PART 11
"CJ, I was watching that!" Sam snapped as CJ changed the station on the television.
"Sam, it's my house," CJ rolled her eyes. "Besides, Spongebob Squarepants in on in a few minutes."
"Since when did you start watching cartoons?" Sam asked, confused.
"Creed and I watch it every night," CJ said softly.
"You miss him, huh?" Sam smiled.
"Yeah," CJ looked over at Sam. "It's boring without him here."
"Thanks CJ," Sam pretended to be hurt by her last comment.
"You know what I mean," CJ glared. "Why are you here again?"
"Your car broke down and needed a ride," Sam smiled. "Then I got hungry and came in to make a sandwich."
"I swear you should start buying my groceries. You eat everything anyway," CJ rolled her eyes.
"What wrong?" Sam asked. "You've seemed out of it all day."
"I'm fine," CJ said, turning up the television.
THE HOTEL
"Spongebob Squarepants. Spongebob Squarepants…" Creed began to sing when the show started.
"I hate this show," Toby moaned.
"It's the best," Creed smiled. "Aunt CJ and I claim it to be our show."
"Well, it's too bad she's not here to watch it with you," Toby grinned. "Turn it down a little."
"You admit it," Creed smiled, turning the volume down. "You want her here."
"No, I meant that she's the only one willing to sit down and watch an annoying cartoon with you," Toby glared.
"Spongebob is hardly annoying Uncle," Creed rolled his eyes.
"I bet you all the money in the World, she's at home right now watching CNN instead of Spongebob Squareboots."
"Squarepants," Creed glared. "Squarepants.
CJ'S HOUSE
"Spongebob Squarepants. Spongebob Squarepants," CJ began singing to herself, quietly.
"This is so sad," Sam shook his head.
"Why are you still here?" CJ asked.
"I'm not done with my sandwich," Sam said, taking another bite. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Don't talk with you mouth full Samuel," CJ looked over at him.
"Do you just miss Creed?" Sam said, after he swallowed.
"Of course I miss Creed," CJ said, turning back to the television.
"I know, I meant," Sam smiled. "What about Toby?"
"What about him?"
"Do you miss him?"
"Why would I miss Toby," CJ shot Sam a glare. "He's a moron."
"So, its just Creed?" Sam asked once more.
"Why do you think I miss Toby?" CJ snapped.
"I don't know. It was just a question," Sam defended. "I'm leaving before you take my head off."
"Good thinking," CJ snapped.
"It was nice getting yelled at by you," Sam said sarcastically before leaving.
"Spongebob Squarepants. Spongebob Squarepants."
THE HOTEL
"It's over Uncle, you can open your eyes now," Creed smiled.
"I'm sleeping."
"How can you sleep standing up?"
"Lots of practice," Toby smiled.
"Can we call Aunt CJ now?"
"Go ahead," Toby nodded. "I'm going to go downstairs to get some more coffee."
"How do you dial out?" Creed asked, looking at the phone.
"Here," Toby dialed for him. "I'll be back."
"You don't want to talk to her?" Creed asked.
"I don't have to talk to her everyday."
"This is why you never stayed married," Creed whispered to himself before Toby could walk out.
"What?" Toby turned around.
"Nothing," Creed shrugged. "Hi Aunt CJ!"
"I'm leaving," Toby glared.
"Hold on. Uncle Toby wants to talk to you," Creed said loudly and held the phone out.
"Creed," Toby said in a warning voice.
"I thought you wanted to talk to her," Creed said, innocently.
"Give me the damn phone," Toby snapped and grabbed it.
"CJ and Toby, sittin in a tree…" Creed began to whisper.
"Creed," Toby gave him a warning look.
"I'm just going to sit over here," Creed hurried over to the bed.
"Hey," Toby finally said into the phone.
"What's going on over there?"
"We just finished watching Spongejohn Squareleg," Toby mentioned.
"Spongebob Squarepants, Toby," CJ laughed.
"Whatever," Toby shrugged.
"So, how did it go today?"
"It went fine," Toby looked over at Creed, messing with the channels on the TV. "I think he's feeling better."
"What about you?" CJ asked.
"I'm fine," Toby smiled. "He got you something."
"Who?"
"Creed."
"What did he get me?" CJ smiled.
"I can't tell you. It's a surprise."
"I love surprises," CJ smiled.
"Yeah, I know," Toby agreed.
"Listen," CJ took a deep breath. "Oh, nevermind."
"No, what?"
"It's just," CJ hesitated. "It's not really the same without Creed here."
