Scandal Season 3 spoilers on 'steamy' episodes ahead and Kerry Washington's baby name

ABC cut the episode order of Season 3 of its smash hit Scandal from 22 to 18 episodes after star Kerry Washington became pregnant with her first child from husband and NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha. But Scandal can pack in plenty of action even with four fewer episodes, and the show will do just that when it returns on Feb. 27, according to its stars.

E! Online caught up with Columbus Short (who plays Harrison) and Darby Stanchfield (who plays Abby) at ABC's TCA party at the 2014 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour and the two cracked the perpetually tight lid on Scandal's upcoming plot.

"The first four episodes are literally, you're going to need respirators. It's crazy," Short said. Stanchfield added, "The First Lady has some really good, steamy stuff coming up. And Harrison, we finally get to see a lot more rollout for him, which is great."

E! asked if that rollout included a romance, and Short "just did a bit of a hip shake," according to the site.

As for the off-screen news, Washington's baby, Short was full of jokes about his co-star's impending bundle of joy:

"She's naming her baby Columbus, whether it's a boy or a girl. She was just like, 'Columbus, that name is sweet!'" He added: "I think Kerry Washington's baby is going to come out fully able to speak at Scandal pace. The baby's going to come out with just a white coat with the collar popped."

Stanchfield said that Washington is "going to be the most amazing mother" and that she is "so, so excited" for her co-star.

"She's already a mom. She already mothers all of us. She's very Olivia Pope to us, making sure we're all taken care of and happy," Stanchfield said. "She's really glowing. She's really happy. She's genuinely so looking forward to this moment, so it's fun to share in it with her."

What do you think is on deck, Scandal fans? Let us know in the comments below.