"When did you do a People spread?" CJ inquired from her spot on the chair in Leo's office as he walked in. "I'm not complaining or anything, because you look very good in the photos, but you could have warned me, y'know."

“Then you would have wanted to veto them and I can only handle one person around here with a veto,” he grumbled. “Besides I didn’t know when they planned to publish.”

She raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I can't believe they actually made you wear blue jeans. I've never, ever seen you wear blue jeans. Kind of sexy, though, the way they kind of ride up there..."

Leo turned bright red and snatched the magazine out of her hands.

“Don’t you have work to do?” He mumbled, lifting files off his desk and tossing them to one side.

“Margaret said you wanted to see me, so here I am ready to be seen,” her hands waved as she indicated her presence.

"I didn't ask for you," Leo muttered.

"Margaret said you did."

"Margaret is in error."

"Maybe she just wanted me to mock you for the People cover."

He glared at her and returned to searching through the clutter on his desk.

“What are you looking for?” she asked getting up and going to join him.

“Uh,” he shook his head and sighed, “nothing. Don’t you have a briefing or something to prepare for?”

Margaret appeared around the door and groaned at the sight of the desk. Grinning at CJ she disappeared again and re emerged with a folder.

CJ's eyes widened as Margaret waved the folder, then shut the door. CJ and Leo both heard the click of the lock, and the sound of something being dragged against the door.

"What the hell?" Leo muttered.

"I think Margaret locked us in here," CJ sighed. "Though why she'd do that, I don't know."

Leo scratched his head and concentrated on his shoes.

“Leo?” she asked, aware he was practically blushing.

“It may have been something I said.”

“To whom?” CJ put her hands on her hips and looked at him in mock disgust.

He waved the folder in the air, “I compiled a list.”

"What kind of a list?" she asked, knowing this would get good in a minute.

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because it's not like either of us are going anywhere, Leo." She rolled her eyes and studied her manicure. "Hey, you think I should get my nails painted pink or red?"

"For what?"

"The State Dinner, doofus."

"I am not a doofus!"

"Yeah, okay."

"What are you wearing?"

"Oh, so now I've managed to pique your interest?"

"Something like that."

"It's black. With silver."

"I'd go with red."

"I was thinking pink for femininity," CJ mumbled. "Maybe a little bit of silver glitter..."

“And I was thinking we have a country to run,” he grumbled.

CJ crossed the room and pulled at the door to the Oval Office. “It’s locked.”

Leo began banging on the door to Margaret’s office, “If you don’t get in here now you’re fired.”

Deafening silence followed. Which is when the lights went out.

CJ laughed and reached for his hand. "Somehow this doesn't surprise me."

He wrenched his hand out of hers, and she sighed in annoyance. "Okay, Mr. Workaholic, why won't you let anyone get close to you?" she snapped, flopping onto the couch and crossing her arms protectively over her chest. If he was going to play this game, she was going to push the envelope farther. It wasn't like she was offering friendship out of the goodness of her heart -- he needed someone.

“Why don’t you?” he countered.

She glared at him as he crossed in front of the window. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged and picked up the phone. He groaned and slammed it back down. “Dead.”

CJ picked up a newspaper from the desk and threw it at him. It landed at his feet.

“You missed.”

"WHo says I missed?" she snapped. "I might just have been aiming for your damn feet."

"You need an attitude adjustment."

"You need to get laid." Her eyes widened in the dim light from the window and she slapped a hand over her mouth in absolute shock that that had actually slipped out of her mouth.

Leo grinned, “Anyone in mind?” He sank into his desk chair and toyed with his pen. “Seeing as we’re going for inappropriate when was the last time you got any?”

CJ’s eyes widened.

"You've got to be kidding," she muttered. "It's like the worst game of truth or dare ever," she sighed, rubbing her eyes and closing them to avoid eyestrain.

"You wanna play truth or dare?" he challenged. "It can be arranged."

"Okay, okay -- I haven't had sex since the beginning of the campaign."

“Are you kidding me?” He squeaked.

CJ rubbed her closed lids, “Like I ever have time? So?”

“So what?” He replied, drumming his fingers on the desk.

“So when was the last time you got laid?”

"I don't have to tell you that."

She sat up and growled. "Oh, so I told you my deepest dark secret for nothing?"

"That's your deepest dark secret?"

"Well... okay." She sighed. "Not my biggest, but well..."

"Not since before Jenny left."

"What?"

"I haven't had sex since before Jenny left."

"You're kidding."

"Unfortunately, not."

“But you went on that date at Christmas.”

“And you have half the guys in Washington beating down your door.”

“And Toby, lets not forget Toby,” she said.

Leo’s face dropped and despite the dimness CJ picked up on it.

She shrugged. "It doesn't help the friendship, y'know. To be so close and one side wanting to be closer while the other doesn't."

"You're sure about that?"

"Yeah. It's doing irreparable damage to Toby's and my friendship." She crossed her legs and adjusted her skirt so it didn't ride up.

"Oh." His voice was slightly high, and he was trying his best to fight the pull of attraction, not to mention the pull of his pants, that he was feeling. It wasn't appropriate to be feeling this way about her.

"So, what was that list about?" CJ asked, closing her eyes again and leaning her head back.

"What lis... oh. The list. Nothing."

CJ pulled herself up and crossed the room. Pushing his papers to one side she perched on his desk and swung her legs.

“You know I can always tell when you’re lying.”

“Uh?”

“There’s this little crease just above your nose that only appears then.” She reached out and ran her finger along the spot.

Leo moaned and looked at her in embarrassment, “Sorry.”

“Have you ever had unrequited feelings for anyone?” She asked.

He snorted a little. "All the time."

She nodded and smiled. "Me, too." She slid back off of the desk and began pacing the room. Her pump's heel caught on a raised section of carpet and she fell to the floor with a stunned cry and a whimper as pain shot through her ankle.

“CJ, are you okay?” he asked, dropping to her side.

“I think it’s sprained,” she groaned.

“Not broken?” he asked.

“It’s only men who over dramatise. All I know is it hurts like hell.”

“Let’s see if we can get you on the couch,” he whispered tucking his hands under armpits and lifting her.

“I applaud the sentiment Leo, but I was rather hoping the first time I wouldn’t be in pain,” CJ said grinning.

"First time?" he muttered, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I had a glorious seduction plot forming in my head, and the damn carpet ruined it." She reached down to rub her ankle and sighed.

"Seduction?" Leo squeaked.

"Yeah."

“Okay,” he said, his voice a little high. Kicking the coffee table with his foot he helped her onto the couch and placed her ankle on the glass. “We need to get your shoe off before your foot swells.”

Gently he eased the pump off and tossed it to one side. “How’s that?

“Comfortable. Don’t s’ppose you have ice in your fridge?”

He shook his head and shuffled to the icebox. “I’ve got cold water,” he announced returning with two bottles. He placed one on either side of her foot and she moaned.

“So I was right…” he muttered, blushing when he caught her staring. He couldn’t exactly tell her her moan was exactly what he imagined every night.

"Right about... what, exactly?" she asked, her forehead crinkling in the dark. "You guys keep forgetting I'm not exactly a mind reader over here."

"Nothing," Leo stuttered.

"If it was nothing, you wouldn't have said what you did..."

"Is it a genetic prerequisite for all women to beat a point into the ground?"

"I don't know -- is it a genetic prerequisite for men to be assholes? Or is that just a learned trait?"

"I am not an asshole!" Leo protested, getting annoyed with her.

“No, you’re not,” she sighed, “but we don’t seem to be getting on very well of late.”

‘And whose fault is that,’ was on the tip of his tongue but he swallowed and said, “No we don’t so maybe it’s time we talked about it.” A light flashed in his head, “Ah, now I know why Margaret locked us in here.”

"Yeah," CJ mumbled. Under her breath, she added, "Because I told her to."

"I didn't catch that..." Leo said.

"You don't need to hear it," she said very quietly. "The phone's still down?"

Leo picked up the receiver, then said, "Yeah."

"Your cell phone working?"

"Yes... why?"

"I need to check up on dad."

"Oh. How is he doing?"

"Okay, I guess." He could sense her closing off her emotions to him, and he moved to sit beside her on the couch.

“Do I remind you of him?” he asked for no particular reason.

“No, but I think he would like you. You really have no idea do you?” she commented placing the cell back on the table.

“About fathers, nail varnish or women?” he questioned.

She picked up the phone again, wanting to throw it at him. "All of the above," she finally whispered, closing her eyes.

"You're right."

"I usually am." She sat up and dialled the phone. "Hey, daddy..." she said when he picked up the phone. "How are you today? Uh-huh... You're looking for your razor? Daddy, you put it in the cabinet when I called this morning. It's not there?" She snuck a sideways glance at Leo as she said, "Maybe you should check the fridge... Yes, I KNOW it's a stupid place to look... Okay, I'm holding..." After a long pause, she said, "You found it? Good... where was it?" She bit back a tearful laugh and said, "So maybe it wasn't such a dumb place to look, after all... What did you need your razor for, anyway? You don't remember. Well, maybe if you go sit down for a while, it'll come back to you. There's a thing on TLC tonight you should like. If you need anything, you can call me at Leo's cell phone. The number is in the address book. No, don't tell me you've lost that, too... Okay, try the drier, dad. No, don't give me that -- I may be your daughter, but that doesn't give you the right to say things like that. Good night, dad. I'll call in the morning." She hung up and burst into tears. "God dammit," she whispered, fighting to stop crying in front of Leo.

"What was that all about?"

"He has the beginnings of Alzheimer’s'," she said, wiping her eyes, her voice flat and unemotional.

“And you feel you’re letting him down,” he stated, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket.

CJ looked at him, “There’s so much I can’t do from here. I wonder if he will even remember who I am soon.”

“He’s proud of you. He wouldn’t want you to put your life on hold. If anything he’s want you to follow your dreams,” Leo whispered.

CJ continued to stare at him, “Pretty eloquent speech there Leopold.”

