Title: Leo's Dilemma part 6/9 Private Times 5 /?
Written By: chipmunk Daylight Series
Pairing: Leo/Margaret
Rating: R
Spoilers: None really
This is AU, doesn't matter the year or the situation.
Plot Development By: Lynn lhjessome@yahoo.com
Beta and Mentor By: Lee pigletnpooh@comcast.net
Disclaimer:
The characters are from the NBC, WB, Bravo, A John Wells Prod.,
TV show, 'The West Wing'.
They own them; therefore, they do not belong to me.
They are the creation and property of Aaron Sorkin. I only borrowed them.
No copyright infringement is intended.
No monetary benefit is received or anticipated.
A 'grateful' and 'enormous' thanks, to the actors and actresses,
who portray the characters 'brilliantly' and bring them to life in my head.
May I never embarrass them or me. This is a learning process for me.
Any mistakes found in this fic, are totally my own fault and ignorance.
Feedback: I'd love it hear your opinion! PLEASE! It helps to improve my writing!
Archived at:
Summary: Leo is attacked. Margaret is a target.
Note: CURSE WARNING: Leo's hurting and not too careful with his words.
It gets a little warm in some sections.
****
It's 4pm and Leo moans and tries to curl onto his side in the bed, but it is too painful and, too much effort to sit up. Margaret appears at the doorway at the sound of his moans and when she hears a soft "Damn" coming from the bed, she moves in to help Leo.
"Hang on, Leo," Margaret cautions him. "You've stiffened up again, from lying down for so long. Let me get Abby to help you up." She wipes his hair back off his forehead. "Don't hurt yourself more by trying to do it yourself. It'll just make your recovery time that much longer."
"OK, get Abby. I do need help to get up." He asks as she's leaving the room, "Is it warm or just me and this wrap?"
"It is warm, Leo." Margaret double checks to see if he's going to lie there till she gets back with Abby, " I'll be right back."
"Hey, Leo." Abby enters the room in full command. " I'm glad you followed my advice and rested. You must have needed it." She helps him to swing his legs over the edge of the bed and makes him wait a moment before standing him up, incase he's a bit lightheaded. "It's 4pm. You slept all afternoon." She looks at his face to see if the swelling is getting better. "Margaret said you're feeling warm." Abby places a hand on his forehead.
"Abby," Leo has some laughter in his voice.
"Yes, Leo", she's grins, at the amusement in his voice.
He teasingly compliments her methods. "That's a very professional way of testing for a fever." He then taunts her again at the smirk on her face, "My mother always used to kiss my forehead to see if I had a fever."
"OK, Leo," Abby smiles and kisses his forehead as he suggests. "That's not very professional either. I think you're just collecting kisses," she teases him back and winks at Margaret and Jed in the doorway.
"Now, he's stealing kisses from my wife." Jed acts angry, "I may just have to throw the bum out."
"How are you going to do that?" Leo challenges, "With me wearing your clothes and the ones I wore back here, to the White House, are probably trashed by now?" Leo changes the questioning, "Speaking of clothes, am I going to get mine from the hotel, any time soon? I'm roasting in these big ass sweatpants of yours." Leo points out a few major facts, about getting them, "I'm not able to go get them and I don't want Margaret any where near the hotel. The attackers might be watching the place, for a chance to grab one of us."
Jed concedes and gives up some of the plan he had to keep Leo with him, "I'll get Ron to send someone over to your room. They can get you some of your things to last you over night and a suit for tomorrow. They can bring the rest of it tomorrow, when we make a decision as to your new address."
"Good, just tell them to grab my satin pants. I need something cooler to wear." Leo's thinking of any other instructions that they might need, "Better tell them to get a suit that uses my suspenders."
"Satin pants, Leo," Jed asks with some surprise. "That sounds rich and sexy at the same time."
"Well, that leaves you out, Jed," Leo knows a good dig when he sees it coming. "You're just not 'classy' enough for satin," Leo taunts him for some payback. "Notre Dame soft clothes are just not up to the same standard."
"Abby, I didn't know you could get them in men's sizes," Jed complains in disappointment. "I want satin sleep wear like Leo's," Jed demands and whines at the same time.
"They never stop competing, do they?" Margaret makes this observation to Abby.
