A little one-shot set post-series, I do hope you enjoy it.
"You left Danny?" Toby asked CJ in shock as he handed her some wine and sat beside her.
He hadn't seen her since before Santos' inauguration when she had visited him, and here she was in his new New York apartment after almost a year in California. She'd phoned him, crying and mumbling incoherently, something about being in New York and needing his new address. Half an hour later she was knocking on his door, shivering in the light early January snow.
"Yes." She spoke quietly into her glass of wine, tears having ceased.
"Why?" he asked softly.
"He was cheating on me."
CJ couldn't look at him, her best friend who had offered himself as an option to her after so many years of love and friendship. Not when she'd fled halfway across the country to another man whose pursuit of her for 8 years turned out to be an incredibly poor substitute for the bond she held with Toby.
"That fucking bastard." Toby's voice was angry, but he remained calm. "You should never have gone with him."
"You don't think I know that Toby?" she said, exasperated, leaning back into the couch. "His perfect image of me failed the minute we left DC."
"You'll always be perfect." He murmured.
CJ choked out a sob, she'd never stopped loving him, not really.
"Don't, Toby." She whispered, unable to handle much emotion at this point.
"Don't what? I'm not trying to make you feel better because that scumbag cheated on you." He paused. "I'm simply telling you the truth because right now, that's the least you deserve." He smiled weakly and downed his drink. "I can't bear to see you this way, though."
"I'm sorry." She was barely audible.
"Fuck, don't apologise." He rubbed the back of her hand gently.
She couldn't meet his eyes.
"It's all I can come up with." She sighed dejectedly.
Toby watched her sip at her drink, fascinated by the way her deep eyes still glittered in the face of everything. The way her sleek dark hair had been highlighted, through sun or otherwise he wasn't sure. She was dazzling and he couldn't remain quiet in this moment, as much as he wanted to.
"I think I know why you came here." He told her, confidence forming in his words.
"Why's that?" she mused, turning to face him.
"Because you know I always have the best alcohol." He joked and silently hoped to see the smile crack at her lips. Nothing. He'd fucking kill Concannon for breaking her spirit.
"Don't joke with me, Toby." CJ's whisper was hollow and empty.
He suddenly met her gaze, more fiercely this time and inwardly groaned as he realised what he was about to tell her because he couldn't face seeing her like this much longer.
"Hell, CJ. You know I love you and want you to be happy. You're an amazing, brilliant woman and petty little men like Danny Concannon should be shot if they don't realise that." He looked at her with pure love in his eyes.
Her own eyes were elicited with a sparkle he'd missed. "Toby. I'm so sorry for everything. I should never have left. I love you." she hugged him deeply, sighing into his hold.
She pulled away slightly and looked into his eyes, eyes telling her everything she needed to know. She leaned in and kissed him softly, the familiar taste of his lips flooding back.
"You never have to be sorry for my sake." He muttered against her lips.