Author's Note: I still don't own the characters or the show. Also, reviews are encouraging! Thanks to those who are reading and I hope to finish this up before the New Year. Happy holidays to all!

Girl Talk

CJ heard the faint ringing as her mind slowly became conscious. She tried to ignore it but she realized that Danny had not moved and he wouldn't be answering the phone. She cracked one eye and tried to note the time, but, without her glasses she knew it was futile.

"Hello?" she said groggily into the receiver.

"CJ," Donna said happily.

"Donna?" CJ questioned. She hadn't spoken to Donna in months. In truth she had missed their conversations. She had missed more than that. There were times at the White House when she wanted to leave the building and grab some ice cream. Donna was always her ice cream buddy, but after she left they seldom spoke, which CJ regretted.

"Yeah," Donna replied. "I didn't wake you did I?"

Donna hadn't gotten away from the early morning routine and she just assumed the same had gone for CJ. It was almost seven and she figured the danger of waking her was minimal, but now that she heard CJ's gruff voice she wondered.

"Uh, no," CJ lied as she sat up and slunk out of bed. Danny had just gotten back from a summit in China and she didn't want to wake him. "Can you hold on a minute?" CJ asked.

"Sure," Donna replied. She heard some rumbling over the line as CJ felt around the night stand for her glasses. She took the cordless phone and crept out of the bedroom. Donna heard her clear her throat before she got back on the phone.

"Okay, sorry about that," CJ said when she was back on the line.

"I woke you," Donna said. "I'm so sorry. I just assumed you'd be awake."

"It's okay," CJ said. "It's really good to hear from you."

"Yeah?" Donna asked. It had been so long since they'd spoken she wasn't sure. CJ and Donna were never what you could call best friends, but as two of the more important women at the White House they had a bond.

"Yeah," CJ said sincerely. "What have you been up to since the campaign?"

"I'm actually back in Washington," Donna said. "I'm looking for a job at a few of the lobbying firms in town."

"If you need a reference let me know," CJ said. "I heard Thomas Knowles is looking for someone on the environment."

"Thanks," Donna replied. "I appreciate that."

"Anytime," CJ said. "I still can't believe our very own Donna Moss is a big-time political operative."

"We grow up so fast," Donna joked.

"Yeah," CJ smiled.

"What have you been up to?" Donna asked. "How are you adjusting to life outside the west wing?"

"It's an adjustment," CJ admitted. "I never felt powerful while I was there, but now that I'm not in the room I feel a little useless. Watching the news is suddenly a lot scarier than it was four months ago."

"Yeah," Donna agreed. "At least when I wasn't there I knew the people in charge. Now I'm not so sure I feel as confident."

CJ made a sound that indicated she agreed with Donna without having to verbalize it. Although she did agree that having a Republican in the White House was a scary idea, she never really connected with Santos as a candidate. She knew Jed Bartlet was the real thing all those years ago. She trusted him to make the choices she knew she couldn't, or wouldn't. She never got that feeling about Santos.

"So what have you been up to these last few weeks?" Donna asked. "Are you going back to California?"

"Not yet," CJ replied.

"Do you have a job in town?"

"I have a few offers I'm entertaining," CJ confessed. "To be honest I think I might end up doing some commentary for Capitol Beat."

"That's great," Donna said. "I can see you doing that."

"Yeah and the beauty is I get to give my opinions," CJ laughed. "I don't have to censor myself anymore."

"And that's it?" Donna asked.

"What do you mean?" CJ asked oblivious.

"No big news to report?" Donna asked as if she knew already.

"News?" CJ repeated still unaware that Donna was referring to Danny.

"I heard that someone with red hair who writes for a certain high profile newspaper made a few visits to your office the last few weeks in office," Donna baited her.

"Margaret," CJ grumbled under her breath.

Donna smiled on the other end of the phone. "Administrative assistants have a code. No matter how far away, no matter how long you've been gone, you stay on the gossip phone tree."

"Great," CJ sighed. "What exactly did Margaret tell you?"

"Who cares what Margaret told me," Donna dismissed her. "What's the story?"

"There's no story. The White House does not wish to comment on a non-issue," CJ said slipping into her old Press Secretary shoes.

"CJ, come on," Donna whined. "We've known each other for a long time and if you'll remember I was very supportive of you and Danny. I thought you'd make a terrific couple and I know you had some issues because of the Press Secretary and reporter thing, but it's not a factor anymore."

CJ quickly realized that Donna was falling into her old habit of rambling and she decided to stop her.

"Fine," CJ said interrupting Donna's thought. "Gee, I didn't think it was possible but you've managed to increase your lung capacity in a year's time."

"CJ," Donna said.

"Danny and I are dating," CJ sighed. "We're together okay? Are you happy?"

