Clearing Clouds
Part 8
Jed looked out the window. It was a beautiful day. It was almost noon and that meant that he and Abbey had another lunch date. These days he made sure to have lunch, considering it was almost the only time he had time to see Abbey at the moment. He was working on some important issues and Abbey was working overtime ever since two doctors had taken ill. He thought about the time when he had been over at Abbey's two days earlier. Everyone had still been reeling from the accident, but now life was slowly starting to creep back to normal. Leo's hand was painful just to look at, but Abbey said she was pleased with its progress. Both Laurie and Leo were recovering very well and that was all that mattered.
Abbey hurried down the corridor. "Charlie. Charlie?" She called out to him as she saw him.
Charlie turned. "Hi, Abbey."
"Hi." She took his arm in hers. "I was wondering if you could help me with something?"
His eyebrows narrowed as he gave her a sideways glance.
"I promise I won't get you in any trouble. In fact, if all goes as planned I'm sure the President will be more than happy to hear that you helped me." She smiled sweetly at him.
Charlie knew that The President and Abbey had a 'newfound' relationship so to speak. "OK, what do you need?"
Abbey smiled. "Oh, nothing really. I just need you to play along with me."
At the moment they reached the Oval Office, the door opened to reveal Jed Bartlet. "Abbey? You're early."
Abbey quickly turned to Charlie and winked at him before turning back to Jed. "Hi, I hope you don't mind." As Abbey let go of Charlie to get closer to Jed, she wobbled and almost fell.
Jed hurried to catch her. "Are you alright?" He was alarmed.
"Yeah, I'm...I'm fine." Abbey looked quickly at Charlie and winked again. "I was just saying to Charlie I haven't been feeling well today." With Charlie and Jed's help, Abbey eased her way to a chair.
Making sure she was seated safely, Jed turned to his aide. "Charlie, get Abbey a glass of water, would you?"
Charlie simply nodded. If he didn't say anything, maybe he couldn't be blamed as an accomplice to whatever Abbey was up to.
Jed knelt next to Abbey. "You sure you're OK?"
"I'm fine. I...I guess I haven't been sleeping much since the accident." That wasn't really a lie. Abbey had had trouble sleeping ever since she had seen Laurie and Leo on the floor.
He took her hands in his. "I understand. Why don't you go upstairs to my room and get some rest? I'll bring some food up to you when I'm done."
Abbey had to keep herself from smiling. This was working perfectly. "No, I'm OK." She knew him well enough to know he would insist and sure enough he did.
As Charlie came back with glass in hand, Jed walked right into Abbey's trap. "Abbey, you need some rest. Charlie, take Abbey upstairs to my room and make sure she gets some rest. That's an order."
Charlie handed Abbey the glass. "Yes, sir."
"I'll check up on you in a little while." Jed rose, kissed her cheek and walked back into the Oval.
"What are you up to?"
Abbey rose and took Charlie's arm in hers. "Moi?"
Charlie couldn't help but to laugh as they made their way to the Presidential bedroom.
"He'll just be a minute," Margaret said, returning to her desk. "He's in the Roosevelt Room with CJ and Josh."
"Thanks, Margaret," Jenny said, standing in the door to Leo's office. She glanced to Leo's bank of televisions to see what Laurie and Leah were doing. "Girls, don't change every TV, just one."
"But I want to watch 'The Brady Bunch' and Leah wants to watch 'Scooby Doo,'" Laurie complained.
"You always get to watch what you want!" Leah was getting mad.
"One TV, girls," Jenny said firmly. "Uncle Leo won't even be too thrilled about that. Choose a show you can both agree on."
"What won't I be thrilled about?" Leo asked, now standing behind Jenny with CJ and Josh.
"Nothing." Jenny smiled at Leo before motioning for Leah and Laurie to come out of the office. "Come on, girls."
Laurie and Leah bounded into the outer office. "Josh!" Leah cried, running to him and jumping into his arms.
"Hey there, cupcake." Josh gave her a hug.
Leo's eyes darted to the girls and then to Jenny. "Why are they here? Where's Abbey?"
Jenny looked up at him. "Leo? They have a half day off for teacher conferences." Jenny watched for the confusion and panic to disappear off Leo's face, but it wasn't happening quickly. "We're here for lunch. Remember? You promised to take them for pizza."
Leo swallowed. "Abbey had something to do?"
"Yes, Leo." Jenny spoke like she couldn't believe Leo was asking questions.
"She had a date with the President. The kids are with us all day today and all night. You knew that. This was planned two days ago."
