Okay, I really am trying to finish this story...

Part 14

"What's going on here?"

Startled by the intrusion, Liv nearly jumps out of her skin... She had been so focused on Fitz, that she failed to notice Franklin approaching. Neither had Fitz, and by the looks of it, he still hasn't; for he is still blown away by her revelation. In fact, he only acknowledges the young man, when he brushes past him, and drapes his arm across Liv's shoulders. Unable to control himself, he finds himself cringe, as Franklin plants a kiss to her temple and then innocently questions her about the tale end of their conversation... "Liv, I thought you wanted to wait a while, before announcing the pregnancy?"

So he knows too? So that must mean... Fitz searches Liv's face for answers, but he comes up with nothing. No surprise really, because he knows her well enough to see that she's emotionally shut down.

Is that because she hiding something from me, or him, he wonders...

"Fitz is a friend of the family," she offers as an explanation to Franklin.

"Yes, we met yesterday at the hospital , didn't we Professor..."

"Yes, we did..." For some reason, his instincts are telling him to play along with the rouse... Well, at least until he gets to the bottom of all this... "After our conversation, I thought it would be best to check up on Liv after her shift this morning..."

Funnily enough, that's why Franklin came by too. "You still not feeling well?" He fusses, making her feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny. Fitz senses it too- only now, it's blindingly obvious that Franklin's protective display, is borne from the belief that Liv's baby is his...

Is Franklin the father? Or was he the father of Liv's baby? Did Liv even know? The burning desire to find out the truth, is simply agonising, but he realises that there's very little chance of him finding out anything right now; not with Franklin here, and not unless he plans to expose their affair. Which he won't. Therefore, the waiting game begins.

Both seemingly aware that they are at a stalemate, Fitz makes his excuses to leave. Although, not before making it clear (in a round about way) to Liv, that he'll be back... He won't be returning to Vermont in a hurry either. He wouldn't dream of going back, not until he's certain of the baby's paternity; because if he is the father, it changes everything. And from her reaction (almost relieved) by his plans to stay longer, it suggests she understands his reasons behind it too... After all, the pair had just gained even more unfinished business.

Before getting into his car to leave, the only thing that she asks of him, is that he exercises his discretion- especially around the hospital; as she confirms that she has yet to tell her parents about her pregnancy. He had already assumed as much- because notoriously Liv's parents were always the last ones to find out when she was in trouble. Although, under these present circumstances, he can appreciate her reluctance in telling them. Even if you placed the paternity issues aside, Eli and Maya were never going to be happy about this pregnancy. From their point of view, their daughter's life had finally got back on track- and now this baby would threaten to ruin all of that.

Did Liv feel the same way? Was this baby too much of a burden to bear? Could she actually be considering an abortion? The thought of her having to go through that again leaves him feeling very uneasy.

This was all his fault; he blames himself entirely. Firstly, for his carelessness in the matter; although, when he moved to Vermont, he didn't see the need to pack such prophylactics, why would he? When the only woman he wanted in that way, had been left behind DC... And secondly, by him pushing her away in such an untimely fashion, his actions had inevitably provoked her into another careless tryst with Franklin. Either way, whether this baby was his or not, he recognises the pivotal role he's played in all this.

He had screwed up big time.

xXx

As soon as Fitz leaves, Franklin finds he has a few questions for Liv regarding the meddling Professor. He can't quite place his finger on it, but something about him and Liv seems amiss.

This unease begun after he bumped into Eli late yesterday evening. Eli has been trying to pin Liv down for dinner plans, to celebrate he and Maya's wedding anniversary. Naturally assuming that their anniversary had been the reason for he Professor's impromptu visit... He had said to Eli... "Aaaah, so that's why the Professor is back?"

"Professor?" Eli had scrunched up his brow in momentary concussion. First of all, what did Franklin know of his friendship with Fitz? And what did he mean by he's back?

"Fitzgerald Grant is here?"

"Yes Sir, he was down in AAU when I last saw him..."

"When was that?"

"A couple of hours ago... did you not know he was back?"

"No, I did not..." he retorted skeptically. If Fitz was in town, why had he not informed him of his visit, or better yet, come in search of him at the hospital... or even Maya for that fact?

Although Eli didn't necessarily share his inner thoughts with Franklin, he could tell he was a bit thrown by his friends return, but at the time, he just brushed it aside. It was only when he showed up at Liv's flat, to find the Professor on her door step, caught in the middle of what appeared to be a highly charged exchange... did he think back to the conversation he had with Eli, but also his recollection of Liv's complete lack of interest, or what could be construed as deliberate dismissal of the Professor, when he approached her in the hospital.

But then; in complete contrast to her earlier behaviour, he walks in on her telling him that she's pregnant. Come to think of it, none of it seems to add up?

After making them both a hot drink, they settle down on the sofa together. "So..." He begins. "I take it you and the Professor are close then?"

"You could say that..." Liv replies carefully, before taking a small sip of her beverage.

"Although, you wouldn't think it by the way you ignored him at the hospital yesterday..." he pries.

"He caught me at a bad time Franklin, you both did... I was stressed..." She admits.

"Stressed about what?"

"Oh for goodness sake Franklin..." she steams, obviously frustrated with his line of questioning... "What is this?! The Spanish Inquisition? Can you just drop it please?" She slams her mug down onto the coffee table and rises to her feet, prepared to walk away, but he reaches out, stopping her in her tracks... "Look, don't go... I'm sorry, I don't mean to upset you, I'm just worried about you..."

She relents, mainly because she is keenly aware of just how incredibly unfair she's being- he's done nothing wrong here... She was the guilty party, not him.

"No..." she sighs, taking her seat again. "I'm the one who should apologise, I know I've been impossible to deal with- it's just been a lot..."

"I wish you would just talk to me Liv, I've tried to remain patient with you, I really have, but I can't help but feel that you're trying to shut me out... This is my baby too you know, so why can't you just let me be there for you?"

His words unravel her, bringing fresh tears to her eyes. She's so tired, so sick of all the lies. It's starting to take a heavy toll on her and she realises that she cannot carry on like this, she has to come clean... "You're right Franklin... I have been shutting you out..."

"Why?"

"Because, I messed up..."

She has his full attention now. "Liv, you're scaring me... messed up how?"

"You see... I wasn't completely honest with you, because I knew there was a chance that this baby could be somebody else's..."

"Whaaa... what?"

Unable to look at him, she ruefully carries on... "Yesterday I had a scan to confirm my suspicions... And as it turns out I'm nine weeks along…' She swallows… "I'm so sorry Franklin, but this is not your baby."

His shock is evident, it's clear that he is struggling to accept what she's just told him… "I'm not the father?'

"No…" she answers remorsefully, bracing herself for what's to come. He looks at her for a very long time, words failing him… failing them both really, as she knows there is nothing she can say to put his right again.

Finally, at long last, he asks, looking ashen… "Who is the father?"

Her face is wet with tears. "I can't tell you. I'm sorry. But I can't."

"Do you know who the father is?" She should probably take offence to that, but at this precise moment in time, her guilt outweighs her pride, so she chooses to overlook his barb… "Yes, I know who the father is, I was with him before we met, but it ended, so…"

"Have you told him?"

"Why does that even matter Franklin?" She snaps at him in frustration, but then immediately regrets doing so, because she has no right to lash out at him. However, he doesn't even give her the chance to apologise; instead resolutely, he gets up from the couch and grabs his jacket… "You're right Liv, it doesn't matter… I guess it's not my problem anymore, is it? It's yours…"