Boomerang

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003399" TEXT="#080000" background="03fc8c00erkjxk.jpg"> <div> <B>The return of the evil Mandy</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#99CCFF" FACE="Edwardian Script ITC" ><B>Smiles, Tears, & Happy Endings</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>  |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Smiles, Tears, Happy Endings"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shelleys Stories"><U>Shelley's Stories</U></A>   |   <B>Boomerang</B>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="238 Days"><U>238 Days</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Proposal in Paradise"><U>A Proposal in Paradise</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blood Ties"><U>Blood Ties</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Party Tricks"><U>Party Tricks</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Does Anyone Really Miss Her?"><U>Does Anyone Really Miss Her?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No Time To Be Shocked"><U>No Time To Be Shocked</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Love Always"><U>Love Always</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Desperate Times"><U>Desperate Times</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Finding Our Way Back"><U>Finding Our Way Back</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadblock"><U>Roadblock</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Finding The Treasure"><U>Finding The Treasure</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hey Baby, Lets Go To Vegas"><U>Hey Baby, Let's Go To Vegas</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id186.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Matter Of Trust"><U>A Matter Of Trust</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id209.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Pleasure Sure"><U>A Pleasure Sure</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id226.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="An Excellent Rookie Season"><U>An Excellent Rookie Season</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id227.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Even Steel Magnolias Cry"><U>Even Steel Magnolias Cry</U></A></div> <div> Boomerang</div> <div> It feels good to be back in DC. No matter where else</div> <div> I’ve worked, nothing can match the excitement and the</div> <div> raw energy of this town. New York and LA are nice</div> <div> enough, but give me the nations capital any day.</div> <div>      And besides, I have a little unfinished business</div> <div> here. I have an old score to settle. I doubt if it’s</div> <div> what you think. I’m not going after some political</div> <div> bigwig or some jackass of a congressman. I’m not even</div> <div> going after my ex-boyfriend. No No No. I, Mandy</div> <div> Hampton, plan to use all of my spare time while I’m in</div> <div> town, to bring about the downfall of one Donna Moss.</div> <div>      Josh’s precious Donna. I can’t find the words to</div> <div> express how much I loathe her. Not for the reasons you</div> <div> might expect. I don’t believe that she had anything to</div> <div> do with my breakup with Josh. I know there are a lot</div> <div> of people who think she did, but trust me they are</div> <div> wrong. Our relationship was a train wreck from the</div> <div> very beginning. I knew that. I think we both knew</div> <div> that. But the thing is, I was inside Josh’s head. I</div> <div> was calling all the shots. The relationship was going</div> <div> to end when and where I said. Not a minute before. But</div> <div> then Donna Moss walked into the New Hampshire campaign</div> <div> headquarters and everything changed.</div> <div>      From the first day, they became inseparable. Josh</div> <div> tried to tell me that Donna needed “looking after” and</div> <div> that he was just trying to help her get back on her</div> <div> feet. But I knew it was something more. They would</div> <div> spend hours together talking about the campaign and</div> <div> the coming election. She never seemed to get tired of</div> <div> listening to him rattle on. In fact, she seemed to</div> <div> enjoy it. She always looked at him like every word he</div> <div> said was a jewel. And before long, they were operating</div> <div> like a well-oiled machine. When Josh was celebrating a</div> <div> victory, he went to Donna. When he needed consoling</div> <div> after a defeat, he went to Donna. When he was bored,</div> <div> he went to Donna to perk him up.</div> <div>      There was nothing romantic or sexual about their</div> <div> relationship and, in a way, that made it worse. Sure,</div> <div> he still came to me when he wanted a little physical</div> <div> comfort. But when he needed emotional comfort-he went</div> <div> to her. I was his lover, but she was everything else</div> <div> to him. Soon, Josh started viewing everything in his</div> <div> life in terms of how it was going to affect Donna.</div> <div>      Once Bartlet was elected, everything just got worse.</div> <div> I told him that he needed to fire Donna before the</div> <div> inauguration. I told him that she wasn’t going to be</div> <div> able to handle life in the White House. I pointed out</div> <div> that she had neither the education nor the experience</div> <div> to handle the big time. He had a thousand other</div> <div> qualified applicants to choose from. But Josh wouldn’t</div> <div> waver. He was keeping Donna Moss on as his assistant.</div> <div>      And, of course, the little witch made a liar out of</div> <div> me by thriving in the White House. Everyone in the</div> <div> administration gushed on and on over what a change</div> <div> Donna had made in Josh. How much more organized and on</div> <div> schedule he was. How much easier he was to deal with.</div> <div> And I hated her more and more everyday. Finally I made</div> <div> the break and left town. I don’t think Josh even</div> <div> noticed I was gone. I wanted to take Donna down on my</div> <div> way out, but revenge is a dish best served cold.