Abby has been checking under Leo's shirt at the current condition of the elastic wrap. "No, they don't," Abby, agrees with her. "It's just a habit with them after all these years. I'm sure tomorrow he'll have Charlie go purchase him some." She now addresses Leo, "The good news is: I think the swelling is going down on your face, so no more compresses. You now, just resemble all the colors of the rainbow." She informs all of them of the next part. "The bad news is: they're having trouble with the A/C again today and it might get warmer if it gives out all together. Being Sunday, the maintenance crew is a short staff and they're working on it."
Leo suggests with a hopeful look at Abby, "Can I at least take off my shirt and just wear the wrap. There's no one around the Residence that would be offended. Everyone here has seen most of me, during the last 24 hours and I'm hot with this wrap on and with the sweatpants." He ends his case and looks at the two at the door for support.
"Sure, Leo." Abby looks at the doorway also for any protests. "Jed, help me get his shirt off." Abby makes a suggestion, "Margaret, it might help to cool him off, if you get some cool water and wipe off on his bare skin. There should be a small plastic dish under the sink, in the attached bathroom."
Jed teases Leo with a question, while he removes the shirt, "You just wanted a reason to get this fine Notre Dame shirt off, right?" He doesn't hear Leo snide retort with his head covered while he's removing the shirt. "Josh and Donna are coming back up to join us for dinner." Jed keeps talking as he tries not to hurt Leo. "I thought it would be nice to spend some casual time with them this evening and Josh refuses to go home anyway. He wants to be here, if he needs to handle any problems for you."
Leo is shallow breathing, after the job of Jed trying to take his head off, again. "That's fine with me. Donna won't be 'shocked and appalled'." Leo revels why, "Josh and I, tend to shed our shirts at the apartment, in this heat."
Margaret returns with the cool water and a cloth. She hears the last of Leo comment. She adds to clarify and tease, "Yeah, Donna and I are way beyond that stage with the two of them. In the heat we've had this summer, Leo runs around in his satin pants and bare feet. Josh wears these big, baggy, silk basketball pants." She gives Abby a knowing look, since she's smiling at Margaret's comments, "Neither one of them are what you would call shy around family. You obviously haven't had Leo stay over, when its just adults and none of them are your kids." She tells more in a hushed tone, "There are times I'm impressed that Josh has on that much. He would wear less, if he thought Leo and I would let him get away with it."
Abby pipes in with a smirk, "No, we've always had at least
one of the at home with us. Being alone
in the Residence, by ourselves, is new to us, with Zoey in college. This just might be a new side of Leo for
us."
"Well, I'm here to warn you, Abby." Margaret has that Sisterhood look, "There's not just Leo and his friend here, which are alike. I can tell you that Josh, makes it three of a kind," Margaret's not worried about the guys being in the room to hear the conversation. It's not anything she wouldn't say in front of them. She's really honest that way.
"Jed and I will come back when you need us." Abby lets her know that they're going to leave them alone for a while. "You can cool Leo off first and Jed can track him down some of his own clothes."
"Remember, Margaret, that's cool him down, not warm him up." Jed gets a dig at her in payback for her remarks just now against the guys.
"Thanks, Jed. You just nipped that in the bud," Leo complains to his friend, who's closing door. "Paybacks are hell, Jed. I'll just insist in sleeping with the door open tonight and see if that curtails your nocturnal activates."
"Damn, I hadn't thought of that." Jed slams the door.
"Leo, hold still. I don't want to bump your bandaged hands," Margaret scolds him as she trying to wipe his upper back with the cool cloth.
He's wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning into her abdomen with a sign. "Margaret, that's feels wonderful and you smell nice."
"Leo, you're going to hurt you face and your hands," she warns him again.
"Margaret, I don't care. I just want to be close to you. Just for a moment," Leo sounds content to stay were he is, his arms giving her a squeeze.
She leans back and drops him a quick kiss. "Me too, Leo. Me too. We'll get this all worked out." She continues to lovingly wipe him cool. She's just glad she's able to give him this little comfort. She tries not to think of what she would be doing right now, if the attackers had gotten him into their van. She hugs him close with one arm and wipes down the back of his arm with the other, just wanting to hold him pressed close to her.
