*** (mid In Excelsis Deo)
Danny stared at his wife, amused, as she read her list of why they couldn't go out on a real date. Finally, he stopped her. He had to give her his present while they were alone. He knew they would be interrupted soon.
***
"Also cuz I've got a crush on you."
CJ stared at her husband. His words amused and touched her. Even though they had been married for a year and a half, and she knew he loved her, the word "crush" struck her as sweet and romantic. She fought the smile that bubbled up at his words.
"Leo's here."
Danny turned to go, knowing an exit line when he heard one.
CJ regained her composure as Leo and Danny exchanged pleasantries, then managed to keep a straight face as she told Leo, "I'm rebuffing his advances, Leo."
***
CJ stared at the tree. "What did you do?"
Danny handed her some eggnog. "See, the flamingo is a nice bird."
She turned to stare at him. "So you bought every flamingo ornament you could find?"
"Yep."
She walked to the side of the tree. "We're not having a tree covered in flamingos."
"Ah, you're wrong." He corrected her. "Because we do have a tree covered in flamingos."
"Danny..." CJ laughed, then shook her head and sighed. "Fine, but next year we're picking two ornaments. And those two are the only ones going on the tree."
"Deal." Danny grabbed her hand and shook it, then pulled her close. "How about a kiss to seal that?"
She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"So, if Leo hadn't come in today, would you have ravished me in your office?"
"Danny!"
He pulled her closer, an arm around her waist as she began to pull away.
"Admit it, you forgot where we were. For just a moment, you forgot." He leaned close to her lips. "And you wanted to do something that's off limits in the office."
She glanced at his lips, then back to his eyes. "Yes," she breathed.
His lips crushed hers as soon as the word was finished. The word 'crush' resounded in her head as he pulled her closer. She pulled away to put her eggnog down before attaching herself to him again. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he guided her to the couch. Then she ran into the end table and pulled away, rubbing her knee.
"You okay?" He asked, concerned as he helped her to the couch.
She sat quickly. "Talk about ruining a moment."
He grinned before sitting next to her. He pulled her leg onto his lap and pushed her hands away from her knee. He began carefully massaging her knee before slowly moving up her leg.
"That's not where I hit it." CJ whispered.
He looked up, inches from her face. "You complaining?"
"Just informing."
"Your knee still hurt?"
"What knee?" She slid down, pulling him with her. Their lips met and his hands trailed up her body to settle at her hips.
He dropped kisses on her neck while informing her, "You need to lose some clothes."
She laughed once, breathlessly as he trailed his fingers up and down her body. "You too."
They groaned as her cell phone rang. Danny quickly got up, but CJ was slower, glaring at her jacket as she walked over to it.
"What?" She listened for a moment, then sighed. "Yeah, fine." She hung up.
"You have to go." Danny sighed.
"I'm sorry. Next time. Third times the charm, right?"
He smiled. "Or three strikes and you're out."
She smiled back as he moved to help her put on her jacket. "You can wait but it'll probably be a long night."
He nodded. "It's fine. I'll see you tomorrow at work."
She smiled and kissed him quickly before leaving.
*** (post In Excelsis Deo)
I'll pick you up at your apartment for our "business dinner" after work. Wear something for a nice restaurant and dancing.
CJ smiled as she folded the paper and stuck it deep in her purse. She was again feeling like she was in junior high. "Started with the crush thing," she muttered before she remembered it had actually started with their first dance.
"What?"
She whirled around, the dreamy smile quickly falling off her face. "Nothing."
Carol stared at her. "Okay. But you should stop talking to yourself."
"Why?"
"People might think you're crazy."
CJ raised her eyebrow at Carol.
She laughed as she handed CJ a file. "Never mind, we all know already."
CJ perused the file while Carol stood there. Finally, she looked up. "Carol?"
"I was just wondering what time we'll be done today."
"Hot date?" CJ teased. Her smile widened as Carol blushed. "Well, good for you! The Secret Service guy?"
Carol ducked her head and nodded. "Jarrod."
"We have a half day, I'll try to get us out of here by six or so. Wait, he's not going with the First Family?"
"He's off duty until tomorrow morning."
"So he's staying here to take you to dinner instead of going up with the rest of the agents?" CJ asked.
Carol nodded.
"That's so sweet. We'll try to get you out of here as early as possible."
Carol smiled. "Thanks."
CJ turned back to her desk as Carol left the office.
***
CJ hummed to herself as she put the finishing touches on her outfit. She wanted to look perfect for Danny. Technically, she rationalized, this was their first date. And first impressions are very important. She shook her head at herself in the mirror. "Business dinner," she muttered to her reflection. "We'll be in public. I hope it'll be worth all this stress."
Her doorbell rang and she smiled. She glanced once more at herself before going to the door. She opened it to find Danny, dressed in a suit and holding roses.
"Danny. You're early." She told him, taking the flowers. She gestured for him to come in, closing the door as she smelled the roses.
"Yeah, but I knew you'd be ready. And you are, so it's okay." He kissed her cheek gently before stepping back. "You look amazing in green."
She smiled shyly. "Thank you."
"Of course, you look good in silver too." He thought about the state dinner from a few weeks before. "And black. Off-white, you looked good in that too. And red..."
"Danny!" CJ cut him off, laughing.
"Blue."
"I'm leaving the room now." She threw over her shoulder as she left to put her roses in water. "Where are we going?"
He caught up to her and leaned against the counter, watching her. "Little restaurant a few blocks from here, we can walk if that's okay with you."
She nodded as she finished arranging the flowers. She turned to find him staring at her. "These are beautiful," she told him, putting the vase behind him on the counter before pressing her body up against his.
He traced her cheekbones before bringing his lips to hers. His arms captured her against him as she deepened the kiss and pinned him against the counter.
He pulled away. "We should go."
"Or we can stay in." She placed soft kisses along his neck.
He grinned. "After all this time, I finally have a date with you. No way I'm giving that up."
She sighed. "I don't sleep with guys on the first date, you know. At least, not anymore."
Danny laughed. "That's okay. I wasn't planning on getting much sleep tonight."
"Danny!"
"CJ, it will be fine. I will be on my best behavior for dinner. It's the holidays, no one will notice us anyway. Come on." He grabbed her hand and she yielded, reluctantly following him to the living room. He helped her with her coat, then held out his arm.
She smiled and tried to relax. "Okay, let's go."
They were silent as they left the building. Danny steered her down the street towards the small restaurant he had managed to get reservations at.
"I've been wanting to try this place out." CJ told him.
He relaxed, glad he had made a good choice. He opened the door for her, breathing in her perfume as she passed him.
He gave the matre'd his name and they were soon seated in a private alcove.
She looked around and smiled when she realized no one could see them. "Thank you."
He smiled back. "Maybe next time I can show you off for the whole dinner. Tonight it'll just be for our walks in and out of here. Oh, and a dance or two."
Her smile faltered but she caught herself before she responded in the negative to another date. She glanced down at the table to regain her composure while Danny ordered wine for them.
When she looked back up, Danny was smiling at her with a puzzled expression. "CJ?"
She quickly opened her menu. "What are you going to have?"
He relaxed and opened his menu. "I was thinking the garlic steak."
"Garlic?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
He grinned. "No garlic. No onions either, I'm guessing."
