Part 16
"Oh, hi Toby. How's it going? Long time no see." Sam said chirpily. I'm guessing Sam's trying to misdirect Toby from the whole wig thing.
"Long time no see? My office is next to yours." Toby responded as he took a few steps into the office, still looking at CJ for some clarification.
"So, you need anything Toby? There's probably more takeout with Carol. Grab some and join us." Now CJ was trying the misdirection.
"No, I already ate. So……the wig?" Shoot.
"Errr…well….My niece is having her 15th birthday party and …..and it's a Greek mythological themed party. So, I decided to go as Aphrodite…….Need a blond big for that. You know any good place to get one?" Wow!! What a save! A ridicules one but nevertheless, it's a save. No wonder she's the press secretary.
"Okay…..no CJ, I don't know a good place to buy it. Wig shopping isn't my kinda thing." Toby says monotonously. Like there's any other way he'd say it.
"Well….I should get back to work." With that awkward tone, he left.
"Nice save, Aphrodite" Josh said sarcastically.
"Hah, like you could have come up with anything better in that time." I said.
"Exactly. Thank you Donna." CJ said glaring at Josh.
"Well, I've got to wrap up some things and I'm off." Sam said getting up.
"Yeah, me too. I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow. I'll keep you updated." CJ said.
Sam and Josh left CJ's office while I stayed behind.
"CJ, I want you to know how grateful I am for what you have done and still doing. I know how incredibly busy you are and to add all this to your schedule….and to get so much done……I honestly don't know how to thank you. I feel I should be doing much more." I express myself to CJ.
"Donna, no thanks necessary but you're most welcome anyway. Don't worry about it. My schedule has not been excruciating and that's why I'm able to do all the investigating I could. Donna, even if we were in a middle of some extreme national crisis, I would do this anyway. I'm just glad I am able to help out. It's not an inconvenience in any way."
I smile at her. Whatever did I do to deserve such a wonderful friend.
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"Josh, you have senior staff at Leo's office at 8am before going to the Oval Office."
"Ah, Donna my darling. No hello, how was your night alone?"
Last night, after CJ briefed us with what the police said, Donna decided to spend the night at her apartment. Something about laundry, cleaning, having a place she practically doesn't live in. Despite my arguments she still went back alone to her place.
I had the worst night last night. It's so weird, I spent more than three decades of sleeping without Donna next to me and now I can't even begin to fall asleep without her.
"Yes Josh. I'm sorry I left you alone for one night. Leo's office, now!" She's being pretty bossy today. Not that I mind.
Man, she left my office before I could give her a kiss. I miss kissing her. I'm dying to kiss her actually. But I'm guessing she or Leo would kill me if I don't go for the meeting right now.
As expected, I was the last one to the meeting. I'm guessing the others just arrived as well.
"Great. Glad you could all make it. I'm having this meeting because of an interesting call I got last night. It was from an old acquaintance of mine who happens to be a reporter. He said that he heard that my senior staff was going to nightclubs asking questions to bartenders like FBI agents or something. Does anyone want to explain that?"
Shit. Shit!!! I gulp and look over at Sam. He looks back at me with his eyes practically popping out.
"Leo, shouldn't a call from a reporter come to me?" CJ asked. I'm glad someone was able to speak at this moment.
"Well, it didn't, did it? It came to me. So could someone explain what's going on?" Leo's getting really annoyed.
"Leo, I'll handle it. Just let me know who called you." CJ said.
"You can get the details off Margaret. So, what is it?"
"Leo, it's nothing to do with the administration. It's private." I said.
"Nothing is private when you are the senior staff of the White House." Leo growled.
Damn it. What are we going to tell him? There's no way any of us would say anything especially without Donna here.
"Leo, just let me deal with it. I'll fix it." CJ tried convincing Leo to drop it.
"Fine. Just make sure I don't here anything about it again."
That was close. Too close. We proceeded to the Oval Office for the regular senior staff meeting.
After the meeting, CJ, Sam and I decided to discuss the situation in Sam's office.
"Okay, so what are we going to do?" Sam asked.
"Well, I'll do my best to fix this and hopefully nothing will go back to Leo again. And no telling Donna. She's got enough to worry about. And she'll probably go through the hell of telling the whole story to Leo and whomever just to save our asses." CJ said.
"Yeah, I agree. Tell me if you want me to make any calls. Do anything to fix this ok?" I told CJ, kind of hoping I would be needed.
"Sure."
