Author's Note: This takes place between season two's The Leadership Breakfast and The Drop-In. I felt like Josh and CJ had some good scenes in both and I thought this was a good fit.

"The Lost Weekend"

CJ was curled up with her briefing book on the couch clad in her flannel pajama bottoms and a long-sleeved t-shirt. She had just started to get into the meat of things when she heard a knock on her door. Glancing at the clock as she got up to answer it, she noted the hour and decided to look through the peep hole before opening her door at eleven-thirty at night.

She opened the door and saw him, his arm out and leaning against her doorway.

"Josh?" she said.

"Hey CJ," he said.

She noted that his eyes looked a little glazed over and he seemed a little nervous.

"Did something happen?" she asked as she ushered him inside. She felt the January cold on him as he came over her threshold.

"No," Josh said shaking his head. They walked into her living room and Josh saw the low light and blanket on the couch, along with a few folders strewn around the coffee table.

"Oh, jeez, I'm sorry," he said. "I should have thought. It's late. You were getting ready for bed. I should go."

"No," CJ said putting her hand on his arm. "I was just reading. After this week I want to be a step ahead of pretty much anything."

She looked sincere and so Josh decided to stay, though he didn't remove his coat. "Can I get you something to drink?" CJ asked. "I have tea, or I could make some decaf."

"No, I'm good, really."

"Okay, then why don't you take off your coat and tell me what brings you by."

"I'm really sorry I just popped in," Josh said following CJ's lead and taking a seat on the couch.

"It's no problem. I was already awake," CJ assured him. "Now, what's up? You're kind of freaking me out a little."

Josh gave her a tiny smile. "We can't have that," he said as he finally took his coat off. "I was at my place and its Friday and things were really…quiet."

"Quiet?"

"Yeah," Josh sighed. "I mean, we don't have to be in the office tomorrow or Sunday and we're gearing up for the State of the Union, but I don't have anything pressing and I was sitting in my apartment and everything was just…quiet."

"You were bored?"

Josh didn't really answer the question. Instead he picked up CJ's briefing book and flipped through a few pages. "You have a lot more reading than I do on a nightly basis," he said.

"That I do," CJ agreed. She sensed that there was something wrong, something he wasn't telling her, but she knew better than to push the subject so she let him lead the conversation.

"What are you doing this weekend?" he asked.

"Uh, I've got some briefing books to read, but other than that I might actually have a lull in my weekend schedule."

"You don't have to go into work?"

"I decided to bring my work home with instead," CJ replied. "I needed a few days away from the office. Of course that doesn't mean by Sunday I won't change my mind and go in."

"Yeah," Josh said setting the book back down between them. "Donna went to Wisconsin."

"There's nothing wrong with her parents I hope," CJ said.

"No. Her cousin was getting married or something," Josh shrugged. "Sam will be at the office all weekend. He's working on that speech on the environment."

"Yeah, he seemed pretty excited about it. I think he's finally got his mojo back."

"Yeah," Josh said. "I'm not so sure about the speech. If Toby was in town I'm sure he'd have something to say about it."

"Probably," CJ said with a hint of bitterness in her voice. She might not have said anything after the whole Leadership Breakfast debacle, but she still felt a bit angry with Toby overruling her.

Josh picked up on CJ's tone and suppressed a grin. He'd told her that she was class act for not saying anything about it, but deep down he knew that she had every right to feel superior to Toby at the moment.

"So since neither of us has to work, do you want to hang this weekend?" Josh asked.

"Sure," CJ said with a shrug. She wasn't sure what a weekend with Josh would entail, but she figured it would be fun. She might even be able to get to the root of what his troubles were.

"Leo keeps asking me if I'm okay," Josh said suddenly.

"Are you?" CJ asked.

"Yeah," Josh said a little too quickly. "I'm good."

CJ didn't say anything in response, instead she waited. She knew that Josh was eventually come around to the point of his visit, which she was beginning to suspect had something to do with his mental health.

"He asks me everyday," Josh said. "Once every day he asks if I'm okay. It makes me feel like I'm some kind of a freak."

"You're not," CJ said emphatically. "And I'm sure Leo isn't asking you that question to make you feel self-conscious. I think the president asks him everyday if he's had a drink. It's just his way of checking in so you don't bottle everything up."

"I know," Josh said. "I know it. I should be grateful that I have a guy like Leo in my corner. Most people can't have a psychotic break and keep their job, let alone if their job is working for the president."

"You didn't have a psychotic break," CJ said. "You needed help to deal with what happened to you. There's no shame in that."

Josh ran his hand over his face and breathed deeply. "Yeah," he said.

