A/N: Thank you for the lovely reviews. For those of you with concerns I'm sorry I didn't make it clear who the story was about, that's bad on my part. This is an olake (or whatever you like to call them) story. So if this is not what you wanted, I'm sorry that you have wasted your time. However if this is what you are looking for and you are going to give it a chance, I hope you enjoy! Sorry for any errors.

Chapter 1

The man before her glances out the window, spitting out ideas for a candidate who is currently behind in the polls. Olivia just listens and takes notes on the things she thinks make sense. The man before her was Cyrus. He had been her mentor when she was an associate the Williams, Smith & Young law firm a few years ago. He was rough around the edges but he meant well. They had become friends and he had helped her to build a career for herself in this town.

When he left the firm to start another he had taken only her with him, saying she was the type of colleague he needed if he wanted to have his own business and Liv didn't hesitate in taking the chance. Of course this hadn't been her dream. She originally had wanted to start her own law firm in New York with Mellie. But of course things had changed over time, without her realizing it until she had looked back.

Here she was now brainstorming what to do with a recent contender who had hired them. "So what's the next step? I think I have considered everything that I could."

"Well I don't think you have?" his head turns on a swivel, staring over his shoulders.

"Well spit it out Liv?"

"What if we throw an event and all the proceeds go to whatever charity the councilman is supporting? It would raise his points enough to make him an actual candidate in the race." Cyrus moves to his desk leaning back and placing his hands, interlocked behind his head.

"You know that's not that bad. It could work." A smile appears on her face, proud of herself. "See that's why you're my right hand man."

"I have to give you a reason to pay me the big bucks right?" She takes a seat in the chair in front of Cyrus' desk satisfied with the daily session she has shared with her associate.

"That you do and everyday you continue to prove yourself."

Closing her notebook she places the pen in the spiral, "I'm going to get this to Jeremy and tell him to start. We should have an event ready by the end of next week."

"Now that the business is out of the way, how's everything?" She doesn't know where to start. Everything that she could have ever hoped for is going well for her at the moment. She was building something for herself in the political world. People knew her name and the things she did to make Mayors and Senators and Congressman for the state of California. Her professional life was perfect, while her personal life almost seemed hand in hand with the other. She was currently dating the Governor of California Fitzgerald Grant III. They had been living together for about seven months and it was amazing. She was still best friends with Mellie, who was now married and had recently delivered the child of Lieutenant Governor Andrew Nichols, who was also a good friend.

"It's greater then I could have ever hoped. How about you? How are James and Ella?" She can hear him sigh and she knows that the two have been having marital problems lately. She doesn't know much other than what Cyrus tells her or the small things she can pick up.

"When James isn't working, he spends all his time with her. I try to get time with her as well. But by time I get home she's out like a light." Her heart flutters at the image of seeing Ella asleep. The little girl was so precious and cute.

"She's adorable. When am I going to see my godchild again?"

"The door is always open for you to come see her? I bet the Governor keeps you busy." Olivia knew he meant helping him with his career. She made sure he kept a good image, threw events when necessary, and spoke eloquently. He wasn't her clientele per say but she had helped him and the publicist out whenever necessary. Even though Fitz fought her at every chance he could. Liv wanted to keep as much as her personal life separate from his profession.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just insinuate something about my sex life because that would be inappropriate." She playfully joked.

Cyrus shows a little disgust, enough to not be rude and to also show he wasn't prying in that life. "God no. I'm just curious how everything's going?"

"I know. You introduced me to Fitz, which means I know you like him, so why do you keep asking questions?"

"You're my friend I'm always going to be worried. Besides I introduced him to you as our client. You took it upon yourself to be removed and date the man." She had decided to do that, knowing full well the complications that would follow had she continued to work for the person she was in a relationship with. Wanting to change the subject, she glances down at her watch quickly and back up.

"Where is James? I would love to see my god child before I leave for the day."

James had always come like clockwork to let Ella spend some time with Cyrus, so when Cyrus doesn't even look down at the time as he responds Olivia knows why."He's on his way. Where are you going off to?"

"I'm having lunch with Mellie."

"Don't you two spend enough time together?"

"Actually she complains I spend too much time with you and Fitz instead of her. While Fitz says I spend too much time with you and Mellie."

"The most important people in your life can't seem to share you."

"I know I spend enough time with each of you, seeing as my personal life and work life overlap constantly." Which could easily be proven, the Governor was her boyfriend and their clientele; along with Andrew, who was married to Mellie; and ended with Cyrus who was her boss but also her friend and mentor. Yeah she would say that both lives were pretty much the same.

"If I were you my head would explode. I can barely find time to spend with James and our daughter."

"I've gotten use to being pulled everywhere." Looking down at the time again she knows she has to go or she'll be late.

"Well run over and let Dave know the plan and then you can be on your way. Tell Mellie I said hello."

Grateful for everything the man has done for her she smiles heading to the door before turning to say anything. "Thanks and give Ella a kiss for me."

