All characters belong to Aaron Sorkin, John Wells Productions, Warner Bros., & NBC. Standard disclaimers apply. Please send feedback. Just Desserts Violet
"Do you have a minute?"
Leo stuffed the last of his papers into his briefcase and snapped it shut. "I'm going home."
C.J. stood in the doorway of his office. "This'll only take a minute...."
Resigned, he sat back down at his desk. "Go."
She stepped into the room and folded her arms. "Today was a disaster."
"Yeah."
"I'm a little upset, and I don't want to take it out on anyone, but--"
"You need to vent, C.J.; I get it." He waved her toward the couch. "Well?"
"Exactly who was that walking around here this week?" She sat down. "It sure as hell wasn't Toby."
Leo looked at her and said nothing.
"He never acts like that. Never. Even when he's obsessed with some issue and he's not thinking in terms of reality -- I've never seen him so far off his game."
"Toby knows he screwed up," Leo reminded her.
"I know."
"Obviously he has a long history with Ann Stark."
"See, that's remarkable," C.J. mused, resting her chin in her hand. "He has a long history with me, too, and he would never have let me pull something like this."
Leo studied her wordlessly for a while. "He trusted another woman's word over your judgement," he finally said. "Is that what's bothering you?"
"No!" She sat up straighter and looked him in the eye. "No. But you know something? I took a lot of flak around here for my relationship with Danny Concannon -- and that wasn't even a relationship."
"Wait a minute--"
"Hear me out. I caught hell over the mistakes I might potentially have made, even though nothing ever happened. Maybe that was fair and maybe not, but don't try to tell me now that a relationship is a reasonable defense for dumb behavior." She stood up, stifling a yawn. "It doesn't make sense; that's all I'm saying."
"You're not wrong, C.J. Toby didn't listen, and apparently he didn't think, and he got his just desserts for that."
"Yes. I just wish he..." She trailed off.
"What?"
"Nothing. You know, Sam's crazy about the idea of moving the Briefing Room across the street."
Leo shrugged. "It's not going to happen."
"I hope not."
He walked around his desk and stood close to her. "I don't pretend to know what you go through."
She frowned anxiously. "I don't like to complain. I don't usually feel like I have a reason to complain. But I won't be a second-string player on this team, Leo. I won't accept that."
"You won't have to. You are one of our best weapons, C.J., and one of our best warriors. You're vital to this team." He touched her arm lightly. "If we forget that sometimes, I'm sorry. God knows we pay a price for it."
"Thank you." She sighed. "I just want to go home and forget this week ever happened."
"I don't blame you." He smiled wryly as he opened the door for her. "Hey, our third year's gotta be better than our second, right?"
C.J. nodded thoughtfully and set off down the hall. Turning a corner, she almost walked right into Toby. She sidestepped him and went on. He looked after her, and she whirled around.
"Do you have a problem with my job performance?" she asked quietly.
It was not what he had expected. "No."
"Because if you do, we should address it. You can fire me if you think it's necessary."
"I don't have a problem with your job performance." Toby shuffled his feet and looked miserable.
"Please remember that, then. Keep it in mind."
Her tone was soft, but loaded. Toby was dismayed to realize that she wasn't very angry; that more than anything, he'd hurt her. He cursed himself silently. Aloud, he began, "C.J., I--"
"No," she interrupted, shaking her head. "I don't want an explanation or an apology. It's spilt milk now."
"Okay." He looked at her uncomfortably.
She returned the gaze steadily. When she spoke again, her voice was tired and desolate. "Our third year has got to be better than our second."
C.J. turned and hurried away. As Toby watched her go, he drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yeah," he said to the empty hallway, and continued on his own course.