Part 2

She should have known he would react like this- run away and pretend it's not even happening. But it is happening, and yes, it's scary, but just as equally it's exhilarating and passionate and probably the realist thing she has ever experienced with a man. God knows, she's had her fair share of men, or more accurately- boys, and sure- she's had fun, and at times she has even found herself catching feelings for a few of them. But with Fitz this was something different, something new. Regardless of what others may think or say, they have a connection, a mutual love and understanding for each other that exceeds the boundaries of him just being a close family friend, or dare she say it, a substitute father figure. Of course, it would be fair to say that Fitz has always cared for her; in fact, growing up, she would often turn to him for his advice, especially in her teens when she struggled to connect with her own parents-with her promiscuity being the main catalyst for most of their tryst. So when she found herself pregnant at 19 and complications surrounding her termination brought her into the operating theatre, Fitz was the one who really came through for her. Whereas all she received from her father was scorned judgement, from Fitz she was given support and counsel. Looking back at it now, that low point in her life became the real turning point in their relationship. Following that, their bond grew even stronger and they became incredibly close- and somehow his desire to protect and care for her had evolved into something a lot more personal. He helped her to get back on her feet and through positive challenge, he pushed her to want more; to strive for higher heights and become a better person. If it wasn't for his influence and encouragement she wouldn't be training to become a nurse right now.

Honestly, after all he's done for her, how could she not fall for him?

It's not that she does't understand his reservations, she does. She's not that silly to pretend that their relationship is in any way conventional, because it's definitely not. In the beginning, much like Fitz, she too had tried to fight her growing feelings for him, but ultimately the love she harboured for him was far too intense to ignore. And after they shared that kiss, she now knows that he can no longer ignore it either.

That's why she has to go and see him, to help him realise that running away is not going to change the fact that he loves her, and that she loves him too. However, she also recognises that what she's about to do will not be an easy feat. For a man with so many appealing qualities and sound advice, he is also a very conflicted character, and is often prone to retreating inside himself, especially when faced with difficult decisions, stress and sadly in his case- grief. After the unexpected death of his wife Mellie, for years he had shied away from the prospect of ever falling in love again and opted to become somewhat of a recluse instead. He had shut down completely, and as a result of this he even pushed his own daughter away. In fact, apart from her father, Fitz lets very few people in; she being just one of the few exceptions. But over the last few months, mainly due to her own persistence, without even conscientiously knowing it he allowed her to get right under his skin, deep enough to re-open his heart to the prospect of love again.

He's come so far, and she has worked too hard to get him there, therefore she'll be damned if she allows his fear to get in the way of their potential happiness. She doesn't care that she's nearly half his age, nor does she care that he's her dad's best friend, all she cares about is giving him this chance to love and be loved by her in return. Despite the many odds stacked up against them, she can still foresee a real and tangible future for them. And in her eyes that is worth fighting for.

When she left her father's office, having been told he was going to Vermont, at that the time all she could register was anger. She was so incensed, that when he did call her later on that night, to possibly explain, she refused to answer the phone. She couldn't bare to listen to his weak justifications for leaving, or that what they did was a mistake. She had heard it all before, and after that kiss, she had hoped that she would never have to hear it again. But anger soon turned to despair and by the time Quinn came home, she was a sobbing mess. Quinn was the only one that knew about her and Fitz, she had figured it out after inadvertently walking in on them having dinner together, alone and looking rather intimate at that. That had been before the kiss.

After some careful prompting from Quinn, tearfully, Olivia explained the events of the last two days, in that she had kissed Fitz, but then, like a coward he has chosen to run away to Vermont.

"Come on Liv, you didn't really think it would be that easy, did you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, lets face it, as much as that kiss was a revelation, it would have also scared the hell out of Fitz... He allowed himself to loose control, which is unfamiliar territory for a man like him. Not to mention his fear of your father finding out. So he did what he does best, he ran Liv. And trust me, him leaving doesn't mean that he don't love you, on the contrary he's probably left because he does."

"I know he loves me..." Liv responds wistfully.

"And you love him too, right?".

"I do... very much so."

Quinn can't help but smile at her, before parting with a few more words of wisdom... "At the end of the day, you can't choose who you fall in love with, because if you could- your dad's best friend would hardly be your ideal choice, and as much as I thought the idea of you two together was crazy, I can also see just how much he means to you... And if he means that much to you, then you can't give up now... You have to go and get him Liv."

To be honest, she didn't need much persuasion, although Quinn was a hundred percent correct... So before she could second guess herself and change her mind she was on the phone to the hospital, swapping her shifts around and booking a direct flight to Vermont. She knew exactly where to find him. She and her family had spent thanksgiving there once with Fitz a few years ago. It was the perfect place to retreat to, surrounded by picturesque landscape; the cabin held a quaint and peaceful aura about it. Plus, so far removed from the outside world, it would be the ideal place to hide or run away to- Fitz's solution to everything.

And so, after an hours flight, and a forty minute taxi journey to the lodge, she suddenly finds herself standing outside his door, a small suitcase clutched in one hand and the other hand poised to knock. A warm glow coming from the upstairs windows being all the confirmation she needs to tell her that he is in.

It's now or never, she thinks and with bated breath she knocks the door.