CJ and Danny's House in Los Angeles, California
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

"I'm back," CJ called as she walked in the door.

"Hey .."

"I see you're all decked out," she said with a grin.

"Even have snacks waiting."

"Great." She gave him a peck on the mouth and ran up the stairs. "I'll be right back."

"You really wanna watch this in your office?"

"Yup."

"Wouldn't we be more comfortable in -"

"My office .."

"Okay."

When she came back down she was wearing a branded swingman jersey and a hooded jacket over jeans.

"You're rooting for the Pacers?"

"Ohio is closer to Indiana than it is to New York."

"I hope you're wearing a bra under that jersey," Danny said as he handed her a beer. "I hear the stitching is murder on the nipples."

"I really don't need your tips, Danny."

His head snapped up as the words triggered a memory.

"Was this on the list?"

"Nope. Wanted to spring this one on you, because you were particularly adorable that day. Even if I wanted to set fire to the room after the briefing."

"I really don't need your tips, Danny."

"As a matter of fact you do, CJ. But that's not why I'm here."

"Why are you here?"

"I'm here," he said as he trotted after her up the steps to the press room, "cos there's a basketball team called the NY Knickerbockers who are playing in town tomorrow and -"

"I don't have time to go to a basketball game."

"Neither do I. Which is why I thought we could watch it in your office while I explain it to you in a patronizing manner, cos I know it's something women usually like .."

"Thank you anyway," she said as she grabbed her notebook off the podium.

"You understand I'll talk slow," he called after her. "And explain in a way a girl would appreciate."

"See, what you didn't know at the time, is that I was the first female player to dunk a basketball in Ohio high school history. You think you're gonna explain basketball to me, buddy? Think again!"

"Game on," Danny said as he clinked his beer against hers and followed her into the office.

"They're gonna lose. Just sayin' .."

"Hey! It's been a hard year out there on the floor for the Knicks."

"They're a freaking mess, Danny. Both from a player and a managerial standpoint."

"Bet you Jermaine O'Neal doesn't finish the game," he shot back.

"It won't matter. Dunleavy's gonna kick their ass. You may as well face it now, the Knicks are gonna lose again tonight."

"What's riding on it?"

"What?"

"You came down here raring for action. What's riding on it?"

"The winner gets a massage from the loser?" CJ said after a moment's thought.

"How about the loser gets a massage from the winner?"

"Why do I get the idea that I'm being hustled?"

"If we go with my idea, the winner's ego won't get too big and the loser is a winner, too. Whaddaya say?"

"You already know they're gonna lose .. for the fifty-ninth time. You're hedging your bets."

He pulled her onto his lap and nuzzled her neck.

"What if I am?"

"Now you're trying to distract me, and that's not gonna work. Settle down, mister. The game's about to start."

"So what's it gonna be?"

She took a long swig of her beer before saying, "we'll go with your idea, because I'm partial to the idea of taking pity on you."

"But no explaining stuff in a patronizing manner .."

"No."

"You're sure .."

CJ watched him pout and suppressed a laugh.

It was going to be a good night, she thought to herself as she curled up against him.

She was going to wipe the floor with him in the running commentary department, then she was going to give him a massage. And when she'd made him ache and strain in every way that she could possibly think of, she would have her wicked way with him in all things.

Yes, a very good night.

Author's Note:

There was, indeed, a game between the New York Knickerbockers and the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 - and the Knicks lost.