THE BEST REVENGE by Pung
Authors Note: I began this sage of Leo and Jordan after
much urging from a friend. According to my story, their
love affair begins after the Senate Hearings, and goes from there.
Any post-ep. ff's will be marked so you don't get confused,
but I'm also going to be posting some stuff that is - although not
canon -not alternate universe either.
All characters but Hanna are the creation of Aaron
Sorkin, although I have taken the liberty of giving
Jordan a number of my own personal tics and
preferences.
Hannah lives-in my dear friend Jennifer, who lives
this life with passion and joy and with 2 more
children than Hannah has!
December 23rd, 11:05 pm.
Jordan was a creature of habit. You could set your
clock by her nightly rituals. She ate a light supper
as she read and responded her e-mails, occasionally
pushing her cat Cleo off the keyboard. Then she
would
take a long fragrant bath, listening to some
favorite
c.d. Finally, she would dress in silk pajamas, put
on
her fuzzy slippers and sit cross-legged on the bed
with files and briefs spread out around her.
She usually had the t.v. on to CNN and tonight was
no different,although she paid more attention to the
dog and pony show. The analysts and punsters were
having a field day, asking the same question; why
did
the session end so abruptly? She wondered herself,
but
relieved to be given the time to prepare for what
came
next.
She had known Leo for more than ten years. He had
interviewed her when she applied for a summer
clerkship at his firm. He saw to it that she was
assigned to him. He gave her useful tips on studying
for the bar, but what was most useful was just
watching him work. He had a brilliant legal mind and
a way of cutting through the crap to the heart of the
matter that she worked hard to emulate.
She was hired on as an associate after passing the
bar, and stayed there three years while working on her
doctorate. He encouraged her interest in international
law, and when he left to join the Labor Department,
he wrote her a reference that she knew had aced her
interview with the United Nations Council's Office.
Although they had lost contact after that, she had
followed his career in politics with interest. When
the disclosure of his addictions was all over the
news, she had sent him a brief note, but never heard
back from him.
So, she was somewhat surprised when he called and
asked her to represent him. She was good at what she
did and had developed a reputation in D.C., but
there
were certainly more high-profile firms he could have
turned to. When she asked, he had simply said, "I
trained you to be a lawyer. I know how your mind
works." That was true enough.
Her cell phone rang, and she searched for it among
the briefs and blankets. "Hello?"
"Hey. I'm sorry I'm calling so late. I lost track
of time." He sounded tired.
"Leo, are you still in the West Wing?" she said,
looking at the clock.
"No, I'm home now. I just got in. Are you watching
the post-game analysis?"
"No, I'm watching Monty Python! Of course I'm
watching it. It's part of my job to listen to what
people are saying."
"Yeah, well...I was thinking about tomorrow."
"Do you want to postpone? I could..."
"No, I don't want to postpone. It was hard enough
nailing you down the first time. I was just
thinking...all the best places in the district will
be
packed. I don't want to spend the evening
glad-handing a bunch of people."
"Gee, why not?"
She heard him laugh briefly. "Anyway, I know this
place...it's about twenty-five minutes outside of
D.C.
The food is great, and we can have some privacy. Do
you mind the long drive?"
"No, not at all."
"O.K." he said, "So, why don't I pick you up around
seven."
"That will be fine, Leo. Now-do yourself a favor,
and get some sleep."
"I will."
"I mean it."
"Yes, Mom."
"Good night, Leo."
"Jordan?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for today."
He hung up without waiting for a reply. She put the
phone on her bedside table, and began gathering up
the
papers and files. Cleo knew what that meant, and
jumped up on the bed, rubbing against her arm. She
shut off the t.v. and turned out the light.
Lying in bed, waiting for sleep, she stroked Cleo's
ears and thought about one of the lessons Leo had
taught her all those years ago.
"The legal system isn't about right or wrong,
winning or losing. It's about advocacy. And as an
advocate, you have to keep your focus on the issues,
not on the client. Get too involved with the client,
and you lose perspective."
He had trained her to be an advocate. She would
have to keep that in mind. If she lost sight of
that,
she could do him more harm than good.
