Leo left the White House by the South West entrance, feeling more energetic and fired up than he had in the last two years. When his best friend had left office, Leo had finally retired, vowing to relax and do all the little things he had been neglecting for years. By the time he had finally bought an apartment and taken a vacation, he was restless.

The call to the White House had come as a surprise after all this time, but Leo had relished it, the mere chance to be in that building again. President Hoynes had asked him to head up a special committee, with the intention of examining new homeland defense initiatives. The look of surprise on Leo’s face was enough to have the President laughing, but it didn’t take Leo more than a few seconds to say yes.

Leo glanced at his watch and smiled. It was noon and the sun was shining, and there was only one place to go.

Walking past the Washington Monument, he crossed the road and headed down into the Tidal Basin.

As always the park was crowded, filled with people on lunch, enjoying the cherry blossoms and tourists flocking to the Memorial. And her.

Margaret could always be found sitting on the same bench, her flame red hair several inches longer and worn in a pleat down her back. The short skirts had also been replaced, now she wore long billowing floral skirts and cotton blouses. Her image was one of a carefree relaxed woman. The reason for her change in image could be found nearby, tottering across the grass.

Emma was three and a half. Her hair was the same red as her mother’s but her eyes were her father’s. The more time spent with her the more beautiful he thought she was. Emma had brought joy to everyone who knew her since her birth, especially one particular grumpy old man.

It was the same scene every day.

Leo slipped behind a tree and watched mother and daughter interacting. Emma was chasing the ducks as Margaret sat back and laughed at her daughter’s futile activities.

She knew he was there. It had become a daily ritual. An hour in the park then lunch with her husband, and recently Leo had become part of the ritual. He hovered, watching them, and sometimes he would join them for a few minutes. His presence brought an unexplained happiness to Margaret’s day.

Margaret shifted in her seat and glanced at the tree, rolling her eyes as the figure disappeared from view. Quietly she called Emma over and whispered in her ear.

Emma squealed with delight and practically ran at the tree, running behind it and whooping in delight. Her tiny hands went up and she gave Leo a grin.

His joints weren’t what they had been, but he still managed to bend down and lift her up and into his arms. “Hello sweetheart.” Shaking his head he took the few steps necessary to reach the bench. “Hey Margaret.”

“Leo,” she said, her voice intoned with the genuine affection she held for him. “Emma, you need to get down. You’re too heavy for Uncle Leo.”

Emma’s response was to tighten her chubby little arms around his neck and giggle.

“Emma,” Margaret repeated firmly.

“She’s fine.” Leo lowered himself on to the bench and balanced Emma on his lap. “How have my girls been?”

“You only saw us yesterday,” Margaret groaned, rolling her eyes. “Unless of course you want a detailed report of our grocery shopping.”

Leo shook his head and concentrated on the child on his lap. “I have some news,” he announced, ruffling Emma’s hair. “ A new job. I’ll be working out of the OEOB.”

“Really. Is that such a good idea?” Margaret asked, concerned. He had been looking more tired as of late, and despite how much he hated retirement, she didn’t think working long hours was going to help.

“Margaret,” he growled. “I’m chairing a committee, the hours are flexible and . . .” He stopped mid sentence as he realized if she refused his request the hours would have to be damned flexible. “I know my limits.”

“Huh.”

“Mommy thinks I’m incompetent without her.”

Emma giggled and jumped up and down on his knee.

“Do you get an assistant?” Margaret asked, after a few seconds silence.

He nodded, the first hint of a grin on his lips.

“Better let me have the number, she’s going to need all the advice she can get.”

“I was hoping you might want the job,” Leo muttered, sheepishly, as Emma climbed off his lap and went tearing after a duck.

Margaret turned to face him full on. “You’re kidding me?”

“Nope. There’s a creche downstairs, we can work around Emma and I don’t know anyone else who would be able to put up with me.” He sat back against the wood and watched her expression.

Margaret had to admit the idea was appealing. She missed work, lunch with the girls and earning her own money. But Emma was growing so rapidly that she didn’t want to miss that either. And of course there was Bill. He liked his wife at home, keeping house and raising their family. He would hate the idea. All the more because she would be working for Leo.

“I don’t know,” was her final response. “There’s a lot to consider.”

“At least think about it,” he said softly. “Talk to Bill.” The name always seemed to stick in his throat for some reason. “I don’t need to know for a few weeks.”

“I can’t promise.”

Leo squeezed her hand and rose to his feet. “I’m heading over to the American History Museum, wanna walk with me?”

“The new exhibit?” Margaret asked, picking up Emma’s bits and stuffing them into the pushchair.

“Eight years of Bartlet, or something,” he offered.

“Liberalism: The Bartlet Administration,” Margaret corrected. “It’s good. There are photos I didn’t even know existed, and Mrs. Bartlet’s gowns from the inaugurations and a large display on the censure.”

