She sat in the car in silence as one of the pool drivers drove her to the hospital. Every so often, she would look at her watch and think about how long it had been.

Not very long.

When she got there, the first thing she did was find out where Hogan was. When she got to Hogan's little area, she wasn't surprised to see her alone. "Where's your dad?" she asked, sliding into the bedside chair.

"We had a fight," Hogan said. "The big one. He doesn't want to have anything to do with me anymore."

CJ sighed. “He’s just upset and scared.” But she was still gonna beat the crap outta him later. “He thought he’d lost you.”

“Well he has now,” Hogan snorted, picking up a magazine. “Leo’s gone to get me some milk.”

“Leo was here?” CJ asked surprised.

“He caught the tail end of the fight and checked to see if I was alright. He went to get milk and find out how John is.”

CJ kissed her on the forehead. "I should go do that if you're okay, honey..."

Hogan shrugged dismissively. "I'm fine," she said, sounding less than convinced.

"I'll be back soon," CJ promised. "You want to watch my purse?" she asked, slipping her White House ID back around her neck.

"Sure," Hogan sighed.

“Honey, when Leo gets back, ask him to tell you all about Josh. If that doesn’t cheer you up, nothing will.” She walked towards the door and stopped. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Hogan replied, more positively.

CJ walked the corridor in search of a doctor, what she found in the end was John’s detail, standing guard outside the operating theater.

She bit her lip. "Hi, guys," she said quietly. "I was just looking for... someone, I guess to tell me what's going on."

Two of the agents exchanged glances, and one of them left formation. "Ms. Cregg, I'll take you to the waiting room and explain what's going on," he said, guiding her away.

There was really nothing new he could tell her, except that it was going to be nearer to eight hours for the operation.

CJ groaned and paced the waiting room.

Eventually, she wearied of pacing and just the room in general, and wound up in Hogan's area again, watching her rest.

CJ sighed and lowered her head to the bed, deciding there was nothing she could do but wait.

"Aunt CJ?" Hogan said softly, shaking her awake. "Aunt CJ, wake up."

CJ jerked. "Hmm?"

"John's mother just arrived and they want you to go to the waiting room with her, if you can," Hogan sighed. "It's taken me ten minutes to wake you up -- did you take something?"

“No, things just caught up with me,” she muttered, rubbing her eyes. “John’s mother’s here from Texas?”

“Yeah, that’s what they said. Leo’s gone back to the White House, muttering something about Charlie Brown, Mount Rushmoor and shoving up someone’s ass.” She shrugged.

"Okay, I'm up," CJ mumbled. "How about you?"

"They said I can walk around a little," Hogan said. "You want me to come, too?"

"For a little while," CJ said, standing up and shaking her foot, which was still asleep.

CJ and Hogan made their way down to the waiting room, where they found several members of Hoynes's detail, Janine, Candy, and a petite elderly woman who could only be his mother.

"CJ," Janine said, moving to hug her.

"Hi, Janine," CJ said. "How're you holding up?"

"I should be asking you that," Janine chuckled.

"I just took a nap," CJ admitted sheepishly.

"Come here, will ya?" Janine said, pulling CJ over to the elderly woman. "Marcia, this is CJ Cregg. CJ, this is Marcia Hoynes. John's mother."

CJ extended her hand. "Mrs. Hoynes, it's a pleasure to meet you. Under the circumstances, that is."

Marcia glared witheringly at CJ's hand. "I suppose you're his flavor of the month," she muttered.

"Don't talk to my aunt like that!" Hogan yelped.

“Hogan,” CJ said softly, “It’s fine.” She turned to John’s mother and smiled weakly. “I’m the White House Press Secretary. I’ve worked with your son and I’m here as the President’s representative.” She paused, wondering if the partial truth was enough. “I would also like to think we’re friends.”

Marcia blushed. “I’m sorry, I just assumed he was screwing around with you. Since Tammy’s death, he’s been a little indiscriminate.”

“It’s fine. Have you heard anything?”

"He'll be going into post-op in about ten minutes," Marcia said, rubbing her eyes. "And then I'll be able to see him in about half an hour."

CJ nodded. Hogan sighed. "What about Aunt CJ?"

"Hogan, relax," CJ said softly.

"No, I won't relax!" Hogan yelped. "He wanted YOU, Aunt CJ! When he... when he... He wanted *you*."

“When he what?” Marcia asked, taking in the distressed state. “Were you there?”

“He saved my life,” Hogan blurted before bursting into tears.

“I don’t understand.”

CJ wrapped her arms around her niece. “When the shots were fired John pushed his agent out of the way and threw himself on Hogan. His actions probably saved ten of the kids, Hogan included.” CJ looked down at the little woman. “He was apparently asking for me before he lost consciousness.”

Marcia nodded stiffly. "I'm sorry."

CJ shrugged. And Hogan buried her face in CJ's shoulder, still shaking and mumbling as she wept. CJ's arms went around her.

"I know I don't have any right to say anything," Candy spoke up. "But I think Hogan should be the one he sees first. Because he went the extra effort to protect her, he's going to want to make sure she's all right."

"I agree," Janine said.

"I do as well," Marcia said. "CJ and I can go in later."

They were interrupted by the door opening and a tall stocky man entering the room. He looked between the women. “Mrs. Hoynes?”

“That’s me,” Marcia said, stepping forward.

“Your son is in recovery now. We’ve repaired the damage and it looks good. Depending on how he recovers we may need to go back in at a later date.”

Marcia nodded. She turned to CJ and Hogan. "Those young women there should see him before me," she said, turning back to him. "I'd like them to be with him when you wake him up."

CJ stared at Marcia. "But..." she managed before Marcia cut her off.

