One Flu Over the White House

by: Lida Rose

Pairing(s): C.J./Danny
Category(s): Alternate Universe
Rating:YTEEN
Disclaimer: The West Wing and its characters are the property of Aaron Sorkin, Warner Brothers Television and NBC. No Copyright infringement is intended.

Sunshine streamed through the windows to finally penetrate the thick haze of C.J.'s slumber. She started to stir, trying to figure out why her bedroom was so bright. She noticed the shades weren't down as normal.

C.J. then remembered being so exhausted that she didn't bother to pull them down. A glance at the clock showed it was 11:00 A.M. She struggled to clear her head and sit up. Her stomach muscles ached. C.J. knew it was because of the strain of being so sick the night before. Yesterday's headache was nearly gone but that general achy feeling remained.

She couldn't remember the last time she had slept so soundly and straight through the night. Out of bed she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

Danny's sleep wear was comfortable and flattering. C.J. enjoyed wearing it. It made her feel pampered and it was a bit like sleeping with Danny, the scent of his soap and cologne clung to the material. She snuggled deeper into the shirt.

Reality set in with a second look in the mirror. C.J. desperately wanted a shower, a long one. She decided to make some tea first. As it cooled, she could take her shower. But first things first, she checked her pager to see if it had gone off. No messages, she planned to call in later.

Several minutes later, she was heading down the hall when she gave a startled gasp. There was a man in her apartment. A barefoot Danny Concannon sat at her dining room table typing furiously on his lap top. He was in sweat pants and another of his white T-shirts. C.J. couldn't believe it. "Good Morning.", she ventured hesitantly.

"Hey.", his face lit up. "You look a lot better. How'd you sleep?"

"Like I was dead. But you're right, I'll survive."

"Hope you don't mind me bunking here."

"No, that's fine." C.J. moved into the living room and noticed a pillow and blanket on the couch. "You slept out HERE?"

"Yeah, it was too late to make that long drive home." Danny's grin was wide and endearing.

She smiled back at him. "Why didn't you use the guest room or the sleeper sofa in the den?"

He shrugged. "I didn't want to intrude by poking around or presume by making myself too at home." Then he looked sheepish. "I wanted to be close by so I'd be able to hear you if you needed me."

C.J. blushed. "Oh. Well, maybe I knew that subconsciously. With you here I slept sounder than I have in a long time. Or maybe it was your outfit here that acted like a security blanket."

"You look great in the morning."

"Danny, you need glasses. Does the paper have a vision plan?" But she was pleased with the compliment.

"Whatever. Sit down. What would you like?" He got up and went toward the kitchen.

"I can do this, Danny." She started for the kitchen too.

"Nope, let me spoil you for once. You always take care of everyone else, now it's your turn." He turned C.J. around and she went over to the couch.

"Then I'd love some tea."

Danny started brewing the tea. C.J. noticed the newspaper on the floor. She bent to get it and moved too quickly. The dizziness washed over her causing her to pull up slowly. She didn't want Danny to know, so she went after what she wanted in a different way. "Anything big in the paper?"

"Have you heard there's a flu epidemic.?"

"No, do tell." C.J. made a slower grab for the paper and succeeded. "What else?"

"Nothing major. Looks like you'll win big on the Transportation Bill. Sanderson announced his Committee won't hold it up." Danny enjoyed sharing the news items with C.J. It felt natural and somehow right.

She was feeling the same way. "Great. My pager hasn't gone off so I figured things weren't falling apart."

"Most of the players are out of town." Danny brought out her tea. "Want anything to go with it?"

"I'm not that confident yet.", C.J. told him. "This will be enough once it cools."

Danny spoke with a bit of hesitation in his voice. "Uh, C.J., I didn't plan it but I met a few of your neighbors this morning."

"How did that happen?"

"I opened the door to look for the paper, wasn't sure there'd be one. Several folks came by. Very friendly floor."

"I'll bet. Is my reputation in tatters?"

"Not trying to brag here, but I'd like to think having me in your doorway looking for your paper, dressed like this, might enhance your reputation."

"I'll let you know if a scarlet letter turns up on my door." C.J. gestured to the computer on the table. "How's the series going?"

"Not bad. I got a lot done, very few distractions with you asleep. Very quiet building and neighborhood." Danny moved to the chair adjoining the couch with his own cup of tea.

C.J. offered, "You don't have to keep it so quiet. Put on some music if you'd like. Pick out what you want."

"Your tastes are wide ranging. Never figured you for a Barry Manilow fan with Ronny Jordan and Meatloaf each a few CDs away from that."

"I'm a Renaissance woman. What's on your CD rack?"

"I like the Detroit sound. Lots of Motown and Bob Seeger. Also Jazz and Big Band. I like to dance." Danny's face reddened with that admission.

"You might find something here then. Get yourself some breakfast too." Suddenly everything felt very intimate and it made C.J. a little uneasy. She rose and waved Danny off. "I can get water on my own."

He stayed put but watched her closely. "Don't worry, I ate."

