Disclaimer: *sigh*

Summary: "You can't keep doing that." Takes place whenever.

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Danny knocked lightly on the doorframe before walking into the office. "Carol said you wanted me?"

CJ rolled her eyes at him.

He grinned and elaborated. "That you wanted to speak to me."

"Better, Daniel."

He chuckled and shut her door. "So what's up?"

"I wanted to tell you..." She sighed. "You can't keep doing that."

"Doing what?"

She waved her hand in the direction of the ballroom. "Stare at me during official functions. You're supposed to be watching the President."

"But you're prettier."

She clamped down her smile, looking away for a moment. "Be that as it may, you still-"

"You're so cute when you blush."

She stared at him for a moment, amazed at the content expression on his face. "Danny. You can't keep doing that either."

"I want to tell you you're beautiful every day, many times a day. You should be amazed that I clamp down on it as much as I do."

"Danny..." He stepped closer and she trailed off.

"I love this."

"What?" She whispered as she stared into his eyes.

"Just being in here, talking to you."

She smiled as she realized what the content expression had been about. "I do too. We could see each other more if people didn't think we were making out every time you were in here."

His eyes flitted to her lips and back to her eyes. He took a tiny step forward and dropped his voice. "They think that?"

"Some of them."

"I think it's a great idea."

"Danny." CJ stepped back, trying to regain control. She hit the front of her desk and stopped. "We have to stop. This is a bad idea. Until President Bartlet is out of office, we need to be able to just be friends."

"And after?" He took another step forward and she didn't retreat.

"After is after. We'll see about that... after."

He smiled. "Nicely put. No wonder they pay you the big money."

She ducked her head with a small smile but he lifted her chin back up with his hand.

"So, friends? For now?"

She nodded slightly, his hand still warming her face. "Yes," she whispered.

He nodded solemnly in answer, then used his free hand to pull her closer. His arms wrapped around her for a hug. He felt her body relax against his and smiled. "I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable in the past." Somehow, not looking her in the face made it easier to tell her that.

He felt her smile against his shoulder, where she had placed her head. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I shouldn't have encouraged you, it's my fault."

They stayed for a moment longer, then he began to back away.

"No," she whispered. "Just another second."

Danny hadn't thought it was possible, but he fell in love with her a bit more at that moment. He murmured, "As long as you want."

After a few more moments, she eased slowly back. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, then glanced at her face to see her reaction. A small smile graced her lips and her eyes were closed. He hesitated only a split second before covering her lips with his. She responded immediately.

Their bodies fused together again, closer this time as their bodies didn't even pretend to just be friends. He ran his fingers up her spine and she moaned so softly he thought he might have imagined it. She buried her fingers in his hair, afraid he might disappear at any moment.

Her heart, he could feel, was beating as fast as his. A laugh from outside suddenly reminded them where they were. Danny jumped back and stared at CJ. She slowly opened her eyes. They were clouded with sadness.

"Couldn't you have been anything but a reporter?"

He smiled sadly, not sure he was supposed to hear the whispered rhetorical question.

She sighed. "Danny."

"I know, I'll go."

"Wait." He stopped mid-turn. "One more," she murmured.

He was happy to oblige, his arms immediately around her as she desperately kissed him. Their tongues dueled as this kiss became almost bruising in its intensity. They parted just as quickly, both out of breath.

"So, just friends?"

CJ laughed and looked down. "That lasted long, didn't it?"

He grinned. "I like your definition of 'just friends' actually. Wish I had known this definition in high school."

She cringed, thinking of the speeches she had given, and received, breaking off relationships with those dreaded words. "When you leave this office, we really need to try harder. I won't be responsible for bringing the President down, even by a few poll points."

He smiled. "I know. As much as I dislike it, I love you for putting this President ahead of your life."

She stared at him for a moment.

As he realized what he had said, he began, "CJ, I-"

"No," she whispered. "You can't. Not yet."

"Okay. Just remember that I do. And I know that you do, and you'll tell me eventually."

Her sad eyes told him everything he needed to know. She closed them for a moment to look away, then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I need to get back to the party. And so do you."

"I'll try not to stare at you."

She started to tell him it was fine, then nodded instead. "Okay. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

They stared at each other for a few more moments, not wanting to give up the sanctity of her office for the scrutiny of her co-workers and his. Finally, he backed up all the way to the door and opened it. Her eyes never left his as he backed through the door and closed it.

She leaned back against her desk for a moment, her head bowed. Then she sighed and straightened up. She put a smile on her face and decided to splash her face with water and fix her make-up before heading back out.

A few moments late, she re-entered the party with a smile on her face. Only a few people in the room could tell that smile was forced and she wasn’t feeling the good cheer that she spread. She was poised, elegant, and perfect at her job.

But Josh and Toby looked at each other, then at Danny trying desperately not to appear to be watching CJ with a concerned expression. They sighed in unison, worried about their friend and wondering what the future would bring.

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