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

President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant's Speech

"Good evening, I would like to thank the American people, our friends both here at home and from afar, your support sustained us through a very difficult time and your heartfelt appreciation as to the just outcome of the Senate inquiry into my actions has been deeply moving to me and my family. So it is with the deepest regret that I say, for possibly the last time, that I Fitzgerald Thomas Grant resign as President of the United States…

"To the best of my ability and in the best interest of those I love, I have kept true to the oath I took four years ago – before God and country - to protect this nation, its Constitution and its citizens.

"While recent events may have thrown my fidelity to that oath into doubt, today's verdict has restored my faith that justice can and will be done. The bipartisan acquittal handed down by the Senate assures me that, whatever you may think of the effectiveness of my Presidency, there will be no grounds to believe that I colluded with private interests to destroy public trust and the public's faith in the Office of President …

"I can assure you that I intended to fight the good fight so my administration can build on our achievements during a second term. That goal was always dependent on your scorecard; on whether you - the American voters - believe I deserve a pass to return to office or a fail to leave as a first-term President...

"Beyond this job of being President, I am a husband and father, and I have to keep them safe from the dangers inherent in this job. Today, it became clear that I must make a choice – because even I as a man – that most privileged individual in our society – cannot have it all. I can fight the good fight or I can fight to keep my family safe from harm, and I choose family...

"Today, I realized that in the few short weeks remaining until we, as a nation, elect the next leader of our great nation, my time will be wasted on matters that have little to do with social policies and issues of governance that are in dire need of attention – namely justice, poverty, unemployment, and inequality in its myriad of forms...

"It's now clear to me the cost of walking away from the partisan base of the Republican Party to become America's first Independent President, is to waste my time preventing a bloodless coup as each side - Republican and Democrat - attempts, in the these dying hours of my Presidency, to ensure that their man or woman occupies the seat of power in the Oval Office. I wish both of them the best of luck – may the best man or woman win…

"However, until we hold our democratic elections in a few short weeks, and we know the Presidential choice made by 'we the people'; this country will have the privilege of being led by a man of great integrity and principles, a man who is no stranger to making tough choices, a man who has worked both in his private and public life to ensure that justice is done, a man who continues to be a key player in the fight for accountability at grass roots level. I have no doubt that he will achieve in a few short weeks, what many men – including myself – will need years to get off the ground...

"So it with some sadness at a job half done, I announce that at nine tomorrow morning, I will resign as President of this great nation, and at that time, in this Office, Mr Lucas Zeke, a man of great integrity, conviction and a sense of justice, will become America's next President…"

Fitz removed the lapel mic from his jacket; thanked his communication staff for staying up late to telecast his message live from the Oval Office' received handshakes and hugs from members of the Cabinet who'd stayed after the meeting for the Big Announcement; then went in search of the one person missing from the melee, with Zeke by his side.

"Mr President," Fitz began trying to lighten the mood, after they'd walked down the main hallway in silence.

Zeke gave an explosive chuckle. "Old Man George Washington must be turning in his grave."

"Your Ma would be proud."

"This would have killed your Pa, if he weren't already dead."

"I stopped being Big Jerry's son a long time ago."

"Ain't that the truth."

"What's your first order of business?"

"I was thinking of flying the Rainbow Flag for a week, and replacing the bust of Lincoln with Liberace."

Fitz angled a glance, hoping he could trust the grin on Zeke's face.

At the end of the hallway, Zeke said, "You need time alone with Olivia and I need to talk to Oscar about the ten dozen messages he sent about being our nation's First Significant Other."

As Fitz stepped into the Centre Hall of the Executive Residence, he saw Tom with a group of solemn-faced agents in front of the Presidential suite.

"She's locked herself in, sir."

"Break the locks."

"Sir?"

"Do it."

They broke the locks to the main suite, and the bedroom door but Fitz ordered them to stop at the bathroom door.

"I'll take care of this one."

There was a pause as the agents glanced at each other, then Tom muttered, "We'll, uh, stand guard outside until these locks get put back."

