FRIDAY
by JoLayne
EnyaJo@aol.com
RATING: G
CHARACTERS: Every single one of them in the show, and a few we've yet
to meet, except Mandy. Can't think of anything to say about Mandy.
SUMMARY: Friday becomes an interesting day for all in the West Wing.
NOTE: This is my first foray into the world of West Wing fanfic, I hope I got
everyone right. I'm optimistic, to some degree. The assassination attempt
of the season finale is over, everyone's fine, except one. Leo's still laid up
from a gunshot wound that grazed his collarbone.
DISCLAIMER: This is only for fun, all the characters belong to the brilliant
Aaron Sorkin, not me, except the few he either hasn't introduced us to
yet, or the ones I made up to tell the story.
***
WEDNESDAY
ZOEY'S DORM ROOM
The aftermath of the assassination attempt at the Newseum weighed
heavily on both Zoey and Charlie, but for different reasons. Zoey had
begun to close herself off, and Charlie was taking it personally. He finally
decided to go unannounced to her dorm and confront her with why she
was acting so different. Still standing by the door, she just looked at him,
his lower arm still in a sling from when Gina forced him to the ground
during the chaos, breaking it. "Are you serious?"
"I've never been more so, Zoey. What is your problem?"
Zoey incredulously asked, "My *problem*?" The slight, tight smile on her
face told Charlie he was probably out of line, had done too much thinking
about what he was going to say and how he was going to say it on the
way over to her place. It all was coming out too fast, too gruff.
"Ever since the attempt on your father," he started again, trying to
remember the perfect way the words flowed out of his mind as he waited
for the light to change.
But Zoey interrupted him, "That wasn't an attempt on Dad, Charlie. That
was an attempt to kill you. And me. And everyone else. It was because of
us."
"You can't believe that. Do you?" Charlie's shoulders sunk, had to drop to
her bed as if the rug had been pulled out from under his feet. It was
finally spoken. The words had come out of her mouth. He was the reason
all of them were in danger. That Leo was still on sick leave. That someone
could have died. It was because two young people went on some dates
and decided they liked each other, and someone couldn't see the
normalcy of it.
Zoey wanted to take the words back, "I'm sorry, Charlie. You could have
been killed. Leo... it's too dangerous for anyone to be around me. And I
have nothing to do with it! Is it my fault my dad's president? That
whatever I do or say is news? I never wanted that!" When she calmed
herself, she moaned, "I don't want you to get hurt."
That seemed to clear the dread from Charlie's mind. She wasn't blaming
him. But, she was blaming herself for something that wasn't at all her
fault. He walked to her, "Zoey. The only thing that hurts is that you're not
answering my phone calls, that you won't see me. Those were raving
lunatics that shot those guns... They don't know us. They don't care about
us. They only wanted to make their views heard. And if that is the *only*
reason you shut me out of your life, they've won."
"Charlie," Zoey sighed as she wrapped her arms around him and held on
tight. "I just don't want to be responsible if anything else bad happens."
The talk with her father about her being kidnaped came to mind. He
scared the shit out of her. She tried to be strong around her father, her
family, his father's staff, some classmates, but she wasn't strong enough
to deny her love for Charlie. She thought it would be easier to let him go
if she didn't see him. Out of sight, out of mind. But it wasn't working. She
did nothing *but* think of him, worry about him.
When her hand lingered on his cast, he pulled her head up for a kiss, that
she gratefully returned. "Let's shut out the world, Zoey. It's just us.
Nothing else matters."
She hugged him tight again, and softly disagreed, "Everything matters,
Charlie. That's one thing my parents taught me. There are consequences
for everything we do."
"What could be the consequence of eating my aunt's cooking?"
She looked up at him. "Huh?"
"That's mostly why I came over tonight," Charlie said. "My aunt and little
sister really want to meet you and she's going to cook Friday night. I
figured if I called to invite you, you'd just tell me you were busy and hang
up like always."
Zoey lowered her head, ashamed for how she'd treated him since he got
that cast on his arm. "I *have* been a little busy."
"Sure," he smiled, knowing she was just protecting him by staying away.
He didn't like it, but her motives made him feel good. "Will you agree to
come? I've told them all about you..." his smile took on a cocky glow. "And
they still want to meet you for some reason."
Zoey smiled, knew he was joking, but said, "There's a dinner of some sort
at Dad's on Friday night that I should probably be at."
Charlie knew about the CEO of Imperial Oil Company coming for the
weekend, and waited for an invite from her. He'd already received one
from President Bartlet. Charlie remembered the talk with the President,
who also told him that he'd probably have more fun picking lint from his
belly button than eating a meal with that blowhard guest. He even
suggested that he take Zoey to a movie or something so she wouldn't be
bored to tears with him and his wife.
Charlie waited. Zoey hadn't said a word or moved a muscle since she
once again, as if by reflex, shut down a suggestion of his to do something
together. He asked, "Do you really want to have dinner with those old
folks instead of my little sister?"
"No," she said. Then looked up at him and smiled. "I'd love to meet your
sister and aunt."
WHITE HOUSE RESIDENCE
Jed entered the bedroom as Abby was just stepping into a periwinkle
blue silk ball gown and held it up to her shoulders, inspecting herself in
the full length mirror in the corner. When she spotted him in the mirror,
she asked, "Care to zip me up?"
Jed smiled as he walked to her, instead of zipping her, wrapped his arms
around her waist. She giggled, "Careful, you'll wrinkle the dress."
Instead of heading her advice, he kissed her neck. "Did I forget
something?"
"Probably," she smiled, caressing his head as she looked at the two of
them in the mirror. "Be more specific."
"Why are you wearing this dress for a quiet evening in? I know we haven't
had many since I took office, but casual wear would be fine with me."
"I'm going to wear this on Friday night, so I wanted to see if it still fits,"
she moved him, so she could straighten it. "Zip it, please?"
"You look incredible. I'll only be unzipping it in a matter of minutes."
Abby smiled, "Well, twice the fun. I bought it for one of your five
inaugural parties, but didn't have time to change before we made our
appearance at the last one. So, I've never worn it."
Jed zipped up the dress and tucked in the designer label. "How much
was it?"
"Jed," Abby said. "When I say 'bought', it means someone gave it to me. It
sounds better."
"Well, that's one of the perks. I have free ties I've never even looked at
yet."
As she smoothed out the sleeves, Abby remarked, "I forgot who even
made it. I'll have to know to tell CJ so the world can know."
"It's just a quiet dinner party on Friday."
"Since when is anything private in this house?"
"True."
"Now you can unzip me."
"Now you're talking." Jed smiled and took his time as he pulled the zipper
back down to Abbey's waist.
Abbey spun around in his arms and said, "Before we start anything,
there's been something on my mind."
"There's always something on your mind, my dear," Jed kissed her neck.
"That's why you turn me on."
"Jed," Abby seriously asked, making Jed stop unzipping in mid-stream.
"They aren't coming just because he made a humongous donation to the
Democratic party, are they? That's the rumor."
"It's a rumor. It has nothing to do with the truth."
"Why are they staying the weekend?"
"They're old friends."
With that, Abbey laughed as if she just heard the best joke in the world. "I
don't think a guy you knew one semester in college, and called him
*names* by the way, could be classified as a friend."
"I called everyone names," Jed smiled to himself as he released his wife
from the dress.
Abbey stepped out of it and put on her robe as Jed happily watched.
"You know the mingling period, when everyone stands around like a
bunch of idiots before dinner?"
"Yeah?"
"What sort of music should we have playing? The Beatles? I don't like it
when the people who control the music try to be hip. Backwood Boys,
Those Synchronicity Kids, I don't like it. Gimme the Stones!" Jed started
strutting around the bedroom, singing, "I Can't Get No... Satisfaction... I
can't get me no..."
"Jed?" Abbey stared at him in his nostalgic frolic, "If there's one person on
this planet who's been satisfied, it is you, my dear."
The President of the United States had to concede, "That's true."
CHIEF OF STAFF BULLPEN
Josh sauntered with the extra swagger that being named Acting Chief of
Staff in Leo's absence added to his gait as he made his way from Leo's
office, looking for Donna. The place had started to clear out after the
regular office hours and Josh wondered if Donna had called it a day too,
but hadn't told him. That was odd. She always made sure he knew where
she was every moment of the day. She'd been especially doteful since he
gained the extra workload.
He dropped some files on her desk for her to refile and paused.
Margaret's earlier phone call replayed in his head. She was at Leo's for her
daily briefing to keep him up to date on everything and he stated,
categorically, that he would be in the next morning. Josh would have to
make the phone call to Leo himself to tell him everything's fine, that he
should just rest and think only about himself. But then, why would Leo
listen to him? He didn't heed those exact same words from the President.
Josh got to his office and felt his stomach rumble. It was only then that he
remembered he hadn't eaten since a power bar he chewed down after
rolling out of bed that morning. Along with his regular duties, he had
extra meetings with POTUS, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National
Security Advisor and gave an interview to Newsweek. After the full day,
Josh actually couldn't tell his ass from a hole in the ground. He needed to
eat something, and see some friends.
He plunked himself down at his desk and called Chung's Delivery. As
soon as the words, "Sweet and Sour Chicken" left his mouth, CJ piped up
from her office, "Get me some Egg Foo Young!"
Josh held the phone to his chest and yelled back, "Anything else?!"
"No, thank you!"
"How about for Carol?!"
"She left already!"
Josh told the woman on the other end of the phone, "Egg Foo Young,
too." That's when he remembered where Donna was, at a meeting of the
West Wing Assistants. Josh just hoped they didn't decide to turn union or
want to strike or make waves on his watch. After the assassination
attempt, there have been longer hours in the day, stress in the workplace
for all of them, but it seemed that it was starting to calm down. He'd
better be nice. He added, "And you'd better add a couple of orders of
General Chow Chicken... and some..." He knew Donna and Cathy liked the
Chicken, but what did Sam like? He couldn't remember. "Some... Lo
mein... Veggie Lo Mein. I'll call down to security that you're coming and
hopefully this time, our food won't be searched."
Josh hung up and remembered having to pitch his last order from
Chung's. A new, over-zealous security guard fingered through his Beef
and Broccoli. What he was looking for was anyone's guess. Josh was
hungry and didn't want to have to go through that again. Although, he
was hungry enough, he would eat anything, no matter if it had been
man-handled.
He stepped to his and CJ's connecting door, "Carol didn't go to the
assistant's meeting?"
CJ continued typing her notes for the next morning's press briefing and
didn't stop to answer, "No. She has a baby shower tonight."
"They're not going to... do anything weird, are they?"
"At the baby shower?"
"No, at the meeting."
"I don't know. I wasn't invited to it. I wasn't invited to the baby shower,
either. I never get to go anywhere. Did you ask for extra fortune cookies?"
"No. Can you do that?"
CJ stopped typing and spun her head around at Josh leaning against the
door, "Why can't you?"
"We shouldn't do anything that could be considered extra treatment just
because we work in the White House."
"So they charge extra," CJ shrugged. "What's the big deal?"
"I don't like fortune cookies."
CJ was going to finish typing her thought, but stared at him, "How can
you not like fortune cookies?"
Josh quickly said, "I see, you're the type who always gets the "Fortune will
smile on you tomorrow", or "You will meet a dark, handsome stranger", or
"You're going to fall ass-backwards into money" type fortune cookies. I'm
not one of the charmed few. I always get, "If you work hard, things will
come to you", "What you reap today, tomorrow you will sow" type stuff. I
know that already, I don't need reminding that I need to work for a living.
And I don't like sowing."
After that monologue, CJ sat back in her chair and scrutinized the Acting
Chief of Staff. "Are things going okay?"
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing," she said as she noticed the "new mail" icon blinking on her
monitor. "I talked to Leo today. It sounds like he's healing up. He had that
curmudgeon-type quality in his voice that we're all so fond of."
"He's been in a lot of pain."
"Really? He didn't confide that in me. He's still hurting?"
"Margaret told me. And Mallory told Sam."
"I guess I'm out of that loop." She hiked herself back up to her computer.
"CJ, you're not out of any loops."
"If you say so. Call me when the food comes, I'm starving."
"Will do." Josh walked out to the bullpen and looked over Donna's desk
for any indication of what the meeting could have been about, and found
nothing. Donna was a good assistant and kept things private. That could
really get irritating. Josh had to face the fact that he was the one who had
to go down to make sure the food wouldn't be sent through scanners
and metal detection and personal inspection again.
CJ checked her new mail and didn't recognize the address, with a subject
of "Long Time No See". Deciding within seconds that it couldn't be one of
the latest viruses, she opened it and about fell over. It was from Robert
Forrester, asking if she was okay after the assassination attempt.
Back in college, Robert showed signs that he would grow into the tall,
dark, handsome, rich doctor that she heard he did became. After she got
the position of White House Press Secretary, he left a message on her
home answering machine of congratulations. She returned the call, only
to get his 'Japanese Secretary', his Panasonic answering machine,
thanking him for the congratulations. As much as she wanted him to
return her call, he never did.
They had only one date in college. That evening they went to the football
game, had some food, a little heavy petting, and then Robert married his
high school sweetheart one month later. According to the email, he had
divorced the year before and would like to get together with her. CJ sat
back in her chair. Her mind was a whirl remembering just how good
looking and charismatic he was, and how lousy her love life had been the
last 10 years.
After re-reading the email for the fifth time, she decided that his
intentions were just what she wanted his intentions to be and hit the
reply button. And then stared at the blinking cursor on the 'Reply Mail'
screen. For a woman who's career was finding the right words to express
the President's thoughts and wishes to a ferocious press corp that would
be beamed and reported to the world, a surprising thing happened. No
words came to her. They were all elementary, silly. They were the quality
of 'check this box if you're interested in calling me for a date'.
She needed to get a grip. CJ looked around her office at the mementos of
her time at the White House, photos of her and Presidents, actors, movers
and shakers in the world today. One little old doctor shouldn't make her
feel like an idiot. She shook hands with Nelson Mandela, for God's sake!
CJ thought about scanning the photo and sending that, just as an
introduction to who she had become since college.
Instead, she typed out, "Thanks for the words of concern. We're all fine. I
would love to meet and catch up with old times." Short and sweet. No
way there could be anything embarrassing in there.
CJ pressed send.
Then she wondered if she should have used the word 'love'. Damn! Why
didn't she just say, 'Let's catch up with old times'? 'Call me and we'll
arrange dinner'? Why did she use 'love'? She should have sat on the email
for a while and call him later that evening. When it came to her personal
life, she was never good on her feet, off the top of her head.
"Oh well, it's done," CJ moaned. Josh wasn't in his office, so she wandered
the halls to find someone to confide in.
WHITE HOUSE RESIDENCE
Abbey and Jed were having a quiet meal in. The White House Chef was
fabulous and could whip up any gourmet meal they desired, but that
evening, they wanted tacos. They hadn't eaten tacos since Zoey was 12
and demanded them for her birthday dinner. So, they had a cart brought
into their bedroom for a nice, private night with no excess baggage of
what Jed's position usually required.
Abbey asked, "Have you talked to Leo today?"
"Of course I have."
"How is he?"
Jed shrugged, "Fine, by the way he tells it."
"I'm not so sure," Abbey softly disagreed. "I had lunch with Jenny this
afternoon."
"How are things on that end?"
"What do you mean, 'Things on that end'? What things and what end?
Quit talking to me like I'm an advisor," she ordered as if asking for an IV
drip, STAT.
Jed's eye twinkled as he cooed, "You are one of my dearest advisors,
Abbey."
Abbey laughed, "I'd better be the MOST dearest, dear."
"What did Jenny say?"
"They're making headway."
"Making headway?"
"I figured you're more comfortable with that lingo." Jed smiled at her,
and took her hand. She continued, "They've had some nice dinners and
Leo's letting her take care of him." Abbey pulled her hand back and
darkened, "Jenny almost lost him for good."
"Maybe she shouldn't have left him," Jed tossed out. He wasn't going to
get into the close call they all had, that Leo was close to death, they had
to move past it. The way Leo and Jenny broke up still grated on him.
"Jed," Abbey warned. "That's between them. All we can be is supportive."
"You know, it's because of me that she left him in the first place."
"That's true."
Jed bolted out of his chair, "What?!"
"I'm agreeing with you. That's what's called being a 'yes-man', right?" She
crunched down on the start of another taco.
"I said that so you *wouldn't* agree with me."
"If you hadn't won the White House, Leo and Jenny might not have
separated."
Jed wiped his mouth with his napkin and tossed it on the table. "Leo
wouldn't have been shot in the neck if I hadn't won the White House."
"Jed," Abbey warned. "We have to be thankful that everyone is all right."
Jed nodded and paced. That was exactly what he thought, but that fact
was too close to the surface and couldn't be quenched, no matter how
hard he tried. Abbey added, "Leo's going to be fine. You can't take
responsibility for his shooting."
"But I can for the breakdown of his marriage," he loudly accused his wife.
"No, I'm sorry I brought it up." Abbey suddenly didn't want to finish her
food and looked at her wound-up husband, still pacing. "It was Leo and
Jenny that broke up Leo and Jenny. He's a diligent worker and the best
Chief of Staff this White House has probably ever seen. THAT'S what
broke up his marriage. You've been preoccupied, you ran for President,
there were times I didn't see you for weeks at a time, I went to bed alone.
I still do. But I'm still here. Leo came to you for the run for this office, you
didn't go to him. He made his bed, and Jenny didn't want to sleep in it. I
just hope they can find their way back to each other."
"I wonder if he'll be able to come to the dinner on Friday night."
"With Jenny," Abbey nodded. "She already accepted my invitation to
them both."
Jed smiled, "You know, that's the best news I've heard in a very long
time."
"What will you, Leo and Cameron be talking about after us ladies move to
the other room after dinner?"
"Oh, I was going to tell you," Jed said. "Don't offer to move to another
room after dinner."
"No cigars and brandy for the men's club?"
"No." He ran his hand through his hair and said, "I guess I should tell
you..."
Abbey stepped back, ready for anything, "When you start a sentence with
'I guess I should tell you', it usually means 'Yes! You should tell me now'.
And I usually don't like what you have to tell me."
"I'm more interested in Cameron's wife than Cameron."
Abbey took a step back. That was the last thing she expected to hear.
"Excuse me?"
"Lola's got a bee in her bonnet about Web Censorship and she has the
power to spearhead a campaign. Leo and I want to leave that for the next
guy. We don't want to deal with it."
"So, you don't actually want to catch up on old times with Cameron, you
want to make sure Lola doesn't start a crusade. 'Leave it for the next guy?'
Since when are you afraid to tackle issues? I thought you were making
sure you spoke on anything that comes across the table? What happened
to that?"
"I'm not afraid, Abbey. It's just that if she really gets going on that hot
button issue, members of Congress may pick it up and run with it and I've
got more important issues to pass that I don't want clogged with crap."
Abbey stood and looked out the window. Then she softly said, "Lola may
have a point."
Jed was stunned. "About Web Censorship? You?" He paced around
Abbey as she stood still. "The Poster Woman for Freedom of Speech?" He
turned her around to face him. "Did an alien abduct my wife and left a
Stepford wife in Dr. Abbey Bartlet's place?
"Jed, boys...," she turned around. "Teenage BOYS took a pot shot at you,
my daughter, her boyfriend, and most of your staff! Your best friend is
still recovering. I just know those little asses got most of their ideas from
the Internet. Hatred can spread fast when you find someone else with
your same warped sense of what's right and what's wrong, and what's an
easier way to find other ingrates than on the Internet?"
"We are NOT having this discussion. Didn't we agree to that?"
He was right, they'd say one thing and think another. The assassination
attempt was so sudden and by kids, it was too hard to digest. Jed said,
"You're too close to the... I was going to call it a problem. It's not even a
problem. The Internet had nothing to do with two teenage boys."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I'm the president!"
"Thanks for reminding me, Sir," she said as she perfectly curtsied in front
of him.
Jed had to smile. "I love it when you do that."
"I know. That's why I did it." She meet him half way for a hug, then
whispered in his ear, "I love you Josiah Bartlet and I could have lost you
and my daughter that night. I just think Lola may have a point. That's all
I'm saying."
Jed kissed her cheek and whispered back, "Please Abbey, keep it to
yourself. Just for the time being."
ROOSEVELT ROOM
Josh walked through the halls armed with Chinese food and zeroed in on
Sam and CJ laughing in the Roosevelt Room. He hurriedly set the food
down on the table, "What did I miss?"
Sam took one bag, CJ warned him, "The Egg Foo Young is mine."
"What did I miss?" Josh asked again as he sat down.
"When?" Sam took out a box and smelled, "Lo Mein?" Smiling, he said,
"You remembered that I like Lo Mein?"
"Just a guess," Josh said, then again asked, "What did I miss?"
"Nothing, Josh," CJ started in on her food.
"But you were laughing."
"Isn't that allowed?" CJ passed a doodle Sam drew of the Speaker of the
House with a sword and Gladiator outfit to Josh.
Josh scrutinized it. "That's not funny."
"It is, if you're starving," CJ said.
Donna came in, "I smell food."
Josh snapped to attention and pulled out a chair for her, "Yes, General
Chow Chicken, ma'am."
"Thanks, Boss," she smiled as she took the seat.
Josh helped her push in the chair. "Since when do you call me Boss?"
"Never. I was trying it on for size," Donna said, pulling in her chair. "I don't
like it. I'm not going to call you Boss ever again. Okay?"
"No problem." Josh sat next to her and asked, "How did the meeting go?"
Donna grabbed some chopsticks and dug into the chicken. "Fine."
"Good." Not getting anything else from her, he asked, "Ginger still here?"
"No, she left after the meeting. Is she still supposed to be on the clock?"
"No," Josh said, not wanting to make waves. "Cathy?"
Sam said, "She has a date tonight. Did you want something with the
assistants?"
"No."
Donna asked him point blank, "Josh, do you want to know what
happened at the meeting?"
"Yes."
Donna swallowed and said, "We decided we're going to go out for lunch
together on Saturday for Mrs. Landingham's birthday. We made up a
system where we're able to cover each other more efficiently when
someone is out for the day, you know, sick, or whatever." She ate some
more chicken and thought. "Um, we're going to pitch in and buy a new
painting for the wall of the bullpen. None of us like the one that's there.
And since Mrs. Landingham once again vetoed Casual Friday, we're going
to have Surprise Friday from now on."
Josh didn't like the sound of that, he asked, "What kind of surprise?"
"We'll draw names on Thursday and whoever we get, we do little
surprises for them all day long. But, nothing that costs money. Just little
favors or compliments, or whatever comes to mind."
"That sounds nice," CJ said. "Can I get in on that?"
"Sure. I'll put you down."
CJ still hadn't had time to ask Sam about Robert's email and her stupid
reply, and certainly wasn't going to do it in front of two other people.
Either of Josh or Donna would be fine to talk to, but not all three of them
at once. So, she put her mind back on business, "We should try to decide
if there's going to be trouble to divert because of Friday's dinner."
Danny piped up from the hallway, "I'm sure there will be."
CJ cringed and turned around. "How long have you been standing
there?"
"I want in on Surprise Friday, too," Danny smiled.
"Nope," Donna said. "It's only the West Wing staffers."
"Darn." After sauntering in, he continued, "I'm thinking the head of
Imperial Oil has donated unheard of sums to the Democratic party, and
that he may have paid more to sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom."
"Danny," CJ started.
"Are you going to calm my worried mind, CJ?"
"Beat it."
Danny's eyebrows rose and he shrugged, "Charming." Their relationship
had definitely hit a roadblock, but he didn't know what it was. Or even,
what kind of relationship he and CJ had in the first place.
