A/N: Ok, here we go, another chapter. Hope you enjoy, and thank you to all who have left a review. I'll continue to update, if you continue to read. Please remember, I cannot answer any questions in the reviews for anyone signed in as a guest. Happy reading. The song referenced is Starlight (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift.

Chapter 12-Courthouse

Olivia blinked her eyes open. She hadn't felt this good, this relaxed in forever, so it felt. The blinds were closed, but she could tell it was just about sunrise. She felt a weight on her shoulder, and she closed her eyes in pure bliss.

Fitz had fallen asleep, on her chest. He must be exhausted. She hadn't seen him sleep for longer than 10 minutes and that was months ago. She looked to the cradle. Grant was sound asleep too. Her two boys.

She put her hand on Fitz's back, rubbing it softly and bringing her nose to his hair, taking in his smell. His arm wrapped around her waist, but he didn't wake up. She wondered if Grant had slept through the night, she hadn't heard him cry, could she have been that tired.

Maybe Fitz was up with him half the night and that's why he was so tired now. She turned her head and put a gentle kiss onto Fitz's head. Suddenly, her stomach turned, and she thought about the day. Today was the day she had to face Jake Ballard again. She closed her eyes.

The feeling of happiness she had waking up with Fitz in her arms shouldn't be so short. "Stay in the moment," she whispered to herself. She gently rubbed his back again and closed her eyes against his head. This felt so good, to be holding him, the man she loves. Her other hand now covered his that rested on her waist.

She listened to the quiet, the sounds of breathing from the two people she loved the most in the world. Fitz wasn't a snorer, that was good. She chuckled to herself. She heard some buzzing, felt the vibration on her bed, and realized Fitz's phone was next to him.

The illuminated screen brought a bit more light to the room, and caused Fitz to stir. His hand left her waist, and he reached back searching for the phone. He grabbed it right before the last buzz. He sat up, flipping the phone up. "I'll call you right back, I'm just getting up." He flipped it back down.

Fitz still didn't know Liv was up. He glanced over at the cradle, then back at Liv. She smiled at him. "Hi." She said.

He brought his body down, hand around her waist again and faced her. "Hi beautiful, you sleep well?" He gave her a kiss, a tiny little peck on her lips.

"I did. Little Mister over there didn't wake up or was I too out to realize it?"

"Oh, he was up. Him and I were discussing some state issues. After his bottle at 1 a.m., he was listening to my problems until about 2, that's when he got bored with all the issues I was facing."

Liv smiled rubbing his shoulder. "Thank you. I can't remember the last time I slept so well."

"No nightmares." He looked at her, smiling back.

"No nightmares." She repeated. Grant began a little cry. "He's hungry, I'll get him, you go make your phone call, Governor."

He sat up, lifted her chin to face him, and kissed her. It was gentle, soft, a perfect kiss. "I loved watching you sleep Olivia Pope."

"MMM, I loved waking up with you in my arms." She watched him get up and scoop Grant out of the cradle for her. He reached over for the diapers and wipes and went over by the window to make the phone call.

"Good morning little handsome, how are you? You were up late talking to daddy, huh? Today you get to spend it with Uncle Huck and Uncle Davis." She took a sigh as she switched his diaper to a fresh one and left him in just his new diaper as he latched on. She stared at him rubbing his forehead with her hand.

"We've never been apart for so long; I'm going to miss you. You'll get to see where daddy grew up, you'll meet Dolores. Mommy and daddy will be back before you know it." She kissed him. She heard Fitz get a bit loud on the phone, and he slammed it on the table.

"Everything ok, Fitz?"

He rubbed his hand over his mouth. He looked at Liv, cradling, feeding, and talking to their son. He took a deep breath and calmed down. "Yeah, just some incompetence I'm dealing with." There was a knock at the door and Fitz looked over towards it. "A surprise for you, my lady."

Liv couldn't really turn to see who it was or what was given to Fitz, but he was back in front of her. He was holding up an Armani, white, two button wool blazer pant suit. "You slay in white, right, well, slay today."

"Fitz, that's too much. I'm not actually arguing a case." She smiled.

"I'll still be happy seeing you in this." Grant finished eating, and Liv gave him over to Fitz.

