"Olivia Carolyn Pope!" It was never a good sign when her mother used her full name. She sat in the tree for a moment, looking out across her neighbors roof tops and contemplated answering. "If I have to come and look for you…" her mother threatened, and Olivia mournfully made the decent down to ground level. She wasn't ready to leave. The day her acceptance letter to Yale had arrived had been emotional for both her parents. Her father had been so proud he had cried and her mother had navigated her way around the entire house, rearranging everything in her well appointed house. Olivia would be leaving home.

Months had gone by and the time had done nothing to calm her nerves. Not only would she be away from the protective cocoon her parents had provided her with, she would be one of a handful of African American students in attendance at one of the world's most prestigious institutions. Class of 1960. Nothing in her life had prepared her for this. Academically, she knew she belonged but socially…she shook her head and marched towards the back door.

"What time were you supposed to leave?" her mother asked before she'd even entered the house.

"Mom…please" Liv pleaded. She would have rolled her eyes had she not dreaded the lecture on attitude and respect that would have followed.

"Your father is waiting in the car." Liv smiled at her mother and slid her arms around her waist, burying her face in her neck. She felt her mother smile and they stood like that until they heard the car horn. Her mother gripped her face, "Work hard and don't forget who you are." Liv couldn't control her eye roll as she laughed.

"How can I forget when I have you to remind me?" She picked up the last of ther things and headed out to the car.

The two hour drive to campus with her father was just what Liv had needed. Wordlessly, they settled into their routine. She would sprawl out on the back seat reading and would occasionally catch her fathers eye in the rear view mirror. They would always stop along the way for fries and a coke float and as her father watched her eat, Olivia felt taken care of.

"We're almost there." Her father looked back and smiled as if giving her time to prepare. It was all happening too fast. She could see the campus entry in the distance and she fought the urge to ask her father to turn the car around and take her back. She'd spent years anticipating this moment and now that it was here, she was terrified. As they drove through the tree lined streets of the campus Liv marvelled at the iconic Gothic architecture that was now to be her home for the next four years. The moment was here. She had arrived.

It was early evening and Liv was still trying to get situated. She'd arranged and rearranged her room several times, all the while her mother's advice ringing in her ears. "Order is freedom, baby. Messy people are prisoners." She watched out of her small window as other students arrived. She would need to venture out and find food soon. Just as she was putting her shoes on, there was a knock at the door. She froze and looked around, forgetting for a moment that this was her dorm room.

"I know you're in there!" A female voice shouted from the other side of the door. "I've been waiting hours for you to come out?"

"Who on earth could this be?" Liv thought as she pulled open the door. Before she could take a breathe the bright glow of a camera flash went off in her face, blinding her momentarily. "What are you doing?" Liv cried out as she stepped back and tested her eyes for residual blindness. When she was finally able to focus, the girl standing before her grinned, not a hint of apology.

"My parents call me Catherine, with a 'C' if you can imagine such conventionality. Those who admire my work call me Sienna Sky. She pushed past an astonished Liv and plopped down on the single bed. "And you are?"

"Olivia….that is people call me Olivia or Liv. Sometimes Livvie."

"Sometimes Livvie. I can live with that. You hungry?"

Liv looked the young brunette up and down. Dressed all in black with a camera round her neck she seemed completely unconcerned with manners or personal space. "Listen Cath…Sien…Miss Sky, I don't really…"

Catherine jumped off the bed and grabbed Liv by the shoulders. "Food. Now! You're wasting away. Let's go". She took her hand and led her out the door. Liv didn't know whether to be shocked or relieved at this unexpected abduction but she was hungry so she followed without complaint. Somehow the crazy brunette seemed to know her way through the maze of corridors that led to the dining hall.

"Miss Sky, how long have you been here?" Liv asked and was answered with a resigned sigh.

"Fine. You can call me Cat. Not Cathy or Caty. Only my brother calls me Caty." She laughed to herself. "Fitz will be delighted to know I've made a friend."

Before Liv could respond, another bright flash went off in her face. Her new "friend" was going to be a handful.

