Title: Letting it Lie
Disclaimer: Not mine
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CJ looked down at her phone and read the word: Danny. CJ's eyes grew with giddiness. She reached the phone to her ear as she walked toward The White House on the glorious spring day.
"Larry's house of carpet's there is no one to take your call right now, but if you hold on one of our operators---"
"I'd like something in mauve. You got mauve?"
"That's the best you can do. Mauve?"
"It's a funny color?"
"So is nut meringue, but you don't see me leading off with it?"
'Nut meringue?""Okay, that I made up."
"Okay, so I'm on the plane.""Finally—"
" Yeah, and it's a boat plane."
"A boat plane?"
"Yeah, I'm sitting here on the water waitin' to take off?"
"When were you supposed to take off?"
"Three hours ago?"
"You're not going to get here in time are you?""No, doesn't look like it.""This bites you know that?!"
"Yes I do."
"I on the other hand also bite." She said with flair to barb him.
"Hey, that's not fair. Don't do that. I'm stranded in god knows where 'cause of you—and this isn't my fault." CJ smirked on her end of the phone. "Oh what the hell, tell me more about the biting?" A man on the small plain gave Danny a look.
"My girlfriend." He told the man.
"When will you be done with the Fletcher piece."
"Well, I'm meeting him on Monday in New York---so about another week."
"I hate that sentence."
"What?"
"Another week."
"I'll see you in three weeks."
"Yeah, I know. I hate that sentence more."
"I miss you too."
"It's good not to feel alone on that one."
"You on your way to work?" Danny asked.
"Yeah. It's Saturday? How did you know?"
"You'll see."
"Danny?!"
"Have fun. I'll call when we land."
Danny hung up and CJ flipped her phone shut.
"CJ, it's been two months I don't know how long I can keep this a secret for you guys." Josh whispered as he and CJ walked down the hall.
"Well you're gonna." CJ whispered.
"I can't believe Danny is okay with this?"
CJ nodded her head for Josh to get into her office. 'You still email with Danny.""Yeah."
CJ shut the door.
"You can't tell him I haven't told anyone yet.""CJ, he still thinks---?!"
"Yeah and I want to keep it that way."
"How can he not know?"
"I told him I told you guys, but I still wanted it to be private-- so no one else--so we hang low. Besides he's only in town for a few days at a time."
"It must be tough for you guys."
"It is. And I don't want anything to ruin it."
"Man, I've never seen you so—"
"What?"
"Glowing."
"Really?"
"He's the one CJ." Josh grinned with pleasure for his two friends.
"I know." She smiled. "And I'm so afraid something's going to ruin it."
"You have to tell everyone. Here, at least here. You guys get seen somewhere---You have to tell Danny---."
"He'll be mad."
"CJ, he waited almost six years for you I think he'll get over it!"
"Okay, but not until I give you the go ahead. Hold on to it 'till I give the signal."
"Okay.' He paused. "Now would this be a real signal or a figurative single." CJ hit Josh in the arm.
"Oww. Sorry I've been spending too much time with Sam. Aww." He held his arm.
"Promise."
'What do I have to pinky swear?" CJ lifted her arm and Josh put his hands up. "Okay. I promise."
"No one else knows."
"No, I didn't even tell Donna."
"Good." She walked away.
"So CJ's been kind of happy lately." Donna handed Josh some folders.
"Really? Haven't noticed." Josh started his walk to the Oval as Donna followed.
"In fact very happy. She has that look? A look a women gets."
"What look?"
"That look a woman gets.""I don't know that look."
"You wouldn't"
"What look?"
'The look of love, the look of contentment."
"Are you trying to say you think CJ's getting laid?"
"You really know how to word things don't ya you Josh." Donna said with sarcasm."Those degrees I have you know ain't worth noth'in."
"Ha!"
"Was that a laugh or are you still mocking me."
"Mocking."
"Just checking."
"And, yes I think she's seeing someone."
"Well, I don't know anything about it?"
"Why would you?"
"Yeah. I mean I don't. I don't….Can we change the subject."
"I wonder what he does? Must be something clandestine and romantic? Considering she won't talk about it."
"Maybe she's just a private person. Why does everything with you woman have to be romantic?""'Cause everything is."
"That's not a reason Donna."
