Leo opened the door and escorted her through the lobby. CJ had been itching to get back to work for weeks but he had been reluctant, even scared that she would rush things. Now that she was walking through the West Wing he thought she looked happier than he had seen her of late.

“Glad to be back?” He asked, his hand on her arm.

“Yeah, and it only took two weeks of bitching.”

"Funny woman," he muttered.

"I know you were trying to make sure I didn't overdo it, Leo, but you can't figure out what you can and can't do if your fiancé has confined you to bed, and you can't have any fun!" CJ giggled, waving at a couple of people as they passed. She threaded her arm with Leo's, and held his hand. "Does this mean we have to make a formal announcement about the wedding to the press, since there's been all this speculation since the thing?" she asked softly.

Leo suddenly found his shoes fascinating.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” she asked turning his face to look at her.

“Now’s not the time,” Leo muttered.

They had reached her office and Carol was waiting for her, “So when will be the time?” she asked, frustrated by his seeming lack of interest.

Sam stuck his head around the corner, “Hey CJ, Leo.” Catching the glaring competition he turned and called over his shoulder, “Uh, later then.”

Her head turned to the source of the intrusion, and it was gone, so she turned back to Leo. "When will it be a good time? And why isn't it a good time now?"

"Because I don't think you're strong enough yet to handle the inquisition that the press is going to throw your way!" Leo exclaimed in frustration.

"Don't you think I should be the judge of that?" CJ snapped.

"No, Claudia, I don't."

"You son of a bitch..."

Leo lifted his hands in defence, “Like I haven’t heard that a thousand times before.”

CJ slammed the door in his face and he stood in the outer office groaning until he noticed Carol watching him.

“Hey Carol.”

Carol shook her head, “Well you could have handled that better.”

Leo second glanced her, “You been talking to Margaret.”

“Your first mistake was not confiscating her cell,” she offered smugly. “You’re second was not banning visitors.”

He waved dismissively. "Yeah, whatever. She was up to her ears in fatherly affection."

"Yeah, but that's not what she wanted, Leo," Carol sighed. "So when are you going to tell her?"

"Tell her what?" Leo asked, picking up a folder and glancing through it.

"That you want to postpone the wedding."

“MARGARET!” he yelled down the hall. He managed to count to seven before she materialised before him.

“You called?” Margaret said quietly.

“Yeah, what in god’s name made you tell Carol I wanted to postpone the wedding?” he yelled, oblivious to the door behind him opening.

Margaret however wasn’t, “Actually Leo I didn’t know you were planning to,” she said, her eyes widening.

“And you forgot to mention it to me too.”

Leo's shoulders slumped and he sighed. He didn't even turn around. "Look, let me explain, CJ..."

"Oh yeah, explain to me why you think you're looking out for my best interests. Margaret, Carol, get the hell out -- Leo and I are going to go through this once and for all, and so help me god, if someone comes in here before we're done, I will kill them."

Carol and Margaret retreated silently, and the door clicked shut behind them.

“So jackass, you want to go first?” she asked leaning against her desk.

Leo slumped into the couch, “Well, it’s like this… That is too say…. I don’t want to…”

“Very eloquent. Let me try.” CJ slammed her palm on the desk, “I’m not allowed to get out of bed, I might tire myself out, I can’t go to work I might get stressed. Can’t imagine why I couldn’t turn the television on myself or make a sandwich, but hey I might stub my toe, right?”

Leo concentrated on the carpet.

“So, the wedding, what is it, frightened I’ll trip, the planning might stress me out or maybe I’m too frail for you now.” CJ let out a long breath.

When he didn't answer, she exploded. "Oh and what, now you can't even talk to me?"

"CJ, I don't want to get into it when you're like this," Leo sighed.

"Yeah, you don't ever want to get into it, Leo -- the wedding's off. Completely. Get your things out of my house, and call me when you decide that I matter more than just an ornament on your arm at the state dinner." She slammed out of the office and Leo continued to stare at the carpet, until Margaret hesitantly came in.

“The President is waiting in your office,” she said quietly. “Leo, the President’s waiting.”

Leo grabbed his briefcase and followed her down the corridor, entering his office he dropped his belongings on the ground.

“Good Morning Mr President.”

“Leo, you look awful,” Jed stated. “Worse than usual.”

Leo sighed, “What did you need? My morning’s not going so well.”

“Women trouble?” Jed teased.

Leo raised his eyebrows, “Sir, I’m not going there with you.”

“Fine, be like that. You have a relationship with James Whitford.”

Leo nodded, “He’s raised a lot of money for Democratic congressmen.”

“I want you to fly to Iowa and convince him not to pull his money,” Jed announced.

Leo let out an exasperated sigh. "I can't -- I'm going to be too busy removing my things from the house that CJ bought for both of us, and going back to a hotel."

"Holy crap -- are you kidding?" Jed asked, wide-eyed.

"No." Leo's voice was cold and stony. "So, y'know, I'm a little busy."

"Yeah, but we need the money."

Leo threw his hands up in defeat. "FINE! I'll go, goddamn it, and I'll watch my life just be torn to shreds again! As if it wasn't enough that I lost my child, I've just lost the woman I love -- yes, please, let's go get money for the fucking election."

“Leo?”

“Mr President?” he replied, quietly and respectfully. “I may be a little over wrought.”

“Did you tell her why you want to postpone the wedding?”

Leo went wide-eyed, “You told Carol?”

Jed gulped, “I thought you’d told CJ, so naturally I assumed Carol knew, and I wanted to see how she was taking it.”

“Margaret,” Leo called, shaking his head.

She stuck her head around the corner, “yeah?”

“Make arrangements for me to fly to Iowa, and make sure I’m back for the dinner Friday night. And, please, I can’t stress this enough keep this quiet until I’ve spoken to CJ,” he begged.

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

A couple of hours later, Toby went in to check on CJ. "Hey. I hear there's some trouble in paradise..."

"Wow, Margaret is a walking grapevine, isn't she?" CJ snapped.

"Take that back, or I'll do you bodily harm."

"I take it back, not that I care, but anyway -- what can I do for you, Tobus?"

"Cut Leo some slack."

"Butt out."

"CJ..."

"I said butt out. He's not your concern anymore, nor is he mine." She crossed her arms over her chest defensively.

"What?"

"The wedding is off."

"You're kidding."

She shrugged, “I wanted two weeks from now, he wanted to postpone, we settled on cancelling.”

“That explains it then,” he mumbled.

“Explains what?”

Toby rubbed his beard, “Oh no, I’m not going there. You want to know talk to him.”

“Toby Zachary Ziegler,” she yelled, advancing on him. “Spill now.”