"Good guess." She told him and they quickly picked out their meals.
Their waiter left and Danny snapped his fingers. "I almost forgot."
"What?"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his notebook. She grinned as he set it carefully beside his glass. "Now, what exactly is a fling and why aren't we having one?"
She laughed softly. Her eyes sparkled as she asked, "Is this on the record?"
He grinned. "Whatever you want. Apparently, you're in charge."
"I like the sound of that." CJ leaned back to survey him for a moment. "So, when was your first kiss?"
"Are we going to play Truth or Dare later?" Danny teased her. "We seem to be stuck in high school mode here."
"I was thinking the same thing." CJ admitted. "Except I thought junior high."
"So, want to go steady?"
CJ giggled. "My parents said I have to be home by eleven."
"What would they say if we went for a drive and ran out of gas somewhere?"
"We walked here." CJ pointed out.
Danny nodded. "Right. So you don't think they'll buy my story?"
CJ shook her head and took a sip of wine. "Did you always want to be a reporter?"
"Isn't work off limits?"
CJ relented. "I guess that does fall into work. What do you want to talk about?"
"Ever been to Bermuda?"
"Yeah, years ago."
"We should go," he told her. "We should travel everywhere."
She smiled. "Okay. Where else have you been to? What's your favorite country?"
They chatted and laughed, getting to know a lot more about each others histories as dinner progressed. After they were done, they fell silent as Danny stared away from her.
"Danny?" CJ broke the silence.
"Dance with me?" He held a hand out to her. She hesitated for a moment before nodding and taking his hand. He led her to the dance floor.
"Slow song, your favorite." She whispered to him as they began to move to the music.
"You know why I like slow songs?"
"No." She glanced at him.
"I can hold you. I can't do that with a fast song."
CJ smiled and blushed. He moved closer, his arm tightening around her. She shook her head and pushed gently at his shoulder. "Business dinner," she whispered.
He sighed and took a small step back. "No one is looking at us," he whispered back.
She glanced around. "I'd like to keep it that way."
The moved silently to the music, each lost in thought until the song ended. Only when they were back at the table did they break the silence.
"Dessert?" CJ questioned softly.
"To go?" Danny suggested and CJ smiled widely. Then he fumbled for his phone. "Vibrate," he told her before answering. He grabbed his notebook and scribbled, nodding. He hung up and glanced at her.
"Go," she sighed.
"Let me get the check and I'll walk you home." Danny suggested.
CJ smiled. "Okay."
He flagged down the waiter and their check appeared moments later. They left the restaurant and hurried back towards CJ's apartment.
"It got cold," Danny muttered.
CJ nodded, intent on getting home. They stood outside the door for only a moment. CJ held out her hand and he shook it, though his eyes were nearly on fire as he looked at her.
She watched him hurry off towards his car before ducking inside.
*** (post Lord John Marbury)
CJ's smile grew the closer she got to her apartment building. Danny was inside, she knew. They hadn't seen each other since their disrupted date, when Danny had taken off on a story.
She thought about Toby as she walked. He knew there was something going on between her and Danny. Before, she had wanted to tell him everything. But after his attitude over the India/Pakistan thing, she knew she couldn't. She would lose what little credibility she seemed to have in his eyes.
She sighed as she realized for the first time just how much she wanted to tell her closest friend. As her door came into view, she pushed the thoughts out of her mind to focus on the night to come.
Her cell phone rang and she stopped to dig it out. When she saw the number that appeared, she turned around and headed back to the White House before answering.
After she hung up, she called her apartment and waited for her machine to answer.
***
Danny checked the caller ID when the phone rang at CJ's apartment. He turned the volume up on the answering machine when he saw it was CJ's cell phone. They had decided they didn't want to even risk phone records, so CJ called herself and left messages when she knew Danny was at her apartment.
Her voice, breathless as she hurried, came on. "Sorry, I need to cancel."
Danny waited for more, but she had hung up. He looked around the living room before sighing unhappily. He began to walk around, blowing out the candles scattered around the apartment.
*** (mid He Shall From Time To Time)
CJ came to a halt at her office door. Danny and Mandy stood inside and it seemed to her they were flirting. She told herself to get over it, that he loved her and wouldn't do anything. But she hadn't even kissed her husband in far too long and the old doubts took over. With them came jealousy and awkwardness.
***
She stared at Gail, thinking about Danny. He had been here not too long ago, checking on the fish. She wished she had sent Mandy out of the room instead of him. It had been too long and she wanted him. She wanted to kiss him, to feel his arms around her.
She was broken out of her musings by Carol. "Senior staff, five minutes."
CJ jumped and glanced guiltily down at the paperwork on her desk. She hurried to finish.
***
She couldn't hide her grin as she left her office. Over and over she had told herself, and Danny, that their private lives couldn't come into the office. They couldn't parade it in public. No dating, no kissing or other activity in her office.
Then Mallory had kissed Sam, in a room full of people. And no one had noticed.
She couldn't do that, of course. But her office, with the door shut, was quiet and private enough. She needed to stop thinking about her husbands lips and focus on Leo and the State of the Union.
Strangely nervous as she faced him, she wondered if really kissing him in her office would live up to her daydreams.
As she walked back to the gathering to await the State of the Union, she realized it had been much better.
So good, in fact, that she was already dreaming of the next one.
*** (post He Shall From Time To Time)
"Carol?" CJ fiddled with her necklace as Carol stuck her head into CJ's office.
"Yeah?"
"Danny Concannon."
Carol nodded and picked up her phone. CJ wandered around her office while she waited for him to appear.
"CJ?"
She looked up to see him in her doorway. She motioned him in and quietly shut the door.
"What-"
He was cut off as she pushed him against the door and brought her lips to his. He recovered from his shock and wrapped his arms around her. She pressed her body against his as her fingers weaved through his hair.
Finally, she pulled gently away. "Okay," she whispered. "Thank you."
He stared at her, amused and amazed. "Okay," he managed. "I'm going... work... now."
She nodded solemnly. "Good plan." She opened the door to let him slip out before closing it behind him.
***
"Again, no comment." CJ sighed. "Was that the last question?"
Danny finished typing quickly before turning to her. "That's it. Thanks, I know it's late."
CJ glanced around the deserted press room. "No problem, I was here anyway. In fact, I need to get back to work."
Danny smiled sadly at her, realizing this would be another night spent alone.
She stared at him and her eyes dropped to his lips. She glanced around the empty room again before getting out of the chair next to Danny's desk. She closed the distance between them and placed herself on his lap. She touched his lips gently with her fingers before replacing them with her lips. His hands settled loosely at her hips. She kept the kiss light and was soon pulling away.
Quickly standing, she straightened her shirt and smiled at him. "See you later."
He watched her leave before growling in frustration.
***
"CJ? Danny's here."
CJ managed to hide her smile and waved at Carol nonchalantly. She didn't look up from the file she was reading until Danny had entered the office and shut the door. Then she set it aside.
"I didn't see you yesterday, out working on a story?"
"No, I'm just avoiding you." He grinned at her.
She nodded. "Okay. So why are you here now?"
"I got your message."
She looked at him, confused. "Sit down." She gestured to the couch cushion next to her. "What message?"
He sat down. "The one you sent me telepathically, saying you desperately needed to see me."
She laughed. "Right, that message."
