TITLE: "Deck the Balls" (1/2)

AUTHOR: Cindy ()
RATING: A
CHARACTERS: The West Wing Gang

SUMMARY: Sunny's December Challenge

P.O.V.: Toby Ziegler

DISCLAIMER: The characters used from the West Wing do not belong to me; they are the property of Aaron Sorkin.

**1**

Here I am rushing myself to get back to the White House for the staff Christmas celebration and I don't even celebrate the damn holiday. I usually have an enjoyable time at these kind of functions, but I was looking forward to it especially tonight.

Every year we do an exchange of gifts with one another. This year I had CJ and I knew exactly for once what she wanted. More surprisingly however is the fact that I was able to remember. I'll congratulate myself later over a nice scotch.

Will Bailey was a foot or so away from me and was trying to flag me down. I brushed past him and kept going into my office. He followed behind me. I'll go easy on him considering he's new.

"Uh Toby I need to talk to you."

"Now isn't a good time Will. Maybe later?" I removed my coat and hung it up on the coat rack and took a seat behind my desk.

"How much later?" He asked me suspiciously.

I grinned up at our newcomer, "Tomorrow?" I tried to suggest.

"Tomorrow is Christmas."

"Is it?" I asked trying to play innocent.

Will crossed his arms, "I don't think this can wait that long."

I sighed. It was obvious that Will wasn't all too familiar with my style of brush-off. "Make it quick."

Will took a seat across from me, "You know how everyone here is exchanging names?"

"Yes," I answered keeping my gaze on Will, waiting for something important to escape from his lips.

Will cleared his throat and straightened his tie. "Well I've got somebody named Charlie."

"Charlie Young," I removed my face from where my hand had been holding it up with the help of my supportive elbow. This was boring.

"Okay that still doesn't help me. I don't know who this Charlie guy is."

"Charlie is the Presidential Aide," I turned my computer on.

"Right," Will said with hesitation.

I swirled myself around again to face Will, "Okay I'm sensing your inability to get directly to the question so I'm going to help you out. Charlie is a young kid. A good kid mind you, but young. As for his preferences I couldn't tell you much really. I know he thinks he's good at basketball and he just recently became the proud owner of a 'kickass' DVD system as he puts it. Does that help?"

Will smiled shyly, "Thanks Toby. It does."

"Good. Now please go bother someone else. You're ruining my mood."

Will got up, thanked me again and left. I was checking over my email that I had been neglecting when I heard voices coming from Sam's office. With Will on his way to the mall no doubt, I was at a loss at the male voice singing so badly out of range.

I stepped over to the glass partition but I couldn't see anyone. I stormed out of my office and turned quickly into Sam's office. I didn't even see him coming straight at me until it was too late. Our heads bashed off each other.

"Ouch," Sam cried out grabbing his head with his left hand.

"What the hell did you do that for?" I shouted at Sam, running my own left hand over my throbbing noggin.

"Excuse me? You ran into me," Sam removed his hand and inspected it for what I assumed to be blood. "I'm bleeding," he gasped.

I glanced at his hand and the tiny droplet of blood that was on his index finger, "You'll live." I walked further into his office.

"Yeah it's great to see you too Toby. I'm fine by the way," Sam spoke aloud as he closed his office door midway.

I stood on my back heels, "I didn't know you were coming in." I crossed my arms behind my back.

"Of course I'd come in. Who is suicidal enough to miss the Bartlet's Christmas fiesta?"

"Good point," I said breaking into a smile. "It's good to see you."

"Really? I wouldn't have gotten that impression with you ramming your hard head into mine," Sam too smiled.

"I'm only happy to be the one to finally knock some sense into you. Happy Hanukah to me."

"How is Andi?"

"She's fine."

"Any change on the wedding plans by any chance?"

I sighed, "No. She still refuses to marry me. But I think that might be a good thing."

"Really?" Sam said surprised. "Why?"

I changed the subject, "Was that you moaning a few minutes ago?"

"Moaning?"

"I heard voices in here and that's why I decided to come and check it out."

"Oh that. I was singing."

"Singing? Since when did cats in heat become classified as singing?"

Sam laughed, "Ouch. (pause) I was just you know, in the Christmas mood so I started singing."

"You got a song stuck in your head again didn't you?"

