"I'll go out for a bit and give you some time alone with your dad. He probably doesn't even know you're seeing someone."

During their morning coffee, Fitz talked with Olivia about her father coming into town. Unsure of how long the man was staying, Fitz wanted to give her some time alone with him, maybe see why he was even coming to D.C. Olivia had been dreading the visit all week since she found his postcard. He wants money, that's what he always wants. Or he's in trouble again and someone's looking for him.

"Are you chicken of meeting him?" Liv laughed lightly kicking Fitz's leg on the couch. "You said yourself you would have to meet my parents at some point. Or is today just not convenient?"

"I will meet your parents whenever you want. But I'd like it to be on your terms. Are you ready for me to meet him? I'm not going to pressure you into this. Just like I hope you wouldn't pressure me into meeting my mother."

Tilting her head, curious what he meant. "I thought your mom was going to love me. If only because I'm not Mellie. Do you not want me to meet her?"

"Of course, I want you to meet her. I think we're getting off topic here. We're talking about you and your dad. Fathers can be tricky when their daughters bring home new boyfriends. I don't know if I'm going to be walking into a minefield or open arms. What did your dad think of Stephen? Did he like him?"

Olivia laughed and finished her coffee before setting the cup on the table. "That's completely different. Dad met him maybe twice. And Stephen was only a few years older than me. You are twice mine. And yes, before you ask or even think it, we all already know that I have Daddy issues," Liv told him with an eye roll. "Just add that to the list of issues for Verna and me to discuss. I think I can single handedly pay for the wedding with my therapy bills."

"I have just as many daddy issues as you do, maybe more. But I don't care about those issues, Livie. You can address them if and when you want to with whoever you want. Whether it be Verna or your dad or someone else completely. So, I'm going to head out to the gym for a few hours and work out some rage in the ring after I go deal with my divorce paperwork in the office. Call me if you need me though, ok?" Fitz bent to kiss her lips.

"I will." Giving him a small kiss before he headed to the door. "Love you. Bring wine home," she yelled after him.

"Love you too."

Flipping through a few reports, Olivia allowed herself time to focus on her work while waiting for Eli to show up. Four years had passed since she saw him last. Five years would have had it not been for Stephen's funeral. The last time he showed up at her door was only because he needed $40,000 to pay off his gambling debts or he'd lose his leg. Lucky for Eli, his daughter was forgiving. At least to him. This better not be another gambling problem. I won't give him more money. I won't be the enabler. The gambling has to stop. Rehab? Maybe that might work this time? Right, like it helped the last two times. Typing up her monthly report for Fitz to give the partners, her mind finally wandered back to what she should have been doing when the buzzer went off.

"Yes?"

"Olivia, are you letting me in or coming down?"

"Come on up, dad."

Waiting in the doorway for him, staring at the elevator door down the hallway, she wasn't sure how he would look. What do you say to someone you haven't seen in four years? Or even talked to?

Stepping off the elevator, Eli took one look at his daughter before a big smile appeared on his face. "There's my girl! How are you, Olivia?" he hugged her tight before walking into the apartment.

"I'm great, doing great. How are you? How's Vegas?" she asked closing the door and heading to the living room couch.

"Good, Vegas is good. Lively as it always is. Never a dull moment in that city. Which is why I'm leaving it."

"Hold it, wait! What? You are leaving Vegas? You? The gambling demon is leaving Sin City? I'm dreaming, right?"

Taking the seat on the other side of the couch, Eli laughed seeing her stunned expression. "Surprising, I know. I actually haven't gambled in two years. Set myself on the straight and narrow path," he smiled. "I got all my debts paid off, got myself a job at the Mafia Museum, saved up some more money and now I'm moving away from it. I need a fresh start. Something to look forward to."

"And picking up everything you love and moving somewhere else is going to help you? I guess that could work. Where are you moving to?"

"That I don't know."

Olivia rolled her eyes at him. "So, another half plan. Some idea you get in your head and call it a plan, but you don't actually look at the big picture of it all. If you haven't gambled in two years, wouldn't you want to find some place that doesn't have the temptations of it? Somewhere that isn't Atlantic City or similar? Some place that has things you could enjoy? Miami sounds like a great place to retire; everyone is going there after a certain age."

"Why do you assume that I don't think about it?" Eli asked, shaking his head. "That's so typical of you. You believe that everyone is just a spur of the moment person, consequences be damned." Getting up, Olivia headed towards the kitchen, and he followed. "Can't you see anything good? You don't always need to go to the worst-case scenario."

"Because that's how I was raised! That's what was always drilled into me for years! Assume the worst. Think of the worst-case scenario because whatever happens that isn't that idea is better. Assume the worst and you'll never be disappointed. That's what you taught me. That's what you and every boarding school I was sent to taught me. Guess what? It worked! Assume the worst, prepare for the worst, give everything you have for something better, take no prisoners. Every man for himself, remember?"

