TITLE: One In Ten Million
AUTHOR: Kansas J. Miller
PAIRING: CJ/Simon
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: Slowly laying her head down on Simon's shoulder, CJ sucked in her breath and tried to forget that there was a reason she'd never married.
SPOILERS: Slight references to "Posse Comitatus", but nothing involving Simon. He never went to NYC and hence, lives.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not the creator of these folks, ABS is. And he's been mean to our Simon…!
***
It was a July like no other, Simon smiled, leaning against the kitchen counter and sorting through the mail. It was actually CJ's mail, and he was pretty sure that sorting it was a waste of his time, but waiting for her to get home was making Simon antsy.
They had just celebrated two months together, two incredibly wonderful months that had flown by in the blink of an eye. Simon was practically living at CJ's apartment, and though he had at first been slightly put off by the idea, the situation couldn't have been more ideal. Simon had some clothes and thins in her apartment for convenience, he could be with CJ any time of day or night, and still go home when he needed space.
Chuckling as he headed to the fridge, Simon realized he hadn't needed much space. CJ was perfect; she gave him everything he needed, everything Simon never even knew he wanted. They were compatible in the ways that mattered and more importantly, Simon could talk with her. CJ listened, Simon noted as he poured out a beer, she was always there for him.
And they had fun together, Simon smiled, thinking that he had never laughed so much with a woman before. CJ tended not to unleash her capacity for bitching on Simon, and even the simplest activities could be made fun. As he checked his watch Simon grinned at the memory of CJ dragging him to the grocery store that past Sunday. They'd ended up with more ridiculous items than anyone could use, paying the cashier with giddy laughter brought on only by each other.
It was quarter to eight, and Simon had to force himself not to worry about where CJ was. Her job was crazy but she always came home to him, he thought, noting with a twinge of concern that she was half an hour later than expected. Sipping his beer slowly, Simon decided not to tell CJ that he'd been worrying; she hated his protective nature although it was Simon's instinct to go out of his way for someone he loved.
It was the one fault Simon could find in his relationship with CJ—she could never just give in and let him be the strong one. It happened all the time, and Simon was acutely aware of the different ways in which CJ shrugged off his masculine inclinations. She never let him carry her suitcases in from the car, she hated when Simon held the door or pulled out a chair. And those were the small things; CJ was completely closed off when it came to her serious emotions. Sure, Simon agreed, CJ talked to him and never hesitated to say when she was upset with something. But still, there were nights when CJ came home clearly upset about something, and on those nights she'd brush off his attempt at comfort, insist she was fine, and put on a façade. And forget talking about her father's health—that was an issue Simon had hardly been able to crack. Simon knew CJ didn't like to reveal her emotions, and as he sat wondering how to reach them, the door cracked back.
The sound of CJ's heels mixed with the bustle of her briefcase preceded her voice, harried as usual. "Shit, Simon, you know I meant to call you but this thing came up and I got stuck in a meeting at the last minute and we—"
Simon had instantly moved to the door, and as he took her half-full paper coffee cup he brushed away the apology. "No sweat. I figured you got caught up with stuff."
Dropping her briefcase and shedding her blazer while Simon set down the coffee, CJ threw her arms over Simon's shoulders. "Oh God, this day was so long," she moaned against his T-shirt covered chest, burrowing her head into his shoulder.
Smiling against CJ's hair, Simon curled her deeper into his embrace. "Did you eat?" he asked, somehow sensing that she hadn't. Without picking her head up, CJ moaned again.
"No, because Toby banned food from this meeting. Said it was counterproductive…"
Simon released CJ's waist, shaking his head. "Oh, sweetie, it's so late. Can I make you a chicken salad?" he asked, testing the waters a bit and bracing for CJ's rejection. To Simon's great surprise, she smiled shyly in acquiescence.
"That would actually be good…I'm going to change my clothes real quick…"
CJ darted off down the hallway while Simon made his way back to the kitchen. As he washed the lettuce, he realized just how hard it was for CJ to let anyone do anything for her. Even when it was just a salad…
***
An empty bowl and two half-filled glasses of wine sat on the coffee table, the only remnants of dinner. Simon had eaten hours before CJ had even considered her hunger, and as they sat tightly against each other on the sofa, Simon felt a craving.
"I really want a Milky Way," he murmured, watching with interest a television commercial for the said candy bar.
CJ giggled, her head tucked under Simon's chin. "We bought those ice cream bars on Sunday…"
"Oh yeah!" Simon grinned, gently moving CJ aside in order to dash for the kitchen. "Want one?"
