Disclaimer - Only borrowing these characters for some
fun.
Pairing - Josiah/Claudia Jean (past), Josiah/Abigail,
L/Abigail (past). **A/U**
Background: Will love work a second time around?
Rating: God Q. Wish I knew. Let's go with PG-13.
Author: Karin Andersson
Archive: Not yet but later when the story is done and
(hopefully) all fixed. Flaws and all.
Thank you: Kim, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
Feedback: "If you like it you do and if you don't you
boo." - J.R.R. Tolkien (Yes, I crave it!!!)
Note: I wrote this as a protest to some Jed/CJ fan fictions I came upon that had Abbey like a wicked witch standing between Jed and CJ's love. You get the idea. It wasn't the pairing that bothered me (although for me it's Jed with Abbey always) but the way they had Abbey like some kind of idiot, emotionless superb**** did bother me. I'm not turning anyone into a b**** here so you can remain calm.. ;)
Breaking Barriers
Part 1
CJ strode into the Oval Office. This was it. They knew it would happen someday. They had talked about it and here it was. He had not said anything, but she wasn't blind. "Hey, Charlie. Is he in?"
"Yeah. Go ahead." He smiled at her.
CJ knocked once and let herself in. "Hey."
Jed looked up. "Hey yourself."
Seating herself in the wingchair in front of the desk, she got right down to business. "I have something to say and will just spit it out."
He smiled at her. "When have you ever done it differently?"
"Yeah." She paused. No matter how hard he had fallen, he would never take the first step. He was just too honourable. "Jed, we should get a divorce."
He was taken aback. "What?"
"We've talked about this. We made a deal, remember?"
It suddenly dawned on him. "Right. So who is he?"
"It's a she."
Surprise shown on his face, that he was sure. "Really?"
She sighed. "No, no, no. I'm not talking about me."
Studying her face, he leaned back in his chair. "How did you know?"
"It's not hard to see. You try to hide it, but I see it. Oh, Jed, why didn't you tell me?" She continued
before he could say anything. "I know why you haven't said anything, it's because you are too damn
honourable."
"It isn't that easy, CJ. I'm The President and you're The First Lady."
"I never did like that job." Oh, it was fine at times, but she'd always felt it wasn't her thing.
"You are good at it." Although he could not deny she could get very uncomfortable with it. She would often do anything to try and get out of commitments.
"You know, I bet your Press Secretary could do it better." And CJ was sure she was right.
"Abigail McGarry? You are getting way ahead of yourself."
"Maybe." She got up and started to leave but turned one last time. "I already started the divorce
proceedings."
"WHAT?" How could she do that?
"It's time Jed. No regrets. We had a good run." She means it and smiles at him before closing the door.
He sighed. He couldn't argue. He had fallen in love with someone else, something he always thought CJ would do first. And CJ was the most perceptive person he knew. She had seen his attraction to Abigail McGarry no matter how hard he had tried to hide it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was all over the news in a day. Everyone in the Senior Staff had been told before the world had been and truth be it, no one was really surprised. They had known that The President and First Lady were more friends than husband and wife. It had turned into a marriage of convenience, simply to make The White House complete. CJ had played the perfect hostess and companion for the President. What they did not know was why now, but they didn't question it.
Abbey stretched in her office. It had been a long day and these exercises were supposed to relieve tension. So many questions and she didn't have all the answers. There was a knock on her door. "Yeah." She jumped up off her chair when she saw The President walk in. "Mr. President."
"Hi. Busy day?" She always managed to look composed, so fresh, so.....so beautiful. He closed the door behind him.
"You could say that."
He studied her as she brushed part of her hair away from her face. "Sorry about that."
She laughed. "It's all right. Unless you are here to tell me that there is a third party involved in this
divorce who is waiting in the wings to turn this into a full blown scandal."
It was meant as a joke, but he did not smile. Why was that?
Part of what she had said was right, but it still was false. He sighed.
She didn't like where this was leading. "Please tell me I'm wrong."
He tried lightening the mood. "You are, sort of."
