Executive Orders

CH 75 | Ask Me Nicely

As tired as he might be physically, mentally, Fitz's mind was wide awake, buzzing with the conversations he'd just had with General Ramos that had been followed up with several of his own generals in the Sit Room directly afterward.

So many delicate threads woven and to be rewoven, held against the ever shifting pattern that was the needs of both the government of San Collondias and his own and all the factions in between.

Stepping out of the elevator and into the Residence, he nodded an absentminded goodnight to Tom as he took up his post just outside its doors.

Fitz reached up and as his fingers began loosening his tie, another wave of tiredness washing over him - but it was a good tiredness, one full of a sense of accomplishment.

A quick hot shower first, he thought to himself - and then, a quick phone call, because if he were lucky - Olivia would still be awake.

He hoped that she was - if he couldn't have her here, then the idea of lying in bed and listening to her voice was the very best way he could think of to end the night.

Well, maybe not the best. Fitz smiled at the thought. Maybe, but he was willing to make do with whatever moments that they could snatch. After all, the holidays were coming and he had hopes and plans that he and Olivia were going to have the opportunity to celebrate them as well as make some new memories to take into the new year.

Now there was a thought that made his smile even wider - and he couldn't wait to share that with his Livvie as well.

And as it turned out, he didn't have too long to wait. Fitz opened his bedroom door - and was happily surprised. "Hi."

Olivia looked up from the center of his bed, surrounded by pens and pads and folders and dressed in little more than one of his Navy t-shirts and a smile. "Hi."

"You're here." Fitz barely managed to breathe the words.

"I'm here." It was Olivia's turn to smile, clearly delighted by Fitz's reaction. "Surprise."

"I am." Fitz said. "And I thought you said this was a work night - that you had a lot on your plate and so did I."

Her eyes sparkled up at him. "Was I wrong? And am I not working?"

"No, you weren't - but what changed?"

"Well, you did ask me to stay so nicely that I found it hard to resist." She gestured at the evidence scattered all around her. "This seemed to be the best compromise for us to both get some work done."

Fitz's senses flooded with a heady mix of heat and pleasure as his eyes dropped down to the smooth twin curves of her bare legs then traveled slowly and appreciatively upwards to her freshly scrubbed face and the enticing curls of her hair piled messily on top of her head.

It didn't matter whether she was sheathed in the highest fashion couture, or business woman chic, or even as she was right now, she was still - and would forever be - the most beautiful woman he has ever seen in his life.

With that in mind, Fitz crossed the room in a few steps. He sank down on the edge of the bed, his eyes never leaving hers. "Remind me to ask nicely more often."

"I'll be more than happy to remind you any time you want." Olivia reached for his tie, finishing the job he'd begun, pulling it free and tossing it aside. Both hands then busied themselves at his throat, deftly undoing the top buttons on his shirt just before pulling him forward into a much needed kiss.

It hadn't taken too much persuasion for Fitz to change her mind concerning their need for each of them to tend to their own separate business, not when the memory of his mouth had lingered against her own after she'd left him, not when the memory of so many lovely moments that they've shared rose up to follow....