It was someone’s bright idea to host a state dinner, on a Wednesday night, a week before the crucial California primary. And if CJ ever got her hands on said person they were going to suffer.

Muttering to herself once more, CJ perched herself on the desk and slipped on her sandals.

“That’s the first sign of madness, you know,” Abbey commented dryly, leaning against the doorframe.

“It shouldn’t come as any surprise to you,“ CJ quipped. “I’ve been going steadily mad in this place for years.”

"Me, too, but for a different reason," Abbey said with a grin. "You look fab -- who designed your dress?"

"I think it's a Chanel, but I don't know for sure. Carol ran out and picked it up this afternoon because the dry cleaning place ruined the Vera Wang I was going to wear," CJ sighed, changing her earrings. "If I ever find out whose idea it was to have a state dinner tonight..."

"It was Jed's actually."

“Figures,” CJ groaned. “Oh well, let’s get this over with.”

“You might enjoy yourself,” Abbey grinned.

“Oh yeah, I just love watching Josh and Amy spat.”

“You’re not sat with them,” Abbey informed her.

“Oh no, not again. I don’t do well with scientists,” CJ whined, picking up her pager.

“Actually,” Abbey hesitated. “Leo’s bringing a date, and well Jed thought he’d like a friendly face at his table.”

CJ raised an eyebrow. "Leo has a date?"

"Yeah -- she's a very nice woman, intelligent, witty... beautiful." Abbey tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile. "I think Leo's found a keeper."

CJ looked away, feigning disinterest. "Good for him. My date should be here any minute."

"You have a date?" Abbey asked, surprised.

"Yes, in fact, I do," CJ snapped. "He's young, handsome, and as smart as your husband."

“Really?”

“Don’t say that, I’m not over the hill yet,” CJ retorted. “I work out, I eat well and I’m delicious and delightful -- the Post says so.”

“Okay,” Abbey relented, smiling. “I’ll see you later. Be sure to introduce me.”

"You'll see him coming a mile away," CJ promised with a forced smile as she struggled with her gloves. "I hate these damn things," she spat, yanking them off and throwing them onto the desk with a triumphant noise from the back of her throat.

"Hey," said a male voice from her office doorway.

She turned and smiled a little. "Hey."

“I have one question.”

“Okay.”

“How the hell do you tie one of these things?” he asked, grinning, and waving a bow tie in her direction.

CJ laughed and shook her head. “You could have worn a pre tied one.”

“I have one of those too,” he announced, pulling it from his pocket. “But I wanted to make a good impression.”

“Making a good impression, generally involves arriving before the President.” She wrapped the bow tie around his collar and velcroed it closed before kissing him on the cheek. “I’m glad you could make it.”

Me, too, Aunt CJ... I'm glad that Justice Mendoza gave me the night off," Jake joked.

"I made a call," CJ said with a grin, affectionately ruffling his hair, then patting it down again. "We ought to have Carol take a picture for your parents -- we can title it 'My First Political Function on a National Level'," she cooed.

"Look, I'm about the only person taller than you in this building," Jake said with a grin. "I could kick your ass."

"Not in this," CJ scolded, laughing. "You look so much like your mother, Jake, not so much like your dad and me. And did you have to do that dye job on the tips of your hair?"

"It's the style," Jake protested.

"It's ugly, and if you come back to the White House, you'd better fix it," CJ said, grabbing her clutch and dropping her cell phone into it. "Ready?"

“Of course, “ he acknowledged, holding out his arm for her to grab.

“I‘ll introduce you to my friends and maybe later you can meet the President.”

“So what’s my name, how long have we been dating and do I comment on the sex?” he teased, smirking. “Or maybe I can just drop it in the conversation how older women are better between the sheets.”

She shook her head and stifled a laugh. "You're Jacob Alexander, clerk to Justice Mendoza, we've known each other for years, and the very idea of sex with you is not only incestuous, but it's just downright wrong. However, I could set you up with Margaret if you like older women."

“Is she a blonde, cause I gotta say, they rock between the sheets?”

CJ groaned and part dragged and part guided him through the corridors to the State Room.

“So it Toby gonna be here?” Jacob asked, gazing up at the ceiling and grinning. “Last time I saw him I puked all over his flares.”

“I think he vaguely remembers that, yeah,” CJ laughed, glancing around the room and spotting Toby, chatting with the Poet Laureate.

"However," she said, pulling Jake along, "that was a long time ago and you've grown up since then..."

"Yeah -- now I'll puke tuna salad all over his tux," Jake quipped with a grin.

CJ rolled her eyes. "Toby, Tabitha, I'd like you to meet Jake Alexander -- he's one of Mendoza's clerks at the Suppreme Court. Jake, this is Toby Ziegler and Tabitha Fortis, White House Communications Director and the new US Poet Laureate."

"Wow, you are HOT," Jake commented, appraising Tabitha, much to Toby's annoyance.

Tabitha blushed slightly and her hair fell into her face. “Hi.”

“Jake!”

“Sorry Claudie,” he muttered, grinning. “You look pretty good too, Toby.”

CJ caught him on the upside of his arm. “Don’t call me Claudie,” she hissed, fixing her smile in place.

“Oh my, little Jakey,” Toby smirked beneath his beard, and took two steps back. “My, how we’ve grown.”

"A few inches a day," Jake quipped dryly. "And about a foot in the last few days..."

"Where are you going to school?" Toby asked.

"Kansas State till the end of next semester, then I'm in Duke's law program," Jake said, puffing up proudly.

"Yet another lawyer in the extended family," CJ muttered. "Yee-hah."

"Hey, you'll be glad when I can save you from the frying pan," Jake protested.

CJ smiled up at him. "Why don't we go piss off Josh or Sam, sweetie-pie?" she purred, kissing him on the cheek.

"Aunt CJ!" Jake protested quietly.

"What?"

"You're getting all touchy-feely."

"Well, you're so cute -- I remember changing your diapers, and..."

"Too much information," Jake groaned.

Tabitha had gotten over her initial shyness and chuckled at the exchange. Toby was just amused by the way that nephew and aunt played off of each other.

He watched them cross the room but his eyes wandered as he spotted Leo and his companion.

CJ noticed them too and stopped in the middle of the room, pulling Jake to a standstill with her.

“Wha?” he gasped.

CJ fixed her smile and clung tightly to Jake’s arm. “Follow my lead,” she whispered. Then turning to their approaching friends. “Leo!”

“Hey CJ.”

"I want you to meet someone," she said with the biggest smile she could manage.

"That's funny because I was about to say the same thing," Leo replied. "Ladies first."

"Leo, this is Jake Alexander, he clerks for Mendoza, and this is his first White House function. He is, in fact, old enough to drink the wine," she quipped with a grin and a nudge to Jake's arm.

“Mr. McGarry, CJ has told me so much about you,” Jake grinned.

Leo raised an eyebrow at CJ and squeezed the hand of the woman next to him. “May I introduce Eleanor? She’s a teacher.” He grinned and turned from one woman to the other. “Eleanor, this is CJ Cregg, and Jake.”

CJ shook Eleanor's hand politely, and forced a bigger smile. "It's nice to meet you," she said. "What do you teach?"

"American History, senior-level high school," Eleanor said with a sweet smile. "And you wrangle the press into submission."

"Most of the time," CJ said with a strangled laugh. "We were just going off to find Josh, Leo -- have you seen him?"

“He was with Amy.”

“You might want to take protective headgear with you,” Eleanor quipped. “They seemed to be spoiling for a fight.”

“They’re going to make a wonderful married couple,” CJ groaned.

“Oh, are they engaged? I didn’t realise. Love must be in the air around here, “ she said, smiling down at Leo.

CJ dropped her gaze and took a step in the direction Leo had just come. “I’ll speak to you later.”

Jake followed her quick footsteps and noticed her posture. "That's the guy, isn't it?"

"What guy?" CJ asked, turning her head to catch his gaze.

"The guy you're so into that you're all screwy," Jake said with a grin.

"I'm not screwy," CJ protested quietly.

"Want to go out for some air?" Jake asked, pulling her toward one of the French doors.

Leo watched from the other side of the room as Jake’s hand moved to the small of CJ’s back propelling her forward. He rubbed his forehead and turned back to his companion. “Come on, Abbey’ll want to see you.”

“He’s very young, and sexy,” Eleanor grinned, her eyes dancing as she focused on Jake’s backside. “What do you think? Twenty five?”

"At most," Leo muttered. "Stooping to baby-snatching isn't the first impression you'd get of CJ."

