The quiet still. The quiet time. The one minutes just listening to the other breath. That's what they've missed. Fitz holding her while she slept and kissing her forehead, not knowing she was awake the whole time. She missed this. That is what last night was like. They could have made love, but they didn't. They recapture that quiet time. That time to just be. Liv is cocooned in Fitz's arms, listening to his heartbeat, taking in his scent. She starts traces his lips and his jawline.

"What are you doing Ms. Pope?"

Liv smiles widely, "Don't you mean…"

"No way in hell will ever call you Mrs. Emory," Fitz corrects her as he opens his eyes.

"Third biggest mistake of my life," Liv says as she bashfully drops her head.

Fitz brings this up to rest on the bedpost. "What's the first two?" Liv gets quiet. Tears begin to form in her eyes. She tries to burry her tears in his chest. "Livvie, look at me. You can tell me anything. You know that."

"It hurt so much, and It still hurts so much," Olivia answers.

Fitz kisses the top of her head. There's that familiarity again. "I know how much it hurts. I know how much it still hurts me. They tore us apart and we let them."

"Everything was in my head. Our backgrounds. Our differences. Our fathers. And I didn't know what to believe. It was easier for me to believe that you were just like every other guy. That you weren't man enough to tell me you didn't want me."

Fitz brings her lips to his, "You will never hear me say I didn't want you. My biggest mistake was not telling you what happened so we could figure it out together. I was so afraid you would never forgive me. I lost you and we waisted so much time. We lost so much," Fitz says.

"Fitz," she whispers.

Fitz stares off, not wanting to see her reaction. "Would you have forgiven me?"

Liv looks at him sadly, "For?"

"I cheated on you. At least I thought I did. Would you have given me another chance if I had told you what happened?" He asks.

Liv takes a deep breath. A sadness washes over her. "I don't know if I would have. I would have been so hurt. I honestly don't know if I would have. I would have wanted to but…"

He looks down at her, "I wouldn't have blamed you."

"But…. I…"

"I should have been there for you and our baby and what happened," Fitz says angrily.

Liv sits up. She looks him in the eye, "My first mistake was running." She takes a breath, "I don't begrudge the experiences I had there in my career. It's been good for my career. But I missed you so much."

"Not half as much as I missed you," Fitz shakes his head.

Olivia keeps her head down. "My second biggest mistake was our baby."

"You were lied to. I can't blame you for that." He makes sure she is looking in his eyes. "Does it hurt? Yes, it does. It hurts we made something so beautiful together and it was taken away."

"Taken away by me," Liv says sadly.

"Livvie, it's not your fault. You have to believe that and believe me," Fitz stresses. He sits up on the headboard, turning to her. "You reacted to a lie that they made you believe. And at the point, with the way I left you. You had no reason to believe in me…in us."

"But that baby was ours. I should have held on to it even if I we couldn't be together. "

"You did what you needed to do at that time," Fitz explains.

Liv studies his expression, "Are you sure you don't hate me?"

"I hate someone and its not you," Fitz says clenching his jaw.

"Where do we go from here?"

"What I told you the other night, I meant. We reclaim our life, together. That's where we go from here. Together," Fitz says sternly as he gently places a grazing kiss across her lips. He pulls her close, holding her tightly. "I am never letting you go again."

"Last night was the first night slept without dreaming about that night," Liv confesses.

"What night?"

"The night you left. Every night I dream about it, you leaving and me vowing to hate you forever although I never loved you more. Sometimes I thought it was just hormones making believe I was in love but only love could hurt as much as I hurt when you left."

"You know what I did that night…," he asks. She shakes her. He continues, "I drank as much as I could. I crashed my car. They called Andrew. I begged him not to tell you and he never did."

Liv is immediately hit with pain. "Oh my God! Did you…." She can't finish her words as she begins to cry.

"I had to have a few stitches. I had a concussion. The airbag deployed. Thank goodness," Fitz explains.

