Notes: Chord confronts his father about Melissa's revelation
He smiled at the secret service agents who opened the door for him, the ease of gesture belying the true intent. Stepping through he caught sight of Fitz, starting to stand up from behind the Resolute Desk and he advanced, pose easy and relaxed, smiling vaguely at his father.'So how was Cali?' Fitz greeted him, smile dying as Chord drew up in front of the Resolute Desk, deadly intent now shining from the green depths of his eyes.'You know for years..I wondered how I had blonde hair..when you and Mellie were so dark haired..green eyes too..' He saw Fitz's expression grow wary.'Then I met Melissa..you remember Melissa..don't you?...Dad?'
The recognition is Fitz's eyes was all he needed and he reached over the desk, bodily hauling his father half away across it, rage suffusing every line of his body. 'You fucker..' he bit out, dimly aware of the secret service rushing in but he didn't care..not one bit. 'No! Leave him!' he heard Fitz's order 'But Mr President,sir..' the lead agent appealed but was met by a fierce rebuttal from his father 'No! I said leave it. This is father son business..' On the periphery of his vision he saw the agents retreat, still hovering but standing down for now.
'Chord..' Fitz appealed, his tome calm 'It's not what you think..' Chord gave a bark of humorless laughter, 'Not what I think? What I think is you took advantage of a girl who was suffering from PND...You and Mellie saw your chance..and you swooped in like the vultures you are..' He shook his head, shaking Fitz slightly 'Thirty thousand dollars Fitz.i that what a life is worth to you?' His father blanched at the vitriolic tone lacing his son's words. 'It wasn't like that..I made a mistake..I cheated on Mellie..' Chord snorted incredulously. 'Not the first time nor the last right?'
Fitz shook his head, trying to remain calm and collected. 'No..Melissa..she was the first..I wanted to keep it quiet..but she had you..and I couldn't leave you behind. You were the best thing that has ever happened to me..my son and there was no way I was leaving you.' Chord glared unmoved at his father as he bit out 'You should have done. You had no right! No fucking right Fitz..Where did you get the money? Huh?'
'Big Gerry,'his father admitted shame faced.'Why does that not surprise me?' Chord sneered.'Like father like son..he thought he could buy everyone..and so do you..' Fitz gazed starkly at his son, shaking his head. 'I couldn't leave you Chord..if that means I 'm damned to hell then so be it..' Chord glared angrily before retorting 'You are damned to hell...You left her alone..Fitz..You took her son and you left her to rot..'
'I..didn't mean to..I just.. Mellie..' Fitz tried to explain but the words seemed lodged in his throat. 'You're pathetic..' Chord breathed with disgust, 'She's dying..did you know that?' The look in Fitz's eyes, couldn't be disguised. He had known and he would have made sure she had taken her secret to her grave had it not been for her contacting LIv. 'Fucking piece of shit..' Chord spat, drawing his fist back and at the last moment deflecting away from Fitz to slam it into the Resolute Desk, not flinching as he felt the slight give of splintering wood underneath his fist. 'You're not worth it,' he bit out, dropping his hands away from his father. 'Don't even think of calling me..I'm not your son..'The bitter words hanging in the air, he turned on his heel and strode for the door, refusing to turn back and see the President of The United States, finally broken.
