Title: Hearts Alone (2/4)
By: adoreleo
Rating: For Part2 is PG. Contains some strong language.
Characters: Leo, Margaret and Mallory
Spoilers: Anything up to and including Liftoff.
Disclaimer: The characters are from the NBC, WB, TV show The West Wing; they don't belong to me.
Beta, Brainstorming & Additional Ideas By: Lynn, who always goes above and beyond the call. THANKS!!!!
Feedback: Is greatly appreciated and motivates me to write more!
Author's Notes: I messed with the timeline and have Leo's heart attack occurring about two months before Thanksgiving. And obviously the nurse in this story is not the same one that is on the show.
Part 2
Monday
Mallory gets up out of bed, makes herself some coffee, sits down on her couch and then calls her father's old office. She's surprised when Margaret doesn't answer and leaves a message for her to call her at home. Mallory is hoping to go to lunch with her today, since she doesn't have to teach school.
Mallory spends the rest of the morning catching up on some neglected housework. She doesn't plan to go visit her dad until later this afternoon. She finishes most of what she wants to get done and sits down on the couch to relax for a little while. She looks at the clock, discoveries it's almost eleven and is surprised that she still hasn't heard from Margaret. She leans over, picks up the phone and dials that all so familiar number once again.
"Hello, CJ Cregg speaking." A hurried CJ says quickly, picking up the ringing phone on Margaret's desk.
"Hey CJ, it's Mallory," she's somewhat surprised that Margaret didn't answer the phone.
"Hi Mallory. How's your dad doing?" CJ asks, as she leans against her assistant's desk.
"Getting stronger everyday. Thanks for asking."
"Tell him I said hey and I wish I could stop by to visit more often but…" CJ tries to explain.
"CJ, he knows. Don't worry about it." Mallory says, knowing that her new job as Chief of Staff keeps her very busy. That's one thing about this whole situation that Mallory doesn't miss. She loves that she now gets to see her father any time she wants to.
CJ laughs at Mallory's use of one of her father's patented phrases. "Okay, so what's up?" CJ says, looking at her watch. She had been on her way out of the office to a meeting when the phone rang. She doesn't want to rush off the phone, but she doesn't want to any further behind in schedule, either.
"I was wanting to talk with Margaret about something, maybe even meet her for lunch today, if she's available. I called earlier and left a message this morning, but she hasn't returned it yet. Are you more of a slave driver than my Dad was," Mallory laughs nervously.
"Gosh, I sure hope not," CJ jokingly comments. She still can't believe how Leo kept on top of everything.
"It's just not like her to not return my call," Mallory replies.
"Yeah, that doesn't sound like her at all. She's had… well she's not really seemed herself lately. Not that I'm any expert on her, but I just figured that she's having trouble adjusting to me."
"CJ, I don't think it's that." Mallory replies. She has her own idea as to what's bothering Margaret.
"Well, she does seem a little distracted. I've just assumed that it revolves around your dad. The heart attack and his resignation as Chief of Staff have hit her a lot harder than she's willing to admit."
"Yeah, I think there's a lot of that going around," Mallory agrees.
"Don't get me wrong Mallory. I mean she is wonderful at her job and she keeps this office and me running on time. I could never have done this without her, but she seems a little lost sometimes, mostly when she's tired and well…I think she just misses your Dad," CJ informs her sadly. She decides not to tell her that she found Margaret crying last week at her desk and that she refused to talk about why she was upset.
"She's amazing, there's no doubt about that," Mallory pauses, thinking about how to continue. "I think you're right about her missing my dad, but… I don't think she's been by to visit him since he got home from the hospital and that's definitely not like Margaret."
"You're kidding," CJ says in a shocked voice. "You know she talks about him all the time, so… I just assumed that she was visiting him."
"I did too. It didn't even dawn on me until last week that I hadn't seen her around. I feel terrible about not realizing it sooner, but it's just that I've been so worried about Daddy."
"Mallory, you have no reason to feel bad. You've had a lot going on." CJ knows that Mallory has been spending most of her free time with her father. She's heard Leo teasingly complain about it on the phone when she's called to talk with him about a couple of work related items.
"Yeah, I guess." Mallory still feels guilty for no catching on sooner.
