Obviously the relationship had to tone down back in Washington. Both women had already had enough going on without a secret relationship in the works. But after that day in Manchester, nothing could cool the passion that developed between them. Secret kisses hastily grabbed in their offices, early morning sex in CJ's apartment before the President woke up. Abbey was often up and gone before him, so he didn't see it as out of place. They would go for a run first, as a cover for the agents. They made dates whenever possible, whether a couple of drinks with a group of people or a quick lunch in the mess, anything they could manage to see one another as much as possible.
They were surprised no-one noticed the change. How much tension was in the room during the rare moments they spent together with others in the Oval Office or elsewhere in the West Wing. The teasing and flirting at bars. But everyone assumed they were simply developing a friendship. It seemed natural; apparently, that the two more senior women close to the President would enjoy each others company.
The one thing people did notice was the difference in CJ. Whereas before she had tried to blend in, be one of the guys, she all of a sudden started wearing more feminine clothing and make-up. She still acted like one of the guys, but they all noticed the sudden appearance of her feminine side. They put it down to her evident friendship with the First Lady.
They were amazed by how much they could get away with. Abbey was particularly surprised when the topic came up with Jed one night.
"I'm glad you and CJ are spending so much time together." He commented, as she wandered into his office before heading out to meet with CJ and the rest of the senior staff for a couple of drinks. "I've always thought you two would get along."
"We do." She smiled, kissing him on the cheek. "She's an extremely interesting lady, and I'm enjoying getting to know the rest of your staff better, too."
"Good." He commented, his eyes already back to the report he was reading. "I've always been worried you were lonely. I'm pleased you're finally making friends in Washington."
"I'll see you later, Honey."
"Bye, Abbey."
Abbey closed the door to the Oval Office quietly, quickly making her way to CJ's office, hoping no-one else would be there just yet. They weren't. She slipped in the door, smiling as she saw CJ's eyes were glued to a paper of some kind. She took a moment to look her lover over. A pale blue silk blouse under a fitted grey suit set off the woman's hair and complexion. Black heels were kicked off beneath her desk. CJ still hadn't noticed her presence.
"Claudia Jean" she murmured seductively. CJ jumped backwards, her glasses falling from her nose.
"Abbey!" she exclaimed, a hand to her chest. "I wish you wouldn't do that every time you came in here!"
"No matter how I greet you, you jump like a frightened rabbit" Abbey retorted, "You get so absorbed in things."
"Mmm…I do that…" CJ murmured, pushing Abbey up against the closed door, locking it with one hand and biting Abbey's lower lip gently. "Very absorbed." She breathed, kissing her more deeply. Abbey had just gotten her hand up CJ's shirt when someone knocked. They jumped apart.
"One minute!" CJ called, rapidly stuffing her shirt back into her skirt and unlocking the door silently.
When she opened the door for Sam, Abbey was seated calmly in the chair in front of CJ's desk.
"Hey, Sam," she grinned at him. "Ready for drinks?"
"Yeah." He replied distractedly, looking around the room. "Where are Toby and Josh? I need them for one last thing."
"Oh, God. We'll be here for hours." CJ moaned. "Its already ten!"
"No, no, no…The thing is done. I just need to give it to Margaret for Leo." At that moment, Toby and Josh came in, tailed by Donna. "Where's the thing?" Sam questioned them frantically.
"Calm down." Josh laughed. "It's on Leo's desk. Ready to go?" he looked over at CJ and Abbey.
"Yup." CJ replied, grabbing her coat and heading out the door.
"Er, Claudia Jean, you might want these…" Abbey dangled CJ's heels from one hand, a half-smile on her face as she shook her head. CJ rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, they might be useful." She slipped into them. "Okay people, let's go!" She herded the group out of her office; her hand on Abbey's back, lightly guiding her.
Several drinks later, they were all a bit jollier, though CJ was growing worried as Abbey kept putting her hand on her leg under the table. After several episodes of this, she asked Abbey to join her outside a moment, saying she needed a break from the smoky atmosphere.
