This story is inspired by Season 1 Scandal, Vermont and the Olitz actors – Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn
NO-Mellie and NO-Joke: Public Service Announcement for any accidental non-Olitz readers
Fitz opened the bedroom door, pausing at the sight of his wife and daughter asleep in the middle of the bed, their arms curled around each other.
He wanted to crush them close.
Instead after he neared the bed, Fitz stroked a gentle hand over Karen's flyaway curls before staring at Olivia, almost afraid of the fierce wave of love and longing that gripped him.
As he watched, Olivia's lashes fluttered open and she smiled, lifting a hand from Karen's waist to reach out to him.
He gripped it, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "I need to shower and change," he said softly.
"Okay." She let him go but his touch lingered on her fingers as he drew back.
Fitz half hoped that Olivia would sneak into the shower with him, but recalling how Karen's arms had been wrapped around Olivia's waist, he wasn't surprised to have the bathroom all to himself. Nor was he surprised to find Olivia wide awake and waiting for him when he returned to the bedroom dressed in a T-shirt and sweats.
He held her gaze as he got under the covers beside Karen, then shifted on the pillows so he was facing Olivia.
"Feeling okay?" he asked softly, lifting a hand to gently tuck a curling strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yes." She smiled. "The doctor said we're fine, all three of us."
He caressed her cheek with his thumb, silent for a long time, then he said thickly, his eyes tearing, "I could have lost all three of you..."
She covered his hand with hers, gripping it tightly. "You didn't…You won't…"
With a soft groan, he shifted his hand to the back of her head, lifting her up to the kiss he crushed against her mouth.
"Mom…Dad…."
They both froze, breaking off to look at Karen who had awakened.
"Are you going to keep this PG?"
After a brief silence, Fitz grunted a laugh, looking at Olivia, "Are we?"
"Maybe…" Olivia tickled Karen.
"Mom…!" Karen protested laughing, then, "Dad!" when Fitz joined in.
Presidential Narrative: I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the people of America and our friends around the world for your thoughts and prayers during the near-tragedy that unfolded yesterday. I am deeply grateful that a potential disaster was averted, a feeling that is shared by the parents of my daughter's friends and classmates with whom I have personally touched base…
Behind the scenes:
"Your daughter should be home-schooled! Her presence is a threat to the safety of my child!"
Fitz waited for the strident voice to take a breath before saying calmly, "If you threaten the school board, or start a campaign to harass my kid when she returns to school, I'll make sure your company is out of the bidding for the renovations in Virginia, which are part of my wife's Homeless Shelter project."
Fitz put the phone down gently in the ensuing silence, and dialled another parent…
"Your wife is a loose cannon! I will personally sue your ass and all the asses in your Administration for the crazy stunt she pulled yesterday!"
"Sue me and I'll see you in court for money laundering and tax evasion," Fitz responded.
"I'll sue your ass for defamation!"
"For your sake, I hope the twenty-six billion you've stashed in the Cayman Islands is enough to cover your legal bills."
"Wait… you've been spying on me?"
"You're speaking to the government."
"Carlita Medoza will be staying with us a few days. I've asked her over to make sure Karen is okay," Olivia said as they strolled down the corridor towards the Oval Office.
"Good idea," Fitz avoided her gaze. He'd been avoiding her gaze all morning.
"Fitz… about yesterday"
He stopped abruptly in the middle of the corridor and faced her. "Yes…?"
"The cops were only doing their job…"
His face instantly shuttered and he resumed walking. "Got it."
"Fitz," Olivia hurried after him. "Are you sure you don't want me in there with you?"
"Yes." He lengthened his stride, then paused again to face her, his face softening. "It's okay, I got this one."
Just when she thought he would stride off, Fitz surprised Olivia with a kiss that landed on the edge of her mouth but mostly on her cheek.
She stared after him as he strode away and eventually disappeared into his office.
Feeling a touch on her arm, Olivia turned to see Tom at her side. "He's mad at you."
"I know."
"He'll get over it, once he's done yelling at the cops."
Law enforcement Narrative: President Fitzgerald Grant personally thanked the FBI and DC police for their rescue mission at First Daughter Karen Grant's school yesterday. Twenty-five kids were evacuated without incident or injury from a potentially explosive situation…
Behind the scenes
"I want him fired!"
"Mr President," the police chief replied soothing on the secure phone line, "As I was saying the cop has been disciplined. He's a good cop, a man with twenty years solid experience under his belt. He just made a rash judgement in the heat of the moment."
"He pulled a gun on my wife! I want him out of the force! Sacked! Fired! Gone! This is not up for negotiation!"
"Mr President—!"
Fitz opened the file that Tom handed him, and cut the chief off. "If you don't fire him, I'll make sure the cop's Facebook rants about my wife will be made public."