"Well, I think he's very... ahem..."

"Eleanor," Leo growled.

"He's a stud," she chuckled. "But, since obviously you don't like that, we'll go see Abbey now."

Leo rolled his eyes and started his search for the bane of his life.

******

“Have you ever just thought of telling a guy you like them?” Jake queried. “You know, instead of playing these games.”

CJ narrowed her eyes.

“CJ, Dad took you to your proms, Toby was there through college. I’m just saying, admitting you’re interested isn’t a crime.”

"Kind of like you did with Tabitha Twichette over there?" CJ snapped. "For God's sake, you don't tell the Poet Laureate that she's hot."

"Oh please. You're so emotionally repressed that if Leo McGarry were to come up to you and say, 'I love you', you'd run screaming!"

"Probably, but that's my problem, not yours!" she snapped, turning away. "And besides, he's now taken with Ms. Happy Sexy Eleanor."

“Strange that, he didn’t strike me as the brunette type,” Jake muttered.

CJ rolled her eyes and gripped the iron railings.

“Wonder what else she teaches other than American History,” Jake pondered out loud, satisfied he was having the right effect when CJ made strange noises in the back of her throat.

"A little jealous, are we?" he prompted.

"I want to go back in there and rip his head off -- which one doesn't matter. He's thinking with his dick anyway, so does it really matter?" she ground out in one long breath. "Total fucker."

“Okay,” Jake said, apprehensively. “Are there any topics I should avoid over dinner?”

“My private life is a good one,” she snapped back.

“How about I get you a drink?”

“Wine, a large glass, please.”

Jake headed back inside leaving CJ to stare at the night and debate the impossibility of relationships.

When Jake didn't come back, she went inside to see what was keeping him. She spotted him across the room, talking to Toby and Tabitha. She began to head over that way, but was stopped by Amy.

"Your friend Josh is a jackass," Amy said.

"He's not my friend," CJ sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "What did he do this time, and can it wait until after I've collected my date from swooning at Tabitha Fortis’ feet?"

"You know, Tabitha's a good writer," Amy said. "And she's good sex appeal for this administration."

"Like the First Lady wasn't enough," CJ quipped dryly.

“You could show a little more skin,” Amy remarked. “Men like to see a woman who’s sexy and smart in control.”

“And you call yourself a feminist,” CJ moaned, starting to move away.

“Sex is an asset, you should use all your assets to their fullest.”

CJ took a deep breath and approached the threesome. “I swear if Josh doesn’t dump her soon. . .”

“I give it another two weeks,” Toby mumbled, glaring at Jake.

"I wasn't hitting on your date, honest," Jake said, hands laden with two wine glasses up in the air in surrender.

"Gimme one of those before you dump it!" CJ scolded, taking one and drinking it in one long gulp.

"Aunt CJ, drinking isn't going to help the fact that Leo's staring at his date's cleavage down her dress," Jake hissed into her ear.

CJ glanced downwards and adjusted her neckline.

Toby grinned beneath his beard and lowered his eyes. “They aren’t going to get any bigger.”

“Pokey!”

“Pokey?” Tell me more,” Tabitha cooed, tucking her arm through Toby’s. “Now that I can work with. Cokey. Folky. Hokey. Jokey…”

“I get the point,” Toby growled.

"Maybe I ought to stuff..." CJ moaned in despair, shooting her snickering nephew a glare. "What's the matter with you?"

"I think you're just fine the way you are, Aunt CJ. Really. And if he doesn't, he's not worth it."

“I think we should sit down,” CJ said, as her fingers closed tightly around Jake’s elbow. “The bell will be rung soon.”

Jake shrugged and waved a hand at Toby as he was dragged off.

CJ glanced down at the table and the place cards set out. She groaned when she noted someone had placed her next to Leo. She was debating whether to make adjustments when Leo crept up behind her.

“Oh, great, we get to sit together for once,” he grinned.

She forced a smile. "I'm sure you'd rather be sitting with Eleanor," she said sweetly.

"No, I think Eleanor is going to have her hands full with young Jake over there," Leo said, his voice dark.

"She'd better not have too much fun with him," CJ snapped.

“Nora can handle him,” Leo assured her. “She’s quite some woman.”

“Really? You two known each other long?” CJ couldn’t help but ask.

“Fifteen years, I think. But we only really met up again at Easter,” he added. “I’m guessing you haven’t known Jake that long,” he smirked.

“I’ve known him a lot longer than you might think. He has a thing for older women. They’re better between the sheets,” she said, remembering Jake’s earlier words. “Do you think I’d look good bleach blonde?”

Leo choked. "Excuse me?"

"Or even a honey blonde?"

"Have you gone completely daft?" Leo spluttered.

"Not completely, no, but I'm ready for a change."

“Then have a trim, add some lowlights,” he suggested, waving his hands. “But I wouldn’t change a thing.”

CJ flushed slightly and turned to seek out Jake.

Somehow he had moved the name cards and was now sat next to Eleanor, leaning into her ear and telling jokes. CJ just hoped they weren’t the ones he had told her.

“The President’s in good spirits tonight,” Leo acknowledged, pulling out a chair for CJ.

"I haven't seen him this happy since the primary," CJ said, sitting down gingerly on the edge of the chair. She leaned forward to get her wine goblet and the chair flew out from under her in record time. She fell forward, knocking her head hard on the edge of the table, and falling to the floor in a daze. "Holy shit," she moaned as a sudden crush of people crowded around her.

Leo, Toby and Jake knelt beside her, and Abbey pushed forward. "Are you all right?" Leo asked.

CJ tried to nod, but the motion sent waves of nausea through her body.

"Don't move," Abbey instructed, pushing Leo back so she could get in.

“I’m fine. Tell her Toby,” CJ said, giving him a death glare.

“She’s a klutz Mrs. Bartlet.”

“Well this time, there’s going to quite some bruise, and you may be concussed,” Abbey dictated, pressing her fingers against the swelling.

"OW!" CJ hissed.

"You want to try sitting up now?" Abbey asked.

"When the room stops spinning," CJ chuckled a little.

"You are such a klutz," Jake said condescendingly.

“It runs in the family,” CJ snorted, sitting up timidly and clutching the first thing that came to hand -- which just happened to be Leo. “Can someone get me some Advil?”

“She’ll be fine,” Abbey declared. “No alcohol though and no quick movements. And if the headache persists you should try and stay awake.”

“Better keep a way from the President then,” Leo whispered.

CJ tried to fight back a smile, but she couldn't. "Thank you," she said as she slowly got to her feet, then sat down in her now-righted chair.

"No problem," Leo said, sitting down beside her.

Jake made sure she was secure in the chair before going back to his seat and giving her a stern glare over the table, as if to say, 'you didn't want him that way, and yet, you didn't take him when he was offered? Crazy woman!'

CJ glared back at him and swallowed two white pills. Sipping from a water glass she glanced around the table and inwardly groaned. Abbey had definitely had some input in the tables. Apart from the four of them there was two guys from a computer company, a woman surgeon, who by reputation was a prude, and Mary Marsh. Briefly CJ wondered if she could make herself pass out.

“Leo, how long before I can go home?” CJ asked quietly.

“You’re not feeling well,” he replied concerned.

“I’m thinking of skewering myself on the salad fork,” she groaned.

Leo smiled at Mary and received a frown. “Okay, we eat dinner, we do the obligatory three dances and then you can go.”

“Leo!”

“Hey, if I have to suffer so should you.”

"You're going to take Eleanor home?" CJ asked caustically.

"I don't know -- are you planning on taking JAKE?" he asked pointedly.

"Actually, yes," CJ said guilessly.

Leo nodded mutely and took a long look across the table. “Just be careful kiddo.”

CJ was ready to throw a comeback when he turned and began to discuss advances in medicine with the surgeon. She shot him a look instead and turned to the computer geek.

For the next forty minutes over dinner CJ listened as he droned on about PHP databasing on Linux servers. She tuned out somewhere around the first two minutes but continued to nod and smile in the appropriate places and at least pretend to be interested.

Jake and Eleanor were in a deep, apparently humorous conversation at their part of the table, and Leo was still obsessing over new brain surgery techniques with the surgeon.

When CJ glanced around the table her eyes fell on Mary Marsh and CJ waited for what she knew was coming.

“Doesn’t this administration have any moral fibre?” she snapped.

“Excuse me, but you’ll have to elaborate,” CJ replied, her voice calm.

