Rating: Teen

Disclaimers: see part 1

Friday was a beautiful Indian summer day. Even though it was late September, it felt like July. Leo picked out his best 'power suit' as Mallory liked to call them and got dressed.

Morris left the day before after talking to Mary and reassuring Leo that his report would be glowing. He managed to pull a few strings and got a court day so the McGarry family could be reunited which Morris felt, was in the best interests of all.

So a mere 18 hours later, Leo found himself going into battle, a battle for his family and he was going to look confident even if he was scared as hell on the inside. Once he was ready, he went downstairs and found Mary who was busy making breakfast and her lunch. She gave a little catcall when she saw her dad.

"Looking good or an old guy," she teased.

"Ha ha. Don't make fun of your ride," he shot back.

"Fair," she said with a shrug. "What's the game plan for today?"

"I'll drop you at school then I have to go to the White House and then court at 11:45 and from there, we will see."

"You going to pick me up?"

"Yeah. You have your cell in case I get stuck in something?"

"Yes Dad," she said while rolling her eyes. The cell phone was frivolous in Mary's eyes and a requirement in Leo's.

"Alright, let's eat and roll."

Leo pulled into the White House lot at 8:30. He grabbed his bag and made his way to his office.

"Leo, you're here!" Margaret exclaimed when we walked into the outer office.

"Hey Margaret. I have 2 hours and 45 minutes before I have to leave. What do I need to know?"

The pair got to work and Leo was able to delegate more of his tasks. He checked in with the President before he bumped into CJ.

"Do you have a few minutes before you need to go?" she asked him.

"Yeah, I have about five. How are things going in the press?"

She quickly rhymed off the issues of the day for him to comment on saving his situation for last.

"I have gotten the question, but have been able to keep them back by saying that it's personal. Are you going to make a statement when it's resolved?"

"Yeah, I will if I need to but I would really like this to go away," he said sincerely. "My girls don't need that."

"You have Mary right? What's today about?" she asked curiously.

"Well Molly's my girl as well so today is to see if I can get temporary custody of her. And if all goes to plan, I will have sole legal and physical custody of both of them in the next 6 months to a year. At the very least, I will be listed on both of their birth certificates," he explained.

"What's the worst case scenario?" she followed up.

"The judge says no, that I can't have them and I lose the pair of them," he said, unable to hide the terror in that concept. Anyone who knew Leo knew that his weaknesses were booze and his kids.

"You want me to come for moral support?" she asked as she squeezed his hand.

"That would be great," he said with a sigh of relief. "The girls have school and I really don't want to do this alone."

"I'll brief Simon. Meet you in the lobby in 5?"

"That would be great," he smiled.