A/N: I'm back! I'm sorry this update took so long. I was finishing out the semester, and then I had the absolute worst writer's block for weeks. I just wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed and messaged me about this story, because it genuinely makes my day and inspires me to keep writing even when I feel like I can't. I have the next few chapters outlined, so I'm hoping to update more regularly during the summer. I hope you enjoy and please, as always, let me know what you think!

He knew he was early. He didn't need his watch to tell him, and yet he checked it. Again.

He had managed to keep himself preoccupied that morning, waking early to make a trip to the store for his new phone before contacting Charlie. If his termination hadn't been obvious after he had left his former boss with a bruised face in front of his apartment building, it certainly was later that night, when, after dropping Olivia off, he returned the car to the company lot and was met by a security guard who immediately confiscated his company ID.

He had kept the details vague, only informing his friend that he was suddenly out of a job and wondering if he could pick up a few shifts at the shop. Fortunately – at least for him – one of Charlie's mechanics was having surgery and going to be out for at least the next three weeks.

By the time the details of his temporary employment were sorted out, it was nearly one. Unfortunately, that left him still with two hours to spare before he and Liv were set to meet at Central Park. He had managed to wait in his apartment until two before deciding to hop on the next bus.

He simply couldn't help himself. This was what he had wanted so desperately for the past few weeks, what he had been so sure would never actually happen: the chance to actually give them a try.

He felt...light. Like, at any moment, the soles of his feet could push off of the sidewalk and send him soaring above the pavement. That was the only way to describe it. He had never been one for cliches, but it occurred to him then that this must have been what people meant when they said they were on cloud nine.

Just a few weeks ago, he never could have imagined himself here, between jobs again and yet the happiest he had been in years. He may not have been entirely sure of his every next move, but for the first time in a long time, he didn't feel aimless. He had a sense of purpose.

"Excuse me, sir, are you lost?"

He had her.

Trying to contain his smile long enough to play along, he turned in the direction of Olivia's voice.

"You know, I was looking for a beautiful woman, and I think you're just the person to help."

She scrunched up her nose adorably, taking a step closer to him.

"That was corny."

Reaching for her, he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"In a cute kind of way?"

"More like in a pervy old man kind of way."

He dropped his jaw in faux offense as she stuck out her tongue.

"Kidding," she grinned, "c'mere."

Resting a hand on his cheek, she guided his face down until his lips were on hers.

"Mmm," he hummed against her lips, "you taste like apples."

"I had one right before I left."

He leaned in to kiss her again, remaining only centimeters from her face when he pulled back.

"You're early."

She giggled, nodding. "I am, and you're earlier than me. Any more observations?"

"No," he shook his head with a smirk, "I think that just about covers everything."

They stayed there for a long moment, silently sharing matching grins that seemed to say what they didn't need to. They had both been looking forward to this moment, too eager to see one another after last night to actually wait until their designated meeting time of three.

Eventually, grasping both her hands, he took a step back to take her in fully. Her snow white athletic jacket made her skin glow and her leggings hugged her perfectly. Glancing down at his own worn t-shirt and sweats, he couldn't help but somehow feel underdressed.

Chuckling, he gave her hands a tug, prompting her to step forward. She blinked and refixed her gaze on his face, and he realized she had been looking him over, too.

"What's so funny?"

He shook his head, raising his brows in question. "How is it that you look so good just to go running?"

"Funny," she toyed with the bottom of his shirt, "I was just thinking the same thing about you."

She grinned up at him and again, they put the world on pause, staying in that moment for a short while. It was so nice to be able do this, to flirt unapologetically and out in the open, to allow themselves to just be them.

"Ok," she eventually stepped back, bending her knee and grabbing her ankle to stretch. "This path's not too hard, I normally go around two or three times. Think you can keep up with me?"

Scoffing, he made a show of settling into a full-on lunge.

"Try me."

He stumbled to a stop a foot away from her, bending over and resting his hands on his knees as he closed his eyes and tried to catch his breath.

When he opened his eyes, her legs came into his line of vision.

"You ok?" Her question was laced with equal parts teasing and worry.

He nodded, taking a few more seconds to breathe in deeply. "I'm good….just...where the hell did that come from?"

She laughed as he finally stood to his full height.

"I'm competitive, I couldn't let you win."

They had been on the final stretch of their run when he suggested that they race. He had assumed it'd be harmless fun, maybe he'd throw her over his shoulder and she'd accuse him of cheating for the rest of the week. But he never even had so much as a chance. Liv had taken off at top speed, not once slowing down until she stood at the path's end, hands on her hips, watching on in victory as he finished.

