Lyrics to the song featured here is by Rober Palmer (R.I.P)
Clearing Clouds
Part 10
The following evening CJ approached Jed as she saw him sipping his coffee. "Jed?"
He turned to greet CJ as she approached. "Nice evening, isn't it?"
"Very. Could I talk to you for a moment?" CJ had been dreading this, but couldn't turn back now.
He put the cup of coffee down. "Sure, what's on your mind?"
"I've been seeing someone."
"That's wonderful" He stopped in mid sentence, noting the somber look on her face. "Isn't it?"
CJ took a deep breath before continuing. "Jed, you always said that you wanted me to be happy, right?"
He wasn't sure where this was going. "Yes, and I meant it."
"Well, I am and I want you to know I never once wanted to cause you or The White House any embarrassment."
He was getting impatient but most of all worried. "CJ, what's going on?"
CJ took one of his arms and guided him to one of the windows. "Look, that's who I'm seeing."
Jed looked through the window into Abbey's living room. "CJ, you're going to have to be more specific. There's a dinner party going on and there is a large group of people in there."
CJ took another deep breath. "There to the left, talking to Abbey."
Jed's eyes wandered to the left to Abbey. "All I can see is a woman who." It suddenly dawned on him as he slowly turned to CJ.
"Yes. Her name is Cassie and she's a doctor. Abbey knows her." Her eyes darted down.
Jed lifted her head up to look at him. "Were you afraid to tell me?"
"No, but yes. I mean I knew you personally wouldn't have anything against it, but let's face it, this could someday surface and who knows what people will think."
Jed laid his hand on one of her shoulders. "CJ, that doesn't matter. You found someone and you seem happy. That's all that matters to me. She must be someone special if you love her."
CJ's lips curved into a smile, the first in the whole evening. "She is."
He looked at the woman again. She was a little shorter than CJ with long dark hair and about the same build as CJ. "At least now I know why you weren't that interested in me in the bedroom."
She laughed. How she loved the Bartlet humour.
"Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to interrupt."
Jed and CJ turned to see Jenny at the door to the patio.
"Not at all," CJ said. "We were finished." CJ moved toward the door. "I need to get back inside. I think Abbey's about ready to serve dessert and I don't want to miss it.''
Jenny moved aside to let CJ in and then she stepped onto the patio. "Jed, can we talk for a minute."
Abbey surveyed the living room, continuing to come back to Donna who seemed to be bothering Toby with something. His discomfort made obvious by his pained __expression. Cassie was talking to Carol and making her laugh. Ginger was trading barbs with Margaret and Charlie. Mrs. Landingham was, probably, giving motherly advice to Sam and Mallory. She had sent Laurie and Leah up to bed since it was getting late. It only worked because Josh volunteered to tuck them in. Abbey's eyes briefly focused on Leo who was sitting slumped in his chair, nodding politely to one of her colleagues. Suddenly seeing CJ emerge from outdoors, Abbey made a beeline for her. "So, how did it go?" CJ's huge smile that greeted her was answer enough. "Now go and find Cassie."
CJ could barely nod before Abbey pushed her back into the living room.
Glancing out the door on her way to get the cake, Abbey's own smile faded as she saw Jed and Jenny outside. Whatever they were talking about, it looked serious. That could only mean one thing. Leo.
Since she had asked him to talk, Jenny had been silent; staring nervously passed him like she was fighting tears. Bartlet's concern grew as he and Jenny had always been able to talk about everything. "You're not worried about missing dessert?" The President tried to make a joke. When Jenny didn't laugh, he moved toward her. "Jen, what is it?"
"I'm just...I'm worried, Jed, and I want to make you aware of what's going on in case...just in case..." Jenny hesitated.
"In case what?" The President's mind flew to so many possibilities.
"I'm worried about Leo. He's not himself." Jenny moved to the patio table when the President gestured to it and sat down. "I think he might still be in shock. I think the accident took more out of him than he is letting on. He's constantly on edge, he's not eating, he's not sleeping and he's so easily startled it makes me nervous just to touch him."
"Easily startled?" The President wanted to know more.