“The Chief of Staff is an alcoholic, the Deputy is anti religion and now is practically shacked up with his girlfriend. What does that teach our youngsters about moral fibre?” She didn’t miss a beat as she added. “And your companion is barely old enough to vote.”

"My companion," CJ snapped, "is my nephew, and so help me GOD, if you say one more word in this vein, I will lose it."

"Your nephew?" Leo choked.

Jake blushed on the other side of the table. "I guess the jig's up. And called by a Republican religious zealot of a prick, too."

“Yes Leo, Jake is my nephew. Who right now is going to take his aunt on the dance floor before she does something she might regret,” CJ said, her voice rising to the end of the sentence.

Jake stood as CJ leaned across the table and lowered her voice. “The Chief of Staff has been dry for nine years, and he’s got more moral fibre in his little finger then you will ever have.” CJ stood and took Jake’s hand.

"Shall we dance?" he asked with a grin as he pulled her out onto the dance floor.

Leo got up and went around the table to take Eleanor's hand. "Would you like to dance?"

"Of course," Eleanor said with a grin.

"Did you know he was her nephew?"

"Yes. He told me."

“Oh?”

“And I would imagine any minute now he’ll tell her who I am,” Eleanor commented stepping into his arms and following his lead. “Which wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”

“How do you figure that?” he asked, swaying with the music and swirling her around the floor.

“Because quite frankly you’re in love with her.”

"I am not!" Leo spluttered.

"You are, you just won't do anything about it because you're afraid of her rejecting you. Am I right?" Eleanor grinned and squeezed his hand. "Don't worry -- I won't tell."

“You are so far outta the ballpark it’s unbelievable,” Leo croaked, dipping her and pulling her back up quickly.

“Okay, so this won’t be a problem then,” Eleanor said, guiding them towards CJ and Jake, and tapping Jake on the shoulder. “Dance with me.”

Jake grinned at her and pushed CJ into Leo's arms. "Behave yourselves," he scolded. "Oh, wait, what am I saying?"

"Jacob!" CJ gasped as he and Eleanor danced off.

Leo held out his arms and waited for her to fall into them. Hell he’d been waiting metaphorically for her to do that for three years.

CJ hesitated and finally took his hand and moved closer.

They danced steadily and awkwardly around the dance floor as Jake and Eleanor watched in dismay.

"My god, that's pathetic," Eleanor groaned.

"Aunt Claudia's a good dancer, really," Jake sighed. "I guess she really just doesn't feel well now."

"No, it's more that he's putting her off her game," Eleanor groaned. "Leo is rather a wet blanket sometimes..."

"So we spice things up a little," Jake said with a grin as they danced toward the band.

CJ tried not to look at Leo as she methodically stepped around the dance floor with him. But suddenly, all of that flew out the window when the band started playing the Bethena Waltz by Scott Joplin. The soft sounds lulled her into a sense of security, and she leaned into Leo's arms.

Leo for his part slipped his arm tighter around her waist and breathed in her scent. If he leaned in just slightly he could rest his head against her shoulder, and take in her scent. He sighed contentedly.

“Are you okay?” CJ asked, her breath blowing across the hair just above his ear.

“Er, yeah,” he stammered. “I was just getting relaxed.”

"You, relaxing... foreign concept," she murmured. "I love this song..."

"I can tell," Leo said quietly.

"I just want to close my eyes and go to sleep," she sighed.

“CJ, not a good idea. Concussion and all that,” he muttered, moving back from her shoulder. “Dance with me a while longer?” he pleaded. “Then I’ll get someone to take you home and stay with you.”

"Jake's staying with me..." she yawned, trying to rouse herself enough to stay awake. "I'm supposed to take good care of him, or my big brother's gonna whoop my ass..."

"You okay?" Leo asked, more than a little worried.

"'m fine..." she slurred a little.

“Maybe some air would help,” Leo suggested, moving them towards the French doors and holding her firmly. Jed was going to have a fit if he found them outside tangled up, accuse Leo of all sorts but hell if only for a moment . . .

Leo backed her up against one of the railings and kept her upright, even though she was slumping a little. "CJ," he said sharply.

She startled and opened her eyes as widely as she could. "I'm awake," she choked out. "Which way did he go?"

"Who?"

"I... I don't know," she mumbled, looking a little confused. "Never mind. Why are we out here?"

“You were falling asleep, which generally doesn’t happen with me until after I’ve got a woman in bed,” he teased. “But anyway the air should wake you up.”

“You’re trying to get me into bed?” she asked disorientated.

"No, CJ, I'm not," he said, wondering if he should just go for it while she was halfway unconscious.

"Good, because I don't want you in my bed," she sighed, closing her eyes again for a long moment. When she finally got them open again, she slurred, "I want you on my living room rug..."

“Sweetheart, it’s me, Leo,” he whispered, glancing around desperately for somewhere to sit her while he went for help.

“Know. Leo, take me home,” she purred, wrapping both arms around his neck.

“Aunt CJ, I’m taking Eleanor home,” Jake called, sticking his head out the door and grinning when he saw them entangled. “Or at least to a hotel. See ya.”

He disappeared again before Leo could attract his attention.

CJ smiled at Leo before kissing him gently on the lips. "I want to go home," she whispered. "Take me home..."

"CJ, I don't think..." he began, and jumped when he felt her knee bend to reach his crotch. "Okay, now I know this isn't a good idea," he croaked.

"You don't want me?" she asked with a truly wounded look. "Then I'll just drive myself home," she said, disentangling herself from his grasp and taking a couple of stumbling steps toward the door before falling to her knees.

“Claudie, honey, are you okay?” he asked, his face panicked.

“Shit,” she muttered, tugging the dress and giving him a larger dose of her cleavage. “All I’m asking is you take me home.”

“Maybe . . .”

“Leo, oh . . . Just forget it, go find Eleanor,” she grumbled, pulling herself up and leaning against the door.

"Just go find Eleanor," she repeated angrily. "You obviously enjoy spending time with her. You two were all over each other before dinner."

"You were all over Jake," Leo pointed out gruffly.

"There's a difference -- there's no way in hell I'd fuck my nephew," CJ growled, tilting her head back to rest on the doorframe.

“And I wouldn’t screw Abbey’s sister,” Leo yelled, then walked away.

“Abbey’s sister?” CJ gasped, recovering her faculties quickly. “You and Abbey’s sister?”

He shrugged and continued to stare at the lawn and the Washington monument in the distance.

“Why?”

"Why you and Jake?" he shot back.

"Because I'm so pathetic I can't get a date," CJ sighed, sidling up beside him and leaning on the railing. "Why you and Abbey's sister?"

"Same reason."

"Oh," CJ said quietly. The music inside changed once again, and she said, "Want to dance?"

"Okay," he said very quietly. They were soon dancing at ease with each other.

CJ had it to her credit that she knew a split second before she threw up that she was actually going to do it, and had just enough time to push Leo away before she did it and make it to a flowerpot.

“CJ,” he whispered, coming up behind her and rubbing her back. “You do realise the President’s gonna have to pay for that.”

“He should be thankful it wasn’t on the seal in his office then,” CJ retorted, lifting her head and feeling better.

“You’re gonna need some more pills, y’know,” Leo muttered soothingly.

“I think I want to go home and shower.”

"You should go home and sleep," Leo said quietly. "Take a couple of days off..."

"My head hurts," she mumbled, trying to straighten up again, but ended up leaning over and throwing up again.

“That’s cause you tossed your cookies,” he informed her grinning. “Advil and a darken room will help.”

“Would you mind staying with me?” CJ asked, softly, slowly edging her way to a door further down the wall. “I don’t know where my nephew is and I’m feeling slightly woozy.”

Actually the woozy feeling came on the minute he touched her back and the nausea had gone. Once the headache went she would willingly engage him in conversation all night.

"I'll get one of the cars from the motor pool," Leo promised, reaching for his cell phone.

"And some ginger ale," CJ sighed. "I need some ginger ale."

He chuckled and ordered a ginger ale while he was at it. "I think the President will understand us leaving."

“Right now I could care less,” CJ grinned.

“That much is obvious,” he muttered, reaching to her spaghetti straps and pulling them over her shoulders, but not being able to resist one last glimpse of her cleavage.

CJ grinned and moved away from him, opening the door she waited for him to follow.

"You seem awfully... unsick at the moment," Leo commented dryly.

"The nausea's passed," she confessed. "But I'm still woozy."

Leo nodded and put his hand on the small of her back to guide her to the waiting car.

Throughout the car ride Leo babbled relentlessly, determined to keep her awake at any length. Every time CJ looked like dropping off he would prod her and change topic. Eventually, his voice hoarse, he took her hand and circled her knuckles with his thumb.

