Bouncing Inaugural Balls

by: Rhonda and Evelyn

Character(s): The Men of the West Wing
Pairing(s): Josh/Donna, CJ/Danny, Toby/Andi, Zoey/Charlie, Will/Ainsley
Category(s): Humor, Romance, Post Ep
Rating: TEEN
Disclaimer: They're not ours and never will be.
Summary: Post-episode story for Inauguration: Over There
Spoiler: Inauguration: Over There
Feedback: Greatly Appreciated

"Can I help you carry one of those plates?" Will pushed up his glasses and gave a tentative smile to the woman with long blonde hair in a green silk halter dress.

"That would be most kind of you. I may have accumulated a few too many food items to safely traverse this crowded room without scattering crab puffs hither and yon. You probably don't have any idea who I am since I work in the steampipe distribution center in the basement, but I've seen you in the Mess. My name is Ainsley Hayes."

"Uh, right. I'm Will Bailey. I helped Toby write the Inaugural address."

"I most certainly know who you are Mr. Bailey. I was most impressed with the speech, although I must admit that some of my fellow Republicans want to kick your..."

"I understand," he quickly answered, taking two of the three small plates that Ainsley was balancing in her arms and glancing around. "There are quite a few Democrats who feel the same way. Where are you sitting?"

"I haven't decided yet." Ainsley beamed at him. "Would you care to join me? You and your date of course."

"I don't... I came with Toby and Josh."

"Oh. Well are you planning to sit with them?"

"Not especially. I've been sitting with, uh... on them for the past hour."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Never mind. It's a long story. How about that table near the French doors?"

"That's an excellent choice since, despite the sauna-like conditions in my office, I really prefer fresh air."

"It's kind of a small table - only two chairs. Do you have a date that will be joining us?"

"No. Unfortunately, my gentleman escort cancelled at the last minute. Chicken pox was the excuse he proffered, but I think perhaps he's forgotten that he'd previously used that excuse to explain his absence the night of the election. It may be that I am becoming too jaded, but don't you consider that it's highly unlikely that a forty-year old man would succumb to the same childhood disease twice within the last three months?"

"Uh. It does sound dubious. Possibly he's not interested in attending these types of parties?"

"Yes, to my great dismay, I think his reluctance to escort me to these functions has more to do with his being a Republican than any viral infection. I find that to be a typical response among my circle of acquaintances, especially among the eligible men I know."

"Perhaps you should widen your circle of acquaintances."

"I might do that." She smiled coyly at him. "How's your health?"

Will blushed and responded, "Excellent and I've been vaccinated against chicken pox, measle, mumps, and malaria. But, in the interests of full disclosure and realizing that such might affect my eligibility, I feel it only fair to inform you that I'm a Democrat and, as of today, unemployed."

"Thank you for your candor, but during the last two years, I've grown quite fond of Democrats and this is an excellent place to start your job search. Do you dance?"

"Not well enough to earn my living at it."

Ainsley giggled.

Will blushed again. "Oh, you meant... Yes, I dance and I'd be honored to dance with you. In fact I don't think I could say no to anything you asked me to do."

"That's a lovely trait and one I intend to encourage. Let me fortify myself with some of these crab puffs and we'll take a spin around the room."

Setting the full plates on the table, Will pulled out a chair for her. "I have a feeling that this evening alone may make up for the less than optimal experiences I've had while working in the West Wing." As she sat down, he glanced at her sandaled feet. "And can I just add for the record that those are particularly lovely shoes you're wearing. How do you feel about Rice Krispies Treats?"

Charlie was watching for him. When he came to the ballroom door, Charlie made his way over to stand next to him.

"It's done. He's in there alone."

Charlie grinned. "Here's the twenty I promised you." He handed the elderly janitor a folded twenty dollar bill. "I've got another one for you if he's stuck in there for awhile."

The old man pocketed the cash and chuckled. "No problem. I'll break the key off in the lock. A man my age - hell, it'll take me twenty minutes just to remember where I keep my tools."

"And the sprinkler will only go off in this one bathroom?"

"Yep. As soon as the little weasel lights up another one of those funny cigarettes he keeps sneaking, the rain is gonna fall."

"Even if he dismantles the smoke detector again?"

"I've hard wired it. The wires he pulls this time are just gonna be for show."

"You're a good man."

"Yeah. Well, I appreciate you cutting through that VA red tape and getting my brother that wheel chair."

"The President did that. I just dialed the phone for him."

"Hey, Charlie. Have you seen Jean-Paul?" Zoey pranced up to the two men.

The janitor nodded at Charlie and quickly left the ballroom.

"Hello to you, too. I haven't see his highness lately, but I'm sure he hasn't wandered far from you."

"You're being sarcastic again, aren't you? I don't know why you don't like Jean-Paul. He adores you."

"Right."

"There you go again. Sarcasm dripping, even from a single word."

"Well if I'm dancing I can't be dripping anything. Come on." He took her arm and led her out onto the dance floor.

"You always were such an incredible dancer," she murmured, her cheek next to his.

He pulled her closer. "The Frog Prince have four left feet?"

"You are so...so..." She punched his shoulder with her fist.

"What?"

"Annoying, self-righteous, smug..."

"And usually right," he finished.

She smiled.

Charlie stared at her, his dark eyes trying to see into her thoughts. The muted sound of his cell phone interrupted him.

"Better answer that." She slipped her hand inside his jacket and pulled out the phone, then brushed her fingers across his cheek.

He grabbed her hand and held it while he flipped open his phone.

Trying to continue to dance with Zoey, he spoke into the phone, exclaiming, "What do you mean boxes of bibles?"

Zoey giggled and then stumbled as Charlie whined, "Who? Free Masons? Come on. Man."

"No. Tell them it's too late. We don't need the bibles now." Charlie stopped dancing as Zoey pulled away.

Clutching his free arm for balance, she pulled off one of her shoes, the heel clearly broken.  "Damn, Mom's gonna kill me. I didn't ask her if I could borrow these."

Charlie frowned at the shoe and held out his hand for it. Speaking into the phone, he tersely responded, "You can handle it. I don't care how scary they look. Hey, you know what just occurred to me? You've got a gun, Harvey. Use it if you have to. Just make those guys take back the bibles."

An excited murmuring started among the crowd, attracting both their attention. Charlie told the caller to hang on and he stared towards the ballroom entrance.

"Oh, God," Zoey exclaimed, giggles immediately following.

An angry Jean-Paul stalked into the crowded ballroom, water dripping from his tux and too-long hair.

"Jean-Paul! Sweetie! What happened?" Zoey limped over towards the French aristocrat as the cameras flashed.

Charlie laughed. "Hey, Harvey. Try praying those bibles away. I have proof positive that God answers prayers." Snapping the phone shut, Charlie approached the couple of the hour.

"Hey, Jean-Paul! You should rethink that wet look. Doesn't photograph well." Charlie grinned as Zoey dissolved into laughter.

"Fou! Imbeceel...Vous etes un....fils de la bitch."

Charlie caught a glimpse of Leo, unsuccessfully hiding a smile. The older man jerked his head to the side, indicating that Charlie's services were needed elsewhere.

"Watch your language. There are ladies present." Charlie tossed Zoey's shoe to his competition. "Make yourself useful. See if you can talk that heel back together."

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Sequel: Bouncing Back

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