"It's happened a couple of times. I've come up behind him and touched him and he just about jumps out of his skin. The worst was last night. I came downstairs in the middle of the night and he was sitting at the table looking at a book. I put my arms around his shoulders from behind and he bolted away from me, knocking over chairs." Jenny decided that Jed needed to know everything. "And he threw a coffee cup at my head." Looking at the speechless President, Jenny continued. "I know he didn't know who I was, Jed. It was dark. But he scooted away from me like he was afraid I would hurt him."
"Jenny, you just startled him. That accident took a lot out of him. We just need to give him some time," assured the President, taking her hand.
"If it was just that one time, Jed, I might agree with you, but there have been other times when I've had that same impression." Jenny continued with the story. "We were going to be intimate, at least I thought we were...I was kissing him and suddenly he was blurting out 'NO' and pulling away from me. When I finally got him to talk, he said he couldn't tell me what was wrong and took off for the shower."
"All right," Jed said, squeezing Jenny's hand. "I don't want to panic yet and I want you to try to remain calm, but I'll talk to him. If he's having trouble dealing with the accident or whatever, we'll get him the help he needs." Jed hugged Jenny. "It's going to be okay. I'll see to it."
Jenny nodded and Jed saw her wipe away a tear as she headed back into the house. The President also went back inside. He wanted to get Leo alone without making too big a deal out of it. Approaching Leo who was politely, but disinterestedly, listening to one of Abbey's doctor friends describe his work, Jed made note of Leo's untouched dessert in his hand. The President picked up a piece of cake himself and catching Leo's eye, motioned to the patio. Leo looked positively thankful and manoeuvred around the guests to the door. "I didn't take you away from anything, did I?" The President smirked conspiratorially.
Leo smiled briefly and shook his head. "You're a welcome distraction, Mr. President."
The President settled himself on a bench. "Hey...you and I need to talk."
Leo joined him. "I know...the vote on Bill 318 is this week. I've got Josh totalling up our support. We..."
The President interrupted. "Leo, how are you doing?"
For one-second Leo's facade cracked and the desire to tell Jed everything overwhelmed him before he was able to force it back down into a quietly controlled secret. "I'm fine, sir."
Always able to hear Leo even when there were no words, the President took a shot in the dark. "Laurie's fine. She's completely recovered from the accident. I know it was scary, but you can't spend every moment worrying that someone might get hurt."
"I know Laurie's fine," Leo snapped. "You're fine...Abbey's fine...Jenny's fine...let's move on."
"I notice you left yourself out of that list. You're not fine, are you, Leo?" The President looked sympathetic, but determined.
"I already told you I was fine!" Leo's voice rose just a little.
"Leo...talk to me..." The President's hand moved to Leo's arm and he was not prepared for Leo to flinch away from him. "You're not fine, Leo, and we need to fix it."
"Just leave it!" Leo insisted standing and looking down at the President.
The President stood. "Until you unintentionally hurt somebody...Jenny told me about the coffee cup..."
Leo looked stricken. "She told you about that?"
"She's worried about you, Leo. It's breaking her heart to see you suffer. You need to talk to someone...me, Jenny, Abbey, someone...you need to tell us what you're feeling...don't hold it all inside and let it eat you alive..." The President moved closer as he was sure he had broken through Leo's defences.
"It's not that simple! You don't know what you're asking about!" Leo stalked off into the house, leaving a bewildered President.
Leo had to be careful. He couldn't let anyone in on what he knew, but feared when they would find out. He shouldn't be doing this, but he had no choice. Really, he didn't. Finding his target he walked outside. "Abbey?"
Abbey looked up. "I'm just taking a breather. "
She would say that. That's what she always said when she wanted to get away from too many people. "Listen, I need to talk to you."
Abbey gestured for Leo to sit next to her. Maybe he wanted to tell her what Jed and Jenny had talked about. Usually when those two talked and looked like the roof had fallen in, it was about Leo. "What about?"
Figuring his best friend might look for Abbey soon, there was no time to lose. "You and Jed."
Abbey's eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "What about us?"
"Look, when word gets out about the two of you, your life will never be the same. Laurie and Leah's lives will never be the same." He hated doing this. He truly did.
Abbey was touched by how much Leo cared and yet, it shouldn't have surprised her that he did. "I know and Jed knows that the girls come first. It's OK, Leo. You don't need to worry."