—-

Liv was more accustomed to the tranquil dinner time conversation that her parents engaged in, so was ill equipped to deal with Cat's continuous chatter. "You said your 'work' had admirers. What exactly do you do?"

Cat snapped another picture and laughed, "Mostly photography. A little drawing. Whatever creative endeavour needs me really. My brother calls me his muse. I cannot wait for you to meet him. He should be dropping of my last trunk later tonight before he leaves for New York". She clapped her hands excitedly. "Maybe he can take us for a drink off campus! Yes! We'll make him do it. We have to celebrate."

"Celebrate?" Liv was already trying to think of an adequate excuse she could use to avoid Cat and her brother.

"Freedom darling!" Cat exclaimed with a flourish. "How can we not celebrate freedom?" She eyed Liv suspiciously. "You're not a conformist are you?"

Liv was unsure how to answer and thought "No!" to be the safest answer.

"Liar!" Cat's laughter was infectious and Liv realised that with no effort on her part, she'd made a friend.

She was just applying the finishing touches to her hair when Cat burst into her room. "You can't wear that!" Her eyes crinkled as she took in Liv's tidy ensemble. "We're going drinking, not to church." She opened Liv's closet and assessed its contents. "Where are your going out clothes? Did you only bring pastels?" She closed the doors and sighed. "Wait here. I have the perfect dress for you."

Liv stood in the centre of her room feeling chastened and a little offended. Her mother had picked out most of her clothes and her mother always looked nice. She looked at her reflection in the full length mirror. She'd never minded looking like her mom. She groaned. How out of touch was she?

Cat breezed back into Liv's room and held up the dress triumphantly.

"It's…red…"

"Trust me!" Cat reasoned. "I have a great eye. Red is good".

Liv stared at herself in disbelief. She looked…older. The bodice on the dress was cut a little lower that she would like and the halter neck made her feel exposed. Before the feeling that things were, once again, moving too fast overwhelmed her, Cat was grabbing her by the hand and pulling her unceremoniously out the door.

"Fitz!" Cat ran headlong towards the dark haired man standing beside a jet black Cadillac and launched herself into his arms. Liv kept her distance as he spun her round, suddenly feeling like an intruder.

"This is Livvie!" Cat reached for Liv and pulled her towards them and Liv was greeted by the bluest eyes and most penetrating gaze she had ever seen.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr…"

"Grant," he supplied in a soft, rich baritone as he offered his hand, "but you can call me Fitz."
—-

They held hands momentarily and Liv felt warmed by the intensity of his appraisal. The rough texture of his hand grazed the skin on her palm and the need to the break the contact surprised her. She looked away but could still feel him studying her. A slight shiver went through her and she wished she'd worn one of her button down sweaters instead.

He had never touched skin so soft and even as he shoved his hands in his pockets, the memory of it lingered. Her perfume, fresh and light, filled his nostrils forcing him to take a step back as if out of harm's way. She was nothing like Caty. He didn't doubt his sister's ability to make friends but the shy, brown skinned girl standing in front of him was not her type. She was uncomfortable in her dress although the colour emphasised the soft blush of her lips. He sensed his sister's handiwork. Fitz hadn't expected this.

"Hot date?" It seemed more like a challenge than a question.

"No, we were just…well, Cat wanted to celebrate." Liv shot Caty a panicked look.

"Fitz, you know how much you love me?" Caty hugged his arm and gazed at him, eyes filled with adoration.

His eyes narrowed. He knew she was up to something. "God, Caty. What?"

"Well, Livvie and I were really hoping you would take us out for a drink in town. Today is a milestone in both of our young lives. Besides, I never get to see you or spend any time with you 'cause you're away so goddam much…" He covered her mouth with his hand.

"You mean a bar? He threw back his head and laughed. "You really expect me to take you two to a bar? You're barely out of high school."

"Oh Fitz, please!" She jumped and up and down on the spot hugging his arm tighter.

"Caty, don't start. It's not happening." He pried himself loose from her grip. "What happened to turning over a new leaf?"

"I'll turn it over tomorrow." She reached over to Liv, drawing her near. "Tonight I want to spend time with my new friend and my favourite brother before he goes back to serving his country."

Denying Caty anything was impossible. "I'm your only brother."

