Title: Leo's Dilemma part 8/9 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.
****
Charlie is just leaving, after checking with the President and being made aware of Leo's attack. Charlie had been happy to offer any assistance that Leo might need in the week to come.
Agent Ron Butterfield and Agent Cooper enter the main Sitting room of the Residence at the expected time. "Good Morning, Ron, Coop." The President welcomes the agents in, as the outside agent closes the door behind them.
"Mr. President. Mr. McGarry," Ron acknowledges the two men that the meeting involves and nods to the other three people in attendance, consisting of Abby, Margaret and Josh.
"What do you have on the attackers?" The President's not beating around the bush this morning.
"Sir, we have two small points of interest to report this morning. Ron sounds professional and hopeful.
"Continue, Ron." The President gives his permission to speak in front of all those present.
Ron starts his brief, "We think that the van has been seen cruising in the area of the hotel, but no one has able to get us a better reading on the plate number. The other point, is a note dropped on the sideway outside the main gate, here at the White House. It was address to Mr. McGarry. The security camera tapes were checked, but the person dropping the note, probably made sure to be in a crowd of by-passers, so they would go undetected. No prints were found on the note. It was intentional."
Leo asks first, "What did the note say?"
"I have the note right here, Mr. McGarry," Agent Cooper steps forward and hands a folder piece of notepaper to Leo.
With two finger tips, Leo slips on his glasses and reads the note, ~McGarry We are still watching you and the next time, we won't leave without you or possibly your girlfriend. She might be the easy way to get to you and you will, be our way to the President. We are not going away and we can wait for our time and place. We'll catch you alone sometime. Third times a charm. ~ "That's just great. They're still having hunting season on me and now Margaret." Leo hands the note to Jed, who mimics Leo and slips his glasses on to read it. Leo simmers as the President reads.
Josh is glancing from Leo and the President. He addresses a question to Ron, "Have the DC police been notified and are they able to help Margaret as a citizen?" There's nothing else he can think to add, that will help the situation.
Ron is quick to verify, "Yes, they were notified and she's on the list to be contacted, when they can get to her. They're swamped and there's not enough manpower," was Ron disappointing information.
The President finishes the note and hands it sideways to Josh, but questions Ron, "What does the note tell you, Ron?" What can you get from it?"
"Sir, the note leaves us to believe several points. That it 'is' from the attackers. It tells us that they are still in the DC area and they do plan to try again to kidnap Mr. McGarry. It leads us to believe that it's still just the two individuals. They still need to get him alone to succeed with their plan. They do not imply that they have other outside help, nor do they threaten with weapons" Ron stops momentarily, before he relays the opinion of the service. "They last two points that I mentioned are reasons to believe that we can control the situation. We can do that mainly by assigning security to Mr. McGarry, with a round-the-clock agent and the use of the White House driving service. Both his and Miss Ryan's cars have been swept for dangers or clues. Mr. McGarry's car has been brought to the White House parking lot for safe keeping, but not in his assigned slot." The assembled group listens to Ron's report in silent contemplation.
"So, Ron. Where do you suggest he now live, since you won't let him stay here at the Residence and he can't return to the hotel?" The President brings up the second matter of the meeting.
"Sir, We have only a few options available for long term security. We could use a safe house location, but they're usually not set up for long term. The coming and going, would soon easily compromise the location. The other is to just install Mr. McGarry in an apartment, in a secure building. We then depend on the agent and driver to provide the security needed. We feel that as long as he's accompanied in any public area, he'll be fine." Ron tries to cover all aspects of the situation, in proper order.
Leo feels he should voice his main concern, since the Secret Service has restrictions on what they will allow for him to adjust, in his security. "You know that I'm still worried about Margaret being threatened and not being a candidate for White House security. He points out bluntly, "She has now been threatened twice by the attackers."
"Leo, I'll be careful," she tries not to intrude into the conversation, but she still feels the need to reassure Leo.
"Yeah, and I'll just hire you a few bodyguards from a private service," Leo pulls out his trump card.
"No, Leo, you won't. You know how I feel." She doesn't need to finish the sentence.
