A/N: As I return back to work and deal with some personal issues, the updates may not be as frequent, but there will be updates, just may take longer than a week, maybe two. I also will not neglect my other stories. Trust me, writing keeps me sane, so your reading them keeps me happy. Happy reading, please leave a review, I love to hear from you. Thank you.

Chapter 16—Fair Share

"It's beautiful here, Liv, you would be out of your mind to ever step foot again in New York. That's just my opinion, but I wanted to share it with you anyway." Davis had seen Liv walking Grant along the beach front and decided to join her.

"No one asked for your opinion, Davis, but I don't mind you sharing it. It's not like I disagree with you, it is beautiful here, and it would be a wonderful place for Grant to grow up, like his father did." Liv took a deep breath looking out at the ocean.

"I'm not saying this for any other reason than just being your friend right now, but there's nothing more you can do for Abby in New York. She's not there anymore. It's just her memory, Liv, and she would want you to go on."

Liv looked in the carriage. Grant had on a tiny blue sunhat MiMi had bought for him. She looked up at Davis, now standing next to her. "Abby needs her justice."

"What do you think I'm going back to New York for? I'll be working with Quinn and the prosecutor. You come back when you are needed in court, no use in sitting there waiting for things to happen. Be happy, Liv, you deserve it, and you don't have to run here, you don't have to hide here." Davis began walking, as Liv pushed the carriage forward.

"Really? What am I doing now? I'm hiding with the Governor's baby. Fitz just can't announce us to the state. This can ruin him."

"I doubt it will ruin him, Liv. That man is slowly winning the hearts of every Californian. Look, I'm just saying, there is a time you have to stop running from the Putney's and invite them to come and get you. They don't stand a chance." Davis shrugged.

Grant began to stir around in the carriage, giving off a little cry. Liv pointed to a shaded area. "I'll take him over there to feed him."

"He's changing every day, Liv. He is just so damn cute." Davis lifted him out of the carriage for Liv. "When we first got to the ranch, I didn't think you'd stay longer than a week."

"I told Fitz I'd give it at least a month." Liv sat and took Grant from Davis.

"Give him your life, Liv. Give him every moment with his son." Davis stopped talking.

"What? Go on."

"Liv, I saw the breath being taken from you. You almost died, under my watch. You wouldn't let me kill Chip, if you had this would all be over, but you didn't. Do yourself a favor, do Grant a favor, and live this life."

Liv looked back out into the ocean. "They're talking about him being president already. He's been in office two months and they're already talking presidency."

"He certainly has all the qualifications." Davis didn't argue.

"You saved our lives, Davis. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be sitting here at all. I wouldn't have him in my arms." She looked down at Grant, and back at Davis.

"Then, make that life I saved worth living, you go on living." He rubbed Grant's head.

"Jax thinks you're the father." Liv laughed.

"Dumb ass. Of course he does. That's even better, take him off Fitz's tail. It's Fitz's secret to tell, not Jax's."

"When are you heading back to New York?"

"Day after the hearing for the extradition. Quinn has been keeping me informed. We are going to stay at the apartment. No sense in renting two now that you're out here."

Liv looked inquisitively at Davis. 'You like Quinn, you have feelings for her." Liv smiled.

Davis shrugged. "I do." He looked down. "We're hoping we can give it a try when I get back to New York, if that's ok with you."

"You're sitting here, convincing me to stay out here with the man I love and you're going to ask me if it's ok for you to have love in your life? Go for it. I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you. She wants to nail Putney as much as you do. It's too bad you both couldn't be prosecuting him. How do you think the hearing will go?"

"I think Putney has the Governor in New York on his payroll, I think it's going to go thirty days, and it may be forced. I just don't think the Governor of New York sent the warrant over demanding him back."

Davis had every intention of being at the hearing with Liv. Huck was staying back, doing some work for the Governor. Liv needed someone there. Fitz already told him he knew Liv would want to go, and he'd want one of her men there. Fitz was convinced the Judge owed Jax a favor and things wouldn't go smoothly.

