Chapter 28
Bobbie waited at the curb while Concannon lifted his duffle out of the truck of her car, his computer bag slung haphazardly over his shoulder. "Aside from my own there are three other apartments in the building. The attic one is rented by Simone Hardy, but she hasn't lived in it in years, just keeps sending the rent payments to hold it for when she comes back from wherever it is she disappeared to. The basement apartment is being rented by Marcus Taggart. He's a detective with the PCPD, and keeps strange hours, although he hasn't been around much since he started dating Dara Jensen, the local ADA," Bobbie started to explain as she slammed the trunk close.
Danny only nodded, as they started up the walk. "So, you umm, basically live alone?"
"Ummm, not really," she started to explain as she fumbled in her purse for her keys as they walked up the stairs. "My fourteen year old son lives with me, but he's not home tonight. He's at his father's."
"You have a fourteen year old son, and yet you're letting some guy you just met move into your home?" he couldn't help but ask as he stopped his progress.
Bobbie stopped as well, turned, and looked down at him, "It's not like you're some guy I just picked up on the street. You're a paying tenant. Besides you said you were a friend of Sam and Frisco's."
"So I am and so I did," he said with a shake of his head as he watched her turn and start up the stairs again.
"Any way, you'll have your own kitchen, but most of my tenants, former and present, eat with Lucas and me, or at Kelly's. I'll start a tab for you there tomorrow. It's included in the rent," she threw over her shoulder as she unlocked the door. "The apartment's furnished, but I'm not sure about linens. It's been empty since my daughter dumped her no good ex."
"That would be the blonde from earlier, right?"
"Yeah, Carly," Bobbie said with a roll of her eyes as she reached over to turn on the lights. "I'd ask you to excuse her poor manners, but since I didn't raise her I have decided I don't have to make excuses for her any more. I mean, I can't be held responsible for what her adoptive mother couldn't drill into her now can I?"
"I suppose not," Danny muttered, unsure of how to take this woman's openness.
"Anyway, if there aren't any I'm sure I'll have some around," she shrugged as she reached into the closet and took out a lock box, opening it to reveal a small caliber handgun and a couple sets of keys. "Here they are," she smiled as she held one of them out to him before putting the box back into the closet. "The apartment might be a bit dusty, and I'm sure you'll have to air it out, but it's livable."
"I've, um, lived in some interesting places over the years. I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Right. So, let me show you it."
"Lead the way."
"Oh, that will be my pleasure," Bobbie gushed on a slight giggle, as she started up the stairs. Watching her go, Danny was torn between frustration and amusement. What a way to go after a story, he thought as he followed her, then letting his eyes drift to her derriere, he couldn't fight back a smirk, then again, I've done worse in the name of one.
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Abbey let the door slam behind her as she moved into the sitting room of the suite of rooms they were using, her anger over what was happening simmering under the surface as she crossed the room, heading directly to the wet bar. With quick motions she poured herself a scotch and downed it in one swallow. "And hello to you too," Jed said from the couch he was sitting on as he leaned his head far enough back to watch her actions, trying to gage just how bad Donna's condition was. As she poured a second drink, and turned he swallowed a curse.
"How many did you have?" she asked him with a glare as she raised the glass to her lips and took a sip.
"How many what?" he asked back as he rose.
"Don't play dumb. How many cigarettes?"
"Who said I'm playing, and how do you know I was the one smoking?" he tried as he walked towards her.
"I really don't need the cute act right now, Jed," she told him as she downed the second scotch and reached behind her, putting the glass down on the bar as she leaned against it before pushing away and stalking off to towards the bedroom. "And if it was Leo or Toby I'd have smelled cigar," she threw over her shoulder.
He only shrugged as he followed her and stopped in the doorway and watched her kick off her shoes. "So you want to tell me the real reason you're spoiling for a fight?" he asked as he leaned against the door jam and watched her shed her jacket.
With a roll of her eyes she looked at him over her shoulder, her hand faltering slightly on the buttons of her blouse, "You can't guess?"
"That bad, huh?" he sighed as he leveled himself away from the door jam and started into the room, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"That doesn't even begin to describe it," she admitted tiredly as she resumed the task of unbuttoning her blouse.
"Vent before you blow up at one of the kids, would you?" he teased as he came up behind her and started rubbing her shoulders and earning a slight laugh and shake of her head.
