Title: Leo's Dilemma part 9A/9B 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.
****
Leo's first call is to Mallory to reassure her that he's well enough to be in his office and that Margaret is bossing him today. Mallory laughs, as she teases her dad, that she's also aware that Abby's keeping an eye on him. She went behind his back and called her earlier this morning, to get the real explanation of his injuries. She gets him to promise to check back with her this evening to tell her how his day at the office went. He's honest with her about how he looks, since she 'has' talked to Abby and he's not encouraging her to come and see him. He doesn't want her to be upset, if he can avoid it. It would just scare her and her tears would hurt him all the more. He again makes her promise to stay in groups and keep an eye out for trouble.
Leo's kept busy most of the morning with phone calls and Margaret's taking notes and letter dictation. She has to be there to dial the phone for him. He tries to use a fingertip to do it, but he keeps hitting the wrong numbers. He also has to pace himself on the calls, with his breathing. Margaret's already teases him about how he doesn't want to do any heavy breathing on the phone. Donna is trying to cover more of Margaret's work, so she can be Leo's hands today. An agent is outside the door and knows who 'is' allowed into Leo's and even Margaret's office, so no one bypasses the main door. Margaret's going crazy trying to hear Leo and to also keep the connecting door closed. It's a little scary to realize that it's quieter around the office. Leo has trouble bellowing for Margaret with his breathing restricted and has not yelled at anyone today. He really is hurting.
At 11:30, Toby drops by to run the spin by Leo that CJ's going to use at the 1pm briefing reguarding his attack.
Leo keeps rubbing at his ribs and Margaret has watched it about as long as she's going to. She hopes Abby drops in soon. He's having a little trouble breathing, but he has been talking more today than yesterday.
Abby shows up while Toby is still there, "How's it going, Leo?" She moves over to see how he's doing and to check him out. She observes that he's slightly slouched on the couch. "Leo, you need to keep your back straighter. You'll breathe better and your ribs will not be so crowded. I'll send over some extra throw pillows from my office." She turns and asks the one person who'll give her an honest answer "Margaret, how is he really?"
"His ribs are bothering him." Margaret then confesses her worry, "I'm afraid that I didn't get the wrap on tight enough." She quickly adds, "He's getting short of breath, but he's never off the phone long enough to catch his breath and breathe normally."
"OK, lock the doors and lets check it out." Abby orders Margaret, now in her doctor mode.
Toby is inching toward the door. Abby stops him in his tracks, "Toby, can you stay, in case I need help with Leo?"
"Sure, Dr. Bartlett I'd be happy to help." Toby really is willing, he just didn't want to invade anyone's privacy if he wasn't needed.
"Margaret, lets get his shirt unbuttoned." Abby helps Leo to swing his feet to the floor and assigns the other tasks, to make it a faster process for Leo. "Toby can you help me to stand him up? I can rewrap him quicker if he's standing."
"Sure, what ever you need me to do." He steps past Abby, to squat in front of Leo, his knees braced on each side of Leo's against the edge of the couch for leverage.
Toby is not as afraid of handling Leo, as Sam was. He realizes that it's going to hurt and that Leo knows this also. He's careful, but he doesn't drag it out. Leo sucks in air again as he's lifted. Toby is stronger than he looks and Leo leans on him a moment, when he gets to his feet. Toby firmly and confidently holds him.
"Turn him to the side so we can all get to him." Abby instructs Toby. She slips Leo's suspenders off his shoulders and Margaret unhooks his pants to get his shirt out of the band.
Leo looks up at Toby's face and cracks to him, "See, they're at it again. They gang up on me, and then I start losing clothing."
Toby smiles and cracks back at Leo. "You know, Leo. Most of the male staff would 'not' have a problem with two women undressing them at every opportunity."
Leo chuckles, "Yeah, but these two women, are painful when they do it." He feels a definite draft as Abby unwinds the wrap from his ribs and Margaret is holding his shirt tail up out of her way. "Ladies, leave the pants." Leo warns, as they seem to be drifting south while they're unbuttoned and without the suspenders to help hold them up.
Toby can't resist a chuckle at the serious tone in Leo's voice, indicating Leo defiantly knows there's a risk of losing them.
"Leo, what ever gave you the idea that you had a say in your treatments?" Abby asks next to his ear as she's wrapping his ribs from behind, with Toby supporting him in front.
"I don't know, Abby. It was just a whimsy I had." Leo answers sarcastically. "Toby, this is a warning. Don't get injured while we're in office. They'll kill you with their kindness."