"You don't seem surprised at all by that. Something has to give one day with those two. One day Liv they are going to hurt someone who doesn't care if they die. I just hope I'm there to witness Chip and Jax's long, slow death."

Liv nodded. "Be careful, Davis, you may laugh about Jax thinking you're the father, but he said the daddy goes first. I don't like you going to New York without me."

"I'm your bodyguard, remember." He took Grant from Liv. "Let me spoil this guy while I have the time."

Liv rested her head on Davis's shoulder. "You're not wrong you know, saying Abby would want me to go on. Her mother has told me the same thing. I think what still rips me apart is Chip walking into her funeral."

Davis bounced Grant gently in his arms. He squinted out towards the ocean. "I didn't know you at all back then, I don't think I would have followed your orders not to kill him with him doing something like that." Davis shook his head.

"Huck wanted to, trust me. It would have killed Erin though; her heart was in shreds already. Erin is the reason Huck didn't tear Chip in two. He's been talking about it a lot though, lately." Liv gave a scared chuckle. "Actually, he talks a bit too happily about it."

Grant was sleeping now, comfortable in the rocking rhythm Davis was providing. "I can't think of anything that would give Huck more happiness. This little guy keeps Huck grounded, though, he wouldn't do anything against you, to upset you. Besides he wants to be in this guy's life."

Liv took Grant from Davis, putting him back in the carriage. "You and Huck will always be in his life. Grant will have two godfathers, you and Huck when he is christened."

Davis began pushing the carriage back towards the ranch house. "I hope you take my advice Liv, take my advice and stay here; we can hold things down in New York."

Liv ignored the statement. "How long before Fitz brings me out to the public? How long until one day we are deliberately seen together?"

Davis shook his head, genuinely not sure. "I think soon enough he's going to be bold enough. Right now, his concern is get Putney out of your life." Davis let the carriage go in front of the door. "To be honest, he can't have a life with you if someone out there is going to stop at nothing to take your life away." Davis walked into the house, leaving Liv with a sleeping Grant and her thoughts about the future.

After dinner, Liv met with Quinn on a virtual meeting. They were discussing the hearing coming up. Quinn had been speaking with the prosecutor in New York, and just as Liv suspected the Governor had yet to demand Chip be handed over yet.

"At the hearing, the judge is going to do two things, Liv." Quinn said.

"Yeah, I know, he's going to make sure Chip is the asshole that he is and check his identity, then he's going to check that all the paperwork is in order." Liv said

"And since it's not…"

"The fucker will get another hearing in ten more days." Liv blew out her breath in frustration. "There's no way the DA can find out what's the hold up with the paperwork?"

Quinn shook her head. "She isn't saying anything, just saying there's more pressing issues right now."

"Total bullshit. Pressing issues my ass. She's probably waiting to see how Jax can damage her image. She's up for reelection. Ok, Quinn, I'm heading to bed. Get some rest."

"Liv, did Davis talk to you?"

"He did, I'm happy for your two." Liv smiled.

"Not that, about staying on out there."

"Goodnight Quinn." She clicked off the meeting and headed Grant's room.

"Olivia, he's down for the night." MiMi was caressing Grant's cheek. "Sleeps so soundly. Fitz slept all the time until he was 6 months old. We even bought him a small baby Winnie the Pooh glow toy. The toy had its eyes closed, just like Fitz all the time."

Liv looked into the crib and smiled at the story MiMi told her. She tilted her head, looking at her son. "Yeah, MiMi, he's good."

"I think I'll go see if I can dig out that toy from when Fitz was a baby. That would be something." She rubbed Liv's shoulder. "You have a good night, dear. It's so refreshing to have you around here; you and Grant bring so much life to this ranch home. I can't wait until Fitz announces to the state, he is a father." She walked out of the room.

Liv had so many questions for MiMi. She knows Fitz better than anyone. Doesn't she think his image would be ruined, everything he's worked for would be tossed? She crossed her arms, and she looked at Grant, taking a deep breath. "We have a decision to make little guy."

Liv left the room, walking to the bedroom. Fitz wasn't in there yet, and she put on some pajamas, his favorite silk black shorts and her matching lace bra, and settled down with her book of the week, not really reading the words. She was too focused on everything going on.

