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Disclaimer:

I Do Not own these characters. They are property of NBC and Aaron Sorkins evil genius of a mind.

——~*~—-

Election Day, 2005

Kate sat in the chief of staffs office with her feet propped up on the coffee table eating popcorn watching the endless Election Day news cycle. All of D.C. and the candidates camp was on pins and needles. Today was their 'D-Day'. CJ had already received calls from all of her spin boys and even Anisley.

"Comfortable", CJ said to Kate staring at her feet.

"Quite", she responded with a smirk taking her feet off the table.

"So who do you think is gonna win this thing?", Charlie asked as he flopped down on the couch before grabbing a handful of popcorn out of Kate's bowl. She threw an unpopped kernel at him laughing.

"Like the first five times you asked since this morning I don't know. It's in the voters hands now."

"Oh come on CJ I know you seen the polling numbers", Kate said.

"The same ones you and Josh have seen and I still don't know", she replied reading the many papers that littered her desk. Even though things had overall slowed for the administration her workload was not one of them. Looking up she asked, "Don't you two have someplace to be?"

"Nope", Charlie said reaching for another handful.

"Nope", Kate said smiling as she threw another kernel of popcorn in her mouth.

"With only 2% of the east coast votes in the Vinnick camp has already issued a statement", Will announced walking into CJs office. "And I quote, 'It will be my pleasure to serve my countrymen as their new commander and chief', end quote."

"How precipitous", Kate said tersely.

"Bruno wrote that", Charlie astutely called.

"Don't take the bait", an unmoved CJ added standing to walk a folder to Margaret's desk. "He can easily walk back from it if needed."

"So we just say nothing?"

"Yes, say nothing."

"CJ-"

"It's Election Day! If he wins it's nothing but if we make a big deal about it we look petty. Don't take the bait."

"CJ Josh line one", Margaret said from the door. With a sigh CJ sat behind the desk and answered the phone.

"Yes…I heard…Will just told me…Josh- Josh! Its doesn't matter and do not reply…I don't care what Lou thinks!", she pointed to the door, Will and Kate stepped out. "Josh we know Bruno he does these kinds of things just leave it be if you answer now it will only hurt your candidate. You've done a great job so sit back and let the voters decide…Yes of course I'll be here watching…Yes The Presidents fine…Yeah talk to you soon", she hung up the phone with a forceful exhale.

"Josh is losing it?", CJ just looked at him with an unyielding gaze.

"Can I have a minute?"

"Yep. I'll be around", he said as he stood to leave.

"And pull the door."

Leaning her head back on her chair she took a moment and closed her eyes. She was mentally and physically exhausted January 20th couldn't arrive soon enough. As she pondered her release date Danny of all people invaded her thoughts.

"If I'm going to jump off the cliff,

and you're gonna get pushed off the cliff,

why don't we hold hands on the way down?"

Since that evening they'd only spoken once. However she was unable to answer his question as she still pondered the meaning. Was he asking what she thinks he was asking after all this time?

I'd been a little over two years since they were intimate and her world had changed, she had changed but she would be remised if she didn't admit she intrigued by his proposition. All the things she felt was there but why was she still hesitant? This was Danny. The man who chased after her in year two. The man who she denied time after time, year after year. Until the night she was shot at for the second time while standing in the press room with Toby and Will. That night she went to his house. She didn't know why she just knew it felt right. It was that night they made love for the first time, the night that she admitted that she loved him and didn't want to be alone anymore. However when they spoke after San Andreas she retracted.

"Have you thought about what I said?", Danny inquired.

"More than I expected", she answered honestly.

"And?"

"I'm not in the position to answer that. I have a lot on my plate right now and damn you for adding to it."

"I don't wanna fight with you CJ. I only wanted to throw my hat in the ring", he sighed before continuing. "I know that you will be approached in the coming weeks if you haven't already with job offers but I also know what we had. What we still have. It was real and I don't want to walk away from it."

"CJ", Margaret stood at the door.

"Hold on", she said covering the receiver with her hand.

"You have a meeting on the hill in 15. Your car is ready."

"Thank you", she replied. Once she left CJ went back to the call. "I have to go Danny."

"Yeah. Call me? To you know, talk?

"Yeah."

"Bye CJ", he said somberly.

"Goodbye Danny."

The phone rang thankfully jarring her from her thoughts and that quick was she was on to the next emergency.

—-~*~—-

"One hour until the West Coast polls close this is it", Kate said walking into the office. "They ordered pizzas and are watching it in the press room. Wanna come?"

"No, I'll watch in here and catch up on work. I'll grab a salad from the mess."

"Well if you change your mind you know where we are."

"I won't but thanks", Kate knew when CJ closed herself off it was a nonstarter so she left without a fuss.

Ten minutes later Margaret ran into her office turning up the television. They all stood in horror as the news anchor announced that a non responsive Leo McGarry was found in his hotel room and rushed to the hospital. Margaret stood in horror crying as CJs world rocked. When her phone rang she knew. She didn't want to answer because she knew.

"CJ, he's gone", a broken Josh informed. Those three words crushed her. Her boss, her mentor, her friend was gone. If it weren't for Leo none of them would be there. And just like that he was gone. Holding Margaret's hand tightly she used all of her strength to straighten herself as she walked into The Presidents office to deliver the disabling news.

—-~*~—-

Closing the door to the oval behind her she entered her office and heard Frank Santos deliver a speech. What he said was a blur as her eyes grew glassy and her pulse rate sped up. A figure came into view.

"CJ, CJ!", Charlie said catching her before she could fall. "Breathe CJ, breathe."

"He's- he's really gone?"

