Part 10

With his flights booked and his bags packed; Fitz had been tempted to call Eli, to let him know that he'll be back in DC for a few days, but then he refrained from doing so. He is really missing the ease they used to have between them, however, looking at situation from his perspective and all that has taken place between him and Liv, is there any wonder why he's feeling so estranged from his best friend? A guilt ridden conscious makes it difficult to keep up the pretence. So, in light of the bigger picture, he decides it's best not to forewarn anyone of his impending visit. Besides, if he told Eli he was coming, he was bound to tell Liv, and he is worried that if Liv finds out; she'd call and tell him not to come. He's been mentality preparing himself for her frosty reception; to be fair, it's the least he deserves; and whatever she wishes to dish out, he will take like a man. Because his sole intention for going back to DC is to see her, (he HAS to see her) and make sure she's alright. Maybe then, he'll finally find the strength to move on without her.

-X-

She's convinced the universe is conspiring against her. She couldn't believe it when the nurse told her she was pregnant. She had even requested a second test, hoping that it was all a big mistake, but there was no mistake about it… For now, she's chosen to keep the news to herself; she needs time to figure out what she wants to do first. Although, after the ordeal she went through, the last time she found herself in this predicament, she had vowed never to have an abortion again. Therefore, her options are limited. Either she has the baby and keep it; or she considers giving it up for adoption. If she's being totally honest with herself, she knows she's not ready to be a mum; not on her own anyway; which she highly suspects will be the case. If she were to tell Franklin about the pregnancy, she's uncertain about how he'll react; maybe he'll support her, but then maybe he won't. After receiving the news, she's avoided him like the plague. Easy to do really, seeing as she has called in sick for the past two days. She's yet to break things off with him too. Deep down in her heart, she knows she doesn't really want to be with him, but equally, she's scared to face this situation entirely on her own.

And then there was Fitz… In complete denial, she's been telling herself that it can't be his, because in truth, she really can't face it. Just the thought of carrying his baby and not having him beside her, is simply too excruciating to bear. So, in midst of her irrational reasoning, she finds it's easier to pretend he has nothing to do with it.

She's taking a leaf out of his book for once- and is burying her head in the sand.

-X-

Quinn was worried about her friend. When she came home that evening to find Liv in bed, with no wine or popcorn in sight, she assumed the very worst. And since then, Liv has been unwilling to discuss her results, and has signed herself off work. Between shifts, she tried her best to keep a close eye on her, and because of this, she's noticed that Liv's frequent trips to the toilet have not abated, but in addition to this (and even more alarmingly), she's also appeared to have lost her appetite. Maybe, she's not eating due to stress- but either way, something is seriously wrong with her. She hoping she'll confide in her soon; she doesn't want to pressure her into opening up, but at the rate she is going, she may have no other option but to force it out of her. As for Franklin, he's been constantly badgering her for news on Liv; like her, he is also concerned; but she lacks the patience to pacify him, because she has already deduced that he's the reason behind her friend's obvious distress. And as a result of this, when he approaches her again, with yet another string of questions- in sheer aggravation- she loses her cool and deliberately implies that he's the one at fault, and that maybe it's because he's passed something on to Liv.

-X-

Franklin has struggled all day to stay focused at work; not only is he genuinely troubled about Liv, but Quinn's causative words from earlier on have been weighing heavily on his mind… Quinn believes, he has given something to Liv, but his results were clear- so, he knows that can't be the case. Therefore, he is left with only two possible conclusions, either Liv had something pre-existing to them getting together- which she is failing to tell him about- or Liv was pregnant. It's obvious that she's been avoiding him; she's not been at work and she's refusing to answer his calls and reply to his messages- but after today's clash with Quinn, he's suddenly unwilling to wait for Liv to address the issue with him. So as soon as his shift is over, he finds himself at her doorstep, ready to confront all.

She's been in bed all day. Mainly feeling sorry for herself, but also lacking the energy to get up and deal with the crisis that has become her life. Thankfully, she managed to eat a cheese sandwich for lunch; it's the first thing she's eaten in days. Whether it's her morning sickness starting to kick in, or she's just sick to her stomach with uncertainty and indecision; either way, she's battling to keep her food down. She feels absolutely miserable; miserable in every sense of the word- So much so, the undeniable pull to go back to bed and shut the entire world out, seems so appealing right now, she's tempted to give in…

But it seems the insistent ringing of her doorbell, is determined to stand in the way of her newly laid plans.

Unhurried, she makes her way to the door.

"Franklin?" She wasn't expecting him to be there, and he can tell that he's caught her unawares. "Can I come in?"

Her first instinct is to send him away, because she's so ill-prepared for this, but then it dawns on her that she can't keep hiding from him either… So, in acquiesce, she lets him enter the house… "Sure."

"I've been trying to call you…"

"I know… Look Franklin, I'm sorry, but after what happened at work the other day- with my nursing assessment and everything else … I just needed some space…"

"So this is about space, is it?" He's deliberately trying to bait her… "Because I'm under the impression that this has everything to do with your test results… So, I'm asking… is there something I should know?"

His blatant insight leaves her feeling vulnerable and exposed, and with her confusion being so palpable, it's like he has her by the jugular and she's at a total loss of what to say, or do for the best… If she tells him she's pregnant, he'll assume that the baby is his, and for all she knows there's a chance that it could be; because they had been careless… But what if he's not the father? How does she even begin to explain herself then?

Franklin can sense that she's waning, and his gut is telling him to change his tactics entirely, if he wants her to open up and be honest with him, then he's got to give her the right platform to do so… So instead, in a voice filled with great warmth and tenderness, he states… "It's okay Liv, you can tell me… You're pregnant, aren't you?"

It's enough to undo her.

Feeling overwhelmed; involuntarily, her bottom lip starts to tremble; she's just so tired of carrying this burden by herself; but now this man, who she barely knows, and who owes her nothing- is standing before her, offering her a lifeline that she cannot afford to dismiss. And it's for that reason; albeit against her better judgement, she gives into her weakness, and falls apart right in front of his eyes, nodding her head solemnly and confirming his suspicions…

Immediately, and without a shred of hesitation on his part, he steps forward and pulls her into his strong embrace… "Ssssssh, please don't cry…" He soothes. "I know you're frightened, I am too, but you can trust me Liv, no matter what you decide, I'm going to be here for you, I promise…"

It's in that precise moment, encased in his arms, that she realises, with hundred percent clarity- that Franklin will offer her all the support she could ever want for this baby.

She might not love him, but by having him beside her, at least, she won't have to do this alone.