Tri-Olitz

Chapter 5

Welcome Home

Olivia's POV - Be Prepared

Considering I'm a CIA analyst you'd think the information the PTSD specialist was providing would be routine or old hat but it's not. This isn't some faceless patient from a research study or a troubled homeless vet he's are talking about, it's my Fitz, my heart and soul. I've read all the medical journals and military reports but hearing the doctor go over the symptoms as they pertain to someone I love is unsettling to say the least. I suddenly feel inadequate and inept. How do I fix this? How do I help Fitz? How do I take away his pain? How do I get my Fitz back?

"I want you all to understand Captain Grant's physical recovery has been remarkable and I attribute this to the incredible support you have given him. However, let me be clear, while his physical healing has been atypical, I don't anticipate the next stage of his recovery going as smoothly. Psychological healing is a protracted process even under the best of circumstances. The trauma of being shot down, fighting to avoid capture, his subsequent torture and captivity will affect his psyche for an undetermined duration. Admittedly, his time in captivity was relatively short, but the gravity of the psychological abuse in terms of his absolute loss of control, the constant threat of death and the feeling of despair leave deep emotional scars regardless of its brevity. The psychology effects of torture are far worse than the physical. The mind naturally, as defense mechanism, blocks out harmful or painful memories and experiences. You'll find during his initial days at home he will seem completely normal, seemingly unscathed by his ordeal. Nevertheless, I caution you, his casual behavior is only temporary and you need to prepare yourselves to deal with the broad spectrum of emotions the captain will eventually undergo."

Jake, sensing my growing concern decides to speed the discussion along by asking questions. "What should we be on the lookout for? What can we do to help him?

"All of you must recognize torture is the most horrendous form of interpersonal violence. It is an assault on the body as well as the mind. PTSD sufferers experience depression, social withdrawal, anhedonia, confusion, nightmares, insomnia and I could go on but you get the general idea."

"Yes", we all say together nodding our heads.

"Doctor what is anhedonia", Huck asks.

"It is the inability to derive enjoyment from normally pleasurable activities like exercise, hobbies, entertainment, music, sexual activity or social interaction." The doctor looks at me sympathetically seeing Jake give me a supportive side hug.

"Under no circumstances can you allow him to ignore what he has gone through or what he is feeling. Families tend to be reluctant to encourage the survivor to talk about his or her experiences and feelings. They unwittingly use politesse around the PTSD sufferer assuming avoidance is the quickest route back to normalcy. Families also become preoccupied with safety and forego activities they believe will acerbate the patient's physical injuries. However, these maladaptive coping behaviors reinforce the sufferer's symptoms and pain creating a cycle of mutual maintenance. This results in the survivor suffering in silence, trapped in memories they feel they cannot share. You need to encourage the captain talk about anything and everything he is feeling. He needs assurance he is in a safe nonjudgmental environment rather than a stygian one, in doing so you reduce the chance of psychological avoidance.

"Nonjudgmental? Why would he think we would judge him?"

"He thinks he failed to complete his mission because he lost a very expensive piece of naval property and he was captured. Guilt, Ms. Pope, guilt is lurking in the recesses of his mind and it will rise to the surface at some point. He will feel as if he is a complete failure."

I know all this but I can't help but voice my disbelief.

"As irrational as it sounds it is the reality of PTSD. Survivors convince themselves that their failure to be strong enough, or to turn left when they should have turned right, is the reason for predicament. The obsession with second guessing their actions is typical of the syndrome."

The doctor goes on for a bit longer but all I can think about is getting Fitz home and showing him how much I love him and how proud I am of him.

The Night Fitz Comes Home

The drive from the hospital to our house is quiet except for the occasional comment on the unseasonably warm weather or the newest argument waging between the octogenarian vegan nudists next door. I hold Fitz's hand while navigating the quaint tree-lined streets leading to our 19th century Fairfax County home, thirty minutes outside of Langley. I turn into our driveway and shut off the engine. The thud of the automatic door locks unlocking echoes in the stillness. I start to pull away to open my door but Fitz retakes my hand and kisses it. He holds my hand to his lips for a couple of minutes then places my palm on his cheek. His eyes closed, he rocks backs and forth holding my palm in place. I place my other hand on Fitz's face and lean in to give an affectionate kiss. I press my brow against his and in unison we take a deep breath.

"You're going to be all right Fitz; we're going to be all right I promise."

"I know…I know. I just want you to know I love you so much Livvie." I gently pull away from our tender embrace but I notice Fitz keeps his head down, his lips now on my wrist.

"Fitz look at me my love." Fitz lifts his head to meet her concerned sparkling brown eyes.

