Hi everyone! That you for the kind comments and reviews. Here's a sweet little drabble that would take place during the episode Flu Season-which in my opinion, is one of the funniest Parks episodes to date. As always, reviews and comments are welcomed!
Ben kept a tight grip on Leslie's arm as he guided her through the parking lot. It was honestly a miracle that she was able to walk on her own. He was still in shock over her ability to give a speech like she just had in her current condition. It had been amazing. No, he corrected himself. She had been amazing.
"I don't want to go back to the hospital," Leslie whined as Ben continued to guide her to his car.
"Well, that's too bad," Ben replied as he helped her into the vehicle. "Because that is exactly where I'm taking you. You're burning up, and you probably have enough doses of flu medicine in your system right now to put you in a coma."
"Ann will be mad at me, and they'll send me to jail because I stole all that flu medicine, and if they send me to jail, I'll never be president. Or, I'll be the first president with a jail record, which would mean I'd be breaking barriers for women and convicts, so that might turn out okay-"
"I don't think they'll send you to jail," Ben cut her off before she had the opportunity to continue rambling. "And I'm sure Ann will understand." Ben noticed she was struggling with her seat belt and reached around her to help fasten it.
"Hey, watch it there, Hands McGee," Leslie slurred as Ben clicked the belt into place. "If you want the cow for free, you have to buy the milk."
Ben laughed and shook his head, trying to hide the slight shade of red he could feel his cheeks turning. "You don't have any idea what you're saying right now, do you?"
"I am completely alert," Leslie argued. "100,000 percent a-l-r-e-r-r-u-t."
"I don't think that's how you spell alert."
Leslie looked up at him, "I wasn't trying to spell alert. I was spelling Mississippi."
"Alright," Ben said as he dropped her bag down at her feet. "Let's get you back."
Leslie pouted with her arms crossed like a toddler, and Ben couldn't help but smile as he walked around the vehicle and climbed in the driver's seat. It had been a roller coaster of a day. He hadn't planned on Leslie getting the flu and him having to give the Harvest Festival pitch to the business owners of Pawnee, and then when Leslie unexpectedly showed up at the meeting, he certainly hadn't counted on her presenting it as smoothly as she did. It didn't just go smoothly, it was incredible. Her ability to push aside her own problems and focus on the greater good of the community had left him speechless, with sweaty palms and a racing heart, a stupid goofy smile that wouldn't go away and that made him feel like he was back in high school about ready to ask the girl in calculus to prom. But the most unexpected event to happen that day was a sudden, undeniable urge to stay in Pawnee just a little bit longer if for nothing else than to get to know Leslie Knope just a little better.
"Has anyone ever told you that you have a really nice butt?" Leslie asked as Ben opened his door and sat down.
"Excuse me?" he asked.
"Your butt," she repeated. "It's gorgeous."
"I…um, thanks?" Ben could definitely feel his face reddening now. He wasn't sure how to respond or what to do. The only thing he was fairly certain of was that Leslie wouldn't remember this conversation the next day.
"Seriously," she continued as Ben started the car and took off for the hospital. "It's like the Mona Lisa of butts."
"Hey, you did a great job today," he said trying to refocus the conversation on anything besides his behind. "Your speech was amazing."
Leslie cocked her head to the side and knitted her eyebrows together, "I gave a speech today?"
Ben was able to catch a quick glace at her before he turned his gaze back to the road. He couldn't help but smile at the way her nose wrinkled when her eyebrows were pulled together as they were. "Yeah," he replied. "You-it was wonderful."
"Huh," Leslie seemed to contemplate this for a moment before nearly yelling, "I know what we should do! Let's recreate the Hunger Games using famous people from Pawnee's history. I call Leslie Knope!"
"I'm not sure if that's a great idea," Ben replied.
"Why not, Ben? It's the 19th century."
Ben laughed, "Actually it's the 21st century, and I'm not sure how the public would respond to you enlisting people to fight to the death."
Leslie sighed and was quiet for a moment, just long enough for Ben to wonder if the medicine was starting to wear off. "Do you do squats?"
"What?" Ben asked, taken aback by her random question.
"Your butt," she was back at it again, "is it squats? Is that why it's so amazing?"
Ben rubbed at his temples. What's amazing, he thought, is that the one thing she can come back to with any clarity at all is my butt. "You got me," he lied as he put one hand up in a surrendering gesture. "It's squats."
"Don't ever stop."
"I won't," he promised. "How are you feeling?" he asked, again trying to refocus the conversation on anything else.
"I feel great!" she replied, waving it off as though it was an unwarranted question.
"Really, because your looking kind of-."
"I'm just a little tired," Leslie mumbled, cutting him off. "I'm going to-" Before she could even finish her sentence her head dropped back, and Ben could hear the rhythmic pattern of her breathing.
He chuckled softly and snuck a glance at the petite blonde in the seat next to him. There was something about her that Ben couldn't exactly put his finger on. She was fiercely passionate about everything. She was genuine. She was funny and brilliant. And even as she was in her drugged and sick state, her head flung back, her mouth slightly open, her hair a complete mess, she was beautiful. He needed to talk to Chris. There had to be some way to stay in Pawnee just a little bit longer.
Thanks again!