"Care to elaborate, sir?"
He seated himself and gestured for her to do the same. "You know me and CJ haven't really had a 'real' marriage for a long time."
She nodded, not sure if she wanted to hear more. Scandal. Yep, it had scandal written all over it.
"When we realized we didn't love each other anymore, the way a couple should love each other that is, we made a deal. When one of us had found someone or fallen for someone else, we would break up the marriage." He waited for her response.
Abbey wasn't sure if he was joking or being serious. The look on his face told her it was serious. "Real
easy for you two to find someone new being who you are, wouldn't you say so, sir?"
He chuckled. "Yeah."
She suddenly realized what it meant. "So one of you has found someone else?"
"Not found, but fallen for someone, yes." The floor was suddenly very interesting.
"OK, it's none of my business who has fallen for whom." She straightened up.
'Oh, but it is.' Jed couldn't help thinking, looking up again.
"Thank you for telling me. I'm not sure why, but I guess you are giving me a heads up that something may be in the works."
He just smiled a bit. It was better to let her believe this for now. He wanted to tell her just how he felt
about her, but he knew she would withdraw. He closed his eyes. Would she ever trust a man again? The President had never imagined that he would be interested in this extraordinary woman.
"Sir?" She touched his shoulder, afraid he might not
be feeling well.
He felt her touching him and it sent a wave of pleasure through him. He opened his eyes and saw her
trying to determine how he was.
"I'm fine, doctor." He joked although when she withdrew her hand, he wished he had not said anything.
Yes, he was fine. Abbey loved his thick, dark hair and the way his eyes twinkled when he spoke about
something he believed in.
"You miss it, don't you?" He had seen it clearly on her face when he said doctor.
"Miss what?" Had she been that obvious? Well, he always was good at reading people.
"You know what. Being a doctor? Working at GW?"
"Yes." It was the truth.
He liked her that way. Never afraid to tell the truth. Even when others around him would rather run in the opposite direction than tell him something, she didn't hesitate a second to do so.
"Sir, I have been thinking about going back." Abbey voice softened. "I never expected to stay away this long."
'No, not now. Not when I need you the most'. His mind shouted, but his mouth said something else. "If you wish, then no one will stop you."
She tilted her head slightly. "I know." It was a whisper.
"We would all miss you terribly." He paused and took a breath. "I would miss you."
She smiled. "I haven't made up my mind yet. They called me yesterday asking if I would possibly be
interested. One of their attending physicians is leaving."
"They call you every time a doctor leaves." He spat out.
"So I'm popular."
He chuckled. "Yeah. I know you are one of my favourite people around here."
She wasn't sure where that came from, but she could see he was honest. It made her feel warm. "Thank you, sir."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He could not concentrate. He threw the pen at the table. It had been several months since she left, but
from the way he missed her, it had been the longest months of his life. She kept in touch with the
staff, but not with him. She probably thought it wasn't proper. Since he knew Leo spent a lot of time
with her kids, every morning he had tried to draw Leo into conversation about them, hoping that Leo would fill in the blanks about Abbey.
CJ was doing a wonderful job as the new Press Secretary. Sure it raised a few eyebrows,
The President's ex-wife now working for him, but most people actually had expected something like that. Jed Bartlet does take care of his own, friends and family alike. She was easy to work with so she blended in perfectly and soon the Ma'ams had turned into CJ or Ms. Cregg. Still he missed the former Press Secretary. He heard the knock on the door.
"Sir, do you have time for CJ?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, send her in, Charlie."
Charlie nodded and opened the door wider to let CJ enter.
"Mr. President." CJ greeted as she came into the Oval.
He smiled at her. "Still sounds weird coming from you."
"Well, that's what we agreed on. Just don't let it go o your head." She winked.
He laughed. "I'll try. What can I do for you?"
"Why don't you talk to Abbey?" Direct and to the point was the best way with him. She had always done it that way and it never failed.
"CJ...." He hoped she would get the warning in his tone.
"Most people don't understand the foul mood you're in, but I do. You miss her." If he got defensive she had a plan to expose him.
