10:30 pm

When they pulled in, their fantasy was quickly halted when they saw the lights in Olivia's kitchen. Fitz insisted he go in apologize, after all he had plan to text them but just go so caught up in everything that was happening, and being alone with Olivia. They weren't sure what they were entering into, but at least they were doing it together. Olivia wanted to protect Fitz from her parents being mad and he wanted not be on their bad side before he was officially Olivia's boyfriend. So much had happened in two days between them. they smiled sweetly at one another, and he took her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it softly.

"Maybe with your bruised face, they'll take it easy," she touched his cheek.

"It'll probably piss them off more knowing I was fighting. Are you ready?"

They took a deep breath and walked into the landmine field hand and hand. Instead of two pairs of eyes there we four sets that were irate. They looked at each other then their parents and gave weak smiles.

"DO NOT SMILE AT US! Where were you two? No call? You couldn't even text us? Do you know how worried we were? How could either of you be so stupid!?" Eli was yelling and so mad he was spitting. You really couldn't blame him, it was stupid not to let their parents know anything, regardless of the situation.

"How do you think we felt, thinking something happened to one or both of you? You didn't even tell us you were leaving then go there by yourself? How could either of you possibly think what you were doing was intelligent?" Edward added in a more calm tone, just shaking his head.

Fitz gulped, "I am sorry, it's my fault, I knew I should've let you know we were ok, but I just was preoccupied…."

"...I was really upset and he was just trying to comfort me, then I was cleaning off the blood and tending to his hand and eye," she interjected holding up his hand, hoping they would show some sympathy and leniency if she talked about Fitz injuries.

"Livy called me upset and I had to go. Brody had his hands on her so I went after him and punch him, then we ended up rolling around and he got a few punches in. I was so pissed when we drove off we went to the beach house. I meant to text you but we fell asleep. It was irresponsible and disrespectful and I am sorry. Punish me but don't take it out on Olivia" he put his arm around her in a protecting manner.

The parents all look at one another then back to their kids. They were glad they had found their way together and that Fitz was so protective, but it also scared them. Furthermore, their irresponsible behavior was not acceptable and that needed to be made known.

"Let me see your hand," Fitz held out his swollen and bruised hand left hand. " Well, it's not broken, just you throw with your right or left?"

"Right."

"Well at least you were smart enough to punch with your non throwing hand. You eye and cheek look bruised but it shouldn't be that bad, good job Liv with the cleaning and bandage. I hope he at least looks worse than you," Maya smacked Eli,and whispered this isn't the time to joke. But secretly Eli was proud of Fitz, and glad Brody finally got what was coming to him.

Fitz felt a little better that he was at least joking and not threatening to kill him. Edward on the other hand did look like he wanted to kill him and Fitz feared he would be forced to hard military labor for this screw up.

"Fitz, when we bought this jeep we expected you to be responsible, you'd can't just take off and do this type of stuff," Edward spoke in such a calm serious tone, but it was intimidating, " You need to be responsible and let people know where you are. We care about you and don't want anything bad to happen."

" Well I think it's time everyone went to bed, we'll figure out a punishment tomorrow," Eli said.

The parents left the room and talked among themselves.

"They left us alone on purpose."

"I know," he kissed her multiple times, brushed the hair out of her face and cupped her face in his hands. " I think think they took it pretty easy on us. Do you need a ride tomorrow? I can take you and Jackson."

She shook her head no" I will be done with practice before you guys."

"You can drive my jeep home" Fitz said in between kisses "Then pick us up at night."

"You'd let me drive your new car?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"That's awesome…..So, are you going to sneak in my room tonight?" she asked teasing him.

"I think my behavior has been risky enough for one night. That might send your dad over the edge." He picked her up " I'm so glad I could come to your rescue tonight"

" I am too, I'm sorry you were hurt, I shouldn't have even went."

He kissed her "He didn't hurt me," he touched her hair, "I like your hair like this, natural, it suits you."

"That's funny, because Brody just told me how much he didn't."

"He's a fool, he doesn't realize what he just lost" he kept kissing her as he stood in between her legs and was moving down her neck.

"Fitz, our parents are a room away," she giggled.

"I know, I'm sorry," he kissed her one more time deliberately and slowly so he could savor it until tomorrow, "Goodnight Livy, sleep tight."

" I will Fitzgerald."

Fitz walked back into his house, and knew he would be hearing about it when his parents came back. He went upstairs showering quickly and changing into a pair of shorts. Her light was off and he figured she was asleep, but he still sent her a goodnight message.

"Fitz, let's talk before you go up to bed." both Edward and my mom were looking at him concerned. He sat on his bed as they came into his room.

