Bang! Bang! {Part XVII}

Two weeks later

The slim blonde moved through the security line at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport. She nervously tucked her short strands underneath the tattered Livestrong baseball cap before scanning the arrival/departure screen. With thirty minutes to spare she turns toward the restroom. After exiting the stall and washing her hands she leans heavily against the faux marble counter. Stay focused. She exhales with her eyes closed just at the cold barrel of the Glock 19 presses against the back of her head. "I'm a ride or die bitch and you came for my girl and the crumb snatchers. Your ass is mine."

Elizabeth turns slowly raising her hands in surrender. "All is fair in war, love and politics…right? I mean…no one was hurt…really. I see from your expression I crossed the line. We are smart, conniving women. We can reach a mutual beneficial deal."

"The only benefit you can hope for is that I do not put a bullet in your concave behind. To be clear you will leave on a plane but it is a private charter flight to a Honduran prison," Abby shakes her head. "I voted for a rendition flight to Syria but the majority rules."

"Red, hurry up…and there better not be blood," Harrison hisses through the door. Abby takes a step back and motions toward the door with the gun. He lifts the yellow flap covering the lower portion of the janitorial cart. Liz looks between the two in astonishment before folding herself inside. Abby tucks the Glock into the back of her waistband following Harrison as he pushes the cart through the employee only exit.


Two months later

Olivia stands in front of her section of the closet in the White House residence. Fitz leans over resting his chin on her shoulder, "I like the red one."

"Sure, why not…I will look like Mrs. Kool Aid," she shrugs.

"Hey, you do not actually believe that do you?" He caresses her small baby bump between his large hands. She does not respond but reaches for the dress none the less. He turns her by the shoulders. Her face is a mask and her eyes are dull. "I appreciate you attending this therapy session with Karen and Jerry." Her body stiffens but she does not reply. Fitz takes a deep breath before addressing the elephant that exists in every room since her rescue. "I know you are not fine. I wake every time your breathing changes…I hold you while you scream through your night terrors even though you never remember in the morning. I…we all need you to take advantage of the help provided and heal where it matters most…your mind and your heart."

Tears roll down her face and she does not have the strength to raise her arms and wipe them away. "I'm fine," she croaks. "I am fine," she sobs.

He pulls her body into his chest and squeezes, "You are not but you will be. Do you hear me…you will be," he kisses the crown of her head.


Five months later

Kim enters the family room holding two cold beers between the fingers of her right hand and holding a cold bottle of root bear in her left, "You guys better not have started the movie without me." Huck and Javi glance at each other before biting into their individual slices of meat lover's pizza in an attempt to not respond. "Oh my God…you are both horrible," she smiles.

They both mumble a response, "He made me…He had the remote."

She takes a seat on the couch between her favorite guys. "Fine, but next family movie night is lady's choice." Javi rolls his eyes and continues to inhale his slice.

Huck turns, smiles and swallows, "Another family movie night…I would like that."


Fitz and Olivia walk up the secluded hallway at the rehabilitation center. Her tight grip on his hand reminds him of the trauma that is still a part of her despite the progress from the individual and group therapy they have all participated in to keep their family whole and healthy. Before he opens the door he turns to face her, "One minute." He bends and brings their foreheads together. There is no need to utter the words. We are in this together.

Olivia takes a deep breath throws her shoulder back and swings the door open, "The former Andrew Nichols…how is the apple sauce today?"

"Whore and Presi-dent Grant," he slurs.

"Enjoy the name calling since it is all you have left. We are here to explain the terms of your continued freedom," Fitz explains.

"Free-dom…I can-not feed 'self…clean or eat alone. You did this to me," he snarls.

Fitz's jaw clenches, "You traumatized our children and took the only woman I have ever loved. You need to praise whatever god you claim you are still drawing breath at all."

"My silence costs…you will pay mil-lions."

Liv chokes out a laugh, "We will not pay a single dime. You are truly dumber than you look. If you cause the slightest problem our team will be forced to disclose your prescription drug issues. Right now you have the country's sympathy; take advantage of their well wishes to write a memoir of all the things you would have done."

Fitz steps closer to the wheel chair and squats down, "My Livvie is generous. If you think about causing any waves I will have the gentlemen you met before finish the job. I will not take any more chances where my family is concerned."

Andrew studies the man before him. He has never witnessed him more resolved. Even with limited muscle control Nichols manages a slight nod of his head.


Mellie stands before the pool of reporters stationed outside the rehabilitation center. "Thank you for coming. I am here today with a heavy heart to announce my candidacy for the Republican nomination. Governor Nichols…Andrew, and I spent a great deal of time and reflection to determine that the best way to serve constituents committed to our platform is for me to continue the campaign in his place," she smiles like a Stepford wife. Plan b is working like a charm.

"Ms. Vaughn, you are going to leave your fiancé; who suffered a stroke, to campaign across the country?"

"Former First Lady, you are seriously going to campaign against your ex-husband?"

"How do your children feel about their parents competing against each other?"

She opens her mouth to provide the well rehearsed responses developed by Cyrus Beene when the arrival of unexpected guest draws the attention of every reporter. "President and Mrs. Grant!" a reporter yells. Mellie's head snaps to the left and her mouth falls open in shock.


The group of reporters jogs in their direction. "Were you aware that the former First Lady would announce her candidacy?"

"Are you prepared for a debate your ex-wife without the topics getting personal?"

Fitz holds up his hand to stop the onslaught of questions, "The First Lady and I are not here for politics. We came today to fellowship with Andrew Nichols during his convalescence."

Olivia adds to presentation, "We shared the thoughts and prayers of the nation for his continued recovery as well as their appreciation for his years of faithful service to the State of California as well as the Republican Party."

An eager reporter cuts in, "Sir, with all due respect how will you and your team respond to your ex-wife's introduction to the campaign trail?"

"I am confident you are mis-informed. Former candidate Nichols dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination."

Olivia holds up her phone, "If you check your e-mail you can read the notification from his Communication Director."

"I know we have not seen you on the campaign trail...but Mrs. Grant are you pregnant?"

Fitz places his right hand against her belly at the same time she places her left hand on the opposite side, "Yes, we are thrilled to announce we are expecting."

"Thank you all for your questions but we need to return to the White House," he walks toward the waiting motorcade pulling the love of his life with him.

They watch from the window of the Presidential limousine as the pool of reporters chase Mellie to her waiting Lincoln Town Car shouting questions and demanding clarification of her announcement against the official Nichols' campaign communication. Olivia turns to Fitz and they burst into laughter. "Let's hurry home because I want to watch the news coverage of her disaster while I eat Gettysburger."

"Anything for you First Mama," he teases.