Part One

Abbey lay in bed, alone again, watching the sun come up. Jed had flown to St Louis an hour ago. She on the other hand had a quiet day planned, answering correspondence and scheduling appearances for the next month. The phone rang and she reached to answer it.

‘Hey Sweetknees,’ he teased.

‘Where are you?’ she asked, pushing the covers away.

He looked at his watch, ‘Over Pennsylvania somewhere. It’s a beautiful sunrise.’

Abbey smiled, ‘Yeah, I have a pretty good view from here.’

‘I got a pretty good view of you when I left,’ he sighed. ‘Anything planned for today?’

Abbey sat up in bed, ‘No, just paperwork.’

‘CJ’s in her office,’ he said, his voice strangely quiet. ‘You could have lunch.’

‘Jed!’ she chided.

‘I can’t help it, it’s no fun for me when you two fight, besides you two are good for each other.’

Abbey shook her head, ‘Jed.’

‘Don’t Jed me, have lunch with her, invite her away for the weekend, go shopping. Please for me,’ he asked in the whiny voice she had never been able to refuse.

‘Maybe. What time will you be back tonight?’ She asked, running her fingers across her exposed chest.

‘Leo says about nine, so probably tennish. Gotta go, Leo needs me.’

‘Bye,’ she said to a dead line.

It was after one when she plucked up the courage to wander over to the West Wing, everyone was in election mode. Another irony was, had it been three years ago she may well have been involved. Abbey hovered in the hallway, staring through the blinds at her friend. CJ had her feet up on the desk, the phone to her ear and she was threading a pencil through her fingers. Once upon a time they had sat in a hotel room and shared their deepest darkest feelings, now they were practically strangers, and Abbey wasn’t sure if Jed realised how much he had contributed to that.

“Ma’am, did you want to see CJ?” Carol asked passing by her in the corridor.

Abbey looked up at the younger woman, “She’s obviously busy, it can wait.”

Carol shook her head, “She’s on with Josh, he’s testing the water about Women’s issues. Go on in,” she smiled.

Abbey wondered how much Carol knew about CJ, and some part of her hoped it was her she had turned to in the darkest days.

Abbey took the last few steps and hovered in the doorway.

CJ looked up and almost fell off the chair as she spun around to stand.

“I’ve got to go…no I’m not fobbing you off. Josh, the First Lady is standing in my door.” CJ groaned, “Here ask her yourself,” she said thrusting the phone towards Abbey. “He wants to know what you are wearing.”

Abbey grinned, “Joshua, yes it’s really me. Now was it the colour of my suit you were interested in or what I’m wearing underneath it.”

CJ laughed when Abbey put the phone down a few minutes later. “Sorry, it was too good an opportunity to miss.”

“By the thud I’m guessing he fell off his chair.” Her voice turned from laughter to seriousness. “How are you CJ?”

CJ rounded the desk, “I’m good Ma’am.”

Abbey raised an eyebrow, “We’re back to that again.” She made herself comfortable and turned to face CJ. “Jed suggested we have lunch.”

CJ flinched noticeably, “It’s really not necessary. I’m sure you have plenty to keep you occupied.”

Abbey smiled briefly and leaned back against the fabric. “Carol,” she called.

Carol appeared around the doorframe, “Ma’am?”

“Can you organise some lunch from the mess?” She looked at CJ, “Sandwiches and cake okay?”

CJ nodded.

“And if you can locate a bottle of wine,” Abbey continued, “We can have a working lunch.”

Carol disappeared and CJ leaned against her desk staring at her feet.

“You know when you look down your hair falls in your face and I can’t see you,” Abbey joked.

“Channelling your husband again, Ma’am,” she stopped, “Abbey?”

Abbey shook her head, “No, but he’s right on this one. Come and sit here,” she said, patting the couch.

CJ slid into the space next to her and sighed.

“Want to share?” Abbey asked, “You tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.”

CJ ran her fingers through her bangs, “I’m not sure if I can.”

