Ok, I have serious issues with the way stories upload these days. So I
apologize for improper indenting and the lack of italics when I wanted
them...
~~~Chapter 2~~~
President Bartlett had received a phone call as soon as the secret service lost contact with their agents at the ball. He was now glued the television that had instantly tuned into the terrorists on all channels. {{Apologize for your comments about the traditions of Saudi Arabia!}} The camera zoomed in on his press secretary's face. She was looking off camera, and as soon as she faced the camera again he knew.
Leo apparently recognized the stubbornness as well as he breathed quietly, "Oh no."
The President could not help but smile as she boldly stood up to them, but quickly turned his head as he saw the fist connect with her jaw. "CJ..." He spoke softly and then suddenly he yelled out of his office, "Agent Butterfield! I want all of them out of there immediately. If that means..." He trailed off when he heard the terrorists address him directly.
{{Mr. President you appear to have a problem with this female. She can't control her tongue. As a show of good faith we will take care of this problem for you and expect you to return the favor when our demands are announced.}}
Leo and the President held their breath as they waited to see how they would "take care of the problem". Jed yelled out the office again, "Ron!"
"We're working on it Sir," was the tense reply.
~~//~~
CJ's head was still spinning when she felt hands suddenly grab her and forced her to the ground. She was catching some of what her captors were saying as she was shoved face down and hands roughly restraining her arms above her head and her feet. 'Take care of me? What—' her thoughts suddenly stopped when a stinging pain ripped through her back.
Sam held Josh back as they were forced to watch a belt transform into a whip. Her beautiful open backed dress was now a curse as the leather made direct contact with her skin.
Josh looked at her face trying to get her attention. Her eyes were squeezed tight as tears streamed down her face and blood dripped from her lip, a combination of biting her lip to keep from crying out and a product of the earlier punch. Her eyes opened suddenly and looked around frantically, until she found Josh. He looked at her through his own tears, and silently mouthed, 'I love you'.
CJ cried harder when she looked at Josh. Suddenly the belt hit her lower back in such a way that she was no longer able to remain silent.
~~//~~
The cell phone rang and Simon wanted to throw it out the window. He was in charge of the 4 man detail responsible for guarding CJ, but he spent the majority of his day and night doing it. He had taken the night off to catch up on sleep because knew even his reflexes were slowed by sleep deprivation. He also did not want to watch her, dressed in a beautiful gown stealing glances at Josh Lyman. They were in love, and he was trained to see that.
After the third ring he picked it up. "This better be a national emergency."
"Simon. It is." SA Butterfield answered.
Simon sat up in his bed instantly awake, "What's happened?" Preparing for the worst he got out of bed and started getting dressed when he glanced at his TV he routinely left on at night but muted. There was CJ in that dress he didn't want to see her in, being whipped on National TV. He continued to listen to his boss as he turned off the TV and ran out the door.
~~//~~
Had it been the President of the United States watching his employee tortured, he would have been able to control his rage. It wasn't the President watching and it wasn't his employee. Jed was watching one of his closest friends brutalized on national television. "That was twelve." He stated to Leo as he heard CJ cry out.
"Yes Sir," his eyes were glued to the television.
"I want a doctor's assessment of the possible extent of CJ's injuries."
"Yes Sir."
"And I want Ron in here right now to tell me how they plan to kill every one of these bastards."
"Yes Sir, I have some ideas if they don't."
Jed placed a comforting hand on his friend's arm, "I'd like to add my own ideas to that pot."
~~//~~
After eternity passed, CJ's back was on fire. Her wrists and ankles were released, but she was too afraid to move. If it hurt as much as it did just lying there, she didn't even want to image the pain that would come once she tried to move.
"You! Get her out of the way," the terrorist demanded of someone outside CJ's field of vision.
Josh jumped up and practically ran to CJ before the leader even finished his demand. Despite the gentleness of his touch on her arm, CJ still jumped at the contact. "Shh, CJ, it's over, it's Josh. You're going to be ok." He could see bruises forming around her wrist, and some of the welts on her back had broken open, and were bleeding.
"Josh?" CJ asked weakly.
