Over the next couple of months a lot took place in Olivia's life. Huck & Jenny reached out to some friends in law enforcement in Maryland & California. After speaking with Olivia they learned their primary residence was in California.
In Maryland Jake was charged with aggravated assault in the first degree which was a felony. Huck had sent them the pictures that Fitz had taken of the home and of Olivia before he took her to the hospital. The hospital records were obtained to verify the injuries Olivia had. The D.A. was tough when it came to domestic violence. So on top of the beating that she occurred that night he found out Jake had beat her in the past he was going for the maximum if they went to trial of 25 years. Jake later accepted a plea deal that gave him 10 years.
In California Jake was charged with spousal rape. They sent over the recording where Jake admitted that he had raped Olivia. In addition they sent over his history. The D.A. in California would only accept the largest penalty of eight years and it would be served after his time in Maryland. Jake accepted as he was out of options.
Jenny called her best friend Samantha who assisted her with Olivia's divorce. The papers were filed. Jake agreed to the settlement. Although Olivia was entitled to half of everything Jake owned she did not want that. She took a settlement of a half of million dollars. The divorce would be final in six months.
Jake's father had not been aware of his son's actions. Olivia felt bad for him considering he had been nothing but nice to her the few times they met. He really thought that Jake was taking care of his business. She asked Fitz if they would help Jake's dad out which Fitz agreed.
It had taken time to convince the public, the FBI, and the Securities and Exchange Commission that he had no knowledge of the scam that Jake and Edison had pulled. Jeffrey Ballard had left controlling interest in the company to his son. While he lost millions of dollars due to his son he was still worth a bit of money. He made sure that every client that lost money was paid back. They assisted any clients that wanted to move their portfolio. Since Jeffrey was up in age he brought his nephew on to learn the ropes of the company. It would take more time but he had not lost his company which was the biggest thing.
Jeffrey did an interview with Diane Sawyer and he was candid about the issues that had taken place. He was clear that he was disappointed in his son. It was clear that this was not just for the camera. In his interview he apologized to Olivia. He felt responsible that he had not caught on to the abuse that was taking place. He made several statements of support for his soon to be former daughter in-law. He made several large donations to causes that worked to end domestic violence.
Behind closed doors Jeffrey apologized to Olivia again. Jeffrey was so disgusted with Jake so much that he changed his will. He would now get a one time payment of five million, a home, and a car. He also stipulated that his nephew give him a job of his choice not Jake and that could include him being a janitor. Considering that Jeffrey Ballard was still considered to be worth almost one hundred million dollars Jake was getting basically nothing. Jeffrey did not speak on his behalf at any of his sentences. In private he told him not to bring any more embarrassment to the family than he already had. He also added a clause that if Jake ever came after Olivia in any way that he would lose the inheritance and job that he was given.
Olivia continued to see Dr. Sherry two to three times a week. As she healed she was able to see her in her office. Olivia enjoyed being able to get her out of the house. Fitz had bought her dream car which was the Audi A3. It was fully loaded.
Once Olivia healed completely she began to help out her mom more. She took her to most of her treatments and took care of her house. Olivia & Maya relationship went back to how it always was. They were thick as thieves. Olivia would spend some nights with her. They spent time catching up. They would talk about the good things that did happen to Olivia. Jake had allowed Olivia to take the bar. It was more for his benefit. She spent a lot of her time keeping up with the law. She followed cases and situations that she found interesting.
She had decided against getting a place of her own at the moment. Fitz had told her that she could stay with his and they be roommates. Money was not the issue. Olivia just did not want to come home to an empty house.
WWG & Associates continued to be the firm you wanted to call to handle your crisis and legal troubles. The Jeffrey Ballard cases had brought them more clients. Olivia spent time in the office several times a week learning the company. She provided advice and help on their current cases. She was not quite ready to come to work full-time, but she was working her way towards that goal.
