Chapter Six: "And In Case You Hadn't Known, They Call Me..."
He's pissed. He's sitting here in his office, pissed. Because he missed it. He would have been there. Found some excuse to be in the pressroom. Hell, he didn't even need an excuse. Not for this. Everybody who's seen it before makes a point to be there. And everybody who's heard about it tries to get in to see it. And he missed it. He missed seeing CJ do "The Jackal". Damn.
Ron supposes things could be worse. Though at this particular moment he's not sure how. But he's resolved. He will not let CJ go to bed tonight before she does it. Just for him. He might just be getting the better end of this deal. Still, he's pissed.
Ron had somehow managed to miss seeing "The Jackal" both times during the campaign. But, he had heard about it. And even though he hadn't been in love with her then, he had been sorry to have missed it. Now, well now he is in love with her. And while he's not the type to get jealous, it bothers him a little that of all the people who have seen CJ do this sexy dance thing, he's not one of them. Oh yeah, she's going to be giving a command performance tonight.
His phone rings. He looks at the clock and knows that it's her. She's ready to go home. He answers on the second ring.
"Ron Butterfield."
"Hey."
"You did it. You did it and you didn't tell me. I missed it."
"Wha... oh. You mean... . Yeah. I was on fire."
"I'm sure you were, CJ. I'm sorry I missed it. But, you can make it up to me."
"Yeah?"
"Tonight. A private performance, you could call it."
"Umm... no. I'm sorry. That's why I'm calling. I'm gonna be here for a while. Danny Concannon just left. There's a thing with Zoey that I have to check out."
"The frat party?"
"Yeah. How did... ? Never mind. Of course you knew. Anyway, I'm not sure how long I'll be here. So... ."
"Okay, CJ. I'll just... I guess I'll just go home then."
"You mean to your place?"
"Well, I guess... ."
"You could go to mine. Maybe it won't take that long."
"Okay. I'll see you there."
"Okay."
He hangs up, slightly disappointed. He understands, of course. But, he was really looking forward to her dancing just for him. He knows by the time she does finish and get home that she'll be tired. The adrenaline rush of the evening will have worn off.
He wonders when they'll be able to make a decision on where they spend the night. He also wonders when they'll come to a decision on letting people know about their relationship. But, that's a discussion for another night. He lets the watch officer know that he's heading home. And he goes to CJ's apartment to wait for her.
He wakes up with a start at the tapping on his shoulder. He looks at CJ's tired smile. He can't believe he fell asleep on the couch. She holds out her hand and he takes it. Follows her into the bedroom.
"I didn't want to wake you. But, your neck would be so stiff in the morning."
"No. I'm glad you did. What time... ?"
"It's two-thirty."
"So, technically it is morning."
"Smart ass."
He watches as CJ takes off her clothes and puts them on the chair next to the closet. His clothes soon follow. And then he's lying next to her, breathing in the scent of her shampoo. And listening to her breaths become shallower as sleep claims her.
~*~
He can see her standing out in the corridor. He ponders briefly if she's as impressed by the way he does his job as he is of the way she does her. He asks Gina about the latest threats and pushes the other thought to the back of his head. He dismisses everyone and heads back to his office. He figures CJ wouldn't want him to look like he's expecting her to be there for him.
He's a little surprised when CJ doesn't come to his office immediately. He looks out the glass in the door and sees that she's talking to Gina Toscano. And now, he's disappointed again. He knows that CJ won't be coming to see him. He sits at his desk and jots down notes for the adjustments needed for the next threat watch. Then he starts the checklist for the advance team for the President's speech at the OEOB next week.
His phone rings and he answers. He smiles when the first thing CJ says is that she's sorry she didn't come see him when she had finished with Gina. He tells her he understands. Because he does. She has work to do. And so does he. He reassures her that the President won't fire her for getting in his face. And he wishes her luck.
After he hangs up he smiles. CJ had told him that she had asked Gina about what had gone on at the party. He really does love her tenacity. And he knows that CJ knew she wouldn't get anything from Gina. She's been with him long enough to know that. But, he admires her for covering every base. It's one of the things that makes her so damn good at her job.
He watches her last briefing and gives her another thirty minutes before he calls to see if she's ready to go home. He's glad to hear that she is. He even lets her drive. They talk mostly about her meeting with the President. He's glad that CJ is starting to realize that her voice does matter. He knows her confidence had taken a hit with the India/Pakistan thing.
When they've finished the take-out Italian they got on the way home she tells him to go ahead into the living room. She has to do something. He doesn't even bother with wondering what it might be. She probably has to call Toby about something. He takes their wine glasses in and sets hers on the coffee table. He's a little startled when the music starts. But the stereo remote landing on the couch tells him that she'd switched it on as she came in. He turns his head just as he hears the first words of the song.
"Did I ever tell you about the man who changed my life? The one I thought 'oh Lord', when I saw him walkin' back in that bar."
He knows somewhere in his mind that his mouth is hanging open. But, there doesn't seem to be anything he can do about it now. CJ is standing just at the edge of the room. Blushing slightly as she moves her mouth with the lyrics. She's wearing one of his dress shirts that he's left here before. And that's it. He knows that's all she's wearing because the shirt is unbuttoned. He swallows. Hard. He doesn't take his eyes off her as she moves in front of him gesturing, swinging her hips.
"...Chillin' at a quarter after five. Twist of lime, Coke on the side. The brother loved the high life."
His mouth has gone dry. This is better than he had ever imagined. He's falling in love with CJ all over again. He doesn't want the song to ever end.
