TITLE: Life, Love, and some politics.

AUTHOR: Melissa Orr

NOTES: I'm just going over some of my old stories, and thought I would re-post them for those who didn't read them the first time.

NOTES FOR STORY: This is based way before current times. This is my take on how CJ/Toby met.

"I can't believe we got lost," Toby ran into the diner. "I told you to follow the signs."

"Going by the signs are for non-adventurous men," Jack mentioned, taking off his jacket and laying it over a stool.

"I should have listened to Molly and stayed home," Toby moaned and sat on the stool next to Jack's.

"What can I get you two?" The waiter asked.

"Coke is fine," Jack smiled. "This is a fine establishment you have here sir, you the owner?"

"Yes sir," The waiter nodded. "Sam Nettle."

"Jack McHenry, this is my unfriendly friend Toby Ziegler," Jack joked.

"Nice to meet you," Toby nodded and shook Sam's hand.

"Where do you keep your pay phone Sam?" Jack asked.

"Back there," Sam pointed toward the back of the diner.

"Someone's on it," Jack sat down. "I'll wait."

"Shut up," Toby glared. "Is it a possibility that you not call your wife for ten minutes?"

"She's my life, my love, and my future. No," Jack smiled widely.

"Just married?" Sam asked.

"Yes," Jack nodded. "How'd you guess?"

"It doesn't take a genius," Toby whispered.
"Would you like a coke too?" Sam asked.

"Yes, please," Toby nodded. "Look Jack, I think he's almost finished with his phone call." Toby said quickly.

"Don't tease me," Jack smacked Toby's shoulder.

"It's too easy."

"Here you are," Sam put down their drinks. "That's two bucks."

"It's on me," Jack smiled and paid. "Why is it so quite around here?"

"School's still in session, it doesn't get busy 'till about three."

"I never went to school all that much," Jack mentioned.

"Yet he's about to work for the President of the United States," Toby saluted him.

"Is that right?" Sam smiled. "Aren't you a bit young though?"

"I'm 27 sir, almost 28." Jack smiled.

"He's going to be a speechwriter. Don Williams, the Communication Director for the current President, hired him. Rumor has it Jack's the youngest speechwriter to ever work in the White House," Toby told him the history. "If you were interested in knowing that information."

"That's amazing son," Sam smiled. "What do you do?" Sam looked over at Toby.

"I just finished up my schooling. I'm looking for a job right now." Toby mentioned.

"Well, I could always use more waiters if you come up empty handed," Sam smiled and went back to work.

"Of course I could just kill myself," Toby mumbled.

"That was close," Two young girls ran in and sat in the booth that was directly behind where Jack and Toby were sitting. "Did anyone see us?"

"I don't think so."

"Girls, it's almost noon. Shouldn't you be in school?" Sam walked over.

"You know us Sam, we just need a break from all that studying," One girl joked.
"I'll be back to take your order Lily," Sam winked and walked away.

"Got ta love the high school girls," Jack whispered as they watched them giggle over the littlest thing. "But, I'm a happily married man," Jack grabbed his wedding band and jumped up. "I'm calling her now."

"Tell her she was right and I'm listening to her from now on. Never take a trip with Jack McHenry!" Toby snapped as Jack ran toward the phone. Toby had turned slightly to yell at Jack and made eye contact with the two girls. He smiled weakly and turned back toward the front.

"He's cute," Lily mentioned. "I dare you to go talk to him."

"No way."

"Come on Claudia, when do you ever do something outrageous?"

"I have a boyfriend, and, he's like ten years older then I am."

"I know, more experienced," Lily winked.

"Lily!" CJ smacked her arm. "No."

"I'll go if you don't," Lily mentioned. "Come on."

"Will you shut up if I do it?" CJ begged.

"CJ, I'll never speak again," Lily smirked.

"Fine," CJ stood up. "How do I look?"

"Well, your hair is going everywhere from running away from the school, but it makes you look sexy."

"Kill me now," CJ moaned under her breath as she briskly walked over toward Toby. "Sam, can I have a coke?" CJ asked as she leaned toward the counter next to where Toby was sitting.

"Yes ma'am," Sam nodded.

"Hi," CJ smiled a little toward Toby.

"Hello," Toby nodded and took a sip of his coke.

"Here you go," Sam handed CJ her drink.

