Fitz put the car in park in front of one of the small, inviting stores located on Main Street in Rutland. As Fitz drove past all the stores, before reaching the parking spot, Olivia heard the story in her mind of each building. They were all simple and so comforting. Small mom and pop shops that just shouted "WELCOME". To Olivia, it was Harold and Betty all rolled into a strip of a country sidewalk. For a moment she felt homesick for the city and closed her eyes. Edison's face greeted her darkness, and she came back to Rutland. This was her home now.

She stopped her thoughts as her passenger side car door opened and Fitz put his hand out to help her out of the car. He was such a gentleman, and when she took his hand and stood outside the car, they were face to face with each other, him looking down into her eyes. At that moment, Liv raised her other hand to rub Fitz's back as a thank you.

He quickly grabbed her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers. It was as defensive a move Liv was sure of it, perhaps she was sending him a message he didn't want. But then he leaned in looking closer into her eyes.

One quick look into his eyes and Liv had to look away. Not yet, as she almost met his lips midway. "Thank you, for everything, but especially for being there for me and not leaving me alone", she said with a slight blush. Daisy hopped out after her. Olivia kept her fingers interlocked with Fitz's while looking at Daisy hop down onto the sidewalk.

Fitz opened the door to Sophie's, Daisy walked in like she owned the place and went to what seemed to be a familiar spot for her in the corner of the store. The smell that hit Olivia's nose was freshly baked something. She wasn't sure if it were muffins or cookies, but she had to control the saliva from drooling out of her mouth.

The first to greet them was a gorgeous red-haired woman. She took a glance at their hands, and Olivia realized she was still holding Fitz's hand, fingers still interlocked. Olivia quickly let go and put her hand out towards the woman. "Olivia Pope.", she said, as Abby reached out for her hand also.

"Abigail Whelan, my mom Sophie owns the store." She looked at Fitz. "Hey, you, glad to see you out of your man cave. Mom is mad at you, staying away so long."

Fitz smiled with a blush. "uh-oh, I better run before Sophie gets me." Fitz turned to Liv. "It's ok if Abby gives you a ride back home? I am going to bring your car, and Daisy back. I have some things to do with Bryce."

Olivia nodded and looked at Abby. "You sure you don't mind? I don't want to…."

"Not at all." Abby said. "Anything to get rid of this guy." She winked.

Fitz looked at Liv. She saw a bit of sadness in his eyes. "I'll see you back at your place. Happy shopping, oh and don't forget the firewood." He gave his low whistle and as quickly as Daisy entered the store, she walked towards the exit, but this time with a treat hanging from her mouth.

Walking in their direction was a beautiful woman, smiling. She had just finished handing Daisy her treat. The smile on her face was ear to ear and Olivia felt the urge to reach out and hug her. She seemed so motherly. She had a white apron on, and it read SOPHIE across the chest. It was the cutest thing Liv had seen.

"You must be Olivia" Sophie greeted her with a warm smile and, as if reading Olivia's mind, grabbed her in for a hug. "Welcome to Rutland. This is home, and we are so happy to have you here. Fitz tells me you have a kitchen to stock up, Abby, let's get to it." Sophie turned to Fitz, and Abby grabbed Liv's hand. "Let's go, Liv, I can call you Liv, right? Let's go, grab a cart". Her and Abby started through the store and left Sophie to Fitz.

When Olivia was 5, her first day of kindergarten was a day of happiness. Both her parents took the day off work and took her to the building filled with children. Olivia, being an only child, did not get to interact much with other kids her age.

When Olivia was waiting in the school yard, holding her parent's hands, a petite girl full of sass walked up to her, and the girl's mom walking closely behind. As the parents introduced themselves, the girl took Olivia's hand and guided her to a hopscotch board.

The girl starting hopping and said, "I'm Nikki, what's your name?"

"I'm Olivia. Can I hop with you on the board?"

"You don't have to ask, silly, this is a board for everyone, come play with me."

From that moment on Nikki and Olivia were inseparable. If Nikki wasn't at Olivia's house, then Olivia was at Nikki's house. Their parents, Nikki only had a mom, had hit it off and they both helped one another.

