you were coming with no formal names I should look for."

"I'm Jake Ballard and this is a member of my team, Alex," Jake says as he shakes Fitz's hand back.

"Ballard," Fitz says knowing what are the odds that he would have the same last night. "Sorry, thought I heard that name from somewhere before."

"I don't know, maybe. I could have been Ballard Landscaping but my wife thought I should have something fun and different. She picked the name from one of her favorite movies, Serendipity. She can be a hopeless romantic," he says with a smile even though it would apply to their marriage right now.

Fitz decides, he has to try to coax his wife's name out of her, "Well that's not so bad. You could have named it after her," he says with a sly laugh.

"I could have, but she didn't want it to be Olivia Landscaping," Jake finishes. Fitz can tell his words are slightly slurred and he thinks he can smell a hint of bourbon on his breath.

And there it is. He got his answer and now he knows what he's up against. A hard working, seemingly nice got. Doing well for himself with one problem. He is not the man to make the woman in his dreams happy. Maybe Fitz is being arrogant but he thinks he's sized up his competition well. He's pretty sure he's the man to bring out the real woman that is behind those big brown doe eyes that loves to see once a week. She hasn't tapped into her desires and the reaction of him touching her, told him that. The man in front of him hasn't loved her. The man she's afraid of, is gonna do just."

Fitz comes out of his thoughts, "Let me show you around the property. My wife has been wanting to redo the landscape since we moved here two years ago. Obviously money is no object so no bid will shock me."

"She sent over some ideas to my secretary in email so I kind of have a start of things she wants but maybe you can help."

"I will do what I can," Fitz says as they start walking and Fitz shakes his team member's hand.

"It's a beautiful home," Jake says.

"Took us a while to find the one my wife liked."

"Happy wife makes a happy life, right?" Jake says.

"Oh, for sure. I mean, they really do wear the pants don't they. We think we do but we don't," Fitz says.

"Yes, lucky for me, my wife and I saw the house and both fell in love with it."

Fitz looks at him as the words come out and he's just imagining Olivia alone, watching a romantic movie, in this home that they both fell in love with. "That's great! Can we switch wives, she seems like a compromiser?" He laughs.

Jake laughs, it pains him that he is talking about a wife that won't be his much longer, "Well, she's a compromiser but she stands her ground."

"So does mine," Fitz answers. Fitz notices that they need to survey the grounds a little more. "I'll let you get to what you need. I'll be in the pool area, which you can access through the gates."

He and Jake part ways. And in that moment, Liv and Fitz are in the same boat with different paddles. They both are privy to marital things that they shouldn't. Fitz knows that Jake is not living with Olivia but Jake doesn't know that. In fact, Jake has no idea that this man before him could reap the benefits of their failed marriage. And Olivia knows that Mellie's husband wants out. She's not the driving force but she's now the prized incentive.


The birthday party was a success. They are all back at the house. Liv and Harrison are sitting in the basement, their dad's man cave with the curve television and surround sound. They are having beers. Liv doesn't do that often but it's something her and her brother share.

"You put on a great party sis."

"Thanks! He was actually surprised this time," she laughs.

"Yeah, and he didn't threaten me after."

"He's a tough guy but inside he's a complete marshmallow when it comes to us and mom."

"Yeah he is but you know you have dad wrapped around your finger."

"I do not. I'm his only girl," she fights.

"A daddy's girl," Harrison says with an eye roll.

Liv throws a pillow at him, "You are a daddy's boy too." Harrison pokes his tongue out. "Why didn't you tell me what dad's beef was really about with Larry Wilkes?"

"I don't know. What is the beef? I just know they are friends that don't really like each other."

"Daddy stole mom from him."

"No shit," Harrison says surprised.

"You didn't know, really." Liv says.

"No, I didn't. Damn, our dad's a baller."

"Isn't it amazing the secrets people can keep?"

"Everyone has a good reason for keeping secrets, good or bad," Harrison says as he looks at Liv. "What's up with you sis?"

"Nothing," she says, taking a sip of her beer.

"Bullshit," Harrison says as he takes the beer from her. "What's up?"

"I think I am in trouble and I think there's no way to get out of it, no matter what I do."

"What kind of trouble?"

"I may have met someone," she finishes.

"Good! I was scared you changed your mind about your husband."