Leo nodded, grinning. “Jed told me I should check for accuracy.”

“There was one error I found,” she said, stifling a grin.

“Oh?”

“It fails to mention the stunning assistant who kept the Chief of Staff afloat for eight years.“ She laughed as she grabbed her daughter and strapped her into the buggy.

“Well I’m biased, but I’ll definitely point that error out,” he grinned back at her before lowering his face to kiss Emma on the forehead. “Bye honey.”

“We should go. Before Bill thinks I’ve left him.” Margaret reached over and stroked his shoulder. “I’ll get back to you about the job.”

“Sure.”

Leo watched as Margaret headed towards the coffee shop she frequented everyday. He hoped she’d take the job. The fact that Emma would be around more often didn’t escape him either. He shook his head and headed in the direction of the museum.

Margaret tucked Emma into bed, pulling the covers up to her neck and kissing the child on her forehead. Picking up discarded toys from the carpet, she tossed them into the oak toy chest, a gift from the Bartlets, and switched off the light.

Dinner was already cooking downstairs and Bill was due home any minute. He liked to be able to eat his meal, indulge in a couple of brandies and watch the news. The last thing he said he wanted was to find Emma awake, which is why Margaret always made sure she was asleep.

Heading back downstairs, Margaret couldn’t hide her smile as her husband came through the door and tossed his briefcase in the corner.

“How was your afternoon?” she asked, skipping the last few steps.

“Same old. I’m issuing the subpoena tomorrow.” he glanced at her briefly before entering the living room. “How long ‘til dinner?”

“It’ll be about five minutes,” she offered, following him. “I’ll get you a drink.”

He grumbled something inaudible.

She reappeared two minutes later with his drink before disappearing again to finish dinner. It had taken a course to teach her the basics but now Margaret regularly organized dinner parties for her husband’s colleagues. Tonight’s offering involved sirloin steak and a new sauce.

They sat in silence at the dinner table while they ate. Margaret nibbled her bottom lip as she contemplated whether it was a good time to bring up the subject of the job offer. She had avoided it at lunch, not sure if there would be a scene. Now they were alone.

“Bill?” she said softly.

“Yes?”

“I saw Leo today.”

His head snapped up to stare at her. “I thought we’d agreed.”

“I bumped into him in the park. He was on his way to the Mall and I was killing time until we had lunch,” she explained.

“Who else have you been bumping into?” he barked.

“Nobody. You were right, we don’t need anyone but each other.” Her voice sounded contrite but she desperately wanted to see everyone. Donna was pregnant again, Leo said, and her husband was about to get transferred to Florida. If she didn’t see her now, she probably would never get the chance again.

Bill had been pretty demanding when she became pregnant. She could work until her eighth month then she would resign. He agreed to her former colleagues visiting her in hospital but then that was it. She had ceased all contact, leaving them all wondering what they had done. Her husband liked it that way. And so did she, they were close and their marriage was good. Margaret kept a good home and he provided for his family well. Just sometimes…

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“What else did Leo have to say?” His voice held a touch of disdain.

“He’s got a new job, working for the President,” she replied, with a hint of admiration.

“That’s nice.” Bill riffled through the pile of mail on the table. “But you won’t be seeing him again, will you?”

“No.” Her heart broke in two even as she said it. Her hours with Leo made her laugh and brought back endless memories.

“Anyway, I’m going to fix another drink. Why don’t you go and get into bed and I’ll come and join you?”

“I’d like that,” she smiled, clearing the dishes as she spoke.

“Better wash up first. Don’t want to come down to a mess in the morning,” he instructed, walking towards the living room. “Oh and wear the black garment I bought you.”

“The black one?” Margaret gasped, her back to him.

“Yeah, and while you’re at it, suspenders.”

Margaret cringed as she filled the sink, knowing what was about to come.

*******

Margaret closed the door to Emma’s room and walked back into her own room. Shedding her clothes she pulled the black night gown from the back of the closet.

The matching crotchless panties she pulled from her bottom drawer.

It was the only thing he had ever bought her that she hated. Inwardly sighing she stepped into the panties and fixed the garter belt in place. The nightgown took some fixing in place as she had to adjust it so the peephole revealed her nipple. It made her look trashy but her husband loved it.

She was just releasing her long red locks when Bill entered the bedroom.

“Very tasty,” he groaned, slapping her on the backside.

Margaret jumped and he pulled her back against his chest. “What’s a matter Baby doll?” he blew against her ear. His fingers tweaked her bare nipples and he moaned in delight as they hardened. “On the bed.”

He really was loving. He adored her, it was just sometimes he needed release and his only way of getting it was to play his games. Margaret closed her eyes and did as she was told, positioning herself in the middle of the bed, the slip covering her legs.

Bill removed his shirt and pants before climbing on the bed beside her. Gently he kissed her mouth, whispering her name against her lips.

