Switching on the desk lamp CJ intently searched her memory and the article for clues. The smiling middle aged blonde in the tux might have been her escort but she doubted it. Grimacing, CJ thought, he was too tall. Until she'd starting seeing John Hoynes, she'd always ended up dating shorter men. This guy in the photo topped her by at least 3 inches, even in heels.

Reading the accompanying story, made CJ's blood boil. The guy's name didn't even register but supposedly he was claiming that they'd been having a wild affair until she'd dumped him for the Vice President. He claimed to be heartbroken by her involvement with John Hoynes. It didn’t therefore surprise her to read he was a wanna be actor.

"Dammit, this is pure crap," CJ shouted to the empty office. "Carol, get me the editor of this two-bit tabloid."

"You mean the ‘Times'?" Carol corrected sarcastically, her head appearing around the door frame.

"Whatever those hacks are calling themselves," CJ shouted, angrily.

The tone she used with the 'Times' editor was more than a little brusque. Their brief but vociferous conversation ended with CJ threatening a lawsuit and the editor laughing in her ear.

The following day two other newspapers picked up the scent, throwing in a long list of jilted men. It wouldn’t have bothered her so much if the guys had been in the least bit attractive or at least her type.

On Wednesday she opened the Post to find a story about her and Toby. CJ took one look at the headline and the six year old photo of them "making out" in a Los Angeles bar, before marching through the halls muttering and waving the newspaper about.

Most of the junior staffers took one look at her face and no matter what they were supposed to be doing or going, headed in the opposite direction. The few brave souls remaining stepped out of the way as she barged into Toby's office. A forewarned Toby hardly flinched as she slammed his office door.

"Have you seen this?" she yelled.

"Yeah," he growled. "Not a particularly good photo of me. I look old in it. But, you look pretty good."

"How can you just sit there so calmly?" she screamed, slamming the paper on the desk, and sending his laptop sliding across it.

"CJ?"

"Toby!"

"It states we had a relationship, which we did. It quotes me as inviting you onboard the campaign, which I did."

"It makes it sound like I'm two timing John."

"Three timing if you count Monday’s paper," Toby joked.

At her continued glare, Toby stood up and rubbed his beard subconsciously, "I'm not sure what you want me to do."

"Fix it," she cried

"CJ," he tried softly, "If I tell them we broke up years ago I'll be lying and you know they'll find someone who can confirm it was only last year. That then becomes the story."

CJ sighed.

"You knew it was going to be like this."

CJ nodded and glared at the paper.

"When they've finished with you, they'll start on Hoynes, sorry - John," he muttered at her pointed glare. "So if there's anything he hasn't told you or his family he ought to do it now."

"There's nothing," she shook her head.

"So you need to ride it out. Anyone who knows you knows it's lies."

Taking a deep breath, CJ counted to ten. "Okay, I have to brief now."

The following day there was a four page spread, alleging she had been sleeping with a young intern who was currently working for a prominent Senator.

"Dammit," CJ's yells echoed throughout the hall of the West Wing. "He's a Republican. What do they think I am?"

The most scathing stories came from Danny. His three part piece was based on the premise they were hypocrites. He talked of the Administration’s policy on ‘interoffice’ relationships and singled them out as the worst offenders.

After the third day in a row of op eds, CJ spotted him in the Press room and had Carol call him to her office.

Danny stood in the doorframe, watching her tap away at her keys.

“You wanted to see me, CJ”

CJ looked up from her keyboard and pasted a smile on her face. “Can you shut the door?”

Danny closed it firmly behind him but didn’t move any closer.

Finally, after a silent glaring competition, CJ stood and tossed her glasses up in the air and watched them land on the desk.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked softly.

“You asked me here remember?” he threw back.

“Danny?”

“CJ?”

Pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, CJ sighed, rounding the desk and leaning against it’s edge. “Danny, your paper seems to be fixated on my relationship with John. And every piece has your byline.”

He shrugged and waved his arms in the air. “It’s a legitimate piece.”

“Biased and unfounded.”

“Relevant and newsworthy,” he snorted.

“I don’t see why,” CJ snapped, her knuckles turning white as she grasped the desk. “The tabloids don’t know any better but you do. You know me.”

