Chapter 3
Rules of Engagement
Olivia absentmindedly swiped her finger across the face of her new cell phone. She keyed in her password incorrectly. "Wrong Password. Try again," flashed across the screen accompanied by the alert buzz. It had been three days since she had crushed the other phone under her feet. Minutes after she walked away from him triumphantly, she regretted it. The phone held her calendar, reminders, contacts, photos, and thus, the rest of her errands for the day. It was Huck who had reminded her that she could access her data in the cloud when she had called him from the bank. She told him she lost her phone.
In those 3 days, she thought about the agent constantly, wondering if he was thinking about her or what he had done with her panties. He never gave them back. She didn't want to admit that she checked her new phone more often than not hoping he would call. Then she remembered that he didn't have her new phone number. Olivia thought that if he wanted to find her, he could. That possibility filled her with nervous anticipation.
Olivia faced one of the laptops at the round table and googled him. She pulled up a profile on him from the FBI website and skimmed the information…'16 years in the FBI…Specializing in Art Theft, Financial Crimes, and Internet Crimes ….recently appointed Deputy Director of the FBI.' Olivia clicked on the link to the Times Society pages where she found a picture of him with a woman and an engagement announcement from 6 months ago. He is engaged to a Prosecutor? This information angered Olivia breaking the fantasy she had built up in her mind. It was a fantasy built on a shaky foundation. On the one hand, she knew nothing about him. She hated his smug arrogance. On the other hand, she felt drawn to him and didn't know why. It was the classic egg and chicken problem. Was she drawn to him because of the mind blowing sex or was the sex mind blowing because she was drawn to him?
"Bastard! Asshole!" she said aloud, slamming the laptop shut, out of anger. She was mostly angry at herself for thinking about him.
"Who has your panties in a wad, Liv?" Abby said from the doorway. The irony of the statement wasn't lost on Olivia. Someone did literally have her panties and they were probably wadded up in some waste bin or discarded on the street. She was too angry to see the humor in the Abby's words.
"Nobody. It's nothing. Moving and packing is taking a toll on me. So much to do in so little time." Olivia hoped she sounded calm.
"You only have 4 more days. I wish you and Harrison weren't leaving. OPs is not going to be the same without you two. Quinn isn't turning out to be as brilliant as I thought she was … forgetting to push record on the damn tape? Can you believe that?"
"Don't be so hard on her, Abby. It was an honest mistake. Maybe she was overly excited or overwhelmed by the responsibility." Olivia looked around the room avoiding Abby's eyes.
"Did Huck erase the museum's video feed? I'd really like to see that tape," Abby said.
Why can't she let it go? Why does she keep harping on the tape? She looked at Abby who had been an excellent partner and colleague. She was fun to be around. There was only one thing that stood between them being close friends: Harrison. When Harrison and Abby started working at OPs, they had been a couple. Within a few short months Olivia and Harrison acted on their attraction to each other. And that was that. No one ever mentioned Harrison's and Abby's relationship again. Olivia wondered how Abby would react it she knew about Olivia's indiscretion with the agent. Olivia pushed the thought out of her mind, assured that no one would ever find out.
"Let's move forward. You lose some and you win some. This was a loss," Olivia said, "I'm leaving for a visit to my parents early in the morning. I need to get ready. I'll see you later, Abby." Olivia walked around Abby and left.
Abby smiled for Olivia's benefit. After she passed by, Abby walked to the laptop and lifted the monitor. She saw, "Fitzgerald Grant" in the search field. Scrolling through the links, she wondered who this was and why Olivia was searching for him. She jotted the name down in her small moleskin journal.
Fitz was excited about the treasure trove of information he had on Olivia Pope. After she annihilated her cell phone and walked away, he kneeled on the sidewalk and collected the pieces. Upon examination, he discovered that the back was entirely intact. She had only done damage to the screen and case. Fitz took the phone to his colleague, Sanchez, who worked in the Internet Crimes division. At the Bureau, he was famous for retrieving data from any device whether it had been erased or the device destroyed. Within in a day, Sanchez had retrieved her calendar, contacts, notepad, and pictures.
"Honey, how much longer are you going to work? Come to bed." When he heard her voice he switched his screen to a spreadsheet.
"I can't Mel. I promised Cyrus, I'd get this proposal to him by tomorrow." Fitz glanced at Mellie, hoping she'd leave him alone.
"Okay, but don't stay up too late. It's already eleven." Mellie gave him a peck on the lips. She attempted to deepen the kiss, but he turned his head away.
"I have to work on this, Mel."
When she left, Fitz pulled up Olivia's calendar. There were two upcoming events that interested him. The entries for tomorrow and the next day were, "Visit Princeton." The second entry was for the following Monday, "Move to Rome, Bye Bye USA!"
"She's moving to Rome?" Fitz whispered. He clicked the calendar, which revealed flight information for her and Harrison Wright. Fitz copied her ticket information onto another document and made a mental note to cancel it.
