C.J. Cregg returned from her early morning workout all pumped up. She had enough energy remaining despite the workout, to jog to her apartment door. She needed this time to clear her head and invigorate her for another busy day at the White House.

She came into her normally meticulous apartment and grinned at its disorganized state. C.J. had been on the road with the President and had come back into town last night.

Her luggage was in her hallway, her briefcase near the couch, shoes next to that. Then, things got interesting. C.J.'s coat was flung on a chair, a trail of clothes led from there to the bedroom. But they weren't all C.J.'s, her smile widened as she remembered Danny Concannon's way of saying welcome home. It sure beat the Welcome Wagon.

************
She was tired, she was cranky, she just wanted the day to end. President Bartlet hadn't wanted to make the trip to Oklahoma but it was a pay back. He needed to appear with a Congressman who'd marshaled support for a critical Children's Health Insurance Bill.

The President liked this opposition Congressman and was grateful the Bill passed. But President Bartlet hated these quick trips especially when the First Lady didn't travel with him.

He took part of his ill humor out on C.J. and the Press Corps. He relentlessly lectured and quizzed them on the geography of every area they flew over. For good measure, he threw in facts about how states came to be named.

C.J. heard rumblings from people on Air Force One about the penalty for tossing a President out the door. She swore one of the plotters was a Secret Service Agent.

They landed and she got the relieved Press Corps on to the buses and on their way. One familiar face was missing. Danny hadn't made the trip. His work on another book about First Lady Abigail Bartlet kept him in D.C.

C.J. made a quick stop at the White House. After checking messages, she checked to see if Danny was in his cubicle. He wasn't there, he wasn't at his place and he wasn't answering his cell phone.

She fed Gail the Goldfish, grabbed her stuff and headed home. She was disappointed about the day's end and figured it would be a glass of wine and a bubble bath to soothe away the day's frazzles. She thought wistfully, "I'd rather use Danny to unwind but apparently he's too busy." She laughed off the moment of self pity. "Who needs that attitude?", she decided.

Thoughts of Danny, their relationship, the trip just finished, and the next day occupied C.J.'s mind on the drive home. She pulled into the garage, unloaded her luggage and headed into the elevator.

C.J. was trudging down the hallway when she noticed a pile of clothes in front of her apartment door. The rumpled heap held Danny Concannon. He was sitting on the floor typing on his laptop. Her mood suddenly lifted.

She paused to study him. Danny as usual looked a bit wrinkled and was intent on the screen. He was working to get something just right, his fingers flew to put his words down. C.J. loved to watch him work; it was intense yet you could see the pleasure he took in his craft.

He glanced at his notebook and noticed her. Work was forgotten. C.J. was now his main focus. A huge smile went from his face to his eyes. There was also a stirring in his gut. "Hey, you're back."

"Hey, you're in front of my door." Her light tone belied her own butterflies. This man affected her like no other had. Danny made her as giddy as a schoolgirl but also made her aware she was a woman.

He scrambled to his feet. He was reaching for her bags when C.J. launched herself at him. Their arms wound around each other and their lips met. The kiss left them breathless. "Ms. Cregg, a P.D.A. I'm surprised."

"Well, it's not as if we're staging this Public Display of Affection on the Lincoln Memorial steps. But if you object, I'll stop."

"You will?", he moved his lips back to hers but stopped an inch away.

"Okay, I'll try and stop. Oh, never mind." Their next kiss swallowed their laughter. "I missed you." The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Danny knew it was a huge admission for her. He didn't make a big deal out of it, it might scare her off. Instead, he just pulled her closer and said, "That's what I was about to say. You took the words right out of my mouth while we were kissing."

C.J. was relieved he hadn't made a production out of her declaration. She hadn't meant to say it but it felt good for him to be aware of her feelings. "How did you know to be here now?"

"Lucky guess." He knew she wouldn't buy that. "I confess, I got a tip."

"From?"

"I can't reveal my sources."