"No," she sighed. "Watching the waistline…"
With a roll of his eyes, Simon made his way to the freezer. Biting his lip he added a second item to the short list of things that bothered him; CJ was too concerned with her weight. She was thin as a reed, gorgeous at that, but entirely consumed with keeping it that way. She worked out like a demon and Simon was sure that CJ could afford to eat a Milky Way ice cream bar. But instead CJ ate two salads a day and treated herself to frozen yogurt on Fridays. Simon grabbed two packages and returned to the sofa.
"Did I tell you?" he asked, ignoring her smirk and forcing the ice cream into CJ's hands.
"What?" CJ asked, slowly giving in to temptation as Simon un-wrapped his dessert. It looked good, and CJ began ripping into her own package.
"I'm on the President's security detail for the convention," Simon smiled before biting into the cold bar.
CJ squealed, quickly throwing herself at Simon, pushing him back against the end pillows. "For real? Are you kidding?"
Laughing, Simon tried to salvage his ice cream by setting it on the table. With CJ on top of him it was easy to steal a quick kiss, one that led to a deeper sign of his affection.
"For real," Simon smiled as the long, pleasantly drawn out kiss ended. "It should be a good four days," he grinned, quickly flattening her body against his with strong arms.
"And to think I was dreading this thing," CJ sighed, absently tracing Simon's collarbone with her fingers. "I'm glad you'll be there; might make things easier."
"Oh?" Simon asked, lazily trailing his fingers through CJ's hair as his Milky Way ice cream melted on the table. It was forgotten now as CJ sighed her displeasure.
"We're nitpicking over what color tie he wears," CJ breathed out her distaste, referring to the President. "And everyone is on me to get to the wires before Ritchie's people do. Everyone thinks I can control their press office. Toby was in my face three times tonight because again we've scheduled press events when Ritchie has his."
Simon continued to rake through CJ's hair, struck by the quiet her voice had taken on. She sighed again, content that Simon was listening to her. "And believe me when I tell you I do NOT know what is wrong with the President. But something bad is happening when he locks up with Leo for hours on end. It's been since we saw the show in New York—it's been like this since May!"
Simon bit his lip, bothered by CJ's tired tone. "Well, I'll be working at the convention, too, but I'm sure we'll have some time to ourselves…"
CJ snorted. "Even if it's at two in the morning. I'll see if we can be in the same hotel room together."
Simon kissed CJ's hair, smiling at what he was about to bring up. He cleared his throat, speaking slowly. "Oh, baby, you know they won't let us share a room unless we're married…"
CJ sat up, caught strangely off guard by Simon's tone. Her stomach flipped; it was almost as though he were insinuating the idea.
"Ah," CJ's lips curled up nervously, slowly; she was unable to shake Simon's intense gaze. He was keeping her eyes in his, forcing her to consider his silent point. Shyness finally overcame her, and unmistakably hearing his unspoken idea, CJ averted her eyes from Simon's.
They both went back to the television, staring at the screen without really processing the show. Simon finished his Milky Way with an arm slung over CJ's shoulder and the hope that he hadn't upset or bothered her. But it was clear that she'd gotten his veiled message; it was something to think about.
CJ sat biting her lip, leaning her body tentatively against Simon's as the TV blathered on in front of her. Soon, she thought, they could turn it off and go to bed, maybe take a shower together…Anything that brought the physical closeness CJ had come to crave. And it frightened her, the heavy attachment she held for Simon. Her want and need for him was very real, she loved him beyond understanding. And she was no dummy—Simon was thinking about marriage.
It should have been easy to open up to that idea; CJ knew she should be thrilled by Simon's interest in a commitment to. Slowly laying her head down on Simon's shoulder, CJ sucked in her breath and tried to forget that there was a reason she'd never married. She'd have to tell him sometime, CJ knew, she'd have to explain why she sometimes acted like a jackass and pushed him away. She'd also have to tell Simon that she didn't know if she could change it; those were not good qualities to bring into a marriage.
CJ forced herself to get a grip, calming herself with the fact that he hadn't even asked her—he had but hardly alluded to getting married. Still, it was evident in Simon's tone, and as CJ closed her eyes, she inhaled a trace of the man's cologne. He was perfect, CJ realized, he was worth all of that trouble—he was her one in ten million. Knowing that to be true, CJ snuggled closer to Simon and pleaded him to read her mind. She was scared, but maybe she could do it; maybe it could be done…*
AUTHOR: Kansas J. Miller
PAIRING: CJ/Simon
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: Slowly laying her head down on Simon's shoulder, CJ sucked in her breath and tried to forget that there was a reason she'd never married.
