WHITE HOUSE
Olivia and Cyrus, along with a few other staffers, are in the Oval working while the two of them are on the phone, making calls.

Olivia: "No President has done more to put women at the forefront of his administration."

Cyrus: "Oh, okay. Yeah. Like hell you will, Senator."

Olivia: "Your organization endorsed him in the election..."

Cyrus: "Okay, fine. We can switch from frenemies to enemies. I'm flexible..."

Olivia: "...and I need you to stand firm. Yes." she states before ending her call.

Cyrus: "...I'm easy, you stupid, ungrateful son of a bitch." he shouts into the phone and then hangs up grabbing Liv's attention. "What? I've said worse." he tells her, as Mia walks in with a folder.

Mia: "He has. He's even said worse to me one or twice." she remarks as the two look at her.

Olivia: "Polls?"

Mia: "Yep."

Cyrus: "How bad?"

Mia: "Internal flash poll has us down 25-28 approval with 67% answering 'Yes' to the question of whether the President should resign." she tells the two as they sigh. 

Cyrus: "We gotta rein this in."

Mia/Olivia: "There's only one person that may be capable of that right now."

~~~

Sally: "So you think Billy Chambers is the problem, and I'm somehow the solution?" she questions Fitz, as they stand in the Oval Office.

Fitz: "Let's not be coy with one another, Sally. Billy's your boy. Are you really saying you had—"

Sally: "No idea. Absolutely not. You saw me when I read that letter. I was as shocked as you were, Mr. President. Now whatever menage a trois you and Billy Chambers have got going on with that poor dead girl, I have nothing to do with and I want nothing to do with. Now I offer to keep you both in my prayers, and remain a humble servant to both God and my President. In that order."

~~~~~

OPA
Harrison: "Finger Billy for Gideon's murder, his whole story unravels. It all goes away." he says, as him, Stephen and Huck are sitting at the conference table, while Quinn still sits in Liv's office.

Stephen: "You save the Presidency."

Huck: "And get justice for Amanda Tanner."

Abby: "There's no security camera in Gideon's building. I checked his neighbors, the local shops. Nobody places Billy Chambers at the scene." she tells them when walking into the room.

Harrison: "And all physical evidence of the crime is gone, thanks to us."

Abby: "We should know what we're doing this for. Protecting no-name in there."

Harrison: "Shh."

Abby: "Come on. I know that she just lost her boyfriend, but the girl could be a serial killer, and we're breaking the law for her. We broke the law for her."

Huck: "Olivia and Mia hired her. Olivia and Mia know who she is. That makes her worth protecting." he states as David, along with a few detectives, walk into the entrance of the office.

David: "Hi, guys. Whatcha doin'? You all look like you've got your thinking caps on. Wouldn't be about that crime scene you cleaned up, would it?"

Stephen: "You can't just barge in here without a warrant." he says as they all make their way over to him.

David: "And you can't just steal evidence, so let's just call it even."

Abby: "What are you talking about?"

David: "Where's Quinn Perkins? A neighbor saw her going into Gideon Wallace's place the night he was killed. Is that why you cleaned up the scene? His personal items were all gone. A little odd to find a journalist without a BlackBerry glued to his hand, even a dead one." he tells them and gets met with silence, "Okay, I just need to make a quick..." he starts and pulls out a phone to make a call. Then a ringing is heard throughout the office, "You need to turn off the ringer when you steal a phone. Detective Marsh, find that phone. Take it into evidence."

Detective: "Okay."

David: "This is fun. What's Quinn's number?"

Quinn: "I'm right here." she states while walking out of Liv's office, as Stephen goes over to her.

Stephen: "Give Harrison a dollar."

Quinn: "What?"

Stephen: "Just do it. He's now your lawyer. You don't have to tell them anything." he informs her after she hands Harrison a dollar.

Harrison: "We do this in your office, not downtown. No booking."

David: "Fine with me. Let's go." he says as he goes to walk out with Harrison and Quinn following.

Quinn: "No fingerprints, right?" she whispers to Harrison.