Caty smelled blood in the water. "One hour, tops."

"One hour!" He groaned with resignation and Caty squealed with delight, "But no bars. I'll think of something else"

"But…"

"No bars! Get in the car before I change my mind."

Liv sat in the back seat watching the sibling's playful interaction. Fitz was quiet, concentrating on the road while Caty talked enough for both of them. Occasionally he would brusquely quiet her down but she would laugh it off and continue sharing her observations. As an only child, their relationship fascinated Liv. She had several cousins but that wasn't the same. How different her childhood would have been growing up with someone like Caty around. She was suddenly aware that Fitz was watching her in the rear view mirror and when she caught his eye she looked away, flushed with embarrassment. It was the second time she'd caught him watching her and something about the way he looked at her made her feel exposed. What was he looking at? There was no denying it. Caty's brother was gorgeous. His dark hair was short in the back and sides and he had a strong, masculine jaw. His lips were full and seemed to have a permanent smirk. He was clearly athletic and his tall frame was lean, yet muscular. She chided herself for her foolish train of thought and concentrated on the view and they drove through the town.

He pulled up outside a run-down establishment and told them to wait in the car. Liv wasn't sure why but she felt excited. Fitz emerged from the bar carrying a large bottle and three glasses.

"Where are you taking us?" Cat asked as he started the engine.

"It's still pretty warm out; East Haven beach is close by."

Liv loved the ocean and living this close to it was a pleasure. Fitz drove onto the sand and they all climbed out of the car and stared out at the water. He found a picnic blanket in the trunk of the car and they sat down and watched as he opened the Champagne.

"A toast!" They held up their glasses as Caty cleared her throat. "To life, to love and to us." With that she downed the contents of her glass and Liv and Fitz laughed, sipping their champagne simultaneously.

They sat and drank in contended silence enjoying the fresh sea air. Liv couldn't understand why she felt so comfortable with people she'd known for less than three hours.

"Look at all this natural beauty!" Caty ran to the passenger side of the car and grabbed her camera. "I'm gonna take some pictures. Its been years since we've been here. God, I love the beach!"

Liv wasn't sure how she felt about being alone with Fitz. Something about the searching way he looked at her made her feel uneasy. She was suddenly overcome with shyness.

"What's your major?" he asked before taking a large swig of his champagne.

"Political Science." This felt like safe territory.

"Really?" Fitz arched an eyebrow. "I'm impressed. I don't know many women who are genuinely interested in Politics"

"Believe me, Mr Grant I don't know many men who are genuinely interested in politics either" She smiled and Fitz felt as is the sun had come out.

"Touché." He raised his glass in a silent toast. "But I don't imagine you do know many men."

There it was, that intense gaze. "How can you be so sure of that?"

Fitz didn't answer but instead topped up her glass with champagne.

"How long have you been serving in the military?" The champagne was working. She couldn't contain her curiosity about this man anymore.

"Four years. I have one year to decide what I'm going to do with my life."

"So you're not committed then?" She liked his directness and found his deep voice soothing.

"Five year is plenty commitment in my books." For the first time since they'd been introduced she turned to face him and looked him in the eye, waiting for him to continue. "Four years at WestPoint, five in the military. I'm ready to see what else life has to offer. I too am genuinely interested in politics. It's kind of a family tradition. My father, his father…you know how it goes."

"Your father? Governor Grant is your father? Now I'm impressed." Her laughter was musical.

The flash of Caty's camera went off, reminding them that they were not alone. "I feel like dancing. Livvie, let's dance." She ran to the car and turned on the stereo. Chuck Berry blasted into the evening air. Livvie couldn't say no to Chuck Berry. She allowed Caty to pull her up and they swivelled their hips in unison, careful not to spill their drinks. Liv allowed the music to move her and encouraged by the champagne she began to move more instinctively.

Fitz leaned back on his elbows and watched them. He smiled at his sister's enthusiasm but Liv drew his attention. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She raised her arms over her head and swayed her hips to the beat and he was spellbound. It was the most erotic thing he had ever seen and for a moment he allowed himself to think she was dancing just for him. She had no idea how alluring she was. He smiled inwardly; she was definitely a virgin. Mentally shaking himself he looked away. What was he thinking? The champagne was obviously getting to him.

