TITLE: 'I Use to Know Everything, Now I Know Nothing' (1/14)
AUTHOR: Cindy ()
RATING: A
CHARACTERS: Toby, Sam, CJ, Leo, Charlie, Jed and Josh
SUMMARY: Toby goes to the movies and gets more than he bargained for.
POV: Toby Ziegler and then the rest of the characters in 3rd view.
TIMEFRAME: After "The Two Bartlets."
FIRST in the Piper Series
***Toby***
As I was heading back to my office I was trying to recapture the events that had just taken place. Had I really said those things to the President of the United States? I know I have always been openly opinionated but I have never been so disrespectful to someone like that before. I feel so ashamed with myself, if I have ever let myself down this was it. I walked right past Bonnie who had her usual smile and I didn't even take the time to smile back to her. That's right Toby, keep being ignorant to those you come across.
I felt some relief when I entered my office. The feeling of this room gave me comfort unlike any other place has before. Even my own apartment despite its glamour of emptiness didn't give off a coziness that one longs for. I always told myself that one-day I would fix that up but after Andi left I just couldn't be bothered. So home to me is where I work, how sad is that. I sat in my chair and turned on my computer to check my email. There were a few from within the building but none from any friends or family. Something else I had somehow seemed to have neglected.
I was finding myself on that road to self-pity when I ran my hands through my hair. I gave a little giggle, not of happiness but of sadness as I reminded myself I no longer had the possession of a full head of hair. That didn't help the depression I was sinking myself into. I looked over at the clock and noticed that it was after 5pm and here I was feeling sorry for myself, alone in my office.
I was in the middle of shutting my computer down when CJ came into my office. As usual she didn't knock, a habit of hers that I happily admit I enjoyed. Although I would never tell her that. There she was standing before me in all her 6 foot beauty, and not once have I ever told her of my desires for her. That was something else I promised myself I would do, but somehow have abandoned that idea as well. Fear of rejection is what I tell myself on the days I sit back and ask, "Why I haven't I asked this beautiful woman out?"
"Hey Toby." She drawled out in her sexy voice. Actually it was CJ's usual voice, but to me it seemed sexy.
Without looking up from my laptop I said hey back.
"I wanted to thank you for taking the time to talk to me about my father. It meant a lot to me you know."
"Your welcome." I responded coolly.
"I truly appreciated it."
"I know you did." Silence for a few seconds until I spoke again, "Is there something else?"
CJ shook her head but said yes. She took a deep breath and then asked me if I wanted to join her for dinner seeming that neither of us had eaten.
Oh how I wanted to jump up and yell YES! YES! MARRY ME! MARRY ME! But I couldn't. I was stuck in this depression and I didn't want her to see that side of me. I kindly refused the offer but did ask for a rain check which she accepted and then left as quick as she had entered.
After closing my laptop I grabbed my overcoat and began my descent ion to the outside world. It wasn't until I was in my car that I decided to take in a matinee. At the theatre not quite across town there was an old John Wayne movie playing and that reminded me of my dad. I parked my car and went to the ticket teller and paid my way, and then headed to the concession stand to by myself some popcorn. A movie isn't a movie unless you have some buttered popcorn to enjoy with it.
As I entered the theatre there were only a few people inside, I assumed that John Wayne wasn't on most people's movie lists at this time of day. I sat in the back row close to the middle and prepared myself for two hours of gun shooting and the talent of the Great Duke. It wasn't until a half hour into the movie that I realized that a woman and child had taken the two seats beside me. And this is where my story begins.
***West Wing***
Jed had just finished another glass of bourbon when he decided that he needed to talk to Toby again. He knew that Toby had not meant him any disrespect, but also agreed that he was infact way out line. Using his phone he called Toby's office and after a few rings he was automatically put through to Carol who was answering on behalf of Toby. She informed the President that Toby was not in, and would have Toby contact him the moment he returned.
As he was replacing the receiver Leo entered the Oval Office. He was in a good mood for some reason or another, something quite unusual with Leo. One could never tell which personality of his was playing that day.
"Mr. President, how are things with you?" Leo politely asked with full intent of really caring as to how his friend's day had gone.
Jed shrugged his shoulders and lifted his empty glass that had once been filled with bourbon. "That wasn't my first Leo," he grumbled.
Leo knowing Jed the way he did, was on to the fact that the day had gone awry somewhere since they had last spoke only a couple of hours ago.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Leo genuinely inquired.
Helping himself to another glass of the alcoholic beverage Jed waved his old friend off. "You know Leo, sometimes things don't help when you talk about them. They somehow seem to manifest themselves."
