PART V
"Good morning."
"Mmph."
"CJ…" Steve tickled her ear with a strand of her
hair. She swatted at his hand and burrowed her face deeper into
her pillow. "Want some coffee?"
"Umhmm."
He trailed a finger along her spine and watched as goosebumps
raised on her bare flesh.
"Mmmm…" She jumped as he smacked her bottom
lightly. "Hey!"
He grinned and climbed out of bed.
***
"Feel better?"
CJ sipped her coffee. "Much, thanks." She leaned her
shoulder against his arm. "I'm glad you stayed."
"Me too." He glanced at his watch.
"Steve, it's five am. What's your hurry?"
"I need to check in. I'm going to run home first to get a
change of clothes. Want to come with me? Dad would love to see
you."
"Sure. I don't need to be in until 6:30." She
hesitated. "Steve, are you okay?"
He nodded, but didn't look at her.
"It wasn't your fault."
He took a breath. "I should have… I don't know. I just
wish they'd been there. I've got to find that guy today."
"You will."
"We're almost out of time."
"I know."
***
Jed looked up at Leo and smiled slightly. He had managed to
sleep, or at least be unconscious for a while, until his body had
painfully awakened him. But Leo, after staying awake to keep
watch, was finally asleep. His head rested against the wall, his
left arm cradled Jed's shoulders protectively, his right laid
across the President's abdomen as he lay in his lap.
He stifled a cough. Not only would it hurt like hell, but it
would almost certainly wake Leo. The guy had been a mother hen
his whole life and this situation had really brought it out in
him. Not that Jed could blame him. They were both being more than
a little over protective of each other.
He clenched his jaw and swallowed. It didn't help. He coughed,
grimacing. He tried to catch his breath. It was even harder to do
than before. He glanced up at Leo, but his friend hadn't moved.
Jed tensed. A moment before, he was worried about waking Leo, but
now, when he didn't wake, he was worried. The head injury, a
concussion…
"Leo?" he whispered.
Not even a flicker of an eyelid.
"Leo?" A little louder now, his voice rough and hoarse.
Leo's eyes opened slowly, and Jed was disturbed by the dazed look
in them. Then his expression sharpened as he seemed to remember
where he was. He blinked several times. "Jed?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I woke you. I was worried."
Leo cleared his throat. "I'm okay." He looked closer at
Jed but didn't ask.
Jed sighed. "Okay." He was quiet for a long moment.
"So, what'd you get her?"
"Who?"
"Zoey. For her birthday."
"Front row tickets to the Faith Hill concert."
"She'll like that."
"Yeah. Margaret heard her talking to Charlie about it. She
said she couldn't get tickets."
Jed looked surprised, the conversation finally getting his
attention. "She could have asked me. I think I probably
could have gotten her a seat."
"I think she just wanted to be a girl at a concert."
"Oh."
Leo sighed and leaned his head back against the wall.
"She-" Jed broke off as another fit of coughing gripped
him. Leo lifted him a little higher against his chest. Finally,
the cough subsided. "I'm okay," he whispered. He wiped
his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Oh, Jed…"
He looked up at Leo, surprised at the pain in his voice.
"What?" He followed Leo's gaze to his hand. There was
blood there. At first, it meant nothing to him. The wounds on his
wrists had left streaks of dried blood on his hands and arms. And
the cuts on his swollen lips from earlier… Then he realized.
This was fresh. It was there when he coughed. The broken rib, the
trouble breathing. He swallowed and closed his eyes briefly.
"It's okay."
"Jed…"
"Leo. Don't worry about it. It's probably just-" The
look on Leo's face silenced him. He knew, all too well. Jed
glanced at the tiny window near the ceiling in the outer room. It
was nearly dawn. They would be back soon, he could feel it.
"We should get some rest."
Leo nodded wordlessly. He helped Jed shift to try to find a
slightly more comfortable position, then closed his eyes.
Three days. It felt like a lifetime.
***
"Sam."
Sam jerked awake. His foot slid off his desk to the floor and the
rest of him nearly joined it. "What?" He looked around.
"Oh, hi Josh." His brain kicked in. "News?"
he asked as he pushed himself to his feet.
Josh held up a videotape. "We got another one."
Sam closed his eyes. "Oh God."
"Get Toby. I'll find CJ."
"She left to get some sleep. She's at the hotel."
"I'll call her." His eyes looked haunted. "If this
is… If…" He cleared his throat. "If CNN has
it too, the public is gonna freak."