"No, I didn't."

"Okay, well what's the problem?"

"He's married Harrison."

"Happily married, sort of married, or married."

"He's barely married."

"Then what's wrong?" He asks. "I've dated a married woman before."

"Why am I not surprised?" she laughs.

"I mean, the sneaking around gets hectic as hell but..I liked her, we connected."

"Did it end well," Liv asks.

"No, it didn't. Her husband almost beat my ass."

"What stopped him?" Liv laughs.

"The cops," he answers. "I know you sis. You are not about that life. Who is this guy? He got you all twisted."

"I'm a marriage therapist. In case you've forgotten."

"You are human. Complicated shit happens every day. I mean this could be really complicated if the guy was one of your patients." Liv drops her head, drinking her beer hard. Harrison studies her silence and grip on the beer bottle. "Now that's complicated."

"I know," Liv answers.

"You two are sleeping together," Harrison asks.

"No, we haven't. We are not even in a real relationship. I can't explain it. I just know it's trouble. I'm in trouble."

"Sis, you like this guy don't you."

"I don't know what it is about him," she laughs at her own lie. "I know what it is about him. I am as attracted to what I know of him and the mystery of him. He knows me. He sees me and it scares the hell out of me. I know him and can read him. We have this connection that doesn't make any sense, yet it does."

Harrison has never seen his sister like this. He can tell the feelings are there, "Sis, I'm not gonna tell you to go for it. Only you can make that decision but you deserve to be with the man that's for you."

"I'm divorcing Jake mainly because he cheated on me. Wouldn't this make me just as much of a hypocrite to do the same thing?"

Harrison grabs her hand, "You are a good person Trixie."

"I seriously question that these days. But I am going to refer them to a different therapist. I have to. It's the only way."

"The only way to what? If that's your decision, fine. But once you do that, what happens next?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you gonna cut off ties with this guy? Or, are you going to go for it?" Harrison says. Liv knows he's right. And she can admit, she hasn't asked herself those questions. Maybe it's time she starts thinking about it.

Liv retires to her room. A room that hasn't changed since she graduated from Georgetown. Her awards are still there and trophies from swimming. What she wouldn't give to jump in a pool and stroke her stress away lap after lap. She finds comfort in her favorite quilted blanket her grandmother made when she was little. She's just staring at the ceiling looking for answers.

She's ready to will herself to sleep when she gets a text. She looks at the number, she knows who it is.

Fitz: Would you believe me if I said I had an emergency? You said that's the only reason I could call.

Liv: No, I don't believe you have an emergency.

Fitz: But I do.

Liv: What is it? She asks as he calls her. She answers, trying not to show her excitement to hear his voice.

"Hi," he says to her with that velvet tone that smooths her over like butter.

"Hi!"

" Do you believe in Serendipity?"

Liv is caught off guard. She hesitates to answer.

Fitz: Well, do you?

She pulls her blanket closer to her. "How is this question an emergency?"

"I need to know."

"Yes, I do."

" I am not quite sure I believed in the unexpected until the impending dissolution of marriage brought me to you."

Liv laughs, but not because she's charmed by his words but because this whole situation is incredulous, "Is that supposed to make me feel better? It doesn't."

He pours himself a glass of scotch, walking back over to his favorite chair and sitting, "No, I suppose it should make you think."

"Think about what?"

He takes a sip, "Us meeting..it was unintended and unexpected but we are very fortunate it happened."

"Why is that?"

"You are very good at pulling the thoughts out of people," Fitz says at her fake portrayal of innocence.

"Occupational hazard...which is our problem. My occupation is a hazard."

"Your occupation put us on the same path, that's called serendipity."

Her sigh radiates his ear drum as she answers, "If this was another time or another place, this would be perfect."

He finishes his glass of scotch, "There is no time like the present," he answers but hesitates.

"I need to go," she says quickly. That's her go to phrase with him now.

"Wait, tell me something," he says.

"What?" She says shortly.

"Why did you give us your cell phone number? You know Mellie, you knew she wasn't going to call. Her pride won't let her," Liv closes her eyes. Fitz is completely right.

"Because, I knew you'd call. I wanted to hear your voice. That way I could hear in your voice what I feel in my heart."

"And what is that?" He smiles.

