A/N: Well this story has me thinking day and night. I hope to have the next chapter up by Saturday and I have about three more chapters in my mind already. Our two are really starting to connect and heal and I am enjoying it.
Thank you all for you kind reviews and beautiful PM's. I cannot tell you how much they mean to me.
I had so many scenarios typed up about Huck and Fitz's first meeting. I chose the one in this chapter (obviously), I think I picked the best one.
I know a few of you couldn't wait for Fitz and Huck to meet. I hope I did it justice.
Of course their meeting is to be continued. Happy reading and thank you so much for your continued of this story.
PK20
As Huck lay on the couch waiting for Liv, he couldn't fall asleep. He had so much on his mind. He hadn't known Olivia's guy "Fitz" was prisoner 625. In fact, he had no idea until he saw Liv leaving the house with Fitz when they were going for dinner yesterday. Huck was as shocked as anyone to see him again in the flesh.
Huck had always wondered what happened to 625. He knew he made it to the chopper, but that was it. He was hoping with all the physical pain he had endured that he would be able to live the life he wanted but Huck was not believing it. Anyone who went through the torture 625 did, surely was going to have a hard time adjusting back in the world.
It happened to him himself and he wasn't tortured. It was hearing all the torture that haunted him. After that mission, Huck asked the Army and the CIA for time off. He couldn't take the mental toll anymore. Even though Fitz made it out alive, he watched the other two soldiers get tortured and shot just for the reason they couldn't give them what Fitz's ties could give them. He never told Fitz the reason the other two died, and he couldn't imagine the guild someone like Fitz would feel if he'd known the truth.
After the Iraqi's killed the second soldier, something snapped in Huck. He knew he would never be the same after that. The second soldier's body hadn't even hit the ground yet, and Huck had killed the two Iraqi's with a quick kick to the neck having them choke on their own blood.
The other two stood there lifeless, in shock and as Huck went for them, they pleaded with him. They had no weapons; they were the puppets the past two years and Huck knew it. Huck was on a mission and that mission was to be successful by any means necessary.
After he recruited the two of them and reached his superiors as he was instructed, it was time to rescue 625. After their conversation, Huck was confident Fitz would stay alive, but didn't know how he would deal with the demons, Huck just never expected himself to have the same demons.
For several years, all Huck could do was think of the torture he witnessed the soldiers take. He couldn't do anything, or he would blow his cover and he wasn't trained like that. He had to finish his mission. Although the end didn't go as planned, it was still completed. The Army granted his leave, but he never returned. He ran far away and become another face in the crowd of 8 million people in New York.
He wasn't supposed to be on the subway stairs the day Olivia tripped over him. He was supposed to be down by the passengers asking for change. That day, though, Huck just sat on the stairs, not in the mood to move.
Olivia had been busy texting on her cell phone, and he had been sitting as he always did when he was on the stairs, but this woman just pummeled over him. He tried to help her up, but she wanted nothing to do from him. She reassured him she was fine, took one look in his eyes, paused and then went away with the rest of the crowd.
Later that day she returned with lunch. It was the first real meal he had in a month, and he savored every bite. Olivia just stared at him, waiting for him to talk, which he didn't. He held up the box of food, nodded a thank you, and disappeared into the subway tunnel.
It went on like that for a week, Olivia now delivering three meals a day and he finally started talking to her. He warned her about the traces on her cell phone and how she should be careful. He pointed up at all the street cameras Olivia never knew were there, and said the government spied on everyone.
Another week, and they were comfortable talking to one another and Huck couldn't believe a CEO from a top firm would actually befriend him. He found comfort in her friendship and started looking forward to her visits.
He thought he had scared her away when one day, turned into night, and as Liv was heading into the tunnel, a guy was following her. Huck saw the man, but Olivia didn't as she walked away from Huck. The man grabbed her shoulder and Liv tried to fight back, but he was too strong. Out of nowhere, Huck came, gave the guy three quick punches to the face and kicked him onto the tracks as he told Liv to run.
Olivia did run. She went up the stairs and took a taxi to her condo. Olivia never did ask what happened to the guy, but Huck was back there waiting for his breakfast the next morning. That's when Liv changed his life and got him the interview with her firm. She was afraid for him. Afraid of him being arrested or something worse.
