A/N after the shooting

Rating PG-13

Disclaimer see chapter 1

Chapter 4

As they drove to CJ's apartment Danny kept NPR on the radio.

"Sorry, I love the news," he said sheepishly.

"Huh, oh, no it's fine." CJ was off in her own world thinking about how her colleagues would react when they found out.

"Turn left in the first driveway."

"Wow, nice apartment. Of course, I remember from the financial disclosure reports that you can afford this."

Danny opened CJ's door for her and they walked up the flight of stairs together.

"Isn't there an elevator?" Danny asked.

"Well, yeah, but exercise is good for us."

Us? Okay, I'll go with that, Danny said to himself

CJ digs her keys out and unlocks her door.

First thing she checks her messages. One from Toby saying Josh is doing fine. And one from her sister calling to make sure she's doing alright.

"Have a seat, unless you'd like the full tour?" she asked.

"I'd love a tour," he said.

"Okay, this is the kitchen; I'd classify it as shabby chic. Um, you saw the living room."

Danny looked at her collection of pictures of all her friends. There's one of Sam, Josh, and her at a lake in cutoffs and tank tops laughing too hard. There's one of Toby and CJ clinking glasses at a bar. The next two were from the Inaugural ball. One was CJ with Leo, and the next one was the President and First Lady with their arms around her.

CJ was absolutely glowing in each one of them. Danny knew how much her friends mean to her.

"And moving on, this is the bathroom, spotless as ever," she said obviously sarcastic because the bathroom was a complete disaster. Two towels strewn on the floor, a curling iron, and a straightening iron. Her jewelry box was open with necklaces coming out of it.

"I got ready in a hurry; I'm always running late from lack of sleep and caffeine, moving on, this is the guest bedroom, and this is my bedroom."

"Very nice, where's the picture?" He asked grinning ear to ear.

CJ rolled her eyes as she blushed and pointed to the dresser.

Danny picked it up and couldn't help smiling at the look on their faces. She was glowing in this picture too.

"I can see why you like this picture of us. We look happy."

CJ stood behind him, and then surprised him by wrapping her arms around him.

"Yes, we do. Now, I gotta grab some clothes," she said as she unwrapped her arms.

CJ grabbed her duffel bag and put some gym clothes in it. Then some work clothes on hangers, and some lounging clothes in another bag. She also secretly grabbed her lingerie while Danny wasn't looking.

"I'll be a few minutes in the bathroom, gotta sort thru all my stuff," said CJ.

CJ changed her clothes into some jeans that hugged her "curves" and a tight green shirt.

CJ grabbed all her toiletries, yes, all and moved to her office. She grabbed her laptop and some files she needed. Last but not least she grabbed some movies and music she loved.

"Okay, I'm a woman, so no teasing about how much I'm packing! I need all this stuff!" she said about her six bags.

"I wouldn't dream of saying anything!" Danny teased. "Where do you want to go shopping?"

"I think up and down the shops on Jackson. There's some nice little shops there, have you ever been?" she asked.

"Once when my sisters were in town, they wanted to see Betsey Johnson's shop. Don't ask me how I remember that!"

They arrived on Jackson Avenue and started shopping.

After a while CJ felt comfortable enough to grab Danny's hand.

They shopped in Anthropolgie where CJ bought Danny a masculine scented candle he liked. Maybe we'll use it tonight. CJ thought.

They stopped in Sephora so CJ could laugh at Danny's non-knowledge about make-up.

They went to Barnes & Noble so they could arrange Danny's biography on the First Lady up front on the shelf.

They did stop at Betsey Johnson's but the dresses looked like they were for short girls.

However, they did have luck when they went to a store called The Lover's Revenge. Inside they found tons of great, fashionable clothes. CJ tried on her two favorite dresses. She decided she was going to have to buy the one that fit for the next formal they had. It was bright green and very flowy. CJ even let Danny see her in it. Of course he said she was gorgeous and that the dress complimented her eyes.

CJ paid and they left. They had decided to eat at a restaurant on that street called Tulip Steakhouse, which seemed like an oxymoron, so they had to try it.

They both sat down and opened their menus.

"CJ, this is pretty much our second date, so are paying for both of us since I paid last time?" Danny asked with a smirk.

"That wasn't a date, it was a business dinner, so this is our first date, and you still pay!" She looked triumphed.

"A-ha! Our first date!" Danny exclaimed.

"Yes, our first date," said CJ without hesitating.

Hmm, something is different, something changed. Wait she wants to date me? This is a date? But when? How? Why? Dammit stop being a reporter and just converse! Danny thought to himself.

"What are we gonna do if someone we know stops in?" Danny asked suddenly panicked.

"They probably won't. And if anyone we know does stop by, it'll probably be a woman, and they'll keep my secret, women are like that," she said assuredly.

"Okay, what are you going to order?"

"Well, since you're paying I'll get the quail and caviar. No, I'm kidding, I'm going to have the four ounce steak and the shrimp. What about you?"

"Well, since there's a real possibility of you seeing me naked, I guess I should eat healthier. I'm going to get the salmon," Danny said as he blushed.

The waiter came and they both ordered some red wine and their meals.

They talked all through lunch, and even more once they'd finished their second glass of wine. It was so easy for the two of them to communicate. It was like they'd known each other for decades. They talked about family. CJ had a brother and a sister; she was the oldest so a lot was expected of her. Danny had four older sisters and two younger brothers. He was the first boy born to his parents. Danny had had one serious girlfriend, but she didn't love him. CJ had two serious boyfriends that both fell for her buxom blonde neighbor in Beverly Hills. Danny loves sports, music, specifically jazz, and reading mystery novels. CJ shared her love of jazz, although he already knew that from The Jackal. She talked about her favorite movies. American Beauty, Groundhog Day, and North by Northwest were her top three.

"Groundhog's Day? I've never seen it," said Danny.

"I picked it up at home. We'll watch it tonight. It's the best movie ever made, although it might seem repetitive, and is, it's so funny and sweet!" CJ exclaimed, she got excited just talking about it.

"I'll watch anything that makes you smile like that," he said with a grin.

"How was your salmon?"

"Good, not too fishy. What about yours?"

"Good, especially with this wine. Are you ready to go home, I need a nap," she said.

"I'm ready!"

TBC