He shrugged, “I love my daughter.”

She nodded. "It's more complex than that with daddy and me, though. We depend on each other. My brothers, not so much. But daddy and I are so close. I was two when mom died. He's been the only mother I've ever known, and I owe him more than I can ever admit to anyone, even him. This is all I can do from here -- call and help him find things in thee damn appliances that should be elsewhere. That's IT. If I could, I'd quit in a heartbeat and go take care of him." Her admission startled even her.

“So what’s stopping you?” He asked, a little taken back by her statement.

CJ waved her hands at him, “Somedays I could quite happily tell you all to go to hell, other days I love my job. Then there’s the money, by doing this job I can pay for great care for him.”

“You could marry someone rich,” he suggested rather too flippantly. “I’m sorry that came out wrong.”

“Hell, I’ve considered it, but I want to marry for love.”

“Damn that leaves me out.”

She couldn't hold back a giggle. "Who says that leaves you out?" she challenged. "Just because I hate the way you treat me doesn't mean I can't love you."

"Well, aren't you a firecracker tonight..."

"I haven't had sex in years, Leo -- you want a firecracker, you can light the fire, there..." she invited quietly, unsure of how he would react, and how she would react, should he actually do something.

Leo abruptly stood up and began to pace the room. CJ swallowed a comment about the carpet and watched his shadow. He was moving rapidly, turning sharply and wearing a hole in the carpet between the door and the couch.

“I really should learn to keep my mouth shut,” CJ commented. “Come and sit back down, I promise not to hit on you.”

“What happened to the big seduction routine?”

"I got hurt," she reminded him with a shallow laugh. "And I can't call out for food or roses or anything, so..."

"No, that's my job," Leo contradicted. "I'm supposed to woo you with dinner and flowers, candy and satin sheets..."

"I'm an independent and enlightened woman, Leo, I think I can handle it."

"This isn't how I imagined us," he admitted.

“So you have imagined us?” CJ asked incredulous.

Leo gave her one of his heart stopping grins, “You, us, our children.”

“Excuse me???”

“I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“Yeah. Do you think we could start with a kiss before you book us in for ante natal clinics?”

"I can barely see you," he said softly. "How am I supposed to kiss you?"

"I would've thought you'd've gotten practice in the art of darkroom kissing," she snapped, getting up and limping to the door, moaning as she put her weight on her ankle accidentally. "Margaret, let us out, please -- I want to go home."

There was a scraping sound as Margaret removed the desk that barred the way, and the door lock clicked open. CJ opened the door and looked over her shoulder at Leo. "Good night," she said, leaving.

And that was it she was gone, the lights came back on and Margaret hovered in the doorway. She’d yet to say a word but then she never really needed to.

“You think I’m an idiot?”

She shrugged.

“You think I should go after her?”

Margaret concentrated on the pad in her hands.

“Well thanks for being such a help.”

“With all due respect, it’s been so long I think you’ve forgotten what it’s like.”

"I have NOT forgotten what it's like -- if anything, I remember all too well, Margaret. It starts off all sweetness and roses, then ends with anger and pain."

"You're starting off with the anger and pain bit," Margaret pointed out.

"Hey, I hope I'm not interrupting anything..." Toby said, knocking on the doorframe. "Because, y'know, CJ just broke her ankle on her way down the stairs."

“It’s sprained,” Margaret stated.

Both men looked at her in astonishment.

“I’m just going to go back to work now,” Margaret muttered leaving them alone.

“So…Josh is on the hill and Sam is in his office. I’m going to take her to GW,” Toby added.

Margaret’s head appeared around the doorframe and glared at Leo.

Leo shook his head, “You work on the speech, I’ll take her.”

Margaret bobbed her head and disappeared.

Leo grabbed his coat and headed for the door. Toby waited until he was out of earshot before he held his hand up to Margaret for a high five. "We rock," she deadpanned.

"Yeah, we really do," Toby replied with the barest hint of a smile.

"She thinks you've got a thing for her," Margaret pointed out.

"That's because I used to. Not anymore, though."

"Good, because I'd get really jealous if you still did."

"Hush, someone could hear you."

"Pookey," Margaret chuckled.

"Not in public!"

"There's an office with a lock right here..." Margaret prompted.

“LEO’s Office? Why not the Oval?” he exclaimed.

“Cause the President’s in there right now and while I don’t mind the video camera, I don’t want an audience…” She trailed off as she grabbed him by the hand and tugged him inside.

Leo hovered outside CJ’s office listening to her giving instructions to Carol.

“…and don’t let him bring up Josh’s meeting on the hill or the latest White House gossip. They’ll want to play him and he’s kinda loose tongued. Leo, what can we do for you?”

"They said you fell down the stairs..."

"I haven't been down the stairs yet," CJ muttered, handing Carol a file. "But I am going home soon."

"Can I take you home?"

"Carol, can you give us a minute?" CJ prompted. Carol left the room, and CJ exploded. "Oh why the hell should you care, Leo? Why should you care if I've hurt myself? I can drive myself home, y'know."

“You know what, forget it,” he yelled back. “I really hope you get some soon because I for one can’t take much more of your sexual frustration.”

“How dare you?”

Carol pulled the door to and sighed, what they both needed was a slow comfortable screw, except that was a drink.

“How dare I? For Christ’s sake you tripped in my office, I want to take you to the hospital and have it checked out.” She exasperated him.

“I’ll get a cab.”

“Fine, whatever you want.”

"Is that a promise?" she taunted.

"Is what a promise?"

"That 'whatever you want'."

"Okay, fine -- what the hell do you want?!" he shouted.

"It's not appropriate to say in public," she growled, throwing a folder at him. "But let's just say that it involves you and a bottle of chocolate syrup."

Leo’s face went blank as his eyes widened, “You’re…you’re… you’re impossible.”

“I was going for incorrigible.” She limped across to him and handed over her briefcase. “The offer of a lift still going?”

“To the hospital, yes.”

CJ shook her head, “Take me home, all it needs is some ice.”

"No, it needs to be looked at..."

"Leo, I've broken more bones in my lifetime than I care to admit. It's just a sprain. All it needs is ice." She smiled a little. "Would you rather hear what I really want?"

"Okay." He was more than a little confused by her signals.

"I'll tell you in the car."

Putting her case in the same hand as his own he gently rested his hand on her back, ready to catch her if she slipped. They made their way down the corridor and out on to the parking lot, stopping every minute or so for her to rebalance. After helping her into the car and throwing the bags on the backseat he climbed into the drivers seat.

“Your apartment?”

“Yeah.”

CJ waited until he pulled out onto the main road before she started, “So, what I really want?”

Leo turned from the road and looked at her expectantly.

“This will go better if you concentrate on the road and try not to hit anything.”

He glared and gripped the wheel tighter.

“I’m a simple girl with simple needs.”

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I want a life outside of work. I want someone who can love me for who I am. I want someone who can stick with me and help me deal with my father. I want to see him holding my babies and I want to be able to cry when he dies without feeling like a baby." She took a deep breath. "That's it, really. And, well, some sex."

“If I told you what I want you’d freak?”

“I never freak, I may yell and throw things but I don’t freak,” she retorted. “And I’d like to hear what you want.”

Leo sighed, “I’m not a simple man. I want the impossible. I want a woman who’s funny, smart and beautiful. Someone who’s independent and doesn’t want me as the centre of her universe. I’d love more children, or at least one. And when I’m done I want there to be more to life than lecture tours.”

“That’s not impossible. You do realise if you want a kid there has to be sex?”

Leo grinned, “I was rather counting on that.”

"So the sex thing was unspoken."

"Precisely."

"Y'know, Leo, I've never seen anyone as the centre of the universe. Let alone the centre of my universe. The centre’s kind of off-kilter out there somewhere, just kind of pushing me around." She shrugged. "If you want to try this with me, there have to be some ground rules. I can't play house. I don't clean toilets. I can't cook worth beans. And if I cry, no one touches me."

“And if I cry I blubber like a baby,” he blushed slightly at what he had said. “You know when Chicago lose against Notre Dame.”

CJ smiled, “Can you cook?”

“Hell no, but I have the Chinese place on speed dial.” He let go of the wheel with one hand and reached across to squeeze hers, “Of course I have ground rules…”

CJ looked at him expectantly, “And?”

“Ssh, I’m thinking..”

She chuckled and closed her eyes. It was all moving so quickly, she felt as if she was caught in a high-speed tailwind, being batted around like a leaf caught in its trap.

"No stockings hung up all over the bathroom all the time. Don't use my razor to shave your legs. We leave work at work. And... um..." He bit his lip. "And we tell your father that we're doing this."

"Daddy will be happy -- he always liked you," CJ supplied with a slight smile.

"We'll see when he finds out that I'm going to be having sex with his little girl."

"You really do know how fathers think," CJ laughed.

“On the subject of fathers, do we tell the President?” Leo asked, imagining the conversation.

“That we’re having SEX?” CJ squeaked.

“Okay, maybe not.”

“We’re here…” She paused and stroked his knuckles, “…are you coming in? We don’t have to start the sex….thing tonight.” She stammered. “Unless you want to.”

"No, not tonight," he said softly. "But I do want to stay."

"I'm not going to offer you the sofa, because you'll be grumpy when you wake up in the morning..." Her voice trailed off.

"I think I'll be fine, CJ."

"Okay." She opened her car door and tried to get out without stepping down on her ankle. Leo got out, locked his door, and hurried around to help her.

"Thanks," she said, surprising him.

“I’d carry you but then we’d both end up in the emergency room.”

“I’m fine,” She said, taking the steps slowly and inserting the key in the door. “Although food would be good.”

Leo grinned, “Let’s get you settled then I’ll phone my trusty friends.”

Once inside he sat her on the couch, raised her leg and disappeared into the kitchen. He returned a minute later with a carrier bag of ice and wrapped it around her foot. When he put the phone down CJ was trying to shrug out of her jacket.

“You want me to get Donna or someone to come round later and help you undress?”

