Peppermint Kiss

Lin


"CJ, Leo wants to see you. You too, Sam."
CJ nodded at her assistant before turning her worried gaze on Sam. "You think he knows?"
Sam froze. CJ pushed up from her desk. "Come on, Samuel." She held her hand out in support and watched as he tentatively put his hand in her own, trying to absorb the strength he felt pulsating through her veins.
*~*
"Sit down."
They carefully dropped into the proffered seats across from Leo's desk. Worriedly, they watched Leo pace in front of his window, neither wanting to start the conversation. "Now, tell me, why my morning was interrupted by this?" He angrily handed the copy of the photograph to CJ.
"Leo," Sam started. "I already received one."
Leo whirled around to face Sam, nostrils flaring. "You already have one?"
"Yes," Sam answered weakly.
"So, tell me, why did I receive that," he pointed towards the photo in CJ's hand, "this morning? And I'm just hearing about *your* copy?!"
"Leo," CJ interjected.
"What?!"
"It's not how it looks."
"How it looks? How it looks?" Leo's incredulous voice rose. "That's all that matters."
"Yes, Leo. I understand, but that's not how it *is*."
Leo dropped into his chair. "Why don't you enlighten me?"
"Sir," Leo turned angry eyes at Sam. "Leo," he swallowed nervously.
"Before you start your *explanation*, I need to know, was this the only time?"
CJ glanced nervously at Sam before answering, "No."
"Oh, God." Leo rubbed his face with his hands before proceeding, "When?"
"But it was innocent, Leo---"
"When?" he asked grimly.
"The State Dinner," CJ answered reluctantly.
"The State Dinner?" Leo began slowly. "As in the one for Japan, a *month* ago?"
"It was an accident, Leo," CJ yelled. "I was thanking him for driving me home and when I tried to kiss him on the cheek, I caught him on the lips instead. That's all."
"Why were you driving her home?" Leo turned to Sam.
"Because she couldn't find her contact lenses, Leo."
"It doesn't matter, Leo."
"So now you two have taken it up as a hobby," Leo sarcastically stated.
"No, it was just a...," Sam faltered.
"Just a what, Sam?"
"We were just joking around."
"At 1:00 in the morning?!"
CJ leapt up. "Wait a minute! How did you know that?"
"It's dated, CJ."
"Oh," she stared at the photograph Sam held in his hands, noticing for the first time the small block letters in the bottom corner.
Leo was quiet. "Do you know who?"
"No," CJ answered quietly.
Sam stood up, irritated by the entire conversation. "Leo, it doesn't matter."
"Why not, Sam?" Leo leaned back in his chair to capture the full view of the Deputy Communications Director, pacing back and forth in front of him.
"Because it just doesn't. We're going to get hit."
"Not necessarily, Sam."
"What, CJ? Do you think they sent this as a 'getting-to-know-you-better gift? Why not?" Pause. "I'd put my money on Lillienfield."
"Why?" Leo asked.
"Why not?" Sam shrugged. "He got burned last time---"
"But these are two very different situations, Sam. One was attacking my sobriety, but *this*...it's too trivial. Does he think we're going to get rid of two Staffers because of a blurry photograph outside of CJ's townhouse?" Pause. "We're going to have to assume there's something more."
"What about Ann Stark?" CJ questioned. "She practically screamed from the hilltops she was jump-starting her boss's campaign. I wouldn't put it pass her to try something, no matter how idiotic, if she thought it would damage us." Pause. "We can spin this."
"How?"
"Tell the truth, Leo. Sam and I aren't and have never been in any kind of relationship. If we're firm in our declaration, it could go a long way, concerning a PR point of view," CJ surmised.
"Well, that's all you can do at this point," Leo concluded. "I'm going to call them in now. Toby's going to be mad as hell."
"Oh, God," Sam moaned. He dropped into his chair and grimly watched as Leo called the other two members of the Senior Staff. After murmuring into the receiver for a few moments, Leo dropped the phone back in the cradle. "And we wait."
*~*
Two men walked down the hallway, steps in sync.
"He called you too."
Toby slowly appraised the Deputy Chief of Staff, a storm cloud forming over his head. "Yes."
"What do you thinks going on?"
"I'm not sure if I even want to speculate. Margaret," he nodded at the pensive assistant outside of Leo's office. They walked through the open doorway to find Leo, Sam, and CJ staring uncomfortably at various objects around the room. "Leo?"
Leo's eyes fastened on the Staffers. "Close the door."
