Title: Collapse (2/3)
By: adoreleo
Rating: PG13 - Contains some language.
Characters: Leo, Margaret, CJ, Josh, Abbey and Jed
Spoilers: Anything up to and including Disaster Relief from Season Five of West Wing.
Disclaimer: The characters are from the NBC, WB, TV show The West Wing; they don't belong to me.
Beta & Additional Ideas By: Lynn, who always goes above and beyond the call. THANKS!!!!
Feedback: Is greatly appreciated and motivates me to write more! Thanks to those who have been so nice to provide feedback!
Part 2
Abbey and her Secret Service Agents enter the hospital's elevator. She immediately turns to them and instructs, "Remember this is a hospital, I don't want my visit to cause an uproar. Especially in ICU."
"Yes Ma'am, it won't. We already have an agent posted at Mr. McGarry's door, so we won't have to sweep his room," he informs the First Lady.
"Why?" Slightly upset that she isn't already aware of this, but more concerned that there might be some threat towards Leo.
The agents in the elevator exchange a quick glance between them. "The President ordered it, Ma'am. It's just as a precaution. There's been no threat, Ma'am," her lead agent explains.
"Okay," she turns, facing the door and stares at her reflection. She still hasn't talked with Jed since she found out about Leo, but then again she hasn't really talked with him for over a couple of months now. They speak on the phone occasionally, but it's usually strained and brief to say the least. Most of the time that Jed calls, she doesn't even talk to him, leaving Zoey to talk with her father. She hadn't planned on coming back anytime soon, but things are different now. No matter how mad she is with Leo, she never wished him any harm.
Abbey and Leo used to be the closest of friends, but little by little, since Jed took office, the distance between them has grown. 'Damnit, if I had been there, maybe I would have seen that he was driving himself into exhaustion.' But then again she thinks, if Margaret wasn't able to get him to take care of himself, nobody else could have either.
Abbey's worried about what condition Leo is going to be in after he wakes up. Margaret had told her that the doctor has indicated that the swelling of the brain is minimal, but when it comes to the brain, so much is unknown. At the very least, he's going to need constant monitoring of his poor nutritional status.
The elevator approaches the correct floor, and one of the agents speaks into his wrist mic, and then listens. "We have the all clear," he tells Mrs. Bartlet and the other agent in the elevator.
A nervous First Lady exits the elevator and heads for the ICU. Her agents stay a short distance behind her. She already knows what room Leo is in and doesn't bother to stop at the nurse's station. She approaches the door and sees Margaret by his side. She's about to enter the room, when she overhears Margaret's confession of love to Leo.
Abbey quietly backs out of the room and walks right into one of her agents. She quickly turns and looks back into Leo's room. Margaret doesn't seem to notice or hear the commotion in the hallway. Abbey's still absorbing what she's just overheard as she heads for the elevators. 'Margaret loves Leo? Now how could I have missed that?' She thinks to herself. 'But then again, I really haven't been around much these past few months.' She inwardly admits to herself.
Abbey only caught a glimpse of Leo, but she can't believe how thin, and frail he looks. He's lost quite a few pounds since she last saw him in early July. Looking back, she wonders what type of shape he had been in during their last meeting, well it was more like a one sided confrontation. Abbey had been too upset and driven to even consider how this whole mess had affected Jed, let alone Leo.
Abbey has never once taken into account the pain, and suffering that they have been going through. But now, she feels terrible guilty about holding a grudge for so long. She had been so hell bent on punishing Jed that she didn't worry or care about everyone who got in her way.
Abbey reaches the elevators and quickly hits the button. She doesn't have to wait too long before the door opens. Her agents escort her into the elevator. When the elevator reaches the ground floor, the doors open but Abbey doesn't move. "Ma'am?" One of the agents says as the other steps off the elevator.
"We're going back up," The First Lady announces as she leans over and presses the button. The agent who has already gotten off the elevator quickly steps back on before the doors close.
Once again, they step off the elevator and head for the ICU. On the way there, Abbey sees Margaret walk into the ICU waiting room. Abbey can tell by the look on her face that she's not happy about having to leave Leo's side.
Margaret is so deep in thought that she doesn't notice the First Lady walk into the waiting room. She is staring across the room rereading the restrictions on visiting patients in the ICU. "Stupid rules," she mutters to herself as she looks up at the ceiling, closing her eyes and breathing a worried sigh. The sound of someone's voice makes her flinch.
"How is he?" Abbey asks, as she approaches a worn out looking Margaret.
Margaret opens her eyes and looks at the First Lady. Without even hesitating she lashes out. "Why does he matter to you all of a sudden?"
Abbey is stunned by Margaret's brusque comment and tone. Normally, she would have retaliated with a similar comeback, but she knows that Margaret is exhausted and frightened. "Leo matters a great deal to me," she says with a raised eyebrow, trying to keep her voice even. "Why would you think that?"
"Doesn't appear that way to me from where I've been sitting these past few months from hell." Margaret stands up, puts her hands on her hips and stares down at the much shorter woman. She doesn't give a damn about how much trouble she might be in; she needs to get a few things off her chest.
"Margaret, I know you're upset and you're looking for someone to..."
"You're damn right I'm upset," Margaret says between gritted teeth, trying to keep her voice low. "He's lying in there because of that damn job. It's... it's destroying him, and nobody gives damn about it. And you," Margaret's voice raises as she points a finger at the First Lady, "are partly to blame for this. I don't know exactly what happened between you two, after Zoey was rescued, but I know something did."