"You must have had a bad day if you are just figuring that out now. Is this politics or personal?"
"Oh Leo, let's just sum it up as a bad conversation that should never have been started in the first place."
"Okay. Who did this conversation not take place with if you don't mind my asking?"
"Toby."
"Toby Ziegler?"
"Do you know many Toby's Leo?"
Leo chuckled and responded no. "I am just surprised that either of you could have had a bad discussion is all."
"Then you must not know the Toby Ziegler that I know. The Toby Ziegler I know is a stubborn, pig headed son of a bitch, but that is only my opinion."
"That must have been some conversation I take it for you to speak so, shall we say kindly?"
"He told me my father didn't like me." Jed just flat out repeated Toby's words, that in turn left Leo standing there speechless.
"Shall I fix you your special drink as well Leo?"
Leo licked his lips and replied, "Yeah, Scotch on the rocks, hold the scotch." A common joke between the two of them, twisted but a part of their sense of dry humour.
"Why on earth would Toby say something like that to you?"
"Because he was being Toby. He said that my father didn't like me because I was smarter than he was. The most disturbing part is the son of a bitch is right. Only I will die a thousand deaths before I reveal that to him."
Jed smiled at Leo who smiled in return. "Are you upset by what he said?" Leo asked.
"Not so much upset as I am pissed that it took my Communications Director to tell me something I should have known myself, like 40 years ago. That Leo, pisses me right off."
***Sam's office***
Sam was reading Toby's memo regarding the Ritchie situation when he felt the need to visit Toby. With the memo in his hand he took the few steps it took to leave his office and enter Toby's. Only Toby's door was closed. Glancing at his watch Sam tried knocking. It was unlike Toby to leave the White House this early. Sam didn't get an answer. Bonnie was packing her things when Sam called out to her.
"Ah, hey Bonnie? Do you know where Toby is?"
"Nope. I know that he left, or atleast that is what Carol told me. Do you want me to get Carol, she went to get a drink?"
"No, that's fine thanks. Have a good one Bonnie."
"You too Sam."
Sam whispered thanks, and went back into his office. He threw the memo on the desk and picked up his phone calling Toby's cell phone. After four rings Toby answered sounding a bit irritated.
"WHAT?" Toby shouted into the phone.
Sam was taken back by this but continued on with why he was calling. "Toby, where are you?"
"I am out Sam, what can you possibly need?"
"Well, I guess nothing but I went to your office and your door was closed."
"Let me guess, when you knocked and I didn't answer you got worried. How sweet of you Sam."
Ignoring the sarcasm Sam said, "I didn't get worried, I just….well I don't know really. Where did you say you were? It's kind of loud there."
"I didn't say but if you must know I am at the movies."
"The movies?"
"Yes Sam the movies. Can I go now?"
"What like a love story kind of movie?"
"Sam, in the years we have worked together have you ever known me to go and see a love story?"
"No."
"Thank you."
"But I have also never known you to go to the movies either." Sam answered honestly.
"Good-bye Sam, I am hanging up now." And with that the line was disconnected. Sam hung the phone up and felt more confused before he had made the call.
***West Wing***
Leo was coming back from the Oval Office when he ran into Josh. "Josh, have you seen Toby?"
Josh came to a stop and replied no. "If you see him can you tell him I am looking for him?"
"Sure thing. Is everything okay?" Josh asked concerned.
"Yeah, I just want to see him is all. Have fun in Tahiti." Leo said as he began walking onwards.
Josh turned around and said, "I told you Leo, I'm going to be here instead."
"I'm telling you Josh, don't mess up a good thing. You deserve to be happy, and being here when you could be on a beautiful beach with a gorgeous woman isn't what is going to make you happy. I'll see you around."
Josh looked down at his feet and placed his hands into his pants pocket. As he was heading out to go home he saw Charlie. "Hey Charlie, do you have a minute?"
"Sure Josh, what's up?"
Josh removed his hands from his pockets and cross them against his chest. "You wouldn't by any chance know where Toby is do you?"
"I did see him say an hour or so ago. He was with the President, but I wasn't there when he left."
"Okay, thanks. If you do see him, can you tell him that Leo is looking for him?"
"No problem. Have fun on your holiday," Charlie said.
"I'm not taking a holiday, geesh I guess people only listen to what they want in this place." Charlie shrugged his shoulders and carried on with what he was doing before he was stopped by Josh Lyman.
***Toby***
I am sitting here enjoying the Duke kick the crap out of all the bad boys when I hear, "Psst, Mister," coming from my left. I glanced over and the lady that I didn't notice earlier was trying to get my attention. She was leaning over the seat beside me as the little girl was nodding off in the seat next to hers.