"Honestly, I had some questions for you."
"More questions?"
"Different story." He told her. He pulled out his notebook and began flipping pages.
She watched him, unable to get her mind off of what had happened at their last meeting. Her hand reached out to stroke his beard. He jumped and looked at her quickly. She smiled and leaned into him, their lips finally touching. She quickly deepened the kiss as she pushed him down onto the couch. She draped herself over him as his hands slid up and down her body and their breathing grew ragged.
"Five minutes."
Carol's call through the door reminded CJ of where she was and she quickly pulled away. Danny held her in place and stared into her eyes.
"I want you. Right here, I don't care."
She blushed and shook her head. "We have to go."
Danny sighed and released her.
She stood up quickly and smoothed her suit.
"Maybe another time?"
She laughed at his hopeful expression. "You had some questions?"
"They can wait until after the briefing." He gathered his notebook and stood up.
"Briefing." CJ nodded, back in Press Secretary mode. He smiled and left, hoping their talk later would be behind closed doors.
Unfortunately for them both, it wasn't.
*** (mid Take Out the Trash Day)
"You misspelled Senator." I told Carol as I made my way to my office and greeted Josh. My spirits fell as I realized I would be stuck at the office again. I tried to protest that I was a woman in my prime, but any possible plans with Danny were fast fading.
"Abstinence only." I finished Josh's sentence, since he obviously had no intention of saying the word. He agreed as my mind flitted over all the times in the past few weeks that I hadn't been with my husband. "I would have no problem passing such a class." I told him, partly out of despair but mostly to watch his face turn that particular color.
He recovered quickly and I sighed inwardly and gave in to the inevitable.
***
I stared after Toby as he left my office. Two feelings warred within me, and I wasn't sure which one to give free reign to. On one hand, I'm sad. Sad that I've had to keep so much from my best friend. Sad that he knows there's something going on and can't ask me. Sad that he thinks I'm acting unprofessionally.
But also, I'm pissed off. He insults me when he says things about Danny and me. He thinks we have some sort of improper relationship that I'm keeping secret.
The secret part is right, of course, which makes me sad again.
But he's insulting me professionally, and personally. My best friend thinks I'm sleeping with a reporter.
Which is true, of course, as often as possible.
But I would never give Danny a story. I would never stoop that low.
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't...
***
She sat there, looking confused. She didn't seem to notice I was talking to her for a moment. When she finally acknowledged my existence, the look in her eyes floored me. I had never seen it before, not from her.
Suddenly, I knew she was about to leak me a story. And if she did, she'd never forgive herself.
***
When she finally stood, her eyes met mine. She was back in control of herself. Her flippant attitude, her remark about not liking me, told me she had gained control. But her eyes confirmed it for me.
"Because we've gotten very good at this."
The world shifted a bit for me. She was right. They were growing up, growing into their jobs. They had grown so much since I had first met them.
And suddenly I had the sinking feeling that she was growing away from me.
*** (pre Take This Sabbath Day)
Stockholm. CJ, you're in Stockholm. You should be here. I'm sitting alone in your apartment. I should be at my apartment, but I thought maybe there'd be a miracle and you'd be here. Instead, only your perfume is, hanging in the air.
Which pretty much sucks for me.
*** (post Take This Sabbath Day)
Danny read the note again, a sad smile growing on his face.
Please be home later. I'll need you.
He sighed, wishing she could need him for a joyful occasion. Instead, he was going to pick up the pieces after she gave the President the news about Simon Cruz.
***
Later, she curled up in bed, his arms around her as she fell into a fitful sleep. They had said nothing as she stumbled in, raw emotions exposed. She had collapsed onto the bed, tears she couldn't even explain dampening her cheeks. He held her until she drifted off, then gently removed her shoes and covered them both with a blanket. He carefully dried her face and brushed the hair back from her eyes. Then he watched her breath until he joined her in sleep.
*** (pre Celestial)
"I hate dentists."
Danny smiled widely from his spot on the bed. He watched her rush around the room getting ready for work, wishing she had time to slip back into bed with him. Now she was muttering to herself and he couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"CJ?"
"I hate them." She told his reflection in the mirror. "Not individually, of course. But as a whole."
"It won't be that bad."
"See?" She turned to point at him triumphantly.
"See what?"
"Won't be that bad, you said."
He nodded, wondering where she was going with this.
"Which means it won't be good."
Danny groaned. "CJ, you need to go get your teeth looked at. Just do it."
She sighed. "Whatever. I'm going." She swept out of the room and he followed to kiss her good-bye.
"I'll see you later."
She nodded as he helped her find her shoes.
"Have fun." He told her cheerfully.
She stuck her tongue out at him.
He grinned and kissed her cheek.
*** (mid)
I warned him. He shouldn't have done the briefing. CJ doing the briefing in traction would have worked out better than this train wreck. But, if it makes them appreciate CJ...
I raise my hand.
"Danny?"
*** (mid)
"Danny?" She wandered around the apartment for a few moments before finding him crashed on the couch, the game still on in the background. She smiled before quietly slipping into the room. She covered him with a blanket before clicking the power button on the television. The room fell silent.
She tried to creep out of the room, but was stopped by a sleepy voice.
"CJ?"
Her eyes lit up as she walked back to the couch. "Go to sleep," she whispered, knowing he wouldn't.
"I'm awake." He told her groggily. "You're home."
"Well, your eyes are working."
He smirked and cleared his throat. "And my eyes want to see your cheek, close up. How's it feeling?"
CJ touched her cheek. "The cotton is gone."
"You barely have a lisp."
"Barely?" Her eyes widened until she saw his smile. "Shut up, don't scare me like that."
"Come here." Danny moved over on the couch to give her room to sit down. He gently touched her cheek. "It looks much better. How do you feel?"
"Pain pills are wonderful things."
Danny laughed. "Why don't we go to bed?"
She smiled slyly at him.
"No, no." He held up a hand. "To sleep. You need sleep after today. Much as I'd love to..." His words trailed off as he watched his hand slide up her leg. At her sharp intake of air, he forced his hand away.
"Danny?" She smiled smugly at him. "You trailed off there."
"I can't remember what I was saying." He told her, staring into her eyes.
"We're never going to get this timing right, are we?" CJ sighed as she stood, before reaching out a hand to help Danny up.
"Soon." He told her, kissing her palm before gripping her hand in his. "Tonight, you need sleep."
*** (pre 20 Hours In L.A.)
"You're packing."
"Yes, Danny." CJ contemplated her shoe choices before throwing two pairs into a bag.
"You're going to be in L.A. less than a day."
"And your point would be?"
"What do you need all this stuff for?"
She shook her head as she tossed bottles into her bag.
"Face lotion?"
"Shut up."
"What do you need all this lotion for?"
"There's tanning time between two and four."
"You're going to California for one day and you're going to come back with a tan?"
"With any luck." She stopped and looked around the room, trying to remember everything.
"I'm sorry I won't be there to put suntan lotion on you." He stepped closer to run his fingers up her arm. "You cold?"
She shivered. "No. Yes, I'm cold. Want to warm me up?"
"I thought you were going to take a nap before the plane took off."
"I'm suddenly wide awake." CJ backed up slowly toward the bed.
Danny followed, grabbing her bag from the bed and tossing it onto a chair. "Got a lot of energy?"
