In which I take the premise of the Season One finale of West Wing and adapt it to fit CaptainSwan. It follows very little of what happens on the show other than there was a fight, a townhall meeting, and a shooting.
I own neither show.
The italicized breaks are flashbacks.
It all happens so fast.
One minute Killian is waiting to exit the town hall meeting President Nolan just finished speaking at; the next shots rang out, causing mass confusion. The President and entourage left the building moments before.
Every gunshot is an electric shock to Killian's heart. Was it five? Eight? He isn't sure, but all he can think about is Emma Swan, the President's Press Secretary. She would be right in the middle of things.
Was she injured?
Instead of being able to find her, help her, Killian is corralled with the rest of the White House Press Corps, the group of reporters who only covered news involving the President of the United States. He'd been one of them for only the past year, though he'd been working for The Banner for eight years.
He feels sick to his stomach as he replays their last conversation. The hurt in her eyes damn near killed him. A voice in the back of his head keeps asking if that will be the last time he ever speaks with her.
To pull back from that terrible thought he thinks of how much of a spitfire Swan is. She took his breath away the first time they were in a room together.
Killian practically fell into the Press Room. He had been hearing about this place for years. He'd seen it on television, but this was his first time working it.
And he was making a colossal ass of himself.
Phillip had moved up to editor, leaving this spot open. Killian immediately seized the opportunity. Unfortunately for him security at the White House was impossible to get through. It was with good reason, but he had given himself two hours to get to the Press Room from his apartment and he was still late. It was absurd.
Killian's entrance did not go unnoticed by the others in the room. He stood near the back with a notepad. He patted his pockets to produce a pen.
"Late and unprepared? Am I going to have to revoke your credentials?"
The tart voice belonged to Emma Swan. She was undeniably gorgeous on television, but she was even more so in person. As was his usual way, Killian tried to charm his way out of trouble.
"I had some trouble with security. They detained me on account of my accent. Called me a Redcoat and questioned me about my involvement in the Boston Massacre."
Emma raised an eyebrow. "Did they also confiscate all of your pens?"
Killian nodded. "Aye. Claimed I was going to draw a moustache on Washington's portrait."
The corners of Emma's mouth twitched. "Someone lend Mr. Jones a pen before he disgraces himself further."
A dark haired guy named Jefferson handed over a pen with a smile.
"Welcome to the Press Corps. We're all mad here."
The past year was enough time for him to get to know his fellow reporters fairly well. Abigail unsurprisingly is the first to get some footage. She weaseled her way toward the door immediately and started tapping things into her iPad. Her ambition was boundless.
Ashley is in tears. She can't stop shaking. It comes as no shock to anyone that she is crying. Any time Emma announced that there was a death, an injury, or even some sort of architectural damage, Ashley would start sobbing. She only started a few weeks ago, but Killian can't see her lasting very long.
Tink, Killian's coworker and apprentice, keeps trying to get a better look at what's going on. Her height makes it easier for her to bob and weave around the others in the group. It's her first night so she isn't well known by everyone. She is taking everything in stride, which makes Killian feel better about his decision to leave the Corps. At first he wasn't sure about handing over the reins to someone who goes by 'Tink.' To be fair he would change his name too if he had been named after his Great Aunt Ermentrude.
Tink looks over and meets Killan's eyes.
"Holy baptism by fire, Batman!" she mouths. Her wonder at everything going on will help her write her piece, but it makes Killian slightly uncomfortable.
He knows many of the people out there personally. He isn't sure if he would be able to write an objective article about tonight.
"Jones," a voice barked.
Killian turns in surprise. Abigail is waving him over. Her iPad is hovering near the glass. Killian has trouble wading through the other reporters.
"Stop being assholes and let him through!"
Abigail never did nice things so Killian can't imagine what she wants him for.
"I have the camera zoomed in so you can see better."
Killian stares at the iPad, grabbing it without understanding why.
Abigail leans into his ear to whisper. "The paramedics just got to her. She's over on the steps in front of us."
Killian's head whips around so fast he almost takes Jefferson out with his shoulder.
"Despite the rumors, I do have a heart. Tag out when you're ready. I'm going to check Twitter and call my editor."
Killian thanks her without taking his eyes off of Emma's prone body.
Her blonde hair is fanned out behind her. Her eyes flutter slowly. Her skin is what Killian finds troubling. It's even paler than usual.
