I am not feeling well and tried to write this chapter through a haze of medicine. So if it doesn't make much sense, please forgive me. This is mainly a filler chapter to give you some insight on Liv's current relationship. To those of you who are sad that I am not writing Olitz, give it time. This will be nothing like what we are seeing on tv, but this is what I personally need, and based on reviews, many of you need as well. I could just throw Olitz together, but I want to try to bring them together in a healthy light, and nothing healthy can come from them never working on their own issues as individuals. Either way, I hope you enjoy.

Jake sat behind his desk and allowed himself to absorb his surroundings. It had been so long since he had occupied his office in the pentagon. Getting back to this point was no easy feat, but after Liv had decided she was cutting both Fitz and himself out of the picture for a while, he was able to convince Fitz to help him get his old job back. Fitz was more than willing to help an old frenemy as it seemed without Olivia Pope being the object of both of their obsessions, the men didn't really have a reason to fight.

Deciding to indulge in his morning ritual, Jake propped his feet up and reclined back in his chair. Since he had forgone breakfast, he was more than appreciative that his secretary had secured a blueberry muffin and a large coffee along with his morning paper. Jake took a long gulp of the scalding liquid and winced as it scorched the lining of his throat. Pleased with the sugar to creamer ratio, Jake set the coffee down and unfolded his newspaper.

When he had successfully unfolded the paper, Jake sat up in shock as he noticed Liv gracing the front page (above the fold). She was as beautiful as ever. The past six months seemed to have done her justice as she held a glow even on the print that he hadn't seen in her before. Jake continued to scan the picture and wondered if the gentleman she was with had something to do with said glow. Feeling a little more than betrayed, Jake picked up the phone and proceeded to make a phone call. He needed answers, and damnit, he needed them now.

Cyrus sat behind his desk and allowed himself to absorb his surroundings. Many men craved the kind of power that Cyrus had been able to secure. He wondered if they would still crave the power, if they knew the price they had to obtain to achieve it. He had lost his husband and his best friend in attempts to cling on to the powers that be. He struggled every day when he woke up and lifted Ella out of her crib, wondering if she would hate him as she got older. He chose power over love and in return, Ella lost her father, and her godmother. He knew that he could never take back the horrible things he had said and done to James, but he wondered if it was too late to save things with his best friend. What in the world could he possibly do to repair the damage his thirst for power had created between himself and Olivia Pope?

Deciding to indulge in his morning ritual, Cyrus propped his feet up and reclined back in his chair. Since he had forgone breakfast, he was more than appreciative that Mary, his secretary had secured a spinach and feta cheese omelet, turkey bacon, and a large coffee along with his morning paper. Cyrus took a long gulp of the scalding liquid and winced as it scorched the lining of his throat. Pleased with the sugar to creamer ratio, Cyrus set the coffee down and unfolded his newspaper.

When he had successfully unfolded the paper, Cyrus sat up in shock as he noticed Liv gracing the front page (above the fold). She was always a beautiful woman. She had the power to bring any man, including himself to their knees. Looking at Liv wearing a smile that he hadn't seen since their first tour on the campaign, Cyrus couldn't help but wonder exactly what she had been up to since she cut him out of her life. The past six months seemed to have done her justice as she held a glow that was visible even on the print that he hadn't seen in a long time. Cyrus continued to scan the picture and wondered if the gentleman she was with had something to do with said glow. Cyrus took in the way the gentleman leaned in to her and seemed to be whispering something in her ear. Liv was turned into his body, clearly entertaining whatever it was he was whispering to her.

Cyrus couldn't help but admit that Liv looked happy, but even so, uneasiness came over him. He sat for a few moments more and realized that at any given time, Fitz would be sitting down with his cup of coffee and opening this morning's newspaper where the love of his life, on a date with another man, was currently the main headline. Cyrus jumped up from his desk, not realizing he had knocked over his coffee. He grabbed his cell phone and dialed a number he had used many times as he left his office in haste. As the phone continued to ring, Cyrus prayed that he wasn't too late.