When Nikki was ten years old, her mom's company was relocating. They were moving out to the west coast into the Seattle area. Nikki's mom was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to run the company and she couldn't pass up on the offer.

In the summer of Nikki's tenth birthday, Olivia helped pack the last of Nikki's belongings into the moving van. They both sat on the empty floor of what used to be Nikki's room and cried for hours, then laughed, then cried again, until her mom said it was time to leave.

Although they promised to never lose touch, they did. Olivia could never find a connection to someone like she had with Nikki. After the accident, Maya tried to locate Nikki, but was unable to find her mother or her. Perhaps she had married and changed her name. Maya just couldn't find her, and she didn't want Olivia to face anymore bad news, just in case that was the reason.

Up until this day, standing in the most amazing little grocery store in Rutland, Olivia thought she would never have a friendship like she had with Nikki. Then, she met Abby. Olivia took an immediate liking to Abby. She had spunk to her. She was sarcastic, funny, and friendly all wrapped in one.

Just like on that first day of school, just like Nikki, Abby grabbed Olivia's hand and said, "Come on, let's get your kitchen stocked."

From the moment they started shopping, Abby started talking. She couldn't believe someone finally bought the Jennings place. The Jennings siblings used to babysit Abby. Abby was 25 now, but she had fond memories of being on that property.

Olivia was in awe of how fast Abby could talk and change the subject mid-sentence. Abby was a walking history book of Rutland, Vermont. After filling two carts of groceries, cleaning supplies, and pastries, Abby and Olivia wheeled them to the corner and sat down to have a bite to eat. Nothing that needed refrigerating just yet. She would have to come back when electricity was restored.

"So, Fitz tells us you're from the City. I have always wanted to go to the city. What's it like? Never mind, that's a dumb question. Anyway, you're neighbor to Fitz, that's golden."

"Why is that?"

"Fitz is a God around here. He saved this town from going under. He's like the President of Rutland. Right now, five years after Fitz came into town you get to move to a populated town. Five years ago, this place was nearly a ghost town and businesses were starting to close. Speaking of the city, some hot shot banker made his way all the way up here and started scoping the land. He wanted to build high rises and condos; he wanted all the big chain stores to knock down home's families have lived in for decades to make way for fast food chains. He wanted to make this a shopping stop for people driving though to get to the interstate. Fitz was able to save our town and send that arrogant asshole, Edison Davis, packing back to NYC."

Olivia wasn't sure if her face lost coloring, but Abby crossed her eyebrows and asked if she was ok. "Yeah," Olivia lied, "I am fine, I am just surprised one man was able to do all that."

"Fitz worked with all the important people in town and was able to come up with ordinances and amendments to hundred-year-old laws. He is the reason Rutland is still standing today and many of us owe him everything we have but that isn't the type of person Fitz is."

By this time Abby's words were just background noise after hearing Edison's name. She never would have thought that Fitz had a connection with Edison. No matter how far she tried to run from him, he would always haunt her.

After hours of talking and getting to know one another, Liv finally glanced at her watch. She jumped up, startling Abby. "OH MY GOD". It was 230 already and her moving truck should have been there a half hour ago. Plus, she still had the firewood to pick up and the car to load of her groceries.

When she told Abby, Abby reassured her to calm down. Leo had already loaded her things in the car. Liv didn't understand because she hadn't paid for anything. Before she could say anything, Abby confirmed it.

"Fitz said not to take any money from you, so don't even think about paying."

Liv was surprised and said, "at least let me tip Leo. Is he still here?"

"No," Abby said, "that's my job" she said with a wink. Leo was her boyfriend and worked at the store. He was a baker, and Abby told Olivia she would take care of his hot buns later. She called Leo over to introduce him to Olivia.

At the lumberyard, the trunk was loaded by a friendly young man who introduced himself as Ken. Ken wouldn't accept a tip and said the firewood was picked out personally and paid for by Mr. Grant himself. He shook Olivia's hand. "Any friend of Mr. Grant's is a friend of mine. Welcome to Rutland Ma'am."