"Yes," Sam admitted with an embarrassed glance. "I heard Madonna's version of Santa Baby and now I can't get the damn thing out of my mind."

"It's a catch tune. I personally always preferred Eartha Kitt's version myself."

"Who?"

"Never mind," I whispered shaking my head. "I should get back to what I was doing."

"Okay then. I'll see you later on then?"

"Yep," I went towards the door. "It's good to have you back Sam."

"Thanks Toby. (pause) Ah Toby can I ask you something?"

"Sure Sam."

"What's with all the bikes? Did I miss something?"

I laughed a bit as I glanced around at all the bikes. "Maybe they were all out of decorations," I shrugged.

Sam just laughed me off as he went back to his desk and sat down. As I opened the door I almost bumped into Debbie Fiderer. "Sorry," I said breathlessly.

"Hey you two," Sam said. He pointed towards the doorway where the mistletoe was hanging from. "You're both under the mistletoe at the same time."

I glared at Sam and smiled broadly when I glanced back in Debbie's direction. "Well he's right you know," she said holding her arms out and then dropping them to her side.

"That's why this is my favourite season," I answered sarcastically bending down to plant a quick kiss on Debbie's lips. That wasn't so bad. She tasted like vanilla which I found surprising.

**2**

I left Sam's and went back into my own office and shut the door. I closed the blinds and then hesitated and peeked out. I wanted to see if anyone had witnessed what had just taken place.

"Who ya looking for?"

I spun around at the sound of someone's voice in my office. I was shocked to see Abbey leaning against my desk.

"Abbey," I said breathlessly. "You scared me."

"It looks as if someone else did too. You're flushed and I'm thinking paranoid," she looked past me to the blinds.

"Christmas always does this to me I guess. So what brings you here?"

"This," she handed me a beautifully wrapped present.

"Oh Abbey," I said taken back by her generosity. "You shouldn't have. I mean I-"

Abbey held her hand up to stop me, "I'm not looking for one in return. In fact you're making me feel kind of bad for the one I'm giving you."

"I don't understand why you did this?"

"Don't thank me just yet Toby. It's an eye opening kind of gift."

I then began to unwrap the gift. I didn't want to rip the wrapping but it was taped so damn much I wasn't left with much of a choice. Finally a brown box was left. I opened it and was confused as to what I was looking at.

I removed a hook that seemed to have a magnifying flashlight on the end, "Ah I don't know what to say."

"Do you like it?" She asked me with a broad smile. I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I seriously didn't know what to say.

"Oh yeah it's great."

"You have no clue what it is do you?"

"Absolutely none."

Abbey laughed, "Of course you don't Toby. That's because I had it made specifically for you."

"You did? Why?"

Abbey came over to me and took the object from my hand. "It's got a hook and a flashlight and also a small nail at the end. See that?" She pointed to the tip of the hook. "This is so when I ram it up your ass the light will help me guide the nail towards that stick you've got shoved up there."

My colouring lost a few shades as she made her explanation, "I'm sorry ram my what?"

"Everyone else may be blinded by your attitude lately but I haven't been."

"I'm sorry ram my what?" I repeated again. Surely I misunderstood what she said.

"You've been walking around here like you've got a stick up your ass Toby. And it's time you got it pulled out and started taking some action."

"Abbey I don't HONESTLY know what you're talking about."

"CJ!" She said a quick second later.

"CJ? What's CJ got to do with my ass?"

"You've got feelings for her and they're about to push you over the edge."

"I'm with Andi Abbey."

"I know you are Toby. And I also know she's pregnant with your baby."

"Babies," I corrected. "Where is this going?"

"I know you care for Andi. And I know that you want to do the right thing but-"

"But?"

"But I ALSO know that you've had feelings for CJ for many years. I guess I'm here to make sure your Christmas wish doesn't get lost."

I gave Abbey a smirking look, "I know you mean well Abbey and I think I even appreciate the thought. But I know my feelings best. So how about we just let me decide?"

"Fair enough," she took a step back. "I'll see you later on right?"

"Yep," I placed my hands in my pocket. "I'll just keep this tucked away," I nodded towards the hook that she had placed on my desk.

Abbey winked at me before leaving the office. "Holy shit," I whispered aloud.

The phone rang and I practically flew across the desk to answer it. Why I would risk injury like that is beyond me? I'm not much of a diver, especially for an annoying ringing phone.

