NOTE: Even though the story is set when Will has arrived on the scene I
still have Sam in it. I didn't know Will when I wrote this and I like Sam
so I kept him.
Acceptance
Part 3
"Where is The President?" Toby asked.
"For the hundredth time Toby, we don't know." CJ answered glaring at him. They all were wondering that very thing.
"I tried calling Leo's cell phone but I keep getting his voice mail." Josh had now joined the little group. "Anything, Sam?"
"Something has happened." Sam was walking towards his colleagues and friends to give them the little news he had. "I called The White house and they said he left over 20 minutes ago."
No one said a word. Could something have gone wrong? Was The President alright?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jed waited. He was about to disconnect when his middle daughter answered her cell phone.
"Yes?"
She sounded impatient. Not her usual greeting. Still hearing her voice had the same effect when he had heard Liz's voice earlier. He could not break down now. "Ellie."
"Dad, where the hell are you?"
Ah, she was watching on TV and his absence had been noted already.
"Everyone is going nuts here and Toby keeps asking me where you are. Have I heard from you and.."
It suddenly occurred to Jed that Ellie was not watching TV. She was there in person. "You're there?" There was a sigh before she spoke again.
"Yes. I wanted to surprise you."
The warmth in her tone warmed his heart and he briefly smiled. He should have known. Ellie always loved saying one thing and then doing the complete opposite. She loved surprising people. Especially her family.
"I guess I am the one who was in store for a surprise. You are not here. Should I be alarmed?"
God how he hated doing this. "Baby, your mother has been in a car accident. I'm on my way to Bethesda right now."
Silence.
"Oh ok. I.I'll be right there."
Just like Liz she sounded terribly frightened and just like with Liz he wished he could take Ellie in his arms to comfort her.
"Eh, should I tell your staff?"
Ellie was always good at composing herself quicker then her siblings. Maybe it was the doctor mode Jed always teased her of getting from her mother. "Yeah, they should know."
CJ had watched Ellie and seen her face change. It wasn't a good change. She had alerted her companions to that fact and they were all watching Ellie as she made her way over to them. "The President?"
Ellie nodded. "Mom's been in a car accident." Saying it aloud finally made it seem real for Ellie.
CJ, Toby, Josh and Sam stared at her. They didn't need to ask to know The President was with his wife or that there would be no speech tonight.
Again, he waited. Soon he heard his youngest daughter's voice. And again he had to fight not to break down completely. "Zoey."
"Dad, I was going to watch you on TV but you are late and people seemed to be running all over trying to locate you. Is everything alright?"
Straight to the point. Before he could answer Zoey spoke up again.
"No then why would you call me. Especially right now. What's wrong?"
Thank God he didn't have more kids to call. This was tearing him apart. "Sweetie, your mother was in a car accident."
Silence.
Jed looked out the window and noticed where they were. "I've just arrived at Bethesda. I've called Liz and Ellie. They are on their way here."
"Liz too? Oh God then it must be bad."
She sounded scared and like with Liz and Ellie he wished he was with her right now. "Zoey, I really don't know how bad it is." That was a big lie but how to talk about something like this over the phone. He remembered the young paramedic who didn't want to speculate on Abbey's injuries.
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
He smiled briefly once again. "I know you will."
CJ was tapping away with her fingers on the car door. "You think she'll be ok?" The question was directed at no one in particular. Heading back to The White House was not an easy task with all the reporters blocking their way asking about The President and where he was.
They might not know yet but they soon would and it was CJ's job to give them that piece of news. Although she would have preferred that she didn't have to. "God, I hope she'll be alright."
Toby studied CJ. She looked as shaken as he felt. Looking at Toby one could never tell how he felt inside but right now he was worried. Really worried. He admired Abigail Bartlet a great deal. Although Toby was also worried about The President. If The First Lady didn't make it, God Forbid, The President would die right along with her. His spirit would cease to exist. "Leo will call when he gets a chance."
"Should we go there? I mean, shouldn't we offer some support?" Sam didn't know why he had voiced that out loud. Leo would want them back at The White House and Toby was right, Leo would call when he could. Then again they were all at GW after Rosslyn. For a while at least. However that was different. They had all been affected by that. Heck, they were affected by this as well. Maybe it was for the best. Sam may be a good speechwriter but he could not come up with any words to comfort their leader when he was in pain.
