He’s back. I saw him in the hallway. Of course I knew he was coming, Josh made sure of that. As soon as he received Danny’s email, he checked with me to make sure CJ didn’t have anything planned and it was then we came up with the scheme.

If it wasn’t for the numerous people milling around the bullpen I’d be doing somersaults. See, I’ve missed him. He’s cute and sexy and he’s been away far too long. Did I mention he’s cute? Not to mention funny. Okay, so I may have a small crush on a certain red headed reporter, but I’m not about to tell anyone else that, especially not my boss for obvious reasons.

Right now he’s across the hall, in Josh’s office, which is why I suddenly had to photocopy a stack of papers, and why I’m now loitering at the side entrance to Josh‘s office, the one near the fridge, to catch a glimpse of him.

Danny is playing Santa, which I’m sure is going to bring a smile to the boss’ face. She misses him too, although she would deny it until she was blue in the face. The outfit is scrunched up in a ball, the padding is on the floor and the beard is sitting on Josh’s desk.

He looks good, tanned and relaxed, humming Christmas songs to himself. His trousers are around his ankles, and his Rockin’ Robin boxer shorts are way too short, but what else did I expect? His legs are a little hairy, but I could live with that. See, he’s back for one day and I’m already having fantasies about him.

Now he’s trying to step out of his pants without removing his shoes. I watch fascinated as he ends up on his backside on the floor and grumbles. Finally, he kicks off his shoes and pulls the trousers off. And he really is a red head, the hairy legs prove it. Quickly he tugs the suspenders and red pants up his legs and stands.

“Carol!”

Damn, that was CJ, it’s time to brief, and I have to be there.

A few minutes more and he might have removed the white T-shirt. I miss out on the good stuff, besides my dreams are a little limited what with not knowing what he looks like without his clothes. Maybe I can catch him when he gets changed back into his clothes.

With a groan, I head to the briefing room, knowing that as I do, I‘m grinning inanely and humming Rockin‘ Robin, but who cares.

*~*~*~*

I’m standing to one side of the briefing room, taking notes. It’s what I do, plus I want to see the look on CJ’s face when Santa walks in. She reminds me of a kid at Christmas. The first sign of a gift, decorations, even egg nog, and she reverts back to a little girl. It’s good to know that despite everything she’s been through this year she can still enjoy the holidays. The fact is she’s also very generous when it comes to Christmas. The other assistants are envious, I guess it comes from having a woman boss who likes the finer things in life.

Anyway I’m digressing again.

CJ’s standing at the podium, giving the vultures the usual spiel about the President’s departure time, which is poppycock. I’ve worked for CJ for four years and I can count the number of times the First Family have left on time on one hand. The chances of it happening tomorrow night I’d say are nil.

Oh, the show is about to start. Mark was meant to be playing Santa but Josh got an email from Danny and now CJ is about to get one hell of a surprise. She now thinks they did the Santa and gift thing without her, which is why she looks like the Grinch stole Christmas. It’s actually quite amusing in a sadistic sort of way.

I grin as I catch a glimpse of Santa entering the room. He looks so damn cute in his little suit, making that ho ho ho noise. CJ is grinning too and after the year she’s had I’m glad. If anyone needs something to smile about it’s her.

Her question about whether he’s cleared is to cover the fact she’s been taken unawares. It occurs so infrequently that when it does she likes to hide it.

My grin widens as he continues the act.

CJ has definitely been a good girl this year, hell so have I. We both work too many hours to date and after Simon she’s been even more reserved than usual. Mind you I wouldn’t mind being bad for Santa, especially this particular man in a red suit.

Danny is handing her the gift. Our little collection amongst the press and staff was quite successful and I was quite surprised but then she is very popular. The goldfish pin was my idea. I saw it and thought of her, after all goldfish are a running theme around here.

As CJ calls the full lid and the press slowly trickle out of the briefing room, I loiter at the back of the room, behind the blinds. She’s still on the podium, talking to Danny. I can’t hear what is being said, but she‘s smiling.

I watch, with the slightest tinge of jealousy, as he cups the back of her head and kisses her. I’m not usually a jealous person but I wish it was me. From what I’ve witnessed he’s quite a kisser.

He’s removing the beard and I can see his grin.

CJ obviously guessed who it was. I guess his kisses really are quite memorable. As she pulls him into a firm embrace, I quietly slip away. After all I’ve seen enough, if there are two people who are crazy about each other, it’s these two, which means there’s never going to be a chance for me. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop dreaming about him though.

*~*~*~*

I thought Danny was never going to leave CJ’s office. I’ve been loitering out here, shuffling the same papers for the last few minutes in the hope I’d get to see him. Acknowledging I have no chance in hell of his falling for me, doesn’t mean I’m not going to see him every opportunity I get.

CJ looks intense as he leaves, her head is down and she’s clasping and unclasping her hands at her sides. I’m not really sure what they were discussing, but it looked serious. I sense that the year probably isn’t going to end any better than it started.

