*taps the mic*

Is this thing on?

I just wanted to say thank you for all the wishes and prayers, Grad school is coming along slowly but surely. And thank you to those who send reviews or private messages, they are the absolute best as are all of you.

Part 1:

Previously:

He touches her waist, fingers gliding up along her ribs, along the soft touch of skin below her breasts, but never actually touching her where she desires.

"Yes, I have a boyfriend….We said we would be mature about this."

"Why are you calling me, it's late?"

She freezes and Fitz removes his hands from her. She stare at him in fear or sadness, he can't tell.

He tries to get her off him but she doesn't budge.

Without a word she hangs up the phone and looks at him ruefully.

"That was Daniel." He answers for Olivia.

"Yes." She whispers

"I thought you broke up?"

"We did…"

"Why is he calling you?"

Her heart is beating out of her chest, her throat painfully dry.

"Livvie?"

"It's your mom."

He's frozen. His heart managed to stop beating, his senses slowed, all he can hear is his heart throbbing in his ears.

"What about her?"

"She had a stroke."

X

The flight was thick and filled with tension. They didn't talk much afterwards, both quietly retreating into their shell. All that Fitz does recall is him and Olivia leaving the bed and breakfast the next morning and on the first flight to California . When Olivia told him that she would be accompanying him, he didn't try to protest or attempt to be strong. He simply grabbed her bags and assisted her to the car.

"Are you okay?"

He turns to her "I'm not sure how to answer that."

Reaching over the console she holds Fitz's hand in hers.

"My family waited to call me and tell me that my mom had a stroke. And Daniel had the audacity to call you and expect what? A pity fuck? " He bites his lip to stop himself from saying something he might end up regretting.

"There are no words for Daniel."

"Why would he do that? I expected that from Jerry because that's who he is but not Daniel. I thought we were getting along last time we met."

"Do you think he knows about us?"

Fitz turns to look at Olivia "No, If Daniel knew I was dating you then he would be calling your phone and mine damning us to an eternal hell."

Olivia laughs "well, at least I would be in good company."

"The best company." Fitz winks at Olivia.

The pull into a luxurious home, the stucco house sits alone with a magnificent view of the ocean. The perfectly landscaped house, is every bit of the California dream. This would be a great vacation home if the situation was different.

"Fitz, are you sure Stephen is okay with us staying here?"

"Yeah." Fitz shakes his head "we have been best friends since junior high. Stephen is more like a brother to me than Daniel will ever be."

They walk into the spacious foyer, the home is modern, sophisticated, and completely isolated. Fitz gives Olivia a tour of the seven bedroom, eight bathroom house, filled with a movie theater, and bar.

Olivia stares down at the chalk white sheets in their bedroom how the superb view coming from their window seems to make the room larger and grander in it's appearance.

"What do we do now?" Olivia asked looking down at a pensive Fitz.

"She's at Cedars, I'm going to go over there and check on her, find out what the hell happened."

"Okay." Olivia shakes her head but stares at Fitz for a moment "you don't want me to come with you." She states calmly.

"I can't. If you show up with me then all it would do is cause more drama and right now my focus is on my mom."

Olivia nods her head and kisses Fitz gently on the lips "I understand, and I respect that."

"I never said thank you for stopping your busy schedule to be with me. It …it means more to me than you know."

Sitting up from the bed, Olivia moves to stand in front of Fitz "I'm glad to be here with you, Fitz."

He smiles down at Olivia before dropping a kiss on her forehead "I'm leaving."

"Okay, let me know how it goes?"

"I will. But what will you do?"

Olivia laughs as she jumps on the bed "don't worry about me mister, I'm sure I can figure out somethings to do in your absence."

Fitz gives Olivia a sly look "don't have too much fun without me."

"I can't promise you that."

/

Jet lag, Olivia took a long nap. Something she hasn't done in some time, it's oddly painfully to admit that Olivia can't recall the last time she called in from work or took a leave of absence, it's never happened before. Work, is her domain, it gives her a sense of purpose, enjoyment. Work keeps her busy and takes her mind off her own troubles and issues. But when the phone ranged and it was Daniel, she knew that she would have to put aside her job and career in support of Fitz. Those few weeks at the Grant ranch all but confirmed to Olivia that the Grant family is filled with pariah's and with Helen sick then that means Fitz would be alone with them, and all their evil influences.

