Title: Raising Dad

Pairing: CJ/Leo

Rating: NC17

******

Part One

CJ led her father into the West Wing, holding his hand as they went. She had gotten him his own security pass, so he could go around and kind of keep out of some trouble when CJ was in meetings. "Daddy, I'm gonna bring you into the Oval for the staff meeting, so I want you to behave yourself..."

"Would you stop talking to me like I'm two?" Thomas grumped. "And I'm not an idiot -- I'm not going to wander off and get into innumerable amounts of trouble, either."

"Dad," CJ sighed, rubbing her eyes.

"What?"

"Just humour me, okay? It's your first day in Washington, it's my first day back at work, and I'm jet-lagged and in no mood to put up with anything."

"Are you always this grumpy?" Thomas challenged.

"Usually, yeah. Sometimes I'm worse," she mumbled as she threw their coats into her office and then made their way to the Oval Office.

Charlie was sat at his desk reading a textbook when they arrived.

“Hey Charlie,” CJ said, bending to read the title. “Introduction to Biblical Philosophy?”

“Hey. It’s the only way I can get some peace around here.” He stood and stuck out his hand, “Good morning Mr Cregg.”

“Good Morning, young man. Can I get a coffee?”

“Dad,” CJ hissed, “Charlie doesn’t get coffee.” Turning back to Charlie she shook her head, “Sorry, our first morning has been a little…” she waved her hands.

“Chaotic?” Thomas offered.

“Disorganised,” CJ snapped.

“Okay,” Charlie muttered cheerfully, stepping back. “You can go on in.”

"Thanks," CJ sighed.

"Mr. Cregg, I'll let Nancy know she needs to get a pot of coffee for you guys," Charlie said with a smile.

"Well, thank you."

"And if you can find some Irish Creme Coffeemate somewhere, it would be a great thing," CJ hissed to Charlie as she took her father into the Oval Office.

Leo, Sam, Jed, and Toby were already waiting, and Josh had yet to make an appearance.

They all turned as he entered and Jed crossed the room to shake his hand.

“Mr Cregg, welcome to the White House,” he offered in greeting.

“So you ‘re the reason my daughter doesn’t come and visit.”

CJ hissed, “Dad.”

Jed indicated it was okay, “CJ is a very capable young woman, and I’m lost without her.”

“I didn’t vote for you,” Thomas stated.

CJ covered her face in her hands.

“Well, as some one once told me, often times in a democracy the other person wins,” Jed quoted, leaning the older man to the others in the room. “Leo, you know.”

“Leo, glad to see you’re wearing a little more than last time I saw you.”

"Can you excuse me, please?" CJ asked. "I'm gonna go out there and kill myself with Charlie's textbook."

"Oh, no, I wanna hear this," Jed said.

"No, you don't," Leo contradicted, giving Jed the 'try it and die' look that made Jed back down.

"Okay, you know Toby, right?" Jed asked.

"Yeah. Bald, Jewish, yeah, I know him," Thomas muttered.

"And this is Sam Seaborn," Jed said.

"Claudie, why couldn't you have gone for him? He'd make beautiful babies!" Thomas said.

"Oh. My. God." CJ was ready to cry.

An unruly head appeared around the door followed by the rest of Josh, he glanced around the room, caught sight of CJ and bounded over. His arms went around her waist as he lifted her up and spun her around before dumping her back on the ground.

“Am I glad you’re back?” he groaned.

CJ stepped away and said, “Josh, can I introduce my father? Dad this is Josh.”

“Ah, Joshua. Is he the one who’s in love with his assistant?”

"Someone, for the love of god, find something so I can kill myself, please?" CJ moaned, turning and walking out the door so they wouldn't see her cry. She had worked so hard to be accepted into the "old boys" club and now her father was undoing in five minutes what it had taken her two and a half years to build up. "God dammit!" she shouted, slamming her fist onto Mrs. Landingham's old desk in a fury. "I'm sorry, Mrs. L," she whispered, looking up at the ceiling. "You have any advice, or should I just

kill myself now?"

Charlie stifled a chuckle. "I have some advice for you, Ceej. Go back in there and let it go. I don't think your dad meant to hurt you."

CJ sighed and took a deep breath. “So help me god,” she muttered striding into the room.

The boys were huddled around the desk laughing, and stopped when she entered looking at her embarrassed. Leo was avoiding her eyes and Jed was grinning.

CJ raised herself to her full height, and grinned. Six men blinked and gulped, aware that CJ had something up her sleeve. She fixed her gaze on each of them before resting on Leo.

“And of course CHICKEN,” she said and Leo’s head snapped up, “You’ve told the President about our forthcoming nuptials.”

Leo's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. As did the jaws of everyone else in the room, sans Thomas. Leo promptly closed his mouth, then said, "But you said..."

"That was before you were so kind as to help make things worse this morning," CJ said, sitting down primly on the couch. "Leaving me to clean up a toast and egg mess is not the best way to start things off."

"I helped you clean it up!" Thomas protested.

"Okay, look -- don't we have actual work to do?" CJ asked, glancing at the President.

He was still staring at Leo and winked, “That good, eh?”

“Mr President?” Leo groaned, “Can we please have this conversation at another time?”

Jed grinned, “Most definitely, Abbey’s gonna want here this. Everyone take a seat, we have a lot to get through.”

When the meeting was over, CJ took her dad back to her office. "Dad, you can watch TV in here -- I've got to go do a briefing."

He huffed. "Fine."

"Dad..."

"No, it's fine, really. I know you're mad at me, so maybe you can cool off while you're gone."

"I'm not mad, dad."

"Look, you've got work to do, and we can talk about it later. Go work."

When she came back, Danny Concannon was on her heels and Thomas was watching a rerun of "The Love Boat". Thomas waved the remote at his daughter and said, "Y'know, your satellite system is really great!"

"Who's that?" Danny asked.

"That's my dad. Dad, this is Danny Concannon, an annoying reporter who won't leave me alone."

"The one you were grabbing and kissing last year?" Thomas asked, his eyes never leaving the TV.

"Yeah -- the one who wants to steal me from you know who."

Thomas's eyes widened and he swung the chair around to face Danny with a menacing glare. "Keep your hands off my little girl, or I'll castrate you with my garden shears."

