AN

Hey, guys. I just wanted to say that this chapter is pretty short and no, Fitz and Liv don't meet yet but be patient. Also, yes Olitz is endgame but Olivia and Jake do begin this with a serious relationship, so bare with it.

As always thanks for the reviews, keep it coming and hope you enjoy!

"Olivia!" David calls waving at me violently while continuously holding a poster with bold black letters stating my name.

I take the sunglasses folded on the collar of my shirt and put them on while dragging my carry on. A man behind me follows, wheeling two medium sized suitcases.

I approach David and give him a half hearted hug. Admittedly, this is my first time in California. I usually don't like warmer places and it feels like over a hundred degrees even inside LAX. David thanks the suitcase wheeler and hands him a five dollar bill. He also takes the liberty of rolling my suitcases himself while we walk out of the airport. That's the least he can do for guilting me into coming all this way. We walk towards a pale blue taxi I guess is ours. The sun is blinding even with my sunglasses on.

"How was your flight?" David asks me to fill up the awkward silence. He pops the trunk of the taxi and puts in my suitcases.

"You know how much I hate flying." I snap. I don't mean to be rude but the jet lag is killing me. He seems to understand because he doesn't counter me, just reaches for my carry on.

"Oh. My. God." David's expressions brightens up, his eyes on my finger. I feel my cheeks flush. I'm trying to keep this as low key as possible while respecting Jake's wishing - I'm not telling anyone point blank but I'm wearing the beautiful white gold ring he got me. "Liv, tell me Jake did not purpose!"

"Don't make a big deal out of it," I insist, but I can't help but grin and position my hand so he can see the stud clearer. "And whatever you do, do not tell Abby. She would kill me if she heard it from you and not me!"

"You haven't told her yet?"

"I haven't told anybody and I don't plan to for some time," I assist David by lifting up a suitcase myself. "But enough about this. I mean, I'm happy and everything. Enthusiastic, even, and you know I'm not the marrying type. But it's not something I'm going to talk about here. I came here for this case you have going on and that's what we'll talk about."

"Right, the client." David presses his lips hesitantly. I raise my eyebrows but he says nothing, just closes the trunk and motions for me to get in the taxi and sit. I reluctantly do so, grateful for the air conditioning. David sits next to me and the driver goes ahead and zooms off. I stare blankly at David.

"Don't you wanna l-look at the view?" David stutters, pointing at my window. I don't even bother to turn around. "Look, Liv. Palm trees. We don't have that in DC, do we?"

"David." I'm starting to get pissed off and concerned at the same time. "Tell me about this client. I don't even know his name."

"His name," David swallows. "Is Fitz. Fitzgerald."

"Grant?" the taxi driver pipes from the front seat. I stare at him in the reflection mirror. "The gubernatorial candidate killer guy?"

I stare at David. He stares at the window.

"Tell me," I say warningly, swallowing. "Tell me this guy has no idea what he's talking about."

I can hear the driver's suck his teeth but right now I could care less.

David looks his lap, glances at me, then back at me.

"Afraid I can't do that, Liv."

I close my eyes and try to relax, try to evaluate the situation rationally but all I can think of is the false impression that this would be something I could do. But this is ridiculous. Why would he lie to me? I mean obviously because the truth was insane but did he really think he can somehow TRICK me into taking this case? As if this was anything I could tackle.

"Let me get out," I say, suddenly feeling very claustrophobic. "STOP THE TAXI. LET ME GET OUT."

"Olivia," David tries to touch my arm but I yank it away in record speed. My breath is hitching and suddenly, it's as hot as the airport in here. The taxi driver obeys me and pulls to the side. Before we park, I'm out of the car, pacing back and forth on the yellow grassy side of the busy road. The sun beams down violently to me and I forgot my glasses on the seat, so I put my hand on my forehead like a snapback.

"Olivia." David calls, speed walking towards me from the other side of the taxi. I turn the other way but he doesn't quit. "Olivia, stop it. Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But to be fair, I thought you would do your research and figure it out."

"I was too busy dragging my ass here for you!" I scream, thrashing my arms everywhere. "I pity you, David. You're honestly so stupid if you thought you could fool me into taking this case."

"Well you're here, aren't you?"

"UGH." I shout. "I don't even understand this - what other ridiculous lies have you told me about this case?"

"Nothing, Liv. Everything is the same - a man is being accused of multiple attempted homicides he did not commit. The only difference is that that man happens to be a gubernatorial candidate. That's even more high profile - and you do that best. You've done even more controversial cases, so I don't get why you're acting so dramatic!"

"BECAUSE I'm settling down." I sigh and David stares blankly at me. I fold my arms. "David, I'm engaged. I've been a lawyer for years and I've had a fufilling career to say the least. When I got on that plane, all I could thinking about was kicking ass at a small case in the most beautiful city in the United States. Not whatever the hell this is. I can't tackle this and I won't. I'm on the next flight out of here."

