One week later.

Olivia stood over Gerry's bed. She had estimated that he would be waking up at moment. Fitz and Stephen were standing a few feet behind her and Mellie and Harrison were on the opposite side.

"Any second now," said Olivia.

After a few more seconds Gerry shifted a couple times and then he was up.

"Harrison give me the cortisone."

Gerry groaned in pain once he was fully awake and aware.

"Pain Gerry, from 1-10?" Olivia asked quickly.

"10," he said shakily.

She pinched his toe.

"Did you feel that?"

"Yeah," he groaned.

She smiled.

"Okay, I'm gonna give you something for the pain but I'm going to have to shift your body that will hurt so brace yourself. Stephen, Harrison?"

They immediately got into position and helped turn Gerry to his side. Gerry screamed out in pain and started crying. Fitz and Mellie were both trying to calm him down.

"Gerry, just bare with me," Olivia said.

She injected him with the cortisone syringe at five different spots in his back and then they laid him flat again.

"There you go, all done. Cortisone works very quickly so you should feel relief in 2-5 minutes okay."

She could see he was going attempt to speak.

"No, no speaking unless it's to tell me the pain is less intense. No moving either."

"Just a few more minutes Gerr," said Fitz.

"Yeah just hold on a little longer," Mellie added.

They watched as the minutes went by and Gerry started to visibly relax and breathe a lot better.

"Do you totally and completely hate me for what I did to you?" She said with a smile.

"No because I feel much better, it's like a 3 now."

Fitz smiled.

"I felt like someone was ripping my spine out of my back."

"The worst is over, it will only get better," said Fitz.

"Yeah Gerry, what your father said," Mellie added.

Olivia stepped back, she could see Mellie struggling to insert herself so she thought she give them some time alone.

"I'm going to give you guys a moment but when I come back we'll start your first laser session."

"Okay," Gerry answered. She could see Fitz give her the side eye as if he was screaming for her to stay but she thought she'd leave him alone with Mellie to be tortured for a little while even though she'd have to hear him complain later.

"Bye now," she said glibly.

Olivia left with Stephen and Harrison in tow. They headed straight to Stephen's office and all three sat by Stephen's desk.

"So Abby called me again," Harrison said as he got comfortable in his chair.

Olivia sighed.

"What did she say this time?" Olivia asked.

"Basically she's just very unhappy that you're staying here."

"Am I wrong, feel free to jump in at anytime here guys, what do you think, is she right?"

Stephen jumped in.

"I don't think you're wrong, you have every right to make the choice you did but I guess I can understand why Abby would be mad too."

"Why?" Olivia asked.

"You know Abby's really possessive and honestly she's probably just worried about you, she has been there with you everyday since you came back."

"Yeah and when she was having a hard time I was there for her too that doesn't mean she owes me for that."

"Trust me I get it, I don't know y'all just need to talk," said Harrison.

"I don't wanna talk to her right now, she's just bringing me down. It's depressing as fuck."

Harrison chuckled.

"Well you know what I think, you girls need to sit down and talk and get past this because she thinks you're choosing him over her."

Olivia shrugged.

"Seriously, she said that?"

Harrison froze.

"Oops," he said awkwardly.

Stephen shook his head and stood.

"You guys need to talk it over," he said.

"Whose side are you on?" asked Olivia.

"No one's."

Olivia stood up as well.

"I bet Huck would be on my side."

"Huck isn't here though is he," Stephen teased.

Olivia rolled her eyes.

"That's why Huck's my favorite."

Harrison ran over to her and fluffed her hair messily with his hands. She swatted his hands away and punched him in the shoulder but he didn't seem to take her seriously because he was laughing the entire time.

"Take that," he said as he laughed.

"Stephen, how could you just stand there and not help me."

Stephen chuckled.

"Huck's your favorite right?"

Olivia looked at Stephen and then Harrison.

"Both of y'all are dead to me."

They both laughed at her.

"You're so dramatic," Harrison teased.

Olivia walked over to tiny mirror on wall and fixed her hair.

"Whatever. I'm gonna go back to Gerry's room, Harry can you prep the laser room."

"You got it boss."

"Okay great."

When Olivia got to Gerry's room, he was on the phone, Fitz was standing by the window and Mellie was sitting on the couch.

Fitz turned around the second she walked into the room, and smiled.

