Andrews Air Force Base - 6:00 am

It was snowing.  Large white feathers of frozen moisture drifting down covering all the
imperfections, making everything seem better than it really was.

Looking out the window of Air Force One, CJ saw Leo standing in front of several black
limousines.  Just to side she spotted Donna and Carol bundled in coats and hats, shivering
against the cold.

Sitting next to her, Toby squeezed her hand.  Turning her head, she smiled at him. 
He didn't need to say anything, she knew what he was thinking.  Home.  Home, with all
its imperfections and problems, was still the best place in the world.

They were finally home.  For the first time she realized how frightened she had been that
they wouldn't make it back here.

The plane came to a full stop.  Standing, CJ gathered the few items she'd brought back
from Peru.  Neither she nor Toby had much luggage, just the bare necessitates that Josh
and Sam had purchased for them while they were in the hospital.  Remembering what those
two had done for her and Toby, she walked down the aisle to their seats. 

She wasn't sure but they might have looked a little alarmed at seeing her approach.
Gee, throw a few things and yell once or twice, and those two start cringing like
abused puppies. 

Smiling to allay their fears, she reached out and hugged first Josh and then Sam.
"Thanks guys, for everything," she whispered.  Josh, in a characteristic display
of emotion, punched her shoulder.  Sam, with tears in his eyes, kissed her cheek,
and said, "Welcome home."

Toby, standing behind her, shook their hands and gave his own thanks.  He thanked
Sam for not giving up on them and he thanked Josh for supporting Sam.  Toby made
it very clear to them that he knew their actions had saved his life and CJ's.

"Hey, is anyone getting off this plane?" Leo shouted from the doorway.  Smiling,
he walked forward with his arms outstretched.

Hugging Toby and then CJ, Leo ushered them out the door, grumbling something about
lots of work being piled up and people waiting to see them.

The ride back to the White House was a noisy mixture of sadness and joy.  CJ learned
all about the botched briefings done in her absence and the devastation the staff had
felt when it was thought she and Toby had died in the crash.

Donna and Carol cried copious amounts of tears and went through not only their supply of
Kleenex, but a great number of donated handkerchiefs.   Josh joked that he wished he
owned stock in Kleenex and Leo said he did.  Sam said that Leo owned stock in everything
that made money.

CJ smiled and laughed when expected, but she couldn't keep from worrying about Toby. 
He was riding with the President.

Just as they were leaving the plane, Charlie stopped them and informed Toby that the
President wanted his company on the limo ride.  CJ protested that she should go with
them, but a grim faced Charlie said the President had asked to see Toby alone.

Looking at the familiar landscapes as they drove past, CJ wondered what was going on in
the limo just ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presidential Limousine

Maybe the heater wasn't working properly, but the atmosphere inside the Presidential
limousine was definitely on the chilly side.

The President had been on the cell phone since getting in the vehicle, thus the
confrontation Toby sensed approaching had been slightly delayed.

Charlie sat beside the President and pretended to be absorbed in reading a text book. 
The two Secret Service Agents appeared alert but detached from anything not related to
the President's security.

Although, for a moment when he first got into the limo, Toby could have sworn that one of
the agents, winked at him.

The President finished his call much too soon for Toby's liking.  Then the staring began.
The President turned off the cell phone and tossed it to Charlie.  Then he crossed his
arms and glared at Toby.

Minutes passed and neither said a word.  Both continued to stare at the other.

Toby was just as stubborn a man as Jed Bartlet.  So when the staring match started, he
decided that the President would have to be the one to break the silence. 

Ten minutes, then fifteen passed.  Not a word was spoken by anyone in the car.

As the limo ate up the miles from Andrews to the White House, the tension level in the
vehicle increased.  Charlie began fidgeting in his seat and even the agents looked increasing
uneasy.

Finally the silence was broken by the ringing of the cell phone.  Charlie pulled it out of
his suit jacket and answered it.  Saying only the name "Leo," he passed it to the President
who reluctantly took it.  Pressing it to his ear, he barked, "Hello."   He listened for a
few minutes without saying anything and then hung up.

Looking at Toby, he suddenly smiled and said, "Why didn't you tell me you're getting married?
We've got plans to make."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presidential Limousine - 6:45 am

The snow continued to fall causing the D.C. streets to narrow to two open lanes, slowing
most of the early morning traffic.  Cars were getting stuck and tow trucks were doing a
brisk business.

The heavy Presidential limo didn't seem to be affected by the worsening road conditions.
It continued to make steady progress towards the White House.

Like the weather outside, the conditions inside the limo were also worsening.  At least that
was Toby's considered opinion.

Toby wasn't sure which was worse, dealing with Jed Bartlet, the silent, angry defender of
CJ's virtue, or dealing with Jed Bartlet, giddy wedding planner.  Who knew, or cared, that
the President had connections with wedding dress designers?  And what the hell was a wedding
theme?  Rubbing his head for the nth time, he contemplated jumping out of the moving vehicle.
But with his luck he would survive the jump but get run over by the limo following them.

Turning his head, Toby looked out the rear window checking on the limo carrying the
Senior Staff, Donna, and Carol.  It wasn't in sight.  The snow must have slowed them down. 

Smiling, Toby thought that this was his chance.  He just had to remember to roll when he
hit the pavement. 

He actually put his hand on the door when the President started talking flowers.  He seemed
to be pushing peach roses, but Toby just wasn't listening carefully enough to keep up with
the details.

When the President said his name twice in a row, Toby realized that the President had
asked him a question.  Looking towards Charlie for a hint, Toby silently lipread "Rose
Garden wedding."

Facing the President, he said with little confidence, "Uh, Rose Garden wedding." 

Beaming, the President slapped him on the back and said, "Excellent choice, Toby. 
I'll have Nancy start making arrangements."

Staring out the side window, Toby knew he had waited too late to jump.  His roller coaster
life had picked up too much speed and all he could do now was hang on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Limousine Carrying the Senior Staff - 6:45 am

"Leo, what did he say?" an anxious CJ murmured in his ear.

Earlier in the ride, she had whispered her engagement news to Leo and requested that he
call the President and tell him.

Confused over the strange timing and method of her announcement, Leo muttered something
about not wasting his breath arguing with her.  While she distracted the other occupants
of the limo with the "Anaconda" story, Leo made the call.

Josh and Sam's continuing laughter drowned out Leo's answer so she still didn't know what
the President's reaction to her engagement was.  "Leo, what did he say?" she asked again.

Exasperated, Leo raised his voice and said, "He didn't say anything!" Everyone reacted by
stopping their conversations and staring at him. 

The impact of a delivery truck broadsiding the limo saved him from having to explain his
comment.

From CJ's perspective everything that occurred after Leo's statement seemed to happen
at once.  Screeching metal sounds overlaid the sounds of blaring horns and screams.
She had the sensation of rolling, tumbling head over heels in the limo's interior.

Then she seemed to be flying.  She remembered that she was afraid of flying now.

The next thing she felt was snow on her face.

She was cold.  

She was so cold. 

Just like before. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presidential Limousine - 7:00 am

"I don't really have an opinion on butternut frosting, Sir," Toby replied, wondering what
level of Dante's hell he was in now.  Thank goodness, he could see the White House in the
distance.  Only a few more minutes until he could make his escape.  Turning his head, he
looked behind them for the other limo.  He still couldn't see it.

"Mr. President, do you think the other limo driver got lost?" Toby joked, interrupting a
lecture about the history of wedding cakes.

Glancing over his shoulder, the President searched for a glimpse of the limo carrying
his Senior Staff.  Frowning, he jerked his head at the Secret Service Agent sitting
beside Toby.

Pulling out a radio, the agent tried calling the other limo.  Impatiently, the President
asked Charlie to call Leo on his cell phone.  No one answered the radio or the cell phone
calls.

There was a moment of silence while everyone just looked at each other.  

"Turn this car around," the President suddenly ordered.

Reluctantly, the agent answered, "No  -  Sir, we have to get you to the White House first.
Then we'll find out what going on."

Looking at the faces around him, Toby felt a sinking sensation.  The roller coaster was
heading down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Limousine Carrying the Senior Staff - 7:00 am

"CJ, can you hear me?  CJ?"

Josh's voice seemed to be coming from a long way off.  What was he doing in the airplane?
He wasn't supposed to be on the advance trip.

"Have to find Toby," she muttered. 

"CJ, open your eyes.  Look at me!"

Now Leo was shouting at her.  Leo?

"Leo?"

"Yeah kid, it's me.  Open your eyes," he demanded.

Everything was white.  The sky, the ground, and even the people hovering over her.

"Angels?  Am I seeing angels?" she asked confused.

"Not hardly," Josh laughed, relieved that she was conscious.

Leo frowned at his deputy, who was busy brushing snow off his head.  

Kneeling down, Leo used his woolen scarf to wipe snow off of her face.  He asked, "How do
you feel?  What hurts?"

"I'm okay.  I don't hurt.  What happened?"  She started to sit up, but Leo held her down.

"Don't move.  An ambulance will be here soon."

Irritated, she asked again, "What happened?"

Sam suddenly came into view.  He was holding his right arm in a makeshift sling. 
There was blood on his head.

"Sam, are you hurt?" CJ asked, reaching out her hand towards him.

Bending down, he grabbed her hand and squeezed while Leo said something about a UPS truck
plowing into them.

"Where's Donna and Carol?  Are they hurt?"  She tried to get up again, but Leo was having
none of that.

"Lie still," Leo ordered.  "You went out one of the limo doors when it rolled.  You may
have some injuries you don't know about."

Sam finally took pity on her and answered her question.  "Donna and Carol are okay. 
Just some minor cuts and bruises.  They went to find a working phone.  Ours went up
in flames."

Puzzled, CJ repeated his last word, "Flames?"