"Ms. Cregg, he asked for you, not me," she said with a resigned tone.

“I’ll make sure he knows you’re here,” she offered quietly. “And we won’t stay long.”

“If you’d like to follow me,” the doctor offered, opening the door and motioning with his hand.

Hogan swiped at her eyes and followed CJ and the doctor out of the room.

CJ was immediately stricken by the pallor of John's face as she went to his bedside. She couldn't resist her urge to brush his hair back out of his face and to press a kiss to his forehead.

“He lost a lot of blood,” the doctor explained. “We gave him five units during the procedure but will check his HB count later and maybe give him a transfusion.”

CJ reached for John’s hand and clung to it tightly. “How close was it?” She reached behind her and grabbed Hogan’s hand in the other.

“He was lucky.”

Her mind went back to Simon and she shivered at the memory.

"We're going to wake him up, but he's going to be very exhausted and he shouldn't overtire himself right away," the doctor said.

CJ nodded. "What do you want us to do? Just... sit here with him?"

"For now, yeah," the doctor said, leaning down. "John, there are some beautiful women here wanting to say hello. It's time to wake up."

When John didn't respond that much, CJ leaned forward. "John..." she said softly. His eyelids twitched.

“It may take a while for the anaesthetic to wear off. Just keep trying.”

CJ squeezed John’s hand. “John, it’s CJ.”

“Mm,” he mumbled, his eyelids flittering open then shut again.

CJ leaned in and kissed his cheek.

His eyes opened again, then shut, then opened and stayed open. "C...J...?"

"Shh..." she whispered. "Don't try to talk right now -- your throat's got to be sore from the tube."

Hogan came forward hesitantly. "Hi, John," she said, her voice low and still teary.

"Your mother's here, too," CJ said gently. "She wanted us to be with you when you woke up."

He tried to talk but only managed to come up with a gurgling noise in the back of his throat.

"Shh..." CJ soothed, bending down and kissing him on the forehead. "Everything is okay."

“Ho…?”

“Hogan’s fine, and the baby. A couple of kids have minor injuries and your detail want words with you, but that’s for later,” CJ whispered, holding onto his hand as if he might disappear. “We should go.”

“Stay,” he pleaded, his eyes locking with hers.

“You rest. I’ll check in and sit with you later.” She lifted their entwined hands to her lips and kissed his knuckles.

"Promise?" he croaked.

"I promise," she whispered. She laid his hand so he could be comfortable, and kissed his cheek. "I'll be back later, John."

He nodded and closed his eyes again.

CJ and Hogan left the room. Marcia met them in the hallway. "How is he?" she asked.

“Groggy. But awake,” CJ summised. “I promised I’d come back later.” She sighed. “Do I have your permission to release a statement?”

Marcia looked bewildered for a moment. “My permission?”

“I’m not going to release anything without you clearing it first.”

“Okay.”

“Why don’t you sit with him?” CJ suggested, heading down the hallway.

"CJ?" Marcia called.

CJ turned. "Yeah?"

"Let me know when you're ready to make the statement," she said. "Janine can take care of Hogan for you."

"Hogan's going back to bed," CJ said firmly. "She needs her rest."

“CJ!”

“Hogan, honey. Please. I have to do this. And I can’t have you out there with me.”

“I’ll stay out the way.”

CJ shook her head. “It’s going to get mad and you need to rest. Once I’m done I’ll come see you.”

Hogan frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "You'd better," she finally said.

"I will," CJ promised. "I'll be back."

She went downstairs to talk to a few people, and then called up to let Marcia know that they were getting ready to make the statement.

It was mad. The vultures were circling. And the prey stepped up in front of the hospital.

“This is going to be short and sweet,” CJ began glancing out at the sea of faces. “Once I’ve finished, the medical team will be available for questions.”

She took a deep breath. "At approximately 10:30, Vice President John Hoynes was shot outside St. Mary High School in Arlington, Virginia. He was injured while pushing one of the students to the ground and protecting her. He suffered multiple flesh wounds and a collapsed lung. His surgery was successful, he is in recovery with his mother even as I speak." She glanced out at the sea of faces. "That's all I have for you now."

“CJ?”

“Arthur?” Once she answered one, she knew there would be more, but she couldn’t stop herself.

“Who was the student?”

“We’re not releasing any of the students’ names at this time,” she stated unflinchingly. “Katie?”

“Having seen the Vice President post op, can you tell us how he is?” the fresh faced reporter asked, smiling.

“I’m sorry?” CJ asked hesitantly.

“I can understand that it must be difficult having your boyfriend injured, so I’ll repeat the question. Can you tell us how the Vice President looks? You left his room moments ago.”

"He looks like he's been shot," CJ snapped.

Katie raised an eyebrow and said, "Yeah?"

"Yes, Katie, he looks like he's been shot and been through surgery," CJ said with a sigh. "No more questions unless they're for the medical team. I'm turning this over to Dr. Robinson, who supervised the operation."

She stepped back to allow the doctor through and immediately hands shot up everywhere. Letting out the breath she had been holding CJ headed back indoors.

“How does he look really?” a familiar voice growled.

CJ turned and found herself looking into Toby’s troubled face.

“He looks. . . He . . .,” she started before sobbing racked her body and she ended up in his arms.

Toby stifled a groan. He hated it when she was emotional because it meant he had to let his walls come down a little. "Oh, stop blubbering," he muttered, rubbing her back.

She held him tighter, crying into his shoulder, the last few hours finally catching up with her.

“Hoynes is alive, isn’t he?” He patted her back. “I mean you aren’t crying because of the sex you aren’t going to enjoy?”

“TOBY!” she moaned, lifting her head.

He stifled a smile at the fire in her eyes. “Because, as it so happens, I’m rather good in that department.”

