For notes and disclaimer, please see part one.
Previously, on The West Wing/Alias: Four guys from the White House head to the CIA for an intelligence party. Crystal apologizes to Sydney for her behavior. In LA, Weiss complains of the campaign schedule and he, Jack, and Sam work on the candidate's security. Back on the Farm, Josh and Vaughn exchange advice and Conrad learns of a major change in Jordan's plot. Before the Director can relax that the new CIA strategy is being put into play, Crystal turns up missing.
Crystal rubbed her arms in a veiled attempt to keep goose bumps at bay. She'd taken a step out of the building, telling Josh she needed a cigarette. She didn't smoke and hadn't in her life save when her alias had the vice. She'd wanted some air, though, a place to breathe, a place to think. And she found that place just outside the rear door near the ballroom. She'd even kicked off her heels and was standing in her stocking feet in the grass. She tried not to worry about Sam. She tried not to reflect on her experience in Borneo when she'd lost two colleagues and friends. She tried not to do the math, adding up her near-death experiences. All of her attempts failed as she simultaneously tried to come up with a course of action for Sam, mourned the loss of her friends again, as well as figured out, after a dozen or so years, she was down from nine lives to two.
She was brought from her thoughts when she heard the door a few feet from her open and one of the CIA's security guards stepped out. The young man seemed to be looking for something, Crystal noted, and he was startled to come face-to-face with a placid Crystal.
"Agent Seaborn?"
"Yeah."
"The DCI wants to see you."
She sighed, stepping into her shoes. "Figures," she muttered. "Where is he?"
"His office," he answered before lifting his radio to his lips and calling off the manhunt.
Before he could even finish his announcement, Conrad pulled precedence over the radio. "Where is she?"
"Exterior, East Lawn, sir," answered the guard.
"Get her ass to my office *now*."
"Yes, sir."
Crystal couldn't tell if Conrad was anxious over a break in the case or that he hadn't been able to find her and had pulled out all the stops to locate her. She sped through the halls in her high heels and didn't even bother to ask Helen's permission before bursting into Conrad's office. "Robby?"
"What the hell were you doing outside?"
"Getting air, wh--"
"Why'd you tell Josh you were out for a cigarette?"
"I wanted a minute to myself; I figured if I told him I was going for air, he'd offer to come with me. While he seemed like a really nice guy--"
"Thanks," interjected Josh.
"I wanted a minute--alone--outside," finished Crystal.
"You scared me to death, Crys."
"You think I'm that dumb, Robby? I *know* I can't go. I *know* if I go out, and get killed, Sam becomes the number one target and I *know* that I am *not* gonna let that happen!"
"I just--"
"I've been around the block a time or two, Rob. I know this guy. I've seen what he can do. I'll be damned if I let that happen to my cousin."
Josh frowned slightly. He had cousins but he really didn't talk to them much. At all. They were just random relations he met at Joanie's funeral and saw for the second time at his father's. He didn't have that strong of a bond with anyone he was related to beyond his mother. He'd formed familial bonds with the White House staff but, as for family, he didn't... really even know.
Conrad nodded slowly, letting Crystal's words sink in. "Then, I think we can work something out for tonight."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I think... so long as you don't go to your apartment, you can leave the Farm. Keep a low profile, stay with a friend, take it easy..."
"Well, that's a great thought, Robby, but who'm I supposed to stay with?"
"What do you mean?"
"Who do I know who's in-country who wouldn't mind overnight company?" she asked.
Before Conrad could answer, Josh did. "Me."
"Come again?" asked Crystal, looking at him.
"I have a bed you could sleep in; I wouldn't mind."
"You could ride to the White House in the motorcade," began Conrad, liking the idea the more he thought about it.
"I... Thank you, Josh," Crystal managed.
"I'll talk to the President and Ron Butterfield," said Josh, heading out.
"I'll... I'll get the clothes from my office," Crystal said, more to herself than Conrad. "Thanks, Robby."
"Just keep your head down, hm?"
She nodded solemnly, heading out herself.
~~~
"I think the Director's got the right idea," Jack said. "I don't think Sam should know about this either."
"Are you sure?" asked Sydney.
"He's less than two weeks from his election; he doesn't need this stress of believing he's the primary target."