"Josh," CJ said.

"Yeah, I know CJ okay? I know it."

"Okay."

"I was at my place and it was quiet and I poured myself a drink," Josh finally said.

"You were drinking?"

"I had one drink and then, as I was pouring the second one I had this flash to the night of the Christmas party. I was drinking alone that night too and I put my hand through a window. I just kinda freaked out."

"The night of the Christmas party or tonight?" CJ asked.

"Tonight. I had to get out of there. It was so quiet, peaceful even, but it freaked me out."

"It's okay," CJ assured him.

"Donna's out of town, Toby's gone, Sam's working on that speech," Josh said.

"So I was your fourth choice then," CJ teased him to lighten the mood.

"No," Josh chuckled. "It wasn't like that."

"Sure, I heard the list you just ticked off there mi amour," she said.

"You were fourth on the list because you live in the middle of nowhere," Josh said.

"I do not."

"You live in the land that public transportation forgot."

"I don't live that far away."

"You should technically live in Virginia you live so far away."

"It's a ten minute walk to the Metro."

"That is a long walk."

"Okay," CJ placated him. "You win. I live far away."

"Thank you."

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I just had to get out of my place."

"Do you want to stay here?" CJ asked.

"Really?" Josh asked.

"Of course," CJ replied. "Stay here. You don't want to be alone. It'll be nice to have the company."

"You're sure I'm not putting you out?"

"I'm positive. If we're hanging out tomorrow, you might as well stay here tonight."

"Okay, thanks," Josh said.

"You're welcome," CJ said.

"I'll just sack out on the couch," Josh said. He wanted to assure CJ that he didn't just show up for a weekend fling.

"Josh, don't be silly," CJ said. "You can share my bed."

"It's okay. I don't want you to think I came over for…you know."

"Sex?"

"Yeah."

"So we can have sex occasionally, but we can't sleep platonically in the same bed?"

"See, when you say it like that it sounds kind of stupid."

"I think we're grown up enough to share a bed Joshua."

"You're sure?"

"I'm positive," CJ promised.

"Okay. Well if you don't mind, I think I might turn in."

"Sure. I'm just gonna finish this brief."

"Okay, see you in the morning then," he said as he turned to make his way down the hallway to CJ's bedroom.

"'Night," CJ said. "Hey Josh?"

"Yeah?" he said stopping.

"What did you have in mind for tomorrow?"

"I have some thoughts," he replied.

"Are you going to share them with the class?"

"Tomorrow," he said with a grin.

CJ surveyed his face and his eyes had the old Josh gleam. "Okay then," she replied.

Josh turned in and CJ stayed up to finish reading her briefing book. When she decided to go to bed she entered her room slowly. She wasn't used to anyone being in bed when she was ready to go to sleep. She saw that Josh had thrown the covers off and he was curled into ball. She walked quietly over to the bed and gently tugged the covered over his chest. She ran her hand gently over his arm and walked over to the other side of the bed to turn in for the night.

Josh awoke the next morning to find his body snuggled next to CJ. He lifted his head slightly and looked around the room with a squinted eye. It took him a moment to recall that he had found his way to CJ's the night before. It further took him a moment to remember that he had gone to bed and CJ followed much later. He deduced that their bodies had found a way to scoot together over the course of the night.

Josh gentled lifted the covers and crept into the bathroom where he ran some water over his face and threw on his wrinkled clothes from the previous evening. He crept out of CJ's room and into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and found that it had been a while since CJ had been to the market. An hour later Josh was settled on CJ's couch with a folder from his backpack on his lap. He was halfway through the bagel he'd picked up at the corner store when CJ emerged from the bedroom.

"'Morning," she mumbled.

"Hey there sunshine," Josh replied with a smile. "A salt bagel with light cream cheese is on the counter in the kitchen. Oh, and coffee too."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to move in permanently?" CJ asked with a grin as she walked into the kitchen to grab her breakfast.

"I don't know. What's in it for me?" Josh asked with a raised eyebrow when she returned to the living room.

"Wouldn't you like to know," CJ replied with an equally suspicious smile. "Have you been up long?"

"About an hour."

"How are you today?" CJ asked with slight hesitation.

"I'm fine, Leo, thanks for asking."

"I just thought that after last night I should ask."

"And while I appreciate the concern, I'm just fine this morning."

"Do you have anyone to call in situations like that?"

"I came here didn't I?" Josh responded starting to feel a little uncomfortable.

"I meant someone more…professional than me," CJ said choosing her words carefully.

"I called Stanley. He's out of town until tomorrow," Josh said. He let his defenses down. "I really do feel a lot better today though. I just had a minor nutty last night. I appreciate you being there for me."

