Chapter four.
"Dinosaur." Josh stated and the agent let them in. Toby looked at him.
"Dinosaur?"
"Jurassic Park." Josh said over his shoulder as they entered the room. The President, Leo and Sam were already there. C.J. followed shortly. She took a seat next to Toby as The President cleared his throat and stood up.
"Well, we all know why we're here. Last year, something similar happened to Josh, and after extensive discussions, Donna Moss took it upon herself to leave her job here at The White House.
"But, I feel it may not be the same solution with you two. I'm sorry, Josh, but this is different than it was for you. I can't let you two go. After the Haiti incident a few years ago, I told you, C.J., that I needed you, that I wouldn't let you resign. It's going to be the same this time, for you and Toby. But I think that you shouldn't continue your relationship."
C.J.s head reeled. This wasn't possible. She looked at Toby, who was staring at the President, a look of pure shock on his face, his hands clutching the edges of the table, his knuckles whitening.
"I'm sorry, Mr. President, but I don't think that's possible." Toby said, never taking his eyes off him. ""I can't do that. It's taken me twenty years to finally be with the woman I truly love, against all odds. I don't want to lose that now. If I have to lose that, then The White House will lose its Communications Director." He took C.J.s hands in his own and looked at her. She felt a tear fall down her cheek and Toby brush it away softly, sending shivers down her spine.
"With all due respect, Sir, I can't do what you say either." She smiled at Toby and then looked at everyone in turn around the table. They were all staring at them, rendered speechless. Even the President felt his heart soften and he spoke again.
"Well, my instructions have been defied. But I'll say this; I can't let you two be split up after watching that. You must promise me this: work is work and that only. You keep your private lives to outside The White House. And you'll never be able to get away from the Press, being as high profile as you two are. Look what happened to Josh."
Josh grimaced, remembering the painful breakup he suffered with Donna after they realised that they worked too closely together, especially with them being in a relationship together, and with the Press on their backs constantly, hatching new rumours about them and taking photos of them wherever they went, they decided to go their separate ways. She had moved to New York several months ago now and Josh felt a pang of sadness- he hadn't got over it, and he suspected he wouldn't for a long time yet; maybe he never would. He was now seeing Amy Gardner again, but knew he was only with her as she was a (in his opinion, poor) substitute for Donna and he didn't have the nerve to break it off.
They all stood up as The President turned to leave. C.J. and Toby looked at each other and smiled weakly, then walked their separate ways to their offices.