Disclaimer: Not mine

Summary: Sometimes you think you know someone...

Note: Haven't posted a story in awhile, I've been working on a looong one, it's now up to about page 10 and I think I'm only about halfway through, so... this little idea came to mind and I had to get it out before I could continue on that other one.

***

"You know, I was in love with him." It seemed like the middle of a conversation, not the beginning of one. But Josh knew exactly what CJ meant anyway.

"Was?" He didn't even bother to look up from the box where he was arranging books.

"Well, it's been awhile now. I don't know how I'd feel if he walked in again."

"What if he's in a costume?"

CJ smirked and walked into the office. "I might call security."

"No you wouldn't."

She sighed. "You're right, I wouldn't."

"Are you just going to sit there?"

She looked down at the table she was on. "Yeah, why?"

Josh sighed. "At least make yourself useful. Grab a box, throw some stuff in."

"Oh yeah. Because that's just what I want to do while I'm taking a break from packing up my office, pack up yours." Despite her protests, she picked up a box and began throwing papers in.

"Not those!"

She stopped mid-throw. "What's the matter?"

"I had piles."

She stared at him a moment, then began to laugh. "Of course you did."

He sighed in frustration, then began pointing. "That pile is to be shredded. That one goes to the next guy with this job. Those are for President Bartlet to look through sometime in the next two days. And this pile is mine."

"Alright, alright."

They worked in silence for a moment.

"When was the last time you were on a date?"

Her eyes clouded and she looked down at the files to hide her face from him. "A long time."

"Why?"

"I... it's difficult with the job and... I just haven't found someone..."

"Are you sure you're not still in love with him?"

"I don't know." She sighed. "I don't even want to think about it right now. I want to get through the next two days until the Inauguration, then get on with my life."

"When was the last time you talked to him? Has he called you?"

"No. He's forgotten about me, it was so long ago. And..."

"CJ?"

"He's probably married or something."

Josh began to answer, then stopped and thought for a moment. "Why do you think that?"

CJ stopped where she was, with a book in her hand and stared out the window.

"What are you afraid of?" he interrupted her thoughts softly.

"I'm sure he's got another woman, one who didn't annoy him. One who was there for him when he needed it." she trailed off as she became lost in thought.

"And he married her?"

"Of course. If you found a woman like that, wouldn't you?"

Josh glanced at his door before answering softly. "Yeah."

CJ smiled sadly at him. "Tell her."

He thought for a moment about playing dumb, then decided against it. "You think so?"

She smiled wider, though her eyes were still sad. "Go. I'll finish packing. Thanks for listening, I know you won't tell anyone about me... being all weepy and introspective and all..."

He smiled at her, his mind already on what he was going to do after she left the office. "I'll come by and get you for dinner."

She nodded, then looked at the book still in her hand and put it into a box.

He watched her leave, then picked up his phone and dialed. Listening to it ring, he considered what he would say to Donna. When a voice answered on the other end, he pushed the thoughts away to focus his attention.

"Hey, Danny, it's Josh. I think you need to get back here."

***

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