Summit Time And The Lovin' Is Easy -- Part 1/5
Disclaimer: The West Wing and its characters are the property of Aaron
Sorkin, Warner Brothers and NBC. No Copyright Infringement is intended.
RATING: PG-13
Many thanks to Lulu for her patient proof reading and great insight.
**********
Air Force One was at its cruising altitude heading for the G-8 Summit in
Brussels. The President and First Lady were in their Quarters trying to
catch a little sleep as they crossed the Atlantic.
Senior Staffers, the Press Corps and support staff tried for the same relief
in less plush surroundings. Secret Service Agents moved through the plane
with wary eyes, just in case.
Leo McGarry had suggested the night time flight. It gave everyone a chance
to unwind. C.J. Cregg backed him, it meant fresh video for evening newscasts
of an excited First Couple heading for their first major Summit with other
World Powers.
The forward compartment for Senior Staff was a little less crowded this
trip. Josh Lyman, Toby Ziegler and their assistants stayed behind to run the
White House. But the area still resembled the aftermath of a frat party.
Bodies scattered in various positions for sleep. Leo McGarry was stretched
out and dead to the world. Sam Seaborn, head lolled to the side kept waking
up and nodding off again.
C.J. Cregg slept curled up on a pair of seats. She'd thought about staking
out a spot among the Press Corps as she often did. But tonight she'd given
that duty to her assistant, Carol.
There was a good reason. C.J. wasn't sure she could be that close to Danny
Concannon and not get into trouble. They'd become lovers on Valentine's Day,
a few days before the Summit. But since then their White House obligations
had kept them from another night of passion.
But not from each other's arms. Danny stopped by her office at least once a
day. The door would close and they'd be in an embrace. It had to suffice for
now, they both knew that. It didn't lessen the yearning or Danny's
creativity. Today he'd delivered a bear hug with a jointed Teddy Bear. The
small bear had reddish fur, nearly the same color as Danny's hair and beard.
He'd suggested she keep it close so she'd be able to share her bed with a
red head all the time. The bear was tucked into her carry-on bag.
That sweet gesture aside, temptation was hard to ignore. As C.J. stood in
the aisle updating the Press Corps on scheduled events, she'd ended up next
to Danny's seat in the front row. While she droned on facing the others, her
back was to Danny. Her hand found its way to his shoulder. Danny quickly
moved it to his mouth and kissed it. C.J. managed to keep her composure even
when he ran a gentle hand down her back, past her thighs to her knees. Those
knees nearly buckled.
That ended her plan to sleep out there. Danny grinned when Carol trotted out
to grab a seat in the Press Corps section. C.J. was brilliant as usual, he
decided. This way, C.J. and he would both get a little rest. He'd settled in
and dropped off instantly.
For another hour, sleep would be the main activity on board.
************
A phone buzzed in the Senior Staff compartment. Leo grabbed for the phone as
he came out of his sleep. He retrieved it from the floor after knocking it
there in his groggy state. "Yes, yes sir." Leo nodded. "We'll be back in a
few minutes. No sir, I think C.J. would prefer you stay put."
Leo kicked at Sam's chair while listening to a few more words from the
President. A sleepy Sam looked up and Leo pointed to C.J. Sam shook awake
and went over to C.J.'s sleeping figure. "Up and at'em Bright Eyes."
C.J. muttered something unintelligible and then sat up. She tossed her hair
back, started to stretch and eyed Sam. "This better be good, Buster."
Sam gestured to Leo. They heard Leo say, "I'm sure C.J. wants to see you
first sir. She likes to wake up the Press Corps her way." At that C.J.
bolted for a small tote bag, stepping into shoes and hurrying out in one
motion. She made a dash for the bathroom nearest the President's Quarters.
She freshened up and was knocking on the door a few minutes later with the
Secret Service Agent's okay. C.J. wanted to keep President Bartlet from
booming a morning greeting over the cockpit microphone. He wouldn't do that
or start a lecture on Flemish History or Belgian Geography, if she could
prevent it.
The President sang out, "Come in." C.J. went inside determined to be
charming even without her first cup of coffee. Ten minutes later they'd
reached a compromise. C.J. would issue the wake-up call and then the
President would circulate through the Press area of Air Force One before
meeting with Leo.