He snorted. "Not likely."

"OH!" she shrieked, stomping her foot, and whirling away from him. "Y'know what? I'm going home early," she snapped, grabbing her purse. "You tell Simon, because I'm this close to losing it and going postal."

"That would be a bad thing," Toby agreed. "Can't you be reasonable for like five minutes, though?"

"Can't you go to hell?" she retorted, slipping back into her blazer and walking out of her office.

Toby went to Leo's office and sat down.

"What do you want?" Leo growled.

"She left."

"Yeah, so?"

"She's going home."

"Probably to throw my things out into the street before her father and Anita get home."

"What happened to you calling him dad?"

Leo sighed in exasperation. "Toby, I'm trying to work, okay? I have to leave tonight for Iowa to talk some guy back onto the money fence."

"Okay." Toby got up and went into the hallway, where he pulled out his cell phone and dialled CJ's home number. "Hey, CJ, it's me -- I just found out Leo's going to Iowa tonight...he's gotta talk a really beautiful campaign donor back onto our side... Call me back." When he hung up, he laughed evilly.

It took her exactly five minutes to phone the office.

“Margaret, tell Leo….”

“Tell him yourself,” Margaret snapped, transferring the call to Leo’s office.

“McGarry.”

“Bastard.”

“Hi CJ, I hear you went home,” he said, calmly.

“Fuck you. Your stuff is on its way in a taxi. Better make sure security lets it through or the whole District will know you have Scooby Doo boxers.”

Leo sighed, “Can we just talk reasonably?”

“You’re the second person to suggest I’m unreasonable today, and I don’t think I appreciate it.” She dropped the phone on the floor so that Leo had a loud clank in his ear, before picking it up and shouting at him, “And I hope you don’t get lost in Iowa.”

“I didn’t think you cared.”

“I don’t,” she shrieked slamming the phone back in its cradle.

When Thomas and Anita got home, they couldn't get CJ to tell them what was the matter, or why Leo wasn't coming home. She just clammed up and went on autopilot. She didn't care enough about anything to put any effort into what she was doing, and even Abbey had to admit the next day that CJ was looking grimly bleak and exceedingly depressed. But when pressed on what was going on, she became suddenly, bitterly hostile, lashing out at whomever it was asking, then retreating back into her shell.

Toby hung back away from it all, afraid that he had finally pushed her over the edge.

Wednesday night, CJ was getting ready to go home when Carol brought in a bouquet of roses. "These just came for you," she said, handing them to CJ.

“Where’s the card?” CJ asked, lifting the flowers to her nose.

“There wasn’t one,” Carol shrugged, “Oh and the Vice President’s Assistant called and asked if he could have lunch with you tomorrow.”

“Hoynes wants to have lunch?”

“Yeah.”

“There’s no problem that I know of,” she summarized. “Tell them yes, and organise food and stuff.”

"Okay," Carol said. "You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You want me to call Leo?"

"Dammit, why the hell does everyone ask me that? We're OVER," CJ growled.

"Okay, okay, I surrender -- you have bigger mouth, I have littler buffalo," Carol quipped, raising her hands in surrender.

CJ stared at her for a long time before her lips twitched into a smile, then she started laughing. She laughed until she was on the floor, crying, then her tears went from laughter to sadness as she sobbed her heart out.

All Carol could think of to do was to get down on the floor with CJ and hold her while she bawled. So she did.

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

Leo didn’t want to be in Iowa, so far Whitford had been as stubborn as an ox. It was like he wanted Leo to stay away from Washington, or something. He phoned Toby every evening to check on work and Carol and Margaret at regular intervals to check on CJ. Tonight though he was sat in his room having what was proving to be an excruciating conversation.

“Sir, you sent me here,” Leo grumbled.

“I don’t care, get the job done.” Jed sighed, “Nancy says CJ received flowers, red roses.”

“CJ got roses?” Leo squeaked.

“Yeah, and she has a lunch date tomorrow,” he added, though he couldn’t find out who with.

Leo stretched back on the bed; “Well she’s made it pretty clear it’s over, so I guess she’s free to do what she wants.”

Jed sighed and rubbed his eyes. "What I don't understand is why this is happening between you two. You were so happy..."

"Yeah, well, now we're not, okay?" Leo snapped. "Just... Jed, please, just leave it alone."

"Yeah," Jed agreed, hanging up. Leo sat in silence for a few minutes, then laid down on the cold bed in his hotel room, wondering when he could stop wanting to go for that Johnny Walker Blue...

********

CJ was neck-deep in paperwork when Carol knocked. "CJ, the Vice President is here."

CJ jumped up and crossed the room, “Sir, good to see you.”

John Hoynes nodded, “How are you? I’m sorry about what happened.”

CJ gave him a slight smile, “Every day gets easier. So, please take a seat. What can I do for you?”

“I was hoping we could go out for lunch,” he started. “I see you received the roses.”

“They were from you?” she asked incredulous. “There was no card.”

He shook his head, “My fault for doing it myself.” He was staring at her.

"Um, I'm kind of busy right now..." she stammered, taken aback.

"You need to eat."

"I guess you're right -- I can have Carol get something in the mess..." She reached for the intercom, but he crossed the room in a flash and took her hand, stopping it from reaching the button.

"I'd like to take you out to Cafe Cherisse," he said quietly.

"I... I can't."

"What are you scared of, CJ?" he asked, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

CJ looked down at their hands, and back up into his deep blue eyes. “Mr Vice President, I don’t think being seen in public with me would be the wisest course of action.”

Hoynes looked thoughtful for a second, “You’re probably right, we’ll go to the Observatory.” he reached for her Blazer and held it up.

CJ slid her arms into the sleeves, “Should I bring my notepad?”

“No, you definitely won’t need that,” he said, laughing, his hand at the small of her back.

Carol stopped them on the way out. "CJ, Leo just called..."

"Did you take a message?" CJ asked.

"Yeah... but he..."

"Well, call him back and tell him I said he could shove it," CJ said. "Words don't make up for actions."

"But CJ..."

"I'm going out for lunch."

"CJ..."

"Bye, Carol." CJ and Hoynes were gone.

"CJ, he's drunk," Carol whispered, closing her eyes and sitting back down at the desk to call Leo back.

After a minute of staring at the phone she took a big risk and headed through the Communications Bullpen. Toby’s door was ajar and she knocked quietly. When he didn’t look up she stepped inside and closed the door.

“Toby.”

“Carol,” he growled.

“I need your help,” she said quietly.

Toby lay down his pen, “Okay.”

“CJ is having lunch with the Vice President, and Leo just phoned.”

“And…” he muttered, getting impatient.

“Toby, he’s drunk,” she added, her voice barely audible.

