Chapter 4: Some Bad News

July 27, 1968

"Mellie, I didn't say that," Fitz complained as they entered through the door.

"So what? You don't want to go to the protest because you just want the war in Vietnam to continue?" Mellie sarcastically asked, raising her voice.

"Now you're just putting words in my mouth!" Fitz raised his voice, also frustrated.

"Well what is it, then?"

"Look baby," he said trying to calm his voice. "You know I'm against the war just as much as you are. But I don't think we should be concerning ourselves in that."

"Well if you're against it, why don't you want to do something to stop it!" Mellie wagged her finger.

Olivia sat in the reading room of the house, putting her book down to listen into their conversation, intrigued by the drama. True to their word, ever since that protest back in October, Mellie and Fitz had gotten very involved in activism. Olivia, Maya and Cyrus all noted as she started to embrace the growing hippie culture that was mainstreaming in DC.

"I'm all about fighting for things at our home. I want to make a difference. But this is overseas, babe. I just think that ending an international war is a little bit beyond any regular citizen…You gotta understand, I mean we don't even know half the truth of what's actually going on over there!"

"Which sounds like more of a reason why we should go! Fitz, what's happening in Vietnam is American imperialism. No one is seeing it that way because this isn't the 1800s, but that's what it is!"

Fitz frowned and let out a sigh, "I'm sorry Mellie, I don't want to fight, not on our anniversary, but I think I'm just going to sit this one out."

"Suit yourself…I'm getting something to drink…" Mellie replied staunchly and walked into the kitchen.

Fitz exhaled deeply and sauntered into the reading room, sitting down next to Liv. He closed his eyes tight and put a hand against his brow to rub his headache away.

"Trouble in paradise?" Liv smirked, looking at him.

Fitz let out a faint laugh and sat up straighter.

"How much of that did you hear?"

"Only just…all of it. I'm a little shocked. I didn't take you as the war hawk type."

"I'm not!" Fitz felt defensive in the moment. "Sorry, I'm not. I'm against it as much as you and Mellie are, but I just think it's too big of an issue for us to tackle. It's one thing to change the laws here, but how is a protest going to stop a war."

"But aren't you worried that if it doesn't end, you could be called to service."

Fitz shook his head, "not really. I've already got some college offers for football and could probably get a deferment…"

Fitz sat for a breath contemplating a little bit "…but even if I did get drafted, I feel like there's something to be said about serving your country in war."

"…Fitz?" Olivia trailed, concerned by what he was saying.

"Nothing…I wouldn't…but there's something sort of bold about…." Fitz stopped and shook his head, "…never mind…forget I said anything."

Olivia wanted to say something, something to get whatever idea he may have had cooking out of his head. She didn't know what to say or where to start. Maybe that he shouldn't be comparing his dad's wartime experience as some sort of comparison. That real bravery and strength doesn't come from just fighting, but through fighting the fights that are worth it. For Big Gerry that may have meant fighting in Europe on D-Day, but in today's world, maybe that meant fighting for what's right, here at home, on the streets.

Olivia was going to say something when Mellie interrupted, walking in with a glass of juice in her hand.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"Nothing," Fitz said, eyeing Olivia to make sure she wouldn't say anything.

"I was just telling Fitz that I noticed a loose board in the tree house," Olivia lied.

"And I told her that my dad and I would go take a look and fix it," he smiled.

ooo

September 9, 1968

By the end of August, summer was officially over and the school year started. Olivia was moving into her final year of junior high in ninth grade, while Mellie and Fitz were beginning 11th and 12th grade. Having lived in McLean for over a year, the Beene's were finally gaining sense of familiarity and recognition around town. Following the fire, they were met with tons of support from neighbor's who before would not have given them the time of day. While it may have been though simple petty, it was as if the world was finally starting to come around to the idea of an interracial couple and an integrated family.

School was becoming a lot better for Olivia too. After the violence that the summer brought, conversations about race relations were becoming more open, and Olivia noticed her classmates becoming more accepting. It made Olivia much more excited to start the school year, not to mention that she made it onto the varsity swim team for her junior high. She was stoked to share the good news with her mom.

