Disclaimer: Scandal belongs to Shonda Rhimes
Author's note: Due to the time difference it is Friday before I can see new episodes of Scandal. Wow, it was a good episode. Animelover6000 – you're welcome. I was choked too, until the last moment I hoped Fitz wouldn't be harmed.
Thank you to History Princess for pointing out that Supreme Court would never be involved in a divorce – I've change the wrong detail.
Guest: Thank you – I think the Scandal writers are briliant
Take It Easy On Me
Chapter 14
Travis walked nonchalant into the conference room followed by his sulky wife, the coldness between them was almost touchable and that worried Olivia.
"I saw your live statement from yesterday, you did the exact opposite of what I told you to do. What happened?" Olivia had no time for playing nice.
Travis looked surprised, "I think we handled it well."
Olivia stared at him in disbelief, "you didn't! Why are you already back in Washington?"
"We gave our statement, there was no need for us to stay and my father-in-law will handle any questions that might come."
"That is not good enough, questions will come. If you intent to run for Governor in Texas, and win the election you need to be in Texas and bond with the voters, and you need to handle your forgotten daughter in a way the voters will accept and like. Do you and your wife want the Governor post in Texas, or doesn't it really matter to you?"
Mary-Ann Travis looked up for the first time with chock in her eyes, "of course it matters!"
"Then what didn't you understand about the directions I gave you? I told you to be supportive of your husband and accept his daughter with open arms."
"But I don't want to be a stepmother of a child I never wanted. Jack lied to me, he promised me he would run for President one day, but how can he now?"
Sighing, Olivia watched the young woman, "the only way to become a Governor's wife is to play the game, Mrs. Travis and you don't!" Pausing she turned her attention to Travis, "and you don't do a better job than your wife, unfortunately."
They both looked offended at her, "what do you mean, Ms Pope?" Travis found his voice.
"I don't know how you made it to Senate, your father-in-laws connections I assume, but they won't be enough in the run for Governor. You both act like spoiled kids."
Finally, they both looked shaken and with a insecure voice Travis asked, "what do you want us to do, Ms Pope?"
Staring him firmly into the eyes she said, "I want you to listen to me and do as I tell you, I can only help you if you use my advices. This is your last chance."
Jack and Mary-Ann shared a moment looking at each other, but finally the both nodded.
"You will work together as a devoted couple, show the voters that you are in love, touch each other and smile. Mrs. Travis, you will invite Emily into your house on visits, also extended visits, and treat the girl well. Senator, you will act remorseful and promise to do better in the future, and spend a lot of time with your wife and Emily, and keep on supporting and cooperating with Mrs. Johnson."
"Do I need to be around the girl, after all, she is Jack's daughter?" Mary-Ann was sulking again.
"Yes, if you want to be a Governor's wife, yes! This is not optional."
"Fine."
"Good. We are back to damage control. You left Texas to visit Emily because you couldn't wait any longer. You will visit her today together, holding hands and look like this is a joyous moment in your lives. Harrison is working on a visitation agreement; you can refer to that as another reason why you came to Washington. Tomorrow you will return to Texas and stay there for the majority of your time in the future. Mr. Travis, you were not born and raised in Texas and the voters hardly know you, change that. Use the fact that your wife is a local belle. Make a new statement about how happy you are to finally be in contact with Emily. Have I made myself clear?."
"Perfect clear, Mrs. Pope." Travis looked as pale as his wife did.
"You have to work hard for second chances on the political scene, Senator Travis and Mrs. Travis."
Huck knocked on the glass wall to catch Olivia's attention. Excusing herself, she got up and walked out to Huck.
"What is it Huck?" Olivia kept her voice low.
"Mrs. Travis isn't as innocent as she looks." Huck said in a loaded tone of voice.
Olivia gave him a glare, "what have you found?"
Huck raised his eyes, "she isn't as innocent as she looks, they never are you know. She had an affair with a married man just before she met Mr. Travis. Her father talked to the cheating man, a man belonging to the Church of Reverend Wilkes, and forced Mrs. Travis into the marriage to end the affair and the gossip."
