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

Politics-centric.

The next morning, Fitz answered Olivia's phone.

"You're calling my wife."

"Liv scares me, bro, so yeah… where is she?"

"In the shower." Fitz balanced the phone between his ear and shoulder, while changing Gracie's nappy. "What's going on?'

"Reston's ex-assistant, Preethi, has got dirt on Edison." Zeke explained about the audio file.

"She's the one working with Sameera, right?"

"Yeah, she wants to go public with a recording of Edison and Reston talking about the 'Permanent Solution' for you and Olivia."

Fitz grabbed the phone and held it more securely to his ear. "She wants to go public?"

"I advised her against it. They've been baying for Karen's blood since she let everyone in on the truth, and she's just a kid." Zeke sighed. "Preethi thinks an FBI investigation would delay an evidentiary hearing until everyone has forgotten what the fuss is about. Her words, not mine... What we need is a friendly journalist who will protect our sources."

"You're thinking James should get another exclusive..."

Murder by candidate – a special report by James Novak

"Grant needs to go."

"I knew it."

"What you know is neither here nor there. We need Grant gone, and we need it done yesterday."

"Any suggestions?"

"That's your job. Yours and Doyle's. Keep his return under wraps for now. The surprise element will be an advantage. Make sure you get the job done right this time."

"Wait…The media will be releasing news of Hollis' return. There was a Paparazzo here—"

"The media will do no such thing! I own the bastards!"

After a replay of the audio segment, James looked at Hollis Doyle, seated across from him in a prison interview room, wearing an orange suit, with his beard trimmed and his handcuffed hands out of sight under the table.

"Do you recognise the speakers?"

"Well, now one of them sounds like the late great Samuel Reston."

"Do you recognise the other speaker?."

"Can't say that I do," Hollis smiled.

"You were mentioned by name."

"Ain't that something? They know me, better than I know them. I reckon I was famous even before I returned from the dead."

"The speaker said Grant needs to go, that they wanted Grant gone yesterday. Was that a reference to the impeachment?"

"I don't recall a discussion on impeachment until we got to the cabin."

"The cabin?"

"Mrs Sally Langston's cabin on her ranch in Georgia. Mighty convenient place for a secret rendezvous."

"Who was at the cabin?"

"Well, there was myself, my good friend Mack, the late Democrat for President Samuel Reston, his successor Edison Davis and Republican Miz Sally Langston. It was a swell gathering of bipartisanship."

"What was discussed?"

"We had a long list but the information you're after is when Reston started on his plan for a permanent solution to the Grant problem."

"A Permanent Solution?"

"Reston reckoned Fitzgerald Grant turning up and ruining all their plans like a pesky varmint had to be stopped permanently."

"How did Edison Davis feel about that?"

"Seemed pretty enthusiastic about it all at the time. Edison Davis even suggested that we include Mz Olivia Pope in the Permanent Solution because you know she wouldn't rest until she'd got the guy who killed her man. Mz Pope's pesky varmint ways is greater than Mr Fitzgerald Grant's."

The interview cutaway to another audio recording – this time two men were arguing over the best way to proceed with getting 'the Grants out of the Picture'. One man urged the other 'to go it alone'; to avoid 'loose ends' and 'loose talk'…

The focus returned to Hollis.

"Do you recognise the men in that recording?"

"Sure do. That'd be the two Democratic nominees for President – past and present."

"Did Sally Langston agree with the Permanent Solution?"

"Oh Mz Langston was against the idea. But the Bible doesn't say nothing about impeachment. That was her plan all along right from the getgo – when she and Reston set Grant up to take the fall for Lushan."

"You're saying Reston and Langston set Grant up to bomb the factory in Lushan?"

"Hell, yeah, they were in on the plan from the time I was recruited to find 'agents' to bomb the United States embassies in Manzania and Denya. They wanted Grant to start a war in Africa…."

Edison Davis stood alone in the middle of the room, staring into space, amid the gathering shadows.

He'd tried calling everyone he knew.

No one was picking up the phone.

The only person who could fix this mess, he didn't dare call. After all, he'd tried to get her killed. And she knew it.

With a weary sigh, he sat down and waited, wondering where it had all gone wrong…

Sally Langston closed the door to her hotel suite and sat down.

The Republican apparatchiks were telling her to hang tough. Most voters wouldn't even know or understand what just happened.

But Sally knew this was not going to end up smelling like roses.

With a weary sigh, she sat down and waited, wondering where it had all gone wrong…

President Zeke fronted the media in the Press Briefing Room.

"Tonight, the FBI has arrested Mr Edison Davis, the Presidential Nominee for the Democratic Party. He will be charged with Criminal Conspiracy for the attempted murder of a President of the United States, and Criminal Conspiracy for the attempted murder of a First Lady of the United States and her unborn child."