"I'm glad you were there for Olivia, but we need to set some rules, you can't just run off and not tell anyone anything. It's different here than in California," his mom said taking a seat next to him.

"Also, you need to watch with the fighting, I know you're a strong kid but you're going to hurt yourself or someone seriously."

He shook his head and then Edward smile "We've decided not to punish you too harshly since you were helping a friend, you'll have some extra chores you can help me with around the house. Your mom leaves this week so I have a few things in mind. I'm glad that you were here for her, how bad did you hit him?"

"Edward!" His mom smacked her husband.

Both men laughed as Fitz retold his story to Edward. He figured he wasn't too mad and his punishment was light. His mom on on the other hand did not find anything funny and was more concerned with his face, but they both informed her that the injury would heal quick and probably wouldn't be the first or last.

She kissed each of them and said goodnight, her flight was early the next morning.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You realized, Brody and his buddies will be out to get your now."

"Well fortunately I have Jackson and his friends, I don't think anyone was fond of Brody."

The alarm went off and Fitz rolled over seeing that it was 5 am. He knew it was going to be a long day, but at least he would see Livy at the beginning and the end. His phone went off and it was as if she had the same thought.

Hi handsome. Good luck today, I know you'll do great! See you soon.

He smiled to myself and rolled out of bed to get ready for the first day of football camp. It would be a long day, 6am-3:30 pm and Fitz wasn't particularly excited to know most of it would be spent with Brody, even if he did have a slight edge after last night. He changed and grabbed his bag, then went downstairs to eat breakfast. He smiled at the breakfast spread his mom had made to make sure he was ready for his first day before she left. She left him a note of good luck and he sent her a quick text thanking her.

"Hey, be smart out there, just show them what you've got," Edward told him before he left.

Olivia was already outside waiting, wearing running tights and this made him want to just skip practice and spend the day with her. She threw her bag in the car and gave him a kiss.

"Hi, are you ready for you first day."

He kissed her back and smiled. "As ready as I can be" they continued to kiss until they were abruptly interrupted by Jackson.

"Alright love birds break it up, we have a long day ahead of us," Jackson laughed as he hopped in the jeep and they took off for practice.

They pulled in the school early Jackson wanted to make sure that Fitz had what he needed and were ready early. Fitz gave Olivia a kiss and walked over with him.

"Well, this should be an interesting day" He laughed and pushed Fitz playfully, "especially after what you did last night! You and her might be smart, but you don't have an ounce of common sense."

This was a first day of football unlike any Fitz had experienced before. From the first whistle people were moving and moving fast. Their coach had high expectations and a set schedule. The first two hours would be spent on conditioning, footwork and individual drills. After that offense and defense would work individually before coming together for full contact right before lunch. The morning went quick and Brody and Fitz both showed off their skill set without either one making any noticeable mistakes. While Brody was the prototype of a pocket passer, Fitz was a dual-threat versatile athlete. When they took on their own defense neither could be stopped and this proved a problem that any coach would be glad to have. The afternoon would be spent working at individual positions and then lifting. That meant Fitz and Brody would have the entire afternoon together.

During their lunch break Fitz, Luca and Jackson were walking back to the locker room to get out of their pads and eat. They were already exhausted and the day was only halfway over. Liv and Abby had just finished practice and waved as she walked to his jeep.

"Wow, Abby looks great."

Fitz and Jackson just looked at each other and laughed, "You should ask her out bud, she's had the hots for you forever."

"Nah, I don't know, I um.." he trailed off "You thinks she'd say yes?"

"Luca, we wouldn't tell you this if we weren't confident."

"Well, I gotta get ready for soccer see you guys later!"

"Hey, you look good out there, just keep throwing me the ball and I'll keep you looking good."

"Has anyone ever told you how full of yourself you are?"

"It's just confidence baby. So how bad your punishment? Are you and Liv banned from seeing each other or leaving the house ever again? Are you like some star-crossed lovers who have to sneak around? I can't believe you were dumb enough to go without calling me first. You don't know what these guys are like, they fight dirty and unfair, you could've been seriously hurt…. besides I would've loved to throw some punches."

Fitz laughed and shook his head. His friend always had a way to make light of any situation. "My punishment is hard labor. My mom left this morning for a week long conference in Boston, so Edward and I are building her a pergola for the pool deck. I guess it is a anniversary gift, and your sister has a 9 o'clock curfew, so they are letting us see each other but putting a time limit, so I guess it is not too bad for the week especially with my bonehead move."