"I have never, nor will I ever doubt your love for me and I hope the same holds true for you. Fitz you are my world, my life, my everything." Fitz nods in agreement and gives me a passionate kiss.

"You're my everything too Livvie."

"Better be, you've been chasing me since I was seven." We both laugh, kiss again and head to the front door.

Cheers and streamers greet Fitz and Olivia the moment they walk into the house. Fitz's arm is still in a sling to protect his shoulder and the black and blue bruising from the repeated punches to his face are barely noticeable. Their friends eagerly encircle them patiently taking turns hugging Fitz. He greets each friend warmly and thanks them for their concern and for coming out to welcome him home. The gathering lasts about an hour or so; no one wants to overtax Fitz, so after a couple of speeches, a few drinks and hors d'oeuvre everyone leaves except Jake and Huck.

The four friends each take a seat around the dining room table. "We've both been subpoenaed to appear before the joint special internal investigations committee," Jake informs Fitz and Olivia.

"At least they waited until Fitz was out of the hospital. I'm sure I have Cyrus to thank for that," Olivia responds.

"Guys, how bad is it? How many laws did you break to carry out my rescue?"

"Don't worry Fitz, we've got it handled," Olivia assures.

"What do you mean it's handled? The resources brought to bear for an operation of this size cannot be hidden Liv."

"And yet we did," she says smiling at Huck and Jake.

"How?"

"Let's just say I took legitimate components of already existing or planned missions and cobbled them together for what we needed to accomplish out task. Technically, I did not falsify any orders or initiate an unsanctioned op. The appropriate sign-offs and approvals were already in place. The only rogue element in this operation was me. I'm not a field agent, I'm an analyst, a damn good analyst, who executed the rescue of a highly prized asset." Olivia reaches across the table for Fitz's hand.

"Huck and Jake were scheduled to do work in Afghanistan anyway."

"Livvie...your career...is probably over."

"Maybe, maybe not, either way it's okay Fitz. My three years are up anyway but trust me they are not going to do anything remotely harsh to the fiancé of a celebrated hero."

"Wait, hero, what are talking about?"

"We kind of took out a weapons depot on our way out, so the navy and the other intelligence agencies are giving you, Jake and Huck credit for our little snatch and grab mission."

"No Livvie, it's not right. The accolades belong to the three of you. I'm the pilot who managed to destroy a 40 million dollar fighter jet and get himself captured in the process."

"Stop it Fitz. Stop it right now. Don't you ever downplay or disparage what you did over there. You accomplished your mission. Your surveillance photos prove ISIS has acquired illegal Russian munitions. Your evasive maneuvering deep into a known ISIS stronghold distracted the hostiles long enough for a strike team to eliminate a few key higher-ups. We used your aerial surveillance photos to take out the depot."

"Livvie...you deserve credit for what you did."

"It's okay Fitz, we're a team. All that matters to me is that you are home and safe. I"m an analyst, my role in this mission was to inform and advise and that is what the official record will reflect. You deserve acknowledgment, all of my boys do. You haven't forgotten what we are Fitz." Fitz looks at Olivia pensively.

"Fitz, answer me please baby."

"We're a team," he shyly admits.

"And?"

"If one wins or is promoted we both are because we are in this together."

"Fitz all the awards in the world mean nothing to me without you. I've already received the best reward; you home and safe." She kisses and squeezes his hand.

"Livvie it's not right."

"I'll be reprimanded at the least and fired at the most. If I'm fired I probably won't be able to list the agency on my resume after this little stunt. So worst case scenario, I start Olivia Pope and Associates earlier than expected."

"Sweetheart..."

"Fitz don't worry I will be fine. We have always promised to have each other's back. Since I was seven you've always been the one to save me, it was my turn and I have no regrets about my actions to get you back or fear of the consequences from those actions. If I had to sneak onto the deck of a destroyer and steal a jet I would have. Well maybe not steal, but I would have definitely borrowed one and had it detailed and gassed up before returning it."

The friends all laugh but they know Olivia is not joking. She will go to any lengths to protect her boys, especially Fitz.

"What about you two? Any indication of what the committee has in store for you?" Fitz asks.

"It's true, Huck and I were already scheduled to be Afghanistan on separate missions. We have written orders detailing our assignment changes. The reassignments are authentic top-level covert op orders. Any investigation into the origin of the new orders will get murky but not before pointing to higher-ups in the CIA, NSA or Naval intelligence chain of command. Plausible deniability my man, plausible deniability. It will take months if not years for the agencies to figure out which one sanctioned the operation thanks to our resident computer Yoda here." Jake side hugs Huck.