The rest is history and there is nothing in this world he wouldn't do to keep Olivia safe. If that means moving to Rutland to be near her, he would.
Olivia always had sad eyes. Even though it took longer, Liv did open to up to him about the car accident. He knew she was there and held her father as he lay dead on her lap. He always saw pain in her eyes. He never told her how she was burning herself out working 16-hour days. He was selfish, just enjoying her friendship, but he knew she wasn't happy.
Now, looking at the picture on the fireplace in this little home, Olivia belonged here. It is what she longed for. She wanted out of the city, and she wanted to eventually start a family. Huck just couldn't believe her guy Fitz was 625. He didn't look him up because Liv only said "Fitz". He had nothing else to go by and figured he would just meet him when he arrived.
Huck thought he had seen a ghost when she walked out with him and suddenly it all came full circle. There was a reason for everything in this world. Huck also had another mission, and that was now to keep Fitz and Olivia together. He now knew the reason he didn't kill himself on the day he met Olivia.
Huck had been in a dark place mentally and he kept seeing visions over again of dark cells and hearing sounds of torture. The sounds of whips hitting and splitting flesh, screams of pain from grown men just kept at him. It haunted him, and he wanted so much to put an end to it. How fast would it be over if he jumped in front of the next train to plow through the station? That's when Olivia tripped over him, and he now believes fate is a true thing.
He remembered one day when the Iraqi's had allowed Huck to go into the cells alone to deliver the food. He had opened Fitz's door, and usually Fitz had been awaiting the sunlight, but this time he wasn't in his normal place.
Two days prior, Fitz had been lashed bad because communication had stopped with DC, and the Iraqi's were getting restless. They took it out on Fitz, and Huck had been the one to clean up the wounds. He was heartbreaking because this soldier was suffering when Huck could put an end to it.
Now, when the door opened, Fitz was in a small dark corner. His eyes were open, but beads of sweat were all over his forehead and face. He was shivering though, and Huck figured he was in shock. Huck wasn't aware it was the first episode of PTSD he was witnessing.
He talked to Fitz. He tried to comfort him in telling him DC was doing everything they could to reach him and get him. Huck had no idea if anything was even registering, but he kept trying. He stayed in there with Fitz until the darkness was about to settle in, having been checked on a few times by the Iraqi's.
Huck told them the soldier was not in good shape, so they left Huck to tend to him. Fitz didn't speak at all in the hours Huck was there. He left the food, pleaded with him to eat something to keep up his strength and promised to return in the morning.
Huck did return that morning, and the food was gone, and Fitz was waiting for the door to open. He greeting "Mike" and asked if he was being let out on his walk. He didn't seem to remember or recall anything from the night before, and Huck wasn't going to be the one to tell him.
Now, years later, he is about to meet the very man who has haunted his dreams. It wasn't a bad haunting, Huck had felt so much guilt over the years, and he just needed to apologize to Fitz. Huck only hoped Fitz would find it in his heart to forgive him.
Without anymore thinking he picked up the phone and dialed Liv's number. It was almost 8pm and Liv hadn't come home yet. He knew she was stopping by Fitz's, he just wanted to make sure everything was ok.
Liv was curled in Fitz's arms, her head resting on his chest. They had connected today in a way neither one could explain. When Liv looked up, Fitz's forehead connected with hers, and they gave each other a gentle kiss. Liv moved over to sit on the couch and rubbed her fingers through his hair.
"Are you OK?" She still couldn't shake the words she heard his own father say to him. How did Fitz come out with such a genuine heart being raised by a man so hostile? What was he talking about Fitz's service being a failure? Liv had so many questions, but it didn't seem right to ask them right now.
"What, you mean am I OK with what happened with my father? Yeah, I am OK. It isn't anything new. Big Gerry will never get over the fact that I chose a life in the military after high school and not politics. Ever since then, he had always wanted to see me fail. When things ended with Natalie, and I left, it just made his anger stronger."
"I am sorry to hear that Fitz. You are a wonderful person, paying it forward in this town. You give so much to so many and it's a shame he doesn't see that. He seems to have a liking for Mellie."
