Chapter 8

Back to Life Back to Reality

"Have you thought about my job offer, Tim?" Fitz asked. He and Tim were on the phone.

Fitz was stretched out on his sofa watching Olivia's attempt at multi-tasking. She was trying to cook dinner and text. At present, she was furiously texting with her back to the stove. The hot foaming liquid bubbled out and over the side of the pot that held the fettuccine noodles. At the same time, a milky looking substance bubbled over the sides of the fryer. The other pots weren't overflowing, but the gas burners looked to be on the highest setting.

Olivia spun around when the hiss of the liquid meeting the flame caught her attention. "Fuck!"

She reduced the heat on all the burners and then tried to simultaneously clean up her mess and continue texting.

"Tim, Does she know how to cook?" Fitz said. He wanted to help, but she'd shooed him away several times.

"My sister can do anything, but she doesn't like to cook because it requires her full attention."

"I don't know if what she is doing could be called cooking. It isn't going so well. She keeps turning her back to the stove. Tim, you know Liv like a book," Fitz said.

"Yes, I do, Grant. Unless you want the fire department there soon, you should contain it and call me back."

Before Fitz could respond, Tim had already hung up the phone.

Fitz joined Olivia at the stove. It looked worse close up. The ingredients for fettuccine alfredo with salmon and vegetables were either raw, scorched, or dried out. It was a hot mess, but Olivia was trying to salvage it.

Sensing his presence behind her, Olivia stopped working. "I got this. Don't try to help me. I know it looks like shit now, but I can skim some of this alfredo sauce off the top. I think there are enough noodles. I don't know about this salmon. The broccoli is only burned on the bottom."

He hugged her from behind and turned off all the burners. "You don't have to cook for me. We can take out or eat one of those delicious frozen dinners I bought. I think there is one with salmon and veggies."

"I'm sorry. I can cook. It's just that I get distracted and this happens. I wanted tonight to be special since you'll be going back to…you'll be returning to her and your old life tomorrow." She turned around to face him, trying to mask her sadness.

He scooped her up in his arms and her legs automatically wrapped around his waist. Fitz sat with her on the sofa. They held each other's gaze for a while. Fitz ran his finger from the middle of her forehead to the tip of her nose. He kissed her forehead, nose, chin, and each cheek. Lastly, he pressed his lips to hers. He pulled back and smiled broadly at her.

"Why are you smiling like that? Dinner is destroyed." His grin was contagious so she smiled too.

"You aren't going to like it," he said, grinning more broadly.

"What am I not going to like?"

"I love you, Olivia. You can't convince me otherwise. You can't tell me it's lust. I love you. As I told you yesterday, I am only going back to Mellie to make this transition easier…so she won't be a threat to you given her background. Tim was right. It's the only way. But it is only a charade. I promise that I will find a way to see you every day."

Olivia hugged him close laying her head on his shoulder. He could feel her heart beating hurriedly against his chest. "I love you too," she whispered.

When she said it, he hugged her closer. His heart sped up to match hers. After a long while, she pulled back.

"Livy, I think I need to give you some cooking lessons."

"Oh really? Now…while you are unbuttoning my dress?"

"Yes. You need to approach cooking like we approach making love. There should never be any multitasking. Every thought and all your attention should be totally directed towards…well…the task at hand." He lifted her in his arms and walked her to the bedroom.

"Let me demonstrate what I mean here on the bed." He undressed her until she was completely naked.

"Get on the bed and lie on your stomach. Don't move. This is foreplay. I am prepping you for the big finish. Like in cooking, the prepping is just as important to the final dish."

"Fitz, I think I am ready now. I don't need much prepping," Olivia said totally and completely aroused.

"For the sake of the lesson, we have to go through each step, okay? It is my aim to improve your cooking."

Aching with desire, Olivia shrugged her shoulders and lay on her stomach atop the bed. She propped her on the pillow and turned her head to watch him undress.

"Fitz, you are ready too, babe. I understand the lesson. No multitasking. Focus."

"Nope, you need more instruction. Shh, Livy."

He sat on the bed beside her. She snaked her hand between his legs. He evaded her hand, slapping it away.

"Greedy girl," he admonished, straddling her waist. He reached forward and opened the side drawer removing something she couldn't see. Then she felt a cold, hard object glide down her back. He grasped her wrists extending her arms high above her head. Olivia felt the cuffs close around her wrists.

"Fitz, you didn't."

"I did. so I guess the answer to your question from when you cuffed me is pleasure."

"Is this still a cooking lesson?"

"Now we switch to the feast," he whispered in her ear.

He peppered little kisses behind her ear, along her neck and down her arm. When he reached her hand, he drew each of her fingers, one at a time, slowly into his mouth. Olivia moaned at the sensation of her fingers in his mouth. He repeated his ministrations on her other hand.