After the men cleared out, shutting the doors as best they could after them, Fitz knocked on the bathroom door. "Olivia?"

There was no answer.

Fitz rammed his shoulder against the door, breaking through to see Olivia sitting in the empty bathtub, fully dressed, her face wet with tears, mouth agape.

They stared at each other for a long silent moment; then Olivia closed her mouth, wiped her cheeks and sniffed. "You could have used one of the other 34 bathrooms. It will be your last chance."

"I don't want to use the bathroom." He murmured, carefully rotating his shoulder as he hunkered down by the side of the tub so they were eye to eye. "You should be resting."

"I'm resting."

"You'll be more comfortable on a bed."

"I'm fine where I am."

Fitz stood, but only to step into the tub and scoot himself close behind her.

She smacked at his arms as they wrapped themselves around her.

"Don't fight me."

"You quit. After everything… the campaign… the divorce… the trial… everything. You turned your back on everything we worked for… because of me. I never wanted that… to be that person… the one you made the ultimate sacrifice."

Fitz tightened his arms around her, resting his cheek against hers. "I can't lose you, that would be the ultimate sacrifice."

Her stiff back relaxed against him, and she took a deep shuddering breath. "It was a scare, Fitz," she said softly, almost soothingly. "I'm fine, the baby's fine."

He closed his eyes briefly. "You collapsed."

"I felt lightheaded. It was hot in the Senate chamber."

"Olivia, the doctor ordered you to take it easy."

"I'm going to take it easy."

"Good, now I can make sure that you do."

"Take it back."

"You don't want me to look after you?"

"Take back your resignation; say you changed your mind."

"I haven't changed my mind," He drew back far enough to stare at her profile. "Was this always about the Presidency, Olivia?"

She half turned with her brow knotted in a confused frown.

"Are you saying you can't love me as an average Joe?" he clarified.

Her brow cleared, and her gaze dropped as she murmured, "I don't do average. It's not in my DNA."

He growled a laugh, chasing her face for a kiss. Then with his lips pressed against her skin, he sighed. "I feel as if a great weight has lifted off my shoulders. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow with the knowledge that all I have on my schedule will be you and the kids." He kissed his way down the side of her face, to the sweet spot on her neck.

"Don't." She scrunched her shoulder, but with less force that he anticipated. "You realize Zeke will have to be President."

"A landmark achievement for LGBT rights."

Catching the sneaky smile that tugged at her mouth, he kissed her again. "You have your gut, Livvie. I have my heart. In my heart I know I've done the right thing."

Olivia leaned her head back against his shoulder, then turned her face in towards his neck.

"Am I forgiven?" He asked in a gentle, deep tone

"No."

"How long are you going to stay mad at me?" He rubbed her belly.

"A long time."

He smiled. After another long pause, he asked, "Can we get out of this bathtub?"

"Nope."

He drew back. "Olivia."

"It' not that I don't want to. I just can't."

With a soft laugh, Fitz stood up and reached for her. Once he'd managed to get her on her feet, he cupped her face in both hands.

Olivia snuck her arms around his waist, her face tilted towards him, her gaze soft.

Without a word, Fitz kissed her forehead, her nose, and the circles under her eyes, then lingered on the rogue smile flitting over her mouth. "I love you."

She smiled sadly. "Maybe you should love me a little less."

A laugh escaped him. "That didn't work, even after you left me to be with Edison."

Her soft gaze vanished behind a sharp frown. "I did not leave you to be with Edison."

"You left me. Then you hooked up with Edison."

"Fitz."

He stroked his thumbs over her cheeks. "Your sad look is gone. Now all I'm getting is fury." He chuckled at her look of annoyance, then bent his head to pepper kisses all over her face. "I. Love. You." He waited. "Say it back."

She kept her eyes closed, smiling.

"Stubborn," he groaned, kissing her again. "If I tuck you in bed, will you take a nap?"

Her eyes snapped open. "What are you going to do?"

"It's my last day as President, Liv, I need to make some noise."