"Anytime," CJ said devouring the last of her bagel. "And Josh?"

"Yeah?"

"It's okay to still be affected by what happened," CJ said. "I'm not sure what your doctor tells you, but it's normal."

"I got shot a while ago CJ. I should be moving past it."

"Maybe, but can I let you in on a little secret? I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat because I'm reliving that night in my dreams. I don't need to remind you that I didn't get shot and I'm still affected by it. I think it's perfectly natural for you to go off the rails every once in a while."

"You dream about it?" Josh asked, interested.

"A few times," CJ said. "I think it's because I still don't remember a lot of it. It sort of comes back to me like a dream. It's terrifying and then I wake up and I have to tell myself that everything is okay. Everyone is okay."

"Yeah," Josh said taking a sip of his coffee. "You never told me that before."

"I've never told anyone that before," CJ replied. "It's why I said it was our little secret."

She gave him a coy smile, which he returned and that seemed to put a cap on the conversation. Josh had already been feeling better, but now he felt slightly more relieved than before if that was possible.

"So, are you ready for our big day out?" Josh asked changing the subject.

"You have big plans for us?" CJ asked.

"Very big," Josh said. "Dress warm."

"Dress warm?" CJ asked with a slightly horrified look that made Josh grin. "Where are we going exactly?"

"We're going to live like tourists today," Josh replied.

"Live like tourists? What does that mean?"

"When was the last time you explored this fine city?"

"Explored as in found a new restaurant to go to?"

"I'm thinking more like when was the last time you visited a monument?"

"A monument? It must be years since I've actually visited one. I pass them on the way home, does that count?"

"No," Josh said emphatically. "We're visiting monuments today."

"It's January," CJ complained.

"Hence the instruction to dress warm."

"You seriously want to visit monuments today?"

"I do. I want to live like a tourist for the day."

Josh gave her that Joshua Lyman grin and somehow CJ couldn't help but agree to his slightly insane plan. An hour later CJ and Josh left his apartment, bundled up and ready to pretend they were tourists for the day. CJ insisted that they stop by Josh's place so he could get a change of clothes, a sweater and a proper winter coat at the very least. CJ was thankful that although it was January, it was at least forty degrees, though the wind chill left something to be desired. She zipped her coat up to her nose as Josh laughed at her.

"You're from Midwest," Josh commented. "Aren't you used to winter?"

"I was used to winter and then I moved out to California for college," CJ reminded him. "I've lost my tolerance."

"This is our second winter here."

"Two winters does not nullify ten years in California."

"Wuss," Josh said.

"Tell me you're enjoying this weather," CJ said as they walked along the sidewalk.

"It's not so bad. At least it's not snowing."

He gave her a look that made him look like he was all of twelve. His eyes begged her to become as giddy as he was over their pilgrimage to well-known landmarks.

"You're tempting fate with that comment," CJ said with a smile, letting his excitement rub off on her.

"I'll buy you a coffee when we visit Mr. Lincoln," Josh promised.

"Make it a hot chocolate and you've got yourself a deal."

They were coming up on an intersection that was a little slick and as they slowed down for the red light CJ felt her boots start to give way under her. She swayed forward and to the side, fully expecting to hit the pavement when she felt Josh reach out and grab her arm, throwing his hand on her waist, steadying her. They paused for a moment to make sure they were both steady.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I am now. Thanks for the save. It didn't look slippery," she said noting that Josh didn't let go of her waist.

"I think that's why they call it black ice."

The light in the crosswalk changed, indicating that it was safe for them to cross the street. Josh let go of CJ's waist and instead looped her arm through his. "Hold on tight," he said. "I don't want you to break hip before we get there."

And so they walked, arm-in-arm along the wintry street. There weren't many pedestrians out on such a brisk day and for a moment CJ felt like maybe it was just the two of them on the street. It was an oddly comforting and also disconcerting feeling.

"So, is the Lincoln Memorial your favorite?" CJ asked Josh as they walked.

"It's imposing," Josh replied. "It seems stately. It pretty much sums up what I think of when I think 'monument.' What's yours?"

"It's a hard question. Lincoln's is good," CJ said thinking it over. "I'm kind of partial to Jefferson though. He's got a good view of the Tidal Basin. Plus, he had a way with words."

"So did Lincoln," Josh reminded her. "The Gettysburg Address?"

"The Gettysburg Address is definitely a good speech," CJ admitted. "But, the Declaration of Independence is so elegantly written."

"You like writers," Josh said.