"This is why I hate running," he groaned, stretching his legs.

"And yet you're here."

"Because I love y–hanging out with you." He cleared his throat, his face burning at the near slip-up.

Now where the hell had that come from?!

They weren't there yet, they couldn't be there yet. The last person he had told he loved was his ex-wife, and the last person whom he had told and truly meant it was his mother. Whatever this was between him and Olivia – regardless of how natural and amazing it seemed – was still entirely too fresh for him to be at that place.

Wasn't it?

Not seeming to notice, Olivia followed his lead, stretching her own legs then questioning with a hopeful smile, "Enough to take the subway while you're all sweaty?"

"That depends on where we're going," he lied. He would go anywhere she wanted to and they both knew it.

"Antonio's?"

"Hmm," he pretended to consider it, then almost immediately conceded, "I like the way you think."

"Good." She took a step forward, leaning in for a quick kiss. "I like that you like the way I think."

Grinning, he held her face between his hands and pulled her in for another kiss, mumbling just before their lips met, "Now who's being corny?"

"So never as in never?"

"Well, sometimes," she admitted with a shrug, leaning back into the booth. "Like if I'm going out to Long Island or, you know, anywhere where there's actually parking."

"But other than that –?"

"Nope," she shook her head, "I don't drive on the weekends. I learned my lesson the third time I missed the first half of a movie looking for a spot. I'm guaranteed one at work and I'll pay for one in the garage at my apartment, but no way am I walking ten extra blocks or spending $35 to park in a garage for two hours just to see Leo DiCaprio."

He chuckled, leaning over the table to steal a piece of calamari from her plate.

"Hey!"

"So you're a Leo DiCaprio fan?"

"Abby is," she mimicked his movements, leaning forward and jamming her fork into his pasta, "I just tag along."

"I have to meet Abby one of these days – hey!" He swatted her fork with his own as she reached for his food a second time.

"What?" She laughed, managing to get another forkful despite his efforts. "I let you take some of mine."

"I took one piece."

"Your point?" She challenged, raising an eyebrow and staring at him defiantly as she closed her mouth around her fork.

With a huff, he reached for her calamari and she quickly tried to block her plate.

"Fitz, no stop," she laughed.

"Come on, Liv, it's only fair."

Standing slightly to get a better angle, he managed to grab a few more pieces.

"Ok, that's enough...stop touching my food!"

"You're not even eating it anyway –"

"I was going to –"

"Alright, how are you two doing?"

They both froze, turning slowly like kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Sofia, the same waitress from their last visit, looked them over in amusement.

Smirking, she said simply, "I'll be right back," and turned to make her way back to the kitchen.

Fitz dropped the food back on to Olivia's plate and quickly sat back down as she eyed it with disdain.

"Can you pass me a napkin?"

She looked up at his request, narrowing her eyes in a way that just barely masked her amusement with faux annoyance. Obviously fighting off a smile, she pushed the small stack of napkins resting by her over to him. While he was wiping the grease from his fingers, Sofia emerged from the kitchen, two small plates in hand.

"Ok," she grinned, "this should help." She set the plates on the table then glanced back and forth between the two of them fondly. "You two remind me so much of me and my Dino."

They both smiled up at her, but before any of them could say anything more, the hostess sat a family in the booth two down from theirs. Glancing at them, Sofia reached for her notepad.

"You just let me know if you need anything else, ok?" When they nodded, she began walking away, then suddenly stopped mid-step and turned back to them. "I can see there's a lot of love between you two," she spoke endearingly, "make sure you protect that."

And with that, she was gone.

His eyes went wide.

There was that word again. Love.

He dared to glance at Olivia and saw that she looked just as surprised as he felt, her gaze still on the spot Sofia had just left.

Swallowing hard, he picked up one of the plates she had brought over and scraped some of his food onto it. After a moment, Olivia did the same, and they exchanged the plates with shy smiles.

They sat in silence for a long while and then, suddenly, without thinking, Fitz laid his arm on the table, palms up, inviting Olivia to meet him halfway. She did immediately, sliding her hand into his. He gave her hand a tight squeeze, and her smile broadened.

The sight made his heart swell, and, in that moment, he couldn't help but think that maybe Sofia really was onto something.

Although he wasn't entirely ready to confront it, the thought lingered in the back of his mind as he cleared his throat and joked, "You think if we pretend we're engaged again, we'll get a free dessert?"