Harrison: "No fingerprints." he assures her.

~~~~~

NEWS STATION
In the men's room, Billy is washing his hands, as Mia and Olivia enter and stand behind him.

Billy: "I'm surprised you two made it through all the press out there. I've lost count of how many interviews I've given over the last few days. I know you didn't come in here to use the men's room. You might as well say it."

Mia/Olivia: "You're a murderer."

Billy: "I am not proud of that. Hell, I-I didn't think I'd get away with it. I didn't hear from the police, so I asked around and heard that they didn't find a single fingerprint, not even the murder weapon. Some... angel cleaned up the crime scene."

Olivia: "What the hell happened to you?"

Billy: "Look, I know what I did, okay? I made a mistake. A big one, and I'm gonna be judged for it. But he should be judged for what he's done, too. He took advantage of that girl, and of you two. He took advantage of the whole damn country. He betrayed the very people who elected him. Good, honest, God-fearing people elected that man to office, and he promised things to us! And he didn't deliver on any of it. I mean, come on, ladies, the whole country's going off the rails."

Mia: "I don't think that defense is gonna work in court, Billy."

Billy: "By the time I'm in jail, Sally Langston... will be President. And she is going to be the finest President this country has ever known, and that's all that matters. I got Chris Matthews waiting." he tells them as he walks out.

~~~~~

DAVID'S OFFICE
David: "Why don't you start by telling me how you know Gideon Wallace?" he asks after closing the door and walking back over to Harrison and Quinn.

Harrison: "You don't have to answer that."

David: "All right. Why were you at Gideon Wallace's apartment?"

Harrison: "You don't have to answer that."

David: "Okay, fine. We'll start with the basics. Quinn, state your name for the record."

Harrison: "You don't have to answer that."

David: "Here I thought your bosses were the biggest pains in D.C.. Speak of the devils."

Mia: "We are." she mutters as her and Liv walk through the door.

Olivia: "David, new shirt? I like it."

David: "What the hell's going on, ladies?"

Harrison: "You don't have to answer that."

Mia/Olivia: "Yeah, we do." they say confusing the others in the room. Then Harrison and Quinn leave the room, so Olivia and Mia can explain to David everything that is going on.

David: "So... the Vice President's Chief of Staff convinced Amanda Tanner to seduce the President of the United States..."

Mia/Olivia: "Yes."

David: "And then he abducted her from Liv's apartment and killed her when she wouldn't go through with the intense media scrutiny her accusations would bring, dumping her body in the river for my people to find?"

Mia/Olivia: "Well, he contracted out, but, yes, Billy had her killed."

David: "He then went on to murder a reporter, who was presumably quite close to figuring out what he was up to?"

Mia/Olivia: "Yes."

David: "A reporter who was also sleeping with one of your employees, whose presence at the crime scene your associates erased all evidence of, thereby rendering the first-degree murder of an innocent 29-year-old man all but unsolvable."

Mia/Olivia: "Yes."

David: "Well, I did say I wanted to know."

Mia/Olivia: "David, we know this is crazy—"

David: "I believe you, oddly enough."

Mia: "Really, I thought we'd have to convince you more." she mumbles under her breath.

Olivia: "Then help us. Put on your white hat and go after Billy Chambers with whatever you think you can make stick."

Mia: "He's a murderer, so do some digging. Find some evidence."

Olivia: "Make some evidence. Give him a parking ticket. Whatever it takes to get him down here. Get some justice for Amanda Tanner and Gideon Wallace, please."

David: "No."

Mia/Olivia: "No?"

David: "I am the law, the law is me, and I might bend it from time to time, but I don't break it for the two of you or anyone else."

Mia/Olivia: "But you said you believed us."