"Like they haven't seen or heard it before?"
"True."
"You're not helping here."
He couldn't help but chuckle at that, "Talk."
"I wish it were that easy," she sighed as she reached up and stilled his hands, all the while staring at the opposite wall. "She's bruised and broken, Jed."
"We'll prepare them."
"Too late for the one it's going to affect the most," she sighed as she pulled away from his touch and started to move to the bed.
"Yeah. I kinda figured," he sighed as he stuffed his hands in his pockets again.
"She crashed and he was there."
"Damn. How'd he react?"
"How the hell do you think?" she shot back as she sank onto the bed. "Leo had better get him a name and quick."
"Did he. . ." he asked with a gestured that could have meant just about anything, but she recognized it for what it was.
"Not then. But one of the nurses said he'd had an attack earlier. He saids it's just because he didn't take his medicine soon enough."
"You buy that?"
"Its part of it, but not all," she shrugged as she rose to her feet. "They're going to be coming up soon, so I'm going to grab a shower while I can. Call up room service and have them bring something up. They'll need to eat."
Jed nodded as he watched her, waiting quietly as she walked towards the bathroom, shedding her blouse, as she reached the door, he couldn't stay silent any longer. "What aren't you telling me, Abbey? What else happened?"
She turned slowly, and watched him from the doorway as she carefully chose her words: "Leo's right. This wasn't an accident. Someone wants her dead." He tensed at her words, shock clear on his face, "Abbey?" he asked in a choked whisper.
"Call room service," was all she could say as she turned and continued into the bathroom, leaving him to handle what had to be done while she got herself back together.
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CJ laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling as she heard the door that separated her room from Toby's opened. "How long till we have to be there?" she asked without looking to him.
"About forty-five minutes," he answered as he leaned against the doorframe and watched her.
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"So what do you think. . ?" she asked as she started turning the ring on her left hand.
"I still haven't quite figured out what to think," he admitted, as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You know we've got another issue we need to talk about."
"What now?" CJ asked as she covered her face with her arm.
"You know what."
"No, Toby, I really don't," she told him testily. "So why don't you enlighten me. What else is there we have to worry about?" Toby leveled himself away from the doorframe and moved towards her, sitting on the bed and taking her hand in his, pulling her arm away from her face. She glared at him as he touched the ring on her finger and then groaned. "I didn't even think. . ." she admitted as she sat up.
"I'm not sure how I should take that."
"They probably won't notice. . ." she sighed as she watched him turn it on her finger.
"Sam wouldn't. Josh not in the mindset he'd be in. But. . ." he shrugged as he trailed off and let go of her hand.
"I'm not the only one," CJ chided as she looked pointedly at his own ring finger.
"They'd probably say it was about time that I took it off."
"Yeah," she sighed as she slid away from him and put her legs over the edge of the bed. Standing slowly, she started to pull the ring off her finger to switch it to her right hand, as she did, she started to laugh hollowly.
"What?" Toby asked as he watched her.
"She saw the ring."
"Ceej. . ."
"That day she came up, she commented on the ring. She asked if I was wearing it on the wrong hand. Teased me about you and me, and I didn't. . ." she shook her head as she stared down at the ring.
"Hey," he started softly as he rose and went to stand behind her, his hands gentle on her shoulders. "We made the decision not to tell any of them till after we spoke to the couple together."
"I know," she sighed as she turned to him, and closed her eyes on the tears. "It's just. . . I want the chance to tell her, Toby. I had thought I'd ask her to. . .you know. . ."
"Yeah."
"And I still can't shake the feeling that if I had made her stay. . .Got her to talk. . ."
"If you had told her you two would have ended up talking about that and not what was bothering her anyway."
"Yeah," she admitted softly as she opened her eyes and pushed away from him, "Let's go over what we know. I want to be prepared for this. See if we missed anything."
"I'll get the briefing I started," he said simply as he went to step around her and walked towards the doorway.
"OK," CJ replied as she moved to the bed and leaned across it to grab the legal pad that contained her notes on the information she had reviewed on the trip there. "Oh, and Toby," she called as she flipped over and onto her back.
"Yeah?" he asked, turning in the doorway, watching as she sat up and picked up her glasses.