August Booth hovers nearby. He chatters a mile a minute, arms gesticulating wildly, as the paramedics load Emma onto a stretcher. When they turn it Killian sucks in a deep breath. Emma's hair is matted to the side of her head with blood. A lot of blood.
The sight of it nauseates Killian. He calls for Abigail who is at his side in seconds. She gingerly takes the tablet.
"She'll be okay. Call Aurora. She's your best bet at getting any information."
Killian removes himself from the crowd around the glass. Jefferson clasps his shoulder and gives him a sympathetic smile. Killian walkup to one of the Secret Service agents who are holding them in the foyer.
"Any chance we're getting out of here soon?"
The agent shakes his head.
Killian feels like his skin is going to explode. He needs to see Swan, needs to know if she'll be all right. Fresh air would also do him some good. It feels like there are too many bodies in the foyer. The urge to punch something is overwhelming, but Killian reins it in.
Killian dashes off a quick text to Aurora. It's a simple plea for her to keep him as in the loop as she can. As assistant to Mulan, Deputy Chief of Staff, she has immediate access to the President's inner circle. Mulan will be updated constantly and most likely take over Swan's duties temporarily.
Jefferson swears loudly from the center of the room. The hand holding his phone sags toward the ground.
"Dr. Nolan got shot," he announces, close to tears.
The news hits Killian in the gut. For the millionth time that night he's thankful he isn't allowed on the clock. They didn't have the best introduction, but Killian now felt very close to both President and Dr. Nolan.
Killian has poured over old press room footage to prepare the last few weeks. He honed his question asking technique. Emma was much more likely to answer a question if it wasn't baiting. If there was any hint of the question being a trap, she would answer then neatly side-step. Questions that were pointed, but fair would usually get her to offer extra information and garnered her goodwill. Goodwill meant exclusives, comments, or even the occasional leak.
Sometimes Emma wasn't happy with him despite his best efforts. Today was one of those days.
"Emma, sources say that the US flew drones over unrestricted airspace in several European countries this week, which would violate our current treaties with those nations. What kind of fallout could be expected from that act?"
"It wasn't us."
"That wasn't my question. My question was what would the consequences of that action be?"
"It's not relevant because we didn't do it. Next question."
Emma points at Abigail and calls on her.
"Why won't you answer Jones' question? My readers would like the context. They need to know why it's so important for the Europeans to know we didn't break our treaties."
Emma presses her lips into a thin line. She explains all the ways in which a breach would negatively affect the treaties and the countries that held them.
The next ten minutes were terse. Emma answered questions, but she did so as succinctly as possible. Killian could practically see the steam pouring from her ears when the conference ended. He immediately followed her out the door.
"Swan," Killian called after her as she entered the offices of the West Wing.
"You shouldn't be back here right now."
She didn't even turn around as she said that.
"Emma, stop. I shouldn't have pushed you. I'm sorry."
Emma paused. She faced Killian and looked at the ceiling.
"It wasn't that out of line. I made it more of a story by not answering.
Killian shrugged. "I should've just waited to ask you at lunch."
Emma's face hardened. "That is the exact kind of thinking that has me pissed at you. You do not get special treatment. You are on the very same level as all of the other Press Corps members. You have no special privileges."
"We're friends."
Emma drew in a deep breath. "Get in my office now."
Killian walked toward the office, wondering what had Swan so upset. She slammed the door once they're both inside. Killian went to flop down on the couch then decided to occupy the chair in front of Emma's desk. Emma sat on her desk, towering over Killian.
"Abigail told me today that if sleeping with me got her leaks and comments then she would be on board with that arrangement despite the fact that I'm not her type."
Killian snorted at the idea of Abigail propositioning Swan.
"It isn't funny. She then asked point blank if that was what you and I had going on or if the terms were different."
The words sounded as though they had to be physically pulled from Killian's mouth. Killian had the sense to stop laughing.
"I'm sorry. I don't think she's really serious. Just give her a few more exclusives and she'll be fine."
"Jefferson made a joke about us having a lover's spat today. He thought I couldn't hear him, but I did."
"No one takes Jefferson seriously. He tried to convince us that the mess would stop serving decaf coffee soon since you all don't drink it."
"Almost everyone in the morning gaggle has asked me about you. They think we're too…" Emma moved her hands around, casting about for the right word.
