Chapter Three: A Ridiculous Looking Bird
She's been on a high for weeks now. She knows it's ridiculous. But, she feels seventeen again. Except that at seventeen nothing had ever felt this good. It's been two weeks since she first stayed the night with Ron. She's high on this new relationship. It's better than she hoped for.
Even her talk with Toby hadn't dampened the high. He had been almost shy the day after Chili Night. He hadn't broached the subject. In fact, he'd skirted the issue all day, doing a pretty good job of avoiding her. CJ knew he was a little hurt. But, it had more to do with pride than anything else. She knows that she and Toby will always have this thing between them. Where they love each other, but hate each other when they're supposed to be in love. They are much better as friends. And, they both know it.
Toby had told her that he was happy for her. If she was. And he likes Ron, so he doesn't feel the need to hurt her new boyfriend. She had laughed at that. Toby had finally admitted that really, he'd have to find someone to hurt this boyfriend. Because, yes, his chances fighting with a Secret Service agent probably weren't that good. But, he could do it if necessary. She had kissed his cheek for that.
CJ felt relieved that Toby had agreed with her about not making this public. She knows it's not a conflict of interest. Their jobs are too far removed to be an issue. But, it's not something the press needs to know. She imagines the horrid stories in the papers about their romance. And shudders. She's also aware that she doesn't have the best track record when it comes to relationships. So, it's better to keep this under wraps. For now.
She's looking forward to going out tonight with Josh and Sam. It should be interesting if nothing else. And, she admits, it's been awhile since she went out with her friends. She doesn't have that much spare time to begin with. And spending it with Ron has been more important to her. So, it works out well that he's working tonight. And who knows, maybe after he's done, he'll come by her place. She smiles at the thought.
~*~
They are playing poker. And for once, she's winning. She's having a good time. It would be great, but she still has that slight taste of adrenaline in the back of her throat. Tonight had not gone the way she had hoped. It had started off fun. But, seeing the agents rushing in the door and taking Zoey away had definitely ended the fun part of the evening.
She knows that no real harm was done. And she's kept up her appearance as unflappable. Joking with the President about Josh being in trouble. But, there is a part of her still unnerved. Toby had taken her aside after he had seen the vote end. She knew he could tell that the night had upset her a little. But, she didn't want to talk about it with him. He seemed so pleased with the vote. And Congressman Willis. She didn't want to reduce his good humor in any way. So, she played cards.
She's dealing a new hand when Ron steps into the room to talk to the President. She tries to not look at him. Just lets him move in the corner of her eye. She sees Toby make that smug look at her and kicks him under the table. Smiles slightly to apologize if she kicked him too hard. She wins this hand as well.
The trivia is starting to drive her a little crazy. She thought it had been bad the last time. But, now the President is focused on American playwrights, a subject she's not that familiar with in the first place. Now, she knows more than she ever wanted to know. A movement outside Leo's office catches her attention. She watches Ron walk by. She smiles and plays her hand. Wins again.
She's dealing another hand when she sees him walk by again. She plays the hand and loses to Josh. She allows him the small victory whoop. Tells them she has a couple things to finish up and then she's going home. Ignores Josh's teasing, he did good tonight and she'll let him have this. Takes more money than she brought in and heads for her office. She's stopped before she gets there by a hand catching her wrist. She's pulled into a broom closet.
She kisses Ron hard. And let's out a breath she feels she's been holding all night. She sighs and waits for him to speak first.
"How are you, CJ?"
"I'm fine."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I mean... yeah."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I... yeah. Actually, I do. But, not here. Later."
"I have some paperwork I need to finish before I leave tonight. I could meet you... ."
"No. I'll wait for you, Ron. If that's okay?"
"Of course it is."
Another kiss and she follows him out of the closet. She goes downstairs with him and watches silently as he finishes up for the night. When he's done, they head up to her office to collect her things. They are almost there when she hears Josh call her name. She steps away from Ron almost awkwardly. Lies to Josh about getting information about Zoey's new detail. Ron says she can come to him anytime and she smiles at him. She knows that he'll meet her at her car outside. She talks briefly to Josh, dodging his questions. Then she gets her purse, but leaves her briefcase. She won't be doing anymore work tonight. Ron is waiting for her at the car.
~*~
She's lying next to Ron. She feels like a weight has been lifted. He had insisted on talking about the incident with Zoey at the bar as soon as they had entered her apartment. She's glad he did. He had reassured her more than she thought possible. He had made her feel safe. Even though she hadn't really felt unsafe before. She likes that. His ability to make her feel things that she's never really felt in any relationship before.
They are equals in this. And that is something new. She feels like herself with him. He lets her keep control where she needs it. He likes her independence. And, he doesn't try to change her. He understands what is important to her. He says that's part of her charm. He doesn't expect her to lean on him. But, he's there if she does. She's pretty sure she's in love with him. And for once in her life, the thought doesn't scare her.
She turns over and kisses his cheek. Ron turns as well so that he's facing her.
"I thought you were almost asleep."
"I am. I was. I was just thinking... about you."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I... I love you, Ron. I just thought you should know."
She looks away from him. There, she's finally said it.
He lifts her chin so she is forced to look at him. She smiles shyly at the look on his face.
"I love you too, CJ. I have for a while now. I just wasn't sure you wanted to hear it."
She kisses him again. He rubs her back. Finally, Ron shifts so that he is on his back again. CJ puts her head on his shoulder. And falls asleep, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her cheek.