Leo's afraid that if he pushes her on the bodyguards, that she'll distance herself from him, to keep both of them safe. Her feelings for him would be shelved to keep him from harm. He knows this absolutely. While this is running through his mind, his head pops up and he face brightens. "Ron, I think I may have a solution to all the problems, but it has to meet with Margaret's approval. Why can't I move into Margaret's apartment at Latrobe? We have the spare room already set up for me, to use occasionally. It has a great security system in place and the manager said that you have already dealt with them, in previous situations." There's silence in the room as the all parties involved, analyze this scenario. Leo looks at Margaret for her opinion, as hers the one he most wants to know. She nods once to him, it's more than she hoped for, to have him safe and close. A dream come true for her and she's holding her breathe to see whether the President and Ron approve.
The President does a sweeping glace at the others, to read their faces and it settles on Ron's for the agents opinion and asks, 'Well, Ron will her apartment work? You wanted to get him into a secure apartment. From what I have heard bout it, from Abby and the staff grapevine, Margaret's is already set up."
Ron makes a quick decision, "That would be the best solution. It 'is' a secure building and we 'are' familiar with its setup." He agrees, "The management has been co-operative in the past. It's close to the White House, so there are no long commutes involved. Which cuts down on the possibility of car jacking attempts. Not that I think the attackers are of that caliber, but they just might be stupid enough to attempt it."
"Stupid is their calling card," Leo sarcastically remarks.
"Yes and the hardest to anticipate, Sir," Ron whole-heartedly agrees.
"Anyone else have any opinions," the President addresses the question to them all.
Josh pipes up, to spin on another aspect that'll have to be handled. "Since we're keeping the attack from the press, to lessen the spotlight being given to the attackers and giving them some satisfaction. I think that the press will have some small wrinkle with his moving in with Margaret, but I think they can ride that out. They have been pretty flexible, so far, on their relationship. This is DC after all and not the bible belt of the Midwest." He looks carefully at Leo and Margaret, then at the First Couple. " CJ can spin it if it comes up in the Press room."
The President and Leo exchange looks and nod to each other. "Everyone in agreement, that this is the best answer?" The President asks the room at large.
Abby agrees and details why, "I was going to insist that Leo stay here for the rest of the week. He needs someone to help him with personal care, but if he's going to Margaret's, she will be able to handle what he needs. I can check on him, when he's in his office."
"Yeah, that's best for his care. Donna and I can assist her with what he needs," Josh volunteers automatically.
Leo agrees completely, "This way, as long as I keep Margaret with me, she benefits from the agent and driver, as well as myself. All the bases are covered."
Margaret moves up and places a hand on his shoulder the most contact she'll allow herself with the agents in the room.
The President gives the final decision, "OK, Ron, that's what we'll agree to."
Ron informs them of the final details to initiate the arrangement, "Agent Cooper, will handle the transfer of his belongings and set up the security needed."
Agent Cooper outlines what will transpire today, "Mr. McGarry, you will be assigned a team of four revolving agents, on 8 hours shifts, that will accompany you at all times. It may seem extreme, inside the white House and inside the Apartment building. But with the note being left outside the gate, the attackers may be stupid enough to try to get close to you, though a tour group or impersonating service personnel. The agent will be posted out side your office door and outside the apartment door. This will allow you some freedom inside these areas. He will ride with the drivers in the car, to and from any locations. We will have a detail go to the hotel and retrieve all your belongings and deliver them to Miss Ryan's and now, your apartment. Is this agreeable to you and do you have and questions or comments?"
"No, I can live with the security measures, that I normally 'do not' like, since it means that Margaret will get the same security coverage, " Leo concurs to the arrangements.
"Leo, you better have them check with the cleaning service at you hotel and pickup any mail that might have been delivered there." Margaret adds in her efficient manner.
"Thank you, Miss Ryan." Agent Cooper now adds, "I failed to mention that we'll handle the change of address for him. His mail needs to be run though our security check since the attackers might try to threaten him by letter. An agent will check your mail each day for possible threats, along with Mr. McGarry's mail at the Latrobe."
"Anything else?" The President winds up the meeting.
"No, Sir. Thank you, Sir," Ron replies in way of excusing himself and Agent Cooper.
"Keep us informed, Ron," is the Presidents final request?
"Yes, Sir," he replies at the door.
Agent Cooper addresses Leo, "Sir, I'll be in contact with your office, as we complete the transfer and make arrangements. I'm sure that later today, you'll want to be introduced to your team of agents." Leo nods in agreement.
The agents turn and leave the Residence in silence. One is glad it went so well and the other full of assigning priority, to the needed activities in setting up the new detail.