Leo finally nodded blankly and then more assuredly as his mind cleared enough to let him retrieve the memory.
Jenny frowned at him. "You must really be wound up in your work today."
"Where are Abbey and the President?" Leo's voice sounded like he had eaten too many dry crackers.
"I don't know exactly. Why?" Jenny's frown got more pronounced as she noticed that Leo was gripping the papers he was holding with such force that they were wrinkling.
Catching himself, Leo turned and shakily handed the papers to Margaret.
"No reason. I.I just wondered."
Jenny sighed. "With the obstacles Jed and Abbey have navigated to be together, I hope when the times comes and the press finds out it will be nothing but a blip on the radar."
"They can handle them, no problem," CJ agreed. "They are in love; they can handle anything. The way Jed feels about her; he would move mountains and fight dragons, all while learning to like panty hose drying on his shower rod." CJ and Jenny shared a laugh.
A bright smile lit Jenny's face. "I am so happy for them. They were made for each other. They have gotten so close in such as short time. Nothing could get in their way now."
Abruptly, Leo made a fast retreat for his office. He moved quickly, but unsteadily, to the door where he paused for a split second to suck in a breath as if something was sucking the air from his lungs. He then bolted inside, his injured hand banging against the doorframe as he went.
"Enough of this mushy talk." Josh grinned. "Margaret, CJ, go collect Donna and meet me in The Roosevelt Room. Those boxes aren't going to sort themselves."
Jenny seemed to be the only one who took notice of Leo's unusual departure. "Excuse me," Jenny said, ducking around Josh who was playfully tossing
Leah in the air. Jenny stepped into the office and approached him from behind as Leo was standing in front of his desk, shuffling files around and gathering them into not so neat piles. Jenny touched Leo's arm. "Honey?"
Leo jerked away from Jenny, lunging into his desk. He turned angrily to bat her hand away, barely stopping himself before he did.
"I'm sorry, honey, I didn't mean to scare you." Jenny's face looked apologetic. As Leo came to stand still, Jenny studied him. "You okay, Leo? You don't look like you feel too well." She carefully took his bandaged hand between her own. "Is the pain bad?" Jenny's eyes filled with compassion. "Honey, let's get you some medicine."
"I'm okay," Leo mumbled, turning back to his desk so Jenny couldn't see his face.
"You're not hot." Jenny caressed his cheek and felt relief. It would be so dangerous for Leo's hand to get infected. "Are you just hungry? I bet you haven't taken time to eat anything."
"I'm just hungry." Leo's voice sounded hollow.
Jenny's arms went around Leo from behind, her hand running gently back and forth over his stomach. "You shouldn't do that, Leo. You need to eat breakfast to get you through the morning." Jenny kissed his neck softly. "Are you ready to go? Laurie and Leah are ready to eat. Afterwards, I have to get them to a friend's house and I hope you remember that tonight Laurie needs help with her math."
"You don't know where the President and Abbey are?" Leo's voice wavered just a bit.
"No, I just know Abbey had a special afternoon planned. Leo, why do you keep asking me that? Do you need to talk to the President about something?" Jenny hoped that was not the case. "You can reach Abbey on her cell phone or I'm sure the Secret Service know where they are, but I hope you don't have to. She and Jed need time to really get to know each other."
Leo shook his head unsteadily. "I just like to know where they are."
Jenny was about to speak when the phone on Leo's desk rang. With her arms wrapped around him, Leo's sudden jerky movement almost made her lose her balance. "Honey, it's just the phone. Why are you so jumpy?"
By this time, Margaret was at the door. "Leo?"
"Take a message," Leo barked. "I can't talk to anyone."
A startled Margaret nodded, but then found her voice. "It's Toby about the speech. I'll tell him you'll call him later." Margaret left the room.
"Leo, what's wrong with you?" Jenny released him and tried to turn him to face her. "Honey, talk to me."
"I'm okay." Leo snapped in spite of himself. "Can't we just go to lunch?" He broke free from her and moved mechanically out the door.
Jenny stared after him, fear crawling up her spine. Her husband was on the edge and she had no idea why.
"Abbey?" Jed closed the bedroom door behind him. The bed was empty, but Charlie had sworn she had been lying in it when he left. "Abbey, are you in here?"
"Over here."
Jed turned in the direction of her voice and had to fight to keep his bearings. The ham sandwich and iced tea he had brought her almost hit the floor. The whole scenario had a familiar feeling to it. There she was, standing by the bathroom door wearing nothing but underwear. She was a heavenly sight.
