His body was sore as he got out of the shower. He touched the bruises on his face as he looked in the mirror and smiled. This was it, his big win, he had proved himself worthy to take on the champion. All the work and sacrifices had paid off. He was finally at the apex of his career and ready to become a champion at 25. He smile to himself, he could hear his wife and two young children giggling outside waiting for him. No matter how exhausted he was, he was never too tired for them. He pulled on his joggers and hoodie then grabbed his bag and headed out to meet them.

"Daddy!" Yelled his four years old daughter who was the spitting image of his wife. Long blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

He picked her up and kissed her as she giggled. He held her in one arm and wrapped the other around his wife and son who was asleep on her shoulder.

She had been with him from the beginning when he won the ameutur boxing championship at 18. She was two years younger than him and they married when she was 18 against her parents wishes. They felt he was tearing her away from them and making her forget her dreams. But neither of them cared they loved each other deeply. His parents had supported his ambitions and provided them the money to have a nice home and for her to take nursing classes.

They traveled with their daughter when he won the gold medal at the Olympics and she took care of him when he turned pro. They were married young and had loved each other intensely.

They put the kids in the vehicle and he picked her up kissing him and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm so proud of you baby," she whispered against his lips. "We love you so much, let's celebrate tonight."

"Mmmm well put the kids to bed early and practice making baby three?"

She giggled as he put her down and tickled her.

"I love you Fitz, my life is perfect with you."

"No you three make my life perfect."

They got in the car and she started the engine. He link hands with her and brought it to his lips.

"Be careful baby it's starting to snow. Are you sure you don't want me to drive?"

"It'll be ok I'll take it slow."

"Daddy, movie?"

"Yeah buddy well I'll put one in," he smiled at his son.

"Lion King!" Squeaked his daughter and he smiled

They held hands and smiled at what the future had to come. They were sitting at a red light and the kids were singing along to the Lion King when he heard the screech of wheels and looked to see a tractor trailer heading toward them.

"Watch out!"

He felt the impact and the car began to roll down a hill then stopped smashing against a tree. When he opened his eyes there was blood running down his face from one of his cuts being re opened and he could hear his daughter screaming. He needed to get everyone out, his adrenaline immediately kicked in as he struggled to release himself from the restraints of the car. His daughters door was stuck but her injuries were minor. Once he removed her he saw the tree that his wife and sons side had landed against.

"Dadddy! Daddy!" She was screaming and refused to let him go.

"Baby I need to help mommy and Radley, just sit here for a minute.".

When he went to his son his stomached dropped, he was directed hit by the tree and he was sure his neck was broke. He let out a noise he never heard before. He checked his pulse and he was already gone.

"Fitz, our babies, save them," she whispered.

He moved to his wife and knew she was breathing but bleeding profusely. He needed to get her out before

There was an explosion, she still had a chance. He started to feel light headed, but found a way to unstrap her and have her place her arms around him. He was able to get her out, they moved away from

The vehicle before an explosion threw them. His daughter was with a bystander trying to help and he could not longer fight the darkness.

He woke up in the hospital hooked up to machines and in a panic. He needed to find his wife and kids. He ripped out his ivs and rushed to find his family. The doctors tried to stop him and he entered her room, she was brain dead there was nothing they could do. The impact of the accident was too much, the brain bleeding and swelling had continued as they went to the hospital and when the explosion happ e the second impact was too much.

He fell on top of her and cried uncontrollably. His brothers and parents pulled him off of her body and he couldn't stop crying.

His parents tried to console him but needed him to realize everything that had happened "son, you need to be strong, your daughter is alive, she's awake and asking for you. Be there for her, make her your life now."

He looked up at them wide eyed, realizing they were the only two who had survived. They led him to her room and she squealed when she saw him. She had a broken Arm but was mostly I scratched.

He knew then the only thing that mattered in life was protecting her and making her happy. He sat in her bed and hugged her.

After the funerals her brother approached him. He placed the blame solely on him and started a fight. Fitz never swung or fought back. Fitz' oldest brother John stepped in and her family threatened Fitz with a wrongful death suit and to take custody of his daughter.

His mother stayed with him for months. It took his father and brother to make him realize a week of being drunk wasn't going to change anything. He had been contacted about boxing but he couldn't. The thought of stepping in the ring made him ill. In one brief second his entire life had been turned upside down.

