Downfall

Adventure of a Lifetime

Mid-August; San Francisco Marathon

"Come on, old man," Olivia panted, her feet slapping against the blacktop and her ponytail swaying from side to side. There was a noticeable sheen to her skin – the light mist wasn't doing much to cool her down.

"Trust me, I'm trying," Fitz barely managed to croak. While Olivia made running a marathon look nearly effortless and indeed she had slowed her pace to stay with Fitz for the whole race, Fitz was barely managing putting one foot in front of the other at this point. His shirt was soaked and he was sure there was more sweat than rain running into his eyes. Glancing back at him, Olivia allowed a small smile to grace her lips – he was exhausted, but still pushing himself.

"Just around this bend and we're finished. About another couple hundred feet." Talking was easier when she wasn't having to fully exert herself. She slowed just enough to be running beside Fitz, urging him on.

Fitz took a deep breath, his lungs burning, as he pushed himself to keep going. Around the bend, he could see the finish line and nearly sighed in relief – a few more seconds and he could stop running. He didn't know why he had allowed Olivia to sign him up for this. As they crossed the finish line, Fitz swore under his breath when he noticed a journalist running toward him. He needed at least a good five minutes to catch his breath.

"Representative Grant!" He grimaced at the loud call of his name and looked in Olivia's direction. She looked better than him – there was a nice sheen on her skin and she was breathing a little faster than normal, but she didn't look anywhere near as exhausted as he felt. She was returning from the table that sat off to the side in the grass, two medals and two bottles of water in her hands. She hadn't mentioned anything to him about the press, although he supposed that he had known there was a high chance that they would be present at the race – Olivia had chosen it for press exposure.

"Yes?" He turned and faced the reporter, a young man with floppy brown hair wearing a suit that looked a tad too warm for August weather. His knuckles were white as he held on to the corded microphone in his hand, a cameraman trailing behind him. It took the duo a matter of minutes to set up and face Fitz, the reporter wearing a nervous smile.

"Congratulations on finishing the race, representative," The reporter started off, a slight stutter at the beginning of his sentence that faded as he continued.

"Thank you," Fitz acknowledged, watching Olivia out of the corner of his eye. She stood slightly to the side, waiting for him to finish.

"What charity were you running for, representative?" The reporter questioned, that nervous glint ever present in his eyes. No doubt he was excited that he had been the first to approach Fitz and, undoubtedly, be the only exclusive interview of the day.

"I was running for the National Brain Tumor Society," Fitz answered, going over the responses that Olivia had spent relentless hours coaching him on prior to the race – she had anticipated the media presence and interest in his run.

"Is there any particular reason you chose this particular charity?" That was a question whose answer he and Olivia had spent nearly an hour arguing over the previous night when he had explained to her why he had chosen the charity. She thought he should give the answer that he had given her, but he had a hard enough time keeping his emotions in check while speaking to her about it, let alone in front of a reporter. He knew Olivia was right, though – giving the real reason would garner plenty of votes, even if they were pity votes. He took a deep breath and answered the question, willing his emotions to stay in check:

"My mother passed a few years back from brain cancer. I would do anything to prevent another family from feeling that form of loss."

"I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I'm sure she was with you today – once again, that was a fantastic run. Good luck with the election in November." The man ended the interview abruptly, his eyes slightly waterier than they had been before their conversation. He grasped Fitz's hand, giving a firm shake before following his cameraman to the news van parked near the sidewalk.