"Mister, I am sorry to disturb you but I have to go and use the washroom and my daughter here is asleep. I would hate to have to wake her up, would you mind just keeping an eye on her for a quick second?"
I didn't know what to say. Well I did but for gentleman's sake I couldn't start yelling at her for interrupting me during John Wayne. That would be impolite and I had done enough of that today already. With hesitation I agreed and she promised to be quick.
I went back to watching my movie and every so often I would take a quick glance at the sleeping child. Watching her sleep I found was relaxing me and that was something I hadn't done in quite some time. I tried to catch a look at the time on my watch but the theatre was so dark it was hard to tell. Personally it seemed like she had been gone for an hour, but my perception of time has always been off.
***West Wing***
CJ was walking through the bullpen and decided to drop by on Toby once more. She knew that there was something bothering him and she made a promise to herself to try and be there for him as he has for her many times.
She was quite surprised to find that he wasn't in his office so she instead went into Sam's.
"Sam, Charlie asked me if I had seen Toby. He was just here not too long ago. Do you know where he is?"
"Yeah I know where he is, but you'll never guess."
"I don't want to guess Sam, I want to know where he is."
"C'mon CJ, just guess."
"No!"
"CJ-"
"Samuel, I don't want to guess. Now tell me where Toby is or so help me God I won't be responsible for what I will do to you if you don't!"
Sam gulped and blurted, "He's at the movies."
"You lie." CJ responded with a snort.
Eagerly and maybe somewhat frightened of CJ Sam shook his head hard and fast. "I swear CJ I am telling the truth. I called him on his cell and he was at the movies."
"What movie?"
"I don't know, but you can bet your ass it isn't a love story."
CJ was a bit miffed at the fact that Toby had refused dinner with her because he had "work" to do and yet he had found the time for a film of all things.
"I am going to kill him!" CJ said raising her voice and slamming Sam's office door behind her as she made her exit. She went back into the direction of her office fuming from the information she received from Sam.
She grabbed the phone and pressing 8 on her speed dial was soon listening to the ringing tones and then he answered.
"You can't have dinner with me but you can go to a movie?" She screamed into the phone.
"CJ, now isn't a good time for this." Toby replied.
"Well guess what Toby, that's just too bad."
"CJ, calm down."
"Don't tell me to calm down Toby, you blew me off. I hate when you-"
Toby cut her off with, "CJ, I was having a bad day and I didn't want to bring you down with me so I went to a movie, alright? But now I am in deep trouble and I can't really discuss this with you?"
"Why not?"
"Do you have some popcorn?" A tiny voice asked in the background.
Hearing a female voice even though it wasn't clear threw CJ off. Instantly she grew even angrier at Toby if that was even possible.
"You brought a date?" She had begun screaming again.
"NO! Of course not, she's a little girl that came with her mother."
"Is her mother there?" A tinge of jealousy crept through CJ, which she tried to shake off.
"No, I don't know." Toby was sounding pretty unsure about his answer.
"What do you mean you don't know. Either she is there or she isn't, it isn't rocket science Toby."
"She asked me to watch her kid while she went to the bathroom."
"And you agreed? Since when do you like children Toby, and since when do you agree to baby-sit in a theatre for a stranger?" CJ questioned.
"The little girl was sleeping, and I couldn't say no. I mean it is just a quick trip to the bathroom. Or atleast one would think so."
"Did she just leave?"
"Not quite, she has been gone for….oh man I don't even know. I can't see my watch. How can a person answer a stupid cell phone but they can't see their own damn watch in here?"
A gasp from the little girl who whispered, "You said a bad wod."
CJ couldn't help but release a slight giggle. "I hope this amuses you CJ. I have been with this kid now for probably half the movie."
"Toby, it probably just seems like that due to your fondness of children. A mother doesn't go and abandon her child in a movie theatre."
"For this kids sake, I sure hope you are right CJ."
"Listen Toby, how about we meet after you close the daycare for a coffee?"
"Very funny CJ." Toby took a few minutes to mull over CJ's offer. "How about 10-ish down at the diner close to your place?"
"So late?"
"I want to go home and shower first, this kid won't stop grabbing at my clothes."
"Alright, I will see you then. Have fun Toby."
They said their goodbyes and with the light on his cell phone Toby quickly glanced at his watch. It was closing in on 8pm. He glanced up at the music that was playing over the final credits of the movie.
It was then he realized that he had been with this little girl for almost an hour and half. It doesn't take any woman that long in the bathroom. He looked down at the little girl who in return was staring up at him and said to himself, "You're right CJ, mothers don't abandon their children in a movie theatre."