She mentally scolds herself for succumbing to him. She tries to enforce the proper resolve, "It doesn't matter. My head says it wrong and it is. That's what I have to listen to."

"You don't believe that. I can hear it in your voice."

She knows it is time, she cuts it short, "Goodnight ."

"Goodnight.."

Before he can finish, she stops him. She can't hear it. The sex that oozes out of his voice when he says it those two words. It made her tingle and shiver especially knowing the connotation. She won't let him utter it again.m"Olivia will do," she answers.

"Goodnight Olivia," he responds and hangs up and he smiles.


Liv has made it back home. She just decided to take the rest of the week off. She needed to clear her head. She needed to make some decisions before seeing the Grants that coming Monday and breaking the news to them. It's not that her decision is wrong. It's wrong that she had to make this decision and why. And then there's Jake. This was a hard call to make but she had to do it. She is waiting for him to arrive.

She lets him in as they stand looking at each other. "Come in," she says. There are papers on the island. He looks around. There is no dinner. No bottles of wine. He realizes it is strictly business.

Jake stops and looks at her, "How was your dad's birthday party?"

"It was great! He was actually surprised. Thanks for asking."

"I wish I could have been there, you know!"

"Jake," she says. She doesn't want to be distracted. She can smell the alcohol on his breath.

"I know! I just thought when you called...I'm really sorry about the other night. I hope you know, I would never hurt you. I would never force myself on you."

She shakes her head, "For the most part, I believe it."

"I am not that kind of guy. I just...I don't want to lose my wife. I know I fucked up but I'll do whatever for this…" he points at the papers, "For this not to happen."

"Jake, we talked about this."

"Tell me one thing," he says.

"What's that?"

"Do you want kids at all? I've been going over it in my head and you seem like you didn't care at all that you did that. You made that decision."

"I went over it and over it in my head the moment I found out. I knew for about two weeks. It's not that I didn't care. I just knew it wasn't right, not then."

"You still haven't answered my question."

"I suppose! I don't know. That was never a requirement for me. I wanted to get my degree and I guess if marriage came along, it came along.

"And kids?"

"I supposed at the right time," she answers. She looks at him, "Would you have agreed it wasn't the right time then?"

"No, I wouldn't have. I wouldn't have let you."

"Even Though you understand, it is my choice. It was my choice."

"It's my kid. It was my kid."

"I slipped up then. I lapsed on my birthday control, I was getting the office up and running and."

"Maybe it wasn't a mistake. It wasn't a slip. It was what we needed."

"Had I been pregnant would you have resisted the urge to sleep with your secretary?"

He was ready to answer and he stops to say, "We are laying it on the table. I know you enough Jake to know you and sex. You were comfortable with her. I don't believe it was the first time. And it doesn't matter at this point but…"

"What do you want to hear Liv?"

"The truth! Had you slept with her before?" She watches his teeth grit and the balling of his fist on the table. She knows that flare of his anger. It's never directed at her, it's just how he manages it.

"Liv," he breathes.

"I suppose we are even. I lied to you and you cheated on me more than once. That's the sign Jake, our marriage was already in trouble and we both didn't even know it. I supposed my guilt would have eaten me alive and I would have had to tell you. I never would have cheated on you."

"Let's just forgive each other and start over."

"I hope we can forgive each other but we can't start over. My heart isn't in it. I want to remember the things I love about you and like about you. I don't want to hate you Jake."

"You are the best thing that ever happened to me."

"I'm sorry," she answers.

"You can keep the house. We both loved it but you loved it more. You want me to walk away. I'll walk away. You are right, we don't have to fight over our businesses. We don't have to fight over cars. The only fight I'm prepared to have is to keep you."

Liv has tears in her eyes, "I never cried before with you. No matter how hard we fought."

"Don't cry Liv," he answers.

"I'm crying because I've stopped lying to myself and you and I've never felt freer."

"Is there someone else?"

She dries her eyes, "Why would there be someone else?"

"That's the only way I can convince myself this is really happening."

"Even if there were, it wouldn't be his fault. It's our fault what happened to us for different reasons."

"This is hell," he says.

"Jake, you have to stop drinking," she says.

"Where is that coming from?"

"Nadine called me. She's been telling me. And then..I came to your office to talk to you about it."