"What about the knowledge that she's safe? Wouldn't that help?"
"I don't think so."
"All right," Sydney said skeptically.
"You keep your Seaborn safe and I'll protect mine."
"Yeah..."
"Good night, Sydney."
"G'night, Dad."
Jack hung up and looked at Weiss. "Change in plan."
"Our guy's now Enemy Number One?"
Jack nodded. "To draw out Agent Seaborn."
"So, what do we do?"
"Contact area airports, bus stations, train terminals... They'll be coming in under the radar. Have all passenger manifests transferred to Marshall. Let's see if he can decrypt any aliases Jordan and his men might have. I'm going to talk to Scott Holcomb, see what I can do about putting a lock on information going out of the campaign about locations of after- hours strategy or fundraising events."
"How are you going to do that without telling him who you are; who we work for and why?"
"Leave that to me; you've got two dozen phone calls to make."
Weiss nodded, and stood.
~~~
The limousine ride back to the White House was a fairly quiet one. Crystal and Josh sat in the limo backwards, facing Leo, Charlie, and the President. Crystal's overnight bag sat on the floor at her feet. She'd managed to get her clothes from her trip cleaned while at the Farm, explaining why a woman who hadn't been home in months had an evening gown fit to wear at a dinner party with, among others, the President of the United States.
"You have your car at the White House, Josh?" asked Leo as the motorcade turned onto Pennsylvania Avenue.
"No, I took a cab this morning."
"Why don't I have my guy drive you two home?" offered Leo.
"We can take a cab," said Josh.
"Which is the best, security-wise? Taking a car with a trusted driver who has a confidentiality agreement or taking a cab who could be driven by some madman with a gun?" asked Bartlet. "Crystal, you're our security expert here."
"Taking the car with the driver you know. Particularly if your windows are tinted," she answered.
"They are," said Leo before pulling out his cell phone to call and have his driver ready.
"I need to grab some things from my office before I go, though," Josh said, glancing at Crys.
She shrugged. "It's fine."
"Is the press still in the building?" Josh asked, looking at Charlie.
"C.J. called a full lid two hours ago."
"So, the press is gone?" Josh asked further.
"Should be," Charlie said, nodding.
"Why don't you come in with me? I may need to make a phone call or two before we go," Josh said softly, looking at her.
"Sure."
When the motorcade came to a stop, the group in the limousine exited the back and split up. Bartlet walked to the Oval Office with Charlie and his Chief of Staff in tow. "Charlie... I'm going to need to talk with Ron Butterfield in the morning sometime. Actually, I need to sit down with both him and Robert Conrad, at least for half an hour."
Charlie made a note of that on his PDA. "Debbie and I'll get right on scheduling that, sir."
The group had reached the exterior office of the Oval. "Debbie'll get right on what?" Debbie Fiderer asked.
As Charlie stopped to explain, Bartlet and Leo continued to the Oval. Leo made sure the doors were closed. "You got a minute to tell me what's up?"
"We may have to cancel the California trip," Bartlet said with a sigh.
"Why?"
"Conrad has confirmation that Jordan and his men are headed to California because Crystal is unavailable."
"And if you show up with Sam..."
"There are crossfire issues and security problems and..." Bartlet drifted off.
"This is insane."
"In the past five years, what hasn't been?"
"Fair point," acknowledged Leo.
Bartlet sighed slightly and untied his bowtie. "You headed home?"
"I'm going to wait until he takes Josh and Crystal home."
"We have other drivers at our disposal."
"I need to catch up on some things. Plus, I want to make sure the two get here. Matt'll call me as soon as they're delivered safely."
Bartlet nodded. "All right."
"Is that all, sir?"
"Politically, how will it look if I cancel on Sam?"
"Diehards'll see it as a severe slap to the face. Moderates and conservatives will see it as a concrete split between Sam and the White House. Which... is either good or bad; there's no telling."
"And if we send John instead?" asked Bartlet, referring to the Vice President.
"That we don't care."
"Just... wanted to make sure."
"Are you going to cancel?"
"If we have the Secret Service and the best in the CIA... just how in danger will I be?"
"You'll have reached the level of danger where you're not going to be able to tell the 'Service you're still going. They're not going to want to take that chance."
