Life has a funny way of coming right. After months of scandal, and problems, in a single night you can find a perfect moment. Tonight had been hers.

CJ poured herself another glass of wine and leaned back in her seat. It was a long flight and by the time they reached the East coast it would be early morning. She had a service car waiting at Andrews, ready to take her home for the few hours sleep that she would get to indulge in, that was if the spin boys didn‘t have other ideas.

The passengers were happy, relaxed and pumped, or rather Josh was pumped, the others were just enjoying the post debate buzz. He hadn’t sat down yet, instead pacing the plane, throwing out quotes and sound bites, and gesturing wildly with his hands. To hear him talk anyone would think he’d single handedly masterminded the debate. Which was something she’d correct in the morning. Or maybe not. He deserved to be happy too.

Josh, CJ suspected, had fallen more than a little for Amy. At the debate camp, he had discovered Amy was dating and practically unravelled, which for him meant becoming more pathetic than normal. He did everything, under the pretense of getting an answer on families, to ruin her date from a far. It was fast becoming a bit of a habit with Josh, first Donna now Amy. One day he would wake up, or at least she hoped he would, and realize that he was in love.

Love.

Which of course brought her to Toby, who for once had things other than work on his mind. CJ’s eyes fell on him in the seat across from her. His whiskey glass swirled in his hand but he had barely taken a sip. Instead he was watching Andi. She was asleep, her hand resting on her still flat stomach. Toby was in love with her, not exactly news to anyone, but with the announcement of the pregnancy he had changed. There was a softening around the edges at the prospect of finally becoming a father. He had also confided in her in North Carolina that he wanted to be a husband again. She had been a little shocked at first, but if it made him happy, then she was all for it. Team Toby would help in any way they could, even if Toby was a little reticent about the whole thing. Toby’s reluctance had never stopped them before.

Sam hadn’t made the flight back. He was still in California. There was something dragging him back there, constantly, a campaign that intrigued him. She knew he and the President had discussed losing New Hampshire and their concerns about mistakes. They were all worried about mistakes but tonight there really hadn’t been any. Sam for his part had seemed distracted after that. There was more to Sam’s mood but she didn’t know what. In time he would share whatever was bothering him with her, she was sure, but for tonight she intended to enjoy the victory.

CJ took a sip of her wine and closed her eyes. All of them could feel it, she was sure. They had won the debate and could win the election. They’d probably get another four years.

Even the President seemed to sense that there was hope again. He had disappeared into his cabin the minute they had boarded the plane, wanting to relax and enjoy a rare moment of peace with his family. Of course he’d probably been on the phone to Leo the minute the door closed. Actually they all had spoken to Leo since boarding Air Force One.

The President needed the peace and tranquillity, he deserved it after the last few weeks. She wasn’t entirely sure what was happening, only that the debate preparation had been interrupted by countless meetings with Leo and Fitz. If their record was anything to go on, whatever it was, it was going to come back to haunt them. She could only hope it was after the election.

CJ opened her eyes and sighed. She’d kissed him earlier, only on the cheek, but it had brought back a flood of memories. Memories she had tried to forget. That first kiss in the Residence, India and his saying he needed her that day in his barn. It was meant as a good luck kiss, but she had a feeling her eyes betrayed more. At least the others were far enough away not to see her transparency, especially Abbey. When the President had looked at her she’d been confused by what she’d seen there. Their relationship seemed to be finally coming full circle, once more friends without the strain of a broken love affair. Her thoughts had been on them as she’d walked away, towards the stage and like the idiot she had always been, she tripped. She only wished he’d been there to catch her.

*~*~*~*

Jed let out a sigh as he watched his wife sleep. The debate had gone well, better than well, in fact. For the last ten minutes he’d been filling Leo in on all the details although he suspected someone else had gotten there first, if his sarcasm was anything to go by.

Abbey had suggested he try to sleep, except he couldn’t. His brain was on overload and his body was telling him to go do something. She had drifted off while he was talking to Leo and the girls had commandeered the Presidential bed, all three of them curled up together as they had as children. He’d resisted the urge to pull a blanket over them and returned to the study.

Quietly, so not as to wake his wife, Jed began to pace the room, his hands gesturing as they flew across three time zones. He knew he would regret it tomorrow, his excitement, and lack of sleep would make the day long and tiring, par the course throughout the campaign but tonight there was no stopping him.