"I'm here, let's move you—"
"No, Josh please. I can't move yet."
"Ok take your time." He encouraged as he gripped her hand.
"I don't think he appreciated my apology."
Dead panned, Josh replied, "I think it was your delivery."
"I'm not a writer." She tried to smile through the pain. "Let's go over and see what Sam thought."
"Ok." Josh carefully leaned over to brace her by her shoulders as she tried to push herself off the ground. He heard her intake of air once the movement tightened the muscles of her back. She was soon standing, solely by Josh's power. Once she was near their destination next to Sam and Donna she sank to her knees unable to remain upright. Josh lowered himself with her allowing her to lean against his chest. He eased himself to a sitting position as she laid face down cradled in his lap. "Donna, get the picture of ice water and those cloth napkins."
Donna nodded, glad to have something to do.
"Sam, Josh thinks I need to work on my delivery." CJ tried to ease her friends' tension.
Sam nodded, "We'll work on that tomorrow. If a terrorist would do this, just think of what the press corps would be willing to do to the next time you apologize to them."
"It's a good thing I never apologize to the press corps." CJ took Sam's hand as Donna soaked the cloth napkins with ice water and placed them gently on her red, swollen back.
~~//~~
Ron came into the oval office as Bartlett was forced to watch the expression of pain etched in CJ's face as Josh led to Sam and Donna. Without looking at his chief of security, "I want this off national TV now."
"It's done sir."
"Why did it take so long?" Leo questioned.
Ron glanced at the feed that was redirected to a select number of monitors. "We needed to figure out what channels the Terrorists were watching. Getting them out of there unharmed hinges on the appearance that they are running the show. If they feel they are losing any control they'll start killing people." After a pause, Ron looked at the screen, "And CJ has put herself on the short list for that nomination."
Bartlett, nodded. "What exactly is it that they want?"
"Prince Sultan Air Base." Ron answered quickly. "Specifically, they want the US to leave PSAB."
Bartlett looked at his head of security, "Leo get everyone in the war room, Ron I want CJ out of that building getting medical attention in an hour."
Leo and Ron nodded and went their separate ways leaving Jed alone to watch the monitor before him. Donna was taking care of CJ, and he saw Sam laugh slightly at something CJ had said. His staff never ceased to amaze him; even under the worst circumstances their spirit was never broken. Then any communication CJ was giving stopped abruptly when Donna placed a soaked towel on her back. Jed could see blood seep through the white cloth immediately and watched his press secretary's face reflect the pain the action caused. "I'm sorry CJ." He whispered to no one.
~~//~~
Josh watched the slight rise and fall of CJ as she tried to control her breathing. All talking had stopped and each of the senior staff walked through in their heads what was happening at the Whitehouse right then. They had no idea what the terrorists were demanding, but regardless, it was against policy to negotiate with terrorists. The only option was that the President and Leo were formulating a plan with Ron to take out the hostages. Such a plan could take hours to formulate and days to implement. The problem was, no one knew if CJ had days. Josh lifted the cloth up to look at the injuries.
CJ tensed immediately and whimpered at the pain the reaction caused.
Josh swore under his breath and Donna and Sam looked up at him, "I'm sorry CJ." He then looked up and spoke to his friends, "We need to see how serious her injuries are." They all finished his thought in their heads 'She could have internal bleeding, or a damaged kidney'.
Donna looked at Sam, "Were there any doctors here?"
~~//~~
The First Lady entered the oval office. Jed looked up at his wife, relieved she was there, but he was struggling enough to stay objective. POTUS needed to focus, and Jed needed to take a step back. All thoughts in that direction faded when he looked into Abbey's eyes.
"Jed..." She started but had no words to continue.
Jed stepped around his desk, and led her to a couch. "How much did you see?"
"All of it." Her husband gave her an inquisitive look. "I asked for a tape so I could asses her injuries." She explained with a slight sense of detachment that came only from her years as a physician.
Jed nodded his head, "And?"
Abbey grabbed his hand, "Possible kidney damage, massive hematomas, major threat of infection, shock... You need to get her out of there."
