The Photograph
For disclaimers etc see part 1
Three days before the election:
"CJ!"
"CJ!"
CJ ignored the insistent calls from the reporters assembled in the press room as she made her way to the podium. She walked past a covered easel.
Once there she stood looking down momentarily to collect her thoughts then raising her head to make contact with the press gaggle she began.
"I have a statement to make then I will hand you over to Agent Mike Casper who will provide you with more details. I must make it clear that neither of us will be answering any questions relating to the alleged abduction of Danny Concanon and Josh Lyman." She looked at her papers and took a breath before continuing. She was nervous; they had to be careful how much information they released. No one could be sure whether this announcement would be detrimental to Josh and Danny. There had been a heated discussion in the Oval. Donna, CJ and Sam wanted to keep quiet until they found their friends. Leo, Toby and President Bartlet were not convinced that would help them; however they were sure that remaining silent would hand the election to Ritchie. Donna and Sam finally acquiesced when Leo reminded them that Josh would never forgive them if they could have prevented a republican from sitting in the oval office. CJ eventually agreed.
"Three days ago a photograph was published in the Post showing what appeared to be Whitehouse Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, and his Senior Assistant Donna Moss, engaging in a sexual act in the West Wing. I can now confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that the photograph was a fake."
"CJ!"
"CJ!"
"Yes Mark?" CJ thought it best to get the sleaze out first.
"You say the photo was a fake, but can you confirm that Josh Lyman is having a sexual relationship with his young blonde assistant?"
"Josh and Donna have fallen in love whilst working together. They are both single consenting adults." CJ paused, "Katie."
"Josh was fired three days ago. Will he be reinstated and will Donna be reassigned?"
"I can't answer either of those questions, Katie. Leo McGarry acted upon the evidence he had at the time. He may reconsider in light of recent revelations. It's not something we have discussed yet." CJ looked for a friendly face hoping to wrap this up, "Steve."
"So who won the pool?" Steve looked around as he asked the question.
This caused most of the assembled reporters to laugh. There had been speculation about Josh and Donna for years. No one but the Republicans really cared about the relationship. The sensationalism of the implied disrespect to the office of the President of the United States caused by the photograph was a different matter. The American public are mostly by nature patriotic and do not tolerate lack of the patriotism in its public servants. The press may have supported Josh and Donna's right to fall in love but not if that love led to unpatriotic sex in the West Wing! Now the photo was revealed as a fake they could all relax, well except the Republicans.
"I'm not sure Steve. Danny was running that, so we'll have to wait until he gets back to find out." CJ's gentle reminder of Danny sobered his peers. "I'm going to pass you on to Mike Casper who will give you more details."
CJ left the podium to make way for Mike. She stood to one side just in case he needed help handling the press.
Mike turned to take the covering off the easel which was now on the podium next to him.
"We have decided to show you the images that were used to make the composite picture you saw in the Post. In light of the more candid nature of one of the images we obtained consent from Miss Moss to display it. She felt it would clear the air once and for all." He indicated the board revealing the first image, leaving the second one with its back to the group. "As you can see there were two images. Both obtained covertly. The first one is of the empty bullpen showing the outside of Josh Lyman's office door. The other is a shot we believe was taken through his apartment window." He turned over a clear image of the back of Josh Lyman with Donna's legs around his waist, her skirt hitched up. He had her held up against a door and although there was hardly any flesh showing it was obvious they were engaging in some very hot sex. The image was very slightly to the side so the suction on their lips was visible. There was some coughing and shifting in seats as the details of the image made an impression on the reporters. The room temperature seemed to increase significantly as they digested the steamy image.
Mike re-covered the board. "Any questions?" He smiled as the people before him took a few seconds to compose themselves. He had asked Donna several times if she was sure. She had been adamant that the press needed to see both images to clear Josh's name. In Mike's opinion it would not only clear Josh's name but give him even more respect, just for a different reason.
"Mike do you know who is responsible for making the composite and indeed taking the original images?"
"That's two questions but I'll answer what I can. We do know who made the composite which is why we can say absolutely that the image in the Post was a fake. We have in custody the original photographers, the person who compiled the composite and the person who arranged for it to be published. We know they were all paid for their services and are otherwise not directly involved."
"Yes." Mike pointed to another reporter.
"Do you know why someone went to all this trouble? Was it an attempt to discredit Josh personally or the Administration?"
"I am not happy to speculate regarding a possible motive at this time."