CJ stood and went to the door, and Danny followed. "There's nothing
untoward going on, Bernstein. They're just old friends. Quit looking for
the next Watergate."
When she stopped in the hallway and spun around to face him, he smiled
and needled, "That's an unfriendly attitude you're using."
"Be more friendly and I'll think about being more friendly myself."
Toby walked by looking worried and went into the Roosevelt Room. CJ
told Danny, "I have to deal with this. Bye."
"Good-bye is more friendly."
"Bye."
She walked back to the Roosevelt Room and shut the door, made sure
Danny was gone. Toby fidgeted with his suit at the head of the table. "Is
that your Wednesday suit, Toby?" Donna asked.
"Huh?" He pulled at the bottom of the left pocket. It was wrinkled and in
dire need of ironing.
Donna stood up and adjusted his tie for him. "It's a nice suit, I haven't
seen that suit before. Pinstripes. Very nice."
"It's... um..." Toby smoothed it out over his body. "It's my best suit. I got
married in this suit."
"It looks like it's been on a hanger for a while."
"Yeah. Does it look all right?"
"It could use some pressing. I can take care of it," Donna offered. "I know
people."
Josh piped up, "She does, Toby. But watch out, she'll try to put you into
bright yellow waders."
Sam looked at him, "What? Am I missing something?"
"You didn't catch a glimpse of Josh in your foul-weather gear? It was a
sight to behold," CJ laughed. "What's the big occasion, Toby, that you
need to wear your wedding suit? Getting remarried?"
"Donna, I appreciate it," Toby said. "I'm going to meet with David and his
family for dinner. What are you all dealing with? Did anything new break
today?"
Sam said, "Hey, Toby... you can't tell us you're finally going to see your
brother that we, I, didn't even know you had before his shuttle mission
was in trouble, and not give us the details."
"What details? We're having salmon, I think," Toby quietly said, as was his
way, then groused, "What are you all dealing with, besides Chinese
food?"
Sam wouldn't be put off by Toby's brusk manner, "How did this crop up?
You said you hadn't talked to David for years, forgot when he was going
into space, you told me you were surprised you forgot he had another
child, or his wife did, and now you're having dinner with them for the
third time in a month, and you're wearing your wedding suit?"
Sam, CJ, Josh, and Donna all demanded, "We want answers."
Toby put up his hands in surrender and said, "I'm re-establishing a sibling
relationship with my brother. Is that against the law?"
"No," Sam warmly smiled. "Not at all. When can I meet him?"
Toby observed Sam, and shook his head, "Are we dating?"
"Seems like it lately." Sam muttered and sat back down, knowing that
Tight-Lipped Toby isn't going to spill anything.
"What's going on, I ask for the third time," Toby demanded. "Is third time
the charm, or is it three strikes you're out?"
Donna said, "When's your dinner?"
"Eight."
"We don't have much time. Give me your suit."
"What's going on here?"
CJ informs him, "The dinner on Friday. We're trying to format a head-off
strategy. Danny and Steve are sniffing for a story."
"It's dinner," Toby shrugged as Donna slid his jacket off. "Tell them what
they're going to eat and anything else no comment."
"I have to be more diplomatic than that, Toby," CJ said.
"Why?" Toby sat down at the table. "Is there anything untoward going
on?"
"No."
"Did he donate any more or any less than any other well-heeled
Democrat to the Democratic Party?"
"No."
"Is he having an affair with the First Lady?"
"God, no."
"Then what's the problem?"
"The problem is," CJ said. "The press corp loves to find problems where
there are none. And I have to head them off. That's my job."
"Let them go around in circles." Toby stood and grabbed a piece of Josh's
Sweet and Sour Chicken and popped it in his mouth.
"Help yourself," Josh muttered.
"I already did."
Donna told Toby, "Give me your pants."
"I'm not giving you my pants, Donna," Toby stated. "We hardly know each
other. I would appreciate it if you get the jacket pressed."
"Will do," Donna said, folding his pinstriped jacket over her arm.
Toby headed for the door, "I'll be in my office."
THURSDAY MORNING
The hustle and bustle of the West Wing was in full force that mid
morning. Everyone rushing about, talking on the phone, talking and
walking down the halls on their way to meetings and offices. But, one
thing made them all stop in mid-stride and mid-sentence. Leo, helped by
Margaret, walked from the lobby to the Yellow Hallway on his way to the
office.
Josh was just coming out of Leo's office as they made their way to
Margaret's area. "Oh, hey, Leo," Josh smiled and immediately took his
other arm to help him.
Leo jerked both his arms away. "Will you both stop it? I've been walking
just fine for over 55 years."
Margaret opened Leo's door to make a clear path ahead of him, "Enjoy
the coddling, Leo, I'm sure it won't last long."
"I can't wait until everything gets back to normal," Leo muttered and
went into his office, motioning for Josh to follow.
"Leo," Josh said, entering the office, "I put the briefs from Toby on your
desk there. And I was just on my way to meet with the Ways and Means
Committee Chairpersons."
"Okay, do that and give me a full report later." Leo was brusk and sat at
his desk.
"You don't want to go to the meeting yourself?"
"I would rather serve my kidneys to grizzly bears than meet with Cal
Lambert right now. Let me miss just one more meeting."
Josh laughed. "I see you're feeling fine. You know where I'll be."
"Be nice, Josh," Leo said before Josh could leave.
Josh backed into the office and tapped the door frame with his palm,
"Hey, that's been my motto, Leo."
In Margaret's area, Josh cornered her and spoke softly, "Is it a good idea
for him to be in so soon?"
"Everyone under the sun has been telling him that, Josh," Margaret
whispered back. "He'll handle or not handle it, it's up to him."
"I'm only in for a half day," Leo yelled from his office, making Josh and
Margaret both jump.
Margaret shook her head and said, "It's the acoustics in here, I swear he
can hear every word I say."
"That I can, Margaret," Leo yelled again. "And get me CJ."
"Yes, sir," Margaret said aloud.
"See ya later," Josh made a hasty exit as CJ stuck her head through the
doorway.
"I heard my name?" CJ walked in. Leo appeared at his door. CJ smiled and
took his hand, "Good morning, Leo. I heard you made an appearance into
work today."
Leo looked at his hand in CJ's and asked, "Is everyone going to keep
treating me like it's my first day in Elementary School, or can we just get
back to work?"
CJ dropped his hand, it was a little too much, "You're looking good."
"Thank you," Leo gave in. "You're not so bad yourself. Come inside, and
Margaret, no calls, except for the President, who should be calling within
3 minutes if word spreads like wild fire as usual."
"Yes, sir," Margaret said, shutting the door of the office behind them.
CJ walked in and waited until Leo was situated at his desk before taking a
seat on the couch. "You look really good, Leo."
"Thank you for the flowers."
"You're welcome. How are you feeling?"
Leo took a deep breath, "I'm fine, CJ, or I wouldn't be here." He looked at
the closed door between his and the Oval Office. "About the dinner. The
President and Cameron have never gotten along and he won't tell me
what it's about."
"Maybe it really is nothing."
"Come off it. Don't coddle me. CJ, what do you know?
"There's nothing there, Leo. I've looked at it from every angle."
"Have you talked to DNC?"
"Yes. Talabor's donation was within the limits of protocol. It's just old
friends spending a weekend together."
"Old friends, my ass," Leo spouted, shaking his head. "The President
hated Cameron Talabor and he knows I know that. Hell, *I* hated
Cameron Talabor."
CJ smiled, "Well then, it should be an interesting dinner for you all."
Margaret opened the door. "It took two and half minutes, Leo."
Just then, they all heard the President in the Oval Office, "Leo's in to
work? What in all that is holy is that man thinking?"
Mrs. Landingham could be heard saying, "He's just like you, Mr. President,
stubborn as a ten year old mule."
CJ stood, "I'll get out of your hair then. We'll brief later?"
"Yeah, thanks."
The connecting door to the Oval Office whipped open and the President
walked in. "Good morning, Mr. President," CJ said.
"Morning, CJ," Jed said. "You couldn't talk him into following doctor's
orders either, huh?"
"I knew better than to even try, Mr. President."
Leo interrupted them, "You know, I AM in the room, you don't have to
talk about me like I'm not here."
"Yes, you are here, Leo," Jed said, and walked to his desk.
CJ shut the door behind her and went back to her office. The phone rang
as soon as she entered. She saw her assistant reaching for her phone, so
CJ said, "I'll get it, Carol."
"Okay," Carol went back to her dictation.
CJ picked up the phone and professionally said, "CJ Cregg."
Then, she paused, and cleared her throat, sat back in her chair, spun it
away from facing the door. "Hi," she smiled.
"How about that dinner," Robert said. "Is tomorrow night all right?"
CJ took a deep breath and nodded.
"Is that a yes?" Robert had to ask.
"Yes," she quickly replied, and smiled. "Tomorrow night would be really
good with me." She sat back and cringed because of her vocabulary skills.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICES
Toby drank in some of the bright sun pouring into his office window and
had a moment of quiet reflection in the middle of the hectic day. He had
been putting off Sam all morning, but it looked like he would no longer
be able to. Sam walked into the office and said, "I want to know about the
dinner last night."
Toby tossed the papers he held onto his desk, "Isn't there anything else
we should be concentrating on?"
"No. I've got the responses to CJ and worked on the President's reaction
to the latest in Kaddafi's theatrical way of dealing with internal affairs.
What happened?"
Toby sat down at his desk, "We ate. We talked. I kissed my sister in law
good bye on the cheek and thanked her for a wonderful meal. It was
salmon, by the way. I patted the kid's heads and went home to watch the
replay of Larry King."
Sam sat on the couch, "What did you talk about?"
"The mission."
"Really?" Sam leaned forward. "What about it?"
Toby looked at Sam and realized he really wanted to know, and didn't see
any real harm in telling him. "He was scared, Sam. All those hours of
waiting, not knowing if they were going to gain re-entry... it was long
hours. David said he made his peace with God and... hoped I would be
able to take care of his family for him in his absence... and... told me that
he was glad we were talking again. He told me I was the only one he
could trust to make sure his family was all right."
"Wow, that must have felt good."
Toby smiled and looked at his fingernail tracing the grain of wood on his
desk. Just a little smile, but a smile nonetheless. "Yeah. It did. I didn't
realize I left a lasting impression on my brother, we haven't really talked
for years." He looked up to see Sam with a full blown smile on his face.
"Don't tell that to anyone. It's just between us."
Sam was busting. "Toby... you confided in me."
"Don't make he rethink that."
Sam's good mood couldn't be swayed. He and Toby were really on the
way to a good relationship, like a big brother. "My lips are sealed.
Promise. Thank you."
"For what?"
"Confiding in me."
"You're welcome."
"It made my day, Toby. It really did."
"I see that. Get back to work."
"Sure thing. And if there's anything else you'd like to talk about... I'm
here."
"I'm comforted with that knowledge."
Sam, standing at the doorway, felt a tap on his shoulder. He spun around
to see Mallory. "Hi," he told her, hiding none of the surprise he felt.
"Hello."
"Are you here to see your father?"
"He's here?"
"Yes."
Mallory yelled, "That jerk!" then stumbled off down the hall, almost
knocking over CJ, who had a pile of files in her arms. "Sorry, CJ," Mallory
muttered.
"No problem," CJ said, bending over to pick up a file that fell. "Is
something wrong?"
"My father," Mallory snatched a file off the floor and handed it to her.
"Have you seen him?"
"Yeah. A little while ago."
"And you didn't tell him to get his butt home?"
They stood as CJ said, "I don't have the authority to tell Leo to do
anything with any part of his anatomy." Mallory and CJ laughed, then CJ
put her hand on Mallory's arm, "He's got a lot of people watching over
him. He's fine."
After Mallory marched to Leo's office, CJ walked down the hall, with a
little extra bounce as she was happy Robert either didn't notice, or didn't
care about her juvenile replies on the phone. They were going to go to
the Excalibor Room for dinner and nothing could spoil her mood.
Until she entered the Yellow Hallway and realized Danny was walking a
step behind her. She stopped, took a deep breath, and asked, "What?"
"You look happy," he commented.
"I am. What do you want?" Then she stuck her finger in his face and said,
"I'm going to tell you right off the bat, that nothing you say will spoil my
mood."
"I have my work cut out for me then," Danny smiled. "Because I just found
out that there's a top scientific researcher for Imperial Oil in town. His
name is Robert Forrester. You don't know anything about him, do you?
CJ shifted the files in her arms and stared at Danny, a man who she was at
one time interested in, and maybe still was, but was so irritating that she
couldn't take him seriously. "I'll comment at the briefing."
"What is your problem?"
"Go away."
"What did I do? I thought we were progressing."
"That's the problem." CJ looked around and then motioned for him to
join her back in her office.
As soon as they were inside, she shut the door and said, "You are a White
House reporter. I am the Press Secretary. It is NOT going to work. The
sooner we realize that, the better off we'll both be. Now, I'm not going to
resign, so if you can't have a professional relationship, I suggest you do."
"Whoa, whoa, who's not acting professionally?"
"You come back here whenever you feel like it, you flirt with me without
exception, it's getting on my nerves."
"I wasn't flirting!" He paused, "Okay," Danny murmured. "Maybe a little. I
won't do it anymore."
"Good."
"Fine."
"Wonderful."
CJ opened the door, and waited for him to leave. Danny knew his time
had come, he tapped Gail's bowl and said, "I'm going to leave now."
"Okay."
"See ya."
As soon as he left, CJ shut the door again and leaned against it. There
couldn't be two Robert Foresters in DC at the same time. That had to be
the reason he looked her up, got in touch with her so often over the span
of two days. Cameron is probably going to ask the President for a favor,
and a way into the West Wing was through her. Or there was actually
something else going on.
She slammed the files on her desk and paced. There was something
going on! No one, absolutely no one had told her! She couldn't talk to Leo
in his condition. Didn't want to talk to Josh. She was tired of being kept in
the dark. This should have come from the top, and it didn't. CJ decided
off the cuff what she was going to do, she wasn't going to be a doormat
any more.
SAM'S OFFICE
Sam was surfing the web for vacation spots, just in case he ever did
actually get to go on a vacation. One can never to too prepared, even if it
was pie-in-the-sky. There was a tap on his ajar door and he looked up to
see Laurie. Sam smiled and stood, a little more than stunned, "Laurie?
How are you?"
"I'm..." she walked in and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm fine." She
nervously said. "I was just in town for a short while and wanted to thank
you personally for all you did in my job search."
"How did you get in here?"
"Cathy gave the go-ahead to the guards and I asked her not to tell you, so
I could surprise you."
"It worked! Sit down." They sat on the couch. Sam asked, "How's the firm
working out for you?"
"Working out for me?" She lightly giggled. "I'm working out for them. I
like the job. It's a good, respectable firm and I fit in."
"Good," Sam smiled, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I'm really glad."
"I'm still a lackey now, but... things could be looking up soon." Laurie
fidgeted and then worked up the courage to say, "Sam, the reason I'm--."
Mallory walked in. "Oh," she said. "I didn't know you had company."
Sam's head spun around. "Mallory. You're back." He looked between
Laurie and Mallory and the silence was deafening. "Mallory, this is Laurie."
They both stood, as Laurie shook Mallory's hand. Sam continued, "Laurie,
Mallory."
Laurie had so much she wanted to tell Sam, mostly that she hated Boston
and wanted to move back, but only if there was a chance they could see
each other again. It didn't look like Mallory was going to give them any
privacy, so she said, "I see. Well..." Laurie took Sam's hand. "Thank you
again for everything."
Sam kept a hold on Laurie's hand. "Hey, you just got here. We haven't
even had time to talk. Where are you going?"
"I'm in town for a seminar and staying at the Holiday Inn. Give me a call if
you have some free time. I'll be going back to Boston on Sunday."
Mallory shifted to the other foot when she realized who the woman was.
She was all over the newspapers for three days, in a picture hugging Sam.
When Sam saw Mallory's arms hook together under her chest, and the
corner of her mouth tighten, he figured it was probably best Laurie left
for the time being.
Laurie said, "I'll see you. Nice to meet you, Mallory."
"Likewise," Mallory muttered as Laurie walked past her, out the door.
Mallory shut the door and faced Sam, "Are you completely insane?"
"Not to my knowledge, but then again, the insane don't know that they
are insane. That's one of the things that makes them insane."
"Are you still seeing her?"
"No. Of course not. She lives in Boston."
"That's not too far away for a little quicky."
"Quicky?" Sam laughed. "Mallory! I barely have time to make it home at
night before eating whatever's in the fridge or takeout and fall into bed...
alone. I can't be making trips to Boston."
"No, you can't," Mallory was adamantly agreeable. "You should stay away
from her."
"Nothing was her fault, and we weren't seeing each other."
"She's the hooker you slept with... that you confessed to me before you
even knew me, isn't she?"
"Laurie is a lawyer who lives in Boston." Sam walked past her to his desk.
"End of discussion, Mallory."
"Okay."
Mallory's hand was on the doorknob when Sam said, "Wait. What did you
stop by if it wasn't to see your father?"
Mallory debated on going through with her plans, then turned around
and said, "I came by to see you. I have an extra ticket to the Matchbox
Twenty concert, and I thought you might enjoy that more than the
Chinese Opera, which you never did go to. You chose to write a birthday
card instead."
"Happen to have an extra ticket?"
"Yes. Do you want to go?"
Sam sat down at his desk and took a deep breath. "No. Take a friend."
To say Mallory was confused was an understatement. She thought they
were getting closer, Leo wasn't even having fun with them anymore.
"Why not?"
"I want to go out with you when you have to guts to ask me out, not by
telling me 'I happen to have an extra ticket'. I've asked you out many
times and something's always come up."
"I couldn't go to the thing because I did have to grade test papers."
"Come on!" Sam stood up again. "Ask me out properly and I'll think about
it. Ask me as an excuse to use up an extra ticket so you're not out 40
bucks, I'll pass."
Mallory looked down and straightened the blouse under her blazer. She
softly said, "I don't have an *extra* ticket. I specifically purchased two.
One for you and one for me. Will you come with me?
Sam gazed upon her manner and diverted eyes and asked, "When?"
"Tomorrow night."
Sam smiled and sat back at his desk, "That's short notice, Mallory. I don't
have anything to wear."
Mallory walked to his chair and swung it around, then sat on his lap,
"Please?"
Her perfume smelled like a taste of heaven and he put his arms around
her waist, felt her body heat, "Well, since you put it that way..." He didn't
have to a chance to finish his sentence because Mallory covered his
mouth with a kiss.
Cathy burst into the office, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but...
Mallory and Sam break apart and both stood. "What?" And "We weren't
doing anything," was what they said as they straightened their clothes.
"Leo," Cathy said. "He fell."
"Fell?" Mallory asked as she stomped past her.
Cathy followed Mallory down the hall, Sam right behind, "Or collapsed, I
don't know for sure. I just know Margaret called an ambulance for him."
"Oh, God," Mallory groaned. Sam grabbed her hand and they ran to Leo's
office.
LEO'S OFFICE
Josh leaned over Leo, who was out on the floor. As he loosened Leo's
shirt and tie, Mallory ran in, "Dad?" She knelt down and rubbed her
father's face. "What happened?"
"I found him like this. He may have just fainted," Josh said, taking hold of
Leo's wrist and counting the throbs. "His pulse is steady."
Leo came to and wasn't too thrilled to be on the floor, and have people
hovering over him. Mallory demanded, "Dad? What happened?"
"I... I don't know," Leo sat up, then got dizzy and let Mallory help him back
to the floor.
Josh crumbled his jacket and laid it under Leo's head. "Easy there."
The President walked through their connecting doors and said, "What's
going on in here?" While CJ appeared at Leo's door, asking the same
thing.
"My idiot father thinks he's Superman," Mallory spouted. "If you would
have just--."
EMT's came in with a stretcher, making Leo groan more. "Oh, come on,"
he moaned. "I'm fine. I just..."
"You came back to work too soon is what happened, Dad," Mallory said.
"Why can't you let people take care of you?"
Leo saw everyone around, and shook his head. "This is embarrassing
enough, Margaret. Did you have to call an ambulance?"
"Damn right, she did," Jed declared. "You go to the hospital and get
checked out."
Abbey, who was standing just behind Jed in the doorway said, "I'll call
Jenny to meet you there," then went back into the Oval Office.
An EMT wanted to take Leo's blood pressure, but Leo brushed him away
and blurted out, slurring a little, "I'll go to the hospital to make everyone
happy, but I'm not going on a stretcher. Just give me a minute to
orientate myself and I'll walk to my car and Mallory will drive me."
Mallory shook her head, "So help me God, Dad, if you don't get onto that
stretcher right here and now, we're going to hog-tie you to it."
Leo didn't like the dizziness in his head, he felt like he just polished off a
fifth of scotch, but hadn't had a drink in six years.
"I'd listen to her, Leo," Jed grinned. "Go get well. Abbey and I will visit
tonight."
Josh took his arm, "Leo? Please?" Then motioned to the stretcher.
CJ said, "I'll clear out the back portico to make sure there aren't any
cameras, Leo."
Jed stopped CJ before she left, "And then meet me in my office. Mrs.
Landingham said you scheduled a meeting."
"Right," CJ said, wishing the President had a more lacksidaisical secretary
than the thorough and professional Mrs. Landingham, who had to have
told him of the last minute scheduled meeting as soon as he came back
to the office. The meeting was planned on the spur of the moment, in a
moment of anger. She'd have to think of something else to talk about as
a fall-back position in case she changed her mind about the reason for
the meeting.
Leo wanted to make sure there weren't any beady-eyed staffers loitering
around to see his body ceremoniously taken out of the West Wing, so
Margaret made sure that didn't happen.
The EMTs got him situated on the stretcher and wheeled him through
the halls as they could hear Margaret telling everyone, "Just go about
your business. There's nothing to see here.."
"Oh, God," Leo shook his head, closed his eyes, and gripped Mallory's
hand on the way to the ambulance.
OVAL OFFICE
Abbey hung up the phone and told Jed, "Jenny's on her way to the
hospital. Does anyone know what happened?"
"He might have just fainted, overworked himself today."
Abbey cleared her throat. "You act like that's a foreign concept to you."
"Don't start with me. I'm in good health."
"Thank God," Abbey said.
CJ hovered at Mrs. Landingham's entrance to the Oval Office, not
wanting to disturb the First Couple. Then wondered if she should have
called the meeting to talk about such a selfish thing when, obviously,
there were more important matters happening at the moment. Before
she could tell Mrs. Landingham to tell the President to forget it, Abbey
said, "CJ. Come in."
CJ smiled and entered as suggested, but she was far from comfortable.
"Yes, CJ," Jed said. "Our meeting. Come in. Sit down."
CJ looked at Abbey and asked, "May the President and I speak in private,
ma'am?"
"Sure," Abbey said. "Okay. Is it about anything earth-shattering?"
"It's just my career," CJ tossed off without thinking of holding that
thought back. Or maybe it was good she got it off her chest. She really
wanted to get all it settled once and for all.
"Earth-shattering? What's wrong?"
"I'm sure he'll tell you later."
Abbey nodded, "He will. I hope everything's okay."
Jed says, "You have me dismayed, CJ. Are you thinking of resigning?"
CJ paused, didn't know where that came from. Was that an option he
wanted to come true? Abbey said, "I'll leave you alone." She lingered by
CJ long enough to say, "We're all proud of your good work, CJ, don't
forget that."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Abbey told Jed, "I'm going to go meet Jenny at the hospital."