SPOILERS: Slight references to "Posse Comitatus", but nothing involving Simon. He never went to NYC and hence, lives.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not the creator of these folks, ABS is. And he's been mean to our Simon…!
***
It was a July like no other, Simon smiled, leaning against the kitchen counter and sorting through the mail. It was actually CJ's mail, and he was pretty sure that sorting it was a waste of his time, but waiting for her to get home was making Simon antsy.
They had just celebrated two months together, two incredibly wonderful months that had flown by in the blink of an eye. Simon was practically living at CJ's apartment, and though he had at first been slightly put off by the idea, the situation couldn't have been more ideal. Simon had some clothes and thins in her apartment for convenience, he could be with CJ any time of day or night, and still go home when he needed space.
Chuckling as he headed to the fridge, Simon realized he hadn't needed much space. CJ was perfect; she gave him everything he needed, everything Simon never even knew he wanted. They were compatible in the ways that mattered and more importantly, Simon could talk with her. CJ listened, Simon noted as he poured out a beer, she was always there for him.
And they had fun together, Simon smiled, thinking that he had never laughed so much with a woman before. CJ tended not to unleash her capacity for bitching on Simon, and even the simplest activities could be made fun. As he checked his watch Simon grinned at the memory of CJ dragging him to the grocery store that past Sunday. They'd ended up with more ridiculous items than anyone could use, paying the cashier with giddy laughter brought on only by each other.
It was quarter to eight, and Simon had to force himself not to worry about where CJ was. Her job was crazy but she always came home to him, he thought, noting with a twinge of concern that she was half an hour later than expected. Sipping his beer slowly, Simon decided not to tell CJ that he'd been worrying; she hated his protective nature although it was Simon's instinct to go out of his way for someone he loved.
It was the one fault Simon could find in his relationship with CJ—she could never just give in and let him be the strong one. It happened all the time, and Simon was acutely aware of the different ways in which CJ shrugged off his masculine inclinations. She never let him carry her suitcases in from the car, she hated when Simon held the door or pulled out a chair. And those were the small things; CJ was completely closed off when it came to her serious emotions. Sure, Simon agreed, CJ talked to him and never hesitated to say when she was upset with something. But still, there were nights when CJ came home clearly upset about something, and on those nights she'd brush off his attempt at comfort, insist she was fine, and put on a façade. And forget talking about her father's health—that was an issue Simon had hardly been able to crack. Simon knew CJ didn't like to reveal her emotions, and as he sat wondering how to reach them, the door cracked back.
The sound of CJ's heels mixed with the bustle of her briefcase preceded her voice, harried as usual. "Shit, Simon, you know I meant to call you but this thing came up and I got stuck in a meeting at the last minute and we—"
Simon had instantly moved to the door, and as he took her half-full paper coffee cup he brushed away the apology. "No sweat. I figured you got caught up with stuff."
Dropping her briefcase and shedding her blazer while Simon set down the coffee, CJ threw her arms over Simon's shoulders. "Oh God, this day was so long," she moaned against his T-shirt covered chest, burrowing her head into his shoulder.
Smiling against CJ's hair, Simon curled her deeper into his embrace. "Did you eat?" he asked, somehow sensing that she hadn't. Without picking her head up, CJ moaned again.
"No, because Toby banned food from this meeting. Said it was counterproductive…"
Simon released CJ's waist, shaking his head. "Oh, sweetie, it's so late. Can I make you a chicken salad?" he asked, testing the waters a bit and bracing for CJ's rejection. To Simon's great surprise, she smiled shyly in acquiescence.
"That would actually be good…I'm going to change my clothes real quick…"
CJ darted off down the hallway while Simon made his way back to the kitchen. As he washed the lettuce, he realized just how hard it was for CJ to let anyone do anything for her. Even when it was just a salad…
***
An empty bowl and two half-filled glasses of wine sat on the coffee table, the only remnants of dinner. Simon had eaten hours before CJ had even considered her hunger, and as they sat tightly against each other on the sofa, Simon felt a craving.
"I really want a Milky Way," he murmured, watching with interest a television commercial for the said candy bar.
CJ giggled, her head tucked under Simon's chin. "We bought those ice cream bars on Sunday…"
"Oh yeah!" Simon grinned, gently moving CJ aside in order to dash for the kitchen. "Want one?"
