THREE MONTHS LATER.
"So, How's married life." Josh teased C.J. as they walked through the mall for lunch. Josh had a hot dog and C.J. had an ice cream she was just finishing. They took in the spring air of the D.C. outdoors.
"I'm not married Josh." She threw the stick in the trash.
"Well, not yet.."
"Shut up."
"What?" He laughed. Josh loved to play with his friend.
"Just shut up.."
"Danny tells me everything's going great..."
""Yeah?" She paused having a giddy face. " It is?"
"What?"
"I guess I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall.."
"Don't be. Just live in the moment. You guys deserve this..."
"Yeah we do don't we.."
"So what are you up to?"
"That's the thing.... nothing.....I just sit around waiting for Danny to come home. Not that I"m waiting for him to come home. I am my own women..
"Like the song.."
"That's "I am every women..""
"Oh."
"It's just that I just sit around making phone calls and taking meetings on my cell phone about jobs.. Yesterday I think I didn't even take a shower.."
"You did today right?" Josh took a step away.
"Yes!"
"Ok, good." Josh threw his hod dog holder in the trash. "What about that offer from Vanity Fair..."
"To write articles?..I'm not a writer. Toby, Sam, and Danny are the writers. I couldn't do that."
"Oh, ok."
"Wait." She stopped him. "Just, " Oh ok". No... "Hey C.J. don't be down on yourself, or "Sure C.J. you can do it." "You can do anything if you set your mind to it.""
"You just said you thought you couldn't do it?!"
"That doesn't mean I don't want encouragement.."
"Oh?" Josh didn't know what to do. C.J. changed the subject.
"How's work?"
"It's good." He paused. "Different." He paused again. "I never noticed how big Leo's office was. Did you notice how big Leo's office was? Even Donna didn't noticed it."
"No." She looked at him with all the dry wit she had in her eyes and voice.
"Oh, well it's big." They walked another stretch. "It's just different with out you guys there."
"Will's there Isn't he?. Doesn't he still have Toby's job?"
"Yeah, but it's just still.....different.."
A FEW WEEKS LATER. C.J.'S APARTMENT
Danny sat at C.J.'s lab top in C.J.'s Kitchen reading profusely. C.J. paced behind him.
"How is it?" She asked with anticipation.
"Can I finish here?" He motioned toward the screen.
"It's taking you a long time.."
"I'm almost done." He went back to the screen. "Humm. "He responded to something on the screen.
"What? What?" She peered over his shoulder. Danny looked at her over his shoulder; he didn't like this
"You know I told you you should take a walk around the block."
"I'm sorry. "She backed away and Danny went back to the screen. "Did you get to the part..."
"C.J.!" He yelled.
"I'm backing off, I'm backing off." C.J. paced a few more moments while Danny finished the article.
"I'm done."
C.J. stopped and looked at him with anticipation.
"And..."
Danny turned around in his chair.
"It's good.."
"Just good..?"
"You want me to be honest here right...?"
"Yes, yes honest... " She looked at Danny and he took a breath.
"Honest feedback, to grow from..."
"Danny!" She waited another moment for her answer.
"It's really good C.J." He tried not to smile.
"Really!?" She squalled.
"Yes. Its excellent. In fact." He smiled.
"And your not just telling me that..."
"When have I ever not told you what I thought...?"
"True, but your sleeping with me now.."
"True."
"It really is good?
"Yes." He said with all sincerity.
"Ohh." She squalled again and placed her hands on Danny's face to plant a huge kiss on his lips.
A SAT NIGHT: THE PRESS ROOM.
"How many cards you want Danny." C.J, asked
"Two.. "Danny told her and she dealt him two cards.
"Josh?"
"One." She dealt Josh one.
"So this kid reporter comes up too me.. "Danny finished his story.
"And none for the dealer.. "C.J. talked over him
" Has to be a least twenty two if not a day.." Danny finished.
"Danny... ?"C.J. looked at him with the cards in her hand.
"Oh, check." He responded not looking at her.
"Josh?" C.J. asked him.
"I raise you five.. " Josh put five chips in the pot.
"And I double that... " Danny put ten chips in the pot
"I'm in." CJ did the same.