"This time I'm not drunk." She walked over to him, trying to keep it in control. How she had longed for this. "And I'm not upset." As she reached him she laid her hands on his chest. His heart seemed to be beating as crazy as hers. "And I'm not mad." She took the sandwich and glass from his hands to then place them on the table beside her.
"You look.." He eyed her up and down, taking it all in.
"So it seems." With one quick move she took the jacket of him and threw it on a chair. "We have some time before you have to be back at the office." She started removing his tie but stopped. "I thought it was time to invite you to Abbey town."
Jed grinned at her. "I bet downtown is really nice." He couldn't believe it. It was finally going to happen.
Abbey smiled as she threw the tie next to the jacket and started unbutton his shirt. With expertise she quickly had undone them all.
Soon he felt the touch of her hands on his bare chest and it was more then he could take. He wrapped his arms around her and their lips met in a tender but hungry kiss.
Their passion was rising fast and in no time they had reluctantly dawn apart as Jed fought to undress in record speed. The look Abbey was giving him was more then enough to say she was appreciating the view. With only boxers on, he scooped up Abbey in his arms and led her to his bed. "I'm guessing you are feeling better?"
"Much." Was her only reply as he started to work his magic on her.
"Can we have dessert, Aunt Jenny, pleeeaaaasssseee?" Laurie and Leah chorused together.
Jenny pretended to think about it as the girls watched her intently. "I suppose. You both ate well at lunch." Jenny looked at their plates with only pizza crust remaining.
Laurie pointed. "Uncle Leo doesn't get dessert then, because he didn't eat." Laurie and Leah giggled.
Jenny looked to Leo's plate which still contained his first piece of pizza barely touched, except for a few bites of the cheese. She had been so busy helping Laurie and Leah with their lunches that she hadn't even noticed what her husband was eating. "Girls, go over to the counter and choose your flavour of ice cream; I'll be right there." She looked back to Leo who had his eyes glued to his plate. "I thought you were hungry?"
Barely glancing up, Leo shook his head.
Jenny's lips pursed into a thin line. What was wrong with him? She leaned forward to try to get him to open up. "Honey, what is it..."
"Aunt Jenny, come on!" Laurie called to her from the counter. Seeing she wasn't getting anywhere with Leo, Jenny sighed and joined the girls.
TBC....
Part 8
Jed looked out the window. It was a beautiful day. It was almost noon and that meant that he and Abbey had another lunch date. These days he made sure to have lunch, considering it was almost the only time he had time to see Abbey at the moment. He was working on some important issues and Abbey was working overtime ever since two doctors had taken ill. He thought about the time when he had been over at Abbey's two days earlier. Everyone had still been reeling from the accident, but now life was slowly starting to creep back to normal. Leo's hand was painful just to look at, but Abbey said she was pleased with its progress. Both Laurie and Leo were recovering very well and that was all that mattered.
Abbey hurried down the corridor. "Charlie. Charlie?" She called out to him as she saw him.
Charlie turned. "Hi, Abbey."
"Hi." She took his arm in hers. "I was wondering if you could help me with something?"
His eyebrows narrowed as he gave her a sideways glance.
"I promise I won't get you in any trouble. In fact, if all goes as planned I'm sure the President will be more than happy to hear that you helped me." She smiled sweetly at him.
Charlie knew that The President and Abbey had a 'newfound' relationship so to speak. "OK, what do you need?"
Abbey smiled. "Oh, nothing really. I just need you to play along with me."
At the moment they reached the Oval Office, the door opened to reveal Jed Bartlet. "Abbey? You're early."
Abbey quickly turned to Charlie and winked at him before turning back to Jed. "Hi, I hope you don't mind." As Abbey let go of Charlie to get closer to Jed, she wobbled and almost fell.
Jed hurried to catch her. "Are you alright?" He was alarmed.
"Yeah, I'm...I'm fine." Abbey looked quickly at Charlie and winked again. "I was just saying to Charlie I haven't been feeling well today." With Charlie and Jed's help, Abbey eased her way to a chair.
Making sure she was seated safely, Jed turned to his aide. "Charlie, get Abbey a glass of water, would you?"
Charlie simply nodded. If he didn't say anything, maybe he couldn't be blamed as an accomplice to whatever Abbey was up to.
Jed knelt next to Abbey. "You sure you're OK?"
"I'm fine. I...I guess I haven't been sleeping much since the accident." That wasn't really a lie. Abbey had had trouble sleeping ever since she had seen Laurie and Leo on the floor.