"We're telling them when she wakes up," she said simply as she slipped them on, starting to reread her notes. When he didn't say anything, she started to look up, "Did you hear. . ." she started only to stop as she saw his answer: his hands crossed over his heart and slight tap of his chest. Smiling, she looked back at the pad as he went to get the press briefing.
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Josh walked out of the bathroom, rubbing a towel over his hair to try to dry it. He had to admit that the shower had helped ease the tension in his back better than the wall trick had. Throwing the towel onto the bed, he started rummaging in his bag for something to wear as well as his medications. Fact was that if he continued in the state of tension he was in, he was going to need at the least a muscle relaxer before the night was over. Placing the amber bottles on an end table, he pulled out a pair of slacks and polo shirt, as a knock sounded on the door between his and another room. "Give me a sec," Josh hollered back as he pulled his pants on quickly, managing to zip, and button them as he crossed the room to the door and pulled it opened, to see Sam standing there.
"Nice get up," the slightly younger man said with a sardonic grin, and shouldered his way into Josh's room. "What if I had been CJ?"
"Not like she hasn't seen me without a shirt before, Samuel," Josh shot back as he followed his friend.
"TMI."
"What? She never walked into your office as you were changing for a State Dinner?" he couldn't help but shoot back as he picked up his shirt and started to pull it over his shirts.
"No, my assistants. . ." Sam started, then paused. "I mean. . ."
Josh, who had froze for a second, pulled his shirt the rest of the way down. "Sam, considering we're heading up to the couple's suite for a war council on what's going on here, I don't think you're going to be able to avoid the subject of Donna," he chastised.
"Yeah," Sam sighed as he bounced onto the edge of the bed. "So, you go to the hospital yet?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"Let's just say that when I get my hands on who ever. . ." Josh paused and shook his head.
"We'll let you lead the line."
"Like you have a choice?" Josh asked on a sigh as a knock sounded on the main door to his room. "What is this? Union Station?" he muttered as he walked out of the bedroom and into the small sitting area.
"You do have a fan club," Sam commented as he stood to follow him.
"I could do without it," Josh threw over his shoulder as he opened the door to find Leo standing there, a concerned look on his face. "Guess I should be surprised it took you this long."
"Had a couple of calls to finish up," was all his mentor said as he looked passed Josh and into the room to see Sam. "But at least you weren't stewing alone."
"I don't need a babysitter," Josh muttered, aggravation clear in his tone.
"Never said you did," Leo shrugged as he walked into the room, shooting Sam a look that the younger man read easily.
"I'm heading back to my room. Got a few things to take care of before we head upstairs. How long do we have any way?"
"Twenty minutes or so," Leo told him, waiting till he left to turn his attention to Josh. "So. . .you don't need a babysitter?" he asked
"Go to hell, Leo," Josh muttered as he stalked past him and into his bedroom, glad to see that Sam had had the foresight to close the door adjoining the rooms.
"Then you'd only be stuck with me in your face, because from what I hear that's where you're staying right now," Leo shot back as he walked into the room.
"She told you."
"If by she you mean V. than yeah. She called me because she was worried about you. If by Abbey, then no. She was taking a shower and gave her orders through Jed."
"I don't need all of you hovering over me. I'm not the one in a hospital bed right now!"
"No, but if you keep this up you will be. And trust me the one person I fear as much as Abbey is Donna. I don't think any of us want to end up in a bed next to you because she thinks we didn't make sure you were ok."
"Since when did everyone decide that I can't look after myself?"
"That couple of months when Donna went back to Madison during the campaign," Leo deadpanned as he reached into his jacket pocket. "Here," he said as he tossed a card at him.
"What's this?"
"The names."
"Oh," Josh sighed as his posture sagged slightly. Although he knew he needed to have the names--- would probably have to seek out the owner of one--- he still hated it and the way it made him feel.
"There's two names. The first is Kevin Collins. . ."
"Wait a minute, wasn't there something about him and murders or something?"
"Yeah. But he wasn't involved, just wrote the book that was used, or something equally vague. V said he does a lot of work with the PCPD."
"Great. Maybe he'll make me a character in his next book. . ."
Leo glared, choosing to ignore the comment as he continued. "The other name is Gail Baldwin."
"Not. . ." Josh started with a flare of his hand.
"One in the same."
"But. . ."
"I thought you might be more comfortable with someone you knew, Josh."
"Nothing about this makes me comfortable, Leo."