****
At 6pm, Josh and Donna arrive back at the Residence for dinner and some down time. They're grateful that Abby and the President are allowing them the opportunity to spend time with Leo right now. They want to be close to him, just like the First Couple does. Jed is on a couch waiting for the food service to arrive with the meal. "Hey, Josh. Donna. Any word on the progress of the A/C?"
Josh jumps right in, "Yes, there is and it's bad news, though. They may have to take it totally off line this evening to repair it."
"That's all they do this summer is repair that thing." Jed grumbles at the memory of the number of times. "It must be held together with spit and twine."
"Just about, Sir. They're trying to time the shut down between dusk and your bedtime." Josh to put a positive light on it, "They want to have it running again, so you can get some sleep tonight. They know you can't run a country with no sleep. They are very serious about this. This is personal to them." Josh is impressed that the maintenance crews are so dedicated to the comfort of the First Couple, but he knows no job is too small when you work in the White House. Josh looks over at his convalescing friend, "Hey, Leo. You feeling better after getting some sleep this afternoon?"
"I'd say I got some sleep. I slept through lunch." Leo considers why he slept so well in the middle on the day, "The whirlpool must have relaxed the muscles and then the pain meds kicked in and I was out like a light."
Donna crosses to where Abby is huddled with Margaret again. Abby looks up with a smile as she joins them on the couch. Abby looks over and informs Leo, "After dinner, Leo, Margaret's going to supervise your bath again. At least you won't have the compresses this time."
"Thank god for that," Leo's truly pleased. The wrap will be off and no hot and cold towels.
"So, Margaret helps you with your bath, Leo?" Josh can't resist the chance to tease, "This little arrangement is sounding better for you, all the time."
"You can get your mind out of the gutter, Josh." Leo is on the defensive when it comes to Margaret and teasing about her taking care of him. "I got enough ribbing from him this morning," he nods his head at Jed and hesitates for the snicker he knows is coming from him. "For you information Josh, I wear my boxers in the tub, just like swimwear. Just ask that couple, they came in this morning, one to torture me and one to heckle me in the tub."
"Sounds like a fun filled evening, Leo," Josh gives a quick comeback.
"Not funny, Josh." Leo warns. Josh just grins that Leo feels well enough to complain.
Dinner arrives and Josh helps Leo to the table. Dinner is an enjoyable experience with the men teasing the women and each other. Abby hates to breakup the table party, but it's time for Leo's treatment in the tub. "Leo you're sitting there hunched over the table." She waves a hand at Leo, "Margaret, he's all yours."
"He has been mine, for quite for awhile," she grins at her own joke. "Come on, Leo. I'll be gentle. You get to just soak tonight."
"Well, this part's usually interesting," Leo gets macho for the guys benefit.
"My man, Leo," Josh cheers him on.
"Too bad he hurts too much to enjoy it," Margaret shots down, the both of them.
"Damn, I knew I forgot the drawback to this," Leo grumbles as he enters Jed's bathroom.
"Can you let us know if his clothes arrive, while he's in the tub? He'll want to wear his satin pants," Margaret asks over her shoulder as she steadies Leo through the bathroom door. "Donna, you know what the look like. Can you send them in with Josh if they arrive?"
Jed still looks at Donna with some surprise that she's so casual with Leo.
"Sure, Margaret, I'll let you know," Donna promises. She and the other three are clearing the table and decide on a card game of 500, while Leo's in the whirlpool. They know Margaret won't leave him alone in the tub, she's afraid he might drown.
****
Once inside the bathroom, the first thing Leo wants is his arms full of Margaret and a passionate kiss. Good thing his damaged lips are healing fast. When they come up for air, Leo is holding on to her for more than just passion. He's not able to stand for long periods. Margaret guides Leo to the stool and turns on the water adding the sea salts. She returns to Leo and proceeds to unwrap him. "You're just smiling because I have my arms around you, to unwrap you."
"I'm just happy anytime I'm in your arms." He gives her a questioning look and asks her, while they have some privacy, "You going to be OK, with us sharing a bed here tonight?" He waits to give her time to answer. He doesn't want to rush her or to pressure her on her answer.
"Yeah, Leo. I'm OK with that. I guess after last night of sleeping just a few feet away from them in the Master bed," she rolls her eyes at the mere reminder of it and of her panic, "a room of our own will seem like plenty of privacy." She has been unwrapping his bandaged hands. She places a kiss on an undamaged area of each hand, as she holds them out to look at the healing.