Dec. 24th 3:15pm
Jordan surveyed the explosion in her room and shook
her head. Every surface was draped with clothes from
her walk-in closet, and nothing was catching her
eye.
The problem was her lifestyle in the past two years
was reflected in her wardrobe. Very expensive
designer
suits for business. The few dresses she had bought
for
the occasional office function(she dared not call
them
parties)were severe in style-to ward off sexual
harrasment from drunken colleagues
"I have no date clothes." she moaned, looking at
her watch. There was no time to shop. The phone rang
suddenly, and she welcomed the diversion.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Kiddo, Merry Christmas!" her friend Hannah
chirped.
"Bah, humbug back at you."
"Wooh, you're filled with holiday cheer, Aren't
you? And here I was, about to pounce on you with
some cookies Janie made."
"Please do...you can get my mind off my wardrobe."
"Excuse me?"
"Just my usual dressing disaster. I have a dinner
date tonight..."
"Wait! You have a DATE? I'll be right over!"
Hannah lived in the duplex next door, so it was
only moments later that Jordan's doorbell began to
ring furiously. Jordan opened the door to find her
friend standing there-nine months pregnant and
toting
three children under the age of six, a plate full of
cookies and a video tape.
Hannah herded the children in, sat them down in
front
of the t.v. and popped in a Disney flick.
"Stay here." she said, "Don't kill each other and
don't touch ANYTHING." She dropped the plate of
cookies on the hall table and grinned at Jordan.
"This
is SO cool." she whispered as she went back into the
foyer. "Well, Come ON!" she said, and bolted up the
stairs. Jordan followed, grinning.
She found Hannah shaking her head at the array of
clothes. "You are impossible." she said. "Suits? Is
this dinner or a deposition?" She rummaged among the
dresses, and pulled out a black three-quarter length
Ann Klien.
"What do you think of that?" Jordan asked.
"Fine if there's a Shiva afterward..."
"I spent a lot of money on that dress!"
"Of course you did! there's so much MATERIAL." She
dropped it to the floor and rummaged some more.
"Nancy Reagan red, saints preserve us...and what is
this?" She held up a brownish dress with green
piping.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing, if he wants to pretend he's having
dinner with his MOMMY!" Hannah shook her head.
"Nothing you can even WORK with. Girl, you have been
single too long. Who is this guy, anyway?"
"Leo McGarry."
Hannah stood speechless a moment. "Really." she
said finally.
"Is that a problem for you?"
"No, just...well, isn't that-like-against your
code of ethics or what-ever it's called?"
"I'm having dinner with him, Hannah, not sleeping
with him."
"Not yet...Jordy, isn't he married?"
"No, divorced for over a year now."
"He still wears his wedding band."
"I hadn't noticed." Jordan said, picking up the
discarded clothes.
"I did. I was watching C-SPAN today."
"And you noticed a wedding band?"
"I notice everything. I notice that you're
suddenly not looking me in the eye."
Jordan turned back. "It's just dinner, Hannah."
"You really like the guy, don't you?
"Yes." Jordan said, sitting on the bed. "It's come
on rather suddenly, but yes-I really like the guy. So,
wave your magic wand. WHAT do I wear?"
Hannah absently rubbed her belly and shrugged.
"Saran wrap?" Suddenly her face lit up. "Oh! I have
just the thing!" She bolted from the room. "Watch
the
kids! Beat them if necessary! I'll be back in a
flash!"
And she was, ladened down with a dry-cleaning
bag,
and a fist full of jewelry. "Strip." she ordered as
she pulled the bag off the dress beneath.
Jordan almost gasped at the dress her friend had
brought her. It was an electric blue sheath with a
scoop neck, and the bodice shimmered with silver
spangles in a diamond pattern. It was beautiful,
but...
"Hannah, it's lovely, but don't you think it's
a
bit showy for a first date?"
"A first date on Christmas Eve. Kinda a showy
night, don't you think?"
"And I'm not sure it will fit. You're at least a
size smaller than I am."
"Not THESE days. Anyway, it's spandex-
very...flexable. Go on, try it on."
