Title: The Higher the Cliff The Greater The Leap

Pairing: CJ/Jed

Rating: R

Summary: “You really aren’t the outdoor type, are you?”

Spoilers: Nothing specific but anything to the end of season six is fair game. Third in the series, follows ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and ‘The Inevitable Conflict Of Interest’

Completed: November 2005

~~~~~~

It had been a strange twenty-four hours, CJ mused as she pulled on brown low heeled walking boots and watched Jed talk with the agents.

Yesterday she had been in her apartment, the one she had spent the last few months sitting alone in waiting for his calls. Now she was in the middle of nowhere, sleeping in something that resembled her grandmother’s bedroom when she had been growing up and Jed was in the next room. It was a long time since she had felt so insecure, especially around the man she loved. In the last few months of the administration they had been close and connected on so many levels now she felt distanced, even afraid of him.

She had felt a little like an escaped convict at the airport as she picked up her luggage from the carousel and made her way through the terminal in her designer sun glasses and oversized sweater. It wasn’t that she was frightened of being recognized, more that she didn’t want to raise suspicion about her reason for being there.

Jed had been waiting on the verandah of the cabin when she had pulled up in the rental car and there had been a moment of awkwardness as they stared at each other. Seeing him again after three months of only phone calls had convinced her that she really was in love with him. It also threw up a bevy of questions about the future.

At first the kiss, the one she had envisioned over and over in her head, had been tentative, neither really certain of what the other expected. Then the months of absence had fallen away and he had kissed her softly, almost reverently.

All too soon Jed had broken away, showing her silently to her room, words no longer needed to express how pleased he was to see her again. In the sanctuary of the bedroom he had become apprehensive, pacing the length of the room as he talked incessantly until finally she found an excuse to be alone.

Later as they talked over dinner the familiar comfort they had felt whilst in office had returned but they had retired to separate rooms, first night nerves getting the better of both of them.

~~~~~~

Today they were going for a walk. There were few distractions at the cottage and he had suggested that fresh air would be good for both of them. He also intended to dazzle her with trivia she knew, his month of isolation lending itself to his reading and exploration of the surroundings .

“Are you ready?” Jed asked, appearing at her side.

“As I’ll ever be.” Smiling, she rose to her feet and they set off.

They hadn’t gone very far into the surrounding forest before silently Jed reached for her hand and couldn’t suppress a grin as she entwined her fingers with his and stepped closer to him.

It was perfect, CJ concluded. They were alone, surrounded only by agents and if anyone did happen to come across them they would see two old friends enjoying quality time together, not that that was likely seeing as he had picked a cabin in the middle of nowhere for their rendezvous.

“So have you spoken to the others recently?” Jed asked, sneaking glances at her.

“Toby brought the kids over last weekend.” At the sad look in his eye she quickly covered herself. “And of course Josh invites me regularly to go drinking.“ She didn’t really want to talk about the others. For three months she had envisioned the trip and it was all about them not the past.

“I spoke to Leo at the weekend.” His oldest friend had teased him mercilessly about CJ’s visit to the point that Jed had gone red in the face and stammered an excuse to get off the phone. It wasn’t that he didn’t have expectations about what would happen while CJ was there, it was just that he was nervous and it seemed somewhat sordid to be pre-empting what CJ would want.

“He phoned me too,” she offered, her face lighting up as she remembered Leo’s teasing about what she may or may not be packing. “He was, as usual, full of advice.”

The tone of her voice left Jed in doubt she had experienced the same excruciating conversation.

“So is there anything you want to do while you’re here?”

CJ shook her head. “I just want to spend some time with you.” It was a little more heartfelt than she was used to sharing with anyone but when it came down to it she barely knew the man beside her. They had not really dated and despite being her boss for over eight years, CJ knew little about Jed the boyfriend and lover. This for her was a make or break holiday. By the time she left she hoped they would have solidified their relationship enough to survive the endless separations that would ensue with the lives they lived.

“That can be arranged. The nearest town is over an hour away. And although there’s a TV there’s no reception.”

“We can go fishing,” she suggested happily, memories of her father coming flooding back. “I saw the lake on my way in.”

Jed had come across the equipment when he arrived but having never fished hadn’t thought anymore of it. Glancing at her, he smiled. She looked elated at the prospect and he had never been able to deny her anything that made her happy.

An hour later they were seated on the bank of the lake, about to begin what Jed could only imagine would be an ordeal.

“You really aren’t the outdoor type, are you?” CJ asked, her lips forming a wide smile as she watched him struggle to cast his rod.

“What?” He tugged at his rod and pouted as it refused to budge.

