AN- Say what, three chapters in three weeks? Yeah baby that's right, three chapters in three weeks, the muses are on a roll so I'm going with the flow.

Tri-Olitz

Chapter 8

Some things are destined to be—it just takes us a couple of tries to get there". J.R. Ward

Olivia POV

What's happening? One minute I'm in an ambulance, the next a wall of faceless bodies clad in white and green are rushing me to the emergency room. Everything around me is a disjointed blur of confusing images. I feel out-of-sync with time and reality. Fitz holding my hand is the only thing anchoring me in the present but with every revolution of the gurney's wheels, I can feel Fitz's grip loosening. The gurney suddenly comes to a halt and I'm lifted on a three count unto a hospital bed. In the midst of the hustle and bustle to get me situated, I momentarily lose eye contact with Fitz and the next thing I know Fitz is no longer holding my hand. As the faceless bodies begin to thin out, I catch a glimpse of two nurses pushing a resistant Fitz out the door. My touchstone to reality is gone and I am alone in a room of strangers.

The bright ceiling lights, the sterile white walls and the constant bombardment of questions about my physical status add to my mounting uneasiness. Memories of my mother's last moments in the hospital that fateful night long ago fill my mind. I remember my distraught father holding my hand as we ran alongside the gurney rolling my mother down the white walled hallway and the garbled voices of nurses and doctors shouting out vitals and instructions. So much activity was swirling around me that night, my seven-year-old mind must have blocked out a great deal in order to cope. Now I remember everything and feel fear, an overwhelming sense of loss and grief well up within me.

Taking in deep breaths, I try to focus. The urge to flee is pressing. Run, I need escape this place. Nothing good ever happens in a hospital. Pain and suffering reside inside these walls and I want no part of it. Where is Abby? Oh god, is she dead?

"I have to get out of here", I say as I try to rise from the bed only to be pushed down firmly by one the attending nurses.

"Ms. Pope you are in no condition to leave. We need to dress your head wound and tend to your burn. Please calm down or we'll be forced to restrain you".

Where is Fitz? He is here. I know it. He is not a figment of my imagination. He saved me. He was with me. He cradled me in his arms and promised me everything would be all right. He promised to stay with me but he's not here. Where is he? Run I think, run and find Fitz.

Monitors are beeping all around me, a blood pressure cuff is cutting off the circulation in my arm and a thermometer is wedged under my tongue like a harpoon.

"Patient is a 20 year old female, BP is 140/90, heart rate 80, respiration 24, temperature 98.8, pupils are equal but sluggish, probable trauma from head impacting a steering wheel, laceration at hairline, second degree burns to the right leg, minor smoke inhalation, and moderate ligature abrasion and bruising from seat restraint.

"Look, I'm fine, bandage my leg, give me an aspirin and let me go home".

I use the rolling instrument table as a crutch and try to get up from the bed once more. My head is pounding and throbbing at the same time and the pain from my leg is excruciating. I collapse back onto the bed winded from my injuries. Damn more pain, I wince at the rough insertion the IV into my arm.

"Do you know where you are Ms. Pope? Are you in any pain? Do you know what happened to you?

What the hell? Who the fuck asked that stupid ass question? Of course, I'm in pain and you are inflicting more. Do I know what happened? Yes, I'm quite clear on what happened. I just escaped plummeting to my death in a fiery inferno atop a two-door sedan funeral pyre. I remember Fitz rappelling down to save me and the car giving way the moment I'm secure in his arms. I remember screaming his name and reaching out to him. I remember watching the car crash and explode beneath us. I remember seeing the fast moving fire consume the dry brush and I remember feeling the flames nipping at the soles of my feet. Oh and the smoke, the smoke was everywhere. The heat from the blaze; god it was so hot. I kept kicking and twisting to avoid the flames but it was useless. I could feel the fire scorching my skin.

I'm not sure how it is I'm still alive; how we are alive. My car goes over a cliff, it explodes in a ball of flames and I survive. Sweet Jesus, when did my life turn into a Lifetime movie. I can't stay here, I can't think, I can't breathe. Where is Fitz?

"Fii…itz help me! Help! Fii…itz! Don't you touch me! Go away! Leave me alone!"

"Ms. Pope, Calm down! Calm down!"

Are they serious? Fuck calming down; I'm having a nervous breakdown.

"Fitz! Fii…iitz! Where are you! You promised, you promised!"

Fitz POV

I promised not to leave her. After the ambulance arrives at the hospital, a whirlwind of uniforms descend on us en masse. Keeping pace with the gurney became increasingly difficult the closer we got to the emergency room. Once we reach the examining area Olivia's hand slips from my grasp and the attending nurses brusquely push me out of the room.