"Margaret, it's been hard on..." Abbey doesn't get a chance to finish her sentence.
"Yes, it's been harder on some more than others. But do you know how guilty Leo feels? He blames himself for the whole thing. He's not said so, but I know he does. He's slowly... he's slowly killing himself. He's not sleeping or eating and he's smoking again. I'm so afraid that he's... he's gonna... drink." Margaret slumps down into her chair and buries her face in her hands as she starts to cry.
"Margaret," Abbey says softly, as she moves over to her. She knows that Margaret's outburst comes from her love for Leo. She understands the frustration from wanting to protect the ones you love. She also feels guilty, because a lot of what Margaret has just said has the ring of truth to it. "Some of what you have said is true, but you're wrong when you say I don't care. I do care. I know that lately, it's not seemed that way, but it's... been difficult for all of us."
Margaret looks up at the First Lady and her face drains of all color as she realizes what she's just done. "Oh, Ma'am. I'm so sorry. It's just..." she sobs.
"Shh... Margaret, it's okay," Abbey lays a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's very hard to not to lash out at others when someone you are in love with is hurt."
Margaret's eyes register shock as the First Lady's words sink into her misty head. She takes a quick breath, "How did...?"
"Margaret, I overheard you earlier in Leo's room." Abbey sits down in the chair next to her.
"Oh, I didn't think... I mean... I didn't realize anyone else was around," she blushes, dipping her eyes as her hands begin to fidget in her lap.
"Margaret, it's okay. I think it's wonderful," she pleasantly says with an approving smile trying to get Margaret to relax. "I can't believe I never noticed before."
"You weren't supposed to, Ma'am." Margaret looks back at the First Lady and is relieved to see her smile.
"This isn't something new, is it?"
"No Ma'am, it's not new," she softly confesses.
"When?"
"It's... complicated," Margaret sighs, thinking back to her earlier conversation with Mallory. It had been so much easier to talk with her. Mallory hadn't asked any probing questions and they've always been close and shared things. Telling the First Lady is another thing, because she has always intimidated her.
"I would imagine," Abbey agrees.
"It was during the... campaign," Margaret confides to her.
"Which one?"
"The first one," then quickly follows with, "But I've never acted on my feelings. Well, umm... I did tell him today, but he couldn't hear me," Margaret has a slightly panicked look on her face. "There's never been anything between us."
"Margaret, I didn't think there had been." Abbey quickly points out, trying to reassure her.
"I just didn't want you to think..." She says in a panic.
"Margaret, I didn't." Abbey softly smiles.
"Okay."
"During the first campaign?" Abbey says trying to get Margaret back on track.
"Yeah," Margaret bobs her head. "You know I've always loved working for Leo, well... the first couple of years were difficult, but even then I saw past his addictions. The longer I worked for him, the more I became... drawn to him," Margaret pauses and looks down at the floor.
"Margaret, it's okay."
This it the first time that Margaret has ever vocalized how this all started for her and she can't believe it's the First Lady that she is confessing it to.
"I had been working for Leo for over six years when he went to New Hampshire. That night, when he got back to the hotel, he was so excited, like a kid at Christmas. He came in yelling my name and pulled me into a big hug. It was wonderful. I felt so... so safe... and well I guess that's when my feelings for him really started to grow."
"You were with Leo when he came to talk to Jed about running for President?" Abbey raises an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Well, at first, Jenny was supposed to go with him, but something came up and she couldn't make the trip, so Leo decided I should go." Margaret face flushes a little as she continues.
"I had already booked them a two bedroom suite at the Marriott and when I tried to change the reservation to two separate rooms, they were totally booked."
"You two shared a room," Abbey says in a slightly surprised voice.
Margaret bobs her head, "Yes, but we had separate bedrooms." She quickly points out.
"Okay, go on," Abbey urges.
Margaret's mind flashes back to that night in New Hampshire in 1997 as she tells the story to the First Lady.
Leo comes bounding into the hotel room. "Jed's gonna do it," Leo announces with a huge smile, walking quickly over to Margaret, pulling her into a big hug and lifting her off her feet.
"Leo McGarry, put me down before you hurt yourself," a surprised Margaret demands, as she tries hard not to reveal how much she is enjoying being held in his arms.
"You're gonna have a lot of work a head of you," Leo informs her as he slowly puts her down and releases her.
"Hard work never hurt anyone; besides... I was getting bored with the lecture circuit. There really isn't enough work for me to warrant you keeping me on as your full time assistant," she confesses with a shy smile.
"Well... I wish ya'd have told me before, cause I would have given you more work or at the very least cut your salary," Leo smirks as he walks over the refrigerator and pulls out a bottle of water. "Do ya want one?" He holds up a bottle of water to her.
"No thanks, as you can see I was just getting ready for bed," she says motioning at her attire.
"You mean you weren't wearing that earlier today?" He quips with a lopsided grin.
"No," she tries to say without blushing. That grin of his gets her every time. It's so sexy. She just wants to rush over and hug him.
"Okay, night," he heads for his bedroom, pulling off his suit coat as he goes. "I need to call Jenny and tell her the good news."
Margaret walks into her bedroom and closes the door. She sits on her bed and notices the phone line light up. It stays lit for only a few seconds, too long for a busy signal, but not long enough for a conversation. "Damnit," she mutters. She's glad that she isn't in the same room with him right now, because she's having to listen to some lame excuse he'd make up about forgetting that Jenny wasn't going to be home until late tonight.