"Like they aren't already."
"Yeah."
***
The President awoke to the feel of rough hands dragging him to
his feet. He tried to bite back a cry of pain and was only
partially successful. He heard Leo's protest cut off and twisted
his neck to look over his shoulder to find his friend. Another
man had his forearm pressed against Leo's throat. Jed was dragged
out of the cell and again, the barred door slammed shut between
them.
Jed struggled, determined to not give up. He knew, just as Leo
did, how this was going to end. But it didn't mean he had to give
up.
They pulled him back to the center of the room and shoved him to
the floor. He fell heavily, every muscle crying out in agony.
He pushed himself to his hands and knees. A booted foot struck
his ribs. He nearly blacked out from the pain as he lay on his
side, gasping for breath.
The same boot came down on his wrist and everyone in the room
could hear the bones snap. He cried out, his voice mingling with
Leo's.
One blow blurred into another until he no longer even had the
strength to react in any way. He lie there, in too much pain to
completely lose consciousness, but too insentient to be
considered aware.
***
Leo couldn't take his eyes off his best friend. He wanted to look
away, but just couldn't. Jed was dying, of that he was certain.
And those bastards were doing nothing but hurrying it along and
making it more painful in the process.
He felt as if each blow was tearing a little piece out of his
soul. He remembered so clearly the horrors of the POW camp in
Vietnam. He had watched fellow servicemen be tortured and killed
in front of him. He'd thought he was going to rot in that place.
He hadn't had much in the way of close family ties. His mother
was gone and his father certainly had no love for his only son.
His sister Josie hated the war. When he received his commission
in the Navy, they'd exchanged angry words. But Jed Bartlet, the
geeky economics major he'd become so close with, he had written
to him faithfully. Leo had so looked forward to those letters,
and wrote back frequently when he'd been on board Constellation.
Sometimes it seemed like his relationship with Jed had been the
only thing that kept him going. Duty and patriotism are strong
motivators, but not much in the way of comfort. With no real
familial support, he had taken refuge in his friendship. In a
way, Jed had been a kindred spirit. He knew the pain of an
uncaring father and he was as passionate to change the world.
Now, to see him in this place, it was like seeing his worst
nightmare come true.
***
"Sloan."
Steve listened to the voice on his cell phone for a moment. He
glanced at CJ, then back at the street. "Man, if you're
yanking my chain again… Okay. Okay, I'll check it out. Give
me your number. Stan? Hello?"
He snapped the phone shut. "Damn." He tossed it on the
seat.
"What? Was that the guy? Where are we going?"
"I'm going to check out a location he gave me. You're going
to your office."
"Are you going to call Ron?"
"Not yet. I want to take a look, first. This guy wasn't
exactly reliable before."
"I want to go with you."
"No way."
"Steve, I'll just wait in the truck while you look around. I
promise not to get in the way. Besides, we're almost to Malibu.
Where ever you're going, I'll bet it'd take too long to take me
back first."
He sighed. "All right. But you stay in the truck."
"No problem."
"Yeah."
***
"Those bastards. Those goddamn bastards."
Josh had his head in his hands. He'd never heard Sam sound so
angry, yet lost at the same time. Not even when he found out
about his father. Not even when he found out about the MS.
"They're not dead yet, Sam" Toby's rough voice cut in.
"Yeah, but that's only because these guys choose to torture
the President instead. It's not like we're anywhere with this.
That," he waved a hand at the VCR, "Probably happened
yesterday. We don't know what might have happened since then. We
don't know what's happening now."
"Yes, we do. They said three days. We have until
tonight."
"So they're not dead. They probably just wish they
were."
"Sam!" Josh finally looked up.
"You think this is going to end well? Come on. Look at what
they're doing to him. He was hanging from the ceiling
like…" His voice broke. "And Leo. God. The Secret
Service, the FBI, they're nowhere. It's over." His coffee
mug shattered against the wall.
Neither Josh nor Toby tried to stop him as he strode out. Josh
watched coffee run in tiny brown rivulets down the wall, staining
the paint.
"Where's CJ?" Toby asked.
"She'd already left the hotel when I called. She's on her
way."
"You try her cell phone?"
"No. I didn't want to tell her over the phone. She'll be
here any minute."
***
Steve shut the truck door and leaned in the window.
"Remember, stay here."
CJ nodded. "Be careful. Good luck."
He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile and walked
toward the building. It looked like many others in the area,
built in the seventies for the booming animal research business.