13years later

He woke up and got dressed. It was five am and he needed to get his daily run in before he woke his daughter up for school. He sighed and ran a hand through his messy curly hair. He needed to shave but would do that later. He looked at the picture of his happy family, he missed his wife and son everyday the past thirteen years. After a two week drinking binge and a month of rehab he rededicate himself to being the best father he could be for their daughter. It was all he had left. He had opened a gym and dance studio. The gym for him to originally his comeback, but he never could find his heart and was easily beat in his first match a year and a half after the accident. He couldn't and didn't want to do it. He had a boxing wing but had nothing to do with it except the financial hired good people to run it and offered his name but just did the book work and stayed away from that part of his facility. He spent most of his time in the dance portion he had built and named for his wife. His daughter had continued her legacy and she was on her way to Julliard. She was graceful and beautiful, dance had been her way to deal with all the pain of losing half of her family. He got dressed and headed outside, his hour long morning runs helped clear his head and release the energy he had. He didn't listen to music and never ran with anyone, no matter how cold he'd run outside every morning, it was his thing.

He walked back in the house and his shirt had soaked through with sweat. After a quick shower he changed into jeans and a flannel button down shirt. He started the oatmeal, coffee and eggs for their breakfast.

"Hi dad how was your run?" She hugged him and he kissed the top of her head. She was a sweet kind girl, he was amazed at how she did it after everything she had been through. She was the spitting image of her mother and he smiled as she took her cup of tea and sat across from him at their bar. He couldn't believe she was 16 soon to be 17 and in her Junior year of high school.

"It was good, it's getting cold, but I am not ready to come inside yet.

"Dad, there could be three feet of snow and you'd still prefer running outside."

He smiled and shook his head. He gave her a bowl of oatmeal and they ate their breakfast together like everyday.

"Dad, my dance teacher wants to talk to you today after class today she asked if you'd be there."

"I never miss, do you know what about?" He had a slight smile.

He remembered the day her teacher walked into his office for an interview. She was breathe taking and he had a hard time paying attention to what she was saying because she was so beautiful. When they shook hands they had shared a feeling of electricity. She was petite but fierce. The intensity in her eyes, he was intrigued by her. She had a boyfriend at the time so there was nothing to pursue, not that he would have anyway. However Fitz had become good friends over the three years she worked there. Olivia was the closet figure

To a mother his daughter had, but over the past two months they had become closer, teetering on the edge of friendship and something more.

Two months earlier

Fitz was walking down to his office and he heard someone crying. He turned the corner to find Olivia sobbing sitting outside of his office. The sight broke his heart and he quickly made his way to her kneeling down to be at her eye level.

"Liv, Livy? What's wrong?" He asked in a quiet caring voice taking her petite hands in his.

She looked up at him her lip quivering and tears running down her face, "I shouldn't be like this, not to you. I'm so sorry."

"You have no reason to be sorry and you can talk to me, your my friend. Come on let's go in my office."

He stood up and offered her his hand and they walked into his office together holding hands. He liked the way her hand fit perfectly in his and he smiled to himself. She took a seat on the couch and he offered her a tissue, poured each of them a cup of scotch handing it to her with his crooked smile. He sat down next to her on the big couch.

"So what's wrong Liv?"

"I knew I should've ended it long ago, before the engagement, but I was just too blind. He wanted me to move there after we were married and be a housewife."

He had met her boyfriend once and didn't like him. He caught him checking out other women at the gym. When they were at dinner her was disrespectful to Olivia.

"Then I went up there as a surprise over the weekend and found him in bed with another girl. It had been going on for years, how could I be such a fool?" She asked new tears streaming down her face.

He wrapped his arms around her and let her cry into his chest. He'd do anything to make her feel better, she didn't deserve that. He rested his head top of hers and rubbed her back whispering to her trying to comfort her. He had known her for three years and she had always been there for his daughter, she was not just an employee but a family friend. They stayed like that until she started to calm down. He let her pull back but kept and arm around her.

"He didn't deserve you, he was an immature little boy," he lifted her chin to look him in the eyes "Liv you're amazing, there's someone else who will treat you like you deserve." He smiled down at her.

