Chapter One: An Almost Beginning
This is going to be interesting. He hasn't done this before. Well, not exactly this. He's been assigned to the Presidential detail for years. Sometimes, mostly the last couple years, he's been the Lead Agent. He's good at his job. Very good. And he loves it. Many people might find that strange. How could you love putting your life in danger for someone else? But, he's always wanted to serve his country. To protect the ideal of it. And he's good at this. Very good.
He doesn't let his personal feelings interfere with his duty. He's too professional for that. But, he's tired. He doesn't like this President. Doesn't share his ideas about what's good for the country. Doesn't like the stupid jokes. And he certainly doesn't approve of the women. He knows other presidents have wandered. And other Secret Service agents have held their tongues. But this guy, this President has taken it too far. And he can't, won't say anything about it.
He's glad these two terms are almost over. Glad he'll have a chance to work with someone new. He's tired. A lot of the other agents were surprised that he asked for the transfer. The Presidential detail is the best you can hope for as an agent. Why leave? Especially to protect a candidate who may not even make it to the White House. But, this President dislikes Ron Butterfield as much as Ron dislikes the President. So, it was an easy move. Let Malloy deal with it for a few months.
His new protectee is an interesting man. Ron's never seen a campaign like this before. So many young staffers. Such idealism. It's refreshing. And Jed Bartlet seems like a good man. An honest man. He certainly doesn't see this man cheating on his wife. This is definitely going to be interesting.
He feels invigorated. He's never enjoyed a detail as much as this. Not even his first tour on a Presidential detail. And that was thrilling. But, this. This is more than he could have hoped for. This is finally the real thing. He knows it's a cliché. He also knows that all these people on the campaign staff feel the same way.
They impress him as well. These bright, young, ardent supporters. He's gotten to know a few of them. He's separated them into the old guard and the new guard in his mind. He's surprised to have as much respect for the new as the old.
He'd met Leo McGarry before. He'd arranged for McGarry's file to be sealed when he was Labor Secretary. And doing a stint in rehab. Ron admires the man for fighting his demons. He looks to be winning the fight.
The Bartlets, he's decided are quite a team. The governor has a wealth of archaic knowledge that he seems overly eager to share with anyone and everyone. He has some good ideas, too. Dr. Bartlet, though it looks as if she'll become Mrs. Bartlet any day now, is one tough cookie. He's seen her lay into a staffer. But, he's seen her lavish praise for a job well done. And it's obvious her support of her husband is genuine. Not a political maneuver.
The new guard is another matter entirely. Quick to action, slow to discouragement. They make quite a team. At least the core of them. They compliment each other well.
Toby Ziegler is an amazing writer. He enjoys listening to the speeches. He comes across as gruff and pessimistic. But, Ron had a chance to have a drink with him, on a three-hour stop in Arizona. He found Toby to be a good man and a true idealist. He likes Toby a lot.
Sam Seaborn is the most earnest person he thinks he's ever met. So full of the desire to do well, to help out. He's not a bad writer either.
He didn't meet Josh Lyman until a few days after he'd joined the detail. Apparently Josh's father died during the Illinois Primary. And he was gone for four days. There's something about Josh that Ron doesn't quite understand. He has a haunted quality about him that Ron feels has more to it than just his father dying. But he works harder than any ten men Ron's come across.
He doesn't know what to think of Mandy Hampton. He's heard rumors about her and Josh. But, it seems so unlikely. She doesn't quite fit. He wonders how long she'll stay. He wouldn't bet on her staying the distance.
And then, there is CJ Cregg. He'll admit that she's the best looking woman he's seen in a long time. There is something exotic about her angles and her attitude. She's growing into her job. And she's doing well. But, there's something else there. Like she wants to prove she can play with the big boys, but she's unwilling to let them see how hard she tries. It's intriguing. She has a great sense of humor. And the most intoxicating laugh he's ever heard. He's only spoken to her a few times. It's enough for Ron to know that he wants to talk to her again. Soon.
She can't quite get used to the change. Everything is so different now. They're working for the candidate. Not just a candidate. That takes some getting used to. And so do these damn agents. She finds them unnerving. Like a harbinger of trouble. She tries not to think about the reasons they're here. She's getting better.
It might have something to do with the new head of the Governor's detail. Ron Butterfield strikes an impressive stance. He's taller than her, which is a welcome change of pace. He seems so serious all the time. But, she's spoken to him a few times. He's really quite funny. And he has a nice smile. And he does a mean impression of the current President. Always a plus.
She knows that most people assume she and Toby are together. He brought her into this. They've known each other forever. But, CJ can't understand why they think she would be sleeping with a married man. She did. Once. But, Toby had been almost certain that divorce was imminent. Andy had different plans. Which was just as well, because she remembered the pain they could cause each other. The pain they had caused.