"Oh yes it is." Donna smiled and walked away.
"That's not a reason." Josh said to himself.
"I heard that! And yes it is!" Donna yelled from off in the distance.
THE NEXT DAY
"Danny!" CJ eyes bugged out as she saw him standing in her office in a nice suit and tie.
"What are you doing here." CJ shut the door behind her.
'Good news. My interview was canceled. Well, he had a heart attack, but hey good news on one front."
"Fletcher had a heart attack?"
"Fletcher always has a heart attack?"
"Is he okay?"
"Would I be joking if he weren't? Yeah. He's fine.""Good."
"Hey." He stretched his arms out.
"Oh." CJ was still distracted till her lips finally hit Danny's.
"Wow, I missed that."
"You're telling me." He smiled smoothing his hands over her back.
"How did you get in anyway?"
"I know people." He joked.
"I have your pass?"
"Carol got me one." He pulled the pass from his neck jokingly. "Look it's a temporary one and everything. Don't get flustered."
"I'm not. I just don't want you to distract me here." CJ walked around to her desk.
"I won't." He said almost lifting off the ground as he rolled on his feet. He was happy to see her.
"Wow, I've been away for five weeks and you go to the other side of your desk."
"I'm sorry Danny I have work to do."
"Okay." He looked a little sad. CJ closed the briefing notes she was looking at.
"Come here." she summoned him over with a smirk.
Danny knew what that meant. He made his way over with his own grin. CJ took him by the tie and kissed him with enough passion to blind a man a hundred times over.
"Well." He took a breath. "That's a welcome."
"Now do you see why I have to act indifferent?" She smoothed down his tie. "I missed you too much. And we're in my office." She said softly. "Tonight. I promise."
"Can't help loving that man of mine."
"Huh?"
"Really CJ when this is all over I've got to take you to see a musical."
"What is the big deal about musicals?!"
"They're fun-- they have pep."
"Pep?"
"You'll get my jokes."
"Since when do you like musicals?"
"Hey, my family happened to be very cultured growing up. My mother took all us kids to see musicals and to museums. Made me the well rounded guy I am today."
"No wonder you and the President got along so well."
"Nothing says men bonding like a lively conversation of Guys and Dolls."
"Okay I got that." She smiled. "What are going to do today?"
"I thought I'd take a walk around, say hi to some people."
"Here?!"
"Yes here?"
"I don't know about that Danny."
"Hey, come on. I'm not gonna poke my nose into anything. Don't worry I won't ask what's going on around here--it'd get me too heated up anyway---what is going on around here? No, no. I can't.—no really? No, don't tell me." Danny was giddy like a school child.
"Danny, two days ago you knew more than me.—"
"Okay."
"I think you have a pretty good idea what's going on around here."
"Yeah, but I don't need to know I'm right."
"You now you're right."
"Well, yeah."
"So, I'll see ya."
"Wait, you're really going out there?'
"Yeah, what's gotten into you? You're acting like this place is my mistress. Is that what this is all about?"
"No."
""Cause if it is—?"
"No, Danny." She paused. "I need to tell you something."
"You can tell me anything?"CJ opened her mouth but nothing came out.
"CJ? You know you've said or asked nothing….. right?"
CJ opened her month to speak, but stopped again.
"Wait, right here?"
"Okay?"
CJ walked over to Josh and her connecting doors.
"Come in." Josh yelled from the other side. CJ entered and covertly closed the door behind her.
"Hey." Josh said not looking at her.
"Josh I need you to do me a favor." She asked playing with her hands in front of her in nervousness.
"Yeah what?"
"Danny's here."
"Great." Josh looked up. "You tell him?"
"Not exac...." She trailed off.
"Not exactly? Josh finished, already knowing the answer.
"Meaning no. No I haven't"
"CJ?"
"I can't. Just don't know. I have all this work to do. And I can't tell him here.""Okay, But you're going to tell him?"
"Yes, tonight."
"Good." Josh went back to his work.
"But—"
"No but's, no. I hate the word –no But. There are no conjunctions in this function. None."
"You owe me!"
"I do not!"
"You paid me in last weeks poker games in I. O. U.'s which last I heard reads. "I owe you!" You owe me."