As he passes my desk, I look up. I resist the urge to toss my hair over my shoulders and adjust my sweater, not least because I only left the washroom ten minutes ago, and I had retouched my make-up and pushed up my bra in there. After all you never know.

As he grins at me, I can’t contain the happiness from my voice.

“He’s back,” I gush, and yes, I did say gush. Like I said I’m glad he’d back.

“I go where you are, Carol. It’s where the story is.” With that he carries on through the door.

I want to go after him, because the chances are he’s heading to get changed, but CJ yells for me before I can move an inch. With a sigh, I turn from his retreating back, and perfectly formed backside, and walk into CJ’s office.

*~*~*~*

The Press Room is freezing, literally.

After the last briefing, CJ had the heating turned down and opened all the doors and windows. Which is why I’m wearing my coat, a hat, my thermal gloves and a scarf.

The reason?

CJ had this idea about letting off steam. Generally when it comes to holidays the men around here check out early, this time CJ thought we should all get in on the act.

All of CJ’s staff, and Danny, although he wasn’t supposed to be, are in here making snowmen. It’s been snowing for days and Pebble Beach is covered. For the last half hour we’ve been carrying piles of snow into the briefing room and rolling it into balls. So far we have the front row filled with little men.

Ed and Larry have been sent on a mission to steal clothes from around the West Wing. I’d like to say they volunteered, but CJ ordered them and I think the pair of them have learnt from experience it’s best just to do as they’re told and not argue. So far we have Toby’s sweater, a crisp new shirt Sam left in a drawer in his old office and half a dozen carrots from the mess. Those two are wasted in politics. I wonder what they’re like at cleaning. Needless to say this room is going to take some cleaning when we’ve finished and I’m not doing it.

When we have a full press room CJ is going to take photos and by New Year they will be pinned up all around the West Wing. It’s two days before Christmas and we have nothing better to do, no, really, we have nothing to do, which is why there are twenty or so people making snow people.

The trouble is there is more snow on the staff than on the chairs.

That isn’t CJ’s fault actually. I’m not sure who threw the first snowball, although Josh had stuck his head around the door about the same time, and since then we’ve been pelting each other with snow.

I duck as yet more snow comes through the open doorway, a red head following it in. It misses me by inches and he grins apologetically. I’m not sure if he’s apologizing for missing me or whether he was aiming for someone else.

My legs and the snow turn to slush.

CJ is shaking her head and advancing on him. This should be good.

Danny’s head disappears back through the doorway and she’s fast on his heels. It’s as she catches up with him on the lawn that I see the white ball in her hands. He has no chance in hell. Jesus, I bet that was cold. He didn’t move fast enough and she shoved the snow down his shirt.

I head outside with the rest of the staff for what I know is going to turn into a major snowball fight.

As I bend down and pick up a handful of snow, Danny grabs CJ and you just know it’s going to get worse. What can I say, CJ’s my boss and he’s not going to get away with it. My first ball hits him on the back of the head and suddenly it’s a free for all. So much for CJ being mad at him, I guess, as I duck the incoming snow.

It really is war now.

*~*~*~*

CJ is still in her office. It‘s two days before Christmas and she still won’t pack up and go home, which I guess is why I’m still here. She told me to go home an hour ago, but it’s sort of become policy around here that we go when our bosses go. Not to mention we spent two hours playing with snow earlier so we’re a little behind.

I also think she and Danny have had a fight. After the snowball fight had ended they parted company with barely a word. It doesn’t bode well.

So while the Wiffenpoofs continue to entertain the staff down the hall, I’m checking the wires and returning e-mails, mostly to my family and friends explaining why, even though we won, I’m not going home for the holidays.

Danny is still here too. I saw him heading back to the press room a little while ago with a mug of coffee. Why he’s allowed to drink our coffee I’m not sure, except he has the staff twisted around his little finger. That includes me, although I can think of other places I‘d like to be twisted around. Just because I look innocent doesn’t mean I am.

After much deliberation and a quick check on CJ, finding her with her head down, I decide to take a walk. A deliberate walk in search of a certain redhead, no less.

I find him as I expected, bashing away at his keyboard and by the way he’s working he’s onto a story. I make a mental note to keep my ear to the ground. I definitely don’t want something coming back to upset CJ.

“Hey Carol, looking for me?”

See, he’s grinning now and my heart is doing that weird little flip.

“CJ’s still working and. . .”

“You’re bored?”

“Waiting for something to do? What about you? Story?” I ask innocently. See I learned early on that you need to keep the press on your side. They all think I’m dizzy which is why they talk to me.

Danny grins and shakes his head. “That’s not gonna work this time.”

Okay, so generally it works. There must have been something about the expression on my face because he frowns and looks back at his screen.

“Do you need to be here?”

I’m a little stung by that. I’ve missed him and he wants me gone. Shrugging, I move towards the door. I don’t stay where I’m not wanted.

“Hey, Carol,” he calls and I turn, confused. “I’m heading out. If your boss will let you go how about we get a drink?”

Now I know I’m grinning but I can’t help it. We’re going for a drink, sort of like a date, and not a business one. Well he knows I’m too professional to spill information. “Sure I’ll get my coat.”