Fitz paused, listening to the silence tick by, before adding, "Along with the statement we got from his wife that you personally encouraged her not to file an official complaint after he put her in hospital with a broken jaw, three broken ribs and a burn on her arm."
Minutes later, Fitz ended the call and looked at Tom. "He'll be fired."
Tom responded with a faint smile.
"Mom, Jerry says we don't have to go back to school. Ever." Karen met Olivia at the top of the stairs.
"Not true," Olivia said firmly, placing her arm around Karen's shoulders and dropping a kiss on top of her head. "Where is he?"
"In his room, getting rid of his books and stuff." Karen sighed, resting her cheek on Olivia's arm. "Do I have to tell him he's wrong?"
"No," Olivia chuckled. "I'll break the bad news to him."
"I'll be in my room with Poppy and her babies. Yell if you need my help."
That made Olivia smile as she headed towards Jerry's bedroom.
"Jerry, what are you doing?" She asked from the open doorway, seeing him toss several items into a bio-degradable trash bag.
"Getting rid of junk, Mom."
"Jerry, those textbooks are not junk. You need them for school."
"Mom, school's not safe. Karen almost died yesterday. You'd think we're living in Pakistan or Nigeria, except over there, kids get shot or kidnapped by militants," Jerry said with emphasis, "Over here, we get shot at by other kids. So for my own safety, Mom, I need to stay away from places where I'll become a target." He tossed more books into the bag.
"Jerry," Olivia at down on his bed. "You're going to school when it re-opens. Your dad is making sure you won't have anything to worry about…"
Principal's Narrative: All students and staff will be on a leave of absence while we assess potential weaknesses in our robust security system. I would like to assure parents and the public that we take the safety of our students very seriously, while they are in our care…
Behind the scenes:
"Mr President, the juniors were doing a mural on the outer wall of the gymnasium. Thirty spray cans didn't seem like that big of a deal," said the Principal, over the phone to Fitz.
"What about the fireworks, did a sackful of fireworks at this time of the year seem normal to you?"
"We don't do bag inspections; there was no way we could have detected that," the Principal bristled.
"Unless they get sniffer dogs," Tom murmured, standing at Fitz's elbow.
When Fitz repeated the instruction, the Principal bristled. "We can't get dogs, some kids are allergic to pet hair."
Fitz rolled his eyes. "I have an aversion to my kids being dead, so I need to see real change at the school before I send either of my kids back there – that includes bag inspections and sniffer dogs."
"Don't forget the metal detectors, sir," Tom prompted.
"Metal detectors?! Mr President, that would be an invasion of privacy! The PTA would shut us down!"
"Kids in inner city schools have metal detectors," Zeke reminded from his perch on the edge of the Resolute Desk. He'd come in during the middle of the conversation and caught up to speed from the scowl on Fitz's face.
Fitz nodded, turning his attention back to the phone. "Let me remind you that inner city public schools have security measures which you and the PTA find offensive. What I find less offensive is that these schools also produce hardly any mass murderers compared to suburban schools," When the Principal suddenly fell silent, he continued strongly. "As President, I'm doing my best to stop weapons getting into the hands of minors. As Principal, you need to make sure the kids are there to learn, not kill."
After the call ended, Fitz looked from Zeke to Tom. "How the fuck did that kid take a gun to school?"
"It's a plastic gun, sir. It was downloaded off the internet and printed on a 3D printer."
"Didn't we get the manufacturer to take those instructions down? It's illegal to make a gun that bypasses a metal detector under the Undetectable Firearms Act."
"The State Department did order US companies to take down their instructions, but the information is still available on file-sharing sites here and overseas," Zeke grimaced, watching Fitz rub a weary hand over his face.
"There's no end to this, is there?"
"I'm so glad, you're here," Oliva whispered, hugging Carlita Mendoza in the Cross Hall of the White House.
Carlita drew back, bringing her hands up to cup Olivia's face. "You look well and happy. Is this how you really feel?"
Olivia gave a soft laugh. "Are you asking as my friend or as a psychologist?"
"Both," Carlita smiled, then paused looking over Olivia's shoulder.
The White House aide waiting behind them said diffidently to Olivia, "Ma'am, the President would like to have a word with Ms Mendoza when it's convenient."
Carlita exchanged a look with Olivia, who gave a slight nod. Then Carlita said, "Tell the President I am on my way."
Mainstream Media Narrative: Should Evan Wilson, 16, be charged as an adult for trying to win Karen Grant's heart in the most bone-headed way imaginable? It's a modern day Romeo and Juliet, I mean when you think about it, it's rather cute…
Behind the Scenes:
"That kid is 16, Karen is barely nine. This should be classed as statutory rape," Fitz scowled.
