Betrayal Part 5
Two hours later
"So," Josh continued gently, "We'll have to take this to court, unless you want to settle for a sum outside of a courtroom."
CJ grimaced noticeably. She looked around the guest bedroom of the residence. Toby and Sam were seated on chairs on each side of the bed, Bartlet and Leo stood in the doorway, Josh at the foot of the bed.
"Are you sure there's no other way we can get a sentence?" Toby asked harshly.
"We can settle for money, but that's it. We can't settle on a sentence out of court, Toby. You know that." Josh replied just as grimly. Then, in a softer voice, "We all know that."
CJ bit her lip and pulled the comforter above her chest. The painkillers were beginning to wear off, and the bandages were itching like hell. "It'll be public then," she realized suddenly. "The press can easily and legally access all court records." She looked away. "My family will hear about this."
Sam reached over and took CJ's hand, squeezing it gently. "Whatever you want to do- it's your choice, CJ," he said softly. "We'll all be here for you."
CJ's eyes narrowed. "That's just it! I don't want you to be here...press on this will affect you all. Our approval ratings aren't comfortable as it is, and this being publicized will only make them worse." A pause. "I'm going to press charges...in a courtroom, you guys." The men nodded. CJ forced herself to a sitting position on the bed, her back screaming in silent pain. "Mr. President?"
Jed blinked. He quickly walked over to CJ and bent slightly so they were more eye-to-eye.
CJ lowered her gaze. "Sir, you'll be receiving my resignation within 24 hours. It's been...an honor serving you...but I-" her voice cracked. "I can't-"
"CJ," Bartlet interrupted quickly. "I won't accept it."
"Sir, you really don't have a-"
Bartlet straightened. "Yes, I know. But you're stronger than that, CJ. Don't let him make you give up your job. We'll get this bastard in court, get you the best lawyer. Don't worry about the ratings or the press. For once, just worry about you, ok? That what I..." he paused. "That's what we need you to do."
CJ whispered something.
"CJ?" Toby asked.
"What's next?" she answered.
Should I continue?? What do you think? It could end here, I don't' know. Feedback, please. :)
Two hours later
"So," Josh continued gently, "We'll have to take this to court, unless you want to settle for a sum outside of a courtroom."
CJ grimaced noticeably. She looked around the guest bedroom of the residence. Toby and Sam were seated on chairs on each side of the bed, Bartlet and Leo stood in the doorway, Josh at the foot of the bed.
"Are you sure there's no other way we can get a sentence?" Toby asked harshly.
"We can settle for money, but that's it. We can't settle on a sentence out of court, Toby. You know that." Josh replied just as grimly. Then, in a softer voice, "We all know that."
CJ bit her lip and pulled the comforter above her chest. The painkillers were beginning to wear off, and the bandages were itching like hell. "It'll be public then," she realized suddenly. "The press can easily and legally access all court records." She looked away. "My family will hear about this."
Sam reached over and took CJ's hand, squeezing it gently. "Whatever you want to do- it's your choice, CJ," he said softly. "We'll all be here for you."
CJ's eyes narrowed. "That's just it! I don't want you to be here...press on this will affect you all. Our approval ratings aren't comfortable as it is, and this being publicized will only make them worse." A pause. "I'm going to press charges...in a courtroom, you guys." The men nodded. CJ forced herself to a sitting position on the bed, her back screaming in silent pain. "Mr. President?"
Jed blinked. He quickly walked over to CJ and bent slightly so they were more eye-to-eye.
CJ lowered her gaze. "Sir, you'll be receiving my resignation within 24 hours. It's been...an honor serving you...but I-" her voice cracked. "I can't-"
"CJ," Bartlet interrupted quickly. "I won't accept it."
"Sir, you really don't have a-"
Bartlet straightened. "Yes, I know. But you're stronger than that, CJ. Don't let him make you give up your job. We'll get this bastard in court, get you the best lawyer. Don't worry about the ratings or the press. For once, just worry about you, ok? That what I..." he paused. "That's what we need you to do."
CJ whispered something.
"CJ?" Toby asked.
"What's next?" she answered.
Should I continue?? What do you think? It could end here, I don't' know. Feedback, please. :)