</div> <div>      So now some time has passed. I’ve had a chance to</div> <div> formulate a plan. And I’ve realized there’s going to</div> <div> be a bonus in my destroying Donna. You see, if it’s</div> <div> possible, she and Josh have gotten even closer, even</div> <div> more like two halves of a whole. So I am going to get</div> <div> the satisfaction of seeing Josh watch her world fall</div> <div> apart, and not be able to fix it. You see, just as I</div> <div> was once inside his head, I’m now going to get inside</div> <div> hers. And she is never going to know what hit her. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> There are a couple of things to keep in mind when you are </div> <div> crafting the ultimate </div> <div> revenge plot. First, you need to attack on several fronts. If you </div> <div> split your victim's focus, </div> <div> you succeed in getting them running around in circles. They end up </div> <div> looking like the plate </div> <div> spinner at those tacky circuses that come to small towns in the </div> <div> summer. I'm certain that </div> <div> little Miss Small Town Wisconsin herself has seen many of those </div> <div> circuses. How I wish I </div> <div> were going to be able to experience her disintegration first hand as </div> <div> my plot moves into </div> <div> action. But I can't. Revealing my presence too soon would ruin </div> <div> everything. </div> <div>      And that brings us to the second thing you need to keep in </div> <div> mind. If you can't get </div> <div> close to the victim yourself, you need to find a source. Someone who </div> <div> is close enough to </div> <div> keep you updated. Preferably someone with a little bit of his or her </div> <div> own axe to grind. </div> <div> That brings us to Larry. Poor run-of-the-mill average Larry. He's one </div> <div> of those guys that </div> <div> people look at but never see. At least that's the way it was when I </div> <div> worked with him. As it </div> <div> turns out, Larry had a bit of a crush on Donna in the first days of </div> <div> the administration. </div> <div> Unrequited love can be a great motivator for revenge. And believe me, </div> <div> I am grateful that </div> <div> she never gave him the time of day. Otherwise, he may never have been </div> <div> willing to tell me </div> <div> about the Great Anniversary Flower Fiasco of 2001. I am definitely </div> <div> going to be able to </div> <div> use that little event as ammo. But that will have to wait for Phase </div> <div> II. Phase I is just </div> <div> getting off the ground. Frankly, I can't wait.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> White House</div> <div> 7:15 AM</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "DONNA!!!!!!!!!!!!"  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Please Josh, not this morning, okay?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's the problem Donna? Oversleep?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, it would have been difficult for me to oversleep this </div> <div> particular morning when </div> <div> there were two very large men pounding on my door at 5:00 AM to serve </div> <div> me with an </div> <div> eviction notice!!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's voice quivered as she finished the sentence. It was only then </div> <div> that Josh noticed </div> <div> her disheveled appearance and the obvious evidence that she had been </div> <div> crying.</div> <div> He put his arms around her shoulders and led her into his office. He </div> <div> closed the door </div> <div> behind them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you talking about, Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know. There has been some sort of huge mistake at the rental </div> <div> agency. These two </div> <div> men knocked on my door this morning and said that I was three months </div> <div> behind on my </div> <div> rent. They said I had five days to get out of my apartment."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well that's just ridiculous, Donna!! Did you show them your cancelled </div> <div> checks?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't have any cancelled checks. I pay my rent over the Internet" </div> <div> Donna said as she </div> <div> started to tear up again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well don't you have some kind of proof that you paid it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I thought I did. Every time I pay, they give me a confirmation </div> <div> number. I called the </div> <div> rental place this morning as soon as they opened and I explained the </div> <div> problem to them. </div> <div> But when I gave them confirmation numbers, they said they had no </div> <div> record of them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, obviously there has just been a mistake of some kind. Do you </div> <div> want me to call </div> <div> them?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No. I'll handle it. You have a meeting with Leo in two minutes. </div> <div> Thanks for the offer, </div> <div> though."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay" Josh said grabbing some files and heading for Leos </div> <div> office. "Just let me know if </div> <div> there's anything I can do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will. Oh and ...Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" he said poking his head back in the office door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do good in there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He gave her one of those dimpled grins that made her heart soar and </div> <div> just for a minute, she </div> <div> forgot about how horrible her morning had been.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After another call to the rental agency that yielded no new </div> <div> information, Donna decided </div> <div> that the best course of action would be to go ahead and repay the </div> <div> disputed amount, and </div> <div> then give herself some time to straighten this whole mess out. It was </div> <div> going to put a strain </div> <div> on her already tight finances but she needed to get out from under </div> <div> the five-day eviction </div> <div> deadline. With the decision made, she resolved to go to the bank at </div> <div> lunchtime.