A/N: I cannot thank all the readers enough who have gone the extra time and left reviews. The next update will be within the next few days. Enjoy and happy reading. Please, if you have the time, keep the reviews coming.

Chapter 7—Getting There

Fitz

Fitz was unable to attend the funeral of Mellie's father. Although he had known the family for a few years, Fitz was heavy on the campaign trail and Mr. Sinclair had sadly passed away just two weeks before the election.

Fitz's numbers were back up in the polls, having cleared some issues confusing the voters. His biggest explanation was why he was yet to be married. He wouldn't be lying if he said the stroke had an impact on his and Mellie's relationship, leaving the door opened that the marriage may not happen at all.

Since he last saw Olivia exiting the courthouse that May morning after Jake's hearing, Fitz never could get her out of his mind. He longed for her touch every day. He longed to touch her every day. He wondered what she was doing now. Was she free from the fear of Putney?

It was hard to even look at Mellie, never mind touch her. Mellie knew from the moment they finally had time alone. It was useless, and Fitz was feeling guilty being so cold to her. Being away from Olivia, not even talking to her was taking its toll on him. Ever since that weekend with Olivia, Mellie knew something was different, and they had grown more apart than they ever were.

Fitz tried to call, tried to get in contact with Olivia. He had called, two weeks after he last saw her, he called the law firm. Mr. Flannery was connected immediately to Fitz, knowing him as the next Governor of California. Flannery needed a politician like him on their side.

"Mr. Grant, soon to be Governor Grant, so good to hear from you. What can I do for you?"

"Thank you, Flannery, likewise. I was hoping to speak to a Ms. Olivia Pope. I believe she represented Jake Ballard a few weeks ago here in Oakland. I had some questions for her about the hearing. I was in the courtroom, and I must admit she was something else."

Mr. Flannery nodded, although Fitz couldn't see that. He also clenched his fist. It still pained him that Olivia had quit the job. He pushed her too far and no amount of money was going to keep her on to represent Jake.

"Ah, yes, she was one of my best attorneys. She was junior partner, sure she would make partner easily in two years, but you can't keep them all happy."

"Meaning?" Fitz squinted, not ready for the news.

"She quit Mr. Grant. I have no means of getting a hold of her, she is very private. Her best friend was murdered, allegedly may I add, several weeks ago, and Olivia has never been the same. I am in need of some of her advice regarding the trial for February, but it's like she's fallen off the face of the Earth."

"I understand, thank you Mr. Flannery." This had been Fitz's last way to get a hold of Olivia. He had run out of options. He just hoped she was safe, and Chip didn't get to her in any way. It pained him not knowing.

"Is there anything else I can do for you? Mr. Peters assures me you are the best for the job of Governor, I look forward to hearing the things you do for the great state of California."

"There is one thing, stop defending domestic abusers like Jake. Stop accepting money from alleged criminals like Charles Putney. If I could disown Putney, you should do the same. I look forward to the day I hear from Mr. Peters out here telling me Jake is no longer represented by your firm. Have a good day, and thank you." Fitz hung up quickly.

When Fitz received the news of Boozer's demise, Fitz realized it had to be from the CIA operative Liv had as her best friend. He believes his name was Huck. If Huck was who she said he was, he would have no problem hiding Liv.

Big Gerry had also confronted Fitz about Olivia Pope. After Liv walked away in the courthouse, Big Gerry turned to Fitz. "Son, tell me it isn't true."

"And if it is, dad, what are you going to do about it?" Fitz just turned and walked away. He wasn't naïve enough to think his father would let this go, and the last thing he wanted for Liv was more drama in her life. Maybe it was best he never saw her again.

He really didn't want to know what his father would do about it; he could only imagine. It was better that Liv was in hiding. No wedding, no wife, and his son having somewhat of an affair, goodness knows how that could drive Gerry off the deep end.

Two weeks now into being Governor of California, Fitz was making sweeping changes that had the whole state in shock. He was a young Republican governor and he had standards that did not go well with your traditional Republican standards, especially his father's.

Fitz had made a full payment for raises to go through for state workers, he had raised the minimum wage to the highest in the country, and he had secured funds for pharmaceutical companies to pay for low-income families not able to afford healthcare and medication.

Having the state government in line with him, this was a win, win for the bipartisan laws of the state. Everyone seemed to be on board, except the older Republicans trying hard to hold out, but they were in the minority, finally.