Olivia turns over in the bed and chuckles sadly at her definition of the Grant family and her adding Daniel to group of monsters. She knows, Daniel wasn't like this, he was kind, caring and equally devoted to his job as she is with hers. Yet when she saw him with his brother she saw a different side of Daniel; aloof, cold, fake. The brothers clearly have animosity towards one another but that still does not take away that they are siblings and that they at least have one another in this world unlike her who has no one. No siblings, no cousins, no family. She is alone in this world, she's grown to accept her circumstance but Fitz isn't like her, he wasn't a child that saw not having parents as normal, he had a mother, he had someone that nurtured and loved him. Olivia grew to take care of herself, she had no choice but to learn from nature instead of nurture, she's found this sense of self-preservation to be the key to her survival and overall outcome. Even if Helen does get better, she knows that Fitz's relationship with Daniel will be severed.

When Daniel called her before calling his own brother she saw the look on Fitz's face, the clear pain that his father called him an hour later to inform him that his mother had a stroke. Olivia did not want to come back to California and not under these conditions but she knew if she did not come for Fitz then who would? Being here with Fitz could very well destroy her career and reputation if word got out that she was dating Daniel's brother but there are things worth risking and Fitz is worth all the risk.

She is here to support Fitz but also to save him from his father, something she knew right away that she would be unable to fulfill with Daniel. She cannot save both brothers but she can save one; and Olivia made her choice. Does she feel contempt and shame that she flew across the country to support her new boyfriend when her ex-boyfriend of one year called her for the same comfort and she refused him. But how exactly can she look at him after what he has done, she can't tolerate the sound of his voice better yet the thought of seeing him. What Daniel has done to Fitz has completely confirmed Olivia's disdain for him and removed any since of feelings from the picture. Olivia thought Daniel was better than this but clearly she judged him wrong, he is not a man of character and his attempt of exploiting his mother's illness only further causes Olivia to cringe and take note of his level of wickedness.

"Hey Abby."

"How's it going?"

"I just woke up from a nap."

"Where's Fitz?"

"He left to go see his mom at the hospital."

"You didn't go with him?"

"Now is not the time to introduce me as Fitz's new girlfriend when I was just there a few months ago as his brother's girlfriend."

"Right."

"I'm appreciative of him wanting me to stay here, though."

"Are you?"

"I am." Olivia answers truthfully "Emotions are running high and me walking into the hospital with Fitz would only complicate matters more. I'm relieved."

"That was nice of you to travel to California on a whim to support Fitz. I can't recall you doing that for any other boyfriend of yours."

"Well…" Olivia sits up in the bed as she plays with the blanket "that's because Fitz is different. Fitz has been there for me and it's only fair that I be there for him. Plus, I don't trust his family."

"Daniel?"

"Both. Daniel and Jerry. You know Daniel called me first before Fitz knew his mother had a stroke."

"What an asshole."

"He even used his mother's illness as a ploy for sympathy."

"That's low."

"He wanted me to come to California with him."

Abby laughs "you came alright just with his brother."

"I've come to terms with the fact that I can't save them both, what Daniel did was inexcusable and I won't let that family hurt Fitz, not now that Helen is sick. If I didn't come then I would be worried about what kind of state Fitz would be in? What would Jerry do to him?"

"Liv, you make it sound like Jerry is a monster."

"He is Abby." Olivia confirms "He's calculating, cutthroat and ruthless. I've heard him ordering Fitz to screw some women just in order to get a contract. That's not even the worse thing I heard Jerry say to Fitz. Jerry wants to control Fitz; that is the terrifying part of this whole ordeal

"Why does he want Fitz when he has Daniel?"

"Because Daniel isn't the one. Fitz, is. I see it. Jerry sees it. Helen sees it. Fitz, is different, he's meant to be great Abby."

"And do you feel like he's wasting his potential?"

"I think he's great regardless of what he does, but as much as I love hearing Fitz talk about his kids and his class, that's not it. That's not who he is destined to be or become."

"What does Jerry want for Fitz?"

"He wants him to become President."

"Wow."

Olivia plops down on the bed, scooting further into the covers.

"And you?"

"I can see Fitz in politics as much as I don't want to say that and especially not in front of him."

"You see it too?"

"I do." She whispers.

"Maybe you and Jerry have more in common than you thought."

"No." Olivia sits up shaking her head adamantly "no, never. I will never push or force Fitz into anything he does not want. I support him Abby and he supports me. Fitz wanting to be a teacher doesn't diminish his star in my eyes."

"Liv?"

"Yeah? What happens if things don't get better and you have to be around those people."

"Then I will just have to see where it goes from here."

"If Jerry is as dangerous as you claim him to be then you need to be careful too." Abby advises

"I know." Olivia whispers. And she does know. It would be a lie to say she doesn't have concerns if Jerry or Daniel found out about her and Fitz, what would they do. How would they retaliate?

