Title:    Life Is A Roller Coaster

Series:    Story of Us

Rating: PG

Life Is A Roller Coaster

CJ wasn’t particularly fond of roller coasters, it fact she preferred to feel terra firma beneath her feet. Just recently, well for the last nine years, she felt as though she had been riding on one. They had started out on the first campaign as strangers, Josh from Hoynes campaign, Sam from his prestigious law firm, Toby from his long line of failures and her from her sacking in Beverly Hills. They had bonded almost immediately and remained friends throughout. That seemed a long time ago most days, after scandals and hearings and weddings. She had been delayed at the White House on her final briefing and had only just arrived at the hotel. As she searched for Leo she located the others, and leaned against the pillar to observe them, on their last night together.

Toby as always was propped up the bar. In fact that was where she had met him, a bar at a party fundraiser and he had remained the only person she had kept in touch with from those early days. Leo had met him fleetingly over the years and dragged him along for the ride, and he had in turn had sought her out. Which is when the roller coaster started. He’d joined the campaign cynical and with a string of failures behind him, professional and personal. She joined fresh from a job she hated and a relationship where she feared commitment. Now nine years later he was twice divorced and twice as cynical. He had had some triumphs, Mendoza the most memorable of them, been the architect of some amazing speeches, and a few failures thrown in too. She for her part had found her soul mate, thanks to Toby, and a career she could be proud of. Recently Toby seemed more settled than he had ever been. Leo had introduced him to a publisher so he could write the biography he was always talking about and take a break from politics. He had found an apartment in New York and tentatively started dating the publisher, which her and Leo hoped for everyone sakes would work out. Toby caught her eye and motioned with his glass. She shook her head and looked for the others.

Josh was smiling for the first time in nearly two years. The reason for his happiness stood before him, blond hair piled on top of her hair, the red dress moulded to her body. When CJ had phoned her and invited her to the reception she had initially refused but a series of calls from the White House had persuaded her otherwise. Donna still had classes to finish but come the summer she would have her degree and start working as a junior aide to a senator. She certainly looked radiant tonight, badgering Josh about his suit. Of course part of the reason Josh looked so animated was the fact he was going to be the senior aide to the same Senator. CJ smiled as he glanced across, he had grown up in the White House, no longer the butt of Congress’ jokes but someone they respected and wanted to work with. That surprisingly had come out of the MS crisis when he had remained one of the few not tainted. The next step was to make him as happy as she was and a ring on the finger of the woman smiling up at him was going to do that. Nine years ago they had all been single, now older and wiser they had realised you couldn’t live by work alone.

As she crossed the room greeting people as she went she ran into Sam, or as he would be shortly Senator Seabourn. He was on his way to the dance floor with his wife. CJ had never met Lisa but from what Josh had said Ginger was twice the woman Lisa had ever been, and it was good to see him with someone he trusted wholeheartedly. The years had rounded him, no longer so naïve or quite so idealistic he had taken the senate seat in a landslide and was predicted to be appointed to high profile committees. CJ certainly had high hopes for him. And Ginger looked stunning, three months pregnant with twins, the sky blue fabric swirling around her ankles. No one had known what to expect when Leo had brought this red head firecracker into the office but within minutes she had Toby in his place and she had made her way into his heart. Sam smiled at her as his hands lingered on his wife’s stomach.

The Bartlets were in a corner surrounded by well-wishers. As expected they were returning to New Hampshire to retire quietly on the farm. So far they had rejected all applications for interviews or to give lectures. Tomorrow the decision would fall to CJ, as their friend and someone they trusted they had asked her to work as their press agent. With Leo wanting to spend some time in New Hampshire it seemed the ideal solution. The salary was considerably lower but she would supplement the income with appearances as an analyst. Abbey spotted her and excused herself.

‘You look miles away.’

CJ shrugged, ‘Life is a roller coaster.’

Abbey raised her eyebrows.

‘I’m feeling a little profound and thoughtful.’

‘Ah, Keep away from Jed then or it could be a long night.’

‘Point taken. Have you seen my husband?’ CJ asked.

Abbey grinned back, ‘You know you beam when you say that. My husband. He’s on the patio.’

CJ excused herself and headed out to find her husband. He stood staring at the sky, his tuxedo done up, his hair perfectly neat.

She tiptoed up to him and touched his arm. He turned at her touch.

‘You shouldn’t be out here, it’s cold,’ he stated taking her hand in his and rubbing it.

‘I came looking for you,’ she whispered. ‘What you doing?’

He turned to face her in the moonlight, ‘CJ, I’m not done here.’ He paused to wait for her reaction. She merely stared. ‘If I take the next three years, do the lecture circuit, take care of Anna and Thomas how would you feel about me….’

‘The 2010 election?’ She said. ‘You’ll be on the nominating committee.’

‘Nah, I want to campaign,’ he looked directly into her eyes.

She shook her head, ‘It’s time to retire. You have an ulcer; stress will make it flare up. And you would need to find a candidate.’ She stopped. ‘You have a candidate.’

His eyes twinkled, this was why he loved her, she was sharp, stunning and so in tune with him. Jenny was a wonderful wife but politically she was out of her depth. CJ, on the other hand, had learned quickly, sharing with him. ‘Claudia, he’s 40, married with children. His wife is beautiful, she has a career. He’s environmentally friendly, women love him, he’s not far right or left.’

‘He slept with a call girl.’

He smiled, ‘You could spin that. I want to put Sam in the White House. He’ll get enough votes to get the Vice Presidency.’

They stood in silence, hands entwined, thinking what this meant.

‘You had better go convince him.’

His eyes lit up, ’We’re going to be okay with this?’

She leaned in and kissed him, ’Annie leaves college in three years, I’m sure with your skills you can convince her to give up a year and nanny our children.’

