Hello, another CJ/Toby fic for you all. .
I was thinking this takes place in either season 1 or 2, even season 3 (pre-Simon), thus making it AU.
I love writing ensemble pieces and this is just one that sprang to mind. Reviews welcome!
Donna, Josh, Sam, CJ and Toby are at a bar after yet another long day in the West Wing.
Donna, Josh and Sam are sitting around a table observing CJ and Toby deep in conversation at the bar.
Josh: Come on! You can't tell me nothing is going on between them!
(He gesticulates wildly at the pair in the distance.)
Donna: We don't know Josh. They're close friends, sure, but it could be just that.
Sam: I gotta agree with Josh (Josh high-fives him, Donna rolls her eyes.) They've been friends forever and it's a known fact that the best relationships blossom from friendships.
Donna: If that's the case, how come you and Josh haven't admitted your feelings for each other yet? (She smirks at their glares.)
Josh: Donnatella, be serious. These guys so clearly want each other!
The three turn their attention to the bar – CJ is leaned over, giggling into Toby, who is half smirking, half gazing at her.
Donna: They would make a cute couple.
Sam: Whose to say they aren't already?
Josh: Oh we'd know.
Donna: Josh, you could be sat at their wedding and not know.
Josh: I'm a smart man, Donna.
Donna: Politics and love are different, my friend.
Sam: I wonder how we could find out what their deal is.
Josh: Donna could come onto Toby, see if CJ kicks her ass.
(Donna slaps him on the head.) Ow!
Sam: Before you open your mouth again, asking them outright won't work either.
Donna: I could confess things to CJ, see if she comes out with anything.
Sam: What like?
Josh: Your sex-life?
Donna: No, Joshua. Girly things. God forbid your schedule allows me time for a sex life.
Josh: Well…
Sam: Focus, they're coming back!
CJ and Toby walk to their table, still engrossed in conversation.
CJ: Hey guys! (She's very glassy-eyed)
Sam: How drunk are you CJ?
Toby: Surprisingly, this isn't drunk CJ.
Sam: Oh, okay.
Josh: So what were you two talking about?
Toby: Any of your business, Josh?
CJ: I was trying to teach Toby how to pick up women.
(Toby digs her in the arm)
Josh: What?! I thought you two – (Donna cuts him off)
Donna: You looking to get back out there again, Toby?
Toby: No, but CJ says I need social skills.
Sam: I'll say! (Toby's stare causes the enthusiasm to cease.)
CJ: Oh come on, Tobus. Not everyone finds you as adorable as I do, you need help. Let's go scout the field. (She drags him up and back across the bar they go.)
Sam: Now what the hell was that?
Josh: I have no idea.
Donna: She said it herself!
Josh: Yeah, (He adopts a high pitched voice) 'not everyone finds you as adorable as I do, Tobus.'
Sam: He's not adorable. And why does she call him Tobus? How does he let her?
Donna: I heard her call him Pokey once.
Josh: That's weird.
Sam: It's kinda cute.
Josh: Regardless, why is she pushing him into dating other women?
Donna: He was reluctant, though.
Sam: Reluctant is Toby's natural state.
Donna: True. I should join them, see what I can pick up. (She leaves.)
Josh: Those two just confuse me.
Sam: Damn right, hopefully Donna can suss them out.
Donna arrives at the bar, taking the stool beside CJ.
Donna: Hey guys.
CJ: Donna, lovely Donna. If you were sat alone in a bar and Toby approached you, would you be charmed?
Toby: CJ…
Donna: (Hesitantly) Yeah, sure…
CJ: See Toby! Go forth and find yourself a woman.
Toby: I don't want to.
CJ: Okay, a man then.
Toby: I swear to God, CJ!
CJ: Fine, don't take my help. When you're dying alone surrounded by your cats, be sure to look back and regret not taking any of my advice.
Toby: Oh I'm sure my last thoughts will be more occupied by how on earth I ended up with multiple cats.
CJ: Suit yourself. (She pouts and orders another Grasshopper.)
Toby: I'm joining the guys. (He takes his drink and saunters off.)
Donna: So what's this all about?
CJ: Huh?
Donna: You're trying to set up Toby?
CJ: No, I'm getting him to find a woman.
Donna: Why?
CJ: I'm so sick of seeing him down (she pauses) about Andi.
Donna: Have you ever thought that maybe it's not Andi he's down about?
CJ: What do you mean?
