"You've got the thing at five," Carol said, handing CJ a folder.

"I've got to be out of here at 6..." CJ murmured, glancing over the file.

"You were late," Carol reminded her.

"I was sick this morning," CJ sighed. "I promised Leo I'd do a thing tonight at 7."

"So you have to leave at 6?"

"Yeah."

Carol hovered in the doorway for a few more seconds before she sighed. “CJ, you have staff in five.”

When CJ didn’t reply she tried again, “Earth to CJ, Leo’s here to see you. He’s wearing nothing but Scooby Doo boxers.“

Carol smirked as CJ’s head shot up. “Got you. Staff in five.”

CJ growled something inaudible and went back to the file. "Hey, Carol -- tell Donna to get Josh the Watts memo," she shouted a minute later.

"Before or after you're late for staff?" Carol challenged.

"Shut up, will you?"

"What kind of sick did you feel this morning?" Carol asked. "Hangover sick?"

"No."

"Flu sick."

"No."

"Morning sick?"

CJ glared at her. "Shut up."

“Was that a yes?”

“I am not pregnant,” she shouted, “Now leave me alone.”

Carol shook her head and stepped out into the outer office.

********************************************************************

At ten to six CJ was still in her office, listening to the correspondent from ITN explain why it was such an honor for him to cover the White House. She nodded in all the right places and watched the clock on her laptop.

Carol came in a moment later. "CJ, the thing?" she prompted.

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry -- I have a meeting," CJ said, as Carol ushered the reporter out of her office. "Thank you," she hissed.

"How many times did you have to keep from throwing up from all his sugary sweet shit?" Carol asked.

"Don't mention throwing up," CJ moaned.

“You should see a doctor,” Carol suggested.

“Yeah, yeah,” CJ waved her hands. “Right, I’m outta here. You can go too.” CJ grabbed her briefcase and coat and took the long route to the lobby. Signing out she dialled Leo’s cell and waited for him to pick up.

“I’m leaving now. I’ll be ready for seven.”

“The driver will pick me up from here and we’ll swing by your place,” Leo informed her, tapping at his keyboard. “Maybe we can catch a late dinner or something’”

"I'd like that," she said with a smile. "I'll see you later, then," she said quietly.

"Wear something appropriate, please."

"What, no leather and chains?" she asked, passing Ed and Larry on her way out the door.

They gave her a weird look and continued into the building.

“CJ,” he warned, “There will be children there.”

“Okay, I’m getting in my car now.”

Leo put the phone down and grinned to himself, wondering if he could visit CJ’s favourite shop without being recognised.

CJ went home and changed into a simple slip dress, pairing it with a dressy cardigan sweater with beading on it. She slipped her feet into a pair of heeled sandals, and went to check her makeup.

When the car arrived, she was ready to stun Leo. Or not, as the case might be.

Leo sat in the back of the car; reading through the program Mallory had sent him. The play he had suddenly realised was a modern adaptation and Mallory was in charge, that in it was enough to put him on edge.

The door opened and CJ climbed in. Leo glanced up and smiled before returning to his reading.

CJ sat in silence.

"So..." Leo finally said. "Mallory did the interpretation."

"Mallory does Shakespeare," CJ muttered. "That's enough to terrify me right there."

He glanced up. "That's what I was thinking." He paused. "Are you feeling better?"

"A little."

“Up to going to dinner after?”

“Maybe,” CJ shrugged.

Leo glanced across at her and wondered not for the first time why she would even want to be seen with him.

“Of course by the time you’ve seen what a terrible father I was you might not want to,” he muttered, glancing once more at the program.

CJ squeezed his arm, “Mal loves you very much.”

He shrugged. "Just because you love someone doesn't mean anything."

"Oh really?" she challenged. "I've only loved one man in my life, and he's never known -- I don't think he would love me back if I told him, so..." She shrugged. "I love my parents, but it doesn't mean I like them. See what I mean?"

“No,” he admitted, “But maybe if you told Toby, you’d be surprised,” Leo offered sadly.

"Who said it's Toby?" she asked curiously. "He's my best friend -- I couldn't love him that way..."

"Oh." Leo looked back down at the program in his hands. "You might try telling the guy."

"Except he's pretty stupid about things like this," she sighed, reaching for the program. "Can I see?"

“Sure,” Leo said, handing it over. “Did I mention Jordan called me?” he asked casually watching her face.

CJ pretended to study the program, “She was your lawyer right? Very attractive.”

“Yeah, we had dinner once but I screwed it up,” he sighed, “Seems I’m not very good at talking to women.”

“You talk to me,” CJ said softly, glancing up and catching his eye. “We have fun together, don’t we?”

"We have fun with sex," he replied. "And we haven't really tried anything else, have we?"

"No," she sighed, looking back down. "Do you... want... do you want to try something else?"

"I don't know," Leo said. "Will your 'true love' mind, you think?"

She shook her head and continued to avoid his eyes. She was sure if he looked at her, he would see her secret.

"I'm not pregnant," she said. "I just have a thing."

"You sure?" he asked.

She shrugged. "It's food poisoning from the Chinese take-out that Josh ordered last night. I'm going to stop eating shrimp lo mein."

“I always stick with Ko Pung Chicken,” Leo grumbled. “Hey, we’re here. Deep breath, prepare to face my daughter.”

CJ slipped the program into her purse and waited while the driver came round and helped her out of the car. Smoothing down her dress she watched as parents trundled through the door.

“I forgot to say,” Leo whispered, standing behind her, “You look really hot tonight.”

CJ turned her head and raised an eyebrow.

“Charlie said it to Zoey and she threw herself at him,” Leo shrugged.

CJ grinned and slipped her hand into Leos.

Leo looked down at their joined hands and grinned.

"Well, let's face the horrifying demon," CJ teased.

"Hey, that's my daughter..."

"I know," she said softly. "But the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can go back to my place..."

"Oh really?"

"You're the one who insisted on sex afterwards," CJ smirked.

“We don’t have to,” he said quietly, “We could have dinner, talk, go for a walk, anything you want.”

“Hey guys,” Sam called jogging to join them. “So Mal invited me,” he explained, oblivious to their joined hands. “She’s taking me for a drink afterwards.”

CJ entwined her fingers tighter with Leos and grinned at him.

Leo blushed and looked at Sam, “You wanna sit with us?” he offered.

CJ dropped her grin and turned away so he couldn’t see her disappointment.

“Yeah, it’s my favourite play.”

CJ nodded. "Yeah, so... you're going to sit with us?" she said, nudging Leo in the ribs.

"Yeah!" Sam said enthusiastically.

They went to sit down, and Leo sat beside Sam, and CJ was on Leo's other side. She was a little annoyed that she wouldn't have Leo to herself, not that she thought Sam would want that, exactly, but...

The curtain rose and by the end of the first act, CJ was almost asleep. Leo's hand gently resting on her thigh catapulted her back to reality.

“Do you want a drink?” he asked softly.

“Can I get a brandy?” CJ replied, stretching her long legs.

“Actually, Tea, coffee or squash,” Sam announced, glancing around the room for Mallory.

Leo grinned and shook his head, “Better get us two coffees then.”

Sam disappeared into the lobby leaving the two of them alone.

Leo moved his leg further up her thigh, slipping beneath the slip. He shifted to face CJ and smiled as her hand covered his. “I didn’t realize quite how unobservant he was.”

“He might get a bit suspicious if I kneel on the floor and you start moaning,” CJ whispered.

Leo chuckled and smiled. "Let's go get the coffee."

CJ got to her feet and followed him, hissing softly, "This has got to be the worst interpretation of Shakespeare I've ever seen..."

"That's because it's Mal's," Leo hissed back.

“Do you think she’d notice if we slip out?” CJ whispered, her eyes scanning the room for Sam and falling on Mallory instead. “Shit.”

Leo looked up and followed her eyes, “Oh.” He reached out and placed a hand at the small of CJ’s back. “Be nice,” he warned.

As they approached Mallory Leo released her and embraced his daughter, “Hey sweetheart, great play.”

“You hate it don’t you,” she sighed, turning to look at CJ. “Oh, I didn’t realise dad had invited you.”

CJ raised an eyebrow at Leo, “I’m returning a favour.”

"Oh," Mallory said, looking between her father and CJ, her eyes narrowing as she saw where her father's hand was lingering. "What do you think of the play, CJ?"

"I think it's very nice," CJ said. "Will you excuse me, please? I really need a cup of coffee and a trip to the ladies'."

As she walked away CJ heard Mallory’s voice raise an octave.

“Daddy?”

Leo sighed, “I didn’t want to come alone, baby. And CJ likes the arts which is more than I can say for Josh or Toby.”

“You could have brought mom,” came a sulky reply.

CJ concentrated on putting distance between herself and the raised voices behind her.

“Hey, where’s Leo?” Sam asked practically bumping into her.

“Fighting with Mal,” CJ groaned.

"What'd he do now?" Sam asked.

"It wasn't so much what he did, as that I had the audacity to show up with him," CJ sighed. "I'm going to the bathroom, then I'm going home."

"And miss the rest of the play?" Sam squeaked.

"What, you want me to barf on you?"

“Uh, no,” he shook his head. “You had the shrimp last night?”

“Yeah,” CJ groaned, getting ready to make a fast exit. “Tell Leo I’ve gone, will ya?”

“Shouldn’t you tell him yourself?”

“I’m sure you’ll do a much better job of it.”

"Oh, sure -- Leo, CJ went to barf in the car..."

"Shut up," CJ hissed, heading for the door.

She called for a taxi, and one arrived a few minutes later to ferry her home.

She went into her apartment and almost collapsed on the couch.

"I'm never going to eat shrimp or date a man with children almost my age ever again," she moaned, rolling onto her side and closing her eyes.

A loud knocking on the door roused her.

Opening her eyes she waited for the person to go away. Two minutes later she heard footsteps walking away.

Slowly she rose to her feet and headed into the kitchen. Opening the fridge door she stared at the virtually empty shelves and groaned.

“You know CJ, if I’m going to come visit you really are going to have to stock up,” Leo stated, coming up behind her and peering over her shoulder. “Well, I suppose we can have boiled eggs and soldiers.”

CJ spun round and stared at him, “How did you get in?”

“The nice lady downstairs had a key, and when I showed her my id she let me up,” he grinned.

CJ sighed. "You've got to promise me you won't do that again, Leo -- you scared the hell out of me!"

"Did you leave because you got sick, or did you leave because Mallory was getting pissy?" he asked.

"A little of both," CJ groaned. "I could've sworn I had some ginger ale in here..."

“You want me to go to the store and grab some?” he asked softly. ”I’ll pick up some other stuff as well.”

“You don’t have to,” she said.

Leo took her hand and massaged the palm with his thumb, “I want to. You take a bath and I’ll be back as quick as I can.”

As he reached the door she called out to him, “Do you wanna take my car?”

Leo shook his head, “There’s a corner store two blocks from here, and the walk’ll do me good.”

CJ watched him go, wondering how he knew so much about where she lived.

She eventually shook her head and went into the bedroom to get undressed for her bath. Her stomach was still feeling yucky from the offending shrimp, and she didn't want to move too quickly, for fear of offending her stomach even more.

She ran the water for her bath and slid beneath the warm surface, closing her eyes.

