TWO WEEKS LATER

"Absolutely not," said Liv, not lifting her gaze to even acknowledge Abby and Cyrus' request.

"Come on, Liv. Just one interview," pleaded Abby.

"Nope. Not happening. Fitz and I will continue to show up at galas and state dinners together. An interview is not on the table. End of discussion."

"No, no! Not end of discussion. It is on the table. These galas and dinners aren't going to cut it, and you know it Liv. You guys haven't don't any interview together, ever. The press are already raising questions as to why you're not seen around the White House outside of formal parties. We're doing an interview," said Cyrus, slamming his hand down on the table

"Cy, I'm not going to argue with you about this," said Olivia, finally lifting her gaze to look at the two of them. They were sitting in Abby's office, Olivia in a chair facing Abby's desk with the two sitting opposite of her. "I don't want to do it, he's not going to want to do this, it will be a complete disaster. They will notice that something's up. This can't happen."

"They won't notice that something's up because you don't need to fake everything. I'll arrange it to be with Barbra Walters, so it will be easy and laid back. I'll make sure that she asks you questions about how you met, how you fell in love, all the juicy stuff that the people will eat up. You two just have to pretend that you are getting along, and everything will be fine," Cyrus explained. "This interview is happening. It will be the only one, but we need at least one. Then the questions will be shut down, and his term will end, and you guys can officially break up or whatever you two do, and then you guys can be on and off and on and off in peace for the rest of your depressing lives and then end."

"Cyrus!" scolded Abby, nudging him with her elbow. Olivia glared at Cyrus but didn't shut him down.

"I'll think about it," she said, grabbing her purse and gloves and starting out the door.

"Next week Friday, 8:00 at the White House. Barbra freaking Walters, Liv!" called Cyrus as Olivia rolled her eyes and shut the door to Abby's office.

Liv walked quickly through the familiar halls, not wanting to run into anyone unwanted visitors. No such luck though, because she walked into him. Literally.

"Jesus, Fitz, what's the hurry," she said, trying not to look him in the eye.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, sounding annoyed. Olivia's eyes flashed.

"I'm sure Cyrus will tell you," she said stepping around him and starting to walk the other way.

"What? Liv!" called Fitz.

"Say no when Cy tells you about it. And try to go around corners more gently next time," she yelled over her shoulder. Fitz sighed and continued walking to his briefing.

—

EIGHTEEN MINUTES LATER

Olivia pulled into a parking space around the back of OPA to avoid any press that might have been standing around the front. She came up the back and entered the conference room to find Huck, Quinn, and Marcus in a heated argument.

"What do you mean—no! Get her out of here! This is not going to go down well, and you both know it!" Quinn yelled. Olivia came in quietly so none of them noticed her at first.

"I say we let her stay. Who knows what she wants? We can't just kick her out," argued Marcus. Huck looked up and saw Liv.

"No, no! You don't know this girl. She's bad news. Huck can tell you, he worked on her case with me. Right, Huck?"

"Liv is here," said Huck quietly.

"What?" Quinn said, not reregistering what he had just said. "No, look Marcus, it was a complete mess and it brought up bad things with Liv. Have you seen her lately? She is not in a good place. And because of that God knows it will bring up bad things with Liv now, so we're getting rid of her," responded Quinn.

"Olivia is here!" said Huck louder.

"Who are we getting rid of?" asked Liv, stepping into the room fully. Quinn gulped and caught her breath. Marcus and Huck shared a look. Olivia's phone started ringing.

"Well?"

The three gladiators looked down.

—

AT THAT SAME TIME

"Absolutely not," said Fitz, sitting in the oval while reading an article.

"Here me out, sir," said Cyrus desperately.

"Liv is right. We're not doing the interview."

"You saw Olivia?" asked Cyrus, caught off guard.

"I ran into her when she was leaving," he said absentmindedly.

"And the White House didn't blow up?" Abby asked. Cyrus gave her a warning look. "What?" she protested. "That's progress, right?" Fitz laughed darkly.

"Look, I know how awkward this must be for you, sir, I am deeply sorry about that, but… well, you're doing the interview. It's been set up, next week Friday… Sir? Are you listening?" asked Cyrus as Fitz got up from his seat to look out of the window. There was a silence in the room for a while.

"Will this shut down the questions? Make the press go away for a while?" he asked in a softer voice.

"Yes. Absolutely. One interview and it's all over until the end of your term, when you can be official about the breakup."

"It's worth it," said Abby.

"Liv won't do it," said Fitz.

"Yes she will," said Abby, which caused both Cyrus and Fitz to turn their attention to her. "What?" she said defensively. "I can get her to do it right now." Abby pulled out her phone and called Liv.

"What," said Liv in a rushed tone.

"He'll do the interview if you do it."

"What? Oh God, Abby if that's what your calling about then I really need go."

"No, Liv, just do the interview."

"Okay, whatever… Quinn! Who are we getting rid of?" Quinn gave a muffled answer.

"What's going on, Liv?" There was complete silence. Then, "Oh my God," whispered Olivia.

"Liv? Are you okay."

"I—I need to go," Olivia said and hung up.

"What happened?" asked Fitz looking worried.

"Did she say yes to the interview?" asked Cy, passing over what the President had just said.

"I mean, she said 'okay,' so—"

"It's a yes! I'm calling Barbra Walters right now…" said Cyrus as he rushed out of the office.

"What happened with Liv?" asked Fitz.

"I… I don't know. She just hung up… but I'm sure she's fine. I heard Quinn in the background. I'll call her later," said Abby, not looking reassured. "Well, I'll start making preparations for that interview, I guess," she said awkwardly.

"Abby? Could you just let me know—I mean when you call later… If Liv is okay? I just, she doesn't pick up my calls, we don't talk so…"

"I understand, sir," said Abby closing the door with a sad smile. "I'll let you know as soon as I hear from her."

—

AT THAT SAME TIME

Olivia hung up and turned towards her office. "Have you asked her why she's here?" Liv said.

"She won't say. She just said that she would wait for you when she got back. I think she assumed that you were at the White House, and well… maybe didn't want to go there to talk to you," said Marcus.

"Oh my God. Oh my God! Okay… wait, why would she talk to me? God, I really don't want to do this,'' Olivia sighed.

"It's the right thing to do," Huck said, putting a hand on her arm and looking Liv in the eyes. Olivia took a breath, and walked into her office, shutting the door behind her.

"Karen, what can I do for you?" asked Olivia.

"We need to talk," Karen Grant said, standing up.