"I'm going to need somebody in my corner at this meeting or else I'm outnumbered," Bartlet said, looking knowingly at Leo.
"Sir..."
"You have some free time tomorrow?"
"If I don't, I'll clear some time for Josh."
"He'll back me up?"
"He'll do what you say or what I tell him."
Bartlet nodded. "Thanks, Leo; I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thank you, Mr. President. Have a good night." Leo disappeared into his office through the door that connected it to the Oval.
~~~
Crystal sleepily followed Josh to his bullpen, where he leaned against the glass partition to talk to his assistant, Donna. "Any messages while I was out?"
"Undersecretary of Labor called--"
"It can wait."
"Tommy from FDA."
"That can wait."
"Audrey from USDA."
"Also can wait."
"And Sam called."
"Sam called? When?"
"About an hour ago."
"Did he say what he wanted to talk about?"
"No, but I'm assuming it's the campaign trip this coming weekend. Speaking of which, isn't it early to be packing for it?" she asked, gesturing towards the suitcase.
"Ah. Yeah. Not mine."
"You picked up a suitcase bomb at the CIA? I figured they'd rather not have you play with explosives."
"It's not a bomb; it's mine," Crystal said.
Donna noticed her for the first time when she spoke. "Oh. I'm sorry..."
"Donna, this is..." Josh puzzled over how to introduce Crystal.
"Rebekah. Rebekah Morganstern. I happened to spy this guy at dinner tonight." She stopped, as if to ponder. "Spy. CIA. Ha! Anyway, we grew up in Connecticut together, went to temple... Haven't seen him in years. Just so happens I started working for Douglas on House Intelligence and my apartment's being fumigated. This sweetheart says he'll put up an old friend for the night. Isn't he something else?" Crystal asked, smiling at Donna.
"Yeah, he is."
"Anyway..." Crystal yawned. "Look at me; I'm farschlofn. You don't mind if we hurry this along, do you? Oy, I've been in these heels *all* day."
"Of-of course not," stuttered Donna.
"This is your office, Josh-ie? Look, a nameplate... Here, I'll take my luggage while you two talk shop."
Josh vacantly gave her back the suitcase and watched her disappear into his office, a thousand questions forming in his head. He returned his attention to Donna, only after she waved her hand in front of his eyes. "Hm? Oh. Yeah. Sam?"
She nodded.
"Save the other messages for tomorrow and get out of here for tonight."
She nodded again.
"Okay. Great. G'night," he said, quickly disappearing into his office to find Crystal sitting on his desk. "I didn't realize my desk was clean enough for anyone to sit on it..."
She gestured to the pile of files now in the chair across from his desk.
"I see. By the way, how did you... Connecticut and..."
"I did a little homework before we left the Farm."
"You did?"
"LemonLyman.com. First site I hit when I punched your name into a search engine." She smirked, a sexy, fun little smirk...
"Ah..." He smiled. "I've been forbidden from visiting that site ever again."
"They seemed awfully devoted."
"Uh-huh."
"And I downloaded a membership card." She held it up. "Rebekah's a proud, card-carrying member." Sure enough, she'd signed a fake name.
"You did that really well, by the way," he said, heading for his chair. "You even had me believing it."
"I'm that good."
He smiled up at her and dialed Sam's number. "Let's see what's up with Sam."
They listened to the rings on speakerphone before they heard a familiar voice. "Seaborn."
"Seaborn, it's Lyman. S'up?"
"Hey, Josh!"
"How are you?"
"Not bad. You?"
"I'm learning how great your cousin is."
"Oh?"
"She's something else."
"Hey, now," she said.
"Crys, you're there, too?"
"Yeah. Robby was convinced if I was a good girl and kept a low profile I could see the city again, so long as I didn't go home."
"So, where are you going?"
"Your friend Clark Kent is putting me up for the night."
"What?"
"Clark Kent," Crys repeated.
"I wasn't aware I was on speaking terms with the Man of Steel."
"Yeah, you're not; just his alter ego," said Crystal.
"I'm still lost. Josh, what's she talking about?"
"Me."
"Ah... I didn't know you had a guest bedroom."
"I don't, but I have a very nice couch that I'll be sleeping on tonight."