"I have to pack his things; Huck should be up soon to get him." Her eyes filled with tears, and she turned before Fitz saw it.

Fitz walked to the window, burping him as Liv was gathering all the things. He was staring now at the Oakland daylight, having just seemed like moments ago he was holding his son talking to him in front of the Oakland lights.

He was a bit worried, but wouldn't tell Liv, not yet. His security lost Jax. He outsmarted them. Fitz doesn't think Jax knows it was the Governor's office having him tailed, but either way, he outsmarted them, and Fitz doesn't know where he is.

Jax sent someone to Los Angeles. He was trying to get answers from Homeland Security, who wouldn't tell him anything. Homeland Security had until tomorrow morning to release the suspect's name, until then the person Jax sent could go speak to the police and firefighters stationed outside the boat on the Waterfront.

Fitz was deep in thought; he hadn't noticed Grant had fallen asleep and he hadn't heard his phone buzzing on the table next to him.

"Fitz!" Liv walked over to him. She touched his shoulder. "You alright? Your phone." She took Grant from his arms.

"Oh, yeah, sorry." He looked at the display. "It's Lauren, my secretary, with the schedule for the next two days." He grabbed a pen and paper.

Huck's knocks echoed the room and Liv opened the door. Davis was behind him, and they both walked in. "Thanks Lauren, move the 3pm tomorrow to noon tomorrow, I'll be leaving after that. Tell Sanderson I'll call him back in a half hour."

Fitz watched as Davis grabbed the bags. Fitz's detail was going to get the cradle and take it with them. Liv began to sob, and Fitz walked over. She covered her eyes and buried her face into Fitz's chest. He rubbed her shoulders and he tight lipped smiled at Huck.

"Uh, Liv, he'll be fine, you know I won't let anything happen to him," Huck reassured her.

She nodded on Fitz's chest, taking a deep breath in. She turned back to Huck. "It's all of you I worry about, not just him, but him the most because," she looked at Huck and Davis, "well, you know."

"Wait. You're not traveling together, are you? Huck, you stay with Grant, in the car seat, let Davis walk out with the other car seat, but empty. If we're being watched, let Jax think Davis left with Grant."

Fitz put his hands on Liv's shoulders. "Liv it's a five hour drive to Oakland, you want them to take two cars?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I want, you can never be too careful, I'm telling you Fitz, not with Jax. Get off at the second rest stop, Davis, and get in Huck's car. Whomever your driver is, tell them to wait in the car, and ditch him." Liv didn't skip a beat with the plan.

Huck nodded, he understood perfectly. "So I'll leave five minutes after you Davis, then I'll be opposite side of the rest area, you know the drill."

Davis understood also.

"You can't be serious, you really think?" Fitz began.

Huck stopped him. "Yes, Governor, we do."

Fitz stopped, he shrugged. "Ok, I'll get my two security detail to drive two different cars, let's put the plan in motion."

Davis headed out with the car seat, Liv giving him a big hug. "Take care of my baby boy, you hear?"

"I hear, Liv, I will, we will. I'll see you later." He grabbed the empty car seat and headed out.

Grant was just in a plain white onesie. He was asleep in Huck's arms. Huck's finger in his hand, as usual. Before Huck put him in the car seat Liv went to him. "You be good for Huck ok." She kissed his forehead. "I love you baby boy." She hugged Huck. "Take good care of him."

Huck nodded, as Fitz said his goodbye, kissing his son on his forehead. "I'll take care of mommy, alright, you don't worry little guy." He shook Huck's hand. "Just have Dolores text when you're all settled in."

The door closed and it was so quiet. You could hear a pin drop on the carpet, that's how silent it was. Liv sat on the bed, covered her mouth and began to cry again. Fitz knelt in front of her. "Hey, he'll be fine."

"I know," she nodded. She looked at Fitz. She rubbed her eyes, wiping the tears away. He helped her to wipe away a tear, and gripped her, cupping her face. He kissed her cheek.

"Come in the shower with me. I've wanted to shower with you from the first time I met you, and you snubbed me."

Liv laughed out loud. Her eyes still tear stained, but she laughed out loud. "I didn't snub you; you were engaged, I was guilt ridden." She pulled her shirt off, and Fitz scooped her up, as she squealed heading into the bathroom.

