Title: Anything But

Fandom: West Wing

Pairing: Leo/Ainsley

Spoilers: Up to Election Night I suppose

Rating: PG

Word Count: 199

Notes: For writers_choice challenge quick

Summary: Ainsley’s reaction to Leo’s death.

At least it was quick is Ainsley’s first reaction when she hears the news. At least he didn’t suffer.

She repeats that many times in the following days, to work colleagues who know of her previous employment history, to friends and family who know of her friendship with Leo McGarry, if not how close that relationship was.

She repeats it so often that she almost starts to believe it herself.

Almost

Because no matter how many times she repeats it, it doesn’t change the fact that she’s never going to see that crooked smile again, never going to see those eyes dancing with merriment as he tells her some story about a stunt Josh pulled, or a tantrum Toby threw. She’s never again going to argue with him, however good-naturedly, over some point of politics, is never again going to be able to turn to him for advice, for counsel.

It might have been quick, and he might not have suffered, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s gone, and she never got to say goodbye, to tell him how she still felt about it.

It might have been quick for him, but for her, it’s anything but.