She must have fallen asleep, because it was two hours later, and she heard sounds coming from the monitor.

Liv looked over at the monitor. She saw the shadows of Fitz holding Grant, walking with him beside the crib. She could listen with her eyes closed, the sound of his voice, speaking to their baby did things to her heart.

Two weeks have gone by so quickly. It's so different when you're by yourself, alone with your thoughts. That's how Liv spent most of her pregnancy. Had it not been for Huck and Davis, she's sure she would have lost her mind.

Being here, at the ranch, with Fitz and his staff has been something Liv was getting used to. Having Davis and Huck here with her has been a bonus even though Davis was going to leave in a few days.

"What's up with Daddy's little guy huh? You having trouble sleeping? Here, mommy left us this bottle, ok, this will help." She heard Fitz comforting Grant. He was whispering, but the baritone in his voice echoed clear through the monitor. Liv smiled to herself. He was so good to her, never waking her up.

She knew how busy he's been. As much as he wouldn't admit it, his commuting to Sacramento three days a week and back to Santa Barbara was taking a toll on him. She noticed how tired he was getting.

"You know what, Little Guy, I can't wait to take you to the beach. I'll teach you to surf. Would you like that? Would you like to surf? California has the best beaches in America. Don't tell mommy I said that; she's all about the East Coast. Let's hope we can keep you two here, right?" Liv looked over to the monitor.

She watched now as Fitz gave their sleeping son a gentle kiss on the cheek. He rested his body down into the crib. He rubbed his soft cheek. "I love you, Grant."

Liv was staring at him as he entered back into their bedroom. He stopped for a second, noticed she was awake and gave a small smile. "I didn't mean to wake you up; I should have turned the monitor off." Fitz said as he climbed into bed.

"You didn't wake me up. Besides I love hearing you talk to him. He's changed in just two weeks, right. You see he's getting just a tiny bit more hair. Hard to believe he's going to be two months old soon." Liv rested her head on Fitz's chest.

"He's amazing. I love every second I get to spend with him." He rubbed Liv's shoulder. He took a deep breath. "Still can't believe it's been two weeks."

Liv rested her head in her hand now, looking at Fitz. "Are you talking about Grant or are you talking about Jax? It's not unusual for them to fall of the radar for a few weeks. Huck lost track of Chip before we came out here. They have so many others to do the dirty work for them."

"I'm pissed off someone alerted him about the FBI raid on Sandoval's department in San Diego. The only satisfaction I'm getting is one of my guys is now going to run the mayor's office until a special election can be conducted. Also, Putney's drug business is as good as dead there."

It was quite the scene in San Diego when Fitz pulled up with some of his staff members into the crime area of the drug warehouse fire. Sandoval was standing with four men from his office standing with him. All four were as corrupt as Sandoval and Fitz knew it. Fitz turned to his chief counsel.

"Let him make the phone call, then get the officers I told you about to come in and arrest them. Don't let on to anything else." He looked at the other members riding in the car with him. "Understood?"

"Yes sir."

As Sandoval stayed behind while a few of his council members showed Fitz the damage, he made a phone call. Huck would later tell Fitz, Sandoval called Jax's phone, but Jax did not answer it. Once Sandoval joined them on the tour of the damage, the officers approached Sandoval and two of his council members, arresting them on the spot.

Just before Sandoval was being led into the police car, Fitz got right up in his face. "You were a good, honest man at one point, doing business with the likes of Jax Putney, well this is where you wind up. I'm sure we'll gather evidence on him as well. Have fun rotting in prison, Gabe." Fitz pushed his head down, relieving the cop of the honor, and pushed him into the car.

"Notice you're the one going to prison, and where is your boy, Jax? Looks like he bailed on you." Fitz slammed the door.

That was two weeks ago, and his staff, himself, and Huck lost track of Jax. Olivia wasn't the least bit as upset as Fitz was. She knew he was stressed about it. "Let it go, Fitz." She said now. "He'll show up, he always does." She reached down and gave him a kiss. Big mistake, well maybe not, as he gripped the back of her head and kept her lips on his.

