Disclaimer: Yep.

Notes: This story takes place during either Season 2 or 3. But the calendar follows this year. Basically, I wanted Halloween to be on Sunday, but I didn't want to play with the depressing characters of this season. So if Sorkin can mess with the timelines for the elections, so can I! Because I am just as great as Sorkin and *ZAP* ouch. stupid lightning bolt.

***

Friday morning

"So we're all set for the trip?" Jed waited a beat.

Sam jumped in. "We're going to be there for Halloween."

Jed's eyes lit up as Leo stifled a groan. "No, sir."

"Leo." Jed smiled. "We should have a Halloween party."

"Do they celebrate Halloween in France?" CJ really hoped not, because she didn't have a costume and didn't want to worry about finding one at this short notice.

"Yes." Sam told them cheerfully.

"Sam," Leo moaned unhappily.

Sam chose to focus on Jed instead of Leo. "Recently, Halloween has become a bigger thing in France. Parties are a big thing, not trick or treating."

"See, Leo? You have nothing to worry about. I won't make you go door-to-door."

"Sir."

"We should have a real Halloween party. Costumes, games, decorations."

CJ sighed. "I can make some calls-"

"Great!" Jed grinned. "And if any of you don't have a costume, I'll find one for you."

At their expressions, Jed laughed. "I think the words you're looking for are 'Thank you, sir, that would be great.'"

CJ was the first to speak. "I already have a costume, sir. But thank you."

"You do?"

"Yes, I... thought I might need one... sometime."

"And the rest of you?"

"I'm sure we'll be fine," Josh rushed to reassure him. "We'll let you know if we need any help."

"Then I'll see you all later."

They filed out silently. When the door closed behind them, Toby turned to CJ.

"So, what's your costume?" His grin told her that he knew she had lied.

She glared at him. "Drop it."

"I'll tell him you lied to him," Toby muttered as they walked towards her office.

She shut her eyes for a moment. "Name your price."

"Get me out of this trip."

CJ nodded slowly. "I can try."

"Try hard." He waved as he left her at her office door.

She rolled her eyes as he walked away.

***

Friday night

"It's all set."

"Really?"

"Our hosts thought it was a wonderful idea, they're taking care of a lot of it. Carol's coordinating with one of the aides over there."

"How did you get stuck with this?"

"Because if it was up to any of the men in the building, we'd be drinking beer and eating pretzels. And that would be it."

Josh considered this, then nodded. "True." He moved and closed the door.

"What's up?" CJ put down her pen to focus on Josh.

"Only Senior Staff and their guests at the party, right?"

She smiled sadly. "Sorry, yeah. Very small. I know Donna's probably pretty pissed."

"I want you to bring Donna as your guest."

She stared at him. "And who are you bringing?"

"An old friend of mine, Captain Hook."

"Josh." Her voice was a warning.

"His friends call him Danny."

She stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. "You're too much."

"Everyone will be in costume. You two can be there together without any problems."

"I don't know, Josh. This is a no press event."

"Claudia, he'll be there as Captain Hook, not a member of the Press."

"And the Secret Service?"

"He poses no threat to the President, he already has clearance to be in the White House and talk to us. As long as your office doesn't make a fuss about it..."

"Make sure he knows the night is off the record."

Josh grinned. "Is that a yes?"

"Against my better judgment."

"Great! You know, you should be Tinkerbell."

She glared at him. "Not a chance. Have you seen her skirt?"

"But Danny would-"

She raised her voice to talk over him. "I'm going as Cleopatra."

"You found a costume already?"

"Sometimes it pays to be the tallest girl around, no one steals all the costumes in your size."

Josh nodded. "That makes sense. I need to find a costume or the President will be helping me."

She sighed. "And I need to work on getting Toby out of this."

"No luck yet?"

"None." She shook her head. "But I still have until tomorrow at noon."

"Good luck."

"Thanks." She was already picking up her phone as Josh left.

***

Saturday morning

CJ surveyed the bags in her office, briefly wondering how much they really needed the hallway that ran past her wall.

"Carol! Think I can knock this wall out? I need a little extra room."

