Author: Maeve

Spoilers: Women of Qumar

Disclaimer: Not mine…wouldn’t want Jordan Kendall anyways

Author’s Notes: My first non-Margaret fic posted!

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            He leaned quietly in the doorway of her outer office, waving to Carol as she glanced up. His hand dropped restlessly to his side.

“She okay?”

“I think.” Carol nodded gently, her brow still furrowed a bit in worry.

            Toby smiled as he moved past the assistant, a supportive glance in his eyes. With a sigh he entered the Press Secretary’s office, his shoulder pressed hard against the door frame. She was leaned over her desk, eyes closed, shoulders wilted. One hand was trailing a lazy circle on her right temple; the other was on her forehead.

“Hey.” His voice was gentle, and even though she heard it, her eyes didn’t lift. She still sat there, in a quiet revelry of her own.

“Heard you had it out with Nancy.” He said softly, moving into her office without leave.

            CJ finally glanced up, and he saw pain in her gaze. She sighed, pulling on her glasses and chewing her bottom lip. Toby sat before her, leaning in, knowing she was going to speak…sooner or later.

“Yeah”, she let it fall, “listen thanks…for being at the briefing.”

He shrugged in mock complacency, “I figured - ”

“Yeah I know.” She smiled weakly to him in thanks, her voice quiet.

“You okay?”

“I guess.” She turned her head away from his glance, letting her breath rush heavy off her lips, “They’re just women Toby.”

“I know.” He nodded, eyes wide in support.

“What did they do to deserve it?”

            He gave her a knowing look, following her pained eyes. He cocked his head and ran his tongue over his bottom lip before replying.

“They were born.” He tone was thick, and pained.

“They’re human beings.” Her own voice lifted in pitch, and he saw her throat tighten.

“Yeah,” he fidgeted, “they are.”

She shook her head, “They’re human beings.”

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