See chapter one for disclaimer and other information.

Quick note: This is where I steer out of the cannon world.

Margaret practically floats into the office. After four years as a college student, it was nice to be able to buy suits that she liked and not just based on price. The high from momentarily abandoning her thrifty side had not worn off.

Leo gives her a puzzled look, "Weren't you taller...no never mind. Mrs. Filks will be here in five minutes and I can't find her file."

Margaret sighs. Leo had a habit of noticing something personal and then just waving it off. She had come to find it more endearing than offensive, but if he didn't stay out of her files she was going to bean him over the head, "How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of my files?"

He raises an eyebrow, "Your files? Fine." He goes back into his office.

Margaret straightens the filing cabinet that Leo had been rooting through and pulls the file Leo needs out of a different cabinet.

A few moments later has Mrs. Filks safely tucked away in Mr. McGarry's office and Margaret could finally get some work done. Mr. McGarry always seemed to need something typed. His notes were barely legible and he corresponded with countless people. While the rest of the business world was quickly picking up on the technological revolution, Mr. McGarry seemed quite content to let her pound away on a typewriter.

What was really bothering her was the formal response to Josh Lyman's birthday invitation. Mr. McGarry had every intention of bringing her with him. It seemed highly unlikely that he would be dictating letters at the partly. Mr. McGarry certainly didn't fall into the etiquette she had learned in college. He needed someone to bully him more often that not. Of course the man had no family other than an aging mother back in Chicago. Margaret was responsible for sending her flowers once a month. Maybe he's just used to dragging me everywhere.

"Leo!" a man with graying dark hair pulls Leo into a bear hug. "With that little airplane of your, I don't know why it's so hard to get you out here."

"I'm a busy man, Noah."

"Of course, of course," Noah finally notices Margaret standing behind Leo," and who's this pretty lady?"

Margaret blushes at the compliment.

"My new secretary Margaret..." Leo realizes that he can't remember her last name.

"O'Connor, sir"

Noah laughs, "An Irish woman, Leo. You finally found someone who can keep you in line."

"Uncle Leo!" A young man, similar in age to Margaret, tries to rush into the room, only to trip over the rug.

"Josh," Leo can't help, but laugh.

"Mom keeps moving that rug," he pops back up and tries to maintain some dignity.

"How is law school?"

"Great, I study a lot," he quiets for a moment, "Yeah, I study a lot."

Noah quickly changes the subject, "You can catch up with Leo tonight. Weren't you getting in the pool with Chris and Amy?"

"Yeah," he responds, running his hand through his hair, "Hey, Fredricks won."

Leo laughs again. Margaret's glad that she came along. She never would have believed Leo could be so relaxed.

"Come on Leo, out of the door way. Actually I have a surprise for you."

Margaret's amazed by the Lyman's sitting room. It's light, airy, and opens out onto a gorgeous garden.

"Jed, Abbey," Margaret is startled at Leo's response to the couple in the room.

He pulls them both into a hug.

"Leo, Have you lost weight?" Abbey asks.

"Abbey, leave the poor man alone. I'm more interested in who this giant is."

"Margaret, sir. I'm Mr. McGarry's secretary." She shakes hands with them.

"Leo, this must be one special lady to put up with you."

"Honey, you're going to embarrass her." Abbey pats her husband on the arm and then moves over to Margaret, "Come on, Margaret, let's go see if Sarah needs any help in the kitchen. Once they start talking shop, you can't get a word in edgewise."

Abbey walks her through he house, "You'll have to excuse our amazement. Leo hasn't been able to keep a secretary since his fiancé left him. Oh my, that was five years ago."

"Ma'am, I ..."

"Abbey, dear, Jed and I aren't nearly as formal as Leo is. He's tuck somewhere in the past."

"Abbey," she tries, "Mr. McGarry is a challenge."

"You mean he's a pain in the ass, "Abbey laughs, and "Your idealism may be just what he needs."

"Oh good Abbey, you've brought an extra set of hands. I need someone to make the cake. You remember what happened last year?"

"We almost convinced Josh that the valley was suppose to be in his cake."

Margaret smiles, "My Grandmother made me learn how to bake."

"The box mix shouldn't give you any trouble then."

Margaret looks at the nutritional fact for the cake out of habit. It had far more calories than she likes to see.

"You count calories?" Sarah asks her.

"I keep track of Mr. McGarry's."

"You count our bosses calories." Abbey finds this a little odd. How many meals a day does she have to feed him?

"I like numbers. It's just how my mind works."

"Leo has always had a file cabinet in the left corner of his office. What's the third file back in the top drawer."

Margaret takes a moment to think, "His speech at Stanford on Judicial Review," she raddled off like it's normal to know.

"Margaret, we just found your secret."

"Abbey likes her. You're going to have to keep her now."

"She does seem nice."

"Guys, she's just my secretary," he grumbles.

"That's where you're wrong, my friend. If Mrs. Landingham ever heard me say that, she'd box my ears out."

"Why did you bring her to my son's birthday party? Shouldn't this be her day off?"

"I don't know. I just did. Do you have that bourbon Noah?"

TBC

Thanks to all those who have reviewed!

While I write because I enjoy it, I don't mind reviews at all.