"That's great news, honey! I am so proud of you," Maya wrapped Olivia in her arms in a big bear hug.

"Thanks mom! Practices start next week."

"What time are the practices for varsity?" Maya asked. Last year, being on junior varsity worked out perfectly time wise. They were at 5 to 6, which was perfect because Cyrus would finish work at about 6 and then swing by the school to pick up Olivia on his way home.

"Uhhh…so it's a different time," Olivia said hesitantly, realizing that it would create some conflict. "We go earlier from 3:30 to 4:30..."

Maya thought for a minute. They only had the one car that Cyrus used to commute to the city for work everyday, and asking him to finish work an hour and a half early seemed like a lot.

"I'll walk," Olivia suggested.

"No. No, I am not having you walk an hour home everyday. Especially not in the winter when it starts to get dark at 5."

"But mom!" Olivia whined.

"What's going on?" Fitz chimed in, hearing the conversation and waltzing into the living room with Mellie by his side. The two were still together, but tensions were clear between the two of them. Things had felt a little different between them with their differing opinions on the war.

"Olivia made varsity for swimming – "

"Rad! Congrats Olivia!" Fitz cheered sincerely.

"That's so amazing!" Mellie responded as well.

Olivia smiled sharply at them, her teeth beaming with pride.

"But the practices are from 3:30 to 4:30, and we don't have another car," Maya explained.

"I can drive her back," Fitz said nonchalantly.

"Really?!" Olivia asked excitedly.

"Fitz, thank you. That's a nice offer, but we can't let you be going out of your way everyday."

"It's no trouble, Maya, really," Fitz grinned. "I have football practice until 4 everyday, and the high school is right nearby. I don't mind dropping by to pick her up. As long as that's ok with you."

Olivia looked at her mother with a pleading smile. She was thrilled just thinking about the time she would get to spend with Fitz alone. Yes it was only a fifteen-minute car ride but it would be for everyday for the season. It was pretty rare that she ever got a conversation alone with him, it was usually with him and Mellie, hanging out together as a little trio. She felt like third wheel, the annoying little sister who would butt into their business, but she would much rather be third-wheeling Mellie and Fitz than not hanging out with him at all. She imagined the two of them talking and laughing in the car together – a pipe dream she knew, after all she was only thirteen…and he was also in a relationship with her stepsister – but who was she to not let herself live out her fantasies in her head for just a few moments of happiness.

"Ok fine, as long as it won't pester you," Maya replied.

"Well, you're asking me to pick up Olivia, so it will be a pester no matter what," Fitz teased, looking at Olivia dead in the eye to get a response from her.

Olivia took the couch cushion and threw it, laughing when it hit him square in the head.

The next week Olivia started her practices with the varsity team. It was made up entirely of ninth grade girls, and the occasional eighth grader who tended to be pretty advance for their age. She was ready to start practicing, but even more ready for practice to be over where she would get to spend time with Fitz.

Olivia was surprised when practice started by just how good these other girls were. Making varsity gave her confidence, but seeing just how fast they were in the water took all of that back. She could definitely sense that she was in a group of lower tiered swimmers on the team. She wouldn't say she was the worst one on the team. That belonged to some of the eighth graders, who were at a disadvantage for being younger, like herself since she had skipped a grade.

Olivia wouldn't let herself fly as just being mediocre, so after practice she asked the coach if she could stay an extra ten minutes to practice, which he agreed. Olivia kept going swimming in the pool, doing laps, trying to build up her stamina, when she heard footprints approaching.

"Liv?"

Olivia looked up from the water and saw Fitz standing at the edge of the pool.

"What are you doing? It's 4:45. Isn't practice over by now?" he asked. He wasn't annoyed; he was just worried. He waited in the car for a while, and grew concerned as he watched the clock tick by with no sign of Olivia. He grew especially concerned when he saw a number of swimmers leaving.

