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.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," said C.J., leaning on her podium. "Any questions on anything other than the midterms?"

"C.J.?"

"Mitch?"

"Does the president consider the lack of a veto-proof majority in the House...."

"The president is pleased to have any majority at all in the House for the first time during this administration, and we'll worry about vetos when he signs one."

"C.J., does the re-election of Congressman Seaborn by a large majority mean that the California 47th is now a safe seat for Democrats?"

"There's no such thing as a safe seat for Democrats. Okay, does anybody have anything unrelated to the midterms?"

"You're back?" Abbey said as Leo's long fingers adjusted the toy duck's floppy feet.

"You put a toy out in plain sight, grown men are going to come play with it."

"Don't you have a country to run?"

"I need to talk to my counterpart, there."

"What'd I do?" asked Danny.

"I don't know yet, but I expect to be vexed."

"I appreciate your confidence."

"So what are you and C.J. doing this Friday night?"

"Trying to come up with a new euphemism."

"For what?"

"Everybody knows C.J. hates barbecue."

"Abbey, take me with you when you leave, please?"

"Why, Leo, don't you want to work here when Danny's sitting at this desk?"

"Would you? Don't glare, Abigail. You're spooking the duck."

"So what's Friday night?" she asked.

"Your invitation's on its way. Mal and I are having a little party, is all."

"What for?"

"Well, if this clown can drag himself away from his... grill, we'd like it to be in honor of his engagement."

"Oh," said Danny, blinking. "That's very kind of you, but...."

"But nothing. Be there. You'll have plenty of time to cook off your burgers afterward." Leo looked around. "Where's your pet preppy?"

"She called in sick," said Danny.

"Is she okay?"

"Going over there at lunchtime to make sure."

"Maybe I should go," said Abbey.

"Yeah, and if she wasn't sick before the motorcade rolled up...."

"Leo, I know a little bit about sick people. Yes?"

"Yes, but you also know a little bit about the Congressional Women's Caucus, which wants a piece of my fundament and I would appreciate if you found out why!"

"Dental insurance," said Danny. "The lack of dental insurance is a disproportionate burden on single parents, and a disproportionate number of them...."

"...are women in low wage jobs. Is there any way I can get you restricted to the press room again?"

"Once you open the box, Leo...."

"Yeah, well, remember that come Friday night."

"Donna?"

"Hi, Ellie."

"You're not mad at me, are you?"

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because I said what I did."

"You're not mad at me, for telling your dad?"

"That I wanted a cat? No, I'm starting to get used to him. I didn't like the sofa he shredded anyway. I just... I thought maybe you were mad because, you know, you wanted a cat, too? A particular cat. I didn't want you to think I had designs...."

"Ellie, what are you talking about?"

"The picture in the paper. I thought you liked Josh, really."

"I do... I mean, not that way. I don't like Toby that way, either."

"But you went out with him?"

"Yeah. Your father told me to."

"He did?"