"It's your fault!"

She sighed. "How is it my fault?"

Carol appeared in the doorway. "You told Donna she could stow her things here."

"That meant Donna." CJ told her assistant. "Not Donna, you, Josh, Sam, and Toby."

"Well, sorry, you should be clearer-"

"Oh no!"

"What?"

"Toby."

"You didn't get him out of the trip. By the way, he said he'd see you in Senior Staff."

CJ gaped at her, knowing a threat when she heard one. "Wonderful."

"Which is in a few minutes, you better get a move on."

CJ nodded, automatically grabbing the files Carol handed to her. "You don't think the costume the President comes up with will be too bad, right."

"Ummm..." Carol considered, then realized her boss needed assurances, not honesty. "Maybe he won't try to give you a different costume, since you already have one."

"I lied to him, Carol."

"Yeah, there is that."

"Shut up."

Carol waited until CJ's back was turned to grin.

***

"So, CJ, have you found a costume yet?"

She glared at Toby. "Yes, thanks."

"I thought you said you had one." Jed gave her a confused look.

"When I said that, sir, I didn't exactly have a costume."

"Meaning you lied to me."

She took a deep breath. "Yes, sir. I like finding my own costumes, sir, I'm sorry."

He nodded slowly. "That makes sense. Does everyone have costumes now?"

Josh smiled. "Yeah, I'm going as a mad scientist."

"Fitting," CJ murmured.

"Sam?"

"Well, sir, I thought I'd be a sailor. I have the outfit already."

"Fine, fine. Can't wait to see it." Jed turned to Toby. "Toby?"

Toby glanced at CJ, who simply raised her eyebrow at him, determined not to help him with this one. "I wasn't sure I was going, sir."

"Why wouldn't you be going?"

"Someone should stay and run the country?"

"Of course not! But does this mean you don't have a costume?" At Toby's silence, Jed's grin grew. "Wonderful! I have the greatest idea for your costume."

"Oh, sir. Really? That would be swell."

Jed laughed at the monotone. "Come by before the plane takes off to pick up your costume, Charlie will have it. That's all, see you all on the plane."

They chorused, "Thank you, sir." As they walked out, CJ couldn't keep the grin off her face.

"Just remember, Cregg," Toby whispered. "I'm blaming this on you."

"Spread that around, please. I want to be sure everyone knows who to thank when they see your outfit."

Toby sighed. "Go away."

"Gladly." CJ nearly skipped back to her office to tell Carol what had happened.

***

Saturday night

"How much longer is this flight?"

"Exactly eight minutes shorter than the last time you bellowed that question."

Toby growled. "This is all your fault."

CJ smiled serenely at him. "I know, isn't it wonderful?"

"A bear, CJ."

"You could have been a bunny. Bunnies are cute and fluffy."

He grimaced. "It was a Playboy bunny."

She grinned. "I know, it just amuses me to make you say it."

He sighed. "How much longer am I stuck in this flying death trap?"

"No idea. I'm going to take a walk."

"Say hi to Danny for me."

She stopped at the doorway and turned slowly. "What?"

He smiled triumphantly. "You're going to check on Danny, aren't you?"

"I'm going to check on my reporters during my walk, yes."

"You're too sickeningly sweet with him, you know that?"

She took a deep breath. "Is this another payback thing? What favor do you want this time?"

"None." Toby laughed shortly at her expression. "I can't have a little fun at your expense? What has our friendship come to?"

"But this... it's..."

"What?"

"It's different."

A confused expression settled on his face. "What are you talking about? How is this different than any other guy I've teased you about?"

She looked away. "I don't know. It just is."

He stared at her for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."

"Okay? What does that mean?"

"It means go take your walk. I'll see you later."

She walked out in a daze, a nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach as she played over their conversation in her mind. She wandered around the plane, avoiding the press area.

"Hey, CJ."

"What?"

Sam smiled at her. "I said hi. What's going on?"

She blinked and focused on his face. "Sam. How're you doing?"

"I'm good."

"Is Mallory on the plane?"

He grinned and ducked his head. "Yeah."