His father had come to the Governor's mansion on a break from the Senate. They had a very heated discussion in Fitz's office.

"You are going to learn, I am your son, not your robot, you do not own me, you do not control me. I make the executive decisions in this state, you used to make them. If I am changing laws that aged when you aged, you deal with it, but you can't change it."

"Do you know how many donors you are losing? You lost the Putney money during the campaign. For God's sake, Fitz, that was 10 million dollars just for that campaign alone."

"Best 10 million I ever lost. I'd lose 10 million more if I needed to, I don't need criminal money. Any word on Chip's trial?"

"Things like that shouldn't concern you, it's not your state. Focus on California." Gerry pointed at him.

"Stop pointing at me like I am a child. I am focused on the state, that's how this started, remember? And Mellie?" Fitz hit a nerve

"What about Mellie? She's given up on a wedding date."

"Good, because there isn't going to be one. Mellie can't have children. When were you going to tell me that? Oh, you thought I didn't know?" Fitz coldly stared at Gerry.

"You can always adopt, son, there's no shame in that." Gerry answered back.

"Let's not forget the fact that I don't love her, and she doesn't love me, she's in it for one thing, the name, and with the name comes the power, so no, the wedding is off. You talked me into having her at the inauguration, that's as far as it goes."

"You're not thinking this through, you haven't been thinking anything through since that damn weekend. Marry and adopt, all the rest will fall into place."

"You had love with mom, Dad, why can't I have that? There's someone out there for me, let me find her. As much as I wouldn't mind adopting, I would like to have a chance to have my own, you know that can't happen with Mellie, despite you hiding it from me. Now, if you will excuse me."

"I won't excuse you. I am not leaving until you talk to me about these changes you're making and how the hell you found out about Mellie."

"Don't worry about that and hope you don't hold out anything else. You want to continue to be in my life, you stop hiding things from me." Fitz was so disgusted, and frustrated, he had to go.

Fitz dropped his pen. He stood up. He didn't have time for this. He walked out of the office. He took a few turns down some halls of the mansion, the whole place bringing back memories of his mother. He turned right into a guide tour, knocking her over, and apologizing over again.

The rest of the tour were all snapping pictures, and Fitz could imagine how red his face was with embarrassment. The guide assured him she was fine, no need to apologize and Fitz agreed to take pictures with the all the people on the tour.

One face stood out to him, and Vivian couldn't believe her plan had worked. Her last resort was to book a tour of the mansion and hopefully see him from afar and call his name, hoping he would recognize her. This was even better.

As the rest of the people were walking away checking their phones, looking at the pictures with the newly elected governor, Fitz stopped her. "Vivian, from Oakland, bringer of food and scotch. How are you?"

"I'm good, Governor, and congratulations."

"No, it was all you, you voted for me, despite my love life, remember. Have you heard from Liv?"

"Ma'am, the tour bus is going to leave, you need to get back to the group." Vivian looked at the guard. "Ma'am, now, please."

"I have, and she wanted me to give this to you. Take care and I am still at the hotel, if you need anything more." Vivian ran towards the rest of tour people.

He never even thought of getting a hold of Vivian. He forgot all about her help that weekend. Fitz gripped the paper in his hand. He wasn't letting go and he wasn't reading it until he was alone in his office. He placed his hands in his pants pockets and secured the paper in there as he continued his way around the mansion.

Back in his office, his father not there, Fitz had a bit of quiet time. Fitz looked at the paper. It was just a phone number. No doubt one of her burner phones. Fitz licked his lips, suddenly having a very dry mouth.

Could he speak to her by just dialing this number? Should he speak to her? He didn't even get the chance to ask how long ago Liv had given this to Vivian. It couldn't have been that long.

Sights began forming in his mind. Boozer was found dead with no hand, Liv had broken Chip's kneecaps, and Abby had a broken neck. Should he even get involved in all of this? He had to though, the one constant that played in his mind was her need for comfort. Most of all he needed to know she was safe.

Closing his eyes, he saw her, sleeping in his arms, crying on his shoulder, and feeling her hold him after telling her about his mother. Yes, he still loved her. Without any further hesitation, he picked up the phone and dialed the number.

Big Gerry

Gerry was no stranger to politics. Once the love of his life, Emma died in his arms that cold winter day, something snapped in Gerry. Usually, the death of a loved one makes you a better person, makes you understand what you had when that person was here. That wasn't the case for Big Gerry. He was determined to become powerful and plow anyone down that stood in his way.

