Chapter 7
Crazy Sexy Cool
The sun wiped its brow and laid down behind the horizon for a night's rest. Even it was tired from the day it had, beaming down on the confrontation at the Pope estate. Illuminated only by the city lights, the night sky was dark, providing cover for the sleeping sun.
Olivia lay in the passenger seat of Fitz's SUV. She faced him with her knees pulled to her chest and the seat extended back. She had been awake for the last 30 minutes, but she didn't let on. Her eyes slid over the contours of his face. She could tell he was thinking as he drove down the turnpike because his expression held an intensity of focus, more than what was required to drive down the highway. On the side of his face, his temple flickered back and forth as he grinded his teeth.
Olivia was afraid of the feelings she was developing for him, a virtual stranger. It was undeniable. There was a connection between them. She had felt it that first night and every moment sense, whether they were together or parted. She was afraid of it because that connection was splitting her life wide open. Everything she had built was coming unraveled. One could question the value of what she had built: A business stealing the possessions of others with a band of broken people who she thought she was helping didn't seem like much in retrospect.
Today, Harrison had looked like a sad, weak, little boy. From what she had been able to see of Abby from her hiding place under the car, she had looked so restless. Olivia wondered why she had come with Harrison, but then she remembered that Abby loved him. She always had. Now they both lay bound and chained in Timothy's work shed. There was so much to be sorted out. The most pressing issue involved Harrison and Abby. What were they going to do with them? She pushed that boulder of a problem to the back of her mind and savored this little moment where she could just watch him. She wasn't sure if she would ever have quiet time like this with him again when they got back to New York and its cold reality.
"What are you thinking about?" Olivia asked. She pushed the lever to lift her seat and stroked his cheek. "Stop grinding your teeth."
"Nothing. What about you?" He took her hand and kissed it to his lips. "You sound like my mother. She would say the same thing when I was in high school. I think you two would like each other."
Olivia made an exasperated sigh. "How could you possibly know that. You don't really even know me and what you do know of me is…"
"Is what? I know that you are crazy, sexy, and cool. Crazy, because you live by your own rules. The life you have lived for the last ten years is simply crazy, and that you haven't been caught is even crazier. When you and Timothy get together and you stop blaming yourself for his injury, you two can get really crazy. Sexy…that night at The Met…I had an instant sexual reaction and attraction to you not just when you felt it after we fought, but as soon as I walked into the room...before you even knew I was there. It was insane…that night…I will never understand it…We literally collided. I think it's cool that you can beat my ass in Krav Maga. You are fluent in Italian and Spanish. How cool is it that you wore a body suit and nothing else during your heists. And your little disguises are cool too, though I prefer your springy curls."
"What do you want from me?"
"I want you. It's simple. Do you want me?" he gazed at her before returning his eyes to the road.
Olivia's heart beat faster. She knew she should lie and deny, but this man had enchanted her completely.
"Absolutely," Olivia said evenly.
"Did you just say what I think you said?"
Olivia nodded in agreement. "Wow. I never expected you to admit that. You keep me on my toes. I know it seems impossible, but we are going to be together. I don't know how yet, but Timothy and I are working on it."
Olivia hugged his arm to her chest and lay back against the seat again. "I wonder how long he has been keeping the movement in his arms a secret? I am happy but… so angry at him for keeping it from me. If Mom and Dad knew, they would have told me. I am convinced he kept it from them too. The question is why?"
"I am sure he has his reasons, Liv. Your brother is a complex guy. I'm just happy that he likes me, accepts me, and is okay with us being a couple."
"So he told you that even before I have agreed to that?" Olivia asked.
"Meeting Timothy and finding out about the accident has given me insight into you, Olivia Pope. I now understand how you could become involved with someone like Harrison."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Olivia said with an edgy anger in her voice.