"Then more likely to make the call!" he said stiffly, "Josh, you're going to talk to one of them, or call and get a referral, but you're going to talk. If we have to we'll highjack Stanley and look you in an office with him again. We've got enough going on without you going under. You want to help Donna?"
"That's a low blow."
"I'm serious. You want to help her? Be there for her?"
"You have to ask?"
"Then make the damn call. Because if you don't you won't be any good to her."
"Ok."
"So you'll call."
"Like you're all are going to be giving me a choice?"
"You get to decide which one to call, isn't that enough?" Leo shot back with a smirk.
"Like it's that much of a decision to make? I'll call Mrs. . . Dr. Baldwin. Press hears anything, CJ can spin it due to pass history," Josh sighed as he looked at his watch and then to Leo, "Can I at least do it after the meeting?"
"Sure. I mean, we wouldn't want you thinking you couldn't make your own decisions."
"Of course not," Josh sighed with a roll of his eyes as he shoved the card into his pocket, hating it's presence, but knowing ignoring it could be worse. "I won't let there be any more broken glass," he said softly as he looked at Leo, and then smirked slightly. "So, ummm, what's next?"
Laughing softly, Leo turned and headed towards the door, knowing Josh was following him, and that he would make it through this. Hopefully, they all would.
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V. looked up from the file she was reviewing as the door to the penthouse suite of the Port Charles Hotel opened and Jax stalked in. "What's with you?" she asked as she made a notation on the legal pad next to her.
"You would not believe the problems I had getting up here," he muttered as he took off his suit jacket.
"Oh, you'd be surprised. I mean, it couldn't be any worse than say. . . oh, I don't know. . . getting myself and Josh in to see Donna, now could it?" she shot back unthinkingly, watching him freeze for a second as he headed to the room's wet bar. "But, like you, we get past the problem."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked as he turned to her, drink poised under his lips.
"Just that. What the hell was that Jax?" V. asked as she pushed away from the desk and got to her feet, walking towards him, trying to figure out what to say. She hadn't intended to get into this with him, but she couldn't not get into it. "Who the hell died and made you boss of the world?"
"V, it's just a precaution."
"And you just happened to forget to put me down on the list you gave Amy. List Donna's friends?" she demanded, then shook her head as he looked down at the floor. "I see. . . well, the problem's been fixed," she added as she turned on her heel and started back towards the desk.
"How? By making a bigger one?" Jax asked angrily as he watched her stop and turn, wondering why she couldn't just trust him. Understand that he had Donna's best interests at heart. "Damn it V, those people are going to make this worse. . ."
"Are they? And how would you know?"
"V. .."
"No, Jax. I mean, I really would like to know. I mean you met with Leo all of what? Fifteen minutes? You've never met the others."
"And she never mentioned them!"
"She had her reasons."
"And what were theirs for not being here?"
"She didn't tell them!"
"And that doesn't tell you something? That, I don't know--- she didn't trust them?" Jax pushed.
"You don't know anything about who she trusts or doesn't trust! Did you think that maybe she didn't want to make this thing any bigger? That she didn't want to draw more attention to herself?" V shot back. "You have no idea who you're dealing with!"
"And neither do they!" Jax rebutted. "They're going to ride in here and try to take down the Quartermains and make things worse in the process! You really think a bunch of out of town nobodies are going to get anywhere?" he asked, earning a snort from V. "What?"
"You really don't have a clue at all at who. . ." she shook her head. "I'm not having this fight with you! They're here friends. She needs them to be here. Plot whatever you're going to plot. Try whatever you're going to try. Just don't get in their way."
"I'm not the one getting in any one's way!" Jax yelled as he slammed his glass down onto the wet bar.
"Don't be so sure about that," she sighed as the phone started to ring.
"What the hell does that mean?" he asked hotly as she spun on her heel and went to get the phone. "V. I'm talking to you."
"No, actually, you're yelling at me, and I don't like it all that much," she told him coldly as she picked up the phone, turning her back on him. "I'm on my way," was the only comment she made before hanging up and picking up a bunch of files. As she turned towards him, Jax glared at her.
"You can't just walk out. We're talking here."
"And we're done. I have to go brief Leo and the others on what's going on."
"V. . ." Jax started warningly.
"Don't wait up," was her only answer as she turned on her heel and started out of the room, letting the door slam behind her as she did.