He took her hands in his. "I understand. Why don't you go upstairs to my room and get some rest? I'll bring some food up to you when I'm done."
Abbey had to keep herself from smiling. This was working perfectly. "No, I'm OK." She knew him well enough to know he would insist and sure enough he did.
As Charlie came back with glass in hand, Jed walked right into Abbey's trap. "Abbey, you need some rest. Charlie, take Abbey upstairs to my room and make sure she gets some rest. That's an order."
Charlie handed Abbey the glass. "Yes, sir."
"I'll check up on you in a little while." Jed rose, kissed her cheek and walked back into the Oval.
"What are you up to?"
Abbey rose and took Charlie's arm in hers. "Moi?"
Charlie couldn't help but to laugh as they made their way to the Presidential bedroom.
"He'll just be a minute," Margaret said, returning to her desk. "He's in the Roosevelt Room with CJ and Josh."
"Thanks, Margaret," Jenny said, standing in the door to Leo's office. She glanced to Leo's bank of televisions to see what Laurie and Leah were doing. "Girls, don't change every TV, just one."
"But I want to watch 'The Brady Bunch' and Leah wants to watch 'Scooby Doo,'" Laurie complained.
"You always get to watch what you want!" Leah was getting mad.
"One TV, girls," Jenny said firmly. "Uncle Leo won't even be too thrilled about that. Choose a show you can both agree on."
"What won't I be thrilled about?" Leo asked, now standing behind Jenny with CJ and Josh.
"Nothing." Jenny smiled at Leo before motioning for Leah and Laurie to come out of the office. "Come on, girls."
Laurie and Leah bounded into the outer office. "Josh!" Leah cried, running to him and jumping into his arms.
"Hey there, cupcake." Josh gave her a hug.
Leo's eyes darted to the girls and then to Jenny. "Why are they here? Where's Abbey?"
Jenny looked up at him. "Leo? They have a half day off for teacher conferences." Jenny watched for the confusion and panic to disappear off Leo's face, but it wasn't happening quickly. "We're here for lunch. Remember? You promised to take them for pizza."
Leo swallowed. "Abbey had something to do?"
"Yes, Leo." Jenny spoke like she couldn't believe Leo was asking questions.
"She had a date with the President. The kids are with us all day today and all night. You knew that. This was planned two days ago."
Leo finally nodded blankly and then more assuredly as his mind cleared enough to let him retrieve the memory.
Jenny frowned at him. "You must really be wound up in your work today."
"Where are Abbey and the President?" Leo's voice sounded like he had eaten too many dry crackers.
"I don't know exactly. Why?" Jenny's frown got more pronounced as she noticed that Leo was gripping the papers he was holding with such force that they were wrinkling.
Catching himself, Leo turned and shakily handed the papers to Margaret.
"No reason. I.I just wondered."
Jenny sighed. "With the obstacles Jed and Abbey have navigated to be together, I hope when the times comes and the press finds out it will be nothing but a blip on the radar."
"They can handle them, no problem," CJ agreed. "They are in love; they can handle anything. The way Jed feels about her; he would move mountains and fight dragons, all while learning to like panty hose drying on his shower rod." CJ and Jenny shared a laugh.
A bright smile lit Jenny's face. "I am so happy for them. They were made for each other. They have gotten so close in such as short time. Nothing could get in their way now."
Abruptly, Leo made a fast retreat for his office. He moved quickly, but unsteadily, to the door where he paused for a split second to suck in a breath as if something was sucking the air from his lungs. He then bolted inside, his injured hand banging against the doorframe as he went.
"Enough of this mushy talk." Josh grinned. "Margaret, CJ, go collect Donna and meet me in The Roosevelt Room. Those boxes aren't going to sort themselves."
Jenny seemed to be the only one who took notice of Leo's unusual departure. "Excuse me," Jenny said, ducking around Josh who was playfully tossing
Leah in the air. Jenny stepped into the office and approached him from behind as Leo was standing in front of his desk, shuffling files around and gathering them into not so neat piles. Jenny touched Leo's arm. "Honey?"
Leo jerked away from Jenny, lunging into his desk. He turned angrily to bat her hand away, barely stopping himself before he did.
"I'm sorry, honey, I didn't mean to scare you." Jenny's face looked apologetic. As Leo came to stand still, Jenny studied him. "You okay, Leo? You don't look like you feel too well." She carefully took his bandaged hand between her own. "Is the pain bad?" Jenny's eyes filled with compassion. "Honey, let's get you some medicine."
"I'm okay," Leo mumbled, turning back to his desk so Jenny couldn't see his face.