"Harrison is very immature. He is a boy. You need a man. He was in full tantrum mode today." Fitz mocked him, " 'Liv! I want my Liv! Why did you leave me, Liv' whine, whine, whine. How can he take care of you like a real man should? I think you took care of him out of some misdirected since of loyalty to Timothy. Another way to pay for what you thought you did to him in the accident. Your whole life since the accident has been you trying to pay for something you weren't even responsible for. And Liv even if you would have been the reason for the accident, you shouldn't have to pay for it with your life."
"Fitz, let me out of this damn car. I let you fuck me a few times and now you think you can psychoanalyze me."
"I'm not trying to psychoanalyze you. You are wounded by your past, but you don't have to be anymore. You can let it go and move on, baby." She tried to open the SUV door, but thankfully they were locked. He activated the child locks for good measure.
Fitz was almost at the place where he had lived before he and Mellie moved in together five years ago. He hadn't sold it like she had wanted. Instead he'd hired a property management company to rent out the rooms and manage the care and upkeep. He'd requested that one apartment be kept vacant in case he ever needed it to use it.
He turned around and faced the road, ignoring her temper tantrum as she screamed to get out of the car, banging on the window. Fitz parked on the street outside his brownstone and turned off the ignition. He turned to face her. After her histrionics ended, he pulled her onto his lap.
"I'm sorry if I upset you, but I am not sorry for what I said," Fitz said.
"I don't want to talk about it anymore. Where are we? This isn't my place?" Olivia asked looking around.
"We are at my place."
"You don't live with your fiancé? I know she can't be here if you're bringing me here."
"This is where I lived before we moved in together. We are going to stay here tonight. After I get you settled inside, I am leaving to go talk to her, and break off the engagement."
"So you're really going to do this? Break up with the woman you asked to marry you? How long have you known Millicent?"
"Over 7 years, we've dated. We've lived together for 5."
"That's a hell of a long time. You can't just go up to her and end it like that. What are you going to say?"
"Honestly, I don't know," he said gliding his hands up and down her back, letting the familiar feeling of arousal overcome him. She was so close. Her lips were only inches away from his as was everything else. He calculated how quickly he could remove her pants, unzip his, and be home.
"Well, you need to have a plan. She has invested 5 years of her life into you and you all…" Olivia hesitated when she felt her zipper coming down. She covered his hand with hers and tapped his cheek. "Focus Fitzgerald…you know? All of a sudden, I am hungry. I'd kill for some sushi and chocolate brownies."
She moved back into her seat and stuck out her hand, "Give me the key. What's the apartment number? I'll go up while you go and get food. When you get back, I'll help you with your approach to breaking off the engagement."
"Does that mean you and I are..."
"Yes, Fitz. I will go steady with you. I'll wear your letter jacket. Pin me!" Olivia said in her best impression of a teenage girl.
Fitz chuckled. He pulled her back into his lap and started for her zipper again, "Okay, I'll pin you."
"No, babe. That will have to wait for later when we are behind closed doors. I can see the headlines now: 'FBI Deputy Director disgraced after caught with pants down in car with art thief.' Point me in the direction of the right building. I'll see you when you get back."
Fitz watched Olivia from across the street as she punched in the code to enter the front door. His cell phone rang. It was Cyrus.
"Finally you answer! Why the hell haven't you returned any of my calls or texts? I wouldn't normally call one of my employees when they are enjoying their vacation, but I had to. When Mellie called me looking for you, I knew something was up, Fitz. You have her thinking you are away on an assignment for the Bureau? She was worried sick until I covered for your ass and told her you were unreachable. When you decide to lie to her in the future, please let me know so I won't be caught unawares." Cyrus bellowed into the phone.
"Cy, I'm sorry about that. I've been a little preoccupied and couldn't get back with you." Fitz explained.
"What are you into? Is this a little early bachelor party? Who are you whoring around with? This has to be another woman," Cyrus said. "You better answer me or I'll find out on my own. Is there another woman?"