"He doesn't have a liking. It's his way of getting a grandchild the easy way. He doesn't think I am capable of loving like I loved Natalie. Maybe for a time that was true, but I was never to going to love Mellie. He just sees her as an easy way into a fake love, and I won't do that. Besides, I am learning how to love." His eyes connected with Liv's as he gave the softest smile.
Before she could speak, he moved down and kissed her one more time, with passion, a deep kiss, and she, once again, felt a knot form in her stomach, returning the kiss. Her phone started buzzing and she pulled away taking a deep breath to calm herself.
She reached over and looked at the display. "It's Huck. He's wondering where I am, I am going to take this."
"I am going to get some food ready for you to take over with you. Go ahead and answer, I'll be in the kitchen."
"Huck, I am sorry. Fitz and I got into talking and I lost track of time."
"It's fine, just checking that all was ok. You don't have much here to eat. You have some popcorn and well, that's about it."
"Umm." She walked to the kitchen. She saw Fitz putting some penne vodka and Caesar salad in a tray, enough for about four people. "How does Penne Vodka and Caesar Salad sound? Fitz cooked and is sending some over."
"Oh, that sounds perfect. How long will you be?"
"Few minutes, see you soon."
Fitz turned and faced her as he leaned against the counter. She reached up and pecked his cheek. "You are a lifesaver with this food. Thank you so much."
"I had to use most of the food. Mellie didn't use much and it would just go to waste. I am making a batter for chicken for tomorrow night, so make sure you bring Huck over so I can finally meet him. Tomorrow, dinner 7 o' clock, does that sound good? "
"Sounds good, but where will you be tomorrow?"
"Well, hearing you may go back to NYC for a few weeks, I did something to keep my time moving here. I called in to the Lake Monsters. It turns out I am still an owner." He smiled. "So, I'm going up to headquarters tomorrow to meet with the two other owners and we are going to get set for winter meetings. I am coming out of my shell Olivia."
Oliva gave a quick clap to her hands. "Oh Fitz, that's exciting news. When do winter meetings start?"
"They begin the week of December 8th. It will give me enough time to tell my closest friends here that I am an owner. I want to start sharing things with them Liv, will you be with me when I do that?"
She grabbed his cheeks and pulled him down. Their foreheads touched once again, and she looked him in the eyes. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I wouldn't be leaving until then either. I'll know more after I talk to Huck tonight." She kissed him one more time.
He helped her to the car with Daisy following, while he carried the food. She remembered the muffing that were sitting on the front seat. They would have to wait until the morning to be shared, and she asked him if he would be ok.
"I'll be fine. I am going to finish up in the kitchen, do some Mellie detoxing of the house, and call it a night. Thank you again Livvie for everything today. Tell Huck I look forward to meeting him tomorrow."
She nodded as she closed her door and headed back to her place. She took one last look as Fitz in the rearview mirror with Daisy sitting next to him. He wasn't sure if she saw the words he mouthed "I love you", but he did it anyhow. She felt her heart starting to pound, as she read his lips perfectly. She took a deep breath and as much as she looked forward to Huck's visit, it started to pain her knowing she would be away from him. She shook off the words as she pulled into her driveway behind Huck's car. Love, just so complicated.
Huck met her by the car. She jumped out and gave him a big hug. Huck was not one to be touched, he hated it and Liv knew that, but she couldn't help it. He didn't seem to mind though as he returned the hug right back. "I missed you so much" Liv said squashed into his shoulder.
Huck gave a small smile. "I missed you too, things aren't the same in that office without you."
"Help me bring in the food. I am going to take a quick shower, and we'll talk all about it over dinner, wine, and some popcorn."
There wasn't a crumb of food left. Olivia had a big spoonful of pasta and salad and the rest went to Huck. He devoured it and couldn't believe Fitz cooked it from scratch. She told him the story about her first night there. "The guy is a marvel in the kitchen, Huck."
Huck nodded his head. "Liv, about the body they found. I know you have an idea I had something to do with it, and I am not going to lie, I did. I have been up here since Wednesday, just hanging in my car laying low."
Liv nodded and said "Go on."