Margaret kissed him back equally as hard, thinking it might be alright this time.

As he broke away she saw it in his eyes, the need to dominate, and she cursed bringing up Leo.

Bill lowered his mouth to her nipple, sucking on it forcefully, almost biting.

Margaret bit on her lower lip and gripped the sheet.

“You’re mine, all mine. Nobody is going to take you away from me.” His hand cupped her other breast through the material and palmed it gently. “Say it.”

“I belong to you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“SAY IT!”

“I belong to you,” she cried.

“You’re my whore.”

Margaret closed her eyes as his fantasy took off. At first his games had been silly and she had enjoyed the roleplay, but now he got carried away.

His hands yanked the slip up until it puddled around her waist. “Ah, stockings.” He lowered his head and kissed her exposed thighs, working his way towards the scrap of silk. He pushed one finger inside her and grunted when he felt her wet she was. “You’ve been thinking about him.”

“No master. Only you.”

Bill chuckled with delight and extracted his finger. Pulling his briefs down his thighs he guided himself to her opening.

Suddenly he thrust into her and Margaret gasped as she was forced to accept him. Bill lost all consciousness of her then as he pounded into her frantically.

Margaret gripped the sheets and thought about anything else she could.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” he taunted, as he neared climax.

“Yes.”

“Say it.”

“I love what you do to me,” she muttered, as bile filled her mouth.

He came with a grunt and collapsed against her. Drifting off to sleep, effectively trapping her there.

Finally he rolled off of her and settled into his snoring.

Margaret climbed out of bed and padded into the bathroom to take a shower. Her lasting thought was that he had even kept his socks on.

Tomorrow he would be loving and affectionate, that she knew. She also knew that she would never be able to work for Leo.

Leo sat on the bench, glancing around in the hope she was running late. It was already quarter after twelve and still no sign. His heart was practically in his shoes at the thought she wouldn’t come.

That was how she disappeared last time. No message, just stopped returning calls and visiting. Then one afternoon he had been walking through the park and he had spotted her. For two weeks he had watched from the sidelines until his courage won over and he said hello. That was two months ago, and now she was disappearing again.

Leo gave it another five minutes then headed towards the Mall. He would try again tomorrow.

Two weeks later she still hadn’t made an appearance and the number he had for her was no longer in service. Margaret had always been vague about where she was living and he suspected Bill didn’t approve of their friendship. Despite how much it hurt, he didn’t have the heart to pursue it if she didn’t want him to.

He shuffled slowly towards the Capitol in search of Josh. At least that was one person who would never disappear on him, good old Josh, who still asked Leo’s advice on a daily basis.

Senator Lyman emerged from the building, his backpack slung over his shoulder and his limbs moving awkwardly. He noticed Leo and bounded towards him.

“Leo!”

“Josh. Back playing you up again?” Leo asked, gripping the younger man’s hand.

“Every year on the damned anniversary.”

“You should get yourself a chiropractor,” Leo grumbled, his eyes staring in the distance.

Josh shook his head. “They can’t help. How you been?” He continued to take the steps two at a time. “How’s Margaret?”

Leo turned to look at him, his face crumpled. “I haven’t seen her,” he finally admitted. “It’s been two weeks.”

“Is she on vacation?” Josh asked, a fear growing inside him. He didn’t like the look on Leo’s face and he certainly wasn’t about to watch Leo get hurt all over again.

“I think she’s gone to ground again.” Leo sighed as he crossed the street to the reflecting pool. “The number doesn’t work and the address she gave me is false.”

“So you have contacts, I have contacts.”

Leo shook his head and his voice came as a whisper. “Not again. I can’t do it again.”

“Leo!”

“Josh, I can’t. It’s my own fault. It took too long to realize how I felt. She married someone else and she doesn’t want me hanging around.” Even as he said it he didn’t believe it. Margaret always seemed so happy to see him and it was only after he offered her the job that she had bolted.

“I still think . . .” Josh began, opening the door to the coffee shop.

“Margaret fell in love with Bill, you were there. We all saw it. I don’t think my standing up at her wedding and announcing I was in love with her would have achieved anything.”

Josh grinned. “So you admit you love her?”

Leo gave him a glare. “I loved her Josh, you’re mixing your tenses again.”

“You love her, Leo. I saw the way you were after seeing her. Spending time with both of them.”

Leo pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “Josh!”

“Just calling it how it is.” He raised his hands in surrender. “Let me call in a favor.”

“No.”

“I can track her down in an hour.”

“Don’t.”

“One call, Leo.”

“How many more ways do I have to say no?” Leo grumbled, scanning the menu. “Can’t we just eat and talk about something else?”

“I get the message,” Josh said, ordering burger and fries. “Donna’s looking huge.”

Leo looked up. “When do they move?”

“A couple of weeks.” He watched Leo’s face, knowing where his thoughts lay. So Leo had said no, that hadn’t stopped him before and there was no way it was going to stop him now. He debated who was the best to call.