"I can stay somewhere else, Josh," she said.
"C'mon. One of my oldest and dearest friends from home? You will sleep nowhere else," countered Josh.
"Oldest and dearest friends from home? Are you two under the influence of something? Clark Kent... old friends...?" asked Sam.
"She made up this story she told Donna and that was part of it. Not the Clark Kent part."
"You lied to Donna?" asked Sam.
"So?" asked Crystal.
"It was a sight to behold, Sam. You'll have to ask Donna about Rebekah Morganstern when we come out," said Josh.
"That's why I called, actually."
"Oh?"
"Yeah... with this... thing going on with this guy... do you guys still want to come out?"
"We'll be there, Sam," Josh assured him.
"Won't the Secret Service get worried?"
"They let an unmarked, black helo land on the South Lawn. I rode back to the White House with the President... no problem. CIA's spearheading it; there's major FBI influence. Plus, as long as I'm still the primary target, you're going to be fine."
"All right, Crys," Sam said softly. "Listen, it's later there where you are and it's been an insane kinda day. We should all probably get some rest."
"We'll talk to you soon, Sam?" asked Josh.
"Sounds good. In fact, Crys, I may call you nightly, just to make sure you're okay."
"Okay," she said agreeably. "Also means I get to make sure you're okay."
Sam smiled, and they could hear it in Washington. "Good night, you two. Thanks, Josh."
"Anytime," Josh said before ending the call.
~~~
Leo called for his assistant after settling into his desk and sliding his glasses on to look at the files that had amassed themselves on his desk while he'd been out at dinner.
The willowy redhead soon appeared. "Yes?"
"What's my schedule look like tomorrow?"
"Packed."
"Can you clear an hour for me anywhere?"
"Not unless it's a national emergency and I can easily tell the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs he'll see you in the Situation Room instead of over coffee in this office."
"Yeah, that's not going to work..."
"What's going on?"
"Call Donna. Tell her Josh is going to have to sit in for me with the President in a meeting and he's going to have to back-up whatever the President wants."
"Can I tell him what it's about?"
"Josh is a smart guy; he'll figure it out when he gets in there."
"Does he need to prepare for the meeting?"
"'I agree with the President.' Nah, he'll be fine."
She frowned, her forehead creasing.
"What?"
"I'll call Donna," she said, ignoring his question.
"You're giving me that look."
"What look?"
"The look that says you're not believing me."
"I just think that, if Josh is going to represent *you* in a meeting, you would want him as prepared as possible."
He sighed, trying to figure out how he could say it without coming right out and saying it. "Tell him it's a Jordan meeting."
"Jordan Kendall?"
"Just tell him it's a Jordan meeting, Margaret. He'll know what that means. And Debbie's setting it up as we speak."
She sighed. "All right." She shook her head, making the note. "Is that all?"
"For now, yeah."
She nodded, and headed out.
~~~
Josh was gathering things to go when there was a knock at his door. "Yeah?"
Donna appeared. "Leo's office just called."
"And?"
"Tomorrow, Leo wants you to sit in a 'Jordan' meeting and back up the President. As soon as the meeting is scheduled, I'm out of here; Debbie's still working out the timing."
"A Jordan meeting?" Josh asked, looking at Crystal, who was looking at him.
"Margaret said you'd know what that meant."
"I do," he said with a slight nod.
"So, I'm going to stick around for Debbie's call, then I'm out of here."
Josh nodded. "I think we're gonna go ahead and go."
"All right," said Donna, glancing at "Rebekah."
In spite of the chilly look she was receiving from Josh's assistant, Crystal smiled brightly. "It was so nice to meet you, Donna," she said with a sugary-sweet voice.
"You, too."
"C'mon," Josh told Crystal softly. She slid off his desk and reached for her coat. He took it from her and held it open for her, allowing her to slide her arms in. Josh pulled on his own coat before grabbing her suitcase and shouldering her bag. He led Crystal out of his office, his hand on the small of her back. "Don't stay too late, huh?" he said as he passed Donna.
She nodded, watching them warily. "Good night."
Stay tuned...
Lines from the next installment:
"How did she survive?"
"Told you this morning... She's somewhat of a legend."
