Love and Art

by Starfish81

Fitz is a big time art Rep & owner of Grant Art inc. He's the big shot that everyone wants to know. Olivia is a young and hopeful artist hoping to branch out her art beyond her friends shop. What happens when Olivia meets with Fitz for a job at his company? How will Fitz deal with his obligation to his company, while dealing with new and growing Feelings for the newest staff member

3. Chapter Three: Just Friends

Chapter Three: Just Friends

Three Months Later…

Three months. Three months, that's how long it's been since Olivia started working for Fitz. Three whole months of pretending that she didn't have feelings for her boss. Pretending that she didn't have dreams about him every night, that she didn't wake up panting from her dreams of she and Fitz in the shower. Pretending that the kiss they shared ever happened.

With the way Fitz walked around as if nothing happened, made her think he was dealing with things a lot easier than she was. Maybe she was thinking too much into it. Maybe Alex was right. Maybe only she had feelings for him, and he didn't feel the same. And if that was the case, then she would have no choice other than accept it. But did it have to be so hard?

Today was no different, to day she came into work and was determined to not think about him. To only focus on the new painting she was working on. But that plan was derailed when she walked in the building. She was on the elevator going up, when the doors were stopped and in walked Fitz. Olivia guessed it was a coincidence, but it was a pretty convenient one. The entire ride up to the thirteenth floor was odd to say the least. It was a short and quiet ride, but it was enough to leave Olivia rattled for the entire day. So much, that she had tossed three canvases, once she realized she was painting Fitz face.

It was now almost one, and Olivia was engrossed in her painting. She had no idea what it was going to turn out as, but she was having fun with the abstract art she was creating. Today was a slow day and she was relaxed, well as relaxed as she could be. She was wearing a pair of he favorite baggy jeans. To be honest, Olivia didn't really know where they came from nor did she think they were even women jeans. But they were comfortable, and when she was painting she needed to be comfortable. They had several holes in them, some down at her ankles all the way up to her hip. But nothing too revealing she hoped. And to add to the holes, were various paint spots and smudges ranging all over in color. With the jeans, she had on a simple tight black spaghetti strap tank, and rainbow toe socks. Her hair was in two braids, hanging on her shoulders. She wasn't dressing to impress.

"Hey Liv." Abby greeted, walking in Olivia's studio. "Wow, every time I come in here, it really makes me hate my own studio." Abby said, admiring Olivia's space. When Olivia was assigned a studio in Fitz's building, she was told she could do anything she wanted with it. So Olivia painted the three walls a soft shade of blue, one wall had different hand drawn paintings that Olivia had done at random as a collage. And the fourth she painted in a chalkboard paint. So every day she would come in and wrote her daily agenda or things of importance that she didn't want to forget. And sometimes other people would come in and leave her messages and funny pictures that always made her smile the entire day. She really loved working here.

"So anyway, Fitz's assistant just called down and he wants us all to have a meeting."

"Me too?"

"Yeah, come on were gonna meet at the café across the street."

"Should I be worried?" Olivia asked, as she slid her feet into her all black vans and grabbed her black sweater.

"Oh no, if it was something bad he would've called up to his office. Besides, what would little miss perfect be in trouble for."

"I wouldn't say perfect."

"Why not? Everyone else does."

X

Olivia and Abby were the last ones to make it to the café. Fitz was already at a table on the back deck away from the general population of the cafe, with Jenna, Huck and Christopher; Jenna's latest boyfriend with the wondering eyes. Fitz eyes were glued to Olivia the moment she walked through the door. He's never seen a woman so genuinely beautiful. It didn't matter what she had on, she always managed to catch his eye. He knew he had been playing it pretty well the last three months, pretending that being around Olivia wasn't hard. But he was suffering just as much as Olivia. Every day he'd walk around checking on the artist, he'd catch a glimpse of Olivia talking with her friends or held up in her studio caught up in one of her pieces. She'd never noticed that he was watching her. So he'd stand away from her door admiring her, she was so at peace when she was working. The relaxation was visible on her, and it made anyone around her relax too. She was a special kind of woman. He knew that every time he laid eyes on her.

"Glad you ladies could join us."

"Sorry Fitz." Abby answered, and Olivia just sat down without acknowledging him.

"It's quite alright. Hello Olivia." Fitz greeted, trying hard not to stare at Olivia's breast spilling out the top of her tank. She'd taken off her sweater when she sat down and he couldn't help but notice her breast on full display. If he was caught, he'd say he was looking at the necklace rest in her cleavage.

"Hello Mr. Grant." Olivia replied in her most professional voice.

Fitz cleared his throat and began the meeting. "So I'm sure you're all wondering why I asked you here. I asked you here, because I've chosen you all to accompany me on the Paris trip on Thursday." Excited squeals and hand claps emitted from the lucky group, all except for Olivia who didn't know what the trip was about.

"Alright alright settle down. Know you all know this is a big deal and great opportunity. And for those who don't know what the Paris trip is. It is an opportunity for you to not only sell some of your work, but to get your work out to the art world. There will be some very important people at the showing this weekend, people who you need to make an attempt to befriend. I'll talk later, with those that this will be the first time for. Now I chose you five, because you have shown me the best work these past three months. I don't need to warn you about the consequences if you fuck up this job or embarrass me in any way. Now I'm not trying to treat you like me children, but I expect you all to behave accordingly as if we were back at the company. I know a new environment can sometimes go to the head and you can get a little too excited. But please remember that while there will be a little downtime this is a business trip and business comes first."

"Yes sir." Everyone simultaneously said.