She made a face. "You're my best friend!"

"So? Friendly sex is the best kind..." he said, nudging her.

"I'd rather have more than friendly sex with John," she admitted, blushing and glancing away.

“Then don’t you think he might like to hear that,” Toby prompted, grinning. “It might aid his recovery. It took the President twelve weeks to be able to perform again.”

CJ stared at him. “I’m not even sure I want to know how you know that.”

“I was winning at chess.”

“Ah, punishment. You’re okay with me and John?”

Toby shrugged. "I don't get much of a choice."

"Yeah, but I want you to be there and not..." Her voice trailed off and she shrugged.

"Well, to be honest, I'd rather it be me, but if he's what you want, I won't be the one to try to talk you out of it." He kissed her on the cheek.

“See, and people think you’re a pain. Sometimes you just amaze me,” she mumbled, choking back a sob.

“Go. Kiss him, hold his hand and tell him,” he instructed, taking a step back.

"He needs his rest," CJ said, biting her lip. "And his mom's in there."

"So just go in there and sit with him," Toby said, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. "Hogan said you'd be stubborn about this, but I had no idea!"

"Hogan?" CJ echoed. "What does Hogan have to... Oh. Oh, I understand now." CJ rolled her eyes and slapped her forehead. "Poor Aunt CJ can't land a man herself, so Hogan steps in and enlists everyone else's help!"

Toby sighed. "CJ, that's not..."

“Well you can mind your own business,” she yelled.

Grabbing her arm, Toby dragged her into a corner. “Right that’s it. Claudia Jean Cregg, shut up and listen.” He didn’t wait for her objections. “For Christ’s sake woman. Hogan thought you were confused and bottling things up and being CJ like. She asked me to come over because she thought you might like a friend.” He groaned. “God, I don’t even the like the man. But he’s good looking, charming, probably a good kisser and he likes you, so in my book that’s not bad.”

Her jaw clenched, then relaxed. "Okay," she finally mumbled, looking away. "I'm sorry."

"You're stressed out, worried, and quite possibly in love -- I've come to expect you lashing out," he chuckled. "Now, look, I've got to get back to work. Call me if you need anything. *Anything*," he stressed.

She waited until he reached the door before calling out to him. “Toby.”

He turned and looked back expectantly.

“Talk to my brother. I don’t think I’m up to it tonight,” she offered softly.

Toby nodded. "Consider it done," he said. "But he's as stubborn as you are -- I don't think it's going to help."

"Then Hogan stays with me," CJ said with a shrug. "I should..."

"Go see him," Toby instructed.

CJ took the elevator up to John’s floor and wandered down the hallway until she found his room.

As the agent on duty moved to open his door, CJ stopped him by shaking her head. She wanted to observe him unnoticed before she went in. Confusion prevented her from blurting out how she felt and he deserved more than that.

Eventually, she knew she had to go in, but still her heart weighed heavy in her breast as she tried to explain to herself, if no one else, how she felt. She sat down beside John's bed and took his hand, raising it to her lips for a kiss before laying it back down on the bed, still entwined in hers.

His eyes blinked open and he squeezed her hand.

“You’re back,” he whispered hoarsely.

“I promised I would be,” she said softly, wishing her feelings were as clear cut as his.

“Will you be around while I get better?” He loosened his grip on her hand. “As my friend, I mean.”

“There are some conditions,” she stated, her face blank.

“Oh?” he asked, his spirits dropping.

“No baseball, no daytime soaps, and I don’t do bedbaths.” She smiled down at him.

He chuckled. "How about golf?"

"Do you mind if I fall asleep?" she asked with a grin.

"Nope... how about talk shows?"

"Not a chance in hell."

"Okay, then I think we're set," he croaked.

“You need to concentrate on getting better,” she offered more seriously.

“And there was me thinking I needed to work on my seduction techniques,” he joked and grimaced in pain.

“Want me to call the doctor?” CJ asked, reaching for the button.

“No.” He closed his eyes and opened them again. “Any chance you’ll wear a nurses’ uniform for me?”

“John,” she chided. “Enough.”

He rolled his eyes wearily. "Okay, okay..."

"You need to rest," she said softly. "Want me to find your mom?"

"God no -- she went off to get coffee or something." He moaned and flinched.

"John..." CJ sighed. "You can't pretend to be brave just so I won't see you in pain. I'm going to call the doctor."

“So he’ll sedate me, and you can leave,” John said, flatly.

"What?" she said, staring at him.

"You heard me."

"Yeah, I did, and I can't believe you think... John... do you really think I would do that?" she asked, her eyes wide.

He shrugged and looked away. He couldn’t think of any reason for her to stay and she had a job to get back to.

CJ pressed the buzzer and dropped his hand.

“I know you have commitments, it’s fine.” He swallowed and panic rose up through his body as he suddenly couldn’t find his breath. He reached blindly for her hand.

“John? John?” CJ gasped. She pushed the panic button and glanced towards the door and back down at him.

Two agents came charging through the door followed by the doctor and a nurse.

“He can’t breath,” CJ stuttered.

“Possible blood clot. Or a tear. We need to get him back into theater.”

They began to roll him across the room, dragging CJ along because neither John nor she were much inclined to let go of each other. Tears trickled down CJ's cheeks as one of the nurses finally tore their hands apart.

One of John's agents stayed behind with her as she sank to the floor in the corridor, weeping.

“What’s happening?” Marcia gasped, running up to them and staring into the empty room. “Where’s my son?”

The agent looked up at her and down at CJ, without saying a word. He was grateful when Janine appeared at his side and crouched down.

“CJ?” She pushed the hair off CJ’s face and looked into her eyes. “What happened?”