Bobbie waited at the curb while Concannon lifted his duffle out of the truck of her car, his computer bag slung haphazardly over his shoulder. "Aside from my own there are three other apartments in the building. The attic one is rented by Simone Hardy, but she hasn't lived in it in years, just keeps sending the rent payments to hold it for when she comes back from wherever it is she disappeared to. The basement apartment is being rented by Marcus Taggart. He's a detective with the PCPD, and keeps strange hours, although he hasn't been around much since he started dating Dara Jensen, the local ADA," Bobbie started to explain as she slammed the trunk close.
Danny only nodded, as they started up the walk. "So, you umm, basically live alone?"
"Ummm, not really," she started to explain as she fumbled in her purse for her keys as they walked up the stairs. "My fourteen year old son lives with me, but he's not home tonight. He's at his father's."
"You have a fourteen year old son, and yet you're letting some guy you just met move into your home?" he couldn't help but ask as he stopped his progress.
Bobbie stopped as well, turned, and looked down at him, "It's not like you're some guy I just picked up on the street. You're a paying tenant. Besides you said you were a friend of Sam and Frisco's."
"So I am and so I did," he said with a shake of his head as he watched her turn and start up the stairs again.
"Any way, you'll have your own kitchen, but most of my tenants, former and present, eat with Lucas and me, or at Kelly's. I'll start a tab for you there tomorrow. It's included in the rent," she threw over her shoulder as she unlocked the door. "The apartment's furnished, but I'm not sure about linens. It's been empty since my daughter dumped her no good ex."
"That would be the blonde from earlier, right?"
"Yeah, Carly," Bobbie said with a roll of her eyes as she reached over to turn on the lights. "I'd ask you to excuse her poor manners, but since I didn't raise her I have decided I don't have to make excuses for her any more. I mean, I can't be held responsible for what her adoptive mother couldn't drill into her now can I?"
"I suppose not," Danny muttered, unsure of how to take this woman's openness.
"Anyway, if there aren't any I'm sure I'll have some around," she shrugged as she reached into the closet and took out a lock box, opening it to reveal a small caliber handgun and a couple sets of keys. "Here they are," she smiled as she held one of them out to him before putting the box back into the closet. "The apartment might be a bit dusty, and I'm sure you'll have to air it out, but it's livable."
"I've, um, lived in some interesting places over the years. I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Right. So, let me show you it."
"Lead the way."
"Oh, that will be my pleasure," Bobbie gushed on a slight giggle, as she started up the stairs. Watching her go, Danny was torn between frustration and amusement. What a way to go after a story, he thought as he followed her, then letting his eyes drift to her derriere, he couldn't fight back a smirk, then again, I've done worse in the name of one.
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Abbey let the door slam behind her as she moved into the sitting room of the suite of rooms they were using, her anger over what was happening simmering under the surface as she crossed the room, heading directly to the wet bar. With quick motions she poured herself a scotch and downed it in one swallow. "And hello to you too," Jed said from the couch he was sitting on as he leaned his head far enough back to watch her actions, trying to gage just how bad Donna's condition was. As she poured a second drink, and turned he swallowed a curse.
"How many did you have?" she asked him with a glare as she raised the glass to her lips and took a sip.
"How many what?" he asked back as he rose.
"Don't play dumb. How many cigarettes?"
"Who said I'm playing, and how do you know I was the one smoking?" he tried as he walked towards her.
"I really don't need the cute act right now, Jed," she told him as she downed the second scotch and reached behind her, putting the glass down on the bar as she leaned against it before pushing away and stalking off to towards the bedroom. "And if it was Leo or Toby I'd have smelled cigar," she threw over her shoulder.
He only shrugged as he followed her and stopped in the doorway and watched her kick off her shoes. "So you want to tell me the real reason you're spoiling for a fight?" he asked as he leaned against the door jam and watched her shed her jacket.
With a roll of her eyes she looked at him over her shoulder, her hand faltering slightly on the buttons of her blouse, "You can't guess?"
"That bad, huh?" he sighed as he leveled himself away from the door jam and started into the room, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"That doesn't even begin to describe it," she admitted tiredly as she resumed the task of unbuttoning her blouse.
"Vent before you blow up at one of the kids, would you?" he teased as he came up behind her and started rubbing her shoulders and earning a slight laugh and shake of her head.