"Yeah, I'm sorry for making you wait. I'm sorry. I just wanted more practice. I have to try and qualify to make it for the first meet."

"It's the first meet, Liv, and you just made the team," Fitz scoffed. "You put too much pressure on yourself."

"Doesn't matter if it's the first meet, second meet, or last meet. I can't let myself do poorly on anything. Can you just give me an extra five minutes?"

"Fine," Fitz agreed and stepped away from the pool and paced around the room. He wished Olivia didn't put so much pressure on herself like this. She was still just a kid, and she always acted like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. But Fitz knew he was in no position to judge her. She was the only minority in the school, and Fitz knew he wouldn't be able to understand the kind of pressure that comes with that.

Fitz continued to walk around when he noticed an old PA system sitting on the table that grabbed his attention. He went over to have a look for himself and plugged the system in.

"AAAANNNDDDD LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO THE 1968 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES!" he shouted into the PA system in the best sports broadcasting voice he could impersonate.

Olivia stopped her swimming and looked over at Fitz who was proudly sitting at the table. She stopped and laughed as his voice could be heard over the speakers in the natatorium.

"AAAAANNNDDDD HERE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IN OUR FIRST…AND ONLY… EVENT WE HAVE FROM TEAM USA THE ONE, THE ONLY OLIVIA POPE…pope…pope," Fitz made his voice echo to try and create a bigger energy.

Olivia swam toward the wall at one end of the pool and eyed Fitz to let her know she was ready.

"ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO!" Fitz yelled, and Olivia pushed off the wall beginning to swim to the other end. "WELL WE'RE OFF TO A FAIRLY DECENT START WITH SPAIN IN FIRST, CANADA IN SECOND, AND THE USA IN THIRD…WHY I DON'T BELIEVE THIS! TEAM USA IS CATCHING UP. THEY'RE IN SECOND, NO THEY'RE IN FIRST."

Olivia reached the other side of the pool.

"THEY WON! I DON'T BELIEVE IT FOLKS, TEAM USA HAS WON THE GOLD!"

Olivia got out of the pool shaking her head at Fitz as she went to grab her towel by the bleacher.

"OLIVIA POPE, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE WON THE GOLD MEDAL?"

"You're an idiot," she giggled. "I'm just going to go change. I'll be back in five."

Fitz nodded and got out of the announcer chair waiting for Olivia. Eventually she came out with her backpack already on her ready to go.

"Ready?"

"Here, let me get that for you," Fitz offered, taking her backpack out of her hands.

Olivia laughed slightly, "what a gentlemen you are."

"I'm not going to apologize for having a mom who raised me right," he smiled back. As Fitz slung her backpack over his shoulder he noticed a piece of paper fall out of the unzipped backpack. He reached down to pick it, but stared at the paper.

"Well what's this?" he said teasingly again. Olivia turned around, seeing him holding the paper.

"Don't look at that!" she snapped.

"Is this a C- on a quiz," he teased. "Did Olivia Pope, miss 'I can't let myself do poorly on anything,' get a C- on something?"

"Hey give that back!" Olivia reached out to grab her French test back out of Fitz's arms, but he quickly raised his hand so it was out of reach.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Olivia, what are the Ivy Leagues going to say now?" he laughed and looked down at her as she continued jumping up to try and get the paper.

Fitz saw tears brimming the surface of Olivia's eyes and could tell she was struggling not to cry. He felt immediate shame sweep over him. He knew he went too far there. He hung his head and gave her back the paper.

"I'm sorry Liv, I didn't mean that. I was just messing with you."

Olivia crumbled the paper into a ball and stuck it into her backpack. She ripped the backpack out of Fitz's grip. Before Fitz even had time to react and realize what was going on, she pushed him into the pool and stormed out ahead of him.

So much for Olivia's imagined experience of driving with Fitz alone. Olivia stayed quiet the entire time; the whole car ride was silent until Fitz, still soaked, pulled into her driveway.

