JUSTUS, JUSTITIA, JUSTICE!
PART II
"Hi guys." C.J. greeted Sam, Toby and Josh. "Everything OK?"
"Yeah." Josh.
"Sure." Sam.
"What have you heard?" Toby with suspicion.
"Hey, I've not heard a thing, but it does sound to me as if someone is acting a little defensive." C.J. said with a playful grin.
"No, no. nothing wrong." Toby began, wondering how on earth she had failed to notice the red stain.
"Two guys mugged me." Said Sam bluntly. The smile instantly disappeared from C.J.'s face, and Leo turned abruptly towards the congregated group.
"You were mugged?" C.J. asked, her voice etched with shock and concern. "My God, are you alright?" It was at this point that C.J. noticed the blood that was drying on Sam's shirt collar. "My God, Samuel, you're bleeding."
"I think it's actually stopped." Toby said in a weak attempt to offer reassurance.
"You were hit on the head?"
"Yeah, with a blunt object." Josh added in that detail.
"You should see a doctor about that."
"I know." Toby concurred. "I was hoping that the First Lady would be able to take a quick look."
"You hurt anywhere else, Sam?"
"They held a knife to his throat, and when he was on the ground after they'd hit him on the head, they kicked him in the stomach."
"I'll go and see if the First Lady," volunteered Leo, "if not, you're going straight to the hospital Sam." Leo left his office and walked along to the Oval Office to ask the President about the availability of the First Lady.
"Have you reported it to the police, Sam?"
"Not yet." Sam shook his head. "Josh rang the D.C. police before we came down here and they said that someone would be here in about an hour."
"They take anything?"
"His watch, his wallet, his cell phone and his briefcase that had his laptop in."
"You shock me Joshua, that you failed to add the word 'tongue' to your list."
"Huh?"
"It seems to me that you've been answering the majority of the questions that have been addressed to Sam since you all arrived." Josh looked sheepish and then responded.
"Very funny, Claudia Jean. I'm simply giving my best friend a helping hand."
"Or mouth." C.J. snickered.
"You're mollycoddling him Josh."
"I am not."
"You are too. Toby's right."
"Hello. I am still here, you know."
Leo McGarry chose that moment to re-enter the room with President Josiah Bartlet hot on his heels.
"Keep your seats." Jed quickly said, before they all had time to snap up to a standing position. "Sam. You OK?" The President asked him gently. "My wife will be along in a couple of minutes to take a look at you. Charlie's just gone to find her."
"Thank you, Sir." Sam said meekly.
"Not at all, Sam. Seriously, you all right?" There was genuine concern in the voice of the President.
"Shaken up mainly, Sir. It all came as a bit of a shock."
"I can see." The President nodded, after noticing that Sam's hands had gingerly begun to shake once more. The President put his hand on Sam's knee, while Josh put a protective arm around his friend's shoulder. Leo and Toby just looked at one another while C.J. attempted to offer comforting words to Sam.
The door opened for First Lady, Abigail Bartlet, who was carrying her black medical bag in her right hand. As she walked into the room the President and C.J. moved aside to reveal Sam, while Toby stood up to allow the First Lady access to his Deputy. Josh, however, refused to move from his seat.
"Hey Sam."
"Mrs. Bartlet."
"You OK?" Sam nodded grimly. "You were mugged?" Sam nodded again. "And they hit you on the head?" Again, Sam nodded.
"They held a knife to his throat and kicked him in the stomach, too." Josh interjected.
"OK. Do you think you could all just give me a couple of minutes alone with him, so I can check him out." She addressed all the expectant eyes in the room.
"Sure." Leo said, ushering everyone to the door. Josh stayed put. "Josh."
"Can't I stay? Why can't I stay?"
"Abbey?" The President asked, thinking that Josh's presence might be helpful. In turn, she addressed Sam, who seemed to nod consent his to allowing Josh to stay with him.
"How do you feel, Samuel?" The First Lady asked as she twisted him to the side to enable her to take a look at the back of his head.
"OK." The First Lady shot a glance at Josh to get him to fill in the blanks.
"He was disoriented earlier. His hands have been shaking. He's also a little dazed." The First Lady nodded her thanks to Josh as she reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of surgical gloves, some cotton wool and a bottle of antiseptic.