A minute later, Jordan emerged from the
bathroom,
adjusting the low neckline. I'll need a strapless
bra." she said.
"Go without." Hannah replied, digging thru
Jordans
shoes. "Here. Try these with it."
Jordan slipped on the two inch pumps, and walked
to the mirror. "It's so...snug."
"You've got the bod to get away with it." Hannah
replied coming up behind her. "Now..." she slipped a
simple sapphire pendant around Jordan's neck and
fastened it. "Here are the studs. Don't tell Jack I
lent you these, he'll kill me. Now about your
hair..."
"Oh enough, already. My hair is...my hair." She
looked at herself in the mirror. She never thought
much about her looks, but she liked the reflection
looking back at her. "It really is lovely, Hannah,
thank you."
"You're welcome, Kiddo. Merry Christmas." Hannah
put her arms around Jordan and hugged her as they
looked at the mirrors image. "A warning about this
dress."
"What?"
"Last time I wore it..."she patted her ample
stomach. "THIS happened."
At ten of seven, she was putting out her wrap
and
gloves when the phone rang. "He's not coming.", the
seventeen year old wall-flower in her head wailed,
but
it was Hannah on the phone.
"What perfume did you decide on?"
"Ode de Attorney."
"No, REALLY."
"Chanel #5."
"Well, if you're into classics, that can work.
Are you excited?"
"Apparently not as excited as you are."
"Hey, the only excitement I get these days is a
pelvic exam. Hey...maybe tomorrow we can compare
notes."
"Hannah!"
"Wait! there's a car coming around the
cul-de-sac!
This must be him!"
"What have you got, binoculars?"
"Call me in the morning and spill the beans!"
"Tomorrow is Christmas, Hannah!"
"That's right! And I WANT MY PRESENT!" Hannah
hung
up without another word. A moment later, the
doorbell
rang. Jordan checked herself in the mirror, and
picking up her wrap, she went to the door.
He turned and looked at her as the door opened.
His eyes moved over her and his face changed.
Surprise
became delight, and then he grinned.
"Well," he said, "You look...like you're ready
to
go."
He held out his hand, and she took it.
Authors Note: I began this sage of Leo and Jordan after
much urging from a friend. According to my story, their
love affair begins after the Senate Hearings, and goes from there.
Any post-ep. ff's will be marked so you don't get confused,
but I'm also going to be posting some stuff that is - although not
canon -not alternate universe either.
All characters but Hanna are the creation of Aaron
Sorkin, although I have taken the liberty of giving
Jordan a number of my own personal tics and
preferences.
Hannah lives-in my dear friend Jennifer, who lives
this life with passion and joy and with 2 more
children than Hannah has!
December 23rd, 11:05 pm.
Jordan was a creature of habit. You could set your
clock by her nightly rituals. She ate a light supper
as she read and responded her e-mails, occasionally
pushing her cat Cleo off the keyboard. Then she
would
take a long fragrant bath, listening to some
favorite
c.d. Finally, she would dress in silk pajamas, put
on
her fuzzy slippers and sit cross-legged on the bed
with files and briefs spread out around her.
She usually had the t.v. on to CNN and tonight was
no different,although she paid more attention to the
dog and pony show. The analysts and punsters were
having a field day, asking the same question; why
did
the session end so abruptly? She wondered herself,
but
relieved to be given the time to prepare for what
came
next.
She had known Leo for more than ten years. He had
interviewed her when she applied for a summer
clerkship at his firm. He saw to it that she was
assigned to him. He gave her useful tips on studying
for the bar, but what was most useful was just
watching him work. He had a brilliant legal mind and
a way of cutting through the crap to the heart of the
matter that she worked hard to emulate.
She was hired on as an associate after passing the
bar, and stayed there three years while working on her
doctorate. He encouraged her interest in international
law, and when he left to join the Labor Department,
he wrote her a reference that she knew had aced her
interview with the United Nations Council's Office.
Although they had lost contact after that, she had
followed his career in politics with interest. When
the disclosure of his addictions was all over the
news, she had sent him a brief note, but never heard
back from him.