Minutes later I hear Olivia screaming my name. My heart stops hearing the fear whelming her cries. Completely forgetting I am in the middle of giving a statement, I sprint back to the examining room. Olivia needs me and that trumps anything and everything. Pushing open the door, I find Olivia standing next to the bed fending off two nurses and a doctor with a silver instrument table. When she sees me, she immediately extends her arms to me, wordlessly begging me to help her, to rescue her. I run to her, sweep her up my arms and push the tray table away. She throws her arms around my neck clinging to me with all her might, whimpering between hyperventilated breaths, "you're here, you're not a dream, you saved me again".

"Yes Olivia, I'm here. You're safe. Can you calm down for me? Look at me. It's just you and me okay. Come on; breathe in and out with me". Even bruised and disheveled she is a breathtaking beauty.

Jake after hightailing it after me stands at the door watching us with concern. I wink to him letting him know I've got this. He nods his head and goes back to finish giving his statement to the highway patrol.

I lay her on the bed and I brush the back of my hand along her jawline to calm her. We spend the next few minutes attuning our breaths. I hold her trembling body to my chest, gently rocking her back and forth until our hearts beat in unison.

"I don't want them touching me Fitz", she whispers into my chest.

"Ms. Pope we need to examine you and finish treating your injuries.

The doctor's tone is soft and sympathetic. Olivia refuses look at the doctor, she continues to bury her face in my chest. The doctor looks to me for guidance. I rub Olivia's arm and give the doctor a bobble head nod.

"Olivia, I will stay in the room with you the entire time. I will not leave you, I promise. Please let them help you Olivia, please". I kiss the top of her head and rub her back.

"You promise to stay with me?" I look at the doctor who acknowledges it will be allright.

Olivia gives an acquiescent nod of the head. I hug her gently and step aside.

"I'm going to stand over there where you can see me while the doctor and nurses treat you, okay".

"No", Olivia snaps shaking her head and gripping my shirt. I glance at the doctor who is already waiting to give me an understanding nod of approval.

"All right Olivia I won't leave your side".

The doctor proceeds to examine Olivia with me holding her hand.

After the doctor and nurses leave, I climb onto the bed and take Olivia in my arms. Her being in my arms feels extraordinary, natural and familiar. I have no doubt in my mind we belong together. Today's events prove the universe has linked our hearts and souls. She is it for me.

I think I hear her mutter something but she is so still I dismiss the thought, but then I hear it again.

"Olivia did you say something?" Olivia lifts her head to look me in the face. She whispers the words again and takes my hand to place it on her cheek.

"My hero", she says with watery eyes.

I kiss the top of her head and think to myself, Olivia, I'll be whatever you want me to be. You are already my world.

Harrison POV

After Olivia falls asleep Fitz steps out of the room to look for Jake and runs into Harrison.

"Fitz is it?" Harrison asks extending his hand. Fitz nods. Harrison Wright, Olivia's cousin".

"Man, I have no words to express my and my family's gratitude for what you did today. Risking your life to save my cousin, I...I…I just". Harrison grabs Fitz in a bear hug, tears of thankfulness stream down his cheeks. He releases Fitz after a minute or so, wipes his eyes, straightens his posture and returns to his manly stance.

"You and your friend Jake saved both of them, right".

"Yes, I could not have rescued Olivia or Abby without Jake's help".

A tall brown-haired doctor wearing black kippah enters the waiting area.

"Is the family of Olivia Pope here?"

"Yes, I'm her cousin", Harrison says stepping forward. "How is she? Can I see here?"

"Yes, however, before you go in, I'd like to have a word with you". The doctor motions for Harrison to step away so he can speak to him in private.

"Doctor is something wrong? Is Olivia okay?"

"We want to keep your cousin overnight for observation but she insists on going home".

"How bad are her injuries?"

"She sustained a moderate concussion, skull laceration and second degree burns to one leg. She also has some minor bruising across her chest from the seatbelt. She's in no condition to take care of herself, at least for the next few days. The residual affects from the concussion will impair her balance and possibly her vision. I advise she stay here unless someone will be around to observe and care for her for the next 72 hours. If you decide to take her home and she exhibits other symptoms or if the ones I mentioned worsen you will need to bring her to the hospital immediately".

"What other symptoms should we be on the lookout for?"

"Nausea, sluggishness, neck pain, slurred speech or ringing in the ears. Wake her up every couple of hours for the next 24 hours and bring her back in three days for a follow-up visit". Harrison's phone rings.

"Thank you doctor, can you excuse me for a minute". The doctor tells Harrison he needs to attend to other patients but he'll work his way back to Olivia's room before she is discharged. Harrison shakes the doctor's hand then answers his phone.

"Hey Uncle Eli. Yes, I just spoke with the doctor. Liv is okay, a concussion, bruising and second-degree burns. She doesn't want to stay overnight in the hospital. I know, I know, bad memories".