"Now I have itineraries for everyone for the full trip. We will be leaving on Thursday, this Thursday and we will be back on the following Sunday. I will have cars to pick up each one of you at your homes at seven thirty sharp. You had best be ready at seven thirty loading up that car. The plane leaves at eight forty. If you are not on that plane when the door closes, then you're shit outta luck and it'll be a long time before I let you come on another trip. So make sure your asses are there." Fitz took a break to pass out the itineraries, as they were looking them over he continued. "Now the art shows we will be attending will be on Friday. There will be a nine o'clock and one o'clock gallery opening for that day. I have already selected the pieces from each of your collections I want to be taken to Paris. I will have them transported so you don't have to worry about it. You each will have three of your pieces to sell, except for Huck and Olivia. Huck you'll have four and Olivia you'll have five."

"Wait why do they get extra." Jenna asked, obviously jealous of Huck and especially Olivia. It took her a year to get her Paris trip, and Olivia gets to go only after three months? What does she have that I didn't?

"Because I'm the boss and I make the decisions. Are you the boss? Do you make the decisions?" Fitz question, anger evident in his voice. He really hated to be questioned about his business or how he ran it.

"No sir."

"No you don't. Now if your work had been as great as theirs then maybe you'd have more than three pieces but you don't. So I suggest you just be grateful that you got a ticket, because you were this close to not going."

"Yes sir." Olivia could tell Jenna was embarrassed. She must not have been used to being called out.

"Now I think I covered everything, if you have questions about the schedule refer to the itinerary. If you have any additional question came see me personally. But before you go I want you to listen. This trip is not just about selling your art, it's about getting your name out there to the right people and proper channels. So don't fuck around at these meet and greets alright. Don't be glues to the bar for the free drinks, okay I actually want you to meet and greet people okay?"

"Yes sir." They all said simultaneously again.

"Alright, Abby Olivia stay behind. Everyone else you can leave." After everyone had said their goodbyes, it was on Fitz Abby and Olivia left at the table. "Abby I just wanted to say how proud of you I was of you and your improvement over the last few months. Your improvement is what got you the Paris trip, and I wanted to let you know I was proud."

"Aww, are you getting sentimental on me Fitz?" Abby joked.

"Hell no. Just wanted you to know you were doing well. Now get outta here before you make me change my mind." Fitz smirked, and pulled a cigarette box and lighter from his pocket.

"That's a nasty habit Mr. Grant."

"So I've been told." Fitz pulled the cigarette from his lips, blowing a puff of smoke. "Would you like me to put it out?"

"Please. Why am I here Mr. Grant?"

"Well first, could you stop being so formal with me?"

"I'm being professional remember."

"Olivia…"

"Why am I here? Why'd you pick me to go to Paris? I've only been here three months."

"Yeah and if everyone else had delivered what you have in their first three months they'd have gone too." Fitz explained.

"If this has anything to do with what happened-"

"Olivia stop. No it doesn't. You have been doing great work since you got here, Olivia. You earned it. If I felt that you hadn't I wouldn't have given you this trip."

"Okay."

"Okay. Now would you like to order some food?"

"Oh I don't think that's-"

"Come on Olivia. It's just food."

"Mr. Grant really." Olivia refused, and grabbed her sweater before standing. As she stood, Fitz stood along with her, blocking the path so she couldn't get by.

"Look Olivia, I know things have been a little tense between us and I also know that I'm mostly the blame for it-"

"It's not just on you." Olivia admitted. "I didn't necessarily try to stop you that day."

"Look Olivia I know what I said about us being professional. But that doesn't mean we can't be friends."

Olivia looked up in his eyes, sincerity evident. "Friends?"

"Yeah, friends that just happen to work together and one is the boss." Fitz chuckled.

Olivia laughed only a little, still a little apprehensive around Fitz. "I- I guess friends is okay."

"Thank you. Can we be friends that share an innocent lunch together?"

Olivia shook her head, "I really so have to go though. I'm having lunch with my sister and parents."

"That's fair enough. I'll see you Thursday Olivia." Fitz moved aside, so Liv could pass.

"See you Thursday Mr. Grant." Olivia tried to walk past him, but he caught her arm.

"Fitz." He corrected her.

"Fitz." Olivia whispered with a smile on her face, before walking out the café.

X

"So when do you leave?"

"The day after tomorrow." Olivia answered. She was at her parents' house, on the back porch having lunch. She didn't always find the time to make it over to her parents' house, she nor Alex. Either they'd make up and excuse to not some, or they'd just pretend they forgot. It wasn't as if they didn't love their parents, they did. It just they could only deal with them in moderation. Especially their mother.

"That's great honey! Wow! I'm so proud of you." Olivia's dad, Eli, congratulated her after leaning over to kiss her head.

"Thanks daddy."

"That's really great Liv. I'm a little jealous that you get to go to Paris. But I'm still happy for you." Alex nudged Liv's shoulder from her seat beside her. Olivia was glad for the seating arrangement. Alex and Olivia were sitting on one side of the table and their parents were on the other side. She was glad to not be sitting in front of her mother, because Olivia didn't want to see her face as she eyed her attire. Her mother had always hated the way Olivia dressed. She always thought she looked like a street kid, and when she was younger it was worse. Olivia hated dresses and skirts, she'd always cry until her parents bought her the jeans and shorts she wanted.

"Yeah, I'm excited too. But I have to remember it's a business trip first. This is a great opportunity for me to get some really important people to see and hopefully buy my art."

"Yeah, I saw in the papers a while back Grant and some fellow, I can't remember his name. Anyway he went on one of these trips and made fifty thousand dollars in two days. Now he has his own gallery in California I believe." Eli said.

"Yeah well maybe I can get all of mine sold. But I don't think I'll get that much I'm still new, nobody here will even know my name. At the most I'll probably get ten maybe eleven thousand. That's after Mr. Grant takes his percentage."

"The thousand dollars is still a lot of money cheeks." Alex said, sipping her white wine.

"Yeah maybe you get your own studio soon, like you always wanted. Maybe even a new apartment."

"Hey easy daddy!" Alex protested, not ready for her sister to leave just yet. "Liv isn't going anywhere."

