Author's Note: Thanks everyone for your kind comments on the story. I know it's a bit of a controversial arc and might not appeal to everyone in the West Wing fandom. The muse struck me, as our world has been very different this past pandemic year. The question - what if the seemingly impossible happened? - began to tug at my thoughts. How might our heroes cope with their world turned upside down? Thanks for taking the journey with me.
End of April - 3 Months after the Assassination
CJ Cregg, still White House Press Secretary, pulled up to the Barlet farm with no small bit of trepidation.
The Secret Service waved her through, and as the farmhouse came into view, she couldn't help but reminisce about happier days here. From time to time, they would gather on the farm to strategize a next move. Intermingled among the strategy sessions, there were barbeques, roasting marshmallows by the fire - a weird mix of high pressure politics and summer camp.
Last time she'd visited Manchester, CJ had annoyed the First Lady and was denied cider. Powerful campaign consultant, Bruno Gianelli, threatened them all with pitchforks up their asses if they didn't cooperate on the campaign announcement, while a large snake stalked CJ in the horse barn. She'd even felt driven to offer her resignation to Jed Bartlet on the trip, but somehow they got through it. It felt folksy and nostalgic, in comparison to her trip today and intended topic of conversation. If Abbey felt inclined to deny her cider last time, CJ might be lucky if she didn't find herself buried under the apple tree.
Essentially, the Russell White House was concerned. Abbey Bartlet wasn't playing ball, and CJ was sent as an emissary - a bridge between the administrations.
CJ mused President Bob Russell should be threatened with a pitchfork up his ass. Where the hell was Bruno Gianelli when you needed him?
After initially refusing to go to Manchester, CJ caught wind of an even more idiotic approach to get the former First Lady into the boat. Eventually, CJ acquiesced.
Russell wanted the former First Lady speaking on the news shows, showing the country she was functioning and supportive of the new president. Maybe a glitzy ninety minute "special" interview with Oprah would be enough. Abbey could show the world she was still standing - something akin to Jackie Kennedy in a blood covered suit, as Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office after JFK's assassination. Russell felt this was the right optic.
CJ marveled at the tone deaf proclivities of her new boss, while quietly considering her next career moves.
Parking the rental car, CJ spied an older man moving toward her. She immediately pegged him as the farm foreman - his jeans, beard and barn coat blended in with the other workers. He probably wanted her to move her car.
"Do you want me to park somewhere else?" CJ called, as she exited the vehicle.
CJ felt the man move up alongside her, and she briefly considered the location of her Mace spray. However, she recognized a very familiar gravelly voice.
"Naw, your car's good. And, you're a sight for sore eyes..."
CJ turned and immediately threw herself into his arms.
"Leo!"
After a warm hug, CJ looked into Leo's face. His twinkly hazel eyes were easily recognizable as belonging to her wise, steady mentor. But, nothing else seemed to fit the man, who wore power suits rumored to cost more than an aircraft carrier.
"God, I've missed you so much!" CJ continued.
He squeezed her and stepped back. She reveled in the familiarity of the affectionate smile he gave her. Leo McGarry had projected his usual self-contained mask in the days following the assassination - or, at least, as much as he could while dealing with a fractured skull. CJ mused he'd almost killed himself, continuing to run the White House. He looked better - different, but better than the last time she'd been with him.
In this iteration, Leo's posture was still evident - and, the immediate feeling of authority - that the right things would happen, even if no one knew what they were yet.
Looking closer, CJ could still see the sadness - the weariness. Certainly, the sight was familiar amongst the former Bartlet staffers, who made the transition to the Russell administration. Each staffer wore it differently, but perhaps no one as dramatically as Leo McGarry. He'd clearly dropped out - his whiskers denoting he was as far from a White House senior staff meeting as one might possibly be.
"How was your trip?" Her former boss looked her over, putting his hands in his barn coat pockets.
Typical Leo. He'd deflect to something less charged, not dwelling on the obvious.
"Well, I was traveling light, so no luggage to lose," CJ replied, stepping forward toward the farmhouse and taking his arm.
"Abbey will be happy to see you," he said warmly, holding her arm close.
He made no inquiry of how things were at the White House...how Russell was doing… In fact, based on his quiet, albeit affectionate, greeting, CJ was quite sure Leo didn't want to hear much. How different that was... This was a man who couldn't bear to be away from his cell phone… whose wife had left him, because he was spending every waking minute serving the President's agenda. Now, he showed no interest.
Looking up, she saw Abbey Bartlet at the farmhouse doorway.
"Well, get in here!" the former First Lady greeted enthusiastically. As CJ made it up the stairs, she wrapped the woman in a warm hug.
CJ debated abandoning the agenda that brought her to New Hampshire with just settling in for a visit with people she loved. Still, she needed to protect Abbey from the circus Russell was about to unleash on her.
Leo took her coat and hung it up. As Leo eased his own coat from his shoulders, CJ noted he had somehow found more weight to lose, which distressed her. He looked smaller, but no less solid. In fact, Leo's bearing was still formidable, superimposed under the New Hampshire flannel.
Abbey took her by the hand and led her into one of the living rooms. The house had so many alcoves to retire and converse - at times, it felt like it went on forever.
"So, how long are you here?" Abbey asked. "Can you stay awhile?"
"No, Ma'am," CJ replied. "I'm only here for the afternoon. But, it's just so good to see you."
The conversation moved to Ellie, Liz and Zoe and the grandchildren. CJ had been in touch by phone with Abbey and Leo. Jed Bartlet was always first and foremost on all their minds. But, for now, it felt right to focus first on a topic with less emotional overhead.