"I'm in. " Josh did the same.
"So he comes up to me and he says, "so your, Danny Concannan," and I say "yeah", and he goes on about how much he loves my work, blah, blah blah.."
"Yeah, Blah, blah blah.. " C.J. joked with her smirk she saved for Danny.
"There's a point to this story.. " He scolded her.
"Are you in or out...?" C.J. asked.
"I'm telling a story..."
"Are you in or out?! This is Poker not story time Danny.."
"God you two fight like an old married couple.. " Josh folder his cards together.
"No we don't!" They said in unison looking Josh down.
"I'm in" Danny said throwing in his chips.
"I'm in." C.J. threw in her chips as well. "Show you cards gentleman." C.J. smiled. "Dealer wins again. C.J. began to clear up and deal the new hand as Danny spoke.
" So as I was saying.... he's talking me up and he says, so "your dating C.J. Cregg." And I say, "Yeah,What's it to ya..?""
"Yeah, What's it to ya? C.J. smirked at Danny who looked at her right back.
"It seemed cool at the time.. "He told her as he took the cards he was given. "And then he starts going on about how he just loves the Barlet Administration. Studied in high school history class..."
"Ohhh." C.J. and Josh gowned.
"That one hurt.." Josh chimed in picking up his new cards.
"Tell, me about it. But nice kid. Took him out to lunch. Means well. Just you know... young.."
"You in? C.J. asked.
"Yeah.. I call. "Danny placed his chips in the center.
"Josh?" C.J. asked.
"I call.. "Josh answered.
"I'm out. " C.J set her cards down.
"I was thinking you guys could talk to 'um. You know, tell him old stories. Nothing big. Give um a thrill."
"Sure. I'll check my schedule." Josh looked at his cards.
"Yeah." C.J. responded. "How many?" She said to Josh.
"One." Josh put his hand out and slid his new card into his hand replacing the card he discarded.
"Danny?" C.J. asked him next.
"None."
"None?" Josh spoke with surprised.
"None." Danny said again.
"You're bluffing.." Josh laughed.
"No I'm not. Danny defended.
"He"s bluffing. " C.J. didn't even look at Danny, but she knew as she played with the deck.
"I'm not!" Danny defended himself again. "You're not even looking at me." He said to C.J?
"I know when your bluffing. You're bluffing." She said shuffling the cards still not looking at him.
"Well I know when your bluffing, but I never gave it away.. " He whispered to her as if to say it was a private thing
"No you don't. "C.J, looked up at him in all seriousness.
"Yes I do!" A Danny demanded.
"No you don't. Men can't tell when a woman's bluffing.." C.J. looked him dead in the eye.
"That's not true." Josh demanded.
"Yeah, didn't you ever see When Harry met Sally... " Donna came in with cold drinks and handed them around the table. C.J. said nothing trying to keep her laugher to herself.
"What?" Danny looked at Donna. "What? He looked at C.J. "You never...what does she mean by that..?"
"Great." She gave an aside to Donna. "Now you've insulted his manhood, we could be here for hours."
"Tell me about it." Donna said rolling her eye balls at Josh.
"You[re bluffing.. "Josh yelled having continued his fight with Danny moments before.
"I'm not bluffing.. Danny stood sounding defiant.
"Let's see your hand!" Josh stood.
"You first.. " Danny retreated in his voice only
"God, make them stop.." Donna had made her way from her seat and stood next to C.J.
"Danny if your bluffing I'm not having sex with you tonight. " C.J said with all seriousness. She didn't look at him. She didn't have to.
"I'm out. " Danny threw his cards on the table and sat down not looking at Josh.
"HA! HA! Josh threw his finger and arms toward Danny. "In your face!"
"You sure got him tied around your finger.." Donna leaned in and whispered.
"Yup, that's my man. She said with dry sarcasm.
AS THE NIGHT IS WINDING DOWN..
"So what's that kids' name. "Josh yawned as he put on his coat and followed Danny down the stairs into the Briefing Room.
"The reporter?: Danny asked.
"Yeah."
"Nathan Daniels."
"Isn't that two first names.?
"Nathan. Daniels."