Huck went on to tell her everything about Edison contacting Dante. Huck couldn't say for sure if Dante was actually going to kidnap her, but he wasn't going to take the chance and his instincts just took over. He was curious to know what the police were thinking.
Liv told Huck everything she knew about the investigation and she was taking him tomorrow to the McClellan's house to meet the family. She told him Bryce was the Sheriff and she would talk to him more.
"No, this is what we are doing Liv. I have been thinking long and hard about this. My thoughts have gone from stealing the body and taking it back to Edison's apartment to planting evidence inside the morgue on the body directly, but I finally came up with something. Can you trust Bryce?"
"Yes, I can trust him, he's a good friend of Fitz's and they have embraced me here in Rutland."
Huck took out Dante's phone. He played the recordings he had of Edison giving him the orders and Dante obliging. The phone looked damaged though, like it had been thrown into the ground.
"Bring this with you tomorrow, talk to him privately to show him the phone. Tell him you were outside your place, you found this phone and you don't know what to do with it. Since I will be there, I can run the recordings right there, but act surprised like we hadn't heard it before."
"I am going to have to come clean to them about my involvement with Edison then. Fitz knows about it, but no one else in the town does. I don't mind, it's just I wasn't expecting it. It's fine, though. They won't judge, I know that."
"I am going to suggest they take another search of the mountaintop. Do you know how thorough they were?" Liv shook her head no. "It's ok, they are going to find binoculars with Dante's fingerprints, they will know he was watching you, or it will look that way."
Even though he didn't, Liv shivered with the thought of herself being watched by that man. "Then what?"
"That's how we get rid of Edison. If Bryce is as good as you say, he can get an arrest warrant for Edison. He can be charged with accessory to kidnapping. The death was an accident. The dumbass fell, that's how it looks, that's what they think, right?"
Olivia smiled, she loved Huck. "You are saying that like I don't need to answer it, like you already know."
Huck nodded. "Well, see if we can bring the warrant back as blackmail to Edison. He never returns to Rutland, or we turn in the warrant and he faces extradition, a trial, and jail time. As far as Dante, he didn't have any family. You can show remorse if you want and bury him up here. That's up to you, or we can have Edison claim the body, that can be another blackmail."
"No," Liv said, "let's stick with the warrant. Is it ok we tell Fitz all of this over dinner tomorrow? He invited us. He is looking forward to meeting you tomorrow but he has some meeting to go to all day."
"Uh, yeah, that's fine. So, you're good with this plan?"
"Yeah, so I take it I have to go back to the office?"
"Yeah, that was my next thing I was going to tell you."
Huck went on to tell her how Mr. Harris is having a rough time getting her replacement and trying to secure the accounts of the three major clients. They continued talking about work for a while.
In the meantime, Fitz was just getting ready to call it a night. He was about to turn off the TV when a news story came on about the president meeting with troops in Afghanistan for the Thanksgiving holiday. Fitz saw soldiers with their fatigues on and plates of food in front of them and he felt the panic hit him.
He thought back to his dark cell. He turned off the television and tried to drown out the sounds he was beginning to hear, the sweat building on his forehead. He turned towards the picture of Liv. Although his heart was racing, his eyes were closed tight as he reached out and grabbed the picture.
He was fighting with his thoughts of their intimacy from today and with his thoughts of the cell. Finally, unable to control it, the attack hit him and it brought him back to a day when Mike was trying to get him to eat.
Fitz remembers Mike's face. Fitz was backed into the corner, the pain of the lashing still stinging his back and he couldn't talk. He could hear, but he couldn't talk. He just didn't have to the strength to talk.
As much as he liked to see the daylight, he didn't want to today. That's when Mike opened the door with his food. He didn't want food though, he wanted death. He wanted the end of it. He wanted to grab Mike and beg him to die, but Mike sat next to him and talked to him.
Even though he didn't have to, Mike talked to him for hours. Fitz heard every word. He listened and hope began to come back to him. The stinging faded away a bit. When Mike got up to leave and advised him to eat, Fitz wanted so much to thank him, but still couldn't find the strength to talk.
