A/N Thank you for all the reviews! Enjoy!
"Liv pleaseeeeeeeee" Olivia rolled her eyes, mentally kicking herself for allowing Abby to come over.
Abby was currently on Olivia's bed begging her to take her to the RNC fundraiser Governor Grant would be speaking at.
"Abs I swear it won't be as exciting as you're making it out to be" Olivia tried her best to talk her best friend out of this obsession to attend the event while simultaneously doing her hair. "You hate republicans so why would you want to be in a room full of them? Plus, I'm leaving in half an hour and you don't have anything to wear." Abby was currently in a tank top and leggings which wouldn't exactly fit the black-tie event.
"I don't like republicans but I might find a diamond in the rough like Governor Hottie. I'm not gonna lie Republicans below like 60 can be hot."
"Abby I'm not taking you so you can just look for eye candy." Olivia laughed at her crazy best friend.
"Okay then so take me so I can better understand people with different beliefs from me. Think of it as OPA diversity training." Abby said in her signature sardonic tone.
"Abs I would love to take you but I'm leaving soon and you have nothing to wear" Olivia was still laughing.
"So theoretically if I just happened to have a formal dress you'd let me come?"
Olivia carefully looked at the lone purse Abby had next to her and confirmed that a formal gown wouldn't fit in it. "Sure Abs"
"Consider it your lucky day Olivia Pope, I just happen to have a beautiful green gown in my car that I picked up from Nieman Marcus a couple hours ago. Be right back" Abby jumped off the bed with her keys in hand blowing Olivia a kiss.
Twenty minutes later the duo was ready to go. Olivia kicked herself realizing that Abby already had her hair and makeup done when she arrived at her house, she should have known better that Abby would be scheming.
"I need you to behave", Olivia said as her and Abby pulled up to the venue, "If you meet Grant tonight no eye fucking him, no "Governor Hottie", and for the love of God please keep your opinions on the GOP quiet tonight."
"Girl you stress too much. I promise to behave and I'll even close my eyes every time Grant talks so I can give you an unbiased opinion."
"Olivia!" Cyrus exclaimed walking up to her and Abby with James following close behind.
"Hey Cy good to see you. Abby tricked me into bringing her." She pointed to Abby who was already chatting up James.
"No worries, I needed someone to entertain James anyways. Being a gay republican isn't the best thing in the world. But when your husband bad mouths republicans the entire night at an RNC fundraiser, you tend to piss a couple people off." Cyrus chuckled.
"Yeah James and Abby together will probably get kicked out with all the trash talk but we'll just keep our distance"
"Sounds like a plan" Cyrus led her to their table which happened to be front and center below the stage, "So Fitz will speak in about 10 minutes, then I'm going to make him schmooze for a while after which I'll introduce the two of you."
Olivia glanced around the room and saw many familiar faces that gave her welcoming smiles. Olivia Pope is apolitical which meant both sides of the aisle would do their best to keep in her good graces.
Linda Hoffman, an elegant woman in her early 70's, soon approached Olivia with a large smile, "Well if it isn't the living legend Olivia Pope"
"Linda!" Olivia grinned embracing the older woman.
"I hear OPA is thriving as expected?"
"It most definitely is, and I have you to partially thank for that. Your referral on the Becker case really put us on the map."
"Well darling you are most certainly welcome. Now I know you're apolitical so the only reason I can gather that you would be here is with Cyrus to vet Fitzgerald Grant." Linda gave her knowing eyes.
"What I can't attend a fundraiser to catch up with old friends?" Olivia asks attempting to drop the topic of Governor Grant.
"I know you better than that dear, but I'm glad Cyrus chose you as the secret weapon. I've known Fitz since he was a little boy. Elizabeth and Big Jerry did good with that one and he actually cares about people not the power. That's a special one right there someone just needs to show him how special he is. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is where Fitz belongs but I don't want him losing sight of his core values in the process, you know how Cyrus can be so its ultimately up to you."
"Linda, I- " Olivia wasn't ready to confirm if the Governor would even be a client of OPA.
"All I'm saying is you and I both know we walk the line sometimes in DC. If you convince Fitz to run for president that would chalk it up to a point for the good guys and your white hat sits tall and high."
Olivia was a little taken aback after that conversation. Linda Hoffman very rarely praised anyone, preferring to observe and strategize based on those observations. Each minute the concept of a presidential campaign became closer and closer to reality and Olivia hadn't even heard her candidate speak yet.
Fitz was soon called up to the stage to give his speech but his eyes instantly gravitated to the beauty next to Cyrus. There's no way that could be the formidable Olivia Pope that he would possibly working with for the next 4 years. Could he really be that lucky? Her red dress hugged her in all the right places while still remaining classy. She seemed to command the attention of her entire table. Realizing that he might have been looking at her for just a bit too long, Fitz quickly looked out at the audience and thanked the prior speaker. "Thank you for that introduction Mrs. Baldwin. For those of you who do not know me, my name is Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, I'm the governor of the great state of California." He pauses as applause came from around the room. He discreetly looks down at Olivia and swears to himself that she smiled at him.
