THE NEXT DAY.
CJ moved around under the covers as her body woke up before her brain. Rustling the off-white sheets against her alabaster skin, she felt content. She felt warm as the sun shown in on her yet the cold air winter chill was trapped outside. She rolled over onto her side and stretched out her arms. Danny was gone. Had it all been a dream? Bewildered, she quickly slipped herself out of her off-white sheets and into an egg white, terrycloth robe. Not being able to find her glasses CJ made her way to the bathroom and into her contacts. She couldn't find anyone, or anything without them. Still not feeling fully awake, she rustled her hair and made her way to the door of her bedroom. It wasn't long before she saw Danny sitting at her kitchen table, already dressed in his now rumpled tux, collar open and without cufflinks, helping himself to a bowl of Wheaties. She leaned against the doorway looking him over, tying to hold back her sly grin, as she amused herself with how much like a boy he looked. Funny how appealing formal clothes could look even with wrinkles and baggy sleeves. His hair and collar were wet. CJ wondered how long he had been awake and how he'd managed to take a shower without waking her up. Well, if anyone decided to burgle her apartment, she'd probably sleep through the whole thing.
"Hey," Danny looked up finally noticing her as their eyes met.
"Hey," she smiled, holding back a gleeful laugh.
"I hope you don't mind. I helped myself? he said in his sincerest voice.
"No," she said with the same grin as with her laugh.
"I was going to wake you before I left. I didn't want to just leave a note. I have to work today."
"Don't you think people will think it strange when you show up for work in a tux? ...a wrinkled tux? He laughed.
"Very little I do would surprise them too much. But no, I keep an overnight bag in my car in case I'm called out of town without notice. "
"Or in case you find yourself at someone else's apartment?"
"Added bonus"
CJ smiled. Her eyes twinkling at him. Danny just looked at her, noticing how alive her face was. He watched how the new daylight coming though the bedroom with a golden glow, matched her hair and skin, hit her just right. She looked so fresh. Like someone had drenched her in cold water. CJ noticed Danny's look, which only made her unconformable. She wasn't use to that look. She wasn't use to that look in Danny. Well at least for more then a moment before she slammed the door in his face or walked out of the room. She looked away like a schoolgirl and played with the belt on her robe.
"What? "
"What?" Danny asked back.
"You're looking at me funny."
"Huh? Oh. Sorry. You just look so beautiful."
"What? No, I don't." She walked toward the refrigerator.
"Yes you do. Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Talk badly about yourself."
"I'm not talking badly about myself. I just woke up." She walked past Danny and he gently took her arm.
"You look amazing. You always look amazing."
Danny took her eye and she his; and for that moment, she was caught in his eyes and her face was finally serious. CJ looked as if she felt stupid for the moment. She wasn't use to such adoration.
"Why is it you can say things like that and it comes off so sweet?"
"Ahh, it's a gift.
Danny leaned in and kissed her and unlike many times in years past, CJ leaned in at the same time. Danny leaned up a little in his chair and CJ leaned forward toward him. Next thing she knew, she was draping her legs around Danny and kissing him deeply with long and slow kisses. He placed his hand on the back of her neck as they came up for air and he came in again. It was like something had come over them. Perhaps all those years apart? The night before had finally brought it all out. They locked eyes again and Danny and CJ rested their forehands together, perhaps not believing they were in this moment. Danny put his hand on CJ's shoulder and kissed the opposite side of her neck. CJ leaned her head back and took a deep breath. Danny lifted his hand. At the same time CJ raised her hands to her shoulders and let her robe fall right below her back making the shape of her body resemble a Grecian urn. Danny couldn't believe his eyes, not that he hadn't seen CJ naked. He just still couldn't get over the fact that just 24 hours before he hadn't. Danny didn't even have to say anything again. The look in his eye made her feel beautiful as Danny nestled himself in CJ's neck and shoulders. She never felt so sexy.
Outside CJ's apartment there was a lot more going on then CJ and Danny would ever have thought. Coming up her steps and into the foyer of her brownstone apartment was the President, the Ex-President Bartlet and his Secret Service detail. They entered the hallway and Bartlet knocked on CJ's door before hearing a faint sound.