She had always found him incredibly attractive even commenting to his daughter about it. In that moment she wanted him to be that one, to reach up and kiss him. But she just broke off her engagement and he was damaged, at a scary level. However, the way he was holding her and talking to her she had never felt so loved or safe. She rested her head against his shoulder and shut her eyes just letting him comfort her. His hard chest and muscular arms easily encompassed her and his warmth and woodsy smell could make her fall asleep. For the first time in two days she felt a sense of relief.

"Can we just sit like this for awhile and not talk."

"Whatever you want Liv."

"Thank you Fitz."

He smiled at her and hugged her tighter as he leaned back on the couch allowing her to become more comfortable as he wrapped a blanket around them. He rubbed her back while she started to drift asleep. He had not been sleeping much lately and sitting here like this with her made him feel a way he hadn't felt in such a long time that it eventually coaxed him to sleep. When they woke up there was an awkward silence.

"Liv…"

"It's ok Fitz, just let it go," she grabbed her bag and left in a rush.

He grabbed her hand "Wait, don't go, it's late, you're upset let me take you home, I want to make sure you're ok."

"Fitz, that's not necessary, it would be inappropriate."

He walked up behind her "It would be more inappropriate for me to not make sure you're ok."

She nodded her head and followed him to his large truck. They were silent and he put on music to make it less awkward. When he pulled in she looked at him.

"Do you wanna come in? I know you're daughter isn't home, I could order something for dinner?"

"Ok, I'd like that," he smiled as he followed her in admiring her from behind as walked behind her.

He looked around at the family and friend photos hanging in her hallway. Smiling as he explored.

"I'm going to change really quick, I opened a bottle of wine, feel free to make yourself at home."

He smiled and nodded pouring a glass of wine then returning to look at the pictures. He continued to admire the pictures. One stood out and he couldn't help but stare. It was from a show and she looked beautiful.

"That was my favorite show I've ever done and I just loved the picture."

He turned to face her, she had changed into black leggings and a grey tank top with a light tan kimono sweater.

"You look beautiful….you are beautiful," he was in her personal space staring down at her lips, cupping her cheek. He had never felt this type of pull and attraction to someone, not even his wife.

She giggle and blushed "thank you," she wanted him to kiss her and thought he was going to but she got nervous and the moment was lost.

"I'm I was thinking Chinese?" She awkwardly responded and took his hand leading him into the kitchen letting it go to grab a menu.

He wasn't sure what was happening but did not want to seem as if he was taking advantage of her and her weakness. He was her boss and was at least ten years older than her.

"What do you like Fitz? I have eaten much this week, I was thinking lo mein, beef and broccoli, Kung pao chicken, crab Rangoon?"

"That all sounds great."

"Perfect."

She showed him around as they waited for the food to arrive. She knew the history of the house and he was really impressed with her knowledge. She was so multi faceted and he loved know these different things about he.

Once the food arrived they moved to the living room drinking their wine and sharing their dinner.

"So my first fight, I was a scrawny kid, oh geez the outfit I wore, I thought I was hot shit though, I won."

"My brother and you would hit it off so well, you're a lot alike. He's a good boxer but he was always my protector, I'm surprised he hasn't gone after Edison for what happened."

"You should invite him up, I'd love to meet him."

They quickly finished the bottle of wine and it was midnight approaching. Fitz knew he should go, he had already been there too long, but he was enjoying her company and thought she was enjoying his as well. She had just broken off an engagement, this was not the time for her to start something new and he knew he could never give her what she wanted or needed.

"Well, it is getting late, I should get going and let you get rest. If you need a few days off, it is ok, I understand," he stood, and grabbed his jacket.

"Thanks Fitz, you don't know how much I enjoyed your company. I don't need a day off, I don't think there's any place I'd rather be."

He smiled at her "Thanks for dinner, you should come over someday, eat with Lexi and I ."

"I'd like that."

He had his hand on the door, she walked up and gave him a hug and a soft kiss on the cheek "thank you so much, you don't know how much tonight meant to me."

"Yeah, sure Liv, goodnight," he left quickly and awkwardly, running a hand through his hair.

"I think a tryout for school for me," she

Smiled "she said I have what it takes."

He knew she did, but he wasn't sure if he'd be able to let her go, to leave him and start her own life towards her own goals. He was her age when everything started coming together for him in the boxing world, but how would he deal with living in the big house all alone.

"Ok, let's talk to her and then we can discuss together what you want to do." He smiled

"Thanks dad, I love you." She kissed his cheek "is your smile because you get to talk to Liv or for me?"and grabbed her stuff to leave for school.