Abby, Harrison, and Huck took Olivia out several times. Several times they had come over to Fitz's house and had dinner. They were rebuilding their friendships. No one was holding anything against Olivia. It was more of them helping her move on from her past and build her future.
Olivia & Fitz spent very little time together over the last couple of months. They were not avoiding each other. Life was just more important. Taking care of Maya, keeping up with cases at the firm, and getting justice for Olivia had taken up most of their time. Olivia never told Fitz she heard what he said that night.
Three months had passed and things were beginning to calm down. Olivia felt safe and secure with where things were.
Fitz was in his office one night when she came from her mom;s house.
Fitz seen her and turned around, "Hi"
Olivia smiled, "Hi"
Fitz asked, "What's up?"
Olivia said, "I was thinking that I want to get away for a month before I began to work full-time. I haven't had a vacation or time to myself and I want to do that before I move full steam ahead."
Fitz nodded, "I understand."
Olivia frowned, "I feel like you don't."
"Well I do Olivia."
"Are we okay Fitz?"
"We are fine. When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"Okay"
"Why are you saying it like that?"
"Like I am running away from you and never coming back."
"Your words, not mine."
"That's not fair."
"Olivia I am glad that you are better. If you needing to go away will help even more than by all means please do it."
"Fitz there is so much I feel like I should say."
"Really, because from where I sit you seem to be able to talk to everyone just fine except for me."
Olivia jumped up. "You know how I feel."
Fitz stood up, "Really and how would I know that?"
Olivia was stunned. She did not know what to say. She thought it was understood that they were fine.
"Fitz, what is it that you are expecting from me?"
"To be honest and tell me how you feel, but it seems that with me you can never do that. I give and give and open myself up to you, and in return nothing. I know that Jake did a number on you. I am not asking for a profession of love, but you have spent months working on repairing your relationships with everyone. Night after night I wait for you to talk to me. Tell me anything. Tell me you will never be ready to be in a relationship. Tell me you want our friendship if nothing else. Tell me down the road you want more. However I get nothing."
Olivia stood there and said nothing.
Fitz laughed, "Well at least you are consistent with me."
Fitz turned around and walked out the door. Olivia should have went after him but she didn't. She could not understand how she kept messing up the one relationship that meant the most to her other than her mom.
Fitz never came back that night. Olivia left the next morning. She had booked a trip to Hawaii. She left a note with her contact information for Fitz. She also let him know that she was coming back.
Fitz got back to see the note. At this point he was mad at himself for pushing Olivia, but he was mad at her for not even trying.
Over the next two weeks Fitz worked sun up to sun down working. Olivia had text him a couple of times to check in, but he gave very basic responses.
Olivia talked to her mom each morning. She would ask about Fitz. Maya told her that he was working himself to death. They all told him that he needed to cut back some, but his response was that he didn't want to overwhelm you when you came to work.
After two weeks of hearing the same thing Olivia knew she had to come back. Things could not continue this way. Olivia made arrangements and changed her flight. She called her mom and Jenny and told them she was coming back, but not to tell Fitz which they agreed. She went to bed praying that she could fix their relationship. Fitz needed her. She was going to be there. She thought about calling him, but decided that she would just wait to see him to say what she wanted to say.
Fitz had not slept the previous night. His chest had bothered him. He could not get his mind off of Olivia. He wanted to call her and apologize. He could not lose her again. He had decided he would take whatever she was willing to give.
He got up and went to the office. He was going to work a half day. Huck was already in the office so he let him know he was only going to be there for a couple of hours. It was a little after eight when Huck heard something fall. He went looking for Fitz and found him in their kitchen slumped over.
Huck called 911. By the time the ambulance arrived Harrison was walking through the door. They told them that Fitz was having a heart attack. Harrison rode to the hospital with Fitz. Huck stayed back and called everyone else. Everyone was so emotional that he knew that he had to call Olivia. It was just after three in the morning in Hawaii but he knew she would want to know.
