Chapter 12—Don't Run

Devin Joseph Kelly was a lifetime resident of Rutland. He was born and raised there. His grandfather was the mayor, as was his father after him. The Kelly family had money and had plenty of it. Devin, known as DJ, was raised in the most beautiful house in Rutland.

When DJ was 17, he was involved in a vehicular homicide that changed his life. He was accused, but not convicted of killing three people because of driving while intoxicated. Having the influence in the town of Rutland, no evidence was strong enough to stick and DJ was never charged with the crime, although he knew the truth.

He had taken the lives of three family members in the town of Rutland, a seven-year-old boy and his parents. DJ tried to drive home from a party he had attended in the neighboring town of Randolph. Once he crossed town lines, back into Rutland, DJ ran a red light and didn't see the family crossing in the crosswalk.

DJ blacked out after his car came to a stop against the light pole. The traffic light was down in the street, but to spare the gory details, there was much more all over the street than just a traffic light.

In the months following the accident, DJ's family sent him to finish high school in Maine. He stayed away from Rutland for years, having gone to college in Maine and studying criminal justice. He wasn't a person with any remorse and didn't think much of the privilege handed to him.

He did have the audacity to return to Rutland. At the age of 40, while doing nothing in Maine, he received the news his father was dying. Once his father did pass, DJ was left with a nice-looking trust fund, but instead of learning from his mistakes, he wasted the money away.

Because of his name, the fact that he was never convicted, the current mayor put DJ on the city council by appointment. DJ, having lost everything, had to sell his family mansion, which was later destroyed and became a community center thanks to the menacing Fitzgerald Grant. DJ was now living in a one-bedroom apartment above a jewelry store on main street.

Oh yes, DJ hated Fitz. The whole town of Rutland loved him, loved everything he did for them, but that was supposed to be DJ, not some out of state stranger to do this. Once Fitz entered the town and began making plans with the council, DJ played along, but was doing everything he could to destroy Fitz and whatever he did to improve the town.

When Edison Davis came into town, DJ thought it was his shot to finally win against the gold hearted Fitz. This was a chance to reclaim his hometown and claim what was rightfully his. He worked with Edison Davis and became his eyes and ears inside of Rutland. When Edison encouraged DJ to become Sheriff, DJ thought he would be a shoe in. That was before Fitz suggested it go to family man and hard-working electrician Bryce McClellan. DJ had enough of Fitz at this point, but he didn't know what else to do.

Bryce and Fitz, knowing how much DJ despised Fitz, came up with a plan to have DJ become the deputy sheriff. Although he didn't want it, DJ accepted it because it did put him on the inside, and he could relay back to Edison. After Fitz gave the beatdown to Edison, Edison was as determined to bring Fitz down as much as DJ, so they formed, or tried to anyway, an alliance. No one suspected DJ to be involved with Edison never even realizing he had any contact with him the short time he was in town.

Now, five years later, that alliance was failing, just like everything DJ put his hands on. This town was thriving with no signs of slowing down. DJ thought he may have had the upper hand when he noticed how secluded an individual Fitz was, but he called the shots from his posh home in the woods, and the town still thrived, much to the anger of the bitter Devin.

Today, during the festival in the park, DJ was beside himself. He couldn't believe Fitz was able to get Jordan Lewis to attend the event. Not only did he attend the event, he did it for free, and any money made went to the Community Center and other struggling businesses. Devin could feel the heat rise in his face.

Edison had texted him that day to ask how things were looking in Rutland. Although DJ was on duty and should've been working, he snapped pictures of Fitz on stage, Fitz and Jordan shaking hands, and Jordan signing all the memorabilia. He also took random pictures of all the events going on during the festival.

DJ was as shocked as the rest of the town to see the interest Fitz had in the town's newest resident, Olivia Pope. In fact, DJ would've confessed to anyone he thought Fitz was not into women at all. He knew, through Bryce, that a family friend would visit from time to time, but Fitz never did show her off like he was showing off this new resident.

