Let's see what Abbey has cooked up:

***

"CJ, come in."

"Ma'am."

Abbey waved CJ to the chair opposite her. "Sit, sit. We need to talk."

CJ nodded and sat. "What's going on?"

"You're in love."

"Excuse me?"

Abbey laughed. "We don't have much time, CJ. Try to keep up."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You're in love. With the wrong guy, apparently. But he's in love with you, and who are way to stand in the way of love?"

She watched CJ's face carefully and was amused to see the stunned but pleased expression.

"Now, dating is a problem. But for tonight, you're going to forget about that and enjoy a meal, here in the Residence."

"You've set me up on a date with..."

Abbey smiled. "Yes. Danny should be here any minute. I thought you deserved one night free from worrying about conflicts."

"Thank you, ma'am. I think."

Abbey stood when a knock sounded on the door in the next room. "Stay here."

CJ nodded and Abbey left her alone, leaving the door open a crack so CJ could hear the conversation in the next room.

"Danny, nice of you to come up."

"Thank you, Mrs. Bartlet. Although I'm still not sure why I'm here."

"Scared?"

"A little."

Abbey laughed. "I've decided you need some fun in your life. You need to go on a date."

"Well, thank you ma'am. That's... great. And while your matchmaking skills are... discussed a lot, I'm not interested."

"Oh, I'm willing to bet you're wrong."

Danny sighed. "Did you have someone in mind?"

"Just for one date, Danny. She's in there, in the dining room."

"Oh." Danny's voice dropped. "Who is it?"

"I'll reassure you that it's not Lily Mays."

Danny laughed. "That's good."

"Danny. I happen to know that you're in love." She spoke louder, over his fumbling attempts at speech. "And she's in here, ready to have dinner with you. I'm leaving now, have fun."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Not too much fun though, Daniel."

CJ smirked as she imagined the blush on Danny's face as he stammered his reply. She heard Abbey leave and waited a few seconds.

"Danny, get in here."

He peeked his head in. "Are you going to kill me?"

She laughed. "Not tonight, dear. I have a headache."

He grinned and walked into the room. "So, we're on a date, huh?"

"I'm going to kill Josh Lyman."

Danny moved to stand in front of CJ. He trailed a finger down her cheek. "You sure?"

She smiled. "Maybe I'll let him live. I shouldn't have told him-" she broke off.

"What?"

"Well I sort of wish... I wanted to tell you first. Now all these other people know first."

"I still don't know what you're talking about," Danny reminded her.

"I'm here because Josh found out that I'm in love with you."

Danny smiled. "Really?"

She ducked her head. "Yeah."

"You already heard Mrs. Bartlet give away my secret."

"Say it anyway."

"CJ, I love you."

She pulled him closer to give him a gently kiss. "Hungry?"

He grinned. "Yes."

"For food," she clarified with a laugh.

"Sure, why not?"

They sat down to eat, gradually relaxing as they realized they weren't going to be interrupted.

An hour later, they had moved their chairs as close together as possible and were feeding each other dessert.

"This feels like a dream," CJ whispered.

"You've been dreaming about me?"

CJ blushed and ducked her head. Danny smiled, delighted. "Know why it feels like a dream?"

She sighed. "Because it'll be just a memory in the morning. Did they think this was a good idea?"

"Josh, as far as I can tell, figured that I could simply get over you."

"By spending an evening with me?" CJ narrowed her eyes.

"Josh is a dead man, isn't he?"

"He did get me a date with you." CJ kissed Danny quickly. "But I will make him nervous."

"Sounds like fun. Now, though, I should get you home."

She twisted her napkin nervously. "Danny, I don't-"

He cut her off to continue. "And then go home and dream of the day I won't be leaving you at your door."

She nodded with a smile and he helped her up.

They managed to make it out of the White House without seeing any of their coworkers. Silently, they walked to CJ's apartment, content to be together even if they couldn't even touch.

***

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