“CJ,” Abbey said, her voice low and soft. “My husband is a son of a bitch, but this time he’s right. Tell him I said that, and I won’t be responsible for my actions. We do need to sort this out.”

“I meant I don’t know what the problem is,” CJ explained. “But yes we do need to talk.” She paused and observed the older woman through guarded eyes. “I wasn’t trying to handle you, or interfere in your marriage, I was doing my job, the same job your husband hired me for.”

When Abbey didn’t respond she continued, “I screwed up over Haiti, I was punished for it, we’ve moved on. The boys are better for knowing I’m not infallible. You’re still mad at me.”

Carol appeared with the food and an opened bottle of Chardonnay, placed it on the table and closed the door behind her.

“Drinking during the day doesn’t do me any good,” CJ stated, pouring two large glasses of wine, and handing one over. “Why are you still punishing me?”

Abbey appraised her in much the same way, “I’m not. We just don’t seem to have talked much.”

“By arrangement?” CJ asked sipping the wine and enjoying the warmth on her throat.

“No,” Abbey replied firmly. “We’ve been busy. Jed and I had things to sort out in private.” She took a large gulp of wine and smiled, “I miss the days when we were the only two girls, listening to Toby argue a woman’s right to choose with Jed, or Sam, the EPA, and Josh, bless his heart, try and soften the air for us.”

“Now it’s screw the sisterhood,” CJ hissed.

“But not you,” Abbey said, her voice barely audible.

CJ stiffened and stared at her, “Abbey, I…”

The look of surprise on CJ’s face brought forth a giggle from Abbey, “Something you want to share?”

CJ blushed, “No.”

“Pray tell?” Abbey’s face was earnest and reminded CJ of the night she told her all about the love of her life that was.

“We tried a thing after the announcement, for a while the sex was good, then we remembered why we split up,” CJ shrugged, as if to say it didn’t matter.

“Wow, I really have been pre-occupied.” Abbey finished her glass and motioned for CJ to drink up. CJ obeyed and when both glasses were full again spoke, “I actually meant that our boys are rather protective of you now. Sam took on Leo, Josh and Toby and their hoverings. Jed wanting us to be friends.”

“Really, The President wants us to be friends?” CJ asked, her eyes bright from the alcohol.

“He misses our conversations in the residence, he knows I’m lonely and that a need someone to talk too,” Abbey offered.

CJ lowered her face to glare into the glass, “I’m always here as your friend. I don’t gossip about you.”

Abbey stiffened as she realised that CJ was upset, “I know that. The positions we hold don’t always make that easy.” Her eyes danced with mischief, “This can be our new start, we no longer have any secrets. Except I should probably confess…”

CJ’s head spun around to stare at her, “What?” she asked tentatively, imagining the worst.

“I must confess I’ve always had a little crush on John.”

“John who?” CJ asked, her jaw dropping.

Abbey gave her an ‘are you kidding me’ look and whispered, “John Hoynes.”

CJ’s face reddened and she smiled, “Ah, yes. You might not want that to get out around here.”

“Or in my bedroom, Jed would not take too kindly to that. I’m just saying; if I was 15 years younger I’d be tempted.” She hastened to add, “and I wasn’t married to Jed.”

“Of course that goes without saying,” CJ grinned. “I am fifteen years younger.”

It was Abbey’s turn to grin and top up CJ’s glass, “What’s stopping you?”

CJ took a large sip of her drink, “ABBEY!” she shrieked. “Can you imagine it? It would be Danny all over again, and cosy discussions with Leo about my sex life are not my thing. World War Three would break out around here. It’s not two months since Toby and I split up.”

“You can’t let the locker boys dictate your life. And John is very eligible.” Abbey nibbled on the cake, hoping to quash the glazed expression she knew she had. “Catherine has been dead two years. John has started living again.”

CJ shook her head, “He hates me.”

“He doesn’t know you, Claudia Jean.” Abbey could feel a plan formulating in her head. “Anyway, enough about men for now. I’ve just had an idea. Come away with us this weekend.”

“I couldn’t intrude,” CJ stated, wondering whether she would be able to get up.

