Barlet Farm

"Farmhouse looks the same," Josh's voice startled Donna out of her ruminations.

The Bartlet Farm evoked strong emotions. Earlier, there had been the coming together here of an administration, building election strategies and a presidential agenda. Now, there was Leo and Abbey, and a sense of stability and a second home.

Coming together with Josh over the past several days, away from the hospital - just the two of them - was all she'd imagined it might be. They'd danced around it for years, and it had all happened so naturally. There was no more need for over-thinking. The harrowing experience in Qumar made their priorities very clear. The two days at the Bedford Village Inn only confirmed their direction. Move into the farmhouse with Abbey and Leo temporarily, find a place of their own, and settle into the Barlet Presidential Library work. Along the way, they'd need to give notice to the White House and much longer-term, intuitively Donna knew there would eventually be marriage and a family.

Still, there were a few short-term hurdles to get through first. Josh had survived an unthinkable experience. The only person in their circle who could possibly relate was Leo. Three days in a Vietnam jungle, after being shot down, and subsequent recovery certainly took its toll. He paid a terrible price with addiction to alcohol, pills, and eventually his work - losing time with Jenny and Mallory. In over thirty years, so much more was discovered about post-traumatic stress - the Vietnam vets having brought the issue to light. Donna believed strongly Josh shouldn't have to spend years numbing himself just to somehow get through the day. Leo and Abbey would be a tremendous support, but they would also need the right specialists on the team and prioritize his care. In order to make the future work between them, Josh's physical and emotional recovery would be paramount.

"Yes, it does. It always does. I love it here," Donna replied, feeling Josh reach over and squeeze her hand.

As Josh parked the car, Donna spied some additional cars in the driveway. She suspected the rental belonged to Mallory. Leo's daughter had to be talked down from immediately hopping on a flight to Germany. Initially, she wasn't pleased about being left in the dark about what was happening with her father and Josh. But, a cooler head - and a trusting relationship with Abbey - prevailed. She'd need a security clearance to know all of the details of the Qumari debacle, but Leo's daughter had been able to understand enough to let everyone she loved off the hook for her father's condition. Like the rest of them, Donna doubted Mallory was able to set aside resentment for the administration that put Josh and Leo in harm's way.

Just as Donna finished that thought, the young lady in question came out the front door quickly making her way down the stairs and opening up Josh's car door.

"Hey," Mallory said affectionately, wrapping her arms around Josh as he got out. "You're a sight for sore eyes."

Josh didn't hesitate. Only careful consideration of his injured shoulder likely inhibited a more enthusiastic greeting. "Hey, Mal," he said softly, kissing the top of her head.

Mallory linked her arm in Josh's and greeted Donna with a warm hug. "What you guys have been through… Let's get your things inside."

Donna and Mallory refused to let Josh grab any of the bags with his bad shoulder. And, Donna wasn't surprised where his focus turned next.

"How is he?" Josh didn't need to mention who he was referring to. It was all short-hand between the five of them now.

"Abbey's with him," Mallory replied as they moved the bags into the foyer of the big farmhouse. "His fever spiked this morning, and she's got him on IV antibiotics. It's coming down, so we're keeping him here. Normally, he'd have to be back in the hospital. Perks of having a doctor as your … partner, companion, live-in love… whatever they're calling it…" Mallory chuckled, obviously to lighten the mood.

Josh smiled, "You think they'll ever get married?"

"I'm not sure they see a reason to. He loves her… She loves him… They're past having kids together... I don't think I've seen a relationship quite this uncomplicated. Even Howard and Mom can have some weird undercurrents."

"Can you imagine if Leo and Abbey had a kid?" Josh laughed, as he followed Donna and Mallory up the stairs.

"When I was in college, I overheard Uncle Jed joke that Zoe was their love child," Mallory replied. "Said he'd been traveling a lot and maybe his best friend had taken to comforting his wife. My mother thought it was pretty funny at the time. I was freaked out - it was absurdly funny, but you don't really think about your parents that way."

Donna could sort of see it. Zoe had her mother's coloring, but she did resemble Leo around the eyes. Jed and Abbey's youngest daughter and Leo could have similar facial expressions. Clearly, back then, the two couples were happy and completely at ease with each other to pass a joke like that so easily between them. She shuddered to think both Leo and Abbey had lost their spouses for different reasons because of the White House. It was just as well she and Josh were stepping away.

As they walked past Abbey and Leo's bedroom, Mallory paused, shaking her head.

