"Dear, I'm merely suggesting maybe you take a vacation." Doris Pope said. Olivia rolled her eyes. It was another night, another night of drinking, phone calls, cable news watching and hand wringing. But the week had become even more ridiculous when her mother had shown up unexpected to her apartment after the press reports of her having an affair with Stephen Finch. It was not like Olivia did not like her mother, it was just odd having her around. She was a grown woman. She did not need to be supervised.

She liked her peace, the quiet tranquility of her apartment. At least she could escape from the chaos of the press and her job when she was alone. But now, her mother had over taken her apartment, Hermès luggage clouded every inch of her Feng Shui.

"Mother, for the last time, it's not that simple, work is a mess and I need to figure things out." Olivia said frustrated, taking a shot of whiskey. The soothing feeling of the alcohol easing her mind was very much needed. To say work was a mess was an understatement. It was a catastrophe. Every five minutes, she was getting calls from news reporters, the press was parked outside her office of course, and Janice had hinted at lunch that afternoon that she was probably going to be let go.

Honey, don't take it offensively, but we cannot have this kind of nonsense, it's such an enormous cloud of scandal-

Scandal, what are you saying? What the hell?

Don't take this the wrong way but if the bill doesn't pass, I would seriously consider job hunting.

It had hit her hard. Too hard. Her life was coming apart.She reached out to take another shot, but her mothers' hands grabbed hers. Olivia looked into her mother's golden eyes. She could see the pity, the hurt. She wanted to continue to be annoyed with her mother. The fussing over her working late and her using up all the hot water. But she could not take it anymore. She needed her mother. For a few moments, they sat there, staring deeply into each other's eyes. It was what they did. Whenever they needed to say so much, without saying anything at all….

"Mom-"

"Don't. It's quite alright. I understand. Maybe, when you get fired, we can go to Prague, its beautiful this time of year." Her mother said softly, as she patted Olivia's cheek gently with her hand. Olivia felt her heart explode with emotion. How very "Doris" of her. She always knew what to say to cheer her up.

The tears began flooding into her eyes. Her face crinkled up, her throat was scratchy…

"Oh, baby…" her mother said softly as she embraced her daughter, rocking her softly. Olivia had never felt so small. Her heart had been aching for days. It was too much. She wished she could go back in time, she wished she could have said "No" to that date.

But you could not. She thought as she cried. She loved Fitz. The drinking, the working late, the irritation had all been a result of her trying to bury her feelings.

The truth was he was the first thing she thought of when she woke up and the last thing she thought about when she went to bed. She had never felt this way about anyone before. It had been barely a month, but boy, what a month. She felt like he knew her better than anyone.

Baby, I feel like I'm drowning. I mean this damn office, and these people, and no one gets it. I can't just give you up.

I know, it's hard but there is so much that comes this…with us. I mean, I just spoke to Cyrus and he's scared. He's scared for us. He's scared for all you and what this could mean for your re-elec-

Don't…don't doubt us for a second…

You know what, give me a week and I will see how I feel about this. I need time; I need to clear my head.

The conversation had taken place a week ago but it felt fresh. The hurt was fresh. Watching it on television all the time, at work, at home, whenever made it difficult.

"Mom…what should I do?" Olivia sobbed, tears running down her face and onto her mother's silk blouse. Her mother patted her back tenderly.

"Do what's in your heart darling. Besides, a wedding at the White House-"

"Mother I'm crying hysterically, the least you could do is focus on my pain?" Olivia said hiccupping through her tears. In a way, her mother's gusto always came in handy. It kept her from drowning in the despair of her sorrow. She sat up, wiping away her tears.

"Oh, honey, no. We are Popes. We don't focus on pain, we focus on the future. Now, go wash your face. I'll clean up all this liquor and we can watch that Michael Douglass movie I love so much." The older woman said smiling wide.

"Thanks, mom. But do me one favor, just move your luggage into my guest room, please?" Olivia said standing up. But her mother rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, I need to be able to have space, that's another thing darling, you need a bigger apartment, I know a guy-"

A knock came at the door. A sturdy knock. Olivia felt nauseous. Who could it be at this hour?

God, please no press, please no press…

It can't be, the security detail would have…

Maybe they got through. Or maybe it was Abby. No, she had a date tonight, unless it was miserable.

Hopefully it wasn't. But I'm worried. Who is this mystery guy who Abby is seeing anyway? Maybe he's hideous…

By the time Olivia got to the door, her mind was so busy, it was a wonder she could even unlock the door.

"Really? Really? What the hell? How, what?" Olivia asked flabbergasted at the sight of Fitzgerald standing in her door way. What the hell was wrong with him? This was insane! How did he even get here?

"Hello to you to. I had Joyce tip of the press so they all think we are at Blair House having a rendezvous. You should watch the news more." He said smirking. But before Olivia could say another word, her mother interrupted from behind.

"Wow! You told me he was better looking in person, but darling he is simply marvelous!"