Title: The first encounter
Rating: K
Summary: Leo is visiting the White House when Annabeth bumps into him for the first time.
Setting: Season 6
Disclaimer: I don't own Annabeth Schott, C.J. Cregg or Leo McGarry
It had been a long morning. Annabeth had been running around and picking up and dropping off things. She had three folders bursting with papers, and she had to give them all to Toby. She turned a corner and everything went flying.
"Oh my goodness" She started cleaning up the papers without looking up. "I am so sorry"
"It's okay. Let me help you." She didn't recognize the voice. It seemed deeper and wiser. It seemed that this person had many years experience in something ,devoted sweat blood and tears. She looked up and she saw Former Chief Of Staff Leo McGarry.
"Oh Mr. McGarry I am so sorry!"
"Do I know you?" Leo was really confused. He didn't recognize her, who ever it was.
"Sorry you don't" Annabeth stuck out her hand, this is the only way she felt that she could approach him. "I'm Annabeth Schott. Deputy Press Secretary. I'm kind of new here. Sorry, I haven't really got the whole quadruple tasking thing down yet."
"I'm sure you'll do fine here." He wasn't sure how the press would react to her. Years of C.J. and now you have this? I mean come on! They would eat her alive. He was going to watch her and make sure she was fine here. She was kind of cute. No Leo what are you thinking! She's like what 34? No, they would be friends, just friends.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. McGarry." She turned to leave when Leo lightly touched her arm to bring her back.
"Call me Leo"
"Sure?"
"Positive" He really did like her. She had this unique kind of charm.
"Sorry if I'm wasting your time. I'm sure you have more important things to do than talk to the newbie"
"I just want to help you fit in" Wow he sounded desperate. He wanted to keep his ties to the White House, but like this?
Gosh he's desperate. Annabeth thought to herself. I really do need the help though. Annabeth gathered her thoughts. Agreeing would show that she was vulnerable, or desperate. Turning him down would just say I don't need your help old man.
"Sure. I would love the help."
"Do you want to have lunch maybe?
"Uh okay..Leo" At that moment C.J. came by noticing Leo and Annabeth.
" Nice to see you Leo. You too uhh"
"Annabeth"
"Right. Sorry. I see you two are getting acquainted. So I'll go." Leo motioned for C.J. to talk to him. He took C.J. over to a corner.
"What's wrong?"
"Um nothing. It's just do you know anything about you know..her?"
"Leo?" C.J. said with a question in her voice. What was he going to ask? That if she was qualified for the job? They had checked her out before they hired her and she seemed perfectly normal.
"I just want to help her out" Leo reassured. He didn't want C.J. to get any ideas.
"Okay." She started walking away. "Watch your back Leo. She's feisty." With that C.J. turned the corner and disappeared. What did she mean by that? The girl looked like she had just come from church. Leo turned back to Annabeth who had started organizing the folders.
"So lunch today?"
"Sorry I'm really busy, maybe tomorrow?" Leo knew he wouldn't be there tomorrow but oh what the heck.
"Sure, tomorrow than" Annabeth turned to go. "By Mr. McGarry...Leo" And with that she was gone. Leo knew this would be a beautiful relationship.