“He. . .,” she choked back another sob.” Couldn’t breathe. I didn’t tell him.”

"Didn't tell him what?" Janine asked as Marcia ran out of the room. When CJ didn't answer, Janine brushed her hair back and kissed her temple. "It's going to be okay, CJ. He's going to be fine..."

CJ settled back into her arms and let the sobs continue.

Janine looked up at the agent and smiled weakly. “I think you need to seal this corridor and have someone let the White House know what’s going on.” She glanced down at CJ. “Better speak to Mr. McGarry or Toby Ziegler.”

“Ma’am?”

Janine sighed. She hated new agents. They never listened to her, when she was the one who knew best. “The Vice President’s friend and White House Press Secretary is on the floor crying and the VP is back in surgery.”

The agent nodded and went off. CJ continued to sob inconsolably, wishing she could follow John into the operating room.

"I... I..." she moaned through her tears.

"Shh..." Janine said.

“We were fighting,” CJ blurted out.

“Yeah, well in that case I know he’s gonna get better because there’s no way he’s going to leave an argument unfinished.” Janine sat back on her heels. “But I really think you ought to redo your make up.”

"I don't care about my makeup," CJ whispered, wiping her eyes with her hands and flinching when she saw the colored streaks on her fingers. "Okay, I take that back -- I just want it off."

"So let's go to the restroom and get you cleaned up," Janine suggested. "The Vice President's Press Secretary will handle the press for now..."

“This isn’t like me,” CJ admitted, getting up and smoothing down her skirt.

“You’re scared. Can’t be easy realizing you’re half way in love with someone you’ve opposed on everything for years.”

CJ sniffled and wiped her nose with a kleenex that Janine handed her. "I wouldn't say I'm half in love with him..." she contested.

"Then how would you put it?" Janine asked.

"I might have deeper feelings for him."

"Isn't that the same thing?" Janine asked with a chuckle.

CJ glared at her. "I don't like to use the 'l' word."

“Well, if you want to get through that thick skull of his, you might just have to,” Janine grinned. “He’s definitely half in love with you.”

“He’s not.”

Janine shook her head. “Denial.”

CJ pouted and walked ahead of her towards the washroom. “We’re friends.”

“You mean like Leo and Margaret?”

"What about Leo and Margaret?" CJ asked sharply.

"Oh, I forgot, you're not privy to Margaret's swooning."

"Okay, you just ruined my entire stability system," CJ muttered, wiping her face with a paper towel.

“Mine was ruined the day I kissed my first boyfriend,” Janine said dryly. “Anyway, you should tell him the truth.”

“You always this pushy?” CJ asked, washing her face and drying it again.

“Why do you think he hired me?”

"Point," CJ said, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She sighed.

"What?" Janine asked.

"I could love him."

"Yeah?"

"In time," CJ stipulated. "It's too new right now."

“Well, I wasn’t suggesting you declare undying love and drag him to the alter. Maybe tell him that spending time with him has made you realize you’d like to try the non friends thing and see how it goes.” Janine smiled. “But only if you mean it.”

“That’s exactly how I feel,” CJ nodded. “What do I owe you doctor?”

Janine blushed. “A date with your assistant.”

CJ laughed. "Carol is as straight as a new pin," she pointed out. "You'd get better mileage out of a date with me."

"Yeah, well, you're taken," Janine pointed out with a roguish wink. "And I think I could change Carol's mind about being heterosexual."

"You're more than welcome to try," CJ said with a grin. "But I wouldn't call it a date to her."

“Miss. Cregg?”

CJ looked around to find a female agent hovering in the doorway. “Hey Pam.”

“Mr. McGarry would like you all in a waiting room for the duration of the surgery.” She motioned with her head for them to follow. “He’s concerned about the press.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Now, why on earth would he be worried about the press?" CJ asked sarcastically.

"Shh," Janine scolded sharply.

CJ stuck her tongue out at her.

“You’d have to ask him, Ma’am.”

CJ rolled her eyes and followed the agent back to the waiting room. Her facade dropped the minute she saw Marcia.

“Any news?”

Marcia shook her head firmly. “They said a couple of hours at least.”

CJ nodded and slumped into one of the chairs, head in hands. "So, um..." she began, but then stopped.

Marcia watched her, and when she didn't say anything more, said, "Yes?"

CJ sat up and looked at her. "Um... could you tell me about him?"

“What do you want to know? About the five year old who broke his arm trying to ride a bull calf. The twelve year old rancher’s son who decided he wanted to be a vegetarian or the fifteen year old who announced he was going to be President?”

"Whatever you want to tell me," CJ said quietly, looking down at her hands in her lap.

"First I want you to tell me something."

CJ's head jerked up. "What?"

"Tit for tat, Ms. Cregg."

CJ nodded. "Okay."

"What's going on between you and John?"

Janine grinned and settled back in her chair. “This is going to be good.”

“Can it,” CJ snorted before looking back at Marcia. “I. . . We agreed to be friends, nothing more. But now . . .” She gestured wildly with her hands. “I think I’d like to see where this could go.”

Marcia nodded and breathed deeply. "You're much better from what I've seen than a few of the women he's brought to meet me." She chuckled and sighed. "But he's stubborn -- if he doesn't think you return his feelings exactly, he..." Marcia shrugged. "You might have to do the seducing instead of him."

Janine doubled over laughing.

CJ glared at her. "This is going to be an insufferable night," she muttered, biting her thumbnail.

"He likes the music his father and I used to listen to and dance to," Marcia said with a smile. "All of the old jazz and swing... he thinks it's romantic."

“And he hates hockey but loves baseball and basketball,” Janine piped in.

“Yeah,” CJ groaned, not at all convinced she would have anything in common with him.