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Fresh air welcomes the tall brunette as he walks out of the airport and in front of LAX. Across the street he searches for ten minutes. Not being able to find who he is looking for, he takes out his cell phone and presses redial. There is no answer. Already knowing where his destination is he hails a taxi, getting in the back seat, the driver speaks. "Where too?

"Santa Barbara." The driver nods and presses buttons on the meter before Jake is pulling out of the airport.

Two years have passed since he has been here. Riding through town he can see the settle differences in the way of life here; a new Wal-Mart in the city, condos being built, and traffic lights in new places. There are more things to do then there was a long time ago. If he would have been around it would have been a lot of fun. Sitting in the backseat, he enjoys the ride while he takes it all in.

Feeling the phone vibrate in his pocket, he answers, "Hey man?"

"Are you in yet?" The grisly voice lets Jake know that the man has recently waked.

"Yeah I'm here. I couldn't reach you so I just got a cab."

"Sorry I couldn't get you. I had a late night…" Jake can hear him shuffling with something in the background. He assumes the man is in a rush.

"It's no worry Stephen. I know the address, I sent the cabbie there." Looking in the rearview mirror he can tell that the driver is eavesdropping on his conversation.

"Well by the time you get here, I'll be gone. I have a trial in an hour and I have to leave in three minutes or I'll be stuck in traffic and therefore late. And if I'm late my boss isn't going to like that." As Jake is listening to Stephen he can guess what is happening in the background. His friend is most likely hobbling towards the door with one shoe on and the other in his bag. By the sounds of a few beeps he knows the man has brewed coffee but knowing he has no time for it has decided to leave it be. There goes the door shutting as he is hurrying downstairs to his car.

Jake doesn't want to waist much more time, so he decided to get Stephen off the phone as quickly as possible. "Okay."

"Just knock on my neighbor's door. His name's Harrison. He has an extra key to my apartment. Use that to let yourself in. Just to be warned there may or may not be a woman still there."

"That's how you spent your late night." He isn't really surprised that's how it was spent, more amazed that he'd leave the woman there by herself.

"Don't judge me." Jake lets out a laugh.

"I'm not but you are a lawyer right?"

Taking note of his tone of voice, Stephen retorts, "You know what you can just wait outside until I get home."

"I mean well." And he does. Stephen has been a friend since sophomore year when they shared a dorm in college but they hadn't gotten extremely close until their senior year, when they both did the same internship. He had forgotten to complete a task for the professor and Stephen had helped him out doing the project for him. They stayed friends when they graduated even though Stephen had gone to law school here and Jake went further away. Stephen always had Jake's back and vice versa. In return the two formed a good friendship that lasted this long.

"Alright see you tomorrow."

"Thanks for letting me stay again, Stephen. Until I get myself together."

"You know you're always welcome." After that the dial tone could be heard as he knew Stephen had been in a rush.

The cab driver pulls up in front of the apartment building and Jake pays his fees before shutting the door. He enters the building and strolls to the elevator. Once he gets off on the fourth floor he finds the apartment and knocks on his neighbor's door. "You must be the guy Stephen was telling me about. Jake is it?"

"That's me." The man disappears from the door and returns a moment later with a gold key. "Thanks."

"Yeah tell Stephen to bring his ass over here Friday night so he can lose a few hundred dollars." The brown man is charming and it exudes from his speech. "I'm trying to buy a new tie."

"I'll do that." Turning back to Stephen's apartment, he unlocks it and heads inside. It looks exactly the same as last time; a mess everywhere and dishes in the sink. The man lived a busy life. Throwing his bag on the floor, he lands on the couch and closes his eyes for a minute.

"Ummm…Where's Stephen?" Quickly opening his eyes he turns to see the half naked woman standing in the doorway.

Trying to avoid staring at her, he turns his head to the TV that is currently off. She now stands behind him, he states, "He had to go to work."

"You must be Jake. Stephen's friend."

"Yeah." He's facing the blank screen but he can hear her gathering her things and getting dress.

"I thought he was supposed to be picking you up from the airport."

"He turned out to be a little preoccupied." His gaze moves to the woman who is dressed at last and this lets the woman know it's her doing.

"Sorry about that." Shaking her hair, she grips it to pull it into a ponytail.

"Don't worry, can't blame him or you. You were after all just doing your job."

He can see she is a little surprised but that doesn't stop her from continuing. "How'd you know?"

"Stephen has always been a wild boy." He does enjoy that about him, he was a lawyer and a very good one but that didn't stop him from getting in trouble once in a while. "He likes to have fun. Plus I'm good at reading people."

"Really," She stares at the naval uniform he is wearing. "They teach you that in the Navy?"

"I always was a good observer. They just helped me hone the skill and then I used it to become captain."

"Wow. Thank you for fighting for your country." He wants to say thank you but he can't get it out. "Well I guess I'll see Stephen another time. It was nice talking to you. I didn't get your name."

"Jake Ballard."

"Hmm. Captain Jake. That's sexy." He can't help the blood that rushes to his cheeks feeling a bit warm. "It was nice to meet you and Welcome back home." He nods to acknowledge the compliment as she shuts the door.

"Oh, Stephen." Shaking his head he puts his feet up and catches some sleep.