"Like they haven't seen or heard it before?"
"True."
"You're not helping here."
He couldn't help but chuckle at that, "Talk."
"I wish it were that easy," she sighed as she reached up and stilled his hands, all the while staring at the opposite wall. "She's bruised and broken, Jed."
"We'll prepare them."
"Too late for the one it's going to affect the most," she sighed as she pulled away from his touch and started to move to the bed.
"Yeah. I kinda figured," he sighed as he stuffed his hands in his pockets again.
"She crashed and he was there."
"Damn. How'd he react?"
"How the hell do you think?" she shot back as she sank onto the bed. "Leo had better get him a name and quick."
"Did he. . ." he asked with a gestured that could have meant just about anything, but she recognized it for what it was.
"Not then. But one of the nurses said he'd had an attack earlier. He saids it's just because he didn't take his medicine soon enough."
"You buy that?"
"Its part of it, but not all," she shrugged as she rose to her feet. "They're going to be coming up soon, so I'm going to grab a shower while I can. Call up room service and have them bring something up. They'll need to eat."
Jed nodded as he watched her, waiting quietly as she walked towards the bathroom, shedding her blouse, as she reached the door, he couldn't stay silent any longer. "What aren't you telling me, Abbey? What else happened?"
She turned slowly, and watched him from the doorway as she carefully chose her words: "Leo's right. This wasn't an accident. Someone wants her dead." He tensed at her words, shock clear on his face, "Abbey?" he asked in a choked whisper.
"Call room service," was all she could say as she turned and continued into the bathroom, leaving him to handle what had to be done while she got herself back together.
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CJ laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling as she heard the door that separated her room from Toby's opened. "How long till we have to be there?" she asked without looking to him.
"About forty-five minutes," he answered as he leaned against the doorframe and watched her.
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"So what do you think. . ?" she asked as she started turning the ring on her left hand.
"I still haven't quite figured out what to think," he admitted, as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You know we've got another issue we need to talk about."
"What now?" CJ asked as she covered her face with her arm.
"You know what."
"No, Toby, I really don't," she told him testily. "So why don't you enlighten me. What else is there we have to worry about?" Toby leveled himself away from the doorframe and moved towards her, sitting on the bed and taking her hand in his, pulling her arm away from her face. She glared at him as he touched the ring on her finger and then groaned. "I didn't even think. . ." she admitted as she sat up.
"I'm not sure how I should take that."
"They probably won't notice. . ." she sighed as she watched him turn it on her finger.
"Sam wouldn't. Josh not in the mindset he'd be in. But. . ." he shrugged as he trailed off and let go of her hand.
"I'm not the only one," CJ chided as she looked pointedly at his own ring finger.
"They'd probably say it was about time that I took it off."
"Yeah," she sighed as she slid away from him and put her legs over the edge of the bed. Standing slowly, she started to pull the ring off her finger to switch it to her right hand, as she did, she started to laugh hollowly.
"What?" Toby asked as he watched her.
"She saw the ring."
"Ceej. . ."
"That day she came up, she commented on the ring. She asked if I was wearing it on the wrong hand. Teased me about you and me, and I didn't. . ." she shook her head as she stared down at the ring.
"Hey," he started softly as he rose and went to stand behind her, his hands gentle on her shoulders. "We made the decision not to tell any of them till after we spoke to the couple together."
"I know," she sighed as she turned to him, and closed her eyes on the tears. "It's just. . . I want the chance to tell her, Toby. I had thought I'd ask her to. . .you know. . ."
"Yeah."
"And I still can't shake the feeling that if I had made her stay. . .Got her to talk. . ."
"If you had told her you two would have ended up talking about that and not what was bothering her anyway."
"Yeah," she admitted softly as she opened her eyes and pushed away from him, "Let's go over what we know. I want to be prepared for this. See if we missed anything."
"I'll get the briefing I started," he said simply as he went to step around her and walked towards the doorway.
"OK," CJ replied as she moved to the bed and leaned across it to grab the legal pad that contained her notes on the information she had reviewed on the trip there. "Oh, and Toby," she called as she flipped over and onto her back.
"Yeah?" he asked, turning in the doorway, watching as she sat up and picked up her glasses.
