xoxo
X
The anticipation is killing Cyrus as he waits patiently for Ryan's arrival. Although he's extremely excited, he still isn't sure if what is happening now is real, seeing as he never once expected Ryan to say yes.
He periodically glances out of his office window with jittery hands, unable to calm his overwhelming nerves, his foot tapping a cadence on the floor as he reverts his attention to the documents upon his desk.
He wants to get started, but he's afraid that Ryan will never show, and he'll lose his job. The more he thinks about it, the more he stresses internally. He couldn't fail Fitz, not now, not after everything they've accomplished.
Heaving a deep sigh, he picks up his phone but is interrupted by Abby entering his office.
"I've walked past your office almost a dozen times, and you haven't gotten rid of this deer in headlights look etched upon your face. Is everything okay?"
He sighs, hanging the phone up. "No, everything is not okay. What if he doesn't show, Red? I can lose my-"
"You're not going to lose your job!" She assures, closing the office door. "Why are you so nervous about this? He said yes, and he checked out perfect on paper. I don't understand."
"I want everything to go as planned, Red. With Fitz's term ending and this foundation being pivotal to his post-presidency plan, I can't let him down."
"And you won't." She takes a seat at his desk. "You contacted Ryan, and after consideration, he decided to take the job. Have some faith in yourself. You're Cyrus goddamn Beene, after all. You get things done."
He exhales heavily, nodding. "You know. Of all people, I would have never expected you to be giving me a pep talk." He chuckles.
"I'm helpful when I want to be." A smile. "So, tell me more about him. His folder was scarce. There was enough information to satisfy us but not enough to make a complete file."
"He's always been one of those people that can stay hidden unless he wanted you to find him. He's known as the Ghost of DC."
She folds her arms across her chest. "Interesting. So, why did this ghost leave?"
"No one knows." He leans over the desk. "He had it all . . . unprecedented influence and power, but he gave it all up."
"That's weird." Narrowing her gaze. "For someone to have more influence and power than the president himself, it doesn't make sense why he would give up what he worked for to disappear off the face of the earth."
"Maybe it became too much for him. You know this place can drive you insane after a while."
"True. Or maybe this was always a part of some plan."
He agrees. "You could be right, but we won't know unless he shows up."
Dressed in an Alexander McQueen "Letters from India" Print suit with white Monk-strap ankle boots and an all-white Contrast-strap leather tote from the same designer, Ryan swaggers down the main hallway of the White House towards Cyrus's office.
Faint whispers fill the atmosphere as he attracts all attention, but he remains unfazed. With his hair bouncing with each step and his hips subtly swaying from side to side, he sashays into Cyrus's office, stopping at his assistant's desk.
"Ryan Lewis here to see Cyrus Beene."
He smiles. "You can go in. Mr. Beene is expecting you."
Nodding, Ryan proceeds into the office without knocking, attracting Cyrus and Abby's attention and closing the door behind him.
"Hello, Cyrus." He folds his arms. "Long time no see."
X
Sitting in her dark apartment with a glass of wine in her hand, Olivia relishes the moment of successfully getting the senators to change their votes. Although she used unethical methods, she's proud of herself and even prouder of the power she holds. And the looks on their faces when they realized she won? Priceless. Olivia is a force to be reckoned with, and she is Command.
She smiles, knowing that she'll be unstoppable with B613 on her side and that the White House will come easy. She can taste it, the power of the seal in the Oval Office, and the authority to have immeasurable influence over the American people. All she must do is make sure things go accordingly because this is her last chance, her last chance to prove herself to be a worthy adversary.
A knock at her door attracts her attention as she takes a sip of wine. Setting her glass down on the table, she springs up from the couch and makes her way over to the door glancing through the peephole before opening it.
Confusion. "Dad? What are you doing here?"
"I was hoping we could talk." He raises the bottle of wine in his hand. "I brought your favorite."
She hesitates, studying his calm demeanor, unable to gauge his mindset.
"Two minutes." She walks back into her apartment and returns to her seat on the couch as he follows behind, closing the door behind him.
She focuses on Eli, watching him take a seat across from her, setting the bottle on the table beside him.
"You've been busy."
"Why are you here?" She asks, wanting to get straight to the point.
"I'm here because you're playing with fire."
