The Hearing- Sequel to BETRAYAL


"Well," Leo started, speaking for the first time since he entered the guest bedroom, "You need a lawyer."

"I'll do it." Sam stated firmly.

"Sam-" CJ started, only to be interrupted.

"CJ. I'm one of the best. I've never had a rape case before, but I didn't go through ten years of law school for nothing."

"How much do you charge an hour, Sam." It sounded more of a statement than a question. "I can't afford you," she explained.

"Don't worry about it. Just, think of all the favors you'll owe me," Sam replied with a wink. CJ nodded, and pushed her back against the backboard of the full sized bed.

"Alright," Toby began. "That would be fine, except...Sam, you're one of the key witnesses."

Sam blinked and stood up. "What?"

Toby rose, also. "You're the first person who came in contact with CJ after the...raping. You're vital to the case, Sam. You can't be representing her."

Sam sighed, knowing that Toby was right. "Then who will?"

"I'll represent her," Josh offered.

"Josh, you're a crappy lawyer." Sam reminded his friend.

"I am not! At least I passed the bar on my first try-"

"Oh, that's a cheap shot. I was having a bad day. You know I had just broken up with-" Sam stopped, remembering where they were and realizing where this conversation was heading.

"I'll do it," Toby said quietly. "I've had some experience with prosecution cases. If it's alright with you, CJ- then I'll be your lawyer."

CJ smiled slightly. "Wow. They acknowledge I'm in the room. Thank you, Toby," she said, accepting his offer. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it." Toby muttered. Then, in a stronger voice- "So what we need to do first is call the authorities. CJ, you need to file a complaint, and then a charge. Sam, Josh, Leo-" Toby glanced at the president. "Sir, no one knows you had any contact with CJ after the incident. You don't have to make any statement of any kind- if you choose to do so."

Bartlet shook his head. "I did see her afterwards. I can help this case...my word means something here, Toby. Like it or not, status is going to have a massive role in this trial," Jed said quietly.

CJ looked at the president, smiling slightly. "Thank you, sir." She offered.

Bartlet waved off the gratitude. "It's my duty, CJ. As a witness- and as a friend."

The press secretary blinked, looking the president in the eye briefly before she had to look away, biting her lip to control her emotions. "Thank you, sir." She answered quietly.

"Ok," Toby continued, breaking the silence. "Then all of you," he gestured at the room. "Will have to file an affidavit. Sam will definitely be called to testify. I'm not sure about the rest of you. These trials usually take place after a hearing, but as the president said-" he glanced at Bartlet steadily. "Status is political, and this will be a political trial. I'm pretty sure we could schedule a trial soon, within the month. Most likely it will precede any kind of hearing. No need to publicize this anymore than absolutely necessary, right, CJ?"

CJ nodded gratefully.

"Well then," Josh stated, standing abruptly. "Let's get to work, gentlemen."

Quietly bidding good- bye to CJ, the senior staff and the president began to walk out of the bedroom.

"Josh, Sam?" CJ called quietly to the last two people in the room. Both men returned to stand before the bed again.

"What is it?" Sam questioned.

"Look, guys...we've been friends a while now, right? Acquaintances, anyway."

"No," Josh shook his head. "Friends."

"Right," CJ agreed, smiling slightly. "Then I need to know. How will this affect us? The trial, the sentencing- of course, there might not even be a sentence-"

"CJ," Sam interrupted, shaking his head. "Don't think about that. Just concentrate on the trial, ok?"

CJ frowned. "You didn't answer my question"

Josh started gently, "It'll affect us, but there won't be an unbearable backlash to our ratings. If anything, people might have newfound respect for us. Taking this to trial may seem like a risk, but trust me, CJ. The outcome won't be anywhere near negative enough so that any of us regret you pressing charges." A pause, then in a quieter voice. "We- we all respect you for the courage you're showing during this, CJ. We do."

Sam and CJ both blinked at Josh's touching admiration. CJ looked away, swallowing hard, tears starting to form in her eyes. She turned so her cheek was against the backboard, trying to cover her face.

"CJ?" Sam asked, concerned. "What's...wrong?"

"I'm not brave," CJ whispered, barely audible. The two men walked to the side of the bed so they could face her more easily. "I'm so scared, guys. I'm so...incredibly scared. What are my parents going to say? What are they going to think? What are you all going to have to go through?" A tear made its way down her left cheek. She angrily swatted it away. "Is my career destroyed? I'm so humiliated...and ashamed...and..."

Sam moved a few inches forward and gently touched her cheek, forcing her to look at him and Josh. "You have no reason to be ashamed. You have done nothing to be ashamed of. You have been so strong during this. And don't worry about us. We're all here for you- that's what's important."

Josh moved closer also. Simply, innocently, he added, "That's what friends are for, anyway."

With that, for the first time since the raping, CJ allowed her tears to fall freely. Tears of humiliation and fear. However, mixed with those, showered tears of gratitude. Gratitude of all the words of comfort Toby, Sam, Josh, Leo and the president had offered her.

The two men gently embraced CJ. Josh whispered to her, "Everything will be alright."

Another tear fell. This time, it was also gratitude- but a different type of gratitude. This time, she was grateful because she believed him.




To continue or to conclude? It was all the reviews that had me make this sequel. Or it could be a transition to a trilogy. Tell me what you think. If you don't want to review, just email me at AngeLuv614@aol.com