The rest of the day was hectic as always. I went up to the hill and to three other meetings out of the White House. I'm also getting nervous for this Friday night. I truly hope everything will turn out just fine. I'm getting worried about CJ. The last thing we need is for something to go wrong when she is under the influence. Of course, this is all assuming that we've got the right guy and he falls for the trap. And like CJ said, that would be a long shot. Arrrrggghh….I hate not knowing what's going to happen. But most of all I hate not having any control over this. It is all out of my hands. I think that's what's bugging me the most. Plus it seems that my involvement in this is rather minimal. I'm the one who loves Donna the most and yet I barely contributed anything to this investigation. And it doesn't seem like I'll be contributing much more considering the fact that I'm barely involved for the upcoming plan. With Sam being with Jane and CJ being the target and the cops doing their thing. For all I know my existence is just a burden to them all.
"Josh? Josh?"
"Huh?" What the….When the heck did I get back to my office? Right, I walked back from the hill. Damn that was fast.
"Josh, are you okay? You just walked passed my desk and I tried to get your attention. You didn't say anything. Did something happen on the hill? Did the meeting not go well? Josh?"
Well, you guessed it. It's Donna who's all worried about me.
"I'm alright Donna. I'm sorry I had things on my mind. I guess I didn't hear you. Things went fine at the hill and with the other meetings." I tried to calm her down. She did sound rather worried.
"Oh, good. Well, do you want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?"
"The thing that is occupying that genius mind of yours." I smirk at that comment.
"Don't worry about it Donna. It's nothing." I hope she'll drop this.
"Well, it's obviously not nothing. I haven't seen you this dazed since…..well whenever." Nope, I guess she's not dropping this. Like I had a chance in hell anyway.
"Not now Donna. Maybe later tonight…when you get to my place. You are coming tonight aren't you?" I think I sounded a little desperate there. Oh heck, I am more than a little desperate.
"Yeah, I'll come by tonight. I'm done with all the work I needed to do for now at my apartment."
"Great."
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Josh has been rather dazed today. He says it's nothing due to his meetings. I'm guessing it's not because he wants to talk about it tonight. I'm rather apprehensive about the whole situation. I have no idea what he's about to tell me. It could be anything and it's driving me bananas. But I guess I'll just have to live with that. I really should concentrate on what typing write now.
The day went by really slow today. Probably because I've been counting the minutes until it's time to go home as I'm dying with curiosity as to what Josh is about to tell me.
We had dinner at a pizza place and then went back to Josh's place. We just discussed about work stuff during dinner.
Now I'm in bed waiting for Josh to get out of his shower. I'll just flick the tv channels in the mean time.
"What you watching, honey?"
Wow, I felt a little tingle hearing him call me 'honey'. That's new.
"Erm…just flicking between Leno and Letterman……ooh! Brad Pitt is on Letterman. God, just when you thought he can't look any hotter…."
"Donna, I'm standing here half naked in front of you and you find Brad Pitt fascinating? I'm insulted." Josh said with in his mocking manner.
I look towards him and I see what he's talking about. He's practically dripping wet with only a towel tied around his waist. Tied pretty low I must add. Mmm….yummy…..
"Eh. You're all right. I guess you'll have to do….since Brad is married and all." I said jockingly but in a serious manner.
"I'm hurt Donnatella." Josh proceeded to put on his pajamas.
He then climbed into the bed and reached for me by placing one hand across my waist and kissing my face. God, it feels so good. Concentrate, Donnatella!
"Josh? You said you wanted to talk about what was on your mind." I said pushing him away as lightly as I could.
"Ah, that. And here I thought you forgot about it. I should have known better. Okay, what do you want to know?"
"Well, I have no idea what's going on. So, I wouldn't really know what to ask, would I ?" What's the matter with him?
"Fine. It's really nothing Donna. Just something silly. I just….I just feel a little…well….useless in this whole investigation." Josh looks away from me.
"What? Why?"
Why the heck would he think that? I touch his shoulder as he sits up on the bed.
"Well, CJ gets everything done before I can even think of any possibilities to go about anything. Don't get me wrong, I'm ever so grateful to her. It's just that, it doesn't seem like any of you need me. Sam is gonna be needed when we go to the club on Friday. Jane's doing her bit, and she's done so much already…and the cops. I mean, I'm the one who loves you the most and I'm not doing anything remotely useful."
Oh dear….I'm in love with the biggest dumbkis in the world.
"Joshua, Josh, Josh. You are a stupid, stupid man."
"Yeah, kick a guy while he's down, would'ya ."
"Do you have any clue how much of an angel you've been to me throughout this whole ordeal? Josh, I would be on the verge of breaking if it wasn't for you. Josh, we needed you there the whole time. When we went to the clubs, every time we were brainstorming, we needed you there. I need you now more than ever." I rub his shoulder.