"Oh.. " Josh yawned again. "Well, I'm pretty much booked for the next month or so. .Donna!
"You're pretty much booked for the next month or so.. " Donna walked between Josh and Danny.
"See." Josh said to Danny.
"Where's my coat? Donna disappeared.
"C.J? Josh yelled.
"Yeah I'll meet him." C.J. made her way to the front. "What else am I doing..." She met up with Danny and Josh from behind.
"I thought you were sleeping with me? Danny asked.
"Well, besides that." She said in her driest tone. She was also sleepy.
"Notice her total lack of enthusiasm. :"Danny said as C.J. fixed the collar on her coat and walked out the door. Danny smirked and slapped C.J. on the ass as she left.
"What was that for!?" She yelled
"It was nice.. " He begin to say showing no malice.
"No it wasn't..." CJ's voice screeched as she walked out.
"I didn't mean anything by it..."
"Don't do that in front of people.." C.J. could be heard yelling.
"I was kidding around.." Danny trailed off.
"A couple a bickering.." Josh said to himself.
"What? Donna rejoined Josh with her coat in hand.
"Nothing.."
"A couple of bickering...What?"
"That's all I meant to say.." Josh singled Donna out with his hand and turned off the lights.
"Don't you mean a bickering couple, because the other way.."
"Good night Donna." Josh walked off and Donna followed.
ONE WORK WEEK MORNING
Danny kissed C.J. in the foyer of her apartment.
"I really have to go." He said
"I know." She laughed as he kissed her again.
"Ok. I really have to get going."
"Ok."
"I'm going." He kissed her again.
"Danny.."
"I'm going.. he walked off. C.J. watched him leave only to see him return again like a boomerang.
"Just two more minutes.." He kissed her again and again. C.J. couldn't help from laughing.
"And than I really have to go. " He kissed her again. "I'm going." Danny flew away but was still holding on to C.J.'s hand and soon he was back again with his lips on her lips.
"C.J. you really have to stop doing this. I have to get to work!"
"Danny,:" she laughed. "Go!"
"OK.:" He ran off leaving C.J. laughing at him. It took a little longer this time, but Danny was back kissing her. "I'm really going this time I promise.." He spoke as he came up for air.
"You know you don't have to keep doing this..."
"What?"
"Flirting with me.."
"But it's fun.." He kissed her quick again. "I don't care what you say C.J. I have to go to work!
"Danny..: " She said sweetly.
"Bye." He kissed her again and he was off.
TWO MORE MONTHS LATER
C.J. pulled Danny into her bedroom by his tie. She wore a sexy red dress that Danny had his hands all over. She loosen his tie as she pushed herself backwards onto her bed. She laughed while he jumped on top of her causing the bed to shake. He kissed her neck with the enthusiasm of a school boy. He was defiantly eager. He stopped and looked into C.J.'s eyes as she held his face in her hands and smiled back at him.
"So I was thinking.. " Danny laid his finger along C.J.'s neck bone.
"Since I'm here all the time.."
"You want to move in..?"
"Well, I'm here every night, and as much as I like running across town for a change of clothes.. " He saw the look in her eyes. "C.J. I know it's a big step for you.."
"The last time I lived with some one we drove ourselves crazy. I don't want that to happen to us.."
"C.J. I've been here every night and every day since we've been together. All I'm talkin' about is logistics." He paused. "And Cab fare. C.J. smirked at Danny's remark.
"I want to Danny.." She said one thing, but her voice said another. She was still hesitant.
"Then say yes, Let me move in. Let me change all my magazine subscriptions and bring in my George Foreman Grill..
"You have a George Foeman Grill..?"
"Of course.."
"Well, how can I not live with a man who has a George Foeman Grill?"
"Do, you mean it?"
"Yes.."
"Fantastic.. !" and he leaned in and kissed her and she held his head in her hands.
LATER THAT WEEK:
C.J. opened one of the many boxes in her living room. Out of this one she pulled a lamb shaped like a golf bag.
"Danny what is this?"
"It's a lamp.."
"It's hideous.."
"It's art.." He walked away from her and pulled out a radio like device.
"What's that? "She said setting the lamp down.
"My scanner.. " He looked around. "Where can I put it?"
