Title: Woe Is CJ
Rating: G
Category: CJ, Carol gen
Notes: For the TWW100 Shakespearean phrases challenge

"Woe is me, Gail." The fish looked at her sympathetically, or at least as sympathetic as Gail ever looked.

CJ fidgeted with her empty can. How was she going to make it through this day, which at 10AM was already shaping up to be a long one?

"The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune!" she muttered, perhaps louder than she had intended. Carol walked in with a bemused expression. "Carol, the mess is out of Diet Dr. Pepper."

Carol silently handed her a folder and walked out, running into Donna. "Carol, is CJ in there?"

"Oh, that way madness lies."

Title: Here Comes the Sun
Rating: G
Category: Toby/Andie-ish
Notes: For the TWW100 Beatles lyrics challenge

"It's all right," he croons, cradling Huck in his arms, and you smile before you can stop yourself. You know that Toby Zeigler is many things-- brilliant, cynical, gruff, cranky, good-hearted, self-centered-- but you'd never imagined that "paternal" was one of them. But seeing him light up with those kids-- with your kids-- it was like sunshine on his tired face, and you wondered how well you had ever known him in the first place. And his cell phone rings, and he has a terse conversation, and he sighs and says, "I'll see you and the little guys next week."

Title: The Long and Winding Road
Rating: PG
Category: Gen Will
Notes: For the TWW100 Beatles lyrics challenge, small spoilers for "No Exit"

It has been a long and winding road that brought him to this place-- locked in his old office with his old boss, having an old argument. He could not help but notice the sticker on the wall behind him. Sam Seaborn. Will Bailey knew he was filling big shoes when he became the White House Deputy Communications Director. Sometimes he still wondered what he had been thinking-- why had he kept running the campaign in California? Why had he left President Bartlet? But deep down he knew-- this long and winding road was just one man following his conscience.

Title: Attack of the Five Foot Ten Woman
Rating: PG
Category: Gen/Humor CJ
Notes: For the TWW100 Sex and the City title challenge

CJ narrowed her eyes. She always kept a secret bag of Goldfish in her bottom desk drawer, just for times like these. Now they were gone, and she was sure she knew who was responsible. She could simply take them back, but no... now she was angry. It was unfair to deprive a woman of her cheesey snacks. Revenge was in order. She smiled.
--
"Donna!"
"Yes, Josh?"
"There's something... alive... in my coffee!"
"Is there?"
"Yeah, it looks like a... fish!"
"That's interesting. Oh, and I'm supposed to give you this."
He unfolded the note. "Enjoy the goldfish. CJ."

Title: Blood Roses
Rating: PG
Category: CJ/Simon
Notes: For the TWW100 Tori Amos Challenge

It was early, the hazy time between dawn and true morning. This was the only time she could steal from her job, but she didn't mind. In this light the cemetery seemed much more like a sacred place than it would have in full daylight. (And educated woman she was, she still didn't quite trust a graveyard at night.) She stood before his grave with red roses (love roses, blood roses). Setting the flowers down, she whispered, "Thank you, Simon," and the words sounded hollow, inadequate, but that made them no less heartfelt. "I'll miss you," she said, and left.

Title: Take a Chance on Me
Rating: PG
Category: Gen/Humor
Notes: For the TWW 100 "Chances" challenge

"Do I really have to?"
"We bet, fair and square, Toby." CJ was giggling madly behind her grasshopper.
"I can't believe we came here on Karaoke Night." Toby paled.
"Wish I had my camera... what are you going to make him sing?" asked Sam.
"Good question... come with me to check out the selection."
Smirking broadly, the two returned. "This looks bad for you, buddy," Josh whispered to Toby.
"You're up next, spanky!" CJ said brightly. "You like ABBA, right?"
"Oh God." Blushing broadly, he took the microphone. "... I'll be the first in line, Take a chance on me..."

Title: A Piano in the House
Rating: PG
Category: J/S
Notes: For the TWW100 Twilight Zone challenge

Anxiously, he looked into Josh's expressive eyes. "You okay? I didn't hear you come in."

Josh took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm fine. I... I didn't know there was a piano in here." He frowned. "Come to think of it, I didn't know you could play the piano, Sam."

Sam smiled wanly. "Thanks for avoiding the Casablanca joke. What's up?"

"I... I just stopped by because... I missed you," he said, almost sheepishly. Wordlessly, he melted into Sam's embrace. Shedding tears on Sam's chest, he said, "I was lying when I said I was fine, you know."

Sam always did.

Title: The Jeopardy Room
Rating: PG
Category: gen
Notes: For the TWW100 Twilight Zone challenge

"Who is President Barlet?"

"That's correct, for $200!"

Leo and Jed looked at each other and exchanged laughs. "You know, we should really set aside time for this more often," said the President.

"We really should. It's an even better way to unwind than softball."

Down the hall, Josh stopped Donna. "Hey, do you hear that yelling? Where is it coming from?"

"Oh, it's just Leo and the President. They're in the Jeopardy Room. They probably beat a contestant to an answer, or else Alex has the wrong one again... you know how they get."

Josh stared in amazement. "Yeah..."

Title: Uncle Simon
Rating: PG
Category: CJ/Simon
Notes: For the TWW100 Twilight Zone challenge

The chrysanthemums were a spot of color in the room dressed in black. Blinking back tears, CJ turned her face away from them, and noticed for the first time the small child seated next to her. The girl looked back up at her, and a brief look of understanding passed between the two.
"Don't be sad," she told CJ. "He's up in Heaven now."
Wishing she had the same certainty this girl did, wishing to once more have the blind faith of a child, CJ smiled back wistfully. "Yes, I'm sure he is. Your Uncle Simon was a good man."

