1Chapter 5: There was love, all around

Josh rounded the corner without noticing Donna and Annabeth. He walked over to the reception desk. Donna and Annabeth followed him with their eyes, without saying anything.

"Excuse me ma'am. Have you seen two women come in here? They both have blonde hair. One is kinda small."

"Josh?" Donna said. She didn't want him to say something bad about her, I mean they didn't really talk about Annabeth's height anymore. Only C.J., was allowed to do that.

"Oh hi." Josh made his way over to the area where the two women were sitting.

"How is he?" Donna laid her hand lightly on Josh's arm.

"He's fine. The President is on his way." Annabeth stood up and straightened her skirt.

"I'm gunna go talk to him." Donna looked at Annabeth.

"You can stay here."

"No really I want to see him." As she began to leave Annabeth whispered in Donna's ear. "Sure there's nothing going on?" With that she was gone.

"What was that?" Josh turned away to see if Annabeth had anything else to say, but she had disappeared.

"Nothing, she said nothing."

"Oh okay." Donna could tell that Josh had relaxed himself. Even Annabeth had calmed down a bit. She thought to herself. "Is she okay? Annabeth?"

"Yeah she's better. Josh? Could you pick up the whole thing with Annabeth and Leo?"

Josh turned to her.

"What kind of thing?" Wait! He didn't know? Was he that into his work to not notice that? "Oh uh nothing. Nevermind."

"You mean the fact that they are always together? I mean she does work for him. The fact that are always disappearing together? That one I can't explain."

" 'Cause I was just talking to her and..well...nevermind it's nothing. By the way, what did Leo have to ask you?"

"He just wanted to know about the election. You know the polls."

"Oh. Are you worried?"

"I don't know."

"Hey Leo" Annabeth threw her jacket on the metal chair next to her. "Talk to Josh?"

"Yes I did." She sat next to him, on the edge of the bed.

"He tell you that the President is on his way?"

"Yes he did"

"Oh" What were they talking about then? She folded her hands across her chest. Body language is key. She thought.

"I know that look. What is going on Ms. Schott" They both laughed. Laughing felt good to both of them. This past month had been so stressful, and now with Leo's heart attack...it wasn't really all happy go lucky. Annabeth tried to make light of the situation.

"Well at least now you can get some good rest. And you'll be waited on..I know you love that" Leo gave a slight chuckle, then closed his eyes. " What are you thinking about."

"Just. The election. What happens if we win, if we don't win. If I'm going to have to give a speech. What I'll say."

"Don't worry about that now. Just relax. It's the best thing you can do right now."

"The best thing I can do right now is to be back at headquarters." Leo looked at Annabeth. She had a look on her face that he had never seen on her before. She looked like she was scared. Scared that any bit of work, would kill him. Leo reached his hand up to her cheek, and wiped away a tear that had just started to fall.

"I just." she stopped herself. " Back at the hotel. When I found you. I never had felt that way. I thought if you died, part of me would die too. That's how much you mean to me Leo. It's not just business anymore. I love you I really do!" She really started crying now. "Please Leo..I-I hope you understand. I'm going to go see if Josh knows if the President will be here soon." She stood up and grabbed a Kleenex from beside Leo's bed. Leo grabbed her hand.

"Annabeth, I need to ask you something."

"Okay. Shoot."

"Annabeth, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met. You're smart, funny and beautiful." Annabeth blushed. No one ever called her beautiful, just cute. He went on. "You keep me in check, when I need it the most. "So," He took her hand. "I want you to marry me."

"Excuse me?" Annabeth wanted to make sure she had heard him correctly.

"Will you marry me Annabeth?

0o0o0o0o0o Cliff hanger! Will she say yes? Look for chapter 6!