"I'll keep that in mind, Leo." Toby is in total agreement and voices this in front of two female witnesses, "The women of the White House are a force to be reckoned with.
"Damn, Abby. You're doing it again." Leo's not in the least ashamed of cussing at her in front of Toby and looks down at his now wrapped ribs. "If I smother, it'll be because I'm wrapped too tight to inhale." She's not the least bit daunted by his sarcastic gratitude.
Leo's getting shaky at standing so long and Toby can feel the trembling. No way, is Leo going to hit the floor with him holding him. A 'brother in arms' is always a 'brother in arms', figuratively and factually.
"OK, I hear you, Leo, but it has to be that way." Abby reminds him. "Leo, we can get you dressed now." Up close to him, she really can notice more fatigue lines and 'that's' not usually this easy to do on his face. "Leo, you do look tired. You need to eat and then nap on the couch."
"Abby, I have work to do." He grumbles at more orders and is tired of being handled.
"You rest, Mister, or you're out of here." She looks unflinching at him, "Doctor's orders."
"Yes, Abby," he agrees. He's too tried to argue, but won't admit it. He knows she means well and gives her a grin to show he's not upset with her.
Margaret has been getting his shirt back on and sliding her hand around inside his pants to tuck his shirt back in. Leo notices that Toby is avoiding any indication that he's aware of it. Leo softly mentions, as if the women can't hear him, "See what I mean, Toby. I don't even get to enjoy the good parts of this either." Toby grins slightly and snickers against his own restraint. Margaret gives Leo a glare that Toby can't see, as she ties his tie and he grins at her face. Abby is more direct and snaps his suspenders back onto his shoulders. "Ow, Abby. Thanks a lot."
"That was for the macho remark," she assumes if he can make remarks like that, he's fair game for payback. She reasons to herself that it'll make him feel that he's not being coddled too much.
Leo tries to atone, "OK, Abby, but it was said with all due respect." He's voice is muffled, since he has his forehead resting on Toby's chest at this point, after balancing there while Toby moved each of his hands away, when Abby slipped his suspenders up his arms.
"Right," she sounds unconvinced. "Leo, remember you're to rest this afternoon."
"Yeah, I hear you," he quietly answers as he tries to hang onto Toby arms with his wrists while sitting back down. He's worn out. But his ribs are feeling better.
After he's completely down and indulges in a sigh of relief, he looks at the man still standing in front of him, "Thanks, Toby. I'm glad you were here to hold me up. I couldn't have stood that long, alone."
"Anytime, Leo." Toby tilts his head to the side an gives a slight grin, "I'd hate to see Abby and Margaret wrestle you around, with you so defenseless and all."
Leo grins at Toby, showing that he hears the teasing in his voice, which few people are blessed by. Leo keeps it going by responding with, "Toby, I'd appeal to Josh, but he's on their side."
Toby sidesteps the teasing, "Yeah, you give him too much power and he runs with it." He pauses before going out the office door. "Call me if you need me, Leo," Toby seriously offers as he leaves.
Abby's conferring with Margaret, "You might remind him to practice taking some deep breaths." Abby warns. "We don't want him to develop pneumonia from not breathing deep or moving around enough." At Margaret's panic look over at Leo, she reassures her with a suggestion, "I think we'll get a therapist in tomorrow who can recommend some exercises that you can help him with."
"Sounds good to me, Abby." Margaret feels better with the idea of professional help. "We'll see you later or tomorrow." She walks Abby to the door and promises, "I'll call if I have questions."
"Please, do that, Margaret." Abby looks over at Leo, "All he can do now is heal." She's feeling a little like Jed in the fact that she wishes Leo would have stayed at the Residence awhile longer. But Jed and Leo would probably kill each other after more than 48 hours. So, she leaves him in Margaret's capable hands.
"Leo, it's about time to think about lunch." Margaret knows that eating is the last thing he thinks of in his office. He's true to form in giving her a dirty look. She tries another tactic with him, "Donna has volunteered to bring us up something from the mess."
He knows that Donna wants to feel that she's helping with him, like Margaret and Josh. "Sounds good." His eyes are scanning the files for the one he was reading before Toby arrived, with CJ 's news release.
Margaret informs him of what's next on his schedule as she looks it over. "After lunch, you're going to have a nap." He looks over his glasses at her from where he had just started reading the found file. He makes it a dare, with his look. So she tells him in advance her plan, "I plan on confiscating your glasses and the files. So you might as well resign yourself to it." He growls and he rubs his side.