Olivia watched the couple through the glass wall. "Do you want to use the information?" Huck was restless.
"No not yet. This will be between us." Olivia walked to Harrison's office, "if the document is ready please join us. Is Abby still talking with Mrs. Johnson?"
Quinn nodded, "Mrs. Johnson was a little upset with Mrs. Travis statement from yesterday."
Olivia walked back to the conference room followed by Harrison and Quinn, "we have made a visitation agreement for you, it will stand in court, Harrison is one of the best lawyers in the country. You'll take this to Mrs. Johnson today and you will both sign and honor this schedule. I'll meet you there later."
Olivia drove to the White House to have lunch with Fitz, he had ended his meeting with the Secretary of State, and she could squeeze lunch in before she had to assist the Senator at Mrs. Johnson's place. He sat at his desk when she walked in, but looked up when he sensed the change in the room, she hadn't knocked on the door but walked right in. He gave her a full smile but stayed in his chair, Olivia nodded and headed to her office, they were both very aware of the cameras in the oval office.
Five minutes later Fitz strolled casually into Olivia's office and closed the door behind him, pausing at the door he just looked at her, his eyes holding hers in an iron lock that made her breathing change into a faster pace, the heat in his eyes impossible to ignore. Her body reacted immediately to his passion, and she saw his breathing followed the pace of hers. Her legs walked her to him without any thoughts, and she first stopped when their bodies almost touched. Fitz bowed his head and kissed her hungrily, her arms found their way around his neck and her fingers nursed the hair on the back of his head.
Fitz moaned into her mouth, his arms encircled her waist and lifted her up, and she locked her legs around him. He turned and supported her against the wall, giving one of his hands free accesses to caress her through her sleeveless top, and her body instantly responds grinding against his.
"God, I want you Olivia." He whispered with his mouth against her. She grinded against his sex harder this time, her body on fire and her hands moved to unzip his pants, they fell to his ankles. Next she leaned back against the door to made space enough for her to pull down his boxers. She was rewarded with Fitz gasping for air and his wandering hands forced her legs to touch the floor before unzipping her slacks. In a swift movement, he pulled her slacks and throngs down, then he lifted her up again and her legs willingly encircled his waist.
His lips found hers again and demanded access to her mouth, her tongue met his in a dance of give and take, he grinded against her, she whimpered in pleasure, and he took mercy on them.
His lips found a soft spot on her neck and rested there, and her hands held him tighter to her, unwilling to let him go. She always felt the safest in the moments after making love to Fitz.
"I'll never get enough of you, Olivia." he looked into her eyes. "Good." She whispered. He kissed her softly before he rested his forehead against hers and became lost in her eyes. A distant knock on a door interrupted them, Fitz smiled disappointedly, "that will be our lunch."
"Duty is calling then." Her voice was full of remorse, but she released him and gently he sat her down on the floor again. In a hurry, they dressed and Fitz went to open the door for the serving staff. Olivia already missed him but followed after him in a controlled pace, the cameras always followed every move in the oval office and they had to keep a low profile.
They each chose an armchair to sit in and dug into the food, after a few minutes Fitz looked up, "How was your morning?"
"Busy, that Senator Travis and his wife is a piece of work, I'll never understand how he made it to Senate."
Fitz gave her a half smile, "Sally has good connections in the South and Travis is a fine poppy, he won't rebel. I don't think he has any political agenda except from staying in office." He shook his head.
Olivia watched him worriedly, "and Edison came to see me." She rushed the words out.
Fitz's hand froze in midair between his plate and his mouth, and his eyes flew to hers in question, "why?"
Stalking time she answered, "he wanted to see me."
Fitz eyes lost some of their warmth, "that's obvious, Olivia. Why did he want to see you?"
She watched him closely, "are you jealous, Fitz?" She almost smiled. "Very!" He said. "Why did he come?"
