Olivia moaned and let the pleasure take over her body. she felt her orgasm rushing forward like a freight train. Olivia clawed at Rip's hair as her thighs clamped around his head. Rip took his time savoring her taste—not knowing whether or not it'd be the last time he experienced it. Olivia's body started to shake and she suddenly started to sob. Rip was well versed enough with the female body to know that she hadn't expected her orgasm to be so strong. He slowly backed off, knowing that she was too sensitive, and gently licked her clean. He crawled up her body and waited until she slowly opened her eyes. He smiled wide enough to make his eyes crinkle, "You okay Bambi?"

Olivia lazily nodded her head. "I'm perfect." Olivia inched her small hands towards the waistband of his pants. She tried to slyly slip her hands into his pants.

Rip grabbed her hands and stared into her eyes, "You sure? We don't have to do this right now."

Olivia was touched by the gesture almost as much as she wanted to slap him. "Stop trying to give me a way out. I want this. I want you Rip."

Rip let go of her hands and allowed her to unzip his pants and cup him through his boxers. Rip reached into his back pocket and pulled out a condom. He deftly slid the condom on and helped her remove his pants and boxers the rest of the way. He pulled her down lower—by her thighs—and trailed kisses down her neck and chest. While she was distracted, Rip started to slowly ease himself into her.

Olivia tensed at the intrusion—after not having sex in quite some time—and gritted her teeth.

Rip kissed her lips and mumbled, "Just relax baby."

Olivia forced her body to relax as she took in his impressive length. "You feel so good."

Rip slowly made love to Olivia with a tenderness that made her release silent tears. Olivia nudged Rip until he got the hint that she wanted to reverse their positions. He allowed her to take charge and poise herself on his lap. Rip watched every expression on her face as she guided him back inside her. Olivia got on her haunches and started to ride him at a leisurely pace. She swirled her hips, earning a groan from him, and braced her hands on his broad chest. Olivia looked down to see him staring back up at her. She grabbed his hands and placed them on her hips. "Bambi. You're so perfect."

Rip's gentle tenderness and adoration propelled her into another orgasm. Olivia screamed his name and collapsed on his chest. Rip moved her back and forth on his lap so that he could reach his own peak. They eventually laid tangled in one another and trying to catch their breath. Olivia surprisingly started to cuddle him. Rip kissed her temple and rubbed his back until she fell asleep.

Olivia awoke the next morning by the smell of food cooking. She went into the bathroom and cleaned herself up. She saw her clothes folded neatly on a chair near the closet but opted to pull on one of his t-shirts. She walked into the kitchen and paused in the doorway of the kitchen. She went up behind him and wrapped her arms around his midsection. She kissed the middle of his back. Rip looked over his shoulder at her, "You ready for a southern style breakfast Bambi?"

Olivia nuzzled her nose into the middle of his back, "I don't even think I can eat a full southern breakfast."

He chuckled, "Good thing you got me huh?"

Olivia let go of him and went about setting the table. She looked up briefly to catch Rip staring at her. "What?" she asked shyly.

"Nothing. Just didn't think we'd get to this place. This is nice."

Fearing that the conversation would turn serious, Olivia hastily changed the subject. "What are your plans while you're in Virginia?"

Rip shrugged and mumbled, "I got invited to the Fire and Ice Gala."

Olivia's eyes widened slightly, "Do you know what that is? It's a fundraiser hosted by Mellie, in which there's a guarantee that Fitz will be there."

"I'm aware." He said plainly.

"Are you going?" she asked.

Rip put his fork down, "I'm tired of them bombarding Katrina (his assistant) so I guess I'll go."

"You don't have to go Rip."

Rip looked at her curiously, "You don't want me to go? Why is that Bambi? You going?"

Olivia shook her head. "No. I'm not going. You can go wherever you choose to go Rip."

Rip sighed, knowing that they were on the verge of an argument, "What's bothering you?"

Olivia averted her eyes, "They're going to try and sucker you into funding Fitz' Super PAC. I know Cyrus and I can guarantee you that he knows about the tension between you and Hollis. Cyrus has also probably figured out that there's no way in hell they could get JoJo without you. He wants to make sure that Fitz snatches the southern Democratic states from his opponents. That likelihood is increased with you and JoJo funding his campaign."

Rip studied her the entire time she was speaking. He saw that same passion and fire that she always had when talking about work. However, Rip knew her a little too well. "You still talking like you're working his campaign. Why should I care that Cyrus did his research on me and Hollis? If they got me then why would they need JoJo?"

"Too many scandals during his first term. He's going up against 'Sanctified Sally Langston' again for the Republican primary. If he loses any bible thumping states then she'll automatically be the front-runner. If I were on the campaign, that's exactly how I'd think. Cyrus was my professor at one point. Trust me…he's thinking the same thing."

Rip narrowed his eyes, "You want to go with me?"

"Why are you asking me that? Can you just be direct and ask me whatever you want to ask me?"

Rip flexed his hands, "Do you want to be pulled back into that cycle? Do you want to be back with him?"

"Rip, that's a wild assumption."