Rowan climbed into the backseat of his town car, ready to begin his day. He had seen the headline story of this morning's newspaper, and was prepared for his phone to begin ringing at any moment. The men in his daughter's life were too predictable. They would all come to him crying, whining, and not understanding how he could allow her to be with such a man as the one she had been photographed with over the weekend. They'd want to know what he was thinking not talking any sense into her when they knew exactly the kind of man he was. Rowan had to admit that his daughter's new beau didn't truly strike him as being her type, but considering her type and the men that filled those qualifications, Rowan couldn't help but to think that maybe, just maybe this man could be the one.

As his town car pulled off and made its way towards the Smithsonian, Rowan looked down as his phone began to ring. Noticing that Jake Ballard was the caller, Rowan simply pressed ignore, and allowed the call to be directed to voicemail. Just before he placed his phone into his pocket, the phone rang again. "So predictable" he uttered to no one in particular as this time Cyrus Beene was the guilty party to interrupt his moment of silence. He rode the rest of the ride in complete silence until his phone rang a third time. This time Rowan decided to answer the call.

"Mr. President. To what do I owe the honor of your call on this beautiful morning?" Rowan asked although they both knew full well the reason for Fitz's call.

Fitz sat behind his desk and gathered his words carefully before responding. "Is she okay?" Fitz asked simply, taking Rowan by surprise.

"Mr. President, as you know she had cut all ties with me just as she has with you, Mr. Beene, and Jake Ballard."

"But I know you wouldn't let her out of your sights. Even if you do maintain your distance, you have people keeping an eye on her. So I will ask you again; Is she okay?"

"Yes Mr. President. She is okay."

Fitz let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding in. Her safety was the most important thing in his life. He only had one more question, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to hear the answer to it. Deciding to just rip the band aid off of the wound, Fitz just came out with it.

"Is... Is she h-happy?" Fitz asked through the lump in his throat. Honestly Fitz didn't want Liv to be happy with anyone other than himself, but he loved her enough to stand back and allow her to obtain all of the happiness she deserved. He had let her go numerous times before and she had always come back to him. If she was truly his, he'd let her go and have this time. Providing it is meant to be, she will return.

Rowan took a deep breath as he honestly felt sorry for the pathetic sap. If it had been under any other circumstances, maybe, just maybe he would have been able to accept a younger, unmarried, non-power holding Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III as a proper suitor for his daughter's hand. But the fact that the married president of the United States of America willingly entered into a relationship with his daughter while still married to another woman, still left a sour taste in his mouth. Of course Fitz was divorced now, but did that honestly mean that he could refrain from doing to his daughter what he had already done to his now ex-wife?

Knowing the man did in fact love his daughter was the reason that Rowan decided to entertain this phone call to begin with. He had seen the many times that Fitzgerald Grant had tried to give it all up so he could pursue a life with his daughter. It was gravely unfortunate that his job was to eliminate threats against the republic. This meant destroying his daughter's confidence and her spirit, to keep these two apart. Once news of the divorce had become public and Fitz's approval ratings soared, Rowan had considered giving Fitz his blessing to go after Liv, but that was until a new suitor entered the midst.

"Yes Mr. President, she's happy. At least she seems to be… sir." Rowan answered truthfully.

"That's all I want for her. To be happy… Thank you Rowan…" Fitz disconnected the call before Rowan had the chance to respond.

Fitz looked down at the newspaper article with a heavy heart. He loved Olivia Pope with everything he had in him. So much so that at one point her absence had almost cost him his life. As he glanced over the picture of a radiant Liv, he couldn't help but notice that she wasn't wearing her ring. He silently wondered if she had discarded of it, or if she was simply keeping it safe in the off chance that they would one day find their way back to one another. Whatever had happened to it, Fitz was glad that Liv was getting herself together. The past year and a half had been difficult on everyone, but especially her.