"Mallory, I'm sorry, but I really do need to run to this dumb meeting. I don't know how your father ever put up with half the stuff he did."
"CJ, before you go, I need a favor. My mom is being adamant about me visiting her this Thanksgiving, but I don't feel comfortable about leaving Daddy alone."
"What about his nurse?" CJ asks with a frown. The couple of times that she's been over to visit Leo, his nurse was not very friendly.
"The nurse's last day is Wednesday and I was going to ask Margaret if she would come stay with him. That is… if she has the time."
"Mallory, say no more. I'm going to make sure she takes the time off so that she can stay with Leo."
"Thanks, CJ. This means a lot to me," Mallory sighs. "Now if I can just get a hold of her on the phone."
"Well… when I see Margaret I'll tell her to give you a call. She should be back soon… oh wait just a second, here she is now." CJ cups her hand over the phone. "It's Mallory."
"Is Leo okay?" Margaret asks in a panic, as she rushes over and extends a hand to take the phone.
"Yes, he's fine. She just needs to talk with you," CJ smiles as she hands over the phone. "Margaret, I need to get to my meeting in the Mural Room." She informs her as she walks out the door.
"Hey Mal. How are you?" Margaret nods her head at CJ, as she moves behind her desk and sits down. She hasn't talked to Leo's daughter since the first week after he got out of the hospital.
"I'm fine. And you?"
"I'm… okay," Margaret lies. She wants to ask about Leo, but she's afraid that her voice will give her away. She's been having a hard time lately controlling her emotions here at work. This is the longest she's ever gone without seeing Leo since he was in rehab. At least then, she'd talk to him every couple days or so, and it also helped that she didn't have romantic feelings for him back then.
"You know, you can ask me about how he's doing." Mallory softly asks after Margaret's silent pause.
"Mal," Margaret sighs.
"He's fine. I little grumpy sometimes, but he's getting stronger everyday. He can't wait to get back to the White House." Mallory isn't sure how she really feels about her dad going back to work there. She hopes that he's learned his lesson and will slow down.
"So it's true," a worried Margaret says. "I've heard rumors that he's coming back. Do you think that's wise that he come back to work here?" She doesn't know what's going to happen then. Will she stay with CJ or work for Leo. She's worried that Leo may not even need her then.
"Like I could stop him from going back," Mallory sighs. "Margaret, haven't you talked with him?"
"I umm… didn't want to bother him." She says, as she nervously twists some hair above her ear between her fingers.
"Margaret, it's no bother and I know he would love to hear from you." Mallory tries to convince her.
"Really, did he say… that?" Margaret's voice cracks.
"Yes," she lies. She knows her father will never come out and say it, but he misses her. "Oh and while we're on the subject, Daddy and I need a huge favor."
"What?" She says quickly.
"Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?" Mallory asks and then holds her breath a little, waiting for an answer.
"Well, I'm supposed to go over to Carol's apartment. A bunch of the assistants are going to be there." Margaret explains.
"Oh," Mallory lets out her held breath and frowns disappointedly.
"What do you need?"
"No, that's okay Margaret. Don't… worry about it." Mallory says in a slightly dismayed voice. She'll just have to call her mom and tell her she can't come, because she doesn't know of anyone else to ask to stay with her dad.
"Mallory?"
"Well… I was suppose to go to my Mom's for Thanksgiving but I really don't want to leave Daddy here by himself."
"I thought he has a nurse to stay with him?"
"He does, but Wednesday is her last day. The doctor has cleared him to stay by himself. But… I just don't want to be out of town for the first few days that he's alone."
"I can spend the day with him," Margaret quickly blurts out, before her brain can stop her.
"Well… I kinda wanted you to stay with him though Saturday evening. I've already mentioned it to CJ and she's willing to give you the time off."
"Stay with Leo, overnight?" Margaret's office suddenly becomes very warm. "Well… I… umm I guess I could stay with him." Margaret knows that Mallory could probably use a break.
"Are you sure?"
"Mal, its not problem. I can come stay. It's not like I'm not used to spending every waking hour of the day with your father," she nervously laughs, trying to hide her panic.