CJ sat up straighter and stared at their hands on the seat between them.

"Leo?" she said softly.

"What?" he asked, voice rasping.

"Do you care for me in any other way than as a friend?" she asked, feeling stupid, but needing to ask because of the inappropriateness of her feelings back.

Leo closed his eyes and willed himself to tell the truth. “I care about you as a friend, and a colleague, and you’re practically family,” he added.

“Okay,” she replied quietly, nibbling her bottom lip.

Leo sighed as CJ removed her hand and stared out of the window. Catching tiny glances at her he eventually said, “I don’t know you well enough for there to be anything more.”

The car pulled to a stop outside her townhouse and she opened the door. "Don't bother," she said, gesturing Leo away when he moved to follow her. "Jake will be home soon -- he'll watch me." She closed the door just a little too hard -- not slamming it, really, but it was enough for Leo to think she was angry.

He watched through the window as she slowly made her way up the stairs to the front door and fumbled with her bag to find her keys.

Groaning he climbed out of the car and sent the driver away.

“CJ, let me help with that.”

“I told you to go,” she snapped, dropping her purse and sending the contents flying.

Leo bent to help pick up the contents. “Jake won’t be home tonight and you can’t be left alone.”

"Jake's gonna fool around with Abbey's sister?" CJ groaned, dropping the purse again as he handed it to her.

"Claudia, can you just hold onto the damn bag and stop throwing things around for just a minute, please?" Leo begged. "You'll break your cell phone and pager this way..."

“Screw it,” CJ cried, snatching the key from his hand and jamming it in the door.

“You’ll break the key off in the lock, let me,” he offered, covering her hand and turning the key gently. “Ladies first.”

CJ stepped over the threshold and tossed her bag on the hall table.

Leo flinched and followed her inside.

"I mean, goddammit, how stupid can he get?" she shouted, throwing her hands in the air. "You'd think he's 15, not 25..."

"CJ, calm down," Leo said, grabbing one of her hands and pulling it down out of the air. He gently curled his fingers up into hers that curled down and under. "You ought to get some more Advil and go lie down," he advised.

“I’m going to take a shower.” She took two steps and stopped. “How old is she anyway?”

“Fifty,” Leo muttered.

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, well, look at it this way, the lad’s going to get some experience.”

“Leo!”

“I would have killed for that at his age,” Leo grinned. “Maybe it wouldn’t have taken me so long to . . .”

"BAD MENTAL PICTURE!" CJ yelped, holding up a hand. "I don't even want to think about my nephew with..."

Leo shook his head and chuckled as she wandered off to get a shower. He settled in and made himself comfortable, making drinks for both of them for when she came out, then sitting down in front of the TV.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked when she came back out, makeup and fancy dress gone. She was dressed only in a pair of plaid flannel lounge pants and a sports bra, a pair of big fluffy slippers on her feet.

Leo looked up from the magazine he was only half reading. “I’m just reading about the advantages of waxing verses shaving my bikini line,” he smirked.

“And?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“I’ve gone off the idea all together.”

“You didn’t need to stay, I’m feeling fine now,” she grumbled, flopping into a chair.

“Can’t I at least finish my drink first?” he asked hopefully, his eyes drawn to the exposed skin at her stomach.

"That depends," CJ said, avoiding his gaze. "What did you make me?"

"Some 7-Up with grape juice."

"Oh, Leo, that's just disgusting!" CJ yelped.

"I'm kidding."

"GOOD."

“It’s ginger ale.”

“Okay.” CJ flopped into an armchair and dangled her legs over the side.

“Feel better now?” Leo asked, staring on his glass.

“Much. Never underestimate the healing powers of a shower,” CJ grinned. “The bruise is going to need some work tomorrow though.”

"You have enough makeup to cover it?" Leo asked, receiving a flying pillow in the face.

"You better apologize for that," CJ snapped.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you need tons of makeup to be beautiful. I think you are, even without it."

CJ raised an eyebrow.

“It just looks pretty sore, and it’s going to be purple by tomorrow,” he mumbled. “Maybe some ice,” he suggested, rising to his feet and wandering into the kitchen.

CJ heard him rustling about before he appeared with a bag of peas.

“There, now get on the couch,” he instructed. At her raised eyebrow he sighed, “I’m not suggesting any funny business. I just want to lay this on your forehead.”

"It's fine," she said, making a gesture with one hand. "I took a cold shower."

Leo almost choked, but he managed to keep his composure in check. "Okay, then, I'll go put these back," he said, but CJ reached for the bag.

"I could use it..." she admitted.

"CJ, you're sending me some pretty mixed signals here."

CJ groaned and climbed onto the couch, lowering the peas onto her head. “I wasn’t aware I was sending any signals.”

“You kissed me on the balcony.”

CJ mumbled something incoherent.

Leo crouched down and moved closer to hear.

CJ’s hand snaked around his neck and pulled his face towards her. Her tongue darted out as she covered his lips with her own and kissed his passionately, not pulling away until she had explored every inch of his mouth. “Like that?”

“No,” he managed to croak.

“Then it wasn’t a kiss.”

He stared at her for a long time before reaching up to take her hand off of his neck. "CJ..."

"It's okay, I won't be doing that again, Leo," she said quietly, letting her hand drop back into her lap.

“Oh?” he muttered, sadly.

“I don’t like to step on anyone else’s toes,” she offered, waving a hand through the air as if to explain.

“No, I guess you wouldn’t. Not big on saying what you feel, are you?” He focused on a spot in the distance. “Crap, you always say what you feel.”

"No, Leo, I don't," she said quietly.

"Really?"

"Yeah -- otherwise you'd be toast whenever you tried to screw me over," she said sweetly, taking a sip of the ginger ale.

“CJ,” he snapped. “Oh hell there’s no talking to you when you’re like this.”

“Like what?”

“Defensive, snappy, and a pain in the ass,” he yelled, grabbing his jacket.

“No one asked you to stay,” she threw back then held her breath, wondering how far the boss employee relationship went.

"No, no one asked me to stay," Leo growled, jamming his arms into the sleeves of the jacket. "I just thought someone should watch you, and it might as well be me."

"I'm not a little kid to be baby-sat, Leo," she yelled, sitting up completely just a little too quickly, and all of the blood rushed out of her head, and she fell over, seeing stars.

Well stop acting like it,” he grumbled back, turning when she was silent. “Are you okay?” he asked, the concern evident in the soft tone of his voice. “CJ?”

CJ continued to lay very still on the floor, her eyes closed as she tried to regain her equilibrium.

"CJ?" he said anxiously, kneeling beside her and gently touching her on the arm.

"Just go," she said, voice weak. "You obviously want to, so just do it, please."

"Are you all right?"

"Dizzy."

“Let me help you into bed,” he offered, taking the frozen peas from her fingers and extending his hand to pull her up.

“Leo?”

“Hush. You need to lay down in a darken room and I’ll stay until I’m sure there’s no concussion,” he said softly, his hands moving to her waist when she was finally upright.

"I just sat up too fast," she sighed, upset by his fussing when he obviously had no interest.

"I'm going to make sure you're fine," Leo said, guiding her down the hall to her bedroom. He pulled the covers back and helped her into the bed before pulling them up around her chin.

CJ rolled over onto her side, facing away from him.

“Is there anything you need?” he asked, carefully picking up the strewn clothes over the floor and putting them neatly on the dressing table. “Some water, Advil?”

“I’m fine,” she lied.

Leo flicked off the lights and pulled her rattan armchair from the corner. “So what do you want to talk about?”

"I don't really want to talk," she sighed, closing her eyes.

"Okay," he said, leaning back.

About ten minutes later, she opened her eyes again and said, "Why are you still here?"

"Because I said..."

"No, I mean, you have other things to do, you shouldn't be worrying about me. So why the hell are you here?"

He groaned audibly and rubbed his forehead. “Here’s how I see it. You hit your head, you may have concussion. Abbey’s gonna find some way to blame me. Your date’s with my date. Not that she was exactly a date.”

“You brought her to the dinner, she’s a date,” CJ muttered.

“Stop with the semantics, will ya?”

"Whatever."

"So I'm here..."

"Out of obligation."

"Something like that, yeah," he lied, hoping his dismay didn't show through his voice.

"Figures," she muttered, fighting back the urge to cry.

“Why is whenever we’re out of the office you have to fight with me?” he commented dryly.

“We do a fair amount of fighting in the office.”