He gives up on fighting to get some work done, it an upstream struggle. "You're right, I am tired. I need Josh again soon, for the restroom, if he's available. If not, maybe Charlie is available?" He can control some things in his schedule today and he needs to walk some before taking a nap. If he sits too long he just gets worse. He reminds Margaret about the other guys, "Toby already helped today and Sam is over eager and is nervous he's going to hurt me, at the same time."
"Let me go call and I'll check who's available". She hurries out to her office to get him some assistance. "You rest till one of them gets here," she throws the advise over her shoulder to him, but it still sounds like an order to him.
"I'm not going anywhere," he sarcastically reminds her as a tease. "Let me know, when ya do." ~This had better 'get the hell easier', by tomorrow.~
****
"Hey, Leo," Charlie greets him as he enters from the Oval Office. "Margaret called that you need an escort across the Oval Office to the little boys room." Charlie stops to stand in front of Leo, looking helpful.
"The what?" Leo can stop himself from asking such a dumb question. Charlie grins at him that he got Leo to take the bait, since the President just reminded him to use the reference.
"The President refers to it as the little boys room. He takes delight in that name for some reason and I'm not asking," Charlie tries to look innocent.
Leo looks at him, still debating if he should pursue this any farther. He resists asking anything else about it, since the President is involved somewhere in the answers. "Smart thinking, Charlie. I need you to get me standing up first." He gives the basic instructions to Charlie as he steps closer to the couch.
"Sure thing, Leo." Charlie's never ruffled at the tasks he performs for the White House, "Piece of cake." It is easier than expected, as Charlie is now a sturdy adult, no longer the lanky young man that started there not so long ago. They're standing with just a little wobble and Leo waits for the pain to recede a moment, before they take off through the doors into the Oval Office.
"Going for a stroll, Leo?" the President looks up from his paper work on his desk.
Leo can't resist a smart comeback to his friend, "Yeah, I now know how a dog feels being taken for a walk every few hours, to water the trees and the fire hydrants." He pauses a moment to touch his finger tips to the top of a couch to catch his breath. Leo was hoping to make is all the way to the restroom and start back, before sitting for a pit stop. Charlie never lets go of his right arm and stays about a half a step behind Leo, in case he would start to buckle. Just the way he observed Josh walking him through earlier.
The President, chuckles at that visual. "Well, at least we walk you inside," he flips back, resisting the urge to go and help Leo. Leo would just growl at him. "See you on your return pass."
They arrive at the small personal restroom. "Leo, do you need me to stay with you?" Charlie asks with genuine concern, he can tell Leo is a little shaky already.
"Charlie, that's not being a bad idea. Not, what I had hoped for, but at this point niceties are gone with the wind." He warns and predicts, "If I fall, Abby will never let me out of the Residence again. Just stand behind me, at the door and catch me if I start to go down."
"No problem, Leo." Charlie has a serious tone to his voice, "I do 'not' want to explain how you hit the floor, on my watch, to Dr. Bartlett or the President."
Leo leans one forearm on the sidewall and manages to take care of matters without incidence. Except. "Charlie, I am going to need your help. I can't get the zipper back up without both hands and right now neither one want to cooperate."
"Turn around, Leo. I can help!" Charlie can't resist, after hearing Leo remark about being Josh's kid this week, "I do this all the time with the little boys at church."
"Great, now the staff is referring me to me as two year old." Leo tries to sound depressed, but the laughter in his voice gives it away, " First the President, then Josh and now you."
"Well, at least I'm in good company." Charlie cracks back and grins as he finishes. He takes Leo by the right arm, which he was using to lean on the wall, "We better get you to a chair, before you 'do' hit the floor."
Leo agrees with a casual reply, "Now, sounds like a good time for me to check in on the President," the sheen of sweat on his forehead shows that Charlie is right.
"Sound like a plan to me, Leo," Charlie gets him moving, as he wasn't kidding when he said he did not want to explain Leo hitting the floor.
They get Leo to the chair at the end of the couches and after getting him down, Charlie steps out of the office for a moment. "How's it going, Mr. President," Leo asks flippantly, as if he 'just' hangs around the Oval Office all the time.
'Fine, Leo, I see your pacing yourself." The President takes a small break in his reading, "What's on Margaret and Abby's schedule for you this afternoon?"
"When I finally manage to return to my office." Leo looks away and admits, "I'm lined up for lunch and a nap." The President really smiles at his kindergarten schedule. Leo tries to defend his acceptance of the unusual behavior. "I try to avoid either of them in my office, but Abby threatened to throw me out." The President still looks pleased at Leo being handled by the women. Leo now informs him of what he has put up with already today. "They both managed to strip me to the waist already in my office. Toby was drafted to hold me up for the torture. Told him I keep losing clothes every time those two women get me in a closed room." Leo admits that Toby was not sympathetic at that part, " He had trouble finding fault with that, till I reminded him that they usually manage to make it painful for me." He ends with an indignant look on his face.