"You guys are amazing. A man could not ask for better friends or life partner. I love you all." Fitz stands to embrace Jake and Huck, being careful not to jar his sling arm. The teary-eyed men hug for a few minutes before Olivia moves to break up the hugfest.

"Okay you two scram. I need to give my man a proper welcome home," Olivia playfully chides wiggling her eyebrows.

Fitz scampers to open the front door. "Gentlemen, always a pleasure, however, you need to leave now!"

"Well Huck my friend it appears we have overstayed our welcome. Let's leave these two lovebirds alone."

Olivia kisses Jake and Huck goodbye and Fitz gives them a final hug.

"We'll drop in a couple days. Glad to have you back safe man," Huck tells Fitz.

"Thanks Huck, I mean for everything."

"No thanks necessary. Take care of him Liv."

"I will," she says closing the door.

Fitz POV

After closing the door, Olivia starts to clean up. I can't help but grin at my Livvie busily moving around the room picking up dip smeared plates, crumpled napkins and half filled plastic cups. She heads for the kitchen. I stand at the doorway looking at her dump the paper goods into the trash. She turns and I'm right behind her, "this can wait until tomorrow, I want to shower and go to bed." I caress her face with my unslung hand and bend down to kiss her. The kiss is slow and gentle. She wraps her arms around my neck to deepen the kiss and my arm drops down to pull her body flush with mine. My body is aflame with desire; I want her in every possible way. I rub our noses together then let my lips travel down her cheek to her neck. Her moans, oh god, the sound of her moaning drives me crazy.

I take her by the hand, lead her to our bedroom and close the door. Olivia goes into the bathroom to turn on the water. During her brief absence, I begin to undress. I kick off my shoe and nearly break the porcelain vase on the parson's table on the other side of the room in the process. I exercise a little more caution with my other shoe and toe it off. I'm shaking all over and struggling to loosen my belt buckle with one hand. Olivia reenters the room and rushes over to me.

"Babe hold on, let me help you."

She unbuckles my belt, unbuttons my pants and drops to her knees. I use her shoulder for balance, lean forward and step out of my pants and briefs after she pulls them down to my ankles. "Geez Fitz you're going to poke my eye out with that thing." Olivia exclaims teasingly. My penis is on its way to full attention. We both laugh and she gives my erection a quick peck, then stands to give me a soft kiss on the lips. She removes my sling and I stretch my arm. I really don't need the sling but after physical therapy I find my shoulder aches less if I wear it. We take off my shirt and toss it on the floor next to my pants.

"Your turn," I tell her. With a mischievous smile, she seductively starts removing her clothing. When she's finish, Olivia poses demurely before me naked save the necklace and ring we have shared for the last 17 years. That two-dollar claw machine brass ring with fake rubies is the tangible confirmation our souls are inextricably tied together. It is our cosmic shadcan, our fait accompli. Throughout our lives, at every chance encounter that simple ring has kept our hearts linked until the day we could be together. The ring is the talisman symbolically guarding our serendipitous begins and preordained destiny.

We stand at the dresser staring at each other in the mirror. I love her so much. When I was captured, all I could think about was getting back to her. Through the beatings and the torture, I kept my mind filled with visions of her, of us together. My memories of her were my refuge, my go-to happy place that enabled me to endure the pain and remain strong.

I can tell from the dim in her eyes that she is worried about me. Her gaze is probing; she is searching for something, some sign that I'm completely all right or ready to share my story. I want to be open but feel tense and uncertain. We've avoided the conversation about my experience so far and for reasons I don't quite understand I want to delay the discussion for as long as possible. I want tell her what happened. I need to tell her, get it off my chest and out of my mind. Olivia is my best friend and I know I can share my innermost thoughts with her without the fear of judgment or recrimination.

I'm pulled from my introspective thoughts when she takes the ring, kisses it and moves to place it on my jewelry butler. I take the hand holding the ring and kiss it too before she places it on the tray. We smile at each other, happy to be sharing our unspoken ritual again.

Flashback

Olivia's Freshman Year, the National High School Debate Conference in NYC

"Liv we're going to catch a cab to the debate, Ms. Plimpton says the transport shuttle broke down on its way here and the replacement won't get here time.

"The subway is only a block away and would be faster."

"Yeah maybe but Ms. Plimpton doesn't want us to get lost or subway sweaty."

"Okay, let's go across the street so we're headed in the right direction. Last thing we need is some fare pumping taxi driver trying to rip us off."

"You see that's why I like you Pope always thinking ahead. I bet you have at least three routes to the school already memorized," Abby says.

"Yes I do thanks to Huck."

"What is it with you two? He was a loner and an odd duck until he hooked up with you. Now you two are peat and repeat."