"It was you that day," he says happily. "I smelled your perfume," he remembers.

"Nadine thought I could help," she says.

"Why do you care if I drink?"

"Because I don't want you to hurt yourself or your business. You can't see your clients drunk. You are driving. So many things are wrong with you drinking all the time."

"Well, soon you won't have to worry about me because I won't be your husband. I think I can take care of my fucking self Olivia," he says angrily as he goes toward the door to leave.

"Jake," she says worriedly.

"I'm fine," he says as he leaves.

Liv watches as he goes down the stares and then kicks the trash cans in anger. She closes her eyes and goes for the phone. She decides to do something she has never wanted to do. She sucks it up and does. She dials a number. She waits for the person to pick up, finally they do. Liv says, "Mrs. Ballard, it's me Olivia. Can we talk?" And that's what they do.


It's Monday morning and Liv has been going through her speech in her head. How to break it down easy to them and they can all go their separate ways. The problem is, what becomes of her and Fitz. What is she going to break down to him? Harrison was right, what happens once she breaks the one chain that holds the three of them together? April has announced they are there. She takes a deep breath. This is it. She gets up, opening the door.

"Hello," she says to them as Mellie comes in ahead of Fitz and Fitz follows.

"Hello," Mellie says sitting down.

Fitz follows suit, only he moves past Olivia, letting her take in his scent, "Hello," he says as he sits. He notices she's wearing a perfect tight fitting pair of dress slacks only to be ruined by an oversized peasant blouse that falls in the back just below her ass, covering it.

Liv goes to take her seat with her notebook, "Two hellos and a sit down with no acknowledgement of each other. I guess I don't need to ask how it is going."

They turn to each other and stare. They both bring down the barrier they walked in with. Liv notices it. She questions her approach, should she tell them now. Or, let them have their session and then tell them. She's already talked to her colleague, Elizabeth North, about taking over. He questioned why but she didn't give details except that her patient load is growing. She needs to transition them out. This is it. She looks at Fitz and tries not to hold the gaze. She looks at Mellie who is tapping her leg.

"I know I didn't give you an exercise for this session. But since we last spoke, Fitz was going to move out. Has that process started?" Liv asks, secretly wanting that answer for her own selfish reasons..

He can see right through that being her first question, "Yes, I have."

"I feel like he couldn't do it fast enough," Mellie rolls her eyes.

"I did it for you and for me," Fitz says.

"How is that for me?"

"I know I am hurting you Mellie. I know this whole thing is hurting you and I am trying to do the right thing. I am trying."

Liv decides not to interrupt, She's just going to let them actually talk to each other.

"Because you love me so much. I didn't use the phrase in love," she spits sarcastically.

"I love you and respect you, so yes!"

"Have you two had a talk with the kids?" Olivia asks.

"Not yet! He's moved his things but he hasn't moved out of the house yet. We are planning to tell them this weekend."

Fitz can see Liv grip her pen as she stays trained on her page, "I'm sleeping in the guest room. But I only go after the kids are asleep."

"Okay, " Liv says and once again, it's like they are the only two talking.

"I need to be honest about something," Mellie just says out unexpectedly.

"You have the space to speak," Liv says.

"I thought about what Fitz said, what you said about initial reactions."

"What about them?" Liv asks.

"When I met Fitz, I was attracted to the physical I admitted that. And then I got to know the guy behind the body or at least I thought I did."

"And realizing you the attraction was physical for you first made you come to what decision?"

"That maybe even I confused love with a physical connection. He's right, the sex was never a problem. Other things were a problem but we'd have sex and I would forget it or we just wouldn't bring it up again."

"So think that may have been a problem in your marriage you didn't acknowledge as long as the physical was sustaining."

Mellie looks over at Fitz, "That makes me terrible."

"No, any man would be flattered to be physically needed by the woman he's with or the woman he loves," Fitz says looking at Mellie, she drops her head feeling ashamed because she understands Fitz for the first time. Fitz looks at Olivia, "There's no greater ego boost than a man known a woman craves him."

Olivia is flushed from his words and she feels totally manipulated by her body's reflexology of warmth. "Why do you think that makes you terrible Mellie?"

"Because I realized I never felt transcended with him. I felt good, I always feel good but I never cried. It never moved me to tears. It was always good and I wanted it but I never felt outside myself like my body was snatched away from me."

