Author's Note: Good afternoon, everyone. This plot bunny has been clawing at the inside of my brain for the last few weeks, especially after Fitz gave us the background about how he and Mellie truly met. The dialogue in this prologue came to me in a dream (and if you've been reading my work for since Jump Street, you know that's always a good thing…) and lo and behold. I have no intention of abandoning Road but…yeah. This needs to come out.

This here is an AU of just about everything but here's what you need to know: Liv and Fitz are about 8 years apart (21 and 29) respectively, Liv is still into behind the scenes politics, Fitz made a longer career in the Air Force and had been actively avoiding going back to California after his final honorable discharge because he knows full and damned well he'd be forced down the Aisle to Mellie or some other DAR, blueblood with Big Jerry's stamp of approval. During that active avoiding, he ran into Liv and…well, just read.

Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"

"Ideally, a Presidency lasts 8 years. Ideally, a marriage lasts 50. 8 years of a job, even the highest job in the Land is not worth 42 years of arranged marriage misery. Besides, if anything, bringing me home has improved his chances significantly. Think about it, Senator Grant: the Republican Party has been seen as non-inclusive and an enemy to people of color, particularly the black community. A White Anglo-Saxon Protestant Republican candidate with an African-American wife, an intelligent and attractive African-American wife that he genuinely respects and adores is absolute political gold. Plus, there's the Glass Ceiling angle."

"Glass Ceiling?"

"There has never been an interracial couple in the White House. Ever. Although the ultimate dream is to have a Black, Latino, or Asian President, I can think of myriads of people who would be ecstatic to have us in there, especially since Fitz is more than capable of being an FDR quality President. Have you ever talked to him about his ideas for reducing the deficit?"

"No."

"Improving and repairing the infrastructure?"

"No."

"Education and Healthcare Reform?"

"No."

"Alternative Energy Prospects and the practical transition to them?"

"No."

"Diplomatic and defensive maneuvers with Taliban controlled and former USSR nations and other potential domestic dangers to this country? No? Jesus Christ, have you actually sat down and had a recent conversation with him that hasn't immediately degenerated into an argument?!"

"…no."

" Wow...well, I have and so has Cyrus Beene, for that matter. Although they'll inevitably have to be adjusted for realism and to keep the warring factions in DC happy…they're great ideas. Needed ideas. Look, I get it. You had a life path for him planned out before you turned on the Barry White record to make him and now, it's pretty much shot to hell. He has rejected your DAR, WASP Republican betrothal in favor of an African American, apolitical, daughter of a funeral parlor owner and a coroner that couldn't even legally drink until 6 months ago. You're angry and that's your prerogative but I'm going to tell you some cold truths right now, Senator: I love your son. He is the love of my life, regardless of whether he is the President of the United States or a janitor. Your son loves me. He doesn't want anyone but me and I don't want anyone but him. We are married. We eloped but we are married. Anyone that tries to destroy that…"

"Are you threatening me, Ms. Pope?"

"It's Mrs. Pope-Grant and I am promising you that if you plot anything else against us, I will not only destroy your reputation and career, I will gleefully destroy you. My family's livelihood directly involves death and has for over 40 years on both sides. Do not test me on this…Daddy."