"Yes."
"Maybe you can take a nap on the plane. But we should get rid of some of that energy first."
She nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. I'm glad I married such a smart guy."
He pushed her gently to a sitting position on the bed. "And handsome, don't forget handsome."
She nodded and pulled his shirt free from his pants before pulling it over his head.
"And good in bed." He continued.
She stopped and stared into his eyes. "I've seen no evidence of that in recent-"
He pushed her suddenly back on the bed, covering her lips with his. His hands hurriedly worked at the buttons on her shirt, releasing them one by one as his mouth devoured hers.
He dropped kisses along her jaw as she gasped. "What was I saying?"
He grinned at her.
"Shut up." She told him.
He obeyed with his grin still in place.
*** (mid)
He traced patterns over her stomach as she calculated how much time she could spend in bed and still make the plane.
"What dress are you wearing?"
"At the moment, I'm not wearing anything."
He laughed. "You know, I did notice that. I meant for the party."
"My new red dress."
"Going swimming this time?"
"You haven't seen my new dress," she continued, ignoring his comment.
"Oh, that's sad."
"Want a fashion show right now?"
"How much time do we have? I have something more fun in mind." He didn't wait for answer, since he had already figured out how much time she had. He dragged her closer and captured her mouth. His hands tightened around her as she inched closer.
"So what's your idea?" she whispered when her lips were free for a moment.
He growled in response and decided she needed to stop thinking.
*** (post White House Pro-Am)
"Hey, you blew me off today."
CJ smiled and relaxed as Danny came up behind her and dropped a kiss on her cheek.
"This pot is hot," she warned him as she drained the pasta.
"Speaking of hot..." Danny trailed off as his arm slipped around her waist.
"Set the table." She stepped away and his arm fell.
He stared at her back for a moment. "Are you okay?"
She turned and stared at him. "Danny." she blinked. "Sorry, I was off... somewhere else. How'd your meeting go?"
"I chatted with Charlie."
"Charlie who?" her eyes widened. "Your meeting was with the President?"
"Yes."
"How did I not know about this? I'm supposed to know about these-"
"CJ." Danny cut her off. "Calm down. It was off the record. And he probably realized you would have tried to talk him out of it."
"What?" CJ stared at him for a moment, but he stayed silent, waiting for her to put the pieces together. "Mrs. Bartlet."
He smiled grimly but didn't say anything.
"He wanted you to reveal a source." She shook her head in disbelief. "Whatever, it's over now."
"Mrs. Bartlet saw me there."
CJ grinned. "Glad I'm not at the White House right now, I bet it's not a fun place."
"Does she know about us?"
CJ sighed. "No."
"Are you sure?"
She raised an eyebrow. "She tried to set me up with an orthodontist at the last state dinner. Or was he a cardiologist?"
"Maybe she's trying to break us up." Danny suggested, finally moving to set the table.
CJ smirked. "Could be."
"CJ! That was a joke!"
"So, you had a chat with Charlie?"
Danny grumbled as she changed the subject. "Yeah."
"What about?"
"I was giving him dating advice."
CJ laughed, then tried to stop as she realized he was serious. "Sorry."
"I can give dating advice!" He protested, which just made her smile widen as she struggled not to laugh again.
"Just out of curiosity, what'd you tell him?"
"Are you going to stop laughing?"
"Depends on what the advice was."
He considered her for a moment. "I told him to be hassle-free."
"What?"
"I told him he should try to not make any demands on her, try to be hassle-free for her."
CJ stared at him for a moment before grabbing the food from the counter and heading for the table. "Okay."
He followed with the dishes. "Was that bad advice?"
"No, it was good advice."
"Then why won't you look at me?"
CJ sighed and turned to face him. "Honestly?"
"Yes."
"No, never mind." She began fixing their plates until his hands stilled hers. He pulled them to his chest, pulling her away from the table.
"What's the matter?"
She looked everywhere but at him until he took her chin and gently turned her head. He looked into her eyes and waited.
"It's good advice." She whispered.
"But?"
"You should take it."
His mouth opened, but he couldn't say anything.
"Danny?" She pulled her head away, but he had already seen the tears filling her eyes.
"I'm not..." he swallowed. "Hassle-free?"
She laughed shortly, her back to him as she tried to wipe her eyes. "No."
"I'm trying to be."
"By asking me out all the time? And then when we're finally out, by not being satisfied and wanting another date? I'm sorry, Danny. You're not hassle-free."
"I'm trying." He whispered.
She turned quickly. "I know. I know." She put her arms around him to whisper in his ear. "I'm sorry. I just thought marriage would be different. This is so hard."
"You're making it hard." He told her. "We need to spend more time together. If I only see you at work, it's hard not to say things to you."
"Things?"
"Like, get on your desk, I want you right now."
CJ laughed as some of the tension lifted from her. "Well, since that's not an option, what do you suggest?"
"Try to get home more often." He stroked her cheek gently as she closed her eyes and listened to him. "The President knows about us, and I'm sure he doesn't want us to end up like Leo and his wife."
She flinched and took a deep breath, pulling away to look straight at him. "Do you really think-"
"Yes." He answered. "I think we could end up like that."
CJ sighed. "I'll try to get home and all that other stuff you said. I can't promise anything."
"Thank you." He kissed her. "Why don't we eat now, it's going to get cold."
"I'm not really that hungry."
Danny smiled sadly, wishing their talk hadn't happened this way. The little time he had with her was precious. "Just one bite." He picked a piece of pasta from her bowl and held it out to her.
She glanced at it, then him, and a small smile settled on her face. "Are you trying to seduce me? Is that what this is?"
"I'm trying anything that will get your lips on any part of my body." He answered her seriously.
She ducked her head and bit back a smile.
"Making you blush is good too." He observed. "Are you going to eat this or should I?"
She grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand closer. Her eyes never left his as she took the food from his fingers. She chewed slowly, then carefully licked the sauce off.
He stood still as long as he could, staring wide-eyed at her. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and yanked her body against his. Their lips met, hot and feverish. Their hands roamed over each others bodies.
"Get on your desk." Danny gasped. "I want you right now."
CJ broke away as giggles overtook her. "How about the bed instead?"
Danny groaned. "I can't make it that far." He helped her out of her shirt as he talked.
"I'll make it worth your effort." She whispered. "Come on, it would be more comfortable than the floor."
"How are you thinking coherently?" Danny sighed.
"You must be doing something wrong."
He stared at her, aghast, until he saw the amusement in her eyes.
"My back is going to be killing me if we don't go now."
Danny ran his fingers lightly along her bare back, delighted when she shivered. "This back?" he whispered.
"Bedroom, Fishboy. Now." She pulled away before he could convince her otherwise and he quickly followed, wondering how exactly she was going to make it worth the effort for him.
*** (mid Six Meetings Before Lunch)
CJ heard the beat as she put her key in the lock. She had nearly had to drag herself home, after trying to get a jump on the story Danny had clued her in on. If she had had her way, she would have gone home with him right then, and probably indulged him with the Jackal.
She turned the key and opened the door silently. She tried to be as quiet as possible putting her things down and shutting the door. She made her way to the bedroom, where she found Danny sitting up in bed. His eyes were closed, but she was sure he wasn't asleep yet. Papers were scattered around him.