"Did you see that?" Abby asked James in the back corner of the room.
"The mile-wide grin on Fitz's face just because Olivia looked at him?" James smirked back at his red headed partner in crime.
"Mmmm hmmm", Abby shook her head, "damn that smile"
"Girl I know he's gorgeous" James agreed, "I think we might need to play matchmaker for this one."
"James, you know that's my back up plan if OPA doesn't work out. Liv is stubborn but I think we can do it." Abby caught the unfamiliar look on her best friend's face, which just confirmed the need for her and James to intervene.
"I know you're all eagerly waiting for me to finish so I'll leave you with this. The new education initiative that this party is taking on is instrumental to the success of our youth. Personally, the state of California has benefitted a great deal after we implemented this and I would just like to thank you all for what you're doing for our children. Enjoy your night." Fitz stepped off stage receiving claps and heart eyes from a number of women in the room.
Fitz quickly made his rounds throughout the room as Cyrus instructed. He found it extremely difficult to not stare at Olivia the entire night. Occasionally their eyes would meet and the gaze would hold for much longer than the average person. Each time their eyes met, Fitz felt his heart flutter and prayed that Olivia had a similar feeling.
By the end of the night Olivia had to say she was impressed. Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III was the real deal, he didn't lurk in his father's shadows like so many political heirs did. The man had real ideas and a track record in California. His speech was solid commanding the attention of the entire audience men and women alike. He knew exactly how to read the room, incorporating humor at just the right time yet always bringing the speech back to his main points. After his speech, it became apparent to Oliva that he was the GOP's golden boy whether he knew it or not. She noticed how invested he looked with each conversation he held as opposed to the typical superficial political talk. It took a lot to impress Olivia Pope but the young governor seemed to do just that.
The room began to clear out when Cyrus approached Olivia, "Okay Liv, are you ready to meet our future President?" Cyrus asked giddily guiding Olivia towards his star. Olivia had a foreign feeling in her stomach. Was she nervous? Did the formidable Olivia Pope have butterflies just because she was about to speak to an attractive man? That couldn't be, after all she'd worked with models and her fair share of appealing men. Who was she kidding he was the most handsome man she'd ever laid eyes on.
"Fitz, I have someone I want you to meet- "Cyrus began
"Governor Grant!" a woman in her late twenties to early 30's barged into the small circle Olivia, Cyrus, Fitz, James, and Abby had formed. Fitz internally groaned of course he would finally be able to meet the woman that captivated him the entire night and then some random woman would show up. Just his luck!
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you" the woman all but threw herself on top of Fitz. Abby and James tried their best not to laugh at how uncomfortable Fitz looked.
Olivia on the other hand took this woman as an opportunity to regain her composure. How stupid was she to think he was actually looking at her throughout the night? She was forming a crush on him and that needed to die now. He's single and gorgeous and probably has beautiful women like this woman throwing themselves at him all the time. Plus if he would become a client, things needed to stay strictly professional.
"Uhm hello Ms…" Fitz awkwardly backed away from the woman dressed in what his opinion was slutty.
"Oh silly me Tanner. Amanda Tanner. But you can call me Amanda. Maybe Mandy nicknames are cute don't you think?" she inched closer to Fitz holding her hand up to his face to be kissed. Fitz awkwardly grabbed her hand lowering it into a weak handshake. "My father owns Tanner Textiles you know the largest textile corporation in America?"
"More like the only textile corporation left in America", Abby thought trying to keep her dinner down after that interaction.
"Wow textiles are still a thing?" James asked with the straightest face he could, earning a warning look from Cyrus.
"Considering I'm at a $5,000 plate dinner yeah." Amanda said with a fake smile on her face blinking her fake eyelashes rapidly.
Fitz continued to move farther away from Amanda despite Cyrus' look that told him to play nice. "So, you work for your father's company?" Olivia asked politely in aims to distract herself from the twinge of jealousy she felt.
"Oh no" she laughed "I'm an actress, singer, and model. Triple threat as they say."
"That career is obviously financed by daddy" Abby determined while quickly googling Amanda Tanner's filmography which only consisted of 3 commercials and a two minute clip in a movie as an extra.
"So, can we help you with anything Ms. Tanner?" Fitz's patience was wearing thin with this bimbo.
"Mandy remember." Amanda corrected Fitz as he took a deep breath and counted to 10 looking at Olivia.
"I'd rather not." Fitz said the first thing that came to his mind until Cyrus turned red, "I mean I'd be more comfortable referring to you as Ms. Tanner"
"Oh formal. I like it." Amanda briefly licked her lips officially creeping out the entire circle including Cyrus. "Anyways Governor, I think you're pretty good at politics so I wanted to set a date for dinner so we can talk about that and maybe some contributions Tanner industries can provide depending on how the night goes."
Fitz glanced around the circle desperately searching for someone to save him.
"Oh my God!" Abby exclaimed causing all eyes to fall on the red head.
"You're THE Amanda Tanner from Sandler's Saturday! That's my favorite movie in the world! Will you come over here with me and sign an autograph!?" Abby exclaimed
"No way I love that movie!" James exclaimed even though he's never even heard of it. The matchmakers dragged Amanda away with faux excitement.