"I suppose I do have a soft spot for men who can write," CJ said as they came upon the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

They made their way up the steps to the interior of the memorial. Even though it was the middle of winter there were still quite few tourists reading the Gettyburg Address and getting photos with the imposing statue of Mr. Lincoln. It had been a long time since CJ had visited any of the monuments and she was suddenly much more appreciative that Josh had dragged her out of her warm apartment to do some sight-seeing.

"This was a good idea," she said as they walked around.

"Really? You didn't seem so convinced before."

"Well, I am now."

"Good," Josh replied.

"Maybe living like a tourist is exactly what we need to get back on track."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that Leo's right. We've been making silly mistakes lately. We have to get ahead of the game. Standing here looking at the legacy of someone like Lincoln? It makes you sort of refocus you know?"

"So living like a tourist was…"

"A good idea," CJ said sensing that Josh was looking for even further validation.

"What kind of idea?" he teased her.

"An excellent idea," she said before they were interrupted by a couple holding a camera.

"Excuse me," the woman said. "I'm really sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind taking our picture?"

"Oh. Sure," CJ replied.

"It's hard with two people to get pictures with you both in them," the woman said almost apologetically.

"It's no problem," CJ said taking the camera from her.

The couple posed in front of Abraham Lincoln and CJ snapped their picture. They walked back towards CJ and Josh and CJ returned the camera.

"I can take yours now if you'd like," the woman offered. "You two are such a cute couple."

"Oh, uh," CJ started to say before she cut off by Josh.

"We actually forgot the camera at the hotel if you can believe it," Josh said jumping in.

"Oh that's too bad," the woman said.

"The experience will have to be enough this time around," Josh said.

"Where are ya'll from?" the man asked.

Josh briefly looked at CJ before she quickly replied, "Ohio. Where are you from?"

"Charleston, South Carolina," the man said.

"Charleston is a great city," Josh said glancing at CJ as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "We visited there a couple years ago when President Bartlet was in town. Well, before he was the president anyway."

"I don't recall him visiting Charleston," the man said.

"It was pretty low-key," CJ said feeling a light blush creep into her cheeks. The visit might have been unmemorable to President Bartlet, but it was certainly memorable to CJ and Josh.

"Is this your first trip to D.C.?" the woman asked.

"Our first together," CJ replied playing along with the script that they had concocted.

"It's a great town," the man nodded.

"Oh, yeah, great," Josh said.

"Where are ya'll staying?" the woman asked. "We're actually staying outside the city in Arlington."

"We're staying in the city," CJ smiled.

"At The Willard," Josh said with a grin knowing that it was one of, if not the most expensive, hotels in the district.

"Well, we should probably actually be going," CJ said. "We have quite a few things left to see today."

"Oh sure," the man said.

"Thanks for taking our picture. Have a great time," the woman said.

CJ and Josh turned and started walking down the steps of the memorial before CJ leaned over and whispered, "The Willard?"

"We're from Ohio? What's wrong with my home state of Connecticut?"

"Did you have to bring up Charleston?"

"I thought I detected a hint of crimson in your cheeks on that one Claudia Jean," Josh said poking her in the ribs with his elbow.

"You're just lucky they didn't recognize us," CJ said.

"Relax," Josh said. "Technically it sort of it the first time we've seen the sights together. And, you're from Ohio. We were in Charleston. It all adds up."

"You know if you possessed any real social skills you'd give me a run for my money as Press Secretary," CJ laughed as they made their way to the monument.

Four hours later CJ and Josh returned to CJ's apartment exhausted. Between the cold air and the walking they were sent from a day of sight-seeing. Luckily they had decided to stop and have a late lunch, which perked them up slightly, but not quite enough to wake them up completely.

Josh entered CJ's living room and immediately collapsed on the couch. CJ went into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee, but once she had started the pot she walked into the living room.

"Scoot," she said when she saw Josh sacked out on the only sofa long enough to lay comfortably.

Josh scooted over and CJ lay down next to him. "I don't remember the last time I walked that far," CJ said. "We must do laps around the White House everyday and yet nothing prepared me for walking the monuments in January."

"It could have been the cold air," Josh said. "I'm seriously exhausted. I'm gonna sleep like a baby tonight. I had fun though."

"Yeah," CJ replied sleepily. "I did too."

"So," Josh yawned. "Your favorite destination of the day was?"

"The Old Ebbitt," CJ said with a chuckle.

"Lunch doesn't count and we've been there a million times before," Josh reminded her.

"Okay, fine then," she said rolling over so her back was to Josh and her face was more buried in the throw pillow. "I guess I'd have to go with Lincoln."

"I converted you?"