Margaret throws her arms around Leo's neck when the door closes, to give him a hug. She's so happy with being able to have Leo with her and to be able to care for him. It was the best outcome she could have hoped for.
He gives her a quick kiss of reassurance and whispers, "Thanks, Margaret." She understands the volumes of things he's saying in those two words.
She straightens and Leo turns to Josh, " Bet you didn't think that your first kid was going to be an old man. Donna will feel like the parent, left out."
Josh laughs out loud at the mere thought of Leo as his kid. "It's not going to be that bad, but I'll remember that, in case I need to ground you to keep you in one place." They grin at each other. It'll be the blind, leading the blind. Josh thinks of something that might be helpful. "You think that one of you could let me have your security card to the building and the apartment key. If you two are always going to be together, you can use your other set." Josh has it worked out. He was going to borrow one set for today, but this will work just as well. "Margaret, can you let the management know that Donna and I have permission to use them, due to the situation."
"Sure, Josh," Margaret agrees to his logic. "Sounds like a practical idea."
"Great, now he'll have free range of the place." Leo sadly shakes his head in mock despair, "There goes the right to the stereo and we'll never get him out of the hot tub." He thinks ahead to the drawbacks in this, "Donna better keep his stuff cleaned up in my bathroom. We know he never will."
The First Couple are delighted to overhear the family teasing being carried over to a new generation. Jed can't resist, "You mean you have your own bathroom at the apartment, Leo? Sounds like a nice setup already."
"Yeah, it is nice." Leo smiles happily at him, "That's why Margaret likes it. She has the females established in her bathroom and Josh shares mine after we use the hot tub." He glances at Margaret, "She forbids us in hers, says we wreck the place." He grins at Josh who's being very quiet and not refuting any of this. "I told you that Josh runs amuck at the apartment. He even has some clothes in my closet, like I did at Margaret's old apartment and Donna has some, over in Margaret's. He nods his head to the side. "Just makes it easier after work, with it only being a four-minute drive from the White House." Jed is amazed at the wonderful way they have the whole situation set up.
Margaret is anxious to get started in the office. She happy with the way things has turned out. "Leo, I need to get down to the office, now. I'll just go get our things out of the spare room and take them to the office with me." She turns to Jed and Abby, "Thanks, for taking us in this weekend. I really appreciate being able to stay with Leo and for all your help in taking care of him."
"Any time, Margaret." Abby looks at her with honest sincerity, "We really mean that." Abby gives her a hug in friendship and support.
"Yeah and we're going to do movie night again," Jed promises. "I'm going to watch the TV guide and pick a movie that I can trump you on with its trivia," he warns her with victory in mind. Maybe we could use the theater and act like a real date at the movies? You know, popcorn and candy. Necking in the dark. Invite a few more of the senior staff to bring a date.
"I'd like that, ……Jed," Margaret happily agrees and accepts his challenge.
"I'll be in and out of Leo's office the next few days to check on him" the President assures her.
"Yes, Sir. Mr. President." Margaret's words remind him of their deal.
He chuckles at her answer. Abby looks at Leo, "I'll be dropping in a couple times a day, also." She shifts her eyes up, "Margaret, if you need me in between, just call my office. Speaking of office, I better get down stairs and frighten Lilly, when I walk in early. We weren't due home till 11am." She smiles at the heart attack she's planning on giving.
The ladies both kiss their guys and Margaret returns to the spare room to retrieve their laundry and Leo's suit bag. Abby waits at the door to accompany her down to the main floor.
As they leave, the senior staff is assembling outside the door of the residence.
****
Josh steps to the door and asks them to enter for the staff meeting. The anxious look on their faces is evidence that CJ has informed Toby and Sam, about Leo attack.
"Come on in gang and meet our new prize fighter, for the light weight class, at the White House," the President jokes, to brake the nervousness between the staff and Leo. Josh just snickers to himself. Hoping that the others don't think he's making fun of Leo's condition. Leo gives Jed a glare for his trouble.
"Oh. My. God. Leo." CJ exclaims, "When I talked to you on the phone Saturday night, you gave me the impression that you were roughed up and you just needed to get cleaned up. That's why you forbid me from coming to your office. You lied to me. You had the 'crap' beat out of you." She almost gets angry with him, but she looks at the damage on his face and agrees to her self, that he was probably right in keeping her away.
