That night, but just in between conversations, CJ had the same look on her face she had had on her face in the office. Dressed in a silver evening grown, she was drawn into a conversation with Toby and Josh. Soon she was laughing and joking. Donna came over to join the party and then Sam, visiting his old friends. It was like old times. Then, in the middle of a smile, CJ was sure she saw someone in the darkness.
"Excuse me, " she said gracefully with her eye on the body in the crowd. She walked past a small group of people toward the man she had noticed. "Danny?" she said with a smile. The man turned around. He was indeed a red head, but it was not Danny. "I"m sorry. My mistake, I thought.." she paused. "I thought you were someone else."And she walked out of the room feeling very stupid.
CJ sat outside in the cold with her coat wrapped around her shoulders. She was bent over and crying heavily. It was as if all the emotion she was holding inside for eight years, and not to mention the emotion of leaving her job and friends, were pouring out.
Having noticed CJ was gone, Josh walked out of the party to look for her. He paused as he noticed her, unsure what to do. "CJ? he said. CJ moved her back to hide her crying from Josh.
"Yeah, "she said wiping the tears from under her eyes with her fingers.
"You ok?" He walked closer to his friend who was sitting on the edge of the patio.
"Yeah I'm fine." She kept her back to Josh, but he continued forward.
"You just disappeared?: CJ took a breath and Josh noticed the side of her face.
"CJ, have you been crying?"
"No. I'm fine. " She lowered her head.
"CJ, he's gonna come."
"Who?" she laughed and snorted through her nose showing indeed she had been crying.
"Danny."
"I'm not crying over Danny, Josh."
"Hey, you just said you weren't crying. " he said proud of catching her in a lie.
Sam exited the party through the same doorway and noticed the two. "Hey."
"Hey," Josh answered.
"What's going on out here?" Sam asked them
"CJ's crying over Danny?"
"I'm not crying over Danny!"
"Oh." Sam felt awkward.
"I am not crying over Danny! I'm just a little emotional. And I've had way too much Champaign in the last twenty four hours."
"CJ" Josh leaned down. "He's coming, " he said in his sincerest voice.
She looked at him letting down her guard. "Did he tell you that?"
"No, but...."
"Did he say he was coming, Josh?
"No. " Josh just couldn't believe CJ didn't believe him. "He loves you, CJ."
"Did he tell you that too, Josh? Did he actually tell you that?"
"No," Josh paused, "But you can't look at him and not see it."
"He's not coming, Josh," CJ spoke with anger. "I ruined it. I pushed him away and I pushed him away. And now he's just... away." CJ began to bury her head in her palms. "And now I don't even have a job, she wined just as her nose hit her hand. "Oww." She adjusted her hands.
"I feel like I really shouldn't be here." Sam spoke feeling very uncomfortable and looking around for a way to leave gracefully.
"No, I shouldn't be here." CJ got up and walked away down the lawn.
"Where are you going!?" Josh yelled at her, stretching out his arms.
"CJ, it's freezing out here. Come inside!" Sam yelled as well.
"I'm going back to my office!"
"CJ, it's not your office anymore," Josh yelled. When she didn't stop, he let out a breath and ran after her.
"They're not going to let you in, :"Sam yelled, staying on the patio.
"I left something in my office. I need to go get it. " She waved him off.
"CJ!" Josh yelled, stopping in the middle of the lawn.
"They'll let me in!" she yelled back
"CJ!" Josh yelled as it began to snow.
"I need to be alone!" She yelled back. Sam caught up with Josh.
"Let her go, Josh. "Sam said putting his hand on Josh's shoulder. Josh watched CJ disappear into a cab and after a short look, he returned from his thoughts of concern. Josh took his phone out of his pocket as he walked toward to door and out of the snow.
"What are you doing?" Sam asked as he followed Josh back inside.
"I'm calling someone....Yeah, hi. It's me."
----
CJ walked into the Press Room. There was one small light that had been left on in the room as she walked toward the blinded window overlooking the podium. She looked out with reflection, hitting a small light that illuminated the podium behind the glass. CJ walked past the desks and televisions and down the small steps that, from the podium, would be the left side into the room. She walked past Danny's usual seat in the fourth row grazing it with her fingers as she passed. CJ made her way up to the podium and placed her hands on either side of it, looking out nostalgically. Then she buried her head in the center of the podium as if she wanted to slam her head into it like a cartoon character.
"Uhh," she let out, completing the moment.
"One last question, Ms. Cregg... " a voice was heard from the back.
CJ lifted her head. "Danny?" she said with a questioning look out into the darkness.
"Yes, Danny Concannon, Washington Post. Tell me... how does it feel to no longer be the Press Secretary?" Danny appeared to her out of the shadows dressed in a tux with his tie undone around his neck. He walked down the right staircase toward her and into the room. CJ, without missing a beat, put her hand on her hips and gave it right back to him.
"It sucks."
"I'm sorry. Could you elaborate more on that for my readers?"
"It sucks big time." She joked.