“Huh?” Danny swallowed covering his groin with his notebook. “Mr Cregg I can assure you my hands will be going nowhere near your daughter from now on,” Danny gulped.

“Good, because she’s a good little catholic girl, and when the baby’s born…” he started.

Danny went wide-eyed and stammered, “BABY???”

CJ lowered herself into her chair and slapped her forehead, “Daddy!”

“Well, after the wedding you will want to get pregnant as soon as possible…” he continued.

“WEDDING?” Danny exclaimed looking between father and daughter.

“Carol?” CJ yelled.

“They’re going to try for six,” he said nodding.

CJ began hyperventilating, and Danny turned to her with a smirk. "You? Six? And who's the guy? Mr. Invisible?"

"No," Thomas said firmly. "Leo."

Danny's eyes widened. "McGarry?!" he squeaked.

"Do you know any other Leo?" Thomas asked caustically.

CJ collapsed onto the couch, still hyperventilating.

"Wow. Hey, CJ, what does he have that I don't?" Danny asked.

"Stamina, a nice attitude, he's willing to learn, and he's got a ..."

"DADDY!" CJ shouted. "THAT'S ENOUGH!"

"I was gonna say he has a big portfolio," Thomas said, rolling his eyes.

“Oh really?” Danny said. “So you’re marrying for money?”

“I’m marrying him because he’s the best lay I’ve ever had,” she yelled, lifting her hands from her eyes and groaning when she saw the twenty or so people loitering in the hallway staring into her office.

"That's it?" Thomas asked, looking disgusted. "Claudie, I thought I taught you better..."

"Jesus Christ on a cross, I can't do anything right, can I?" she shouted, covering her eyes.

"Wow, y'know, I'm just gonna go now," Danny said.

"No, stay a second," CJ snapped. Danny froze in his tracks. "I'm marrying Leo because I love him. And he loves me. It's that simple. And if you don't like it, tough shit."

“And if you print a word of it without her say so, you’ll be reporting from the Siberia,” Toby informed him, leaning on the doorframe.

“What do you need, Toby?” CJ asked sighing.

He shrugged and stared at his shoes, “I thought Thomas would like a tour.”

“With you?”

“The President offered to join us,” he grumbled.

CJ gave him a smile, “That would be great. Dad, Toby’s going to show you around while I catch up.”

Thomas pulled a face, “You just want rid of me.”

“Mr Cregg, the First Lady would like to meet you,” Toby said.

“Hubba hubba,”

CJ choked. "DADDY!"

He shrugged. "What's the matter with thinking she's a dish? She's got nice legs."

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Nine," Toby replied.

"Okay, only fourteen more hours before I can go home and die," she sighed, slumping.

"Relax -- do your job well, and you'll go home in thirteen hours."

"Jackass."

Carol appeared in the door as Toby quietly escorted her father away. “You ready for this?” she asked.

“It will be a welcome relief,” CJ chuckled.

“Simon will be here at eleven, I thought you would need to yell by then,” Carol grinned.

“And I made some discreet enquiries. There’s a day centre in Georgetown, they lay on activities, there’s a nurse, people his own age…”

CJ sighed. "I don't know, Carol, it just... it seems wrong. I don't know if it would be the best thing for him, and I don't know if Leo will agree..."

"It's not up to Leo, it's up to you," Carol pointed out. "And it's not like you're locking him away in a raisin ranch."

"I hate that term," CJ sighed. "It borders on the reaction I have toward the term 'funny farm'."

"I'm sorry," Carol said softly. "I didn't mean to..."

"Look, it's not your fault my mother went nuts and had to be committed," CJ said with a shrug. "I think part of daddy's problem is he sees too much of her in me, and thinks I'm going to go as crazy as she did. But that's not happening."

"Yeah, you're only partially crazy," Carol teased. "Does Leo know?" she asked, sobering.

"About mom?" Carol nodded and CJ shook her head. "He doesn't need to know."

"Okay. Well, y'know... it's still your choice whether or not to send him. It could be really good for him."

"Yeah," CJ said hesitantly.

“At least try it, a few days a week can’t hurt, and it will give you time to make permanent arrangements.”

“Yeah,” CJ agreed, “Right from one funny farm to another…” she indicated for Carol to continue.

It was lunchtime when Toby appeared back in her doorway.

“I was going to come looking,” she said looking up and tossing her glasses on the desk. “Where’s Dad?” she asked looking over his shoulder.

Toby stared at Gail.

“Toby?” she prompted.

He rubbed at his temples, “It’s like this, we were in the East Wing and he tripped.”

“Oh god.”

“Abbey checked him over but when he started stuttering she thought she should keep on eye on him.”

“He’s concussed?” She asked preparing herself for a visit to the hospital.

Toby grinned beneath his beard, “Nah, Abbey was leaning over him and your father was muttering something about being twenty years younger.”

"Okay, Toby, was he joking or was he being serious?" CJ asked.

"I'm not sure. He looked pretty serious to me."

"Shit." CJ jumped to her feet. "Carol, I'm going to the East Wing. If Leo looks for me, tell him I'm there, okay?"

"Uh, yeah..." Carol said. "You want me to order you and your dad some lunch?"

"No, I'll get something in the mess," CJ yelled over her shoulder as she ran to the East Wing, running into people and knocking pages down as she went. She pushed past Erica, Abbey's personal secretary, and went into Abbey's office. "Daddy, there you are," CJ panted. "Abbey, Toby told me..."

Abbey waved her hand for CJ to be quiet. "Thom, what's today's date?"

His forehead crinkled. "May 3rd, 2002," he finally said.

"Okay, good. You thought it was December 8th, 1971, earlier..." Abbey said with a compassionate smile.

“Dad?” CJ asked stroking his back.

“I’m okay. I remember her sometimes,” he replied wistfully.

“Yeah, me too. Wanna get some lunch?”

“Will there be apple pie?” he asked hopefully.

CJ nodded, “Toby tells me it’s the best.”

“It was nice to meet you Abbey,” he said taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.

Abbey grinned, “And if Jed ever leaves me I know where to come.”

