Title: Up Close and Personal

Rating: R

Spoilers: Up to season three

Up Close and Personal

Chapter One

When Leo had suggested she accompany him to the Bartlets for the weekend CJ had been less than enthused. It was Valentines, their first together and she didn’t much feel like pretending they were just friends while Abbey and the President enjoyed a romantic few days. Leo was adamant that he wanted her to go, promising that they would find the time to slip away and have dinner. They had argued pretty much up until the weekend before the trip when he had finally thrown his hands in the air and declared she was the most stubborn, obtuse woman he had ever met. He had then stormed out leaving her in little doubt of the way he felt.

As the door slammed behind him CJ had burst into tears and thrown the stack of briefing papers against the blinds. No one came running and no one came to find out if anything was wrong. She sat alone in her office, wondering when it was she became a failure at relationships. Everyone thought she didn’t need a man, that her life was just great without one, or as the men speculated, she was a lesbian. They couldn’t be more wrong on both accounts, she definately liked men and she desperately wanted to have one in her life, and not just anyone. She had fallen for Leo, head over heels in love to be exact in September.

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

They had returned from New Hampshire on the Tuesday morning, happier than they had been in weeks, jubilant about the event and in fighting spirits. All that was except CJ. It lingered at the back of her mind that she should quit, walk away before things got worse, as she knew they would. Somewhere along the lines it didn’t matter that the President wanted her there, only that Leo wanted her. He had been the one in ‘97 to send for her and he had been the one after the Haiti mistake to bench her. Now that they were back in DC she knew it was time to face up to things and talk to him, ask him outright if he wanted her to go. Someone had made the decision to have a late staff and as the others filed out of the office she loitered. Toby gave her a withering glance as she hovered and CJ shook her head at him, no she wasn’t about to do anything stupid. Toby left and it took a few minutes for Leo to look up. His glasses perched on the end of his nose he glanced down at her.

‘Yeah,’ he barked.

‘I need to talk to you,’ she muttered.

‘If this is about hearings I don’t want to go there.’

CJ took a deep breath, ‘You can have my resignation on your desk in the morning.’

He listened to the first four words before he walked from behind the desk and began to close all the doors to the room.

‘What the hell CJ?’ He hollered.

Margaret in the outer office grabbed her mug and headed off to the bullpen to hide.

‘You no longer have faith in me, It’s better if I go.’

He was standing in front of her, his glasses discarded and his forehead rumpled in frustration.

‘I thought you’d talked to the President. He told me it was sorted,’ he said, his voice uneven.

CJ stared back at him, ‘It’s not him I’ve got a problem with.’

That brought forth a sigh from him, ‘Is this because I told Toby about our conversation?’

‘No. Yes. Hell Leo. It’s everything,’ she answered back. ‘It’s the total lack of trust you have in me. I mis-spoke once and you’re still punishing me for it. You yelled at me, you benched me, you kept me out of planning meetings. You still treat me like an outsider now. And yeah I wish you hadn’t gone to Toby, but that’s all about you not trusting me to make a decision for myself.’ She stopped suddenly as she caught sight of the expression on his face and realised she’d gone too far.

‘Finished?’ He snapped.

‘No. But it will do for now,’ she mumbled.

‘Firstly the only one still punishing you for Haiti is you, we all cooled down in a few days, you have been impossible to talk to about it. It was wrong to bench you but we had no choice. We didn’t include you in planning because we didn’t think you’d want to be there. Do you even realised what you get like when you’re in defensive mode?’ he groaned. ‘And do you want to know why I went to Toby?‘

She nodded and bit on her lip.

Leo’s voice softened, ’I went to Toby because I thought he might be the only one who could talk you out of such a god damn stupid idea. You certainly weren’t listening to anyone else.’

They stared at each other in silence until finally Leo spoke.

‘I, we don’t want you to leave. You’re smart, the press genuinely like you, the staff like you and in the next few months we’re going to need that. With the hearings we’re going to be relying on your spin, Josh, Toby and Sam don’t function that well without you. And do you realise how impossible my life will be if you go, Margaret and Donna will punish me, Josh will sulk and I’m not sure how much of Toby’s ranting I can handle.’ He waited to see if a smile would appear, when he caught the slight upturn of her mouth he continued. ’But it isn’t about any of us. If you want to leave for you, if there’s something else you want to be doing, or you want your life back then resign but don’t do it because it’s what you think I want.’

‘I don’t know if I’m going to make it through,’ she replied candidly.

‘Hell I’m not sure if any of us will,’ he said, ‘but at least if we stick together we have a fighting chance.’

CJ tucked a few errant strands of hair behind her ears and took a step away, ready to leave if necessary.

