Disclaimer: My precious...

Note: This is for soft lite

***

Toby stared at CJ for a moment. "You know, I've changed my mind. I think you should go on a date with Danny, how about tonight?"

She glared at him. "And why is that?"

"Looking like you do, we'd never have to worry about him asking for a second date."

CJ threw her bottle of aspirin at him, then groaned at the noise it made hitting his jacket.

"Go home."

"I can't, I have a ton of work-" CJ paused. "AH-CHOO! And I have a briefing in-" *sniff, sniff* "fifteen minutes."

"I'm your boss, CJ. I technically outrank you." Josh came up behind Toby, using him as a body shield in the event she had anything left to throw at him, like a stapler again.

"Bite me."

Toby shook his head. "Not in your condition. Another time, though."

CJ attempted to laugh but ended up in a coughing fit. She finally caught her breath and chugged some water. "Another one gone. I need another bottle of water."

"I bet you have a case at home." Josh suggested helpfully.

"Go away," she warned.

"Okay." He sauntered away.

"CJ."

"Toby, don't start with me."

He raised his hands in surrender and left her. She looked at the empty bottle in her hand, then at the small cooler on her couch with water bottles. She groaned and got up, grabbing a few tissues for her journey.

When she got to the couch, she sat down to rest and gulped down some water. Then she covered her face with her arm so she wouldn't have to see the room spinning.

"CJ?" a voice whispered. "Are you okay?"

She opened her eyes slowly. "Danny?"

"Hey. You should be at home." He sat down next to her and gently kissed her forehead. "You're burning up. Let me take you home."

She cracked a smile. "Skipping the dates, huh, Daniel? Getting right to my apartment?"

He smiled. "Sounds good, how about next time? For now, you need to get to bed." He stalled her retort with a finger on her mouth. "Alone."

She let out a mock sigh. "Your loss," she managed to get out before dissolving into a coughing fit.

"Yeah, right." He stood and began to gather her things. "No work, you need to sleep. Josh or Toby can bring it over later or tomorrow."

"But I don't want to leave."

"Tough." He pulled her gently up from the couch and wrapped her coat around her.

"Danny." she protested again, but he placed his finger on her mouth.

"If you complain again, I'll replace that finger with my mouth. In the lobby."

Her eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

She sneezed again. Carol yelled in, "Get her out of here already."

"You're fired." CJ yelled to her.

"Good."

Danny sighed and gathered her briefcase and purse, then pulled a stack of tissues out of her box and stuck them in his pocket for the ride home. "C'mon, the cab is outside waiting."

CJ fumed. "I don't want to leave."

He stepped closer and brushed the hair off her cheek. "You're sick, honey. You need to go home and get better. Let me help you get out of here. I know you're just trying to get that kiss, but I'd rather not get sick so maybe later."

CJ winced. "You called me honey."

"Yes I did. Deal with it."

She opened her mouth, then closed it again and nodded. "Fine, but you can tell Josh he's dead for putting you up to this."

"Actually, I volunteered." Danny guided her out of the room. "He just gave me permission."

"Permission?"

"Official West Wing permission to be seen in public with you."

She looked at him and realized his eyes were sparkling. She smiled. "You're crazy."

He guided her out the doors of the lobby and handed her a tissue when she sneezed. "Let's get you home." He put her in the back seat of the cab, then ran to the other side smiling.

***

Part 2: Sniffles