(no subject)
Dec. 23rd, 2004 12:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
krazykitkatI hate most of this section, really weak writing on the whole. I had to stop myself from committing a fullscale massacre against it. And it hasn't been read by anyone, so typos etc are all mine.
I'm estimating 2 more parts.
Surfacing 7/?
DISCLAIMER: The West Wing and its characters are the property of Aaron Sorkin, Warner Brothers, and NBC. No Copyright Infringement is intended. I will put them back slightly disheveled.
No Spoilers.
Waiting. He spent half his life waiting for her. She always had some news to disseminate: bills, pacts, military actions, position papers, legislation. Delivered with grace and authority, he loved to watch her work the room, direct the debate. He's seen her grow in ability and confidence over the past three years, from the unknown Hollywood type to one of the best White House Press Secretaries he'd ever had the pleasure of listening to.
Being the Senior White House correspondent had certain perks, exclusives with the Press Secretary being the most important. That's where he got to know the woman behind the title. And fell for her.
He waited. Had been waiting several hours already for her. And he's wait forever of it meant she would be informing the nation about the latest plan to fight inflation. As long as she was there at the end of the wait.
"Danny."
Carol broke him out of his reverie. She'd arrived nearly an hour ago and had instantly thrown her arms around him. She'd known what was going on and had done everything in her power to protect them and make it easier. Carol had been his ally from the beginning, letting him in to see CJ, encouraging him. She cared deeply about her boss and wanted to see her happy. Somehow she'd decided that Danny was the one to do that. And he'd forever be grateful to her.
She held his hand. "You want a cup of coffee or tea?"
"Tea would be great. Milk, one sugar. Thanks." He managed a weak smile and watched as she departed on her mission.
Abbey wandered over and sat next to him. "The rest of them will be here soon. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. But they've got a right to be here. She's their CJ too."
"Let me know if it gets too overwhelming. You're my primary concern. Okay?" She squeezed his shoulder.
"Yeah." Their reactions worried him. How would they treat him? He wasn't just a reporter, a friend anymore. He was CJ's lover and the reason she was here. Would they blame him? He was the outsider who'd stolen their sister, their daughter, their friend.
He glanced over to where Leo was on the phone. His reaction had been a shock to the system. Danny had been prepared to face the wrath of Leo; the sympathy and concern had thrown him for a loop.
"He surprised you, didn't he?" Abbey inquired.
"Maybe he's just biding his time and will take me out the back later and shoot me."
"Possibly." Abbey laughed. "Look, Danny. Don't worry about anyone else except CJ and you. Their reactions are their problems. You have me, the President, Leo and Carol on your side. And I'm sure Josh, Sam and Donna will be supportive."
"You're not mentioning a certain someone." Danny thanked Carol as she handed him the cup of tea and Abbey a cup of coffee.
She took a sip before replying. "Because I'm trying to make you forget about him."
"That isn't going to happen."
"It's because they're such good friends, isn't it?"
He moved his head almost imperceptibly in what could be construed as a nod.
"You're worried that he'll convince her to leave you. That she doesn't love you."
He stirred the cup of tea creating a whirlpool, sucking him down into the depths. His hand was stilled by hers.
"You going to drink that or just play with it? You'll wear a hole in the bottom if you're not careful."
Danny snorted. "You sound like my mother."
"Maybe that's what you need. Do you have any family who could come?"
He shook his head. "Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers two years ago. Dad looks after her."
"I'm sorry."
"She isn't too bad at the moment, she still recognises us. She'd have loved another grandchild." He smiled sadly.
"Siblings?"
"My sister's in Nevada. I don't want to bother her. She's got enough with three kids. I'll be okay."
"All right." She squeezed his hand and released it. "Just remember we're here for you."
"Thank you," he whispered.
They lapsed into silence, Danny staring into his cooling tea. His heartbeat fell into rhythm with the tick of the wall clock. And his lapsed Catholic beliefs made an appearance. He put his cup down on the floor.
"Please help her, heal her. I need her," he silently prayed. Then in a whisper, "In the name of the Father," he touched his forehead, "and of the Son," he touched his chest, "and of the Holy Spirit," he touched his left and then his right shoulder. "Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst women, and..." He couldn't believe he'd forgotten it.