"Yeah, but…ohh, come on!" Josh put his hand over his forehead and lowered his head. "What do I need to do?"
"Plus, you got me into this!"
"I did not!" Josh threw out his hands wildly.
"If you hadn't put us in that room—"
"Yeah and if I didn't we'd all be riding down a river in Egypt!" Josh took a breath knowing he was stuck. "What do you want me to do?"
"Just watch Danny."
"Baby-sit? You want me to Baby-sit Danny!?"
"Just follow him, watch him-- make sure he doesn't catch on."
"He's a reporter. He has two Pulitzers CJ. I don't think I can out fox him!"
"I'm not asking that. Just makes sure he doesn't say anything.""You didn't think of all of this before?"
"No I didn't! But that's the kind of gal I am. You know fly by the seat of my pants unorganized girl Friday! I'm thinking of blowing off the next briefing and go have a facial with my girlfriends!" She said with huge sarcasm. "I told you Josh. I told him I wanted this to be private. I have thought this out! He won't say anything---"
"Well, I'm glad you put some thought into your mission impossible scream Sgt. Bilko."
"Sgt Bilko!?"
"It was my dad's favorite show---" He ran his hand over his head. "Listen can we just get on with this I'm losing skin cells over here."
"Just make sure my name or Danny's name, or the words dating or girlfriend do not come up in any conversation."
"He calls you his girlfriend." Josh laughed.
"Josh."
"Sorry, I mean your both—"
"Just keep him away from—"
"Leo, Toby and The President."
"Yes. And the Press!"
"Okay, keep Danny away from The Press, yeah that'll be easy."
"And If I hear he was talking to The President, Josh!"
"Okay, okay!. Keep him away from all high and low ranking staffers—and everyone."
"And they're wives."
"Yeah if we run into Mrs. Bartlet, were pretty much—""So, are we clear. We're clear?" She waved her hands in front of her.
"Yeah, yeah."
"I'm going to have him leave my office in a few minutes. Give him a little time and than catch up with him."
"You know I do have work to do around here."
"Yeah, and I could make you dress up in a Chicken suit in lieu of paying me, but I won't."
"I'm pretty much stuck doing this aren't I?""Yeah."
CJ entered her office.
"Now how do I shadow a reporter with out him knowing?" Josh thought for a moment.
"Donna!"
LATER IN THE DAY
"Donna what are you doing here?"
"I lost him." Donna eyes fell.
"You lost him!?"
"I'm sorry. It's really hard to follow a man without him getting suspicious or think you're interested."
"Oh god." Josh ran around the corner.
"Hey Leo." Danny said hello with a smile.
"Danny!" Leo gave him a large smile. "You back?"
"Just visiting. You know."
"Yeah?"
"Hey I'm glad you're being okay about this. I know CJ was concerned."
"Oh, well okay? Sure. Your welcome?"
"Oh yeah?"
"So how long are you staying?"
"Not long. Just waitin' till she's off."
"She?"
"Yeah?"
"Oh, you got a girl on the side?"
"Oh yeah? Funny."
"Hey The President is looking for someone to do an exclusive, get him out there again. I was gonna ask Katie. But since you're here. I know the President would like it better."
"Sure, but is that okay with you?"
"Sure, it's okay with me? I just asked you.""Cause CJ—"
"It doesn't matter what she thinks. I say it's okay."
"I have to say your being really menchy about all this?"
"Menchy, since when do you use Yiddish phrases."
"Who doesn't?"
"If you say so?"
"So, this is really okay with you?
"Yeah.""The whole thing?"
"Yeah?"
"Okay?"
"Why do I feel like we're both having different conversations here?"
"Yeah? I'm beginning to have the same feeling."
Both men stopped walking and looked at each other for a moment.
"Danny!" Josh yelled out
"Hey!" Danny saw Josh. "I'll see ya later Leo."
"Come by tonight." Leo walked off.
"Sure."
"Come by tonight? What did Leo mean?" Josh asked.
"He wants me to interview The President.""Danny I thought you were leaving this beat. For CJ."
"Yeah, just the interview that's it. Leo said it's okay.""He did?"
"Yeah."
"If Leo doesn't have a problem with it I don't think CJ will."
"Yeah." Josh looked around. "Who have you been taking to today?"