Title: Hindsight
Rating: PG
Category: J/D
Notes: Post-Season 5 premiere

It breaks her heart to watch him. He sits at his computer and fights a battle that he cannot win, and she knows how that feels for him. Josh is held together by his cockiness, and to know that he is helpless... it's like a knife through his scruffy little heart. She knows, too, that he is kicking himself for mistakes he couldn't possibly have foreseen.
Maybe, she thinks, if she can get him to share his pain, it would be a step in the right direction. She has to try; she has to get him out of the office.

Title: Remembering
Rating: PG
Category: J/D
Notes: Tori Amos song-drabble (lyrics are italicized)

Things are getting desperate
When the all boys can't be men


Donna hears the song and frowns in recognition. Josh's boyishness is both endearing and annoying to her. She frequently wonders what he would do without her-- how did he survive all those years in between his mother and her? And fleetingly, she wonders why she puts up with all of it, with being his assistant/mother/friend all in one, with the late nights and early mornings, with the crankiness...
And then she reminds him of his appointment, and he flashes her that adorable dimpled smile, and she remembers.

Title: Secretaries Day
Rating: PG
Category: Sam & Josh, implied J/D

"Hey Sam-- what's with the flowers?"
"Oh, they're for Cathy, it's Secretaries Day."
"What?"
"Oh, it's just a Hallmark holiday-- wait, you forgot?"
"Oh God! I have to get Donna flowers! Now!"
"Josh, you really should have thought of this before... you have a meeting in ten minutes."
"But Donna will kill me! Oh, uh, hi Donna... where'd you get the flowers?"
"Well, I knew you'd forget, so I took your credit card and ordered myself some. Aren't they nice? And I scheduled you to buy me lunch at 12:30. See you after your meeting!"

Title: 9.6
Rating: PG
Category: gen, Sam & Toby

"Sam, I need to talk to you."
"What's up, Toby?"
"Can I see your draft of the education speech?"
"Uh... the thing is... can I get it to you later today?"
"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about, Sam. You've really been falling behind lately."
"I'm sorry, I've just been--"
Toby took a deep breath and looked at Sam. "I think you have a problem."
"I'm fine!"
"Can I see your computer?"
Sighing, Sam handed it over.
"I thought so! Sam! You need to admit it! You're addicted to HotOrNot.Com! ... Wow, nine point six!"

Title: El Dorado
Rating: PG
Category: J/S

"Sam, were you even listening to me?"
"Of course! Well, kinda."
Sam looked guilty. Josh sighed.
"What were you daydreaming about this time?"
"El Dorado. You know, the-"
"I know the legend of El Dorado! Why in the world were you thinking about a 16th century Spanish legend instead of the State of the Union?"
"Well... I was just thinking, wouldn't it be great to find it? This huge mythical treasure that no one believes is real?"
Exasperated, Josh made sure the door was shut, leaned over Sam's desk, and kissed him. "The thing is, I've already found mine."

Title: Happy Halloween
Rating: PG
Category: gen, Jed & Donna

"Excuse me for asking this, Donna, how much do you get paid?"
"Um..."
"Nevermind-- whatever it is, it's not enough."
"I'm sorry, Mr. President?"
"You work I-don't-know-how-many hours a week, you put up with Josh, and now you're wearing that..."
"Mr. President, it's Halloween. I'm a pirate wench!"
"It's Halloween?"
"Yes, sir. October 31st."
"Well! That would certainly explain Leo's hat."
"Yes, it would."
"Well-- just keep up the good work, Donna. And make sure the Secret Service people know it's Halloween, otherwise your jewelry might cause some problems."
"Yes, Mr. President. Have a happy Halloween!"

Title: If the Pants fit...
Rating: PG
Category: gen, CJ & Josh, implied J/D

"I can't believe I agree to this."
"C'mon Josh, I hate shopping by myself."
"I hate shopping! And besides, this is probably the only day I'll have off all month!"
"Oh, it'll be fun. I like to think of finding pants for a woman of my stature as an adventure. A safari, if you will."
"Oh, right, let me just call the documentary team. 'CJ Cregg, Pants Hunter!'"
"Your Australian accent is horrible, Josh."
"Give me a break, aren't I allowed one tiny little flaw?"
"Fortunately for you, you're allowed multiple flaws, including a complete inability to shop. Now, this would make a great birthday gift for Donna..."

Title: Babies!
Rating: PG
Category: J/D

"Donna?"
"Yeah, Josh?"
"What's on your mug?"
"It's a baby."
"Dressed like a bug?"
"A bee! Yes. It's Anne Geddes."
"It has antennae!"
"It's just a hat."
"It's unnatural!"
"I think it's cute."
"I think it's weird."
"Well, anyway, you have about 50 messages from--"
"Hang on-- so, chicks think babies in costume are cute?"
"Some women do, yes."
"Weird, Donna. That's weird."
"I hardly think you're fit to judge me in that category! Anyway, here are your messages, and Leo wants to see you as soon as possible..."
She finished talking, picked up her mug, and left his office, leaving Josh alone with his thoughts.

He'd dress up like a bee if that was what it took.

Title: Little Plastic Castle
Rating: PG
Category: gen, CJ

You once heard that goldfish have three-second memories. You think about this as you watch Gail, and you consider the ironies of this-- how many reporters would give an arm and a leg to have a permanent position in the White House press secretary's office? And she lives on your desk and can't remember a damn thing.

And then you take a deep breath, stand up, and head off to tell the nation what the most powerful man in the world thinks.

Sometimes you think you wouldn't mind trading places with Gail.

renata at frowl org

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