"I don't know what you're talking about?"

"Come on you two are so obvious, you should ask her out she thinks your handsome."

"I love you too honey be careful."

Fitz went about his normal routine checking in with his trainers, coaches and other staff. His gym was beautiful. He had special sections for boxing and dancing, a top notch weight room, cardio facilities and an Olympic size pool. He would often swim laps late at night.

Olivia was waiting for Fitz to arrive. She hated coming to ask him but she owed her brother. He had protected her from abusive boyfriends and been her shoulder to cry when they were growing up. He was six years younger than her, but he had been one of her best friends.

Olivia couldn't have had a better boss than Fitz. She admired that he was a first-class father trying to do the best for his daughter. His heart had been broken and he never recovered but he dedicated his life to her. She knew things others didn't, like he has nightmares where he screams and cries during the night. How he hasn't ever tried to date anyone else and that he visits their graves once a week. Alexis had told her all that. The shared a common bond losing a parent young so she sympathized for Fitz. Her mother was able to move on and meet someone who took care of her, but he just couldn't get over the survivors guilt.

Fitz was one of the most attractive men she had ever met. She had felt something for hi, and thought he might have felt the way after the night they had talked after her breakup. He was always warm and kind to her. He talked to her frequently and was impressed by her skills. She may have been the closet to a friend he had here at work. But recently their friendship had become more flirtatious and Olivia wasn't sure exactly how to take it to the next level. She didn't want to read into something that wasn't there, but when they were together he was always smiling and finding a reason to touch her. He was walking back to his office and saw

Olivia waiting for him.

"Livy? What do I have the pleasure of seeing you so early for?" He hugged her, and kissed her cheek.

"I'd like to talk to you, Fitz, if you have a moment."

"Is everything ok?"

She smiled and entered his office. It was littered with his accolades as an athlete and his shelf behind him had pictures of Lexi, she had not met a more proud father. She knew what she was goingt ot tell him this afternoon would make him even more happy.

She took a seat and he looked at her. She was beautiful he had no idea how she wasn't married. They had talked after her recent breakup and he could never understand how a man could cheat on her. She had a heart or gold.

"I heard you wanted to talk to me after Alexis' dance class today. "

"I do, but that isn't why I'm here, I want her to be present for that."

"Oh, ok, do you want some coffee or water? I hope everything is ok and I'm not losing you as an employee."

"No, I wouldn't leave you," he knew this had a double meaning.

He smiled as he poured himself coffee and her a glass of water. Their hands touched when he handed it to her and they both felt a shockwave go through them. They smiled at each other and he took a seat next to her, making it less formal.

"It's about my brother, he moved here with me for a reason. He wants to train here, he wants to train under you."

"I can arrange that, I can't wait to meet him, let me see which of my coaches is available, do you know his weight class?" he began looking through his phone.

"It's Marcus Jackson , we have different fathers."

"He looked up at her, I've read about him he's been making big moves, why leave his gym and New York? I can't believe you didn't tell me that is who your brother is."

"He worries about me and after everything with my ex he didn't want me to be here alone. But I think you misunderstood me, he wants to train under you, meaning he wants you to be his trainer."

He put his coffee mug down and stared at her. He was a phenomenal boxer, but the thought of being that close to the ring, could bring back feelings he didn't want to resurface.

His face became very serious, "Livy, you know I don't train people. I've closed that chapter of my life."

"I know, Fitz, and I wouldn't even bother you with it, but when he's been bothering me to meet you since I started here and now that he's become so good, he wants to go to the next level. He believes…. Well I do too, that you would be the one to take him to that level…..I understand your hesitancy, but I had to ask."

She stood up to go and he grabbed her arm "It's… it's just so hard for me to think about going back there, about doing it again. It has been so long, I don't even know if I'd be up to date on training him. I'm sorry to let you down Olivia," his melancholy look returned and it was like his eyes were empty. This just made her feel even worse that she asked him.

"I'll see you later Fitz," she quietly left quietly as he turned and watched her. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He never wanted to disappoint her, but how could he go there? How could he be back at the ring, his last memory of it was the night of his accident. But, he let her down. She was beautiful and he definitely felt a spark, but she was younger, maybe too young. More importantly she was his daughters teacher.