"Andrew should have called me. You could have died. And that would have been…."

He lifts her head, making her face him, "Let's not think about that. I didn't die. I'm here. I'm fine. You are here and we have another chance. That's all we are going to focus on. Not me drinking and getting behind the wheel like an ass."

"I would have never forgiven you for that. If something had happened to you."

"What did you do that night?"

"I tore up what I could and cried all night. I held your Navy shirt every night that I slept. I always wondered."

"I did two years," Fitz finishes her sentence.

She looks at him surprised. "You did."

"Mellie and I got married. She stayed here. I did two tours. I didn't want to miss Teddy growing up. To be honest, after losing you, my heart wasn't in it. And I know that sounds bad because I was serving my country but that was our dream and I felt like our dreamed had died."

Liv doesn't say anything she stays buried in his chest. "I wanted to give up architecture. My heart wasn't in it."

"Liv," he says almost disappointed.

"I just felt like nothing was right. I felt the same way you did but I pulled out the gift you gave me when I won that design contest in my class."

"A blank leather portfolio book, engraved, To the world's greatest mind. Create art and change the world."

She smiles, shyly, "You remember."

"How can I forget? I had that made just for you. I always believed in you. You never gave yourself credit Liv."

"7," she says softly.

"What?" Fitz asks.

"We've been apart 7 years. They say 7 is the year of completion. We completed 7 of the most miserable years of our life and found our way back to each other."

"I didn't know how long it would take but I knew some day we find our way back."

She sits up, looking at him. There's a smoldering look in her eye. One that he recognizes. "I'm ready."

He looks at her as if he doesn't know what she means. "Ready?"

"I am ready for you to make love to me. I don't want to wait. I think we've waited long enough."

"I thought you wanted to wait until…." Before he can finish his sentence, Olivia lays a searing kiss to his lips. They begin to explore each other's lips hungrily. Fitz eases his tongue into her mouth, making her moan in delight. Their lips duel for domination of the kiss. Liv lifts herself on to him, straddling him as she never breaks the kiss. Fitz moans as he feels her center slowly move over him. "Mmmmm," he utters. "I missed you Livvie," he whispers as she slightly bites his bottom lip.

"I missed you too," she utters. "Take off my clothes," she says.

He doesn't respond with words. He just begins to unbutton her pajama shirt, sighing at the sight of her erect nipples waiting to be sucked and touched by him. He drops his head to one breast as he takes her nub into lips as he grazes his teeth lightly up and down on her nipple. She throws her head back. She bites her lip as he begins to suck her nipple hungrily. She dry humps him as he sucks harder and harder. She grips his head, holding him tight for support. '

She rocks on him slowly, "Ahhhhhh," she hisses as he moves to the other nipple, giving it the same hungry attention. He flips her over on her back as he kisses down her stomach, making his way down. "Please take it off," she begs.

He lifts his head looking up at her, "With pleasure," he answers as he rips her silk pajama pants off her, finding she's bare underneath. He gets lost in the visual of her body. He marked her to his memory but before him is a woman 7 years older. More beautiful and more luscious than before. He doesn't want to rush this moment. He wants to take this slowly. He wants to love her slowly and beautifully and right. He's so lost in his thoughts he doesn't hear her calling his name.

"Fitz," she says softly again.

"I want you and I want this to be perfect."

She sits up, reaching down for his face. "This is perfect. It's you and me."

Before Fitz can answer, they both here a click of the door. Liv looks toward the door as Fitz gets up, reaching for his shirt. "Who is that?"

Liv jumps up, reaching for her robe. "Who's there?" Before she can hear an answer, the door to the bedroom opens. "Russell, what are you doing here?" She asks as she looks over at Fitz who hasn't had a chance to button his shirt.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Russell asks.

"What are you doing here?" Liv repeats.

