Authors:   Jen Fisher  aka ‘Docfraiser8’

Spoilers: None

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            He tried not to make a habit of staring at women when at work. Somehow it just seemed tacky for the Chief of Staff to be gawking at a pair of long luscious legs. So he tried not to.

‘Tried’ being the operative word.

            The first glance he had caught had been a pair of long and elegantly stocking clad legs. Leo sighed, letting his eyes slide up to the female set of curves that were enticing his glance. He almost blushed, knowing how long it had been since he had allowed himself to stare – in a manner so accustomed to his male psyche.

Still…god, those legs.

            And a pair of slim shoulders over a straight back, the slope of her lower back curving easily under black silk. The dress moving down and cutting above a pair of beautiful knees. From the back anyway.

He didn’t dare toss a glance to anything between the legs and the back.
That would certainly get him into trouble.

            Suddenly Leo took a deep breath of shame and shook his eyes away from the female form in front of him, deciding to stare no longer. He felt a flush creep over his neck and threaten his cheeks, with a resigned glance he looked up, across the office – trying to decipher exactly whose legs he’d been so fixed upon. Long neck, shining red hair in a French twist. Red…

Dear Lord it was Margaret.

His luxurious siren was Margaret!

Margaret, Leo!

Damn it; let’s not keep drooling over your secretary’s back side. He quickly shot down his eyes, averting his gaze from ANY other part of her body. A shuddering breath filled his lungs and he made a soft noise of discouragement to himself, quickly trying to move into his office without attracting her attention.

“Leo?” her voice was hushed, full of breath.

God Damn it!! No…no, it’s a mistake. Don’t turn around Leo –because then you’ll see the front of the black dress.

            He sighed, oh what a front it was. He knew his cheeks were flushed. Embarrassment, amusement, fear – he didn’t know the reason for the sudden pinkness in his cheeks. Well no, he did know the reason.

Margaret.

“Yeah?” he tried to only look at her eyes. Her eyes…eyes eyes eyes. Just the eyes.

Nope…his gaze went suddenly Southern – without his permission.

“You haven’t changed for the fundraiser yet.” Her tone was a bit perturbed, but her hands wringing were what had his attention. She was twisting her fingers around themselves.

“I’m getting there.” He forced his gaze to hers, “What’s the matter?”

            The huffy tone of his voice was betrayed when he gently placed his hands over her fidgeting ones, trying to calm her. He smiled supportively, reminding himself to keep his eyes above her throat…where a perfectly set red stone sat on a silver chain. The way it just sat right their in the dip of her throat. It matched the ruby colored stones in her ears. Maybe they were rubies, maybe they –

“I’m just nervous about tonight.” She supplied quickly, her one eyes fixed on his hands. With hushed surprise he found his fingers linked in hers.

Damn traitors!

He finally looked up, “Don’t be nervous.”

            She watched, eyes slightly wider than usual, when he lifted her fingers to his mouth, pressing a quick kiss to the back of her slim hand. Leo squeezed her fingers tightly.

“It’s gonna be a great night Margaret.”

You’re looking beautiful.

“I can feel it.”

I want you to be happy tonight.

            She nodded, letting him reassure her and recover her fears of an intimidating evening. With a quick step she followed him into his office, where his tux hung in the corner, waiting to be snatched up.

            She grabbed it for him when he shrugged off both his wool over coat and his suit jacket. While she pulled off the plastic over-hang, he pulled at least three different ties from his desk.

“Black silk vest, which tie do you think?”

That’s it…the Chief of Staff of the White House needs to be dressed. Hey Margaret, why don’t you do the honors. I can dress myself I just enjoy it more when you’re there to do it for me.

“I think the silver one, the one on the left.” She pointed, unbuttoning the tux jacket and washing a flat hand over the shirt.

            He nodded in agreement and grabbed his dress shoes, ready to change, the tie stuffed in his pocket carefully. With a sigh he stopped in front of her, glancing up to the pair of wide eyes before him.

“Margaret…”

Spit it out…what are you a blithering idiot now?

“I’d like you to, well…”

Yes, yes by God you really are.

“Leo?” she asked slightly impatiently. Her arched brow wrought a smile and a soft laugh from his lips.

“I just was asking if you’d like to eat at my table this evening.” It wasn’t as hard as he had thought. Now he was just trying to remember if he’d said all the words in the right order. Eat at my –

“But you eat at the head table.” She said fast, her voice smacking him back to reality.

“Yes I do.” He nodded in soft amusement.

“With the President and the First Lady…”

He grinned, knowing why she was shy of it. It made him smile even wider, “You don’t like the Bartlets anymore?”

            He laughed in gentle surprise when her hand cuffed him swiftly on her arm, her voice squealing an agitated, “Leo!”.

Well at least she has no compunction over beating on me.

“Sit with me Margaret, have a nice meal with me. Maybe I’ll buy ya a drink afterwards.” He joked with her gently, amusement filling his eyes, and a smile curving his lips. Not one of his small, little boyish smirks, but one of those massive ‘I felt the earth move’ smiles that he only unleashed every so often. She loved those smiles.

Just say yes, Margaret just say yes.

“No you won’t, you won’t be buying any drinks for anyone. Not me and certainly not yourself.” she admonished quickly, “besides there’s going to be an open bar.”

“I meant a cup of coffee.” He let the rest fall away in a chuckle.

Say yes.

“Say yes Margaret.” His fingers wandered back to hers, and his eyes shuddered over her entire form, finally dancing back to her glance. “Please.”

She let out a sigh, “Yes.”

Tell her ya blithering idiot…just say the damn words.

“You look beautiful.”

“I know.” The smile that graced her mouth was beaming and told him that she had indeed NOT known how beautiful she looked, and that she was definitely pleased at his comment.

He grinned wide, “I know you do.”

I know you.

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