SCANDAL: UNEXPECTED

(Fitz's POV)

Fitz had never felt so out of control in his life.

His heart pounded as he stormed into Olivia's office, his voice sharp and desperate. "Find her. Find them now."

Huck, Quinn, and Abby turned, startled by his sudden entrance.

"Mr. President?" Abby blinked, eyes darting to the agents trailing behind him.

Fitz barely acknowledged them. "Olivia and our daughter—Mellie has them. She took them."

Quinn shot up from her chair. "Wait—what?"

Huck's eyes darkened. "Taken how?"

Fitz ran a hand through his hair, his entire body thrumming with fury. "I don't know exactly. They were gone when I woke up, and Mellie all but confirmed she's holding them somewhere. She wants me to step down, and until I do, I don't get to see them again." His voice broke slightly on the last part, but he pushed past it. "I need you to find them."

Huck was already typing furiously. "She wouldn't take them far," he muttered, half to himself. "Too risky to move Liv with a baby."

"She wouldn't use government resources," Quinn added, her mind already spinning. "She's not stupid enough to leave a paper trail."

"She is stupid enough to think she can play God," Abby muttered, crossing her arms.

Fitz exhaled sharply. "Do whatever it takes. I don't care how illegal it is. I want them back."

The team nodded. No hesitation.

"Give us a few hours," Huck said.

Fitz nodded, his jaw tight.

He turned to leave but stopped at the door. "One more thing." He looked at all of them. "Nobody breathes a word of this to the press."

Quinn scoffed. "Oh yeah, because 'President's Mistress and Love Child Kidnapped by First Lady' would really help your approval ratings."

Fitz gave her a sharp look.

Abby put a hand on his arm, her expression softer. "We'll find them, Mr. President."

He swallowed hard and nodded.

He had to believe that.

Because the alternative?

Was unthinkable.

—

Fitz was pacing the Oval Office when the door slammed open.

Mellie.

She stormed inside, fury radiating off her. The Secret Service hesitated, glancing at Fitz for direction. He gave a small nod, and they reluctantly stepped back, closing the doors behind them.

"Mellie—"

She cut him off, her voice dripping with venom. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Fitz folded his arms, his face hard. "I should be asking you that."

"Oh, please." She scoffed, stepping closer. "I know exactly what you've been up to. Running to Olivia's little band of thugs, trying to track me down like I'm some rogue agent gone off the grid."

His silence confirmed it.

Mellie smirked, shaking her head. "You really don't get it, do you?" Her voice lowered, the amusement fading. "You don't win this one, Fitz."

Fitz clenched his jaw. "I'm not playing a game, Mellie. This is my daughter. She is innocent in all of this."

Mellie's expression flickered, just for a second. Something unreadable flashed in her eyes before she steeled herself. "And yet, she's the consequence of your choices."

Fitz took a step forward, rage boiling beneath his skin. "Where. Are. They?"

Mellie tilted her head. "Step down, and you'll see them."

Fitz let out a humorless laugh. "You're insane if you think I'm just going to walk away from the presidency because you told me to."

Mellie sighed, like she was tired of having the same argument. "Then let me make it crystal clear, hun." She stepped closer, lowering her voice into something chillingly calm.

"You keep fighting me on this? Olivia and your precious baby?" She leaned in, eyes locking onto his. "They disappear."

Fitz's blood turned to ice.

Mellie smiled, slow and deliberate. "No more cute little White House visits. No more sweet family moments. You will never see them again."

Fitz's fists clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms. "You wouldn't."

Mellie arched a brow. "Wouldn't I?"

His breath came fast, his pulse hammering in his ears. "Mellie, listen to me. You don't have to do this."

She sighed, straightening. "I already did."

And with that, she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving Fitz standing in the middle of the room—

Trapped.

Raging.

Terrified.