"Immensely," Donna smiled as she spoke. "I'm very happy for the two of you. How long has it been going on?"

CJ thought about the answer to that question. Eight years was her true response, but she knew Donna meant how long since things picked up and became serious. For the first time CJ felt no qualms about telling someone about her relationship.

"About four months," CJ confided. "He started dropping by the White House after the election and we went to dinner a few times. It really picked up after the inauguration."

"Well you had no more excuses to fight him off anymore," Donna told her.

"Yeah I suppose," CJ smiled.

"Is it serious?" Donna asked. CJ could practically see Donna's cocked eyebrow.

"Yeah," CJ said. "It actually kind of is."

"CJ that is so wonderful," Donna practically squealed into the phone.

"Yeah, it is," CJ admitted. "Now what about you my friend?"

"What about me?" Donna asked.

"Donna," CJ said. "I can't help but wonder if what I said to you about Josh made you leave the White House."

Donna got quiet on the other end of the phone. She remembered the chat well. CJ had basically told her to give up on Josh because he could never give her what she really wanted from him. She took CJ's comment to heart and left the White House shortly thereafter.

"We never really talked about what I said," CJ continued. "I never meant to imply--"

"Yes you did," Donna cut her off. "You were honest with me CJ. You know Josh and you were pointing out what I was too blind to see. I don't blame you for it. It really helped me figure out what I wanted."

"I'm sorry if it hurt you," CJ said. "We never really talked about it."

"I know," Donna said. "It's okay. It all turned out for the best."

"Josh feels like he let you down," CJ informed her. "We both know he'll never tell you that, but it's the truth. He feels like he let down Santos and Leo and the party, but most of all, he feels like he let you down. That's why I said what I did about Josh. He takes everything to heart and I don't think he can give you what you want because somewhere in the back of his mind he's always going to feel like he's going to let you down."

"I know," Donna replied. "I've been on the campaign trail with him for months CJ. I worked for him for years. I know that he'll always feel he's not good enough. I guess I always hoped he'd change."

"Josh likes change in other people, not himself," CJ said knowingly.

"Have you talked to Josh?" Donna asked getting the feeling that CJ had spoken to him recently.

"Not recently," CJ replied. "He stopped by my apartment after the election."

"Two days after?" Donna asked.

"Yeah," CJ admitted. She wasn't sure, but she was fairly certain she heard hurt in Donna's tone when she posed the question.

"We didn't know where he went," Donna admitted. "He called from the airport and said he'd be back. I assumed he went to his mom's. He went to see you?"

"He was feeling really low Donna," CJ told her. She could tell that Donna was hurt that Josh had gone all the way to Washington to see her instead of staying in Texas and confiding in Donna.

"Yeah," Donna brushed it off. "He had Leo and me right there in Texas but he flew to see you."

"He said wanted a friendly face. Someone who he didn't feel he'd let down," CJ explained. "He looked like hell when he showed up and he just went on about how he messed everything up and how he didn't know how to make it better."

"I haven't heard from him since we shut everything down in Texas," Donna admitted. "He never wanted me there anyway. I was only there because Lou hired me."

"That isn't true," CJ said.

"Yeah, it really is CJ," Donna said knowingly.

"Maybe," CJ told her. "He didn't want you there, but he needed you there. Josh doesn't function well without you Donna. I know I told you that he couldn't give you what you need, but I can also tell you that he can't function well without you either. I often wondered if you'd have stayed, would he have left the White House? After you left there he had this huge void in his life. I think he left the White House because he couldn't find what he was missing. He was missing you. He needs you whether he knows it or not."

"You don't have to say that," Donna dismissed her.

"I'm not. I don't have to censor myself anymore remember?" CJ joked. "I get to give my opinions, which are, admittedly, not worth a whole lot, but I get to say what I think. I think Josh loves you in ways that he can't even conceive. I think you love him in ways that you never thought possible and I think you're both stubborn fools who waste a lot of time thinking about things you'll never say. Trust me. Being with Danny has made me a much wiser woman."

"Because you wasted time thinking about things you'd never say to him?" Donna asked.

"I wasted years thinking about things I'd never say to him," CJ grinned as she saw Danny emerge from the bedroom looking tired yet adorable. He stretched in the doorway and gave her a smile as he padded into the kitchen. "Believe me, from the biggest fool of the last decade, if you're still hung up on Josh then tell him. I know I'm glad I did."

"He won't talk to me anymore," Donna replied.

"He will," CJ insisted. "He just needs some time. He saw me. I know he was California with Sam. Now he just needs to make amends with Leo and then he'll see you. He always saves you for last."

"He's with Sam?" Donna asked. "The future governor of California?"

"Yeah," CJ replied. "The future governor and Tonto are living it up."