CJ padded along the bank and detangled the fishing line from the bush it was now hooked to. “What did you do when you were young? Read all day?”

“Yeah, something like that. Who taught you to fish?” He cast his line again, this time rewarded by it skimming the lake.

“Two brothers and a fly fishing dad.” She blushed noticeably as she remembered the lake she had spent her childhood near, and the late night skinny dips she had shared with young enthusiastic suitors.

“Something you want to share?” Jed asked, watching her carefully.

“No.”

“Mis-spent youth?”

“Which bit of no. . .”

“The bit where I want to know everything about you. The bit where I love making you blush.”

“We used to go skinny dipping.” She turned to walk away.

“Oh, should I get the agents to avert their gaze?” he asked, barely containing his chuckle, his eyes dancing at the mere thought of her naked.

“Insufferable, that’s what you are.”

“Yet you love me.” It was flippant yet he needed to know.

“Always have.” She continued to walk back to her own pitch, picking up the rod and trying to appear nonchalant, in reality being anything but in revealing her feelings.

“Well that’s good to know.” There wasn’t much he could say to that, just a dozen or so questions he wanted answers to but as he watched her wade into the river, almost falling head first he knew it wasn‘t the time.

~~~~~~

CJ took one last look in the full length mirror and pushed her bangs from her face. Taking a deep breath and brushing imaginary lint from her angora sweater, she opened the bedroom door. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the only light in the room - the soft glow of candles. Jed had gone to a lot of trouble, that was obvious. The table had been laid with a simple white table cloth and he had left classical music playing in the background.

“Dinner isn’t much,” Jed announced, breaking into her thoughts.

“Fish?” she grinned, reminding him of his unsuccessful foray into the sport.

“No, roast beef.” He gave her a look that said he was anything but amused. It wasn’t his fault that the rod had gotten tangled in the weeds, or that beginners luck hadn’t been smiling on him.

“It’s fine. This is wonderful.”

“You look wonderful.”

CJ blushed.

“Wine?”

CJ nodded and wandered over to the kitchen area.

“Can I help?”

“Can you cook?” he threw back.

“No. I’m famed for other talents.”

“So I’ve heard. Sit down, enjoy the wine and I’ll be with you shortly,” Jed instructed, her presence in the kitchen distracting him from his work.

CJ settled herself at the table and watched him with interest over her wine glass.

“You’re staring at me.”

She moved her hands through the air, tying to find the words to say what she wanted, needed to.

“CJ?”

“What I said earlier about always having loved you.”

“You’re not going to take it back and break an old man’s heart are you?” Jed asked lightly, correctly reading her embarrassment.

CJ took lengthy sip of her wine. “No.” She had been on the verge of telling him how true the statement had been, but the words evaded her. It seemed plausible now that she had been in love him for most of the second term, their banter merely a smoke screen for how she felt.

Jed made his way to the table, balancing serving dishes in his arms. “Good. Now that we have that out of the way we can eat.” Carefully he set the entrees on the table and reached across the table, soothingly taking her hand, turning it over in his own. Lightly his fingers began to stroke her palm, sending shivers up her arm.

“It looks good,” she stammered, her reaction to his touch fully visible on her face.

Jed released her hand and settled himself at the table. There was something satisfying about affecting CJ. He only hoped he could impress her with all his talents.

~~~

“Shall we make ourselves more comfortable?” Jed asked, rising to his feet and picking up his wine glass.

CJ nodded and followed him to the small sofa beside the fire. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“For this,” CJ said softly, motioning the room at large. “The vacation, the dinner. . .”

Placing his glass on the side table, Jed turned in his seat to look at her. “I promised you this on New Year’s Eve. It’s the very least I want to do for you.”

“It’s perfect.”

“You’re perfect.” He liked to think it was old age making him sentimental, but in reality he had always been a bit of a romantic. In the thirty-five years of marriage to Abbey he had screwed up but he had also regularly showered her with flowers and taken her to operas and moonlit dinners.

CJ’s skin took on a pink hue as she ducked her head.

Gently, Jed tilted her head up until she was looking him in the eyes. What he saw there was unexpected, a moment of complete raw emotion that she couldn’t hide quickly enough. His lips brushed hers then a second kiss followed. His hands traced her face, entangling themselves in her hair as he deepened the kiss.

CJ ran her fingers across his back, dipping lower until she found the hem of his shirt. As his tongue explored her mouth she slipped her hand beneath his shirt and moaned.

With the feel of her fingers on his bare skin and the intense sounds she was making, Jed pulled back, his eyes wide. ”I… um . . . ,” he stuttered, trying to find an excuse to leave the room. Without explanation he left her sitting there, her face etched with confusion.