C.J. snapped her fingers. "No need. It was Libby. She asked me my plans as we landed. You two are in cahoots." C.J. had taken the seat next to Libby Rhodes for part of the return trip. She liked the reporter and knew she was close to Danny. "I tried to call you. What's up with your cell phone?"

"I'll explain later." The volume of their hallway conversation caused a door further down to open. An elderly woman stuck her head out and Danny called to her. "She's back, Mrs. Ellert."

C.J.'s neighbor nodded and answered. "Good thing or I'd have snapped you up myself. He's a prize C.J."

"She knows.", Danny crowed.

"Hello Mrs. Ellert, how are you?"

"Your young man looked forlorn so I invited him in for a few minutes. Give him a key C.J., if he hangs around hallways, you'll lose him."

C.J. was clearly uncomfortable but determined to be polite to her elderly friend. "Thank you Mrs. Ellert. I'll keep it in mind." She hissed to Danny, "Let's go inside."

"One sec, that's why my cell phone was off. I thought it would be rude while I was talking to her." He reached down to his briefcase and grabbed a bunch of flowers. C.J. looked pleased. Her smile grew when Danny plucked one flower out of the bouquet and presented it to C.J. He sprinted down the hall to give the rest to Mrs. Ellert.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise. Danny kissed her on the cheek and said, "Thanks for keeping me company until C.J. got back."

"My pleasure. Any time."

C.J. had her apartment door open. Danny lugged in their stuff while C.J. watched. The door closed and she was in his arms. "That was so incredibly kind and generous. You made two women very happy."

"How happy?"

"I can't speak for Mrs. Ellert. But..." C.J. planted kisses all over his face, ending at his lips. She used her tongue to deepen the kiss until the room began to spin for both of them. "We can continue this discussion in the bedroom."

"Let's go and see if we make it that far, unless you're hungry?"

"I am. But not for food. We ate on Air Force One, unless you. . .?"

"Nope. Mrs. Ellert fed me, I had Irish Stew."

"Perfect for you."

"She's a good cook."

"I know, I get plates from her occasionally."

"We'll have to take her to dinner."

"Fine but not tonight. I have other things in mind." They began to kiss again. Their hands matched the action of their lips and tongues as they began to slip each other out of pesky clothing. When their hands reached bare skin, they moved quickly down the hall into C.J.'s bedroom.

***********
The time apart sweetened their passion. It was like rediscovering a much loved book. You knew the story well but still found new and exciting nuances as you looked again.

When they finally came together after all the kissing and caressing, it was shattering. Danny held C.J. afterwards and she snuggled against him murmuring once again that she'd missed him. "That time I meant it from me. I wanted you to know."

"I knew C.J. And I know you're not comfortable saying it. Thank you for sharing that and making this night even more special."

"You know what would make it even better?"

"Yes. But I need a little time to recharge my batteries."

"Besides that."

"What?" Danny sounded puzzled.

"Ice cream."

"You want me to go out and get ice cream? I know that isn't delivered."

"Don't be silly. As long as you like chocolate, I have 3 different flavors in the freezer. I'll be right back."

"More surprises from you Ms. Cregg?" They feasted on ice cream, then on each other. Danny had a change of clothes with him so they could fall asleep in each other's arms and share her bed for the night.

*********
Those memories had made it tough for C.J. to leave that bed and go to the gym. But she was back now and enjoying reliving them. When she heard Danny's cheerful whistle down the hall, she sighed in contentment.

He wouldn't use her bathroom because the soap in there was "too girlie". She crept down the hall to the guest bathroom to get a whiff of steam, "guy soap" and his cologne. He caught sight of her in her work out clothes and said, "Good morning."

"Hi. You smell good." She kissed him and then began to kiss his bare shoulder and neck. His scent was now familiar and comforting but also dangerous.

"You too."

"Danny, I'm all sweaty."

"I like you that way."

"Hmmmm, good to know." She eyed the towel around his waist. "How much?"

"C.J., I feel like a piece of meat. How much time do we have?"

"Probably not enough." She moved away from him. "Wouldn't it be fun though to give in to temptation?"