"Please, call me Olivia", Liv said as she returned the handshake. Liv was falling in love more and more with Rutland in less than 24 hours, but it seemed to be Fitz who was making that happen.

As if anything couldn't get better, when Abby pulled up to Liv's property, the movers were on their way out, the truck backing out. Liv jumped out of the car, stopping them as the truck came to a stop.

"I am so sorry I am late", Liv pleaded, "please could I pay you extra to just stay and unload the truck rather than making a new date. I really need my things."

The mover signaled to the porch. "All taken care of. Enjoy your new home." Fitz and Bryce were taking in the last of Olivia's furniture.

Liv's heart couldn't take the pounding. This man has done more for her in the past 24 hours than anyone in her life. How could she ever repay him and why was he doing this for her?

As Abby got out of the car, Fitz walked towards Liv, as Daisy was running up behind him. Daisy made it to Liv first, jumping up on her as her tail wagged. Liv calmed her by petting her and looked up at Fitz.

"Hi", he said with a happy smirk.

"Hi", she said. "I really don't know what to say, except thank you, again, and again, and again."

"Anything for you." Olivia looked affectionately into those ocean blue eyes, and felt her stomach form a knot.

Bryce had found his way over and all four of them started unloading Abby's car. Driving up behind Abby was another car, and Liv recognized Leo.

"Hello Ms. Pope," He looked at Fitz, "Hello man king of Rutland and his trustee sidekick the Prince of law enforcement."

"Shut up Leo and carry the light stuff in, wouldn't want your hands unable to roll out the cookie dough."

The five of them worked the next few hours helping Olivia move in. Olivia mentioned it had to be while there was still some daylight and broke the news about the electrician.

Abby took care of the kitchen. Bryce, Fitz, and Leo placed the furniture to Liv's liking. All Liv really had left to do was go through several boxes she had packed.

One of those boxes had a cell phone that Huck had programmed for her. By tomorrow she would be back in touch with Huck and able to communicate with the Rutland world.

When all was moved from the outside to the inside, and everyone was taking a break, Fitz grabbed Liv's hands. He led her to the small bathroom. The half bath that had no windows and no light. He closed the door and Liv could swear she could hear her heartbeat out of her chest. No matter how light it was outside, it was pitch black in the room she was standing in with Fitz. She wondered what in the world he was doing, but she felt a strange kind of safe being in a dark room with him.

"I wanted to give you a surprise, something you weren't expecting." Fitz said.

As Fitz lay on his mat in the dark dirty mud house, he had counted three nights since he had any human contact with anyone. He heard gunfire, he heard bombs in the distance, and he heard voices outside his shelter.

The growls of his stomach were beginning to get louder. He couldn't remember the last time he had eaten anything. He was starving, but that didn't bother him as much as the dryness of his mouth. He hadn't spoken a word, hadn't a sip of water, or had anything to avoid the dehydration his body was beginning to feel.

He didn't want to seem desperate, and maybe he should just let himself die. It would be better for his country, for his family, and for his Navy. He just didn't have the courage to do that. Fitz always felt he was put on this earth for a reason.

He was born a Grant, the only Grant despite all the women his father had in his bed. He was the one that was born. His father didn't father anyone else. He wanted to be the one to better the Grant name rather than the legacy his father was leaving.

Now, with darkness setting in again, panic started to overtake his body. His stomach begging for food, his mouth begging for water, and his body growing weak he started to scream. The last bit of sunlight was saying goodbye through the small hole in dirt ceiling.

He continued to scream for what seemed like hours, but it was only minutes. He heard movement and jingling of keys as the door opened and three men walked in. One did not hesitate, and kicked him right in the back, probably cracking a rib, as Fitz gasped for air.

Two were clearly Iraqi soldiers the other was unmistakably an American. The American took one look at Fitz and looked away, not having the guts to ever look at him again.

He apologized in English to Fitz. He understands the Kurdish language and he was there to translate. Translate or be killed. Who was Fitz to judge the guy? Before any words were spoken, the two Iraqi soldiers looked up to where the light was coming in through the small hole in the roof. One backhanded the American and he left the room.