She couldn't stifle her laugh. "Leo, if we're going to give this a shot, you're going to see me in my under things sooner or later. I think you can help me."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes. And if you can't handle it, we'll make some kind of arrangement. Okay?"

His mind went into overdrive at the thought of her in her under things, and what was under her under things. He nodded and turned his head.

“Leo,” she whispered.

Leo turned his head, and opened his mouth to speak, except he didn’t get to say a word. CJ kissed him on the side of his mouth before pulling away.

“Damn.”

“You need to give a guy warning before you do something like that.” He moved his hand to cup her cheek and gently eased his face towards hers. Stopping to look into her eyes, he parted his lips and pressed them against hers.

She kissed him back as gently as he kissed her, and finally pulled away with a smile. "But where's the fun in telling you what I'm going to do next?" she whispered.

"You're right -- that's no fun." He eased his hands onto her sides and stroked her ribcage.

CJ reached up to tug at his tie.

“I thought we agreed no sex?”

“We agreed no sex, we didn’t say anything about foreplay,” she purred, undoing his top button.

"CJ!" he spluttered indignantly.

"Or, y'know, you could just watch me..." she whispered. "I know some tricks, Leo. I have to have, since I haven't had real sex in close to four years..."

Leo gulped and undid a few more buttons, “It’s getting warm in here.”

“Here, try my ice?” she offered dropping the bag of ice gently onto his groin.

Leo jumped in the air.

“Actually I know a trick with an ice cube in my mouth.”

"I think that falls under the sex thing..." Leo squeaked.

"Oh, so the other thing is fine because it doesn't involve either of us touching the other?" she whispered. "Which is fine because I'm unusually wound-up tonight, and I need to release some tension..." She reached for the buttons of her shirt, and Leo's eyes nearly bugged out.

"CJ, you're gonna..."

"Oh stop being such a prude, Leo..."

“I’m not a prude, I’m just old fashioned,” He pouted.

“In that case you can do the honours,” she laughed.

"Of what? Giving you pleasure?"

"Something like that," she purred, taking his hand and helping him undo the buttons. "After you help me out of this stuff..."

He fumbled to work the buttons through the holes, it wasn’t so much the shaking of his hands, though they were an inconvenience, it was more a case of first time jitters.

“In my heyday I was very good at this,” he stated.

“From where I’m sitting your still pretty good at this,” she moved his hand to rest on her breast. He could feel the erect nipple through the silk and smiled when CJ whimpered.

“And if memory serves me you’re great.”

Her mouth quirked up and she licked her lips, “You can always sit back and watch!”

"Hey!" he yelped.

"Hey is for horses...,” she purred, reaching down to hike her skirt up just a tad to give her a little more mobility.

Leo swallowed and almost choked as he stared at her legs, long, going on almost forever....

“Leo,” she asks softly, “Do you often watch me?”

He nods as his hand feels for her calf, then slides gently up her leg, over her knee and rests on the exposed thigh.

“Kiss me!”

Leo lifts his eyes from her legs and gazes at her face, noticing for the first time how serene she looks.

“Anytime.” His kiss is light and feathery and all too brief as he feels her hand cover his, taking him on a journey beneath the dark blue material.

His fingers trailed gently over the inside of her thigh, following her lead. She moaned and said, "Help me out of this thing and I'll show you a few of my favourite things..."

"Julie Andrews would never have said such things..."

"She's got a kid," CJ muttered. "She had to say it at least once, there, darling."

"Darling?"

"Slip of the tongue."

"I'll show you a slip of the tongue," Leo growled, kissing her deeply, hungrily, tangling their tongues together.

CJ moaned in his mouth, her hands reaching up behind him to massage his scalp. Her fingers ran through his fine hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss. When his hand stopped mid-thigh she again covered his, urging him upwards.

Leo broke the kiss and stared at her, “We should stop this, before we reach the point of no return.”

CJ grabbed his hand firmly and crushed it against her panties; “It’s a bit late for that sweetheart.”

"Sweetheart?" he squeaked.

"We've got to have pet names for each other -- all of the couples in love do," she pouted.

"I'll call you Legs."

"Bastard," she giggled. "I'm serious -- help me out of this stuff, and I'll show you what I like. If you'll let me find out what you like..." she purred, wriggling her hips so his hand caused some obscene amounts of friction along a few of her most sensitive points.

“And the food?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Put twenty dollars in the mailbox, he’ll leave the food, we can heat it up later.”

He was about to query her sense of security when she unbuttoned her blouse and shrugged out of it. His eyes wandered over the white camisole, or rather the way it moulded to her body.

“K, I’ll be back in a sec.” He opened the door and came to face with a deliveryman, glancing back over his shoulder he tossed the guy a fifty, grabbed the food and backed into the apartment. His eyes went wide as CJ raised her arms and pulled the top off.

"Didn't your mother teach you that it's rude to stare?" she asked with mock-innocence.

"Wow," he managed to stammer. "W-wow."

"It's just a bra, Leo."

"Yeah, but it's... it's you. Your bra. It's..."

She rolled her eyes and balanced so she could shimmy out of her skirt and panties. His eyelids were like window shades -- if they could go up any further, they'd be firmly planted in his hairline.

“I sense some inequality here,” she said indicating his clothes.

His eyes remained fixed on her almost naked body.

Shimmying further down the couch CJ ran her fingers up her thigh and dipped between her legs. Keeping her eyes locked on him she repeated the process and whimpered.

His eyes widened even further, if that was possible. "Wha... what do you want me to do?" he asked. He wasn't sure if she was just playing with his head, or if she was being serious. And he wasn't sure if he really wanted to find out or not.

"If I have to tell you, it's been way too long," she moaned, her fingers finding the most sensitive part of her clit and rubbing. Her moans increased and she stared up at Leo, who was most definitely in the middle of a raging hard-on. "Aren't you going to help me?" she whimpered, panting.

“Take off your bra,” he whispered.

“Give me your hand,” she moaned back.

Leo stepped closer to the couch and perched on the coffee table. CJ reached for his hand, lifted it to her lips and sucked it in. Leo made an inane sound as she nibbled gently. He froze for a second as she lowered the wet finger to her clit, but as he brushed against her lightly she moaned deeply and he began to rub the swelling. Reaching behind her CJ unclasped the bra and threw it on the floor with the rest of her clothes.

Her eyes closed and she arched against his hand, moaning, whimpering, her breath catching in desperate little pants as she came closer and closer to the edge.

Leo decided as he watched her that she was definitely a sexual woman, and that having been stifled for so long had affected her greatly. Her eyes opened and her blue irises glowed with arousal as her lips parted and she gasped, "Leo..."

"Yes?" he croaked.

"I need you..." she moaned. He had hardly touched her, and already she needed him inside her. This was why she never let anyone get close to her. It was too easy to open up and need them even more.

Leo extended his two middle fingers on his free hand and she sucked on them hungrily before he slid them out. Leaning forward he ran them up her thigh towards her opening. Gently he eased them in, moaning as she clenched around him.

“Wow!” he gasped as he began to twist them up inside her in time to his other ministrations.

“Leo, I meant…”

“Let it go, please, I want to watch you. Let me do this one thing for you.”

His fingers slipped a little to the side of her clit and she nearly leapt off the couch as she came in one explosive moment. She made no sound, but her mouth opened into a shocked little "o" as she shuddered and collapsed, beginning to breathe again. "Oh... my God..." she panted, even as he began his ministrations again, a little differently, not sure if any accidental movements would, again, send her off the deep end.

“Amazing,“ he muttered.

CJ looked at him through new eyes. Here he was, fully clothed, revelling in the knowledge that he could do this to her, when it was obvious from his body posture that he needed his own release even more. With clumsy hands CJ fumbled with his shirt buttons, popping one or two as she went. She groaned when she saw the tight white t-shirt.

“Leo, you’re going to have to help me,” she stammered.

“Ya want me to stop?” he asked a little perplexed.

“Yes, no. Just for a second. I want to…” it sounded silly in her head.

“What?”

“…I need to see you, feel you against me.”

"Oh," he croaked. "Okay..." His hands left her so he could slowly, fumblingly, remove his clothes. CJ moaned, a plea for him to go faster. She wanted him now, and she could hardly wait to feel his skin touching hers. His body against hers. Him inside of her....

Leo slid his pants and boxers down, and she stifled a deep, needy moan of appreciation.

“The blue jeans didn’t do you justice.”

“I used to be in the services, I know how to keep in shape,” he said holding out his sticky hands to hers.

“I wish I’d known you then, a man in uniform and all,” she sighed.

Leo shook his head, “You would have been eight or something. Here take my hand, if I’m going to rock your world it’s going to be somewhere more comfortable than this.”

"My couch is comfortable," she said indignantly.

"Yeah, but I'll be sore tomorrow, and grouchy, and besides -- tomorrow, we'll rock the desk."

"Which desk?"

"Mine."

"Why yours?" she grumped, getting up and hobbling towards her bedroom, using the walls as a support.

“Because Margaret scares Josh and Sam.”

“Fair point.” CJ slumped onto the bed, “Hang on did you say rock my world?”

“I was wondering when you’d notice that,” he grinned, lifting her feet off the ground and organising pillows around her head.

Leo climbed on the bed next to her and pushed her hair off her face, leaning in to kiss her lightly on the lips. CJ wrapped one arm around his neck increasing the pressure of the kiss while the other dipped into her own wetness, smearing it over Leo’s tip.

He groaned in the back of his throat and thrust his hips forward against her.

She broke away to murmur, "So, where's your guitar, Mr. Rock Your World?"

"What?"

"You've gotta have a guitar to rock my world..."

"I'll take lessons." He kissed her again, grinding his hips against hers.

CJ arched her back and moaned, as his wet tip rubbed against her tiny red curls.

“Leo?” she moaned softly.

“CJ?”

“Sometimes you have to see what happens,” she murmured wrapping her fingers around his throbbing erection and gently easing him to her opening. “And sometimes you just have to go for it,” she cried pushing herself down onto him.