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The rest of the morning passed uneventfully and Donna even managed to </div> <div> relax a little. </div> <div> She was sure that this was just a little computer glitch somewhere </div> <div> and she would be able </div> <div> to get it rectified with a minimum of effort. She felt confident as </div> <div> she poked her head in </div> <div> Josh's office at 11:00 AM.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hmmm?" he said not looking up from his file.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going to the bank now. I won't be long. Do you want me to pick </div> <div> you up some lunch </div> <div> while I'm out?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure, if it's not too much trouble."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you in the mood for?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Whatever is on your way."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look--I don't want to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Since when?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ha ha--its just that..I know you're a girl on a budget...and..um..do </div> <div> you need me to </div> <div> lend you some money? Just till this whole mess gets straightened out?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No thanks, Josh-I think I have it covered."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But you promise you'll let me know if you need anything?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Promise."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Be careful."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will. I intend to vanquish my rent problem and return with a </div> <div> healthy meal," she said </div> <div> with a laugh.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 12:15 PM</div> <div> White House</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Josh sensed Donna's presence in the building before he </div> <div> actually saw her. </div> <div> Something had gone wrong. The rent problem had not been easily </div> <div> vanquished. An uneasy </div> <div> feeling that had been hovering at the edge of his consciousness all </div> <div> morning became </div> <div> stronger. He looked up and saw her coming across the bullpen. Her </div> <div> eyes were blinking </div> <div> back tears, her lip was quivering and her hands were shaking badly. </div> <div> She looked like she </div> <div> was in shock. Josh was at her side in no time flat. It took a moment </div> <div> for his presence to </div> <div> even register with her.</div> <div>      He put his arm around her shoulders and once again guided her </div> <div> into the privacy of </div> <div> his office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it, Donna? What happened?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's kindness unleashed the torrent of tears that Donna had been </div> <div> holding back. He took </div> <div> her in his arms and held her tightly till the tears subsided. Once </div> <div> she had gotten back under </div> <div> control, Josh asked again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What happened Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The words started spilling out all at once. " I went to the bank to </div> <div> get the money to pay the </div> <div> landlord, and they told me that my account was seriously overdrawn. </div> <div> They closed it, </div> <div> Josh. They closed my account. How can that be? Both my checking and </div> <div> my savings </div> <div> accounts are empty. I'm very careful with my money Josh!! How can </div> <div> this have </div> <div> happened?" With that question, the tears threatened to fall again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know angel, but I promise you we are going to get this </div> <div> straightened out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And I couldn't get you any lunch, Josh. Because when I tried to use </div> <div> my credit card--it </div> <div> got declined. And the man at the deli cut it up. It was humiliating!!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's okay, Donna. Just try to relax. I'm gonna fix this. You have my </div> <div> word."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But...what am I gonna do? I'm being kicked out of my apartment---my </div> <div> bank accounts </div> <div> are empty---my credit cards are maxed out..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You just let me handle this, Donna. I'll get to the bottom of things."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh,Josh..this really isn't your problem..I'll just..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Shush, Donna. Anything that upsets you is my problem."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I won't let this affect my work...I swear...I know we have a busy </div> <div> week and I'll..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen up. Here's what we're gonna do." Josh shifted quickly into </div> <div> managerial mode. </div> <div> "We'll get through all the stuff we have to do today so we can get </div> <div> out of here at a decent </div> <div> hour. Then we'll swing by your apartment so you can pack an overnight </div> <div> bag and grab all </div> <div> of your bank records. Then we'll take them back to my place and </div> <div> figure out what the </div> <div> heck is going on. I want you to stay with me for a few days till we </div> <div> get this straightened </div> <div> out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No Josh, I’ll be fine."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Forget it, Donna. I'm not taking no for an answer on this. Something </div> <div> strange is going on </div> <div> here and I don't want you being alone until we find out what it is. </div> <div> In fact, I don't even </div> <div> want you leaving this building unless I am with you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I mean it, Donna." Josh realized that those words came out a little </div> <div> more harshly that he </div> <div> had intended. But suddenly, he was gripped with an unexplainable </div> <div> fear. All he knew was </div> <div> that he had to protect Donna at all costs. He didn't know what was </div> <div> going on but he </div> <div> intended to find out. Seeing the fear in her eyes was almost more </div> <div> than he could take.