For the past few months, Jenny hasn't been traveling that much with Leo on the lecture circuit. When he had first resigned from the Labor Department and started lecturing, she made most to of the trips with him. But after Jenny figured out that a sober Leo McGarry was a lot harder to manipulate, she stopped making most of the trips with him. That is unless it was to some big city where she could go shopping at only the best stores.
Margaret lies down on the bed and tries to go to sleep, but she can't. She can't stop worrying about Leo. She knows he's upset about Jenny not being home again late at night. She can't sleep so she gets up and goes to their adjoining wall and lays her ear against it. She can hear him walking around in his bedroom. She hears a thump sound from his room followed by a curse. The thump sounded like fist hitting something solid, and it takes every being of her fiber not to go knock on his door. She listens through the wall for a few more minutes, eventually, she hears Leo's mattress creak so she goes and gets in her own bed.
Margaret is still unable to go to sleep. She keeps thinking about the hug that Leo gave her. She loved how his arms felt wrapped around her, even if it were only for a few awkward moments. She closes her eyes and wills herself to sleep, but it still doesn't work. She lies there for over an hour trying to get to sleep. She is just starting to doze off when she hears something from Leo's room.
Margaret gets up, puts her robe on, walks over to Leo's bedroom door and listens against it. She hears muffed sounds coming from inside the room, so she cracks the door open and peeks inside. Leo is thrashing about in his bed and mumbling. She is about to go inside, when he suddenly wakes up and bolts upright in bed. She softly closes the door without him noticing and quickly returns to her bedroom.
Margaret listens at her cracked bedroom door. She hears Leo get up, and then watches him walk out into the living area. He goes over to the mini bar, opens the door, and stares at the contents. Margaret takes a silent intake of breath.
Leo reaches a hand out, hesitates and then pulls it back quickly. He closes the door and goes over to the refrigerator, gets a bottle of water, walks over to the couch and sits down.
Margaret walks out from her bedroom, "Hey," announcing her presence, so she doesn't startle him. He's always accusing her of trying to scare him to death.
"What are you doing up?" He asks, watching her sit down on the opposite end of the couch.
"I couldn't sleep," she divulges as she pulls her lanky legs up under her.
"There seems to be a lot of that going around tonight," he grumbles, and then he takes a long drink of water wishing that it were something stronger.
"Leo, your hand," she says when she sees the bloody knuckles on his hand that's resting on the arm of the couch.
"It's... nothing," he comments, as he briefly glances at it. "Don't worry about it."
Margaret gets up, moves to his side and takes a hold of his hand to examine it. "Let me clean it up." She lets go of his hand and hurries to her room, grabs a washcloth and gets the first aid kit that she always carries with her.
"Margaret, there's no reason to fuss," he complains her as she comes back into the room.
"Leo, you could have a broken knuckle," she lightly scolds him, as she takes his hand again and starts to clean it up.
Leo flexes his hand, "See, nothing's broken." He tries to pull his hand away, but Margaret won't let him.
"Leo, stop," she pleads with her voice and her eyes. She cleans away the blood and then puts some antiseptic on it.
"Hey that stings," he whines, pulling his hand away and blowing on it.
"Stop being such a baby," she grabs a hold of his hand and tries to put a Band-Aid on a knuckle that keeps bleeding. "Besides you were the one stupid enough to..." Margaret stops abruptly as her face turns red.
"Margaret," Leo cocks his head to the side and raises an eyebrow.
"Oh Leo, I'm sorry, I didn't mean... I shouldn't have..." Margaret stutters as she gathers up the first aid supplies, puts them back into the kit and stands to leave the room.
"No, you're right. It was a... stupid thing to do," he acknowledges, looking up at her and then lowering his eyes, staring at the ring on his left hand.
The sound of desperation in Leo's voice causes Margaret to sit back down, "Leo, do you want to talk about it?" She says, laying the first aid kit on the coffee table.
"I'm sure you've already figured it out. I called Jenny and she wasn't home." He confides.
Margaret tries to act surprised, "Maybe she's at a movie or over at Mallory's," she suggests.
"Yeah, maybe," Leo sees right though her. "But, you and I both know this isn't the first time that this has happened." Leo retorts. "It's not like I don't deserve this for putting her though hell the first twenty some odd years of our marriage."
"Leo, you're just jumping to conclusions. I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason why she's not home right now," Margaret offers. She hates defending his wife, but she's doesn't want for him descend any lower into self-pity, possibly giving into temptation to have a drink. But in Leo's case, it wouldn't be just one drink. It would be several.
"Yeah, you're probably right," Leo agrees with her only because he doesn't want to talk about it anymore. He wants to be alone. He wants... he just wants to forget.
"Leo, why don't you try to get some sleep? I imagine we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow and quite possibly for some months to come," Margaret says, trying to get him thinking about the Presidential campaign.
"Yeah, we do." Leo gets up off the couch and heads for his bedroom.
Margaret is still sitting on the couch, "Leo," she calls after him.
"Yeah," he softly replies, turning and folding his arms, staring at her though despondent eyes.
Margaret gets up from the couch and walks over to him. "It's almost been five years and I've seen you struggle... and well... I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you." Margaret softly reveals, laying a comforting hand on his forearm, wishing she could help ease his pain.
"Thanks," Leo utters, afraid to say much more for fear that he will break down. He unfolds his arms and slides his hand on top of hers and gives it a gentle squeeze as he stares at the woman who has really touched him with her heartfelt words. 'What I wouldn't give to hear those words from Jenny,' he thinks to himself.
