Chapter 6: We gather together

Mallory hesitated, "Sam, my dad told me after his first heart attack that he'd written a letter he wanted the president to have in the event that he had another attack or something. I think I should go find it now."

The two of them headed off together and Will and Kate met them on the way out.

"We'll be back," Sam said with a small smile. They two potential couples made their way to their destinations.

"Ms. Harper," an admiral approached her. She glanced apologetically at Will and he nodded, "I'll see you later," he made his way towards his office.

"Will," Josh approached him, "Where's Sam?"

"He and Mallory went to get something from Leo's apartment."

"Can I use your phone?" Josh dialed Sam's number.

"Sam I need you to get something for me," he said.

Toby wasn't someone who expected a lot from life anymore, but his jail sentence had been reduced to just eight months with parole after that. He knew he should start looking around for a job, but today was not the right day, today was for Leo.

He thought about calling Andi, but he knew she was out for the weekend on some business trip. He could try his kids, but they wouldn't understand, he could call Josh, but he was probably at the White House. So Toby sat alone with his memories and silently gave in to the tears that had been building for weeks.

Two Hours Later: (9PM)

Josh watched Donna head off talking a mile a minute on his cell phone and he sighed making his way to the oval office reflecting on what had just happened.

A few minutes earlier:

"Donna, I think I should call Lou," Josh was irritated that she was keeping him from his phone.

Just then it started to vibrate, "Josh you can't have that in here," Donna widened her eyes.
"I know, let me just check…" he opened his suit and reached into the pocket, as soon as the phone was visible Donna snatched it.
"DONNA," he howled.

"Josh, don't make me reinstate the rules," she gave him a look and Josh sighed.

"Please tell them I'm on my way back soon," he told her.

"Lou its Donna, Josh is unavailable right now, I'll pass anything of immediate concern onto him for you and he won't be back until tomorrow after breakfast," Donna's voice faded out. Josh just shook his head, he knew that this was all part of Donna's love, but sometimes it was really tough love.

"Sam," he stopped seeing Sam and Mallory enter the building.

Mallory went in search of her mother and the first lady and Sam gave something to Josh.

"Mr. President?" Jed turned at Debbie's voice.

"It's Josh," she left the door open at his nod.

Josh's POV:
This is the man who was closest to Leo. Leo had faith in him, and his faith became our faith. Jed Bartlet is our leader, but he seems beaten now. He seems old and the years have become less kind to this majestic man.

"Josh," his voice is gentle.

"Mr. President," I nod politely.

"Have a seat, a drink?" he offers.

"No sir," I shake my head, "Donna would raise the roof," I can't help but smile.

"Ah yes, she's got you under her control already Josh," he's smiling at me.

"I think she always has," I admit this readily now.

"You've grown up Josh, Leo was proud of you," he knows that hurts to hear.

"I failed him," its self-pity mixed with a huge dose of guilt.

"Josh, the day that statement is true is the day that Leo says it to you, he'll never say it, and he never said it."

I feel alone, I'm not; in fact I'm surrounded by more friends today than I have been in months.

"Josh, we miss you here, we do, but we're glad that you and Leo were taking care of our future," he says this with a sense of respect.

"I'm sorry I left you sir," I've always felt guilty.

"Josh, you have to stop blaming yourself for things you've done and choices you've made."

I meet his gaze, it's steady, and there is nothing but love and concern.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him," I know it's true, in so many ways.

"Neither would I Josh, we owe him everything we've accomplished," the President is telling me he owes Leo.

"Yes Josh I do owe him, I owe him because he's my best friend, he never gave up on me, although I certainly gave him cause too," the President looks even older.

"You did not sir," I have to show him that he was the inspiration.

"Josh, Leo didn't know about the MS before, he didn't know about this whole struggle, I made hasty decisions often, debated myself, doubted, did things a politician should know not to do."
"Leo didn't fault you Mr. President, you were his inspiration for a greater America," for emphasis I pull out a package wrapped in newspaper.

The President takes it and quickly tears well up.

"Bartlett for America," is scribbled on that napkin, framed and given to Leo McGarry by his best friend in thanks for the faith he gave to him.

Abbey's POV:

I am holding a letter that Mallory just dropped off for Jed. I don't know what's written, but I hope against hope that Leo somehow is able to lay to rest the fears and regrets that are haunting my husband.

"Debbie," I pause.

"Josh is in there," she said just as the door opened. Josh exits giving me a quick peck on the cheek.

My husband is standing with a few tears in his eyes, he smiles at me through them.

"It was like that, the two of us, he convinced me it was true" he whispers.

"They found this for you among Leo's things," I hold out a letter which read simply, "Mr. President."

Jed's POV:

My wife is holding words from Leo. These are for me, and in that moment everything just seems too much.

"Take your time; you've got about an hour before we gather in Leo's office," she leaves without saying any more. I need this time alone now.

I slowly open the white letter with an opener; this letter is about to help me lay Leo to rest.

"Dear Jed,

I know I've only called you that once in the last eight years. You are my best friend and right now you are probably wondering about this letter. Four weeks ago I suffered a heart attack and realized something you need to hear loud and clear. You have on your own assumed responsibility for a role I was never meant to play and I know some days you thought that I was the right one to stand in that office. I never was Mr. President, I stood by you and no matter what happened I never once regretted the role I had or the title you held. Old age is here my friend, someday, when ever that is, I won't be next to you. If I leave your side before you leave mine, I don't want you doubting my motives, and I don't want you questioning your worth by comparing yourself to me. Jed, you are ten times the man you think you are. I'm no longer the Chief of Staff and in dropping that role you've grown. Who knows what the future will bring, but the future is yours now Jed. It was never mine, but now perhaps you understand something you didn't before. You can make decisions that will destroy lives, but you are only human and you must learn from your mistakes without someone telling you what you did wrong. I'm not here any longer to turn to, it's time you realize that you were capable of making every choice on your own that we've ever made together, now after eight years in this job you're more prepared than ever. Don't weep for me Jed, but celebrate what we did together, that's all that really matters. You know as my closest friend that life was not always easy, but you stood by me and for that I'm forever grateful. Go forth and conquer, go forth and pray, find comfort in the arms of friends, find peace in the love given, and know that I will never leave you, for in spirit I will always watch over you.

Forever, Leo.

Tears flood down my cheeks, but in his farewell Leo has left me with a peace that I've always lacked.

An hour later they made their way to the CJ's office and a large group gathered together. They were all there, Jed, Abbey, Ellie, Zoey, Liz, Josh, Donna, Sam, Mallory, Jenny, CJ, Danny, Kate, Will, Margaret, Debbie, Helen, Lou, the Congressman, Annabeth, and Charlie.

Jed took a deep breath, "We're here tonight as a family mourning the death of one of our own. He was a great man, one we all looked to for strength, guidance, encouragement, knowledge and wisdom. He didn't see himself as a political power, but rather as someone who strived for greater good. Leo was loyal beyond anything, he loved you all, loved the White House we created and wanted nothing but the best for every one of us. As someone who was thrown every hardship imaginable, he made a legacy of love we would all be lucky to achieve. He commanded respect through his open-mindedness, he loved through his heart and he forgave with his soul. Leo was my best friend, and a man who I always believed would have made a better president than I ever could have hoped to be. However Leo wrote to me that he never regretted anything and I think in a way we all know deep down that this administration, its true essence, belonged to Leo as much as it belonged to the old man in the Oval Office."

Jed bowed his head, "let's bow our head and give thanks for the time we had with Leo and for the memories he left and the impact he had on all of us."

Their hands slowly joined and heads bowed each taking a moment to reflect upon the life of Leo McGarry.