Shutting the bathroom door, Jed let out the breath he had been holding. He loved CJ, a love that had only deepened with the time they were apart and he knew in his heart that his future lay with being with her. It was just in the moment his nerves got the better of him. It seemed to be his destiny with CJ. Any time they came close to moving forward he backed off and it wasn’t because he was thinking of Abbey in that moment, in fact he wasn’t sure why, except he could admit to feeling a little intimidated. There were parts of him that weren’t intimidated, parts which reminded him of his school boy days, parts that slowly were returning to normal. Unfortunately if he sat back down on the sofa the panic would come rushing back.

Taking a deep breath and counting to ten, Jed returned to the Great Room.

“I’m heading to bed,“ CJ announced, padding across the walnut floor, crossing his path.

“I’ll see you in the morning

“Goodnight CJ,” Jed whispered as they reached her bedroom door. “Sweet dreams.”

“Night.” She waited for him to kiss her, when he didn’t she lightly brushed her lips against his cheek. Sensing his conflicting emotions, she opened the door and disappeared into her room leaving him standing in the hallway.

Hours later, unable to sleep, Jed lay on his back staring at the ceiling. His whole body was still reacting from having CJ close to him again and yet he had practically bolted from the room when things had become too intense. When he had returned he couldn’t fail to notice the confusion on her face, an emotion she quickly hid. He wasn’t really sure why he’d done that, except he was embarrassed and more than a little nervous about not living up to her expectations. He loved CJ, had done for a lot longer than he was ready to admit but it didn’t escape his notice that she was so much younger than him, in her prime, and he couldn’t help but realise she would have certain needs. He wanted the first time to be special, to satisfy her but he wasn’t sure how long he could make her wait without hurting her.

~~~~~~

CJ awoke to the sound of rain splattering against the roof. It was a sound she had gotten to love in DC, the soothing sound that heralded spring after bitter winters. In the middle of nowhere it was even more soothing, bringing with it a calm that came with freedom from the mundane.

Throwing back the covers, she padded out through the French doors onto the verandah. Gazing into the distance, she smiled. Despite the weather the agents were still within eyesight, trying to protect themselves from the elements by standing under trees, their eyes still trained on the cabin. For eight years, and especially the last eighteen months of the administration she had seen it as an intrusion, now it didn’t seem so, instead it was a way of life but one that allowed them to live in relative obscurity.

Oblivious to her state of dress, CJ settled herself on the swing and watched as puddles formed on the gravel driveway, and the trees dripped tiny droplets onto the agents heads, drenching them. She would offer them a place to dry off but they would refuse, she knew, instead she would take them coffee and fresh towels, warming them if nothing else.

“Good morning, CJ,” Jed said softly, his eyes drawn to the pale expanse of skin on her thigh. He’d been watching her for only a matter of minutes but he couldn’t stop staring.

“Hey.” Her eyes sparkled as she turned to look at him. “Guess outdoor activities are off the agenda today.”

“I think there are some board games in a cupboard somewhere.”

It wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, nor did she suspect it was what the last three months of phone calls were leading up to. “The agents will be relieved,” she replied, her voice betraying her disappointment.

“They prefer it when I’m somewhere that I can’t get into trouble,” Jed agreed, taking a step towards the seat. He stopped when she rose to her feet and her nightdress rose further up her thighs. Swallowing, he turned towards the distance. When his gaze returned she was standing before him, her lips quirking up into a wry smile.

“I’d imagine there aren’t many places you couldn’t get into trouble.”

“CJ.”

“Are you scared of me?” she asked quietly.

“Of you?”

“Yes.”

“No.” Jed lied.

“Are you scared of getting naked in front of me?”

“No.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“There isn’t one.” There were in fact dozens of them that revolved around his age, his abilities and the major one - her expectations.

“Prove it.”

“Sorry?”

“I love you, there is nothing you could do that would change that. You won’t let me down.”

Jed reached up and ran his fingers across her cheek. “I want to, more than you know.”

CJ sighed and leaned her body towards him. “Take me to bed, Mr President.”

His eyes widened in surprise.

“I’ve wanted to say that for a long time.” CJ licked her lips. “After all I serve at the pleasure of the President.”

“Really?”

“I’ll prove it if you’ll let me.” Silently, she held out her hand and took a step in the direction of her bedroom.

Jed wavered on the brink. There was a huge possibility he would screw this up, but then it was CJ and she had an inherent ability to save things when they started to go downhill. He took her hand and followed, pulling the doors closed behind him.

Once they were in the room, aware from the gaze of the Secret Service, Jed froze.

“I promise to be gentle,” CJ whispered huskily. “And we can stop at any time.”

If her words were meant to ease his fears the look in her eyes had a totally different effect.

Jed opened his mouth to say something and she leaned in and kissed him. Fully expecting her to pull back he was shocked when he felt her tongue dart into his mouth. In that second he was lost. As he warmed to her kiss and her hands exploring his back he failed to notice that they were moving towards the bed until she fell backwards.

They landed on the bed in a heap, his hand trapped beneath her night shirt, her knee tightly wedged between his thighs.