"Thanks, Margaret, I really want and need to hold you tonight and for you to hold me too," Leo admits, he's not looking forward to the nightmares. He didn't have them today, maybe because in the back of his mind, he knew it was daylight out.
''I agree, Leo. I guess I'm going to be really clingy with you for awhile," she honestly admits her anxiety about him.
She orders after she stands him up, "OK, Leo. You know the drill."
"Drop em," they both say, at the same time and chuckle together. Leo moans afterward, as his ribs are unwrapped. He just can't remember that it hurts to laugh and he's so happy to be with Margaret and his friends. She wraps the towel around him, when he drops the sweats behind it and turns to grab his boxers from the tub nozzle. His boxers sure are getting a workout this weekend.
Leo soaks in the Whirlpool about 20 minutes and is starting to wrinkle. He tells her that the sea salts don't really bother his hands this time and that the cuts must be starting to heal.
Margaret hears a tap on the door and Josh sticks his head in, with a pair of satin pants in his hand. "Donna said you needed these after he gets out."
"Actually, Josh, he needs 'you' now, to steady him out of the tub." Margaret was just going to get him and ask about clothing for Leo. "This is where I would be in real danger of throwing my back out. I just barely got him out the first time and Abby got him out this morning."
"Sure, I can help," Josh bounces in the room willing and able to help. After he has Leo on dry land. Margaret throws him out to get Leo dry and dressed.
Margaret sits him down on the stool and he's grinning about the quick kiss to his jet again. He just loves it when she does that, now. That kiss just might be private little thing that she does from now on to show affection to him. He can live with that and by the smirk on her face, she's agreeable to that. "Sit here a minute, Leo." Margaret tells her hopeful plans to him. "I'm going to go get Abby to look at your hands. The bruising is getting more colorful, but the swelling and cuts look better. She can help with the bandaging and wrapping. She does it better than I do." Margaret always wants the best for her Leo.
Abby and the rest of the crew, arrive to check out Leo's hands and to get a better look at he bruising on his ribs. "You know, I should sell tickets. We might be able to balance the budget with the proceeds," Leo growls but he has a grin on his face as he sees the concern and caring in his friends' faces. Abby wraps his ribs and then bandages his hands for the night.
****
Back out in the sitting area they have Leo again lying on one couch and Margaret's sitting at the end this time and his legs are over her lap. The other couples each grab a couch, in the horseshoe of couches.
"It's going to be movie night in the Residence." Jed announces like he's ordering in the in the Oval Office. "First we need to get into comfortable clothes, you said earlier. I, for one, am starting to roast without the A/C."
"OK, I agree with you, Jed." Abby rises from her place on the couch, "I'm changing too. Josh and Leo can be shocked if they want, but I'm getting my jammies on," Abby warns with a tease in her voice.
"Uh Oh, now I'm worried guys." Jed shakes a finger at her, "Abby, you be nice. You don't want to give Leo a heart attack by wearing something sexy."
"Jed, you're the one killing Leo with all the teasing." Abby scolds, "Look at him, he's practically in tears, his ribs are hurting from trying not to laugh out loud." She gives Jed a look, which speaks volumes to him.
He throws his hands up in defense. "I'll quit. I wouldn't hurt Leo for the world, but I just couldn't resist and he understands that." Leo's making little panting moans as he laughs and shaking his head yes at Jed. He'll kill him next week.
"So, let's get changed and meet back here shortly." Jed's delighted to get the show on the road.
"Margaret, come with me and I'll get you something to sleep in." Abby invites, with a smirk at the guys.
"OK, Abby. That sounds great to me. " Margaret agrees, even she's getting warm after being in long jeans all day.
"Donna, how about you? For something to watch the movie in?" Abby offers with a smile.
"Thanks, but I'm fine in my sundress." Donna is pleased to be asked.
Josh pipes up. "Abby, do you have a problem with me taking off my shirt. I'm roasting."
"No, Josh, it's fine. We were warned ahead of time that they have trouble keeping clothes on you at the apartment." Abby teases him and agrees, smiling at his happy grin.
With laughter in his voice he responds quickly, "I'm not that bad. I just like to be comfortable and besides Leo's not wearing a shirt," Josh just has to point that out, in his defense.