Everything was so muddled in her life right now. First there had been the night with Hoynes and then the thing with Danny, both of which Leo had sorted for her. Danny was in London for six months, or at least that’s what his editor had said when he phoned to request press credentials for the replacement, and Hoynes had been almost civil when they met. And now there was all this speculation about her being pregnant. She knew she wasn’t, too many years of being careful, but the idea of carrying Leo’s child made her smile. CJ wondered when exactly Leo had become so central to her life and how she was going to manage when he left.

She slid a little further down into the tub and dozed off. The feel of a gentle hand on her arm caused her to wake up. She blinked wearily and whispered, "Leo?"

"Yeah -- you fell asleep..." he said softly, kissing her forehead. "Feeling any better?"

"A little..."

"They were out of ginger ale, so I got 7up."

“Anything’s fine,” she sighed, shifting to sit up. “What else did you get?”

“Bread, milk, crackers, ice cream,” he listed, “Just the basics, and a couple of those TV dinners.”

“How long are you staying?” she asked, bemused by his antics.

"Just for tonight, but I know you don't take care of yourself any better than I do..."

She sat up and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "Enough talk," she whispered. "Where's my soda?"

"In the other room..."

"So let me get this straight. You want me to leave my nice warm bath to go fetch a cold glass of soda? Uh... I think not."

"I could join you," Leo said hopefully.

“Or you could run and get my soda,” she said coyly.

“Your wish is my command,” he said, bowing and disappearing through the apartment.

CJ giggled and turned on the hot tap with her toe.

Leo reappeared a few seconds later, his jacket and tie discarded, and a glass of soda in his hand. He handed over the glass and perched on the side of the bath.

“This is a great apartment.”

CJ looked up at him and smiled, “Wanna become my lodger?”

He laughed. "You're a funny woman."

"Who says I was being funny?"

"It really is a nice place..."

"You'd really make a good lodger," she purred. "And there are fringe benefits..."

Leo put on his most serious face and ran his hand through the warm water. “And they would be?”

CJ blinked and rolled her eyes, “Leo!”

“Well, I’d just like to know exactly what, as my landlady, you would do for me,” Leo asked, his hand running along her thigh.

"Well, for one thing..." She moaned, momentarily distracted. "For one thing... I would offer you my spare room..."

"For propriety's sake?" he teased.

"No, for real."

“Oh.” He removed his hand from her leg and bent forward to remove his shoes. “That doesn’t sound like much fun,” he whined.

“And there would be coffee every morning,” CJ added, finishing the soda and placing the glass on the floor.

“Anything else?” he asked, tucking his socks into his shoes.

"Laundry services..."

"Laundry?" he moaned in mock-despair.

"Yes, laundry. But you have to clean the toilet."

"Oh, gee, thanks..." He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the plain white t-shirt beneath.

"You're welcome."

"Anything else?"

"Candles," CJ whispered. "Lots of candles."

Leo dipped his hand into the tub and turned the tap off. “And ice cream?”

“Yes.”

His strong arms tugged the T-shirt over his head and he folded it neatly on the floor. “What about if I want to bring someone over…” he asked, fumbling at his buckle, “…say for dinner?”

"Deal's off..." she said, turning away from him and huffing a little.

"Oh, so it's okay for you to have your parade of men, and..."

"I don't have a parade of men!" she protested sharply, her voice rising two octaves. "What do you take me for?!"

“CJ,” he started softly, “Are you telling me that there’s been no one else since the Minority Leader’s Birthday?” He held his breath while he waited for an answer.

“No, I mean yes,” CJ stammered.

"Which is it?" he asked quietly, searching her face with his gaze.

"I haven't slept with anyone but you since that night," she admitted on a whisper, looking away from his burning gaze. "It's not from lack of propositions, either..."

"CJ?" he said softly.

“Leo?”

“I don’t want to be your lodger.”

“Well, that’s okay,” she said, confused by where he was going.

“And I don’t want to continue with this stupid deal.”

CJ shivered despite the steam swirling around her. “You want out?”

"It was a stupid deal," he growled, leaning closer.

"No, it wasn't," she said quietly.

"Yes, it was. You care about someone else, CJ -- just... just let me go. You don't have to sleep with me out of obligation anymore."

"It wasn't obligation, you fucking moron!" she shouted, sitting up and kissing him hungrily. When she pulled away, she said very quietly, "It wasn't obligation."

“So I’m a substitution, same difference,” he growled, his hands moving to his fly.

CJ leaned forward and her hands stilled his. She gazed up at him and measured her words carefully, “You’re aren’t a substitution for someone else, Leo. I wouldn’t use you like that.”

“Then what? CJ?” he pleaded. “You felt sorry for me?”

"No, you fucking idiot," she said, smacking him upside the head with the wet palm of her hand. "I said the man I care about is stupid... I just didn't know how stupid until now."

"What?"

"You heard me."

His brain clicked two and two together, and he sat back on his heels.

“Finally,” she sighed.

Leo looked at her eyes wide, his mouth forming an inane grin, “You care about me?”

CJ shook her head and bit her bottom lip, “I love you. But it’s okay. I don’t expect you to feel the same way.”

"Who says I don't feel the same way?" he asked, leaning forward again.

"The arrangement was for sex and company -- you made the terms, I abided by them." She looked away. "And I fell in love with you somewhere along the way. I know you don't feel that way, though."

“We were in the middle of a street in Manchester, you were pissy at me for telling Toby you were planning to resign,” he said, “And I told you to stop being mad at me over Haiti.”

“I remember the conversation, so?”

“So I watched you stalk off and that was the moment I realised I loved you. Not when I practically begged Toby to persuade you to stay or while I was convincing the President you were still part of the team.”

"When you knew I could walk away?" she whispered. "That's what made you..."

"Yeah," he said quietly. "So... now that I love you and you love me... what do we do now?"

“Say that again,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Leo pretended to think for a minute, “Oh. I love you Kitten.”

Closing her eyes CJ lowered her face to his and lightly brushed her lips against his. Leo’s hands found their way into her hair and he held her steady as he kissed her breathless.

He pulled back to let her breathe for a moment. He searched her face, and smiled. "You are so beautiful," he whispered, lowering his lips to hers again.

Her wet hand cupped his neck gently as they kissed, and eventually he noticed the chill.

"Suppose I should join you?" he asked against her lips.

"I'd like that," she said softly, kissing him again.

Releasing her unwillingly Leo stood and slid his pants down his thighs, taking his boxers with them. “So I get the tap end?” he whined.

CJ shook her head and parted her legs. “You can sit here and I’ll wrap my legs around you.”

“And we’ll end up with more than bubble bath in the water,” he blushed.

"So what?" she asked as he slid into the water.

"So..."

"So nothing," she said softly. "We've had rough and tumble sex, kinky sex, food sex, and now... what is this going to be?" she whispered, her eyes a little worried.

"This is going to be lovemaking," he said, gently stroking her cheek with his fingertips.

“I’d like that,” she purred, sliding herself onto his lap.

“Gentle and slow,” he whispered, kissing her on the lips.

"Okay," she said softly, her hand reaching back to the nape of his neck to toy with the little bit of hair there as he kissed her again.

His hands glided slowly over her body, taking in every curve, feeling every dip in the skin. His hands made a map of her body, and she moaned softly.

CJ continued to twist his curls between her fingertips as she relaxed back against the bath and allowed Leo to control their lovemaking. Her free hand teased at his nipple while her hips rose with his every touch.

He smirked and tickled her. She giggled and gasped for air. "Leo... not... funny!" she protested.

He stopped, but continued to caress her ticklish spots with his fingertips, sending shivers up and down her spine, inviting more intimate touches.

“Leo,” she gasped. “As nice as this is, oh, yeah…”

“Sorry I was distracted by a thing, you were saying?” he teased, circling her nipple with the tip of his finger.

She croaked something indistinguishable from her groan of pleasure.

"What?" Leo whispered.

"Ohhhh..."

His free hand descended to her belly, stroking the skin gently, then moving lower.

“I’m surprised at you,” he commented, “I thought there would be bath toys everywhere.” His hand slipped down between her legs and he used two fingers to part her folds. “I guess you’re not so adventurous as I thought.”

"They're under the sink..." she groaned, lower back arching.

"Oh really?"

She nodded and sighed in bliss as he slid a finger gently into her. "Ohhh.... feels so..." Her voice broke off on a choked moan.

"Feels so what?" Leo asked softly.

“Doesn’t matter,” she gasped, pushing herself against his finger.

Pressing a hand to her stomach Leo held her back while he added an extra finger and began gentling twisting them up inside her.

Her eyes rolled back and she moaned. He increased the motion just a little and listened to the whimpers and moans she made as he stroked her intimately.

"I love you," he said very softly.

CJ gave him her widest grin and closed her eyes. The tension drained out of her body as he increased the pace, twisting and plunging deeper and deeper. Her long tapered fingers gripped the sides of the bath as she felt the sudden heat radiating through her body.

“Leo, now,” she practically screamed as his thumb flicked across her clit.

She felt the orgasm wash over her in gentle waves, not the strongest one she had ever had, but it was enough for her to want more. The bathwater coursed around her, gentle waves brushing up against her skin, adding to the sensory overload.

Leo pulled his fingers out of her and cupped a handful of water, dribbling it over her head and face. "I like you wet," he teased.

CJ laughed the full-throated laugh he heard in his dreams and slid down in the bathtub.

“I like you naked,” he whispered huskily.

“I like you inside me,” she admitted, her hand resting on his stomach.

"I like the way you say my name when you're close..." he said very softly, tracing circles on her arms with his thumbs.

"I like you," CJ whispered. "And I hope you won't leave."

"I'm not going to leave," he promised. "Haven't I been saying that all along?"

“I like sharing things with you,” she said, trying to take them back to the original mood.

“I like waking up with you,” he grinned, “I always want to wake up with you.”

After a seconds thought she leaned forward and kissed him on the nose, “So why don’t you?”

"Why, Ms. Cregg, was that a proposition?" he teased, leaning forward and kissing her gently on the lips.

"No," she said with a smile. "It was a kind of proposal."

"A deal."

"Yeah," she said softly. "It's an okay deal?"

He smiled and kissed her again in response.

“We’ll need to tell the President,” he groaned, “You can tell him I’m your lodger.”

“Uh huh,” CJ muttered as her fingers moved to grip the base of his penis.

“If he found out from…ow,” Leo yelped as she squeezed tighter. “What was that for?”

“Abbey may find the President sexy, I, on the other hand, don’t, and it was spoiling my mood.”

“Okay,” Leo said softly before his hand covered hers and guided her up the length of his shaft.

Her thumb caressed every bit of the head, stroking gently at the tip, smiling as he groaned and thrust into her hand. "My love," she whispered, making him look up into her eyes. "Do you like this?"

"I'd... rather be... in the bed..." he groaned.

"LEO!"

"Be...cause... it's... sa...fer..." he panted. "Clau...dia..."

"Hmm?"

"You... like me... inside?"

"Yes..." she said very softly.

"Hurry..."

CJ lifted herself out of the water and gently lowered herself onto his penis.

Leo slid his hands down her back to cup her backside, pulling her harder down onto him. Water splashed around them as he gently thrust into her. At the feel of her muscles clenching around him he increased the friction.

CJ moaned and arched her back.