"Leo is there. Liz, Ellie and Zoey are on their way. That's all the support The President needs." Josh looked his co workers over. They were more then his co workers, they were his friends. This evening had started out so well and now this. He was tempted to call Leo but decided against it. He wished Leo would call soon. Josh wasn't the only one who needed to know more.
Talking with his daughters had given Jed some of his strength back. He was sitting in a waiting room with Leo. Except for Leo, Jed and some agents the room was empty. People who might have been there before had been whisked away before his arrival. "Maybe you should call them?"
Leo turned towards him. "Are you sure? I hate to leave you." Leo never used his own cell phone in hospitals. It was a principle with him.
"Go. Make the call. They probably want to hear from you. Hell, they probably expect it and rightfully so. They all know Abbey and are no doubt worried." Jed was grateful for Leo's presence but just for a brief moment Jed needed to be alone.
"Ok." Leo got up but before walking away he looked at Jed. "She'll be ok."
Jed remembered when he had said those very words to Leo earlier. To comfort Leo or himself? Who the hell knows? Just as long as they came true.
"CJ, is it true?"
She turned as Carol approached her quickly. "Is what true?"
Carol continued walking with CJ down the hall speaking fast. "That the First Lady has been injured in a car accident?"
CJ stopped dead in her tracks making Carol walk right into her. "How did you find out?"
"Oh my God, it's true?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so and before you ask I don't know anything. Now how did you find out?" Of course someone might have seen something and then it would have spread like a brush fire.
"Danny asked me if I knew anything about it."
"Danny?" CJ interrupted. She was clearly surprised.
"Yeah, apparently a friend of his stumbled on the accident."
CJ felt cold. "Are you telling me there are pictures?"
Carol simply nodded.
CJ rubbed her forehead trying to make things clear. "Where is Danny?"
"In your office."
CJ made a complete turn and stormed down the hall. The nerve of some journalists. On the way she saw Toby. "Toby!"
Whatever it was it wasn't good. "What have you heard?"
She walked up to him and came face to face. "There was a photographer at the accident site."
Toby stared at her. "Pictures?"
CJ nodded, knowing all too well the disbelief Toby was feeling. She had just felt it a moment ago. "Yeah, can you believe it? I'm heading to my office and according to Carol, Danny is there."
"Danny was at the..?" Somehow Toby always figured Danny was too nice of a guy to do something like that.
"No." CJ interrupted. "Some journalist friend of his who knows how close Danny is with us and told him. I'm going to talk to him and will let you know what I find out."
"Ok, I'll get Josh and Sam. You just find out what, when and how, fast."
Sir?" Jed looked up and saw a doctor approaching. He recognized the man. "Yes, Dr..I'm sorry I forgot your name but you are a friend of Abbey's, right?"
The man nodded. "It's Mark McCall. I'm sorry we have to meet again under these circumstances."
Jed was afraid to ask. "How is she?"
"She's suffered some blood loss but not too great, has severe injuries to her legs.."
Jed interrupted. "I don't mean to be rude but will she be ok?"
"Mr President, your wife is going to survive."
Jed felt a huge relief but there was still something else. "About her.?" Jed couldn't finish.
"Yes, there are some very severe injuries there. I've looked them over, as has another doctor and I'm afraid Sir, there is nothing we can do."
Jed stared at him. "Nothing..?"
"No, Sir."
Coming around a corner Leo saw a doctor talking to Jed. He could see on Jed's face that the news was bad. Leo watched as the doctor patted Jed's shoulder, turned and left as Jed sank back into a chair, covering his face in his hands. Composing himself Leo walked over and seated himself next to Jed. Jed didn't notice his presence, and for a moment, Leo wasn't sure what to do. "Jed?"
Hearing Leo's voice, but not wanting to move, Jed just spoke up. "They can't do anything to save her leg."
Leo swallowed.
"They have to amputate below the knee." Jed suddenly realized that in trying to protect his wife he just might have driven her into danger. "What have I done?"
