A/N: Guys, I'm really sorry. I feel really bad about what I've done.
CHAPTER TWO
Election Day had arrived. Finally. After the months of tireless campaigning, hand-shaking, and speech-giving, the day had arrived. All over the country, citizens of the United States were going to their polling place and casting their vote for President of the United States. Everyone at the Santos McGarry headquarters was going insane, Josh Lyman especially.
Annabeth did her best to float around, helping with anything and everything that needed her attention. She, Lou, and Donna were mostly on Josh patrol, making sure their campaign manager could keep himself together for the next few hours.
But Election Day was also important for Leo and Annabeth on a more private level. They had embarked on a romantic relationship. Or as much of one as they could manage during the final weeks of a presidential election campaign. They luckily worked very closely together, so they could steal kisses in private or even just an affectionate touch here and there. But there were always people underfoot, watching everyone's every move. Privacy, space, and time were not luxuries they possessed. So they had agreed that they'd give themselves two hours to alone in Leo's hotel room on Election Night, before the final results came in and they had official duties, to spend together in their own romantic little bubble. And the night had come.
Annabeth told Donna that she was going to check on Leo at the hotel and that they would both be at headquarters later. Donna had asked how Leo was doing, seeing as everyone else was a nervous wreck.
Annabeth smiled. "Cool as a cucumber. I don't know how he does it. The man is amazing."
Of course, little did Annabeth know, that was a ridiculous lie. Leo was in his hotel room pacing back and forth like a lunatic. He had done a very good job of keeping his voice even and nonchalant when he was on the phone with Josh and Annabeth all day. But now the time had come. Finally, alone time with Annabeth. He couldn't wait to see her. God, the things that woman did to him.
Annabeth was like a bright light in his life. He had lived in darkness for so long. Much of it was self-imposed darkness, and it was necessary for his work, but even so, it had created a lonely existence. This petite little blonde was pure sunshine, and for some crazy reason, she wanted him. And Leo wanted to give her everything. He would give her the entire world if he could.
But tonight it would just be the two of them. And for the first time since he was a teenager, Leo was nervous. His usual confidence and male bravado was failing him. A very big part of him was still in shock that she wanted him. He just didn't want to disappoint her. But more than anything else, he wanted her. Good god, did he want her. And they had two hours. She was on her way this very minute.
His heart was pounding and his chest felt tight with the anticipation of their evening together. He went into the bathroom to take an aspirin and get a glass of water. And suddenly everything went black.
Annabeth made her way down the hallway to Leo's room. He had given her a key earlier so she wouldn't have to wait awkwardly in front of the door. She walked into the room in giddy excitement. But he wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"Leo?" she called out. The light in the bathroom was on. She wandered over and felt her heart skip a beat. "Oh my god! LEO!" She fell to his side, shaking his body, sprawled out on the floor. "SOMEBODY HELP!" she screamed. There was blood. He had hit his head when he fell. Annabeth grabbed a towel to put on the wound. She could see his chest rise and fall as he took shallow, ragged breaths. She pulled the phone out of her pocket and dialed 9-1-1. She had no idea what she said to the operator, but when she hung up, she burst into tears.
Half an hour later, Josh Lyman was running through the hospital to find Leo. He found Annabeth sitting, crying. She leapt up when she saw him and rushed into his arms.
"What happened? Is he okay? What…?" Josh asked in panic.
Annabeth tried to answer but couldn't get the words out. She was sobbing too hard.
Josh assumed the worst. He held his friend tight and tried to blink back the tears that threatened to fall.
A nurse came up to them, asking softly, "Excuse me, are you Mr. McGarry's family?"
"Yeah we are," Josh replied, clearing his throat as his voice cracked.
"You can go in to see him now," the nurse said with a kind smile.
"We…we can?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes. He's stable now."
"He is?" Annabeth asked in a small, squeaky voice. She wiped the tears from her face.
