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Title: Rockhopping (1/1)
Author: Kari
Category: CJ/Josh. More on the friendship side, but there could be 
hints of something else. :) 
Rating: G
Spoilers: Well kinda the whole show? Really focusing on the end of 
season 2.. from like "Bad Moon Rising" on.. 
Summary: "In a way, they are rockhopping themselves. Going forward, 
seemingly okay, but only a trip away from falling into the darkness."
Disclaimer: They SO aren't mine. I'm not that talented. 
Notes at end.
Feedback is a girl's best friend.. SK850@aol.com
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He finds her sitting on the rocks. 

It's day 4 of their whirlwind tour, the Deputy Chief of Staff and the 
Press Secretary sent across the country to gauge the public's 
reaction to the thing. 

The thing. That's what the staff has come to call it, not being able 
to bring themselves to say "MS," or even "the illness." It's just 
"the thing." 

Yes, there have been numerous polls done, and even more press 
conferences and interviews, but they still feel that more needs to be 
discovered. 

Which is why they are here, her sitting on the rocks and him watching 
from a distance. 

She's perched on the edge, the spray from the water barely nipping the 
bottoms of her shoes. 

He walks over and sits down next to her. "What's a fine lady like you 
sitting out here so late at night?" 

"I'm working on my tan," she replies, her trademark sarcasm ever 
present, but now sounding weary and dull.

"CJ.."

"I'm just sitting here Josh. I'm allowed to." It comes off more bitter 
than she expected, but he understands. 

He's worried about her. He's worried about all of them, including 
himself, but they are there and he's here, sitting on the rocks 
with her.

They lean into one another, using each other as support. They're 
afraid of what will happen if they don't. 

He runs his hand through his hair and takes in the ocean air. "Long 
day?"

"Well, you were there with me," she retorts. It's been a long month. 
A month that has felt like a year, with the promise of many more to 
come. 

"Yeah." He stares out into the water, watching the moonlight relfect 
off of the waves. 

"Have you ever noticed the water on the rocks?" She focuses on the 
jagged peaks below her and continues. "The water just hops across 
them. Not a care in the world." She swallows hard and he realizes 
she is trying to keep control. Control of her thoughts, her emotions, 
maybe even her life.

"We're gonna be okay, Claudia Jean.." But he's not so sure of that 
himself. And all he wants to do is hug her. Hug her and not let go 
until all of their problems have drifted away into the sea. But he 
just gives her a shoulder to cry on. 

And when she cries, he cries too. 

They sit like this for awhile, each contemplating what has happened, 
and what lies ahead. And eventually, he does hug her. And while he 
can't make the problems go away, he can make the crying stop. 

For now. 

"Josh?" She turns to look at him. 

"Mm?"

"President Bartlet.. is he still the real thing?"

He avoids her stare and answers. "Yeah." 

She can hear the cracking of his voice, the uncertainty and the fear 
within it, within him.

She tries again. "Josh?" 

This time, he looks her in the eye as he speaks. "Yes. He is."

She shows the slightest hint of a smile. And this makes him grin. He 
takes her back into his arms and they watch the water for a little 
while longer. Before long, he becomes aware that her breathing has 
changed, and he notices that she has fallen asleep on his shoulder. 

So he lets his mind drift further into the sea, over the rocks and 
through the waves. 

In a way, they are rockhopping themselves. Going forward, seemingly 
okay, but only a trip away from falling into the darkness. 

He'll have to wake her up in a while, for they have more polling to 
do tomorrow, more states to visit, and more meetings to take. But 
right now he's content sitting on the rocks, in front of the vastness 
of the sea. 

He watches the water dance over the rocks one more time, and then 
takes a look at the sleeping form pressed against him.

He brushes the hair from her face and repeats his earlier statement. 
"We're gonna be okay, Claudia Jean.." 

And this time there is confidence in his voice.
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Notes: I've been on this metaphorical kick lately. And all these 
little things have been inspiring me. Like for this one, its pretty 
simple. I went to the lake with my friends and was sitting on the 
rocks. :) So yeah. Lemme know what you think.