Disclaimer: I don't own Scandal

An: Hey guys! Long time, no write, I know. Sorry, lol. But anyways, when we left off, Fitz and Olivia were hashing out the problems of their relationship. They made some headway, but you know Olivia, she always has to fix, so let's see what happens in this chapter. Also I'll try to update Until You sometime this week as well. And to LoreneMichelle41, you are soooooo welcome and I appreciate you taking the time out of your life to read and review my story, I always look forward to hearing from you. Big thank you to all my other faithful readers and reviewers, I wouldn't be writing this story if it weren't for you guys.

"So, wait, he does little home shows and you didn't make him quit right then and there?" Abby asked as they sat in the massager chairs with their feet soaking in the bubbling water below.

"What was I supposed to say, 'quit your job and figure something else out for your debt'. He'd resent me. Plus, I want him to quit on his own, not because I asked him to do it," Olivia said, sinking further into the vibrating chair in attempts to relax.

"Why don't you pay for the debt?" Abby suggested as if it were the most natural conclusion in the world.

"What do you mean I should pay of his loans?" If she were being honest with herself, Olivia would admit that she had only fleetingly considered that option.

"I mean, you paid for Jake's debt, why not Fitz's? Your dad left you a sizeable inheritance, I'm sure you could cover it," Abby said nonchalantly.

"That was a completely different situation; Jake's life was on the line. Not to mention that he was my husband and I was with him for seven years. Plus he's paying me back," she defended.

"Okay, but your relationship is on the line. Are you really gonna let something as trivial as time and titles affect your chance at happily ever after. You love him right?" Abby paused to find out the answer to that.

"Of course I love him," Olivia responded immediately and with conviction.

"Well you help people you love out of tough situations. Think of it as an investment in your future together," Abby tried to reason.

"And if we don't work out?" As much as she hated the thought of that ever happening, she had to be honest with herself. She knew Fitz for all of three months. Do you give someone that you've known for that short of a time a large sum of money?

"That's a chance you're just gonna have to take and by you taking that chance, it proves to him that you're all in," Abby said.

"Who says that I'm not all in?" Olivia was getting a little irritated with having to defend herself and her relationship against her best friend.

"You prove it with your actions. You just said that it might not work out, that doesn't sound like all in to me," Abby told her.

"So I have to prove my love for him with money? That's not love Abby, that's just showing how much I don't trust him to get himself out of his own mess and to not cheat while doing it," Olivia said, pretty much over the entire conversation.

Abby was quiet for a few moments, thinking over everything Olivia just said and then finally spoke. "You know what, I didn't think about the trust thing. You may have a point. Well, what if you just help him with the payments? That way he can stop doing the home parties, not have to be at the club as much, you prove to him that you're all in and that you still trust him to work there and not fool around," Abby laid out all the pros to the plan and Olivia really couldn't think of any cons.

"That may just work," she agreed after pondering it for long moments. "Now let's drop this stressful topic, we're supposed to be relaxing today. How about you tell me what going on with you and Stephen?" Olivia changed the topic.

Abby got a silly grin on her face that only came when a woman was either in love or in deep, deep like. "Things are going great. We've pretty much been inseparable since your wedding. I don't know what took us so long to finally realize that we had a thing for each other," Abby said, the smile still on her face.

Stephen was a good friend of both Olivia and Jake from college. He'd been one of Jake's groomsmen and during her wedding reception, he and Abby finally did what everyone had been pushing them to do; hook up. Olivia could see the chemistry between them from them a mile away but neither was single at the time or both would deny what everyone else could clearly see.

"Well, I'm very happy for you guys. Maybe we can double date sometime," Olivia suggested.

"That'd be great. Stephen's always going on about needing more guy friends. I'll ask him about it and see what he says," she said just as the pedicurists came back with all the tools to make their feet smooth and pretty.

"You know I'm only so involved with your relationship because I want you to be happy right?" Abby asked as her toenails got painted a powder pink.

"I know…"

Olivia and Fitz sat cuddled up on his couch as the ending credits to a movie rolled on the screen. They hadn't seen each other for a few days, neither scheduled to work at the same time at the hospital -no doubt because of Cyrus- and Fitz was always working at the Naughty Kitten at night. While they had kept in contact with texts and short phone calls, it hadn't been the same. Tonight was the first time they each had a free moment and the obvious choice was to spend it together. The distance between only seemed to cement her earlier conversation with Abby.