He lightly massaged her shoulders while kissing and licking down the center and on either side of her back. Olivia was starting to move her hips involuntarily. He moved back up her body and whispered in her ear. "What do you want, baby?"

"You. I want you in there now."

"Not yet."

He moved back down her body and licked a path over the curve of each mound of her derriere and down her legs to her heels. He bent each of her legs back at the knee and suckled each of her toes. She laughed a little because it tickled. The laughter turned to whimpers as he licked twin paths down the inside of each of her inner thighs. She knew where he was headed. Olivia thought she was going to die from the anticipation. It was like he was already there. He parted her thighs. She gasped loudly as he took her into his mouth, his tongue and lips molding into her flesh from behind.

"Fi…" Olivia felt light and airy as if something in her released. Fitz lifted her up on her knees so he could lick her from front to back.

He flipped her over wanting to enjoy her front as much as her back.

"Baby, please. I need you now, please," she whimpered.

Fitz grabbed the key to free her wrists. He grasped her legs so that they hung over his elbows and then he entered her swiftly. She gasped and shuddered at the full hardness of him that occupied her completely. Her arms grabbed for something to hold on to. His back became her anchor. They stared at each other as he stroked in and out of her. Her fingernails gripped his skin, her nails sinking into the skin of his back. They both screamed in passion as he emptied himself into her. She welcomed the gift he had to give.

Fitz awoke with a start. He didn't want tomorrow to come. Tomorrow meant he would have go leave her. He unwrapped his limbs from hers and walked into the small living area. The smell of burned broccoli and fish met his nostrils as he dialed Timothy.

"I thought you had forgotten me, Grant. I guess she didn't burn down the place," Timothy said.

"No, nothing like that. So are you going to take the job, Tim?"

"Yes, but, how are you going to get me a security clearance? I am not going to prison." Timothy said.

"I need you to invent a life for yourself. I already told my superior that your name is Timothy Pope. I'll make sure your fabricated identity checks out. Any other questions?"

"Where am I going to live? I can't commute back and forth from here and New Jersey."

"I own a brownstone. If you don't mind, you can share an apartment with Olivia or you can have your own," Fitz explained.

"I need my own space. I can't live with my sister. When are you going back to your place?"

"Tomorrow. It's going to be hell, Tim. Pretending will be difficult."

"It shouldn't be. You're an agent, man." Tim explained.

"Right. How are our...occupants? I don't know how you are doing it. How are you able to keep them from Charlise and Lionel?"

"They are okay, I guess. The red head tried to pull a Gandhi on me...refusing to eat and shit, but she is now. Harrison is an idiot. My parents stay out of my way so they wouldn't dare come to the shed. When do I start this new job, because we need to develop a plan for these idiots. They cannot be trusted. They belong in jail, but that won't happen without some serious intervention. I'm sure they'd find a way to throw multiple monkey wrenches in our plan. I need more time to think about it. There is always the nuclear option…killing them…but we aren't there yet. Murder is a real style cramper."

"Murder is not an option Tim, but I know you are joking. As soon as I get your security clearance, I'll know your start date. The only other thing I can think of is bringing them to the brownstone," said Fitz.

"That's an idea. Oh and make sure the brownstone is ADA compliant. I am in a wheelchair."

"Yep. Shouldn't you be in physical therapy? When are you going to tell your parents and your doctor about what you can now do?"

"Grant, let me worry about that. Don't think that just because my sister is your girlfriend and you are my boss, that you can boss me around. I will follow your orders at work, but no one tells me what to do." Timothy explained.

"Okay, Tim. I'll be in touch tomorrow."

Fitz popped a frozen dinner in the microwave and scraped all the burned food into the waste bin. He filled the pans and fryers with water to soak.

The bell sounded on the microwave signaling that the frozen meal was ready. He popped in the other one. When they were ready he carried them along with two Italian sodas into the bedroom.

Olivia sat up in the bed when he returned. "Something smells good. I am so hungry. Thank you."

"I never knew a frozen dinner could be this good," she said between sips of her soda.

They ate in silence for awhile each trying to prepare themselves for the next day.

The morning came too quickly. Fitz updated Olivia on everything she needed to know about the building. He gave her another cell phone to use when calling and receiving calls from him.

She examined the phone."You can track me with GPS this phone, too, can't you?" Olivia said.

"You know me well. Yes. It has tracking capability so keep it with you at all times. You're going to meet Huck and Abby today. Are you going anywhere else?"

"Does it matter if I tell you? I'm sure you'll know. Now get out of here. I have to get ready." She rose up to kiss him.

"I'll see you tonight."

"Okay, Fitz. I love you. Goodbye," Olivia said brightly, pushing him out the door. She pressed her back to the wall and wept silently.

"Olivia, this is my fault. I should have known Abby would keep searching when I wouldn't give her the information she wanted." Huck said. He along with Abby and Olivia met each other at OPs headquarters.