Fitz folded the paper and stashed it into the bottom desk drawer and smiled when he saw the Fitz phone still tucked in the back corner. He hadn't used it in so long as they would often change their greetings to brief messages the other could access. Fitz pulled the phone out and was surprised when he realized it still held a charge. He dialed the number to Liv's phone, and closed his eyes as he listened to the greeted she had recorded solely for him.

A lone tear escaped Fitz's eye as the recording came to an end. He wondered if she had left this message the same time she had the other on her personal cell phone. He even wondered if she still meant every word on the recording. Only time would tell he supposed as he flipped the phone closed and placed it back into his drawer along with the newspaper. As the drawer began to close, once again hiding the contents inside, the words that would prove to be Fitz's saving grace played over and over again in his head.

"If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours…."

Three weeks later

Liv sat at her desk with her head resting heavily on her arms. She hadn't been feeling well for the past few days, but today had to have been the worst. Both Quinn and Huck had tried to get her to go home and rest, but she refused stating she had far too much work to do. Since she was too sick to interact with clients, they forced her to sit in her office until she finally decided to go home. Liv had managed to stick it out for the past four hours, but could tell she was only getting worse. Before she had a chance to pick up her phone to call for a car service to take her home, she felt a familiar pair of strong arms swoop in and pick her up.

"Why senator, what are you doing here?" Liv asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Well my dear, I came to take you to lunch. Imagine my surprise when I arrive and Huck and Quinn tell me that you are still sick. So, I made a few calls and had the remainder of my appointments rescheduled for tomorrow. "

"Why?"

"Well, now that the rest of my day is clear, I can take my girl home and nurse her back to health."

Liv looked into his eyes and couldn't help but smile. Over the past few weeks, Liv and her beau had grown fairly close. She hadn't felt the same sparks with him that she had felt with Fitz, but there was definitely something there. The jolt of electricity that surged through her veins whenever they touched still caused her breath to hitch. Deciding it would be nice to have someone, especially this someone pamper her for the next few hours, Liv simply rested her head on his broad, muscular chest, and closed her eyes. She could tell he was waiting for her to argue with him as that is what Olivia Pope does. This time, she decided to listen to what her therapist had been trying to tell her and just stand down, and allow him to do his thing.

"Okay." She whispered as she nuzzled her head under his chin.

"Okay?" He asked somewhat surprised. He knew she had been working with her therapist on learning when to hand over the reins, but he was shocked it came about this quickly.

"Okay." She said again with conviction in her voice. "You're the man so I will stand down and do whatever you say."

Huck and Quinn watched on stunned as Liv was carried from the OPA to an awaiting town car. Never in their wildest dreams did they think they'd ever meet the man who could make Olivia Carolyn Pope stand down. Although she was sick, they had a feeling that they would've seen the same results had she been well. Since Liv was off for the rest of the day to relax and recuperate, Huck and Quinn decided to get back to work.

XoXoXoXoX

The ride back to Liv's apartment took no longer than 30 minutes with traffic. It hadn't gone unnoticed by her that her feet had yet to hit the ground as she was carried from the town car up to her home. She had to admit that it was nice having someone to look after her when she needed without having to worry about whether or not they would be caught and publicly shamed, or if their motives were pure. It also felt good to be in someone's arms without worrying about her father stirring the pot in their relationship.

Over the past three weeks, Liv had enjoyed living life like a normal person. She would wake up, go to work, and indulge in mid-day phone calls with her beau. They spent many nights at either her place or his curled up on the sofa with great takeout, wine, and a movie. They had even spent a few nights out on the town, but not many as he was thankfully an indoor person just as much as Liv was.

Things were going great between them, and Liv had to admit that she was beginning to grow feelings for this man. The feelings were nothing like what she experienced with Fitz, but she often wondered if that level of love was even considered healthy for two people to share. They had not gone as far as making love, but they had often come close. Whenever their lips would come together and their tongues began an all too familiar dance, they would become so absorbed in the moment and before they knew it, they had entered some very compromising positions. However, as sure as Liv was that she wanted to take that next step with him, she would always freeze when they got to that point. She hadn't done anything short of making sure he had been at least somewhat satisfied, and blue balls definitely wouldn't be an obstacle they'd endure. But as far as the most intimate act of their bodies coming together as one, Liv still couldn't bring herself to take that step.

