Early April
Annabeth is lying on the couch in Leo's study. She's reading through a stack of papers.
Leo: (walks in) "Just got off the phone with Jed"
Annabeth: (sits up) "You guys decided?"
Leo: (sits down next to her) "Yeah, I mean, it's what we were working on towards the end and…peace between Israel and Palestine…it's what matters most to Jed."
Annabeth: "And to you?"
Leo: "It's the biggest challenge there is. So, yeah, it appeals to me."
Annabeth: "So you guys will be what? Like consultants?"
Leo: (smirks) "Elder statesmen" He gets up from the couch and starts to walk out of the room. "There's a fundraiser thing I need to go to, as part of the new gig. Would you want to go?"
Annabeth: "As your bodyguard?"
Leo: "I don't think a gun would fit under what I'd like to see you in…Would you like to go as my date?"
Annabeth: "You think that's a good idea?"
Leo: "I think it's as good a time as any, and it's a private event."
Annabeth: "Black tie?"
Leo: "Yep"
Annabeth: "I do love you in your tux"
The next week – Leo is standing in the front hall of his house, wearing a tux.
Leo: (calls up the stairs) "You ready?"
Annabeth comes down the stairs wearing a bright red halter gown. It grabs every curve of her body.
Leo: "You realize I have a heart condition."
Annabeth: (gets to the bottom of the stairs and twirls) "It's Oscar de la Renta"
Leo: "It's…you're stunning."
Leo and Annabeth arrive at the event. They've just walked in when C.J. spots them.
C.J.: "Leo! Annabeth!"
Leo: "C.J.! I didn't know you'd be here."
C.J.: (kisses him on the cheek) "I'm here with Danny. He's spent a lot of time in the Middle East, covering everything, and so he knows (she waves her hand around) all these people." She looks at Annabeth "You look gorgeous!"
Annabeth: "So do you."
Danny: (joins them) "Leo! Annabeth! This is a surprise."
C.J.: (looks meaningfully at Danny) "Isn't it?"
Catching her tone, Danny turns to Annabeth "Want to accompany me to the bar?" He extends his arm.
Annabeth: "I'd love to."
Annabeth and Danny walk away
C.J.: "Leo McGarry! You look...different."
Leo: "I get sleep these days."
C.J.: "No. That's not it. You look happy."
Leo: "Oh yeah?" (he looks around the room)
C.J.: "Leo! Look at me. Are you here with Annabeth? I mean, did you guys come together?"
Leo: "Yeah."
C.J.: (huge smile) "I thought I was incapable of being surprised."
Leo: (smirks) "Join the club."
C.J.: "When did…I mean, how long have you guys been seeing each other?"
Leo: "A couple of months."
C.J.: "And you're happy."
Leo: (smiles, and waits a beat, as if considering it) "Yeah. I am."
Later… Annabeth and Leo are dancing.
Annabeth: "There's more than a few people watching us, Leo."
Leo: "They're watching you." (he spins them around to face the other side of the room)
Annabeth: "How many times have you been asked if you're here with me – with a breathy emphasis on 'with'?"
Leo: (laughs) "A few." He pulls her into his body.
Annabeth: "Whoa, cowboy"
Leo: "I'm a private citizen now, Annabeth. A private citizen in the company of a beautiful woman at a private event. If people have questions about that, they can ask."
The music ends. Leo and Annabeth separate. Leo takes her hand and they walk back to their table.
Later – as they are walking out to leave, joined by C.J. and Danny.
C.J.: (laughing) "No, seriously, so my great aunt, my 90 year old great aunt is in town…"
Danny: "Here we go."
C.J.: "And Danny – his phone rings and it's my number…"
Danny: "It was her number!"
C.J. "He picks up the phone…and, his voice all deep and sexy, he goes "what are you wearing right now?"
Danny, Leo and Annabeth start laughing.
C.J.: "And my…(she's having trouble finishing her sentence, she's laughing so much already) "My great aunt goes…"tweed!"
They all are really laughing.
Leo has his arm around Annabeth's waist, and she turns her body into his, kind of collapsing into him as she laughs, her head above his shoulder. He has a huge smile, as he looks towards C.J.
And then there is a series of flashes as photographers gather around the guests departing the event.