Jed told her, "Call me as soon as you know anything," as she left. He then
looked to his very uncomfortable Press Secretary and motioned for her to
have a seat on one of the couches. "Well... your career. I don't like the
sound of that. Not one bit." He sat next to her and settled in. "You haven't
been offered a great job in the private sector, have you? I can't pay you
more than they can, but I'll sure make a hell of a fuss."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
CJ took a deep breath, then realized she didn't want the conversation to
continue. But that could have been just lip-service, which was good, too,
for the moment. Her mouth was dry and Robert's occupation and reason
for being in town and Danny's smugness all hit her at once.
"There's something wrong, CJ, and I want to know what it is."
CJ shifted in her seat to face him, "Are you satisfied with my performance,
sir? Honestly?"
"There have been some bumps," Jed shrugged. "But we've all made
mistakes. We're learning, but getting better all the time. You've fixed
whatever you've messed up, and you've covered MY butt many times.
Yes, CJ. I'm very satisfied with your job performance. Is that what this is
about? You aren't leaving me?"
"I wasn't planning on it, sir."
Jed nodded, good. Then he looked around that historical office during
this quiet time. Usually the office was filled with people, one meeting of
importance after another, it never seemed to stop. "I wish I could tell
people individually more often when I'm proud of them, but sadly, it's
only when they come to me with doubts that... I have to reassure them.
I'm sorry for that. I'm going have to make of point of singling out good
people and good work more often." The President looked at her and
remembered all the hard work, impossible situations that CJ had been
able to handle for every member of the White House staff at one time or
another.
Her finest hour was so clear to the President as he sat next to him. How
could she have doubts about her place, her usefulness? "This
administration," he began, "wouldn't be where it is today if not for you.
After the shooting... there was chaos. There was panic. We were all flying
by the seat of our pants. We were all worried, pacing up and down the
hospital corridors, not knowing what to do or what to say. But then, I
looked up at the TV set in the waiting room as l was waiting for word on
my best friend's and personal assistant's conditions and... saw your face.
You were standing at your podium, confident. I heard your words of
information and reassurance to the country, in a calm, collected manner.
That was only... an hour after the bullets flew. You had to have been
shaky, upset, running on adrenaline, scared... but you commanded your
briefing room with all the confidence and talent in the world. I have to
tell you, CJ, at that moment, I got chills. I swelled with pride that I hired
you. I knew for sure then, at that moment, that I am in good hands. And
so is this administration."
"Sir..." CJ started, but couldn't speak as she was overcome.
He gripped her hand, "We can't move forward without you, Ms. Cregg.
Please tell me you're happy here."
"Yes. It was silly, I guess," she said.
Jed rocked her hand and vehemently shook his head, "It isn't silly if you
doubt yourself or the people you work with. There's no need. Leo and I
have promised you that you will never be lied to for our purposes again.
We haven't."
"Do you know of a man named Robert Forrester?"
"No. Should I?"
"He works for Imperial Oil."
"It's a big outfit," he shrugged. "I don't know it's entire personnel file.
Why?"
"I got a tip I'm going to check out. What is the meeting about tomorrow
night?"
"It's a dinner, CJ. It's not a meeting."
CJ nodded, and knew he was holding back something. "Yes, sir."
"Okay, I'll tell you. Remember when we discussed that we didn't want
Web Censorship to be problem for us?"
"Yes."
"Lola Talabor's husband runs Imperial Oil, and we don't want her to speak
up. That's what the dinner is about. Okay?"
"Yes, sir. Why couldn't you tell me that?"
"I don't want to make a big case out of it. There isn't anything untoward
going on."
"Of course not, sir."
"What about Robert Forrester?"
She paused, then only said, "He may ask me for a favor tonight."
"A favor that I'd be interested in?"
"I have no idea."
"Well, let me know when you do." The President tapped her leg and said,
"Back to work. Don't you have a briefing in a couple of minutes?"
"Yes, I do."
They stood. "Give 'em hell, CJ. I know you can."
"Thank you, Mr. President," she said as she walked out of the office.
CJ paused outside Mrs. Landingham's area still moved by the President's
words. Charlie passed her on his way to his desk. "Hey, CJ," he said. When
she didn't answer him, he repeated, "CJ. Hey."
"Oh, Charlie. Hi. Sorry."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," CJ smiled. "Pretty good. How about yourself?"
Charlie shrugged, "Can't complain. Zoey is going to meet my little sister
tomorrow night for the first time."
"Great. Have a good time."
CJ felt a better, like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders knowing
that the President had faith in her capabilities, and confided in her, as she
made her way to the Briefing Room. The only other thing she had to deal
with was Robert's intentions. At that moment, she decided not to call off
the dinner. She'd have to keep her mind open and scrutinize every word
he said to her, but why not get a free meal out of the deal? Carol thrust
some notes into her hand before she entered the room and CJ scanned
them.
BRIEFING ROOM
During the briefing, CJ purposely allowed everyone's questions but
Danny's. She didn't need to have him ask about Robert in front of a room
full of people. She just knew he would, it would be so like him, and didn't
want to run the chance of blushing in front of reporters and cameras.
That would really be good copy.
When she was about to wrap up, Danny raised his hand like the good kid
in school and said, "Ms. Cregg? May I ask a question, please?"
CJ put up her walls of defense and stared him down. Other reporters
turned to look at Danny, then back at her. CJ had to say, "One."
"Okay," Danny smiled. "That's all I wanted to ask."
"What is it?" She fully expected a Robert Forrester question, and had an
answer in mind to tell him as soon as the question left his lips.
"Is the President thinking of stepping up our military presence in the
Mediterranean after the latest round of Libyan fire on it's own people?"
"He's just..." CJ spouted, before she comprehended Danny's question.
She shifted her weight and scanned the notes once again. That was from
left field.
"Who's what?" Danny had to ask.
"What Libyan fire," could be heard from one reporter to another. "When
did that happen?"
"The President is, of course, monitoring the situation with his top
advisors, and if any final decisions are made, you all will be the first to
know."
"The first?" Danny asked.
CJ smiled, "Okay, maybe the second or third. That's all, folks, have a
delightful evening."
She stepped off the dias and met up with Carol in the hallway. Carol said,
"You aren't going to call a reporter back for a follow-up?"
"No," CJ said, as she marched down the hall.
"Okay," Carol mused, then shook her head at Danny, who was waiting in
the aisle in the Briefing Room. He shrugged and walked to his cubicle.
When CJ got back to her office, Donna walked by with an upside down
straw hat with a border of red, white and blue. "Pick one," she said,
sticking it out in front of CJ's face.
"What?"
"Pick a name for Surprise Friday."
"Oh, yeah," CJ smiled. "Okay." She stuck her hand in and read, "Donna."
Donna clicked her foot to the floor. "You can't tell people who it is,
especially not the person who's name you drew. Put it back and draw
another one."
CJ grinned, "Well, your reaction was quite a surprise. You don't want me
to do anything for you tomorrow?"
"Half the fun is figuring out who has your name."
"Oh, sorry," CJ put the slip of paper back in the hat, but held onto it. She
shuffled her hand around, keeping Donna's name. She pulled out the
paper and looked at it, very covertly, so Donna couldn't see her own
name.
Donna said, "Have fun with it, and don't spend any money. That's the
rule. Or at least too much money, because rules are always broken."
"Is my name in that hat?"
"If it isn't, that only means someone else has already drawn it."
"Good," CJ smiled, and entered her office. Things were definitely looking
up. Danny wasn't an ass at the briefing, the President had faith in her, she
was going to eat a nice meal at the Excalibor the next evening, and
someone was going to be surprising her.
FRIDAY MORNING
MARGARET'S OFFICE
Margaret came back to the West Wing after reporting to Leo at the
hospital, who was being kept for more tests to find out why he collapsed.
She set her briefcase on her desk and pulled out some folders to be filed
away when she smelled chocolate. Pecans. Fresh baked cookies! On her
hutch was a china plate filled with Chocolate Chunk Cookies, with a note
that there was also a quart of milk in her fridge. "Bless you, Mrs.
Landingham," she smiled as she took a big bite of a top one, then had to
sit down when the chocolate melted in her mouth.
COMMUNICATIONS BULLPEN
Ginger walked to her desk to see a teddy bear with a big bow tied around
his neck sitting on her chair. "For cute!" She picked him up and tested his
fluffiness by holding it to her chest. "But we weren't supposed to spend
money."
Cathy walked by and said, "Well, you have a collection of them, and that
one was from my youth. I'm sorry it's old but, I like it."
"I can't take your childhood teddy bear," Ginger said, holding it out to
her.
"Well, he was just sitting in the back of my closet," Cathy smiled. "You'll
take care of it, right?"
"You bet I will."
CJ walked into the bullpen to announce, "Whoever got my name, thank
you! I love Toussant's food. Did you see that feast on my desk? There's
enough for everyone. Come, enjoy!"
They filed into her office to see quite a spread of French food. "Wow,"
Ginger said. Donna came in with paper plates and forks. CJ asked her,
"Did you do this?"
"Are you nuts? I can't afford all this."
Carol hovered by the door, kept mum about giving CJ's name that she
picked, to Danny. Those two were sweet together, were on the same
plane, should give it a try. She just hoped CJ wouldn't be mad about it,
she flew off the handle for anything that had to do with Danny lately. But
then again, Danny ending up with CJ's name did qualify as a surprise, and
Carol herself didn't spend a dime. CJ handed her a plate and told her to
dig in.
MRS. LANDINGHAM AND CHARLIE'S OFFICE
Mrs. Landingham went back to her desk after an update with the
President and saw a framed picture standing on her desk. She gasped
and put her hand on her chest and slowly sat in her chair. Charlie walked
in and saw her manner, she seemed stunned. "Mrs. Landingham? Are you
all right?"
"Yes, Charlie," Mrs. Landingham sighed. "I'm fine."
She slowly traced her finger along the wood frame, and then brushed it
over the young faces of her sons in the photograph. Simon, the older one
by just minutes, and his twin brother, Andrew. They were dressed in
uniform, arms over each other's shoulders, smiling at their father as he
took their picture the night before they left for Viet Nam. Mrs.
Landingham remembered that night vividly. That was the last family
gathering they ever had. That was the last time she was able to touch her
boys, when she individually hugged each and didn't want to let them go.
It was the last time she was able to cook for them. It was the last time she
was able to tell them she loved them with all her heart, and was so proud
of them.
Charlie walked around Mrs. Landingham's desk and put a hand on her
shoulder, "Mrs. Landingham? Are you all right? The President is calling for
both of us."
"Oh," Mrs. Landingham brushed her cheeks and stood, tried to recollect
where she was. "Tell the President that I will be right in."
Actually, the President beat her to the punch, he stalked into their area
and spouted, "Do I have to call out the National Guard to have you two
walk that ten feet into my office?"
"No, sir," Mrs. Landingham slipped the framed photograph into her top
desk drawer and wondered how they got that picture. Her husband must
have had something to do with it, and she was going to give him a piece
of her mind when she got home. Along with a big thank-you kiss. It was a
wonderful surprise. That photograph had been sitting in a photo album
since it was developed. It was time it had been blown up and displayed.
"What was that," the President asked her about the photograph.
She shut the drawer and said, "Do you need to know everything?"
"Yes, I'm the President of the United States."
"Tough. What do you need?"
Jed took a step back and scrutinized his assistant, then at Charlie,
standing by his desk, eyebrows raised at them both, a little confused at
their easy banter. In a very dramatic fashion, Jed produced a box from his
jacket pocket and delicately set it on Mrs. Landingham's desk. Then, he
took another box out of the other pocket and stepped next to Charlie, to
place it on his desk.
"I wanted to do this in there," he pointed to the Oval Office, "so both of
you would know that you were both getting the appreciation of the
President, but... those are your surprises from me."
"Sir?" Mrs. Landingham looked at the light blue box with a white bow
sitting on her blotter.
"It's Surprise Friday, correct?" he asked. When they both nodded, he said,
"Those are yours from me. After a talk I had with CJ yesterday, it's about
time I did a little something for two qualified, hard-working, appreciated
people. Keep up the good work."
"Sir?" Mrs. Landingham picked up the little box and knew it could have
only come from Tiffany's in New York City. Her engagement ring years
ago came in much the same sort of box and it was their trademark. "We
weren't supposed to spend money for Surprise Fridays."
The President shrugged, and said, "So sue me."
"Not on your life," Charlie said. "Thank you, sir."
Jed winked at Charlie and said, "You have fun with my daughter this
evening." Before he could disappear into the Oval Office, he stopped and
looked at Charlie again. "But not too much. Remember, she is MY
daughter."
Charlie smiled, "I hear you loud and clear, sir."
Charlie and Mrs. Landingham looked at each other, then ripped open the
boxes. Mrs. Landingham immediately hooked her new butterfly pin on
her lapel, while Charlie made sure the tie clasp was straight. They looked
at each other's new accessories, and pronounced, "I think we're both
looking mighty fine."
CJ'S OFFICE
CJ entered her office to see Danny sitting on a chair. "Hey," he lightly said.
"How did you get in here? I thought you weren't supposed to gallivant
wherever you want anymore."
"I was just leaving," he said, standing. "I wanted to let you know that I
won't be at the 4:00 briefing and I didn't want you to worry."
"Why won't you be there?"
"I have something..." he flipped his hand for her to forget it. "Dave
McAlister will be in my place and please be nicer to him than you have
been to me lately."
"I will."
"Okay," he smiled, then went to the door. And shut it, then the door to
Josh's office so he could speak privately. "Have fun on your date tonight."
"How did you know I have a date tonight?"
"I'm the press, we have ways of finding out."
"Huh, hm," she sat at her desk.
Danny stood at the other side of it, and put his hands on the desk in front
of her. "CJ. Really. Look out for yourself."
"I always do, Danny."
CHIEF OF STAFF BULLPEN
Josh just left Margaret with instructions from Leo and had to find Donna.
She was at her desk, admiring her own bracelet sitting on the desk that
she loaned to CJ months before and hadn't gotten back. That woman,
Donna had to smile and shake her head. She kept her name in her hand
after all. Donna slipped it on her wrist and heard Josh.
"Donnatella Moss," Josh said as walked in.
"Yes, Boss," Donna said, snapping to attention.
Josh leaned back on his heels. "Huh? I thought you weren't going to call
me that anymore. It's jarring."
Donna chuckled, "Well, it's Surprise Friday. Did I surprise you?"
"Yes, you did. And I have a surprise for you."
"Oh, oh," her mood suddenly darkened, and could read Josh like a book.
She warned, "Tomorrow is Donna's Free Day Saturday."
"No," Josh countered. "It's Donna Has To Work With the Acting Chief of
Staff Saturday. Margaret's going to join us, too. Leo was hoping he could
meet with the Feds himself, but since he's back in the hospital, it's me.
The meeting's at 11 am, you'll be able to shop or whatever it is you do
after that. But, be here at 6 am?"
"Yes, Boss," Donna sighed. Josh's extra workload meant extra hours for
her and there wasn't anything she could do about it. Or wanted to do
about it. She sat at her desk and watched Josh walk into his office and the
thought came to her. Just two years ago, she was hired to be his assistant
as they made a run for the Bartlet's Presidency, and now she was the
Acting Chief of Staff of the United States of America's Assistant. There
were times she just couldn't grasp that she was the right arm of the
second in command of the country. She saw the pile of work on her desk
and realized that she had work to do to keep that job.
FRIDAY NIGHT
ZOEY'S DORM
Gina knocked on the door to let Zoey know it was time to roll out. Zoey
opened the door while putting on a vest. "Come in," she hurriedly said on
her way to the vanity. "I still have to get my makeup on."
Gina motioned down the hall to her partner, Mike, that it would be a few
more minutes and walked into the dorm and shut the door. "So, you're
going to meet Deena tonight."
Zoey, while putting on mascara sighed, "Yeah. And Charlie's aunt...." she
put down the mascara stick. "I forgot her name! I have to know her name.
I'm so nervous."
Gina massaged Zoey's shoulders and said, "You'll be fine. Her name is
Helen."
"That's right. Helen. Of course, Helen."
Gina smiled, "Zoey, you're so clenched up. Don't worry about anything.
They're going to love you. Just be yourself."
"Okay," Zoey tried again at putting mascara on while Gina sat on the bed
and listened to the tune on the radio. When finished, Zoey picked up lip
gloss, and stared at Gina through the mirror. "How are you doing?"
Gina was surprised. "I'm fine."
"I've been worried."
"About what? That I can't protect you?"
"No," Zoey was adamant. "No. It's not it. You saved my life. How does that
feel? To save someone's life?"
"It's something I don't dwell on. I'm honored to protect you, Zoey."
"Couldn't you wear a bullet proof vest or something?"
Gina shook her head, "I need to blend in."
"You'd think if we can get palm pilots and... DVDs, they could make bullet
proof vests more pliable."
Gina smiled, shrugged, "I'd think so, too."
Zoey finished putting on her lip stick and stood. "How can you have the
job you have? You have to know that every day you could get shot at,
would have to... you know..."
"It's not every day, Zoey. It's just in case. That was one time, and I don't
think it will ever happen again. Don't worry about it." Gina stood by the
door. "Maybe we've become too close. Maybe you're thinking of me too
much as a friend and not as a guard. Should I have a talk with your
father?"
"Do you want to be transferred?"
"No, but I will if it's what would make you feel better. More comfortable."
"I don't want that. You are my friend. I just worry about you."
"That's... maybe why I should take myself off the case. You shouldn't
worry about me. I don't want you to."
"Don't leave me. Don't talk to Dad." Zoey hugged Gina. "I just worry
about you."
Gina hugged the young lady back and said, "Zoey, you don't have a bull's
eye painted on your back. Nothing will probably never happen again. I'm
here fulfilling a security requirement. And I'm your friend. Okay? Don't
worry. You live your life."
Zoey could only nod in agreement and had to put the thought that
everyone could have been killed because of her. Leo was back in the
hospital, after everyone thought he was doing better. She thought she
should pick up the phone and called off the evening with Charlie's family.
It would only make matters worse. They should all stay away from her.
Gina opened the door and handed Zoey her purse. "Come on," she said.
"There's a wonderful family waiting to meet you."
Zoey choked back her indecision and decided to just live each day at a
time and see what happened. She did want to meet Deena and Helen.
She just had to take her purse from Gina and walk out the door. It was a
huge step, but Zoey did it.
EXCALIBOR ROOM
CJ walked in wearing a casual pant suit. There was no need to dress up
when she was probably going to tell Robert to go to hell, after eating
dessert, and stomping out because this whole charade was to use her to
get his company's ideas to the President. When she saw Robert sitting at
the bar, she had to take a breath. That man was the most gorgeous man
she had ever laid eyes on and the years since college hadn't dampened
them at all. As soon as he noticed her, he smiled and walked to her. "CJ,"
he kissed her cheek and took her hand. "It's so good to see you."
"Thank you," she replied, a little embarrassed at the show in front of
others. "Nice to see you too." Really nice. He was astonishingly good
looking, and smelled great.
"Our table is ready," he said, then motioned to the Maitre D'. They were
placed at the best table in the restaurant. Not by the front door, or the
kitchen, in a quiet nook where no one else could overhear their
conversation. CJ sat down, with help from the Maitre D', and wondered
how much Robert had to tip to get such a great table, and if he'd put it on
his expense report. It was going to be expensive, she would make sure of
it.
SAM'S OFFICE
Sam was in the middle of tightening up a brief for the President since he
figured with Leo in the hospital, and he hadn't been able to get a hold of
Mallory all day, their date was history, once again. To his surprise, Mallory
appeared at his door. "Why are you still here? The concert starts in an
hour. I was waiting for you at home to pick me up."
"But..." Sam stood and looked at her casual wear, the first time he had
ever seen Mallory in casual wear, and she looked darn cute.
"But what? Are you standing me up?" She looked at the laptop in a word
processing program. "You have another birthday card to write?"
"No," Sam laughed. "I thought since Leo's in the hospital..."
"He kicked me out of his room this afternoon. Something about my
hovering. Mom's with him. He's so damn stubborn."
"Runs in the family," Sam muttered under his breath.
"Excuse me?"
He stated clearly for her, "You come from a good family."
Mallory smiled. "That's what I thought you said. Come on, let's go. Even
though you are still wearing a suit."
Sam pointed to a dufflebag on the couch. "Give me 5 minutes to change
and we're out the door."
"You're on." She walked to the hall and shut the door to give him privacy.
HELEN'S
Charlie walked in as Deena was at the kitchen table cutting carrots as
Helen formed the dough at the counter. Charlie kissed his aunt on the
cheek and said, "What are you making? Don't make a big fuss. Zoey hates
that."
Helen said, "Well, this is the first time I'm making this dish, so I hope it
turns out all right."
"Why are you making something new?"
"The daughter of the President of the United States is coming to dinner
in case you haven't heard," Helen said, with a smile.
"Her name is Zoey and her favorite food is pizza."
"I'm making Deep Dish Veal Casserole."
"What?"
"The recipe looked good."
Deena piped up, "It sounds gross."
Charlie said, "I'm with you. Zoey isn't a gourmet connoisseur, Auntie."
Helen got her fingers out of the dough and looked at her niece and
nephew. "Pizza?"
"Yeah," Charlie smiled. "You make excellent pizza. Zoey likes Canadian
bacon and pineapple."
"Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza?"
"Yes, it is actually pretty good."
"Then what am I knocking myself out with this for?" Helen shoved the
dough across the counter and announced, "CB and P Pizza coming right
up. Deena, get out a can of pineapple rings, darling."
"All right!"
OUTSIDE
Three men in their forties were slowly driving by the house in a black 80's
van. They felt protected from the blacked out windows and that they
were wearing black, but the one in the passenger seat said, "There's gotta
be more security. We just can't see it."
"I don't want to die," the one in the back said.
The driver checked out the house and said, "We won't."
"Tell me again why we should go after Zoey Bartlett and not Trump's kid?
Or one of Spielberg's? Don't you think that the President would have
tight security?"
"We can't afford tickets to New York or Los Angeles to take them," the
driver said.
"I heard Spielberg lives in the Hamptons," the passenger seat guy said.
"We could drive there."
The driver shook his head. "It's too far. With gas prices, we can't afford it."
"We can after we get that ransom."
"I'm going to park in the Walmart parking lot. We should be able to see
when Zoey gets there."
The one in the back thought this was a great idea. Times were tough for
them, even though the country was experiencing a solid economic
foundation. His kid was in a class with Zoey and mentioned that she
overheard her making plans to go to the neighborhood to meet Charlie's
family. He felt bad because he knew Helen, Deena and Charlie. Yes, all the
planning seemed like a good idea. They'd get some easy money and let
her go, no one would get hurt. But sitting there, waiting, he changed his
mind. He got even more nervous when the driver pulled a gun out of his
coat pocket to check it for bullets.
"A gun," he asked. "Guns?!"
The driver looked back at him. "You think she's going to come with us if
we just suggest it to her with a pleasant voice?"
"Oh God," he moaned. "This isn't good."
The passenger seat guy said, "Tommy, it will be all right. Just follow our
lead."
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION ROOM
Abbey straightened Jed's tie as they stood at the top of the stairs. They
looked astonishingly elegant for their dinner with the Chairman of
Imperial Oil and his wife. She was dressed in that periwinkle blue ball
gown and Jed looked handsome in his dark blue tuxedo. They were
going to eschew all formality, but then Jed figured it would be nice to
put one up on old Cameron, and show he was indeed President of the
United States, and all the fanfare that came with it.
Jed fingered Abbey's pearl drop earring and said, "Hey, I haven't seen
these since I won New Hampshire."
"You just haven't been looking. They're my favorite earrings."
"I've always loved them." Jed smiled, "They're like a good luck charm."
"Worked for New Hampshire, didn't it?"
"*I* didn't have anything to do with that win?"
"Of course, dear," Abbey kissed his cheek. "And Leo. But it never hurts to
have good luck to fall back on."