"Yeah, we heard that both of you are 'not too shy'." Jed likes to get in a double dig and score more points. "Well, I'm wearing a shirt. The Secret Service prefer I sleep in a shirt and pants of some kind. Just goes with the job."
The three of them leave and return shortly. Margaret, being the cold blooded one of the three, has on her favorite of satin pants and a tight tank top. Abby has opted for a long satin button up shirt with matching shorts, that show off her nice legs and Jed is more than pleased. Jed is naturally in a Notre Dame t-shirt and a pair of gray workout cotton shorts. He's in bare feet like Leo. "Josh you'd better ditch your shoes and socks now. We know your going to shed them as soon as the movie starts". Jed adds with a backhanded dig. Josh grins and complies.
"Nice shorts, Jed," Leo teases in front of the other women.
"At least I have better legs than you do."
"Yeah, you do, but I may want a new vote on that. When I'm able to reach down and pull up my pants leg. I may have better voters this time." Leo has his politician mind at work.
"OK, let's be diplomatic on the movie for the evening." The President is in full democracy mode. "We have playing on AMC, 'The Quiet Man' or on TMC, we have 'African Queen'. I'd like a show of hands, now. How many for 'The Quiet Man' and how many for 'African Queen'." Jed officially gives the results, "A tie of course, guys against gals." He decides as the host, "I'll flip a coin that Josh is going to loan me and that will break the tie."
"Here you go, glad to be of service." Josh is grinning, at being at the service of the President in any little matter.
"Thank you, Josh." Jed is treating it like a substantial loan. "Here we go, heads it's 'The Quiet Man' and tails it's 'African Queen'."
He flips it onto the coffee table and it lands on heads for 'The Quiet Man', the movie the females wanted. The women 'so' love John Wayne and the guys will like it also, they just won't admit it.
"Can we do two out of three tosses?" He's grinning at the ladies, hoping they'll let him try again.
"No," all three women answer him.
"Guess they get their way again, guys." Jed resigns to his fate, along with the other two guys.
"Did you ever doubt it? I've had first hand experience with the Sisterhood and it's not pretty." Leo smiles at the memory, "Well, they probably thought it was at the time." He sees Jed's head swing around in question," I'll tell you at a later date, Jed. Josh can back up my story."
Jed, for once, lets it ride and turns on the channel and lays the remote back down. He gives Abby a kiss as he pulls her close to his side.
"None of that, you two. We have rules about movie night," Leo scolds with Margaret grinning from where she sitting on the edge of the couch.
The First Couple laugh, not in the least upset with getting into trouble about the rules. "OK, tell us the rules." Jed sounds like this is going to take the fun right out of movie watching.
Donna pipes up, getting in probably her only dig at the President. She's also feeling brave snuggled up to Josh. "Since the women actually 'want' to watch the movie, necking, which is Leo's phrase, is reserved to only during the commercials."
Margaret now jumps in with another rule, "The lights have to be down low, like in the theatre."
"OK, Josh, you turn off that one beside you and I'll get this one behind me. Is the lamp by the door too much light?" Jed is getting into the whole mood of movie night.
"No, that's fine," Margaret answers, since she wants just a little light, so she can keep an eye on Leo.
"Any other rules we need to know?" Jed asks before he gets into trouble again.
"Yeah, you have to cuddle up close. Cuddling is the most important part," Leo adds his favorite part.
"Well, that part sounds good to me." Jed stretches out and Abby spoons in against him on the center couch. Leo and Margaret are on the left couch, so he can lay on his good right side and see the TV. Margaret takes a little longer to get behind a sore Leo. His meds will be due soon and right now the morning ones are about gone. Josh and Donna are on the right side of the horseshoe of couches, doing their pretzel impression, with josh propped in the corner. His arm is around behind her. She's sitting beside him and her legs are thrown over his, toward the back of the couch. She rests her head on his bare chest and turns her face toward the TV. Josh rests his chin on the top of her head and put his other arm across them both, to hold Donna securely.
"Leo, are you sure that we can untangle Josh and Donna when the movie is over?"
"Yeah, that's the way they curl up, every time, to watch movies." Leo reveals a more amazing fact. "They even manage that in a recliner." He states as a given, "They just like to be 'really' close."
"God, that makes my back ache just to look at them," Jed admits with a tease. Josh and Donna are giggling at this point. They're just happy to be young and be able to get tangled together.