"So how did you get this job?" Olivia's mother asked, finally joining in on the conversation and ruining the mood in the process.

"Excuse me?" Olivia asked.

"I said how did you get this job. You've only been working there what? Three months? I'm sure there are more qualified and with more experience."

Olivia sighed and rolled her eyes. Leave it to her mother to ruin the good vibe. It was no secret that Dianna never wanted her daughter to be an artist. To her being an artist wasn't a real job. It was a hobby, as she would say. Olivia would never understand how her mother fell in love and married a bass player in a band. For her entire childhood, all she could remember was being in a musical house. He dad would play his guitar while Olivia and Alex sang and her mother would either be standing in the corner glaring or upstairs in her room. In the end, one daughter turned out a painter and piano player. And the other wanted to follow in daddy's footsteps. She started a small group, and they sing in the lounge four times a week. You could say Dianna the lawyer was not pleased.

"Yes mother, and Mr. Grant explained to me that I along with four others were the best of the picking. It didn't matter to him how long I've been there. My work spoke for itself."

Dianna scoffed, "Work? You call that work?"

"Yes mother it's my work. It may not be filled with depositions and court dates, but its work. It's my job as much as you hate."

"I don't know which is worse, the fact that you call that work, or the fact that you call what you do at that center work."

"Diya that's enough." Eli warned. "Be quiet."

"Why daddy?" Alex asked, now pissed off that her mother once again made Olivia feel inferior because of what she did for a living. "She's always sheared her dislike for what Liv and I did for a living. Why shut her up now, when the damage is already done?"

"You are just like your father Alexandra. Always butting in on business that isn't yours."

"You're one to talk!" Alex yelled.

"Alex. Be respectful she's still your mother."

"Yeah well I didn't have much of a choice now did I?"

"Alex!"

"You two girls are so ungrateful you know that? You father and I didn't not spend all that money on you on the best schools, so you could go off and be a painter or a singer or some receptionist. My children are supposed to be greater than that. You are meant to me intellectuals."

Alex rolled her eyes. Reaching under the table to hold Olivia's hand. She had been quiet for a while, and her leg began to shake. Alex knew she only did that when she was upset. "Don't speak for daddy. Unlike you, he supports his children. He's actually proud of what Liv and I do."

"That's because your father is as stuck in the clouds as you two are."

"Dianna I mean it! You stop it right now. They barely come around now as it is because of you, and I will not let you run them off again." Eli spoke in his stern voice. Whenever Eli got upset, anyone around know he meant business and to not anger him anymore. Eli wasn't a confrontational person, but that didn't mean he didn't have his limits.

"May I be excused?" Olivia asked, really only talking to her father, but her mother answered.

"Not right now Olivia, we're in the middle of a meal." Dianna replied, before Eli could.

"Daddy?"

Eli sighed, knowing it was best for Olivia to be alone. "Go ahead pumpkin."

Olivia quickly stood, and kissed her father's head before going up to her old room.

"Why do you always spoil her?" Dianna growled, when Olivia was out of view.

"He letting her leave to table, not giving her a pony. Relax Dianna."

"Alex." Eli warned again.

X

"Yes Lauren and please make sure that all the art pieces made it to the hotel. Our rooms should already be booked, and I want the pieces waiting in my room when we arrive." Fitz spoke over the phone. He had been home for over three hours now, and he was still working. "Also make sure you contact the car service. I want to make sure they are briefed on our departure time and arrival time on Sunday. I don't want to be a minute late." Fitz was walking over to his living room, when the doorbell rang. "Uh Lauren that'll be all okay. I'll call you later on."

"Hey Patrick." Fitz greeted his little brother. "How's it going?"

"Nothing much, just broke up with that bitch again so I'm all good." Patrick said of his on again off again girlfriend.

"Pat come on man. I know she's a handful at times, but don't be an ass. Besides most of your problems are because of you. You're the main reason you two keep breaking up."

"Yeah, but this time wasn't my fault okay." Pat defended himself, following Fitz into the kitchen for a beer.

"Yeah so what was it this time?" Fitz popped the top off his beer and leaned on the bar.

"Okay so I come home right after a crap day at work. My boss pissed me off, my clients pissed me off, the fucking cab driver pissed me off. All day someone has pissed me off. So when I come home to MY house after a hard day all I want to do is relax. So when I see that Maxine has once again let herself into MY home I figure she's here to make my day better. You know cook me a meal, massage my back, give me some fucking head something!-"

"You do know that that's not her job description right?"

"Whatever. Anyway I come home, and she immediately starts. She has logged onto my computer and read my emails and starts bitching about it."

"I'm assuming these emails are all to other females."

"Yeah so what? She has no business snooping through my personal emails like I'm cheating on her."

"But Pat you are cheating on her. You've been cheating on her since you met. Pat you were dating that red head Chrissy when you met Maxine!"

"You thinking don't know that Fitz? Speaking of which, maybe I should call Chrissy now that me and Max ae on the frits. But anyway why does she have to go snooping through my stuff all the time?!"

"Because she doesn't trust you, your whore Pat. Fuck I don't even trust you around the women I date."

"Oh come on Fitz you know I would never mess with one of your girls. Bros before hoes remember. Besides I know you'd kick my ass if I ever even looked at a woman you were dating."

"You got that right."

"But if I were willing to risk my life over one of your girls, it would have to be that Cuban chick Tatiana. Baby was fine."

"Yes and baby had an attitude."

"That was just a little fire man. Ain't nothing wrong with a little fire."

"No there isn't, but there is with a little too much. And that was Tati's problem. She was too much of a hot head always going off on every little thing, I only like that much fire in the bedroom."

"Oh speaking of the bedroom, did you bag that little painter yet?"

"Pat don't make me regret telling you that, and no I haven't. We decided that it was best for us to just be friends."

"Friends? She put you in the friend zone?!"

"Actually no it was my idea."