“Ever wondered why?” he asked, leaning back against her chair.

"Because you're an arrogant pain in the ass."

"Well, you're a smart-mouth."

"Yeah, and damn proud of it."

"And you're stubborn as all hell."

"Oh, like you're not?"

“I have years of experience,” he grumbled. “But the question was why do we fight? You seem quite able to go out with everyone else and not argue. So maybe you just don’t like me.”

"I like you when you're not being an arrogant snot!" she protested sharply, her voice rising an octave with the last word.

"I am not an arrogant snot," he growled. "See, you're doing it again."

CJ’s sigh was long and deep as she rolled over under the covers to see him. She eventually made him out in the darkness. “So why do we fight?”

“Maybe because I don’t know what the hell else we can do together. It’s not as if we could go for a quiet dinner. We don’t have anything in common. The guys are like my brothers…” she trailed off when she realized she wasn’t sure what the hell to say next.

"You're completely out of my league," Leo said. "You're smarter than me, stronger emotionally, whatever. I guess I'm jealous a little."

"Just a little?" she joked lamely. "And I'm not stronger emotionally. I'm a wreck when I get home at night. I have boxes upon boxes of kleenex in the linen closet. And if I'm smarter than you, it's not in political policy."

“You spent 22 years in school, I never went to college. I joined up, did my time. You’ve spent a lifetime preparing for this job; it’s all come to me out of the blue. And you know how to handle people.” He paused. “That’s why you’re smarter than me.”

"You're a lawyer, Leo -- you had to go through school..."

"Correspondence courses, CJ."

"SO I can handle people? SO I've spent my life in school -- so what?" she exploded. "Where has it gotten me? In the good old boys club, where I get my ass pinched when I do a good job and patted on the head when I screw up, and get a placating, 'Maybe next time, you'll learn'."

“I have never treated you as anything less than you are,” he paused to think for a second. “Have I?”

“You’ve never been patronising, no.”

“And I’ve never touched your…um…” He gestured with his hand wildly.

"It was figurative, Leo." She sighed. "But you lead the charge to crucify me."

"No, I don't, CJ..."

"Sorry, but it seems like it."

“You’re the best there is,” he muttered, getting out of the chair and perching on the end of the bed. “Hell, when I thought you were going to resign. . .” He left the words unsaid. “I can’t be seen to have favourites.”

"So you pick on me? What am I, teacher's freaking pet?"

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

“CJ, Josh.” He debated whether to admit his greatest fears and decided it was the only way forward. “The day of the town hall address Josh was stupid and I told him so. I nearly lost him that night.”

Silence filled the room as CJ listened to his breathing.

“The thing in the Oval Office I knew I had to help him not punish him. I’m not explaining myself very well.”

"No, you're not, but I do understand," CJ sighed softly. "If you want to go home, I'm fine now."

"I don't want to leave you here if you're not doing well," Leo reiterated again.

“Leo, I hit my head. You aren’t going to lose me.”

“Then let me stay. I’ll sleep in the chair and tomorrow night I’ll take you out for that dinner. Maybe I’ll take all of you out for dinner,” he grinned.

“A touchy feely dinner?”

"What do you mean, a touchy-feely dinner?"

"Nothing."

"CJ..."

"Like a date kind of dinner, is what I meant," she said defensively. "Forget I said anything, okay?"

“Abbey’s idea of touchy feely is everyone getting in touch with their feelings and emotions.”

“Before or after the ouji board comes out?” CJ asked, wondering just what the President made Leo endure.

“Before. He and I would disappear for coffee and man’s talk. Did you know there are over 170 varieties of tree on the farm?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

“No,” she groaned. “You should get some sleep.”

"I'm not tired," he lied.

"Go get some sleep," she ordered. "It's my house, what I say goes."

"I'll be fine here," he said.

"You're going to sleep while sitting on the edge of my bed?" she pointed out. "Why don't you lie down up here -- you can even sleep under the covers."

“CJ, it wouldn’t feel right,” he growled, pushing back images from his mind.

“Nonsense,” she replied, pulling back covers on the empty side of the bed. “You might want to lose some clothes though.”

He was damn close to refusing but his lids closing against his will changed his mind. Shakily he rose to his feet and discarded his jacket, tie and shoes.

“And the shirt, and please god, the socks,” she ordered, watching him carefully.

"I'm gonna trip on my shoes because I can't see," he muttered, and CJ was quick to roll over and turn on the bedside lamp.

"Is that better?" she asked, licking her lips, trying not to show her feelings.

“Much, thanks.” he tossed the socks on the pile and carefully placed his shirt over the chair. “What?” he grinned when he found her staring at him.

“Not bad,” she smirked.

“Just not bad, eh?” he returned, crawling onto the bed and pulling the covers over him.

"What, you expected intense admiration?" she chuckled, turning off the light again.

"Maybe..." he said cautiously.

"Not quite," she said, biting her lip in the darkness. He had already rejected the idea that they could be more than friends once tonight, so she wasn't about to try again.

“So which bits need work?” he asked, prolonging the conversation in the hope his body would stop reacting to her.

“Well I didn’t get to see the legs, so I can’t comment. The arms are nicely toned,” she said, her fingers gripping the sheet.

"What about the belly?" he asked cautiously. "I mean, I know I've got a paunch, but..."

"It's a cute paunch," she confessed, biting her lip again. "I'm sorry, that was inappropriate."

"Not any more inappropriate than me having been admiring your legs earlier."

“Ah, how about tit for tat?” CJ smirked in the darkness.

“What?”

“You’ve seen mine, show me yours.“ She waited with baited breath to see what he would do next.

"CJ..."

"Oh, it's not like we're four and wanting to see each others'... you know," she scoffed dismissively.

Leo sighed. "Turn the light on."

She rolled over and turned the light on, and he climbed out of the bed and fumbled with his belt buckle. Her heart hammered in her ears and her mouth went dry as he slid his pants down over his hips, revealing a pair of plaid boxer shorts and a very nice pair of legs. He didn't turn around, but after giving her a moment's view, pulled his pants back up and

hastily redid the buckle. He didn't want her to see the noticeable bulge in his pants.

"That's not fair," she managed to say. "I only got a back view."

“They’re legs, CJ.”

“But I need to examine your knees,” she managed to come out with quickly and then shook her head at the stupidness of the comment.

“They’re knees, hairy ones at that,” he grumbled.

“What part of me would you most like to see?” she asked, blushing at how suggestive this was getting.

He stared at her. "CJ..." He stopped, then decided to tell a partial truth. "If you knew which part I wanted to see most, you'd throw me out the window."

"Not necessarily," she said, her blush deepening.

"No, trust me, you would." He sighed and turned around. "You really want to see my knees."

She nodded and tried not too look too eager.

“Okay, but just remember I’m a man and you’re, well, half dressed,” he grumbled.

CJ turned on the light and watched as he dropped his trousers, took a second and turned around. She cocked her head on one side as her eyes drifted to his knees and then moved upwards.

Leo started to pull the trousers back up.

“No, don’t,” she whined. “I’m fine with you sleeping in your boxers.”

"I'm... not," he said. "It's inappropriate."

"And it's my house. I want you to be comfortable," she said quietly. "Unless you want to leave."

“CJ, we’re not going back to that again,” he groaned, his trousers halfway up his thighs.

“So drop your pants and climb in,” she shrugged, her eyes firmly fixed on the bulge he was trying to hide. “You know, even better . . .” she added, her hands disappearing under the covers and her trousers flying out. “We can both sleep in our shorts.”

Leo choked. "CJ!"

"What?"

"I just... it's not..."

"Or, you could fuck me," she said nonchalantly.

“Or not,” he grumbled. “What am I supposed to do after a comment like that?”

“I thought it was pretty clear.”

“You’re . . . Impossible.”

“And you’re certainly warming to the idea.”

"I'll sleep in my boxers just to shut you up," he muttered, stepping out of his pants and climbing back into bed. "Now go to sleep."

"Okay," she agreed a little to readily, rolling over to face him. A few minutes later, she said, "I can't sleep."

"You haven't tried," he grumbled, holding the covers tightly over his chest.

"That's because I'm in bed with a handsome, smart man who has a raging hard-on because he's in bed with me," she said quietly.

“That’s it, I’m going to hell, and it’ll be all your fault.”

“In which case, might as well do something to make it worthwhile,” she snorted.

“I can’t.”

“Are you trying to tell me, you don’t want to, that the idea of getting inside my lace panties isn’t sending your mind into overdrive?” she teased confidently.