"If there is anyone to blame, it's me, Huck," said Quinn. "I wasn't convincing enough. I'm not a good actress."

"Quinn, please cut the crap, if that is your real name. I have one word for you, "Timothy Pope," Olivia said.

Quinn looked at Olivia blankly, "What is that supposed to mean? I don't know a Timothy Pope."

Olivia thought about it and realized that her brother probably didn't use his real name when he hired her. "Quinn, who hired you to spy on me? What was his name? I can tell you with confidence that he is my brother, Timothy Pope. It's okay, he told me. You can break your cover."

"Mothman. That's his name. Mothman is your brother?"

"Yes, Mothman is Timothy Pope. So you haven't met him?"

"Olivia, no. He said that he and I would never meet unless I broke my cover or screwed things up. He seems pretty hardcore so I don't know if I want to meet him," said Quinn.

"Huck, is Timothy hard core?" Olivia asked, looking at him out the corner of her eye.

"I don't know anymore, Liv. I haven't seen him in years. He could have contacted me to check on you," said Huck.

"But he knew you'd tell me, Huck. He wanted to keep it a secret. You know Tim. Mothman? I wonder where he got that name from?" Olivia shook her head and chuckled.

"Tim is a little special Liv. He always has been even before the accident. He has zero tact and an overactive can we help you with everything, Liv? Are you with Grant now?"

"We are…together," she said, a small smile appearing on her lips, "And I have no apologies about it. The first thing we need to do is shut down OPs. Huck, you really are the only remaining one. I am still getting out of the business. Harrison and Abby are effectively out. Quinn is a spy for Mothman." Olivia chuckled again before continuing. "So, that just leaves you. You are my family, Huck so I am not going to abandon you. Fitz and Timmy are working on a plan to help us disappear, but I don't want that. I know this doesn't make sense, but I can't imagine leaving New York. Yes, I was all prepared to move to Rome, but deep down I didn't really want to. I was doing it for Harrison, I guess. Tim has accepted a job with the FBI which is surreal."

"Oh, I get it now. Timmy is the brother Huck told me about…the one who is paralyzed."

"Yes, that's the one who hired you. One day you'll have to tell us how he found you, Quinn, but now we need to strategize. What can we do with Harrison and Abby? They can't stay at my parent's house indefinitely. Timothy is liable to kill both of them... I am joking, of course," Olivia said.

They headed to the apartment Olivia had shared with Harrison. Olivia took Huck's hand. "Huck, Timmy is moving to New York soon. I want you to move in with him. Fitz told me that he won't move in with me so I was thinking that you would move in with him."

"Liv, I'll do anything you want. I just don't know if he'll go for it."

"I think you can talk him in to it."

Fitz took the steps two at a time up to the brownstone he shared with Mellie. He hadn't told her exactly what time he was coming home. She should be at work now. He wanted to get home before she did so he could get his head straight. That his parents and two brothers would be visiting soon was distressing. He was the oldest son, but still unmarried. His mother adored Mellie, but his father and brothers weren't as smitten. Fitz had no idea how he was going to entertain his family and see Olivia. He'd find a way since seeing her was non-negotiable.

"Hi, sweetheart."

"Fitzgerald!"

A chorus voices rang out to greet Fitz when he opened the front door. Mellie rushed to him first, placing her hand on his chest and looking up at him with a grand smile. His stomach felt queasy when he saw his parents and brothers walk up to greet him.

"Son, for someone who's been working around the clock for the safety and security of this great nation, you look like you've been on vacation, and a good one at that!" his dad sad in a booming voice.

Fitz smiled slightly. At that moment he wanted to kill Mellie.

"Mellie, I don't understand why you invited them in the first place. You lied to me! I thought they weren't coming until a couple of days from now? I am still getting settled in my new job. I've been away for days so wouldn't you want to spend some alone time with me? I don't have time to entertain my family right now," Fitz said. He spoke in low but forceful tones to Mellie as he unpacked his duffel bag.

"Sweetheart, don't be upset. This will be a great bonding experience for us before the wedding," Mellie said. She observed Fitz closely as he moved around the room.

"How did Jonathan and Jared get their wives to agree to this? Mellie, did you think? My parents and my two grown brothers under the same roof for…how long are they staying now?"

"Four days, Fitz. Only four days."

Totally frustrated, Fitz whipped his t-shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor. He knew Mellie hated when he did that. She was to busy admiring his chest to notice, "Don't ever do anything like this again without consulting me first."

He turned around and walked into the bathroom. Mellie gasped at the line of four, jagged scratches across his back.

"What is that on your back, Fitz?" Her eyes went cold as she stood behind him reflected in the large vanity mirror.

Fitz stood there in front of the mirror watching her watch him. Mellie's eyes flickered from his eyes to what she saw on his back. When he failed to respond, she snatched open the middle drawer and pulled out a large handheld mirror that she positioned so he could see what she referred to. He saw the four scratches just as clearly as his mind replayed a snapshot of Olivia's face last night, her expression changing from strained to slack as he made her come.