"We have two hours, and I plan on using 1hour and 59 minutes on being all over you." Fitz closed the bathroom door.

Jax Putney was as frustrated as Fitz was. He wanted answers and he was getting nowhere. Gerry couldn't help him; he had been in DC all weekend. Jax didn't care right now about the boat as much as he cared about where his son could be.

The hotel room, where he thought Chip would be, was ransacked . Glasses broken, and it looked like from a bat. He knows who likes to use a bat. He took a deep breath. Then, Chip's clothes, all cut and slit apart, Olivia Pope was making even more of an enemy out of him.

He dialed his phone. "Tell me you have something."

"The only thing we have is Chip's cell phone's last location was on Highway 101 going south, just outside of Oakland. That was on Saturday night, now we can't get a signal at all."

"What about hotel security cameras? He arrived there Friday; can't you tap in and get anything of his coming and going."

"We tried that, boss, the only thing we have is him checking in. The next day, there's footage of him in the lobby in the afternoon, but he left, after that, nothing."

"Ok, keep looking, and call me if you find anything out. I am heading over to the courthouse. I'll be there most of the afternoon I figure, if I don't answer the phone, leave a damn message."

"Will do, Boss."

Nothing was making sense to Jax. First, he talks to Lewis, puts the plan in motion, then he gets a call it was his boat that caught fire on the waterfront. No one should have been on the boat once Linda had arrived, the bomb, small as it was, was supposed to detonate in the bait and tackle shop on the waterfront.

Now, he can't find Chip anywhere. The boy is supposed to be in Oakland, silencing Olivia Pope. That didn't look as though it was the case after Jax scoped his room. He looked at that door next to it, room number 782. He should've knocked, but she had the upper hand.

What Jax didn't know is Olivia didn't have the upper hand, Huck did. He erased all footage for anyone but him to see of the hotel security. He had it all on camera, what went down in the alleyway, and who rode the service elevator. Jax knew nothing, but Huck knew everything.

If Jax would've let on that he was there, by knocking, by confronting her, she would've called security, or even the police. He didn't need that now. He heard that baby crying, now it's his game. He'll be at that courthouse, and he'll get to her. That baby is all the bait he needs to break her.

He knew someone was following him the moment he walked out of the hotel. He could feel it, like a sixth sense. The hairs on his neck stood up. He had his car drive a few blocks. He went into one of the stores, and went out the back, entering another car waiting for him.

He was sure he lost the tail, but who exactly was having him followed? Could Olivia Pope have this much ammunition in California? He knows her law firm has offices here, perhaps they were watching out for her.

Two can play at that game though. He put two of his own at that hotel, gave him the pictures of Olivia and Davis, keeping them alert to both. Suddenly, his phone buzzed again.

"This better be good." He sounded annoyed, because he was annoyed.

"We have the guy leaving with a car seat. He got into a black town car. What should we do, the girl isn't with him?"

"I know why she isn't with them, I'll know her whereabouts, you follow that car, don't let it out of your sight, it has the kid in it, that's my goal."

"Got it." He nodded to his partner who took off, so not to lose their target. As the car with Davis and "Grant" pulled away, so did the tails Jax had put on him.

Huck came down about five minutes later and got into the car with Grant in the car seat. No one followed, no one noticed, and they pulled away on their long trip to Santa Barbara to take Grant to safety.

Why hadn't Jax thought of it? His fist hit the table in front of him. Of course, that body guard was the baby's father, who else would it be? He's the one that knocked Chip cold when Chip found out Olivia was pregnant. Taking out the baby's father first, that will do. Jax smiled to himself.

Jax had every intention of approaching Olivia at that courthouse. He knew exactly how to get to her now. He didn't really care about Jake Ballard or the outcome of his trial. He was just happy Gerry gave him the low down on Olivia and her whereabouts, but it would do him a world of good if Fitz did lose this, Chip didn't need strict laws, just yet on domestic abuse.

Jax was under the assumption Liv took a leave to have the baby, but now working the Ballard case, maybe she's back. She didn't have ammunition in California, she had her bodyguard, and he was the one who probably had him tailed.

