Residual Scarring 13/?
Author: natlski
All disclaimers apply
GW HOSPITAL
Toby lowered himself into the chair at Josh's bedside. Propping his elbows on the armrest he pressed his finger tips together, steepling his fingers. He sat quietly watching Josh sleep, listening to his labored breathing and the quiet hiss of the oxygen.
After a day and a half in intensive care Josh had just been moved back into a regular room. Donna was furious with Toby, blaming him for Josh's setback. She had reinstated 'The Rules', forbidding him to even step foot in the hospital. If she knew he was there life as he knew it would probably end. The only risk of being discovered was if Sam got out of his meeting early and stopped by to check on their colleague. Donna was at lunch with Bonnie and Ginger; a plan with which Toby was feeling particularly pleased.
He rubbed his hands on his pant legs. This wasn't going to be easy. The last time he brought this up he'd put Josh in intensive care. The others were still angry with him and when they found out he was ignoring the rules, Donna would probably have plenty help killing him.
Josh opened his eyes with great effort. He turned his head to look at Toby before his eyes slid shut again.
"Josh." Toby spoke tentatively.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry."
Josh's only response was a barely perceivable nod of his head.
"Donna is going to kill me when she finds out I'm here. I've been banned from the hospital."
"The Rules."
"Yeah. I'm not very popular right now."
"You put me in the ICU."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that."
"I know." Josh forced open his eyes and held Toby's gaze for a few moments. The look communicated more than either of them could have with words. His eyes slid shut again and Toby let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"It's going to be hard, and it is risky, but I think it's the best way to deal with this."
"What if you're wrong?"
"Let Sam and I write your statement." He ignored Josh's question, not wanting to think about what might happen. "C.J. will read the statement and take questions. We'll limit it, we'll protect you. When you're stronger you can do an interview with one of the major networks."
Josh didn't respond, but lay still with his eyes closed. Toby thought perhaps he'd fallen asleep and hadn't heard him. After a moment Josh opened his eyes again and focused on Toby. He studied his face until the frumpy speech writer became uncomfortable. Josh continued to hold Toby's gaze when he spoke softly. "You're sure."
"Yeah."
Josh sank back exhausted. He allowed his eyes to close but fought sleep. "Okay. You've already started writing it anyway." A small smile played across his lips.
Toby sat in stunned silence before chuckling and breaking into a grin.
Josh laughed with him until coughing stole his breath. Just as Toby was about to call for a nurse Josh held up a shaky hand, coughed a few more times, then leaned back, working to bring his breathing back under control. He reached for the cup of water on the bedside stand. Toby handed it to him and watched with concern filled eyes.
"Just make sure I get to see the statement first. And don't worry, I won't tell Donna you were here."
Toby smiled. "She'll find out anyway. I think the fact that you have agreed with me and our talk didn't end with you back in ICU will go a long way to put me back into everyone's good graces." Toby could tell that despite Josh's smile, the younger man was loosing the battle against sleep. He looked at his watch. "Anyway, I've got to get back. We'll be by later to see you."
Josh nodded and mumbled something unintelligible. Toby pushed himself to his feet. Josh had already succumbed to sleep. He patted his shoulder gently. "Get better soon, my friend. We need you." Giving the shoulder a gentle squeeze, Toby quietly left the room. He headed down the hallway. That had been surprisingly easy. However, he still dreaded having to face the others and hoped he'd live to finish writing Josh's statement.
West Wing- Communications-Later that afternoon
Toby Ziegler's office was not a friendly place to be at the moment. The tension was radiating out into the bullpen. Ginger and Bonnie were running interference, or rather damage control, answering phones and keeping everyone away from the closed door. It was quiet now, a reprieve from the yelling that had been coming from the room just moments before.
Inside the office Toby sat behind his desk, face set in determination. Standing in front of him, forming a line of attack, were Sam, C.J., and Donna. Sam's hands were on his hips, his face set, and in his eyes a passion the likes of which Toby hadn't seen in his deputy for a long time. C.J.'s eyes flashed with her anger, a look that Toby always tried to avoid. Donna Moss stood with arms crossed, foot taping impatiently, and anger written all over her face. He held back a sigh and braced himself for the next barrage.