Propping himself up on his elbow and breaking the kiss, Jed stared down at her.

“See, it’s easy when you go with the flow,” CJ laughed, gently moving her knee.

“Uh-huh.” His hand moved of it’s own free will, gently stroking the smooth skin of her abdomen, pausing only fleetingly when he realized she was wearing no underwear.

CJ closed her eyes as his hand drifted lower, a man’s experience replacing a school boy’s fears. It had been a while for both of them and every touch sent shivers cross her skin. “Jed?”

His hand stilled.

“Don’t stop,” she complained, arching towards him.

“But. . .”

“Mr. President.”

“That really isn’t as kinky as you want it to be,” Jed smiled. “But the begging helps.”

She slapped his backside.

“Petulant aren’t you,” he teased.

“I. . .” Her sentence was lost as he kissed her again.

“Ssh,” he whispered as his hand increased it’s ministrations. “I think I’m remembering what to do.”

He was driving her crazy, his fingers taking her to the point where CJ had to reign in control, then easing off. He was trailing kisses over her collar bone and yet every time she tried to work him out of his shirt he pushed her hands away. They were getting nowhere except to the point of frustration.

“Jed,” she moaned as his finger brushed her g-spot as if by accident. “Please.”

“We’ve got all day,” he whispered against her neck.

CJ didn’t really think she could take the punishment/pain threshold for another few minutes let alone a few hours.

“Yes, we have but if you continue like this it’s not going to lead to anything you might enjoy.”

“I am enjoying it,” Jed disagreed.

“At least let me take my night gown off.”

Jed unwillingly moved off the bed, allowing her to sit up. “Can I help?”

CJ shook her head, pulling the offending item over her head and tossing it across the room. “Your turn.”

He was about to protest when his eyes skimmed her body, finally seeing the full extent of the perfect alabaster skin.

Taking advantage of his inaction, CJ begin to unbutton his shirt.

“Not fair,” he complained, secretly enjoying her fingers as they brushed against his torso.

Her head ducked and she flicked her tongue over his now visible nipple.

“You’re playing dirty.”

“Lay back,” CJ urged, pushing him lightly. “Please.” Her eyes held his until he lost himself in the dark pools.

Yielding, he slipped out of the shirt and shifted until he was comfortable.

CJ’s fingers moved to his belt and she was working his pants down over his hips as he lightly touched her hair. When they were finally both naked, CJ moved over him.

Jed leaned back and shut his eyes. He felt her face move closer as she traced the contours of his throat with her fingers, then her lips. It was almost like she thought he would break and his eyes opened once more trying to read her expression. What he saw surprised him. There was no pity or concern instead she looked down at him with love, revelling in every inch of his body.

“It’s not what it was.”

“Ssh,” CJ whispered, kissing his throat. “It’s looking pretty good from here.”

His body responded as much to her voice as her touch and he felt his growing erection. His breathing deepened as CJ moved her body once more and began to lower herself onto his shaft, lifting herself up almost instantaneously.

“CJ?”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t,” he assured her. “Please.” His hands moved to her waist thrusting himself deeper inside her. “Ok?”

CJ’s eyelids fluttered shut as she used her hands to hold herself in place. “Yeah.”

They moved slowly at first, trying to find a rhythm, each trying to read the others needs.

CJ rocked forward and he had to grip her hip tighter to stop himself from bringing the love making to an end there and then. His eyes widened as he watched her chest rise and fall in excitement, CJ finally letting go of control, her climax coming quickly after years of abstinence.

CJ’s eyes opened as he began to move inside her with increasing ferocity. Her breathing became erratic as she rode the first waves of climax. Her muscles tightened around his shaft and embarrassment followed as Jed couldn’t contain himself, his release coming before he could prevent it. Then she was rocking back and forth, squeezing her muscles around him until she groaned and collapsed on top of him. As her breathing became shallower her hands sought his, entwining with his.

After a few minutes Jed felt the pressure of her weight. Effortlessly, he rolled her over onto her side, his arm draping across her naked body as he sought a more comfortable position.

CJ curled into his chest and wrapped her leg around him, holding him as close as she could.

They lay side by side as the rain continued to fall outside. CJ closed her eyes but sleep was not forthcoming. Her lips quirked up into a grin as he began to snore softly beside her.

CJ lightly brushed her lips over his cheek before rolling out of bed and grabbing her dressing gown from the chair. Carefully, so not to disturb him, she made her way to the kitchen and began to make breakfast.

“I woke up and you weren’t there,” Jed called appearing in the door way.

CJ turned around, her hands loosening the tie of her gown. “I thought you might be hungry.”

His eyes drifted to her partially unclad body and he felt himself reacting.

With a knowing smile, she turned back to the counter. Her smile widened as she felt his hands slip around her waist pulling her back against him.

“I’m suddenly starving.”

“I made coffee, fresh juice, pancakes. You may need to keep your strength up.”

“Is that a promise?” he whispered, blowing warm air against her ear, his confidence restored.

“As long as you’re a good boy and take your medications. . .”

Jed allowed his hand to languidly slide down her body, his fingers brushing against her hips. “What if I’m a bad boy first?”

Something told CJ breakfast was going to have to wait as his fingers continued their exploration and she involuntarily moaned.

