Executive Orders

CH 73 | Good Company

"I assume you'll want to speak with General Ramos about these newest developments before moving forward?" Cyrus changed the subject.

"I think that would be best." Fitz said. "It's bad enough that what we're looking at could put a strain on our San Collondias initiatives, but any unwanted interference could impact their neighbors as well - and not in a good way."

He glanced down at the map in his hands. "This info - if taken and used the wrong way - could turn around so that we'll find ourselves being accused of being the greedy colonizers too many are already to believe us to be."

"It's convenient that the resources being eyed are set along the borders of their larger neighbors - those who promise to be the most aggressive and particular about them if they feel threatened by the General's initiatives." Cyrus pointed out.

"Too convenient." Fitz said.

"Does anyone want to take a guess as to who's leading the silent charge?" Olivia asked. Both Fitz and Cyrus shook their heads; they all already had a good idea.

Seeing their expressions and knowing that she agreed, Olivia nodded. "Our good friend, Garner is a distinct possibility. The amount of traffic that spiked on his secure lines at home was the first red flag. It will take time to backtrack his feeds and uncover any and all details - but when they started to include long-distance offshore communications is when it was brought to my attention."

Fitz looked at both Cyrus and Olivia. "I don't want the general to hear any of this from anyone else but me."

Cyrus nodded as he stood up. "With that being the case, I'll head down to the Sit Room to see about arranging the call."

"Good." Fitz said. "The sooner the two of us get together, the sooner we can get started on putting out any fires on his borders before they get a chance to begin."

"I'll get right on it." Cyrus said. "We'll have to reschedule that dinner for another night. "

"We will." Fitz promised.

"I'll make the calls to let everybody know the change in plans." Cyrus said as he headed for the door.

Before Cyrus opened the door, he paused and looked back at them. Unexpectedly, his gaze softened - just a fraction - but it was enough that both Olivia and Fitz could see. "Take your time coming down, Mr. President - I'll tell your secretary to hold your calls for the next twenty minutes or so."

When the door had closed behind him, Olivia sighed and rested her head on Fitz's shoulder. He slipped one arm around her and they sat in silence for a moment.

"So much for dinner." Olivia said with a sigh.

"I was looking forward to it, too. Good food, good company..." Fitz said.

He leaned his head down and brushed his lips across the top of Olivia's head, breathing her in as he closed his eyes. "Especially the good company part."

Olivia closed her eyes, smiling as she felt Fitz lean into her. It's been a whirlwind of days and they hadn't had much time to spend with one another outside of taking care of business, with nothing but the promise of more to come, but at least the dinner would have served as the next best thing.

Fitz needed to take breaks where he could, she thought to herself. Sometimes he forgot that. Sometimes she did too, but never for too long; the recent past was still too recent for her and she couldn't forget what he'd been through in the last year and the stress that had never really gone away since then.

Unsurprisingly, their minds were in sync.

"Let me just state for the record that I am also very much aware that this was you taking care of me - all of you taking care of me - making sure that I got a chance to step away from the stress and strain of the Oval." Fitz said.