Fitz pushed away from the sink and turned to face Mellie. He took the mirror from her hand and placed it back in the drawer.

"Who are you screwing Mellie?" Fitz asked, taking steps forward until he had her trapped against the wall.

"What? Honey, I would never…could never be with anyone but you. I love you."

Fitz caressed her cheek and moved his hand down the length of her neck. He grasped the back of her neck and pulled her closer so that his mouth was only a breath away from hers. "You're lying, Mellie." He slid his other hand down her side and over the curve of her hip until he reached her thigh. He bunched the cloth of her dress in his hand and hiked up her dress. He jerked one of her legs up and ground his hips into hers so that she could feel his arousal. Mellie did not know that his arousal had nothing to do with her. Instead, it was a holdover from seeing the scratches on his back and remembering last night with Olivia.

"I've been gone for days. Didn't you think I would want to spend this time with the woman I love…making love to the woman I plan to marry? Obviously, you don't want me as much as I want you," he said as he slid one finger and then two into her. "You must be screwing someone else, right?"

"Ohhhh, yes, Fitz…I mean no…I don't want anyone else, but you. That feels… so good."

Fitz kept touching her. He wanted those scratches to be blotted from her mind.

"So you want me, Mellie?"

"Yes, Fitz. Yes."

"Will you cut this visit with my parents short?" he asked. He knew she was about to come.

"Okay," she breathed out just as her body buckled against him. Fitz pulled his fingers out of her and walked into the shower.

For a work shed, Timothy's was relatively comfortable. The floor had been done in a nice silver colored mat material. It was clean and spacious with central heating and air. The walls were outfitted with shelving systems on which he kept various parts and other gadgets he used for his projects. There was also a bathroom and a couple of chairs. Abby and Harrison were bound to the chairs with chains that had enough length to allow them to use the bathroom at will. It was one of those rare occasions during the 48 hours of their captivity that Timothy had left them alone.

"I hope you have snapped out of it, Harrison. Olivia is not coming to talk to you. She isn't going to call you. She is gone! We need to find a way to get out of here," Abby said. "Her brother can't keep us here much longer. We must do whatever it takes to get him to let us go."

Harrison sat there, unresponsive and morose. Abby looked around her chair for something to get his attention. She spotted a cup of water beside her chair that she had left unfinished.

"Abby! What's wrong with you?" Harrison gasped, unprepared for the deluge of water against his face.

"Did you hear me? How are we going to get out of here? Forget about her."

"I'm not thinking about her, damn it. I'm not thinking about anything. Leave me alone. This is all your damn fault!"

"How is this my fault?"

"Why couldn't you leave it alone? You had to keep picking at that tape. You should have left it alone. I wouldn't have the image of that damned FBI agent fucking her brains out burned into my memory. I wouldn't be chained to a chair at the mercy of crazy wheelchair man. Liv and I would still be together. This is all your fault."

Abby bent her bound hands together and propelled the empty cup at him.

"My fault? I didn't make her fuck that agent. From what I remember of that conversation you had in the car, Rome was not going to happen. The only thing I told you to do was come to Princeton. I thought you would appreciate knowing the truth about her. Obviously, I was wrong. She cut off your balls three years ago," Abby said with disgust.

At that moment, Timothy rolled around the corner.

"If I wasn't paralyzed, I'd give you both a standing ovation for the tragic comedy that is your lives. Until I heard your little exchange just now, I had no idea what to do with you, but now I know.

"Where are you taking us?" Abby asked.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," Timothy replied smugly.

"I was thinking we could have brunch at the Russian Tea Room. I have a contact there so reservations are no problem. Fitz, what do you think, honey?" Mellie asked.

Fitz sat on the loveseat with his mother, Liz who held his hand. Fitz's mom treated him like he was a perpetual 10 year-old boy. He was the eldest of the three boys but she doted on him, which had been a point of contention between the brothers. Fitz never really understood why she gave him all the attention. He chalked it up to being her first born.

Big Gerry spoke before Fitz could weigh in. "That sounds nice, but I prefer to go to a diner or some dive restaurant. I would rather have good tasting food at a reasonable price than bland high priced finger food."

"Gerry, come on it's the Russian Tea Room. Maybe we will run into a celebrity, what do you think Fitzy?" Liz patted Fitz on the cheek.

"I'll do whatever you all want," Fitz answered. "Let Jared decide. He's the food man in the family. How's the restaurant business going?"

"Business is good. I'm thinking about opening another one, but Lisa already complains about how many hours I spend away from home," Jared said. "Mellie isn't on your case about being gone days at a time, but Lisa hates my 70 hours a week."