She crept to the stereo and turned it off just in time to finish a line by herself.
"They called him... the Jackal."
Danny's eyes flew open as a smile appeared. "Decided to do the Jackal for me after all?"
She smiled as she began to remove her suit. "I never said I wouldn't. I told you to go home, and you listened."
"So you planned this?" Danny asked, his smile growing as she continued to shed clothes. "How'd you know I'd have the song on?"
She stopped and looked at him. "I don't know. I was just pretty sure you would though."
"Do you need any help getting out of those clothes?"
She looked down at her body, now in just a bra and panties. "You waited for me to take care of the boring clothing?"
"Yep."
"Okay."
He jumped up, sweeping all the papers quickly into a pile and tossing them on the floor. He took her hand and pulled her against him. His fingers curled in her hair as he held her head still. Then he kissed her, slowly and softly. Bit by bit, he deeper the kiss, his mouth demanding more and more from hers.
She pulled his shirt over his head, taking in deep breaths before their lips met again. She struggled with his pants while pushing him towards the bed.
The back of his legs hit the bed and he pulled her down with him. Horizontal now, he kicked his pants off.
She lifted her head, holding it up with an arm, and traced a finger down his chest. "I thought you wanted me to do the Jackal for you."
Danny pulled her arm, knocking her off balance. She blinked to find him now on top. "Tomorrow. Tonight we're doing this."
CJ laughed. She managed to whisper, "And they called him-" before she was cut off by his mouth on hers.
*** (post Six Meetings Before Lunch)
CJ closed her eyes as Danny fiddled with the remote, struggling to get the DVD player to work. Finally, she grabbed it from him and clicked two of the buttons. The screen went black, then the opening credits began.
"I loosened it for you."
CJ rolled her eyes.
They watched silently for a moment.
"You know what I think?" Danny rubbed CJ's arms as she curled up on the couch.
"That we've seen this movie before?"
Danny sighed. "Yeah."
They stared at the screen. Neither wanted to move. Danny was stretched out on the couch with CJ curled up on top of him. There was no way he could convince his body it was a good idea to move.
"So, the Edgar Drumm thing."
CJ groaned. "Office talk."
"I'm just saying. I know you lied to me today at work. Something happened with Zoey that you're keeping from me. Just be careful."
"You only figured that out because you're my husband. I don't think it would be that obvious to anyone else."
Danny considered this. "Yeah, you're probably right."
"Shhh."
"Why? We've seen this movie before. And, if I remember correctly, neither of us liked it."
"Perfect movie for tonight," she told him as she closed her eyes and adjusted their blanket. "I can fall asleep snuggled next to my husband tonight."
Danny smiled. "That does sound perfect." He kissed her forehead and stroked her hair until her breathing slowed and she drifted to sleep. He soon followed.
*** (post Let Bartlet Be Bartlet)
She felt the tears threatening as she opened her door. They had been there basically all day, just below the surface. Ever since she had talked to Danny. She felt betrayed. He had sold her out for a story. Mandy's memo shouldn't be news, she told herself. But Danny felt differently. She shut the door and leaned against it, taking deep breaths and willing herself to move from the door.
Except for the meeting in Leo's office, the day had been horrible for her. Things were looking up but, she reminded herself with a sigh, there was no guarantee of anything.
"CJ?"
Her head snapped up in disbelief. "Danny?"
"Were you expecting someone else?"
"What are you doing here?" She stared at him.
He shifted and looked around. "I don't understand what you mean."
"After today, did you really think I'd want to see you?"
His eyes widened and he stepped towards her, stopping when she flinched. "CJ," he reasoned softly. "That's work. Leave it at work."
"You attacked my family." She told him in a low, steady voice. "You attacked the people I love."
"No. CJ, no. This is my job, I report the news." He decided to risk it and touched her cheek. She turned her head away.
"I don't want to see you right now."
"Don't do this, CJ."
"You should go." She turned the knob, but he covered her hand and kept the door shut.
"CJ." he whispered. She wouldn't look at him. He gently moved her chin and kissed her lips softly. She remained completely still, a statue.
When he pulled away, she pushed his hand from the doorknob. "Get out."
She opened the door. He moved in to kiss her again, desperate for a reaction. She pushed him away violently. "Get out," she hissed the order this time. "Now. Get out."
He stared at her for another moment before setting his jaw. "Fine," he flung the door completely open and left.
And she closed the door and leaned against it, crying.
*** (mid Mandatory Minimums)
After a few minutes, I didn't even bother with questions in the briefing. I knew she wouldn't pick me anyway. Instead, I simply watched and listened. She was on fire tonight.
Then Carol came over to Jack, the reporter who sits in front of me. I knew she picked him because of where he sits. She wants me to be absolutely sure that I am being punished.
I told Jack to go, I was tired of him trying to convince Carol I should be the one given the exclusive. I wonder how long it will take before people realize that I'm now on the outside looking in.
And then I caught CJ's eyes. For a moment, but it was all I needed. She's hurting, and she's going to make sure I'm hurting too, the only way she knows how.
I'm on the outside, but there is no way I'm apologizing for this. I was right and she'll see that. I hope.
*** (mid)
I'm tired of this. She's avoiding me, and I can't stand it. If we talked, maybe we could work this out, and we could get past it. But she won't talk to me. I've tried to be nice, tried to give her time. I've been playing by her rules as she cuts off my access to the stories I need to survive. But nothing's worked. Time to try something different, I guess. I just need to figure out...
There she is.
"That was bush league."
*** (post Mandatory Minimums)
CJ decided to walk home. She needed to think over the President's words.
She had his permission, his order, to let Danny out of the doghouse.
As much as she wanted to obey him, to see Danny, she couldn't just let go of her anger like that.
He had attacked her closest friends in an extremely public way. This was not, she believed, how a husband should act.
As she approached her building, she suddenly and desperately hoped he was inside. They needed to talk, and for the first time she even wanted to.
*** (post Mandatory Minimums)
Selfish, he thought as he wandered around his apartment. She wanted him to bury the story just because she said so. That brought 'unreasonable' to the list. He flopped down on his couch. Gorgeous. The thought appeared, unbidden. He tried to drive it out. Funny, sweet. He ground his fists into his eyes, trying to block out the image of her laughing as she took Gail from him.
If they could work this out, he allowed himself to think, this could work. Their relationship would be stronger.
He jumped up, ready to go to her place and talk things over. He stood for a moment before sitting back down. She was still mad. Even though she'd talked to him today, which he admitted had really been yelling, she certainly did not want him showing up at her door.
*** (post Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics)
"Is that it?"
"Yes, sir." Leo told him.
"Thank you, Mr. President." The Senior Staff closed their notebooks and headed towards the door.
"CJ?"
She turned. "Yes, sir?"
He waited until everyone left. "I'm going outside to have a cigarette. Why don't you join me?"
"Of course, sir." She nodded. "You realize I don't smoke, right?"
"I had noticed that, CJ."
"This isn't a peer pressure thing, is it?"
Jed bit back a smile at her remarks. "Just come sit outside with me, Claudia Jean."
"Yes, sir."
He was silent for a few moments as she stood, watching him smoke.
"I know this isn't the best place for a relationship." Jed began quietly.
"Sir?"
"I said..." he turned to her.
She held up a hand. "I heard you, sir." She shifted uncomfortably, not meeting his eyes.
