Chapter 34: Hide Away
Olivia was coming down from her second powerful orgasm. She was trying to find her breath, having it just been taken away by Fitzgerald Grant. He was amazing, and he was showing no signs of slowing down.
She thought, after what transpired in the hearing room, he would be down on himself, almost close to anger, but he was just the opposite. The love the showed her. He was so tender, so loving, and Olivia didn't stop despite the weakness overtaking her body.
The drive to their destination wasn't long and Olivia had some explaining to do before they arrived. She had no idea she would be arriving amidst a chaotic scene from the hearing, but she was determined to take him away and make this small, planned getaway a reality.
Originally, Liv thought after Gerry's testimony, after the hearing, she would take Fitz for a two-night stay at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. She had talked to Huck who got her in contact with a NAVY Captain aboard the USS Constellation. It was an old time, historical Naval ship in the Inner Harbor and Olivia arranged for her and Fitz to have their own guided tour.
After that, a visit to Camden Yards Baseball Field. The owner was a client of Olivia's when she worked in NY and he was more than happy to speak to the owner of the Lake Monsters, one of his rivals in the American League East.
Olivia also went all out and booked a dinner at one of the best surf and turf places at the Inner Harbor. They were going to drink wine and scotch. That was all planned for tomorrow.
Then, after another night, she planned to walk around the Inner Harbor before packing it up and concluding their time together. She had no idea that Fitz would reveal his soul at the hearings. In fact, she thought just the opposite, but she understood why she did it.
Yes, Olivia had a few surprises up her sleeve to make her man feel good. She wanted him to forget about life for a while. It's been a rough month, and she wanted just this small time together. His first surprise was why he was so intent on love making right now.
There would be enough time for talking about their upcoming schedule later. This man was inside her now, making her weak, drawing out every sound she had, as his love making continued. He had just rolled her onto her back. His hands were under her ass, lifting her hips so he could grind deeper, harder into her, as if that was even possible.
Liv could hardly feel her body anymore, and she was sweating, as was he. Her hands going through his wet curls as her eyes shut tight. He began to groan, feeling his explosion coming on. Liv just had her arms wrapped around him, waiting for it, feeling it for the first time.
She surprised him with the news that she began the pill, and no more condoms would be needed. With the day Fitz had, it was just the remedy he needed. He could finally feel all of her, give him all that he has. Once the car stopped, Fitz scooped her out of the back seat, carrying her into the lobby.
Check in took all of five minutes, but that was too long for Fitz. He paid to have the bags sent up and left outside the room and took her back into his arms. The only thing she remembered about the elevator ride, was his soft lips all over hers and she couldn't wait to get the door opened.
"Where are the condoms?" he asked, realizing the bags were left downstairs. "Shit, Liv, tell me you have one in your wallet or something."
Liv had to laugh, he looked and sounded so desperate. She handed him the pamphlet about birth control from her small purse. "It's all good, we're good to go."
Almost a half hour and three orgasms later, Liv was finally able to feel him come inside her. And it was life changing. He was pushing so hard, so nothing would come out, he was so deep inside her, and she had to groan loudly, just to gain some bearing.
He finally stopped, continued to lay on top of her, breathing sporadically. He was caressing her face, and she heard his breathing turn to sobbing, and she wrapped her arms around him once again.
"It's ok, Fitz, it's over now. Don't think of it, please, don't think of it for the next two nights. We will go back to DC and deal with it then."
As much as Liv wanted this to be over, Gerry called when they were in the car and said they (the panel) needed a closed-door meeting with Fitz. Olivia told him to schedule it for when they were done with their time. Fitz's story would be out there, but the details would have to remain classified.
"Just one more statement, Fitz, one more and we're done. This gets put behind us and we move forward." Liv was trying to comfort him.
Fitz nodded his head. He leaned up on one elbow looking down at her. "You don't know what it means to have you here. I don't know what I would have done if I did that, and you weren't here. I can imagine what the news outlets are saying."
