Set after the series finale

Chapter Four

"Do you want to go for a hike?"

Olivia's eyes popped open as soon as the words landed on her hearing. Playfully grimacing, she raised her head from Fitz's chest and eyed the man beside her. "What?" she asked.

"A hike, Liv," the former president repeated with a knowing smirk.

"I know what a hike is," Olivia countered, playfully rolling her eyes as she did.

"But do you fancy it right now?" Fitz teased earning him a look of an amused disapprove.

"Fitz," warned Olivia.

"I'm just saying," the former president began as he watched his girlfriend settle back on his chest, "we've been cooped up in the house for weeks and while I do enjoy your body, it wouldn't hurt to check the rest of Rutland too," he added, tapping her behind for effects.

He felt her inhale and her silence tells him she might be reconsidering the offer.

True enough, it's been three weeks since they arrived from Washington. Three weeks since Olivia bravely answered "whatever I want" when Mellie asked her what she'll do instead of working for her again; and three weeks since she took Fitz's hand, rode the car, hopped unto the chopper to try things with the love of her life again, this time in Vermont.

In those three weeks, they stayed mostly within the walls of their house as they christened every surface they could reach to make love with no reservations. The only time they were out was when they dined one evening in a local diner and when they went out as guests during the opening of a new wing in Rutland Regional.

This kind of isolation was an unspoken craving for them and having it for the last three weeks was a luxury they immediately embraced. Nestled at the quietest location in Rutland, their house offered them the peace and privacy Washington failed to offer.

In here, they are not the former president of the United States of America and the famous former DC fixer; in here they could just be Fitz and Olivia, just two adults who are now cuddled on a lounge chair, bundled in their respective fleece bathrobes, at the patio at the back of their house as they stare at the vast space where the presidential chopper used to land.

But isolation was never their middle ground. Used to the fast-paced life in Washington, the work-off days in Vermont nearly cost them again their relationship. When the novelty of their newfound life began wearing off, reality kicked in and suddenly everything was becoming blurry again for them.

Olivia took in a shaky breath as memories of the fight they had two weeks ago flash in her mind. She nearly called it quits, she even nearly packed her bags but when they let things simmer down, talked and decided this and they are worth another try, the make-up sex which followed paid way more than the fight was worth.

Compromise, Olivia remembered. That was what they agreed on. She gives way, he gives way, that was what they learned they needed to do.

Feeling her tensing up, Fitz cuddled her close and landed a kiss on her forehead.

"Liv – " he softly called out.

"You know what, let's go," Olivia said before looking up and catching his blue eyes.

"What? Where?" the former president asked, watching as his girlfriend pushed herself from his embrace.

"You wanna go for a hike, let's go for a hike," Olivia supplied with a smile. Her sudden enthusiastic voice caused Fitz to push himself off the lounge chair on his elbows.

"You're serious," he said.

"Yes," Olivia confirmed, tugging her robe, "I'll prep myself up, you go wash up."

And with that, he watched her move back inside the house leaving him with his thoughts of what just happened.

Compromise, Fitz remembered with a smile. They are getting better at this. They will be better at this.

Compromise was what pushed Olivia to dawn in a comfy sweater, stretch pants, and sensible boots a few minutes later. She would have put on a much hike-appropriate clothing instead her current ensemble but for now, she thought, these might do. Checking herself on the mirror one last time, she pulled the door open and began her walk to meet Fitz at the drive.

Luther was nodding his head towards Fitz when she reached the front of the house. The former president was sporting a thick jacket, hiking pants, and his favorite brown boots and his hair, tossed neatly backwards except that unruly curl that made Olivia's inside do somersaults.

Hearing her footsteps, Fitz gave Luther a final nod before the agent left the couple behind.

"Ready to go?" Fitz asked, wiping his bottom lip as he gave her a look-over.

"Yeah," Olivia replied with a nod and her confirmation sending him moving next to the passenger side, her eyes watching him open the door of the front seat of the new SUV they recently acquired.

"Fitz, what's going on? Shouldn't we-" she asked as she slowly approached her boyfriend.

"We'll take our car, Liv," Fitz replied, his eyes shimmering with excitement.

