The phrase a picture spoke a thousand words was the understatement of the year. Was it a callous and completely ridiculous move on the Grant Administration's part? Sure. However the media ate it up. The ex-Boyfriend of Olivia Pope and the President of the United States sharing a laugh prior to his State of the Union where he would be an honored guest, sitting in the booth normally reserved for First Ladies.

The Presidential State of the Union was one that was too familiar to Fitz. He had done it one too many times. However, he was especially anxious. His prior get together in the chamber with Stephen Finch had been quite entertaining. He was a smart and brilliant man, who seemed well informed on the issues, especially on the environment. It would be perfect, referencing him in the speech in order to sell the EEI. The old Presidential narrative trick. A man who due to a tragic circumstance had become an environmental advocate... It never failed.

Were they the best of friends, no and probably would not be. There was a protective streak that he could see in his eyes over Olivia. However with the photograph being released to the press and the media already in frenzy over it, it had been a nice tidbit…

At this point, the only part of his life he could control was his image. The 20/20 interview had gone off like gangbusters, the press eating it up every step of the way. The media loved what they perceived to be romantic "chemistry" between the two of them. His approval ratings had gotten a huge boost from it.

So far, so good, the media plan was working but his nerves were tingling with anticipation. Everything about tonight needed to be perfect.

"What would I do without you?" Olivia said smiling as he walked into the chamber. He greeted her with a warm hug and a tender kiss as he handed her what he had worked over time to hand her. The sheer joy in her eyes when he did so was all he needed to know. All he needed life.

"Flowers?" She inquired, smiling up at him, looking ever so beautiful in her white skirt suit. Her hair was pulled up in a playful ponytail. He could not help but sigh at how gorgeous she was.

"Yeah, what's wrong, not a fan?" He winked. Before she could answer, Cyrus popped his head into the room, looking frazzled.

"Mr. President, you have 10 minutes." He said hastily, before whizzing out the room.

"Thanks Cy." Fitz responded. Olivia shook her head.

"Never a moment of privacy, with this life is there?" She asked softly, stroking his cheek. However before he could respond, the White House photographer popped into the room swiftly, snapping a picture of them.

"Sorry sir, need a picture of you and the Miss." The gruff photographer said as he waddled out of the room.

The two of them laughed, marveling at the unusual of all this. It was hard to imagine that not so long ago he was staring at this woman in Cyrus's office, as she ripped him apart….

Her elegant fingers began fixing his tie, straightening lapel. As her fingers moved over him, his breath was caught in his throat. Her soft skin, the beautiful way the red roses contrasted with her white suit made him absolutely sure this is what he wanted.

"So, we have taken care of my image, your image. Cyrus doesn't hate the idea of us holding hands anymore. So the question is, what do we do about-"

"Thump?" Fitz said finishing the sentence for her, knowing her concern.

Thump was hardly a man of a lot of shame. However, the press pressure was building. There had been reports in the papers that his staffers, including that snake Billy Chambers had deserted him. The campaign, which had been flushed with cash, was now drying up faster than he could say the words "Conservative".

He had thought long and hard about it, the dossier was still lying at the bottom of his private office drawer. He could do it. The information was so ripe. He and his staff had gone over it time and time again, his "Wise Fitz" persona reappearing once more.

However, he had concluded it would not be worth it. What would be the point? He had what he needed. He had health, life, his kids and Olivia. He had an EEI bill and a Dream Act to pass. That would be his legacy. That would be his way of winning against the bloviating buffoon. The power of the speech he gave tonight, the words that had been inspired by his core beliefs as a President, as an American and most importantly as a father and a man would be enough.

"I kill him with kindness." Fitz said smiling flirtatiously at Olivia as he led her out of the room. There was a crowd waiting for them when they walked out. A few cameras, staff, the Sergeant of Arms, the Vice-President…just the usual.

"Mr. President!" Sally Langston said with the fakest smile plastered on her face. Her dark beady eyes were filled with what could only amount to a glimmer of hatred. He and Sally had never been bosom buddies and thanks to her little bitch, Billy Chambers, his life had been hell. What was wrong with having a little fun?

"Sally, how are you?" He greeted artificially. He could feel Olivia's gaze on him. She knew he was faking it.