Josh, sitting cross-legged in the snow beside her, explained in his usual sensitive manner.
"Yeah, you should of seen it.  Just like in the movies.  That limo blew like we had struck
dynamite in its gas tank.  I bet the flames went up 50 feet."

"That's ridiculous," Sam responded.  "Those flames didn't get any taller than 30 feet at
the most."

"How do you know?" Josh argued.  "You've got a head injury.  I think everyone would agree
I'm a better witness."

"Even with a head injury, I have more credibility than you.  50 feet, my ***.   See that
building over there?  How tall do you think it is?"

Josh turned to view the building in question, but Leo shut down the whole debate by sending
Sam to watch for the ambulance.

CJ, flat on her back in the snow, had a fleeting thought that nothing seemed to get those
two down for long.  They had looked death in the face only moments before and now they were
arguing about how high the fireball was.

Death, she'd seen too much of it in the last few weeks.

Shivering, CJ wondered how many times she could cheat death and what price she would have
to pay for doing so.

Leo laid his coat over her.

She didn't need the coat.

She needed Toby,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George Washington Hospital  -  8:00 am
CJ's POV

"Ms. Cregg, how do you feel?"

How do I feel?  I'm lying on a hard narrow bed, wearing a thin cotton gown, waiting to
hear if I'm still carrying a life inside me.

How do I feel?  In the last two weeks I've survived a plane crash, a flood, a variety of
deadly creatures, a waterfall, a limo crash, and Toby.

How do I feel?  In the last hour I've been poked, prodded, X-rayed, and ultrasounded.
Is that a word - ultrasounded?  That's just one more thing I don't know.  I don't know
what I want.  I want  -  I need something.

How do I feel?  Numb.  I feel numb.  Of course Toby doesn't like that word.  He doesn't
think it's enough.  He's right.

How do I feel?  "Doctor, I feel like shit."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George Washington Hospital  -  8:00 am
Toby's POV

"Toby, how do you feel?"

How do I feel?  I'm sitting on a hard plastic chair, wearing purple Reeboks, waiting to
hear if my child is alive or dead.

How do I feel?  In the last two weeks I've survived a plane crash, a flood, a variety of
deadly creatures, a waterfall, a rumble with the President, and CJ.

How do I feel?  In the last hour I've been patronized, pitied, ignored, and humored.
Sometimes all at the same time by the same person.   I don't know how to accept their
concern.  It's too much to bear.  I'm already holding too many things.

How do I feel?  Nauseous.  I feel nauseous.  CJ says that she's the one who's supposed
to feel that.  I don't know.   Maybe subconsciously I'm just trying to do that for her.
I know I'm not giving her what she needs.  I'm not giving her the words she needs.

How do I feel?  "Leo, I don't feel anything.  I'm numb."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George Washington Hospital  - 9:00 am

Pacing he walked from the nurses station to the vending machines and back again.
Fifty-five steps, plus or minus two, he had counted them.  He wondered what the
variables were, the things that affected the length of his stride. 

Variables, life was full of them.  All those variables that changed how you got
from point A to point B.  Any little thing could cause a completely different
outcome. 

Today, the main variable was snow.

Snow made the UPS truck driver late to work.  He didn't have time for breakfast,
so he bought coffee in a drive-through.  The coffee was hot.  He spilled it on
his lap.  While pulling the hot fabric away from his body, he drove through the
red light.  The limo was going through the intersection at the same time.  Snow.
Snow was the variable.  No snow -  no coffee -  no burn -  no accident - no problem. 

But it snowed and here they were.

Sam was getting his head and arm X-rayed.

Josh wasn't really sure what tests they were running on CJ.

When he wasn't talking on the pay phone, Leo was busy with the admitting clerk,
getting all the paperwork started.  He had ordered Donna and Carol home.  They
were wet, cold, and bruised from the crash. 

Josh figured that in about an hour he would find out they were back in the
West Wing, holding things together.

Fifty-five steps from the nurses station to the vending machines.  Thirty-two steps
from the nurses station to the chair Toby was occupying. 

Josh made the trip one more time to Toby's chair.  Sitting beside him, he tried to
think of something to say that would help.  Nothing new came to mind. 

Toby wasn't listening anyway.

Everyone found out about the pregnancy when Toby asked the doctor about it.

Now everyone worried with him about a life that might not be.

The snow was still falling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George Washington Hospital  - 10:30 am

"CJ?"

"CJ, are you awake?" he whispered in her ear. 

She felt his breath on her face.

"No, I'm asleep.  What took you so long?"  She opened her eyes and stared into his.

Grimacing, he explained, "I was detained, first by agents with guns and then by doctors
with needles and paperwork."

"Yeah, I saw that paperwork.  You were wise to keep your distance."

"Leo got Margaret over here.  She's got the paperwork all under control.  The nurses are
scared of her and two doctors have tried to hire her."

Laughing he continued, "I think Leo's going to send her back to the office pretty soon.
The last salary the orthopedist offered her made even Leo blink.  He's afraid he'll lose
her if she stays here much longer."

"Orthopedist?  Was he seeing Sam?" a concerned CJ asked.

"Yeah, but he gave him good news.  No surgery, just a cast."

Wistfully, CJ said, "I wish we could get some good news."

Toby leaned over and gently kissed her forehead.  With his lips against her skin, he said,
"I know, but in this case no news is good news."

"Toby, I don't know if you've noticed but I'm not a patient person."

"Yeah, I picked up on that about 10 years ago."

"What did the doctors tell you?"

"Probably the same thing they told you.  The ultrasound didn't show anything, but they
really didn't expect it to."  Smiling he said, "You're just barely pregnant.  They can't
see him yet."

Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "Did you say him?"

"Uh, yeah."  His eyes twinkled, "We haven't talked about a name yet."

Pulling on his beard, she brought his face close to hers.  "Listen here,
Mr. Communications Director, this baby is a girl.  Understand?"

Tugging a little harder, she gained an affirmative response from him.

"Now would be a good time," she added when he just continued to lean over her,
his face just inches away from hers.

"Good time for what?" he asked with an innocent expression pasted on his face.

Loosening her grip on his facial hair, CJ stroked his face, "To do what you're thinking
about."

Blinking once, he nodded again.  "Okay, do you want yours with fries or without?"

An orderly in the hall heard the yelp, but chalked it up to another doctor with a less
than adequate bedside manner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George Washington Hospital  - 4:30 pm

Leaning back with only two legs of his chair on the floor, Josh had his stocking feet
propped upon CJ's hospital bed.  He was peeling an orange and whining to her about his
nonexistent love life.

"So anyway, Donna said that the water balloon meant something and I should think about
it," Josh related with a laugh.  "Water balloons  -  What do you think?  I mean, sometimes
a water balloon is just a water balloon, right?"

CJ regarded him with an amused expression.  "Josh, you really don't get it, do you?"

"Hey, I can get it.  I can get it most of the time.  In fact I probably get it more than
a lot of guys.  It's just that I spend a great deal of time around women who don't really
say what they mean!"

"You poor thing," she sarcastically commiserated with him.  "Okay, I'll tell you exactly
what I think."  CJ reached over and pushed his feet off her bed.  "Your feet stink. 
Don't you ever change your socks?"

Indignantly, trying to keep his balance on the chair, Josh yelled, "That's just plain
mean, Claudia Jean, and to think I bought you a fifty dollar fruit basket."

"And for your information, if I haven't changed my socks this week, it's because I been
a little busy rescuing you and Toby from the jaws of hell."

"Jaws of hell?" she asked with a skeptical expression on her face.

"Okay, maybe that's a little over the top.  Watery grave?"

"Josh, what are you trying to do?  Cheer CJ up?  If so, she'd be better off with a visit
from Mary Marsh," Sam joked from his position just inside her doorway.

"Sam."  CJ smiled genuinely relieved to see him up and walking around.  "How do you feel?"

"Not too bad now," he grimaced adjusting his sling.  "The drugs have kicked in."

Walking over to her bed, he smiled and said, "I heard about the baby.  Are you okay?"

Shrugging, CJ replied, "I feel pretty sore from all the bouncing around in the limo and
the flying through the air part of the crash.  And to top it off, now I keep getting back
spasms."  Moving the fruit basket to the bedside table, she made a place for him to sit
next to her. Continuing, she said, "But, really I guess I'm lucky not to have broken some
bones like you.  If nothing changes, they're going to discharge me tomorrow morning."

"So the baby's all right?" Sam gently inquired.

Letting out a deep sigh, she answered, "It's just too soon to know.  But the doctors said
if I'm going to miscarry, at this early stage they can't do anything to prevent it.  They
suggested I get back into my normal routine as soon as possible."

Sam smiled.  "I'm sure no one is going to be more relieved to hear that than Henry! 
All the staff's been praying for your return, but Henry's been leaving burnt offerings
in front of your desk.  Carol says it's the ashes of his briefing notes, but we've been
keeping a running head count of the Press Corps, just to be on the safe side."

"Speaking of Press Corps," Josh said, finishing tying his shoes, "You're going to need to
make a statement soon about the airplane crash, the rescue, and now the limo crash.  When
do you think you'll be up to it?"

Rubbing her forehead, CJ said, "Let's schedule it for late tomorrow afternoon. 
I need to speak to Carol first and maybe get Toby to write up some notes for me."

"Some notes about what?" Toby asked walking into the room. 

CJ smiled, saying, "I need a bell on that door."

"Notes on what?" Toby repeated, as he leaned over to kiss her cheek.

Sam answered his question.  "Notes for her briefing tomorrow.  You know details
about the plane crash, my heroism, stuff like that."

Toby glared at Sam and Josh.  "She's not doing any press briefing tomorrow. 
Tomorrow she's going to be home in bed, thinking happy thoughts, and reading
trashy novels."

"Toby," CJ said warningly, her eyes narrowing.  "Don't start doing that."

"Okay, Sam I think we need to go see someone about that thing," Josh suggested,
heading for the door.

