Disclaimer: To the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy": I definitely don't own Danny/ Also don't own CJ/ anyone who thinks otherwise/ is crazier than I! (admit it, you tried to sing it to the tune, didn't you? Didn't work, did it? *evil laugh*)

Note: Part 4 in Danny sick series, ask me if you've missed the others.

***

CJ groaned when she woke up to the phone ringing. "What?" she growled as she tried to stretch from her curled-up position on the chair. She listened for a moment, then sighed, "Okay." She hung up.

By then, her eyes had adjusted to the darkness. She stared at Danny, who hadn't even stirred when the phone rang. She reached out to brush the curls off his forehead and was relieved that his temperature seemed lower. Then she stopped herself and quickly pulled her hand back.

"Danny?" she whispered, but he didn't stir. She stood up and got her clothes together. She quickly dressed and left for the White House, upset that her day off was now in danger.

She sent Carol to her apartment once to make sure Danny was okay and to get him to take his medicine. She came back with the news that he was sleeping soundly when she left him.

Finally, CJ dragged herself home, glad she still had half the day off. She glanced at the clock and realized it wasn't even dinner time yet. She paid special attention to the sun, not knowing when she would be out again when it was still up.

She let herself quietly into her apartment. When she got to her bedroom, she smiled at Danny. He looked up from his newspaper. "Hey, you didn't desert me!"

"Of course not. I came home in time for dinner. How are you feeling?"

"Much better. I could probably go home if you want me to."

"No." CJ surprised herself, then became flustered. "You're probably still sick, just the medicine masking the symptoms. You should stay here so I can make sure you're okay."

"Okay." Danny agreed happily. He decided not to press his luck, and changed the subject. "I'd like a shower, think we can do that?"

He realized it was the wrong subject when CJ smirked. "We?"

"Figure of speech." He sputtered. "Although, if you'd like to help me, I guess I can handle it."

"You guess?" She raised a teasing eyebrow at him. "Never mind then. I've never had to force myself on a man, I won't start now." She stood and turned to go into the bathroom to decide if there were enough things for him to hold onto to take a shower.

"No, I bet you haven't." She turned around to see a sad look in Danny's eyes. "Guys flock to you."

"Flock?" she moved to sit on the chair beside the bed. "Danny. I... haven't had much luck with men. Well, I haven't had any luck with men."

"You know you could have just about any man you want." Danny told her. She looked away. "You don't know that? CJ, have you looked in a mirror lately? Then look around you, you could have any guy you want."

She looked back at him but didn't meet his eyes. "Yeah right."

He laughed. "You really don't see it. I could give you a list right now of guys at work you could have. Who do you want?"

Her eyes met his but she didn't say a word.

He gasped. "CJ?" When she remained silent, he took her hand. "Are you sure? I'm not good for you, there are others-"

She cut him off. "I think you're wrong. About those other guys. But even if it were true, I already know... which guy I want."

Danny sighed and looked down at their hands, their tangled fingers. "I want to kiss you so badly right now."

"You're sick." CJ reminded herself as much as him.

"And that's the only reason you're not under me on this bed right now."

CJ's eyes widened at his calm statement. "I think I should go... make dinner or something."

"Running away?" Danny teased, his eyes showing his sadness.

She grinned and he relaxed. "If I don't, I might forget you're sick. And I'm sorry, but that's just gross."

"Being sick?"

"Kissing or... otherwise touching a sick person." CJ gently pulled her hand from his. "Think you can take a shower while I get dinner ready?"

"You're going to cook?"

"Well, I was going to make soup for you. But I can make something else. Or we can order in if you're feeling better."

"Soup sounds good." Danny smiled faintly. "I was exaggerating a bit when I said I was much better. I think I can take a shower though."

CJ helped him up. He leaned on her slightly as she helped him to the shower.

"I'll yell if I need help with... anything." He grinned at her.