"Not in here put it in the den." She wanted it away from public view.
"Ok." Danny walked into the Den.
"I'm living with a man with a scanner." She bemused to herself. She laughed and after a moment went back to the boxes. She looked around at all the boxes. There were so many. "You sure have a lot of stuff Danny. I didn't think you=d have so much stuff.." Danny walked out of the Den. "Maybe this wasn"t such a good idea..
"C.J... " He walked over to her. "You said you wouldn't freak out. I mean I've changed all my magazine subscriptions. And there a lot, so there's no turning back now."
"It's not you Danny. I know were right. I know that now. But what if we drive each other crazy?"
"When have we not drove each other crazy?" He kissed her.
"What's this?" C.J. looked into the box behind her. Danny turned around to see what C.J was pulling out of the box.
"That's my Pulitzer."
"Wow.. "C.J. looked at with pride for Danny. "It's beautiful..."
"Mind if I put it on the mantel for now. That kid, Nathan is going to stop by later I said he could take a look at it.." Danny took it and walked over to mantel and set it down.
"Is that how you got girls up to your apartment? Did you ask them if they wanted to come up see your Pulitzer." Danny walked back toward C.J.
"I didn't have to use it for you." He wrapped his arms around it.
"Well, you know I'm easy. Eight years of constant torture and I'm yours.."
"I'm gonna go out and get the late edition. You want anything?"
"No."
Danny walked off and C.J. yelled after him.
"Danny?"
"Yeah, he turned around.
"I love you."
"That's the first time you told me that." Danny was deeply touched.
"I know.." She seemed embarrassed she hadn't said it earlier.
Danny smiled.
"I'll be right back." Danny smiled from ear to ear as he left the apartment, not talking an eye off her until he was gone.
C.J. walked over to the mantle and adjusted the Pulitzer. She was happy.
THREE MONTHS LATER:
Three months later everything in the apartment was in their place, including a few Journalism prizes of C.J.'s mixed with Danny's on the mantel.
C.J. walked into her apartment fresh from the gym. She was hot, she was sweaty, and all she wanted was a hot bath to soak in before a business dinner with her editor about her new article. C.J. dropped her bag on the couch and let out a breath before finding her way into the bedroom, her white robe, and down the hallway. She ran her hair through the back of her head as she tried to walk into her bathroom.
"Hey." She heard a sound as the door was pushed from the inside.
"Let me in.."
"In a minute." Danny paused. "I'm busy. " He sounded a little uneasy for some reason.
"Doing..what? Let me in. "She pushed the door and Danny pushed back. "Come on." She pursued.
"Ok. But you have you have to promise not to laugh."
"Ok?" She laughed.
"C. J!"
"Ok. Ok."
"Close your eyes."
C.J. smirked and closed her eyes.
"They're closed." The door opened and C.J. felt her hand being pulled into the bathroom
"Can I open them now?" She laughed.
"Not yet" He paused. "Open."
C.J. opened her eyes and with one look at Danny's beardless face she broke into hysterical laughing.
"C.J.!" Danny was hurt.
"No, No. I"m sorry." She tried to calm herself down as Danny looked uncomfortable.
"I wasn't going to shave the whole thing and then...." C.J. looked at Danny again and interrupted his speech with more laughter. "If your going to be that... " He went for the door, but C.J. grabbed his arm. Danny wouldn't take her eyes at first.
"No. Wait. "She pulled Danny in front of her. "I=m sorry. I was just caught off guard. Let's talk a look. She placed her hands on Danny's shoulder. "It's not that bad."
"Well there is the final test. "Danny leaned in and kissed C.J. Their lips met only to be interrupted by C.J.'s laughing smile. Danny pulled away and lowered his head.
"Ok." He felt defeated.
"No. No. It just--felt funny. I'm not use to kissing you with...."
"I"m going. He said like a deflated puppy.
"No. No. " She pulled him back and kissed him for real now. Danny pulled away to see C.J sly face smiling back at him as if her infections laugh was just about to break the front.
"I"m growing it back."
"Yeah. " She laughed and walked toward the bathtub.
"So. What ya doing tonight?"