He made a strangled sound, almost coming immediately when he felt her around him. But somehow, he hung on just a little longer.

"I've wanted... this... for.... so long," CJ gasped on tiny pants as she worked hard to bring herself back to the edge. Leo thought he was going to die, listening to some of the noises she was making in the back of her throat.

He wanted release, but he wanted to prolong this with her, in the end the decision was taken out of his hands as she grabbed the sheets and raised her body. Her muscles contracted as she rose the length of his shaft, moaned and slammed herself back down.

“I’m not… going to last… too long,” he panted, willing himself to wait.

“Screw that,” she cried, positioning her body to lift up again. “Next time we’re try tantric sex, right now I want you to….”

He didn’t want to hear the words. Leo braced himself on his elbows and pulled himself almost all the way out. “You okay there?” he asked.

CJ moved her hand between them, poised to aid him if necessary. “I think…I’ve been ready…for this since…the campaign,” she panted as he wriggled his hips.

He raised his hips, sliding into her with one neat, heavy, hot stroke, and smiled when she tilted her head back, moaning, her body convulsing reflexively as she began to find release. He continued his movements, and when she imploded around him, he lost himself within her.

Then next thing she knew, she was opening her eyes and was just lying on top of him. "Leo?" she whispered.

His muffled grunt was the only reply.

"You okay?" she asked, rolling off of him and pulling the covers back up around them.

“Mm, hungry,” he muttered, opening his eyes.

“When was the last time you ate in bed?” CJ asked.

Leo rolled over on to his side and propped himself up on his elbow, “Never.”

“And I bet you’ve never had nuked pizza for breakfast.”

He shook his head, “Just a few of the culinary delights I have to look forward to with you?”

“There are other things to look forward to,” she whispered lifting her foot gingerly to rest on his leg and wincing.

"Are YOU okay?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yeah..." She sighed in annoyance as the phone rang and she reached for it. "Hello? Ben? What's wrong? Oh shit..." She sat up and swung her legs off the bed. "Okay, I'll try to get a flight out -- can you try to keep him in one place? Thanks." She hung up and looked at Leo. "I have to go -- my dad's been wandering around all day and almost got run over. Leo, someone has to take care of him. It might as well be me. I'll... I'll bring him back with me, I guess, but I just... I have to go." She stood up and nearly fell to the floor. "Shit!"

Leo watched her as she limped and cringed in pain. “And you can’t go alone, not like this.” More softly he added, “Who do want to come with you?”

CJ shook her head, negotiating her way around the bed, “There’s too much going on right now.”

“Well it’s sorted then,” he stated, jumping out of bed and marching into the living room. CJ almost laughed as he swung from side to side, totally at ease with his nakedness.

He re-appeared a few seconds later, phone to his ear, a bundle of clothes clutched to his chest.

“Call me back when you have the details. Yeah, two seats on business class to San Francisco and a car waiting. One in my name, the other in CJ’s.”

She rolled her eyes and waited till he was off the phone to say, "Look, it's not like you can afford to come with me right now -- there's too much going on. I don't know how I can do this myself, Leo. Simon will have to do the briefings, sit in on staff.... dammit." She rubbed her forehead and tried to pull on a pair of jeans, jerking in pain when her foot got caught in the leg.

"Let me help," Leo said softly. "CJ, if you want me to stay here, I will."

"I want you to come," she whispered after a moment's hesitation.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

“Where do you keep your case, I’ll pack for you while you get dressed?”

CJ sighed, “I didn’t expect this.”

Leo crossed back to the bed and dropped the clothes. Sorting through them he started to get dressed.

“No one does. But I’m here for whatever you need.”

“Not exactly the post coital activity you had in mind,” she groaned indicting the wardrobe and her case.

“Hey, as we speak Margaret is asking herself if we are eloping. I am so da man.”

CJ laughed.

When she sobered, she looked up at him. "Why don't we, though?"

"Why don't we what?"

"Elope."

"CJ! We hardly even... we don't know if it could work between us yet..." he stammered.

"Leo, I think it will work. And if it doesn't, there's always divorce."

“You’re kidding right?” he said noticing the glint in her eye, “you’re joshing me?”

“Yeah, sorry. Maybe we’ll wait until after the second time we’ve had sex.”

“Better pack you birth certificate then,” he added.

They spent the next five minutes packing the minimal belongings she needed before the phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Leo, the flight’s in two hours from Dulles, the cars need picking up from the Hertz stand. Toby is organising Josh and Simon to cover. How long are you going to be?” she asked, brushing Toby’s hands away.

“We don’t know. If anyone asks CJ is on family business, I’m on a fundraising trip. You’ve spoken to Toby?”

"Um, yeah," Margaret stammered. "He's okay with it."

"Okay. Make sure Josh knows he's gotta play my job for a while -- and not to piss off the corn farmers."

"Okay," Margaret said, hanging up.

Leo turned to look at CJ, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, slumped over a little.

“We can phone Ben from the airport. It’s going to be okay,” he said softly.

CJ shook her head, “Ya think?”

“Sure, we’ll go down there and you can make the decision then. Don’t cross bridges until they reach them,” he sat down on the bed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Besides you got me now.”

"I'm stuck with you?" she said in mock horror. "Oh, the terror, the horror, the evil..."

"Oh hush," Leo laughed, kissing her on the side of the head and snaking his arm around her waist possessively.

"Okay," she whispered, leaning her head onto his shoulder.

A few seconds later he coughs, “As nice as this is we need to get going. Go and grab your bits from the bathroom and I’ll give the President a call.”

She smiles warmly as she extracts herself from him and disappears into the bathroom. When she re-emerges he is just ending his call. Dumping the washbag on top of her clothes she asks,

“What did the President have to say?”

“Not to rush back. I’m to phone him three times a day and if you want to bring him back to call Abbey.” His voice dropped lowered as he added, “and a few indiscreet questions.”

CJ laughed, “I’m really glad you’re coming with me. What about your clothes?”

Leo shook his head and held out one hand to her and picked up the case with the other. “I’m fine, I can buy whatever I need when we get there.”

She nodded. "Okay. Let's go, then."

Six and a half hours later, they landed in San Francisco, and CJ got her rental car first, and Leo followed her as she drove, pedal to the metal, the hour and a half to Napa. They pulled up outside a nice little house and CJ ran for the front door, or rather limped.

Leo waited in the car until the front door opened and CJ disappeared inside. As he approached, a young man came to greet him,

“Mr McGarry, thank you for bringing Claudia.”

“Leo, please. How’s your father?”

Ben Cregg shook his head, “Hell if I know, Claudie’s the only one he responds to. I’m sorry, please come in.”

Leo nodded and followed him into what once had to have been a beautiful house. But the wallpaper was tattered and fading, the windows hadn't been cleaned in a long time, and it just looked like no one had taken care of anything. He followed the sound of CJ's voice to the living room, and watched as she sat with her father, helping him to work the television remote so he could watch something other than CNN. "Daddy," she said softly, "I thought we agreed that you wouldn't go to the store without someone to help you."

"I don't need help."

"Daddy, please -- don't make this harder than it is already. You do need some help -- don't you remember what happened today? You put things away and can't remember where they are. And you went outside and couldn't remember where you were going. I want to take you back to DC with me."

“To your home, in LA, with the pool?”

CJ feels the tears well up, “No daddy, to Washington, where the President lives.”

He looks at her blankly and her eyes skitter around the room until she fixes on Leo. “And you remember Leo?”

Leo smiles and moves to shake the older man’s hand, “Mr Cregg?”

Her father is smiling and shaking Leo’s hand with vigour, “And are you taking care of my Claudia, when am I going to see grandchildren?”

CJ's face flushed bright pink. "Okay, Daddy, that's enough of that..."

"Oh no it's not! Leo's a fine man, Claudia, you should settle down... start a family..."

"Daddy, you know I'm too busy for that right now," she said, looking up at Leo, tears in her eyes as she watched helplessly her father slip further into his 'unhearing' mode.

"Nonsense! You should have many babies, Claudia -- you'd make a wonderful mother. After all, you're only in your twenties... plenty of time for a career after babies."

Her eyes widened and she stammered, "Excuse me," before hobbling out into the hallway and bursting into tears.

Leo took the vacated seat on the couch, “So, Mr Cregg, how about a vacation? You can come stay with us, help us find a home for all these grandchildren.”

“With a pool and a patio, need a patio for barbecues.”

Leo smiled and patted his hand.

“CJ, are you really taking him home?” Ben asked.

Wiping her eyes on her sleeve CJ looked at him, “Yeah, there’s no other choice. I’ll put him to bed in a minute, then tomorrow I’ll sort the necessary things out.”

“And you and Leo are living together?”

“What?” she gasped.

“Leo told dad he was coming to stay with you both.”

"No, we're not living together -- I don't know why he said that," CJ choked out, wiping her eyes.

"Probably just to humour dad."

"Probably." She hesitated just a second, then said, "You're not mad at me for taking him home, are you?"

"Of course not. He's always been better for you than with me. And I understand why you feel obligated to do it."

"Yeah," she said quietly. "Has he said anything to you about your kids?"

"No. He's completely fixated on you having kids. You'd think he didn't know he had three grandkids already, the way he goes on."

CJ nodded. "I'm gonna get something to drink."

She stood in the kitchen staring into the fridge. She had been looking for the juice but the sight of her mother’s photo on the top shelf had stopped her in her tracks.

“CJ?” he called softly, coming up behind her. “Are you okay?”

“Mom’s in the fridge?”

“She looks a lot like you.”

“Yeah,” she whispered grabbing the juice bottle and turning to face him.

Leo stepped closer and wrapped himself around her tightly, squeezing her ribcage before releasing her.

“What was that for?”

He grinned, “You looked like you needed a hug.”

“Thanks. Would it be too much to ask you to help me put him to bed? Ben needs to get home.”

“Anything for you.”