~*~
Her head is pounding. Her entire body aches. She knows she's running a fever. She's miserable. And there is nothing she can do about it. Her next briefing is in an hour. She takes another three Advil with her cold coffee. She curses Hogan. Of course, she knows that it's not really her niece's fault. It's not like Hogan wanted to be sick either. But, it is her niece that passed this flu onto her. And someone should have to pay for the way she feels now.
She hears a flurry of activity outside her office. She thinks she should probably get up and see what's going on. But, she doesn't have the energy to pick her head up from her desk. Her door opens and she sees the President standing in her doorway. Damn. She pushes herself up to a standing position, leaning heavily on the desk. She sees two agents behind President Bartlet. She flushes under Ron's scrutiny.
"Mr. President. What can I do for you?"
"Go home."
"I'm sorry, Sir?"
"Go home, Claudia Jean. You're sick. You should rest."
"Sir, I have a briefing in a few minutes... ."
"That somebody else can do for you. There's nothing pressing that won't wait a few days. Go home and get better. We're leaving for the farm the day after tomorrow anyway. So, I don't want to see you in this building until next week."
She wants to argue. Feels like she should. But, her head is swimming. She wants very much to be able to sit down again. Maybe lie down. That would be good.
"Okay. Thank you, Sir."
Ron steps into the room.
"Mr. President, I don't think CJ should drive herself home. She doesn't look up to it."
Oh great. Just what you want to hear from your boyfriend. She giggles at the thought and realizes that the fever must be getting pretty high if she's becoming giddy.
"Ron, will you take her home then?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Get her address from Carol. Just in case."
The President turns and walks through the door, shaking his head at the still giggling CJ. He turns back and smiles.
"Feel better, CJ. And have a nice Thanksgiving."
She takes two deep breaths to regain control.
"Thank you, Sir. You too."
Once the President has left she slumps back into her chair. She watches as Ron gathers her things and steps out to speak with Carol. She smiles when he comes back in and says that he has her address now, so they can leave. She leans heavily on him as he takes her to his car. She dozes on the short ride to her apartment, but wakes when the car stops. She lets Ron guide her inside and take her to the bedroom. She collapses on the bed and barely moves as Ron removes her clothing. She falls asleep on top of the comforter.
She sleeps for most of the next two days. Waking only briefly to take medicine and drink water. Sometimes Ron is there when she wakes. She doesn't realize that he sleeps both nights on her couch. Just in case.
~*~
She's feeling better. Still not well. But the fever has gone. And, the aches are almost gone. She's hungry for the first time in two days and she takes that as a good sign. She decides to take a shower before eating though.
Stepping out of the shower she feels almost human again. She brushes her teeth. She puts on an old Berkley sweatshirt and some clean pajama pants. She's putting the dirty clothes in the hamper when she hears the humming. She smiles and goes out to the kitchen to find Ron at her stove.
"Hey."
"Well, hey there yourself, Flamingo girl. How are you feeling?"
She narrows her eyes and unconsciously rubs her neck with one hand. Her voice is dangerously low.
"What did you just call me?"
"Flamingo girl."
She puts her hands on her hips and waits for him to turn around. After a moment he does. She watches him mentally assess his options. His hands go up in mock surrender.
"Okay. I know. 'Girl' was not the right word. But, Flamingo Woman sounds silly, don't you think?"
She wants to smile at him for being worried about the 'girl' part. But, she's still pissed about the 'Flamingo'.
"Why did you call me a flamingo? That is a ridiculous looking bird."
"You're mad about 'flamingo'? Why? I think they are lovely birds."
He's smirking. And stepping towards her. She takes a step back. She's not letting go of this yet.
"Why would I remind you of a flamingo? My neck is not that long!"
She puts her hand to her neck again and looks away.
"CJ, you're neck is perfect. You just remind me of a flamingo when you sleep. I think it's cute."
She looks at him questioningly and shrugs. He steps towards her again and places his hands on her shoulders.
"CJ, you do know that when you sleep on your side you look just like a flamingo. Right?"
She shakes her head, but doesn't answer him more.
"Really? 'Cause when you sleep on your side, you keep one leg straight and the other leg is bent and raised. Just like a flamingo. Except they do it standing up."
She shakes her head and sighs. She thinks perhaps she is too sensitive about her neck. She can't believe she didn't see what he meant. She gives him a lopsided grin.
"It's still a ridiculous looking bird."
"Whatever you say, Flamingo."
He kisses the top of her head and goes back to the stove. He stirs the saucepan while he asks her how she's feeling. He smiles when she says she feels human again. He tells her he figured she'd was feeling better when he heard the shower running. She goes to the stove and looks to see what he's cooking.
"Ah... soup."
"Chicken broth, actually. I thought it would be the best thing for you since you haven't eaten for days. I almost made turkey broth, but that just didn't sound right."
She laughs.
"Oh, I made you dessert too."
"I suppose I shouldn't get my hopes up for pumpkin pie."
"No, but it is in the holiday spirit."
"Really? What?"
"Cranberry Jell-O."
"They actually make that?"
"Yeah. I was a little surprised by that too. Why don't you get comfortable on the couch and I'll bring you your soup. Ginger ale sound okay?"
"Yeah. Thank you."
She curls up on the couch and throws the afghan over her legs. She smiles at the thought that he watches her sleep. Enough to come up with a nickname for her. He brings the soup and Jell-O out to the living room. They eat and watch an old movie on TV. She doesn't resist when he suggests she go back to bed. But, he joins her soon after. And he smiles when she thanks him for a nice Thanksgiving. She falls asleep and misses the smirk on Ron's face when she bends her leg, much like a certain bird.
End of Chapter Three