Title: Leo's Dilemma  Part 1/9                                Private Times   5 /?
By: chipmunk                                                  Daylight Series

Pairing: Leo/Margaret

Rating: R

Spoilers: None really

Plot Development By: Lynn    lhjessome@yahoo.com

Beta and Mentor By:  Lee      pigletnpooh@comcast.net

Disclaimer:

The characters are from the NBC, WB, A John Wells Prod.,

TV show, 'The West Wing'.

They own them; therefore, they do not belong to me. 

They are the creation and property of Aaron Sorkin.  I only borrowed them.

No copyright infringement is intended.

No monetary benefit is received or anticipated.

Please keep in mind, 'Imitation is the highest form of flattery'.

A 'grateful' and 'enormous' thanks, to the actors and actresses,

who portray the characters 'brilliantly' and bring them to life in my head. 

Any mistakes found in this fic, are totally my own fault and ignorance. 

This is a learning process for me.  Additions and Corrections are encouraged. 

Feedback: I would love it hear your opinion!  PLEASE!  
It helps to improve my writing!
Archived at:

Summary: Leo is attacked.  Margaret is a target.

Note: CURSE WARNING: Leo's hurting and not too careful with his words.

It gets a little warm in some sections.

*****    

It's a Saturday evening, around 7pm and Leo's slow to get out of his car in the parking garage at his hotel. He's glad tomorrow is Sunday and a day off for once.  He's going to change clothes, grab his new cookbook and run over to Margaret's and treat her to their favorite home cooked dinner, while they review the new recipes.  He removes his tie, which he has hanging loose around his neck and stuffs it into his jacket pocket.   It's been a long week, but today was not too bad. The President's at his farm in Manchester for the weekend and everyone's enjoying a quite weekend, to rest and catch-up.  With it being the weekend, Leo has to park his car at the far end of the garage.  He gets out and starts his long walk to the small elevator up to the main lobby.

 About half way across, he hears the command of "NOW."  Two guys jump Leo, one from each side of the car aisle.  They grab at Leo, but Leo has had enough time to crouch down and make a stance, so that he's not easily knocked down.  Leo realizes that he needs to keep his feet under him.  He grabs one guy and tries to block the other attacker with the body of the one he has a hold of, to buy him some time.  Leo's yelling for them to "let go" and to "stop", maybe some one else in the garage will hear the fight.  No reason for this to be their little secret.  A good amount of loud cussing is going on, as well.  Leo knows not to let them get him between the cars where the security cameras will not see what's going on and a greater chance of him being totally subdued by the attackers. 

The attackers are not doing well.  The fact is, they're surprised that Leo's defending himself so well.  Fists are flying from both sides.  Under the voices, the thud of a fist on a face is distinct, among the sounds of grunts and the scuffling of feet.  The attackers don't look too good either; it hurts. 

Leo's trying to keep them at arms length, he's also shoving the attackers away from him, but one finally gets a good hold on Leo's arm and slams him into a car hood, trying to stun Leo into being a more passive captive.  Leo struggles to stand after having the wind knocked out of him, before they can restrain him and drag him to their vehicle.  Each attacker grabs one of Leo's arms and yanks him to his feet.  The door of the elevator slides open and two of the hotel security men charge out, yelling for the men to stop their attack on Leo.  Leo decides to be a burden to his captors and lifts his legs to fall as a dead weight to the concrete floor.  This is making it harder for the attackers to move or drag Leo to the get away vehicle.  The attackers take one last look at the security team and realize that the officers have their weapons drawn and are closing the distance to them rapidly.  They let go of Leo and take off running.  Leo rolls away, taking cover under the front of the nearest car, to avoid the possibility of being run over out in the aisle by the disappointed attackers.  When the attackers reach their van, one guy jumps in, to start the engine, and the other yells back, "We'll get you next time, McGarry, and Bartlett will answer to us.  Maybe we'll just pay a call at your red-haired girlfriend's apartment building and see if she's as lucky as you in getting away from us."  They threaten back to Leo, as they slam the doors closed on a dark van and squeal the tires as they make a break for the far entrance of the garage.  The security team reaches Leo and helps him to his feet, after they assess he's able to stand.