"Are you going to ground my dad?"

"No."

"Then you can't ground Jerry."

"Olivia."

"Listen, Joe, you can't have one law for adults and another for kids."

"Joe? Did you just call me Joe?"

"Mister Average Joe." She smirked. "Better get used to it."

"Mrs Smart Ass." He grinned, giving her another kiss.

Fitz nodded at the two agents standing guard outside the suite; and made his way towards the stairs leading to the upper floor.

Blocking his path was Zeke, seated on the bottom step. Leaning against him, with her head on his arm, was Karen dressed in her pjs. They were both watching a replay of Fitz's resignation speech on Zeke's phone.

When Fitz cleared his throat, Karen gasped and scrambled to her feet. "Is Mom okay?"

"Mom's fine."

"Can I go see?"

Fitz gave a mock frown. "You don't trust me?"

"Dad," Karen gave a solemn look. "I didn't give Mom a goodnight kiss."

"Okay, you can give her one kiss," Fitz teased as he dropped a kiss on her head. Then kissing her again, he added, "And another one from me."

"I'll give her one and one for the baby," Karen smiled, backing away slowly. "And I'll give both of them a kiss from you, and from Zeke." Then she dashed off before Fitz had a comeback.

"That's six kisses," Zeke grinned as Fitz helped him up off the floor. "I need that kid to work for me. Would you let me swear Karen in as Veep?"

"Only if you'd let have time off to do her homework."

Zeke chuckled. "I'll get the guys to help her with that."

"How is Oscar taking the news?"

"He's not busting out the champagne."

Fitz grinned. "He'll get used to it." Then with a quizzical glance, he added, "I'm on my way to read the riot act to Rowan and Jerry."

"I'd buy seats to that show but the FBI and Attorney General are waiting downstairs in the basement with Cyrus. I'll tell them you'll be there shortly."

"Is he tied up?"

"The bastard saved your ass."

"He's the reason my ass got fried to begin with."

"I'll see what I can do." Zeke grinned as he walked away.

Fitz nodded at the Marine standing on duty outside Rowan's office before entering.

Rowan stopped pacing the carpet and glared. "Fitzgerald, this is an outrage! I do not appreciate being locked up in here like a delinquent!"

"I told you he was tyrant," Jerry said, lounging on sofa, scrolling through his phone.

"I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation; you've been associating with a known terrorist under Federal Law – that's a violation of US Criminal code 18 section 2339B."

"You may be able to scare Jerry with talk like that, but I'm a grown man, an old man and you're going to have to better than that. Section 2339B prohibits material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation. Cyrus Beene is a former employee of the United States Government; he is an ex-federal employee, and unless the US government has now been classified – in my view accurately – as a terrorist organisation for its activities on foreign soil, Jerry and I have not violated any known laws."

Jerry who'd been staring at Rowan, turned to Fitz and smirked. "What he said. And.." Jerry linked his hands behind his head. "...We weren't 'associating'. We were trying to save your ungrateful ass." At Ftiz's raised brow, Jerry added, "Dad."

"I need to know the extent of your dealings with Cyrus so I can determine the appropriate punishment."

"You are in no position to threaten us," Rowan countered.

"Especially as you quit being president." Jerry added.

"I'm still President for another nine hours." Fitz made himself comfortable in the nearest armchair. "How long have you been in contact with Cyrus?"

"I've known since he came to our house in California to make you President," said Jerry.

"I met Cyrus after you decided to marry my daughter."

"You know what I mean – how long have you both been in contact with Cyrus since he resigned as White House chief-of-staff?" Fitz said patiently.

"I keep telling you, Dad, but you're not listening - we haven't been in 'contact' with Uncle Cy. I wanted to speak to Uncle James but Huck told me he'd been arrested for murder, but that Uncle Cy wasn't really dead. Huck said Uncle Cy was hiding in a safe house, but that he wanted to come out of hiding to testify at your trial."

