Normally, Camp David was an oasis for a president, a place where the leader of the free world could escape the hustle and bustle of Washington, a place absent of leering eyes and the public spotlight. It was meant to be a private getaway. But that was not the purpose of this particular trip and both the First Lady and President Grant were completely aware of the situation. That's why, when Fitz and Mellie stepped off the private plane in the helipad of the retreat, it was no surprise that a scene very similar to the one they just left back in DC awaited them: Fitz had invited the press. In retrospect, it shouldn't have startled Mellie, but it did. On some subconscious level, she had started to trick herself into believing that her and Fitz' trip was about to be some romantic getaway.

Mellie inwardly chided herself on her stupidity as Fitz grabbed her hand and swiftly walked through the crowd of camera crew and journalists. They shouted questions like normal, but none quite penetrated Mellie's ears. She was far too fixated on Fitz' cheesy grin. Looking at it almost made her sick. She was suddenly struck with a fascinating thought: this revolted feeling she had toward Fitz regarding his insincerity was probably the exact same feeling that he had experienced towards her for the past fifteen years. The reason that this particular version of Fitz' smile made her feel like running to the toilet, she realized, was quite possibly because it was so familiar to her. It was that exact smile that she had perfected so brilliantly. It dawned on her in that moment that over the last decade pretending and reality had gradually blended together so completely that she had been entirely blind to the difference. That is, until now. It was an overwhelming epiphany and Mellie suddenly felt very faint. A black town car was idle a few yards away waiting for the first couple, but Mellie wasn't entirely sure she could make it that far. The sensation in her legs was almost totally gone and she wasn't even sure if she was walking or levitating at this point.

Mellie tugged at Fitz' arm and he glanced at his wife for the first time since they had descended the steps of the plane. He noticed her pale face immediately and grabbed her waist in anticipation of her collapse, "Hey, hey are you alright, Mels?"

Mellie wrapped her arm around Fitz as well to support her suddenly numb lower half, "Yeah, I'm sorry, I just don't think I've had anything to drink all morning," she lied.

"Alright, let's just get you to the cabin, honey," Fitz said, assisting Mellie the remaining few feet to the open car door. Somewhere in the back of Mellie's mind she wondered if he was just being so nice because the press were still snapping pictures behind them.

The cabin Fitz had been referring to was not quite a cabin at all but more of a luxurious lodge. The Aspen Lodge, as it was called, sat on top of a hill on a three-acre clearing. It had an extremely large living room with a spectacular view of the surrounding forest. While Fitz had unpacked and debriefed with the Secret Service, Mellie had relaxed in the living room by the fireplace. She had not moved since they had arrived and it was there Fitz found her about an hour later. He had had a whole day of activities planned ahead of time but looking at Mellie now, he wasn't so sure any of his plans would pan out.

"Doesn't look like you're up for a hike," he chuckled, taking a seat next her on the vintage green sofa.

Mellie groaned and let her head flop to the armrest, "I could rally," she sighed as she slipped her legs up onto her husbands lap and reclined against the throw pillows.

Fitz laughed heartily and Mellie grinned as she let her eyes close.

"How about we just rest for a while," he said.

"Hmm…how about a massage for your pregnant wife?" Mellie smirked, her eyes still closed.

Fitz chuckled, "You got it, princess." He began with her calves and slowly kneaded downward. Mellie hummed in appreciation. Fake Fitz and real Fitz blurred again. It was just the two of them in the living room now – no press, no reporters, and no cameras - and yet Fitz was still acting sweet. Perhaps she had misread the falsity of his earlier smile.

"Fitz?" Mellie murmured hesitantly.

"Yeah?"

"I have to ask you something…"

"Anything."

Mellie was about to ask if his feelings had changed towards her in any way since the hospital. She wanted to know if he had really meant that he didn't love or if he maybe wanted to take it back. She wanted to ask if there was something she could do to change his mind. She wanted to know if she could earn his love or if it was a lost cause. She was about to ask him if there was any chance that they could still grow old together…

But she didn't have the courage.

"What hike did you want to go on? I heard it's a nice walk on the nature trail behind the house, I think I could manage that one."

Within thirty minutes, Mellie and Fitz had both changed into their hiking gear and were side-by-side walking down the nature trail. The trail was densely surrounded by forest but the path itself was nicely groomed. As far as Mellie could tell, unless you were to count the secret service that trailed several yards behind them, they were completely alone. It was a perfect opportunity for the couple to engage in a much-needed conversation.

Fitz kept glancing over at Mellie and Mellie at Fitz, but neither wanted to bring up the topic that was on the forefront of both their minds.

"I sometimes can't believe that we're the parents of teenagers," Mellie finally said.

Fitz laughed at Mellie's random admission, "Where did that come from?" He asked.

"I don't know," Mellie admitted, "I just looked at you and was suddenly teleported back to two decades ago…doesn't it feel like that was just yesterday? How did the time fly by so quickly? How in the world am I about to have our third child?"

Fitz shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned sheepishly, "well…" he started.

Mellie scoffed at his innuendo, "That's not what I meant, Fitzgerald."

"I know, I know," he chuckled and paused at a fork in the trail. He pondered a moment, considering how to answer his wife. "Honestly, Mellie…It doesn't seem like yesterday to me. I look at us now and I can hardly even remember what it was like before we were in the Oval let alone twenty years ago. I see two completely different people standing right here."

"I want the old versions of us back," Mellie said, the words tumbling from her mouth and landing with incredible force between the couple. Fitz pursed his lips, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. Mellie ignored his reaction and continued, "I hate the way I am, Fitz. I hate the person I've allowed myself to become. There are things you don't know…but I don't want to use any of it as an excuse, I've changed. That's the bottom line," Mellie's words caught in her throat as she fought the tears that threatened to fall.

"You really think there's a way to turn back the clocks?" Fitz asked, his voice low, his tone apprehensive and pinched. He was doubtful.

Mellie shook her head and bit her lip, "All I know, Fitz, is that I want you. I've never stopped loving you and it…it kills me to think about the hate you have for me." The conversation had resorted to whispers between the couple. Inches apart, a wife pleaded forgiveness from her husband and a husband grappled with confusion and found it increasingly difficult to turn her away.

"I do not hate you, Mellie." His words came out clipped and potent. It was all he could safely say to assure her, anything more would have been a betrayal to Olivia.

"Give me more than that, Fitz, please," Mellie begged. Fitz had never seen his wife in a more vulnerable place. There she was standing in front of him just asking him to love her and he wasn't sure where his heart was or how he wanted to respond.

"You're the mother of my children…" he tried, searching her watery blue eyes.

"Is that it?" she asked, barely audible. A tear finally escaped and slipped tentatively down her porcelain cheek.

"We bring out the worst in each other," he said gently, "It's not healthy, Mellie."

"But, I can change," she sniveled, the tears were freely falling now, "Please just give me another chance, Fitz."

Fitz reached up towards Mellie's face, nothing but his heart was guiding him now. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and cupped her face between his hands. Mellie held her breath and time seemed to stand still as his lips met hers.

A/N: Alrighty…honesty hour: I never meant this story to go in this direction, but here we are! I originally was going to have this link back up with canon, but the trains have derailed thanks to my Mellitz-brain and the Mellitz fans' reviews that have encouraged me in this direction. Apologies for anyone who had been reading this thinking I was going to keep with the true Scandal storyline. However, that being said it's for sure not rainbows and sunshine from here on out. Let me know if your still on board, readers… xx Kate