David: "I do, and if you had left me any evidence to build a case against Billy Chambers, that's what I'd be doing. But you two broke the law, so get out of my office before I have the both of you arrested for tampering with a crime scene. Quinn Perkins is a material witness to a murder, and as such, she stays with me. The law, ladies." he tells them as they get up and walk out.

~~~~~

WHITE HOUSE
Fitz: "What do we do? What's next?" he asks, after him, Cyrus, Liv and Mia reconvene in his office. 

Olivia: "I get up there and say it's me on the tape."

Mia: "What?!"

Cyrus: "That's ridiculous. What-what does that even do for us?"

Olivia: "He's not tied to a girl's suicide. It's not perfect, but it takes care of the impeachment problem."

Cyrus: "Oh, wonderful, so now we've got a slutty President problem? He slept with two women. I'm sorry. I just... maybe there's another option we're not seeing here."

Fitz: "There is. I could resign. We all know how this goes. The prosecutor is appointed. Every single person in the west wing is deposed. This thing is a circus that's gonna go on for the next three years. I'll wear it around my neck until the end of my term. My hands will be tied. I'll be lucky if I can get a parks and rec bill passed. Let's put the country out of its misery, end it now."

Cyrus: "And then what?"

Fitz: "We go be regular people, Cy."

Cyrus: "You can't be a regular person. We-we can't. We're not... I... I can't adopt a baby!" he shouts as he storms out of the office.

Mia: "What did he just say?" she asks, as Fitz and Liv are looking at each other. "Ok-kay. I'm gonna find out what he meant by that." she says while heading towards the door, but before walking out she looks back at them, "I know you two don't usually listen to me. But whatever happens after I leave, please don't let it be anything stupid." she begs before walking out.

~~~

Mia: "So... a baby?" she questions while taking a seat, after finding Cyrus sitting on a bench in the hall.

Cyrus: "James wants a baby."

Mia: "And you don't?"

Cyrus: "I'm old. I work long hours. Hopefully, I'll get to keep my job that has the long hours. I don't need a baby. I won't be a good dad anyways." he quietly says as her eyes soften.

Mia: "Well, for as long as I've known you, you've kind of taken over that father role in my life, and I've always thought that you were good in that role."

Cyrus: "Thank you." he says to her with a sincere smile before continuing. "Why would I need a baby when I have you. You're like my daughter."

Mia: "True, but I'm not like James's, Cy. James hasn't had any experiences like you had. And honestly, you haven't really either. We look at each other and see somewhat of a father-daughter relationship, but you didn't get the firsts that James probably wants. The first steps, the first words, and with me definitely being around, your kid will so say 'Mimi' first." she remarks causing him to let out a short laugh before continuing, "But those are the things that he probably wants. And I'm not saying you should reconsider your stance solely on what I'm saying, but maybe you should take some more time to really think about it before deciding against it." she tells him, making the man nod before the two look over to see Liv walking up to them, which causes Cyrus to speak up to Olivia.

Cyrus: "Of all the paintings in the White House this one is my favorite. Alexander Hamilton, as brilliant a political thinker as any man or woman who has ever walked these halls, but he wasn't the President. Washington was the President. He was the winner, but Hamilton could pick a winner. He knew who the country needed when they needed it. I don't doubt that he could do it. Live the normal life he's always wanted... walk the dog, mow the lawn... a simple life, a happy life. For most people, that's fine. It's all they need. For him, it's a waste of talent, of potential. That man was born to be a leader. He was born to do this. Anything less would diminish him and deprive this country. He can talk all he wants about a regular life. Some men aren't meant to be happy. They're meant to be great."

~~~~~

OPA
Stephen, Abby, Harrison and Huck are looking into Liv's office where her and Mia are sitting in silence staring off into space.

Stephen: "I got this." he tells the other three before he walks into the office, shuts the door, and over to the two. "I've been screwing around on Georgia. I don't want to lie anymore. I'm gonna tell her the truth, and then she'll break off the engagement. I tried, ladies. I leapt. And Liv, you said if I tried and failed, it was not on me. You were wrong. I cheated. It is on me. And it's on you, too. You can't do this. You can't have him. It's always on you. On both of you."

Mia/Olivia: "Normal is overrated." they state before sharing a look and walking over to the doorway of Liv's office.

Olivia: "Abby, Stephen, dust off our campaign files for Sally Langston."

Mia: "We need ammunition. Big, small, anything you can find. Dig deep and dig fast."

Olivia: "Huck, we need the First Lady's schedule for the next 12 hours. We're gonna need to see her alone. Find us a window."

Mia: "Harrison, check back with Quinn. Make sure David's behaving himself." they both instruct the group, causing them to disperse with the exception of Huck who walks over to the two. 

Huck: "Liv, Mimi. Billy Chambers... I can take care of that."

Olivia: "Take care of?"

Mia: "Huck?"

Huck: "If you want me to, it's no problem."

Mia/Olivia: "Huck, we do not want you to kill Billy Chambers."

Huck: "Okay, that's cool. Whatever."

Mia/Olivia: "Promise us."

Huck: "I promise."

Mia/Olivia: "Say, 'I promise not to kill Billy Chambers.'" they direct him with wary looks.

Huck: "I promise not to kill Billy Chambers." he says with a slight struggle before heading off to do the task they gave him, while the two just look at each other slightly worried.