"That was a pretty good movie. I didn't think I'd ever be the boyfriend to watch chick flicks with his girl," Fitz said as he stretched his long limbs.

"You were more into it than me. You even cried at the end when they died. I cannot believe you never saw The Notebook," she mused as she moved to grab the remote.

"I'm a dude, dudes don't watch The Notebook. And I wasn't crying, there was something in my eye," he lied and got up to put the empty popcorn bowl in the kitchen.

"Sure there was. It's called tears," she teased as she followed him with empty wine glasses.

"Alright, I cried. But can you blame me? She remembered him and he didn't even have to read to her the last time. Then they died together and turned into birds, if you don't cry then you have to be the most cold hearted person alive," he said and she could almost see new tears forming as he thought about the ending.

"I'm happy you're in touch with your feminine side, baby," Olivia said around a laugh.

"Well, I'm just happy to be spending some time with you, no matter how many sappy movies you make me watch," he smiled then took her in his arms.

"Me, too," she agreed then reached up on her tippy toes to press her lips to his.

He kissed her long and hard, almost to the point of distraction, but she really wanted to bring up the money issue before they went any further. She just hoped that he'd receive it well and they could enjoy the rest of their evening. He started tugging at her shirt and she knew she'd have to pull away now or she'd be a lost cause.

"Fitz, I need to talk to you about something first," she said, still breathless from his kisses.

"Right now?" he groaned and pressed his hips into hers.

Olivia let out a moan and nearly gave in when his lips pressed in to her neck. If she didn't talk now her thoughts would be all jumbled later. She needed to get this out and fast because if he touched her again, she'd be his.

"Yes now," she sighed and pushed him away, both of them looking disappointed at the loss of physical connection.

"Okay, this sounds serious," he realized.

He positioned himself against the counter on the other side of the kitchen, no doubt to ward off temptation and she appreciated the effort. She gathered her wits, trying to figure out how to begin and not sound like the crazy controlling girlfriend. She decided to start off with tonight.

"I really liked that we got to spend time together tonight, I missed you all week," she began.

"I missed you, too. And I know our schedules are crazy right now, but I'm sure we can make something work," he promised, sounding optimistic.

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I think I have a solution to our current issues," she said and paused to gage his reaction. He seemed like he was all for whatever she was going to suggest. Good.

"Okay, shoot," he told her, crossing his arms.

"What if I helped you pay off your debt," she said all in one breath, just anxious to get it out into the universe.

"What?" That wasn't the reaction she was hoping for. He almost seemed angry.

"Think about it, I would help with the monthly payments, you can stop home shows and cut down on your work hours and we can spend more time together. It's a win win." She left out the part of her feeling better about him not constantly dancing for other women.

He was silent for a long while, slowly shaking his head from left to right as if she just didn't get it. What it was was beyond her. She thought that it was a great idea and that he'd jump at the opportunity to be debt free. She knew that he didn't particularly like his side job and just wanted to be done with it, so what was the hold up? As she had said, it was a win win. Or at least she thought it was.

Finally he spoke. "I can't accept your money," was all he said, not giving an explanation as to why not.

Well, she wasn't going to settle for that answer. "Care to explain?"

Wiping his hands down his face, he sighed then finally looked at her. "This is something that I need to do on my own."

"Why if I'm offering to help?" Olivia was totally confused, the night that started off so promising going straight to hell.

"When my parents disowned me, I was on my own. It was just me. No one offered to help and I had to figure out how to take care of myself after I've had everything handed to me my entire life. This is something that I need to do on my own so that I can prove to myself and my parents that I'm capable of doing it," he explained.

She hadn't even considered the most important factor in this. His pride. He rarely talked about the years it was just him and when he did, it was in short, clipped sentences as if he didn't want to rehash the past. Not that she could blame him. But it wasn't just him anymore and if she had her way, he'd never be alone again. As much as he needed her to accept his presence in her life on a permanent basis, she just realized that he needed to do the same. And letting her help was the first step.

"Baby, I know that you can do this on your own, but you don't have to. And as for your parents, why are you trying to stick it to people that you refuse to even acknowledge?" She could tell by the look on his face that that wasn't the right thing to say.