The President laughs at the shock Toby must have had to overcome to see Leo being undressed in his office by the two women. He must have thought the sky was falling. "How did Toby take this revelation in your stature, of being in total control of the West Wing," the President just had to ask.
"He was very supportive of the ministrations that I've had to endure." Leo admits that Toby was a firm supporter, "He seemed to consider it an act of bravery on my part and tried to get me to see the lighter side." Leo feels that some merit should be told in Toby's behalf. "I appreciated his support both physically and morally. I was pleasantly surprised." Leo admits more quietly, "I guess he's more upset this happened to me, than I would have guessed." This was a long speech for Leo today, but he really wanted to tell the President while it was fresh.
"Toby is unique, Leo," The President remarks as if it is a given fact as he takes off his glasses and lays then on the desk. "That's why we have him here. He has a definite sense of what he feels is right and wrong. He's not a coward to express publicly when he feels something is wrong, but what he expresses quietly, speaks volumes more."
"You're right, Sir," Leo agrees, he knows that there are deep waters in Toby and that they surface with brilliance.
Charlie enters and informs the President that Admiral Fitzwallace is outside and wants just a moment of his time. The President looks at Leo, since he knows Leo can't leave in a hurry. Leo nods in agreement to the President. "Let him in, Charlie," the President agrees also and stands to walk part way to the door.
"Good afternoon, Mr. President," Fitz greets cheerfully. "I just wanted to stop and thank you for the approval that you sent for the new deep water surveillance robot construction proposal. I do like a new toy to play with," he adds teasingly like they're all boys at heart.
"I knew you were eager to start," President Bartlett smiles at the big kid in front of him.
Fitz scans the room and spots Leo in the chair. "Sorry, Leo, I didn't see you sitting there. I can see that the scuttlebutt was correct. That you were attacked, but I was left the impression it was a mild confrontation. Your face tells me different."
"That is what we wanted to get out there, Fitz," Leo admits to the understated rumors.
"Gentlemen, something is strange here. It'll take me a moment to figure it out." He looks at a smiling Leo and at a smiling President, they love to let people figure out this type of mystery. " Mr. President, Leo is being disrespectful to you and to this office. He's not standing when you are."
The President just chuckles, "The truth is, Fitz, that you're right. But He's 'not standing' on purpose."
"Sir," Fitz asks in disbelief, he knows Leo is a veteran and is strict with protocol.
"Fitz, if I wanted Leo to stand, I'd have to go over and stand him up myself," the President is tickled at the blank look on Fitz's face.
"Sir," Fitz again asks in misunderstanding.
"You're right, Fitz." The President finally lets Fitz know the whole story. "Leo 'was' attacked Saturday evening, in a kidnapping attempt. He has bruised or hairline cracked ribs and he has to have assistance to stand or walk." President Bartlett enjoys sharing the lowdown with Fitz, "The senior staff is really 'enjoying' helping him. We're keeping him under wraps this week in his office." He now gets to the serious information, "We're keeping it from the press and not giving the attackers the satisfaction of knowing how badly Leo was injured."
Leo pipes in with his own comment, as he has kept quiet as long as he can, "Sir, may I add, in my defense, that it was two against one and they were younger than me."
Fitz grins at this information, "Way to go, Leo!"
"Thank you, Fitz. At least, 'you' appreciate my accomplishment." He addresses the President, "Sir, maybe you should get Charlie in here, to get me back to my office. My keeper will be wondering if I made a clean getaway."
The President and Fitz both laugh at Leo's scenario. "Yeah, Leo. You've littered up my office long enough. Charlie!"
"Sir, I'd better leave you to throw Leo out." Fitz sounds like it might get to nasty for him to watch.
"Hang in there, Leo". He notices Leo's hands, when Leo teasingly waves off the Admiral's good wishes, as he's leaving. Fitz stops at the sight and looks Leo seriously in the eye, "You did well."
"Thanks, Fitz." Leo is touched. He knows that Fitz sincerely means it.
****
Charlie deposits Leo on the couch and Margaret's there waiting with his lunch. She has his sandwich cut into fourths for him to manage with his injured hand. Donna has picked out finger foods for his lunch, after Margaret let her know that Leo still has trouble with using eating utensils. After he's done, Margaret gives him a no-nonsense look, holding an ice pack in her hand.
