"Fitz….Fitz wake up…." She was frantically searching for her missing shoe.

He rolled to face her, rubbing his eyes and yawning, "Liv…" he reached to pull her closer, "get back in bed."

"You have to get back" she insisted even as he began unbuttoning her blouse, "Mellie is going to know…."

The last button sprung free of its restraint and her shirt fell open. His hands tempted her newly exposed warm skin, tracing the curve of her hip and sliding the silk from her shoulders. She watched his eyes as he looked at her partially exposed body then met her gaze, his eyes heavy with lust. He moved a hand down her arm to take hers, feeling the ring. He smiled, "Lay with me."

"What about Mellie?" she lightly traced the curve of his chiseled jaw with her fingertips, "You need to get back to the White House."

"No" he rose to lean on his elbow, watching her chest rise and fall.

"No?" she was incredulous as she tried to read his eyes. How often she found herself lost in those bottomless pools, their color at times an almost painful blue.

"We're spending the weekend" the triumphant look he had worn earlier in the restaurant had returned.

"You can't just spend a weekend in a hotel, Fitz" she admonished pushing up on her elbow to emphasize her seriousness, "People will notice."

"If you're not comfortable staying here all weekend we could go to Camp David" he suggested reaching his arm around her to pull her flush against him. They both swallowed hard at the electricity of the contact.

"You're missing the point" she finally managed to say, a hint of annoyance in her voice, "You can't just disappear for a weekend and expect no one to wonder."

"So let them wonder" he licked slowly beneath her ear. She pushed him away, forcing him to look into her eyes.

"Fitz…"

He rolled to his back, exasperated, staring at the ceiling, "What do you want Livvie? What am I supposed to do?"

She looked down at him, considering his question. The simple answer to what she wanted was him, she wanted him. She wanted him to truly be hers, not in stolen moments, hotels, electrical closets. She wanted a thousand dates like the one the night before, to be able to walk down the street and hold his hand, to go to a movie, to sit on a park bench, to have a picnic. She wanted things that seemed so simple, not too much to ask but she didn't dare say it. Of all the words she could utter, those would hurt him most because those were the things he didn't have to offer. They were reminders of what they couldn't be. She hoped their situation was temporary but every day that passed it became harder. She fingered the ring that graced her hand, the promise he'd made. It was the best he could do and it made her feel like she didn't deserve to want anything more from him.

She gave him a weak smile, "I just don't want you to jeopardize your presidency for me."

He smiled and brought his fingers to her lips, "I would give it all up for you in an instant. You're the reason I get out of bed in the morning. You're my first thought when my eyes open and my last before they close at night. I know I have no right to ask you to leave Edison and to wear my ring..."

"Which is spectacularly gorgeous by the way" she joked.

"I'm serious" he maintained, "I know this isn't easy and I know it isn't fair but I can't live without you" he kissed the corner of her mouth, "so I am going to spend the entire weekend with you, in this room, in this bed, showing you just how much I love you."

"But…"

"No buts Livvie," he kissed the other corner of her mouth, "this isn't a question. I am the most powerful man in the world and I am going to spend the weekend with the love of my life."

X-X

Hal trudged from the elevator towards the Presidential Suite unable to believe he'd been tapped to be on the second team for the President's "relaxation" weekend. The official story was that the President would be taking some time to meet with advisors away from the White House but he was sure the only person Fitz would be meeting would be Olivia Pope.

"Tom" he muttered approaching the other agent.

"Good morning Hal" Tom beamed only adding to Hal's disgust, "They're all yours. I doubt they'll be going anywhere. Dean and I will be back tonight."

"Does Mel…the First Lady know where her husband is?" Hal's tone was biting.

"Lauren knows he's spending the weekend away and is only accessible by cell phone" Tom replied ignoring the other man's tone.

"It would hurt her if she knew" he added as Tom and Dean walked towards their rooms down the hall.

Tom stopped at the door to his room and turned back to Hal, "Then don't tell her."

Hal gave him a scowl and turned to Brian, the agent he was assigned with, "If they need something in there you're going to have to handle it. I refuse to see them together."

"Whatever" he muttered in return.

X-X

"Livvie?" Fitz called from the shower then when she didn't answer, "Olivia?!"

