Olivia wasn't sure how the conversation had even truly started. All she knew was that the entire mood of the house darkened after using the words "Stephen" and "kiss".

"Where?"

"What?" Her eyebrows furrowed and she shook her head, confused by the intensity of his one worded question.

"When you kissed. Where were you?" His face had significantly tightened at the nature of their conversation.

There was a beat of empty space where Olivia contemplated her options. A slight hesitation where her natural inclination to shut down the conversation in entirety lingered. But she proceeded anyway, against her better judgement.

"In the office," she said softly, as she cleared her voice to give a more firm response. "He kissed me in the office."

"And you. You what? Slapped him? Pushed him away? What?"

"I...I stopped him, of course." She searched for his eyes to assure him. "Fitz, I stopped him."

He looked at her, his pain evident, making her feel like a literal dagger had struck her own heart. She wanted to take away his hurt, to let him know that it meant nothing. This was all too out of control.

"Look, Fitz," she took a step closer to him, but he in turn took a step back. She winced at their obvious disconnect. "I know this is a big deal. I know. And, I'm sorry this happened. I don't even...My mind is just...I'm trying to deal with this too and-"

"Don't," he snapped back, burning his eyes into hers as he cut her off. "Don't you dare, Olivia. You don't get to play the victim here."

"I'm not playing the victim, Fitz. I just..." she searched painfully for the right words. Her brain was failing her.

"Right," he said, anger in his eyes as he stood stiff as a board while facing her. His hands hung to his sides as his fists tightened. His chest continued to rise a fall intensely as his breathing became labored. Suddenly, in a flash, Fitz lead a swift kick to the wall he stood next to, using as much force as possible, a gaping hole visible where his foot had just struck.

"Fitz!" She screamed, shocked at his sudden burst of rage.

He looked up, still angry, but with an even more obvious demeanor mixed with guilt, sadness, and embarrassment. He wouldn't make eye contact with her, trying to subside his emotions by placing his hands on his hips and staring at the ceiling above him.

"Dammit, Olivia," he said, the phrase escaping his mouth almost as a sob; sharp, staggered breaths escaping his mouth.

He flattened his palms against his face, rubbing in slow and deep vertical movements, trying to wake himself, in the odd case that this was a nightmare.

"I said I didn't want you near him. But you insisted on it..."

Olivia's attempt to keep it from going any further was to respond as even-toned as possible.

"It's not like I planned this or went behind your back. I didnt...How was I supposed to know...I'm not...this wasn't planned! It happened! I'm sorry. He kissed me. What else do you want me to say?!"

"I...I don't," he shook his head slightly before something inside him snapped to a level of bitterness."Give me his number."

"What? No." She refused to accept his demand.

"Give me his number!"

"No! You need to calm down!"

"Did you kiss him back?"

"What?" Olivia's response reflected how utterly disgusted she was at the thought of his question.

"Did you kiss...you know what, fuck this," he grabbed his jacket and looked for his keys before walking towards the kitchen. Olivia followed him closely.

He stopped in his tracks, barely turning around, practically pleading with her. His face was bright red, his eyes bloodshot."I can't be this close to you right now. Just...I'm going for a walk."

"Fitz," tears were close to pooling over her eyes. "Wait, Okay? This is... I can fix this."

He stood still for a moment with his back still faced to her. She was silently willing him to turn around and look at her. To at least see that she was just as distraught as him, that she understood the gravity of their situation. But he didn't. Instead he walked out, not bothering to look back behind him.

And she stood in place, watching her husband walk out, trying desperately to pull it together, barely succeeding.

Hours had passed late into the night before she heard the key turn, indicating his return. The house was eerily quiet. Jackson was still sleeping through the night, which left Olivia as the only one waiting by herself in the sitting room near the front door.

"You're still up."

He looked like hell. Fitz was still dressed in the same clothes he had traveled home in hours prior. Presumably the same white business shirt and black suit pants he had taken his last day of meetings with the lawyers in.

"I was waiting to make sure you got home okay." Olivia was sitting on a couch with a cup of tea, also wearing the same clothes she'd worn to the office earlier.

"I got home okay," was his casual response as he tossed his keys in the bowl by the front door and slid his hands in his pants pockets.

"Great," she said in a monotone voice, standing up to leave the room.

"We need to talk."