"Well, that clears that up."
"Danny, what are you doing here?"
"I'd ask you the same question?" He walked closer to her down the aisle.
"I asked first."
"I'm not the one trespassing on private property so....
"I forgot something," she said throwing her hair back.
"You forgot something?" Danny didn't believe her as he walked closer to her.
"Yes...I did." She was flustered. "This pen." She picked up a pen from the podium. "For example...."
"You forgot a pen?"
"This pen happens to have a lot of sentimental value for me."
"I see. " Danny was still humoring her. He nodded his head as she listed off her reasons.
"It was given to me by the.... "she tried to find the word. "....the guy who does the.....I think the real question here is why are you here?"
"Why am I here?"
"I answered your question. Answer mine."
"The pen was your answer?"
"Take it or leave it, Danny." she said with feigned malice.
"Ok." He walked toward her again, placing his hands in his pockets. He stopped next to the first row. "I'm here, because I work here. You, I can't say the same about..."
"It's three AM, Danny."
"I forgot my notes, " he said almost mocking her.
"Your notes?" She looked down and taped her fingers on the podium.
"They happened to be very important notes and....Oh hell, CJ. Why are we doing this? I came here looking for you. " He moved forward until he was next to her behind the podium.
"How did you know I'd be here?"
"Josh called me, " he said mesmerized by her eyes.
"Josh called you? You came here because Josh called you?" CJ spoke with anger.
"I'm here for you, CJ?" He seemed surprised she didn't get it.
"You say that now..."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Now he was offended that she didn't know what he meant.Then Danny got it. "You're mad at me?:" he said, realizing it in the moment.
"I'm not mad at you...."
"You are, he was amazed by his own deduction. "Admit it. You're mad at me because I didn't.... come back for you."
"Come back for me? Danny, this isn't Cinderella. You're not the prince and I'm not the maiden in... Danny grabbed CJ behind her head, kissing her and stopping her midsentence. The tension in her body drained away. They parted lips slowly.
"What was that for?" she almost whispered, trying to pretend she wasn't moved.
"I'm sweeping you off your feet..."
"Oh, good one, " she said with little expression. Danny smiled and leaned in again.
"Wait, " she seemed to regain her senses. "I just can't stop thinking if Josh hadn't called you..."
"What does it matter? I'm here."
"Danny..."
"You want proof?" he asked looking down and then away knowing it was what she was asking.
"Yes." CJ seemed embarrassed looking away from him. "Proof...would...be nice. " How he was going to show proof, she wasn't sure.
"Put your hand in my pocket."
"Danny!" She was shocked.
"Come one, you know me better than that!" he said defending himself.
"Too well," she said hesitantly.
"Come on." He looked at her. CJ took a moment and began to place her hand in his jacket pocket. "It's the left one."
"Thank you." She said with sarcasm as she put her hand into his left pocket.
"It's a can of soup? she said surprised and relieved, taking it out of his pocket.
"Read the label, " he said, proud of himself.
"How is a can of soup... " She looked at the label and read it out loud as she twisted it to read the entire label. "Campbell's Tomato and...goldfish. " She laughed to herself, "Danny." She looked up at him.
"I've been carrying that can in my pocket for about a week now. I wanted to come earlier CJ. Why did you think I sent those flowers in the first place?" He paused to get up the courage to tell her. "I was scared CJ. And yes, I know how surprising that is for someone who was so sure of us as I was.... but I was. I was afraid that after eight years...."
"Danny. ..." spoke with sweetness on how cute he looked. She laughed.
"Oh nice, laugh at my insecurities...."
"No. No. It's sweet. I mean after all the....it's sweet."
"Thanks? Danny didn't know what to make of that one. " CJ leaned in and kissed him like he used to kiss her years before, passionately and without reserve. Suddenly the lights came on illuminating the entire room and causing CJ to break away from Danny reflexively.
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't... " Leo spoke from the door not realizing whom he was looking at.
"Leo?" CJ was shocked to see him as she took a step toward him, away from the podium and away from Danny.
"CJ. " Leo noticed Danny. "Danny."
"Leo." Danny said softly from behind CJ. She looked down for a moment not sure what to do.
"It's not what it looks like... " She demanded out of habit.
"Ok. " Leo said with no emotion one way or the other.
"I was just leaving..." Danny said and started to back away, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable.
"Alright." Leo seemed to have no idea what was going on.
"No. " CJ was flummoxed with the overall desire to confess and not be ashamed of Danny. ".. Danny and...".
"Yes, CJ?"
"Danny and I.... " She took a breath. "Danny and I are--- dating, " she finally blurted.
"We are? " Danny yelled delighted behind her.
"Yes!" She yelled at him still looking at Leo. "Now, shut up."
"Ok, " Danny said softy making himself scarce in the background.
"Are you done?" Leo asked
"Yes. Yes I'm done." CJ spoke, still feeling embarrassed, but proud of the of her statement.
"Ok. "Leo put his hands in his pockets and walked toward the door. "I'm taking a final look around. Turn off the lights when you leave."