"Mr President, the boy didn't have sexual contact with Karen," said Carlita. "Some in the media are saying the age gap would not be so outrageous if they were both adults. They are saying…" She paused briefly before continuing, "…the age difference between you and Olivia is greater than this boy and your daughter."
"I did not hold Olivia hostage and threaten to kill her with explosives so we could spend eternity together!"
"Of course not, Mr President—"
"Fitz."
She smiled, "Fitz, this is what you must focus on – his actions, not his age. They would be unsuitable for any age. If the kid's mother agrees, I can speak to the boy in my professional capacity, and see if he has pathological tendencies, which you can verify with other independent experts who are not close to your family."
The grim lines on his faded as Fitz said softly, "The kid's in police custody, I'll get the Attorney General will authorise your access." Fitz paused, rubbing a finger across his mouth, his gaze drifting over to the bust of Lincoln, then refocusing on Carlita, he said softly, "I have a favour to ask."
Carlita waited in silence.
"I need you to speak to Olivia, about her tendency to rush headlong into danger."
Carlita smiled. "You think I'm a miracle worker? I can wave my magic wand and Olivia will be transformed into a woman that she is not?"
Fitz sat back, folding his arms across his chest. "I don't want Olivia to change, I just want her to be safe."
"Mr President…Fitz, 'rushing into danger' as you put it, is part of who Olivia is – she did not flinch when confronting the dictator ex-husband I married. She did not flinch when threatening mobsters, murderers or kidnappers just like she didn't hesitate to rescue Karen when she was in trouble."
"I love that about her, Carlita, but I also love her too much to lose her."
"I understand, but Olivia is who she is."
Fitz released a deep sigh, dropping his arms from his chest. "So you suggest locking my wife in the Executive Residence?" he said, with a wry smile
Carlita laughed. "I would like to see you try."
Olivia sat at her desk, her hand resting on her chin, reading her emails.
It was quiet since Fitz had ordered her chief of staff to clear her schedule and then banned her from her official duties at the Oval Office that day.
An email caught her attention, prompting her to lean closer towards the computer screen: James had sent her an email.
Olivia read the email, then read it again, then reached for the phone, asking her assistant to put through a call to Denya.
Social Media Narrative:
…They'll find any excuse for a white killer…its drugs, an unhappy childhood, bullying at school, whatever. It's never about them being wrong, evil and not sorry for what they did…
…Yeah, now they're blaming the Gaming Industry for this Evan kid, like they did for Norwegian mass shooter Anders Breivik. They said he played World of Warcraft and Call of Duty like 7-8 hours a day before he shot 77 people. I play games all day, and you see me going around shooting kids for no reason?
…Same thing when that white Sandy Hook killer Adam Lanza shot those 20 kids, everyone especially NRA, were making out he confused kids in a classroom with targets in Call of Duty.
…This is NOT ABOUT RACE! The Washington Navy Yard gunman Aaron Alexis played Call of Duty for 16 hours. His friends said that's what turned him into a killer…
…Listen, Ms Uninvited, you see black folk making a hero out of that guy? No, you don't! But a WHITE kid pulls a gun on the President's daughter and WHITE people are talking about him like he's effin Orlando Bloom. They are sending care packages and love letters to this Domestic Terrorist, who is still ALIVE while a BLACK kid, who did nothing but walk home from the store, is dead. D.E.A.D!..
Behind the scenes:
Fitz vs Jerry
"Dad, you need to do something."
"Jerry, I can't help the story the media is spinning about this kid running amok with a gun and explosives just because he had a crush on Karen."
"Dad, the guy was a sicko who stalked Kaz and then tried to turn her into worm food. He's two years older than me, Dad, he should know better."
"I'm with you on this one."
"So are you going to sign an executive order to bring back the Death Penalty in DC?"
"Jerry, I'm against capital punishment."
"But you're not against dropping bombs in Africa."
"Jerry."
"Dad, they'll make a movie out of this kid being a hero and shit. You need to punish him; make him pay for what he did to Karen, Mom and all the kids in Karen's class. Suzie's going to need more therapy after this."
"I get where you're coming from but life isn't black and white, Jer."
"Tell that to the dead kid in Faraway County. Bet his parents are wondering why a white kid – who terrorises a bunch of 9-year old kids with explosives and a DIY gun, gets detention while they're son is dead just because he's black."
[Silence]
"Dad, I get detention for texting Pete during class."
"You get detention. Is this an ongoing thing?"
"Focus, Dad…"
Fitz vs Rowan
"It is a matter of justice, Fitzgerald. People are talking about his dog, his workaholic parents, his crush on Karen, No one's talking about his failing grades, his suspensions for trying to blow up the chemistry lab or downloading porn in the school library. He's a delinquent who's never received adequate punishment."
"What do you recommend – death by lethal injection, electric chair or firing squad?"