"Friendly?" Killian suggested sarcastically.
"Basically."
"That's what the morning gaggle is. It's an informal meeting with a few reporters. It gives us all time to establish a rapport with you. They all know you aren't giving me any more leaks or comments than they get. We're all adults."
Emma closed her eyes and massaged her temples. "You don't get it."
She crumpled into her desk chair.
"Did someone else say something to you? You usually don't let the reporters get to you like this."
Swan smiled sardonically. "Majority Leader Cassidy was running his mouth the other day. The rumor has made it all the way to Capitol Hill that I'm sleeping with a member of the Press Corps."
Killian sat there in silence for a moment. He knew that Emma and Neal had some sort of romantic history. The impression he got was that Neal somehow used his relationship with Emma to further his career. He was also the probable source of a nasty rumor that Emma got her job by sleeping with Graham from Speaker of the House Mills' office. They were together when she started working on the Nolan for President campaign. Graham jumped ship thinking that Regina Mills had better odds of winning the election. She was now Speaker of the House and making the Nolan administration all kinds of trouble.
"I finally dispelled all the rumors that I use sex as a bartering tool, but you're stirring them up again. You need to back off. No more coming to the West Wing for purely social calls. The others don't do that. If I become a story it will take away from all the work the President is doing."
Killian reached out to touch Emma's shoulder, and then thought better of it.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize."
"I like you, but I earned my way here and I can't let you jeopardize that."
"I would never do anything to hurt you."
Killian wouldn't make eye contact with Killian. She looked so torn up that he wanted to hold her. She walked over to the door and went to open it. Someone knocked on the other side when she touched the handle.
"It's just us."
Understatement of the year.
'Just us' turned out to be President Nolan and her husband David. Mary Margaret Blanchard Nolan was not just anyone. She had beaten her former stepmother to become the first female president. Dr. Nolan was a veterinarian, though he hadn't practiced since his wife had started campaigning for the presidency.
"Who is this?" Mary Margaret pointed to Killian and arched her eyebrows at Swan.
She looked more like a gossiping friend and coworker than the leader of the nation at that moment.
Killian stepped forward to introduce himself. "Killian Jones from The Banner, Madame President, Dr. Nolan."
Killian stood up and shook their hands. Mary Margaret had a very firm handshake. It wasn't as delicate as Killian was expecting. David's handshake was crushing in its force. He clearly had heard the rumors about Killian and Emma.
"Sorry to interrupt. I need to go over our remarks on the stimulus package before your next press conference, if you've got a minute, Emma."
Killian laughed.
"I'm definitely less important than that. I'll show myself out."
There's a sudden flutter of activity. Someone is approaching the door to the foyer. If Killian didn't know any better, he'd say it was Mulan with a Secret Service agent in tow. She should be in a safe car to the hospital with Mary Margaret.
Mulan rolls her eyes then starts taking inventory of the reporters. Her eyes lock on Killian. She starts pointing at him and mouthing the same thing over and over again. Killian finally catches her eye. Mulan waves him toward the door. The Secret Service agent stationed there lets him out.
"Come on."
Mulan is off and running in her dress. Luckily, it has a full skirt or she wouldn't make much progress. Killian tries to keep up. He nearly falls over when Mulan grinds to a halt. The paramedics are in the process of loading a patient in the back of an ambulance.
Emma.
"He's with her. Killian Jones at special request of President Nolan."
Mulan pushes him toward the ambulance. Killian gives Mulan a quick hug before bounding into the vehicle.
"Thank you. I owe you. Collect that debt anytime."
Mulan waved and pretended she wasn't pleased with the attention.
"Text my assistant so she stops harassing me!" She called as the doors to the ambulance shut.
Killian turns his attention to Emma and prays that it's not as bad as it looks.
It would've been mean to stop there so I'm posting the whole story in one go. Please hit the next chapter button and continue on :)
So my OTP CJ/Danny on the West Wing is delightful even though he's not on the show often. During the Season One finale they have a fight and I wanted there to be a moment with them in the aftermath of this really bad thing that happens. No such luck so I wrote this. I'm not done with the show, but I know enough that I'm getting them together in a completely different way.
The characters are slightly OOC because Killian isn't murderous about Mr. Gold/Milah and Neal never sent Emma to jail. There are a couple of winks at lines from OUAT, which I'm sure you'll catch.