“Mike’s a good man. I’ll have to see her before they go,” Leo offered.

Josh grinned. He had it, Mike Casper, FBI, and Donna’s husband. He loved it when a plan came together.

“She’d like that. And CJ will be up to help them move.” Josh scanned the menu again. “You know I fancy a milkshake.”

Leo groaned as he called the waiter over again. He glanced at Josh again. “I mean it, don’t go trying to find her.”

Josh nodded but avoided his eyes.

Despite his retirement Leo still got invited to whatever congressional cause was flavor of the month. This time it was a national adult literacy program, co-sponsored by Congress and several large law firms.

The upside was that Josh was going to be in attendance, which was always good for a laugh. He found his former Deputy chatting with the present Chief of Staff.

“Senator,“ he called out.

A woman across the room spun her head at the sound of a familiar gravelly voice. Her eyes went wide as she saw him but quickly she scanned the room for her husband. Her sigh was audible when she saw him chatting to a group of corporate sponsors.

“Leo,“ Josh said, extracting himself with a grin and shaking Leo firmly by the hand. “Good to see you.“

“And you. Where’s Amy?” Leo asked, his eyes drifting to the gathering.

“In New York, launching the book.” Josh gently squeezed his arm and guided him to a quiet corner. “I did something and you’re probably gonna get mad at me, but I want you to know I did it for all the right reasons.” His hand went to his hair.

“Josh?”

Josh was rubbing the back of his head and looking guilty. “I didn’t mention you once.”

“Please tell me you didn’t try and track her down,” Leo groaned, knowing what was coming.

“Margaret’s here.”

Leo’s eyes widened and he stared at his friend. He didn’t know what to say and as mad as he wanted to be, he just couldn’t. “Where?” he managed to croak.

“She’s talking to the school teachers union representative. Leo, she doesn’t look good.”

Leo turned around, fully intent on finding her.

“Leo, stop. Bill’s here too.” Josh’s voice carried but Leo spotted the mane of red and nothing was going to deter him.

Leo approached her and hovered behind her as she finished up a conversation.

“Margaret?”

His voice froze her and she had to take a deep breath before turning around. Her smile was genuine when she saw him face to face for the first time in months.

“Hey Leo.”

“How have you been?” he asked, his eyes studying her face, as if he would find everything he needed to know there.

“Good,” she said softly. “The job?”

“New, complicated and my assistant hates me.“ He grinned at her.

Margaret looked pasty and not at all like the woman he had met in the park. Something was missing in her eyes and the quirky traits he loved so much seemed repressed.

“She’ll come around.” Margaret didn’t know what else to say. She couldn’t explain why she had disappeared from his life for the second time, nor could she spend time with him. Her eyes glanced back across the room and she caught Bill’s eyes staring back. “It was good seeing you.” She took a step to move away.

“That’s it?” Leo hissed. He followed her gaze and spotted her husband. The man was heading rapidly towards them.

“Talk to me, please,” Leo begged.

“I‘m fine. I need to go.” Margaret swallowed the lies, her eyes memorizing Leo‘s face as if it would be the last ever time she would see him.

“Is he hitting you? Because if he is I’ll help you.” Leo was clutching at straws. Something was wrong and he wanted to help.

“Of course he isn’t hitting me,” Margaret snapped back. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Bill loves me very much. Where the hell did that come from?”

Leo was prevented from answering as Bill joined them.

“Good evening Leo. It’s a surprise to see you here.” Bill’s tone reflected just how surprised he was and his hand on Margaret’s back did nothing to ease Leo’s concerns.

“I always get invited to these things,” Leo replied, fixing a neutral face.

“Right. Well we need to get going. The babysitter will be wanting to get off home.” He started to propel Margaret towards the door. “Goodnight.”

Leo watched them going, catching Margaret’s weak smile as she was dragged away. He stood in silence, not really sure what had just transpired but knowing he couldn’t leave it like that.

Leo left the OEOB by the south entrance and headed towards the Washington Monument. Even though he knew she wouldn’t be waiting for him anymore, Leo liked to be in the Basin at noon. He would sit on the bench and watch the ducks, Emma and Margaret never far from his thoughts.

The grass was fairly full, with government employees stretched out enjoying the sunshine and tourists photographing one of the most famous sights in the District.

Leo didn’t even realize he was being followed until he heard his name. It took only a few brief seconds for him to realize who was calling him.

He turned and frowned as Bill caught up with him.

“Leo.”

“Bill.”

The two men stared at each other in silence.

“I don’t know what sort of game you’re playing but I can tell you now you’ll lose,” Bill said, his voice carrying a threatening tone.

“I’m not playing any game,” Leo said, warily.

“Oh so it was a coincidence that I get invited to the party last night. And that you and your friend, Senator Lyman happen to be there.” Bill continued to stare at him.

