Title: A single letter Jen knew she shouldn’t be in bed with Leo. Or rather, Leo shouldn’t be in bed. He should be up, working on some world problem or other. That was how it was every weekend. Saturday was just another work day. And Sunday was almost the same. Except Leo didn’t always go into the office. Sometimes, they even managed breakfast with Mallory. But Leo’s phone, or pager or some other electronic umbilical cord attaching him to Jed Bartlet and the White House would usually drag him away. Occasionally, he would sort the problem swiftly, return to the table, and ask: ‘What did I miss?’ But mostly, the problem needed him to go into work. Now, in his arms, feeling his bare skin against her own, she didn’t want to let him go. Not that that would stop him. She knew if he was needed, he would leave her with barely a quick goodbye kiss. And lately she had begun to resent his distractedness. After almost thirty years, she thought she’d be used to it. But it seemed to bother her more, not less, as the years went by. And there was no real reason. Just a feeling that they were becoming strangers who did little more than share a bed. When Leo came home. She knew he slept in the office. She knew he slept in the Residence. And lately, that had begun to bother her too. Leo had been honest when they first met. He loved Jed. And she had been happy to share Leo with him. But she wasn’t getting a fair share any more. Since the election, Leo had even failed to notice big things. Like the new couch, or when she had her hair done a different way. It was their anniversary in a week, and she wondered if Margaret would remind him. Or just do as she was sure his assistant did every year and simply go out and buy a card and a present which Leo just had to sign. Leo opened his eyes slowly. Lately, he had begun to find it difficult to work out where he was until he woke up. He seemed less sensitive to the mall signals he’d relied upon to help him. He imagined it was old age. But he didn’t want to upset anyone by saying something stupid. So he waited until he pulled his glasses on before reaching across and kissing Jen’s bare shoulder. ‘Morning.’ He waited for her to turn, frowning slightly as she remained with her back to him, although he was sure she was awake. It was her movement that had woken him. ‘Jen? What’s wrong?’ ‘Leo, do you know what Friday is?’ Leo knew. Margaret had been reminding him for a week. ‘Er, last day of the week?’ Jen still didn’t move. ‘Leo…’ ‘Jen, it’s our wedding anniversary. What, you think I don’t remember?’ ‘Did Margaret get my present yet?’ ‘What?’ ‘Leo, I know how it works. I hope it’s as nice as the vase she got last year. That looks great with roses in.’ Leo was tempted to pull Jen onto her back, just to get eye contact. Uneasily, he said: ‘We were busy with election stuff…’ ‘Yeah. I know.’ But Jen’s tone suggested she wasn’t appeased by her husband’s explanation. Without warning, she got out of bed, pulling a silk kimono wrap around her silk teddy. ‘Leo, we have to talk.’ ‘Okay.’ ‘I don’t mind coming second. I know you and Jed need each other. But I won’t come third. I won’t let you put your stupid job before me…before us, any more. Leo, I can’t do this any more. I won’t do this any more.’ ‘Jen, please…’ Leo reached for her, and, reluctantly, she allowed him to undo the tie-belt, pulling the robe off her shoulders as she climbed back onto the bed. He reached for her and, after a few seconds of indecision, she responded, allowing his hands to slide under the flimsy fabric, reaching to cup her breasts. Almost against her will, her body responded to Leo’s insistent touch, and she rolled onto her back, stretching her arms above her head as the teddy rolled off, dropping to the floor. His hands on her rib-cage, Leo leaned down, his kisses moving from her neck to her chest. She arched her back as his tongue flicked across her sensitive flesh, an involuntary gasp encouraging him to continue. The sound of Leo’s cell phone made them both frown. After ignoring it for only a couple of rings, Leo snatched it up from the nightstand. ‘McGarry…when? Okay…no…in an hour.’ Pulling himself off the bed, Leo said apologetically: ‘I have to go. CJ says…’ Jen turned, her eyes shining. ‘Don’t go. Leo, please. We have to talk…’ Her voice trailed off as she saw Leo pulling clothes from the wardrobe. She got up from the bed and moved quickly across the room, slamming the bathroom door. Sighing, Leo pulled his jeans on, wondering how long Charlie would leave Jed before knocking on his bedroom door to wake him. Just for a moment, he wished he had woken in a different bed. In someone else’s arms. Someone who understood how important these few years were. Just a single letter. Seemingly not much different. Jed. Not Jen. But, in reality, all the difference in the world. He loved one person unconditionally. He wasn’t sure he loved the other one at all any more. Or that she loved him. Home Send me feedback on these fics Return to the X-Files Fic Index Return to the West Wing Fic Index Return to the Short Fic Index

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