"Will you be seeking the death penalty?"

"We will be seeking justice."

"This has so far been a trial by media. Do you have any real evidence?"

"We have sufficient evidence to arrest Mr Davis. It will be up to the courts to follow the due process of the law."

"Who will be the next Democratic candidate?"

"It has been confirmed that Mr Edison Davis will remain the Democratic Nominee. The United States Constitution does not prevent a criminal from running for the job of President, even after a conviction. Mr Leonard Peltier ran for President in 2004, as a member of the Peace and Freedom Party. He was convicted of killing to FBI agents in 1977 and is currently serving two consecutive life sentences. If you are a felon you can't vote, but there's nothing stopping you from becoming President."

"You are a member of the Republican Party, do you have a response to people saying Mr Edison Davis was set up so Mrs Sally Langston could be the Next President of the United States?"

There was a pause as an official approached and whispered in Zeke's ear, as his hand covered the microphone. Then the official stepped back.

"I have been reliably informed that Mrs Sally Langston has been taken into custody, pending a Federal Investigation into a Conspiracy against Rights. Mrs Langston has provided evidence against Mr Davis for a lesser charge, but there is a separate investigation being carried out for treason against Mrs Langston based on papers provided by Mr Reston's estate. This is in relation to the bombing of the United States embassies in Denya and Manzania."

"Wait you're arresting both Presidential Nominees? Then who will become the next President of the United States."

"Come November, it looks like voters will have a choice between two criminals."

On Interstate 495

"What the hell is the world coming to? We've got two criminals running for President?" Cyrus' echoed around the car, as James drove home.

"On the plus side, we have proof the Presidential elections are no longer a popularity contest. What we have this year, is the choice of lesser evils. You should run, it would open up the field."

There was a simmering silence. Then Cyrus snapped over the carphone, "I'll speak to you when you get home."

"Speak to me about what? Is Ella okay?"

"Ella is fine or she will be until her future is ruled by lunatics and criminals!"

"Which one is the lunatic?"

"While you are enjoying your little jokes, Armageddon by vote is just a few weeks away."

"What do you suggest we do about it?"

"Fitz needs to get back in the race!"

"Olivia should run."

"Don't be ridiculous, Olivia can't run!"

"Why?"

"Ballot access!"

"Defiance."

There was silence. "We'll talk about it when you get home." Cyrus rang off abruptly.

In Vermont...

Jerry turned from the TV to face Rowan, seated next to him on the couch. "So Edison Davis gets to be President?"

"If Sally Langston loses." Rowan lifted his socked feet off the carpet, placing them on the edge of the coffee table, so Teddy could crawl through a 'tunnel', followed by a couple dogs crawling on their stomachs.

"A criminal gets to be President of the United States?"

"It's morally wrong, Jerry, but that doesn't change the fact that it's legally right."

"So I got trolled for nothing?" Karen asked on Rowan's left

"Not nothing. Edison and Sally are being investigated."

"But one of them could still be President. There has to be something else we can do to make Mom President." Jerry muttered.

"Olivia doesn't want the job."

"Maybe we can get Uncle Zeke to kidnap her and keep her in the Oval Office until she says yes."

Jerry and Rowan turned to stare at Karen, who blushed. "I mean, if that's the only way we can get Mom to be President."

Industrial Prison Complex site...

"...This dude gets arrested for attempted murder, and he gets to be President. But I get busted with two ounces of weed in my car and I can't vote?"

Hollis Doyle was in the 'black TV room' where his was the only white face. He'd been transferred to the general population after his 'confession' – "they expecting you to get shanked for taking out a brother running for the top job." Mack had told him. "You better sleep with both eyes open" – but Hollis soon found out the 'brothers' had other fish to fry.

Another inmate said, "I'm in here because I couldn't pay a fine for jaywalking. You hear what I'm saying; that shouldn't even be a crime. It's not like I tried to kill the First Family or start a bogus war in Africa."

"Sure is a shame," Hollis linked his hand over his stomach. "Someone needs to change them laws, so the 'gators get caught in the same net as us little guys."

"Won't be any one of them criminals who'll be our next President."

"That ain't a done deal. We could still turn things around if we could get a late entry in this horse race."

"What in hell's name are you talking about, man?"

"I'm talking about Mz Olivia Pope."

"The First Lady?"

"She ain't First Lady no more. Now we have a First Gentleman."

"Didn't you tell me Olivia Pope is the reason you in here for the rest of your natural born life. You want the chick who put you in prison to be President?"

"Yessireee, anyone else who caught me doin' what I did, would have turned me into buzzard bait."