"What I do is none of your-"
"It is my business, Olivia. B613 is still mine, and you are using it to propel your candidate Mellie to the forefront for what? Because you want to win? Because you wantpower? Because you want to make up for all your shortcomings after your relationship with the president failed? What reasoning do you have for continuing down this road?"
She dismisses him with a chuckle, staring a hole through him.
"There are three extremely wrong and insulting things about your presence here in my apartment." Moving to her feet and walking towards the door.
"Number one, you are no longer command, and I've ensured that. You are Eli Pope, sometimes the father of me, Olivia Pope, who spends more time catering to his bones than he does his daughter. Number two, what I choose to do while being Command is none of your damn business."
She opens the door, "Three, mentioning a man that I left in hopes of appealing to my moral compass doesn't work anymore,and the fact thatyou would ever ask me that when you never wanted me with him in the first place, is beneath you." She stings, turning to face him. "So, you can go now, or I can have my friends on the rooftop across the street kill you. The choice is yours."
He stares at her, unable to see who she is now. She's no longer the Olivia he knows but someone much more menacing, and it's his fault. His constant pushing pushed her to be better and forced her to the dark side, and she's beyond content.
Eli fixes himself up as he rises to his feet and heads toward the door, focusing on Olivia. He smiles, placing a hand on her face when he reaches the door.
"You may think this is what you want, but everything at the top will eventually crumble."
She smiles. "It was great seeing you, dad."
"And it was nice to meet you, Command." He departs, disappearing onto the elevator.
X
"You're out of your mind, Jake. She's not going to listen to us." Quinn explains from behind her desk. "The moment she left OPA, she left behind the white hat. She doesn't care about anything other than her agenda."
"Her agenda is flawed, Quinn." He retorts. "You and I both know that."
"So what? You came here to tell me that I should talk to her before things get out of hand?" A chuckle, interlacing her fingers. "She has everything she ever wanted: something and someone to control and power. Things are already out of hand, and didn't you help her?"
"That's not the point!" He exclaims. "The point is that if we don't reel her back in, we'll lose her."
"Like you genuinely care about losing her." She retorts with sarcasm. "You have her exactly where you want her. To yourself."
He scoffs, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Fine. Don't help me. But when this all blows over, don't say I didn't come to you for help." Rising to his feet, he departs from Quinn's office.
"When this all blows over, it'll be you and her living in your fantasy-filled world while the rest of us continue with our lives!" She huffs, stopping him in his tracks.
"We're not to blame for her actions, Jake! She made that very clear when she betrayed everyone in her life, including you and her next subject. You, her, and B613 can all go to hell for all I care."
Jake doesn't respond, for Quinn's right.
"See you later, Quinn." He departs as Huck walks into the office.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine, Huck. It's just Jake crying about Olivia. Nothing we haven't heard before."
"Do you think she changed?"
"Until she explains to us her reasoning for using us as stepping stones only to ostracize and throw us under the bus . . . no. Besides, she seems much happier being Command."
"Do you think she'll come back? The old Liv."
She scoffs. "Yeah, right. Maybe when pigs fly."
X
Making his way to the Oval Office posthaste, Cyrus smiles confidently to himself as he greets some of the personnel like a proud parent. He did it. He got Ryan Lewis to come to the White House, which feels good.
After the very brief meeting with Ryan and Abby, Cyrus decided to head to the Oval ahead of time to inform Fitz that he got the job done and there was no need to fire him, leaving Abby and Ryan in his office.
Knocking on the door, he enters shortly, attracting Fitz's attention.
"Cyrus, I hope you've come bearing good news." He smiles, signing off on a few documents.
"I do, sir." He nods, a warm smile on his face. "Ryan Lewis is here in my office with Abby. He doesn't like his time wasted, so whatever you do, get straight to-"
Fitz holds up a hand to stop him. "I know what to do. I read up on his file. I know he means business."
"You're right, sir. Sorry, sir." He exhales softly.
Noticing Cyrus's uneasiness, Fitz rises to his feet and walks over to him.
"Relax." Placing his hands on his shoulders. "You did good, your job is safe, and I would never fire you. I just wanted to see if you'd accomplish the task."
Cyrus chuckles. "Right. So, should I go and get him?"
"I'll call Abby and have her bring him. On the other hand, you should take a seat and have some scotch." He smiles, proceeding to his desk while Cyrus helps himself to a glass.
"Thank you, sir."
"Of course." He nods, picking up the phone and dialing up Abby. It rings a few times before she answers.
