The House that we built- Chapter 2: A bad situation can only get worse
Here's chapter 2! I am so grateful to all who faved, followed and reviewed. Your interest in the story keeps driving me forward. Once again this chapter is dedicated to all the #Gladtiators worldwide. Our #Scandal family rocks!
Cyrus chased Fitz down the corridor and caught up with him; deciding now might be the time to confront the situation.
"Is everything alright, Mr. President?"
Fitz glanced at Cyrus. He knew what he was asking but decided to side step it; Olivia was not a subject they spoke about.
"Should it be? I've got a cabinet of Joint Chiefs who can't find solutions to relatively simple issues and now I have to go to the hill to announce the resignation of a senator, who for all intents and purposes was the backbone of this administrations agenda because he thought it would be a good idea to add a little something extra to his morning coffee. I'm the leader of the free world Cy, and at every turn I keep getting hit in the face by people who just don't seem to know what they are doing. I'm trying to run a country and all it feels like I'm is chaperoning a bunch of teenagers at a school dance."
Cyrus nodded. They had made their way back to the Oval Office; he closed the door behind them and waited for Fitz to continue, knowing he hadn't quite said everything he wanted to say. Sitting down, Fitz continued.
"Is it to much to ask that the people I appoint to do these jobs actually do them? I'm tired Cyrus…. I need everything we're doing, everything we're sacrificing to mean something.
Cyrus stood in front of Fitz's desk, "what do you need, Mr. President?"
Fitz frowned and looked up at Cyrus, a rage building up inside him. "I need someone to be on my side! To make all of this easier! To do the job the people elected us for!"
Cyrus knew that this was all just a precursor to what he really wanted; to see Olivia Pope. Cyrus let out a heavy breath, "I'm on your side Mr. President." Fitz sighed, "I know Cy, I didn't mean…." Cyrus cut him off.
"Do you want to resign… right now? Let all of this go, run off and try to be happy? Is that it? Cause the way I see it sir, your looking for a door marked exit… You want things to be easy but the fact of the matter is, the things in life most worth doing are often the hardest and we have to make do."
Fitz ran a hand through his hair, "okay Cyrus, I get it."
Cyrus shifted his position from one foot to the other, "you sure sir? Cause this is just how it is… its tough, its dirty and nobody wants to be the team leader when everything seems lost, but if you wanna throw it all away to go off and pretend to be normal, to be happy, maybe you weren't meant to be president, maybe all those men and women out there sacrificed everything for nothing."
Fitz eyed Cyrus closely. "We're not talking about politics anymore are we?" Cyrus shook his head and took a deep breath in. "no… we're not Mr. President."
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Olivia sat in her office, lost in thought until Huck knocked on the door, "Liv?" Olivia looked up, "what is it Huck?" Huck stepped into the office and closed the door behind him. "Congressman Jackson is tied up on the hill… his office said that they weren't sure when he would be free to come to the office." Olivia stood up and began putting on her coat. "Well we will just have to go to him then."
She picked up her bag and was on her way out of the door when Huck grabbed her arm to stop her, "Liv are you okay?" Olivia felt a heavy sigh escape her; she knew Huck could see right through to the core of the problem. "I'm fine Huck." Huck shook his head, "no… we've known each other to long and have been through to much for you to lie to me and think I won't notice. If I don't know what's going on I can't help you… I can't protect you."
Olivia shook her head and took a step away from Huck, "I don't need protecting… We have a client, a job to do… lets focus on that." With that she walked out of her office and headed for the elevator. Huck watched her leave, standing in the crux of the office; Abby stepped up beside him. "Something is going with her. She's not on the top of her game. What's going on Huck?" Huck glanced at Abby out of the corner of his eye, "she's Liv… It's none of our business." Abby frowned; Huck would stand in front of a bus if Olivia asked him to. "Do you ever just think for yourself? That maybe, just maybe Olivia doesn't know everything and rule the world as we know it and her not being on the top of her game is putting everyone at risk?" Huck lifted his gaze from the floor and looked directly at Abby, 'she's handling it." With that Huck walked away leaving Abby standing alone, "Company man!"