"Are you sure C.J.? I have some great facts about the leading exports and
imports for all G-8 countries, not to mention the Gross National Products."
The President hated to let an opportunity to share knowledge pass.
She assured him, "No sir, it's fine. I think this works better."
As C.J. turned to leave, an amused Abigail Bartlet called out, "C.J. come
have coffee with me when this is settled."
"Yes, ma'am. I'd love to." The friends exchanged warm smiles.
**********
The Media elite were dead to the world. Some wore earplugs, some sleep
masks, some had pillows over their heads. "The best and the brightest.",
C.J. mused as she made her way through that part of the plane.
She called out a "Good Morning" reinforcing it with taps, shoulder shakes
and in Danny's case a sharp slap to the head. His "ow" was muffled by the
pillow she pushed to his face.
They really didn't stir until coffee and breakfast were being served. C.J.
waited for that to take effect and for people to freshen up. She announced
the President would be joining them for an informal session.
"Is this in lieu of the usual quiz?", Danny called out.
"That's the current plan." C.J. answered a few more questions and went over
to confer with Carol. "How'd you sleep?"
"Okay. I was able to block out most of the snores this time. I love ear
plugs." She held them up with a big smile.
"Fine, we have a few minutes before the President gets here. Keep an eye on
these hyenas. I need to update Sam and Leo." C.J. turned to go but looked
back. "By the way, Bonnie knows to feed my fish, right?" Carol nodded
seriously, everyone knew how C.J. felt about that Goldfish.
Sam and Leo were already in high gear with computers, papers and coffee.
C.J. shared the plan for the President, it met with their approval. Sam
volunteered to baby-sit the President once C.J. mentioned her meeting with
the First Lady. C.J. started to bristle at the implication she couldn't do
her job when Sam sent her a pleading look. Instead she said, "All right with
me, if it's okay with Leo."
Leo replied, "Yeah, whatever." He went back to his crossword puzzle hidden
in a report.
Sam maneuvered C.J. toward the door and she asked, "What was all that
about?"
"I don't want Leo to ask me about Mallory. Every time we're alone he just
keeps staring at me. It's weird."
"So what could he find out about?", she teased.
"Don't go there or I'll ask Danny Concannon about cinnamon scented candles."
"Okay, but this thing isn't over. You owe me for this and for the candles.",
C.J. slipped out.
Sam grumbled under his breath. He was always doing something that left him
beholden to women. And the debt was never paid off.
**********
With a sigh of relief, C.J. made her way out of the Press Section of Air
Force One back to the Family Quarters. A Secret Service Agent announced her
and she went in to see the First Lady.
As C.J. was coming in, the First Lady's Chief Of Staff Lilli Mays was
leaving. She gave C.J. a cool look but said nothing. C.J. offered a hello
but was right in figuring it would be ignored. C.J. had no idea why Lilli
despised her. C.J. just shrugged it off.
Abbey decided not to ignore the slight. After greeting C.J. with a hug and
an already poured cup of coffee, she motioned C.J. to sit down. "I wish
Lilli would get over things."
C.J. thought it best to keep quiet and wait for Abigail Bartlet to continue.
The First Lady understood and obliged. "I know this will be between us.
Lilli wanted your job, she felt she was better qualified. But Jed is more
comfortable with you and your work. He knows you did more during the
campaign. I enjoy working with Lilli even though I'm her consolation prize
but Jed did what was right and I supported his decision."
"Thank you ma'am."
Abbey paused, not sure if she should continue. "You should know it's a
little more personal too."
"How can that be?"
"Well, Lilli knows you and I are friends from those Campaign Trail days."
"I see."
"Then there's Danny. She made a play for him."
C.J.'s head jerked up. "Danny Concannon?"
"Is there another red headed genius chasing after you?"
"No." C.J. considered all this information. "I didn't know that."
"My sources tell me Danny politely set her straight a long time ago. But she
isn't used to losing and she's lost twice to you C.J., personally and
professionally."
"Thank you for explaining things to me. It gives me a little perspective."
"Good. I guess I'd say watch your back. Don't get me wrong. Lilli is
terrific at what she does for me. But you are my friend." Abbey gave C.J. a
warm smile. "Now be my friend and tell me about you and Danny."
C.J. burst out laughing. "There's nothing to tell."
The First Lady raised an eyebrow, "Nothing?"
