Part 36

He couldn't sleep. Staring up at the ceiling of his guest room all he could do was think about was Liv. He didn't like the fact that they had left things on an argument. It wasn't his intention to upset her, but sometimes she could be too stubborn for her own good. He recognised that the move to Vermont was a big deal for her, especially seeing as she had to go on ahead alone, and he appreciated her need to find closure with her father, but what he didn't understand was her refusal to recognise the dangers that held. Sure, maybe her father had no will to hurt her physically, but emotionally he was more than capable of following through, otherwise he wouldn't have attempted to shoot her lover. Shoot him.

It was no use, sleep would not be finding him tonight, not until he saw her and made amends. So he throws on some trousers and a shirt, and then grabs his car keys.

He's half way to the door, when an intoxicated Mellie greets him in the hall way.

"It's late, where are you off to?"

He wasn't in the mood for this... "Out". He replies curtly, brushing past her.

"You're going to see her, aren't you? Your whore!"

"Let me make one thing clear, she is not, and will never be a whore- she's the woman I'm in love with... And I know that's hard for you to accept, but I can't help how I feel!"

Dismissing her, he turns from her and reaches for the lock on the door, but she grabs his arm, desperately pleading... "Why her? Why not me, I bore you two children, does that not count for anything...?"

"Mellie, let go of me..." He can feel himself losing his temper... "Do you have no dignity? You and I have always been a farce, so why act like it was anything more than that... It's over, and the sooner you accept that the better". He prises her off of him and she falls down into a weeping puddle on the floor... "I gave up everything for you..." She cries. "And yet what have you done for me? Nothing! Instead you cast me aside, like a broken play thing... You owe me more Fitz, but more importantly you owe it to this family to stay."

"I'm sorry Mellie, but I've made my decision, this pretence has got to stop... Our marriage is over, it's happening, whether you will it it not..."

"And your children?" She challenges, her eyes now defiant and wild.

"If you try and keep them from me, then know this- I will drag you back and forth through the courts until I eventually get my way- joint access, or I cripple you financial- whatever comes first, because my children will NOT be used as a pawn to keep me here with you!"

"Do as you will Fitz, but if you think I will make this easier for you- then you're solely mistaken- I will fight you to the bitter end..."

"Fine. Then war it is then." And on that final note, almost poignantly, he turns his back on her and walks out. Heading to Liv.

Xxxxx

"This is it, let's make our move now..."

But the other disagrees... In truth he wasn't ready for the chase to be over, he revelled in it. Besides, he was intrigued to see where the target was heading- considering she had left the flat without her usual backup in tow.

They keep a fair distance behind her, remaining in the shadows-undetected, as they continue to follow her, until she finally stops in front of a darkened house on the other side of town. Whoever she came to see though, doesn't appear to be home.

They watch on closely, as she peers though netted windows and then begins to persistently knock on the door... "Daddy it's me... It's Liv, are you home? I need to talk to you."

So this was her father's place.

"Damn it! I told you we should have made our move earlier... If he's in, we've lost this opportunity..."

"Be quiet..." The other hisses; his menacing eyes never once deviating from it's prey.

"Daddy, it's just me, no-one else- please, if you're there please let me in- I need to know that you're alright?" She's getting increasing upset and emotional.

Just the way he liked them- for tears always made the taking that bit sweeter. His cock begins to stir.

Xxxxx

"Hey Fitz, come on in..." Abby drawls, greeting him sleepily. "Liv's in bed, go ahead..."

"Thanks Abby." He heads straight to her room. He knocks as a matter of courtesy, but opens it's when he doesn't hear a response...

She's not there. "Liv?!" He exclaims, frantically pulling back the quilts on the bed... "Liv?!"

Hearing the panic in his voice, Abby rushes to him... "What is it, what's happened?!"

"She's gone!" Abby helps him up from bed. She can feel him trembling; he's sick with worry, and now she is too. "But, I don't understand, she went to bed before me? Why would she leave? I don't get it..."

"I do..." He reveals knowingly... "She's gone to see Eli... I need to stop her..."

He races out to the door. "Fitz wait!"