“It’s the sort of thing I frequently get invited to. I had no idea you would be there until I saw you.” Leo forced himself to smile.

“Whatever. Stay away from my WIFE,” Bill ordered.

“Is that what this is about, my friendship with Margaret?”

Bill closed the distance between them. “She married me, remember that. She loves me. Not you. And I don’t want you, or your friends interfering in what we have.”

“That sounded very much like a threat,” Leo said calmly.

“That wasn’t a threat,” Bill snorted. “If you don’t stay away from her and my daughter I will personally see to it, that you never see again.” He cackled. “Now that’s a threat.”

“Margaret’s my friend, and last time I looked she doesn’t live in Qumar, and she can see whoever she likes.” Leo stepped back, prepared to turn away, when Bill’s fingers dug into his arm.

“Not while she’s married to me.” Bill smirked as he spoke. “Of course that’s what really riles you. Margaret married me. You had to watch her walk up the aisle, you had to give her away,” he chortled.

“Bill,” Leo tried to reason.

“Admit it, you’re in love with my wife.” Bill pushed his body up close to Leo. “That was what the whole IVF thing was about. You thought by helping us, she would realize she wanted you. Backfired, didn’t it?”

Leo pulled back and shook his head. “You couldn’t conceive. Margaret wanted to be a mother. I wanted to help.”

“But I’m still Emma’s father,” Bill smirked. “I got it all, the mother and the child.”

Leo couldn’t believe what he was hearing. When Bill had courted Margaret he had seemed like a nice guy, adoring of Margaret. And he had been happy when Margaret announced she was getting married. Of course it was only in the days following, Leo realized he loved her. And of course there was the months of IVF and Margaret crying in his office at each failure. His offer of help had at first been rejected, then suddenly one evening after another failure, Margaret had accepted. He wasn’t even sure if Bill knew.

“What? Nothing to say?” Bill taunted. “The great Leo McGarry lost for words.”

“I think you had better go,“ Leo dictated. “Before someone questions what’s going on.”

Bill shook his head and rose himself to his full height. “Not yet, I don’t think I’ve made myself clear enough.”

“You want me to stay away from Margaret.” Leo offered with distaste.

He had met people like Bill before. Men that had the need to control a woman until she lost all sense of who she was. With no friends and no life outside the marriage, she would become subservient.

“And the brat,” Bill confided.

“You didn’t even want Emma?” Leo said, his voice barely audible.

“No. Margaret had her heart set. And she loves the kid. Of course it also means she has to stay at home, too busy to wander too far. “

“And Margaret’s friends?” Leo asked, his worst fears coming true.

“She doesn’t need anyone but me. We have each other and that’s enough. So keep out,” Bill snapped, his palm pushing at Leo’s shoulder. “If you don’t she might get hurt.”

Leo visibly flinched. He didn’t even want to ask which she. He couldn’t bear the thought of either of them getting hurt.

“And if I stay away, you’ll look after both of them?”

“As I always do. Margaret is very hot between the sheets,” he chuckled, turning to walk away. “I’m so glad we understand each other.”

Leo took a deep breath as Bill walked away, wondering if Margaret really knew her husband. He had every intention of keeping away for now, at least until he could find someway of helping Margaret. Leo waited a few minutes before he headed back to his office. His memories of the park were now desecrated by Bill‘s jealousy.

It was after eleven when the taxi pulled up outside the house and Bill stumbled onto the pavement.

Margaret turned off the television and listened as he tried to get the key in the lock. By the cursing and the number of failed attempts, it was easy to conclude he was drunk. Finally, she climbed off the couch and walked purposefully into the hallway.

Flinging open the door she waited for her husband to notice her.

When he did, it wasn’t the greeting she expected.

“Margaret,” he snapped.

“Bill,” she whispered, glancing into the street to check the neighbors weren’t watching. “Come inside.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

Margaret sighed and wandered back into the sitting room.

“And don’t walk away from me.” Bill’s voice followed her as did his angry footsteps.

“I just didn’t want to wake Emma.”

“It’s my house and I’ll do what I want and talk as loud as I want,” he slurred, walking towards her until his nose was barely touching hers.

The smell of scotch intermingled with smoke was almost overpowering and Margaret stepped back.

She jumped when his fingers curled themselves around her arm, squeezing tightly. “I said don’t walk away from me,” he barked, his voice menacing.

“I wasn’t,” she mumbled. It wasn’t the first time he’d gotten drunk and come home mad, but it was the first time he’d been rough with her. His fingers continued to dig into her flesh as he pulled her up against him and covered her mouth with his own.

The kiss was forceful and lacked any sort of feeling.

“Only I can do that. You’re my wife and you’ll be in my bed,” he taunted.

“Bill, honey, what’s going on?” Margaret pleaded, frightened by what she saw in his eyes.