"Yes, Mr. President?"
"I need you and Ryan to come to my office."
"On our way, sir."
"Perfect." He hangs up the phone. "Few minutes. I hope he's just as qualified in person as on paper."
Cyrus smiles. "Trust me, sir. You'll like him." He takes a seat in the chair closest to the door.
Making their way to the Oval Office, Abby walks alongside Ryan with an awkward smile on her face, not knowing how to strike up a conversation with him without Cyrus around, which he instantly notices.
A chuckle, folding his arms. "I don't bite. What's on your mind?"
She clears her throat, Smiling shortly after. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." He assures.
"I just wanted to know why you left DC before? You disappeared from the face of the earth, it seemed, and now you're back like you never left."
"I left because it was too much, and I needed to escape."
She glances over at him. "What became too much?"
"The power."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I only ask because not all power is bad."
"Both. It was bad because I felt myself becoming someone I didn't like. It was good because I know I made a difference when I was here."
"I'd have to agree." She smiles. "Based on your very scarce file, you've done amazing work here, and honestly, it's good you left when you did. Not many people would have the guts to let it all go."
"Exactly." Stopping in front of the Oval Office, facing Abby. "Thank you, Abby, and I must say that you've done good work yourself. Chief of Staff isn't a job most can handle, but you handle it with poise and grace."
"Thank you." She smiles. "There was a time where I crashed and burned because I was very new to this, and the power was nice . . . different, and I lost myself, but President Grant gave me another shot, and ever since then, I've been keeping my head above the water."
A nod. "Some advice. Power doesn't come from the machine. It comes from you. Take a break whenever you can't breathe. No matter if it's for a minute, an hour, or a few days. Take a break so that you can refocus and recalibrate yourself."
She nods to his words, never expecting him to be so open and willing to have a conversation. But he is, and that's a plus in her book. Opening the door, she enters the office, attracting Fitz, Cyrus, and Fitz's secret serviceman's attention.
"Mr. President, Ryan Lewis is here to see you."
Both Fitz and Cyrus rise to their feet as Ryan walks into the office. He smiles as his gaze drifts around the Oval, never once being inside it. He shakes Cyrus's hand with a pleased hum and proceeds to Fitz.
"Thank you for having me, Mr. President." He extends a hand, glancing over at the quiet secret serviceman, then at Fitz.
"The pleasure is all mine." He smiles, shaking his hand. "This is Danny. He's my number one protector. We were just finishing up here."
"Protector." Cyrus laughs.
Ryan smiles, extending a hand toward him. "Nice to meet you, Danny."
He shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Lewis."
He winces. "Please, call me Ryan. Mr. Lewis makes me sound like a school teacher."
"I'll make sure I keep that in mind." He grins.
"Perfect." A nod, finally letting his hand go after realizing they've been shaking hands for almost a minute.
Turning to Fitz. "So, can I sit?"
"Please do," Fitz answers, motioning a hand towards the couch. "And Danny, you're free to go. Thank you for coming."
"Of course, Mr. President. I'll be right outside the door if you need me." He proceeds to the exit, smiling at Ryan as he departs from the office.
Ryan smiles as he moves to the couch, setting his bag on the table before taking his seat, crossing his legs. Abby closes the door and sits next to Ryan while Fitz sits across from him next to Cyrus.
"So, Mr. President," Ryan leans forward. "Why am I here?"
X
After the conversation between Olivia and Eli ended, Olivia received a call from Mellie summoning her to the office as soon as possible, and she obliged. She knocks on the door and enters, setting her white bag on the chair.
"What's wrong?"
Mellie exhales, pacing back and forth. "You haven't heard?"
"Heard what?" She inquires, eyes following her.
"The three senators you convinced to switch their votes are dead, Liv. Someone killed them. So now, I am short three votes. Campaigning is also on hold until they figure it out."
Defeat. "Are there any leads?"
"As far as I know . . . none."
"This can't be happening right now. This setback can ruin everything we've worked for, and I won't allow it."
"What do you suggest we do, Liv? Run over to the crime scene and plead our case as to why they should allow us to continue? No."
She has an idea. "Do you think Fitz would do you a favor?"
Confusion. "Are you serious? Three people died, and your concern is this god-forsaken piece of shit campaign? No! I don't think Fitz would do me a favor, Olivia. Show some sympathy."