“You finished it with me because it was inappropriate. Leo banned Josh and Donna from dating, and now you and Hoynes announce you’re in love. A little hypocritical don’t you think?”

CJ blinked and raised herself to her full six foot. “You are so wrong. Josh and Donna have never wanted to develop a relationship and if they did we would support them a hundred percent. I broke it off with you because your job was more important, not because anyone told me too.”

“So you say.”

“Danny, we were fun, it wasn’t ever going to go anywhere.” CJ waved her hands about and groaned, “This is why I wouldn’t do the interview with you.”

Danny shook his head with a smirk. “And you and Hoynes are going somewhere?” he spat.

“Yes,” she said confidentially. “I really think this is it.”

Danny was looking at her wide eyed, surprised by her obvious belief. “Christ, you’re serious.”

CJ nodded and grinned as if to confirm it. “And no one, especially not the media is going to make me give him up.”

“There are worse things to come,” Danny said sadly, leaning back against the door.

“I’ve worked here for four years. I’ve kinda gotten use to worse things,” she admitted. “I’ll be fine.” Her voice sounded more assured than she felt.

“Keep telling yourself that,” Danny quipped. “You’re asking me to stop the editorials. What do I get in return?”

CJ lowered her eyes and then glanced back up. “My friendship.”

Danny considered it for a moment. “I’ll stop for now but if this develops into a bigger story I’ll have to write it. My stopping won’t silence your other critics.”

“We’ll see. I need to do this now,” she muttered, waving her arm towards the desk and turning her back to him.

“CJ,” Danny called, his hand on the door knob. “Make sure he takes care of you.”

CJ nodded and concentrated on her papers as she let out the breath she had been holding.

It took another week for the press to back off. A leading actor was found sleeping with underage girls and the President’s Press Secretary screwing the Vice President became old news.

CJ glanced up from her computer to find Toby standing in the doorway, his arms folded across his chest. CJ leaned back in her chair and mirrored his stance.

“What can I do for you Tobias?” CJ asked, grinning.

Toby raised his eyebrows and shook his head, “This isn’t what I was expecting.”

Rising from her seat CJ moved to perch on the front of the desk. “Well Pokey, what did you expect?”

“Shouting, screaming, flying objects at the least,” he grumbled, confused. Realization hit him, “Shit, he hasn’t told you.”

CJ’s eyes narrowed as she focused on Toby. He was slowly backing out of the room, not wanting to be the one to tell her.

“Toby?”

“Just remembered I gotta go.”

“Not until you tell me what you’re talking about.”

He really didn’t like the way she was advancing on him menacingly and then she was stroking his lapels.

“We both know it’s less painful if you tell me sooner rather than later.” Something in her tone made Toby swallow, hard. “Why not let someone else take the pain?”

He thought about it for less than two seconds before he mumbled, “Hoynes’ Middle East trip.” Her confused expression confirmed his worst fears. “He’s going to the Middle East for ten days, Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qumar,” he added quietly.

“He’s going where?” she yelled and Carol cringed in the outer office.

“Qumar. The State Department want him to visit the base,” Toby growled, covering his body as best he could.

“CAROL?” CJ shouted and her assistant appeared in the doorway. “Tell Janine I’m on my way over.”

Carol glanced between them and removed herself immediately to make the call.

“CJ, he’s the Vice President, it’s his job,” Toby tried unsuccessfully to appease her.

She just continued to glare at him.

“You know my feelings Toby.”

“The whole Northern hemisphere knows your feelings,” Toby quipped and immediately regretted it. “I’m going to go back to my office and slit my wrists or something,” he mumbled.

“Good idea,” she yelled after him, marching past Carol and heading for the OEOB.

*************************************************

Janine was sat at her desk, typing, when CJ breezed into the office. Barely glancing up she indicated CJ should go in.

CJ gave the Vice President enough respect to knock lightly first before she pushed open the door and stormed in. Her face was set in a tight grin she usually reserved only for recalcitrant reporters.

“John.”

He grinned and rose to greet her. His kiss ended up on her cheek and he groaned as she seated herself on his couch and fixed him with an icy stare.