"What the hell Fitz?! Why would you do that to yourself? Do you know how many men there are out there fighting their way out the friend zone? And you just walking straight into enemy territory?!"

"Shut up Patrick, it's not like that. She's been dodging and ignoring me for months, and I was tired of having to sneak around just so I could see her without her noticing. So now this way, I can see her anytime I want."

"But you still can't fuck her."

"Dammit Patrick do you have to be so crude. And no, I can't and I'm okay with that."

"Bullshit you are. You said you were taking her on the Paris trip right? It's gonna be a thousand times harder trying to keep your hands off her. This friend thing isn't gonna last long. Mark my words. I'm your brother Fitz, I know you."

Fitz rolled his eyes. "Whatever. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Oh yeah, you mind if I crash in your guest room for a few days?"

"Something wrong with your apartment?" Fitz asked, not really wanting Patrick to stay at his house. Not that he didn't love his little brother, Patrick just came with a lot of baggage.

"Actually yeah." Pat grabbed an apple from the bowl and took a bite. "After Maxine found all my emails and then the pictures and texts on my phone, she went mayhem. Tore up my entire apartment. I mean there's shit everywhere. Broke glass, overturned furniture, she fucking ripped open my pillows, stuffing everywhere. I have a cleaning crew, but Max's been stalking my house. So instead of risking the chance of running into her again, I figured I'd come spend some time with my favorite big brother." Pat smiled brightly, the same one he gave the ladies. Fitz rolled his eyes, shaking his head at his brother as he walked away. He would never understand his little brother. He didn't understand how they'd grown up in the same house and raised by the same mother, they were too different.

X

"Pumpkin can I come in?" Eli knocked on Olivia's door. She had been gone for almost forty minutes, and he wanted to check on her.

"Yeah daddy." Olivia answered and Eli opened the door, closing it behind him. He found her sitting on the bench in her window sill with her feet up. She always use to do that when she was thinking.

"You alright pumpkin?" Eli asked, sitting behind her and Olivia leaned into him.

Olivia sighed and relaxed against her dad. "Yeah. I'm use to her now, I've had to live with it for twenty two years now. I just have to learn to not let her get to me."

"You know your mother loves you Olivia. You and your sister."

"She has a funny way of showing it. I don't understand how she can be two people at once. I mean one minute she's giving me grief about my job or the way I dress. Then the next, she acts as if nothing happened."

"She's just different Olivia and has a lot of different views. Different from you and your sister and definitely from me."

"I just don't see how you both met and fell in love. Your both each other's opposite."

"Baby when I met your mother, all she cared about was acid wash jeans and hairspray."

"Yeah well why couldn't she just stay like that?"

"Because people change sweetheart. No one stays the same their entire life."

"You did. Not unless you plan on turning into mother in the next couple of years."

"Speaking of your mother, I left her downstairs with Alex. Alone. How about we go back downstairs before one ends up killing the other."

"My money's on Alex."

Eli laughed she stood up, "yeah so is my sweetheart. Now come on, your mother made that chocolate cake you girls like."

Olivia was about to stand and follow her father out the room, when her phone started ringing in her pocket. "Hello?" Olivia answered without looking at the caller id.

"Hello Olivia."

"Fitz?" Olivia stared back at her phone, as if she could see him.

"Well I see you recognize my voice." Fitz chuckled on the other end.

"Fitz why- why are you calling me?"

"We're friends remember. Friends call each other. Right?"

"Uh yeah I guess."

"What's wrong?

"Nothing." Olivia sighed. Yes she said she and Fitz were friends, but she wasn't ready for the phone calls and friendly chats that being friends entailed.

"Yes there is Olivia, I can hear it in your voice."

Olivia smiled at his genuine care for her. "It's nothing Fitz really, I'm just a little… annoyed."

"Annoyed? Is it me? If you don't want me to call anymore-"

"No no, it's not you. It's just family stuff. I'm still at my parents, and I'm slowly counting down the minutes until I can leave."

"Well do you have time to talk?"

"Maybe." Olivia smirked, before shutting her door and getting back on her bed. She didn't mean to, but she and Fitz talked for almost two hours before her mother came to get her.

X

"No no no and no." It was 6:40 on Thursday morning, and Alex as now rifling through Olivia's luggage throwing out all her 'raggedy' clothes. "How do you expect to have a Paris fling if you go there dressing like this!" Alex pulled another pair of Olivia's pants from her bag. To be honest, Alex was hoping Olivia would catch Fitz's eye again and let him know what he was missing, by rejecting her sister.

"Alex stop! The car will be here any minute, and if I'm late Fitz is gonna be pissed." Olivia caught a shirt mid-air that Alex had thrown out of her suitcase. "And besides, I'm not going there to have a fling! This is work, I'm working."

"Olivia I can't believe this is the crap you packed for Paris!"

"There is nothing wrong with my clothes Alex."

"Oh really?" Alex pulled out an old pants suit, "This is how you wanna be portrayed by those snooty art people? You think they're gonna take you seriously in some baggy ugly brown pants suit?"

"Ugh!" Olivia flung herself down on her bed. Maybe Alex did have a point, and she did want the people to take her seriously. "Fine, I guess you can help me pack."

"Yes!" Alex squealed, "Okay don't worry about anything I'm gonna pack your entire suitcase, underwear and all. But first I'm gonna go find you something else to wear."

"What's wrong with what I have on?"

"I'm not even gonna dignify that with an answer." Alex turned to go into Olivia's closet. She came back a few minutes later with an entire outfit. "Okay put this on, and I'm gonna rifle through all the clothes I've ever bought you for birthdays and Christmas and anything else you've never worn."

"Fine." Olivia gave up, and started undressing out of her clothes and into the ones Alex gave her.

"And while I'm at it, I'm gonna let you borrow my luggage." Alex tossed Olivia's old brown bags that use to belong to their father on the floor. "Lord help my sister."

