Archive of Our Own ^beta

Summary:

From her position on the floor, she heard the panic in Billy’s voice as he called out, “Madam President? Are you alright?”

“Oh, just as right as Picon’s rain,” Laura replied with a heavy dose of sarcasm. She glanced around at the pieces of her chair—the wood was cracked and jutting up in places and the beautiful green velvet she so loved was ripped raggedly. Laura sighed and then asked, “Billy, can you help me up? The chair collapsed, and I'm afraid if I try to get up on my own, it will get worse.”

“Of course!”

Though she couldn’t see him, Laura heard him set something down on the desk with a clatter and then scurry around the side, his footsteps quick and light.

Billy’s firm arms went under her armpits and grasped her tightly, lifting her with a steady grip. Laura winced as he accidentally bumped her aching elbow in the process, a sharp pain shooting through her arm.

“Careful!” she chided.

“Sorry,” Billy said sheepishly, his face flushed. “Okay, on the count of three. One…Two…Three…”

When Billy reached three, he groaned with effort and hauled Laura out of the heap of chair pieces and back onto her feet, her legs wobbling slightly as she regained her balance.