fic: we do not exist to be convenient for you (tgw/tww, cj & diane)
Title: we do not exist to be convenient for you
Disclaimer: Not mine in any way, shape, or form.
Fandom/Characters: The West Wing/The Good Wife, CJ & Diane
Word Count: 548
Requested By: normative_jean
The first time Diane meets CJ Cregg it is at a conference for the National Organization of Women and neither of them are the women they will become. CJ is a graduate student at Berkeley and Diane is an overworked third year associate at a law firm in Chicago. CJ is still young enough to have her ideals. Diane is just old enough to know better. Neither of them are afraid of speaking their minds.
Unsurprisingly, they like each other immediately.
When they leave, they exchange phone numbers and vague promises to keep in touch. Neither of them expects that they actually will.
They do.
*
For years, their contact is limited to the occasional phone call or email, and the even more rarer visit when they happen to be in the same city. But after CJ leaves the White House, Diane hears from her more frequently. Even with her new job and Danny, CJ suddenly has an abundance of time on her hands and as she explains to Diane, she no longer remembers how to sit still and Danny's training isn't progressing as quickly as either of them had hoped. Diane finds this terribly amusing and offers to put CJ to work on any number of causes, but CJ always turns her down saying that she might miss being so busy she's crossed eyed but she doesn't miss it that much.
Which is what makes it all surprising when Diane gets a call from the receptionist to tell her that CJ Cregg is waiting in the lobby, and does Diane have time for her. It's clear that the receptionist doesn't know who CJ is and Diane makes a mental note to make current events knowledge a mandatory condition of employment.
Diane goes to the lobby to greet CJ personally, and even though it goes against Diane's every boss-like instinct, she allows CJ to hug her.
"What are you doing here?" Diane asks in lieu of greeting, and CJ laughs.
"It's nice to see you, too," CJ says, in a teasing tone of voice that Diane allows very few people. "Do you have a minute?"
"For you?" Diane asks, starting down the hall and gesturing for CJ to follow. "Of course."
"I'm flattered," CJ says, keeping pace with Diane easily. "How have you been?"
"Well enough," Diane answers, stepping aside so that CJ can enter her office first. "Have a seat."
CJ takes one of the chairs opposite Diane's desk and Diane sinks into her leather desk chair.
"So," Diane says, letting the questioning tone in her voice do the asking for her.
CJ smiles. "So," she says, leaning forward in her seat. "I have a proposition for you."
Diane raises an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "Go on."
CJ's smile deepens. "How would you feel about doing legal work for an eccentric billionaire with an unlimited budget?"
"Are you --" Diane starts, just barely managing to keep her jaw from dropping.
"I am," CJ nods. "I need a new legal counsel for the charity that I'm working for. I want it to be you."
Diane doesn't think twice before she accepts. "I accept."
CJ extends her hand across the desk and Diane shakes it. "Diane," CJ says, "I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
Diane tips her head back and she laughs.
Disclaimer: Not mine in any way, shape, or form.
Fandom/Characters: The West Wing/The Good Wife, CJ & Diane
Word Count: 548
Requested By: normative_jean
The first time Diane meets CJ Cregg it is at a conference for the National Organization of Women and neither of them are the women they will become. CJ is a graduate student at Berkeley and Diane is an overworked third year associate at a law firm in Chicago. CJ is still young enough to have her ideals. Diane is just old enough to know better. Neither of them are afraid of speaking their minds.
Unsurprisingly, they like each other immediately.
When they leave, they exchange phone numbers and vague promises to keep in touch. Neither of them expects that they actually will.
They do.
*
For years, their contact is limited to the occasional phone call or email, and the even more rarer visit when they happen to be in the same city. But after CJ leaves the White House, Diane hears from her more frequently. Even with her new job and Danny, CJ suddenly has an abundance of time on her hands and as she explains to Diane, she no longer remembers how to sit still and Danny's training isn't progressing as quickly as either of them had hoped. Diane finds this terribly amusing and offers to put CJ to work on any number of causes, but CJ always turns her down saying that she might miss being so busy she's crossed eyed but she doesn't miss it that much.
Which is what makes it all surprising when Diane gets a call from the receptionist to tell her that CJ Cregg is waiting in the lobby, and does Diane have time for her. It's clear that the receptionist doesn't know who CJ is and Diane makes a mental note to make current events knowledge a mandatory condition of employment.
Diane goes to the lobby to greet CJ personally, and even though it goes against Diane's every boss-like instinct, she allows CJ to hug her.
"What are you doing here?" Diane asks in lieu of greeting, and CJ laughs.
"It's nice to see you, too," CJ says, in a teasing tone of voice that Diane allows very few people. "Do you have a minute?"
"For you?" Diane asks, starting down the hall and gesturing for CJ to follow. "Of course."
"I'm flattered," CJ says, keeping pace with Diane easily. "How have you been?"
"Well enough," Diane answers, stepping aside so that CJ can enter her office first. "Have a seat."
CJ takes one of the chairs opposite Diane's desk and Diane sinks into her leather desk chair.
"So," Diane says, letting the questioning tone in her voice do the asking for her.
CJ smiles. "So," she says, leaning forward in her seat. "I have a proposition for you."
Diane raises an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "Go on."
CJ's smile deepens. "How would you feel about doing legal work for an eccentric billionaire with an unlimited budget?"
"Are you --" Diane starts, just barely managing to keep her jaw from dropping.
"I am," CJ nods. "I need a new legal counsel for the charity that I'm working for. I want it to be you."
Diane doesn't think twice before she accepts. "I accept."
CJ extends her hand across the desk and Diane shakes it. "Diane," CJ says, "I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
Diane tips her head back and she laughs.