"I do worry. I mean things will be different for them and things will be different for you. You'll have to have guards all the time and can't have the privacy you have now...."
Leo didn't finish before Abbey jumped in. This didn't sound good. There was more than concern on Leo's mind, she was sure of it. "What are you getting at, Leo?"
"Abbey, don't you think it might be better if you and Jed... well, ended things?" He wanted so much to turn away when those eyes of hers started to feel like they were burning his very skin.
Abbey was shocked. Just what was going on here? "Leo?" The pain in her voice was evident and it burned in him even more.
"I just want you to be happy."
Abbey's anger got the best of her as she jumped up from the bench. "I am happy, so why the hell would you say such a thing?"
Hearing Abbey's voice, hearing what she said and the tone she said it in made Jed walk up to the front door. He wasn't sure if he should make his presence known or stay quiet, but soon Leo spoke up and Jed opted for the later.
"I'm sorry Abbey, I just...." Leo could see the hurt in her whole face.
"Just leave me alone, Leo." When Leo tried to speak up she continued. "Just go."
Leo nodded somberly, but instead of walking back inside, he walked down the steps of the house and left all together.
Abbey really didn't care. She was too upset to go inside and she practically fell down on the bench.
Jed was bewildered. He looked after Leo whose figure was growing smaller in the distance and then at Abbey. He quietly walked outside. "Hey."
Abbey didn't even look up as she felt him sit next to her and take one of her hands in his. He squeezed her hand gently. "What just happened?"
Abbey sighed and composed herself. "Leo thinks you and I should break up."
Jed's eyes grew wide. "What?"
"Yeah. Don't ask me why because I'm as stumped as you." She let go of his hand and got up. "Maybe he's afraid of his role. The closer you get to the kids, the less he might feel they need him."
Jed got up after her. "He knows that will never happen." He thought about his conversation with Jenny and then with Leo. It was clear that Leo was hiding something from them, but what? "Jenny told me that Leo has been acting strange lately, withdrawing from her, closing up and even seemed scared."
Abbey turned to face him. "You think he's in trouble?"
Jed pondered that for a few seconds. "I don't know, but if he is he knows he can come to me. Jenny is afraid he might still be in shock from the accident."
"Still, why would he want us to break up?" Abbey snuggled up to Jed as she felt his arms come around her.
"Don't know, but he knows now that I've got you I'm never letting you go." He kissed the top of her head.
"I hope not." This subject was getting too much for her, so it needed to be changed. "So, did you talk to Cassie?"
"I did and she seems very nice. How long have you known and why didn't you tell me?" He said it lightly to show he wasn't mad, just a little annoyed.
Abbey withdrew, but kept her arms around him "It was up to CJ when and how to tell you and I haven't known that long. The rest of staff has known a little longer, but like me they knew it was up to her to tell you."
Jed nodded, knowing she was right. As she put her head on his chest again, he tightened his grip on her and never wanted to let go. He had forgotten what he had done minutes earlier until he heard the song from the living room. "How about that?"
Abbey raised her head. "What?"
"They are playing our song." He winked at her, hoping it would brighten her spirits.
Abbey listened to the music coming from inside.
Doctor Doctor, gimme the news I got a
Bad case of lovin' you
No pill's gonna kill my ill I got a
Bad case of lovin' you
Abbey smiled as she buried her face in his chest.
I know you like it, you like it on top
Tell me mamma, are you gonna stop?
Then she burst out in loud laughter that warmed the very depth of Jed's soul.
"Leo!"
Leo stopped, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and turned around. "Yes?"
"Why the glum face?"
Leo ignored his comment. "I did as you asked, but let me say it again, Abbey won't break up with him and Jed certainly won't give her up."
"Well, just try again and if that fails there's always Plan B."
"Not much better than Plan A." Leo muttered under his breath.
"Ah, Leo, Plan A really isn't much more then testing the waters. It's Plan B that counts and that won't fail. It will be up to Abbey, but no matter how she chooses I will get what I want. What Abbey took from me will be mine again."
Leo bit back a rude comment, knowing he was at a dead end.
"Goodnight, Leo."
Leo nodded reluctantly. "Lane." Leo watched as his brother walked away and for the very first time in his life really, truly wished Lane had stayed dead.