Reluctantly, Danny said, "Some other time. Coffee's on."

"Thanks. I'll grab my shower first." She started out the door but turned quickly. C.J. pulled the towel off of him. "Figured, I'd borrow this."

She'd surprised him with the playful gesture. "No problem, anything I have is yours."

"Promises, promises." Her voice and laughter floated back down the hall at him.

********
C.J. came out of the shower to find a mug of coffee waiting in the bathroom. She put on a robe and wrapped a towel around her wet hair. She moved into the bedroom to start assembling her outfit. Normally, she laid out her clothes the night before but had been distracted from that last night.

She smiled again recalling what had gone on instead of mundane chores. Danny noticed her expression and then saw her face drop in disappointment since he was already dressed. "No repeat performances Fish Boy?"

"Sorry, if I'm late for the Morning Briefing, the Press Secretary punishes me. I found toaster waffles, I left some for you in the kitchen."

"Forget breakfast. I'll bet you like being punished."

"Well, yeah. But I can't let her know." He pushed C.J. back on the bed and yanked the towel off her hair. "Turnabout is fair play. Though I doubt the view is as interesting."

"Should I trade my robe for a towel?"

"No need. I can improvise. I'm a very creative boy." Danny hovered over her and leaned down to kiss her. He dropped a hand to the robe's sash and opened it. "Now that's an incomparable view."

C.J. pulled him down for a kiss and they rolled around on the bed until a pager began to beep. "Damn.", they both swore.

"Mine or yours?", a disappointed C.J. asked.

"Mine.", a dejected Danny answered. He got up and moved to the night stand to grab it. He angrily punched buttons. "Let me call in." He left the bedroom to use his cell phone. They never took a chance with caller I.D. giving them away. C.J. retied the robe and started heading to the dining room.

She heard Danny swear, slam down his phone and begin punching keys on his laptop. "Danny, what is it?"

He held up a hand. "Give me a second. "

"Sure." In a moment he had the web site he wanted and started to scroll down. C.J. asked, "Did you find what you're looking for?"

"Yeah. Remember I asked you about that textbook story?"

"Uh-huh." C.J. suddenly felt a chill. "Why?"

"Katie got it and..." Danny's voice trailed off as his scrolling stopped. His eyes grew larger. "But I guess you knew she had the story. After all it quotes, 'White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg'. Do you recall your words?"

"Yes I do." She looked over his shoulder. "It's accurate."

Danny's voice was cold. "Good to know that when I'm scooped, it should be accurate."

"I'm sorry you were scooped."

"You knew I was working on the story."

"You're working on a lot of stories, some I know about, some I don't."

"Think back C.J." His tone was sharp. "I asked you about a tip that a new American History textbook touted by the Department of Education was rife with errors."

"Yes, you did and I told you I'd check it out."

"Did you?"

"Of course. No one had gotten back to me. Katie had it from another source, I confirmed we were looking into it."

"You could have said something."

"Oh really? Like what?" She was feeling angry and hurt. "Hey Danny, Katie is on your story?"

"That sounds good."

"And should I tell Katie when you move ahead on a story she's working on. Isn't that the fair thing?"

He sputtered. "You know what I mean."

"I do and it's pretty insulting."

"C.J. you know how hard I work to get stories. But I also tip you off to things. Should I list them?"

"No. But you know it works both ways Danny. I've given you leads on stories but not ones someone else is ready to break."

They just stared at each other, hurt and anger vying for control. C.J. spoke with a catch in her voice. "We knew this could happen before we got involved."

"Yeah."

"We talked about it."

"Yeah."

"We agreed we could handle it."

"Yeah."

"We said it would be fine."

"Yeah."

"We promised it wouldn't matter."

"Yeah."

"You lied."

"Yeah."

The silence fell again. Danny looked at her, leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead. "But, I didn't mean to hurt you C.J." He slammed down the laptop lid, grabbed his stuff and headed for the door. He didn't turn back so he didn't see the tear sliding down C.J.'s cheek.

"Yeah.", she said.

(TO BE CONTINUED)