Fearing that she would hit her head Leo moved a hand to the middle of her spine, holding her firmly as he guided them to release. Water swirled around them, splashing on to the wooden floor.

She moaned and slid deeper into the water as he slid out of her gently. "That was better than any of my toys..." she sighed, reaching up to stroke his cheek.

"So now I'm your favorite toy?" he asked.

"I may have to get rid of the toys altogether now..."

“But we can keep the videos, right?” he asked grinning.

CJ opened her eyes and sat up. “You wanna watch my videos?”

Leo shrugged, “Well I might be able to pick up a few pointers.”

“You’re just fine as you are,” she muttered. “We need to get out, I’m cold.”

"Poor baby," Leo said softly, laughing. "We're all tangled up, aren't we?"

"What was it you were saying about the bed earlier?" she asked, trying to get up without hurting either of them.

"I was saying, let's do it on the bed," he said softly, reaching up to caress her thigh as she stood above him.

"Your wish is my command," CJ purred, reaching for her towel. "Or we could just have a nice cuddle..."

“And get some sleep,” Leo finished. “Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

“Every day’s a long day,” she sighed, towelling herself off and appraising him as he climbed out of the tub and pulled the plug. “Why should tomorrow be any different?”

Leo opened his mouth to speak and she clamped her lips on his, only releasing him when she felt the need to breathe.

Leo looked up at her grinning, “Wow.” Grabbing a hand towel he rubbed at his body, “We’re hosting the dinner for the Prime Minister of Australia.”

She shrugged. "So what? You afraid I can't control my sexual impulses for a few hours?"

"Exactly."

"So we'll fuck around in your office before I get changed," she said with a perfectly straight face.

"CJ!"

"I'm sorry, I was just being funny," she giggled.

Leo rolled his eyes.

“Or we could just do it on Josh’s desk,” CJ smirked.

“Bedroom, now,” he ordered, slapping her with his towel.

“Ow.”

“Get that pretty little backside on the bed!”

“I like it when you get all masterful,” she giggled, grabbing his hand and pulling him down the corridor.

"Woman, I swear to god you're gonna kill me..." he laughed as she tugged him onto the bed with her.

"Maybe I'll be a little more gentle?" she said, looking wounded.

"Hey, I had to figure out how to explain to Josh that it wasn't a hickey on my neck -- I'd had an accident with the cleaning lady and her vacuum cleaner..."

CJ stared at him in disbelief. "You moron."

“It was my first ever hickey,” he grumbled, “And well it was Josh.”

“So he believed you?” she laughed.

“Yeah, but Margaret kept examining my neck all day.”

CJ crawled under the comforter and reached out for his hand, “As long as that’s the only thing she was examining,” CJ mock groaned.

“And here was I going to ask her to join us,” he smirked.

She smacked him in the head with a pillow, then stopped and smirked. "You know..."

"CLAUDIA JEAN!"

"Well... I think she'd have fun..."

"NO!"

CJ pouted, then sighed. "You wanna watch a video?"

“You going to wake me up in the middle of the night and expect me to perform?”

CJ looked at him and groaned, “Well I wasn’t aware you were a trained seal, but…”

“Okay, put it on.”

She climbed out of bed and rooted through the drawer until she came up with one she thought he would enjoy, then popped it into the VCR before scampering back to bed and curling up under the covers. "Damn, it's COLD!" she muttered, clinging to him.

He smirked. "This is kind of nice..."

"What, watching porn?" she asked, teeth chattering.

“NO. This,” he said waving his hands between them.

“Oh, yeah, it is,” she shuddered.

“We’ll have to make it a regular thing,” he grinned, “Hey, you still cold?”

Her teeth chattered in reply.

"Poor baby," he said softly, rubbing her back gently. "Is that any better?"

"A little lower," she chattered.

He rubbed lower, and puckishly tweaked her bottom.

"LEO!"

“Can’t help it,” he grinned, roaming his hands over her back. “You feel so good.”

CJ moved closer to him and draped a leg over his thigh. “So are you enjoying the film?”

“What do you think?” he groaned.

She chuckled. "I thought you would...." She let her hand roam gently over his stomach.

"You're an evil woman..."

"But you love me anyway."

“Of course, and you love me.”

“Depends,” she teased.

“On what?”

“On whether you warm me up,” she smirked.

Leo lowered his head and suckled on the side of her breast.

"Oh, you have a funny way of warming a girl up..." she teased, stifling a moan as he worked his way over her nipple.

"Not so funny," he chuckled, listening to her groan.

CJ concentrated on the screen as he continued to caress her breast, her eyes lightening up with what she saw.

Leo slid one hand between their bodies and dragged a finger across her clit to her opening, “Oh, yeah, nice and wet,” he groaned.

“Leo,” she whispered, running her fingers across his scalp, “Do you know what I’d really like?”

Looking up he waited, “Anything.”

“Your tongue,” she whispered.

"My tongue..." he said contemplatively. "Where, kitten?"

She looked up into his eyes and raised an eyebrow. "Where do you think?" she challenged.

Leo cast his eyes down between them and blushed, “Yeah.” Nudging her leg with his knee Leo rolled her over onto her back and slid down the bed.

CJ stretched out like a cat and shuffled her bottom until she was comfortable.

“Can I start now?” Leo asked, leaning on one elbow watching her.

She smirked. "What, you don't like watching me get comfortable?"

"What about me being comfortable?" he teased.

"What about you being comfortable?" she shot back.

Leo groaned then sat up, “You know CJ, maybe I’ll just concentrate on getting myself comfortable,” he smirked, his hand sliding to his erection and stroking its length. “Oh yeah, now that’s good,” he moaned, closing his eyes and laying back on the bed.”

"HEY!" she protested sharply.

When he ignored her, she growled, "Two can play at this game..." and began circling her clit gently with her thumb.

A sudden ringing noise disturbed both of them. Both glanced around the room and Leo’s eyes settled on his pants. “Shit.”

“You could ignore it,” CJ moaned increasing the movement of her thumb.

“I can’t,” he sighed, crawling off the bed and grabbing his pants. “Hello… Abbey?” He rolled his eyes at CJ.

CJ stopped what she was doing and glared at him.

“Again…now…Yeah, I know. Give me twenty minutes,” he groaned. Flipping off the phone he searched around for the rest of his clothes. “I have to go.”

"Why?" she demanded.

"Because there's a thing."

"A thing I can't know about."

He sighed and zipped his fly. "It's the President."

"Oh no -- should I..."

"Just stay here," he insisted.

“He’s not sick is he?” CJ asked, climbing off the bed and pulling her robe off the back of the door.

“No,” Leo said, crossing the room to hug her. “Abbey says he’s having one of his moments.”

CJ held on tightly to him, “Moments?”

Kissing her on the forehead he turned to leave. “When he can’t sleep he gets all agitated. Abbey calls me and we take it in turns to calm him down.”

“Abbey?”

He sighed and reached for her. "CJ, listen to me -- Abbey and I have been over for years now. We both made a mistake, that's all. And now, I have you, and I'm not letting you go -- understand?"

"I'm not even going to compare to her in your eyes," she snapped, pulling away.

"You know what? I was drunk the entire time we had our affair, CJ. I don't remember much about it."

“But she phones in the middle of the night and you go running,” she snorted, “That says a lot.”

Leo rubbed his hand across his eyes and sighed, “She’s married to the President, I can’t say no to him.”

“Fine, go.”

“Don’t be like this,” Leo groaned following her around the room until he could slip his arms around her waist and hold her against him.

“Let me go,“ she cried, trying to shake him loose.

“No,” he said softly, nuzzling her neck. “That’s the point, I’m never going to let you go. From now on when I‘m not at work I‘ll be here.”

"Yeah, yeah, then what's this?!" she asked, managing to shake him off enough she could turn and face him. "Huh? What's this, then?"

"CJ, please don't do this..."

"So I'm a jealous shrew."

"Yes, you are, but that's not the point..."

"I'm coming with you."

Leo raised his eyebrows and stared at her, “You’re coming with me?”

“Uh-huh, I’m going to find some clothes and then we can go.”

“Not a good idea,” Leo grumbled. “How about I call when I’m done?” he suggested.

“I can wait in your office,” she suggested.

Leo closed his eyes and sighed, “Can we find a compromise in there somewhere?”

“Yeah, you can just let me come.”

“Or you could stay here, I’ll come back when I’m done and you can be date tomorrow at the dinner.”

She hesitated for a moment. "I'm coming with you."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not sure I trust you!"

"CJ, have I let you down yet?"

She frowned. "You're pissing me off."

"So what -- this is our first fight?"

"Consider it so -- get out."

“CJ?”

“I’ll see you in the office tomorrow,” she snapped, walking into the bathroom and slamming the door behind her.

“Fuck,” Leo groaned, picking up his jacket and heading out. He paused outside the bathroom door and leaned his head against the door, “I love you.”

CJ sank onto the toilet seat and began to cry. She heard the front door shut and the cries became all out sobbing. Eventually she moved back into the bedroom and climbed into bed, curling up in a ball and hugging his pillow to her.

***************************************************************************

CJ walked through the lobby and headed to her office.

Carol was waiting, a look of trepidation on her face. "Good morning, CJ."

"It's morning, but I don't know about it being good yet," CJ muttered, taking the file from Carol's hands and signing it with a flourish. "Where's the new press packet?"

"Leo wants to see you before you get started," Carol said.

CJ threw her briefcase on the couch and sighed, “Anything on the wires?”

“Not much, the papers are on your desk. Do you want me to let Margaret know you’re on your way?” Carol asked, hesitantly.

“Yeah, get it over with.”

CJ headed down the corridors of the West Wing, glaring at anyone who crossed her path. She reached Margaret’s office to find it empty. Leo’s door was slightly ajar and CJ knocked once before pushing it open.

Leo was laying on his conference table, a single rose between his teeth.

"What are you doing?" she asked, crossing her arms and leaning on the doorframe.

"Appeasing my lady love," Leo said around the rose. Or rather, it came out, "Epeeshing mwy wady wolve."

"Get that out of your mouth before you prick your tongue on a thorn," CJ said, gritting her teeth.

Leo removed the rose and sat up. “You’ll find the other eleven on your desk,” he said softly. “And someone from Lorenzo’s is going to drop by later with a selection of gowns for you to choose from.”

"I've already got a gown," she said, voice icy.

"And now you have roses, too..."

"Did you have a nice night?" she asked.

Leo debated his answer while she continued to glare at him. Finally he sighed, “Actually I had a lousy time.”

“Good.”

“CJ!”

“Did you actually want me for something?”

Leo rubbed his face across his face, “You know what, forget it.”

“Sorry?” she asked, surprised.

“I said you can go,” he shrugged. “But before you do, you should know I love you, I’m sorry I put work before us and if you want to be my date there will be a seat for you at my table.” Leo picked up a file and walked out of the office, leaving CJ standing open mouthed.

She finally closed her mouth and headed back to her office. Everyone noticed during the course of the day that she was off-center, a little too snappish, a little too something they couldn't put their finger on.

By the time it came time to change for the dinner, CJ was wound up practically to tears. She dressed in a simple black strapless bias-cut gown that showed a little too much cleavage.

Margaret put the phone down for like the tenth time that day and knocked on Leo’s door.

“Yeah?”

“Carol says CJ’s heading over to the dinner now.”