"No," she sighed. "Watching the waistline…"
With a roll of his eyes, Simon made his way to the freezer. Biting his lip he added a second item to the short list of things that bothered him; CJ was too concerned with her weight. She was thin as a reed, gorgeous at that, but entirely consumed with keeping it that way. She worked out like a demon and Simon was sure that CJ could afford to eat a Milky Way ice cream bar. But instead CJ ate two salads a day and treated herself to frozen yogurt on Fridays. Simon grabbed two packages and returned to the sofa.
"Did I tell you?" he asked, ignoring her smirk and forcing the ice cream into CJ's hands.
"What?" CJ asked, slowly giving in to temptation as Simon un-wrapped his dessert. It looked good, and CJ began ripping into her own package.
"I'm on the President's security detail for the convention," Simon smiled before biting into the cold bar.
CJ squealed, quickly throwing herself at Simon, pushing him back against the end pillows. "For real? Are you kidding?"
Laughing, Simon tried to salvage his ice cream by setting it on the table. With CJ on top of him it was easy to steal a quick kiss, one that led to a deeper sign of his affection.
"For real," Simon smiled as the long, pleasantly drawn out kiss ended. "It should be a good four days," he grinned, quickly flattening her body against his with strong arms.
"And to think I was dreading this thing," CJ sighed, absently tracing Simon's collarbone with her fingers. "I'm glad you'll be there; might make things easier."
"Oh?" Simon asked, lazily trailing his fingers through CJ's hair as his Milky Way ice cream melted on the table. It was forgotten now as CJ sighed her displeasure.
"We're nitpicking over what color tie he wears," CJ breathed out her distaste, referring to the President. "And everyone is on me to get to the wires before Ritchie's people do. Everyone thinks I can control their press office. Toby was in my face three times tonight because again we've scheduled press events when Ritchie has his."
Simon continued to rake through CJ's hair, struck by the quiet her voice had taken on. She sighed again, content that Simon was listening to her. "And believe me when I tell you I do NOT know what is wrong with the President. But something bad is happening when he locks up with Leo for hours on end. It's been since we saw the show in New York—it's been like this since May!"
Simon bit his lip, bothered by CJ's tired tone. "Well, I'll be working at the convention, too, but I'm sure we'll have some time to ourselves…"
CJ snorted. "Even if it's at two in the morning. I'll see if we can be in the same hotel room together."
Simon kissed CJ's hair, smiling at what he was about to bring up. He cleared his throat, speaking slowly. "Oh, baby, you know they won't let us share a room unless we're married…"
CJ sat up, caught strangely off guard by Simon's tone. Her stomach flipped; it was almost as though he were insinuating the idea.
"Ah," CJ's lips curled up nervously, slowly; she was unable to shake Simon's intense gaze. He was keeping her eyes in his, forcing her to consider his silent point. Shyness finally overcame her, and unmistakably hearing his unspoken idea, CJ averted her eyes from Simon's.
They both went back to the television, staring at the screen without really processing the show. Simon finished his Milky Way with an arm slung over CJ's shoulder and the hope that he hadn't upset or bothered her. But it was clear that she'd gotten his veiled message; it was something to think about.
CJ sat biting her lip, leaning her body tentatively against Simon's as the TV blathered on in front of her. Soon, she thought, they could turn it off and go to bed, maybe take a shower together…Anything that brought the physical closeness CJ had come to crave. And it frightened her, the heavy attachment she held for Simon. Her want and need for him was very real, she loved him beyond understanding. And she was no dummy—Simon was thinking about marriage.
It should have been easy to open up to that idea; CJ knew she should be thrilled by Simon's interest in a commitment to. Slowly laying her head down on Simon's shoulder, CJ sucked in her breath and tried to forget that there was a reason she'd never married. She'd have to tell him sometime, CJ knew, she'd have to explain why she sometimes acted like a jackass and pushed him away. She'd also have to tell Simon that she didn't know if she could change it; those were not good qualities to bring into a marriage.
CJ forced herself to get a grip, calming herself with the fact that he hadn't even asked her—he had but hardly alluded to getting married. Still, it was evident in Simon's tone, and as CJ closed her eyes, she inhaled a trace of the man's cologne. He was perfect, CJ realized, he was worth all of that trouble—he was her one in ten million. Knowing that to be true, CJ snuggled closer to Simon and pleaded him to read her mind. She was scared, but maybe she could do it; maybe it could be done…*