She smiled and bit her lip. "I think we can pretty much count on our hotel rooms being unused tonight. I can't leave him, and you won't leave me, so we've got a little bit of a dilemma."

"I'll sleep on the couch down here," Leo volunteered tiredly.

"No, don't worry about it, okay? I've got to do some cleaning up anyway, so..." She shrugged. "The guest room is up the stairs, first door on the left."

"CJ..."

"Just get some sleep, Leo, okay?" Her hands were shaking as she rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"You look like you're going to fall over," he said softly, easing her into a hug. "It's okay, y'know. To cry, I mean. I won't think any less of you."

“I’ll think less of me.” CJ broke away from the embrace. “Let’s just get him to bed then you can get some sleep.”

An hour later her father was dozing, still fully dressed, with the covers pulled up around him. Leo had disappeared into the guest room ten minutes before leaving her to watch over her father. Leaning in CJ kissed him gently on the forehead and padded down the hall to her old room. Things hadn’t changed much since she left home at seventeen, the same pink comforter, the same two-toned walls and her stuffed animals on the shelf. Picking up the grey rabbit she curled up on the bed and sobbed her heart out.

Leo crossed the landing and pushed open the door, he watched as she curled herself up tighter and tighter. Slowly he crossed to her and sat next to her.

He reached out to gently stroke her back, and she recoiled, then settled into it, mumbling incoherent things through her tears.

"Ssh..." Leo whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Just cry, CJ, it's really okay to just let it all out and cry," he assured her.

When she finally stopped crying, she whispered, "I know it's too much to ask that things stay the same." She sniffled and wiped her eyes on her wrist. "But then again, if wishes were horses..."

Leo smiled a little and lay down beside her, curling up around her from behind, holding her tightly. "You know I'm here for you, no matter what," he said, kissing the back of her neck through her hair.

“We may have only been together one night but I’ve wanted this for a lot longer.”

He felt her smile as she rolled over to face him. “This is Peter Rabbit.”

“I know I said I’d do anything but I draw the line at talking to stuffed animals,” he grinned.

“What about taking your clothes off so I can hold you?”

“That I can do.” He released her and stripped down to his T-shirt and shorts. “Can I hold you?”

She nodded. "Do you mind if I hold Peter?"

"Oh, so now I'm in a threesome with a rabbit?" he teased.

"It could've been Ms. Henny-Penny over there," CJ giggled.

"Oy," Leo muttered. "The things I do..." He settled down behind her again and pulled the covers up around them. "Now, I draw the line firmly right before singing you a lullaby."

"Good, because I've heard you sing before," CJ laughed, poking him in the ribs with her elbow.

"Marry me," he whispered a little later, as they both drifted drowsily in each others' arms.

“Mm,” she moaned nestling closer to him.

Leo kissed her forehead and smiled, thinking perhaps he should ask her again when she was conscious.

Leo awoke the next morning to find himself hugging the off grey rabbit. He threw it across the bed and sat up, CJ was nowhere in sight. Quickly he pulled on the rest of his clothes and headed downstairs. He found her in the kitchen on the phone, her father by her side dipping toast into an egg.

She looked up when he entered and covered the phone with her hand.

“Morning sleepyhead, can you help him?”

"With what?" Leo asked, sitting down. "He looks like he's set to me..."

"He's having trouble remembering how he likes his coffee, and I don't have anymore ideas," CJ hissed. "Yes, I know, yes..." she said into the phone. "Okay. If it gets that bad, I'll put him into a home, Dr. Reynolds. Thank you, though -- you can send me a referral. The address is in his file." She hung up and watched as Leo poured a cup of coffee.

"You like sugar?" Leo asked Thomas.

"Not really."

"Cream?"

"Eh... no."

"CJ, what's in the fridge?" Leo asked.

"I don't know, let me check. Would Irish Crème Coffeemate fit the bill?" she called back a moment later, her head stuck in the fridge.

"Yeah, that's it..." Thomas said, taking another bite of toast.

“CJ, you want another?”

She nodded and picked up the phone to dial again. Leo poured a coffee for Thomas and one for himself before claiming the only free seat.

“Whattya doing?”

CJ waved her hands and shrugged, “mostly on hold. So far I’ve spoken to the doctor, the airline, a hundred of my relatives…”

Leo waggled his eyebrows.

“Yeah, well it feels like it. I’m now trying to speak to the First Lady.”

Thomas got up and dropped his trousers to his knees.

Leo looked at CJ.

“Oh no, he’s always done that, ever since I was small. It’s easier to tuck his shirt in.”

"Yeah, but..."

She waved him off. "Don't worry about it, Leo. Hello, Abbey? It's CJ. Look, I'm going to need some help getting my apartment 'daddy-proofed'..."

“Is it that different to Josh proof?” she laughed. “I’ll speak to someone in family services, can you get me his medical records and I’ll refer him to someone here?”

“Yeah, there’s a flight two days from now. Can the President manage without Leo for that long?”

Leo groaned.

“Jed will just have to now won’t he? Are you sure you’re going to be able to manage?” She asked quite seriously.

“With Leo for two days? He’s a teddy bear. With my…hang on…Daddy, where are you going?” she asked waving at Leo.

"Mr. Cregg," Leo said, reaching out to grab Thomas's arm. "Where are you going?"

"To find the shell Martha gave me to give to Claudia," Thomas said. "She said if anything happened to her, I should give it to Claudia -- I've kept it on the shelf..."

"Hold on, Abbey," CJ said quietly. "Daddy, you gave me the shell when mom died, remember?"

“CJ, go, I’ll talk to you later,” Abbey whispered, ending the call.

CJ threw down the phone and took hold of the other side of her father. “Hey, I’ve got an idea, why don’t Leo and I get dressed and we can go to the beach.”

“You should get married on the beach.”

Leo glanced at CJ and shrugged. “Then we can go somewhere nice for lunch, make a day of it.”

CJ waggled her eyebrows, “Let’s just see how it goes. For now, come into the lounge and I’ll put the TV on, ’k?”

Her father nodded.

"What would you like to watch?" CJ asked. "You like Cartoon Network, don't you?"

"I like the Smurfs," Thomas muttered. "You used to sit and watch Smurfs with me when you came to visit."

She thought for a minute, than nodded and smiled. "You used to call me Smurfette..." she laughed, putting her arms around his shoulders and hugging him. "I've got a better idea than the beach -- and closer, too. Why don't we go see a movie?"

"Not one of those bad action movies," Thomas grumbled.

"Nah -- Leo doesn't like those. He's a big old softie -- he likes the chick flicks like you do."

Leo was pouting and grinning at the same time, “Yeah, something with a PG rating. I’ll be back in ten,’ He said heading upstairs. When he came back down ten minutes later father and daughter were watching cartoons, cuddled up on the sofa. CJ looked up when he entered and giggled.

“See, I told you Hawaiian would work. And shorts too,” her eyes trailed down his legs, “Mm very nice.”

“Go,” he ordered.

CJ smiled and jumped up, “I won’t be long, Leo is going to sit with you.” As she passed she reached out and squeezed his bottom.

He turned so his eyes connected with hers, and she smiled. "I'll be right back," she promised.

Ten minutes later, she came back downstairs, finishing buttoning down her sweater. She heard her father's voice say, "How could you not know the Jetsons? That's like not knowing about Charlie Brown!"

CJ stifled a laugh. "He doesn't know Charlie Brown, either," she commented dryly, coming up behind Leo and pressing a kiss to the crown of his head. Thomas grinned smugly, and said, "I thought so."

"You thought so what, daddy?"

"I always thought there was more to you two than met the eye."

"Leo was married," CJ protested.

"WAS," Thomas said. "Now he's free, isn't he?"

"Um..."

"So he can marry you. He's a nice boy, even if he doesn't know his cartoons."

“Does that mean I have your permission for your daughter’s hand in marriage?” Leo asked smirking at CJ.

“Will you take good care of her? Provide me with a hoard of grandchildren? And keep her satisfied?” Thomas asked holding onto his daughter’s hand.

CJ looked between them a look of horror on her face.

“I’ll certainly try Sir,” Leo replied taking the man’s outstretched hand in his own.

“That’s good enough for me,” he said pushing CJ’s hand into Leo’s.

“Don’t I have a say in this?” CJ squealed.

Leo gave her his widest grin, “Yeah, you get to pick the ring.”

"But what if I don't want to get married right now?" she spluttered.

"Tough tiddly," Thomas snapped. "You've been lax enough in choosing a husband and settling down. He loves you, you obviously love him, just do it already."

CJ blushed. "Um... okay."

"And for god's sake, please don't tell me you've had sex already. My daughter is not a slut, Mr. McGarry -- she was raised right."

CJ stifled an out-of-control giggle.

“No Sir, CJ is many things but certainly not a slut,” Leo said. “So what do you want honey, a beach wedding, a rose garden wedding, or shall I just hire a wedding planner?” Leo chuckled.

CJ glared daggers at him, “I think it’s time we went out, don’t you?”

“My little girl is going to have a white wedding. She’s always been a good catholic girl…”

Leo turned away smiling.

“It will have to be in church and Lottie’s girl had five bridesmaids, so you’re have to have six at least. I’ve always thought pink was nice…”

Leo extracted himself from the room as CJ’s face paled, muttering, “Abbey’s going to love this.”

"I HAVEN'T EVEN SAID YES YET!" CJ exclaimed in a panic. "Not that you ever asked, either!" she shouted at Leo and poked him in the chest. "You men think you have ever right to boss us around, but no -- I'm NOT going to take it!" She pointed at her father. "You, you are going to stop dictating my life to me." ANd she glared at Leo, saying, "And as for YOU... where do I even start?"

“I love you. You’re beautiful, you’re spontaneous, when you walk in a room my heart beats a little faster. You are my soul mate…,” he thought perhaps the last one was a little too much but hey at least her eyes were twinkling. “…And your smile what I wouldn’t do for that smile.”

"Well..." she said, her resolve melting a little. "Maybe I could be persuaded to a nice wedding, but NO PINK," she said in her father's direction. "And you, Leo, still haven't asked me if I'll marry you."