"Ha, ha, very funny Abs, no one ever took the time to get to know him. He is really smart, funny and a sweetheart. He's a great friend."

"I know, I know, he's my friend too thanks to you. I wish he were here; he could help us sneak off and explore the city. Old Grandma Dyson over there is not a "seize the day" type of gal."

Unfortunately, Abby, my cousin Harrison and I drew the short straw and got Preston Academy's oldest living chaperon, Gertrude Dyson; the woman has to be 90 years old. She smells like tiger balm mixed with peppermint and can barely walk but she has superhuman hearing and mad spidey senses.

We jaywalk cross the street to hail a cab in front of a swanky hotel. We're in luck, a father and son are arriving just as we get there. The door to the cab swings open and we can hear the two in the middle of a heated argument. They pay no attention to us and after a couple of minutes, the son bolts out of the cab almost knocking poor Mrs. Dyson over. He apologizes as he makes his way past us heading toward the hotel. We make eye contact for a brief second and smile. There is something familiar about the son. He's tall with gel tamed curly brown hair and haunting blue eyes. For a minute, I think I know him but I have no time to ponder the connection because we need to get the debate. The father pays the cab driver and we quickly pile into the cab after he exits. I get in last, plop down but I immediately hop up because something sharp jabs me in butt. I reach behind me to retrieve the sharp object and I can't believe what I sat on. It's my ring, the ring Fitz gave me, the one I lost in the museum four years ago. Oh my god, that would mean the boy who saved me was Fitz. No,no, no…it's impossible. Or is it? Was the voice I heard calling my name Fitz? Could it really be…no, things like this never happen in real life. But this is the same gold chain my mother gave me before she died. Her initials are etched on the clasp. It's the same brass ring with the one missing fake ruby. The cab begins to pull away and I can hear the young man's voice shouting, "stop that cab". I turn to look out the back window and I see the young man running towards the cab waving his hands. No, it can't be. He's tall and so handsome. I roll down the window and lean out with the necklace in my hand.

"Ms. Pope what are you doing, sit down," Mrs. Dyson orders.

I pay no attention to her because I have to know if the young man is Fitz.

"Fitz", I yell holding up the ring. The young man stops, then starts running toward me.

"Olivia" he yells.

I scream, "Stop the cab, stop the cab."

"Olivia we can't we'll be late, plus we've already pulled away." Harrison says.

"Olivia," Fitz shouts again.

"Olivia who is that guy", Abby asks.

I lean out the window further holding the ring to my lips. "I remember Fitz, I remember you," I shout back.

"Olivia, oh god Olivia", Fitz yells.

Our cab merges into a sea of yellow cabs and disappears into traffic. Fitz stops running, he stands at the curb, and his hand is reaching out to me. I fall back onto the seat, kiss the ring again and put the necklace around my neck. I start crying and curse fate for close encounters of the unrequited kind

Flashback Fitz's POV

I stop in front of the revolving bronze and glass door of the hotel. After arguing with my father about taking Mellie to her junior prom, I feel the need to put on the necklace. I always carry the ring with me and when I argue with my dad, which happens quite often these days, wearing the ring calms me down. I reach into my front pocket for the necklace but it's not there. I frantically rummage through my jacket and pants; it was here earlier, where could I have lost it. The cab, I was holding it my hand in the cab. I turn around to run back to the cab. My dad tries to grab my arm but I sidestep his grasp.

"Stop that cab" I shout to the bellman. He holds the door to the cab in front of him open.

"Not that one the other one", I yell.

I run past him trying to reach the cab I was just in. I'm almost to the cab when a young woman leans out the window. She has the ring in her hand. "Fitz", she yells holding up the ring. I stop dead in my tracks. Olivia, it's Olivia, that's why she looked familiar.

"Olivia", I shout back and start running towards her. I see her kiss the ring, then she shouts, "I remember Fitz, I remember you." I stop running once I reach the curb, not realizing my hand is outstretched to her until another cab pulls up to me asking where I'm headed. This is the second time we've been together and not known it. I have faith there will be a third time and that third time will be the charm.