“He likes to read.”

"Read what?" CJ asked.

"Anything," Janine laughed. "I've caught him with a comic book tucked inside a biography of Dolley Madison that he was reading."

"He loves... ahem... smutty stories," Marcia said, her cheeks turning pink.

"Well, I'm sure I have a few he hasn't read yet," CJ said, slapping her hand over her mouth.

“Oh, at last, a girl with game,” Marcia grinned. “Maybe you could read him a few while he’s recuperating.”

“This I gotta see.”

CJ shot her a look and closed her eyes. She had already promised to be there while he recovered and didn’t have a clue how she was going to manage it.

She sighed, and Marcia's hand covered hers. "You okay?" Marcia asked softly.

"I don't know how I'm going to... I promised I'd be with him while he's recovering, but I can't leave my job. I can't leave the White House without having something fall apart behind me." CJ sighed and rubbed her eyes.

“He’ll understand, I promise you,” she said softly. “John wouldn’t want you giving up your job for him. Maybe you can drop by after work and keep him company.”

“He’ll be asleep by then,” CJ moaned.

“So I stagger his day so he’s not,” Marcia pushed.

"We'll come up with something," Janine interjected. "You just relax and concentrate on finding interesting things to seduce him with."

All of the blood drained out of CJ's face, then suddenly flushed back in as she thought about things she could do to entice him.

Marcia laughed and shook her head. “Perhaps the seducing should wait a few weeks.”

“I just wish they’d hurry up. He should be out by now,” CJ whined.

The door burst open and two agents rushed in. The three women stared up at them.

“We need you to stay here.” His tone suggested he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “There’s been a breach in security. Once the operating theater is secure, we’ll be able to tell you more.”

When he left the room, CJ rolled her eyes heavenwards and tried to hide her shaking hands. "What else can go wrong today, eh?" she asked with a sardonic laugh.

"I can imagine quite a few things," Marcia said, rubbing the top of CJ's hand comfortingly. "How is Hogan?"

"She was supposed to go back to her room and rest," CJ mumbled.

“I’m sure she did,” Marcia soothed. “There’s not a lot else to do in hospitals.”

“Except wait,” CJ commented dryly. “Why haven’t we heard something yet?”

"Would you relax?" Janine snapped. "God, you'd think you two were an old married couple the way..."

"Stop," Marcia said firmly. "CJ, we wait until they say otherwise, and that's all there is to it. You have to be patient in life to get your rewards, remember?"

CJ stood and walked towards the glass doors. Briefly she looked up and down the corridors before wandering back to her seat. “This brings back too many memories.”

Marcia glanced at Janine.

“Rosslyn,” Janine mouthed back.

Marcia shook her head and bit back a sigh. "Well, sit down and we'll talk," she said, putting her arm around CJ's shoulders.

"About what?" CJ asked, biting her lower lip.

"How about sex -- sex is always good," Janine said, perking up.

CJ couldn't help but laugh at the disgusted look on Marcia's face.

“Religion, politics, or television?” Marcia asked. “Sex should be saved for when you’re married.”

“Well I’m Catholic, Democrat and I only ever watch the news. And for that matter sex is a memory,” CJ said, smiling.

“Baptist, Democrat and more sex would be good,” Janine offered, licking her lips and looking expectantly at Marcia.

Marcia scowled at Janine. "Woman, pull yourself together. I don't want to scare her off."

"Well, as you can see," CJ said, gesturing. "I'm not going anywhere at the moment, so Sigfried and Roy, you have a captive audience. Wow me with reasons I should or should not fuck John Hoynes."

“CJ, can you make it anymore shocking?” Marcia chided.

“Okay, tell me why I should become involved with John,” CJ sighed. “Why should I throw every instinct I have away and became the VP’s girlfriend?”

Janine and Marcia exchanged glances. "Because he likes you," Janine finally said.

"Because you like him," Marcia added.

"But I really don't," CJ protested. "I think he's arrogant and insufferable and annoying and..."

"You like him enough to give it serious thought," Marcia said.

"And besides, we're sick of him going out with bimbos," Janine said. "One of his ex-one-night-stands probably teamed up with a few more and shot him."

"Janine!" Marcia hissed.

“Please tell me the Vice President of the United States hasn’t been taking women to the Observatory and bedding them,” CJ groaned in disbelief.

“Don’t be silly. The service arrange for him to meet them in hotels.”

“I can’t do this,” CJ moaned, flinging her hands in the air. “I’d want him exclusively. I’d want romantic dinners, to be able to hold him through the night. . .” she stopped when she saw them both grinning at her. “What?”

"There's actually been a recent turn of events..." Janine said with a smirk. "He stopped his whoring ways."

"Oh please, you've got to be kidding me," CJ muttered.

"He called me," Marcia said, "To tell me about an extremely infuriatingly annoying woman that he'd fallen for."

"Then he should stop pursuing me," CJ snapped.

“He told me she was smart,” Marcia said loudly to Janine.

“Yeah, well put it down to today’s events. She’s usually smart and sexy. Maybe it’s an off day.” Janine shrugged. “Of course if he saw her now he might rethink his unadulterated lust.”

Something in the back of CJ's exhausted brain finally clicked and she realized they were talking about HER. "I can't do this," she sighed, getting up and walking toward the door. "I can't stay here any longer."

"The Secret Service guys will shoot you," Marcia warned.

"So much the better," CJ whispered to herself as she opened the door and walked right into Dr. Robinson. "I'm sorry, I was just on my way..." she stammered.

"He's in post-op," Robinson said.

"I'm on my way to the cafeteria," CJ retorted, all but running down the hall away from the tiny waiting room.

Dr. Robinson entered the waiting room and told the two women present what was going on.

