Hello Gladiators!

Happy Scandal Thursday! I am literally dancing in my seat from excitement for tonight's proposal episode! (Fingers crossed that Shonda does not shatter all of our dreams).

I know a couple people were worried this story would be full of angst but I want to put your mind at ease that this is not my plan. I just wanted to take time to work through there issues before bringing them into a good place. I sometimes get turned off by fanfics that just throw them together in the first chapter, it takes away the suspense! Reviews are most definitely welcomed!

The sun just went down and Olivia was starting to feel restless since she had been driving for a little over ten hours. She knew she was close when she got off the highway and the roads were barley lit with houses far and few between. Since she has only been here once and she did not drive, she had to enter the address into her GPS and after what seems like forever, is finally starting to see the landscape and beauty that is Vermont.

There really was no plan in place but the only thing that felt right and settled her was being here, the one place that held only good memories of her and Fitz and right now she needed that more than anything, she needed to be engulfed in what this home represented, love and hope. The time that would be spent here was unknown, but she couldn't see it being too long since sooner or later he would find her and right now she just hoped that with everything happening in his life, he wouldn't come here looking for her.

Her GPS indicated that her destination was two miles up the road on the right and she realized she hasn't seen a house or any lights for that matter for a few miles. Slowing down the car she turned onto a dirt road and followed it for another half mile until the dirt road turned into pavement and she realized she was now moving up the driveway to the home, their home.

Olivia parked the car in the circular driveway and got out staring at the home before her. It seemed bigger than before, or maybe it was because she knew it was empty and no one was waiting for her this time. Popping her trunk open she retrieved her bag and luggage from it and made her way up to the front door. Thankfully after she told Fitz not to sell the house and she agreed to be his campaign manager, he gave her a key just in case they were able to sneak away from the campaign trail for a night. That never ended up happening with all the drama surrounding B613 and her mother.

Opening the door to blackness she was able to locate a light nearby using the flashlight on her phone. Once her eyes adjusted to the new lighting she was able to take in her surroundings which at the moment was an entry she had never seen that had a rustic chandelier hanging in the middle. Leaving her luggage at the door she moved from room to room taking in these new sights she wasn't able to see due to her only focus being on Fitz the last time she was here.

Finally entering what seemed to be the main room she felt a feeling of relief and calm go through her body. This was the one room that held everything for her, love, hope, amazement, and commitment. Fitz proved his love and commitment to her in the very spot she was standing in at the moment.

The feelings and memories are overwhelming and Olivia doesn't even try to hold back the tears that are spilling over her eyes.

The room looked the same but also different. It seems he had the house completed and decorated with paintings and the furniture was re-arranged a bit but still had white sheets draped over them.

Exhausted from her long drive she kicked off her boots and removed her cap and leather jacket and walked over the large sectional that was placed in front of the fire place. Taking the sheet off and disposing of it on the floor near her she laid on the couch and closed her eyes, hoping to be able to make it through the night without the nightmares that have plagued her since his son's death.

"Mr. President, this is not an option, you must see a therapist" Cyrus said as he paced back and forth in front of the President and the first lady who were seated on a couch in the residence. Mellie was made aware of what had happened by one of the secret service agents that seemed more committed to her than his president, one guess who.

"I can't believe you tried doing this, that was low even for you, leaving us, you have two children that are very much ALIVE Fitzgerald" Mellie's voice began to rise with each word, she was hurting too and understood the pain that he was feeling, especially since she had tried something similar after the Big Jerry incident years ago but she could never do that to Teddy or Karen, no matter how hands off of a mom she was.

"I am not seeing a therapist, I had a moment of weakness but I have a country to run and don't have time for that." He stated simply. It was the morning after the incident and he was still worn and tired, and shocked that he actually attempted suicide. He could not believe he let that moment bring him to that point but he also knew that he has a purpose and needed to get back to running the country and keeping busy.

"A moment of weakness that almost killed you and where would that leave the country today? I know what you are feeling Fitz, I would do anything to get rid of this pain, but you tried to take the easy way out instead of fighting through and you need help, this is not something that we are just going to pretend did not happen" Surprisingly Mellie was being honest and actually sounded genuine.

"Sir, she is right we cannot let this go, we need to come up with a plan and that starts with you seeing a specialist." Cyrus said finally taking a seat across from Fitz and Mellie.