X

"Um excuse me sir, are you sure we're going the right way?" Olivia asked her driver. They had gotten to the airport, but her driver didn't take her to the front entrance. "This isn't the way to the front gate."

The driver only chuckled and kept driving. "Ms. Pope, Mr. Grant doesn't fly commercial flights." He said, as they parked alongside a big private plane. The driver got out and walked around to open the door for Olivia, before taking her bags out the trunk.

Fitz had been standing at the door, waiting for all the artist to arrive. His heart started racing, when he saw Olivia's car pull up. And when she got out the car, he damn near died. His first glance was of her dainty stiletto clad foot stick out the car. Alex had picked out one of her favorite skirts she'd gotten Olivia on their 21st birthday. Olivia had opened it, and stuck it right back in the box and never wore it. It was an all black leather skirt that stopped well above the knees. She paired it with a cream skin tight long sleeve sweater, black stockings and the highest pair of heels Olivia had ever worn. She didn't want to admit to her sister that she loved the cheetah print heel shoes.

She was beautiful. Fitz loved to see her in jeans and an old shirt just as much, but something about her dressing up, filled with lust. All he could do was smile at her, as she admired the plane, her curly hair blowing in the wind.

After a moment of staring at her, Fitz realized that Olivia hadn't moved, and was just staring at the plane. "Liv?" He called out, but she didn't move. Getting a little worried that she was just standing there, Fitz descended down the walked and over to where Olivia stood. "Liv? Hey you okay?"

"Is that your plane Fitz?" Olivia asked, looking beyond Fitz. "Like the whole thing all the little parts and everything?"

Fitz looked at her confused. "Uh yeah, last time I checked it still had my name on it." Fitz pointed to the company logo on the side of the plane. "Olivia what's wrong?"

"That's a plane Fitz I can't get on that I can't. It's smaller than a commercial plane-"

"Well I don't really like flying commercial it's too much of a hassle." Fitz said nonchalantly as if everyone had a private plane if they didn't like to fly commercial. "Baby what's the problem?"

Olivia decided to disregard the fact that he called her 'baby' she was too worried about getting on this plane right now. "Fitz it's small and I was worried before, when I thought I was getting on a bigger plane. But that one is smaller and I'm feeling claustrophobic and I can't be trapped thirty thousand feet in the air in that metal tube."

"Liv are you scared of planes or something?"

"Yes." Olivia whined. "I'm afraid of heights and even more scared of planes. I've never even been on one, I've never had a reason to. I've been in New York my entire life."

"Baby how did you think we were gonna get to Paris? You had to know we were getting on a plane."

"Yeah I did, but it didn't don on me until we got here that I was getting on one. And at first, I was just planning on drinking something loaded with alcohol to help me relax. But that was when I thought I was getting on a bigger plane! But that one is too small and I can't- I can't get on that Fitz. I- I-"

"Hey hey hey relax. It's okay." Fitz gripped Olivia's shoulders to steady her, because she looked like she was about to fall over any minute. "Calm down okay, you're gonna have a panic attack. Just breathe."

"I- I can't get on that thing."

"Do you trust me Olivia?"

"I don't know if I trust you yet." Olivia answered honestly. "But I know I don't trust the pilot. I don't even know him. Is he qualified to fly this plane?"

"Well you don't know your cab driver and you trust him to take you where you need to go."

"This is different Fitz and you know it."

"Liv I would never put you or anyone else in danger by hiring an inexperienced pilot. Of course he's qualified." Fitz could tell that he wasn't getting his point across. "Look the worst part is takeoff and landing. I'm not gonna lie you're gonna be scared, but you can sit next to me the entire time and you can hold my hand. You can squeezed as hard as you like."

"Fitz-" Olivia was trying to protest, but Fitz wouldn't let her.

"I'll even get you something high in alcohol if you like." Fitz mimicked, making Olivia smirk a little. "Come on Olivia, you didn't come all this way, just to let a little plane hold you back from your success."

Olivia knew he was right. She didn't come all this way just to turn back now. Ugh why couldn't we be going to the next town over or something? Somewhere where we could drive in under an hour? Olivia gazed at Fitz, then his outstretched hand, before reluctantly taking it.

Fitz smiled, when she took his hand. He bought it up to his lips before gingerly kissing it. I would never let anything happen to you Olivia. Trust me, you're safe with me." Fitz winked and gently pulled her hand, for her to follow. Olivia slowly trailed behind him, as he guided her up the steps of the plane. Each step up, he could feel her breath heightening. She squeezed hard on Fitz' hand and he did the same in return.

"Alright Olivia's here, so everyone made it on time. I'm gonna go tell the pilot it's time to go." Everyone stopped either listening to their music or engrossed in their own conversations and gave Fitz their attention. Everyone noticed how tightly Olivia was holding onto Fitz' hand, but only Jenna felt a tinge of jealousy. "So everyone should've read their itinerary, but just in case you didn't. When we get to Paris, you will have the rest of the day to do whatever you want. Just make sure whatever you do does not inhibit you from being prepared and ready for the showing at nine the next morning okay? The bus leaves at eight twenty, and if you're not on the bus to damn bad, we won't wait. And you just pissed away your chance at easy money. So just make sure you're there okay?"

"Yes sir." Everyone replied, before going back to whatever they were doing.

Before going to speak with the captain, Fitz leaned down and whispered in Liv's ear, "You can sit on the back row, that's where I'll sit okay?" Olivia nodded her head, and reluctantly released his hand and walked back to the back.

"Damn Liv, you looking good today ain't you." Christopher reached for Olivia's hand as she walked by him. Olivia only smiled politely and kept walking, unbeknownst of Christian watching the sway of her ass.

"If you don't stop starring at her ass, I'm gonna smack the taste out your mouth." Jenna harshly whispered in his ear.