Thomas chuckled a little. CJ squeezed him around the shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. "C'mon, let's go," she said quietly. "Thanks, Abbey."

"No problem, CJ," Abbey said. "Call me later, okay?"

CJ nodded. "Yeah." She threaded her arm around her dad's waist and walked with him down to the mess, where they got turkey sandwiches with extra pickles and hot mustard and onions, and Thomas got apple pie. CJ got a cappuccino, and he said, "Y'know, that's gonna ruin your teeth?"

"Yeah, I know," CJ laughed. "But Leo's got a big enough portfolio, he can pay to get them bleached," she teased. A comfortable silence descended over the little table. "Daddy, I want to ask you something."

"Okay -- is it bad?"

"No, well... maybe not." She sighed. "Daddy, I'm not going to be able to take care of you during the day all the time. Carol found a place where you can be during the day with people your own age and..."

"A raisin ranch," Thomas muttered in disgust.

"No -- it's a very nice place in Georgetown where you can be with people your own age and do things. You like scrapbooking -- they can do that. And other things. Chess, checkers..."

"Darts?"

"I don't know about darts."

"Is there TV?"

"You're a TV maniac."

"So what?"

"Yeah, there's probably a TV."

Thomas put his head to one side, “But I get to live with Leo and you, my own room?”

CJ patted his arm, “Last night was a one off. Leo lives in a hotel. But you can live with me.”

“Why does he live in a hotel?” he asked a little puzzled.

CJ shook her head, “I’m really not sure. So?”

“A few days a week?”

“Yeah,” she replied then added, “And you can stay here with me one day a week, at weekends we can go sightseeing, house hunting.”

“With Leo?”

“You really want to live with him, eh?” she asked.

"He's a nice boy."

"Dad, he's not that much younger than you."

He reached over and soundly bopped her on the head. "Don't remind me. He's a testament to old and decrepit men everywhere."

"Daddy..."

"What?"

"If you don't have a cow about us living together before the wedding, you can live with Leo. And me."

"Well, he's already fucked you, so I guess I really can't have a problem with it."

"We're working on your grandbaby!" CJ protested softly.

"Ah, well, then, that's fine. Live together all you want, Claudie -- hey, you think he'd like a mirror on the ceiling?"

"DADDY!"

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

CJ arrived back from her final briefing of the day to find her father asleep on her couch and Donna laying a blanket over him.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Donna whispered looking up. “Josh asked me to check in on him.”

“Thanks.”

“He’s taking me out for dinner on Saturday evening,” Donna commented moving closer to the desk.

CJ’s head shot up from the mountain of papers on her desk. “Josh?”

“Your dad.”

“MY DAD,” CJ shouted and lowered her voice when Donna shushed her, “is taking you out on a DATE?”

“I’m not good enough for him?” Donna teased. “He thought you and Leo would like some space, something about bonking like bunnies,” she whispered conspiratorially.

“Oh good god, he’s going to be the death of me,” CJ groaned.

Donna covered her hand with her own, “I’ll invite Margaret and Ginger, we’ll go to the diner, eat junk food and I’ll have him home by eleven.”

"Okay," CJ said with a smile. "Just be sure you're home by eleven."

"Okay, and you and Leo have fun playing bunnies," Donna teased.

Weeks went by and they settled into a comfortable routine. CJ and Leo finally found a nice townhouse a few doors down from Josh's, and moved their things into it. Thomas went to his daily care nearly every day, having found a very sweet lady named Mrs. Rose that he found he couldn't live without. And it became habit for CJ and Leo to cuddle up on the couch after dinner every night, much to the mixed disgust and elation of Thomas, who got upset because he couldn't watch his movies.

One night, Thomas heard shouting in the master bedroom, and then the door slam open, Leo storm down the stairs, and out the front door, slamming it behind him. Cautiously, he went into the bedroom and saw CJ curled up on the bed, sobbing her eyes out.

"Oh, baby," Thomas whispered, hugging her. "What did you do to him?"

"What do you mean what did I do to HIM?!" she sobbed. "He did it to ME!"

"What happened?"

"We were getting ready for bed and... and I was getting changed and he said I look like I put on a few pounds, and he asked if I lost my pass to the gym. And I threw my shoe at him and it went from there." She sniffled, then began to cry again. "I don't think he's coming back," she wailed hysterically, clinging to her father.

“Hush Muffin, he’ll be back,” Thomas whispered against her hair.

He was rewarded with even more sobs, “That’s what he calls me.”

Thomas held her against his chest, “Where would he go?”

CJ pulled away and looked up. “I don’t know,” she wailed. “We’ve never had a fight before.”

“A bar?”

“He’s an alcoholic,” she wailed.

“His daughter’s?” Thomas tried tentatively.

CJ shook her head, “She doesn’t know about us.”

"The White House?"

"I DON'T KNOW!" she blubbered.

"Want me to call him?"

She jabbed her finger in the direction of the night table, where their cell phones and pagers still lay.

"Oh," he sighed. "Look, baby, you've got to be practical about this -- he'll be back. He has to come back."

"No he doesn't..."

"Yeah, he does. All his clothes and things are here."

"He's got more money than GOD," CJ sobbed.

"Okay. Fair point."

"I don't know where he is, and I hate him!" she blubbered.

"Why?"

"Because he's a bastard!" she shouted, burying her face into Thomas's shoulder.

"He was just teasing you, I think, honey..."

"He made fun of me, and you're defending him?!" she asked angrily, pulling away.

“Your right,” he said intending to calm her. “He’s probably as we speak in bed with another woman.”

“DADDY?” CJ screamed, getting up and pacing the room.

Thomas watched her as she stomped out of the room and slammed the door, shaking his head. Turning over his wristband he scanned the writing, ‘Thomas Cregg. In case of emergency call…’ Quickly he dialled the number and asked the switchboard to locate the President.

“Who’s calling?”

“Thomas Cregg, Claudia Cregg’s father.”

He heard ringing and a familiar voice answered the phone, “Mr Cregg, how are you?”

Thomas sighed, “My daughter is blubbering downstairs and Leo is missing.”

Jed wasn’t quite sure what to say, “I don’t get involved in my staff’s personal life,” he countered.