"You're welcome," she returns, as she pulls her hand from his and turns towards her bedroom. "Good night," she says, as she reaches the door.
"Night," he manages to say with only a hint of emotion in it, as he closes the door.
Margaret's mind fades back to the present conversation with Abbey in the waiting room of George Washington Hospital.
Margaret hesitates before she continues. "I spent the rest of the night, sitting on the floor with the door cracked, listening for him. I was so afraid he was... going to... drink." Margaret admits, lowering her eyes in shame.
"Margaret, don't worry about it. I'll never say a word about it," Abbey says, then tries to lighten the subject "So, you realized that night that you loved him."
"Yeah, I mean he was just so cute in his pajamas, and he flashed that grin several times when he first got back from convincing the Governor to run for President."
"Yeah, that grin is something else isn't it? He deserves to smile a lot more than he does," Abbey agrees with a smirk. "Does anyone else know how you feel about Leo?"
"Mallory's figured it out. When I talked to her today, she informed me she knows and that I should tell him. She... she thinks that he feels the same way about me."
"So, she approves?" Abbey says with a smile.
"Yes," Margaret bobs her head.
"Then that's half the battle," Abbey says.
"What about Jenny?" Margaret whispers, thinking about that ever-present ring on his finger.
"She's no longer a factor. She threw him away." Abbey says bitterly. She too had heard rumors about Jenny and an old law partner of Leo's.
"But I still think he loves her and hopes that they will get back together when this is all over. Why else would he still be wearing that ring?" Margaret asks.
"I'm not sure why he still wears it. It's something that I've wondered to about too. But, if Mallory thinks he feels the same way, maybe you should tell him after he wakes up. You both deserve to be happy."
"I don't know if I can. Its one thing to tell him when I know he can't hear me," Margaret blushes.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Sometimes, people wake up and can tell you everything that's been said in the room while they were unconscious,"
"Really," Margaret squeaks. "You mean he might remember what I told him?"
"It's possible," Abbey replies. "Margaret, I'm gonna go check on him and see if I can get his doctor to come talk to me."
"Good luck with the doctor," Margaret frowns. "He's not very friendly."
"Well, we'll just see about that," Abbey frowns, as she stands and heads for the door. "I know someone here on staff that I want to have Leo switched to, anyway. I hope they don't give me a fuss about only family being able to switch his doctor for him."
"He doesn't need Mallory to do that. I have his health proxy and I would be more than happy to sign the paperwork," Margaret starts digging though her purse, finding the paperwork and handing it to the First Lady.
"Okay, great. I'll be back in a minute. Why don't you run and get coffee or something," Abbey suggests.
"I really don't want to be too far away from him," Margaret says.
"There's a machine down the hall," Abbey informs her.
"Okay," Margaret relents.
Abbey makes her way back to the waiting room and finds Margaret sitting there, staring at the cup of coffee sitting on the table next to her. "Margaret," she says, walking into the room and taking the chair next to Margaret. "I just talked with Leo's new doctor, Dr. Richards, he's an old friend, and he's agreed to bend the rules and let you sit in the room with Leo."
"Really," she breathes a small sigh of relief.
"Yes, come on let's go get you settled."
"Thank you Mrs. Bartlet. I don't..."
"Margaret, Leo needs you by his side now more than ever. It'll be the best thing for him." Abbey says as she guides Margaret back to Leo's room.
CJ leaves the White House around nine o'clock and heads for the hospital. It's been a long couple of days for her and she would love to be able to go home and fall into her bed, but she wants to go by and see Leo first, even if he doesn't realize she's there. She needs to see him.
CJ parks her car and heads for the ICU. She's a little nervous about seeing Leo this way. The First Lady stopped by her office earlier tonight and gave her an update on Leo's condition. CJ was glad that Abbey was back at the White House, but she wishes it had been under different circumstances.
CJ stops at the nurse's station and is pointed towards Leo's room. She finds Margaret sitting by Leo's bedside, reading to him. "Hey Margaret," she softly says, as she enters the room.
"CJ," Margaret face flushes, as she quickly closes the magazine and lays it on the bedside table. "I umm... thought he might like hearing a familiar voice."
"Margaret, I'm sure he does," CJ smiles, trying to put Margaret at ease. "How's he doing?" She asks, moving closer to the bed. She's shocked at the site of feeble looking Leo.
"About the same," she says as she stands up and moves to Leo's bedside and lays a hand on his bed. "They think he's still unconscious because of the exhaustion instead of his head injury. At least they hope that's the case."
CJ notices the pain and tiredness in Margaret eyes, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," she returns as she reaches out and smoothes the sheets on the edge of the bed.
CJ smiles at the patented Leo response. "You've been here since early this afternoon, why don't you go home and get some rest." CJ moves closer.
"I can't," she whips her head towards CJ. "He needs me." She reaches out and touches Leo's shoulder. "I don't want him to wake up alone."
"I can stay with him," CJ offers.
"No," she replies a little more forceful than she intended. "Um... it's my responsibility. I'm his assistant. I'll stay. But, thanks."
CJ stares at Margaret, the woman who's dedicated most of her adult life to the man lying in the bed. She's about to argue with her when it hits her. Margaret is in love with Leo. Why didn't she see this before? CJ inwardly smiles. "Well, if you won't let me stay, how about you go take a short break and I'll sit with him."
