A/N: I am blown away by all your reviews of the story, so first let me start off by thanking each one of you that left a review. This story is going to be slow moving. A tidbit about their past will come out each chapter. This will show just how common their struggles are, and much they can lean on one another. The intention is Olitz getting through their own personal demons while working to get through the problems they will eventually encounter. The true test will come when they are faced with helping one another, emotionally and mentally. They are still in the meeting mode and Olivia will be making her transition to Rutland and getting to know Fitz for at least two more chapters. Please bear with this love story if you have the patience. Enjoy your reading and let me know what you think.

Happy Mother's Day to all the readers that fit the category. Enjoy your day on Sunday.

Chapter 3—Triggers

Olivia woke up at the break of dawn. She finally had light in her new home, and she couldn't wait to look around it. She had placed her air mattress right in the middle of where the living room furniture would go. It was in front of a beautiful wood burning fireplace, but there was no wood, and nothing was burning. She thought of the towers of wood in Fitz's home. Hers wasn't as elegant, but it would do the job of heating the room, once she figured it all out.

Once she sat up, she felt a chill run up her body, as she slept in the clothes she wore and didn't have much of a blanket this cold November Vermont morning. She hugged herself resting her hand on her arm. She felt the soreness and she pulled her jacket off. The bruise where Edison had grabbed her was now three fingers and they were purple. Olivia dropped her jacket. Why did she ever get involved with him?

She faced the window that led out to the backyard and the view took her breath away. It was enough the sunset she witnessed last night was a piece of heaven in her mind, but the sunrise was just as gorgeous. It was breathtaking, and this is something she could get used to.

She glanced around the house. It was a one-story home, cozy and comfortable to her liking. It sure beat the hustle and luxury of city life. She took a walk through the rooms, 2 bedrooms and one and a half bath.

Aside from a good dusting and a bit on the old side, the house was in pristine condition. She walked in and out of the empty rooms. She only had furniture for one bedroom coming in a few hours. One bedroom of furniture, a couch, a recliner, some lamps, and a kitchen table. That was it. She would have some shopping to do, but it all could wait.

She stood in the enormous kitchen and chuckled. Fitz, last night, was a master in his kitchen. She looked at the stove. It was a gas stove and it frightened her. She didn't think she would ever move around a kitchen as well as Fitz did.

She had plenty of cabinet space. Her double door refrigerator was too big, but she would make use of it. She was happy to see the dishwasher, now to have dishes to clean in it. All in good time, Liv, she told herself.

She reached into her bag. She did bring some cleaner, some rags and her iPod and air pods. She glanced at the time. It was just 7 am and her trip to Sophie's would be at 9 am when she opened. She really needed to get used to things not being open at her convenience. Olivia opened two windows to get some Autumn air into the home and to drown out the chemical smell of the cleaning supplies.

Starting on the hardwood floors in the living room, Liv blared her music in her ears and began her cleaning. She was feeling the anxiety of having to drive into the town to grocery shop, so the music would calm her down.

Whatever you want

Whatever you need

Anything you want done baby I'll do it naturally

Cause I'm every woman (every woman)

It's all in me. It's all in me.

Now Olivia started dancing to the beat. She waited for Whitney to come back on with the incredible vocals. Once they started, she got into the cleaning groove, singing at the top of her lungs. She was no Whitney, but who would hear?

I'm every woman

It's all in me

I can read your thoughts right now

Every one from A to Z. WOAH, WOAH, WOAH.

Fitz woke up from the best night of sleep he had in a long time. The beautiful brown eyes of Olivia Pope welcomed his dreams, and he felt so refreshed so early in the morning. He wanted to jog to release some of the adrenaline. He was hoping with Olivia being close by, his PTSD blackouts would subside if just for a bit.

He headed out early, just before the sun rose. He was doing a loop around the trail, 3 miles to be exact. He would pass the Jennings (now Olivia's) home and on the loop back he would pass it again. He wondered if she slept ok in the cold, dark home. He didn't want to seem overbearing, but he did want to help her with the move in today.

There was still darkness in the home when he began his jog and passed her house. On his way back though, he saw movement through the window. He took a deep breath. The woman he dreamed of all night was awake, and she was, dancing. He stopped his jog to take on the sight. It was beautiful.

