"Brotherly Love"

Written by: Melissa (Doc)

Part 1

"Okay, I have some bad news and some good news," Josh wandered into the office.

"Josh, I truly hate when you say that," Toby looked up.

"Which one do you want to hear first?"

"The bad."

"Why not the good?"

"Because after you tell me the bad, then hearing the good may make me feel better about the bad." He scrunched his face up at the sound of that sentence actually coming out of his mouth.

"Okay," Josh shook his head in confusion. "Amy dumped me," Josh looked more annoyed with the news then sad about it.

"Josh."

"Yeah?"

"I seriously don't care about your love life. I tried to be there for you, but my interest quickly faded."

"I thought you liked us together," Josh shot Toby a hurt look.

"I didn't really care one way or another."

"Fine," Josh snapped.

"What's the bad news?"

"That was the bad news." He said coldly.

"Oh," Toby grinned at his mistake. "What's the good news?"

"Well, there is no good news actually," Josh sat down and pouted. "I gave her the best two months of my life, Toby."

"Josh, this is really sad," Toby looked down and went back to work.

"Don't you feel sad for me? Upset that this happened?" Josh glared at him.

"Josh, like I said. I didn't really care all that much."

"You know, I trusted you with this thing," Josh stood up and yelled. "And you just throw me out like a piece of trash." He shook his head at Toby.

"What are you talking to me like that for? I didn't just break up with you!"

"I know," Josh could see the anger building in Toby's face. "I think I'm going to go somewhere else now," Josh said as he walked out.

"Good boy," Toby said as he began typing.

"Toby," Sam walked in a moment later with a smile.

"What is this, bug Toby day?"

"It's that day every day," Sam smiled and sat down on the couch. "I need to tell you something."

"Can it wait?"

"Well, it's kind of important."

"Is it about work?"

"No."

"Then tell me later. I'm busy."

"Toby…"

"Toby, CJ needs you," Ginger stuck her head in.

"Why?" He snapped, shoving his work aside finally.

"I don't know, she just called and told me to tell you to get your ass down there now." Ginger remained passive as she gave the abrupt message to her boss.

"Fine," Toby yelled and stood.

"I really need to talk to you Toby." Sam stood as well.

"Later Sam!" Toby snapped as he walked out of his office to find out what the hell was wrong with CJ.

"Toby, Leo needs to know when the first part of the speech will be done," Margaret ran to catch up with him.

"When everyone leaves me alone!" Toby snapped. "First Josh, then Sam. Now CJ," He said as Margaret stayed behind as he stormed into CJ's office, slamming her office door behind him.

"Did you see it?" CJ looked up from her desk when he entered.

"What?" Toby shrugged.

"Hoynes on the hill. He mentioned that one job within this White House may be looking for a new name."

"What the hell…" Toby's tempter was quickly elevating.

"He said that if President Bartlet wins reelection, he would hire a new face for the roll as Communications Director. What the hell is that all about?" CJ snapped.

"Don't worry about it." Toby rubbed his forehead.

"Toby…"

"I said, don't worry about it CJ," Toby snapped. "I have a speech to finish," Toby began to walk out.

"Toby, what made him say that?" CJ asked him before he left.

"Hoynes has never been able to think straight. Don't worry about it," Toby said as he walked out and went back to his office.

"Can I talk with you now?" Sam asked impatiently as Toby entered. He was sitting on the couch, waiting.

"Sam, I have to finish this speech."

"Please, I…"

"Sam, go!" Toby slammed his hands against his desk and pointed at the door.

"Fine," Sam got up and walked out, slamming the door behind him. Toby sat there for a minute. He took a deep breath and then went back to writing. He finished the speech within an hour. He was surprised that no one had bothered him. Maybe they finally got the hint that he wanted to be left alone. Toby walked out to get some coffee.

"Toby," CJ joined him out of nowhere.

"Couldn't wait…" Toby turned to talk to her, but noticed that she was all dressed up. "Where are you going?" His voice cracking as he noticed the long slit on her dress.