"Donna, I was on my way down to the freezer to get Abbey some ice for Dad. Can you go get it, and I'll find you and Josh a spot? Given everything that's happened, there's an extra Secret Service agent or two staying directly in the farmhouse right now, and we're playing a bit of Tetris with the sleeping arrangements."

Donna placed the rest of the bags in the hallway, knowing they could circle back for them once Mallory found them a place to land. "Of course, I'll get it for them, right away."

She quickly retrieved the ice and softly knocked on Abbey and Leo's bedroom door. Hearing the former First Lady respond, Donna quietly opened the door.

"Oh, Donna," Abbey whispered. She got up from sitting next to Leo on the bed and gave her a hug. "You're here. It's good to see you!"

"Thanks so much for having us," Donna said in a hushed tone. "Is Leo sleeping? Here's the ice… Mallory said he'd taken a turn..."

Abbey gratefully took the proffered package from her and disappeared into the en-suite bathroom for a moment. Donna could hear the crushed ice poured into the bathroom sink. The IV was set up on Leo's side of the bed and while his sleep appeared to be undisturbed, Leo's skin was flushed and a sheen of perspiration showed on his neck and shoulders. Lying on his side, the bandages covering the bullet wounds were covered by a light sheet.

When Abbey came out, she had several washcloths made into ice packs. She carefully made her way back onto the bed, lifting the sheet to place the packs strategically around the back of Leo's neck and chest.

"He's turning the corner. His temp is down half a degree this afternoon. We'll just have to watch him. The travel home probably did him in."

Donna sat down on a soft upholstered chair facing them. After everything they'd been through together, she didn't feel she was intruding on them. As Mallory had said, things with Leo and Abbey were typically uncomplicated. Plus, she wanted to be sure Abbey had everything she needed. In fact, as she watched Abbey patiently try to cool Leo's skin, her devotion and tenderness toward him was unmistakable. She felt no place for the rough edges of youth here, only hard-won experience and loss could teach this level of intrinsic gentleness. She could see herself finding this loving synchronicity with Josh as they grew older.

Before she knew it, Donna found herself asking, "Is it different this time? Being in love, I mean?" Then, once the words were out, she shyly looked to the floor.

However, Abbey didn't seem put off by the question. Donna knew she was more than a friend. She and Josh were family. And, the former First Lady saw herself and Leo as leaders of that family. She was only too happy to share her perspective with those she cared about.

Softly, Abbey answered, "Being in love with two brilliant men, who have been willing to give all for the country? Yes and no…" Wiping Leo's brow, she continued, "Jed and I had our youth together and part of our middle age. Leo and I have that and will grow old together. It brings a different perspective."

Leo was clearly deeply asleep, so Abbey obviously felt she could speak further without disturbing him.

"There's the impatience of youth, the striving and the proving of oneself. Jed and I had the excitement of raising a family together. Meeting these new wonderful babies and watching them grow. At this stage, experience has taught patience and gratitude for the people you love in your life - nothing is guaranteed. Leo and I are keeping a family together."

Donna nodded, realizing Abbey trusted her to share something very special. She was struck by the trust, expressed physically, between the two of them. Despite a high fever, Leo wasn't restless. She wouldn't be surprised if somewhere in the deep recesses of his sleep, he knew he was safe - that Abbey was caring for him. He would be alright and so he could give himself over to her ministrations. In turn, nothing was going to separate Abbey from Leo's side.

Running a washcloth across his flushed cheek, Abbey considered the man in front of her.

"As much as they were best friends, really chosen brothers - Jed and Leo have been two very different men. Jed always led with his head," Abbey chuckled in recollection. "He would talk and win over your mind and the heart followed. I needed that back then - someone to debate with - to fight with - We were like two pieces of granite rubbing up against each other, each stone being polished as the years went by, making each other better."

Sighing and brushing back a lock of Leo's blonde hair that had fallen onto his forehead, Abbey reflected, "Leo is all heart. He leads with it. He can be a man of few words. But, once he gives his heart, he'll give his life. He doesn't ask for anything in return. It's always gentle between us."

Abbey looked up and met Donna's eyes, "So, you see, I need to look out for him… Make sure the way he loves doesn't cost him any more than it already has. I'm not the first person he's given his heart to. And, he loves you and Josh...my girls ... Mallory is everything to him... The library is an outlet for how he feels about Jed... And, I know he will always love Jenny - just as I'll always love Jed."

Donna paused a moment, witnessing the tears glistening in her friend's eyes, knowing she was just at the beginning of this journey with Josh.

"You must love Leo very much, Abbey."

Abbey took a breath and brushed the washcloth over Leo's shoulder.

"Really, more than words can say, Donna… More than words can say…"