What Might Have Been
Summary: I try not to think about what might have been/ 'cause that was then and we have taken diff'rent roads/ We can't go back again there's no use giving in/ And there's no way to know/ What might have
been


Author's Note: The 4th part in my CJ/Toby friendship post-ep
series.

Archive: Sure, just tell me.

Feedback: Makes me very, very happy.

Spoilers: Post-ep to The Lame Duck Congress, so everything up to
there is game.

Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue, I have no money. Song's not mine
either.

Sure I think about you now and then
but it's been a long, long time


CJ sighed as she entered her apartment, tossing her coat on a chair.  Today had been the day from Hades, between the lame duck congress fiasco and the whole thing with Danny. Her mind rested briefly on Danny, but she forced herself to think about something else. He had made his decision.

I've got a good life now, I've moved on
So when you cross my mind
I try not to think about what might have been
'cause that was then and we have taken diff'rent roads


She checked her messages, finding one from Toby. He said that he was going to play chess with the President but afterwards he'd go over to her place with takeout. CJ sighed, he must have heard about Danny.  He only came over this late at night with food when he was worried about her. She began moving about her apartment, picking things up, when the doorbell rang. She walked over to the door, beginning to talk to the person on the other side before she had it open.

"Toby, there's really no need to�", she trailed off as she opened the door and found herself face to face with Danny.

We can't go back again there's no use giving in
And there's no way to know
What might have been


"What are you doing here?", she asked coldly.

"I thought we needed to talk."

"You made your position perfectly clear earlier," she said, attempting to close the door.

We could sit and talk about this all night long
And wonder why we didn't last
Yes, they might be the best days we will ever know
But we'll have to leave them in the past.


Danny didn't allow her to, instead maneuvering himself into her apartment, "and you made your position perfectly clear as well. What I don't understand is why you won't allow yourself to be moved from
it."

CJ sighed, closing the door, "Danny, we've been over this. As long as I'm Press Secretary and you're the press�"

He interrupted her, "So, what, you're telling me we're not worth it, that what ever we could have, what ever we could be, wouldn't be worth it?"

I try not to think about what might have been
'cause that was then and we have taken diff'rent roads
We can't go back again there's no use giving in


CJ finally lost her temper, "Danny, we don't know what would happen with us! I've worked my entire life to get to where I am! You can't expect me to give it all up for the possiblility of maybe!"

And there's no way to know
What might have been


Danny looked at her, "so, that's it, it's over, we have no more chances?"

CJ drew slowly away from him, wrapping her arms protectively around her stomach, "I'm sorry. It's the way things have to be. I can't risk everything for maybe."

That same old look in your eyes
it's a beautiful night
I'm so tempted to stay
But too much time has gone by
We should just say good-bye
and turn and walk away


Danny stepped towards her, as she watched him, wide-eyed. She didn't resist when he gently pulled her closer, but when she felt his lips brush hers, she forced herself to separate from him, putting up a hand to keep him from coming closer, "Danny, please, just leave", she whispered. Looking at her for another beat, Danny nodded, then stepped towards the door. When he opened it, they were both surprised to see Toby on the other side, about to ring the doorbell.  Danny brushed passed him without a word and Toby entered the apartment, shutting the door behind him.

I try not to think about what might have been
'cause that was then and we have taken diff'rent roads
We can't go back again there's no use giving in
And there's no way to know
What might have been


Toby moved further into the living room, setting the take out on the coffee table, then glancing over at CJ, who had sunk into the couch and was sitting with her head in her hands. Although he knew it was right for her to not pursue a relationship with Danny at this time, he couldn't help feel guilty as he looked at her defeated posture. "I'm sorry", he whispered.

CJ looked up at him, and ran a hand through her hair, "me too", she said, smiling sadly.

No, we'll never know
what might have been


Finis
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