"We're telling them when she wakes up," she said simply as she slipped them on, starting to reread her notes. When he didn't say anything, she started to look up, "Did you hear. . ." she started only to stop as she saw his answer: his hands crossed over his heart and slight tap of his chest. Smiling, she looked back at the pad as he went to get the press briefing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Josh walked out of the bathroom, rubbing a towel over his hair to try to dry it. He had to admit that the shower had helped ease the tension in his back better than the wall trick had. Throwing the towel onto the bed, he started rummaging in his bag for something to wear as well as his medications. Fact was that if he continued in the state of tension he was in, he was going to need at the least a muscle relaxer before the night was over. Placing the amber bottles on an end table, he pulled out a pair of slacks and polo shirt, as a knock sounded on the door between his and another room. "Give me a sec," Josh hollered back as he pulled his pants on quickly, managing to zip, and button them as he crossed the room to the door and pulled it opened, to see Sam standing there.
"Nice get up," the slightly younger man said with a sardonic grin, and shouldered his way into Josh's room. "What if I had been CJ?"
"Not like she hasn't seen me without a shirt before, Samuel," Josh shot back as he followed his friend.
"TMI."
"What? She never walked into your office as you were changing for a State Dinner?" he couldn't help but shoot back as he picked up his shirt and started to pull it over his shirts.
"No, my assistants. . ." Sam started, then paused. "I mean. . ."
Josh, who had froze for a second, pulled his shirt the rest of the way down. "Sam, considering we're heading up to the couple's suite for a war council on what's going on here, I don't think you're going to be able to avoid the subject of Donna," he chastised.
"Yeah," Sam sighed as he bounced onto the edge of the bed. "So, you go to the hospital yet?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"Let's just say that when I get my hands on who ever. . ." Josh paused and shook his head.
"We'll let you lead the line."
"Like you have a choice?" Josh asked on a sigh as a knock sounded on the main door to his room. "What is this? Union Station?" he muttered as he walked out of the bedroom and into the small sitting area.
"You do have a fan club," Sam commented as he stood to follow him.
"I could do without it," Josh threw over his shoulder as he opened the door to find Leo standing there, a concerned look on his face. "Guess I should be surprised it took you this long."
"Had a couple of calls to finish up," was all his mentor said as he looked passed Josh and into the room to see Sam. "But at least you weren't stewing alone."
"I don't need a babysitter," Josh muttered, aggravation clear in his tone.
"Never said you did," Leo shrugged as he walked into the room, shooting Sam a look that the younger man read easily.
"I'm heading back to my room. Got a few things to take care of before we head upstairs. How long do we have any way?"
"Twenty minutes or so," Leo told him, waiting till he left to turn his attention to Josh. "So. . .you don't need a babysitter?" he asked
"Go to hell, Leo," Josh muttered as he stalked past him and into his bedroom, glad to see that Sam had had the foresight to close the door adjoining the rooms.
"Then you'd only be stuck with me in your face, because from what I hear that's where you're staying right now," Leo shot back as he walked into the room.
"She told you."
"If by she you mean V. than yeah. She called me because she was worried about you. If by Abbey, then no. She was taking a shower and gave her orders through Jed."
"I don't need all of you hovering over me. I'm not the one in a hospital bed right now!"
"No, but if you keep this up you will be. And trust me the one person I fear as much as Abbey is Donna. I don't think any of us want to end up in a bed next to you because she thinks we didn't make sure you were ok."
"Since when did everyone decide that I can't look after myself?"
"That couple of months when Donna went back to Madison during the campaign," Leo deadpanned as he reached into his jacket pocket. "Here," he said as he tossed a card at him.
"What's this?"
"The names."
"Oh," Josh sighed as his posture sagged slightly. Although he knew he needed to have the names--- would probably have to seek out the owner of one--- he still hated it and the way it made him feel.
"There's two names. The first is Kevin Collins. . ."
"Wait a minute, wasn't there something about him and murders or something?"
"Yeah. But he wasn't involved, just wrote the book that was used, or something equally vague. V said he does a lot of work with the PCPD."
"Great. Maybe he'll make me a character in his next book. . ."
Leo glared, choosing to ignore the comment as he continued. "The other name is Gail Baldwin."
"Not. . ." Josh started with a flare of his hand.
"One in the same."
"But. . ."
"I thought you might be more comfortable with someone you knew, Josh."
"Nothing about this makes me comfortable, Leo."