"I do not." OK, he lied, but he did not want to get into it.
She rounded his desk and picked up the receiver.
"What are you doing?" He tried taking the receiver from her, but she backed away.
"We are not married anymore so hands off." She hoped it would get him to back off.
He watched her dial. What was she up to?
"Hi. Is Doctor McGarry in?"
Jed froze. She wouldn't!
"It's CJ Cregg." She looked over at Jed. Oh yeah. He was in panic.
She couldn't. "CJ...?" he hissed.
"Yeeeesss?" she cooed.
"If you tell her then.....?" He broke off not sure what to say.
Oh, so that's what he thought she was going to do? Not a bad idea though, but no, not this time. She put the speaker on and put the receiver down in time to hear Abbey's voice.
"CJ?"
Jed's eyes automatically were drawn to where the voice came from.
CJ looked at Jed and it was clear that hearing her voice for the first time in two weeks affected him.
"Hi, Abbey. Busy day?"
"No, not so much. How are things in double W?"
Jed smiled. Double W. Abbey's own nickname for The West Wing. Many used it now, but she had started it. It was so nice hearing her voice again.
"Oh, same old things. Listen, what are you doing tonight?" CJ grabbed a pen and started writing on a
piece of paper as Abbey answered.
"Nothing. What do you have in mind?"
"You're not spending it with the girls?" CJ gave the note to Jed.
Jed took the note and read it. 'Dinner Tonight With Abbey' He looked up and shook his head. No way! This wasn't going well. He felt more panic rise.
"Eh, Leo and Jenny are taking them to dinner, remember?"
"Oh, right." CJ nodded to Jed. "So want to have dinner with The President?"
Now he was in total panic. What the hell was she doing?
"The President?"
"Yeah. He misses you like we all do, but the difference is you never talk to him like you do with
the rest of us." CJ smiled at him.
He glared at her in return.
There was a silence on the line. CJ and Jed exchanged more looks, wondering why Abbey was so quiet.
"Abbey?"
"Yeah, sorry. I do feel bad about not talking to The President, but I didn't know he missed me."
Jed looked at the phone. Was she serious? Of course he missed her.
"Why wouldn't he?" CJ asked knowing it was something Jed would want to know.
"I was just one of the employees."
CJ bit back a reply for that one and settled for another. "Haven't you learned that no one is just an
employee to Jed Bartlet?"
For the first time since this conversation had started, Jed relaxed. CJ wasn't going to reveal his
secret, but she might if he didn't agree to dinner tonight with Abbey. He heard Abbey laugh as a response to what CJ had just said and as always, it filled him with warmth.
"You are right. If he is free, I'd love to have dinner with him."
Jed felt absolutely giddy, but didn't show it.
"Are you free tonight, sir?" CJ asked him.
He looked at her. Had she just exposed his presence there to Abbey?
"He's there?"
Yes, she had. What should he do with her?
"Yes, he's been here the whole time. He didn't dare call himself." CJ was really enjoying the torture she knew he was going through.
Before letting Abbey get a chance to speak, he decided to say something himself. "I do apologize for that, but CJ decided to call you all on her own. But she is right, I miss you and would like it if you could stop by tonight."
"Erhm, well it would be nice seeing you again, sir."
CJ smiled. "I'll leave you alone to talk about the details. Bye, Abbey."
"Bye."
Jed watched her walk out of the office before taking the receiver. "I do apologize for that stunt again."
"It's all right."
"She is right on another point. No one around here is just an employee and just because you no longer work for me doesn't mean you have escaped my grasp." He was feeling calmer now. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea CJ had.
He could hear her laugh again. It was music to him. "So when does your shift end?"
"Eight."
"Then why don't you come by here around nine and we'll have a late dinner?"
"Sounds good. See you then."
"Goodbye, Abbey."
"Goodbye, sir."
He hung up the phone feeling like a boy on Christmas morning. He had not felt like this since...since ever. Since he was going to see Abbey that evening then maybe he could get some work done now.
