Just borrowing for creative uses.
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Jed's POV:
I need a drink; it's not every day that you bury your best friend.
"Excuse me sir," CJ's voice startled me and I turned.
"CJ."
"Mr. President, the staff and our friends, we were going to gather at ten tonight in Leo's old office," she looks tired and worn out.
"CJ, I never thank
you enough," I feel a sudden wave of helplessness and fear.
"Sir?"
she's confused.
"For staying, for seeing this through," I
study her face.
"Sir, I serve at the pleasure of the president," Leo trained her well.
"CJ, what are you going to do when we leave here?" I wonder at her plans.
"I don't know sir, take a long vacation and then perhaps…" she blushes and looks down.
"Danny," it doesn't take a genius, and I am one, to figure that out.
"Sir, if there's anything I can do," she's also good at avoiding me, Leo must have taught her that too.
"I'll see you guys tonight," I hope to God there's nothing that I need to do this afternoon.
She steps away to her door, "See you then sir," she walks out her back straight and tall.
I'm left alone, to ponder and remember. Leo's face flashes before my eyes, his smile, his determination, his campaigns, and his faith in me. What am I going to do without that? Toby wrote the speech perfectly, Leo was our leader. I knew that, everyone knew it, so what does a group of people do without a leader? I should know because I am the leader supposedly. I remember Toby so vividly when he found out about the MS, he bet me all the money in his pocket against all the money in mine that Leo had really been in charge that night in the situation room. I never asked, but I'm sure he was right. Leo took charge and in doing that provided us, myself included, with a false sense of security. No, it wasn't false; it was just too good to be true. He led me here and in doing that gave me the opportunity I had never dreamed of.
Just then the door opens, and Abbey's standing there.
She looks beautiful and I realize in that moment that these last few months are going to test me in ways I never dreamed of.
"Jed," she speaks and moves towards me.
"He's gone Abbey," I can't believe it.
"Jed, please," she's begging me with her eyes.
"I know," I have to
tell her how I'm feeling.
"I love you," her words warm the
ice block that once was my heart.
"I've been hardened by this job Abbey," I hate to admit it.
"No, you've been challenged, I'm going to bring you home to the farm when this is over and I'm going to live out the rest of my days in the arms of the man I love," she looks straight at me.
Sam's POV:
Mallory
is still clinging to me; we're sitting in the White House, in
Toby's old office to be exact. Will and Kate are with and Josh and
Donna are on their way.
"Dad always used to
tell me stories about you," she said out of the blue.
I know I
should feel afraid, but instead I feel a glow, Leo only told stories
about people he truly liked.
"I hope you were entertained,"
I keep a positive spin on it.
"More than that," She looks at me, "I missed you, I missed those moments Sam," she's got red eyes, grief floating in them.
I don't know what to say, I close my arms around her, "I'm here now," and I am.
Kate's POV:
Leo
used to tell me stories also. I glance at Will, everyone will miss
Leo. I'm starting to depend on Will, even after a few short
months; I can't imagine my life without him. I think Leo would
like this, I think he would be happy I'm happy. He wanted the best
for those he worked with, we were his extended family.
"Kate," Will is speaking.
"Yeah," I tear my
eyes away from Sam and Mallory.
"Can we call Toby?" He
studies me.
"No," I feel
terrible, "We can't have contact."
"We'll call him
later," Sam speaks up.
"We're meeting in
CJ's office," Will looks up from his papers.
"10," I
confirm.
"Let's go for a walk," he stands holding out his hand and I take it. It's warm with the promise; there are no words, just the silent promise of a companion to share my hopes and dreams with. In this moment I feel a small sense of peace, Leo's here, he's going to make sure we're okay.
Donna's POV:
Josh
is not doing well. I don't call anyone, although Stanley seems
like an obvious choice.
"Josh?" I can't
help my voice from shaking.
"I have to do this Donna, I don't
know how," he hates this uncertainty.
"The Congressman is with Lou right now Josh, you'll see them both tonight," I have to reassure him.
"Give yourself the rest of the day Josh, let's walk," he takes my hand.
We stroll through a relatively quiet communications office.
He stops in front of Sam's old office, "I miss us Donna, the old days," we move on.
Sam and Mallory are holding each other on Will's couch and I see a smile from his lips.
"They were so good for each other," he smirks.
"They still are, it's
not too late," I remind him.
"She's married," he corrects
me.
"So, it doesn't matter Josh, love can conquer all," I know it's corny.
"Even the past?" his voice breaks and his eyes meet mine.
"Yes," I feel certain about that.
"What about us?" We are standing in front of his old office and my eyes fall on where I used to work.
"We have the future Josh," I know in my heart that we're going to make our lives together.
"Leo would have…" he trialed off.
"He would have been so happy," I finish.
"Donna," Josh hesitates.
"I know," I know he's angry, I know he's devastated that Leo wouldn't get to see us attempt in our own stupid way to make a life together.