/

She's waited an hour, hoping Fitz would send a text letting her know that he made it to the hospital safely and that Helen is okay. But nothing. No word. No phone call. No text.

"Is everything okay?" she sends him another text and she watches as the phone turn from sent to read. He's reading her messages and refusing to call.

She shakes her head angrily at him, what could have happened that Fitz would reject her messages? She flew to California to be with him, to comfort him, to support him, and this is how he treats her?

She calls this time and he rejects her phone call.

She's completely mystified, dumbfounded that he could behave this way and treat her so coldly.

She slams her phone down, if Fitz wants to be childish then she will let him.

Hours went by and Fitz has yet to return her phone call or send a text message, something is wrong. Something has to be wrong. Immediately her mind drifts to Helen.

"Is Helen okay?" Olivia sends a text message to Daniel knowing that he would be with Fitz.

Instantly he responds "she's stable. Thank you for asking."

"Who's there with you?"

"Just the family." He responds

Olivia shakes her head disappointedly at Fitz's actions. Helen is fine and Fitz is there but he just doesn't want to talk to her.

"How are you?" she texted back knowing it would be inconsiderate not to ask about his feelings considering his mother is fighting for her life in a hospital.

"I'm hanging in there for her." He sends quickly

"Thank you for checking on me." He follows

"You're welcome. Let me know if you need anything." She places her phone on the table and decides to get some work done to take her mind off Fitz.

She can't hide her disappointment with Fitz, the lack of consideration for other people. Here she was coming to be with him and he's chosen to ignore and leave her in a house all day without at least letting her know what's going on.

She's in bed already, facing the window, pretending to sleep, her eyes unnaturally scrunched up. Fitz fumbles into the bedroom, kissing Olivia on the forehead before jumping into the bed next to her, moving as close to her as he can.

Olivia pushes him away angrily, hurt.

"Baby." He moans drunkenly "don't push me away." He kisses her shoulder gently but she pushes him away.

"Don't touch me." Olivia hisses turning on the light and propping herself up on the pillows as she stares at Fitz with such hurt and pain.

Fitz's eyes turn down in shame. "It's not what you think."

"You are drunk, and I've been calling you all day but you couldn't answer my phone calls because you were too busy getting drunk when your mother is sick!" Olivia yells at him

"I'm sorry."

"No, you aren't. And this is not the Fitz I know, he would never chose getting drunk over seeing his mother and he wouldn't ignore my phone calls either so what in the hell happened? Why is it late at night and you are just deciding to come home and into my bed after you ignored me all day?"

"Okay, Livvy."

"No!" Olivia shouts pushing Fitz "what happened?"

His eyes water as he looks up at Olivia in the bed. He sits up, removing his shirt and pants as he walks to take a shower with Olivia following closely behind.

"You do not walk away from me!" Olivia yells blocking the shower door.

"Olivia, move."

"No."

"Move, Olivia."

"What happened?"

"Nothing, just let me be."

"Fitz, if you do not talk to me right now, I will leave and I will leave for good."

His anger dissolves, his hard exterior crumbles, his ashen blue eyes water with unshed tears "You'll leave me too?"

"Do you want me to leave? Cause you are pushing me away, and I'll go if that's what you want." Olivia whispers walking away

He grabs Olivia's hand and brings her to him. Giving her one tender look, he wraps his arms around her tiny frame and cries softly in the crevice of her neck.

Olivia cradles Fitz as he hides in the swell of her breast, her arms stretching to engulf him. She holds him for what feels like hours, lifting his head up she gazes at him, quietly contemplating what he must be feeling. Fitz keeps his head bowed, his eyes lowered but Olivia sees him clearly.

They broke him.

His skin is pale and weary, his bluish grey eyes still shine from unshed tears, his pain etched so clearly on his face.

What did they do to him?

Olivia takes his hands in hers, and kisses the knuckles of each hand both battered and bruised.

"Does it hurt still?" she whispers tenderly

"Not anymore, thanks to you." She looks up at him, and Fitz encounters her gaze, allowing her to see the pain and sorrow on his face. She lifts her hand and gently brushes away the tears that fell down his cheek, the tiniest bit of contact surged endorphins into his blood stream.

"Let me take you to bed." Olivia whispers as she guides Fitz back to the bedroom.

He turns on his side in the bed, gazing at Olivia.

He stares at her face in the low light, desperate to know what she must think of him, how he can apologize and beg her to stay. Her face is serene. Calm and still.

He's at a loss.

"I went to the hospital." Fitz whispers into the poorly lit room.

Olivia moves closer to Fitz, he spoke so softly that Olivia was startled at first by his voice.