He finished out his eight years as Governor of the state of California. Once Emma died, two years into his first term, he moved Fitz out of the mansion and to the Santa Barbara ranch. That's where he began grooming his son to learn politics, to be powerful, and soon become Mayor, Governor and one day President.

When Fitz was elected mayor, that was a stepping stone. All the friendships and dirty dealings Big Gerry had done here and in DC was building more steps on Fitz's political career. Fitz had something Gerry seemed to have lost when Emma died, and that was a heart. It could be Fitz's biggest strength or his horrible weakness.

Gerry made so many enemies along the way to the top. He had been approached several times to make a run for President, but all the dirty dealings that could be traced to him would only embarrass Fitz along the way, so he stayed comfortable in the Senate. He couldn't chance his enemies coming forward and ruining it all for Fitz's run. This is why keeping Fitz so protected is his number one priority.

Fitz was golden. He turned Santa Barbara around in a matter of two years, and after eight years, the city had become a magic pot for families and businesses. Fitz never got involved in the dark side of the political world and that's what lifted him to the top of the Governor's list. That's where Gerry separates himself from Fitz. Emma lives through Fitz, and it shows.

Gerry sat now in the small room in the back of a known restaurant in Sacramento. He held his head in his hands, thinking of how one woman, Olivia Pope, could put an end to everything he had worked for to get Fitz to where he is now.

Fitz, always being that mama's boy, never letting the memory of Emma go, would fall right into a trap someone like Olivia set for him. He wasn't convinced Olivia Pope was an accident. Now there's a baby on the way, and Gerry shook his head seeing becoming the father of President all roll downhill.

If Fitz ever gained knowledge that he was going to be a father, Fitz would never turn away. Fitz had always spoken so highly of becoming a parent. Gerry didn't know at the time he set Fitz up with Mellie what Mellie's condition was, otherwise, he would have chosen someone else. Now, he had to do everything possible to keep Olivia Pope 3,000 miles away and out of touch with Fitz.

For some divine reason, it hadn't been that difficult. Olivia Pope was not an easy person to find, and she hadn't been in contact with Fitz. Gerry considered this a victory, now if he could do it for years, that would be a major victory.

"Didn't I tell you stress will give you a heart attack, Senator, it can't be that bad, you've gotten through worse." Gerry felt the pat on his back, then another, and one more.

"Sanderson, Merck, and Luchs, how the hell are you?" Gerry stood up and shook each hand. These were his most trusted confidants, state senators in California, and aside from Jax Putney, he trusted them most.

"Think we should be asking you that question, what has you in a tailspin?"

"What else? Fitz."

"That boy is causing ruckus in the state senate, Gerry what has happened?"

"Young Republican, that's what's happening. I suggest you have a meeting with him, talk to him, he won't listen to me, I am just his father."

"I think that's long overdue. We'll get on that for the second fiscal quarter. Don't worry about Fitz, you worry about DC, we'll handle him. As long as there's nothing you're hiding from us. Now, enough politics, let's have some food."

Gerry tried to contain his face from exploding. He had to keep Olivia Pope away no matter what it takes. That child's existence cannot be known, the one-night stand can't come out, and Gerry had to do everything he could to make sure of it.

"But Gerry," Sanderson began. "Start putting it in Fitz's ear, we're going to support a Presidential run after his first term. We are going to start dropping his name out there. We want a GOP in sooner than later."

As the server put their drinks down, Gerry picked his up. "Here's to making a President, one from the great state of California, may I add." They all toasted and took a sip as Gerry thought of his plan ahead to get rid of Olivia Pope.

After lunch, Gerry took a car downtown and met in a secure hotel room with Jax Putney. Ever since the murder of Boozer, things had to be discreet. There were still no leads on what happened to him, and Gerry refused to even hear what Jax had used him for. Gerry had not known of the connection the Putney family had with Olivia.

"Hot damn Gerry, you look like a stressed mess, what can I do to help?"

"That lawyer, the one that represented Ballard back in May, remember her? Her name is Olivia Pope." Gerry pushed a picture of Olivia towards Jax, one he acquired though the internet when she was hired at the law firm. Jax recognized it all too well.

"Olivia Pope" Jax repeated as he shook his head. He never spoke of the connection she had with Chip and the less Gerry and Fitz knew the better.