"It was touch and go there for a little while, but the doctors were able to restart his heart. He's sedated now, but you can go in and see him." The nurse led Josh and Annabeth into Leo's room. Before leaving, he turned to them and said, "The doctor should be in soon to tell you more."
Annabeth instantly went to Leo's side. She took his large, rough hand in her dainty ones and brought it to her lips. If Josh was at all surprised by this, he didn't show it. He was focused on the monitor on the left. It beeped steadily, indicating Leo's heartbeat. With every blip on the screen, Josh felt himself relax slightly.
A doctor came in. "Are you Mr. McGarry's family?" she asked politely.
Josh turned. "Yeah. He's my uh...father." Annabeth caught his eye and smiled at those words. And if Leo could hear it, he would have smiled, too.
"He's had another heart attack. Not as massive as his last one. The blockage was easily cleared. But if the paramedics hadn't gotten to him so quickly, it might have been too late. Also, he hit his head and lost a bit of blood, but it isn't serious. We threw a few stitches in there, but he'll heal nicely. Now, I know this is a very busy time for Mr. McGarry, but he needs rest, and lots of it. I want to keep him here for at least two days."
"We'll make sure he stays put, though he isn't gonna like it," Annabeth said. She was still clutching his hand, as if afraid of what might happen if he let go.
The doctor smiled at them. "I don't mind telling you, I voted for them. Any news on a winner?"
Josh shook his head. "Nah, we're still waiting for the polls to close in California. It's going to be close."
The doctor wished them luck and left them alone once again. Annabeth spoke to Josh softly. "You should get back. They'll need you. Tell everyone that he's going to be fine."
He nodded, his gaze on Leo's resting form.
"Do you want me to go with you?" she asked.
"No, you stay here with him. I'll make sure someone calls you if there's any news. But you stay here. And let me know if anything changes. Call me the minute he wakes up." Josh made his way out.
"Okay. Hey Josh?"
"Yeah?" he replied, turning back from the door.
"He's gonna be okay. He's not leaving us. Not right now, and not for a long time."
Josh's mouth curved into a small smirk. "He better not. I don't know what I'd do without him."
"Me neither," Annabeth whispered, after Josh left.
She turned on the television so she could have the election results as they came in, but she wouldn't let go of his hand. Santos won Texas, which was a big step towards winning the presidency. It would all come down to California.
It was quite a while before anything of note happened, but after an hour or so, she felt Leo's hand twitch in her grasp.
"Leo?" she said softly.
He groaned quietly. Everything was foggy and fuzzy. "Annabeth?"
"I'm here, Leo." Tears were starting to fall from her eyes again.
His eyes blinked open slowly. He turned his head to face her and tried to smile. "I guess we didn't get to have our evening."
"Well, we've been alone here for the last few hours," she told him.
"Really? How was I?"
Annabeth's eyes sparkled at his attempt at humor. "Quiet."
"I'll do better next time."
"I'm counting on it, McGarry."
His tone turned more serious. "What happened?"
"You had another heart attack. And you hit your head when you fell. I found you probably minutes after it happened. The doctors fixed you up. You're going to be fine. But you'll have to stay here for a few days."
"The election?" he asked.
She should have known. Obviously that was more important to him than his own health. "We won Texas. We're waiting on California still."
"How's Josh doing?"
"He was here earlier. He's worried about you and everything else under the sun. But I'll call him and tell him you're awake."
"I'd like to talk to him."
Annabeth kissed his hand one more time before finally letting it go so she could dial Josh. "Hi, Josh? Annabeth. Leo's awake. He wants to talk to you." She handed him the phone and stood up to stretch her body. Annabeth watched Leo jump right back into his element, not three hours after a heart attack. He was amazing. She took a few deep breaths, feeling some of the stress and tension leave her body. She had been so afraid that she had lost him. But she should have known better. Just like she told Josh, Leo wasn't going to leave them anytime soon.