"I can't..."
"Margaret, Leo won't be happy if you make yourself sick, taking care of him."
"Maybe, but..."
"No buts," CJ informs her as she walks over and picks up Margaret's purse. "Go," she hands her purse to her. "I'll call you if anything changes."
Margaret hesitates, and then takes her purse, "I guess I could use a small break."
"I think the cafeteria is on the third floor," she tells the way too skinny woman standing next to her.
"I'll be right back," she says as she takes a quick glance at Leo, and then slowly she walks out the door.
"Don't hurry back," CJ calls after her.
CJ turns and walks over to Leo's bed. She stands there for a while staring at the man that has been her boss for the past few years. He looks so much older than he did a couple of days ago. She moves closer and notices the bruising and swelling on the side of his face and flinches. She lays a hand on his bed and breathes a heavy sigh.
"Well Leopold, it's hit the fan again. I didn't want to say anything to Margaret, but I actually had some ass of a reporter ask me if the real reason you collapsed was because you were drunk." CJ shakes her head in disgust.
"He said that he'd heard that there had been tension between you and Senior Staff and that you had been acting differently. Then he went on to say that your ex-wife is dating an old law partner of yours and that they have had an affair off and on for years, dating back to the first campaign."
"I just stood there, mouth open, so shocked that he would imply that you were drinking again. Finally, I regained my senses told him that the doctor's statement clearly explained exhaustion as the cause of your fall. I told him to take his seat, and then I moved onto the next question."
"Josh and Toby were waiting for him at the end of the briefing and pulled his credentials. At first, I thought Josh was going to hit him. When the President found out, he wanted him arrested on the grounds of stupidity. It took all three of us to calm him down."
Margaret is on her way to the cafeteria, when she hears Leo's name mentioned on the TV in the waiting room and stops to listen. She's appalled at the accusations that she hears. She wants to find that reporter and slap him. How can he get by saying stuff like that? Irate tears start to fall down her face as she quickly turns around and heads back for Leo's room.
"CJ," she says as she enters the room. "Why didn't you tell me about the reporter? How the hell can he get by with saying that?" He face is red with anger.
"Margaret, I didn't tell you because you have enough to worry about right now. I'm taking care of it. He's already lost his credentials and..."
"I just saw him on TV. He was saying that you're trying to cover this all up and that's the reason he lost his credentials. He says he has a source from the hotel that says there's a bottle scotch in his room." Margaret's face is now flushed with anger.
"Do you think he's drinking again?" CJ asks.
"No," Margaret declares, "I would know if he was," Margaret assures her.
"Then don't worry about this. The spin boys and I will take care of this so-called reporter." CJ walks over to Margaret and lays a hand on her shoulder. "It's what I do best. This guy is toast. Okay?"
Margaret bobs her head, but is still very upset. "It's just not fair. He's worked so hard. I see him struggling, and I want to help, but he won't let me." Margaret breaks down and starts to sob.
"Margaret, seriously. I will take care of this. Please try not to worry about it. I won't let him get by with dragging Leo's name though the mud."
"I just wish..." Margaret doesn't get a chance finish her sentence because a low moan comes from Leo and she rushes to his side grabbing his hand. "Leo, Leo can you hear me?" He doesn't answer, but his legs move a little. "Leo, it's okay. You're in the hospital. Leo can you here me?" Leo doesn't answer, and he stops moving his legs. Margaret grabs the call button and pushes it for the nurse.
"Yes," the nurse responds.
"He just moaned out and moved his legs," Margaret replies back to the nurse.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
The nurse enters the room and checks his vitals. "Everything looks good. His moaning and leg movement are good signs. It means he's trying to wake up. But, it could still take a few hours. He's just not going to wake up all at once. I'll be back in an hour to check on him again. Why don't you try to get some rest," the nurse tells Margaret as she leaves the room.
"Margaret, why don't you go get something to eat? I know you didn't have time enough before." CJ tells her.
"No, I can't leave him now. He's trying to wake up. He needs me."
"You heard the nurse, it's still going to be a while," CJ tries to convince her.
"No, I can't take that chance. I'm staying," Margaret says in a firm voice.
"Okay," CJ sighs, thinking that Margaret's just as stubborn as Leo. "If I go get you something to eat, will you eat it?"
"Yeah," Margaret relents.
"Okay, I'll be right back. Oh I forgot to tell you earlier. The President is coming by later. Ron Butterfield and he have been going around and around about this since we go back from Oklahoma."
"Yeah, Mrs. Bartlet called me earlier to tell me that the President is having some problems with Ron."
"Okay, well I'll be right back," CJ heads for the door, but stops and looks back at the two people in the room. Margaret is holding Leo's hand and talking to him in a soft voice. CJ's is sure that her earlier assumption is true now, after witnessing Margaret's reactions from the past few minutes. CJ can't help but wonder if Leo feels the same way. She sighs and heads off to get Margaret some food and wonders if she'll have to spin a story about the two of them, soon.
The President breathes a heavy sigh of relief as the motorcade leaves the White House grounds. He's finally on his way to see Leo at George Washington Hospital. He leans his head back, closes his eyes and tries to relax a little. But, his mind is quickly flooded with images and thoughts from the past few months. He berates himself for not realizing how everything has affected Leo. But then again, Leo has made himself scarce since Zoey's rescue or had he pushed Leo away. They've barely talked since the Josh incident with the congressman, and Leo wasn't happy that he had flown off to Oklahoma. 'God, I wish I had a cigarette,' he thinks to himself. The thought of a cigarette takes him back to a conversation he had with Leo a few weeks ago. He had walked out onto the portico and found Leo standing by one of the benches with Margaret and overheard their conversation.
