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.

"Tradition and Modernity in Francophone Africa," she said, "Politics in North Africa, and Ethnicity, Religion and Nationalism."

"Good God, Donna," said the president, "what are you studying?"

"Comparative Government, sir, with minors in French and African Studies. It's what my transfer credit added up to."

"Good God."

"Yes, sir. Would you like to run through the address once before...."

"The last time you said that to me, the number of takes ran into triple digits."

"Yes, sir, but we can't do that this time."

"You have a class?"

"Not until the term begins, sir. I have to help pick out bridesmaids' gowns."

"Probably more of an intellectual challenge than Ethnicity, Religion and Nationalism."

"There'll certainly be an element of negotiation, sir."

"How's that?"

"C.J. wants us to wear white lace with a satin, um...."

"Butt bow?"

"Yes, sir."

"Humor her. It's her wedding."

"I feel like Alice in Wonderland in the Disney movie with her apron strings dangling everywhere."

"Wait until you have my job, Donna. The looking glass is locked, and there's no way out, and wearing a butt bow is a comparatively pleasant prospect." He set his glasses on the desk and rubbed his eyes. "Read the statement to me, would you, Donna? I can't seem to...."

"Are you all right, sir?"

"Was I ever? Just read the damn thing to me."

"Our heart goes out to the families of the American hostages...."

C.J. muted the television.

"Bring me a transcript when he's done," she told Carol. "If I sit here and listen to his voice, I'll...."

"He's being a prick," said Danny from his usual post in the doorway.

"What are you doing here?"

"Come to commiserate about Hoynes being a prick on national television where you have to watch."

"I'm not that fragile, Danny. I don't need an emotional crutch."

"Then you're better than the guy we have now, 'cause I see my boss propping him up all the time."

"Yeah? How?"

"Come here." He pulled her up out of her seat and into his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder as his thumbs made circles along the steel-hard tendons in her neck.

"She never did this to him in front of you," said C.J., snuggling closer to him.

"No, but Leo did."

She pushed him away.

"Danny, did they not tell you...?"

"That Margaret is out of her mind and everybody else in the White House is on rumor control? C.J., this is no secret to anybody."

"It's not happening."

"Well, it oughta be! If they were any hotter for each other they'd scorch the carpet in the Oval Office! When the guys in the room couldn't find anything else to do, they used to research it, and try to find any other guys they'd ever dated."

"We've got reporters actually talking about this?"

Danny nodded.

"For years."

"I haven't noticed anybody writing about it."

"It's not news. Besides, you mention persistant rumors that the president is having an affair with the chief of staff without rock solid sources, you'll be stringing for the Intelligencer tomorrow."

"Good to know."

"You pick one, yet?"

"Chief of staff? You just want to get a head start being jealous."

"C.J., I'm jealous of anyone who touches you."

"Danny!"

"Your hairdresser," he whispered, and kissed her. "Your dressmaker." Another kiss. "Your podiatrist."

"I don't have a podiatrist."

"Good," he said, and kissed her again. "One less thing to worry about."