He wondered what was in Princeton while he pulled up her Google Maps search history. He couldn't find anything conclusive so he determined he would have to follow her. He wasn't sure where she would be leaving from, but he had the shipping and billing addresses for the body suit shipment. The addresses could be her home and work addresses, but they were far enough to foil his plan of tailing her if he went to the wrong one first. He knew he would have to contact her to initiate the ping on the cell phone tower closest to her location. He'd gotten her new phone number easily. She purchased a new phone using an account with the same cell phone company as her old phone. Tonight he planned to text her. If she texted, back it would install a tracking cipher on her phone, allowing him to track her movements. He had a feeling she would text him back. Why are you doing this? A little voice in his head asked. Fitz pushed the voice out of his mind.
"Babe, are you asleep?"
Olivia lay in the bed with Harrison resting behind her. She hadn't been able to sleep, and obviously Harrison was restless too.
"No, I'm listening to you breathe," Olivia said. Harrison sat up on the bed and switched on the bedside table lamp bathing the room in soft light. Olivia sat up too and laid in his arms.
"How are you feeling about the move?" he asked.
"Stressed, but okay, why?"
He rubbed her shoulders. "I don't know. You've been…preoccupied these last couple of days…since our last job, you've been in a fog, babe…are you upset about not getting Sleeping Eros? I know you've had your heart set on that sculpture for a long time. You haven't been my Liv since then. What's wrong?" Harrison lifted her chin and turned her face towards his just in time to see a tear cascade down her face. The kernels of guilt lodged in her heart grew 10 fold when she heard the genuine love and concern in his voice.
Seeing her tears, he pulled her into his arms. "We can schedule another heist. I'll go in myself."
"No. It's not that. I…" Olivia swiped the tears from her eyes, trying to stop the flow before they escaped. "I need to tell you something. Please hear me out before you say anything. And know that I love you."
Olivia moved out of his arms and stood. She pulled on her robe and began pacing back and forth trying to form the words to explain what had happened that night. "During the heist, I...while I was entering the code…,"
Should I just say I fucked…had sex with the FBI agent who caught me? I had sex with him again three days later. I'm sorry. Nope.
"Harrison, I was caught off guard by the agent. We fought for a while and…" Harrison's cell phone rang.
"Liv, I'm sorry, but I have to take this. I am expecting a call from one of our contacts in Rome." Olivia nodded. Harrison answered his phone. She took a seat on the small loveseat in their bedroom and laid her head back, exhausted. Her phone chirped alerting her to a new text message. She sat up quickly. Her heartbeat sped up. Harrison had already walked out of the bedroom to take his call.
She took measured steps to her phone where it rested on the table beside her side of the bed. A myriad of conflicting emotions coursed through her body.
It can't be him. But it might be him. I hope it's him.
By the time she reached the phone, she was breathing like she'd climbed three flights of stairs. She peered at her phone as if she were looking over a steep cliff.
Unknown: You are on my mind. Am I on yours?
Damn! It's him!
Olivia squeezed her eyes shut. She turned away from the phone and then turned back. She grabbed it and scampered to the door. She could hear, but not see Harrison. She walked into the bathroom, closed and locked the door, just as a new text came through.
Unknown: Please text back.
Unknown: Please…I'm dying here.
Olivia couldn't help the little smirk that appeared on her lips.
Olivia: Leave me alone!
Fitz lifted his fist in triumph. "Yes!" On his monitor, he watched the tracking cipher initiate and begin the install on her phone.
Unknown: I can't do that. What are you doing?
Olivia: Reading texts from my crazy stalker. You?
Unknown: Texting the woman of my dreams. Wishing she was with me now.
"Ugh. Bastard. Asshole," Olivia whispered.
Olivia: Shouldn't your fiancé be the woman of your dreams? Six months before your wedding. Time is ticking. Don't think she would approve of you sleeping with the enemy.
Olivia pressed send forcefully. Mentally patting herself on the back for her witty comeback. She felt victorious when a full minute passed before his response.
Unknown: She should be. She wouldn't approve. Not sure if there is going to be a wedding in 6 months. That heist was a game changer.
Olivia's heart dropped at his words even though she didn't believe a word of it.
Olivia: Still trying to get into my panties. I might steal art for a living, but I live in the real world. You've had enough fun to share with your buddies at the bachelor party.
Unknown: I have your panties with me now. Mmm. I can still smell you. When can I see you again?
Olivia: I swear, if I see your mug again, I am going to punch you in it, you creep. This is goodbye.
Olivia powered off her phone and returned to the bedroom. The television was on and Harrison bent over his laptop. He glanced up at her. "Sorry babe, that was Adonis. We will have or own place when we get there. I'm reading some e-mails. I am too excited to sleep. Why don't you tell me what you were trying to say earlier?"
"It's nothing. I was upset about not getting Sleeping Eros. It's okay. I'll survive. It's just a sculpture," she said.
She snuggled up to him and watched a rerun of Martin. It was one of her favorite episodes when Pam went to the dentist and was hypnotized. Every time she heard a clap she became Martin.
"When you and I started seeing each other, why did everyone act like you and Abby weren't together in the beginning? Why wasn't there anything said about it?" Olivia asked when the episode ended.
