The Things People Will Do For An Oval Office
Chapter 8 The Plan
Five days ago
Immediately following Huck's departure from the conference room Olivia releases her grip on Fitz's arm, stands up and goes to her office. The rest of the team's focus shifts to Fitz, staring at him as they bombard with him questions. One right after the other in rapid succession, Harrison, Quinn and Abby shout out questions without waiting for a response. "Do you know how your father will come after Olivia? How much time do we have before he tries something? Do you know if he has ever held anyone hostage before? Do you know who he'll send after Olivia? You appear to know the informant. Who is he? Can he be trusted? Do you think this is a trap?"
Olivia returning a few minutes later, yellow pad and pen in hand she sits in the seat directly across from Fitz instead of returning to her seat next to him. His eyes never leave her gaze once she enters the room. Without turning to the gladiators, Fitz responds to their questions in the affirmative.
"Yes, what the hell does that mean?" Abby barks sarcastically.
Fitz clarifies his response at the same frenetic pace the questions are asked; "yes, I know how he will come after her. We have at best a week before he will try anything. He likes his prey to feel confident, as though they are safe, as if they have pulled one over on him, then he swoops in for the kill. Yes, he has taken at least one person hostage that I know of. I found out by accident shortly before coming here that he had the daughter of a key legislator held until the man agreed to vote favorably on a bill Harold had sponsored for one of his corporate cronies. Yes, I know the informant and yes I believe he can be trusted. And yes, of course, it is a trap but we have the advantage. Harold wants me to suffer. He won't act unless he is sure Liv and I are within close proximity. For him to remain in control I have to witness the abduction. He literally wants to rip her from my arms so he can prove I am powerless against him. He wants me to feel utter and complete helplessness; that is how he has controlled me up to this point." Fitz's delivery of the information is even-toned and deliberate but his soulful gaze never detaches from Olivia's brown lovelies.
Abbey jumps in. "How do you know we can trust the informant?"
"Josette, the informant's wife, died a few months ago from cancer. The informant had asked Harold to let his wife participate in a drug trial sponsored by Grant Pharmaceuticals. Harold being the self-absorbed smug bastard he is never made the call. The informant begged and Harold promised he would take care of it but he never did. Josette would be alive today if Harold had just followed through because the drug works. Harold never acknowledged the death of Josette or apologized for his callous disregard. In fact, to add insult to injury, Harold actually chastised the informant hours after Josette's funeral because the informant was not available when Harold needed him. We are most definitely allies in this vendetta."
"Liv what is our next move?" Harrison asks attempting to break the intense Olitz eye link. Olivia, her eyes still locked on Fitz, begins giving the team assignments. "Abby and Quinn take care of the Gideon and Edison situations. Make sure Gideon is in protective custody by the end of the day. Harrison we need safe houses in three states, supplies for each house and decoys cars. Fitz and Huck will handle equipment and security."
"What about Harold and the kidnapping plot?" Harrison interjects.
"Huck and I have it under control", Fitz assures. He continues without pausing, "look, we need you all to understand how the players in this horrendous melodrama are going down. OPA will confirm the information provided by the informant and pass it on the state and federal authorities."
Olivia then takes over speaking. "Once that's done it will be time to destroy the architects of our child's death. Harold the great Satan and Mellie the whore of Babylon are going to experience pain and suffering on a level they never imagined possible. Harold has destroyed so many lives that his inevitable destruction cannot be left to chance or the authorities. Mellie may not have participated in all of his crimes against humanity but she was complicit in most and benefited directly from the tragedies perpetrated against the innocent."
"It sounds as though you have specific plans for Harold and Mellie." Quinn questions.
As if they were sharing one brain, Olivia and Fitz, eyes still locked, alternate articulating the types of retribution planned as a six count. It's a six count because their unborn daughter lived six months.
"We do." They say together.
Olivia goes first: "six, we're going to ruin their reputations."
Fitz: "five, we're going to take away their legacies."
Olivia: "four, we're going to leave them friendless. At least that's what's going to happen to Mellie. Harold has no friends so we may need to improvise something for him."
Fitz:" three, we're going to alienate them from their families."
Olivia: "two, we're going to take damn near every cent they have."
Fitz: "one, we are going to make sure they ultimately lose their freedom. And at the end I am going to serve Harold his fucking sterile balls on a plate with gravy." Fitz says with a smile.
Liv and Fitz turn to the team and ask in unison, "now any questions?"
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AN - Thank you for sticking with me through this journey. Your comments and insights spur me on. The payback begins in the next chapter.
Once I finish Oval, I will get back to Progeny, for those of you following that story. I will also eventually get back to I See You. I just find in difficult for some reason to work on that story. The storyline for S3 is disheartening and I want that story to give honor to those in the military and give a voice to the struggles they suffer when they come home.
arrJH