The fact that he was such a gentleman about her not being able to take that step made her heart flutter, but also added a sense of guilt to the equation. She was finally given the chance to enjoy a truly normal life, but not being able to make love with a man you care about is far from normal. He was a good sport about it and never forced her to go all the way. He had even refused oral from her, only allowing heavy petting and tantric sex to bring them the relief they both desperately desired. Now, this same man was hovering over her as a thermometer dangled between her lips.

"Ok gorgeous, you are stuck in bed for the remainder of the day. Your temperature is 101.7. I'm going to tuck you in and go grab you some medicine, soup, crackers, and tea."

"You are so good to me. Thank you" Liv said genuinely as he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I told you that if you'd give me the chance, I'd treat you the way you deserved to be treated, and I plan to honor that vow and whatever others we have the ability to make. So, tell me, what do you need?" He asked as he helped her out of her clothes and into her favorite pair of silk pajamas.

"All I need is for you to lie down and hold me for a little while. Can you do that for me?" Liv asked as she pulled the covers up to her chin and wiggled her body into the center of the bed. She smiled as he didn't respond, but instead walked around to the other side of the bed and stripped down to only his boxers before climbing into bed behind her and pulling her into his arms. Once they were settled into bed with her head resting comfortably on his chest, Liv closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Fitz stood in the oval, looking out of the North East doors that led to the Rose Garden. He had always wondered why this location had been chosen for planting roses, as it didn't seem practical to him. Of course the residence was located on the other side, but wasn't there somewhere else they could have planted the first lady's flowers? Somewhere that wasn't in his direct line of vision for at least 45% of his day?

Presidents spend their days in strategy meetings and briefings. They meet with other world and lead the fight on terrorism. At times they must make the ominous decision as to whether or not he should lead this great nation into war. Not once during any of these moments do roses enter as an urgent thought in their minds. If anything, a basketball court should be placed where the rose garden now stands. Maybe world leaders could let off some steam shooting hoops while talking over peace treaties. To Fitz, this made more sense.

There once was a time when Fitz loved the rose garden. He would often look out of those same doors, and reflect back to a much happier time. A time where nothing and no one stood in the way of he and Liv sharing their special moments in said garden. A time when "when and where" they would meet, were the only obstacles in their way.

Fitz used to find peace and comfort as he stood watching the roses bloom. He would often think back to that chilly evening in March when he and Liv first professed their love for one another. Now, when he looks out of those doors, all he sees is a painful reminder of something that he craves more than oxygen; something that may never be.

Instead of the source of comfort and hope it once gave, the rose garden now serves as a traitorous reminder of all he has lost for the sake of remaining in the bubble. Looking towards the resolute desk, Fitz couldn't help but think back to the conversation he had with Cyrus during his first year in office.

"I know I don't get to do what other men do. Above reproach my whole life. I'm not John Edwards, I get it. I wear the crown and that's fine, there's a price. But Liv… Is the love of my life. And she won't even talk to me."

It was almost scary how little progress they had been able to make in their relationship over the past four years since he had had that conversation with Cyrus on the presidential seal. If he were being honest with himself, Cyrus had played just as much if not more of a role in the current state of their relationship.

Just when they thought they had gotten through the obstacles in their path, and found a way to work together to strengthen their bond, Cyrus would come along and plant a little seed into Liv's ear that would ultimately lead to her once again walking away. Fitz often appreciated Cyrus' "pit-bullish" behavior and loyalty, but many times he often wished he could simply put the old dog to sleep. Maybe then he'd have a chance at being happy.