"What thing?" Sam innocently asked, clueless as to the increasing tension in the room.

Grabbing Sam's good arm, Josh said, "Shock collars, remember?"

As the light went off in his head, Sam paled and beat Josh out the door.

"CJ, you're not doing any briefing tomorrow and that's not open for discussion,"
Toby declared.

Crossing her arms, CJ hissed, "Toby, are you pulling rank on me?  Because if you're
pulling rank and mixing your roles as boss and fiance, we've got big problems."

Frowning, he grumbled, "So what's new with that?  I don't remember a time we haven't
had big problems."

"Toby, the administration needs me to do this briefing.  I need to do this briefing. 
I need to get my life back," she explained, looking away from him towards the window.

"CJ don't you understand," he grimly stated. 

Pacing the room he said, "It's not just about you anymore.  It's about us and our child.
You -  we have to think about him."

With tears rolling down her face, she turned to face him.  "How dare you.  How dare
you accuse me of being selfish?  Of not thinking about this baby.  Get out of here,"
she angrily emphasized her request by throwing an orange from Josh's fruit basket at
him.  "Get out now and for your information, this baby is a girl."

Frowning and dodging a banana headed his way, Toby headed for the door, muttering, "I'm
going to ignore this outburst.  Abby warned me about hormone surges in pregnant women."

Managing to catch an apple as he opened the door, he joked, "Guess this means you don't
want to talk about wedding plans today."

At her look of rage, he added, "Don't blame me when the President picks out your dress
for you.  He's talking pink tulle."

Toby got through the opening just before the half-filled wicker basket hit the closing
wooden door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
West Wing - 2nd Day Back , 10:00 am

"CJ, you know I was happy to pick you up from the hospital, but, uh, just so I'm prepared
- Is Toby going to hurt me?" a grinning Josh asked.

CJ opened her office door and stepped inside.  Smiling, she whirled around, ecstatic to
be back in her space, her niche in the West Wing.

"Oh, Josh don't be such a wimp.  I'm sure a big, strong, master political operative like
you can handle a middle-aged, balding speech writer."

"I know you're joking, but he doesn't," Donna said as she entered the office to deliver
a large pile of briefing books to CJ's desk.  "Now all day long I'm going to have to
hear about his muscled physique coupled with his razor sharp political instincts."

Amused, CJ replied, "I don't think that's what I said, exactly."

Donna shrugged, "Sure, you know that and I know that, but after the word strong, I'm sure
his hearing shut down and he was off in a fantasy world."

"Don-na," Josh whined, "I am standing right here.  Don't you even care what you say in
front of me?"

"Don't be silly, of course I care."  Patting his shoulder, she walked out, saying,
"You'd know that if you ever heard what I say about you behind your back." 

Josh threw himself down on CJ's couch.  "I think she insulted me, right?"

Sitting down at her desk, CJ grabbed a pair of glasses and gave him a wry smile, "I take
it back Josh.  You do get it!"

"CJ," Toby shouted.  They couldn't see him but they could hear him roaring down the hall
towards her office.

Josh panicked and rolled to the floor staying below the office windows.

Before CJ could react, Josh had scooted the couch away from the wall and crawled behind it.

"Josh," she whispered.  "Get out of there!"

"Shush, you owe me," Josh pleaded.

"CJ," Toby shouted again, as he entered her office.

"Toby, darling, how are you today?"  CJ innocently smiled at him.

"Don't darling me.  I went to the hospital to pick you up and found out from some
candy-striper that you had already left.  Now I find you here.  Didn't we agree that
you were going to spend today at home in bed?"

Narrowing her eyes, CJ got up and walked around her desk.  "Let's keep our arguments
private, shall we?"

She proceeded to slam her door shut and turn the lock.  Closing the blinds, she started
doing a little shouting of her own.

"Toby,'we' did not agree to anything.  I do remember you 'ordering' me to do something.
But I think I made my intentions very plain."

Moving very close to him, she poked him in the shoulder with her index finger, saying,
"Didn't I?"

"CJ," he warned.  Almost apoplectic with anger, his face continued to redden.

"What are you going to do about it?" she taunted, poking him again.

"I - damn it, CJ someday you're going to push me too far," he said as he grabbed her
head with both hands, bringing her lips down to his.

Inserting his tongue in her mouth, he fought for and won the last word on the matter.

Toby maneuvered them over to the couch without breaking contact with her mouth.

They fell to the cushions, oblivious to their surroundings or the cringing, reluctant
voyeur lying behind their makeshift bed.

His groan when CJ's blouse came floating over the back of the couch, remained unheard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Josh's  Office - 2nd Day Back, 11:30 am


"It was awful Sam, just awful," Josh groaned.  "I'm gonna need therapy because of this."

"You're already in therapy."  Sitting in Josh's chair, Sam looked down at him.  Josh was
lying flat on his back behind his desk.

"I'm gonna need more after this."  He groaned again and Donna walked in with a ice pack.

She dropped - no placed - it on his head.  Rolling her eyes at Sam, she left without
commenting.

"So, let me get this straight.  You hid behind the couch and then watched them have sex?"
an amazed Sam asked.

"No.  No.  No.  No, jeez, Sam, I didn't - see - anything.  I had to listen to it."

"They had sex right there in her office on the couch and you heard it?" Sam asked,
still trying to clarify the situation.

"No they didn't actually have sex.  CJ got a telephone call, thank God."

Frowning, Sam said, "So, I don't understand.  What's the problem?"

"I don't know."  He lifted the ice pack and looked at Sam. "It's just the thought of it.
Kind of like finding out your parents have sex.  Yuck."  Josh banged his head against
the floor and replaced the ice pack.

Standing up, Sam shook his head in disbelief.  "You do know CJ's pregnant right?"

"Yeah, so?" Josh answered, keeping his eyes shut and the ice pack centered on his forehead.

"How did you think she got that way?"

Sam didn't wait for an answer, he just stepped over Josh and walked out the door.

"Some things are just better left to the imagination," Josh announced to the empty office.

Shuddering, he sat up.

"Don-na!  Don-na!  I need more ice," he shouted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
West Wing Press Room  -  2nd Day Back, 4:30 pm


The press conference had been in progress for about 20 minutes.

CJ was standing at the podium answering questions about the plane crash.

The reporters saw a calm, poised, professional at the top of her game, a much different
CJ than the bedraggled one the public had seen a week before in telecasts from Peru. 

Her clothing was a far cry from her last press conference, the one outside the hospital
in Lima, where she had been dressed in a man's nylon jogging suit hastily borrowed from
one of her doctors.  This time she was dressed in a black, raw silk jacket and matching
skirt, with her customary dark blue silk camisole underneath.

The professional clothing along with a recent visit from her hair stylist had bolstered
her confidence.  She had been fielding the reporters questions with ease.

"CJ?"

"Yes, Sandy?" CJ pointed to the female reporter in the middle row of seats.

"Can you tell us how you felt when you were in the rapids headed for the waterfall?"

CJ pulled off her glasses and hooked them in the vee of her silk shirt.  Smiling, she answered,
"Well, Sandy, I have to admit I was frightened.  But my experiences with the White House Press
Corps had prepared me to deal with it.  I did what I do with you guys - held on tight and
screamed at the top of my lungs."

Laughter filled the Press Room.  Today, CJ was everyone's darling.  Most of the reporters
were genuinely glad to see her standing back behind "her" podium.  The somber mood of the
previous two weeks when the press and the nation had believed CJ and Toby were dead, had
been transformed to one of light hearted joy.

Watching from his office, Toby smiled.  She had them eating out of her hands.  He wondered
how long it would last.  Probably just until the next news cycle.

"Okay, one last question - uh, Mike?" she pointed to a new reporter in the back of the room.

"CJ, I have a copy of a medical report showing that you're pregnant?   Would you like to
comment on it?"  Seeing her stunned expression, he pressed his advantage, "Who's the
father?  What's the President say about having a pregnant, unwed Press Secretary on his
staff?"

The press room erupted into noise.  Lights began flashing and the previous goodwill was
forgotten.  Reporters began shouting over each other, asking questions about the baby and
CJ's personal life.  Toby's name, along with a few other staffers' names, were thrown out
as possible candidates for the father of her baby.

CJ blinked twice and then attempted to regain control of the room.  Her voice was drowned
out by the melee.

Putting two fingers in her mouth, she let out a piercing whistle.

Instantly, the room quieted and the reporters looked at her with a mixture of surprise
and awe.  The calm professional had metamorphosed into an NFL referee in high heels.

In his office, watching, an enraged Toby started for the press room at a run. 
He wasn't alone.  Josh and Sam joined him before he had gotten past the bullpen.

"The White House usually doesn't comment on the personal lives of its staff, but in this
case I am going to make a brief - listen to me guys - brief statement.  I am not, not,
going to answer any followup questions."

Frowning at them, she continued, "Get your pencils ready, because I am not going to repeat
myself."

She paused and looked down at her notes for a minute, clearly not reading anything,
just using the time to gather her thoughts.

Looking up at the waiting crowd, CJ said, "I am in a relationship with a man I have loved
and respected for years.  He has asked me to marry him and I have accepted.  Yes, I am
pregnant.  Although, unplanned, I could not be happier with the thought of bringing a new
life into the world."

She paused and fumbled her words a little.  "But - but with  -  with the vehicle crash
two days ago, my - ability - to continue this pregnancy is unknown.  My doctors have
told me that there is a strong possibility that I may - miscarry.  Her voice broke a
little on the last word, her grief almost a palatable thing.

The crowd was absolutely silent, no longer just reporters but people who had experienced
their own losses. 

Gathering up her notes, she looked a Carol, who was standing next to the door with
tears running down her face.

Glancing to the back of the room she saw Toby, Josh, Sam, and even Leo behind the glass
partition.  Leo gave her a thumbs up.