So, she was somewhat surprised when he called and
asked her to represent him. She was good at what she
did and had developed a reputation in D.C., but
there
were certainly more high-profile firms he could have
turned to. When she asked, he had simply said, "I
trained you to be a lawyer. I know how your mind
works." That was true enough.
Her cell phone rang, and she searched for it among
the briefs and blankets. "Hello?"
"Hey. I'm sorry I'm calling so late. I lost track
of time." He sounded tired.
"Leo, are you still in the West Wing?" she said,
looking at the clock.
"No, I'm home now. I just got in. Are you watching
the post-game analysis?"
"No, I'm watching Monty Python! Of course I'm
watching it. It's part of my job to listen to what
people are saying."
"Yeah, well...I was thinking about tomorrow."
"Do you want to postpone? I could..."
"No, I don't want to postpone. It was hard enough
nailing you down the first time. I was just
thinking...all the best places in the district will
be
packed. I don't want to spend the evening
glad-handing a bunch of people."
"Gee, why not?"
She heard him laugh briefly. "Anyway, I know this
place...it's about twenty-five minutes outside of
D.C.
The food is great, and we can have some privacy. Do
you mind the long drive?"
"No, not at all."
"O.K." he said, "So, why don't I pick you up around
seven."
"That will be fine, Leo. Now-do yourself a favor,
and get some sleep."
"I will."
"I mean it."
"Yes, Mom."
"Good night, Leo."
"Jordan?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for today."
He hung up without waiting for a reply. She put the
phone on her bedside table, and began gathering up
the
papers and files. Cleo knew what that meant, and
jumped up on the bed, rubbing against her arm. She
shut off the t.v. and turned out the light.
Lying in bed, waiting for sleep, she stroked Cleo's
ears and thought about one of the lessons Leo had
taught her all those years ago.
"The legal system isn't about right or wrong,
winning or losing. It's about advocacy. And as an
advocate, you have to keep your focus on the issues,
not on the client. Get too involved with the client,
and you lose perspective."
He had trained her to be an advocate. She would
have to keep that in mind. If she lost sight of
that,
she could do him more harm than good.
Dec. 24th 3:15pm
Jordan surveyed the explosion in her room and shook
her head. Every surface was draped with clothes from
her walk-in closet, and nothing was catching her
eye.
The problem was her lifestyle in the past two years
was reflected in her wardrobe. Very expensive
designer
suits for business. The few dresses she had bought
for
the occasional office function(she dared not call
them
parties)were severe in style-to ward off sexual
harrasment from drunken colleagues
"I have no date clothes." she moaned, looking at
her watch. There was no time to shop. The phone rang
suddenly, and she welcomed the diversion.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Kiddo, Merry Christmas!" her friend Hannah
chirped.
"Bah, humbug back at you."
"Wooh, you're filled with holiday cheer, Aren't
you? And here I was, about to pounce on you with
some cookies Janie made."
"Please do...you can get my mind off my wardrobe."
"Excuse me?"
"Just my usual dressing disaster. I have a dinner
date tonight..."
"Wait! You have a DATE? I'll be right over!"
Hannah lived in the duplex next door, so it was
only moments later that Jordan's doorbell began to
ring furiously. Jordan opened the door to find her
friend standing there-nine months pregnant and
toting
three children under the age of six, a plate full of
cookies and a video tape.
Hannah herded the children in, sat them down in
front
of the t.v. and popped in a Disney flick.
"Stay here." she said, "Don't kill each other and
don't touch ANYTHING." She dropped the plate of
cookies on the hall table and grinned at Jordan.
"This
is SO cool." she whispered as she went back into the
foyer. "Well, Come ON!" she said, and bolted up the
stairs. Jordan followed, grinning.
She found Hannah shaking her head at the array of
clothes. "You are impossible." she said. "Suits? Is
this dinner or a deposition?" She rummaged among the
dresses, and pulled out a black three-quarter length
Ann Klien.
"What do you think of that?" Jordan asked.
"Fine if there's a Shiva afterward..."
"I spent a lot of money on that dress!"
"Of course you did! there's so much MATERIAL." She
dropped it to the floor and rummaged some more.