"Fitzgerald, this is not a laughing matter. We cannot have another white kid get off with what is essentially an act of terrorism."
"White kid?"
"Name me one black kid who held a class hostage at gunpoint with explosives as a backup. I'll wait."
"Rowan, I am aware of the injustices that exist in the system—"
"Being aware of injustice and doing something about it are two different beasts, Fitzgerald. You used your influence to sack the cop who nearly shot my daughter. You need to bring that same anger to bear on this kid. You need to make sure he does not get off with a slap on the wrist. You cannot have kids going around thinking they can shoot or bomb people at will for whatever asinine reason they choose."
"The kid who shot Mellie has made remarkable progress in a few short months."
"That kid killed the woman who took a hit out on his father. That was vigilantism; this is entitlement. Evan wanted Karen and he decided to take her against her will. He should not be rewarded for his actions."
[Silence]
"Fitzgerald, it takes a village to raise a kid, it's time this village said 'no' to this kind of behaviour because it is clear that Evan's parents have failed to instil respect for the law in their son, that you have instilled in Jerry."
"Did you say Jerry?"
"He hasn't threatened another world leader after the North Korean fiasco. That's an improvement."
"Ye-es…"
"Something stinks," Quinn said.
Abby instantly looked at Huck. He scowled. "I showered today."
Quinn grimaced impatiently. "Not Huck, I mean what went down at the school yesterday. Something seemed off."
"I saw the SWAT commander take the kid's mother aside for a quiet word before she spoke to the media outside the school," Huck muttered, turning his attention back to his computer. Then feeling the stares drilling into the back of his head, he glanced over his shoulder. "What?"
"What else did you see?"
"That you've been keeping from us?"
"Nothing."
The two women exchanged a glance before jumping out of their seats at the conference table, and rushing over to see what Huck was doing on his laptop.
"What's that?"
"A media invite for the Wilsons' press conference this afternoon…"
"There's something going on that ain't right." Zeke muttered, as he and Oscar sat down to breakfast. "This kid had a state-of-the-art 3D printer that wasn't cheap. Even if the kid stole the Mom's credit card, like she claims, wouldn't a $10,000 purchase make her suspicious?"
"Especially if the kid was shooting up the basement walls, testing the damned thing. Rich people," Oscar shook his head, as he picked up his coffee cup.
Zeke put down his fork of cheddar cheese grits. "If he was practising for a massacre, why didn't he go through with it?"
"The trigger was jammed."
"Intentionally?"
"Sure looked that way to the lab techs in forensics."
"Fitz is worried about you," Carlita murmured to Olivia as they took baby steps along a pathway on the South Lawn, holding hands with Teddy.
"I know," Olivia sighed. "We haven't talked. He's avoiding me."
"He's trying to get his emotions under control. Men like to think they're good at rational conversations."
Olivia smiled, watching Teddy stamping his feet as he walked. Then glanced up ahead at Karen pushing a pram with Poppy and her puppies, while Jerry ran along the grass throwing a ball for the other dogs to catch.
"What did Karen say when she spoke to you?"
"Querida, you know I exercise confidentiality even for clients who are not aware they are my clients, but I will say that she spoke a great deal about how you came charging into the school to save her. I think that more than anything made her realise that you love her as you would your own child."
Olivia's brow furrowed in concern. "But I thought she knew that already. I adopted her because I wanted her to know that."
"Querida, you know children need more proof than a piece of paper."
Again they walked in silence for a while, until Olivia murmured, "James emailed me to make sure Karen and I are okay. He said Cyrus is in hospital with malaria." When Carlita didn't respond, Olivia added, "Cyrus isn't trying to get well, Carlita. Politics is his lifeblood. I've been thinking of asking him to return to the White House."
Carlita stopped walking. "Dios! Olivia, that man is a snake!"
Olivia stroked a hand over Teddy's temper-tantrum brewing face at the sudden stop, murmuring, "He's a snake known to us. You know that cliché better the devil you know."
"Ah, yes, because there are very few angels in politics." Carlita was interrupted by Jerry jogging towards them.
"Mom, I'll take the little dude. He needs a change of pace."
"What are you saying, Jerry?" Olivia gave a mock frown, watching Jerry crouch down so Teddy could climb onto his back.
"Nothing, Mom." Jerry stood, leaning over to smack a loud, sweaty kiss on Olivia's cheek before jogging away with Teddy, who was chortling away, clearly enjoying his piggy back ride.
"Jerry is a very thoughtful boy. I like that," Carlita murmured as she tucked Olivia's hand through her arm. "Now tell me about your loco idea of having Cyrus return. You know when you told me what Cyrus had done, I was surprised by your husband's generosity; Cyrus was banished, not tortured and shot, which is what my ex-husband would have ordered."
"Fitz is not like that."
