Disclaimer: (Do I really need this? Look at my bank account, it's obvious...) I don't own these characters, unfortunately for them.

Note: This is my first fanfic ever, although I've been reading X-Files fanfic for about 6 years. Let me know if I should stop now, thanks.

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She muttered to herself as she walked down the hallway to her office. She held a paper in front of her face, but wasn't reading it.

"C.J.?" came a call, but she waved it away as she reached her office and shut the door.

Tossing the unread papers on her desk, she closed her eyes and sunk onto the couch. The door opened quietly but she heard it anyway.

"Carol, get me the information on last years banking bill and find-" she broke off as she realized it wasn't Carol standing in front of her. Her eyes fluttered open. "Danny."

Danny leaned his head out the door, muttered "Banking bill" to Carol, then closed the door.

"C.J." It was as much a question as a statement.

C.J. closed her eyes for a moment, then stifled a sigh and, opening her eyes, stood up. "When did you get back?"

"A few days ago, been stuck in paperwork since-"

She raised her hand to cut him off. "I don't need an explanation on why you haven't come..." She walked around to behind her desk and shuffled some papers. "How did you get in here?"

"My press pass was still valid, you didn't revoke it, I gathered."

Her head snapped up. "I wouldn't do that, it's petty. Just because you... because I... that is to say..."

Her words trailed off as Danny moved closer. Feelings jolted through her, the same feelings that has assaulted her in the press room less than an hour ago, when she had glanced up and caught Danny's eye. She couldn't blame it on surprise this time.

She held up her hand to stop him and stepped back slightly. Danny lightly took her hand and brought it to his lips, never taking his eyes from hers. She tried to take another step back but realized her back was against the wall.

Danny eased closer, giving her time to escape. She took her hand back from him, but put it on his chest instead of reclaiming it completely. He took it as encouragement and tried to step closer but her arm was stronger and she kept him in place.

"C.J., what's going on?" As C.J.'s hand grasped his shirt, Danny could barely breathe. He realized he had been gone far too long. He had been away from her for almost a year and with just a touch she could still reduce him to ashes.

"This is a bad idea." C.J. forced herself to pull her hand away and took a step sideways. "We can't... you know what we can't do."

As she started past him toward the door, he grabbed her waist, causing her to gasp. With his face just inches from hers he could barely get the words out. "We haven't done anything, C.J."

Her eyes flickered from his to his lips and back. That was nearly his undoing as he breathed, "Yet."

As they held their places for a few moments, C.J. realized he wasn't going to back down, he wasn't moving away or releasing his grasp on her. She took the initiative and snaked her hand between them, again on his chest, intent on pushing him away.

Her eyes widened as he came closer. Her hand apparently had a mind of its own and, grabbing the soft material of his shirt, was pulling him closer.

The arm not busy around her waist, keeping her close, moved up into her hair as Danny moved her head closer to his and their lips met. It was familiar, gentle and explosive at the same time and C.J. realized how much she had missed the reporter.

It was, comparatively, a chaste kiss. As they came up for air, C.J. forced herself to push him away, although he only went arms length away. "No." she muttered, more to herself than to Danny. She shook her head slightly, trying to find rational thought again. When she spoke again her voice was stronger, though she couldn't meet his eyes. "We can't do this again, Danny. After the administration, or if things change... but we agreed, no more kissing-"

Danny grabbed her neck and brought her back. This time the kiss was not in the least bit gentle as Danny showed C.J. how much he had missed her. She clung to him, throwing her misgivings away for the moment. When Danny finally released her, she knew she had to get farther away from him this time and walked to the other side of the desk.

"I never agreed." Danny told her.

"Agreed to what?" C.J. was still disoriented from the rational thoughts battling with the feelings he awakened in her.

"Your no-kissing rule. I think it's just as ridiculous as your list." He moved to the door.

"Danny." She stopped him as he reached it. He looked at her, waiting for her to collect her thoughts. He realized that she had stopped him from walking out, that she wanted to continue the conversation, and decided to take that as a good sign.

"Danny." She repeated as he took a step closer, his nearness making it harder for her to gather her thoughts.

"You said that already." Danny pointed out. "Are you sure they pay you to speak to the public?"

He saw the change come over her and wished he could take back the reminder. "They do pay me to speak for them. Not much, I'll grant you, but they do. Danny, we can't do this. You know it, I know it-"

Danny cut her off. "C.J., I'm not asking you to marry me. Yet anyway." he hid a grin as her eyes grew wide and continued. "And I'm not trying to get you into my bed, although you know that offer is always open. I'll be waiting here whenever you decide to give us a chance. Just don't wait too long, we don't want to miss our chance."

He moved to the door and she turned toward her desk, trying to keep herself from crying. He opened the door as he turned back. "And C.J.?"

She spun around and whispered, "Yeah?"

"I think you should fix your lipstick." He whispered. Then, in a louder voice as her hand flew to her lips, "If you could get me an answer ASAP I'd really appreciate it."

"Get out, Danny." C.J. closed her door on the grinning reporter and her curious assistant. Her hand went back to her lips as she moved to her desk and the make-up it contained. She realized she could still taste him and laughed. 'Subtle, Danny, very subtle.' she thought as she noticed her tears had dried up, then silently cheered 'He's back!' She knew nothing could happen while Bartlet was still in office, but after that... She put his proposition in the back of her mind as she reached for a file and her lipstick.

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