"I don't care. I really don't. Our phones are off, no social or news media, and we stay in tonight."
Fitz got up to get a warm cloth. He looked around the hotel room. "This is fantastic Liv." She had rented the penthouse at the luxury hotel overlooking the Harbor for two nights. He took a look out the window and saw the lights from Baltimore's Inner Harbor. He shook his head. "Thanks so much for this."
He sat next to Liv, rubbing the warm cloth on her beautiful body. She just let herself feel the warmth while massaging his back as he moved the cloth along. He placed it on the nightstand and pulled her into his chest, comforting her in his arms.
"I don't know what sparked me to do that today. I was so angry the way the questioning was going, as if they were glorifying Logan, and I just snapped Liv, now what? What do we do from here?"
She looked up at him. "You're no different than you were before that Fitz. You're still you. Come on no more thinking about that. Tell me what's going on with your father. You two seemed different. I mean it looked like what you did in that hearing room was more of a defense for him."
"We had a talk yesterday at the Vietnam Memorial. It was cleansing. I realized all the soldiers that were never coming home, the ones that died as POW's and it dawned on me that being angry with him would do nothing."
Fitz shrugged. "They seemed to be turning the tables on him today and I didn't like it. It was like they were making him out to be the bad guy in all of this because of the attack on American soil, when the true crime was the capture and torture of an American soldier."
"Yeah, you sure did make them see that. I think they wanted to stop you from leaving, but you bolted out of there, I am just glad you remembered to take me." She kissed his chest and felt her body relaxing.
"There's going to be media Liv, people are going to know I was a POW." He thought back to the stone at the Vietnam Memorial. "But you know what, I am ok with it. I am going to embrace it. It's me, and I am not going to shelter my life anymore."
"I agree, Fitz. By the way, you know Chloe knew about your scars." She looked up at him.
"She what? How?"
"She saw you in the pool from Sophie's car one day when Sophie stopped by. She thought the scars would scare me and I wouldn't love you. She said they were only boo boos, and you were still Fitz."
"That child has more insight than 90% of the adults I have encountered in my lifetime. I can't believe she never said anything."
"She's going on four, but you would think she was going on 44. She is so loyal and caring. She's amazing Fitz. You really had to see her kick boxing. She is one determined young lady."
"I can't wait to see Huck's place and go a few rounds with him, like old times in the Iraqi desert. Rutland is really coming along."
"You built an amazing life there Fitz. They love you. And so do I mister." She reached up and kissed his lips, as he sat up with her.
"Come on, I could use a hot shower before getting some sleep." He pulled her up, holding her hand to the bathroom, as he started the water.
Back in DC, Gerry had to dodge a slew of reporters waiting outside the Senate building. He had no idea where Liv and Fitz were off to, but he was happy Fitz was not here to be a part of this.
"Senator Grant were you aware your son was a POW. Senator Grant, were you blackmailed in anyway? Senator Grant did you have to make decisions to keep your son alive?" The press was all over him, but Gerry found his car and headed to the highway for a few minutes.
When he was able to get back to the hotel, he turned on the television. His phone was ringing and Bryce was already on the line asking what the hell was going on.
He explained he didn't know where the two of them were, and Fitz would be back in a few days. He would have to classify his captivity and what went on for military purposes. I am assuming he wants to spend some time with Olivia before doing so.
The next call to come in was from Senator Marshall and Gerry invited him up to the hotel room where there would privacy to talk more. While Gerry waited for Marshall to arrive, he called Jonathan, his trusted friend in all of this.
Jonathan offered to fly in from California, but Gerry didn't seem it was necessary. "I just wanted to let you in on what was happening. Once Fitz gives his statement, it will be over. Just have a weeklong fishing trip booked for when I get back. I am going to need a vacation after all this."
Gerry turned on the news and the first thing he saw was his son's scarred back. It was underlined with a headline "Naval Soldier turned POW: The Remarkable Survival of Fitzgerald Grant the Third."