"To thank me for getting him his job back… and to ask me out on a date." His eyes bore into hers, "which answer did you give him?"
"I told him I was too busy, besides that, I promised you to not date other people, remember?" Her eyes lost their teasing and became soft.
"Good. Thank you." He relaxed.
"How was your day?"
He chuckled, "I wasn't asked out on a date, but we have a fundraising party coming up on Friday. I can't invite you as my date, but I can invite you as a dear friend, and a soon to be officially girlfriend" He gave her an apologetic frown.
"I accept. The offers will come you know?" This time it was Olivia's turn to look worried.
Fitz just smiled "then I will have to kindly decline."
"Good answer." She smiled back.
Abby opened the door at Mrs. Johnson's, "where were you? The photographer is here."
"Good, then we are ready. How is everyone?"
Abby had a happier gleam about her than she had had in a long time and Olivia frowned, the Abby-David Rosen situation was getting out of hand, it showed Abby's lack of sense and responsibility. Nevertheless, it pained Olivia that the relationship had to be put to an end. Abby deserved happiness, didn't they all?
"Everyone is a little tense, Mrs. Travis looks afraid of Emily but the girl is handling this very well. End of briefing." Abby pulled Olivia inside of the house, and closed the door. Olivia walked into the living room where she found them all, Emily was showing her dad a schoolbook and Olivia circled her index finger in the photographer's direction to catch his attention, it worked and he understood her cue and started shooting.
Before long, both Emily and her dad looked up at the blinking light and the moment was ruined, "Emily will you stand between your dad and Mary-Ann and show them the book again?"
The girl looked hesitantly at Mrs. Travis and then looked to her mother, Tammy nodded and Emily stepped in between the Senator and his wife, but she slightly leaned her body against her dad, like she needed some support.
"Mrs. Travis mind your body language, this is a happy moment and you want to get to know Emily. Senator put your arm around Emily's waist, and hold her close to you. Emily lean more into your dad. Mrs. Travis move closer to your husband and Emily, smile and look directly at Emily's face."
Mary-Ann smiled a tense smile and did what she was told. It didn't look perfect, but it had to work. "This will do as the official pictures. How soon can we have the pictures, Gerard?"
Gerard lowered the camera, "if I leave now, I guess I can upload them in three to four hours. I will work on them before uploading them. Olivia." The photographer answered.
"Good, email them to me too, thank you Gerard." Gerard packed his equipment and left.
"Mrs. Johnson, can Emily play with a friend for a little while? I think it will be best if she doesn't participate in our conversation."
Tammy nodded, "Emily, go see if Jossie may play." Emily looked to her dad with longing."
"Your dad will say goodbye to you before he leaves, Emily." Olivia assured the girl, who turned her head gratefully in her direction, before she ran out of the room.
'"She has grown so much." The senator watched his daughter leaving. This was the first appealing glimpse Olivia had seen of his personality so far. "Children tend to grow, Jack. She's not the little girl you left." Tammy didn't sound unfriendly just wistful. Mary- Ann looked bored.
"I have a visitation agreement for you to sign, I think this is a fair deal for you all, and one that takes the well-being of Emily into consideration. Due to the distance between your homes, Emily will spend most of her time with her mother, and spend frequent weekends and holidays with her father and his wife. The visitation's schedule will start slowly and visits will take place in Washington at first. That way Emily will have time to adjust to the new situation. This agreement will show you all as the considerate adults you are. Please read and sign."
Jack Travis signed right away but Tammy hesitated, "I know it's a lot, Mrs. Johnson, but the transition will be gentle and prepare you and Emily on separation. It will do Emily good to have contact with her dad."
Tammy blinked a tear away, "I know but she's my little girl, and I won't be there for her."
Olivia watched Mary-Ann and understood Tammy. "For the first few visits in Texas, you can come along and stay at a nearby hotel, just in case Emily will need you, will that be fine with everybody?" Olivia asked.
Travis and Tammy nodded, "fine, we have a deal." Tammy agreed and signed the document.