*~*~*~*

“Are you sure this isn’t putting you out?” Danny asked for the fourth time as I unlocked my front door.

“It’s fine. I have blankets and my heating works.”

“My keys are in the briefing room, or maybe Josh’s office,” he surmised trying to retrace his steps.

We’d gotten as far as the bar, well as far as him drinking two beers before he realized he’d lost his keys. He wanted to go back and search when I suggested he come stay at my place. I had no ulterior motive other than it had started snowing again and my apartment was in walking distance of the bar. Really.

We had made it as far as my apartment with only one slight accident and despite being soaked to the skin it wasn’t all bad. After all I landed on top of Danny and let’s just say it was quite revealing - Little Saint Nick, he isn’t. By the time I’d picked him off the sidewalk and up righted him, we were holding hands, which was nice. I have to admit to getting my hopes up and my heart racing a little more than usual.

“I’m going to get changed,” I announce over my shoulder, grabbing towels from the closet and tossing them at him. “Won’t be a minute.”

It’s actually five before I reappear. It wouldn’t have taken quite so long if I hadn’t tried on three pairs of pyjamas before settling on my satin ones.

Danny is pacing my apartment in his pants and untucked T-shirt, his shirt is on the heater along with his socks, drying.

“Would you like a coffee?” I ask being the perfect hostess, and walking into my kitchenette. “Or there’s wine.” CJ is the best boss, which is why I feel a little guilty having Danny here. She went to Napa for her father’s birthday and brought me back two bottles of the good stuff.

“Anyone would think you’re trying to seduce me,” Danny grins.

Oh, god, see now I’m worried about being transparent. I must register shock because he frowns slightly. “Wine sounds good.”

Leaving him standing in the middle of the room, I head into the kitchen and bring back one bottle of wine and two glasses. Placing them on the coffee table, I sit down and tuck my legs up under me.

“Nice place.”

It is. I looked at maybe ten places before I viewed this one and decided it was the one. The metro is two blocks away, it’s well lit and there are plenty of fast food places on the next block. What more can I girl want? The décor was a little dark for my tastes but a coat of paint and a few throws and it’s home.

Danny pours the wine into the glasses and hands me one. He looks more than a little at home here, or maybe he’s like me and not eaten all day. I know the two beers from the bar have gone to my head, which is probably why it doesn’t register as he keeps refilling my drink. Not that I mind. We’ve been talking since we arrived, about anything and everything and he hasn’t asked me once about CJ. That actually surprises me knowing how he feels about her.

Somehow, sometime later, I’m laying across his lap, which is nice, and Danny is stroking my hair. He’s looking a little blurry right now but good.

I don’t resist when he leans down and kisses me the first time. The second time I grab his head and deepen the kiss.

After that things get a little complicated, or should that be confused. We make our way to the bedroom, staggering and kissing as we go. I’m not really sure who’s idea it was or whether it just happened, I only know that Danny is half naked as we tumble onto my bed.

*~*~*~*

Quietly, so not as to wake him, which by his snoring isn’t going to happen anytime soon, I climb out of bed and pull my threadbare terry cloth robe around me. As I reach the door, I glance back and I can’t help it, my face scrunches up in dismay. I have, for longer than I care to admit had a small, yet constant crush on Danny. His love and lust for my boss aside, I always hoped he’d notice me.

Last night, for a few brief hours, I felt like the center of his world. Sure, CJ had fought with him, and we’d both been at a loose end, but he was really into me. I remember vague terms of endearment and passionate kisses as he undressed me.

The Advil live in the drawer closest to my refrigerator, handy for the juice I need to wash them down with. I have a headache now and bad sex to regret. I swallow a pill and try to push the memories to the back of my mind.

Danny it seems isn’t so great in bed, then maybe it had something to do with the two bottles of wine we shared and the fact I wasn’t someone else.

It started off well enough, his hands gently coaxing me to orgasm, his breath against my ear as he slid inside me, then he came. It was over so quickly that he was asleep before I could thank him. Hence the fact I’m going to take a shower and go to work before he wakes up.

There is nothing worse than waking up with someone and having to endure the morning after awkwardness. I made that mistake on the campaign, which was before I got to know Donna and CJ well - those two have taught me a lot about men - and the guy in question still gets really shy around me now. These days I make a tactical exit.

The trouble with Danny is that he really does love CJ. Last night was a drunken fumble which he’s going to regret when he wakes up and if she ever finds out, well let’s just say she’s not going to.

I sip the juice and swallow the second Advil tablet.

There’s nothing else for it. He will never fall for me, and after last night’s performance, I’m not so sure I want him too. He’s still cute but the crush is definitely over. Maybe I should face facts, make it an extra Christmas present for CJ, and do a little matchmaking. CJ has had an awful year and despite everything she’s said, she does like Danny.

As I head for the shower, I plot my campaign. By the time he wakes up I’ll be gone, and from now on I’m going to make sure he doesn’t look at any woman but CJ.