"Fitz is taking a bite out of crime," said Jonathan whose eyes didn't leave his phone. "You're just helping people to get a bite. We should check out The Heavenly Dish Café and Grill. This foodie finder's restaurant app gives it five stars. 'A wholesome family restaurant with superb American fare good for the soul and the wallet' is how the review reads."

Jared snatched Jonathan's phone from his hand. "Mellie, Fitz have you all been there? It's on 7th and Main."

"No. Fitz and I rarely venture outside of Manhattan. Sounds fine to me. Let's get going." Mellie hid her disappointment behind a bright smile. Fitz smiled too, but only because he thought about Olivia and the last time he was there with her.

Timothy sat across from his mom and dad. It was time to tell them he was moving, but he knew they would not approve. He had never lived away from them aside from his freshman year in college before the accident. It was time and past time for him to move on so that they could enjoy their life. He wanted them to be able to travel without having to consider him.

As Timothy thought about how to explain why he was leaving, the big lie about Olivia's true identity for the last 10 years was a serious roadblock. He couldn't say that he was leaving to help her escape that life. Lionel and Charlise Pope had no idea how broken and scarred Olivia was after the accident. Nor did they know how her brokenness had affected his life. One day he hoped Olivia would break this cycle of lying and tell them the truth.

"Harrison offered me a job in New York, and I'm taking it." Timothy continued reminding himself to say, 'Harrison' and not 'Grant.'

"You're taking a job in New York? I don't understand. Harrison is an art dealer. You don't like art, baby."

"I'll be helping with the technical side…museum security…websites…data systems…apparently he was impressed by what I've set up here. So I'll be moving before the end of the week."

"Son, I don't think you've thought this through. This is your home. If the job is technical, you can work from here. Your mother and I should have been consulted before you even considered something like this," said Lionel.

"Your father is right. Tell Harrison thanks, but no thanks. End of discussion," Charlise said with finality. She returned to her crossword puzzle.

"Dad, think fast," Timothy called out. He lifted both arms slowly and threw two quarters in the direction of his father. "Not as fast as I'd like, but I'm getting faster daily."

Charlise covered her mouth in shock.

"Tim, I know you might be upset, but don't throw things at me," Lionel said, angrily.

"Lionel, Timmy threw those with both hands. How did you do that, Timmy? It this some trick or did you just raise both your hands over your head?" Charlise was standing and observing him in awe.

"Mom, Dad…this is not one of my gadget tricks. I can move my own arms." He moved them again to demonstrate.

"But the doctors said the damage was too extensive. It's a miracle. We have to get you in therapy. We have to tell Olivia." Charlise reached for the phone.

"She knows…"

"And she didn't tell us!" Charlise and Lionel said together.

"No. I told her not to tell you. Mom and Dad, I know its scary to think of me being out there in the world away from you, but I have to do this. I have to take this job. I'll start therapy in New York. Olivia will be there. It's time for you to travel like you've always dreamed. You never know. Maybe I'll meet a nice girl and have a couple of little Pope's." Tim added in the last sentence just for his mother even though he knew that was a pipe dream.

"Please give me your blessing. I need your support."

"Timmy, you're breaking my heart. This house won't be the same without you. Your happiness is our chief concern. You have my blessing." Charlise wrapped him in a hug.

"Dad?"

Lionel did not respond at first. Then he said. "Expect a visit from us at least once a month."

"Timmy! Now I know it's really true. You are moving to New York. I didn't think Mom and Dad would let you move out. I wish I could have seen Dad's face when you threw the quarters across the room."

Olivia fell back on the bed in the bedroom she used to share with Harrison. Huck and Quinn were helping her pack up her things to take to the brownstone.

"It was pretty funny," Tim said. "Where is Grant? I know he's not far."

"He has gone back to home. I have not seen or heard from him since he left this morning. I don't know where he is."

"I bet you cried like a little baby when he left and you've been checking your phone constantly."

"Little brother, you don't know me as well as you think you do. I have not had time to think about him." She had just checked the phone, hoping for a call.

"Liar. This is his first day back so just be cool." Tim knew she was anything but cool. "You will have to tell Mom and Dad the truth soon. It's only a matter of time before you forget to call Grant, Harrison."

"Here talk to Huck." Olivia pushed her phone to Huck, hoping he would be able to convince Tim to let him move in.

"Hey, Mothman…" Huck said.

Olivia laughed. She had forgotten to tease him about that name. Olivia felt the phone Fitz had given her buzz. Butterflies danced in her stomach. She felt like the proverbial girl waiting for the boy to call.

Fitz: Hey beautiful. Miss me?

Olivia felt impish and a little mad that he had not contacted her in the fours hours they'd been apart.

Olivia: Hey Bobby. Of course I miss you.

Fitz: Who the hell is Bobby?

Olivia: Oops! Hi Fitz.

Fitz: Don't play with me like that.

Olivia: I don't play.

Fitz: No need to make me jealous. There will be consequences.

Olivia felt a spasm of arousal course through her body.

Fitz: Where are you?