"Well well, look at you." Abby snickered from the row in front of her. All the rows of seats were on one side, but they could twist around. One the other side, there was a long bench chair and table. There was a mini bar with a mini fridge and microwave. In the back, was the sleeping quarters, but Fitz rarely used it because most of the time he was traveling with someone else. And more than likely it was for business. "Who you get all dressed up for?" Abby asked.

"Well according to my sister, 'every man in Paris'." Olivia rolled her eyes, and laughed along with Abby. They talked for a little while, before Fitz came back with the flight attendant behind him. He sat in the seat beside her, and whispered to her while the flight attendant spoke.

"Here drink this." He tried to give her a glass he had in his hand.

"What is it?" She asked, before she took it.

"Alcohol." Fitz chuckled. "Try it." He held the glass up to her mouth and held the straw while she took a sip. To her surprise it was really good, it was fruity and wasn't too strong. Just how she liked her drinks.

"This is really good." Olivia took the glass from his hand. "But I wasn't really serious before. I don't really drink all the time." Olivia said, despite drinking the last of the drink a lot faster than she should have. "How- how long is this flight?"

"Don't worry about it. Just relax maybe try to get some sleep, and when you wake up we'll be in Paris." When Fitz stopped talking, the flight attendant instructed everyone to fasten their seatbelts for takeoff. Olivia was so nervous, she couldn't even get her seatbelt on. Fitz took the strap from her hands, and fastened her in. "Don't watch." Fitz pulled the curtain down on the window so Olivia couldn't see out. "It'll only make it worse. Just relax."

Olivia laid her head back, closed her eyes, and tried to relax like Fitz said. It work for a short moment, then the pane started to roll. She gripped Fitz hand on the arm rest. She could feel her nails digging in, but Fitz didn't say anything. The plane started to shake and the ride started getting bumpy as they made their descent into the air. Olivia could feel her nails digging deeper and deeper into Fitz' hand, she was sue she was breaking the skin. But still Fitz didn't say anything, just let her scratch his hand.

"Is it over yet?" Olivia asked, once she felt the plane smooth out. She still had her eyes closed, and still had her grip on Fitz' hand.

"Yeah, it's over. The seatbelt sign is off, I'm gonna go use the restroom. You okay?" Olivia nodded her head. "Well I kind of need you to let go of my hand." Olivia looked down at Fitz now red hand, and quickly retracted her nails.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!"

Fitz smiled, and got up to go to the bathroom. Against her own judgement, Olivia lifted the curtain from the window, and peeked out. She had to admit that it was very beautiful and for a small second she was jealous of birds. But as soon as the feeling came it quickly went away. She quickly pulled the curtain down again, having had enough of the view for today.

X

Olivia didn't know what time it was, when she felt someone pulling her hair back and gently caressing her face.

"Liv." Fitz softly called, not wanting to frighten her awake. "Liv." Fitz shook her and couldn't stop himself from dropping a kiss on her forehead. That seemed to wake her right up, as she slowly lifted her head from his shoulder. "Hey sleepy head."

Olivia rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "How long was I asleep?"

"Uh just about the entire flight. When I came back from the bathroom you were already half asleep."

Olivia looked around, and noticed that the pane was empty. "Where is everyone?"

"Well they're outside, waiting for the cars to pull up. I've been trying to wake you for the past two minutes."

"Ugh I'm sorry, I guess I didn't realize how tied I was." Olivia said between her yawns. "I didn't drool on your shoulder did I? I do that sometimes."

Fitz smiled at her. She couldn't be more adorable even if she tried. Fitz patted his shoulder to check for drool, "Still dry." Fitz hoped out of his seat, and grabbed his bag. "Shall we?" He held out his hand for her and she gladly took it as they walked out the plane together.

"Hey Liv!" Abby yelled out to her, Come on, ride with me and Huck." Abby didn't give Olivia much time to answer before she grabbed her hand and pulled her to one of the black town cars Fitz had rented. With only two cars and three people in each, that left Fitz to ride in the other town car with Jenna and Christopher. He was not pleased to say the least. He wanted to be with Olivia in their own car, just the two of them.

"I am so excited for this trip!" Abby exclaimed, as they rode through the streets in the town car. "The last time I was here, a bunch of us went to this party one of the buyers was having at his house. It was so much fun! These snooty rich folk love to party. And their son was fine as hell too. Hmm I wonder If he's gonna be here this weekend." Abby thought about the man she had a very brief affair with the last time she visited Paris. Tyler was his name.

"Abby please try and keep your legs closed this trip." Huck said, earning him a hard slap on the arm from Abby. Olivia only shook he head and laughed along with her friends. She sure was glad to be on this trip with at least someone she considered a friend.

Olivia took her camera out of her bag, and snapped a couple of pictures whenever the car stopped.

"Ugh Olivia please don't act like such a tourist." Abby teased.

"But I am a tourist." Olivia quickly snapped three more shots, before the car began moving again.

"Yeah and you certainly look it."

X

"Hello sir how may I help you?" The lady at the front desk asked Fitz.

"Yes I'm checking in."

"Excellent sir. And will they be checking in as well?" She asked, referring to the rest of the gang standing behind them.

"Yes, all the rooms should be booked under my name."

"And what name is that sir?"

"Grant. Fitzgerald Grant."

"Ah yes M. Grant here for the art convention. Yes sir we have you booked in the presidential suit. Here is your key." The woman programmed Fitz' key and gave it to him. "Uh let's see there's a Jenna Jenkins."

"Right here." Jenna called out, taking her key card and heading up to her room. She wasn't going to waste a minute of her free time. The lady went down the list until she got to the last name, Olivia.

"What do you mean you don't have her room?" Fitz growled at the woman, after her fifth time telling him they didn't have Olivia's room.

"I'm sorry sir, but we only have you booked for the four standard rooms and the presidential suite."

"My assistant took care of this. She booked six rooms not five."