"And in case you hadn't known, they call me 'The Jackal'."
She's moved inches from him. He watches her eyes. Can't help but let his eyes wander down her body. He thinks it's quite possible that he's never wanted a woman more in his life than he wants her right now. He doesn't even let her finish the song. He grabs her around the waist and pulls her down on top of him. He kisses her throat and behind her ear. His hands roam underneath the shirt. And he whispers to her after her laughing has subsided that he finds her laugh the most intoxicating thing in this world. And then he's leading her to bed. And he shows her just how much he wants her. Twice.
~*~
He's not good at this. Feeling helpless. That's not what he does. He serves and protects. He plans and prepares. He does not sit on the sidelines. Except, that's exactly what he's doing now. And Ron doesn't like it. He doesn't know what he can do to help her. And that leaves him on edge.
He knows that CJ has been having a hard time. First she got a lot of slack over that memo that Mandy had written. Then it was her error in the pressroom. She's apologized to Leo and President Bartlet. She's fixed everything she can. But, he knows that she still feels like she's letting people down.
He thought her confidence level couldn't get lower than it did in January. But now, well he's not sure if she can take another blow. So he's got his fingers crossed that these polling numbers do go up. Because he's not sure what else he can do. He's tried being supportive. Reassuring. He's pretty sure that if he says one more time how much faith he has in her, that she might just scream.
But he does faith in her. He knows that she makes mistakes sometimes. She's human. But she doesn't allow herself that luxury. He would like to have a word with Leo. He knows he can't. Won't. But it would make Ron feel better to give somebody an earful. How can they not see all the things she's done for them?
He wonders if perhaps CJ is too good at what she does. She does so much without people really noticing. Maybe that's why they give her such a hard time when she does make a mistake. They take her for granted. They don't realize all the potential problems that haven't happened because she's done her job.
He sighs. There isn't anything he can do about it now. He can only do what he can, which has nothing to do with polling numbers and bumps and holds. He can make dinner. So he's here, in her kitchen, making chicken. She had told him not to bother. That she would be home late. But, it's the only thing he can think of to do. So, he turns on the oven and hopes those numbers are what she's expecting.
He hears the door open and close. He walks out of the kitchen and helps CJ take off her jacket. Her face is solemn and his heart drops a bit. Damn.
"I was wrong about the approval rating."
"I'm so sorry, CJ. I know you wanted this."
"Yeah. It was stupid to say we'd go up five points. Especially since we went up nine."
He watches her face light up. And the smile she turns on him makes him smile right back.
"Well, then it's a good thing I made that celebratory dinner waiting in the kitchen."
"Yes. Yes it is."
She stops him from turning to go back to the kitchen. She hugs him tightly and takes a deep breath. She looks down and then raises her eyes to him slowly.
"I wanted to thank you, Ron. I know how hard you've been trying with... well, me. And I know I haven't been the easiest person to be around. But, I wanted you to know how much I appreciate the way you support me. And the way you think of me."
She blushes then, which makes him smile.
"CJ, I don't know why it's so hard for you to see how amazing you are. But you are."
"Thanks. Now, what's for dinner?"
He lets her change the subject. He knows that she'll talk about this later. When they're in bed. And they are covered in darkness. And that's all right. She's opened up more to him than almost anyone. And he won't rush her. This relationship is worth taking the time. Because, this one, he has realized, is for keeps.
~*~
He wakes to the incessant beeping of the alarm. He feels her shift next to him. Once he has silenced the offending noise he turns to face her. She's so beautiful first thing in the morning, he thinks.
"Seriously, it's not really five yet. Is it?"
"I'm afraid so, CJ."
"Damn."
He puts his arm around her. And thinks how lucky he is to be waking up next to her every morning. Well, almost every morning. There are still nights when she doesn't come home from the west wing. And there are nights when he or she is off somewhere with the President. But, it's different now. It has been this whole last week.
He had been right to wait for her to talk to him when they went to bed that night the polling numbers had come out. She had opened up even more than he had anticipated. And they had discussed quite a bit. Including the decision they had made to live together. He smiles at the small argument they had over which apartment was better. But, she had been right. Her bed was much nicer. And it hadn't taken all that much effort to get her kitchen into working order.
She kisses his cheek and pushes away the covers. She throws her pajamas in the hamper and starts the shower. He goes into the kitchen and starts the coffee. He is amazed at how much domesticity suits him.
Once they have both showered and dressed, they drink coffee together in the kitchen. He notices that she's wearing the necklace he gave her for Christmas.
"You got the clasp fixed?"
"Well, Carol did. She picked it up from the jeweler yesterday."
"I'm glad. It looks good on you."
She smiles at him and shakes her head. He can't help but smile back.
"Hey, are you coming tonight?"
"Yeah. I'll be there."
"I hope we can get out of there early."
"Me too, CJ."
He rinses the coffee cups and puts them in the sink while CJ gathers up the notes she was making last night. He puts on his jacket and grabs the car keys as CJ puts on her lipstick.
"Remind me to make a note to Carol on how to spell Rosslyn. She had it with one 's' in the notes from last night. And I forgot to highlight it."
"Okay. But you're going to write it down as soon as you get in the car."
"I know."
She winks and he can't help but swat her backside as she walks out the door in front of him. He locks the apartment and heads down the stairs behind her. He laughs at the way she practically sashays in front of him. He hopes they can get away from the Newseum early tonight. He has a pretty good idea of how to spend the evening.
End of Chapter 6