The End.
Clearing Clouds
Part 10
The following evening CJ approached Jed as she saw him sipping his coffee. "Jed?"
He turned to greet CJ as she approached. "Nice evening, isn't it?"
"Very. Could I talk to you for a moment?" CJ had been dreading this, but couldn't turn back now.
He put the cup of coffee down. "Sure, what's on your mind?"
"I've been seeing someone."
"That's wonderful" He stopped in mid sentence, noting the somber look on her face. "Isn't it?"
CJ took a deep breath before continuing. "Jed, you always said that you wanted me to be happy, right?"
He wasn't sure where this was going. "Yes, and I meant it."
"Well, I am and I want you to know I never once wanted to cause you or The White House any embarrassment."
He was getting impatient but most of all worried. "CJ, what's going on?"
CJ took one of his arms and guided him to one of the windows. "Look, that's who I'm seeing."
Jed looked through the window into Abbey's living room. "CJ, you're going to have to be more specific. There's a dinner party going on and there is a large group of people in there."
CJ took another deep breath. "There to the left, talking to Abbey."
Jed's eyes wandered to the left to Abbey. "All I can see is a woman who." It suddenly dawned on him as he slowly turned to CJ.
"Yes. Her name is Cassie and she's a doctor. Abbey knows her." Her eyes darted down.
Jed lifted her head up to look at him. "Were you afraid to tell me?"
"No, but yes. I mean I knew you personally wouldn't have anything against it, but let's face it, this could someday surface and who knows what people will think."
Jed laid his hand on one of her shoulders. "CJ, that doesn't matter. You found someone and you seem happy. That's all that matters to me. She must be someone special if you love her."
CJ's lips curved into a smile, the first in the whole evening. "She is."
He looked at the woman again. She was a little shorter than CJ with long dark hair and about the same build as CJ. "At least now I know why you weren't that interested in me in the bedroom."
She laughed. How she loved the Bartlet humour.
"Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to interrupt."
Jed and CJ turned to see Jenny at the door to the patio.
"Not at all," CJ said. "We were finished." CJ moved toward the door. "I need to get back inside. I think Abbey's about ready to serve dessert and I don't want to miss it.''
Jenny moved aside to let CJ in and then she stepped onto the patio. "Jed, can we talk for a minute."
Abbey surveyed the living room, continuing to come back to Donna who seemed to be bothering Toby with something. His discomfort made obvious by his pained __expression. Cassie was talking to Carol and making her laugh. Ginger was trading barbs with Margaret and Charlie. Mrs. Landingham was, probably, giving motherly advice to Sam and Mallory. She had sent Laurie and Leah up to bed since it was getting late. It only worked because Josh volunteered to tuck them in. Abbey's eyes briefly focused on Leo who was sitting slumped in his chair, nodding politely to one of her colleagues. Suddenly seeing CJ emerge from outdoors, Abbey made a beeline for her. "So, how did it go?" CJ's huge smile that greeted her was answer enough. "Now go and find Cassie."
CJ could barely nod before Abbey pushed her back into the living room.
Glancing out the door on her way to get the cake, Abbey's own smile faded as she saw Jed and Jenny outside. Whatever they were talking about, it looked serious. That could only mean one thing. Leo.
Since she had asked him to talk, Jenny had been silent; staring nervously passed him like she was fighting tears. Bartlet's concern grew as he and Jenny had always been able to talk about everything. "You're not worried about missing dessert?" The President tried to make a joke. When Jenny didn't laugh, he moved toward her. "Jen, what is it?"
"I'm just...I'm worried, Jed, and I want to make you aware of what's going on in case...just in case..." Jenny hesitated.
"In case what?" The President's mind flew to so many possibilities.
"I'm worried about Leo. He's not himself." Jenny moved to the patio table when the President gestured to it and sat down. "I think he might still be in shock. I think the accident took more out of him than he is letting on. He's constantly on edge, he's not eating, he's not sleeping and he's so easily startled it makes me nervous just to touch him."
"Easily startled?" The President wanted to know more.