"Legends are usually dead."
Previously, on The West Wing/Alias: Four guys from the White House head to the CIA for an intelligence party. Crystal apologizes to Sydney for her behavior. In LA, Weiss complains of the campaign schedule and he, Jack, and Sam work on the candidate's security. Back on the Farm, Josh and Vaughn exchange advice and Conrad learns of a major change in Jordan's plot. Before the Director can relax that the new CIA strategy is being put into play, Crystal turns up missing.
Crystal rubbed her arms in a veiled attempt to keep goose bumps at bay. She'd taken a step out of the building, telling Josh she needed a cigarette. She didn't smoke and hadn't in her life save when her alias had the vice. She'd wanted some air, though, a place to breathe, a place to think. And she found that place just outside the rear door near the ballroom. She'd even kicked off her heels and was standing in her stocking feet in the grass. She tried not to worry about Sam. She tried not to reflect on her experience in Borneo when she'd lost two colleagues and friends. She tried not to do the math, adding up her near-death experiences. All of her attempts failed as she simultaneously tried to come up with a course of action for Sam, mourned the loss of her friends again, as well as figured out, after a dozen or so years, she was down from nine lives to two.
She was brought from her thoughts when she heard the door a few feet from her open and one of the CIA's security guards stepped out. The young man seemed to be looking for something, Crystal noted, and he was startled to come face-to-face with a placid Crystal.
"Agent Seaborn?"
"Yeah."
"The DCI wants to see you."
She sighed, stepping into her shoes. "Figures," she muttered. "Where is he?"
"His office," he answered before lifting his radio to his lips and calling off the manhunt.
Before he could even finish his announcement, Conrad pulled precedence over the radio. "Where is she?"
"Exterior, East Lawn, sir," answered the guard.
"Get her ass to my office *now*."
"Yes, sir."
Crystal couldn't tell if Conrad was anxious over a break in the case or that he hadn't been able to find her and had pulled out all the stops to locate her. She sped through the halls in her high heels and didn't even bother to ask Helen's permission before bursting into Conrad's office. "Robby?"
"What the hell were you doing outside?"
"Getting air, wh--"
"Why'd you tell Josh you were out for a cigarette?"
"I wanted a minute to myself; I figured if I told him I was going for air, he'd offer to come with me. While he seemed like a really nice guy--"
"Thanks," interjected Josh.
"I wanted a minute--alone--outside," finished Crystal.
"You scared me to death, Crys."
"You think I'm that dumb, Robby? I *know* I can't go. I *know* if I go out, and get killed, Sam becomes the number one target and I *know* that I am *not* gonna let that happen!"
"I just--"
"I've been around the block a time or two, Rob. I know this guy. I've seen what he can do. I'll be damned if I let that happen to my cousin."
Josh frowned slightly. He had cousins but he really didn't talk to them much. At all. They were just random relations he met at Joanie's funeral and saw for the second time at his father's. He didn't have that strong of a bond with anyone he was related to beyond his mother. He'd formed familial bonds with the White House staff but, as for family, he didn't... really even know.
Conrad nodded slowly, letting Crystal's words sink in. "Then, I think we can work something out for tonight."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I think... so long as you don't go to your apartment, you can leave the Farm. Keep a low profile, stay with a friend, take it easy..."
"Well, that's a great thought, Robby, but who'm I supposed to stay with?"
"What do you mean?"
"Who do I know who's in-country who wouldn't mind overnight company?" she asked.
Before Conrad could answer, Josh did. "Me."
"Come again?" asked Crystal, looking at him.
"I have a bed you could sleep in; I wouldn't mind."
"You could ride to the White House in the motorcade," began Conrad, liking the idea the more he thought about it.
"I... Thank you, Josh," Crystal managed.
"I'll talk to the President and Ron Butterfield," said Josh, heading out.
"I'll... I'll get the clothes from my office," Crystal said, more to herself than Conrad. "Thanks, Robby."
"Just keep your head down, hm?"
She nodded solemnly, heading out herself.
~~~
"I think the Director's got the right idea," Jack said. "I don't think Sam should know about this either."
"Are you sure?" asked Sydney.
"He's less than two weeks from his election; he doesn't need this stress of believing he's the primary target."
