Fandom:

The West Wing AU

Pairing:

C.J./Danny

Rating:

PG-13 for topic

Distribution:

How much do I owe you for hauling it off?

Spoilers:

Up to and including Full Disclosure, from which the series follows on

Email:

exfilia at livejournal dot com

Disclaimer:

if I owned them, they'd have a lot more fun

Warning:

mentions nonconsensual sex

Note:

Hoynes lovers should probably be hitting delete right about now.

"Danny's in your office," Donna told Josh.

"He doesn't have a goldfish, does he?"

"A carton of eggs."

"I'm never going to live this down," Josh said, stepping through his door.

"You got that right," said Danny. "You want one of these?"

"Get out of my chair, and stick your eggs up your...."

"You sure? They're chocolate marshmallow."

"You trying to get on my good side?"

"You have a good side?"

"I only show it to a select few."

"Including members of the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards?"

"Not particularly."

"Then how did they manage to sneak an amendment about tornado insurance into the wetland preservation bill?"

"Wetland owners don't need insurance?"

"Tornado insurance for mobile home communities."

"Gimme." Josh frowned as he read the amendment. "Where did this come from? Donna!"

"Already fixed, my friend."

"You... fixed it?"

"Why the goggle eyes? Do I look to you like somebody who doesn't know how things happen in Washington?"

"*You* fixed it?"

"It's fixed, and two lobbyists from Consumer Action who were waiting to see the First Lady happened to overhear my assistant tell me you couldn't take my call because you were in with somebody from Financial Services. I think they're giving you a medal."

"So the insurance industry is pissed at me?"

"No, the insurance industry is pissed at Robin Barrett."

"The 'Bama Bomber took on the insurance companies? Danny, they financed her campaign."

"Yeah, she's going to be getting a call about that. This leaking thing is fun."

"You are a crazy man. You know that?"

"Yeah, so you should be nice to me."

"Do you know what happens when they figure out it's you?"

"An ex-reporter working for the First Lady? Never happen. If I were any more invisible people would walk through me."

"Danny... why are you telling me this?"

"Because it worked, and what worked once will work again."

"You've got more amendments to kill?"

"I've got a former vice president to kill. Want to help?"

"Congressman Seaborn, sir."

"Sam, thank you for coming."

"Mr. Vice President, what can I do for you?"

"Tell me why Bartlet's people aren't gunning for Hoynes yet."

"In my opinion, sir, they're trying to make sure none of the victims gets caught in the crossfire. There is always a certain credibility gap."

"I think I may have a solution to that problem." Russell touched a button on the tape player on his desk.

"I have this image in my mind," came Russell's taped voice, "of you going through the makers and doers at the heart of our party and deciding which one to use like a piece of plumbing tonight."

"I have this image of you fantasizing about doing what I've actually done. Does it get you hot, Bob?"

He stopped the tape. Seaborn was very pale.

"He just admits it," he stammered. "No remorse, no feeling, no... no nothing."

"He is the scum of the earth. I don't know exactly which of your former colleagues at the White House he abused, but I think this will guarantee them some closure."

"Did he consent to being taped?"

"No. No, we can't use it in court. Can you visualize it as a soundtrack to a campaign ad, though? Sam? Are you all right?"

"You don't plan to name the victims?"

"These people have suffered enough. Poor C.J.'s going to be our poster child, whether we like it or not. There's no reason to bring anyone else into it."

"I see. And what do you want from me?"

"I need... are you sure you're okay?"

"Of course. I... actually I think I'm going to be sick."