Leo wasn't sure if he had heard right. "What did you just say?"
Realizing he must have said that last line out loud Jed lifted his head up and looked at Leo. "I did this to her."
Leo couldn't believe this. Was he actually thinking this? "No you didn't."
"Yes I did." Jed noticed he was almost screaming and lowered his voice. "I was so focused on keeping her safe that I told her to stay home. If she had gone with me this wouldn't have happened."
Leo's voice was surprisingly calm when he spoke. "What if she had gone with you and been hurt? Wouldn't you have blamed yourself for not keeping her at home then?" Leo saw that his words had affected Jed.
"Yeah." Leo was right. No matter what he would have done, the bottom line was whenever Abbey or one of the girls was hurt, or even someone else he cared about, Jed had a tendency to blame himself.
Ellie looked around frantically when she spotted her father and Leo. "Dad!"
Hearing Ellie's voice he looked around and saw her. He got up just in time as she threw herself in his arms. This was what he needed, to hold one of his daughters.
Leo decided to leave them alone. He hadn't had a chance to call The White House before he had seen the doctor with Jed.
Ellie held on to her father. "Mom?"
Jed stroked her back as he talked to her. "In surgery. The doctor said she's going to survive." He continued stroking her back, trying to make her feel better. "We knew that though, didn't we? Your mom is a fighter."
Ellie withdrew and looked at her father. Her mom was a fighter. Yet she felt something wasn't right. "Yeah."
"I'm glad you're here."
"Me too."
Jed drew Ellie into another hug, and for a few minutes, they stayed just like that.
"So this guy took a few pictures, but according to Danny, none of them of The First Lady. Just The President, Leo and the wrecked car Abbey was in." CJ finished talking. Toby, Sam and Josh had all come to her office. The news was out and CJ had been dodging bullets all over.
Before anyone responded the phone rang. CJ groaned. "If this is another reporter, Carol, thell them I'm not in". Normally Carol was not part of CJ's meetings like this, but CJ knew how much Carol liked The First Lady and knew she could trust Carol, so she had allowed her to be part of it.
Carol nodded as she walked out the door.
"So, like I was saying the pictures will be in the papers in a special edition and will most likely hit the streets before daylight." CJ took a breath as Carol burst in.
"CJ, It's Leo."
Everyone in the room froze except CJ who picked up the receiver in record speed. "Leo? Yes, Leo I've got them here. Can I put you on speaker?"
CJ put the receiver down and the speaker button.
"Hi guys." Leo's voice greeted them. He sounded tired. "I'm sorry I haven't called before. I was about to but then the doctor came out and...."
Carol looked over at CJ and mouthed if she should leave. To her amazement CJ mouthed back for her to stay. "Leo, Carol is here I hope that's ok?"
There was a brief pause. "Yeah but she can't talk to Margaret, Donna, Ginger or anyone else about this until I say so. That goes for all of you. Got it?"
CJ looked at Carol who nodded in agreement. "I think that goes without saying."
"Leo, How is she?" Toby was never one to wait and sit around for the answers.
"She is going to survive."
Everyone is CJ's office felt a huge relief.
"Although, her legs were trapped in the car and they had to cut her out. Her left leg in particular was.....badly....well, well, there were severe lacerations caused by jagged metal."
No one said a word. No one blinked. No one dared take a breath.
"There was too much damage so they have to amputate it just below the knee."
No one said anything. The shock was too great. CJ blinked trying to comprehend what she just heard "Amputate?"
"I'm afraid so."
"And the other leg?" Toby spoke up again.
"There was little damage to it also, but not nearly as much. According to the doctor her right leg will be weak for a couple of weeks until she regains the strength back in it."
Josh suddenly remembered. "Should we call Charlie?"
"I forgot. I'll call him."
Everyone in the room knew Charlie had taken the evening of. Well The president had ordered Charlie it. Charlie's sister had needed him more that evening then The President did. After all, it wasn't every evening one's sister received an award at the school she attended.
"Leo, we need to say something. The news is already out that The First Lady was in a car accident." CJ didn't feel like talking about this, but she had long since discovered that in the hardest times, work had to continue.