Toby's face was unreadable.  It appeared that Josh and Sam had a lock on each of his arms,
restraining him. 

CJ smiled to reassure them and then faced the stunned crowd. 

Laughing at the looks on their faces, she quipped, "Hey, guys it's just like riding the
rapids."

With that remark, she turned, left the podium and walked through the door Carol was
holding open.

In the back of the room, Josh smiled, humming the theme song from "Rocky."

 

CJ's Office - 2nd Day Back, 5:30 pm


"Here you go, CJ.  Careful it's hot," Sam warned as he handed her a heat pack straight
from the microwave oven.

"Thanks, my back is killing me." CJ placed the plastic covered pad behind her, against
her lower back.  "These things are great.  What else do you have in that first aid treasure
chest of yours?"

Sitting down beside her on her office couch, he adjusted his sling and said, "Never can be
too prepared.  Do you want some aspirin or Ibuprofen?  I've got both."

CJ shook her head.  "The doctors gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxant.  I took one
right after the press conference.   It should take effect anytime now."

Looking over at him, CJ patted his cast.  "How do you feel?  Are you in much pain with
your arm?"

"Well I certainly don't forget about it," he groaned, sliding one of her throw pillows
under his cast for support.  "So, where's Toby?  After the way he reacted at the press
conference, I figured he'd be in here hovering."

Readjusting the hot pack, CJ closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the top of
the couch.

"He was here alright.  Sometimes his concern can be a little overwhelming.  I felt the need
to breathe without his assistance, so I told him I was meeting with the President about
wedding invitations."

They lapsed into a companionable silence.  CJ was almost asleep when Sam cleared his throat,
and said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," she turned her head toward him, still resting it on the couch back.

He look at her intently and then asked, "Do you think it's possible to have a real home,
marriage - kids?"  He laughed,"Maybe even a dog, and work here too?"

"Sam, I just don't know.  I hope so," she solemnly answered.  "But, you have to realize that
having a dog is a major time investment."

"Seriously, CJ - can we have it all?"

"Maybe, if we are very, very lucky," she replied, holding up two crossed fingers.

For a few minutes, they sat in silence contemplating her words.

"This administration hasn't been all that lucky," Sam reflected.  "You haven't been all that
lucky."

"Sure I have."

At his skeptical look, she elaborated.  "I could have died a dozen times in the last two
weeks.   Instead, I found someone who loves me.   I may get to be someone's mother.  And,
I found a friend who never gave up searching for me even in the face of overwhelming
evidence that I was dead."

Leaning over, she kissed his blushing cheek.

"I'm a very lucky person."

Sitting up a little straighter, she pushed her hair back behind her ears.  "We're getting
positively morose here.  Let's talk about something else."

Smiling, Sam said, "Okay, but I have to ask you one more question."

"What?"

"Did you really forget Josh was hiding behind this couch or did you and Toby play him?"

Her eyes sparkling, she answered, "What do you think?"

"Oh, man.  He was so freaked out.  You have to let me tell him," Sam begged. 

Laughing, she nodded, "Consider it a gift."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Toby's  Office - 2nd Day Back, 5:30 pm


Josh timed his entrance through Toby's office door so that he could catch the pink rubber
ball zooming through the air.

"Yo, big guy.  What's going on?" Josh asked plopping down on Toby's couch and tossing the
ball back to him at his desk.

Throwing the ball against the wall, Toby responded, "I'm working.  What are you doing?"

"Hey, I'm working too," an indignant Josh retorted.  "I've got Donna researching at least
a half dozen issues."

Toby ignored him and continued bouncing the ball against the wall.

Slap.  Whop.

Slap.  Whop.

Slap.  Whop.

Since Josh wasn't a person to tolerate being ignored for long, he grabbed the ball
mid-flight again.

Toby glared at him.

Josh smiled, and said, "CJ did good today.  Don't you think?"

"Yes, of course I do," Toby responded, rubbing the top of his head and wondering if
he had given her enough "alone" time yet.

"She really made that press room her own again.  Who knew she could whistle like that!"

Sighing, Toby said, "Okay Josh, you've got my attention.  What do you want?"

Leaning forward, Josh nervously rubbed the palms of his hands on his thighs.

"Uh, Bruno wants to use your wedding as a campaign public relations event."  Josh cringed
and shut his eyes expecting a large explosion from Toby.

When silence continued to reign, he carefully opened his eyes, one at a time, and stared
at Toby.

Toby seemed unaffected by his statement.  He was busy with his red pen, editing a draft
speech.

"Uh, Toby - so you're okay with that?" an unbelieving Josh carefully inquired

Briefly glancing up at him and then continuing his reading, an expressionless Toby responded,
"I expected it."  Grudgingly, Toby added, "In Bruno's place I'd do the same thing."

"Uh, well - great.  I'll let him know," Josh said in a voice that indicated that he still
couldn't believe that he'd accomplished his mission without any fireworks.

Josh stood and walked towards the door, "Uh Toby?"

A now visibly annoyed Toby looked up and barked, "What?"

"I never got a chance to say congratulations on your wedding and the baby.  I'm happy for
you," Josh announced, his eyes misting over.

At a loss for words, an embarrassed Toby gruffly said, "Yes, well, thanks." Pausing, Toby
continued, looking everywhere but at Josh. "I should probably tell you how much I appreciate
you coming to Peru looking for us."

"Okay," Josh said grinning. "Go ahead, I can take it."

Frowning, Toby ordered, "Get out of here!"

As Josh went out the door, Toby yelled, "And give me my damn ball back!"

A pink rubber ball came flying into the room.  Toby caught it with one hand.

Hiding a smile, he looked down at the document in front of him.

Muttering, he picked up his red pen and started marking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CJ's  Office - 2nd Day Back, 8:30 pm


"Can I talk you into dinner?" Toby asked as he walked into her darkened office

CJ was reclining on her couch, with a briefing binder propped up on her knees. 
The only sources of illumination in the room were the light from a small desk
lamp and the lamp turned on behind her.

Pulling off her amber framed reading glasses, she blinked and asked the time.

Surprised when he told her, she said, "I thought I'd have more done by now. 
I think I'm out of practice."

Setting his briefcase and coat down in the chair by the door, Toby walked over
to the couch. 

Lifting her nylon clad feet, he sat down and replaced them on his lap. 

Folding his hands over her insteps, he used his thumbs to massage the arches of
her feet.

Groaning with pleasure, she shut off the lamp behind her and leaned back.

"Uh, CJ?" Toby whispered.

"What?"

"I should probably tell you about something Josh mentioned."

"Okay, just -  more on the left.  Yeah, right there.  Harder."

Complying with her request, he increased his efforts.

"Oh, Toby, that's wonderful.  You're a god."

"How about here?  Does that feel good?"

"Oh, yeah.  Harder, please," she groaned.

"I don't want to hurt you," Toby whispered.

"I can take it.  There, that's the spot.  Push."

"How's that?"

"You're incredible.  I've never had this done to me this way before."

"Do you want me to keep going?"

"Can you? You're not too tired?"

"Of course not, the muscles I'm using have been strengthened from all those
years of typing.  I could keep this up all night."

Just outside CJ's open doorway, Josh was standing, holding several file folders.
His face was beet red and his feet appeared to be rooted in place.

Sam walked by and looked at him curiously.  He took about a dozen steps down the
hall and then turned around. 

"Josh, are you alright?" Sam whispered, standing beside him.

"Oh God," he groaned. "I needed to give CJ these folders on the P.R. campaign."

"So?" Sam asked, not understanding what his problem was.

With a wild look in his eyes, Josh desperately whined, "They're at it again, Sam."

A loud moan came from CJ's office.

Sam turned his attention to the darkened office. 

CJ's voice could be heard.  "Toby don't stop, please don't stop."

Josh blanched and said, "I've got to learn to type."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leo's  Office - 3rd Day Back, 8:30 am


"Sam, how's the State of the Union speech coming?" Leo asked, shuffling some papers on
the top of his desk and handing off files to Margaret.

The morning staff meeting was winding down and assistants were beginning to filter in
with messages.

CJ was standing to the side with Carol, flipping through phone messages and listening
to Leo with one ear.

Sam and Toby were still sitting at Leo's conference table.

Josh was lounging in the upholstered chair near the couch, one leg thrown over the arm.      

Donna was sitting on the couch taking notes of the meeting.

"I've gotten a good start on it.  I should have something for Toby to review by the first
part of next week," Sam replied, glancing towards Toby.

"Okay. Toby what can you tell me about our weekly polling numbers?"

"Nothing."

Looking up from his desk, Leo whipped off his glasses, "What do you mean nothing?
Didn't they come back from the DNC yet?"

"They may have come back, but not to me.  I think Bruno hijacked them," Toby mumbled.

"What?" Leo barked.

"I said Bruno has them," Toby shouted.  "I can't do my job if I'm constantly being cut
out of the loop.  You want me to tell you about our polling numbers, then tell Bruno to
share information!"

Sam looked at him and sarcastically said, "Welcome to my world."

Toby glared at Sam and refrained from commenting.

Clenching his jaw, Leo yelled for Margaret to call Bruno and tell him to be in his office
with the polling numbers in an hour.

Looking at Toby, he growled, "Satisfied?"

"Hardly, but that's a good start."

Josh, a smirk on his face, said, "You're not satisfied?  Jeez, I pity CJ."

Both CJ and Toby looked at him like he had gone insane.  In fact the whole room stared
at him.

Toby, in a foul mood, grumbled, "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Sam started choking on his coffee and the moment was broken.

Leo got a telephone call and waved everyone out.

As they were filing down the hall, Josh playfully punched Toby in the shoulder.

"Josh what is your problem?" asked an exasperated Toby, continuing to walk towards
his office.

Josh laughed and said, "My problem seems to be that I don't know how to type. 
Think you could show me some of your moves?"

