Title: Dulles to LAX, Indirect.

Chapter 6: A Delegation of One

Pairing: CJ/Danny
Author: Array
Email: array_

Rating: PG-13 (adult themes)
Disclaimer: They're all Aaron's
Author's Notes: Between Institutional Memory and Tomorrow

It's past eleven o'clock. He's at his computer with a cup of tea beside him, when the secret service knocks. She waits silently in the hall with a gym bag on the floor beside her.

As Greg leaves the apartment Danny reaches out, grabs the bag by its strap and hauls it into the apartment.

"What did you bring….. Your rock collection?"

She grins. "Yeah. I'll show it to you later, and talk you through it sample by sample."

"Sounds riveting. I can hardly wait." He makes it sound suggestive. "You want some tea?"

"You're drinking tea?"

He is slightly defensive. "Yeah. You want some or not."

"Sure"

Sitting at the counter in the kitchen, he pours her a cup of tea. She sniffs. "What is this?"

"Wild orange and linden flower. Drink it. It'll help you sleep."

She wrinkles her nose but tastes it anyway. "Hey. It's not bad.

He holds his mug up in a silent toast. "How'd your day go?"

"Mmmm. Not bad." The question is in his eyes, and she knows what he wants to ask. "Yes I talked to Josh. Yes I talked to Hollis."

He waits.

"I said no to Josh. Several times. I imagine I'll say no several more times." She pauses. He waits. "I said yes to Hollis."

He smiles. "Do you feel good about it?"

"Yeah. I do. I really do."

"When?"

"Well, he's saying the beginning of March." She makes him ask.

"Where?"

"Culver City. Well anywhere in greater LA really."

He grins.

"I just don't know how to get it all together and be out there ready to start by the first of March. Not and take two weeks off."

He stops smiling. "You're not serious?"

"I am… I've got to move…find somewhere to live… sort out what to do with my apartment… have my car shipped…. And I don't even have time to start until we're out of office."

"You could try delegating."

"I delegate what I can, but this isn't Margaret's job, or even Carol's. It's mine."

"I meant to me. Delegate it to me."

"Danny…"

"What? You don't think I'm capable?"

"It's not that.. its…"

"Then what?"

"It's not your job either."

"It can be. I have a vested interest and I want this two weeks CJ. For us. I think it's important. It's not like I don't have the time right now. I've got a couple of projects on the go, but no one owns me right now… Well, except you."

"I don't own you!"

He reaches across and strokes her cheek. "Sweetheart, you've owned me for years."

She is silent for a moment before she says, "You'll really do this?"

"They're my two weeks?"

"They're our two weeks."

"And if I can figure out a way to get more?"

"I'll take it."

"So how much latitude do I have?"

"What do you mean?"

"How much do you want to know?"

She smiles. "When am I leaving? Where am I living?"

He grins back. "Okay, but you ain't gonna know what hit you baby"

She laughs.

"I'm serious." He says, "I can do this kind of thing in my sleep."

She yawns. "Speaking of sleep…."

"Go ahead. I'll be right there. I've got a couple of more paragraphs to write then I'll shut the computer down."

By the time he comes in she's fast asleep. He crawls into bed and spoons in behind her, wrapping his arm around her. He breathes in the smell of her hair, warm and sweet. She mumbles in her sleep, folds his hand in between hers and settles back to sleep again. He can't think of anything that would have made him feel more secure.