Leo leans on the front end of the nearest car, shaking with the adrenalin that's still coursing through his system.  His feet are placed wide on the concrete floor to brace himself.  Leo digs into his pants pocket and is relieved that his cell phone was not broken when he was slammed into the car.  He shakily punches in the number for the Secret Service at the White House.  Leo hopes that the S.S. agent that answers can understand him.  He's winded and is still trying to catch his breath, "It's McGarry.  Code Red.  I've been attacked in the garage of my hotel.  Get me Agent Cooper," Leo demands immediately.  ~ Hurry, Coop. Hurry ~ He tries to take a deeper breath and has a hard time of it, "Coop, I've just had a kidnapping attempt.   I'm still in the hotel garage.  The hotel security stopped it.  No, they didn't get the attackers."  He's getting impatient, "Coop, they threatened to go after Margaret at her building.   ~Oh, God, they could have gone straight there.  Please, God, let her be safe and in the apartment.~  ……"Don't send the agents to 'me'," he sounds like he's talking to an idiot and not a federal agent.  "I need you to secure Margaret, now.  ……I don't care."  ~Damn, he doesn't get it.  She's alone. ~  "You 'will' secure her or I'm climbing back into my car and I'll secure her.  ……OK, you can send some agents here, if you send some to pick her up as well."  ~Thank God.   Margaret, stay safe.~ He sighs, but it turns into a soft moan, his side is hurting some.  "Like I 'really' have a say in whether the agents are coming here for me or not," he logically admits. ……~Hail Mary, mother of God… ~   ~Stay put, Margaret. ~ "Coop.  Can you call Margaret and warn her?   I'm assuming that the agents left for me about the time I got the words out of where I was," he's being sarcastic, weariness sets in as the adrenalin leaves his system. "All right, I'll wait here with security.  I'm not moving.  I don't know if I can get one foot in front of the other right now, anyway.  ……I'll live.  Beat and bruised pretty good.  I'm sure I'll look real pretty tomorrow." ~Where are the agents? Have they made it to Margaret, yet,? ~  "Yes, I'll stay on the line."  Leo tries to chuckle softly, "Yeah, well, you should see the other guys.  Too damn many years since I did hand to hand."  Leo looks at his free hand, seeing the damaged skin, but not registering much pain. "No, they were unarmed.  The two 'Shits' fled when they saw that security had weapons.  Dark van is all I saw."  He gets snappy, "You'd have to talk to hotel security for details.  I was a little busy taking cover after they let go of me."  ~Damn, I'm going to hurt tomorrow.  It was just a few minutes, but seemed like forever at the time.  Margaret better be on her way. ~  Leo pulls himself up off the car, but sits back down after only a moment as his legs are shaking with after effects.  He rubs a hand over his face and can tell that bruising, bleeding and swelling are going on.   Now, that that attack is over, Leo jokes to cover the fear, "When Margaret sees what I look like, 'she's' going to have a fit." ~She'll kill me and she won't need anyone to help. ~ "I may need your agents to save me.  Well, Coop, your agents are, 'Johnny on the spot'.  Guess who's flying into the garage now." He knows they're going to pile out as soon as it slows down.  "Coop.  If they slam me into the car, I swear:  I'm kicking ass and taking names. ……I'll be seeing you shortly."  Leo closes the phone.

Four S.S. agents jump out of the car and the nearer two approaches Leo, "Sir, we're here to secure your person. Will you please get into the car?" The agents take Leo by each arm and hurriedly escort him to the car.  Another government car arrives and three more agents pile out to approach the hotel security team, as the car, with Leo inside, speeds out of the garage on it's way to the safety of the White House.  

Leo's first question inside the car is, "Do you have, Margaret?" 

