Chapter Sixteen

WASHINGTON MONDAY

Cleaned up, five days later, CJ packed the rest of her belongings from her not-short-enough stay at the hospital. Dressed in non-work clothes for a change, a print dress, and a sweater, she stuffed the remainder of her things into her blue duffel bag..

"CJ?" Josh knocked on her door.

"Hey, Josh."

"You look good?"

"Thanks, you're pretty snazzy yourself." She snapped her fingers at him.

"You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I do." CJ smiled and zipped her bag closed.

"Your brother went back to the hotel to get some things, he'll be back to pick you up."

"Which brother?"

"I don't know? Oh, but your other brother took Hogan back to the dorm."

"Would that be Hogan's father?"

"Yes? —Yes."

"There ya go." CJ looked around. "I think I have everything." Josh walked to her as she stood by the bed.

"I bet you're glad to get out of here---well, not as glad as you were to get out of that cabin—I mean—I'm sorry—"

"Josh, its ok." CJ looked Josh in the eye and knew he was about to cry. "It's ok."

"You don't know how amazing it is to see you standing here, CJ."

CJ smiled sweetly. "You really are sweet sometimes. You know that."

"Yeah." He smiled. "CJ?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you seen Danny?"

"Yeah, I saw him when he got out of surgery—but he was a little groggy—he told me I looked like a plate of scrambled eggs."

"Yeah, I think he told me he wanted to back big bird for the democratic nominee in two years—"

"I'd vote for 'um." CJ took hold of her bag.

"No. I'll take it. Let me." Josh took the bag and slung it over his shoulder.

"What do you have, bricks in this thing?"

"Yes, Josh I do in fact have bricks in there. While I was in here, I had an on going affair with a bricklayer. Not much money, but man the perks." She smiled slyly.

"CJ, have you talked to Danny?"

"He's awake?"

"Yeah?"

"Then no I haven't—"

"Don't you think---"

"I should thank him—yeah—"

"CJ."

"I'll do it later---"

"CJ"

"What was he doing out there anyway? It was stupid and I'm gonna tell him so. He almost got himself killed. What? Over a story?"

"CJ? It wasn't about a story. He's---"

"My friend, I know, I know. But it was stupid."

"No, CJ, he's in love with you. That's why he did it—"

"What?"

"—I can't believe you don't see it".

"Danny----he doesn't love me."

"Of course he does CJ. How can you be so blind? The man risked life and limb to go out into the unknown to find you. He couldn't sleep. He wouldn't eat, and I tried to make him. While all of us sat here powerless, breaking televisions, and feeding your damn fish---- which you owe me for by the way----he was out there risking his life for you. Wake up, Claudia Jean, the man doesn't just have a crush on you! He loves you. He's in love with you. And at some point you're going to have to deal with it."

CJ took a beat and digested what Josh had told her as Josh calmed himself down, not believing what he had just done. CJ sat on the bed and Josh gave her his back.

"He couldn't sleep?"

Josh turned around and looked at her, "Yeah?" Josh spoke as if to say, "Why would I lie?" Josh walked over to CJ and sat down next to her on the bed.

"CJ, you need to talk to him—"

"I can't. Not about this." CJ looked down.

"He sat in my office and told me there were only two things he was sure of in this world and that was, "five column inches above the fold....and you." CJ lifted her head as Josh said the word, "you". "I know Danny and I've never seen him put anything before his job. I've never seen him so determined." CJ said nothing. "No matter what or how you feel about this, CJ. Ya got to talk to him. You owe that to him."

"Yeah."

"I'll take this down for you."

Josh walked out of the room.