"CJ, stop it," Leo ordered gruffly. "I'm your boss..."

"Your point?"

"It could be seen as sleeping your way to the top."

"It could be seen as a great love," she pointed out. "Or it can be seen as nothing, because we're both too discreet to leak it."

"CJ..."

"What was that part of me you want to see?" she purred, rolling over and turning on the light, bathing her in light and shadow.

Leo groaned as she sat up and slid the sports bra over her head.

As CJ dropped the bra to the floor, she lightly cupped each breast in a hand. “Quite perky for this time of night.”

Leo made a strange noise in the back of his throat and licked his lips.

“Time for the T-shirt, I think,” CJ grinned, covering her chest with her arms.

"It's not strip poker," Leo choked.

"We can play that if it would make you more comfortable," she said quietly, pushing the covers further down her legs so Leo could see the skimpy lace bikini she was wearing. White skimpy lace bikini.

His eyes widened and he slowly took off his undershirt.

“Um, quite delicious,” she commented, dryly.

“You like what you see?” He asked, puffing up his chest.

“I’d like to touch it more.”

Leo flushed and shook his head. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I can think of plenty things,” she teased, nibbling her bottom lip.

He paused for a long moment before saying, "CJ, what is this? I mean... What's going on here?"

"I'm tempting you?" she suggested hesitantly.

"Yes, you are, but you know what I meant. Why are you doing this?"

“Well it’s not because I’m short of offers, Leo,” she offered leadingly.

“That much I’m aware of. But why me? Why now?” he asked, moving across the bed.

"Because you're here," she offered glibly, regretting the words as soon as they came out of her mouth.

He stared at her for a long time before retrieving his t-shirt and putting it back on. "Get dressed," he muttered. "Or at least put your bra back on."

“I didn’t mean it how it came out,” she groaned. “Pass me your shirt.”

“My shirt?”

“Yeah, I want to put it on.”

Leo crossed to the chair and grabbed the shirt throwing it through the air at her.

Once she had it buttoned up, CJ climbed out of bed and wandered down the hallway. “Don’t get dressed until I get back,” CJ called over her shoulder.

Leo sat back on the bed and pulled his T-shirt down to cover his shorts.

CJ fingered the scrapbook, rubbing her fingers over the cover. It had been her hobby ever since she’d seen him all those years ago. Finding articles had been easy and now she practically had ever photo or article ever published about Leo McGarry.

She laughed ruefully, thinking of how it could be interpreted as stalking, especially as he had been a married man. She remembered the pangs of jealousy she had felt stabbing through her when she saw Leo and Jenny together.

But that was over now, or so she had hoped.

She opened the scrapbook to a page she had marked with an old, dried rose that he had given her at the Inaugural Ball three years before. There was a picture of them, a professional photograph, taken at the Ball, laughing as they spun around the dance floor in giddy glee.

She had almost resigned the next day.

Now he was in her bedroom in a state of undress and she was hiding in the living room, trying to compose herself.

“Patience isn’t my thing,” he announced walking into the room.

The book fell to the floor with a thud and the rose flew across the floorboards.

“Damn.” CJ picked up the book and crawled over to pick up the flower. It was remarkably undamaged and she carefully placed it back in the book.

“I’ve never considered you to be a flower pressing kinda girl Claudia Jean.“

She looked up at him guiltily and shoved the book under the couch. "I'm sorry, I was just..."

"It's okay," he said. "You enjoying the shirt?"

"It's nice," she admitted, not willing to tell him that she wanted to keep it because it smelled of him and his cologne that sent her soul into a frenzy.

“It looks better on you.”

CJ nodded and glanced down at the floor. “ Jake thinks I’m scared to admit my feelings and Toby thinks I ought to go to sex therapy or something,” CJ mumbled.

“What do you think?” he asked softly.

“I think I’m scared to admit how deep my feelings run and that sometimes I don’t care what happens I need to take the freefall, “ she offered cryptically.

Leo shook his head. "A safety net is a good thing," he said. "Don't give it up until you're ready to."

She nodded, then shook her head slowly. "A safety net is just something to cling to when you're too scared to let go." She looked up at him again, her eyes shining with tears. "But, then again, it's nice to have one once in a while when you need it most."

“So Ms. Cregg, safety net or freefall?” he asked, reaching out a hand.

“My safety net is holed up in a hotel room with Abbey’s sister, so I guess I’m taking a freefall.” CJ took his hand and tugged him gently towards the couch. “Why now? Because you’re FINALLY here, we’re finally alone and we’re not arguing. Why you? Because it’s you I want.”

"You want me?" he echoed in disbelief.

She nodded, brushing away the lone tear that slid down her cheek. Her heart was drumming in her ears, and she was terrified he would reject her again. "I'm sorry if you think that's inappropriate..."

Her words were cut off by his lips closing over hers with a sudden force that left her breathless.

When eventually he broke the kiss, Leo’s hand lingered against her cheek. “I don’t like heights.”

CJ frowned, “You were a pilot.”

“I never had to bale,” he admitted quietly. “And then I always wore a parachute.”

“So you’re asking for a safety net?”

“You are my safety net. The knowledge that you’ll always be here,” he said softly, moving in to brush his lips against hers.

The soft intensity of his kiss seared her soul. She pulled back and whispered, "But I won't always be here, Leo..."

"You're not going to leave are you?" he asked, worried.

"Not right now, no, but I've been sorely tempted a few times..." She declined to mention that a few of those times were because of him.

“And when you’re tempted again, you’ll come to me and I’ll convince you to stay,” he offered confidentially.

“That might not work.”

“Then I’ll have to make sure you don’t have any reason to want to leave,” he said softly. “But right now, you need to rest.”

"I'll rest when I'm dead," she said quietly, not sure she had understood correctly what he had just implied.

"CJ..."

"I want to keep your shirt," she said confidently.

Leo increased the distance between them and allowed his eyes to wander over her body. His gaze fell to her legs and he worked his way back up, pausing to stare at her hardening nipples through his shirt. Taking a deep breath and feeling the air circulate around him he opened the door and jumped.

“And I want what’s inside the shirt,” he whispered.

She blushed and smiled. "I knew you'd see things my way eventually," she whispered.

"I want to tell you something," he said hesitantly. "Before we do this."

"Okay." She held her breath, waiting.

"Aw, hell, you know I'm not good at these emotional things," he muttered a moment later, making a gesture with his hand. "But I'll try anyway." His eyes caught hers. "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on. Not entirely on the surface -- you're beautiful on the inside. I've... I've been attracted to you since the day you walked into the campaign office with Toby. So, um, I guess that's it."

“It took you four years,” she grinned.

“Hey, you took just as long,” he mumbled, taking her hand.

“Actually it took me twelve years,” she admitted quietly.

Leo’s eyes widened as he continued to stare at her.

“There was a lecture. I went along and there you were. . .” she trailed off. “So, I don’t know about you, but it’s getting cold.”

His brow furrowed. He knew he had seen her somewhere before, and now this explained it. "Did you come to the reception after the lecture?" he asked.

She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself protectively.

"And you were blonde..." he said, suddenly remembering. "You asked me about something..."

"Campaign contributions," she said quietly.

“Right. And I went off on my one of my rants.”

She nodded and grinned. “I didn’t listen to a word by the way. I was rather engaged else where.”

Leo’s eyebrows shot into his hairline as his shorts twitched. “You’re shivering,” he commented to change the subject. “Bedroom.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she muttered, taking his hand and pulling him forcefully down the corridor.

"CJ..." he said warningly as she pulled him onto the bed. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this."

"Get rid of the parachute, fly boy..." she said, undoing the top button of the shirt, then continuing her way down the row of buttons until the shirt gapped, revealing the creamy skin between her breasts.

Leo’s throat went dry as his eyeline met her chest. He tried to swallow but found he couldn’t.

CJ shook her head and shrugged the shirt off her shoulders. “You know I’ve often been told what beautiful eyes I have,” CJ grinned.

“I . . .” he stammered, before taking a deep breath and cupping her breast in his hand. Slowly he lowered his mouth until his lips closed around her nipple and he began to suckle gently.

“Not interested in my eyes, I take it.”

"You have beautiful eyes," he mumbled around her breast.

"You haven't looked at them," she sighed.

He pulled back and stared at her for a long moment. "You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen... and the most beautiful body..."

“You’re still wearing too much clothing,” CJ grumbled, as her hand gripped the back of his head and she moved to kiss his cheek. “I can’t do my thing,” she purred, as her lips headed towards his earlobe. “And you’d like my thing.”