The agent talks into his mic and they listen to the reply from S.S. dispatch.  "Affirmative, subject secure and to be transported shortly."

 The agent confirms to Leo, "Sir, they have her. We're expecting to arrive at the White House before her." Within the next two minutes, they pull up behind the White House at the S.S. entrance.

 Agent Cooper is outside the door waiting for the C.O.S. to disembark from the car.  "Sir, Miss Ryan is secure, and the agents are securing the exit route of the building, before transport." 

"Thanks.  Get me to my office and bring her straight to me when she arrives," Leo demands before he's even completely out of the car.  He then looks at Coop's face and sees just the slightest break in his composure cross his face, when Coop looks directly at Leo's face and sees the damage from the attack.  Leo tries to give a cocky grin, "Thanks for bringing me in the back door.  The press would have a field day."  Agent Cooper grabs Leo's elbow when Leo missteps going through the doorway.  Another S.S. agent takes up a position on Leo's other side, just in case he's needed, as they escort Leo by the shortest route to his office.  Leo keeps his head down from any observers, not wanting them to see his condition.  Luckily, at this time on a Saturday evening, they don't pass too close to anyone.  They enter Leo's office by the hall door and Leo gratefully slumps onto his couch.  Agent Cooper stays in the office with Leo and the second agent takes up a position just outside the office door.

"Where is she, Coop?  Get me a location!  Now!" Leo's not real good at waiting on any given day and right now he's absolutely frantic inside to lay his eyes on Margaret. Agent Cooper is checking on it with his mic. Leo leans his head back, with his eyes closed.  ~The attackers know she's important to me, now.  Why can't people leave us alone?  Now, she's a target, same as I am.  I'm a target to get to my best friend and now Margaret's a target to get to me.  Next time they might go for her first.  God, what are we going to do?~  

****   

An S.S. agent is at Margaret's door, "Miss Ryan, there's been a situation and we need to secure your person.  We're here to escort you immediately to the White House.  I can give you two minutes to grab what you need, while we secure a route to exit you from the building."

Margaret just stares to the agent as he steps into her apartment and closes the door behind him.  She had seen another agent in the hall as the door closed.  "Is it Leo? Can you tell me if he's safe?" Margaret's first thoughts are of Leo.

He can only reply, "I can't disclose anything at this time.  Most likely, you'll be informed of the situation when you arrive at the White House.  We'll be leaving soon.  Do you need to take anything with you?" 

Margaret turns quickly to race through the apartment, turning off the stereo and the lamps in her room.  All the while her mind is in a whirl. ~He must be in danger for them to retrieve me from the apartment.  Oh God, not a shooting.  Why, then would they be securing my person?  It has to be Leo.  I need to know if he's safe.  Hail Mary, full of grace…~  Back at the front door she sits on the desk chair in the foyer to pull on her sneakers.  She's watching the agent to pick up any information, as he talks onto his mic.

"We're ready to exit you from the building, now," is the only information he gives her.  He places a hand around her upper arm to secure contact with her as the protectee and to escort her out.  She hurries to grab up her purse and office tote bag, off the desk.

Margaret notes that another agent is guarding the elevator as they enter it.  At the main floor, a third agent is in the lobby and they all exit the building by the front door, not the one to the parking area.  A forth agent is waiting outside by the driver's door of the government car.  ~There must be a threat again me, for them to send this many agents.  I'm smart enough to figure this much out.  God, what is going on with Leo, right now?~  The car speeds toward the White House as soon as she's inside, with an agent on either side of her.  She fidgets her hands in worry.  Looking from one agent to the other, anxious for any clues to the situation.  ~Oh God, Please let Leo be all right.  Give us a break one more time.  How much more must we go through? ~

The agent seeing her intent scrutiny tries to reassure her, "We'll be arriving shortly and we're to escort you straight to Mr. McGarry's office."