"There you are Livie," he said with a smile.

Mellie looked at Olivia then Fitz but said nothing.

"Yes, I've come to take Gerry to laser therapy, well not me, the nurses will be here any second."

Olivia looked over to Gerry who was still deep in his conversation.

"Kenna?" Olivia asked.

"No, Nathan his friend, he spoke with Kenna a little earlier though."

Olivia smiled.

"Oh okay by the way, I've been meaning to ask you how school is gonna work, he has just over a month left?"

"His school offers online courses, he'll start soon."

"Great although I'm sure Gerry doesn't think so."

"Can you two take your conversation elsewhere," Mellie said curtly.

"No but you can go elsewhere," Fitz responded.

Olivia bit her lip and right then Harrison walked in followed by three nurses.

"We're ready for you Liv."

"Perfect."

When Gerry saw the nurses he ended his call.

"Liv is it time?" asked Gerry.

"Yes it's time but don't worry, it won't hurt."

"Okay."

Olivia turned to Fitz.

"I'll see you in a little bit."

He nodded.

"Okay."

The nurses took Gerry to the therapy room and Olivia followed. She spent several hours on Gerry's back; testing, examining and applying many rounds of laser therapy before they brought him back to his hospital room where Fitz was waiting for them both. Mellie had left to get something to eat.

Once Gerry was settled in his room, she let Harrison go for the rest of the evening, Stephen had left a while before.

"Fitz, I'm gonna head home for the evening okay."

She saw him pout a little before he smiled.

"Can I call you?"

"If you didn't I'd be pissed."

Gerry chuckled softly.

"Night Olivia, I'll see you tomorrow and by the way don't hold today's crying against me."

Olivia smiled.

"I promise I will absolutely hold it against you, wonder if Kenna knows."

"Liv!" Gerry screamed.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding."

Fitz laughed.

"She may be kidding Gerry but I just got some great ideas."

"Great," Gerry said exasperatedly.

Olivia shook her head and smiled again.

"Goodnight, I'll see you both tomorrow."

"Night Livie," said Fitz.

She waved to Fitz and Gerry and then she headed out and made her way home.

After a month of therapy, Gerry was doing exceedingly well. He had regained full function of his back and legs, his only obstacle was being able to walk again without his crutches but with the help of his physical therapist, he was progressing everyday. He was no longer at the hospital but now at the White House where his therapist would visit him everyday and they'd work together in the fitness room.

Olivia was present at his physical therapy sessions even though it was pretty much out of her hands because all of her work was done however she liked to track Gerry's progress so she could have more information available for future patients.

In her personal life things were normal for the most part, she still had lingering effects of her ptsd but she felt better everyday. She moved out of her studio apartment into a two bedroom in a more residential building that was closer to the White House because she needed more space and because it was easier for Fitz to visit. When she flew to New York to ship more of her clothing back to D.C. she had a heart to heart with Abby and they made up after not speaking with each other for three weeks.

Fitz worked as much as he could while managing to be present for both Olivia and Gerry whenever he was needed. He stayed with Olivia at her apartment whenever he could and when he couldn't stay with her at her apartment for any reason, they'd chat on the phone for hours until she fell asleep. Fitz had been urging her to stay at the White House but it was something that she still wasn't comfortable because Mellie was still there. She was adamant about staying until Gerry was completely healed and walking again then she would take Gerry back to California to stay with her for the summer as per their custody agreement.

With the intrusion of Mellie aside things with Fitz and Olivia were nothing short of fantastical, the only thing missing was sex and it had been weighing heavier and heavier on both their minds, Olivia more so than Fitz because she still felt very conscious about it but she'd been trying to work past her anxiety and fear with her therapist. She'd call her almost everyday for their phone appointment to try to figure out how to work past it but after a month nothing changed.

It's was 7 when Olivia woke up in the morning but she laid in bed till 8, she was trying to kill as much time as she could before she went to brush her teeth and shower. By the time she got out the shower, she heard her cell phone ring and ran over to answer it.

"Good morning baby," she cooed through the phone.

Whenever he didn't sleepover, he called her around the same time every morning.

"Morning Livie, are you coming by at the same time today?"

"Yep, same time, I just showered, I'm getting dressed now - wait you're in the oval right?"

"Yeah, just finished my briefing , I have to fly to Virginia to meet with some coal miners today but I should be back by 2."