"I came to see my wife," Russell answers angrily. He looks over at Fitz, "I should have known you would be here. You couldn't wait to fuck my wife."

Fitz doesn't even think he just lurches at him, "You son of a bitch."

They begin to tussle as Liv tries to stop them. "Fitz, don't!" Liv tries to get between them, and she's knocked down. It immediately gets Fitz's attention. He runs to her, "Livvie, you okay."

"I can take care of my wife," Russell says, huffing as he goes toward her.

"Don't touch me," Liv says to him.

"Liv," Russell says.

"Don't touch me," she says again.

"We need to talk," Russell says as he looks at Fitz, "Alone."

"I am not leaving you alone with her," Fitz says.

"She's my wife," Russell says angrily.

"Who you used as a punching bag. I'll be damned if I leave you alone with her ever again," Fitz says angrily as he helps Liv off the floor.

"Olivia, we need to talk," Russell says.

"How did you know I was here?" Liv asks. She looks at him angrily. "How did you know?"

"Does that matter?"

"Yes, it matters. How did you get a key to my room?"

"They saw who I was, and I told them I wanted to surprise my wife and they."

"And they just let you in, even though my name is on the room," Liv says, throwing up her hands. Fitz immediately goes to the phone. He wants to call security and the General Manager.

"No Fitz," Liv says.

"They broke every security protocol letting him up here and they shouldn't have," Fitz says.

"Fitz," Liv utters. She's trying to calm the room down. "I need to talk to Russell."

"Livvie, I'm not leaving you alone with him."

Russell shouts, "She's, my wife."

"Not for long," Fitz hisses.

"Please, I need to talk to him." Russell looks at him angrily, wanting to fight.

"I'll be right downstairs," Fitz answers. He looks at her timidly. She knows exactly what's going through his head.

"I'll be fine," she assures him.

Fitz angrily buttons his shirt. He picks up his shoes to go out. Russell decides to push buttons, "You shouldn't be here to begin with it."

Before Fitz can react, Olivia runs in front of Russell, "Don't Fitz."

Fitz has his fist ready to strike. "I'll be right downstairs." He picks up her hand, placing a soft kissing on it before turning to leave.

Liv follows Fitz to the door, Russell right on her heels. She closes the door and turns to him. "You followed me."

"I asked you to stay home," Russell says.

"You were at a game. You must have had someone follow me," Liv pieces together.

"I don't care that you slept with him. We can work this out."

Liv begins to laugh, "Have you look at my face? Look at its Russell, you did this. Your hand did this."

Russell starts toward her. She moves back, holding up her hand. "Baby, I'm sorry. You know that. You know I didn't mean to hit you."

"But you did," she reminds him.

"So now you are going to open your legs or him," he retorts.

She shakes her head, walking away, "We didn't sleep together. Not that it is any of your business but."

"The hell it isn't my business. You are still my wife, and I am not letting you go. Especially not for him."

"You lost the right to have a say in my life when you hit me."

"You have to give me another chance," Russell pleads.

Liv takes a seat at the table. "It's over between us. I am filing for a divorce. I don't want anything from you except my freedom."

"I'm not giving it to you," he answers.

"Russell, I am not going to argue with you. I am not going to fight you. You can have the house. I am moving out."

"And where are you going Olivia. Let's me guess, the great white hope downstairs."

"I am leaving for me. You might not believe that, but it's the truth. I am leaving for me. I have to leave for me."

"You are leaving me for him."

"I owe you an apology," Liv says. Russell looks at her confused. "I never should have married you. I married you for the wrong reasons. I wanted to move on from a lot of hurt and you came along, and you were perfect. I made you perfect. In reality, you were my escape."

He goes toward her, trying to get her to see him and hear him. "We worked good together. We are good together."

"But I was never in love with you. I knew that. And I think deep down you always knew that."

"But you love me," Russell says.

"Love is not always enough Russell. I can't grow to love you when…"

"You really do love him."

