******

Toby packed up his laptop and checked his desk once more for anything he might have missed. “Ginger,” he bellowed.

“Yes, Toby?” she asked, appearing in the doorway, coat in one hand and purse in the other.

“Have you got the folder on the NATO treaty?”

“Yeah.”

“Mexico trade?”

“Yeah,” Ginger grinned. “The cars are waiting.”

“Okay. Is there anything I’ve forgotten?” he growled, looking up and frowning at her broad smile.

“To say goodbye to Margaret?”

Toby threw his hands in the air and crossed the room, handing her his briefcase and coat before heading for Leo’s outer office.

Margaret was sitting at her desk, typing frantically on her keyboard, and barely looked up when he entered.

Toby drummed his fingers on his forehead as he waited for her to acknowledge him.

“Are you planning on standing there all day, or you know, actually getting on the plane?” Margaret asked dryly, her eyes still trained on her monitor.

“I came to say goodbye,” he growled back at her, holding his position by the door.

“Goodbye.”

“Is that it?”

Margaret lifted her eyes from the screen and leaned back in her chair. “I’d come over there and say goodbye but it’s taken me an hour to get comfortable and I’m not moving.”

“So if I come over there. . .?” he trailed off, giving her a coy smile, which just made him look endearing.

“Yeah, but if you make that whimpering sound and Leo comes running, you’re on your own,” Margaret teased.

“Men do not whimper, they elicit deep throated moans,“ he replied, grudgingly.

“You’ve been reading my Mills and Boon again, haven’t you?“

“For heaven’s sake, will you two knock it off,” came a grumble from inside Leo’s office. “I’m trying to structure a plan for Iraq with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and all I can hear is. . . Well, let’s just say I’m loaded up with images.”

Toby’s cheeks reddened in the knowledge of what Leo must be thinking. “I have to go, but I’ll call you tonight.”

“Promise?” she practically pleaded.

“Yeah,” he mumbled against her lips as he leaned in for a quick kiss. “I love you.”

“Love you, short stop.”

“I wish you wouldn’t call me that.” His lips covered hers again and Margaret wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss and eliciting a low moan from him.

“MARGARET.”

“I’d better see what he wants,” Margaret groaned, breaking the kiss. She gazed up into his eyes and sighed before kissing him again.

“Margaret?” Leo called, walking through the door and covering his eyes with his hand. “Jeez, haven’t you gone yet?”

Toby straightened up and turned to face Leo, “I was just going. She’s nearly six months pregnant, Leo. She can’t be at your beck and call, anymore.”

Leo rolled his eyes, “Yeah, and I thought she was. . .”

“Finish that statement and you’re on your own,” Toby grinned. “So, I’ll talk to you tonight. And Leo, any problems, call me.”

“If you don’t go soon, I won’t have to,” Leo said, taking the folder Margaret was waving at him. “Don’t worry, I’m leaving you to it.” He disappeared back into his office, closing the door behind him.

Toby scuffed his shoe along the carpet and stuck his hand in his pocket, “So, I’ll see you in two days.”

“Yeah, love you.”

He nodded and turned on his heel, leaving her to stare after him.

*~*~*~*

It was after one before Margaret managed to escape her office for lunch and headed down to the mess. Knowing she wouldn’t be going home until late, she ordered the daily special and sat down at one of the tables to wait. It wasn’t long before a steward placed a plate of chilli before her and she tucked in like she hadn’t eaten for days.

The phone rang in the outer office and Leo ignored it. He had a vague recollection of Margaret saying something about lunch, but he knew that Ginger would pick up. It was only when it stopped and started for the third time that he remembered the other senior assistants had all gone on the trip.

Grumbling, he shuffled out to Margaret’s office and snatched up the phone, “Leo McGarry.“

“Where’s Margaret?“

“Toby? Is that you?“

“Yeah, where is she? I’ve been trying for the last ten minutes,“ Toby growled.

“At lunch.“

The line was silent for a few seconds then Toby asked, “Is she okay?“

Leo’s face broke out into a broad smile. “You really have got it bad.“

Margaret waddled back into the office and did a second take at Leo perched on her desk, talking on her phone. “Leo?“

“Ah, hang on, she’s just walked in.“

“Taking the phone, Margaret covered the receiver with her hand, “You could have star fifty-fived and answered it at your desk, but of course, you didn’t know that.“ She shook her head and lowered herself into her chair. “Hello?“

“Hey,“ Toby said, a slight hint of embarrassment in his voice.

“Toby?“ Margaret asked, surprised. “Where are you?“

He rubbed his naked scalp and looked around the empty cabin, “I’m on the plane.“

“Is there a problem?“

“No, I just wanted to check in and make sure you were alright,“ he admitted, the tone of his voice conflicting the look on his face.

Margaret stifled a laugh and cleared her throat. “You’ve only been gone ninety minutes, Toby.“

“So?“

“You’re on the same continent.”

Toby gave the cabin one more furtive glance and whispered, “I miss you, Muffin.”