Fine. "You didn't hire me to show sympathy. You hired me to get you into the Oval Office no matter what. So, since you don't want to play nice, I'll get to the bottom myself." She grabs her bag and exits the office.
Reaching into her bag as she walks hastily down the hallway, she pulls out her phone and dials Jake. It rings a few times before he answers.
"Liv?"
"I need you to find out who murdered those senators. Also, I need you to get me into the White House. I have a plan."
X
Laughter fills the Oval Office as Fitz, Cyrus, Abby, and Ryan engage in small talk.
"So, as you can see, Ryan, my presidency was a complete wreck, but now I'm trying to do better."
"That's all you can do." He smiles. "I haven't heard anything negative regarding the Grant Administration in some time, so that's a plus if I'm going to be helping you work on your foundation."
"I'd love to have you on board. You seem-"
"Normal?"
"That." He chuckles. "And human."
"I have my moments." He laughs, causing everyone else to laugh too.
"We all do," Abby agrees.
"So, what do you say? Will you do us the honor of joining my administration? I would appreciate the help. We could make a good team with your vast influence and my available resources."
While Fitz waits for an answer, Ryan's gaze drifts around the room, taking notice of everyone's smiles. He could sense their want for him, and to be quite honest; it didn't seem like a bad idea.
Leaning forward, he grabs the pen from the table and signs his name on the dotted lines of each page, sliding the folder over to Fitz.
"Well, Mr. President. It looks like you'll be seeing much more of me."
Finally, Fitz can breathe, grinning as he picks up the folder, handing it to Cyrus.
"Get these processed immediately." He orders, reverting his attention to Ryan. "Welcome to the Grant Administration, Ryan." He rises to his feet, extending a hand.
A smile, moving to his feet and shaking Fitz's hand. "Happy to be a part of something good."
"Hopefully, we can make the world a better-"
Charlotte opens the door, and the indifference is evident.
"Mr. President, Olivia Pope is here to see you."
Abby's irritated. "Wasn't she prohibited from these grounds?"
Cyrus chuckles. "You know Olivia has always been a conniving woman."
"How unfortunate." She folds her arms.
"Send her in, Charlotte." Fitz motions a nod.
"Do you want us to leave, Mr. President?" Ryan asks, grabbing his bag from the table.
"No. Stay." Focusing his attention on Olivia, who slowly enters the office, noticing all eyes on her.
Her heart is beating out of her chest, losing herself in Fitz's cerulean stare.
"Hi."
"How may I help you, Ms. Pope?" He asks, wanting to get straight to the point.
"Right." An exhale. "Three senators have been pronounced dead, and with that, there's no possible way to campaign until they figure out who did it, so I was wondering if-"
"There have been no reports of any murders, Ms. Pope. If there was, I would be the first to know."
"Mellie told me that-"
"Wait." Abby scoffs. "You came all the way here to ask for a favor after everything you did to not only Fitz but Cyrus and me? You could've just called and got rejected."
Olivia scoffs. "I didn't have time to call. I-"
"You didn't have time to call, but you had time to show up here unannounced when you are prohibited from the White House unless you somehow forgot."
"Abby." She turns to face her. "I wouldn't have come if it weren't serious."
"That's a lie, and you know it."
"Red does have a point, Liv," Cyrus adds. "And as much as I would love to see you two ladies indulge in a catfight, I have to go do my job." He glances over at Fitz.
"I'll have this processed for you within the hour, Mr. President."
Fitz nods as Cyrus exits, reverting his attention to Olivia, who stands with quivering lips.
He's curious. "How did you get in here, Olivia?"
"What?" She clears her throat, focusing on Ryan, who remains silent.
"How did you get into the White House? You aren't permitted on these grounds anymore."
Her eyes meet Fitz's. "I-"
"She used B613," Abby informs. "It's the only logical explanation."
"I did what I had to do due to the circumstances!" She retorts.
She doesn't believe it. "Classic Olivia Pope. Do you realize that you are not above the law, or are you too dense to see?"
"What was I supposed to do?!" She exclaims, stepping closer to Abby.
"Fact check is number one on the list." Ryan exhales. "This whole dispute is none of my business, but-"
"You're right. It's none of your business." Olivia retorts, gaze fixed on him.
"As I was saying." He continues. "This dispute is none of my business, but mass murders are usually on the news, not to mention the president would've been the first to hear it. I mean, c'mon. Three important white men murdered didn't make any noise, and you still ran with it."