"I know, help me get my feet up on the couch. I'll be good and nap for a while." He's feeling the long morning that he has had and is not really resisting Margaret. "Lock the doors while I'm sleeping and let Charlie know, so he can inform the President."
"Good idea, Leo." Margaret smiles at a thought, as she removes his shoes and covers him with an Air Force throw from his closet, "We wouldn't want the President to break his nose on the locked door, when tries to walk on in."
Leo's still trying to run the show in some small way, "I'm to meet the security team later this afternoon."
Margaret totally ignores the reference to work, "Leo, rest. Here's an ice pack for your ribs." She tucks it in beside him to rest on his ribs.
"Are you resting with me," he invites with a gleam in his eyes.
"Leo, we can't share that little couch with your sore ribs," she points out the practical reasons, "plus, I have things to catch up on while you are sleeping and you don't need me in here with you."
"I always need you, Margaret." Leo looks at her with hooded eyes, "Give me some kisses to go to sleep with. I need to get my endorphins working. We were told it helps with my pain."
She rolls her eyes at him "Leo, you use any excuse."
"What ever works, as long as I get kissed," he smiles at her expectantly, his bruised hands laying at the edge of the throw across his chest.
She sits gently on the side of the couch facing him and cups his multi-colored face in her hands. Glad that she's able to do so today, in his office and not at a hospital. They exchange some passionate kisses, which soon escalate to include some warm caressing, that leaves her as breathless as he is. "Leo, we have got to quit doing this during the day. It messes with my mind," she admits and sounds as winded as Leo.
"It messes with my mind, too, and now I can go to sleep happy," says in a way of thanks. He settles in more comfortable on the mound of throw pillows that are behind his back for support. He closes his eyes with a sigh of contentment as he drifts off to sleep.
****
Margaret later hears Leo wake, just before 3pm. She has been listening to his office with the intercom for him to call for her, since he can't bellow as he normally does.
"Leo, you have the meeting with your new security team at 3:30." She looks at him as he rubs the sleep from his eyes. "Do you need me to get Josh for you? To make a run to the restroom or do you think you'll wait, till we leave for the apartment at 4pm."
"I'm 'not' leaving at 4pm in the afternoon," Leo firmly declares.
"That's Abby's orders," Margaret calmly reminds him.
Leo frowns as he thinks of a strategy, "Tell her, I just woke from a nap and I'll compromise and leave at 5pm." He next comes up with valid reasons, "I need to check with the President and I still have a few calls to make." He convinces him self that it's reason enough. "Since, I'm staying till 5pm, go ahead and get me Josh. We can both check in with the President on the way back." He happily adjusts his schedule to his liking. "We can then have the meeting with the security team at 4pm, so you'll need to call them about the delay."
"Well, your feeling better after your nap. You're just full of orders. Let's hope your steam holds out," Margaret is smiling with Leo acting more like his old self. It makes her hopeful for the week to come, "Leo, practice your deep breaths and here's you a bottle of cold water to sip." He takes a sip of the water and hands her the bottle back. "Let me get your feet down off the couch and you can get your bearings, while I get Josh," Margaret plans her own list of things to accomplish. She's just a flurry of activity now that he's awake. "Just a minute and I'll be back to dial your phone and you can make one business call while you're waiting."
Margaret returns after making the two calls. Leo looks a little better than he did when she set him up, a just few minutes ago, now that he's fully awake. She worries that his pain meds are now past the halfway mark and will start to fade from now on. It may be a long evening.
"Here, Leo, the Senator is on the line." She places the phone in his right hand, as it's the arm he can hold up for any length of time. Tomorrow she's bringing her headphone jack for him to use, since his desk phone is the only one he can use the speakerphone on and he's not sitting at his desk all day. Cordless phones are not secure and the cell phone is too small for him to hang onto. She lays out the corresponding file, on the coffee table in from of him.
Josh arrives and Leo's just finishing with his call and they both know the routine for getting him to his feet. They make an uneventful run and Leo again makes a stop in the Oval Office on his return pass.
"Mr. President," Leo addresses him to indicate at he has now caught his breath and is able to begin their end of the day briefing.
"Hey, Leo. I see that Josh is taking good care of you today." The President's in good spirits this afternoon, " First, I'll let you two get me up to speed on what you've been up to today." Josh details the meetings that he covered for Leo and them Leo informs them of the progress he made with his phone calls. "Well, looks like the three of us managed to keep the day as normal as possible." He smiles at Leo and teases; "I expect to see you shortly passing through here, again on your way out."