"Then more likely to make the call!" he said stiffly, "Josh, you're going to talk to one of them, or call and get a referral, but you're going to talk. If we have to we'll highjack Stanley and look you in an office with him again. We've got enough going on without you going under. You want to help Donna?"
"That's a low blow."
"I'm serious. You want to help her? Be there for her?"
"You have to ask?"
"Then make the damn call. Because if you don't you won't be any good to her."
"Ok."
"So you'll call."
"Like you're all are going to be giving me a choice?"
"You get to decide which one to call, isn't that enough?" Leo shot back with a smirk.
"Like it's that much of a decision to make? I'll call Mrs. . . Dr. Baldwin. Press hears anything, CJ can spin it due to pass history," Josh sighed as he looked at his watch and then to Leo, "Can I at least do it after the meeting?"
"Sure. I mean, we wouldn't want you thinking you couldn't make your own decisions."
"Of course not," Josh sighed with a roll of his eyes as he shoved the card into his pocket, hating it's presence, but knowing ignoring it could be worse. "I won't let there be any more broken glass," he said softly as he looked at Leo, and then smirked slightly. "So, ummm, what's next?"
Laughing softly, Leo turned and headed towards the door, knowing Josh was following him, and that he would make it through this. Hopefully, they all would.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
V. looked up from the file she was reviewing as the door to the penthouse suite of the Port Charles Hotel opened and Jax stalked in. "What's with you?" she asked as she made a notation on the legal pad next to her.
"You would not believe the problems I had getting up here," he muttered as he took off his suit jacket.
"Oh, you'd be surprised. I mean, it couldn't be any worse than say. . . oh, I don't know. . . getting myself and Josh in to see Donna, now could it?" she shot back unthinkingly, watching him freeze for a second as he headed to the room's wet bar. "But, like you, we get past the problem."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked as he turned to her, drink poised under his lips.
"Just that. What the hell was that Jax?" V. asked as she pushed away from the desk and got to her feet, walking towards him, trying to figure out what to say. She hadn't intended to get into this with him, but she couldn't not get into it. "Who the hell died and made you boss of the world?"
"V, it's just a precaution."
"And you just happened to forget to put me down on the list you gave Amy. List Donna's friends?" she demanded, then shook her head as he looked down at the floor. "I see. . . well, the problem's been fixed," she added as she turned on her heel and started back towards the desk.
"How? By making a bigger one?" Jax asked angrily as he watched her stop and turn, wondering why she couldn't just trust him. Understand that he had Donna's best interests at heart. "Damn it V, those people are going to make this worse. . ."
"Are they? And how would you know?"
"V. .."
"No, Jax. I mean, I really would like to know. I mean you met with Leo all of what? Fifteen minutes? You've never met the others."
"And she never mentioned them!"
"She had her reasons."
"And what were theirs for not being here?"
"She didn't tell them!"
"And that doesn't tell you something? That, I don't know--- she didn't trust them?" Jax pushed.
"You don't know anything about who she trusts or doesn't trust! Did you think that maybe she didn't want to make this thing any bigger? That she didn't want to draw more attention to herself?" V shot back. "You have no idea who you're dealing with!"
"And neither do they!" Jax rebutted. "They're going to ride in here and try to take down the Quartermains and make things worse in the process! You really think a bunch of out of town nobodies are going to get anywhere?" he asked, earning a snort from V. "What?"
"You really don't have a clue at all at who. . ." she shook her head. "I'm not having this fight with you! They're here friends. She needs them to be here. Plot whatever you're going to plot. Try whatever you're going to try. Just don't get in their way."
"I'm not the one getting in any one's way!" Jax yelled as he slammed his glass down onto the wet bar.
"Don't be so sure about that," she sighed as the phone started to ring.
"What the hell does that mean?" he asked hotly as she spun on her heel and went to get the phone. "V. I'm talking to you."
"No, actually, you're yelling at me, and I don't like it all that much," she told him coldly as she picked up the phone, turning her back on him. "I'm on my way," was the only comment she made before hanging up and picking up a bunch of files. As she turned towards him, Jax glared at her.
"You can't just walk out. We're talking here."
"And we're done. I have to go brief Leo and the others on what's going on."
"V. . ." Jax started warningly.
"Don't wait up," was her only answer as she turned on her heel and started out of the room, letting the door slam behind her as she did.