"Okay Abbey. Nothing I will tell."
"Are you happy?"
"Not at the moment. But yes, I'm happier than I've been in a long time."
"Good it shows. Now, send Danny Concannon back here."
"Wait a minute, why?"
"I don't believe C.J. that you are allowed to question the First Lady like
that."
"I get it now. I missed the signal switching us back to official status."
"He and I do have to talk, actually negotiate. There's interest in a follow
up book on me after a year in the White House. Danny knows I won't go ahead
without him as the author."
"I'm sure he's flattered."
"We reached a comfortable place. I want to see if he's interested and if we
should start keeping some things aside like my Summit wardrobe sketches. I
may even share some of my speech drafts and let them be compared with the
final product from the communications team."
C.J. started to speak. Abbey held up a hand. "Don't worry C.J., it'll all be
cleared through your part of the West Wing. Now, fetch my scribe. I'll see
what I can worm out of him about you two."
C.J. groaned and headed out. She signaled to Carol in the Press Section and
got a thumb's up. C.J. glanced at her watch and smiled. President Bartlet
had made quick work of his Press visit and was behind closed doors with Leo.
The Media members were divided into groups congregating in the aisles,
groups finishing breakfast and groups working. Danny was in the latter. C.J.
could see those magic fingers of his moving over the keyboard as she neared
his seat. She shivered with delight remembering how they'd moved over her.
"Follow me please.", she requested when she reached his seat. "The First
Lady wants to see you."
"Be right there.", he said as he finished his typing with a flourish and
closed the lap top. Danny was reaching for a notebook when he said, "On or
off the record?"
"I believe official." She led him back toward the Presidential Quarters.
They paused in a deserted galley. "At least I hope so."
They looked around and noticed they had some privacy. In a flash, C.J.
pulled Danny towards her. He responded by pinning her against a wall. Their
lips met in a searing kiss that didn't last long enough. "I've been dying to
do that.", C.J. whispered. "I wanted to rub my face on your beard and my
hands all over the rest of you."
"Yeah, I noticed the tender, gentle loving way you woke me up.", Danny
whispered back. "My head still hurts."
"Frustration coming out. I was sorry I couldn't figure out a way to sleep
next to you."
"I noticed you sent Carol out to keep an eye on me.", he grinned. While they
whispered their hands were busy on each other's bodies.
C.J.'s ever present notepad slipped forgotten to the floor. "Apparently I
have reason to worry but we'll discuss that another time. For now, I'll
enjoy this dalliance."
Danny continued his grabbing and kissing. "I'll admit I never figured on
groping you in the galley of Air Force One. Maybe we should think about
membership in the Mile High Club."
"Later.", she whispered. "You need to go see Mrs. Bartlet. She might ask
about us, be careful. While you do that, I have to decide how to get my mind
back on Summit Speeches and G-8 Meetings."
"Glad I'm a distraction. Wait." he looked deep into her eyes, liked what he
saw and kissed her one more time. "Okay, that should hold me for a time,
until the time I can be holding you."
"Lucky you, you're fine." She bent to pick up the notepad on the floor.
Danny gave an appreciative look at the view before smoothing his hair and
straightening his tie. Then he slipped through the curtain toward the First
Lady's door.
***********
C.J. made sure she chatted with some other reporters and photographers. Sam
was alone when she made it back to their compartment. Leo and the President
were still meeting. The Staff assistants including Margaret and Carol were
busy in other parts of the plane.
Sam looked up from his lap top, "I saved you a breakfast tray. It's there."
"Thanks, I'm starved." C.J. dropped into her seat.
"It's the least I could do for you since you got me out of Leo's radar." Sam
gave her a grateful smile and then looked closer at her. "C.J. are you okay?
You look flushed."
She answered quickly, "I'm fine." She moved to change the subject. "What are
you working on?"
Now it was Sam's turn to redden. "Nothing just a message." C.J. gave him a
pointed stare and he caved. "Okay. It's to Mallory. I miss her. I figured we
were halfway to membership in the Mile High Club with me
e-mailing her."
"Sam, I don't think the Mile High Club requirements are easily duplicated in
cyberspace."
"Gotta give a guy points for trying," Sam offered.
"You do indeed." C.J. agreed and smiled as she thought of her recent
encounter with Danny.
(TO BE CONTINUED)