"You blatantly ignored the rules." Donna's voice was like ice.
"He agrees with me."
"You took advantage of his weakened and drugged state." C.J. snapped.
"Really, C.J., how often have any of us been successful in convincing Josh to do anything he really doesn't want to do?"
"That's beside the point."
"Trust me." All three gave him withering looks and he finally let out a sigh. "Trust Josh."
C.J. relaxed slightly. She pointed a slender finger at Toby. "If this goes bad it's your head. We're all holding you responsible."
Toby finally dropped his eyes, relieved the confrontation was nearly over. "Yeah." He acknowledged.
"Donna, would you help me prepare for this thing."
Donna gave Toby one last icy glare before turning on her heal and stalking out of the office. C.J. turned to follow the young blond. "Your head, Tobias!" She called over her shoulder.
Toby looked up to see his deputy standing in the same position he'd been in since the confrontation had started. "Look Sam, I know you're not excited about this, and I'm more then willing to write the statement on my own; but you're his best friend, and you're a gifted writer. I'd rather have your help."
Sam stared at Toby in surprise. "You just complimented me!"
"Yeah." Toby looked down.
"I don't know what to say."
Toby looked up. "Not a good admission for a speech writer."
"Toby, thank you."
"Are you going to help me?"
Sam frowned at the reminder of what started the conversation. "I still don't agree, but yeah."
Toby motioned for Sam to sit on the couch. "Let's get started."
GW Hospital
Josh startled awake. He lay back against the pillows, his heart pounding, breath coming in short gasps, and body shaking. He closed his eyes, willing away the lingering images from his nightmare and putting shaky hands over his face. 'Oh, to sleep uninterrupted,' he thought in frustration. "I suppose I should look on the bright side." He spoke aloud to the empty room. "That wasn't a bad one."
He started to push himself up but fell back as the semi-dark room spun dizzily. In frustration Josh hit the bed. He couldn't even get up and pace or wander; his usual practice following a nightmare. He knew that forgetting the images from his dream and falling asleep was unlikely to happen. Heaving a sigh in anticipation of the long night ahead of him, Josh stared at the ceiling.
It was barely 7 A.M. when Donna entered the room and sank into the visitor's chair. "Toby and Sam are working on a statement." She told Josh as she shifted in the chair.
He nodded. He was pale and drawn, he'd lost weight over the last few weeks and there were dark circles under his eyes.
"Bad night?"
Josh nodded again.
"You don't have to do this, you know." She blurted.
"Donna," Josh wheezed. "We've had this discussion last night. Toby's right." he coughed several times and grimaced in pain. His voice was even softer when he continued. "This is the best way to deal with this."
"So Toby keeps saying."
"Donna, I'm tired. I don't want to argue."
"Aren't you scared of what might happen?"
Josh tried to hold back a cough, again grimacing at the pain in his chest. "I trust Toby." He whispered when the coughs subsided.
"This could end your career."
"I know. It's a risk I have to take."
Donna sighed and frowned. "The lesser of two evils."
"Yeah." Josh's voice was barely audible.
"I'm scared." Donna admitted as she reached for Josh's hand.
"I know. Trust Toby. Trust me." His voice faded.
There was a knock at the door and the two looked up as Sam entered. The young speech writer nervously cleared his throat. "We've finished." He held out a single sheet of paper toward his best friend.
After several false starts Josh managed to croak out, "Read it to me."
Sam cleared his throat again before starting to read. "Most of you are aware that Joshua Lyman is no stranger to tragedy. As a young boy he survived a house fire that claimed the life of his older sister. During Josiah Bartlet's Presidential campaign he mourned the loss of his father, and a year ago we all waited as Josh fought for his life after being shot by white supremacists while in service to the President.