****  

"Sir, they've arrived with Miss Ryan.  They're escorting her here, now." Agent Cooper's relieved to inform Leo, after watching the anxiety on his face as he rests with eyes closed.   Leo raises himself to his feet with some difficulty.  He's starting to feel the pain creep into his body.  It's hard to believe that it's just been about 30 minutes, since he was attacked. He hears footsteps approaching and Leo turns to the door, looking for Margaret. 

"OH, GOD, LEO," Margaret exclaims in a strangle cry, when she see his beaten face and the damage to his clothes.  She flies straight to him and wraps her arms around him to assure herself that he's alive and breathing in her arms.

Leo grunts as she hugs him close and he returns the hug, ignoring the pain.  He just needs to hold her and know she's safe.  ~Thank you, God.~

Margaret's better sense returns as she listens to his heartbeat.  She pulls away as she recalls him grunting, when he caught her in his arms just moments ago.  "Leo, you're hurt.  Where? How bad?  What happened," she fires off questions too fast to be answered, as she looks at his battered face.  Her hands are still clutching at his shirtfront, but not touching him.  She's now afraid of hurting him further.

He raises his hand to his face, trying to down play the damage, "I just need to clean up a bit, Margaret." 

"Leo, that's not an answer to what happened and it's going to take more than soap and water to fix how you look," she scolds him with fear creeping into her voice.

"What?  You just liked me for my dashing good looks," he asks, trying to tease her enough to alleviate the fear in her eyes.

"Oh, Leo," she sadly sighs, so sorry that her hero is hurting.

"Sir, we need to inform the President of the situation."  Agent Cooper looks pointedly at them. "Maybe, Miss Ryan, needs to wait in her office?"

"No, Coop, she's staying here.  This involves her now, as much as me."  Leo moves to sit at his desk, pulling Margaret with him.  Agent Cooper is checking the doors to insure privacy.  Leo sits and pulls Margaret to sit on the arm of the desk chair, not willing to loose contact with her just yet, but not sure his body is able to support her on his lap right now.

Agent Cooper walks over to the desk, "Sir, maybe I should place the call.  Agent Butterfield will need to be appraised of the situation as well.  He can then connect you to the President."

"Fine," Leo agrees. " Might as well talk to both of them at the same time.  We can use the speakerphone feature.  That way everyone is appraised at the same time. No sense repeating it three times."  He says this as he looks at Margaret's face. She has questions written all over it.  While Agent Cooper places the call and gives a brief review of the attack to Agent Ron Butterfield.  She's trying to brush his hair smooth and studying his injuries on his face and hands.  The agent relays Leo's request to Agent Ron Butterfield for the President to join him with the call.  The speakerphone is engaged at the farm's end, as well.

"This is the President. What's going on, Coop?" The President's concerned at this unusual setup for a security call.

"Sir, we have had a situation here.  Mr. McGarry was attacked this evening.  In what was an apparent kidnapping attempt." Agent Cooper efficiently states the nature of the situation, knowing that this is not going to proceed well, after that statement.

"Where is he? Is he all right? Answer!"  The President shouts, all semblance of protocol gone.

Leo speaks up, cheered by the concern he hears, "Mr. President, I'm right here.  It was an attempt.  An 'unsuccessful' attempt.  Calm down," Leo answers his friend in a patient voice to reassure him. 

"Coop, tell me what happened," The President is 'not' reassured and wants some real answers.

Agent Cooper is not used to briefing the President, "Sir, the details that we know at the moment are that Mr. McGarry was attacked in the garage of his hotel, by two assailants.  He was able to hold them off long enough for the hotel security to rescue him.  They were unable to apprehend the attackers.  Mr. McGarry informed us, when he reported the attack that a threat was made against Miss Ryan. That she could be the next target.  Mr. McGarry does have some injuries, but we were able to transport him to the security of the White House." 

"How bad are Leo's injuries and is Margaret secure?"  The President half answers himself.  "She must be or Leo wouldn't be here talking to me now."

