"Here we are sir. Kushi Izakaya and Sushi" Liv said as they pulled up to the restaurant on K Street. She stepped out of the SUV and walked to open the door for Fitz. When she opened the door, she noticed Fitz frowning.

"Mr... President, is there something wrong?" Liv asked unsure of what caused the change in his mood.

'Yes! You should have been sitting back here with me, my arms wrapped around you. I should be opening the door for you. This should be a real date, and I should have flowers on hand for you. I should be pampering you with attention, and spoiling you like you deserve to be.' Fitz thought to himself but he knew he couldn't say it out loud.

"No, nothing's wrong. I'm just a little tired." Fitz lied as he stepped out of the car. Fitz turned to Liv as something hadn't crossed his mind until now.

"Do you even like sushi?" Fitz asked feeling like an ass for making this decision without asking her first. It may have come across as an order, but realistically it was as close as he could get to having her alone... For now.

"Sir, sushi is fine. Besides, this restaurant offers more than just sushi. I will be fine." Liv responded shocked that he would even care. This outing was for him, not for her so why was he so worried about her preferences? Liv chalked it up to that first good impression he spoke of and nothing more.

"Good. Let's eat." Fitz said as he turned and walked into the restaurant.

"Operation Olivia Grant will be a success." He thought to himself as they were being shown to their table. Never in his life has Fitz wanted anything as much as he wanted the woman standing next to him. This determination scared yet excited him, and he found himself willing to do anything to make her his.

"So, tell me a little about yourself Liv." Fitz said as they sat down and began glancing over their menus. Fitz frowned as he noticed Liv was scanning the room. 'She definitely wasn't interested in him.' Fitz thought to himself as he watched her staring into a corner, focusing on a man who didn't really seem out of place.

"Liv?" Fitz asked again, willing her to look at him. He needed to see into her eyes once more. Liv snapped out of her stare and addressed the president.

"There isn't much to tell really. I'm an only child. My mother passed away when I was a 12. My father isn't really around much. I mean he's a great dad, he has always given me everything I've ever wanted or needed, he just happens to put his job before everything. Including me."

Fitz noticed the sadness in Liv's eyes when she spoke of her father and Fitz found himself growing angrier by the second. No one in this world had any right to make his Liv feel alone or unwanted. He would never do that to her.

"Livvie, is there something wrong?"

"Livvie?"

That seemed to have snapped her out of her stare as she had once again been focusing on the man in the corner. There was something about him, Liv wasn't sure what, but he made her rather uncomfortable. Fitz watched as Liv's hand unsnapped her holster and she stood.

"I'm sorry. I guess I was being too forward. If Livvie-"

"Livvie is fine. I like it. Call me whatever you like sir." Liv said praying her cheeks weren't as red as they felt.

'I'd like to call you Mrs. Grant' Fitz thought to himself. He had no idea what it was about this woman but he had never felt this way about anyone before. Before he had a chance to respond, he noticed Liv springing into SSA mode. He knew then the "date" was over.

"Mr. President, this meal will have to be takeout sir. I need to get you out of here now." Liv said and Fitz could pick up a hint of panic in her voice.

"Is everything-"

"Sir, let's go, now." Liv said not giving Fitz a moment to think. Liv mumbled something into her earpiece and instantly a swarm of SSAs had entered the building and ushered Fitz into the SUV and back to the White House. Fitz looked around and realized Liv was left behind at the restaurant.

"Agent Pope isn't with us!" Fitz yelled as his panic began to set in. He had no idea what the problem was, but he knew that Liv not being with him made the matter worse. He couldn't stand not being near her.

"Mr. President, Ms. Pope will be fine. Her orders were for us to get you to safety sir."

"Safety!? What the hell is going on?" Fitz spat feeling the panic rise so high he lost the ability to breathe. All he knew was there was danger and his Livvie... His Livvie was left behind to deal with it alone.

"Agent Pope will brief you once she returns to the White House sir. There is a second car on it's way for her now."

The agent's words managed to calm Fitz down, but only a little. He knew he wouldn't fully relax until he knew Liv was safe.

Liv waited for the SUV to take off before going to approach the man in the corner. She didn't know him, but she noticed he had been following her a lot in recent days. She didn't know if she was the target of his newfound obsession or if it was the president, but Liv knew she wasn't taking any chances with her Fitz's... Her Fitz's life. Since when did she get so hooked on a man after just a few hours. Liv knew this wasn't like her. She was playing with fire, but she couldn't honestly say that she would mind if she got burned.

As Liv went to approach the man's table he got up and walked out of a side door. Her first instinct was to go after him, but being alone, she couldn't take that chance. Liv noted the man's appearance just in case he were to arrive at another outing and continued on her way.

It seemed like it had been hours since Fitz had been whisked back to the White House without his Livvie by his side. He looked at his watch and realized he had only been back inside of the oval for 20 minutes. The thought of not being able to protect her didn't sit well with him. She was probably the last person in the world that needed it, but Fitz still felt like he needed to try.