Gerry had to laugh. What remarkable survival? Nothing was even said, they are just going by what the scars show. He shook his head. The media is certainly going to have a field day with this the next few weeks. He hoped wherever Fitz was with Liv they had no idea this was happening.
They both stood in front of the body length mirror and dried one another off with the soft hotel towels. They had just taken a shower in which they took their time washing one another and holding each other in the stream of the water.
Fitz put a robe around Olivia once she was dried and Liv did the same for him. He leaned her up against the wall and looked down into her eyes. He used the towel to dry some wet spots on her face and kissed her gently. "I love you so much Ms. Olivia Pope."
She opened his robe, not letting him leave it on for very long and caressed his damp chest. She used the towel one last time before she began kissing him from the neck down. "And. I . Love. You. Mr. Grant." They fell naked into the bed and wrapped the covers over their bodies.
They lay on their side facing one another. Fitz with his arm around her resting his hand on her back. "Are you tired, Livvie."
She shook her head, her hand under her cheek. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Up, bright and early, we are out of here by eight." She kissed his lips one last time before drifting into sleep.
He watched her close her eyes and drift off. He was too wired to fall asleep just yet. As tempting as it was to turn on the television, he wouldn't dare. He just stared at her sleeping so peacefully and thought about the events of the day.
He closed his eyes and brought himself back to the hearing room. There was a time, not too long ago he would avoid being in the presence of others at all costs. Now, in his thoughts, Fitz stood in front of a panel of Senators and ripped his shirt off.
He was glad he did it. He thought of all those soldiers that went before him, and he owed them that much. He just wondered if any of this would have been possible without knowing he had the support of Olivia.
He brought his forehead to hers, gently kissing it first before connecting his, and fell himself finally get heavy eyes. With his arm still around her, he fell asleep as their foreheads connected. The world outside still speaking endlessly about the former Senator's POW son. He was the man of the hour, but Fitz wanted nothing more than to be sleeping next to the woman he loves.
After a room service breakfast in the morning, Fitz and Liv set out to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. They walked arm in arm talking about the state of Maryland, neither one had visited before. Before long they approached a massive ship sitting in the Harbor.
A young Naval officer greeted them at the entrance and Fitz's attention was on the ship in front of him. The officer stood there waiting for Fitz to acknowledge him. "I cannot believe you booked a tour on the USS Constellation, Liv. Do you know how historic this ship is? This was built by the Navy back in 1854. Fitz's eyes never left the vessel and Liv had to snap him back to the present.
"You know, Fitz, you can be my tour guide, or the captain standing there waiting for you can do it." Liv laughed.
Fitz turned to see the captain, in uniform saluting him. "Please, Captain, no need to salute."
"Lt. Commander, sir, I just heard your story, and I am so honored to have you on board today. I look forward to being your private tour guide and I thank you for your service to our country and to the NAVY. This way and we will get started."
Fitz crossed his eyebrows and looked at Liv. Liv shrugged. "Must be on the news, Fitz. Just go with it."
Captain Meyers was all too eager to show Liv and Fitz around the historical ship. His friend Huck had called to let him know they would be coming. The favor the captain owed Huck it was his pleasure to do this, for free.
With every word about the boat, Fitz had an agreement plus more to add. Two NAVY men engaged in the greatness of one warship. Liv understood that Fitz was now in his natural habitat.
During the tour, Fitz spoke of the Fleets he would take off from in the oceans or the Persian. The young Captain listening as attentively to Fitz as Fitz would listen to him about the ship and its history.
They visited every deck, some were very narrow and closed in. The captain knew his history about the ship having explained how the ship was a disruption in the slave trade and it was the last all sail ship in the NAVY.
Fitz was able to climb about the decks and play the part of a sailor. "I always wanted to be a sailor for a day, but pilots definitely have more fun."
Liv shook her head. Fitz was having an amazing time and it was a good choice. She had booked the tour to be before normal regulating hours and it was perfect for Fitz. No one but them in their own privacy.