They looked happy, and if she wasn't so new to Rutland, DJ would've thought they were even in love. He watched Fitz, every move he made from the entrance to the trail into the woods. It was the same trail Olivia and Fitz had used to enter the festival. He snapped one or two pictures of Fitz and Olivia, especially the one of the sack race. DJ had an eye view of Fitz on top of Liv giving her a kiss.

The good thing about Fitz not caring much for him, he paid no mind at all to DJ. So, with an occasional break for food, DJ watched all the pitiful festivities from his post. Every now and then Bryce would radio them to check in, and he would. It was making DJ sick watching all the money being raked in, and all of it for the town. No one was making any money, maybe Fitz was in a discreet way, but Fitz gave so much back anyway. DJ sent a response to Edison with some pictures of proof of the success of Rutland.

Don't bother coming back anytime soon, boss man, you aren't going to be happy. Thousands $$$ made today thanks to Grant, take a look, the festival was a huge success.

DJ had just hit the send button sending ten of the random pictures he had taken throughout the day. When DJ looked up at the stage and saw the kiss going on up there, even he was too shocked to snap a picture.

This new resident had fallen for Fitz, and he seemed to have mutual feelings. Oh wow, now if only he could get close enough to this new resident and find out the scoop on her. Maybe it could be a way to destroy Fitz. DJ watched as the act came to an end. Then, he watched as Fitz's frequent visitor took the stage. "Oh my God", he whispered to himself, then he chuckled, no he laughed. The golden boy was finally silenced, he was speechless standing there and DJ watched in happiness as it all unfolded.

Now, DJ would never say he was a lucky person, in fact he would consider himself unlucky in everything. That seemed to change in a moment, as the newest resident ran towards him into the dark woods. She didn't even see him as she bolted into the darkness. Seeing it as his advantage to help her and siding with her over Fitz, he made his way in the woods after her.

Fitz stood there for what seemed like hours until he finally realized what was happening. The first voice he heard was Abby's as he came down from his shock. He saw movement to his left as Daisy ran in the same direction as Olivia with Sophie calling her name but not being able to catch up with the pooch.

"Fitz, you need to do something. You need to address this. Are you the father of her baby?" Abby's voice was almost to a yell now, but Fitz was ignoring her. He was watching what was happening as Mellie stepped down from the stage. She began to make her way over to Fitz, but Sophie grabbed her by the shirt she was wearing.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you do something like this on a day like today. How dare you, you selfish little…" Sophie stopped because Chloe had walked up to her and was hugging her knees.

Sophie let go of Mellie's shirt, as Mellie just stared at her with an angered look on her face. Sophie bent down and picked Chloe up, so she was resting on her hip. Mellie fixed where Sophie had hold of the shirt and said, "I don't owe you or anyone in this town an explanation." She turned her head and was about to continue towards Fitz, but stopped as the three-year-old swatted at her.

"You're just a mean witch, Mewwie, you need a bwoom to go away. You are not Fitz's pwincess, Owivia is." Chloe starting sobbing, burying her head in Sophie's neck, as Sophie caressed Chloe's hair. She glared at Mellie, "Today was for the children, but here you are acting like a child yourself. Don't think I believe for one minute that's Fitz's baby. He's finally happy and along comes you." She turned away towards Bryce so he could comfort his daughter.

"Fitz, answer me," now Abby was yelling, "is it yours." Fitz watched the direction he saw Daisy run. He saw Mellie approaching him and he turned to Abby. "I have to go after Olivia. Please Abby, I will talk to you later."

He didn't wait for Mellie to get an inch closer as he nodded to Bryce. Bryce reached and tossed his flashlight to Fitz. Fitz turned and jogged towards the same entrance of the woods Olivia had entered just about a minute ago. He was beginning to sweat, and he could feel the anxiety over take his body as he exited the light and turned on the flashlight to the darkness.

