Executive Orders

CH 28 | EPISODE 8: Interludes And Intercessions

The first thing Olivia was aware of was warmth. It's Fitz, her mind tells her - it's her Fitz. In spite of everything, she's here in his arms.

And that - that was - that is - everything.

The room is still dark but somehow she could sense that dawn couldn't be too far away; her thoughts hover along the edges of sleep, her mind tired of purposefully hiding from too many unwanted memories - of too many unwanted dreams.

She doesn't move, she doesn't want to move. Fitz is on his back, one arm wrapped around her. Her head is pillowed on his chest and the steady beat of his heart echoed in sync with hers. His breathing, just as slow and steady, steadies her own.

It allows Olivia's mind to drift, gifting her with the ability to embrace the safety and permission his embrace offers, to allow her to acknowledge her reluctance to come to full wakefulness and face the day.

As if Fitz sensed the direction in her thoughts even in his sleep, the arm holding her close tightened slowly, drawing her even closer against his body.

Rather than face the day and the facts that it held, it was easier to let her senses take command of it all, allow herself to bask in this grace that was beyond rational words in exchange for the simple sensation of Fitz's warmth surrounding her, for the texture of the soft curls of the hair of his smoothly muscled chest under her cheek, the gentle cadence of his breathing and the strong and steady heart beating beneath her ear. The scent of him - of them - is all around her, and in this moment, it's everything.

It's home.

In his arms, finally and forever, Olivia knows she's home.

She floats then, in a soft haze until she senses Fitz as he woke up. Olivia tilts her gaze upward to meet his. His eyes were soft and still slightly hooded from sleep, his hair slightly mussed with that one stubborn curl falling over his brow in the way she loved and the way he was smiling at her was a balm to both her heart and mind.

"Hi."

Olivia shifts herself so that they are face to face. "Hi."

She can't stop looking at him, even though the expression she sees is as familiar to her as her own. Her eyes travel over every inch of him, from the firm curve of his lips, to the well-formed, well-loved planes and contours of his face.

His smile still held a hint of drowsiness, reminding her of the emotional storm they had endured only hours ago, but what felt like it had been a lifetime ago. And his eyes as they locked onto hers - they were soft and sure - but most of all they were happy.

Olivia leans forward and whispers "Thank you..." against his lips. One day she'll remember that he's told her over and over and over again that she never has to thank him for anything, but right now, he's smiling again, even wider this time. And despite her weariness, despite her lingering fears - she's smiling too.

"I know you must have a ton of work to get to." Olivia felt an apology was called for. She tried to tell herself that she was feeling the exhaustion of the night too, not that this was all a bad thing. Yes, there was the emotional aftermath of her panic attack to deal with, but there was the sweet tiredness of their love making to deal with as well...

A yawn caught her by surprise and then Fitz was doing the same, but then again - yawns after all were very catching... and neither of them was ready to trade the reality of the here and now for what was yet to come.

"One minute?" Fitz murmured.

"One minute." she smiled, because she knows she doesn't have to hide herself in this moment.