"I managed a compromise with Abby and I'm leaving at 5 instead of 4, as a reward for my 2-hour nap this afternoon," Leo's not ashamed of his strategy. It worked! "I meet with my new security team at 4 and I need to make a few more calls, now that we've combined our information for the day." He lets his friend in on the threat given to him, "Margaret has orders to drag me out by my heels, if I refuse at 5. So, one way or the other I'll be seeing you on my way out."
Josh joins in on the teasing, "Don't worry, Leo. I won't let Margaret drag you out by your heels." He grins, with his dimples showing, and looks at Leo and the President, before he finishes with, "I'll just get Toby to help me, to bodily carry you to the car."
Leo challenges back, "I'm going to have an agent by then and he won't let you man handle me out."
"OK, then he can help them," The President cheerfully adds his permission, like it's a favor he's giving.
Leo sighs and gives up in defeat, "Guess, I'm outta here then at 5."
"Yes, you will be." His friend states and then reminds him, "Remember, I answer to Abby, after you leave."
"Yes, Sir." Leo concedes, "See you at 5."
"I'll have him here, Sir." Josh promises as he helps Leo up for the journey back to his office.
"Thanks, Josh," the President watches the leave the room. Impressed by the fact that bouncing Josh is so helpful and careful with Leo. He's equally impressed with Leo accepting Josh as a caregiver. Those two can run the country for him and still care for each other. How did he get so lucky with a senior staff that fits so well together, like an extended family? Great things should come from this administration with this kind of bonding.
****
They make it back to his office with better speed, and Margaret is coming in through her office door to inform him that the security detail is waiting out in the hall.
"Send them in Margaret, and could you get Donna over here." Leo asks before, Josh helps to lowers him to the couch. After he's down he continues, "Then I'd like you both to pop into the meeting long enough to meet the team." He looks up at the eager young man in front of him, "Josh, you can stay for the introductions, can't you?"
"Sure, Leo." Josh looks relieved to be invited, "With me popping in and out at the apartment, I'd like them to recognize me."
Leo nods his head in agreement and gently rubs the top of his right hand with the side of his other hand. The healing process is itching a bit. "That's why I want the Margaret and Donna to meet them as well."
The five members of the new security detail enter including the head of his detail, Agent Mike Collins. "Good afternoon, Mr. McGarry, I'm here to head your personal detail, to inform you of the member rotation and how we'll be escorting you."
"Hi, Mike. Go ahead, it's your meeting," Leo agrees, as he's anxious to know how they're going to run his life.
Agent Collins sees the look of mild despair in Mr. McGarry face and starts his professional briefing, "Thank you, Sir. I need to introduce you to the detail members. There will be three main agents, on an 8-hour rotation and two additional members to relieve us. With each shift, the new agent will do a sweep of the area prior to relieving the agent on duty and the agent leaving will have an area to sweep as well. Small concessions will be made when you are in safe areas, due to the low technical techniques of the attackers. Their pattern is to catch you outside and alone. We won't take any risks, but will try to give you some personal freedoms. The President has requested that Ron Butterfield oversee Agent Cooper's investigation into your attack and to oversee your protection detail as well, therefore I will be reporting directly to him and he will step in when needed. Making him the one constant is this matter. If there are any questions please feel free to ask me or ask any of the other detail agents."
"That sounds fine to me," Leo nods approval to Agent Collins as he thinks he can live with this arrangement, so far. "I just want to introduce all parties, that will be involved in my daily life, to each other. That way no awkward situations will arise." Agent Collins nods his approval now, so Leo continues as he points with his right hand. "Josh Lyman, here, is my Deputy COS and is a constant visitor at the apartment as is his assistant and girlfriend Donna Moss. I know Margaret wants to meet the agents that will be escorting us and camped outside the apartment." He looks directly at Agent Collins and then states, "I 'do' want you to realize that the only reason I agreed to security at all is due to the fact that if I keep Margaret with me, then she's secure also." He blows out a labored breath, "She was threatened and 'is not' a candidate for your services and she will 'not' let me privately supply her with her own protection." He pauses to catch his breath, again, "So, Gentlemen, you have her to thank that I'm taking this as well as I am. I just wanted you to realize, before the women get here, that I'm choosing the lesser of two evils." He gets sarcastic as he reflects on how much he hates having security, "You can grin now. My life has been taken over by those around me, who care about me and I hope I fully recover from them." He explains this, due to the fact that the whole White House knows that Leo McGarry never takes orders, except from the President; he gives them.
"Yes, Sir" Agent Collins confirms, "We are aware that Miss Ryan will be with you and we will extend our protection to her as well. So long as you both realize that you are our number one priority."