Marcia looked at Janine and smiled. “Any chance you can get an agent to drag her back?”

“Good as done.”

“She was heading for the cafeteria. Would you like to see your son?” he asked Marcia.

"Well, let me ask you this -- is he in any immediate risk for a stroke?"

"What?" Robinson said, looking confused.

"Well, when Ms. Cregg is with him, they will be finishing an argument they were having earlier, so I was just wondering if there was any immediate risk of stroke because if there is, I won't go in." She smiled sweetly.

Robinson's eyes widened and he nodded. "Ahh... well, there is a slight risk. We wouldn't want to push it too much. One visitor at a time is good."

“I’ll be in here, pacing,” Marcia smiled. “When CJ’s finished have someone come get me.”

Janine propped herself up against the door frame. She grinned at the sight of the six foot Press Secretary being escorted down the hallway.

“Get your hands off me.”

“You need to take her to post-op, floor above,” Janine ventured.

The agent grabbed CJ’s other arm and escorted her towards the elevator.

"LET GO OF ME!" CJ shouted, fighting it every step of the way.

"Stubborn idiot," Janine muttered.

"Hmm?" Marcia said with a smirk. "I'm sorry, but did you say she's a stubborn idiot? It's kind of hard to tell, considering she's yelling so loudly."

“It’s a trait he likes in a woman,” Janine grinned as the agent physically put CJ in the lift.

It was easy to tell which floor John was on. CJ stepped out of the lift and caught sight of ten agents guarding the corridor.

“This way Ma’am,” the agent instructed, fully prepared to give her a shove.

"I'll sue the fucking Treasury Department," CJ snapped, stepping out of the elevator. "Get your hands off of me or I'll sue you, too."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Cregg, but I was under the impression that you make peanuts," the agent retorted snidely. "Third door on the left."

She glared at him and flipped him the bird before striding confidently into the room and feeling her heart plummet into her feet.

John looked worse than before, his bare chest linked to wires and covered with blue gauze, not enough to cover the extent of his surgery but enough to conceal the blood. He was drained of color and not at all like she remembered.

“You can sit with him, but he probably won’t wake up,” the nurse said softly, slipping from the room.

CJ fell onto one of the hard plastic chairs and took his hand in hers. "I'm sorry," she murmured, kissing his hand. "I... I don't think I can pursue a relationship with you, John. I'd be too worried about getting myself hurt." She kissed his hand one more time, then sat up and sighed.

"Are.... you... always... so... pigheaded?" he croaked weakly, never opening his eyes.

“John?”

He tried to grip her hand but failed. “Unfair. . .too weak to. . .argue.”

“If it’s any consolation your mom and Janine have been trying hard.” She smiled and stared down at his face.

“Don’t go,” he rasped, opening his eyes.

She exhaled heavily and gently traced the lines on his forehead with her thumb. "John..."

"Stay with me," he groaned.

"I need to check on Hogan and get some sleep," CJ said, her smile becoming forced, tears stinging in her eyes.

He turned his face away from her, and tried unsuccessfully to bury it in the pillow. His chokes came rapidly as he tried to prevent her from knowing how scared he really was.

“John?”

At the sound of his name he tried to hold her hand tighter.

Pulling herself up out of the chair, CJ leaned over the bed and gently stroked his cheeks. “I should get Marcia.”

“Please.”

She saw the pleading in his eyes and knew he wasn't asking her to please get his mother. CJ sighed and slumped back into the chair. "Why me?" she asked. "Of every other woman out there, why me, John? Why you?" She lifted his hand to her lips and a tear trickled down her cheek.

“Because. . .you. . .want me. . .not,” he couldn’t continue.

“I don’t even like you. Being the VP’s flavour of the month isn’t my thing.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “We’d be fighting in a week.”

He shook his head and turned to look at her. “Need peace and quiet.”

"I probably should tell you I haven't felt like this since I was sixteen," she confessed quietly. "I fell in love with someone much older and when he left, he promised to write and come get me, but he never did. I promised myself I would never feel like that again because I would only get hurt." She gave up trying to wipe her eyes because for every tear she wiped away, two more would take its place. "I'm not saying I love you, but I could love you, eventually, and it scares the hell out of me. Because I don't think I could handle being left again by someone I would give my life for." She looked down at their entwined hands, then back up at him. "His name was Sean O'Toole," she sighed, biting her lip.

John inhaled and began to cough. She bent down to loosen the cords around his neck. "Shh... just breathe," she insisted quietly.

His eyes followed her as she walked around the bed, making him more comfortable. “I’ll come and visit every day. Probably not till late or maybe in my lunch break.”

He pressed his thumb against her flesh.

“Your mom is staying to take care of you, so you’ll be fine.” CJ moved back to her seat.

John mumbled and smiled up at her. “Nurses’.”

CJ laughed and nodded. "Nurses, nurses everywhere," she replied, though it cut her through the heart.

"See... you..." he said, reaching for her hand and squeezing it.

CJ looked at him blankly for a second, then it sunk in. “No, no way. I am not wearing a nurses’ outfit. We had this conversation earlier.”

He gave her a coy smile

“And that’s not going to work.” She watched his lips move but nothing came out. Leaning closer she still couldn’t understand. Finally she lowered her ear to his mouth and jumped when he kissed her cheek.

"That was a dirty trick!" she exclaimed, hiding a smile.

"It... worked..."

She shook her head and tried to hide the blush that was slowly spreading over her cheeks. "I'll be back tomorrow," she promised awkwardly.

“Okay,” he mumbled, still gripping her hand.

“You need to let go.”

He smiled weakly. “What do I get?”

"Me coming back tomorrow," she replied.

"I was thinking more like a kiss."