He sighed. "I'm sorry, CJ."
"Sir?"
"This White House. Look at Leo and Jenny. Now you and..." he trailed off.
CJ's head shot up. "Sir, with all due respect, I don't know what you're talking about."
Jed nodded. "I'm the President, CJ. I'm kept informed of many things. Especially about my Senior Staff. And I just want to say, today especially, that I'm sorry."
CJ took a deep breath and looked away. "I don't know what to say."
"Two years ago, you did something crazy. But you were brave about it, you didn't take the easy way out. Last year, I didn't mention it because he wasn't here. Am I correct in assuming you spent that day avoiding thinking about it?"
She nodded mutely, her head still down.
"I thought so. This year I had hoped it would be different for you. But I didn't want you to think everyone had forgotten."
She smiled slightly. "Thank you, sir."
He knew then that Danny hadn't gotten her anything, and that his information was correct. She and Danny were still fighting. Whether it was just about the memo, he didn't know.
"Thank you, CJ."
She nodded and walked back inside quickly. When she got back to her office, there was a new figurine at the bottom of Gail's tank- a red rose.
*** (post What Kind of Day has it Been)
Danny smiled to himself as he jotted down the rest of his notes on the evening's events. The biggest event he didn't write down, but he couldn't stop thinking about it.
CJ had talked to him. Finally, and without yelling. Their conversation in her office had amused him, even as he had shouted at her.
On one hand, he could see why she had called on him. But it was still childish in a way.
Tonight, though, she had given him a tip. Danny nearly floated as he headed for the bus that would bring him back to the White House. With luck, they could get to her apartment and really talk.
And then he heard the screams and the gunshots.
*** (mid In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Part 1)
He fought to breathe, every step an agony as he whirled around. He searched faces, struggling to find a familiar one. He knew it was too much to hope that he would find CJ, but he hoped anyway.
His focus narrowed onto an agent whose name he knew. Danny hurried over, gasping the man's name. The agent tried to shrug him off.
"Jarrod." Danny gasped. "CJ Cregg. Where is she?"
Jarrod stopped for a split second as he realized who it was. From his talks with Carol, he had learned much about the reporter in front of him. He hesitated, then divulged everything he knew about CJ. "Hospital. She's fine, hit her head."
"Why the hospital?"
"Another staffer was hit."
"Who?" Danny gaped at Jarrod, but the agent waved him off.
"Sorry. I gave you information about CJ, that's all I can do. More than I should have actually."
Danny watched Jarrod hurry off. He took a deep breath as his pulse slowed a little. CJ was fine, he told himself, knowing he wouldn't fully believe it until he saw her. He steeled himself, ready to get back to work. Now that he knew CJ was okay, he could focus on his job.
*** (post In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Part 2)
Danny fidgeted and walked around the apartment. His stomach growled, reminding him that there was still Chinese food in the kitchen, warming in the oven. He sighed. If she wasn't there in ten minutes, he told himself, he'd eat without her. And unlike the last nine times, this time he meant it.
Seven minutes later, the door opened. Danny jumped up. "Hey."
She didn't seem surprised to see him there. "Hello."
"Let me get your things. There's dinner if you're hungry." He rushed over and took her briefcase, setting it on the chair before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Danny?"
He led her to the kitchen. "Sit, eat."
"Okay, mom. But then you're going to tell me why you're here." She spooned some food onto her plate and sat down.
"We need to talk."
She raised an eyebrow. "Thank you, Mr. Obvious."
Danny grinned. "I was worried about you."
"I could tell," she told him dryly. "By the way you haunted me about the 25th."
"Hey, I had to do my job, same as you."
CJ held up a hand. "I know. I didn't mean that the way it came out."
"Why didn't you call me?"
"What?"
"After the shooting, why didn't you call me to say you were okay?"
She moved some food around her plate and didn't look at him. "I didn't think about it."
"You didn't?" He stared at her.
"I was so worried about the President. And then when Toby found Josh..." she trailed off.
"CJ?" Danny picked up her hand and kissed it. "If you want to talk, I'm here."
She stared at their hands for a moment before shaking her head. "No. There's actually... something else we need to talk about."
"Okay." Danny nodded.
"You're just going along with everything I say?"
"I'm trying to be the guy."
"The guy?" She looked up and found herself caught in his gaze.
"The hassle-free guy."
She smiled sadly before pulling her hand away from his. She got up and went to her briefcase. He stayed in the kitchen, wondering if he had said something wrong.
She came back in with a paper bag. She sat, then stood up again and began to pace.
"CJ?"
"They made me get a check-up at the hospital."
"Okay." He prompted her when she fell silent.
"They asked questions. Lots of questions. Routine stuff, but one thing..."
He stood and touched her shoulder. "What?"
She opened the back and pulled out a small box.
His eyes widened.
"I can't even remember when my last period was. It's been so crazy at work. I sort of lost track of time."
He swallowed. "You used..."
"I know, I'm on the pill." She shifted away from him. "But maybe I forgot. Even if I didn't... you're an educated guy. You know it's not one hundred percent effective."
"So you bought an at home test." He stared at her hand as images flashed through his mind. She might be carrying his child.
"Actually..." she reached into the bag. "I bought five."
He smiled tenderly at her. "CJ."
"I wanted to be sure." She protested. "If they all come out the same, then we'll know. If any come out different, I'll make an appointment with my doctor."
"You're doing this tonight?"
"Yes."
"Can I..." he hesitated, trying to choose his words carefully. "Am I allowed to stay?"
She stared at him silently.
"I know we're fighting." He stumbled over his words. "I don't know if you want me around."
CJ reached her hand up and caressed his cheek. "Stay. Yes, stay."
Danny smiled. "Thank you."
"I'm going to do this now, I need to get back to the White House."
Danny nodded, glad she had taken the time to eat with him, even if she hadn't finished her food.
She took a deep breath and headed out of the kitchen. "Pop some popcorn, I'll be back in a minute."
Danny nodded to her back. He did as she asked, even as he constantly glanced at the door. A little girl, he mused. With curly hair like CJ had when they first met. He decided hair like that would look adorable on a little girl. Or maybe a little boy. He would teach his son baseball, although after a moment he admitted he'd teach his daughter all about baseball too.
His thoughts were interrupted as she wandered back into the room. He stared at her.
She finally looked up. "I don't know yet. We have to wait. And I only did two of them, I'm going to wait a few minutes..."
He grabbed her hand from where it was scratching her neck. "Sit down. The popcorn is almost done. We should talk about what we're going to do if we're-"
"No, we shouldn't." She held up her hand, then continued softly. "I just want to sit here quietly for a little while."
Danny grabbed the popcorn with his free hand and led her to the couch. She ate a few bites of popcorn before staring off into space. He fidgeted, wanting to say something but trying to respect her wishes.
She jumped up and left the room. He ate some of the popcorn mechanically, anxiously waiting.
"They're both negative." She told him from the doorway. "I did two of the others... but..." She stared at the sticks in her hands.
Danny sighed and walked towards her, wrapping her in his arms. "So, no baby."
"Looks that way." CJ murmured into his neck.
"I'm sorry."
She pulled away. "You wanted it to be positive."
"Yes," he answered, even though it hadn't been a question.
She stared at him.