All he could think about was Boozer's body in that hotel room back in New York. He didn't think that was Chip's fate. He knows Olivia Pope wants Chip to suffer in prison. She may get her way , though, if his thoughts were correct.

If Chip tried something and she had the upper hand, he could be on his way back to New York, having jumped bail, but surely, he would have heard something. The Governor's office would oversee that. Jax is aware Fitz will be at the courthouse, things will make sense soon, at least he hoped.

He flicked on his television. A picture of Jake Ballard was on the screen as the reporter spoke. "The highly anticipated Jake Ballard trial gets under way today with opening arguments from both sides. Mr. Ballard is accused of murdering his wife, Vanessa after years of abuse. He is also being accused of poisoning his father-in-law after he confronted Ballard about the murder.

If Jake Ballard is found guilty, he is set to spend life without the possibility of parole in a California state penitentiary. This would be a huge victory for Governor Fitzgerald Grant. Governor Grant used the Ballard case on his campaign trail. Governor Grant is a strong advocate for stricter jail time for domestic abusers, especially the ones that eventually kill their victims. Governor Grant will be at the courthouse later today where he will make a statement about the case and about the investigation ongoing about the boat fire on the waterfront. It is believed the Governor will name a suspect in custody.

The trial's outcome could have ramifications across the nation, prompting Congress and the Senate to pass stricter laws that punish domestic abusers. We will have coverage throughout the day."

"Blah, blah, blah. Why did I agree to help Gerry with this shit? The less Ballard gets, the better for Chip." He waved his hand at the television and flicked the television off. He pressed a button on his phone. "Have the car ready in an hour."

"I just want you to know." Liv said, as Fitz was taking off her underwear. "I like my shower hot."

"Lucky I'll be in it then, doesn't get any hotter than me being in there with you." Fitz had the water going already. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in with him.

He pushed her up against the shower wall, kissing her stomach, her neck, and landing on her lips. Her arms wrapped around him, resting on the back base of his neck. She turned him so he was against the wall.

"This is hot, having the Governor of California in the shower." She reached the shampoo and put a squirt on her hand. Fitz bent his head a bit, and let her hands lather his hair with the shampoo. She leaned his head back, rinsing the foam out of it and noticing his erection come to life.

"I see someone is liking this."

"The woman I love, the mother of my child, washing my hair in a steamy shower, what's not to like?" He kissed her neck, as he reached for the body wash. He squirt some in his hand, and lathered her body.

He went over her breasts, thumbing each nipple, and watched as she kept her eyes closed and her hands crossed dangling over his back. "You like this, huh."

She bit her bottom lip. "Mm hmm." She nodded her head, and he turned her to rinse her body off. When she was cleaned from foam, he reached in and kissed her, passionately on her lips, while grabbing her ass, and rubbing it.

She leaned on him, and he began moving with her, almost like a slow dance, comforting her. "You like to dance in the shower, Governor?"

"Only if it's with you. Do you dance in the shower?"

"I sure do. I sing and dance, I'm a shower performer."

Fitz had never seen her this relaxed, this happy and he was loving every moment of it. She began humming and rocking with him. Then some words, lyrics came out. She actually began singing, making Fitz smile from ear to ear as he listened.

"I said oh my, what a marvelous tune

It was the best night, never would forget how we moved

The whole place

Was dressed to the nines" She stopped and stepped back, her back being in the stream of water.

She threw her arms up swaying them, Fitz just watching in awe.

"And we were dancing, dancing

Like we're made of starlight

Like we're made of starlight."

She stopped with a huge smile on her face, and she hugged him. "I know, I can't sing."

He kissed her against her hair. "That was breathtaking." He reached over and turned off the water. "I've never seen you so happy, so relaxed." He grabbed the two towels and dried her first, then wrapping it around her.

She watched as he rubbed it over his body. He went to wrap it around his waist, and she pushed it out of his hands.

She dropped her towel. "Why bother?" As she walked to him, he lifted her, and she straddled him, while he carried her to the bed, kissing her from the bathroom, until he put her on the bed. He pinned her hands over her head with one hand.

He reached over for a condom, and Liv tried to remember if he ever lost his erection from the time she began washing his hair. She didn't care at the moment, as his body covered hers on top and he kissed her from lips to neck, back up to lips, where they stayed lip locked.