He is the man. He should be the one protecting her, not the other way around. Her body was made to be worshipped, not to be used as a human shield. Fitz slowly began to wonder if she would ever allow him to make her feel safe. If she would ever fold in his arms after a long stressful day. Fitz brushed all thoughts aside as he called for Lauren. He decided today he would personally respond to a few letters from citizens. Maybe this would keep his mind occupied until his Livvie returned.

The first letter was from 6 yr old Todd Stradling who was asking for help for his grandmother who was dying from cancer but didn't have insurance to get medical treatment. The letter was short, but it came with a picture the boy had drawn of him and his grandmother standing outside their home on a sunny day. Fitz smiled and placed the letter aside as something to address in person.

The second letter was from Jennifer Stanning, a 13 yr old honor student who was requesting the arts program receive better funding in schools. The letter also came with 3,000 signatures in support of the much needed funding. Any student that was this passionate about learning definitely deserved to speak with him one on one. Fitz placed this letter in a "will visit" pile.

Fitz raised his head as he heard the voice of an angel making it's way into the oval. He looked up and saw Liv holding a bag. After everything that had happened, she waited around and got them lunch.

"I brought you sushi sir."

"Fitz..."

"What!?" Liv asked with a shocked expression crossing her face.

"Fitz, call me Fitz. At least when we are alone."

"That would be inappropriate.. sir."

"Like I said before, let's be inappropriate. Come, we'll finish this date in the rose garden." Fitz said without thinking. Damnit! He was so messed up over this woman he hadn't realized what he was saying until the words left his mouth.

"Date... si... Fitz?" Liv asked, her tone very uncomfortable. Fitz thought he heart a hint of excitement, but maybe it was just him.

"Well Livvie, you do have the job of keeping me alive. My life lays in your very capable hands so yes, call me Fitz. As for the date, I thought that was the impression we were giving when we went out for sushi. I also can't really go on dates, you know with being trapped in the crown jewel of America's prison system. It would also be awkward because I have you following me everywhere I go. Furthermore, I am not a man that takes a woman out without giving her a great time. That back there wasn't a great time so yes, we are continuing our "date"." Fitz said making sure to use air quotes to put Liv's mind at ease. Little did she know for him this would be a real date. Little did he know, she didn't mind.

Liv followed Fitz into the rose garden and took in the beauty of her surroundings. It was more beautiful than she had imagined. There had to have been every color of rose imaginable all set up in different sections.

They sat at cast iron table and enjoyed their lunch. Liv had gotten Fitz a sushi sampler, not really sure of which roll he preferred. Liv opted for orange chicken. They tried their best to keep their conversations light, sticking to sports, music, and tv shows. All in all it was a really nice "date". Liv looked at her watch and decides it was time for them both to get back to work.

"Well Mr... President, thank you for a wonderful date Fitz." Liv replied sheepishly. The way she said Fitz was more of a whisper than anything and it drove Fitz wild.

"We will definitely have to do this again sometime Livvie." Fitz said as he playfully kissed her hand and returned to the oval. Fitz watched as Liv walked out of the door and frowned when she closed the door behind her.

Fitz went back to his task of reading letters. He opened the third letter and fell back in his seat as he read it's contents.

"The time has come for you to die a slow, painful, torturous death. Truth be told I shall enjoy the orgasmic high of peeling you like a grape."

This had to be some sort of a joke. Fitz called Cyrus into his office. Cyrus noticed his tone was different than what he was used to. Fitz seemed scared. But Fitz was never afraid of anything. Within seconds Cyrus came bursting through the doors and was by his side.

"Cyrus, what is this!?" Fitz asked showing the letter to Cyrus. Immediately Cyrus' heart sank. They had received three previous letters very similar to this one, but had managed to keep them from ending up in Fitz's hands. That is until now.

"What's going on?"

Fitz felt a smile forming on his face as he saw his Livvie walk through the door. It stayed on his face until Cyrus spoke.

"Liv, he got another one." Cyrus said handing her the letter. Liv grabbed for the letter with a napkin and proceeded to read it. Immediately she found herself getting angry. How dare someone threaten her Fitz's life!

"What do you mean another one?" Fitz asked looking from Cyrus to Liv and back again. When he didn't receive a response, he yelled his question again. "Cyrus, what do you mean another one."

"You haven't told him." Liv said realizing this was the first time Fitz had been alerted to the reason for heightened security measures.

"Didn't tell me what!?" Fitz spat with venom in his voice.

Liv's heart ached for the man standing in a full blown panic in front of her. She wanted nothing more than to hold him and assure him everything would be ok. But she couldn't. Not just because he was the POTUS, but because she herself wasn't entirely sure everything would in fact be ok. She did know one thing, she would lay her life on the line to make sure he was.

"There have been a few others sir. We... I decided it was best you didn't know about them. You have enough to deal with already sir." Cyrus said bowing his head.