"I think she's coming back to help the defense in February, staying at the same hotel she stayed in back in May. She's not working as his attorney, just consulting. I may need a favor." Gerry lied.

"Even though Chip is burning pissed at you for telling Fitz about his troubles." Jax began

"Come on now, Jax, that wasn't going to stay a secret forever. Chip is even arrested now, lucky he's out on bail on a murder charge, don't even go there, your boy did this to himself, him and that temper." Gerry waved it off. The less he knew the better. He had enough dirty laundry in his closet, he didn't want to know the going on in Chip's life on the east coast.

Gerry still had no clue, and Jax was fine with that. Olivia had been in hiding now for a few months, and the last Jax heard she was pregnant, found out from Chip, if Gerry could give him a lead on her, this would be just what the Putney's needed to put an end to the charges.

"I need her off the case. I need her scared to even help. She has a shot to help win this for Ballard, and I don't need that for Fitz. I need her scared to be in California." Gerry was lying and Jax knew Gerry had no idea he even knew who Olivia Pope truly was.

"Get someone over to the Ritz Carlton in Oakland on the day before the trial begins, get to Olivia Pope, somehow, scare her out of California, get her out of here, can you do that without fucking this up? This Ballard case will be the first big win under Fitz's belt, and he needs this. It can't come from someone here in California, Boozer was my guy, you owe me."

"After what happened with Boozer, it's the least I can do. How do you know she's going to be in town though?" Jax wondered.

"Intercepted a call from Fitz's office. His secret service heard a confirmation she would be here in Oakland on the 22nd and 23rd. Why else would she come here?" Gerry knew damn well why she would come, and he was taking no chances. He would find a way to keep Fitz far away from the hotel, Olivia, and that illegitimate child.

Jax sat back. He took a deep sigh, more relief. Gerry just did the ultimate favor for Jax and Chip and he didn't even know it. If Gerry wanted Olivia Pope gone, Gerry would get what he wanted, he always did.

Olivia

Olivia just stared at the phone. She couldn't believe it was ringing. At first, she thought it was a dream. She had hoped for it to ring so many times, maybe her mind was playing tricks on her. Three rings, and Liv shook herself back to reality.

She grabbed the phone and flipped it up. She was silent for a moment; a brief moment and she heard the voice she had been dreaming of for ten months. "Livvie?"

"Fitz." It was barely a whisper as her eyes filled with tears. She looked over at Grant, who was still sound asleep in his small cradle. "Governor." And she gave a sighing laugh.

"Livvie, how have you been. How is Erin?" Fitz paused; he had been concerned about Abby's mother ever since he knew what Boozer had done. He felt it was partly his fault.

Liv's heart melted. He remembered. "She's ok, with her brother, she's coming along, walking better and….she's fine, how are you? Mellie?"

"Mellie's not in the picture anymore or won't be anymore. We grew apart, let's just say. Livvie, when can I see you.?"

"Fitz, it's complicated, it's been really complicated. But the weekend of Jake's trial, room 782. I'll be there on Saturday and leave Sunday night."

"I'll be there."

The phone line went dead. Huck burst out from his room and grabbed the phone from Liv. He smashed the phone to the floor, stepping on it the process, crushing it to pieces.

"Huck, what the hell? Why on Earth did you do that?"

Huck ran to the window. He peered out. There was nothing in radius. He grabbed Liv's laptop, opened it, and tapped on the keyboard. A few screens changed here and there, and he closed the laptop. He took one more look out the window.

"HUCK! DAMN IT TALK TO ME!" With Liv's yelling, Grant stirred and began a wailing scream having been woken up by such a loud noise.

Huck walked over to the cradle and picked him up. He was pacing with him, holding him close to his shoulder to calm him down. He put a kiss on his head, bouncing him slightly. "It's ok, big guy, mommy didn't mean to yell."

With Huck's soft voice, Grant calmed down, resting his head on Huck's shoulder. Liv was sitting on the bed now holding her head, trying to keep the sound of Fitz's voice in her mind.

"He called you from his office phone, the line is 1000% traceable, not to mention being recorded. What did you say? Any details about the trip about Grant?" Huck handed Grant to Liv now. He was calm and Liv cradled him in her arms. She kissed his forehead.

"Nothing about Grant, I wouldn't do that on the phone. I did mention the trip. I wasn't thinking." Liv began feeding Grant now, who was happy to have this meal now in quiet.