"He's saying we should vote for the lesser evil."

"I'm saying we don't have to vote for evil, lesser or greater, if Olivia enters the race."

"If we could vote."

"If we weren't convicted felons."

"If the choice of President weren't between two crooks who have the only chance of winning."

Hollis sat up in his chair. "Don't that make you mad? We've turned the Presidency into a criminal enterprise, that only crooks are fit to be President. That makes me madder than a hornet's nest."

"Mad enough to protest, is that what you're saying?" the man with the book, asked wryly.

Another man sat forward. "What kind of protest you talking about?"

"I'm talkin' about our First Amendment right to free speech."

The men listening to Hollis, exchanged a look then burst out laughing. "Man, you sho is white."

"The man is trying to talk y'all into a riot." A young man with tattoos on his neck stared at Hollis.

"Nobody said nothing about a riot."

"He said protest, not riot."

"You see the way white people protest every time the Red Sox win? It's a riot." The young man with tatts shifted in his seat. "My grandpa was part of the Attica Riots in 1971. Him and his gang were protesting real stuff – being tortured, not having food to eat, getting raped by the guards. They did riot. They took over the prison, and held 40 guards hostage."

"I remember that," said a man with grizzled grey hair. "All they got for their trouble was a death sentence. The governor sent state troopers to shoot them all up. Ten guards and 33 prisoners died as I recall, but the media said the prisoners slit the throats of their hostages."

"Truth is the first casualty of war." A man reading a book at the end of the table, said mildly.

"America don't know the truth even in peacetime; if we start a riot, it's going to be war. They'll kill us for standing up for our rights, then lie about why we were protesting."

"Hold up, what are we protesting?"

"The crooks and liars running for President."

"That don't seem worth dying over."

"Nope."

"Uh-uh."

White House...

Zeke closed the door to the Presidential bedroom. "We need to break the glass ceiling."

"What are you talking about?" Oscar stopped undressing to stare at Zeke.

"It's time to address the gender imbalance'; we need a woman in the White House."

"You crazy? You want that lunatic Langston woman in here?"

"I didn't say anything about the Langston woman."

Oscar caught the shirt Zeke tossed towards the chair and missed. "Olivia isn't running for President."

"That's the glass ceiling I'm talking about."

"Even Jesus can't fix this problem if she's not in the race."

"We don't have time to wait for a miracle," Zeke headed for the bathroom. "A criminal will be President."

"Guess, we'll be deciding which of them committed the lesser crime," Oscar balled the clothes and did a hook shot into the clothes basket. "Can a President pardon their own crimes?"

Zeke had got all the way inside the bathroom, before he stopped, turned and walked all the way back. "Hell, I didn't think of that. There's nothing saying he or she can't. Bill Clinton promised not to self-pardon in 1998, and everyone was expecting George W. Bush to pardon himself for war crimes. The Constitution says a President can pardon any crime, except impeachment."

"You think Congress will impeach Edison if he wins?"

"Hell no, I don't see either side pushing that agenda. Both parties are up to their necks in this cesspit."

"Talking of cesspits, Hollis Doyle is trying to start a riot in prison."

"That fool has lost his mind."

"The guys we put in there to protect his ass, say he's been trying to dial up the rage for a protest."

"What's he protesting?"

"He wants Olivia to be President."

Zeke started to grin. "Yeah?"

"Hollis Doyle can't start a riot in prison. If all hell breaks loose, Hollis will be as good as dead, for real this time."

"There are many ways to protest."

"Why don't I like the sound of this?"

Prison Visiting Room...

"Let me get this straight, you tried to start a prison riot? You crazy?" Mack frowned at Hollis.

"Don't snap my garters, Mack. I was aiming to heal the racial divide. Get gang leaders - whites, blacks and Hispanics – to come together for a people power protest."

"What kind of dope they got you smokin' in here? The Democrats and Republicans are looking for any excuse to bury you so deep, you won't be digging your way out a second time."

"Hell, why'd you think I'm trying to start a mass movement for change."

"And what kinda of change you trying to make?"

"I ain't talking nickle-and-dime change, I'm talking real change. I was going to hold everyone hostage until Olivia agreed to be a Presidential candidate."

Mack stared at Hollis. "Texas, I wouldn't drink the water in here if I was you."

"I ain't high on moonshine, I got a plan."

Mack heard him out, then rubbed a hand over his face. "If you're hellbent on this damn fool plan, you better make it peaceful. You better make sure there are cameras showing you being peaceful and you better get someone you trust to report your side of the story."

Hollis smiled.

In Vermont...

Olivia's phone rang while she was giving Gracie a bath.

