See chapter one for disclaimer and other information.

AN: Part 4 occurred 2 months after part 3. I forgot to stick that at the top.

6 months later...

"Margaret!" rings from through the dark-stained door.

Confusion masks her face. This isn't the bellow she has grown used to. It almost sounds happy, excited maybe.

"Yes, sir."

"Abbey had the baby. It's a girl, Zoey Anne."

A bright smile crosses her face, "Is Abbey alright?"

"Yeah, clear the schedule for the rest of the week. Jed wants us to come to Manchester for a while."

For once, Margaret doesn't mind that Leo simply assumes that she'll go with him like he always does. They have become an odd couple in the circles in which Leo moves. Though they haven't crossed any lines, invitations to social functions now come addressed to both of them. Some people like the Bartlet's and the Lyman's have embraced her while others have made sure she knows exactly where her place is. Leo is oblivious to it all. She never quite understands what's going on in his head.

"Margaret," he waves a hand in front of her face, "You drifted off for a second there."

"Sorry, sir."

"Go home and pack."

"Yes, sir."

Leo tickles the feet of his Goddaughter and watches her smile. He has no idea why Jed chose to give him that honor. He hadn't been to church in a number of years and he certainly didn't want Zoey to take his life as an example. The war had taken care of that. Of course Jed wouldn't take no as an answer.

"Leo," Abbey pulls him out of his musings.

"Abbey," something in her eyes makes Leo wary of this conversation.

Abbey checks on her baby before speaking.

"Mrs. Wilks called me about a week ago."

"Senator Wilks wife?"

Abbey nods, "She was having a fit about Mr. McGarry bringing his secretary to the AIDS charity ball."

Leo looks at her in his usual clueless way.

"I really don't give a damn about what Mrs. Wilks had to say. My point is Leo that you've drawn her into your world, but she knows nothing about you, does she?"

"Abbey"

"Don't Abbey me. The poor girl puts up with you for reasons beyond my understanding. Let her in."

"Abbey, she's my secretary."

"And she's here."

Margaret had been left to watch seven-year-old Ellie while Liz did her homework. At the moment, she seemed content to read picture books for which Margaret is incredibly grateful. Margaret was the youngest of three children and neither of her parents were around for much of her life. Being mostly raised by two brothers didn't really lead to much doll playing.

"Margaret" little Ellie asks, "Can we go outside?"

"Why?" Margaret asks more than a little puzzled.

"I want to show you something."

"Okay," she answers a little hesitant, "Where's your jacket? It's chilly out."

Ellie rolls her eyes, "I knew you'd turn adult like sometime."

Ellie leads Margaret through the woods with an air of excitement and Margaret has to walk fast to keep up with Ellie despite her longlegs.

The stream catches Margaret by surprise, but she avoids getting her feet wet. Ellie, on the other hand, has her shoes and socks of before Margaret can realize what's going on. The chill in the air concerns Margaret, but she figures a few moments can't hurt. Ellie had been cooped up in the house, other than going to school, since her mother had been taken to the hospital. Margaret sits on a large rock next to the stream and watches her play.

"I wondered how long Ellie could stand being inside," Leo sits down beside Margaret, "she's always been the quiet contemplative one. Drives Jed insane."

Margaret raises an eyebrow.

"Jed believes the more words the better."

Leo suddenly looks sad to Margaret, "I had a chance at that once. A family—happiness."

"What happened?"

"She left," he states flatly. It's obvious that he has worked hard to bury the emotions associated with this.

An "Oh" escapes Margaret's lips. Hearing it from him makes it sound so incredibly sad.

Leo's mood darkens. He doesn't care what Abbey said he will not share the accusations that Jenny had slung at him with Margaret.

"Excuse me," Leo mumbles and then stalks back toward the house.

Margaret more worried than puzzled by the whole exchange. It obvious that Leo has demons in his past and she fears they will come back to haunt him.

TBC

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