"You did?" She glanced at the sink. "What did you do with the dishes and pans?"

"No pans. The dishes are in the dishwasher. I'm a tidy fellow." Danny was a little defensive at C.J.'s curious look. "I had some cereal and fruit. Of course, it was hard to decide on the cereal with all those disgustingly healthy brands."

"Danny, you're slipping. I'm surprised at you. Enterprising reporter that you are, you didn't find the box of Trix?"

"You have Trix?", there was surprise in his voice.

"Uh-huh, but I keep the box hidden so I don't blow my image."

"How many people see the inside of your pantry? Oops, sorry out of line."

"No problem, where's the coffee?"

"I didn't make any. I can do without it for one morning."

"Danny, you know where things are. I don't understand, you can't function without coffee." C.J. was clearly puzzled by his actions.

"It's no big deal." He wanted to keep this short and sweet because it sounded silly. "I didn't want to make anything like eggs or coffee where the smells might upset you."

"Upset me?"

"Upset your stomach. The coffee did last night."

C.J. looked at him for a long moment. "You are so sweet and special. I think you must be St. Daniel come back to Earth to look after me."

"Don't patronize me C.J." Danny's tone was annoyed. "Trust me, I'm not a saint or some otherworldly being. I'm not a eunuch in a harem either."

"Danny, please..."

"C.J. stop." He held up his hand to interrupt her. "I am glad I was here for you. But believe me, I want to be more than buddies with you.

It killed me to hold you in my arms but only because you were sick. When I envisioned us on the floor it wasn't so you could throw up.

When I imagine your bedroom, it's not sending you off at the doorway while I watch from the threshold. I want to roll around on that bed with you--to tangle up the sheets, knock the pillows to the floor and make us both so crazy your neighbors know what's going on."

Her eyes widened but she remained quiet.

Danny went on. "You know I have a crush on you C.J. But it's not like grade school. I want you and I want as much of your life as you'll share with me."

"Danny, you're talking nonsense."

"Maybe. C.J. we are alike. We love our work, we live for our work. But I've come to realize it doesn't love us back. There has to be more in life. Your work is important but when it's over what will be left?

You give everything you have to the White House, what do you get back when it really counts? Have any of them called? Did they drop everything to get you home safely?

You're an intelligent, beautiful, sexy passionate woman. You need more than work in your life." His tirade stopped. Danny figured he'd gone too far but now she knew how he felt.

C.J. walked over to pick up the mug holding her tea. She took a tentative sip and spoke in the same manner. "Danny, I apologize if I patronized you. I was just so touched. You're right. No one's cared enough to take care of me for a long time. I'm the one who is the caretaker.

Please, don't think I'm angry, you spoke from your heart and your passions. You've given me a great deal to think about.

If you'll excuse me, this tea needs to cool a little more. While it does, I'm going to take a shower. Then I'm going back to bed because I'm still exhausted.

Danny, I'm very grateful to you for many things. I hope that's enough for now." C.J. walked out of the room.

He heard her bedroom door close, a few minutes later the shower was running. By that time he was back at the computer intent on finishing one more article. He wanted to make sure she was settled before he left.

There were things Danny needed to get done today. First and foremost, he needed coffee. Then Danny had a date tonight. The woman was a doctor who loved the outdoors. They'd met at an outdoor gear store. He'd taken her to dinner casually a few times. She made no secret of the fact she thought Danny fun, bright and charming.

He knew it was wrong to compare. But that woman all dolled up, on her best behavior and eager to spend time with him paled next to C.J. huddled over a toilet bowl, throwing up and telling him to leave her alone. This would be the last date with the doctor. Plus he knew if C.J. needed him, he would cancel the other plans.

Danny paused in his typing and listened, then smiled. He heard the hair dryer's roar. It was a good indication that C.J. was on the mend if she was worried about her hair.

He pushed himself to get the article written. Then Danny put the pillow and blanket away and used the guest bathroom for a shower. Once dressed, he gathered his belongings and left a note for C.J. with his pager, cell phone and home phone just in case.

Another quick look around and he was heading to the closet for his coat. But it was no good, Danny had to check on C.J. one more time.

He walked down the hall and pushed open the bedroom door. This time he looked around the room more closely. It was cozy with lots of framed photos. Danny recognized C.J. in a few of them and figured these to be her personal pictures. The dressers and nightstand were antique and oak, the bed was brass and curvy, the fabrics pastel and full of lace.

C.J. was lying on her stomach head to one side, facing away from the door. One foot stuck out of the covers and her arms cradled the pillows under her head. Danny noticed she wore ice blue satin pajamas. He moved over to cover her foot and muttered, "I should have known you wouldn't own any ratty sleep wear."

A drowsy voice answered, "I do have some. I just didn't want you to see it." C.J.'s sleepy voice had a smile in it.

Danny laughed. "C.J., I'm leaving. If you need me call. I left all the numbers." He leaned down and kissed her on the hair since her face was half buried.

"Good Night.", she murmured.

**

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

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