Within moments, the light went out, as the hole was covered, and darkness filled the room. The two men started laughing and one shone his flashlight into Fitz's face. Fitz was still trying to catch his breath and maneuver his body to ease the pain in his back.

When the American reentered the room, the Iraqi soldier said something and the American quickly translated. "No more light for you. You will not know the days from the nights." As they turned to leave another Iraqi walked in dropped two paper cups of water and a paper bowl of white rice with a plastic spoon.

As they all left, with Fitz not mouthing a single word, darkness filled the room and Fitz would lose count of how long it would be for him to see daylight again. It was the darkness that would haunt him for years to come. The thought of darkness, the thought of anyone he cared about ever being in darkness. It was something he would never let happen, not to anyone he loved.

Now, standing with Liv in a dark room, he never wanted her to experience darkness, not in Rutland anyway. He wanted to be a light in her life, and he was able to provide light in her life, so she didn't have to spend another night in darkness. It bothered him so much that she spent last night in darkness.

"Something I wasn't expecting?" Liv asked with what little air she had in her lungs to speak. Being in this dark room with him was doing things to her she couldn't control. She welcomed the darkness., her scars being hidden in the dark. The darkness gave her comfort.

He could hear her breathing, not knowing if she was scared, anxious, or just nervous. Liv closed her eyes even in the darkness and held his hand tight. She imagined the light being on and him seeing her scarred body and accepting it, not cringing. For that very moment, his hand comforted her, and her breath grew shallow.

Before her thoughts went any further. The room filled with light, as Fitz had flipped up the light switch. Her eyes adjusted from darkness to light and her mouth popped open in surprise. "Fitz, how did you do this, the electrician wouldn't be here until Monday."

"I used a bit of my power in the town and got someone I know to sell his soul to get light to you." He laughed. "Just kidding, Bryce is also an electrician. He was able to restore some power, not all of it, like the gas and hot water, but for the most part, you won't be in darkness tonight."

Liv looked at his facial features. She looked in his eyes, filled with as much pain as her. She wanted to reach up and touch him, but she remembered how defensive he got earlier. He reached out and rubbed her arm gently where the bruise was. What would he think if he knew who did that to her? Liv was not going to ruin this moment.

They looked at each other both moving closer within the minute. Liv kept her arms at her side as Fitz's lips came closer to hers and she almost reached in, but a knock on the door separated them. "Fitz, did the light work?" It was Bryce. Fitz broke the stare and opened the door. Bryce saw the light and smiled. "Oh good, I thought I mixed wiring."

Bryce looked at Olivia. "Did you like the surprise? Fitz couldn't wait to show you he brought light to your house."

"It was a wonderful surprise; one I was not expecting. Thanks so much Bryce. How can I repay you?"

Bryce thought for a moment and said, "come to my place tomorrow night with Fitz. My wife, Lara, cooks huge Sunday dinners. We would love to have you and introduce you to the girls and family."

Liv nodded, turned to Fitz, who shrugged it was fine with him. Liv put her hand out. "You have yourself a deal Sheriff."

"Fitz, Olivia, let's go, dinner is ready." Everything was happening so fast; Olivia was finding it hard to keep up. She turned to Fitz.

"I moved to the country to calm my life down, today has been one thing after another. What are you doing to me, Mister?" She reached up and squeezed his cheeks together before heading towards the kitchen.

Abby had everything set up. The plates had food on them, bread in the middle of the table, glasses with red wine, and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies on the table next to the bread. The only thing, the table was set for two, not five.

"What about you and Leo, and Bryce?" Olivia asked Abby.

"Bryce has a family he needs to get home to, and Leo and I had dinner plans already. Mom sent over some of Fitz's favorite, chicken cacciatore. Enjoy. It was more than a pleasure meeting you, Liv and I'll see you during the week. We need to do more shopping." She turned to Fitz. "I'm heading out, happy eating, I have to go knead my man's dough." She winked at Fitz and left.