She slipped through the bathroom door and quietly climbed into the glass enclosed shower behind him. His eyes were closed as he lathered the shampoo in his hair. She took a moment to take in the specimen standing before her. The way the muscles in his back rippled as his arms moved, his taut abs, and an ass that would make even a much younger man envious.

"Olivia!" he yelled as loud as he could. She stifled a laugh as she moved closer to him.

She slid her hands over his slippery, soapy back, "Yes, Mr. President?" she said seductively. He startled, turning quickly towards her.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Woman?" he grinned, soapsuds sliding down his forehead, "I think the secret service takes assassination pretty seriously."

He pressed his warm moist lips to hers and spun her around to stand in the stream of hot water. The water cascaded over her shoulders and she sighed, visibly relaxing.

"So tense Ms. Pope" he tasted her neck then her earlobe, "You need to relax. How about a massage from the leader of the free world?"

Her hands rested on his chest and he brought his to cover them. He smirked when his fingers ran over the diamond band.

"What's so funny, Mister?" she touched her forehead to his shoulder.

"Do you like the ring?" he was suddenly serious, "I thought it was very you, classic, beautiful, unique. The diamonds are flawless."

"It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen" she murmured watching the diamonds sparkle on her hand, "I never thought…"

"I know" he abruptly interrupted while finishing washing her. He turned off the water and wrapped a plush towel around her. She hadn't meant to hurt him with her statement but he was miles away as he wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out of the bathroom.

She followed close behind him, "I didn't mean to upset you" she said in a hush, lightly touching his bare back.

"I know" he turned and pulled her against his chest, "but I see the hurt in your eyes and I don't want to keep doing that to you."

Olivia stepped back and slid the ring from her finger, "Read me what you had engraved" she smiled as a means of calling a truce. He took the ring, holding it in his palm, "I don't need to read it because I knew from the first day I met you what I would have engraved on your ring" he closed his hand around the ring. She heard his voice crack slightly when he recited, "Livvie, Until My Forever Ends…"

She stood stunned, her heart beating loudly in her ears. Tears began to roll silently down her cheeks as she stared at him. Her hand came to her mouth and she took three deep breaths before trying to speak, "Fitz…it's beautiful….no one has ever…"

"It's true, I will love you until the day I die" he brushed away her tears with his thumb, "And there will come a day when I will make you my wife and we won't have to sneak around in hotels and…"

"Stop Fitz…" she murmured, resting her hand on the center of his chest, "I don't want to talk about someday and eventually. I just want to appreciate now, today."

"Fair enough" he conceded, frustrated with himself for bringing up the future. He knew that the only thing standing between them and their shared future was his marriage to Mellie. And he knew that all the diamonds and all the promises in the world couldn't change their situation today, "How about I give you that massage?"

She nodded without saying a word then pressed her lips to his chest just over his heart. She knew he was trying, doing the best that he could, and she wasn't sure exactly why but she believed him when he said he wanted forever.

He pulled the corner of her towel, watching it heap at her feet. She felt his eyes travel over her body as she moved to lay on the bed. He moved to straddle her thighs and she smirked at the sensation of his burgeoning erection against her ass.

"Relax Livvie" he kneaded the taut muscles of her shoulders.

Olivia giggled beneath him, "How many women get to say they've been massaged by the President of the United States?"

He smiled, feeling her muscles begin to loosen up, "And naked no less" he bent close to her, running his hot tongue along the edge of her ear.

"This is nice" she took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Imagine if this was everyday"

"I wouldn't be a very useful President"

She turned her head to look up at him, "I'd make sure you worked occasionally."

"Right" he laughed, "You are my biggest distraction, my worst influence."

Olivia started laughing again, "Right. I think you're confused about who dragged who into a closet."

"Oh Livvie, you were begging me to do it" he grinned, his hands massaging down her back and over her perfect ass, "You were wearing that dress and you looked so miserable with Davis" he paused, wishing he hadn't mentioned Edison, "as miserable as I was with Mellie. I needed you and I was pretty sure you needed me too."

"I did" she admitted softly into the mattress, "I do."

X-X

"It's pretty quiet in there" remarked Brian, "Do you think we should go in?"

Hal scowled at him, "Why? You actually want to see the two of them together?"

"I was just told that the President and Ms. Pope are generally on the louder side" Brian explained.