~~~~~

WHITE HOUSE
Mellie: "I'm gonna need to talk to the nanny. She can fly the kids out once a month until school is out in D.C. I also need you to call ahead and make sure both the main house and the beach cottage are ready. I'll be spending at least some of the weekends at the cottage." she says to an aide, when Tom walks into the room.

Tom: "Ma'am, you have a visitor."

Mellie: "Thank you." she tells the aide, before Liv and Mia walk in, as Tom and the aide exit.

Olivia: "He's talking about resigning."

Mellie: "You must love that."

Olivia: "This isn't about me."

Mellie: "Really? Seems like my whole marriage is about you."

Mia/Olivia: "Mellie, he can't resign."

Mia: "I'm sure we can make some kind of deal."

Mellie: "I try to be pleasant. I try to be... I'm the First Lady. There are sacrifices. There's a price. And for a time, that was fine. We all wanted the same thing, Fitz in the Oval. We were on the same team, you two and I, and everything was fine. I just don't understand what happened."

Olivia: "What happened?"

Mellie: "Liv, you let that girl get into his pants! You left the team, Liv! And Mia, you let her! You fell down on your jobs! You broke his heart, and you left him open and vulnerable and helpless! And that is how that snake, Billy Chambers got that shiny red Amanda apple right into Fitz's hand. I do my job. I smile, and I push him, and I make sure he has what he needs. I do my job. Why couldn't you do yours? You want to deal? Fine. Let's deal. For starters, I'm gonna need to take my husband back, because clearly I have to do everything myself from now on."

~~~~~

D.C. PARK
Huck: "Ahem." he announces his presence to Charlie causing him to gulp and look slightly afraid.

Charlie: "I'm going to New Mexico. I am, I promise. It's just my car's in the shop. It's getting a tune-up."

Huck: "You can't go just yet."

Charlie: "I gave you the girl. That was the deal."

Huck: "That wasn't a deal. I tortured it out of you, but thank you. Very helpful. The guy who hired you, Billy Chambers, he's talking an awful lot. Right now it's just about the White House, but at some point, he may talk about you.

Charlie: "He can talk all he wants. He-he didn't hire me for that job."

Huck: "You see, Charlie, you're honorable. You would never give up Billy, but Billy may not be as honorable."

Charlie: "Why don't you do it?"

Huck: "I can't. I gave my word. Oh, and we're gonna need a suicide note. Something sad, that says he's a liar."

Charlie: "And then you'll leave me alone?"

Huck: "Yeah. On a personal note, I think it would be a big boost for your confidence. I can tell that's taken a bit of a hit since I last saw you."

~~~~~

WHITE HOUSE
Fitz: "I thought you left for Santa Barbara." he says, while walking into the residence wing and seeing Mellie.

Mellie: "I was on my way, but Olivia and Mia convinced me I was needed here." she tells him, as Liv and Mia stand up from their spots on the couch, "We've come up with what we feel is a solid plan of counterattack in the media. Oh, and we also figured out who the woman on the tape is."

Fitz: "Oh?"

Mellie: "It was me. At least, that's what we'll tell '20/20' when they arrive to interview us in about... what time did you two set that up for again, ladies?"

Mia: "5:30."

Olivia: "We have about an hour."

Mellie: "Mm, and when I tell them it was you and me on the tape, I will also share my outrage about the replaying of our private moment in such a public, reckless, and irresponsible manner by the gossip-hungry, left-leaning, mainstream media. And how upsetting it's been for our family, especially at such a fragile time, given that I'm newly pregnant. Mia suggested we remain vague on the exact timing. It's none of their business. Plus, that gives us a few weeks buffer to actually get pregnant. We'll have to start trying right away, of course."

Fitz: "Of course." he repeats with a strained look.

Mellie: "Well, Olivia can fill you in on the details. Like I always say, if you've got a problem, get Olivia and Mia on it." she says with distain as she begins to walk past Fitz to head out of the room, "You could look a little happier, honey. We did just save your Presidency. Well, I'm off to hair and makeup." she then walks out with Mia and Liv following in her direction as Fitz stops Liv.