The door opened behind them and footsteps echoed on the concrete. Leo turned,

‘Yeah Margaret.’

‘Sorry, the President is about to make his speech.’

Leo grinned, ’We’re coming.’ He placed CJ’s arm on his and reached out for Margaret. Pushing open the door he walked back through. The President was on the stage, Abbey to one side and he was in the process of trying to cajole his senior staffers up with him. Josh and Sam were already up and it seemed Ginger and Bonnie had taken it upon themselves to drag Toby away from the bar. Jed noticed Leo and waved them over, his hand on her back Leo pushed CJ up in front of him.

‘Well, that’s better,’ the soon to be President said. ’Now I won’t take up to much of your time….’ he began.

‘That will be a first,’ Josh mumbled.

‘Ah Joshua, let’s start with you,’ Jed started. ’Ladies and gentlemen, please indulge me a little. Behind me stand the five people who got me to the White House, and in the intervening years kept me honest and focused. First we have Joshua Lyman, who as many of you know was a cocky, self-assured pain when he joined the campaign. There were times when I never thought he would stay the distance, but as everyone on this stage can confirm he was always ready to go into battle for anyone of us. After we nearly lost him in Rosslyn I realised how much he had become part of my family, how much they all had. I digress a second to thank two very special young ladies, Helen, who for the last 31/2 years has managed to keep track of him and the rest of us sane, and Donna. What can I say about Donna? She walked into the campaign office and set about sorting it out. And for that we are all eternally grateful. A little bird tells me she is returning to Washington and so I feel we will be seeing quite a bit of her, though maybe not so much as Josh.’

Donna blushed at the implication.

‘Sam, my conscience. I know at times I have made him angry or lose faith in me, but I also know he has chosen to stick by me. He has provided all of us with entertainment over the years and I am glad of that. Now he is going to be a senator, Josh as always one step behind; all I will say on the subject is look out Capitol Hill. No, seriously I know he will do well, and maybe in time we will see him go even further. Ginger, who is blooming will no doubt be an asset to him. As she has been to this administration. And thanks to the DC grapevine she has been headhunted. Who said working for Toby Ziegler wouldn’t be a good career move? For those that don’t know Ginger was his fifth assistant in as many weeks, and CJ was more than relieved that she stayed.’

CJ laughed, ‘That’s because I was the one everyone saw fit to whine too.’

Jed moved closer to Toby and placed an arm around his shoulder, squeezing tightly. Toby cringed.

‘And Toby. Who is stubborn, combative, gruff and a damn good political operative. He once asked why he wasn’t my first choice for the job, and I can say now because I didn’t know him. He was the right choice, frequently changing my mind and challenging my arguments. He has the most amazing brain for words. Without Sam and him I know my appearances would have been less than enigmatic. A few of you are starting to look bored and Toby is looking worried about what I will say next. I’m nearly finished.’ Jed reached out a hand and took CJ’s hand.

‘And of course CJ and Leo. I blame this man for everything, it was his idea to do this crazy ass thing but I owe him everything. I think I speak for everyone here when I say in a crisis he is the man you want on your side. CJ tells me he’s going to retire, I don’t believe it and from an earlier conversation I think he has something up his sleeve. All I can say is I hope I’m around to see it.’ He paused and took a deep breath. ‘And that brings me to CJ, who I aim to make blush, and with your help do one final performance of the Jackal.’

A chorus of cheers and shouts went up as she shook her head; finally as it reached a deafening crescendo she relented.

‘Claudia Jean is the White House heartbreaker; she can crush the Press Corp and several men with a look and a few words. A skill which I’ve watched in action several times, though it’s never been used on me, yet. She’s smart, funny, beautiful, (which is why I’m not sure why she hooked up with Leo but there’s no accounting for taste,) and someone I could not have managed with out.

CJ ducked her head as the flush swept across her chest.

‘If anyone is in any doubt it is her that kept the rest in line. And I imagine in her new role I am going to be subject to much the same iron fist. So I would like to thank these people on behalf of Abbey and myself for their support, hard work, and especially friendship over the last nine years. We wish you luck for the future and I would like to propose a toast to the senior staff.’

Glasses clinked as the toast was made.

‘And I would also like to thank everyone in this room for your support, to those who worked for me, those who contributed and friends. This has all been because of you and I thank you.’ He raised his glass. ‘Now let’s settle back, enjoy CJ’s performance and see what the night brings.’

The crowd clapped as CJ took centre stage and began her familiar moves. Toby returned to the bar to watch the performance, except she was no longer doing it for him. CJ’s eyes were firmly fixed on Leo as she wriggled her body and lip-synched to the words. Her eyes were sparkling and Leo’s grin was widening as she got into the act. All to soon it was over and Leo was leading her onto the dance floor. He held her tightly around the waist as he moved her around the dance floor, both oblivious to the way people stared at them, the little man they all respected and the woman they all loved, except they weren’t making fun of them, they were watching how in tune they were. CJ was laughing and throwing her head back and Leo watched her grinning.

All the around the room the scene was being played out. The Bartlets were holding each other tight, absorbed only in each other. Sam and Ginger were moving slowly, his arms protectively around her as Sam glanced over his shoulder at his best friend. Josh and Donna were practically making out, but for those that noticed it didn’t matter, things were finally as they should be. For the first time in a long time the senior staff were getting their lives back. Toby ordered another whiskey and ruminated as his eyes returned to CJ walking in his direction. Fate had certainly dealt them different hands; if anyone had asked him ten years ago who he would marry he would have said her, not a southern republican. But despite everything he knew this was how it was meant to be. He took her hand as she lead him to join the others, wondering if this time he really was getting off the roller coaster.

The End

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