"That's great." She smiled, happy for her friend even when she wasn't sure about her own world. "Where is she?"

"In talking to Zoey."

"What's her costume?"

"She won't tell me." Sam shook his head. "I don't know why."

CJ smiled at him. "If she's being mysterious, I bet it will be worth the wait."

"You think so?"

"Sometimes you guys forget," CJ told him. "That I am a woman. I know how our brains work."

"I am really looking forward to tomorrow night."

CJ smiled sadly and began moving again. "I am too. I think."

***

Sunday night

CJ looked up at the knock on her hotel room door. She glanced in the mirror once more before calling, "Donna!"

A voice answered from the bathroom. "Almost ready."

Making her way to the door, she grabbed her key and credentials before realizing her costume had nowhere to hold them. She opened the door.

"Cleopatra."

She smiled. "Dr. Frankenstein?"

Josh grinned. "Hey, that'll work. I was just going as a generic-"

"Josh." She interrupted him.

"Yeah?"

"I don't care, come inside and tell it to Donna." She moved to let him in the room. "And bring Captain Hook in with you."

Josh and Danny filed in and she closed the door behind them.

"Are you going to call me Captain Hook all night?"

CJ considered. "Probably."

"Okay."

"You're fine with that?"

"You don't want it to be in Leo's face that you're there with me. I get it, don't worry about it."

She smiled at him. "Thank you."

"Donna!"

Danny hid a smile as Donna came into view at Josh's call. CJ just rolled her eyes. "Can we go?"

"Very nice, Donnatella." Josh couldn't take his eyes off her.

Danny pulled CJ aside while Josh tried to figure out that Donna was dressed as a Medieval princess.

"You look gorgeous."

She smiled shyly. "Thank you."

"Although the Tinkerbell idea wouldn't have killed you."

She shot a killing look at Josh, then turned back to Danny. "When Tinkerbell wears a longer skirt, I'll be happy to wear her outfit."

"What about a private showing?"

"That could be arranged some time in the future, we'll have to see." She smiled triumphantly at the eager expression on his face. "For tonight, I'll stick with Cleo. And you get to be Captain Hook, an interesting choice."

"I was late, all the good costumes were taken." Danny looked down at his frilly shirt and bright red coat.

"Maybe we can slip out later, take a walk, in normal clothes."

He smiled happily. "How's ten minutes from now?"

She laughed. "I think I need to be at the party for a little longer than that."

"Then let's get going." He offered her the arm without the hook and she laughed as she took it.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Don't get any ideas." She slipped her room key into his coat pocket and he grinned, perusing her outfit.

"Nowhere to fit anything in that costume, huh? Did I mention you look hot in that dress?"

"Did I mention you look silly in that frilly shirt? Let's hurry up with this party so we can have some real fun."

He gripped her arm tighter and led her out the door. Donna and Josh followed them out, still bickering over whether her boots fit in with the time period she was going for.

***

They slipped out separately right after dessert. CJ knew the speeches were over and all that was left was the dancing, so she felt safe leaving the rest of the night in the hands of the men of the Senior staff. She mumbled something about a headache to Toby, who gave her a half smile and a wink as he told her to go. She didn't bother Sam, as he seemed to be very involved in dancing as close as possible to Mallory. Leo was too preoccupied glaring at Sam to really notice CJ when she told him goodnight.

Danny, of course, didn't need to do anything but leave the room. He envied her the people who cared so much about where she was going to be, who depended on her to fix things, knowing she would cancel her plans with him in an instant if one of her friends needed her to be at the party.

She, in turn, envied him when he walked out of the room without jumping through any hoops.

They met in the hallway outside her hotel room. He handed her key over, then told her he would be back in ten minutes in a different outfit.

Seven minutes later, she opened the door to find him on the other side, now dressed in jeans. She grinned at him. "Ready?"

"Let's go." She had pockets this time, but still debated giving him her key. Then she mentally shook herself and brought her mind out of the gutter. They walked through the lobby silently, not touching until the hotel was out of sight. Then their fingers tangled together and they smiled shyly at each other.