"Well, first I'm soaking in a hot tub and then I have that dinner meeting, What ever that means, with that new editor from Vanity Fair. " C.J. turned the knob on the hot faucet and closed the stopper.
"Ohh, can I come." He said teasing her.
"No." She teased back, but was very serious about it.
"I meant the bath."
"So did I. " C.J. dropped her robe and stepped into bath.
"Now were talkin'." Danny said slyly as he started to loosen his tie.
"Danny... " She protested. Danny kicked off his shoes."No. Danny... " She said in her stern voice. "I've been running around all day. And then the gym. I just want to soak my muscles and relax"
"I know a way you can relax. " He walked toward her.
"Danny.. " She couldn't help from laughing.
"You, know technically this bathtub is half mine so I..."
"Danny get out!" CJ was starting to get annoyed. Danny just smiled and walked closer.
"What are ya gonna give me for it..." He joked
"Your in a good mood all of a sudden..?"
"Yeah, I am? If it were 1910 I'd be consider gay."
"And in the twenty century definition...."
"Defiantly the heterosexual version.."
"I see." She smirked. Danny walked closer "Danny don't... " He didn't listen. "Fine. If you'[re gonna be that... "She started to push herself out of the tub.
"No, no. no. " C.J. let her arms go and fell back in. "See, if you try to get out of that tub." Danny pulled his tie off his neck. "And I=m not finished getting undress, well I=m just going to have to stop you by jumping into that tub..."
"You wouldn=t..."
They looked into each other's eyes and there was a pause of uncertainty. And then in one moment C.J. started to get up and the next thing she knew Danny had jumped, well more like stepped, into the tub with her causing a large splash. C.J. let out a crackle of laugher at Danny's craziness.
"No." She crackled. "Uhh." She laughed at Danny in his wet clothes as he rested his body onto C.J.'s wrapping his wet shirt sleeved arms around her torso.
"You're crazy you know that?" She laughed
"I in fact now that." He paused. "I am also Crazy about you."
"Oh that's a new one.. " She laughed. Danny moved causing water to splash in Danny and C.J.'s face. C.J. laughed. She was very much enjoying herself. Danny kissed her again and. this time she laughed with even more enjoyment. This of course made C.J. look radiant with the heathy glow of contentment. Danny looked at her in awe.
"God. I want to marry you. " He commented as if it as another love declaration.
"What?" C.J. laughed being caught off guard.
"Don't get crazy, it's just a figure a speech..?"
"Figure of speech?"
"Yeah, like. "God, I love you or..""
"Ok." C..J said seriously/
"What? Wait? Did you mean....ok. As in...."ok" it's just a figure of speech. Or "Ok". as in "Yes.""
"Ok", as in yes. She smiled
"You'll marry me?"
"Yes!" She demanded. Danny was beside himself. He couldn't believe it. His month opened and nothing came out. C.J. was pretty happy with the reaction she got form him Danny. His befuddedness was quite amusing to her. He planted a huge kiss on C.J. Again she didn't laugh, but smiled guilefully.
TWO WEEKS LATER: DANNY AND CLAUDIA JEAN'S ENGAGEMENT PARTY.
One year since the End of the Barlett Adminatration.
"Well, were all here to toast the impending nuptials of one Claudia Jean Cregg and Daniel Concannon. Who if not for me would have never met. For if I wasn"t smart enough and handsome enough to be elected president theses two kids may never have gotten together.."
"Ohhh." The audience heckled Jed Bartlet.
"Did I mention Good looking..." The crowd laughed.
"He's laying it on a little thick, don't ya think?" C.J. whispered to Leo in a comic manner.
"Ahh, he's in his element.." Leo responded and smiled toward his friend.
"So we raise a glass to theses two people. "He looked around and raised his glass in their direction. "May your happiness in life only equal a tenth of the love I know you have in your hearts." He raised his glass high."To Danny and C.J! He yelled
"To Danny and C.J." The crowd yelled back.
"Wow, it's amazing isn't it." A young man in glasses turned to Josh as he downed his glass. "How the two of them were just good friends for eight years and be right under each other's noses and now their getting married. "Josh smiled and put his hand on shoulder of the young man in glasses.