‘Leo, if YOU want me to stay I’ll stay.’ It wasn’t quite how she meant it to come out but she couldn’t exactly take it back now. She heard his deep sigh and felt him take a step closer.

‘You want me to ask you to stay?’ he asked softly.

CJ took two more steps back and felt the door just behind her. ‘No. I mean it was your idea to get me on the campaign, I need to know you still think I can do the job’

Leo took the few steps to stand in front of her, ‘it wasn’t actually my idea to bring you in, it was Toby’s. He kept going on about this Californian who worked on Emily’s List, and had a way with words.’

‘Oh.’

Leo reached out and placed a hand over her shoulder to rest against the door. ‘But to settle any insecurities you might have I was sold the first time you handled the Governor.’

CJ shivered a little at his breath against her nose. It wasn’t a creepy feeling, she just wasn’t used to having Leo so up close and personal. His other hand rested above her other shoulder forcing her to look into his eyes.

‘CJ, please don’t leave,’ he said, misreading her shivers for discomfort and preparing to move away. ‘I’d miss you.’

Okay so it wasn’t the logical thing to do and it was rather reminiscent of Danny in her office but the tenderness of his voice did something to her then. Leaning down she grabbed his head and kissed him on the mouth before pulling back. A second later she kissed him again as he pushed her against the wall and kissed her back. When they broke free CJ looked at him, her eyes wide and her throat flushed. Leo gazed back, a little thrown off balance by the kiss.

‘Okay,’ he mumbled, stepping back. ‘Um, you eaten?’

She shook her head for fear of what she might do next.

‘Want to grab dinner?’

She nodded and he went back to his desk to pack his briefcase, turning to call over his shoulder, ‘I’ll meet you in the parking lot.’

Leo turns back a second later to see she’s gone and smiles to himself, maybe he shouldn’t have sent Toby to convince her as he seems to be doing a much better job.

CJ walks back to her office, her fingers pressed to her lips as she remembers the smoothness of his lips brushing hers and the shivers as he invaded her private space. She doesn’t remember packing her belongings as she rushes to meet him, ever fearful he might change his mind.

Chapter Two

CJ wiped her cheeks and pulled herself out of her chair. Kneeling on the floor she began to pick up scattered briefing papers. That had been the first time she had ever had dinner with Leo, and probably the first time he had had dinner with any of them. They had pretty much been an item ever since. It would have been five months on Valentines Day, after tonight and his abrupt exit it didn’t much look like they would get that far. Tonight had by far been their worst argument yet. Of course they had had fights before, generally screaming all out wars, but these were generally in her apartment or at his town house. Thinking about it though, as she stuffs the papers into her briefcase and prepares to go home, Christmas Eve came pretty close.

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

Leo had been waiting for her at the back of the Press Room, leaning against a pillar and trying not to look too conspicuous. Not that the Press paid much attention anymore, there always seemed to be a member of the senior staff loitering. CJ looked up from notes and caught his eye. His grin almost distracted her from her schedule but she waited a beat and turned back to Sandy,

‘The President heard you were all staying in town so he thought he’d hang around and see if one of you invited him over for dinner,’ she grinned at them. ‘No honestly, he’s in his office now waiting for an invite.’

Another reporter was about to ask a question but CJ stood up straighter and shuffled her papers, ‘Look guys the President has chosen to spend the two days holiday with his family here, there’s no more news, if any of you want to join me I’ll be here working tomorrow but that’s it. Full lid. Have a Merry Christmas.’ She nodded to Carol and disappeared through the door.

Carol was scurrying after her, ready to take notes. CJ stopped as they reached the outer office,

‘Carol, why don’t you get off home.’

‘Really?’

CJ nodded, ‘There’s nothing that can’t wait until Thursday. Go and have some fun with that boyfriend of yours.’

‘Merry Christmas CJ,’ Carol practically squeaked and hugged her.

‘Yeah, Merry Christmas,’ she replied, touched by the younger woman’s affection. ‘Leopold, what can I do for you?’

Leo followed her into the office and closed the door, ‘I came to tell you I’m off.’

CJ leaning over her desk spun around, ‘You’re coming over later?’

Leo gulped once and tried for nonchalant, ‘Probably not. I’m having dinner with Jordan.’

‘Jordan who?’ She couldn’t help but notice her voice was a little high there.

‘Jordan, my lawyer,’ he replied, aware that she may have just shown a little jealousy there.

The fact that her eyes were looking straight at him and she was standing to her full height wasn’t good.

‘So on Christmas Eve you’re going to dinner with your lawyer, not your daughter or your lover. And you are only just telling me this,’ her voice was low and cold.

‘It just came up, yesterday. Besides I thought you’d be out with the others,’ he replied, hoping he sounded calm.