He lifted her up onto him, as he continued to kiss, her. He wasted no time to take her silk shorts off, and rub her ass with both his hands, while his kissed continued to her neck. Liv lifted her head, inviting him to keep going as her hands rested on his shoulders.

She leaned to his ear. She pulled at his earlobe with her teeth, and then whispered, "Let me make you forget for a bit, ok, Governor." She kissed down his chest, as he rested his hand behind his head just watching her.

She pulled his boxers down, tossing them on the floor next to the bed and took him fully in her mouth. "MM, Livvie." His other hand rested on her head, as she made his body weak. With her mouth covering him and her hand rubbing his chest, Fitz was loving the feel of her. He took his hand off her head and rested it on her hand now.

He pulled her up by her hand and just looked in her eyes. "Remember how I told you; you bring out the little soul I have left in me? It still holds true."

"You have a lot of soul left in you, a good soul that you gave to your son. Don't ever doubt that." He pulled her down again, taking her lips. He grabbed a condom and pushed himself up, right into her. His one hand behind his head, just like a boss watching, as Liv moved with his other hand in between her breasts rubbing up and down her chest.

"Ahh, Fitz." She looked at him. He was moving slowly, just looking back at her, his eyes, so grey, so full of desire. As his body moved in rhythm, Liv had to break the stare and close her eyes, this was so good. His hand moved from her chest to her shoulder, as he held her in place, slowly bringing her body to shivers.

The quiet now, overtaking the room after their love making, Liv was drifting off into dreaming about him as he caressed her hair, per usual making her feel so loved. "You're not the least bit worried?" Fitz woke her just as she was heading into sleep.

"Of course, I'm worried. I've been worried every moment since I gave birth, but this is Putney 101. The first extradition hearing was in two days. Liv was well aware of this, and she had every intention of being in that Los Angeles courtroom to look Chip right in the eyes. Jax would show up there for his little offspring.

Fitz was unable to attend the hearing. He wanted to be there, but he was due up north in Santa Cruz. The wildfires had just been contained; he was going over the damage with the federal government. It was a commitment he couldn't miss. He knew Liv would not stay away from the hearing.

Fitz knew Jax would be there also. That made him crazy, even if Liv did have Davis with her. Fitz just didn't trust Jax, they were trying to be one step ahead of one another.

"I would hope you would stay away from the hearing." He continued to rub her hair, knowing his words were falling on deaf ears.

"Why don't you come with me tomorrow?" He asked.

"Come where?" Liv's head shot up as she looked at him. "Like out in public with you?"

"Yeah, like out in public with me. I have to go to Avila Beach, have you ever heard of it?"

Liv shook her head. "No, I can't say that I have. What's there?"

"I'm making an announcement from there. We finally have money coming in to beautify the beaches in California for the summer. It's about an hour drive away. The scenery is magnificent, there's small shops there to support local businesses, come with me Liv. I would love to have you there."

Liv crossed her eyebrows. "They'll be press, people, and questions. Look what happened last week when you were on a press conference, they're still asking about Mellie and the marriage."

"And I keep telling them there is no more Mellie in my life and there will be no marriage to her either." He put some hair behind her ear. "Come with me Liv. MiMi already said she'll watch Grant. My detail will be out, they'll keep you safe, keep the people away."

There he goes again, making her eyes dance with his. He was pulling her in again, and Liv feared for the time he pulled her in so deep she wouldn't be able to come back. "Ok."

His award-winning smile appeared immediately on his face. "Ok. I'm determined to get you to love California. Tomorrow we'll begin with an A town, then I'll pick one for B and C and so on. We'll do the A-Z of California."

Liv put her head back on his chest. She couldn't believe she was risking going into public with him. She was excited and scared at the same time. Not knowing he had a hidden agenda; Liv was looking forward to it. She closed her eyes, and this time sleep overtook her.

Fitz was holding her, listening to her breathing. He had his phone in his hand, he was messaging Cameron Lopez. Cameron was Fitz's accountant when he was mayor of Santa Barbara. Cameron now led the California Dept. of Tax and Fee Administration.

Tell me you have news.