****
With the opening credits, Jed's inspired to reveal some neat trivia that he possesses about the movie and related matters. "Hey, guys, did you know that director John Ford was of Irish decent?"
Margaret pipes up, since John Wayne is her favorite old movie actor, "Yeah, but did you also know that John Wayne is of Irish decent. His 'real' last name is Morrison and his immigrant ancestor was Robert Morrison from Antrim, Ireland. He was an Associate Judge in southern Ohio. He was a military man also."
Jed took up the trivia challenge, "OK, I'll give you that bit of facts. In this movie, did you know that the little matchmaker guy and the protestant minister were really brothers, with different last names?"
"No, but now that I think about it, they do look similar." Margaret concedes that one, but challenges Jed again, "Did you know that when Maureen O'Hara went to slap John Wayne in the first kissing scene, he blocked the slap with his arm and it resulted in a broken bone in her hand?"
He now pulls out first hand knowledge, "It is a fact that the filming in Ireland was only two weeks long, because they didn't have any hotels big enough to accommodate the film crews. They have lovely small hotels in Ireland. Abby and I stayed in one when we went over for our first anniversary. That was during the time I was in London at the London School of Economics. We really loved Ireland!"
The first set of commercials comes on the TV and Abby turns over to pull Jed into a passionate kiss, putting an end to the trivia contest. Leo has the same idea and gently pulls Margaret down for some much needed necking. Josh and Donna are very much involved in their own little world as this is the first time this weekend that they have had any quality time together. Jed comes up for air as the movie starts up again and is thankful for the semi-dark lighting. Abby definitely knows what to do in the dim movie lighting. He needs to cool down, but he, for once, wishes for more commercial breaks on the TV.
Jed glances over at Josh and Donna and they are breaking their own movie rule. They are still hot at it. They're so tuned to each other that they don't even notice when the commercials end. Jed can't resist and he needs something to take his mind off his wife lying in his arms. "Hey, you two. Get a room," he teases, knowing Donna will just die.
Josh is more game and taunts back, "You two need to get a room, yourselves." Both of the other couples chuckle at the brave retort. They also hear Donna take a sharp breath in and then a sharp slap on bare skin is heard and the responding, "Ouch". Leo and Margaret Laugh at that exchange and Leo ends in a moan. They both recognized the sound of Donna slapping Josh on the bare chest.
Jed and Abby smile at each other in the near darkness, recognizing themselves in the young couple.
****
The second block of commercials come on and the couples only make little rustling sounds as they snuggle close and get lost in each other. The kissing of lips is the background sound to the commercials. Time flies and time rolls back, to a time when necking was a journey of discovery. For one couple, it's a time to rediscover their own, wonderful old memories. To one couple, a discovery of new memories to cherish and for the third couple, a time of discovery for new memories, that replaces the fading ones of the past. Much to the regret of the three couples in the dim light, the commercials do not last long enough or maybe in the case of some, they end just in time.
Leo's heard to say to Margaret, as the movie starts back up, "I feel so much better after a good session of necking with you." He snuggles in closer to her, very relaxed.
"Is it her magical kisses, Leo?" Jed asks in a teasing voice, from his comfortable place stretched out behind Abby on their couch.
"Yah, I do think you're right, Jed. It must be her magical kisses?" Leo agrees, while lying in Margaret's arms.
"Sorry guys, you can quit teasing Margaret," Abby decides to drop in bit of trivia of her own, "It's just Leo's endorphins starting to work, which are hormonal pain killers that help to relieve his pain. His body produces them when he exercises, like with the attack." She points out a good example, "Remember, he didn't hurt as bad, as you'd have imagined Saturday night." She pauses to let that sink in. Then she gets in a tease of her own at Leo, "They're also produced when he gets excited, like when he's necking. So his pain level is down naturally from the endorphins."
Leo cheerfully takes the dig at him, "Oh boy, now I have a legitimate reason to neck at every opportunity." He raises his right arm and cups Margaret's head down for a passionate kiss.
"Hey, Leo, you know the rules! The movie is on." Josh scolds him, since he has to refrain from kissing while it's on.
"OK, everyone. I'll be good and obey the rules, but it 'was' for medicinal purposes," he tries to chuckle and just ends up softly groaning at his own joke.
