Title: Claddagh Part 1/? Twilight Series 5 /?
By: chipmunk and leosimpishgrin

Pairing: Leo/Margaret - Romance

Rating: R

Spoilers: None really

Timeline is near the end of year one, to start with

and then it goes off to Never, never land

This is not strictly cannon by the show.

Doesn't matter the year or the situation.

Plot Development and Beta By: Imp leosimpishgrin@yahoo.ca

Disclaimer:

The characters are from the NBC, WB, Bravo, A John Wells Prod., 
TV show, 'The West Wing'. 
They own them; therefore, they do not belong to us. 
They are the creation of Aaron Sorkin. We only borrowed them.
No copyright infringement is intended. 
No monetary benefit is received or anticipated.
A 'grateful' and 'enormous' thanks, to the actors and actresses, 
who portray the characters 'brilliantly'
and bring them to life in our heads. 
Feedback: We'd love it hear your opinion! PLEASE! 
It helps to improve our writing!
Archived at:

Summary: It's Leo and Margaret's first anniversary and nothing is going right! Friends help make it right!

Warning: Some Sexual content

Link to where it all started:

*****

Its Tuesday the 30th of March, and Leo is at his desk trying to concentrate on the report in front of him and all he seems to be thinking about are the plans that Margaret and him hope to have for this weekend. ~Sunday will be one full year since I started sharing my life with Margaret outside work and spending casual time at her apartment. The year has been a revelation for both of us, is putting it mildly. We have laughed together, teased one another, cuddled together, argued, debated and compromised. More than once we even feared, cried, and prayed for each other. The best during the year was that we caressed and cared, kissed, hugged and loved together since I was welcomed into her private life. Spring- Daylight Savings Time will always be a special day for me, and I'm sure for Margaret. ~ Leo clears his throat to get back on track with his reading and he hears her hesitate in her typing waiting expectantly for his usual bellow of her name. ~I have taken great delight over the years at being able to voice her name loudly. We are such a great team. ~

Leo reflects back to the first time he enjoyed cooking for her with the pretext of trying out her new set of kitchen knives, back at her old apartment. Since then it feels as though he's stepped into another world, another life. ~A lot of the time now, I have trouble even remembering how my life was before. ~ He sadly admits to himself, ~My mind must be blanking it out, but then on the other hand, I remember the loneliness and driving myself to find purpose in my life. Hoping work could be all consuming and take away the pain of being alone. I had no reason to leave work. There was nothing to leave for. Mallory and my friends were there for me and would have welcomed me at anytime, but it didn't feel right. With Margaret it is so right, it was just a long journey to find her right beside me. ~

Leo tries to stall the reminiscing and focus on his work at hand, but his mind won't stop. The events of the turning point in his life with Margaret flow with sad comfort through his mind, as he remembers, ~My friends rallied around me to willingly give me a hand when I really needed it, after being attacked. They welcomed Margaret into their protection and cared for her just as easily as they did with me. Now our DC family is closer than ever, and it just keeps growing, interweaving with more family and friends. ~

Thinking of family he smiles at the memories of Christmas past and Margaret's family joining the DC family. With her brother, Colin and himself bonding to jointly care for Margaret and his kids, Katie and Ben. ~The kids have become precious to me. It's nice to have them visit frequently now and be at home with everyone. Whether it's at the apartment, away on an outing or at the office. They bask in the attention of our large DC family. The staff just loves having small kids added to the mix to soften the world of the White House. The kids just arrive, blend right in and get passed around the family, as the mood or opportunity presents itself. ~

Leo shifts in his chair and glances at Margaret's office. He listens to the soothing and familiar sound of her typing, before he makes another attempt to read the report. It's for the upcoming small conference on nuclear development issues in the Middle East, concerning Pakistan and India. The President is leaving for England tomorrow to attend this two and a half day conference, hosted and attended by Prime Minister Tony Blair and a few gathering world leaders. The conference is concerning peacekeeping in the Middle East, focusing on nuclear development in Pakistan and India. This being a high priority with the President he has willingly, but somewhat tenuously agreed to be a participant and lend more credibility to the conference by personally attending the discussions and not just sending a White House representative.