"Leo, was the President out here smoking again?" Margaret waves the papers in her hand in an attempt to clear the air.
"Yeah," Leo lies.
"Why don't I believe you?" Margaret gives him her best squinty-eyed look.
"I don't care. Would you go do a job and leave me alone," Leo growls.
"Okay," Margaret bobs her head and quickly leaves.
Leo turns, faces the south lawn and pulls something from his coat pocket. Jed watches a flicker of light appear and then a puff of smoke bellows around Leo's head.
"Hey," the President says, as he moves next to Leo. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doin, Sir?" Leo gives him a glare. He's so tired of how things have been going around here for the past few weeks, and he's really tired of running the White House and the country by himself.
"Looks like... to me... you're asking for a lecture from Margaret," he comments, as he sits down on the bench and motions for Leo to join him.
Leo gives him a smirk, "What are you now? One of Margaret's spies."
"Whatever," the President snidely remarks. "It's your neck if she catches you with that thing in your mouth," pointing to the cigarette that Leo is taking a long drag from.
"That thing, Sir," Leo says, cocking his head to the side. "Besides, you still smoke Mr. President." Even though Leo is not happy with his President right now, he still believes in following protocol.
"Yeah, but Leo you had kicked the habit. What's it been now, eleven years?"
"Well, not really, Sir. I smoked a few years ago in St. Louis. Ya know... ya can't have a drink and not smoke," Leo recklessly tosses out with a scowl. He's very annoyed and doesn't particularly care what he says right now.
"Leo," the President drags his name out into three distinct syllables. Leo's last comment shocked him. He hopes that Leo's not inferring that you can't have a smoke without a drink, too. "You shouldn't start back up again."
"Fine." Leo snaps back as he puts out his cigarette and stands up. "Was there something that you needed, Sir?"
"No, I just noticed you out here and I just... thought I'd see what you were up to." Standing, the President shoves his hands in his pockets and looks down at his feet. There was a time that they could sit and talk for hours. Nowadays, there doesn't seem to be much to say to one another.
"Well, if that's all, Sir. I have a White House to run," Leo quickly turns and limps for the door.
"Leo?" Jed calls after his best friend after noticing Leo's pronounced limp.
Leo's shoulders drop a little as he stops at the door and then turns around, "Yes, Sir."
"Umm... nothing," he relents. He knows that Leo doesn't normally like to talk about his leg and with the way things are between them right now, he knows that Leo would probably get really pissed at him.
Leo nods his head, turns and disappears though the door.
"Sir, we're here," Ron states and brings the President back to the present.
"Yeah," he nods his head. He gets out of the limo and follows his agents inside. He tries to remember what Abbey has told him about Leo's condition and what to expect.
The all clear is given as they enter the elevator. Soon, they are on the ICU floor. The agents sweep the hall, and the President soon follows. When they get to the nurse's station, they all jump up. He gives them a small reserved smile.
The President enters Leo's room and finds Margaret standing by his bedside. "Margaret," he softly says.
"Mr. President," she quickly releases Leo's hand and moves a step away from the bed.
Jed gets his first real good look at his best friend and is stunned by the sight of him. With a quick intake of air, "How's he doing?" He asks, moving to his bedside.
"He just moaned out again and moved his hands this time, Sir." She responds in a hopeful voice.
"Margaret, I think we can dispense with the protocol today," smiling at her.
"Yes, Sir," she automatically responds.
Jed gives Margaret a pointed look, "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, Sir. I mean I'm fine." Margaret softly returns, looking down at her feet.
"Abbey said you haven't taken a break since you got here," the President says in a concerned voice.
Margaret bobs her head.
"Margaret, we can't have both of you sick. Now, I want you to go get something to eat," the President slightly scolds.
"But... CJ brought me something earlier." Margaret complains.
"Yeah, and I can see you didn't eat it, either," he points at the wrapped food on the table next to Leo's bed.
"I fell asleep, and it got cold," she explains.
"Margaret, go get something and I'll stay with Leo until you get back," the President offers.
Margaret just stands there and stares at Leo.
"Do I have to make it an executive order?" The President places a hand on Margaret's arm. "I'm back to being your President again," he smirks. "If that's what it takes to get you out of this room for a few minutes," he says to her sternly.
"Yes, Sir," Margaret protests, as she reluctantly picks up her purse and heads for the door. Leo would have a fit if he knew how she's treated the First Family today.
"I just want to sit with him for a few minutes," the President watches Margaret head for the door. "I have a few things I need to say to him."
Margaret stops in the doorway and lingers there.
"Margaret, don't worry. I'll take good care of him for you while you're gone, okay?" He says with a soft smile.
"Okay," Margaret bobs her head but doesn't move. Instead, she stares at Leo and tears up.
The President walks over and takes her by the shoulders, "Margaret, he's going to be fine." Then he pulls her into a hug.
"Yeah," she whispers back, pulling from his arms and disappearing down the hall.
Jed turns back at his friend, "I don't know what you ever did to deserve her, but it looks like you might be stuck with her for a while." He laughs a little, "I don't envy you once you get out of here, cause you're gonna to have Margaret hovering over you twenty-four seven."
