Part 4

Toby drove to CJ's house and found her car parked in the driveway. He could see her moving around inside. He was thinking about going in to talk to her, but decided against it. She needed some space right now. He had asked Michael to call him to let him know how CJ was doing while she was in Dayton. He felt she was in good hands. This was a time to be with family, and he knew that. Toby looked up one last time and then drove away.

CJ didn't sleep that night, mostly because she had slept all day at work. She got all her clothes together and got her suitcases out and packed them. She looked up at the clock and saw that it was five in the morning. She wanted to get to the airport around six to avoid the traffic. She thought about calling her mom or brothers, but it was too early and if they were sleeping, she didn't want to wake them. She finished packing and took her things downstairs. She tossed the suitcase on the couch just as she heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" CJ asked while checking the clock again.

"It's me," CJ went over to the door and opened it at the sound of his voice.

"What are you doing here?" She asked as Toby walked in.

"I wanted to see you before you left." He replied with a shrug.

"I just finished packing," She walked over to her couch. She was finding it hard to look at him as her head filled up with memories of yesterday.

"I hope you didn't mind me making the arrangements," Toby paced nervously, noting her refusal to look at him.

"No, it was fine. Thank you," She still looked down at her couch.

"Um…I talked to Leo and the President and they said to take as much time as you need. Don't hurry home," Toby looked at her and begged silently for her to look back. "CJ…"

"It's fine," She said quickly and walked passed him and into the kitchen. "I just need to finish some things."

"Why won't you look at me?" He asked softly, resisting the urge to reach out and touch her.

"Toby, it's five in the morning on a Saturday," She pointed out, still not looking at him.

"I know."

"Why are you here?" She finally took a breath and looked over at him. He looked different to her today. He was wearing faded jeans and a tee-shirt.
"I wanted to see you." Toby said honestly as he studied her face.

"Toby, it's February. Where's your coat?" She asked coldly.

"I forgot it," Toby smiled weakly, glad she was acting like herself again. Yelling at him for not taking care of himself, which she did all the time.

"I swear, it can be ten below outside and you would go out in shorts." She crossed her arms and managed to glare at him.

"I like cold weather."

"Why are you here again?" She shook her head and passed him again, but this time, he reached out to her and grabbed her upper arm softly. She stopped and looked at him.

"I wanted to see you," He repeated. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"My father just died and you want to know if I'm okay?" She bit her lip at the harshness in her voice.

"You know what I mean, Claudia," He warned. She stood there for a moment and stared at him.

"What didn't you just call me?" She asked calmly.

"It seems to be the only way to get you to listen to me sometimes," He said while letting her go.

"I'm fine," She said simply and walked over to the couch.

"You're not looking at me any more."

"Because I'm in a hurry."

"Should I go?" He asked.

"I'll be leaving soon, so…"

"Okay," Toby nodded. "Promise me something before I go," He asked while standing in front of the door.

"What?" She looked up at him.

"If you need anything. Anything at all. Please call me," He pleaded. "Promise me that CJ."

"I promise," She looked down again, tears threatening in her eyes again. "I should get the rest of the…"

"Yeah," He nodded and opened the door to leave.

"Toby," CJ said quickly before we walked out. He stuck his head back in.

"Yeah?"

"If I asked you to come with me, what would you say?" She was shocked that she actually asked that.

"That depends," He walked back in.

"On what?" She asked.

"Do you want me to go with you?" He asked. CJ looked down a minute and then walked over to him.

"Yes," She whispered. "I'm scared to go alone."

"Then I'll go with you," He patted her on the arm. "I'll go."

"Thank you," She smiled weakly and moved back over to the couch. "I want to get there by six, even earlier if we need to get you a ticket. So you should go pack."

"Oh yeah," Toby smiled and opened the door again. He reached for something and carried it in. "I'm packed."

"You came packed?" She asked with a smirk.

"I was hoping you would ask me to come with you." He mentioned.

"And the ticket?"

"I got one last night when I got yours."

"What about Leo…"

"I called him last night and he told me to go. He thought it was a good idea. They're bringing in Bruno to help out with me gone."

"So everything is fine?"

"Everything is fine," He said.

TBC