Fitz grabbed his food right after Mike closed the door. He ate as much as his stomach would let him at that time and then ate some more during the night. Mike was right, it had given him more strength in his body.
By the time morning came around, Fitz didn't want to think about the dark thoughts he was having about dying. He wanted to show Mike he was thankful to be alive another day. He left what had happened yesterday in the past and decided when the time was right, he would thank Mike for saving him.
That time didn't come, because a week later he was released and he never saw Mike again. He wanted so much to thank the soldier that got him through the darkest days of his life.
Daisy gave Fitz a big kiss on his cheek, bringing him back to his bedroom. He looked down after patting Daisy on the head and stared at Liv's picture. He rubbed his hand over her smiling face, that beautiful smile that brightened his heart, and he silently thanked Mike again. If not for him, he would never know love like he knows when he looks at his Livvie.
Fitz fell asleep, calmed down from his thoughts and panic attack, and gripping the picture of Olivia. He drifted off with thoughts of his meeting and beginning a life worth living, hoping that Olivia would choose to be by his side through it all.
After Olivia came to grips with going back for a few weeks, they began talking about Fitz. Things would work out, Olivia thought because she would head back to NYC the same day he heads up to his winter meetings. The best of it, Huck would stay with her until then also. They could work on some strategies to get the companies on board, and it would ease Liv back into things.
"Liv, I took one look at that picture" he nodded towards the fireplace, "and I've never seen you so happy. I know you are right where you belong and I am sorry you have to go back."
She looked over at the picture and remembered the moment Fitz took it. It was after the happiest day since the car accident, and she waved Huck off. "It's fine, it's only for a bit. I just don't know if I can hold off that long keeping Edison at bay. We have to drop him as a client. How do you think Mr. Harris will take to that?"
"After you tell him what Edison tried to do, I think it'll be fine. This will work out, now tell me about Fitz. You two seem to be hitting it off.?"
"We are Huck and I have never been more scared in my life. I am so afraid of letting my heart go, but it's going, my heart is slowly becoming one with his and I don't know how to stop it."
Huck looked confused. "Why would you want to stop it? Liv, this is what you moved here for, to build a life. You wanted a Harold and Betty story. This is it. What has you so scared?"
"It's hard to love Huck. It's hard for someone like me to love someone like Fitz. He's so genuine, so caring, and so giving. He has hurt too, Huck, so much hurt. He hasn't told me everything, or so I suspect, but he was over in Iraq for a few deployments, but the last one messed him up bad. He was there for two years when it should have been six months. Did that ever happen when you were there?"
"A lot of things happen over there Liv, you don't talk about it. It's not something you want to relive. I am sure Fitz will come clean with you in due time." He figured Fitz hadn't gotten around to telling Liv he was captured and tortured. I mean, who would want to share that news, not yet anyway.
"Oh I have no doubt he will, at least I hope, but what if I hurt him Huck, what if the love I give to him is, I don't know, cursed?"
"He has these attacks, please don't tell him I said anything, I think it's PTSD blackouts. I saw it once and it scared me. What if I am causing them, what if I am the trigger?"
"Liv, that's not how it works. I am sure you are the one that calms him. I've seen soldiers have these attacks. The best you can do is talk them through it and it's better if it comes from someone they love. I think from what you've told me, you and him are meant to be. You came here for a reason, right?"
"Yes, I just didn't think it would happen so fast. I truly like him Huck. I do, and I am beginning to feel something missing when I am not around him. I just can't wait for you to meet him and see for yourself what a heartfelt person he is. The McClellan's love him, too. I cannot wait for you to meet the three girls, Chloe is an absolute delight."
Olivia went on to tell Huck about Abby, Leo, and Sophie. She would swing by Sophie's in the morning before heading to Bryce and Lara's. Huck had a busy day ahead, and they both needed some sleep.
Huck had a decent sleep despite being on the air mattress. He heard the door slide and watched Liv head out. She had told him she would be up to watch the sunrise. He rolled back around to get some more sleep. He had seen enough sunrises in his time.
Liv's phone buzzed:
Fitz: Good morning beautiful Livvie, how was dinner?
Liv: Good morning handsome Mister, dinner was fabulous, Huck was impressed.