"Yes, Fitz loves you, Olivia, and you want him to work again with a man he hates. This is risky even for a marriage as strong as yours. I cannot advise you to keep testing the bond you share, to see how far he will let you go before it is broken forever."
"What if in my gut I know it's right that Cyrus returns?"
"You are pregnant. It could be gas."
"It doesn't feel like gas."
Carlita shook her head, knowing Olivia's stubbornness would not let this one go. "Olivia…"
"I miss James and Ella."
Carlita muttered under her breath.
When Olivia returned from their walk, she headed for the Oval Office, closing the door as Fitz slowly turned from the windows overlooking the Rose Garden to face her.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," he returned solemnly.
He watched as she walked right up and slid her arms around him, with her baby bump resting against his belly.
"You've been distant since… yesterday."
"I'm trying to cope with the fact, my wife, the most important person in my life, is intent on making me lose my mind." Then he released a deep sigh. "But I know you did it for Karen."
"She was incredibly brave, Fitz."
"Like you." He gathered her into a hug. "I don't know how I'm going to survive with two scary women in the family."
"Maybe you'll have three…" she mumbled into his shoulder.
He drew back. "Are we having a girl?"
"I don't know."
He took her hand, sat down behind the desk and drew her onto his lap. "Do you feel like we're having a girl?"
"I don't know."
"What does your gut say?" He stroked his hand over her belly.
"My gut says that I should take it easy."
Fitz gave a grunt of laughter, kissing her mouth softly. "I like this kid." He kissed her again. "Do you want skip the Veterans' Benefit tonight? I can take Jerry and Rowan. That'll give you more time to spend with Carlita [kiss] Karen [kiss] and Felicia."
"You are such a sweetie…" She chuckled softly. "To take my Dad with you."
Grinning, Fitz nudged her closer for another kiss. "What else is our little madam telling Mommy?"
She eyed his lazy smile. "Have you stopped being mad at me?"
"I'm thinking about it…" He kissed her some more.
"What if I told you [kiss] we should [kiss] ask Cyrus back?"
He stilled.
"Fitz…"
The silence stretched uncomfortably until Fitz asked carefully, "Cyrus? Did you say Cyrus?"
Olivia had enough time for half a nod before she found herself on her feet with Fitz glaring down at her from his full height. "Cyrus?!"
"Fitz…!"
"Don't, Olivia, just don't!" He stepped around her and strode to the door, slamming it on his way out. The door opened a minute later, and Fitz strode back in. "This is my office! You need to leave!"
Seeing Lauren grab her coffee mug and hurry away from her desk, Olivia firmed her chin. "I'm not leaving."
The door slammed shut again but this time Fitz did not return.
"Man, even with one eye blind and a bad leg, I am beating your ass!" Zeke grinned as he dribbled the ball around Fitz on the White House basketball court.
"Give me that!" Fitz tried to grab the ball but Zeke evaded him with a grin, balancing on one foot to throw the ball across the court and score with ease.
"Bastard!" Fitz gave a reluctant grin.
"Now, now, enough of that sweet-talk. What'll Olivia…" Zeke stopped, making a production of looking around. "Where is Olivia?
"Dunno." Fitz grabbed the ball and scored a slam dunk.
"You guys okay?" Zeke persisted as Fitz turned with a grin, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Yeah," Fitz muttered, his grin disappearing.
"I knew there was no truth to that rumour you and the missus were having a fight over Cyrus."
"She wants him back."
"Olivia wants him back?" Zeke did a double take as they fell into step, heading for the bench which had their towels, water bottles, watches and phones. "Man, I didn't think she'd be the one to change her mind, not after she wanted to gut him with her bare hands for what he did to you." Ignoring the sharp look Fitz turned on him, Zeke continued smoothly, "And while we're talking about white trash thugs, there's something you need to know about what went down yesterday at the school. The kid's gun was sabotaged."
"I'm still waiting for a copy of the forensic report."
"You'll have a long wait. The gun's disappeared from the Evidence Room and the last person to check it out was the guy in charge of the SWAT team."
Fitz stared at Zeke, then automatically picked up his phone to call Olivia. Until he remembered their fight…
Olivia stared at the missed call, willing the phone to ring again. It did almost immediately, and Olivia grabbed it.
"Fitz—"
"Olivia—"
"Abby," Olivia sighed.
There was a pause, then Abby drawled, "Do I smell trouble in paradise?"
"No." Olivia said quickly, too quickly.
"Right. Getting back to business, that freak's mother was hired by the SWAT commander, he's one of her clients."
"Freak— Evan's mother?!"
Quinn came on the line, "We managed to switch the woman's laptop at the media conference she had at her office."
"It was just an exercise in self-promotion. She didn't say anything to defend her son." Abby sniffed in the background.