For my favorite Governor, I'll work around the clock to get news.

That's what I like to hear. What's the good word?

The good word is, I'll see you in Avila Beach tomorrow.

Nice, that's my guy. I have someone I want you to meet also, text Tom to get the details where we can meet up.

Ok, and Fitz have the conference right outside if you want the full experience.

You take such good care of me. See you then.

Fitz put his phone down. Liv was still sound asleep on his chest, as he kissed her head. "This is all for you Livvie, you and my boy in there." He turned to the monitor, saw Grant as peaceful as his mother, and Fitz drifted off into sleep.

"Listen, she left the courthouse in Oakland, you saw her leave the courthouse, I saw her leave the courthouse. If I saw her leave, you saw her leave, right?" Jax was losing all patience with Ben.

Ben was hired right after Jax's meeting with Gerry. It was just in case he needed someone else to keep on an eye on Olivia, someone she had no idea worked for the Putney's. Jax didn't know how, but that woman knew things about him no one else knew. You would think she took a course on the Putney's.

"Sir, she left the courthouse, she walked to the back. I figured….."

"YOU FIGURED!" He slapped the back of Ben's head. "You don't get paid to figure. Was there a car there?"

"No sir."

"Was someone walking that wasn't Olivia?"

"No sir."

"Was there a crowd of people?"

"No sir, just two reporters waiting for the Governor to come out."

"What did you see when you followed her to the back of the courthouse?"

"By the time I got to the back, she was gone, she wasn't anywhere in sight."

Jax pinched the bridge of his nose. It had been almost three weeks since he last saw her. He took out a picture of Davis. He handed the picture of Davis to Ben. "Have you ever seen this guy?"

"No sir."

"Ok, here's what I'm going to do Ben. I am going to send you to the East Coast for a while. I have a few men there I want you to work with. If you want to remain in the Putney organization, you need to learn how to do some things. Do you think you can handle that, Ben?"

"Yes sir." Ben shook his head. He had been trying to get in on the Putney payroll for about two years now. He didn't want to fuck this up. He was a former prisoner in San Diego. He heard about the Putney's in prison.

He never spoke much in the confinement of the San Diego Prison system. He was 280lbs, a giant to most and he wasn't bothered much behind bars either. The inmates were afraid of him, much as he was afraid of them. His size was intimidating though.

After hearing so many men in the cells talk about the Putney's, Ben wanted to do something like that, to guard someone like Jax Putney. He was a legend on the San Diego streets, in general. He had heard stories about Jax shooting down two officers in cold blood when he was 18.

"Keep this phone close to you, ready to answer in the next few weeks, alright. My son has an important hearing coming up, and I think Olivia may surface there. I need you ready to be on the move. Do you understand that?"

Ben was very simple minded. He would do anything at this point for Jax. "Yes sir, I promise I won't mess this up, whatever you need, I'll do."

"Good, now go. Meet up with Dez in Fresno, he'll give you something to do."

Jax had a gut feeling with Chip being held in California that Liv never made the trip back to New York. He called Flannery, just to be on the safe side. He wanted to see if maybe she went back to her job. She didn't.

Jax didn't get anywhere with Gerry on the phone with him after the warehouse fire. He claimed Fitz wasn't speaking to him, and if Gerry thought Jax was buying that for one minute, Gerry was dumber than Jax thought.

"Why wouldn't he speak to the one man who taught him everything he knew?"

"Because he thought I was working against him in the Ballard case. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do in Washington. Just one thing Jax, Fitz is now your enemy, and you better watch it, because even I don't want my son as an enemy."

Right now, Jax's biggest concern was keeping his son out of New York. He would head right to jail, on jumping bail charges. He had to cash in favors with the New York Attorney General and the Governor. Perhaps something happened to the paperwork on Chip being indicted at all.

Jax could also give Judge Bailey a call. Judge Bailey wouldn't forget what Jax did for his daughter, getting her out of that mess she was in on the streets. Maybe just the sight of Jax in that courtroom for the hearing would be fear enough for The Honorable Judge.

The extradition hearing was coming up. If Olivia was bold enough to show her face there, to show up there, then Jax would be ready. This time he'll have someone smarter than Ben watching for her.