Toby shook his head and walked on, yelling over his shoulder, "There's something seriously
wrong with you.  If you want to learn to type, have Sam show you."

Walking further down towards the bullpen, he muttered, "I don't have time for this crap.
I don't know how they ever managed to get anything done while I was gone."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oval Office, 3nd Day Back  - 9:30 pm


"Okay," Leo said, closing his file.  "I think that about covers all the issues I had."

The Senior Staff breathed a sigh of relief.  It had been a long day and a longer evening.
They were all tired, hungry, and short-tempered.

The conflicts between India and Pakistan had taken center stage all day.  For a couple of
hours, the world had been closer to nuclear war than anyone outside this room would ever
know.

Leo was in a particularly bad mood, having spent most of his afternoon with Lord John Marbury,
the President's favorite "go-to" guy on India/Pakistan problems.

The British Ambassador managed to climb up onto a pedestal, patronize Leo, all the while
sucking up to the President.

The President found Marbury amusing, but Leo just found him a pain in the butt. 
Another hour in his company and Leo would have pushed the button himself, just
to get rid of him.

But when all was said and done, and as far as Leo could see Marbury had said a lot and done
little, the war was adverted.  Everyone's nuclear toys had been put back in their respective
boxes, thus ensuring that the world would wake up to another day tomorrow.

Standing up and stretching, Leo looked towards Josh, who was sitting on one of the
two striped couches in the Oval Office.

"Josh, what's happening with the campaign?" Leo asked.

"Josh?" Leo asked again when it appeared that Josh's body was there, but his mind was not.

Sam poked Josh in the ribs with his elbow in order to get his attention.

Flinching, Josh blinked his eyes a couple of times and looked around in a daze.

Noticing that everyone was staring at him, Josh said, "What?"

The President, wearily rubbing the back of his neck, said, "That's enough.  We're done here."
He nodded at Leo and added, "We'll pick it up here tomorrow at 7:00 am."

Everyone stood up and prepared to file out.

Sam jokingly asking Josh if he needed help finding his way back to his office.

The President called out to CJ requesting that she stay a minute.

Toby hesitated, but the President smiled and waved him on, saying, "I promise to give
her back to you in a few minutes."

Feeling like a football being handed off instead of a person with free will, CJ frowned
at both the President and Toby.

The President was oblivious to her pique.  Toby just shrugged and walked out.

The President walked over to her and indicated that she should sit back down on the couch.
He sat beside her and smiled.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

"I'm fine, Sir," a surprised CJ answered.

"What do your doctors say about the baby?" he pressed.

"Nothing new.  I had another blood test this morning.  The relevant hormone levels are
continuing to rise.  So, the baby is still here," she replied, placing one hand on her
stomach.

"Leo told me that you were having problems with your back."

CJ nodded.  "I've used up Sam's supply of chemical heat packs.  Toby's got me using organic
ones now."

At the President's questioning look, she explained.  "They're cloth bags filled with field
corn.  You put them in a microwave and presto, hot pack.  Smiling, she added, "They work
great.  Of course for some reason, I've developed a craving for popcorn."

"Interesting, I'll have to remember that for future use.  I've had my own back problems
if you'll remember."

Leaning close he added, "Personally, I like taking the drugs.  One little Vicodan and
I don't feel any pain at all."

"I remember," CJ smiled.  "The last time you had back problems, you told us you were
thinking of getting a dog."

"I did?" he asked, clearly not remembering the incident.

"Yeah, you even confused Sam with Toby."

"Oh, well," he smirked.  "I guess they knew who they were."

Rubbing his hands together, he brightened and said, "But, this dog idea I had? 
We should run that by Bruno.  A dog might be a good PR prop.  Of course, we would
have to get just the right breed."

Warming to the subject, the President asked CJ what she knew about dogs, in particular
Saint Bernards.

CJ's eyes started glazing over when he got to discussing the various breeds of
Saint Bernards and their history.

"Sir," she tiredly interrupted, "Don't you think you should get a smaller dog,
if you have to have one?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, sir, I think that photographs of you and your Saint Bernard would be a problem."

"CJ," his eyes narrowing, "Are you alluding to my stature verus a Saint Bernard's?"

Catching herself on the edge of that particular cliff, CJ pasted a sincere expression on
her face and said, "No, Sir.  I was referring to the drooling."

He got a funny look on his face and she hurriedly, continued, "I was talking about the
dog, not you, Sir.  You don't want to be in a photograph with a dog foaming at the mouth.
It would send mixed messages, especially in an election year."

"Okay, you have a point.  I think.  We'll get some polling done and see what's the best kind
of dog for me to get.  I'll see if Toby can arrange something."

With a wry smile CJ replied, "Begging your pardon, Sir, but Bruno's been handling all the
polling lately.  I'm sure he's the man you want for this job."

"Excellent, I'll have Leo get him right on it."  The President stood up and offered her his
hand.  "Have a good night, Claudia Jean.  It's good to have you back."

"Thank you, Sir."

Opening the outer door, CJ saw Toby glumly sitting at Charlie's desk waiting for her.

As she shut the Oval Office door behind her, she smiled and said, "Cheer up.  Bruno's
going to get to do some dog polling and we're out of here in time to go to dinner some
place nice."

He rolled his eyes, saying, "I think the whole place is going nuts."

Standing, he handed her coat to her, along with her briefcase.  Picking up his own
briefcase, he ushered her towards the exit, continuing his lament.

"If it's not Marbury, Sam, or Bruno driving me insane, it's Josh.  A half dozen times today
I've looked up from typing a speech and found him staring at me with this deranged look on
his face.  What's this fascination he has with typing all of a sudden?"

"Who knows?  Who cares?  It's Josh," CJ chuckled.  "It's easier not to question why."

Standing in the hall, she slipped her coat on.  Taking his arm, she leaned close and said,
"Enough about Josh, what are you going to feed me tonight?"

"I don't know.  What do you want?" Toby questioned.

"I want something hot and a lot of it," she smiled.  "Do you think you can come up with
something like that?"

They heard a groan behind them.  Josh was about 10 feet away from them and had a disgusted
look on his face. 

Walking past them at a brisk pace he whispered, "Enough already.  Take it home, please. 
Some of us have delicate systems you know."

Toby looked after him.  Shaking his head, he said, "I think it's time to call Stanley."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oval Office, 3rd Week Back - 10:30 am


"Leo, what do you think?"  The President and his best friend were viewing a potential
new best friend for Jed, one of the four legged variety.

Leo frowned, mumbling, "He's gonna pee on your Presidential seal."

The President smirked, "I'm afraid of the same thing every time Hoynes visits."

"Jed! Remember that's the Vice-President you're talking about," Leo chided.

"Hey, he started it," the President whined.  "Just once I'd like to see him treat me
with the respect this office warrants."

"Sir, I know you don't want to hear this, but .  .  ."

The President raised his hand, interrupting Leo.  "Just stop right there.  I trust your
judgement.  If you think I don't want to hear something, you're probably right.  Do me a
favor and just keep it to yourself."

Squatting down in front of his desk, the President changed the subject.  "I have to admit
he's not what I had in mind."

This time Leo wore the smirk.  "Mr. President, I don't believe this is what anyone has
in mind when they think of a dog."

"I have a suspicion that maybe Bruno's having a little fun with me on this." 
Standing up again, the President, rubbed his chin, saying, "I want to actually
read those polling results."

Shaking his head, Leo walked around the small wicker basket and said, "I don't blame you.
But, Bruno swears this guy will increase our approval rating 5 points and get us the
Mexican American vote."

"That's really hard to believe."

The President sighed, "Well, I'm just test driving him.  The breeder's going to take him
back if I decide to go with something else."

Unable to resist, Leo bent over and touched the little body with one finger. 
"His skin is really warm.  Is he sick?"

"Nope, actually," the President moved into lecture mode, "that's what this breed was
developed for, body companions.  The Aztecs used them as bed warmers because of their
high body temperature.  They also thought that contact with their skin cured headaches,
insomnia, and . . ."

"Sir," Leo interrupted.  "I don't really care that much."

Frowning, the President crossed his arms and said, "Don't you have work to do? 
I need time alone to think about a name for him."

"I thought you were just test driving him.  What's he need a name for?"

"Get out of here," the President smiled, silently acknowledging that the puppy wasn't
going anywhere.

Standing and going over to the coffee table, Leo gathered up a couple of files.
As he walked, towards the connecting door to his own office, he grinned and asked,
"Has CJ seen him yet?"

"No, for some reason Bruno asked to be here when I introduced them.  I guess he wants
full credit for his achievement."

Rolling his eyes, Leo opened the door, saying, "I'm sure it's something like that."

As Leo walked out, Charlie entered, with a copy of the President's schedule.

"So Charlie, what do you think about my new dog?" a beaming Commander-In-Chief asked.

Unimpressed, Charlie replied, "That's a dog?  In my neighborhood we call them rats."

"Hey, you're going to hurt his feelings," the President joked, picking up the puppy.

Smiling, Charlie said, "A dog that looks like that, better toughen up.  He's gonna have
to learn to expect it."

"He's got plenty of time to toughen up.  He's just a baby."  The President actually cooed
to the little animal.

"At least with a baby, you can stick a diaper on them," Charlie remarked pointing to the
wet spot appearing on the President's shirt.

Bartlet glared at the little hairless Mexican Chihuahua who only shivered and started
licking the face of the Leader of the Free World.

Charlie smirked and said, "Just don't expect me to clean up after that little rat."

The dog seemed to understand Charlie's tone, if not his words.   He pulled his lips back
revealing a mouthful of tiny teeth, and let loose a growl which was bigger than his body.

The President patted the dog's head, saying, "Well said, well said."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Week  Back - 3:30 pm

As CJ left the podium, Carol held the door open, saying, "Charlie called, the President
wants to see you in the Oval Office at 4:00 pm."