Harrison looked up from his laptop. "Whoa, Liv! Where did that question come from? It's been almost four years."
"I was wondering about it."
"I don't know, babe. Abby and I weren't really together. We were just fooling around. As soon as we started working with you, I fell hard for you, as you already know. Did Abby say something?"
"No. She seems awfully sad that you are leaving. Do you think she would agree that you all were just fooling around or would she think you all had a relationship?"
Harrison frowned at Olivia. "I don't know what she thought or thinks, and frankly I don't care. That is ancient history."
"You should get to sleep. You have over an hour drive to New Jersey tomorrow. I wish I could go with you and finally meet your family."
"Why don't you come? Whatever you have to do can wait," Olivia said.
"Nope. I'm afraid it can't, beautiful. Give me a kiss and go to sleep." Olivia complied and slid under the covers.
Olivia settled back into the driver's seat. It was about a 90-minute drive from her Midtown loft to her parent's home. She only had about 30 more minutes to go, but she needed a pick me up to keep her going. Getting to sleep had proved difficult. She felt herself starting to drift off so she stopped for coffee.
She took a sip of coffee and dialed Huck as she pulled back onto the expressway.
"Hey Huck."
"Liv, do you need me to do something?"
"I am almost at my parent's house. Talk to me. Keep me awake." Olivia yawned.
"Okay," Huck said, but he didn't say anything.
"I almost told Harrison last night...about what really happened during the heist," Olivia said. Huck wasn't much of a talker, but she still loved talking to him. He had a manner about him that comforted her all these years.
"That was not a good idea. Don't tell him," Huck said.
"Why?"
"Harrison is a couple of cards short of a full deck when it comes to you. He couldn't handle it. I don't know who could. I don't know how you could explain what you did. I destroyed the video. It was a one-time thing so just forget it."
"I slept with him again since the heist, Huck. I didn't lose my phone. I destroyed it so he couldn't contact me again. He did…contact me again…last night," Olivia explained feeling her emotional load lighten a little.
"What is his name?" asked Huck.
"Fitzgerald Grant, why?"
"Do you want me to take care of him?" Huck asked nonchalantly.
"No! Huck! No!" Olivia screamed into the phone. "I am going to be in Rome in a few days. I'll never see him again. I needed to talk to someone about this. You are the only one I can talk to."
"You should shut it down."
"I know, Huck. I already have. I'll talk to you later. Thanks."
"Okay. Drive safely." Huck said before disconnecting the line.
Olivia turned down the long drive to her parent's house as she thought about what Huck said. In her rearview mirror, she noticed a black SUV turn in behind her. Tinted windows shielded the driver from her view. She wondered if her parents were expecting company. She parked and stepped out of her car and stretched. She was happy to be home.
The SUV pulled in beside her but from the opposite side so that the driver's side doors were side by side. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach when she looked at the SUV. No, it better not be him. It can't be.
The door opened as if in slow motion. She saw a brown boat shoe touch the ground and then she saw his face. It was him.
"Can I help you with your bags?" Fitz said.
Olivia didn't think. She balled up her fist and punched him in the face.
"Hi, Huck! What are you up to?" Quinn said. Everyone else was out but the two of them.
"Fine. You?" he replied, not looking up from the monitor.
"I am great! I was hoping you could help me learn some new things today…like the Soundbikes or the fighting techniques."
"It would be better for you to get on a weight training regimen before you get in the ring with me. Abby can help you with that."
"Okay. How about computer hacking or something?"
"Well, first I would start by reading the buttons on a recorder…like, 'record'," Huck said.
"You know, Huck, you and Abby can kiss my ass! Start a weight-training regimen? Are you trying to call me fat because I am not stick thin like Abby or petite like Olivia? I can pull a trigger!" Quinn walked away in a huff.
Huck regretted his words. He was in a bad mood because Olivia was moving away. "Quinn! I'm sorry! I'll show you how I broke into the museum's feed!" He bellowed after her. She stopped in her tracks, returned to the office, and flashed her biggest smile. Huck sat with her for two hours instructing her in the fundamentals of computer hacking. She took notes on her tablet.
"Thanks, Huck. I want to tell you that I am not an airhead. I did record the heist, but things…I can't tell you what happened, but I did record it."
"I know you did."
"Why did she do it? I mean that was…whew!"
Huck looked sad. "I've known Liv for over ten years. I don't know why she did it."
"Do you have a thing for Olivia? Do you like her or have a crush on her?"
"No. I'm going to tell you something, Quinn? You can't tell anyone. I trust you because you were loyal to her about the tape. Olivia is my family. I met her almost eleven years ago in Rome. We both went to the American University there. She tutored me in Italian which I hated. I didn't want to be there, but my parents made me. We were two out of the ten American students there, but everyone loved Olivia. She treated me like I was her best friend. She made being there bearable. I started doing well in Italian. Over the weeks I did develop a crush on her but it was more a deep admiration than anything else. All that changed when her brother, Timothy, visited. We all went out drinking one night to celebrate his visit. On the way back from the bar, a drunk driver broadsided us. The driver was an American. We were all hurt, but Timothy got the worse of it. He was paralyzed from the neck down. Olivia never forgave herself for it all."