"Come on. You came all this way and you're not even going to consider helping this man? He's innocent - I saw it with my own eyes."

"And I hope he finds a phenomenal lawyer. Just know it won't be me. Drop this - I'm getting on a plane."

"Okay." David closes his eyes for a moment. "Okay. But that won't be for hours. And I've got a fancy room at a five star hotel under your name waiting on you. So just ride this out with me and book the next flight to DC."

I stare at him. "Really?"

"Yes, really. Now let's head back and not give this cab driver anymore shit then we already have."

"Okay, here it is." David puts the key into the black slot of the door until the small light turns green, then opens it to a dark, spacey room. He immediately goes and opens the curtains while I wearily walk in. Granted, it's nice with a queen sized bed, a fifty inch plasma and a sitting area with couches and sofas. I collapse onto the bed, still wearing my shoes. David tips the bellboy and closes the door behind him. "You hungry? We can go out - plenty of great cafes in walking distance. Or we could just order room service."

"Actually, David," I exhale, managing to sit up. "I'm super tired and I think I'm just gonna power nap for a few hours."

"Okay." David nods, going towards the door. "I'm down the hall to the left - room 404 if you need anything. Bye, Liv."

I wait until he leaves, then grab my carry on and pull out my laptop. I cross my legs, put it in front of me, kick off my shoes and open the Skype application. Jake picks up on the second ring. He's in his pajamas at the table eating what looks like a cheeseburger.

"So I'm gone for a couple hours and this is what happens," I joke, nodding towards the burger.

"What can I say? I eat a lot of crap when I'm missing my wife," Jake teases. I roll my eyes, but I'm smiling.

"We're not married yet, dummy." I shoot back playfully. "But don't worry, you don't have to spend a lot of time missing me. I'll be back by tomorrow."

Jake's eyebrow skyrockets.

"What's wrong? Crappy case?"

"You could say that," I sigh. "Turns out the accused is actually running for governor."

Jake chokes on the water he was drinking.

"The candidate killer? He's your client?"

"The what?"

"The 'Candidate Killer' - that's what they're calling your guy. It was all over the news by the afternoon, babe. How come you don't want to take this case? It'll do wonders for your career. And this is the type of thing you live for."

I bit my lip. Jake's right. I wasn't completely honest with David. I'm not ready to leave what I do - it gives me a high, an adrenaline rush. But I think it's time to dial it down - especially since all Jake talks about is starting a family and how much it means to him. And at this point, he's always been there for me and I just want to make him happy. Plus, the size of this case scares me shitless.

"It would be cool, but who says I'm the girl for the job?" I admit. "There are plenty of amazing lawyers in the country - here in LA even!"

"But you're the best girl for this job," Jake argues, then takes a deep breath. "Liv, I love you and want you to be near me but I also read about this case. If this guy is innocent, he has a shitload of evidence against him and he needs the best. Not just amazing - the best. And that's you. As your future husband, I gotta tell you, babe, it seems like you're taking the easy way out and that's not the Olivia Pope I know."

"Jake," I raise my eyebrow. "I'm confused. You were against me going from the start. We're settling down. Why are you changing your mind?"

"I told you why. This is what your career needs. I'm not going anywhere - I'll still be here when we're ready to have the wedding and all that fun stuff. I'll even come down to Cali in a week or so to see you. Look, I love you either way but honestly? You'll regret this case if you don't take it."

I look at the keyboard. He's right - I'm the best. It's not bragging, it's facts. I love what I do and I'm freaking awesome at it. And he's not going anywhere. I really can have it all.

Isn't that what I always wanted?

David's POV

He looks thin. I know it's only been a few hours since I saw him earlier but his eyes are hollow and empty and his skin is hanging effortlessly around his bones. The bright orange jumper makes his face look dull and colorless. He barely has the energy to hold the black phone up to his ear.

"David," he swallows. His voice is weak, yet hoarse. "You said you were going to get me out of here. You promised."

"And I am, Fitz," I can barely look him in the eye. Right now I'm out of options. "I just need to find you a damn good lawyer to get the judge to consider bail."

"Have you heard about my kids? Or Mellie?"

"No," I lie, straight through my teeth. I know how cruel it is to withhold information like that to him but right now I need his optimism and hope to be stronger than ever. I work for justice - I will see that he gets it with or without Olivia Pope. "I will tell you when I hear anything. Right now, you focus on not getting beat up in there, okay?"

He doesn't reply, just looks at me helplessly through the dirty glass. My cellphone buzzes and I slip it out of my breast pocket. I give Fitz a sad smile before looking down.

Olivia: I'll do it.