Fitz picked up the phone, then seeing the caller ID, snapped, "Don't call my wife."

"James has been kidnapped!"

There was a pause as Fitz fought back anger to digest what Cyrus had said.

Into the silence, Cyrus said grimly, "Hollis Doyle and his gang of criminals are holding James hostage. In prison."

"Damn..."

"You read my mind."

"Let me see what I can do."

"You've done enough already. Just stay out of it."

"What are you talking about?"

"If you'd just stayed President, none of this would have happened."

"Do you really want to get into this now?"

"I don't know, when would be a better time to discuss why we've got two criminals vying for President and James being held hostage by Hollis Doyle?! Do you know why that lunatic is holding my husband hostage? He wants Olivia to run for President! And guess where he got that brilliant idea from?" Fitz heard Cyrus take a deep breath, then release it in a rush. "You tell Olivia to call me when she's done doing whatever she's doing!"

And he rang off.

Fitz dragged his feet to the bathroom. He could not 'not tell' Olivia what happened. But he knew what would happen if she knew.

He leaned against the doorjamb, watching Olivia wrap Gracie in a towel and lift her out of the baby bath.

As she stood, turning to face him, Olivia started to smile but her smile disappeared when she took in his expression.

"Fitz, what's wrong?"

Fitz didn't have time to respond before the phone in his hand rang again.

"Hollis Doyle has got the prison in lockdown. James Novak is a hostage."

"I heard," Fitz said tiredly.

"Who told you?"

"Cyrus."

"Cyrus? You speaking to Cyrus?" Zeke asked over the phone, just as Olivia stared at him.

"Cyrus? You spoke to Cyrus?"

"James is being held hostage," Fitz told Olivia as if that explained it all.

"How did this happen?" Olivia paced the carpet talking to Zeke on the phone while Fitz sat on the bed, cradling Gracie stilled cocooned in a towel.

"Doyle convinced James he had more intel on Davis and Langston. Doyle is in general population now, Liv, so James met him in the visitors room with Mack. Next thing we know, the prison is in lockdown."

"Do we have proof of life?"

"James is posting live updates on his Facebook page."

"What does Doyle want?"

"You're not going like this, Liv."

"Like what?"

"Doyle is holding James hostage until you agree to run for President."

Olivia stared at Fitz, then told Zeke. "I need to speak to Hollis."

"I'll set up a video link."

"I need to speak to Hollis in person."

"No!" Both men said in unison.

"Yes."

"You're not going, Olivia."

Fitz had his arms crossed over his chest as he watched Olivia dress Gracie. Zeke had rung off, telling Olivia to stay put until he got back to her.

"Yes, I am. Ella would never forgive me if anything happened to James."

"You mean Cyrus would never forgive you."

"This is not about Cyrus." Olivia snapped. "This is about James, stuck in prison with Hollis Doyle."

"Are you having a fight?"

They turned to see Karen standing in the doorway.

Olivia forced a smile, lifting Gracie into the crook of one arm, while holding out the other towards Karen. "I'm just setting your dad straight on a few things."

"Dad?"

Fitz dropped his arms and joined the circle, gathering Olivia and Karen to him. "Your Mom's being stubborn, I'm just trying to reason with her."

Olivia angled a look at him.

He kissed her temple, murmuring, "Don't go."

"Go where?" Karen asked, looking from one to the other.

"Some place dangerous," Fitz replied.

"I won't go, unprepared."

"You can't anticipate every situation in a crisis."

"I know how to watch my back, Fitz, and yours."

"Olivia-"

"You guys are having a group hug and didn't send us an invite?" Jerry called from the doorway. "Come on, Teds, let's crash this party!"

The others couldn't help but laugh as Jerry, carrying Teddy on his shoulders, squeezed into the group. Even Fitz managed a smile.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"Mom and Dad were about to get into a fight."

"We were not," Fitz said mildly.

"What were they getting into a fight about?" Jerry focused on Karen.

"Prison!" Teddy crowed.

Fitz and Olivia looked at each other, then at Jerry.

"What have you been teaching him, Jerry?" Fitz frowned.

"I haven't been teaching him anything, Dad. Teds and I were watching Uncle James' prison updates on Facebook."

"I don't want you showing Teddy that kind of violence at his age."

"That's the weird part. I thought they'd be throwing chairs or running around with knives, but the prisoners are just sitting in chairs… meditating."

"Meditating?" Olivia repeated.

"Yeah, that Zombie dude, the one who came back from the dead, said if a million kids in Thailand can mediate for world peace, then a couple of hundred prisoners could meditate to make Mom President."

A/N: Crazy, right? [I am a bit sleep deprived at the moment]... But nothing I write can top the real election...