“Right,” he mumbled.

“You should get over there before someone else sweeps her off her feet,” Margaret said, heading towards the door.

“Margaret!”

She turned around. "What?"

"How did you know?"

Margaret shrugged. "Womanly intuition."

"Bullshit."

"Okay, remember, I was the one that ordered the roses..."

"Oh, yeah." Leo sighed and signed the paperwork. "I guess I'd better get over there."

"Oh, and Carol said that the Vice President was asking around for CJ earlier in the day, but she told him that CJ was busy and couldn't be disturbed."

“What?”

“I said…”

“Yeah, is he on the guest list?” Leo asked, standing and pulling on his tuxedo jacket.

“I wouldn’t know,” Margaret sighed.

Leo buttoned his jacket, “Doesn’t matter. If you need me…page Josh,” Leo mumbled.

*******************************************************************

Leo entered the Stateroom and glanced around the room looking for CJ.

CJ was talking to Josh and Toby off in one corner of the room, her hand gestures less flamboyant than usual, decidedly not all-intense CJ.

He scanned the room, and his gaze landed on John Hoynes, who was talking to the Senate Minority Leader, and couldn't keep his eyes off of CJ.

Leo wanted to casually stroll over there and punch his lights out.

But instead, he headed in CJ's direction. "Guys," he said. "I need to talk to CJ alone for a moment."

Josh and Toby scattered.

“Hey,” CJ said quietly.

“Hey,” Leo whispered, looking over his shoulder.

“Don’t you want to be seen with me?” she snorted.

Leo held his hands up in surrender and stepped back, “Let’s not fight. I came over to say you look stunning.” He grinned at her and let his eyes wander over the expanse of flesh, “Breath taking. And to say, to warn you about Hoynes.”

"Hoynes?" she said, her voice cracking and her body tensing visibly. "He's here?"

"Yeah -- he's over there, watching you."

"He's watching me?"

"Relax, CJ."

"How can I relax at a time like this? It's Hoynes!"

“Because I’m here, and while I’m here he’s not going to do anything stupid,” Leo said softly, reaching for her hand only to find air.

“But you’ll be with the President,” she pouted, glancing across the room and shivering as Hoynes smirked back at her.

“I’ll walk you back to Toby or Josh.”

"I think I remember something I forgot to do in my office..." she said, taking his arm and allowing him to escort her to the door. "I'll be back as soon as I can pull my wits together again," she promised.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

"Just make sure he doesn't come after me."

Leo allowed himself to watch her go before he scanned the room and found Hoynes engaged in a conversation with a senator. Taking a deep breath he left the room and rode the elevator up to the Residence.

“Leo,” Jed called, appearing on the landing.

“Mr President.”

“Come and meet the guest of honor, maybe you can translate,” he grinned. “Damn if I understand a word.”

“Sir!”

“Did Abbey mention Jordan is coming?” Jed practically shouted with glee.

Leo stopped in his tracks.

“What?” Jed snapped turning.

“I wish she wouldn’t do that,” Leo groaned, imagining a scene later.

“Ah, my wife knows best,” he said, waving his hands, “She even invited a doctor friend of hers to meet CJ. Should be a good night for you, Abbey switched the tables around so the four of you could be together.”

Leo grunted something inaudible.

"Say what?" Jed said, cupping his ear.

"Nothing, sir," Leo sighed.

"Good -- how's the party?"

"You'd know if you were down there," Leo snapped back.

"Touché, my friend..."

"Hoynes was making wolf-eyes at CJ and she excused herself. Toby's about ready to deck someone, and Josh and Sam are following one of the Australian delegates around and slobbering on the train of her gown."

"Sounds like a real party -- wait... Hoynes was drooling over CJ?"

"Yeah," Leo sighed.

"Wow, that was a thing I didn't need to have mental images of -- did she drool back?"

"NO!" Leo protested sharply.

"Ah... okay."

CJ sat on the couch in her office, head in hands, wishing to god she wasn't feeling so inanely stupid.

"You look wonderful," came a voice from the doorway.

She looked up and stiffened.

“I was wondering if we would ever get the opportunity to be alone again,” he said smugly, closing the door firmly behind him.

CJ glanced through the blinds into the empty corridor. “I need to get back to the party,” CJ mumbled weakly, standing.

“Surely you can spare me a few minutes,” Hoynes retorted, “I never got to thank you for that night.”

"Thanks aren't necessary," she said, edging away.

"Oh really?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "I was going to tell you what a wonderful woman you are... You certainly live up to your reputation."

"My reputation?" she echoed in disbelief.

"As the best lay in the District."

"What?" she croaked, moving behind her desk, where she would have objects at the ready to defend herself if worse came to worse.

"Are you feeling all right?" he asked, moving closer.

"I'm fine," she snapped, raising her hand for him not to come any closer.

"What's the matter with you?" he asked. "You're acting like I have some terrible disease or something."

"Don't touch me," she said. "Don't talk to me, don't touch me, just get away from me right now."

“Are you mad at me for leaving without saying goodbye?” Hoynes asked, moving to the window. “Because that’s not my fault, Leo told me to leave.” He turned to look at her, “I’m guessing he wanted to experience you for himself.”

“What the hell do you know about it?” CJ snapped.

John smirked and shook his head, “I’m just saying if I’d been watching you in ecstasy I would have wanted to fuck you after.”

"You son of a bitch," CJ growled. "I'll have you know that I am not mad that you didn't say good-bye. I was glad that Leo threw you out."

"Excuse me?"

"I said I'm glad he threw you out, SIR, because if he hadn't, I would have, and you'd have had a broken nose on the way out the door," she hissed.

"You like me."

"I HATE YOU."

“I can work with that,” he sniggered, “You want me, you just don’t realise it yet.”

“The hell I do!” she spat.

“Come back to the party and I’ll get you a drink, loosen you up a little,” he offered, extending his arm.

"What part of no do you not understand?" CJ growled, edging further away from him. "What part of do not touch me, do not come near me, don't talk to me do you not comprehend?"

He shook his head. "You know, CJ, playing hard to get isn't winning you points."

"Good, because I don't want your points! And as far as you're concerned, I'm impossible to get." She made a break for the door and managed to get it open and get out into the hall before he grabbed her arm.

“CJ, Leo’s looking for you,” came a soft voice from down the hall. “Good evening Mr Vice President.”

Hoynes released CJ’s arm and smiled sweetly, “Margaret.”

“Leo needs to speak to you urgently,” Margaret said firmly, raising her eyebrows.

CJ smiled weakly and glanced at Hoynes, “If you’ll excuse me duty calls.” She turned and disappeared without waiting for his answer.

Entering the Stateroom CJ bumped into several dignitaries before she could look for Leo. At one point she briefly caught sight of him chatting with someone she vaguely recognised.

Toby came up to her and said, "What's the matter?"

"What?"

"You have a face like thunder -- what's wrong?"

"Leo wanted to see me," she sighed. "And I can't seem to get over there to see him."

"What's the thing with Hoynes?" Toby asked.

"Nothing," CJ sighed.

"Claudia Jean..."

"He propositioned me, and I turned him down, and now he can't seem to get enough of making me miserable, and for god's sake, I've got to see Leo."

“I’ll talk to Hoynes.”

“Leave it Toby,” CJ said softly, squeezing his arm. “Who’s that with Leo?”

Toby followed her gaze and frowned, “Jordan Kendall.”

“I didn’t know she was invited,” CJ said quietly.

“The First Lady added a bunch of names at the last minute, Ms Kendall, some doctor and Amy.” Toby stifled a grin, “Who just happened to catch Josh coming onto one of the delegates.”

CJ gave him a weak smile and turned back to watch Leo.

“You’re gonna have to tell him one of these days.”

“I’m sorry,” she gasped spinning round.

“CJ, it’s all over your face. Tell him how you feel.”

CJ lowered her eyes, “I did that already. Then I screwed it up with my paranoia,” she whined.

Toby’s fingers on her arm were so light she didn’t notice until she looked up.

“Go over there and fix it,” he growled.

"What am I supposed to do?" she asked sadly. "It's already as if it's all passed in front of me, and I couldn't even get on the back of the train!"

"Go fix it," Toby repeated.

She inhaled deeply, then calmly walked over and tapped on Leo's shoulder. "May I speak to you a moment, please?" she asked.

"Of course -- CJ, you know Jordan..."

CJ plastered on a smile and shook Jordan's hand, mentally imagining that she was breaking the other woman's hand. "Leo, please can I speak to you?" she repeated.

"Of course," Leo said, turning to look at her. "Yes?"

CJ's lips pursed into a frown and suddenly it seemed like the right decision to grab him and kiss him.

Which she did.

When she finally released him Leo gazed up at her wide-eyed, his mouth forming one of his heart stopping grins. “I don’t think I quite got the message,” he whispered, his eyes dancing.

CJ slipped her arms around his neck and lowered her face to his. She stopped inches from his face and waited for him to react.

Leo’s eyes darted around the room catching the stunned expressions on the faces of the people watching. “I guess we’re going public,” he mumbled as his lips hungrily sought hers.

When he let her breathe again, she whispered, "Ya think?" She pulled back and bit her lip, then looked around at the dumbfounded spectators.

Jordan looked like she was ready to faint; the doctor CJ was supposed to feign interest in was looking vaguely ill. Sam's jaw couldn't be lifted off the floor. And Josh was gaping. Amy came up and covered his eyes, much to his annoyance, then left.

Jed and Abbey were stunned speechless.

And Hoynes had a smirk on his lips. One that left CJ's stomach twisted up in knots.

Raising herself to her full height CJ felt for, and clasped, Leo’s hand tightly.

Glancing up at her Leo grinned and took a step in the direction of the President. They came to halt inches away from the First couple and waited for Jed to speak. When after a few seconds there was still silence Leo sighed, “Mr President?”

“I don’t know what to say,” he replied, shaking his head.

"Say that you're not too awfully horrified..." CJ said hesitantly. "Or that I haven't stooped to the bottom of the barrel..."

"CJ!" Leo gasped.

"I'm kidding," she said softly. She continued to hold the President's gaze. "I'll resign if I have to, but I'm not leaving him," she declared firmly, squeezing Leo's hand. "He's gonna be my lodger," CJ announced finally with an impish grin.

“You’re planning to live in sin?” The President exclaimed, glancing at his wife.

“Only until after the baby’s born,” CJ said, straight faced.

Leo stifled a grin and stared at his shoes.

“Baby?” Jed cried.

“They’re kidding you,” Abbey said softly, “At least I think they are.”

Leo lifted his gaze and grinned, “No baby Sir, just me and my Kitten.”

CJ blushed and shot him a glare.

Unheeding, he corrected himself again. "I'm sorry, I should take that back. Just me, my kitten, and her toys."

CJ turned bright red and her mouth opened into a horrified "o".

"Bravo, bravo," Hoynes said, sauntering over. "Seems Leo scored the biggest goal ever..."

"Don't start," CJ growled, glaring at Hoynes.

"Oh, why not?"

“Because this isn’t the time or place for this,” Leo said firmly. “Mr President, you need to get back to your guest.”

Jed looked between Leo and Hoynes and noted the tension, for once palable on the surface. “Okay, but we are going to talk about this later.”

Leo nodded and waited until he had walked away.