He rubbed his head, “Are you sure, it wasn’t a bad connection?”

Carol shook her head, “He’s been calling me five, six times a day, he sounds different and sad. She won’t talk to him and I don’t know what to do.”

“GINGER.”

“Why do you all yell like that?” Carol asked, her body releasing some of the tension.

He scowled as Ginger opened the door.

“Book me on a flight, I’m going to Iowa.”

"Yknow, there are a couple hundred airports..."

"Send me wherever Leo went," Toby growled.

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

CJ smiled as she took a bite of the sandwich John had given to her. "It was very nice of you to invite me to lunch," she said. "But I really should get back to work soon."

"Why not stay and chat a while?" he asked, offering her a glass of soda.

"Because I've got a job to do, and it doesn't involve having sex in the Naval Observatory," she commented dryly. "Oh, don't give me that look -- I know what you're after, John Hoynes."

“Actually I’m wounded CJ. I invite you here, because we never get to talk and I thought you might to get out of the office,” he said. “I thought maybe you were getting fed up with being treated like china.”

CJ laughed, “I’m not china, I’m a fragile child.”

“So bitch away. I’m certainly not going to stop you.” John put down his plate and moved onto the sofa. “I’m sure right about now you’re wondering who’s on your side. Everyone telling you to give Leo a break,” he added softly.

CJ had to admit he was right on the mark.

She set the plate aside, suddenly sick to her stomach. "I don't want to talk about it."

"If you keep it bottled up, CJ, you know how much it's going to hurt after a while?"

"It already does," she sighed.

"So talk about it, let it out -- I'm not going to stop you." He sat back and made himself comfortable.

"It's just that he treats me like I'm stupid -- like I'm just a little kid that doesn't know that the dog's going to bite me if I pull it's tail. And he's been overprotecting me -- it's like I'm just something for him to bring out for the state dinners, and otherwise, I'm something to placate and keep locked away." She sighed and rubbed her eyes. "And then the baby -- I can't even deal with that yet. I can't think about it -- and yet it's all I can think about sometimes, and he just DOESN'T UNDERSTAND!"

John extended his arm and rubbed her back, “And then he tells you he wants to delay the wedding.”

CJ looked up, her eyes flaming, “Oh no, I find that out from someone else. No explanation, just that he wants to postpone. It’s finished, anyway, it was too quick, an accident waiting to happen.”

“So, you want to prove to them you’re okay?” he asked, smiling and edging himself closer to her.

“I want them to see I’m still the same woman,” she snarked.

John smiled, satisfied she was going to go along with him. “Then I’ll be your date for the dinner. They’re all be there, wanting to fuss, and you can walk in with me.”

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Are you kidding?"

"No."

"I'd start a riot."

"A riot at a political function, heaven forbid..."

"Okay, you're on. You have a deal," she said, holding out her hand. "Just don't get all touchy-feely, and we'll be fine."

John nodded, if things went according to plan they’d be a lot more than touchy feeling.

CJ arrived back at the office to find Josh and Sam having a conversation in the middle of her office. She watched for a second.

“Ginger didn’t know, just that there was a crisis and Toby needed to go,” Sam stated.

“And no one thought to tell me?” Josh shrieked.

“You know boys, I always thought this was my office,” she called, crossing to join them.

“Where’s Toby?” Josh whined.

“What do you mean?”

“He had a phone call and had to leave, something about a crisis on the campaign. No one knows anything.”

CJ shrugged, “All news to me.”

"Yeah, you've been off schmoozing the Veep," Carol muttered, coming into the office. "You need to sign these."

"What are they?" CJ asked.

"Receipts for gifts."

"Gifts from whom?" CJ asked, her brow furrowing.

"Your little lunchtime friend," Carol barked bitterly, turning on her heel and stalking out.

"What's eating her?" CJ muttered.

"Who's your little lunch friend?" Josh asked.

“None of your business.”

“Fine, I’ve got work to do,” he muttered, walking out.

“How you doing CJ?” Sam asked.

“For the last time, I’M FINE,” she yelled.

Sam made off quickly.

CJ surveyed the desk, tiny boxes and bags scattered on top of her papers. “Carol.”

“What?” Carol snapped back.

“All this in an hour?” she asked waving her hands.

“Make you feel good, does it? And don’t worry about Leo, he won’t be calling again,” she bit back as she waltzed out of the room.

CJ watched her go, head in her hands.

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

Toby unlocked the door to Leo's hotel room and flinched at the overwhelming stench of alcohol in the room. He found Leo on the floor in the corner, crying.

"Hey," Toby said, coming over. "Don't take this as an indication that I like you or anything."

"She's gone, isn't she?" Leo asked, wiping away his tears with his hands.

"I don't know, but we're not gonna find out if you're like this. Have you called your sponsor?"

"I can't do it."

"Okay -- Leo, you're gonna have to take a hard trip again."

"Rehab," Leo muttered in disgust.

"Yeah -- six weeks. Think you can handle it?"

"I love her so much, Toby..."

"Then don't give up without a fight, Leo."

“I need to resign, I can’t let the President suffer because of this,” he babbled, clutching at a cushion.

Toby started to pick up bottles, stuffing them in a bag, ready to dump them later. “He won’t let you resign. We’ll have someone make a short announcement on Monday, about you needing some time to recover from the miscarriage. By then we’re have you installed at Sierra Tuscon.”

He glanced across at Leo and growled, “Get up.” Leo continued to stare at him so Toby grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to the bathroom. “Clean up, then we’re going to eat. I don’t expect you’ve eaten for days.”

Leo stood before him, shaking his head.

“Jesus, Margaret is going to kill me,” he grumbled as he pushed Leo into the shower fully dressed. “I have instructions to babysit you, so guess what, I’m your new best friend.”

Once Leo was suitably occupied Toby put a call through to the Residence.

“Toby, how is he?” a concerned Jed Bartlet asked, roused from sleep.

“Worse than expected. He’s a mess, and he won’t phone the sponsor,” Toby reiterated. “I don’t think bringing him back for the dinner is a good idea.”

Jed’s voice carried all his pain down the line. “I need to see him, she needs to see how bad he is. Please Toby, I want him to know it doesn’t matter to me.”

Toby glanced back at the bathroom door, “Okay, but we leave again Saturday morning. And Sir, you need to tell Margaret.”

Jed squeezed Abbey’s hand tighter, “Why do I get all the difficult jobs?”

"Because you're so damn good at them," Toby sighed. "Look, I'm taking him out to get something to eat at the IHOP, and if you need to reach me, just call me on my cell."

Jed sighed. "Yeah -- are you sure you want to bring him back for the dinner?"