CJ started wringing her hands as she was prone to do when she didn’t quite know how to start a sentence. ‘As it turns out…Well…I went…’ She stopped and changed tack altogether. ‘It’s fine I’ll go and tell Toby I changed my mind, he can come to the apartment and I’ll cook. I’m sure he’ll love the sea Bass.’

‘Sea Bass?’ he asked.

She nodded, ‘Terrine of duck, followed by Sea Bass, grilled with raspberries and a medley of vegetables. You see I went shopping, thinking I’d treat my partner to a really special night, and this is what I came up with.’ CJ twiddled a strand of hair between her fingers and continued, her voice a little colder, ‘But don’t worry about it, after all dinner with Jordan sounds just fine.’

He shook his head, all too aware this was how things always started with Jenny.

‘It’s business, dinner to talk about the hearings.’

‘So cancel.’

Oh oh, now he knew he was in a hole, ‘I can’t, I told the President about it and he’s going to want to know the details.’

CJ threw her hands in the air in frustration, ‘And we can’t let him down now, can we. Make sure she kisses you goodnight, he’s sure to want to hear about that.’

Leo was good at keeping his cool but there came a point when she went a little too far and this was it.

‘God CJ, grow up. The President doesn’t know about us, he likes to think I still have a life. I’m not going to sleep with her. I’ll have dinner and drop by yours after,’ his frustration was evident in his voice and the furrowed brow.

‘And the reason he doesn’t know about us is because you don’t want to tell him. Oh, go to dinner, I don’t really care anymore,’ it was a lie but she was really close to telling him the truth. Somewhere between dinner and the bedroom she had planned on saying the words for the first time. She knew the stress he had been under the last few days and she wanted to let him know this thing between them was for good and bad.

Leo glared at her and quietly said, ‘I really don’t need this right now. Maybe I’ll see you later. Merry Christmas Claudia.’

She heard the door close before she lowered her head to the desk and banged it against the wood. His passing comment had been his way of trying to leave things okay between them. He always liked to go to bed having made things up, probably too many years with Jenny and too many nights on couches and in bars. She finished grabbing her belongings and walked through the building to her car, hoping maybe he would come around later after all.

Chapter Three

Of course Christmas Eve did have it’s upside.

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

CJ had driven home and literally thrown herself into enjoying herself. Instead of phoning Toby she’d run herself a warm lavender bubble bath, placed candles all around the room and grabbed a steamy novel off the bookcase. Turning up the stereo and slipping into the water she had shut out the outside world for an hour. Christmas music played in the living room as she lay in the tub reading, napping and pampering herself. By the time she climbed out, wrapped her hair in a towel and padded around the apartment in her fleece robe she had relaxed sufficiently to finish dressing the tiny spruce. By itself the 3 foot high fir looked rather forlorn but with decorations from home and lights in the window she could even imagine it was Christmas. Ignoring the lavish spread in the fridge CJ grabbed the goldfish crackers from the cupboard and switched on the television to the usual mundane holiday viewing. It was ten when her cell rang and she dived across the room searching for her briefcase.

‘Hello.’

‘CJ, it’s me.’

CJ took a deep breath, ‘Yeah, kinda guessed that.’

‘Can I come over?’ he asked, his voice hopeful.

‘What about dinner?’ she asked, hoping Jordan hadn’t cancelled and she was his second choice.

His voice went low and husky, ‘I told her that there was somewhere I wanted to be for Christmas and dropped her off at home.’

‘Okay.’

‘Does that mean I can come over?’ He waited, ‘Great lights by the way, very festive.’

It took a second for her brain to process the information, ‘You’re outside, aren’t you?’

‘Yeah, and it’s cold.’

‘Well get yourself in here then,’ she chided.

A minute later she was opening the door and letting him in. Leo dropped his two bags to the floor and stood before her slapping his hands against his chest.

‘Confident?’ She teased.

He shook his head, ‘One’s clothes for tomorrow, the other’s your Christmas presents, I’m hedging my bets.’

‘So I’m not a sure thing?’

‘Claudia, you are a sexy, funny and frequently an impossible woman, but no one would ever say you’re a sure thing.’ He started to shrug off his coat. ‘Nice look by the way, very welcoming.’

CJ ran her fingers through her now dry hair, tugging at the tangles. ‘Damn,’ she muttered disappearing down the hallway.

Leo waited a beat before following. He found her sat in the middle of the bed cross legged, her head bent forward as she combed through the mess.

‘Wish I had my camera,’ he commented leaning against the door frame. ‘We could put this in the end of administration yearbook.’ He ducked as the comb flew over his head.

Before she could lay her hands on anything else he strode over to her, grabbed her wrists and pushed her back onto the bed, his body resting on top of her. Almost as if by accident he leaned in and brush his lips across hers before pulling away and sitting up.