At the end of the two hour tour, they thanked Captain Myers. He once again saluted Fitz and told him what an honor it had been to be in his presence. They were able to stop at the gift shop, picking up numerous amounts of items for the kids back in Rutland.
Fitz bought himself a t shirt with a picture of the ship on the front. "Would you like one also Livvie?"
"No, I'll just wait for that one to have your smell and I will take it one day.'
Fitz smiled paying for all the merchandise. They exited the ship. They didn't want to turn their cell phones on for a picture, so they asked Captain Myers for a picture and Fitz gave him his email address so he could send it. He didn't want to leave the ship without a picture memory.
Back in DC, Gerry was alone in his hotel room. He had the news on and there was still talk about what the former senator knew about his son's captivity. Marshall had done an interview on the morning news show stating all the investigating into Gerry Grant had been concluded and there was no concern any illegal activity had taken place.
"Have you been able to speak to his son regarding his captivity?", the woman asked in Marshall.
"I have not spoken to the Lt. Commander yet, no. We are expecting classified documentation when that happens. As for any criminal or treason charges, that will not be the case here with either of the Grants."
Gerry took a sigh of relief. After having Marshall over last night, he cleared the air about what happened when Logan was threatening his son's life. Marshall said Gerry was a better man than him. He doesn't know how Gerry didn't stage an all-out war to get Fitz back.
"I had confidence in my son, although it pained me to no end to see the torture he was going through, I had no doubt he would survive. I am sorry it had to come down to this."
Gerry did not have any answers for Marshall on how Fitz was saved, nor did he have precise location of the prison camp. This was something to be discussed with Fitz. Gerry knew to keep the identity of Huck safe; Fitz would have the story prepared for them.
With Sparks back in Rutland and Fitz somewhere unknown, Gerry ventured out to the place he called home for so many years. He walked back to the Senate building and began visiting with old acquaintances, ignoring questions about Fitz and focusing on current issues happening in the Senate now.
While reporters were questioning the whereabouts of Fitzgerald Grant, wanting to be the first to score an interview with him, the town of Rutland was buzzing once again. Chloe sat in front of the television and watched the footage of Fitz taking his shirt off. Lara ran to the television and quickly turned it off.
"Chloe, I think we need to talk about this." Lara was thinking of the right words to tell Chloe.
"Why, I knew Fitz had boo boos on his back. He got them pwotecting us in the NAVY. Fitz is a hewo."
Lara breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, Fitz is a hero. How did you know about his scars?"
"I saw them once when he was swimming." Chole just shrugged. "I told Wivvie about them the night she wan away, and she told me Fitz got them because he was in the miwatawy."
The word military didn't come out easy for Chloe, but Lara knew what she meant. "Do they scare you or make you upset?"
"Oh no, I told Wivvie I still love Fitz so so much and she agweed."
Lara bundled the young girl in her arms. She was so innocent yet so wise beyond her years. "Aww, Chloe, I love you."
"I wuv you mommy, so so much. Can I talk to Fitz on the phone?"
"He is in Washington DC with his father and Liv. I don't think his phone is on. I am sure he will call when he has the time to talk."
"Ok. I get to see him on the TV though. They think he is a hewo too." Chloe jumped down from the couch and began working on a picture on her art table.
Lara and Bryce were worried. All this publicity about Fitz, but no one had heard from Fitz. All Olivia told Lara was she had something planned for Fitz, and they would be away for a few days. Maybe she shouldn't worry at all. She was sure Liv was taking good care of him.
They stopped at the second destination for the day. When they got out of the town car, Fitz looked at their surroundings. "Seriously? Camden Yards? You do know I am owner of the rival team in their division."
"Really, tell me more, because you all just look up to the Yankees." Liv nudged him.
They stopped in front of the big number 8 dedicated to Cal Ripken, one of the best Orioles to play the game. "So, Liv, do you know the player whose record he broke?"
