Stone By Stone - Chp 14 - Earth & Sky
Summary: Charlie decides that it's time he got a new apartment. The staff take a trip to New Mexico.
Spoilers/Episode: Set in an a/u that leaves cannon after season 5, Memorial Day. This chapter takes place a week after chapter 13.
Characters: Ensemble
Rating: PG
Part II
White House - 12.15am Thursday
"He'll have gone home," Jed told his daughter.
"I know, I just want to leave this on his desk for the morning."
"What is it?"
"A gift."
"You bought him back a gift?" Abbey asked.
"I've been away and it's traditional... yes I bought him a gift."
"When did you..."
"I won't be long," Zoey promised. She rode down in the elevator and walked to the West Wing. When she entered the Oval's outer office she was pleasantly surprised to find Charlie sitting at his desk. "It's past midnight."
"I know," he agreed. "I was waiting for my gift. And one of the advantages of dating the president's daughter is that I always know what time wheels down will be and when the motorcade is expected back here. So, where's my gift?" he asked.
"I don't even get a kiss?" Zoey teased.
"Do I get my gift then?" Charlie asked with grin and gave her welcome home kiss.
"Come on up, it's too late to go home now," Zoey said.
"Tempting as that is, I'm sure your father is still up. Do you really imagine he'd let us go to bed?"
"Charlie, we've had this discussion. We're both adults and if he won't let me go to your house then what can he expect?"
"Well, I don't think he expects anything, being your father and all. But that wasn't what I was thinking. I was thinking of the quiz I missed on Air Force One and how he'll have great fun doing that now, even though it is gone midnight. I'm going to get a ride with Sam and stay with him tonight. I just wanted to wait and see you. I also wanted my gift," he smiled and help out his hand.
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Early Thursday Morning, Georgetown, Washington
"Is it all over?" Josh asked as he admired Donna fake tan.
"Almost," Donna grinned. "You like?" she asked as Josh removed her dress.
"I do," he agreed. "Will it come off on me?"
"Don't be an idiot. I think it makes me look healthier."
"I like you pale and pasty." Josh ducked as Donna flicked his undershirt at him. "Alabaster," he laughed. "The tan's nice, but I like the alabaster."
"It was just for tonight, it'll fade in a few days," she told him and then grinned mischievously, "I think Mark liked it."
"Then you are definitely not having it done again."
"Feeling threatened by a younger man."
"Yes," Josh agreed. "He's twenty years younger than me and I'm led to believe by some that's he's quite attractive."
"He is, in a college boy kind of way. I prefer my men to have at least started shaving," Donna smiled.
"That's just how Zoey described him, college boy kinda cute."
"Don't tell Charlie."
"Oh I think Zoey only has eyes for one man."
"Just like me," Donna smiled as she leant over and started kissing Josh.
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Sam's Apartment
"You think if I lived in a better neighborhood, they'd let Zoey stay over?" Charlie asked.
"I don't know," Sam replied. "The first daughter staying over in an unsecured apartment?"
"Yeah, I guess not," Charlie sighed. "They may let her visit though."
"You serious about this?" Sam asked.
"Yeah. I should move to a better place anyway, I can afford it now, just. I'd feel better when I'm working late and Deanna's home. I'd also feel better being able to get a cab after midnight."
"Not to mention they may let Zoey visit," Sam smiled.
"We get no privacy at all now. At least before she had her dorm room. But now she's either at The Residence or Manchester."
"Either tantalisingly close or hundreds of miles away," Sam mused.
"I don't know which is worse."
"Okay then. This weekend, we work out what rent you can afford and then see what that'll get you round here or Georgetown maybe. Then we can go apartment hunting."
"Let's not tell the president though," Charlie said.
"No," Sam agreed. "You, me, Donna, Josh, Toby and CJ."
"What about Zoey?"
"You want the president to find out?"
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Thursday 7.20am
"Morning," Josh said as he caught up with Danny on his way into the White House. "You're in early."
"I'm keen," Danny replied. "How come Charlie wasn't with us yesterday?"
"He doesn't always come on trips," Josh tried to deflect the question.
Danny looked questioningly at Josh. "He's the president's bodyman, of course he always goes on trips. Was it because Zoey came?"
"You know I'm not the press secretary don't you?"
Danny laughed, "Under no illusions there, Josh. I wasn't asking as a reporter, I was just curious. Thought maybe the Secret Service weren't happy."
"Maybe," Josh shrugged.
"Well if that is the reason, it stinks," Danny told him.
"You're telling me. I'm not sure they're going to put up with it for another 20 months and I can't say I blame them."
"I guess after what happened last time..." Danny trailed off when he remembered who he was talking to and changed the subject. "You and Donna looked like you were enjoying yourselves though."
Josh glanced at Danny and knew by his grin that he at least suspected. "It was a good night," he agreed.
"How long we known each other?"
"Too long."