~~~~~~

It had been three days since they had first made love and three days since they had left the cabin. CJ finally felt refreshed and at ease, not only in herself but with their relationship. It wasn’t so much due to the lovemaking, although she enjoyed that, it was the sleep and the long hours spent reading in front of the fire and curling up in his arms.

April it seemed hadn’t been the wiser choice for a vacation. The weather seemed to have no inclination of improving, the rain becoming heavier, the clouds overhead laden. The thunder and lightening in the previous few days had heralded a wind storm.

They had awoken this morning to light showers and calm. Claustrophobic and bored, Jed had suggested they take a walk.

CJ had been less enthusiastic but half an hour later, from the relative safety of the cabin she ventured out into the surrounding forest in search of fresh air.

The agents trudged even less willingly behind.

They hadn’t gotten far before the heavens seemed to open and they were caught in a downpour. The trees provided little shelter and in the distance the clouds only seemed greyer. Rather than feeing discouraged they shrugged it off, taking joy from the little things in life. Even a little rain wasn’t going to spoil their time together.

Jed reached for her hand and in a fit of giggles they ran back to the cabin, falling onto the veranda breathless.

“We need to get you out of those wet things,” Jed announced, throwing his windbreaker over the chair and running his fingers through his dripping hair.

CJ raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“You’re always trying to get me naked or into bed,” she teased, glancing down at the puddle forming at her feet.

“Can you blame me?” he grinned.

She stamped her feet, glad that she had packed her sturdy walking boots rather than the suede boots she favored.

“I’ll run you a bath.”

It sounded appealing, she had to admit, a nice long soak would warm up her body and restore her circulation. Of course there were ways of livening it up. “How about you join me?”

Jed went quiet and she knew he was more than a little embarrassed. He kicked off his shoes and headed into the building.

Following him, she would, CJ decided have to try a more round about way of getting him to join her.

“Be sure to add lots of bubbles,” she laughed, as her pants landed in a puddle of the slate floor of the bathroom, joined seconds later by her shirt.

Jed perched on the edge of the bath and turned on the faucet, his attention on what he was doing not on her. Ten minutes later the bath was full of bubbles and the room filled with a light steam. “It’s ready.”

CJ reappeared in the doorway, wrapped in a fluffy white bath towel which barely covered anything. “Are you going to at least stay and wash my back?”

His eyes almost popped out of his head. “Um…well .. . yes.” He watched speechless as CJ dropped the towel and sank into the bath tub.

“Jed,” she grinned, as she watched him staring at her. “Jed.”

“Yeah. Sorry.” Despite the propensity of bubbles the water was leaving little to the imagination and he couldn’t help but get turned on.

“Why don’t you join me?” CJ suggested again, her voice laced with a hint of something he knew would lead to trouble later.

Jed kneeled down beside the bath, picking up a sponge and trailing it through the water. “I’m supposed to be helping you relax.”

“You are,” she sighed as the sponge dripped soap across her shoulders. “I just wanted to return the favour.”

The simple fact was he and Abbey had often shared a bath tub, which on occasion had lead to him needing a cold shower. To climb in beside CJ was for Jed an idea which both excited him and petrified him. It was pretty stupid really. After all he’d seen CJ naked, he’d made love to her more than once and there were still new tricks he could show her. On the other hand there was an intimacy that came with bathing together, one that suggested a long term familiarity. He wasn’t sure that they were there yet.

“Oh,” was all CJ said, her hand covering his as she almost read his thoughts. “I didn’t think.”