"Girls, I have a long drive ahead of me. I'm taking you back." He needed to clear his head.

"What? No!" Caty whined, "We were just starting to have fun."

"I'm serious, Caty. Your one hour was up thirty minutes ago."

Liv sat quietly in the back of the car and Fitz felt guilty for ending her celebration. He needed to clear his head. Caty, however, looked mutinous but Fitz knew just how to reason with her. "If you leave quietly, I'll let you keep the rest of the champagne." It worked like a dream and within the hour, Fitz was on his way to New York, but his journey was plagued with the memory of perfume, sultry brown eyes and swaying hips.

(Click here to hear Koko Taylor's "I'm a woman".)

The evening was still warm and Liv felt overheated under the woollen covers of her strange new bed. She didn't want to think about Caty's brother but he had been on her mind from the moment they had said goodnight. She remembered the feel of his warm, work roughened hand enveloping hers and she was disappointed that he hadn't repeated the gesture. He seemed tense when he left, as if he'd left his casual, playful demeanour behind at the beach. Liv had known very few boys growing up and even fewer men. Perhaps the mercurial, changeable behaviour was part of the male character, although she'd never noticed it in her father.

She'd sat cross legged on the floor of Caty's dorm room for two hours. Caty had easily polished off the last of the champagne while they listened to Koko Taylor on the hifi. They'd gone from emulating Koko's raspy vocals to contemplating the definition of womanhood, a subject on which Caty imagined herself to be an expert.

"Being a woman is all about sex!" She lectured, her cheeks rosy from the alcohol. Everyone…Society…They all conspire to protect our virtue because they know that once we have sex, we'll understand our power."

"Surely you don't mean that sex is our only means of obtaining power?" Liv was sceptical of this idea, but was warming to the subject. Caty's intellectual reasoning would be a source of endless amusement.

"No…" Caty waved her hand dismissively before throwing a wicked grin in Liv's direction. But as weapons go, it's pretty explosive." She leaned back on her bed and studied Liv. "As you well know."

"Why me, exactly?" She now wished she hadn't asked that question.

"Are you kidding me? Fitz looked like he was about to spontaneously combust watching you tonight. That's some pretty powerful mojo you're wielding Livvie."

Liv had pretended to laugh it off but a feeling of growing unease lodged itself in the pit of her stomach. Soon after she'd mumbled some excuse about catching up on missed sleep and escaped to the sanctity of her room.

Now as she lay on top of her covers, she hoped rather than believed that Caty was wrong. She remembered the stark warning her mother had given her the day, Mr Thompson, her economics teacher, had given her ride home after school, a warning that had been designed to ensure Liv never accepted a ride again.

"Baby, have you looked in the mirror lately? Teacher or no, do not let your guard down. White men have been finding their way into coloured women's beds since….well, since forever. I just want you to be prepared."

The tone of her mother's speech had shocked Liv. At the time she'd been mortified and was glad her mother had agreed not mention it to her father. But now with Fitz's broad shoulders and firm full lips wreaking havoc with her imagination, the thought of what might happen if did somehow find his way into her bed made finding restful sleep impossible.

It was after 11 when Fitz finally drove into the gates of Fort Hamilton and his mind was now firmly on the task at hand. Colonel Adler was due back at 0900 the next morning. Fitz needed to be prepared for the conversation that would inevitably take place. At the request of his father, the Colonel had taken him under his wing when Fitz had first been placed under his command and he had used his considerable influence to get him posted within easy distance of Connecticut. He had been more like a father than a mentor. Fitz was grateful and that made the prospect of a confrontation all the more unappealing.

He had just turned out the light to his room when there was a faint knock at the door. He cursed under his breath. He knew exactly who it was.

"Aren't you going to let me in?" Mellie pushed past him without waiting for an answer.

"One of these days, someone's going to see you." Fitz closed the door and waited.

"You went home this weekend…"she turned to face him, waiting for his response.

"Mellie, we talked about this. Nothing can happen between us anymore."

She leaned her body against him, "We both know you don't mean that." She smiled as she moved her tongue across his mouth and teased his lips apart, urging him to kiss her.