"I mean it, Abbey," Jed said, taking her hands. "Don't leave me alone with
Cameron Talabor. You never know what I'm going to say."
"Maybe I should take Cameron with the ladies and you can talk to Lola."
"I can't stand her even more," he disagreed. "After a couple of glasses of
wine, she should be open to my confronting her with stopping her
crusade, so back me up. I wish Leo could be here."
"You know he would be if he could."
Down the stairs, David Ziegler and his wife, Terry, couldn't have been
more nervous. His little brother had been working at the White House for
over a year, and this was the first time they ever stepped inside. He heard
they had planned a welcome home for the space shuttle crew, but the
assassination attempt mangled those plans. They had enjoyed his
vacation time in the nation's capital, and didn't really think they would
have dinner there after all. When they received a hand delivered
invitation on White House stationary, it was a chance of a lifetime. Nerves
couldn't be an issue. Terry looked like she was going to faint at any
moment.
It was only when Toby arrived, greeted them both, and patted David on
the shoulder did they somewhat relax. "You made it. Good. I'm sure you
didn't need directions," Toby smiled. "I just got out of a meeting."
"I've known where this house was located all my life."
"How do you like it?"
Terry Ziegler beamed, "It's more beautiful than I ever pictured. They let us
wander the Hall of Presidents earlier. When will President Bartlet get his
portrait hung?"
"I suppose," Toby said, "as soon as he sits still long enough for anyone to
paint it."
David whispered, "How many are going to be here tonight, Toby?"
"The President and Mrs. Bartlet, Mr. and Mrs. Talabor, us. Oh, and Josh
Lyman. Have you seen him around here yet?"
"So, this is a private dinner. No celebrities or anything?"
"Nope. Just us."
Terry was thrilled, "Then I'll be able to talk to Mrs. Bartlet. I love her. Oh,
and David, you and the President both enjoy American History. I heard
he's a whiz in American History."
Toby took her arm, "Please, don't get the President going on American
History. Please."
Josh sauntered down the hall and joined Toby and his guests. "Hi," Josh
said, sticking out his hand to David. "I'm Josh Lyman."
"Good to meet you," David said, returning the handshake. "I'm David, and
this is my wife, Terry."
Terry commented to Josh, "You look better in person than on TV."
"Thanks, I guess."
"I'm sorry. This is just so overwhelming. Who would have thought my
husband was a whiz at math and it would lead us to dinner at the White
House?"
Josh said, "Well, it's not space, but it's one of the best things here on
earth. I'm glad you made it back safely, Mr. Ziegler. We were all very
worried."
"Thank you, Mr. Lyman."
"No, Josh," he firmly said, with a friendly attitude. "I'm Josh."
EXCALIBOR ROOM
CJ and Robert enjoyed their meal and took their time reacquainting
themselves to each other. They hadn't talked any farther than when they
were in college. The whole time, CJ thought through every word he said.
He seemed light and sociable. Drop dead gorgeous. She pushed her
plate back after finishing the lobster and looked at the dessert menu.
"Oh, they have Strawberry Flambe. They actually set fire to your food at
the table?"
"I suppose, I've never had it."
"Do you mind if I do?"
"Not at all. How about another bottle of wine?"
"Sure. Rothschild..." she looked at the empty bottle he held up to get the
waiter's attention. "That's an expensive wine."
"Ah," he shrugged, no biggie, then told the waiter to get another bottle,
and Strawberry Flambe.
HELEN'S
Two black cars drove up to the house. Gina stepped out and looked
around. Mike got out of the passenger seat of the first car and also looked
around. He had made a thorough search of the area and sketched the
landscape to prepare for Zoey's meeting his Charlie's family. Nothing
seemed out of place, so Gina motioned for Zoey that the coast was clear.
She got out of the second car and walked to the door. As she went up the
steps, the door opened and Helen and Charlie were there to greet her.
The men in the van, slouched down in their seats and in the dark,
watched Zoey greet Helen and walk into the house. The two cars stayed.
To the driver, it didn't seem to be too much to handle. The passenger
seat guy went along with his assumption. Tommy in the back, only closed
his eyes and wondered if he should just get out of the van and walk the
two blocks home.
"Bob," the passenger seat guy said to the driver, "There only seems to be
those two cars, three people. That's not bad."
The driver, Harry, checked his gun, cocked it. "Well guys, it's now or
never."
Inside, Zoey was brought into the kitchen and Deena was standing there
smiling. "Hello, Ms. Bartlet," she said, holding out her hand. "It is a
pleasure to meet you."
Zoey couldn't help but smile, half expecting the girl to curtsey. She shook
her hand and said, "I've been looking forward to meeting you too, Deena.
And my name is Zoey. My mother is Ms. Bartlet."
"Okay," Deena smiled, then looked at her proud brother. "I made popcorn
balls. Do you want one?"
"Sure," Zoey took one and pulled off a chunk.
Helen said, "Don't spoil your appetite, now."
Charlie said, "I got her to make your favorite."
Zoey's eyes grew wide, "Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza?"
"You got it."
Mike was walking behind the back of the house when he heard the
bushes rustle. There wasn't a breeze that night and knew there was a dog
next door. He put his hand on the gun on his side and slowly walked to
the noise. He clicked the mic with his other hand and whispered, "Heard
a noise at 8 o'clock. I'm checking it out."
Gina put her hand to her ear as she was in the front and knew that the
front door was decided to be 12, and tapped the arm of the other officer,
leaning against the car, ready to pull out a cigarette. Gina told him, "Go
around to 3 o'clock, please." He could take the other side of the house as
both Gina and Mike would cover 8 o'clock. She walked around the side of
the house quietly as to not make a sound. It could be nothing, but they
had to check it out.
EXCALIBOR ROOM
They did indeed set their desserts on fire at their table, and CJ enjoyed
the process and eating it. She sat back in her chair not knowing if she had
ever eaten so much in one day in her life. First the French lunch, then the
lobster dinner. She lifted what was left in her wine glass and said, "That
was an excellent meal, Robert. Thank you."
"You're welcome, ma'am," he said as he clinked his glass against hers.
It was finally time to get to the heart of the matter, and all the wine she
had drunk made her come right out with it. "What are you in town for?"
"I'm thinking of moving here. I have a final interview at Walter Reed on
Monday."
"Move here?" The way she said it was like it was the stupidest idea she
ever heard.
"Yes." Robert choked down his wine. "You don't like that idea?"
CJ shook her head, not knowing what to say. "You work for Imperial Oil, in
Texas." She shrugged, "They don't pay well?"
"I haven't worked for Imperial Oil for..." he thought. "Five years." He sat
back and smiled at her. "How did you know I worked for Imperial Oil?"
"I'm a Press Secretary," she said, trusting Robert to be speaking the truth,
and cursing Danny for making her paranoid.
"Nobody never could get anything by you," he told her, a little touched
that she had researched his life.
"So, you're not in town because Cameron Talabor is?"
"No. I didn't even know he was in town. I think I saw something in the
paper, but whenever I see his name, I tune out. He's a jerk."
CJ laughed. Either he was a fabulous liar, or Danny was needling her
because he was jealous. "I'm sorry. So, you wanted to see me because you
wanted to see me."
"Yes. Why else why I ask you out for dinner?"
CJ drank more wine and ignored the question. She didn't act like a
normal person in front of men anyway, she didn't need to explain Danny
to him. "Never mind. It is really nice to see you again."
Robert took her hand and looked into her eyes. CJ thought he wanted to
lean in for a kiss, and she was right. He did.
HELEN'S
There was something on the other side of those bushes. Mike just knew
it, but it was too dark to see well. When Gina joined him in the back yard,
he motioned for her to go to one end of the bushes and he'd take the
other.
Gina crept around the bushes and looked up at the neighboring house,
with it's lights on in what had to be there kitchen. A dog started barking
and Mike walked around the other end of the bushes. The German
shepard appeared out of no where and ran to them, barking, and hooked
onto a leg of a man wearing black jeans and work boot.
Simultaneously, Gina and Mike pulled their guns and trained them on
the source of the howling, from the man who's leg the dog chewed on.
Mike yelled, "Get out of the bushes!"
Gina said, "Secret Service, we are armed. Crawl out of those bushes and
put your hands up," as she situated herself next to Mike, eyes not leaving
the dog.
The neighbors turned on their yard lights and saw the two with guns.
The wife cowered back into the house and told her husband, "When they
were here this afternoon, they didn't say they'd be pointing guns
around!"
Mike grabbed at the dog and pulled him by the collar back. Gina moved
forward with her gun trained on the whimpering man and saw three
pairs of hands tremble. "Crawl forward. Keep your hands in the air."
The husband stood on the back stoop and called to the dog, "Killer!
Come!"
The trained dog ran to his master and licked his lips, then looked back at
the five people in their yard as if to say, See how good I did? Then to show
his authority over that yard more, he stood stiff and growled to them.
"Heel, Killer. Come," the guy said. Killer walked over and sat down next to
where his master was standing, but ready to pounce on them again if he
needed to.
Gina pulled one of the men out and saw the gun in his hand. She kicked
it away and pushed him to the ground. "Keep still." She looked at the
other two, "Come out, now!"
The other officer ran to the fray with his gun out, then he and Mike pulled
out Tommy and Harry. When they were all laying on the grass, the dog
hovering, the wife mortified, the husband controlling the dog, Gina and
Mike collected the guns and pulled wallets out of their back pockets.
"It was their idea," Tommy cried. "I didn't want to do this."
"Shut up," Bob commanded.
"That's right. You'd better be quiet," Gina said as she looked at Tommy's
driver's license, "Thomas Manfield. You have the right to remain silent."
She finished reading them their rights then each Secret Service Agent
took a guy and moved him to the cars.
It was only then that Gina saw Charlie standing at the back door. He
glared at the men, and looked back to see his family and Zoey staying
back in the living room. He motioned that he'd be right back.
He followed Gina and Tommy to the car. "What's up?"
"Nothing. It's taken care of. Go back inside and enjoy dinner."
Charlie said, "What am I supposed to tell Zoey?"
"They were trying to break into the house next door. Go back inside."
The other two were thrown into the back seat of the front car and Mike
grabbed Tommy from Gina and threw him in also. He slammed the door
and said, "I'll go with to bring them in. You need back up here?"
Gina paused, leaned against the car. Then shook her head, "No. I'll be
fine."
"I'll be back as soon as these clowns are in lockup."
She patted his arm, "Good work."
RECEPTION ROOM
The dinner had gone well. They all asked David about his job with NASA
and told the latest jokes they had all heard. The evening was pleasant
and everyone was on their best behavior. Abbey wondered when and
how Jed would bring up the object of the dinner, and then she could call
it a night. Although she enjoyed Terry Ziegler. After she got over her
initial nervousness, had something to eat, and drink, she was a sparkling
conversationalist.
Abbey kept looking to Jed to make a move, or motion to her on how to
proceed, but since he hadn't done much of anything but talk to David
about American History or laugh at Josh's jokes, she decided to make a
move.
"Lola," she asked. "Terry? Let me give you a personally guided tour of the
West Wing."
Terry said, "Oh, I'd love that. I'd love to see where Toby works."
Jed said, "Ah, maybe later?"
Abbey stood. "Why? You boys have a fun time while us girls catch up."
The women stood, making the men stand to be chivalrous, and they left
the room. Jed sat back down and looked across the table at Cameron
Talabor. He cleared his throat and leaned over to David to his right, "How
about that George Washington, my predecessor, crossing the Delaware,
huh?"
Toby put his head in his hands and shook his head.
EXCALIBOR ROOM
CJ and Robert stood and collected their coats. She thanked him again for
a delightful meal, and staggered a little from all the wine. He caught her
arm and didn't let it go until she took her arm back when they reached
the sidewalk.
Robert said, "I'm serious, CJ. I want to see you again."
She looked dreamily into his eyes as he leaned in to kiss her again, she
wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. At that moment, she
couldn't care less what his motives might be, she was drawn in. He was
just a new guy in town, reaching out for an old friend. That's what she
told herself when they got into a cab and he told the driver to bring them
to his hotel.
OVAL OFFICE
Jed really wanted to rub it into Cameron that he was having dinner with
the President, and not just the guy who lived down the hall while they
were still in college. He brought them into the Oval Office for cigars and
brandy, and made sure uniformed military guards were at the door. If it
could work for Barry Haskell, it would work on Cameron.
The first instance that Jed wanted to wring Cameron's throat was when
he sat down on the couch and looked at the end table, "Hum, a glass ring.
Such a shame."
Jed said, "Are you suggesting that I'm not taking care of the White
House?"
"Not at all," Cameron said, but that was precisely what he meant.
"I'll have you know, that watermark came from the glass Winston
Churchill drank from as he sat in that very spot while visiting with
Franklin Delano Roosevelt during World War II, my friend."
Josh looked at Toby, who shrugged. It was best not to interfere with the
President when he was spouting facts, whether they were true or not.
"I didn't say you put it there, Jed," Cameron said. "I was just
commenting."
David rubbed his hand along the couch, "I wonder who else has sat on
these couches."
"The list is long, David," Jed said, sitting next to him. "Would you like the
list?"
Josh and Toby grumbled, but stayed put.
MURAL ROOM
The First Lady and her guests arrived and wandered around the room.
Abbey was able to tell Terry about the murals and Terry gingerly touched
them. Lola warmed herself by the fire and admired the candelabra.
While Terry was enthralled by the murals, Abbey took the opportunity of
being able to talk to Lola alone and stood alongside her. "This is a
beautiful home, Abbey. You should be so proud."
"I am. Thank you."
Since Lola had been pleasant all evening, Abbey decided it was time to
have that talk that Jed couldn't seem to take care of. "Lola," she
whispered. "I have something to ask you."
Lola gave the First Lady her full attention. Abbey bit her lip, then said
straight out, "The President and I would appreciate if you didn't go
forward with a campaign of Web Censorship."
Lola stepped back, "How on earth did you know I was involved. I haven't
become public on it yet."
"We have our ways," Abbey gently smiled. "The President and I would
consider it a favor if you stayed out of it."
Lola looked at the woman she'd known for over 30 years and thought
things through. A favor from the President would be a handy thing, but
she felt too vehement about it and wanted to lend her name to the
cause. "I can't do that, Abbey," she said. "Children are bring turned into
monsters."
Abbey had to swallow that, "Children can get research for school reports
on the Internet. They play games, they read the latest gossip on... Ricky
Martin or Brittany Spears, whoever's in vogue."
Lola couldn't believe that Abbey was telling her that, after what
happened to her husband and daughter just a month before. "Kids
gathered at a web site called, Wipe Out the Enemy, and shot at your
husband and daughter."
Abbey looked at Terry, who was standing back, but listening. "We have to
take the bad with the good."
"I can't believe you're saying that. Jed could have DIED."
"Yes. But Jed lives for children and their growth, for the forward
movement of technology and making sure it's used for good. You are a
powerful woman and lot of people listen to you," she said, stroking Lola
with words. "But it shouldn't be that much of a surprise, Lola. I'm a
leading proponent of Free Speech."
"What if he would have died?"
"Jed would have been a martyr, and the issue would become an issue on
the forefront. But the President is NOT dead. He has things to do and he
can't take that on. You have a lot of friends in Washington. Please don't
talk to them about this."
Lola looked down her nose at Abbey, in a way that Abbey didn't like.
"Why do you care what I do? Web Censorship is an issue that should be
taken care of."
"Why don't you take up the cause of feeding the homeless or say no to
drugs. It really would be a more productive way of making sure you don't
rot in that mansion in Dallas."
Lola opened her mouth in shock. Abbey quickly said, "I'm sorry. That
wasn't diplomatic at all. But I feel strongly abut my husband and he feels
strongly about this."
"You know, Abbey," Lola slowly said. "In college, you were the star. You
were the one everyone looked to because you would be somebody. On
your own. Now... you're standing so far behind your husband, I can't even
see you."
Abbey walked closer to her and said, "Look at my face, get out."
Cameron barreled down the hall and spotted his wife in the Mural Room,
he came in and announced, "We're leaving!"
"Damn right," Lola agreed.
"It would be nice if I can get that donation I made back," Cameron
grumbled.
"A check will be personally delivered to your hotel room tomorrow," Jed
said. "You egotistical pain in the ass!"
Cameron was floored at the accommodations of the evening, he
expected to have his ass personally kissed by that twit who sat in office.
The donation was supposed to clear the way for additional land stripping,
as the Senator from Texas had assured him it would. That was the only
reason he wanted to come to the White House that evening. It's not like
he hadn't seen it before. He had been a guest of both Reagan and Bush.
He didn't need to be treated so badly by an arrogant Democrat! He
grabbed his wife's arm and they were out the door.
Josh and Toby stood helpless and wondered how everything unraveled
so quickly in front of their eyes. Toby had enjoyed the little diatribe both
men let out, but Josh was taking it personally. Leo wouldn't have let it
happen, but then he enjoyed a different relationship with the President.
David walked to Terry and said, "Maybe we should call it a night, too."
"Yeah," Terry nervously said.
Toby assured them that dinner usually didn't fall apart like that, and Jed
looked at them, and was devastated. "Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler... I am so sorry
you had to witness that." Jed lightly laughed, "We're old friends..." Then
solemnly said, "I'm sorry."
David smiled, "He WAS pompous pain in the ass, Mr. President."
Jed slapped his back in brotherhood and they all laughed. "Don't take off
so soon. Let's have a quiet talk. Just the six of us. Up in the residence." He
stopped and excitedly pointed at them, how he does when a great
thought pops into his head. "Or, maybe you want to watch a movie. We
have the whole shootin' shebang downstairs. Sometimes we get movies
before they hit the theaters."
Terry said, "That would be an honor, Mr. President, Mrs. President."
"Abbey and Jed," Abbey smiled. "As you can plainly see by our behavior,
we're just people who live in a big house."
HELEN'S
Charlie had come back into the house after the car drove off with the
men who tried... something, but he didn't know what, to see Zoey, Helen
and Deena wondering why Killer next door was so loud. He assured them
that everything was fine and they enjoyed the pizza. Gina walked into the
house after Mike came back to see the three of them playing Old Maid at
the kitchen table.
Bookbag was safe, the men, whatever they tried to do, were in custody
and Charlie was happy Zoey and his family melded so well. She waved at
them that everything's fine and take as long as they want. Enjoy their
evening.
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Leo threw the newspaper on the floor and grumbled, "I wonder how the
dinner is going."
Jenny tore her eyes from the gripping TV that Leo insisted on watching,
CSPAN, and looked at her husband, then smiled. "If I know our President...
not well. It's almost a shame we couldn't see the fireworks."
"He wouldn't be that stupid. He can't let Cameron Talabor get mad at
him. I should be there."
"You should be HERE so you can get well. There will be many more
instances where you have to cover for Jed's temper in the future."
Leo looked at the oxygen clip on his finger and the machinery he was
hooked up to and laid back. The fainting episode was scary, but the
battery of tests the doctors insisted on performing on him scared him
even more. He just had to get better. He felt the scar on his neck from the
shooting and wondered what other damage it could have done to his
system.
Jenny saw his mind working, and that he was thinking about the
shooting and his health. She took his glasses off and set them on the
table. "What?" Leo said. "I have a couple of more briefs to read."
"Tomorrow," Jenny lightly said. "There's always tomorrow." She kissed
him on the cheek, then laid down next to him and held his hand.
"Remember that, Leo. There's always tomorrow."
SCREENING ROOM
Jed and Abbey were in the back row with his arm around her, watching
"The Way We Were" for the 10th time since he took office. It had been
their favorite movie and made sure it could be called up at a moment's
notice. Terry and David were sitting a couple of rows in front of them, and
couldn't get over that they were watching a movie in the White House.
The buttered popcorn and soda tasted better than they'd ever had, just
because of the surroundings. Terry wouldn't ever be able to watch the
movie again without remembering the wonderful evening. Even when it
resorted to name calling, she enjoyed every part of it. Those two
deserved to get a piece of someone's mind. There weren't many people
she didn't care for right off the bat, but Cameron and Lola Talabor were
definitely among that group.
Josh looked at Toby in the room in front of him. "Hey, Toby," he said. "I'm
going to get out of here. I got a meeting in the morning."
Toby said, without taking his eyes off the screen, "I have one too, but I've
never seen this film."
Josh stopped, "You're kidding me."
"No. Why would I?"
"Everyone's seen this movie."
"Obviously not everyone, when I just said I haven't seen it."
Jed interrupted them, "Shut up."
They both said, "Yes, Mr. President," as Toby gave his full attention to the
screen and Josh made a hasty exit.
DANNY'S APARTMENT
Danny just turned off the game and was ready to call it a night. He shut
the police scanner off and made his way to the bedroom when the
doorbell rang. He looked at the clock and it was too late for company.
Looking out the peephole, he saw CJ's face.
He opened the door, "Hello," he lightly said, certainly surprised.
She walked in and shut the door, "You bought that French food today,
didn't you?"
Danny looked her over and said, "I refuse to answer on the grounds that
it may incriminate me."
"I'm not a cop, or a judge."
"But you are something."
CJ nodded and paced his apartment. "It had to have been you. I
remembered what Donna said, that she couldn't afford it. Toussant's is
the most expensive place in town. I don't think any of them could have.
Hell, I'd have a hard time explaining that spread to my accountant."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Of course I enjoyed it Danny. That's not the point."
"What's the point?"
CJ searched for words. "You surprised me."
"It was Surprise Friday."
CJ corrected him. "It still is." She looked at her watch. "For another 10
minutes anyway."
"How was your date?"
"Good. There wasn't anything to the date except, Robert wanted to see
me. Me. Not the Press Secretary for the President of the United States."
"I know."
"How do you know so much? How did you know he was in town and....
sent me an email! Are you stealing my email?!"
Danny put up his hands, "NO!" That didn't calm her, so he said again. "No.
No. I was Walter Reed the other day and ran into Mr. Forrester. He
recognized me as Senior Correspondent to the White House and that I
probably know you, and your email address. He asked me for it. I asked
why. He told me. I didn't like it. I researched him. I found out he worked
for Imperial Oil, and... I didn't want you to go on the date."
"You're quite the reporter there."
"Thank you."
"You didn't want me to go on the date?"
"Of course not."
"Why?"
"Do I really have to answer that?"
"No." CJ already knew why. And it was what she was fighting against for
months. "It would never work out."
"Us?"
"Yes."
"Why not?"
"I'm the Press--."
"Secretary and I'm the press," he finished it for her. "I know. I don't think
it's that big a deal. In your wildest dreams, CJ, do you ever picture yourself
slipping me information when you shouldn't?"
"No."
"I certainly wouldn't do it either. I would never ask for special treatment.
That's not my style." He smiled, "And knowing you, you wouldn't give it
to me anyway."
"Okay," CJ hesitantly said, starting to get used to what he was
suggesting.
"My only condition is that you don't treat me like I have the plague or
something. We wouldn't even have to talk politics when we're together."
"What would we talk about?"
Danny shrugged, "Who your best friend was when you were 5. How you
first learned how to ride a bike. What sports teams you root for. There's a
world of things out there that don't include the White House or
newspapers. And," he continued. "I can tell you all about my 10th grade
science project that I won at State with, because I know you're dying to
know."
CJ stared at him. "You know what's scary?"
"What?"
"I would like to know about that. You won State?"
Danny nodded, "I still have the ribbon."
They moved closer to each other and wrapped their arms around the
other's waists. "Why did you come over tonight?"
"I was in Robert's hotel room, and..." she softly said. "I realized that I
wanted to be here more."
Danny smiled and caressed her cheek, then brought her mouth to his. CJ
knew at that moment, that she made the right decision to come over.
