Guilty Yet Innocent
Chapter Three
     Toby waits until CJ downs her second glass of scotch before starting in on her. "CJ, the other day, when you asked me about David...when you mentioned another kind of shuttle..." CJ closes her eyes and leans back on the couch, trying not to hear what he's saying and trying to ignore the scent of his cologne. "Do you know something I don't?" His question shocks her. She knows there are many things she knows that he doesn't, and so does Toby. But, he's asking her just the same. "Toby." It was meant to be a warning, but he ignores it. "CJ, did you tell a reporter that the United States has a non-civilian shuttle that we're trying to keep secret?" His question takes CJ's breath away. He's never been this direct about anything and his directness is scaring her now. She can't tell him the truth.
      "Toby, don't." She can't bear to look at him. If she doesn't look at him, she can't see the disappointment in his eyes. "CJ, did you tell him? Did you let this get under your sking?" CJ glares at Toby, her concern for his saftey forgotten in her anger. "Toby, there are men suffocating in the Space Station and I'm not supposed to let it get under my skin?! What..." She stops talking, not wanting to tell him anything more in case he's questioned. "Just drop it, okay?" She stands up to leave but he grabs her arm and pulls her back down on the couch. "No, CJ. Talk to me!" She looks at him with tears in her eyes. "Let me go, Toby." She's not merely talking about letting her leave his apartment, and he knows it.
***
     Toby and CJ walk through the airport with their arms linked through each other's. They have known each other for five years now, through numerous failed campaigns, and have comforted each other through many, many failed relationships. They've been almost inseparable since their first campaign, even sharing an apartment to help save money.  Outsiders have beguns questioning the nature of their relationship, and that is the reason they're walking through the airport today. CJ is leaving for California to work in a PR firm three thousand miles away to save both of their reputations. She'll do some work for EMILY's List on the side, and he'll continue to work for the politicians he loves in an industry that clearly doesn't love him back.
      They've promised each other letters and phone calls because, while they each want something more, they've kept their relationship platonic for the sake of the other. Toby walks CJ to the gate and stands there waiting for the plane to begin boarding. "CJ...you don't have to..." She can't bear to hear him ask her to stay. If she let him get the words out, she would stay, and neither of them would ever be able to live down the scandal their relationship would cause. Rumors about the nature of their relationship and their professionalism would plague them the rest of their lives. "Toby, thanks for everything. I'll call you when I get in, okay?" She turns to look at him, hoping he doens't see the tears in her eyes, and she is shocked when her tears are mirrored in his eyes. "Yeah, okay." They hug when her plane is called, and he kisses her cheek. She starts to walk away to board her plane, but he won't let go of her hand. He wants to ask her to stay, but he can't seem to form the words. "Let me go, Toby." He slowly, reluctantly, released her hand and she walks away. He stands there long after her plane leaves, hoping against hope that she'll come running back to him saying that she'd made a mistake. He leaves only when people start giving him funny looks. He rushes home, hoping that he hasn't missed her call.
Chapter Two
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