"I always have Russell and I never should have run away from that. I should have faced what happened between me and Fitz and dealt with it. But even if Fitz and I had never found each other again, I need to be honest with you and myself."

"I am not going to just let you go and let that be it," Russell explains.

"Don't make this hard on me Russell."

He goes toward the door angrily. "For better or for worse Olivia and you are going to honor that," he says, slamming the door behind him.

Liv buries her face in her hands, taking a breath. She goes over their conversation in her head. She remembers that he and Fitz might cross paths downstairs. She runs to get dressed.

Fitz is having a cup a coffee in the lobby, waiting for Liv to call him. Just then, he sees Russell going through the lobby angrily. He decides to have his own words with him. He gets up hastily going toward Russell. Patrons in the lobby have already recognized Russell. Fitz goes to him, "You leave her alone."

"You really want to do this here. I kicked your ass up there. I will kick it down here," Russell says cockily.

"If I recall you didn't get kick my ass, Olivia stopped your from trying," Fitz says. Russell takes a swing at Fitz, causing everyone in the lobby to gasp. People start pulling out their phones. Fitz rubs his chin, "That's the best you got." Russell takes another swing and miss. Fitz decks him in the eye. "I will not let you hurt her every again."

"I am not giving her a divorce. She is my wife, and I am not handing her over to you," Russell says as he charges at him. They begin to trade jabs again as security arrives breaking them up. Just as Liv makes it to the lobby to see the commotion.

"Break it up!" The cops shout. As Fitz and Russell both realize they are on display and phones are recording.

Liv appears next to the cop, "Stop it, both of you." Russell is still trying to get to Fitz. Fitz is not backing down either.

"Mr. Emory, this is going to be on every news station this evening. Do you want to do this here?" The cop asks.

"Russell, he's right. Please go," Liv says softly. Russell looks around all the eyes on them. He steps back. "Please," Liv please again.

"Fitz, you need to go too," Liv says.

"Olivia," Fitz says surprised that she would make such a request.

"Do I need to escort you men out?" The cop asks.

"No, I am leaving," Fitz says with a hint of pain in his voice.

"I'm leaving," Russell says.

Fitz looks at Liv with pleading eyes. He knows why she is asking him to leave too. He doesn't need to be seen going back up to her room. Russell gives Liv a look as he turns to leave. Both cops escort them out, making sure nothing else happens. They both go out of the door as Liv tries to disappear from the crowd that has gathered. She makes it to the front desk. "I want to see your General Manager," Liv says angrily as she waits.

Outside in his car, Russell waits for Edison Davis to meet him in his car. Edison knocks on the window and gets in. "Did you know he was in there with her?" Russell asks.

"Yes, I did but you asked me to find out where she was and give you the information and that's what I did," Edison says sneakily.

"He thinks he's going to take my wife from me. No one takes anything from me. No one leaves me," Russell says.

"That's a beautiful woman you got there," Edison says, knowing its going to get under his skin.

Russell notices the look in his eyes, "Yes, I do. I don't know what you are thinking but you can throw that out right now."

"Did you hit her?" Edison asks.

"What?"

"We can all see the bruise. I can only imagine it came courtesy of you," Edison clarifies.

"It was an accident. We were arguing and things got a little out of hand," Russell says.

Edison shakes his head, "I may be a son of a bitch myself, but I don't believe in hitting a woman under any circumstance."

"I told you, it was an accident," Russell says.

"Well, whatever. I did my job. I told you where she was and now you know. Our work here is done," Edison announces.

"I still need you to watch her," Russell says pleadingly.

"Listen, like I told you, I do a lot of underhanded things but hurting women and children, I don't do. Find you someone else to watch your wife," Edison says as he opens the door to leave.

"What if I paid you double? You know I'm good for the money. You can have it upfront if you want."

