Olivia woke up early the next morning and did her usual jog around Central park. Abby wasn't at the apartment in the evening when she came home and in the morning when she got up for her jog, Abby was asleep but she hoped to catch her when she got back from her run.

She wanted to get an emergency therapy session in before she went back to D.C. with Harrison just to get some advice on how to move forward with Fitz. With everything Fitz told her about how he was feeling last night, she wanted to be as open as possible but there were still some things she wasn't ready to talk about with him as yet.

It was a quick jog and once she got back to her apartment, she was thankful that all the press was gone, there were a couple reporters that were still planted outside early in the morning but reporters were fickle people and when they realized she wasn't answering questions, they moved on to the next thing.

She said hi to her doorman, the way she always did and then quickly went up to her apartment. Once she got in, she heard Abby walking around, talking on the phone, getting ready for work.

She cleared her throat loudly to get Abby's attention and it worked because Abby turned and faced her.

"Abby I need to talk to you."

"One sec-"

"Now Abby."

"Can I call you back in a little while John," Abby said into the phone and then she hung up.

"What's up?" she asked Olivia as if she had no clue why she wanted to speak with her.

"Why didn't you tell me about Gerry when you found out the night before Fitz came here?"

"Look, I didn't tell you because I know you would have felt pressured to help him, you're still recovering."

Olivia didn't want to overreact or get too angry but she couldn't hide her annoyance.

"Abby his son broke his back and you didn't think I should know that, whether or not I wanted to help him was my decision and you should respect that."

Abby rolled her eyes.

"Oh please Liv, I was just trying to protect you, you know you're not 100%, I know you're not 100% so don't pretend like I'm crazy, you can't control your panic attacks and your migraines and you know how bad they can be so don't act like there isn't a very real possibility that you won't freak out during the surgery which based on the fact that you went all the way to D.C, I'm guessing you agreed to do it."

"I love him Abby and that's his son, what kind of person would I be if I didn't try. When I needed him, he did everything he could to save me."

"I understand that, don't get me wrong, I think he's a great guy and he did save both our lives but I'm just trying to be realistic, I don't want you to take on more than you can handle and you can be angry with me about that, I'll understand but I'm not going to tell you to do this."

"How supportive of you."

Abby narrowed her eyes in anger at the fact that Olivia was accusing her of not being supportive.

"Don't do that Liv, I've been by your side through everything and just because I don't want you to do this doesn't mean I don't support you."

"I'm doing it Abby, how am I supposed to know what I'm capable if I don't try, sooner or later, I'm gonna have to go back into the world, I can't just jog and go to therapy for the rest of my life."

"Whatever, when you mess up and he blames you, don't come crying to me."

"I won't!"

Olivia screamed and stormed to her room and slammed the door. Abby grabbed her stuff and did the same, only the stormed through the front door and slammed it.

After Olivia took a little time to calm down and collect herself, she quickly showered, did her makeup and then began searching through her closet for something to wear. She wanted something comfortable but professional so she opted for a pair of navy blue skinny pants with a matching blazer from Theory and a white fitted button down chiffon shirt from Max Mara. She added a pair of black suede Manolo Blahnik pumps to her outfit and then she was ready to go.

It was a quick drive to her Savannah's office. Her sessions usually lasted a few hours but she didn't have enough time to spare for the usual, she just needed a quick fix and then she would be on her way. When she stepped into the office, Savannah was waiting for her in the lobby.

"Liv, morning."

"Hey Savannah," she said as she followed Savannah to her office.

Once they were in the privacy of the office, Olivia dropped her bag on the couch and began without even bothering to sit.

"So yesterday after I left and went back to my apartment, guess who was there?"

"Who?"

"My guy."

"Your guy?"

"Yes, my guy. He was waiting for me at my apartment, his son got injured and he needs me to fix his back."

"Wait-" Savannah began to connect the dots; between everything that Olivia had told her up until this point and the news reports she'd seen on tv she drew one conclusion.

"The president? The man you've been talking about for the past few months has been the president?"

"Yes," Olivia said nervously.

"Olivia I'm a therapist, you could have told me that, I'm bound by law to keep our conversations confidential."

"I know, I just, I just didn't tell you, I was going to though."

Savannah shook her head and tried not to get distracted by that detail.

"He want's you to operate, do you think your ready for that?"

"Yes, I don't know, I feel confident that I can do this, you know... for him but also scared that I can't and Abby, oh Abby, she's mad at me for agreeing, she doesn't think I can do it which really bothers me because I need her support not doubt - oh and last night after I left the hospital, I got into a fight with you know who."