Leo has to give up his futile attempt of comprehending the report when the President swiftly enters his office by the connecting door to the Oval office. "Leo, I've come to a decision and you're going with me tomorrow. I know these things usually run long with the schmoozing that goes on, but we should be back Monday by the latest. Josh and the others can cover for us." The President stops for air and the fact that Leo hasn't responded after jumping to his feet, but then he really didn't give him a chance, knowing Leo will balk at going out of the country. Leo is the one that always likes to stay at home.

Leo opens his mouth, but with several counter points popping into his head, and they all have good enough merit to be spoken. He has trouble with which one he should voice first. "Sir, Let me get this straight, you actually expect me to go with you out of the country, both of us away at the at the same time. You don't need me when you're just sharing ideas and information at a brainstorming conference."

The President forcefully states, "Yes I do, Leo, and you're going. This is about nuclear warfare, and I'm not 'that' comfortable with my military intelligence and strategies, to go it alone. You've always had my back with the military and have been the one to advise me on these matters."

"Mr. President, you have the DOD to do that for you. I served in the military, Sir, not commanded it."

"Leo, don't make me order you. I need you there with me. I'm dragging you to England with me whether you want to or not." The President notes Leo's hard look on his face and tries to soften the demand with some levity, while trying to get his point across and not sound so demanding. Leo will just dig his heels in against it. "I'm not looking forward to calling home for advice in front of the other world leader, like I'm asking mommy for permission."

"Sir, I should be here with Margaret…" Leo has to snap his mouth closed when the President holds up a hand to halt him.

"Oh that right! Abbey has been treating her for that ear infection. Well, she won't be able to fly till the 7-day medication is finished. Abbey is really strict on that one."

"Sir, I can't leave Margaret…." Leo can tell he's not going to get to finish any sentence in this conversation, when the President cuts him off to make his point.

The President is still steam rolling over Leo's protests, "Sure you can! I can see the concern in your eyes, my friend. I know that your agents have been beefed up again with it being spring and the attackers due back in town anytime now. With you out of the country they won't be able to protect her, but she can stay at the Residence with Abbey, and they can have some bonding time together." The President bounces on the balls of his feet a few times, he's so pleased at his plan.

"Sir, it's that we…." He'd like to strangle his best friend right about now, but the Secret Service agents might not like separating them like a couple schoolboys on the playground.

"She'll be totally protected with Abbey." The President tries a bonding touch to bring Leo around, "I know we may be sorry we left the women to plot and plan how to run ours lives, but a few days away will make the heart grow fonder."

Leo tries another tactic. "You're going to leave the country to Josh and the others, for the better part of a week?"

"It'll be fine, Leo. We'll get them to sign a pledge to not burn the place down while we're gone or to have any wild parties here. We have to trust them sometime. They're growing up." The President smirks at Leo with his cute comeback. He's on a roll today.

Leo replies with a snap, "Fine, Mr. President." After a pause Leo fumes and adds, "I hope to see you in the morning. Margaret may kill me tonight after she hears we both get to pack and leave for the rest of the week."

"I'm not worried, Leo. I'm sure she'll return you to the White House in one piece tomorrow. Just remind her not to beat you about the head. It won't look good on camera when we arrive in London, and I still need you to think straight."

"I'll just do that, Sir. Now if you'll excuse me? I think I need to get the senior staff up to speed on the fact we're both leaving and with the current events." Leo looks down at the report lying open on his desk and slaps is shut. ~I'll have lots of time to read this on Air Force One tomorrow. ~ He jerks his face back up and pins the President with a look, "Let alone clear the room of sharp objects and close the doors, before I call Margaret in here and give her the good news." Leo's face looks like thunder, "If you're agreeable, Sir? I'll get started rearranging every ones schedule to cover while am gone. " Leo uses a clipped but polite voice and when the President nods slightly at the request, Leo quickly end their private meeting, "Good afternoon, Sir!"

The President knows when to make a fast exit, before the storm hits. He has been slowly shifting toward his office door, after Leo's acceptance to attend with him in England.

Leo does just as he predicts and closes the hall door and gets behind his desk to call Margaret into his office. This is not going to be pretty.

"Margaret!"

*****

When Margaret hears Leo roar like that, she knows that someone, probably the President the only one in the room recently, has really pissed Leo off. She hits the standby button on her computer for security and grabs her note pad, standing in one fluid motion. In two steps, she's at the doorway and can already see the black look on Leo's face. Angry steam is nearly visible from his collar. "That do you need, Leo?"