"Don't worry I've done a lot of things to piss my parents off and Liv has always been the perfect angel. It probably scared the shit out of my dad last night when he didn't know where she was and on top of it knowing you could be hurt. He likes you Fitz so don't mess that up, she is daddy's little girl, he always wants to protect her. You two just need to cool it for awhile and stay off their radar."

The afternoon started off with position work, besides Fitz and Brody there were two freshmen quarterbacks who would be working on JV. They had strong arms but needed a lot of work on footwork and reading the defense. Fitz tried to help them while they were working on drills and this did not go unnoticed by the QBs coach. He had been the starter at Virginia and returned back to alma mater to teach and coach. Brody kept to himself and only worked on what suited him. This annoyed Fitz, whatever he thought of Brody off the field, he knew he was good and thought that skill should be used to help others develop as well.

"What the hell is your problem, why aren't you helping these younger guys learn? You know the footwork, you know how to drop back and read protection, let them in there to see it."

"I don't know who you are or who you think you are, but better back off and not tell me how to run my position. You might think you can take my girlfriend but there is no way you'll be starting quarterback."

Fitz got right in his face, "We'll see about that."

Jackson grabbed Fitz and pulled him away before anything escalated "Come on they want the receivers to work on routes with the different quarterbacks." They started walking away "You need to cool it, you can't be fighting on the field, coach will throw you off the team, he doesn't tolerate that crap. "

After about an hour the guys headed to the weight room and the QB Coach approached Fitz, and told him he was needed in the Head Coach's office. Fitz was nervous, had he found about the fight last night and planned to kick him off the team? He loved football and couldn't believe this could happen already. Fitz followed Coach Johnson into the office and saw Brody sitting in the chair in front of their head coach.

"Well men, I have a problem, two of my best players play the same position and I need to find a way to have you both on the field. So I have a solution, Fitz I've watched tape on you and you're a damn good quarterback and I like your versatility. However a two quarterback system is difficult, if one person catches on fire it's hard to justify getting the other guy in. However, I like your speed and the way you see the field, I'd like to try you at tailback, what do you think of that?"

Fitz could see the shitty grin on Brody's face, but knew he needed to stay on his coach's good side. "Sir, I've never played that position before, but I'll give it a try."

"Great, now that doesn't mean anything is set in stone, I love the idea of your both competing at quarterback but think we could be a very dynamic and stronger team if I can use both of your skills in some capacity. So Fitz I want you taking reps at quarterback and tailback for the rest of this week. At Friday's scrimmage you'll see time at both positions, I think you are strong and in great condition to try this. You are both free to leave and finish your weight lifting and I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Fitz was not happy, but he knew he was the new guy and unproven, so he had to do what was best for the team. They started walking back to the weight and Brody made sure to rub it in.

"You realize it's going to be the same way with Olivia, don't you? You'll never be good enough for her, just like you're not good enough for this team. Once she realizes that she'll be crawling back to me." He laughed as he walked into the weight room and over to his cronies. Fitz felt like he had been kicked in the guts as his old insecurities began to creep back into his mind.

After their shower Fitz and Jackson were walking out to the jeep to meet Olivia.

"They want me to try tailback."

"Hey they see your talent and want you out there. But listen, we all know Brody, he's worried only about stats, just do what you need to and I'm telling you you'll be the starting quarterback before you know it. He must've eaten too many MRE's or something that gives Coach long term memory loss or some shit, but it happens every year, Brody's great at first, then he's pissed when he isn't the star and does what he wants…... Liv's waiting for you, and I'm going with Marisa, I'll see you later." He laughed and as he walked over to Olivia.

"Hi handsome, how was your first day?" she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Exhausting," he kissed her, "Let's go, the faster I start my hard labor, the quicker I can come see you. You can drive." They jumped in the jeep and headed home together.

He was so tired he barely talked, he closed his eyes as she drove.

"Fitz, are you ok?" she took his hand and looked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm tired, and they want me to play two positions. They think we'll be better with Brody as quarterback and me back there with him as a tailback. Its a lot to learn and do physically.

"If anyone can do it, you can," they pulled in and she kissed him. "Text me when your prison sentence is over."

She sent Abby a message to call her when she got it and that she had something important to tell her. She called Liv almost immediately.

"Olivia Pope, what did you do now!"

"I broke up with Brody."

"WHAT! I am happy, but are you, what happened? I thought I said nothing drastic? You never listen!"

"Abby I tried, I really did, but I listened to what you and my mom said about letting things go as they may and when I spent Fitz' birthday with him and then went to a party with Brody there was no comparison. From the minute I got in the car I wanted to be back with Fitz, then Brody pulled some sleaze bucket scheme and I caught him red handed. Fitz came to my rescue."