Olivia was going a little too fast for Savannah.

"What fight and with whom"

"With Fitz and I mean maybe it wasn't exactly a fight, he was honest with me about what he was feeling and I was honest with him. We also kissed."

"You kissed?"

"Yes we did."

"How did that make you feel?"

"Like I had a million little butterflies in my stomach."

"What else did you feel?"

"Like that past 6 months never happened."

"What else?" Savannah asked.

"Warm and fuzzy and safe," Olivia said with a smile.

"So what made you feel the need to get all of this of your chest like this, are you scared?"

"No, not really, I just don't know where to go from here. I know that he's mad at me for leaving and he wants me to be more open with him and I want to be that too, I don't know maybe some advice on what to do moving forward, I want him to feel secure, I don't want him to be worried that I'll leave again."

"Do you think you'll leave again?"

"I don't know."

"There lies the problem, you can't convince him that you won't leave again if you aren't sure yourself."

Olivia didn't answer the question, she was too busy mulling it over with herself.

"Olivia it all comes down to one very simple question: do you want to be with him or not? If not then you need to let him know that. If you want to be with him then you need to unequivocally let him know that. People go through traumatic events all the time, a part of healing is allowing your loved ones to be there for you and with you, there's no doubt that he's hurting too, you were gone for months and during which time he was unsure of whether or not you were alive and that takes a toll on someone."

Olivia started crying.

"I've been so selfish, I shouldn't have left him."

"No, leaving was something you felt you needed to do so you should stick by that decision but now it's time for you both to heal together and only then will you be able to move forward together."

Olivia wiped her eyes.

"So what do you suggest?" Olivia asked.

"You still haven't answered if you want to be with him or not."

"I want to be with him, I'm sure of it."

"Are you sure of it? Are you being honest?"

"I'm sure that I want to be with him, when I think about my future, I think about him, whenever I picture having kids, I think about him. I'm sure I want to be with him, I'm just unsure of how to move forward."

Savannah smiled.

"Then you should tell him that, be vulnerable with him, share your thoughts and feelings. From what you've told me about him, he seems to appreciate when you are open with him."

"He does, he likes when I tell him all my business," Olivia said with a smile.

"I must warn, it might be a little hard to maintain vulnerability over a long distance relationship, you both live in different states-"

"He kept my apartment in D.C and I'm gonna be there for a while working with Gerry."

"And after you've operated on Gerry?"

"I left New York and stayed in D.C. when I barely knew him, I took a leap of faith and I haven't regretted it yet. I suppose I could travel back and forth whenever I needed to, my office is in New York but I haven't been there in months and it's not like I'm going to be working much, if Gerry's surgery is successful then I'll slowly work myself back into full time."

"Honestly I think the surgery will be successful, you've struggled with migraines before and you were still very successful so I don't think it will be a problem now."

"I can't be sure of that."

"If you go into the operating room bracing yourself for a meltdown it will happen but if you go in there confident with a clear purpose as to what you need to do, trust me, you will be fine."

"You know what, you're right, I'm overthinking everything and I just need to calm down and-"

Olivia's phone started ringing. She pulled it out out her pocket and checked the caller Id.

"It's him."

She put the phone to her ear and answered.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Where are you? Are you at the hospital?" She asked.

"No, I'm at the White House, I have some work I have to get done before I go to the hospital. Where are you?"

"I'm...at my therapist's office,"

"Uh oh, did I freak you out last night?" Fitz asked nervously.

"No, you didn't, I promise, I just wanted to chat for a little before I left for D.C."

"Oh yeah I almost forgot, I was calling to let you know that the plane was ready for you."

"Okay great, I'll head to the airport soon, will you be at the hospital by the time I get there."

"Yes hopefully."

"Okay so I guess I'll see you soon then. Bye."

"Bye."

Olivia hung up quickly.

"Savannah, I'm gonna have to run but I'll call you tomorrow, same time?"

"Yes, I'll be waiting for your call."

Olivia grabbed her purse and headed out. By the time she reached the street, she dialed Harrison and waited for him to pick up.

"Liv, what's up?"

"The plane is ready, are you going to meet me at my apartment or at the airport?"

"Apartment, I still think you should let me drive down."

"No, I need company on the plane, I'll just ship it later."

"Okay fine."

"Thank you Harry."

She hung up and headed home quickly. She had packed several things late in the night after she had finished discussing the logistics of the operation with Fitz.

By noon, both her and Harrison had made their way to the airport and after a one hour flight, they landed in D.C. By mid afternoon, they arrived at the hospital.