"Aww that sucks, what time are you leaving?"

"In an hour."

"So I won't see you?"

"No but I'd love it if you'd hang around and wait for me till I get back."

She smiled

"I'll think about it by the way who's responsible for this? It is Cyrus because if it I I will have words."

Fitz chuckled.

"It is Cyrus and I'll let him you know you have it out for him okay."

"Alright, I'll will chat with you when you get back."

"Alright bye."

She hung up and went to her closet to pick an outfit. It was going to be warm out so she opted for a pair of Theory camel skinny pants and a cream ruffled top from Miu Miu. She curled her hair that fell mid back and did her makeup soft and pretty.

Before she finished getting ready she called her secret service agent and gave him a heads up to get the car ready then she went to the kitchen and grabbed a protein bar and some fruit for breakfast. Once she was done with breakfast, she went back to her closet to finished getting dressed. It took her awhile to decide what shoes and bag she wanted to pair with her outfit but eventually she decided to go with her nude Saint Laurent heels and her black Givenchy Antigona bag.

When she got to the White House it was a little after 11am, she would usually get there earlier and hang out with Fitz until Gerry's therapist came but there was no need for that today so she arrived right on time for his session in the fitness room. When she walked in, Gerry was lying in the floor doing stretches as instructed by his therapist.

"Morning Gerry."

He stopped mid pose.

"Morning Liv, how's it going?"

"Good, what about you, how are the legs?"

"Good, just now John said I should be walking any day now."

Olivia turned to John, Gerry's physical therapist.

"It looks like he's ahead of schedule John."

"Yes Dr. Pope, he seems to be an overachiever."

"Somewhat like his father in that regard," said Olivia.

Gerry smiled.

"So Liv, I wanted to invite you to dinner with me and dad tonight."

"Dinner? Really? Your dad didn't say anything to me about a dinner," she said with a smile.

"I told him not to tell you because I was going to tell you."

"Okay, dinner, yeah...sure, I'd like that," she paused, "will your mom be there?"

"No, she doesn't know although the I'm sure she won't like the fact that I didn't invite her but it's no secret that she doesn't like you so what's the point of inviting her."

Olivia laughed at his frankness.

"You're a standup guy Gerry, I like that about you."

Gerry smiled at her compliment.

"Thanks I think I got it from my dad, maybe my grandfather... who knows."

After a few more stretches Gerry was done with his stretching exercise and then John helped him up to the parallel bars where began his walking exercise as he had been doing for the past week. Everyday he was getting better and stronger and by Olivia's calculations he'd be walking on his own in days.

Olivia stayed and chatted with Gerry until his session was over. She wondered where Mellie was but she didn't ask, instead they headed to the rose garden and ate lunch. Before they knew it, it was after three in the afternoon and they saw Fitz strolling across the rose garden towards them with a huge smile on his face.

"Hey dad," said Gerry.

"Hello my two favorite people in the world," he said as he approached.

"You're late," Olivia said with a smile.

"Sorry, I got bamboozled in answering question for 45 minutes, you can blame Cyrus for that."

"I will."

"How was therapy today Gerry?"

"Good, I made a lot progress," Gerry answered.

"Why didn't you tell me about dinner?"

Fitz scratched the bridge of his nose.

"Have I told you how great you look, I like your shirt, it brings out the doe in your eyes."

Olivia laughed.

"Changing the subject, typical politician, isn't that right Gerry?"

"Sure is," Gerry agreed.

"You guys are teaming up on me, how is this happening right now."

Gerry looked at Olivia and held his hand out for a high five, Olivia joined in and high fived him back.

"We'll never tell," Olivia said mischievously.

"But we're on for dinner though right?"

"Of course, 7pm sharp," Gerry answered.

"Okay so what am I gonna do till then? I guess I could hang out at home until later."

"No, hang with me in the oval," Fitz insisted.

"People are gonna be in and out of your office for the rest of the evening."

"I'll cancel my meetings or move them to the Roosevelt room or something."

They heard Gerry's phone chime and he opened it to read the text he received.

"That's my my que guys, Kenna and Jeremy are coming to hang out, I gotta go."

Gerry grabbed his crutches and proceeded to help himself up.

"Let me help you up Gerr," offered Fitz.

"No dad, I've got this, I'm good."