“No,” he replied almost too quickly. “I want to. . . It’s just that…”

“Too soon.” She of all people knew how hard it was to move on from one relationship to the next. A part of you always got left behind. Whenever she saw fish swimming aimlessly she thought of Danny - they reminded her of Gail and their relationship. Jed’s final years with Abbey were fraught with conflict, the private moments they shared in happy times were all he had left. He wasn’t ready to let go of them yet, she knew.

He nodded silently, his eyes meeting hers. “I’ll just sit here, wash your back and we can talk.

CJ closed her eyes and sighed contentedly as he resumed his gentle strokes. ”So what do you want to talk about?”

“Right now there’s really nothing I have to say.” A first for him he knew but he was more than content just sitting there with her, lettings his thoughts wander.

“In that case, we’ll just sit here,” she whispered, gazing up at him briefly before sliding further down into the bath, enjoying the peace she knew wouldn‘t last long.

~~~~~~

Jed kicked off his shoes and dropped down onto the couch. Plumping up the pillows, he stretched out and crossed his ankles.

“What’ya reading?” CJ asked, stacking dishes on the drainer. They were falling into a routine she noted. He would cook, she would clean up and then they would relax together.

“Benjamin Franklin’s biography. Someone told me along time ago to read it.”

CJ folded the dish cloth and picked up the tray of coffee. “And it took you nearly two years,” she teased. “What have you been doing?”

“Ya know. I’ve been a little busy running the country.” He turned to look at her as she curled up in the armchair. “You don’t mind me reading?”

She shook her head. “I don’t expect twenty four hour attention.”

“Really?”

CJ stuck her tongue out at him. “Twenty-three is more than enough.”

“I should give up sleeping all together then,” he teased back.

“No, I rather like you sleeping in the all-together.”

He rolled his eyes dramatically.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, Jed engrossed in his book as CJ toyed with a magazine. It brought back happy memories of the final months of the Administration when they would sit in her office working. It was the same companionship and security as she had felt then, except she no longer had a pile of briefing papers to worry about or annoying interruptions to contend with.

“We can do something else if you’d rather,” Jed offered after a few minutes of watching her stare into space.

“It’s fine,” she assured him. “Unless you want to play chess.” It was still a daily nag for her. He needed to tax his mind and she had to find ways to do it. Crosswords only held his attention for a few minutes, his own suggestions frequently involved the bedroom, only chess engaged him enough. She regretted the suggestion an hour later as he considered his next move.

“The Four Horsemen of the Fighting Irish played together for the last time in 1925, as the Irish downed Stanford in the Rose Bowl, 27-10. The Four Horsemen were Jim Crowley, Elmer Layden, Don Miller and Harry Stuhldreher.”

CJ groaned and wished she’d accepted his offer of a nightcap.

Jed moved his Rook.

Staring at the board, CJ contemplated what to do next.

“Did you know there are 100 tiles in a 'Scrabble' crossword game.”

She gave him a dirty look.

“There are 2,598,960 five-card hands possible in a 52-card deck of cards.”

“Jed!”

“There are nine rooms on a 'Clue' game board. A forfeited baseball game is recorded as a 9-0 score.”

It was the final straw. Knocking over her king, CJ rose to her feet and began to move away from the table.

“Where are you going?” Jed asked, slightly concerned.

“To get ready for bed.” There were advantages to not working for him anymore, the least of which was not having to listen to his trivia marathons any longer. She waited a beat. “Are you coming?”

“I was going to read for a while.”

“Ok.”

Five minutes later she appeared in the doorway, his white shirt barely covering her thighs, buttons undone to reveal a healthy amount of cleavage. “Jed.”

He looked up and swallowed hard. “Hi.”

“Are you sure you’re not tired?”

“CJ, as much as I’d. . .”

“I’m not asking you to make love to me. I was hoping we could just curl up.”

“And yet you wear that outfit.”

“Well,” she began, toying with the hem.

“CJ.”

“Ok. Good night.” She stopped toying, her fingers making quick work of the buttons. Seconds later she turned away, the shirt dropping in a puddle on the floor.

Jed waited a full minute for his body to stop reacting before he rose to his feet and followed her, his grin widening as he realized reverse psychology really did get him what he wanted.

~~~~~

Jed propped himself up on his elbow and smiled.

CJ lay beside him, her features softened as she dreamt, her sleep Jed hoped a contented one.

He had almost forgotten what it was like to lay beside her, previous occasions hidden in his mind like guilty pleasures. Now she was here and he could sleep or, if he chose to, lay awake beside her every night for the next week. A stray strand of hair lay against her cheek and he longed to brush it aside but he didn‘t want to disturb her. His eyes drifted lower to the alabaster skin of her shoulders, the only skin visible above the comforter.