Why would she run into complete darkness like this? Even though he had the flashlight, she didn't, and his heart began to pound in his chest. He whistled for Daisy and hoped she would at least give a whimper or a yelp. Then, with panic in his voice he shouted, "Olivia, Livvie!"

If Fitz would've waited one more minute at the field, he would have heard DJ's voice come through the radio on Bryce's shoulder. "This is Deputy Kelly; I need a medic in the south entrance of the woods towards the Grant house. Woman down, possible leg injury and cut to the face." Bryce looked around and most of the crowd was gone with the officers busy clearing the lot.

Lara took Chloe from Bryce's arms. She was still crying, and her two sisters stood on either side of their mother. They were saddened, but not as sad as Chloe. She put her head on Lara's shoulder. "Pwince Fitz isn't going to mawwy Pwincess Owivia now?" She looked at Alyssa, "you said no evil witch, but Mewwie is here."

Mellie looked at Fitz's closest friends standing around her now. She just stood there with her mouth open in shock. She couldn't believe Fitz just took off like after some woman he hardly knows. Abby walked up to her.

"You can leave now, as you can see, Fitz is not choosing you. He obviously has feelings for Olivia, so you have no business being here anymore. Be gone, go away. You've caused enough problems for one night."

Mellie laughed, threw her head back in laughter. "You think Fitz would continue to choose her when I have this." Abby watched as her hand once again rubbed her baby bump. Abby took a step closer to her and raised her right hand, but it was stopped by Sophie.

"Abigail, don't you dare. She isn't worth it. Let Fitz figure this out. We are his friends not her, and whatever Fitz needs we will be there for him. As for you, you heard my daughter, go away, unless…" she looked and saw Dave, a young sheriff's officer approaching, "unless you want me to get David to escort you off the property. The event is over, and we have to clean up, you are now a trespasser."

Mellie looked and saw Bryce radio in for a medic and watched as Fitz did not come back out of the woods. She saw Bryce head the same direction as Fitz did. Feeling defeated this time, Mellie turned and silently walked to her car. Having no where else to go, she began in the direction of Fitz's house.

Olivia's mind was in a fog as she took off towards the woods. It was completely dark and all she knew was this was direction Fitz had walked into the field with her. She realized how dumb the move was as soon as she entered the woods filled with trees.

Her face was still hot from the feeling of embarrassment. She couldn't, although she tried, control her breathing. Her mind was racing, she just saw a baby bump on Mellie. She didn't even look at Fitz, she just turned and ran. She ran from him after the magical day she had. It was just too good to be true. Olivia was not destined to be happy, to be loved, to love, she just wasn't.

Continuing her sprint through the darkness, she kicked a branch root in the ground twisting her right ankle and making her go down hard. She tried to block the fall with her hands, but she fell too quickly, and the right side of her face scraped along the dirt floor below. She felt the sting of the scrape, but it was her ankle that was more painful.

She stayed down momentarily and heard panting come up from behind her. Daisy had followed her into the woods and was now poking her nose on her hand to make sure she was ok. Olivia gave Daisy a small pat on the head and tried to sit up to tend to her ankle. She looked ahead and could see her lit driveway not too far through the woods. She could make it if she could just stand up.

Daisy was sitting right next to Olivia and Olivia was about to use her collar, the way Fitz did the other night during his episode. She was about to reach out to do so but heard footsteps and a voice come up to her. It wasn't a voice she recognized, and she immediately got defensive.

"I am fine to whomever is there, turn around and leave me alone please." Olivia said to the approaching person.

"Ma'am", and a light shown in Olivia's eyes making her shade herself from the brightness. "I'm Deputy Devin Kelly. Are you hurt?" He took another step towards Olivia, cautiously. "I am just trying to help, if you're hurt, I can get help here for you."

"Deputy, I am fine, please stay away from me, I just tripped, but I can get up and get to my house on my own, so please just go away, leave me be."