His eyes widened, and he protested, "But I..."

"You'd like my thing," she murmured again.

"CJ..."

"I've wanted you longer," she protested petulantly.

Leo looked into her eyes and grinned. So his thing would have to wait, there was plenty of time. His T-shirt ended up on the floor as CJ pushed him back onto the bed.

CJ grabbed his wrists and held them above his head, grinning as she licked her lips. Gently she moved her head into position before flicking her tongue across his nipple and blowing along the trail.

He groaned, trying to hold the noise back in his throat, but failing miserably.

"You like that?" she asked softly.

His reply was another groan. She smiled and said, "I was so incredibly jealous of Jenny, even though I know I had no right to be..."

“CJ,” he said, pulling against her. “Jenny and I are finished.” The last thing he wanted was to hear his ex wife’s name while he was about to make love with his fantasy.

CJ rolled her tongue around his nipple, satisfied as his chest raised to meet her. Blowing hard she caused him to jump while she moved onto the other nipple.

"Is this your thing?" he croaked, choking.

"Yes and no..."

"Oh great," he joked, groaning as her tongue lapped at his nipple. "I'm gonna die..."

“But die happy, right?” she teased, running her tongue down his ribcage.

While Leo’s mind was elsewhere CJ took both his wrists in one hand and used her other hand to brush his erection through his shorts.

He yelped, but the sound was strangled into one of intense pleasure as she slowly moved her hand up and down.

"You like that, do you?" she purred, pressing down a little harder, rewarded with a growl in the back of his throat as his breathing shifted into a shallow, panting mode.

CJ grinned as her tongue lapped across his stomach leaving wet trails. She circled his belly button as her hand slid into his shorts.

Leo gasped as he felt her fingers touch his sensitive shaft.

"You don't know how much I've thought about this," CJ whispered against his flesh, her cool breath making him shiver.

"CJ..." he moaned.

"Yes?"

"I'm not young anymore..."

“And I’m not asking for more than you can give,” she assured him as her thumb rolled around the head of his penis. “And the foreplay is more than half the fun.”

“I want the first time to be. . .” the sentence trailed off as Leo lost the power of speech.

CJ had released his wrists and her head was now bobbing up and down on his groin.

He grunted and she glanced up at him. The reality was better than her fantasies, she was beginning to understand.

His hands came down to hold her head so she couldn't leave.

Humming to herself, CJ lapped at his tip for a few seconds before sliding her mouth down his shaft.

Leo bucked and gripped her head harder. Now that he knew what her thing was he had no intention of letting her stop.

His blood coursed in time with her sucks, and sudden heat flooded through him as he came. "Claudia," he groaned.

She sat back and licked her lips, swallowing hard. "What?"

"Will you do that again sometime?"

“Depends,” she smirked, crawling back up the bed, resting her head on his chest and dangling her legs over the end of the bed.

“Yeah?” he asked, kissing her head.

“On whether you show me your talents.”

He made a snorting noise through his nose. "My talents are limited."

"I assume there's something you've always wanted to do to me..." she purred softly, running her fingers lightly over his chest.

He grinned against her hair as his mind ticked over. “There are a couple actually. But these need to go,” he whispered, tugging at her panties.

“You want them off you’ll gonna have to remove them yourself.”

He rolled his eyes. "Stand up, then."

"Why? I'm quite comfortable where I am..."

"CJ..."

"Hmm?"

"Get up."

CJ rolled onto her back and somersaulted onto the floor.

Leo shook his head and walked around the bed. “Lean against the bottom board,” he instructed.

CJ groaned and grabbed the iron frame behind her.

Slowly Leo lowered himself to his knees and snaked his hands around to grab her bottom. Gently he kissed her thigh.

She moaned and arched toward his mouth as he trailed feather-light kisses over her thigh. "You're.... evil...." she managed to croak as his lips moved higher up to her hip.

Leo chuckled and gripped her waist as he bit down on the tiny string of lace over her hip. Gently he tugged it down to her thigh before moving to the other side.

CJ gasped as he blew across her pelvis before forcibly ripping the panties covering her curls.

“Shit, CJ, I’m sorry. I’ll buy you some new ones.”

"For...get it..." she sighed as he gently tried to manoeuvre the torn panties out of the way.

"You sure?" he asked quietly.

She nodded. This verbal game of his was driving her insane.

“In that case.” Leo ripped the rest of the lace off and tossed it through the air. “I’ll get down to business.”

Lightly he kissed her auburn curls before kissing his way over her mound.

CJ groaned in frustration above him and lifted a leg to drape over his shoulder.

Leo grinned and rubbed his fingers around her outer folds. As CJ arched her back Leo’s lips joined his fingers.

She gasped a little, a gasp which turned into a deep-throated moan as he kissed closer and closer to her center.

He smirked against her and breathed, "I guess you like that..."

The vibration stemming from his lips made her rise on tiptoes.

As his lips sucked on her clit Leo’s finger wound it’s way into her opening.

“I can’t stand much . . . “ She groaned as he increased the pressure on her center.

Leo shifted her weight and smirked.

"Oh my god," she croaked as her weight shifted and his finger went deeper.

"Shh..." Leo whispered against her clit.

"Easy... for... you..." she gasped, groaning as his tongue picked up the pace.

When he inserted a second finger and wriggled them inside her she moaned and gripped his shoulder with one hand.

Leo bit back a comment and continue his double assault on her, plunging deeper and deeper inside her as his tongue and lips increased their friction.

Her breath came in tiny gasps, her body began to shake. Her grip on his shoulder became harder, her abdominal muscles contracted almost painfully as her orgasm built within her.

She whimpered as he nibbled on her clit, and her thighs began to tremble.

Leo slowed his pace and CJ cursed above him, her frustration evident.

Extracting both fingers Leo kissed her mound before plunging three fingers deep inside her. The corkscrewing motion brushed her g-spot and CJ closed her eyes.

When she opened them the room was spinning and Leo was taking her to the abyss and beyond.

She bit back a shriek and closed her eyes again, seeing stars at the edge of her vision as her climax exploded around her. She couldn't hold back the cry of his name, and when she managed to relax her body again, she started to breathe again.

The weight of her body resting totally on his brought Leo onto his heels. He grinned up at her as she tried to breathe. “Maybe we should go back to bed now.”

"Bed... is... good..." she panted, clutching at his shoulders. She was still dizzy from the lack of air and what was left of her headache.

"Relax," Leo instructed softly, helping her to her feet.

CJ allowed him to guide her back onto the bed and grinned as he plumped up the pillows before she lay down.

“Leo?”

“Uh-huh,” he muttered, climbing in next to her and rolling onto his side.

“I’m multi orgasmic,” she said, keeping her face neutral.

“I figured as much.”

"I thought I'd let you know."

"It's a good thing to know."

There was a long silence, before she said; "I could be multi-orgasmic right now, if you want..."

Leo cupped her breast in his hand and palmed the soft flesh. “Can I watch?” he asked grinning. Rubbing his thumb across her nipple he watched her face carefully.

"I was hoping you'd get involved," she said, rolling her eyes.

"I want to watch you again," he whispered, gently stroking her alabaster skin.

CJ bit her bottom lip and gazed down into his honey hazel eyes. What she really wanted was to feel him inside her, to actually have him go over the edge with her, but that, she thought, was probably pushing it. Instead she closed her eyes and began to make lazy circles over her stomach with her fingers.

"Let me help," Leo whispered, covering her hand with his, learning the soft motions, then taking over, his eyes boring into hers as her hand trailed lower.

She had to be dreaming, was the only thought in her mind. She was dreaming, and soon she would wake up, and he wouldn't be there, but her sheets would be soaked through with sweat and she'd be in dire need of a shower -- a cold shower.

Her breath hitched in her throat as Leo's fingers became just a little more intent on what they were doing, and as her fingers found just the right spot.

Leo’s smug grin taunted her as maintained the rhythm of her fingers against her center. Gently he lowered his head and kissed her nipple.

CJ arched her back at his kiss, wanting him to tease her more.

"Ah-ah-ah..." Leo scolded softly.

She whimpered and groaned in dismay, wanting him desperately as her body really began to heat up. The thought of him settling between her thighs and pushing to fill her sent a sudden rush of heat to meet her fingers and she began to tense again.

“I want you . . .” she cried, muffled as his lips covered hers.

Leo’s fingers thrust into her as he moved his thumb over her center. He increased the friction as CJ moaned into the kiss.

"Leo," she gasped, rolling her hips and moaning. "You... can't.... oh god..." she panted as he continued to pleasure her.

