Carol popped her head into C.J.'s office and called out, "The hyenas are assembled for the gaggle. You ready to go?"
"Yeah". C.J. checked her hair, grabbed her notebook and slid into shoes all in one fluid motion. She was keyed up from the night before, a concert at the Kennedy Center and a strategy session with the President where she said the "right thing" to him about the missing Mars probe.
It was no longer missing. NASA confirmed it had crashed. But that announcement would be downplayed until the President's session with school children. He had taken C.J.'s suggestion that there was still value in the mission. "There is no disgrace in trying and then learning from your mistakes." would be the theme.
President Bartlet had beamed with pride at her take on things at the morning Staff meeting. He felt C.J. was putting the best face on the problems with Galileo. The students listening might be inspired enough to someday make the trip to Mars or reach even farther.
C.J. was relieved she'd passed this test. It might make up for her blurting out to the President and the men of the West Wing that she was "great in bed". It had been a knee jerk reaction to the confrontation she'd had with a former flame at the Kennedy Center. He smugly figured he'd been passed over for a job as a Deputy Press Secretary because of their past.
Tad had dared to imply it was because C.J. couldn't face him after they had been lovers. She could barely remember the guy and dismissed him as one of her failures that she'd learned from. Yet another bad choice in men. Unfortunately, when Tad made the statement she'd been so annoyed she'd raised her voice and several men standing outside the Kennedy Center heard her proclaim, "I'm great in bed."
Rather self importantly, C.J. thought it might end up in some reporter's radar. That was why she'd included it in a list of possible items that might come up as stories last night. Thankfully, after a slew of startled looks the West Wing men chose to ignore her comment.
Moving into the Press Room C.J. exchanged greetings. Danny Concannon stepped into her path. "Hey."
"Hello Danny." Their relationship remained in limbo. She wouldn't date a reporter, he wouldn't become an editor. And yet there was still something there. An affection, a respect, a longing. C.J. couldn't deal with just what it was now.
"Are you going to try and push the Galileo crash off to the side?"
"Danny, we can't do that. You know about it, I know about it. Anyone watching morning TV or reading that rag you work for, knows about it. But, I think there are other things to focus on. You can be sure the President will deal with that."
"I think we need to deal with it here before he can spin it in front of a bunch of school kids."
"Thanks for your analysis."
"Just wanted to give you a head's up, C.J."
"As usual, you define chivalry." He laughed at her tone.
Danny left her to walk toward another group of reporters. One of them glanced at C.J. as she walked by. He was a sub, usually on the Diplomatic beat. In his official capacity as Senior White House reporter, Danny pulled the guy aside to welcome him.
C.J. went to the podium and before she could open things up, Carol brought in a few late notes. C.J. was sifting through them when she heard voices raised. Danny Concannon yelled, "How the hell would you know and why would you say that in public?"
C.J. and the rest of the room stared at Danny and a now red faced Embassy Row scribe. Carol was passing them, glanced their way and looked a little startled. Apologies were mumbled as Danny continued to glare at the guy.
It was time to get things going and C.J. opened the Briefing. She reminded them of the President's session with NASA officials and the school children. C.J. offered the latest information on the lost Galileo. Then, she braced for a round of questions from Danny. He was silent.
Another reporter asked the first question. She waited for Danny's follow up. She called out, "Next question please." He sat there, alternately staring into space or at her. Other reporters called out questions, Danny remained mute.
The session ended and still, Danny just sat there. C.J. tried to catch his eye. It didn't work. She didn't have time to go over and talk to him. But she'd check into this later. C.J. walked past Carol into her office intent on gathering what she'd need for the school session.
Carol came in quickly and closed the door. C.J. looked up in surprise. Her assistant looked uncomfortable. "C.J., uh, I think I have something to tell you."
"That sounds promising. What's going on Carol?"
"I happened to be passing Danny and that guy from the Diplomatic beat when things, well, when things got out of hand."
