These characters do not belong to me, I'm just borrowing them so I can have my wicked way with them. ;) Title: A Daughters love Rating: PG-13 Summary: Jed, Abbey and Mallory get more than they bargained for. A/N: Should have the next part up really soon, reviews are considered most kind. x







" Dad, we've been through this"

Mallory sat in the deep cushioned seat watching her father fiddle with his tie in front of the long oval mirror. The hotel room was impressive, well proportioned rooms with stylish antique furniture, wide windows with expensive drapes and comfortable yet practical decoration. It was meant to look homely for those who weren't at home, and that small pleasure had an expensive price tag to match.

" Yes, and I'm asking you again"

Mallory released the long suffering sigh she had been hiding and let her head drop back to rest on the back of the chair.

" Ok, I'm going to say this once more for the more geriatric in the room. I hate official ceremonies and what's more you know it! I hate the food, the press and the fact that I cant walk the next day from a combination of the heels I have to wear to go with the dress Abbey will make me buy, and the forty or so men that will have me ballroom dancing for five hours straight! It's not an enjoyable night out dad, it's torture, and the only reason your asking me to go with you is because you don't want to suffer alone."

Leo turned from his reflection and buttoned his suit jacket as he slowly approached his daughter. His face was solemn for a moment before his bottom lip began to come forward and his lips turned down at the sides, prompting a laugh from the figure curled up in his chair.

" Pouting dad? You're worse than the kids in my class. It's gonna take a lot more than that to convince me to go"

Leo gave up the pout and smiled as he walked to his large desk and began shuffling papers around.

" How about a presidential order of attendance?" Leo said through smiling lips, watching his daughters face turn from mischievous humour to slight anger and disbelief.

" You wouldn't," she said calmly, leaning forward in her seat ever so slowly

Leo picked up the receiver and punched in a number, all the time watching Mallory's face shift from slightly disbelieving, to serious panic.

" Dad, you can't do this."

" Yeah it's me, is he free? Yeah I just need to speak to him for 2 minutes."

" Dad."

" Thanks Margaret.Good morning Mr President.yeah, we'll look through it when I get in.she's here yeah.no sir.I did.sure, hang on a second."

" Mal, the President wants a word in your ear."

Mallory stood motionless for a second, her face and neck an interesting shade of anger red and her fists balled up at her sides, glaring furiously in her fathers general direction.

" Fine, but I'm telling him the exact same thing I've told you, and if he thinks he can bully me into going he's got another thing coming."

Mallory started towards the desk but her fathers raised hand stopped her.

" It's ok Mal, he can hear you, I put it on speaker when we finished talking"

The colour in Mallory's face drained and she sat down quickly in one of the nearest chairs, holding her hands over her face.

" Morning Mal!" came the cheery voice of President Jed Bartlet over the speaker.

Mallory groaned into her hands.

" Good morning Mr President" she said sullenly

" Now, what were you saying about bullying? I couldn't quite hear you through the connection"

Mallory knew full well he was teasing her and decided that she would be better cutting her losses before things really got ugly, and the trivia came out.

" Fine, fine, fine I'll go ok? But I would just like to say how unfair this is..and I'm telling Abbey."

"Pouting Mal? You look like a kid from your class."

" Shut up dad"



One week later



The ballroom was magnificent, as she knew it would be. The orchestra sat in tie and tails in a corner, the music their talented hands produced seemed to swirl around the expanse of the room, dipping and moving around the couples dancing elegantly on the impressive dance floor. The fact that it was packed full didn't surprise her either, these kinds of things always were, and all kinds of people from politicians to paparazzi lined the walls, eager to see or get seen with the star attraction. Glancing around from her place in a far corner she was surprised at how many faces she actually recognised, with black humour she couldn't stop the thought of 'How far I've come' or 'Daddy would be proud' from slipping into her mind.

" May I have this dance?"

Mallory turned her head to see Joshua Lyman, dressed to the nines, standing with one hand held out for her and a knowing smile on his lips. Smirking she took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, slipping in between the moving couples and swaying gently to the music.