"You mean the reporter at the accident site?"
CJ raised her eyebrows in surprise and saw the others mirror her actions. "You know?"
"I saw him. So what does he have?"
CJ leaned back in her chair. "Pictures of you, The President and the car Abbey was in."
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"Ok. Let me know when you see the article. I want to know what it says."
"You don't want to try and stop it?" Toby spoke up again. Try and stop it? Like that would work.
"As long as there aren't any photos of Abbey, the President won't care."
"How's the President?" For the first time it was Sam who spoke.
"He's....he's pretty bad."
No one needed to be told really their boss would be in a bad shape.
"Should we come down there? I mean...?" Sam didn't get very far before Leo interrupted him.
"It's ok, Sam. I know you care but right now I need you all to stay where you are. Ellie just got here and that had already helped the President a great deal."
There was a brief pause before Leo spoke again.
"Listen CJ, tell the press that The First Lady was in a car accident, she is in surgery and is expected to live. But do not mention the amputation yet. I'm sure The president wants to tell his daughters before that is revealed to the public."
"Alright Leo." CJ responded.
"Ok, thanks. I'll call again later when I have more to tell you."
As Leo hung up they all stared at each other. Carol turned to leave the group alone and closed the door behind her.
CJ took a deep breath before she started talking. "I guess we should get back to work." CJ took another deep breath as she spoke again. "Although how we could possibly work right now is beyond me. Then again we did manage when The President and Josh..." CJ trailed off looking nervously at Josh. "I'm sorry Josh, I..."
Josh waved a hand. "It's ok."
She shook her head and wondered how she could have been so insensitive. "No, it's not. That was really stupid of me."
"CJ, it's fine. Let it go." Josh smiled at her.
CJ simply nodded in return.
Josh continued speaking. "It was easier because we were all there, at Rosslyn. You were all there and then at the hospital that's why it was easier. You all were close to the President and me at the hospital so perhaps that helped things."
Absorbing what Josh had said, CJ, Toby and Sam realized he had a point. A very good point. Being close had helped.
Josh sighed deeply. "Besides, neither I nor The President lost a body part."
The room suddenly became deathly silent.
TBC..
Acceptance
Part 3
"Where is The President?" Toby asked.
"For the hundredth time Toby, we don't know." CJ answered glaring at him. They all were wondering that very thing.
"I tried calling Leo's cell phone but I keep getting his voice mail." Josh had now joined the little group. "Anything, Sam?"
"Something has happened." Sam was walking towards his colleagues and friends to give them the little news he had. "I called The White house and they said he left over 20 minutes ago."
No one said a word. Could something have gone wrong? Was The President alright?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jed waited. He was about to disconnect when his middle daughter answered her cell phone.
"Yes?"
She sounded impatient. Not her usual greeting. Still hearing her voice had the same effect when he had heard Liz's voice earlier. He could not break down now. "Ellie."
"Dad, where the hell are you?"
Ah, she was watching on TV and his absence had been noted already.
"Everyone is going nuts here and Toby keeps asking me where you are. Have I heard from you and.."
It suddenly occurred to Jed that Ellie was not watching TV. She was there in person. "You're there?" There was a sigh before she spoke again.
"Yes. I wanted to surprise you."
The warmth in her tone warmed his heart and he briefly smiled. He should have known. Ellie always loved saying one thing and then doing the complete opposite. She loved surprising people. Especially her family.
"I guess I am the one who was in store for a surprise. You are not here. Should I be alarmed?"
God how he hated doing this. "Baby, your mother has been in a car accident. I'm on my way to Bethesda right now."
Silence.
"Oh ok. I.I'll be right there."
Just like Liz she sounded terribly frightened and just like with Liz he wished he could take Ellie in his arms to comfort her.
"Eh, should I tell your staff?"
Ellie was always good at composing herself quicker then her siblings. Maybe it was the doctor mode Jed always teased her of getting from her mother. "Yeah, they should know."
CJ had watched Ellie and seen her face change. It wasn't a good change. She had alerted her companions to that fact and they were all watching Ellie as she made her way over to them. "The President?"
Ellie nodded. "Mom's been in a car accident." Saying it aloud finally made it seem real for Ellie.