"Yeah," Toby nodded. "I know you miss him. That's part of the reason why we might be heading home tomorrow."
"Why so soon?" CJ asked.
"He misses you," Toby said, softly.
"Yeah?" CJ smiled. "What about you?"
"Hmm…" Toby thought for a minute. "You know, I miss my office and stuff."
"Okay," CJ laughed. "Can I talk with Creed?"
"Yeah," Toby said quickly and handed the phone out. "Here."
"Hi Aunt CJ," Creed answered. "I got you a nice gift."
"Thanks buddy," CJ smiled. "Tell me something."
"Sure?"
"What's your Uncle looking like right now?" CJ asked.
"Hmm…" Creed looked over at Toby looking down, his mouth half open, and a small grin in his face. "Kind of confused."
"That's what I thought," CJ laughed. "Listen, take care of him."
"I will," Creed smiled. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," CJ smiled. "Toby said you might be coming home tomorrow."
"I hope so," Creed nodded. "I think I finished what I came here to do."
"I hope so," CJ said. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."
"I hope so," Creed smiled. "I love you."
"I love you too," CJ said. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Creed hung the phone up and looked up at Toby. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Toby shook his head. "Lets just go to sleep."
"Okay," Creed smirked and got into bed. "She's got a nice body."
"Who?"
"Aunt CJ."
"Go to sleep."
PART 12
"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Toby asked.
"Uncle, that's the tenth time you've asked me since we've been in the car," Creed rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure."
"Because we can stay," Toby said, turning into the airport.
"Uncle, don't make me go crazy," Creed moaned as Toby parked the car back at the rental place.
"Okay," Toby got his suitcase and Creed's out of the car. "Are we ready?"
"Yes," Creed said. "Lets go home."
THE WHITE HOUSE
"Three of a kind," Sam smiled as he laid his hand down. "What did you have?"
"Full house," Josh moaned and dropped his cards down. "Sam, this sucks."
"Yeah," Sam moped.
"Hey," CJ walked in and sat on Toby's couch. "Why are you guys in Toby's office?"
"My television still doesn't work," Sam pointed out.
"Donna's holding some woman's meeting in mine and kicked me out," Josh whined.
"Josh, it's your office," CJ smirked.
"Try telling Donna that."
"I got some good news," CJ smiled. "I talked to Toby this morning."
"Well, that's nice," Sam snapped.
"What's wrong with you?" CJ asked.
"He's mad because Toby hasn't called him at all during his trip," Josh grinned.
"He's been busy," CJ pointed out.
"He has time to call you," Sam said harshly.
"Sam, you sound like Toby's overbearing wife," Josh smacked him on the arm.
"Well, he's coming back tomorrow," CJ smiled. "Well, he'll get in tonight."
"I thought he was spending three days there?" Josh asked.
"I guess they're both getting home sick."
"Toby? Homesick? I personally doubt that," Sam shook his head. "Did you say something to him to make him cut the trip short?" Sam glared.
"I didn't say anything Sammy," CJ glared back. "Creed wants to come back and he agreed."
"What the hell is this?" Leo snapped, barging in. "It's one in the afternoon people! Don't you have work to do?" Leo yelled, causing the three of them to jump up.
"Yeah," Josh and Sam said quickly and ran out, leaving the cards they were playing with all over Toby's desk.
"CJ, do you have a briefing or something?" Leo snapped, starting to walk out.
"Toby's coming back tomorrow," CJ smiled.
"Yes, I know. I'm hearing it from the President," Leo glared.
"The President doesn't want Toby to come back?"
"The President wanted Toby and Creed to be able to spend some time together. When Toby's here. All he does is work."
"He goes home early," CJ defended.
"CJ. When was the last time Toby got out of here before eight at night?" Leo asked, already knowing the answer. "He's a workaholic. Which is all well and good, until you have a child to worry about. Creed's seven years old. He witnessed his mom kill herself, yet he can't remember. He had to drop everything he knew and move out here all in one day," Leo snapped, after he shut the office door. "I don't want Creed to suffer in the long run. I don't want Toby to make the same mistakes I did with my child."
"You have a good relationship with Mallory," CJ pointed out.
"CJ, I missed the first ten years of her life. I missed her first steps. Her first words. Her first day of school. I even missed her high school graduation," Leo snapped. "She never admitted it, but I know it hurt her. And I don't want Creed to feel that way."
"He's seven," CJ said.
"I know," Leo said softly and walked out. "Get back to work."
"Yes sir," CJ nodded and walked off.