He shone the light one more time in Olivia's direction and noticed her face was bleeding. It wasn't gushing blood; it was streaks of blood from a scrape. "Ma'am, your face is bleeding, I am going to call for a medic." Before Olivia could answer the officer spoke into his radio. He then turned and was just above her. He reached down to help her up, and he heard Daisy give a growl.

Olivia wasn't sure if Daisy would attack, she wasn't that kind of dog. It seemed to be more of an instinct and Olivia had the same gut feeling about this guy. She did not like him nor trust him. "I don't need your help, for the last time, please just go away." Olivia felt her eyes fill with tears, but it wasn't because of sadness. She was angry, frustrated and she didn't want to have to defend herself to a sheriff's officer. "Just use your radio and call Bryce, I'd rather he come here and help."

"Aww, ma'am, I can't do that, Bryce is busy clearing the crowd. That little lady up there on the stage caused some spectacle. Bryce is protecting his buddy Fitz, probably has that little lady and him chatting it up by now. Come on, let me help you up." He held out his hand again and this time, Daisy went to nip at it. He pulled his hand back, about to strike Daisy with the flashlight, and Olivia stopped him.

She didn't know if it was adrenaline or her love for Daisy, but she jumped up, despite the pain in her ankle and grabbed his arm in midair. "Don't you dare hit her; she was just protecting me."

Olivia let go of his arm and began limping her way towards the lit driveway, holding Daisy's collar. DJ took one big step and grabbed Liv's shoulder. "Hold on, I just called for a medic. You can't go anywhere."

"Get your hand off me, I told you I don't need a medic." She turned towards DJ and saw the light behind him moving in their direction. The footsteps sped up as the light caught Olivia once again. She could tell from the shadow it was Fitz. Did he leave Mellie there? Did he really come after Olivia? Olivia was still trying to process everything.

Fitz saw the blood on her face, saw her gripping Daisy's collar, and he dropped the flashlight and ran towards her.

Fitz clenched his teeth when he saw DJ's hand on Olivia's shoulder. He grabbed DJ by the collar of his Sheriff's jacket. Through his clenched teeth, he spun DJ around while saying "She said to take your hand off her, I heard her." He punched DJ right in the face, and Fitz's flashback in his mind he heard and felt the hit of the whip against his back, what he was really hearing was the bone in DJ's nose crack. Olivia saw blood immediately come from DJ's face as he fell to the ground grabbing his nose.

Liv was still in shock, frozen standing there as Fitz went and grabbed DJ one more time, making him stand up. Liv grabbed the flashlight on the ground, not knowing which man it belonged to. She thought Fitz picked him up to apologize and to see if DJ was ok. Instead, faster than Liv could blink, he took another punch to DJ. "You like the way that feels, soldier." Fitz heard the words clear as day, as he felt the whip hit him one more time. "She said she didn't need a medic, but you will." His blow caught the left side of his face now, and DJ fell once again to the ground, groaning in pain. Fitz ignored the pain he was feeling in his back and went to walk and grab DJ one more time.

Olivia limped over to Fitz. She grabbed both his shoulders. Daisy was now standing above DJ, who was still groaning in pain, and Daisy began to sniff him. Liv gave Fitz a shove by his shoulder. "Fitz, stop!" She turned his face, so she was looking directly in his eyes. "Stop hitting him, I am fine, stop it." Fitz grabbed her. He scooped her up cradle style and headed towards Liv's house. Liv just put her arm around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his neck. No words were spoken, but as they were walking away, Liv noticed another flashlight coming in their direction. Fitz continued to walk, stopping at nothing until he got Olivia into her house. Bryce would have some figuring out to do.

He rested Olivia carefully down on the porch as he opened the door. Oliva began to limp inside, but he wouldn't have it. He scooped her up again in his arms and walked her to the couch. "I don't want to lay down." Fitz sat her down and headed to the bathroom. He grabbed a washcloth and drenched it with lukewarm water. He also looked through her bathroom cabinet. He pushed aside a box of condoms. Wait, what was she doing with that? It was brand new. He though about what they should be doing tonight. He took a deep breath and continued to look.