Then he heard it. How could he not hear it? It was Olivia singing, very loud. She was so loud and funny. Not a make fun of kind of funny, but a genuine funny. He inched a bit closer to the house, careful not to be in view and he heard the words. It was a Whitney song, just like she told him she liked last night.

I can cast a spell of secrets you can tell

Mix a special brew, put fire inside of you

Anytime you feel danger or fear

Then instantly I will appear 'cause

Well, if those words didn't make Fitz's heartbeat faster than it was. He smiled as he continued his jog back home. Yes, Olivia Pope, you can cast a spell. The only thing, will I ever be able to tell you, my secret.

I'm every woman…..Liv stopped the music as she saw the movement outside her window. It was Fitz. He was jogging towards his house. She was right. He was a jogger. The only difference, she was a dusk jogger, he was dawn jogger. It was still something she had in common with that beautiful man.

She remembered his gorgeous blue eyes and how she was able to fall asleep thinking of one day being in his arms. She quickly erased the thought. One look at her scarred body no man would want that in his arms. Would she even be able to share her story with him?

She clicked the music back on, a bit lower this time and continued to clean the house. It was starting to smell fresh, erasing the old aroma of fire and pine. She was feeling confident about this little house. It may be just the healing she needed in her life.

She really wanted to take a quick shower, but she knew she had no hot water yet. It would have to wait, so she reached for her change of clothes to freshen up before heading out to the store. Just the thought of driving made her heart pound, and she just tried to remain calm. She made the drive up to Vermont. What should have been a six-hour drive took 8 hours, but she made it. She didn't want to do it again, but she had to try. She was able to control the anxiety of driving on the way up, but she wasn't so sure she could do it again.

All the girls in the click couldn't control their excitement about getting their licenses. They all just turned 17 and had all passed the written test. Now, all that was standing in their way was the actual driving test.

Olivia was dreading it. She wanted to fail the written test on purpose, just so she wouldn't be able to take the driver's test, but her mother was so excited for her, she didn't want to let her down.

Her mother pulled her aside the night before her written test. She knew the anxiety Olivia was feeling about becoming a driver. Her mother sat on the couch and Olivia rested her head on her lap.

Maya Pope caressed Liv's hair, comforting her, as she did each night since the accident. She assured Olivia getting her license was something her father would want. Above all, he wouldn't want Olivia to pause anything in her life because of his death.

It was this reason, Olivia agreed to take the test. The morning arrived and the school brought all the girls in her class to the driving test. Olivia sat behind the wheel and the examiner looked at her. He knew her story, as the instructor from school told him about the accident. He was going to be patient and cautious with Olivia, understanding how difficult it would be.

Olivia didn't even acknowledge the examiner. She gripped the steering wheel and tried to stop the beads of sweat from forming on her forehead. She closed her eyes tight. She saw her father look at her, smile, and remembered his last words.

The examiner asked if she was ready. Olivia didn't know how to answer that, but she felt she was ready. She gave a nod and put the car into drive. She doesn't remember much after that as her adrenaline took over. She remembers bringing the car to a stop, several minutes later, not far from where she started.

She looked over at the examiner who was writing something onto the paper attached to his clipboard. He tore the slip of paper off and handed it to Olivia. He told her she could let go of the steering wheel, which Olivia had gripped for dear life. She reached out for the slip.

She saw the word in bold black letters PASSED. She took a deep breath, thanked the examiner and proceeded inside for her little laminated card that would say she was a driver. Too bad Liv had no intentions of ever using the card except for identification.

She didn't give her ride up to Vermont as much thought as she was giving her ride into town right now. She felt the same way she did on the day of her driving test. Her heart was pounding, and she felt the sweat accumulate on her forehead.

Calm down, Liv, calm down. It's a short ride to town. You can do this. A city girl at heart, just like Fitz said. Yes, think of Fitz. Think of the blue eyes. Calming, comforting, her breathing slowed down. Perhaps this was all a mistake. Maybe she should just go back to the city.

Stop, that life was not for you. You tried it for years, it didn't work. Time for your happiness. She felt the soreness of her arm as her hands were gripping the wheel too tight. She thought of Edison. No, you made the right choice. She put the car in drive and headed in the direction towards Fitz's place.