“You’re a father,” Thomas said, “If it was one of your girls wouldn’t you want to help?”

"Thom...."

"It's their first fight, sir. She doesn't have any idea where to look for him, and she's hysterical. And, if you can believe it, it all started when he said she looked like she put on a few pounds."

"Oh for pity's sake," Jed muttered.

"Yeah. And it's pretty ugly."

"I honestly don't know where to look for him," Jed sighed.

"Okay, but thanks anyway," Thomas sighed, hanging up. He dialled Mrs. Anita Rose and waited for her to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Annie..."

"Thom! I have a friend of yours over here...."

Thomas said a silent prayer, “Please tell me it’s Leo.”

“He’s sat playing with my dog, looking very outta sorts,” she whispered, glancing over her shoulder. “What ya want me to do?”

Thomas tapped his cheek with his forefinger and smiled, “Give me ten minutes and then ring here looking for me.”

Anita pulled the phone with her and moved further into the corner, “What are you going to do?”

“Bring them to their senses.” Thomas removed his cardigan. “I’m going to play senile dad and go walkabout.”

"Okay. You're truly terrible... You're going to scare your poor daughter clear into next month."

"That's the plan. Ten minutes, Annie -- that's 10:45."

"I know, dumbass." She hung up, and Thomas grabbed his coat before heading out the door quietly.

CJ didn't stop crying when the phone rang. She assumed that her dad would pick it up. But when he didn't and the machine kicked in, she stopped crying. "CJ, it's Mrs. Rose, dear -- pick up the phone, please... I just tried calling your dad on his cell and he didn't answer -- I'm so worried, honey... can you check on him for me and give me a call back?"

Assuming he was asleep CJ ignored the message and carried on wallowing. Five minutes later the phone rang again.

“CJ, it’s Leo. If you’re there pick up,” his clearly agitated voice said.

CJ reached for the phone, “Yeah?” she asked softly.

“Thank god,” he sighed. “When Anita couldn’t get hold of Dad and then you didn’t answer I thought something had happened.”

“I didn’t feel much like talking to anyone.” CJ carried the portable upstairs and went into her room. Finding Thomas’ cardigan on the floor her heart raced. “Leo, hold on a second.” She frantically went from room to room and ran downstairs. “Leo, he’s not here.”

"What? What the hell do you mean?"

"I mean he's not here -- not anywhere.... Oh God, if he wandered off.... I don't know where to look for him!" she said, panicked.

"Calm down, CJ, and Anita and I will be right over, okay?" Leo placated.

"Yeah, but what if he's going over there?" she asked, then paused. "What are YOU doing over there?"

Leo rolled his eyes, only CJ would decide to pick another fight at a moment like this.

“I’ll explain later,” he said, hoping he could find the right words.

“You’d better believe it,” she muttered. “Leo, do we call the police?” she asked biting her bottom lip.

"No, honey... he couldn't have gotten far. Just get dressed and go out and get in the car and look for him on the main streets."

"What if he's on the side-streets?!"

Leo sighed. "Go get Josh, and he'll help."

"Okay," she said. "I'm sorry..."

"I am too."

"I need to go find daddy..."

Leo said, "Yeah -- go find him, Muffin."

She hung up and threw on a pair of jeans and slippers and was just about to go outside when the doorbell rang. She opened the door, and Josh stood there with Thomas. "DADDY!"

“Hey Pancake,” he said, smiling.

CJ hugged him to her, “Don’t ever do that again,” she chided. “Thanks Josh.”

“No problem, he was on my stoop. You’re pregnant then?” he asked grinning inanely.

“Excuse me?” she exclaimed looking at her father.

Thomas shrugged, “I guessed.”

“I’m not pregnant,” she shouted.

"No, of course not..." Josh laughed.

"Shut up, just shut up!" she shouted.

"They're gonna arrest you for disturbing the peace, CJ," Josh teased. "Go inside already, and we'll talk tomorrow."

CJ dragged Thomas inside and placed him in one of the kitchen chairs. "Why did you run off?" she asked.

"We needed milk, and I was going to the store."

She rolled her eyes. "God save me..."

"And I think you are."

"Are what?"

"Pregnant."

"I AM NOT!"

He gave her one of his pitiful looks and rustled in the brown paper bag. Pulling out a thin blue box he handed it to her. “Then do the test, for me.”

“Daddy!”

Thomas gave her a shove, “Go and when Leo gets here we can give him the good news.”

She took three steps before she spun round, “How did you know Leo’s on his way?”

"I'm psychic," Thomas said dryly, rolling his eyes.

"No, I think you..."

"Okay, I left, you get panicky when you don't know where I am, it's only natural you found where Leo was and told him you couldn't find me. Now go take the test."

CJ sighed and rubbed her forehead before going into the bathroom. A few minutes later, she came back out. "I'm not."

“Oh,” he muttered, his face dropping. “I’m going to bed.” he turned and trudged heavily upstairs.

CJ watched him go, staring at the stick.

Leo blew into the house a few minutes later, and CJ moved to hug him. "He was on Josh's stoop," she whispered. "He just went to the store for milk..."

"Okay, Muffin, okay," Leo whispered, holding her close.

"Um, kids, can I go up and see Thom?" Anita asked from behind Leo.

"Oh yeah, go ahead," Leo said, waving her up the stairs.

“What if it happens when we’re not here?” she asked.

“Then Anita will be here,” he replied firmly turning her face to look at him. “You’ve had a scare, he’s here now, I’m here now.” He noticed the test in her hands.

CJ followed his gaze, “It’s negative,” she barely whispered turning away so he wouldn’t see the tears. “What if I can never have kids?” she asked her voice close to breaking.

Leo held her, thinking carefully what to say, “We’ve only just got together, maybe we need more time. Maybe the test’s wrong. And if it turns out we can’t we can’t, and I will have you, with or without little CJs you make me happy.”

She sniffled. "Okay," she whispered, moving to hug him tightly.

"You ought to see the doctor, though, just in case..."

She nodded. "I'll make an appointment, but I don't really think I am. I haven't been sick or extra tired or anything. Maybe I’m just getting fat."

"You're not fat."

"I'm getting fat."

