Title: The Fates
Author: Madelin Breaker
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do not own the West Wing and I am not making any money by writing this story.
Archive: Just let me know and at my website geekyone. Sure
Summary: A ficlet about Margaret and Leo getting trapped in his hotel room because of the snow.
The snow falls, blanketing Washington in a thick white coat. If it didn't turn into the storm of the century, it certainly would be the most inconvenient. Leo is supposed to be on his way to Akron, Ohio to speak with tire manufactures. His flight has long since been cancelled and the urgent warnings about the road conditions have him stranded in his hotel room as well. He would have settled in to read his back log of memos by now if Margaret wasn't worriedly staring out the window. A fluke caused them to end up in his hotel room at the same time. Long ago, they had tacitly agreed that it would be awkward for Leo to be present while she packed his luggage and in all the years it had never happened. It didn't happen until the day of shouldn't haves -Margaret shouldn't be packing his luggage any longer, Leo shouldn't have left a file in the hotel room, and it shouldn't be snowing this much at the end of February. The fates have collided and now they will have their fun.
"I think we're stuck."
"Why didn't we know about this?"
"A cold front suddenly shifted over the Great Lakes. The resulting storm is large enough to cover most of the east."
"Margaret, you…"
"That's what the reporter on CNN just said anyway."
Leo chuckles softly. It is a new sound that appeared after his heart attack. Margaret smiles as she watches the snowflakes fall. They are mesmerizing: each one completely unique. The awkward tension diminishes into a familiar comfort. They aren't boss and assistant anymore; they're just two people staring out the window on a cold winter's day--a cold that permeates the window, causing Margaret to shiver. She turns, with only the intensions of moving away from the draft, right up against Leo. He never stands that close: another rule that has been violated. It's one of those moments set up perfectly to kiss, but rarely is the right person standing there. The fates are dancing as the pause is drawn out. Leo sees what old eyes have missed; the one who's always been there.
The world doesn't shatter on impact. The years of patient building are over. They don't come up for air until release is found. This is why they aren't allowed alone in Leo's hotel room.
The fates are leaping.
It is first kiss to hot and sweaty Indy Car style. They put Dharma and Greg to shame. That's exactly what Margaret is thinking when they curl up together afterwards. She starts to giggle.
"Margaret, this is anything, but funny."
Her grasps for air combine with sputtered words. Leo smile matches hers: channel flipping had been part of the months of exile. He mumbles that he's not up to hot monkey love in the shower.
He kisses the edge of the blush formed on her neck as the sweet chuckling sound erupts again. He's allowed to shock her every once in a while.
The fates are flying.
The silly moment leads to contented silence. Leo traces a finger up and down her bare arm. It's too early to really sleep, but Leo's body is accustomed to a nap. He pulls her closer as his eyes drift shut.
The fates are floating.
The End