They continued down the hall at a brisk pace, CJ looking at the handful of messages
Carol had for her.

"Great, there goes the late lunch I was hoping to grab.  Did he say what it was about?"

Carol shook her head, "You know Charlie, he only gives out the bare minimum as far
as information about the President goes."

Reaching her office, CJ tossed her briefing book on the desk.

"Yeah, he's a real chatterbox alright," CJ mumbled, continuing her review of the pink
message slips.

Carol waited in the doorway with her note pad for the instructions she knew would start
flying when CJ finished reading.

"Call Larry King's office and tell them I'll come on sometime next month.  Work out a
date and time with them.  Oh, and tell Dan Rather that I'll see him in New York in two
weeks at that communication workshop, maybe we can do lunch after my lecture.  Get his
secretary to confirm if he wants to do that, otherwise book me a flight back that afternoon."

Tossing the rest of the messages into her round file, CJ said, "Decline all the rest of
the appearance requests, you know, blah, blah, blah, with my regrets, etc."

Carol nodded and turned to leave. 

CJ yelled after her, "Carol, call Toby for me.  See if he knows what's going on
at 4:00 pm. and tell him lunch is off."

"You got it," Carol yelled back.  "Do you want me to get you a salad from the
Mess sent up?"

Shouting, CJ answered, "Salad!  Carol, I'm pregnant now.  I want a meatball sub,
a side of fries, no, make that onion rings, a tub of raspberry yogurt, and a piece
of chocolate cake."

"Are you going to have time to eat all that?" an amused Carol yelled back.

"Forget it Carol," Toby interrupted.  "I've got her lunch right here."

Hearing his voice, CJ yelled, "Bring it in here, Ziegler.  I'm starving and
I've got a command performance with the President in 20 minutes."

Walking into her office, he tossed her a paper sack.  "I know.  Charlie delivered
an invitation to all the Senior Staff."

Smiling at her wolfing down her food, Toby asked, "Is the cheeseburger greasy enough
for you?"

Her mouth full, she smiled and nodded.  Swallowing, she said, "I think you saved
my life. I can't believe how hungry I get lately."

Finishing the cheeseburger and fries, she dug around in the sack.

"Toby -  Toby where's my dessert?"  Her smile was gone, replaced almost instantly
with an expression of utter despair.

"Dessert?" Toby asked, stalling for time.

"Yeah, dessert?" she asked, her eyes filling with tears.

"Uh, I left it in my office.  I'll be right back."  Toby took off at a run.

Carol passed him in the hall and panicked.  "What's wrong?  Is it the baby?"

"No, hormone surge.  I forget to get her dessert," Toby yelled over his shoulder
as he sprinted for the vending machines.

"Toby," Sam yelled.

"Can't talk now," Toby answered, continuing past the bullpen.

"Snickers Bars," Sam yelled.  "I got a big bag."

Skidding to a stop, Toby turned and ran back towards Sam.

Sam threw the bag towards him and Toby completed the catch.

Running back towards CJ's office, Carol blocked for him clearing a path
to the goal, uh CJ's hands.

Stopping just outside the door, Toby took a deep breath, pasted a smile
on his face and peaked around the doorframe.

CJ sat at her desk, sobbing.

"Hey, here it is.  See, chocolate.  Lots of it."

"Toby, I don't know what's wrong with me.  It just comes over me like a wave. 
I can't stand this."  She continued sobbing, her head on her desk.

Ripping open the bag, he unwrapped a candy bar and held it a couple of inches
in front of her face, close enough to smell.

Hiccuping a little, CJ raised her head as the chocolate aroma wafted past.

"What kind of candy?" she asked, eyeing the bar.

"Snickers," Toby replied, praying that was the right answer.

Sniffing, CJ sat up and took the proffered candy.  Breaking off a piece, she put
it in her mouth.

Toby held his breath, waiting to see if he had brought the antidote in time.

Wiping her eyes, CJ took another bite.  Giving him a watery smile, she said,
"Give me the bag."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Week Back - 4:00 pm
Outer Office Area Adjacent to the Oval Office


Charlie sat at his desk, trying to read one of his college textbooks.

This was an almost impossible task since the Senior Staff was milling around the
area, waiting for the President to get off the telephone with the Prime Minister
of India. If they weren't arguing with each other, they were hounding him with
questions about the purpose of the Presidential summons.

Sam kept trying to read over Charlie's shoulder, much to Charlie's annoyance. 

"Sam, please.  I need to finish this chapter for a test tomorrow."

"Sorry," Sam replied sheepishly.  "It looks interesting."

"Sam, come over here and leave him alone," Toby ordered from his place by the
breeze-way doors.

Holding up some loose pages, Toby added, "If you want to read something,
you can read these notes I made on the second section of your State of
the Union draft.  You're going to have to rewrite most of it."

Frowning, Sam marched over and grabbed the pages, muttering about his talents going
to waste here.  Toby growled that if he wasn't up to it, maybe Bruno would loan him
Doug.

Deciding to forego the floor show, CJ got up from her seat in one of the visitors'
chairs and told Charlie she was going to visit the ladies room just across the hall. 

Charlie nodded, saying he thought the President would be a few more minutes anyway.

Josh was pacing back and forth, talking on his cell phone to Donna, who had managed
to take a personal day much to Josh's disgust.  He was making sure she didn't enjoy
it too much. 

"Don-na, can't you come back for a little while.  I need you to help me prepare for
my meeting with Stackhouse tomorrow.  You've got all those autism statistics," Josh
begged.

Apparently, Donna was declining his request, because Josh whined, "I don't care
about your dinner date.  I can't find the folder!"

Sitting down on the edge of Mrs. Landingham's empty desk, Josh grumbled, "Donna,
we're in the middle of a campaign.  This is no time to slack off.  We've got work
to do.  You haven't been here at all today!"

He nodded his head a couple of times to her response.  "I know Leo approved your
leave, but he didn't check with me."

Grimacing at her response, he said, "Okay, yeah, technically he is my boss."
He paused, obviously trying to think of a loophole in her argument. 

Suddenly, he brightened and said, "Hey, a day off means 8 hours.  You've had 8 hours.
Now, come to work and help me with those statistics."

By jerking the phone away from his ear, Josh managed to save his hearing. 
But the rest of the room got to hear Donna tell Josh where he could stick
his statistics.

Embarrassed, Josh flipped his cell phone closed, cutting off Donna mid-rant. 
He smiled and said Donna would probably be in later.

They were all still staring at him in disbelief, when they heard CJ scream.

Everyone but Charlie rushed from the room, towards the restroom.

Charlie just groaned and lifted the flap on the cardboard box under his desk.  
"Damn, he's gone again.  That little rat's gonna get me fired, I know it."

Across the hall Toby was pounding on the locked restroom door.

"CJ, open the door!  What's wrong?" he nervously shouted.

"I saw an enormous rat," she screamed.  "Get me out of here."

"The door's locked.  Can you unlock it?" Josh yelled, rattling the knob.

"No, it's between me and the door," she whimpered. 

"Sorry, CJ, looks like you're a gonner," Josh joked.  "Any last words?"

Whatever she responded was muffled, but her tone came through loud and
clear - Josh was looking at a limited life span when she got out.

Glancing at Josh, Sam smirked, "First Donna, now CJ?  You're just a glutton
for abuse, aren't you?"

"Hey, I'm just the messenger.  I can't help it if people don't like the
message," a grinning Josh explained.

"Toby, do something," CJ screamed.  "He's looking at me."

"It's probably all that noise you're making CJ," Josh advised, bouncing on
the balls of his feet.  "Just shut up and give him your Ann Stark death glare,
probably scare him right off."

Toby turned to Josh and shoved him away from the door.  "You're not helping. 
Go find a key."

"I've got one," Charlie calmly said, as he joined the group crowding the
restroom door. "But I should probably tell . . ."

Toby interrupted him as CJ screamed again.  He grabbed the key and unlocked the door.
As Toby carefully edged the door open, Josh and Sam backed up. 

"Uh, guys," Charlie tried again, but was shushed by Toby.

The door swung open on the small powder room, to reveal CJ crouched on the vanity,
one high heel clutched in her hand for use as a weapon should hand-to-hand combat
be required.

"Where?" Toby asked, sticking his head in the room.

CJ pointed to the area near the toilet.

Not seeing anything, Toby gingerly stepped into the room and backed up to the vanity.
Motioning for CJ to get down, Toby put one arm around her waist, but kept his eyes on
the porcelain commode.

CJ put one hand on his shoulder and started to hop down when a growl came from behind
the toilet bowl.  Frozen in place, she raised the shoe she still had in other hand,
expecting a charge.

Just then Bruno stuck his head into the room.  Smiling broadly, he rubbed his hands
together. "Good, I'm not too late. I take it you've met the President's new dog."

Charlie pushed through the people lining the doorway, and walked over to the toilet.
Reaching down he snagged the puppy with one hand.

Holding him by the scruff of his neck, Charlie displayed the tiny pink skinned puppy
for all to see.  "This is . . ."

The President's voice boomed into the room, "Harry S. Truman."

---

3rd Week Back - 5:30 pm
Oval Office


"Here," Toby handed a weary CJ a bottle of flavored water.

She was resting on one of the President's striped couches in the Oval Office. 

Josh and Sam were sitting on the opposite couch.  Bruno had one of the arm chairs and
the President the other.  Charlie was helping Nancy serve coffee to those that wanted it.

CJ looked longingly at a cup, but Toby shook his head and looked pointedly at the water
in her hand.

The President was showing off Harry S. Truman to a mostly fascinated audience. 
Well, actually the fascinated audience consisted of Josh and Sam.  The rest of
the audience was mostly something else, namely appalled.

"Bruno, how could you have believed for one minute that this particular, uh," CJ
hesitated to even say the word, "dog would be helpful in the campaign?  It's a
public relations nightmare!"

