A/N: I know and I'm sorry. I hope you enjoy this. :)

"He's here," Olivia said as she stood from the booth. She watched as Fitz strolled in and searched for her, his face lighting up when he saw her standing there. Making his way over he quickly wrapped her into a hug and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Hi," she said with a smile.

"Hi, sweet baby," he grinned.

"Fitz, these are my friends. That is Harrison, Huck and you've met Abby. Guys, this is Fitz."

Fitz shook Harrison's outstretched hand and nodded to Huck before shooting Abby a smile. He gestured for Olivia to sit and slipped in beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"It's nice to meet you guys," he said genuinely. They all murmured their agreement and smiled slightly as Fitz leaned over and nuzzled his nose against Olivia's cheek. "I missed you," he said softly.

She turned her face and rubbed her nose against his, smiling brightly. "I missed you too."

Harrison cleared his throat awkwardly and let out a slight laugh. "Alright you two. Liv, why are we here?"

"Seriously guys," Abby interjected. "What have you been apart all of 4 hours?"

Blushing red, Olivia turned her attention back to her smirking friends. "I... we. We need your help."

"With what," Huck questioned quietly.

"Our father's set us up and we think there is a reason why. We think," she sighed. "We think my dad may be dangerous and his dad may be hiding something."

"And you want our help in figuring it out, " Abby concluded.

Olivia nodded and looked up at Fitz who was looking down at her intently. "I don't want Fitz near this," she said as she turned back to her friends.

"Livvie," he interjected quietly. Olivia turned her attention back to him and caught his concerned gaze. "Are you sure you want to bring more people into this?"

"I know I am asking a lot," she said, "but I am too close to it and these guys...Abby is the best investigator I have ever met. It's scary how good she is. And Huck, he could hack the CIA if he tried. "

Both Abby and Huck nodded in acknowledgement. "It's true," Abby said. "I am going to school for criminal justice and Huck goes to MIT."

"And Harrison," Olivia added. "He could talk his way out of a paper bag. We need this help Fitz and they're my best friends. I trust them. We can't be caught sniffing around our fathers. My father could be dangerous and who knows how far he'll go and your dad was willing to make a deal with him. We're not impartial. We are too close."

"If you're sure," he replied cautiously.

"All decisions come from us, I promise, but the information can't. "

She turned her head to look at him and he saw the seriousness in her eyes. He nodded his head before kissing her gently on the lips. "You guys came all the way out here for Liv?"

"Our families come out here every summer," Harrison replied. "It's how we all met back in the days before Liv rolled in such high class circles."

"Okay."

"Look I know I am asking a lot," she said softly as she turned back to her friends, "and I would understand if you didn't want to get involved but..."

"Liv," Harrison said effectively cutting her off. "You know the deal. I'm in."

"Me too," Huck added.

"Over a cliff," Abby said with a smile.

Olivia let out a breath and leaned back against the booth. "You guys are the best. I don't know how to thank you."

"No need," Harrison said. "We got this, Liv."

"Give us a week," Abby said. "We reconvene somewhere private with any info collected."

With that the three of them stood and left Olivia and Fitz alone in the diner. He turned towards her and leaned down, pecking her soft lips repeatedly.

"I believe," he said warmly, "you owe me a real kiss hello."

Olivia smiled and brought her lips to his, kissing him sweetly. Her tongue greedily requested entrance to his mouth and he obliged. They were immediately lost in the warmth of the kiss only broken out of their trance by someone coughing to get their attention. Looking up apologetically, they smiled at the waitress.

"Can I get you something to drink," she asked with a bemused chuckle.

"I'll have coffee," Fitz said

"Green tea," Olivia added.

The waitress nodded and walked away as Fitz turned his attention back to Olivia. He ran his fingers over the smooth skin of her high cheekbones and smiled brightly at her. Who would have known the first moment they'd met that he'd fall so deeply in love with her in such a short time? There was nothing that could have predicted it but he was so glad it had happened. She was the best thing to ever happen to him. He would be forever grateful for getting the chance to know and love her.