"No, you are not, Claudia. You are beautiful. Beautiful." He kissed her softly on the lips. "Let's go to bed and get some rest, okay?"

“What about Anita?” CJ asked following him up to their bedroom.

Leo grinned, “You can ask her over breakfast.”

CJ’s eyes went wide, “My dad…Anita….? I don’t need this.”

“At least we don’t have to worry about them running off and eloping,” he laughed.

CJ giggled. "They can't elope -- they'd never find their way home!"

Leo nodded and kissed her gently. "Maybe we don't have to get some rest... We have to make up some."

CJ nodded and smiled. "Isn't makeup sex supposed to be the best kind?"

He looked serious for a moment and stopped.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, wondering if he was still mad at her.

He shrugged, and looked up at her, his eyes big and soulful. “Jenny and I never had make up sex. We’d fight, then we’d have this major inquisition and go to sleep.”

She wanted to hug him but waited until he had finished.

“It’ll never be that way for us, will it?” he asked.

"No, it's never going to be that way for us," she whispered, kissing him. "Let's go to bed."

They climbed the stairs, arms around each others' waists, and CJ knocked on Thomas's door. "Daddy, we're going to bed now -- please try to keep the noise down..."

"CLAUDIA!" Thomas roared. "I'll have you know that Anita and I are not going to be having sex. We're merely watching Letterman."

"Yeah, whatever," CJ giggled.

Leo pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, waiting for her before he turned off the light. As they snuggled down the bed he laughed, “Y’know if he’s going to be dating we’re going to have to lay down ground rules.”

CJ looked at his and shook her head, “And that worked with Mallory?”

“Nah, she climbed out the bathroom window and slid down the drain pipe.”

“What was she, eighteen?”

He shook his head, “Fifteen.”

"Well, I think a daughter and a daddy are two totally different things," CJ laughed. "Especially since I KNOW my daddy's not a harmless old man..." She flopped onto the bed and smiled over at Leo. "C'mere..." she purred, waiting for him to pull the covers over her before she pulled him down for a hungrily passionate kiss that left them both breathless.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“What was that for?” she asked toying with the tufts of hair at the base of his neck.

He grinned, “I want my make up sex, so I thought I’d better apologize.”

“You already apologized," she whispered. "But don't ever tell me I put on weight again, okay?"

"Okay," he laughed, kissing her again. "We're gonna have to set a date, Muffin," he said when they broke for breath.

"Why?"

"Because your dad's gonna kill both of us if the baby comes before the wedding..."

"I think he's got enough to worry about with Anita," CJ giggled as Leo kissed his way down her neck. His hands roamed over her nightshirt, unbuttoning and reaching below to stroke her breasts.

She made a low sound of pain as he reached her nipples. "Damn," she hissed. "That hurts a little..."

"No breasts?" he asked, wounded.

"Not tonight..."

Lifting her nightshift to reveal her stomach he lowered his head and planted gentle kisses across her stomach. He ran his fingers over the gentle swell he knew was forming and grinned.

“CJ?”

“UM?”

“Take an hour off tomorrow and go to the doctors,” he hummed against her skin.

“You’re not going to leave this alone?” she complained as his lips moved lower.

"Not a chance..."

"Look, I'm not sick..." she moaned as his lips kissed their way down over her thigh.

"Not all women are..."

"And I'm not tired..."

"No more than usual, you mean?"

"Okay, I am a little more tired, but it's because I'm out of routine..." She hissed as his tongue found her clit and stroked gently.

“And you’ve stopped drinking coffee,” he added, rolling his tongue round and round.

She shook her head. “I’ve just gone off the taste,” she squeaked as his tongue flicked across her opening.

He mumbled something in reply but was too engrossed in watching her opening up to him to repeat himself.

She moaned deeply in the back of her throat and arched to meet him again. "Ooohhhhhhh...."

"Tell me what you want," he hummed against her.

"I want you inside me..." she panted, aching for his intimate touch.

Removing his tongue he gently eased a finger into the opening, twisting slightly as she clenched around him. Gently he moved inside her, until he could insert another finger. She moaned and gripped him tightly.

“Leo!”

He kissed his way up her thigh and back to her clit, his lips hovering over her until she sucked his fingers deeper into her warmth. Lowering himself he sucked on her centre in time to his fingers thrusting.

Her scream started off as a low groan, then crescendoed into a high-pitched sound of utter bliss as her muscles contracted, spasming around his fingers. "Oh God," she whimpered, arching, tilting her hips fore and back, wanting more. "Leo..."

"Shhh...."

Inserting a third finger he placed a hand soothingly on her stomach.

CJ bit on her lip to muffle the scream that threatened to shatter the silence of the house. “Leo,” she tried again, her body starting it’s climb to release, “You need to…”

He watched her eyes and waited until they were unfocused and she was on the brink of her orgasm before pulling his fingers out of her with a vaguely wet sucking sound and fumbling with his boxers.

"Don't take them off," CJ moaned. "I like how they feel..."

Leo rolled his eyes and flushed with embarrassment as he pulled himself out of the fly. That was something they did when they had a quickie in the office -- it was out of place here. But then again... she had asked for it, and he was determined to show her that he was sorry....

He gently rolled her over onto her side and lifted her leg over his. His thumb caressed her clit as he slid into her slowly, retreating, then gliding forward, over and over again.

He liked the way her hands kneaded at his shoulders, guiding him deeper into her. He stroked her cheek with his free hand, cupping her chin every so often to kiss her lips. He could feel the gentle throbbing beneath his thumb that was always followed by her first trickle of wetness. He smiled as she groaned deep in her throat and her hands roamed his back trying to bring him closer to her body.

He slid hard and fast into her and her fingernails ripped down his back as she tightened her leg around his hips to keep him in deep. "Fuck me, please," she begged, kissing him hungrily, her eyes literally glowing with feral passion.

"Wow, I love these baby hormones of yours..." he teased, being rewarded with a bite on his shoulder. "Okay, y'know a hickey would be a better thing to make with that mouth..." he commented dryly, rolling her onto her back and raising her knees so her weight was balanced on her shoulders and the balls of her feet. "How do you want it?" he asked.

"Hard and fast," she growled.