"You didn't?" He stared back at her, perplexed.
"Are you crazy? Our jobs, Danny. Are you crazy?" She began to pace.
"But, a baby." Danny smiled sadly. "Don't you want kids?"
"This is one of those things we should have discussed before getting married."
"You don't want kids?" Danny asked, shocked.
"No. Yes. I don't know." She took a deep breath. "I don't want them right now, I know that much."
"Oh."
"You wanted us to throw away our jobs to have a baby?"
"I don't think we would have lost our jobs." He protested weakly.
"The Press Secretary having a baby with the Senior Correspondent?" She asked him savagely. "I'm fairly certain that would have been a problem."
"We would have made it work. A baby would have changed everything."
"Not for the better." CJ seethed. "If you want kids in the next few years, maybe you should find another woman to be married to."
They fell silent as she realized what she had said.
"You don't mean that." Danny whispered.
She lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Danny." She looked him straight in the eye. "But I do mean it. I'm not ready. If you are-" she grabbed her beeper as it went off. "I have to go."
"I'm leaving tonight." Danny told her. "I'll be gone until after the midterms."
She stared at him. "There's no compromise here, is there?"
"No." He sighed. "We'll talk about it when I get back, I guess."
CJ nodded. She made a motion to step towards him, then decided against it. Instead, she grabbed her things and left.
Danny watched her leave. He made his way to the bathroom, where the tests were sitting. He threw all four of the negative tests, plus the unopened one, into the garbage before leaving.
*** (pre Lame Duck Congress)
"CJ?"
"Yeah Carol."
"Toby needs to see you before the briefing. And here's the file you needed."
"Thanks Carol." She took a bite of her danish while scribbling notes in the margins of a paper.
"And Danny's back."
Her head shot up. She swallowed quickly. "What?"
"Danny. He'll be in the briefing."
"How did you..."
"Jarrod told me, he saw him walk in this morning and thought you might want to know."
"Well, I..." CJ trailed off. "I don't... I mean... Thank you, Carol."
Carol nodded and left, a small smile on her face. She was still hoping her boss and Danny would work it out. They'd make such a cute couple, Carol decided they just needed a little push to start seeing each other.
*** (mid Lame Duck Congress)
"Is this personal?"
CJ stared at the President in amazement. She thought about being offended, but realized she only had a few moments before Danny came into the room. She assured the President it wasn't. She couldn't believe after all this time that the President was questioning her integrity.
"I hear things. I don't understand most of it, but I hear it."
CJ was shocked; her mind raced as she wondered how much the President knew. And how he knew it.
"He's a great reporter, and you're a great Press Secretary. And that's why it was never going to work while the two of you had those jobs."
And then CJ was sure. The President knew that she and Danny were fighting, and that her marriage was in trouble.
And she wondered how long the President had been waiting for her marriage to unravel.
*** (pre Portland Trip)
Danny settled himself on the bus seat. He had decided he needed this time away from CJ. He knew it was cowardly to avoid her. He knew he should face her, talk to her. But he didn't care. Instead, he was going to Oregon while she stayed at the White House. He felt a bit relieved, knowing he wouldn't have to face her. He could also admit he was sad. He wanted to be near her, even when she was blowing him off.
"Good evening everyone."
His head shot up and his eyes met CJ's for a brief second. His heart sped up and a small smile settled on his lips.
And he admitted to himself how much he wanted to be near her.
*** (mid Portland Trip)
Danny bit back a smile as CJ fixed her hair on her way to come talk to him. He had been anticipating this moment since she had asked for the draft back.
"What's the problem?" She stared down at him in annoyance.
"How ya doing?"
"What's the problem, Danny?"
"CJ, there's no earthly reason why I should give you that draft back and you know it. You can't even believe you're asking me for it. So unless you're going to give me a hot towel and some chocolate chip cookies, you better..."
"Everybody else gave it back, Danny."
"Then everybody else can read my paper tomorrow."
He held back another smile as she addressed the whole cabin. "I'm guaranteeing you all no substantive changes, no new policy initiatives."
But he refused to budge, this was just too much fun. "You don't have to guarantee me anything. I've got the old draft right here."
She leaned down towards him to whisper, "I certainly hope we don't accidentally send your luggage to Belgium on the way back."
He firmly clamped down the smile that was still threatening him. He couldn't help glancing down her shirt since it was right there in front of him. He wondered if she'd like to join the Mile High Club.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to find out what it's like to be inconvenienced by the White House!" He called after her, loudly.
She ignored him to talk to another reporter and Danny looked back down at his notes. Until he heard her voice take on a dreamy quality and break through his brain.
"Although there's something to be said..." she trailed off and he glanced up to take in the dreamy expression on her face. He forgot to breathe until she bit her bottom lip and walked out with a quick, "Nothing."
He was sure she had asked the President about the late take-off, so he figured he knew about what she had wanted to say, what the President had said to her. He missed her idealism, wished he could see her with that look in her eyes more often.
*** (post Portland Trip)
CJ jumped when she heard her door open. She stared at the doorway as he came into the living room.
"Danny."
"Hey, CJ."
He stood awkwardly until she sat up on the couch, swinging her legs to the floor. "Sit down."
"Thanks." He sat quickly and glanced at her before looking away. Silence descended again.
"So." CJ said brightly.
"Yeah."
She sighed. "What are we doing?"
"I don't know." Danny shook his head.
"You want to be seen in public with me."
"You want me to hide my feelings for you."
"You want children."
"You want me to be on your side, no matter what." Danny sighed. "You want me to bury stories that would hurt your job."
"And you want me to be honest with you, even when I've been ordered not to."
They stared off into space.
"If we..." CJ trailed off, then quietly began again. "If you had to do this over again, what would you change?"
"I would have worked harder at convincing you to have sex in your office."
CJ laughed shortly before smiling sadly at him. "Danny, I meant-"
"I know what you meant." He returned the smile. "Are you willing to compromise on the things I mentioned?"
CJ's smile faded. "No. You?"
"Same answer."
"So now what?"
"I guess this is it."
"But you're perfect." CJ whispered.
"So are you." Danny took her hand lightly. "But the time isn't perfect. Maybe if we'd met a few years ago..."
"Or a few years from now." CJ gripped his hand tightly. "Shouldn't there be fireworks?"
"Fireworks?"
"Or explosions?" She stared at their tangled fingers. "The end of a marriage shouldn't be so quiet."
He raised her hand and lightly kissed her knuckles. "Why don't we try a separation? If you want a divorce, send me the papers."
Her eyes met his with quiet intensity. "I won't. But if you-"
"I won't." He cut her off. "I'm going away again for a few weeks."
"And then you'll be back?" CJ asked hopefully.
"Back to the White House," he reminded her. "Not here. And... yes, unless a story drags me away for longer."
"So this is good-bye."
Danny stood, but she kept hold of his hand. "This isn't good-bye." He kissed her forehead. "I'll see you soon. And after this is all over..."
"Yeah." CJ spoke so softly he could barely hear her. "I love you."
He wiped a tear from her cheek and she realized she was crying. She pulled her hand from his to wipe her eyes and he stepped back. He backed up to the door, never breaking eye contact until he was out of the room. He closed the apartment door quietly behind him. Touching the door, he whispered, "I love you."