TBC...........................
fun.
Pairing - Josiah/Claudia Jean (past), Josiah/Abigail,
L/Abigail (past). **A/U**
Background: Will love work a second time around?
Rating: God Q. Wish I knew. Let's go with PG-13.
Author: Karin Andersson
Archive: Not yet but later when the story is done and
(hopefully) all fixed. Flaws and all.
Thank you: Kim, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
Feedback: "If you like it you do and if you don't you
boo." - J.R.R. Tolkien (Yes, I crave it!!!)
Note: I wrote this as a protest to some Jed/CJ fan fictions I came upon that had Abbey like a wicked witch standing between Jed and CJ's love. You get the idea. It wasn't the pairing that bothered me (although for me it's Jed with Abbey always) but the way they had Abbey like some kind of idiot, emotionless superb**** did bother me. I'm not turning anyone into a b**** here so you can remain calm.. ;)
Breaking Barriers
Part 1
CJ strode into the Oval Office. This was it. They knew it would happen someday. They had talked about it and here it was. He had not said anything, but she wasn't blind. "Hey, Charlie. Is he in?"
"Yeah. Go ahead." He smiled at her.
CJ knocked once and let herself in. "Hey."
Jed looked up. "Hey yourself."
Seating herself in the wingchair in front of the desk, she got right down to business. "I have something to say and will just spit it out."
He smiled at her. "When have you ever done it differently?"
"Yeah." She paused. No matter how hard he had fallen, he would never take the first step. He was just too honourable. "Jed, we should get a divorce."
He was taken aback. "What?"
"We've talked about this. We made a deal, remember?"
It suddenly dawned on him. "Right. So who is he?"
"It's a she."
Surprise shown on his face, that he was sure. "Really?"
She sighed. "No, no, no. I'm not talking about me."
Studying her face, he leaned back in his chair. "How did you know?"
"It's not hard to see. You try to hide it, but I see it. Oh, Jed, why didn't you tell me?" She continued
before he could say anything. "I know why you haven't said anything, it's because you are too damn
honourable."
"It isn't that easy, CJ. I'm The President and you're The First Lady."
"I never did like that job." Oh, it was fine at times, but she'd always felt it wasn't her thing.
"You are good at it." Although he could not deny she could get very uncomfortable with it. She would often do anything to try and get out of commitments.
"You know, I bet your Press Secretary could do it better." And CJ was sure she was right.
"Abigail McGarry? You are getting way ahead of yourself."
"Maybe." She got up and started to leave but turned one last time. "I already started the divorce
proceedings."
"WHAT?" How could she do that?
"It's time Jed. No regrets. We had a good run." She means it and smiles at him before closing the door.
He sighed. He couldn't argue. He had fallen in love with someone else, something he always thought CJ would do first. And CJ was the most perceptive person he knew. She had seen his attraction to Abigail McGarry no matter how hard he had tried to hide it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was all over the news in a day. Everyone in the Senior Staff had been told before the world had been and truth be it, no one was really surprised. They had known that The President and First Lady were more friends than husband and wife. It had turned into a marriage of convenience, simply to make The White House complete. CJ had played the perfect hostess and companion for the President. What they did not know was why now, but they didn't question it.
Abbey stretched in her office. It had been a long day and these exercises were supposed to relieve tension. So many questions and she didn't have all the answers. There was a knock on her door. "Yeah." She jumped up off her chair when she saw The President walk in. "Mr. President."
"Hi. Busy day?" She always managed to look composed, so fresh, so.....so beautiful. He closed the door behind him.
"You could say that."
He studied her as she brushed part of her hair away from her face. "Sorry about that."
She laughed. "It's all right. Unless you are here to tell me that there is a third party involved in this
divorce who is waiting in the wings to turn this into a full blown scandal."
It was meant as a joke, but he did not smile. Why was that?
Part of what she had said was right, but it still was false. He sighed.
She didn't like where this was leading. "Please tell me I'm wrong."
He tried lightening the mood. "You are, sort of."
"Care to elaborate, sir?"