"Liv, I'm sorry. Please talk to me. I can't go on having silent car rides for the rest of the season," he looked at her but she turned her head. Sometimes Olivia acted so mature that Fitz forgot that she was only thirteen years old, but was reminded at times like this. "Please Liv, let me make it up to you!"

Olivia looked at Fitz, slightly intrigued for what he had in mind.

"I can help you in French, if you want that is."

"Why do you think I'd want your help?"

"Because I'm pretty good at French. Ma mère m'a forcé à apprendre le français," he grinned, making Olivia chuckle. He felt instant relief hearing her chuckle. "I'm serious. If you're having trouble in French, I'll help."

"You're not going to make fun of me?"

"Unless you really deserve it," he poked some more fun.

Olivia thought about it for a minute. She was having trouble in her French class, otherwise she would have all A's if it wasn't for that one pesky class with that one lousy teacher who barely did his job. She could get the proper one-on-one instruction she needed, and it wouldn't be any kind of instruction, it would be with Fitz as her instructor. How could she turn down an opportunity like that?

She glanced at him, seeing him give a pleading smile her way. She knew he felt pretty guilty about teasing her back at that natatorium. If she was going to be honest, it did hurt her feelings, but she knew it was in good fun, and she probably milked it out a little more than it needed to be. He was really trying to make amends here.

"Fine…but only if you're sooo eager to help me," she replied, exaggerating to mock him.

"I do. I don't want to see you struggle, Olivia. I care about you."

"Enough to spend an hour of your time each day helping me?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Always."

ooo

The next day Fitz met with Olivia at 4:30 after swim practice just like he promised. It was the first of their many French tutoring sessions.

"Salut," Fitz greeted Olivia as she walked out of the locker room ready to begin.

"You don't have to be greeting me in French," Olivia scoffed.

"Well what better practice is there than actually using it?"

"Vocabulary isn't the issue," Olivia explained. She was fine when it came to vocabulary and definitions. That was a matter of memorization, which came easy to Olivia. The problem for her was putting together sentences. French followed a different pattern than English in terms of sentence structure, and for her it was so confusing. She told Fitz, who told her that he had the perfect idea and started walking toward the school's band room.

"What are we doing here?" she asked.

"We are going to kill two birds with one stone," Fitz replied. He saw a practice room that was left open with a piano inside. "In here, come on."

Olivia followed Fitz into the practice room and stood next to him as he took a seat by the bench.

"Remember chord progressions?" Fitz asked. Olivia nodded, he had taught them to her on the piano some time ago. It was like a building block of learning piano. "Imagine a sentence as a chord progression."

"Go on…"

"A sentence is compromised of a subject, a verb, and an object. For example 'I play football' or 'je joue au football américain.'" As he spoke the sentence in French, Fitz played the series of chords with a different chord being played for each part of the sentence. Olivia noticed how it all flowed together sounding harmonized as he worked through the chord progression.

"So you see, this represents a noun," Fitz played a chord. "And this is for verbs, adjectives, and adverbs."

He finished explaining going through the chords and assigning each one to a part of speech.

"Now why don't you give it a try, and say a sentence."

Olivia sat down at the piano bench and placed her fingers on the key.

"Um, ok," she pondered for a minute. "How about 'I like to swim?'"

"And how would you say that."

"J'aime nager," Olivia responded simply, following Fitz's instructions of hitting the chord that represented the noun, and then the verb chord twice. It sounded right, like it flowed.

"Nice job," Fitz commented. "Try another. Make it more difficult."

Olivia looked at the keys again, "tu as vraiment bleu-"

She stopped hearing the sound the piano made. It did not sound elegant at all and did not flow.

"Adverbs and adjectives go after the object it's describing," Fitz reminded her.

"Right," Olivia put her hands on the keys again. "Tu as les yeux très bleus."

"Nice!" Fitz applauded her. The chord progression sounded perfect, as did the sentence. "And very good observation Miss Pope. My eyes are very blue. You may as well make you next sentence about how good looking I am."