Abbey went on for about a half hour, bringing CJ up to date on the family.
"And, Mallory, Leo?" CJ turned to her former mentor. He was quietly listening in one of the overstuffed chairs in the corner.
Leo seemed to startle, being brought into the conversation. "Ah.. she's got a new boyfriend. Some lawyer…" He didn't offer more, obviously more content to listen.
"Have you met him?"
"Naw… not yet…" Leo replied. "But, Mallory's pretty taken with him." Almost as an after-thought, he continued "I gotta visit one of these days and check him out..."
"Make sure he passes the Leo McGarry smell test?" CJ parried.
"Well, I have lost my access to having him investigated by the FBI, NSA and CIA… So, I'll need to take care of it myself."
Leo then paused, as if considering something.
Sighing, he straightened up in his chair. Like a chess player, who had been patiently sitting through the opening moves, Leo's expression became laser focused.
CJ suddenly found herself on the other side of Leo's patented "stare" - it had compelled White House staffers to tell the truth, rise to a new level, act with the greatest of integrity, or meet his wrath. No one quite knew what Leo's wrath might look like. But, no one wanted to find out either.
"What's Russell want, CJ?" he said quietly.
CJ felt the air go out of the room.
There would be no easing into this discussion. He'd seen through the ruse of her just dropping by to check on them.
Sarcastically, CJ ruminated to herself 'Oh, Abbey, by the way, the President wishes you could break your self-imposed exile in New Hampshire, only a few months after your husband was murdered on national television, because he thinks you're making him look bad.'
"Leo…" she tried to begin and hesitated.
"He's got you painted into a corner," Leo stated matter of factly. "What does he want?"
By now, Abbey was sitting up in her chair, looking from Leo to her and back again. How CJ didn't want to disappoint this woman, who had already been through so much.
CJ tried to find the picture over Leo's shoulder particularly interesting, as she sought out the right message. How ironic, the press secretary had been struck into silence. Still, the last few months had often found her at a loss for words.
Gathering courage, CJ eventually replied, "He'd like you to make a statement, Ma'am."
Abbey straightened. "About exactly what?"
"He feels the country would like to hear from you - people are worried about you." CJ felt her words sounded hollow, even to her own ears.
"Or what?" Leo said softly.
From long experience, when Leo became quieter, he was often at his most dangerous.
"He just feels the country would be better off, if they heard from…"
Leo cut her off. "Don't give me that..."
CJ drew a breath.
"Russell wants Abbey to make a statement on national television, leaving no doubt that she supports the new administration. Effectively, assuring everyone she'll go off into the sunset to perform ribbon cuttings, adored by her country as a pillar of courage and grace - isn't that right, CJ? " Leo maintained, moving toward the right of Abbey's chair.
"And, you're worried about someone else making a mess of this, and that's why you're here - because you're trying to help Abbey," he finished softly.
Abbey stiffened. "I'm not ready to talk to anyone"
"I know you aren't, Ma'am," CJ replied, finally feeling less alone with the issue.
"And, he's nervous - The country is clearly sympathetic to Abbey. If she doesn't comment, she's a wild card. He thinks she could hurt him," Leo commented, as if figuring out a puzzle.
"I would assume so, yes," CJ answered.
Leo glanced down at the floor and shook his head. His shoulders braced, as if ready to physically combat some unknown assailant.
"Hand me your phone," he said simply.
"Leo…" CJ warned.
"Hand me your phone," he requested again simply.
Leo's clothing and beard screamed "drop-out." But, in his eyes CJ saw the hard boiled chief of staff, who refused to be intimidated by anyone - the same man, who had stared down a congressional hearing - willing to tell the truth, willing to lose his reputation to protect his best friend, but refusing to sacrifice his dignity in the process.
Hesitantly, CJ reached inside her pocket and handed it to him. She had a secure line to everyone in the administration, including Russell.
Leo took it from her and without fanfare, left the room.
Abbey watched Leo's retreating back and then turned her focus back to CJ.
"Well..." Abbey commented, letting the word hang in the air.
The former first lady exhibited a hint of curiosity about what Leo was going to do. But, obviously, willing to trust him to do it.
"CJ, would you like some cider?" Abbey finally offered.
A small weight lifted from CJ's shoulders.
"Yes, Ma'am, that would be lovely."
"Great, let's go to the kitchen," Abbey said simply.
About a half hour later, Leo entered the kitchen and silently handed CJ her phone back.
She looked at him quizzically.
"Don't worry about it," he dismissed her unspoken inquiry.
Obviously, Leo would say nothing more. Russell had either been threatened within an inch of his political life, if he ever came near Abbey again with a similar request, or one of Russell's political enemies was plotting a distraction. Either way, the sitting president would be lucky to circle back to the topic sometime around the next campaign. By then, it would be too late, and CJ was protected in the cross-fire.
Leo then turned his gaze quickly to Abbey.
"You want some cider, Leo?" Abbey, clearly amused, smiled in his direction.
"Yeah..." Leo replied. "Yes, please."
CJ chuckled to herself.
Abbey and Leo were sitting out the current state of affairs. They were down, but neither of them were out.
Feeling lighter than she had in months, CJ enjoyed the rest of the warm spring afternoon visiting the farm. Joining Abbey and Leo on a walk around the property, she still kept her distance from the barn. That snake might still be there, and CJ definitely didn't like her chances on a second encounter.