This is my 1st Fanfic in a looooonnnnnng time and it's my 1st time writing using the characters from the fabulous show Scandal. All of my previous fics have been based around the show Fringe. So I'm nervous about this story but I'm going for it!

What Love Brings

Chapter 1: Meeting

Olivia was feeling extremely nervous. She's was on her way to Ben Franklin High School to be given a tour of where she would start working the following week. After an interview process that turned out to not be as lengthy as she thought it would she was thrilled to have gotten the job as the 9th grade English teacher. She'd almost given up hope that she would get a job following her first year out of college. When the months of August and September rolled by she thought she was going to be sick. At 24 she was slightly older than most of the people she had graduated with due to a transferring of schools in which not all her earned credits transferred. Though it worked out for the best, at least that's what Olivia told herself at the time.

Olivia was so desperate to become more independent that she worked her way through college not out of necessity but to prove to her father, Rowan, that she could do it. Between her scholarships, grants, and work she pulled it off. She wasted no time moving away from home. Luckily she managed to find a roomy apartment that was perfect for her. All she needed was a job and finally she had gotten one. Now it was just a matter of keeping it together so she didn't lose it before it even started. As she pulled into the parking lot of the school she had to keep reminding herself to breath in and breath out. She knew this was big deal because it what she has wanted to do since she was a child.

Olivia made her way to the doors of the school but before she could pull one of the doors open one had been pushed open for her.

"Thank you very much" she said without really looking at him. She took one last deep breath and finally looked up to see who the gentleman was and surprisingly found herself taken aback.

In front of her stood a tall man with sparkling blue eyes, a charming yet somehow mischievous smile, and a head full of slightly graying curled up at the ends hair. He was wearing a dark gray suit that was perfectly tailored to him.

His wife probably picked that out for him. She thought to herself. There's no way a man could pick out something that goes together that well. Either way he looks pretty damn good.

Something about him made her stomach flutter…in a good way. It's been a long time since she's had that feeling, but the last time she felt it she actually knew who the man was.

The gentleman held out his hand to her.

"I take it you're Ms. Pope?" He asked.

Olivia paused for a brief moment to gather herself.

"Yes, I'm Ms. Pope. Olivia Pope that is…who are you?"

"Only the principal of this school." He said with a slight chuckle.

"You're Fitzgerald Grant? I mean Principal Grant…"

"Yes, you seem surprised by that."

I don't remember him looking like this in last year's school yearbook. Well pictures never tell the whole story…

"Um no. I just thought Ms. North would be meeting me here. That's all." Olivia said hoping she had not offended him.

"Well, I told her since I'm the one you are actually going to be working with and who you would most likely be coming to with questions that I should be the one to show you around. That way you'll be able to get to know me a little and feel comfortable for when you need to ask any of those questions. Sound Good? Shall we start?"

Feeling more at ease and already comfortable due to his easy-going manner she simply nodded and followed along beside him as he showed her around the school. Every now and then he slipped in a few jokes that weren't all that good but she laughed anyway because he found them to be so funny.

Olivia was slightly disappointed when she learned he had a wife of 8yrs and a 7yr old son. She didn't understand why she had a feeling of disappointment but it was definitely there.

I hardly know this man yet there's something about him…

The tour finished up outside of his office.

"Again feel free to come to me with any questions you may have. My door is almost always open. Oh here's…" He started before being cutoff.

"I have no time Fitz for non-emergency introductions. I just got word there may be some horny teenagers making out in janitor's closet! Oh this morning is off to a ridiculous start. Why did I choose this occupation again?"

Olivia looked up at Principal Grant in confusion.

"That would be the Vice Principal Cyrus Beene. He can be a little high-strung at times and tends to scare everyone when they first meet him." He smiled as he watched Cyrus storm out of the office. "Overall he's a sweet guy. He just doesn't want anyone to know it."

Olivia already found that hard to believe but focused her attention back on the Principle when he continued the conversation.