"But the wreck wasn't her fault, right? It was the drunk driver?"
"That's right. Olivia wasn't at fault, but she blamed herself because she had been drinking. We all had. She thought she could have missed the car had she been totally alert, but she was alert. No one blamed her, not even Tim. For the next year, she walked around in a depression. She wasn't the Olivia I knew. She stopped living. I tried everything to cheer her up, but nothing worked until Sleeping Eros. I knew that was her favorite sculpture. There was a small replica of it in our school's museum so...I stole it for her."
"You did what?" Quinn sat totally enthralled by the story.
"I broke into the museum and stole it for her. When I took it to her dorm room, she smiled for the first time in a year... until I told her that I took it. She was upset that I put myself in danger. I didn't care because she needed it. She made me explain exactly how I did it and then she made me promise to show her the next night. That is how all this began. Ten years later she is retiring from that life we began together. I'm glad she is getting out and that she will finally have a normal life. I think Harrison will make her happy. He adores her, and I thought she loved him. Now I am skeptical after seeing that tape. Olivia is a very controlled and methodical person. She always thinks before she acts. There is a reason why she is seeing this agent."
"What do you mean "seeing," Huck? This was just a one-time hook up, right? Did she see him again?"
"Yes, she is seeing him. I told her to shut it down, but when I talked to her today, she sounded unsure. This is not good. There is going to be drama when Abby and Harrison get wind of this," Huck said.
"Well it is a good thing she is leaving for Rome in a few days. They will leave this all behind." Quinn said.
"I am not sure about that. When you walked in on me earlier, I was trying to reinstate Olivia's ticket to Rome. It had been cancelled."
"Why would she cancel her flight?"
"She didn't cancel it. I am convinced it was Fitzgerald Grant who did."
"Maybe he is trying to keep her stateside so he can arrest her."
"He's had ample opportunity for an arrest. But he obviously wants more than that, " said Huck.
"Well, let's find out what he wants." Quinn smiled at Huck in challenge.
"Thank you so much for meeting me here, Mrs. Wright," Mellie said. She opened the door to one of the long list of potential wedding planners she had been interviewing today.
Abby stepped into the living room taking in her surroundings. She was looking for anything pointing back to Olivia. When she caught Olivia cursing at the laptop, she knew something was up. The missing pieces seemed to fan the flames of her curiosity. Abby knew the heist, the tape, and the man, Fitzgerald Grant were linked somehow. Abby did more research and discovered that his fiancé was looking for a wedding planner. She staked out the house and intercepted her two o'clock appointment. She told her that Ms. Rosemont had chosen a planner and was canceling the remaining appointments. Abby had been surprised when the woman believed her so quickly and walked away without a word.
Now, Abby was inside as, "Abigail Wright" pretending to be a wedding planner. She couldn't help living in that little fantasy if even for a moment.
Abby sat with her for an hour trying to pretend like she was interested in this woman's long monologue about what type of wedding she wanted. Abby's ears perked up when the woman began to complain about her fiancé.
"He's been preoccupied lately with a case. He was unsuccessful in capturing this art thief. You may have heard of that attempted heist at The Met some days ago? That was my husband. He wasn't even supposed to be there, but he got called in at the last minute. That type of work should have been for someone lower than him, but they needed a seasoned veteran. It has put some strain on him because it seems like he is working day and night."
"Where is he now? If I might ask?" Abby asked.
"He is out of town on business with the case."
Abby listened to her drone on for another 45 minutes about flowers, seating arrangements, and food. "Ms. Rosemont, you've given me a lot of great information. Do you mind if I look around to get a feel for you and your fiancé in your natural surroundings. I can then share with you what I envision for you two on your special day." Abby displayed her biggest smile.
"By all means. I'll put on a fresh pot of tea for us." Mellie disappeared into the kitchen. Abby began her search for another piece to this puzzle. She searched all of the rooms, but she found nothing. Not knowing exactly what she was looking for, she ventured into what looked like an office. It was his office. His computer was off so she didn't bother turning it on. She was sure it was password protected.
She pulled open desk drawers. A manila file folder caught her eye. It was filled with information about Olivia, a regular FBI file. This wasn't out of the ordinary and didn't provide any information. Under the file was a brown journal. She flipped through the pages. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Olivia's name scrawled on a page. A list was written under it.
1. Cancel her Rome ticket…Who is Harrison?
2. Get her new cell phone #
3. Find address to her house
4. Find address to her office
Abby's discoveries only made her more curious.
"Ugh!" she said, dropping her head in her hands. It was then that she noticed a white, satiny scrap of cloth pushed to the back of the draw. She pulled it out and held up the panties. There were small peach colored bows along the waistband. Abby had a feeling these were Olivia's. She didn't know how she knew, but they were hers. She shoved them in her pocket.
