beginning ch6

The boarding call for her flight was made and Liv got settled and comfortable as the plane loaded. The seat next to her remained empty as the last passengers boarded. Liv decided jut relax until the boarding was completed so she settled back in her seat and closed her eyes and thought about the last week the picnic, the fishing trip using hooks, bait and bobbles and what her aunt had said. She heard a familiar voice say "we've got to share that window seat, you can have it going out if I can have it coming back." She shook her head thinking her thoughts were causing her to hear things. Then she smelled that familiar woody scent of a cologne she had learned to love . What now my dreams are coming scented . She opened her eyes and looked into a pair of deep blue ones. She closed her eyes, turned her face to the window for a moment , turned back and they were still there'.

She sat there with her mouth open as takeoff instructions were given . Fitz looked at her then reached over and fastened her seat belt, she had never taken her eyes off him.

Not knowing what to think or say Olivia remained quiet until the takeoff was over and the fasten seat belt signs were off .

She turned turned to the person sitting next to her and said" Fitzgerald , what are you doing here?"

" Fitzgerald,! full name I'm really in trouble"

"Fitzgerald Tommy Grant III, why are you here?"

"Tommy" I'm really in trouble", Olivia Callie Pope I'm on vacation, what about you.?"

Olivia settled back in her seat and closed her eyes hoping this was not a dream, when she opened her eyes , again, it wasn't a dream

"A vacation"?

"Yes"

"Where"?

"Where is this plane headed?"

"Bali"..."you are headed to Bali"..." on vacation"...

"yes..."

" you never mentioned a vacation in Bali"

..." you never asked"...

" why would I ask"...I told you I had a trip planned but you never asked where or when"...

" I considered it personal, if you did not share your plans I did not feel it was appropriate to ask"...

"we are going to be seat mates for the next eleven hours now do you think it's appropriate for you to ask"

" are you joining family or friends?"

"Are you asking if I'm joining family , friends or a special friend?"

'Stop the double talk are you joining someone?"

" Yes I am" ... "I'm joining someone who I think of as a friend , I hope will become a special friend and maybe even a wife . It's time to start working on those twins"

Olivia's stomach sunk as Fitz spoke

"So why travel to Bali on a maybe?"

"That's where she is going to be so that's where I'm headed"

Olivia's stomach began to churn the more Fitz talked. Hell, now she has got to spend 7 days on an island knowing the man that has kept her awake the past 6 days is on the same romantic island courting another woman. That's it, no sand or sun its her room until her return flight. She wondered if she could get off during the short layover... Nope she is a big girl and she would handle this like a big girl.

About that time her stomach, which was in knots, began to growl . She had missed lunch and dinner hoping to sleep on the plane but the presence of her seat mate was making that impossible right now. She reached into her bag for an energy bar and opened her latest Rita Mae Brown book.

"Nope , an energy bar, . that will never do" the baritone voice said, "lets see if I can do better".

He fished his carry on from the overhead bin and opened the basket which contained many of the same foods from the picnic, including the wine.

" Are you trying to get us kicked off the plane"

" We will enjoy the food and save the wine for later, you never told me your favorite of the three wines."

" Any sane female loves champagne, the white goes well with mainly any food picnic or plane but a good red under the stars has no comparison"

"Ms. Pope you are a true diplomat." Darn from Ms Pope to LIv back to Ms Pope,

They both dug in and were able to get a glass of airplane wine. Both satisfied and full Liv returned to her book which was soon reading her and Fitz started to catch up on some important work. Olivia woke up to find she had been covered by a blanket and Fitz sound asleep next to her. She wondered about the mystery woman as Fitz had not shared this portion of his personal life saying he was interested in a woman but never giving any additional details. Olivia was jealous of a woman she had never met and if she had her way would never meet , especially in this setting.

She turned to see Fitz awake and starring at her

"What"

"What, what"

"Why are you starring"

" Not starring just wondering what's on your mind, looks like something is making you sad, spill it"

"Nothing to spill., nothing to tell"

" So share what's nothing to tell,..., thinking about your ex"

"Nope,... thinking about the island:"

Olivia knows she must change this conversation to something not involving her. Her next comment was a question to Fitz, " so where are you staying?"

"At a Villa"

"Nice"

:"And You?"...

" One of the mid level hotels but the trip was to enjoy the sun and sand not the hotel room".

" I would think if one plans a trip to Bali the intent would be to see less sand and sun and a lot of the hotel room., what do you think :Liv"? ...

A smile crept across her face as she thought with the right person one would only need a bed. Fitz gave smirk as though he knew what she was thinking

The rest of the trip went smoothly with light conversation, 2 chapters of her book read, Fitz finished up a couple of reports he said were due , raids to the picnic basket and short naps,

The plane landed and Olivia said her goodbys as she walked with Fitz to get her luggage. Fitz offered Olivia a ride to her hotel which she declined, no way was she going to witness him greeting the mother of his twins.