‘Sorry CJ. I came to apologize not to bed you.’

‘And you can’t do both?’ she asked with a hint of a smile.

‘Sex won’t settle anything, we need to talk first. It’s been a hard week with the hearings and not being able to see you. I’m sorry about earlier, I wasn’t doing it to make you jealous.’

‘I wasn’t jealous,’ she retorted.

He could definitely argue otherwise. ‘If I can admit I’m in love with you can you admit you’re jealous?’

‘I WASn’t…’ She stopped and stared at him, ‘I’m sorry did I just hear what I think I heard.’

‘Yeah,’ he answered grinning.

‘Are you going to say it again?’ she asked, visibly shaken by such an admission.

‘I said I’m in love with you.’ He raised his hand and caressed her cheek. ‘I have been for some time.’ His hand continued to caress her throat and the vee of pale flesh that the robe failed to cover. ‘But you have to stop doing that thing with your mouth during meetings, it distracts me.’

She ignored his last comment and stared at him.

‘CJ, I was kinda hoping for something back, not dying devotion or marriage, but you know…’

‘I love you,’ she whispered rising to kiss him. ‘Since that night in the restaurant when you ordered for me.’

‘That was because you lost the power of speech,’ he stated.

‘After you kissed me.’

‘And I’m about to kiss you now. Then we’re going into the other room to talk,’ he finished. He laughed when she pouted. ‘The sooner we have this conversation the sooner we can get back to bed.’

CJ’s long arm snaked around his neck as she pulled him towards her for a kiss, her lips met his and the gentle kiss he had planned developed into a firm and passionate embrace. What Leo missed was CJ’s other hand pulling at the sash of her robe. When they broke apart CJ released him and shrugged her shoulders. The robe puddled at her waist and Leo’s eyes went wide.

‘CJ,’ he warned as his eyes danced across the now naked and well rounded breasts and taut stomach.

‘I love you,’ she whispered as both of her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs slipped around his waist.

As his hands felt the soft skin of her back he forgot all about talking, concentrating on kissing her and devouring her with his hands.

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

As CJ drives home on the cold February night, her radio turned to the most upbeat station she can find, she remembers that night warmly. That night was the turning point in their relationship where they realised they were in love. Leo had always been amazing in bed, so gentle and shy at asking what she wanted but so experienced in the act itself. When they were forced to part shortly after, returning to their respective homes, it made it seem inconsequential. Except that night it really was making love. It wasn’t the fast and furious sex of lovers desperate for climax, or the slow awkward sex of new lovers, Leo gently loved her. It had been the early hours of the morning when he finally let himself find release and they had slept curled around each other until lunchtime. Looking back she wonders if he will remember how good they are together and come to make up or whether he will finally give up and walk away. It won’t be the first time she has given herself so completely to someone only to have them declare defeat and leave. This time is different, he’s worth fighting for.

Chapter Four

When CJ arrived home the message light was blinking. Throwing her keys on the small hall table she pressed the rewind button followed by play. She was surprised to hear the First Lady’s voice asking her to call. Sighing in anticipation of having to return to the office she kicked off her shoes and carried the phone to the couch. Someone in the switchboard answered and, after CJ gave her name, put her through. Abbey finally came on the line a few minutes later.

‘CJ.’

‘Ma’am. Sorry did I wake you?’ CJ asked.

‘No, I was waiting for the call.’ The phone went quiet and she could hear Abbey telling someone to give her a minute. ‘Sorry about that, Jed is making a quick trip to the kitchen for hot chocolate. You okay?’

CJ replied, ‘A little tired. What do you need?’

Abbey smiled to herself and pondered how to approach the subject. ‘CJ, Jed and I would like you to join us at the Farm next weekend.’

That hadn’t been what she was expecting. ‘As I told Leo it’s very kind but I would rather not intrude.’

Abbey giggled, ‘No what you actually told him was that you didn’t need to spend three days watching us make out like teenagers.’

‘He told you that?’ CJ gasped incredulous.

‘I’ve known Leo a long time, he can be quite…candid. Anyway, come. The boys can survey the property, we can catch up on the gossip and I promise Jed and I will only snog in the bedroom.’

‘Thanks for the image.’

‘If you come I won’t be so lonely when they talk shop.’ Abbey waved her hands in the air trying to find inspiration. ‘Besides I think Leo has a crush on you.’

That did it, CJ gave a huge laugh, so much for old friends, she didn’t have a clue about the last five months.

‘CJ?’

‘Abbey, I needed that, really, I did,’ she continued to laugh as another voice came on the phone.

‘Claudia Jean, we leave at three o’clock Thursday.’