Toby finally speaks, "Yeah, CJ. I think you label his condition correctly. The President made a good comparison to his outward appearance, to that of a prizefighter." He pauses and looks Leo in the eye, before pointing out, "If this is two days later? Good, God, what did you look like after it happened? No wonder you didn't let CJ see you."
Sam has been quite in the background. He looked at Josh, "You said he was attacked and just staying here for protection".
"This is how it was decided to be handled, guys." Leo informs them from his place sitting in a chair. "I'll give you a quick rundown of my injuries and what has been decided." He pauses, "As you probably know, I was attacked in the garage of my hotel and the Secret Service brought me here, after they assessed I didn't need emergency care. I refused to go anyway." He continues, "Margaret, took care of my first aid with instructions from Abby by phone. The president and Abby returned during the night, to see for themselves my condition. Abby was able to check me out and continue with my treatment, to speed the recovery process." He pauses to catch his breathe with the long speech. "I have bruised ribs under here, possible hairline fractures and my hands are in pretty bad shape, from defending myself." He looks around at them, "I will for the record, state that it was two against one and they were younger."
Toby chuckles softly at Leo's bravado.
"Leo," Sam says, "We're just glad you weren't seriously hurt."
"I 'feel' seriously hurt," he confirms to Sam.
The President now decides to fill them in on the fun parts that Leo's not divulging.
"Just to let you know what he's not telling, is that he's in some serious pain. He has to be helped to stand and to sit down, due to his ribs. He can't really do anything with his hands. His hurt ribs, also keeps him from walking long distances, unassisted. His ribs are wrapped with an elastic band, which he complains about. Margaret and Donna refer to him as, very colorful all over." Jed gets in a slight tease at his friend. "This is the most clothes his had on in 36 hours."
"We won't speak of my attire, for the last day and a half, Sir." Leo has a slight warning tone in his voice.
Josh snickers and Toby takes the bait, "And why would that be, Leo? Did they deny you clothing, to keep you captive here?"
Leo, snorts and answers, "Almost, he really tortured me with loaning me his clothing." Leo points to the President.
CJ jumps in, a bit confused, "That sounds like he was being generous, Leo."
Josh finally gives away the joke. "The problem for Leo was that the only t-shirts the President owns, all have Notre Dame on them. Leo was suffering enough and he had to wear them anyway."
The staff tries not to laugh, but the snickers and chuckling escapes them.
"Glad, I could brighten your day," Leo sarcastically retorts to the amusement he hears from them.
The President clarifies some of the obstacles that are involved with Leo's care, "As you may have noticed. Leo is not standing in the presence of the President. I'm waving that rule for him during his recovery. Due to the fact that I'd have to stand him up myself and Abby won't let me do that, with my bad back. Abby has also forbidden Margaret from helping him to stand, either. So gentlemen, you will be called upon to assist Leo, from time to time, this next week. Abby has also limited his time in the office to 6 hours a day, maybe 8 by the end of the week."
"Yes, I'll be holed up in my office, where no one will see me." Leo informs them of his plans for the week, "I 'do not' want this to get out and give the attackers the satisfaction that they did any damage."
"Sure, Leo," CJ promises, to be able to help in a small way, since she has the best opportunity to help, "I'll keep a ear out for any leaks."
"CJ, the next big item that you are going to have to deal with, is the fact that I now have a security agent following me around. The Secret Service has forbidden me to return to the hotel and that I need to reside in a more secure location." He informs then all, by way of telling CJ, "You probably don't know, but the attackers have now threatened to go for Margaret, if they cant get me next time. She's not a candidate for security. To cover all bases, I'm moving into her apartment. It'll look like we're living together, to the press, but it's a secure building and Margaret will be kept safe, as long as she's with me." Leo is almost panting after this speech.
"CJ could not find fault with the plan, but realizes that the press will make note of the move. She includes them all by looking around and asks Leo, "The press will probably note that you have security now and may comment on it. Can I spin, that a threat was made, but not mention the attack? That the Secret Service is forcing you out of the public hotel, and that you two have decided at this time, to live together."
Toby and Sam mull this over and decide between them, that it's probably the way to deal with it, if it arises in the Pressroom. Sam suggests a comment to use, "It's more of advancement in the relationship, than the threat."
Toby agrees, "Yeah, just keep it low key and wish them well and happiness. It should spin alright that way."
