Non-Disclosure Agreement

n. A contract by which one or more parties agree not to disclose confidential information that they have shared with each other.

"We need to discuss the logistics of this…arrangement, before we speak with the press." Cyrus had yanked Olivia into his office, slamming the door behind her. They hadn't had a chance to speak since flying back to California and re-staking claim to their respective spaces at their campaign headquarters.

"Let me guess: I'm supposed to sign an NDA. And probably a prenup."

"Aw. Look at us already on the same page."

"Of course. I've got to make sure you aren't just marrying me for my money," Olivia quipped, raising a brow as she took in Fitz's stance in front of the window. He had balled his hand into a fist, noticeable by the bulge now present in his pocket, at her statement.

"Ah. Here to be the first to accuse me of taking advantage?" He was quick to bounce back from the near aggressive stance he had taken only a moment earlier.

"I would be the one to know, wouldn't I?"

"Children," Cyrus intervened, sitting heavily at his desk. "No one is going to believe this if the two of you continue to act like, well, this."

"In private…"

"Be careful what you consider private, Governor." Olivia crossed her arms and leaned a shoulder against the bookshelf near the door, her narrowed gaze turning toward Cyrus. "I assume the paperwork's ready?"

"My legal team has my requirements for the prenup and the NDA." Fitz turned his back to the window. "If you could provide Cyrus with a list of your requirements as well, they will draw something up."

"I'm not sure if you're aware of how much you pay me, but I don't think I'm the one who has to worry about a prenup." Olivia rolled her eyes.

"Normally people are nicer to their bosses when they want a raise." Fitz smirked, causing Olivia to snort.

"I'm sorry. Is my attitude too much for your fragile ego?"

"Don't flatter yourself. It's not very appealing."

"Good thing I'm not trying to appeal to you then, isn't it?" She scrunched her nose as she turned her attention back to Cyrus. "I really don't think this is going to work."

"Not with the two of you acting like that," Cyrus agreed. "Guys, you have to make this work. If you can't, we lose."

Inhaling, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose, Olivia nodded. Not losing was her main motivator for agreeing to this plan. It was the only thing she had managed to truly latch onto after her conversation with Oriel. Well, that and the potential to make at least some type of change. Ignoring her own feelings toward Fitz, and keeping her tone as neutral as she could manage, she asked:

"Have you scheduled a presser, yet?"

"No. Per Karen's advice –"

Olivia interrupted, holding her hands in front of her, one straight and the other crossing atop her fingers to form a t', "Time out. Karen knows?"

"She and Jerry know the story we plan to sell the world." Fitz spoke up, his voice soft. If she didn't know better, she'd say he was being uncharacteristically shy. "Misguided as she is, she approves."

"Wh–" Olivia shook her head, stopping before getting the word completely out. "I'll ask later. What did Karen suggest, Cy?"

"She suggested we use social media to announce your engagement. Personally, I believe she just wants to be the one to receive the most 'likes'" - he took the time to use air quotes as he said the word, "on her post. I say we let her have that attention, draw in more voters who won't be able to resist a daughter's excitement over her new future stepmother, and wait for the media to approach us."

"So instead of a presser we'll –"

"Be giving an exclusive." Fitz had finally abandoned the window in favor of moving closer to Cyrus's desk, perching on the edge of the leather chair that sat before the big, wooden monstrosity.

"You do realize that's a terrible idea, right?" Olivia's eyes widened - Cyrus was not thinking this through. She had no desire at all to be stuck in his half-brained schemes - not when her entire professional future was on the line.

"We can't do an exclusive," Fitz agreed. "Any idiot with half a brain would know what we're up to."

"Is this the part where I shake my fist and make some inane comment about meddling kids?" Olivia raised a brow.

"Are you going to make fun of the way I talk or are you going to help find a solution?"

"The first one. It's more entertaining."

"Oh for the love of." Cyrus banged a fist on the table, calling attention to himself. A frown caused a deep-set crease to form on his forehead, a vein angrily standing out on the side of his neck. "Enough. The two of you are smart and can do an exclusive. You're just going to have to work together and get to know each other well enough to fool whomever you're stuck with."

He paused for a moment, eyes flicking between both Olivia and Fitz as though waiting for one or the other to make a remark. When none seemed forthcoming, he turned to his computer and began typing away.

"Karen and Jerry have to believe this is real, too. So I suggest the two of you start working. Now."

"Olivia!"

"Hey, Kare." Olivia smiled, hoping it appeared at least somewhat genuine. She knew she wouldn't be able to withstand too much of the teenager's badgering - and she wasn't naive enough to believe that there would be none.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why did I have to hear from dad and Cyrus?" The teen pouted, placing her hands on her hips as she eyed Olivia.

"We…were planning too?" Olivia fought the grimace that threatened to show on her face as her confident statement sounded anything but. She jumped when she felt a hand come to rest on her hip and a heavy arm fall across her back.

"Cyrus jumped the gun, Karen. Olivia very much wanted to have a quiet dinner with you and Jer. She had the whole thing planned out –" Olivia could just make out his smile, the all-teeth, perfect politician smile, from the corner of her eye as she numbly nodded along. " –I think she may have been more upset than me when Cyrus told you."

He ended with a chuckle, raising his arm - the one not currently accosting her waist – and placed his index finger under her chin, tilting her head back. She narrowed her eyes slightly as he gazed into her eyes. Karen's high-pitched, drawn 'aw' drew Olivia from the tirade of annoyed thoughts currently swirling about her mind just in time for Fitz to lean down and place a kiss on her cheek. For all intents and purposes in front of his daughter, they were a couple in love.

"It's okay, Liv! We can still have dinner this weekend when Jerry's here. Oh and we can Facetime him later! Then I can make that insta post." She was practically jumping as she spoke, pulling her phone from her pocket, unlocking it, and snapping a photo before Olivia had time to speak.

"And I really don't have any pics of you and dad. Well except this one –" Karen giggled, flashing her phone briefly before turning it back to begin swiping through apps. "- but I think a more low-key pic would hit different. Leave it to me and everyone is going to be shipping this! Oh. I need to come up with a couple name. Hm..hashtag Fli–no. No. No."

As quickly as she had appeared in the hallway, Karen had walked away - disappearing around the corner as she continued to mumble to herself. Olivia released the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and jumped from Fitz's embrace as though his arm was scalding her.

"Are you crazy?"

"Am I crazy? You looked like you were sucking on a lemon! We're supposed to be happily in love." Fitz narrowed his eyes, grossing his arms over his chest.

"You just promised to have dinner with your children this week. YOUR children! Oh my God, they're going to know." Olivia closed her eyes, focusing on taking small, even breaths as she felt the panic rising. She was not one to fail and the thought of impending failure was too much.

"If we fool them, I think we'll be good for that interview." Fitz rolled his eyes and, as he was walking away, tossed over his shoulder: "See you tonight for our photoshoot a la Karen."

A/N - Wow! I am completely astounded at the response the first chapter received. Next chapter will be longer, and although it may be a bit of a slow burn, this will be earning its 'M' rating in the future.

Until next time,

G.