“Bull. You know Jed will insist,” Abbey said, her tone firm. “A weekend at Camp David will do you no end of good. There will be a small gathering of friends.” All she had to do was convince two men who hated each other to spend a weekend together, no problem.

“If I say no, you will get him to order me, right?” CJ acknowledged, shakily rising to her feet and crossing to her desk.

“Naturally,” Abbey grinned. She opened the door and called over her shoulder, “We leave Friday at four. Carol, your boss is drunk.”

Jed should have guessed something was up as soon as he entered the bedroom, but he was still working through the day’s events in his brain. He placed his hand on the light switch when she called his name.

“Josiah.”

He spun around and took in the low lighting in the room. His eyes travelled across the room to the bed and his heart skipped a beat.

“What have I done to deserve this?” he stammered.

Abbey smiled and extended her leg, “We haven’t seen each other that much recently.”

“’Kay.”

He wasn’t prepared for her to bend her knee and for the satin slip to fall revealing her nakedness.

Jed crossed the room, shedding his jacket and tie as he went, “I could get used to this.”

Abbey pulled the clip from her hair and watched his face light up as her hair fell in curls across her neck. She shrugged her shoulder and the straps slid down her shoulders to give him unfettered access to her cleavage. Oh yeah, he was pretty easy to manipulate when she put her mind to it. His body was already telling her he was paying attention.

“Abigail, can you ask whatever it is you want, and get it over with?” he mumbled, toeing off his shoes and yanking at his socks, his eyes drawn to the edge of her slip, rising and falling with every breath.

“Josiah, what do you take me for?” she purred, lowering her chest slightly.

Jed pulled at his belt, his hands fumbling with his fly in his eagerness. “Oh, I’m going to take you alright. But first what do you need?”

Abbey crawled across the bed on her knees, to wrap her arms around his shoulders, her fingers playing with his buttons. “Just a small favour,” she whispered, blowing on his ear. “I want you to invite someone to Camp David this weekend.”

“I thought it was a private weekend,” he whined.

“Oh it will be,” she whispered, her hands slipped beneath the cotton shirt to tease with the light speckling of hair. “But you made me realise it’s good to talk and iron out problems before they get out of hand.”

It twigged, for a genius it had taken a while, “With whom am I supposed to suck it up?”

Abbey lowered her hands. “John Hoynes,” she mumbled as she slipped her hand into his shorts.

Jed groaned, “You’re not playing fair, Abigail.”

She nipped at his shoulder blade and he whimpered, “And if I do this, and I can’t promise it will work, what do I get?” Hell right about now he’d promise her anything.

She smiled, “Oh I think I can make it worth your while.”

Abbey hovered over him later that night, massaging his shoulders as he dialled the Vice President’s Residence. Jed glanced at his wife hesitantly, knowing there was more to this scheming than him and Hoynes.

“Are you going to tell me?” He asked waiting for an agent to pick up.

“Tell you what?” she purred, digging her nails into the tight muscles.

“ABIgail!” He warned as someone picked up at the other end. “I would like to speak to the Vice President. It’s the President calling.”

The phone went silent as the agent obviously went in search of the man himself.

“I’ve talked to CJ, now it’s time for you to talk to John. Things are getting silly. You can’t run a campaign if you won’t speak to each other,” she informed him, softly.

“We managed perfectly fine last time,” he snapped back, pulling the sheet back across his waist.

“Mr President?” came a cool voice on the line. “What can I do for you so late?”

Jed glanced at the clock, and noted it was after midnight, “Sorry did I wake you?”

“Not at all, I was reading.”

Abbey poked Jed firmly in the back and gave him a warning glance with her eyes.

Jed took a deep breath, “John, Abbey and I would like you to join us at Camp David this weekend.”

He turned back to Abbey, a triumphant smile on his face. She poked him again, mouthing ‘be nice.’

Jed sighed, “A few friends will be joining us, nothing heavy, mainly relaxation and it would give me the opportunity to talk to you.”