He entered her, still kissing her, his hands still pinning hers above her head, and he felt her tongue go deep in him as her hips rose to push him up to further enter her. She pulled back, "Deeper, I want to feel you."

He didn't need to be told twice, and gripping her hands, he used that as leverage as he pumped faster and harder, grunting in the process. Her head was arched, her eyes closed, her mouth opened, and her breathing rapid. He heard her moan, that beautiful moan telling him that he won, she surrendered.

He let her hands go, and she rested them on his hips, as he continued to pump her, now her whole body arching. There were no sounds, as her body weakened, and her chin came to a rest on his shoulder, then she fell back.

Her body just accepted his onslaught, her legs now in the air, with no strength left in her, and she felt the condom become warm with fluid. "Ahh, Livvie." He buried his head on her shoulder. After a few seconds, he looked at her. "I'll be right back." She nodded as he went to the bathroom.

Davis's car reached the second rest stop about 75 miles up the 101 South Highway. The car pulled in and parked in a spot on the north side of the building. Davis waited a few minutes, talking to the driver. "Give me about ten minutes, then pull away." He looked out the window, and sure as clockwork, the car that had tried to keep a distance pulled in.

Davis watched as it parked behind them about ten spaces to the left. "Don't forget, ten minutes, remember, they think you have the baby in here, so be cautious." Davis walked into the rest stop, not even looking around, and walked into the bathroom.

One had followed him in, and as he was exiting the bathroom, the guy was walking in. He nodded at Davis, pulling out a knife, that Davis was expecting. Davis twisted the guy's wrist in a quick motion, and punched him, up and into the jaw.

The guy took a fall, hard to the floor, and Davis dragged him into a stall. He picked up the knife, pocketed it, just as his phone went off. It was Huck, he was south side of the rest stop, fifteen spots to the right of the exit.

Davis entered the car, and the car took off. Davis looked at Huck, took a deep breath. "Liv was right. They tailed me the whole time, just left one unconscious in the stall. The other one is waiting in the car, our car should be leaving about, now."

The guy watching the driver of Davis's car sat up quickly when he saw it go in reverse and pull out of the spot. "What the fuck." He tried to get out of the car, but he was too slow, and he couldn't leave his partner in there.

He hit the car as it drove away, and he ran into the rest area. He found his partner on the bathroom stall. "Shit!" He pounded the door. How the fuck was he going to tell Jax this?

Davis and Huck were sitting opposite sides of the rear facing car seat watching Grant sleep the five hour car ride away. Huck's finger never left his hand, and he smiled every time Grant gripped it. Huck looked at Davis who gave out a sighed laugh.

"What?"

"You and that finger, Grant is going to think it's a stress ball soon enough."

"Huck smiled, I love when he grips down, makes him strong."

Davis shrugged, "if you say so. You alright not being at the courthouse with Liv."

Huck nodded. "Yeah, I think it will be OK. I trust Fitz, he knows what he's doing. I just worry about Olivia, how to convince her she has to stay out here with him, we'll take care of Chip."

"I hear you", Davis agreed. He glanced to the front, catching a glimpse of the GPS. "Three more hours until arrival."

Huck held up one of the bottles Liv gave him. "I'm prepared. I'm armed and dangerous." Huck looked down at Grant. "We got you little man, you're safe with us."

Liv was facing the empty cradle. She heard Fitz end his phone call. He had told whomever Sanderson was to pay close attention to his address at the courthouse, thanked him, and hung up.

Continuing to stare at the empty cradle, her heart began to feel empty. She felt Fitz lay behind her, bring his hand around her, as she interlocked it on her stomach. She took a deep breath. "Who is Sanderson?"

"State Legislative majority leader in the Senate here in California. His district is Los Angeles. He's getting bombarded with phone calls and questions. Said if I come out of this looking like a hero, he's putting my name in as a presidential candidate. That's farthest from my mind."

Liv turned to him. She caressed his face. "Not too far off, the years go quickly, you have to be prepared."

Fitz nodded. "Let's just get through today, alright."

"You know I can't leave here with you, no detail either, we can't….."