It would have been so easy to take the comfort Mellie was offering but he now knew it came with a price.

"For God's sake Mellie…" He gripped her shoulders roughly, breaking the sensual spell she was trying to put him under. "Do you have any idea what you've done? I have to be the one to tell your father that we're not getting married. I had to go home to explain things to my parents."

"All I did was tell my father the truth. He asked about our relationship and I told him we were intimate. And we were. Very intimate…" She reached for him and it angered him that his body still responded to her. He grabbed her wrists, urging her towards the door.

"Go home Mellie. It's not going to work this time" With that he pushed her out into the hallway and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally heard her walking away.

"You're Olivia Pope…" Liv shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun and there stood a young, somewhat overdressed young man. His facial expression was one of amusement.

"Can I help you?"

"I'll let you know," he replied cryptically, sitting down next to her. He extended his hand in a flamboyant gesture "I'm Raymond Taylor…of the Harlem Taylors."

Liv offered a reluctant smile and wondered if everyone she would meet would be this off beat and…unique. She had never felt so ordinary. "Nice to meet you Raymond." As they shook hands Liv studied his dapper attire. The bowtie and trilby hat were an interesting affectation.

"Why are you keeping this ol' tree company? Are you hiding out or something?"

"I'm too tired to move," Liv motioned towards her outstretched limbs. With only a day to go before the start of class, Liv had explored the campus, walking for hours as if memorizing every inch of the place with the soles of her feet. She had fallen in love with the Gothic architecture and the quirky, artistic structures that appeared in the most surprising places.

She'd found a tree that was secluded and yet provided the prefect vantage point from which to people watch. She took the opportunity to study her class schedule while relishing the last of the summer sun.

"Well, when I saw you sitting here…alone…I felt obliged to come and introduce myself."

Liv smiled, "Obliged?"

"Yes…obliged. How would it look if the only two black people in Connecticut didn't even know each other?"

"We're not the only two." Liv smiled at his overstatement.

"Well we might as well be, half the people here probably think we're brother and sister." Liv threw her head back and laughed. "How do you think I knew your name? Some girl from your dorm accosted me and asked if I was "Olivia Pope's brother". I figured if she thought we were related then you must be very good looking…which you are, by the way." Raymond's flair for the dramatic was clear and Liv's class schedule and need for solitude were soon forgotten.

They spent the rest of the afternoon lounging on the grass, discussing any and every topic that came to mind. Liv felt at ease with Raymond and had it not been for the complaints of her empty stomach, would gladly have spent the rest of her evening deep in conversation.

"Can you walk? Do you need me to carry you?" He pulled her up and watched her gather her belongings."

"I should make it…just about." They walked slowly towards Liv's dorm room, neither eager to part company.

"I have a car. We could be in New York in a couple of hours if you wanna see a show or something next weekend?"

"Are you asking me out on a date?" As she considered that what should have been a pleasant possibility, piercing blue eyes flashed across her mind's eye, surprising her. The reluctance to part ways with Raymond, who had been nothing but sweet and attentive, was replaced by a sudden need to escape.

"Would it be so bad if I was?"

"No, I just…" Liv felt sullen and ungrateful. "With classes starting I'm just not sure if I'll have time."

Raymond watched her, sensitive to the change in her demeanour. He opened his mouth as if to argue, but decided against it. Liv was relieved he didn't press the issue.

"Well, I have a car," he repeated. "Let me know if you ever need a ride." Without another word he turned and left.

Liv watched him retreat and felt guilty for her dismissivenes. He wasn't a fool and had seen though her vapid excuse. She hoped he hadn't been embarrassed but dating him was not an option. She was courting trouble by allowing herself to fixate on Fitz but it seemed beyond her control. Her romantic imagination was already consumed with a man who could never be hers and a relationship that was simply impossible.

—

"Come in and close the door Soldier." Colonel Adler continued to write furiously as Fitz approached his desk, waiting for orders. "Have a seat." He motioned towards the chair opposite him and nodded his permission.

