As if to assure Liv that he was serious about working on their issues together Fitz had gathered a list of specialists to choose from. In the end she chose Dr Stanley Keyworth who came highly recommended by Carly. Leading up to their first session, they were both nervous. Just before they entered the office that was set up for their session in the White House, Olivia had stopped at the door and took both his hands in hers.

"I love you. I'm in this. We're end game." Fitz pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms securely around her dropping his lips to her forehead.

"I love you Livi. Whatever wounds that are about to be re-opened in there we will face it together. I'm in this. We're end game." He promised repeating her own words back to her.

Their first session was intense. Stanley felt that both were determined to resolve their issues therefore he didn't bother easing them into it. Right from the get go he went for the jugular. There were tears from both Liv and Fitz. By the time they had emerged from the room they were both exhausted and feeling incredibly raw. So much was said in that meeting that it was next to impossible to participate in a conversation. They had arranged for Teddy to stay with the Beene's that night, while both Gerry and Karen were staying at a friends. They had anticipated that their first session would be their hardest and would probably need the time to themselves and they were right. Hand in hand they headed straight to their bedroom. Wordlessly he took his jacket off while Olivia crawled onto their bed fully clothed after kicking her shoes off. He joined her moments later wrapping his arms around her as he lay closely behind her. With her back against him, her head resting on his arm, she consciously sunk deeper into his embrace. Fitz tightened his hold on her as he softly spoke in her ear, telling her how much he loved her.

As she spoke in their session he caught a glimpse of what it was like for her during their lost year and though he had an idea it became clear just how bad it was and why Cyrus was so protective of her. His anger did that and it killed a part of him. As if sensing his distress Olivia turned and draped an arm around his middle buring her face into his chest. She was offering him a sense of absolution.

He understood why there was unrest in her about their future. Not only had he never not followed through on what he had always promised. He had taken words back and replaced them with hateful ones. Ones that he can never unspeak. Ones she cannot unhear. He now understood that though defiance was a betrayal to him, it never was out of malice while his own actions were a result of the hurt he felt and the unreasonable misguided anger he solely aimed at her. He felt unworthy, ashamed and heartbroken knowing he diminished the magic of them.

Fitz awoke to an empty bed at three in the morning. He rose quickly to his feet in search of her and found her in the kitchen. She was sitting on the ledge of the window with a bowl of popcorn on her lap as she stared out into the night sky. Sensing his presence she tore her gaze away from the window and gave him a small smile.

"I got hungry." She confessed sheepishly.

"Livi, popcorn is not a food group. Let me whip something up for you." He said dropping his lips to her temple taking the bowl of popcorn from her. Just as he was about to walk away she grabbed his hand. Fitz looked back at her questioningly.

"Sit with me?" Wordlessly Fitz put dowm the bowl of popcorn and positioned himself so that she could lean back against him as he wrapped his arms around her, his hands resting against her stomach.

"That was hard but we got through it." She said trying to assure him placing her hands over his.

"I'm just so..." Liv turned so that she was facing him, she placed a finger on his lips,

"I know you're sorry. I am too. It's not about apologies Fitz. We have both apologised enough. We have both paid a high enough price. We just need to get through this and we will." She promised. Fitz kissed her on the forehead then her lips.

"I love you." He murmured softly. Liv wrapped her whole body around him as he held on to her so desperately.

"I love you too Fitz."