“I don’t know what your problem is, John,” Leo hissed, “But I suggest you get over it.”

“No, I don’t think I will,” he smirked.

CJ's fingers closed around Leo's hand, squeezing it tightly. "Leo, this isn't the time," she whispered. She lifted his hand to her lips for a quick kiss, and then glared at Hoynes. "You will not come near me tonight," she hissed, eyes narrowed.

"Have it your way, my dear," John replied, mock-bowing.

"I am no one's dear," she snapped.

"Oh, I'm sorry, kitten," Hoynes mocked.

“And no one calls her kitten,” Leo hissed, releasing her hand and taking a step forward.

CJ prepared herself to restrain him when Josh and Toby appeared at her side. Both gave her silent reassurances before Josh took Leo’s arm and dragged him away, “So I said he needed to talk to you, and it says it has to be tonight…” Josh babbled.

Toby wedged himself between CJ and Hoynes and folded his arms.

“When you get tired of the old man, give me a call, “Hoynes snarled, turning and stalking away.

“Are you okay?” Toby asked, watching as her eyes glazed over and her bottom lip trembled.

She nodded and covered her eyes for a moment, trying to regain some of her composure. "Yes, I'm fine."

"You don't have to tell me what's going on, but you'd better tell me right now what's going on," Toby hissed into her ear.

"You're trying to trick me into talking," she accused.

"Yeah -- now talk."

"I got drunk and... it was a thing with Hoynes and Leo in Leo's hotel room, and..."

"Okay, enough," Toby groaned. "Please tell me you've sworn off drinking now."

“Yeah,” she whispered.

“What’s Leo gonna do about Hoynes?” Toby growled watching the man himself move around the room.

“I don’t know,” she admitted.

“Then I’ll use the file,” Toby stated, taking her arm and guiding her to a more private area.

“What file?” she asked, dazed. “File on what?”

Toby shook his head and avoided her eyes, “This is what Josh and I do. The less you know the better.”

CJ moved to stand directly in front of him, “Don’t do something stupid to protect me.”

“Go and find the mouse,” Toby growled, rubbing his head.

“The mouse?”

“When if you’re the kitten, he has to be the mouse,” he smirked.

"Toby!" she gasped.

"Don't pretend to be so shocked..."

"What file?" she prompted.

Toby groaned, “Okay, but just remember I didn’t wanna tell you.”

CJ rolled her hands in a get on with it motion.

“A month ago Leo asked me to get whatever I could on our friend and put it in a drawer. It makes interesting reading -- Sam’s friend warrants a mention, a little gambling, and his financial disclosure wasn’t exactly full disclosure,” he shrugged. “All in all he’ll be pretty keen to keep it under wraps.”

She nodded. "Okay." She made a gesture and sighed. "I guess I'd better go find Mickey..."

"Mickey?"

"What, you prefer Mortimer?"

"Huh?"

"Mouse."

"CJ..."

"Mickey Mouse, Mortimer Mouse..."

"Oh."

“Or maybe mighty mouse, Danger Mouse…” she continued to mumble as she walked away.

Leo was sat chatting to Abbey when CJ found him again. She hesitated and he looked up, grinning.

“Hey, I was just going to come and find you.”

“I beat you to it.” CJ glanced at Abbey.

“I guess this is my cue to go,” Abbey said, standing. “I need to apologize to a couple of people.” She took two steps and came to a halt beside CJ. “Take good care of him.”

"Yes, ma'am," she said quietly. "Maybe I can ask you some pointers sometime," she said, meeting Abbey's eyes.

Abbey cleared her throat and excused herself. CJ took Leo's arm and kissed him on the cheek. "I can't wait till this thing is over," she cooed.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I got a new toy..." she purred into his ear.

Leo flushed pink, “You’ll have to take me to your shop sometime.”

CJ leaned closer and blew across his earlobe, “This one didn’t come from the shop.”

Leo grinned, “You’re talking about me?”

CJ nodded, “And Kitten wants to play,” she whispered, her fingers trailing up his arm.

“Do you want to leave now?” he coughed.

“Can we?” she asked, her voice catching in her throat.

“If you promise NOT to behave in the limo I’ll go and find Josh, no point having a Deputy if I can’t use him,” he snorted.

"I promise not to behave in the limo," she purred.

"Meet me in your office in ten minutes," he said, heading off to find Josh.

She made her excuses to a few people, enough so that they could pass it around that she was feeling ill... And then she went to her office to await Leo's arrival.

Ten minutes went by, and she frowned at the clock on the wall.

Twenty minutes and she was pacing up and down the length of her office.

After half an hour she grabbed her jacket and purse and left the building. Instead of going home she drove around for a bit, thinking, and cursing Leo.

Her cell phone rang three times and she ignored it, instead cranking up the radio.

She pulled into her parking space behind her apartment building and went in the back lobby door, climbing the one story of steps to her floor. Her cell phone rang again as she opened the door. When it continued to ring, she threw it across the hallway, watching with satisfaction as it stopped ringing.

And then she went into her apartment, where she collapsed onto the couch. Until the phone rang. "God fucking dammit," she growled.

Snatching up the receiver she barked into it, “What?”

“CJ,” Abbey said softly, “Is that anyway to answer the phone?”

“You’re lucky I answered it at all,” CJ snapped back.

Abbey sighed, “I came to your office to find you.”

“I went for a drive.”

“Yeah, um, have you been drinking?” Abbey asked quietly.

“No!”

“Leo’s in the emergency room,” Abbey said, her voice catching in her throat.

"What?" CJ whispered.

"He's in the ER," Abbey repeated.

"WHAT? Why?!" CJ demanded, slipping her feet back into her shoes and grabbing her purse.

"I know this is a secure line, but walls have ears," Abbey sighed. "Meet me at GW."

"Okay," CJ said. "I'll be there in... 30 minutes?"

"Make it ten," Abbey said.

"I'll get arrested for speeding!" CJ protested.

"Jed will take care of it," Abbey assured her. "Just be here in ten minutes."

CJ wasn’t really sure how many red lights she went through or how she managed to avoid crashing through a bollard as she took a turn a little too sharply, but it was twelve minutes later when she pulled up outside the building. An agent she vaguely recognised took her keys and went off with the car.

The lobby was practically empty as she entered and she was relieved to catch sight of Abbey talking to a nurse.

“Abbey,” she called out.

Abbey turned and took a few steps. “Take a deep breath and calm down.”

“What happened? Where is he?” CJ snapped. “He was supposed to meet me.”

“CJ,” Abbey said firmly, “He was unconscious for a while, and when he woke up he asked for you and…anyway, he’s going to have a bruise on the back of his head and it’s possible he has a fractured hand.”

“ABBEY?”

"He got into it with John Hoynes," Abbey sighed, rubbing her eyes wearily. "And one of Hoynes’ agents hit Leo in the back of the head with something when Leo put up a fight."

CJ growled ferally. "That bastard isn't going to know what hit him, the fucking son of a bitch!" she promised grimly.

"The point is that Leo is okay -- or will be," Abbey sighed.

“And where were they when it happened?”

“The men’s room,” Abbey muttered, “Was it possible Leo was buying condoms, and babbling about the limo?”

CJ blushed, “Maybe, can I see him?”

Abbey nodded, “Jed’s with him now, trying to calm him down.”

CJ grunted and muttered under her breath.

“CJ, there’s something you need to realise if you and Leo are going to make a go of it. Their friendship rates above all else. You obviously know what happened, what you don’t know is he ended it because he loved Jed more than he loved me.”

"Not THAT way, I hope," CJ muttered, rubbing her forehead with the heel of her hand. "That would just be too much for me to handle right now..."

"No, not that way," Abbey sighed. "Just go on in there, okay?"

CJ nodded and went into Leo's private room. "Um, hi," she said, waving awkwardly at the President.

“Guess that’s my cue to leave,” Jed grinned. “I’ll come by tomorrow. CJ.”

CJ smiled weakly and waited for the door to close before she crossed to Leo’s bedside.

“I’ve always liked big hands.”

“CJ?” Leo whispered, reaching for her hand. “I’m sorry.”

"There's nothing to be sorry for..." CJ said softly, lifting his hand to hers for a kiss. "Did you get a good punch in there for me before the agent tried to kill you?"

"I think so," he groaned.

"Are you in pain?" CJ asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," Leo gritted out.

"If one of us should be sorry," she said softly, "it should be me."

“No,” he trembled, gazing up into her eyes. “I promised I’d protect you, and I failed.”

CJ pulled up a plastic chair and sat down beside him. “You didn’t fail me, the black eye Hoynes is going to support for the next week is proof enough of that,” she grinned. “Just don’t do it again.”

“I won’t,” he muttered, “And the President wants me to apologize.”

“He what?”

“It’s okay,” Leo tried soothing her. “It’s the right thing to do.”

"No," she said, voice rising, "It is NOT the right thing to do! Maybe politically, but Leo..."

"No buts," Leo sighed. "I'm going to apologize. But if he tries to pull something again..."

"I'll be the one giving him a black eye," CJ growled.

“No, he won’t get an invite to the wedding,” Leo smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

CJ went wide-eyed and rubbed his hand distracted, “Leo?”

“That wasn’t a proposal,” he said flustered, “Just for future reference.”

“And what makes you think I’d marry you?” she teased.

He shrugged. "Because you like me?"

"I don't like you," she said. "I love you. But sometimes love just isn't enough..."

"Don't say that!" Leo protested sharply. "When you say things like that, it makes Hoynes the winner.”

“Leo, I don’t want it to be this complicated.”

“It won’t,” he whispered, trying to shift position. “Soon people’ll realise we’re serious and then we won’t have to worry about interfering.”

“And you still want to move in?”

"There's nothing I want more," Leo said, reaching up to caress her cheek gently. "Except you."

She smiled and turned her face into his palm. "You're very sweet..." she said softly.

"I try."

"Unfortunately..."

He nodded. "I know." He grinned at her. "Know what else I'd like?"

"If you say a big wedding, I'll kill you myself."

"Nope..."

"What then?"

"I want to see you carry my child..."

"You're dreaming, old man," she teased, leaning down to kiss him on the nose.

“Maybe twins, little Josiah and Joanna,” he taunted.

“I’m going to get the nurse, you’re hallucinating.”

“Hey if you can keep your toys I can have my twins,” he deadpanned.

“Bit of a difference,” CJ smirked. “I’m going now, so you can get some sleep.”

“Stay?”

The pleading hope on his face made her resolve to go crumble. "Okay," she said softly, going over to the corner to drag the hard plastic chair over to his bedside. She sat down in it and took his hand, pressing it to her lips. "Now will you get some sleep?"

"I'll dream of you..." he promised.

“As long as that’s all you’re dreaming of,” she muttered, as he closed his eyes. Lightly she lowered her head to the bed and placed it beside their joined hands ready to get some sleep.

As CJ closed her eyes she didn’t realise that her thoughts mirrored those of her lover. After four years what a difference a day could make

When CJ woke up the next morning, Leo was stroking her hair with his free hand. "Mornin'," she croaked, giving him warning enough to move his hand before she sat up. She yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"Good morning," Leo said.

"How's your head?" she asked.

"You slept through vitals and pain meds," Leo said with a smirk.

“When can you come home?” she asked leaning up to kiss him.

“Now, if you’re ready. No concussion, just a little headache.”

