TITLE: 'In the Hands of a Stranger' (2/8)
AUTHOR: Cindy ()
RATING: R
CHARACTERS: Toby and the gang
SUMMARY: The West Wing's past comes back to haunt them.
POV: Toby Ziegler and then the rest of the characters in 3rd view.
DISCLAIMER: The characters used from the West Wing do not belong to me; they are the property of Aaron Sorkin.
TIMEFRAME: After "I Used to Know Everything, Now I Know Nothing."
***3***
After I dropped Piper off at the daycare I grabbed a cup of coffee before heading into my office. I like to get there early so that I have some time for myself to relax. Getting Piper dressed and ready to go every morning is quite the challenge. Now I have had to add CJ to that list as well.
I was scanning through the local newspaper that I had picked up and as I opened the front page I felt my blood run cold. This was bad, this was really bad. I picked up the phone and dialed CJ's extension.
CJ picked up on the third ring and she didn't sound too impressed this early in the morning. "CJ it's Toby," I spoke to my wife.
She hesitated before answering me giving me the impression that she already knew what I was calling to tell her. "Have you heard?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I just found out. Leo is on his way to see me now in fact," she told me not enthused about what was going to end up happening in the next few hours.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm not quite sure yet. I am hoping that this will turn out for the best but I just know-," her voice trailed off.
"CJ, don't think about that alright. You just go and do what you always." CJ gave a slight laugh.
"Yeah Toby, and just what is that exactly?"
"Simple. You go and brief with attitude."
"That simple is it?" she questioned me.
"Do you want me to come over there?"
"No. I will be fine. After all this is my job right?"
"Are you asking me CJ?"
CJ didn't answer right away and then when she did it was pretty fast, "I gotta go Leo is here. I love you-bye." And then she was gone. I think I sat staring into the receiver for a good minute or two before I finally placed it back into its cradle. Today wasn't going to be a good day.
***CJ's office***
"Good morning CJ, how are you feeling?" Leo asked as he stepped inside her office and prepared to sit down in the vacant seat across from her desk.
CJ didn't stand up to receive Leo. It wasn't because of her condition either. Standing up for people just wasn't CJ's thing, especially not in her own office. "I was feeling great until I came in here and got this," she tossed the papers that were in her hand onto her desk and leaned back into her chair trying to get comfortable.
"Yeah I know," Leo said softly and while looking down at the papers he himself had in his hands. "I don't really know what to think of it but we have to be prepared for the worst."
"How is he?" CJ asked Leo.
"As expected. He isn't doing so well. His father called in not too long ago and we have been in touch with the local police."
"Will the FBI be getting involved?"
"It's too early to tell really. They don't usually get involved with this stuff unless it happens-"
CJ cut him off and filled in the rest for him, "To someone of importance. That's bullshit Leo and you know it."
"CJ this isn't personal. We are doing what we can. For all we know this is just-ah who am I kidding? This is bad, and before it gets better it's going to get worse."
CJ continued her gaze on Leo and let various ideas roam throughout her mind. She agreed with Leo, this wasn't looking good and the outcome wasn't going to be any better. That she was pretty sure of.
***Toby's office***
"Is this for real?" I glanced up from my computer to see Josh standing in my doorway.
"What?" I asked him. I can't very well answer his question without even knowing what he is talking about.
"The whole issue with Scott," Josh was now in my office and standing in front of me. I need to get something that electrocutes people who enter my office without permission. That would be cool to have. Unfortunately though for Josh he'd end up dead within the first day as he is never given permission to enter my domain.
"It's not an issue and yes. I have a lot of work to do Josh so if there is anything else?"
"You can't seriously tell me you are going to continue working?" Josh asked me mystified that I would consider such an idea.
"What else can I do Josh. I come here to work, so that is what I am trying to accomplish. You should try it one day, you would be amazed."
"But don't you want to try and help?" I did but I couldn't think of how I could assist when I am sure there were already many people already doing so.
"Like how?"
"There you are, I have been looking all over for you," Donna said to Josh as she came into the doorway of my office. That would be two electrocutions so far.
Donna looked at Josh's face and then at mine and knew instantly that something was amiss. "What's going on here guys? Why do you two look like everybody else in here?"
Josh removed his hands from his pockets and gave the way for Donna to take a seat. He looked back at me once more before redirecting his attention back to Donna.
"Donna do you know Scott Emanuel?"
Donna nodded that she did and gave a quick glance in my direction. "Scott has a little boy and his name is Hunter."