"I'll just clean this up for you, Sam, then we'll look to see if it's done any lasting damage, any need for stitches, sutures, etcetera." Abbey liberally applied the antiseptic to the cotton wool, and then dabbed it onto the cut on the back of Sam's head. As it was applied, Sam winced. "This will sting a little, Sam." Abbey decided that she would attempt to distract him a little through making casual conversation. "Got any exciting projects on this week, Sam."
"Yeah. I'll be working on opposition prep. for the new street crime legislation, comprising of opposition to the new moderate, rehabilitative reforms. Isn't the timing opportune?" This was said with great bitterness, so Abbey took the initiative to change the subject.
"Your stomach hurt?"
"My ego mostly." Mrs. Bartlet glared at him. "It's a little tender, maybe. It's alright."
"Bruised?"
"I don't know. I've not looked."
"He's worried that the color won't suit him." Josh added helpfully. They both shot him scathing looks.
Abbey finished cleaning up Sam's head.
"Don't worry Sam, it's not too bad. You shouldn't need any stitches, it just caused a bit of a bloody clump. It'll most likely sting when you wash your hair." Abbey added smiling, trying to lift the tone.
She held her right index finger in front of Sam's face for him to follow. "You have a mild concussion. Make sure you take it easy. Any problems, come find me or go straight to the hospital." Abbey looked pointedly at Josh, to emphasise to him that he would be forced to play 'Guardian Angel', 'Big Brother' or any variant form thereof. Josh nodded silently.
"Now, let's have a look at this stomach. And I can assure you its not gratuitous, my wanting you take your shirt off, before you give yourself delusions of grandeur." Sam smiled, as he was supposed to do.
Sam undid his shirt and pulled off his T-shirt to reveal the mark left by two solid footprints, tinged a hue of dark-blue, purple.
"That's pretty, Sam. Brings out the blue of your eyes." Sam smiled. Abbey gently probed the bruised area, and Sam winced again.
"Tender?"
"A little, yeah."
"It's just bruised, though. No permanent damage, you'll just be a little bit sore for a while." Sam nodded. "And if you feel anything's wrong, anything at all, then tell someone. Don't be a martyr, don't suffer in silence."
"No Ma'am."
"Josh?"
"Sure."
"Have you reported it yet?"
"D.C. police are meant to be sending someone over to take a statement." The First Lady nodded.
"You take it easy. And remember, strong and silent is not the way forward. You might have a headache, feel a little nauseous, that's normal for the concussion, just don't be afraid to tell anyone. To be fair, I'd be happier if you took the day off, but I get the feeling that that's not likely to happen, is it? Don't be a martyr, Sam."
"OK."
"Sam?"
"Yeah."
"Take care."
"Yeah."
Abbey got up and left the room. As she opened the door, the group on the far side practically fell into Leo's office.
"Abbey, everything alright?"
"He'll be fine. He has a mild concussion. He'll be OK Jed." She reassured her husband.
"Thanks."
The group returned to Leo's office to begin staff, whilst the President walked out of the office with his wife.
"You sure he'll be OK? I don't just mean physically, Abbey."
"He'll be fine. He's strong. He's a fighter. He'll be fine."
"Thank you, Abbey."
X ~ x ~ x
"You feeling OK, Sam?" Josh asked as he, Sam and Toby walked back to the Communications bullpen after staff.
"Huh?"
"You OK?"
"Yeah."
"Sam, do you need to go see the First Lady?" Toby asked firmly.
"No, Toby. I'm fine, really."
As they walked through the heart of the bullpen, the small convoy was stopped by one of the communication Aides, Cathy. She went up to Toby and spoke directly into his ear. Toby nodded.
"Thanks Cathy. Sam," he said, turning his attention to his deputy. "Cathy says that there are a couple of police officers waiting in your office to take your statement. They've been there about five minutes, apparently, and are talking about leaving momentarily, unless you make your statement right away."
"OK. Thanks."
"You all right to do it alone, Sam, or do you want Josh to go in with you?"
"Ah, yeah." Unsure as to which option it was that Sam had agreed to, Toby took the proverbial bull by the horns and made the decision for him.
"Josh, go in with him." Josh nodded and herded Sam towards his office.
"Ready?"
"Yeah. I'm ready." Sam took a deep breath, opened his office door and walked in where he was greeted by the two officers.
