Three weeks after New York CJ Cregg snuck out of work early and headed to the Treasury Building. Simon said he was going to be in the shooting range after work, and she wanted to surprise him there, hoping to drag him out for a romantic dinner. When she reached the range she was surprised to see him with Anthony, giving the kid shooting lessons. She stood and watched for a while, enjoying the sight. From the few times she saw them together, she had come to know how important Anthony was to Simon, and was touched by the way Anthony looked up to his Big Brother, friend and mentor. It was obvious Simon was a father figure to Anthony, and that he enjoyed his role immensely.

CJ stepped into Simon's line of sight and his face broke into a happy smile.

"Hey stranger, what are you doing out so early?"

"Thought I'd play hooky and tempt you with dinner, but I didn't realize you guys had plans," CJ smiled, nodding to Anthony, who nodded back shyly.

Simon chuckled. "Kid has to go home and do homework. He knows that. The deal was till 6, which it is in five minutes." He turned to Anthony, grinning, "Let's finish up, mischief-maker. I got plans for tonight."

"Well, at least one of us is going to have some fun!"

Simon tried to look menacing, failed spectacularly, and settled for cuffing the young man. "Let's go before you really get me – or yourself – into trouble."

After they dropped Anthony at home, CJ looked at Simon as he started driving towards her place.

"You're teaching him how to shoot?"

"I'm teaching him all about firearms, not just how to shoot. He either learns it from me or from the guys in his neighborhood. Which do you think is healthier for him?"

CJ said softly, "You're really good at this Big Brother thing, aren't you?"

"I like it. I hate to see good kids waste their lives. I saw too much of it in Chicago and always wished I could do something about it. With Anthony, I can. He's a great kid."

CJ shook her head. "I keep finding new sides of you." She smiled, "You have as many layers as an onion. Except peeling yours is more fun – you don't make me cry."

Simon laughed so hard he almost drove off the road. Correcting swiftly, he continued to chuckle for a few more seconds before becoming contemplative.

CJ looked at him curiously. "For someone who almost literally died laughing just now you sure sobered up fast…"

"Oh…"he sighed, "I just hope you'll never reach a day where there are no more layers to peel, and you find yourself stuck with no surprises in store and a 'me' that's all too predictable and familiar."

"I think you're taking my metaphor a bit too literally, my friend. I doubt either one of us can ever be as uncomplicated as a peeled onion."

He smiled at her, and she ran her fingers through his hair, an affectionate gesture that they both enjoyed immensely.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Your place. I snuck in some groceries on my lunch hour. I was going to have dinner ready for you when you came home."

She was touched, and happy. Nothing, she thought, was going to ruin this evening.

"You what???" CJ looked at Simon in disbelief. "Please tell me you're joking!"

Simon continued making the dinner salad, a patient, bemused smile on his face. "I didn't exactly have a choice, CJ. One of the agents that would have been assigned to Governor Ritchie was involved in a serious car accident. She'll be OK, but in no shape to be on the detail starting July. Since Bronski was caught, I was a…" He chuckled, "'Free Agent', as it were," CJ snorted, "and I was nabbed for Governor Ritchie's detail."

CJ briefly considered telling Simon how much she hated when he referred to her stalker by name. Then she decided to postpone that particular discussion for some other time. There were more pressing matters.

"Do you have any idea what the gang at work will do to me, once they find out? Not to mention the press! C'mon, Simon, there must be some Ritchie supporters in the Secret Service!"

Simon put the knife down and looked up.

"Agents don't take sides, CJ. If you think about it, the possible ramifications of surrounding a political candidate with armed supporters are rather chilling, wouldn't you agree?"

CJ considered that for a moment, and had to admit, grudgingly, that Simon had a point. Still…"I thought field office agents protected candidates!"

"They do, most of the time, as a rule. Look, CJ, they were in a bind and I had no reason to refuse the assignment. No acceptable reason," he added quickly, seeing the look on her face.

Simon went on, voice dripping with sarcasm," You can always tell the press, if it's any of their business, that ours is a relationship that exemplifies the beauty of democracy in this country. You are the incumbent's Press Secretary and I protect his opponent, and together we ensure 'an informative and safe presidential race.'"

CJ thought she actually heard her jaw hit the floor. Recovering quickly, she managed to say, "It's a good thing you like your job. That way Toby and Sam don't have to worry about theirs."

Simon laughed. "Another onion layer. And Anthony said I was slow-witted!"

CJ felt apprehensive going to wok the next day. She knew she should tell Leo about this turn of events, and was not looking forward to this conversation.

"Leo, do you have a moment?"

"Sure, Come in."

 CJ started hesitantly. "You know Simon Donovan and I are…"

"Together. I sent you to him, after the play, remember? And I'm very happy for you."

"Yes, well, we have a problem. Simon's been assigned to Ritchie's detail."

Leo chuckled. "I hope you didn't throw things at him. It wasn't his fault, you know."

CJ smiled weekly. "He was making salad. He had a knife. I didn't dare throw things. Seriously Leo, the press, for one, is going to have a field day…"

"And we'll deal with it if it comes."

CJ took a deep breath. "Leo, remember what Kevin Kahn did to Sam, his friend? I'm worried about leaks out of the Ritchie campaign being blamed on my relationship with Simon. I wouldn't put it past them to try and frame…"

"They'd have to be even stupider than we give them credit for to try something like that. For God's sake, CJ, he's Secret Service. They wouldn't dare!"

"And if they do?"

"Then we'll have a lot of fun with our response. Look, the situation might be complicated, but not nearly as complicated as your lives our going to be with the campaigns running in different places at the same time. Better take some time off now so you'll remember what he looks like between July and November, because I don't think you'll see each other much then."

"How can I take time off now when our campaign is going into high gear and we're still trying to…you know…run a country? Not to mention the situation with Qumar…"

"You know CJ, most of the time I agree with people that our personal lives must take a back seat to the work we do here. Hell, I lost Jenny this way. But any guy that took your bitching when he was guarding you and stuck around long enough to have you fall madly in love with him deserves some help. Take some time off. I'll pull some strings and get him the same. I like the glow on your face these past few weeks. It looks good on TV. And I admire the guy for breaking through your defenses. Go have a good time before the bad ones start rolling."

CJ coked her head and looked at Leo, a mixture of emotions on her face. "I'm not entirely sure that everything you said was a compliment, but I'll take the good with the bad and thank you."

"You're welcome. Just remember it was all meant in the most loving way. And remember also that just because we stand behind you in public doesn't mean we won't torment the hell out of you in private."

"In the most loving way, I'm sure."

"Absolutely."

CJ left the office feeling almost light-headed.