Bruno looked from CJ's angry face to the President's curious one, clearing his throat,
he explained, "The truth of the matter is that I never for one minute believed that
the President would keep him.  It was supposed to be a joke; payback for CJ getting
me involved in this dog thing."

Turning to CJ, Bruno frowned, "Bruno's your man on dog polling, I think that was the
quote I heard from Leo."

Toby angrily retorted, "Denying me access to the DNC polling?  What was that, Bruno?"

"Okay, that's enough," Leo interrupted, striding into the room.  "Everyone's even now."

"Not quite," CJ answered, looking at Harry S. Truman. Waving her arm towards the puppy
laying on the President's lap, she ranted, "The President now has a 'dog' that has the
size and general appearance of a skinned, deranged rat.  I can just see the photograph
captions: President and pet rodent boarding Air Force One; President and man's best friend?
Rats in the Administration, etc.  Don't we already have enough problems to deal with?"

While CJ was speaking, she had everyone's attention, including the puppy's. 
When she finished, the puppy sat up and let out several loud, high pitched barks
and growls.  It almost seemed like he was talking.  All the eyes in the room watched
in fascination, as the dog vocalized his displeasure with her.

When the dog finished, he licked the President's hand and laid back down, his head
on his paws.

The President looked towards a stunned CJ and said, "Well, do you have a counter
argument?"

"Anyone?" the President asked, glancing at his staff who all appeared to have been
struck dumb.

"I guess that settles it.  Harry S. Truman is an official part of this administration!"
declared the President, clearly delighted with the little dog's star performance. "CJ,
you'll just have to deal with the press."

"Yes Sir," CJ said.  With a wry smile, she added, "But you might want to put an extra
dry cleaner on staff."   She pointedly looked down at the President's slacks where a
wet stain was spreading.  She sarcastically added, "I'm sure I'll be able to quell
most of the rumors concerning incontinence."

The President lifted up the dog in order to view his soiled pant legs.   Frowning, he
held the dog in front of his face and declared, "Remember you serve at the pleasure of
the President and that's me.  No more peeing on Democrats.  Is that understood?"

The pink skinned hairless puppy, stuck out his tongue.  He may have just been panting
but the room burst into laughter since it appeared Harry S. Truman had just expressed
his feeling on the matter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Week Back - 2:30 am
President's Bedroom

Carrying her shoes and an overnight case, she quietly slipped into the darkened bedroom.
Crossing the room, she entered the attached bathroom and shut the door.

Flipping on the overhead light, Abbey Bartlet set her shoes on the floor and the overnight
case on the vanity.  She glanced in the mirror and saw a middle-aged woman who had traveled
too many miles in the last 24 hours. 

Of course it was her own fault, she thought.  She was the one who at the last minute
insisted on returning from Australia a day early.  Even Jed wasn't expecting her until
tomorrow.

After taking a quick shower and brushing her teeth, she pulled a silk nightshirt over
her head and flipped off the bathroom light.  Carefully making her way to the queen-sized
bed, Abbey climbed in under the down comforter next to her sleeping husband.

Home and her own bed at last - Abbey couldn't think of any greater pleasure.
Adjusting her pillow, she closed her eyes and slowly began to drift off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3:45 am

She woke to feel his mouth against the back of her neck.  Soft little kisses and a lick
to her ear, induced her to murmur, "Honey, it's late.  I've missed you to but let's
wait until morning."

"What?" he growled, still half asleep. 

"Tomorrow," she murmured again.  "Wait until tomorrow."

She could feel his tongue again, this time on her ear lobe.  "Jed, stop, you know I
don't like that."

Reaching up to push his head away she felt something strange. 

Opening her eyes, she turned her head and came face to face with two beady little
eyes and a set of tiny white teeth.  A pink tongue snaked out and licked her mouth.

Abbey's screams woke not only her husband, but brought a half-dozen armed agents into
the bedroom.

The President woke to find his bedroom filled with people and every light turned
on bright.

"What the hell is going on?" the disgruntled Commander-In-Chief yelled, sitting up
in the bed.

Abbey, standing behind a Secret Service Agent, pointed to a lump under the comforter.
"Shoot!" she screamed.

"Hold your horses," the President quickly ordered.  "Abbey , if it's my snoring,
a simple 'Jed, roll over' would have sufficed.  What are you doing home anyway?"

"Jed, get up.  There's something in our bed!"

"What?"  Understanding suddenly flashed over his face.  "Oh, you mean Harry."
He raised up the comforter and reached his arm down towards his feet.  Pulling
up a squirming, hairless bundle, he smiled and petted its ugly little head.

The President's smile slipped as he saw the murderous expression on his wife's face.

The agents holstered their guns and shot the President sympathetic looks as they
exited the room.  The protection he needed, they weren't going to be able to provide.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Month back - CJ's Apartment - 10:00 pm


"Toby, what do you think about this dress?   Does it make me look fat?"

Lowering the newspaper he was reading, Toby patiently looked her up and down.
This was the fourth dress she had shown him this evening. The first one was
a sleeveless black silk sheath with a low cut back.  It was very elegant and
looked great on her.

The second one was cream colored with long fitted sleeves, a low square neckline
and an empire waist.  He though her skin glowed in that one.

The third one he had seen before.  It was a two piece Armanti with a tapestry
patterned top and solid blue A-lined skirt.  She had worn it to the opera with
the President and Sam.  It had taken his breath away the first time he saw her
in it.  Now it looked even better.  Pregnancy was doing great things for her
bust line.

No matter how much he said he liked each dress, she had found something wrong with
all of them.  This time he was determined to say the right words to reassure her that
the extra 7 pounds she'd gained did not make her look like, to quote her, an "elephant
in spandex."

"Turn around," Toby directed, making a circular motion with his finger.

A very nervous CJ did a slow turn, giving him a look at gown candidate #4 for the
State Dinner coming up in two days. 

He really did like this one.  He liked this one a lot.  The tank style dark green satin,
floor length gown was double layered with a sheer green overlay.  A floral design using
beading and sequins could be seen on the skirt of the overlay. The gown was lose enough
that CJ's slightly rounded stomach was undetectable.

"It's okay," he mumbled.  Trying a different tack, he added, "Looks a little big on you."
He raised the newspaper back up in front of his face.

"You think it looks big?  Really?" she said, smoothing down the skirt over her hips. 

"Uh, huh," he answered.  "I like the color though."

Walking across the room, CJ viewed herself in the mirror hanging near the door, talking
out loud to herself, "Too big?  No, it's supposed to fit like this.  Okay, this is the
one."  Finally satisfied with her choice, she started unzipping the dress on her way
towards the bedroom.

Peeking around the edge of the newspaper, Toby smiled, proudly thinking to himself that
he wasn't the President's Director of Communications just because of his good looks.

"Toby," CJ called from the next room.

"Yes," he answered, folding up his newspaper.  He seemed to short on reading time since
he'd moved in with her two months ago.

"I've got new bubble bath," she volunteered.

Smiling, he got to his feet.  He was just going to have to get used to making sacrifices.

Turning off the living room light, he headed in the direction of the bedroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Month back - State Dinner for British Prime Minister


"You're kidding.  He really got a tuxedo for Harry?" giggled CJ.

She and Abbey were sitting across from each other at a table, discussing the dinner that
had just ended.  For the first time ever, she had been able to actually sit down and eat
at one of these functions.  Usually, some crisis or another required her services elsewhere.
Tonight was an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise.

Nodding, Abbey, took another sip of champagne and said, "Right this very minute he is
showing that dog off to Tony Blair.  Believe me, that dog's appearance is not improved
by a tux."

"So can I ask you something personal," CJ whispered.

Leaning forward slightly, Abbey smiled and said, "You can ask, I might or might
not answer."

"Is Harry still sleeping with you and the President?" CJ giggled again.

Narrowing her eyes, the First Lady reached over and picked up CJ's glass and took a
little sip.  "I wasn't aware that you could get drunk on Ginger Ale."

"Abbey, I'm not drunk.  Just happy," CJ quipped.  "So from the expression on your face,
I guess Harry is spending his nights in the guest room."

Pouring herself another glass of champagne, Abbey replied, "Harry has a very nice velvet
doggie bed in the sun room.  He sleeps in there when I'm in town."  Taking another swallow
of her drink, Abbey continued, "I'm sure the damn dog is in our bed when I'm gone though."

Staring at CJ's smiling face, Abbey sarcastically asked, "What are you so happy about? 
You're still engaged to Toby aren't you?"

"Very funny.  Actually, we've finally set the date for the wedding."  Sighing, CJ added,
"I don't remember ever being this happy."

"Congratulations.  I'm sure Jed will be relieved about having a firm date to work with.
Now he can finalize all his wedding plans," Abbey joked.  "By the way, anytime you want
me to tell him to step down as head wedding planner just let me know."

"Are you kidding?  He's really good at it, and the best part is watching Toby deal with
him.  Toby's been forced to take an interest in the wedding details just in self defense."

"So when is the wedding?" Abbey asked, taking the last bite of her dessert.

"Four weeks from tomorrow," CJ replied.  "I hope I can still fit into the dress I ordered."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll look great.  I love that dress you're wearing now."

CJ started to reply but instead leaned back in her chair, placing her hands on her stomach.

Abbey stood up and walked around the small table.  Pulling up a chair next to CJ, she asked,
"What's wrong?"

"I don't know.  I just got a sharp pain in my abdomen," CJ answered, her face paling
with fear.  "What do you think that was?"

Taking CJ's pulse, Abbey didn't answer for a moment.

Finishing, Abbey said, "If I had to guess, I'd say that maybe the baby doesn't care for
tonight's menu."

Relaxing a little at Abbey's casual manner, CJ took a deep breath.  "It figures that
the first time I ever actually get to eat at one of these things, the food makes me sick."