The Present, Olivia's POV

He looks at me with such desire in his eyes the anticipation of his amorous touch is enough to give me an orgasm. I can sense what he wants to do to me and it stirs an unquenchable fire in all my erogenous zones. My body trembles and my womanly region is dripping wet. The air in the room grows thick and heavy. "Livvie", he whispers, beckoning me to him. I slowly move toward him desperately trying to keep my own desire in restraint because all I want to do is pounce on him like a panther and show him how I've missed him, how much I love, him, how much I need him. The bruising on his face is almost gone. A few broken capillaries remain but all in all my handsome Fitz is intact. Our kiss is long deep and probing. We suck lips to the point of chafing. Our tongues eagerly reacquaint themselves and search for undiscovered points of contact. He tastes of strawberries, ranch dip and a hint of pale ale. I'll get on him about drinking while on meds later, for now I don't want to talk I want to feel. I want to be as close as possible to my friend and lover. I need to feel his mouth gliding over my skin. I need his large hands fondling my breasts and gripping my hips. I need his ample manhood deep inside of me pounding away, bringing me to the brink. I need him to consume me with a passion that makes me scream, see stars and lose my mind in rapturous bliss. I need him. My desire for him is not steeped in lust, it is a need for sensual communion born from unconditional love.

Fitz's POV

I kiss the ring and place it on the butler. Her skin, her perfume and the smell of her hair is intoxicating. I kiss her and she leans back into me. I massage her breasts, twisting her nipples like the tumbler on a safe. She whimpers succumbing to my touch. I'll save the foreplay for later, right now I just want to be inside of her, I want to connect with her. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I bend her forward slightly. "Open for me baby", I whisper her ear. She widens her stance and I enter slowly from behind. I almost ejaculate upon becoming fully sheathed within her; the magnificent contracting of her welcoming inner walls sends a euphoric jolt of pleasure throughout my body as I slide in and out of the folds of her warm slick texture. I am home at last making love to my soulmate and it feels heavenly. I pump in and out slowly at first, and then settle on a thrusting pace comfortable to both of us. Her hips buffet backward and forward meeting me stroke for stroke. She braces her hands against the edge of the dresser. We purr together in unison as we approach climax. She falls back against my chest and I bite and lick the lobe of her ear. She cranes her neck so that our tongues can engage in a frenzied oral dance. My stomach begins to tighten and my urge to release overtakes me. I explode within her and I keep cumming as her walls constrict, milking me for all I'm worth. I sense no end to my orgasm, I'm out of control, I can't stop ramming into her, she can't stop squeezing and pulling me in. Our ecstasy is raw, pure and transcendent. We're both screaming I love you as our bodies erupt in an explosive crescendo. We stand hunched over using the dresser for support, panting, trying to catch our breath. She twists her body to give me a toe-curling kiss. I'm still inside of her. I don't want to detach from her. I need...we need this connection to last a little longer. I move her hair away from her neck so I have greater access to kiss and lick her buttery soft skin. I walk us backward until my legs bump into our bed, then I gently ease us down, mindful to maintain our sexual link. We sit down, her sumptuous folds are open and exposed as her legs dangle on each side of mine. I drag my tongue along her spine and rub her moist swollen clit, eliciting breathless whispers of my name that push my arousal button and make me rock hard in an instant. I lift her off my lap, lay her on the bed and get on top of her. I forget the pain in my shoulder as I intertwine our fingers above her head and enter her again. Her hips buck to meet my rhythmic pounding. She takes my left nipple between her teeth and alternates between sucking and biting. The feel of her teeth and moist heat of her mouth on my nub makes my balls retract. Our gaze remains fixed and our eyes fill with happy blissful tears. Neither of us can look away, we couldn't even if we wanted to, our desire for connection is too great. We fall over the cliff again lost in the joy of our oneness.

"God I love you Livvie. I cannot image my life without you."

She caresses my face and kisses me softly.

"Good thing you never will have to."

"Thank Olivia for being the love of my life."

"My pleasure, my heart and soul", she says resting her head on my chest.

"Fitz, what's that noise?"

"What noise?"

We both sit up. Bubbles are seeping from under the bathroom door.

"Liv, did you turn on the shower or the tub?"

"Shit! Grab some towels."

A/N- Fitz and Olivia have a magical tie that keeps bringing them together and each encounter strengthens their invisible bond. Olivia and Huck are couple smart cookies don't you think? They could teach the military a few tricks. LOL

I love the friendship between Olivia and "her boys", don't you?

Don't worry, Fitz will recover completely with the help of Olivia, Jake and Huck.

There are probably only three or four more chapters to this story, it was only meant to be a short, "help me get over the direction of show" story. The next chapter will cover Olitz meeting as adults.

Scandal may have destroyed Olitz but I promise to keep writing them as I believe they should be written – strong, committed and faithful; that's what I tuned in for and that's what I hope will become a revelation to writers as some point.

I posted a sneak peek of Desert Princess on Tumblr.

post/134332382334/desert-princess-chapter-25-sneak-peek

The link is also on Twitter.

Until next time, thank you for reviewing, following and favoriting. Take care and Happy Holidays.