"Ha, you're funny Fitz, real funny." It was no secret to any baseball fan that he broke Yankees legend Lou Gehrig's games played record. "Anyhow, since we're being funny, do you know Freddy Roth?"
"Oh, ha ha, Liv. Do I know Freddy Roth? The man calls me every chance he gets trying to make a trade for Jordan Lewis." He is the owner of the Orioles.
"Well, let me know a good time to call again. Maybe I can convince you after a soft shell crab lunch." The voice came out of the building to the left and Mr. Roth walked up to Fitz. "Good to see you Grant. You're all over the news. You have some bravery in there huh. Much respect for you young man."
Fitz nodded. He had no idea what was being said about him, but he was stunned the owner of the Orioles was standing in front of him.
Mr. Roth pulled Olivia into a hug. "Good to see you again Ms. Pope. So, you retired, what are you 30? How did you get so lucky to retire? Wait don't answer that, it was all my money, wasn't it?"
Liv laughed. "It just got too much for me, I had to call it quits."
"Such a success story though Olivia. I cannot tell you how many young black female entrepreneurs I am now funding when I donate to colleges. You changed the face of CEOs in the corporate world."
Roth looked at Fitz. "She was the best financial advisor I have ever had, and I have been in this business a long time. I am guessing she is the reason you are making smart money decisions now. I may not be able to compete."
They followed him into the building and up the elevator to the suites. Before entering the room, Olivia could catch the delicious aroma of crab in the hallway. She could feel her mouth begin to water. Fitz leaned down to her.
"You never told me you knew Fred Roth. What the hell?"
"You never ask. Better watch it Fitz I could be a double spy for the Orioles and Yankees working on the demise of the Lake Monsters. Bwhahahahah."
Fitz kissed her forehead. "Freak." He laughed.
Lunch was magnificent. There was a buffet of soft-shelled crabs, crab cakes, jumbo blue crabs, the selection was never ending. Mr. Roth explained he was having a luncheon for the groundskeepers and their families, so all the food was not just for Fitz and Liv.
While Fitz and Mr. Roth talked the upcoming season and backdoor deals, Liv had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Roth's daughter. She was as knowledgeable about baseball as Liv was and their conversation, like the boys, focused on the upcoming season and possible trades.
Fitz looked so comfortable, sitting, chatting, and just relaxing. Before they left, Mr. Roth stopped him. "So, I saw what happened yesterday at that Congressional hearing. Congress, think they know everything. You showed them. Glad you made it out alright. I fought in Vietnam and I know plenty who didn't make it out. Two of my closest friends were POW, and still to this day we never heard from them."
Olivia told Roth about the dates Fitz planned to honor the soldiers at the Lake Monsters game and he felt implied to do the same at Camden Yards. "What a wonderful way to honor the Baltimore veterans. Mind if I steal the idea."
"My pleasure, I'd be honored."
Roth said his goodbyes and promised to see them at both a Lake Monster game and a Baltimore game.
"What now Livvie?" Fitz asked as they headed back to the hotel.
"A little relaxation before dinner on the Harbor. Drinks, dancing, and undressing when we get back from dinner."
He went down right next to her ear. "And me, raw, inside you. I can't wait."
Liv closed her eyes to feel that sensation that went zipping through her body. Dear God, his voice did things to her she would be embarrassed to admit.
"You haven't heard from them at all. This isn't routine, is it? Isn't anyone there worried?" Gerry was on the phone with Bryce.
"Gerry they are two consenting adults. If they want to shut their phones and tune out the world they can. If we don't hear from them in a week, then we will be concerned. According to my wife, Olivia planned a two night get away so let them have their two nights."
Bryce understood Gerry's worry. If this was just a getaway it would be different, but right now , Fitz was on everyone's mind in the country. They wanted to hear from him, they wanted his story, he opened a public relations nightmare.
"He is expected to be back in DC by 3pm for deposition about his captivity. I just hope he makes it. How are they dealing with this news up there in Rutland?"