Jed walks over to his beside and stares down at his friend of over forty years. He's upset by Leo's appearance. He hasn't seen him look this tattered since he hit rock bottom in that motel parking lot. "When did you lose so much weight?" He mutters to himself. He sees him everyday. How could he have missed this?
Jed stands there for several minutes, talking to Leo. He tells him about what has been going on at the White House and about the reporter. He tells Leo not to worry about it that CJ, Toby and Josh were handling it. Jed is about to say more but Leo moans out and moves his legs a little.
Jed takes a hold of Leo's hand and squeezes it, "I'm here old friend, and it's going to be okay."
Jed thinks he feels Leo squeeze back, he's not sure if he really did or if he just wishes he did.
Jed squeezes his hand harder; "We're here waiting for you to come back to us when you're ready."
Leo moans out again, like he's having a bad dream.
"Leo it's going to be okay. Abbey's back and she brought Zoey home with her too," Jed offered, telling Leo the good news.
At the mention of Zoey's name, Leo begins to thrash about even more and whimpers a little.
"Leo, its okay, Zoey's home safe, we got here back. Remember?"
Leo moans something; Jed swears that he's trying to say Margaret. He looks at one of his agents, "Get Margaret back up here immediately."
Jed turns back and looks at his friend, he's still moving about a little, but not as much as before.
He still keeps moaning, "Maarr..." But he has yet to open his eyes.
"Leo, hold on, I sent for her. Come on Leo wake up, we all want to see your eyes again. We miss you, come back to us."
Just then Margaret comes rushing back into the room, and she sees the movement and hears him moaning, she rushes to his side, practically knocking over the President, and grabs a hold of his hand, "Leo I'm here, come on Leo, it's okay, open your eyes."
She cups the side of his face, "Leo, I'm here, come on open your eyes," she brushes her fingertips along his face. She feels him tighten his grip on her hand.
Leo is trying so hard to break though. He wants to look into her eyes, but he's so tired and his head is throbbing. He can't seem to get his eyes open. Maybe if he rests a little more, he can open them up in a little while. He stops his movement and calms at the sound of her loving voice.
"That's okay, Leo. I know you tried so hard. You'll do it soon. You rest now, I'll be right here by your side," she tells him and she continues to stroke his face.
The President walks over to Margaret and lays a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She'd forgotten that he was even here, "I'm sorry for pushing..."
"Margaret, stop. I can see he's with who he should be. I'll try to come back tomorrow. I'm sure he'll be awake by then."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Don't worry about it. Margaret, did you get any food or something to drink?"
"I did, but I left it there," she adds and looks down at her clenched hands.
The President goes over to one of his agents and whispers something and then turns back around to her.
"Margaret, one the agents is going to go out and get you something better than hospital food, tell him what you want and he'll get it for you."
"Sir, I couldn't do that," she resists.
"Yes, you can and you will," he orders.
"Okay, I mean yes, Sir." Margaret finally relents.
"Margaret, I need to get back, before Ron has a heart attack. I'll be back tomorrow, if he let's me."
"Thank you, Sir."
"No thanks necessary. You're family." The President moves over to the door. "Margaret, try not to worry. I know he'll wake up soon. Night," he says as he takes one last look at Leo and then her, and then walks out the door.
After the President leaves, Margaret convinces the agent that she's too tired to eat. She promises that she will eat something in the morning. The agent tells her he will personally bring her breakfast first thing in the morning. She gives him a pleasant smile and thanks him. As soon as the agent leaves, she walks back over to her chair, pulls it over closer to the bed and sits down. Soon, she is fast asleep, with her head resting on the edge of Leo's bed and her hand on his.
It's a little after midnight when Josh finally makes it to the hospital. He heads down the hallway to the ICU and flashes his ID at the nurse's station and is pointed to Leo's room. As he enters the area, he notices that not much has changed since he was last here. He takes a steadying breath and heads for Leo's room. He's not too surprised to find Margaret sitting in a chair next to Leo's bed holding his hand and leaning her head on his bed. She looks completely worn out. Josh knows that everyone who has visited has offered to sit with Leo, so that she could go home, but she keeps refusing. He's thankful that she doesn't wake as he quietly enters the room. She needs the rest.
Josh stands next to Leo's bedside and stares at the man that for the past five years he has considered his surrogate father. He is shocked at the sight of the man he sees lying in bed. He looks so frail and old, not at all like the man he had once referred to as the second most powerful man in the country. Josh really hasn't seen much of Leo lately. They have been at odds since Zoey's kidnapping and they were barely even speaking after the episode with the congressman. Like most of the Senior Staff, he's been avoiding Leo too and now he feels terribly guilty for not realizing that something was wrong with Leo.
Josh takes another step closer to the bed. He gets a better look at Leo's face. Josh takes an intake of air, when he sees how swollen and bruised the one side is.
"Josh," Margaret whispers, after she wakes up and that someone else is in the room with her.
"Margaret, umm... how's he doing?" Josh struggles to keep from running out of the room. He's had the urge building since he entered Leo's room, and now he's not sure he can listen to what Margaret has to say.
"About the same. He still hasn't regained consciousness, but he's been moaning out a little more regularly, and I think he really did try to wake up when the President was here, cause he was... well the President said that he's sure Leo was trying to say my name."
"That sounds... promising," Josh agrees, running his hand though his unruly hair.
"Uh huh, the doctor says those are all good signs, but he's done nothing for over an hour now and... I won't be happy until he opens his eyes and... bellows for me," Margaret offers as see notices the nervousness on Josh's face.