Bryce shook Fitz's hand. "I'll see you tomorrow", he turned to Liv. "Take care of this guy, he's filled with surprises. I am glad to have met you and hope you keep Rutland as your home. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

Before he turned to leave, he turned to Fitz. "Don't forget to tell her about the water heater."

Liv looked at the time. It was nearly 8:00 already. It had been a nonstop day and Fitz had taken her mind off how it started with that dreadful car ride. Fitz pulled out a chair for Olivia at her kitchen table and she gave a thank you nod and sat down.

"You are going to love Sophie's cooking, this is one of her best meals, but the chicken alfredo is even better." Daisy gave a slight grunt. "Yes, Miss Daisy, Sophie sent some chicken for you." Liv watched as Fitz set the bowl of plain chicken down for Daisy and then watched as Fitz ate his meal and reached for the bread. He saw her not eating and asked if everything was ok.

"Everything is more than ok, Fitz, I don't know how to repay you for today. From the car incident to the lighting, thank you for thinking of me. I would be lost without you. This city girl wouldn't have had a clue what to do. Now, what about the water heater?"

Fitz took a deep breath. He reached out and covered her hand, rubbing her smooth skin once again. "Yeah, about that, your heater has a huge hole in it. You don't have any water, not even cold water, and along with the electrician, we couldn't get a new one here before Monday."

"Fitz I am sorry to ask for something else, but can I go to your place to take a shower tonight? I could really use one. I was going to brave the cold water tonight, but without water…." Before she could finish her sentence, Daisy walked by her and sat next to her, resting her chin on her lap. Liv looked back at Fitz.

"Well, there's your answer. You're more than welcome to take a hot shower in my place, and scouts honor again" as he held up three fingers. "You're safe with me."

During dinner they talked about Liv's day in Rutland. She told Fitz how she met more people today than she had living in NYC. He was happy she had a good day despite her near miss with the car. They were savoring in the cookies Leo had made and Liv told Fitz all about Harold. Fitz loved the way she described him and told him there were quite a few "Harolds" in Rutland.

They talked about Liv's backyard and the sunrise view she saw this morning. He thought back to her singing and dancing and decided to stay silent about it for now. She was only disappointed that she didn't get to see the fall foliage in the true sunlight. She mentioned to Fitz how it was November, and it wouldn't be around much more.

Fitz then had a thought occur to him. "Would you be Ok with going out tomorrow, around noon? I know we are going to Bryce's, but I have something I would like you to see."

"Hmmm, let me check my calendar." Liv looked down at Daisy, now laying at Liv's feet. "Daisy, are we busy tomorrow at noon?" Daisy looked up at her, saw she had no food to offer her and put her head back down. "That's a no, Mr. Grant, we are not busy, but Daisy says she wishes to come also."

"It's a date."

Standing in Fitz's enormous, beautiful bathroom, Liv began to cautiously undress. There was a full-length mirror in front of her and she dreaded looking into it once her clothes were off. It swallowed the room, so she couldn't not look in it.

Once undressed, Liv stared at her body. It had been quite sometime when she actually got the full view of her body. As she looked in the mirror, her fingers traced every scar. 12 of them to be exact. 4 on her chest, just above the breasts, 3 on her breasts, 2 on her right breast and 1 on her left one. The remaining 5 were scattered on her stomach where the accident had the biggest impact. 2 were tiny ones, but they were still there.

There was the jagged one on her left that was hideous, but it was hers. The final two were significant and formed on her right side. Watching in the mirror, she knew her body so well, she knew where she could touch and not feel a single scar.

A month after her release from the hospital the doctor gave the clear to finally have Olivia step into a shower. It had been grueling on her mom and her to tend to the stitches and keep the wounds clear daily.

Every two days a wound care specialist would come to make sure there was no infection and the stitches were all intact. Until they all came out, Olivia would need only a sponge bath. How she longed for a shower stream to hit her body, hot water and comfort, that's what she needed.

Finally, the day had come. Maya had been so helpful, so caring, in helping Olivia bathe herself. Olivia knew the pain it brought to Maya to see her daughter so scarred, but Maya wasn't concerned about the physical scars, she was more concerned with Olivia's wellbeing.