"Fitzgerald, we were informed that Olivia had placed Cyrus in protective custody until such time he could be of use; specifically until it was right for him to reveal what really happened at those embassies in Manzania and Denya; but that you did not want Cyrus to testify as a witness to exonerate you."

"I thought the evidence Olivia had gathered about Hollis and his lies would be sufficient."

"This is another example of your judgement demonstrably at odds with reality. You may want to leave this office as an impeached President, but I do not want Olivia to share in the shame of your ruin."

"I'm not ruined."

"Do not take credit for that situation! Olivia may have chosen you for better or for worse, but I am doing my best to avoid my child experiencing the folly of her choices!"

"Okay, time out!" Jerry stood up. "Dad loves Mom. Mom loves Dad. That's not a folly of choices. It's how we got to be a family. You need to get used to the idea, Professor Pope."

Rowan stared at Jerry, then admitted stiffly, "Wrong choice of words."

Fitz glanced at the two of them. "Who called James?"

"I did," Jerry and Rowan both spoke, but Jerry repeated in the ensuing pause, "I called Uncle James."

"How did you get his number? Did Mom give it to you?"

"No!" Jerry scowled.

"The only other person who's been in contact with him, because of Ella, is Karen. Is she involved in this?"

"No," came another chorus.

"So how did you get Cyrus to testify in Congress."

"I went over to Blair House and spoke to Cyrus in person," said Rowan. "I wanted to make sure his 'evidence' wouldn't get you into more trouble than you were already in."

"Blair House? Did you say Blair House?"

"Jeez old man," Jerry sighed, then turned to Fitz. "Okay, Dad, we're done talking to you."

"You knew?!" Fitz glared.

"Yes sir," Tom admitted.

"You didn't say anything."

"No sir."

"Dammit, Tom, I'm your boss."

"Yes, sir."

"Blair House!"

"It's like Fort Knox, and the only way we can get in or out of there now is through the secret passage. And he was close to his daughter, sir."

"You're fired."

"Yes, sir."

"Will Dad ground me?" Karen murmured, snuggling up to Oliva, their hands placed on her belly feeling the baby move.

"Nope. Your dad is a big softie when it comes to us girls."

Karen giggled. "You get away with more stuff than I do."

Olivia rubbed her cheek against Karen's hair. "We'll see what you get up to when you're a teenager."

"I'll be good. You know I will."

"Hmm…."

"Mom!" Karen laughed.

"Do you want me to give him a pardon?" Zeke said as he and Fitz made their way to the basement.

"No. I don't want to Gerald Ford gave Richard Nixon a blanket pardon after the Watergate scandal and impeachment trial – the stink will never leave you."

"I'm a big boy."

"I don't want him to be pardoned."

"Gotcha."

Fitz entered the room alone. Cyrus was seated at a table, his hand-cuffed hands before him, looking gaunt and tired.

There was a long silence, then Cyrus rasped, "You resigned."

"Yes.

"Why?"

"Olivia."

"Ah." Cyrus released a loud sigh. "That's regrettable. You were finally living up to your potential."

"As a liberal, progressive. You never liked that about me."

"Being at death's door can change a man's perspective."

"You've seen Jesus."

Cyrus cracked a laugh. Then seeing Fitz was serious, he sobered and said, "What are you going to do with me? Feed me to the sharks?"

"Out of consideration for James and Ella, no."

Cyrus waited.

So did Fitz.

Eventually, Cyrus said, "You saved my life… when I was ill."

"Olivia saved your life."

Cyrus' face fell. "You're going to send me to prison."

Fitz was silent.

"For how long?"

"I haven't decided. Zeke can make that decision."

"He'd have me blindfolded before a firing squad."

"It's no more than you deserve."

Cyrus stared belligerently, then sighed. "Yes."

"James has been released from police custody, with an apology for wrongful arrest."

"I spoke to him in the car. They did allow me that."

"I understand you've been spending time with Ella at Blair House."

Cyrus stared at him owlishly, then blurted, "Are you going to charge me with Treason?"