Huck just stood peering out the window. "I don't think you were on long enough to get the location of the burner phone, but you, he can't do that." Huck was calmer now; fairly sure no one would be coming. He called Davis just in case to be on the lookout, more diligent.

"He doesn't know protocols like that Huck, he's a Governor, not a hit man."

"I'm sorry I scared you, I didn't mean to make you yell and to scare the big guy here." Huck rubbed Grant's head as he kept right on eating. "It kills me not knowing Chip's next move, he's been careful lately."

"I'll get a hold of Vivian. The way I met Fitz, I was in 782, but he was supposed to go to 882. No one knows that except him and me. I'll tell Vivian to tell him his original room. He'll know, and we'll book that room also, can we do that?"

Huck shook his head. "Yeah, I'll do that. I'll use a different name. I'll be in 782, just in case something is going down. I'll be back in a few hours. If you need to go anywhere."

"I know, only with Davis. I don't know how much more of this I can take Huck. I'm beginning to feel like the prisoner Fitz was when I met him."

"We're safe as long as Chip doesn't think you had the baby yet. That's what I think he's waiting for to make a move."

The thought of it sent chills up Liv. She put Grant over her shoulder as she watched Huck leave, Davis waving to her that he's right outside the door.

Liv rested her hand on the back of Grant's head as she burped him gently. "See that Grant, I got to talk to your daddy. He's not married, he's not getting married." Liv smiled. "There may still be hope after all, if only we can keep safe, and he can forgive me for not telling him about you." As she walked with him around the room, she began Fitz's favorite book, as she normally does.

"On Wednesday, he eats three plums, but he's still hungry

On Thursday he eats four strawberries, but he is still hungry

On Friday he eats five oranges but, he is still hungry. "

Grant gave a small cry and Liv cradled him in front of her so she could look at his tiny, adorable face. "That's you isn't it caterpillar, you're still hungry." She let him latch back on and looked out the window, hoping the sudden hang up didn't scare Fitz away from getting to the hotel on the days she told him.

Fitz

Fitz looked at the phone puzzled. What just happened? No! He had her on the phone, he heard her voice, that soothing voice. Fitz closed his eyes holding the receiver against his forehead. What had disconnected the call?

He immediately dialed the number again, only to get a rapid busy signal over again, each time he called. He finally gave up on the fifth try. Fitz looked at his calendar resting on his desk. The blocks for the 22rd to the 24th of February were booked up. He was only booked to be in Oakland when the trial began on the 24th.

On the 22nd, he had a speaking event in Sacramento about his new gun control bill he would be signing. He was hoping to get to Oakland sooner than the 24th, the day of the court date. The anti-gun groups were planning rallies, the pro-gun groups were planning rallies, and the Capitol was preparing to have thousands of people lining the mansion lawn. It wasn't something he could so easily miss. He rubbed his face in distress. No Oakland on the 22nd.

Using his cell phone this time, he called the Carlton bar in Oakland. "Ritz Carlton Tavern, Rick speaking, can I help you?"

"I'm looking to speak to Vivian, please?"

"She's off today. I can give her a call back number and a name." Rick looked at the receiver as the line went dead. He shrugged, hanging up the phone.

Fitz looked back at his calendar. The 23rd, and he read the print again. This was doable. He could make it to Oakland, after being on the ocean front of Los Angeles greeting property owners. Taking his own plane, he could be in Oakland in less than 2 hours. He could greet some Oakland residents, make it look like he came ahead of schedule for the Ballard trial, and stay at the Carlton. He clapped his hands once, like he just won the lottery. This was better though, he won a night with Olivia, if not more.

He had no idea what his father had in mind for the waterfront that day, and it would be his first test to deal with crisis, to show he was made to be the Governor of California. Would he choose the state he was elected to run or go to the woman he loves?

Olivia

Three rapid knocks on the door and the locks were being unlocked. Liv closed her eyes, the secret knock only Huck knew, so Olivia would always know it was him. Huck stood in the doorway.

"Grant is down for the night hopefully. I need some sleep Huck, please stay home."

"I will Liv and here." Huck dropped four new burner phones on her nightstand. "Call Vivian tomorrow. I had no problem booking room 882 in another name. We're good to go. Good night." Huck stopped by the cradle, reached in and kissed his little buddy good night.

"You'll get to see your daddy soon, big guy, I promise."