CJ, Toby, Josh and Sam stared at her. They didn't need to ask to know The President was with his wife or that there would be no speech tonight.
Again, he waited. Soon he heard his youngest daughter's voice. And again he had to fight not to break down completely. "Zoey."
"Dad, I was going to watch you on TV but you are late and people seemed to be running all over trying to locate you. Is everything alright?"
Straight to the point. Before he could answer Zoey spoke up again.
"No then why would you call me. Especially right now. What's wrong?"
Thank God he didn't have more kids to call. This was tearing him apart. "Sweetie, your mother was in a car accident."
Silence.
Jed looked out the window and noticed where they were. "I've just arrived at Bethesda. I've called Liz and Ellie. They are on their way here."
"Liz too? Oh God then it must be bad."
She sounded scared and like with Liz and Ellie he wished he was with her right now. "Zoey, I really don't know how bad it is." That was a big lie but how to talk about something like this over the phone. He remembered the young paramedic who didn't want to speculate on Abbey's injuries.
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
He smiled briefly once again. "I know you will."
CJ was tapping away with her fingers on the car door. "You think she'll be ok?" The question was directed at no one in particular. Heading back to The White House was not an easy task with all the reporters blocking their way asking about The President and where he was.
They might not know yet but they soon would and it was CJ's job to give them that piece of news. Although she would have preferred that she didn't have to. "God, I hope she'll be alright."
Toby studied CJ. She looked as shaken as he felt. Looking at Toby one could never tell how he felt inside but right now he was worried. Really worried. He admired Abigail Bartlet a great deal. Although Toby was also worried about The President. If The First Lady didn't make it, God Forbid, The President would die right along with her. His spirit would cease to exist. "Leo will call when he gets a chance."
"Should we go there? I mean, shouldn't we offer some support?" Sam didn't know why he had voiced that out loud. Leo would want them back at The White House and Toby was right, Leo would call when he could. Then again they were all at GW after Rosslyn. For a while at least. However that was different. They had all been affected by that. Heck, they were affected by this as well. Maybe it was for the best. Sam may be a good speechwriter but he could not come up with any words to comfort their leader when he was in pain.
"Leo is there. Liz, Ellie and Zoey are on their way. That's all the support The President needs." Josh looked his co workers over. They were more then his co workers, they were his friends. This evening had started out so well and now this. He was tempted to call Leo but decided against it. He wished Leo would call soon. Josh wasn't the only one who needed to know more.
Talking with his daughters had given Jed some of his strength back. He was sitting in a waiting room with Leo. Except for Leo, Jed and some agents the room was empty. People who might have been there before had been whisked away before his arrival. "Maybe you should call them?"
Leo turned towards him. "Are you sure? I hate to leave you." Leo never used his own cell phone in hospitals. It was a principle with him.
"Go. Make the call. They probably want to hear from you. Hell, they probably expect it and rightfully so. They all know Abbey and are no doubt worried." Jed was grateful for Leo's presence but just for a brief moment Jed needed to be alone.
"Ok." Leo got up but before walking away he looked at Jed. "She'll be ok."
Jed remembered when he had said those very words to Leo earlier. To comfort Leo or himself? Who the hell knows? Just as long as they came true.
"CJ, is it true?"
She turned as Carol approached her quickly. "Is what true?"
Carol continued walking with CJ down the hall speaking fast. "That the First Lady has been injured in a car accident?"
CJ stopped dead in her tracks making Carol walk right into her. "How did you find out?"
"Oh my God, it's true?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so and before you ask I don't know anything. Now how did you find out?" Of course someone might have seen something and then it would have spread like a brush fire.
"Danny asked me if I knew anything about it."
"Danny?" CJ interrupted. She was clearly surprised.
"Yeah, apparently a friend of his stumbled on the accident."
CJ felt cold. "Are you telling me there are pictures?"
Carol simply nodded.
CJ rubbed her forehead trying to make things clear. "Where is Danny?"
"In your office."
CJ made a complete turn and stormed down the hall. The nerve of some journalists. On the way she saw Toby. "Toby!"