"I know, I know. No contact, no talking, I can't be by you, I get it." He closed his eyes with frustration. "I just need Jake to take this plea, I need this case behind me. I'm sorry I am putting you through this."

"Hey, don't be sorry. I know what this means to you. I know what a victory means to you, and Abby. I won't let you down Fitz."

"I know. I appreciate this so much."

"I told you, I love you, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. I have to get dressed; we have to get on the way to courthouse. Your detail will take all the bags, right?"

"Yeah, go do what you need to do, I'll pack up." His phone began to buzz again as Liv entered the bathroom.

"Liv was right Governor; we were being tailed. Davis is with Huck now, I'm on my way back with the car. The two guys are still at the rest area, at least I think they are. I'm heading back north now; they're probably going to head south."

Fitz bit his bottom lip. He had to take Liv's warning seriously, Jax was a dangerous man, more dangerous than Fitz had originally thought. "Ok Brady, thanks, get back here safely."

"Will do Governor. Glad to have helped."

Fitz put everything by the door. He dressed in his own Armani suit, ready to face the day, face the media, and do what he does best. He didn't write speeches, didn't need to. When he looked at the crowd in front of him, his audience, he could read them, he knew what to say.

Ever since that day in grammar school when MiMi convinced the teacher he wanted to read to the class, he had been an exceptional speaker, never fumbling on a word, never using the wrong sentence. People listened. He had won over the hearts of democratic and republican voters. He was the real deal, and the people of California knew it.

Finishing up the knot in his tie, he looked in the mirror. He stood facing himself. He brushed his fingers through his hair, puffing out some of the curls in the back. Then he shook his head as he noticed the cradle in the background of the mirror.

"I'm a father." He looked up to the heavens. "Mom, I'm a dad, like I always wanted to be. And I love her, the mother of my child, I love her." He looked back in the mirror. He smiled and winked, "get this done today, Fitz, let's do this." He turned as Liv came out of the bathroom. She looked stunning.

He walked over to her, just grabbing her face softly and kissing her. "Today is a good day, a very good day." He pulled her to him. "And, you were right, Davis was tailed."

Liv pulled back and looked at him. "Are they? Grant?"

"It's all good. Grant is with Huck and Davis now on the way to the ranch and Brady is on his way back."

"Don't ever underestimate the Putney's Fitz."

"I won't. You'll be ok?"

"Yeah." Liv looked around the hotel room. "I'll be happy to see you in a different setting than a hotel room. I'm looking forward to the week ahead, just want to get through this today. I'm going down, I am going to say my goodbye to Vivian. I'll see you at the courthouse, ok." She grabbed her laptop bag.

She stopped, looking up at him by the door. "I love you, Fitz. This will be your first major victory and I'm glad I'll be here to see it."

"And I'm glad I got to see you out of your element, so happy, dancing and singing, that's the Liv I want for the week. Grant, mommy, and daddy." He kissed her before she left.

Vivian was sitting at the bar, in fact, the same seat Liv had taken when she walked in so many months ago. Liv watched her from behind, as she was writing some things down. She walked up and poked her left shoulder but stood at her right.

When Vivian caught sight of her, she smiled. "Oh, the grammar school game huh, poke one side, go to the other. Look at you, Ms. Professional."

"Thank you and thank you for everything this weekend. I am so sorry you got hurt in all of this."

"It's fine. I took a few days off from my day care job, figured the kids would be scared if they saw me like this." Vivian rolled her eyes. "So, I hear Fitz is making a statement today about the waterfront attack huh."

"Yeah, catch it live, he'll be outside the courthouse in a few."

"Where's the kiddo?"

"He's safely tucked away, for now. I'll call you Vivian, ok." Liv's eyes began to tear up, and she didn't want to lose her make up. "I hate goodbyes."

"Then don't let this be goodbye, I'm sure we'll see each other again."

Liv nodded. She took one last look around the bar, where it had all began. "Tell Rick I said goodbye."

Jax Putney could feel his face burning. His driver jumped when his boss yelled from the back seat. The driver, as per orders, found a parking spot around the side of the courthouse. Jax had sight of the podium but was far enough away from the crowd.

"Son of a bitch." He tossed his phone down. "That damn brother of yours, I give him one job to do, AND HE CAN'T FUCKING DO IT!" The driver's brother was the one Davis knocked out in the restroom stall. "I don't know what I pay him for."