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 10:00 PM</div> <div> Josh's apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Where are those papers the guy at the bank gave you, Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Right there under your left knee," Donna whispered as she continued </div> <div> to listen intently to </div> <div> the recorded message on the other end of the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well that's the last one," she snapped as she disconnected and </div> <div> tossed the phone onto the </div> <div> couch. "Every one of my credit card accounts has been closed and </div> <div> every card is currently </div> <div> over limit. What the hell is happening?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have no idea. These statements that you got today make absolutely </div> <div> no sense."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They room was cloaked in a heavy silence for a few minutes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hmmmm?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly she needed to ask the question that had been on her mind all </div> <div> day.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What, Donna?" Josh asked as he moved to sit on the couch. He motioned </div> <div> for Donna to </div> <div> join him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna looked intently into his eyes then stared down at the sofa </div> <div> cushions. "Do you think </div> <div> this is just some ridiculous computer glitch or….do you </div> <div> think…..well….someone </div> <div> intentionally did this to me? I mean…who?…why?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> And suddenly Donna had put her finger on the fear that had been </div> <div> stalking both of them </div> <div> all day.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know, Donna. But whichever way it turns out, I'm not gonna </div> <div> let anything happen </div> <div> to you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh pulled Donna into a tight embrace. He meant every word he had </div> <div> said. He was gonna </div> <div> fix this..he was gonna fix it for Donna. Josh tried to think about </div> <div> who could possibly be </div> <div> behind this. Dr Freeride? A spurned gomer? Who would have the clout </div> <div> needed to pull </div> <div> this off?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You know what, Donnatella? I want you to try to eat something, then </div> <div> take a nice long </div> <div> bath, and then I'm gonna tuck you in so you can get a good nights </div> <div> sleep. There's nothing </div> <div> more we can do tonight. I want you to try to relax."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will you stay with me till I fall asleep?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Absolutely."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks for everything you've done today."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No thanks necessary, sweetheart."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She couldn't help but smile at the way he called her sweetheart. It </div> <div> made her feel warm </div> <div> and tingly right down to her soul.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna finally fell asleep wrapped in Josh's arms. As her breathing </div> <div> evened out, he was </div> <div> finally able relax a little himself. Who,what,and why were questions </div> <div> for tomorrow. </div> <div> Right here, right now, he was content to know that Donna was safe. He </div> <div> also knew that he </div> <div> would do anything to keep her that way.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Across town a phone rings:</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, they left together. Just like you predicted. I heard him say </div> <div> that she could stay with </div> <div> him and that he would help her get things straightened out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Of course. It's Sir Josh to the rescue. So typical."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's next?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, while Josh is busy trying to save the fair maiden from the </div> <div> fallout of Phase I, I am </div> <div> going to be putting Phase II into effect."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Phase II?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh yeah. I have to move fast. Have to get all those plates spinning </div> <div> at once. You just </div> <div> hold tight Larry, I'll let you know what to do next."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay Mandy, I'll talk to you soon."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Count on it."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The thing about a good revenge plot is that you can't rush </div> <div> it. Timing is crucial. </div> <div> You have to let it unfold at it's own pace. Watching the slow </div> <div> downhill slide is half of the </div> <div> fun. The other half is knowing just how far down the victim is going </div> <div> to fall. </div> <div> Phase I is already underway. Everything is proceeding on schedule. </div> <div> I've left </div> <div> Blondie dazed, confused and without a penny to her name. And just as </div> <div> I had anticipated, </div> <div> Josh has jumped on his white horse in an effort to save the damsel in </div> <div> distress. But it isn't </div> <div> going to work this time. How do I know this? I know it because, quite </div> <div> simply, I know </div> <div> Josh. I know him better than he knows himself. I know how he is going </div> <div> to react in any </div> <div> situation.</div> <div>  He wants to be Donna's hero. His ego will keep him from asking for </div> <div> any help. He </div> <div> thinks he can keep all the plates spinning all by himself.  