"I'm glad Sam is doing well. Have you talked to Toby?" Donna asked innocently. She didn't know what had happened between Toby and CJ. She assumed that she'd never know the whole story. No one would expect Toby, CJ and perhaps the President.

"No, I haven't talked to him," CJ said sensing Danny enter the room. "I'm glad for him though. Listen Donna, this is stupid. Let's get together and have dinner some time. We're both in town."

"That sounds really nice actually," Donna said.

"How about the ninth?" CJ asked. For some reason CJ remembered the date as an evening that Danny would be out with the boys. He had a monthly poker night with some reporters at the paper and CJ thought it would be great to actually catch up with Donna in person. Two years was a long time to cover over the phone.

"Sounds perfect," Donna said. "I'll swing by your place?"

"That sounds great," CJ smiled. "I'll see you then."

"Okay," Donna smiled. "It was nice talking to you CJ. Sorry I woke you. Tell Danny I said hi."

CJ chuckled at Donna's tone when she gave her regards to Danny. It was a very junior high tone, complete with a higher pitched voice.

"I will do that," CJ smirked. "See you the ninth."

"You bet."

CJ felt Danny's hand gently rubbing her back once she hung up the phone. He was perched on the arm of the chair drinking a glass of orange juice. "Who was that?" he asked.

"My secret boyfriend," CJ teased him.

"Making plans with him while I'm at poker night?" he asked her playing along.

"You figured it out," CJ say. "I knew I shouldn't have tried to date the next Bob Woodward."

"So does this mystery boyfriend have a name?" Danny asked.

"Well, we have to keep it hush-hush," CJ played along. "He's running for governor of California and a sex scandal might ruin it."

"Ah, I think Sam will be fine," Danny dismissed her. "The people of California like a good sex scandal. They live in the land of Hollywood."

"How'd you know it was Sam?" CJ asked.

Danny smirked at her. "Running for governor of California? Who else would it be?"

"Arnold Schwarzenegger," she replied seriously.

"He's not your type," Danny said sliding down into the chair next to her.

"You're right," CJ laughed. "Hey, are you tired? You should get some more sleep."

"I'm fine," Danny said scratching his cheek. "So who was it really?"

"It was Donna," CJ replied with surprise in her voice.

"Really? What's she up to?" Danny asked.

"She's looking to work as a lobbyist," CJ said. "Donna's very persuasive."

"Yes she is," Danny agreed. "So you two are getting together?"

"Yeah," CJ grinned as she rested her head on Danny's shoulder. He slipped his arm around her. "We're going to catch up over dinner while you're out losing your ass at the poker table."

"I do not lose my ass," Danny protested.

"Tell me that when you come home with a dollar in your wallet," CJ replied.

"Well it's a good thing I have you to take care of me then," Danny said.

"You're very right about that," CJ agreed.

"Has Donna talked to Josh since he came here?" Danny asked.

"No," CJ replied. "He's just being stubborn. Josh has a list of people he needs to build him up before he can talk to Donna. He's already crossed off me and Sam. Leo is next and then Donna."

"What about Toby and Jed?"

"President Bartlet," CJ said making a point to punch the first word, "is in New Hampshire for a few weeks. Odds are Josh won't be able to track him down. As for Toby, who knows?"

"You just don't want to talk about Toby," Danny said.

"Well what do you know? You're a genius," CJ replied.

"Are we gonna do this every time I mention Toby?"

"Here's a tip, don't mention Toby," CJ said seriously.

"We can never talk about Toby?" Danny asked incredulous.

CJ was quiet for a moment and she buried her face a little farther into Danny's shoulder. He felt her tense up when he mentioned Toby, but he wanted her to open up about him. CJ never talked about the leak. She always said it was because of the legal ramifications, but he knew that she just couldn't bring herself to open the wound again.

"Not yet," CJ said quietly.

"CJ I don't understand," Danny started to say before she reached up and covered is mouth gently with her hand.

"You can't," she said.

"I'm a pretty smart guy," he said gently.

"I know," she replied. He felt her smile sadly into his shoulder. "I know you're a smart guy. It's complicated and I'm not ready to talk about it yet. I'm not even ready to talk to Toby about it."

"Okay," Danny said simply.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Okay," she replied. "Good talk."

"Except the part of about you having a torrid affair with Sam," Danny teased her.

"You have nothing to worry about," CJ grinned. "It's a long distance relationship. I'm a very hands-on woman."

"I noticed," he grinned back as CJ let her hand roam up his thigh.

"It's you and me buddy," she told him.

"I can live with that," Danny replied. "I'm glad you're going to have dinner with Donna though."

"Me too," CJ replied.

Danny would never tell CJ, but he had called Donna and suggested that she give CJ a call. CJ seemed happier than she had in weeks after speaking with Donna and in that moment Danny knew that he'd made the right choice.

TBC