Disclaimer I don't own them and I never will. They belong to Mr. Sorkin and I will give them back when I'm done.

Author's note: This story takes place after "Like Wildfire." I hope you enjoy it!

Rated: PG-13

Title: "The First Phone Call"

By: GEM

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The rumors had finally stopped maybe it was just old news. Whatever it was things were starting to get back to normal, if things were ever normal when running the country. Margaret had felt better after telling Leo the truth and Leo seemed to be handling it well. Things between them were different now and they would never be the same.

Leo had spent much of his morning reading briefing memos that he wasn't able to concentrate on. He finally got up, but he stopped cold in front of his closed office door unable to open it. oh, you're being silly just open to door. She is not going to bite you. Leo opened the door and walked into the outer office stopping in front of Margaret's desk, "hey."

Margaret looked up from her computer screen, "hey."

Just ask her.

"Margaret would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?"

Oh what do I say? Don't mess up. What do I wear?

Margaret seemed to think about it for a moment, "you don't think this is a bad idea."

"I don't know." Leo replied honestly.

"I don't know either but I will go to dinner with you."

"I'll pick you up."

"Okay."

With that Leo walked back into his office and back to his briefing memos. Margaret sat stunned for a moment before getting out of her chair and heading to the copy room.

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Margaret was busy making copies of the budget report when Donna walked into the room.

"Hey Margaret."

"Hi." Margaret said not taking her eyes off of the copier.

"Margaret is there something wrong?"

Margaret looked back at Donna, "no, why do you ask?"

"I don't know you just look nervous to me."

"Nervous. What do I have to be nervous about?"

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KNOCK. KNOCK

Margaret was in the bathroom putting in her last earring when she heard the knock at the door. She rushed down the hall, stopping only to slip on her high heels, "I'm coming. I'm coming." Margaret finally reached to door and opened it to find Leo standing at her doorstep with flowers in hand. "Hi."

"Hi."

"Come in please."

Leo stepped inside, "These are for you." Leo said as her handed her the flower he was holding in his hand.

"They're beautiful, thank you."

"You're welcome."

Margaret disappeared into the kitchen to put them in some water and reappeared a moment later.

"Are you ready to go?"

"I guess let me just get my coat."

Leo helped Margaret with her coat then offered her and arm and walked her to the car.

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"Thank you." Margaret said as she finished her coffee and dessert.

"For what?"

"Not thinking I was crazy."

"Now why would I think that?" Leo asked as he signed the credit card receipt. When he was finished he got out of the chair and held out a hand for Margaret. They walked out of the restaurant hand in hand.

They walked down the sidewalk enjoy the unusually warm night, "I'm glad we did this."

"So am I." Leo said as he placed a hand on her arm, she stopped and he put his arms around her. He pulled her closer and kissed her lovingly. When the kiss broke Leo pulled away, "I'm sorry I didn't--"

"Don't be sorry. You don't have anything to be sorry about." Margaret put her arm around him again and leaned in for another kiss. The second kiss was deeper, harder and more passionate than the first. Almost as if they let all of the tension that both of them were feeling go and gave into their true feeling for one brief moment.

That moment stopped abruptly when they heard and saw the flash of the camera.