Olivia laughed and played the piano again, saying a word of a sentence for each chord, "tu es très arrogant."

Fitz worked with Olivia on sentence structure for an extra hour or so until they both decided to go home.

"Hey do you want to get dinner before we go home?"" Fitz suggested as they drove in the main street part of their town.

"Leo's diner?" she suggested.

"It's like you read my mind. I have been craving their burgers all day!" Fitz exclaimed as he pulled into the parking lot of the nearby local diner.

They got a booth in the corner and ordered two milkshakes and burgers for themselves. Olivia looked at Fitz, wanting to make conversation.

"So…uh thank you for tutoring me. I really appreciate it…and driving me to."

"Don't mention it," Fitz waved it off. Olivia could tell that something was on Fitz's mind, so she waited patiently through a moment of silence until he finally opened his mouth to speak. "Hey, you and Mellie are close, right? I mean, your sisters so?"

"We're stepsisters," Olivia corrected.

"But you'd say your close?"

"I mean, I think so…yeah. Our parents started dating when I was about five so…"

"You seem hesitant right now…"

"I don't know what you want me to say," Olivia took a sip of her milkshake. "We grew up together, and in that sense, yes she's my sister. I love her like one, and I know she means well…but well, I mean sometimes I get a bit annoyed."

"Annoyed?" Fitz looked at her intrigued.

"It's nothing," she assured him. "I mean it just used to be me and my mom growing up, and I liked that a lot, being an only child. But then her and Cyrus came and…It's just been a lot of change going on."

"I understand what you mean." Fitz hesitated again before speaking, "Can I ask you something?"

Olivia nodded as their food came around.

"Have you noticed that Mellie's been acting a little different?"

"Different how?"

"I don't know," Fitz muttered. "It's just, she's been hanging out lately at school with a different crowd."

"Should my parents be concerned?" Olivia asked genuinely worried that Mellie was getting into trouble.

"No, not that. She's been hanging out a lot with some of the hippies we have at school."

"Oh that's all?" Olivia laughed. "Jeez, you got me worried that she was in trouble."

"But we, or she, never really hung out with them before. She was usually with the cheerleaders and…I don't know it just doesn't seem like her…"

"She takes after my mom," Olivia explained. Fitz looked up at he confused, so she continued. "Mellie's mom died when she was only a baby, and she never knew her. My mom swooped in at a critical time in her life, and she's been the only mother figure that Mellie had. Mellie gripped to my mom right from the start when her and Cyrus started dating. She was always trying to copy her and be just like her. Honestly, my five-year-old self was a little annoyed by it, but I understand why now. She was trying to create some kind of bond with my mom since she lacked a bond to her real one."

"I see…" Fitz trailed, liking the insight he was gaining.

"My mom has always been big on activism, so Mellie followed. But she's not just doing it for my mom's approval. I don't want you to think that. She has a good heart, and actually believes in what she's fighting for."

"She means well," Fitz concluded.

"Her heart is in the right place," Olivia confirmed. "Why are you worried that some long-haired sandal guy is going to replace you?"

"No…" he scoffed.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm still surprised about you and Mellie being together," Olivia immediate shut her mouth, realizing that that probably wasn't the best thing to say out loud.

"Why's that?"

Olivia swallowed, ready to come out fully to him, "Well, I feel like you guys have been bickering nonstop since her birthday last April."

Fitz was surprised hearing Olivia say this. He didn't realize that she was picking up on their drama. Honestly he didn't think any drama really started until the summer, but Olivia had a point about her birthday. That annoyed him that this kid was able to pick up on something he hadn't. He gave her a bit of a glare.

"Yeah, but couples fight sometimes. That's just what they do. You'll understand when you're older."

Now it was Olivia's turn to glare back at the when you're older comment, "yeah but do normal couples fight longer than they're at peace? Maybe you guys do need to take a break."

Fitz shook his head, realizing he had no comeback for that one, "I think you're just trying to get rid of me," he joked.