"No."

"Then please don't -- if you think he'll be better off not going, then just take him straight to Tucson," Jed sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"I'll let you know Friday," Toby said.

"Okay. Try to get some sleep."

"Yeah freaking right."

Toby turned to see Leo coming out of the bathroom in a towel, an a hand towel at that.

“Oh for Christ’s sake, put some clothes on, will ya?”

Leo dropped the towel and began rummaging through the closet for something to wear. Toby closed his eyes and prayed for salvation.

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

CJ went home, wishing she didn't have to face her father and his girlfriend again. She opened the front door, and Anita's little yappy dog came running up, yapping as usual.

"Oh, would you stop it?" CJ groaned. "I live here, you stupid mutt..."

The dog raised its nose and sniffed, then turned around and scampered off. "Jeez," CJ muttered, throwing her purse onto the table and turning on the light.

"Holy shit -- Dr. Keyworth, you scared the... WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" she rumbled.

"Hello again, CJ," Stanley Keyworth said mildly in response to her outburst. "Your father was so kind as to offer me a room."

"I'll kill him -- who sent you, because I wanna send you back -- I can't afford you," she groaned, rubbing the sides of her face.

"The person who sent me can afford me, and they said that I'm hired for as long as it takes to straighten you out."

"I don't need to be straightened out!" CJ protested sharply.

"You need a major attitude adjustment, young lady!" Thomas scolded, coming into the room.

"Oh great, gang up on me -- and who says I need therapy?" she challenged Stanley.

"Well, Josh put it this way when I talked to him today -- 'When CJ can't laugh, it's the first sign of the apocalypse'," Stanley said dryly. "So, we'll start tomorrow, yeah?"

“I have a dinner tomorrow,” she stated firmly. “And we’re two senior staffers down, I can’t possibly do it.”

“Yes, I know about them, but it seems someone higher up feels this is necessary, we start at nine.”

CJ started to shake her head but he had left the room.

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

Toby awoke with a start to the sound of crying. The space next to him on the bed was empty. He flipped on the side lamp and rubbed his eyes. Leo could be made out sat in the window.

“Leo?”

“I’m fine,” came a muffled reply.

Toby sighed and climbed out from under the covers, “The words I’m fine are used far too much.”

“I want to see her,” he said, before the sobs began again.

Toby groaned, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Maybe after rehab.”

Leo sat up straighter, “I want to tell her myself where I’m going, and that I may not be coming back,” he affirmed. “Toby, I need ten minutes with her, then I’ll do whatever you say.”

Toby shook his head. "No, Leo. You already sent Stanley, that's going to be enough for her to handle right now."

Leo frowned and didn't reply. "I want to see her, Toby..."

"I know you do, but it's not going to happen. She's already short a few wires," Toby muttered. "Stanley's going to do what he can."

"I know he is. I fucking called him before all of this goddamn well blew up in my face," Leo growled. "I want to hold her, Toby -- I just want to be there for her right now."

Toby shuffled closer, “The deal is, you can phone one person. They can be her support. That’s final. And we’re not going to the dinner.”

“Toby!”

“Look, I don’t like this anymore than you do, but think about it this way,” he growled, “I know, Carol knows, The President and Abbey know, anyone else finds out and there’ll be a leak. CJ finds out it may send her over the edge. Now get your backside in bed.”

“Was that a come on?”

The frown between Toby's eyes deepened. "If you want it to be," he muttered, shoving Leo into bed.

"Uh..."

"No, Leo, it's not. What, you think I'm gonna let Margaret kill me?"

Leo sighed and covered up again. "I miss her so much," he said quietly.

"I know you do," Toby muttered, climbing in and closing his eyes. "Go back to sleep."

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

CJ got up in the middle of the night and wandered downstairs to get something to drink. Thomas was sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of orange soda and a plate of cookies. "Hey," he greeted.

She watched him for a moment, then went into the kitchen without a word.

"So you're not talking to me now?" Thomas asked, getting up and following her. She didn't respond, and he sighed. "Look, Claudie, you can't just shut us out."

She poured herself a glass of milk and turned around before going upstairs without a word.

“Toby’s in Iowa,” he yelled after her.

CJ stopped on the top tread and viewed him with slitted eyes. “And who told you that?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he shrugged. “I thought you should know that you’re not the only one around here hurting.”

“Bull-maybe they’re having a romantic break,” she countered.

Thomas wrinkled his nose. "Leo has more taste than that," he countered. "And you can't just do this, Claudie."

"Oh, you wanna watch me?" she snapped. "I'm not hurting, Dad -- I'm bleeding to death slowly. It's all going bye-bye, right down the tubes. My pep is kaput, my joy is gone. What the hell am I supposed to do? Jump for happiness and laugh?" With that, she turned and started down the hall.

"You are just like your mother!" Thomas shouted. "You are exactly like her, goddamn it!"

Stanley came out of the guest room, and watched quietly. CJ leaned over the banister and threw the full glass of milk at her father before walking stiffly into her bedroom and slamming the door. Anita came out of the third bedroom and stared at Stanley for a long time before going over to lean out over the banister.

Thomas was already mopping at the milk with a wad of napkins out of the holder on the table, heedless of the glass that was tearing the napkins, and his fingers, to shreds.

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

They sat in the airport lounge, waiting for their flight. Toby was trying to read the Washington Post and keep an eye on Leo. Leo was just staring at the planes taking off.

“My phone’s missing, and my pager,” he commented after a while.

Toby peeked over the paper, “They’re in my luggage.”

“And my wallet’s empty.”

“You don’t need money.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“That’s in my… Why am I doing this?” Toby asked, surprised. “You need a lifeboat, and right now I’m it.”

Leo sighed and made an expansive gesture with his arm. "Why not just leave me to rot in a cheesy motel?" he groused.

"Because CJ, despite what she's saying, loves you very much. And she would skin me alive if I left you rotting in some crappy hell-shack. Now buck up."

"Can I have a cocktail on the plane?" Leo asked hopefully.

Toby's hand connected with the back of his head.

"OW!" Leo protested.

Three hours later Toby was stood in the lobby of the rehabilitation centre. Leo was sat on a plastic chair staring at his feet. Toby sat down beside him.

“I have to go soon.”

Leo nodded, “Take care of her, will ya? If she needs anything Margaret has access to my bank account.”

“Leo,” he said quietly, then stood abruptly, “They have my cell.“ Shaking Leo’s hand he headed towards the door, “See ya in six weeks.”

“If I make it through this,” Leo muttered quietly to himself.

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

CJ came downstairs the next morning, dressed and ready for work. "Don't even think about it," Stanley said from the dining room table. "If you behave yourself, you might get to go to the dinner..."