Olivia was not sleeping well so she heard her phone. She noticed it was the office. When she answered Huck immediately began talking, "Olivia I called a friend who is sending a car for you that will take you to a private air strip where a private jet will bring you back. You need to come back."
"Huck what happened?"
"Is it my mom?"
"Liv, its Fitz. He had a heart attack in the office this morning. Harrison is with him now. I've let everyone know. You are set to fly out at five your time."
Olivia couldn't breathe. This was not happening. God could not be this cruel to her. She was not going to lose him before she even had a chance to be with him.
Olivia remembered very little from the time the call ended to the time that she was getting on the jet.
It was a nine-hour flight. Olivia had not been able to sleep at all. Her mind was solely on Fitz. She prayed the whole flight that if he would keep Fitz alive that she would never leave him again.
In the car on the way to George Washington hospital she received a call from her mom.
Olivia answered, "Hi mom. How is Fitz?"
"Honey he is stable where are you?"
"I should be there in ten minutes, why mom?"
"Honey they ran some test and Fitz's aortic valve is leaking and they need to go in and repair it."
"I understand mom, but that is a common procedure right."
"It is honey, but Fitz is refusing to have the surgery until he sees you. He will not sign the consent until he talks to you first."
Olivia gasped, "Mom I am pulling up now. I'll be up in a minute."
Huck had texted her Fitz's room information. When the elevator opened they were all sitting there. She noticed the cardiologist was also with them.
Jenny saw Olivia first. Olivia held her as she cried. Jenny was like another mom to her. She held her, "Ma he is going to be okay?"
Olivia did not let Jenny go as she sat beside her. Dr. Neal Price was taking care of Fitz. He brought Olivia up to speed on Fitz's condition and informed her they needed to get him up as soon as possible.
As Dr. Price got up he also relayed one last piece of information.
"Ms. Pope, I expect this procedure to go well but with any surgery there is risk. I need to let you know that should anything go wrong you would be the one to make the decisions for his care. Ms. Grant would make the call if you were not available."
Olivia nodded and went to see Fitz.
When she walked in the room he was hooked up to a lot of machines. You could tell that although they had him comfortable that he was in pain.
Olivia walked over to him. He could smell her shampoo when she opened the door. He turned to her and at the same time they both said, "Hi"
Fitz tried to smile, "You came."
Olivia nodded, "I told you I was coming back."
Fitz nodded
Olivia spoke, "I need you to allow them to go in and repair your valve."
Fitz said, "I will but I needed us to be okay before I went under. I needed you to be here because I am scared. I don't want to be without you anymore so I will take whatever you feel like you can give me.
Olivia went over to Fitz, "I am in love with you too. I never want to do this life without you."
Fitz was shocked. She heard him that night.
Olivia spoke, "Yes I heard you. I have caused you so much pain. It was easier with everyone else because I had no real expectations with them. With you I want to heal so we can have a future and conquer the world. I want to love you and know what real love feels like. I want us to grow together. I'm just scared I'll mess it up. I'm scared I am too damaged and that there is someone out there better for you.
Fitz took her hand, "There is no one better. I looked. For me you are it. Once I am better can we work on us. Can we start building our friendship?
Olivia shook her head no. Fitz was hurt but tried to hide it.
"Fitz, I want us to build our relationship. Our friendship is solid. We have built that. Jake took so much away. If you want me and I want you let's work on us."
Fitz nodded. Olivia leaned over and kissed him. It was gentle and sweet. It was the first time they had ever kissed romantically. They both knew they were gone.
Dr. Price stepped in with the forms. Fitz signed them. They gave him something before he left which was making him groggy. Olivia kissed him once more and they took him for surgery.
A/N-So they are finally headed in the right direction. I have no intention of taking them back. I wanted it to feel a little realistic of them moving forward together. I would not expect to see any smut for a couple more chapters unless it hits me, but considering they remained friends up until this point and she has been abused I don't plan to rush it. I want to see them date and get to know each other which does not always happen.