"Quite the opposite actually!" Olivia choked on her food and fumbled to fix her admission. "I mean, I like having you around the house, but maybe you and Mellie are better off as friends, like us."

Fitz chuckled dryly, "we're friends?"

"Good friends!" Olivia smiled and he smiled right back.

"I do love your sister, Olivia. I do."

Olivia felt her heart break a little bit, but what was she expecting, "I know."

"Thanks…sorry I just needed some input and…thanks," he breathed loudly.

"No problem," though Olivia wasn't quite sure what he was thanking her for. She was done talking about Mellie for now. Things were just going to get more awkward if they stayed on that topic. "So what about you?"

"Uh what about me?" asked Fitz, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I mean…you're a senior now and…um what's next?" Olivia cringed inwardly at how nervous she got over that question. She hoped Fitz would stay nearby, but she couldn't blame him if he went across the country for a football scholarship.

"I got an offer to play at Brown," he said looking down at his plate.

"That's a great school! Congratulations! They're lucky."

"Thanks," he murmured and laughed a bit.

"What did your parents say?" Olivia was really feeling some weight on her shoulders to continue this conversation.

"I um…I haven't told them yet."

"Oh," Olivia responded, not sure how else to.

"Yeah, I want to go there, but…I don't know. You ever just wonder and envision your own future?"

"Part of living in the present is picturing the future," Liv replied monotonously.

"God, you're so philosophical sometimes, Livvie," Fitz chuckled. "I just keep trying to envision my life for the next forty, fifty, sixty years, and I'm worried it's going to be mundane."

"Going to college is mundane?" From the stories that Olivia heard, it seemed like college was anything but boring.

"No it's just…I don't know," Fitz admitted relentlessly. "I just feel like I'm at a crossroads. Never mind, I'm just over thinking things."

ooo

May 29, 1969

The school year went by in a flash. Olivia graduated junior high, and Fitz graduated high school and accepted his offer to Brown. It was once again summer time, and as usual, Mellie, Fitz, and Olivia were spending as much time as humanly possible in the tree house.

"Oh hey, lowrider. What are you doing up here?" Fitz asked climbing the ladder, up to the tree house. "Lowrider" had become a new nickname Fitz used on Olivia from their time driving home together. He thought it was funny after seeing how short Olivia was when she rode in the front seat – she was literally like a lowrider. Olivia let the nickname slide. She had gotten fairly close to Fitz over the course of the year from their daily drives and tutoring session, which came in handy since she finished French with an A-.

"Reading," Olivia replied putting the book down. "Where's Mellie? Is she not with you?"

"Ayyyy….no…" Fitz mumbled.

"Let me guess, she went to a protest?" Fitz nodded yes. "And she asked you to come, but you said no, and now you guys are fighting?"

"Spot on," Fitz laughed.

"I'll never understand you two."

"I'm proud of her, but I just don't think it's my scene," Fitz said more to himself than to Olivia.

"Still I would think that you would want to spend your final few days together before she leaves."

Fitz blinked rapidly, certain he misheard, "What?"

Olivia looked at Fitz and sighed, "She didn't tell you, did she?"

"No, where is she going? What are you talking about?"

"Patrice, Mellie's maternal aunt, she invited Mellie on a trip to London with her for a month."

"A whole month?" Fitz said raising his voice slightly. How could his girlfriend not tell him that she was going to be leaving the country for an entire month. "Why didn't she tell me this?"

Olivia and Fitz spent the rest of the day in the tree house reading until Mellie came home in her friends Volkswagen van. Fitz pardoned himself and left the tree house to greet her. Olivia wasn't surprised when she entered the house about thirty minutes later and saw Mellie crying over a fight she had with Fitz.

"I can't leave. He hates me!"

"He doesn't hate you, Mellie," Maya assured her, rubbing her back in calm, soothing circles. "Couples fight sometimes, isn't that right Cyrus?"

