Wow! I was absolutely floored from all of your reviews on the first chapter! I am so happy you all enjoyed it and gave your input. It only gave me more motivation to play out what's been swirling around in my head.

I hope you all enjoy this next chapter!

Happy Valentines Day everyone! :)

It was eight in the morning and the weather outside was gloomy. Fitz sat on the balcony, feet propped up on the table, starting on his second glass of scotch. Memories from the night before kept repeating in his head. He hoped that the alcohol would help take it away, but it wasn't working. No amount of liquor could keep him from thinking about Olivia Pope.

"I want you. I want kids with you, I want Vermont with you. Why do you keep running away from this?"

He took another sip of his scotch.

"I don't love Jake more than you. I could never love Jake more than you."

Another sip, another flashback.

"We can have it Livvie. Just give me a chance. Give us a chance."

And another.

"I…I have to go."

He finished the rest of his drink in one huge gulp.

"Fitz?" he heard, as Mellie stepped onto the balcony. "You didn't come to bed last night. Did you sleep out here?"

He didn't answer as he started pouring himself another glass.

"I'm going to say that's your…second? Third? What is wrong with you? Olivia is home. I thought that would fix everything."

"Yeah, well it didn't."

He went to reach for his glass, but Mellie intercepted it. "That's enough Fitzgerald."

She sat down beside him and placed his hand over top of his. "Talk to me, hun. We became so close while Olivia was gone. I don't want to lose that."

"What do you want Mellie?"

She stared at him, a little bit hurt by his words. "I…"

"What do you want more than anything in this world?"

"You first," she whispered, squeezing his hand.

"Gerry," he admitted.

She stared at him, tears filling her eyes. Though satisfied and happy with his answer, she thought for sure she was going to hear the name Olivia Pope come out of his mouth. She was relieved to know that Fitz would want Gerry before Olivia.

He wrapped his arm around her as they lay back in the chair.

"What about something that's possible?" she asked.

"Olivia. I want Olivia."

Ah, there it was. She knew it was only a matter of time. Her heart sank a little, but she knew that she's what he wants. She's all he will ever want. Nothing and no one will ever change that.

"What do you want Mellie?"

"Two things. First, I want to be President of the United States. I want to run the world."

He stared at her, urging her to continue.

"The second thing…is a divorce."

He instantly let her go, sitting up and staring at her wild eyed and bushy tailed.

"Ahh, now I see I got your attention. Me being president of the United States doesn't interest you, but by golly I say the word divorce and you spring up into action in a mere second."

"Mel, it's not that you wanting to be president doesn't interest me. I know that's what you want. That wasn't a surprise to me. But a divorce? I never thought I would hear those words out of your mouth."

"You love her. You went to war for her. You cried every night in your sleep for her. Now she's home and…you really, truly love her."

"I do."

"I've been so naïve for the past five years. I've thought and wished and hoped that one day you would see me the way you used to again. But in these past couple of weeks I've realized…that's never going to happen. You love Olivia. You are in love with Olivia. There is not a thing that you wouldn't do for that woman. It took Olivia being kidnapped for me to realize that one, everyone knows that you're in love with her and not me, and two…I want a love that's out of this world. A love that you've found. I'm tired of this Fitz. I want to be happy, I want to be in love. I thought that I could have that with Andrew, but you know how that turned out. I'm tired of keeping up appearances. I want power. I want to be president. But I also want to have the chance to fall in love again. For someone to fall in love with me. I need to feel again."

"You deserve someone like that Mellie. I'm sorry that it can't be me. I'm sorry that I've hurt you. Falling in love with another woman was never my intention, ever. I loved you so, so much. We just…lost each other and have never been able to find one another. As for Andrew? You deserve someone so much better than him. I'm sorry that he's not the guy that we thought he was. But I promise you, there is someone out there for you. Someone that will love you, cherish you, and proudly be your First Man."

"You support this?"

"Of course I do. I was actually going to talk to you about a divorce this morning as well. It's hard to believe that after over twenty years, we both decide on a divorce at the same time."

"It's time, Fitz."

"I completely agree. But there's something you should know as well."

She sat up and looked at him intently.

"I am going to resign from office."

"And let Andrew be president?! Are you crazy?! After everything he's done, after kidnapping Olivia, he's really who you want to let run this country?"

"If I don't, he will tell everyone the reason I went to war with West Angola and he will also tell everyone about his affair with you. Given that you want to run for president in the upcoming election, I don't think that's something you want."

She stood up and started pacing around. "This isn't fair. He shouldn't get to be president of this great nation after everything he has done to you, to me, to Liv, to everyone. It's not fair."

"Defiance wasn't fair, Mellie. What happened to Gerry wasn't fair. I shouldn't even be president. This job is screwed up and corrupt. But we will come up with something. Andrew Nichols will not walk out of this Scott free. I promise you that."

"You're doing this for Olivia, aren't you? Divorcing me and resigning from office? It's all for her."

"I'm in. I want this Fitz. I want you, I want Vermont. I am in this."

"She doesn't want me. She left me. She chose Jake and as far as I know, she's half way around the world by now. I'm doing this for me."

"Then…I support you. I will contact a divorce attorney as soon as I leave here and we will get that taken care of. Just promise me you will keep me in the loop with those whole resignation thing?"

"Of course."

He pulled her in and kissed her on the forehead as she smiled. She turned around to walk away when Fitz spoke.

"I love you Mellie. I'm just sorry that I'm not in love with you."

"It's not your fault. You're not the only one to blame for this."

With that, she exited the balcony into the White House. Fitz walked towards the railing and gripped it tightly, looking out into the open space in front of him.

"You're in this? You're choosing us? This is really happening?

"It's really happening. I can't leave you again. Those days where I was trapped in that cell were spent thinking of the life that I want with you. I knew that I had to get out of there, for you. I'm tired of running, Fitz. We are in this together."

"We are in this together."

Thoughts?