Abby decided she still needed more to go on. Even though she wasn't 100 percent sure, she knew this had something to do with sex. The panties confirmed it. Whatever it was, Olivia wasn't going to come out smelling like a rose as usual. She decided she needed to get the tape from that night. Abby guessed that Huck and Quinn knew more than they admitted. Of course, Abby knew that Huck would cut off a limb for Olivia. Quinn was still too new to figure out. Abby decided to break into The Met to get the tape.
She entered the museum at four that afternoon and left at 6 with a tape from that night in hand. Huck erased the electronic feed, but the manual recording was still there archived with the other tapes.
Abby couldn't wait to get home. When she popped the antiquated VHS into her player, she fast forwarded until the room on the tape went dark. She saw Olivia enter the room. Abby sat there and watched for a couple of minutes. She dropped the remote control in complete shock at what it revealed.
"Oh my!" Abby said. A big smile appeared on her face. She watched it a couple of times before dialing Harrison.
"Olivia, why did you do that? Let me see your hand," Fitz said with concern after Olivia's small fist connected with his face and she grimaced in pain.
"Let me see it," he asked when she doubled over in pain. She let him take her hand, but she wouldn't look at him. He turned her hand palm up and massaged each of her knuckles. He then rubbed circles on her palm with his forefinger. By then Olivia was looking directly at him enjoying the massage. Her hand was aching less and less under his care. The ache had moved from her hand, down her abdomen, and rested between her legs. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. When she felt his tongue lick a circle in her palm, she snatched her hand back, breaking the spell.
"Who lives here, Olivia?"
"I'll ask the questions. Why are you here?" she asked.
"Because you are here," he said smoothly.
Olivia rolled her eyes heavenward and grunted in frustration, "Ugh!"
Olivia felt intense frustration. She wanted to punch him again, but underneath she wanted to drag him into the woods and repeat what they had done a couple of days ago.
"Olivia! What are you doing to this poor man? Why did you punch him?" Charlise asked. She appeared in the doorway and walked down the porch stairs to meet them.
Olivia looked from her mom to Fitz trying to think up an explanation for her actions that would make sense to her mother. While she was thinking, Fitz grasped her sore hand and kissed it.
"I deserved it. She is mad with me," he said.
Charlise looked at the way he kissed her hand and gazed lovingly into her eyes. "You must be Harrison! Olivia said you couldn't make it. It is so nice to finally meet you." Charlise walked to Fitz, arms outstretched and gave him a hug. She was a couple of inches taller than Olivia with wavy black hair and a smooth caramel colored complexion. She wore blue slacks with a white blouse that was printed with butterflies. She smelled like honeysuckle and gingerbread. As Harrison hugged her, Olivia frowned at him from behind her mother's back and mouthed, "Stop it!" Fitz closed his eyes and enjoyed the hug from Olivia's mom. He was surprised because the file on said her parents were deceased. He planned to ask her about that later.
"Mom, he is not…" Olivia tried to clear up the misunderstanding, but Fitz interrupted before she could finish.
"She is upset with me and with good reason. I promised her I was coming, but then I was called away by the office. I had a project to complete and had to renege on my promise. Olivia left home angry with me and I knew I had made a mistake. I packed up my things and followed her here. I want her to know that she is more important to me than my work." Fitz caressed her cheek as he spoke. Olivia didn't know what was happening.
"How romantic. I'm sure Olivia will forgive you now that you are here and are showing her what really matters to you. Don't punch this man again, Olivia! I thought I taught you better than that. I'm Charlise, Olivia's mom. You two get your bags and come in. I'll meet you inside. Your dad and Timothy are still getting ready."
When the front door shut, Olivia grabbed his hand with her none aching one and pulled him over to his SUV. All the windows were tinted and not the least bit transparent so it provided the privacy she needed.
"Get in!" she whispered forcefully. She opened the front passenger door. He opened the driver's side back door and hopped in the back seat. Olivia got in on the other side. She wanted to set him straight face to face. As soon as she shut the door, she realized her mistake. They were in the back seat of the SUV alone and he was looking at her like the cat who caught the canary. Big mistake. She reached for the door but not before she heard the click of all four door locks.
"Let me out!"
"I will, but it seems that you want to talk to me, so talk. And stop looking at me like I am the Big Bad Wolf. I'm putting my hands in my pockets," he said waving his hands above his head.
Olivia looked at him and settled back in her seat. "What are you doing here?"
"I am here because you are here. I want to get to know you better, Olivia." He faced her as he spoke, but she looked out the tinted window, which made it appear dark outside. "Can't you at least look at me when I'm talking to you?"
She turned around and faced him.
"How can I make this very plain to you? Leave. Me. Alone! You keep showing up unannounced…calling me…either arrest me or leave me be! I am trying to visit my parents and brother and I don't need you here."
"Your file said your parents were deceased. Why the lie?"
"If types like you think my parents are dead, you can't bother them when you are searching for me," she said. The back seat seemed to shrink with each breath they took. He wore a dark blue polo shirt and jeans. She could see his chest hair peeking out at his collar. The faint scent of his cologne or aftershave tickled her nose. Her eyes fell to his lips, which he licked as if on cue and her brain filled with images of the Heavenly Dish Café and where his tongue had been and what it had done to her. She looked out the window.
