Author: Jen Fisher   aka Docfriaser8

Spoilers: Jenny

Feedback: yeah   sorsha16@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: not mine…don’t sue

AT: this is SO sappy I can’t believe I wrote it…

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She was warm, dozing quietly before his shifting woke her.

“Sorry.” Margaret made a noise of agreement as he apologized into her hair, his lips pressed between her locks.

“S’okay.” She mumbled in return.

            He smirked softly when she shifted on the couch against him. Margaret’s hand snaked up his chest, her fingers gripping against the buttons of his cotton shirt.

“Want me to take you home?” his mouth pressed softly to her pale skinned temple. Leo’s hand met her fingers and he pushed his mouth to her wrist, waking her slowly.

“No.” she murmured in return, lifting a sleepy glance to watch him kiss her pulse gently, he lips slipping on soft skin, “I want more of this. More sleep.”

“You can’t be comfortable.” He whispered, eyeing her awkward position and watching her right hand sweep up and thread into his left. Her other hand dropped to his leg.

“Leo,” her eyes flashed past his, “just shush…sleep, don’t sleep, watch me sleep – I don’t care, just do it quietly.”

            Her fingers pulled his head down, her hand still linked to his. He felt her stop. She was frozen, and it suddenly felt frighteningly odd. Something had changed in her stature…and very suddenly. He followed the straight line of her gaze to his hand.

Left hand.

Fingers…wedding ring.

            Her eyes and fingertips roved over the solid gold band, and he felt her body stiffening in his arms. The redhead sat up, pulling his hand with her.

“Margaret - ”

“Don’t.” she warned, eyes flashing past him then back down. She pressed his hand flat on her thigh, smoothing it with her own tapered fingers.

“How much do you miss her Leo?”

He swallowed hard, looking at the crown of her head as she spoke. “Can we not talk about this?” His whisper was low and uncomfortable.

            Her eyes were flat when she looked up at him. Not as bright as they usually were. There was no emotion in her gaze. A dead pan glance that killed him in silence.

“Answer me?” she begged, swallowing hard, fingertips still on the golden ring.

“There are things, certain things that remind me…”

“Of her.” She finished for him.

“Please Margaret.” He begged her not to finish it. Asking not to open the rest of the subject. He just wanted to leave it alone…to leave it behind.

            When she looked up – he shut up. Suddenly those flat eyes had turned into pained eyes. She stared hard at him, and then took a shuddering breath.

“I miss her when I see those things. I miss her other times; I can’t not miss her Margaret.”

“I know.” Her voice was thick in defense. “I was just asking, Leo. I know.”

            He tried to catch her eyes, looking to her in full sincerity. It took a few moments before he finally held her full glance and attention.

“But I miss you too.” He murmured.

“Yeah,” she told him, “when exactly do you get the chance?”

“Lunch.” He told her gently.

He saw the flicker of a smile on the corners of her mouth, “You rarely eat lunch.”

He grinned at her smart-mouthing, “Meetings.”

“Meetings I schedule.”

Leo offered a smile, “In the shower.”

            He sighed in comfort when she gave him a soft chuckle. Her body relaxed and resigned with amusement. He lifted a hand and brushed a pale tone cheek.

“I’ll take it off someday Margaret.” He whispered, his palm facing up under her chin. She peered suspiciously at the ring.

“I just can’t - ”

“Right now.” She whispered, sliding her fingers back into his. Leo squeezed her hand fast in his.

“Margaret…look at me.”

            She finally matched his glance again, a soft smirk on her lips and a lightness in her eyes. It was a weak smile though.

“I know Leo…I know.”

He slid his thumb over her bottom lip, “You okay?”

A sigh passed her lips and fell over his thumb.

“Yes.” Her answer short.

“Promise me?” he begged her gently.

A beat of silence, “Leo, I…”

“Please?” He asked, his eyes dark.

“No.” she refused to promise him anything at that moment. She wouldn’t lie, knowing that she wasn’t okay with it. She was hurt. “But I’ll promise you tomorrow.”

            He grinned wide, letting her wash in his amusement. McGarry pressed a quick kiss to her cheek in appreciation and affection. Then another to her lips.

“Thank you.” He murmured, letting her rest back on him as he relaxed into the couch.

            After a moment she shifted back into his arms, kicking her feet back up on the couch easily. He let himself breathe deeply in relief when her hands slid back up his chest; fingers entrenched in his button down shirt.

Leo pressed his cheek against the crown of red hair, “You want me to take you home now?”

“No.” it was a disgruntled noise of disagreement. “Wanna sleep.”

            He grinned and kissed her forehead again, retracing his earlier actions. For a moment he just stroked through her hair, letting it slips easily around his fingers. He was entangled in the red tresses as much as he was entangled in the woman.

“Okay, you comfortable?”

            She made another quiet noise of agreement as she shifted lower and deeper into his arms, her warm breath shuddering against his chest. He felt her sigh gently.

“Someday Margaret.” his voice lifted her head as he sifted her hair. She blinked up at him in tired questioning, confusion creasing her face.

“I’ll take it off someday.” He whispered.

“Promise?”

She didn’t expect the answer he gave her, “Yes.”

He held her quietly on the couch, “I promise.”

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