Leo assures him, "You are correct, Sir.  I am here and Margaret is also."  Leo smiles, at his friend knowing him so well.  Leo firmly states, "Before you start in, I'm 'not' going to GW to get checked out.  The Press would have a field day."

 "Margaret, are you OK?" The President quietly asks, knowing she'll be a wreck with Leo hurt.

"I'm fine, Sir," she's touched that in the middle of this, the President would ask about her.

The President tries a different tactic for the extent of Leo's injuries, "Margaret, I know you'll answer me truthfully about Leo.   He's not given me any details of how badly he's injured." The Presidents recruits her help. 

"Yes, Sir.  As best I can," she quickly assures the President that she'll comply with any information that she can.   Leo interrupts her before she can reveal what he looks like.

"Sir, if you must know?  I look like the next motivational poster boy for the Republicans reelection headquarters."  Leo pauses as the President gives just one chuckle at that visual.  Leo adds, "Do I get any points for it being 'two against one' and they were younger than me," Leo wants to get in a macho boast to his best friend, who razzes him that he's soft and out of shape. Just because he won't play basketball with him anymore, he cheats.

"Leo, that's still not an answer," the President then growls at his friend.

Leo sighs deeply, "Sir, I got the crap beat out of me, by two thugs that the republicans would cheerfully thank tonight." He nods his head to the side, "For doing to me, what the Hill would love to do." Leo tries to chuckle but it ends in a groan. 

Ron Butterfield now asks, "Agent Cooper, is it believed that these are the same two men that tried to grab Mr. McGarry a few months ago."

Agent Cooper confirms, "It seems so, sir. They mentioned the same line to Mr. McGarry, which they did last time. That the President would answer to them, after they had possession of Mr. McGarry." He pauses to review if there is anything more to add.  "That and the fact that it wasn't well planned and no weapons were involved.  It seems to be same two guys in the dark van.  A team of agents is reviewing the security tapes from the hotel garage."

Margaret eyes get wide and then narrow to a glare at Leo.  This is news to her that Leo was a target before and has since been in possible danger.

"Margaret," the President addresses her again. " How bad is he?"

"Sir, with me looking at him, I see that he's bruised and has some bleeding on his face," she looks at Leo pointedly with some anger showing in her eyes, but much sympathy, not until she cools off a little. " His hands are badly scraped, bleeding and bruised as well.  The one thing that Leo doesn't think I've noticed is he's favoring his left side.  I'm assuming his ribs are hurting."  

"Margaret, I'm trusting you to make sure someone checks him out," the President practically gives her an order.  "Since, he refuses to go get checked at GW," the President growls.

"Yes, Sir.  I guarantee that he'll be checked." She looks Leo in the eyes, "If I have to strip him down myself."  Margaret nods her head once, in a promise like gesture to Leo and definitely sounding like Abby, in full 'pissed' mode.  She'll also, at some near date, be having a little chat with Leo about the prior attempt.  ~It might be best to wait till after I've had a good cry first.~

The President and Ron Butterfield both make undignified snorts at her remark.  They know Leo's going to be practically bare sometime soon.  She's not to be messed with tonight.  Leo just moans.  He can see that Margaret can be as formidable as Abby, when it's a good reason and a hurt Leo is definitely her reason.

Ron Butterfield recovers and addresses Agent Cooper, "Cooper, I want you to keep Mr. McGarry at the White House this weekend.  He is 'not' to leave.  That's an order.  We'll find other accommodations for him on Monday, when the President returns." This is not debatable, from a security standpoint. 

The President cuts in, "Good idea, Butterfield."  The President talks to the speakerphone again, "Leo, that's an order from me, as well.  The President switches back to Agent Butterfield,  "He can stay in the private guest room, off the Master bedroom,  at the residence.  Leo's like family and no one will walk into the residence and see him, if that's what Leo wants," he pauses and continues, " Why can't he just permanently move into the residence, if he's going to be a target to get to me?"