John sat in his over stuffed armchair and listened, his relationship with Bartlet was tenuous at best, with his staff strained and, if as he expected, the President wanted to discuss dropping him, he’d rather not have to spend the weekend with him.

“Sir, perhaps it would be better to schedule the meeting before you left,” John offered.

Jed shook his head and Abbey reached out for the phone.

“I’m sorry John, but you’re in for it now,” Jed said, his voice evidence enough of his teasing.

John was surprised to hear the soft lyrical voice of the First Lady and not the gruff Chief of Staff.

“John, how are you?” Abbey asked, leaning back on the bed. “Hope we’re not working you too hard.”

“No Ma’am, I’m very well. How are you holding up?” His voice was deliberately polite and detached.

Abbey smiled, “Well, you can stop calling me Ma’am, it makes me sound like your mother.” She took a breath, “John, I would really like it if you’d come this weekend.”

He was surprised by the hidden demand in her voice and wondered, not for the first time, what sort of woman Abigail Bartlet really was.

“Abigail,” he breathed and she shivered, ignoring the look Jed was shooting her. “I really do have a lot of work to do, and I’m not that comfortable in crowds.”

She crossed her fingers and grinned, “Can I be candid with you? I need to use your talents. One of our guests is a little shy and we need them on board. I was hoping you could charm them.”

Jed was watching her carefully, not sure if he liked the fact she could be quite so manipulative or maybe it was the flush she was getting over her chest.

“That’s very unfair, I know, but I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate.”

Jed rolled his eyes.

“If you really need me I’ll come. There’s a meeting until five I can’t get out of so I’ll fly up after that,” he concaved.

Abbey stroked Jed’s chest, “Wonderful. And John, bring your jeans. Night,” she added returning the receiver to the desk.

Jed stared at her and she smiled, “Sometimes it’s in the way you ask.”

“You were flirting with him!” Jed exclaimed.

Abbey lowered her head to his nipple, taking it between her teeth she whispered, “And it’s you I’m sleeping with.”

CJ caught up with The President at the South West entrance, reeling off a list of things for Carol to do. He glanced back at his wife and raised his eyebrows. Abbey grinned back and pulled an agent to one side, motioning for him to take the bag.

“I’ll be on my cell or pager all weekend,” she finally said.

“For Christ’s sake CJ, go and have a good weekend.” Carol grinned at Abbey and turned back to CJ, “I took the initiative and packed a few extra things for you.”

CJ cocked her head to one side, and was about to make a retort when Charlie appeared.

“They’re ready for take off,” he told them. “I’ve informed the staff you will be there in thirty minutes.”

“Thank you Charlie,” Jed said and lowered his gaze, “Have a good weekend, but not too good a weekend.”

“Yes Sir,” Charlie replied, grinning, “You too Sir.”

“I really can send you to Siberia,” he muttered as Abbey pushed him towards the helicopter.

The three of them and a small contingent of agents boarded Marine One

, heading for the Catochin Mountains. The President indicated with his head for CJ to take the seat beside him. She groaned and strapped herself in.

“Do you know the history of Camp David?” the President asked, turning to watch her.

“CJ forced a smile, “No, I don’t Sir, but I’m sure you do.”

Abbey smiled across the aircraft and closed her eyes.

“Well, it was first established by President Roosevelt as Shangri-La. Which Roosevelt do you think that was?“

CJ rolled her eyes, “Uh, F.D.R?”

“That’s correct. And it was renamed by Dwight Eisenhower Camp David.” He smiled at her and CJ grinned back, fully aware that he was going to spend the whole trip reciting history to her. And knowing that on the way back he would quiz her. Giving him her full attention she sat back to listen.

“The first foreign leader to stay here was Winston Churchill, in May 1943...”

It was a little more than thirty five minutes later when the helicopter touched down on the helipad in the grounds of Camp David. The President alighted first and was escorted to his golf cart, an agent waiting to drive him. He disappeared from sight as Abbey and CJ were shown to another vehicle.

“They won’t let him drive,” Abbey giggled. “Something about security, to him or them I’m not sure.”