"Smart move," he said. "Really it is a genius move because no one seemed to follow up on it. They all think your parents are dead."
"We can't sit in this car all day. Please answer my questions. You are here because I am here, you keep telling me. What do you hope to gain? You want to have sex again? Is that what this is about?"
"I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to make love to you again. But that is not the only reason why I'm here. You have enchanted me, Olivia Pope. I think about you all the time. I can't sleep. I barely eat. I want all of you," he said scooting closer, but keeping his hands in the pockets.
"That sounds like a personal problem to me, Fitzgerald Grant. Why do you men always do that? You blame the woman you are attracted to for your attraction. Maybe you are coming down with something. Don't blame your lust on me. Go work that out with your fiancé! Please leave me alone!"
"I know I am acting like a deranged fool, but I'm not…crazy. I'm really a sensible guy. I was just appointed Deputy Director of the FBI. I am supposed to be getting married in 6 months. After meeting you, all I want to do is talk to Olivia Pope, see Olivia Pope, taste Olivia Pope, touch Olivia Pope, be inside Olivia Pope!"
Each time he said her name, she sank deeper into the rabbit hole. She jumped onto his lap and kissed him, her mouth fully open and her tongue searching for his. Her hands were everywhere at once. She pulled back when she didn't feel his hands. They were still in his pockets. "Take your hands out of your pockets" she said.
They unbuckled each other's jeans. He easily slid his jeans and briefs down around his ankles, but she had a difficult a time doing anything as the sensations of his mouth sucking her nipple and his fingers teasing the swollen, wet folds between her legs gave her pause. When he slid a finger inside she opened her thighs wider increasing the tension of her jeans, making them impossible to push down. He pushed her thighs together and slid the jeans and panties off her body. When she was finally free, she straddled his lap the best she could on the seat. He held on to her knees as she inched down his shaft. They gazed at each other witnessing their expressions go from calm to tortured. Her thigh muscles strained as she balanced above him, but the intense pleasure she felt as she slowly slid down the length of him to the hilt was worth it. She leaned forward and kissed him as she slid herself up, unsheathing him just as slowly as sheathed him. She began to ride him slowly. The rigid and solid rod of his manhood sliding against her soft, hot, wet cavern drove them both mad.
"Liv…I can't."
She increased her movements, leaning her weight against him. His blunt fingernails bit into the flesh of her knees. His hips met her thrust when he exploded inside of her. They sat there for a moment, catching their breaths.
He massaged her thighs.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes." When she unfolded her knees, her muscles ached.
"When you lift off me there will be a mess." He removed his polo and t-shirt. He placed the t-shirt under her and lifted her off him. They cleaned up with his t-shirt.
"That was so…" he began.
"Shh, Fitz. Get dressed so we can get inside before my mom comes looking for us," Olivia said.
"Does that mean I can stay?" he asked.
She ignored him and continued dressing, avoiding his eyes. They dressed in silence. "Where is my bra?"
"I don't know. Where did you last have it?"
"Very funny! I know you have it. Just like you took my panties last time. Are you a cross dresser? What is this fixation with my underwear? They won't fit you!" Olivia said as she continued searching under the front seats and around him. "Okay, keep them." She exited the SUV and looked at herself in the window. Her eyes were red and heavy lidded. Her lips were red. One side of her hair was straight and the other side was frizzy. I look thoroughly fucked!
"Where are your keys?" he asked. She threw them at him. He caught them just before they hit him in the face. It was then that she noticed the blue and red bands forming around his eye. He was definitely developing a nice shiner. Olivia smiled at her handy work.
"I am happy you are finally smiling, Olivia."
Later that night they sat at the dinner table enjoying a meal prepared by Olivia's mother. When they had finally made it inside, Fitz was introduced as 'Harrison' to the rest of Olivia's family, her father, Lionel and her brother, Timothy, who sat in a wheel chair customized for quadriplegics. He was partially paralyzed from the neck down, but he had movement in his hands enough to grasp. After all the introductions, Olivia's mother sent them upstairs insisting that they rest from their drive before dinner. Unfortunately, they had no time to rest, preferring to quench the undeniable thirst they had for each other.
"We were beginning to think you were a figment of Olivia's imagination, Harrison. This is our first time seeing you in the three years you all have been dating. Where have you been?" Lionel Pope asked staring Fitz down.
"Sir, I don't know what I have been thinking. I want to apologize to you and the whole family. I promise you I will be with Olivia from now on." He took Olivia's hand and kissed it.
"Oh, you two are so sweet together. How did you meet? Olivia never told us," Charlise said.
Olivia had briefed him on the essential details of her life or what her parents thought was her life.
"I hired her to secure a few pieces of art for me at MoMa. We met when the pieces were delivered. It was like Cupid's arrow pierced my heart when I first saw her. We have been inseparable ever since." Fitz smiled at her when he spoke. She felt his hand slide under her skirt and up the inside of her thigh under the table. Oh no you won't!
