CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

"The Caldwells." Olivia said. "Cyrus, have you had any update on them?"

"Not yet. Peter Caldwell was more than polite after the president left - so polite, that the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I'm getting the feeling there's something going on there that I don't know enough about… "

"Fitz got an invitation to their family pre-holiday event." Olivia said. "We all know that the Caldwells, of course - are very much their own political dynasty - but they do political on their terms - which don't necessarily match up with the normal way of doing things."

"Those terms are usually meant to benefit themselves." Fitz pointed out.

"How is that different from anyone else in DC - ourselves included?" Olivia corrected him. "They're no angels, but without breaching any client confidentially, I can tell you this much - as much as the Caldwells want to exert any political influence possible - their goal is also to serve the country."

"On their terms." Cyrus pointed out.

"Again, how are they unlike anyone else - including ourselves."

"Be careful, Liv." Cyrus said. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were still working for them."

"Not since I came to work for the White House, Cy." Olivia knew she was walking a fine line between her belief in client confidentiality and sharing the information she knew Fitz needed. "But from my past association with them, one thing I can vouch for is that if they want to speak with you on their ground, it's for a good reason."

Fitz studied Olivia's face, trying to figure out what it was she wasn't saying, but since he couldn't, he turned his attention back to Cyrus. "Do we have anything recent that might be relevant for us to know?"

"Olivia's right in that the Caldwells tend to play politics their way but what can we say when do the same?" Cyrus said. "I'll definitely be looking into them and see if there's anything new my sources can tell me." Cyrus said. "I think that's the wisest thing to do at this point"

Fitz nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like a plan, Cyrus - and I think that means that we're pretty much caught up, at least for now."

"The Caldwells, along with Elizabeth and Sally are plenty enough for our pre-election plate at the moment." Cyrus said, agreeing with them. His voice filled with a fierce resolve. "I look forward to checking them."

"I don't doubt it, Cy." Fitz found his mood rising to meet Cyrus's. He hadn't forgotten the rest of the evening's conversations and confrontations. He knew that it wasn't going to be easy moving forward, but if any one of the people he'd interacted with tonight thought that they were ready to do battle with them - in making America a better place for all of its citizens, not any pre-selected groups, but for all of them - then let them come. "So do I. This campaign may turn out to be one for the history books."

"And it's going to be great." Olivia was tuned in to Fitz's feelings and when her eyes turned to his, it was clear that she was feeling every bit of the fire and determination fueling him that he was. "We're going to make history - in more ways than one."

"In every way that counts." Fitz's grin was fierce. "They want a fight? I look forward to it."

"So do I." Olivia said.

"So say we all." They heard Cyrus add.

Fitz wrapped his arms around Olivia, snatching a brief kiss from her in the process. In the moment, he felt invincible. As Cyrus was fond of saying, the band was back together, but most importantly, this was the fresh restart he and Olivia needed. The last time around, circumstances beyond their control had interfered with them and the election campaign they had wanted to wage.

This time, he swore to himself, things would be different. Nothing and no one was going to be allowed to come between them. They had a plan, they had the power. And most importantly, Fitz thought as he gazed down at the beautiful woman in his arms, they had their faith in one another to lean on.

And this, Fitz decided - was a very good thing.

XXX

They had barely finished saying goodbye to Cyrus before Olivia found herself being swung up in Fitz's arms and carried into the living room. A delighted giggle escaped her lips as he settled himself on one of the couches, still holding her close.

She laughed again, softer this time as Fitz leaned forward to gently nuzzle his nose against hers. He made a wordless sound full of contentment as she returned the gesture, then he let his lips brush against her cheek and again, Olivia did the same. Sweetly, softly, they indulged themselves in this simple love-play.

Olivia sighed happily as Fitz's lips found hers, feeling all kinds of cherished in ways that went beyond her ability to put into words. All she knew that in the aftermath of the emotional storm that she had just endured, she could see blue skies and hope on the horizon and for that she was grateful.

So she allowed herself to sink into the bliss of sweet soft kisses that sent the most exquisite feelings surging along every nerve ending, taking her away from any thought or worry so that she was only aware of him - the warmth and taste and scent of this man that she loved.

The next few minutes were filled with this quiet love and joy and it was reflected in one another's eyes as they finally, reluctantly pulled themselves back.

"Hi." It was the first word that popped into his head. And why not? He was seeing Olivia with brand new eyes - he could only hope that she was seeing the same.