Olivia: At my old place with Huck and Quinn. You?

Fitz: You'll never guess.

Olivia: No idea. Come on!

Fitz: Heavenly Dish Café

Olivia: Why? With whom?

Fitz: For brunch with Mellie and my mom, dad AND brothers.

Olivia: Why there of all places?

Fitz: My brother's idea. Go Figure. Wish you were here. Gotta go. Table is ready. See you tonight. I love you.

Olivia: Me too.

Olivia could not wait until tonight. She was restless. She wanted to see him.

"Sounds good, Tim. Do you want to speak to Liv?" Huck glanced at Olivia who was lost in thought on the bed. He handed her the phone.

"Hey, stay out of trouble, little sister," Tim said into the phone.

"Timmy, I'm the eldest. You stay out of trouble," Liv said before hanging up.

"Huck, when was the last time my face was broadcast on TV or in print?" Olivia asked.

"2005 and 2007, both times on American's Most Wanted, Dateline, and 20/20," Huck said with rapid fire precision.

"How was my hair?"

"You had those twisty things in one picture and the other was with a long brown wig."

"What are you thinking about, Liv?" Quinn asked. She was excited at the prospect of whatever Olivia was planning.

"I want to make sure I don't raise suspicion when I go out. It is highly unlikely that someone will notice me unless they were specifically assigned to my case. Huck, wouldn't you say I am safe to get a bite to eat at a restaurant?"

"You're safe, but I can get something for you if you need me to."

"I can get something for you too, Liv." Quinn parroted.

"No. It's fine. I want to get something to eat and sit alone to think. Did Tim say he would let you move in with him when he moves to New York, Huck?"

"Yes. Convincing him was easier than we both thought. He has something in mind, but I'll let him explain. Where are you going?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll have my cell phone if you need me. "

Olivia left Quinn and Huck so she could change in the bathroom. There was still the problem of Harrison and Abby to attend to. She had failed to ask Tim about them. All she could think about was Fitz and what he was doing at Heavenly Dish. She changed into the most nondescript, drab clothes she could find. Looking in the mirror she was satisfied with the effect. She wore baggie blue jean shorts, a grey tank top under a white pullover that had the arms cut off, and white deck shoes. After pulling her hand into a ponytail, she topped it off with a baseball cap and sunglasses.

"If I add a backpack, I'll have the preoccupied college student look mastered. He won't be able to recognize me," Olivia said aloud. "I'll leave this phone at the brownstone so he'll think I am there. With a self-satisfied smile, she left the room.

The server took everyone's order, collected their menus, and left the table. Fitz could not wait until tonight. He was restless. He wanted to see her now. The tracker application he activated on his cell phone showed her at the brownstone. How fast could I get there if left now? What excuse could I give?

"Fitzgerald, put that phone away and tell us about your new job," Big Gerry said.

"It's primarily management, dad. All the directors of each field office report to me and I coordinate major investigations."

"Sounds like a lot of paper pushing to me. You'll miss the fieldwork, son. Cyrus must have big plans for you." Big Gerry laughed and patted Fitz on the back.

"Let's hope so. Fitz deserves the best and he's certainly earned it. I have always encouraged him to run for public office, but he loves the Bureau. I think he could go all the way. What do you think, Liz?"

"I agree, Mellie. He could go all the way if he wanted to." Liz and Mellie looked at Fitz expectantly. Fitz, not understanding, looked from his father to his brother's faces. They each looked away.

"Who had the blueberry pancakes?" Two servers appeared and started doling out their orders.

Fitz raised his hand to claim the pancakes. "I have zero interest in politics as you all know. President of the Student Government Association in college was the extent of my political aspirations. I do not want to think how long ago that has been."

"That is what I have told your mom and your fiancé here, but they will not give it a rest. It is time to spill the beans," Big Gerry said, looking hungrily at his Colorado omelet.

"Spill the beans about what? " Fitz put down his fork and knife and glared at Mellie who was looking impatiently at Big Gerry.

"Well, sweetheart, I had not planned to mention this today, but I think you should run for office. There is a seat open in the 12th congressional district. Congresswoman Rosalind Maloney does not plan to run for reelection. She has already agreed to endorse you, Fitz. All you have to do is say you are interested. I was thinking that we could push the wedding up to next month. I have already spoken with everyone. It is a done deal if I say the word. I spoke with Cyrus too. This will not interfere with your job," Mellie said. She squeezed Fitz's hand.

"Is that why you all are here…to help Mellie gang up on me so I will give in to this foolheaded idea?" Fitz asked calmly. He snatched his hand from Mellie's grasp.

"Son, I plead the fifth on this one. I am here to visit and congratulate my eldest son on his promotion in the highest law enforcement agency in the nation. As a retired detective, this is all gravy for me. As far as I am concerned, you have arrived. My advice is to do what makes you happy." Big Gerry forked a healthy portion of his omelette in his mouth.