"Have you ever been to France before?" CJ whispered, leaning into Danny's body.

"Twice."

"Do you know any hole in the wall cafe's or anything?"

"No."

"So we'll just walk then."

Danny smiled. "I don't care what we do."

"Me either." She blushed as she said the words, knowing they revealed more than she should. He brought their hands up to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"I'm expecting Carol to pop in at any moment and break this up," Danny muttered.

"Carol's busy tonight."

"With?"

CJ smiled. "She and one of the aides over here were coordinating this party. When they met last night, they decided that it was a shame they weren't on the guest list, since they spent so much time planning it. In consolation, he offered to show her around the city."

"Good for her."

"Good for us." CJ smiled and turned to bring her lips to his. His arms wrapped around her, drawing her closer, as she tangled her fingers in his hair. They came up for air and glanced around nervously.

"Maybe this isn't the best place for this," Danny whispered against her neck.

"One of the pools at the hotel always seems deserted, let's go sit there and... talk."

"Talk, right."

She bit her tongue and they made their way back to the hotel and slipped in a side entrance, showing their ID to the Secret Service agent on duty. She led the way to the pool she had found earlier, pleased to discover it was empty.

"It's nice out here. You can even hear the music from the party."

She smiled wistfully as she looked up at the closed balcony doors. "Yeah."

"Did you want to be there?"

CJ turned to him. "What?"

"At the party." He sighed. "I know how glamorous those parties are, would you rather be up there instead? In your gorgeous outfit, talking with important people."

She smiled. "I was wishing I was up there."

"Oh."

"So I could dance with you." She ran her finger over his beard. "The parties aren't that exciting. Okay, they are. But I've done it, I've been there. I'd rather be here, with you."

"We can dance here."

"Then it's perfect, I have no reason to want to be up there now." She took the hand he offered her and they began to sway to the music floating down from the ballroom. "Okay, now it's perfect."

"How long until your beeper rings?"

She laughed shortly against his shoulder. "I hope it never rings again."

He pulled her closer and they fell silent until the music stopped and they could hear the applause.

CJ pulled him towards a lounge chair.

"That chair won't hold us."

"Just sit down, Fishboy." He settled himself on the chair, his eyes growing wide as she sat down on his lap and pushed him backwards. "Relax."

"So you're laying on top of me... and now your lips are on my neck... and I'm supposed to relax?"

He felt her smile on his skin. "Did you want me to stop?" she breathed.

"No way." He held her in place in case she got any ideas, then turned his head so their lips met. Her body melted into his as their lips fused together.

Suddenly, CJ raised her head. "What was that?" she whispered.

He strained to hear, finally realizing what it was. "Someone giggling," he whispered back.

"It's Donna," CJ realized, surprised.

"CJ? Is that you?"

"Crap." She tried to sit up, but her hair was tangled in the back of the chair. She groaned as Josh came into view.

He grinned at them. "Hello, Claudia Jean. You have a lot of explaining, young lady."

"How about I don't talk about the lipstick on your face and collar that looks like Donna's color, and you get out of here and not talk about this?" CJ proposed from her spot on Danny's lap.

Josh's smile faded. "You don't play fair."

"Take it or leave it."

He sighed. "Fine. The party's breaking up, consider that tidbit a favor you need to repay soon."

She growled as Josh walked away, then let her head fall back onto Danny's shoulder.

"That went well."

Her laugh came out strangled. "Did you see his face?"

"I thought he was going to beat me up, like he had caught me with his..."

Her fingers stilled from trying to untangle her hair. "Danny?"

"He would kill me if I ever hurt you, wouldn't he?"

"Yes."

"Good." He ran his fingers up her cheek, then gently untangled her hair from the chair. "You're free."

"Walk me to my room?" She stood and held out her hand.

Danny smiled and gripped her hand, following her into the hotel. As soon as they hit the bright lights of the hallway, she gave his hand a squeeze before dropping it. They walked silently back to her room, where he left her with a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Happy Halloween, CJ."

"Happy Halloween, Danny," she whispered with a sad smile before disappearing into her room.

***

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