"Fine," that's exactly what Leo wants to hear, but he warns Agent Collins, "I just want to remind you of my promise to Coop last Saturday night. If Margaret needs protection and you do 'not' provide it, I 'personally' will protect her myself and you can follow along, if you feel so inclined."
Agent Collins almost smiles, but he knows Leo McGarry is serious, "We'll keep that in mind, Sir."
Leo looks at all five men assembled, till they all nod in understanding.
Margaret sticks her head in the connection office door. "Leo, Donna's here with me. Is it all right for us to come in now?"
"Yeah, Margaret," Leo signals her to come into the office. "This is Agent Collins and he's the head of the security detail." The women stop just inside the door with this being an official meeting that they are normally not invited to attend.
"Miss Ryan. Miss Moss," Agent Collins acknowledges the introductions with a nod to each. He then starts the team introductions to those in the room, "Mr. McGarry, the other detail members are Agent Warren Lewis, Agent Buck Rideout, Agent John Young, and Agent Richard Moore."
"Hello, Gentleman." She returns the introductions, "I'm Margaret Ryan and this is Donna Moss. It's nice to meet you. We really hope this is an uneventful detail for you."
Donna asks, while she has Agent Collins' attention, "Did Leo tell you that Josh and I have a pass card to the building and a key to the apartment?" She continues right on when the agent doesn't interrupt her, "Margaret has talked to the management at the building and they are aware of this." She lastly adds, "The manager was agreeable that we can use Leo's parking space while his car is here."
Agent Collins has a pleasant look on his face as he answers Donna. "Actually, I'm glad you brought that up, Miss Moss. We'll have another space assigned for you to park in and we're also moving Miss Ryan's car to the White House parking lot, after it as been swept again." He explains why to the foursome, "We want both of the original parking spots to be left vacant, so if the attackers are prowling the parking lot, they will see both spaces empty. The management is informing the other residents of this arrangement, when they inform them of our presence there, as well."
Agent Collins now directs his comments to Leo, "Sir, we did make all the arrangements with the building managers today and delivered your belongings to the apartment, as promised. I just want to remind you, that your mail will be returned to both of you, here at the White house after we cleared it."
"I finally need to remind you, Mr. McGarry." The head agent gets serious and he's really talking to the foursome, "That we'll only visually check for your presence in the apartment, if it's absolutely necessary. We will announce ourselves on our way in. No need to panic. We may just need to be in close proximity to you, for emergency reasons. Do you understand what I am saying?"
"Yeah, if I'm shy, I'm to sleep with clothes on," Leo deadpans a reply. "Anything else, Mike?"
"No, sir, that just about covers it." Agent Collins ends the meeting with, "We'll keep you informed of any changes."
The agents file out with at nod to all in exiting. Leo is still sitting up on the couch. He couldn't stand up for the meeting, but he does at least look somewhat capable with his feet on the floor.
Josh and Donna return to his office. Leaving Leo and Margaret looking at each other, with sweet sadness and resignation, at the way their lives are about to change. There's just a touch of a silver lining, to the dark cloud over them. Leo holds his arms slightly wide, inviting Margaret into the hug they both need. Cuddling will have to wait till later.
****
Margaret's sitting next to Leo on the couch, leaning on his shoulder, as he can't put his arm around her right now, "Leo, it's after 4:30 and you need to ice your ribs again, before you head for the car." Margaret reminds him of the bad part, "It's going to be a long walk and getting in and out of the car will be painful."
"Yeah, I know." He's caressing her hand with his thumb, as it is the only finger working at the moment. " Damn, I just had a bad thought. I have to make it look good when I'm getting in and out of the car, in case we're being watched here or at the apartment, by the attackers."
"Well, Leo. If I get in first, I can help to catch you as you get in and shove you back out," she bluntly suggests. "The windows are tinted. No one will see me doing it."
Leo just stops cold and stares at her. You can just see the thought processes going on in his head, "That just sounds like something I should say is a really dumb notion and totally unnecessary, but I'm starting to think you might be right." Leo's agitated in his brainstorming, trying to work out the best plan of action. "I 'do' have to twist my body to get in, no matter how I work it. Short of looking like I'm being put into the back of a police cruiser and 'that way' would obviously draw attention." He pauses thinking out loud and looks at her questioning face, "Margaret, I'll just trust you again with this, 'you're the lady with the plan' in all of this."
Her face brightens into a smile, "Thank you, Leo. I promise, I'll be gentle with you, in the car."