"I agree," Sam again adds his input to the spin, "They haven't been breathing down their necks so far and the short hours Leo's going to be working, can be dismissed as 'new lovebirds syndrome'. Since he's leaving early, they may not see the damage to his face and hands. I think they'll lose interest soon."
The President, seeing that Leo is having trouble with talking for any length of time this morning, gives them the details that they had worked out, to keep him out of the public eye, "We're going to slip him in the White House, from the portico and through the Oval Office. He's going to use my restroom, off the Oval Office, so he's not seen in the staff restroom." The President smiles and adds some humor, "He's going to try to walk everywhere, as we would have to tie him into a wheelchair and he would just be spotted that way." The President gets back on tract. "Josh has volunteered to help as much as possible and Charlie too. When you help him, remember he needs to be helped up and down. He also can't use his hands. We're able to care for him here and he still can do a lot with phoning, reading, dictating reports and giving advise. Josh is taking his meetings, but you guys may have to help with that and with Leo's care. We want to keep this among ourselves. He should recover in about 10 days from the outward signs, but the ribs will be tender for a while."
.
Leo now calls for the end of the meeting, "Well, if we are done now. Let's get back to the country's business. Josh has volunteered to be my main nursemaid." They smile at him and he lets the humor sink in a moment. "Josh, get me up. They might as well get used to seeing me being treated like your kid. I always refer to you guys as my kids of the West Wing and it has come bad to bite me in the ass." He challenges Josh, "Lets see how long it takes, to get me down to my office?"
"We've got this all worked out," Josh cheerfully replies. Josh, as usual, swats down in front of Leo, to save his own back. "Let me do the lifting, Leo," he advises as Leo tries to lift his arms to help. Josh gets a good grip under his arms and Leo leans his head forward, into Josh's chest, to help stand himself up. Leo sucks in air with the pain, as they stand. He has been sitting in one place for too long and his muscles are protesting.
CJ covers her mouth to stifle the breath, she gasped in sympathy with Leo's. Sam looks on sadly, at seeing one of his hero's hurting. Toby glances at his shoes to keep for voicing his opinion, of what should be done to the attackers when caught. For the crime they committed. To cause this amount of pain, to a man like Leo McGarry. He's someone that never accepts help from others. Toby knows what this costs Leo and admires him, that he has the strength to accept help, when he really needs it.
"Take a second to get steady, Leo," Josh warns him.
"OK, I'm better now." Leo assures Josh, " Lets get moving. I'll probably will need to make some pit stops on the way." He looks at the others, who have schooled their faces from their concerns. "You guys go on. I might take awhile." Leo excuses them from the room.
After the door closes, Jed walks over to Leo and leans in to kiss his forehead, that has a light sheen on it from his effort. "You did well with the kids, Leo." He adds, "You behave today or Abby will kill all three of us." He jokes, but has a serious meaning underneath, "No, marathon leg races today with him, Josh." He pats Josh on the back in appreciation. "I'll be in my office." The President leaves ahead of them.
****
"OK, Josh, let's move." Leo turns and walks with measured steps to the door. Josh is holding his right elbow, to steady him if he gets shaky. Leo's not standing exactly upright, but he might look, to the passerby, as if bent in thought as he's walking. Not too noticeable. After the short ride down in the elevator to the main floor, Josh follows him out still holding his elbow.
"Leo, you better take a pit stop here in first floor, main living room, before we step out onto the portico." Josh reminds him, "Out there, you might be observed from one of the other windows of the White House or other staff."
Leo agrees to his suggestion, "Just let me rest of the arm on the couch, I don't want to sit all the way down till I get to my office." Leo is already panting slightly with the effort to walk across the room. This is the longest distance he has gone, since the pain and stiffness set in. He is so glad, now, that the adrenaline got him up to the Residence.
Josh agrees as he lowers him the small distance. "OK, good idea, Leo." Josh is planning a strategy, something he excels at. "I think I have another idea. It might be harder to pull off without your suit coat." He thinks some more, fine-tuning his plan, "Lets see." Josh finally has the answer he's looking for, "Can you get your hands down into your pants pockets? If you can, then the public will not be able to see your hands. To keep them from noticing your face, you can hang your head down, like your concentrating and listening to what I'm saying, as we walk to the Oval Office."