"There's a staff meeting tonight. It's actually a special one because it's going to be a potluck. You don't have to bring anything since it's short notice. If this were any other time and you didn't bring something you'd be fired on the spot."

Olivia immediately laughed along with another one of his bad jokes. He stunned her when he said, "I don't care what you think. I'm hilarious!" Before giving her a wide grin.

She let out a genuine laugh before truly looking at him and smiling. Time suddenly stopped as they stood staring into each other's eyes as if it was the first time they saw each other. Olivia couldn't understand it. She noticed his features before, but something was different now. She was seeing more than individual features. Everything seemed to come together…

He's so…

"AAACHOOO," A nearby secretary's untimely sneeze snapped them back into reality.

"As I was saying," Olivia heard him continue, "there's a staff meeting tonight and I would like for you to be there. It would give you a chance to get to know all the teachers and find out what the school's upcoming schedule looks like. How does that sound?" He asked. His voice sounding unsure for the first time that morning.

"It sounds good. Um what time should I be here?"

"It starts at 6pm."

They both stood trying to look at one another without really looking at one another.

"Well, Ms. Pope," Principal Grant finally said, "it was a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to working with you and seeing you this evening…for the meeting that is…"

"Me too Principal Grant. I'll see you this evening. Bye" With an awkward wave she turned and left. When she reached her car she leaned against the driver's side door and took a deep breath.

I don't know about this…

The day had started like any other for Fitzgerald Grant. His days were stuck in a routine of never ending monotony. The only pleasure being when he got his son Jerry ready for school. Jerry's bus didn't come till much later after Fitz had to be to work but his son preferred for Fitz to help him get ready for school over his mother. Though in case something came up at the school and he needed to be there earlier he made sure to get himself practically ready before waking Jerry.

He walked into his son's room while simultaneously turning on the light.

"Alright kiddo it's time to get up!"

Jerry's eyes slightly opened before closing back up.

"Don't make me have to jump on you again!" Fitz could see a smile spread across his son's face. "Alright kiddo! You asked for it," but before Fitz could leap off of his feet Jerry popped up shaking his hands out in front of him.

"Noo daddy! Last time you almost crushed me!"

Fitz laughed. "Well, at least you learned it's better to get up! Come on so you can get ready for school. What would you like for breakfast this morning? Broccoli?"

Jerry shook his head. "How about some scrambled eggs and bacon! Pleeeeeease!"

"Alright. You go get washed up and I'll start breakfast. Did your mom pick out what your supposed to wear?"

Jerry rolled his eyes. "Yes."

"Well today you can pick out whatever you want to wear. Sound good?" Fitz asked already knowing the answer.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Jerry replied as he took off for the bathroom.

Fitz made his way into the kitchen to start breakfast and saw Mellie standing at the counter eating one of her nutrition bars. She immediately looked up with a huge grin on her face.

"Guess what Fitz?" Mellie didn't bother giving him a chance before she said, "My company has been selected to be part of the world fashion showcase weekend next month being held in New York City! 'Melody's Beauty, Fashion and Beyond' is going to be on it's biggest stage yet!"

He hadn't seen Mellie this happy since she started her business shortly after they married. She wasn't even this happy when Jerry was born.

"I'm very happy for you Mellie. This is a big accomplishment for you."

"Thanks Fitz! It's what I've been waiting for! I wish I could take Jerry to school early. I can't wait to tell my staff the fabulous news!"

Just as she finished her sentence Jerry came into the kitchen. Mellie did a double take.

"Fitzgerald Grant III what are you wearing? You know I put out clothes for you everyday in the same place. Please take off that Ninja Turtles on steroids shirt with those jeans and Cars sneakers your grandpa should've never gotten you and put on your proper outfit."

Jerry looked to his dad for help.

"Mellie I told him he could wear whatever he wanted to today and don't you dare think of changing him when I leave this house! I know you've done it before. If you do it again I will let him pick out his outfits every single day!"