Leslie Alum called breaking Jax's thoughts on Olivia Pope. It was about his next nemesis, Governor Grant. More shit on his shoe he can't seem to scrape away. "You don't want to be near San Diego tomorrow."

"Do tell. One of my biggest assets went up in flames. I need to survey the damage."

"I have someone inside the FBI, they're on to your boy Sandoval, you go there tomorrow, you're going down with him."

"How are they on to him?"

"You want to hear the name; I'll say the name. Governor Fitzgerald Grant, that's how they are on to him. That man is no fool Jax, I keep telling you…."

"And I keep telling you to shut up. How does it look on the losses, on the arrests?"

"Not good, your days in San Diego are over. Time to swallow those losses and move on. The Governor is bringing his people in and with a special election in a few months, he'll have his friends in on the council and as mayor." Leslie hung up before she would hear his wrath again.

Jax sat now in his 5-million-dollar beach front home staring out to Avila Beach. He was alone in a huge house. There was talk that Governor Grant would be coming tomorrow to visit the beach and make an announcement. Jax was now contemplating if he should chance facing Fitzgerald Grant.

"Maybe I could stand front and center at his little press announcement." Jax said to himself. He took a sip of his Johnny Walker Black Label. "Or maybe," he whispered to the ocean view. "I could head to Los Angeles a day ahead of the hearing and look for the Pope gal myself. Decisions."

Olivia was wide awake, dressed, and feeding Grant by the break of dawn. Call it excitement, call it nerves, or call it fear, Olivia was looking forward to the day and dreading the day. She just wasn't sure of all the emotions she was feeling.

Fitz was in the shower, Liv talking to Grant. "Daddy is taking mommy to a special place today." Grant continued to focus on eating. "Mommy is very nervous for your daddy, but I trust him. He hasn't let us down yet." Liv heard the shower turn off.

She turned Grant towards her now, looking in his eyes. He was wide awake, looking back at his mother. "Hello handsome, you're wide awake today aren't you?" Grant blinked softly at his mother's voice. "What's today huh? What did the caterpillar eat today?" Liv smiled at Grant, and his face scrunched at the sound of her voice.

She placed a soft kiss on his forehead, as Fitz stepped out of the bathroom to see it. He just looked at them, so perfect, watching Liv give him a kiss. He swore he saw a small smile on his son's face.

He stood behind Liv now, Grant having a view of both his parents. "Good Morning little guy. Are you getting spoiled from your momma? Daddy got spoiled last night." He leaned over and kissed him.

Liv put Grant over her shoulder. She glared at Fitz. "You're shameless."

Fitz laughed. "You ready for today?" He was getting dressed. Liv felt underdressed in jeans and a tee shirt, but she just wanted to blend in with the "townspeople."

Fitz put the finishing touches on his tie. He took Grant from Liv as MiMi was walking in. He gave Grant a kiss. "Be good for MiMi."

"He's always good for MiMi." MiMi walked over to Liv to say her goodbye and she left with Grant.

They arrived on Front Street in Avila Beach. It was just the two of them walking along the street with small shops. The detail were in front of each store they entered. Fitz put his arm around Liv, as they shopped in the stores.

Only one worker was in each store, and if they had any clue who Fitz was, they weren't letting on. Liv figured some disclosure agreement was signed prior to their arrival, but she couldn't be certain. Even so, others were seeing the Governor out and about with Liv at his side, and that had her happiness through the roof.

They bought tiny bathing suits for Grant, some candles and jams for MiMi, and purses and shoes for Liv. Fitz gave her a questioning look when she bought three very unique, sharp pocket knives. "What? Two for Huck and one for Davis, that's all you need to know."

Liv picked out a pair of sunglasses for Fitz. She tried them on him having him look in the small mirror. "I look like the guy from Men in Black." Fitz said laughing but bought the glasses anyhow.

After an hour of shopping, they arrived on a beautiful beach front. Liv saw the Governor's podium set up not too far from a gigantic beach house facing the ocean front. The house took her breath away. In fact all the houses they passed on the were multimillion dollar homes.