"Yes, actually, I did."

"When?"

"Last night."

"And what did I say?" she asked, unable to remember any such conversation.

"You really didn't say anything," Leo said, dodging a glare from Thomas.

"You defiled my daughter's honour by sleeping with her last night?!"

“With all due respect Sir, she was crying and I held her and she fell asleep…and there were clothes between us,” he added.

“Okay then.”

“WHAt exactly did you say last night?” she asked bearing down on Leo.

Leo swallowed, “I said, Claudia Jean, will you make me the happiest man alive and become my wife?”

“That was it?” she exclaimed.

“Uh, I said I loved you.”

"I don't believe a word of it, but yeah, I'll marry you," she laughed, leaning forward to kiss him on the lips softly.

"Ahem, step away from my daughter," Thomas growled.

“Daddy?” CJ cried.

“He’s old enough to be your father and Jewish too, you can’t marry a Jewish man.”

Leo opens his mouth and closes it again.

“Daddy,” she responds more calmly, “that’s Toby, this is Leo.”

"There's no difference. No man is good enough for my little girl."

CJ stared at Leo in helpless frustration and infinite pain. "Daddy, please listen to me," she begged. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have brought Leo with me. I just want you to be happy, daddy," she placated, rubbing Thomas's arm.

"I'd be happy with grandchildren."

"Ben and Marcia have given you grandchildren, daddy..."

"It's not the same as you," he sighed.

"Daddy, if you're going to come live with me, you're going to have to shape up," CJ snapped. "I can't have you going off on everyone just because I happen to cry, okay? It's not going to work. Now, apologize to Leo." When he didn't do anything, CJ grabbed his arm and pinched. "I said, NOW."

“NO.”

“Then fine, I’ll be outside when you decide to do it my way,” she snapped marching past both of them and slamming the door.

Leo flinched, remembering just how many times he’d slammed doors on her.

“It’s okay Sir, just go out and tell her you’ve apologized. It’s easier that way,” Leo said.

“She doesn’t understand.”

“I’m sorry, what doesn’t she understand?”

“This,” he announced, gesturing with his hands. “What it’s like to lose the woman you love.” He crossed his arms across his chest. “She thinks I’m going senile.”

“She’s just concerned,” Leo tried calmly.

Thomas shook his head, “Bossy, obstinate, forthright. She’s her mother all over again. I forget things, I’m old.”

“Yes sir.”

He changed his stance and began to pace, “I’m hungry, want to go for KFC?”

Leo shrugged, realising where CJ got her penchant for changing topics from. “Sure.” He took the old man’s hand and led him out to his car, shouting over his shoulder, “CJ, we’ll be back in an hour.”

There was no answer, not that he had really expected one.

By the time they returned, Leo and Thomas had had a good manly discussion over ways to warm CJ's heart.

Thomas had kept Leo amused by tales of CJ's youth, and her penchant for mischief that, apparently, had been tamed over the years. And Leo had settled on buying her a dozen white roses the next morning.

When they returned to the house, CJ was sitting sullenly in front of CNN, muttering as she watched Simon mess up part of a briefing.

"Stupid son of a bitch," she mumbled.

"We're back," Leo called.

"Good -- maybe you can restrain me from calling and reaming Simon a new asshole for making a bollocks out of the treaty with Tunisia."

“Claudia Jean, what your mouth. Leo wants a lady for his wife.”

Leo backed up a good ten feet.

“LEO can have me the way I am or lump it.” Her face soften, “Did you have a good time?”

Thomas nodded, “Leo’s great company, and he has a large portfolio,” he announced nodding to his daughter. “But you’ll have to excuse me I need a nap.”

She waited till he was out of the room before pouncing on Leo. "A big portfolio? Is that all he cares about?"

"He wants you to be well provided for, CJ," Leo explained patiently. "Which I can do, amply." He took her hand and rhythmically rubbed her fingers and knuckles with his own. "Y'know, I could do with a nap, too. Couldn't you?"

"Not here!" CJ protested on a squeak. "Daddy will..."

"Your father already knows."

"YOU TOLD HIM?"

"He figured it out himself -- he's old and tired, CJ. Not senile -- not yet anyway."

“What else did you talk about?” she asked shifting until she could lay her head in the crook of his neck.

“Billy Bradshaw, Hickys, your eighth grade social studies paper and the fact you were on the pill at seventeen,” he looked thoughtful for a second, “oh and something about you, a fairy costume and a pond!” He shrugged and glanced down to catch her flushed face.

“No secrets then?”

“No, definitely not.” Leo kissed her forehead, “except I still haven’t gotten to see what you’re like when you wake up.”

"I'm atrocious," she giggled. "Absolutely horrible."

"I'm sure you're not..." He bent down to kiss her softly on the lips.

Thomas leaned down over the banister and yelled, "GET A ROOM!"

CJ giggled, “It’s gotta be twenty two years since he caught me making out on his couch.”

“As long as it was only making out,” Leo whispered. “Now why don’t we take his advice and make use of your old room.”

CJ grimaces slightly and waves her hands.

“What?”

“It’s just…yesterday…I’m not…”

“CJ, no secrets remember?”

She took a deep breath, “Have you got anything with you? We didn’t use anything yesterday and I can’t take the pill, and I don’t want you to have to take responsibility for anything that might happen.” She let out the breath.

“You’re channelling Ainsley now?”

"Yeah, I'm channelling Ainsley," she agreed, taking a deep breath.

"Oh, for crimeny's sake!" Thomas bellowed. "Go make me a grandbaby!"

CJ closed her eyes and turned beet red. "Oh. My. God," she mumbled.

“He has a point Poptart, neither of us are getting any younger and if we don’t do this soon I’ll be…like eighty when he graduates.”

“You know there are many things wrong with that sentence, POPTART? We’ll cover that later. I am not getting old, I’m maturing, and he, I’ll have you know it will be a girl.”

Leo bites on his lip to stop the grin forming, “Sure Cornflakes. But can we go upstairs…?”

"CORNFLAKES?! DADDY, I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" she shrieked.

"All's fair in love and breakfast foods," Thomas laughed. "I'm going to take my nap now. Try to behave yourselves, please."

CJ waited until she heard the door close behind him before she literally pounced on Leo, driving him onto the couch. "You are mine," she growled.

“And you my Waffle are all mine,” he whispered as he slid down beneath her, his hands snaking up under her T-shirt, exposing her stomach.

CJ couldn’t help but pull it up a little higher, giving him a glimpse of her naked chest. If his breathing was anything to go by he had noticed.

Leo kissed her navel and followed the gentle groove from her stomach to the vee between her breasts.

She stifled a moan and glared down at him. "Playing dirty already?" she giggled as he tickled her with his warm breath.

"Oh, I intend to make you scream for more..."

"Not with daddy around!" she squealed in hushed tones.

"Why not? We'll have to do this later with him around, too..."

"Damn it, I hate when you're right."

“You love me really,” he blew against her skin as his nose worked its way up under the cotton until his mouth was poised over her nipple. Instead of sucking down he lightly licked on the flesh around, causing CJ to whimper.

“Revenge will be sweet,” she muttered.

His hands came up from under her and with one fluid movement the T-shirt came over her head.

"So beautiful, Muffin, and all mine..." he said with a smirk.

"Uh-uh, they're MINE, and you can't have them," she giggled as he rolled them off the couch into a heap on the floor. He became the victor, pinning her to the ground with an evil smile.

"All mine," he said possessively.

Ducking his head he began planting kisses everywhere that wasn’t covered except her most sensitive areas.

“Leo?”

“Yeah,” he replied, his mouth full of CJ.

“I feel like I’m eighteen again.”

“When I was eighteen I could go all night.”

“Is that a promise?” she purred.

Leo took both her hands in one of his and with the other fumbled with her pants.

"Y'know, I'm not into the whole bondage thing..." CJ giggled.

"Yeah, but I know you too well already -- you'll touch and spoil it all for me," he laughed, sliding her jeans over her hips one-handed.

"You're hurting me," she said.

"If you'd stop moving, it wouldn't hurt," he pointed out.

"Okay, it was worth a try," she sighed. He slid her panties down her legs and his fingers found her clit, making her moan with delighted satisfaction. He found that most sensitive spot again, and was rewarded by her grinding against his hand in a frantic rhythm until she exploded with a hoarse cry of his name.

“When you were eighteen did you not even try to muffle the sound?”

“Billy didn’t make me scream, he did however educate me on the art of faking.”

Leo’s eyes went wide and she almost felt sorry for him, “I am not, nor have I, nor will I ever fake it with you,” she stated, reaching up to kiss him soundly.

Leo’s finger dipped inside of her and she clenched around him, her moan vibrating against his teeth.

“Of course,” she whispered conspiratorially, “if you don’t come inside me soon I won’t get the opportunity to prove it.”

He laughed, his voice husky and deeper than normal. "Just remember that I have your father on my side now..."

"You bribed him with..." He dropped his shorts and slid into her slowly, and her words became gasps of pleasure. "Kentucky... Fried... ChicKEN!" she shrieked as he hit deep inside her.

“Your pet name for me has wings and strange legs,” he whispered. “For that I might just…” He slid slowly out of her and grinned.

“Might what?” she moaned.

Leo thrust himself back into her in one long stroke. CJ screamed and arched her back.

“Right McGarry.” Her legs wove their way around his waist and crossed behind his back. Rocking gently to gain momentum she turned them over until she was on top. “Let go of my hands,” she whispered against his ear, “and I promise you an orgasm to remember.”

Leo turned to look at her and groaned when he saw the desire in her eyes. Letting go of her hands he was surprised when she sat up.

"Sit up," she instructed, voice heavy. "Brace yourself against the couch."

"And you get to be on top?" he questioned with a wicked gleam in his eye.