"OMG what happened! I told you he was a creeper from the beginning! Ugh just wait til I see his sleazy ass!"

"He picked me up after Marissa, my brother and I had been with Fitz. Of course he was questioning me who he was and when I got mad he gave me a sap story about how he missed me and thought about me all the time, then gave me this bracelet. He had all these lines to tell me. Then when I was at the party he was ignoring me and telling me I was no fun, then I saw it a girl from State with the same bracelet. I asked her where she got it and she told me this story about the sweetest guy she had been dating brought it back from Hawaii and showed me Brody. I called Fitz to get me,he punched Brody and we left together"

"Oh what a hunk and he fights for his girl! Does he have a twin, or maybe we can clone him?"

"Oh Abby, I can't wait for you two to meet, he'll love your smart ass attitude. Plus he really likes Luca, maybe he'll be the one to finally hook you up! "

"Oh please, all Luca knows is soccer, ancient history and the pythagorean theorem or some crap like that!"

The two friends laughed and talked about the upcoming school year, Abby's party and how her trip was. Olivia missed her best friend, while Abby was worried about hers. She was relieved that she was no longer with Brody, but everyone knew he would retaliate and Abby was afriad of what was in store for Fitz and Liv. She had talked to Fitz and Jackson the other night when they were plotting their take down of Brody, after she hung up with Liv she texted Jackson.

Watch out for them Jack…. I don't think they've realized the storm they've just created.

I know, they're too busy living out their fairytale to realize they are playing with fire. I've been trying to keep my ears open on what Brody is planning, I know he's up to something.

You and Marissa just watch out for them until I get back, then we'll all figure it out together. Keep those two in the dark for now, so Fitz isn't punching anyone else.

Fitz and Edward were busy cutting, measuring and staining the post for the base of the pergola. He had always liked and respected Edward, and started to realized this really wasn't a punishment because the longer they were out there working together, the closer it was bringing them. He was happy to have someone he could finally call a father figure.

"I'm glad you're helping Fitz, it'll mean more to her if you help. She doesn't know what we are doing, she thinks I'm just making you do some crappy chores, but it works better to put you to work for me. She's been saying about wanting one for awhile, and I'd like to have it done for when she comes back next week for our anniversary," he smiled.

Fitz shook his head in agreement as he finished staining another board.

"So, you and Olivia, are you a couple now?"

" I don't know if we have really given it a label. But I hope so, it'll be different when we are back in school."

"How so?"

"Well her ex, I don't know if they'll be in classes or what. He was just trying to get to me today, Jackson had to break it up. With her, I just am so much more defensive and react before I think."

"Fitz you can't be throwing punches every time someone pisses you off. You need to find other ways to respond to things. You're a smart kid and I don't want to see you getting into trouble."

"I know."

"I don't think you have a thing to worry about with Olivia. Just treat her right, he wasn't nice to her and I know it really upset her parents."

He shook his head.

"Well it looks like you've served your sentence long enough for tonight. I think her punishment was she could see you until 9, it's 7:30 now, that gives you an hour and a half," he smiled.

"Thanks Edward, I appreciate everything you've done for me since I've been here, you've been more of a father to me than Jerry." Edward smiled at this comment.

Fitz texted Olivia, I'm on my way.

She met him at the door, and let him in, Olivia was glad to see him, she had missed him all day.

"Hello, Fitzgerald, it is nice to see you," Olivia's mom was in the kitchen putting away their dinner.

"Hello mam, it is good to see you too."

"I'm going to work in the office Olivia, you guys can have the living room to hang out. Remember the punishment, he has to leave by nine," she smiled and left them alone.

"This is beautiful, I love the fireplace," Fitz walked around the living room admiring the craftsmanship.

" Yeah it's nice." She took a seat on the couch, not sure how she should go about hanging out. Fitz laid down, putting his head in her lap. He was exhausted and just wanted to relax and talk to her about their day.

"I hate not seeing you all day."

"Fitz you're being dramatic, we really aren't punished that hard," she said running her hands through his hair.

"That feels good….Thursday I am taking you on a date. It's Edward's late night and with mom gone I'll make you dinner."

"My parents will never let me be alone in the house with you, no offense but I know them."

"Fine, I'll take you somewhere special to eat and figure out something else. It'll be a surprise for our first date," he smiled at her and she just laughed and rolled her eyes.

"How was practice Livy?"

"It was great, I almost broke the 5:30 mark on my mile. Thanks for the note and playlist in my bag, you have quite an extensive taste in music. How was your first day?"

