Title: Wolf In Lafayette Park (1/1)
Series: Part Three in the 'Alphabet Soup' series. 'Cat in a Box' comes first, then 'Panda on the Potomac'.
Author: Jenn AKA Mab8Merlin
Rating: G
Spoilers: Lame Duck Congress
Disclaimer: I really wish I could say that these characters were mine, but they belong to Aaron Sorkin, Warner Brothers, John Wells, ETC. I just take them from the big toy box and play with them on occasion.
Author's Note: I would just like to say that I took the idea for Danny's new job from Lois' 'Startling Developments' so I can take no claim for that idea. As I said, I've pulled stuff from all over, so it will not fit into the timeline of West Wing.

He stopped in the doorway of her office and watched her for a few minutes. It was a rare thing indeed to see the press secretary lounging around in her office being anything less then professional; but here was proof that it did in fact happen.

Stretched out across the tan couch in a red long sleeved t-shirt, blue jeans and white socks; an almost empty bowl of popcorn in her lap and a large bottle of water lying next to her; C.J. looked relaxed as she watched a movie on one of the TV's stuffed into the crowded bookcase.

Danny smiled to himself as he leaned against the door jam.

"Hey."

Glancing up from the movie, C.J. looked at the reporter standing in the doorway. It was one of the few times she had seen him in casual clothing; jeans and a gray Notre Dame t-shirt and a backwards baseball cap; but more importantly, it was the first time she had seen in him almost a week.

"Hey yourself. What are you doing here?"

Walking into the office, he picked up her feet and sat down, laying them across his lap. Gently massaging the arch of her foot with his thumb, he turned to look at her. "Whatcha watching?"

"A movie." She answered, not really watching the movie anymore, but what he was doing instead.

"What movie?"

"The Three Musketeers from Disney, why?"

"Just curious, that's all. Why are you watching it here?"

"The plane leaves at two in the morning and we have a staff meeting at midnight. I didn't see any point in going back to my apartment only to have to come back here in a few hours."

"Oh."

Glancing at his watch, he noted the time.

"You're going to sit here for four hours watching movies and eating popcorn?"

"That was my plan. You never answered my question; what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for the same plane you are."

"I meant back here in my office. I thought all the members of the Press Corps would be doing whatever it is that you all do before we leave the country for two weeks."

"Well put C.J. One would think you use words on a daily basis."

"You're avoiding my question Daniel."

Looking down at her feet, he ran his finger along the base of her toes and watched as they curled downward.

"Got time for a walk?"

"Where to?"

"Somewhere close like around Lafayette Park?"

Leaning over the side of the couch, she looked underneath it for the sneakers she had kicked off earlier. Sliding her feet from his lap, she sat up and slipped the shoes on. Standing, she looked down at him.

"Alright." She said, reaching for the remote and stopping the movie.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The warm air of the June night surrounded them as they walked along the path. There were a few scattered people here and there, but for the most part the park was empty as night settled over the city.

"So," C.J. said, breaking the comfortable silence they had been walking in for the past few minutes, "where have you been?"

"New Hampshire."

Stopping, she stared at him for a moment. "You weren't hassling the First Lady were you?"

Turning, he gave her a hurt look. "I thought you had more respect for me then that; and that you knew me better. I'm not one of those reporters who stoops that low C.J."

Sighing, she nodded. "I know, I'm sorry, but what were you doing in New Hampshire then?"

"My presence was requested by the First Lady to discuss my writing another book."

"Oh." She said, slowly starting to walk again.

They continued to walk until they reached the Bernard Baruch Bench of Inspiration, where they stopped and sat.

Leaning forward, Danny turned and looked at C.J. since they had started to walk again.

"I wanted you to hear this from me, and not from some other reporter in the press room or during your staff meeting later tonight?"

Meeting his eyes, she frowned.

"Hear what?"

Reaching over, he took her hand in his, interweaving their fingers tightly before continuing.

"Friday's my last day covering the White House for The Washington Post."

"What?"

"After Friday I won't be working for The Washington Post anymore."

"And what newspaper are you going to be working for? The Dallas Morning News?"

"I'm not going to be working for a newspaper."

"Oh; well then where are you going to be working?"

She asked as she tried to pull her hand out of his.

Danny gripped her fingers tighter, refusing to let her pull away this time. There had been to many times in the past that he had let her get away and it was going to end.

"I already told you C.J. I'm guessing you weren't paying attention to what I was saying earlier?"

Frowning, she used her free hand to brush her hair from her face as she tried to think about what he had said.

"The First Lady? You're going to write another book on her?"

"Well, she's thinking about a series of books on the entire administration, but I asked her to wait on discussing it with you until after I had a chance to talk with you."

"And you said yes?" she asked, still slightly bewildered by this little announcement of his.

"Well, I'd be a fool if I told her no. It's a privilege that not many people are bestowed with." Squeezing her hand, he pulled her closer. "And it means no more conflict of interest between us."

"Let me see if I've got all this; you are not going to be a reporter anymore, instead your going to write a series of books on the President's terms in office?"

"Well, at least one term. He hasn't been elected to a second term yet."

"Yet; with who the republicans are looking to nominate, we've got it in the bag. Is this why you turned down the editor position?"

"There was a rumor going around that Dr. Bartlet was thinking about the book and that she was going to ask me to write it. It's not reporting, but it's still writing; and that's what I want to do, write. Plus, it means I'll still be around the White House."

As it all settled in her mind, C.J. smiled. Danny wasn't going to be a reporter anymore, which meant there was nothing that Leo, the President and Toby could have a problem with if she were to pursue a relationship with him.

"So you're no longer working in my press room, or any press room for that matter?"

"Right."

"But you're not leaving Washington?"

"Nope." He answered, his smile matching hers.

Sliding his free arm around her waist, he pulled her against his side.

"Why are you going to Australia with us then?" C.J. asked letting her head fall onto his shoulder.

"To discuss plans for the book and the first lady thought you might like a date for the reception at the end of the trip."

"What makes her think I don't already have someone to go with? I could be attending with Josh or Toby or even Sam for that matter."

"Maybe I'm hoping you'll go with me, have some pity on a poor writer who's never been permitted to attend these types of events from anywhere but from behind the press lines before."

"Well, if you put it that way, how can I refuse?"

"You can't." he answered, letting go of her hand so he could reach into the pocket of his jeans. Pulling out a palm sized gray wolf stuffed animal, he reached for her hand again.

Looking down at her hand, she smiled at the animal. "You really plan on giving me all of these things, don't you?"

"Yup; I told you I would."

Grinning, she leaned over and kissed him. Letting her forehead rest against his, she smiled. "So Mr. Concannon, after Friday, you can ask me out on a date and I can change my answer from no to yes."

"I'll have to write that down in my trusty little notebook then."

Laughing, she leaned back and grabbed his baseball hat, sliding it onto her own head as she reached out and messed up his hair. Standing, she pulled her shirt down and stared at him.

"Come on wolfboy, you can join me in my office for some movie time. I'll even share my popcorn with you."

Standing, Danny grabbed her hand as they started to walk back towards the White House.