Olivia put up a façade that she was fine mentally. The cold sweats, however, waking her out of her nightmares were becoming hard to control. She didn't want to burden Maya with it though, since she had just started going back to work. Olivia had a tutor coming to the house until the end of the year and she would begin back up in Sept as an eighth grader.

On this particular day, after the doctor cleared Olivia, she wanted to jump right into the shower. Maya had asked her tutor to stay until she got home while Olivia went into the shower. As the water turned on and Olivia went to step in for the first time in over two months a wave of nausea hit her, and she turned to the bowl and vomited.

Her scarred body seemed three times worse as she stared in the mirror and she prayed the water of the shower would wash the scars away. She calmed herself down and stepped into the shower. Once the spray of the water hit her and she turned and let them hit the scars, she felt a sense of peace.

Olivia was in the shower for so long, her tutor had to knock to make sure she was ok. "I'm fine, just enjoying the comfort." Her tutor acknowledged her letting her know Maya was home.

Olivia turned off the shower, stepped out and began drying off. One of her chest scars had started to bleed and Olivia had to apply some pressure to stop it. When the bleeding subsided, the mirror was clear, and Olivia looked at her body.

The scars didn't wash off. She wasn't stupid enough to think that would happen, she just wanted one of her wishes to come true. Then, she saw him, her father, in the mirror. He wasn't alive though; his eyes were dead cold and for a moment she forgot about her imagination and she screamed.

Maya came running in, still in her work clothes and found Olivia, naked on the floor, body shaking with sobs. She led Olivia to her bed, where she laid with her, Olivia's head cradled in her arms, and all Olivia remembers is waking up in Maya's arms. Maya never left her side that night and was still dressed from work the previous day. Olivia had no recollection of anything from the time she stopped the bleeding. It was her one and only PTSD blackout episode, Maya had explained to her.

These were not uncommon being the extent of the trauma Liv experienced and it wasn't abnormal to have only one. Maya admitted how grateful she was that Liv only had one, because it was the scariest thing she had seen. Later, Liv's therapist said PTSD blackouts could last a lifetime, so Olivia considered herself lucky that it was only one.

Olivia exited Fitz's bathroom now, feeling refreshed and clean. She had to thank him and wanted so badly to hug him, she just wanted to feel his arms around her again, like he did this morning, but this time she wanted to return the hug. She was beginning to welcome his touch.

She immediately heard Daisy whimpering and she looked towards the sound to see Fitz slouched in the corner, body shivering but sweat soaking through his clothes. His eyes were distant, and tears were streaming down. "OH NO, Fitz, are you ok, My God, Fitz, are you ok."

Fitz continued to stare into space, his back up against the wall and when Olivia reached for him, he pushed her hand away. Daisy walked over and Fitz felt for her collar. Daisy had helped him up and Fitz let Olivia hold his two hands and guide him to the bed.

He lay flat on his back, never letting go of Liv's hands, and Liv climbed into bed with him. He rested his on his pillow and Liv was able to use one arm to hold his head close to her body as her other hand interlocked with his. Before Fitz fell into a sound sleep, he just mumbled four words. "Keep the light on."

Olivia lay next to him, her head resting on his, not wanting to move for the longest time as Daisy lay on the other side of him sleeping as peacefully as Fitz by his side. Liv caressed his face and used some tissues from next to the bed to rub the beads of sweat off his forehead. Liv recognized the PTSD blackout and it confirmed Fitz was locked in his own prison. Had they been brought together to help one another escape?

After about two hours and Fitz sweat finally subsiding, Olivia was able to maneuver her way out of the bed without waking him. Daisy lifted her head with a small whimper and Liv whispered, "I'll be fine girl, you stay."

Olivia grabbed one of Fitz's flashlights by the door and made her way back to her place. Even though she didn't have heat, she had light, and blankets, and a bed. She cuddled up into that bed and she still felt Fitz shivering in her arms. She didn't sleep much at all that night as the thought of his attack played fresh in her mind. All she could think of was all the ways she could comfort him. It became clear to Olivia as she lay fully awake, they both needed each other more than they knew.