"We can talk in the morning," she responded, walking towards the kitchen to rid herself of the used mug, not bothering to give him attention by turning around or slowing her pace.

"We need to talk. Now."

She continued to head in the kitchen. He was following her closely but slowly so she spoke quietly, not attempting to hide her slightly disgusted look.

"I just spent the better part of my night cleaning up shattered drywall and tile off of my living room floor," Olivia shook her head at the fact that she had even experienced that. She washed her cup with what little energy she had left before turning around. "Forgive me if I don't feel up to part two of our conversation."

"I'm sorry for that. The wall."

"Right. Well, unless you-"

"I don't want to argue, Liv. I really don't. But, I have some things to say and I'd like for you to listen. So please, just for a minute. Sit down." He stepped back to give her a chance to walk to the kitchen table and sit.

In true Olivia fashion, she opted to stare at him angrily and cross her arms, refusing to give in to his request. Fitz wasn't impressed or deterred.

"Fine. Stand."

They stared at each other for a second before he spoke up again.

"Tonight wasn't exactly..." He tried to decide what word to use but he was too tired to care."Anyway, we need to set some ground rules before-"

"Rules?" She was appalled at the very notion of her husbands suggestion.

"Yes. Rules." Fitz looked at Olivia, almost a dare for her to argue the point before he even made it. But, she opted to remain silent. "You're not to see Stephen again-"

"Oh, come on!" She threw her arms up from their crossed position in frustration. Was he seriously laying down law?

"Keep your voice down," he hissed. "You're not to see him. Unless I'm present."

"I'm a grown woman, Fitz. A business owner for almost ten years, a board certified attorney, a-"

"This has nothing to do with your capabilities, Olivia. Nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with you being my wife! My wife," his voice broke. "You're my wife, Liv. You really expect me to not react to the fact that another man wants you?"

She didn't know how to respond to his emotional state. After all, wasn't she to blame?

"You're the smartest woman I know. There's no denying that. But I can't sit back and let this happen. I wont. I'm not telling you to cut off ties with good friends, or not leave the house. I'm telling you that I don't want you alone with a man that will clearly do anything to have you."

She stared back at him practically pleading with her as she held back tears. Her throat was burning from the sensation of fighting to keep her composure. That mix of anger, guilt, and exhaustion. Fitz proceeded with their conversation.

"Okay," he clears his throat, determined to get everything out. "Next, I don't want you having any dealings with him. I know that he's in charge of your firm now, but any transactions or questions need to go through Harrison or Abby."

"This is ridiculous," she muttered, wiping away the tears that threatened to spill over.

"I agree. This is ridiculous. I came home early from my trip because I was losing my mind out there. And now I'm sitting in my house talking myself out of hunting down a man in the middle of the night and beating the shit out of him."

"I don't even want him, Fitz," she said, begging him to understand that very important point.

"You think I don't know that? I know that. But, he wants you. And thats not okay! I've waited too long for this," he said as he stepped closer to Olivia, never breaking eye contact. "For this life we've built. And you're dead wrong if you don't think I wouldn't do anything to protect this. To protect us. So, yes. I'm laying down some restrictions. And, yes, I expect you to respect them."

"Fitz..."

"Just. Let me-" he put his hand up to pause her comment so he could finish. "After these next two weeks I'm foregoing my last trip to China. I'll send someone else in my behalf, but I'm not going."

"That's not what I want," she stated as she shook her head subtly. "And I'm pretty sure thats not what you want. This project has been everything you've worked on for more than a year now. It's almost over. You can't just up and leave it."

"Exactly. It's almost over. I've given it everything I have and then some. I'm done. I can stay here and be just as effective on this end. Ill finish the project out here in DC."

"You'll resent this decision."

"No, I wont. You need to trust me on this, Liv. And that's that. It's what's happening. After the presidency, the plan was us. And we're falling away from that and I'm not okay with it."

They stood in silence, him staring at her, her staring at the ground trying to process everything that was taking place. She lifted her head up to look at him.

"I'm exhausted. My mind is...I need to rest. Is that it?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"I'm taking a shower and going to to sleep."

"Okay."

"Okay."

He remained in the kitchen as she made her exit. After moments passed, he still didn't feel as though their dilemma had been handled to the best of his abilities. But, he made his way to their bedroom to finally end his god awful day with some rest. As he listened to the water from her shower he felt a strong urge to go talk to her more, or at least join her. So he did. He undressed and walked into their bathroom, tapping on the door before entering.