Andres sat quietly behind the wheel; he was just going to let his boss vent. When the Governor's motorcade pulled up, he said, "Boss, Mr. Putney, he's here." Jax watched as Fitz got out of his car. Jax watched him and he hated to admit to himself, but Fitz was made for this job.

He looked flawless, the perfect suit, not one hair out of place, and that smile put the sunlight to shame. Fitz waved at the small crowd that had gathered to hear him speak. "Gerry is one lucky little shit, he lucked out with this kid." Andres had to nod in agreement.

Jax got out of the car. He looked around, seeing no tails or anyone following. He walked towards Fitz. Tom immediately stood in front of him, "Sir, back behind the barricade please."

"Fitz is a friend, just have him look my way."

Tom's gaze did not leave Jax's. "Go on, tell him to look over here, now."

"No can do, step behind the barricade."

"You know who you're talking to?" Putney warned.

"At the moment, I don't care to know." He nodded to the barricade, and Jax turned around, just in time to see Olivia Pope step out of her taxi. The smile that formed on Jax's face was similar to the one The Grinch had when he wanted Christmas to never come.

Fitz faced the crowd, now getting bigger. He smiled, and waved, stepped up to the podium, and looked around. "Hello Oakland, how are we today?'

The crowd cheered as Tom whispered in Fitz's ear. "Company, boss, Jax Putney, to your left beyond the barricade, by the court entrance." Tom looked again to be sure, because his boss couldn't.

Fitz didn't flinch. "I think we all have some questions, well I'm here to answer them." His heart was pounding. What the fuck is Jax doing here? Focus Fitz.

"On average, in the United States, 10 million people are a victim of domestic abuse every year. Every year, 10 million." The crowd grew silent, and Fitz looked over. Jax was walking towards Olivia who was listening to Fitz speak. She hadn't noticed Jax yet, as he was approaching behind her. He took a deep breath.

"That's 20 people per minute. 1 in 4 are women, in fact, most cases are against women. United States, we have a domestic abuse problem. If California has to start solving it for you, let's do this." Again, cheers from the crowd, and Fitz watched. He was helpless as Jax was mere steps from Olivia.

"Well, well, well, hello Ms. Pope. No bat on you today?"

The chill that went up Olivia's spine numbed her. "Jax" she whispered.

"You get the prize." He grabbed her arm, wrapping his fingers around her bicep, "get over here." He pulled her towards the side of the building. A uniformed cop stepped up to them and Olivia blinked, taking a deep sigh of relief.

"Now," Fitz continued, "today a trial begins, and it's a domestic abuse trial, one with unspeakable violence that ended in death, so yes, this has become California's problem to solve, so let's begin this, here, today, and let California be the leader once again to make things right in the United States."

He turned to go. "What about the waterfront?" He heard a few reporters scream.

Then it clicked, the waterfront. Of course. Name Chip, that will get Jax to pay attention to him and leave Olivia alone. He looked over, he didn't see her now, nor did he see Jax. Where the fuck did they go?

"Yesterday, on our beautiful Los Angeles Waterfront, an apparent attack went awry. We do have a suspect in custody, and he is being questioned about the attack and to crimes related in New York state as well."

The officer looked at Olivia directly in the eyes. He saw her fear, could hear her pleading without words, and he then looked at Jax. "Everything ok here Mr. Putney?"

"Just fine Austin. Give my best to your parents and tell them Chip sends his best."

"Sure thing." As quickly as he appeared, he disappeared, and Liv closed her eyes.

Fitz looked over and saw the officer come out and walk into the crowd. If he didn't see anything, they must not be there. The officer surely would have called for help. "Can you give us a name?" A reporter yelled to Fitz.

Olivia tried to pull from Jax's grasp, but he was too strong, he had too much of a hold on her. "Just stop Jax, let me go."

"Oh no, not until you tell me where Chip is, and don't give me any bullshit story, I saw that hotel room, and I heard your little baby crying, yeah, that's right, tense up, I heard him, and I'll find him. That baby, and daddy, they are in for a rude awakening."

Liv's eyebrows crossed. He knows Fitz is the father. "What are you talking about? Leave my child out of this."