"Yeah, well we all knew something was going on behind those closed doors.. He laughed and walked away from the boy he didn't know. "Mallory, look at you. You look amazing. He walked toward her. "Get over here."
The young man with glasses watched Josh walk away and soon made his way over to CJ who was talking with Margaret, Leo and Abbey.
"So where's the ring?" Margaret asked.
"We don't have one yet.."
"Well, you know what they say about marriage.. " Abbey laughed. "It's all about the jewelry."
"I'll be right back." Margaret made her way out. "I see they're back with the cheese balls. I love them."
"Excuse me Ms. Cregg." The young man with glasses approached.
"Nathan. Hi. Please call me C.J." She laughed it off. She was in amazing spirits.
"C.J. I just wanted to say congratulations. I have to get back work."
"Thank you Nathan." She smiled and turned her words to the group. "Nathan here is a cub reporter at the White House. She looked at Nathan. "Danny's taken him under his wing."
"Really? I'd think Danny would keep all the stories to himself. " Abbey spoke.
"Well, he's not telling me any secrets. Just showing them the ropes." The boy was very nervous.
"Nathan this is..." CJ motioned toward Abbey.
"I know who she is. Pleasure to meet you ma'am."
"And this is..." C.J continued toward Leo.
"Yes, Leo McGarry.."
"Pleasure. Don't let them battle you around too much." Leo answered
"Yes, Sir." Nathan paused. "Well I should be going."
"Bye Nathan. " C.J. smiled and he was gone. As he left Josh followed Danny past the doorway as Nathan look a final look and closed the door to the party. Danny caught him from his eye as he left..
"So, how come you proposed with out a ring.?" Josh said suggestively.
"It was just spur of the moment kind of thing.." Danny answered bringing his attention back to Josh.
"Like you were both naked kind of spur of the moment kind of thing..? " Josh being horrible was fishing.
"Well, she was naked... "Danny smirked and walked off.
"Hey, don't keep me hanging like that.. and Josh followed Danny.
The party had sort of become a reunion of the old west wingers. Everyone in their clusters enjoying each other's company. Danny had found his way to his fiancees as she talked with Abbey, The President, Leo and Jordan.
"So when's the date? Abbey probed C.J. and Danny.
"Well.." C.J. looked up at Danny smiling. "We haven't really set a date.."
"You haven't set a date." Abbey scolded them.
"Don't get my wife started about weddings.." Jed cautioned the couple.
"We just want to take our time. We want to be engaged for a while.." Danny spoke up. It's what C.J. wants. "He said looking at her.
"Well, listen to this one." Abbey said of Danny. "This one over here.. "She pointed to her Husband. "Wouldn't wait to get married. Wouldn't even wait until I was out of Medical School, like I wanted.."
"Well that's because I'm Catholic. I just wanted to have sex with you. " The President joked..
"Jed." She pocked him as if she didn't like the joke, but deep down she did.
"Well, its true.. " He laughed and hugged her from behind planting a kiss on her cheek. C.J. looked at the them with awe. Would that be her and Danny, she thought to herself. She felt it. It seemed that right.
"So, Danny... "The President asked. "I know how our Claudia Jean is doing, but I haven't caught up with you. What are you doing theses days to keep C.J in the matter to which she is accustomed. to...?" The group laughed.
"I think, its more the other way around..." Leo joked and the crew laughed with them.
"Well, I should be finishing my book soon...."
"Oh, yes the book, the book......and who is that about again ..? The group tried not to laugh, Danny a little more so because he would never really feel as familiar with Jed as the rest of his ex-wingers would.
"It's about you Sir,"
"Oh, yes. " He smiled. I seem to remember. "I do seem to remember hours of interviews in my home. " He looked over at Danny. "That was you?"
"Is it about the entire administration?" Jordan asked.
"Yes...." Danny answered
"Yes, so when we wish Danny luck on his venture we actually mean it this time.. " The President said with all is own brand of sarcasm.
"Yes, sir. Danny held C.J.'s hand in his right moving her fingers to adjust his hold and feel her near him. C.J. noticed this and smiled as he looked at her. Everyone noticed their joy and couldn't be happier.
TBC