Hey everyone! Sorry for the wait for the next update, college has been crazy the past week!
What did everyone think of Thursday's episode? Is there still #HopeForVermont? Let me know your opinion by PM'ing me. I'm always open to talk! :)
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
After Mellie left, Fitz went into the Oval and sat down at his desk. He thought about his resignation and the fact that he was turning the country over to Andrew. Andrew was the last person that should be running the country, but what was Fitz to do? He was serious about resigning. It was happening. He wanted to out Andrew somehow and prove that he faked his assassination attempt, but he knew that Andrew had stuff on him as well. They could both go to jail over West Angola and he refused to let that happen.
Fitz's cellphone buzzed, indicating that he had a text message. He grabbed it and read what was sent to him.
"Just landed. He didn't take it too well. Be on the lookout in case he tries sniffing around. See you soon."
He smiled and shook his head, replying back to the text.
"I'll handle it. Stay safe. See you soon."
And as if on cue, the "he" in question walked into the Oval Office, as Lauren chased after him.
"Jake? What are you doing?" Fitz said, authoritatively.
"I tried to stop him, sir. He walked right past me," Lauren explained.
"It's alright Lauren. I'll take it from here."
Lauren smiled at Fitz and glared at Jake, walking out the door and closing it behind her.
"Jake, what...?"
Jake charged towards Fitz and pushed him up against the wall.
"What did you say to her? Huh? Why did she leave?"
"I should be asking you that question. She came here and told me she chose you. She told me she was leaving town with you."
"Yeah? Well she told me she didn't want me and that she was leaving town to go stay with her cousin or something. I didn't even know she had a cousin."
"Just one of the many things you don't know about her, I see."
"You know what smart ass? I just thought it was awfully convenient that after coming to see you, she decided to leave town."
"Like I said, she told me she was leaving with you. We got into an argument, I told her to choose, and she chose to leave. I haven't heard from her since. I'm sorry that your pride is hurt because she didn't ask you to go with her, but maybe she needs some space."
Jake stared at Fitz, seeing right through his armor.
"She chose you, didn't she? This is just some scheme that you two came up with."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Fitz turned away from him and walked towards his desk.
"Come on Fitz! We were friends for how many years? We were a team before we both fell for Liv. I know when you're lying, and you're lying to me right now. At this point, I don't care who she picked. I just want to know that she's safe. Can you assure me she's safe?"
Fitz contemplated on whether he should tell Jake the truth or not. He knew how much Jake loved her and that if he was in his position, he would want to know she was okay as well.
"Yes, Jake. She's safe."
"I knew it! I freaking knew it! She's probably in Vermont, isn't she? You let her go by herself? After everything that's happened?"
"Huck went with her. He's keeping her safe. I would never send her out there alone. I'm sorry that she lied to you, but no one can find out where she's at."
"I just wish she would've told me the truth. Yeah, I'm pissed and hurt that it's not me she wants, hell I've known that, but I still care about her safety and happiness more than anything."
Fitz stared at him, not knowing what to say to the man in front of him. Jake was right. They had been such good friends before Jake moved in on Olivia. He knew the kind of man that Jake was.
"You're a good guy, you know that? I'm sorry that we got caught up in fighting over her. You were always a great friend and comrade."
Jake was taken aback by Fitz's realization. It looked like Fitz was finally being the bigger person. Jake resolved that he should too.
"I'm sorry too, Flyboy. I knew she was yours from the very beginning, but I still meddled my way in. I love her, that's never going to change. But I just want her to be happy more than anything. I want her to be safe."
"She will be, I promise. I know I've done a lousy job at keeping her out of harms' way, but that is over. I'm resigning. I am going to be there for her every day for the rest of my life."
"I'm sorry, did you say you were resigning?"
"Yes. I was getting ready to go over my resignation later before you barged in here. I'm done with this place."
He started pacing around the office, taking in every detail.
"This job has caused so much pain for so many people. People have died because of me. My son was murdered, Olivia was kidnapped, every soldier that died in West Angola…it was all because of me, because of who I am. I refuse to let it happen anymore. If so many people want me out of here and are willing to kill the people I love to do it, that's where I draw the line. That's where I give up. It's one thing to mess with me, but with the people I love? They're worth so much more than this office. There is nothing I wouldn't do to rewind these past five years and not run for president."
"Then you would've never met Olivia."
"That's true. But I would also still have my son. I'm not saying that I wished I never had met Olivia, cause that's obviously far from it, but I would give anything to be able to have my son back."
"I understand Fitz. I give you credit for everything you do. You know I've always admired you since our Navy days. But with all due respect, you're really going to hand this country over to Andrew? After everything he's done?"
"What am I supposed to do Jake? If I make him resign, he will tell the world that I went to war for Olivia and he will also come clean about his affair with Mellie. It's too risky."
"I can take care of him for you."
"What? Jake, no. That's not the answer."
"Think about it Fitz. You're dead set on resigning. If you do, Andrew gains control of this country. But if Andrew was no longer in the equation, you could appoint a new vice-president and have that person take over when you resign."
"I'm guessing you want to be that person?"
"Hell no. I would never want to walk in the shoes of the president. I'm just saying, Andrew's dirty. Who knows what he'll do to this country."
"I don't want to be involved in this, Jake. I've already taken enough people's lives, as much as I hate Andrew, I don't want him dead."
"Then hand him the country Fitz. Go ahead. You know you will regret it. I promise you, I will take care of him. I won't tell you anything about it. I can make it look like a complete accident."
Fitz continued pacing, faster and faster.
"I will only do it if you want me to."
"Why are you so willing to help me out? If my resignation goes the way it's supposed to, that means I get to live happily with Olivia."
"Yeah, I know. But I don't want him running this country. I don't want the man responsible for Olivia being kidnapped and tortured to be President of the United States. It cannot and will not happen. Let me do this, sir. Do it for Olivia, do it for Mellie, and do it for yourself."
"Fine. I don't want to know when you do it, how you do it, nothing. This is on you. Try to bring me down with you, and you will pay. Do not double cross me."
"I wouldn't think of it, sir. Keep Olivia safe. That's all I want in return."
"You got it. Now get out of my office."
Jake stuck his hand out to shake Fitz's, as Fitz obliged.
"I won't let you down."
"With all due respect, I'll believe it when I see it."
Jake nodded, accepting why Fitz didn't believe him. He turned around and walked out of the office. Fitz grabbed his phone and texted Olivia.
"You were right. He came. It went better than expected, but I'm still wary of him. Talk soon."
Is Jake going to double-cross Fitz? Can he really be trusted? Or has Jake finally accepted the fact that Olitz is end game?
What are your thoughts?