"Well who would I be to deny the fans? We'll talk later Governor. Toodles!" Amanda took off with James and Abby.
"I'd rather not? Really Fitz" Cyrus chuckled shaking his head.
"I'm sorry Cy but that was definitely the most uncomfortable I've ever been" Fitz laughed before turning his attention to Olivia.
"This is Olivia Pope, she'll be joining us back in Santa Barbara to help get your name out there and evaluate our chances for 2008. She's the best non-political student I've ever had."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Governor, but I'm afraid Cyrus may have misinformed you just now." She offered her hand out and as they shook hands they both felt an uncanny spark. Fitz was blown away by her gorgeous doe eyes, while Olivia seemed to get lost in his.
"Liv, I can't say you were my best student with him right here don't get greedy." Cyrus officially ruined the moment causing Olivia and Fitz laugh at Cyrus being Cyrus.
"No Cy, you told him I'm going out to California. Nothing is set in stone yet Governor" Olivia smiled up at him willing herself to turn away from those inviting baby blues.
"Well Ms. Pope it's an honor to finally meet you and it sounds like I've got some convincing to do. And please call me Fitz." He gave her his million-dollar smile that almost made her knees go out.
"Cyrus we got rid of the skank!" James exclaims walking back into the room which now only occupied the 5 of them.
"James you can't say that. She'll probably end up being an important donor."
"We'll make it up in fundraising right Ms. Pope?" Fitz asked smiling at her.
"Not so fast governor, I'm not your consultant" Olivia gave him a knowing look.
"You will be soon" Fitz promised, "I have a way with words Ms. Pope, and I'm Fitz, not Governor" Fitz looked at her like they were the only two in the room.
"Cy, Abby and I thought we should all go out and get to know one another better. Help Liv make her decision a bit quicker." James approached his husband.
"Red, I think that's a great idea! It's a shame you weren't that bright back in undergrad." Cyrus teased her.
"And you would be the reason I said no to law school" Abby smiled sweetly
"Fair enough. Anyways, James and I will meet you all at the place of 34th and Massachusetts?"
"Sounds like a plan! Liv and I took my car here and Governor I'm assuming you drove here, or do you need a ride?" Abby asked as James and Cyrus walked out.
"No thank you, I drove here Ms.- "Fitz searched for her name realizing they hadn't met yet despite the fact that she and James were his favorite people right now for getting rid of Amanda Tanner.
"I'm Abby, Abby Whelan. You should remember that name because I have a feeling I'll be invaluable to you. Now if you excuse me I'm going to go use the restroom and then we'll leave okay Liv?" Abby walked away before Olivia could protest.
"Wait Abs I need to freshen up too!" Olivia tried to follow her in hopes of not having to be alone with Fitz. The thoughts she had about him were inappropriate considering he was about to be a client.
"Sorry one-person bathroom!" Abby yelled back without stopping leaving the two alone.
"I promise I don't bite" Fitz smirked while pulling out a chair for Olivia to sit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With James and Cyrus~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Cy I really am not feeling too great" James grabbed his head groaning. "I don't think we'll be able to make it"
"I have some Tylenol if you want" Cyrus reached in his suit jacket "We can drop you off first and I'll just be a little late to meet the others."
"I said we won't be able to make it. You're supposed to take care of me in sickness and health remember? I think it would be good for Fitz to hang out with Abby and Liv for a bit. He can convince her to come on board, after all he is the most charming of the three of us."
"That's actually a great idea! Thanks for getting sick James!" James rolled his eyes knowing he should be offended that his husband didn't care about his fake sickness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~At the event space~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I know Governor, sorry if I'm coming off as rude but my head is just everywhere right now", Olivia purposefully left out the fact that he was the reason she was off her game.
"It's ok and please call me Fitz" he smiled.
"That would be inappropriate."
"Then let's be inappropriate." Fitz shrugged his shoulders.
Olivia's phone went off saving her from having to come up with a rebuttal.
"I'm sorry" she said pointing to the phone.
"By all means take it" he put on a smile when in the inside he was cursing, every moment they seem to have gets interrupted.
"Olivia!' He could hear Abby scream on the other line.
"Abby what's wrong?"
"I had to head back to my apartment sorry you'll have to get Fitz to take you back because James got sick so he and Cyrus won't be there either."
"What's your emergency?" Olivia began to worry about her friend's departure and also the idea of being alone with Fitz for that long.
"Uhmmm my neighbors found my cat in in the hallway."
"Abs you don't have a cat" Olivia knew she was set up
"Oh damn I guess you're right. Enjoy your night bye!" Abby quickly hung up.
"Ughh!" Olivia groaned looking up to see Fitz with a shit-eating grin.
"So you heard all of that I'm assuming?" Olivia already knew the answer to that.
"You know I really like Abby" Fitz smirked
"Don't tell her that she already has a big head" Olivia rolled her eyes knowing that her best friend would be swooning right now if she heard him.
"So dinner for two?"