A/N: Before we get into the problems for our couple, I wanted you to know more of their backstory. This is Fitz's backstory of why love hurts so much. After his backstory we are in the present where his current thoughts are about Olivia. (of course). Happy Reading.

Chapter 7—Then and now—Fitz's story

Fitz Naval Academy

Fitzgerald Grant the Third had it all. Looks, money, and brains. He was naturally skilled in becoming a pilot. Although some aspects were not so easy, he made it seem as though it was.

When he entered the Academy, he was known as the Senator's son. Fitz wanted that to change. He didn't want to be thought of as getting any kind of special treatment. He worked hard all through training camp and his fellow trainees noticed that.

It wasn't long before Fitz became a leader and others looked up to him for support. Fitz couldn't complain about his life at all as it was all falling into place for him. His new found passion of being a Navy pilot was quickly becoming a reality.

On the day of his Naval graduation, Fitz was at an after party. His father had flown in for the ceremony, surprising Fitz. He persuaded Fitz to go enjoy his time and they would fly back home together after the celebration weekend.

At the party, Fitz met Natalie Logan. Natalie was the subject many times amongst his Navy buddies. Natalie is the daughter of Commander Logan, an instructor and well-respected Naval officer. Natalie took an immediate liking to Fitz, for obvious reasons, and they spent time talking.

Fitz was the talk of the party and pats on the back for having hooked up with the Commander's daughter, but nothing was going to happen. Sure, he liked her, but he wasn't that type to love her and leave her. He did want to get to know Natalie better.

To avoid any surprises or backlash, he approached the Commander and asked if it would be ok to spend some time with Natalie. The Commander was very flattered, a bit reluctant, but flattered that a fine young man like Fitz would take a liking to his daughter and welcomed him to spend time with her.

Much to his father's delight, Fitz stayed behind on his break before going to Corpus Christie and used the time to get to know Natalie. His father had no resentment or anger since Fitz was ditching him for a woman.

Natalie and Fitz hit it off immediately and the relationship became serious. Having grown up a Navy child, Natalie had no problem meeting Fitz and staying off base, living with him as he served at Corpus Christie.

They had wonderful times together, dating off base, connecting with other Navy couples, and just enjoying each other's company. Fitz began having serious feelings for Natalie, and Natalie felt the same.

On the night they first made love, Fitz was all in. He never had feelings like this for any of the women he dated. He felt something more with Natalie and wanted to have a life together.

Fitz told Natalie he loved her, Natalie felt the same and they began planning a life together. Having gone to Santa Barbara with him to meet his father and Fitz slowly becoming part of Natalie's family, they started making plans for their future.

The last time Fitz was deployed, they had talked about a wedding and Fitz promised her an engagement once he came back in six months. Having been deployed before, Fitz assured her the time would go fast.

"It's nothing I am not used to Fitz" as she caressed his face. "You know I will miss you, but your notes and little romantic acts of kindness will keep me going. I love you and be careful."

Fitz boarded the plane and what should have been six months turned in to two years.

Five Years Ago: Santa Barbara/Vermont

When Fitz got off the plane after two years of captivity, there was no media circus. His father wouldn't have the press knowing his son was a POW. A car quickly swooped him and took him to the Santa Barbara mansion.

He immediately tried to contact Natalie, but his father had declared the obvious, Natalie had moved on in life. Fitz wanted to hear it from her, though, wanted to at least say goodbye and share his story with her. He contacted his former Commander, and he would reach out to Natalie to relay the message to contact Fitz.

Natalie arrived three days later. She had a wedding ring on her finger and tears in her eyes.

"So, it's true, you've moved on? Did my father ever tell you what really happened?" a heart broken Fitz said to his former lover.

"Not the whole story, just you were stuck in Iraq, but I knew there was something more because it wasn't like you not to send any form of communication. What happened over there Fitz? I was all alone here."

Fitz couldn't help but laugh. She was all alone here. If she only knew what he was over there. He didn't think she knew the true meaning of alone. He turned to her ready for her to hear the truth, but not ready for her reaction.

Fitz sadly told her the story. He was captured and was kept prisoner. He was tortured, but always thought of her to help him along. He had hoped she would wait for him.

"I don't blame you at all for moving on Natalie, I just have to get used to not having you in my life. You, your face, your love, it helped me through some dark days." He decided he wouldn't tell her about his back, spare her the gory details.

"I did think I loved you, Fitz, I truly did. However, with you gone, I did find true love. I have been married well over a year now and we just found out we are expecting our first child." She moved closer to him, gave him one last kiss. She saw how hurt, how sad he was. "Fitz, you will find your true love one day, I am sure of it. Take care of you first." Natalie turned to leave.