“I haven’t given any quotes recently,” he deadpanned, sitting down beside her.

“I’m not here as the Press Secretary,” she stated. “I’m here as your girlfriend.”

That was a not so subtle warning and he knew that things were about to get ugly. Normally she didn’t need to distinguish between the two and on the rare occasions she had, he had spent days in the doghouse.

“Okay,” he said warily.

CJ settled back on the couch and crossed her legs, her hands moving through the air as she started to plan her argument. “So you’re going to the Middle East?”

John nodded. The State Department had suggested he start making overseas trips and this was a relatively benign one. There were no warring factions on the schedule and mostly he would be talking about import and export concessions.

“And one of the countries you are going to is Qumar.” It was a statement rather than a question and he had absolutely no clue why she was upset.

John thought back to his briefing sheets. “Yeah, I think so. We have a base there on a ten year lease and I’m sure we sell them military hardware.”

CJ shook her head and pushed her bangs from her face, “I don’t want you to go there.”

“CJ?”

Pulling herself up from the couch she began to pace the room. “In Qumar if you get pregnant outside of marriage, not only do they perform an unauthorized abortion but more often than not they perform sterilization.”

She paused from her lecture and took a deep breath. “And we aren’t talking a nice clean procedure either. Of course when the girl marries and can’t get pregnant her husband beats her to death.”

John moved forward in his seat and folded his hands in his lap. “What does this have to do with me?”

“If a woman commits adultery her husband and sons beat her to death.”

Standing John crossed the room to join her, his arms reaching out for her but she pushed him away.

“Nancy told me we have to do business with them. That we have no right to interfere. You going there condones what they believe in.”

John reached out for her again and found her arm. “CJ,” he tried softly, “I’m there one day to tour the base. I’ll probably meet the foreign minister. We aren’t condoning their behavior.”

“Why visit there at all? It’s a base for Christ’s sake, we have a hundred around the world. John,” she said softly, spinning around to look at him. “I’m asking you not to go there.”

“CJ, I can’t just blow it off because you ask me to,” he replied quietly. “We agreed not to let out personal feelings interfere with our jobs.”

“Fuck you,” she screamed, yanking away from him. “Women die every day, murdered and despite every Human Rights treaty we have ever signed we let it happen. I’m not allowed to direct foreign policy and no one else is willing to do anything. But I won’t stand by and let you go there.”

Quickly she was walking across the room for the door. Briefly she turned to glance at him sadly before she left slamming the door behind her.

John sighed and slammed his fist on the desk. If what she was saying was true he could understand her anger, he just wasn’t sure how to get around the visit.

“Janine?” he called, pressing the intercom. “Can you get me everything you can on women in Qumar?”

“What are you looking for Sir?” she asked, connecting to the internet.

He shook his head, “Not sure. Torture, beatings, anything to do with violence. Speak to the Women’s Coalition.”

He hung up and settled back in his chair to think.

******************************************************

It was almost nine when he took the short walk through the underground tunnel to the West Wing. He knew she was there from his brief chat with Carol, who from her voice was marginally less pissed at him than CJ. The florist apparently was now on Janine’s speed dial, and she knew his preferences by heart--yellow roses for CJ and gardenias for Carol. He had learnt a long time ago to keep in the good books of the assistants

Carol stood when he arrived and knocked on the closed door. “CJ, The Vice President is here to see you,” she announced, sticking her head through the door.

The reply was muffled but Carol pushed back the door and motioned for him to enter. She closed the door behind him.

CJ remained sitting, refusing to glance up at him.

John inwardly groaned and walked around the desk to lean over her shoulder. “Black six on red seven,” he suggested.

“What do you want?” she asked wearily.

“Did you know that seventy five percent of all babies in Qumar are male?”

“You’ve been reading,” she acknowledged. “They also have the highest rate of late term abortions of any country.”

“The Women’s Coalition believe it’s because they kill female children,” John said angrily. “Tim is cancelling the trip.”

CJ finally looked up at him and cocked her head, “You are?”

“I need to get back for a personal matter,” he quipped. “Happy now?”

She switched off her laptop and twisted in her chair, “I’ll be happy when they stop butchering their women.”