CJ sighed in frustration and turned to him. "I don't feel up to doing this now."

"You'll never feel up to it if you don't do it now," Stanley pointed out. "Now, tell me why you hate your mother so much."

She stopped in her tracks and whirled around to glare at him. "I don't hate my mother -- I love her very much," she said, her voice icy.

"Didn't seem much like it last night," Stanley pointed out.

"Shit," CJ muttered, covering her face with her hands.

"Come in here and let's talk," Stanley said quietly.

“Who sent you?” she asked, taking a seat.

“Did your mother abandon you?” Stanley pushed.

“Do you want a list of all my ex boyfriends?” CJ offered.

“CJ, we can play it your way, I have all the time in the world. You can stay angry at everyone,” he said, giving her a slight smile. “But you’ll miss the dinner, and in the long run, you and I will be spending more time together.”

"You're going to be here a long time anyway," CJ sighed.

"That's fine -- but if you want to go to the dinner, you have to at least make an effort to talk to me today. What happened with your mother?"

She sat still for a very long time, then said, "I can't talk about it."

"Then we're going to be here all day long."

"It hurts too much to remember," CJ whispered, wringing her hands in her lap.

"Well, if you don't try, you'll never feel better -- and you're carrying an awful lot of guilt around right

now," Stanley said, leaning back in his chair. "You've got to cut through the fat to get to the heart."

"No food analogies, please," CJ muttered, making a sick gesture.

"Okay, then tell me what happened with your mother. Start anywhere you like."

CJ closed her eyes and fought back the pain that came with the memories. "I can't do it," she moaned, doubling over.

"Tell me about Peter Rabbit," Stanley said quietly.

CJ jerked upright and stared at him. "What?"

"Tell me about Peter Rabbit."

"Daddy gave him to me when I was in the hospital," CJ said woodenly.

“Why were you in hospital?” Stanley asked.

“It was a long time ago,” she replied.

“Have you ever terminated a pregnancy?”

CJ’s eyes lit up, “What the hell?”

“You’ve been in relationships before, I just wondered if you’ve ever had an unwanted pregnancy.”

“What has that got to do with my mother?”

“What makes you mention your mother?”

"YOu were just goddamn well talking about my mother a few minutes ago!" CJ shouted, slamming her fist onto the tabletop. "Pick a goddamn topic and stick the hell with it, would you?!"

He stifled a smile. "Okay. Since you brought it back up, tell me about your mother."

She sat in silence for a moment, then pointed at him. "YOU TRICKED ME!"

Stanley shrugged. "You walked right into it. Now, why are you so angry at being compared to your mother? What are you so scared of, CJ?"

“You know what I’m scared of, you’ve spoken to my father, to Toby.”

“Toby has other things on his mind right now. Your mother is alive, you tell everyone she is dead. Does your mother love you?”

“Yes. My mother loves me very much.”

“But she’s hurt you?”

“Yes,” CJ replied quietly.

“And you hurt your baby.”

“Yes.”

"What did she do to you?" Stanley asked quietly.

CJ slumped over her knees and tried to hide that she was crying.

"Maybe we ought to move somewhere you can be more comfortable," Stanley said, helping her up and guiding her to the living room couch. "Now..."

"She cut my neck with a knife," CJ said in a rush, so he could barely understand the words.

"Do you know why?"

“Ben.”

Stanley looked through his notes, “Ben’s your brother?”

“Younger brother,” she acknowledged. “I walked into his room and found mom trying to kill him.”

“As Leo killed your baby?” Stanley asked.

"Leo didn't kill my baby," she snapped. "He wouldn't do that..."

"Who made the decision for you to abort?"

"Daddy," CJ said quietly. "He did it because he didn't want to lose me."

"Okay," Stanley said, reaching over to rub her shoulder. "You're doing good, CJ. Just keep talking."

She swallowed and said, "My neck hurts."

"Why does it hurt?"

"I don't know," she mumbled, rubbing the side of her neck.

"Is it because that's where she cut you?"

“I have a scar. I don’t like the sight of blood. I miss my mother,” CJ muttered, refusing to look at him.

“But you survived the attack, Ben is alive because of you, and your mother is in an institution,”

“I can’t visit her. She will never be at my wedding. Leo’s left me.”

"Did he leave you, or did you push him away?" Stanley asked.

"I don't feel well."

"I know you don't... but you will feel better if you talk."

"My neck hurts."

"Why?"

She sighed quietly. "Because Leo loves to kiss me there, and it hurts because he's gone," she said, not sure how stupid it sounded verbally -- it sounded better in her head. "My stomach hurts..."

"How badly?"

"I could throw up."

"Okay -- do you need to leave for a minute?"

She nodded and stumbled out of the room. Thomas came in after she had left. "Is she okay?"

"Not really -- why don't you and Anita go out and do something for a while? This is going to take a lot of effort."

Stanley wandered around the lounge, picking up various items and laying them on the table. When CJ returned he had pulled his chair closer to the couch, and was sat cross legged waiting for her.

“Feeling better?”

“Yeah, I just love tossing my cookies,” CJ snarked.

“How’s work?”

"Work's work."

"That's what all of you White House people say -- anymore stressful than usual?"

"Not really -- I'd been out for seven weeks, though."

"A little overwhelmed stepping back in?"

"No."

"Okay." He sat back. "CJ, when was the last time you were in the hospital? Before this time, I mean."

“To stay or in the emergency room?”

Stanley picked up a pen, “Admitted.”

“I was eight,” she whispered.

“The night you’re mother stabbed you?”

“Can we get off my mother, she’s sick, she’s getting treatment, I love her?” CJ groaned. “Right now she’s not my problem.”

Stanley allowed himself a wry smile, “So what is the problem?”

"The problem is I need to be at work right now, and I'm sitting here, talking to YOU," she snapped.

"Actually, the problem is your mother. Everything else stems from her," Stanley said. "So..."

"I need to listen to some music," CJ interrupted. "I have to clear my mind..."

"Okay," Stanley sighed, capping his pen. This was going to take forever, because she was going to fight him every step of the way.

She turned on the stereo and flipped stations. She paused on an 'oldies' station and heard just a little bit of the song, "Somebody to Love" before she shut it off. "I..." she stammered. "Stanley..." she moaned, falling to the floor in tears. "She was... she was playing the radio... that was the last thing I heard-- that song..." she wailed as he stopped beside her, kneeling to rub her back.

“So, your mom was listening to the radio, and then she stabbed you, what happened in between?” he coaxed softly.

CJ looked at him with big eyes, “She was trying to kill Ben, she thought he was the son of evil. I had to stop her, don’t you see I couldn’t let her take my baby.”