"I think maybe I should call Toby so he can take you home.  It's time you got some rest,"
Abbey declared, standing up and motioning to a Secret Service Agent.

"Abbey, that's okay," CJ said, as she pushed back her chair and rose. "He's in his office.
I'll just walk . . ."

Abbey, who had stepped away a few feet to talk to the Agent, turned back to CJ when she
didn't finish her sentence.

CJ was staring at the chair she'd just been sitting in.  The seat was covered with blood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Month back - Night of the State Dinner, Toby's Office


Still in their black tuxedos, Sam and Toby were working in Toby's office on the up-
coming State of the Union speech. 

"Toby, I still think the B section needs work," Sam argued, pacing back and forth in
front of Toby's desk.  "The position on early childhood education is unclear."

"Okay, are we going to do this again?" Toby growled, standing up and loosening his
black bow tie.

Frowning, Sam replied, "I'm just saying that . . ."

Toby interrupted him, "We need to keep the ambiguity in case we can't get the funding to
implement the program.  We've been over this and over this.  Do you know something that
I don't about the money?"

"The studies show that educational programs for 4 and 5 year olds is vital if we ever
want . . ."

Taking off his jacket, Toby cut him off mid-sentence again.  "That's not what I asked
you.  Do you know anything more about the funding?"

Before Sam could respond, Toby's telephone rang.

Standing by his desk, an irritated Toby grabbed the receiver, "What?"

Sam watched Toby's face blanch as the caller responded

"When?" Toby demanded in an urgent voice.

Clenching his jaw, he softy asked the caller, "How bad is . . ."

"Right.  I'm leaving now," he slammed the phone down and ran towards the door,
ignoring a concerned Sam.

"Toby, what is it?  What's happened?" Sam shouted after him.

"CJ is on her way to G.W.," Toby barked as he took off down the hall.

Dropping the speech he was holding, Sam dashed after him.

The typed pages of the State of the Union speech floated downward like dead leaves,
scattering across the carpet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George Washington Memorial Hospital - Emergency Room


"Ms. Cregg, I'm Dr. Carlson, your ob/gyn is on her way.  I'm going to start the
examination for her."

CJ looked up at the emergency room ceiling tiles as the ER nurses and doctor put her
legs in the hated metal stirrups.  She tried to concentrate on anything but the exam
and what was going on with the baby.  They wouldn't let Abbey come back with her. 

Shutting her eyes, the memory of the bloody chair flashed in her mind, then the images
of the Secret Service Agent carrying her to the car and Abbey calling Toby.

Oh, God please don't let this be happening, she silently prayed.  Toby, I am so sorry.

CJ sobbed and a nurse asked if she was in pain. 

"No, I'm not in pain," she whispered.

The nurse patted her hand and told her it would be over soon.

CJ wondered if the nurse meant the exam would be over soon or if the pregnancy would be
over soon.  She opened her mouth to ask, but then changed her mind.

She was afraid of the answer.

Toby, please get here soon.  I need you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Month back  - George Washington University Hospital


A disheveled Toby rushed through the automatic doors with Sam two steps behind him. 
A Secret Service Agent motioned the frantic Communications Director into a private
office adjacent to the emergency room waiting area.

Entering the room, Toby saw the First Lady and several other agents. 

"Abbey, how is she?" Toby urgently questioned.

Abbey stood when Toby came into the room.  He was still wearing the shirt and black
pants from his tuxedo, but the jacket and tie were long gone.  From the look in his
eyes, the First Lady guessed that reason was going to be the next thing Toby was apt
to lose.

"CJ's being examined by her own doctor now, but the E.R. attending who did a preliminary
exam told me that she was stable."

"Abbey, what the hell does that mean?" Toby asked, his eyes blazing.

"It means that whatever is wrong is not getting any worse," the First Lady explained,
putting her arm around him.

Jerking away, Toby demanded, "I - I need to see her.  I need to see her now."
He started towards the door, but Abbey grabbed his arm.

"Toby, wait.  Let's give her doctor a few more minutes and then, I swear, I'll get
you in to see her."  Pulling on his arm, she led him to a small leather couch.
Sitting down beside him, she rubbed his back and looked up.

Sam was pacing back and forth, tears in his eyes.

"Sam, why don't you find us some coffee?"  Abbey smiled and gave the younger man
something to do.

Looking like a GQ model dressed in full tux, an upset Sam nodded and strode out of
the room.

Sitting bent forward with his elbows on his knees, Toby put his face in his hands. 
"What happened, Abbey?"

"She was sitting at a table with me and got a sharp abdominal pain.  When she stood up,
there was blood on her dress and the chair.  I had the Secret Service bring us straight
here."

Leaning closer, Abbey said, "She wasn't in any pain when I left her.  She was frightened
for the baby, but she was okay."

Toby turned his face towards Abbey.  His eyes were haunted, his worry written across his
features.  "Please do something.  I can't lose her."

Wrapping her arms around him, Abbey rocked back and forth.  You're not going to lose her.
I promise, Toby.  I promise."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam was standing by the vending machines in the emergency room waiting area when Josh and
Donna hurried through the outer doors.

"Sam, how is she?" Josh shouted across the crowded waiting room. 

Startled, Sam looked up in confusion.  He was standing with his wallet in his hands, a
lost look in his eyes.

Donna grabbed Josh's arm and shushed him.  They crossed the packed room, making their way
through the rows of chairs, and stood in front of Sam.

Sam, bit his lip and said, "Abbey said she was stable.  I don't know anything else."
Upset, he started to ramble, "I have to get this coffee for Abbey but I don't have any
change.  I can't get the coffee without change."  Sam nervously fingered the paper bills
in his wallet.

Donna touched his arm and smiled.  She took several of the bills from him, saying, 
"I'll handle it."

With his obvious relief at her taking over this task disproportionate to circumstances,
a worried Donna suggested that Josh and he sit down somewhere for a few minutes. 

As Donna got change from another visitor, she surmised that CJ wasn't the only one who
was going to need help making it though this long night.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Month back  - George Washington University Hospital


The private office adjacent to the emergency room waiting area was getting crowded.

When Donna stepped into the room with a tray of vending machine coffee, she saw the
First Lady, Josh, Sam, Leo, Margaret, Carol, and three Secret Service Agents, besides
the two stationed outside the office door.

Carol jumped up from the chair she was sitting in and helped Donna pass out the coffee.
Luckily about half the people there weren't interested in drinking anything, so Donna
didn't have to make a second trip to the coffee machine.

Sitting down on a folding chair next to Josh, Donna asked where Toby was.

"He's gone to see CJ.  Her doctor was here a few minutes ago and asked him to come with
her," Josh explained.

At her inquiring look, Josh leaned closer and whispered, "The doctor didn't tell us
anything.  Just asked for Toby."

Frowning, Josh added, "I don't like it.  I don't think the First Lady likes it either."

Looking over at the First Lady, Donna noticed the grim expression
on her face. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Toby tried getting information from the stern looking doctor as they walked back towards
the ER exam rooms, but she was adamant that they talk with CJ present.

Pulling back a curtain, the curt doctor motioned him forward.  CJ was reclining on a gurney,
wearing a blue hospital gown.  Her face was as pale as the sheets she was lying between. 
An I.V. was hooked up to one arm.

"Hey," she tearfully said when she saw him standing there.

"Hey, yourself," he answered walking over to the bed.  He leaned down and kissed her forehead,
grabbing her free hand. 

Before he could say more, the doctor cleared her throat to get their attention.

The brusque doctor started by saying that she had ordered a blood transfusion for CJ.
But since the bleeding had since stopped, she was cancelling the order.  She explained
that CJ's blood count was slightly lower than she would have liked, but she would have
CJ start taking an extra iron supplement which should raise the count.

"Doctor," Toby interrupted, not caring in the least that he was irritating the doctor
by not waiting for her to finish.  "What happened and how is the baby?"

"As I was about to explain," she tersely replied, looking over her reading glasses at him,
"Ms. Cregg's condition is called placenta previa.  The placenta has attached low in the
uterus, crossing part of the cervix.  I performed an ultrasound a few minutes ago and the
baby appears to be unaffected at this time although the prospects for Ms. Cregg carrying
the baby to full term are not good."

At Toby's continued uncomprehending expression, the doctor sighed, and said, "The baby
is okay for now.  Ms. Cregg is okay for now."

CJ looked up at Toby and squeezed his hand.  "Toby, did you hear her?  The baby's okay. 
Toby?"

CJ could only watch helplessly as Toby slumped to the tile floor, unconscious.

The doctor shook her head, muttering something under her breath about men.  She pushed
CJ's call button and leaned down to check Toby's pulse.

Looking up into CJ's concerned eyes, she dryly said, "Don't worry, he's just fainted."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Month back  - George Washington University Hospital


It was 5:30 am in the morning when a  young nurse, barely out of her teens, stepped into
the private office full of weary White House staff and the First Lady.  All discussions
ceased at her entrance. 

It appeared that the young woman was looking for the someone who could be considered the
leader of the waiting group.  The First Lady, never shy about taking control, stepped
forward and offered her hand.

"I'm Abigail Bartlet.  Do you have news for us about CJ Cregg?"

"Uh, Mrs. Bartlet, yes.  I was to . . .uh, you look taller on television," the nervous
medical worker stared at the First Lady, obviously forgetting her mission.

Smiling, the First Lady, well experienced at putting people at ease, gently said, "What
did you want to tell us, dear?"

"Well, I . . . oh my," the nurse stammered having caught sight of Sam Seaborn in his tux. 

Seeing where the young woman was staring, the First Lady gave up.  Taking the nurse
by the arm, Abbey dragged her out of the room, demanding that she, "take her to see
Ms. Cregg."

Josh frowned and got up from his seat.  Walking over to Sam, he punched him in his
upper arm. 

Startled, Sam yelped and grabbed his shoulder.  "What was that for?"

"We could have found out somethi