It's been awhile since she's even dated. She misses that. And the flirting. She likes that. She thinks maybe she'll try to talk to Ron again. A little harmless flirting never hurt anyone. And he is attractive. She knows she's not likely to have time to meet anyone new. So, she may as well make the best of it. She wonders when she'll see him again. She hopes it's soon.
She's drunk. She knows that. It's reasonable, of course. They're moving into the White House tomorrow. CJ still can't believe it. She's Press Secretary to the President of the United States. Wow.
She's lost track of which ball they are attending now. She remembers the first two quite vividly. But then, the next few seem to blur. She's not bothered. It's Inauguration Day. A day for celebration. And she's willing to admit she's done perhaps more than her fair share.
CJ's standing next to Toby. They are watching Josh make an idiot out of himself. He and Sam are arguing about... well, something. She doesn't quite remember what it was. But, neither one of them are making much sense. She's laughing. Even Toby is laughing. This is quite possibly the best night of her life.
She looks around at all the people having a good time. The women are dazzling in their gowns. The men, quite dashing in their tuxedos. Everyone is smiling. CJ promises herself that she will remember this night. Remember the feeling of pure happiness. She knows she'll never forget the struggle to get here. It's been the greatest ride of her life.
She decides that she needs some air. Just a little fresh air to clear her head. She goes out of the ballroom and heads for the patio doors she thinks she remembers seeing earlier. The cold night air hits her like a physical force when she steps outside. She takes a deep breath.
He sees her come outside. She looks ravishing. Not for the first time Ron finds himself a little in awe in her presence. She really is a remarkable person. He's glad he's gotten the chance to talk to her a couple of times during the campaign. She is definitely engaging.
CJ turns to walk towards the fountain. And she stops. Ron is standing not five feet from her. She wonders how she had missed him when she first came out. He's dressed in a tuxedo, just like the rest of the agents. She thinks he looks better than them, though.
"CJ, how are you doing tonight?"
"I'm doing extremely well, thank you. How about you, Ron?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
He pauses. He thinks that he should be on his way. He's turned over his watch to Bowman and he's done for the night. But, he doesn't want to leave her here. Doesn't seem able to take his eyes off her.
"You look beautiful, CJ. That's quite a dress."
"Why, thank you."
CJ starts to do a little pirouette for him, but the champagne catches up with her. So she does a most ungraceful half turn and reaches out blindly for support. She feels him grab hold of her. She feels steady.
"I... that was... thank you."
Ron tries not to do it. He knows she's been drinking. But he can't help it. He laughs. He continues to hold her upright. And, God help him, he laughs right in her face. And she amazes him again. Because she starts laughing too. It's definitely the most inviting sound he's ever heard.
"You think I should try for the Bolshoi?"
"CJ, I think maybe you're better suited for Press Secretary."
She laughs again and nods her head in agreement. She steps back to let him know that she's capable of standing on her own again. And almost immediately he lets go. She misses the weight of his hands on her hips.
"I should... you probably have to... I should let you get back to work."
"I'm done. I was just getting ready to go home."
"You're not coming to the party?"
"No. It's been a rather long day."
"I suppose this is old hat for you."
"Well, a bit. But, I don't think I've enjoyed an inauguration as much as this one, CJ."
She smiles. And it lights up her entire face. He knows the moment is fading. He wishes he could think of someway of prolonging it. But, he sees Toby come to the door.
"Hey Ron. CJ, come on. We have to get to the... I have no idea where we're going, but we're leaving for the next one. Let's go."
"I'll be right there, Toby. Go get my wrap. Please?"
"Yeah, okay. But hurry."
Ron watches Toby go back inside. Ron wonders about the relationship between CJ and Toby. He's seen enough to know that she's the only one he'll take orders from. But, he also knows that Toby is married. He guesses they've been friends for a long time though. Ron realizes that as he's been thinking about this, CJ has been staring at him. He smiles.
"I guess we're leaving."
"Well, you have a nice night, CJ. Enjoy yourself."
"Thanks. I'll see you around."
But, she doesn't turn. She stays in the same place. Just looking at him. He doesn't know what's come over him. He's not this sort of person. Before he's even aware he's doing it, he's pulled CJ close to him. He leans in. And kisses her. Hard.
She wasn't sure what was going on as he pulled her to him. But, CJ is fully aware right now. She reaches up to the back of Ron's neck with one hand and grabs a fist full of his jacket with the other. The kiss is intense.
Finally the need for air causes them both to separate a few inches. Ron takes her face in his hands and kisses her forehead.
"You needed to get going, remember?"
CJ nods. She lets go of him and brushes imaginary wrinkles out of her gown. She's gone three steps before Ron's voice causes her to turn back.
"CJ, the door is over there."
"Right."
CJ goes in the opposite direction she was heading. When she reaches the door, she looks over her shoulder at him. She gives a shy wave and heads inside.
Definitely the best inauguration, Ron thinks. And he smiles the entire way home.
End of Chapter One