TBC
"CJ, I was watching that!" Sam snapped as CJ changed the station on the television.
"Sam, it's my house," CJ rolled her eyes. "Besides, Spongebob Squarepants in on in a few minutes."
"Since when did you start watching cartoons?" Sam asked, confused.
"Creed and I watch it every night," CJ said softly.
"You miss him, huh?" Sam smiled.
"Yeah," CJ looked over at Sam. "It's boring without him here."
"Thanks CJ," Sam pretended to be hurt by her last comment.
"You know what I mean," CJ glared. "Why are you here again?"
"Your car broke down and needed a ride," Sam smiled. "Then I got hungry and came in to make a sandwich."
"I swear you should start buying my groceries. You eat everything anyway," CJ rolled her eyes.
"What wrong?" Sam asked. "You've seemed out of it all day."
"I'm fine," CJ said, turning up the television.
THE HOTEL
"Spongebob Squarepants. Spongebob Squarepants…" Creed began to sing when the show started.
"I hate this show," Toby moaned.
"It's the best," Creed smiled. "Aunt CJ and I claim it to be our show."
"Well, it's too bad she's not here to watch it with you," Toby grinned. "Turn it down a little."
"You admit it," Creed smiled, turning the volume down. "You want her here."
"No, I meant that she's the only one willing to sit down and watch an annoying cartoon with you," Toby glared.
"Spongebob is hardly annoying Uncle," Creed rolled his eyes.
"I bet you all the money in the World, she's at home right now watching CNN instead of Spongebob Squareboots."
"Squarepants," Creed glared. "Squarepants.
CJ'S HOUSE
"Spongebob Squarepants. Spongebob Squarepants," CJ began singing to herself, quietly.
"This is so sad," Sam shook his head.
"Why are you still here?" CJ asked.
"I'm not done with my sandwich," Sam said, taking another bite. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Don't talk with you mouth full Samuel," CJ looked over at him.
"Do you just miss Creed?" Sam said, after he swallowed.
"Of course I miss Creed," CJ said, turning back to the television.
"I know, I meant," Sam smiled. "What about Toby?"
"What about him?"
"Do you miss him?"
"Why would I miss Toby," CJ shot Sam a glare. "He's a moron."
"So, its just Creed?" Sam asked once more.
"Why do you think I miss Toby?" CJ snapped.
"I don't know. It was just a question," Sam defended. "I'm leaving before you take my head off."
"Good thinking," CJ snapped.
"It was nice getting yelled at by you," Sam said sarcastically before leaving.
"Spongebob Squarepants. Spongebob Squarepants."
THE HOTEL
"It's over Uncle, you can open your eyes now," Creed smiled.
"I'm sleeping."
"How can you sleep standing up?"
"Lots of practice," Toby smiled.
"Can we call Aunt CJ now?"
"Go ahead," Toby nodded. "I'm going to go downstairs to get some more coffee."
"How do you dial out?" Creed asked, looking at the phone.
"Here," Toby dialed for him. "I'll be back."
"You don't want to talk to her?" Creed asked.
"I don't have to talk to her everyday."
"This is why you never stayed married," Creed whispered to himself before Toby could walk out.
"What?" Toby turned around.
"Nothing," Creed shrugged. "Hi Aunt CJ!"
"I'm leaving," Toby glared.
"Hold on. Uncle Toby wants to talk to you," Creed said loudly and held the phone out.
"Creed," Toby said in a warning voice.
"I thought you wanted to talk to her," Creed said, innocently.
"Give me the damn phone," Toby snapped and grabbed it.
"CJ and Toby, sittin in a tree…" Creed began to whisper.
"Creed," Toby gave him a warning look.
"I'm just going to sit over here," Creed hurried over to the bed.
"Hey," Toby finally said into the phone.
"What's going on over there?"
"We just finished watching Spongejohn Squareleg," Toby mentioned.
"Spongebob Squarepants, Toby," CJ laughed.
"Whatever," Toby shrugged.
"So, how did it go today?"
"It went fine," Toby looked over at Creed, messing with the channels on the TV. "I think he's feeling better."
"What about you?" CJ asked.
"I'm fine," Toby smiled. "He got you something."
"Who?"
"Creed."
"What did he get me?" CJ smiled.
"I can't tell you. It's a surprise."
"I love surprises," CJ smiled.
"Yeah, I know," Toby agreed.
"Listen," CJ took a deep breath. "Oh, nevermind."
"No, what?"
"It's just," CJ hesitated. "It's not really the same without Creed here."