"Fine, just fine. Hope we can say the same thing about your speech? How is that?" She asked. There was something snarky in her tone. "Olivia, how are you, my you look gorgeous. And those flowers wow."

Olivia beamed. Fitz looked closely at her. There it was again. The inescapable charm. Her ability to be able to be persuasively charmed by those who were not. What reasonable man would not want Olivia by their side?

Before Fitz could ponder the question any further, the halting and scraping sound of familiar footsteps.

"Well, well well, if it ain't the American President and his betrothed?" Thump said loudly as he slumped his way toward Fitz, Olivia and Sally.

Fitz sighed softly as he felt Olivia's hand enclose his arm, squeezing it tightly. This was the first time in weeks that Fitz had been in close proximity with his political enemy. His heart was thumping at a ridiculous pace that held no logic. It made no sense frankly. His whole body had been taken over by the overwhelming feeling of pounding anger through his veins.

"Congressman." Fitz greeted curtly. Thump smiled smarmily.

"Mr. President, Ms. Vice-President…" he trailed off when his eyes stumbled on Olivia. There was an uncomfortable silence that rested in the air as he started at her.

"Wow, that's a nice pair of flowers, the young lady has got there." Thump drawled mockingly.

"It's better than a ham." Olivia said brightly, winking at Fitz. He nodded smiling, picking up the double meaning of the statement. Thump's eyes darkened. He always seemed a little sensitive about jokes about his girth.

"How nice. Mr. President, where does one get such beautiful flowers?" Sally Langston asked politely. Fitz smiled. Thank God for the gardener.

"I've got this thing called the Rose Garden." He said jovially. Sally and Olivia laughed, though Thump still maintained his composure. "Here's hoping I get to keep it for a little longer than four years?"

After that comment there was silence. Olivia was staring at Fitz, as though she were anticipating him losing his cool. But he knew better than that. Thump was something else but he was not going to get the best of him.

"Well, Mr. President-"

"Say Mr. Thump, do you like hunting?" Olivia interrupted brightly.

"Sure do Ms. Pope." Thump said firmly. "Why do you ask?"

"Well I was just hoping you, me and the President of course could go hunting. How about it, Camp David? We can talk politics, the election. It will be fun. Fitz and I have been talking about his for ages, isn't that right sweetie?" Olivia said turning to Fitz, cuddling closer to him.

Fitz was confused. Was she nuts? Why in the world would he possibly want to be anywhere near that slime ball? However the glimmer in Olivia's doe eyes told him she knew what she was doing.

"Umm…yeah. Fun." Fitz said clearing his throat.

"Mr. President, we have about five minutes left. Maybe it would be best if Olivia mad her way up to the box." Sally said kindly, as though trying to avoid a scene.

"Thanks Sally." Fitz said, giving Olivia a chaste kiss on the forehead.

"Good luck." She whispered softly as she departed. He watched her leave marveled at her. What a concept. He and Thump, shooting in the woods…

Dangerous, maybe. But it would be publicized, in the papers…forcing Thump to cave to the pressure.

Brilliant.

"So, this hunting thing?" Thump said as they lined up in order, getting ready to proceed down the Chamber. He could feel the anticipation.

"Yeah, why not. You me, a few guns. Why are you scared Thump?" Fitz said coolly as they lined up in front of them. The familiar hush filled the Chamber.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! The President of the United States!" The call came. Fitz looked back at the Congressmen and winked coolly. The look of dread on Thump's face was priceless.

"I'll have my people call your people." Fitz smirked and with that he made his way down the Chamber shaking hands, kissing congresswomen, signing autographs. He loved the rush. This was it. When he was finally at the podium, he took in the majesty of the Congressional hall, the smiling faces. Even the grimace of Thump. He shook hands with the Speaker and Vice-President, handing over copies of his speech that he had spent weeks on. This was the moment. This was it.

The applause rang in his ears, but his eyes found the booth. There she was smiling triumphantly, applauding alongside a very intimidated Stephen Finch. He could not keep his eyes off her. The sight of her gave him a rush…

She blew him a kiss and he smiled, mouthing the words he felt in that moment with all his heart…

I love you so much.

The crowds applause became more thunderous.