"Do you hear that? The President asked with a bewildered look on his face. President Bartlet's detail looked around at each other and leaned in toward the door. They heard the noises again. And just as The President realized what he was hearing, CJ let out a large moan.
"I think she's hurt, sir." A younger agent took out his gun, as he spoke, going for the door.
"Special Agent, I don't think those are cries of pain, " the President said stopping him. The men all stood silently not knowing what to do.
"Perhaps we should go, Sir," one of the men said.
There was another awkward silence as nothing was heard. "Well, it's quiet now..? the head of the detail spoke.
"Perhaps it was the TV?" one agent suggested. President Bartlet looked at him.
"The television?" He said not believing the naiveté of the boy. "Yesterday I was the leader of the Free World. Today I'm in McHale's Navy."
"Sir?" The Ayoung agent spoke back.
"Ahh...Let's get out of here. Quick before we're heard." They started to get the hell out of Dodge when they were caught.
"Hello?" CJ's voice was heard from inside. The President looked flustered unsure if he should turn around or keep on running.
"Oh, CJ," he tried to pretend he had heard nothing. "It's President Bartlet. Am I interrupting something?
"Oh my god." CJ was heard saying faintly. A loud crash ensued, sounding as if someone had fallen off a chair onto the floor.
"Great choice of words, Jed." The President spoke to himself.
"No. No. I'll be right there!" CJ's voice was followed by two bickering voices behind the door.
"I can come back another time." The President yelled uncomfortably."Ahh I'll be back from New Hampshire next month. Or you know what I could just call you. Yes calling is good. I'll call. Maybe from the car. From one of those cell phone thingys..."
The door opened and C.J, looking flushed and flustered, stood in the doorway dressed in her white terrycloth robe.
"CJ."
"Mr. President.." she said out of breath.
"I missed you at the party last night. I wanted to stop by before we left."
"Oh." She held the door very tightly so as not to show any more of the apartment than her body couldn't cover.
"I wanted to...." He looked at the men behind him. "Can I come in?"
"In?"
"In...your apartment. I thought we could talk. Unless of course you have company." He leaned in. "Because I could go."
"No, of course. I'm sorry Mr. President. Please come in." CJ opened the door
"Wait outside." He told the men as he walked into CJ's apartment. "Wow, very nice, CJ. I don't think in the eight years you've lived here, I've ever been inside your place."
"I think I can just about say the same for myself, " she said still feeling awkward. She looked toward the kitchen to make sure Danny was still out of sight.
The president put his hands in his pockets and walked away from CJ toward the kitchen.
"CJ, why don't you make me a cup of coffee?"
"Mr. President... ":She ran after him, but President Bartlet had already discovered Danny having breakfast in her kitchen.
"Danny," the President spoke, unsure if he was really surprised or just embarrassed.
"Mr. President. " Danny was surprised as he stood up only then to realize he hadn't zipped his fly, When both men knew that and Danny quickly turned around and fixed the problem.
"Well, I think I've seen enough." The president turned around as Danny did.
"Really Mr. President, this is not what it looks like. " Danny said defending CJ.
"No. I think it's exactly what it looks like." He paused, " Danny, you and CJ are grown adults. No need to explain." He looked over at CJ. "CJ is no longer my Press Secretary; the two of you don't need to make excuses to me..."
"Yes sir." CJ knew he was talking to her.
Bartlet looked over at Danny. "Danny, the First Lady's out in the car. Why don't you go out to the limo and say hello on your way to work. I think she'd like that."
"Well, I was just finishing my breakfast..."
"I really think you should go visit the First Lady in the car Danny.."
"Well I lost that pool, " he said as he watched Danny leaving the apartment.
"What pool?" CJ sounded quite offended.
"Nothing." He looked back at CJ.
"There was a pool?"
"Well...."
"People were betting..."
"It was all in fun, CJ."
"How much?"
"CJ.."
"How much!?"
"That's neither here nor there..."
"Yes, I'm sorry sir." she recovered her composure.