“I need to find my car,” CJ muttered, standing shakily and cracking her neck.

“You might need these,” he teased, waving a set of keys at her, “A nurse brought them by.”

She snatched them out of his hand and waved them in front of him. "Let's go... the dining room table needs christening... Unless you want to go to the hotel and pack?"

"I prefer the dining room table idea at the moment..."

"Good, because you're not going to work until tomorrow."

“So I’m guessing when we’re at home you’re the boss.”

“Better believe it, baby,” she purred.

Leo licked his lips and smiled. He had to admit he rather liked it when she got all bossy on him. "So we're gonna christen the table?"

"You'd better believe it," she grinned. "Up, now -- I'm already thinking of things to do to you with chocolate sauce and whipped cream..."

"CJ..."

"Hmm?"

"Who says you're the one that gets to have all the fun?"

“Ah, now let me see. Firstly you have a bandage on your hand,” she teased, running her fingers along his arm, “Secondly you had fun with the ice cream.”

“CJ!” he warned.

“What?”

“If you’re not careful I’m going to fuck you on the hospital bed.”

"Ah, now there's something I've never tried..." she purred.

He groaned. "It was a metaphor!"

"For what? 'Let me fuck you on the hospital bed'?"

"Something like that..."

"You know, we're worse than bunnies..."

“CJ?” Leo called softly.

“What?”

“I like the idea of you being my bunny girl,” he said stifling a giggle.

CJ rolled her eyes and motioned with her head for him to move. “Just wait till I get you home.”

Leo quickened his pace. “Is that a promise?”

"I think I've got some bunny ears somewhere..."

He hurried up behind her. "You're something else, kitten..."

"Is that an insult or a compliment?" she asked as they went to the desk to check out.

Leo slipped his arms around her waist as they waited for the forms to be filled out. Leaning up to her ear he whispered, “A compliment. You’re the cat’s whiskers.”

“Bad pun.”

“I’m going to make you meow later,” he mumbled blowing cold air across her earlobe.

CJ shook her head.

"Behave yourself," she scolded, and the nurse looked up at them, smiling.

"Just make sure he takes his pain medication for the next couple of days," the nurse said with a smirk. "And try not to overexert yourself, Mr. McGarry."

CJ's face flamed red.

Leo shook her hand and grinned. The nurse flushed pink and looked away. Giving CJ a smirk he tugged on her hand.

“Did you hear that, Kitten, no over exertion, leaves the missionary position out?” he said loudly causing nurses to turn and look.

If it hadn’t been for his injuries CJ would have hit him, instead she released his hand and marched on a head, leaving him to trot in her wake.

She waited until they were in the car before turning to him and scowling. "Do you delight in making me look a fool?"

"No."

"Then why..."

"Because I like to see you blush."

"I blush whenever you look at me," she admitted, turning over the engine.

“I know.”

CJ flushed crimson as if to prove the point and concentrated on steering out of the space.

“I also like it when you get flustered.”

“When?” she asked, keeping a safe distance from the car in front.

“When I walk in the press room in the middle of a briefing, when I touch your arm in the middle of a conversation,” he explained casually.

“Do I really?” she squealed glancing across at him.

He nodded and grinned.

“What do I do to you?” she asked.

He laughed. "Well, for one thing, my pants become very uncomfortable when I watch you leave a room."

"So I make you horny, in other words..."

"No, you make me hard."

"Okay, then... anything else?"

"You make me wish I was a better man."

“Leo,” CJ started softly, “You’re a better man than any I’ve ever met. You’re warm, loving, a good friend and there isn’t one person in the West Wing who wouldn’t put themselves out on a limb for you.” She pauses to gaze at him, “I love your strength and commitment. Do you realise how much we’ve learnt from you.”

“I make the same mistakes over and over again. I ruined one marriage, I neglected my baby girl and I took the easy way out.”

"Leo, everyone makes mistakes."

"Not the same ones over and over again."

"You wanna make a bet? Look at me -- it's always been one man after another that would eventually hurt me. Until you. Now, I don't even look at other men, because I know you're here for me." She glanced at him. "Mistakes can be corrected."

“I must have done something good in my life to deserve you,” Leo whispered, covering her hand with his own.

“You gave me a family,” she said distractedly. “In fact you’ve made us into a family.”

Leo’s laugh made her turn and glare at him.

“What, I was being serious?”

“Sorry,” he giggled, “It was the idea of changing Sam’s diapers, talking sex with Josh and …no, not going there.”

She shook her head and smiled. "No, really, Leo -- you've made us one big fucked-up family..."

"And I got you in the bargain."

"Precisely... and why are we talking about this anyway?"

"I don't know. Hey, what turns you on about me?"

She smirked and turned the corner. "Your smile."

“And here was me hoping you’d say my nice firm butt,” Leo mocked groaned.

CJ pretended to appraise him. “Yeah, well it’s okay. “Her hand wandered from the gear stick and up his thigh, “Um, that’s good too.”

“CJ?” came a squeak.

“Yeah?”

“Can you put your foot down and get us home.”

"I'm working on it..."

"No, I mean, please hurry..."

She turned and smirked in his direction. "What, don't wanna make a mess?"

"It's your car..."

"True..." She stepped on the accelerator, and about 10 minutes later, swung into her parking space. "Now..."

"I'm not gonna make it inside."

"We're not gonna fuck in the car."

“CJ?” he whined.

“Just walk, I can always run you a bath. Actually think of Toby, that’ll bring you down,” she smirked.

He groaned. "Dammit, CJ..."

"Come on," she laughed, climbing out of the car and coming around to help him out. "We'll go in the back door, and run up the stairs."

CJ started to run and Leo fast walked behind her, clutching the front of his pants with his good hand. As she reached the apartment she heard him curse and smiled to herself. Turning the key in the lock CJ pushed the door open and waited for him to enter.

“Now look what you’ve made me do,” he groaned.

“You’re the one who was fantasising in the car,” she deadpanned.

"Yeah, but watching you running..."

She pushed him inside and shut the door. "You're just a dirty old pervert."

"Yeah, but..."

"Okay, I take that back... you're not a dirty old pervert until you want to tape us fucking like bunnies."

Leo flushed. "The thought had crossed my mind..."

CJ rolled her eyes and headed to the bedroom.

“I thought we were going to try the table,” he called after her.

“I need to get out of this dress first.”

“Can I watch?” Can I?”

He heard CJ groan and watched as a shoe came flying from the bedroom.

He laughed and waited until he was sure the other shoe wasn't going to fly out at him before going to the doorway and watching her slither out of the dress. He licked his lips and mentally told himself how lucky he was to have her all to himself.

She stood there for a moment in her underthings, then took them off, too, preferring to put on a silk nightgown.

“I could get used to looking at you every morning,” he said softly from the doorway. “Don’t,” he called as she picked up the nightgown.

“Leo?”

“Please,” he groaned, “I’d like to just look at you, and touch.”

She blushed and covered her chest protectively with her arms.

"No, don't do that," Leo groaned, moving closer to pull her arms away. "Your body is so beautiful... don't cover it up."

"It's not like the painting anymore," she said quietly.

"It's exactly like the painting," Leo contradicted. "Just older and more familiar..."

“And all yours.”

“Now that’s music to my ears,” he sighed as his hand outlined her curves.

CJ shivered and dropped her arms to her sides as Leo’s hand cupped her bottom.

"Something that feels this good should be a sin..." she whispered as his fingers caressed her hips, working their way up her sides, over her breasts, over her neck, up to her face...

"It's not a sin to love someone as much as I love you," he replied, kissing her tenderly.

“Hey, there’s a little inequality here,” CJ whined, pulling at his studs. When the shirt refused to move CJ tugged harder ripping the silk in two.

Leo glanced down, “That was a hundred and fifty dollar shirt.”

“You look better without it.”

It took only a second for Leo to shrug out of his shirt.

"What's $150, anyway?" he quipped, throwing the ruined shirt onto the floor and wrapping his arms around CJ. "Speaking of money, I want to pay you."

"I'm not a call girl!"

"Not for sex -- for my room... even though I won't be using it."

"No, Leo, don't." She pulled back and searched his face. "We're going to make a deal."

He groaned.

"No, hear me out... You compensate me for your part of the rent by making sure I am sexually content."

"I knew it -- I'm gonna die."

"You'll die a happy man," CJ promised.

Leo pretended to think about it for a moment as he unfastened his pants. “Okay deal.”

CJ’s hands covered his as he worked his pants down his legs.

“And in the spirit of making you sexually content,” he grinned, “I want you over the dining table.”

"Take the tablecloth off first, please..."

"Why? When we've done, I want to wrap you in it and carry you to bed..."

She paused and stared at him. "Is it always gonna be like this?"

"Like what?"

"Fucking every which way we can think of?"

“For as long as I can manage.”

“But there’s more to us than sex though, isn’t there?” CJ asked quietly.

Leo entwined his fingers with hers. “I’m going to take you to romantic restaurants, we can go for walks on the weekend and maybe we can go away somewhere.”

“You don’t take vacations,” she smirked.

“I’ll make an exception.”

"Okay, where are you gonna take me?"

"To places you've never bee... oh, you meant on the vacation?" he teased.

"You're very funny..."

"Seriously, wherever you want to go," he assured her, kissing her lightly on the lips.

"Hawaii?"

"Sure."

"The Bahamas?"

"Sure..."

"How about a little bed and breakfast in New York?"

"Now that sounds wonderful."

Leo kissed her again and pulled her in the direction of the living room. “We can go sightseeing, and shopping, and have dinner up the empire state building.”

“You think we can really go, soon?”

“The others will have to manage without us,” he whispered, “In fact they can start tomorrow.”

She smiled and kissed him. "You don't think we're being too hasty?"

"No, we are not," Leo declared huffily. "We want to start making my babies..."

"I still say you're dreaming..."

“That’s not quite what I dream about,” he said huskily. “Turn around.”

CJ looked at him a little fearful.

“It’s okay, you’ll enjoy it,” he whispered.

CJ spun around and faced the table.

“Bend over,” he instructed as he went to grab a cushion.

"Wow, it's an ab workout!" she joked. "I could be one of those late-night infomercial people... 'This product will give you the ab workout of your life!'"

Leo smacked her in the back of the head with the cushion. "Put this between you and the table," he instructed.

CJ glanced over her shoulder and shook her head, “And to think I thought you were innocent.”

Leo ran his fingers lightly down her back and slapped her on the behind. “I was corrupted by a sexpert,” he teased, pushing her towards the table.

Settling the cushion under her stomach CJ stretched out against the wooden surface. “What now?”

"Spread your legs a little farther apart..."

"What if I don't?" she challenged.

"Then it just might hurt."

She immediately shifted her balance so her legs were shoulder-width apart. "Enough?"

"A little more..."

“I’m not a contortionist,” she whined, then gasped as Leo’s hand brushed up the inside of her thigh. Her legs parted independently of her will.

Leo pressed himself to her back, gently kissing her shoulder, then her back as his hand moved higher.

She moaned as he stroked her folds, then worked up to her clit, massaging gently. "Ohh..."

"Shh..." he whispered, kissing her back.

"You...'re... gonna kill ME!" CJ interjected a minute later, when she finally found her voice again.

With his bandaged hand Leo held himself steady. He longed to caress her breasts but that was posing a problem.