As he returned to his desk, effectively pushing the seemingly pointless rose garden from his mind, Fitz wondered if other presidents thought the same thing. Maybe it was just him. It was probably just him. After all, how many other presidents met with their girlfriend and shared intimate moments in that garden? How many presidents shuddered as they watched their wives enter into the garden to tend to the delicate flowers- all because she wasn't the love of his life? How many presidents tried to end their lives in that very garden with their wife's blood pressure medication that was left over from her pregnancy? As far as Fitz knew the answer was simple. One president had managed to do all of the above in four short years, and he was that one. Fitz was snapped out of his thoughts as he heard Abby making her way towards his office. From what he could hear of her conversation, it seemed that Liv had fallen ill and… her beau was nursing her back to health. Fitz called Lauren and had her send a care package containing the only cold medicine Liv would take, along with her favorite chicken and egg noodle soup. As much as he wanted to, Fitz held back on adding flowers like he normally would. He didn't want to create a problem in Liv's relationship. If he was the one, Fitz simply didn't want Liv to feel as though he was intruding on her relationship. Once Lauren rang back and notified Fitz his delivery was in route, he closed his eyes and thought back to a time when he had been lucky enough to nurse Liv back to health.

Flashback

Fitz was reaching the end of his first week in office and it was time for him to begin formulating his first state of the union address. He knew that he could gather with his closest advisors and write the speech anywhere, but he wanted to have a chance to have a little alone time with Liv. Since Mellie had hit the ground running performing her duties as first lady, Fitz knew she'd be hesitant to leave the white house just yet. With that in mind, Fitz decided to take his team of Cyrus, Jennifer, Martha, and of course Liv and head to Camp David for a few days to get some writing done.

When they first arrived at Camp David, Fitz noticed that Liv seemed a little off. She wasn't able to think clearly, and her responses seemed a little off. The more he watched her, the more he realized that she was sick. He ordered the others to take a break in their cabins, and led Liv back to hers.

When they entered the cabin, Fitz wasted no time sending Tom out to gather one of each brand of cold medicine he could find, before scooping Liv up in his arms and carrying her to her room. He laid her down on her bed and undressed her before wrapping her up in his Navy sweatshirt. When Tom returned with the medicine, Fitz spent almost an hour getting Liv to take even a teaspoon of the medication. The first one he had given her, she spat out like a seven year old would. She didn't like the green death flavor of Nyquil she argued as she folded her arms and turned her head defiantly. The process was repeated with four other medications, until Liv finally allowed Fitz to give her a few teaspoons of Theraflu. When she had shown him that she had swallowed her medicine like a good girl, Fitz quickly stripped of his clothing and joined her in bed. He couldn't help but stroke her hair as she nuzzled into his chest and drifted off to sleep.

When Liv awoke a few hours later, she smiled to see Fitz entering the room with a bowl of soup. When she looked inside and saw the chicken with egg noodle soup, she willingly allowed Fitz to feed her as much as her stomach would allow. Fitz enjoyed that time nursing his Livvie back to health, and Liv enjoyed being pampered by the man of her dreams; even if it was only for a few hours. The next morning Liv woke up full of life and ready to tackle the state of the union address and so much more.

End Flashback

There was no doubt that Fitz missed Liv with all of his heart. Even Mellie had made sure to verbalize her shock of the fact that they hadn't found their way to one another with her being out of the way as of yet. The longer Fitz sat at his desk, the more he began to wonder if there was a method to Liv's madness. He knew, at least he hoped that she was still in love with him. The fact that she would begin dating someone especially so close to his divorce being publicized, made him wonder if she was simply carrying out her part of the plan they made two years ago, or if she really was just trying to move on. Either way, he knew what he had to do. Whether he ended up with Liv or not, this was definitely a move that he needed to make, not only for himself, but for his children.

Liv woke up to a gorgeous set of baby blues looking down at her. She was honestly beginning to feel better, and felt bad that she had made her new beau miss his meetings for the day. As much as she loved waking up with a pair of strong arms around her, Liv couldn't help but feel guilty that she was possibly keeping him from doing something else he may have had planned.