"I'm sorry sir. There may have been a computing error on our behalf, and I apologize, but there's nothing I can do. We're booked solid."

"So let me get this straight. Not only do you screw up my rooms, but now you tell me that in all the ten floors of this hotel you don't have one fucking room? And you're just gonna tell me it's an oops."

"Fitz." Olivia said, she had been quietly standing to the side since they said they didn't have her room.

Fitz sighed, and put a nuzzle on his temper. He'd forgotten Olivia was standing next to him she was so quiet. "I apologize for raising my voice." Fitz told the lady, and she politely nodded her head. Olivia could tell she was a little intimidated and frightened by Fitz. "Could I just have an extra key to my room."

"Yes sir." The lady quickly got an extra key for Fitz' room, before disappearing into the room behind the desk. Olivia imagined she was going in there to cry.

"So what are we gonna do now?" Olivia sked Fitz, trying to keep up with his steps as he walked to the elevator.

"You're just gonna have to stay with me." Fitz replied, as if it was the most natural and obvious thing.

"What?" She must've heard him wrong.

"You're gonna have to stay with me." Fitz repeated, pulling her with him onto the elevator.

"Fitz I don't think that's a good idea."

"Relax Liv, I have a suite. There's two rooms in it." Fitz informed her, to hopefully ease her nerves. "I always get that room, just in case one of you need to be watched a little closer. Can't tell you how many times I've had to pick up someone from a bar jail."

"Fitz are- are you sure? I could just pay for me another room." Olivia suggested, walking off the elevator to the room.

"Didn't you hear her? There aren't any more rooms in this hotel." Fitz put the key in the door. "Besides, I'd never make you pay for you own room."

"It's not a problem really." It was a problem, Olivia knew she couldn't afford to buy her own room. By the looks of this hotel, she couldn't even afford to stay in a closet.

"You may not, but I would. And besides, it's already been settled that you're staying with me."

X

It was about one or tom hours later, when Olivia woke up from her second nap of the day. As soon as Fitz pointed her to her room, she fell on top of the bed and dozed off. She checked her phone for the time, and saw she had three missed messages and one call. The call and one message was From Alex asking if she got to Paris okay and was she liking it so far. Olivia text back saying she got there just fine, and it was too soon to tell. The other two messages were from Abby asking if she wanted to come out with the rest of them. Seeing her message was from an hour ago, she figured they'd already gone. That was fine, Olivia didn't mind being on her own. She could do a little window shopping explore the streets, and maybe have a little dinner.

Olivia had fallen asleep in her clothes from earlier, and sine she really didn't feel like changing, she just finger combed through her hair and washed her face. She grabbed her burgundy coat that stopped mid-thigh, past her skirt and walked out her room. Shocked to see Fitz walking out his room as well with his coat in hand.

"Well hello, the dead has arisen." Fitz teased.

"Oh hush. That was my first time being on a plane, it wore me out."

"I can see that." Fitz replied and noticed she had he coat and purse. "Going somewhere?"

"Uh yeah, I didn't want to stay inside. I've never been to Paris, and it'll probably be another twenty two years before I can come again. I thought I'd get some dinner or something."

"Mind if I tag along? I was on my way out anyway." Fitz asked, hoping she would say yes. He had planned on knocking on her door to see if she wanted to come with him anyway.

"You don't mind being my tour guide for the night?" Olivia teased.

"No ma'am not at all."

X

"No, come one let's walk." Olivia said as she pulled Fitz by the arm away from the town car. "Come one it's a beautiful night out, let's enjoy it." Olivia grabbed his hand and pulled him again until her gave in and let go of the car. They began walking down the street looking for nothing in particular, and Olivia didn't let go of his hand the entire time. Intertwining their fingers, as she clung closer to his body.

They had been walking and talking for a while, just taking in the sights, when they walked past a store window and something caught Olivia's eye. She gasped at the most gorgeous gown she had ever seen. It was an all-black floor length gown, with crisscross straps on the back, exposing just about of it. The straps made into a small bow on the lower back and a white train trailed behind the dress. It was gorgeous, and Olivia could picture herself. But picturing would have to do for now at those prices.

"It's so pretty."

"You want it?" Fitz asked casually.

"I wish."

"I'll buy it for you." Fitz said just as casually.

Olivia laughed, thinking he was just joking. "Yeah right." Olivia got one more look, before grabbing his hand again and walking away. "Come on I'm hungry." Fitz let her pull him away from the window, but he made a mental picture of the store and dress.

"So do you know what you want to eat yet?" Fitz asked.

"Junk food." Olivia replied.

Fitz laughed, thinking she was kidding, but the look on her face said anything but. "Junk food?"

"Yeah and I want a burger. Like a really big one." Olivia smiled up at him.

"Okay well I know this place that has good burgers."

"No. No offense, but I know anyplace you recommend is gonna be some four start restraint with gourmet burgers."

"It's five star actually." Fitz said, making Olivia laugh.

"See I told you. Come on I want a greasy burger that'll probably clog my arteries and or raise my blood pressure." Olivia saw lights up ahead, and carnival music. "Ooh like that!" She pointed over to a small grass field, where a carnival was going on. "Come on, I know I can eat there."

X

"Is that greasy and big enough for you?" Fitz laughed in amazement, as Olivia took another big bite of her burger.

"Oh my God, I think this is the best burger I've ever had." Olivia liked her finger, before taking the napkin Fitz gave her. "Can I ask you a question?" Olivia asked, and Fitz shook his head. "How come I've never seen any of your work? Abby said you sculpt sometimes."

Fitz thought for a moment, it wasn't really something he shared about himself. Not that he was embarrassed, but people rarely asked him about his art. Normally all they wanted to talk about was there's or someone they had seen. "Uh I've never really been asked about it before."

"Well don't you want people to see it? Why keep it hidden?"

"I would love to show someone who was actually interested."

"Well I'm interested."