Fitz paused, then shook his head wearily. "Olivia would never forgive me. The Attorney General will consider a charge for the felony crime of Accessory Before the Fact, and if you plead guilty – you will be placed under house arrest."

Cyrus stared at him. "That's… generous."

"I'm thinking of James and Ella, and your rose garden."

"Ah, yes. You remember."

"I can't forget, Cyrus." Fitz stood. "That's my problem."

"What happens to Hollis Doyle?"

Fitz paused, halfway to the door, then turned to face Cyrus, his expression grave. "He'll be charged with Treason under title 18 section 2381."

"That's a death penalty crime. Not that he doesn't deserve it… all those unnecessary deaths…"

"He'll get prison – for a term not less than five years and a $10,000 fine."

Cyrus gave a snort of laughter. "The man is penniless."

"We have prisoner employment schemes – he can pay off the debt at $2 an hour."

Cyrus smiled.

Fitz didn't respond. After a beat he turned on his heel and left the room.

There was one more person that Fitz had to see on his last night as President.

He walked into the Private Dining Room next to the Oval Office where Mack was finishing off a burger and fries, watched over by several security agents.

As Fitz entered, Mack shot to his feet, belatedly rubbing his hands on his jacket before saluting smartly, "Mr President, sir!"

"At ease, Sarge. You can take a seat." Fitz drew out a chair for himself at the table.

Mack stood a moment, his eyes tearing, then he sat down slowly. "How did you know my military rank?"

"I know a lot about you, Sergeant Cornelius Reynolds, awarded the Bronze Star for heroic service in a combat zone. You got your men out alive from the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam."

"Only to watch them die one by one, at their own hand, on home soil. War is brutal."

"I agree."

"So is this my last meal, before I get zapped or lethally injected for being a Denyan impersonator?" Mack sneaked a couple of fries into his coat pocket.

Fitz sat forward. "I hear you've been living on the streets for 20 years."

"Maybe more. Reagan was still President when I started panhandling on street corners." Mack stared at Fitz. "Mr President, is there a reason I ain't in prison like my friend Texas?"

"I have received a recording of a conversation between you, Hollis and Edison Davis at an abandoned warehouse. I believe in the three-strike law. This is only your first strike."

Mack sat back. "So if you ain't going to kill me, what am I going to get?"

"How would you like a job?"

"At the White House? For a day? Is this a joke? What about prison? I was looking forward to three meals a day and a hot shower."

"You'll be charged with a felony but the Attorney General will consider a community service order, and with this job, you'll have enough to pay for your own meals and utilities."

"What's the job? Dog washer?"

Fitz linked his hands on the table. "My wife started a homeless project that's very close to her heart, and I'd like to make sure it continues, even with private funding. You think you have the time to be a resident expert on the project?"

The bedside lamp on his side of the bed was on. The soft mellow light, shone its light on Olivia lying in the shadows.

Staring at her, Fitz kicked of his shoes, then stripped quickly to walk naked to the bathroom to take a shower. It was only when he was closing the door, that he noticed the lock had been repaired.

When he returned to the bedroom, Olivia was up, propped against the pillows rubbing her belly.

"You're awake," he said softly, sitting down next to her. "What's wrong?"

"I need to pee."

He helped her off the bed, then would have helped into the bathroom, but she stopped him. "Fitz, I can still pee without help."

"Okay, I'll wait here."

He was still standing exactly where she had left him when she returned.

Without a word, she took his hand and led him to the bed. "Did you make a lot of noise?" she murmured, when she was snug in his arms.

"Mm," he kissed the back of her neck. "Lots of noise." He kissed her again. "Are we good?"

"We're always good." She rubbed her hand along his arm.

"Tomorrow is going to be a big day…" he yawned.

"A very big day," Olivia muttered, still wide awake.

A/N: Sorry I should have said... this story is not over... we still have a bit to go...like the baby's arrival and finding out who'll be President ;)

And to all those celebrating this holiday season - Seasons Greetings and I wish you peace, joy and laughter at family [and all other] gatherings :D