The night had seemed to go well, or at least there was a feeling of expectation from the minute they boarded Air Force One for San Diego. Of course his staff weren’t sure what to expect. Toby always accused him of having a Dr. Jekyll and Uncle Fluffy complex. But he had even seen hope in Toby’s eyes, the earlier teasing making the younger man relax, that and the fact his ex-wife was on board.

The person who seemed to fear the worst was CJ, which surprised him. She was always the optimistic one, the person to keep the staff’s spirits up, except tonight she seemed even more stressed than usual. Of course it was a big night and much of it had fallen on her shoulders. All he could hope was that he had made her proud.

There was the usual pre-debate madness, which seemed to accompany his staff in everything they did. He often thought it was because they were all so young, the natural exuberance of youth, but he had long ago learnt to trust their judgement and the more excitable they were the better job they did. They were all pottering around the green room as cameras flashed.

Charlie, and he still didn’t understand why Zoey had broken up with the boy, had spent the day obsessing about a tie. Which was quite ironic really as it was usually himself who obsessed about the little things. It was something about a lucky tie from the first debates. The madness only continued when Abbey cut his tie with scissors and he’d had to borrow Josh’s. Thank goodness for Donna’s taste or he could have been wearing something truly awful.

He was jumping ahead and he didn’t want to do that. The night had been too long in the making to rush the memories.

Jed removed the blanket from the back of the couch and threw it over Abbey. He had worried at one point that he’d lose her, “her” not her vote. But tonight she had been there for him, in every way, the sexy, sassy woman he married.

Charlie finally satisfied about the tie, Jed had wanted a moment with his wife. CJ had been the first to leave, then she had always known about subtlety and discretion, something which other members of staff needed to learn. She had barely brushed her lips across his cheek but he had felt the same, undeniable attraction that he fought all those years. A small part of him would always love her and he hoped she would always have a place for him in her heart.

His eyes drifted to Abbey’s sleeping form and he felt none of the guilt he had carried for months.

They had shared a look, one that spoke volumes. “Bring it on, boss,” CJ had said and he had, as much for her, and for Abbey and Leo, for them all, as for himself.

Even after the others had left, Toby had lingered, his teasing manner a sign that he had faith in the President. A faith Jed needed. Then he and his wife had been alone. After joking and teasing, and avoiding serious conversation she had told him she loved him. But it hadn’t escaped his notice that CJ had turned away.

Abbey had cut his tie then and it had become a little crazy for a while, adrenaline pumping and his staff bemused. Finally he had slapped his wife’s ass and walked on stage.

It had all come together then. Ritchie was a schmuck and the debate had only proved that further. The staff were cheering as he set foot on stage and the debate started. It was easy and familiar and he was in the game. He had relaxed as Ritchie admitted it was over. He should have known that before he started. His insincere “You’ll be back” was a throw away because he wanted to get to his wife and family. His staff had finally gotten to put the Republican challenge in it’s rightful place.

CJ had suggested they get straight on the plane, no rope lines, no after debate spin and he had followed her lead. So here they were, him with his family, her further down the aircraft with the staff.

It didn‘t feel right though. He hadn’t spoken to the staff and there was unfinished business. Besides he was getting bored and Leo was probably asleep.

Jed stopped pacing and slipped out of the study.

*~*~*~*

CJ looked up from studying her friends and stumbled to her feet along with the rest of the staff. “Mr. President?”

Jed waved them all down and positioned himself in the doorway. “I wanted to say good job tonight.” His eyes took in the scene before him and for once he didn’t care. “You should take the rest of the night off,“ he grinned before motioning for CJ to follow him.

Without a backwards glance at the other occupants of the cabin, she left with the President.

“Don’t think I don’t know how much work you put into this,” Jed said, leading her to the deserted part of the aircraft.

“Just doing my job, Boss.”

He nodded and cast his eyes around the plane. “A job you almost walked away from, Claudia.”

She didn’t have the heart to tell him that it wasn’t the job she was going to walk away from, it was him.

“You had a good night, Mr. President. We should go over it tomorrow when I’ve seen the wires.”

Jed took a step in the direction of the cabin where he knew his wife was sleeping and stopped, turning to grin at her. “You’re charming Republicans too, I see now.”

“What can I say? I’m his favorite,” she offered with a wry smile. “Good night, Sir.”

“Goodnight Claudia Jean.” He watched as she walked back to the party. What could he say? She was his favorite too.

The End