Fitz: Glad to hear it. Enjoying the sunrise?
Liv: You know me too well. Yes, I am enjoying the sunrise, although it's freezing. Wish your arms were around me.
Fitz stared at the words. He took a deep breath. How he wished everyday he would wake up with Olivia and not just with a picture.
Fitz: Soon enough, I am heading out early, I want to beat traffic. I will text you when I get there. Have a good day. He ended it with a heart emoji.
Liv: Be careful driving. Put on that seatbelt. I already miss you. I can't wait for dinner.
She ended it with a kissing emoji. She continued to watch the sunrise, and get lost in all the spectacular colors. She stared at the mountain and thought of their plan for Edison. Huck was a genius and he would never let Edison win.
She heard him getting ready in the bathroom, and she got dressed as they headed to Sophie's and Liv started Huck on his journey to becoming an honorary citizen of Rutland.
Olivia found it a bit concerning how easily Huck and Abby had hit it off. It was like they have been friends for years. They talked about technology, Abby saying she knows nothing about it and Huck sounds like he's speaking another language when she hears him talk about it.
They were laughing and Abby went in for the kill. "Hey, Rutland is missing a marital arts studio. Why don't you consider opening one here? I could help out, after you teach me of course, it will be great."
Huck turned to Liv. Liv shrugged. "It's an idea. We'll talk more later." She gave a wink to Abby who winked back.
Leo came out with a few boxes of cookies for the girls. He sat with Huck for a while, Huck asking him if it was customary for all men in Rutland to cook. Leo had a good laugh because that's when Sophie made her appearance. "I leave you with the best cook all of Rutland had ever seen."
Huck and Sophie hit it off immediately. She talked to him about his service, about working with Liv, and about his future. Huck found it as easy to talk to Sophie as Olivia did. After talking to him for about a half hour and finding out all of his favorite foods to send him back to NYC with, Sophie said she couldn't place it but it seemed as if she knew him from somewhere.
"Anyway I am sure you and Fitz will hit it off with your war stories. Where is Fitz, by the way?" Sophie turned to Liv.
"He had a few errands to run a few meetings to attend. We'll talk more tomorrow. I'm heading to Bryce and Lara's. Do you need me to bring anything to them?"
"Nope," Sophie stood up with Liv and Huck. She gave Liv a big hug and shook Huck's hand. "Pleasure meeting you, hope you stick around." She headed back to the kitchen as Liv and Huck headed towards the McClellan's.
Fitz was 20 minutes out from the meeting place with the other two owners. Devon "Sparks" Litman and Samuel "Two Shot" Murray had been Navy buddies with Fitz. The three of them came from different parts of the country but met up at the Naval Academy. Fitz looked forward to seeing them as they were from a time before his capture.
They knew he had been through a lot, but they didn't know the extent of it. When Fitz met them up in Maine after his capture they had agreed on purchasing a baseball team. They had spoken at length about it at the Academy and they were waiting on Fitz to make it a reality. Fitz had put his share of money into it, but left all the operations up to them.
They tried for years to get him involved, never making a decision without contacting him first, but he told them he trusted them. When he called them to let them know he was getting on board finally, they embraced it. They decided on this meeting date, and Fitz was eager to put this all in motion. These are two guys, besides Bryce, he trusts with his life.
When he saw the two of them for the first time in five years, it was as if they never missed a beat. They sat for hours at the place, eating, drinking, and talking. They went over prospects and contracts and when Fitz said he had someone that had baseball knowledge of one of their rival teams, the guys saw it instantly.
"What's her name"?, Two Shot asked.
"Not Natalie" Sparks chimed in.
"No, not Natalie. She's the past, you know that. Her name is Olivia and I cannot wait for you to meet her."
"Yes," Two Shot clapped. "My boy Fitz is in love. Is that why the sudden change in getting involved?"
Fitz nodded. "Yeah, I have to make something of my life. I need to start living. I want a life with her."
"Nothing wrong with that" Sparks said. Sparks was married with two boys and Two Shot was a bachelor for life. He had enough women on speed dial for every day of the week.