"Oh thank you, Margaret. I'll tell Daddy he's going to have a houseguest. I just hope he doesn't bite my head off," Mallory snickers.
"Mallory, doesn't he know that you were going to ask me?" Margaret's voice is full of panic.
"No, not really. He told me to go and stop worrying about him. But I just can't do that yet."
"He's not going to be happy that you went behind his back. He doesn't like being handled." Margaret has witnessed many times that people have tried that and its blown up in their faces.
"Well that's just tough," Mallory says with some force, "because it's the only way I'm going to leave town."
"Mal, he may not even want me there. Have you thought of that?"
"Margaret, stop being silly. Daddy misses you."
"Mallory, did he actually say that or are you putting words in your father's mouth?" Margaret asks, trying not to get her hopes up. She's been in love with her boss for a few years now. At first, she dismissed it as a silly crush that assistants develop for their bosses, but with each passing year that she's worked for him it gotten harder and harder to deny.
"Margaret, you know Daddy never says anything about how he feels."
"Yeah, but still…"
"Margaret, don't worry about it. It's going to be fine. I'm going to call him as soon as I hang up."
"Okay, well let me know if it's not okay with him. Mal I hate to rush off, but I need to be going. CJ keeps me pretty busy." Her job has been twice as hard, since CJ is still new to her position.
"Okay, I'll call you later today and we can go over some things about Daddy's schedule that you'll need to know. Oh I almost forgot. Can you meet me for lunch today? We could talk about it then."
"I'd better not, especially since it looks like I'm going to be off work for a couple of days. Sorry."
"That's fine. I completely understand. I'll call you later tonight and we can go over it then."
"Okay, bye Mal. I'll talk with you tonight."
Mallory hangs up the phone and quickly dials her father's number before she loses her nerve. "Hi, Daddy."
"Hey, Baby."
"Well… I've got great news. I've decided to go visit Mom for Thanksgiving." Mallory informs her father.
"That's wonderful Mal," Leo says, although he feels a pang of despair about being by himself in his hotel room. Every since he had his heart attack in the woods and laid there for hours all alone, he really doesn't like the thought of being alone.
"And I have a surprise for you. Margaret's going to come stay with you while I'm gone." Mallory cringes slightly, waiting for her father's response.
"What?" He growls.
"Daddy, before you start in on me, let me just tell you that this is the only way I'm going to go away for Thanksgiving."
"Mallory, I'm sure that Margaret's got better things to do than to baby-sit me. Which by the way, I don't require. The doctor said I was doing great and didn't need a nurse anymore." Leo quickly points out.
"I know Daddy. But I don't feel right being out of town and this being the first time you're going to be alone."
"Mallory, I'm going to have to be on my own sometime," he says, even though he's not looking forward to it.
"I know you do, but I want to be around and be able to check on you. Daddy, please." Mallory implores.
"Okay," Leo lightly growls. He's always had a hard time telling her no when she uses that little girl voice on him. "I bet Margaret's just dreading this."
"No, she's not. At lest that's not the impression I got," Mallory adds with a smile. She wishes she could see the look on her father's face right now.
"Really," Leo perks up a little bit when he hears that. He didn't fully realize how much she meant to him until she wasn't around everyday. He's thought a lot about her lately. He's always held his feelings in check for her because of the boss assistant thing and the fact that he's at least fifteen years older than her. But, if he was to be honest with himself, he's had feelings for her for some time now. She's the real reason that he broke it off with Jordan. He couldn't see himself spending the rest of his life with her, but when it comes to Margaret, he can't imagine her not in his life, and these past few weeks without her around have been some of the loneliest and hardest times he can remember.
"Yeah, maybe you could bellow her names a few times. I'm sure she really misses that," Mallory laughs.
"Mallory."
"All right, I'll quit. I need to go anyway. I have to start getting ready to leave."
"Are you still flying out tomorrow afternoon?"
"Yeah, I am, but I'll be come visit you before I leave tomorrow."
"Mallory, you were over here for most of Sunday and you've been by everyday since I got home from the hospital."
"So, why stop a good thing now?" She laughs.
"Look… we're going to talk about this, in great detail, when you get back."
"Whatever, Daddy," she laughs. "I'll see you this afternoon. I'd hate to miss out on one of our walks."