He groaned when her hand came round behind her and tangled in his hair and he moved a step closer until his erection rubbed across her bottom.

"That's better..." she moaned, rubbing against him.

"Not really..."

"Oh?" she groaned as he gently caressed her.

“With you doing that I’m losing my concentration,” he grumbled, using his finger to test her readiness.

CJ moaned and pushed back against him.

“CJ.”

“Leo, fuck me already,” she groaned as his thumb and finger continued his all too gentle exploration.

"I'm trying to make sure you're ready, kitten..."

"Leo, so help me GOD..."

He rolled his eyes. "God's gonna help you? What's he gonna do?"

She growled, then purred as he hit a certain spot.

Leo chuckled to himself as he deliberately moved his thumb and started rolling his thumb pad.

“LEO!”

“Sorry kitten, did you like that?” he teased, locating the spot and increasing the friction.

“Leo,” she panted, “please.”

Leo continued to circle her clit in short rapid movements as she panted and whimpered.

Her legs shuddered as he brought her closer to climax. CJ gripped the table and arched her back as she lost all conscious thought.

“That’s it, baby, let it go,” he whispered, lightly kissing her back.

She stifled a scream as she came, arching back against him, wishing he would put her out of her misery.

"That's my kitten," he said proudly.

She moaned.

He slipped his hand from between her legs and received a whine from CJ. “I’m going to give you something better,” he whispered, rubbing his wet thumb across the head of his erection. “And then I’m going to make you purr.”

Gently he eased himself forward, guiding himself to her opening.

She groaned and inhaled sharply, gasping and panting as he gently thrust into her. "Ohhhh..."

"You like that?" he growled.

"Yessssss.... oh!"

"Relax, kitten," he said quietly. "Just relax a little, and it'll be easier..."

Moving his legs to shift the weight Leo changed the angle of his thrusts. His long slow strokes became short rapid thrusts as he felt her clenching around his shaft.

Grabbing her by the waist he increased the rhythm, groaning as he felt himself climbing to the top of the cliff.

“CJ, I’m close,” he panted.

He wasn’t surprised when her hand dived between her legs and she began to massage herself, emitting incoherent whimpers.

He groaned and continued thrusting, forgetting to breathe when he came, collapsing on top of her, and then finally inhaled.

He knew she had come again, he had felt it, and he knew he was squashing her. But she wasn't complaining.

"Leo?" he finally heard her say, muffled.

"Yeah..."

"About making me purr..."

“Uh-huh.”

She gave him a low meowing sound and he chuckled. “Don’t think you’ll win an Oscar but it’s good enough for me.”

“Do you think we can move somewhere more comfortable for the post coital cuddle?” she asked groaning.

“Am I hurting you?” he asked jumping back concerned.

CJ shook her head, “No, I’m just wet and uncomfortable.”

“Oh.”

CJ turned at the sadness of his voice and grinned, “That wasn’t a complaint, Buttons.”

Wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling his head against her chest she held him tight. “Keep that up and you can consider the rent paid in full.”

"Okay..." he said. "Wanna go to bed?"

"What, not the couch?"

"The couch is good..."

"Make up your mind," she giggled.

"I... you tricked me."

"Yes, I did..."

"Why don't we..."

"Couch," she said, pulling him along.

CJ stretched out along the length of the couch and motioned for him to join her. Wrapping an arm across his chest CJ held Leo against her.

Leo tugged the blanket from the back and covered them up. Settled he closed his eyes.

“So what do you want to do for the rest of the day?” CJ asked, tweaking his nipple between her thumb and forefinger.

“Need to move my stuff,” he mumbled.

“And we should go out and eat.”

“Need a nap.”

"Poor baby," she whispered. "Did I wear you out?"

"Eh... head hurts."

"Do you need another pill?" she asked worriedly.

“Just sleep,” he mumbled, turning onto his side and wrapping himself around her.

CJ hugged him to her and kissed his crown, before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.

She was awake to an extent when the phone rang, but when Leo jolted, she just about flew out of her skin. "Chill out," she growled, sitting up to reach for the phone. "Hello? Yeah... okay. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. He's doing fine, ma'am."

Leo groaned and managed to sit up.

“He’s resting right now…No, it’s okay…Really. We’re going to eat in a nice little place down the street….Thanks.” CJ dropped the phone to the table and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hands. “I couldn’t face dinner and the interrogation, sorry.”

Leo reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Is it selfish for me to want you all too myself?” He waited a beat before adding, “In fact I never want to share you again.”

"If we have those twins of yours, you'll have to share me," CJ protested.

"Yes, but then I'll have a say in sharing you..."

She smiled. "You really want kids?"

"With you, yeah."

“The knock on the head did more damage than I thought.”

“Hey, with my looks and your brains just think how far they’re gonna go,” he grinned.

CJ rolled her eyes and slid off the couch onto the floor.

“What’ya doing?”

CJ climbed up onto her knees and took both of his hands in hers. “I’m a traditional girl Leo. Some might say I’m conventional but I’d like to be married before I bring kids into this world.”

“CJ?”

"Hmm?"

"Are you proposing to me?"

She stared at him for a moment, then cracked up. "No..."

"Okay."

"I'm just saying..."

"You're just saying we wait till we're married before we make a baby."

"Exactly."

"Yeah, but what if we've already done that?"

"You're gonna put a whammy on it!"

“I was just stating…” he stopped at the sight of her nibbling on her lip. “You know there is one way to fix it?”

“What?”

“We could fly to New York and get married straight away.”

"Why New York?"

"Because there's Tiffany's... and Harry Winston's..."

"Was that a proposal?"

"What, you want moonlight and roses?"

"No, I want you naked and smiling in a hot tub..."

Leo shook his head and grinned, “You can have that later.”

“And I’d like to see where else you can put a rose.”

“So do I book the honeymoon suite or not?”

She sighed. "I think we're rushing into this."

"I just don't want to screw this up -- to screw us up," Leo admitted, looking down at his feet, dangling off the couch.

“You gotta have faith,” she whispered, lifting his chin to kiss him. “A compromise, book the penthouse.”

Leo waited for her to pull back before he snaked his hand around her shoulders and kissed her hungrily, leaving no part of her mouth unexplored. “Can’t promise I won’t take you to every jewellers in Manhattan,” he sighed releasing her finally.

"And I can't promise you I won't make you go to Bloomingdale's with me..."

"Armani."

"Saks."

"Okay, you win."

"We can go walking in Soho..."

"Where do you want to get married?"

"I didn't agree to getting married tomorrow..."

He sighed dejectedly.

"But I didn't say no to the day after tomorrow... you'll just have to convince me."

Leo jumped up with the glee of a child on Christmas morning.

“Where are you going?” CJ asked, somewhat surprised.

“To find my credit card and make phone calls.”

“Now?”

“The sooner we get there the sooner I can convince you.” He stopped and trotted back across the room to give her a searing kiss before heading back to the bedroom.

Her forehead scrunched in confusion as to what was happening, then she grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her, lying back down on the couch and going back to sleep.

Leo shook her awake a little later. "Kitten..."

"Go 'way... was having a nice dream..." She swatted at him.

Leo circled her wrist and crouched down beside her. “What were you dreaming about?”

CJ blushed and covered her eyes, “Doesn’t matter. What have you been up to?”

Leo grinned, “Flight leaves at four and we’re booked into the Sheridan for three nights. We’re you dreaming about me?” he asked.

She blushed again and glanced away. "Maybe..."

"Playing coy?" he teased softly.

"No... I'm a little embarrassed," she sighed, glancing back up into his eyes and smiling. "But it doesn't matter... Three nights?"

"Yeah."

"Hot tub?"

He grinned. "Of course."

CJ sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Did you tell the President?”

“Oh yeah. You missed quite the lecture,” Leo groaned. “So this dream, was I naked?”

“Leo!”

Leo shrugged and reached up to stroke her cheek. “In most of my dreams you’re naked,” he admitted.

CJ glanced down at her naked body. “I need to dress, and pack.”

"Pack something to wear to dinner," he said softly, reaching out with one hand to run his fingertips over her hip and down her thigh.

"Oh?" she said with a smirk. "Why? So you can ruin it by tearing it off of me later in the evening?"

"Something like that," Leo said with a grin. "We're going to Tavern on the Green tonight, and to the Russian Tea Room tomorrow night, so..."

“What no room service?” she teased. As her fingers trailed across his cotton-clad chest she licked her lips. “And here was I looking forward to wearing nothing but red lacy lingerie.”

“Monday night,” he stammered. “You can make it my wedding present.”

She raised an eyebrow. "You're pretty convinced you're going to convince me in three days to be your wife immediately..."

"I know my powers of persuasion, kitten," he said softly, kissing her ever so gently on the lips. "Go get dressed and packed -- our flight leaves in about three hours, and I know you'll need time to get redressed after we make love again..."

"You are so arrogant today!" she laughed, heading for the bedroom.

“Me, arrogant, never. Self assured maybe.” Leo followed her into the bedroom and perched on the bed. “So I thought tomorrow we’d go shopping, pick out a ring, and a dress of course. Tuesday we need to get a special licence and visit the justice. You need your birth certificate for that.”

She turned around and stared at him. "I'm not going to wear a wedding gown, should we get married," she said.

"Okay, so pack something nice."

"And my birth certificate is in the drawer below the porn drawer, in the black box, under the copies of every work contract I've ever signed..."

"Okay, then," Leo laughed.

“Don’t you need to pack?” CJ asked, humming to herself.

“We’ll swing by the hotel, it won’t take more than five minutes,” he replied, hunting for the birth certificate.

“You realize if we do this Abbey is going to be mad, really mad, and I might not be able to protect you,” CJ teased, returning from the bathroom with a bag of toiletries.

He grumbled and looked up. "Since when do I care what Abbey does?" he asked.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and dangled her feet to the ground. "I don't know."

"Okay, then." He held up the birth certificate, triumphant. "Bingo -- I must say, though, that you do a great job of hiding things, CJ."

"Thanks," she muttered, getting up to go pick formal attire for dinner.

Leo came up behind her, putting his arms around her waist. "That one looks good..."

CJ glanced in the direction he was pointing and swatted him, “That is a silk nightgown, hence it’s see through.”

“It’s New York CJ, no one would know the difference,” Leo smirked.

“You’re no help,” she groaned, pulling out her favourite red off the shoulder dress and a black beaded trouser suit. “How about these?”

"Anything you wear is wonderful," he said softly, kissing her on the back of the shoulder blade. "In fact, anything you don't wear is even better..."

"You're really funny," she said with a smile.

"I know..."

"But, unfortunately, unless we were to go live in a nudist colony, we have to wear clothes."

“Now that’s a thought.”

“Okay, I give up, the red and black ones go. I think that’s everything,” CJ announced, sealing her suit carrier and sitting back on the bed. “Now your stuff.”

Leo ran his fingers down her back and back up again. “That can wait,” he said huskily, his voice making it clear what he had in mind.

"You are a horny old man..."

"And you're a sexy, beautiful, horny woman," he pointed out, rubbing her back.

"What if I'm tired?" she asked. "Or not in the mood?"

He smirked. "Look down."

She glanced down. "At what?"

"Don't tell me you're not in the mood, because your body says otherwise..."

“Maybe I’m cold,” she quipped.

“Then I’d better warm you up.”