"Sir, we can't allow that.  Its' too many prime targets in one location, 24/7."  Agent Butterfield gives an example, "That's why the V.P. has a separate residence."

"Well, he 'will' stay till Monday," The President is positive, due to his order. 

Leo tells them of 'his' decision, "Sir, I'm not staying."  Leo quickly tells why, before his friend can explode, "Margaret's not a candidate for an agent and it's not acceptable to me, for her to leave here without protection."  He growls out, "Till the idiots are apprehended this time."  He directs his remarks now to Butterfield, "I'm assuming you 'are' going to nail them, this time.  I hate feeling like the only deer outside a redneck hunting camp.  It's not open season." Leo's anger at the situation is clear.

The President sucks in his breath at Leo remark.  He realizes that Leo's really shaken and probably scared, to even make a joke about being hunted, after his ordeal in Nam. 

Leo addresses Butterfield again with sarcasm, "Do I need to check with the Dept. of Fish, Game and Wildlife to verify that?"

"No, sir, Mr. McGarry."  Ron Butterfield calmly assures, "The tapes will hopefully give us a license plate number and then it's just a matter of finding them."

Leo adds a snide remake, "Just asking, since they went underground pretty fast the last time."  He gets angrier at the attackers, the more he thinks how they're, even now, controlling his life.

"Yes, Sir, I understand your concern."  He again reiterates, "Agent Cooper will stay on top of this." 

The President has an idea to help with Margaret, "Leo, I don't see a problem.  Margaret can stay in the residence this weekend."  He now pointedly commands, "Margaret, don't force me to make that an order to you."  He softens his voice, "We take care of friends."  He even sounds cheery now that a plan is in place, "Call Abby when you get Leo upstairs.  She can advise you on Leo's first-aid needs.  Just make yourself at home."  To reassure Margaret he turns the tables on her, "I know you would have us do the same, at your place, if the situation was reversed."

"Yes, Sir," Margaret meekly agrees, ~ Sure, make myself at home, in the residence of the White House, where several of the Presidents have lived.~

Leo smiles at the panicked look on Margaret's face, but she did agree, "OK, Sir.  We'll be your guests till Monday."  Leo needs to wind up the phone call.  He has more things to do yet tonight and he's starting to really hurt.  "Sir, I need to call Mallory, in case the press gets wind of this.  I also need to advise Josh and CJ as well.  I'll just make a call to them.  I need to clean up.   I don't want to scare them."  Leo's going for a lighter tone, "By Monday I should look better." 

The President knows that Leo needs to rest after his ordeal and he won't till all the details are covered.  "Sounds good, Leo.  Call us when you're in the residence.  Oh, and order you and Margaret something to eat.  Now that's an order.  You probably haven't eaten today.  Living on coffee," the President scolds Leo.  Trying to take care of his friend even from a distance.

"Thank you, Sir," Leo's soft tone, reveals the love the two men share.  Leo accepts the care his friend is extending to him.

Agent Cooper excuses himself, "Sir, I'll just go and check with the team about the video tapes. The agent outside the door will remain."

Leo looks at Agent Cooper to convey he's serious, "Ok, Coop,  'do' let me know what you find out."

Leo makes an uneasy call to his daughter. They both know that his place in the government is at times, a dangerous one, with enemies.  The sound of his voice is the only thing she'll want to hear, the reason he personally places the call. 

"Mal, it's Dad.  I wanted to call you a let you know that something happened this evening and that I'm OK.  ……I wanted to tell you in case it ends up on the news. 