Donna: Well it's not my place to say…
CJ: Spit it out, Donna.
Donna: We thought something was going on between you and uhm, Toby.
CJ: Did you now?
(Donna nods) I see. Let's head back. (They get up and walk)
Meanwhile at the guys' table…
Josh: So Toby, what's CJ doing?
Toby: Being ridiculous.
Sam: Why'd you say that?
Toby: She doesn't understand that I don't need or don't want to pick up some woman in a bar when she's-(he stops himself, downing the rest of his drink)
Sam: When she's what?
Toby: Uh nothing.
Josh: Come on, Tobus (He attempts to impersonate CJ)
(Sam starts giggling)
Toby: What?
Sam: Why does she call you that?
Toby: I don't even know.
Josh: What's going on with you two anyway?
Sam: Josh!
Josh: No, I want to know! She's trying to get him laid or whatever but they clearly want each other so I don't know what the hell to think.
Toby: Jeez Josh, I'm right here.
Sam: Well?
Toby: Well what?
Josh: Are you guys a thing?
Josh doesn't notice Donna and CJ standing behind him.
CJ: Are who a thing, Joshua?
Josh: Uhm, Sam and Bonnie.
CJ: Bonnie's married, Josh.
Josh: Really? Too bad Sammy. (He pats him on the back)
(Everyone rolls their eyes at him)
Sam: He meant Toby and CJ…
CJ: Did he now?
Josh: (Taking an anxious gulp of his beer) Yeah….
Donna: You shouldn't pry.
Josh: You were here talking about it with us earlier!
Toby: She's right, Josh.
(Josh makes an exasperated sigh in response)
Sam: You still didn't answer his question, Toby.
CJ: Yeah Toby, enlighten us.
Toby: (Surprised) You want me to answer them?
CJ: Why the hell not?
Toby: We haven't even had this conversation, CJ! (Josh and Sam exchange awkward glances)
CJ: Right! Come on! (She drags Toby outside leaving Sam, Donna and Josh gaping open-mouthed.)
Josh: Oh my god.
They quickly follow them outside and spot them in the alley so hide behind a wall.
Toby: You know how I feel about you, CJ! You told me you felt the same, so why are you so insistent on making me available for the women of DC?! (Waving his arms around)
CJ: I'm scared okay! I'm worried you'll realise I'm not good enough for you, or that you'll get bored with me! (She begins pacing)
Toby: What the hell? I'd never think that of you, CJ! Why do you think I'm like all the other jerks you've dated?!
CJ: I don't, Toby, but I can't lose you that way and then lose our friendship! (She's close to tears)
Toby: (His voice takes on a softer tone and he steps towards her) You wouldn't though, don't you understand? I'm more worried that you'll realise what a grump I am and how shitty I am for you. (He rubs his forehead in agitation)
CJ: (A ghost of a smile appears on her face) I know what a grump you are. (Raises her voice again) But I'm not Andi, I love you for you!
Toby: (Startled) Wait, you love me?
Josh, Donna and Sam, who had been staring in giddy silence, become even more giddy now with the conversation taking a brilliant turn.
CJ: Well of course I do.
Toby kisses her, eliciting gasps from their audience as it becomes passionate.
Toby: (Breaking away) I love you too, CJ.
CJ: Well I guess our game's up. No denying anything now.
Toby: Yeah I suppose. (He lets her out of his arms and holds her hands in his)
CJ: They're watching us you know? (She nods her head in the direction of the others)
Toby: I should've figured as much.
Meanwhile…
Josh: I didn't expect declarations of love or anything, wow!
Donna: This is the cutest thing ever.
Sam: I hope this means Toby cheers up now.
Josh: I wouldn't count on it.
CJ and Toby walk to where the other three are, holding hands.
CJ: Don't worry, the sex will perk him up. (She squeezes his hand, then grins at the shocked faces of her friends and Toby's blush.)
Sam: (Nervously) Well we better be going! Come on guys!
CJ: I wasn't going to do him right here or anything, Sam.
Josh: Jeez, CJ. Toby's got himself a classy lady.
Donna: Josh! Keep your mouth shut.
Toby: Toby wouldn't have her any other way.
Sam: God this is going to be sickening.
CJ and Toby: Shut up, Sam.
The end! If anyone wants me to write any continuation of this universe (e.g. including Bartlet and Leo) let me know. I do have other fics that would probably fit in but wouldn't be classed as sequels.