"My child is missing, where the fuck is he, start talking, because your baby daddy is going to go first, then you, then the kid."

"I don't know where Chip is. Shouldn't he be in New York, on bail for murdering my best friend?"

"Charles Putney." Jax's grip loosened on Liv and they both faced the speaker hearing Chip's name come out of Fitz's mouth.

"Charles Putney is being held by the Los Angeles Department of Homeland Security. He was found trying to escape from the burning boat. Upon further investigation, there was a body discovered on the boat, that name will not yet be released, pending family notification."

Questions began flying in, and Fitz couldn't focus on just one, still no appearance of Jax or Liv, and Fitz was trying to remain calm. "Talk to me Tom." He whispered.

"Sir, I can't go beyond the barriers for your safety."

"Screw my safety, go check on Olivia, now, that's an order."

"What the hell?" Jax said. "What the hell is he talking about?"

Olivia took a breath. "There you go, your precious son wasn't in Oakland, what hotel room? Or are you stalking me, like you did to Erin? Let me go, now."

"No, no, here's what you're going to do. You're going to get Jake to win in there, you hear me? Governor Grant wants to play with me, you get Jake Ballard to win, Fitz loses, and if he doesn't, your son, your little curly haired boy, he's dead, you hear me, dead? I lied when I said the father goes first, baby goes first." He pushed Liv away and walked quickly around the courthouse.

Liv's body was shaking. She picked out her phone and called Huck. One ring.

"Liv."

"Tell me you have Grant; TELL ME YOU HAVE HIM!" She screamed into the phone, tears coming down.

"Liv, he's fine, he's right here, I have him, we're a half hour from the ranch, what's going on?"

"Don't let him out of your sight." She clicked the phone down. How does Jax know he has curly hair? How does Jax know Grant is a he? He can't know Fitz is the father, he must think it's Davis. She stood there with her head in her hands, trying to figure it out.

"After today's portion of the trial, I plan to say more on the announcement of Charles Putney's detainment, but first, let's begin this process to get stricter laws for domestic abusers. Thank you."

The crowd once again, cheered as Fitz practically bolted to the courthouse stairs.

Tom grabbed Olivia who almost screamed again, but noticed it was Fitz's detail. "Ms. Pope, are you ok?"

"Go back to Fitz, I'm fine."

"Where's Jax?" Tom was looking around.

"I don't know." Liv whispered.

Tom ran back, he saw Fitz heading to the entrance. He watched the crowd dispersing, stood in front of Fitz. "Olivia said she's fine, no sign of Jax."

Fitz waved again to the crowd, smiling, and saw Olivia emerge from the side. Her eyes said it all, she was threatened somehow, and there was nothing Fitz could do right now.

Olivia ignored any contact she wanted to make with Fitz and walked into the courtroom. She sat down on the first bench she saw. She had a choice to make. Get Ballard to deny the plea deal and go to trial or chance the Putney's getting to Grant.

If Jake takes the trial, Fitz loses, and this means so much for his Governorship. If Jake takes the plea deal, Grant becomes target number one. Suddenly, all the happiness Liv felt with Fitz a few hours ago came crashing down.

She never should've come to California. She should have kept Grant a secret, never saying anything to anyone. Fitz never would have known. Liv should've taken Gerry's advice. Why did she even stay in New York? She should have ran away with Grant while she was pregnant.

Then Olivia put her head down in both her hands. Alone, now on a court bench in the lobby, she cried heavy sobs. "Abby", she whispered. "that's why I stayed in New York, for Abby and her justice."

Olivia stood up. She shook off her emotions and she walked into the courtroom. The session had already begun, and everyone turned to see who had stormed in late. Olivia stared directly ahead, her eye movement to Jake.

He was smiling, a huge smile, and he elbowed Leonard Peters in his side and whispered something in his ear. He licked his lips as he saw Olivia sit down, directly behind him. Olivia focused on the judge who brought the court back to order.

She couldn't turn to face Fitz. She would lose all her composure if she did. She just continued to stare at the judge, who got annoyed again when the doors opened, and everyone turned once again. Olivia didn't have to turn to know who just walked in because Jax Putney took the seat right next to her.