He seated himself and gestured for her to do the same. "You know me and CJ haven't really had a 'real' marriage for a long time."
She nodded, not sure if she wanted to hear more. Scandal. Yep, it had scandal written all over it.
"When we realized we didn't love each other anymore, the way a couple should love each other that is, we made a deal. When one of us had found someone or fallen for someone else, we would break up the marriage." He waited for her response.
Abbey wasn't sure if he was joking or being serious. The look on his face told her it was serious. "Real
easy for you two to find someone new being who you are, wouldn't you say so, sir?"
He chuckled. "Yeah."
She suddenly realized what it meant. "So one of you has found someone else?"
"Not found, but fallen for someone, yes." The floor was suddenly very interesting.
"OK, it's none of my business who has fallen for whom." She straightened up.
'Oh, but it is.' Jed couldn't help thinking, looking up again.
"Thank you for telling me. I'm not sure why, but I guess you are giving me a heads up that something may be in the works."
He just smiled a bit. It was better to let her believe this for now. He wanted to tell her just how he felt
about her, but he knew she would withdraw. He closed his eyes. Would she ever trust a man again? The President had never imagined that he would be interested in this extraordinary woman.
"Sir?" She touched his shoulder, afraid he might not
be feeling well.
He felt her touching him and it sent a wave of pleasure through him. He opened his eyes and saw her
trying to determine how he was.
"I'm fine, doctor." He joked although when she withdrew her hand, he wished he had not said anything.
Yes, he was fine. Abbey loved his thick, dark hair and the way his eyes twinkled when he spoke about
something he believed in.
"You miss it, don't you?" He had seen it clearly on her face when he said doctor.
"Miss what?" Had she been that obvious? Well, he always was good at reading people.
"You know what. Being a doctor? Working at GW?"
"Yes." It was the truth.
He liked her that way. Never afraid to tell the truth. Even when others around him would rather run in the opposite direction than tell him something, she didn't hesitate a second to do so.
"Sir, I have been thinking about going back." Abbey voice softened. "I never expected to stay away this long."
'No, not now. Not when I need you the most'. His mind shouted, but his mouth said something else. "If you wish, then no one will stop you."
She tilted her head slightly. "I know." It was a whisper.
"We would all miss you terribly." He paused and took a breath. "I would miss you."
She smiled. "I haven't made up my mind yet. They called me yesterday asking if I would possibly be
interested. One of their attending physicians is leaving."
"They call you every time a doctor leaves." He spat out.
"So I'm popular."
He chuckled. "Yeah. I know you are one of my favourite people around here."
She wasn't sure where that came from, but she could see he was honest. It made her feel warm. "Thank you, sir."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He could not concentrate. He threw the pen at the table. It had been several months since she left, but
from the way he missed her, it had been the longest months of his life. She kept in touch with the
staff, but not with him. She probably thought it wasn't proper. Since he knew Leo spent a lot of time
with her kids, every morning he had tried to draw Leo into conversation about them, hoping that Leo would fill in the blanks about Abbey.
CJ was doing a wonderful job as the new Press Secretary. Sure it raised a few eyebrows,
The President's ex-wife now working for him, but most people actually had expected something like that. Jed Bartlet does take care of his own, friends and family alike. She was easy to work with so she blended in perfectly and soon the Ma'ams had turned into CJ or Ms. Cregg. Still he missed the former Press Secretary. He heard the knock on the door.
"Sir, do you have time for CJ?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, send her in, Charlie."
Charlie nodded and opened the door wider to let CJ enter.
"Mr. President." CJ greeted as she came into the Oval.
He smiled at her. "Still sounds weird coming from you."
"Well, that's what we agreed on. Just don't let it go o your head." She winked.
He laughed. "I'll try. What can I do for you?"
"Why don't you talk to Abbey?" Direct and to the point was the best way with him. She had always done it that way and it never failed.
"CJ...." He hoped she would get the warning in his tone.
"Most people don't understand the foul mood you're in, but I do. You miss her." If he got defensive she had a plan to expose him.