"Explain what you mean!" Liv says as Fitz is interested in what she means.

"Maybe I confused good sex and attraction for love. But it was never the type of sex where hairs on my arms stood up or I could still feel inside of me long after it was over...or.

Liv is hearing these words and she decides she has to stop it there. She could still feel the warmth of his skin on herself. She couldn't relate to Mellie not feeling that from Fitz but she could relate to never feeling that with Jake. She can't let it go on. This conversation is moving into a territory that she knows she shouldn't share with her, with them. She stops it dead right there.

"Before you go on further, Mellie..I was going to wait until our session was over but I think we should stop it here." Fitz looks up confused. Mellie looks confused. "Today is going to be our last session."

"What," Mellie says. Fitz says nothing, he gives Olivia a look. He wants to say, What the hell! But how would that sound. After all, he is the man that was against therapy at first.

"My patient load is growing and I found a colleague that is closer to Winnetka. She would be great for you. I am thinking of splitting my specialities. I want to make sure you are getting the therapy you need and the sessions you need and I feel I won't be able to do that."

"But I only trust you," Mellie says quickly then looks over at Fitz, "I think we both only trust you."

"I don't like talking to strangers about my personal life. I agreed to this for Mellie and I've opened up to you because you made it easy for me to speak."

"It's my job to do what's right for my patients. If you feel that you aren't getting anywhere with Elizabeth, we can revisit you coming back success is important to me."

"Me being comfortable is important to me," Fitz responds.

"Can you see us after hours? At a dedicated time," Mellie asks.

"No, I can't," Liv answers. She looks at Fitz, "In my heart, I know this is the right thing for both of you."

"I guess we can give her a try. I feel like we made a real breakthrough with you." Mellie says.

Fitz clearly adds, as he looks at Olivia, "If that will make things easier, okay." He hopes she sees through his words.

"You have both made a breakthrough and I am sure it will only get better," Liv says. "April will give you all of Elizabeth's information so you can get it set up."

Mellie and Fitz are both hesitant to get up but they know they can't just sit there. "I'm grateful to you Olivia, I mean, , thank you," Mellie says.

"Don't thank me Mellie," Olivia says.

"Mellie is right, thank you for everything," Fitz says. Mellie walks out and Fitz walks out. He stops and looks at Olivia, "Thank you."

"For what," Liv says as she notices she is backed against the doorframe, fingertips gripping from behind her, just like before. She knows he won't kiss her. She knows he won't touch her but she is puddy.

"For listening to your heart," he says. Letting her know he understood.

He walks away. She stands frozen, still holding on to the door frame. Her fingertips are turning red from the grip of her fingernails into the door.

"Thanks again," Mellie says.

She says these words and she regrets it just the same because she knows how it will end, "Good luck with everything," she answers.

Mellie walks out and Fitz gives her one last look and leaves.

April, being as stealth and smart as she is. One of the many reasons Olivia hired her, "So does that mean you two can scratch and sniff now?"

That brings Liv out of her frozen trance. She lets go of the door frame, "I really should fire you."

"Not when I'm right," April laughs as Liv closes her door.


Fitz is on the phone with Charlie when Charlie comes running up to him.

"Hey Charlie boy," Fitz says as he talks to Charlie.

"Man, it's totally weird that your dog's name is Charlie too," Charlie says.

"Well, my daughter thought your name was cute and her dog's name would be cute as Charlie too. Don't ask me why."

"Tell me why you wanted me to do this. I had to literally act like the FBI."

"Listen, I don't know why I am doing this," Fitz shakes his head. "That's a damn lie. I know why I did this."

"Who is she?"

"She's the person I should have waited for, I am sure of it," Fitz says.

"Well good luck she doesn't call the cops or kick the shit out of you," Charlie answers.

"Keep your phone on just in case," Fitz laughs.

"I will...good luck again."

Liv has ordered Chinese take out. She couldn't make a decision so she ordered a smorgasbord of choices. She orders sweet & sour chicken, garlic chicken, beef & broccoli, vegetable fried rice, lo mein, and egg rolls. She calls Abby over, so they can just eat and gossip over merlot. The food is sprawled over the island as they are eating.

"I'm glad I had the night off," Abby says.