"Leo, just cuddle with me and behave." Margaret rubs his hair back to calm him. He just loves that.
"Yes, Margaret. I will, till the next set of commercials," Leo promises with a lilt in his voice.
****
By the third set of commercials Leo's asleep in Margaret's arms. "Margaret, is he asleep?"
Margaret just nods her head yes, as she peers over at Leo's face, but she can tell by his slow even breathing that he's sound asleep.
"He never sleeps in front of people." In the dim light, he gazes over at a peaceful Leo, "I'm so glad he feels comfortable enough to sleep now," Jed voices an opinion, that they all share and are feeling blessed by.
Thirty minutes later, when two lead males on the TV are loudly arguing, Leo starts to get restless, just like the previous night. He mumbles and then he calls out for Margaret in a sleep held panic. She caresses his face and arm. Margaret whispers to him that he's safe and that she's safe with him. She knows at this moment, not to hug him tightly as he would just struggle more. Leo's still caught in the demons of his dream and thrashes about more, moving too much for the condition of his ribs. The pain is adding to his sleeping confusion. Margaret continues to whisper soothing words into his ear, stroking where she can touch and yet not hurt him, and giving him tender kisses on his head. Finally, she gets him awake enough to realize that he's dreaming and that they are both safe. He rolls slowly toward her, to lie flat on the couch. She rubs gently across the top of his chest and continues to reassure him.
Leo whispers to her with a gruff and frighten voice, "Margaret, they had you and I couldn't get you away from them. I was so scared. They just kept hitting on me." Leo had a hitch in his voice and tears were shining in his eyes, ready to spill over. "Then they laughed and crowd around you. I could see their arms moving, like they were hitting you and you were crying. I couldn't help you. I couldn't move." Leo voice had gotten softer, so the others wouldn't overhear him. The tears are now flowing quietly down his cheeks. Margaret tenderly kisses the tears on his cheek next to her, and then reaches up and gently wipes the tears from his other cheek. She's aware of only his need to be comforted. The other couples notice Leo's struggle to fight the terror that remains of his nightmare and are quiet, while Margaret comforts him. Jed really is having a hard time, watching his friend suffer. He wants to go and console Leo. When he starts to rise, Margaret silently holds up a hand to halt him, not even considering that she's firmly telling the President no. She understands that Jed is hurting, right along with Leo. Abby pulls Jed back down, before Leo notices his action and might be embarrassed that others had witnessed his tears, even if it's his best friend. Jed eyes are moist as he hugs Abby in sympathy. The couple on the other couch is quietly just holding each other tight and Donna's wiping a tear, of her own, away. They both are feeling sad and helpless. Wishing that their friend's suffering was not more than physical.
Leo relaxes in Margaret arms, with her calming touch and voice he slips back to sleep. His body's physical need to recuperate in sleep is overruling the fears in his dreams.
****
The movie is over at 11 pm and to the amazement of the First Couple, Josh and Donna unwind easily and sit-up. Josh pulls his shirt back on, in preparation for leaving. Donna and he need to be back at the White House in about 8 hours. They walk over to where Leo is sleeping in Margaret's arms. Josh is relieved that Leo has been asleep for the rest of the movie. Margaret's has been gently stroking back, the side of his hair, to keep him asleep and to hopefully hold off the nightmares. Donna leans gently over the end of the couch and kisses Leo on the forehead. Then she does the same to Margaret, knowing that she needs one, almost as much as Leo. Josh, not knowing how to make it easier for his friends, places small kisses on both of them, to match Donna's. He quietly suggests, "Margaret, we probably need to wake him, if you need me to stand him up."
"Yeah, Josh, your right. His meds are due and he's going to have trouble moving after lying down so long." She gently says Leo's name beside his ear, and rubs on his outside arm, "Leo, Leo, we need to help you up and move into the bedroom, now."
He wakes slowly, "Yeah, OK. Damn, I can hardly move." Leo's struggling to sit-up, as he slowly tries to slide his feet to the floor.
"It's OK, Josh is still here to get you up," Margaret tries to stop him from automatically attempting to stand.
"Always knew we'd find him useful, if we let him hang around long enough." Leo jokes to cover the pain.