"That's not the point. I have something to prove and I don't need you and your money fixing it for me. I appreciate the offer, but it wasn't necessary. I'm my own man and will fix it myself. The only thing I need from you is your love and support," he said then turned to walk away.

Before he could exit the kitchen, she stopped him, wrapping her arms around his waist and after a few minutes, he returned the hug. "You have my love and support, Fitz. I was just trying to offer a solution to the main problem in our relationship."

"Again I appreciate it, but Livi, if you think me stripping is our biggest problem, you're wrong. It's trust. You don't fully trust me not to cheat and I don't trust you not to leave," he told her and she knew that he was right.

"But I know that I won't leave and you know that you won't cheat. So how do we make each other see that?" she asked as snuggled closer into his chest.

"Time is my only answer. We've only been together for three months. On and off at that. While we know that we love each other and want to be together, we are still in the getting to know each other/honeymoon faze. As time passes, you'll learn that I am worthy of your trust and you are worthy of mine," he reasoned.

"Okay," she said, liking the idea of time. It meant that they were in it for the long haul. She'd prove herself to him and he'd do the same.

Instead of shaking on their newly formed deal, he leaned down closer to her height, he took her lips in his, indecently palming her ass and bringing her body flush against his. He could feel her melt into his touch, her mouth opening wide to allow his tongue to delve in deep. She moaned low in her throat, grinding against him in a near frenzy. Just one kiss set them on fire and right before he swept her up to carry to his bedroom, she put her palms flat against his chest and pushed away. Completely confused, he stared down at her.

"Just one more thing," she said huskily, peppering kisses to his chin.

He groaned in lieu of responding and waited for her to say what she needed to say so that they could get to the good part. "Abby and I think it would be a good idea to have a double date."

He knew exactly why she chose to have this conversation now. Normally he'd refuse since Abby wasn't his number one fan, one, and two, her boyfriend Stephen was Jake's best friend. But with all the blood rushing to his little head, and the possibility of her denying him if he denied her, the only thing he could say was "Okay."

And with that out of the way, and before she could bring anything else up, he picked her up and carried her off to the bedroom.

"Are you sure that we can't back out?" Fitz asked again as he came up behind her in the mirror.

She looked stunning in her peach empire dress and he could think of a few different ways to be spending their evening. Ones that didn't include spending time with another couple that most likely didn't like him.

"Yes, I'm sure. We already made the reservations and it would be rude to cancel thirty minutes before we're supposed to leave," she said, turning around and smiling when she saw that he had left his tie undone.

He could tie it himself, they both knew that, but he knew that she liked doing it for him, something they'd discovered not too long ago. There was something so intimate about the act. Maybe it was because it was something a wife would do for a husband after years of marriage, maybe because while she did it, he stared at her like she hung the moon, or maybe it was because she could almost feel his pulse speed up, his heart beating faster for her and only her. Who knows, maybe it was as simple as she just got to be near him, got to be able to touch him, smell him, that made these moments special. Whatever the reason was, she loved doing it.

"Fitz, you'll be fine. For the most part, Abby and I will be in our own little world gossiping about our men and you and Stephen will be okay. Guys aren't like girls in this respect, as long as you like the same sports team, you can be friends no matter who you're affiliated with," she tried to ease his concerns.

"I hope you're right." He wanted her friends to like him, what boyfriend didn't? It just seemed like the chips were stacked against him. "Which team does like? Just in case," he asked.

"Well he's really into soccer. Like he goes nuts over it during the World Cup. Since he's Peruvian and Scottish, he's fine with either one of those teams," she told him. "Oh, and don't call it soccer in front of him, he hates it."

"Great, the one sport I know the least about is his favorite," he said and mentally stacked another chip against himself.

"Babe, it'll be fine, you'll see. It's not like you're meeting my parents," she said.

It was not fine.

When they first walked in, Abby and Stephen were already seated and looking over the menu. Fitz didn't think they were late but Abby informed them that they'd been waiting over fifteen minutes. Checking his watch, he saw that they were right on time, but oh well. Olivia apologized then greeted her friends, introducing him and Stephen. The other man barely even shook his hand.

"So this is the legendary Mac that Jake has told me all about," Stephen said, looking at Fitz as if he were underwhelmed.

