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.

"Hey, Danny. What's wrong?"

"I've got a print reporter waiting in my office with his notebook on his knee?"

Mitch grinned at him.

"Don't you want to come home? The Post would take you back; they've had three guys in there since you left, and the newest one is already making passes at that kid who works for Fiderer, so...."

"I'm getting kind of used to the digs, over here. They actually believe in upholstery. Also I've got a staff to do the really dirty work. It's nice."

"How long you plan on being here?"

"Another decade or so."

"Uh-huh. And the next First Lady is going to take this one's advice on this kind of thing?"

"I guarantee it."

"I'm not sure Evangeline Hoynes is the type."

"That who you got in the pool?"

"Hell, no! I had Seaborn, until we checked out his birthday. Fifty bucks down the tube, there. At this point I think the Republicans have a lock on it, and I don't know if Bostitch's wife is even going to have a staff."

"Don't discount the good guys yet, Mitch. I think you may be pleasantly surprised."

"Yeah?" The notebook flipped open.

"When I can tell you, I will."

"Promise?"

"Is that what you came over here to hear?"

"No. No, there's people saying you've got an intern missing."

"Not that I know of. Walk with me." Danny led him into the outer office. "Nope," he said, pointing, "We got Steve, we got Beth, we got Alexandra, all present and accounted for. Who are we supposed to be missing?"

"Some girl that Charlie Young's been seeing?"

"Zoey?"

Mitch laughed.

"Don't think so. The source was very sure it was an intern. Zoey isn't...?"

"She's gone with the others to get the bridesmaid's gowns fitted. I talked to her myself before she left. I got to tell you, Mitch, I think someone's pulling your leg."

"You know anything about the Amy Gardner kidnapping?"

"I know this job is more dangerous than I thought. I lock my doors at night, let me tell you."

"Yeah. Okay, Danny. Nice seeing you again."

"Any time, buddy, any time." Danny watched Mitch out the door and down the hall, and then turned to Alexandra. "Get Leo on the phone," he said, "right now."

An almost solid line of Secret Service agents stood along the atrium railing, and another bevy clustered around the bridal department's entrance. C.J. sat in the waiting area with her bridesmaids, giggling like so many schoolgirls as each one vanished in turn into the dressing room and returned in her gown. Seamstresses clucked and took measurements, and Hogan and Annie made rude remarks until Annie's mother glared at them.

"Stop it, Liz," said Ellie. "You're spoiling the fun."

"This is your idea of fun? I feel like if I move the Feds will crash the place."

"Forget about them, and check out Mandy. The bow actually looks good on her."

"That's because Mandy doesn't have a butt in the first place."

"Mee-yow!"

"What are you doing checking Mandy out, anyway?" asked Donna. "I thought you were hooked up with Toby."

"Toby who?" asked Liz.

"Our Toby," C.J. said.

"You're kidding!" Ainsley clapped her hands across her mouth.

"Toby Ziegler?" Liz gaped at her sister. "Ellie, Daddy's going to have a cow!"

"Yeah, he's already in labor."

"He's Jewish!"

"Thank you, Elizabeth, but I had noticed that."

"Okay," said C.J., "suppressing any hint of wondering how."

"Leave her alone, Liz," said Mallory. "They're sweet together."

"We are not," said Ellie.

"You're adorable," said Zoey. "Go try your gown! They've already closed the photographer's studio for us, and we haven't even had our makeup done yet!"