"You're not hot." Jenny caressed his cheek and felt relief. It would be so dangerous for Leo's hand to get infected. "Are you just hungry? I bet you haven't taken time to eat anything."
"I'm just hungry." Leo's voice sounded hollow.
Jenny's arms went around Leo from behind, her hand running gently back and forth over his stomach. "You shouldn't do that, Leo. You need to eat breakfast to get you through the morning." Jenny kissed his neck softly. "Are you ready to go? Laurie and Leah are ready to eat. Afterwards, I have to get them to a friend's house and I hope you remember that tonight Laurie needs help with her math."
"You don't know where the President and Abbey are?" Leo's voice wavered just a bit.
"No, I just know Abbey had a special afternoon planned. Leo, why do you keep asking me that? Do you need to talk to the President about something?" Jenny hoped that was not the case. "You can reach Abbey on her cell phone or I'm sure the Secret Service know where they are, but I hope you don't have to. She and Jed need time to really get to know each other."
Leo shook his head unsteadily. "I just like to know where they are."
Jenny was about to speak when the phone on Leo's desk rang. With her arms wrapped around him, Leo's sudden jerky movement almost made her lose her balance. "Honey, it's just the phone. Why are you so jumpy?"
By this time, Margaret was at the door. "Leo?"
"Take a message," Leo barked. "I can't talk to anyone."
A startled Margaret nodded, but then found her voice. "It's Toby about the speech. I'll tell him you'll call him later." Margaret left the room.
"Leo, what's wrong with you?" Jenny released him and tried to turn him to face her. "Honey, talk to me."
"I'm okay." Leo snapped in spite of himself. "Can't we just go to lunch?" He broke free from her and moved mechanically out the door.
Jenny stared after him, fear crawling up her spine. Her husband was on the edge and she had no idea why.
"Abbey?" Jed closed the bedroom door behind him. The bed was empty, but Charlie had sworn she had been lying in it when he left. "Abbey, are you in here?"
"Over here."
Jed turned in the direction of her voice and had to fight to keep his bearings. The ham sandwich and iced tea he had brought her almost hit the floor. The whole scenario had a familiar feeling to it. There she was, standing by the bathroom door wearing nothing but underwear. She was a heavenly sight.
"This time I'm not drunk." She walked over to him, trying to keep it in control. How she had longed for this. "And I'm not upset." As she reached him she laid her hands on his chest. His heart seemed to be beating as crazy as hers. "And I'm not mad." She took the sandwich and glass from his hands to then place them on the table beside her.
"You look.." He eyed her up and down, taking it all in.
"So it seems." With one quick move she took the jacket of him and threw it on a chair. "We have some time before you have to be back at the office." She started removing his tie but stopped. "I thought it was time to invite you to Abbey town."
Jed grinned at her. "I bet downtown is really nice." He couldn't believe it. It was finally going to happen.
Abbey smiled as she threw the tie next to the jacket and started unbutton his shirt. With expertise she quickly had undone them all.
Soon he felt the touch of her hands on his bare chest and it was more then he could take. He wrapped his arms around her and their lips met in a tender but hungry kiss.
Their passion was rising fast and in no time they had reluctantly dawn apart as Jed fought to undress in record speed. The look Abbey was giving him was more then enough to say she was appreciating the view. With only boxers on, he scooped up Abbey in his arms and led her to his bed. "I'm guessing you are feeling better?"
"Much." Was her only reply as he started to work his magic on her.
"Can we have dessert, Aunt Jenny, pleeeaaaasssseee?" Laurie and Leah chorused together.
Jenny pretended to think about it as the girls watched her intently. "I suppose. You both ate well at lunch." Jenny looked at their plates with only pizza crust remaining.
Laurie pointed. "Uncle Leo doesn't get dessert then, because he didn't eat." Laurie and Leah giggled.
Jenny looked to Leo's plate which still contained his first piece of pizza barely touched, except for a few bites of the cheese. She had been so busy helping Laurie and Leah with their lunches that she hadn't even noticed what her husband was eating. "Girls, go over to the counter and choose your flavour of ice cream; I'll be right there." She looked back to Leo who had his eyes glued to his plate. "I thought you were hungry?"
Barely glancing up, Leo shook his head.
Jenny's lips pursed into a thin line. What was wrong with him? She leaned forward to try to get him to open up. "Honey, what is it..."
"Aunt Jenny, come on!" Laurie called to her from the counter. Seeing she wasn't getting anywhere with Leo, Jenny sighed and joined the girls.
TBC....