CJ sat up straighter, ‘Sir.’

‘And bring something dressy, there’s this new restaurant I want to try,’ Jed Bartlet informed her.

CJ grinned, thinking what a hellish time the secret service were going to have.

‘Yes, Mr President.’

‘Goodnight CJ.’

CJ put the phone back in it’s cradle and sunk back on the couch. It was certainly going to be a fun weekend, Leo was mad at her, the Bartlets would be groping each other all weekend and the President was planning to eat in a public restaurant, it would certainly be one to remember.

And it would be for a totally different reason.

Opening the fridge and finding nothing to tempt her fancy CJ reached in the cupboard and grabbed the goldfish crackers. Sitting in bed watching C-Span she ate half a tube. When Leo hadn’t phoned by midnight she gave up and tried to sleep. Tossing and turning for an hour she gave up and dialled Leo’s townhouse. He answered on the third ring sounding more awake than she had expected.

‘Leo?’

‘CJ.’

‘We leave at three on Thursday,’ she said. ‘If that is you still want me to come?’ she asked hesitantly.

Leo groaned, ‘When will you realise I want you by my side always. I love you. Yeah, you drive me crazy, but most of the time it’s in a good way.’

‘Why do you put up with me?’ she asked slinking further down the bed.

Leo tossed the papers onto the floor and climbed under the covers. ‘You want me to list the ways.’

CJ mumbled something in response.

‘Okay, I like your long legs, wrapped around me, I like waking up and finding tiny pieces of black lace on my bedroom floor, I love the smell of your perfume on my pillow. Your eyes dilate and turn into this amazing green when you’re happy and the rest of your body isn’t bad either. But I love that you’re smart, funny and especially the way you make me feel.’

CJ stifled a giggle, ‘Do you mean when I poke my tongue out and spiral around you or when I take your nipples in your mouth and suck or…?’

‘I meant when I’m around you,’ he managed, his voice in a strange octave. ‘I feel twenty years younger, sexy and fairly invincible when we’re together.’

‘You are sexy,’ she said. ‘And I’m sorry for being so silly the last few days, I just…’

‘Want to be alone so you can ravish me?’

CJ laughed heartily, ‘Oh yeah. I’m hoping you know where every squeaky floorboard is in the Farm.’

Leo laughed, ‘You better believe it.’ He stopped and held the phone close to his ear. ‘I miss you Claudia.’

‘Miss you too.’

‘Get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning.’

‘Good night Leo,’ she whispered as she put the phone to rest. She slipped into sleep fairly quickly after that and dreamed of Leo creeping around the farm in the middle of the night and getting caught, now that would be a picture for the yearbook.

The next few days went by fairly quickly as everyone became bogged down with work. There wasn’t much time for a lunch break let alone for romantic gestures. Leo spent most of the week meeting donors while CJ had briefings to prep for and a Deputy to bring up to speed. She was actually relieved when Charlie appeared in her doorway at four on Thursday afternoon.

‘CJ?’ He called.

‘He’s finally ready?’ She asked, looking at her watch.

‘Leo is just hustling Toby out of the Oval now. Is that the only bag?’

‘Yeah. Carol.’ CJ started to reorganise the piles of paper on her desk.

‘I’ll put this in the car for you. Have a good weekend,’ Charlie smiled.

CJ looked up, ‘Yeah, I notice you can’t say that with a straight face.’

‘Zoey and I have plans,’ he said, his grin widening.

CJ glared at him, ‘Just don’t do anything I’m going to have to clear up.’ She soften, ‘You guys have fun.’

‘Yeah CJ?’ Carol asked appearing in the doorway.

‘These are for Josh, this is for Toby. Tell Simon to throw this in the trash. I have my pager and cell.’

Carol shook her head, ‘We’ll manage. Ginger has Sam, I have Simon, Bonnie has Toby and Donna has Josh. Everything is taken care of.’ She raised a finger at CJ and waggled it, ‘Now don’t do anything I wouldn’t.’

CJ raised an eyebrow and glared. Carol was far too observant for her own good. Carol grinned even more, grabbed the papers and disappeared. Grabbing her coat and belongings CJ checked around her office once more and headed for the main entrance.

Chapter Five

The ride to the airport was a quiet one, for everyone that was except the President who spent the drive throwing out inane trivia about Valentines to everyone. When they reached the plane Leo disappeared into the President’s study with the President to discuss work leaving CJ and Abbey in the front cabin.

‘Tell me you aren’t going to work.’

CJ grinned, ‘No ma’am. Carol confiscated pretty much everything.’

‘So wanna talk girl talk?’

That should have been warning enough for CJ.

‘And CJ, if we’re going to talk it’s Abbey. So how do you feel about our Leo?’

