Monday morning C.J. gingerly walked into the West Wing. She was still tired,
sore and pale but proud to be walking. The flow of people indicated the
worst was over.
It had been a lost weekend for her. C.J. meant to get things done but all
she could do was sleep. Yesterday, she managed some of the chicken soup that
Mrs. Landingham sent home with her. It was good and soothing. That and apple
sauce were the staples of her diet. Real food was still not a possibility.
C.J. indulged herself to get to work. She used the perk of calling the White
House Transportation Office and had a driver bring her in. C.J. toyed with
the idea of calling Danny but decided against it. Things between them were
still too supercharged with emotion and energy.
But she hoped to remedy part of that today. C.J. had summoned some of her
energy to launder the outfit Danny loaned her. It was packed in a small box
with a note. It wasn't just a thank you but also an IOU for a home cooked
meal, any meal.
C.J. remembered Danny telling her he wanted to see what she looked like over
that first cup of coffee. This was his chance.
She noticed Cathy, Bonnie and Charlie moving through the halls. It was slow
movement but they were at work. At her desk, C.J. went through the usual
routine. She fed the fish and started sorting through the paperwork and
newspapers. Then C.J. noticed something unusual, flowers.
An arrangement nestled in a teacup with a matching saucer. The flowered cup
was painted in pastel tones similar to the ones in her apartment. C.J.
pulled out the card and found a note attached from the florist. That read:
This is an antique, please pull out the arrangement. We built it in a
separate dish to protect this beautiful container that was provided to us.
We loved it and hope you will too."
The card was from Danny. "What's a trip to London without tea? This reminded
me of you, now that I've seen the colors in your home, I understand why. It
looks like it and like you."
C.J. sighed and looked at Gail the Goldfish. "And all you got was Big Ben."
There was a cough from the hallway. It was Donna. "C.J. are you ready for
Staff?"
"Absolutely, as you heard I'm starved for conversation." She joined Donna
for the walk to Leo's office. "Glad you're feeling better, Donna."
"You too. Did Josh send you those flowers C.J.?"
"No, why?"
"Well, I got flowers but no card. Any idea who sent us flowers?"
"Donna, mine weren't anonymous. No clues on yours?"
"Just a little get well thingy stuck in them. They're very pretty."
"A secret admirer Donna. That's pretty amazing considering there are no
secrets in this place."
Inside Leo's office was a nearly full complement of Senior Staff. Leo, Sam,
Josh and C.J. plus assorted aides and assistants. Nice to jockey for a good
seat. But some remnants of the ravages of the flu remained, not a lot of
takers on coffee or pastries.
Sam looked around, "Where's Mandy?"
Leo told them. "Still on the disabled list. And we'll have to manage without
Toby today."
Josh was surprised. "Wait, all his preparations, preventatives and paranoia
and Toby still got the flu?"
"No." Leo made no attempt to hide his glee. "He had an allergic reaction to
the dye in his Vitamin C tablets. He'll be okay by tomorrow."
There were suppressed grins around the room. Leo got down to business. "This
will be quick because we all have a lot to catch up on at our desks. I want
our goal today to be to get as close to top speed as possible. C.J., that's
the theme in your Briefings. The President has a full morning and light
afternoon."
From Staff C.J. headed to the Briefing Room. Libby Rhodes stopped her. She
worked with Danny. "C.J. just wanted to let you know, I'm in today for
Danny. He's trying to finish up his series."
C.J. was a little surprised but concealed it. "Okay, welcome. Need anything
Libby?"
"No thanks. He's working here. If I have any questions, I can bug him.
Probably not much happening anyway."
"We can only hope." C.J. moved towards the podium and her arrival was
greeted with applause. "Thank you. It's nice to see so many of you back. Why
all this adulation now? It should be an everyday thing when you see me
approach."
Stan took the lead. "C.J. it's a tribute to your supply closet. It was a
life saver and we're grateful."