"Only because you never let anyone else top you," she purred, helping him up into a semi-reclining position. She cupped his ass in her hands and began to rock her hips. "DOn't try to keep time," she said, as he began to thrust into her, grinding against her. She slid off of him with a low moan and suddenly slammed herself back onto him. The force and friction of that simple movement blew what little mind he had left, and he breathed raggedly as he met her thrust for thrust. She slammed down once again and devoured his lips with her own. She continued to move at a fevered pace, delaying her own orgasm as long as possible, wanting to encourage him.

“CJ,” he growled, “I can’t hold off much longer.”

“Leo,” his name sounded like everything she had ever desired to his ears. “I want you now, I want you to feel you, I want to hear you say it,” she said, her voice low and husky.

Leo looked up at her eyes wide before his lids fluttered closed. Pulling himself out, taking the one steady breath he needed he thrust into the wetness, “CJ,” he cried, her name several syllables longer than usual, as he came inside her.

She clenched around him, her climax washing over her like a wave on a beach. She didn't know if she said anything, or not. But when she collapsed against him, she was seeing stars. "I..." she gasped, bending down to kiss him. "I..."

"You what?"

"I have the most incredible headache," she confessed, cracking up and resting her forehead against his. "You did something no one else has ever been able to do -- you made me come so hard, I've got a headache!"

"Good -- you'll remember me forever," he whispered. "Claudia, I love you."

“Well that’s definitely a pre-resiquite for marriage,” she muttered.

“Why don’t you go up to your room, I’ll make you something to eat, because as much as I like you stroking my ego, I doubt you’ve eaten today.” He grinned and she kissed him again.

“And you’re coming up to join me?”

Leo patted her bottom, “not right now, but with an hour’s sleep, who knows?”

CJ broke into uncontrollable giggles, “You are a funny man.”

“And you’re saying this to me after we had sex?” he asked, his eyebrows at his hairline.

"Live from Napa, California, it's the Leo McGarry post-coital stand up routine!" she giggled.

"Get upstairs," he laughed, handing her some of her clothes so she could get decent. "Your father will have a fit if we're down here lounging around naked."

"He and mom used to do it all of the time when I was really little..." she said quietly as she slipped back into her jeans. "I don't know why I remember that."

“It’s me, we can go to pub quizzes and ace the nostalgia round,” he said, trying to lift the mood.

“Yeah, but what happens when they get to the Abstinence Plus round?”

They both said together, “Call Toby.”

CJ headed upstairs and he went into the kitchen. A little later she heard him climb the stairs and suddenly remembered she’d forgotten to tell him which treads to avoid. He entered her bedroom with a grin and a tray of food. CJ sat up on the bed and lowered the sheet to show him how little she was wearing.

“I brought sandwiches, chips, candy, crackers, cheese and a jar of something. The fridge is now empty.”

“You might want to toss the jar, it’s apple sauce, circa 1990.”

“OKAy,” Leo cringed removing his clothes and climbing in next to her. “Eat woman.”

She held up a sandwich half, and took a bite, saying around the food, "Y'know, I'm not gonna be able to eat this all..."

"I know," he laughed, reaching for a cracker topped with swiss cheese. "You want some?"

"Yes," she purred. "But, then again, I'm not talking about food..."

"I know." His hand slid beneath the covers to rest on her hip, stroking gently. "So, so far, we've had two explosive rounds of pure smutty sex, and no real lovemaking."

"Oh, but I love smutty sex!" CJ protested.

“As do I my darling,” he whispered, “but it hardly reflects my feelings for you.”

“So you’re good to go?” she teased.

Leo groaned, “I’m not a horse, nor am I a twenty year old stud.”

“But you’re a stud,” she mumbled around the sandwich, “remember my father wants grandchildren.”

“You father wants you to have six.”

Her eyebrows rose at that. “So what you’re saying is you’d like a nap and later can we take it a little slower.”

“It’s not a slur on your technique,” he assured her as she passed him the tray and slid beneath the covers. “Uh, CJ, what are you doing?”

"Raising the dead, because I don't think we have much time to lose if we want even one child," she said from beneath the sheets, her voice muffled. Leo just about jumped out of his skin as her chilly hands closed around him.

"FOR GOD'S SAKE, THAT'S NOT GONNA HELP!" he yelped.

She rolled her eyes. "Sit up, would you, please?" He complied warily, then moaned as she began to massage two little dimples just behind his hips.

"Oh God, CJ..." he groaned and she smirked with satisfaction as he began to swell into her hand again.

"Don't ever say I can't do something," she purred.

“I stand corrected,” he snorted, his brain trying to process inane trivia. If his friendship with Jed had prepared him for anything it was this. But then thinking of his best friend during sex was liable to make him go limp not slow down.

“CJ?” he called, picking up a bar of candy and munching on it. “Do you think the bit about the President’s trying different methods to conceive a boy was true?”

It was quickly followed by a yelp as her teeth clamped down on his tip.

"CLAUDIA!"

"Don't say that as if a boy was any better than a girl," came her muffled growl. "Because I swear to God, I will prove you wrong..."

"Jeez, down girl! I was just saying..."

"If you wear special underwear, Leo, I will personally hurt you," she promised, sucking gently on the underside of his turgid cock. "Or laugh as the underwear hurt you..."

"I get the... picture," he groaned, thrusting his hips forward.

"I don't want to give you a blow job," CJ muttered, her head coming out from under the covers.

"What do you want, then?"

"I want you to make me scream, Leo. I want you to make me SCREAM. Then, we can slow down, okay? Think of it as a challenge... along with how fast we can get pregnant."

"Okay, in two days, you've gone form hating me on sight to being engaged to me, and using me for a stud."

"Uh-huh," she purred, kissing his belly. "Don't you love these fast relationships?"

Leo lowered the tray to the floor and ran his fingers over her stomach. CJ was waiting for him to take control and he smirked, oh yeah he was going to make her scream. His hands went to her sides and he began to leave feathery touches as he tickled her. CJ writhed around, kicking her legs and trying to squat him.

“LEO!!”

“I’m making you scream,” he smirked.

“LEO!!”

"What, that wasn't what you meant?" he asked with a laugh.

"NO!" she shrieked. "No, that's not what I meant, and you KNOW IT!"

"Can you two keep it down, please?" Thomas yelled.

"I'm going to die and go to burn straight in hell," CJ mumbled, turning a funny shade of pink.

"You are so beautiful," Leo whispered, kissing her. "I've always wanted you, CJ. Even when I was married -- there was just something about you I wanted to fuck senseless."

"So fuck me senseless," she ordered. "Do what you've always wanted to do to me, Leo. I don't want this to burn out as fast as it's started," she whispered, reaching up to caress his cheek. "I've had too many relationships like that in my life."

“That’s not going to happen,” he soothed. “Roll over,” he instructed. Grabbing her by the waist he lifted her up and pushed a pillow under her hips. “Good idea having the bed away from the wall,” he muttered shifting until he was behind her. “You’re going to enjoy this.”

“Leo?”

He rubbed her back gently, “I’m not going to do that, CJ.”

His hand snaked around her middle until his palm was flat against her stomach. Slowly he moved it down until he covered her mound.

Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly, methodically, painstakingly stroked her until she thought she would die beneath his hands. Her heart was pounding in her ears, her breath was rattling in her lungs, long before he did anything else.

The heat from her body went up his fingertips and down his spine. He leaned closer to her and rubbed his erection against her cheeks. He wanted to screw her, but he wanted her begging him first. She was already clutching the headboard and thrusting towards his fingers.

He slowed for a moment, and she sneered breathlessly, "Is that the best you've got?"

"Don't forget I know the right way to rub the genie in my bottle," he growled, fingering her clit, listening to her slowly lose control as he found another way to please her. She was arching her back, coiling and recoiling her muscles, demanding with her body that he find his own pleasure.

He wanted to be inside her, to be swept up in her warm wet rush. Parting her legs with his knee he reached between her legs and dipped a finger into her opening, she clenched and pushed her bottom at him. Removing the finger he inched forwards and teased at her with his throbbing tip. CJ pushed down onto him but he backed up. “Senseless, eh?” Removing his finger from her clit he heard her groan then the deep moan as he braced his hands on her hips and thrust with everything he had. Safely ensconced inside he returned to his ministrations, his free hand moving to caress her breast.

Her breathing was ragged and her body was screaming but she continued to fight for control. "Is that the best... you can... do?" she panted.

"SHut up," he growled against her back, nibbling at her shoulder blade. A smirk of self-satisfaction crossed his lips when he felt her buck a little more -- just that much more control tossed by the wayside.

Suddenly, she just couldn't take it anymore. "Leo, please..." she whimpered. "Oh, God, please..."

“That’s what I like to hear, you praising my name,” he teased against her shoulder. Suddenly without warning he began to thrust into her with short frantic strokes. As she felt her climax slipping away from her he changed again and started taking long, deep strokes.

Her back arched and the headboard shifted under her tugging as she rocked back and forth, trying to match his strokes, desperately seeking release. Her lips parted as he twisted within her just a little, increasing the friction, but not a sound escaped them.

Leo wasn’t in any hurry to finish it, watching and feeling CJ squirming was pretty high on his wish list and the friction she was delivering to his balls left him on the brink of release, but he was definitely in control.

Her panting turned to low moans of annoyance as he slowed, allowing her to do all the work. "Bastard," she groaned.

Leo stopped altogether and moved his hand from her breast to rest on her back. “I think you owe me an apology for that.”

“You’re the one slacking off here, Leo!”

Leo shook his head and muttered, “I have never slacked off in my life.” Lifting her left leg, the one without the sprained ankle, and sending her clutching for the headboard, he placed it over his shoulder. His reward as he twisted up inside of her was the shuddering of her thighs and a high pitched moan.

He corkscrewed in and out of her a couple of times, and the second time, she shuddered and a low-pitched moan became a sudden scream as she slammed into orgasm.

CJ fell forwards and collapsed onto the bed, panting. Leo held on firmly to her waist as he continued to plunge into her, his strokes more and more erratic as climaxed into her. His thighs gave way, his breathing became laboured and his knee got stuck in a stray piece of cheese. He fell sideways pulling her with him.