Fitz stepped back and allowed Gerry to get up by himself. Though he couldn't walk by himself, he could move around if he was supported by his crutches.

"Alright, I'll meet you guys in the dining room later."

"Later," Olivia and Fitz said in unison.

Later in the evening, Olivia and Fitz headed to the dining room at 7pm sharp to meet Gerry. When they entered the dining room, Gerry wasn't there as yet so they decided to sit and wait for him. Fitz pulled out Olivia's chair in a gentlemanly fashion and waited for her to sit.

"My lady," he said in a faux English accent.

She smiled and curtsied before she took her seat.

Fitz sat directly beside her and left the opposite seat for Gerry. The food was all laid out on the table waiting to be devoured and he was starving, so was Olivia so he texted Gerry to find out how much longer he would be.

"Fitz this looks great, I can't wait to eat it."

"Yeah I just texted Gerry, I wonder if he was his aide is with him, I still don't like him going about by himself."

"He needs to do it by himself, he's reveling in his independence right now he won't want help."

"I just can't help it sometimes."

They both heard the dining room door open and to their surprise Gerry walked in with Mellie.

It was awkward and neither Fitz or Olivia said a word, they were waiting for an explanation.

"I just ran into Gerry in the hall and he told me he was heading to dinner with you two so I decided to tag along, if that's okay with you two?"

Olivia cleared her throat.

"Uhm sure, of course, there's more than enough food," Olivia said.

"Sorry," Gerry mouthed to Olivia.

Mellie sat directly beside Fitz and exhaled.

"This looks so good," she said cheerfully.

Fitz sighed and stood up to help Gerry into his seat, he was afraid he'd fall trying to sit. He knew exactly why Mellie came, she wanted to antagonize them so he decided to beat her to the punch.

Once Gerry was seated he went back to his seat and pulled out an seafoam green paper gift bag from under the table and handed it to Olivia.

"I knew you wouldn't let me pay you for everything you did for Gerry so we decided to give you something else."

She smiled and took the bag.

"You shouldn't have, I told you guys I didn't want anything."

"Open it Liv, whichever one you like more is the one that I picked," said Gerry.

She laughed and opened her bag, it was from Tiffany's. There was three different neatly wrapped boxes. She took her time opening the first box, it was a beautiful black diamond necklace, the kind that thieves would coordinate a heist to steal. It looked like it belonged in a museum.

"I can't take this."

"Well it's custom, it's not like we can return it," said Fitz.

"Do you like it?" Gerry asked.

Olivia was a little speechless.

"I love it but I think you guys are trying to get me robbed because that's exactly what's going to happen if I wear this, it's beautiful."

Gerry and Fitz laughed but it was short lived because immediately Mellie stood up and slammed her hands in the table in an extravagant flash of anger.

"I thought I could stand to be in here with you and your mistress but it turns out I can't."

Mellie huffed and stormed off, Fitz was going to go after her but Olivia stopped him.

"I'll talk to her."

She didn't give Fitz a chance to respond, she got up and rushed out behind Mellie. She saw Mellie turn and head to the rose garden and she followed her.

"Mellie?" She called loudly.

Mellie whipped her head around and waited as Olivia approached her.

"Oh look, if it isn't the suicidal Barbie that my that husband just can't seem to get tired of."

Olivia smiled and that annoyed Mellie beyond measure.

"You think stealing my husband is funny?" Mellie asked angrily.

"Stealing requires effort Mellie and I can't assure you that I gave no effort, he willfully, no gleefully, found his way to me and it's time you started getting familiar."

Mellie scoffed.

"You are a home wrecker, you broke up my marriage, I loved my husband and you took him from me and you think it's some big joke, I wonder what America will think about you when they find out what kind of person you really are, spreading your legs for a married man makes you a whore."

"And plotting with your lover to kill the president makes you a criminal and a whore." Olivia stepped a little closer, "don't tell my secret and I won't tell yours."

Olivia kissed her cheek and walked back to the corridor.

"What's going on?" Fitz said, as he met her half way to the dining room.

"Oh nothing, Mellie and I were just agreeing that we should be more cordial in the future, for everyone's sake."

"So what really happened?" Fitz asked.

"I also might have let it slip that I knew about her boyfriend Nolan but that's it."

Fitz chuckled.

"You are something else, come on let's go and finish dinner, Gerry's waiting."

"Okay babe, let's go."