"Me too, I was loosing my fucking mind."

"Why? Because you dropped some patients."

"Abby, you know why I am freaked out."

"Actually, I don't. I mean you cleared the runaway for a Grant landing in between your…"

"Shut up," Liv says as she sips some more wine.

"It's true. Your tarmac is just waiting for that roll in," Abby jokes on.

"He looked so relieved when I said it. And she looked lost. I felt like a bitch."

"Liv, you two haven't done anything. You had this connection and you knew it would be dangerous. You didn't do the right thing regardless. You don't want to lose your license for this or be exposed. You did the right thing."

"I know I did. I just don't know how we got here. I mean I knew I had a connection with him after our 3rd session and I tried to ignore how I would finish his thoughts and how we'd laugh whenever I helped him get out of his head. I stole glances and he stole glances.I felt it all. I I tried to believe it was my marriage falling apart and looking at them...I thought it blurred together."

"Liv," Abby says.

"I know...you don't have to scold me. I know I am bullshitting myself."

"What are you going to do?" Abby asks.

"Like," Liv says as if she doesn't understand the question.

"You dropped one hurdle," Abby finishes.

"This is all a hurdle Abby. I'm attracted to a guy who's married, who was one of my patients. This is more than a hurdle."

"I can't imagine this is easy Liv. But sometimes we have no control over how or where cupid decides to shoot his arrow. Love is unexpected."

"You sound like him. "

"Like who?"

"Fitz! He said the same thing."

Abby grabs her friend's hand, "I know this is hard but if this is it, don't pass it up because it came to you unconventionally."

"I just don't want to use my dignity because of this," Liv says worriedly.

"That's why you did the right thing today."

"Will that matter if I start dating my ex patient's husband?"

"It's gonna be messy, no doubt," Abby says finishing the bottle of wine. "Get another, I'm sleeping over tonight," she says as she drinks. Liv gets up and gets the bottle. Right as she brings the bottle to the island her doorbell rings.

"Who could that be?" Liv says.

"It's probably Jake," she says as she moves over to the camera to see who it is.

"I hope it's him," Abby says getting up. Liv looks on the screen and is shocked to see it is Fitzgerald Grant in the flesh. "Is it him?"

"No, it's not him! It's HIM," she answers.

"You mean…."

"Yes! What am I going to do?"

"You are going to let him in, that's what!"

"Abby, I didn't invite him here. I can't let him in."

"You sure as hell can," Abby answers as she moves the cartons over to the counter by the stove. She stops. "Wait let me look at your hair….go brush your teeth."

"What?"

"Go brush your teeth. I'll let him in."

"Why do I need to brush my teeth?"

"You have food breath and wine breath. You don't want that if you two end up sucking tongues."

"Abby, that is not happening," Liv says as Fitz rings the bell again.

"Would you just go do it?"

Liv shakes her head. Knowing she's losing this battle and agrees to do it. "Fine," she says.

Abby runs over to the intercom, "Hello!"

"Hello, is Olivia there?"

"Yes, she is. She told me to ring you in," Abby answers.

Liv is in her bathroom. She changes her clothes quickly. She refreshes her breath, her underarms, and other unmentionables. She pops on a little lipstick and sprays a little perfume. She then stops and looks in the mirror, "What the hell Olivia? You are not going on a date." She takes a deep breath and tries to stop her heart from racing.

Abby opens the door for him, he comes in. He vaguely remembers Abby's face from the one time she was at the office. "I am Olivia's best friend, Abby."

Fitz extends his hand, "Hello, I'm Fitzgerald Grant. Nice to meet you too."

"Very nice to meet you," Abby answers.

Fitz looks around seeing the wine and food, "I am interrupting a girls night, aren't I?"

"No, we make exceptions for gorgeous men," Abby answers.

Fitz can't help but turn 3 shades darker. He's redder than red. "Thank you!"

"A lot more where that came from," she flirts. "Let me go get our Little Olivia. Pour yourself some wine. Have some food," she says cutely as she disappears.

Abby finds Olivia in her room just sitting on the bed. "Is he still there?"

"Hell yes he is," Abby answers.

"What am I going to do?"

"Go out there, flirt your ass off and...I'll stop there," Abby says, dragging her off the bed.