"Ah, yeah," he breathes out, not moving from his spot.
"Josh," Margaret holds out her hand to him. "It's okay. Come over here." She's finally awake enough to realize that Josh is upset and is having trouble with even being in the hospital.
Josh slowly moves over to Margaret and takes her hand. "Its just... well, you know we... we haven't exactly been speaking much lately and well..." Josh stretches the back of his neck, stares up off to the left with a frown and then looks back at Margaret.
Margaret can't help but notice the 'Leo like' move and tries not to smile. Josh has picked up a lot of Leo's mannerisms over the years, especially the 'yelling for your assistant' one. "Josh," squeezing his hand. "You know he loves you, don't you?"
Josh nods his head, letting go of her hand and staring at the man in the bed.
"These past few weeks have been really hard on him. It killed him to have... to umm... reprimand you." Margaret stands and moves to Leo's side, taking his hand.
"Didn't really seem that way to me," Josh scoffs, moving next to Margaret.
Margaret gets a little on the defensive due to Josh's tone. "Josh you know he was getting so much pressure form the DNC and even the..." She stops, gathers herself and then continues. "Let's just say, a lot of people were asking for your head, but Leo wouldn't let them have it."
"Yeah, cause he wanted it for himself," Josh snaps back, a little harsher than he had planned.
"Josh if that's what think, then you don't know him the way I thought you did. He was trying to keep you out of everyone's hair, but you kept pushing him and..." Margaret takes a quick intake of air and stops. She tries hard not to start crying again, but she fails, and the tears start to fall.
"It's... well I was so use to being in the thick of things that I couldn't or wouldn't let go and... he took..." Josh tries to explain.
"Josh," Margaret interrupts him. "If you would have seen him after you were shot, you could never think that Leo wanted you hurt. He... he... was devastated when you were shot. I found him in the early morning hours holding a picture of you and him. He was...sitting there with tears in his eyes. He looked up at me when he realized I was in the room, and the tears fell down his face."
"Margaret, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Josh softly says, regretting his comment about Leo. He puts a comforting hand on her arm.
Margaret glances at Leo and then back to Josh, "He's been though so much and... when is it going to stop?"
"Margaret, I don't know. But, you know I... I love him like a father and... is he really going to be okay?" Josh has tears in his eyes.
Margaret collects her emotions, "The doctors seem to think so. They believe that the exhaustion is making it tougher for him to wake up. He tried to wake up when the President was here a little over an hour ago, but he's been quiet since then. Resting better, I think or hope..." Margaret lowers her head and her shoulders start to shake from her sobs.
"Margaret, he's gonna be fine," Josh tries to convince her and himself.
"Oh, Josh. What if they're wrong and he doesn't wake up or if he does and he has brain..." Margaret can't even bring herself to say the word that is echoing in her head.
"Margaret, he's... he's Leo McGarry we have to believe that he's going to be okay," Josh engulfs her into a tight, comforting hug. "He's going to be awake soon growling and wanting to get the hell out of here. You know that just as well as I do."
"I hope you're right," Margaret closes her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without him."
Josh holds on tightly to the woman that he's known for years. He's always liked her and wishes that he could reassure her that Leo is going to be okay, but then again he wishes he were convinced himself that things would work out okay. He closes his eyes and remembers how Donna stayed close by his side after he was shot. Both he and Leo are extremely lucky to have such dedicated and loyal assistants. Josh smiles as he thinks of a way to get Margaret's mind off of things.
Josh leans back and hold Margaret at arms length, "Margaret, why don't you tell Leo how you feel?"
A ripple of panic crosses over her face, but she recovers quickly. "What do you mean?"
"That you love him," Josh smiles.
"Well, of course, I love him," she says, trying the same line on him that she had tried on Mallory earlier today.
"Maggie," Josh quips. "You know that's not what I mean. Tell him you're in love with him." Josh whispers.
"What is it with you and Mallory?" Margaret tries to laugh. "Have you two been rehearsing this?"
"No, Donna pointed it out to me during the hearings. The camera was on Leo, and you could see you in the background. It was written all over your face, the angst, the love, the hurt and the pride. It was all there, Maggie."
"Oh," Margaret whispers, pulling from his arms.
"Hey, don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. I never said anything before, and I won't now."
Margaret bobs her head and yawns.
"But, I might tell the President about it, if you don't get some rest." Josh teases.
"I'm sure he already knows," she says, taking a hold of Leo's hand. No reason to hide her feelings from Josh, any longer. "Although, he didn't say anything about it when he was here."
"Huh?"
"Mrs. Bartlet overheard me earlier today when... when I was umm... talking to Leo."
"Really," Josh squeaks.
"Yeah," Margaret smiles, it's getting easier to admit it to people. She just hopes that Leo feels the same way.
"Well, I don't think that she told the President, because it's not been spread all over the White House. You know what a gossip he is," Josh laughs.
"True," Margaret agrees with a smile.
"Margaret, I'm going to go. I want you to promise me you're going to try to get some rest. You don't need to be standing by his bedside all night long." Josh says, taking her hand and walking her over to her reclining chair.
"Okay," she says, sitting down.
Josh grabs the blanket off the arm of the chair and covers her up. "I'll be back tomorrow." He says as he turns to leave. "Night."
"Night," she returns, as she tries to get comfortable and settled for the long night ahead of her.
TBC in Part 3
The posting of Collapse Part 3 is going to be delayed, because I am working on a new Leo/Margaret Thanksgiving story.