Liv could only hope this would all work out. All this planning, all this hiding, this all had to be for something. The small night light in the room gave just enough glow to see Grant sleeping so peaceful. Liv was trying to move mountains to get his father to meet him. Finally, exhaustion set in, and Liv couldn't hold her eyes open anymore.

Liv was standing in the hotel room, cradling Grant, rocking him. She heard the card slide in the slot and the knob twist. She knew it wasn't Huck, he didn't knock. She quickly covered Grant securely in her arms, fearing the worst.

Chip walked in, without a pause, right to the window where Liv was standing. He stood face to face with her, just inches apart. He looked down at Grant. "I see you had the little bundle, time for me to take him away." Chip's hands wrapped around Grant and Liv tried holding on with all her might.

"NO!" Liv tried, but she couldn't move her hands. If she did, Chip would grab Grant and run. "HUCK, PLEASE, HUCK!" Liv remembered though, she talked Huck into staying in New York to work with Quinn.

"FITZ!" Liv looked and saw Fitz walk into the hotel room. She loosened her grip on Grant now, they would be safe. "Fitz he's your baby, he is yours, ours."

"I know Livvie, I know that I've known it all along, why didn't you tell me though? You're no better than Mellie."

Liv's eyes filled with tears. Chip grabbed Grant and handed him to Fitz. Fitz turned and walked out, as Liv looked up and saw the knife above her chest and Chip's hand coming down aiming straight for the heart. "Enjoy your time with Abby, for eternity."

"NO" Liv screamed. "NO, NO, NO, NO, FITZ COME BACK, I AM SORRY."

"Liv, Liv, wake up, wake up. It's ok, it's ok, Liv."

With a deep breath, because it seemed she had been holding it for ten minutes, Liv's eyes opened, and she sat up in the bed. Davis was standing at the foot of the bed as Huck was holding her shoulders. "It was just a dream Liv, only a dream."

Davis handed Grant to her, more for need than for comfort. Liv began crying looking at him then looked up at Huck. "I can't do this anymore, Huck, I just can't."

With the dream still fresh in her mind, Liv dialed Vivian's cell phone the next day. She detailed the trip for her, told her about the brief phone call with Fitz, and recited the message she needed Fitz to get.

"Got it Liv. Liv said go to the original room, your room, not 782." Vivian repeated.

"Vivian you are an angel. Thank you so much. Will you be there on the 22nd?"

"I'll be there all day, I can't wait to see you, and you can use the service elevator, don't go through the lobby or use the lobby elevators, ok."

"Ok, just let me know if you get the message to Fitz. How did you manage to get my number to him?"

"That's a story I can share with you when I see you. Take care Liv and be careful."

For once, Liv hung up the phone feeling optimistic. She had no doubt in less than two weeks, she would be in Fitz's arms. She would see him hold his son. It was the very image that got her through her months of pregnancy.

Soon, even if for just a weekend, she would be able to leave Chip behind in New York and get to spend time with the man she loves. She'll never forget waking up in the comfort of his arms. She would finally feel safe again if only for a few hours.

She picked up Grant, cradled him in her arms. "You hear that you hungry little caterpillar, we're going to see your daddy." She kissed him, as she was able to truly smile for once, and began feeding the son of the Governor of California.

Big Gerry

In the days leading up to Olivia's scheduled arrival, Big Gerry kept a close watch on Fitz's schedule. He was, indeed, scheduled to be in Oakland on the 24th. Gerry just had to be sure Fitz didn't arrive a moment sooner than the start of the trial.

Fitz was scheduled to be in Los Angeles the day before the trial. What better area to have a problem than in Los Angeles? This was beginning to work in Gerry's favor. If Olivia was at the Carlton in Oakland waiting for Fitz, she could wait all day and all night, he wasn't showing up.

Gerry had no idea Fitz had his private plane awaiting his arrival to take him to Oakland. One thing about Fitz, he could be as discreet as he wanted, that he learned from his father. In this case, it could prove the very strategy Fitz needed to win this game he didn't even know he was playing.

Gerry hung up his phone in DC. He was there for two weeks before making his way back to support his son on the mansion lawn introducing his gun control bill. Gerry knew it would piss off the NRA, more donors, and other state Republicans. Gerry also knew it was genius move. With kids being killed in school shootings around the country, someone had to make a move, and now Fitz set the bar.

His phone call he just ended with Jax was all Gerry needed. While Fitz was speaking to property owners on the waterfront, Gerry had a series of events to occur that would put disruption in the day. Such disruption would cause the Governor to stick around to make sure the crisis was defused. His son would look like a hero rather than spending time with Olivia Pope and his child he shouldn't even know he has.