He found a first aid kit behind the box of condoms, and he promised them one day he would open them as he turned back towards where Liv was. He knelt in front of her and began rubbing her face with the washcloth. Liv closed her eyes as the warmth of the cloth comforted the pain she had from the scrape. She opened her eyes to see Fitz just staring back at her, pleading blue eyes looking for her to say something. She took a deep breath and looked down. Her eyebrows crossed when she noticed Fitz's hand.

"Jesus Fitz, your hand is bleeding." Fitz didn't even look at his hand. He continued to caress Liv's scrape and look directly at her. Olivia picked up his hand and stopped him from tending to her scrape as she grabbed the washcloth and rubbed it along his hand. His other hand reached behind her ear and gripped her, pulling her close to him, breathing in sync for each other. Their lips couldn't get one inch closer, or they would lock.

"Livvie," he whispered, as he watched her bite her bottom lip. It's what she did when she was unsure but determined. Within a second his lips overtook hers, and she melted into his kiss. The washcloth fell to the ground, as she gripped his curls and pushed harder into his lips. She needed a breath and she pulled back.

"Fitz, we can't, not anymore. You have too much to figure out. Are you the father of her baby? You need to get over there and talk to her, Fitz, you can't be here."

Fitz didn't listen to a word she said. "Can you stand on your ankle? I don't want to take the shoe off; it will cause immediate swelling. We have to get something to elevate it with and an ice pack." He went to stand up, and she stopped him.

"Fitz, stop, look at me. Look at me" Fitz looked up at her, his breathing heavy. "Fitz, what was that back there, you could've killed that officer. I have not seen you that angry."

"It's nothing DJ didn't have coming to him. I am not sorry. I saw his hand on you, Livvie, I heard you telling him to let go. I couldn't control my anger. That's who I am Livvie, you see how dark I am, do you see it? I am so sorry for what happened tonight. It was the perfect day, and then." He just shook his head. His cell phone starting buzzing in his pocket. He looked at he screen, it was Bryce. He didn't pick up.

"Fitz, I am still waiting for an answer. Are you the father? You need to go to Mellie. You need to straighten this out."

"Liv, why did you run? Do you always run when things get out of control? Please tell me you aren't going to run back to NY. At least let me know that much. Not after the week we had, the feelings we have. You know we have a connection, and we need to figure it out, please Liv, don't run. I'm starting to f..."

"Fitz, don't, don't say love, I am not someone you want to love, I'm not. Please, don't say it."

She looked at his pleading eyes. Her thoughts drifted back to the leaf pile. That was the first time she felt something for him. Her body responded to him, and it took her breath away. Then she thought of the car mishap. He ran right to her, took her in his arms without hesitation and it was the safest Liv has felt in her life. There was so much more that happened in the week. Her eyes began to fill up. She can't do this; this was too much.

"Fitz, you need to tell me about Mellie. I need to know what is going on." He got up and sat next to her on the couch.

Liv began, "Look, I am going to tell you something. You have to promise me you won't get angry." Fitz nodded his head.

Liv lifted up her sleeve. He remembered the bruise. It was faded now but you could still see the discoloring of her skin. He looked at her confused. "You know the person that did that to me." Fitz looked even more confused now. She had that bruise on her first night in Rutland, how could he know who did that to her? It obviously happened in NY.

"His name is Edison Davis." Fitz's eyes widened and his look went to confusion to anger.

"He sent you here. He sent you to check up on the town. It was you, all along, it was you?" Fitz went to stand up and Liv grabbed him.

"NO! He didn't send me. It was the most unlikely coincidence. Abby mentioned him the first day we were talking at Sophie's. I found out what his intentions were here. I never knew that about him."

"Why did he bruise you?" Fitz was now rubbing the area of her arm where it was.