"Ron's working on it. It should happen within the hour."
TBC...
~~~Chapter 2~~~
President Bartlett had received a phone call as soon as the secret service lost contact with their agents at the ball. He was now glued the television that had instantly tuned into the terrorists on all channels. {{Apologize for your comments about the traditions of Saudi Arabia!}} The camera zoomed in on his press secretary's face. She was looking off camera, and as soon as she faced the camera again he knew.
Leo apparently recognized the stubbornness as well as he breathed quietly, "Oh no."
The President could not help but smile as she boldly stood up to them, but quickly turned his head as he saw the fist connect with her jaw. "CJ..." He spoke softly and then suddenly he yelled out of his office, "Agent Butterfield! I want all of them out of there immediately. If that means..." He trailed off when he heard the terrorists address him directly.
{{Mr. President you appear to have a problem with this female. She can't control her tongue. As a show of good faith we will take care of this problem for you and expect you to return the favor when our demands are announced.}}
Leo and the President held their breath as they waited to see how they would "take care of the problem". Jed yelled out the office again, "Ron!"
"We're working on it Sir," was the tense reply.
~~//~~
CJ's head was still spinning when she felt hands suddenly grab her and forced her to the ground. She was catching some of what her captors were saying as she was shoved face down and hands roughly restraining her arms above her head and her feet. 'Take care of me? What—' her thoughts suddenly stopped when a stinging pain ripped through her back.
Sam held Josh back as they were forced to watch a belt transform into a whip. Her beautiful open backed dress was now a curse as the leather made direct contact with her skin.
Josh looked at her face trying to get her attention. Her eyes were squeezed tight as tears streamed down her face and blood dripped from her lip, a combination of biting her lip to keep from crying out and a product of the earlier punch. Her eyes opened suddenly and looked around frantically, until she found Josh. He looked at her through his own tears, and silently mouthed, 'I love you'.
CJ cried harder when she looked at Josh. Suddenly the belt hit her lower back in such a way that she was no longer able to remain silent.
~~//~~
The cell phone rang and Simon wanted to throw it out the window. He was in charge of the 4 man detail responsible for guarding CJ, but he spent the majority of his day and night doing it. He had taken the night off to catch up on sleep because knew even his reflexes were slowed by sleep deprivation. He also did not want to watch her, dressed in a beautiful gown stealing glances at Josh Lyman. They were in love, and he was trained to see that.
After the third ring he picked it up. "This better be a national emergency."
"Simon. It is." SA Butterfield answered.
Simon sat up in his bed instantly awake, "What's happened?" Preparing for the worst he got out of bed and started getting dressed when he glanced at his TV he routinely left on at night but muted. There was CJ in that dress he didn't want to see her in, being whipped on National TV. He continued to listen to his boss as he turned off the TV and ran out the door.
~~//~~
Had it been the President of the United States watching his employee tortured, he would have been able to control his rage. It wasn't the President watching and it wasn't his employee. Jed was watching one of his closest friends brutalized on national television. "That was twelve." He stated to Leo as he heard CJ cry out.
"Yes Sir," his eyes were glued to the television.
"I want a doctor's assessment of the possible extent of CJ's injuries."
"Yes Sir."
"And I want Ron in here right now to tell me how they plan to kill every one of these bastards."
"Yes Sir, I have some ideas if they don't."
Jed placed a comforting hand on his friend's arm, "I'd like to add my own ideas to that pot."
~~//~~
After eternity passed, CJ's back was on fire. Her wrists and ankles were released, but she was too afraid to move. If it hurt as much as it did just lying there, she didn't even want to image the pain that would come once she tried to move.
"You! Get her out of the way," the terrorist demanded of someone outside CJ's field of vision.
Josh jumped up and practically ran to CJ before the leader even finished his demand. Despite the gentleness of his touch on her arm, CJ still jumped at the contact. "Shh, CJ, it's over, it's Josh. You're going to be ok." He could see bruises forming around her wrist, and some of the welts on her back had broken open, and were bleeding.
"Josh?" CJ asked weakly.
"I'm here, let's move you—"
"No, Josh please. I can't move yet."