Abbey took his hand and prompted him. "And blessed is the fruit of--"
Danny rejoined the recitation. "Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen." He nodded in thanks, fighting back the tears. That passage was far too close to home.
The door to the room opened, admitting Josh, Sam and Donna. Danny felt a burst of relief at Toby's absence, but contained it. Toby was probably not far behind.
"Any news?" Josh demanded.
Abbey answered, "No."
Danny rose as Josh approached and found himself drawn into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Danny."
"Thanks, Josh."
The embrace was repeated with Sam and Donna, with an added kiss from Donna. Abbey smiled at him, as if to say 'I told you so."
Leo asked the question bothering Danny. "Where's Toby?"
Josh shuffled his feet as Sam answered. "Guarding the fort. He's finishing the Insurance Association speech. I'll call him as soon as there's any news."
"All right." Leo sounded a little upset, but resigned to the excuse.
Danny allowed himself to relax slightly. At least that was one less worry.
"Do you know how much longer?" Donna asked Abbey.
She shook her head. "It was going to be at least a couple of hours."
"Abbey." All heads turned to Danny. "Is there anyway you can find out?"
"I'll go and see."
He watched as she walked out of the room, before returning to his seat. Donna and Josh joined him on either side, as Sam talked quietly to Leo.
"How are you doing, Danny?"
He turned to Josh. "I could ask the same about you."
"You don't need to worry about me. My guard here," Josh pointed to Donna, "is keeping me on a tight leash."
"And he's been surprisingly cooperative," Donna replied.
"I guess there's a first time for everything."
"You know, Danny, I think you've been hanging around the White House for too many years."
"Hmmm?" murmured Danny.
"You're getting good at evading questions. How are you?" Josh repeated.
Danny snapped his fingers. "Damn. I thought I'd sidestepped that one." He stood, placed his hands in his pants pockets and took several steps away from them. He didn't want them to see his face. "I'm terrified. I keep on expecting to wake up next to her and she'll turn to me and say, 'You're going to be a father.' It's starting to sink in that this is reality." He felt Donna's hand on his shoulder. "And I could lose her."
Josh patted him on the back and walked around in front of him. "Claudia Jean is a stubborn feminista. She won't give up without a fight. And if she doesn't get back soon, I'll be taking over the press briefings." An impish grin appeared. "That's sure to bring her back in a hurry."
Danny couldn't help a small smile. Sam finished speaking to Leo and walked over to join them.
"You did a good job of the briefing, Sam."
"Thanks, Danny. But Carol's the one who should be getting the accolades."
"I've already congratulated her." Danny waved her over to join the group.
Sam continued. "Henry will be taking over from tomorrow. I guess you'll be away for at least a couple of days."
"I've taken five days leave. But I probably won't be back."
"You're looking for another job?" Josh queried.
"Yeah. Hopefully there'll be an open position on the Post. If not, one of the other nearby papers. I should've taken the editor's job last year. She was pissed at me then for not accepting it. And now she'll probably be pissed at me for not discussing this with her."
Josh smiled. "That's CJ. You'll be missed."
"And I'll miss it. I can always come back after the administration is over. There's just no other way for us to stay together. My editors would fire me if they knew."
"What about CJ?" Josh asked in a worried tone as he turned to look at Leo.
Leo reassured them. "CJ's job is safe. That's not to say there won't be any yelling or ramifications. But she's not going anywhere."
Danny's attention was captured by the door opening to admit Abbey. He sought out her eyes and the expression contained within drained the air from his lungs. He fought to remain standing as waves of grief pummelled him. With effort, his tongue and lips ejected the bitter words.
"She's dead."
I'm estimating 2 more parts.
Surfacing 7/?
DISCLAIMER: The West Wing and its characters are the property of Aaron Sorkin, Warner Brothers, and NBC. No Copyright Infringement is intended. I will put them back slightly disheveled.
No Spoilers.
Waiting. He spent half his life waiting for her. She always had some news to disseminate: bills, pacts, military actions, position papers, legislation. Delivered with grace and authority, he loved to watch her work the room, direct the debate. He's seen her grow in ability and confidence over the past three years, from the unknown Hollywood type to one of the best White House Press Secretaries he'd ever had the pleasure of listening to.
Being the Senior White House correspondent had certain perks, exclusives with the Press Secretary being the most important. That's where he got to know the woman behind the title. And fell for her.