"And how are we supposed to do that, you know very well that it could easily be leaked if a therapist is coming to visit at the White House, I cannot look weak Cyrus, and I refuse to look weak to this country and to our enemies!" He was feeling frustrated and defeated.

"Ok, why don't we say that you are taking time off to mourn the death of your son, the public will respect that, and we can have you go to Camp David where there is more privacy?" He offered

"That's a great idea Cyrus, we can go and take a few days there" Mellie states, she is somewhat more lively than she has been the last few days, it could have something to do with the hooch Fitz smells on her breath.

"No, I just no, I am sorry Mellie but I cannot go to Camp David right now with you and see a therapist and…..I just can't." Fitz is clearly struggling to explain

"You can't go WITH me, let me guess because part of the reason you tried to overdose was because your precious Olivia is missing?" Mellie huffs standing up, not very gracefully.

"Mellie…" Fitz starts but just stops because he knows after twenty years of marriage there is no point in denying it, she knows him too well.

"Mr. President, you have to take time off and we need to do it privately and you going somewhere while Mellie stays here will not look good for optics" Cyrus states and starts pacing again trying to think of an idea.

"Mellie can go to Camp David, you can use the break and distance from here as well, and I know you love it there this time of the year. We will have the public think we went together."

"What about you Mr. President?" Cyrus stopped pacing and looked over at his boss who had his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.

"I am going to Vermont." Fitz states simply and gets up walking over to the table where there is a canister of scotch.

"Vermont Sir?" "Vermont!?" Cyrus and Mellie both reply as Cyrus makes his way over to the canister and grabs it from an agitated Fitz.

"Yes, Vermont. The only way I am agreeing to this plan is if it means I can do this and get it over with in Vermont." Fitz doesn't even attempt to grab the scotch from Cyrus and just looks pointy at Mellie and him waiting for the response.

"What is in Vermont?" Mellie asked

"A house, my house…"

"Of course you have a house I don't know about it, let me guess you are not the only owner of this home are you?!" Mellie asked not angry but more defeated

"Sir…is this true you? You own a home with….your mistress?!" Cyrus started getting angrier by the minute, especially since he was just blindsided with this news, news that could very well ruin his presidency if it were to go public.

"Yes, I built OLIVIA a house in Vermont, our house, and that is the only place I will be going if you want me to go along with this plan of yours." He stated, and made sure to fix Cyrus' wording.

"Oh this is great, of course you and OLIVIA own a home, why should I even be surprised by this, you are lucky the press never found out about this, it would ruin you!" Cyrus says while Mellie is quiet and just at a loss for words. She could not believe that amount of work Fitz put into proving to Olivia his love for her and how committed he was to a future with her.

"Cyrus, I am done talking about this, put the plan in action, I need to leave here by tonight, this house is suffocating me." Fitz announces as he walks out of the room leaving a bewildered Mellie and Cyrus behind.

"Are you going to be okay with this?"

"Does it matter, it's what needs to happen, we need him to work through this and at this point I am willing to do whatever needs to be done. He was not lying when he said being in this house was suffocating." Mellie was drained and just needed to get away.

"Sir we are a mile out" A secret service agent stated to Fitz as they both road in the back seat of an unmarked SUV. He could not fly to the house on Marine One without drawing attention so they opted to drive from D.C in an unmarked SUV and 4 other unmarked cars, two in front of them, two behind.

Once they pulled up the agents in the other four cars got out and started to do a sweep. The lights were on in the house and they did not expect anyone to be in there so they went in with caution while Fitz stayed behind with four other agents.

"Sir, there is something inside you need to see." One of the agents stated when he came back outside to let Fitz know what was going on.

"Okay…" Fitz said intrigued and followed the agents into the lighted house. They walked through the entry way where he made notice of a lonely piece of luggage but he continued to follow them into the main room and was still confused on what he was looking for.

"Sir…" One of the many agents in the room said and nodded his head toward the couch"

Fitz breath caught in his throat as if all the air and wind was knocked out of him when he saw the petite frame laying on the couch under one of the sheets.

"Livvie…"

And there it is! I hope you enjoyed it and are happy they are finally in the same room. I have an idea of where I am going with this story but feedback is always welcome and suggestions. I think I am starting to get the hang of this!

P.S I have been into Terry fanfics lately but can't seem to find any that are more than a few thousand words. Let me know if you know of any good ones!