"Then I'll have to show you sometime." Fitz smirked at her, and Olivia let out a nervous giggle. "What's this tattoo for?" Fitz asked, noticing a little ink slipping from her sleeve on her wrist. He was a little socked to see she had a tattoo. He held onto her wrist and turned it so he could see better.

Olivia pulled her coat and sweater sleeve back so he could see it. It was a double infinity symbol. "It's my sister tat. My sister and I both have the same one. It's a double infinity symbol with my sister's name in it. I know it's kind of backwards to have each other's name, but we wanted to have each other with us wherever we went, for our eternal love for one another. I know it sounds lame, but it makes me feel better when I'm upset and my sister isn't with me to talk to."

Olivia smiled down at her tattoo, remembering the night they both got them. Alex made Olivia get them at the same time, so Liv didn't get a chance to back out. Surprisingly it was Alex that was nervous the entire time, even though getting the tattoo's as her idea. She squeezed Olivia's hand the entire time until it turned red.

"We got them when we were fifteen. Our friends' brother worked at a tattoo shop, and he used to keep it open and tattoo all the underage kids for dirt cheap. It was a whole lot better than going to someone's carpeted garage. At least he was a professional."

"Fifteen really?"

"Hey it was only a couple weeks before our sixteenth birthday. But of course when our parents found out, my mother threatened to cancel our sweet sixteen. But thanks to our daddy calming her down, we still had our party and even got a car."

Fitz chuckled and shook his head. "Is that your only one?"

Olivia shook her head, "No, We both have one more on our backs. I don't know how I let her talk me into the first one, yet alone the second."

"What is it?" Fitz asked out of curiosity, he also made a note that he had to see this tattoo.

"It's a cross on the small of our backs. It's fairly big but not too much. We got those, the day we left for college. We were only seventeen, so our friend's brother did those too, although he charges half price this time. Then two years later, our grandmother on my mother's side passed away, so we added roses to our crosses. Her name was Rosa but everyone called her rose, because she loved to garden and white roses were her favorite flower." Olivia paused for a second, remembering her grandmother. "We added roses twined on the cross and a halo on top. Even though she hated tattoos, I think she would've liked ours."

"I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, I know how hard it is to lose a grandparent." Fitz, who still had a grip on her wrist, gently rubbed her wrist where her tattoo was.

"Thank you." Olivia smiled over at him, she wasn't sure what to call her impromptu night with Fitz. Was this a date? She knew he said they could see each other, but then what was this? They went out, talked, shared a meal. They were having a good time, that's what a date was right? Maybe he changed his mind about them dating, maybe he was coming around to the idea of them as a couple.

She shook those thoughts from her head, not wanting to get ahead of herself. Liv ate the last of her fries, before throwing it away in the nearby trashcan. "Come on."

"Where are we going now?"

Olivia looked at him like he was crazy. "Where do you think we're going?" She pointed behind her to the carnival.

"Oh no, no no I don't so carnivals."

"Oh come on, you didn't think I'd drag you over here, and not go into the carnival did you?" Before he could answer, she was pulling him up off the bench and over to the carnival games. "Let's go, you have to win me a prize."

"Oh do I?"

"Yes. It's what the guy has to do, everybody knows that. It's in every romance book and movie. So what are you good at?" Olivia looked around the many game stations. "Can you shoot?"

"I'm alright."

"Good." Olivia took him over to a booth and sat him down in front of a pellet gun. "Alright Mr. Bigshot, I want that bear." Olivia pointed to the biggest bear hanging on the booth. It was all white with a rainbow stomach and feet.

"Oh just the biggest bear huh?"

Olivia shrugged, "Come on stud muffin." Olivia teased. The man in charge of the booth, saw Olivia pointing to the big bear, and told Fitz what he had to do to win it for her.

"I see she's eyeing the big fella up there. I tell you what, all you have to do to keep that beautiful smile on your lady's face is hit that small moving target right here. Hit it once and she gets the bear."

Fitz put his money on the table, and grabbed the gun. The man started the game, and the target immediately started moving. Fitz focused on the target blocked by the others moving around. It took him only one shot, to hit the small target in the back. Perhaps his shooting experience put him at an unfair advantage. He'd been hunting with his dad and grandfather ever since he was a little boy. He heard Olivia squeal, and felt her pull him down so she could kiss his cheek. The man gave Fitz the bear, and he gave it to Olivia. She had to use both hands to hold it.

"How'd you learn to shot like that?"

"I use to go hunting with my dad and granddad when I was little." Fitz answered.

"Can you teach me to shoot like that?"

"Really?" Fitz asked, he didn't take Olivia as the type to like any kind of gun, pellet or real.

"Yeah." Olivia put her bear on the table, and grabbed the same gun Fitz had. It was small to Fitz, but to Olivia it was for giants. To help her hold it, Fitz stood behind her and wrapped his hands and arms around hers and together they shot the gun. Needless to say Olivia didn't do as well as Fitz. It took her three times, before she actually hit something. In the end, Olivia ended up winning a small Siberian tiger small enough to fit in her hand. "Here." She put the tiger in Fitz front pocket.

X

After two hours of walking around the park and talking, they finally decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel.

"Ugh, my feet are killing me." As soon as she walked in the door, Olivia slipped her shoes off her feet and flopped on the couch.

"Would you like some wine?" Fitz asked, opening the complimentary bottle of wine and grabbing two glasses.

"Uh sure." Olivia answered, grabbing the remote to the TV. "You wanna watch a movie? There's a good one on HBO."

"Sounds fine." Fitz gave Olivia her glass, and took off his jacket and shoes before joining her on the couch. They both sat down with enough space between them for two people. But somehow halfway through the movie, their bodies had gravitated to each other. And by the end of the movie they were snuggled close to each other, Olivia's head rest on his chest her arms wrapped around him. His head on hers, and arms wrapped around her as well, both peacefully sleeping.

Catch You Later…