"I told him I was leaving NYC, he's in love with me Fitz. I had no idea the connection he had to Rutland, and when I found out, I didn't know how to tell you right away. I want you to see I have my own baggage I have to deal with, as do you with Mellie. I have to go back to…."

"NO!" Fitz's yell even made Daisy jump. "Please, Livvie, I need you here, I need you to help me through this mess with Mellie. My father is going to get involved. It's going to be a mess; I need you please. You are the only one that comforts me. I don't give a shit about Edison; we'll cross that bridge when we have to. Does he even know you're here?"

"He thinks I am in Paris visiting my mother. I have a co worker tapping his phone and tracking him, so no, he doesn't suspect anything. But I need to know Fitz, are you the father of her baby."

He looked at the scrape on her face. That wouldn't be there if Mellie didn't show up. He looked at his hand, cut up. That wouldn't be there if Mellie didn't show up. Mellie, Mellie, Mellie, this woman wouldn't leave him alone. He closed his eyes and rubbed his face. He was about to speak when there was a knock at the door.

Fitz jumped up to answer it. Liv still hadn't put any pressure on her right ankle, and she couldn't get up if she tried. She could feel the throbbing. When Fitz opened the door, she saw flashing police lights and heard Bryce's voice. "I have to Fitz, dammit, I have no other choice. I have told you so many times to keep that temper in check. He's pressing charges. He wants you charged with assaulting a police officer and that carries a year in jail. We have to fix this. Just come with me, let me do this by the book and we will have you out in a few hours."

Olivia had limped over to Fitz. Bryce was standing in the house, two officers behind him. They took their hats off when Olivia approached them.

"Bryce, sorry, Officer McClellan, Fitz was protecting me. Officer Kelly had his hand on me, and Fitz didn't know what was happening in the heat of the moment. It was self-defense." Bryce nodded at Olivia.

"I still have to take him in, DJ is relentless and his hates Fitz as it is. This all has to be done by the book. Head down to the station in about an hour. We will talk more there."

Fitz took one last look at Olivia, and Olivia walked to him and cradled his face. Bryce didn't move and let them have a moment. She kissed him softly on the lips. She didn't think she would be around in an hour. She may be a quarter of the way to NY.

Everyone left and Daisy whimpered as they took Fitz away. Olivia let Daisy up on the couch as Liv took off her boot and her ankle swelled faster than a balloon. She elevated it onto the couch and reached for her phone. She called the only person she could speak openly to and talk to without judgement. The phone rang on the other side, and the soothing voice picked up.

"Livvie, you better tell me about that sexy voiced man you had over the other night."

Hearing her mother's voice, Liv broke down into ugly sobs. The whole day, the evening all hitting her at once, and she sobbed waiting for the comfort of her mother she knew would come. "Livvie, baby, what is going on? You haven't cried like this since Tyler died. Did something happen?"

"Mom, I think I broke my own rule and fell hard for him. I fell hard for him, and I have to leave. I have to go back to NY. I can't do this."

She told her mother everything. She told her from the moment they met to the darkness and the first kiss sunrise. She told her about is PTSD, his anger, his fears. She told her about her fears, her inability to open. She told her all about her fairytale today and Mellie. She then ended it with what just happened to Fitz. After she stopped talking, there was silence.

Liv had made her way to the bedroom, once again ignoring the pain in her ankle. She put her big duffle bag on her bed and began packing. She wouldn't take too much for now, she would be back once things calmed down. She waited for her mother to say something.

"Livvie, you do not leave that man. He needs you; you do not leave him Livvie. He didn't have to do everything he did for you, but yet he did. Why is that? He feels something for you too. What have I always told you, you have to live your life Livvie, you cannot keep running from your demons. You met ten minutes after you arrived at your new house, you don't think that's some type of fate intervening. You two were meant for each other."

"I think there is something more he isn't telling me, but it's only been a week."

"It's only been a week, and you've experienced what people don't experience in a lifetime. You've come to know him and judging by your voice, you love him. Maybe you aren't in love yet, but you love him. Now stop."

