Josh met up with C.J. who was distributing packages of foil covered chocolate hearts and kisses. "Oh, goodie, C.J.'s attempt to help the dental lobby by rotting my teeth."

"Who said you get any of these?", she teased. "I could say you're sweet enough."

"You could, but who'd believe it. Hand them over C.J. or I'll take matters into my own hands."

"Yeah, wow, that scared me." Josh tried to pout and she relented. "Here, you'll never get anything with that feeble attempt at pouting."

They moved into Leo's office for the start of the Senior Staff meeting. C.J. dropped chocolates in Sam Seaborn's eager hands. Toby rolled his eyes when C.J. bestowed chocolates on him. She put them in front of Leo as he reached for his pile of papers.

"Thank you, but this is still a work day." Leo didn't growl but he came close. Everyone realized it would be a tough day for him. The separation with Jenny always weighed heavily, a day celebrating love had to make things worse.

"Of course it is Leo." C.J. spoke for the room, "Let's hit the list."

Leo ran rapidly through the items. There wasn't much on the agenda at the President's request. The best story of the day for Public Relations purposes was the scheduled appearance of Ohio school kids putting on a play. It was Mandy's baby.

The students had written a play about the original Josiah Bartlett. Leo reminded the Inner Circle it was a rescheduled event. The White House cancelled the performance during the flu epidemic.

Donna looked at her watch and gave Josh a high sign, she was heading back to work. But, she did stop and score some chocolates from C.J. before she left the room.

Leo was nodding to Mandy to hit the high points of the visit. The Political Consultant stood up to give the final details about the young thespians. Josh noticed she was one of the few people not wearing red or dressed in some form of hearts. Toby wasn't either, but Josh never counted on him to be openly sentimental.

Mandy consulted some notes. "The President has requested an early lid and this is a great visual to give the media to end it. He and the First Lady will watch the performance and then meet with the kids."

C.J. was making notes, no one else showed much interest in the event. "Any kids available for interviews?" Mandy nodded.

Toby broke in as he looked at his watch. "I'm sure they will be able to talk about their motivation and their hopes for a three picture deal, if not a Pulitzer. Can the rest of us get back to work?"

Mandy snapped, "So, it's not campaign finance reform. But it'll be an image people remember."

"The President needs hard numbers, not feel good photos.", Toby snapped back.

"He needs both." Sam weighed in. "It's not going to hurt him to be surrounded by kids in the company of his wife. Voters will remember that especially back home in Ohio where these kids are from."

Josh nodded. "They're right. People don't want to hear anything depressing or horrifying on a day like this. If anyone's watching the news anyway." Mandy as always looked surprised when Josh backed her up.

Toby scowled. "So tomorrow, back to reality no matter how ugly?"

Leo was ready to end this. "Yep, that's right. The President wants an early day and he wants to encourage these kids who've reached back in time. We make it happen. Toby can use the time to catch up on campaign finance reform reports."

C.J. announced. "I have one more item to mention." She started to speak as the President entered the room wearing a red vest under his suit jacket.

He said, "Keep your seats." Of course that was the cue for them to scramble to their feet. "Please, sit. I just came to drop off some flowers for Margaret."

She was touched. "Thank you Mr. President, what a nice surprise."

The President pointed to Leo. "I figured working for this guy guarantees an empty desk."

"Mr. President," Leo's face flushed and he had steel in his voice. "Was there something official you wanted?"

"No, no no. Just wanted to spend part of the day of love with the Staff I love."

"Oh boy." Toby said under his breath. "I knew I should have called in sick."

"I ignore you. I am Cupid to your curmudgeon." The President was gleeful and his joy contagious for several of the West Wing Staffers who now wore smiles too. "C.J.?", he called out and gestured to her.

"Yes, sir."

"You had something to share with the room. Continue please, come up here next to me."

"All right Sir." C.J. was surprised to be summoned to the President's side. But she moved there and perched on a corner of Leo's desk. "This is a story with national implications and we need to be prepared for questions." Her expression was serious but a closer look showed a twinkle in her eyes. The others leaned forward.

She took a deep breath. "Josh Lyman has been named one of the Top Five Hottest Heartthrobs in the Country." The room erupted into applause, an embarrassed Josh took a bow arms spread out wide. C.J. continued, "Congratulations, Casanova."

"Where did he finish C.J.?" Sam asked, "Maybe we can demand a recount."

Josh went on the defensive. "Thanks for all your support. I couldn't have done it without the rest of you being such losers. C.J., are you sure it's just the Country and not the World?"

That prompted a snort from Toby. "Who sponsored it?"

C.J. consulted her notebook, "A pharmaceutical company that makes anti-anxiety drugs."

The President was laughing with the rest of the room. C.J. started to walk back to her seat when his voice boomed out, "C.J...

'Give me a kiss and to that kiss a score;
Then to that twenty, add an hundred more.'"

The Press Secretary looked startled but bussed the President on the cheek when he pointed there. Her cohorts were laughing at her confusion especially Mandy.

But her laughter faded when the President next pointed to her and recited.

"'A thousand to that hundred: so kiss on,
To make that thousand up a million.'"

Mandy dutifully did her duty and kissed the President's cheek.

"'Treble that million, and when that is done,
Let's kiss afresh as when we first begun.'"

Margaret was summoned with a wave of his hand as he spoke. She too offered a kiss to the delighted Chief Executive. As he finished, the President bowed and the Staff applauded, though Leo and Toby weren't enthusiastic about it. "Ah, love in the air, it's wonderful.", President Bartlet announced.

"That was a lovely interpretation, Sir.", Sam offered. "I'm not familiar with that poem."

"Not surprising since it was delivered like a high school football player forced to be the lead in 'Romeo and Juliet'." Toby said, then hastily added, "Sir."