Olivia slowed down when she saw Daisy running in the front yard. The road was a narrow two way, but she was able to pull in front of Fitz's driveway. She was slow, not knowing if Daisy would run towards the moving vehicle.

She noticed two vehicles in the driveway and Fitz was talking to someone when he glanced over and smiled at Liv's car. He smiled at her, she thought, or did he smile at the man he was speaking to. Anyhow, Liv rolled her window down.

"Hi" Fitz said.

"Hi", Liv said. "Good morning Fitz, I am heading to Sophie's place now. I am just verifying the directions with you." She nodded to the gentleman speaking with Fitz, "Pardon my rudeness for interrupting."

Fitz jogged over to the car and peeked in. "You're not interrupting at all." He turned towards his visitor. "That's Bryce. Bryce McClellan. He is the town Sheriff."

Liv looked at Bryce and waved.

"Welcome to Rutland. Fitz was just telling me you bought the Jennings place; we look forward to welcoming you to our Rutland family."

"Thank you" Liv said back.

Fitz looked back at her. Liv looked down at her dashboard, anywhere but his eyes because they pulled her into a place she couldn't go. Not just yet anyway.

"Keep going straight until you can't go anymore, turn left, another left and the stores will start coming in to view. Just be careful before you make that second left. That road has no traffic lights and it's a speed magnet for dumb drivers. What time are your things coming?"

She was touched he remembered she was getting her things today. The only downfall was the electrician couldn't make it until Monday. She would have to heat the house with the fireplace for two nights. "They'll be here around 2:00. It gives me plenty of time to pick up some food and firewood."

"I would be happy to help you move your things in, if you don't mind. I don't want to an overburden on anything."

Liv smiled internally and calmed her beating heart. "Thank you, Fitz, I would like that. Thanks for the directions. I'll see you later., then." She flashed that beautiful smile Fitz loved to see. She looked passed Fitz and waved. "It was nice meeting you Mr. McClellan."

"Call me Bryce, please, pleasure was all mine."

Liv started towards Sophie with the directions Fitz had given her. If everyone in this town was as nice as Fitz and Bryce, she may be convinced to stay. She knew two names of two people in less than a day. That's more names of anyone she knew in her condo building back in NYC in three years.

Just as Fitz said, the road came to an end and she made a left. To her right were gorgeous green fields that met the road. She had to be on the lookout for the other left. She didn't notice the speeding red car coming up behind her. The road was now two ways, but Liv wasn't aware of that. She heard the loud honk of the horn from the car behind her and she pulled left so he could pass on her right.

Not realizing the two-way traffic, she saw an oncoming truck and she immediately went back into the right lane, just missing the red car as it passed her and heard the truck's panic horn at the same time.

All of this had Liv in a tailspin, and she drove onto the grass as her car came to a complete stop. She put it in park and sunk her face in her hands, as she cried and sobbed with everything that just happened. There was no way she could get back on to that road again.

Fitz had introduced Bryce as the town Sheriff, and he wasn't lying. Bryce was also an electrician, and he needed a favor from him. When Liv pulled up, Fitz was asking Bryce to head over to the Jennings place and restore some electricity for Olivia. He knew there was no electrician coming over the weekend in Rutland and he didn't want her spending two nights in coldness and darkness.

There wasn't anything anyone in Rutland wouldn't do for Fitz. He was a savior in the town. He didn't interact much with the townspeople he so graciously helped but they knew who he was, and they loved him. Bryce was the only one who seemed to break any barriers Fitz put up.

He stopped by after Fitz called him and they started chatting about the new resident of Rutland. It wasn't long before Bryce knew Fitz had it bad for her. He never heard Fitz speak so admiringly of someone like he did with Liv. The first meeting with her had her living rent free in his thoughts.

Bryce would be lying if he said he wasn't happy for Fitz. This man gold, the giving heart of Rutland lived in such darkness. He never knew the true story, but Fitz lived alone and never interacted much. Even when he was at events, meetings, or just strolling through the town, he smiled, but there was something behind that smile. Bryce was just happy to have him as a friend.