He growls out, "What I need, Margaret, is someone to knock some sense into the President."

She deadpans right back, "Sorry, Leo, not in my job description. At times it might be better for you two to take it out back and duke it out."

Leo now gives her his black look at being flippant.

"Or, not." Margaret can tell that levity is not going to sweeten Leo's mood. She hugs her notebook to her chest and waits him out.

Leo is immediately sorry for blasting her with his resentment at the President's request. ~Damn, now it's going to be harder to give her the news that I'm going to be accompanying the President and probably miss our anniversary. ~ This thought makes him mad at himself and its common knowledge that he's hardest on himself.

Leo is really upset now and just blurts out the news, showing his resentment at the President's decision. "The President was just in here and demanded that I join him on his trip to England for the rest of the week." His voice edged with suppressed anger. ~Oh to be able to just throw something and hear the satisfying sound of a crack. ~ He tosses out that thought from his baser youth. He's a grown man helping to run the White House. He watches her face and sees the mixed emotions flash across it. He drops his eyes when the disappointment finally shows in her sad eyes.

Margaret shoulders slump when the ramifications hit her. "London, Leo? I can't go with you. I can't fly this week!" Her arms flail out as she informs him of her dilemma. "Not with my recent ear infection, even though the earache is gone, not till the antibiotics are done. I feel fine now! I know Abbey was just routinely informing me that I couldn't fly till it was cured. Abbey had no idea that you were going to London and this would keep me from going too." She almost whines in disappointment. "First LA and now London, Leo." She pauses a moment, and then her voice bursts out in her own anger, "I always get left behind on the best trips." She's considering asking Abbey if she can go anyway, now that her earache gone. ~Stuck in DC again. Just once I should get to go. One damn time! When the hell is my turn? ~

Leo can see her trying to make this work for her and he sternly points out as he rounds the desk to stand in front of her face-to-face trying to stall any plans she is making, "Margaret, don't go there. I'm as disappointed and hurt as you are!" He sees that his words did not help, and she gets a more determined look on her face.

She lifts her chin in defiance, "I'll just go call Abbey."

Leo nearly roars, "Margaret, What the 'hell' are you thinking? Once you almost broke your ear drum when you flew with an ear infection, during our time at the DOL."

She keeps her anger in check because he so quickly shot down her idea and she won't look him in the eye. She fidgets with her notebook and shuffles her feet impatiently, wanting to get to the phone.

Leo knows he has a fight on his hands this time, "As I recall you said the pain was intolerable and you couldn't hear properly for a month!" Leo won't hear of her possibly jeopardizing her hearing just for a trip. They'll both just have to hope he gets back by Sunday. He puts his foot down, "You are 'not' flying anywhere, until Abbey clears you and she 'won't' with you just halfway through the meds." He crosses his arms in front of his chest as if that settles it.

"Damn it, Leo! Don't you 'tell me' not to try! This is our weekend coming up!" Margaret actually gives a small stamp of her foot, as she states the real root of their argument. She immediately looks at the doors, upset that someone might hear their loud voices, but seeing them closed she snaps at him, "Why don't you want me to try, Leo? You're not even considering helping to get it worked out for me to go. I just have to stay here without you. Alone in our bed!"

He hates being the bad guy with her, "Do you think I'm happy about leaving you here? Yes, especially this week." He nearly shouts at her, as he rants, "I can't change the world, let alone Jed Bartlet or anything else that seems to controlling my life." He sees her face register the bitter acceptance that she is not going, not after his angry outburst against how his life is not his own. He flips his eyes to the window for a moment, immediately hating his harsh words to her. He's unhappy and not handling it well. It makes him angrier that he can't fix this for her.

He stiffly walks back behind his desk, getting back to business. They have to keep the White House separate from their personal lives. He faces her with his professional face on, "Plus, Margaret, I need you here to help Josh till the end of the week. Get him in here and have Donna bring his schedule with him. Between the both of you, see what he can take over or what you can re-book from mine." Leo lowers his eyes to the report on his desk and lays it aside to put in his briefcase later.

This is actually their first office blowup. Leo can tell that it will leave him in a bad mood overall. He has no plans of getting happy about it anytime soon, and he's going to be in a pissy mood for the rest of the evening. He's almost doing the little boy pouting that men can do so well. It's uncharacteristic for Leo, and he's not pleased with himself.