"Yeah," Toby nodded. "I know you miss him. That's part of the reason why we might be heading home tomorrow."
"Why so soon?" CJ asked.
"He misses you," Toby said, softly.
"Yeah?" CJ smiled. "What about you?"
"Hmm…" Toby thought for a minute. "You know, I miss my office and stuff."
"Okay," CJ laughed. "Can I talk with Creed?"
"Yeah," Toby said quickly and handed the phone out. "Here."
"Hi Aunt CJ," Creed answered. "I got you a nice gift."
"Thanks buddy," CJ smiled. "Tell me something."
"Sure?"
"What's your Uncle looking like right now?" CJ asked.
"Hmm…" Creed looked over at Toby looking down, his mouth half open, and a small grin in his face. "Kind of confused."
"That's what I thought," CJ laughed. "Listen, take care of him."
"I will," Creed smiled. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," CJ smiled. "Toby said you might be coming home tomorrow."
"I hope so," Creed nodded. "I think I finished what I came here to do."
"I hope so," CJ said. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."
"I hope so," Creed smiled. "I love you."
"I love you too," CJ said. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Creed hung the phone up and looked up at Toby. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Toby shook his head. "Lets just go to sleep."
"Okay," Creed smirked and got into bed. "She's got a nice body."
"Who?"
"Aunt CJ."
"Go to sleep."
PART 12
"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Toby asked.
"Uncle, that's the tenth time you've asked me since we've been in the car," Creed rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure."
"Because we can stay," Toby said, turning into the airport.
"Uncle, don't make me go crazy," Creed moaned as Toby parked the car back at the rental place.
"Okay," Toby got his suitcase and Creed's out of the car. "Are we ready?"
"Yes," Creed said. "Lets go home."
THE WHITE HOUSE
"Three of a kind," Sam smiled as he laid his hand down. "What did you have?"
"Full house," Josh moaned and dropped his cards down. "Sam, this sucks."
"Yeah," Sam moped.
"Hey," CJ walked in and sat on Toby's couch. "Why are you guys in Toby's office?"
"My television still doesn't work," Sam pointed out.
"Donna's holding some woman's meeting in mine and kicked me out," Josh whined.
"Josh, it's your office," CJ smirked.
"Try telling Donna that."
"I got some good news," CJ smiled. "I talked to Toby this morning."
"Well, that's nice," Sam snapped.
"What's wrong with you?" CJ asked.
"He's mad because Toby hasn't called him at all during his trip," Josh grinned.
"He's been busy," CJ pointed out.
"He has time to call you," Sam said harshly.
"Sam, you sound like Toby's overbearing wife," Josh smacked him on the arm.
"Well, he's coming back tomorrow," CJ smiled. "Well, he'll get in tonight."
"I thought he was spending three days there?" Josh asked.
"I guess they're both getting home sick."
"Toby? Homesick? I personally doubt that," Sam shook his head. "Did you say something to him to make him cut the trip short?" Sam glared.
"I didn't say anything Sammy," CJ glared back. "Creed wants to come back and he agreed."
"What the hell is this?" Leo snapped, barging in. "It's one in the afternoon people! Don't you have work to do?" Leo yelled, causing the three of them to jump up.
"Yeah," Josh and Sam said quickly and ran out, leaving the cards they were playing with all over Toby's desk.
"CJ, do you have a briefing or something?" Leo snapped, starting to walk out.
"Toby's coming back tomorrow," CJ smiled.
"Yes, I know. I'm hearing it from the President," Leo glared.
"The President doesn't want Toby to come back?"
"The President wanted Toby and Creed to be able to spend some time together. When Toby's here. All he does is work."
"He goes home early," CJ defended.
"CJ. When was the last time Toby got out of here before eight at night?" Leo asked, already knowing the answer. "He's a workaholic. Which is all well and good, until you have a child to worry about. Creed's seven years old. He witnessed his mom kill herself, yet he can't remember. He had to drop everything he knew and move out here all in one day," Leo snapped, after he shut the office door. "I don't want Creed to suffer in the long run. I don't want Toby to make the same mistakes I did with my child."
"You have a good relationship with Mallory," CJ pointed out.
"CJ, I missed the first ten years of her life. I missed her first steps. Her first words. Her first day of school. I even missed her high school graduation," Leo snapped. "She never admitted it, but I know it hurt her. And I don't want Creed to feel that way."
"He's seven," CJ said.
"I know," Leo said softly and walked out. "Get back to work."
"Yes sir," CJ nodded and walked off.
TBC