"Damn, Margaret." He looks at her in exasperation, "You said that on purpose and you know I'll be in pain, in the car. That line just does something to me and you teased me with it, at every chance this weekend." He blows out a breath and he cocks his head to the side, "You think you're safe, do you?" He threatens her with a gleam in his eye. "Payback can be hell, you know."
"Promises, promises, Leo." She teases him on her way out, to get the ice for his ice pack.
Leo leans his head back on the couch and blows out another exasperated breath that ends with a growl. ~She's just playing with my mind and I'm happy she is. Just wait till my body heals and I can turn her loose on the rest of me. ~ He sighs in content anticipation as he waits for her return with the ice.
****
Josh pops into the office with a smile on his face. "Hey, Leo. Ready to race me to the car?"
"Shut up, Josh," is Leo's automatic response to Josh's happy attitude.
"Just kidding, Leo." Josh doesn't look the least bit chastised.
"I know. I'm ready. 'Margaret'," he does a poor imitation of his former bellow. Leo removes the ice pack from his ribs and Josh helps him to get his feet back on the floor.
"Yes, Leo?" Margaret sticks her head into the office.
"Josh is here to get me to the car. Can you call and have it brought around to the portico, in about five minutes?" He gets a happy grin on his face, "Shut down the office and grab your things, Margaret. They're throwing us out for the night."
"Being a little optimistic, Leo." Josh questions with mock disbelief, "Five minutes to the portico. I said I was joking on the racing."
"Funny Josh." Leo's being realistic, "I may have to move fast, before my ribs warm up after the ice pack." Leo puts his glasses into his shirt pocket. "Josh, step out and let the agent know that we are getting ready to leave. Margaret informed them earlier that we intended to go at 5pm."
"Sure," was the only remark Josh gave with his hand already on the doorknob to the hall door.
While they are waiting for everyone to get ready for the departure Leo discusses the plan, "Josh, I was thinking earlier that I need to look like I'm getting in and out, as normal as possible, at the car." Leo explains his strategy to Josh this time. "Margaret's getting in first to help me from the inside. You can't help me with your hands, it'll be seen, but you can look like you're crowding me in and block the view of me, as I'm entering the car."
"Yeah, I'll do that, Leo." Josh is looking at the floor, running the plan through his head. "You're right, there will be people watching here, namely the press. At the apartment, we have no idea who will be watching, if anyone."
Leo grins and reminds Josh, "Just remember to catch me in the elevator."
"That's the plan, Leo." He grins back at Leo, glad that Leo's not exhausted this evening to the point that it would've been impossible to get him discreetly out of the White House. Josh reminds Leo of the foursome's motto, "We always have a plan."
Margaret and the agent enter, "Leo, the car should be there by the time you get across the Oval Office. I'll just peek in and see if the President is alone."
"OK, Margaret," Leo agrees and hold his arms up for Josh to get him up. "You go first and we'll meet you at the car." The agent makes a mention into his wrist mike, to the effect that they're leaving the office now.
Josh has Leo up and into the Oval Office, in no time at all. The President gets up from his desk and meets them at Leo's door to walk across with him. Leo's panting and he pauses at the outside door. He knows he has to do the next part on his own, even with Josh beside him.
The President looks over and personally orders, "Josh, you take good care of getting him into the apartment." The look he gives Josh is full of meaning, he's trusting Josh to do what he can't do outside the White House. He looks at the agent. "You take good care of him, also."
"Yes, Sir." The agent quickly answers without a doubt. He's already scanning while he waits for Mr. McGarry to move out the door.
"Good," he turns back to Josh and Leo. "Leo, I know Margaret will take excellent care of you, so behave and don't give her a hard time."
Leo tries to chuckle, "You sound like your sending me to camp for the summer. I'll be good, Dad. I promise."
"Come here, you kook," the President steps to Leo and cups him behind the neck and kisses him on the cheek. He pulls back slightly and softy tells him, "It's hard letting you out of my care, this time, Leo." He looks at Leo's healing face. "Love you, man." He steps away. With laughter now in his voice, he teases, "Leo, get going before I change my mind and send a Notre Dame t-shirt home with you to wear tonight."
"I'm going." Leo acts like that is motivation enough to get him out the door, "No t-shirt!" Leo steps out of Josh's hold and through the door to the car. The security driver has the door open and waiting. Margaret slips in first, as Leo waves her into the car, in a gentlemanly fashion for the onlookers. Leo holds his breath and grits his teeth. He sits in one swift motion as Josh blocks the view at the car door and follows Leo into the car. The agent speaks into his mic, "'Pilot' is loaded and leaving." Leo and Margaret look at each other and grin at his codename, while Leo pants for breath and holds his side.
****