"Mal, you don't need to come over today. You have plenty to do."
"I know I don't need to come over to visit, but I want to, so I'll see you this afternoon."
"Okay, bye Mal."
"Bye, Daddy. I love you."
I love you too, Baby." Leo says, and then hangs up the phone.
Tuesday
"Leo McGarry's office… no I mean… sorry… CJ Cregg's office," a flustered Margaret rolls her eyes and shakes her head at her mistake. She mentally chastises herself for making that mistake, yet once, again.
"Hey Margaret, I guess that would be a hard habit to break after all these years," Leo says, as a shiver of regret shoots though him. It's hard to not think of himself as Chief of Staff anymore.
"Leo… umm," Margaret can't tell him that the reason she answered the phone that way is because she hasn't been able to get him off her mind, especially since her talk with Mallory on Monday.
"Margaret, it's fine. I was just calling to tell you that you don't have to come over to stay this weekend. I'd imagine you have somewhere else that you'd like to be for Thanksgiving."
"No, not really. Besides, I promised Mallory."
"I don't need a babysitter," Leo growls.
"I'm sure you don't," Margaret calmly says, "but you and I both know it's the only way that Mallory's going to go out of town for a few days and I'm sure she can use a break."
"Mal left early this afternoon, so she won't know…"
"Oh… but I would and I'm not going back on my word to her," Margaret quickly informs him.
"Yeah, you're right," Leo sighs heavily. He really doesn't want to deceive his daughter either; it's just that he hates having to rely on others. "So… I guess you're stuck with me."
"Well… Leo McGarry, when you put it like that, how can I possibly resist?" Margaret smirks.
"That's not what… oh never mind," Leo breathes a deep breath.
"Okay," Margaret bobs her head on reflex.
"Well since you insist on coming over you might as well come over tomorrow night. If you'd like? My nurse is leaving early tomorrow afternoon to go spend Thanksgiving with her family."
"Leo, I was planning on working late tomorrow night since I won't be at work again until Monday."
"You don't have to work this weekend?" Leo hadn't planned on Margaret being around the whole time, not that he really minds, but his hotel room is only so big and he's worried that being around her for all that time that it will be hard to keep his feelings for her concealed.
"No, CJ is making me take the weekend off. I think Mallory and…" Margaret hesitates realizing her mistake.
"Damnit," Leo interrupts. He doesn't like being handled.
"Leo, please calm down. They both meant well."
"It's… just… well never mind," Leo tries to calm down. He hates that his health is impacting the daily running of the White House.
"Leo, you know, not much happens during the holiday break."
"Yeah," Leo relents. "Margaret, I still think you might as well just come over on Wednesday night." He really doesn't want to be alone in the hotel at night yet. During the day, he can distract himself with reading, watching CNN and working on his crosswords. But the nights are so long, and his mind races with random thoughts about the night of his heart attack.
"Leo, I really don't know how late I'll be and I don't want you waiting up for me." She says in a firm voice.
"Margaret, you still have a key to my room, don't ya?"
"Yeah," she replies.
"Then use it and just let yourself in tomorrow night. You've done it several times before."
"Yeah, but you weren't there."
"Don't worry about it. I'm getting used to people letting themselves in and out of my hotel room these past few weeks."
"Okay, but don't wait up for me. I could be quite late," she adamantly repeats.
"I won't," Leo lies. He has every intention of making sure she arrives at his hotel safely.
"Oh… do you need me to bring something to fix for Thanksgiving dinner?" Margaret asks as she mentally calculates how much time she'd need to get everything done and go grocery shopping too.
"Nah, the hotel is having a Thanksgiving dinner. Is that okay with you?"
"That's fine with me," Margaret says with smile.
"Okay, I probably should let you get back to work. Bye," he takes a deep breath and smiles to himself. 'She's going to be here tomorrow. I'm going to wait up for her even if I have to take a nap tomorrow afternoon,' he thinks to himself.
"Bye," Margaret says and then hangs up the phone. She sits at her desk for a few minutes worrying about staying with Leo and wondering how she's going to keep feelings under control around him. She breathes a heavy sigh, logs onto her computer and tries to get some work done.
TBC part 3