"He'll make it. He'll be fine. Actually, Rutland is ready to embrace Fitz. He has always put this town first, so now the town is ready to put him first. Fitz never asked for any kind of sympathy or notoriety, so things shouldn't be that different. If anything, the respect we've had towards him will only multiply."
"Good to know. And Sam, how is he doing?"
"From what Letecia said, he is coming along. It's a slow process, but he is making strides. Day by day, actually Lara is going up there tonight to stay with Monica. She is taking Liv's place while she is away with Fitz. I'll keep you posted on that front."
"In the meantime, get some rest. Don't worry about Fitz. I am sure he and Liv are having a great time, it's even greater if they haven't turned on a news program. Good night, Gerry."
They both stumbled onto the elevator laughing at nothing. The lobby was empty and they were grateful for that. They had their share of alcohol and it had kicked in, Olivia barely able to walk. Fitz had his arm around her guiding her onto the elevator.
As soon as the door closed and it ascended to the penthouse floor, Fitz pushed Liv in the corner, devouring her lips with his. He tasted her wine and it turned him on even more than he was.
Olivia could feel Fitz bulging out of his pants. She tasted the scotch on his lips, and pulled away to kiss his neck and she breathed heavily. "What is it about elevators?" She grabbed his ass pushing him up against her more to get more of his neck in her mouth.
The bell dinged and it was their floor, thank God, because if it wasn't some hotel guests would have had a live show of the foreplay before them.
Before they even reached the bed, Fitz had unzipped Liv's dress and let it fall before laying her down. He put his head up, looking at her body. He started with the jagged scar, his favorite place to begin his kisses. She moaned, something she didn't normally do, but Fitz figured the alcohol was going to play a major role in their love making.
He got to her breasts and she sat up so he could undo her bra and as she laid back down, her left breast was already hidden in his mouth. She pulled the back of his shirt off, revealing his chest, and as he continued to suck her breast, she freed that bulge from inside the pants.
Before he could move, her mouth was on his dick, and now it was his turn to moan. "Oh God, Livvie." He put his hand on top of her head and could feel the back of her throat as her hands gripped his ass. He felt her tongue go the length of it, and then it got engulfed again in her mouth, right to the back.
He couldn't hold on much longer. Her mouth was working wonders on him, and he pulled her back. "I am not wasting this in your mouth when I can come inside you." He turned her onto her knees and rubbed along her entrance from behind.
With how wet she made him and how wet she was, he was inside her instantly. Liv licked her lips, a combination of scotch and wine, and she felt her body being pushed further onto the bed. She tried to grip a pillow for support, the thrusts were too hard.
Even though he was close when she had him in her mouth, she was the one who came first, feeling the onslaught from behind. Her face hit the mattress and she muffled her scream while her body trembled.
Fitz had his arm around her stomach and his other hand on her hip and when he saw her face get buried into the bed, he lost all his control and felt himself pump inside her. "Livvie" is all he could say as his head rested on her back.
Liv was spent. She stayed down, her head to the side, and she felt her eyes closing. She was that tired, she was ready to fall asleep with him still inside her from behind. He pulled out, and her waist fell to the bed, as she turned to her back.
"My God, Fitz, that was fucking great." She heard Fitz laugh. "What are you laughing at me.? I mean why are you laughing?"
"Your words are all slurred Liv, you can hardly talk, well if wine could talk, that is what is talking."
"Oh, shup." She meant to say shut up, but it came out shup, and even she started laughing.
"Ok, I think it's time for some rest for you Ms. Pope." He put her pajama bottoms on and put his NAVY shirt on her. She put her arms around his neck as he dressed her.
"You are so sexy when you dress me Fitz, I am so so lucky to have you." Her head rested on his shoulder and he held her close.
"Liv, you ok?" He felt her blinking and could feel she was crying.
"Liv, what's wrong?"
"I'm scared for you Fitz; I'm scared of what's being said out there. I sorry," She was slurring again, making Fitz smile even though she was trying to be serious. " I mean, sorry, I took you away from it."