"What about the knowledge that she's safe? Wouldn't that help?"
"I don't think so."
"All right," Sydney said skeptically.
"You keep your Seaborn safe and I'll protect mine."
"Yeah..."
"Good night, Sydney."
"G'night, Dad."
Jack hung up and looked at Weiss. "Change in plan."
"Our guy's now Enemy Number One?"
Jack nodded. "To draw out Agent Seaborn."
"So, what do we do?"
"Contact area airports, bus stations, train terminals... They'll be coming in under the radar. Have all passenger manifests transferred to Marshall. Let's see if he can decrypt any aliases Jordan and his men might have. I'm going to talk to Scott Holcomb, see what I can do about putting a lock on information going out of the campaign about locations of after- hours strategy or fundraising events."
"How are you going to do that without telling him who you are; who we work for and why?"
"Leave that to me; you've got two dozen phone calls to make."
Weiss nodded, and stood.
~~~
The limousine ride back to the White House was a fairly quiet one. Crystal and Josh sat in the limo backwards, facing Leo, Charlie, and the President. Crystal's overnight bag sat on the floor at her feet. She'd managed to get her clothes from her trip cleaned while at the Farm, explaining why a woman who hadn't been home in months had an evening gown fit to wear at a dinner party with, among others, the President of the United States.
"You have your car at the White House, Josh?" asked Leo as the motorcade turned onto Pennsylvania Avenue.
"No, I took a cab this morning."
"Why don't I have my guy drive you two home?" offered Leo.
"We can take a cab," said Josh.
"Which is the best, security-wise? Taking a car with a trusted driver who has a confidentiality agreement or taking a cab who could be driven by some madman with a gun?" asked Bartlet. "Crystal, you're our security expert here."
"Taking the car with the driver you know. Particularly if your windows are tinted," she answered.
"They are," said Leo before pulling out his cell phone to call and have his driver ready.
"I need to grab some things from my office before I go, though," Josh said, glancing at Crys.
She shrugged. "It's fine."
"Is the press still in the building?" Josh asked, looking at Charlie.
"C.J. called a full lid two hours ago."
"So, the press is gone?" Josh asked further.
"Should be," Charlie said, nodding.
"Why don't you come in with me? I may need to make a phone call or two before we go," Josh said softly, looking at her.
"Sure."
When the motorcade came to a stop, the group in the limousine exited the back and split up. Bartlet walked to the Oval Office with Charlie and his Chief of Staff in tow. "Charlie... I'm going to need to talk with Ron Butterfield in the morning sometime. Actually, I need to sit down with both him and Robert Conrad, at least for half an hour."
Charlie made a note of that on his PDA. "Debbie and I'll get right on scheduling that, sir."
The group had reached the exterior office of the Oval. "Debbie'll get right on what?" Debbie Fiderer asked.
As Charlie stopped to explain, Bartlet and Leo continued to the Oval. Leo made sure the doors were closed. "You got a minute to tell me what's up?"
"We may have to cancel the California trip," Bartlet said with a sigh.
"Why?"
"Conrad has confirmation that Jordan and his men are headed to California because Crystal is unavailable."
"And if you show up with Sam..."
"There are crossfire issues and security problems and..." Bartlet drifted off.
"This is insane."
"In the past five years, what hasn't been?"
"Fair point," acknowledged Leo.
Bartlet sighed slightly and untied his bowtie. "You headed home?"
"I'm going to wait until he takes Josh and Crystal home."
"We have other drivers at our disposal."
"I need to catch up on some things. Plus, I want to make sure the two get here. Matt'll call me as soon as they're delivered safely."
Bartlet nodded. "All right."
"Is that all, sir?"
"Politically, how will it look if I cancel on Sam?"
"Diehards'll see it as a severe slap to the face. Moderates and conservatives will see it as a concrete split between Sam and the White House. Which... is either good or bad; there's no telling."
"And if we send John instead?" asked Bartlet, referring to the Vice President.
"That we don't care."
"Just... wanted to make sure."
"Are you going to cancel?"
"If we have the Secret Service and the best in the CIA... just how in danger will I be?"
"You'll have reached the level of danger where you're not going to be able to tell the 'Service you're still going. They're not going to want to take that chance."