"I attempted to walk into the neuro Intensive care unit and was told by the nurses that I was not on the list to see mom, so I called Jerry and Daniel and neither answered their phone and I did everything I could to tell those people that she was my mother but they said they received explicit orders that only those on the list were allowed to see her." There's agony in his voice, the pain so visceral that goosebumps form on Olivia's skin at what could have happened.

"So I waited. And I waited, and I waited in the waiting room and finally Jerry walked out the room and I told him that I was calling and that I needed him to put me on the list to see mom…but all he said was that Daniel was in charge and left." Fitz said glancing up to catch Olivia's reaction.

She's shocked by this admission but reminds herself to hold her opinion.

Fitz, pauses for a minute; struggling to swallow a lump of saliva down his throat.

"So more hours pass and Daniel finally walks out. And I asked him why I wasn't on the listen and that I've been sitting here waiting to see her all day, and it was already the middle of the afternoon and I still didn't know if she was okay. But Daniel said that she was stable and that I wasn't on the list for a reason."

"Why?" Olivia whispers

"I asked him that question, a big part of me was worried that he knew about us but that wasn't it, or at least I do not believe so."

"What did he say?"

"He said that he was taking his mother back from me, and that I was forbidden to see her and know anything about her medical prognosis."

"He can't do that."

Fitz shakes his head sadly "but he did."

Fitz lifts his hand and brushes the single tear that fell from Olivia's cheek. "I retaliated. I was so angry, Liv. I just blacked out and started punching him ruthlessly…"

Olivia reaches for his hand and delicately brings it to her lips. She kisses each knuckle before kissing the palm of his hand and placing it on her cheek.

"Security came and I was banned from the hospital." His face drops in shame "I acted irrationally and now I can't see her. I don't know anything. Not if she's alive or dead, they've completely shut me out. I needed a drink but I didn't want to drive to a bar and deal with people so I snuck back here and began drinking. But then my phone ranged and it was you. I didn't want you to see me like this so I sobered up as much as I could and waited until you were asleep."

"Why?" Olivia asked quietly

His eyes are reddened, his shoulders slump. "I didn't want you to see me as a failure. To see me this way." Tears are welling in his own eyes, chocking him with the thought of Olivia not wanting him anymore.

"Fitz, I understand." Olivia cries

"I don't." He shakes his head sadly " I don't know how the people who are supposed to be my family could hurt me this way? What have I done, Olivia?"

Olivia closes her eyes as she moves to hold Fitz.

"Look at me." She lifts his head up to meet her stare "You didn't do anything wrong. The people who are supposed to love you, have hurt you and there's nothing you could do to change their actions. That is on them, not you."

"I can't forgive them for this."

"They don't deserve your forgiveness."

"I waited all day to see her." His voice breaks "she's looking for me, Liv and I've let her down."

"Fitz, you will see her."

"Liv, don't start."

"Fitz, I don't make promises that I can't keep or win. You will see your mother tomorrow. We will come up with a plan and you two will be together again, I will make it happen." Olivia promises

Tenderly stroking her hair he gazes down at her fondly, her skin is lightened by the moon, soft as velvet under his callous fingertips. His mouth turns dry as sand.

He feels his chest contract at her passionate words resonating profoundly thorough him. Every word etched from her lips is a sacred promise and he believes every word, astute. Her eyes are the key to the new world.

"I do know one thing."

"What's that?"

"That I love you."

His expression is unbelievably penetrating, and Olivia has found it hard to breath. Momentarily stunned by the interminable feeling resonating within her. Fitz has managed to carve her open and find the pieces of her soul that have never seen the light before.

"Fitz…" Olivia's mouth trembles as she stares at him.

"I don't need for you to say anything but I just want you to know that I've loved you since the day I saw, and I'll love you every day after."

Her eyes water as she gazes at him with such sincerity and truth that even she feels uncomfortable with this exposure. She stares at him in amazement, his face only a breath away from hers. Unspoken words transpires between the two and all Olivia can do is kiss Fitz, passionately, deeply, sensually so that he can rest peacefully knowing that what she feels for him cannot be defined by meager words but action.

/

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask that you leave, you are not allowed to be here." The nurse says firmly from the nurses station as she watches Fitz walk into the unit.

"Actually, he can and he will be here unless you want to deal with a million dollar lawsuit." Olivia moves from behind Fitz and walks towards the nurses station, dressed her signature white trench coat and black form fitting suit, Olivia embodies beauty, grace and power to the point that all Fitz can do is watch her command the room in clear awe and adoration.

"I am Olivia Pope and this is my client. I would like to know why he is not allowed to enter his mother's room?"