" I hate this," she whispered bluntly, feeling rather than hearing the chuckle that ran through his body.

" Really? You mask it so well" he whispered back, feeling the hand that rested on his shoulder suddenly grip his tender flesh.

" Hey! I didn't make you come, that was the President and your father, go give them the bruises."

" Oh don't worry about that Josh, their time will come." She said with good humour to her voice.

" Yeah well I've seen the secret service in action and it's not pretty."

" Well they haven't seen me in action either.."

" Well if they have then I'm lodging a complaint."

" Get your mind out the gutter Lyman."

" Anymore of that sweet talk and you'll make Sam jealous"

Mallory's witty comeback was cut short by the sound of the President entering the room, the music changed, the people stopped dancing and jostled for a better view, and the room blinked and flashed as the press that were selected to be there took full advantage of that fact.

" I should go." Josh quickly kissed her cheek and laced through the crowd to join the other senior staffers that were congregating around the President.

Alone once more, Mallory took advantage of it and slipped from the crowd, looking every bit the suspicious escapee as she quickly made her way to one of the exits.

" And where do you think your going?"

Mallory stopped in her tracks and sighed a heavy sigh, knowing that any chance of getting out there within the next hour where totally banished by the sudden appearance of the owner of that voice. Slowly turning, she didn't hide the sheepish smile from the woman who had been like a second mother to her.

" Abbey, you look beautiful," she muttered as she closed the distance and gave her a lasting hug.

" I knew that dress was made for you, you look wonderful sweetie." Abbey smiled as she blushed.

" Thank-you"

" And I cant help but think what a waste it would be for everyone not to see it."

" Abbey." Mallory knew she was whining, and she also knew it had about as much effect as it did on her own mother.

" Come on, I've got to mingle and your coming too."

Mallory pouted for a moment and then dejectedly slipped into step with the First Lady, beginning the rounds of introductions and niceties.

Leo McGarry couldn't stop the smile from creeping into his features as he watched his daughter move from couple to couple with the first lady. He had seen her earlier attempt at escape and wasn't in the least surprised. She wasn't lying when she said she didn't like coming to these get together's, and he knew it was a trait that she had inherited from him. Standing in the shadow of the President he let his thoughts have free reign, thinking that her reluctance to attend public events was probably the only genetic trait she had inherited from him, she was all Jenny. The way she looked at him when she was angry, the way she looked at him when she was proud, her sense of humour, her looks.. all Jenny. The pain in his chest was familiar, it always appeared when he let himself be consumed with his only daughter, and his heart would swell with both pride and regret. Pride at the woman she had become, regret at having missed half of it. He watched as she politely tipped her head to some, shook hands of others as she and the First Lady made their way slowly but surely around the crowded room. Sighing, he dragged his eyes from Mallory and concentrated on the crowd in general, making a mental list of people he wanted the President to accidentally on purpose bump into at some point and others who were at all costs to be avoided. He juggled the political angles with the customary introductions and well wishes, prioritising the importance and speed in which things had to be dispensed with and those that had to be dealt with. It was the tricky way of things and something that he had plenty of practise in organising.

" Leo correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that Joseph Burns standing over there talking to Senator Williams?"

Leo followed the Presidents gaze and nodded his head in agreement.

" Don't worry about it" Leo whispered, noting the look of mild disbelief in his face

" Don't worry about it!" he emphasised, glad when he read the trust in his friends eyes.

Leo's eyes skimmed the people closest to the President and eventually found the person he was looking for.

" Josh!" he shouted over the din

Josh immediately weaved his way through the queue of people lined up to shake the Presidents hand and stopped in front of the Chief Of Staff.

" S'up, apart from the fact you look kinda grey, you feeling alright?"

" Yeah I'm fine, look over there and tell me what you see," Leo answered gruffly

Josh looked over the heads of the people surrounding him, and Leo watched the slight shift in his face that signalled his understanding and comprehension.