“What happened to your mom?” He asked, rubbing her back.

“They took her away from me, sent her to an institution, told me she was dead,” she babbled between tears.

"How did you find out she wasn't dead?" he asked gently.

"Nana told me," CJ sobbed. "Nana told me they took her away from me... I want my mommy..."

"If she were here right now, what would you do?"

"I'd... I'd... I'd..." CJ sniffled between choking sobs.

“You’d want to tell her you’re sorry.”

“I’m sorry I made them take her away,” CJ sobbed. “It was all my fault, not daddy’s. I make everyone go away.”

Bingo.

Stanley smiled slightly. Maybe it would be easier than he thought. "Okay, CJ, that's enough for today -- you want to go take a nap, don't you?"

She looked up at him, tears still streaking down her cheeks and her mouth open. "What?"

"I said that's enough for today. You don't still want to go to work, do you?"

Her brow furrowed in confusion, then she shook her head. "Not really, no..." she croaked weakly.

"You need to rest and get rid of those red eyes for the dinner," Stanley said with a smile.

"You've done very well today, CJ. But tomorrow's going to be worse."

Stanley waited until she was out of the room before he picked up his cell and dialled the number he had been given.

“Hello.”

“Leo? It’s Stanley.”

“Leo’s unavailable, can I help?” Toby growled.

“Who are you?”

“Toby Ziegler.”

“Toby, I need to talk to you too. But where’s Leo?” Stanley demanded.

Toby scratched his beard, “This isn’t a secure line and it’s classified information.”

“She shouldn’t be told.”

“And I’m not a moron.”

"I didn't mean to intimate that you are -- where are you?"

"In Dallas -- I'm on my way to Washington for the dinner."

"She's very shaken up, so you'll want to keep a very close eye on her tonight. I honestly think she should be put on an anti-depressant, at least until she gets a little more under control. Her mother's type of schizophrenia is inherited, and can be brought about by severe emotional or physical distress. She's walking on the borderline, even as we speak."

“He’s over the cliff, and falling fast.”

“Toby, she can’t help him. He’s on his own from here on in.”

Toby shook his head, “That’s where you’re wrong. We don’t let one of ours take a hit.”

Stanley sighed. "Look, I may not be a member of your little Jerry Springer family, but I'm telling you as a psychiatrist that she's not going to be able to handle ANYTHING right now. The least little thing could send her off, and I won't be held responsible if you push it."

Toby sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, I get that. But she's the only thing that can help him right now."

"So he's not going to get her help for a while," Stanley said. "He'll just have to deal with it. But by the time he gets out, she'll be ready for him to come home. I promise."

Toby hung up and got on his flight, wishing there was someway he could get out of the dinner.

CJ stood in front of the mirror, her eyes no longer looking so blotchy but her face pale and frightened. It had taken more effort than she possessed to get out of bed and get ready. The red dress was bright and gave her the air of flirtyness that she needed. Toby was back in the District, his call earlier had been vague with no mention of the crisis that had dragged him away, and they had been on the verge of fighting when he hung up.

“CJ, your ride’s here,” Thomas called, his voice bitter.

CJ came down the stairs and couldn't help but see the ferocious look on her father's face. Anita and Stanley sat on the couch, watching. Anita's face was stony, and Stanley's was interested in a vague way.

"Thanks, Dad -- try to behave yourself," she teased chidingly.

"I'd say the same, except I know you won't." He turned and went into the living room.

CJ bit her lip and grabbed her wrap before going out to the curb where she was escorted into the limo. "Hi," she said softly as she fastened her seatbelt.

"You weren't at work -- I was worried," Hoynes said, reaching over to give her a small box. "I'd be honoured if you would wear this with your exquisite dress, CJ."

CJ flushed slightly and took the box, her fingers brushing against his. Lifting the lid she gasped when she saw the tennis bracelet. “I can’t accept this.”

“I bought it for you, to say thank you. There aren’t any strings attached CJ. It’s been a long time since there’s been anyone worth buying beautiful things for,” he added wistfully.

CJ gazed at the ornate design and smiled, “Would you put it on for me?”

John smiled back at her and slipped his hand around her wrist, surprised by her small and delicate it was.

“There, perfect.”

He waited a second before he added, “I took the liberty of changing the seating assignments.”

“You did?”

“I generally get ignored at these things, I end up sitting with anti-Bartlet supporters, I thought you and I could try and convert them.”

"I can't," CJ protested. "I'm supposed to be at the press table..."

"Why not? Just this once," John said softly, gazing into her eyes. "Save me from a painful death by fork-spearing, please?"

She sighed. "All right. Just... I don't know, nevermind." Her body posture changed slightly, so she was a little tenser and more on guard than she had just been.

Toby had taken Josh and Sam aside. "Guys, I don't care if CJ walks in here with Adolf Hitler or Elvis for her date, you will not be mean, you will behave, you will not treat her in any way that will set her off."

"Jeez, Toby..." Josh muttered.

"And do NOT tell her about Leo."

"We won't," Sam said. "Hey, has anyone seen Mallory? She disappeared on me..."

The doors to the room opened and CJ and Hoynes came in, CJ on his arm.

Toby's jaw dropped, and he spluttered, "Okay, this is different from Elvis and Adolf! It's HOYNES!"

“Fucking hell.”

“Nicely put Josh,” Sam giggled.

“No, fucking hell, look.”

Sam and Toby’s eyes followed Josh’s finger and both sagged their shoulders, “Shit.”

Mallory had strolled up to CJ and had pasted on a stiff smile as she greeted her. "Hello, Mallory," CJ said. "How are you tonight?"

"May I speak with you in private for a moment?" Mallory said icily.

"Um... yes?" CJ said very quietly, following her out of the party area, and into the West Wing offices. "What?"

"Not fucking your way up the political ladder, eh?" Mallory exploded.

“What happened to Dad, you’re dating my friend?” CJ snapped back.

“Blood is thicker than water,” Mallory argued. “Hoynes, of all the people you could have taken up with.”

“He invited me to accompany him. I don’t need permission from you or any of the boys.” CJ took a deep breath, “It’s not as if your father is here.”

Mallory was ready to spit chips, “Dad is….”

“Mal, there you are,” Sam interrupted. “Come, there’s someone I want you to meet.” He ignored CJ and guided Mallory back to the party.

John Hoynes watched the whole exchange from an empty office. Quietly he slid up to her and slipped an arm around her waist, “CJ, let’s go start a riot.”

“I’m not sure,” she muttered.

John squeezed her lightly, “They want you to go home and sit alone. As far as they’re concerned you should be pining for Leo for the rest of your life. That’s not you.”