Josh closed his eyes as he listened to Sam's voice, pushing back the doubts and fears that threatened to overwhelm him. 'Trust Toby' his own words echoed in his head as he listened to the statement being read. He easily recognized the unique and talented styles of Toby Ziegler and Sam Seaborn. He felt a rust of pride and love at the realization of what these men were doing for him. Donna squeezed his hand, a gesture he weakly returned. He realized Sam had stopped reading. He opened his eyes to find two pairs of blue eyes regarding him closely. Josh locked his gaze with Sam and gave his friend a weak smile. "It's good Sam. Don't change a word." His voice rasped when he spoke. "Thank you."
Sam rested a hand on Josh's shoulder and managed a smile. "I'm sorry it has to be like this."
Josh shrugged and was about to reply when Toby rushed into the room. "Lillienfield has called a press conference for this morning." He announced without preamble.
Donna gasped in surprise, Sam tightened his grip on Josh's shoulder; none of them spoke.
"We need to move fast. Is the statement ready?" Toby looked at Josh. The younger man seemed even paler, if that was possible, and Toby shuddered.
"Yeah." Josh said with a nod. "It's ready."
"Let's go prep C.J." Toby spoke gruffly to his deputy. Sam gave Josh's shoulder another squeeze before heading out the door. Toby crossed the room and clasped Josh's hand. "We'll get you through this."
Josh nodded. "I know."
Toby squeezed his hand before releasing it. He turned to leave and met Donna's gaze. Her conflicting emotions evident on her face; fear of the unknown, concern for Josh, anger at Toby, and a desire to trust him. She held his gaze, searching his face. Finally trust won out. Donna rose and Toby drew her into an embrace.
"Forgive me." She spoke into his shoulder.
"I already did."
"Thank you."
Toby released her. "I need to go." He gave them both what he hoped was a reassuring smile and headed back to the White House.
CAPITOL HILL- OFFICE OF SENATOR LILLIENFIELD
Peter Lillienfield sat at his desk looking over his notes for his upcoming press conference. He smiled to himself as he thought about what was about to happen. He knew waiting this long was risky; it gave the White House the opportunity to launch a counter attack. Lillienfield shook off the slight fear. They didn't know anything. They couldn't know what he knew; otherwise he'd have heard something from someone in Bartlet's camp. Seaborn or even McGarry would have been after him. But there had been nothing and he felt his confidence grow. This was going to be worth the wait.
"Sir, you need to see this, now." Paul Specht, his chief of staff, rushed into the office out of breath.
"What?" The Senator stacked his papers together as he rose from his seat and started around his desk.
"The White House press briefing." Paul ducked out of the office.
Lillienfield felt his stomach drop as he followed his COS to the outer office. The usual bustle of the senate office had stilled as all his staffers stood, fixated on the T.V. On the screen was pictured C.J. Cregg, White House Press Secretary, back dropped by the traditional dark blue curtain and White House Seal. "Turn it up." Lillienfield ordered and he felt his anger rise as he listen to the words obviously crafted by Ziegler and Seaborn.
".and Josh has the full support of his friends and this administration as he continues to recover. I will now take your questions."
Lillienfield fought to control his anger as C.J. called on reporters and answered questions. They had found out and they had beaten him to the punch; stolen his thunder.
"Steve."
"C.J. does the White House have a response to comments made by Senator Peter Lillienfield regarding Josh's mental state and fitness for office?"
Lillienfield's head snapped up and he turned his attention to the T.V. The tension in the room was palatable and several staffers stole glances at the Senator out of the corners of their eyes.
"As I said before, Josh has the support of the President as he recovers from his injuries. His response to the trauma suffered at Rosslyn is not uncommon. You will find in your press packet information regarding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as the websites for the Nation Center for PTSD and the American Trauma Victims Association. Josh Lyman is a world class political mind. His devotion to his job is unquestionable and we eagerly await his full recovery. Any allegations to the contrary are petty attempts to destroy a good man and we will not stoop to that level."
The slamming of Peter Lillienfield's door reverberated through the silent outer office.