"Now, CJ, I'm here because I feel like you've been avoiding me."
"Sir."
"Not returning my calls. Avoiding me all last week."
"I wasn't avoiding you, sir."
"I saw you hide in a closet, CJ"
"I thought it was a door, sir, " she said plainly.
"Knowing you, that might actually be true," he paused. "CJ, it's ok. If you don't want to work for me in New Hampshire, that's alright."
"I don't want to work with you in New Hampshire..."
"Well, that was blunt." President Bartlet sat down at the table.
"I'm sorry sir..".
"No, no, CJ. It's ok. Why would you want to follow this old fogey around. And what? Inform the press what time my tee time is."
"Sir, you don't play golf."
""I could. I'm retired now. Isn't that what old retired people do. You're young. You don't have to explain to me about not wanting to pal around with the poster boy for the AARP."
"No, sir that's the thing, I'm not young..."
"Does this have to do with Danny?"
"No, sir. This has nothing to do with Danny. I decided this a while ago, Danny and I just happened last night.... " She threw her last phrase off.
"I see..."
"I love working for you, sir."
"CJ, I'm not the President anymore. Call me Jed."
"I don't think I'm ready for that yet."
"To each his own..."
"What?"
"You were saying?" He folded his hands and leaned back.
"Yes...as I was saying...I loved working for you and I'm going to miss being your Press Secretary, sir; but after eight years, I want to see what else I can do. I want to try new things..."
"And you don't want to report to the press on my tee time."
"No, sir," CJ confessed.
"It's ok, CJ. I was kind of expecting that would be your answer. But you can't blame me for trying..."
"No, sir." She smiled.
"I'd give you a hug; but I think considering your apparel, I it would make both of us uncomfortable.
"Yes, sir." She really felt awkward.
"I'll find my way out." He walked toward the door. "And, CJ." He turned back around. "Abbey and I will be in town next month. I'd like us to have dinner." He turned toward the door again.
"Yes, sir." She said with glee.
"And bring Danny."
"Yes, Sir."
"Call me Jed!" He could be heard yelling from outside the door.
President Bartlet walked down the steps of CJ's apartment building and to his limo. Abbey lowered the window.
"Hello, sailor," she said with her sexy wit.
"Mr. President, " Danny said from inside the car.
"Danny, what are you doing?"
"Talking to you wife, sir?"
"Get out of the car, Danny.."
"But, Sir, it's cold and you told me..."
"Get out of the car Danny."
"Yes, Mr. President."
"I think he wants to talk to you." Abbey got out of the way and let Danny out.
"Ma'am, " Danny said as he exited the car.
"Danny." Abbey smiled as she raised the window.
"Danny, let's take a walk." He walked Danny over toward the stairs and a large bush. "And when I say "take a walk," I mean let's just walk over here and talk."
"Ok." Danny looked a little scared as Jed waved the Secret Service to back off so he could talk to Danny privately.
"Danny, do you care for CJ?"
"Yes, Sir, I love her."
"Really?" Jed was taken aback.
"Something wrong with that, sir?" he said with genuine affection.
"No, it's just so new between the two of you..."
"I've always loved her, sir."
"I see."
"But CJ never gave in to my advances. You should believe me, sir...."
"I do, I do." He looked Danny over. "Just take good care of her."
"I will."
"'Cause if you don't...I may not be the President anymore; but I do have access to the CIA, the FBI, and all means of torture known to modern man. Are we clear?"
"Yes, sir." Danny smiled.
"Because if we're not...."
"Yes, sir, perfectly clear."
"Great!" President Bartlet was back to his cheery self. "I'll be in town next month, You, me, Abbey and CJ are having dinner." The President left Danny on the snowy road and was off in his limo.
"Yes. sir."
Danny watched the limo drive away before hearing the door on the building behind him close and CJ walk out.
"Hey," she said buttoning up her coat.
"Hey. " Danny walked toward her.
"I saw you through the window. What was that all about?"
"Nothing. He just threatened to sick the entire U.S. Government on me if I hurt you."
"Just the U.S. Government?" She smiled. Danny took her hand.
"You going to work now?"