She laughed, glancing in the direction Sofia had walked off. "I'm in as long as we get tiramisu."

"Greek and Roman Studies? Really?"

"You sound surprised."

"Because I am," he chuckled, wrapping his arms around her from behind as the elevator doors closed.

"I had taken Latin all throughout high school and liked it. I assumed I'd enjoy being a Classics major. I thought I'd end up working in a museum and everything."

Laughing again, he placed his chin on her shoulder. "I definitely never would've guessed that was your original major. I don't think I can top that."

"Come on, try," she turned, pecking his cheek. "What's one thing I'd never guess about you?"

They had been at this for the last half-hour. After deciding to not take advantage of their sweet waitress, they settled on stopping for ice cream for dessert, their easy conversation at some point morphing into a modified version of twenty questions on the way back to her apartment. So far, they had discussed everything from favorite colors and places where they always wanted to travel (he had made a mental note to one day look up vacation spots in Zanzibar), to desired superpowers and first kisses.

And he loved every second of it.

He loved getting to know more about her, even the most mundane facts. Each new thing he learned seemed to fill in a space in his heart he had never realized had always been left open for her.

"I was once in a band," he offered absentmindedly, more focused on the trail of kisses he started to leave down her neck.

"Really?" She tilted her head, allowing him more access and sighing softly.

"Yup, freshman year of high school." He paused his movements, moving to speak into her ear, "We were called 'The Flaming Roaches'," his voice oozed with playful seduction.

She let out a loud laugh, placing her hands over his arms, still snaked around her abdomen. "That is an awful name."

"What can I say?" He laughed along with her. "We were fourteen-year-old boys who thought it sounded cool."

"Oh, I'm sure all the girls must've flocked to you and the other...roaches," she burst into another fit of laughter just as the elevator doors opened on her floor.

"Just for that, I shouldn't even get out of this elevator." He followed her out anyways, letting her guide him by the hand as she stepped out of his arms.

"Ok, ok, I'm done. Promise." She glanced back at him, biting down on her lip to contain the last of her giggles.

"I should've kept that to myself."

"Probably should have." She turned around and leaned against her door.

He placed his hands on both sides of her, boxing her in. "You weren't supposed to agree."

"Sorry," she grinned, obviously not meaning in it the slightest.

"I'm sure you are."

A beat passed and then, without warning, the air between them changed. His eyes roamed her face, settling at last on her lips, and he could practically see her breath catch. Slowly, he leaned down until his forehead rested against hers.

Olivia closed her eyes and sighed, placing a hand on his cheek.

"I want to invite you inside," she paused, and he held his breath, fighting against every instinct to capture her mouth with his. "...but I don't want to rush this."

When she opened her eyes again, she looked so torn that it made his heart clench.

"Hey, hey, look at me," he waited until her gaze was unquestionably fixed on his again. "I get it, I do." And he did. He knew then that she could sense what he had earlier. The connection between them was already so deep-seated, so unnervingly intense that it seemed combustible. Strike a match, and they were both liable to go up in flames.

"We don't have to rush," he continued in reassurance, "we can go at whatever pace you want to, ok?"

She nodded. "Ok."

Neither made a move to separate until he eventually started to take a step back.

"So I'll see you –"

She cut him off with a kiss, gripping the nape of his neck and pulling him in. He responded just as fervently, his hands on her waist once more as he pressed her into the door.

Far before he was ready, she separated her mouth from his, letting him chase her for a few chaste kisses before placing her hands on either side of his face and pulling him back. She took a moment to catch her breath, eventually looking up at him with a sheepish smile.

"You think you'll be free for lunch on Monday?"

He nodded, still too stunned to do much of anything else.

"Ok, I'll see you Monday." She kissed him quickly a final time and, in the blink of an eye, slipped out her keys and unlocked her door, turning back towards him from inside the doorway. "Thank you for everything today, Fitz," her gaze softened, "I had a really great time with you."

"Me too," he reached for her hand, giving it a final affectionate squeeze and stepping back. Once on the elevator, he called out before the doors could close, "Call you tonight?"

She nodded from the doorway. "Please do."

Two Weeks Later

"Hey, Fitz, can you come in here when you're done?"

"Yeah, just give me a second." Closing the hood of the car he was working on, Fitz wiped his hands with a towel and tossed it back onto a workbench. He then made his way to Charlie's office, pausing at the door when he saw someone sitting across from his friend's desk.