Ignoring her, Quinn said, "Huck found a motherload of evidence: emails, financial statements—"
Huck took over. "She was paid a $50,000 consultation fee from an account in the name of the kid who died in Faraway County."
"What?!"
"We traced the account back to a slush fund set up by the local police union," Huck said grimly.
"You're gonna love this!," Abby crowed, "The woman thinks she's a crisis manager!"
"She specialises in law enforcement clean-ups," said Huck before Quinn added,
"She calls it improving community relations."
When Fitz returned from golf, he found Olivia seated on the bed, rubbing her belly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I was thinking."
His gaze strayed from her face down over her belly to her bare toes, and back up to meet her gaze. "What were you thinking about?"
"Cyrus—"
"Don't."
"Fitz!" She yelled after his retreating back.
"I don't want to hear it." He headed for the bathroom, shedding his clothes as he walked.
She followed, doing exactly the same, stepping into the shower right after him.
Fitz angled a look over his shoulder, then turned his back on her completely to turn on the taps.
Olivia rolled her eyes, walking around to face him. "Cyrus has Malaria and he's not making a quick recovery. James is scared that he's lost his will to live."
He eyed her grimly, then reached for the body soap. "I'll send flowers."
"But—"
"I don't want him back."
Olivia glared at his impassive face, then snatched the soap bottle from his hands. "You are so stubborn," she muttered, working up a lather between her hands.
"You want Cyrus back after everything he's done? First he tried to keep us apart, then he tried to destroy everything we built."
He made a mistake."
"He made a choice."
"People make wrong choices."
His gaze locked with hers, but he didn't say a word, not even when her hands began working their way over his body. They both pretended his body wasn't reacting strongly to her presence.
After a while, Olivia said conversationally, "It looks like the kidnapping was a set-up."
"What…?"
Olivia repeated the information she'd received from OPA, sliding her hands lower, and lower still. "I don't know what we should do. If we expose this, we'll have the cops after us, and not even Tom and Zeke will be able to protect us from the biggest street gang in America."
Fitz groaned softly, his gaze hot and heavy on hers.
"…Fitz?"
She'd barely got his name out before his mouth came crashing down on hers.
Olivia was applying moisturiser on her skin, wearing only a towel on her head, when she felt Fitz come up behind, sliding his hands over her stomach, down between her thighs.
"I didn't shave," he whispered against her cheek.
"I'll recover." She stroked her fingers over his muscled arms.
He kissed her cheek gently. "Livvie…"
She angled her face, feeling his lips catch and cling to hers.
Then as she gazed at him adoringly, he whispered, "I love you. I love you enough to sacrifice anything for you. All I'm asking is for you to let go of Cyrus—"
The adoration vanished to be replaced by a scorching glare as Olivia pushed out of his arms. "That's all you want me to do?"
"That and to stop charging into danger!" he called after her, as she tossed away the towel on her head and marched out of the bathroom.
He watched her naked butt disappear before he roused himself to follow her out of the bathroom, through the bedroom, into the dressing room.
"What's wrong with what I just said?" he asked as she noisily swept hangers aside on a clothing rail. "I just want to keep you safe."
She turned to glare at him. "And tell me who I should be friends with!"
"Oh, so now you and Cyrus are friends?"
"No, but you don't get to tell me who I can have as my enemies either!"
Olivia grabbed a dress and pulled it over her head, then struggled to do up the zip. She was about to demand his help, when Fitz gently moved her hands aside to slide his arms inside the opening and draw her back against him.
"Let me go."
"No," he whispered, gently stroking her belly. "I won't let you go."
"Cyrus…"
"I don't want to talk about Cyrus." He kissed his way down to her neck.
She groaned softly, her lashes fluttering closed. "We're in the middle of a fight."
"I don't want to fight."
"You have to get dressed for the Benefit."
"I can take a moment to hold my precious little baggage of a wife."
"Baggage?"
"Bundle of trouble." He bit her neck gently, eliciting a soft moan. "Do you have to fight me each time I try to protect you?"
"Yes…"
He grunted a laugh.
"…Litigation…"
"…What?"
"Litigation, it's the only way to handle this situation with Evan."
Fitz withdrew his hands from inside her dress and zipped her up. Then walked over to his side of the closet.
Olivia padded over in her bare feet to pick out a shirt as he pulled on underwear. "The Wilsons are blaming the gaming industry for their son's actions and we need a distraction from the police looking like heroes in their very own simulated hostage situation. We should sue the Wilsons for bad parenting."
Fitz gave a wry smile. "You think a lot like your father."
"Okay, then let's sue the gaming industry."
"People have been trying to hold the gaming industry accountable for decades. Jack Thompson ruined his legal career going after the makers of Grand Theft Auto, among other ill-advised lawsuits."