" Don't worry about it" Josh said mildly, feigning partial indifference.

Leo's forehead formed a well-worn crease as he spoke

" I tell the President not to worry about it Josh, you don't tell me. I am worried about it. Joseph Burns shouldn't even be here and you can guarantee that someone's head will be rolling tomorrow morning when I find out who let him in the door in the first place. Deal with it, and do it discreetly, the last thing we need is the press getting a sniff at this you understand me?"

"Yes sir"

Leo watched as Josh disappeared into the mass once more.







" Let me introduce Mallory O'Brian, my god daughter and Leo Mcgarrys daughter."

Mallory shook hands for what seemed like the millioneth time and plastered the same fake smile on her face that was beginning to make her facial muscles ache,

" It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Harris, I hope you enjoy the remainder of the evening."

Abbey's hand on the small of her back guided her away and into a relatively quiet corner of the room.

" Abbey I think I may be physically sick if I have to be nice to anymore people tonight."

"Welcome to my world sweetie." Abbey smiled

" Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

" No, but they say a problem shared is a problem halved and I'm sharing."

"Red alert, Dr I'msofalseitmakesmesick is making a beeline straight for us"

Abbey looked casually over her shoulder and watched as the man in question stopped in his tracks to pick up another flute of champagne and resumed his obvious mission to get to them.

"Watch this, one of the perks of my world"

Mallory watched as Abbey casually sauntered over to one of the agents standing at the wall and spoke very briefly to him before walking back and again guiding her away. As they walked Mallory looked back over her shoulder and watched as two secret service agents blocked his path and sent him in the opposite direction.

" Very smooth" Mallory found herself smiling the most genuine smile all night.

" Thanks, I thought so too"

They walked in silence for a few feet before a voice they both knew like their own called out.

" Abbey!"

Both stopped and turned just in time to see Jed Bartlet approach them.

" I saw the little stunt you just pulled"

"Stunt?" Abbey fluttered her eyelashes in an attempt at innocence, which made both Mallory and the President scoff.

" Yeah well it was very smooth."

"Thank-you. Shouldn't you be schmoozing with people instead of complimenting me on my skills of avoidance?"

"I'd much rather schmooze with you" the President flirted, winking at Mallory.

" I'm going to go find my dad before I'm scarred for life. Abbey, Mr President."

" Mallory I'm keeping an eye on you, anymore attempts at escape and I'm assigning a SS detail to you."

Mallory rolled her eyes and put her hand to her forehead in an overly dramatic gesture.

"Yes ma'am"





Leo had long ago droned out the representative's voice and was instead watching as his daughter attempted once more to get to his side without being stopped. Nope, snagged again. He almost laughed out loud at the scowl his daughter aimed at the man who was leaning over her as he spoke. Jenny indeed. Wiping the sweat from his forehead with his handkerchief, he jumped when the conversation paused.

" Would you excuse me Tom? I need to see the President for a moment."

Giving the Rep a friendly slap on the back as he left, he cut through the crowd to end up behind his thoroughly unhappy daughter.

" Excuse me, can I borrow my daughter for just a moment there's something I need to discuss with her"

"Of course Leo, it was lovely to meet you Mallory"

" You too, enjoy the rest of the evening."

Mallory turned and gave her father a look of sheer relief.

" I need to get out of here." She stated flatly, her face contorted to show her grief

" I know the feeling. Gimme about twenty minutes and I'll give the President the nod to leave."

" Are you ok dad? You look all sweaty."

" I'm just warm under these lights."

" Ok.Twenty minutes? You promise?"

" I promise, why don't you go find Abbey, she'll keep you sane till were ready to leave."

"Ok, I'll see you in twenty dad, no more."

" Bye baby."



Josh Lyman was well known for his skills in political bullying and negotiation. He was an articulate man with both experience and reputation, not to mention impressive qualifications, which is why it was surprising to find him actually nervous about speaking to a man who couldn't even scratch the surface of any of that. Josh hopped from one foot to the other as he waited for Joseph Burns to finish up his conversation with Congresswoman Stevens, all the while looking over his shoulder at the constantly snapping press that was a little too close for comfort.

