Title: Without You

Author: Writerinthemaking

Feedback:Greatly appreciated


Classification: The West Wing – CJ/Danny

Rating: T

Spoilers: None really – it's purely fictional - AU.

Summary: CJ and Danny face the challenges of their long awaited romance. Sometimes love is not enough, life is messy and we forget to listen. But some things are just too important to miss out on.

Disclaimer: All characters belong entirely to Aaron Sorkin and The West Wing

Authors Note: I have been extremely busy lately. But now it seems I've got more time and inspiration to write so here we go. Thanks for the reviews, they are always very encouraging.

10. Building a mystery

Dec. 05.

"What are you doing here?" her voice sounded formal but the tears on her cheeks betrayed her.

"Where else would I be?" he said in a soothing voice and reached for her hand again.

"How are you feeling?" Danny asked.

"Better now that you are here," she answered him truthfully.

CJ was so happy to see him sitting by her bedside. She had refused to call him earlier, when Abbey asked her if she had called him. She wanted him there for sure but there was no use in calling him now after all this time. She realized that Danny probably had called to check up on her and smiled a little knowing that Abbey probably had told him to come. She didn't really care why and how he had come, he was here and she felt hope and life resurfacing inside her.

"I missed you" she managed to say before her voice was taken over by sobs. He quickly moved to hold her.

"I'm so sorry I left. I don't know why it took me this long to come back" he said while gently stroking her hair. She took a deep breath and looked up at him. Their eyes locked and for what seemed an eternity they somehow found their way back to each other. He slowly reached down and kissed her softly on the lips. She returned the kiss with a passionate hunger and soon he was pretty much lying down on the bed as well.

She froze as his hand reached for her under the thin covers. He stopped and looked at her with questioning eyes. Suddenly she didn't know how she could have kept it from him.

"Danny" she whispered as she placed his hand on her slightly rounded abdomen "I'm pregnant."

She saw how his eyes grew wide and how a small smile spread on his lips. But then a serious glance came into his eyes.

"Were you pregnant when I left?" she noticed the evident anger and disappointment in his voice.

"Danny, I…I'm sorry…yes… yes I was pregnant but everything just…. I'm sorry… I don't know…please…" she tried to explain but knew her efforts were fruitless. She feared he would withdraw from her. She knew she deserved it so to save herself from the pain she moved a bit away from him, looking down at their still entwined hands.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he said in an angry tone. But then he suddenly realized everything, about the doctor's appointment, about the family talk and about her confusing arguments. The conversation with the first lady made sense now. He looked at her and felt her hands begin to tremble. She was slowly trying to withdraw her hands and he noticed she also moved her body away from his. He had never felt like a bigger idiot his entire life.

He knew what she was thinking. He quickly reached over and drew her into his arms and held her tight. He felt her stiffen before she relaxed a little bit. His hand reached up and lifted her head by raising her chin with his fingers.

"I'm not going anywhere CJ!" he stated in a soothing voice as he softly forced her body back against him.

"I'm so sorry Danny" she whispered and then came all her thoughts and worries tumbling out:

"I wasn't even sure I wanted to become a mother when I found out, let alone if you wanted to become a father. There were so many obligations, and we never talked about having children. I never thought I would be here, pregnant and truly in love…" at the sound of her last words, Danny kissed her hard and passionately.

They both lay down on the bed him spooned up against her, his hand resting on her abdomen and she actually started dozed of as he stroked her hair lightly.

"Sleep darling" he whispered reassuringly when he felt her fighting her strong fatigue.

"Danny I know we need to talk, I am aware that I need to explain…" she tried to stay awake but the relief and the many weeks of turmoil had now left her totally exhausted.

"I'm never leaving you again, so you bet we'll have time to talk, but sleep now my love" Danny said just as she fell asleep.

He lay by her side thinking about what an idiot he had been. And how lucky he had been to be given a second chance. And when her hand came down to settle over his in her sleep it finally hit him. She was really pregnant. It was not just a dream. He was finally here with her. Not alone in some motel room or on a friend's couch somewhere. Before when she told him it had been amazing but in some odd way just being back together seemed to blur everything else.

There was a slight knock on the door as the nurse entered with the first lady. It was not normal procedure that guests could sleep or even lay in the patient's bed and Danny knew it, but when he tried to get up CJ almost started crying and calling for him in her sleep. It was obvious that she was dreaming but the heart-breaking look on Danny's face was too much. The nurse looked at the First Lady and then gave Danny a small smile. He gently lay back down and held CJ as the nurse checked CJ's iv-drop and temperature.

When she left Danny asked the First Lady to stay.

"How far along is she?" Danny asked while gently stroking CJ hand.

"She told you?" Abbey smiled.

"Well, I was well on my way to finding it out on my own, when she stopped me" he stated with small smile.

"I think you shouldn't tell CJ that you told me that," Abbey laughed softly.

"But seriously Danny it good to have you back" she told him in a warm tone but her voice then grew a bit stern.

"I know some of what happened and I'll leave the rest up to you, however CJ has been under a great amount of stress lately so you better be in this for the long run because she…" Danny interrupted her.

"Abbey look at me?" Danny simply stated. She saw how he looked at CJ and knew that she was right. He loved her, he was madly in love with her and he would never ever leave her like that again.

"Good Danny because Jed was just about to send in the marines when he saw her after she collapsed" Abbey told him.

"I know I screwed up and I'm gonna do my best to never let her feel the like that again" Danny said in a true and honest voice.

"Good" Abbey stated and continued "She's three months pregnant so you'll be a father by the end of May" she said as she stood up to leave.

She gave Danny a light peek on the cheek and smoothed away a lock of CJ hair from her face before she turned to leave. Before she left she turned and said:

"By the way, Jed wanted me to tell you it's about time you make an honest woman out of CJ"

"I certainly intend to" Danny answered and pointed to his coat.

"I came baring gifts," he said with a small smile as Abbey smiled back before she closed the door after her.

As the door closed CJ started to wake up.

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I truly hope you are enjoying this story, I love writing it and even though it might seem like it's ending there are a lot more coming your way if you want it to be… ;) Thank you for reading my story WITM