"Yeah I know all of this Josh, I was at his confirmation. What does this have to do-"
"He's missing Donna," Josh said talking over Donna's question and quickly shutting her up.
"Oh my God! But he's only seven!" Donna was getting emotional and Josh sat down beside her and moved her into his arms. "Why would someone take him Josh, he's such a good little boy?"
"I don't know Donna, I don't know," Josh looked up at me for either support or help. I didn't offer any as I was lost in my own world. It wasn't until I witnessed Donna's reaction that the reality of this day had begun to sink in. One of our co-workers had a child that was missing and no one knew where he was. That is a parents worst fear and it had come true for someone I had once played baseball with.
"We have to do something Josh. We can't just sit around and wait," Donna said trying to regain her composure.
"I know we do Donna," Josh said trying to comfort her by stroking her long blond hair.
"We're going to go and look for him ourselves," I said without really asking them their opinion first.
Donna stood up and so did Josh. "I have to change into sneakers. I have a pair in the bottom drawer of my desk. I will be right back. Don't leave without me okay?" She said this all in one breath.
"Okay," both Josh and I said together.
"Do you need to do anything before we go?" Josh asked me.
I was standing now with my hands shoved into my pockets tight. I did this whenever I was upset or just really pissed off. "All I need is a miracle for the boy and a shotgun for the son of a bitch who took him."
***4***
It had been almost 48 hours since the disappearance of little Hunter and nothing new had come about. The only thing we really knew was that he was last seen at recess playing with the children as he usually did everyday at school. Nobody noticed that he didn't come back in until ten minutes too late. That was all it took for Hunter to vanish.
Once people found out that Donna, Josh and I were going out to help search for Hunter they quickly joined in. The only member Leo had left working for him was Charlie and a pregnant CJ. I had never felt such humanity as I did when I recognized all of these people showing up willing to help out one of their own. It was remarkable.
Sam brought water bottles and Charlie handed out flashlights. We had no idea where we should be looking but we were determined to tear up Washington if need be. Donna, Josh and I formed our own group while in the West Wing and we agreed that we would stick together out here.
When we realized how late it was and that we needed to head in, the three of us had never felt so defeated. I wanted so much to find Hunter and return him to his family. I only hoped that someone else had better luck than what we did.
As it turned out nobody else had been able to locate Scott's son. The bad was over and the getting worse was just beginning.
***CJ's office***
"I don't believe this. Please tell me this isn't happening," CJ cried out as she sat down slowly into her chair.
"I didn't want you to find out from anyone else. That is why I came to see you now," Leo said to CJ who had her face buried in her hands.
"This isn't happening, it can't be Leo," CJ said, her face still buried.
"We need to discuss what you are going to say to the press CJ. I know this isn't something you want to think about right now but it needs to be done."
CJ released her hands and sucked in a deep breath before exploding on poor Leo. "Who says it needs to be done. Why the hell does everybody need to know these people's pain Leo? So they can make a buck off of someone's misfortune?"
"CJ, we're not selling the newspaper. We're selling the tragedy and we're hoping to God that people will recognize Hunter and come forward. Or at the very least help us search for him. The more people the better CJ, look at it from that."
CJ was nodding halfway through Leo's short speech. He was again right, that was something that was obvious to her. The more people that knew about Hunter the better chance they had of finding him and bringing him home safely.
"Does Toby know yet?" she asked Leo.
"No. Do you want to tell him or would you like me too?"
"I'll tell him. When do you want me to talk to the press?"
"I'll give you a call within the hour. I want to get more information first before we release a statement."
"Alright," CJ said, more to herself then to Leo. When Leo CJ collected a few things and started for Toby's office.
***Sam's office***
Sam was talking too fast and I couldn't quite understand everything he was telling me. "Sam, slow down I can't hear a word you are saying."
Sam stopped talking and took a few minutes to catch his breath. He took a seat behind his desk and said, "Toby this is just awful. It's happened again."
Fearing what I knew he was going to say I went ahead and asked, "What?" My stomach was beginning to ache and I just knew it, I knew it and I didn't want to be right for once in my life.
"Another child has been kidnapped," Sam said not looking at me but straight ahead instead.
I felt as if I had been punched in the stomach. Another child, two children were missing.
"Are they related to one another?" I asked not wanting to know the answer.
"Are you asking if the child's parents comes from the White House? Then the answer is yes."