"Toby Ziegler. (beat) Leo what can I do for you? (pause) No Margaret isn't here. (pause) I wouldn't get all worried Leo. She's a big girl. Well she was here yes, but she stepped out for a bit. (pause) Why? Uh, uh (pause) Come in…..Look Leo Sam just got in can I call you back? (pause) Bye!"

Great! I just lied to my boss. I'm not sure if Leo would find the humour in my sending Margaret out to purchase gifts that I forgot to get for Ginger and Bonnie. For some reason I don't think he'd find it as funny as one would hope.

I also better check to make sure Sam is still here. With my luck he's just walked into Leo's office and there goes my cover. I was about to check on Sam's whereabouts when I heard, "Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight." Sam was still there.

**3**

Hours had finally passed and it was time to go up to the residence. I picked up the phone and placed a quick call to Carol. "Carol it's Toby. Has she left yet? (pause) Okay thanks. I'm on my way."

I replaced the receiver and grabbed my coat throwing it over my shoulder and picked up CJ's gift. My intentions were to have it set on her desk and bring her down here later on in the evening. I didn't want it shared with everyone. Not just yet anyways.

"Hey Toby aren't you going up to the residence?"

"Yeah I'm on my way there," I answered Josh.

Josh looked at the direction that I was heading and then back towards the residential location. "Uh, you're going the wrong way."

"I know Josh. I have to make a stop first."

"What the hell is that?" Josh nodded at the large box I had.

"It's CJ's gift."

"It's huge! What do you got in there? Danny Concannon?"

I almost dropped the box, "What about Danny? What have you heard?"

"Nothing I'm just joking."

"Did anyone ever tell you Josh that your jokes suck," I began walking again. The box wasn't all that light.

Carol guided me over to CJ's desk and we tore away the box neatly so we could remove the actual present. "It's lovely Toby," Carol said as she inspected it.

"Do you think she'll like it?"

"I think she'll love adore it." That was what I was going for.

"Okay that should be good. The rest of the items I have in my office but I couldn't carry it all in one trip. I'll get them before I bring her down here."

"That's fine Toby. Have a good time."

"You're not coming?"

Carol shook her head, "No. I've got to leave for my flight. I'm going home to be with my parents this year."

"Well have a Merry Christmas Carol."

"Thank You Toby. You too."

We both tried to leave at the same time when Danny approached. "Looks like I got you both in time. I'm always up to watching two people smooching," he teased.

Carol and I both looked up. Sure enough CJ too had herself a mistletoe just dangling away. I looked down at Carol who was trying not to blush. "I'm okay if you are?" I asked her. She nodded her head and I gave her a kiss.

"What? No tongue?" Danny asked.

Carol continued on as I remained in the doorway. Danny took a step forward and I stopped him. "If you think you're coming through this doorway while I'm still standing here you've got something coming to you."

Danny chuckled, "CJ needs her shoes."

"Wouldn't they be on her feet?"

"She broke the ones she was wearing."

"She what? How?"

"It's a funny story actually. She was standing there at the podium being all CJ and all," he took a few seconds to what I assume was relive the moment. That irked me.

"Go on," I urged.

"Well anyways she's just standing there talking and wishing everyone a happy holiday when she loses what looks to be her balance. She fumbles and before you know it she and the podium are on the lap of the Washington Post in the front row."

"Is she alright?" I asked with a panicked tone.

"Oh she's fine," Danny waved me off. "Greg from the Post isn't too impressed. And of course there is the tragedy of her heel breaking off. Hence the reason I am here."

I looked behind me where CJ's gift waited to be seen by her and her only. I took a deep breath. "Where are they?"

"Why are you preventing me from going in there?"

"I'm not. It's just that I'm going by the pressroom so I can bring them to her on my way to the residence."

"Well that's where I'm going too."

"You are?" I looked at him doubtfully.

"Yeah. CJ invited me to tag along. I think she feels sorry for me. Being alone and all for the holidays. By the way, how's your wife?"

"We're divorced."

"But I thought-"

"That was your first mistake," I mumbled as I roughly pushed my way past Danny and stormed off.

I relaxed my leg muscles when I was half way to the residence. Bruno Gianelli stepped alongside me from my left. "Merry Christmas Toby," he sang as he prepared to put his gloves on.

"I'm Jewish," I snapped walking faster so I could get away from him.