Chapter eleven.
They filed silently into the Oval Office, lining up along the Presidents desk as though lining up in front of a firing squad. Toby and C.J. studied the carpet as Jed Bartlet spoke; neither could look him in the eye.
"Could you give me and C.J. the room, please?"
The rest of them filed out and Toby cast a backward glance at C.J's tall frame, head bowed, and his heart ached. He was annoyed at this happening to her; he didn't want it to. He only wanted himself to be worried by it, not her.
The President motioned for C.J. to sit down on the couch and he sat in a chair. He studied her face- she looked shocked and pale, her eyes glistening slightly with tears.
"As you're the Press Secretary I felt this was a matter to be discussed with you as you are in frequent contact with the press, but it will be more difficult as you are directly involved. What do you suggest happens from here?"
"Well," she cleared her throat, "the only thing is for one, or both of us, to leave. The one who resigns will have to make a statement to the Press tomorrow saying they have resigned for personal reasons and it would be best if they left Washington." Her voice cracked at the end of her sentence and she put her head into her hands.
"I see. TOBY!" The President shouted and Toby came into the room. He sat down opposite C.J., knowing what was coming.
"One of you will have to leave. There's no use beating about the bush with the matter. I can't lose both of you, but I'm afraid one of you will have to go." He looked at them both, then stood up. "I'll leave you alone for a while."
Toby looked at her. She was gazing back at him. "Mr. President, "Toby said, "you don't need to leave. I will."
Jed turned around. Toby carried on in a monotonous voice. "If I go, Sam can take over my job. There is no one to take over C.J. You wont need me for anything major; the State of The Union was a month ago. I'll be gone by the end of the month."
The President walked over and hugged Toby. "I'm sorry, if I could, I would let both of you stay. But in this situation, its got to be like this. I'll be sorry to lose you."
C.J. stood up. "But that only gives you a week here." Tears ran down her cheeks and she made no effort to stop them.
"I'll go to my brothers place, find an apartment there." He said to her as he moved closer to her. He hugged her. "I better go prepare my statement."
"No."
"C.J., you can't stop me doing this."
"I can. I'll resign."
"No you won't. I've explained, there's someone to take over my job. They need you more than me." He walked out of the room and she broke down in a wave of fresh tears.