"Fitz..."

"Let me join you," he asked. His rich baritone request almost made her burst into tears for the hundredth time that night.

As soon as he stepped in their bodies automatically pulled together under the warm water. Her eyes were still a little puffy from tears and her cheeks slightly red from the temperature. He held his petite wife close to his body, letting her head rest against his heartbeat. They stood just like that for moments before either spoke.

"We're falling apart, Fitz," she whispered into his chest.

"No we're not." His large hands ran slow, deep lines up and down her slender back.

"Yes, we are. Everything is-"

"Livvie," he leaned back to look at her and cradle her face, "no, we're not. This...it's just a little bump."

"I'm sorry." Her tears were coming back.

"Come on, stop. Don't cry. Lets just...let me hold you." He pulled her back into a full body embrace both of them becoming more relaxed by the second.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I'm sorry too." He kissed the top of her head.

Olivias small hands wrapped around his midsection as the water fell around their bodies, the air thick from the hot water steam.

"It's going to be okay," he assured her. "We're going to be okay."

The next day Fitz left for his trip as scheduled, leaving Olivia and Jackson by themselves until Bradford's arrival later in the day. Liv was in the middle of the routine diaper change for Jackson after his lunch when her phone rang. She kept it nearby at all times especially when Fitz travelled. But as she reached to answer the phone she wondered why she was receiving a call from this particular person.

"What."

"Don't 'what' me," he reciprocated her slightly rude tone of voice."How are you?"

"I've been better. What is it, Harrison. Why are you calling?"

"Just giving my old boss and dear friend a call to say thank you."

"Refresh my memory as to why you would be thanking me."

"Oh, that's right I have to reason to thank you. See, I was under the impression that you would at least give me, one of your oldest friends, a heads up before I was thrown in the middle of a modern-day showdown."

"What?" She had no idea what he was referring to.

"You could've given me a warning or something, Liv. A bat signal. Anything."

"Harrison, what are you talking about?"

"Your husband? Stephen? I had to sit in on their very awkward and tense meeting that, I guess, somebody had set up and neglected to inform me about. Funny thing is-"

"You're kidding me, right?" She began to panic and placed Jackson down in his play area with a few puzzles before she started pacing in circles. "Fitz should be on a flight to Africa right now."

"He is on a flight to Africa. But he was here this morning, in the flesh, ripping our dear pal Stephen a new one. This is just the first time today I've had a moment to call you and harass you about this mornings more awkward moment."

"Harrison. Good to see you."

"Mr. President. I didn't know you and Liv were coming by today."

"Olivia's at home. It's just me here on some business."

Harrison looked confused.

"Not that type of business. I don't have any crisis that needs fixing. Well, nothing that I'd need to hire your team for. Anyway, Finch. Is he here?"

"Sure. He's in his office."

"Lead the way?"

Harrison walked a few paces in front of Fitz as they made their way to Olivia's old office.

"Mr. President." Stephen didn't give any indication of surprise as he stood from the desk at his unexpected guest.

"Finch."

Stephen attempted to shake his hand but Fitz didn't reach for it.

"I'm sure you know why I'm here."

"I can't say that I do."

"I'll excuse myself." Harrison had an idea as to where this conversation was going, but didn't want to know the exact details. Messy love triangles weren't his thing, as he was known to say.

"No, Harrison. Please stay. Have a seat."

Naturally, Harrison obliged.

"Lets cut right to it, Finch. I'm here because Olivia old me about that bullshit stunt you pulled last night."

"With all due respect, I don't think my office is the place to-"

"I'll talk to you about you making a cheap pass at my wife wherever the hell I feel like it."

Stephen laughed to himself quietly and shakes his head, rubbing the growing tension in his neck.

"That's fine, laugh under your breath, smirk at me. But, know this. Olivia is the mother of my children, my wife. Mine. If I ever get a hint...and, Finch, I mean any minute idea, that you're trying to pull that shit again with her. I swear to you that you'll regret it."

"Are you seriously coming to my office and threatening me?"

"That's exactly what's happening right now. Fuck you and stay the hell away from my wife." He looked at Stephen for a second, contemplating whether or not he wanted to take it further. But, for now, this conversation would have to do.

Fitz turned his attention to Harrison who was looking more than impressed at the entire interaction he had just witnessed.