His chuckle was cold. “I saw an old friend of yours today.”

Margaret’s hair stood on end. There was only one friend who would bring out that sort of reaction. Her voice stuck in her throat.

“Nothing to say?”

Margaret gazed up at him, eyes wide.

“Leo,” he spat. “Had rather a lot to say. Seems the old fool is in love with you.”

Margaret turned away from him and Bill grabbed her cheek in his hand, forcing her to look at him.

“I told him he was wasting his time. Reminded him you were my wife, that you loved me.” His hand on her arm moved to her waist. “Only me.”

“You’re hurting me,” Margaret stammered, her body tensing.

“But don’t worry, after today he won’t be bothering us again.”

Margaret blanched and all color drained from her face. “What did you do?”

Bill laughed and pulled her closer. “I didn’t hurt him if that’s what you’re worried about. Just gave him something to think about.”

He pulled her face to his and kissed her, his tongue forcing it’s way into her mouth.

Margaret tried to resist, pushing him away with her hands and pleading with him to stop.

He gave her a dirty look and dropped his hand from her cheek.

She flew back on to the couch as his fist caught her face. Missing the couch, she knocked the side of her head on the coffee table.

“You’re my wife,” he snapped. “And you’ll do what I say.”

It was all too much for Margaret. The man before her wasn’t the loving gentle man who had courted her with flowers, instead there was a stranger. She had no idea what Leo had said to make him that mad, but Leo, dear sweet Leo wouldn’t knowingly have put her in any danger. Tears formed in her eyes and she couldn’t hold them back.

“You can stop that blubbering,” he yelled, discarding his jacket.

Margaret’s hand touched the swelling lump as she balled the other hand into a fist to bite back the crying. Leo’s question from the evening before came rushing back to her and she had to look anywhere but at her husband.

“Get upstairs.”

Bill’s voice betrayed what he expected and Margaret silently obeyed. It was going to be a long night and she had to endure it.

Margaret waited until he was sleeping before she climbed out of bed. Quietly, she got dressed and walked down the hall to Emma’s room.

Emma lay on her back sleeping, her breathing even.

Not wanting to disturb her, Margaret grabbed a handful of clothes and her daughter’s favorite toy, stuffing them into a bag. That done she slung the bag over her shoulder and lifted the sleeping child into her arms.

Checking to make sure her husband was asleep, Margaret headed downstairs. Picking up the car keys from the hall table, she let herself out of the house.

It took five minutes for Margaret to strap her daughter in safely and start the car. The whole time she kept one eye on the house waiting for her husband to come after her.

Finally she slammed the car into drive and sped away from the curb. She didn’t really have a clue where to go. There were no longer friends she could trust and a hotel seemed too impersonal a place to take her daughter.

Of course there was Leo. Leo, who would do anything for her. The man she had walked out on twice. But it seemed too cruel to turn up on his doorstep in the middle of the night, not that she actually knew where he was living.

The only other person who she thought could help, she hadn’t seen in years. But it still seemed the logical place to go.

The drive took forty minutes and took Margaret out of the District. Pulling up on the street, Margaret took a deep breath. It was finally sinking in that she was leaving her husband.

It took all the courage she had to climb the flight of steps and push the buzzer. Margaret waited patiently for someone to answer and eventually she was rewarded by the light coming on and a blurry figure pulling open the door.

“Margaret?” the voice asked, rubbing their eyes.

“Hey.”

“It’s two in the morning.”

“I didn’t know where else to go,” Margaret admitted, biting her lip as the tears threatened to fall.

“Okay.” Mallory stepped back to give her entry but Margaret stood her ground.

“Margaret?”

“Emma’s with me,” she said timidly.

At two am on a street in Virginia it became all too apparent for Mallory that Margaret was in trouble and had decided to come to her for help.

“Bring her in.”

With that, Margaret disappeared to the car, reappearing with the bag and child.

“Better take her to the spare room. It’s a double so you can share.” Mallory closed the door behind them, watching as Margaret stumbled up the stairs. Her hand went to the phone but stopped when she heard the other woman’s voice.

“Please don’t call him,” she pleaded. “He’ll over react, and. . .,” Margaret couldn’t continue and she looked down at her little girl.

Mallory dropped the phone back into it’s cradle. “I’ll make us a drink.”

She was still in the kitchen when Margaret appeared a few minutes later. Mallory handed Margaret a mug of cocoa and took one herself.

“I’m sorry. This is an imposition. But I had nowhere to go. And I thought we’d be safe here. Tomorrow I’ll find somewhere, but. . .” Margaret babbled.

“Hush,” Mallory started. “You can stay as long as you need.” She ushered the other woman into the sitting room. It was then that Mallory noticed the perfectly round bruise appearing over Margaret’s left temple. “Jesus.”

Margaret’s fingers brushed the lump that was forming. “It doesn’t hurt, really it doesn’t.”