Fitz looked at Liv and saw the panic in her face. She was worried about him. She was scared for him. As much as she tried to hide it in her facial expression, her eyes spoke a different story. Fitz walked over and poured himself a glass of scotch. He downed the glass quickly, followed by three more before filling it a fourth time and returning to his desk.

"Does this have anything to do with the man in the restaurant earlier?" Fitz asked, his eyes fixated on Liv.

"I'm not sure yet sir. It could have been nothing. I just didn't want to risk it... sir." Liv responded unable to break eye contact with Fitz. The longer she looked into his eyes, the more she found herself falling for him. It was as if his eyes were the key to her sanity. Fitz noticed the way Liv was looking at him and decided it was time they had a moment.

"Cyrus, would you give Agent Pope and myself a minute?" Fitz asked shocking both Liv and Cyrus with his request.

"Sure, if you're ok-"

"I am Cyrus."

"Ok then I'll just send this off to forensics with the others and get back to work." Cyrus said as he turned and left the room. Initially Cyrus thought he was just imagining things, but once he left the oval the harder reality set in. Those two were going to be trouble. Cyrus turned to Lauren.

"What do you think?" Cyrus asked pointing to the door to the oval.

"I think those two are going to be a handful." Lauren responded sheepishly. Cyrus laughed and went on his way.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Fitz stood by the window and reached out his hand for Liv. She stood there hesitantly for a moment, but decided a conversation was all that was going to take place. He didn't want her... Right?

Liv reached the spot next to Fitz behind the resolute desk and it happened. As she placed her hand into Fitz's, he pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Liv fought at first. He was the president, she was his bodyguard, this was highly inappropriate, but she couldn't win this fight. He was simply too strong. Honestly, she was glad she didn't win. Being in his arms was just as heavenly as she had imagined. Liv melted into his him and allowed herself to stand there being comforted, protected by the man she had sworn to protect.

"Are you ok?" Fitz asked, tightening his hold on Liv. He exhaled as he felt the warmth and softness of her body pressed against his. She was real and she was in his arms. And it felt even better than he had imagined.

Liv didn't answer his question, instead she stood there as a flood of emotions and thoughts entered her mind. Why was she so worked up over a hug? People hug people all the time. It doesn't mean they want them. She did have to admit that it was odd. He was the one who apparently had a price on his head, and here he was comforting her.

Liv felt saddened as she felt Fitz pull back a little, but sadness quickly turned to shock as he tilted her head upwards and his lips met hers for the softest, sweetest kiss she had ever indulged in. Liv's lips parted as she moaned and Fitz used that opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. The moment their tongues connected everything seemed to have disappeared.

The kiss was slow, and sweet. Liv could taste the scotch on his tongue and indulged in the taste of the man that was holding her. Fitz wanted to show Liv he needed to comfort her more than he needed to be comforted. He needed her more than anything. Without thinking, Liv wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. The moment Fitz felt Liv's hands tangle in her hair he moaned in approval. His hands began exploring her back trying to burn the way she felt into his memory.

Liv allowed Fitz to take control of the kiss as her hands continued exploring every strand of hair on his head. Fitz pulled Liv in closer and she felt him hardening as their tongues glide.

'What the hell am I doing?! He's the president!' Liv thought as her mouth refused to break the kiss they were sharing. Liv's body started to tense up at the realization of her actions. Fitz broke the kiss, but refused to release her from his grip.

He lowered his head to hers until their foreheads touched. Fitz kissed her nose and smiled.

"Don't worry. Don't worry, I'll protect you." Fitz said as his lips reclaimed Liv's once again. The thought of Fitz wanting to protect her make her feel, sexy, loved, and beautiful made Liv feel like she was on top of the world. It also made her panic at the repercussions of these feelings should they get caught.

This cannot happen! Liv thought to herself as her mind tried to break free from the kiss. Her body however spoke of something different. Liv found herself pushing Fitz's suit jacket off of his shoulders. She needed to feel him, even if there was a shirt between them. Fitz shook off his jacket, not breaking their kiss as it fell to the floor. Liv's hands roamed his back and they both moaned at how good the other felt. Before Liv knew it, Fitz had her pinned against the wall. He slipped one hand under her blouse and Liv felt herself begin to panic. She needed to stop this now!

Liv pushed Fitz away, and she saw the confusion and sadness in his eyes as the kiss came to an end.

"Mr. President, this cannot happen. We... I... sir, no... I'm sorry." Liv said and ran from the room.

Fitz fell into his chair unsure of what had come over him. He just couldn't stand the sight of her so panic stricken, and he knew he should try to comfort her. But why was she apologizing as if it were here fault? Did she hold the same feelings for him? That kiss definitely suggested she did. That kiss. That sweet, glorious, life altering kiss.

The kiss was amazing. Fitz had never experienced anything like it before in his life. It was as if his universe had finally entered into a perfect alignment with that kiss. But he had scared her by being so forward so quickly, and he knew the chances of a third kiss between them was very slim.

Fitz knew after that kiss that he definitely had to have this woman in his life.