~~tbc~~
GW HOSPITAL
Toby lowered himself into the chair at Josh's bedside. Propping his elbows on the armrest he pressed his finger tips together, steepling his fingers. He sat quietly watching Josh sleep, listening to his labored breathing and the quiet hiss of the oxygen.
After a day and a half in intensive care Josh had just been moved back into a regular room. Donna was furious with Toby, blaming him for Josh's setback. She had reinstated 'The Rules', forbidding him to even step foot in the hospital. If she knew he was there life as he knew it would probably end. The only risk of being discovered was if Sam got out of his meeting early and stopped by to check on their colleague. Donna was at lunch with Bonnie and Ginger; a plan with which Toby was feeling particularly pleased.
He rubbed his hands on his pant legs. This wasn't going to be easy. The last time he brought this up he'd put Josh in intensive care. The others were still angry with him and when they found out he was ignoring the rules, Donna would probably have plenty help killing him.
Josh opened his eyes with great effort. He turned his head to look at Toby before his eyes slid shut again.
"Josh." Toby spoke tentatively.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry."
Josh's only response was a barely perceivable nod of his head.
"Donna is going to kill me when she finds out I'm here. I've been banned from the hospital."
"The Rules."
"Yeah. I'm not very popular right now."
"You put me in the ICU."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that."
"I know." Josh forced open his eyes and held Toby's gaze for a few moments. The look communicated more than either of them could have with words. His eyes slid shut again and Toby let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"It's going to be hard, and it is risky, but I think it's the best way to deal with this."
"What if you're wrong?"
"Let Sam and I write your statement." He ignored Josh's question, not wanting to think about what might happen. "C.J. will read the statement and take questions. We'll limit it, we'll protect you. When you're stronger you can do an interview with one of the major networks."
Josh didn't respond, but lay still with his eyes closed. Toby thought perhaps he'd fallen asleep and hadn't heard him. After a moment Josh opened his eyes again and focused on Toby. He studied his face until the frumpy speech writer became uncomfortable. Josh continued to hold Toby's gaze when he spoke softly. "You're sure."
"Yeah."
Josh sank back exhausted. He allowed his eyes to close but fought sleep. "Okay. You've already started writing it anyway." A small smile played across his lips.
Toby sat in stunned silence before chuckling and breaking into a grin.
Josh laughed with him until coughing stole his breath. Just as Toby was about to call for a nurse Josh held up a shaky hand, coughed a few more times, then leaned back, working to bring his breathing back under control. He reached for the cup of water on the bedside stand. Toby handed it to him and watched with concern filled eyes.
"Just make sure I get to see the statement first. And don't worry, I won't tell Donna you were here."
Toby smiled. "She'll find out anyway. I think the fact that you have agreed with me and our talk didn't end with you back in ICU will go a long way to put me back into everyone's good graces." Toby could tell that despite Josh's smile, the younger man was loosing the battle against sleep. He looked at his watch. "Anyway, I've got to get back. We'll be by later to see you."
Josh nodded and mumbled something unintelligible. Toby pushed himself to his feet. Josh had already succumbed to sleep. He patted his shoulder gently. "Get better soon, my friend. We need you." Giving the shoulder a gentle squeeze, Toby quietly left the room. He headed down the hallway. That had been surprisingly easy. However, he still dreaded having to face the others and hoped he'd live to finish writing Josh's statement.
West Wing- Communications-Later that afternoon
Toby Ziegler's office was not a friendly place to be at the moment. The tension was radiating out into the bullpen. Ginger and Bonnie were running interference, or rather damage control, answering phones and keeping everyone away from the closed door. It was quiet now, a reprieve from the yelling that had been coming from the room just moments before.
Inside the office Toby sat behind his desk, face set in determination. Standing in front of him, forming a line of attack, were Sam, C.J., and Donna. Sam's hands were on his hips, his face set, and in his eyes a passion the likes of which Toby hadn't seen in his deputy for a long time. C.J.'s eyes flashed with her anger, a look that Toby always tried to avoid. Donna Moss stood with arms crossed, foot taping impatiently, and anger written all over her face. He held back a sigh and braced himself for the next barrage.