"Leo? " CJ was confused why she didn't get any reaction from Leo one way or the other. Leo turn around by the door.
"C.J, since you're not the Press Secretary anymore, I'd try not to stay too long. Might give the new tenants the wrong idea. " Finally Leo had a big smile on his face and began to leave.
"Leo...."?
"CJ. "He came back. "Has this been going before this?" he asked her again with no inclination to his mood.
"No, no. It just happened, " she demanded. Well at least not in the Press Room she told herself.
"Then have a good night." He smiled. "Night, Danny." And he was gone.
"Night, Leo. " Danny yelled to him. CJ smiled.
Leo walked down the hall and smirked to himself. He stopped and pulled out his cell phone as he took a final tour around the west wing. "Yeah hi. It's me." He spoke into the phone sweetly. "Where are you?" He paused and listened. "No, don't go yet. I'll pick you up. Don't leave. Meet me out front. " Leo flipped down his phone and walked into his office filled with Josh's boxes. He smiled and picked up his coat in a Fred Astaire type way and made his way toward the door. He took one final look as she walked over the seal and he was gone.
In the Press Room, Danny sat in his fourth row seat with CJ on his lap. Her feet dangling into the aisle, Danny's hand on her cheek as they kissed sweetly and yet passionately at the same time, like college coeds. Danny pulled away and lightly creased the hair behind C.J's ear. CJ smiled.
"Fantasy covered." She laughed
"Yeah, I'm pretty much satisfied." He smiled.
"As nice as this is, Danny, we really should get out of her."
"Ok. " He seemed pleased. CJ stood up taking Danny's hand. She stopped when he didn't follow her down the aisle.
"What?," she said looking back at him. He stood.
"Wait. I forgot, I have something."
"What?" CJ laughed as he took her hand and brought her over to his area of the Press Room, behind the glass. CJ switched the lights off as they passed.
"I brought a gift." Danny took a bottle of Champagne and too glasses from under the desk.
"Where did you get that?"
"I swiped it from a party."
"You stole it?"
"If it makes you feel any better it was a republican-funded part...."
"A little." She smiled. Danny handed her a glass.
"This is really sweet, Danny, but if I never drink another glass of Champagne it will be too early..."
"Why?"
"Long story."
"Humor me. " He said as he opened the bottle with a pop. CJ yelled at the sound and backed away. Danny moved the bottle away from him trying not to get of the over flow on his jacket. He wasn't that lucky. Danny poured Champagne into his and CJ's glass before setting the bottle down. CJ walked toward him, sat down next to him on the edge the desk with the bottle between them, yet behind them, framing it.
"So what are we toasting to?" she was flirting. Old habits die hard.
"To the end. And to new beginnings." He lifted his glass.
"To new beginnings. She smiled and they clinked glasses.
Leo's stood next to his limo in the cold, dressed for warmth, and waited. He rubbed his hands together and then he noticed her. Jordan Kendell stood in front of him with her burgundy evening dress peaking out of her black winter coat.
"Leo. What do you want?" She spoke as if she was hiding her true emotions.
"I was hoping we could talk. " He opened the door for her.
"Ok?" She smiled with a question mark, but got into the car. Leo smiled and entered after her closing the door behind him. After a moment they drove off.
LATER AT CJ's APARTMENT.
Danny and CJ stood eye to eye draped in her apartment doorway.
"So, " CJ said nervously.
"So." Danny answered
"So, we're gonna do this?" CJ tried to be positive, but she was terrified.
"Yeah." Danny said with passion.
"We're both going to do this?"
"We could do it alone, but it's not as much fun."
"I just meant that it's been decided..."
"Well, you're the women here, so really you've decided..."
"Yeah...."
"Cause a man..."
"--Ruining the moment here, Danny." She speed her words.
"Sorry. " He looked down.
"Nervous?
"No. You? He looked up at her.
"No." She paused, "I happen to be great in bed."
"Me too," he concurred.
"Good, " she said flatly. She looked down with awkward emotion for a moment. "I mean good... for me."
"Yeah," he concurred, although sounding as if he was getting nervous.
"You sure you're not nervous?" she asked.
"No. You?"
"You asked me that already."
"Oh, yeah, I did." He paused.
"Cause eight years is a lot of anticipation."
"True...."
"A lot to....live up too."
"You know if I wasn't nervous before you're really not helping things, " he spoke fast.
"Sorry. " She looked down.
"CJ, if you're not ready for this...."
"No. I am." She paused and looked at Danny trying to find her courage beyond her fear of disappointing him. She needed something to give her courage. "Kiss me." She looked him right in the eye.
"Ok." Danny leaned in and kissed CJ pushing her up against the doorframe. CJ was extremely affected by the kiss. Danny wasn't holding anything back. It was just enough sweetness with just enough passion to be perfect for the moment.
"Ok." CJ bit her lower lip. Danny smiled. CJ took Danny's hand and led him into her apartment. Danny closed the door behind him.
--TBC