‘Abbey!’

‘Oh come off it he can’t keep his eyes off you, in fact he’s been pretty much wearing his heart on his sleeve for months,’ Abbey stopped talking and looked directly at CJ, who blushed. ‘You’ve been having a thing.’

CJ ducked her head, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Oh my god. You and Leo are sleeping together. How long? Is he good?’

‘Abbey,’ CJ gasped.

Abbey shook her head, ‘Spill, come on. I want details.’

‘Leo doesn’t want anyone to know.’

‘Bull. He wouldn’t have orchestrated this weekend if he wasn’t planning on telling Jed.’

‘Leo planned this?’ CJ asked.

Abbey nodded.

‘Oh. He told me you invited him and he suggested he bring me for company.’

‘CJ, Jed and I were coming up anyway but Leo said you needed a break and he’d like to show you around. Of course we agreed.’ Abbey waved her hands in a gesture of get on with it.

‘We got together in September. One minute we’re arguing the next I’m pressed against the wall and he’s kissing me. Since then it’s been a whirlwind.’

‘Is he good?’ Abbey asked grinning.

CJ blushed, ‘Oh yeah. At everything.’

‘Do you love him?’ Abbey asked seriously.

The smile that crossed CJ’s face radiated happiness, ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with him, shout it from the rooftops.’

‘You have got it bad.’

Just then the door opened and the President and Leo stepped through.

‘We thought we‘d join you,’ Jed announced settling himself beside CJ and missing the looks Abbey was giving Leo. ‘So CJ, have I told you how my family founded the state…’

For the rest of the trip he regaled them all with the Bartlet family history as Leo closed his eyes and prayed for an emergency.

A car whisked them away from the airport and took them straight to the house. It seemed strange to actually be staying at the house, normally CJ would be at the hotel and only visiting.

‘Leo take CJ up to the main guest room, you can take the small room opposite.’

‘Abbey, she can have one of the girl’s rooms,’ Jed suggested.

Abbey gave him a withering gaze and he shut up.

‘Wash up and I’ll check on dinner.’

CJ allowed Leo to lead her up the stairs and down a corridor to the east wing of the house. He opened a door and tossed his bag inside before opening another door and showing her into a large double room.

‘Where do you normally stay?’ she asked.

‘In here, but I don’t mind the single.’

CJ pushed the door closed with her foot and grabbed him by the jacket lapels, pulling his mouth towards her. ‘There’s plenty of room in the double,’ she purred before kissing him passionately and pulling away.

‘Bathroom?’

He indicated with his head and watched as she located her washbag and disappeared, leaving the door open behind her.

‘What did you tell Abbey?’ he asked removing his jacket.

‘Ah, about that…’

‘Claudia, you told her.’

CJ stuck her head out of the door, ‘She guessed, and you lied.’

‘About what?’

‘This weekend,’ she glared.

Leo crossed the room and slid his hands around her waist, ‘It was in a good cause.’ Then he was spinning her around and his hand was in her hair, his lips were roving across her neck as he pushed himself against her.

Coughing broke them apart. CJ turned, and blushed at Abbey standing in the middle of the room, hand on hip. Leo merely shrugged.

‘I came to tell you dinner is going to be an hour and to keep yourselves amused, I see I needn’t have bothered.’ She turned on her heel and they heard the door shut behind her.

‘I am never going to live this down,’ CJ cringed.

Leo’s fingers were flying across her buttons and lifting up her camisole before she could stop him, not that she was going to anyway. In one deft movement he lifted her onto the vanity unit and pushed up her skirt.

‘I’ve thought of a way to amuse ourselves,’ he whispered gently rubbing at her through her nylons.

‘LEO.’

‘CJ, I want you, here and now,’ he gently pushed himself against her thigh, ‘and it can’t wait.’

CJ smiled at his obvious readiness and pulled at his fly, his pants and shorts ending in a puddle on the floor. A minute later her skirt, nylons and panties joined them. It was fast and frantic after a week of missed opportunities. Somewhere around the time she clenched around him he lost conscious thought. When he spilled into her she had to hold him up as his knees went from under him.

They showered quickly together before dressing and heading down to join their hosts for dinner.

Jed was waiting in the drawing room for them, drinking cider and scanning a newspaper. He glanced up, caught sight of them and stood.

‘Can I get you a drink? Abbey is just changing.’

Abbey entered the room looking every bit as flushed as CJ and smiled in silent acknowledgement at the other woman.

‘Jed fix us all cider. CJ is the room okay?’ Abbey asked, a wry grin crossing her face, ‘the bed not too hard for you.’

Leo coughed as he stifled a laugh.

‘Ah, haven’t tried that yet,’ Abbey teased.