Putting all his weight onto his elbows and wrists he pulled out almost completely and began to use his hips to control his thrusts. He was a little surprised when her legs draped over his shoulders and she began to cry his name at the top of her voice.

“Oh, god, Leo,” she shrieked. “That‘s right baby fuck me.”

Somewhere down the hall he heard David Letterman’s voice interviewing one of the old stars of LA Law. Every time CJ cursed or her voice rose another octave David’s voice got louder.

Leaning forward he covered her mouth with his as he plunged deep inside her.

She clutched his ass with her hands and raised her hips with his every movement, dragging him deeper and shrieked into his mouth as he tickled a certain spot on her lower back that left her trembling and weak in his arms. Slowly regaining her ability to move again, she began uncurling her lower back in time to his plunging thrusts. He felt her tighten around him and knew she was close before...

She continued to work him, but nothing happened, except he exploded within her. Absolutely nothing happened with CJ. She got more and more frustrated, her body twisting and writhing and eventually hurting LEO as she fought desperately for release.

She finally stopped trying and burst into tears as he slid out of her and held her close. "Ssh..." he whispered into her hair.

Leo reached his hand between them to stroke her as she had him on occasions before but she pushed his hand away.

“Claudia?”

“I’ll be okay in a minute,” she snapped. Snatching away from his embrace she rolled over, with her back to him, sobbing with all her heart.

Leo shimmed over the bed and placed a hand on her back. CJ pulled away, “Just leave me alone.”

Mentally he counted to ten before he tried again, “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

She rolled off the bed and ran for the bathroom, her hand over her mouth.

"Oh great," Leo muttered, following her. She was hunched over the toilet, heaving until he thought she was going to throw up her stomach and intestines along with the rest of her food. He held her hair back out of her face and gently stroked her back. He didn't know how he was coming up with the wherewithal to handle this, because he had a notoriously weak stomach.

"Oh God," she moaned in between heaves until she was panting for air, and she was gagging, but nothing came up. She was shaking and tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued to shudder beneath Leo's gentle embrace.

"It's okay," he whispered. "Breathe deep, Muffin."

CJ fell back against the bathtub, eyes closed as more tears threatened to spill.

“You want anything?” he asked, “Crackers, water, Peter Rabbit?”

She opened one eye and looked at him, “I left him in Napa.”

Leo got up and disappeared into the bedroom, after a few seconds of silence he reappeared clutching the grey rabbit in his hand.

“How?” she asked snatching the childhood toy to her.

He shrugged, “I slipped it into my suitcase.”

She smiled a little. "Thank you...." she whispered.

"You're welcome... now, it's time for you to get in bed."

"Can I have some ginger ale?" she asked, then stopped for a moment and listened. Letterman went on dead air for a second, and she heard a high pitched moan. A look crossed her face and she abandoned Peter Rabbit for the toilet again.

“You want me to give him the lecture on safe sex in the morning?” he asked, ducking as Peter rabbit came flying in his direction at speed. “No, okay, ginger ale it is.”

When he returned five minutes later he could hear two sets of snoring coming from down the corridor and CJ was sound asleep. Switching off the light he climbed in beside her, rolling her over until she rested against his chest.

Leo awoke at five, and blinked at the glaring light in his eyes. He reached across for CJ as he heard the sound of retching coming from the bathroom. Grabbing the ginger ale he followed the noise.

"Ohh..." CJ moaned as she sat back on her heels and wiped her forehead. "Damn..."

"Sshh..." Leo whispered, handing her the ginger ale. "I told you the test was wrong..."

"SHUT UP," she stated firmly, sipping the ginger ale. "Is daddy up yet?"

"Yeah, he and Anita are making noise downstairs, laughing at the cartoons. Poor baby," he sighed, kissing her cheek. "You've gotta make an appointment today."

"Ya think?" she muttered.

He grinned and perched on the toilet seat, “Or I could just put in a call to Abbey?”

“Whoa, oh no you don’t?” She groaned and rubbed her temples. “You had better phone Margaret and tell her we’re both going to be late.”

“Uh?” he growled, wondering what the hell she was getting at.

“It’s your fault I’m tossing my cookies, it’s your fault I’m getting fat and it’s your fault I’m going to have stretch marks…”

“Couldn’t you just have said, Leo darling would you please come with me?”

“Leo,” she said sweetly as took his hand. “You’re bloody well coming to the doctors with me,” she said sweetly all the while holding his hand in a death grip.

"Okay, I'm coming... I'm COMING!" he yelped.

"Thank you," she said dryly, never releasing her death grip.

When they'd left the doctor's office nearly three hours later, Dr. Ortiz had basically confirmed the pregnancy. All they were waiting on was the actual test results.

"Are you happy?" Leo asked as he drove them to work.

"I guess so."

"You guess so?"

"I feel fat," she muttered.

“That’s the hormones,” he whispered.

“And miserable,” she muttered, choosing to ignore him.

“That will go away,” he added.

“And I think I’ve gone off sex,” she said, stifling a grin as his eyes went wide.

"Ceej, you've gotta be kidding..."

"I am, sort of," she admitted with a little bit of a laugh. She sobered and looked over at him. "We really do need to set a date now."

"I know," he sighed.

"BEFORE the baby is born."

"Yeah," he agreed, his knuckles white as he gripped the wheel.

"I don't think I should wear white now," CJ laughed, resting her hand on her belly.

"You'll look beautiful, no matter what you wear," he promised, reaching over to grab her hand as they sat at a light.

"I miss my mom," CJ sighed. "I wish she could be here for the wedding."

“I know sweetie, I wish I could have met her,” he said wistfully.

“And your mom?” CJ asked.

Leo smiled, “She was a Dame, so beautiful, and after dad died, so strong.” He glanced at her quickly. “She would have loved you, Mom had a thing about feisty women.”

“Your Mom and my Dad both.” She went back to staring out of the window for a few minutes. “July would be good,” she mumbled.

“For the wedding?”

“Yeah, six weeks. We can keep our other news under wraps until then,” she said, a hint of trepidation in her voice.

"You sure?" he asked softly.

"Yeah, I can wear loose stuff." CJ chuckled a little. "But I've gotta call my Aunt Frieda and get her to make my gown... she's good at making things so babies don't show."

