So I got mixed reviews on that last chapter. A lot of ya'll really aren't here for Jake. lol! Can't say that I blame you being that I'm a hardcore Olitz shipper who actually has a deep dislike for the character on the show. It's really funny to me that he even made his way into the story but I'm just letting the story unfold as it flows out this crazy little brain of mine. Next chapter is below. Hope ya'll like it :)

It had been a week since Olivia had seen Fitz. She had been working from the lab everyday and had effectively avoided running into him. Harrison had been running point on the enhanced thermonuclear device product and he had been giving her regular updates. Olivia didn't like the fact that she was hiding from Fitz but she just didn't see any other way to handle things right now. She was clear on the fact that she had strong feelings towards him – feelings that she didn't really want to tap into given her history with relationships. Olivia knew that she couldn't hide out forever but she at least needed some time to work through her feelings.

"Liv," Harrison said as he walked into the lab.

It was late in the afternoon and Olivia was watching Huck prep the thermonuclear harness for the next test.

"What's up, Harrison?"

"Can I talk to you?" Harrison asked.

"Sure," Olivia said without bothering to look up at him.

A moment passed and when Olivia realized Harrison hadn't said anything she looked up at him. He wore a very serious expression on his face. Something was up. Olivia grabbed his arm and pulled him into the back office. "What's going on?"

"Grant's been asking about you."

"Why? Is there a kink on the plans for the enhanced thermonuclear reactor launch?"

"No, that's all going fine. It's just…" he trailed off.

"What? Harrison, just say it."

Harrison looked hesitant to speak.

"Harrison," Olivia said her voice elevated.

"I don't know. Every meeting we have he asks if you're going to join us and then today he was going on about how he hadn't seen you in a week and that he felt like you were dodging him."

Anxiety knotted Olivia's stomach. The last thing she needed was Fitz talking to her team about her. "Harrison…" Olivia started.

Harrison cut her off. "Is there something you want to tell me, Liv? Are you deliberately dodging him?"

Olivia couldn't look Harrison in the eye when she answered him. She just wasn't ready to let him in on what was going on with her and Fitz. "Of course not," she lied. "I planned to meet with him today anyway. We're in charge of the guest list for the party their throwing in a few weeks and we need to finalize the list today."

Harrison studied her closely not quite believing what she said. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

"I know but there's nothing to talk about."

Harrison stood there for a few moments his face pensive. He looked as if he wanted to say something else but instead he simply said, "Okay, Liv. I'll see you later." Then he turned and left the office.

It was just after six and reluctantly Olivia packed up her stuff and headed to the elevators. She pressed the up button and waited. She was on her way to see Fitz and she was a nervous wreck. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her palms were sweating. She hadn't even realized that she was holding her breath until the elevator dinged and the doors opened to the eighteenth floor. Olivia exhaled and exited the elevator.

Most of the offices on the floor were dark as many of the employees where already gone for the day. Fitz's office was located at the far end of the hall and Olivia could see light peaking through his blinds and under his door which was closed. Olivia took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She heard the deep smooth tenor of Fitz's voice as he called through the door for her to come in.

"Hi," Olivia said as she opened the door and walked into the office.

Fitz had been looking over reports and his head shot up at the sound of Olivia's voice. His pulse immediately went into a frenzy at the sight of her standing in his office. She had come out of hiding. Fitz guessed that his little chat with Harrison had worked.

Fitz studied Olivia as she stood by his door. She was as beautiful as ever but her posture was extremely stiff and he could tell that she was nervous. After how she treated him – disappearing for a week – Fitz was not about to make this easy on her.

Fitz stood up and walked around his desk. He leaned against the front of it and folded his arms across his body. "Olivia," he said her name with staid calmness.

There was an air of indifference in his voice and Olivia shifted nervously in her stance. She could tell that he was unhappy with her but she chose to ignore it. "I wanted to stop by and sign off on the guest list. I know the party is in a few weeks and we need to get the invitations out."

"Is that all?" Fitz said his demeanor towards her not changing at all.

Olivia stared back at him irked by his cool, aloof manner. She knew he had every right to be upset with her but the apathy with which he was treating her bothered her. Before she knew it, Olivia moved away from the door and further into the office. "Look, I know we haven't spoken in a week..."

"Haven't spoken? Olivia, I haven't seen you since last Wednesday," Fitz scoffed.

"I know. I just…"

"What?" Fitz asked as he stood and walked towards her.

Olivia watched Fitz as he closed the distance between them and that tingly feeling that he always seemed to illicit started in the pit of her stomach. He was so tall and virile. The man exuded confidence and sex with every stride of his long, firm legs. Olivia could feel herself being drawn in by his magnetism and her instinct was to bolt and she started to but the look in his eyes pleaded with her to stay - to tell him something.

"Fitz," Olivia began. "Me and relationships…I'm just no good at them. And when we kissed I got scared and I ran." Olivia couldn't believe she had just said that. She wasn't one to readily admit to her true feelings.

Fitz looked at her his surprise at what she revealed written all over his face. "What are you scared of?" Fitz asked.

Olivia had no idea what to say. Hell she was scared of everything. She was scared of entering into any kind of romantic relationship with anyone especially after how things had ended with her ex. She was scared of how strong her feelings were for Fitz when she barely knew him and she was terrified that she would end up getting hurt or worse that she would end up hurting him.

"Fitz, you and me…it's just not a good idea. Trust me," Olivia said.

Fitz took a few more steps in her direction until he was standing toe to toe with her. He tilted his neck so that he was looking down at her.

Olivia refused to look up at him. She found that she couldn't think straight when she was this close to him. She chose instead to focus on her fingers which were locked tightly together.

"Olivia," Fitz whispered.

Fitz's voice was deep and sensual and sent a ripple of awareness through her. Olivia tilted her head back and stared up at him.

Their faces were just inches apart and Fitz's voice was low and velvet-edged when he said. "I think you and me is a great idea. I like you, Olivia. More than I've ever liked anyone and I barely know anything about you. I want to explore these feelings. Don't you?"

Standing this close to him, while his blue eyes compelling and magnetic held her captive, Olivia wanted to give in. She wanted to say yes let's explore this thing between them but her head and her heart were warring with each other. Her head was telling her that this was not a good idea. It was telling her that mixing business and pleasure hadn't worked out for her last time and that it would probably end up worse for her this time. But her heart – oh her heart – it was telling her to leap. It was telling her to embrace these new feelings that she was having as they were unlike anything she had experienced with any other man her entire life. Olivia wanted to listen to her heart and the words were there on the tip of her tongue but for the life of her she couldn't get them out.

"Olivia," Fitz gently urged her.

"I can't. I'm sorry but we work together and I made a decision never to get involved with someone I work with," Olivia said then turned and left the office.

Fitz stared after her not believing what just happened. She felt the same way he did. Fitz knew it – it was there in her body language and the way she barely took a breath when they stood within a foot of each other. The mere fact that she could barely look him in the eyes told him that she was trying like hell to avoid what she was feeling. Something was holding her back and Fitz was determined to find out what it was.

So Olivia finally came out of hiding which I was happy about and surprise surprise she actually admitted to being scared of her feelings for Fitz albeit in the very next instance she ran again. SMH! In any case I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'm kind of on a creative roll right now so the next chapter should probably be up sometime tomorrow.

As always please leave reviews. I really do enjoy readying them.

XO