"These are some of the problems beach communities are facing." Fitz said as they continued to drive. "The billionaires that own some of these think they are above the law in paying taxes and the small shops like were in suffer from their negligence. That's going to change, everyone pays their fair share now." Fitz gave Liv a kiss as they approached the area where the podium was set up.

Fitz's detail got out first, they looked around for a few minutes before giving the ok to the Governor. "It's going to be a few minutes before people begin coming by, let's go." He put his hand out to Liv after he got out of the car.

Liv saw a group of five people standing not too far from the podium. Fitz let Liv's hand go, and walked over to greet the individuals. After a few moments of small talk Fitz returned with a young looking, dark haired gentlemen, with a very pleasant smile.

"Liv, this is one of my best friends, Cameron Lopez. Cameron was my accountant when I was mayor in Santa Barbara, now he heads California TAX division. Cameron, this is the love of my life, Olivia Pope."

The smile never left Cameron's face. He put his hand out. "Pleasure to meet you Olivia. Fitz invited me to the ranch to have dinner next week. I can't wait to hear about the woman who grounded this guy." He patted Fitz on the back. "Well, I have a job to do, you ready."

Fitz nodded. "Showtime. Thanks so much."

"You got it." Cameron nodded again at Olivia. Liv just looked at Fitz as Cameron walked away.

"Fitz." She whispered.

"What?" He saw tears in her eyes.

She pulled him in for a hug. "Nothing, just thank you."

"Go on," Fitz said, blend in.

Liv saw a crowd of people walking, heading towards the podium, which was now being moved to the house two down from where it was set up. Liv followed the crowd, but she knew someone from Fitz's detail wasn't too far from her.

The crowd, now getting into the hundreds, were surrounding the beach area. Just in the backdrop was a home that seemed to occupy it's own block. Liv couldn't stop staring at the house, it truly was breath taking. She noticed Cameron and his team take position in front of the house. They faced the podium as if they were waiting for a cue from Fitz.

"Hello Avila Beach." Fitz walked up to the podium to a bunch of cheers. "Beautiful Avila Beach." More cheers. Fitz did know how to work a crowd.

"We are all aware that California has the best beaches in the nation, if not the world, am I right? It bothers me, has always bothered me how neglected our government can let the beaches get. This is California's heart and soul. Without our beaches, what would we be?"

More claps from the crowd. "So, I am here today to let you know, the federal government has funded us, finally funded us, with money to beautify our beaches. We get to fix up the rough patches, clean it up, and make it safe for future generations to surf, to sail, and to snorkel just like we did growing up."

The crowd was very much into this, but Liv didn't let Cameron and his team go unnoticed. That's when Liv saw him. She had to blink twice to be sure, but it was him. Jax Putney was standing on the balcony of the house they were just outside of.

Jax had decided, after all, to stick around. He would let Fitz see his face, let him know he was very much in California and the bullying, power hungry Governor wasn't going to scare him out the state. He stood now on his beachfront balcony, not believing Fitz was set up just outside of his property.

"This guy has some balls." Jax said to nobody. He peered down, saw Cameron and his crew standing on his balcony. "A bit too close there fellas." He whispered, as he headed downstairs.

"Now, you have people, people that own houses, like the one behind us." Heads turned, looking at the house behind. It was nothing they weren't used to, so they focused back on Fitz.

"Millionaires taking away the beach from you, the public, for their own private use. That's not bad right, because they own the property. What's bad is when they don't pay their taxes on the property, the very taxes needed to keep a beautiful place like Avila Beach operating day to day."

Now the crowd began to boo, agreeing with Fitz. "You pay taxes, I pay taxes, why doesn't he." And Fitz pointed just as Jax Putney came outside to speak to Cameron. "Pay taxes." The crowd turned and looked again seeing Jax. They began chanting. "PAY YOUR SHARE, PAY YOUR SHARE."

"YES" Fitz yelled. "You hear them Mr. Putney, pay your share of taxes."