"I'm assuming they have to sleep sometime" bit Hal, the ringing of his cell phone cutting off his diatribe. He looked at the screen before answering, "Hello?" he moved several paces down the hallway, "Yes Ma'am….of course….no Ma'am"

X-X

Fitz looked at Olivia, cuddled into his side wearing nothing but one of his oxfords. She was reading a book, the sparkling ring glinting in the light coming through the window as she turned the pages. He loved the way the pale blue shirt was unbuttoned to just above her breasts and the hem fell just below her hips. He fought the urge to slide the hem further up her thigh and turned his attention back to the book he held in his hands.

Olivia sat up, her side feeling suddenly cold after losing contact with his body. She stepped to the bookshelf and retrieved a book, carrying it back to the couch.

"What did you pick?" he asked pulling her into him again.

"Robert Browning" she replied, showing him the cover of the book.

"I never knew you were a fan of poetry" he feathered a fingers from her wrist to her elbow, her skin was so soft.

"Since high school" she explained, "I had an amazing English teacher who really piqued my interest in poetry."

"Let me guess" the corner of Fitz's mouth curved up slightly, "Some young hot teacher that all you young boarding school girls fawned over?"

"Fitzgerald Grant" she sat up, turning to face him fully, "How dare you think my love of poetry is due to hormones."

His right palm came to her jaw, his fingers wrapping to the nape of her neck while his left hand moved up her thigh resting just below the bend of her hip.

"I know how your hormones are" his voice was deeper, full of desire.

"I assure you my hormones do not enter into my love of poetry" she tried to ignore the heat of his hand on her thigh and how much she adored his fingers in her hair.

"Sure…" Fitz smirked, gaining a giggle from Olivia as she turned again in his arms to rest her back against him in their original position.

"Read your book, Mr. President" she said, opening her book.

"Can I read to you Livvie?" he asked, his voice suddenly serious.

She turned towards him again, "I'd like that. No one has ever read me poetry."

Fitz took the book from Olivia, "Wait here, I want this to be perfect" she watched him disappear in the direction of the bedroom and return with pillows and a blanket. He positioned the pillows on the floor in front of the fireplace then pulled her between his legs. She leaned back into him as he opened the book and began to read.

"Do you have a favorite?" he asked against the curve of her neck, "or do you want me to read you mine?"

"Read me yours" her whole body burned for him when he tasted her skin and she reached a hand back to play in his curls. He groaned at her touch then forced himself to look at the words on the page.

"James Lee's Wife Speaks at the Window" he began, pulling the blanket around them then continuing:

Ah, Love but a day

And the world has changed!

The sun's away,

And the bird estranged

The wind has dropped

And the sky's deranged:

Summer has stopped

Look in my eyes!

Wilt thou change too?

Should I fear surprise?

Shall I find aught new

In the old and dear

In the good and true

With the changing year?

Thou art a man

But I am thy love

For the lake, its swan

For the dell its dove

And for thee- (oh haste)

Me, to bend above

Me, to hold embraced.

Olivia moved to kiss his neck and run her hand along his bare chest. Hearing one of her favorite poems in his baritone with his body touching hers caused was one of the most beautiful things she had ever heard. The poem had always been deep and meaningful but when Fitz said the words they sounded resolute, like a promise his heart was making to hers. She thought about the future, a luxury she didn't normally allow herself. Her left hand, clad in diamonds, roamed his chest and she envisioned that ring being located a single finger away. For the first time the thought didn't fill her with dread.

Fitz closed the book and set it aside before tilting her chin up and kissing her gently. He tried to think of a time he had been this content with Mellie but couldn't. Their kiss deepened and his mind wandered to thoughts of Olivia with Edison. He hated that the other man had touched her, that she had worn his ring and agreed to be his wife, that someone else had tasted her mouth. His hands grew rougher as his thoughts overwhelmed him. When she tightened her grip in his hair he realized the force with which he was kissing her and eased a bit. He didn't want their lovemaking to be about leaving marks and screaming each other's names. He wanted to take their time, light kisses and tender touches, whispered sentiments and her sweet moans, their own poetry.

"Did you like that?" he asked quietly, his hand continuing to play in her curls.

"The poem or the kiss?" she inquired looking at him under hooded lids.

He laughed quietly, "Both"

"I loved them…both" she admitted, her palm against his cheek.

"I love you Livvie" he pulled her hand to his lips, kissing her ring.

