CJ sat in her office and thought for a few moments after Toby left. Her whole life had been a series of one night stands. Never a relationship, never even a regular guy she slept with. Just one night stands. The thought was a depressing one. She pulled out her cell phone and dialled the familiar number.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end questioned professionally.

"Hey" CJ smiled a little.

"Claudia Jean? Do what do I owe the pleasure?" Abbey's smooth voice sounded pleased.

"It was just a bad day. I needed to talk." CJ stood up to close her door.

"Are you still in the office? Come on over to mine. We'll have tea. Or are you in need of something stronger?" Abbey invited. CJ smiled. Her meeting with Toby could wait.

"That sounds wonderful."

"Which?" Abbey teased.

"Coming over" CJ replied ambiguously. Abbey chuckled. "I'll be there in a few minutes." CJ hung up the phone and stood to remove her jacket and scarf. Locking the office door behind her, she headed for the East Wing, and Abbey.

"Claudia, come in" Abbey welcomed as CJ knocked at her door. "I thought we'd compromise. I'm making blueberry tea."

"Blueberry tea" CJ repeated, nonplussed. Abbey rolled her eyes at CJ's expression.

"Earl Grey with Amaretto and Grand Marnier" she replied.

"Oh!" CJ smiled, much more interested. "Sounds good."

"It is" Abbey replied, placing a tray with all the necessary ingredients on the tea table in front of her couch. CJ sat down, and Abbey joined her, sitting close beside. "So what happened?"

CJ blushed. "It was just a bad day" she responded tentatively. "I just needed to talk to someone." Abbey looked sceptical, but busied herself with making the drinks. "I talked to John Hoynes" CJ blurted out after a few moments of silence."

"I heard this whole affair had upset you" Abbey commented. CJ jerked her head up.

"You had?" she asked miserably. Abbey handed her a teacup.

"Yes" she replied, sipping her own. CJ sighed.

"Brilliant." She spoke resignedly, placing her cup down on the table. "Brilliant."

Abbey put a hand on her knee, lightly. "What happened, Claudia?" she asked gently.

"I…I don't know if I should tell you." CJ said desperately, turning her head away.

"You came to me for a reason" Abbey pointed out. CJ looked back at her.

"Because I trust you." She whispered. Abbey nodded encouragingly.

"I…I slept with him, Abbey" CJ spoke earnestly, in a low voice. "Ten years ago. Ten years ago I slept with a married man. The Vice President" she lifted a hand to her forehead, running her fingers through her bangs nervously. She was looking at her knees, seeming afraid of Abbey's response.

Abbey smiled at CJ's unnatural nervousness "I'm sure there have been others, Claudia." She reached out a finger and raised CJ's chin. CJ lifted her eyes to Abbey's slowly.

"I know there have" she replied, smiling weakly. "It's that I've been one of them that I'm ashamed of." Abbey nodded her understanding.

"I know that feeling." She reached out and clasped CJ's hand in her own. "You have nothing to be ashamed of, Claudia Jean." she murmured, looking into CJ's eyes.

"No?" CJ whispered, her eyes wide, and her gaze trapped in Abbey's own.

"No." Abbey leaned in and gently brushed her lips against CJ's. CJ responded by leaning in a little too, raising her hand to Abbey's cheek. After a minute they both pulled away. CJ was blushing gently, her gaze averted slightly. She didn't really know what to do.

"I never imagined you shy." Abbey smiled, watching her. CJ met her eyes.

"But…you're….you're the First Lady!" CJ burst out. Abbey laughed a little at the look of panic on CJ's face.

"Yes, Claudia, I am." She reached over to brush a stray strand of hair from CJ's face, and then looked her in the eye. "And I must admit I'm rather in love with you."

CJ blushed again. "You are?" she asked, shocked.

Now it was Abbey's turn to blush and look away. "Yes."

CJ had calmed down a little. "Abbey, you're married. You're husband is my boss." She murmured quickly and quietly. Abbey lifted a finger to her lips.

"Shh." She whispered. "I know."

CJ looked at her, her eyes full of sadness. "Abbey…" she started

"What makes you think my husband would even notice?" Abbey muttered bitterly.

"He loves you!" CJ grabbed Abbey's hand as she turned away, pulling her back. "I know it's been difficult for you, Ab, but…"

"But what?" Abbey burst out. "What excuse will you make for him now, Claudia?" she demanded, her eyes filling with tears. "What about me?" she whispered, her tears falling into her hand, clasped with CJ's.

CJ sighed, and pulled Abbey to her, cuddling her gently, murmuring into her hair. "I'm sorry, Ab. It comes naturally to defend him. I didn't mean to upset you, or push you away." Abbey's tearstained face looked up into her own. CJ used her thumb to wipe the tears away.

"Do you care for me?" Abbey asked quietly, searching CJ's face for an answer.

"Of course I do!" CJ replied earnestly. "But if this came out…" she sighed. "It would destroy the administration. It would destroy me. It would destroy you. It would destroy your husband." She stroked Abbey's cheek gently. "I don't know, Abbey. I don't know if I can agree to this." Abbey cuddled into her.

"I just want to be loved, Claudia. By you."

"I can love you, I just don't know if I can have an affair with you." CJ responded gently.

Abbey sighed. "I know." She sat up slowly. "I know you need time to think. I've thought a lot." She informed CJ honestly. "But I just dropped this on you." CJ nodded.

"I will need some time." CJ agreed.

"Will you kiss me one more time, before you go?" Abbey requested

CJ smiled gently at her would-be lover. "Alright." She acquiesced softly.

Abbey pulled her in, smiling. "Good." She brushed her lips again against CJ's, and CJ opened her lips a little, deepening the kiss. Abbey pulled on her lower lip gently with her teeth, and CJ's tongue snaked delicately into her mouth, loosening her hold.

By the time they stopped, they were lying back on the couch, with Abbey straddling CJ's waist, one hand in her hair. CJ opened her blue-grey eyes to find Abbey's chocolate brown ones looking back at her.

"I think you enjoyed that, Miss Cregg" Abbey teased, moving back so CJ could sit up.

"I think you did too, Dr. Bartlet." CJ retorted, reaching around Abbey's waist to pull herself into a sitting position. Abbey grinned.

"I did indeed."

CJ looked at her watch. "I should go" she said guiltily. "I said I'd meet Toby to work on a press briefing."

"Alright." Abbey watched as CJ stood, straightened her skirt and put her hair back into order, turning to examine herself in the mirror over the fireplace.

"Okay. I look acceptable." CJ leaned down and brushed Abbey's lips once more. "I'll see you soon?" she asked.

Abbey smiled. "You can count on it." CJ smiled back and then headed for the door.

She knew before she reached in that she'd made her decision.