"We think you should run. What is there to lose? With Mellie by your side, you two can go far…as far as The White House. You are going to need all of our support. Mellie's dad will help of course. He's the governor of Iowa after all." Liz squeezed his other hand.

"Jonathan and Jared, you two knew about this set up and did not warn me?" Fitz asked.

Only Jonathan looked up from his meal. "We both plead the fifth too. We will support whatever you decide to do."

Fitz still had not taken a bite of his food. He was livid about Mellie's highhandedness. What she had done was manipulative and controlling. He looked around at his mother and Mellie who were waiting for his response. Jonthan and Jared were both eating and fidgeting with their cell phones. Big Gerry was enjoying his omelet. He decided not to say a word. He needed to calm down first. He cut a triangle into his pancakes, speared it with his fork, and placed them in his mouth. He let his eyes trail around the restaurant. He would give anything to be with Olivia right now.

Olivia sat across the restaurant beside the dessert and pastry display case. There was a small table there that gave her a direct view of Fitz's table. For the last 30 minutes she had been surveiling their table. The bill of her cap was pulled low and she kept her menu just at her nose. It had been easy to identify everyone. Mellie looked like the perfect little wife in her royal blue sundress. Watching the way Fitz and Mellie interacted had been interesting. They never touched each other. Fitz sat between his mom and dad. Once their food came, Olivia saw Mellie reach out and grab his hand. He pulled it back. He had not smiled the entire time she had been observing them.

Sitting there watching them eventually made Olivia feel like an intruder. She started to wonder if it could really work between them given all the obstacles. But the one thing she knew for sure was that she loved him and wanted him. It was inexplicable. This was the thought going through her mind as she stared at him. He was finally eating his food. She watched him chew the pancakes swallow and then take a sip from his mug. Olivia liked the way he chewed his food, slowly and with a purpose. She thought about last night and that cooking lesson which made her close her eyes to savor that memory. It is time to get out of here, she thought. She opened her eyes and met his intense gaze. Oh no, he didn't see me did he?

Fitz chewed slowly enjoying the pancakes, which were actually very tasty. He took deep breaths and observed the patrons in the restaurant. He could never go anywhere without getting a look at his surroundings and the people in them. He had already done a sweep of the room when they arrived. He did it again as a way to calm down. The crowd had grown. There was a group of people celebrating a birthday at the tables to his right. The smaller tables that would normally hold two people now held three. There was a little boy standing in front of the dessert and pastry display case with his face stuck to the glass. He was licking the glass. Fitz then noticed a small table next to the case where a young woman sat. Her hat was pulled low and even though the menu was in front of her face her eyes were closed. He knew before he really knew that it was Olivia.

"Livy?" he whispered under his breath. Her eyes opened and it was like she was under a spotlight. He saw her flash of recognition. She turned her head quickly.

Fitz's anger fell away like water down his back.

"I am sorry you came all this way for nothing. I am not running for public office, ever. It is unfortunate that Mellie did not consult with me before talking to some many other people. The wedding will not be pushed up either. After this little stunt, Mellie, I'm not even sure if a wedding should happen at all. I'm going to get some dessert. Does anyone want anything?"

"I would say yes, but your mom will not allow me after this omelet," Big Gerry said, pushing the omelet plate away. Fitz left the table and headed for the desert case.

Olivia saw him walking towards her. Her limbs felt heavy. She could not move even thought the door was close. Still clinging to the impossible notion that he had not seen her, she bent her head low over her purse in search of nothing in particular.

Fitz stopped at her table, but faced away from her eyeing the desserts.

He spoke low, barely moving his lips. "Too bad I cannot have my favorite dessert now."

A little smirk appeared on her lips, "That can be arranged. Follow me to the back."

Before he could respond, Olivia collected her bag and walked away. Fitz followed keeping a respectable distance. He stopped at his table.

"I did not see a dessert in the case I wanted. I am going to use the bathroom and then we can leave."

Mellie still looked horrified at what he had said before. Liz was consoling her.

By the time he reached the back hallway Olivia had disappeared. He passed the ladies' room as a woman came out. The back emergency exit door was in his sights so he had no where else to turn but back around. A hand appeared in his left peripheral vision. It pulled him behind a door marked, 'Authorized Personnel Only.'

They grabbed for each other in the darkness of the supply closet slamming up against the wall. Olivia let out a small moan, which Fitz quieted with his mouth on hers. He rubbed his tongue against hers and nipped at her top and bottom lips. Olivia opened her mouth wider wanting his tongue deeper.

Fitz reached for her belt. She pulled his shirt out of his pants and slid her arms under his shirt.

"Hurry!" she whispered.

Something in her voice made him stop. Grasping her wrists, he pulled her arms behind her back. It was quiet except for their labored breathing.

"Fitz, what are you doing? Why did you stop?"