Dinner was a lively affair as they discussed the staff, romantic entanglements and the previous campaign. After dinner they retired to the Drawing Room. CJ and Abbey sat side by side on the couch while Leo and Jed took the armchairs on either side of the fire. Conversation flowed between them as CJ and Leo kept passing looks. Eventually CJ had had enough. Jed was still giving a monologue on the tourist industry in New England and Leo was rolling his eyes. CJ yawned and stretched, exaggerating slightly for effect.

‘I’m sorry, must be the air up here. If you’ll excuse me I think I’ll get an early night,’ CJ stood and waited for the President to dismiss her.

‘Night CJ. If you need anything just shout. Leo and I can have a game of chess,’ Jed announced.

Leo rolled his eyes and looked frantically between CJ and Abbey. CJ grinned and left the room. Abbey waited a few minutes before standing and making her way over to her husband. Rubbing his shoulders lightly she leaned in and whispered against his ear. He sat up straight and glanced at Leo.

‘Actually, I think I’m going to hit the hay. I’m sure you’ve got things you can do,’ he muttered, taking Abbey’s hand and leading her towards the stairs.

Abbey turned and smiled at Leo, who mouthed thank you.

Certain they were out of sight Leo headed upstairs and opened the door to CJ’s room. He tiptoed closer to the bed and began to undress.

‘I thought you weren’t coming,’ she commented.

‘I had to wait for Abbey to get rid of him.’ Leo pulled back the covers and wriggled across to her.

‘Urgh, you’ve got cold feet.’

Leo ran his foot up and down her leg, ‘So warm them up for me.’

CJ rolled over to face him and wrapped her body around him. ‘What did you have in mind?’ She purred.

Leo pulled the covers up over their heads, whispering against her ear, ‘I thought we’d start with this.’

CJ murmured her delight as Leo began to work his way down her body.

Chapter Six

Leo left her room early in the morning and she heard him some time later downstairs talking to someone. Rolling over in bed she patted the pillow and tried to fall back to sleep, she failed miserably.

There was a knock at the door and she called come. Abbey pushed open the door and entered carrying a tray of breakfast. CJ sat up.

‘Abbey, you shouldn’t have done that,’ CJ chided.

‘Nonsense, you’re a guest. There’s toast and grapefruit and coffee.’ She laid the tray carefully on the bed and lifted her own cup of coffee. ‘Besides I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go riding.’

‘There’s nothing the President needs me to do?’

‘No. Leo and Jed are going over some papers, then they are going into town. I said we’d meet them for lunch at that restaurant Jed’s so keen on. Ron is having kittens as we speak.’

CJ smiled, ‘Then riding it is.’

Twenty minutes later CJ was climbing aboard one of the Bartlet’s more tame horses and trotting after Abbey. Abbey lead her to the far corner of the property away from the house and then turned and headed back. When they arrived back an hour later the men had already left. CJ walked up the stairs, somewhat stiff from the ride, and opened the bedroom door. She gasped when she saw the sight before her. On every surface of the room were floral arrangements, tied to the end of the bedstead were heart shaped balloons, and scattered on the floor and across the comforter were rose petals.

‘He must really love you,’ Abbey commented peering over her shoulder. ‘You have to open the boxes.’

‘You knew,’ CJ accused.

‘He may have mentioned he had a few surprises for you over breakfast,’ Abbey was grinning, CJ didn’t know the half of it.

CJ jumped on the bed and began opening the packages. Abbey fell beside her and shared in her excitement. Box after box contained lingerie, perfume, chocolates and finally a small pair of beautifully cut diamond earings.

‘Is there a note?’ CJ asked holding the latest gift up to her ears.

Abbey shook her head and pointed to the tiny fluffy head peeking from between the pillows, ‘no, but maybe he can shed some light.’

CJ crawled up the bed and pulled the bear up, written simply across his feet were the words ‘from me to you.’

‘He’s mad,’ CJ announced hugging her new friend to her. ‘And I feel guilty now, I only bought him a book.’

She waited a second before she turned seriously to Abbey, ‘Abbey, he’s not going to propose is he?’

Abbey smiled back, ‘Would that be such a terrible thing?’

CJ blushed, ‘That’s not what I meant. It’s just he’s already done so much and I don’t want to disappoint him.’

Abbey squeezed her hand, ‘If he is he hasn’t told me. I’m going to get ready. I’ll see you downstairs in half an hour.’ When she reached the door she turned to see CJ still sat on the bed, fingering the gifts and grinning aimlessly. She chuckled as she walked down the corridor.