"Oh, all right," CJ said, rolling her eyes and leaning down to kiss him very gently on the lips.

He kissed her back with as much strength as he could muster and watched as she left. John grinned as she stopped at the door and looked back over her shoulder. Quickly he closed his eyes. Once the door had closed he settled down to sleep, trying to figure out a way of getting to spend more time with him.

******

"I need to go home and sleep," CJ moaned.

"You promised to go see the Vice President," Carol reminded her. "Now take this and go." She handed her a cup of coffee. "By the way, I need out early tomorrow, because Janine asked me to go out for some girl time."

CJ stopped in her tracks. “You’re going out with Janine?”

“Yeah. I didn’t think you’d mind. You’ve promised to visit the VP at night so I thought I’d have a little fun,” Carol observed.

“Yeah. Okay.” She walked into her office and collapsed into a chair.

“You look like hell.”

“Leo? What the hell? Don’t do that,” she yelled.

He shrugged. “Did you sleep at all last night?”

“A little.” She waved her hands as if to explain.

"Too worried about him?"

"Not so much that as trying to sort out what I want." She shrugged and sighed.

“Sometimes it’s better not to analyze, just to go with the flow.” Leo looked over at her. “I went to see him this morning.”

CJ sipped her coffee and watched him over the rim. “And?”

“He’d like you to be there, rather than here,” Leo stated, smirking at the flush that was creeping over her cheeks. “If it’s what you want too, we can work something out.”

"I don't know what I want!" she exploded, frustration and lack of sleep finally overtaking her. "I go out with him twice and I'm suddenly the Veep's girlfriend -- and then he gets shot and it's thrown into the spotlight and there's nothing THERE yet! What the hell am I supposed to do, Leo?" She slammed her fist onto the top of her desk, then began to cry.

Leo groaned and moved around the desk to pat her back. “Look, can I give you some advice, kiddo?”

When she didn’t respond he carried on. “You’re not his girlfriend and no-one’s gonna treat you as such around here. I think it would be beneficial to both of you to spend some time together. Which is why . . .” he took a breath. “I’d like you to be his liason for a while. Between four and seven every day you get to keep him updated.”

She sniffled and looked up at him. "Are you and Margaret involved?" she asked.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just something Janine said yesterday..." CJ sat up and sighed, wiping away her tears. "Okay."

“If I wasn’t such a coward.” Leo moved over to the couch and sat down. “Margaret and I have a complicated relationship.” He rubbed his hands over his eyes. “Apart from the dating and the sex thing, I guess we are involved.”

"See, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one around here that can't figure out their feelings," CJ said with a sardonic laugh. "I need to get to work..."

"Yeah," Leo agreed. "But if you need to talk..."

“I’ll go see Margaret,” CJ grinned. “About the offer, I’ll think about it.”

Leo nodded and made it as far as the outer office before he stepped back into the room. “If you like the guy, though, you might want to take him something from the mess for lunch. He wasn’t too impressed with porridge for breakfast.”

CJ chuckled. "Forget the mess -- I know a little shop on Massachusetts that makes the best chicken soup."

Leo smirked at her, and she glanced down to hide her flushed cheeks. "You go get him some for lunch, then," he suggested. "See ya in staff."

CJ didn't look up until after he had left.

She sighed and drummed her fingers on the desk. Somehow Leo had managed to talk her into going to the hospital at lunch, and now she felt compelled to go along.

“CJ, staff,” Carol called a few minutes later. She stuck her head around the door. “It’s going to be a long day.”

"Tell me about it," CJ muttered, grabbing her folders and heading for the door.

***

She paused in the hospital room doorframe before striding in, exuding a confidence she certainly didn't feel. "Hello, Marcia," CJ said. "I brought lunch for you -- I left it with Sammy and Ella in the hallway. I'm here to update the Vice President and feed him chicken soup because I hear he tried to throw the oatmeal across the room this morning."

“He was having a tantrum. Of course he couldn’t stamp his feet like he did as a child because they won’t let him get out of bed,” Marcia said, laying down her paper and standing.

“Mom,” John whined, a grin flashing across his face.

“You want me to tell her about the time you pulled down your briefs in public and flashed the priest?”

“Yes,” CJ grinned, placing the soup on the table.

John sighed and rolled his eyes. "Can't you two cut me some slack?"

"No," Marcia said at the same time CJ replied, "Not a chance in hell, tiger."

Marcia smiled at CJ. "I'll be in the cafeteria eating the delicious lunch you brought me if you need to find me," she said before leaving the room.

"You need me to feed you?" CJ asked, sitting down beside the bed.

“You’ve forgotten something.”

“Container, spoon, briefing book. No.”

He looked at her and reached for her hand. “I want my kiss.”

“John.”

“I’m sick. A kiss from you might aid my recovery,” he smirked.

CJ shook her head. “This is a professional visit. I have to brief you. So do you want me to feed you?”

“I can do it,” he sighed, grabbing the container.

"Careful," she said, "you don't want to pull out your IV needle."

"Your concern is touching," he replied with more than a little grumble. "So tell me what's going down."

An hour later, he had finished the soup and CJ had finished briefing him. "That's about it," she said, closing the briefing book and taking off her glasses. "Any other questions?"

"No. But you do look sexy with your glasses on."

“Would you rather I get Toby or Sam to do this?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

“No, Ma’am.”

“Then behave.”

“Are you coming back tonight?” John asked hopefully, reaching for her hand. “I’ll be awake again by then.”

CJ stared at their entwined hands and shook her head. “I’m not sure. I have a lot to do.”

He resisted the urge to act like a little kid and whine, "But you promised!", instead opting to gently rub her hand with his thumb. "Maybe we can talk tonight?" he suggested hopefully. "I have to tell you something."