"We are not able to disclose that information." The charge nurse responds curtly.

"Well then perhaps you will change your answer now." Olivia says calmly as she reaches inside her black Prada purse and hands the nurse a file filled with papers.

"What?"

"Oh, that is Mrs. Grant's, medical power of attorney. She has her son, Fitzgerald Grant listed as the one to make all medical decisions regarding her care."

Olivia smiles coolly as she watches the charger nurse face drop in complete and utter fear.

"I am so sorry for this mistake."

"Well, I am very angry because of your negligence my client was banned from seeing his mother and instead of him being offered the opportunity to speak or show his legal documents, you decide to make the decision for him and relinquished his rights from him."

"I- I-I. Again, we are sorry, we are only going off orders given by the family. The other son made it seem like he was the one in charge."

"And that is why you ask for power of attorney, you have broken confidentially so I suggest that you tread carefully."

"Mr. Grant, I apologize." The nurse stutters

"I do not want anyone besides myself and Ms. Pope to enter my mother's room. Because of this challenging and difficult moment I have now lost a day with my mother. A day that I will not get back. I am going to be in there with her but in thirty minutes I will come out and ask for a complete run down on what happened and what her plan of care is."

"Of course."

The two walk in the direction of Helen's room, but Fitz stops before entering. Looking carefully around the hall, he touches Olivia's hand gently before pushing his own hand back into his pocket.

" You are incredible Ms. Pope, and I don't believe I can ever pay you back."

Olivia giggles softly, ignoring the skipped beat of her heart.

He watched as she took a few steps back. "Oh I did nothing, that was all Helen."

Fitz's eyes flicker with new found hope and happiness, he gives his signature crooked smile.

Feeling inexplicably shy, Olivia smooths her hand down her jacket. There she was saving the day and enjoying the look of admiration on Fitz's face.

"I should let you go and spend time with your mom."

"Are you leaving?"

She stumbles on the question not exactly sure how to answer and what exactly would be respectful to Helen and the family. "I'll stay." Olivia says quietly looking at Fitz's benevolent eyes.

And with a sweet smile, Fitz opens the door for Olivia who walks in.

His smile crashes quickly, the hope and joy they had dissolves into nothingness as they walk in the room and see Helen on a ventilator with cords and wires connected to her.

"What happened?" Fitz turns to Olivia with pain in his throat.

"Go to her, she's been waiting for you."

"I'm scared, Liv." He whispers "I don't want to see her like this."

"You've been fighting hell and earth to be with her and now that you have her you don't want her?"

"It's not that. I…I..I…why didn't they tell me it was this bad?" He whispers with tears lodged in his throat.

"I know." Olivia rubs Fitz's back comfortingly.

With one good exchange of breath, Fitz walks to Helen's bed and kisses her forehead. "I'm here now mom." Fitz says calmly

"I'm here, you're safe now. I got you." Fitz promises

Helen doesn't move. The room is silently still except for Helen's machine beeping rhythmically with her breathing.

Sitting in the chair closes to his mom, Fitz sniffles but doesn't cry as he holds Helen's hand in his. He rotates between playing with her wedding band and kissing her hand.

"Mom, I have so much to tell you, but first let's talk about that play we went to see on your birthday."

Olivia cries softly in the corner, not wanting to disturb the much needed mother and son moment, but also crying at life's cruel game. Helen did not deserve this, her mother did not deserve what happened to her, and Fitz's mother also was a victim of life, yet there are people like Hollis and Jerry who live forever without illness and pain. Why must the good suffer and wicked thrive?

There's commotion outside their room, yelling.

Fitz turns to Olivia with reddened eyes "would you like to hi?"

Olivia smiles sadly at Fitz before walking towards him and Helen "Hi, Helen." Olivia whispers gently "It's Olivia. I see you are getting some rest and I won't be bothering you but I just wanted you to know, that I'm here and I'll be here to support you in any way that I can." Olivia holds Helen's hand in hers as she turns to look at Fitz who hasn't taken his eye off her.

The arguing and yelling gets louder, both Fitz and Olivia turn to the closed door.

"I'll go handle this."

"Liv."

"It's handled." Olivia says straightening up her jacket "but you take all the time in the world and be with your mom."

Fitz holds Olivia's hand for a second before she walks away.

With the door shut, Fitz turns to Helen "I'm in love, mom."

/

"Daniel." Olivia walks out of the room as security attempts to escort him out of the hospital.

"Olivia?" He walks to her completely shocked by her presences "What the hell are you doing, here?"

With her head held high and shoulder pushed back; Olivia looks proudly at Daniel and says:

"The right thing."

Buckle up, Gladiators...