"Talkin' to?"
"Yeah, just wondering who you've seen today?"
"Not many. I just stopped by The Press Room and then I came here, Why?"
"Just wondering." He looked off not knowing what else to do.
"I did see Donna. Is she okay?"
"Donna. Why?"
"I had the strangers feeling she was—nayy."
"Yeah." Josh all of a sudden saw sight of Donna waving her hands and shooting her face out. Josh didn't get it at first till she tilted her head aggressively and Josh caught sight of the first lady.
"Danny!" Josh turned him around. "Let's get a drink?"
"A drink? It's twelve thirty Josh."
"A coffee. Lunch. Let's have Lunch. In the mess. On me."
"Okay sure."
Danny walked down the hall looking around as if he knew he was being followed. He looked back one more time and slipped into an open office.
"I just saw him!?" Donna said entered The Communications Office.
"He couldn't have gone far?" Josh looked around. "Okay you go north toward the Mural room and I'll go…" Josh looked around "This way."
"That's North."
"Then I'll go this way." Josh faced the other direction.
"We should have just tagged him with some kind of tracking device."
"Yeah, that was on the list, right under slip him a mickey. Go find him."
Donna and Josh veered off in separate directions.
Danny walked out of the office slowly, his hands in his pocket, smiling at what he just saw. He made his way toward CJ's office.
CJ entered her office with Carol.
"I need you to take these." She handed Carol the papers and folders in her hands. "And have Toby take a look at them and bring them over to me before I show Leo." Carol walked off. "Tell Toby I need theses ASAP. Which means last Tuesday." CJ walked father into her office and shut her door.
"Now, those are pretty legs."
"DANNY!" CJ turned to find him on he couch.
"I love how you wear more skirts when you got a man in your life. Or is that just for me."
"Your still here! Why are you still here! JOSH!"
"Why are you calling Josh?"
"Oh, well I call Josh all the time. It's a reflex." She tried to cover herself.
"I see." Danny ran his arm along the back of the couch.
"Your still here? Why are you still here?"
"Nice to see you too. I'm going to interview The President tonight."
"No, no. no. no. NO!"
"CJ."
"No! We had a deal. You're not a White House reporter."
"Leo asked me. I thought you'd be okay with that."
"You talked to LEO!"
"Yeah, ran into him in the hallway."
"What did you talk about?"
"Nothing much. He joked about not knowing about us."
"Oh, well---that's Leo…." CJ looked off not knowing how to deal with this.
"So I was thinking?"
"Yeah?" She made an about face to look at Danny.
"Tonight when I see The President. I was going to official ask him about dating you, you know. I think it would be the responsible thing to do."
'WHAT!?"
"Yeah, maybe we could get married in the Oval Office. Tonight. I think that would be a great idea--- or I was thinking of making a public announcement. You know in The Press Room on national television, for the world to see--in fact I've already mentioned it the room and they love the idea."
CJ's face was pure white. It looked as if she had stopped breathing. Danny couldn't help himself as he started giggling, laughing violently in his seat.
"WHAT?"
"I'm sorry. It's just—I can't believe you took me serious for so long—"
"You were pulling my chain?"
"CJ I know!" He shook head to get the laughter out.
"Oh, god." CJ lowered her head and reached her forehead on her hand "For how long?"
"Long enough."
"Danny."
"Why did you think you couldn't tell me?"
"I thought you'd be pissed."
"I am. But you could have told me. CJ I thought we didn't want to keep this a secret."
"You said that." CJ gesture with her hand and Danny stood walking toward her.
"Still we agreed."
"I'm afraid."
"Of what?"
"What they will think of me."
"CJ? You have to stop trying to please the boys and just get on with your life. Yes, you're a woman, but your also human. We know what this is. We know this has nothing to do with Jobs, or politics, or worthiness. It's just us. It's what happened. If you were the cook in a restaurant and I was the waiter we'd still be in love. It's just how it is. We can't lie. We just have to…..let it lie. Put all the cards out."
CJ took a breath.
"You're right, you're right."
"I understand if you don't want me to be there when..."
"I need to do this alone."
"Okay."
Danny took his coat off CJ's couch. "I'll go now."
"Danny."
"Yeah?"