It was Chris' turn to join in. "We'll repay the debt, can we just drop off
replacement supplies in your office?"
"Tell you what, how does this sound? Restock what you took and we'll send it
some of the shelters. I'm hoping we won't need the items any more and I'm
sure they were hard hit too." There was a murmur of approval for her off the
cuff idea. It set the tone for a quick and positive session.
When it wrapped, C.J. moved through the milling reporters. Billy Kenworthy
stopped her. "How are you feeling C.J.?"
"Better thanks. You're still on your feet, that's pretty astounding."
"I heard the West Wing Staff got hit hard. Sam, Josh, Josh's Assistant."
"Yeah but everyone's back now." C.J. was only half paying attention as she
kept an eye out for Danny.
Billy asked, "Even in Josh's office?"
"Uh-huh, I saw Josh and Donna scrapping and bickering already. A sure sign
things are back to normal."
"That's good. Catch you later C.J."
Her preoccupation kept C.J. from connecting Billy's interest in Josh and his
staff with Donna's flowers. C.J. wondered how to discreetly track down
Danny. She ended up taking the direct approach, leaving a note on his
cubicle desk asking him to come to her office. He showed up there an hour
later when she was putting some files on Carol's desk.
"Hi, come on in." She led him into her office.
"Hey, how are you?"
"Much better Danny, especially when I saw these. Thank you." She pulled him
away from the door and leaned over to kiss him. "They're beautiful."
After a few seconds, they broke apart. "Glad you liked them. Did Libby check
in with you?"
"Yes, just before the Briefing. Are you about wrapped up?"
Danny was staring into space. "Huh?"
"Danny are you okay?"
"Fine, eye strain. Lots of time this weekend staring at the screen."
"That'll do it." C.J. handed him the box. "I'm returning your belongings."
Danny looked inside. "Freshly washed and nicely folded, you might have an
alternate career as a laundress." He pulled out the folded sheet of
stationery. Danny read it with a glance and put it back in the box.
"Thanks."
C.J. expected a more enthusiastic response to her offer of a home cooked
meal, even a breakfast. Maybe she'd misread things. "You're welcome." Her
tone went from unsure to cool. "Let me know if you'd rather eat out or just
forget the whole thing."
"Okay I will. Excuse me, C.J." Danny left hurriedly. C.J. was left behind
with confusion on her face and a heavy heart. She got up and shut her door
to get some work done.
It was still closed an hour later when Josh knocked and staggered in. He
struggled to carry a huge box of toilet paper and tissue to add to the
growing pile of replacements. "Great idea to help the shelters C.J." Josh
flopped onto her couch. "Let's get the stuff delivered today or Mandy will
be calling a full scale media alert tomorrow. Plus I'll bet you'd like to
have your office back."
"Good point. Oh Josh, just so you know, Billy Kenworthy asked about Sam,
Donna and you after the Briefing. He was glad to hear all of you are back.
Pass it along."
"I hardly know him but that's nice, I guess." Josh shrugged. "Ran into Libby
Rhodes outside. Is she covering for Danny?"
"Yeah, he's getting that European Leaders series wrapped up."
Josh sprang up from the couch. "He won't get much done from the Men's Room."
"What are you talking about, where's Danny?"
"Making that endless loop between his desk and a stall. Poor guy. See you
later."
"Sure, bye." C.J.'s mind was elsewhere because of Josh's news. She looked at
the pile of papers on her desk and reached a decision. "Carol?"
Her assistant came into the office. "Yes, C.J.?"
"We're planning an early lid. You'll have to help Sam or Leo handle it. I
need to leave."
"No problem, are you alright?"
"I will be. Also get these supplies where they need to be please. I'll call
Leo to let him know I'm leaving."
"Don't worry. I'll handle everything, just take care of yourself."
"Thanks Carol." C.J. moved to the phone and punched a number. She loaded up
her briefcase as she waited for an answer.
"Leo McGarry's office." The voice was not Margaret, it was Mrs. Landingham.