……Yes, really, I'm OK."  He sighs.  He knows he has to tell her. " Mal.  Baby.  There was a kidnapping attempt on me tonight, but I fought them off, till help arrived.  ……I'm banged up a little, but I'm not going to GW. ……I'm at the White House.  Margaret is here with me. ……Yes, she's safe as well.  That's another problem.  The attackers know we're a couple and threatened her for the next attack. ……I don't know what we're going to do. She's unable to have an agent. Your Uncle Jed insisted we stay in the residence this weekend."  Leo adds a light note, "Agent Butterfield has me 'grounded' to the White House, till arrangements can be made for me to live somewhere besides the hotel."  He nods his head to the side, "So, you get your wish, to get me out of the hotel," he chuckles at her affirmative comment.  "I'm OK and they assure me that they 'will' get these idiots. ……I need to call Josh.  I don't want him to worry. ……Yes, I called you first.  You're my first-born and get to be 'always' first." He listens to Mallory's laughter. "You two are sounding more like siblings all the time.  You always wanted a brother, when you were little.  ……You guys aren't planning to gang up on me in my old age are you?" He teases her just to get her flustered.  He loves to do that to the ones he loves.  "I need to get off and call CJ.  She going to kill me and I'm the victim here.  ……She just likes to stay in practice." He gives a soft chuckle, trying not to groan where Mallory can hear.  "You can call Margaret tomorrow and she'll give you all details on my injuries.  ……She has plans to scrub them personally, to insure no germ goes undefeated.   This may hurt, but she certainly takes care of me.  ……I'll call you tomorrow and again on Monday to let you know what we decide, after I talk to the President. ……Yes, I know his name is Jed.  Not you too!  Now you're teasing me.  ……Gotta go, Baby.  I love you!  Do me a favor? Stay low and safe this weekend.  ……OK, I need to know your being careful.  ……Do it for your 'old man'.  ……Thanks, Mal.  Luv ya……Bye."

He puts his arm around Margaret and pushes on her back, to bring her face down to his for a kiss, now that they're alone.  She's a little upset at him, but they just want to comfort each other.  "Margaret, I just want to say I'm sorry and let's leave it for another day." 

"OK, Leo.  I'm just a little scared right now," Margaret's willing to admit. 

Leo tells her the plan.  He knows she can handle any crisis with a plan, "I'll get my calls done quickly and we can go to the residence, where it's quiet."  He thinks of something to keep her from worrying while he's busy, "Do me a favor?  Could you get me a soda?  I'm spitting cotton here."

She was happy to be doing something besides taking inventory of his injuries and reviewing worst-case scenarios.  "Sure, Leo, anything."   She starts to kiss him on his forehead; momentarily pausing to make sure she's not placing it on an injury and then drops the kiss on an undamaged area. 

"Margaret, be sure to tell the agent not to let anyone else in, besides you.  I don't need someone barging in to see if I'm all right.  I'm a mess," he grumbles out the last part.  He does not want everyone to come look at the damage.

"OK, Leo.  I don't want you to loose your 'Dapper Leo' reputation," she teases Leo to cheer him, he seems a little embarrassed for anyone to see him like this.

He picks up the phone to make his next call.  "Josh, it's Leo.  I need to let you know that I was attacked this evening. ……I'm OK .  The agents brought me to my office.  Josh?  Josh?  Damn, he must still be in the building."

He places his last call to CJ.  "It's me, Leo.  We have a small problem.  No, there are no pictures of Margaret and me with a baby carrier again.  This is serious CJ.  I was attacked tonight in an attempted kidnapping. ……I'm OK.  I fought them off. ……Yeah.  Two against one.  I look the worse for wear.  The hotel security rescued me. ……I don't know if the press has wind of it. ……I'm in my office and no, 'do not' come here.  Margaret's here with me.  We're staying in the residence till Monday. ……That's not a story for the press. ……She 'has' to, CJ.  The attackers threatened that she may be the next target and I'm keeping her with me.  ……Coop has the report, check with him. ……I'll let him know it's OK.  ……I need to get cleaned up and Margaret has plans for my first-aid via Abby.  It sounds like it's going to get worse for me, before it gets better.  ……Yes, I called Josh, but he's probably just about outside my door.  I think he dropped his phone and took of running after I mentioned I was attacked and where I was." He hears CJ laughing at Josh dropping his phone, at the 'bomb' Leo dropped on him.  "I'll check with you tomorrow.  Let me know if any thing breaks. ……I hope the press doesn't have art. ……Thanks.   Good night, CJ." 