"Oh lord, do I even wanna know?" Leo laughed.

"My cousins all had shotgun weddings," CJ giggled. "Mary, Ellen, Sarah, and Kaitlin."

"Good God..."

"Leo, I need to tell you something, and you're probably gonna get mad, so I'm gonna wait till we're home with Daddy, okay?" CJ said, looking out the window.

“You know you can tell me anything right,” he said. “And if there’s something wrong maybe I can help.”

CJ turned back to him, her face void of expression, “Nothing’s wrong, if we’re going to be married I need you to know about my past. Okay?”

“I wish you’d just tell me but okay, whatever you want is fine with me,” he reached out and squeezed her hand. “The only thing I do want you to do is tell one of the White House doctors or Abbey, about the baby,” he added at her raised eyebrows.

“Abbey will tell her husband.”

Leo shook his head, “Not if you ask her not too.”

CJ nodded stiffly. "So you want me to leak the wedding a little bit to soften the ground or whatever?"

"You got the ring?" he asked.

She pulled out the gold chain her engagement was threaded on and smiled. "Always."

"Wear it, and see if anyone notices."

"They're not likely NOT to notice -- it's three and a half carats..." she laughed.

“You wanted five?” he teased.

“No.” She squatted him on the arm. “ Where are we going to do the deed?” she asked. “The President’s going to want the Rose Garden, Dad will want a Church, what about you?”

“You, me, a beach.” Leo pulled up in the Parking Lot. “It’s your big day, what do YOU want?”

"A priest, a few friends, and the vows," she said after a moment of thought. "That's all I need, really. But I don't want to disappoint Daddy. He's always wanted me to have a big expensive wedding... so, I guess that's what we'll do. If you want to, I mean."

Leo grabbed her chin gently and pulled her closer. "You pay too much attention to what other people want you to do, Muffin," he said softly, kissing her. "We'd better get to work."

During the first briefing, no one seemed to notice the ring, but during the second, Chris said, "So, CJ, what's with the rock?"

"Well, it's my engagement ring."

"What, you're leaving us?" one of the other reporters asked.

"Oh, no, you're not getting rid of me that easily!" CJ laughed.

"Tell us about him," another reporter said.

"He's a very sweet man, and we're very deeply in love. And that's all you need to know right now." CJ gathered her things and Carol came up to her as she left the press room. "Yeah?"

"The doctor's office called..."

"And?" CJ prompted.

"And, you ARE."

"I have to tell Leo!" CJ said, bounding off in the direction of his office. "Margaret, is he..."

"He's on with Nancy McNally," Margaret said. "You wanna wait?"

"Oh, I'll keep it short -- can I go in for a minute?"

"Yeah," Margaret said with a smile.

CJ went into Leo's office and waved for him to stop talking to Nancy so she wouldn't get an earful of something she shouldn't.

"Yeah, CJ?" Leo said.

"I am!" she cried, exploding with happiness.

“Nancy, I gotta go, I’ll call you back.” he put down the phone and circled the desk. “It’s confirmed?”

She nodded and he threw his arms around her, squeezing her tight.

“I can’t breathe.”

He let go, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

CJ placed two fingers to his lips, “Shush. And kiss me.”

Leo cupped her face in his hands and brought her face close to his. His lips barely brushed hers before he pulled back, “I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her again, more passionately.

“Leo,” she whispered. “Suddenly I’m not feeling so good, take me home.”

“What’s wrong?” He asked, his eyes showing his concern. “Shall I call Abbey?”

CJ shook her head, “I’m suddenly feeling the need to lie down.” Her eyes twinkled, “and I have all this excess energy.”

Leo went wide eyed, “Oh? ‘Kay. Margaret!”

“Jeez, Leo, that was my ear,” CJ whined.

“Margaret, CJ’s feeling off colour. We’re going home. I’ll take the briefing papers with me. Phone Nancy and Simon.”

Margaret was grinning knowingly.

“What?” he snapped.

“She needs folic acid,” she muttered heading back out of the door.

“How did you know?” CJ asked following, then hit her forehead. “I’m gonna kill Josh.”

Margaret stifled a laugh. "Actually, it was your dad -- he called to check up on you this morning, and told me you are, and..."

CJ giggled. "Okay -- hey, can you ask Carol to get the number for the place?"

"What place?"

"Just tell her the number for the place -- she'll know what you're talking about. Have her call me at home with it in.... two hours, okay?"

"Sure!" Margaret said, dialling over to CJ's office.

"Let's get the hell outta here," Leo said, putting his arm around her waist.

"Y'know people are gonna stare..." CJ teased as he led her back out to the car.

"So what?"

"There will be questions tomorrow..."

"So we answer them."

"Okay." CJ smiled at him and kissed him. "Love you much."

CJ opened the front door and stepped inside. She took less than three steps before her hand flew to her mouth, “Daddy?”

Thomas grabbed the nearest thing to hand which happened to be Leo’s raincoat.

“Y’know, we’re gonna have to do something….” Leo stopped as he caught sight of Thomas, naked except the raincoat. “’Kay.”

“I can’t find any goldfish,” Anita shouted entering the living room in the throw from the back of the couch. “Oops.”

CJ looked at Leo and shook her head.

"Carol just called a couple of minutes ago," Thomas said, offering a piece of paper in penance. "She gave me a phone number, and went to go do something."

CJ took the paper and looked at Leo. "Can I make a call and get over the need for therapy to erase the images of my father having a sex life?" she hissed with a big smile.

“Sure, then tomorrow we’re gonna have to get a new couch,” he announced, shaking his head. Crossing the room he picked up the mail from the coffee table and glanced at the bottle. “Hey, that’s our chocolate body paint, get your own,” he muttered at Thomas.

Thomas grinned, “You’re gonna need a bigger jar now anyway, with Claudia….” he said using his hands to indicate a bump and dropping the raincoat.

“I’m going now,” CJ announced. “Dad, you and I are gonna talk later but jeez put some clothes on.”

"Okay, okay," Thomas said, rolling his eyes.