“Really, I never would have guessed, “ she teased before softening her voice. “I’m going to miss you too, Fielder.”

“What’s with the baseball analogies?”

She shrugged. “I’m trying to find an appropriate pet name, something you’ll appreciate.”

“Ah. Look, I’ll phone you tonight, I have to go.” The line went dead.

Margaret dropped the phone back into its cradle and smiled, remembering exactly why it was she fell in love with him.

*~*~*~*

Margaret finished towelling herself off, and pulled out one of Toby’s T-shirts and a pair of sweats from his bottom drawer. There was something about his clothes that made her feel like he was there, it also helped that they were about the same height.

Dressing quickly, she climbed into bed and switched off the light.

Ten minutes later, she was still tossing and turning as the babies took it in turns to kick. Her hands moved to her protruding belly and she lightly massaged the bump until they seemed to settle down. She closed her eyes and tried to drop off.

The sound of ringing brought her around. Margaret reached for the phone and said, “Hello?”

“Hey, Muffin. Did I wake you?”

“No,” she lied.

“I phoned the office but Leo said you’d left for the night. I wanted to catch you before you went to sleep.”

“Okay.”

“Are you okay? You don’t sound like yourself,” he prompted.

Margaret opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. She inwardly groaned when she saw that she’d only been asleep for a few minutes. “It’s midnight, Toby.”

“I excused myself from the dinner. Why is it I always end up sitting next to computer geeks or environmentalists?” he complained.

The usual reason was that she had a hand in the seating plan and made sure he didn’t sit next to any young, attractive women. This time, she had no idea.

“Was there something you wanted?” she yawned, propping up a pillow.

“What are you wearing?” he asked in a low husky voice.

“Excuse me?”

“I said, what are you wearing? I miss you, and absence is making more than the heart grow fonder.“ His voice dropped and he moved to a secluded corner of the corridor.

“TOBY!” She sat bolt upright in bed.

“I thought maybe we could, you know, seeing as I’m here and you’re. . .,” he trailed off, his face taking on a pink tinge.

“You’re kidding, right?” she squeaked. “Toby!” It’s November, I’m a walking whale and that’s the last thing on my mind.”

“Right.”

“Shouldn’t you be, you know, schmoozing and playing nicely with the Canadians,” Margaret said, her stomach, or the babies, doing somersaults at the disappointment in his voice.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Write down the time and date you said that, honey,” she chuckled.

“I miss you. I love you,” he added quickly.

“Miss you more.”

“Sleep well.”

Margaret slid back down the bed, “Night, Toby.” She waited a second before purring, “I’m wearing a Yankees T-shirt and your navy sweats, but I wish I was wearing a red balcony bra and French silk knickers.”

“Okay,” he acknowledged, his voice strained. “I now have to go. . .”

As the line went dead, Margaret smirked and closed her eyes, knowing that she’d fall asleep pretty quickly, but Toby would be uncomfortable for hours.

*~*~*~*

Margaret double locked the front door and waddled into the front room, collapsing onto the couch. It was after ten when Leo had finally let her go home. By the time she’d called a cab and took the ride across town, it was eleven. She stared at the phone, willing it to ring, as it had all day. She waited a few more minutes before reaching for the receiver and dialling Toby’s hotel room.

The phone was answered on the third ring and a familiar female voice said, “Hello.”

“Hello?” Margaret offered warily. “I was looking for Toby.”

“Hey, Margaret. It’s CJ.”

“CJ?”

“Yeah, Toby’s in the shower. The meeting ran over and we’re just going to run out and grab dinner,” CJ explained. “Want me to tell him you called?”

Margaret rested a protective hand across her swollen stomach and narrowed her eyes. It was eleven o’ clock at night, she was six months pregnant at home and her partner was in a hotel room with a beautiful woman. The rational side of her was telling her that she had nothing to be jealous about. CJ was an old friend and they were grabbing dinner. The other side, the side that felt fat and depressed, was telling her that he was naked with CJ in a hotel and while the cat’s away as the old adage went.

“Margaret, you okay?” CJ asked, nervously.

“Yeah, just tired I guess. How’s the trip going?” “You man stealing bitch.” Margaret shook her head, wondering where the hell that was coming from.

“Good, I think we’re making progress on the free trade agreement. Want me to get Pokey to phone you when he’s dressed?”

“NO,” Margaret snapped, a little too venomously. “No, I’m going to bed.” Not that she would be sleeping anytime soon. She knew what happened on these trips, dinner than a few drinks and the next thing people were waking up in beds they shouldn’t. Donna and Sam were a prime example.

“Okay, but I’ll tell him you called. Okay, Margaret?” CJ sounded tired, Margaret decided, which could mean they‘d forfeit dinner for room service.

“Thanks,“ Margaret mumbled before she slammed the phone down. Edging forward on the couch, she managed to get upright and waddled into the kitchen. Opening the freezer door, Margaret grabbed a tub of strawberry cheesecake ice cream and bemoaned the fact Toby had confiscated the rum and raisin, because alcohol was bad for the babies. She’d mention to him later that the father’s infidelity was also bad for the babies, at least she would in her dream.