Edison doesn't say anything. He just gets out of the car and leaves. What he doesn't know is that Fitz is watching from afar. He decides to put something in motion. He has to protect Olivia, and this is the only way he knows he can do that. Olivia may be angry with him, but he has to do. He makes a phone call. The other person picks up, "I'm calling in a favor," Fitz says.

Later that evening the breaking news has hit all the news outlets and sports programs about Fitz and Russell's fight in the lobby. There were so many camera angles and video audio or the argument. Fitz didn't want his face in spotlight for this reason but if he had to be, for Olivia, it was worth it.

The commentators were all weighing in that there must have been trouble in paradise for Russell and his wife. Most thought it was unfortunate with the finals coming. He had propelled the Wizards to the Finals, for the first time ever. So, in the eyes of DC fans, he could do no wrong.

Liv is in her hotel suite having dinner with Abby. Abby rushed over as soon as the news broke. "I can't believe they were going at it like two WWF fighters or something."

Liv takes a breath, "That's why I rushed downstairs. I knew it. I knew if the crossed paths again they would fight again. By the time I made it downstairs it was too late. They were already exchanging punches, and everyone was recording it."

"Fitz got a few good punches in," Abby winked.

"Abby," Liv shakes her head, "That is hardly the point. They didn't need to be fighting. It didn't do anything but bring attention to this. Now we are all over the news and everyone is speculating that when two men are seen fighting like that. It has to be a woman."

Abby laughs, "Men are fighting over you. Enjoy this moment in the spotlight."

"I wanted this divorce to go without fanfare. My bruised face is all over the news. I didn't have a chance to cover my makeup."

"Liv, he hit you and that's not okay. I am glad you are dumping his ass. Let the world see what Mr. Dribble is capable over. Maybe they'll stop kissing his ass."

"It's just…I don't know. I just wanted this to go over quietly."

"He's not going away quietly. You and I both know that" Abby reminds her. "And this hotel, what the hell?"

"I can't believe they let him up here just because of who he is. My privacy was violated because."

"Because this hotel is beautiful and luxurious piece of shit," Abby finishes.

Liv can't help but laugh. "Well, they are comping my stay for 3 months until I find my new place. I told them that Russell is allowed in any public space, but he's not allowed on my floor. They are moving me tomorrow to the penthouse suite."

"Good, that was a dick move on the bellman's part to tell him."

"I hated sending Fitz away, but it was the right thing to do. The last place he needs to be seen right now is here." Just as Liv says this her phone rings. She shakes her head. This is a conversation she doesn't want to have. Abby tilts her head as Liv answers, "Hello Dad."

Eli is surprised she answered, "Are you okay? I saw the news. We saw the news."

"I am fine. I hate that my personal drama played out in such a public way."

"I am sorry," Eli says, and Liv doesn't react. "I mean what I am saying Olivia. I am sorry for everything. I just wanted what was best for you. What I thought was good for you. That's why I pushed this marriage so hard when you said you met him. I just thought…"

"You just thought you knew what I needed more than I did."

"I'm sorry Olivia," Eli repeats.

"I love Fitz and I always have, and I can't blame you for Russell. You gave me your repeated two cents but, in the end, I made the decision. I was trying to move on with my life and I made bad choices. That's on me but you helped push me to those choices when you got together with Mr. Grant and Mellie Grant and played musical chairs with our lives," Liv says sadly but strongly.

There is a silence on the other end from Eli. Finally, he asks, "What can I do?"

"You can accept that my life is mine and whatever decision I make, including who I love, is my choice," Liv answers.

"You are right," Eli says, much to Olivia's surprise. "I am going to kick Russell's ass when I get my hands on him. He put his hands on my daughter and he doesn't get to just walk away from that."

"Dad, I don't want any fighting. I hate Fitz got involved," Liv answers.

"He loves you. You fight for who you love," Eli answers. Liv can't help but smile at the thought and the sentiment.

"Dad," she starts.