“And how do you intend to do that?” CJ purred, falling back onto the bed.

"Well..." Leo drawled, crawling up into bed beside her. "I think, first off, I'm going to kiss you..."

"Okay..." CJ whispered as he kissed her ever so gently, their lips barely brushing. He pulled away, and she sighed, "If you think that was a kiss, you need small words and visual aids."

“Perhaps if you kept quiet for just a minute I could kiss you properly,” Leo deadpanned. “Right firstly I’m going to kiss you…all over.” Softly he trailed kisses across her jaw and down her neck. “Did I mention all over?” he mumbled as he nibbled his way between her breasts and across her stomach.

"Yes..." she breathed, arching her back, "You mentioned all over..."

"Good," he mumbled against her skin, blowing a raspberry against her belly. "I can't wait to see our baby growing here," he said, glancing up at her face to gauge her reaction.

“Leo, I am not a human incubator,” CJ grumbled, rolling away from him and on to her stomach. “If you just want a baby I suggest you go and play with Ainsley.”

“Ainsley?” he squeaked.

“Yeah, just think one fuck and she’d be pregnant. And the Muffin company’s profits would triple,” CJ said bitterly.

"What'd I say?" he asked, confused.

"You know perfectly well what you said, Leo," she snapped, burying her head in her forearm. "I'm not sure three days in New York is gonna get you anywhere."

“Is it so wrong of me to love you?” he asked softly, “To love you so much that I would risk everything to protect you? To want to father your baby. To hold a tiny CJ in my arms and know that at least for a few years I can have everything I have ever wanted?” he begged, rolling over until his back was facing her.

"What about what I want?" she asked quietly.

"What do you want?" he asked. "You've never told me. All you insist on is that I not leave."

"I haven't forced you to stay. And I didn't ask you to be gentle, either, but you did. I didn't ask to fall in love with you, Leo, but I did anyway." She reached out to touch his back. "Maybe I don't know what I want. I know I want you for as long as I can have you. But other than that, I have no idea."

“Why can’t that be enough?” Leo sighed, “To want to be together, to love each other and to spend whatever time we have left together?”

“Because if I don’t give you this baby you are going to regret staying with me.”

Leo turned to face her, “You really think I’m that shallow? That a kid is the deal breaker? That I would drop you tomorrow for Ainsley or Donna or the next blonde thing that walks through my office?”

"I hate blondes," she muttered.

"I don't hate them," Leo said, voice quiet. "I just prefer you."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah, really. What, you seriously think I'm going to walk away just because you don't want to have a baby right now?"

"I don't know if you are or not."

He rolled over and looked at her. "I'm not. It's just... I look at you and it makes me want a family again. You'd make a wonderful mother, Claudia. And... I guess that's what I've been trying to say. Badly."

“I think you’d make a wonderful father,” she said softly, “And if it happens okay but I don’t want us to plan our future around it,” she admitted sadly. “But if you want to get back to the kissing all over thing, that’s okay too.”

Gently Leo leaned over and kissed her shoulder blade, “I’ve gone off that idea.” He moved to kiss the base of her neck. “Now I just want to fuck your brains out.”

"Bring it on," she purred, stroking his forearm and smiling up at him beguilingly.

"You are too beautiful for your own good," he teased with a chuckle, leaning over to kiss her hungrily, plundering her mouth with his tongue as his hands roved over her body.

”Who says I want to be good?” CJ teased, her hand moving between them to his shorts. “Sometimes I just want to be bad.”

“CJ!”

“What?” she asked innocently. “You could spank me if I was naughty.”

Leo covered her hand with his own and pressed them against his groin. “See, now there’s going to be no foreplay.”

"Who needs foreplay?" she giggled. "You know I'm almost always ready to go."

"You're gonna kill me," he groaned as she began caressing his quickly hardening cock through his boxers.

"Yeah, but what a way to go..."

Leo removed her hand and yanked his shorts down, kicking them across the room. “I want you on top,” he growled grabbing her waist and pulling her on top.

“You want to watch me pleasure myself?” she asked, straddling him.

“Fuck yes. I want to watch your eyes and see you arch when you climax.”

“It’s going to hard and fast, are you sure?”

"Yes," he said, kissing her fingertips and up the inside of her wrist. "I want to see you, CJ -- I just want you so much..."

She nodded and inhaled deeply before teasing one of her nipples with her free hand, allowing him to continue kissing her wrist.

Laying back Leo watched as her nipples turned deep red and hardened under her expert touch. He moaned with her as her fingers roamed her body and finally dived between her thighs.

“I want you inside me,” she purred, lifting her hips and slamming down onto his erection.

Leo groaned as she took him deep inside her and cursed her and god as she clenched around her.

As her fingers circled her center Leo watched her eyes dilate and turn many shades of blue. He bucked and whimpered as her muscles worked him.

She slammed down onto him, over and over again, repeating her orgasms until he thought she was going to fall over.

He groaned when she turned her efforts onto him, leaning down to kiss his body, his lips, tease his flesh with her fingers.

"I love you," she moaned as she kissed him hungrily. "I want you to come inside me, darling..."

“Then my Kitten,” he whispered and his voice caught in his throat, “You are going to have to work harder.”

CJ looked up at him and licked her lips, “You want me to be rougher with you.”

He nodded hesitantly and lifted his head to kiss her fully on the mouth. “Jesus CJ, do whatever you want.”

She didn’t need any more encouragement.

She sat up and reached behind her to cup his balls in one hand, and scraped her fingernails down his chest with the other hand as she massaged his balls. "You want it, you've got it," she half-growled, half-purred as she tormented him.

Leo bucked against her hand, moaning as she squeezed a little too hard on his balls. He yelped as she rode his shaft, fast and furious with a pace of her own. He felt her orgasm and the familiar tightening around his shaft as she came and the warm wetness forcing him out.

"Oh God, oh God, oh God..." she panted, collapsing on top of him, her hand letting go of him.

"You... okay?"

"It takes... a lot of... work... to make you... happy," CJ wheezed, wearily kissing his shoulder. "I'm gonna sleep all the way to New York," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

"Okay," he said softly, caressing her back.

"I feel so safe..."

“It’s okay,” he whispered, easing her off of him. “You rest, I’m going to shower before we leave.”

CJ mumbled something incoherent as he made his way into the bathroom. Closing the door behind him he turned the faucet on and stood under it. Seconds later he moaned as release came.

When he came out of the shower and went back into the bedroom, she was sound asleep. He leaned over and kissed her, which startled her.

"Ohmygod," she moaned, opening one eye and peering up at him. "You must think I'm so..." She yawned. "...Selfish..."

"Not at all, kitten," he said softly. "But it is time to get up and finish getting ready."

Gathering his clothes Leo disappeared into the other room to get dressed and when CJ appeared a few minutes later he was sat at the table, drinking water.

“I’m ready,” she announced, slipping her arms around his neck and kissing the top of his head. “We have just enough time to stop by your place and grab some clothes.”

He nodded. "Okay, then let's go..." He got up and they walked out to the car, hand in hand. "Y'know..." he said with a twinkle in his eye. "It's too bad we can't screw around on an airplane..."

"Who says we can't?" CJ shot back as she climbed into the driver’s side. "There is a lavatory..."

Leo coughed a little and began to protest when he caught the smug look on her face.

“Don’t do that,” he protested, “Just remember I’m an old man.”

“Well for an old man you’re pretty agile.”

“Just drive, will ya?” Leo settled back and ten minutes later he was entering his hotel.

She waited out in the parking lot, tapping her fingernails impatiently on the steering wheel. With a sudden frown, she dove for her purse, checking for something she thought she had put inside. "Dammit," she grumbled, zipping it shut again. "Just great."

"What's just great?" Leo asked, sliding into the passenger side, throwing his bag into the back seat.

"Nothing -- I just forgot something." She started the engine and pulled out of the space.

"Do we need to go back and get it?" Leo asked.

She shook her head and bit her lip nervously as she drove.

The airport took less than twenty minutes and CJ dropped him off at the terminal while she negotiated a parking space. When she returned he was chatting on his cell.

CJ rolled her eyes and tapped her watch face.

Leo nodded and mouthed ’Josh.’ When he finally switched off the cell CJ took it from his hands and dropped it into her purse.

"No more calls," she said, taking his hand in hers and squeezing it tightly. "This is our time, right?"

He nodded and raised her hand to his lips. "This is our time, and not even the President could make me give it up."

"Oh really?"

"Well... we'll have to turn the phones back on later," he sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Just in case."

"And what if he calls while we're fucking like bunnies in the hot tub?"

"CJ, we're in public!"

"No one knows us."

“That’s not the point.”

“So what is the point?” she snapped.

“You never know who might be about,” he sighed. “I’ll pick the tickets up and then we can check in.”

“Fine.”

Leo groaned, “And now what?”

“Don’t take that tone with me.”

He sat back down and sighed. "CJ, I don't know how to ask you this..."

"Am I PMSing?" she supplied acerbically.

"Yeah."

"No, I'm not," she sighed. "If you must know, I'm not due for a whole 'nother week."

"Maybe you're... um... hormoneing early?"

"Go get the tickets."

Leo wandered over to the ticket clerk, glancing over at CJ every few seconds to check she was okay. When he had finally handed over his credit card he turned and walked back to where he had left CJ.

The luggage was stacked neatly but she was gone.

"God fucking dammit," he groaned, turning back to the counter.

"Sir, can I help you with anything?" the ticket agent asked.

"YES. Call Claudia Jean Cregg to the ticket counter no, please."

The agent chuckled and paged CJ. A couple of minutes later, she appeared at Leo's side at the counter. "What do you need?" she asked.

"Where did you disappear to?" he asked, handing her her ticket.

"I had to go to the bathroom," she sighed.

Leo shook his head and avoided her eyes.

“Leo?” CJ asked softly, “You thought I’d left you?”

He mumbled in response.

“Idiot.”

“Kitten, let’s just check in and get on the plane,” he groaned.

“And we’re back to the mile high club,” CJ teased, as they walked across the concourse.

"CJ, don't say things like that in public, please," Leo begged.

"Again, may I ask why?"

"Because it's already obvious that I want to shove you into a wall and get arrested for public lewdness," Leo muttered into her ear.

"You're talking dirty to me again," she purred, kissing him on the cheek.

“CJ!”

CJ licked her lips and took two steps ahead of him, “I’ll just walk in front.” She waggled her hips exaggerating the movement as he followed behind.

When he finally got her as far as the lounge he ordered them both a coffee and sat down.

CJ reached over with her free hand and squeezed his thigh. “So tell me again, how you’re going to persuade me to marry you.”

"What, dinner and hot tub sex won't do it?" he teased softly.

"I hope you're joking," she laughed.

"I am."

She nodded.

"I plan on wooing you and making love to you, and you won't want to go when I'm through," he said firmly, trying to hide the fear in his eyes at the thought that he might not convince her.

“After all that you might decide you don’t want me,” she said softly.

Leo shook his head, “Can’t get rid of me that easily.”

“Wouldn’t want to.”

Covering her hand with his own he squeezed tightly and waited for the flight to be called.

When they called the flight to board, Leo guided CJ to the line with his hand on the small of her back. Neither of them noticed the click of a camera as they moved through the line and boarded the plane. They were too engrossed in each other.

THE END