John entwined his fingers with hers and grimaced, “I can’t address that now, but I promise when I’m in power and the lease comes up for renewal we’ll seriously look into it. And you can do a study.”

“What made you change your mind?” she asked, standing and stepping into his arms.

“I don’t like it when you’re mad at me,” he deadpanned.

“John?” CJ said softly, sliding her arms around his neck.

He shrugged and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Your reaction made me do some research, and I didn’t like what I read.”

“Good.”

“And I don’t like it when you’re mad at me,” he repeated.

CJ laughed and kissed him on the nose. “I wouldn’t let that get around. People get antsy when they think the woman is pulling the strings.”

John pulled her towards him and brushed his lips across hers. As she responded he deepened the kiss, his body flush with hers.

“John,” she whispered finally, “We need to stop this before it gets out of hand.”

His face dropped and he smoothed down his pants. “Want to go somewhere for dinner?”

CJ nodded and stepped out of his embrace. “The Monocle?”

“Not very romantic,” he commented. “But then it’s hard to get romantic with a third person there.”

“We could invite Carol,” CJ suggested, reaching for her purse and jacket. “She likes you.” At his shrug CJ opened the door and stuck her head out. “Carol, want to have dinner with us?”

Carol looked up from her filing and grinned, “You mean I get to play gooseberry?”

John stepped out from behind CJ and smiled. Carol’s heart fluttered and she blushed.

“I’d love to. Give me a second and I’ll be ready.”

John grabbed CJ by the hand and pulled her back into her office. If they were going to be waiting around he knew just how he wanted to fill the time.

Another dinner at the Observatory. At least it kept everyone happy, the agents didn’t have a fit about security, CJ wasn’t panicking about the press and he, well he didn’t have to make small talk with a third party. They had been apart far too long. He had been travelling in the Middle East and with the time difference their calls had been short. He had half expected her to turn up in his office that afternoon and practically jump him, instead she had begged to see him that night. And here they were sat at the table, neither really interested in the food in front of them.

CJ was practically undressing him with her eyes. He didn’t seem to notice. Ten days with him on the other side of the world and not being able to satisfy her urges. Now he was pushing the fork around his plate. Pushing her plate away and standing, CJ decided to try the direct approach. He looked up when he felt her towering over him.

“Let’s go to bed,” she purred, her hand curling out to him.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

John took her hand and allowed her to lead him passed the agent at the door and up the stairs.

CJ kicked the door open with her foot and tugged him after her. Slamming the door shut CJ pushed him against the wood and began kissing him hungrily.

“Damn you,” she growled, pulling at the knot of his tie.

“CJ?”

“Shut up,” she barked, covering his mouth with her own. The knot slipped and the tie landed on the floor. “Making me sit through dinner.”

“I missed you too,” he mumbled against her tongue.

Her fingers fumbled with his buttons as she pressed her pelvis against him. “I want you,” she said confidently.

Groaning John slipped his arms around her waist, sliding them down until he made contact with the cold steel of her zip. In one fluid motion he pushed the skirt down her hips and it landed in a puddle at her feet. “What no stockings?” he muttered easing his hands into the top of her pantyhose and ripping them.

“Too cold. Shit.”

As John’s shirt parted to reveal his chest, CJ moaned and ground her hips against him. Forcefully she pushed his shirt over his shoulder blades and down his arms. “You could just ask,” he grumbled, grabbing her arms and holding her back.

CJ gazed up at him full of desire and prowess.

Groaning John slid one hand to her bottom and the other to her back. Bending gently he lifted her up and carried her to the bed. All the while CJ clung to his neck and nipped at his collarbone. Dropping her unceremoniously he turned to the lamp and flooded the room with light.

“John,” she moaned, covering her eyes.

“I like to watch you, you are so sexy when you are wanton,” he smirked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

CJ sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers deftly teasing at his nipples. “And according to Cosmopolitan you are hot.”

John’s voice caught in his throat as he felt her nipples harden through the satin of her blouse. “Hell, are you always going to be so damn horny?”

“Damn straight,” she whispered, blowing warm air against his ear. Releasing him, CJ removed her blouse, the camisole followed.

“I’ll be the first President to cancel a meeting because his wife is hot and horny,” he growled.