"You blatantly ignored the rules." Donna's voice was like ice.
"He agrees with me."
"You took advantage of his weakened and drugged state." C.J. snapped.
"Really, C.J., how often have any of us been successful in convincing Josh to do anything he really doesn't want to do?"
"That's beside the point."
"Trust me." All three gave him withering looks and he finally let out a sigh. "Trust Josh."
C.J. relaxed slightly. She pointed a slender finger at Toby. "If this goes bad it's your head. We're all holding you responsible."
Toby finally dropped his eyes, relieved the confrontation was nearly over. "Yeah." He acknowledged.
"Donna, would you help me prepare for this thing."
Donna gave Toby one last icy glare before turning on her heal and stalking out of the office. C.J. turned to follow the young blond. "Your head, Tobias!" She called over her shoulder.
Toby looked up to see his deputy standing in the same position he'd been in since the confrontation had started. "Look Sam, I know you're not excited about this, and I'm more then willing to write the statement on my own; but you're his best friend, and you're a gifted writer. I'd rather have your help."
Sam stared at Toby in surprise. "You just complimented me!"
"Yeah." Toby looked down.
"I don't know what to say."
Toby looked up. "Not a good admission for a speech writer."
"Toby, thank you."
"Are you going to help me?"
Sam frowned at the reminder of what started the conversation. "I still don't agree, but yeah."
Toby motioned for Sam to sit on the couch. "Let's get started."
GW Hospital
Josh startled awake. He lay back against the pillows, his heart pounding, breath coming in short gasps, and body shaking. He closed his eyes, willing away the lingering images from his nightmare and putting shaky hands over his face. 'Oh, to sleep uninterrupted,' he thought in frustration. "I suppose I should look on the bright side." He spoke aloud to the empty room. "That wasn't a bad one."
He started to push himself up but fell back as the semi-dark room spun dizzily. In frustration Josh hit the bed. He couldn't even get up and pace or wander; his usual practice following a nightmare. He knew that forgetting the images from his dream and falling asleep was unlikely to happen. Heaving a sigh in anticipation of the long night ahead of him, Josh stared at the ceiling.
It was barely 7 A.M. when Donna entered the room and sank into the visitor's chair. "Toby and Sam are working on a statement." She told Josh as she shifted in the chair.
He nodded. He was pale and drawn, he'd lost weight over the last few weeks and there were dark circles under his eyes.
"Bad night?"
Josh nodded again.
"You don't have to do this, you know." She blurted.
"Donna," Josh wheezed. "We've had this discussion last night. Toby's right." he coughed several times and grimaced in pain. His voice was even softer when he continued. "This is the best way to deal with this."
"So Toby keeps saying."
"Donna, I'm tired. I don't want to argue."
"Aren't you scared of what might happen?"
Josh tried to hold back a cough, again grimacing at the pain in his chest. "I trust Toby." He whispered when the coughs subsided.
"This could end your career."
"I know. It's a risk I have to take."
Donna sighed and frowned. "The lesser of two evils."
"Yeah." Josh's voice was barely audible.
"I'm scared." Donna admitted as she reached for Josh's hand.
"I know. Trust Toby. Trust me." His voice faded.
There was a knock at the door and the two looked up as Sam entered. The young speech writer nervously cleared his throat. "We've finished." He held out a single sheet of paper toward his best friend.
After several false starts Josh managed to croak out, "Read it to me."
Sam cleared his throat again before starting to read. "Most of you are aware that Joshua Lyman is no stranger to tragedy. As a young boy he survived a house fire that claimed the life of his older sister. During Josiah Bartlet's Presidential campaign he mourned the loss of his father, and a year ago we all waited as Josh fought for his life after being shot by white supremacists while in service to the President.