Fitz overhears Harrison's conversation and remembers Olivia's mother died of cancer and surmises Olivia's objection to staying overnight has something to do that hospital experience. He thinks, no wonder she wants to leave as soon as possible. Harrison walks farther down the hallway away from Fitz.

"Unc, you will not believe who rescued her".

"Who", Eli asks.

"It was the guy from her sketch, Fitz". The phone goes silent. Eli cannot believe what he is hearing.

"Uncle…Uncle Eli are you there?"

"Yes I'm here. Are you sure Harrison? Are you sure it's him?"

"Yes, I've talked to him and he's standing thirty feet away from me. Uncle Eli the man repelled down a burning cliff twice to save her".

"Did he know it was her?"

"Not at first, how could he?"

"Harry I'm at the airport. I will be in LA by nine. I'll meet you at the house. Tell Olivia I love her and I'm on my way".

"Okay Unc, see you soon".

Later that night a yellow cab drops Eli off in front of a Zuma beachfront home in Malibu. He walks to the front door pulling his luggage behind him. Harrison having seen the cab drive up from living room window opens the door before Eli has chance to ring the doorbell. The two quickly embrace and Harrison helps Eli in with his luggage.

"How did you know I was here?"

"I checked the status of your flight and estimated your arrival time. I've looking out the window for the last 15 minutes".

"Where is she?"

"Upstairs asleep in the third bedroom. I'll put your luggage in the downstairs bedroom", Harrison says taking the suitcase handle in hand.

"Thanks Harry. Eli pats Harrison on the shoulder and heads upstairs to see Olivia.

Eli slowly opens Olivia's bedroom and is surprised by what he sees. Olivia is in bed with her arms wrapped around Fitz. Both are asleep. Suddenly music starts to play. Fitz wakes first and gently strokes Olivia's face.

"Olivia, time to wake up sweetheart".

"Uhn-uhn, not again. I'm tired Fitz, let me sleep".

"No can do kid, you heard the doctor, every couple of hours".

Eli takes the opportunity to make his presence known. "Olivia".

Olivia pops up at the sound of her father's voice. "Daddy, you're here!"

Eli rushes over to the bed. Fitz gets up to make room for Eli. "Yes baby, daddy is here". Eli glances up at Fitz and mouths thank you. Fitz leaves the room so Eli and Olivia can talk. Father and daughter hold each other crying for the next several minutes.

"How are you feeling baby girl?"

"Tired, achy and my head hurts. If I move my leg, the pain from the burn gets worse. Considering how things could have gone, I feel pretty good", she smiles.

"Vee, I don't know what I would have done if I lost you. When Harrison called and said you were in an accident my mind went blank and my body numb. You are all I have Vee, all I have left of your mother". Eli draws Olivia in closer and hugs her tighter. Nothing is said for a while, nothing needs to be said. Olivia is safe and in relatively good shape and that is all that matters.

"So Fitz, that's…that's…uhm".

"I think the words you're searching for dad are incredible, a miracle, unbelievable, inconceivable…amazing".

"Olivia I don't know to make of this. I've never heard of anything close to this. This connection you and Fitz share I …I …cannot fathom the meaning or purpose. What I do know is you two have a destiny unlike any other. For some reason your lives are intertwined in a way defying time and reason. If I didn't know the truth I'd call your story a work of fiction or a fanciful tale. Where do you two plan to go from here?"

"Honestly, I have no idea dad. We really haven't had a chance to say more than a few words to each other. I have no idea why he and Jake were on the highway, why they stopped to help us or why they are in LA". Olivia tugs at Eli's shirt. The pounding from her headache is still present but her mind is filled with questions about Fitz. Is this it? Is this the end of their star-crossed connection or is there more to their story? In her heart, she feels this is the beginning of something great. The unanswered question is does Fitz feel the same way.

Eli kisses Olivia on the head. "Well I guess you should get the answers to those questions, don't you". Olivia squeezes and kisses Eli's hand. "I'll send him back in". He kisses her on each cheek and leaves.

Fitz is standing in the hallway, one leg bent with the heel of his foot against the wall. His hands are in his pockets, his head down and his eyes are closed. His mind is so absorbed with thoughts of Olivia he doesn't hear Eli approach.

"Fitz, Eli says. Fitz's head snaps in the direction of Eli's voice. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you".

"No need to apologize, I was just a little preoccupied thinking". Fitz extends his hand to Eli, Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, pleasure to meet you sir".

"Eli Pope and the honor is mine Fitzgerald. Today you saved my baby girl from a horrible death and I am forever in your debt. I can never repay you for what you did. If there is ever anything I can do for you, anything at all..." Eli breaks down. Knowing he almost lost Olivia is too much for him. Fitz takes hold him and lets him weep against his shoulder. Eli quickly regains his composure and wipes away his tears. Having no appropriate words to express his gratitude, Eli takes Fitz's hand and pats it affectionately.