CJ grinned, “Do they let him ride the bikes?”

Abbey shook her head, “It was suggested that he should walk around the property.”

CJ laughed, Leo was still pretty mad about his touring bike and it’s short life. “When are your other guests arriving?” CJ asked quietly.

Abbey avoided her eyes and stared out of the window, “There’s a skeet range over there, but Jed doesn’t like it used when he’s around. And they play softball on the helipad in the Summer.”

“Abbey?” CJ asked, her nerves on edge.

“And of course you can use the gym down by the crew cabins, maybe I’ll come join you in the sauna, or we could play tennis,” Abbey babbled.

CJ sighed, “There are going to be other guests, aren’t there?”

Abbey turned to her and smiled, “Well I didn’t invite you down here for a threesome with me and my husband, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

CJ blushed crimson, “Abbey!”

“As much as it would be quite the Birthday gift for Jed,” she giggled. “Another helicopter will arrive later.”

The cart came to a halt outside a cabin and one of the soldiers climbed out.

“Miss Cregg,” he said. “This will be yours for the weekend.”

CJ took in the view, “Wow, a little different to Summer camp.”

“The main lodge is that way, dinner will be around eight. Walk up when you’re ready or ask someone to find you a bike,” Abbey said from the window. “If there’s anything you need phone down to the communications centre.”

CJ followed the Marine into the rustic building and stood in the doorway as he placed her bag in one of the rooms off to her right before disappearing. It wasn’t what she had expected, nowhere near as modern as the furnishings of the White House, but nothing like the Summer Camps her parents had sent her on, with dormitories, mice and camp counsellors, who were so busy making out they ignored the kids. The lounge was basic, a fireplace dominated the room with a three-piece suite, and a miss match of rugs but it looked cosy enough.

Opening the two doors to her left she found a bedroom and small bath. Crossing to the right she found her bag a top the large oak bed, leading on to another small bath.

CJ sat on the bed and began unpacking, the silence enveloping her in safety. For a few days at least there would be no journalists, no one could accost her in the grounds and, if the news allowed, she would have the chance to relax before the final few primaries; unless of course Abbey had arranged for her to share with the roommate from hell. Arranging her toiletries in the bathroom she thought briefly of Toby, their failed relationship and how much he would hate all this. She also wondered what exactly Abbey had in store for her this weekend; she had been far too reticent to tell her who else was coming for it to be unrelated.

Back in the bedroom she went to the window to pull the curtains and instead found herself staring down the path, in the distance more cabins, sloping down the mountain, surrounded by trees. It was probably the most beautiful and tranquil place she had ever seen, and not for the first time she realised how much her life had changed. Sighing she pulled the curtains and went to run a bath.

She was still soaking an hour later when she heard the familiar sound of a helicopter landing.

Climbing out of the bath, wrapping herself in a towel CJ had made sure the bedroom door was closed before she started to dress for dinner. Something in the air of the place told her dinner wouldn’t be formal but she felt the need to at least make some effort. She settled on a short shift dress and lay back on the bed to read the few briefing papers she had secured before Carol cleared her desk. It was seven thirty before she finished and she quickly finished dressing.

The walk to the main lodge was up hill and she knew that later she would be grateful to head down. As the building came into view she was surprised at how similar it was to the other buildings she had passed, if a little larger. Voices flowed from the other side of the building and she headed in that direction.

CJ smiled as she caught sight of the President sat on the patio, dressed, as was so often for him, in jeans and his Notre Dame sweatshirt. He looked up at the sound of footsteps and smiled brightly at her.

“Claudia Jean, looking as lovely as ever.” He rose and pulled out a chair, “Such a beautiful evening we thought we would dine out here. Would you like a drink?”

CJ took her seat and glanced around the table, noting with a touch of dread it was set for four.

“Anything would be fine,” she said, and turned to Abbey, eyebrows raised.

“Get her a glass of wine, Jed, a large one,” Abbey instructed. “Is everything alright for you?” she asked her voice calm.

