Three days into the G-8 Summit, C.J. had a moment to catch her breath. It had been a stunning success so far from the G-8 view and especially from the Bartlet White House perspective.
President Josiah Bartlet, Nobel Laureate in Economics, brought praise from around the world raining down on himself and the United States. He spoke eloquently of how the new economic bounty should be used to retire old debts for Third World Countries.
He spoke of those profiting from the current prosperity becoming part of a rising nobility not threatened by those with less. But President Bartlet also carried the banner of peace tempered with caution. The United States would not back down from its post of world guardian.
C.J. was in the center of the whirlwind press coverage but delighted by the impression President Bartlet made at home and abroad. She was busy fielding requests for one on one interviews. The President's energy seemed recharged, especially with the First Lady along. He granted as many requests as he could.
But the best moments came when the Bartlets mixed with other World Leaders. Pictures and video of a dazzling Abigail Bartlet on her husband's arm were everywhere. She scattered smiles and charm at official functions. It was obvious that the First Couple were still deeply in love and shared a strong bond.
On her own, Abbey Bartlet made several visits to sites that mirrored her interests and concerns. The media and people in Belgium loved the First Lady. Everything about her from her chic American designed outfits to her attempts to speak Flemish drew praise.
Danny was as busy as C.J. as he followed both Bartlets. He and C.J. exchanged many longing glances. They shared an occasional hand clasp. C.J. found herself jealous when one of her European counterparts greeted Danny with a huge hug and kisses on both cheeks. It went beyond the standard greeting but C.J. tried to see it as a testimony to his ability as a reporter.
That idea was spoiled when the woman came over to C.J. to gush. She struggled with her English to tell C.J. that Danny was "bright, funny and how you say, scrumptious."
C.J. just nodded. "Scrumptious", she thought was certainly a true description but no way this woman would know that fact. C.J. made her getaway when she saw Sam. She hurried to him. "Pretend you're talking to me."
"No. I want to pretend you're just using me to avoid something." His smile softened his words. "But since you're here, I can give you the President's revised speech."
"Thank you, Sam." C.J. started to page through it.
"C.J., as long as you're pretending to talk to me, may I ask you something?"
"Sure, shoot."
"I want to take something back to someone I know. Any suggestions?"
"Mallory will be happy with anything."
"I didn't say it was Mallory."
"Well, I know you have to take something back to Bonnie and Ginger. I figured Mallory had you stumped. Was there anyone else?" C.J. was now giving Sam her full attention.
He wondered how honest he should be. Sam definitely meant Mallory but he also thought he could take Laurie something nice too. C.J. was right about taking things to Bonnie and Ginger. Maybe Mrs. Landingham too, just to stay in her good graces. "You forgot Mrs. Landingham. Just give me some ideas."
"No one forgets Mrs. Landingham, I thought that went without saying." C.J. flashed back to a present Danny had given her after his Summit preview trip to Brussels. It was a basket of hand milled soaps. "Sam, there are some wonderful shops with bath items and scents. I think some great chocolate stores too. You should find something for Mallory in one of those."
He gave her arm a squeeze in thanks. C.J. was left with thoughts of Danny's trip a few months back. She'd missed him more than she thought possible. He'd sent a postcard to C.J., actually to Gail the Goldfish. It was of a Brussels fountain. It had the water coming out of the fish's mouth and sat in a lovely city park.
She had to see it in person. But C.J. hadn't been able to wangle any free time for sight seeing. She sighed. It wouldn't happen tonight, the President was doing the morning shows on American TV. She would spend the evening prepping. It was easier to do at night here and coordinate with the White House was on Eastern time in the U.S.
There'll be another chance to see the fountain, she hoped and hurried off to the next round of events.
***********
There was a glittering dinner that night for the G-8 Leaders and guests. The after dinner entertainment agenda included dancing and elegant entertainment capped by fireworks. C.J. was missing it all. She was closeted in her hotel suite. It was abuzz with faxes from the White House. C.J. also worked the phone and e-mail to coordinate with Toby and Josh. They needed to make sure there would be no domestic curve balls tossed to mar the President's at bat on the world stage.
Both men had complained about being left behind at the White House. But they admitted things were going well somehow without them on hand. On the White House end, there appeared to be no stories at home to embarrass the President. Mandy jumped in on the conference call to remind C.J. to have cue cards under the camera with the names of the anchors. The West Wing Staff knew the President was famous for forgetting names. C.J. had it on her list but underlined it again.
They were wrapped up on both sides of the Atlantic when she asked to speak to Donna. There was surprise back at the White House but C.J. was transferred to Donna's desk. "Hey Donna, it's C.J."
"Hi C.J. How's the trip? Seen anything other than the official stops?"
"No, but I hear there is a city out there."
"What can I do for you?"
"Two things. Donna, could you please remind Bonnie to feed my fish. Tell Bonnie I said, 'Thanks'."
"No problem. What else?"
"Yes. I'm to give you a hello from Billy Kenworthy."
"Oh." Donna's tone changed. "How nice. Thank you." She stuttered, "Tell him hello back if you see him. It's nice he thought of me."
"We'll talk about this when I get back. You tried to keep something from me and I don't like it." C.J.'s tone took on a teasing note. "But I'll cut you some slack, if he asks, any preference for a gift?"
"C.J., I have no idea what you mean."
"Of course, you don't Donna. It's my imagination running wild. He's a good guy, enjoy."
Donna confessed. "He seems to be. At least he has a job and doesn't live with his mother. That puts him way ahead of the last one I dated."
They hung up and C.J. continued to work. She'd changed out of the usual business suit into a chemise. Her make-up was washed off, it was time to be comfortable. C.J. sat cross-legged on the bed making a final set of notes on her ever present legal pad.
The Teddy Bear from Danny sat with her. Every now and then, she read aloud something and looked to the stuffed animal for approval. "That lunatic turned me into a crazy person too. I'm talking to a toy.", she told the Bear.
But C.J. missed Danny. How was it possible to miss someone you saw nearly every day? She thought again of the Brussels fountain and the fun he'd brought into her life. She thought even more longingly of the passions he'd stirred and satisfied in just one night.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts so she could get back to business. The fax machine whirred and C.J. headed back into the office part of the suite. She grabbed the papers and heard the beep from the computer indicating a message. To add to the din, there was a knock on the door.
C.J. looked for her robe, it wasn't nearby. She called out, "Yes?"
A heavily accented voice called out, "Room Service."
She was perplexed, she hadn't ordered anything. "No. thank you. Merci. I'm sorry, you have the wrong room."
"No. Room Service." He knocked again.
C.J. grabbed her coat and threw it on over the chemise. She looked out the peep hole and saw a uniformed waiter with a table on wheels. C.J. held the coat in place with one hand and opened the door. "Hello, I'm sorry, there must be some mistake."
"This is the right room." The waiter wheeled the trolley in and stood there.
"But I didn't order anything.", she protested as he pulled out napkins from a shelf under the table.
"I am in the right place."
"I don't understand.", C.J. said as she eyed the platter of fruit and cheese along with a loaf of bread.
A voice from the doorway said, "Maybe I can explain."
C.J. whirled around, "Danny!"
(TO BE CONTINUED)