CJ sighed and nervously licked her lips and smoothed her dress down. "I need a couple of minutes," she said. "And a really big cocktail."

"What would you like me to get you? I'll bring it back in here..."

"I was being funny," she explained lamely. "Or trying to be, anyway. I'm really not hungry or thirsty right now."

"Okay." He offered her his arm, but she ignored the gesture. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked worriedly, seeing how pale she was.

"I'm fine," she assured him.

“Can we go in your office?” At the glare she gave him he added, “There’s something you should know, and they aren’t going to tell you.”

CJ followed him silently, stiffening as he slammed the door.

“If this is one of your games?” CJ barked.

He turned to look at her and she couldn’t help but notice the look of pain in his eyes.

“I’m an alcoholic, CJ. Leo is probably the only one on staff who knows.”

CJ sat down, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming.”

“No one will tell you where Leo is, because they either don’t know, or they’ve been told not too,” he continued. “CJ, Toby’s disappearance, the shrink…”

“You know about that?”

John sank down beside her, “Leo phoned me the other night, he wasn’t sober.”

She stared at him, what little colour remaining in her face draining to grey. She got up and pulled her wrap tightly around her shoulders.

"Where are you going?" John asked.

"I... I just need to go," she said lamely, her voice cracking. "I don't feel well..."

"CJ?" he said very quietly, moving to hug her. "I didn't want to tell you, but you've been so..."

She buried her face in his shoulder, praying she wouldn't start crying. His arms worked around her torso, holding her gently.

She stiffened when his hands gently caressed her back.

“Sir, I don’t want this.”

“Hush, there’s more you need to know,” he whispered.

Looking up at him, her eyes glazed she wasn’t sure she could take much more. “Where is he?”

John stiffened, “You can’t go to him. I just wanted you to know the truth. For what it’s worth he’s my friend too.” He held her tightly as he felt her body start to shudder as tears fell.

“Please tell me where he is,” she sobbed.

“Sierra Tucson,” he replied softly. “Let’s get out of here.”

CJ nodded and allowed him to walk her out of the building, oblivious to everyone who saw them leave.

"I want to go for a drive," CJ said quietly, once they were in the limo. "I can't go home -- not yet."

"What about to the Observatory?"

Her eyes narrowed. "I said no touchy-feely, and you've already violated that."

He put his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay."

She crossed her arms across her stomach protectively. "I want..." she whispered almost inaudibly.

John covered her hands with one of his, “I can’t give you that, CJ. No one can.”

“That I understand,” she bit, “but it doesn’t make the pain go away.”

“Fucking me might make you forget for one night,” he stated matter of factly.

“I’m not going to fuck you, what do you take me for,” she screamed.

“Give me one good reason why not, one reason why we can’t go to my bed,” he demanded.

“Because. Because, I love LEO,” she wailed before she broke down in tears.

John hesitated before reaching for her. She stiffened and tried to push him away, but he curled his arms around her protectively. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"Yes, yes, you did!" CJ insisted, trying to push him away. "You were doing all of it -- telling me Leo was drunk, in rehab, now this -- you're doing this all to upset me!"

"CJ..."

She struggled in his embrace, and then went limp as she just decided to stop fighting.

He tilted her chin up and looked at her. "I never meant to upset you," he said quietly, leaning down to kiss her very gently on the lips.

CJ resisted at first but as she felt the first light brush of his lips she closed her eyes and kissed him back. John traced her spine with his fingertips and quietly said her name. Her response was to press her lips against his harder, more demanding, until she bit down on his bottom lip.

John pulled back and touched the blood, a faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “That hurt.”

“Jesus, I’m sorry,” she muttered, leaning in to kiss the blood away.

"Don't worry about it," he said, reaching for a tissue. "Are you all right?"

"I'm the one that bit you," she laughed nervously.

"It wasn't on purpose -- was it?" he asked guardedly.

"No..."

"Then all's well," he said, gently tracing her knuckles with his fingertips.

“I can’t do this,” she groaned.

“I’m not asking you to do anything,” he assured her. “But right now I’m willing to give you anything you need. Anything,” he emphasised.

CJ looked up at him, “I’m not looking for tenderness.”

“Observatory or here?” he asked quickly.

"The Observatory would be more comfortable," she said contemplatively, and his fingers wound their way up her arm. "Here's good," she stammered as his lips sought hers again.

His other hand descended to stroke her clothed thigh, working its way up to her hip, then her ribs, and then back down.

She moaned and unfastened her seatbelt, turning to face him as they kissed hungrily. His hand slid under her skirt, and she resisted the strong urge to bite him again.

His hand moved higher up her thigh until his palm pressed against her panties. CJ pushed against him, her hands forcing his jacket down his arms. Obligingly he discarded the jacket, pulled off his tie and eased her back on the seat until she was practically under him.

She pulled away, breathing heavily. "No," she said quietly. "If we do this, I have to be in control."

"Why do..."

"Because I have no control over anything else in my life right now," she said, her eyes haunted and sad. "Please, John."

He adjusted their positions so he was seated, and she was on his lap. She shifted so she was pressing against his pelvis and his hips, and he kissed her again.

Her hand slipped between them briefly and he felt all restrictions suddenly fall away. His erection rubbed against the cotton, the friction causing him to groan and push towards her.

“I need…” she begged, letting him kiss her.

“What do you need?” he asked as she took a hand and guided him to her mound.

“Fuck me John.”

He was inwardly smirking just a little -- hurting because he was doing something that would hurt Leo, who had kept him out of so many binds before, but smirking because he was going to have at least one chance with the 'best lay in the District'.

His hand slipped between them and tried to slide her panties out of the way. She squawked injuredly as he pulled just the wrong way, and she shook her head and rolled her eyes as she slid off his lap so she could take them off herself.

She slid her skirt higher up her thighs as she straddled him again, and moaned as he reached between them to rub her clit with the soft pad of his thumb.

Wriggling her hips she guided his hand to the right spot. Her back arched as he began his rhythmic ministrations, and he had to put a hand at the small of her back to hold her in place. Her whimpers became erratic as he slid one finger up into her and began to twist.

“Too slow,” she panted.

John pulled her further into his lap and positioned her over his erection. Without warning he removed his finger and thrust himself completely into her.

She shrieked and bucked, slamming hard down onto him, being rewarded with a yelp from him. "CJ!"

"S...ooor....ry," she panted, adjusting her position and moving up and down his shaft, feeling him swell into her body, fitting every space within her. "Oh God..." she groaned, lifting and falling until he was so deep within her she thought she was going to die -- and then he thrust up into her.