Leo hears an argument in the hall.  About that time Margaret slips in her office door and with it open, he can hear Josh in a heated debate with the agent outside.  Leo relents at the scared tone in Josh's voice, "Agent, Let him in."  He remarks knowingly to Margaret, "He's not going to go away till he lays eyes on me." He watches the door from behind his desk, "Hi, Josh."  Leo acts cheerful as Josh flings himself in the door, "I believe, I was talking to you on the phone and suddenly, all I got was silence." Leo cocks his head to the side, "Funny how that happened."

Josh is in a panic state, "Leo, are you OK?  Let me see."  He strides over across the room as Leo's getting up with a groan. Josh grabs his arm to steady him.  "DAMN, Leo.  You look like you've been beaten all over.  How can I help?  You need to see a doctor."

"No, Josh.  I've been through that with the President and Mallory."  He looks across the room, " Margaret has promised the President to have me checked out. Personally.  Abby is going to supervise her, via the phone." He looks woefully at Josh,  "Want to rescue me from the females?"  He break into a lopsided grin, "I'm getting used to being rescued tonight." Leo jokes with Josh as a family member to calm him down.  

Josh just wraps his arms around Leo for a gentle hug.  "Anytime you need rescuing, I'll be first to volunteer, Leo" He slouches a little in front of Leo to, look him directly in the eyes and holding onto his shoulders, "You have got to quit scaring the President and me like this."  He looks over to Margaret and at her determined look.  She's going to take care of Leo, whether Josh and Leo like it or not.  "On second thought, Leo.  I think that I want to live a little longer.  Margaret looks dangerous tonight."  He jokes to Leo, "Someone messed with her, Leo." 

"Yeah, Josh.  Margaret takes good care of me."  He looks softly at her and then continues to inform Josh of the plans. "We're staying in the Residence, as the Presidents guests, till Monday. ……Oh, I called CJ, after you dropped my call," he adds as a slight scold to Josh.

Josh is not sorry about the dropped call, "You're sure that you're going to be Ok?"

Leo confesses, "I know that tomorrow I'm going to feel like hell.  I'm getting too old to take on younger men."  

Josh gives his shoulder a rub in comfort.  "I better go and tell Donna, she going to freak." He warns, "I can guarantee that she'll insist on seeing you, but I'll hold her off till tomorrow."  He grins knowing her, "She'll never wait till Monday."

Margaret's getting impatient to check how badly Leo's really hurt, "Josh, it's time for you to leave and let Leo get to the Residence for a shower.  He needs to get rid of the garage floor that's still attached to most of him."  She makes light of Leo needing to get cleaned up, but with a message-conveying look.

Josh knows her real meaning.  "Night, Leo.  Take good care of him, Margaret, and I'll see you both tomorrow."  Josh goes over and gives Margaret a quick hug of support.  He then gets in one last tease to Leo, since he's feeling better after seeing him, "I think Leo's going to be real patriotic tomorrow." 

"How?" Leo knows he's falling for a stupid answer.

"You know, Leo." Josh finally lets his dimples show in happiness, " Red, white and blue.  All over!" 

"Not funny, Josh."  Leo order in mock anger, "OUT!  OUT!  Go do a thing."

"OK." Josh gives him one last look from the doorway, "Leo, I'm sorry this happened to you."

"Yeah. Thanks, Josh." Leo quietly acknowledges.

Josh leaves and Leo extends his hand to Margaret.  "Let's go find some peace and quiet."

"Sure thing, Leo." She smiles at him, "I have plans for you!"

Leo whines, "Why doesn't that sound better, than it should, this evening?"

She laughs and places a hand on his chest.  "I'll be gentle, Leo.  I promise."

"That's a line I'd like to hear another night," he softly comments in her ear.

****