Later that evening, when Margaret curtly informs him that his schedule has been cleared for the week, he blows out his breath with irritated resignation and will not leave better off alone, till he cools down. "There's nothing we can do to change it, Margaret. It's just the job." Her eyes start to show hurt tears. Leo is still unhappy with the world and his reaction to the situation. Wanting it to be OK with them and he knows that his attitude is not helping, he pulls her into a hug, but they're stiff with each other and not getting or taking much comfort from it.

Jed cracks the door open to Leo's office at that moment to see how it's going with getting things lineup to leave tomorrow. He can tell from their body language that they both are displeased, and he sees them acting almost formal with each other, as Leo seems to be trying to calm her. Jed feels like a shit at being so cocky with Leo before, about going to London, but he really wants and needs him there. He softly closes the door to give them a minute, and then he'll knock in a little while and try again.

Leo tries to soothe her a little by letting her know the President's suggestion. "The President and Abbey want you to stay with her at the Residence this week. With the attackers due back in town the agents can take care of both of you, and you'll not be home alone. You two can have some female bonding time or whatever it's called." He drops his eyes from hers and honestly adds. "I imagine that you'll both just be thinking of ways to make us guys miserable when we get back for not taking you ladies with us."

She gives a soft sniff, "Count on it, Leo, and tell the 'President' that includes him!"

They both feel the need to sulk for a while and that's human nature for this degree of disappointment.

They need to get out of the office early. He has to pack to leave for London and for her to pack for her stay at the Residence. Why this week?

Margaret is not happy, but she'll try to enjoy her time with Abbey. She greatly needs some bonding with someone who is in the same boat as she is. God, she doesn't look forward to sleeping in the guest bed without Leo beside her. Her breath catches at remembering her first night at the residence with a battered Leo in her arms. That sadness certainly doesn't help her frame of mind.

After shutting down the offices, Leo helps Margaret on with her coat and he glances at the door to the Oval Office. Leo realistically is not really angry with the President, but at the situation. That doesn't change the fact that he's 'not' in the mood to speak with his friend. Jed wouldn't even listen to him; he wouldn't let him voice his main reason for objecting to his leaving 'his' Margaret. In his mind, he lists them. ~This is the first time that we've been separated since my attack last summer and we started sharing our lives together. It's our anniversary is this Sunday and knowing the President he'll drag out his stay all weekend, with him cleared that long from the White House. The worst is that Margaret is not as well with the ear infection as she pretends, and I hate to leave her sick. ~

She sees his glance and sighs sadly, thinking that he needs to clear them to leave.

Leo just places a hand at her back indicating they are leaving. When they near her desk on the way out, he stops them and suggests, "Margaret, go ahead and call Donna to let her know we're leaving the building to go home and pack, in case anyone asks." Margaret knows which anyone he means, knowing Leo has not spoken with the President since earlier this afternoon.

Leo mulls his decision over in his head, as Margaret quickly makes the call. He will not say goodnight to anyone tonight, especially his friend. ~He can just piss up a rope, if he thinks I'm going to be pleasant after him forcing me to go with him. ~

They leave her office and go home right after the call is completed. Leo again escorts her with his hand at her back, even if it's more stiff this evening.

*****

Just a moment later the President walks into Leo's office expecting to find them still there. He's calling "Leo," as he walks though the door. He's taken aback that the room is dark and empty. He then realizes that Leo is honestly anger at him and hasn't cooled off. Jed feels just like when they were teenagers. Leo would just go quiet when he was really angry. Jed wishes just as he did back then that Leo would just blow up and get it over with. He hates Leo being mad at him, almost as much as when Abbey is mad at him. Jed walks to Leo's window and sees them walking away from the building without a goodbye. He's thinking he somehow caused it, for Leo to just leave without a word. He watches as they move out of site. They look so sad to him with their heads bowed as they walk, not speaking to each other. He knows something is going on; he just doesn't understand it.

*****

In the car Leo and Margaret remain quiet on the ride home, and it's not because of the agent and driver in the front seat. They're both lost in their thoughts. Reflecting on what they had planned, to celebrate the anniversary of the first night they spent casually together at her apartment. Nearly one year ago.

*****

To be continued in Part 2 of ??

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chipmunk aka: Betty Lou Riley riley2@bright.net

Imp aka: Lynn Jessome lhjessome@yahoo.com

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Posted 04-04-04