Olivia and Abby got up and prepared to leave, "remember to follow my directions, Mrs. Travis no more brooding. Affection is the keyword. Mrs. Johnson, no talking to the press. Remember there is a child involved whom we want to feel loved. Senator Travis, bond with the voters of Texas. Ok?"
Three pair of heads turned in Olivia's directions and three pair of heads nodded in morose agreement. Olivia had to believe they would work for what they wanted.
"Did you feel the chill radiating from Mrs. Travis?" Abby asked as soon as they were out of the house.
"I did, she's a Southern Belle, not used to lose to anyone, and supposed to be very religious." Olivia smiled teasingly at Abby who teased back, "that explains it. But he is not the best of characters either, is he?"
"No he is not!" Olivia sighed. "You want a cup of coffee, Abby? There's a small coffee shop five minutes from here." Abby looked at her watch. "If you've time, Abby?" Olivia pressed.
"Sure I got time, do you?" Olivia nodded. "Wow, it has been awhile since we have socialized." Abby looked surprised.
"I'm sorry, Abby. I just have had a lot on my plate lately." Olivia stepped into her car, "Just follow me?"
The met outside the coffee shop and walked into it together, it was a small shop kept in the style of the fifties, very authentic. The man behind the counter was old and half-deaf, but very charming and he fixed them a mocha latte and a vanilla ice-coffee in no time. The coffee selection ruined the authentic look but he had to stay in business.
Finding a table in the far end, they settled into a cozy silence, Olivia studied Abby over the rim of her cup. The lines in Abby's face had become softer, and she wasn't so aggressive anymore. "How are you Abby?"
Abby tensed and raised her head, "fine, it was good with a little time off." Abby avoided Olivia's eyes after a second, and scanned the room like she was interested in the small coffee shop.
"It's good to hear, Abby." Olivia felt sad that she didn't have Abby's trust anymore.
"How is work at the White House?"
Olivia smiled fondly, "busy and hectic, but it's nice to be back when it's just for a little while." Olivia stared directly into Abby's eyes, "anything good happening in your life?"
Abby withdrew her eyes, but not before a faint blush colored her cheeks, "I meet this guy, it's nothing serious. Just a little fun."
"Fun is good!" Olivia agreed knowing that Abby was as much into fun relations as she was, and therefore lied.
Abby raised her head, "isn't time for you to meet someone? Senator Davis isn't a bad catch."
"Thank you Abby, I'll keep that in mind," Olivia laughed. "He's one of the good guys."
They drank their coffee in silence, before they went to their cars and separated, Olivia was worried about Abby, if she felt the need to keep Davis Rosen a secret then there was a big conflict between David and her job, one Abby knew of.
Olivia drove directly to the White House, it was weird to come and go as she pleased. It was a privilege she had had once before, but never used due to the restrictions of Mellie's presence, though Mellie had often kept out of sight when Olivia was with the President. Now, the restrictions were different, now she only had to stay out of the press corps's attention. Luckily, her two jobs situation permitted her odd working hours at the President's administration.
Softly, Olivia knocked on the door to the oval office. His voice reached her through the door," come in." he barked. Smiling she opened the door, and found Fitz walking towards her with a happy smile on his face, he stopped at a appropriate distance from her and just watched. The butterflies awoke in her stomach and she was lost in his eyes.
He took a step towards her but remembered where they were, "I'll come into your office with some documents and our dinner soon." He smiled and she almost blushed, remembering their lunch date in her office. "Do hurry," she smiled.
In the temporary office, she refused to think of the room otherwise, she switched on the flat screen she had ordered to be set up in here, she needed to be updated, and would've preferred as many screens as she had in her own office, but one would do, for now.
On her phone, she checked her emails, Huck had sat up many filters and ordered her to always use her phone for emailing, it was a pain in the ass, but she followed his orders knowing he was the expert. The pictures from Gerard were in her inbox, and she opened the mail, they were beautiful. Gerard had added a small shadow to hide Mary-Ann's hostility towards Emily. She approved the pictures and thanked Gerard.