"It's happened a couple of times. I've come up behind him and touched him and he just about jumps out of his skin. The worst was last night. I came downstairs in the middle of the night and he was sitting at the table looking at a book. I put my arms around his shoulders from behind and he bolted away from me, knocking over chairs." Jenny decided that Jed needed to know everything. "And he threw a coffee cup at my head." Looking at the speechless President, Jenny continued. "I know he didn't know who I was, Jed. It was dark. But he scooted away from me like he was afraid I would hurt him."
"Jenny, you just startled him. That accident took a lot out of him. We just need to give him some time," assured the President, taking her hand.
"If it was just that one time, Jed, I might agree with you, but there have been other times when I've had that same impression." Jenny continued with the story. "We were going to be intimate, at least I thought we were...I was kissing him and suddenly he was blurting out 'NO' and pulling away from me. When I finally got him to talk, he said he couldn't tell me what was wrong and took off for the shower."
"All right," Jed said, squeezing Jenny's hand. "I don't want to panic yet and I want you to try to remain calm, but I'll talk to him. If he's having trouble dealing with the accident or whatever, we'll get him the help he needs." Jed hugged Jenny. "It's going to be okay. I'll see to it."
Jenny nodded and Jed saw her wipe away a tear as she headed back into the house. The President also went back inside. He wanted to get Leo alone without making too big a deal out of it. Approaching Leo who was politely, but disinterestedly, listening to one of Abbey's doctor friends describe his work, Jed made note of Leo's untouched dessert in his hand. The President picked up a piece of cake himself and catching Leo's eye, motioned to the patio. Leo looked positively thankful and manoeuvred around the guests to the door. "I didn't take you away from anything, did I?" The President smirked conspiratorially.
Leo smiled briefly and shook his head. "You're a welcome distraction, Mr. President."
The President settled himself on a bench. "Hey...you and I need to talk."
Leo joined him. "I know...the vote on Bill 318 is this week. I've got Josh totalling up our support. We..."
The President interrupted. "Leo, how are you doing?"
For one-second Leo's facade cracked and the desire to tell Jed everything overwhelmed him before he was able to force it back down into a quietly controlled secret. "I'm fine, sir."
Always able to hear Leo even when there were no words, the President took a shot in the dark. "Laurie's fine. She's completely recovered from the accident. I know it was scary, but you can't spend every moment worrying that someone might get hurt."
"I know Laurie's fine," Leo snapped. "You're fine...Abbey's fine...Jenny's fine...let's move on."
"I notice you left yourself out of that list. You're not fine, are you, Leo?" The President looked sympathetic, but determined.
"I already told you I was fine!" Leo's voice rose just a little.
"Leo...talk to me..." The President's hand moved to Leo's arm and he was not prepared for Leo to flinch away from him. "You're not fine, Leo, and we need to fix it."
"Just leave it!" Leo insisted standing and looking down at the President.
The President stood. "Until you unintentionally hurt somebody...Jenny told me about the coffee cup..."
Leo looked stricken. "She told you about that?"
"She's worried about you, Leo. It's breaking her heart to see you suffer. You need to talk to someone...me, Jenny, Abbey, someone...you need to tell us what you're feeling...don't hold it all inside and let it eat you alive..." The President moved closer as he was sure he had broken through Leo's defences.
"It's not that simple! You don't know what you're asking about!" Leo stalked off into the house, leaving a bewildered President.
Leo had to be careful. He couldn't let anyone in on what he knew, but feared when they would find out. He shouldn't be doing this, but he had no choice. Really, he didn't. Finding his target he walked outside. "Abbey?"
Abbey looked up. "I'm just taking a breather. "
She would say that. That's what she always said when she wanted to get away from too many people. "Listen, I need to talk to you."
Abbey gestured for Leo to sit next to her. Maybe he wanted to tell her what Jed and Jenny had talked about. Usually when those two talked and looked like the roof had fallen in, it was about Leo. "What about?"
Figuring his best friend might look for Abbey soon, there was no time to lose. "You and Jed."
Abbey's eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "What about us?"
"Look, when word gets out about the two of you, your life will never be the same. Laurie and Leah's lives will never be the same." He hated doing this. He truly did.
Abbey was touched by how much Leo cared and yet, it shouldn't have surprised her that he did. "I know and Jed knows that the girls come first. It's OK, Leo. You don't need to worry."