"Mrs. Landingham, it's C.J. Where's Margaret?"
"Latest casualty. Leo's in a meeting, I'm helping out."
"As you always do. I needed Leo to know that I'll be leaving. Everything is
under control, someone just needs to do the final Briefing."
"I take it anyone but Josh."
"Absolutely. Mrs. Landingham, I'm sorry to be cutting out."
"Of course you are Dear, we'll manage. One more thing, C.J."
"Yes?"
"Is Danny Concannon around? I was looking for him."
"He's here Mrs. Landingham. Did you try his cubicle?"
"No luck. He sent me flowers for helping him on Friday. I wanted to say
thank you."
"Flowers? Very considerate. I appreciate your help too. The chicken soup was
delicious and just right."
"Thank you C.J. I thought you might come across Danny. Don't worry about a
thing, just get yourself out of here."
They hung up, C.J. was sure Mrs. Landingham was on to her. But just as sure
her secret was safe. She grabbed her stuff and headed for the Press bullpen.
Danny was heading the same way. She intercepted him at the door. "Grab your
coat and whatever else you need, I've fed the fish. You're out of here."
"What do you mean?"
"You're sick, you're tired, you're on your way home. Do as you're told or
I'll get Mrs. Landingham."
Danny started to protest and thought better of it. "Where are you going? Are
you having a relapse?"
"No, I'm taking you home Danny. Meet me outside in two minutes before I
change my mind and get Josh to play chauffeur."
"Sold." He headed for his cubicle.
C.J. was signed out and nearly out the door when Mrs. Landingham hurried up
to her. She carried a brown bag. "C.J., a little more soup to take." Then
the older woman whispered, "There's a thank you note for the flowers inside,
please give it to Danny." Mrs. Landingham squeezed C.J.'s arm as the Press
Secretary blushed.
C.J. hurried out the door to the garage. Ralph came to meet her. "Nice to
see you back Ms. C.J."
"Not for long. I'm leaving for the day."
"Let me get your car, you need to save your strength."
She started to protest. He stopped her. "You were so thoughtful while I was
sick, my turn." That convinced her to be gracious and offer her thanks.
Ralph put C.J. into her car a short time later. She pulled around to find
Danny outside and walking toward the media lot. C.J. stopped the car so
Danny could climb in. "Need a taxi, sir?"
"So I've been told." Danny sighed.
C.J. pulled out of the driveway. "I know where I'm going. I looked you up. I
can't believe you're listed in the phone book."
"I owe you an apology, C.J." Danny began, "I wasn't very nice or grateful
this morning. I just felt lousy and couldn't focus."
"No big deal, turn about is fair play. It's my turn to look after you
Danny."
"Just drop me off and then you can get back to work."
"I'm not going back to work." C.J. said firmly. "A wise person told me
there's more to life than work, I'm testing his theory."
"Okay, but my place isn't as big or la-dee-dah as yours."
"I'll ignore la-dee-dah because I saw you smile. It's not a problem as long
as you're going to be comfortable."
"The bathroom floor is all I'm interested in. That and my bed."
"I'll get you into your rattiest pajamas, get you tucked in and get some of
the soup Mrs. Landingham sent into you."
Danny interrupted, "No food, please C.J."
"I understand, it'll be fine. I'll take care of you." C.J. reached over and
rubbed his shoulder.
Danny put a hand over hers. "Got a travel bag with you?"
"I don't think you'd like my lingerie." At that Danny grinned, C.J.
clarified. "For you to wear, you idiot."
"Fair point, how about you?"
"I can always wear something of yours." She smiled wickedly at him.
Danny groaned, "I'll never be able to sleep."
Traffic was slowing for a red light. C.J. braked and told him. "Don't worry,
there's no rush. We have lots of time in our favor."
She took her eyes off the intersection to send him a smile. But it was lost
on Danny who suddenly opened the door to lean outside and be sick.
"Oh, well." C.J. sighed and said."We'll work on that romance stuff later."
The end