"Yeah." He looked at her disappointed he had to leave her.
"It's not far. "I'll walk you."
In the car, President Bartlet heard his cell phone ring.
"Is that me?" he said.
"Yes, Jed. " Abbey chimed in.
"I have a cell phone now?"
"In your breast pocket," she told him as she read the newspaper.
"Oh." He took the phone out of his pocket. "What do ya know?" He flipped open the phone and looked at the display. "Why does it say Leo's calling?" He looked at Abbey. "How does it know Leo's calling?"
"I programmed all your numbers into the phone." Abbey spoke while reading her paper.
"And it can tell me who's calling."
"Yes."
"It can really do that?"
"Answer the phone, Jed, before he hangs up."
"Funny, you're gone for the world for eight years and your phone talks to you."
He answered the phone, "hello?"
"Hey, " said Leo from the other end.
"Hey, Leo. The phone said it was you, but I didn't know if I should believe it."
"Sorry, sir?"
"Man, you too. Call me Jed."
"It's going to take awhile, sir."
"You called me Jed for years."
"I'll get used it. Listen, I won't be going back to Manchester with you tonight. But don't worry, I'll follow in about two days or so.."
"Sounds fine."
"You run into CJ? Is she coming with us?
"No."
"I tried to warn you.."
"You know she's with Danny now."
"Yeah, I know." He said plainly.
"Does everyone know, but me!?"
"I don't know sir, I didn't take a poll."
On Leo's side of the phone, Jordan sat down at the table in Leo's robe. "Tell him I say hello."
Jordan says, "hello, Mr. President."
"Jordan! Is Jordan there? The President was excited.
"Yes, sir." Leo smiled at Jordan.
"Why you old dog. When did this happen?"
"I called her last night."
"Good for you. Something must be in the air. Leo call the national weather service. Something's in the air."
"I really can't do that sir."
"'Cause I'm not The President anymore?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You had to remind me didn't you."
"I really should be going.."
"What's she wearing? He was excited joking with his friend..
"Goodbye, sir."
"Or what isn't she wearing?" He leaned into the phone.
"Goodbye, Jed!"
"Call me tomorrow with all the details."
"Why is this conversation beginning to resemble that of two fourteen-year-old girls?
"Well I don't know about you Mary, but I'm quite enjoying myself."
"Good bye Sir."
"Remember I'm married, so I have to live vicariously through you."
"Can I go now, sir?"
"You want to hang up on me now, don't you?"
"Desperately."
"But you can't 'cause even though I am the Ex-President of the United States I still was and always will be a President of the United States."
"Yes, sir."
"Goodbye, Leo."
"Goodbye, Si...."
"What was that?"
"Goodbye, Jed. Now can I hang up?"
"Yes," he laughed and Leo hung up. Jed placed the phone back in his pocket and laughed.
"What's so funny? " Abbey asked him.
"I feel like Cupid all of the sudden."
CJ had walked Danny to just about the gate of the press entrance of the White House before they stopped to say their good-byes.
"This is going to be strange?"
"Strange?"
"Usually all I think about is going to work to be with you. Not the other way around." He paused and took a more serious stance. "I had an amazing time last night," he said holding her two hands in front of him.
"Me too." He leaned in to kiss her. But CJ pulled away as she noticed a reporter walk past.
"CJ?" he said a little annoyed. She turned her head signaling him and walked off to the side. Danny followed her.
"I'm sorry. I'm just not ready yet," she whispered.
"CJ, your not the Press Secretary anymore. We don't have to hide, Danny whispered back.
"I know. I know, she whispered. "But it's the first day after the administration and I'm seen kissing a member of the White House press corps in front of the White House. It doesn=t look good. People are going to think..."
"I don't care what people think. All that matters is what we know."
"But I care Danny. And most importantly, they care. You have a great career, Danny. I need to start over from scratch.... " She paused and took a breath. "If people think I was having an affair with you during my time here, it looks like you were just going after a story. But for me, t looks like I can't be trusted. " She paused, "I thought I was.... I'm just not ready yet."