"Are you trying to get caught?" she hissed as soon as they were outside the bar. "What are you doing? We're lucky enough they haven't noticed anything already!"
Abbey stared at the ground, looking slightly abashed. "I know." She lifted her eyes to meet CJ's. "I just hate that everything has to be so secret."
CJ softened at the look in Abbey's eyes. "It's going to have to stay that way, Ab, or we're going to lose it, and everything else besides." She reminded the other woman.
Abbey sighed. "I don't know what I was thinking."
"It's okay. We just have to be careful, you know?"
"I know." Abbey smiled at her slightly. "Let's go back or they'll wonder what's going on."
"Okay."
"Everything okay?" Josh questioned as they sat back down at the table.
CJ smiled "Of course. It just gets smoky in here."
"Want me to stop?" Toby asked, gesturing to his cigar.
"Oh, no." CJ waved away the offer. "Its fine."
"I should head out soon." Donna commented, looking at her watch. "Its after 12 and I've got to be up at 7."
"Need a ride?" Josh offered.
Donna smiled at him. "Would you mind?"
"Not at all, if I can finish this beer."
"Then thanks."
Toby left with them. "You guys staying?" he looked back at Abbey and CJ as they made no move to leave the table.
"Just to finish these drinks. We'll be right behind you." Abbey shooed him away. "Don't worry about us. We have a contingent of specially trained agents."
"Alright then." He smiled. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye." CJ smiled back.
They sat for a few more minutes to finish off, and then headed back up to the White House themselves.
"A run tomorrow?" Abbey asked as they were about to go their separate ways.
"Sure. It's a weekend, so I don't have to be in until 9 or so. How does 7 sound?"
"Perfect." Abbey smiled. "Sleep well, Claudia Jean."
"You too, Abbey." CJ moved off towards her car.
The ringing of her doorbell woke her the next morning. CJ jumped out of bed, searching for something to put on so she could answer the door. Grabbing a long t-shirt, she pressed the buzzer to let Abbey upstairs, and then started rooting through her drawers for something to wear running.
"Not dressed yet?" Abbey raised an eyebrow as she walked into CJ's bedroom, putting down her duffle bag.
"Not quite." CJ pulled on underwear and leggings. "You woke me up." She chucked the t-shirt into her dirty laundry hamper and yanked on a sports bra and long sleeve top. Socks and running shoes completed the outfit. Pulling her hair back into a pony-tail and grabbing her keys, she turned to Abbey. "Ready?"
"Yes."
"See you later guys!" CJ called to the guards sitting in Abbey's car as they ran off down the street.
A while later, they lay naked on CJ's bed, exhausted after their run and some rather enthusiastic sex.
"We should shower." Abbey pointed out. "You have a ten am press briefing."
"I know." CJ agreed. "I just can't quite bring myself to stand up." She turned to face Abbey, propping herself on one elbow. "You tired me out." She raised an accusing eyebrow.
Abbey grinned. "It's mutual."
CJ clambered over her, pausing to kiss her lips gently. "Let's go, Ab." She wandered naked into the kitchen to put on coffee for when they were done. When she got back to the bathroom, Abbey was waiting for her.
CJ loved showering with Abbey, just as she loved taking baths with her. The other woman loved the water. They took forever, taking turns massaging shampoo into each other's hair, almost dancing as they manoeuvred around one another to take turns standing under the stream of hot water. Finally they stood, embracing, Abbey's cheek against CJ's chest, just enjoying the warmth and the moments of intimacy.
CJ sighed. "Time to get out, I think." Abbey wrinkled her nose, but turned off the tap behind CJ's back and then moving away to grab a towel from the towel stand.
Once they were both dressed and armed with to-go mugs of coffee, they embraced one last time before setting off to face the day. "I love you, Claudia Jean" Abbey whispered. CJ rested her chin on the top of Abbey's head.
"I love you too." Abbey squeezed her one more time, grabbed her cup off coffee, and set off down the stairs.
"See you at work!"
"Yep!" CJ gathered up her stuff and headed off after Abbey, climbing into the convertible outside her apartment. It was going to be a long day.