“No, actually the second,” CJ laughed. “Abbey has been known to be a little demanding.”

“Oh hell,” John moaned, toeing out of his shoes and socks, “And I so wanted to be the first at something.”

“You’re my first, last, my everything,” CJ giggled.

“For that I’m going to make you wait,” John taunted.

Standing up he unfastened his trousers and sighed as his erection finally had room to move.

CJ rolled back onto the bed and lifted her hips. Licking her lips she slipped the silk panties down her legs and tossed them through the air. John watched their trajectory with a grin before turning back to CJ.

“And the rest,” he instructed waving his hand to indicate she should get naked.

CJ smirked as the bra caught him on the head, landing at his feet.

“I’ve been waiting ten days to do this, “ he muttered, kicking his pants under the bed and discarding his jockey shorts. He landed beside her on the bed unceremoniously and grinned. “Now if memory serves me I touch you here and you whimper,” he muttered, his fingers running up the inside of her thigh and brushing her center.

CJ bucked and made a tiny oohing sound.

“And when I do this you moan,” he teased, lowering his mouth to one of her nipples. Licking his lips he captured the tiny bud between his teeth and tugged gently.

CJ cursed his name and reached for his shoulder. “This isn’t foreplay by numbers,” she groaned.

John’s hands roamed her body, stroking her smooth skin and outlining her contours. “I wouldn’t want to rush you,” he grinned.

“Oh, it wouldn’t be rushing,” CJ protested. “Putting me out of my misery maybe, but not rushing.”

His laugh was full throated and the sexiest thing she had ever heard. She practically crashed into orgasm at the very sound of it.

“You should do that more often,” she whispered, cupping his face.

“The stroking thing.”

“I meant laughing, but the stroking thing is good too.”

John brushed his fingers against the tiny reddish curls and across her folds. Slowly he started to circle her center and CJ whimpered.

As he began to develop a rhythm CJ was panting and digging her fingers into his shoulder blades. CJ arched her back as every nerve in her body began to tingle in trepidation.

Carefully John inserted one finger, barely entering her before she climaxed around him.

“Fuck, John-Ooh.”

When she stopped shuddering, John started to circle her clit with his thumb, easing two fingers into her opening and spiralling them up into her.

CJ’s second orgasm came in a rush and she gazed up through hooded lids to see him smirking.

“You think it’s funny?” she asked, running her palms down his muscled back.

“It’s the biggest turn on I’ll ever have,” he whispered, tracing her throat with kisses.

CJ’s hands slid to clasp his backside and he groaned as she massaged her way back up to his hip bone.

John’s fingers slid out of her with a slightly wet thud and CJ cringed, moving one hand up to steady his face and capture his lips in a gentle kiss.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he whispered, nibbling her bottom lip. “I think we’ve gotten past the stage of worrying about little things.”

“Make love to me, “she gasped, as he palmed her breast with his hand.

Kissing her fully on the mouth and holding the kiss, John reached into his bedside table and felt around for the tiny foil packet. Briefly he removed his hands from their tender exploration to tear the packet and slip the latex onto his shaft.

CJ closed her eyes as she felt him teasing at her opening. His entry was swift and she exhaled deeply as her opening expanded to allow him entry. CJ clutched at his shoulders as he began to thrust into her, gently at first, then as her muscles clenched around him he balanced himself on both elbows and increased the friction.

The deeper he sought, the quicker the breathes CJ took. She could feel her nerve endings tingle as he took her ever closer to release. It wasn’t long before she was arching her back and clutching at his back, trying to pull him deeper into her.

“John, oh yes, please.”

As she opened her eyes and John caught a glimpse of the ultimate ecstasy in her eyes, he stopped trying to hold off and with a deep groan succumbed to his own release.

“CJ,” he cried as he shuddered against her thigh and slipped from within her.

Sometime later John rolled over on to his back and folded his arms behind his head. Closing his eyes he sighed deeply.

CJ propped herself up on an elbow and gazed down at him. “You have that contented cat look again,” CJ commented, lightly running her fingers down his chest.

“It’s afterglow,” he sighed. “Do you ever wish for things?”