"Harrison," he reached out for a handshake, displaying his winning smile as their hands met. "It was great seeing you. We'll have to have you over soon with that new fiancé of yours."

"Sounds good."

"I knew he was going to do something. I knew he would talk to him. I knew it."

"First off, Stephen seriously kissed you? Gross! My man is losing it! And secondly, I have to say your husband handled it well. As soon as I caught on to what was happening I was sure it would end with a right hook to Stephens face."

"Guess we all dodged a bullet on that one."

"True that. Well, Liv. I don't know how you do it, but you still have men fighting over you. Never gets old, my friend. Never. Gets. Old."

She rolled her eyes at his comment.

"Don't you have work to do Harrison?"

"I do. Just being your eyes and ears, as always."

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

So, yeah, that's pretty much been the last few days for me. At least, since we spoke last."

"Wow. I...I don't really know what to say. Oh, who am I kidding? Yes, I do. Stephen's more than lucky to still have all of his dental work intact." Bradford sat outside in the grass playing with Jackson as Olivia poured more wine into his glass.

"Me, too, honestly."

"Fitz must be getting slow in his old age."

"No. He's just not completely delusional. There would be plenty of legal repercussions from a fist fight with a major lawyer in DC."

"True. OPG. Always starting something."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. You and your magic ching-ching."

"Ching-ching Bradford? Are we twelve?"

"There are babies present. But, moving on. What else is new?"

"Nothing much. I miss my husband. Yes, this past week was nothing short of a disaster but now I just want him here, with me."

"At least this is the last trip."

"Part of me really wanted him to finish out in China. But, when I think about it, I'm more than okay with it ending like this."

"Speak of the devil," Bradford quipped as he handed over her phone. He picked Jackson up and sat the toddler in his lap against his stomach. Liv smiled at the sight of the two of them as she answered her phone.

"Hi."

"Hi. How's my beautiful wife?"

"Good. Home. Drinking wine with Bradford."

"I would have guessed...anything exciting on the topics to talk about?"

"You."

"Mmmm. I like that. I miss you."

"I miss you more."

"Not possible. I miss you a million times more."

"I miss you times infinity." They both smiled through the phone at their childish antics.

"Okay, okay!" Bradford wasn't impressed. "We get it! You two make me sick sometimes."

"Brad's about to throw up from this lovefest," Olivia teased.

"Sorry, Bradford. Actually, let me say hey to him." She obliged and shook her phone in front of him for him to speak.

"Mr. President!" His obnoxious greeting never got old.

"Mr. Ellerbe. How goes it? Is my wife behaving herself?"

"Barely."

"How's holding down the fort going? Thanks again for volunteering to take care of my loves while I'm away. I hope you haven't dressed my son up in too many costumes."

"Only a few. Don't be alarmed. Now your wife on the other hand..."

"Give me the phone back..." she playfully snatched it out of his hand, leaving Brad looking appalled. She blew a quick kiss to him which he pretended to catch and tap on his cheek with a wink, causing her to laugh at his gesture.

"Liv, you there?"

"Yup. So what are you doing?"

"I'm at the popup office right now. The groups heading out in a bit for the University. They're having a dinner for all of the scholarship candidates this evening."

"Please be safe. I know you mentioned that you might be able to come home early if you finish ahead of schedule. How's that looking?"

"It's looking good, actually. But I can honestly say that I can't wait to get home, throw on some sweatpants and a tshirt, and lounge around for a while. This last trip is kicking my ass. That flight alone...I forgot how long it feels."

"Well, we'll be waiting for you when you get back."

"Love that. And don't think I didn't realize we didn't have any mommy daddy time before I left. My body is cursing me right now."

"Me too, actually." She crossed her legs at the very thought of her husband being intimate with her.

"I know we try to wait for each other, but I had to take care of the problem earlier this morning."

"Jeeze, Fitz."

"I'm just saying."

"Well, I can assure you that when you get home you won't be using your hand..."

"Hello, yoohoo!" Bradford stuck his neck out and waved in front of Olivia's face. "Don't forget you have a friend and a minor in the vicinity before you guys start licking the phone..."

"Bradford's getting uncomfortable again."

"He's just jealous. Is Jackson taking a nap or he's up?"