They had never really talked about the future other than what he couldn’t offer her, in the next few days he wanted to discuss what he could offer her.

“If you can’t sleep why don’t you try hot milk,” CJ mumbled turning to face him, her eyes still firmly closed.

“Did I wake you?”

“Uh-huh.”

“How can I make it up to you?”

CJ opened one eye and gazed up at him. They had made love only hours before and although not satisfied she was exhausted and she was more aware that he wasn’t supposed to be overdoing it. “You could get some sleep.”

”Spoilsport. We’re both awake. We shouldn’t waste the moment.”

“Jed.”

“Or we could talk a little.”

CJ wanted to groan but she stopped herself. “Why don’t you hold me.”

He outstretched his arm and waited for her to move closer, her hair brushing his shoulder as she tried to get comfortable.

“What?” she asked, one eye opening as he squirmed.

“It tickles.”

“Sorry, she laughed, brushing her hair out of the way.

“Do you realize how hard it is laying beside you and not being able to… ?”

“Jed,” she whispered, silencing him with her finger tips.

He nipped at her fingers, grinning as she pulled them away.

“Your incorrigible.”

“Says she who’s naked and . . . “ he mumbled, trailing his hand down her body.

“Jed!” she chided.

His response was to lower his head and lightly brush his lips against her shoulders. ”Warm.”

Unconsciously, CJ wiggled her hips against him.

“Wet.”

“Tease,” she sighed as he continued his exploration of her body, his lips making their way up her collar bone. There was nothing for it, CJ decided shifting position, except to play him at his own game. She grinned when she heard him catch his breath as her body rubbed against his already swollen erection.

Jed halted his ministrations, a smile dancing on his lips.

CJ looked up at him wide eyed.

“What? I thought you wanted to sleep.” He grabbed her hand as she moved to hit him. “Changed your mind?” One hand continued to stroke her back as the other laced with hers.

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“What wouldn’t?” he asked, his eyes locking with hers.

Her eyes flittered shut as she tried to remember what they were talking about, his blue eyes the only thing she could see.

"What do you want, CJ?" Jed asked, his voice and his body betraying his need.

CJ parted her lips as if to speak, instead tugging his head towards her.

Her lips finding his again stop his weak admittance. He wanted her desperately but he wasn’t sure whether his body was going to be able to support his need.

CJ lifted her hips and slowly lowered herself onto his tip.

Jed watched her features as she continued to ease herself onto him, rocking gently until she found a comfortable position. She had always been beautiful but there was something enthral about her as she gazed down at him. His hands slid to her hips effectively stilling her.

“Jed?” she asked, confused, confusion replaced seconds later with content as his fingers slipped between them and he began a careful exploration of her folds. Writhing as he brought her close to release she clutched the comforter, desperate not to let him slip from within her. Her breath caught in her throat as he continued to tease her until finally CJ let go, leaning back and screaming his name.

The rhythm all but disappeared as they fought to find release.

“Claudia,” he groaned. “I can’t… Ahh…”

She felt his release, his thrusts suddenly slowing and becoming gentler as his orgasm subsided. Reaching for his hand she pressed his fingers against her clit, rocking harder as the double assault took her over the edge, his name on her lips.

As her breathing returned to normal, she lowered herself down onto his chest, her fingers lightly caressing his jaw. “Jed?“

“Wow.“

“Do you still need that hot milk?“ she asked with a self satisfied smirk.

Jed pursed his lips and shook his head. “Funny girl.“ Kissing her lightly, he rolled them over until they were laying side by side.

“Good night, darling,” she mumbled, lowering her head to his chest.

“Night, Sweetheart.” He closed his eyes, her gentle breathing sending him to sleep.

~~~~~~~

Jed had been awake since six, pacing the cabin, not knowing what to do with himself. He’d already started preparing breakfast, cleaned the fireplace and finished the biography he had been reading. Still CJ slept.

He thought about waking her but he didn’t like his chances if he did, instead he opened the French doors and wandered out onto the veranda.

“Is it still raining?” CJ asked from the bed.

Jed turned and grinned. “Yeah. Looks like we’ll have to find something to do indoors.”

“Anything in mind?”

He pretended to think about it.

Pulling the covers up round her, basking in the warmth, CJ made herself more comfortable. “I’m ravenous.”

His grin widened.

“For food.”

“Is that a hint you want breakfast in bed?”

She wriggled so that the cover revealed a very naked thigh.

“I’ll be back shortly.”

Jed reappeared ten minutes later carrying a tray. “For madam.”

“Are you going to join me?”

He waggled his eyebrows as he slipped back beneath the covers, his cold hands brushing against her abdomen.

CJ shook her head, reaching instead for her coffee cup. “If you’re good then maybe later.”

Jed pouted and she stroked his cheek.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, Claudia.”