"Hi." The magic of the moment made the world tilt on its axis and Olivia knew that she wouldn't have it any other way.

Her smile was almost shy and the emotion it sent rushing through his veins let Fitz know that a part of him was falling in love with Olivia all over again. How that was even possible, he didn't know. Even better, he didn't care.

Fitz was unable to resist to snatch one last kiss from her lips, before he leaned back and smiled. "Well, this has been a fun morning, hasn't it?"

Olivia smiled back. In truth, it had been a crazy rollercoaster for her feelings, but she knew that she felt lighter in her spirit. "I don't know if fun is the word I would use, but it's definitely been something I'll never forget."

"I don't think either of us will, but that's okay, right?" Fitz studied her face, looking for anything that might possibly prove him wrong.

"It's okay. Stop worrying about me, Fitz." Olivia read his expression rightly.

His expression also said that he didn't care if he were caught out in his concern. Fitz brushed his lips against hers once again. "I am always going to worry about you. Period. Just like I am always going to be in love with you. Period. Get used to it."

"Period? Okay." Olivia smiled at him, seeing that she'd surprised Fitz by not protesting. To be honest, a part of her was surprised at herself, just a little. It was like diving into a pool from high up for the first time, that breathless swoop into unknown waters. Letting go of her walls enough to accept Fitz taking care of her this way was going to take some getting used to, but Olivia found a part of herself beginning to look forward to it.

"If you're going to insist on this sort of thing, then who am I to argue with you about it." She snuggled downward into his arms, as he shifted his body so that she could rest her head on his chest. Olivia closed her eyes briefly, savoring the strong steady heartbeat beneath her ear. "At least, not right now."

"Right now?"

"Right now I kinda like it."

"I'll take what I can get, when I can get it." Fitz said.

"Smart man." Olivia said. "Who knows - you might even be smart enough to run the country for the next four years."

"You might be right, especially if I'm smart enough to surround myself with even smarter people."

Her teasing made him chuckle, warm and soft and it echoed through her as she lay against him, snug and secure. One hand comes up and she can feel the gentle touch of his thumb along her cheek and the sense of warmth it sent through her was everything in a sweet, single and simple touch.

"And don't you forget it, mister."

"I'm sure you won't let me."

"See smart man? There may be hope for you yet."

They fell silent for the next little while, each of them caught up in their own thoughts and the quiet of the moment. They stayed that way until Olivia sensed a change in Fitz, a slight tension in his body alerting her to the fact that something had invaded his thoughts.

"What is it, Fitz?" she asked. "What's wrong?"

His first response was to hold her just a little bit tighter.

"Fitz?" She pressed him carefully.

Finally, he answered her. "Speaking of not forgetting…" It was Fitz's turn to sigh. "Or more to the point, something I wish I could forget…"

"Mellie." Olivia opened her eyes and looked up at him. Cyrus' words came back to mind, leaving Olivia guessing correctly at the path that Fitz's thoughts had taken.

"Mellie." Fitz said. "Or to be more correct - Gerry. I need to know what's happening with him -"

"Of course you do - but the problem is that you have to go through Mellie to find out." Olivia gave him a sympathetic look as she finished his sentence for him.

She sat up and looked him in the eye. "It's something you have to do - and you have to do it now. I get it."

A lesser woman would have resented the fact that she was in her man's arms and he was thinking about another part of his life. But then again, he wouldn't have been so head over heels with that kind of woman in the first place. Fitz watched as a small frown crossed Olivia's face, confirming his thoughts.

"I wonder how Karen's dealing with all of this?" Her eyes reflected her worry as she slid from Fitz's lap and stood up. "I hope you can get some info out of Mellie about her."

"So do I." Fitz stood up too. "I'll try and be as tactful as I can, but with Mellie - who knows how long that will last?"

"We both know how true that is." She looked up at him. "And you'll handle her with all the grace and tact necessary."

"I will?"

"Of course, you will. I can only fix so much and general mayhem is difficult to defend."

"You're right. I need to talk to her now." Fitz sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. "The question is, are you okay with that?"

"Of course I am - I'm more than okay with it, Fitz." Olivia reassured him. They'd had their escape from reality, but now it was time to return to the real world. "Go. Do. Handle your family business. I will busy myself by checking in with the morning media and see what's going on in the rest of the world."

Fitz couldn't help the smile that came behind her words. She was right, but he had one request first. "One minute?"

His smile was matched once again by one of hers as she went happily into his embrace again, her own arms coming up to hold him close. "One minute…"