Olivia grabbed his hand and pushed it away.
Dinner went well. Fitz kept noticing the intense looks Timothy was giving him. It was apparent that he didn't care for Fitz.
"Olivia tells me that you are an avid birdwatcher, and that you've even written a book on the subject. She also says that you are a world class electronic chess player," Fitz said trying to engage him in conversation.
"Yes. That's true. Not as exciting as Olivia's art buying, and from the looks of your face, fighting. Why did she give you that black eye?" he said. At that moment, Fitz knew that Timothy knew Olivia's real occupation. If he had the use of his arms, he probably would have put air quotes around "buying."
"Tim, you don't have an artistic bone in your body. Stick with the birds and chess. And how he got the shiner is none of your business." Olivia said throwing a green pea at him. Fitz didn't know if he was more shocked at Olivia for throwing a pea across the dinner table or that her brother caught it in his teeth. They both started to giggle like little kids.
"Olivia! Timothy! Stop that! We have a guest," Lionel said with a booming voice.
"Harrison, you'll have to overlook these two. When they get together their maturity devolves about twenty years." Charlise gave them both a disappointing look, which made them laugh harder.
After dinner, they retired into the family room for coffee and dessert. Olivia and her mom huddled together on the couch, catching up on things. Fitz and Lionel discussed sports and politics while Timothy watched TV. His homecare nurse sat nearby crocheting until he needed assistance.
Later that night when Fitz was preparing for bed his when cell phone vibrated with a text alert.
Unknown: Get your ass down here! Outside now!
Fitz: Who is this?
Unknown: Her brother, Timothy. Outside now.
Fitz dressed quickly. Olivia was in a deep sleep, a little smile on her lips, which made him smile because he had put it there.
Timothy was outside in the driveway waiting for him. "Let's ride."
Fitz grinned at Timothy as the smooth humming sound of his wheelchair signified that this was their ride.
"So what do you really want with my sister?"
"I love her. I want her. We've been together long enough to prove that," Fitz said, confused about the nature of their meeting.
"Cut the crap, Grant. I know you aren't Harrison Wright." Fitz stopped in his tracks not sure what to do.
"And there it is, that look. I love it! You are afraid aren't you? Most people underestimate me and have since I was rendered a quadriplegic. Soon, I let them know that I am not an invalid. So cut the crap and tell me what you are doing here with my sister."
"I am totally and completely smitten by your sister. You probably know her real line of work. I met her when I was trying to apprehend her during a heist. I didn't capture her because… Ouch!" Fitz screamed. A piece of metal by the footrest of his chair slammed hard into Fitz's shins.
"That's for taking advantage of my sister that first night at The Met."
Fitz bent down to examine his shins. They were beginning to bruise. Between the shiner and his shins, this visit was becoming hazardous to his health.
"Now that we have pulled back the layers, we can get down to brass tax. You say you-how did you put it-are smitten with my sister. What will you do to have her?"
"Anything," Fitz said.
"That's good. Did you know she is supposed to be moving to Rome on Monday with Harrison?"
"Yes, I know, but I canceled her ticket and flagged her passport so that if she does leave I will be notified and she will be held until I arrive."
"How very paternalistic of you. Do you prefer to be called, "Fitz," "Fitzgerald," or something else?"
"Fitz is fine."
"Great! I like the way you think. No need to worry because I've already squashed Rome anyway. Harrison has not been completely honest with Olivia. She thinks they are going to Rome to settle down, but he plans to go into business with a shady character that deals in drugs and guns. He wants them to continue stealing art but under the cartel of a guy by the name of Adonis. Harrison doesn't know it but Adonis is getting ready to cut him loose. So you see Rome is squashed."
"How do you know all of this?" Fitz asked.
"I've been keeping tabs on my sister for years now. It is the only thing that has kept me sane in this damned wheelchair. She has money directly deposited in our bank accounts monthly. That money pays for this house and all the accommodations for my disability. I used some of the money to teach myself the fine are of spying, surveillance, and computer hacking. Olivia's friend Huck introduced me to it after the accident."
"What accident?" Fitz sat down on the ground propped up against a tree.
"The accident that caused the spinal cord injury that put me in this chair. Olivia was driving when a drunk driver careened into the car. She was totally not at fault even though she had had two beers. But she blamed herself and still does. No one could ever convince her otherwise, not the witnesses, the cops…not anyone. I love my sister, but she thinks she can control everything and protect everyone. I have been looking out for her over the years for her own good of course. That's how I know about you and that night during the heist. Olivia just hired a new partner, but she is really working for me. Her name is Quinn. She told me about the heist and what happened. I can't trust Huck, because he would end up telling Olivia everything. I have another question for you…"
Fitz waited.
"How in the hell are you going to be with my sister who is a felon, be Deputy Director of the fuckin' FBI, and get married to a prosecutor in 6 months? You don't have a clue do you? You've just been following her around like a turned out meth head."
"You're right. I am in some serious shit. I do plan to break off the engagement. Maybe I should quit too."