"I agree." Leo has been busy resting and trying to slow down his breathing, "Good thing you went to college. It's coming in handy." Leo jokes at Josh's ability to strategize on his feet.
"Nah," Josh calmly acknowledges, "that's just my naturally devious mind at work."
"Speaking of plotting and planning, I thought that the President was going to order me to stay at the Residence till I was well. Even if he had to order the agents to keep me from leaving the White House." Leo voices his amazement at his friend letting him leave this evening.
After spending time with all of them this weekend, Josh knows how protective the President is of him. "Yeah, he would Leo. Hey, just think, you can be tucked away at Margaret's now. Not too bad luck there, Leo."
"Yeah, it does sound good doesn't it?" Leo grins at the thought of spending more time with Margaret.
"Right and I have her keys now." Josh cheerfully adds.
"That's gonna cost us in food," Leo continues the constant family joke of Josh's appetite.
Josh just laughs, "You know that you just love to feed me."
Leo grins his crooked smile at Josh. "You're right. You are a challenge to fill up." Leo sighs, "Let's go again. I want to get there before I give out completely and Abby gets to tear my ass for even trying to go to the office. The President would 'have' his excuse to keep me tucked away in the Residence and in Notre Dame clothing." Leo holds out his right arm for Josh to get him on his feet and it's not too bad this time. Leo works at getting his hands into his pockets. He can get the left one on his own, but Josh has to help him with the right one, it's more swollen from the fight.
"See, Leo, no one that sees you from a distance will think anything is different." Josh is pleased with his plan. "Just look at the ground. I'll hold your elbow from a distance and look like I'm getting your attention. Just let me lead."
"That's the plan, we're going with." Leo tries to sound confident, "I'm to look preoccupied and do my best to look normal."
"Yeah, you can do it. Once in the Oval Office you can take another Pit Stop," Josh promises Leo with a goal.
"Get me moving, Josh," Leo knows he can stand only so long and the portico is a long walk.
"OK, lets get you up to speed and out the door," He takes Leo firmly under the elbow to give support and balance.
They do make great progress on the portico. Leo falters once, but Josh steps in front of him and hold both arms and chats away like he's the one stopping Leo's stroll on the portico. They make it to the Oval Office door and the President's hurrying over to meet them, when he sees them approach. The President and Sam are in the office, discussing the wording on a speech.
As they get Leo in the door, the President is guiding them by holding his right elbow, Sam has moved to Leo's left side and Josh has slipped his hands under his arms in case he buckles on them. "I've got him, now that we're inside," Josh reassures both of them. Leo is just trying to catch his breath, which has a hitch in it from the pain of walking so far. They stop him right by a chair on the other side of the door. Josh instructs, "We need to get his hands out of his pockets before he can sit down. I had to help him with getting the right hand in."
The President recruits help, "Sam, help me get his hands out." He then calls out, "Charlie."
"Yes, Sir," is Charlie's automatic response, as he swing open the door to the outer offices.
"Could you get Leo a glass of water from the sideboard over there?" The President requests since Leo breathing sounds a little ragged.
"Sure thing, Mr. President." He quickly brings a glass over to them.
The President is carefully working out the right hand from his pocket and Sam is gently removing the left. Leo's shaky from the exertion of the walk and he's concentrating on his breathing, more than what his friends are doing to help him. Josh is now holding him so Leo can lean back on him, till it's safe to set him down. "OK, Josh get him in the chair." The President has just gotten the right hand free of the pocket.
"Sam, steady him on your side and we'll lower him down," Josh instructs as he steps out from behind Leo to the right.
Leo clamps his teeth down and stifles a loud moan. He will 'not' curse in the Oval Office. Mrs. Landingham made sure he knew that rule.
"Charlie, please inform Margaret that Leo has arrived and is resting here first," the President requests.
"Certainly, Sir." Charlie immediately leaves to deliver the message.
Sam is waiting with the water for Leo. The President holds out his hand for the glass and then helps Leo awkwardly clutch the glass for a few sips. " You just sit till your ready to go to your office, Leo. That was the longest walk you'll have to do this week."
"Ok, I'll sit a minute," Leo pants just now able to speak, "It was a long walk from the Residence," he agrees and grins at his friend like he just ran a marathon.