"So I wanted to talk to you about something," he said carefully as he ran his hand down her arm to clasp her hand.

The waitress reappeared to drop their drinks off and noticing their intense stare quickly made herself scarce.

"What is it," Olivia replied as she shifted nervously.

"I'm not sure if you know this but my dad is pretty adamant that I look into getting my feet wet in politics."

"I got that," she replied with a smirk.

Fitz laughed nervously but relaxed once Olivia squeezed his hand reassuringly. "The thing is," he said, "I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that."

"What do you mean? You'd make a great politician, Fitz."

"That's not what you said when you met me," he muttered softly and looked down at their joined hands.

Olivia took her free hand and cupped his cheek. Directing his gaze back to her's she smiled apologetically. "I didn't know you then. I know you now and if you show everyone the Fitz I know… you'll be amazing."

"Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome. So was that it?"

"No. I, uhm…"

Olivia scooted closer to him in the booth and reassuringly laid her hand on his knee. Wrapping his arm tight around her body, he took in a steadying breath.

"I wasn't supposed to join the Navy," he said quietly. "It wasn't part of my dad's master plan."

"So why did you join?"

"Because I was sick of the plan. I wanted to do something worthwhile. Have some people I could count on in my life."

"That makes sense."

"But it wasn't the plan," he sighed. "The plan was for me to go from undergrad right into a law degree, maybe get a Rhodes scholarship. Then I was to make a name for myself back here in Santa Barbara, become a Governor and then one day President. That was Big Gerry's grand plan for his only son."

Olivia watched him intently as he spoke and squeezed his leg reassuringly. This was the most he had ever opened up to her, probably the most he had ever opened up to anyone, and she didn't want to accidently cause him to clam up.

"Instead of applying for law schools, I signed up for the Navy," he continued, "I learned how to fly planes. I had brothers; men who I trusted my life to. I had Jake. For the first time in my life, I felt like a man. I loved flying planes. I felt like I could do anything up there. It's absolutely exhilarating."

"It sounds incredible," she murmured.

"I'll take you one day," he said, a brief smile gracing his lips. "You'd look cute in a bomber jacket. Maybe some aviators."

Olivia giggled and leaned forward to kiss him softly. "Baby, not that I mind you letting me in like this, but I get this feeling there's more to this. So spill."

Fitz laughed and pulled her closer, laying a kiss on the top of her head. "Dad wants me to 'get back on track.' His words."

"So what's that mean?"

"Ideally for him, I would start applying to law schools around here and go for a councilman position."

"Well, that's not a bad thing," she said slowly. "You'd be incredible at both."

"Yeah, I was just thinking that instead of California for law school, I could maybe end up at Harvard or Yale. Be closer to you."

Olivia pulled back a bit to look him directly in the eyes. Her expression was blank for just a moment and then she broke out into a brilliant smile. "Really," she said softly.

Fitz nodded his head and grinned when Olivia threw her arms around him. He instinctively pulled her in and kissed the top of her head. He wrapped her in his arms and buried his face in her hair. "Really," he mumbled. "I just want to be where you are."

She nuzzled her face against his chest, unable to stop the brilliant smile on her face. Summer was coming to a close and lately she had begun to wonder what would happen once she went back to Princeton, especially with all the drama in their personal lives.

"What about Columbia," she said softly, looking up at him.

"I didn't want to step on your toes," he shrugged.

"It'd be great. We could take classes together."

Fitz laughed and pulled her close. "I'm not sure my ego could handle that."

"So," Abby said with a smirk as they sat on the beach later that day. Olivia and Fitz had enjoyed brunch together before separating for the day. They rarely spent very much time apart in the last couple weeks. Deciding to instead enjoy every second they had in their summer paradise. "You're in love."

"Shut up, Abbs," she laughed. "But, yes, I am."

