Title: Hide And Seek
Author: Willow
Summary: A poker night, a date, a surprise and general light hearted staff banter.
Spoilers/Episode: Set in an a/u that leaves the show's timeline after season 5, Memorial Day. This chapter takes place a month after chapter 11.
Characters: Ensemble
Rating: PG
Author Note: If you've read this chapter before, you will notice that I've changed the ending. Sorry to anyone who liked the old ending, but on further consideration, it just didn't fit.
Part III
Leo's Office - 11pm
"Are you going to meet a tall, dark, handsome stranger?" Sam grinned at CJ after she'd finished telling them about her recent visit to Madame Rosina, the palmist.
"They don't tell you things like that," CJ replied.
"You're crazy," Josh told her.
"Donna and Carol came with me," CJ told him.
"Did they have their palms read?" Josh asked.
"We did," Donna replied.
"Then you're crazy as well," Josh said. "You can't possibly believe in it."
"Why, because you're a cynic?"
"I'm not a cynic," Josh replied. "Why are you all grinning?" he asked.
"Give me your hand," CJ instructed. Josh held out his left hand and CJ studied it for a second. "Okay. This is your life line, you'll be glad to hear that it's long, although there is a small break just before half way down, which'll be when you were shot."
"No. Hang on." Josh said. "You're telling me that if I'd had my palm read 10 years ago, Gypsy whoever would have told me I was gonna be shot?"
"No, don't be an idiot. She would have been able to tell that you were going to be seriously ill, although she may not have told you."
"Then what's the point...?" Sam joined the discussion.
"They don't want to scare you."
"Okay, but wouldn't some kind of warning about what was going to happen be nice?" Josh wondered.
"Not if you can't change it," CJ replied.
"Which brings be back to my first question," Sam said. "What's the point?"
Jed smiled as he watched them. It was good to see the staff relaxing in each others company, something they didn't do often enough these days. The conversation had now turned to their up coming trip to New Mexico. While work was technically a banned subject at their poker evenings, it was hard to avoid completely, so he let them carry on.
"You're going to be what?" Sam was asking Donna and CJ.
"They're going to be sprayed," Josh supplied.
"With what?"
"Fake tan."
"Sprayed?" Toby asked, "Like a car in the shop?"
"Not exactly, but yes. They spray self tanned lotion on and in a few hours you have a tan," Donna replied.
"What's wrong with how you look now?" Josh asked.
"I'm pale."
"I like that," Josh replied without thinking.
CJ stared at him. "How's it your business?"
Josh recovered quickly. "I'm just saying, plenty of men like alabaster skin."
"Well, we're going to a reception and we want a tan for a change," CJ replied.
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The Residence - 12.30am
Charlie hung up his cell phone and reached for his pants while Zoey watched him from the bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"That was Josh, the game's over."
"And?" Zoey asked.
"Your father will be up here in a few minutes and you know he'll come by your room."
"He'll have drinks with Leo after the game, he always does."
"Oh well that makes all the difference. Not only the president but his chief of staff will be calling by."
"And you'd arranged for Josh to call you when the game was over?"
"Yeah."
"Didn't Josh think that was a little odd?" Zoey asked.
"No, why would he?" Charlie pulled his top on. "Have you seen my socks?"
"Charlie," Zoey began. "We're both adults, we're in a relationship, my father knows about us and he approves. So I ask again, what are you doing?"
"Him knowing and maybe approving is one thing, actually finding me in here..."
"Are you going to climb out of the window?" Zoey was quite amused by Charlie's behavior but she could see he was serious, so she got out of bed and started to get dressed. "It is a comfortable bed though isn't it?" she asked.
"I didn't notice," Charlie smiled. "My mind was on other things."
"Like my father?"
"Definitely not your father."
"Good," Zoey smiled. "Come on then, to the den to await my evil father's return."
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"I still can't see it," Jed told Leo as they traveled up in the elevator. "They seem the same as they always have, not that I've ever studied them that closely you understand."
"Maybe I'm wrong," Leo said.
"I think you are," Jed agreed. "My powers of deduction are legendary and if I can't see it..." he smiled. "But just say you are right, will it matter do you think?"
"If I am right, it hasn't mattered so far."
Jed nodded. "He should talk to CJ though, because if she finds out from the press she isn't going to be happy and you could find yourself looking for a new deputy," he smiled.
"I might have a word with him," Leo reluctantly agreed. "I can hardly criticize them though can I? Not that I'd want to."
"No," Jed agreed. "And they aren't doing anything wrong."
"I know."
"So where is Debbie tonight?"
"Yoga."
"Yoga?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, well that image is going to stay with me," Jed good naturedly complained.
Part 4