He waited. Had been waiting several hours already for her. And he's wait forever of it meant she would be informing the nation about the latest plan to fight inflation. As long as she was there at the end of the wait.
"Danny."
Carol broke him out of his reverie. She'd arrived nearly an hour ago and had instantly thrown her arms around him. She'd known what was going on and had done everything in her power to protect them and make it easier. Carol had been his ally from the beginning, letting him in to see CJ, encouraging him. She cared deeply about her boss and wanted to see her happy. Somehow she'd decided that Danny was the one to do that. And he'd forever be grateful to her.
She held his hand. "You want a cup of coffee or tea?"
"Tea would be great. Milk, one sugar. Thanks." He managed a weak smile and watched as she departed on her mission.
Abbey wandered over and sat next to him. "The rest of them will be here soon. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. But they've got a right to be here. She's their CJ too."
"Let me know if it gets too overwhelming. You're my primary concern. Okay?" She squeezed his shoulder.
"Yeah." Their reactions worried him. How would they treat him? He wasn't just a reporter, a friend anymore. He was CJ's lover and the reason she was here. Would they blame him? He was the outsider who'd stolen their sister, their daughter, their friend.
He glanced over to where Leo was on the phone. His reaction had been a shock to the system. Danny had been prepared to face the wrath of Leo; the sympathy and concern had thrown him for a loop.
"He surprised you, didn't he?" Abbey inquired.
"Maybe he's just biding his time and will take me out the back later and shoot me."
"Possibly." Abbey laughed. "Look, Danny. Don't worry about anyone else except CJ and you. Their reactions are their problems. You have me, the President, Leo and Carol on your side. And I'm sure Josh, Sam and Donna will be supportive."
"You're not mentioning a certain someone." Danny thanked Carol as she handed him the cup of tea and Abbey a cup of coffee.
She took a sip before replying. "Because I'm trying to make you forget about him."
"That isn't going to happen."
"It's because they're such good friends, isn't it?"
He moved his head almost imperceptibly in what could be construed as a nod.
"You're worried that he'll convince her to leave you. That she doesn't love you."
He stirred the cup of tea creating a whirlpool, sucking him down into the depths. His hand was stilled by hers.
"You going to drink that or just play with it? You'll wear a hole in the bottom if you're not careful."
Danny snorted. "You sound like my mother."
"Maybe that's what you need. Do you have any family who could come?"
He shook his head. "Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers two years ago. Dad looks after her."
"I'm sorry."
"She isn't too bad at the moment, she still recognises us. She'd have loved another grandchild." He smiled sadly.
"Siblings?"
"My sister's in Nevada. I don't want to bother her. She's got enough with three kids. I'll be okay."
"All right." She squeezed his hand and released it. "Just remember we're here for you."
"Thank you," he whispered.
They lapsed into silence, Danny staring into his cooling tea. His heartbeat fell into rhythm with the tick of the wall clock. And his lapsed Catholic beliefs made an appearance. He put his cup down on the floor.
"Please help her, heal her. I need her," he silently prayed. Then in a whisper, "In the name of the Father," he touched his forehead, "and of the Son," he touched his chest, "and of the Holy Spirit," he touched his left and then his right shoulder. "Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst women, and..." He couldn't believe he'd forgotten it.
Abbey took his hand and prompted him. "And blessed is the fruit of--"
Danny rejoined the recitation. "Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen." He nodded in thanks, fighting back the tears. That passage was far too close to home.
The door to the room opened, admitting Josh, Sam and Donna. Danny felt a burst of relief at Toby's absence, but contained it. Toby was probably not far behind.
"Any news?" Josh demanded.
Abbey answered, "No."
Danny rose as Josh approached and found himself drawn into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Danny."
"Thanks, Josh."
The embrace was repeated with Sam and Donna, with an added kiss from Donna. Abbey smiled at him, as if to say 'I told you so."
Leo asked the question bothering Danny. "Where's Toby?"
Josh shuffled his feet as Sam answered. "Guarding the fort. He's finishing the Insurance Association speech. I'll call him as soon as there's any news."
"All right." Leo sounded a little upset, but resigned to the excuse.
Danny allowed himself to relax slightly. At least that was one less worry.
"Do you know how much longer?" Donna asked Abbey.
