Fanfic Title: An act of bravery
Summary of chapter: It's the morning after and the senior White House staff are beginning to sense all is not well with CJ.
Disclaimer: All the characters from The West Wing and the story where this fanfic starts from belong to Aaron Sorkin, John Wells and NBC. I have never been to the Hilton Hotel in New York so I apologise if I have got any details about the hotel wrong.
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CJ's alarm clock woke her abruptly the next morning. She didn't remember setting it the night before, but presumed she'd set it before going to the theatre. As she sat up in bed, her eyes were sore from the previous nights crying. She slowly made her way to the bathroom. She didn't have the energy or motivation to get ready quickly. One part of her didn't care anymore, she just wanted to go back and lie in bed, thinking about what could have been. But the other part of her, the strong part everyone loved and respected, knew she had to get up and ready to do her job.
As CJ got ready she wondered what the others were thinking. She never liked showing people her weaknesses and how people perceived her was very important to CJ. She wondered if people would have realised how much Simon meant to her. After finishing getting ready, CJ sat on her bed. She contemplated going down stairs to the restaurant. She didn't know what people would say or be thinking right now. CJ decided to sit for a while to prepare herself.
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In the restaurant Toby and Sam joined Leo and Margaret at a table at the far side of the restaurant away from everyone else.
"Has anyone seen CJ this morning?" Sam asked as he sat down.
"No" Leo replied without taking his eyes away from the Washington Post he was reading, giving Sam the impression he wasn't very concerned about CJ.
"Well shouldn't one of us go up and check on her?"
"Sam I think CJ would like to be left on her own right now." Leo said still without moving his eyes from the newspaper.
"Well I could go up and see her. I mean I have experience dealing with people who have lost someone close to them." Margaret said very determinedly.
Sam inquired into whom Margaret knew who had died.
"Well my friend Vanessa found out her dog had died whilst she was away on holiday last year and well she was really upset. But I helped to comfort her and ..."
Finally Leo put his newspaper down. "Yes Margaret I think CJ could do with your help, your experience of dealing with the death of dogs will really help her right now!" Leo said sarcastically.
"So should I just stay here?"
"CJ will be fine. If she needs our help she'll ask for it. At the moment I think she is best left on her own and to have a lie in, I bet she didn't have much sleep last night."
As Leo said this CJ came through the entrance and looked round to find them. As she made her way over to their table the waiter approached the table and asked what they wanted. Sam and Toby ordered a full English Breakfast and coffee, and Leo and Margaret asked for refills for their coffee.
As CJ sat down the waiter asked what she wanted.
"Just a cup of coffee thanks."
"Anything to eat?"
"No I'm ok thanks."
"Bring her some toast as well" Leo interrupted. The waiter nodded and walked away from their table.
CJ was a bit shocked by Leo's interference and he noticed. "You didn't eat much last night and well I'm sure Margaret will have them if you don't!"
CJ picked up Leo's copy of the Washington Post Leo and began reading. She noticed the picture of the President on the front cover going into the theatre to the play last night. Somehow the picture brought the events of the previous night back, and she found it hard not to cry. Yet Leo noticed and tried to spark a conversation to try and keep her mind off it.
"So who's idea was it to send the motorcades through New York in rush hour last night?" Leo said staring at Sam and Toby.
"Well Leo I think it was a bit of both of us!" Sam said smiling at Toby.
"Was he mad?" Toby asked.
"Well your comments on the news last night didn't help!" said Leo with a smirk on his face.
The waiter came over and poured coffee for everyone and brought Sam, Toby and CJ's breakfast. As Sam and Toby got stuck into their breakfast CJ sat there staring at her toast. She didn't feel like eating and come to think about it drinking either. She continued to read the newspaper in the hope it would some how calm her down.
Sam noticed CJ hadn't touched her food or coffee. "CJ is everything ok?" And quickly added "With your food that is?", as Leo gave him an angry glance from across the table.
"Yes why?" CJ replied quite sharply.
"Its just you haven't eaten or touched your coffee so I wondered if there was a problem with it." Sam said trying to ask her is she was ok without upsetting her. But it didn't work.
"No Sam the food is fine, I just don't feel like eating right now if that's alright with you?!" CJ replied in an angry voice.
"Yes" Sam said embarrassingly. At this point everyone was staring at CJ, except Leo.
CJ felt really bad. She didn't mean to take it out on Sam but his interfering wasn't helping and she really didn't want to be around anyone right now.
Leo decided he needed to talk to her. He sensed her anger and knew he had to calm her down or she wouldn't be fit to work. As Leo got up from the table he said "CJ could you come to my room with me for a minute, you need to be briefed about something before you face the press today."
CJ was a bit shocked by Leo, she expected him to give her more time before having a quick word with her to check she was ok. But she got up and followed Leo to his room.
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Leo's room was far grander than hers. It was large with a separate study which he showed her into.
As he pointed to a chair for her to sit down, Leo said "CJ are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine." CJ answered in a calm voice as she made herself comfortable in the seat.
"I know you and Simon became close whilst he was a signed to you."
"What do you mean Leo? He was my agent that was it!" CJ said in a way as to try and defend herself.