Sam puts a positive spin on Leo's valiant effort to walk to his office, "If it makes you feel any better, Leo. Your walk on the portico will alleviate any rumors that CJ might have to deal with in the Pressroom, that you're incapacitated from your attack. Most likely you were observed walking here and I'm sure your ploy worked, since no one could get close enough to take note of your face."
"Thanks, Sam. It does help." Leo is breathing better as the pain recedes, "I'll also be placing some calls from my office today."
"Sam, are you in a hurry to get back to your office?" Josh asks now that Leo seems to be recuperating.
"No, I'm not done with the President, yet," Sam quickly answers helpfully.
"Can you help get Leo back up when he's ready? If you would, I can go check in at my office." Josh doesn't want to sound like he's abandoning Leo. "He really needs to rest few minutes and he will just push himself if he thinks he's holding me up."
"Thanks, Dad." Leo sarcastically chimes in, since he can hear what Josh is saying.
The other men chuckle at the cute remark.
"Sure, Josh, I can help him." Sam's happy to help, "Glad to."
"Thanks, Sam." Leo answers for Josh, "You two just continue with your meeting and I'll sit here and try to remember how breathe again."
"Sure, Leo." Sam knows that Leo's joking to cover his pain.
The President tried to assure Leo that he shouldn't push himself, "There's no pressure for you to move. We can just finish up our meeting and then Sam will help you to your office."
After 15 minutes, the President and Sam finish up their meeting.
"Leo, how you doing?" The President and Sam are gathering up their notes and are still at the President's desk.
"I'm fine, now. Mr. President," Leo nods his head, "I'm ready to move to my office, if Sam's willing to stand me up."
"When ever you're ready to try it, Leo?" Is Sam's attempt to put a positive attitude to the task at hand.
Charlie enters the Oval Office with a file for the President's next meeting. After the President thanks him, he holds out his hand, offering to take Sam's notes with him to the outer office. Sam smiles at him, acknowledging that Charlie always seems to be where needed and know all the small things to do to help.
Leo can tell that Sam's talking false courage and he encourages him, "Come get a hold of me and stand me on my feet, then."
Sam's a little cautious, he's afraid of hurting Leo, so Leo gives him instructions on how to go about getting him out of the chair. "Sam, bend your knees and grab me under the arms," Leo orders softly. Sam tentatively places his flat hands under Leo's arms. "I won't break and yes, it will hurt. We just go ahead and do it anyway."
Sam takes a steadying breath, "OK, Leo, here we go."
After the hesitant start, Sam successfully gets Leo on his feet. They move slowly, shoulder to shoulder, across the room and enter Leo's office. Margaret's there and waiting for them. Charlie had called and let her know. She points to the couch and Leo gives her a glare. She can guess that he was intending to sit at his desk. "We agreed that you would work from the couch." She knows that he sees it as a sign of weakness in his office. "Just the President, the senior staff and three assistants will be allowed in here." He's glaring back at her in a stalemate. "Leo, on the couch, or I call in Abby and we take you home, right now." She has the last word and he knows it.
"All right. Sam, help me down and bend your knees. We don't need any one else to have a bad back." Sam smiles at Leo's gruff attitude, he knows that it's Leo's way of surrendering.
Leo moans again, as his painful ribs and bruised muscles protest at the strain of being used. "I'm on the couch Margaret, happy?" He gives one last protest and then resigns to his fate. He looks at the grinning young man, "Thanks, Sam."
"No Problem, Leo. I'll leave you to Margaret's care, now." Sam sounds relieved to have completed his task and happy to be turning Leo over to someone else.
"Yes, I am happy now, Leo. I'll get you some coffee and a list of what is pressing and your messages." She helps to get his feet up on the couch, so he can stretch out.
"Leo, call me if you need help!" Sam calls from the door, enjoying the sight of Margaret fussing over her Leo.
Leo tears his eyes away from Margaret and what she's doing for him, to answer Sam. "Sure, Thanks again, Sam, it's going to be a long week."
The smile is back on his face as Margaret drops a kiss on his forehead, before crossing into her office. He's still panting from his walk and holding his side till the pain subsides. He closes his eyes for a moment.
Margaret returns and places the coffee on the table, "Leo, this would be a good week to cut down on your coffee consumption. It's a long way to the restroom."
He looks at the coffee cup, "Damn, you're right about that, Margaret."
"I always am, Leo." She hands him an ice pack wrapped in a towel. He knows where to place it and does so, with a sigh.
****