Fitz had spent the last few days trying to establish the best way to handle this situation and knew there was no point playing coy. Colonel Adler was a man of exactly standards would tolerate nothing less than pure, unvarnished truth.

"I can't marry Mellie, Sir," he started, deciding that full disclosure was best. "It wouldn't be right". The Colonel raised his eyebrows and Fitz quickly corrected himself. "That is, it wouldn't be fair. Mellie is…great, and she deserves someone who loves her…who's in love with her…and I don't…that is, I'm not the right man."

Colonel Adler say back in his plush leather chair and studied the young man for whom, for the most part, he had great affection. Fitz was everything a young man of his background should be, hardworking, idealistic and came from a long line of military servicemen, all of who had served their country admirably. This conversation was proving extremely unwelcome.

He knew he had indulged his daughter. Most thought her spoilt but he admired her ambition and tenacity. She worked tirelessly for what she wanted and for now it seemed she wanted Fitz. What kind of a father would he be if he didn't help her to acquire him.

"I appreciate your candour son, but you can't bullshit a bullshitter. Mellie needs a man who can keep her in line, not some love sick puppy. She's been around marines to long and she won't back down from a fight. I think you're exactly the right man, despite your flowery speech about love."

He picked up his pen, intent on continuing his work. "Take a few days to think about it."

Fitz was stunned by Colonel Adler's obtuseness. "Colonel, with all due respect…"

"Son, don't talk to me about resect," the Colonel's voice rang through his office like a cracked whip. "After the way you've behaved with my daughter taking a few days to pause and reflect would be a courtesy I expect you to extend."

Standing outside the Colonel's office, Fitz slumped his shoulders against the wall, unable to contain his disappointment. He had hoped for an ally in Colonel Adler and yet he'd been dismissed and asked to think about his behaviour like an errant school boy. Mellie was not his only problem. There was also the issue of his parents who were still salivating at the prospect of an Adler - Grant marriage and now he had the demands of his commanding officer to contend with.

He would heed the Colonel's advice and take a few days to think. He needed an escape, time alone to contemplate the melodrama that was fast becoming his life. The urge to get off the base was overwhelming and for the first time in years he was grateful for his parents close proximity. He needed to go home.

—

Liv's first week as a college freshman went by in a haze of frenetic activity. There were textbooks to buy, classes to find and hectic schedules to navigate. Her normally ordered mind would have given in to turmoil had it not been for the calming and distracting influence of Raymond and Caty.

She and Raymond were now officially lunch buddies and had adopted the tree where they had first met as their unofficial meeting place. Raymond never failed see the humour in everything and was proving to be a great source of encouragement and unwitting entertainment. Liv was thankful that he hadn't asked her out again. She enjoyed his friendship and felt relieved to have escaped what would have been an awkward situation.

Her evenings were spent with Caty, who had decided to teach Liv everything she knew about photography. She tutored her on composition and lighting and had an incredible ability to find subjects that inspired her regardless of her surroundings. She was a force of nature and Liv easily understood how Caty could be considered someone's muse.

"You wanna get out of here this weekend?" Caty breezed into Livvie's room without knocking.

"And go where?" Liv asked, sensing another scheme in the offing.

"I just called home and my parents are in California for like a month. We'd have the house to ourselves. We could swim, drink overpriced wine and raid the kitchen at 2am if we wanted…" She fluttered her eyelashes imploringly at Liv.

"No Caty…no! I have a mountain of reading for next week…and you…did you actually make it to a class this week?" Liv had no intention of leaving campus although the prospect of spending the weekend at the Governor's mansion held definite appeal.

"We could leave after classes tomorrow and be back in time for you to call your parents on Sunday…"Caty ignored Liv's attempt at pragmatic argument. "Good times guaranteed."

"I don't have a bathing suit." Her resolve was weakening.

"I have millions of bathing suits…I can donate one if the cause is worthy." Undeterred, Caty opened Liv's closet and groaned at the contents. "I have never seen so many angora sweaters in one place. I would help you pack but…I have allergies."

"Insulting my clothes won't help." Liv knew she had lost and reached under her bed for her smallest suitcase. Caty smiled triumphantly.

"I'll pick you up straight after class." She called over her shoulder as she left. "Be ready!"