CJ climbed the stairs and went into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She didn't hear Leo as he came up the stairs and opened the door, as her heart was thundering in her ears as she dialled. "Hi," she said when someone picked up. "This is Claudia Cregg and I want to... okay, thanks." She bit her lip and drummed her fingernails on the tabletop as she waited, then finally said, "Hi, Mommy! Yeah, it's me -- how are you doing? Really? How's Kitty? Oh, she had to go to the vet? Hairballs... oh, ouch. You're meds are stabilizing?" she asked, hiding a big smile. "That's great, Mom!" She shifted so she could lie down, and her eyes widened as she saw Leo. "Hmm? Oh, no, there's nothing wrong..." she stammered, not sure how much Leo had heard. "Yeah, I just called to tell you that I have some really big news... Bigger. No, bigger. Okay, smaller. No, Mom, I don't have a brain tumor -- you need to stop watching General Hospital. No, I'm getting married. Yeah! And we're gonna have a baby... Of course I'll send pictures... what? You have to go? Okay, when do you want me to call back? Okay, I will... Love you muchly." CJ hung up and looked over at Leo. "Hey," she said. "Did Daddy put on some clothes?"

"What was that?" Leo asked, gesturing at the phone. "I thought I heard you say 'Mom'."

CJ bit her lip and held her breath for a long time before letting it out. "Yeah, you did. That was my mom."

"You told me she's dead!"

"Well, she's "Well, she's not. She's in a mental hospital in Ohio -- she's a paranoid schizophrenic," CCJ whispered.

"You lied to me?"

"I lie about it to everyone," she whispered. "It's easier to deal with it if I tell them she's dead instead of in a looney bin."

"What about your dad -- he's..."

"They're divorced," was CJ's hollow reply. "I was going to tell you tonight."

Leo slumped on the bed, “I’m confused. You tell me she’s dead, your dad acts like she’s dead and now you tell me she’s ill. Hell CJ, what else have you lied about?”

“You’re lecturing me about lying?”

“Not this again?” he sighed rubbing his chin.

“No, you’re right,” she snapped. “I’ve got a better idea. I’m going out.”

CJ slammed the door and stomped downstairs. Thomas came out of the living room and groaned at the look on her face, “What happened?”

CJ shook her head, “I’m fine dad. I think everything’s getting a little overwhelming. Setting the date, the baby, and I told him about mom.”

Thomas lowered his eyes to the ground, “How she died?”

This was how it had been since she’d left, CJ wasn’t sure if he believed her mother had died or whether he had gotten so used to lying the story was second nature.

“I told him the truth, Dad. He’s the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, if he can’t accept my history then there’s no point…” She picked up Josh’s keys from the hook and opened the door.

Thomas sighed. "Look, I know it's hard, Claudie... it's hard for all of us."

"It's not hard for Ben," CJ snapped. "He's too young to remember that she tried to kill him because she had a hallucination and thought he was the child of the Devil. But I remember how I got this scar, dad -- I remember." She lifted her necklace and showed him the scar again. "And so do you. She's not dead and you know it -- and know what? She's actually doing better, Dad. SHE'S MUCH BETTER." With that, she left.

Leo sat on the bed, staring at his hands clasped in his lap. He couldn’t understand his relationship with CJ, he loved her, he was completely honest with her, more than he had ever been with any woman, and yet she still kept a part of her locked off. Thomas was a character, the sort of father he had always wanted and Abbey had explained fully what was likely to happen. But now her mom.

“Leo?” Thomas called, pushing open the door.

“Yeah?” He replied, not really paying attention.

“She’s gone to Josh’s. And she’s pissed at both of us,” he said sinking on to the bed next to him.

Leo wasn’t sure how to bring up the subject, or if wanted to go there.

"She told you about Helen," Thomas said.

"Sort of. I guess."

Thomas looked up from his hands. "I'm not as senile as I look," he sighed. "I wish to God, sometimes, that I was."

"I don't understand."

"When Claudia was eight, Ben was about two. Helen was a good mother, very smart, loving... prone to flights of fancy now and then, but nothing too bad. And one day, Claudie saw her choking Ben in his bed while he was taking his nap." Thomas shrugged. "When I came home that night, they weren't at the house. Helen had called her mother and told her that Ben was some hideous devil from hell, and Marla came and took the kids home with her, and had Mark take Helen to the hospital. I didn't find out till later that Helen had attacked Claudie because she tried to pull her off Ben. I didn't know Helen was like that at all... and I couldn't deal with it. I still can't. I love her, Leo. I always have. But when you mess with my kids..."

“My dad used to hit my mom.” Leo stated. “He was an alcoholic and didn’t know what he was doing. He committed suicide one night, I was twelve. All because he thought mom was having an affair.”

“Did he ever hit you?”

Leo shrugged, “Rather me than the girls. CJ’s still in contact with her mom?”

“Apparently. Don’t let our family secrets put you off.”

"Why's she in touch with her if she did that crap?" Leo asked.

"Claudie's got a bigger heart than the rest of us," Thomas said simply. "She and I lied to protect Ben -- and the rest of the family. Helen's parents and Claudie and I are the only ones who know what happened. And you, now." Thomas sighed and looked up at Leo. "You hate us now, don't you?"

“I could never hate CJ. She’s the mother of my child,” He stopped when he realised what he had said. “I didn’t mean it to sound like that. What I meant is I love Claudia, she accepts me for what I am, I have to give her nothing less. We’ve all got baggage.”

“Does this mean I get to plan a wedding?” Thomas asked hopefully.

“Oh, I’m going to marry her, in six weeks we’ve decided. We just have the details to iron out,” Leo sighed, “And I need to go find her before she changes her mind.”

"She's at Josh's, I've already told you," Thomas sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Hey, just one question," Leo said. "What are your intentions toward Anita?"

"Oh, I plan on keeping her as my mistress, and we're gonna screw each others' brains out," Thomas commented dryly.

"And traumatize CJ for the rest of her life?"

"Something like that. No, seriously... I don't know yet. We love each other, but I don't know if I can get close to her like I want to. Kind of a thorn in my side since Helen, y'know."

“Yeah, a wise woman once told me you gotta let people get close.”

“I think you let my daughter get close enough,” Thomas joked. “Don’t you?”

Leo laughed, “Oh yeah. Dad.”