Olivia noticed her mom look at Cyrus a little strangely, like a mad glare. She wasn't sure if they were having problems too. She hoped not. She was just getting used to this new way of life in the suburbs with her mom, Mellie, and Cyrus, and didn't want to start all over again.

"Um yes, sometimes they do. But that doesn't mean that they love each other any less," he eyed her back.

ooo

June 22, 1969

"Well guess who is officially home alone?" Fitz asked cockily leaning against the railing of the tree house.

"Your parents left already?" Olivia asked, and Fitz nodded. He told her about how Big Gerry and Maggie were going to be driving up to Boston for a conference for the ACLU.

"They left an hour ago."

"I thought they were leaving tomorrow," Olivia asked.

"They were originally," he explained. "The original plan was to leave the day of and fly, but then the recruiter from Brown wanted to meet with me on some formal legal matters about the football season. I asked if they could just go instead for me since they'll be near Brown. We got it worked out, and since they're making a little pit stop, they took the car to drive instead."

"You're not going with them? You must be somewhat curious to get a look around campus early and meet some of the coaches?"

"Eh," Fitz shrugged it off and leaned back. "I'd much rather be home alone."

"Too bad Mellie isn't here when you're home alone," Olivia teased.

"Yeah…" Fitz grumbled. He felt really bad about how he left things with Mellie before she went away to London. He knew they had a lot of work to do on their relationship when she got back. He'd written her a few times, and she responded, so he luckily didn't have to worry about their relationship being completely over, but he was worried about what would be in store when she returned.

"I think I'm gonna throw a party tomorrow night, or maybe the night after," Fitz thought for a moment out loud.

"Am I invited?" Olivia asked eagerly.

"Absolutely not," Fitz said firmly.

"Why not?"

"There's no way I'm inviting you to a high school party."

"I think you're forgetting that I'm going to be going into high school in a couple of months."

"Livvie, I think you're forgetting that this will be for my high school friends. "

"But I thought we were best friends?" Olivia pleaded and gave puppy dog lips.

"I thought we agreed on 'good friends,'" Fitz chuckled.

"Well pretty soon we're not going to be friends at all with that attitude," Olivia puffed to a laughing Fitz.

"I kid, I kid," he chuckled. Then Olivia heard it just barely. It was quieter than even a whisper, but she was certain that hear it. She was sure that there was a moment under his breath where he said, "you are my best friend."

ooo

Olivia shot awake later that night at the sound of the telephone ringing. She looked to the clock on her nightstand and read that it was 1:30 in the morning. The phone kept going off until she heard footsteps and whoever it was answer. Olivia lied awake, staying still on her back. She wanted to go to back to sleep, but she just had this terrible, bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was gnawing at her. One thirty in the morning is never a good time to receive a phone call. Could it have been Mellie? What time was it in London?

Olivia crept downstairs, trying to eavesdrop on what the phone call could have been about. Her plans of spying failed though as she was spotted by Cyrus.

"Liv," he spoke in a solemn tone. "Olivia, can you come down here, please."

Olivia walked toward her mother and Cyrus, carefully taking a seat. It was clear in Cyrus' eyes that he had been crying too, and it wasn't just her mother. Olivia fidgeted with her fingers for a minute, wondering what it could have been to cause this kind of reaction. The only time she had seen Cyrus cry was when Bobby Kennedy died a little over a year ago, and Cyrus did work for him. So, whatever the call was about must have been about a family member of a friend close to them.

"We have some troubling news," Cyrus began, wiping his eyes.

"Is it Mellie? Is she okay?" Olivia asked, genuinely worried, interrupting Cyrus.

"Mellie's fine…but she's leaving London early and should be back tomorrow night," Cyrus answered, putting Liv's nerves slightly more at ease.

"Why is she leaving early? What happened?" she asked anxiously.

Cyrus took a deep, shaky breath, trying to steady himself as he prepared to tell her.

"Liv, it's Mr. and Mrs. Grant…they were in an accident."

A/N: Quite a cliffhanger, and quite a lot all in one sitting. Let me know what you all think. Comments are greatly appreciated.