"I didn't mean it like that. I meant that when you are signed special service protection you spend a lot of time with your agent and you are bound to build a relationship. I think we all noticed in the beginning the relationship wasn't strong, everyone knew about your dislike of being assigned an agent yet after a while you understood it was for your own protection and your attitude changed."
"Leo, where is this all going?"
"CJ, Last night was a shock for you. You mustn't blame yourself."
"I don't" She replied, lying.
"I think I know you better than that to know you are feeling pretty guilty right now." CJ was shocked that he did in fact know her so well.
"I am fine. I know it's not my fault. Yes I was upset, but it was the shock. One minute I have someone after me threatening to kill me and an agent assigned to me, and the next the person had been caught and my gent killed."
"CJ don't lie to me."
"I'm not" CJ shouted.
Leo stood staring out of the window down at all the people in the street below. "CJ I admire you. You are determinant and strong, but once in a while it's fine to show your weak side and ask for help."
"Leo I'm fine."
"Ok then."
"Is that it?" CJ asked in surprise. She couldn't understand how easily he'd given in.
"Yes you can go and get ready."
As CJ got up to leave the room, Leo turned round. "You might want to ask Toby to deal with the press for at least today. They know about Simon and they might ask some awkward questions."
"I'll be fine." She replied with a smile, and left the room.
Leo turned back round to the window. He hoped she would be fine, but he knew she's lied to him.
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Margaret left the restaurant after finishing CJ's untouched toast and went to her room check she'd packed everything.
As Sam and Toby finished their breakfast, Sam asked "What do you think Leo will say to CJ?"
"I don't know."
"Do you reckon he's briefing her or do you think it was a cover story?"
"I think it was almost certainly a cover story."
"Me too" Sam replied. "So why do you think Leo wouldn't let me ask CJ how she was?"
"I guess because he thought your constant question asking this morning wouldn't help matters."
Sam took the hint to shut up on the subject and finished his coffee.
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The motorcade arrived outside the hotel as the President and all the senior White House staff made their way through the lobby. The President got into the limonene and the rest got into the black cars behind. CJ got into the last one with Toby.
"I know you must be sick of people asking you this question right now, but are you ok?"
CJ smiled and said "I think so." She turned to Toby and said "Thanks for last night. If you hadn't come to find me, well I'd probably still be there."
Toby smiled and said "Anytime you ever need me, I'll be there."
As the car made its way to the airport, CJ felt like she wasn't as alone as she'd believed last night. She had so many people around her that cared but would she let them in? She hardly ever asked for help, but she knew that if she was going to get over this she would need the help of those closest by.
Summary of chapter: It's the morning after and the senior White House staff are beginning to sense all is not well with CJ.
Disclaimer: All the characters from The West Wing and the story where this fanfic starts from belong to Aaron Sorkin, John Wells and NBC. I have never been to the Hilton Hotel in New York so I apologise if I have got any details about the hotel wrong.
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CJ's alarm clock woke her abruptly the next morning. She didn't remember setting it the night before, but presumed she'd set it before going to the theatre. As she sat up in bed, her eyes were sore from the previous nights crying. She slowly made her way to the bathroom. She didn't have the energy or motivation to get ready quickly. One part of her didn't care anymore, she just wanted to go back and lie in bed, thinking about what could have been. But the other part of her, the strong part everyone loved and respected, knew she had to get up and ready to do her job.
As CJ got ready she wondered what the others were thinking. She never liked showing people her weaknesses and how people perceived her was very important to CJ. She wondered if people would have realised how much Simon meant to her. After finishing getting ready, CJ sat on her bed. She contemplated going down stairs to the restaurant. She didn't know what people would say or be thinking right now. CJ decided to sit for a while to prepare herself.
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In the restaurant Toby and Sam joined Leo and Margaret at a table at the far side of the restaurant away from everyone else.
"Has anyone seen CJ this morning?" Sam asked as he sat down.
"No" Leo replied without taking his eyes away from the Washington Post he was reading, giving Sam the impression he wasn't very concerned about CJ.
"Well shouldn't one of us go up and check on her?"
"Sam I think CJ would like to be left on her own right now." Leo said still without moving his eyes from the newspaper.
"Well I could go up and see her. I mean I have experience dealing with people who have lost someone close to them." Margaret said very determinedly.
Sam inquired into whom Margaret knew who had died.
"Well my friend Vanessa found out her dog had died whilst she was away on holiday last year and well she was really upset. But I helped to comfort her and ..."
Finally Leo put his newspaper down. "Yes Margaret I think CJ could do with your help, your experience of dealing with the death of dogs will really help her right now!" Leo said sarcastically.
"So should I just stay here?"
"CJ will be fine. If she needs our help she'll ask for it. At the moment I think she is best left on her own and to have a lie in, I bet she didn't have much sleep last night."
As Leo said this CJ came through the entrance and looked round to find them. As she made her way over to their table the waiter approached the table and asked what they wanted. Sam and Toby ordered a full English Breakfast and coffee, and Leo and Margaret asked for refills for their coffee.
As CJ sat down the waiter asked what she wanted.
"Just a cup of coffee thanks."