"I have a date," CJ smiled, noticing his eyes looking at every inch of her body. "Not that you care."

"With whom?" He asked.

"Someone that I'm not telling you about."

"CJ, just tell me." He groaned.

"Why, you don't care." She smirked at him.

"Just tell me!" Toby snapped.

"His name is David," She smiled.

"Do I know him?" He mentally went over all the David's he knew.

"A little." She shrugged a bit nervously.

"David who?" Recognition of her possible date fluttered into his mind.

"If you're so smart, you figure it out," CJ smiled.

"What, are you dating my little brother?" Toby laughed at the thought. Then he saw CJ standing there, not denying it. "CJ?" He looked shocked.

"I'm a grown woman Toby." CJ defended.

"My brother!" Toby yelled and everyone around them looked over.

"Toby, keep your voice down." CJ waved the people around them away.

"You're dating my brother?" Toby said quietly. "When did this happen?"

"I asked him to have dinner with me."

"You asked him out?" He couldn't believe this.

"He's a very attractive man Toby." CJ teased.

"Don't make me sick CJ," Toby rubbed his forehead.

"Why did the Vice President say that there would be a new Communications Director?" CJ asked again. She looked at him closely, and saw his jaw clench.

"CJ, don't change the subject…" Toby began issuing a warning.

"Why?" CJ snapped. God, he was driving her crazy lately. It was his own damn fault that she was going out with his brother tonight.

"I don't know." Toby replied tightly.

"You do know." CJ used the same tone of voice as he.

"Have a great night!" Toby snapped and stormed off, tossing his untouched cup of coffee in the trash.

"Toby, Leo wants to see you," Margaret walked up to him.

"Not now!"

"Yes now," She snapped, which gained his attention. "He said now," She backed off and went back to work.

"Damn!" He cursed and began walking toward Leo's office.

"Toby…" Sam stepped out of a room next to him.

"Sam, not now!"

"I need to talk with you." Sam demanded.

"Leo wants to see me, and then I have to do something about CJ. I don't have time for you right now."

"I'm going out on a date tonight!" Sam yelled as Toby walked ahead.

"Good for you!" Toby yelled over his shoulder.

"With Andi," Sam finished and watched as Toby stopped.

"Andi who?" Toby asked, turning around to face him.

"Andy W…"

"My ex-wife?" Toby walked up to him. "What the hell Sam?" Toby screamed.

"I was talking with her about the speech and I asked her out. It's…" Sam tried to explain.

"You know what? I don't care. Do what you want!" Toby snapped and went into Leo's office.

"Okay, the President won't talk to me about this, so you better tell me what happened after the Iowa Caucus!" Leo demanded when Toby entered. Toby reached behind him and shut the door.

"Don't worry about…"

"Don't tell me not to worry about it! John said if the President wins, he would hire a new Communications Director. Now, he must have overheard this to say it. And the only people that he could have overheard it from would have been you or the President. And I don't think it was you. Now tell me what happened!"

"Leo!" Toby could feel himself about to explode. He took a deep breath, not wanting this to be the office he exploded in. "Nothing happened."

"Toby, whatever you said has the President considering firing you. And it has made him not able to sleep. Now, I want to know, or I'll can your ass."

"Fire me for all I care Leo. This place is driving me insane. You hired me to do a job, and I've been doing my job!"

"Toby…"

"If you want to know, ask the President. Because you're not getting it from me!" Toby yelled and stormed out. Leaving a stunned Leo behind.

"Toby, I was wondering…"

"Josh, if I were you I would stop right here," Toby warned and walked back to his office and slammed the door.

"What happened?" Josh asked as Leo walked next to him.

"I don't know, but he's fired. Get Sam and tell him he's bumped up." Leo snapped and walked off.

"Josh, where did…" Donna started, but noticed the worried look on his face. "What?"

"Toby was just fired," Josh said in shock.

TBC