"Here he is," Charlie announced when he caught his eye, his visitor turning in her seat towards the door. "Fitz, meet Valerie Garcia, she's the principal at the school Quinn teaches at."

"Nice to meet you," he smiled politely and almost offered his hand but, then, thinking better of it, nodded in greeting instead.

She returned his nod with a smile of her own, "You as well, Fitz, Charlie was just telling me all about you."

When she swiveled back around to Charlie, he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Charlie waited until she returned her attention to him before winking in reassurance.

"Val came in for an oil change earlier, and we just so happened to start talking about how the school's short on staff for its after-school program. They're looking for someone who has experience with kids and can drive the van for their trips to the rec center. I mentioned that you used to teach and chauffeur and were only here temporarily, and she wanted to talk to you herself."

His eyebrows rose in surprise and he subconsciously straightened his spine in an attempt to appear professional.

"Truth be told, Fitz, the way Charlie's talked you up, you sound like the perfect candidate," Valerie stood, making her way over to him. "Now, I'll be honest with you, the pay isn't great, but you'd technically be doing the work of a few positions that need to be filled as soon as possible, so I'm sure we can work out a reasonable salary."

Still in mild shock, he nodded. "I'd be more than happy to negotiate."

"Great." she clasped her hands together. "Now, I'll still need your resume on file, and we'll have to conduct an interview for formalities, but I don't see that as being too much of a problem. Do you think you could stop by the school Monday morning? Say 10:30?"

"Monday at 10:30 works great," he quickly agreed.

"Perfect," she beamed, adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder. "I look forward to it." She redirected her attention back to Charlie. "Charlie, thank you again for squeezing me in this morning. And I already told Quinn, but I expect to see you both at game night next Friday. Sharon's already started making new teams since Eric and Leslie can't find a babysitter."

"We'll be there," he promised with a crooked grin. "I look forward to beating Darnell's ass in charades."

"He's on my team, so we'll see about that," she retorted on her way out.

"Yeah, yeah. See you, Val," he called after her. Reclining in his seat, he placed his hands behind his head and looked at Fitz. "She's good people, isn't she?"

Fitz blinked, then looked back and forth between the door and his friend.

"What just happened?"

"I just got you a job," Charlie smirked, "you're welcome."

"But - what...how?"

He had applied to countless positions over the last two weeks and had yet to hear back from one. And although he hadn't heard anything from his former employer, he didn't doubt that Dean Shaw had a hand in it. The Monday after what he now thought of as the "incident," Marcus had called, asking why their boss had shown up to work with a severely bruised cheek and an even more bruised ego. He had apparently been on a warpath, taking it out especially on Marcus, who had been reassigned Fitz's former duties for the time being. Not too keen on sharing the details, Fitz only told him that he would no longer be working for Red Giant Jets and agreed when Marcus suggested that they do lunch soon.

He hadn't been too vocal about his worries, but they were starting to eat away at him. He knew Charlie's regular mechanic was going to come back soon, and, while his friend was more than willing to keep him on call, he needed something much more stable.

"Quinn mentioned that they needed staff a few days ago. I was gonna mention it to you, but then Val called about needing to come in and I figured I'd just work my charm on your behalf." He picked up a pen off his desk and started twirling it with his fingers. "She and Quinn have been good friends for years, we have regular dinners with her and her wife and everything. I knew I just had to talk you up enough and the job would be yours." He stopped his movements, his grin widening. "And I was right. You're welcome."

"Shit, Charlie, thank you." He plopped into the seat Valerie had previously taken up. "I mean that, really. I just - thank you."

"Ah, don't mention it." Charlie nonchalantly reached into the cup of lollipops on his desk, unwrapping one as he continued, "You've really helped me out these last two weeks, and I knew you were looking. I owed you one."

He shook his head as Charlie titled the cup towards him, offering a lollipop. "Well, if you need anything ever, just let me know."

"Actually, there is one thing." He shoved the lollipop into his mouth, jamming it into his cheek. "Quinn wants to meet your girlfriend."

"Really?"

"Yup." He removed the candy with a pop. "Apparently she saw you talking to her on the phone when she visited the other day and wanted to know who had you all smiley and starry-eyed."

"Starry-eyed?"

"Her words, not mine," he held up his hands. "Anyways, I told her about Liv and she said to invite you over for dinner. I honestly think she just wants to show off the kitchen renovations to more people, but whatever makes her happy," he shrugged.

Fitz grinned. "Alright, I just have to talk to Liv, but I think you can count us in."