THE END
by JoLayne
EnyaJo@aol.com
RATING: G
CHARACTERS: Every single one of them in the show, and a few we've yet
to meet, except Mandy. Can't think of anything to say about Mandy.
SUMMARY: Friday becomes an interesting day for all in the West Wing.
NOTE: This is my first foray into the world of West Wing fanfic, I hope I got
everyone right. I'm optimistic, to some degree. The assassination attempt
of the season finale is over, everyone's fine, except one. Leo's still laid up
from a gunshot wound that grazed his collarbone.
DISCLAIMER: This is only for fun, all the characters belong to the brilliant
Aaron Sorkin, not me, except the few he either hasn't introduced us to
yet, or the ones I made up to tell the story.
***
WEDNESDAY
ZOEY'S DORM ROOM
The aftermath of the assassination attempt at the Newseum weighed
heavily on both Zoey and Charlie, but for different reasons. Zoey had
begun to close herself off, and Charlie was taking it personally. He finally
decided to go unannounced to her dorm and confront her with why she
was acting so different. Still standing by the door, she just looked at him,
his lower arm still in a sling from when Gina forced him to the ground
during the chaos, breaking it. "Are you serious?"
"I've never been more so, Zoey. What is your problem?"
Zoey incredulously asked, "My *problem*?" The slight, tight smile on her
face told Charlie he was probably out of line, had done too much thinking
about what he was going to say and how he was going to say it on the
way over to her place. It all was coming out too fast, too gruff.
"Ever since the attempt on your father," he started again, trying to
remember the perfect way the words flowed out of his mind as he waited
for the light to change.
But Zoey interrupted him, "That wasn't an attempt on Dad, Charlie. That
was an attempt to kill you. And me. And everyone else. It was because of
us."
"You can't believe that. Do you?" Charlie's shoulders sunk, had to drop to
her bed as if the rug had been pulled out from under his feet. It was
finally spoken. The words had come out of her mouth. He was the reason
all of them were in danger. That Leo was still on sick leave. That someone
could have died. It was because two young people went on some dates
and decided they liked each other, and someone couldn't see the
normalcy of it.
Zoey wanted to take the words back, "I'm sorry, Charlie. You could have
been killed. Leo... it's too dangerous for anyone to be around me. And I
have nothing to do with it! Is it my fault my dad's president? That
whatever I do or say is news? I never wanted that!" When she calmed
herself, she moaned, "I don't want you to get hurt."
That seemed to clear the dread from Charlie's mind. She wasn't blaming
him. But, she was blaming herself for something that wasn't at all her
fault. He walked to her, "Zoey. The only thing that hurts is that you're not
answering my phone calls, that you won't see me. Those were raving
lunatics that shot those guns... They don't know us. They don't care about
us. They only wanted to make their views heard. And if that is the *only*
reason you shut me out of your life, they've won."
"Charlie," Zoey sighed as she wrapped her arms around him and held on
tight. "I just don't want to be responsible if anything else bad happens."
The talk with her father about her being kidnaped came to mind. He
scared the shit out of her. She tried to be strong around her father, her
family, his father's staff, some classmates, but she wasn't strong enough
to deny her love for Charlie. She thought it would be easier to let him go
if she didn't see him. Out of sight, out of mind. But it wasn't working. She
did nothing *but* think of him, worry about him.
When her hand lingered on his cast, he pulled her head up for a kiss, that
she gratefully returned. "Let's shut out the world, Zoey. It's just us.
Nothing else matters."
She hugged him tight again, and softly disagreed, "Everything matters,
Charlie. That's one thing my parents taught me. There are consequences
for everything we do."
"What could be the consequence of eating my aunt's cooking?"
She looked up at him. "Huh?"
"That's mostly why I came over tonight," Charlie said. "My aunt and little
sister really want to meet you and she's going to cook Friday night. I
figured if I called to invite you, you'd just tell me you were busy and hang
up like always."
Zoey lowered her head, ashamed for how she'd treated him since he got
that cast on his arm. "I *have* been a little busy."
"Sure," he smiled, knowing she was just protecting him by staying away.
He didn't like it, but her motives made him feel good. "Will you agree to
come? I've told them all about you..." his smile took on a cocky glow. "And
they still want to meet you for some reason."
Zoey smiled, knew he was joking, but said, "There's a dinner of some sort
at Dad's on Friday night that I should probably be at."
Charlie knew about the CEO of Imperial Oil Company coming for the
weekend, and waited for an invite from her. He'd already received one
from President Bartlet. Charlie remembered the talk with the President,
who also told him that he'd probably have more fun picking lint from his
belly button than eating a meal with that blowhard guest. He even
suggested that he take Zoey to a movie or something so she wouldn't be
bored to tears with him and his wife.
Charlie waited. Zoey hadn't said a word or moved a muscle since she
once again, as if by reflex, shut down a suggestion of his to do something
together. He asked, "Do you really want to have dinner with those old
folks instead of my little sister?"
"No," she said. Then looked up at him and smiled. "I'd love to meet your
sister and aunt."
WHITE HOUSE RESIDENCE
Jed entered the bedroom as Abby was just stepping into a periwinkle
blue silk ball gown and held it up to her shoulders, inspecting herself in
the full length mirror in the corner. When she spotted him in the mirror,
she asked, "Care to zip me up?"
Jed smiled as he walked to her, instead of zipping her, wrapped his arms
around her waist. She giggled, "Careful, you'll wrinkle the dress."
Instead of heading her advice, he kissed her neck. "Did I forget
something?"
"Probably," she smiled, caressing his head as she looked at the two of
them in the mirror. "Be more specific."
"Why are you wearing this dress for a quiet evening in? I know we haven't
had many since I took office, but casual wear would be fine with me."
"I'm going to wear this on Friday night, so I wanted to see if it still fits,"
she moved him, so she could straighten it. "Zip it, please?"
"You look incredible. I'll only be unzipping it in a matter of minutes."
Abby smiled, "Well, twice the fun. I bought it for one of your five
inaugural parties, but didn't have time to change before we made our
appearance at the last one. So, I've never worn it."
Jed zipped up the dress and tucked in the designer label. "How much
was it?"
"Jed," Abby said. "When I say 'bought', it means someone gave it to me. It
sounds better."
"Well, that's one of the perks. I have free ties I've never even looked at
yet."
As she smoothed out the sleeves, Abby remarked, "I forgot who even
made it. I'll have to know to tell CJ so the world can know."
"It's just a quiet dinner party on Friday."
"Since when is anything private in this house?"
"True."
"Now you can unzip me."
"Now you're talking." Jed smiled and took his time as he pulled the zipper
back down to Abbey's waist.
Abbey spun around in his arms and said, "Before we start anything,
there's been something on my mind."
"There's always something on your mind, my dear," Jed kissed her neck.
"That's why you turn me on."
"Jed," Abby seriously asked, making Jed stop unzipping in mid-stream.
"They aren't coming just because he made a humongous donation to the
Democratic party, are they? That's the rumor."
"It's a rumor. It has nothing to do with the truth."
"Why are they staying the weekend?"
"They're old friends."
With that, Abbey laughed as if she just heard the best joke in the world. "I
don't think a guy you knew one semester in college, and called him
*names* by the way, could be classified as a friend."
"I called everyone names," Jed smiled to himself as he released his wife
from the dress.
Abbey stepped out of it and put on her robe as Jed happily watched.
"You know the mingling period, when everyone stands around like a
bunch of idiots before dinner?"
"Yeah?"
"What sort of music should we have playing? The Beatles? I don't like it
when the people who control the music try to be hip. Backwood Boys,
Those Synchronicity Kids, I don't like it. Gimme the Stones!" Jed started
strutting around the bedroom, singing, "I Can't Get No... Satisfaction... I
can't get me no..."
"Jed?" Abbey stared at him in his nostalgic frolic, "If there's one person on
this planet who's been satisfied, it is you, my dear."
The President of the United States had to concede, "That's true."
CHIEF OF STAFF BULLPEN
Josh sauntered with the extra swagger that being named Acting Chief of
Staff in Leo's absence added to his gait as he made his way from Leo's
office, looking for Donna. The place had started to clear out after the
regular office hours and Josh wondered if Donna had called it a day too,
but hadn't told him. That was odd. She always made sure he knew where
she was every moment of the day. She'd been especially doteful since he
gained the extra workload.
He dropped some files on her desk for her to refile and paused.
Margaret's earlier phone call replayed in his head. She was at Leo's for her
daily briefing to keep him up to date on everything and he stated,
categorically, that he would be in the next morning. Josh would have to
make the phone call to Leo himself to tell him everything's fine, that he
should just rest and think only about himself. But then, why would Leo
listen to him? He didn't heed those exact same words from the President.
Josh got to his office and felt his stomach rumble. It was only then that he
remembered he hadn't eaten since a power bar he chewed down after
rolling out of bed that morning. Along with his regular duties, he had
extra meetings with POTUS, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National
Security Advisor and gave an interview to Newsweek. After the full day,
Josh actually couldn't tell his ass from a hole in the ground. He needed to
eat something, and see some friends.
He plunked himself down at his desk and called Chung's Delivery. As
soon as the words, "Sweet and Sour Chicken" left his mouth, CJ piped up
from her office, "Get me some Egg Foo Young!"
Josh held the phone to his chest and yelled back, "Anything else?!"
"No, thank you!"
"How about for Carol?!"
"She left already!"
Josh told the woman on the other end of the phone, "Egg Foo Young,
too." That's when he remembered where Donna was, at a meeting of the
West Wing Assistants. Josh just hoped they didn't decide to turn union or
want to strike or make waves on his watch. After the assassination
attempt, there have been longer hours in the day, stress in the workplace
for all of them, but it seemed that it was starting to calm down. He'd
better be nice. He added, "And you'd better add a couple of orders of
General Chow Chicken... and some..." He knew Donna and Cathy liked the
Chicken, but what did Sam like? He couldn't remember. "Some... Lo
mein... Veggie Lo Mein. I'll call down to security that you're coming and
hopefully this time, our food won't be searched."
Josh hung up and remembered having to pitch his last order from
Chung's. A new, over-zealous security guard fingered through his Beef
and Broccoli. What he was looking for was anyone's guess. Josh was
hungry and didn't want to have to go through that again. Although, he
was hungry enough, he would eat anything, no matter if it had been
man-handled.
He stepped to his and CJ's connecting door, "Carol didn't go to the
assistant's meeting?"
CJ continued typing her notes for the next morning's press briefing and
didn't stop to answer, "No. She has a baby shower tonight."
"They're not going to... do anything weird, are they?"
"At the baby shower?"
"No, at the meeting."
"I don't know. I wasn't invited to it. I wasn't invited to the baby shower,
either. I never get to go anywhere. Did you ask for extra fortune cookies?"
"No. Can you do that?"
CJ stopped typing and spun her head around at Josh leaning against the
door, "Why can't you?"
"We shouldn't do anything that could be considered extra treatment just
because we work in the White House."
"So they charge extra," CJ shrugged. "What's the big deal?"
"I don't like fortune cookies."
CJ was going to finish typing her thought, but stared at him, "How can
you not like fortune cookies?"
Josh quickly said, "I see, you're the type who always gets the "Fortune will
smile on you tomorrow", or "You will meet a dark, handsome stranger", or
"You're going to fall ass-backwards into money" type fortune cookies. I'm
not one of the charmed few. I always get, "If you work hard, things will
come to you", "What you reap today, tomorrow you will sow" type stuff. I
know that already, I don't need reminding that I need to work for a living.
And I don't like sowing."
After that monologue, CJ sat back in her chair and scrutinized the Acting
Chief of Staff. "Are things going okay?"
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing," she said as she noticed the "new mail" icon blinking on her
monitor. "I talked to Leo today. It sounds like he's healing up. He had that
curmudgeon-type quality in his voice that we're all so fond of."
"He's been in a lot of pain."
"Really? He didn't confide that in me. He's still hurting?"
"Margaret told me. And Mallory told Sam."
"I guess I'm out of that loop." She hiked herself back up to her computer.
"CJ, you're not out of any loops."
"If you say so. Call me when the food comes, I'm starving."
"Will do." Josh walked out to the bullpen and looked over Donna's desk
for any indication of what the meeting could have been about, and found
nothing. Donna was a good assistant and kept things private. That could
really get irritating. Josh had to face the fact that he was the one who had
to go down to make sure the food wouldn't be sent through scanners
and metal detection and personal inspection again.
CJ checked her new mail and didn't recognize the address, with a subject
of "Long Time No See". Deciding within seconds that it couldn't be one of
the latest viruses, she opened it and about fell over. It was from Robert
Forrester, asking if she was okay after the assassination attempt.
Back in college, Robert showed signs that he would grow into the tall,
dark, handsome, rich doctor that she heard he did became. After she got
the position of White House Press Secretary, he left a message on her
home answering machine of congratulations. She returned the call, only
to get his 'Japanese Secretary', his Panasonic answering machine,
thanking him for the congratulations. As much as she wanted him to
return her call, he never did.
They had only one date in college. That evening they went to the football
game, had some food, a little heavy petting, and then Robert married his
high school sweetheart one month later. According to the email, he had
divorced the year before and would like to get together with her. CJ sat
back in her chair. Her mind was a whirl remembering just how good
looking and charismatic he was, and how lousy her love life had been the
last 10 years.
After re-reading the email for the fifth time, she decided that his
intentions were just what she wanted his intentions to be and hit the
reply button. And then stared at the blinking cursor on the 'Reply Mail'
screen. For a woman who's career was finding the right words to express
the President's thoughts and wishes to a ferocious press corp that would
be beamed and reported to the world, a surprising thing happened. No
words came to her. They were all elementary, silly. They were the quality
of 'check this box if you're interested in calling me for a date'.
She needed to get a grip. CJ looked around her office at the mementos of
her time at the White House, photos of her and Presidents, actors, movers
and shakers in the world today. One little old doctor shouldn't make her
feel like an idiot. She shook hands with Nelson Mandela, for God's sake!
CJ thought about scanning the photo and sending that, just as an
introduction to who she had become since college.
Instead, she typed out, "Thanks for the words of concern. We're all fine. I
would love to meet and catch up with old times." Short and sweet. No
way there could be anything embarrassing in there.
CJ pressed send.
Then she wondered if she should have used the word 'love'. Damn! Why
didn't she just say, 'Let's catch up with old times'? 'Call me and we'll
arrange dinner'? Why did she use 'love'? She should have sat on the email
for a while and call him later that evening. When it came to her personal
life, she was never good on her feet, off the top of her head.
"Oh well, it's done," CJ moaned. Josh wasn't in his office, so she wandered
the halls to find someone to confide in.
WHITE HOUSE RESIDENCE
Abbey and Jed were having a quiet meal in. The White House Chef was
fabulous and could whip up any gourmet meal they desired, but that
evening, they wanted tacos. They hadn't eaten tacos since Zoey was 12
and demanded them for her birthday dinner. So, they had a cart brought
into their bedroom for a nice, private night with no excess baggage of
what Jed's position usually required.
Abbey asked, "Have you talked to Leo today?"
"Of course I have."
"How is he?"
Jed shrugged, "Fine, by the way he tells it."
"I'm not so sure," Abbey softly disagreed. "I had lunch with Jenny this
afternoon."
"How are things on that end?"
"What do you mean, 'Things on that end'? What things and what end?
Quit talking to me like I'm an advisor," she ordered as if asking for an IV
drip, STAT.
Jed's eye twinkled as he cooed, "You are one of my dearest advisors,
Abbey."
Abbey laughed, "I'd better be the MOST dearest, dear."
"What did Jenny say?"
"They're making headway."
"Making headway?"
"I figured you're more comfortable with that lingo." Jed smiled at her,
and took her hand. She continued, "They've had some nice dinners and
Leo's letting her take care of him." Abbey pulled her hand back and
darkened, "Jenny almost lost him for good."
"Maybe she shouldn't have left him," Jed tossed out. He wasn't going to
get into the close call they all had, that Leo was close to death, they had
to move past it. The way Leo and Jenny broke up still grated on him.
"Jed," Abbey warned. "That's between them. All we can be is supportive."
"You know, it's because of me that she left him in the first place."
"That's true."
Jed bolted out of his chair, "What?!"
"I'm agreeing with you. That's what's called being a 'yes-man', right?" She
crunched down on the start of another taco.
"I said that so you *wouldn't* agree with me."
"If you hadn't won the White House, Leo and Jenny might not have
separated."
Jed wiped his mouth with his napkin and tossed it on the table. "Leo
wouldn't have been shot in the neck if I hadn't won the White House."
"Jed," Abbey warned. "We have to be thankful that everyone is all right."
Jed nodded and paced. That was exactly what he thought, but that fact
was too close to the surface and couldn't be quenched, no matter how
hard he tried. Abbey added, "Leo's going to be fine. You can't take
responsibility for his shooting."
"But I can for the breakdown of his marriage," he loudly accused his wife.
"No, I'm sorry I brought it up." Abbey suddenly didn't want to finish her
food and looked at her wound-up husband, still pacing. "It was Leo and
Jenny that broke up Leo and Jenny. He's a diligent worker and the best
Chief of Staff this White House has probably ever seen. THAT'S what
broke up his marriage. You've been preoccupied, you ran for President,
there were times I didn't see you for weeks at a time, I went to bed alone.
I still do. But I'm still here. Leo came to you for the run for this office, you
didn't go to him. He made his bed, and Jenny didn't want to sleep in it. I
just hope they can find their way back to each other."
"I wonder if he'll be able to come to the dinner on Friday night."
"With Jenny," Abbey nodded. "She already accepted my invitation to
them both."
Jed smiled, "You know, that's the best news I've heard in a very long
time."
"What will you, Leo and Cameron be talking about after us ladies move to
the other room after dinner?"
"Oh, I was going to tell you," Jed said. "Don't offer to move to another
room after dinner."
"No cigars and brandy for the men's club?"
"No." He ran his hand through his hair and said, "I guess I should tell
you..."
Abbey stepped back, ready for anything, "When you start a sentence with
'I guess I should tell you', it usually means 'Yes! You should tell me now'.
And I usually don't like what you have to tell me."
"I'm more interested in Cameron's wife than Cameron."
Abbey took a step back. That was the last thing she expected to hear.
"Excuse me?"
"Lola's got a bee in her bonnet about Web Censorship and she has the
power to spearhead a campaign. Leo and I want to leave that for the next
guy. We don't want to deal with it."
"So, you don't actually want to catch up on old times with Cameron, you
want to make sure Lola doesn't start a crusade. 'Leave it for the next guy?'
Since when are you afraid to tackle issues? I thought you were making
sure you spoke on anything that comes across the table? What happened
to that?"
"I'm not afraid, Abbey. It's just that if she really gets going on that hot
button issue, members of Congress may pick it up and run with it and I've
got more important issues to pass that I don't want clogged with crap."
Abbey stood and looked out the window. Then she softly said, "Lola may
have a point."
Jed was stunned. "About Web Censorship? You?" He paced around
Abbey as she stood still. "The Poster Woman for Freedom of Speech?" He
turned her around to face him. "Did an alien abduct my wife and left a
Stepford wife in Dr. Abbey Bartlet's place?
"Jed, boys...," she turned around. "Teenage BOYS took a pot shot at you,
my daughter, her boyfriend, and most of your staff! Your best friend is
still recovering. I just know those little asses got most of their ideas from
the Internet. Hatred can spread fast when you find someone else with
your same warped sense of what's right and what's wrong, and what's an
easier way to find other ingrates than on the Internet?"
"We are NOT having this discussion. Didn't we agree to that?"
He was right, they'd say one thing and think another. The assassination
attempt was so sudden and by kids, it was too hard to digest. Jed said,
"You're too close to the... I was going to call it a problem. It's not even a
problem. The Internet had nothing to do with two teenage boys."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I'm the president!"
"Thanks for reminding me, Sir," she said as she perfectly curtsied in front
of him.
Jed had to smile. "I love it when you do that."
"I know. That's why I did it." She meet him half way for a hug, then
whispered in his ear, "I love you Josiah Bartlet and I could have lost you
and my daughter that night. I just think Lola may have a point. That's all
I'm saying."
Jed kissed her cheek and whispered back, "Please Abbey, keep it to
yourself. Just for the time being."
ROOSEVELT ROOM
Josh walked through the halls armed with Chinese food and zeroed in on
Sam and CJ laughing in the Roosevelt Room. He hurriedly set the food
down on the table, "What did I miss?"
Sam took one bag, CJ warned him, "The Egg Foo Young is mine."
"What did I miss?" Josh asked again as he sat down.
"When?" Sam took out a box and smelled, "Lo Mein?" Smiling, he said,
"You remembered that I like Lo Mein?"
"Just a guess," Josh said, then again asked, "What did I miss?"
"Nothing, Josh," CJ started in on her food.
"But you were laughing."
"Isn't that allowed?" CJ passed a doodle Sam drew of the Speaker of the
House with a sword and Gladiator outfit to Josh.
Josh scrutinized it. "That's not funny."
"It is, if you're starving," CJ said.
Donna came in, "I smell food."
Josh snapped to attention and pulled out a chair for her, "Yes, General
Chow Chicken, ma'am."
"Thanks, Boss," she smiled as she took the seat.
Josh helped her push in the chair. "Since when do you call me Boss?"
"Never. I was trying it on for size," Donna said, pulling in her chair. "I don't
like it. I'm not going to call you Boss ever again. Okay?"
"No problem." Josh sat next to her and asked, "How did the meeting go?"
Donna grabbed some chopsticks and dug into the chicken. "Fine."
"Good." Not getting anything else from her, he asked, "Ginger still here?"
"No, she left after the meeting. Is she still supposed to be on the clock?"
"No," Josh said, not wanting to make waves. "Cathy?"
Sam said, "She has a date tonight. Did you want something with the
assistants?"
"No."
Donna asked him point blank, "Josh, do you want to know what
happened at the meeting?"
"Yes."
Donna swallowed and said, "We decided we're going to go out for lunch
together on Saturday for Mrs. Landingham's birthday. We made up a
system where we're able to cover each other more efficiently when
someone is out for the day, you know, sick, or whatever." She ate some
more chicken and thought. "Um, we're going to pitch in and buy a new
painting for the wall of the bullpen. None of us like the one that's there.
And since Mrs. Landingham once again vetoed Casual Friday, we're going
to have Surprise Friday from now on."
Josh didn't like the sound of that, he asked, "What kind of surprise?"
"We'll draw names on Thursday and whoever we get, we do little
surprises for them all day long. But, nothing that costs money. Just little
favors or compliments, or whatever comes to mind."
"That sounds nice," CJ said. "Can I get in on that?"
"Sure. I'll put you down."
CJ still hadn't had time to ask Sam about Robert's email and her stupid
reply, and certainly wasn't going to do it in front of two other people.
Either of Josh or Donna would be fine to talk to, but not all three of them
at once. So, she put her mind back on business, "We should try to decide
if there's going to be trouble to divert because of Friday's dinner."
Danny piped up from the hallway, "I'm sure there will be."
CJ cringed and turned around. "How long have you been standing
there?"
"I want in on Surprise Friday, too," Danny smiled.
"Nope," Donna said. "It's only the West Wing staffers."
"Darn." After sauntering in, he continued, "I'm thinking the head of
Imperial Oil has donated unheard of sums to the Democratic party, and
that he may have paid more to sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom."
"Danny," CJ started.
"Are you going to calm my worried mind, CJ?"
"Beat it."
Danny's eyebrows rose and he shrugged, "Charming." Their relationship
had definitely hit a roadblock, but he didn't know what it was. Or even,
what kind of relationship he and CJ had in the first place.