"We'll see," she said softly. "I need to get back for the 2:30 briefing."

"Can I at least get a kiss goodbye?" he asked.

CJ groaned. “Just one.” She leaned in to kiss his cheek and let out a tiny moan as he turned his head and their lips collided briefly before he pulled away.

“See you later,” he said, cheerfully, settling back on the pillows.

"Sleep well," she said, smiling. "Sweet dreams."

His grin became wolfish. "Of course," he growled.

"See ya," she said, leaving the room.

John spent the afternoon napping. Everytime he woke up a doctor was prodding him or his mother wanted to talk. Finally he kept his eyes closed and pretended to sleep.

Marcia looked around at the sound of a door opening and quietly stood up. “He’s asleep,” she whispered. “I’m going to take a shower and eat.”

“Have they organized a car?” CJ asked in a whisper.

Marcia nodded and squeezed her arm. “See you tomorrow.”

CJ just nodded. She still wasn't sure if she would come the next day or not -- her schedule was full to overflowingg.

She settled at John's bedside, and jumped when he opened his eyes. "Don't do that, you scared the living daylights out of me!" she hissed.

"Sorry," he chuckled.

“So you should be.”

“Yeah, well you aren’t the one being poked and prodded all day,” he muttered. “And don’t get me started on my mother.”

CJ laughed as he rolled his eyes. “Well you’re stuck with me for a little while now.”

He looked up at the ceiling and said, "There really is a God, and he is goooood...."

CJ chuckled and poked him on the arm. "How're you feeling?"

"Like hell." He shrugged. "I had Janine run over to the Observatory to get something for me -- she should be back any time now..."

"Do you want me to go?" CJ asked.

"Nah -- it has to do with what we need to talk about."

“Okay.” CJ folded her hands in her lap. “So . . . How long are you in here for?”

John shrugged. “Hopefully until my mother goes home.”

“That’s not nice.”

He shrugged. "She's driving me crazy."

"I'll be driving you crazy soon, too," CJ said with a smile. "So, what's this we need to talk about? It sounds very ominious..."

He sighed. "Let's wait till Janine gets here. How was work?"

“I need more hours in the day. Josh needs to keep his trap shut and if the press all moved to Siberia, I’d be a happy camper,” she sighed.

“Good day, then?” he teased.

“More or less. Hogan sends her love. They’re keeping her in for a few days to keep an eye on the baby.”

"Well, have her come visit me," John ordered imperiously. "We could find a deck of cards somewhere, I'm sure..."

Janine walked in.

"Did you get it?" he asked.

"Right here," Janine said, holding up a tiny box. "It was underneath your Jaegers."

CJ coughed.

"Oh, hey, I didn't see you," Janine said with a smile. She handed John the box. "If that's all, sir, I'll be going home for the night."

"That's it," John said. He waited for Janine to leave before he handed CJ the little box. "Open it."

She fumbled with the box until she got it open and sighed. "John, you know I can't accept this... it's beautiful, but..."

"It's not an engagement ring," he said sharply. "It was my grandmother's. She told me to give it to someone special to me. So I'm giving it to you."

“I still can’t accept it,” CJ said, glancing up at him. She sighed deeply. “I don’t know how to explain it to you. I’m not ready. This is all too much too soon.” She waved her hands to emphasize what she was saying.

“Claudia,” he whispered, wondering if she’d even notice. “You’re getting yourself all worked up and flustered. It’s quite simple, I like you, I want to spend time with you, I want you to have something special.”

"Keep it," she said softly. "If you still like me when you've recovered, then you can give it to me." She put the lid back on the box and pressed it into his hand. "Was that what you wanted to talk to me about?"

"No, but it was going to give me a lead-in..." He sighed. "This guy you fell in love with -- Sean? -- tell me about him. What was it you loved about him?"

“It was a long time ago,” she sighed.

“Please,” he pleaded, covering her hands with his own. “You loved him.”

“Anything, so you don’t have to sleep,” she teased. “Okay, what did I love? He treated me like a woman, and his equal.”

He nodded and she shrugged. "Of course, I was only sixteen at the time so... Why?"

"Because."

"John... why?"

"Because I want to know what I have to compete with."

“If all I am to you is a competition. . .,” She started, rising from her seat.

“I could fall in love with you,” he said simply. “I want to make sure I can be everything you need me to be.”

"You don't have to compete with him, John," she sighed, sitting back down.

"Then tell me what you need me to be."

"Just... be you. I have to say that's probably the hardest thing to do," she said, smiling. "You should get some rest."

“I can’t sleep. I’ve been sleeping all day,” he whined.

“Then watch television, read a book, or something.”

“I’d rather talk to you.”

"Okay, but can we talk about something besides my feelings and emotional affectations? Please?"

"Okay -- tell me what your favorite color is. What do you like to eat?"

CJ rolled her eyes. "I'm not good about talking about myself."

“So we’ll talk about me. What do you want to know?” he asked, struggling to sit up.

CJ rose to her feet warily and moved his pillows. She wouldn’t put it past him to kiss her.

"Well, your mom and Janine told me a couple of things," she said. "Like the five year old who tried to ride a bull..."

"Ohhh..." John groaned.

"And the vegetarian rancher..."

He moaned.

"And the teenage President," she said, her voice softening.

“And you wonder why I want my mom to go home.” He shook his head. “And you know about my experiences with alcohol in college, so that only really leaves my past loves.”

"Great loves, not your one-nights," CJ corrected with a sad smile.

"Ah.... well, there was Elise Henry in high school..."

CJ sat back down and crossed her legs. Sitting back she listened as he told her amusing anecdotes about the women he had dated.

She closed her eyes for a second and leaned forward onto the bed.

******