"Stop what?" Olivia was curious.

"Stop packing that bag. You need to become the city girl I raised. You go face that crab over at his place. You make it clear, baby or not, you are sticking with your man. Olivia Pope does not back down. Girl, you were the first female black CEO of a multimillion-dollar company on Wall Street, you do not back down."

How the hell did Maya know she was packing a bag? "Mom, there is just so many emotions, so much pain in both our hearts. We've both been hurt in love, badly."

"And you not living your life, running all the time, drowning yourself in hundred-hour work weeks, you think that's going to help you. You moved to Vermont because you want a family. You want to be a wife, a mother. There is nothing wrong with that, but it won't happen when you keep running. Go to that man, bail him out, and face that bitch head on, Livvie."

"I love you mom." She clicked the phone and stared at the blank screen. She took a deep breath and continued to pack. She zipped up her bag and went to pull it off the bed when she saw Daisy staring at her, the saddest eyes she's seen on her.

Liv sat on the bed and patted the side. Daisy jumped up and placed her chin in her lap. She petted her gently and thought of her first day in Rutland. Daisy had brought them together. She had been the champion for them to be together. Now here she was, with her head on Liv's lap showing how much she loved her. Fitz is gone for at least a few more hours. She didn't want Daisy staying alone, so she called Lara.

Within ten minutes, Lara was there with the three girls in the car. Daisy ran to greet them and jumped in the car. Lara looked out at Liv. "Are you ok?"

"I'll be ok, thank you." Liv looked in the back and waved to the girls. Chloe screamed out "Hi Pwincess Owivia, you did gweat tonight. Fitz wuvs you so so much."

Liv smiled and told Lara she would call her. Lara nodded. "Thanks for thinking of Daisy, I know she wouldn't want to be alone while you go to Fitz by Bryce, and Daisy doesn't care much for Mellie, so we will take good care of her."

Liv smiled as Lara pulled away. Once her car was out of sight, Liv turned to go in the house. She stopped and stared at the porch. That's where he picked her up tonight, before the Mellie storm. The kiss they shared, the goosebumps she felt as he kissed her neck for the first time. She shivered and hugged herself. The promise of tonight, what should have been. She could use a minute in his arms right now.

Olivia grabbed her bag. She grabbed a few snacks for the road. She closed all the lights and headed out the door. She opened her trunk, threw her bag inside the trunk. She placed her bottled water and her snacks on the front seat. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, tried to erase Fitz out of memory and started her car up, as she pulled out of the very driveway, she pulled into a week ago.

Edison was still in his office. It was 10pm on a Friday night, but he was still in his office. He just stared repeatedly at the pictures Devin Kelly had sent him. He couldn't believe his eyes.

It was Olivia. She was standing on the stage looking at HIM lovingly. It was a look he never saw on Olivia's face. He swiped left, there was other one, she was standing behind Jordan Lewis, she had a smile from ear to ear, as HIS arm was around her shoulders. He swiped three more times. The picture that tore his heart strings. She was lip locked with THAT MAN, with Fitzgerald Grant. Liv's eyes closed, her hands through his hair, and he was on top of her. Clearly, they had fallen, they both had sack race bags on, but still. Fitzgerald Grant had taken away so much from him, and now Olivia Pope had lied to him. She had been in Rutland, and she had met Fitz. Judging by these pictures, they weren't just friends. It was time Edison Davis made the people of Rutland remember who his was. He didn't want them to think he had forgotten about them.

Huck was looking at the same pictures Edison Davis was. Having tapped his phone with a device to not only trace and hear calls, but it also gives him visuals for when he uses face time and looks at pictures. Liv's cover was blown. Huck needed to head to Rutland ahead of Edison, but first he would need a way to stall Edison from even beginning his trip.

He called Olivia right away, but the phone went right to voicemail. He tried the burner phone he had given her, that rang and rang with no answer. "Damn it, Liv, where are you?"