Recent years had seen animal rights activist shut down many of
these facilities, and the rest moved out into newer, more modern
areas.
He walked around the edge of the building. It seemed quiet. He
ground his teeth together. What was it with this guy, Stan? Was
he trying to slow the search by distracting them until the three
days were up? He found a window that had been left open slightly.
He raised his eyebrows. It was probably nothing.
He peeked in. It was indeed, nothing. It was too small for him to
crawl in through. He continued around the building.
A tiny basement window along the ground caught his eye. He
crouched down next to it, then leaned over to see in. To his
surprise, the room was brightly lit. What he saw made the
experienced homicide detective's breath catch in his throat and
his heart to lurch. He shook off his shock and pulled his cell
phone out of his pocket.
"CJ?"
"Steve? Where are you? What's going on?"
"They're here. I want you to get out of here, now. I'm going
to call Ron Bu-" He broke off and closed his eyes at a
distinctive clicking sound. He ground his teeth together.
"What was that noise?" CJ asked. "Steve?"
"Drop the gun or you're dead."
He lowered his gun and set it on the ground. At the same time, he
dropped the cell phone into his hand and turned it off.
The muzzle of the gun pressed against the back of his neck.
"Let's go."
***
"Steve?" CJ was trying not to panic. She looked down at
the screen on the cell phone and saw she had lost the signal from
Steve. Dropping the phone, she looked around frantically for a
weapon. She yanked open the glove box. She leaned over and looked
under the seat. Nothing. She looked up and saw the keys still in
the ignition.
With a quick glance around, she slid into the driver's seat and
started the engine. Then she froze. "Damn."
She grabbed up her cell phone and dialed a number.
"This is CJ. Put me through to Ron Butterfield. Now."
***
Steve stumbled slightly as he was pushed through the door. He
took in the ten or so men holding handguns but the still form on
the floor held his gaze.
The President was bleeding from multiple cuts and abrasions on
his head and body and his right wrist was twisted at an unnatural
angle. He took an involuntary step toward him.
Two men grabbed his arms and held tight. Another searched him
roughly. He took his backup pistol and his badge. He passed off
the wallet to another man who glanced down at the badge.
"Lieutenant Steve Sloan," he said. He stared at him,
then motioned toward the unmoving figure at their feet.
"This who you were looking for?"
"Where are the others?"
Steve smiled at him. "Third Ranger Division is right
outside. I'd be handing over my guns if I were you."
The leader snorted. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
One of the others spoke up. "Tom, what if he's telling the
truth? He can't be here alone. The feds are probably out
there."
"Then we'll be martyrs."
He sounded supremely confident, but some of the others glanced at
each other uncertainly.
"I don't think your men are quite as willing to die as you
are," Steve said conversationally.
Tom ignored him. "Put him in the cell. We need to finish
this." He looked back at Steve. "I'm sure you'll enjoy
watching."
He gestured and the other men pushed him forward. The man opened
the cell door where Leo McGarry was watching them intently. They
shoved him inside.
***
CJ glanced around nervously. She really didn't want to do this.
She wiped sweaty palms on her slacks. Taking a deep breath, she
put the truck into gear.
She froze. "Damn." Reaching back, she grabbed the seat
belt and pulled it across her body, jammed it into the clip.
Placing both hands firmly on the steering wheel, she muttered,
"God, you guys had better be out of the way."
She stomped her foot down on the accelerator. The huge Dodge
hurled forward. She resisted the urge to close her eyes. The
front of the building loomed in front of her, then disappeared as
glass and wood frame shattered all around her. Her head whipped
forward but the seatbelt held her in place. The airbag exploded
outward and for a moment, she could see nothing at all.
***
Steve looked up along with everyone else. It sounded like the
building was crashing down above them.
"It's happening!" Tom shouted. "Get up there,
now!"
The others rushed to obey. There was confusion tinged with panic
in their movements. Steve watched as they flooded out of the
room, up the stairs. He glanced around. They had left their
leader alone.
Without hesitation, Steve attacked. He lowered his shoulder and
barreled into Tom, striking him just below the ribs. The other
man doubled over in pain and was pushed back against the wall.
Steve grabbed his wrist and twisted. The gun fell to the floor
with a clatter on the concrete.
Tom swung, and Steve ducked. He struck back, hearing with
satisfaction the bones in the other man's face crunch under his
fist. The terrorist leader fell heavily to the floor and didn't
move.