CJ stood and went to the door, and Danny followed. "There's nothing
untoward going on, Bernstein. They're just old friends. Quit looking for
the next Watergate."
When she stopped in the hallway and spun around to face him, he smiled
and needled, "That's an unfriendly attitude you're using."
"Be more friendly and I'll think about being more friendly myself."
Toby walked by looking worried and went into the Roosevelt Room. CJ
told Danny, "I have to deal with this. Bye."
"Good-bye is more friendly."
"Bye."
She walked back to the Roosevelt Room and shut the door, made sure
Danny was gone. Toby fidgeted with his suit at the head of the table. "Is
that your Wednesday suit, Toby?" Donna asked.
"Huh?" He pulled at the bottom of the left pocket. It was wrinkled and in
dire need of ironing.
Donna stood up and adjusted his tie for him. "It's a nice suit, I haven't
seen that suit before. Pinstripes. Very nice."
"It's... um..." Toby smoothed it out over his body. "It's my best suit. I got
married in this suit."
"It looks like it's been on a hanger for a while."
"Yeah. Does it look all right?"
"It could use some pressing. I can take care of it," Donna offered. "I know
people."
Josh piped up, "She does, Toby. But watch out, she'll try to put you into
bright yellow waders."
Sam looked at him, "What? Am I missing something?"
"You didn't catch a glimpse of Josh in your foul-weather gear? It was a
sight to behold," CJ laughed. "What's the big occasion, Toby, that you
need to wear your wedding suit? Getting remarried?"
"Donna, I appreciate it," Toby said. "I'm going to meet with David and his
family for dinner. What are you all dealing with? Did anything new break
today?"
Sam said, "Hey, Toby... you can't tell us you're finally going to see your
brother that we, I, didn't even know you had before his shuttle mission
was in trouble, and not give us the details."
"What details? We're having salmon, I think," Toby quietly said, as was his
way, then groused, "What are you all dealing with, besides Chinese
food?"
Sam wouldn't be put off by Toby's brusk manner, "How did this crop up?
You said you hadn't talked to David for years, forgot when he was going
into space, you told me you were surprised you forgot he had another
child, or his wife did, and now you're having dinner with them for the
third time in a month, and you're wearing your wedding suit?"
Sam, CJ, Josh, and Donna all demanded, "We want answers."
Toby put up his hands in surrender and said, "I'm re-establishing a sibling
relationship with my brother. Is that against the law?"
"No," Sam warmly smiled. "Not at all. When can I meet him?"
Toby observed Sam, and shook his head, "Are we dating?"
"Seems like it lately." Sam muttered and sat back down, knowing that
Tight-Lipped Toby isn't going to spill anything.
"What's going on, I ask for the third time," Toby demanded. "Is third time
the charm, or is it three strikes you're out?"
Donna said, "When's your dinner?"
"Eight."
"We don't have much time. Give me your suit."
"What's going on here?"
CJ informs him, "The dinner on Friday. We're trying to format a head-off
strategy. Danny and Steve are sniffing for a story."
"It's dinner," Toby shrugged as Donna slid his jacket off. "Tell them what
they're going to eat and anything else no comment."
"I have to be more diplomatic than that, Toby," CJ said.
"Why?" Toby sat down at the table. "Is there anything untoward going
on?"
"No."
"Did he donate any more or any less than any other well-heeled
Democrat to the Democratic Party?"
"No."
"Is he having an affair with the First Lady?"
"God, no."
"Then what's the problem?"
"The problem is," CJ said. "The press corp loves to find problems where
there are none. And I have to head them off. That's my job."
"Let them go around in circles." Toby stood and grabbed a piece of Josh's
Sweet and Sour Chicken and popped it in his mouth.
"Help yourself," Josh muttered.
"I already did."
Donna told Toby, "Give me your pants."
"I'm not giving you my pants, Donna," Toby stated. "We hardly know each
other. I would appreciate it if you get the jacket pressed."
"Will do," Donna said, folding his pinstriped jacket over her arm.
Toby headed for the door, "I'll be in my office."
THURSDAY MORNING
The hustle and bustle of the West Wing was in full force that mid
morning. Everyone rushing about, talking on the phone, talking and
walking down the halls on their way to meetings and offices. But, one
thing made them all stop in mid-stride and mid-sentence. Leo, helped by
Margaret, walked from the lobby to the Yellow Hallway on his way to the
office.
Josh was just coming out of Leo's office as they made their way to
Margaret's area. "Oh, hey, Leo," Josh smiled and immediately took his
other arm to help him.
Leo jerked both his arms away. "Will you both stop it? I've been walking
just fine for over 55 years."
Margaret opened Leo's door to make a clear path ahead of him, "Enjoy
the coddling, Leo, I'm sure it won't last long."
"I can't wait until everything gets back to normal," Leo muttered and
went into his office, motioning for Josh to follow.
"Leo," Josh said, entering the office, "I put the briefs from Toby on your
desk there. And I was just on my way to meet with the Ways and Means
Committee Chairpersons."
"Okay, do that and give me a full report later." Leo was brusk and sat at
his desk.
"You don't want to go to the meeting yourself?"
"I would rather serve my kidneys to grizzly bears than meet with Cal
Lambert right now. Let me miss just one more meeting."
Josh laughed. "I see you're feeling fine. You know where I'll be."
"Be nice, Josh," Leo said before Josh could leave.
Josh backed into the office and tapped the door frame with his palm,
"Hey, that's been my motto, Leo."
In Margaret's area, Josh cornered her and spoke softly, "Is it a good idea
for him to be in so soon?"
"Everyone under the sun has been telling him that, Josh," Margaret
whispered back. "He'll handle or not handle it, it's up to him."
"I'm only in for a half day," Leo yelled from his office, making Josh and
Margaret both jump.
Margaret shook her head and said, "It's the acoustics in here, I swear he
can hear every word I say."
"That I can, Margaret," Leo yelled again. "And get me CJ."
"Yes, sir," Margaret said aloud.
"See ya later," Josh made a hasty exit as CJ stuck her head through the
doorway.
"I heard my name?" CJ walked in. Leo appeared at his door. CJ smiled and
took his hand, "Good morning, Leo. I heard you made an appearance into
work today."
Leo looked at his hand in CJ's and asked, "Is everyone going to keep
treating me like it's my first day in Elementary School, or can we just get
back to work?"
CJ dropped his hand, it was a little too much, "You're looking good."
"Thank you," Leo gave in. "You're not so bad yourself. Come inside, and
Margaret, no calls, except for the President, who should be calling within
3 minutes if word spreads like wild fire as usual."
"Yes, sir," Margaret said, shutting the door of the office behind them.
CJ walked in and waited until Leo was situated at his desk before taking a
seat on the couch. "You look really good, Leo."
"Thank you for the flowers."
"You're welcome. How are you feeling?"
Leo took a deep breath, "I'm fine, CJ, or I wouldn't be here." He looked at
the closed door between his and the Oval Office. "About the dinner. The
President and Cameron have never gotten along and he won't tell me
what it's about."
"Maybe it really is nothing."
"Come off it. Don't coddle me. CJ, what do you know?
"There's nothing there, Leo. I've looked at it from every angle."
"Have you talked to DNC?"
"Yes. Talabor's donation was within the limits of protocol. It's just old
friends spending a weekend together."
"Old friends, my ass," Leo spouted, shaking his head. "The President
hated Cameron Talabor and he knows I know that. Hell, *I* hated
Cameron Talabor."
CJ smiled, "Well then, it should be an interesting dinner for you all."
Margaret opened the door. "It took two and half minutes, Leo."
Just then, they all heard the President in the Oval Office, "Leo's in to
work? What in all that is holy is that man thinking?"
Mrs. Landingham could be heard saying, "He's just like you, Mr. President,
stubborn as a ten year old mule."
CJ stood, "I'll get out of your hair then. We'll brief later?"
"Yeah, thanks."
The connecting door to the Oval Office whipped open and the President
walked in. "Good morning, Mr. President," CJ said.
"Morning, CJ," Jed said. "You couldn't talk him into following doctor's
orders either, huh?"
"I knew better than to even try, Mr. President."
Leo interrupted them, "You know, I AM in the room, you don't have to
talk about me like I'm not here."
"Yes, you are here, Leo," Jed said, and walked to his desk.
CJ shut the door behind her and went back to her office. The phone rang
as soon as she entered. She saw her assistant reaching for her phone, so
CJ said, "I'll get it, Carol."
"Okay," Carol went back to her dictation.
CJ picked up the phone and professionally said, "CJ Cregg."
Then, she paused, and cleared her throat, sat back in her chair, spun it
away from facing the door. "Hi," she smiled.
"How about that dinner," Robert said. "Is tomorrow night all right?"
CJ took a deep breath and nodded.
"Is that a yes?" Robert had to ask.
"Yes," she quickly replied, and smiled. "Tomorrow night would be really
good with me." She sat back and cringed because of her vocabulary skills.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICES
Toby drank in some of the bright sun pouring into his office window and
had a moment of quiet reflection in the middle of the hectic day. He had
been putting off Sam all morning, but it looked like he would no longer
be able to. Sam walked into the office and said, "I want to know about the
dinner last night."
Toby tossed the papers he held onto his desk, "Isn't there anything else
we should be concentrating on?"
"No. I've got the responses to CJ and worked on the President's reaction
to the latest in Kaddafi's theatrical way of dealing with internal affairs.
What happened?"
Toby sat down at his desk, "We ate. We talked. I kissed my sister in law
good bye on the cheek and thanked her for a wonderful meal. It was
salmon, by the way. I patted the kid's heads and went home to watch the
replay of Larry King."
Sam sat on the couch, "What did you talk about?"
"The mission."
"Really?" Sam leaned forward. "What about it?"
Toby looked at Sam and realized he really wanted to know, and didn't see
any real harm in telling him. "He was scared, Sam. All those hours of
waiting, not knowing if they were going to gain re-entry... it was long
hours. David said he made his peace with God and... hoped I would be
able to take care of his family for him in his absence... and... told me that
he was glad we were talking again. He told me I was the only one he
could trust to make sure his family was all right."
"Wow, that must have felt good."
Toby smiled and looked at his fingernail tracing the grain of wood on his
desk. Just a little smile, but a smile nonetheless. "Yeah. It did. I didn't
realize I left a lasting impression on my brother, we haven't really talked
for years." He looked up to see Sam with a full blown smile on his face.
"Don't tell that to anyone. It's just between us."
Sam was busting. "Toby... you confided in me."
"Don't make he rethink that."
Sam's good mood couldn't be swayed. He and Toby were really on the
way to a good relationship, like a big brother. "My lips are sealed.
Promise. Thank you."
"For what?"
"Confiding in me."
"You're welcome."
"It made my day, Toby. It really did."
"I see that. Get back to work."
"Sure thing. And if there's anything else you'd like to talk about... I'm
here."
"I'm comforted with that knowledge."
Sam, standing at the doorway, felt a tap on his shoulder. He spun around
to see Mallory. "Hi," he told her, hiding none of the surprise he felt.
"Hello."
"Are you here to see your father?"
"He's here?"
"Yes."
Mallory yelled, "That jerk!" then stumbled off down the hall, almost
knocking over CJ, who had a pile of files in her arms. "Sorry, CJ," Mallory
muttered.
"No problem," CJ said, bending over to pick up a file that fell. "Is
something wrong?"
"My father," Mallory snatched a file off the floor and handed it to her.
"Have you seen him?"
"Yeah. A little while ago."
"And you didn't tell him to get his butt home?"
They stood as CJ said, "I don't have the authority to tell Leo to do
anything with any part of his anatomy." Mallory and CJ laughed, then CJ
put her hand on Mallory's arm, "He's got a lot of people watching over
him. He's fine."
After Mallory marched to Leo's office, CJ walked down the hall, with a
little extra bounce as she was happy Robert either didn't notice, or didn't
care about her juvenile replies on the phone. They were going to go to
the Excalibor Room for dinner and nothing could spoil her mood.
Until she entered the Yellow Hallway and realized Danny was walking a
step behind her. She stopped, took a deep breath, and asked, "What?"
"You look happy," he commented.
"I am. What do you want?" Then she stuck her finger in his face and said,
"I'm going to tell you right off the bat, that nothing you say will spoil my
mood."
"I have my work cut out for me then," Danny smiled. "Because I just found
out that there's a top scientific researcher for Imperial Oil in town. His
name is Robert Forrester. You don't know anything about him, do you?
CJ shifted the files in her arms and stared at Danny, a man who she was at
one time interested in, and maybe still was, but was so irritating that she
couldn't take him seriously. "I'll comment at the briefing."
"What is your problem?"
"Go away."
"What did I do? I thought we were progressing."
"That's the problem." CJ looked around and then motioned for him to
join her back in her office.
As soon as they were inside, she shut the door and said, "You are a White
House reporter. I am the Press Secretary. It is NOT going to work. The
sooner we realize that, the better off we'll both be. Now, I'm not going to
resign, so if you can't have a professional relationship, I suggest you do."
"Whoa, whoa, who's not acting professionally?"
"You come back here whenever you feel like it, you flirt with me without
exception, it's getting on my nerves."
"I wasn't flirting!" He paused, "Okay," Danny murmured. "Maybe a little. I
won't do it anymore."
"Good."
"Fine."
"Wonderful."
CJ opened the door, and waited for him to leave. Danny knew his time
had come, he tapped Gail's bowl and said, "I'm going to leave now."
"Okay."
"See ya."
As soon as he left, CJ shut the door again and leaned against it. There
couldn't be two Robert Foresters in DC at the same time. That had to be
the reason he looked her up, got in touch with her so often over the span
of two days. Cameron is probably going to ask the President for a favor,
and a way into the West Wing was through her. Or there was actually
something else going on.
She slammed the files on her desk and paced. There was something
going on! No one, absolutely no one had told her! She couldn't talk to Leo
in his condition. Didn't want to talk to Josh. She was tired of being kept in
the dark. This should have come from the top, and it didn't. CJ decided
off the cuff what she was going to do, she wasn't going to be a doormat
any more.
SAM'S OFFICE
Sam was surfing the web for vacation spots, just in case he ever did
actually get to go on a vacation. One can never to too prepared, even if it
was pie-in-the-sky. There was a tap on his ajar door and he looked up to
see Laurie. Sam smiled and stood, a little more than stunned, "Laurie?
How are you?"
"I'm..." she walked in and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm fine." She
nervously said. "I was just in town for a short while and wanted to thank
you personally for all you did in my job search."
"How did you get in here?"
"Cathy gave the go-ahead to the guards and I asked her not to tell you, so
I could surprise you."
"It worked! Sit down." They sat on the couch. Sam asked, "How's the firm
working out for you?"
"Working out for me?" She lightly giggled. "I'm working out for them. I
like the job. It's a good, respectable firm and I fit in."
"Good," Sam smiled, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I'm really glad."
"I'm still a lackey now, but... things could be looking up soon." Laurie
fidgeted and then worked up the courage to say, "Sam, the reason I'm--."
Mallory walked in. "Oh," she said. "I didn't know you had company."
Sam's head spun around. "Mallory. You're back." He looked between
Laurie and Mallory and the silence was deafening. "Mallory, this is Laurie."
They both stood, as Laurie shook Mallory's hand. Sam continued, "Laurie,
Mallory."
Laurie had so much she wanted to tell Sam, mostly that she hated Boston
and wanted to move back, but only if there was a chance they could see
each other again. It didn't look like Mallory was going to give them any
privacy, so she said, "I see. Well..." Laurie took Sam's hand. "Thank you
again for everything."
Sam kept a hold on Laurie's hand. "Hey, you just got here. We haven't
even had time to talk. Where are you going?"
"I'm in town for a seminar and staying at the Holiday Inn. Give me a call if
you have some free time. I'll be going back to Boston on Sunday."
Mallory shifted to the other foot when she realized who the woman was.
She was all over the newspapers for three days, in a picture hugging Sam.
When Sam saw Mallory's arms hook together under her chest, and the
corner of her mouth tighten, he figured it was probably best Laurie left
for the time being.
Laurie said, "I'll see you. Nice to meet you, Mallory."
"Likewise," Mallory muttered as Laurie walked past her, out the door.
Mallory shut the door and faced Sam, "Are you completely insane?"
"Not to my knowledge, but then again, the insane don't know that they
are insane. That's one of the things that makes them insane."
"Are you still seeing her?"
"No. Of course not. She lives in Boston."
"That's not too far away for a little quicky."
"Quicky?" Sam laughed. "Mallory! I barely have time to make it home at
night before eating whatever's in the fridge or takeout and fall into bed...
alone. I can't be making trips to Boston."
"No, you can't," Mallory was adamantly agreeable. "You should stay away
from her."
"Nothing was her fault, and we weren't seeing each other."
"She's the hooker you slept with... that you confessed to me before you
even knew me, isn't she?"
"Laurie is a lawyer who lives in Boston." Sam walked past her to his desk.
"End of discussion, Mallory."
"Okay."
Mallory's hand was on the doorknob when Sam said, "Wait. What did you
stop by if it wasn't to see your father?"
Mallory debated on going through with her plans, then turned around
and said, "I came by to see you. I have an extra ticket to the Matchbox
Twenty concert, and I thought you might enjoy that more than the
Chinese Opera, which you never did go to. You chose to write a birthday
card instead."
"Happen to have an extra ticket?"
"Yes. Do you want to go?"
Sam sat down at his desk and took a deep breath. "No. Take a friend."
To say Mallory was confused was an understatement. She thought they
were getting closer, Leo wasn't even having fun with them anymore.
"Why not?"
"I want to go out with you when you have to guts to ask me out, not by
telling me 'I happen to have an extra ticket'. I've asked you out many
times and something's always come up."
"I couldn't go to the thing because I did have to grade test papers."
"Come on!" Sam stood up again. "Ask me out properly and I'll think about
it. Ask me as an excuse to use up an extra ticket so you're not out 40
bucks, I'll pass."
Mallory looked down and straightened the blouse under her blazer. She
softly said, "I don't have an *extra* ticket. I specifically purchased two.
One for you and one for me. Will you come with me?
Sam gazed upon her manner and diverted eyes and asked, "When?"
"Tomorrow night."
Sam smiled and sat back at his desk, "That's short notice, Mallory. I don't
have anything to wear."
Mallory walked to his chair and swung it around, then sat on his lap,
"Please?"
Her perfume smelled like a taste of heaven and he put his arms around
her waist, felt her body heat, "Well, since you put it that way..." He didn't
have to a chance to finish his sentence because Mallory covered his
mouth with a kiss.
Cathy burst into the office, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but...
Mallory and Sam break apart and both stood. "What?" And "We weren't
doing anything," was what they said as they straightened their clothes.
"Leo," Cathy said. "He fell."
"Fell?" Mallory asked as she stomped past her.
Cathy followed Mallory down the hall, Sam right behind, "Or collapsed, I
don't know for sure. I just know Margaret called an ambulance for him."
"Oh, God," Mallory groaned. Sam grabbed her hand and they ran to Leo's
office.
LEO'S OFFICE
Josh leaned over Leo, who was out on the floor. As he loosened Leo's
shirt and tie, Mallory ran in, "Dad?" She knelt down and rubbed her
father's face. "What happened?"
"I found him like this. He may have just fainted," Josh said, taking hold of
Leo's wrist and counting the throbs. "His pulse is steady."
Leo came to and wasn't too thrilled to be on the floor, and have people
hovering over him. Mallory demanded, "Dad? What happened?"
"I... I don't know," Leo sat up, then got dizzy and let Mallory help him back
to the floor.
Josh crumbled his jacket and laid it under Leo's head. "Easy there."
The President walked through their connecting doors and said, "What's
going on in here?" While CJ appeared at Leo's door, asking the same
thing.
"My idiot father thinks he's Superman," Mallory spouted. "If you would
have just--."
EMT's came in with a stretcher, making Leo groan more. "Oh, come on,"
he moaned. "I'm fine. I just..."
"You came back to work too soon is what happened, Dad," Mallory said.
"Why can't you let people take care of you?"
Leo saw everyone around, and shook his head. "This is embarrassing
enough, Margaret. Did you have to call an ambulance?"
"Damn right, she did," Jed declared. "You go to the hospital and get
checked out."
Abbey, who was standing just behind Jed in the doorway said, "I'll call
Jenny to meet you there," then went back into the Oval Office.
An EMT wanted to take Leo's blood pressure, but Leo brushed him away
and blurted out, slurring a little, "I'll go to the hospital to make everyone
happy, but I'm not going on a stretcher. Just give me a minute to
orientate myself and I'll walk to my car and Mallory will drive me."
Mallory shook her head, "So help me God, Dad, if you don't get onto that
stretcher right here and now, we're going to hog-tie you to it."
Leo didn't like the dizziness in his head, he felt like he just polished off a
fifth of scotch, but hadn't had a drink in six years.
"I'd listen to her, Leo," Jed grinned. "Go get well. Abbey and I will visit
tonight."
Josh took his arm, "Leo? Please?" Then motioned to the stretcher.
CJ said, "I'll clear out the back portico to make sure there aren't any
cameras, Leo."
Jed stopped CJ before she left, "And then meet me in my office. Mrs.
Landingham said you scheduled a meeting."
"Right," CJ said, wishing the President had a more lacksidaisical secretary
than the thorough and professional Mrs. Landingham, who had to have
told him of the last minute scheduled meeting as soon as he came back
to the office. The meeting was planned on the spur of the moment, in a
moment of anger. She'd have to think of something else to talk about as
a fall-back position in case she changed her mind about the reason for
the meeting.
Leo wanted to make sure there weren't any beady-eyed staffers loitering
around to see his body ceremoniously taken out of the West Wing, so
Margaret made sure that didn't happen.
The EMTs got him situated on the stretcher and wheeled him through
the halls as they could hear Margaret telling everyone, "Just go about
your business. There's nothing to see here.."
"Oh, God," Leo shook his head, closed his eyes, and gripped Mallory's
hand on the way to the ambulance.
OVAL OFFICE
Abbey hung up the phone and told Jed, "Jenny's on her way to the
hospital. Does anyone know what happened?"
"He might have just fainted, overworked himself today."
Abbey cleared her throat. "You act like that's a foreign concept to you."
"Don't start with me. I'm in good health."
"Thank God," Abbey said.
CJ hovered at Mrs. Landingham's entrance to the Oval Office, not
wanting to disturb the First Couple. Then wondered if she should have
called the meeting to talk about such a selfish thing when, obviously,
there were more important matters happening at the moment. Before
she could tell Mrs. Landingham to tell the President to forget it, Abbey
said, "CJ. Come in."
CJ smiled and entered as suggested, but she was far from comfortable.
"Yes, CJ," Jed said. "Our meeting. Come in. Sit down."
CJ looked at Abbey and asked, "May the President and I speak in private,
ma'am?"
"Sure," Abbey said. "Okay. Is it about anything earth-shattering?"
"It's just my career," CJ tossed off without thinking of holding that
thought back. Or maybe it was good she got it off her chest. She really
wanted to get all it settled once and for all.
"Earth-shattering? What's wrong?"
"I'm sure he'll tell you later."
Abbey nodded, "He will. I hope everything's okay."
Jed says, "You have me dismayed, CJ. Are you thinking of resigning?"
CJ paused, didn't know where that came from. Was that an option he
wanted to come true? Abbey said, "I'll leave you alone." She lingered by
CJ long enough to say, "We're all proud of your good work, CJ, don't
forget that."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Abbey told Jed, "I'm going to go meet Jenny at the hospital."