"Mike is this connected to the abduction of Josh and Danny?"
"No abductions have been confirmed, we have heard nothing from any possible abductors. CJ has already explained that we cannot discuss the whereabouts of Josh Lyman and Danny Concanon at this point in time."
"Mike!"
"Mike!"
CJ stood next to Mike. "Okay people, that's all from Agent Casper. You have your story about the photo and that's all you are going to get for now. I'll see you for our usual date at 6pm."
CJ waited while Mike retrieved the pictures from the board. He then followed her to her office where sighing, as an image of a surprisingly buff Josh removing his undershirt to use as a bandage flashed before her eyes, CJ took one last look at them before putting then through the shredder. As if reading her mind Mike chuckled softly, "He may look like a skinny runt but that guy's got some muscle."
CJ looked directly into Mike's eyes, "Let's hope it's enough."
Mike nodded.
XxXxXxXx
They had made some progress through the trees. They didn't really know how long they had been walking for. Danny's watchstrap had broken causing his watch to fall off somewhere and Josh's yet again was malfunctioning.
"Why have you never replaced that piece of crap?"
"It has sentimental value." Josh replied without further explanation.
"How are you doing?" Danny had noticed that Josh's breathing was getting more laboured and Danny was taking an increasing amount of his weight.
"Honestly? I could do with a rest."
"Okay the trees are denser up there. We can stop for some water and chocolate." Josh just nodded.
They went further into the forest and all but collapsed against a tree. Danny handed Josh some water and a couple of pieces of chocolate. He took the same for himself. They sat silently eating and drinking.
"I wonder how far we are from the road."
"Well if they are using an off-road vehicle it could be miles."
"Thanks for your optimism Danny."
"You're welcome, happy to oblige. You know buddy you look like shit. I hope it's not too far or you might not make it."
"Thanks! I think they re-broke my skull and ribs. It hurts to breathe and I have a headache from hell, but there is no way I'm going back there."
Danny reached forward to feel Josh's wrist. He felt Josh's pulse and the two friends locked eyes.
"Yeah I know it's a bit fast. I can feel it in my chest." Josh sighed as he pulled his hand away from Danny.
"Look the breathing problem will make your heart go fast, but that doesn't explain how erratic it is."
"Well there's nothing I can do about it now Dr Danny, unless you happen to have a pacemaker in that bag as well as the chocolate."
"Pacemaker? Josh what are talking about? You know something, don't you?"
"Danny I know many things." Josh managed an unconvincing smirk.
"Josh be serious. Does Donna know?"
"No, it's not definite. They said I might have to have a pacemaker. I take medication for the irregular beat which she knows about, but obviously I haven't taken them, and I think the events of the last few days may have had a detrimental effect."
"Wow, that's heavy. Are you likely to have a, ah you know, heart attack?" Danny's voice squeaked out the last part of that question.
"I honestly don't know." Josh replied quietly, not making eye contact. "We really need to get going you know. Can't sit around lollygagging all day!"
"Lollygagging?" Danny queried amused, aware that Josh was changing the subject but letting him.
"Hey have you never seen Blazing Saddles my friend?"
"Yeah I've seen it. I just didn't expect someone with your SAT's to use the word lollygagging!" Danny laughed as he got up and helped Josh to his feet.
The two stumbled on with Danny, now on high alert, sneaking glances at Josh observing for any signs he might be having a heart attack, and Josh trying to ignore him doing it.
XxXxXxXx
"So what do we know?" President Bartlet addressed Ron.
"Not that much more, Sir. We know that all parties we have interviewed so far were paid for their part. They were all paid by bank transfer on completion; we are still tracking the source of the money."
"It's taking a long time to do that, don't you think?"
"Well Sam the trail is extremely convoluted. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. I am confident we'll have something in the next 24 hours."
"24 hours!" Donna exploded, "Do you think Josh and Danny have 24 hours?"
"I'm sorry Donna but we are doing the best we can. We have so many agents working on this, in fact to some extent it's the only thing we are working on. We can't do anymore, really we can't." Ron's voice softened as he spoke to an obviously distressed Donna.
The door burst open and all heads turned to see Mike Casper rush into the room.
"Hi Mike, come on in!"
"Oh, yes, ah, sorry Mr President." Mike blushed as he realised he had just rudely burst into the Oval office.
"What do you have?" Toby ignored the President and Mike's discomfort.
"We know who's behind this." Mike stated.
TBC
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