"Fine." Mellie huffed under her breath and walked off towards the living room.

Fitz smiled when his son held up his hand for a hi-five. "I love you daddy!"

"I love you too kiddo!"

When Fitz arrived at work he found Elizabeth North in his office. She was the head of the school district.

"Hi Elizabeth I wasn't expecting you today." Elizabeth could be a pain in the ass but he always tried to be civil towards her.

"Well, the new teacher, Olivia Pope, is coming in today around 9 so that I can give her a tour of the school and clue her in on how things officially work around here." She noticed Fitz looking at the clock. "I know I'm early, but I also thought I'd take the time to inspect things for myself before she arrives."

Fitz let out a slow breath. "Doesn't it make more sense for me to show Ms. Pope around. Technically I know more about this school than you do. I mean how often do you come here?" Before she could respond he continued, "I should show her around my school and not just because I know it better but also because I'm going to be the one available for when she has any questions."

"Well I'm still going to have a look around and make sure everything is in it's proper place before she gets here."

Fitz swore she sounded like Mellie sometimes.

"Ok, but I'm sure you'll find everything is just as it should be."

At 8:55 Fitz was standing in the hallway waiting for the new teacher to arrive.

I hope she's not like the last one. I don't know if I can deal with another Sally Langston-like person ever again!

He looked out the door windows to see a young lady walking towards the school.

Is this her?

As she got closer he took in her black hair that just brushed across the top of her shoulders, her dark blue blouse and white pants that moved perfectly with the sway of her hips. He couldn't quite get a look at her face as she was looking down as if inspecting what she was wearing. When she just about reached the doors Fitz wasted no time opening the door for her. She said a quick thank you before looking up.

He finally got a look at her face and despite the look of confusion on her face he couldn't believe how beautiful she was. He had to step back before he could do anything else.

Wow! When was the last time I had stirring in my gut like this. Maybe when I had my first kiss? I don't know but I like it. Which means I must try to push it away.

Fitz was amused at how surprised she seemed by the fact the he was the Principal though he hoped it was a good surprise for her and not a disappointment. As he showed her around the school she seemed relaxed and to be enjoying the tour. They had an easy going conversation. There was a comfortableness to it. None of the typical awkward moments or straight seriousness. When they arrived at the last stop, his office, he found himself wishing the school was the size of a college campus.

He was just reminding her that she can come to him with any questions when the joy of Cyrus Beene came whizzing by.

"That would be the Vice Principal Cyrus Beene. He can be a little high-strung at times and tends to scare everyone when they first meet him." He smiled as he watched Cyrus storm out of the office. "Overall he's a sweet guy. He just doesn't want anyone to know it." He tried to reassure her though he could tell she wasn't reassured at all.

Fitz had been slipping in jokes throughout the tour and managed to slip in another while telling Ms. Pope about the potluck. He sensed the whole time she was trying to humor him and when he pointed that out he heard the most wonderful sound…her genuine laughter. It made him feel giddy inside as if he accomplished something historic.

When they both regained their composure Fitz looked at her, but not in the way you look at anyone. This time he truly looked at her…looked directly into her eyes and was completely overwhelmed by what he felt.

I've only known her for a short period of time, but there's something about her. I want to stay like this. I want to look into these deep brown eyes for…

"AAACHOOO!"

Fitz felt like a hypnotist had just snapped his fingers and pulled him out of his trance. When he managed to talk again he could barely steady his voice.

When she said goodbye he couldn't help but watch her walk all the way out to her car. He was perplexed when he saw her stop to lean against the driver's side door.

Was I wrong? Did things not go as well as I thought?

Fitz felt ill at the thought that he might not get the chance to see her again. All he could do was hope that she showed up to the staff meeting that evening.

I really want her to be at the meeting, but something inside me says if she does show up…my life is never going to be the same…