"If I was a cook and you were a waiter, I'd already have yelled it from the roof tops five years ago."
"I know." He blew her a kiss and walked off.
"I'm sorry CJ. What did you say?" The President took off his glass and the whole room stared at her.
"I'm dating Danny. Danny's dating me. I'm dating Danny. Yeah." She paused. "That's…pretty much the gist." Elegant under pressure was never CJ's strong point in these kinds of situations.
"And this is the reason why he left The White House?" Jed asked.
"Yeah."
There was a pause.
"Okay, who had five weeks?" Jed looked at the men as they all took out their wallets.
"I think Toby did." Josh searching his wallet for a twenty.
"No, I think it was Leo." Toby said counting out his billfold. "I said she'd start dating him after five weeks, not that it was the reason he left. The President mouthed an "ah" of understanding and Josh nodded his head.
"Actually gentleman." Charlie stepped out from the shadows with a huge grin. "That would be me. I had five weeks."
"You take checks right Charlie?" Bartlet asked.
"I'm gonna need to see some photo ID." Charlie sent the barb back.
"Whoa wait!?" CJ finally found words
"Ahh, Charlie, you know I must have left it in my other pants. Why don't you just take one of the Vermeer's, melt them down. Hock something. You know I'm good for it."
"You made bets!?" CJ looked over the crowd.
"Ahh, CJ it was all in good fun. They were manly bets." Leo smirked.
"Made by manly men." Josh joked.
"Bet's made by those who love and care for you." Jed interrupted.
"Bets made by people who need a new pair of sneakers and nice meal at the Oval." Charlie smirked.
"How much did you win Charlie!?"
"I don't think it matters." Charlie looked at CJ as he started to collect his money. "Thank you kind sir." He took money from an unhappy Toby. "A man doesn't brag about his victory." He looked at Josh. "Well, too much."
"No, How much! You bet on my life here. I want to know how much?!""I got me eighty bucks and maybe a nice Vermeer." Charlie's eyes glowed.
"I'm good for it." Jed remarked.
"I don't believe this. You all knew. Josh?"
"No, we just kind of guessed. Hence the betting." Josh answered.
"But you knew about it!" CJ yelled at Josh.
"You cheated Josh?" Jed asked him in a semi scold.
"Well since I lost its kind of a mute point isn't it?"
"This is unbelievable." CJ shot her hands up.
"Are you happy CJ?" Jed asked.
"Yes, sir." She smiled. CJ looked at the group and realized it didn't matter what they thought. "More than anything."
"More than life?" Jed asked sincerely.
"More than anything."
"I wish..." He said softly.
"I'm sorry, sir."
"He's referencing In To The Woods." Toby chimed in. Josh, Leo and CJ looked at him. "What? I like Sondheim."
"Well, it's not the best situation, but we'll all have to deal with it." Jed put his glasses back on. "Leo, I hate to do this, but you'll have to find someone else to do that interview."
"Yes, Sir."
"We don't want anything making CJ feel more uncomfortable then she already does."
"Thank you, Sir." CJ needed that.
"Okay, give me the room. CJ will you…?"
"Yes sir?"
The room emptied and Jed motioned for CJ to sit.
"CJ, I want you to know I don't have and never had a problem with you dating Danny. I understand why you didn't before and I respect that. Well really, it's none of my business."
'Yes sir."
"—How--ever.." Jed gave CJ a look having gotten what she just said. "You and Danny are going to get a little flack on this."
"I know.."
"Now, your personal life is none of anyone's business CJ."
"I agree."
"And I stand by that; We'll do everything we can to always show there was no improper actions on your part. Cause there wasn't but people love to take something and make it what it's not. Make it what it looks like and not what is really is. But you know all about this CJ I don't have to tell you. I just want you to know I'm on your side on this one."
"Thank you Sir."
"Tell Danny congratulations for me."
"I will sir." CJ stood.
"Just name your first child after me."
"SIR!"
"Don't you Sir me Claudia Jean Cregg." He smiled.
"Yes, sir." CJ smiled back.
"So CJ?" He called her before exited out. "What are you going to do about this whole thing? What's your idea on how to handle it?"
CJ smiled.
"I'm going to just "let it lie" sir."
"Good girl."
And CJ walked out of the oval ready to start her new life of living.