Jed told her, "Call me as soon as you know anything," as she left. He then
looked to his very uncomfortable Press Secretary and motioned for her to
have a seat on one of the couches. "Well... your career. I don't like the
sound of that. Not one bit." He sat next to her and settled in. "You haven't
been offered a great job in the private sector, have you? I can't pay you
more than they can, but I'll sure make a hell of a fuss."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
CJ took a deep breath, then realized she didn't want the conversation to
continue. But that could have been just lip-service, which was good, too,
for the moment. Her mouth was dry and Robert's occupation and reason
for being in town and Danny's smugness all hit her at once.
"There's something wrong, CJ, and I want to know what it is."
CJ shifted in her seat to face him, "Are you satisfied with my performance,
sir? Honestly?"
"There have been some bumps," Jed shrugged. "But we've all made
mistakes. We're learning, but getting better all the time. You've fixed
whatever you've messed up, and you've covered MY butt many times.
Yes, CJ. I'm very satisfied with your job performance. Is that what this is
about? You aren't leaving me?"
"I wasn't planning on it, sir."
Jed nodded, good. Then he looked around that historical office during
this quiet time. Usually the office was filled with people, one meeting of
importance after another, it never seemed to stop. "I wish I could tell
people individually more often when I'm proud of them, but sadly, it's
only when they come to me with doubts that... I have to reassure them.
I'm sorry for that. I'm going have to make of point of singling out good
people and good work more often." The President looked at her and
remembered all the hard work, impossible situations that CJ had been
able to handle for every member of the White House staff at one time or
another.
Her finest hour was so clear to the President as he sat next to him. How
could she have doubts about her place, her usefulness? "This
administration," he began, "wouldn't be where it is today if not for you.
After the shooting... there was chaos. There was panic. We were all flying
by the seat of our pants. We were all worried, pacing up and down the
hospital corridors, not knowing what to do or what to say. But then, I
looked up at the TV set in the waiting room as l was waiting for word on
my best friend's and personal assistant's conditions and... saw your face.
You were standing at your podium, confident. I heard your words of
information and reassurance to the country, in a calm, collected manner.
That was only... an hour after the bullets flew. You had to have been
shaky, upset, running on adrenaline, scared... but you commanded your
briefing room with all the confidence and talent in the world. I have to
tell you, CJ, at that moment, I got chills. I swelled with pride that I hired
you. I knew for sure then, at that moment, that I am in good hands. And
so is this administration."
"Sir..." CJ started, but couldn't speak as she was overcome.
He gripped her hand, "We can't move forward without you, Ms. Cregg.
Please tell me you're happy here."
"Yes. It was silly, I guess," she said.
Jed rocked her hand and vehemently shook his head, "It isn't silly if you
doubt yourself or the people you work with. There's no need. Leo and I
have promised you that you will never be lied to for our purposes again.
We haven't."
"Do you know of a man named Robert Forrester?"
"No. Should I?"
"He works for Imperial Oil."
"It's a big outfit," he shrugged. "I don't know it's entire personnel file.
Why?"
"I got a tip I'm going to check out. What is the meeting about tomorrow
night?"
"It's a dinner, CJ. It's not a meeting."
CJ nodded, and knew he was holding back something. "Yes, sir."
"Okay, I'll tell you. Remember when we discussed that we didn't want
Web Censorship to be problem for us?"
"Yes."
"Lola Talabor's husband runs Imperial Oil, and we don't want her to speak
up. That's what the dinner is about. Okay?"
"Yes, sir. Why couldn't you tell me that?"
"I don't want to make a big case out of it. There isn't anything untoward
going on."
"Of course not, sir."
"What about Robert Forrester?"
She paused, then only said, "He may ask me for a favor tonight."
"A favor that I'd be interested in?"
"I have no idea."
"Well, let me know when you do." The President tapped her leg and said,
"Back to work. Don't you have a briefing in a couple of minutes?"
"Yes, I do."
They stood. "Give 'em hell, CJ. I know you can."
"Thank you, Mr. President," she said as she walked out of the office.
CJ paused outside Mrs. Landingham's area still moved by the President's
words. Charlie passed her on his way to his desk. "Hey, CJ," he said. When
she didn't answer him, he repeated, "CJ. Hey."
"Oh, Charlie. Hi. Sorry."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," CJ smiled. "Pretty good. How about yourself?"
Charlie shrugged, "Can't complain. Zoey is going to meet my little sister
tomorrow night for the first time."
"Great. Have a good time."
CJ felt a better, like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders knowing
that the President had faith in her capabilities, and confided in her, as she
made her way to the Briefing Room. The only other thing she had to deal
with was Robert's intentions. At that moment, she decided not to call off
the dinner. She'd have to keep her mind open and scrutinize every word
he said to her, but why not get a free meal out of the deal? Carol thrust
some notes into her hand before she entered the room and CJ scanned
them.
BRIEFING ROOM
During the briefing, CJ purposely allowed everyone's questions but
Danny's. She didn't need to have him ask about Robert in front of a room
full of people. She just knew he would, it would be so like him, and didn't
want to run the chance of blushing in front of reporters and cameras.
That would really be good copy.
When she was about to wrap up, Danny raised his hand like the good kid
in school and said, "Ms. Cregg? May I ask a question, please?"
CJ put up her walls of defense and stared him down. Other reporters
turned to look at Danny, then back at her. CJ had to say, "One."
"Okay," Danny smiled. "That's all I wanted to ask."
"What is it?" She fully expected a Robert Forrester question, and had an
answer in mind to tell him as soon as the question left his lips.
"Is the President thinking of stepping up our military presence in the
Mediterranean after the latest round of Libyan fire on it's own people?"
"He's just..." CJ spouted, before she comprehended Danny's question.
She shifted her weight and scanned the notes once again. That was from
left field.
"Who's what?" Danny had to ask.
"What Libyan fire," could be heard from one reporter to another. "When
did that happen?"
"The President is, of course, monitoring the situation with his top
advisors, and if any final decisions are made, you all will be the first to
know."
"The first?" Danny asked.
CJ smiled, "Okay, maybe the second or third. That's all, folks, have a
delightful evening."
She stepped off the dias and met up with Carol in the hallway. Carol said,
"You aren't going to call a reporter back for a follow-up?"
"No," CJ said, as she marched down the hall.
"Okay," Carol mused, then shook her head at Danny, who was waiting in
the aisle in the Briefing Room. He shrugged and walked to his cubicle.
When CJ got back to her office, Donna walked by with an upside down
straw hat with a border of red, white and blue. "Pick one," she said,
sticking it out in front of CJ's face.
"What?"
"Pick a name for Surprise Friday."
"Oh, yeah," CJ smiled. "Okay." She stuck her hand in and read, "Donna."
Donna clicked her foot to the floor. "You can't tell people who it is,
especially not the person who's name you drew. Put it back and draw
another one."
CJ grinned, "Well, your reaction was quite a surprise. You don't want me
to do anything for you tomorrow?"
"Half the fun is figuring out who has your name."
"Oh, sorry," CJ put the slip of paper back in the hat, but held onto it. She
shuffled her hand around, keeping Donna's name. She pulled out the
paper and looked at it, very covertly, so Donna couldn't see her own
name.
Donna said, "Have fun with it, and don't spend any money. That's the
rule. Or at least too much money, because rules are always broken."
"Is my name in that hat?"
"If it isn't, that only means someone else has already drawn it."
"Good," CJ smiled, and entered her office. Things were definitely looking
up. Danny wasn't an ass at the briefing, the President had faith in her, she
was going to eat a nice meal at the Excalibor the next evening, and
someone was going to be surprising her.
FRIDAY MORNING
MARGARET'S OFFICE
Margaret came back to the West Wing after reporting to Leo at the
hospital, who was being kept for more tests to find out why he collapsed.
She set her briefcase on her desk and pulled out some folders to be filed
away when she smelled chocolate. Pecans. Fresh baked cookies! On her
hutch was a china plate filled with Chocolate Chunk Cookies, with a note
that there was also a quart of milk in her fridge. "Bless you, Mrs.
Landingham," she smiled as she took a big bite of a top one, then had to
sit down when the chocolate melted in her mouth.
COMMUNICATIONS BULLPEN
Ginger walked to her desk to see a teddy bear with a big bow tied around
his neck sitting on her chair. "For cute!" She picked him up and tested his
fluffiness by holding it to her chest. "But we weren't supposed to spend
money."
Cathy walked by and said, "Well, you have a collection of them, and that
one was from my youth. I'm sorry it's old but, I like it."
"I can't take your childhood teddy bear," Ginger said, holding it out to
her.
"Well, he was just sitting in the back of my closet," Cathy smiled. "You'll
take care of it, right?"
"You bet I will."
CJ walked into the bullpen to announce, "Whoever got my name, thank
you! I love Toussant's food. Did you see that feast on my desk? There's
enough for everyone. Come, enjoy!"
They filed into her office to see quite a spread of French food. "Wow,"
Ginger said. Donna came in with paper plates and forks. CJ asked her,
"Did you do this?"
"Are you nuts? I can't afford all this."
Carol hovered by the door, kept mum about giving CJ's name that she
picked, to Danny. Those two were sweet together, were on the same
plane, should give it a try. She just hoped CJ wouldn't be mad about it,
she flew off the handle for anything that had to do with Danny lately. But
then again, Danny ending up with CJ's name did qualify as a surprise, and
Carol herself didn't spend a dime. CJ handed her a plate and told her to
dig in.
MRS. LANDINGHAM AND CHARLIE'S OFFICE
Mrs. Landingham went back to her desk after an update with the
President and saw a framed picture standing on her desk. She gasped
and put her hand on her chest and slowly sat in her chair. Charlie walked
in and saw her manner, she seemed stunned. "Mrs. Landingham? Are you
all right?"
"Yes, Charlie," Mrs. Landingham sighed. "I'm fine."
She slowly traced her finger along the wood frame, and then brushed it
over the young faces of her sons in the photograph. Simon, the older one
by just minutes, and his twin brother, Andrew. They were dressed in
uniform, arms over each other's shoulders, smiling at their father as he
took their picture the night before they left for Viet Nam. Mrs.
Landingham remembered that night vividly. That was the last family
gathering they ever had. That was the last time she was able to touch her
boys, when she individually hugged each and didn't want to let them go.
It was the last time she was able to cook for them. It was the last time she
was able to tell them she loved them with all her heart, and was so proud
of them.
Charlie walked around Mrs. Landingham's desk and put a hand on her
shoulder, "Mrs. Landingham? Are you all right? The President is calling for
both of us."
"Oh," Mrs. Landingham brushed her cheeks and stood, tried to recollect
where she was. "Tell the President that I will be right in."
Actually, the President beat her to the punch, he stalked into their area
and spouted, "Do I have to call out the National Guard to have you two
walk that ten feet into my office?"
"No, sir," Mrs. Landingham slipped the framed photograph into her top
desk drawer and wondered how they got that picture. Her husband must
have had something to do with it, and she was going to give him a piece
of her mind when she got home. Along with a big thank-you kiss. It was a
wonderful surprise. That photograph had been sitting in a photo album
since it was developed. It was time it had been blown up and displayed.
"What was that," the President asked her about the photograph.
She shut the drawer and said, "Do you need to know everything?"
"Yes, I'm the President of the United States."
"Tough. What do you need?"
Jed took a step back and scrutinized his assistant, then at Charlie,
standing by his desk, eyebrows raised at them both, a little confused at
their easy banter. In a very dramatic fashion, Jed produced a box from his
jacket pocket and delicately set it on Mrs. Landingham's desk. Then, he
took another box out of the other pocket and stepped next to Charlie, to
place it on his desk.
"I wanted to do this in there," he pointed to the Oval Office, "so both of
you would know that you were both getting the appreciation of the
President, but... those are your surprises from me."
"Sir?" Mrs. Landingham looked at the light blue box with a white bow
sitting on her blotter.
"It's Surprise Friday, correct?" he asked. When they both nodded, he said,
"Those are yours from me. After a talk I had with CJ yesterday, it's about
time I did a little something for two qualified, hard-working, appreciated
people. Keep up the good work."
"Sir?" Mrs. Landingham picked up the little box and knew it could have
only come from Tiffany's in New York City. Her engagement ring years
ago came in much the same sort of box and it was their trademark. "We
weren't supposed to spend money for Surprise Fridays."
The President shrugged, and said, "So sue me."
"Not on your life," Charlie said. "Thank you, sir."
Jed winked at Charlie and said, "You have fun with my daughter this
evening." Before he could disappear into the Oval Office, he stopped and
looked at Charlie again. "But not too much. Remember, she is MY
daughter."
Charlie smiled, "I hear you loud and clear, sir."
Charlie and Mrs. Landingham looked at each other, then ripped open the
boxes. Mrs. Landingham immediately hooked her new butterfly pin on
her lapel, while Charlie made sure the tie clasp was straight. They looked
at each other's new accessories, and pronounced, "I think we're both
looking mighty fine."
CJ'S OFFICE
CJ entered her office to see Danny sitting on a chair. "Hey," he lightly said.
"How did you get in here? I thought you weren't supposed to gallivant
wherever you want anymore."
"I was just leaving," he said, standing. "I wanted to let you know that I
won't be at the 4:00 briefing and I didn't want you to worry."
"Why won't you be there?"
"I have something..." he flipped his hand for her to forget it. "Dave
McAlister will be in my place and please be nicer to him than you have
been to me lately."
"I will."
"Okay," he smiled, then went to the door. And shut it, then the door to
Josh's office so he could speak privately. "Have fun on your date tonight."
"How did you know I have a date tonight?"
"I'm the press, we have ways of finding out."
"Huh, hm," she sat at her desk.
Danny stood at the other side of it, and put his hands on the desk in front
of her. "CJ. Really. Look out for yourself."
"I always do, Danny."
CHIEF OF STAFF BULLPEN
Josh just left Margaret with instructions from Leo and had to find Donna.
She was at her desk, admiring her own bracelet sitting on the desk that
she loaned to CJ months before and hadn't gotten back. That woman,
Donna had to smile and shake her head. She kept her name in her hand
after all. Donna slipped it on her wrist and heard Josh.
"Donnatella Moss," Josh said as walked in.
"Yes, Boss," Donna said, snapping to attention.
Josh leaned back on his heels. "Huh? I thought you weren't going to call
me that anymore. It's jarring."
Donna chuckled, "Well, it's Surprise Friday. Did I surprise you?"
"Yes, you did. And I have a surprise for you."
"Oh, oh," her mood suddenly darkened, and could read Josh like a book.
She warned, "Tomorrow is Donna's Free Day Saturday."
"No," Josh countered. "It's Donna Has To Work With the Acting Chief of
Staff Saturday. Margaret's going to join us, too. Leo was hoping he could
meet with the Feds himself, but since he's back in the hospital, it's me.
The meeting's at 11 am, you'll be able to shop or whatever it is you do
after that. But, be here at 6 am?"
"Yes, Boss," Donna sighed. Josh's extra workload meant extra hours for
her and there wasn't anything she could do about it. Or wanted to do
about it. She sat at her desk and watched Josh walk into his office and the
thought came to her. Just two years ago, she was hired to be his assistant
as they made a run for the Bartlet's Presidency, and now she was the
Acting Chief of Staff of the United States of America's Assistant. There
were times she just couldn't grasp that she was the right arm of the
second in command of the country. She saw the pile of work on her desk
and realized that she had work to do to keep that job.
FRIDAY NIGHT
ZOEY'S DORM
Gina knocked on the door to let Zoey know it was time to roll out. Zoey
opened the door while putting on a vest. "Come in," she hurriedly said on
her way to the vanity. "I still have to get my makeup on."
Gina motioned down the hall to her partner, Mike, that it would be a few
more minutes and walked into the dorm and shut the door. "So, you're
going to meet Deena tonight."
Zoey, while putting on mascara sighed, "Yeah. And Charlie's aunt...." she
put down the mascara stick. "I forgot her name! I have to know her name.
I'm so nervous."
Gina massaged Zoey's shoulders and said, "You'll be fine. Her name is
Helen."
"That's right. Helen. Of course, Helen."
Gina smiled, "Zoey, you're so clenched up. Don't worry about anything.
They're going to love you. Just be yourself."
"Okay," Zoey tried again at putting mascara on while Gina sat on the bed
and listened to the tune on the radio. When finished, Zoey picked up lip
gloss, and stared at Gina through the mirror. "How are you doing?"
Gina was surprised. "I'm fine."
"I've been worried."
"About what? That I can't protect you?"
"No," Zoey was adamant. "No. It's not it. You saved my life. How does that
feel? To save someone's life?"
"It's something I don't dwell on. I'm honored to protect you, Zoey."
"Couldn't you wear a bullet proof vest or something?"
Gina shook her head, "I need to blend in."
"You'd think if we can get palm pilots and... DVDs, they could make bullet
proof vests more pliable."
Gina smiled, shrugged, "I'd think so, too."
Zoey finished putting on her lip stick and stood. "How can you have the
job you have? You have to know that every day you could get shot at,
would have to... you know..."
"It's not every day, Zoey. It's just in case. That was one time, and I don't
think it will ever happen again. Don't worry about it." Gina stood by the
door. "Maybe we've become too close. Maybe you're thinking of me too
much as a friend and not as a guard. Should I have a talk with your
father?"
"Do you want to be transferred?"
"No, but I will if it's what would make you feel better. More comfortable."
"I don't want that. You are my friend. I just worry about you."
"That's... maybe why I should take myself off the case. You shouldn't
worry about me. I don't want you to."
"Don't leave me. Don't talk to Dad." Zoey hugged Gina. "I just worry
about you."
Gina hugged the young lady back and said, "Zoey, you don't have a bull's
eye painted on your back. Nothing will probably never happen again. I'm
here fulfilling a security requirement. And I'm your friend. Okay? Don't
worry. You live your life."
Zoey could only nod in agreement and had to put the thought that
everyone could have been killed because of her. Leo was back in the
hospital, after everyone thought he was doing better. She thought she
should pick up the phone and called off the evening with Charlie's family.
It would only make matters worse. They should all stay away from her.
Gina opened the door and handed Zoey her purse. "Come on," she said.
"There's a wonderful family waiting to meet you."
Zoey choked back her indecision and decided to just live each day at a
time and see what happened. She did want to meet Deena and Helen.
She just had to take her purse from Gina and walk out the door. It was a
huge step, but Zoey did it.
EXCALIBOR ROOM
CJ walked in wearing a casual pant suit. There was no need to dress up
when she was probably going to tell Robert to go to hell, after eating
dessert, and stomping out because this whole charade was to use her to
get his company's ideas to the President. When she saw Robert sitting at
the bar, she had to take a breath. That man was the most gorgeous man
she had ever laid eyes on and the years since college hadn't dampened
them at all. As soon as he noticed her, he smiled and walked to her. "CJ,"
he kissed her cheek and took her hand. "It's so good to see you."
"Thank you," she replied, a little embarrassed at the show in front of
others. "Nice to see you too." Really nice. He was astonishingly good
looking, and smelled great.
"Our table is ready," he said, then motioned to the Maitre D'. They were
placed at the best table in the restaurant. Not by the front door, or the
kitchen, in a quiet nook where no one else could overhear their
conversation. CJ sat down, with help from the Maitre D', and wondered
how much Robert had to tip to get such a great table, and if he'd put it on
his expense report. It was going to be expensive, she would make sure of
it.
SAM'S OFFICE
Sam was in the middle of tightening up a brief for the President since he
figured with Leo in the hospital, and he hadn't been able to get a hold of
Mallory all day, their date was history, once again. To his surprise, Mallory
appeared at his door. "Why are you still here? The concert starts in an
hour. I was waiting for you at home to pick me up."
"But..." Sam stood and looked at her casual wear, the first time he had
ever seen Mallory in casual wear, and she looked darn cute.
"But what? Are you standing me up?" She looked at the laptop in a word
processing program. "You have another birthday card to write?"
"No," Sam laughed. "I thought since Leo's in the hospital..."
"He kicked me out of his room this afternoon. Something about my
hovering. Mom's with him. He's so damn stubborn."
"Runs in the family," Sam muttered under his breath.
"Excuse me?"
He stated clearly for her, "You come from a good family."
Mallory smiled. "That's what I thought you said. Come on, let's go. Even
though you are still wearing a suit."
Sam pointed to a dufflebag on the couch. "Give me 5 minutes to change
and we're out the door."
"You're on." She walked to the hall and shut the door to give him privacy.
HELEN'S
Charlie walked in as Deena was at the kitchen table cutting carrots as
Helen formed the dough at the counter. Charlie kissed his aunt on the
cheek and said, "What are you making? Don't make a big fuss. Zoey hates
that."
Helen said, "Well, this is the first time I'm making this dish, so I hope it
turns out all right."
"Why are you making something new?"
"The daughter of the President of the United States is coming to dinner
in case you haven't heard," Helen said, with a smile.
"Her name is Zoey and her favorite food is pizza."
"I'm making Deep Dish Veal Casserole."
"What?"
"The recipe looked good."
Deena piped up, "It sounds gross."
Charlie said, "I'm with you. Zoey isn't a gourmet connoisseur, Auntie."
Helen got her fingers out of the dough and looked at her niece and
nephew. "Pizza?"
"Yeah," Charlie smiled. "You make excellent pizza. Zoey likes Canadian
bacon and pineapple."
"Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza?"
"Yes, it is actually pretty good."
"Then what am I knocking myself out with this for?" Helen shoved the
dough across the counter and announced, "CB and P Pizza coming right
up. Deena, get out a can of pineapple rings, darling."
"All right!"
OUTSIDE
Three men in their forties were slowly driving by the house in a black 80's
van. They felt protected from the blacked out windows and that they
were wearing black, but the one in the passenger seat said, "There's gotta
be more security. We just can't see it."
"I don't want to die," the one in the back said.
The driver checked out the house and said, "We won't."
"Tell me again why we should go after Zoey Bartlett and not Trump's kid?
Or one of Spielberg's? Don't you think that the President would have
tight security?"
"We can't afford tickets to New York or Los Angeles to take them," the
driver said.
"I heard Spielberg lives in the Hamptons," the passenger seat guy said.
"We could drive there."
The driver shook his head. "It's too far. With gas prices, we can't afford it."
"We can after we get that ransom."
"I'm going to park in the Walmart parking lot. We should be able to see
when Zoey gets there."
The one in the back thought this was a great idea. Times were tough for
them, even though the country was experiencing a solid economic
foundation. His kid was in a class with Zoey and mentioned that she
overheard her making plans to go to the neighborhood to meet Charlie's
family. He felt bad because he knew Helen, Deena and Charlie. Yes, all the
planning seemed like a good idea. They'd get some easy money and let
her go, no one would get hurt. But sitting there, waiting, he changed his
mind. He got even more nervous when the driver pulled a gun out of his
coat pocket to check it for bullets.
"A gun," he asked. "Guns?!"
The driver looked back at him. "You think she's going to come with us if
we just suggest it to her with a pleasant voice?"
"Oh God," he moaned. "This isn't good."
The passenger seat guy said, "Tommy, it will be all right. Just follow our
lead."
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION ROOM
Abbey straightened Jed's tie as they stood at the top of the stairs. They
looked astonishingly elegant for their dinner with the Chairman of
Imperial Oil and his wife. She was dressed in that periwinkle blue ball
gown and Jed looked handsome in his dark blue tuxedo. They were
going to eschew all formality, but then Jed figured it would be nice to
put one up on old Cameron, and show he was indeed President of the
United States, and all the fanfare that came with it.
Jed fingered Abbey's pearl drop earring and said, "Hey, I haven't seen
these since I won New Hampshire."
"You just haven't been looking. They're my favorite earrings."
"I've always loved them." Jed smiled, "They're like a good luck charm."
"Worked for New Hampshire, didn't it?"
"*I* didn't have anything to do with that win?"
"Of course, dear," Abbey kissed his cheek. "And Leo. But it never hurts to
have good luck to fall back on."