"I can't what?"

"OH!" she croaked as another wave washed over her.

“Apparently I can,” he teased, removing his fingers and reaching up to kiss her.

"You... twerp..." CJ moaned in exhaustion as he kissed her gently.

“That’s no way to speak to the man who has just given you, what? Five orgasms?” He smirked and rolled onto his back, giving her an open invitation to return the favor.

She bit back a tired laugh, and leaned down to trail kisses over his chest. "Five isn't a record," she purred against his skin.

"What's your record, then?"

"Six... in a row," she added. "And the last one made me black out."

“You know it’s not quantity, it’s quality that counts,” he whispered, rolling over on to his side. “CJ?”

“Yeah?”

“I haven’t been tested or anything, but there’s been no one since Jenny. . .” he trailed off, not wanting to say the words.

Her leg draped over his hip in response as her fingers teased his nipple.

"Not even Jordan?" she teased softly.

"CJ..."

"I've been tested once a month every month since I had unprotected sex with an actor with HIV nine years ago," CJ admitted. "Nothing yet."

"Well, that's good," Leo said softly.

"I have something, though, if you want it."

Leo shook his head and cupped her breast. “I’d kill my daughter for this but, I want to feel you.”

She smiled and said, "You sure?"

"Yeah," he replied, his thumb brushing over her nipple. "How's your head?"

"Throbbing," she admitted with a chuckle. "Not just from the table bit... more from the orgasms."

“You still want . . .?”

Her hand slid between their bodies and closed around his shaft. Gently she positioned him against her opening.

“We’ve been stupid for far too long.”

Her head rolled back and her hips rocked forward as he slid into her slowly, prolonging the pleasure for as long as she could stand it.

"Can we be stupid a while longer?" he groaned as she began to rock her hips against him.

"Can't take the heat?" she teased, already breathing heavily.

His eyebrows rising to his hairline and the smug grin he gave her should have been forewarning. Suddenly he grabbed her leg tightly and rolled them until she was flat on her back. “You’ve asked for it now,” he crowed.

"Bring it on," she said, licking her lips and giving him her sweetest smile.

He pulled almost all of the way out of her before slamming back into her, eliciting a primal shriek from the back of her throat as she arched beneath him.

CJ gripped the sheets as he pulled out a second time, his name catching in her throat as hit her g spot and rocked his hips.

“Too much for you?”

Her head shook from side to side as he began to move inside her.

She fought the urge to give in and come, instead focusing on his eyes, a small smile on her lips, daring him to keep going.

His thrust became harder, and involuntarily, she wrapped her legs around his waist, giving him more leverage. She began to spasm, but fought it.

Leo’s eyes twinkled as he watched her defiant. She wasn’t going to be able to fight it much longer and he knew just what to do to take her over the edge.

Deftly his fingers found their way between their bodies and he teased her clit, brushing it in a rhythm of his own making.

She arched and groaned, her breath catching in her throat as he hit her gspot and brushed the right spot with his fingers. Her blood pounded in her ears as she slammed into her strongest orgasm of the night. He brought her over the edge one more time before losing his own control.

His breath caught in his throat as he slammed into her one final time. He spasmed as he filled her with his seed.

CJ groaned softly and kissed him, wishing they could stay this way forever. He gently caressed her body, and she smiled.

If not forever, tonight might just be enough.

Jake had been right, some times being honest was all it took, and being willing to take a leap of faith.

“Leo?” she whispered, when the tempo of his breathing changed.

"Huh?" he asked, still a little winded.

"You should probably go home before someone finds you here," she said quietly.

"And so what if they find me here?"

“Well I guess we could spin it that you were taking care of me, but the Press would still ask questions, and as for the guys…” she trailed off.

“Are you kicking me out?” he asked somberly.

"No, but... if we're going to do this, there have to be ground rules before someone finds out," she said, trying not to sound harsh.

"And so what if someone finds out?" he challenged. "Is there reason for us to be ashamed about this?"

“Leo, you’re Chief of Staff, I’m the Press Secretary, technically you’re my boss,” she sighed, sitting up and pulling a sheet over her. “And then if you change your mind, it becomes sordid.”

"So you want me to walk away now and save you the trouble?" he asked, suddenly angry.

"I don't know what I want!" she shouted back.

“Well that’s a hell of a way to start a relationship,” Leo snapped, grabbing his shorts from the carpet.

CJ gripped the covers tighter. “Relationship?” she asked in a voice that belied her surprise.

“Yeah, relationship.” He turned to face her. “What do ya think I wanted, a one night stand? Hell CJ . . . I took a leap of faith here too.”

"Maybe we should... take a step back," CJ whispered, tightening her grip on the sheets as she wrapped them around her body protectively.

"Why? Because suddenly you're rethinking what you ever saw in an old warhorse like me?" Leo shouted back at her.

"NO!" she said forcefully.

“Then what? Because it isn’t the appearance of impropriety, and I don’t much care what other people think.” He closed his eyes, trying to blot out the image of Jenny climbing into a cab. “Don’t back away from me now.”

She stared at him, watching his eyes move beneath the closed lids, wondering if she could ever give her fears voice. "You terrify me," she said quietly, looking down at her hand, clutching the sheet closed just above her breasts.

“I terrify you?” His face scrunched up in confusion. “CJ, I would never hurt you.”

She looked back at him, biting on her bottom lip, not really sure what she could say.

"I gave you a piece of my soul tonight," she finally whispered, never looking at him. "I'm scared to death of what you could do with it." She glanced away before lying down on her side and curling up into a tight ball.

“You have to trust me,” he finally said after what seemed like an eternity. “I’m not saying we rush this. I’d like to go out with you.” He shook his head as he crawled across the bed. “That sounded pretty lame.”

She stifled a laugh, preferring rather to smile a little. "Yeah, but your heart's in the right place," she said very quietly.

"Look, I don't pretend to have all the answers," he said, resting his hand on her shoulder. "Especially when it comes to this. So... we'll have to stumble through it."

“What if it doesn’t work, what if we try it and fall out and you hate me? What if I can’t be what you want me to be?” she questioned, her eyes firmly fixed on the wall.

"Why would I hate you? There's nothing about you that I could ever hate," he said quietly. "And as far as you being what I want you to be -- I just want you to be you." He sigghed when she didn't answer. "CJ, please talk to me."

“I’m not sure I’m ready for all this,” she said, motioning with her hands between them. “My track record isn’t good and I think I might be outta practice.”

“That makes two of us,” Leo whispered, catching one of her hands. “But it’s worth trying.”

"I'm not very good at trying," she admitted. "I inevitably screw something up."

"So screw it up -- it's not like I'm gonna be Mr. Perfect, myself." He sighed. "Look, if you don't want to do this, just tell me now. Just tell me now and I'll never ask again."

“Never?”

“Never.”

CJ closed her eyes and rolled over to face him. “I might freak again in the future,” she admitted. “And I’ll probably never want to get married. And I’m not very good with children or small animals. . . “

“CJ,” he said softly. “The door’s open, the parachute’s on, are you going to jump?”

"Lemme get the barf bag, then yeah," she said, biting her lip.

"I'm home!" came Jake's voice in the living room. "Aunt CJ?"

“Jake?”

“Well, who else? Or were you expecting a short sandy haired Chief of Staff? Because I can always find a park. . .” His voice faltered as he caught sight of the two of them in bed. “Hey Mr. McGarry.”

“Did Eleanor get home okay?” Leo asked, suddenly conscious of his half naked state.

By the blush on Jake’s face and the way he avoided his Aunt’s eyes Leo guessed she had.

“Yeah, I’m going to bed now,” Jake stuttered, closing the door firmly behind him.

"Well, that was completely mortifying," CJ exhaled, giggling nervously.

"Not completely..."

“Oh?”

“Ellie could have been with him,” Leo stated, his lips twitching upwards into a grin.

"I can't believe he just... he... he fucked Abbey's sister!" CJ cried, beginning to laugh.

"Nothing like being the other man..."

"WHAT?"

"I'm kidding... she's divorced."

“Leo!”

Leo shrugged. “So what about us? Now that your EXCEPTIONALLY youthful nephew knows, can I stay the night?”

"And what do I say to the press tomorrow?"

"Tell them that we're having a torrid love affair... it's the truth," he whispered, kissing her gently on the lips.

"Yes," she murmured, deepening the kiss.

“Or that the White House doesn’t comment on the private lives of the Staff, but that you’re taking up base jumping,” he muttered, pulling her back down the bed.

The End

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