"Is it?" he challenged. "Out of being in love with this guy, you've allowed him to disrespect you for years. You've allowed him to make you believe that he could have a future with you even though he wouldn't divorce his wife—"

"Let me stop you right there. Three—don't ever think that you know the ins and outs of my relationship with Fitz. Two—I never said that I wanted to be back with him or in his circle. One—I was the one that always stopped him from having a tangible future with me."

Rip wasn't put off by her response. "So what is that you want? I care about you deeply but I won't be a warm body until you decide you want to be with him again."

Olivia's lip quivered, "That's not fair Rip. I would never intentionally treat you like a warm body. I would never ever do that to you. I don't know what I want. That's the honest answer. I've been stuck in limbo for years now. I don't know the man that Fitz has become but I can guarantee that I don't want to be with that man. Go to the gala or don't go to the gala. I don't give a fuck." Olivia quickly left the table, went upstairs, and got dressed before she left his home without any further talking. Rip let her leave because he was just as irritated as she was.

Olivia surprised everyone when she strolled into OPA later on that morning. Huck looked up, "I thought you'd be away from the office for a few days Liv?"

"Well clearly I'm not." She said harshly. She took a breath and said, "I'm sorry. I just need to get some work done and didn't need that much time off."

Quinn and Abby shared a look before silently trying to decide who would talk to Liv. Huck saw their exchange and said, "Either one or both of you needs to go in there. Something's off with Liv."

Abby decided to take one for the team and went in to talk to Olivia. She let Olivia recap the entire conversation with Rip. Abby shrugged her shoulders and sarcastically said, "Can you blame him?"

"Abby"

"What?" Abby said. "You finally sleep with the man and then you're all but asking him to support the President's re-election campaign. You may not have said it directly but you definitely implied it by running down the entire Cyrus Beene playbook. You also can't make your mind up when it comes to him. For crying out loud Liv, is the sex really worth all the stress that comes with it?"

Olivia held her face in her hands, "It's not just sex with Fitz!"

Abby threw her hands up in frustration and stormed out of Olivia's office. When Quinn walked in, Olivia still had her face in her hands. Quinn's heart went out to her boss. "We see things differently because we're on the outside looking in. From our perspective, even if the two of you were to actually get together, he'd turn you into another Mellie Grant."

Olivia's head shot up, "No he wouldn't. I am nothing—"

"But he would. He'd move her out and move you into the White House. You'll do exactly what she did…give up your career because of his. You'll become presidential arm candy just like Mellie Grant is. You won't be Olivia Pope anymore. You'll be the President's girlfriend. Now, the inner workings of your relationship may be completely different than how we perceive it but the problem is that everyone else—except the two of you—are on the outside looking in. Perception is everything—you taught me that Liv. I think Rip is great for you but maybe you don't feel the same way. I don't think that the President is healthy for you because of the company he keeps. How many times have Cyrus and Mellie gone out of their way to hurt you and 'protect the presidency'? Do you really want to be with someone who keeps those kinds of people close to him? Love is a crazy and heartbreaking thing but being in love with someone doesn't define you. You are who you are regardless as to whether or not you're in love with someone. Why don't you try loving Olivia Pope first? Be selfish and pour all your energy into her. Don't worry about dating anyone or trying to fill a void."

"Thank you Quinn."

Quinn shrugged, not really wanting to tell her, "You got a delivery while you were out."

"What kind of delivery?" Olivia asked

Quinn exited and brought in an intricate box. inside of the box was an over-the-top Mellie Grant crafted invitation to her Fire and Ice Gala. Olivia rolled her eyes. "I should've known this was coming."

"What is it?"

"An invitation to Mellie's charity gala. The same gala that's trying to sucker Rip into funding the Super PAC."

"Are you going to go?" Quinn asked.

"No. I need some distance between me and them. Do me a favor Quinn."

"Anything Liv."

"Help Huck look into potential clients. I'd rather be drowned in clients and their problems."

"We'll look into it"

Olivia caught her before she left, "Quinn?"

"Yeah Liv"

"Thanks. thank you and Abby for talking some sense into me. I don't know what or who I'll chose, so I'm just going to focus on me for now."

Quinn smiled, "She's a pretty incredible lady."

Olivia slowly walked into her home, aware that someone else was inside. She reached inside her purse and pulled out a gun. When a figure moved out the corner of her eye, she spun around and raised the gun.

"Can you put the gun down Ms. Pope?"

Olivia let out a frustrated groan. "Tom? Are you fucking kidding me? Why are you in my apartment?"

Tom had a neutral look on his face. "You were taking too long to come home and I figured it'd be more awkward if I was waiting in the hall."

Olivia set her purse and gun down. "Why are you here?"

"He didn't mean to hurt you and wants to make things right."

"So he made you his spokesperson?"

"I've seen the two of you together Ms. Pope. You're made for one another."

"No. I'm made for someone who doesn't treat me like a piece of trash. I don't want to talk to him and I'd rather not talk to you if you're speaking for him. Before you ask, I will not be going to the gala. That pissing contest that he wants to have does not concern me. Please get out of my house."

"Ms. Pope. This whole ordeal might get ugly."

"So…let it. The White House and the President are your problem, not mine."

Tom nodded his head and moved towards the door. "He still misses you Ms. Pope, even if he doesn't say so."

"I miss me too Tom. I miss the person I was before I ever got caught up in anyone else. My life was much simpler."