"Good. He seems nice. You deserve nice. And good in bed. Is he?"

Olivia turned her head and smacked her friend on the arm before laying back on her beach towel. "I am not discussing my sex life with you, Abigail. "

"Oh my God," she squealed as she sat up and began applying more sunblock. "That good?"

"Better. And that's all I am saying."

"Ugh. You are so lucky," Abby whined. "He is beautiful and sweet and good in bed? Not fair."

"Boy troubles?"

"Just a lack of boys," she sighed.

"Well... Fitz has a friend Jake that seemed nice. We are meeting up with him tomorrow night," Olivia replied. "You should come."

"Wait. You guys are spending time out of his bed?"

Olivia smiled and looked up at her friend. "I have been kind of neglecting you guys, huh?"

"Just a little but it's okay."

"Fitz doesn't really have any friends so I think we tend to forget. He is so secluded from people as a means of self preservation. That's why we are hanging out with Jake tomorrow. He needs to remember what having friends feels like. You should come."

"Alright. I'm in."

"And we should go shopping before that. I miss my best friend."

Jake Ballard sat down at the table with Fitz, Olivia and her friend Abby and surveyed the scene around him. It was hard for him to remember what it was like to be a normal 22 year old these days. Post Navy his life had changed so drastically he barely remembered the kid he was when he joined at 18. It was odd to think that a man he had once considered his friend was now the basis of his mission. It felt like a betrayal but the options for disobedience were far worse than the guilt he felt. He just hoped that this mission never changed from watching to something violent.

"So Jake," Olivia said, shaking him out of his thoughts. "I believe I was promised stories about Fitz."

"Ah yes," he said with a laugh. "The chronicles of Flyboy."

"Flyboy," Olivia responded, turning to Fitz with a raised eyebrow.

"I swear to God, Jacob, I will kill you," Fitz laughed.

"Awww come on," Olivia said with a grin. "Let him tell a story!"

"Fine. One story," he pouted.

"What kind of story would you like to hear, Olivia," Jake said with a laugh. "I have a plethora. Like that time Fitz pretended to be a rookie for the Yankees just to impress a girl when we were in New York for a weekend."

"You did not," she shrieked with laughter. "Fitzgerald!"

Fitz shrugged and wrapped his arm around her. "Hey, I did what I had to."

"Or we could talk about the time he…"

"That's enough."

"Aww Fitz," Oliva whined. "You're no fun."

"I was an asshole," he said with a laugh. "You don't need to hear the details."

Olivia grinned and wrapped her arms around him. "Aw, you couldn't have been that bad."

"That was fun," Olivia said softly when they entered Fitz's place. "Did you have fun?"

"I did," he said smiling down at her. "Thank you for suggesting it. It was nice to feel normal. "

"I love you," she said softly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Fitz smiled and put his hands on her hips, pulling her to his body. "I love you too. So much."

"I'm scared, Fitz."

"Of what, baby?"

"Everything," she said with a sigh. "Of what we will find. Of us not making it through this. I'm scared. I am terrified."

"Livvie," he whispered as he took her hand and walked her to the couch. He pulled gently on her hand until she sat on his lap. Wrapping his arms protectively around her, he leaned forward to kiss her softly. "I can't make you feel better about what we might find but I promise you we will make it through this."

"You can't know that for sure."

"But I do," he said with a grin.

"How?"

"Because I am never letting you go."

Olivia looked up at him and smiled brightly. It was comforting to her that he had so much faith in them. She cuddled herself into his chest and smiled when he held her tighter. They stayed that way for awhile, just enjoying the closeness they felt in that moment. Olivia broke the silence when she tilted her head to look at him.

"Make love to me, Fitz."

Jake slipped through the back gate and onto the patio, tapping on the glass quickly three times. He was motioned inside and he quietly moved inside the office.

"Sir," he said.

"Ballard," Eli said from his spot on the couch in the study. "Make this quick. My wife is home. What's the latest update?"

