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.

"Sam wants to know if anybody's coming out before the election," said C.J., "and he says if it's Toby or Charlie, we should bring our own lawyer."

"Get a schedule of events from his people," said the president, "and make sure he has someone any time he wants."

"Is that not going to disturb the rest of the representatives running for reelection?"

"Sam has close ties to the White House, and he pulled off a miracle. I want to see that miracle last. Try to work with anyone who asks, but make sure Sam has what he needs."

"Um, remember, Katie probably has his name on the victims list."

"Did she run his picture?"

"No, not Sam and not Leo."

"Wonder why not?"

"Allen. Tom."

"Mr. Vice President."

"We're being formal, aren't we? Can I offer you a drink?"

"Bob, is there any way you can get the administration off the Hoynes thing?"

"If pulls out of the race."

"Nobody's asked him to do that."

"I did."

"You did?"

"Yeah. I don't think he truly understands the situation."

"The situation is pretty dire, here. I mean, the Republican party does not need anything but this to beat us in the midterms and wipe us out in the presidential race. It'll be a miracle if they don't wind up with a veto-proof majority."

"They don't need anything else, unless we handle this like we ought to."

"And what do you suggest?"

"Can we expel this degenerate from the party?"

"It's not a private club."

"Can we refuse him any backing at all? Can we make it plain to the public that we don't want him and he's not one of us?"

"He'd make that the issue. Let's face it, nobody who's in the race with him knows for a fact what happened, and if we appear to pass judgement...."

"What if there were?" Russell mused.

"What?"

"What if there were someone running for president, a primary opponent, someone who'd drop out as soon as Hoynes was gone...."

"Then the race is about them, and you're just sitting on the sidelines."

"...until he drops out."

"'He?' You know a guy this happened to who'll admit it?"

"It'd have to be. We don't have a woman who's qualified, except maybe...."

"Lord God, Bob," said Tom, "don't even think that!"

"Never happen," laughed Allen.

"That," said Tom, "is what they said about Seaborn and the California 47th."

"It's not something we want to happen," said Russell. "She's been through enough. Let me look into some other options, though, and get back to you, okay?"

"Carol," said C.J., "I need to see Katie Witt."

"Yeah, you and her editor and the Vice President, too."

"Which one?"

"Bingo Bob. He said she left about an hour ago on her way back here, and she forgot something."

"He called personally?"

"Yeah. I guess it's true. You wouldn't think she'd flaunt it like this, though."

"Keep that to yourself. She may be your next boss."

"A reporter?"

"You got a problem with that?" Both women turned at the familiar voice, and C.J. laughed.

"No," Carol told Danny, "but Katie's not as good as you."

"Nice try. C.J., I've got to go out for a while."

"And this has what to do with me?"

"You might want to hang around until I get back. There may be a thing."

"What kind of a thing?"

"Something I was looking into for the First Lady may turn particularly ugly. I don't want to spread it around until I'm sure. I don't want to upset anyone."

"You're really helping me get ready to spin this, here, Daniel."

He pushed her into her office and closed the door. They emerged in less than a minute, and C.J.'s face was very pale as Danny left.

"What is it?" said Carol.

"Nothing, yet, except I'm ready to quit and let Katie Witt turn this job into one continuous long lunch. When she finally gets in...."

"Yeah, you need to see her."

"It's important, Carol. Even if... something comes up and I forget about it, remind me, okay?"