"Skippy, you sound jealous. Did you have to play Juliet?", the President teased.

Toby retorted, "I just think Sir, the poet deserved better."

"And who was the poet, my literary friend?" President Bartlet challenged.

Toby appeared stumped. Those in the room turned in surprise when Leo was the first to speak up. "That was Robert Herrick's 'To Anthea', one of three poems he wrote with that title. But...", he pointed to the President, "you cheated, you skipped the first two lines."

There was a moment of quiet as they digested this. Then Josh said, "Leo into poetry. Who knew? Do you know the first two lines?"

It was obvious Leo wasn't comfortable in this kind of spotlight. But he was a warrior who couldn't ignore a challenge. He took a deep breath. "Okay, here goes.

'Ah, my Anthea! Must my heart still break?
Love makes me write, what shame forbids to speak.'"

Now it was Leo's turn to bow and receive a round of applause.

At that moment Abigail Bartlet came into the room. Everyone was on their feet. "Good Morning, I came in search of my husband. I see he's causing disruptions in your well ordered day."

The President looked hurt. "Just sharing some thoughts of love."

"Of course." She knew her husband well. "Poetry. I see by the lipstick on your face you've been handsomely paid."

"Leo matched me in the war of words."

"Good for you Leo." The First Lady was pleased to hear of any light moment in Leo's life.

Mandy spoke up. "I hope you're looking forward to the play this afternoon, Ma'am."

"Absolutely, Mandy. I'm crazy about Josiah Bartlet no matter what the century." Abbey Bartlet favored the room with a smile.

Everyone laughed and Sam put in, "Between the kids and Josh's new title, the White House will be heavy with frivolity." C.J. and Mandy both shot him dirty looks. He hastily added, "And that's what the Country needs today." Sam appeared to be on the verge of sweating.

The First Lady moved to rescue him but shifting the attention to Josh. "Josh, what's your news?"

"I'm one of the Top Five Hottest Heartthrobs in the Country."

She smiled, "I'm sure you were #1."

"Thank you Ma'am."

The President spoke up. "Leo, time we got back to work. Remember this is an early day. Important matters must be attended to later on." He winked at his wife.

Everyone was getting ready to leave when the First Lady's voice was heard. "I'm sorry Leo. But I have a question."

"Of course, Mrs. Bartlet, go ahead." Leo told her.

"I looked at the itinerary for our visiting students. Mandy, when is their Valentine's Day?"

"Excuse me, Ma'am?", a puzzled Mandy looked at the First Lady.

"They took a bus yesterday, got in late last night. They're coming here later today and then heading home, when is their party?"

Mandy was stumped. "I guess they miss out on one or have it on the bus heading back."

C.J. added, "I'm sure they can have one later. Maybe they brought Valentines with them and already took care of it."

Abigail Bartlet gathered herself to her full height, looked around the room and with authority announced, "That won't do."

The President knew that tone and rolled his eyes, "Abbey, is this really an issue for MY staff?"

"Yes, it is. I'm a mother and a voter. And if one of our girls in grade school had missed her Valentine's Day party because of the President, you'd lose my vote."

"What are we supposed to do?" There was a slightly sarcastic note in Toby's voice, "Use the State Dining Room for a party?"

"That's brilliant.", Mandy announced.

"Toby, you're a genius. You've saved Valentine's Day." Mrs. Bartlet told the astonished man. She turned to Mandy. "Mandy, work with my staff. Have someone speak to the Pastry Chef and tell him we need about six dozen cupcakes and whatever else can be whipped up."

"Yes, ma'am. I think punch too." Mandy had already caught the spirit of the event. "We'll need some decorations."

Josh caught the eye of a stunned looking Toby, "What's wrong Toby?"

He replied in a low voice. "I spend hours authoring arguments, banging out briefs and polishing position papers. It's usually shot down and rarely applauded. An off the cuff facetious suggestion makes me a hero."

"You're the literary expert but you're forgetting what those great poets, Lennon and McCartney said, 'All You Need Is Love.'", Josh told him laughing.

"We'll need Valentines too. I'll take care of that, I already have some errands to run." The First Lady gave Toby her hand. "Thank you again for the suggestion. I'll see all of you there, I hope."

She turned and kissed her husband. "Don't keep them too long. There is much to be done professionally and personally. To quote John Clare:

'I ne'er was struck before that hour
With love so sudden and so sweet...'"

The President protested, "Me? I haven't turned them into party planners."

There was a rustle as people stood. Abbey paused at the doorway and beckoned to C.J. "May I see you outside?"

"Yes, Ma'am." The two women moved into the hallway.

The First Lady motioned her Secret Service Agent away for a more private atmosphere. "Okay, C.J., do you have it?"

"Here." C.J. reached into her notebook and pulled out a small lavender business card. "Here's the address. The manager's name is Elisse, she's expecting you about 10:00 A.M."

"Wonderful, thanks. And I'll tell her to expect you before day's end of course."

C.J. looked around before she slipped into the familiar. "Abbey, do you want to broadcast it?"

"No, C.J. I think a story in the newspaper would be more appropriate concerning this matter."

"Don't start." She looked around again to make sure they weren't overheard. "I'll be there later and Donna said something about stopping too."

"Great. Now Elisse understands I want to pay for my items, this isn't to be a freebie."

"She does. I thought you might pose for a couple of pictures with the staff. Elisse promised you'll get a discount and so will any of your Detail if they want to shop."

Abbey looked delighted. "Hmmm, which of them looks like the lingerie buying type? We'll find out. Okay, first stop 'Lavender and Lace', next stop Valentines for our young guests." She motioned to her agent and floated off. C.J. just laughed, Abigail Bartlet was one of a kind and a dear friend.

(TO BE CONTINUED)