"You know you didn't have to stay here all day." Liv said as she looked at her clock and realized she had been asleep for hours.

"Believe me, there is no other place I'd rather be then in this bed holding you right now." He responded as he kissed Liv on her forehead and turned over to prepare a dose of medication for her.

When he handed her the cup with the measured medication inside, Liv scrunched up her nose, until the familiar smell told her this was the medicine she actually didn't mind taking.

"How did you know?" She asked as she drained the cup and chased it with a glass of orange juice.

"Honestly Liv, I didn't. I was dressed and set to head out to the store to grab you some things, and when I opened the door, there were a few grocery bags outside. Medicine, soup, orange juice, crackers, and a few other things were inside. The funny thing is there was no card or note so I figured you had ordered the items and we just didn't hear the door." He said as he took the cup from Liv and walked into the bathroom to rinse it out.

"Hmmm" was all Liv could say as she sat quietly, praying that her emotions wouldn't betray her. There was only one man that could know what she would like or need when she was sick, and the fact that he had gone through the trouble of having someone deliver a care package for her, truly warmed her heart.

"So, I was thinking. If you're feeling better this weekend, I was wondering if you would be my date to the white house gala. I know you already RSVP'd, and I was wondering if you would like to go together?"

Liv looked into his eyes and couldn't help but feel excited. Every time she had gone to an event, she had gone alone. It wasn't like she hadn't heard about Fitz and his new love interest, so there really was no reason for her to go alone. The only time she had taken a date, the night had ended in disaster. Not being one to believe that history would repeat itself, Liv willingly jumped at the chance.

"I would love to be your date for the dinner." She said praying that the evening would go well and both she and Fitz could manage to behave.

The Gala

The evening of the gala couldn't come quick enough for either Liv or her date. It had been a busy week for the both of them and they hadn't had much time to spend together since he had nursed Liv back to health. Liv was placing the finishing touches on her ensemble when she heard the ringing of the doorbell, alerting her that her date had arrived. With a smile on her face, Liv checked herself in the mirror one last time before walking through her apartment to welcome her date.

"My goodness Liv, you look amazing."

"I must say that you look incredible yourself." Liv said as she placed a chaste kiss on his lips. Their kiss quickly became heated, and Liv was finding it harder to give into the idea of just staying home and releasing all of the sexual frustration their bodies had pent up. As if he were sensing her thoughts, Liv's date stepped back and stared into her eyes as he enticingly licked his lips.

"If you're ready I think we should get going. That is unless you'd be open to skipping this dinner and enjoying a romantic evening at home, just the two of us." He said as his thumbs slowly grazed over her cheeks.

"Hmmm… As tempting as that offer sounds, I think we should at least pay our respects. This is after all Karen's first official dinner in a first lady capacity. I'd like to go to lend moral support. I'm sure she's nervous and also a little bummed that she won't be able to stay for the entire evening." Liv's date nodded his understanding, and the two of them made their way towards the awaiting limo.

The ride to the white house was full of sexual tension. The two of them had been seeing one another for a month, and still had yet to go all the way. He couldn't refrain from staring at Liv's long toned leg which was revealed by the high split on the side of her white floor length evening gown. The gown clung to her body in all of the right places, and her date couldn't help but lick his lips when he noticed that the split in her gown revealed her entire thigh when seated.

Liv couldn't help but take in just how amazing he looked in his Tom Ford tuxedo and bow tie. The two of them looked as if they had just stepped off the cover of a magazine, and he knew that Liv would have all eyes on her this evening. He was okay with the men looking, as long as they knew that at the end of the evening, she was going home with him.

When they arrived to the white house, Liv felt her heart begin to race as her date helped her out of the limo. It had been seven months since she had last seen or spoken to Fitz. After she had told him she left with Jake, the two of them hadn't had any sort of contact. She wondered how he was doing and if he was happy. She had read that he had taken an interest in the senator of Washington, but no rumors had been confirmed or denied as of yet. Sensing Liv's apprehension, her date slid his arm around her waist, which caused her to relax immediately.