"I do not." OK, he lied, but he did not want to get into it.
She rounded his desk and picked up the receiver.
"What are you doing?" He tried taking the receiver from her, but she backed away.
"We are not married anymore so hands off." She hoped it would get him to back off.
He watched her dial. What was she up to?
"Hi. Is Doctor McGarry in?"
Jed froze. She wouldn't!
"It's CJ Cregg." She looked over at Jed. Oh yeah. He was in panic.
She couldn't. "CJ...?" he hissed.
"Yeeeesss?" she cooed.
"If you tell her then.....?" He broke off not sure what to say.
Oh, so that's what he thought she was going to do? Not a bad idea though, but no, not this time. She put the speaker on and put the receiver down in time to hear Abbey's voice.
"CJ?"
Jed's eyes automatically were drawn to where the voice came from.
CJ looked at Jed and it was clear that hearing her voice for the first time in two weeks affected him.
"Hi, Abbey. Busy day?"
"No, not so much. How are things in double W?"
Jed smiled. Double W. Abbey's own nickname for The West Wing. Many used it now, but she had started it. It was so nice hearing her voice again.
"Oh, same old things. Listen, what are you doing tonight?" CJ grabbed a pen and started writing on a
piece of paper as Abbey answered.
"Nothing. What do you have in mind?"
"You're not spending it with the girls?" CJ gave the note to Jed.
Jed took the note and read it. 'Dinner Tonight With Abbey' He looked up and shook his head. No way! This wasn't going well. He felt more panic rise.
"Eh, Leo and Jenny are taking them to dinner, remember?"
"Oh, right." CJ nodded to Jed. "So want to have dinner with The President?"
Now he was in total panic. What the hell was she doing?
"The President?"
"Yeah. He misses you like we all do, but the difference is you never talk to him like you do with
the rest of us." CJ smiled at him.
He glared at her in return.
There was a silence on the line. CJ and Jed exchanged more looks, wondering why Abbey was so quiet.
"Abbey?"
"Yeah, sorry. I do feel bad about not talking to The President, but I didn't know he missed me."
Jed looked at the phone. Was she serious? Of course he missed her.
"Why wouldn't he?" CJ asked knowing it was something Jed would want to know.
"I was just one of the employees."
CJ bit back a reply for that one and settled for another. "Haven't you learned that no one is just an
employee to Jed Bartlet?"
For the first time since this conversation had started, Jed relaxed. CJ wasn't going to reveal his
secret, but she might if he didn't agree to dinner tonight with Abbey. He heard Abbey laugh as a response to what CJ had just said and as always, it filled him with warmth.
"You are right. If he is free, I'd love to have dinner with him."
Jed felt absolutely giddy, but didn't show it.
"Are you free tonight, sir?" CJ asked him.
He looked at her. Had she just exposed his presence there to Abbey?
"He's there?"
Yes, she had. What should he do with her?
"Yes, he's been here the whole time. He didn't dare call himself." CJ was really enjoying the torture she knew he was going through.
Before letting Abbey get a chance to speak, he decided to say something himself. "I do apologize for that, but CJ decided to call you all on her own. But she is right, I miss you and would like it if you could stop by tonight."
"Erhm, well it would be nice seeing you again, sir."
CJ smiled. "I'll leave you alone to talk about the details. Bye, Abbey."
"Bye."
Jed watched her walk out of the office before taking the receiver. "I do apologize for that stunt again."
"It's all right."
"She is right on another point. No one around here is just an employee and just because you no longer work for me doesn't mean you have escaped my grasp." He was feeling calmer now. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea CJ had.
He could hear her laugh again. It was music to him. "So when does your shift end?"
"Eight."
"Then why don't you come by here around nine and we'll have a late dinner?"
"Sounds good. See you then."
"Goodbye, Abbey."
"Goodbye, sir."
He hung up the phone feeling like a boy on Christmas morning. He had not felt like this since...since ever. Since he was going to see Abbey that evening then maybe he could get some work done now.
TBC...........................