19 Reasons Olivia Pope and Jake Ballard Should Be Your Scandal OTP

In between all of the characters marrying hookers, politicians rigging presidential elections, elaborate kidnapping schemes, and cold-blooded murder, Scandal manages to squeeze in plenty of romance. The drama gets a lot of its steamy moments from Olivia Pope, President Fitzgerald Grant, and spy Jake Ballard, who are all willing participants in a love triangle that will never die. Although plenty of the show's fans are Team Olitz, the relationship between Jake and Olivia is one to be cherished. They have their own catchphrase, he's saved her from multiple life-or-death situations, and he lovingly supports her habit of eating bathtub-sized bowls of popcorn for dinner. Love their pairing or hate it, the chemistry between Jalivia (Olake?) is off the charts. So what if — spoiler alert — he kills a man and put his body in a fridge? Keep reading to see what we're talking about.

01
When Jake introduces himself, and you know Olivia is in major trouble.
ABC

When Jake introduces himself, and you know Olivia is in major trouble.

. . . of having the best sex of her life.

02
When Jake is sweetly protective over her, and your heart skips a beat.
ABC

When Jake is sweetly protective over her, and your heart skips a beat.

03
When Jake makes it clear to Olivia that he won't play games.
ABC

When Jake makes it clear to Olivia that he won't play games.

04
Really clear.
ABC

Really clear.

05
When they aren't even remotely worried about getting sand in unwanted places.
ABC

When they aren't even remotely worried about getting sand in unwanted places.

06
When their catchphrase is so damn cute you start to hate the sun out of pure jealousy.
ABC

When their catchphrase is so damn cute you start to hate the sun out of pure jealousy.

08
But their faces are so radiantly happy you decide you don't even mind.
ABC

But their faces are so radiantly happy you decide you don't even mind.

09
When Jake is Olivia's literal shoulder to cry on.
ABC

When Jake is Olivia's literal shoulder to cry on.

10
When he makes it known that he'll be there for her, no matter what comes their way.
ABC

When he makes it known that he'll be there for her, no matter what comes their way.

11
When Jake speaks these words to Olivia, and you close your eyes and pretend he's actually saying them to you.
ABC

When Jake speaks these words to Olivia, and you close your eyes and pretend he's actually saying them to you.

12
When Olivia plants this extrahot kiss on him.
ABC

When Olivia plants this extrahot kiss on him.

13
When the writers of Scandal scar you forever with this bizarre mashup of Olivia getting busy with both Fitz and Jake.
ABC

When the writers of Scandal scar you forever with this bizarre mashup of Olivia getting busy with both Fitz and Jake.

14
But the electricity between Jake and Liv is so undeniable that you immediately forget how disturbing it all is.
ABC

But the electricity between Jake and Liv is so undeniable that you immediately forget how disturbing it all is.

15
When Jake stares at Olivia like a man truly in love.
ABC

When Jake stares at Olivia like a man truly in love.

16
When this timid kiss wrecks your life.
ABC

When this timid kiss wrecks your life.

17
When Jake said this to Olivia on the phone and you involuntarily poofed into dust.
ABC

When Jake said this to Olivia on the phone and you involuntarily poofed into dust.

18
When you realize you were screaming "Take me! Take me now! Take me lawd!" at your TV screen, and the neighbors are complaining.
ABC

When you realize you were screaming "Take me! Take me now! Take me lawd!" at your TV screen, and the neighbors are complaining.

19
When Jake straight up says what we're all thinking, and you see the life briefly leave Olivia's body (as well as your own).
ABC

When Jake straight up says what we're all thinking, and you see the life briefly leave Olivia's body (as well as your own).