Josh cups Leo's far calf in his hand and cups his other hand on Leo's opposite shoulder, to swing Leo around to a sitting position. They wait a moment for Leo to get his bearings and to rub the dry tears from his face. Neither man is uncomfortable by their presence. Josh just moves on, with helping Leo, "OK, Leo. Just let me do the work." Josh squats and lifts Leo up to his feet. He's being especially easy, he knows that Leo's pain meds are completely worn off. Leo quietly sucks in air between clenched teeth. "Leo, do you want to wait a second, before we move? How are you doing with standing?" He notices that Leo's a little shaky, "I think we need to get in the other room. You look like your not going to be on your feet for long." Josh is doing all the talking, to cover any discomfort Leo might be having, especially with him being so dependent on Josh for support. Leo is in bad shape. The pain meds are due and he's not been moving for several hours. He thought he would be much better this evening.
"I haven't had this much trouble standing since before rehab." He jokes again, a remark he would only make to the closest of friends.
Josh walks Leo to the spare room, "You want to rest on the side of the bed, or do you think you need to use the restroom, before you sit down."
"Rest room first. If I sit, I'm done." Leo can guarantee that.
Margaret has gone to get his meds from Abby and some ice water to swallow them with.
Josh maneuvers Leo to the bed, after the quick trip to the restroom. "You OK now?"
"Yeah, it's the getting up and down that really kills me." Leo says it like it's a big secret. "Thanks, Josh. I really mean that."
"That's what sons do for old friends of their father's, Leo." Josh softly adds, "There's just you and me left now, Leo." Josh very naturally gives Leo a quick kiss on the brow like he would to any family member. Last night really scared Josh, more than he is letting on to the others. Josh sees the sad, but pleased look on Leo's face and he exits the room in search of Margaret and Donna.
"Hey, Margaret, I have him on the side of the bed now." He adds, "Donna and I are going to cut out now." Josh turns to address the First couple, "Thanks for having us up here for movie night. It was great!" He calls from the door, "See ya, tomorrow!"
"See you, tomorrow, Josh." Jed calls back and advises, "Get some sleep. You're going to need it for the coming week."
"Thanks for being here." Abby lets him know, "I'll get Leo up in the morning. Sleep in an extra half hour in the morning. I just know, you were planning to get here early to help."
"Yeah, I was." Josh admits, "I'll be in my office at 7am, if you need me and I'll help to get him to his office in the morning. Just call me when he's ready." He turns to the President with a smile. "Be nice. Let him wear something beside a Notre Dame t-shirt to staff meeting tomorrow," Josh can't resist getting a friendly dig at the President before he leaves.
"Yeah, sure. He's suffering enough. I got enough delight in seeing wear them here," the President admits.
Abby checks on the A/C situation as it has been cutting on and off all evening. Jed calls in for his final security briefing. After his call, Jed goes over to the open door of the spare bedroom and he sees Margaret getting Leo to lie back on a mountain of pillows, which Abby had delivered just minutes ago. "Just wanted to check in one last time to see if he needed anything." He raises his voice, "Good night, Leo. Anything you need?"
"I'm fine. I've got Margaret." Is Leo's happy reply.
Jed seriously advises, "Margaret, you hold him tight tonight. He'll be fighting 'demons in the dark' tonight and for a while longer. I know."
"I will, Jed. We fight the demons together, his and mine." She leans against the side of the bed gently holding one of Leo's bandaged hands.
"Yeah, Leo got lucky. You two are the real thing." Jed is happy to point out, "Margaret, that's the first time you've called me, Jed. Are we friends now?" He moves farther into the room.
"Yeah, I've realized that we both love Leo and that alone makes us feel close. You trust the relationship that Leo and I have, and support us. That's what friends do."
"So, you'll call me, Jed, now?" he wants a promise.
She's still a little uncertain with him, "I'm going to follow Leo's lead, as to when. Just like him, I'll call you Jed, in your home and at the farm, unless it deals with the White House business." She confesses to him, "I'm glad that Abby and you are considering me a friend. I know in the world that Leo, Abby and you live in, that's not a gift given lightly."
"Thanks, Margaret. It's not everyday I get a 'new' close friend," Jed softly replies. He leans over and kisses her forehead and does the same with Leo, "Night, Leo."
Leo answers from the bed, "You're right, Jed. It 'is' the real thing." He bends his arm and brings her hand to his lips and places a kiss on it. "Night, Jed."
Jed closes the door with a smile.