"I do worry. I mean things will be different for them and things will be different for you. You'll have to have guards all the time and can't have the privacy you have now...."
Leo didn't finish before Abbey jumped in. This didn't sound good. There was more than concern on Leo's mind, she was sure of it. "What are you getting at, Leo?"
"Abbey, don't you think it might be better if you and Jed... well, ended things?" He wanted so much to turn away when those eyes of hers started to feel like they were burning his very skin.
Abbey was shocked. Just what was going on here? "Leo?" The pain in her voice was evident and it burned in him even more.
"I just want you to be happy."
Abbey's anger got the best of her as she jumped up from the bench. "I am happy, so why the hell would you say such a thing?"
Hearing Abbey's voice, hearing what she said and the tone she said it in made Jed walk up to the front door. He wasn't sure if he should make his presence known or stay quiet, but soon Leo spoke up and Jed opted for the later.
"I'm sorry Abbey, I just...." Leo could see the hurt in her whole face.
"Just leave me alone, Leo." When Leo tried to speak up she continued. "Just go."
Leo nodded somberly, but instead of walking back inside, he walked down the steps of the house and left all together.
Abbey really didn't care. She was too upset to go inside and she practically fell down on the bench.
Jed was bewildered. He looked after Leo whose figure was growing smaller in the distance and then at Abbey. He quietly walked outside. "Hey."
Abbey didn't even look up as she felt him sit next to her and take one of her hands in his. He squeezed her hand gently. "What just happened?"
Abbey sighed and composed herself. "Leo thinks you and I should break up."
Jed's eyes grew wide. "What?"
"Yeah. Don't ask me why because I'm as stumped as you." She let go of his hand and got up. "Maybe he's afraid of his role. The closer you get to the kids, the less he might feel they need him."
Jed got up after her. "He knows that will never happen." He thought about his conversation with Jenny and then with Leo. It was clear that Leo was hiding something from them, but what? "Jenny told me that Leo has been acting strange lately, withdrawing from her, closing up and even seemed scared."
Abbey turned to face him. "You think he's in trouble?"
Jed pondered that for a few seconds. "I don't know, but if he is he knows he can come to me. Jenny is afraid he might still be in shock from the accident."
"Still, why would he want us to break up?" Abbey snuggled up to Jed as she felt his arms come around her.
"Don't know, but he knows now that I've got you I'm never letting you go." He kissed the top of her head.
"I hope not." This subject was getting too much for her, so it needed to be changed. "So, did you talk to Cassie?"
"I did and she seems very nice. How long have you known and why didn't you tell me?" He said it lightly to show he wasn't mad, just a little annoyed.
Abbey withdrew, but kept her arms around him "It was up to CJ when and how to tell you and I haven't known that long. The rest of staff has known a little longer, but like me they knew it was up to her to tell you."
Jed nodded, knowing she was right. As she put her head on his chest again, he tightened his grip on her and never wanted to let go. He had forgotten what he had done minutes earlier until he heard the song from the living room. "How about that?"
Abbey raised her head. "What?"
"They are playing our song." He winked at her, hoping it would brighten her spirits.
Abbey listened to the music coming from inside.
Doctor Doctor, gimme the news I got a
Bad case of lovin' you
No pill's gonna kill my ill I got a
Bad case of lovin' you
Abbey smiled as she buried her face in his chest.
I know you like it, you like it on top
Tell me mamma, are you gonna stop?
Then she burst out in loud laughter that warmed the very depth of Jed's soul.
"Leo!"
Leo stopped, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and turned around. "Yes?"
"Why the glum face?"
Leo ignored his comment. "I did as you asked, but let me say it again, Abbey won't break up with him and Jed certainly won't give her up."
"Well, just try again and if that fails there's always Plan B."
"Not much better than Plan A." Leo muttered under his breath.
"Ah, Leo, Plan A really isn't much more then testing the waters. It's Plan B that counts and that won't fail. It will be up to Abbey, but no matter how she chooses I will get what I want. What Abbey took from me will be mine again."
Leo bit back a rude comment, knowing he was at a dead end.
"Goodnight, Leo."
Leo nodded reluctantly. "Lane." Leo watched as his brother walked away and for the very first time in his life really, truly wished Lane had stayed dead.
The End.