~~~~~~

“I’m not sure I want to leave,” CJ said wistfully as they lay by the fire late in the afternoon in their pyjamas.

“You don’t have to.” The more Jed thought about it the more logical it seemed. He had already taken steps to ensure they had somewhere to be together without worrying about the press. The last day or so he had decided he didn’t want it to be a part time thing.

She looked at him, her surprise and confusion obvious.

“I bought the cabin and a few acres. It needs a little renovation, not quite an extreme makeover but an extra bedroom, a study, a little landscaping.”

“You want to live here?” CJ asked, bewildered.

“I thought we could.” Jed sipped his cocoa and turned to face her. “I’ll need a library, and we can have cable and broadband installed for you.”

“I don’t know.” Jed made it sound so simple but there were so many things for her to consider.

“Well you’ll work in DC and come up at weekends.”

CJ considered it carefully, her thoughts punctuated by her hands moving through the air. “There are so many….”

“Not really. I love you. I want to be with you. And we’re happy here.” At least he was happy there.

“I love you too.” She loved him so deeply that sometimes it frightened her. The thought of the future without him scared her more.

“I once asked you to jump off a cliff,” he began, taking her hand.

“And I jumped with my eyes shut.” CJ didn’t regret being his Chief of Staff although it would always be the reason they ended up together, and there had been times that hadn’t seemed so wise.

“This may be a higher jump, a deeper drop, but at least you have me to break your fall.“

“But New Hampshire?”

“New Hampshire is my home state, it’s where I was brought up but home is wherever we’re together.”

“When you say things like that it’s hard to say no,” CJ groaned.

“So . . .?”

“I’m not saying no. I need to think about it. I need to sort through some things,” she replied, knowing full well he had ways of persuading her and she rather liked his ways.

~~~~~~

It had been a perfect two weeks, even the weather had failed to spoil things. On dry days they walked, went fishing and sat on the veranda. On wet days they read books, or lounged in bed. At night they cooked together and talked openly.

It was, for CJ, the easy going relationship she had craved for years. The sex had improved as days went on, only cementing their closeness further.

Now it was time to leave.

"Are you all packed?” Jed asked, leaning against the door frame.

CJ turned slowly from watching the rain. “Trying to get rid of me now?“ In truth she didn’t want to leave. The last few days with him and in the middle of nowhere had been idyllic. Here they didn’t need to pretend they were just friends.

Jed took a step closer, gently taking her hand in his. “If you’d prefer I could beg you to stay.”

She sighed wistfully, “As much as I like it when you beg…”

Jed raised an eyebrow. ”CJ.”

“Mr. President.”

“You know how I feel when you call me that.”

“Yeah, I have some inclination.” She stuck out her tongue as the rain began to fall heavier.

He allowed his fingers to encircle her wrist pulling her against his chest. “I’m going to miss you and not just because of that.”

“I’ll miss you too.” CJ sighed against his shoulder as he kissed her hair. “But. . .”

“You need to get going. I know.”

Pulling back from his embrace she gazed down into his eyes. “I love you.” It was simple to say it now after so long of denying it and trying to quell the feelings.

Jed leaned in, kissing her softly on the mouth, pausing only momentarily to wait for her response. The kiss deepened as he hands slid down her back. Finally he had to let her go. “Drive carefully.”

Seconds later she was climbing into her rental car.

CJ closed the car door and started the engine. She wouldn’t look back she decided because she knew he would be watching and the sight of him standing in the rain could be enough to break her resolve. Who was she kidding, it would definitely send her running into his arms. Slowly she pulled away, the swish of the wipers and the downpour obscuring her view.

It wasn’t easy leaving. It wouldn’t be easy staying. Quitting her job and moving in with her former boss was tender mount to announcing she was the other woman in the Bartlet separation. Leo had given them his blessings, a lifetime of history and undying love for his best friend his only concern. Others would not be quite so supportive she knew. Not that that mattered when they were together but they couldn’t spend the rest of their lives secluded in the middle of nowhere.

CJ hit a pot hole and pulled the car back on course, her eyes darting to the rear view mirror instinctively, her foot hitting the brake as she caught sight of him. The car door slammed as she began to run back towards the cabin.

His arms were open when she reached him, pulling her against him, kissing her as if they had been apart forever instead of a few moments.

As they stood there in the driveway in the pouring rain, CJ realized that she would never go back to her job. People would think what they liked but she couldn’t leave him and when the time came to tell everyone they would take the jump together.

The End.