"Yes, he is. CJ look at me", he tilted her head up so their eyes could meet. "Will and Kate need to come in here."

"Yeah."

"The press wants details. Santos speech was nice but they want details."

"Yeah."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." She stood on her own brushing her clothes steadying herself. She had to be strong. Now was not the time to crumble. The President needed her to be strong. "I'm okay send them in."

Later that night, it was Matt Santos who was declared the winner and the next president of the United States.

CJ spoke again with Josh, Sam and Donna before sending Margaret home. She tried to tell her to take the day but she knew Margaret wouldn't listen. So she pushed their arrival time back to eleven. The President had retired up to the residence with Abbey, Zoey and Eleanor for the evening. So she phoned them before turning off the lamp in her office heading to her awaiting car.

"You gone CJ?", Charlie asked stopping her.

"Oh yes."

"Well have a good evening."

"You too Sparky. And thanks, for you know earlier. I-"

"It's not a problem CJ."

"Get home safely and don't come in until noon tomorrow."

"Good Night", he said as he watched her leave before heading up to the residence with the first family. They all needed each other right now.

"Where to Ms Cregg?", the agent asked as he held the door open for her. She stood outside the vehicle for a moment before responding. "Ms Cregg?"

——~*~—-

Standing outside of the familiar apartment once again surrounded by her agents she pondered her decision to come here of all places she could have gone. As before all she knew was it felt right.

After the fourth knock however she was afraid that he wasn't home and was feeling foolish. Ready abandon her quest when she heard the locks and chains on the being removed before the door opened.

There he stood dressed in his pajamas he was obviously sleeping. The agent requested permission to enter and Danny stepped to the side.

He knew why she came and she knew he knew. He could see the pain seeping from her pores, he could feel her grief. He also knew that she knew out of all the people on the planet it was he she could bare her soul to and know it will be guarded and protected even if she ran from those feelings before.

Once again CJ asked for some privacy to her primary agent before entering the apartment. Once inside they moved down the hall.

Danny took her shell and hung it up.

He opened his arms and she practically collapsed into him. Holding her tightly she let go of it all and cried into his chest. She was exhausted. Being CJ Cregg especially on this night was so strenuous and tiring.

Danny lifted her up in his arms and carried her to bed then left only to return with a double shot of scotch. She swallowed the amber liquid in one sitting.

Taking her now empty glass he knelt in front of her removing clothes piece by piece kissing her softly on the lips. Breaking away she was confused. She wanted more, she needed to feel more.

"Are you sure?", he asked.

She dove her tongue back in his mouth for the confirmation he sought as she pulled his tshirt over his head before running her hands down his firm chest.

With her top and bra removed Danny lifted her rump easily sliding her pants and panties off in one swift movement before carelessly discarding them on the floor. He yanked her down to the edge of the bed before her securing her legs around his neck. He pressed a kiss on her curls. Arching her back CJ pushed her sex forward in anticipation. Her arousal was in overdrive, longing overdue. Danny didn't waste anytime as his tongue parted her folds her scent made his erection throb.

When he began to lightly flicker at her clit slowly then rapidly, CJ went into a whimper frenzy practically dripping at this point. He inserted two fingers into her slickened core stroking upwards in and out brushing her g spot as he continued his ministrations on her now hardened nub. But when he sucked ferociously on her nub she shouted practically levitating off the mattress.

Removing his fingers Danny buried his tongue deep into the hole he created while using his left thumb to massage on her clit as his right index finger slipped into her anus. CJ let out a shout coming so hard she saw stars.

Her legs gave way as he stood moving over her on the bed kissing her as she tasted her juices on his lips.

"Turn over baby", he whispered.

Somehow she managed to move turning onto her stomach as directed.

Danny laid on top of her kissing from the nap of her neck down her spine as his hardened erection was pressed into her rear. Reaching for a pillow he slid it under stomach and parting her cheeks he entered her center. There he steadied pushing all the way into her until buried to the hilt as she moaned at his fullness. Pleading and begging. He pulled out only to slam into her repeatedly as a she screamed out panting in ecstasy coming again and again until Danny lost the battle shooting his hot liquid into her core. He collapsed on her back covering her completely until he slipped out.

Ragged breaths filled the room as heart rates slowed. Moving on his side she turned her head with a smile. He smiled back before kissing her. Her eyes grew heavy Danny reached for the comforter pulling her close. Before long they both succumbed to slumber.

—-~*~—-

The sun rose early that Fall morning CJ woke when Danny came back from the bathroom climbing back into the bed. It was still early.

"Go back to sleep", he whispered. Her response was kissing him.

With a smile he kissed her back feverishly. This time CJ mounted him stroking his morning wood before taking him into her. That Wednesday morning she rode him like her life depended on it and part of it did. Reaching up he grabbed her pert breast pinching her nipples while thrusted upward deep into her, she quickly came. Rolling them over he continued to make love to her driving deeper and deeper until they both came together this time. Wrapping her arms around him she held on tight and cried. Danny let her. They drifted off to sleep until waking two hours later.

While she showered Danny made coffee which was just what she needed. They both sipped from their cups smiling at each other. Danny put his down and took hers from her before pulling her into his arms.

She let out a playful giggle before kissing her breathless and when their lips parted he whispered, "I love you Claudia Jean."

"I know, I love you too Daniel."

They kissed again this time more involved. CJ pulled back before she had to take another shower.

"I have to go."

"I know."

Taking another sip of her coffee they walked hand and hand to the door. He helped with her coat before she picked up her bag. Pinning her against the door he kissed her again before opening it. Her agents were present and ready.

This time Danny smiled to himself feeling that it was the start of something more. "One day", he said out loud to himself. One day he won't have to say goodbye.

—-~*~—-