"Alright, I guess." Fitz shrugged his shoulders and shut his eyes, not sure if he wanted to talk about it.

"What's wrong Fitz?" she stopped playing with his hair and grabbed his hand.

"You're brother tried to convince me that they recognize my talent and that's why they are moving me, but I can't help but feeling that was their way of telling me Brody is better. I felt what he was really saying is we like Brody's style of play, and aren't moving him, so we are making you find a new position."

"Patience Fitzgerald, there isa reason they haven't won a playoff game the past two years. Some people are more worried about their stats than the team and winning. Just do what you need to for now and he'll implode, it happens every year."

"I've never played another position, I just don't know if I can. That's learning a new playbook for two positions. I don't know if I can do this. Of course Brody sat there with a smug look on his face."

She bent down and kissed him "I believe in you. I know you'll be great."

Fitz stood up, grabbed Olivia and pulled her on top of him as he laid back down.

"I like laying this way better," he began kissing her.

"You're ridiculous," she said and kissed him back.

"Tell me about this date you have planned."

"I can't, it's top secret."

"Fitz I hate surprises, please just tell me.'

"Well I'm going to romance you. First we'll go eat somewhere special, it'll be our place. Then we'll walk hand in hand and find a band playing so I can dance with you. Then we could go to a movie, but I don't like that because I can't talk to you, so I'll have to think of something else," he smiled.

"I loved my playlist today."

"Well I had to repay the favor."

Liv continued to play with his hair as they laid there in silence, until Fitz started to snore.

" Fitz, you're falling asleep, you should go, you're tired and I don't want to keep you up."

"mmmmmm , no keep talking I'm listening. I am just resting my eyes, tell me more about your day and your talk with Abby."

She started talking again and Fitz began to snore again.. He was so cute when he slept. She knew one way to keep him awake, she began placing light kisses on his jawbone, which he still hadn't shaved and had developed a light beard. It tickled and she started to giggle. The next thing she knew Fitz grabbed her sides and began to tickle her. She squealed and he kept it up. When she jumped off him and tried to escape he was chasing her and easily caught her.

"Who do you think you are laughing at me?" He asked laughing as well.

They continue to lay together for the rest of our time. Liv continued to play with his hair and tell him about her day as he barely stayed awake. She could tell today took a lot out of him and wanted to let him rest as much as he could. Before they knew it, it was 9:00 pm and her mother had come downstairs to remind them of the time punishment. Fitz thanked her for allowing him to spend time with Liv.

"Do you want me to take you to practice again tomorrow?" He asked shyly.

"I'd like that."

She ran her hands up and down his sore back muscles as he talked to her. They kissed before he finally told her goodnight. As he walked away, Olivia smiled to herself, glad that she took the chance on him.

There was a red car parked outside that neither of them had noticed, however it had seen everything. Brody had watched their interaction and he could feel his anger growing. It's not that Olivia was really anything special , he could have any girl that he wanted, and with his good looks and money he often did. He could have easily been a model, he was tall with tan skin and defined muscles. He had jet black hair that he wore in a clean skin fade with the top longer and slicked back. He had a chiseled face, with a dark brooding eyes, and girls naturally flocked to him. His background, mirrored Fitz' but the product it produced could not be more different.

Brody's mother caught his father cheating when Brody was five years old. She took his sister and left him and his brother at the mercy of their father. This never bothered Brody, his older brother and he were groomed to be just like their father. Although their direct interaction did not consist of any substance he admired his father and wanted to be just like him. His father had come from old money and had built himself as a wealthy although corrupt businessman. He had connections and these connections kept both Brody and his brother out of trouble. His father saw everything in life as a competition, even when he had the best he wanted more, especially when it came to fast cars and women. Brody treated women as he had seen his brother and father do so before him, as their property and to do this he needed to keep them insecure. He had a taste for beautiful women who had connections to power. Girls who parents held prestige and power to promote his own well being. While Fitz craved the love and attention of his parents to prove his self-worth Brody and his brother became replicas of their father and he could not be more proud of the sons he produced. They were always throwing lavish drunken parties or attending them. He kept multiple girlfriends at the same time and was careful to never let them cross paths, that is where he screwed up the other night.

When he returned home that night he could still taste the blood in his mouth and hear Olivia tell Fitz "she just wanted to be with him." They had embarrassed him and that was something he would not let stand. No one embarrassed the Pierce family without feeling the wrath of their power. He called his buddies and his cousin Meli to set his plan in play to seek revenge and ruin them both. While Fitz and Olivia were living in bliss, they had no idea what was lurking in their future.