Every muscle shuddered within her, as she clenched around him. Every thrust reached deep inside her, her body becoming part of his. John felt her becoming closer to climax, smiling he slowed the pace, each thrust less deep than the last. CJ opened her eyes and glared at him.

“Fuck you,” she cried, snaking her legs around his waist and pulling him deep inside her.

His lips found hers again, and they warred for control, until she bit his lower lip again, and began to spasm around him. He increased the pace until she was like a livewire in his arms, jerking and shuddering. And then she stopped and stared down at him, before bouncing a few times.

He groaned and spilled into her, and she moaned as she came again, pulling him deeper inside, even as he slackened.

CJ fell against him finally, exhausted and embarrassed. John held her against his chest, waiting for her to acknowledge it was him, and not Leo she had screwed in the back of a limo.

“So, you’re wondering if I’m going to jump out and cry rape or call his name,” CJ said, sliding off him.

John held her firmly in place, “Actually I was hoping you’d enjoyed that.”

“Take me back to the Observatory and I’ll show you how much,” she whispered against his ear.

“I’m going to give you the blow job to blow your brains.”

Her eyes narrowed as her purse started to ring. "Ah, shit," she muttered, reaching for it.

"Leave it," John said softly.

"I can't," she said, picking it up. "CJ Cregg... Anita? What?! What happened? Oh my God... Oh God, I'll be right there..." She hung up and looked at John. "My dad had a heart attack a few minutes ago -- they're on their way to GW now." Her face crumpled and she began to cry again.

“GW, now!” he instructed the driver. Turning to CJ, he lifted her face and said softly, “Let’s get you dressed.”

Silently she pulled on her panties and fixed her dress, refastening her seatbelt. John reached out his hand to grasp hers and she pulled it away. He sighed and mentally cursed the lost opportunity.

“Is there anyone I should phone? Do you need someone with you?”

All he received in response was a barely audible mantra, “Mom, Leo, Daddy….”

"CJ?"

"Mom, Leo, Daddy..."

"Great, just great," John sighed, grabbing her cell phone and flipping through the number list. Seeing Toby's name pop up, he pressed the call button.

"What in God's name could you possibly want right now, CJ?" Toby asked.

"It's the Vice President," Hoynes snapped. "CJ's father just had a heart attack -- we're on the way over to GW. She's very... distressed. Withdrawn. I can't shake her out of it."

"SHIT!" Toby bellowed. "Josh, get Stanley on your phone, NOW! Sir, I'm gonna meet you two there -- I can get there quickly. Just... for God's sake, keep her as calm as you can."

John flipped off the phone and placed an arm around her shoulders, against the seat. “Toby’s going to meet us there. You need to listen to me, CJ. You’re going to have to make decisions at the hospital, you need to snap out of this.”

CJ shook her head, “All gone, everyone goes.”

He said the first thing that came into his head, “Toby, Toby’s never left you.”

"I don't love Toby," she whimpered. "It's only the people I really love that go away -- mommy, nana, Leo, daddy..."

"Oh, CJ, I'm so sorry," he whispered, holding her. It was all he could think of to do. "You're going to be okay," he said softly.

"I want Leo," she moaned. "I want LEO!"

He was more than relieved to see the lights of GW’s emergency room appear before them. Stepping out of the car and waving the agents off him, John moved to the other side of the car and helped her out. He lead her blindly through the doors until he spotted Toby.

Toby was walking towards them before she even acknowledged where she was.

“She wants Leo,” John said quietly.

“We’ll take care of her from here,” Toby growled.

“Toby," she whispered, moving into his arms reflexively and holding on for dear life.

"Shh..." he said quietly in a softer tone than he usually used. "I'm going to take you back to see him."

She released some of her death grip on his belly and allowed him to lead her back into the depths of the ER. Josh studied John for a long time.

"It's good that you were with her when she got the news," Josh said. "I wouldn't have wanted her to be alone, because she'd have gone off and done something stupid. It's just the way she is right now. She's not thinking clearly."

"Yeah," John growled. "Look, do you want me to wait or what?"

"Go," Stanley barked from behind him. "You served your purpose, SIR, and now it's time for you to go."

“And you are?” John snapped.

“I’m the one person she needs right now.”

“To hell with it. Josh, tell her to call me, if she needs anything,” John said, turning on his heel and exiting the room.

Josh and Stanley stood in quiet contemplation as the chaos went on around them.

"Did Toby take her back?" Stanley asked finally.

"Yeah," Josh sighed.

"You, of all people, should understand what she's going through right now," Stanley said.,

"Which is why I'm here," Josh chuckled dryly. "Compared to me, and the President, how badly off is she?"

"You're a one. The President's about a three, maybe a three and a half. She's so locked into this right now that she's pushing a nine."

"Shit," Josh muttered, rubbing his forehead. "We can't tell her about Leo."

"Which is what I already told Toby."

"Okay."

CJ took her father’s hand in her own and held on for dear life, “Daddy, it’s me.” she croaked quietly.

Anita smiled across the bed, “Keep going, sweetheart. He needs to hear your voice.”

“I’ll be outside if you need me,” Toby grumbled.

“Toby,” CJ called, causing him to turn around. “I know you can’t interrupt his treatment, but get a message to Leo. He’ll need to know.” She turned back to her father as Toby stalked into the waiting room.

“She knows.”

"What?" Josh croaked, looking at Stanley. "Did you tell her?"

"Uh, we can safely say NO," Stanley said.

"Hoynes. He had to be the one," Toby growled.

"I'm on it -- too bad I can't hurt the man," Josh snarled.

"Josh, he'd eat you for breakfast," Toby pointed out.

"Which is why I won't be trying to hurt him -- but I'll yell. And call the President and tell him to kill him. HE can do it -- 82nd Airborne."

"JUST GO!" Toby yelled. Josh beat a hasty retreat, then Toby turned to Stanley. "You should go

back there -- God only knows what she's telling her father."

“CJ, honey, it’s going to be alright. He’s not going to leave you,” Anita said, holding her tight.

“Thank god, she keeps sobbing and begging him not to die. Can’t you sedate her or something’”

“CJ?” Stanley called, kneeling beside her. “I need you to come with me. Daddy needs to sleep.” He sighed when she wouldn’t budge. “Look I can’t help you here, I can’t get Leo for you unless we do this.”

“LEO?” she squeaked as she came out of her haze.

"Yeah, Leo," Stanley said. "So are you going to come with me or not?"

Anita watched Stanley, ready to aid him if necessary.

"I'm coming," CJ said, leaning down and kissing Thomas's hand. "I love you, Daddy, please don't leave me," she whispered, wiping away a tear. "We're going to get Leo for you, daddy..."

Continue to Part Four

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