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The Capitol building loomed in the distance as the presidential motorcade made its way down Pennyslvania Avenue. Fitz was relieved when Cyrus got called to stay at the White House; he really couldn't handle any more of Cyrus's speeches today. He was at a count of two and it wasn't even lunchtime. He knew Cyrus was right for the most part but couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to pack it all in and run off with Olivia. That was still the plan. After his presidency, that he and Liv would go to Vermont, he would be mayor, they would have babies and she would make jam. Fitz smiled and closed his eyes; images of his dream filtered through his mind. For a few moments he was genuinely happy. That was until the car came to a stop and his secret service agent Tom opened the door, "sir, we're here." Fitz sighed; the day continued, "thanks Tom."
A slew of reporters had gathered for the announcement; their camera flashes giving them away before Fitz could see them. He stepped out of his car and into the barrage of waiting media, thankful to the security and his secret service agents for keeping them at a respectful distance. He didn't mind reporters or the media but at times their will to get a story or the best shot made them push the boundaries to the limit. Fitz ascended the steps of the Capitol Building, the group of reporters trailing behind him. Reaching the top he was greeted by a few important types. They shook hands, smiled and gave a good show to the media before going inside to where the press conference was going to take place.
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"Okay, you and Quinn bring him back to the office. I will be back soon. Thanks Abby." Olivia hung up the phone and pushed the door to the men's room open; it no longer seemed to register just how many times she had entered a men's room in search of a client or to make a point to an unsuspecting person interfering in her political world. The door swung closed behind her and she immediately spotted who she was looking for; congressman Trey Jackson. He was washing his hands and hadn't acknowledged the sound of someone entering the restroom. Olivia walked over and stood behind him; her reflection in the mirror in front of him made him look up. "Can I help you?"
Olivia placed her phone back into her handbag, "I'm here to help you congressman… seems you've gotten yourself into a sticky situation."
The congressman frowned, turning towards Olivia, "I don't know who you think you are or what you think you know about me but you had better leave this men's room immediately."
Olivia gave the congressman a knowing smiled and stepped towards him. "Congressman… what I know about you is entirely more than I'd like to…. For instance, I know that when you were twelve, you and a friend were arrested for drug possession but no charges were laid on you because you threw your friend under the bus; he's currently doing 5 years in a maximum -security prison for violence offences… I wonder how he would feel knowing that his wrap sheet started with you giving him up… or do you wanna talk about that trip your sister took to Bellevue last year… I bet that's not something you discuss. As for who I think I am…. I'm Olivia Pope and I am the only person capable of saving you reputation as a United States Congressman now you've been accused of sexual assault by Scott Williams… Now we can either talk about how I'm going to save your political career or I can leave and throw you under the bus; the choice is yours."
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Fitz shook the senators hand and smiled at the gathering of reporters in front of him; none of them aware of the real reason behind the senator's resignation. After a few photo's the press conference concluded and the media group dissipated into a few strays here and there. He looked over at Tom and nodded; they were on the move, even if it was only a short distance to the men's room across the expansive floor of the capital dome. Tome radioed the other secret service agents positioned around the area and they began the walk towards the inconspicuously placed men's room door; a short corridor hiding its placement. Tom and Hal took up their position s on either side of the walkway's entrance as Fitz moved towards the door. It wasn't a long trip back to the White House but when you had to go, you had to go. He turned the handle and pushed open the door. He came to an abrupt stop when he looked the two people before him; his heart dropping, "Olivia?... Congressman Jackson?"
NOTE: That's it for chapter 2! Hope you liked it. I ABSOLUTELY loved writing Liv's monolog to Congressman Jackson. I could envision her actually saying it! Haha. She slays! As usual reviews, favs, and alerts are love! Thanks for reading
Much love
XX MEL XX