"Yes," Fitz said. He drove onto the street headed for Sakagura Restaurant.
"Are you still planning on marrying Mellie?"
"No."
Fitz only heard grunts and other sounds of distress from Cyrus on the other line.
"Fitz, you've been like a son to me ever since I first met you as a new agent fresh out the Academy. Even then, I knew you had the potential to go all the way. One day you will have my job, but you need support. If you were a low level agent, I wouldn't give a rat's ass about your personal life because it wouldn't matter. But at this level, it does. You can keep this woman and Mellie too, Fitz. Just don't call off the wedding."
Fitz had reached the restaurant. He spotted Café Intermezzo where he could pick up a batch of brownies. Do chocolate brownies and sushi really go together? He thought, smiling to himself.
"Cy, I appreciate your concern, and I am sorry about putting you in an awkward situation with Mellie. If I am honest, I've just been going through the motions with her all these years. She has been like a good friend to me, loyal and constant, but there was never any real passion between us. I have found that now. Staying with Mellie would be a mistake. I'd rather call off a wedding than to get a divorce later. I have found the woman of my dreams and I am not going to settle for Mellie anymore," Fitz couldn't help himself, realizing that he probably shouldn't have poured his heart out like that to Cyrus.
"She must have gold between those legs, Fitz. You sound pretty settled about this. I want to meet her."
Fitz didn't respond for a while as he thought about the right response. "I'd love for you to meet her but this is pretty new and…she doesn't speak much English."
All Fitz heard was Cyrus' laughter on the other end. "Okay, well I guess I won't ask how you two communicate. Let me know if you need protection because breaking off with Mellie will be hazardous to your health. You have been her pet project for years and I don't think she is going to except this and go away quietly. Get this done soon because you are due to report first thing next week. I need your full attention."
"Cyrus, I have someone in mind to be my assistant. I met him through a friend. He will be an unconventional choice but I know he will be a great asset. He'll pass security clearance, easily." Fitz said as he entered the restaurant and waited in the line to make his order.
"What is his name? I trust your judgment."
Timothy... Jones," Fitz answered.
A short time later he was on his way back to the brownstone armed with sushi and chocolate brownies. He dialed Timothy.
"I still have everything under control, Grant. The thugs are still locked down, safe and secure in the shed. They haven't come to yet. I hope I didn't mistake the poison darts for the tranquilizer darts. If I did, then we have two dead thugs on our hands." Timothy said from his post in the shed.
It had been an uncomfortable day for him. After the face off and Olivia's happy crying episode, they'd argued about what to do with Harrison and Abby. Olivia's suggestions had been the first to be discarded. She thought she could talk to them and convince them that they could all part as friends. Fitz and Timothy both agreed that it would be the best plan to lock them up in a secret, but secure location until they developed a plan. As it turned out, Timothy's shed was the best place. He had the supplies there to bind and secure them in the shed. Olivia's parents rarely, if ever, ventured out there.
Timothy had decided to remain in the shed until they awoke. He wanted the satisfaction of seeing them in such a powerless position. He especially wanted to see the look of helplessness in Harrison's eyes.
"Tim, you know exactly which darts you used. I wasn't calling to check up on you. Well, maybe I was a little. I was thinking that we should keep them locked up indefinitely until Liv and I can get away. She actually has quit fighting me about being together. She is supposed to be helping me come up with a script to break off my engagement."
"Being with Olivia is the least of your problems. I told you that she has been hit with the arrow of that damn cupid statue she loves so much…the one she was trying to lift that night at The Met…Sleeping Eros. How romantic that both of you seem to have been knocked silly by cupid that night. I bet you never made that connection did you? I have been thinking a lot while keeping watching over these unconscious bastards. You only have one choice, Grant, if you want to be with Olivia. You will have to disappear. Would that work better with a woman scorned on your case OR with a woman who still thinks she is marrying Fitzgerald T. Grant, Deputy Director of the FBI? I am hoping you haven't broken it off with your girl yet. You must keep pretending that you will marry her. That will buy time for us to work what I am going to call the ultimate heist to make you two disappear."
