Fitz had appointed Jake Ballard as his Chief of Staff after Cyrus had resigned. It wasn't the ideal but at that point he had run out of people he trusted and their history vouched for loyalties, to a certain degree and the pool of choices had become grim.
"Fitz, you need to get back. We don't know how long he'll be in this."
"I just..." he began but words failed him.
"He'll know you were here. I'll tell him. I'll tell him you jumped on the plane the moment you found out. I'll tell him he means that much to you. That all the anger aside you love him." She promised. Fitz looked up and met her gaze.
"I really do Liv." He said meaningfully and she caught the weight of his multi faceted declaration but refused to allow herself to dwell in it long enough to believe in it.
"I'll tell him." Liv rose from the chair beside Cyrus' bed opposite Fitz and slipped out of the room.
He knew that he couldnt stay long enough to wait for Cyrus to wake up but he couldn't bring himself to leave. Despite the distance between him and Olivia it was the most at peace he had been in a year. She had been more than gracious with him. Just as she asked him to, she had tabled their issues for the time being. In those moments there was a white flag and though she was guarded there was no anger or hostility that would rightfully be there.
Liv periodically left Cyrus' hospital room. She found it difficult to be in the same room as Fitz. Although in saying that, as difficult as it was, his presence brought her comfort, which frustrated her to no end.
"Hey Unc," Liv greeted as she entered Cliff's office and dramatically collapsing on the chair in front of his desk. Cliff smirked. It wasn't her first visit that day and he knew for a fact it wouldn't be her last. He pulled a chocolate kiss out of his medical coat and placed one in front of her. Liv grinned and took it. Growing up whenever she was having a bad day he would miraculously place one in front of her. He hadn't done it since before she lost her parents.
"I take it you couldn't quite convince him to go home."
"Not yet but I'm close. He's just doesn't want anything to happen to Cyrus. He doesn't want their last meeting to be what it was. He doesn't want Cy to think he didn't care."
"He can't change the past, nor can any of us. He just has to suck it up. Actions have consequences and they may be painful but we learn from them. He has to make a choice. Will he learn from it or will he allow regret to rule him? He needs to put his big boy pants on Liv. You've taken responsibility for your part and he needs to too."
Fitz couldn't put it off much longer. He knew he had to head back. Jake had done a good job in not only filling in for Cyrus but holding the fort in his absence. To the world the Chief of Staff had to step down for a very important heart surgery and his friend the President of the United States was there by his bedside sitting in vigil. It made for a great photo op but Fiz would have no part of it. He waited till Olivia to come back not wanting to leave without saying goodbye.
"I should go."
"You and I both know he would blow a gasket if he found you sitting by his bed when you have a country to run." Fitz chuckled in agreement.
"Will you keep me posted?"
"Of course."
"Liv, I'm sorry."
"I know Fitz. But this is what it is. Let's not drag it out for longer. We both made mistakes. We are both sorry. Let's leave at that. I take full responsibility for my part in defiance. I am sorry for what that has done to you but I can't and I won't apologise forever. Do I regret it, yes and will do so for the rest of my life but you and I can't stay in this forever. It's suffocating and it's unnecessary. If we are no longer bringing out the best in each other then there is no point. Actions have consequences Fitz and this is the consequences of both our actions."