Whatever it was it wasn't good. "What have you heard?"
She walked up to him and came face to face. "There was a photographer at the accident site."
Toby stared at her. "Pictures?"
CJ nodded, knowing all too well the disbelief Toby was feeling. She had just felt it a moment ago. "Yeah, can you believe it? I'm heading to my office and according to Carol, Danny is there."
"Danny was at the..?" Somehow Toby always figured Danny was too nice of a guy to do something like that.
"No." CJ interrupted. "Some journalist friend of his who knows how close Danny is with us and told him. I'm going to talk to him and will let you know what I find out."
"Ok, I'll get Josh and Sam. You just find out what, when and how, fast."
Sir?" Jed looked up and saw a doctor approaching. He recognized the man. "Yes, Dr..I'm sorry I forgot your name but you are a friend of Abbey's, right?"
The man nodded. "It's Mark McCall. I'm sorry we have to meet again under these circumstances."
Jed was afraid to ask. "How is she?"
"She's suffered some blood loss but not too great, has severe injuries to her legs.."
Jed interrupted. "I don't mean to be rude but will she be ok?"
"Mr President, your wife is going to survive."
Jed felt a huge relief but there was still something else. "About her.?" Jed couldn't finish.
"Yes, there are some very severe injuries there. I've looked them over, as has another doctor and I'm afraid Sir, there is nothing we can do."
Jed stared at him. "Nothing..?"
"No, Sir."
Coming around a corner Leo saw a doctor talking to Jed. He could see on Jed's face that the news was bad. Leo watched as the doctor patted Jed's shoulder, turned and left as Jed sank back into a chair, covering his face in his hands. Composing himself Leo walked over and seated himself next to Jed. Jed didn't notice his presence, and for a moment, Leo wasn't sure what to do. "Jed?"
Hearing Leo's voice, but not wanting to move, Jed just spoke up. "They can't do anything to save her leg."
Leo swallowed.
"They have to amputate below the knee." Jed suddenly realized that in trying to protect his wife he just might have driven her into danger. "What have I done?"
Leo wasn't sure if he had heard right. "What did you just say?"
Realizing he must have said that last line out loud Jed lifted his head up and looked at Leo. "I did this to her."
Leo couldn't believe this. Was he actually thinking this? "No you didn't."
"Yes I did." Jed noticed he was almost screaming and lowered his voice. "I was so focused on keeping her safe that I told her to stay home. If she had gone with me this wouldn't have happened."
Leo's voice was surprisingly calm when he spoke. "What if she had gone with you and been hurt? Wouldn't you have blamed yourself for not keeping her at home then?" Leo saw that his words had affected Jed.
"Yeah." Leo was right. No matter what he would have done, the bottom line was whenever Abbey or one of the girls was hurt, or even someone else he cared about, Jed had a tendency to blame himself.
Ellie looked around frantically when she spotted her father and Leo. "Dad!"
Hearing Ellie's voice he looked around and saw her. He got up just in time as she threw herself in his arms. This was what he needed, to hold one of his daughters.
Leo decided to leave them alone. He hadn't had a chance to call The White House before he had seen the doctor with Jed.
Ellie held on to her father. "Mom?"
Jed stroked her back as he talked to her. "In surgery. The doctor said she's going to survive." He continued stroking her back, trying to make her feel better. "We knew that though, didn't we? Your mom is a fighter."
Ellie withdrew and looked at her father. Her mom was a fighter. Yet she felt something wasn't right. "Yeah."
"I'm glad you're here."
"Me too."
Jed drew Ellie into another hug, and for a few minutes, they stayed just like that.
"So this guy took a few pictures, but according to Danny, none of them of The First Lady. Just The President, Leo and the wrecked car Abbey was in." CJ finished talking. Toby, Sam and Josh had all come to her office. The news was out and CJ had been dodging bullets all over.
Before anyone responded the phone rang. CJ groaned. "If this is another reporter, Carol, thell them I'm not in". Normally Carol was not part of CJ's meetings like this, but CJ knew how much Carol liked The First Lady and knew she could trust Carol, so she had allowed her to be part of it.
Carol nodded as she walked out the door.