"Can you please come over for Sunday dinner this week? We can talk and…I don't know…"

Liv answers hurriedly, "I would love to."

"Your mom says she loves you and if you need anything let her know."

"I will and see you Sunday," Liv answers as they hang up and Abby has turned up the television.

"See this is the kind of shit that pisses me off," Abby says.

"What kind of shit?" Liv says as she sees the images of the fight on the screen.

"The typical ale misogyny that a woman is involved, she loves the attention. Maybe you are that kind of wife…yada yada..."

"Well, I'm not that kind of woman," Liv says.

"Yeah, but they will paint you that way because he must have found you with another man, poor Russell," Abby rolls her eyes. "I mean, are they ignoring the shiner on your eye and the bruise on your chin."

"They are going to tell whatever story sells," Liv says.

"Any story that will make Mr. Dribble look good," Abby says angrily.

They both pay more attention to the television screen listening to the commentators talk. Liv doesn't want to say it, but it does make her sick to her stomach that she's being painted as the bad guy. Liv's phone rings, she sees its Fitz and smiles, "Hi!"

"Hi," he answers. "I wish I were there with you," Fitz says.

"I wish you were here too Fitz, but this is the last place you need to be right now," she sighs. "After all, you are the guy I am probably whoring around with and how sad is that for Russell. His beautiful wife is cheating on him," Liv now rolls her eyes. She chuckles, "At least they think I'm beautiful." Abby looks on a little shocked. She knew what the outlets were saying was getting to her.

"You listen to me," Fitz says. "You will never be anyone's whore and you are very beautiful. The most beautiful woman in the world," he finishes.

"Fitz, you don't …."

"I am not saying anything that isn't true. He doesn't get to be the good guy here because he isn't."

"Hopefully this press will die over although Abby says she can tell his people are trying to spin this in his favor at my expense," Liv says.

"Yes, they are, and it makes me angry. Something needs to be done about him. "

"I need you to lay low Fitz. Don't bring anymore negative attention to yourself. This could hurt you and your business, and I don't want that."

"I don't are about that. I care about you and him hurting you. I'll be fine," Fitz says.

"Fitz you aren't listening," Liv says.

"Because no matter what you say he will kick his ass again if he needs to," Abby chimes in.

Fitz laughs heartily, "Thank you Abby."

Liv looks at Abby laughing, "Fitz says thank you and you get a raise."

"I know he didn't say that" Abby laughs.

"I didn't say that" Fitz says quickly with a laugh.

"But you meant to," Liv questions.

Fitz shakes his head. There's the girl he fell in love with. "Anything for you." Liv winks at Abby.

"My dad wants to kick his ass. Abby wants to cut his dick off and you want to fight him," Liv says. "I should be glad that you all love me so much."

"I am glad that you aren't alone tonight. If I need to put on a disguise and come there, I will."

Liv laughs, "I am fine Fitz. The hotel is being extra attentive after royally screwing this up. They are moving me to the Presidential Suite tomorrow and they are footing the bill as long as I am here, until I find my own place."

"They should have what they've done."

"Abby and I had dinner. I am going to let her go home so she can get some quality time with David. I am going to try to forget this day and try to remember what could have been this morning but was ruined," she sighs.

"This morning," Abby says.

"That, I will finish," Fitz promises.

"Wait a minute! What happened this morning?" Abby asks.

"Nothing and that's the truth," Liv smiles.

"I don't believe you, but I'll leave so you can have proper phone sex," Abby says as she puts her pumps back on.

"We are not going to have phone sex?" Liv argues.

"I was hoping we would," Fitz says. Liv immediately gets flustered.

"Oh Damn," Abby utters.

"What?" Liv says.

"Damn," Abby says again.

Liv moves around Abby to see what she's reacting to when she sees it as clear as day on the screen. It's her bruised face with a caption, "More to this story…"

"Oh my God," Liv says. "Fitz, what did you do?" She asks.

To be Continued…