“We need ice. And I’ll wake Ellie.”

“Ellie’s here?” Margaret asked, surprised.

“She’s been transferred to Georgetown Memorial and I offered her a place to stay,” Mallory explained. “You stay there and I’ll get her to come take a look.” As she reached the door Mallory turned back around. “Is there anything else that needs . . .?”

Margaret shook her head and stared at her shoes.

“Hey Margaret,” came a tiny voice and Margaret found herself looking up at the middle daughter of the Bartlet family.

Eleanor’s hair hung loosely over her shoulders tied in a scrunchie. The pyjamas were too big, making her look more like her father than ever.

“Hi.”

“Let me take a look at that bruise.” Ellie’s hands stroked at the skin and she disappeared briefly only to appear with ice. Pressing it against the wound, she checked Margaret’s eyes and asked about headaches. Finally satisfied that Margaret wasn’t concussed, she sat back on the chair next to Mallory.

“Are you going to tell us what happened?” Mallory asked quietly.

Margaret swallowed and found herself opening up to the two young women, tears falling openly onto her clothes. By the time she finished, the women were sitting on either side of her on the floor holding her hands.

“But you can’t tell Leo,” Margaret repeated.

Ellie nodded and looked at Mallory. Just because they couldn’t tell Leo, didn’t mean they couldn’t tell anyone else.

Eleanor Emily Bartlet crept downstairs and carried the phone out onto the deck. Checking back into the house, she dialled the farm and waited for one of her parents to answer.

Jed picked up the phone and yawned. “Bartlet residence.”

“Dad.”

“Zo?”

“Ellie.”

Jed sat up straighter in bed. “When are going to come and visit? Your mom misses you.”

Ellie grinned. Their relationship was improving, slowly, but he still wouldn’t admit his feelings to her. “Soon, I promise. I’m a resident, we don’t have time to sleep, let alone travel.”

“Okay,” Jed pressed the phone to his other ear. “You wanna talk to your mom?”

Taking a deep breath, Ellie checked the house one more time. “Actually you, Dad.”

A surprised gasp was his only reaction.

“Margaret turned up here last night. Her husband got violent.”

“Is she okay?” Jed asked, digging his wife in the ribs.

“Bruised, and I suspect it was more than a beating,” Ellie let the sentence sink in before continuing. “Emma’s with her.”

“Does Leo know?”

“No. We don’t know whether to tell him,” Ellie lied, hoping her father was still as predictable as ever.

Jed nodded. “Okay, leave it with me. Will you be there later?”

“I’ve got a shift, but Margaret will be.”

As she ended the call Ellie wondered what would happen next.

She shouldn’t have worried. By the time she had started the coffee machine, Jed had filled Abbey in on the details and was in the midst of a conversation with Leo.

Leo sounded groggy. Since retiring he had taken to lie ins, enjoying watching the news without having to do twenty other things at the same time. The new job hadn’t changed things much.

The conversation stayed general, exchanging greetings and news until Jed asked, “Have you seen Margaret?”

Leo considered lying, not wanting to run through that particular conversation again. But this was Jed.

“She was at a party the other night.” He didn’t elaborate for fear of sharing his concerns.

Jed looked at Abbey, who nodded beside him. “Leo, she’s at Mallory’s.”

Leo sat up in bed with a start. “Sir?”

“She turned up in the middle of the night. Leo, Ellie had to treat her,” Jed added softly.

His heart was thundering in his chest as he contemplated what could have happened. “The bastard hit her, didn’t he?” Leo growled. “I’ll kill him.”

“Leo,” Abbey said, her voice firm. “You are not to do anything silly.”

“Abbey!” He yelled, not caring about anything other than protecting Margaret. He stopped suddenly. “Where’s Emma?”

“She’s with them. He hasn’t touched her.”

Leo jumped out of bed, rummaging through the room searching for clothes. “He threatened me. Told me to keep away. Damn.”

“Jed’s going to phone Sam and get him to file an injunction.”

“He’s away,” Leo replied, hunting for his car keys.

“Then he’ll call Toby in New York,” Abbey sighed. “He won’t do it again.”

“Damn straight he won’t,” Leo snapped.

Abbey held the phone from her ear as it went dead. “Well, that went well.”

It didn’t matter to Leo that he was driving ten miles over the limit, nor that he went through a red light in rush hour traffic. Margaret was the only person he would ever run through red lights for. It didn’t matter anymore that she didn’t want to see him, only that he could see for himself that she was okay.

Leo parked up across the street from his daughter’s townhouse and ran up the steps, leaning against the door as he caught his breath. He started rapping on the door and didn’t stop until it was opened.

He looked up and the first thing he noticed was the yellowish lump on her forehead, the second was her eyes welling with tears.

“Leo,” she croaked.

His arms wrapped around her back as he held her close to him. Slowly he pulled away and his fingers reached up to touch her bruise. “This is my fault,” he whispered softly.