Josh closed his eyes as he listened to Sam's voice, pushing back the doubts and fears that threatened to overwhelm him. 'Trust Toby' his own words echoed in his head as he listened to the statement being read. He easily recognized the unique and talented styles of Toby Ziegler and Sam Seaborn. He felt a rust of pride and love at the realization of what these men were doing for him. Donna squeezed his hand, a gesture he weakly returned. He realized Sam had stopped reading. He opened his eyes to find two pairs of blue eyes regarding him closely. Josh locked his gaze with Sam and gave his friend a weak smile. "It's good Sam. Don't change a word." His voice rasped when he spoke. "Thank you."
Sam rested a hand on Josh's shoulder and managed a smile. "I'm sorry it has to be like this."
Josh shrugged and was about to reply when Toby rushed into the room. "Lillienfield has called a press conference for this morning." He announced without preamble.
Donna gasped in surprise, Sam tightened his grip on Josh's shoulder; none of them spoke.
"We need to move fast. Is the statement ready?" Toby looked at Josh. The younger man seemed even paler, if that was possible, and Toby shuddered.
"Yeah." Josh said with a nod. "It's ready."
"Let's go prep C.J." Toby spoke gruffly to his deputy. Sam gave Josh's shoulder another squeeze before heading out the door. Toby crossed the room and clasped Josh's hand. "We'll get you through this."
Josh nodded. "I know."
Toby squeezed his hand before releasing it. He turned to leave and met Donna's gaze. Her conflicting emotions evident on her face; fear of the unknown, concern for Josh, anger at Toby, and a desire to trust him. She held his gaze, searching his face. Finally trust won out. Donna rose and Toby drew her into an embrace.
"Forgive me." She spoke into his shoulder.
"I already did."
"Thank you."
Toby released her. "I need to go." He gave them both what he hoped was a reassuring smile and headed back to the White House.
CAPITOL HILL- OFFICE OF SENATOR LILLIENFIELD
Peter Lillienfield sat at his desk looking over his notes for his upcoming press conference. He smiled to himself as he thought about what was about to happen. He knew waiting this long was risky; it gave the White House the opportunity to launch a counter attack. Lillienfield shook off the slight fear. They didn't know anything. They couldn't know what he knew; otherwise he'd have heard something from someone in Bartlet's camp. Seaborn or even McGarry would have been after him. But there had been nothing and he felt his confidence grow. This was going to be worth the wait.
"Sir, you need to see this, now." Paul Specht, his chief of staff, rushed into the office out of breath.
"What?" The Senator stacked his papers together as he rose from his seat and started around his desk.
"The White House press briefing." Paul ducked out of the office.
Lillienfield felt his stomach drop as he followed his COS to the outer office. The usual bustle of the senate office had stilled as all his staffers stood, fixated on the T.V. On the screen was pictured C.J. Cregg, White House Press Secretary, back dropped by the traditional dark blue curtain and White House Seal. "Turn it up." Lillienfield ordered and he felt his anger rise as he listen to the words obviously crafted by Ziegler and Seaborn.
".and Josh has the full support of his friends and this administration as he continues to recover. I will now take your questions."
Lillienfield fought to control his anger as C.J. called on reporters and answered questions. They had found out and they had beaten him to the punch; stolen his thunder.
"Steve."
"C.J. does the White House have a response to comments made by Senator Peter Lillienfield regarding Josh's mental state and fitness for office?"
Lillienfield's head snapped up and he turned his attention to the T.V. The tension in the room was palatable and several staffers stole glances at the Senator out of the corners of their eyes.
"As I said before, Josh has the support of the President as he recovers from his injuries. His response to the trauma suffered at Rosslyn is not uncommon. You will find in your press packet information regarding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as the websites for the Nation Center for PTSD and the American Trauma Victims Association. Josh Lyman is a world class political mind. His devotion to his job is unquestionable and we eagerly await his full recovery. Any allegations to the contrary are petty attempts to destroy a good man and we will not stoop to that level."
The slamming of Peter Lillienfield's door reverberated through the silent outer office.
~~tbc~~