Bryce was married with three girls. Fitz always said Bryce could move in with him when the wife and ladies came down hard on him. Bryce loved his life; his family was his everything. He loved when Fitz came over and brought Daisy. The girls loved Daisy and his wife loved having adult company. Him and Fitz were the closest thing to brothers as they could be. If Fitz needed a favor, he only had to ask once.

There was one time Bryce was alarmed and knew there were secrets Fitz held deep down inside. He had come by to drop off some things for the council meeting and Fitz was slouched in a corner of his house. His clothes were soaked through with sweat. When he went to help Fitz up, Fitz pushed his hands away. He was distant, as if he wasn't in the same room as Bryce.

Bryce instead held out his hand, Fitz took hold of it and Bryce lifted him off the floor. Daisy immediately came over and Fitz followed her to his bedroom. Daisy jumped on the bed and Fitz followed and just fell asleep.

The next night at the council meeting Bryce noticed Fitz didn't bring it up and acted as if nothing happened. Bryce left it alone, but he always made it a point to stop by at least once a day to check on him after that incident.

"I just have to go get some tools from my place. Want to come for the drive with me?"

"Yeah, and swing by El's for me, I want to put aside the right firewood Olivia. I know she doesn't have the first idea about what to do with a fireplace, but I want her to have the best wood."

They hopped in Bryce's black pick up and Daisy took her usual seat in the back outside bed of the pickup truck. Fitz looked at her. "Who invited you, come out now, we have stuff to load back there. Go inside, stay home."

Daisy didn't budge. Fitz looked at her. "Down girl, let's go, we have things to do, go get in the house." Daisy found her corner in the back and laid down. Fitz looked at Bryce. "She isn't budging, I don't know what's up with her." Bryce waved his hand. "Leave her be, she's fine. Obviously, she doesn't want to stay alone for a reason."

They headed in the same direction Olivia headed about a half hour before. Fitz wondered if she had the pleasure of meeting Sophie yet. He was most eager for her to meet Abby. He felt there would be a connection with Olivia and Abby and if anyone could get Olivia to love Rutland, it would be Abby.

As the truck came to a stop before making the first left, Daisy jumped out and headed straight towards the grass running up the path parallel to the road. Fitz couldn't believe what he was seeing. This was so out of character for Daisy.

Bryce hit the gas and headed up the road trying to catch up to Daisy, when Fitz saw what she was running to. "Slow down Bryce, damn it, slow down." Fitz saw Olivia's car and Daisy sat next to it barking. Fitz jumped out of the truck and ran towards the car.

Daisy greeted him as he patted her head. "Good job girl, good job." He didn't see any damage to the car, but he did see Olivia at the wheel, her face buried deep in her hands. He pulled the door, praying it would open and it did. "Livvie, are you alright? Livvie, were you hurt?" Fitz noticed she was shaking, she seemed to be in shock. "Liv, please talk to me."

Liv lifted her face from her hands. She looked towards Fitz. She bent her arms, so her hands met her shoulders and her head fell into his chest as she shivered in his embrace of her. He turned to Bryce and motioned for him to go, as he did. He thought of her singing and dancing just a while ago, and now this. What could have triggered this, he wondered?

Fitz held tight to Olivia and walked her over to the passenger side. He opened the back door so Daisy could jump in the back seat, which Daisy did, and took her rest. Fitz sat Liv in the passenger seat. Liv felt his arms around her, and she didn't want him to let go, but she had no energy to hold on to him. Once she was seated, he kneeled next to the car and waited for her to come around.

When Fitz woke up in a dark unfamiliar place his first instinct was to run, but there was no where to run. He felt the dirt floor below, as his shoes had been stripped from him and he was barefoot. He couldn't run even if he wanted to, he was shackled to a bedpost. He refused to scream though, he refused to make any noise.

He looked down at himself, some sun glaring in through a small hole in the dirt ceiling. He saw he was stripped down to his boxers, t shirt, and his tags. He had nothing else. He curled himself up in the corner and just cried. He was a soldier in the United States Navy, he had no right to cry, but here he was.

It wasn't too long ago when he went home for a few days to visit his father on the ranch in Santa Barbara that his father predicted this. He didn't predict it in so many ways, but it was close enough. Every chance his father got; he made a comment about Fitz joining the Navy.