"Sir, I spent the night with Fitzgerald and Olivia. They appear to be very much in love. I cannot see any signs that they are faking whatsoever. Based on comments by her friend Abby, they're near inseparable."

"Good, good," Eli replied with a nod of his head. "Stay with them. Keep your eye on them and get their friendship. I don't want to take any chances. If anything happens, you tell me."

"Yes, sir."

Fitz gently laid Olivia on the bed and covered her body with his.

"I love you," he whispered as his fingers found the zipper of her dress. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she whispered as her hands cupped his cheeks, pulling his face towards hers for a kiss.

They kissed passionately with all of the love they had for each other reflected in every touch of their lips. Fitz knew that in this moment Olivia needed to feel his love more than anything. She was at her heart a woman of practicality. She was a realist where he was a dreamer and while their love felt perfect to him, it terrified her. It happened so quickly that neither knew what hit them until they were already in love. The fear of falling apart weighed heavily on his mind every day but he knew in his heart that he would never let her go. They would forever be tied to each other.

Slowly he removed every inch of clothing she had on, stopping to worship every new patch of skin he exposed.

"Beautiful," he murmured as his lips explored her soft supple skin. "So fucking beautiful."

She reached out for him and pulled his face to hers. One hand rested on his cheek while the other skillfully began unbuttoning his shirt. They kissed feverishly as she worked to remove his shirt and then his pants. Within mere minutes they were naked together and Fitz was entering her. There was no time for foreplay or teasing, they needed to be connected in that moment. His lips moved to her neck as he moved inside her and Olivia met him thrust for thrust.

"Oh god," Olivia said as she threw her head back. "I love you. I love you so much."

"Livvie," Fitz groaned against her neck as she wrapped her legs tightly around him.

He moved inside her with slow deliberate thrusts, ensuring she felt every inch of him, as he peppered her skin with kisses. In that moment, as she moved to meet his every thrust, they were one. There was no outside forces plotting to bring them together or tear them apart. There was no pressure, no things that went bump in the night. There was just Fitz and Olivia, two people so desperately in love that nothing else matter. Not oxygen or time; only they mattered.

As Olivia felt her orgasm begin to approach she clung desperately to Fitz, her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him as her lips sought his out. They kissed with feverishly, trying to convey every single emotion they felt in the meeting of their lips. When she came, it was with a scream against his lips, pulling him along with her seconds later.

When they finally came down and Fitz managed to muster up the strength to move, they lay cuddled in bed. Olivia's head rested on his chest as her hand traced a pattern on his abs and his hand gently stroked her hair.

"I love you," she said looking up at him.

"I love you more."

A/N: I had so much trouble with this chapter and that is why it's taken me so incredibly long to get it out to you. I first want to apologize for the long delay in chapters. Writer's block is a bitch and I've been super ridiculously busy at work. We all know that's where I do my writing. And by the time I get home all I want to do is sleep.

A few notes about characters: I've decided on Mama Pope and Jake . :) I will say this though, I think a lot of what we become as adults is dependent on the things that happen in life that shape us. In this particular story there are a few things that haven't happened that really shaped who Olivia, Fitz, Jake, Huck, Abby, Harrison, Mellie and so on are. Because of this they may seem a little out of character but my hope is that they seem a little bit like a less jaded version of themselves. I'm saying this in part because I know the fandom has a strong dislike of Jake Ballard but he's kind of important to this arch of the story. I promise he won't be super prominent but he's not going to be all-bad and he will be around.

Also, fair warning, there is some drama coming up, but I promise you guys... Olitz is end-game. Whatever the drama is, they're going to get through it but you might have to suffer for a chapter or two.

And finally... I made a tumblr! I haven't even used it yet but you should come and talk to me because I need more things to distract me at work. And it will give you more ways to pester me when writers block rears its ugly head. The username is sevenonesixx. :)

Okay, long AN is over now. I'm not usually this rambly. Leave me reviews! :)