The moment they stepped into the foyer, awaiting the double doors to open, signaling their presence, Liv felt the magnetic pull. It still scared her how they didn't even have to see one another to know they were in close proximity. She took a deep breath as the doors slowly opened, and looked to her date for reassurance.

"You do look amazing my love. Shall we go knock this crowd dead and take our rightful place as the sexiest couple in DC?"

Liv giggled at her date's assumption and although she knew they looked damned good, she could only wonder if Fitz and his date would give them competition for that title. With arms linked, Liv and her date made their way through the welcoming line. When Liv reached Fitz, her breath hitched as their eyes locked. Her pulse began to race, and as he took her hand in his, she felt the familiar surge of electricity raging through her veins. When Fitz pulled Liv into a hug, she tensed up a little in his arms, but quickly melted into the frames she longed to hold her for so long. She could feel his heart beating in sync with her own and she couldn't help but admit that nothing in this world had ever felt so good as being in Fitz's arms in this moment.

"Save me a dance gorgeous." He whispered into her ear before tracing the shell of her ear gently with his tongue as he tenderly released her. Liv could already feel the moisture pooling between her thighs as she stepped back and looked into Fitz's eyes. She knew that tonight was going to be trouble. It wasn't until Karen nudged her that Liv realized that she and Fitz had been staring at one another for at least a minute.

"Mr. President, thank you so much for inviting us to this wonderful dinner. I must say that Karen has done a fantastic job as host." Liv stammered out as she quickly tried to gather her bearings.

"Thank you so much for coming Ms. Pope. I truly hope you are feeling better. I heard that you had fallen ill last week."

"Umm, I am feeling a lot better. Thank you so much, Mr… President." Liv replied with a wink. She wanted him to know that she knew it was him who was responsible for dropping off the care package, but she didn't want to do so to where it would cause suspicion to all around them.

"Fi- Mr. President, I'd like for you to meet my date for the evening. Senator-"

When Fitz looked next to Liv, he couldn't but help the sinking feeling in his gut. This man was younger, much younger, extremely handsome, and single. His piercing blue eyes and chestnut colored hair, along with his passion making the world a better place, reminded Fitz of himself in his younger days. The last thing Fitz wanted to do was shake the hand of the man that currently had his Livvie, but he knew that he had to be a good sport and give her and himself time to get their lives right. The next time they ended up together, because there would be a next time, there would be no looking back. Being the bigger man, Fitz extended his hand and greeted Liv's date.

"Jacob Shaw... I must say it has been a while. I don't think we've had time to speak in years. We must simply catch up." Fitz said as genuinely as he could. Jacob sensed a little apprehension coming from Fitz but brushed it off to possible nerves.

"We will most definitely have to catch up Mr. President. If you'll excuse me, I need to catch up to my date."

"No problem senator. Thank you so much for coming and enjoy your evening."

Cyrus stood across the room with his glass of champagne in hand. He noticed the shift in the atmosphere the moment Liv entered into Fitz's embrace. He took a long gulp of his champagne and prayed that this evening would not be as eventful as he believed it would be.

"I'm going to need something stronger than champagne to survive this shit."

Hey everyone, so some of you guessed correctly. Jacob Louis Shaw, now senator of the great state of Rhode Island (for this story) is the mystery man. Someone asked me on twitter whether or not there would be struggle scenes between Liv and her man, and I honestly cannot say that I have or have not determined whether they will go all the way. I'm leaning towards them not, but I can never guarantee with the way my mind works. Even if they do, Jacob Shaw is fucking hot so I don't see any struggle sex going on there either way. Next chapter we will have more of the dinner and we will have Olitz's first encounter since Fitz walked out on her in the oval seven months before. We will also see a little from Jake in the next chapter, but I promise, it won't be anything strugglesome. Leave me your thoughts and I will be back as soon as I can be. XOXOXOXOXO