She felt the pressure of his erection against her hip and moved to straddle his long muscular legs. A groan rose from him when her wetness soaked through the cotton of his boxer briefs. He loved that she was always more than ready for him. His hands moved to her bare ass, kneading gently then down the back of her thighs, his index fingers enticing her moist folds.

"Fitz" she breathed against his ear, her breath causing his cock to grow harder, pressing against her center.

"I could make love to you all day" he left a trail of kisses along her clavicles, "I want to taste you all day."

Olivia stood, beginning to unbutton her shirt. He scrambled to his feet as she removed the shirt at an agonizingly slow pace. She stopped when only a single button between her breasts remained fastened and reached to remove his boxers, her finger tips lightly grazed his shaft and he shivered. He was so hard and she dripped with anticipation.

"I want you to taste me all day" her voice was low and seductive as she led him in the direction of the bedroom. He eagerly followed her, catching her just before she reached the bedroom, pushing her up against the wall and driving his tongue into her mouth.

"Fitz" she giggled when he broke the kiss and they rushed the rest of the way to the bed.

"You are so fucking beautiful Olivia" the way he was looking at her made her legs grow weak as he kept moving toward her on the bed, "The most gorgeous woman I have ever seen" he growled moving over her. They paused for a moment, neither making a move, their ragged breath echoing in the room and their bodies smoldering for one another.

She began to reach for the final button of her shirt but his hands beat her there, pulling abruptly, sending the button flying across the room. Her breath caught at the sudden rush of cool air on her breasts then his mouth devouring her supple skin. He lavished attention on one taut nipple then the other, before his mouth traveled to her flat stomach, tracing a molten path. He rolled her nipples between his large fingers and she instantly felt the connection in her hot core.

Olivia moaned and purred beneath him as he lit every part of her body ablaze with his touch. He moved his fingers to her soft, wet core, first teasing her lips then urging one finger into her to stroke in and out. She looked down at him, his mouth sliding from her lower belly to her clit then she watched as he enjoyed feasting on her. His fingers journeyed in and out of her heat, his mouth alternating between sucking and nibbling her bundle of nerves. The sight of her juices coating his chin when he looked up into her face nearly sent her over the edge. For twenty long minutes he tempted and tortured her with his hot mouth and long, thick fingers. He would bring her just to the precipice then slow down, enjoying the cries and moans that escaped her swollen, love-bitten lips. Finally he circled her clit and increased the pressure of his hands, knowing just how to make her come undone. Then an earth-shaking orgasm crashed over her and she lay limp and panting on the sheets.

Fitz moved his muscular body up so their lips could meet. She gripped his hair, surprising him with the urgency of her kisses. His cock throbbed more each time she sucked his tongue into her mouth. She paused every few moments to lap at his chin and draw the skin of his neck between her teeth. Any hope of remaining somewhat quiet quickly flew out the window when he finally surged his full length into her. Her nails dug into his glutes, drawing him further in. She wrapped her legs around him as he rolled them so she was on top. Olivia rode up and down his long hot shaft until she felt her orgasm approaching anew. She slowed then relinquished control for him to set the tempo. He swiveled his hips earning a loud cry, "Fitz" then increased his speed until he felt her contract around him and "Fitzgerald" echoed through the room.

He was so close to his orgasm and everything around them clouded as their mutual release became their singular focus. "Livvie" he growled louder than usual as he did his best to hold off and allow her to climax one last time before him. He reached between them to tempt her clit with his thumb, massaging circles against her most sensitive spot. Olivia reached to grasp any part of him she could bring closer, riding him to a height she never fathomed possible.

"Olivia" he boomed, his face and ears ruby red.

"Oh Fitz" came her shrieked reply, then she looked directly into his eyes, "Cum for me Mr. President" and she bit her lip to keep from losing it.

At last she let go just as he showered her soft walls with his seed.

"You know I love when you call me that" his gruff voice spoke against her neck as he lay partially on top of her.

"A massage and sex with the President of the United States?" she laughed, her eyes still closed in post-coital bliss, "I'm one lucky girl."

"Still so many hours in the day for you to get lucky" Fitz kissed her lips it began chaste and small but quickly escalated to an all-consuming embrace, "I love you" he muttered against her lips.

"I love you too" she grinned.

"Well, well, well, it appears your meetings are going well" they froze as the voice sent a chill down Fitz's spine and reality hit Olivia square in the face.