The bell above the door dinged, signaling a customer's entrance, and they both stood, starting to make their way out of Charlie's office.

"I bet that's the guy with the Honda Pilot, he's been calling every half-hour. You finish it yet?"

"Just about."

"Hello?"

"Hey, beautiful."

"Hey! How was work?"

"Eventful," he was purposefully vague, knowing it would pique her interest.

"Oh? What happened?"

"How's your girls weekend going?"

Girls weekend – it was something he learned she and Abby had been doing once a month for the past two years. More often than not, she shared, they ended up spending the weekend upstate, relaxing at the home Abby's father left her in his will.

"Great, we went wine tasting today. I got a bottle of Merlot that'll bring tears to your eyes."

"I can't wait to try it. Maybe we can crack it open when we celebrate."

"Celebrate what? What happened at work?"

He settled onto his couch, kicking his feet up on the coffee table.

"Well, for starters, I won't be working with Charlie too much longer."

"What? Did his usual mechanic come back early? Is he going to at least let you finish out next week while you look for something else?"

"I don't need to," he hinted, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Huh? Why not?"

He remained silent.

"Fitz!"

"I found a job," he laughed, unable to hold it in any longer.

"What? Fitz, that's great! When did you –?"

"It's technically not official. I have an interview on Monday, but she said that shouldn't be too much of a problem. It's basically as good as mine. I'll tell you all about when I take you out for dinner Monday night?"

"I'd love that. But I'd also love for you to tell me about it now –"

"Alright, Liv, I gave you your five minutes. It's girls weekend, tell loverboy bye," another voice joined in from the distance.

"I think that's your cue, Liv," he chuckled, already anticipating her protest.

"Abby, I just need two more minutes, I promise. Fitz, tell me about –"

He heard shuffling and then Liv's voice was replaced with her friend's.

"Hey, Fitz."

"Hey, Abby," he greeted in amusement. The two had met just the week before when Liv took him to her bakery, and, after her initial warnings of the hellfire she'd reign down on him if he hurt her best friend, they had hit it off easily.

"We have a dinner reservation, so Liv's gonna have to call you back."

"Ok –" the call ended before he could even get it out his mouth.

Moments later, he received a text that he knew must've come from Olivia, herself. It read simply,

I hope you know this conversation isn't over.

He laughed, relaxing further into the couch as he sent back: I didn't think it was

Reaching for the glass of scotch he had poured himself, he took a sip and rested his head against the back of the couch. He was still in slight disbelief over how the day had played out – over how the last two weeks had played out, really.

For once, it seemed things were finally starting to look up.

"These are new?"

"Yup, from last night. Apparently they went out to celebrate him getting a new job." Tom Larsen rolled his eyes at the petulant pout that graced his temporary boss' face at his revelation.

"Who the hell hired him? Leo told me that whisper campaign was going to keep him out of job for at least the next six months."

"I think he got it through a friend. I don't have all the details on that."

"Well, why the hell not?"

Not for the first time, Tom found himself having to breathe in deeply and count to ten to stop himself from strangling the poor, whiny excuse of a man that stood before him.

"I'll look into it tomorrow."

"I think you should."

Dean flipped through the photographs again, his frown deepening. There, in plain sight, were his ex and his ex-employee, undeniably together without a care for who saw. There were shots of his arm around her shoulder as they strolled down the sidewalk. Shots of her grinning up at him as if he had hung the moon. Shots of them laughing, of them whispering sweet nothings into one another's ears. Shots of them kissing.

He stopped looking, promptly closing the folder and tossing it back to the private investigator he had been in contact with for the last two weeks – a loan from his mother, who shared that she had been using him for years.

"They look...cozy, like this isn't something new," Tom observed, looking over the pictures again himself.

"I can see that," Dean spat.

"I'm saying that, that's a good thing," Tom offered with another roll of his eyes. "It goes with the story you're trying to push. It makes it seem more believable."

"Oh," Dean cleared his throat, "yeah."

As much as he may not have been particularly fond of Tom, he did appreciate that the man had evidently been on his mother's payroll long enough to know how this went. They hired people like Liv, who took a more moral – and legal – approach when it came to handling issues with the company, but it was an entirely different ballgame when it came to personal matters.

And this? This was as personal as it got. It had been an all-out ambush on his heart and his pride. And he wasn't looking simply looking for justice, he was looking for revenge.

"Show me what else you have."

A/N: I know a lot of you have been over Dean for a minute lol, but I promise we're not-so-slowly and surely getting him out of here.