Chapter 4

Leo really didn't want to make this call. He had put it off all day, finding other things to do. But finally, after the West Wing had quieted down and the Oval was empty, he knew he had better do what his boss had requested. Sighing, he punched in the number and waited for an answer.

"Speaker's office."

"Leo McGarry for the Speaker."

"Just a minute, Mr. McGarry."

A few seconds passed before the Speaker clicked on. "Leo, what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"Jeff, how're ya doing?"

"Leo, I'm fine. You know that. We talked last night so cut the crap. What do you want?" The pleasant tone didn't last very long.

"Well, Jeff, I was interested in what you and the First Lady was discussing last night. I saw the two of you talking and then she kind of walked away in a hurry. So, I needed to know if I needed to give the President a …"

"Did the President and First Lady have a fight, Leo?"

"What are you talking about, Jeff?"

"Well, when did you start doing his private investigating, Leo? Can't he ask his own wife what was said? I mean come on, really Leo. When did it take two outside people to referee a marital fight?"

"Wait a minute, Jeff. This has nothing to do with the President and First Lady. I'm the one who observed you two and I'm curious as to the topic you both were discussing. I noticed she got angry and walked away and I thought that maybe I should know…"

"Leo, you should ask her. I'm not the one who rudely and abruptly ended the conversation and walked away. Didn't even say goodbye or thanks. If there's nothing else, I think this call is over." After a brief pause, all Leo heard was dial tone.

Placing the phone back on the desk, Leo cursed out loud. "Bastard. Now what am I going to do?"

In the Residence Jed had finished dinner and was reading briefing papers, waiting for the expected call from Abbey that would usually come when she was away. But as the clock edged toward eight, he realized that it was not going to come. In Brussels it was almost two am and Abbey was asleep. He knew how conferences were and how exhausting they were, especially on arrival days. He never felt good on those days. Sighing, he fixed himself another drink and settled down. But the more he thought about last night, the angrier he got. She wouldn't talk last night. She hadn't called tonight. Maybe she didn't want to talk. Well, if that was the case, he wasn't going to be the first to break the silence. It wasn't him that made her angry. If so, she would have said something last night or made an effort to reach him before she went to bed tonight. He would wait until Leo told him what was wrong and then wait until she made the first move. Game on, Abbey.

Maybe there was something on TV to watch. Turning on ESPN, he watched a soccer match from Australia until time for bed.

Abbey took her wakeup call at seven and looked to see if there was a message or missed call from Jed. Seeing nothing, she decided that Jed had to make the first move. He knew her number. Hell, he was the damn President of United States and knew where she was every goddamn minute of every goddam day. If he wanted to talk, he could find her. If that was the way he wanted to play, so be it. Game on, Jed.