Oh God. "Who?" I mumbled out. Sam answered, "Ron Butterfield." You have got to be kidding me. This man was a devoted Secret Service Agent who had spent the last two days out there searching for Scott's son only to wind up having his own taken as well.
"How did this happen Sam. The man is a secret service agent who works for the God Damn President of the Untied States!" My voice had risen dramatically and I was fuming. I was a few seconds short from foaming at the mouth I was so angry.
"His son doesn't though Toby. The boy was coming home from school and he just-" a slight pause from Sam before he continued. "He just vanished."
"Ron has got to be going out of his mind over this," I said out loud but not to Sam in particular.
"You've heard then?" CJ said as she leaned against the wall that joined Sam's and my office. Neither of us had heard or seen her come in.
Sam answered, "Yeah. I was just filling Toby in with what information I had."
I looked back at my wife and I could tell that she had had a good cry. I went over to her and put my arms around her and let her cry some more on my shoulder. When she convinced me that she was fine I released her from my protective arms and sat down putting my head between my legs.
"Should we go back out and look for him Toby?" Sam asked me. I think the last few minutes of silence was starting to get to him.
I nodded my head which was wrapped inside my hands. There was something I had to do first. "I have to go and do something, I will be right back." I was out the door before either one could have objected, had they wanted to.
"Where do you suppose he is running off to?" Sam directed to CJ. CJ looked out the door where she had seen Toby leave from and said, "Piper. He's going to make sure his baby is alright."
***The Daycare***
I ran as fast as my large feet would allow me to and I didn't slow down until I was able to view the Daycare sign. I peeked in through the window so that I could first catch my breath. I didn't want to run in there with a wild look about me and scare these children half to death. Besides Piper would only laugh at me anyway.
Piper was sitting on the floor next to a strange adult that I didn't recognize from behind. Immediately I grabbed the handle of the door and charged into the daycare, prepared to take this person down. But as I got closer I recognized the voice to be that of Josh Lyman's. He was sitting on the floor talking to Piper and holding her doll Joshella that he had given her awhile back.
"Josh, what are you doing here?" I asked trying not to come off as rude.
"Daddy," Piper exclaimed jumping up and hugging my legs. I knelt down so that I could hug her and she could hug me. "Are you here for story-time too?" Piper asked me all excited that I had come by.
"Ugh, Daddy just came up to get Uncle Josh," I lied to my three-year old. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I was worried for her safety. I don't think she would have understood me anyway.
"He's been slacking again right?" Piper said taking a wild guess as to what my reasons were for wanting Josh.
"Like I told you before sweetie, once a slacker always a slacker," I winked at Josh who didn't look too happy.
"Piper," Terri, one of the daycare providers called out. "It's story-time, please join us over here." Piper looked at Terri and then brought her attention back to Josh and I.
"Well boys, that means I have to go. I don't want to fail daycare," Piper gave me a quick peck on the cheek and ran over to where Terri and the other children were sitting in a circle.
Josh watched as she ran over and then looked at me, "You told your own kid she can fail daycare?"
I didn't say anything. I just shrugged my shoulders. "That is sick Toby, and it's cruel," Josh continued.
"Why are you here Josh?" I asked changing the subject hoping he wouldn't notice.
"Changing the subject now are we," He noticed. "I heard about Ron's son and I wanted to check up on Piper." Any ill feelings I may have had for Josh at that second soon did disappear. How very thoughtful of him to think of my child during this crisis.
"Don't look now but I think Sam is here for the same reason too," Josh said as he pointed his finger at where Sam stood on the opposite side of the glass. Confusion was the expression he wore on his face.
"I think we better go," I said to Josh. I stood up and together we left the daycare and Piper who was in her glory with story-time. Story-time was her favourite time.
The three of us went to my office and after we had coffee in our hands we began to discuss what was taking place around us. Sam spoke first. "Are we supposed to believe these two kidnappings are just a coincidence? Because I'm sorry but I am not buying it."
"I agree with you Sam. There is a connection here and the only one we have to go on is the fact that these two children are the sons of employee's working for Bartlet," I answered.
"Do you think they are after Bartlet?" Josh asked wearily.
"There is no way to figure that out unless they make contact with us. Have they made contact us with us?" I looked at Josh and then at Sam hoping one of them might have known the answer. Their eyes didn't suggest that they did.
"Has anyone talked to the President about this yet?" Josh asked. Again that was something else we didn't know.
"I don't think there is much that he can do actually, short of calling in the FBI." Sam responded.