" Josh! It's good to see you again"

" Joseph, always a pleasure. You want to go get a drink?"

"No, I'm ok Josh but thanks. I was actually hoping to bump into you tonight."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, our last meeting didn't go as well as I had hoped and I wanted to clear a few things up that I felt where still a little fuzzy around the edges."

" I think you got your point across pretty well Joe. If you felt we weren't listening at the meeting, then the message was certainly conveyed when you went to the press. We have televisions and phones in the west wing."

There was a moment of tense silence as they stared at each other.

" You do understand why I had to do that don't you?"

"I understand that you needed a bigger loudspeaker Joe, what I don't understand is why you seem to think that the President would be swayed by you going behind his back."

"I resent that Josh"

"You can resent that all you want Joseph but at the end of the day the answers still no. The President will not support you in this, and your little stunt did nothing more than cement that fact. Now if I were in your shoes I think the wisest thing I could do would be to hightail it outta here before the President got to this side of the room."

" This wont be the last of this Josh, I can promise you that."

" I can guarantee this wont be the last of this Joe."

Both men stood tall, facing each other with dangerous eyes, before Joseph Burns spun on his heels and quickly made his way towards the exit.

Rubbing his hands together, Josh looked over the crown and found the face of Leo McGarry. Nodding him head once, Josh began to mingle again.



" What was that about?"

Josh spun about to come face to face with Mallory, his professional mask instantly falling and a genuine smile gracing his features.

"Joseph Burns a.k.a a royal pain in my ass. He's been trying to apply pressure to the administration for the past year and I think he may have just gotten the message"

"Pressure to do what?"

"The guy's an extremist Mal, he has connections with supremist groups, radicals and a whole host of bad guys that we wouldn't want to touch with a barge pole. He's a radical republican who has a major chip on his shoulder."

"With who?"

"President Bartlet. He's a professional baiter and Bartlet hater. Him just managing to get in here tonight will effect us, and the fact that he will go out tomorrow and tell everyone he meets will make his year. We had a meeting last week at your dad's request to see if there was perhaps a place for him somewhere in the bowels of the administration. As you can imagine he was pretty pissed and he wasn't shy in telling the press."

" What are you going to do?"

"Well, my job tonight was to get him out of the door and I've done that so I'm not worrying about him till tomorrow"

"Good plan"

"I thought so"



"Mr President, whenever you're ready, your good to go."

"That's the best damn news I've heard all night." The President stopped as he looked at his chief of staff.

"Leo are you ok? You're looking a bit pale"

"What? Yeah I'm fine, just a bit tired. Nothing to worry about sir."

"Ok, let me say my bit and we'll head back to the residence."

" Yes sir"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention for just."



"Mallory!"

Mallory turned from her banter with Josh to see the First Lady walking towards her.

" I just had to deliver the good news myself"

"We're leaving?" Mal couldn't keep the excitement from slipping into her voice and she almost elbowed Josh when she heard his chuckle from behind her.

"Yes, Jed's going to do his thing and we'll head back to the residence. I think your father and my husband will want to talk a little before they call it a night."

"If you'll excuse me I need to go see CJ before we break up"

"See you later Josh"

"Bye Mal, Ma'am"

Both women watched as josh made his way quickly through the thinning crowd.



"Leo"

Leo turned to see both Sam and Toby walking towards him. Toby was the first to speak.

" Leo, you're looking a little."

"I'm fine," he answered grumpily. Toby pursed his lips and nodded his head, knowing better than to question Leo when his mood was off.

"Ok then, Sam and I spoke to Andrew Grappier, he's onboard."

"What did it cost?"

" Full diplomatic backing on the 584."

"Please tell me you told him."

"Leo there's worse things he could have asked for"

"Dammit Toby, you know how the President feels about this."

"And I'll tell you what I told him, it's worth it"

Leo absently rubbed his arm as he thought it through.