"Thanks Sam," CJ nodded. She stood there for a minute and looked over at Toby. "Well, bye."
"Bye," Toby said as she took off. "Weird girl," Toby said to himself.

"Well?" Lily questioned as CJ sat down.

"I said hi and then I said bye," CJ shrugged.

"That's it?" Lily shook her head. "I'm ashamed."

"Well, I'm not good under pressure," CJ moaned and looked back over. "But he is a little cute."

"Yeah," Lily smiled. "Go talk to him again."

"I've embarrassed myself enough for one day, thank you very much." CJ rolled her eyes and took a drink of her coke.

"Where's my coke?" Lily moaned.

"Shut up," CJ rolled her eyes.

"Jack, hurry!" Toby yelled.

"Hold on," Jack turned his back away from Toby.

"That guy disgusts me," Toby moaned.

"What did you study in school?" Sam asked.

"Communications, Writing, Politics. Just about everything," Toby mentioned.

"So you probably won't be back looking for a job?" Sam seemed upset.

"I wouldn't wait on me coming back, no."

"Did you hear that, he graduated from College," Lily slapped CJ's head to get her attention. "You're dad would be proud. He's even interested in that same crap you like."

"It's not crap," CJ defended.

"Go talk to him. He could be your destiny and you don't even know it."

"My destiny is ten years old then I am?" CJ asked sarcastically.

"Okay," Jack ran over to Toby. "She said she loved us."
"That's sweet," Toby rolled his eyes. "Can we go?"

"This is your last chance," Lily was literally pushing CJ up.

"Fine," Jack moaned. "But we're finding a bar tonight, I'm getting you drunk."

"Good luck," Toby chuckled as he put on his coat.

"Go," Lily shoved CJ so hard she went flying over toward Toby and Jack, almost falling down until Toby grabbed her.

"Are you okay?" Toby asked.

"I'm fine," CJ attempted to stand on her own. "I must have lost my balance."

"Maybe you should lay off the cokes," Toby joked.

"Good idea," CJ laughed. "Listen, I didn't mean to hear what you said earlier, but did you mention you were into politics?"

"Yeah," Toby nodded. "Why?"

"Well, Harry McMichael is speaking tomorrow at the stadium. He's the Senator from Ohio."

"Yes," Toby nodded.

"See Toby," Jack backslapped Toby on the chest. "Our trip wasn't a complete loss. McMichael is a controversial type of guy."

"What's on his agenda?" Toby asked, ignoring Jack.

"Education is going to be the main topic, but he's going to take questions at the end for one hour for anything. So it might be interesting."

"What's your name?" Jack asked.

"Claudia Cregg," CJ smiled.

"Well, I think we'll stay. Thank you Claudia," Jack smiled at Toby. "This young lady saved our trip."

"Thank you for letting us know," Toby nodded.

"Sure," CJ smiled. "It's tomorrow at nine in the morning."

"I guess we need to find a hotel," Jack smiled and put on his coat. "Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Jack McHenry," Jack introduced himself.

"It's nice to meet you," CJ shook his hand.

"Toby Ziegler," Toby put out his hand.

"Nice to meet you too," CJ smiled and shook his hand. "Everyone calls me CJ by the way."

"Excellent," Jack smiled. "Well, as much as I hate having to leave, we should go find some rooms to stay at tonight."

"You spent all our money on the phone calls to your wife," Toby moaned.

"Well, we'll do some charming," Jack smiled.

"Well, my parents are out of town," CJ mentioned. "I mean if you can't find a place, I have a couple spare rooms."

"CJ!" Lily stood up and slapped her across the chest.

"What?" CJ shrugged.

"Oh, I appreciate the invitation CJ, but we couldn't," Jack smiled.

"Besides, you don't know us well enough to invite us to spend the night," Toby mentioned as well.

"I live next to the Sheriff," CJ smiled. "I think I'll be guarded."

"Your dad would kill you," Lily mentioned.

"He's out of town," CJ motioned for Lily to shut up. "The invitation still stands gentlemen."

"Well, we are broke," Jack shrugged. "What do you think?" He asked Toby.

"Well, if CJ feels comfortable, then sure." Toby smiled as CJ nodded.

"Great, why don't I show you two where the house is," CJ smiled.

"Lead the way," Toby nodded.

TBC