"Fitz, you do what you want, but I would recommend against quitting the FBI. Your ties could help Olivia. Your fiancé, will she go away quietly?"
"I don't think she will make a fuss," Fitz said. Mellie and Cyrus had called him several times today, but he had been too preoccupied to answer.
"Wrong again! You seriously have no clue, man. How did you get that promotion? I took the liberty of doing some research your fiancé. She is a prosecutor for the State of New York and a force to be reckoned with. You need to think about how you are going to get out of this engagement. You will have to be strategic. She will pin your ass to the wall and smile for the camera while doing it." Timothy pushed the lever to advance his wheel chair. Fitz stood and fell into step beside him.
"Timothy, after talking to you, I feel like an idiot. Olivia has been my only focus."
"That's okay. Typical male behavior...typical and unfortunate. All your blood goes south when you see her. My paralysis is a blessing and a curse. My blood can go south and that's it…nothing. It gives me perspective and a lucid picture of things, though."
"You are giving sage advice to me and I'm almost 20 years older than you. What about Olivia? I think she hates me right now," Fitz said.
"No she doesn't hate you. You have her flailing and she doesn't know what to do. Let her think she is in charge and it will be okay. I am tired. You should get some sleep."
"Do you need help?" Fitz asked.
"No, I can manage on my own," Timothy said. He disappeared around the corner.
Fitz tiptoed back into the bedroom. He stepped out of his clothes. He felt himself stir with arousal because of his proximity to her. Timothy was right. He could feel his blood going south.
Olivia flicked on the light. "Where have you been?"
He looked at her sitting up in the bed. Her breasts were bare, and though she was covered from the waist down, he knew what was underneath. He was fully aroused now at the sight of her.
"Fitz, you might as well tell that thing to stand down. It's not getting any action until you tell me where you were just now!" Olivia covered her breasts with the sheet.
"Your brother summoned me downstairs. He wanted to make sure I was treating you in the manner you deserve, my lady," He bowed at the waist and then joined her in the bed. She encased herself in the sheet preventing access to her body.
"What did you say?"
"I told him I loved you and we were fine. The end."
"Did you tell him that as Harrison or as yourself?"
"As Harrison of course," he said.
"Okay, good. Now bring your friend over here." She lifted up the covers.
"How do you think I should call off my engagement? What could I say to her to soften the blow?"
"Why are you breaking off your engagement?"
"Because it wouldn't be fair for me to marry someone whose name I can't remember half the time. I can't describe the last time I made love to her…where I was…how we did it…if I liked it…I can't remember how her face looks when she climaxes. I could write a dissertation on you, your scent, how you taste, the little hiccupping sounds you make when you come, you have three different types of laughs, you flare your nostrils when you are mad, one of your ears is higher than the other…and I can go on."
He slid closer to her and she did not move away.
"But do you know what the difference is? Most of those things you know about me are related to sex, Fitz, which we have had an inordinate amount of… hot, steamy sex the last two weeks. It doesn't mean a thing. For whatever reason we are masters at screwing each other so don't try to pretend there is anything more to us."
They sat in silence for awhile.
"Answer one question. When we leave here are you going to leave me alone?"
"No."
"I will be honest. I don't want you to. So let's be adult about this thing we have. I want you. You want me. I don't see why we can't work something out. What do they call it? Friends with benefits?" Olivia said. She rose from the bed and grabbed a pen and a pad. "Let's just get to the heart of it. We like to engage in sex together so let's establish some rules of engagement." He watched her as scribble, "Rules of Engagement" across the top of the pad. He wondered if she had forgotten about her upcoming relocation to Rome.
"You look beautiful when you concentrate," he said.
She wrote as she spoke, ignoring him. "These rules will govern the sexual engagement of Fitzgerald T. Grant and Olivia C. Pope. Rule #1 ummm…. I got it. This agreement is only binding if both parties agree to all of the terms."
"We need a rule about frequency. How about no less than twice per day," he said.
Olivia laughed. "Fitz, you are a freak. How about we leave that open ended and say, as many times as both parties are willing and able to engage. So that covers the most and least amount."
"We don't have any expectations of the other aside from those rights embedded in the law. So we can't do anything to the other that is illegal…like violence, or kidnapping, etc. Also, I am off limits during the first 5 days of my menstrual cycle…" she said.
"But I can still see you on those days though. Include that," Fitz said, though he wasn't really paying attention. He was distracted by her. She was naked and lying on her stomach writing feverishly on the pad.
"Add that we reserve the right to renegotiate the rules when it becomes necessary. So how many is that?" he said.
"I'll read them," she said.
The Rules of Engagement
1. This agreement is only binding if both parties agree to all of the terms.
2. The frequency of sex shall be as many times as both parties are willing and able to
engage.
3. Parties have no expectations of the other aside from those rights embedded in the
laws governing the USA.
4. No engagement in sex during the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle. Parties can still
see each other on those days.
5. We reserve the right to renegotiate the rules when it becomes necessary.
"Fitz, how do those sound?"
He removed the pad and pen from her hand and tossed it aside. "Whatever you need is fine with me. But I need you right now."