CJ rolled her eyes and brought his bag. After washing her hands thoroughly in the kitchen sink, still intent on not getting sick, she made the soup. She listened for him to call for her help. When he did, she hurried to the bathroom.

"Please tell me you have clothes on." she called through the closed door.

"I have clothes on," he yelled back unconvincingly.

"Danny," she warned. The door opened and she was relieved to be facing a clothed Danny. "Don't do that to me!"

"So what should I do to you?" He leered at her.

"Danny."

"I know, don't start something I can't finish. Now, help me to bed? Or the couch, whatever." His voice suddenly grew fainter.

She hurried in, immediately concerned. She noticed the shower had really tired him out, but said nothing as she led him to the living room. She fussed over him after she led him to the couch, fixing his blankets and pillows.

"Dinner?" He nodded in agreement and she left to bring it in.

"Want to watch TV?" CJ asked as she handed him his food.

"Not really. I'm actually awake and alert, let's talk instead."

CJ smiled shyly. "Okay. What do you want to talk about?"

"Anything but politics." She laughed and he grinned. "Did you have any pets growing up?"

CJ relaxed against the back of the couch as they talked. She was amazed at how comfortable it was to sit and talk with him when she didn't have to constantly watch what she said.

Her eyes closed a few times, each time staying shut longer.

"CJ?" Danny shook her gently.

She opened her eyes and met his. "Yeah?"

He swallowed heavily at the sleepy, blinking look she gave him, amazed at how comfortable she had become around him. "Time for bed?"

Her eyes sparkled, but she smiled and said, "Nah, too easy."

"I am not!" Danny exclaimed. "I'm not that kind of girl."

CJ grinned. "Come on, miss, time for bed." She grabbed their dishes and put them quickly in the kitchen.

She helped him to the bedroom, then left to change. When she returned, he had taken more medicine but was still awake.

"CJ?" He began hesitantly. "The bed is big enough for both of us. And I'm guessing that chair isn't too comfortable."

She shook her head. "I'm being careful, I don't want to get sick. I'd rather you not breathe on me all night."

"Oh." Danny tried to hide his disappointment.

She sighed, frustrated. She sat next to him on the bed and gently touched his arm. "Thank you. I'd just rather we both be well. We have... some things I think we need to discuss."

Danny looked at her hopefully. "Please tell me you're not just trying to cheer me up."

CJ smiled faintly. "I'll be honest. I don't know where our talk will lead. There's still a conflict of interest, I still can't date you." She got up and began pacing. "But I think we need to talk, we need to have a real... discussion about this... whatever... between us."

"If this is your 'we should just be friends' speech, honestly CJ it's a little long, you should work on it."

She shook her head and stopped, staring at him. "I'd rather be just friends than be..."

"Enemies?" Danny supplied.

"On opposite sides." CJ finished. She sat down next to him again. "I love my job. And for right now, nothing can get in the way of that. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"So is this." Danny told her quietly, taking her hand.

"We'll both still be here after President Bartlet leaves office." CJ looked at him quickly. "At least, I will. I just assumed you would... if you want something else... someone else..."

"CJ!" Danny stared at her. "Don't start that. You know how I feel about you, I've made it very clear. But these jobs standing between us, they're just jobs."

She pulled her hand away. "Just jobs? You love being a reporter."

"Yes."

"And you wouldn't give it up to date me."

"Right."

She sighed. "I won't give up my job to date you either. We both love what we do, neither of us look on them as 'just jobs' so don't play that card. And we can't date while we have these jobs." She stared at him. "We said we wouldn't have this conversation until we were both well."

"I'm fine."

"You're not. Go to sleep, the problem will still be here in the morning."

"CJ."

"I'll go sleep on the couch unless you go to sleep."

She moved to the chair and waited until he sighed. "Fine, I'll sleep. We both need it."

She curled up on the chair. He sighed but closed his eyes. The medicine quickly took effect and he slept.

CJ couldn't fall asleep for awhile, but only one tear escaped as she lay thinking about the man sleeping next to her.

***

Part 5: Loss of Appetite