"So, like I was saying the pictures will be in the papers in a special edition and will most likely hit the streets before daylight." CJ took a breath as Carol burst in.
"CJ, It's Leo."
Everyone in the room froze except CJ who picked up the receiver in record speed. "Leo? Yes, Leo I've got them here. Can I put you on speaker?"
CJ put the receiver down and the speaker button.
"Hi guys." Leo's voice greeted them. He sounded tired. "I'm sorry I haven't called before. I was about to but then the doctor came out and...."
Carol looked over at CJ and mouthed if she should leave. To her amazement CJ mouthed back for her to stay. "Leo, Carol is here I hope that's ok?"
There was a brief pause. "Yeah but she can't talk to Margaret, Donna, Ginger or anyone else about this until I say so. That goes for all of you. Got it?"
CJ looked at Carol who nodded in agreement. "I think that goes without saying."
"Leo, How is she?" Toby was never one to wait and sit around for the answers.
"She is going to survive."
Everyone is CJ's office felt a huge relief.
"Although, her legs were trapped in the car and they had to cut her out. Her left leg in particular was.....badly....well, well, there were severe lacerations caused by jagged metal."
No one said a word. No one blinked. No one dared take a breath.
"There was too much damage so they have to amputate it just below the knee."
No one said anything. The shock was too great. CJ blinked trying to comprehend what she just heard "Amputate?"
"I'm afraid so."
"And the other leg?" Toby spoke up again.
"There was little damage to it also, but not nearly as much. According to the doctor her right leg will be weak for a couple of weeks until she regains the strength back in it."
Josh suddenly remembered. "Should we call Charlie?"
"I forgot. I'll call him."
Everyone in the room knew Charlie had taken the evening of. Well The president had ordered Charlie it. Charlie's sister had needed him more that evening then The President did. After all, it wasn't every evening one's sister received an award at the school she attended.
"Leo, we need to say something. The news is already out that The First Lady was in a car accident." CJ didn't feel like talking about this, but she had long since discovered that in the hardest times, work had to continue.
"You mean the reporter at the accident site?"
CJ raised her eyebrows in surprise and saw the others mirror her actions. "You know?"
"I saw him. So what does he have?"
CJ leaned back in her chair. "Pictures of you, The President and the car Abbey was in."
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"Ok. Let me know when you see the article. I want to know what it says."
"You don't want to try and stop it?" Toby spoke up again. Try and stop it? Like that would work.
"As long as there aren't any photos of Abbey, the President won't care."
"How's the President?" For the first time it was Sam who spoke.
"He's....he's pretty bad."
No one needed to be told really their boss would be in a bad shape.
"Should we come down there? I mean...?" Sam didn't get very far before Leo interrupted him.
"It's ok, Sam. I know you care but right now I need you all to stay where you are. Ellie just got here and that had already helped the President a great deal."
There was a brief pause before Leo spoke again.
"Listen CJ, tell the press that The First Lady was in a car accident, she is in surgery and is expected to live. But do not mention the amputation yet. I'm sure The president wants to tell his daughters before that is revealed to the public."
"Alright Leo." CJ responded.
"Ok, thanks. I'll call again later when I have more to tell you."
As Leo hung up they all stared at each other. Carol turned to leave the group alone and closed the door behind her.
CJ took a deep breath before she started talking. "I guess we should get back to work." CJ took another deep breath as she spoke again. "Although how we could possibly work right now is beyond me. Then again we did manage when The President and Josh..." CJ trailed off looking nervously at Josh. "I'm sorry Josh, I..."
Josh waved a hand. "It's ok."
She shook her head and wondered how she could have been so insensitive. "No, it's not. That was really stupid of me."
"CJ, it's fine. Let it go." Josh smiled at her.
CJ simply nodded in return.
Josh continued speaking. "It was easier because we were all there, at Rosslyn. You were all there and then at the hospital that's why it was easier. You all were close to the President and me at the hospital so perhaps that helped things."
Absorbing what Josh had said, CJ, Toby and Sam realized he had a point. A very good point. Being close had helped.
Josh sighed deeply. "Besides, neither I nor The President lost a body part."
The room suddenly became deathly silent.
TBC..