CJ nodded, “Just fine. Who’s joining us?”

Jed gave her the glass and glanced at Abbey, “You didn’t tell her.”

“I didn’t think she’d come,” Abbey pointed out.

“Perhaps you could tell me, Sir?” CJ asked, the sense of foreboding growing.

Footsteps echoed on the concrete and three heads turned to stare.

CJ would have glared at Abbey if it were not for the sight before her. Dark hair, wet and pushed back off his face John Hoynes made his way towards them.

“Mr President, Abbey, CJ, sorry I’m late, it couldn’t be avoided,” he said.

“Not to worry, John,” Jed interjected when he realised the two women were otherwise occupied. “Have a drink.”

“A mineral water would be fine,” he responded.

CJ eyes watched him as he watched the President. She was drawn to him, the black pants clinging to his thighs, still damp from his shower, and the open neck shirt giving the smallest of glimpses of his dark curly chest hair. She wasn’t sure if it was her or Abbey that made the small strangulated cry. Whoever it was the two men turned back to them.

Abbey coughed, “Went down the wrong way.” She looked at CJ and smirked. “John, take a seat.”

John Hoynes slid into the seat beside CJ and she could smell his cologne, his shoulder inches away from her.

“So,” John asked businesslike, “Who is the guest you need me to talk to?”

CJ glanced at the President who was looking at Abbey bemused. CJ shook her head and glared between the two of them.

“Yes Abbey, where are all these guests?” CJ asked.

Abbey smiled, “It seems I’ve been caught out.” She looked at her husband and widened her grin, “We thought you both needed some space, a little down time, and knowing you as we do we didn’t think you’d come willingly.”

“There is no guest?” John said, his voice rising.

“And Marine Two won’t be back until Monday morning,” Abbey offered, her voice then softening. “Take a break, enjoy the facilities.”

CJ stood and began to pace, glass in hand. Jed watched her in amusement, casting glances at Abbey and John until in a moment of weakness it suddenly twigged. He raised his eyebrows and looked across at his wife. She nodded and turned back to John.

“Lionel,” Jed called and a plump little steward appeared. “Could we possibly have dinner, now?”

Lionel headed back indoors and Jed took a few steps closer to CJ. Leaning close to her ear he whispered, “I didn’t know. Honestly I wasn’t party to this.”

CJ gave him a small smile, “It’s okay. May I be excused after dinner?”

Jed squeezed her arm, “Of course.”

Dinner was strained. Neither John nor CJ were contributing much to the conversation, answering only when spoken too. Jed was giving Abbey questionable glances across the table but she seemed to be oblivious, motioning to the steward to keep CJ’s glass filled. John looked uncomfortable, despite not knowing the real reason for his presence he felt he was being used. As the coffee was served CJ stood, somewhat shakily and glanced around the table.

“Mr President, Mr Vice President, would you please excuse me?”

Jed nodded and gave her a reassuring smile.

John looked up from staring into his cup and coolly said, “Goodnight CJ.”

CJ nodded to Abbey and began to walk away, taking every step slowly and deliberately, her brain fuzzy. John continued to watch her, not really focused on her steps but the way her hips swayed as she walked. He shook it off and turned back to the table and the man he disliked.

“Mr President, would you like to play golf tomorrow?”

“I can’t play,” Jed said blankly.

“Then there’s something I can beat you at,” John said, a fixed smile on his face.

Jed laughed, “Then certainly, say ten o clock?”

John agreed and turned back in the direction CJ had headed. “Do you think someone should go after her?”

He missed Abbey’s small smile at her husband and Jed’s scowl in return.

“I’ll get one of the crew to follow.”

John waited a beat, “No, it’s okay. It’s been a long day, I’m tired. My cabin is that way. Goodnight Sir. Abigail.”

He excused himself from the table and headed across the patio.

Abbey turned to watch him go, her eyes clearly fixated on his butt.

“I hope you know what you’re doing Sweetknees,” Jed commented.

Abbey turned back to him and frowned, “I always do.”

Continued in Part Four

Back to The OEOB