PART II
"Hi guys." C.J. greeted Sam, Toby and Josh. "Everything OK?"
"Yeah." Josh.
"Sure." Sam.
"What have you heard?" Toby with suspicion.
"Hey, I've not heard a thing, but it does sound to me as if someone is acting a little defensive." C.J. said with a playful grin.
"No, no. nothing wrong." Toby began, wondering how on earth she had failed to notice the red stain.
"Two guys mugged me." Said Sam bluntly. The smile instantly disappeared from C.J.'s face, and Leo turned abruptly towards the congregated group.
"You were mugged?" C.J. asked, her voice etched with shock and concern. "My God, are you alright?" It was at this point that C.J. noticed the blood that was drying on Sam's shirt collar. "My God, Samuel, you're bleeding."
"I think it's actually stopped." Toby said in a weak attempt to offer reassurance.
"You were hit on the head?"
"Yeah, with a blunt object." Josh added in that detail.
"You should see a doctor about that."
"I know." Toby concurred. "I was hoping that the First Lady would be able to take a quick look."
"You hurt anywhere else, Sam?"
"They held a knife to his throat, and when he was on the ground after they'd hit him on the head, they kicked him in the stomach."
"I'll go and see if the First Lady," volunteered Leo, "if not, you're going straight to the hospital Sam." Leo left his office and walked along to the Oval Office to ask the President about the availability of the First Lady.
"Have you reported it to the police, Sam?"
"Not yet." Sam shook his head. "Josh rang the D.C. police before we came down here and they said that someone would be here in about an hour."
"They take anything?"
"His watch, his wallet, his cell phone and his briefcase that had his laptop in."
"You shock me Joshua, that you failed to add the word 'tongue' to your list."
"Huh?"
"It seems to me that you've been answering the majority of the questions that have been addressed to Sam since you all arrived." Josh looked sheepish and then responded.
"Very funny, Claudia Jean. I'm simply giving my best friend a helping hand."
"Or mouth." C.J. snickered.
"You're mollycoddling him Josh."
"I am not."
"You are too. Toby's right."
"Hello. I am still here, you know."
Leo McGarry chose that moment to re-enter the room with President Josiah Bartlet hot on his heels.
"Keep your seats." Jed quickly said, before they all had time to snap up to a standing position. "Sam. You OK?" The President asked him gently. "My wife will be along in a couple of minutes to take a look at you. Charlie's just gone to find her."
"Thank you, Sir." Sam said meekly.
"Not at all, Sam. Seriously, you all right?" There was genuine concern in the voice of the President.
"Shaken up mainly, Sir. It all came as a bit of a shock."
"I can see." The President nodded, after noticing that Sam's hands had gingerly begun to shake once more. The President put his hand on Sam's knee, while Josh put a protective arm around his friend's shoulder. Leo and Toby just looked at one another while C.J. attempted to offer comforting words to Sam.
The door opened for First Lady, Abigail Bartlet, who was carrying her black medical bag in her right hand. As she walked into the room the President and C.J. moved aside to reveal Sam, while Toby stood up to allow the First Lady access to his Deputy. Josh, however, refused to move from his seat.
"Hey Sam."
"Mrs. Bartlet."
"You OK?" Sam nodded grimly. "You were mugged?" Sam nodded again. "And they hit you on the head?" Again, Sam nodded.
"They held a knife to his throat and kicked him in the stomach, too." Josh interjected.
"OK. Do you think you could all just give me a couple of minutes alone with him, so I can check him out." She addressed all the expectant eyes in the room.
"Sure." Leo said, ushering everyone to the door. Josh stayed put. "Josh."
"Can't I stay? Why can't I stay?"
"Abbey?" The President asked, thinking that Josh's presence might be helpful. In turn, she addressed Sam, who seemed to nod consent his to allowing Josh to stay with him.
"How do you feel, Samuel?" The First Lady asked as she twisted him to the side to enable her to take a look at the back of his head.
"OK." The First Lady shot a glance at Josh to get him to fill in the blanks.
"He was disoriented earlier. His hands have been shaking. He's also a little dazed." The First Lady nodded her thanks to Josh as she reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of surgical gloves, some cotton wool and a bottle of antiseptic.