Olivia knew that Jake had gone to Stephen with their relationship problems and out of loyalty for his friend, Stephen was already against Fitz. She just hoped that they could turn this around. Sitting, she grabbed Fitz's hand, squeezing it for reassurance , his and hers, then proceeded to look over her menu.

Fitz and Stephen were opposites in nearly every sense of the word. He was a lawyer like Jake, although he went in an alternate route and was a fixer of sorts, working with D.C's most esteemed politicians and cleaning up their shenanigans. Politics were the one thing Fitz stayed away from given his family history making that possible topic of discussion null and void. Stephen hated American football, Fitz's favorite sport, and didn't really know anything about medicine for them to talk about that.

"Well, this is awkward," Fitz mumbled under his breath as he drummed his fingers against the table.

Olivia and Abby tried to bring up common interests between them only for those topics to be resolved within two minutes because neither man knew what to say after the women left the conversation to return back to whatever they were talking about.

Finally after searching for nearly half the meal for a conversation, Fitz asked the golden question. "Did you see the fight this weekend?"

And just like that, they were the best of friends. Debating on who the best fighter of both this generation and generations past. Fitz was for Floyd Mayweather and Muhammad Ali and Stephen was a Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao fan. They jibbed either on their choices and went over records and boxing history to prove points that the two women beside them couldn't even hope to know. Abby and Olivia just continued talking about girl things, happy that the men in their lives were getting along.

"We're going to have to go see a fight together," Stephen said after they finally agreed to disagree.

"One is coming to town soon, I'll send you the details," Fitz said, pulling out his phone to do as such.

When the meal finally wrapped up, the men had found other topics they had in common like they both were engrossed in True Blood, neither cared for golf( ranting for nearly ten minutes on how it was the stupidest sport out there) and they had travelled to a lot of the same countries. Not wanting the evening to end, they decided to go dancing at a club not too far from the restaurant.

Drinks in hand, they laughed, danced, and talked the night away. Fitz and Olivia danced to an upbeat song while Stephen and Abby spun around them. They switched partners, Abby speaking over Fitz's shoulder to tell Stephen that he could use a few lessons from the other man.

"You're not that bad, Grant," Abby said as they moved to the beat.

"Neither are you, Whelan," Fitz responded, dipping her in a dramatic way.

"Even though I kinda sorta like you, if you hurt Olivia, I'll kill you," she promised, her tone and her red hair making her seem all the more cynical.

"I'll try my very best not to," he replied, not making a promise to never ever hurt her because that was nearly impossible in a relationship. What he could promise, however, was that he'd never intentionally do so.

"Good to know, because with the amount of favors that Stephen has racked up in his line of work, they'd never find your body," she said with a pat to his shoulder, leaving his arms to return to her boyfriend's.

The song changed to a slower one and Fitz pulled Olivia close as they started to sway. She laid her head on his chest, murmuring the words to the song as he nuzzled her neck. She'd never get tired of being surrounded by him.

"Fall into my cascade, I'll make you weak with my waves…"

She could feel him harden against her belly as she wound her hips in little circles. He groaned, his tongue peeking out to lick the spot on her neck that made her legs tremble. They were in their own little world, the only thing penetrating was the lyrics to the melodic tune that played in the background.

"Swallow me deep, as my body weeps, leave no trace…"

She wanted him. Bad. From the way his arms tightened around her waist, to the way he moved his lips over hers as he kissed her. She braided her fingers in his hair, keeping his mouth attached to hers as she poured her love into his kiss. His hips moved in cadence with hers, raising her need for him to unimaginable heights. Her nipples strained against his chest, each moment of friction causing her to moan as they practically made love on the dance floor.

"Take me home," she whispered in his ear, biting his lobe when she pulled away.

She looked into his grey eyes, nearly black with his desire for her, and she knew she mirrored his image. Taking her hand in his, he led her off the dance floor. She thought at the last second to tell Abby and Stephen that they were leaving but when she looked back, she could see that they were on the verge of leaving themselves, lip locked in a kiss nearly as steamy as her and Fitz's.

Fitz broke almost every single traffic law getting home. He kept her hand on her thigh the entire, dangerously close to where she ached for him the most, and she caught herself nearly begging him to touch her there. Finally they arrived at his apartment and the fact that he considered this her home too, touched her.