CJ couldn’t believe what the man was capable of, first plotting to get her away, letting her think the weekend was his Valentines present then buying her all these gifts. She had always known he was generous, his anniversary plans for Jenny way extravagant. Never did she think he would go to so much trouble just for Valentines. She was still sat staring around the room five minutes later, wondering what she would do if he proposed. Abbey appeared in the doorway in her robe,

‘CJ, you need to get ready.’

CJ looked up and pushed her bangs to one side, ‘He did all this for me.’

‘That’s because he loves you. Worships the ground you walk on from what he was telling Jed this morning.’

CJ blushed and stood up, ‘I’ll be down shortly.’

Twenty minutes later she was waiting in the foyer, her hair swept up in chignon showing the tiny diamonds in her ears and wrapped in a ankle length gold dress with matching jacket. Abbey took a sharp intake of breath when she saw her and popped her camera in her bag, not wanting to miss the look of surprise on CJ’s face.

‘You look wonderful.’

‘Thanks Abbey, you look as elegant as ever. I’m not over dressed, am I?’ she asked.

Abbey took her coat off the stand and pulled it over her red suit, ‘No, it’s perfect.’

They walked to the car together and chatted amicably on the drive to Manchester. It was only when they stopped that CJ noticed they were in front of an old stone building and Leo was stood on the steps, his back to them.

‘Is the restaurant far from here?’ CJ asked.

Abbey got out of the car and smiled reassuringly at Leo as he turned. Leo looked more nervous than she had ever seen him. CJ stepped up behind her and smiled at Leo. He came down the stairs two at a time and stopped in front of them, his hand in his pocket.

‘Where’s the President?’

‘He’s inside, security thought it would be safer,’ Leo replied.

CJ glanced up at the building, ‘You still got work to finish?’

Abbey took a few steps away and her detail closed around her.

‘Not exactly,’ Leo said taking a deep breath. ‘I lied again.’

‘We’re not having lunch?’

Leo took a quick glance at Abbey, who nodded, and gently eased himself down on one knee. CJ covered her mouth with her hands and the flush started at her navel.

‘LEO!’

‘Claudia Jean, I brought you here to ask you to marry me. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.’ He stopped and pulled the box from his pocket. ‘I’m not good with words. All I really want to say is that I’ll love you, try not to disappoint you, and always treat you with the respect you deserve. So will you marry me?’ he waited, not daring to breathe.

CJ started to cry, ‘Really?’

He nodded and flicked the lid of the box to reveal the elegant diamond ring.

‘Yes,’ she whispered gazing down at him, ‘I’ll marry you.’

Leo pulled himself up and eased the ring on her finger before kissing her deeply.

CJ glanced across at Abbey who was beaming back at her but still hadn’t moved towards her. Looking back towards Leo she noted the hesitant look.

‘I said yes,’ she repeated.

He took both of her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes.

‘CJ, when will you marry me?’

‘When? Whenever you want?’ She replied.

‘Now?’ he asked, glancing back at City Hall.

‘Now? As in this minute?’ She asked startled.

He nodded, ‘The Justice is waiting for us, if you agree we can be married in twenty minutes.’

CJ stared at him and up at the building, she could just make out the security detail and the President pacing between them. She looked back at Leo.

‘Of course if you want the big wedding we can do that too, whatever you want.’

She shook her head, ‘You went to all this trouble for me?’

‘Yeah.’

‘You sure about this?’ She asked, wondering if he had really considered the implications.

Leo’s hands moved up to rest on her shoulders as he leaned in to kiss her. ‘I love you and want to wake up every morning next to you. And I want to make it legal.’

‘Witnesses?’ she asked.

Leo’s grin widened as he realised she was actually going to do it. ‘I couldn’t very well not have my two best friends there.’ He stopped, ‘The others?’

CJ shrugged, ‘It’s okay. As long as you are there I don’t need anyone else.’

‘We’d better go and put the President out of his misery, he’s been unbearable all day.’

CJ laughed, ‘I can only imagine.’

Abbey joined them as they headed up the stairs, ‘I take it that was an agreement. I’ll tell you the same thing I told Mallory, don’t fall for geniuses they never want to sleep.’

‘That’s okay with me,’ CJ laughed. ‘There’s other things we could be doing.’

Abbey smiled and squeezed her arm, ‘I’m really happy for you.’

Jed appeared in the doorway and looked between his best friend and his Press Secretary and slowly a grin formed. He held out his arm for CJ to take, ’We’ll do this properly.’

Leading the way he led the party into the small reception room where the Justice was waiting. The ceremony was short with Leo reciting traditional vows and causing his wife to be to cry as he produced a gold band and slipped it on to join the diamond ring. The kiss that followed was deep and full of longing. As they left City Hall as man and wife they posed briefly on the steps so Abbey could take the inevitable photograph for the scrapbook. Later they would spend their wedding night making love on rose petals.

The End