"I'll just clean this up for you, Sam, then we'll look to see if it's done any lasting damage, any need for stitches, sutures, etcetera." Abbey liberally applied the antiseptic to the cotton wool, and then dabbed it onto the cut on the back of Sam's head. As it was applied, Sam winced. "This will sting a little, Sam." Abbey decided that she would attempt to distract him a little through making casual conversation. "Got any exciting projects on this week, Sam."
"Yeah. I'll be working on opposition prep. for the new street crime legislation, comprising of opposition to the new moderate, rehabilitative reforms. Isn't the timing opportune?" This was said with great bitterness, so Abbey took the initiative to change the subject.
"Your stomach hurt?"
"My ego mostly." Mrs. Bartlet glared at him. "It's a little tender, maybe. It's alright."
"Bruised?"
"I don't know. I've not looked."
"He's worried that the color won't suit him." Josh added helpfully. They both shot him scathing looks.
Abbey finished cleaning up Sam's head.
"Don't worry Sam, it's not too bad. You shouldn't need any stitches, it just caused a bit of a bloody clump. It'll most likely sting when you wash your hair." Abbey added smiling, trying to lift the tone.
She held her right index finger in front of Sam's face for him to follow. "You have a mild concussion. Make sure you take it easy. Any problems, come find me or go straight to the hospital." Abbey looked pointedly at Josh, to emphasise to him that he would be forced to play 'Guardian Angel', 'Big Brother' or any variant form thereof. Josh nodded silently.
"Now, let's have a look at this stomach. And I can assure you its not gratuitous, my wanting you take your shirt off, before you give yourself delusions of grandeur." Sam smiled, as he was supposed to do.
Sam undid his shirt and pulled off his T-shirt to reveal the mark left by two solid footprints, tinged a hue of dark-blue, purple.
"That's pretty, Sam. Brings out the blue of your eyes." Sam smiled. Abbey gently probed the bruised area, and Sam winced again.
"Tender?"
"A little, yeah."
"It's just bruised, though. No permanent damage, you'll just be a little bit sore for a while." Sam nodded. "And if you feel anything's wrong, anything at all, then tell someone. Don't be a martyr, don't suffer in silence."
"No Ma'am."
"Josh?"
"Sure."
"Have you reported it yet?"
"D.C. police are meant to be sending someone over to take a statement." The First Lady nodded.
"You take it easy. And remember, strong and silent is not the way forward. You might have a headache, feel a little nauseous, that's normal for the concussion, just don't be afraid to tell anyone. To be fair, I'd be happier if you took the day off, but I get the feeling that that's not likely to happen, is it? Don't be a martyr, Sam."
"OK."
"Sam?"
"Yeah."
"Take care."
"Yeah."
Abbey got up and left the room. As she opened the door, the group on the far side practically fell into Leo's office.
"Abbey, everything alright?"
"He'll be fine. He has a mild concussion. He'll be OK Jed." She reassured her husband.
"Thanks."
The group returned to Leo's office to begin staff, whilst the President walked out of the office with his wife.
"You sure he'll be OK? I don't just mean physically, Abbey."
"He'll be fine. He's strong. He's a fighter. He'll be fine."
"Thank you, Abbey."
X ~ x ~ x
"You feeling OK, Sam?" Josh asked as he, Sam and Toby walked back to the Communications bullpen after staff.
"Huh?"
"You OK?"
"Yeah."
"Sam, do you need to go see the First Lady?" Toby asked firmly.
"No, Toby. I'm fine, really."
As they walked through the heart of the bullpen, the small convoy was stopped by one of the communication Aides, Cathy. She went up to Toby and spoke directly into his ear. Toby nodded.
"Thanks Cathy. Sam," he said, turning his attention to his deputy. "Cathy says that there are a couple of police officers waiting in your office to take your statement. They've been there about five minutes, apparently, and are talking about leaving momentarily, unless you make your statement right away."
"OK. Thanks."
"You all right to do it alone, Sam, or do you want Josh to go in with you?"
"Ah, yeah." Unsure as to which option it was that Sam had agreed to, Toby took the proverbial bull by the horns and made the decision for him.
"Josh, go in with him." Josh nodded and herded Sam towards his office.
"Ready?"
"Yeah. I'm ready." Sam took a deep breath, opened his office door and walked in where he was greeted by the two officers.