They stumbled through the door, mouths fused and hands groping body part they could get to. Knowing they weren't going to making it to the bedroom, he pulled her down into his recliner so that she was straddling him. Olivia raised her dress up her thighs and she nearly wept when she felt Fitz press his palm against her aching core. She ground against his hand, the need for him to delve inside her panties was dizzying.

"Please…" she whimpered against his lips. "Please, baby…"

She licked his bottom lip then bit it in the way she did when the need for him got too great for her to manage. Her hips were working up a frenzy against his hand and she knew he could feel how drenched she was through the thin material of her underwear. He finally added pressure. She was so close and he hadn't even made skin to skin contact. She moved her hand to the bulge that was nearly breaking his zipper and she heard him growl as she palmed him as intimately as he was touching her.

His fingers moved to the edge top of her panties, curling themselves into the waistband systematically. She felt them tear, the slight sound loud compared to their labored breathing in the otherwise silent room. His zipper squeaked as she finally relieved it of its duty and she reached in to get the part of him she craved most at the moment. He lifted her up, his hands a permanent fixture on her hipbones, and slowly dropped her down on his throbbing length.

She shuddered and came as soon as she had him buried to the hilt. With her had thrown back, she kept going, rising up and down and up and down. Her nails bit into the back of the leather of the chair as she held on for leverage. He leaned her back and tore the strap of her dress away from her shoulder. He bit into the flesh of her collarbone, moving towards the turgid peaks of her breast. He unfastened the front clasp and licked his lips before sucking her right breast deep into his mouth.

Her thighs were burning from her efforts but the burn in her muscles was nothing compared to the burn she carried deep into her soul for him. He abruptly shifted from the chair, picking her up and laying them on the floor, his shaft never leaving her heat as he did so.

"Oh god," she moaned as he plunged in so hard and deep she swore she could feel him all the way up to her ribs.

He kept going at that pace and her toes curled into themselves, her spine nearly snapping from how high she was arching her back. She was shaking, her hands barely able to get a good grip on his ass as she nonverbally urged him to continue. He hit her spot and all the shaking stopped. She went as stiff as a board as her climax rushed at her like a freight train. She screamed out his name over and over and he groaned hers as he followed her into oblivion.

Her chest rose and fell in high peaks and deep concaves as she tried to catch her breath. It was nearly impossible with Fitz dropping hot, opened mouth kisses to various parts of her body. She ran a still trembling hand through her hair, the simple motion zapping all of her energy and her arm fell limply to the side. She would be alarmed of not being able to feel her limbs had she not been used to this with him by now. Exhaustion was soon claiming them both and they fell asleep right there on the floor, still almost fully clothed and deeply sated.

A loud ringing was interrupting the blissful sleep Fitz was in and he soon realized it was coming from his phone. As he opened his eyes, he chuckled at the fact that he and Olivia were still on his living room floor. She was curled into his side and he knew she had to be uncomfortable from being on the hard wood. He lifted her up and put her on the couch, covering her with the blanket he kept nearby, before reaching into his pocket and getting his phone.

Without looking at the caller ID, he answered it. "Hello?" he said, his voice still scratchy from sleep.

"Fitzy…"

Only one person called in Fitzy on a regular basis, "Mom?"

AN: So what did you think? Would you have offered your partner money to help out financially. If so, why? If not, why not? Personally, I think it depends on the how close we are in the relationship and how dire the situation is. Anyways, Fitz and Stephen met and it was rocky at first but they got along. Do you like the foursome dynamic? And also, who liked Abby and Stephen's almost relationship on the show and who likes her with David? I think my preference is obvious, lol. We got a little lovin', which wasn't planned but it was my way of apologizing for the delay. Am I forgiven? And lastly, Fitzy's(lol) mom called. What does she want? Let me know the answer to that and all my other questions below. Till next time.

P.S: and once again I encourage everyone to answer whether you regularly review or not, but a Guest review said something about Fitz loving Olivia more (not sure if they meant the show or my story) but I personally believe that he kinda does(at least he says it more) in both my stories and the show. However, while he says it more, does Olivia show it more with all her self sacrificing and through her actions such as the whole election rigging fiasco? Who loves who more? Is it equal? I don't think so, I think Fitz loves Olivia more and her self sacrificing is because she's afraid. Let me know what you think because I've been pondering this since season one and want to know how others feel.

The song was Ari Lennox's Cascade. Great song, check it out when you have the time.