"Nancy Reagan red, saints preserve us...and what is
this?" She held up a brownish dress with green
piping.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing, if he wants to pretend he's having
dinner with his MOMMY!" Hannah shook her head.
"Nothing you can even WORK with. Girl, you have been
single too long. Who is this guy, anyway?"
"Leo McGarry."
Hannah stood speechless a moment. "Really." she
said finally.
"Is that a problem for you?"
"No, just...well, isn't that-like-against your
code of ethics or what-ever it's called?"
"I'm having dinner with him, Hannah, not sleeping
with him."
"Not yet...Jordy, isn't he married?"
"No, divorced for over a year now."
"He still wears his wedding band."
"I hadn't noticed." Jordan said, picking up the
discarded clothes.
"I did. I was watching C-SPAN today."
"And you noticed a wedding band?"
"I notice everything. I notice that you're
suddenly not looking me in the eye."
Jordan turned back. "It's just dinner, Hannah."
"You really like the guy, don't you?
"Yes." Jordan said, sitting on the bed. "It's come
on rather suddenly, but yes-I really like the guy. So,
wave your magic wand. WHAT do I wear?"
Hannah absently rubbed her belly and shrugged.
"Saran wrap?" Suddenly her face lit up. "Oh! I have
just the thing!" She bolted from the room. "Watch
the
kids! Beat them if necessary! I'll be back in a
flash!"
And she was, ladened down with a dry-cleaning
bag,
and a fist full of jewelry. "Strip." she ordered as
she pulled the bag off the dress beneath.
Jordan almost gasped at the dress her friend had
brought her. It was an electric blue sheath with a
scoop neck, and the bodice shimmered with silver
spangles in a diamond pattern. It was beautiful,
but...
"Hannah, it's lovely, but don't you think it's
a
bit showy for a first date?"
"A first date on Christmas Eve. Kinda a showy
night, don't you think?"
"And I'm not sure it will fit. You're at least a
size smaller than I am."
"Not THESE days. Anyway, it's spandex-
very...flexable. Go on, try it on."
A minute later, Jordan emerged from the
bathroom,
adjusting the low neckline. I'll need a strapless
bra." she said.
"Go without." Hannah replied, digging thru
Jordans
shoes. "Here. Try these with it."
Jordan slipped on the two inch pumps, and walked
to the mirror. "It's so...snug."
"You've got the bod to get away with it." Hannah
replied coming up behind her. "Now..." she slipped a
simple sapphire pendant around Jordan's neck and
fastened it. "Here are the studs. Don't tell Jack I
lent you these, he'll kill me. Now about your
hair..."
"Oh enough, already. My hair is...my hair." She
looked at herself in the mirror. She never thought
much about her looks, but she liked the reflection
looking back at her. "It really is lovely, Hannah,
thank you."
"You're welcome, Kiddo. Merry Christmas." Hannah
put her arms around Jordan and hugged her as they
looked at the mirrors image. "A warning about this
dress."
"What?"
"Last time I wore it..."she patted her ample
stomach. "THIS happened."
At ten of seven, she was putting out her wrap
and
gloves when the phone rang. "He's not coming.", the
seventeen year old wall-flower in her head wailed,
but
it was Hannah on the phone.
"What perfume did you decide on?"
"Ode de Attorney."
"No, REALLY."
"Chanel #5."
"Well, if you're into classics, that can work.
Are you excited?"
"Apparently not as excited as you are."
"Hey, the only excitement I get these days is a
pelvic exam. Hey...maybe tomorrow we can compare
notes."
"Hannah!"
"Wait! there's a car coming around the
cul-de-sac!
This must be him!"
"What have you got, binoculars?"
"Call me in the morning and spill the beans!"
"Tomorrow is Christmas, Hannah!"
"That's right! And I WANT MY PRESENT!" Hannah
hung
up without another word. A moment later, the
doorbell
rang. Jordan checked herself in the mirror, and
picking up her wrap, she went to the door.
He turned and looked at her as the door opened.
His eyes moved over her and his face changed.
Surprise
became delight, and then he grinned.
"Well," he said, "You look...like you're ready
to
go."
He held out his hand, and she took it.