C.J. was eager to find out what was going on. "Great, you have the story. That's why you're the perfect assistant." She leaned forward. "Okay, Carol dish the dirt."
"Remember that part about me being the perfect assistant after you hear this. I heard him say to Danny. 'Did you know that C.J. is great in bed?'" Carol sighed as C.J.'s expression changed. "Then Danny asked him to repeat that. He did and that's when Danny said..."
"'How the hell would you know and why would you say that in public?'" the two women chorused.
C.J.'s face softened, "Poor Danny."
"I thought he was going to punch the guy C.J. He mumbled something to Danny in apology and just slithered off. I think that reporter's a jerk and I'm glad Danny let him have it, at least verbally." There was loyalty to both C.J. and Danny in Carol's voice.
"Thank you Carol. It's not what it seems and I'll explain it to you later. For now, please find me Danny."
"The President and the kids are waiting..."
"I know but this, well I know. I won't be long."
A few minutes later Danny came into C.J.'s office led by Carol. "Thanks Carol. Close the door please." Her assistant left them. "That was quite an eruption from you before the Briefing, Danny."
"Didn't mean to disturb your prep time." He didn't meet C.J.'s eyes. "What did you need?"
"I needed to explain things to you."
"You don't owe me any explanation C.J., you've made it quite clear there's nothing between us."
"That's what I keep trying to convince both of us of. But still, I can't stand to see any animal suffer including a reporter." She offered him a small smile.
"You're a real humanitarian."
"Thanks. Long story short, I was having a conversation outside of the Kennedy Center with a guy from the State Department. I didn't hire him for the Deputy Press Secretary job, I promoted Simon from within."
"Simon's a good guy and he'd die for you."
"I agree. Well, not about the dying part. But you're interrupting. This other guy questioned my judgment. He seemed to think that there was something personal in my rejection of him."
"This S.O.B. questioned your ethics?"
"Yes. He felt it was because we had um, dated."
"Oh."
"It wasn't."
"I know that." Danny turned to go.
"No questions?"
"Why would I have a question? You're entitled to date anyone you want, to do anything you want with some..." Danny searched for the right word that would be acceptable and not offensive. "...dolt from the State Department or anywhere else. Knock yourself out." He was nearing the door.
C.J. laughed, "It's a pleasure to know such a literate man." He made a small bow and continued on his way out.
"Danny." C.J.'s voice was soft. It stopped him.
"Yes, C.J.?"
"It was five years years ago. I like to think my taste has improved." She looked right at Danny and smiled. "Tad made some condescending remark about my sexual prowess to reassure me that I was 'good in bed'. You know me, I have to have the last word. I informed him in no uncertain terms and in no uncertain tones, I am 'great in bed.' There were some others standing around."
"You've always been one to toot your own horn."
"He just made me so damn mad."
"Did you slap him?"
"No. I hate to admit it but I was more mad at myself for ever getting involved with him." She looked at Danny waiting for him to say more, to gloat. He was silent. "Next question, please?"
"I can't think of anything else to say. Sorry, if I embarrassed you out there."
"Don't be. I think it's sweet you were upset on my behalf."
"Guys hating being told they're sweet C.J. It's the kiss of death. And to be honest it wasn't all on your behalf. Thanks for setting the record straight."
"That's why I'm here, to set the record straight."
"See you at the thing with the kids."
"Count on it. Danny, wait." C.J. got up from behind her desk. She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. "It wasn't just sweet, it was sexy and sort of reassuring."
He just looked at her. Then he reached out and pulled her into his arms. She started to stiffen. "Don't C.J. I just want to hold for you a minute. I like being close to you. I miss you."
Danny's grasp tightened and C.J. found herself responding. She wrapped her arms around him and held on too. They fit together as if they belonged this way. She told herself it was just for a minute and simply for human contact. But that left her wondering why she wanted comfort from Danny. She thought to herself. "Next question please."