"I know why she ran with it," Abby adds.
Olivia scoffs at Abby's comment. "You don't know me." She moves over to Ryan. "So, I would advise you to-"
"Listen, Ms. Pope. Threatening me doesn't change the fact that youmade a misstep. Whatever your reasoning is isn't of my concern; however, judging by everyone else's uneasy demeanor when you arrived and your interesting dialogue exchange, I'd say you're completely out of your element and out of pocket."
She's furious. No one believes her, and it's all her fault. She doesn't dignify Ryan's words with a response because she doesn't know him or care about him enough to engage further. However, he's right.
Reverting her attention to Fitz, she gazes into his eyes, trying to find some connection she can latch onto, but there's nothing but a hollow vessel that used to look at her as if she were his world.
"Fitz I-"
Her phone rings interrupting her train of thought. Turning away from Ryan, she quickly answers it.
"Please tell me you have something."
"There have been no reports of any murders regarding those senators, Liv. It was a trick to buy them some time."
"That's fine. Release everything we have to the public, and make sure we secure those votes." She ends the call, heaving a soft sigh.
"There were no murders. It was a ploy against Mellie Mellie. I'm sorry." She turns to face Fitz.
"So am I." He smiles as Danny enters the office. "Would you please escort Ms. Pope out of the White House and get me the head of security on the line. We need to make sure this doesn't happen again."
"Will do, sir." A nod. "Right this way, Ms. Pope."
Knowing her plan didn't work, Olivia exits the office with Danny following suit.
"Thank you, Abby and Ryan. I'm so sorry you had to witness that." And he is. "I hope you don't change your mind."
"Nonsense." Ryan smiles. "I like it here. It's like a soap opera that pays well."
Both Fitz and Abby laugh.
"Does that mean you're still on board?" She asks. "I'm sure there will be plenty more where that came from."
He nods. "Of course."
"Good." Fitz makes his way behind his desk, taking his seat. "You and Abby get to work while I get these idiots on the line."
"Will do, Mr. President." They respond simultaneously, exiting the office.
X
Every major network is spinning the information Olivia leaked to the press regarding the three senators, exposing their dirty little secrets to the world. On top of that, she secured the votes for Mellie, which means they can continue down their road to the White House.
Dressed in an all-Black trench coat with black pumps, she walks down a dimly lit hallway to an unknown destination. After seeing Fitz, something inside her reawakens, and since she can't have him, she'll take what she can to fill that empty void inside her. A void only Fitz can fill.
Approaching the door at the end of the hall, she exhales as she knocks. A few seconds go by before the door opens.
"Liv?" Jake's taken aback. "What are you doing here?"
"I was hoping you and I could . . . celebrate." She smiles, slowly untying her coat and opening it, revealing her lovely, supple, perky breasts, petite yet curvy frame, and a black thong that hugs her perfectly.
"Unless you're too busy."
He swallows hard, examining her body and feeling himself hardening at her sight.
"I'm not busy at all. You're more than welcome t-"
Not wanting to waste any more time, she kisses him; however, there's no passion behind it. This colliding of the two is simply a fix for Olivia, something to take her mind off the man she desires the most, the man who makes her insides tremble with pleasure, the man who knows her inside and out.
In a hasty motion, Jake wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her into his apartment, not once breaking the kiss as she closes the door behind them.
X
"So, how was your first half day today?" Abby asks, organizing a few folders for tomorrow on her desk. "I hope you don't think we often deal with affairs like that."
Ryan chuckles, crossing his legs. "I thought it was pretty eventful. I didn't mind the banter either."
"You must be used to it . . . with all the experience you have."
"You could say that. It's hard to escape it sometimes in this line of work. Interpersonal relationships are usually unavoidable."
She chuckles, leaning over the desk. "Have you ever had an interpersonal relationship with someone before? I apologize if that's too much to ask."
"It's okay." He assures, "but no, I haven't. It complicates things. However, I wouldn't push it away if I fell for someone, for love is a necessity in anyone's world."
"That's true." She smiles, nodding. "I find myself struggling with that."
He raises a brow. "Dating someone?"
"Kind of but not really." She huffs. "It's a long story."
"Well, maybe we can talk about it over drinks one day." He rises to his feet, grabbing his bag off the desk.
"I would like that." She smiles. "Is it weird that I like you already?"