“Cruises around the Caribbean, the Press Corp being eaten alive, those sorts of things?”

John opened an eye and glared at her, “I meant something a little more important than that.”

CJ slid across the bed and lowered her head to his chest. “I wish I didn’t have to go home soon.”

He dropped his hand to her shoulder and played with her hair. “Me neither.”

“Do you ever think there will be a time when we can just stay in bed?”

John stroked her hair and rested his chin on her crown. “I want it too. After Catherine died I resigned myself to spending the rest of my life alone. Being President was the only thing left I really wanted.”

“And now?” CJ asked quietly, her arm draped across his body.

“I still want to be President. I’ve spent twenty years planning for it. It’s not just ego you know, I believe I can make a difference,” John stated firmly.

“And I think you’d make a good President.”

“CJ, Catherine knew when she met me I wanted to do this thing, that our lives were going to be monopolized by it. She married a would be politician. And in return she had her horses and Mark.”

CJ shifted so she could look up at him, “What are you trying to say?”

Staring into her eyes he was silent for a minute before he asked, “I’m saying that with us it’s different. I suppose I’m asking whether you can be by my side when I run in four years.”

“You already know I love you,” she whispered softly.

“CJ,” he warned, “If I was just a regular guy what would you want from this relationship?”

“You’re not a regular guy.”

“Yeah, I’m Spiderman in my spare time,” he groaned.

“Show me the suit,” she grinned, “Does it have a flap for when you want to…?” She paused and her eyes danced with mischief as she pondered the possibilities.

“You are crazy,” he grumbled. “Can we have a serious conversation for a second?”

“Right, what do I want,” CJ said, getting serious. “I want a career, not necessarily what I’m doing now, but something. I spent twenty seven years in school, I’d like to make use of that.”

“I can understand that. Children?” he asked, hesitantly, his fingers stilling.

“Do you want more children?” CJ asked, a little surprised.

She felt John shrug and hold her a little tighter. “I’ve always wanted more children. After Mark, Catherine and I tried but we couldn’t conceive. I was so wrapped up in my work I put it out of my mind.”

“Until now?”

“Yeah, I saw you with your nieces and nephews and I realized I really wanted a baby,” he said sadly. “But it’s not like everything.”

“Good, because I’m no spring chicken and we’d have to wait until we were married to try.” CJ allowed a grin to flicker across her face. “So we’d have to be traditional, marriage then baby.”

“Noted. I can live with that.”

CJ glanced at her watch and back up at him, “I should go soon.”

“I know,” John groaned, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “But back to my original question, when I start campaigning will you be behind me one hundred percent?”

“If it’s what you want it’s what I want too. I love you,” she said, sitting up and kissing him firmly on the mouth. “And the driver will be waiting.”

Climbing off the bed CJ began collecting her clothes and getting dressed. “What?” she protested, her skirt, part way up her leg.

“I was just thinking what it would be like waking up with you every morning,” he said smugly, lifting the covers to show her that he wasn’t displeased by the idea.

“JOHN!”

“It’s what you do to me,” he smirked.

CJ turned her back on him and continued to dress. She was just finishing when she felt his arms around her waist and his chin on her shoulder.

“I love you,” he whispered. “Do you want me to walk you out?”

CJ twisted in his arms and snaked her arms around his neck, “No, you go back to bed, don’t want you scaring the hired help,” she teased glancing down between them.

The parting kiss was tender and loving and CJ watched him climb into bed before she headed downstairs to take the long ride across town.

John had it all planned, a romantic dinner at the Observatory, roses and dancing. He was going to sweep her off her feet with romance.

Then it happened, heavy rainfall followed by a late snow thaw and the Mississippi flooded. The National guard were called in to evacuate people from the worst hit areas and the White House went on emergency alert.

CJ left the Oval Office on her way to the Briefing Room via her office. Carol was waiting for her, phone in hand.

“He wants to know if you’ll still make dinner,” Carol repeated.

CJ cringed and took the phone, “Hey you.”

“The Mississippi flooded,” he drawled.

“Yeah, I’m just going to brief.”

“What time are you going to be finished?” John asked, switching to the internal television channel.

CJ waited a beat before she answered, “Midnight if we’re lucky.”