"Read you like a book my friend," Danny grinned. "I take it it's not public knowledge."
"Have you heard of CJ maiming anyone?" Josh asked.
"Does she know?"
"She does. You're not going to mention it though are you?"
"Tell CJ that you've told a reporter without clearing it with her first? Are you kidding. I don't want to be on the receiving end of that!"
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"Do you have no work to do?" CJ asked Danny when he entered her office and sat down that lunch time. "Come to think of it, how do my staff just let you waltz in here?"
"They missed me while I was away," Danny replied. "I bought lunch." He held out the sandwich and coffee he'd bought for her. "And a gift, for Gail."
"You spoil that fish," CJ replied with a small smile. She would never admit it out loud, but she enjoyed Danny flirting with her. If they couldn't actually date, they could at least do this.
"You know I spent yesterday waiting for you to ask me to dance?"
"You came with us?" CJ asked. "I must have missed you."
"See, I bought lunch for you and a gift for our fish, and you can't even pretend to like me," Danny sighed. "I notice Charlie wasn't with us."
"Debbie came instead, Charlie stayed to take care of the office," CJ replied with the pre-agreed excuse.
Danny gamely played along. "That would explain it then." He finished his sandwich and turned the conversation. "Are there rules to prevent staffers dating?"
"Why?" CJ asked.
"I'm just curious."
CJ studied him for a second and wondered what he knew. "No. There's nothing to prevent Clive in the mailroom dating Margo in the mess."
"Margo's dating Clive?" Danny asked.
"You have no idea who Margo and Clive are," CJ laughed. "But yes they are and no there's no reason they shouldn't. Why?"
Danny grinned. "So if I quit the Post and got a job here there'd be nothing standing in our way?"
"Nothing," CJ agreed. "Except I may not want to date you," she smiled. "And you would never quit being a journalist."
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Thursday Evening
Toby wasn't comfortable getting involved in other people's personal lives, mainly because he didn't want anyone involving themselves in his. He did feel he needed to talk to Josh about Donna though. Not that he didn't approve, he did, but he was worried that Josh was ignoring what was going to happen when the relationship became public knowledge. He'd been putting the moment off all week, but on Thursday evening, once most people had gone home, he took two beers out of the mini fridge and went to find Josh.
"Donna gone?"
Josh nodded, "She's having a girly night with her roommate."
"How are you and her doing?" Toby asked.
Josh gave him a curious look, "We're fine, really good in fact. And my mom's happier than I've seen her," he smiled.
"And Donna's family?"
"I've only met them a couple of times on campaign stops. She says they're happy. To be honest I'm not sure how happy they can be about her dating her older boss."
"You know you can't keep it a secret forever though don't you? More people will find out and soon it will be public knowledge."
"What's your point?"
"My point is that some people are going to be unhappy."
"Toby, if you're here to tell me that some mindless idiots are going to be unhappy to see someone like me dating a nice protestant girl like Donna, then save your breath. We already know."
"I wasn't just thinking about them, although you are going to get stuff."
"I already do."
"I was thinking about all the people you've pissed off. I was thinking about your enemies, Josh. And you have a lot, you're very good at your job."
Josh raised his eyebrows, "Was that a complement?"
"Not an intentional one," Toby replied. "I'm just saying, your enemies are going to become hers."
"You don't think they already are?" Josh asked. "She's the one who fields their calls. Everyone of them associates her with me. She's been my assistant for over six years, and the campaign before that."
Toby nodded and took a drink of his beer before moving onto the thing that was going to make Josh angry, well aware that he was about to piss Josh off. "That's the other thing they're going start asking about. Why is she your assistant?"
"Why would they...?"
"Don't be naive, Josh," Toby sighed. "She had no qualifications and no experience. She literally walked in off the street and into your office and you hired her without asking anyone or taking any references. There are some people who are going think there was only one reason you did that."
"I seem to remember you were one of those people," Josh said.
"Seven years ago, yes," Toby agreed. "For about half a day. You're her boss, you're responsible for her performance reviews, for her salary reviews. I'm not saying anyone here is going to think that, I'm just..."
"I know what you're just saying. I've discussed this with Leo. I asked him whether he thought Donna should move now we're dating. He said no. He said that people could also say the same thing about him and the president, the president and surgeon general, hell they could even say it about me and him, in fact they do."
"Yeah," Toby nodded. "I'm really not saying I think that, or that anyone of us does."
"Good," Josh replied. "I know you like to think that you're the worldly wise one and I'm the naive, cosseted, just out of the Ivy League one. But I've worked in Washington for twenty years, I know how it works and I could give lessons in cynicism and jadedness."
"I'm not sure that's a word," Toby commented. "And I don't think that about you.
"Sure you do. It's okay. It's nice that you like to look out for me. It's like having an older brother," Josh smiled as Toby cringed at that thought. "You want to to Iota or someplace away from here?"
"As long as you're not going to talk about me being your brother again."
Part 3...