He still doesn't look at me. Why isn't he saying anything?
"Josh?"
He turns to me and places his palm on my cheek.
"Do you really need me?" He asks timidly. Aw, he's so sweet. Dumb as a log, but sweet.
"Yeah, silly. So much so that it scares me sometimes. Josh, you are doing the best you can and that's all that matters to me." I lean towards him and kiss him lightly on the lips. Lingering there longer that I intended to.
The kiss deepened. Josh moved his hands into my head and leaned on me as we both fell back on the bed. Josh moves his lips from mine and starts sucking on my neck. Oh….oh…wow! This feels so good.
His hands are reaching for my pajama top. He unbuttons the first two buttons and moves his mouth towards my skin that is now exposed. Wow. I close my eyes and take deep breaths hoping my heart would stop racing.
No…no….he's hurting me. No.
"No!! No!!!"
"Donna, Donna!!! It's okay. It's just me."
Oh my god! It happened again. It was so awful.
"God, Josh. I'm so sorry. I didn't think…..I thought…."
"Shhh….It's okay Donna. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…I should have asked you, talked to you first." Josh fumbles as he buttons back my top.
"It's okay Josh. I wanted to. I still do. God, with the therapy and all. I should be getting better. I don't know why. God, I hate this!"
"Sweety, it's alright. We'll get thorough this. I promise. Were…were the images really bad? Like the last time?" Josh asked me as he held me.
"Kind of. Not as bad, I think."
"Okay." Josh kissed my forehead.
"What if it never goes away?" I asked.
"It will. I promise. You don't have to go through this alone. You don't have to go through anything alone ever again, Donna."
"I love you, Josh. I'm sorry I have to put you through this. You've been so patient and this is not fair to you."
"Donna, it's alright. As long as I have you next to me, nothing else matters."
We drifted off to sleep in each others arms.
Friday came before I realized it. All plans are set for tonight. Sam had met with Jane yesterday so he wouldn't feel too awkward about the whole 'couple' thing. Josh seems a little better about the whole 'I'm not needed' phase. I on the other hand, am a nervous wreck. If this is not the guy, I would have no idea where else to turn to. And if this is the guy, and something goes wrong….god, I don't want even want to think of the possibilities.
"Hey, you all set for tonight?" Sam's voice snapped me from my wondering mind.
"Oh….well I guess I'm as ready as expected. How bout you? Ready to have a pretend girlfriend for the night?" I teased.
"Well, I met her yesterday. She's kinda cute. And funny as well…and smart. I think we'll be able to work well tonight. It won't be awkward."
"My, my, Sam. That's interesting. Getting a crush on a certain reporter are we?" This is fun.
"No. No. I mean, I barely know her. She's nice and all. I'm not saying she's not dating material. But that doesn't mean…"
"Okay Sam. You can stop talking now."
"Thank you." With that, he left my sight.
Making Sam squirm could be my new fun thing to do.
I continued doing the index card on the report Josh wanted.
"Donna, we should get going. Get ready. The cops wanted to brief us." CJ told me.
"All right. I'm coming. Where are we off to anyway?"
"We're meeting Jane at the police department."
The four of us nervously went to police department where we met Jane. Jane took us into a detective's office.
"Hello. I'm Detective Riedel. It's nice to meet you all."
Jane introduced all of us to the detective. He is a tall, well built man with dark hair. He's probably in his mid-forties.
CJ had already met and discussed her role with the detective earlier this week as she has the biggest part.
"Okay. Have a seat everyone. Let's get down to business. I assume you all know the main layout of the plan. We've had two of our guys follow our suspect around. So far nothing out of the ordinary. He's a loner. Doesn't really communicate with anyone or go out often. The rest of you, another police officer and I will be in the full equipped police van. The cops at his place will follow him and let us know which club he goes to. Then I will go in the club." The detective explained.
"Right." Josh answers.
"And once the guy goes in, then Miss Cregg, Ms Worthington and Mr. Seaborne will go in. The others will stay in the van and monitor everything that's going on. Miss Cregg and I will be wired and I'll have a camera on. The cops who have followed the suspect will stay near his car and follow him after he leaves the club in case he has a change of plans. Another two cops will go to the house we are using as Miss Cregg's place and stand by. That house is wired with cameras and microphones. Any questions?"
We all nodded our heads indicating we didn't have any questions.
"Great. Now you all can get ready and we're off." The detective got off his chair.
I turn towards Josh. He gives me a reassuring smile. I hope all will go as planned.
TBC……..