"Ok take your time." He encouraged as he gripped her hand.
"I don't think he appreciated my apology."
Dead panned, Josh replied, "I think it was your delivery."
"I'm not a writer." She tried to smile through the pain. "Let's go over and see what Sam thought."
"Ok." Josh carefully leaned over to brace her by her shoulders as she tried to push herself off the ground. He heard her intake of air once the movement tightened the muscles of her back. She was soon standing, solely by Josh's power. Once she was near their destination next to Sam and Donna she sank to her knees unable to remain upright. Josh lowered himself with her allowing her to lean against his chest. He eased himself to a sitting position as she laid face down cradled in his lap. "Donna, get the picture of ice water and those cloth napkins."
Donna nodded, glad to have something to do.
"Sam, Josh thinks I need to work on my delivery." CJ tried to ease her friends' tension.
Sam nodded, "We'll work on that tomorrow. If a terrorist would do this, just think of what the press corps would be willing to do to the next time you apologize to them."
"It's a good thing I never apologize to the press corps." CJ took Sam's hand as Donna soaked the cloth napkins with ice water and placed them gently on her red, swollen back.
~~//~~
Ron came into the oval office as Bartlett was forced to watch the expression of pain etched in CJ's face as Josh led to Sam and Donna. Without looking at his chief of security, "I want this off national TV now."
"It's done sir."
"Why did it take so long?" Leo questioned.
Ron glanced at the feed that was redirected to a select number of monitors. "We needed to figure out what channels the Terrorists were watching. Getting them out of there unharmed hinges on the appearance that they are running the show. If they feel they are losing any control they'll start killing people." After a pause, Ron looked at the screen, "And CJ has put herself on the short list for that nomination."
Bartlett, nodded. "What exactly is it that they want?"
"Prince Sultan Air Base." Ron answered quickly. "Specifically, they want the US to leave PSAB."
Bartlett looked at his head of security, "Leo get everyone in the war room, Ron I want CJ out of that building getting medical attention in an hour."
Leo and Ron nodded and went their separate ways leaving Jed alone to watch the monitor before him. Donna was taking care of CJ, and he saw Sam laugh slightly at something CJ had said. His staff never ceased to amaze him; even under the worst circumstances their spirit was never broken. Then any communication CJ was giving stopped abruptly when Donna placed a soaked towel on her back. Jed could see blood seep through the white cloth immediately and watched his press secretary's face reflect the pain the action caused. "I'm sorry CJ." He whispered to no one.
~~//~~
Josh watched the slight rise and fall of CJ as she tried to control her breathing. All talking had stopped and each of the senior staff walked through in their heads what was happening at the Whitehouse right then. They had no idea what the terrorists were demanding, but regardless, it was against policy to negotiate with terrorists. The only option was that the President and Leo were formulating a plan with Ron to take out the hostages. Such a plan could take hours to formulate and days to implement. The problem was, no one knew if CJ had days. Josh lifted the cloth up to look at the injuries.
CJ tensed immediately and whimpered at the pain the reaction caused.
Josh swore under his breath and Donna and Sam looked up at him, "I'm sorry CJ." He then looked up and spoke to his friends, "We need to see how serious her injuries are." They all finished his thought in their heads 'She could have internal bleeding, or a damaged kidney'.
Donna looked at Sam, "Were there any doctors here?"
~~//~~
The First Lady entered the oval office. Jed looked up at his wife, relieved she was there, but he was struggling enough to stay objective. POTUS needed to focus, and Jed needed to take a step back. All thoughts in that direction faded when he looked into Abbey's eyes.
"Jed..." She started but had no words to continue.
Jed stepped around his desk, and led her to a couch. "How much did you see?"
"All of it." Her husband gave her an inquisitive look. "I asked for a tape so I could asses her injuries." She explained with a slight sense of detachment that came only from her years as a physician.
Jed nodded his head, "And?"
Abbey grabbed his hand, "Possible kidney damage, massive hematomas, major threat of infection, shock... You need to get her out of there."
"Ron's working on it. It should happen within the hour."
TBC...