"Ok, I'll tell him when we get back to the residence, I just hope to god your right on this Toby, we can't afford to be wrong. Not now."

"I'm right."

Leo nodded his head as the applause erupted all around him, signalling an end to the Presidents speech.

"Ok, I'll speak to you tomorrow and we'll arrange to bring Grappier in."

All men nodded their heads in agreement and went in different directions, Leo heading towards the President.





Leo knew something was happening to him. As he walked towards the President he could feel his legs getting heavier, his vision was becoming blurred and the pain in his arm was worsening. The sweat that broke out on his body in waves was beginning to itch and he could feel his tongue swelling as his mouth became parched. He was only a few feet from the president when the first pain hit him. It felt like a sledgehammer to the chest and stopped him dead in his tracks, his legs buckling but not giving way, a fact he was thankful for. If he could just make it to the hallway.the second pain hit as he made eye contact with his friend, taking the breath from his body and bringing tears to his eyes. He could see the recognition in the Presidents eyes as he slowly sank to one knee, those around him taking a step back to let the President through.

"Jed.." He whispered as his friend sunk to his hunches beside him, panic clearly written across his features.

"Someone call an ambulance! Someone get my wife!!! Someone."







"There is absolutely no way I am going out with that man Abbey, apart from the fact that he's arrogant and chauvinistic, my father would have a."

Two secret service agents interrupted Mallory as they entered her field of vision.

"Ma'am, your presence is required at the exit. Emergency situation, an ambulance has been called and is on its way."

Abbey turned quickly towards the exit and noticed for the first time the quiet that had settled across the room, and the small crowd that had gathered around the doors. Pulling up her gown slightly she rushed towards the group, the service agents in front of her clearing the path. Before reaching her new patient she turned and shouted to the nearest agent as she walked.

"In the residence, in the Wardrobe, my medical bag, bring it would you?"

When the final line of people parted and Abbey had a clear view, she stopped in her tracks for a split second before rushing to the side of her friend and husband.

"Leo, tell me what's happening" she spoke clearly, only her husband would notice the tremor in her voice.

Leo knew that Abbey was talking to him but as hard as he tried he couldn't hear her. Couldn't hear anything but the blood rushing through his ears. The searing pain in his chest was all consuming. He could feel hands on his neck, pulling his tie loose, hands on his chest as they patted him over, a cool hand on his forehead. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing would come out. That all changed when the third pain ripped through his chest producing a chocked groan and sob.

"Excuse me, excuse me please."

Mallory tried to make her way through the tightly knitted group of people. She was politely asking and weaving, smiling at some and scowling at others. That was until she heard a broken voice shout out in agony. She knew that voice. The dread sank in her stomach like a lead weight and her legs seemed to take control as she pushed and barged to get to the front of the crowd.

"Dad!!"

Running to his side she looked from her father to Abbey and back, trying to bring her breathing back under control, telling herself over and over that it was only exhaustion.



"Leo, your doing great. The ambulance will be here any minute and we'll take you to the hospital for some tests. Concentrate on your breathing, deeply in and out, in and out.."

Abbey's voice was soft and comforting, filtering through the pain induced fog that was blocking his senses, and allowing him to grasp a hold of consciences and cling to it.

"Jed.."

"I'm right here Leo, your doing just fine."

"Mal"

"Daddy." Mallory couldn't stop the sob that caught the end of the word and felt an arm coming around her shoulders, grasping her tightly to a warm body.

"Mal, I'm.I'm sorry baby."

"Ssshhhh dad..don't try to speak, just lay still."

" Jed, look after my.baby"

"You can do that by yourself Leo.."

The seizure took them all by surprise. Leo's body went completely rigid, his arms and legs going straight and still as his body convulsed. Abbey fought desperately to hold him down, hold him still, as did the President and several service agents, but the pain was too much for his body to take and when he eventually stilled, his eyes stared towards the ceiling glazed and unseeing.