"What's this all about?" Josh asked, standing slightly behind Sam and CJ in the small space their chairs made.
"This," Sam said, "is what's going on." He handed the picture to his friend and watched as his mouth dropped open in disbelief.
"Are you two kidding me?"
"Josh, it's not how you---," CJ began.
"Give me the picture," Toby demanded.
"Toby...," CJ warned.
"What? All I want is to see the damned picture. What's so hard about that?"
Wordlessly, Josh handed it over to Toby. They all watched his face go crimson as he looked at the paper. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Toby..."
"What, CJ? Are you going to tell me *this* was faked?"
"No."
"Well then, what could you possibly tell me right now?"
"Toby..."
"And *you*," Toby said, turning his ire onto Sam. "What in the hell were you two thinking? *Outside* where anyone could see you and things like this could happen?"
"It was a...surprise," CJ softly uttered.
'It doesn't look that way to me. Both of you look as if you're thoroughly enjoying yourselves.
"That's probably because they are," Josh sarcastically stated.
"Josh!"
"Look, Toby give the photo back to Sam. And sit down."
Sam slumped in his chair, happy knowing Leo was taking charge once more.
Josh settled on the couch before asking. "Where did you get it from?"
"Mailbox," Sam stated glumly.
"This morning?" Toby asked, leaning forward.
"And *I* got it this morning, in my mail," Leo continued.
Josh rubbed his hands together. "No one has claimed responsibility?"
"Yet," CJ clarified.
"So, you're telling me, this is a ticking time bomb?" Toby rubbed his forehead, as if in pain.
"We assume there's going to be more," Leo told them.
Toby turned incredulous eyes towards CJ and Sam. "Is there *more*?"
"No!" They quickly yelled.
"Are we assuming this is Lillienfield's handiwork?" Josh asked in anticipation.
"You don't think he got burned enough last time?" CJ turned to him.
"Yeah, but stupid people will always stick their arm in the fire just to see how bad, bad can get."
"When do you think it's going out?"
"Most likely tomorrow. Times and Post."
"Right before an election," Toby muttered.
"But there is more?" Josh questioned.
"Josh," CJ said. "This is pretty damned flimsy, if you ask me. They're just laying the groundwork."
"Until our house of cards fall down," Toby grimly finished.
*~*
"What do you want, Toby?"
"I want to know more about this and a relationship you and Sam seem to have kept hidden from the rest of us."
"Wonder why we did that?" CJ gripped her pencil firmly. "There is *no* relationship, Toby. Just like Danny."
"And see how well that turned out." Toby leaned forward on CJ's desk, bringing his head closer to hers. "What is going on? You two go around kissing each other when the feeling hits?"
"Nothing, Toby. I am sick of saying it, so listen to me carefully; Sam and I are not in a relationship. We have never been in a relationship, nor will we ever be in one!"
Toby snapped back, the angry words reverberating through his skull. His eyes wandered around the office, until they caught sight of one prominent picture hanging on her wall. "Nice picture."
'It was innocent, Toby. Just a dance at---"
"Newspapers, *tabloids* do not publish innocent pictures. They publish things we do not recover from. Ever!"
*~*
"Did your briefing go OK?"
"As well as could be expected." CJ twisted slightly in her chair, anxious to escape Sam's gaze. "No mention of any pictures, if that's what you're asking."
"I saw Toby come in earlier," Sam gingerly sat down in the seat across from her.
"What else is new?"
"I guess you told him."
"Told him what?" CJ removed her glasses. "There's nothing to tell."
Sam sat back uneasily, "I guess so."
"Is it smart for you to be in here, Sam?" she teased.
"I'll take my chances." They shared a small smile.
"Don't let Leo hear you saying that," CJ murmured.
"CJ, don't worry about it. We'll weather the storm. We always have." Sam's hands stilled her fidgeting one. CJ bit her lips, unsure of what to say. "If we could beat Peter Lillienfield and Ann Stark, some two-bit hack isn't going to stop us now," Sam continued.
"Do you think we beat them, Sam?"
"Huh?"
"This is the tip of the iceberg. There's more. Someone's coming at us." CJ stood up and stared out of the window, nothing the grey clouds accumulating in the distance. "Someone's coming at us," she murmured softly.

I Hope You Dance: Make It Real

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