"I can see the logic in your argument, but I don't know if Olivia is going to go for this," Fitz said.
"It doesn't really matter. It is on the only way. I'll talk to her."
"Tim, do you remember that proposition I was talking to you about?" Fitz asked walking to the door of the brownstone.
"Yeah…"
"I want you to come work for me at the Bureau...as my assistant."
"What? Why would you want that? Do you miss me that much, Grant?"
"I was thinking about this even before those two idiots showed up today. The FBI could use a brilliant mind like yours. You can help me make a cleaner exit. Maybe they'll give you my job when I disappear."
"But don't you think someone will find out that I am Olivia's brother?" Timothy asked. There seemed to be some movement coming from Harrison. "Fitz, I think one of them is waking up. I have to go. We can talk more about this later."
Timothy disconnected the line and rolled his chair closer to Harrison. He used Pandora 1 to hit Harrison across the back. "Stop trying to play possum. Were you eavesdropping on my phone call? It doesn't matter because you and your girl are truly fuckety fucked up!"
Harrison grunted and moaned at the blow to his back. "I heard every word your crippled ass said. Make no mistake. I am going to get out of here and get Liv. We are going to Rome and Grant is going to jail."
Timothy used Pandora 1 again, but this time he shot him with another tranquilizer dart. "Sweet dreams, little boy."
Fitz made one last call before he reached the brownstone.
"Fitz! Oh my God, darling! How are you? I hope you are safe. Why didn't you tell me you were on a classified mission? I thought you were still out looking for that art thief woman. Cyrus was a dear and shared a little information with me, but you have to let me know these things, okay?"
"I'm sorry, Mels." Fitz said, using a term of endearment for her that he hadn't used in a long while. He made a decision to take Timothy's and to a lesser extent Cyrus's advice. Continue this charade with Mellie. He was prepared to tell Olivia about the change in plans tonight.
"Fitz, you haven't called me that in ages, dear! I wish I could kiss you now. When will you be home?" Mellie asked excitedly.
"In two days."
"I can't wait. We have so many more plans. Your parents and brothers are coming in town next week. I invited them. I hope that was okay. It should be fun," Mellie said.
"Why in the hell did you do that without consulting me, Mellie? I will be starting at…" Fitz stopped realizing he was going to reveal too much. Mellie didn't know he had been on vacation so she wouldn't know that he would be officially starting his new post next week. "I'm sorry, Mellie, It should be fun. They are calling me back. I have to go."
"I love you," she said into the phone, but he had already hung up. Mellie wondered what he was going to say before he abruptly stopped. She was uneasy because he sounded so distant on the phone.
Fitz balanced the bag in one hand and unlocked the door to the apartment with the other. The room was clothed in darkness.
"Livy? I'm back. Where are you? Livy?" He flicked on the light just as a small hand grabbed his wrist and spun him around against the door.
Before he could respond, his wrists were locked in a pair of handcuffs. He was then pulled around and led to the recliner in his sparsely furnished apartment. He was pushed down on the chair.
"Agent Grant, have you been using these handcuffs for business or pleasure?" Olivia asked him. She was standing before him wearing one of his old gun holsters and nothing else.
He didn't answer because he couldn't stop looking at her. She walked to the door and picked up the bag of food, bending over ever so slowly so he could enjoy the view. Then she walked to the small kitchen area and placed it in the refrigerator.
"Answer me, Agent Grant, business or pleasure?"
He attempted to stand up, but she pushed him back down with a foot to the chest. She kept her foot pressed there. Then she lifted it higher, rubbing it on his cheek. He turned his head and kissed her arch.
"When are you going to free me, Livy?"
"Never," she whispered and climbed on top of him.