"I'm going to need somebody in my corner at this meeting or else I'm outnumbered," Bartlet said, looking knowingly at Leo.
"Sir..."
"You have some free time tomorrow?"
"If I don't, I'll clear some time for Josh."
"He'll back me up?"
"He'll do what you say or what I tell him."
Bartlet nodded. "Thanks, Leo; I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thank you, Mr. President. Have a good night." Leo disappeared into his office through the door that connected it to the Oval.
~~~
Crystal sleepily followed Josh to his bullpen, where he leaned against the glass partition to talk to his assistant, Donna. "Any messages while I was out?"
"Undersecretary of Labor called--"
"It can wait."
"Tommy from FDA."
"That can wait."
"Audrey from USDA."
"Also can wait."
"And Sam called."
"Sam called? When?"
"About an hour ago."
"Did he say what he wanted to talk about?"
"No, but I'm assuming it's the campaign trip this coming weekend. Speaking of which, isn't it early to be packing for it?" she asked, gesturing towards the suitcase.
"Ah. Yeah. Not mine."
"You picked up a suitcase bomb at the CIA? I figured they'd rather not have you play with explosives."
"It's not a bomb; it's mine," Crystal said.
Donna noticed her for the first time when she spoke. "Oh. I'm sorry..."
"Donna, this is..." Josh puzzled over how to introduce Crystal.
"Rebekah. Rebekah Morganstern. I happened to spy this guy at dinner tonight." She stopped, as if to ponder. "Spy. CIA. Ha! Anyway, we grew up in Connecticut together, went to temple... Haven't seen him in years. Just so happens I started working for Douglas on House Intelligence and my apartment's being fumigated. This sweetheart says he'll put up an old friend for the night. Isn't he something else?" Crystal asked, smiling at Donna.
"Yeah, he is."
"Anyway..." Crystal yawned. "Look at me; I'm farschlofn. You don't mind if we hurry this along, do you? Oy, I've been in these heels *all* day."
"Of-of course not," stuttered Donna.
"This is your office, Josh-ie? Look, a nameplate... Here, I'll take my luggage while you two talk shop."
Josh vacantly gave her back the suitcase and watched her disappear into his office, a thousand questions forming in his head. He returned his attention to Donna, only after she waved her hand in front of his eyes. "Hm? Oh. Yeah. Sam?"
She nodded.
"Save the other messages for tomorrow and get out of here for tonight."
She nodded again.
"Okay. Great. G'night," he said, quickly disappearing into his office to find Crystal sitting on his desk. "I didn't realize my desk was clean enough for anyone to sit on it..."
She gestured to the pile of files now in the chair across from his desk.
"I see. By the way, how did you... Connecticut and..."
"I did a little homework before we left the Farm."
"You did?"
"LemonLyman.com. First site I hit when I punched your name into a search engine." She smirked, a sexy, fun little smirk...
"Ah..." He smiled. "I've been forbidden from visiting that site ever again."
"They seemed awfully devoted."
"Uh-huh."
"And I downloaded a membership card." She held it up. "Rebekah's a proud, card-carrying member." Sure enough, she'd signed a fake name.
"You did that really well, by the way," he said, heading for his chair. "You even had me believing it."
"I'm that good."
He smiled up at her and dialed Sam's number. "Let's see what's up with Sam."
They listened to the rings on speakerphone before they heard a familiar voice. "Seaborn."
"Seaborn, it's Lyman. S'up?"
"Hey, Josh!"
"How are you?"
"Not bad. You?"
"I'm learning how great your cousin is."
"Oh?"
"She's something else."
"Hey, now," she said.
"Crys, you're there, too?"
"Yeah. Robby was convinced if I was a good girl and kept a low profile I could see the city again, so long as I didn't go home."
"So, where are you going?"
"Your friend Clark Kent is putting me up for the night."
"What?"
"Clark Kent," Crys repeated.
"I wasn't aware I was on speaking terms with the Man of Steel."
"Yeah, you're not; just his alter ego," said Crystal.
"I'm still lost. Josh, what's she talking about?"
"Me."
"Ah... I didn't know you had a guest bedroom."
"I don't, but I have a very nice couch that I'll be sleeping on tonight."