As she walked away a piece of Fitz's heart went with her. Being a prisoner had taken away everything, even the only happiness he thought he had here at home. Never could he open his heart the way he did to Natalie, nor would he want to.

Despite Fitz's protests, his father tried to make something happen with Mellie Sinclair. Fitz tried himself to feel something, but it just wasn't happening. He had made up his mind Santa Barbara had too many memories, he would have to put this life behind him and find another life somewhere else.

What he found when he arrived in Rutland was serenity. It was peaceful and the people greeted him, embraced him. They were under fear from a developer, a one Edison Davis, but Fitz knew how to deal with swindlers like Edison.

Upon meeting with the Council and the Mayor, friendships were built, plans were made, and actions were put into motion.

Edison arrived two weeks after Fitz had put the plans in motion. Fitz was ready for him. He greeted him at the Municipality. He sat with Bryce and the mayor and laid out all the plans that were sold to Fitz. If Edison wanted to buy anything, it would have to go through Fitz, and Fitz wasn't selling.

After hours of legal paperwork, arguing, and tempers flaring, Edison finally stood up. It looked as he was ready to leave, to just call it a loss, but he grabbed Fitz quickly, rapidly by his collar and brought him up to his face.

Fitz had so much anger in him, frustration and hurt, who better to take it out on than someone who was threatening him physically. Without hesitation, Fitz swatted Edison's hands off him and pushed him by the shoulders, with such force, when Edison hit the wall behind him his lip split open and he got knocked down.

Fitz walked up to him, and everyone figured Fitz would help him up, that's the kind of guy Fitz was, but he grabbed Edison by the tie and lifted his head, giving him two strong quick punches to the face, each time flashing Fitz back to the whip he felt on his back in Iraq. He was going for more, when Bryce held his arm back and the mayor backed Fitz up against the wall.

Edison needed medical treatment, but he initiated the contact so no charges would be pressed against Fitz. As Edison left, being escorted out by Sheriff's officers, he turned to the council. "Five years, this place will be a hell hole, and I will be back to make it into the place it should be." He looked at Fitz, "and you better pray you're ready for that day."

Present Day: Vermont

Bryce and Fitz had been successful in getting the vendors they wanted secured for Friday. When Fitz came on board after arriving in Vermont this was an event he thought of. It was a small tribute to Bryce's daughter Alyssa who loved hearing fairy tale stories.

The event was a money maker for the small businesses in Rutland and being fall was a popular season, many tourists came to witness the event also. It was one of the reasons Rutland had not fallen under into bankruptcy.

On the way back home, Fitz had just gotten off the phone with Jefferson who was just about to enter Olivia's house. He would text Fitz when he was finished. Fitz hung up with the thoughts of last night. The kiss still lingering on his lips. He felt her forehead touch his as he looked into her eyes. Those beautiful brown eyes that gave him the peace he so longed for in his life. Was this really happening? Could he let his heart love again?

"Hey, you want to land back down here on earth?" Bryce snapped his fingers.

"Sorry, just happy Jefferson was available today to get that water heater in for Liv. It was cold in her place last night. I got the fire started for her, but I am glad she will have heat tonight." Fitz turned away.

"I am glad you two are hitting it off. The girls and Lara liked her. I believe she's coming over one day this week to create your fairytale. If the girls have any say in it, you better be prepared to be embarrassed."

Fitz just smiled. He was looking forward to Friday. This was the first time he was going to attend the event he created because it had meaning now. He wanted to show Olivia more of Rutland. His mission of keeping her here wasn't complete yet.

His phone chimed with a text that Bryce noticed made Fitz smile from ear to ear.

Liv: Hi Mister, what's going on? Thank you so much for sending Jefferson, he's a gem.

Fitz: Hi Livvie, heading home with Bryce. You're most welcome. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you.

Liv: Are you busy later? Would you like to bring Daisy over and have some dinner? You can feel the heat I will have in the house, and I'd like to feel your arms around me again.

Fitz blushed. Was she being serious? Was she being sarcastic? Those words, his arms? He could feel his face get hot. He answered the best he could, but his heart beat was making his hands shake.

Fitz: How can I turn down such an offer? You are sure you're ok with it, you're not tired of me yet?

Liv: Never. I will see you at 7. Bye Mister.

She wanted to feel his arms around her again? He hadn't felt this good about himself for the longest time. His arms giving comfort to Liv is something he never could have dreamed. It touched his heart in so many ways, what that one statement did to his confidence could not be explained.

He continued his conversation with Bryce. "She is special, I don't know I am so drawn to her. It's like we have some kind of connection, something in common that we haven't figured out yet. I don't want to move too fast though, because I know there are things she is battling with also."