She giggled and somehow managed to keep him on the bed as they lay there, entwined in each others' arms, trying to catch their breaths. "Y'know," she finally whispered, "I think I'll keep you." She smoothed his hair, which was sticking out wildly, and pressed a gentle, loving kiss to his forehead.

“Wow, that’s a relief.” He slid his hand up to stroke her face, “I’m glad you finally let me part of your life,” he whispered and smiled when all he got in reply was the sound of gentle snoring.

Sometime later Leo awoke, with pins and needles in his arm and the smell of Korma in his nostrils. Leo tried gently to extract his arm but CJ was pressing down heavily on it.

“Kippers,” he whispered against her ear, then louder, “sunny side up?”

CJ moaned and rolled over to face him, “what?”

“Oh yeah, you were so right, you really are atrocious when you wake up.”

CJ gave him a fish eye, “It will be painful.”

“Can you smell curry?”

She moaned and rolled over. "I think dad's trying to impress you with his chilli," she mumbled. "You cleared out the fridge, but not the cabinets." She yawned and closed her eyes again.

"You don't put curry in chilli..."

"Daddy does." She buried her head under the pillow.

Leo got up and went to put the tray on the desk. When he got there, he laughed, and held up the remains of a petrified joint that had been lurking behind the books. "CJ?"

"Mmm...."

"When did you leave this on here?" he asked.

"Leave what on where...?" she moaned, opening one eye.

"This little friend..."

Her eyes widened and she gasped. "OH SHIT!"

"Anything you want to tell me?" he asked sternly.

"Two words: high school." She moaned and covered her eyes, her face flushing pink in embarrassment.

"So it's been sitting there since..."

"The last day of my junior year -- I gave up cold turkey when my best friend ODed and died," she said quietly, curling up into a ball.

Leo didn’t really know what to say to that and CJ was already bubbling up in tears. “Honey, you want me to go and supervise Dad?” he asked tentatively perching on the bed to get dressed.

CJ’s sobs became louder, “Yeah.” Then she began balling her fists, “I’m not going to cry.”

Leo reached over and stroked her back, “Yeah, you are. Take as long as you need, your dad and I will be discussing babies names. How about Lolita for a girl or El Savador for a boy?”

CJ glanced up from the covers, “Don’t even think about it.”

"Okay -- you come downstairs when you're ready, muffin," he said, kissing her hand and getting up to get dressed.

She nodded. A moment later, she said, "I didn't know that was back there, y'know. The thing, I mean."

"I know," he said with a sad smile. "I'll see you in a bit, okay?" He turned the doorknob, and headed out into the hall.

Her voice stopped him. "Leo," she said very quietly. "Don't go. I need you."

She looked like a lost little girl when he turned to look at her.

He crossed back to her and pulled her into his arms, “I told you you’re stuck with me. And when we have your dad settled we’ll make it legal. I love you, right?”

“I love you too,” she said almost inaudibly.

“But…we really can’t leave dad alone any longer. So… get dressed and come with me, ‘k?”

She smiled, “That’s the second time you’ve said dad tonight.”

Leo shrugged, “We’re just one big happy family, just like the Waltons.”

CJ pulled on her t-shirt and searched for her shorts, wincing.

“Is it your ankle?” Leo asked moving down the bed to examine it.

“Nah,” she replied shaking her head, “I’m a little sore, I have a new boyfriend with the libido of a Rhino.”

"And I have a new girlfriend with the orgasmic qualities of a pig," he said, dodging her slap.

"I take offence to that remark!"

“I kinda thought you might,” he sighed. “Is there anything I can do in this reality to make it up to you?”

CJ smiled, “Not off the top of my head, but leave it with me.”

They headed down stairs to the kitchen and CJ groaned at the sight before her.

Thomas was standing over the stove, and cans of beans were open all around the room. The remnants of a can of stewed tomatoes were splattered on the wall, and three bowls of chilli were sitting on the cabinet top. "Dinner's ready," Thomas said proudly.

Leo nudged CJ and said, "Now we know where you got your skills in the kitchen."

CJ hissed back, “I didn’t think it was my skills in the kitchen you were interested in?!”

Taking his seat at the table Leo grinned and dipped his spoon into the red mush. Lifting it to his mouth he licked the spoon clean. A second later his face went red and his eyes bulged. CJ handed him a glass of water and smirked, “Now do you see why you should be nicer to me?”

Leo coughed and spluttered as he watched Thomas devour his own dish. “Well Leo, did you like it?”

Leo grimaced and continued to move his spoons in circles, “Yah, very good, I’m just not very hungry.”

He glared at CJ, “In fact I need to make some calls. I won’t be long,” he added squeezing CJ’s shoulders.

“Don’t worry me boy, Claudia and I are going to watch the movie channel.”

"WHich one?" CJ asked with a laugh as she pushed her chilli around in the bowl.

Leo shook his head and left the room to call the President. "It's me," he said when Jed picked up the phone.

"Well, hello, me. How's her dad?"

"You two ought to get together and have a chilli cook-off sometime..."

“I make a mean chilli,” he whined.

“Sir, he’s fine, she’s a little upset by it all. How are things going there?”

Jed held the phone away from his ear, “The whole damn world’s gone crazy.”

“And you’re only just now realising that? What exactly is wrong?” Leo asked.

"My chief of staff and press secretary left me here to deal with a bunch of lunatics!" Jed spluttered.

Leo sat down on the step and held the phone to his ear, “Mr President?”

“Leo!” he whined, “Sam and Toby screwed up the International Relations Committee meeting.”

“Andi’s on that committee.”

"Hence Toby screwing it up!" Jed muttered in disgust. "Can you come back and fix it already?"

"No, sir, I can't. We're trying to get things taken care of here -- speaking of which, can you ask Abbey if she can find that guy that got Josh his townhouse and have him call me?"

"Yeah -- why?"

"Because CJ and her dad are gonna need a bigger place."

"With you."

"Something like that, yeah."

“LEO????” he cried.

Leo held the phone away from his ear, “No Sir, there’s nothing right now I need to tell you.”

Jed grinned at the end of the line, “Just good friends, right?”

“Something like that, yeah,” Leo replied as non committal as he could be. Hearing a snicker at the other end he sighed, “What else?”

“I know something you don’t,” Jed replied in a sing song voice.

“Okay.”

“You don’t want to know?” Jed asked a little disheartened.

“Not really, no.”

“Toby and Margaret up a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G,” Jed sang.

"Oh jeez..." Leo muttered. "Thank you for that lovely mental picture..."

"You're welcome. So, is CJ as good in bed as she says?" Jed asked conspiratorially.

"Sir..."

"Sorry, that was inappropriate."

"Damn well better believe it."

"So?"

"I'm not telling you anything."

Jed shook his head and tapped his fingers on the desk, “You know I’ll ask Abbey to ask CJ.”

“I’m impervious,” Leo stated.

“Leo, please tell me you and Donna didn’t…”

Leo groaned, “I’m going now, CJ needs me.”

“Now who’s giving lovely mental pictures?”

"She needs me to help her pack," Leo amended. "And keep track of Dad."

"Isn't that sweet?" Jed cooed.

"Isn't WHAT sweet?"

"You're calling Thom 'dad'...."

Leo sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Whatever. I'm going to help CJ pack, then we're going to go have a lot of hot sex, okay?"

"I can't believe you said that."

"I said it to shut you up."

"Is she really as good as she claims?"

Leo sighed. "Better." And with that, he hung up.

Leo wandered into the living room and sank into the nearest chair. CJ looked over and frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing you need to worry about,” Leo sighed.

CJ got up and crouched down beside him, “You’re doing that thing again.” Leo reached up to his forehead and she grinned. “Come on a problem shared and all that.”

Leo leaned in closer, “Toby pissed off his ex wife, got caught with Margaret,” his voice dropped to barely a whisper, “and the President wanted to know if you were hot in bed.”

CJ’s eyes widened. “He wanted to know if I was…?” she squeaked, glancing at her father. “What did you tell him?”

Putting as much distance between them as he could he replied, “I told him you were average.”

He obviously hadn’t moved far enough as she hit him on the arm.

“Ow.”

“Serves you right, Toby and Margaret? You need to meet with Richardson and save the Bill?” she asked, half watching her father.

“Josh can handle it.”

“We can go back tomorrow,” she offered.

“You need more time,” he stated stroking her hand.

CJ stood up, “I thought so too, but one day less isn’t going to hurt any. The flight’s at three.”

He nodded. "Okay. You wanna start packing now, or tomorrow?"

"Ben already packed up a lot of the stuff," CJ said dismissively. "We can get some more done tomorrow, and when I go on my few days of vacation, I'll come back and get the rest." She glanced over at him. "You wanna watch this?"

"Not really."

"Daddy, you ready for bed?" CJ asked.

"It's 7:30," Thomas pointed out with a hidden smile.

"And I've got a headache," CJ sighed. "For real. So I'm going to bed, okay?"

Leo nodded. "There's Advil in the bag, Muffin."

"Okay, Chicken."

Leo slapped her half-heartedly on the side of the head.

Thomas got up from the couch and kissed her on the forehead, “Try and keep the noise down, sweetie.” He smirked as he wandered towards the stairs.

CJ turned back to Leo, “You’re good for him. And for me,” she added.

“He hasn’t had an episode in hours,” Leo commented.

“Yeah,” she whispered, smiling. “I really do have a headache so I’m going to bed.”

“Give me a minute to speak to Josh and I’ll come and rub your back,” he said, licking his lips.

"Only if that's all you do," she chuckled. "I'm kind of sore -- not to mention tired... and headachyy..."

He reached for her and put his wrist on her forehead. "You're running a bit of a fever..." he commented.

"Comes with the headache," she muttered, pulling out of his arms and heading for the stairs. "See you in a bit," she whispered.

Leo watched her go up the stairs, then got on his cell phone with Josh.

THE END

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