"I can stay somewhere else, Josh," she said.
"C'mon. One of my oldest and dearest friends from home? You will sleep nowhere else," countered Josh.
"Oldest and dearest friends from home? Are you two under the influence of something? Clark Kent... old friends...?" asked Sam.
"She made up this story she told Donna and that was part of it. Not the Clark Kent part."
"You lied to Donna?" asked Sam.
"So?" asked Crystal.
"It was a sight to behold, Sam. You'll have to ask Donna about Rebekah Morganstern when we come out," said Josh.
"That's why I called, actually."
"Oh?"
"Yeah... with this... thing going on with this guy... do you guys still want to come out?"
"We'll be there, Sam," Josh assured him.
"Won't the Secret Service get worried?"
"They let an unmarked, black helo land on the South Lawn. I rode back to the White House with the President... no problem. CIA's spearheading it; there's major FBI influence. Plus, as long as I'm still the primary target, you're going to be fine."
"All right, Crys," Sam said softly. "Listen, it's later there where you are and it's been an insane kinda day. We should all probably get some rest."
"We'll talk to you soon, Sam?" asked Josh.
"Sounds good. In fact, Crys, I may call you nightly, just to make sure you're okay."
"Okay," she said agreeably. "Also means I get to make sure you're okay."
Sam smiled, and they could hear it in Washington. "Good night, you two. Thanks, Josh."
"Anytime," Josh said before ending the call.
~~~
Leo called for his assistant after settling into his desk and sliding his glasses on to look at the files that had amassed themselves on his desk while he'd been out at dinner.
The willowy redhead soon appeared. "Yes?"
"What's my schedule look like tomorrow?"
"Packed."
"Can you clear an hour for me anywhere?"
"Not unless it's a national emergency and I can easily tell the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs he'll see you in the Situation Room instead of over coffee in this office."
"Yeah, that's not going to work..."
"What's going on?"
"Call Donna. Tell her Josh is going to have to sit in for me with the President in a meeting and he's going to have to back-up whatever the President wants."
"Can I tell him what it's about?"
"Josh is a smart guy; he'll figure it out when he gets in there."
"Does he need to prepare for the meeting?"
"'I agree with the President.' Nah, he'll be fine."
She frowned, her forehead creasing.
"What?"
"I'll call Donna," she said, ignoring his question.
"You're giving me that look."
"What look?"
"The look that says you're not believing me."
"I just think that, if Josh is going to represent *you* in a meeting, you would want him as prepared as possible."
He sighed, trying to figure out how he could say it without coming right out and saying it. "Tell him it's a Jordan meeting."
"Jordan Kendall?"
"Just tell him it's a Jordan meeting, Margaret. He'll know what that means. And Debbie's setting it up as we speak."
She sighed. "All right." She shook her head, making the note. "Is that all?"
"For now, yeah."
She nodded, and headed out.
~~~
Josh was gathering things to go when there was a knock at his door. "Yeah?"
Donna appeared. "Leo's office just called."
"And?"
"Tomorrow, Leo wants you to sit in a 'Jordan' meeting and back up the President. As soon as the meeting is scheduled, I'm out of here; Debbie's still working out the timing."
"A Jordan meeting?" Josh asked, looking at Crystal, who was looking at him.
"Margaret said you'd know what that meant."
"I do," he said with a slight nod.
"So, I'm going to stick around for Debbie's call, then I'm out of here."
Josh nodded. "I think we're gonna go ahead and go."
"All right," said Donna, glancing at "Rebekah."
In spite of the chilly look she was receiving from Josh's assistant, Crystal smiled brightly. "It was so nice to meet you, Donna," she said with a sugary-sweet voice.
"You, too."
"C'mon," Josh told Crystal softly. She slid off his desk and reached for her coat. He took it from her and held it open for her, allowing her to slide her arms in. Josh pulled on his own coat before grabbing her suitcase and shouldering her bag. He led Crystal out of his office, his hand on the small of her back. "Don't stay too late, huh?" he said as he passed Donna.
She nodded, watching them warily. "Good night."
Stay tuned...
Lines from the next installment:
"How did she survive?"
"Told you this morning... She's somewhat of a legend."
"Legends are usually dead."