Olivia and Harrison spent a great deal of time speaking with the hospital director and some staff members in an attempt to lay out a clear plan for the operation and then afterwards they headed to Gerry's room.

When Olivia got to Gerry's room, she was surprised that Fitz wasn't there, only Mellie and Gerry.

"Hey Gerr," Olivia said as she entered their room.

"Hey Liv, I've been waiting for you all morning."

"Yea, I've been here for a little while, I just had a meeting with some staff that will be helping out with your surgery and the hospital director."

"How did it go?"

"It went great, don't you worry about a thing."

"Hello Olivia," Mellie interjected.

Olivia turned to face her.

"Hi Mellie, how are you?" she turned back to Gerry, "by the way this is Harrison."

Harrison waved.

"Hello Gerry, Mrs. Grant."

"Hi Harrison, thank you for helping with everything," Gerry said kindly.

"No problem buddy."

"Yes harrison, thank you very much," Mellie said kindly as well.

It wasn't lost on Olivia that Mellie offered her no such gratitude but she didn't care, she wasn't doing it for Mellie.

"Okay so Gerry, I'm going to examine you for a little while, are you ready?" Olivia asked.

"Yea, it won't hurt right?" He asked.

"No, it won't, I've been studying your test results but I need to physically see what's going on with your back first."

Gerry chuckled.

"Okay."

Olivia slipped on a pair of gloves from a box that was in the room and so did Harrison.

"So what will you be examining Olivia?" Mellie asked.

Olivia stared at her blankly for a moment, she thought her question was stupid.

"Uhm his back."

Olivia scratched her temple and turned back to Gerry.

"Okay Gerr, Harrison and I are going to flip you on your belly okay?"

"Okay."

Olivia signaled to Harrison for help turning Gerry on his back and as soon a Harrison was walking over, Fitz entered the room.

"Hey, sorry I'm late, I got caught up in a few meetings."

Olivia turned to him and smiled.

"No worries, you're fine, Harrison and I were just beginning."

"Yeah dad, you're technically not late," Gerry said with a smile.

Fitz chuckled.

"Okay so what's going on now."

"Hello Fitz," Mellie said from the window, slightly annoyed he didn't acknowledge her.

"Hello Mellie," Fitz said to appease her.

"Well Harrison and I were going to flip him but since you are here, you and Harrison can do the honors," Olivia said lightly.

"Absolutely."

Fitz pulled off his jacket and walked over to the bed and helped flip Gerry in his stomach.

"He's all yours," he said to Olivia.

"Okay Gerry, I'm gonna undo the strings holding your gown together," said Olivia.

"Okay," Gerry answered.

Olivia undid the string revealing Gerry's naked back and backside.

"Oh my god, you're gonna see by butt," Gerry complained.

"I've seen a lot of butts, hundreds of them."

"Did you see dad's s butt?" Gerry asked.

There was an awkward silence for a moment, Olivia looked to Fitz , she could hear Harrison chuckling softly a few feet behind her. She decided to deflect.

"Wow, Gerry look at your back!"

"Oh my god, is it really bad, what's wrong with it?"

"Oh, I just wanted to change the subject."

Fitz chuckled at her humor, "she was still funny," he thought to himself, Harrison laughed at well. Mellie rolled her eyes and though she wasn't pleased, she kept quiet.

Olivia spent the evening working with Gerry until she was satisfied that she had everything she needed. Harrison left as soon as they were finished, he had reservations at a hotel that wasn't too far from the hospital, Olivia would be staying at her apartment. She was a little nervous because it would be her first time spending the night alone since she came back, Abby made sure she was home every night even if it was really late, since the incident and immediately she felt bad for suggesting to Abby that she wasn't a good friend because she was. She made a mental note to make up with Abby soon because Abby wasn't a friend she was prepared to lose.

Gerry had fallen asleep a while earlier, Mellie went back to the whitehouse for the night, Fitz had agreed to let her stay there for the optics. Fitz had stepped out to take a call and Olivia was just waiting for him to get back so he could take her home. She really wanted to talk to him about all the things she discussed with Savannah earlier but she didn't want to forewarn him and freak him out so she thought it would be best to just bring it up when she had him alone.

She was a little distracted by her thoughts and didn't realize Fitz was calling her until he was directly beside her.

"Liv?"

She looked up at him.

"Yeah?"

"Are you ready?"

"Yep," she said as she grabbed her blazer and purse.

"I had Greg drop your bags to your apartment earlier."

"Thanks."

Fitz held the door open for her and then he walked her down the car that was by the private hospital entrance, away from the press.