"Bring her to the winter formal on New Year's Eve." Two Shot said. "That would be a great time to introduce her to everyone and the staff and players. Besides, you've missed it the past four years. It's about time you get your ass to one of the major functions."
Their drinks came, and they held a toast. The boys are back together, and Fitz felt like he was finally letting a wall down.
The three girls just stared at Huck. All three of them in a semi circle just looking at him. Lara cleared her throat. "Girls, are you going to say hi?" Olivia and Huck had met Bryce and Lara outside and walked in to the girls excited to meet Olivia's friend, but now they just stood there.
Bryce just shook his head. "Huck, this is Alyssa, Brianna, and Chloe. They are usually never this shy. What is wrong with you girls?"
Chloe walked closer to Huck. She looked closely at his eyes. "You are a Huck? You are Wivvie's fwiend?"
Huck began to talk but Chloe said "Wait, pick me up." She held her arms up and Huck looked at her parents who shrugged. The other two girls started to giggle.
Huck picked up Chloe and she put an arm around his neck and said "Thank you, now you are Wivvie's fwiend?"
He nodded, "I am Olivia's friend from New York."
Brianna said "I love New York. Will you take me back with you so I can see all the tall buildings?"
"Uh", Huck began.
"Brianna, that's not appropriate" Lara said.
"Sorry, you just look like you would protect me in the big city. You would protect me, right Huck?"
Huck laughed nervously, still holding Chloe and said "Yeah, sure I would protect you."
Chloe poked him back on the shoulder to get his attention back. "Wisten Huck, you are not going to mawwy Wivvie. Fitz is her pwince so you can't mawwy Wivvie. You are just her fwiend wight?"
He laughed again. "No I am not going to marry Olivia. I love Olivia, but not to marry her. You said Fitz is a prince?"
"Oh, let me go dwaw it for you. You can put me down now." When her feet touched the floor, she turned to Liv. "I wike him so so much Wivvie. Can Huck be my fwiend too?"
"Sure he can Chloe."
Alyssa turned to him. "Have you met Fitz yet? He's our best friend."
"No I haven't, but I am meeting him tonight. I am going to tell him all about how your family made me feel so welcome."
Alyssa nodded. "You are nice Huck. I heard Olivia say you know karate, is that true?"
"Yeah."
"Can you teach me one day, I want to know karate to stop the mean girls at school from bothering me and Brianna."
Huck glanced again at her parents. Bryce said "I didn't know girls were bothering you at school."
"They aren't," Alyssa said, "but in case they do, Huck will show me karate."
Brianna called Alyssa into the room and the adults finally took a walk to the table. Liv couldn't help but laugh. She never saw Huck so helpless in the cutest way.
While Lara and Huck were talking Liv took Bryce aside. She told Bryce about the phone and took it out in the plastic bag. "I found it on my property this morning out back. I had just watched the sunrise and took a little walk. It looks like it was stepped on. I don't think whomever dropped it noticed, and may have stepped on it."
Bryce looked carefully at the phone. "I will have a forensic team come in, but that may take a few days."
"Huck is great at technology. He could do whatever you need, I mean if that's ok."
They stood in Bryce's office as they listened to Edison's voice. They heard the caller and figured it may be John Doe now known as Dante.
"Son of a bitch" Bryce said, "I need to tell Fitz this is probably the guy Edison sent to town, but why out by you Liv?"
Liv told Bryce and Lara the history behind her and Edison. She had told Fitz the night he was taken in, and was fine with it. She didn't think he would send someone to come get her. He did have interest in the town but wanted to settle things with her too. She rubbed her arms for comfort.
Lara rubbed her back. "Don't worry Liv, you're safe here. What can we do?" She looked at Bryce. "Obviously this guy was on Liv's property. Are you sure you checked the mountain bottom and top?"
Bryce was already calling in a search for the top of the mountain. They were so sure he fell from up there they didn't think to look thoroughly, he was sure of it.
For the next few hours they talked to Lara and Bryce about Huck and their friendship. They talked about Huck going to the station and seeing if he can do some computer set up with the help of Bryce doing the wiring. Olivia was shocked when Huck said he may even become an martial arts instructor in Rutland.
