A/N: I feel like this chapter is slow, but the next few will definitely be better. Please feel free to leave a review.

Also, if I did another short story about Scandal (probably still along the Mellitz side), what/who would you like to see in it and would you like to be more like the show?

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing from ABC's Scandal or anyone/anything else.

Mellie changed into her pink plaid pajama pants and an old white t-shirt of hers that Sunday night, grabbing her phone and crawling into our warm bed. I took off my shirt and put on my favorite purple long sleeve shirt. I put on my shorts and got into bed with her, watching as she set her alarm for five a.m. I set mine and put my phone on the nightstand beside my gun and looked over at her with a smile, saying nothing.

She laid back into her pillow and pulled the covers and fuzzy blanket up to her chin, closing her eyes. I sighed quietly, wishing we could've talked, cuddled, something.

"What is it, Fitz?" She asked quietly, slightly annoyed. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," I mumbled, turning off my nightstand lamp and closing my eyes. I didn't want to go to sleep like this. I wanted her in my arms.

"No, it's obviously something," she said, turning her lamp on and leaning on her elbow, looking at me. "Talk to me."

"It's stupid, I just thought we were going to talk or watch TV or something, that's all," I said, shaking my head. "I've really enjoyed this weekend."

"It's been good," she said, agreeing. "Almost like normal."

Then she turned off the soft glowing lamp and went to sleep.

I woke up at 5:30 that morning, surprised to hear the shower running. I sleepily turned off my alarm and got out of bed, wondering why she was up this early. I went to the kitchen and saw that she hadn't made any coffee yet. I turned on the coffee pot and grabbed a banana out of the fruit basket on the counter, eating it quickly. By the time the coffee was done, I heard her get out of the shower. I poured a cup and took it into the bedroom to get ready. She was in her black bra and jeans, looking for a nice shirt to wear, with her hair up in a towel.

"You're up early," I commented, taking a sip of my rich coffee.

"I thought it would be nice to go to work today," she said, pulling out two shirts and holding them up for me to decide. "Blue or pink and white?" She asked.

I studied both of them momentarily, then set my cup down. "Blue."

She put the other shirt back up and hung the blue one on the closet doorknob, then went back to the bathroom to put her makeup on.

I grabbed some boxers out of the dresser and went into the bathroom to take a shower. I didn't bother Mellie and was still surprised she decided to go to work today. I glanced over at her as she stared in front of the mirror, putting on light gray eyeshadow. I stepped into the shower and turned the water on, quickly washing my hair and body, then getting out.

I wrapped my white towel around my waist and walked out to the bedroom, grabbing a pair of ironed khakis, a white button down, and a soft blue tie out of the closet. I got dressed and smoothed everything out, feeling good today. I combed my hair and put a little bit of gel in it, then put on a dab of cologne. Mellie came out of the bathroom, finished with her makeup and starting on her hair. She came and put her blue striped shirt on and gave me a hug.

"You look nice," she said with a smile.

"Well, so do you," I told her. "I'm really glad you're going in today. Maybe it won't be so boring," I joked, glad she was back.

As soon as we pulled up and went inside the Capitol, people's heads turned. They were all surprised to see Mellie back, but they were also very welcoming, stopping to say hello.

Did we get tired of cameras in our face all the time? Yes. Did we learn to keep our business under wraps? Yes. Did we ever really get used to this public life? No.

We made it to our office at 7:30, and no sooner than 7:50 did we already have Jackson calling.

This day was going to be far from boring.

We went down the hall to his office, wondering what he could possibly want that was such a big deal this early. I was still half asleep; my coffee fix had not been fulfilled.

"Darren Lewis wants an interview," Jackson told us as we stood in his cramped, drafty office early that Monday morning. I had just fixed my second cup of coffee for the day when he spoke up.

"Why would a story like this get aired on the national evening news? Is it a slow news week or something?" I asked, in shock. I didn't want to do it. There's no reason for me to speak up about my father. Mellie gave me an annoyed look and crossed her arms, listening to his response.

"It's not every day that the Texas governor's father, a former governor of the state, buys drugs, hires prostitutes, and dies suddenly. Plus, people want answers about how you feel, about how Mellie feels and if he really assaulted her, how the baby is, what will become of his possessions, etc. Social media has gone from a few people knowing this to everyone in Texas and across the country trying to familiarize themselves with what led to his death and your stepping out of the spotlight of politics for a minute," Jackson said.

"If he really assaulted her?" I growled, slamming my fist on his desk, breathing heavily. I was ready to fight. "Are you kidding me? Who ever suggested something like this would ever be faked? I cannot-"

"Fitz," Mellie raised her voice, grabbing my arm and bringing me back down to earth. I nodded and stepped back from his desk.

We both stood in silence for a moment as Jackson waited impatiently for an answer. It would be publicity-something we always needed. I rubbed my cold hands together and thought for a second before answering.

"I'll do it by myself. Mellie doesn't need to get involved in this unnecessarily," I explained, looking at her. She shook her head yes; I knew she didn't want to talk to anyone. She wasn't ready. I wasn't ready.

"Fitz, this could be what we need to-"

"I don't care," I growled angrily at him. "I'm trying to watch out for us. She has to be taken care of. So he gets it with me on my terms or not at all."

Jackson sighed and set his pen down.

"I'll call him back. I'll let you know," he sighs impatiently, obviously upset. I decided then to talk to him later about an attitude adjustment.

"Thanks," I said, leading Mellie out and back to our large office.

Jackson growled quietly as the door shut and called Darren Lewis, wanting his money, wanting the $2 million in hand from Mr. Lewis for this interview.