She shook her head. "It was going to be at least a couple of hours."
"Abbey." All heads turned to Danny. "Is there anyway you can find out?"
"I'll go and see."
He watched as she walked out of the room, before returning to his seat. Donna and Josh joined him on either side, as Sam talked quietly to Leo.
"How are you doing, Danny?"
He turned to Josh. "I could ask the same about you."
"You don't need to worry about me. My guard here," Josh pointed to Donna, "is keeping me on a tight leash."
"And he's been surprisingly cooperative," Donna replied.
"I guess there's a first time for everything."
"You know, Danny, I think you've been hanging around the White House for too many years."
"Hmmm?" murmured Danny.
"You're getting good at evading questions. How are you?" Josh repeated.
Danny snapped his fingers. "Damn. I thought I'd sidestepped that one." He stood, placed his hands in his pants pockets and took several steps away from them. He didn't want them to see his face. "I'm terrified. I keep on expecting to wake up next to her and she'll turn to me and say, 'You're going to be a father.' It's starting to sink in that this is reality." He felt Donna's hand on his shoulder. "And I could lose her."
Josh patted him on the back and walked around in front of him. "Claudia Jean is a stubborn feminista. She won't give up without a fight. And if she doesn't get back soon, I'll be taking over the press briefings." An impish grin appeared. "That's sure to bring her back in a hurry."
Danny couldn't help a small smile. Sam finished speaking to Leo and walked over to join them.
"You did a good job of the briefing, Sam."
"Thanks, Danny. But Carol's the one who should be getting the accolades."
"I've already congratulated her." Danny waved her over to join the group.
Sam continued. "Henry will be taking over from tomorrow. I guess you'll be away for at least a couple of days."
"I've taken five days leave. But I probably won't be back."
"You're looking for another job?" Josh queried.
"Yeah. Hopefully there'll be an open position on the Post. If not, one of the other nearby papers. I should've taken the editor's job last year. She was pissed at me then for not accepting it. And now she'll probably be pissed at me for not discussing this with her."
Josh smiled. "That's CJ. You'll be missed."
"And I'll miss it. I can always come back after the administration is over. There's just no other way for us to stay together. My editors would fire me if they knew."
"What about CJ?" Josh asked in a worried tone as he turned to look at Leo.
Leo reassured them. "CJ's job is safe. That's not to say there won't be any yelling or ramifications. But she's not going anywhere."
Danny's attention was captured by the door opening to admit Abbey. He sought out her eyes and the expression contained within drained the air from his lungs. He fought to remain standing as waves of grief pummelled him. With effort, his tongue and lips ejected the bitter words.
"She's dead."
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(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-22 04:33 pm (UTC)I can understand why you were hesitant to post this oh so long ago, and somewhere along the line I think you said you were getting positive feedback on the CJDanny list for it while you still think it's crap.
I wouldn't so much say it's crap... 'cause it's not. :D It smells a whole lot prettier than the real crap I've seen on the WW lists of late. :D
But yeah, I did a bit of squirming while reading the bits you've posted so far. Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a good beta and whatnot. :D
I love the idea of this taking place after Danny turned down the editor job and that they've been a couple (with Carol's help) for 7 months prior to this. For the timing, Josh being overprotective is well in character. Toby (to me) not so much. Had this taken place first season WW, then, yeah, maybe.
Leo is also, I think, on target given the time frame. We're talking, what, late season 2 maybe early season 3, so yeah I can see this.
hee!
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-23 02:55 am (UTC)Just as a general thing, what were the type of things that made you squirm?
For me, the exposition fairy went psycho, too much repeating, I learned never to have too many characters in the room again, some clunky phrasing...
I think part of the problem is IIRC this was written over many months, but I can't recall exactly how many. I know there was a long break between around chapter 6 and 7.
Also, we got seasons 1 and 2 back to back, for season 1 we were getting double eps. So the show was moving quickly, which I think led to some inconsistent characterisation (Toby was more first season Toby). So I'd started writing based on earlier characterisation (more first half season 1) and then also referenced later events. So I'm not even sure where in time it's actually situated.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-23 03:03 am (UTC)But I LOVE the story itself. Your interaction between Josh and Toby is still dead on no matter what season!
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-23 03:53 am (UTC)And thank you. The characters just get into my head and set up camp.