Bryce's radio chimed in. They had found binoculars and a wallet with an ID and some cash. Bryce was going to head down to the station. He was going to work on having that warrant by Monday.
Before Liv and Huck were about to leave, Chloe came running up to them. She had her famous Chloe drawing in her hand. She reached the paper up to Huck and Huck looked down at her. "Is this for me?"
Chloe shook her head. "I dwaw vewy pwetty. Ask Wivvie. Did you see my picture on her fwidge?"
"I didn't, but I will look when we get back." He looked at the picture. "What is this?"
Huck saw two figures in a heart and two figures shaking hands. One of the figures shaking hands looked like him. His beard was perfectly drawn.
Huck kneeled so Chloe could tell him. "This is Fitz and Wivvie, they are in the heart because Fitz wuvs Wivvie, did you know that? And this is you Huck. You are shaking Fitz's hand because you are good fwiends. Fitz wikes you so so much, wight Wivvie?"
"Well, Fitz hasn't met Huck yet, but I think he will like him very much."
Chloe nodded her head. "Huck, you watch for that bad powice man. He's not nice, and he won't hurt me if you are awound wight?"
Lara held Chloe's hand. "Chloe, Huck doesn't know what you are talking about. We will talk later about it."
Olivia took this time to ask Lara if she could take Chloe to lunch tomorrow. "I've been wanting to talk to her about this whole DJ thing. Would you mind, or you can even join us."
"No, Liv, that's fine. The two older girls have a birthday party to go to, I didn't want to drag Chloe, so I don't mind. Thanks. I am a bit concerned about what she's trying to say also."
Chloe ran and hugged Liv at her knees and then she hugged Huck who was still kneeling around his neck. She gave him a small peck on his cheek, and Liv thought she could see his heart melt.
On the way back home, Liv's phone rang. She was happy to see Fitz's name.
"Hi how was your meeting?"
"Hi, I missed you, but the meeting went well. How did Huck like Rutland?"
"Everything was great. We will tell you about it when we get there. I missed you too." She really did. It wasn't the same going around the town without him. He was her missing piece.
"Dinner is in the oven. I will see you soon beautiful."
Huck could feel himself getting a bit tense. He knew who he was going to see, but Fitz didn't have a clue. He wasn't going to say anything to Olivia because she has no idea, he even saw Fitz. Besides how would he explain it. It was clear Fitz never told her the truth about what happened over there, not yet anyway.
As they pulled into Fitz driveway, Huck was getting ready for the moment he would be face to face with soldier 625 again. Before Liv could open her car door, she saw Fitz waving from the porch. Huck stayed in the car while Liv asked if everything was OK.
"Daisy just ran out towards your place, I have the oven on, could you?"
"Yeah, no problem, let me go get her. Do you mind if Huck introduces himself to you?"
"Send him over, I have to go get the food. I don't know what has gotten into Daisy."
Liv looked at Huck. "Do you mind going to meet Fitz while I get Daisy?" Olivia had told Huck all about Daisy and how they met because of her.
"No, go, I'll be fine."
Liv grabbed the flashlight and headed towards her place calling Daisy's name. Huck slowly got out of the car and headed towards the porch.
The door was opened, left that way by Fitz, who had headed back to the kitchen to grab the food out of the oven. Huck gave three quick knocks on the door. Fitz didn't turn around when he said "Please, come in, have a seat." He was reaching for a potholder to grab the food out of the oven.
"Please excuse my back while I get the food, just make yourself at home, Huck." When Fitz didn't hear him answer back, he grew curious. Still holding the tray of chicken parm on the counter he turned to see if Huck made it in alright.
The figure was standing right behind him, and Fitz heard the crash of the tray of food, as all the chicken and sauce and splattered onto the wooden kitchen floor, as the tray fell from his hands. That didn't matter to Fitz because standing face to face with him was the man he owed his whole life to, and the two of them just stared at each other.
Fitz tried to find the words, and he still doesn't know how he did. "Mike?" his eyes wide with surprise and confusion.
"Hello, Soldier, 625" and Huck saluted. "It's my honor to be in your presence again."
Fitz just stood there speechless, not knowing if he was dreaming or if this was real, was his mind playing a sick joke on him?