The news steam was on the President, his divorce and the fact that Mrs. Grant was pregnant with an unknown man, but fortunately, the main focus was on the meeting between the President and his Secretary of State and the upcoming Fundraising at the White House. Olivia kicked off her shoes and relaxed into the small couch.
She wrote a quick mail to Cyrus with the list of the news priorities he had to feed the press corps with and had just hit 'send', when Fitz came through the door with a tray in his hand.
"There is a bottle of wine on your desk, will you get it, Olivia?" She looked to the desk and got up to fetch it. "This is the heavy stuff, Fitz?" Olivia studied the bottle it was an expensive wine.
"We are celebrating." He took the opened bottle from her, and poured wine into two glasses, "what are we celebrating?" She asked and accepted the glass he offered her.
"Us. I love spending the night with you, eat lunch with you and now dinner, I love that we don't have to rush through our time together anymore ,or be afraid that it will be days before we find time again. I love you working in the room next to my office knowing I only have to walk a few steps, and be with you whenever I want to, which by the way is all the time."
Slowly she walked to him, and she saw the vulnerability grow in his eyes when she said nothing to his declaration of love, she stopped just before him, and reached out to place her hand against his cheekbone. "I love you too, Fitz." She whispered. For a long time they just stared at each other, until he bow his head and claimed her lips in a sweet, sweet kiss.
They broke the kiss to breath, "let's eat before I can't control my urges anymore." He smiled, "oh, and we also celebrate that my divorce will be final in maximum three weeks. The Superior Court of the District of Columbia-Family Division has decided that a presidential divorce is a high priority case, they have cancelled all the ordinary procedures and rush this through. Monday morning, Mellie and I are scheduled for a meeting in court where we have to declare that it's a fault divorce, and that we agree on separating."
He gave her a long look, "You promised me a divorce within a month and I guess this is the work of a fixer?"
"Wouldn't know anything about it," she smiled wickedly.
"Thank you Olivia." He was very serious.
When the plates were almost empty, he came and sat next to her on the couch and she leaned her body into his, he bowed his head and breathed in her scent and they both relaxed.
"Senator Travis is a fool." Fitz chuckled softly against her head. "Did you know that sweet Mary-Ann had an affair with a married man, and was no virgin when she married?"
"No, that I didn't know."
"You won two strong supports today. Travis and Wilkes are very eager to keep you in office, and hope you won't discuss their family morals with your VP."
"I'll bare that in mind. You work wonders, Olivia. Did you get to talk to Abby?"
Olivia leaned further into him and sighed, "I did, we had coffee in the Fifties."
"The fifties?" He caressed her arm, and she switched slightly to wrap her arm around his waist and rested her head against his chest. "A coffee shop called the Fifties, they serve new fashioned coffee."
He chuckled, "I take it the coffee was better than the talk?" He knew her well. "Abby wasn't talkative, I'm worried." Olivia wished she could tell him why she was worried, but this was one of her many secrets, secrets she kept to keep Fitz safe and in the White House,
He hugged her tighter to him, "you're hurt because she keeps secrets from you, it's natural. Do you know whom she is seeing?"
"David Rosen." She answered.
"She is seeing an attorney assistant?"
"Yes." Olivia sighed.
"Is that bad?" He kissed her temple, she was content just sitting there with him and talking about the day. "I don't know." She hated keeping secrets from him. "I think it's time for me to go home." She lifted her body upward and kissed him, he held her head still and deepened the kiss, instantly she wanted more. Her body became soft in respond, and she turned her body to gain a closer body contact. He sighed into her mouth and broke the kiss.
"You better go, Olivia." His eyes were full of heat and promises. She leaned in and gave him a lingering kiss.
"This is for you," she whispered into his ear and pressed a hard, cold object into his hand. "Thank you," he whispered back in a thick voice.
Olivia got up, gathered the plates and glasses on the tray and found her jacket. Fitz took the tray and together they walked into the oval room where she nodded to him in goodbye.