Jax looked up shocked that the chant was for him. Cameron turned and faced Jax. Cameron nodded at one of his men, and the man put a spiked sign on the grass of the property. The sign was bright orange with a capital, bold word SEIZED in the middle. Surrounding the bold was small print Liv couldn't make out.

Jax began pushing the guy to stop him, but Cameron grabbed Jax, and pointed to the envelope. Jax grabbed the envelope.

"What Mr. Putney is doing is reading a notice now that his property has been seized by the IRS for back taxes. He has to appear in court tomorrow, unless he wants it auctioned off for a low price, we all could afford."

After the crowd was finished clapping Fitz continued. "This is just the beginning, Avila Beach, Venice Beach, Malibu, and Laguna, we are coming after all of them. The funding to clean our beaches doesn't stop here in Avila. The federal government, and the division of taxes in California will continue to work with those harming our beach communities. Thank you, and if you would like, you can join me on Front Street in a few minutes as I greet some shop owners and residents."

Fitz stepped down off the podium and walked over to Cameron. Liv still had a good view of what was going on, but she couldn't hear much at all. She could see Jax's face, redder than a sunburned beach goer. She covered her face with both her hands, not believing what she just witnessed.

"Grant, you better watch yourself, your playing a very dangerous game." Jax said through grinding teeth

Ignoring him completely and putting on his new glasses, Fitz looked at Cameron. "So, the owner of this property has until when?"

"Tomorrow at 6pm Governor, he has until then to show up and pay his 225,623 dollars in back taxes or the house becomes auction material." Cameron turned to Jax. "My address where payment can be made is on this flyer." He handed it to Jax and when Jax wouldn't take it, Cameron dropped it to the pavement and looked at Fitz.

"Anything else Governor?" Cameron asked.

Fitz put his hand out for a shake. "No, Mr. Lopez, thank you so much, I'm sure you have many other properties to visit." Fitz turned to Jax.

"We're alone now Jax," he scoped the crowd, spotting Liv, and seeing his detail not far behind. Having his glasses on , Jax couldn't see that. "I am going to tell you, piece by piece, property by property, day by day, month by month, I am taking you down. You and your boy are finished. I may not have anything yet on you, but you will be behind bars with your boy soon enough." Fitz turned to walk away.

"Fitz, come on, you know his hearing is tomorrow." Jax said. "Stop this." He pointed to the SEIZED sign.

"No, it can't be changed, maybe next time, pay your taxes. Hearing or no hearing, it's your choice. Lose your beach house or let your boy face the music on his own." Fitz picked up the flyer. "Here you go, don't litter, it's another fine."

Fitz walked away as Jax crumpled the paper in his hands. He was about to throw it on ground when he saw dozens of eyes staring at him. He stopped, then he froze. One of the people he saw blended in with the crowd was Olivia Pope.

She caught his stare, his spotting of her. Invite them to come and get you, Liv heard Davis's voice, and she waved, a small wave with her four fingers. She had a smile on her face, but what Jax didn't know was how hard her heart was pounding in her chest. She couldn't begin to imagine the revenge Jax would be plotting against Fitz now.

Olivia knew exactly what Fitz had done and why he did it. Fitz didn't want Jax anywhere near that hearing tomorrow, knowing Liv would be there. He also knows the judge is probably one of Jax's and if Jax isn't there, the judge would be less intimidated to rule in Chip's favor.

Back at the ranch house, one of the jobs Huck was doing for Fitz involved making sure Chip was caught off guard tomorrow. He was working around the clock for a glitch to occur in Leslie Alum's phones. She couldn't receive or send messages.

There was also a problem with incoming calls. She couldn't hear the person on the other end, and her caller ID was disabled. It was too late now in the day to reach out to her phone carrier. She would have to appear at the hearing tomorrow without communication with Jax beforehand.

Leslie was relaxing on one of the beaches Fitz had mentioned in his speech just a short while ago. With the stress of working for the Putneys, Leslie deserved this relaxation and whatever was wrong with her phone was a blessing in disguise.

Jax slammed his phone down. With only one person to call right now, he dialed the number. The phone in Ben's hand began buzzing. Ben looked at the display. "What can I do for you boss?"

"We are moving forward in our plan to destroy Olivia Pope."