*** (post Galileo)
CJ tossed and turned, thinking about her stupid pronouncement to Tad tonight. She hoped those people on the terrace didn't know who she was, so this would just fade away.
Her thoughts turned to Danny, as they often did at night. During the day, everything was so hectic she often didn't have a moment to think. But in bed, memories usually assaulted her.
She wondered what Danny would say if he heard about her "great in bed" comment. She yearned for one of his sly jokes, his eyes devouring her as she stood in front of him. She had half expected to find him in her office tonight after the concert. She imagined opening her door to find him there, playing tag with Gail.
"Great in bed, huh?"
"Shut up."
"Need another source? Because I'd be happy to..."
She imagined him pulling her close, letting her prove the "great in bed" remark.
She sighed and sat up in her bed, trying to get rid of the thoughts and images in her mind. She turned on the light and reached under her bed. She pulled out the shoebox of notes she had written him. Locating a blank sheet of paper, then a pen, she stared at the paper.
She sat there for a few long minutes before she threw the pen across the room. The sheet was still blank; she had nothing to say.
*** (post Noel)
CJ juggled her mail with her bags, struggling to find her keys.
She stumbled into her apartment, locking the door behind her. After getting rid of her coat and shoes, she flipped through her mail, making a face as she came to each bill.
Suddenly, she stopped. She hadn't been expecting a post card from Vermont. She turned it over quickly.
Merry Christmas.
Happy New Year.
There was no signature. She ran her fingers over the words that were there: her name, address and the short note.
Then she flung it aside to rest with her bills. She sighed and went to her cabinets to noisily make dinner.
*** (mid Bartlet's Third State of the Union)
He watched the State of the Union, then tried to write an article about it. Unfortunately, he had turned on Capital Beat after and couldn't take his eyes off CJ. She was in rare form, funny and witty without even trying. The speech had been a resounding success, so he knew she was riding high on that.
She wasn't even trying to be on top and she was.
He had almost convinced himself to turn the TV off when he realized she wasn't wearing any pants. He tried to convince himself she was just wearing a very short skirt, but that just made it worse.
Later, he couldn't stop the laughter when she appeared on the screen in a red suit. He wondered what had happened to her pants that had necessitated a new outfit. He tried to figure out if water could have been involved. Maybe she had walked into a fountain by mistake.
Danny pulled a postcard out of his briefcase and carefully addressed it before writing a verse on it.
Of ladies then the one most fair
Who ever flesh and blood did wear;
in her did grace and goodness dwell,
but none her loveliness can tell.
*** (mid Ellie)
"Eleanor who?"
"Eleanor Bartlet."
CJ stared at Carol, the phrase "I quit" rolling through her head. She grabbed the phone.
"Hey, it's CJ."
"Hey, it's Danny." The voice floated through the phone.
"Yeah." CJ kept her voice flat, sipping coffee to regain control. She resisted the urge to close her eyes and let the sound of his voice wash over her.
"I need a comment."
"On the quote from Eleanor. I know."
"CJ, she called me."
CJ sighed. "I know that. Give me the quote."
"I'm just saying. I didn't call her. She called me."
"And I'm saying I know you wouldn't call her. Give me the quote."
Danny couldn't stop the small smile. It meant a lot to him that she knew he wouldn't resort to cheap shots at the Presidents daughters. If only they could see eye-to-eye on personal matters, things could be different.
"Danny? You still there?" CJ fought the urge to ask where exactly he was.
"Yeah, sorry. I got... lost in thought."
CJ fought a blush as she realized he had been thinking about her.
"The quote. Eleanor says, 'My father won't fire the Surgeon General. He would never do that.' Does the White House have a comment? Is that the official line? And, if so, why is it coming from Eleanor?"
CJ sighed. "There is no official word right now, other that what was announced at my briefing."
"Which I saw. You looked great."
"Danny." CJ warned him, hearing the grin in his voice. "As for anything else, I can get back to you later for a follow-up."
"You'll call me back later?"
CJ winced as she realized what she had just agreed to. She forced a casual air as she said, "You bet. Carol's going to get your number."
Without waiting for a reply, she handed the phone to Carol and walked into her office. The call had taken just minutes, but she felt exhausted. She just wanted to go home and crawl into bed. Without a certain guy, however, her bed didn't hold much appeal.
*** (post Ellie)
She put the call off as long as she could. Only a few others were still in the building. Finally, in a burst of confidence, she dialed the number Carol had left her. She hoped for a moment that it was wrong, that he had given Carol the wrong number.
"Yeah?"
She let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding. "Hey Danny."
She heard a crash, then silence.
"Danny?"
"I'm here." He sounded breathless.
"Are you..." her breath caught. "Is this a bad time?"
"No, no." He took a deep breath to calm himself. "I just... well, I wasn't really expecting you to call back. I knocked everything off the table when I realized it was you."
CJ giggled. "Did you hurt yourself?"
"Just my butt, from where I fell off the chair."
"You fell off your chair?" CJ laughed.
"Did I mention how surprised I was at your call?"
She shook her head, a smile firmly in place. "I have the information you wanted."
"Are you at the office?"
She glanced around before slowly answering. "Yes."
"Go home."
"Why?"
"I'm going to call you back at your apartment. I... need to take care of something. Half hour, I'll call you."
CJ agreed suspiciously before hanging up. She turned off her lights and made her way home. For the first time in quite awhile, she was looking forward to getting there.
***
She had time to change and get ready for bed before her phone rang. She grabbed the one next to her bed so she could climb into it if the conversation went on too long. She wandered around her room as she answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, CJ."
She couldn't keep the smile off her face. "Why'd you call me here?"
"I told you, I was busy before."
"What's the real reason?"
"Your apartment phone isn't recorded."
"But there are phone records."
"And the recording from the White House has us agreeing to talk about Eleanor’s quote when I call your apartment." He pointed out.
"Isn't that what we're going to talk about?"
He sighed. "Well, there go my hopes for phone sex."
"Danny!"
"What are you wearing?"
She instinctively looked down, but refused to give in. "Business, Danny. I'm not going to tell you what I'm wearing."
"I should have just done this call with you at the office then." He complained in a teasing tone.
"The President is not going to fire the Surgeon General. So Eleanor was right."
"Is the President taking orders from his daughter?"
CJ laughed. "You've met him, does the President take orders from anyone?"
Danny shook his head with a smile. "So is she going to be asked to resign?"
"No, I think Eleanor is going to stay on as First Daughter."
Danny grinned. "That's good. And the Surgeon General? Is she staying too?"
"She'll also be staying." CJ gave into temptation and propped herself up in her bed to talk.
"That's good." He jotted down some notes, just for something to do. "CJ?"
"Yeah?"
"You sound tired. Go to bed."
She yawned. "I'm in bed."
His eyes widened. "Really?"
"No phone sex, Daniel."
He grinned. "You’re no fun, Claudia."
She shook her head and refused to give into the temptation to discuss this.
"Okay. Just talk to me for a little longer with that voice."
"What voice?" she asked, confused.
"That sleepy one you're got right now. Do you know how sexy that voice is?"
Her jaw dropped. "Goodnight, Danny. I'm hanging up now."
"Goodnight, CJ." He grinned wickedly and dropped his voice. "Sweet dreams."
She hung up the phone, groaning as she realized she'd now be dreaming of him.
***