Margaret shook her head. “It isn’t. It’s mine. And Bill’s.”

“Why didn’t you come to me?” he asked, standing in the doorway, his fingers still stroking her face.

Margaret’s tears came spilling down her cheeks as she looked in his eyes and saw the very thing she had been wanting to see since she first met him. He loved her.

“Ssh, I’m here now,” he whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Margaret’s sobbing increased in volume bringing Mallory running from the kitchen.

Mallory went wide eyed at the sight of her father in jeans and a t-shirt. “How did?”

“Jed phoned me,” he said, pulling Margaret’s head to his shoulder. “But you should have.”

“Dad.”

“I asked her not to,” Margaret hiccupped. She lifted her face. “I had no right to ask for your help, not after I disappeared on you. This was the first time.”

“Yeah,” Leo growled in disbelief.

Margaret stepped away. “No really. He’s never hit me. He loves me.”

Leo glanced at Mallory and into the house.

“Emma’s in the kitchen, eating a muffin,” Mallory offered, grinning. “And I think I’m going to join her.” She turned her back leaving them in the hallway.

“Maybe we can do this inside,” Leo suggested, closing the door with his foot but never once losing contact with Margaret. “There are some things we need to discuss.”

Margaret bobbed her head as he led her to the couch and took her hand. It was all happening so fast. She hadn’t made any plans, she didn’t even have any money. And now Leo was there, being sweet and generous. The tears threatened to spill again.

Leo squeezed her hand. “I’m not putting any pressure on you. And I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but there are some things we need to do.”

Her eyes lifted from the floor and she looked at him. “What do you want me to do?”

“It’s not what I want you to do?” He bit back the anger that threatened to come to the surface. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted, shaking her hair so it fell across her face.

Leo brushed the curtain of hair behind her ear and gave her a soft smile. “Okay. Do you want to go home?”

Margaret shook her head.

“You can stay with me,” Leo offered, knowing it was unlikely she’d want to do that. It wasn’t Leo she loved and she was the last person to give him false hope.

She sat up straighter. “No thank you. I don’t want you getting embroiled in my problems. Emma and I will go away. Maybe for good.”

Leo glanced away as he contemplated losing her all over again. Swallowing he turned back. “Toby is all set to file an injunction so Bill can’t come anywhere near either of you. Is that okay?”

“An injunction sounds fine.” Margaret played with the hem of her skirt with her free hand. “We need stuff from the house, clothes and toys.”

“I’ll buy whatever you need,” he promised. “Or I can get Ron or another agent to come with you.” What was the point of working for the President if you couldn’t use your authority.

“Thank you,” Margaret barely whispered, her eyes once more gazing up at him.

“Any time.” Leo swallowed the words he so desperately wanted to say.

“You understand why I need to go away, why I need to be able to think things through?” Margaret asked.

“You do whatever you have to do.”

Margaret reached up to brush his cheek with her fingers, cupping his cheek. “I need to make my decision based on how I feel about Bill, not on anything else. If I stay here, then. . . “ Margaret paused. “Look, I will never be able to thank you for everything you’ve done.“

“Ssh,“ he whispered.

“Leo. I have to ask?“ Margaret gazed into his eyes. “Do you have feelings for me?“

Leo tried to look away but she brushed her thumb across his cheek.

“Leo?“

When he finally found his voice it was quiet and gravelly. “Yes.“ He gazed into her eyes as he continued, “I finally realized the day of your wedding. I saw Donna in that blue dress, eggshell or something.”

“Lavender blue,” Margaret corrected.

“Yeah, and I realized that color would always remind me of you. It’s your eyes. They reflect a different shade depending on your mood. And I kinda got used to your moods.” He grinned at her sheepishly. “And that’s when it finally dawned on me, that I really was in love with you.”

Leo closed his eyes as he waited for her to say something, to let him down gently.

Instead she brushed her lips against his cheek. “All the more reason for me to go away and figure out what I want.” Her next words were barely audible and he had to strain to hear. “I don’t want to hurt you anymore than I already have.”

Leo opened his eyes and looked back into her deep blue irises. “I’m not. . . “

“I know. But I need to make sure I’m leaving him because of him and not because you’ve finally stepped up to the plate.” Margaret laughed. “Sorry but our daughter is a bit of a baseball fan.”

Leo swallowed the lump in his throat. “Where will you go?”

“I don’t know,” Margaret admitted.

Leo nodded as he glanced towards the kitchen. “You should know one thing though. If you leave, I’ll find you.” He covered her hand with his own.

“I’m counting on it,” she whispered. “Do you want to see her? I’m surprised you’ve waited this long.”

As they made their way towards the kitchen Leo could hear Emma giggling with her sister. He knew then that there would only be one woman for him, and however long it took, he would finally convince her they should spend the rest of their lives together.

The End