She helped him into the shirt, pulled the ends together and started to button up the front. "We're not going to hold them accountable for murder, we're going to hold them accountable for sexism. That won't be too much of a stretch after Anita Sarkeesian's harassment. She even had to cancel a public speaking engagement last year after she received an anonymous threat that there would be a mass shooting at the event."
He kissed each corner of her mouth. "Let's go over it in the morning."
"We could consider our options tonight."
"I have other plans."
"Oh?"
His mouth spread in a slow smile as he cupped her face, lifting her mouth towards his kiss.
There was a knock on the door "Sir, the car is waiting."
Fitz and Olivia broke apart from a particularly torrid kiss, and he stared at her dazedly.
She smiled, straightening his bowtie, and smoothing down his jacket, but when she would have stepped back, he gathered her into a hug.
"I'm not in a fit state to leave this room and walk down two flights of stairs with your father and my son."
Olivia's laugh was muffled against his chest. "Not my fault."
"Liar." He drew back, taking in her smile, before trying to take her mouth for another kiss but she evaded him with a soft laugh, tugging him towards the door. "The veterans will be disappointed, and the girls will finish all the popcorn without me."
"I'm second to popcorn?"
Olivia squeezed his butt as they passed out the door. "You're dessert."
"I'm still a food group."
"Does that idea help you walk down the stairs okay?"
"Cheeky…" he grinned.
"So you told Fitz about Cyrus." Carlita took the giant bucket of popcorn from Olivia.
"Uh-huh," Olivia nodded, popping a handful of popped corn into her mouth, her gaze on the cartoon being screened on the White House family theatre
"Is he okay with it?"
"I don't think so."
"Mom, you're talking," Karen grumbled.
"Sor-ry!" Olivia snaked her arm around Karen's shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
"Is this an accurate depiction of Lap people?" Felicia asked sceptically, from her seat on Karen's left. Olivia rolled her eyes at Carlita before grabbing another handful of popcorn from the bucket.
Whistling softly, Fitz entered the bedroom and smiled at the sight of Olivia reading in bed, wearing one of his sweatshirts.
"Someone's happy… and slightly buzzed," she murmured, putting the file of paperwork aside and sitting up as he leaned over to kiss her. "How much did you have to drink?"
"A few glasses of champagne." He sat on the edge of the bed, close to her.
"A few?"
"Very few," he confirmed with a saintly expression, kissing her again.
"How much did Jerry have to drink?"
"One beer." He grazed a biting kiss on her lips as his hands crept under the sweatshirt.
"Fitz!" Olivia drew back, frowning.
"It's okay, he was under adult supervision." Fitz captured her mouth in another kiss, but she broke off to demand,
"Yours?"
"Rowan's." More kisses followed.
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" she asked, feeling slightly woozy after the onslaught.
"I'm trying to get you in the mood," he complained with a pout.
"I'm always in the mood." She sighed, sliding her arms around his neck.
"I noticed," Fitz chuckled, then paused warily when she drew back with a frown.
"What are you saying?"
"I love you." He kissed her. When her frown remained, he kissed her again, whispering, "I love you from the top of your scary frowns to the tips of your bare toes that drive me wild. In fact," murmured, his face pressed against hers. "I love every fierce, gorgeous pregnant inch of you."
"Nice save," Olivia gave a faint smile.
"You made me work for it," he muttered against her cheek. "But it's all worth it in the end."
His hands tugging at her sweatshirt, tugging it free to toss it over his shoulder. Then his arms gently eased her back against the pillows
"Take your clothes off," Olivia murmured, as he smiled down at her.
"You want me to take my clothes off?" he teased.
She nodded with a half-smile.
"All of them?"
She nodded again.
"Is this negotiable? Can I leave on a sock?"
"A sock? Isn't it too late to leave a sock on?" She bumped her knee against his side.
He gusted a laugh, leaning over to kiss her mouth. "Naughty girl."
"Mm…" she snuffled a laugh, taking a quick dip into his mouth with her tongue as her hands pulled restlessly at his shirt. "You're taking way too long to get naked…"
"I forgot to brush my teeth."
"Fitz!"
He chuckled huskily, standing to take off the remainder of his clothes.
Watching him, Olivia stroked her hand over her belly thoughtfully. "Did you and Mellie have a lot of pregnant sex, you know, in the beginning?"
"Mellie?" Fitz stopped in the act of dropping his shorts. "Mellie?!"
"Mellie, the woman you were married for over two decades," Olivia murmured, stretching out a leg to tug his shorts off with her nimble toes, watching them drop to the floor. Then her gaze flew up to meet his, catching an odd expression.
"Fitz…?"
He sat down, gathering her in his arms. "Why are we having a conversation about Mellie?"
"You are avoiding the question."
Fitz looked at her solemnly. "Olivia, you better than anyone know that I was her sidepiece in wedlock." He nuzzled her nose, making her smile. "Besides, you and I don't have sex."