They arrive back in the kitchen, to Fitz who did exactly what Abby suggested. He's gotten some food and poured himself a glass of wine. Abby looks at Liv. They both recognize, he looks so at home. Like he's been the inhabit of this space with Liv the whole time.

"Hi," he says, immediately looking at Liv.

"Hi," she responds.

Abby looks at both of them, "Well, I wish I could stay but I don't have anything to do so I am going to leave because you two need to be alone." She drags Liv to the door with her.

"Call me later on tonight unless you can't," Abby winks.

"I will call you," Liv responds as she locks the door when Abby leaves. She holds a post on the door watching him. It's surreal and normal for some reason to watch him sitting there eating and having wine. "You like it," Liv says.

"I do," he says.

"Mr. Grant, what are you doing here?"

"I am no longer your patient, call me Fitz. You did in our sessions anyway."

"That was different," she answers.

"Fitz," he says again.

"How did you find out where I live?"

"Is it really important?"

"Yes, this is highly inappropriate. Did someone see you?"

"What if they did?"

"Fitz, you really shouldn't be here," she says as he notices she's never left the door. She leaves the door and walks over to the other side of the island as he eats.

"Why did you do what you did today?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you decide to stop being our therapist?"

She slides her wine glass to her and leans her back on the counter and drinks. "You know why."

"I have my hopes why but that doesn't mean that's the answer."

"I can't be your patient and we have whatever this is. I can't do that. I could lose my license."

"That's not going to happen."

"If I continued being your therapist, that's exactly what would happen."

"Okay, so you are no longer our therapist. Now what?"

"Now you two can get proper help without bias," she answers as she drinks a little more of what's in her glass. She knows that's not the answer he was looking for.

"And," he says.

She walks closer to where he's sitting, opposite him. "I don't know what you mean."

"Come on! The elephant in the room is no longer a problem. As of today, I am not your patient and you are not my therapist."

"The elephant in the room is your wife, who is still your wife."

She is about to turn from him, he grabs her wrist, gently, "Olivia," he says.

"You are still married. I am still married," she pinpoints to him.

"Both unhappily," Fitz answers.

"How do you know my marriage is unhappy?"

"The no wedding band! Being alone at 11pm to answer my call. And your eyes," he answers.

"What about my eyes?"

"Besides the fact that they are beautiful, brown and doe," he says as he gets up and moves into her space.

"Fitz, don't do this," she says as her breathing has become fast and furious.

"I know you are unhappy because I saw you shift in your seat at our session today," he says as he is now eye to eye with her.

"Shift," she says as he breathes on her. She doesn't seem to care about the food breath. It's mixed with the scent of her mint and nothing short of perfect. She knows what he means but damn if she thought he wouldn't notice.

He's now lip to lip with her. He's grazing her lip just enough to prick her sense. They are forehead to forehead. He doesn't want to kiss her, it's too soon. He wants to know her. He wants to woo her but he wants her to know how he loves. He plans to show her in time but for now he wants her to slowly develop a need and want for him just as he wants her. He licks his lips and finishes his thought. She can feel a slight graze of his tongue as he lickis his lip and slightly bites down, "At the thought of never having cried during sex. The thought of never feeling that spiritual connection. Or the fact that Ja…." He stops himself. He realizes she doesn't know they met.

She wonders what he was going to say but she's so insulated in the bubble that he's put around them with his body that she can't think, "Why do you think I never felt those things?"

Before he can speak, her phone rings. They both sigh into each other's mouth in frustration. "Do you have to get that?"

"I need to," she answers as she turns away from him to answer. She is out of breath, "Hello," she says.

He decides to lessen the heat that has encapsulated them and breaks away.

"What?" Olivia says in a heightened tone.

He can tell something is wrong.

"Oh my God," she says. "I will be right there," she says as she hangs up.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"I have to go to the hospital. I am sorry but that was my mother in law. Jake was in an accident."

Fitz understands. "You want me to drive you."

"Absolutely not. We shouldn't be seen together."

"I don't want you to drive. Let me at least drop you off."

"I'll be fine. I will...I'll..We will talk," she says as she grabs her purse and they both go out together.


How bad is Jake's accident? Will he be okay? And now what about her and Fitz. Everything is happening at once and Olivia is the nucleus of the combustion.