Steve stepped back, the pain in his hand barely felt. He turned
his eyes to the Chief of Staff. Scooping up a pistol, he held it
out to the older man.
"You know how to use this?"
Leo took it confidently. "Yeah."
Steve nodded and hurried to the President. He knelt beside him,
Leo standing protectively at his back. Steve clenched his jaw.
Jed was unmoving, but barely hanging onto consciousness by will
alone.
The detective nodded to him. "We're getting you out of here,
Mr. President." He slid his arms under the smaller man,
lifting him as he rose to his feet. Jed let out an involuntary
moan as the pain flared. His head fell back over Steve's arm and
for a moment, their eyes met. Steve swallowed as he met the
President's pained, yet determined gaze. Then Jed's eyes rolled
back then fluttered shut. Steve looked at Leo and jerked his head
toward the stairs. Leo would have to lead. Steve didn't like it,
but he had no choice.
Leo took a step forward. Steve started to follow, when a noise
behind him made him turn. Tom had struggled to his feet, blood
masking his hate-twisted features. The terrorist raised a gun.
Steve twisted his body, trying to shield the helpless man in his
arms. Gunfire, seemingly louder than usual, echoed in his ears.
Sharp pain radiating up his thighs surprised him and he realized
distantly that he was on his knees. Then the real pain made
itself known.
His back felt on fire. He looked down and his eyes locked with
the President's. He opened his mouth, intending to say "I'm
sorry," but nothing came out. He fell forward, No longer
aware of anything, not even the President of the United States
lying beneath him.
***
Leo felt the gun recoil in his hands. The acrid odor of gunpowder
filled his nostrils and he saw the bright red stain blossom on
Tom's chest. He knew he should feel something, some regret, as
the man fell to the floor, but he felt nothing. Except, if he was
honest with himself, a grim satisfaction at seeing such a monster
die.
***
"Where are they?"
"I don't see anybody!"
CJ crouched behind a partition, trying to make herself as small
as possible while the men searched the area. They swarmed around
Steve's rather battered truck, and outside through the large hole
she'd left in the front wall. She prayed the calvary would show
up soon. And hoped Steve wouldn't kill her when he saw what she
did to his truck.
A part of a wall crashed down in front of her and she stifled a
cry. She began to rethink her actions, wondering if crashing into
the building had really been the best choice. And what was
happening downstairs? Where were the President and Leo? Was Steve
with them? She raged over not knowing. God, were they even alive?
A gunshot, maybe two, they were so close together, sounded from
downstairs. She jumped, her eyes widening in sudden panic.
Several of the terrorists headed toward the stairs. They turned
back when one shouted.
"Over here!"
A young man with a tattoo of a swastika in the middle of his
forehead stared down at CJ, his gun aimed directly at her. He
smiled.
"Well, look what we have here." He laughed. "It's
just you, is it? You don't look like-"
Whatever he was going to say was cut off abruptly as the room was
flooded with federal agents, guns drawn and looking for all the
world like angels to CJ. A few shots were exchanged, but most
surrendered quickly, including the one who had been threatening
CJ. He had held his ground for a moment, until he turned his head
to see Ron staring him in the face, the agent's eyes blazing with
cold fury. The man lowered his gun without being told.
CJ jumped to her feet. "Ron! They're downstairs!"
He ran in that direction and CJ followed.
***
"Leo!"
CJ froze in horror. Leo had his arm around Steve, who was on his
knees, struggling to rise, the President in his arms. The back of
the detective's shirt was stained with blood still pouring from a
ragged hole in his back. President Bartlet was pale and unmoving.
She heard shouts for paramedics as if from a great distance. Her
entire focus was on the three men before her. She ran to them,
oblivious to the Secret Service agents in the way. She didn't
know who to turn to first.
Ron gently took the President from Steve. A look of understanding
and gratitude passed between the two men. He placed Jed on the
floor and didn't move from his side until the paramedics arrived.
Leo didn't leave him even then.
CJ watched the EMTs work frantically, two of them finally coaxing
Steve onto a stretcher. She knelt beside him. When their eyes
met, she nearly wept at the pain she saw there.
"Hey," he rasped. "It's okay."
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
He touched his fingers to the back of her hand.
"Thanks."
She squeezed his hand tightly. A medic laid his hand on her arm.
"We have to take him now."
She nodded again and stepped back, watching as they took the
three men out of this place that she knew would give her
nightmares for the rest of her life.
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