Gerry rubbed his hands. He glanced at the picture on his desk. Fitz, a newborn, being cradled in Emma's arms. Gerry, looking down at him, along with Emma. Fitz, their pride and joy. An ounce of guilt overcame Gerry, but it was only an instant.

"We've come too far now to turn back." Gerry whispered towards the picture. He exited his office heading to the upcoming weekend. This would be the first of many times, he was certain, to keep Olivia Pope and Fitzgerald Grant apart.

After leaving the doctor's appointment with the ok to take Grant on a plane, and the ok to continue sexual activity, Olivia did her final packing for the upcoming weekend.

Huck was in overdrive making sure the plane was more secure than Air Force One and creating different diversions for Putney to think Olivia was in town, even though she wasn't. It still frustrated him that he had no hits on where the weasel may be, but he was confident, for now they were safe.

The plane was fueled and set to go early in the morning a.m. hours. All the bags were packed and placed in the car the night before. Olivia had not been this excited for months, she couldn't wait to see Fitz, for Fitz to see his son. It was all causing her nerves to be on edge.

Vivian had gotten the word to Fitz when he called the bar asking to speak to her. He knew exactly what it meant, and he relayed the message for Vivian to give to Liv. He wouldn't get there until the 23rd, but to wait for him, he would get there.

Around the same time Huck was putting all the bags in the car, looking cautiously around the vicinity of their home, Charles Putney walked into the Ritz Carlton hotel. He was wearing an Oakland A's hat, an old time Rickey Henderson Oakland A's jersey, and was carrying a bat.

The clerk at the front desk laughed, a little chuckle. "I gather you're in town for the game. Rickey Henderson day tomorrow, I see you're a fan."

Chip nodded, with a snarky smile. "Sure am. I even have my bat. I am sitting behind the dugout. I am hoping to get an autograph or two on my bat." He looked admiringly at the bat. He gave it a pat and looked back at the clerk.

"You're all set Mr. Johnson. Room 784. Enjoy your stay and let me know if there is anything we can do for you here at the Carlton."

Chip nodded, taking his card key and headed towards the elevator. He walked past Vivian who looked at the bat with curiosity. She smiled remembering her encounter with Liv. She shook her head and was anticipating seeing her friend for the first time in almost ten months.

Over in Los Angeles, three former national guardsmen had collected their pay of Putney money and were ready to cause a bit of chaos around the Los Angeles waterfront. They had been working under Putney for about six months and they were finally getting a substantial payday.

With all the supplies packed and ready, the three friends checked into the hotel right off the waterfront. The 23rd, when property owners should be celebrating, the three of them would make sure celebration turned into disaster. It would be the first test for this new Governor and the three of them were more than happy to administer the test.

When Fitz signed on Linda Marshall as his Lt. Governor, his father may have had no approval, but Fitz knew what he was doing. Linda was loyal, trustworthy, and above all willing to go the extra mile. On the night before Fitz was to speak about his gun control bill, Linda came into to his office.

"Sir, I am sorry to disturb you. I grew up a property owner on the Los Angeles waterfront. I have been giving back to that community for as long as I can remember. If you don't mind, and if you take no offense, may I please take your place on Sunday and be the speaker there. It would not only be an honor, it would also be a privilege. Honestly you have been nonstop since the inauguration, take a day for yourself."

She didn't know at that moment how much Fitz wanted to hug her. He wanted to take this woman in his arms and squeeze his appreciation from him to her. He could go to Olivia earlier, and she wouldn't be expecting it. He could change the plans early in the morning with his detail, his plane will be fueled and ready after the rallies and the speech about his gun control bill.

"Linda I would love for you take the reigns on Sunday. I could use the day off, well you know, not technically off, but no speaking event. I would appreciate it very much, you sure you don't mind. Just leave the change of scheduling to me, I will take care of it."

"Mr. Governor, you got it. I'm just going to let my family know I will be visiting the old neighborhood. We make a good team, Grant. Glad to be on board."

"Sure do, Linda, and thank you again."

At the same time Fitz was thinking of holding his Livvie in his arms a night earlier than expected, Olivia was with his child he had dreamed of having one day. They had just boarded the plane and Olivia had the same thoughts as Fitz. She couldn't wait to be secure in his arms, as they held their baby boy together with love.