"It was nice. Plus the bonus hot chocolate I got didn't hurt. Also, Jefferson's monument is a little boring when there's no chance any peddle boaters might fall into the Tidal Basin. I think my face might be wind-burned though."

Josh leaned over to take a look at her face. "It looks good on you."

"Thanks," CJ said giving a sigh of contentment. "So are you staying for dinner?"

"Do you want me to stay?"

"I thought we could get a pizza or something."

"Sounds good," Josh said snuggling into the couch. "I can't say I'm hungry just yet though. Tired, but not quite hungry."

"Yeah, me too. The coffee is perking," CJ replied as her eyes shut.

"Great," Josh said laying his hand on CJ's hip and letting his eyes flutter shut as well.

Josh and CJ never had the chance to order pizza for dinner. Neither did they have a chance to drink the coffee that CJ had made. Between the outdoors and walking they were both exhausted and they managed to fall asleep and sleep through the night.

Josh was pleasantly comfortable when he felt his pocket vibrate. His phone had awakened him from one of the best nights of sleep he'd had in a long while. Josh rubbed his eyes and glanced around the room. It took him a moment to realize that he was in CJ's living room, on her couch, curled up next to CJ.

She appeared to be slumbering peacefully and he worried that his movement and his vibrating cell phone would wake her. He quietly maneuvered his body around CJ's, which wasn't an easy feat considering his left arm had fallen asleep from sleeping on it over night. He sat up and CJ moved, but it soon looked like she hadn't woken from the movement. Josh, with the precision of an expert, stepped over her and stood up from the couch. He took a moment to rub his face and wake up before he walked into the kitchen. He turned on the light and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He had missed a call from Stanley.

Stanley was calling to tell Josh that he could see him that morning and Josh, though he wasn't looking forward to it, decided that he should probably go talk to his therapist instead of imposing on CJ's weekend any longer. He called Stanley back and made an appointment. Josh turned the warmer on the full pot of coffee that they hadn't had a chance to drink the night before. He also scrounged around CJ's kitchen so he could leave her a note. After a few minutes the coffee was warm and Josh had also found pad of paper and pencil. He filled a mug of coffee and walked out to the living room to write CJ a quick note.

Josh was in the midst of placing the note on the coffee table when CJ opened her eyes.

"Good morning," she said.

"Hey," Josh said. "I was leaving you a note."

"You were sneaking out."

"I wasn't. You were asleep."

"I'm awake now. Is there something going on at work?" CJ asked sitting up and running her fingers through her hair quickly.

"No. Stanley called," Josh said feeling a little self-conscious.

"Oh, good," CJ said running her hand over her face. "Is that warm coffee?"

"Yeah."

CJ reached forward and grabbed the mug that Josh had been using and took a sip. "What time is it?" CJ asked.

"A little past eight."

"We slept all night?"

"It looks that way," Josh said.

"Wow."

"Yeah. So, I hate to run, but Stanley said he can see me at nine," Josh said.

"Go," CJ said standing up and stretching. "Don't worry about me."

Josh stood up from the chair and stood in the living room for a moment. "So," he said biting his lip, unsure of what to say. "I really appreciate it you being here for me yesterday and Friday."

"Josh, anytime. It's what friends do," CJ dismissed him.

"I know, but seriously CJ if you weren't home or willing to…you really helped me take my mind off things."

"I help you think less," CJ said with a hint of teasing in her voice.

"Exactly."

"Like I said, anytime," CJ said. "Now go see Stanley. Make sure you're really okay."

"I will," Josh said. He stepped forward and planted a light kiss on CJ's lips. It was an odd moment. They'd spent an entire day and two evenings together and they hadn't made any type of intimate contact. Suddenly Josh wished that they had and CJ did too for that matter. The light kiss quickly became more than friendly as Josh's lips massaged CJ's expertly. The lips and their bodies became more entangled and CJ's teeth tugged at Josh's bottom lip as he pulled away.

"Yeah," Josh sighed.

"Right," CJ said running her fingers along her lower lip, which could still feel Josh's morning stubble.

"I'll see you at work tomorrow," CJ said.

"Right," Josh nodded. "CJ I really do appreciate--"

"Joshua," CJ said putting a hand on his shoulder and turning him around. "Don't mention it. Now go see Stanley."

"Okay," Josh said as they walked to the door. "Next time we do the Lincoln Memorial we're bringing a camera."

"Count on it," CJ replied.

CJ shut the door to her apartment happy to have Josh intrude on her weekend. She hoped that he really did feel better about things after spending time with her. She hadn't even realized that a weekend with Josh, sex or not, was exactly what she needed.

TBC