Fitz: "This is insane. We are not doing this."

Mia: "Liv," she tries to call after her, but Olivia just gives her a look, making the twenty-two year old continue to walk out and after Mellie.

Olivia: "It's the only way."

Fitz: "What are you thinking? Who are you right now?"

Olivia: "The woman who got you elected. So go be the man I voted for." she tells him before walking away leaving Fitz to be left alone.

~~~~~

While people are setting up the room for the interview, Mia spots Mellie on the other side of the room and walks over to her.

Mia: "Hey, so I just wanted you to know that Liv is giving Fitz some files to handle Billy's credibility. I thought you would want to know before you go up there and start."

Mellie: "You thought I'd like to— why didn't you tell me?" she asks her, venom lacing the question.

Mia: "I—I don't know."

Mellie: "You don't know. You would think with your childhood, you would have told me." she states.

Mia: "You know about—"

Mellie: "Yes. So why didn't you?" she questions again and when Mia goes to answer an aide cuts her off.

Aide: "We're all ready for you ma'am."

Mellie: "Thank you, I'll be right there." she tells the aide before looking back at Mia for an answer. However, Mia is still at a lost for words, causing the First Lady to scoff before walking towards her seat for the interview. Meanwhile, Olivia is on the other side of the room, watching as everything is being set up, when Fitz walks in and stands beside her.

Fitz: "You and Mia can put this one at the top of your resumes. Truly a masterpiece. The one interview that fixed it all."

Olivia: "Not all of it is fixed. There's still Billy Chambers' credibility, but this should take care of that. It's Cyrus approved."

Cyrus: "We're ready for you, Mr. President." he says after coming over to the two before walking to the cameras to stand behind them.

Olivia: "Lean forward during the denials of the affair. Keep your eyes on Mellie when she's talking."

Fitz: "I know how to fake it with my wife. You taught me well." he remarks and then goes over to his seat besides Mellie, as Mia walks up and stands besides Liv.

Mia: "Ready?" she asks before receiving a nod from Liv, causing the two ladies to leave the room.

~~~

Mellie(on tv): "I was outraged. How could someone do that?" Morris watches on the television set at the front gates, as Olivia and Mia go to walk past.

Morris: "Ms. Pope, Dr. James, you did it again."

Mia/Olivia: "The President has a great team."

Morris: "Nah. Don't give me that. Listen, I don't exactly know what you two do or how you do it, but when you both walk through these gates, things start happening. The press starts falling in line, the Secret Service gets extra secret, and the problems, they just kinda disappear. And when the two of you go back out, everyone's breathing a little bit easier."

Mia/Olivia: "Good night, Morris." they say while handing him their hard passes and walking through the gates.

Fitz(on tv): "This has been very difficult for us, for the whole country. The best thing for everyone would be if we can move past this painful distraction and focus on the issues that really matter, don't you agree?"

~~~~~

OPA
After the President used some of the dirt that OPA found on the V.P., Mia, Olivia, Stephen, Abby and Harrison are standing in Liv's office as they watch Sally's press conference on tv.

Sally(on tv): "It's sad, Matt. You work with someone for years, you think you know the kind of man they are. Billy Chambers is just a huge disappointment. If I had any inkling that the man that worked by my side for all these years... well... God's honest truth, I would have done everything in my power to send him away, to send him away from my house, from my precious family. I just think that the man is sick in the head, and I just pray that Billy gets the help that he needs. Because these malicious lies he's been spreading, they're ridiculous. Well, I just thank God that we have a leader like President Grant to take us through this difficult and trying time. I believe that this country was founded on truth and justice and plain old fairness."

~~~~~

David: "I ran her prints." he says, while walking into OPA, as Mia and Liv were heading into their offices but stop after spotting the two. His arrival also causes the rest of the group to head into the conference room, so they can hear what he has to say, "Don't worry. I did it myself, which is a good thing, because otherwise there would be about half a dozen U.S. Agencies looking for her. I'm breaking the law bringing her here. I don't break the law, ladies."

Mia/Olivia: "Do you want to tell them who you are, or should we?"

~~~~~

posted — December 9th, 2020
reposted — September 29th, 2022

~~~~~