That made her chuckle. "So the little bump between us is a result of an immaculate conception, Presidential style?"
"We make love, Livvie. Comparing what's between us to what I had with Mellie would be like…" he paused stumped for words.
"Like comparing a puddle to the ocean?"
"Or a speck of sand to the universe."
"The secrets of the universe."
They shared a gentle laugh, then a not so gentle kiss before he drew back to ask huskily, "So what brought this on?"
"Something Carlita said this morning. She wanted me to stop pushing you, to see how far you'll let me go before we break…" She dropped her gaze to his chin. "I didn't think that could happen until that moment when you walked out on me this morning and never came back."
Fitz kissed her forehead. "You made me mad."
Olivia's frown returned "You ordered me out of your office."
"You keep trying to shave years off my life, Olivia. It's not like I have a lot of those to waste. I'm older than you, remember?"
"So you want to take a raincheck?"
"A raincheck?"
"Until we get a prescription to enhance your geriatric libido."
He stared solemnly at her cheeky smile, until she started to laugh, warning "Fitz…Fitz. I have our baby on board." She grabbed his tickle-monster hands. "And you know you're the sexiest man alive. I've seen your fan mail before Tom's had a chance to delete them."
"Jealous?"
"Very."
She laughed at his satisfied grin, and rested her cheek against his, her eyes drifting closed as his hands escaped her grasp to begin to rubbing her back.
Eventually he murmured into the silence, "Is Cyrus really sick?"
"Yes…" she breathed, then drew back slowly to meet his gaze. "I spoke to the doctors in Denya to make sure Cyrus wasn't playing us."
As he studied her face in silence, she added softly, "James is really worried, Fitz. He says Cyrus has given up fighting; he thinks Cyrus needs a sign that we care."
Fitz released a deep sigh. "I'll have him flown to a Military hospital for treatment. But that's all."
"Okay."
He gave a soft grunt of laughter. Then murmured, "I had a long discussion with your father tonight. He wants Evan's mother to litigate the gamers. He thinks she should take the flack for abandoning her responsibilities as a parent."
"I'm not sure he's in a position to take the moral high ground."
"Livvie, it's along the lines of where you were going."
She looked unconvinced. "How will we get the mother to litigate the gamers?"
"By sending her the bill for the law enforcement operation. Her son violated several safety codes in the District of Columbia and he's under her supervision. We'll reconsider collecting on those costs if she initiates the lawsuit." He kissed her until she smiled.
"Sneaky." She chuckled, smoothing her hands over his back and up into his hair.
His gaze grew heated as it drifted down to her mouth. "Now that we've got foreplay out of the way, can we get down to business?"
"What kind of business?"
"Scissors?"
"Paper, rock?" she teased, snuffling a laugh until he gave a soft growl and caught her mouth for a hot little kiss.
A/N: 84 years again, Kaiana! ;) And Fostes00 – it was uni that kept me away - after 5 weekly tests, 3 major assignments. 3 minor ones and two class presentations – I wrote this chapter with my one remaining brain cell that survived exhaustion and stress. I was even thinking assignments during my 'day job' (normally I think about this story!) BTW, after this chapter I will need to go AWOL again until after Jun 17 (end of exams).
My dear 'missing in action' guest, don't worry (as Clio1792 guessed!) I cannot abandon politics – I'm far too interested in it!
I know some of you want to read a purely fictional story – but I can't write about a White House couple and leave out politics because as one of my other guests mentioned it'll be too treacly! (I have a tendency to drift into mush – result of spending at least 10 years writing unsuccessful Harlequin submissions – I haven't recovered from the trauma.)
Jollybelucky, about the Truth and Reconciliation commission (you mentioned in a review a couple of chapters ago), I had to abandon that idea (I think in a Rowan-Fitz conversation) because the perpetrators of racial injustice in the US are the majority and still in power. Also as Fitz would probably have to get approval from Congress – I didn't think it would be feasible, especially as Fitz does not have the support of either party as an independent - in this story!
BTW, again I have to say that I have some wonderful people reading this story– your reviews help me pick up the pieces each time I hit a brick wall. I am also deeply grateful to this community of amazing fanfiction writers, who seem to intuitively know when I'm ready to bin my laptop and move to Timbuctoo.
And before I forget: Rowan. A few people have mentioned that having him in the White House is odd – I guess this is where my own cultural background comes in – I have grown up with at least 3 generations in the same house, so to me it is 'odd' to live any other way! I wouldn't be who I am and the writer I am without my grandfather's influence, so I think Jerry would benefit from Rowan's influence too. BTW, Michelle Obama's mother lives at the White House. (A Google search will confirm this).
Just a reminder: Carlita Mendoza was first introduced in Presidential Divorce – Chapter Five (Reality Check)