Holding the counter across from her, Eli looked down nodding his head. "I didn't come here to fight with you, Olivia. And I didn't come here for you to attempt to degrade me either."

"Then why did you come here?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I guess to repair the damage I've done to you. To step up and be the father I was supposed to be all along. I wasn't there when Maya left you, us. I wasn't there when you were growing up. I wasn't there when you were dating Edison. And I definitely wasn't there when Stephen was murdered. I can't make up for that time. I don't want too either."

"Very reassuring, thank you," her voice dripping with the sarcasm she tried to hold back.

"Everything that you have, that you've done is what you've earned. No one handed you anything. Except the bank account but that wasn't me." Eli held up his hands surrendering. "I gave you nothing but name. You are you because you decided to be this person. I want to be better. I want to have you back in my life, more than just the occasional visits or phone calls. Olivia, there has to be a way for us to become family again."

Crossing her arms, Liv looked at him, almost through him. Something is up. He's never wanted any kind of relationship with me before. This is part of the game. He's trying to win me over before he asks for something. "You just all the sudden want to play the dad role again? It's been twenty years since you played that role and now you want it back. What's the angle here? Do you want money? Do you want to stay at one of the other houses?"

Eli stared at her, attempting to figure her out. The last time they had spoken, she wasn't this fierce. She would cave in just to get him out of the city, anything to get him away from her. This time it didn't seem like she was backing down. But this time was different. He only came to see her. Eli was not going to ask for anything but a second chance. "You're guarded and I somewhat understand that. To a point, I get that. But I honestly don't want anything from you, Olivia. I came to see how you were. I had an interview at the Smithsonian and wanted to see you. Is that such a crime? I can't just come say hello to my daughter?"

"You had an interview here in D.C. and think you might be moving here. You could have started with that."

"Livie, I'm back!" Liv stepped towards the front door to greet him and warn him that Eli was still there, but Fitz had already seen him. "Oh, sorry," Fitz apologized and went to the kitchen handing her the bottle of wine. "I'll come back later. Call me," he told her and kissed her temple.

Gripping his wrist, Olivia shook her head holding him there. "No, I want you to stay. It's your home too." Feeling him squeeze her hand, he nodded his agreement. "Dad, this is Fitz. Fitz, dad, or Eli."

"Fitz Grant, nice to meet you, Mr. Pope," he introduced himself more formally sticking out his hand to shake Eli's.

"Eli please, didn't we meet at Stephen's funeral? You're Olivia's professor, right?"

"No, that's Jerry, dad," Liv corrected him. "Fitz's is Jerry's son. And my boss, and my boyfriend. And yes I know that sounds really bad, but we don't care."

Shaking his head, Eli smiled at her. "Not at all, Olivia. Dating your high school science teacher, now that was bad. This one is more reasonable."

"You dated your teacher?"

"He wasn't my teacher at the time. And he was 23. That was a million years ago anyway. Can we please drop that?" Uncorking the bottle of wine, Liv poured herself a big glass and drank.

"Cyrus didn't tell me you were dating anyone. Did you ask him not to?"

"No, I don't ask Cyrus to hide things. Maybe you just didn't ask how I was."

Sensing a bit of tension between the two, Fitz tried to think of a way to get them away from each other for a few minutes of breather. "When did you eat last?" Fitz asked her, giving his full attention to Olivia and the glass in her hand.

"Breakfast with you."

"Olivia, breakfast is typically a morning meal. It's nearly 8 in the evening. How do you always forget to eat?" Eli laughed but stopped immediately when he saw the look Fitz gave him.

"Go change and I'll take you and your dad to dinner. And don't argue with me please, I'm starving too." Waiting for Olivia to go to the bedroom, Fitz heard the door close behind her and faced Eli. "I know it's not my place to say anything. And you don't know me, nor I know you. But I know Livie as much as I can and bringing her out of the broken shell that she's been trapped in is not an easy task. I admit I know very little about your relationship with her, but I do know that the postcard you sent her had her wanting to get on a plane. She doesn't get on planes or take a vacation. So, whatever damage you have done to her, let's keep this visit minimal and give her time to find her footing again, okay?"

Eli couldn't hide the look of annoyance on his face. "You're right, you know nothing about my relationship with my daughter. Maybe you do know her better than I do, most everyone does and she's a secretive girl. But I'm not going anywhere this time. I've just told her that. I'm possibly moving to the city and want to be part of her life. Now, if you love her like it looks likes you do, you will help her adjust to the transition of having a parent again. An actual parent. Not Cyrus."

"For her sake, you better make it worth it. There's enough pieces to be picked up in this jigsaw puzzle that is Olivia Pope."