"I think it would be weird if you didn't like me." He laughs. "I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Sounds good. Have a good night."
"You too." He smiles, exiting the office.
As he proceeds down the empty hallway, checking the time on his watch, he bumps into Danny, who's busy securing the inside perimeter.
"Oh, hi there." Danny smiles. "Ryan, right?"
"Good memory." He folds his arms across his chest. "Are you always here this late?"
"I am. With President Grant living here, he sometimes works through the night, so I tend to keep an eye on him and the perimeter."
"And do you like your job?"
"I do." A nod. "He's such a kind soul, always wants to do the right thing."
"I've noticed."
Danny smiles, tucking his hands in his pockets. He doesn't know what it is, but he's been dying to Ryan alone, even for a moment.
"Do you like it here so far?"
"I do. It's very lively." He smiles. "I like the energy this place, and the people exude."
"Just don't let it get to your head. Many people come here just like you and crave more than they can handle."
"You've seen a lot?" He inquires.
He chuckles. "You have no idea."
"Well, to ease your little heart, I'm not easily influenced by anything or anyone." He informs. "The last thing I want or need is to become a political zombie."
"Good." He smiles. "I must admit, you bring an energy that's been missing for months now, and I'd hate for it to dissipate, especially because people like you already."
Ryan smiles, listening. He takes a quick moment to admire his features, although he shouldn't. He's, without a doubt, handsome. There's a softness in his grey eyes and warmth upon his creamy beige skin. This jawline is perfectly angled and square, complemented by his closely trimmed beard and short brown hair.
When he realizes he's been staring for some time, he clears his throat, leans against the wall to his right, and pretends that moment never happened.
"I won't let anyone down. It's not in my character." He smiles, opting out of his question, "but thank you."
"I get that vibe from you." A smile. "And you're welcome."
Ryan opens his mouth to speak with parted lips, but nothing comes out. Something magnetic about Danny leaves him speechless, and this never happens. He exhales without the right words and stands up straight, pulling his car keys from his blazer pocket.
"I should get going. I have work to do, and so do you."
Danny nods. "Of course. I can walk you out if you-"
"Thank you, but I can take care of myself." True. "Besides, you have the whole White House to cover, and I've already taken up too much of your time."
"I understand, and if it's any consolation . . . I can say that this brief conversation has been the highlight of my day." He smiles, sincerity clear in his voice.
"I'm glad I could help." He smiles, walking past him towards the exit. "You have a good night."
He turns to watch him walk away, a soft smile on his face. "You too."
X
After a less than stellar, lackluster release, Olivia returns to her apartment, choosing not to stick around. Heaving a weak sigh, she reaches into her coat pocket and pulls out her keys, shaking her head in disgust as she unlocks the door and heads inside.
Tossing her keys into the glass bowl atop the coffee table, she kicks the door closed behind her while stepping out of her heels. However, before she can end her night with a much-needed shower, a strange feeling takes over her; the feeling of being watched.
"You can come out now." Aware, gaze drifting around her dark apartment illuminated by the moonlight peeking through the windows.
From the kitchen, Huck walks out, keeping himself somewhat hidden due to the snipers across the street from the apartment.
"Hi, Liv."
"Huck? What are you doing here?" She asks, reaching to turn on the light.
"Leave it off." His words stop her. "You and I both know the moment you turn on the lights . . . I'm dead."
"Huck, they wouldn't-"
"You're command now, and they'll protect you however they see fit."
"They wouldn't kill you because you're not a threat. I told you I'm running B613 my way."
"Your way or his?"
She folds her arms across her chest, focusing on his silhouette. "Whose?"
"Rowan's."
"Huck, I'm nothing like my father."
He doesn't respond.
"Huck, you have to understand that. My father used B613 and ruined all of us. I-"
"You did the same thing." He retorts. "You ruined us."
His statement sends an unnerving chill down her spine.
"I didn't." A lie she's become accustomed to telling. "I did what I had to do so I wouldn't lose! I lost everything in the blink of an eye, but now I have a shot, a real shot at doing things my way." Stepping forward.
"And I'll be damned if I let anyone stand in the way of that."
He cautiously steps closer to her, realizing that the woman in front of him is no longer the Olivia Pope that saved him but the Olivia Pope Rowan has always wanted.
"How does it feel?" He wonders.
"How does what feel?"
"How does it feel now that your monster's back?"