After a quick drive, they were back at the apartment. Fitz opened the door with the key and then gave her both his copies.

He held the door open for her as she walked in and then closed it behind him and flipped some lights on.

Olivia walked around the apartment, taking it in. She expected it to be dusty after not being there for months but it was sparkling clean, she had no doubt Fitz had it cleaned.

She saw her old suitcases from her DWB trip.

"I thought I lost these," she said as she walked over to the pile of suitcases, both hers and Abby's.

"I had them brought back when they found them."

She knelt beside the suitcases and opened them and began going through her things.

At the top was the white bikini she wore in Bali, she held it up to Fitz and smiled.

"Do you remember this?"

He chuckled.

"I couldn't forget it if I tried."

She continued going through her things, every specific piece of clothing brought back a specific memory and even though they were good memories of things like her time at the festival of the Punjab and her time in the Indian marketplace; they were overwhelming and she began to cry.

"Liv."

He walked over and knelt beside her and wrapped his arms around her and held her into his chest.

She wrapped her hands around his waist and allowed herself to be held. After she got the emotion out, she wiped her eyes and took a deep breath.

"The last time I was here with you, I couldn't remember a time when I was happier."

The sentence was extremely painful for Fitz to hear but also brought him a sense of nostalgia.

"I could try to make you happy again...if you let me."

He turned her and held her face to him so he could look directly at her as he spoke.

"Liv, I love you, surely you must know that."

"I do, I know."

"And I want to be with you and if that means not running for reelection then I'm willing to do that. I haven't submitted my re-election papers, I know it's not ideal but once I finished my term then-"

"Fitz I'd never ask you give up running for re-election. Look, I was talking to my therapist about last night-"

"So I did freak you out?"

"No, you didn't, you just reminded me how much I want to be with you so I was talking with her and I decided to move back here with you."

"You're gonna stay?"

Fitz smiled as he couldn't hide his happiness.

"Yes, I love you and I want to stay here with you and I'm thinking after Gerry heals I can probably start doing some shifts at James Madison again to get my groove back."

Fitz smiled.

"I still have a lot of issues I'm working through but I don't suppose those are gonna go away anytime soon so I want to work them out with you and we could get back planning our lives together and do all the things we said we'd do."

"I'm going to kiss you now."

She smiled as he held her and kissed her tenderly and then hugged her.

"I've missed you so much," he breath out, "are you gonna be okay here, by yourself, I promised Gerry I'd stay with him tonight."

"It's my first night being by myself but I need to do it."

"I'll stay here with you until you fall asleep."

"Don't spoil me, there are gonna be nights you can't be here and that's okay, I need to do this."

He kissed her forehead.

"Okay but Gerry is sleeping so can I hang out with you for a little bit?"

She sat up.

"Sure, maybe we can order some food, I just realized that I'm hungry."

He chuckled.

"There should be food in the fridge, I had my assistant order some stuff and stock up, I don't know what she got though."

He slipped off her heels and stood up.

"Lets check," she said as headed to kitchen and Fitz followed.

She opened the fridge and it was fully stocked with fruits, vegetables, snacks, drinks, pretty much everything she could think of.

"Wow, tell your assistant thanks."

She grabbed some grapes, blueberries and strawberries and washed them, then sat at the kitchen island with Fitz.

"I had a little fight with Abby this morning," she said as she ate a strawberry.

"You did?"

"Yea, I was angry that she didn't tell me you called and -"

Olivia was distracted by the fact that he was smiling so hard.

"What?"

"Nothing, I'm just happy you're talking to me and you're here."

She chuckled.

"Fitz don't be weird about it."

"I'm not, just ignore me, continue."

She laughed.

"Here," she said as she fed him a grape.

"When you said you said weren't going to run for reelection, is that something you wanted to do or were you going to do that for me?"

"Honestly, I was going to do that for you, I thought being president - even though it brought us together, it thought it was coming in between us."

She smiled.

"It's not. Asking you not to run for president is like asking me to not be a doctor, you'd never do that to me so I'd never do that to you and also I hear that only half the country hates you, that's not too bad."

"Well Cyrus is going to be happy to hear that, he had a meltdown when I told him I wasn't going to run again."

"Did he turn red like he did when I told him I was going to tell everyone you weren't fit to be president after the surgery and that they should let Sally Langston run the country?

"Yeah about the same shade of red," Fitz joked.

They kept the conversation light until it was time for Fitz to leave and while he was still reluctant to leave, Olivia assured him that she would be okay and so he kissed her goodbye and left to be at Gerry's side for the night.