He cupped her face in front of his. He wiped her tear about to fall. "Stop, Liv, these two nights were the best I've had in a month, since the cabin, we both needed this."
She nodded with her head in his hands. "I just wanted you to forget everything that was happening for a few days. With Two Shot, your dad, Logan, and." Her voice started to go to a whisper. "And the, the ummm." Her eyes began to close against his hand, and she was out.
He moved her back gently and slowly, kissing her cheek. These really were two of the best nights he's had. He forgot the world for a while and it's exactly what they both needed. With Liv out cold, he clicked on the television and turned on his cell phone, he couldn't take not knowing anymore.
The late night news show had a picture of his father from years ago as the Majority Leader. There was a question under his picture. "Was he blackmailed?" Fitz listened as the anchors debated what Gerry Grant knew and how he handled his son's captivity.
"Let's not forget the fact that Iraq held one of our own with no consequences, I am sure that burned Logan to no end."
"It didn't burn him if he was the one responsible for all of it."
"Yeah, but dead men can't talk and unfortunately, that's Logan."
"Well, hopefully we'll hear from Grant's son soon. He is the one that can clear up all the questions."
Fitz clicked off the television. "Like hell I am going to answer any questions." He pulled the blanket over Liv and climbed in next to her. They would have to face the music soon enough, but right now, he just wanted to watch his angel sleep next to her and join her in the slumber.
Liv opened one eye to see the sunlight. Her head was pounding, and she pulled the blanket up to her eyes. The light hurt and added to her aching head. She turned to see Fitz resting his cheek on both his hands.
She loved when he fell asleep like that, as if he was staring at her when he finally began dreaming. She looked at the time. It was almost 10. They may have to take a raincheck on the walk on the Harbor, she wanted Fitz to get the statement over with so they could get to Rutland in time for Chloe's cake.
She picked up her phone. She clicked it on to see the display. She had messages coming in by the dozen. Abby, Huck, Lara, Bryce, Gerry. She had to silence the phone with all the buzzing going on. She ignored the messages and went right to the web.
The headline news story showed a picture of Fitz from his Naval graduation. He was smiling with Logan. The headline read, "From Commander to Traitor: How this Naval Commander had one of his students captured and kept prisoner for political gain."
Liv closed her eyes. She looked over at Fitz. She remembered all his sleepless nights, his nightmares, his blackouts and he was getting better. She hoped this wouldn't be a setback for him. Before she went any further, she clicked her phone off.
She turned to him, rubbing his back and kissing his cheek. He opened his eyes. He squinted as well. "Hi"
"Hi" my head is pounding, and we need to get going."
Fitz rubbed his face to wake himself up. "Yeah, get going."
"I'm going to wash up and get dressed. It's going to be OK, Fitz."
"I know, Liv. I have you by my side. Go get dressed. I'll pack up everything." He leaned in, kissed her forehead before she got up.
While Liv was in the bathroom, Fitz clicked on his phone. He too had dozens of messages come through. Gerry, Bryce, Sparks, and Huck. He ignored them and called his father.
"Thank the good Lord, where the hell are you?"
"Hello, Dad, I am good, you?"
"Yeah, all that, where are you?"
"Liv and I should be to DC by noon, what's the word?"
"The word? You're joking right?"
"I'm really not dad, I haven't turned on my phone or a television for two nights."
Gerry ran his hand through his hair. "Just brace yourself for a media circus. Call me before you arrive at the Senate building, I'll have you get in through another entrance. You sure you're up for this?"
"Yeah, dad, see you later."
He chartered a plane for 4pm back to Rutland. He put the bags by the door. When Liv emerged from the bathroom looking stunning as always, he pulled her close to him.
"I want one more moment alone with you before we get stretched through the media storm about to hit us."
Liv hugged him right back. "Whatever storm comes our way, we will have each other as shelter, Fitz. I love you."
"And I love you Livvie."