Abbey immediately began CPR, thumping at his chest with a closed fist and checking his pulse, thumping and checking. She didn't stop her efforts till the paramedics arrived and someone pulled at her shoulders to let them in. They worked for several more minutes before taking the tube from his mouth and laying it to the side.

The room had been cleared before the paramedics arrived, leaving only senior staff and family. The President sat on the floor at his best friends side, his hand still holding his, his eyes glazed and wide. Abbey sat on the floor also; tears streaming silently down her cheeks, several of the senior staffers surrounding her. Mallory sat beside the President, her face deathly pale and composed, he shoulders slightly shaking. She turned confused eyes towards the paramedics as they began to pack away their equipment.

" What are you doing? Where are you going?"

" Ma'am we need to get back on the street. The coroner will be here shortly. We're very sorry for your loss."

" But you have to keep trying. He was fine earlier. He's been tired that's all."

"Ma'am, you should try to calm down, take a small drink of water."

Several of the staff that were standing stunned nearby looked over to Mallory, some of them openly sobbing, others standing or sitting shocked. It was the First Lady that was the first to speak, directing the senior staff to make their way to the residence. Some hesitated, others basically ran from the room, but eventually the room held only herself, the President, Mallory and Leo's still form.

" Jed.." Abbey's voice broke once more as she looked at her husband, his hand still gripping Leo's; his eye's locking on her own. She signalled to Mallory who was sitting still and calm to his right, her hand resting on her fathers shoulder, absently smoothing the material. Jed looked at the girl and the first sob escaped him, quickly followed by another and another, and before he knew what was happening he was wrapped in Abbey's arms, her own tears falling with his own.

Mallory was aware of what was happening beside her but couldn't find the energy to turn her head to see. Looking at her Fathers face she could feel the clenching of her heart but was mentally pushing it away for fear of what it would produce. She wasn't sure how long she sat there but she was startled when two hands fell on her shoulders.

" Mallory.."

She knew that voice but found that she couldn't quite place it. Looking up she met the gaze of Jed Bartlet.

" He's just tired." she said quietly, frowning as he began to shake his head.

" Mal sweetie."

Mal's gaze shifted to look at Abbey, who seemed to be trembling.

"Abbey, he just needs to lie down for a while and."

"Honey, no, he doesn't."

The hands at her shoulders tugged a little and she moved to brush them away. When she heard a voice again it was stronger and she instantly recognised it as President Bartlet.

" Mallory, I need you to stand up now and come with me."

She looked up at him and shook her head slightly.

" I can't leave him lying here. He wouldn't want to be alone sir."

Abbey stepped forward and held out her hands so she could stand.

"C'mon sweetie, he'll be fine. You'll see him again in the hospital, but I need you to get up now."

Mallory placed her hands in Abbeys and slowly got to her feet, swaying slightly as she stood and feeling a strong pair of hands grasp her upper arms.

" That's a girl."

" I'll see him again right? Soon?"

" Of course you will, after you rest for a little bit."

She watched as they both wrapped their arms around her and pushed her to begin walking towards the exit, could feel the trembling from both of them as they tried to keep their emotions in check. The journey to the residence was a blur and before she knew it she was sitting on a bed, with both Abbey and the President hovering around her.

" Jed, I'm going to go phone Jenny, will you..?"

"Of course"

Jed watched as Abbey kissed Mallory and silently left the room, closing the door behind her as she left. The silence in the room was devastating and he moved to break it immediately.

" Mal, you want to lie down for a little while?" he asked gently

Mallory looked from the place her gaze had been fixed on for the last ten minutes to the man standing in front of her.

" I feel kinda sick."

" That's ok, you want to go into the bathroom?"

" Where is he?"

Jed hesitated before answering

" He's in the ambulance mal, there taking him to the hospital morgue"

" He was fine earlier, we had breakfast and talked."

" I know "

The room fell silent again and it was only the sixth sense of someone staring at you that brought the Presidents gaze up from the floor. Mal was looking at him with something slightly akin to anger in her eyes. This was what he had been dreading.