Our car. Two simple words, basic even, but hearing him say that somehow tugs some strings inside her heart. Our car. For all the years they've been together, they never had something that was materially theirs, until two days ago when - out of nowhere – they decided to buy a vehicle they'll consider theirs. Ours.

Olivia was smiling as she closed the gap between her and Fitz before pulling his head down to give him yet another tender kiss. He immediately responded, deepening it as they went along.

"I'd love that," she said when their lips parted.

"And guess what, Luther won't be driving," Fitz supplied with a smile. "I am," he added.

Not wanting to hear her counter his plans, he gave her a quick peck one last time before opening the door and lead Olivia in before rounding the corner and getting in the driver side.

"Let's go?" he asked.

"Yeah," Olivia replied with a smile.

"So how'd you convinced Luther to let you drive?" Olivia asked five minutes into their ride, breaking the comfortable silence that settled as soon as they left the house.

"I insisted," Fitz admitted on which his girlfriend snickered about, "But they let me drive once or twice after I first left the white house," he added as he rounded a curve.

"But they're close by," the fixer noted, her eyes landed on the rearview mirror watching a black SUV driving behind them.

"Standard Operating Procedure," Fitz supplied, eyeing the mirror as well. "It's either that or Luther stays at the back seat with us."

Olivia shook her head as she chuckled thinking about how cute and odd it will be had Luther really joined them for today's ride. Imagine having a 50-year-old man, strapped securely at the back of the car as they drive like mom and dad.

Mom and Dad, Olivia slightly shook her head, convincing herself how easy it would be to be mom and dad now if they want to. She knows Fitz wants to – in a heartbeat he wants to - but is she ready? Are they ready? Pushing the thought at the far side of her brain, she looked out the window and decided they'll better be Olivia and Fitz first. While talk of babies have always been part of their Vermont dream, having one this early while they still thread their new setting might throw everything off board. That is something they can't risk.

Her thoughts were broken when she felt a hand touching hers. Smiling, she watched as Fitz interlaced his fingers with hers before lifting them up to his lips, kissing hers.

"We've never done this," she heard him say and eyed him to continue, "drive alone." he supplied.

"No, we haven't," Olivia confirmed; and she remembers he's right. All these time they were chauffeured around. She had never rode a car with Fitz alone, hell she never seen him drive until today. She never knew, until today, that watching him turn the steering wheel to the left would make her want to order him to stop the car so she can ride him to oblivion on that freaking front seat!

Ugh, those fucking veiny hands and toned arm just won't quit, Olivia thought before clearing her throat as she tried to suppress the growing fire within her core.

"This feels nice," Fitz said, oblivious to the thoughts running inside his girlfriend's head.

"It does," Olivia as she stare at their still interlocked hands he placed at the driver's arm rest.

Inhaling softly, she realized they missed a lot of "couple moments" that other couples might consider basic. Dating is already hard as it is, but dating while being married (which was wrong of course), while being the president of the United States of America, while being a famous crisis fixer – those made dating more complex, more tricky - but it was also those things that made this experience more sacred and meaningful.

As menial as this sounds, this little car ride to Pine Hill Park they're doing alone made her appreciate this experience more.

But maybe that was that, they have to go through those complexities first and now they're blessed to finally have the basics of a relationship. To enjoy it, to savor it, to love it.

Pulling her hand away from his clasp, Olivia couldn't help but to softly inhale as she lands them instead at the back of his head. He was asking about dropping by to a nearby store or whatever but nothing registered in her mind. She didn't need anything anyway.

Giving the man beside her a look-over, Olivia couldn't help but internally agree, the complex they went through were worth it. He was worth it.

Her musings however were cut short when she felt the car came to a halt. The engine was left turn on following Luther's strict reminder that the agents would still be the first to get out of the vehicle to ensure the location's clearance.

"Well, we made it," Fitz said towards her as agents outside their car assess the vicinity.

Olivia smiled, unbeknownst to him, she was thinking how those words meant so much now. Yes, Fitz, we made it, she thought.

"Liv? What, why are you - " he asked, trying to decipher her smiling face but before she could answer, both their doors opened signaling they're good to go.

"Come on, let's get this thing started," she urged before giving Fitz a quick kiss on the mouth before getting out of the car.

She loves this man and no doubt he loves her too and whatever they went through before would fade into background because now all that matters is them before anything and anyone else.

Let's get this thing started indeed.