John’s face fell as he saw all his plans falling away.

“Maybe tomorrow then,” he suggested.

“The President is going to want to go down there and see the damage. Maybe lunch on Friday?”

“I’m spending the weekend in Texas,” he sighed. “Oh well, can’t be helped. I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” she whispered. “I have to go and brief, talk to you later.”

When CJ returned to her office she was surprised to find the room in darkness with the blinds drawn. Carol was still behind in the Press Room when CJ turned the doorknob and took a step back.

John was leaning against her desk, a glass of cider in his hand. “Hey beautiful.”

“What’s all this?” she asked, dropping her folder on the desk behind him and gesturing at the room.

“I wanted to have dinner with you, and if you can’t come to me I thought I’d come to you,” he shrugged, pouring her a glass of cider and handing it to her.

“You’re quite the romantic sometimes,” CJ said, reaching up to cup his cheek. “And you spoil me.”

Placing his glass on the desk John covered her hand with his own. “I’m glad you said that, I have a gift for you.”

CJ grinned, “Really?”

He nodded and leaned in to kiss her, “A very special gift.”

“Are you going to make me wait all night?” CJ whined.

John shook his head and guided her over to the couch. Once she was seated he took both her hands in his. “Close your eyes,” he whispered.

“John.”

“Close your eyes or you aren’t getting it,” he chided.

CJ bit on her bottom lip and reluctantly closed her eyes.

John slid on to the floor and balanced himself on one knee. Silently he dug into his jacket pocket and extracted the tiny box. Flicking open the lid he took a deep breath and asked her to open her eyes.

Slowly CJ lifted her lids and her eyes readjusted to the light. She was surprised when she had to glance down to find John then her eyes moved to the tiny green box resting on his palm. Her eyes went wide and turned lilac as her hand covered her mouth. “John?” she gasped.

Grinning up at her he squeezed her left hand. “I told you it was a special gift,” he smirked. “18 carat gold with a heart claw set diamond.”

“It’s beautiful,” she stammered, reaching out to touch the ring.

“If it’s not what you want, say and I’ll take it back,” he offered. “I saw it and thought it would look perfect on your finger.”

“You’re not to take it back,” she said quickly.

“Okay.”

After a couple of seconds silence CJ shook her head in amusement and grinned, “Was there something you needed to say?”

John looked blank for a second before he remembered his proposal. “Yeah. Um.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I had this very romantic evening planned at home and then with the Mississippi flooding it all went out the window. And being here, just makes it worse.”

“John,” CJ said softly, “Are you nervous?”

“A little in case you say no,” he replied quietly.

“Well maybe if you got on and asked me,” she retorted, “You’d find out.”

His blush was quite endearing and she almost put him out of his misery. However this was going to be the first and last time anyone ever proposed to her so she was going to enjoy it.

“CJ,” he groaned, then softened his voice. As he stroked the knuckles on her left hand with his thumb he said, “We’ve been courting for ten months and in that time I’ve realized I want you to be with me for the rest of my life.” He paused, and shook his head. “CJ, I love you.” He stopped again and glanced at the ring. “Running for election is easier than this,” he grumbled.

“CJ, will you marry me?” CJ said, covering his hand with her own, “That’s nice and simple.”

She grinned down at him and his heart melted.

Taking one more deep breath he asked, “CJ, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Come, be a part of my crazy world and do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He smiled up at her and waited.

“Yes,” she breathed, her voice catching as she bent to kiss him.

The kiss was brief as John sat back on his heels stunned, “Yes?”

CJ nodded and smiled, “Yes, I’ll marry you.” She lifted her left hand and wiggled her finger at him.

Silently John slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her gently on the lips. “What do you want to do now?” he asked, trying hard to keep his excitement under control.

“We could celebrate,” CJ suggested, gesturing to the food, “We can eat and I can tell you all my plans for the wedding.”

“You have plans?” he asked incredulously.

“Yeah, but we’re gonna have to hire a planner and run everything through Leo’s office,” she admitted. “Maybe for tonight we can just enjoy being engaged.”

“I like the sound of that,” he whispered, taking a seat beside her and lifting the lid on the plates of food.