"I think you and my daughter need to talk. Are you spending the night?"

"I promised Olivia I'd stay with her. My friend Jake will bring me a change of clothes in the morning".

"I'll have my nephew fix up one guest rooms for you, although I suspect Olivia expects you to stay with her tonight".

"Uh…uh…I've been waking her every couple of hours as the doctor instructed".

Eli laughs, "no need to be nervous son. You've more than proven you are a trustworthy young man".

"Thank you sir, I try to be".

"Good man, now go have a talk with my daughter".

"Yes sir".

Entering the bedroom, Fitz finds Olivia sitting at the foot of the bed massaging her temples. He quietly closes the door and walks toward her.

"Head still bothering you?"

"Yeah, although the ringing in my ears has stopped, so I guess that's progress".

Fitz smiles warmly locking eyes with Olivia. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" Olivia pats the space on the bed next to her.

"Where do we begin?"

"How about we start with formal introductions?" Offering her hand to him, "Olivia Carolyn Pope, rescuee".

Taking her hand in his, "Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, rescuer".

"Strange, I've known you since I was seven and have never known your complete name. Hey Grant, any relation to Senator Grant from California?"

"Unfortunately, yes".

"Dare I ask you to elaborate?"

"That Ms. Pope is a story for another time, I wouldn't want to cause the ringing to return to your ears", he smirks.

"Next question, why are you in LA?"

"Jake and I are training for the San Francisco Triathlon, kind of a last hoorah before we enter the navy in the fall". Olivia gasps.

Fitz grabs her hand. "Olivia, are you okay? Are you in pain?"

"No, it's not that. Fitz, Abby and I are here training for the triathlon too".

"What?"

"Abby and I are here training for the San Francisco Triathlon too".

"Hm". Fitz looks straight forward, stupefied by Olivia's revelation.

"Hm". Olivia looks straight forward too, speechless and just as perplexed.

"Fitz I think I need to lay down".

"I think I need to lie down too".

They crawl to the head of the bed and lie down. Near proximity alters their individual breathing patterns and within minutes, both their chests are rising and falling together. Their hands inch toward the open space between them and instinctively entwine. Fitz's large strong hand shelters Olivia's as he curls their hands into one joined unit. An unconscious certainty of "this is meant to be", hidden in the form of a warm feeling travels instantly from their hands to their souls. Turning to face one another, they bask in the silence of the moment each quietly contemplating the meaning of their ever-unfolding serendipitous relationship.

Using his free hand, Fitz gently takes hold of Olivia's chin. "Olivia whatever this connection is between us I want to explore it further and see where it takes us. Although in my heart I'm sure where our destiny lies, I hope you feel the same way too".

"I'm in total agreement with you Fitz but I think we should start off as friends first. I have strong feelings for you and I don't want these feeling to interfere with or cause us to skip over any part of our journey together; if that makes sense".

"It does because I'm equally attracted to you. So let's get acquainted as friends first before for we really, really get to know one another", he says with a wink and a wiggle his eyebrows. Olivia blushes.

"Agreed". They shake hands, the playful contact sending a mutual spark throughout their bodies. Olivia wraps her arms around Fitz and rests her head on his chest. They snuggle as if they have done it for years and drift off to sleep smiling.

"Are you sure your father has no reservations about you coming home so soon Miss Mellie", Helga her chaperon asks. Mellie is racing around their hotel room packing her belongings.

"Helga, I'm going home. You can finish out our itinerary compliments of my father or you can return to the states with me and go home, the choice is yours but understand I'm out of here and on a flight to New York in three hours. Something has come up which requires my immediate attention". Mellie locks the latches on her brown and tan Louis Vuitton steamer trunk before disappearing to the bathroom to collect her mountain of toiletries.

As planned, three hours later Mellie is sitting in first class sipping champagne and scrolling through the headlines of various American news sites on her IPad. The edges of her mouth curl up in a sinister smile.

Senator Grant's Son Heralded A Hero

Hero Fitzgerald Grant III, Son of Prominent Republican California Senator Saves Two Lives

Saved From Fiery Death Thanks To Son of Senator Grant

The second the plane lands, Mellie pulls out her cell phone and taps the second name on her contacts list. After a couple of rings, a deep booming voice answers.

"Well hello there, I've been expecting your call". Mellie grins with delight.

"Big Gerry I'm home".

AN- Well, there you have it. Olivia and Fitz are together at last. Cuteness and sexy time are up ahead and another encounter with Mellie McCrazy. What do you think she and Big Gerry plan to do?

I love receiving your feedback, so if you have a chance please write a review.

For you Desert Princess fans, I'll be dropping a sneak peek very soon.

Have a great week.