"Anything to eat?"
"No I'm ok thanks."
"Bring her some toast as well" Leo interrupted. The waiter nodded and walked away from their table.
CJ was a bit shocked by Leo's interference and he noticed. "You didn't eat much last night and well I'm sure Margaret will have them if you don't!"
CJ picked up Leo's copy of the Washington Post Leo and began reading. She noticed the picture of the President on the front cover going into the theatre to the play last night. Somehow the picture brought the events of the previous night back, and she found it hard not to cry. Yet Leo noticed and tried to spark a conversation to try and keep her mind off it.
"So who's idea was it to send the motorcades through New York in rush hour last night?" Leo said staring at Sam and Toby.
"Well Leo I think it was a bit of both of us!" Sam said smiling at Toby.
"Was he mad?" Toby asked.
"Well your comments on the news last night didn't help!" said Leo with a smirk on his face.
The waiter came over and poured coffee for everyone and brought Sam, Toby and CJ's breakfast. As Sam and Toby got stuck into their breakfast CJ sat there staring at her toast. She didn't feel like eating and come to think about it drinking either. She continued to read the newspaper in the hope it would some how calm her down.
Sam noticed CJ hadn't touched her food or coffee. "CJ is everything ok?" And quickly added "With your food that is?", as Leo gave him an angry glance from across the table.
"Yes why?" CJ replied quite sharply.
"Its just you haven't eaten or touched your coffee so I wondered if there was a problem with it." Sam said trying to ask her is she was ok without upsetting her. But it didn't work.
"No Sam the food is fine, I just don't feel like eating right now if that's alright with you?!" CJ replied in an angry voice.
"Yes" Sam said embarrassingly. At this point everyone was staring at CJ, except Leo.
CJ felt really bad. She didn't mean to take it out on Sam but his interfering wasn't helping and she really didn't want to be around anyone right now.
Leo decided he needed to talk to her. He sensed her anger and knew he had to calm her down or she wouldn't be fit to work. As Leo got up from the table he said "CJ could you come to my room with me for a minute, you need to be briefed about something before you face the press today."
CJ was a bit shocked by Leo, she expected him to give her more time before having a quick word with her to check she was ok. But she got up and followed Leo to his room.
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Leo's room was far grander than hers. It was large with a separate study which he showed her into.
As he pointed to a chair for her to sit down, Leo said "CJ are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine." CJ answered in a calm voice as she made herself comfortable in the seat.
"I know you and Simon became close whilst he was a signed to you."
"What do you mean Leo? He was my agent that was it!" CJ said in a way as to try and defend herself.
"I didn't mean it like that. I meant that when you are signed special service protection you spend a lot of time with your agent and you are bound to build a relationship. I think we all noticed in the beginning the relationship wasn't strong, everyone knew about your dislike of being assigned an agent yet after a while you understood it was for your own protection and your attitude changed."
"Leo, where is this all going?"
"CJ, Last night was a shock for you. You mustn't blame yourself."
"I don't" She replied, lying.
"I think I know you better than that to know you are feeling pretty guilty right now." CJ was shocked that he did in fact know her so well.
"I am fine. I know it's not my fault. Yes I was upset, but it was the shock. One minute I have someone after me threatening to kill me and an agent assigned to me, and the next the person had been caught and my gent killed."
"CJ don't lie to me."
"I'm not" CJ shouted.
Leo stood staring out of the window down at all the people in the street below. "CJ I admire you. You are determinant and strong, but once in a while it's fine to show your weak side and ask for help."
"Leo I'm fine."
"Ok then."
"Is that it?" CJ asked in surprise. She couldn't understand how easily he'd given in.
"Yes you can go and get ready."
As CJ got up to leave the room, Leo turned round. "You might want to ask Toby to deal with the press for at least today. They know about Simon and they might ask some awkward questions."
"I'll be fine." She replied with a smile, and left the room.
Leo turned back round to the window. He hoped she would be fine, but he knew she's lied to him.
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Margaret left the restaurant after finishing CJ's untouched toast and went to her room check she'd packed everything.
As Sam and Toby finished their breakfast, Sam asked "What do you think Leo will say to CJ?"
"I don't know."
"Do you reckon he's briefing her or do you think it was a cover story?"
"I think it was almost certainly a cover story."
"Me too" Sam replied. "So why do you think Leo wouldn't let me ask CJ how she was?"
"I guess because he thought your constant question asking this morning wouldn't help matters."
Sam took the hint to shut up on the subject and finished his coffee.
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The motorcade arrived outside the hotel as the President and all the senior White House staff made their way through the lobby. The President got into the limonene and the rest got into the black cars behind. CJ got into the last one with Toby.
"I know you must be sick of people asking you this question right now, but are you ok?"
CJ smiled and said "I think so." She turned to Toby and said "Thanks for last night. If you hadn't come to find me, well I'd probably still be there."
Toby smiled and said "Anytime you ever need me, I'll be there."
As the car made its way to the airport, CJ felt like she wasn't as alone as she'd believed last night. She had so many people around her that cared but would she let them in? She hardly ever asked for help, but she knew that if she was going to get over this she would need the help of those closest by.