"I mean it, Abbey," Jed said, taking her hands. "Don't leave me alone with
Cameron Talabor. You never know what I'm going to say."
"Maybe I should take Cameron with the ladies and you can talk to Lola."
"I can't stand her even more," he disagreed. "After a couple of glasses of
wine, she should be open to my confronting her with stopping her
crusade, so back me up. I wish Leo could be here."
"You know he would be if he could."
Down the stairs, David Ziegler and his wife, Terry, couldn't have been
more nervous. His little brother had been working at the White House for
over a year, and this was the first time they ever stepped inside. He heard
they had planned a welcome home for the space shuttle crew, but the
assassination attempt mangled those plans. They had enjoyed his
vacation time in the nation's capital, and didn't really think they would
have dinner there after all. When they received a hand delivered
invitation on White House stationary, it was a chance of a lifetime. Nerves
couldn't be an issue. Terry looked like she was going to faint at any
moment.
It was only when Toby arrived, greeted them both, and patted David on
the shoulder did they somewhat relax. "You made it. Good. I'm sure you
didn't need directions," Toby smiled. "I just got out of a meeting."
"I've known where this house was located all my life."
"How do you like it?"
Terry Ziegler beamed, "It's more beautiful than I ever pictured. They let us
wander the Hall of Presidents earlier. When will President Bartlet get his
portrait hung?"
"I suppose," Toby said, "as soon as he sits still long enough for anyone to
paint it."
David whispered, "How many are going to be here tonight, Toby?"
"The President and Mrs. Bartlet, Mr. and Mrs. Talabor, us. Oh, and Josh
Lyman. Have you seen him around here yet?"
"So, this is a private dinner. No celebrities or anything?"
"Nope. Just us."
Terry was thrilled, "Then I'll be able to talk to Mrs. Bartlet. I love her. Oh,
and David, you and the President both enjoy American History. I heard
he's a whiz in American History."
Toby took her arm, "Please, don't get the President going on American
History. Please."
Josh sauntered down the hall and joined Toby and his guests. "Hi," Josh
said, sticking out his hand to David. "I'm Josh Lyman."
"Good to meet you," David said, returning the handshake. "I'm David, and
this is my wife, Terry."
Terry commented to Josh, "You look better in person than on TV."
"Thanks, I guess."
"I'm sorry. This is just so overwhelming. Who would have thought my
husband was a whiz at math and it would lead us to dinner at the White
House?"
Josh said, "Well, it's not space, but it's one of the best things here on
earth. I'm glad you made it back safely, Mr. Ziegler. We were all very
worried."
"Thank you, Mr. Lyman."
"No, Josh," he firmly said, with a friendly attitude. "I'm Josh."
EXCALIBOR ROOM
CJ and Robert enjoyed their meal and took their time reacquainting
themselves to each other. They hadn't talked any farther than when they
were in college. The whole time, CJ thought through every word he said.
He seemed light and sociable. Drop dead gorgeous. She pushed her
plate back after finishing the lobster and looked at the dessert menu.
"Oh, they have Strawberry Flambe. They actually set fire to your food at
the table?"
"I suppose, I've never had it."
"Do you mind if I do?"
"Not at all. How about another bottle of wine?"
"Sure. Rothschild..." she looked at the empty bottle he held up to get the
waiter's attention. "That's an expensive wine."
"Ah," he shrugged, no biggie, then told the waiter to get another bottle,
and Strawberry Flambe.
HELEN'S
Two black cars drove up to the house. Gina stepped out and looked
around. Mike got out of the passenger seat of the first car and also looked
around. He had made a thorough search of the area and sketched the
landscape to prepare for Zoey's meeting his Charlie's family. Nothing
seemed out of place, so Gina motioned for Zoey that the coast was clear.
She got out of the second car and walked to the door. As she went up the
steps, the door opened and Helen and Charlie were there to greet her.
The men in the van, slouched down in their seats and in the dark,
watched Zoey greet Helen and walk into the house. The two cars stayed.
To the driver, it didn't seem to be too much to handle. The passenger
seat guy went along with his assumption. Tommy in the back, only closed
his eyes and wondered if he should just get out of the van and walk the
two blocks home.
"Bob," the passenger seat guy said to the driver, "There only seems to be
those two cars, three people. That's not bad."
The driver, Harry, checked his gun, cocked it. "Well guys, it's now or
never."
Inside, Zoey was brought into the kitchen and Deena was standing there
smiling. "Hello, Ms. Bartlet," she said, holding out her hand. "It is a
pleasure to meet you."
Zoey couldn't help but smile, half expecting the girl to curtsey. She shook
her hand and said, "I've been looking forward to meeting you too, Deena.
And my name is Zoey. My mother is Ms. Bartlet."
"Okay," Deena smiled, then looked at her proud brother. "I made popcorn
balls. Do you want one?"
"Sure," Zoey took one and pulled off a chunk.
Helen said, "Don't spoil your appetite, now."
Charlie said, "I got her to make your favorite."
Zoey's eyes grew wide, "Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza?"
"You got it."
Mike was walking behind the back of the house when he heard the
bushes rustle. There wasn't a breeze that night and knew there was a dog
next door. He put his hand on the gun on his side and slowly walked to
the noise. He clicked the mic with his other hand and whispered, "Heard
a noise at 8 o'clock. I'm checking it out."
Gina put her hand to her ear as she was in the front and knew that the
front door was decided to be 12, and tapped the arm of the other officer,
leaning against the car, ready to pull out a cigarette. Gina told him, "Go
around to 3 o'clock, please." He could take the other side of the house as
both Gina and Mike would cover 8 o'clock. She walked around the side of
the house quietly as to not make a sound. It could be nothing, but they
had to check it out.
EXCALIBOR ROOM
They did indeed set their desserts on fire at their table, and CJ enjoyed
the process and eating it. She sat back in her chair not knowing if she had
ever eaten so much in one day in her life. First the French lunch, then the
lobster dinner. She lifted what was left in her wine glass and said, "That
was an excellent meal, Robert. Thank you."
"You're welcome, ma'am," he said as he clinked his glass against hers.
It was finally time to get to the heart of the matter, and all the wine she
had drunk made her come right out with it. "What are you in town for?"
"I'm thinking of moving here. I have a final interview at Walter Reed on
Monday."
"Move here?" The way she said it was like it was the stupidest idea she
ever heard.
"Yes." Robert choked down his wine. "You don't like that idea?"
CJ shook her head, not knowing what to say. "You work for Imperial Oil, in
Texas." She shrugged, "They don't pay well?"
"I haven't worked for Imperial Oil for..." he thought. "Five years." He sat
back and smiled at her. "How did you know I worked for Imperial Oil?"
"I'm a Press Secretary," she said, trusting Robert to be speaking the truth,
and cursing Danny for making her paranoid.
"Nobody never could get anything by you," he told her, a little touched
that she had researched his life.
"So, you're not in town because Cameron Talabor is?"
"No. I didn't even know he was in town. I think I saw something in the
paper, but whenever I see his name, I tune out. He's a jerk."
CJ laughed. Either he was a fabulous liar, or Danny was needling her
because he was jealous. "I'm sorry. So, you wanted to see me because you
wanted to see me."
"Yes. Why else why I ask you out for dinner?"
CJ drank more wine and ignored the question. She didn't act like a
normal person in front of men anyway, she didn't need to explain Danny
to him. "Never mind. It is really nice to see you again."
Robert took her hand and looked into her eyes. CJ thought he wanted to
lean in for a kiss, and she was right. He did.
HELEN'S
There was something on the other side of those bushes. Mike just knew
it, but it was too dark to see well. When Gina joined him in the back yard,
he motioned for her to go to one end of the bushes and he'd take the
other.
Gina crept around the bushes and looked up at the neighboring house,
with it's lights on in what had to be there kitchen. A dog started barking
and Mike walked around the other end of the bushes. The German
shepard appeared out of no where and ran to them, barking, and hooked
onto a leg of a man wearing black jeans and work boot.
Simultaneously, Gina and Mike pulled their guns and trained them on
the source of the howling, from the man who's leg the dog chewed on.
Mike yelled, "Get out of the bushes!"
Gina said, "Secret Service, we are armed. Crawl out of those bushes and
put your hands up," as she situated herself next to Mike, eyes not leaving
the dog.
The neighbors turned on their yard lights and saw the two with guns.
The wife cowered back into the house and told her husband, "When they
were here this afternoon, they didn't say they'd be pointing guns
around!"
Mike grabbed at the dog and pulled him by the collar back. Gina moved
forward with her gun trained on the whimpering man and saw three
pairs of hands tremble. "Crawl forward. Keep your hands in the air."
The husband stood on the back stoop and called to the dog, "Killer!
Come!"
The trained dog ran to his master and licked his lips, then looked back at
the five people in their yard as if to say, See how good I did? Then to show
his authority over that yard more, he stood stiff and growled to them.
"Heel, Killer. Come," the guy said. Killer walked over and sat down next to
where his master was standing, but ready to pounce on them again if he
needed to.
Gina pulled one of the men out and saw the gun in his hand. She kicked
it away and pushed him to the ground. "Keep still." She looked at the
other two, "Come out, now!"
The other officer ran to the fray with his gun out, then he and Mike pulled
out Tommy and Harry. When they were all laying on the grass, the dog
hovering, the wife mortified, the husband controlling the dog, Gina and
Mike collected the guns and pulled wallets out of their back pockets.
"It was their idea," Tommy cried. "I didn't want to do this."
"Shut up," Bob commanded.
"That's right. You'd better be quiet," Gina said as she looked at Tommy's
driver's license, "Thomas Manfield. You have the right to remain silent."
She finished reading them their rights then each Secret Service Agent
took a guy and moved him to the cars.
It was only then that Gina saw Charlie standing at the back door. He
glared at the men, and looked back to see his family and Zoey staying
back in the living room. He motioned that he'd be right back.
He followed Gina and Tommy to the car. "What's up?"
"Nothing. It's taken care of. Go back inside and enjoy dinner."
Charlie said, "What am I supposed to tell Zoey?"
"They were trying to break into the house next door. Go back inside."
The other two were thrown into the back seat of the front car and Mike
grabbed Tommy from Gina and threw him in also. He slammed the door
and said, "I'll go with to bring them in. You need back up here?"
Gina paused, leaned against the car. Then shook her head, "No. I'll be
fine."
"I'll be back as soon as these clowns are in lockup."
She patted his arm, "Good work."
RECEPTION ROOM
The dinner had gone well. They all asked David about his job with NASA
and told the latest jokes they had all heard. The evening was pleasant
and everyone was on their best behavior. Abbey wondered when and
how Jed would bring up the object of the dinner, and then she could call
it a night. Although she enjoyed Terry Ziegler. After she got over her
initial nervousness, had something to eat, and drink, she was a sparkling
conversationalist.
Abbey kept looking to Jed to make a move, or motion to her on how to
proceed, but since he hadn't done much of anything but talk to David
about American History or laugh at Josh's jokes, she decided to make a
move.
"Lola," she asked. "Terry? Let me give you a personally guided tour of the
West Wing."
Terry said, "Oh, I'd love that. I'd love to see where Toby works."
Jed said, "Ah, maybe later?"
Abbey stood. "Why? You boys have a fun time while us girls catch up."
The women stood, making the men stand to be chivalrous, and they left
the room. Jed sat back down and looked across the table at Cameron
Talabor. He cleared his throat and leaned over to David to his right, "How
about that George Washington, my predecessor, crossing the Delaware,
huh?"
Toby put his head in his hands and shook his head.
EXCALIBOR ROOM
CJ and Robert stood and collected their coats. She thanked him again for
a delightful meal, and staggered a little from all the wine. He caught her
arm and didn't let it go until she took her arm back when they reached
the sidewalk.
Robert said, "I'm serious, CJ. I want to see you again."
She looked dreamily into his eyes as he leaned in to kiss her again, she
wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. At that moment, she
couldn't care less what his motives might be, she was drawn in. He was
just a new guy in town, reaching out for an old friend. That's what she
told herself when they got into a cab and he told the driver to bring them
to his hotel.
OVAL OFFICE
Jed really wanted to rub it into Cameron that he was having dinner with
the President, and not just the guy who lived down the hall while they
were still in college. He brought them into the Oval Office for cigars and
brandy, and made sure uniformed military guards were at the door. If it
could work for Barry Haskell, it would work on Cameron.
The first instance that Jed wanted to wring Cameron's throat was when
he sat down on the couch and looked at the end table, "Hum, a glass ring.
Such a shame."
Jed said, "Are you suggesting that I'm not taking care of the White
House?"
"Not at all," Cameron said, but that was precisely what he meant.
"I'll have you know, that watermark came from the glass Winston
Churchill drank from as he sat in that very spot while visiting with
Franklin Delano Roosevelt during World War II, my friend."
Josh looked at Toby, who shrugged. It was best not to interfere with the
President when he was spouting facts, whether they were true or not.
"I didn't say you put it there, Jed," Cameron said. "I was just
commenting."
David rubbed his hand along the couch, "I wonder who else has sat on
these couches."
"The list is long, David," Jed said, sitting next to him. "Would you like the
list?"
Josh and Toby grumbled, but stayed put.
MURAL ROOM
The First Lady and her guests arrived and wandered around the room.
Abbey was able to tell Terry about the murals and Terry gingerly touched
them. Lola warmed herself by the fire and admired the candelabra.
While Terry was enthralled by the murals, Abbey took the opportunity of
being able to talk to Lola alone and stood alongside her. "This is a
beautiful home, Abbey. You should be so proud."
"I am. Thank you."
Since Lola had been pleasant all evening, Abbey decided it was time to
have that talk that Jed couldn't seem to take care of. "Lola," she
whispered. "I have something to ask you."
Lola gave the First Lady her full attention. Abbey bit her lip, then said
straight out, "The President and I would appreciate if you didn't go
forward with a campaign of Web Censorship."
Lola stepped back, "How on earth did you know I was involved. I haven't
become public on it yet."
"We have our ways," Abbey gently smiled. "The President and I would
consider it a favor if you stayed out of it."
Lola looked at the woman she'd known for over 30 years and thought
things through. A favor from the President would be a handy thing, but
she felt too vehement about it and wanted to lend her name to the
cause. "I can't do that, Abbey," she said. "Children are bring turned into
monsters."
Abbey had to swallow that, "Children can get research for school reports
on the Internet. They play games, they read the latest gossip on... Ricky
Martin or Brittany Spears, whoever's in vogue."
Lola couldn't believe that Abbey was telling her that, after what
happened to her husband and daughter just a month before. "Kids
gathered at a web site called, Wipe Out the Enemy, and shot at your
husband and daughter."
Abbey looked at Terry, who was standing back, but listening. "We have to
take the bad with the good."
"I can't believe you're saying that. Jed could have DIED."
"Yes. But Jed lives for children and their growth, for the forward
movement of technology and making sure it's used for good. You are a
powerful woman and lot of people listen to you," she said, stroking Lola
with words. "But it shouldn't be that much of a surprise, Lola. I'm a
leading proponent of Free Speech."
"What if he would have died?"
"Jed would have been a martyr, and the issue would become an issue on
the forefront. But the President is NOT dead. He has things to do and he
can't take that on. You have a lot of friends in Washington. Please don't
talk to them about this."
Lola looked down her nose at Abbey, in a way that Abbey didn't like.
"Why do you care what I do? Web Censorship is an issue that should be
taken care of."
"Why don't you take up the cause of feeding the homeless or say no to
drugs. It really would be a more productive way of making sure you don't
rot in that mansion in Dallas."
Lola opened her mouth in shock. Abbey quickly said, "I'm sorry. That
wasn't diplomatic at all. But I feel strongly abut my husband and he feels
strongly about this."
"You know, Abbey," Lola slowly said. "In college, you were the star. You
were the one everyone looked to because you would be somebody. On
your own. Now... you're standing so far behind your husband, I can't even
see you."
Abbey walked closer to her and said, "Look at my face, get out."
Cameron barreled down the hall and spotted his wife in the Mural Room,
he came in and announced, "We're leaving!"
"Damn right," Lola agreed.
"It would be nice if I can get that donation I made back," Cameron
grumbled.
"A check will be personally delivered to your hotel room tomorrow," Jed
said. "You egotistical pain in the ass!"
Cameron was floored at the accommodations of the evening, he
expected to have his ass personally kissed by that twit who sat in office.
The donation was supposed to clear the way for additional land stripping,
as the Senator from Texas had assured him it would. That was the only
reason he wanted to come to the White House that evening. It's not like
he hadn't seen it before. He had been a guest of both Reagan and Bush.
He didn't need to be treated so badly by an arrogant Democrat! He
grabbed his wife's arm and they were out the door.
Josh and Toby stood helpless and wondered how everything unraveled
so quickly in front of their eyes. Toby had enjoyed the little diatribe both
men let out, but Josh was taking it personally. Leo wouldn't have let it
happen, but then he enjoyed a different relationship with the President.
David walked to Terry and said, "Maybe we should call it a night, too."
"Yeah," Terry nervously said.
Toby assured them that dinner usually didn't fall apart like that, and Jed
looked at them, and was devastated. "Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler... I am so sorry
you had to witness that." Jed lightly laughed, "We're old friends..." Then
solemnly said, "I'm sorry."
David smiled, "He WAS pompous pain in the ass, Mr. President."
Jed slapped his back in brotherhood and they all laughed. "Don't take off
so soon. Let's have a quiet talk. Just the six of us. Up in the residence." He
stopped and excitedly pointed at them, how he does when a great
thought pops into his head. "Or, maybe you want to watch a movie. We
have the whole shootin' shebang downstairs. Sometimes we get movies
before they hit the theaters."
Terry said, "That would be an honor, Mr. President, Mrs. President."
"Abbey and Jed," Abbey smiled. "As you can plainly see by our behavior,
we're just people who live in a big house."
HELEN'S
Charlie had come back into the house after the car drove off with the
men who tried... something, but he didn't know what, to see Zoey, Helen
and Deena wondering why Killer next door was so loud. He assured them
that everything was fine and they enjoyed the pizza. Gina walked into the
house after Mike came back to see the three of them playing Old Maid at
the kitchen table.
Bookbag was safe, the men, whatever they tried to do, were in custody
and Charlie was happy Zoey and his family melded so well. She waved at
them that everything's fine and take as long as they want. Enjoy their
evening.
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Leo threw the newspaper on the floor and grumbled, "I wonder how the
dinner is going."
Jenny tore her eyes from the gripping TV that Leo insisted on watching,
CSPAN, and looked at her husband, then smiled. "If I know our President...
not well. It's almost a shame we couldn't see the fireworks."
"He wouldn't be that stupid. He can't let Cameron Talabor get mad at
him. I should be there."
"You should be HERE so you can get well. There will be many more
instances where you have to cover for Jed's temper in the future."
Leo looked at the oxygen clip on his finger and the machinery he was
hooked up to and laid back. The fainting episode was scary, but the
battery of tests the doctors insisted on performing on him scared him
even more. He just had to get better. He felt the scar on his neck from the
shooting and wondered what other damage it could have done to his
system.
Jenny saw his mind working, and that he was thinking about the
shooting and his health. She took his glasses off and set them on the
table. "What?" Leo said. "I have a couple of more briefs to read."
"Tomorrow," Jenny lightly said. "There's always tomorrow." She kissed
him on the cheek, then laid down next to him and held his hand.
"Remember that, Leo. There's always tomorrow."
SCREENING ROOM
Jed and Abbey were in the back row with his arm around her, watching
"The Way We Were" for the 10th time since he took office. It had been
their favorite movie and made sure it could be called up at a moment's
notice. Terry and David were sitting a couple of rows in front of them, and
couldn't get over that they were watching a movie in the White House.
The buttered popcorn and soda tasted better than they'd ever had, just
because of the surroundings. Terry wouldn't ever be able to watch the
movie again without remembering the wonderful evening. Even when it
resorted to name calling, she enjoyed every part of it. Those two
deserved to get a piece of someone's mind. There weren't many people
she didn't care for right off the bat, but Cameron and Lola Talabor were
definitely among that group.
Josh looked at Toby in the room in front of him. "Hey, Toby," he said. "I'm
going to get out of here. I got a meeting in the morning."
Toby said, without taking his eyes off the screen, "I have one too, but I've
never seen this film."
Josh stopped, "You're kidding me."
"No. Why would I?"
"Everyone's seen this movie."
"Obviously not everyone, when I just said I haven't seen it."
Jed interrupted them, "Shut up."
They both said, "Yes, Mr. President," as Toby gave his full attention to the
screen and Josh made a hasty exit.
DANNY'S APARTMENT
Danny just turned off the game and was ready to call it a night. He shut
the police scanner off and made his way to the bedroom when the
doorbell rang. He looked at the clock and it was too late for company.
Looking out the peephole, he saw CJ's face.
He opened the door, "Hello," he lightly said, certainly surprised.
She walked in and shut the door, "You bought that French food today,
didn't you?"
Danny looked her over and said, "I refuse to answer on the grounds that
it may incriminate me."
"I'm not a cop, or a judge."
"But you are something."
CJ nodded and paced his apartment. "It had to have been you. I
remembered what Donna said, that she couldn't afford it. Toussant's is
the most expensive place in town. I don't think any of them could have.
Hell, I'd have a hard time explaining that spread to my accountant."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Of course I enjoyed it Danny. That's not the point."
"What's the point?"
CJ searched for words. "You surprised me."
"It was Surprise Friday."
CJ corrected him. "It still is." She looked at her watch. "For another 10
minutes anyway."
"How was your date?"
"Good. There wasn't anything to the date except, Robert wanted to see
me. Me. Not the Press Secretary for the President of the United States."
"I know."
"How do you know so much? How did you know he was in town and....
sent me an email! Are you stealing my email?!"
Danny put up his hands, "NO!" That didn't calm her, so he said again. "No.
No. I was Walter Reed the other day and ran into Mr. Forrester. He
recognized me as Senior Correspondent to the White House and that I
probably know you, and your email address. He asked me for it. I asked
why. He told me. I didn't like it. I researched him. I found out he worked
for Imperial Oil, and... I didn't want you to go on the date."
"You're quite the reporter there."
"Thank you."
"You didn't want me to go on the date?"
"Of course not."
"Why?"
"Do I really have to answer that?"
"No." CJ already knew why. And it was what she was fighting against for
months. "It would never work out."
"Us?"
"Yes."
"Why not?"
"I'm the Press--."
"Secretary and I'm the press," he finished it for her. "I know. I don't think
it's that big a deal. In your wildest dreams, CJ, do you ever picture yourself
slipping me information when you shouldn't?"
"No."
"I certainly wouldn't do it either. I would never ask for special treatment.
That's not my style." He smiled, "And knowing you, you wouldn't give it
to me anyway."
"Okay," CJ hesitantly said, starting to get used to what he was
suggesting.
"My only condition is that you don't treat me like I have the plague or
something. We wouldn't even have to talk politics when we're together."
"What would we talk about?"
Danny shrugged, "Who your best friend was when you were 5. How you
first learned how to ride a bike. What sports teams you root for. There's a
world of things out there that don't include the White House or
newspapers. And," he continued. "I can tell you all about my 10th grade
science project that I won at State with, because I know you're dying to
know."
CJ stared at him. "You know what's scary?"
"What?"
"I would like to know about that. You won State?"
Danny nodded, "I still have the ribbon."
They moved closer to each other and wrapped their arms around the
other's waists. "Why did you come over tonight?"
"I was in Robert's hotel room, and..." she softly said. "I realized that I
wanted to be here more."
Danny smiled and caressed her cheek, then brought her mouth to his. CJ
knew at that moment, that she made the right decision to come over.
THE END