"Well", Bryce answered, "You know this whole town is rooting for you. You know what you mean to people here and they want nothing more than to see you happy. You have done so much for so many, it's time you put your happiness first."

Fitz just blushed again. "You know Bryce, this town has helped me in so many ways also. No one owes me anything and I would do it all over again. You know we have to be on guard. It's been five years, and Edison is making a name for himself in the City. We have to keep our eyes and ears open."

"Yeah, Lara and I were discussing that. I am having the department keep an eye out for any suspicious people that may just show up. With his business thriving, he may send someone to do his dirty work. We'll be ready, Fitz, don't worry. You have to promise me something, though, you need to keep that temper in check. I don't want to be the one to arrest you."

"That sleaze tries anything like what he pulled the last time, you don't have to worry about arresting me, you'll have to worry about calling the coroner first, and he's a whole town away." Fitz could feel the anger boiling just hearing Edison's name, but he calmed himself.

"Could you drop me by Liv's place, I just want to make sure Jefferson didn't run into any problems. I also have a door I need to install for her. She still has the screen door up. You know how cold it's going to be soon. She didn't even think of that. City girl. I put the door in her garage this morning."

"Trying to make her Rutland girl, are you?"

"I sure hope so, we have three months to convince her." Fitz seemed optimistic.

"Any word from Mellie? You think she will be coming around for the holidays? That may be awkward."

Fitz took a deep breath. "My father called, she's going through some things, her mother just recently passed away. He wants me to reach out to her, give her some emotional support. I know I shouldn't, but I have been avoiding her. I just think the more contact I have with her, the more it gives her mixed signals. I don't know, I will give her call over the weekend. I just want to get through Friday, you know I am not a big crowd person, for Liv though, I'll do it."

"Well, you know your father isn't going to let up, so let me know if you need anything. I can have Lara call Mellie, if that helps at all."

"Thanks, if it comes to that, I will let you know. I have other things on my mind right now."

Bryce gave him a pat on the shoulder as he pulled in to Liv's driveway. "Her car isn't here, she must be out."

Fitz gave a nod. He was concerned, wasn't like Liv to venture out in the car, especially after what she told him. "See you later, thanks for the ride."

Fitz noticed Jefferson's van was still there, and he tapped on the basement window. Jefferson came up to greet him.

"Did Olivia mention where she was going?"

"No, just she had a few errands to run and she was fine leaving me here to do the work. Anything I can do for you?"

"No, I am going to change the screen door for her, but first I am going to get Daisy and bring her over. Thanks so much Jefferson for doing this on such short notice."

"Nothing I wouldn't do for you Fitz, you know that. I should be done here in about a half hour. Everything looks good. So I hear I'll be seeing you on Friday."

"What? Is the whole town talking about me going?" Fitz laughed.

"Yeah, I guess, I mean it's like getting a visit from the President, it's exciting when you come around and mingle with the commoners" Jefferson gave a wink.

"Go finish the job I'm paying you for and yeah, I'll see you on Friday. Are the kids looking forward to it?"

"Yeah, Jessica is, Nathan, not so much, but he's excited there's going to be a soccer competition. That's a nice touch you added. I tried telling him to pay attention, he may meet his princess, but he just gave me a stare. See you Friday Fitz."

Fitz thought about texting Liv, just to make sure she was ok. He decided against it, though. That would seem too overbearing. He wasn't her parent. He was just surprised that her car was gone, but relieved that she was brave enough to go out.

He thought back to his conversation with Bryce. He looked down at his phone. Maybe he should give Mellie a call. No, he told himself. Let her reach out to you, there is no reason to contact her and give her any false hope that there is a chance for them.

The last time she visited four months ago, he had made it clear, this was just a friendship. Mellie didn't love him, she just wanted company, and he told her he wasn't settling down like that. If she respected him as a friend, then that's what their relationship would be.

He knows Mellie, though, she will never accept that. He's prepared for her to keep trying. When she left four months ago, she wasn't happy. He kept this fact from his father, as he didn't need the "be nice to her" lecture from him again.

Approaching his house, he gave a small whistle, and Daisy came running to greet him. "Hey girl, ready to go by Liv's place? Let's go."

Somewhere in Virginia, Mellie was one angry woman. Her car had run over a nail. She had damaged the rim as she drove a bit with the tire being flat. She had to have it towed from the highway to some small town. She was now stuck in a hotel waiting for the repairs.

This would probably set her back at least another day or two. She would get to Vermont Thursday, Friday the latest. She still didn't want to spoil the surprise for Fitz. She didn't want him to be alone on Thanksgiving, so having her there will give some company.

For now, she had to make the best of her situation. She'd venture out in the morning and enjoy some Virginian hospitality. Until then, she fell asleep for an afternoon nap thinking of how Fitz would make her feel so much better.