He felt for a light switch and flicked it on. The overhead light shone too brightly over their eyes that had already adjusted to the darkness.

"We should not do this, Livy. It is too dangerous. You should not be here now."

"Why? I wanted to see you. I thought you wanted to see me too. You told me you were here."

"I plan to see you tonight, baby. We are more than just a quick lay in a closet. If we keep doing this, it is going to jeopardize everything. We have to use our heads, Livy."

Her wounded expression caused him to reach for her face. "I think about you constantly. I want you right now, but I cannot risk Mellie or my family finding out about us. I will not risk your safety. Where is the phone I gave you? You left it at the brownstone to throw me off…so I would think you were there, didn't you? You cannot do that. I have to know where you are at all times to keep you safe."

She pulled away from him. "Do not touch me. How do I know that you are really trying to be with me? I think you want to keep me on the side as your little secret. If I stay quiet in your brownstone then that will not risk your life with Mellie. You have probably already had sex with her haven't you?"

Fitz turned away.

"Haven't you?" she asked again.

"No…not exactly. She saw what you did to my back, Liv so I distracted her, but we didn't have sex."

"You are really good at distracting. We are done!" Olivia reached for the door but he slammed it shut.

"You are upset. I understand, but we are not done. This is not over."

"Move your hand so I can go. I am sure your fiancé and family are waiting."

"There is no sense in trying to run away. I'll find you."

Without a backwards glance, she left him standing there.

Olivia felt much better. After leaving the restaurant, she had been on edge. The only place she could work off some steam was with Huck in their practice ring.

"Liv, we need to stop. You are going to hate yourself in the morning when your muscles are screaming for mercy. Is everything okay?"

She collapsed in the ring to catch her breath. "Now it is. Thanks Huck. I really needed this. I do my best thinking when I am fighting. I am going to Princeton tonight to see Tim. I need a favor."

"Anything, Liv."

"I need you to go to the brownstone and get my things. I will give you the key. When you get my things just leave the key there," Olivia said.

"Why?"

Olivia didn't answer. She continued stretching.

"How can I say this…Fitz and I…we broke up."

"You broke up? What does that mean?"

"Huck…I am not going to talk about this. We were together and now we are not. So there it is done."

"He must not agree with this break up if you cannot get your own stuff or give him the key in person."

"He agrees. The break up is mutual. I need to get to Princeton. Huck, you said anything...you would do anything. Please take care of this for me. Please?"

"What if he's there and asks about you?"

"Act like you do not know. Tell him I am either at my old place or at Quinn's apartment." Olivia gave Huck a peck on the cheek.

Olivia felt better about breaking it off with Fitz not simply because she had blown off steam with Huck. She also had a plan. Whenever she felt out of control, forming a good plant helped her regain her footing. This plan involved her moving to Princeton, letting Harrison and Abby go, and helping Tim with his therapy. The plan did not include Fitz.

Olivia turned into the long driveway of the Pope estate. She waved to Timmy who she knew was watching her on the surveillance camera. Thoughts of Fitz rolled one upon the other in her mind as she pulled around the front cul de sac. The last time she'd been home, Fitz had been with her. Now he was not.

The front light switched on as she ascended the front steps.

"Olivia, I am so happy you two made it back so soon. I am not as mad at him for stealing Timmy away to New York."

Olivia let her mom envelop her in a hug even though her words did not make much sense. Who is she talking about? It felt good to be home. She hugged her mom tightly.

"Come on in. You all should have come down together."

Olivia walked through the door and her mom's comments made sense now. Fitz sat on the sofa sipping a beer and flipping through the channels. Timmy was in his wheelchair beside the sofa. He looked from Fitz to Olivia and rolled his eyes. Fitz and Olivia just stared at each other.

"Olivia, there is chili on the stove. Help yourself. Your dad and I are watching SouthLAnd." Charlise disappeared up the stairs.

Olivia and Fitz continued to stare at each other.

"This is why I would not move in with you Olivia. You two are one big hot mess. Please get your shit together…excuse my truth…but we have bigger fish to fry. What we do not have time for are these cat and mouse games you two are playing. Liv grow a pair and let Fitz handle this situation. If you two cannot handle this, you shouldn't have started it. We have two idiots to handle in the shed. I can't do this alone. I have decided what to do with them. We all have to be on the same page. Once you have kissed and made up, we can get back on track. I will be in the kitchen." Timothy rolled away.

They did not break their gaze. Olivia walked over and sat beside him on the sofa.

Mellie was distraught. Fitz was gone and she had not had a chance to explain. The brunch had not gone as planned. She laid the blame soundly at the feet of Fitz's blockhead of a father, Big Gerry. He had thrown a monkey wrench in her plans by suggesting they go to another restaurant. Then he had pushed the issue and made Mellie tell Fitz about her plans prematurely. Thankfully his family had gone back home.

Mellie paced the floor trying to find a solution to her problem.