Armed with the ice cream and a spoon, she headed up to bed, fully intending to eat in bed and worries with getting the sheets sticky be damned.

*~*~*~*

Margaret walked into her office and hung up her coat.

“Margaret?”

“What?” she snapped, grabbing her notebook and walking into Leo’s office.

“Good morning,” Leo said, glancing up from his papers. “You okay? Is it the babies?”

Margaret shook her head and held the notebook to her chest. She managed to hold the tears at bay until Leo got out of his seat and encircled the desk.

“What’s wrong? Do you want me to call Toby?” he asked, softly, guiding her to a visitor’s chair.

“No.”

Leo rubbed his temples in consternation. She had to pick the one time every female he knew in the northern hemisphere was, well, not in D.C. “Okay.”

Margaret sniffled and Leo reached in his pocket for a clean handkerchief. The way things were going she’d have his entire collection in her laundry basket before too long.

“Can I get you anything?”

“Rum and Raisin ice cream?” she asked hopefully.

“You want it, you’ve got it,” Leo grinned as he picked up the telephone. “I want a 2 pint tub of rum and raisin ice cream delivered to my office. . .yes, two spoons.” He replaced the phone and sat down beside her. “Why don’t you sit on the couch and I’ll get the files we need to work on?”

“Leo, I. . .”

“Don’t worry about it. Jenny was pregnant once,” he said, disappearing through the door.

*~*~*~*

Three hours later they were just finishing off the last of the folders and Margaret was drinking the remains of the ice cream from the carton when Leo got word the President was back.

Leo helped Margaret to her feet and they walked through the connecting door to the Oval Office.

“Leo, buddy, pal, how are you?” Jed asked, grinning.

“Oh God, what’d he do? Tell me we’re not deporting the Republican leadership to Ottawa,” Leo groaned.

“Maybe I just missed you. How are you, Margaret?”

“I’m six months pregnant, I’ve put on 30 pounds, my ankles are swollen and I feel sick,” Margaret babbled. “So, really I’m fine, Mr. President.”

“That’s good,” Jed said, shooting Leo a “What the hell did I do?” look. “Toby missed you. Toby?”

Toby shuffled his feet and concentrated on the carpet, wondering if it was possible for earthquakes to strike in Washington.

“If you don’t need me, I’ll be at my desk,” Margaret announced, avoiding anyone’s eyes and waddling back through the door.

Leo took a step towards Toby and lowered his voice, “What the hell did you do? She was crying this morning and she doesn’t look like she’s slept.”

He shrugged and looked up, his face blank, “She called when I was in the shower last night, and when CJ asked if I should call back, she said no.”

Josh snickered in the background.

“What’s so funny?” Toby growled.

“Believe it or not, people say I’m clueless, but you have to be “Dense from D.C.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You had a woman in your room, while you were in the shower. In my experience women don’t like that.”

“To be fair, Josh, CJ wasn’t in the shower with him, at least I don’t think she was. Toby?” Sam declared, trying to be helpful. “Amy’s problem was that she walked into your apartment and you were sharing a bath with. . .,” he stopped suddenly and glanced around the room at the expectant faces.

“Toby, I think you’d better apologize,” Jed suggested, turning his attention to Josh. “And I think you and I should have a discussion about the things we do to women.”

He groaned, then said, “Could we, Sir?”

“Toby, you’re still here?” Leo asked, shooting him an “Are you stupid?” look.

Toby threw his hands in the air and stalked through the connecting door.

Margaret dropped into her chair and stared at her computer, wishing she was tall, skinny and strawberry blonde.

“Muffin?” Toby said quietly, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was following him. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she asked, matter-of-factly.

He closed his eyes and stroked his beard. There was no easy answer to that question. He could apologize for CJ being in his room and she would ask why he felt the need to apologize, or he could say he didn’t know and make matters worse. “I’m an idiot.”

“Yes, yes you are,” Margaret agreed, turning to look at him.

His foot toed at the carpet as he stuck his hands in his pockets. “We found a great Lebanese place last night. Except maybe we’re banned, at least Josh is, maybe.”

“Josh?”

“The four of us went to dinner, and got back late, which is why I didn’t phone.” Great save Toby, he thought.

“The four of you?”

“Yeah, next trip, I’ll take you there,” he promised. “So, are you okay?” He ducked his head and gave her his puppy dog expression, the one he reserved for when he wanted to watch the game.

She nodded, “I am now.”

His lips twitched up into a smile and he took a step towards her. Leaning down, he kissed her gently on the lips, shaking his head at the taste of raisin on her lips.

Margaret slipped her arms up and around his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss.

Toby let out a low moan as her tongue found its way into his mouth and ran his hands down her back.

“Get a room, will ya?” Leo groaned, entering the room and walking out again.

“My office has a couch,” Toby whispered.

“I’m wearing red,” she purred.

“Margaret’s going to be MIA for a while,” Toby called over his shoulder as he tugged Margaret to her feet and towards his office. A long while with what he had in mind.

The End

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