"Ok, I can respect that. I don't like it, but I can respect it. " He paused, "But you have to realize that in less than twenty-four hours the Ex President of the United States and his Ex-Chief of Staff have already found out about us, not to mention the rest of their Ex-staff...who you know their going to tell. And if someone asks me, I'm not lying about it. Don't ask me to lie...'Cause CJ I love you..."
"Danny--"
"No, no. And it's ok--you don't have to say it back. It's ok if you can't say it back." He smiled slyly. "I'm a very patient guy CJ. "And I'll wait, as long as it takes, because I know you feel the same way. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go to work." Danny walked away and C.J watched him. It took her a moment, but she yelled after him.
"Danny wait!" she yelled as she ran up to him and kissed him deeply on the month. She could see a reporter walk past them. CJ pulled away and fixed Danny's collar, which she had taken hold of. "Stop staring, Marv, she told the reporter and he walked away." Danny looked at CJ, very impressed.
"I so want to woo you," Danny was still amazed by her.
"Excuse me?" she laughed.
"Woo you. Woo you?"
"Woo me?"
"Yes. Woo you."
"You want to woo me."
"Woo you. Take you out, buy you nice things, Try and get into your pants."
"You've already gotten into my pants Danny."
"Well, you know the spirit of it."
"You want to court me," she laughed.
"What no one's ever asked you that?"
"No, not so many words, no."
"Yes, I want to court you. Have a courtship.
"I think we may be past that."
"Nah, we're not past that...."
"Well what were the last eight years..."
"Just a prelude, my dear."
"I see.."
"So I can court you?"
"Yes, " she laughed.
"When can I start?"
"How about tonight." She kissed Danny and put her hands in his coat pockets.
"I'll see you tonight." She smirked and Danny took CJ's apartment key out of his pocket, which she had obviously put there. He looked at the key in amazement and then at her. CJ turned around and bit her lower lip as she walked away.
"He's still looking at me isn't he?" she said to herself. "Don't turn around. Don't turn around. She smiled to herself, but still couldn't help herself and turned around slightly. Danny was indeed watching her walk away. She smiled and under her breath spoke out load again. "He's still staring at me. She smiled and walked away.
That night CJ woke up to find Danny sitting next to hear watching her sleep.
"Danny?"
"Hey."
"When did you get in?"
"About three hours ago."
"Why didn't you wake me?" she asked as she lifted her head from the pillow.
"Is that for me?" he asked as she pointed to the pink negligee she was wearing.
"Yes." She said looking down and embarrassed she had fallen asleep.
"It's nice."
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"You looked so peaceful. I didn't want to wake you."
"You should have."
"I had a feeling it was a the first good sleep you've had in about eight years. I thought you deserved it."
"Thanks." She yawned again. "What have you been doing for three hours?"
"I was just finishing a story..."
"For three hours?..."
"Just the last hour, for the first two I just watched you sleep."
"I'm telling you Danny, that's kind of a little bit creepy." She smirked.
"Ok, how about I watched you sleep while I watched the late news." He pushed her hair away from her face.
"Oh. I can deal with that." She yawned again.
"Why don't you go back to sleep?"
"But we had plans...," she yawn.
"I don't have any plans."
"Are you really this sweet? Or is it just a cover."
"You'll have to ask my field agent. Oh, I've said too much.
"This isn't fair to you, " she yawned. "But I am tried." C.J yawned again.
"How about you put your head here?" Danny tapped two fingers on his chest beside his collar bone. It made CJ feel a tingle of warmth.
"Yeah?" She was surprised with herself and not just Danny. "I'd like that. CJ smiled and nestled her head on Danny's right shoulder. He wrapped his right arm around her and watched her fall asleep on his chest. It felt so right to CJ. She had never felt so comfortable in such a small amount of time.
Inside, Josh sat on the edge of the desk looking over all the boxes around the office. He looked a little scared. Donna looked over at him, feeling what he was feeling and plopped on the desk next to him. Outside the noise was deafening from the busy people. Donna and Josh looked at each other and then at the room. They both had the feeling that room seemed much bigger than both of them had ever remembered. They sat there for a moment just taking in the emptiness.