He heard his father's voice. "Do yourself a favor boy, carry a gun, this way if you are ever caught by our enemies, kill yourself. The last thing I need in my life is you being held in exchange for military secrets. Don't tell them your name either, if you're dead, they will know from the tags, but that's different."

Fitz just shook his head at his father's words. No matter how many times Fitz told him what a gifted pilot he was, his father had no faith in him. Big Jerry always found ways to make his son feel so low.

If his father wanted him dead so badly, Fitz would take it into consideration. He said as much to his father. "If killing myself becomes an option, I'll be sure to do it, ok dad, whatever makes you happy."

For the remainder of his visit, before being deployed they talked about everything except the Navy. They played some golf, had some meals, and Fitz left not to be heard from again for another two years and never to be the same man that left the ranch after that visit.

Fitz ejected himself from the plane so quickly out of instinct he didn't even think to go down with it. He should have. Sitting in the dirt corner, now a prisoner to the enemy, he should have gone down in flames with the plane. He didn't though, proving to be the coward his father thought him to be. He ripped his tags off his neck. He had to find a way to hide his identity, but what could he do?

Whatever they had in store for him, he had to take the torture. Suddenly going up in flames didn't seem half as bad as what he thought he would get from the army of Iraqi soldiers. He braced himself for the little time of life he thought he had left.

Looking at Liv, waiting for her to come around, he was certain she was in her own prison. There was something holding her back, the pull being too hard to let go of, and Fitz wanted nothing more than to help her, despite his own problems. She gave him a desire he needed to have. She made him feel he was worthy of something.

"I got scared", Liv suddenly spoke in a whisper. "I didn't know it was a two-way road and I got scared. I moved over into oncoming traffic and I just barely avoided a collision. I was a bit shaken up so I pulled over on the grass and I just couldn't move. I got scared." She started sobbing again and she never felt so embarrassed in her life.

This man, though, this heartwarming beautiful man just caressed her cheek and told her it would be ok. "Would you mind if I drove the car into town, that's if you still want to go into town."

Liv turned to Fitz and his eyes grabbed hold of her. "I must look a wreck, but I need to have food for the house and firewood. God, how dumb am I pretending I could just move to a country area and go about my life."

"You aren't dumb at all. In fact, you're smart. You're independent and you faced a challenge head on. Obstacles happen, just learn from them. You look spectacular, not a wreck at all. If you're up to it, Sophie will take good care of you and her daughter Abby will make you feel better too. I won't tell them anything, but it will be good to have comforting people around."

Liv's hand touched Fitz's cheek and she thanked him. She looked back towards Daisy. "Hey girl, how did you know I was here? Are you stalking me?" Daisy lifted her head and gave Liv a pant before lying back down again.

Fitz told her how Daisy wouldn't budge from the pickup truck. "She must have known you were in trouble. I don't think I would've even seen the car once Bryce started speeding up this road."

Liv looked back at Fitz. "I think I am ok to drive. I can drive you back to your place with Daisy….

"Livvie, you're still shaking. He took hold of one of her hands and looked at the bruise again. "Liv," he was about to ask.

"Don't," she cautioned, "please don't", as a teardrop slipped down her face. Fitz reached out and wiped the tear away.

"I won't, but when you are ready, let me in, ok."

Liv got in her defensive mode again folding her arms hands tucked under them. She nodded and said "I would love for you to take me to town, meet some people, and get my house ready to be lived in."

Fitz closed the passenger door and hopped into the driver's seat. He adjusted the mirrors and before putting the car in drive, he reached out to Olivia's hand, which she finally unfolded. Before he touched her, he noticed some slight scarring on her skin. He still squeezed her hand, rubbing his thumb over the top. "Ready"? he asked.

"Put your seatbelt on, please, Fitz. Just always put your seatbelt on." Fitz nodded and did as she said.

She nodded her head yes to answer his question responding "Ready".

She wasn't ready at all, but she needed to take this leap. If Fitz was going to be by her side, it would make the landing a bit better.

Before he drove away, he looked at her. "Don't worry Liv, whatever happens, we can deal with it together, after all, we are neighbors."

They rolled back onto the road and into the town where Olivia would finally be introduced as the newest resident to the town of Rutland, Vermont.