Bang! Bang! {Part III}
The motorcade buzzes through the streets of Washington, D.C. Olivia's SUV is nestled within the precession. She convinced Fitz her driving was about optics but the truth was she needed the time to build the courage to confess-Defiance. She betrayed herself, Fitz and the country. As a result she lost part of her and almost lost the love of her life. The cost was too high, but redemption was possible.
Olivia reflects on all the moments she should have taken: on the plane, after Big Jerry's funeral, at the archives, after the Cytron explosion or instead of the resignation. This time would be different. More importantly she wants justice. They tried to take his life and if it costs her his love she would pay that price to watch them rot in hell. Fitz would be safe and happy even if it was not with her.
Olivia sits on the bed with a notepad and pen in hand planning, thinking and plotting. She glances over to his sleeping body. The doctor re-dressed the wounds and added an IV line for antibiotics and pain management. His sleep was more restful than the last two days at Blair House. Tomorrow his brain exercises begin. She chuckles to herself. He is going to be a pain in the ass.
"How long was I out?" his sleepy voice calls.
"A few hours…How do you feel?" she asks with concern turning to face him.
"Actually not too bad; I think it may have something to do with the woman in my bed," he reaches over to caress her leg.
"Not in the least. You are just high from the pain meds," she quips.
"More than likely but holding your ass during the night helps," he laughs.
The comfortable silence allows both of them to adjust to their new reality as a viable, tangible team without stolen moments and secrets. Fitz watches and studies her-he knows all her tells and something is coming. He waits, he cannot push. She will never admit to anyone but he knows her. His Livvie is delicate and fragile.
"I know who is behind the assassination attempt and why," Olivia exhales all the words without looking directly at Fitz. She picked a spot on the wall just above his head. She does not want a memory of the look on his face if he takes his love away-if he leaves her all alone.
He interjects, "Mellie had the most to gain from my death. A grieving, pregnant First Lady would have the entire nation demanding she take the Oval or at least launch her bid for the next election cycle," he explains emotionally detached.
"True…Hollis Doyle benefits even if he has to manage Sally for two years," she contributes, "Either woman would give him his war in West Angola," Olivia finishes. She dares to watch as the recognition of the truth animates his face.
"She rang the war bell during the gender reveal interview," Fitz picks up the argument, "How do we prove it? A man with his resources can cover his tracks. We need leverage," he sighs.
"I have leverage," she whispers.
"What… How…Never mind, you are Olivia Pope…Handle it," he laughs but she does not. He notices the look on her face and his stomach knots. This is going to hurt. "Help me sit up," he demands quietly.
Olivia moves to his side arranging pillows as he pushes into an upright position. He settles and she takes his face in her hands and kisses him hard and long because this may be the last kiss. "The voting machines in Defiance County, Ohio were hacked to make you the winner. Paid for by Hollis Doyle with the permission of your most trusted advisors," she hangs her head in shame. The prolonged silence is deadly and broiling with venom.
"Mellie became the First Lady of the United States…Cyrus became White House Chief of Staff…Verna became a Supreme Court Justice and Hollis plays puppet master; and you, Ms. Pope-what was your prize?" he grits out bitterly.
She violently shakes her head from side to side.
"Did you make the deal before or after you were fucking me? Did you share that piece of information with your treason round table?" he is cruel and relentless. "Look at me," he shouts.
Olivia summons together all that is left of her-every broken piece and faces Fitz. He is devastated and prepared to punish until he actually sees her. His eyes travel over her trembling body and tear stained face. She is vulnerable, raw and scared. "You didn't get anything. You lost everything. Why?" he is confused.
"You got your dream," she croaks out between tears.
"You were my dream," he counters.
"I am no one's dream. I am not enough. You are meant to be great," she reasons.
Fitz's eyes devour every micro-expression on her face and minute piece of body language. She honestly believes what she is saying. "Who or what did this to you…made you believe," he cannot finish. The knot in his gut tightens because his Livvie is broken in a way he never imagined. He never knew, he did not see it, but now he knows. "Do you love me?" his tone is gentle.
She wipes away at the steady flow of tears, "Yes."
"Do you want me?"
Olivia nods her head up and down.
"Do you want a real us? Belonging only to each other," he continues to question.
"Yes," her voice gains strength.
"Okay," he confirms.
Her brows rise in shock, "How?"
"Love allows forgiveness," he replies simply.
"Not good enough," she counters.
"Hmm, because you know me…you see me. I know what it means to be scared of who you are- the fear that you are not enough and you love me anyway. Why wouldn't I return your unconditional love?" he pushes back.
Olivia's mouth is agape, her eyes roam his face and her brain reaches for a level of understanding just out of reach.
"What time does your team get here?" he re-directs the conversation.
"I have not called them yet," she stammers.
"Alright, let's grab lunch and work on our plan. We can bring them in later," Fitz continues to push them forward.
A month or more later…
Fitz finishes his call, "Yes…I understand…press conference tomorrow, but I am cleared-good. Thank you for your amazing care and your service to our country."
Olivia enters the Oval typing away on her phone barely looking up, "You ready?" Lauren closes the door behind her.
"Give me your panties?" he directs.
You are shameless…no," she places her phone in her Prada bag and looks up at him. Holy shit…he is on fire. I may not survive. "The doctor cleared you," she confirms.
He moves from behind the Resolute Desk and swaggers toward her. Olivia backs up but hits the closed door. She is trapped. Fitz places a hand on each side boxing her in, "Olivia, give me your damn panties."
She drops her purse on the floor, grabs the sides of her black pencil skirt with the modest side split and slowly pulls it above her waist, "You want them then take 'em," she challenges.
Fitz removes his left hand from the door, reaches down and grabs the front of her black lace panties and rips them from her body. He slides them into his pants pocket.
Olivia knees buckle slightly and she gasps.
"Turn around…face the door and assume the position," he orders.
She turns slowly using her hands to brace against the door and sticks her ass out arching her back. His hand lands one firm slap and grip to her left cheek, "Do not defy me again," he takes a giant step back.
Olivia lowers her skirts and looks back over her shoulder at Fitz. She rubs the stinging spot on her ass, "I am sorry, did you say something important," picking up her purse before exiting the room.
Fitz growls. I am going to fuck her through the mattress.