"He's stuffing his face with banana slices as we speak. Literally stuffing them all over his face. If he wasn't so cute I'd probably be angry. I just gave him a bath two hours ago."

"Awww. My boy. Let me talk to him."

"Jackson, Daddy's on the phone. Say hi." She held the phone up to his little chubby caramel cheek as Fitz began talking on the other end.

"How's Daddy's little guy? How are you bud? I miss you so much. Say Da-da for me. Please? Da-da?"

They waited for a moment until they accepted that he wasn't interested in obliging his parents. Liv put the phone back to her ear.

"No luck. Sorry. He just looks really confused right now."

Fitz chuckled. "It's okay. He barely says it when I beg and I'm standing right in front of him."

"My godson must not be too bright. He clearly doesn't understand how a phone works."

"He's a baby, Bradford," Olivia fired back.

"Dadadadadadadadadada"

"What was that? Did he just say da-da?" Fitz could hear his son loud and clear.

"Did you just say Da-da?" Bradford laughed and picked up his phone.

"Da-da! Da-da!" Jackson was on repeat mode now.

"Yay! Jackson!" Olivia reached out and tickled her sons stomach lightly causing him to laugh "That's Da-da! You're so smart!" She turned her attention to Bradford and muttered, "I told you my sons a genius..."

"Get him on video. I want to see this when I get back," Fitz requested.

"Brad already whipped out his phone. Speaking of when you get back, you know I had dinner with Karen last night..."

"Yeah. I meant to tell you two to send a pic. I wanted to see my girls out for a night on the town."

"We actually didn't take any pictures. But, she looks really good Fitz."

"Did she talk about that guy Frederick all night?"

"Not all night..."

"Oh god," he lamented. Olivia could picture him now sitting at a desk in his suit while pinching the bridge of his nose.

"She wants us to meet him, Fitz."

"Why?"

"Why do you think? It sounds pretty serious, honey."

He groans."She asked you to talk to me, didn't she."

"We knew this was coming. He's a nice guy."

"He's a politician! She can't marry a politician."

"I married one."

"We are different."

"Yeah, we're worse," she teased. "They're two single, professional adults, in their twenties. Sure, he has a few years on her, but, again, look at us."

"Liv, she's my little girl."

"Except she's not so little anymore. And she's in love with him. You should see her talk about him. You would think that he was responsible for hanging the moon himself."

"She used to look at me like that." His tone was changing to a quiet sadness.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself. She still does look at you like that. Anyway, let me know as soon as you have a return date so I can make dinner arrangements for the four of us."

"Okay. Will do. Hey, Liv?"

"Yes, sweet husband of mine?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"I gotta get going."

"Okay. Be careful."

"Send me some dirty pics to help me get through this trip. Maybe in that pink number you know I like... The one with the-"

"I know which one. And, no. I'm not sending pictures like that of myself halfway across the world."

"Please? Not even for your husband that's addicted to that soft, chocolate skin of yours that's feels like heaven?"

"Maybe."

"Yessssss."

"I said 'maybe', Fitz."

"Good enough."

"Bye."

"Bye." She ended the call with a wicked smile on her face, considering her husbands request.

"So are you going to need a photographer for this little naughty photo shoot or you've got it under control."

"Shut up, Bradford."

GLADIATORS! How are you?! I know, I know, I know...its been over a month. I swear I don't do this to you guys on purpose. I don't have a truly great excuse either. Other than that I'm a party animal on the weekends and a grownup during the weekdays. So, sometimes it takes a while for me to compose a decent chapter to my liking. Can I just say though that the other stories on this site definitely inspire me to continue this story. And also, the reviews! I've read each and every one of them, sometimes more than once. Everytime I needed more motivation, I would look to your reviews to give me an extra kick in the butt. So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! And a very special thankyou to LoveBasketball. Your PM was the straw that broke the camels back when it came to posting this chapter. I hope it was up to everyones expectations. How do you feel about Fitz's reaction? Do you think he handled it well? A little temper, as always...And Stephens just so smug...ANYWAY, I'm thinking about wrapping this story up within the next two or three chapters. Time to try a new angle on these two smoking hot lovebirds. I've been strongly considering a prequel to this story? Maybe like this version of Fitz and Liv in the Whitehouse, how they maneuvered their relationship in the beginning when things were a little more complicated and further away from domestication. Thoughts? As always, let me know what you think! Thanks for reading:)~storygirllo87~