And that </div> <div> is going to be his </div> <div> downfall. Eventually, those plates are going to start crashing to the </div> <div> ground. And he is </div> <div> going to have to spend the rest of his life remembering the look in </div> <div> her eyes. The one she's </div> <div> going to get when she realizes that he can't save her, no matter what </div> <div> he promised. </div> <div> Whatever I have to do, I'm going to make sure that I'm there to see </div> <div> that look. This </div> <div> feels even better than I thought it would. And it's almost time to </div> <div> initiate Phase II. You </div> <div> see, Donna needs to pay for all her financial irresponsibility. </div> <div> Someone needs to teach her </div> <div> that she has to be more careful with her finances. This is about to </div> <div> get really interesting.</div> <div>  I am so glad I came back to DC.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 5:50 AM</div> <div> Josh's Apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna sat at the kitchen table drinking their coffee in </div> <div> silence. Josh looked at his </div> <div> cup, the wall, the table, the floor, everywhere but directly at Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is there something on your mind?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Actually, yes."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh resumed staring intently into his coffee cup.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Care to share?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh hesitated for a minute more then began to speak. "OK, here's the </div> <div> thing. We have no </div> <div> idea where all this...this "stuff" is coming from. I've thought a lot </div> <div> about it and I just don't </div> <div> believe we're looking at a simple computer glitch here. I don't know </div> <div> what is going on or </div> <div> who is behind this, but I'm afraid we haven't seen the end of it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gee, Josh. You sure know how to make a girl feel better." Donna </div> <div> tried to smile but Josh </div> <div> heard her voice quiver.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna." His voice took on what he hoped was a more reassuring tone </div> <div> and he </div> <div> reached across the table and took her hand. "I just think that this </div> <div> is too big for us to </div> <div> handle alone. I think we need to talk to Leo today. Tell him what's </div> <div> going on. CJ, Sam and </div> <div> Toby too for that matter. We need as many heads working on this as </div> <div> possible."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But...."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No buts, Donna. Let our friends help you. You would certainly be </div> <div> there for any one of </div> <div> them if they needed you right?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, but....."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What part of "no buts" are you having trouble with?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You all should be spending your time-oh I don't know-running a </div> <div> country or something"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll do that in our spare time till we get this problem </div> <div> straightened out." Josh smirked </div> <div> jumping up from the table with renewed determination. "Let's go or </div> <div> we're gonna be late."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 8:10 AM</div> <div> Leo's Office</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If there's nothing else, lets get back to work." Leo said as he </div> <div> moved back behind his </div> <div> desk, signaling the end of the meeting.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have something of a personal nature I'd like to discuss if you can </div> <div> all spare me a few </div> <div> minutes." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it, Josh?" CJ asked warily. "Have you made a mess that I'm </div> <div> going to have to </div> <div> spend the next week cleaning up?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No it's nothing like that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly there was a soft tap on the door. Margaret stuck her head in </div> <div> to say that </div> <div> Ainsley had arrived.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I asked her to join us." Josh said. "I'm thinking we may need her </div> <div> advice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why will we need the legal counsels advice?" Leo asked as he came </div> <div> back around his </div> <div> desk, eyes narrowing "What have you done?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks for coming, Ainsley." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem, Josh. What did you need to see me about?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well I...we....actually Donna might need your legal advice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Every head in the room snapped up to look at Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's wrong with Donna?" Sam asked ready to spring into action to </div> <div> help his friend.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What have you done Josh?" Toby growled. "So help me I'll......"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's nothing like that" Josh countered "Will you just let me tell </div> <div> you the problem?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I suggest you get right to the point." Leo says</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay" Josh said nervously running his hand through his hair. "It all </div> <div> started yesterday </div> <div> morning...." And the story just tumbled out of Josh's mouth. He tried </div> <div> not to leave </div> <div> anything out. But  as he heard himself recounting the details, he </div> <div> knew the story sounded </div> <div> far-fetched.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh." Leo said calmly. "Unfortunately these things happen sometimes </div> <div> in a computer </div> <div> dependant world. One wrong keystroke and you spend a month trying to </div> <div> sort through the </div> <div> debris."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know Leo. When Donna first told me all of this, I thought the </div> <div> exact same thing. And </div> <div> then I saw these." Josh waved the papers he had been nervously </div> <div> rolling and unrolling in </div> <div> his hands as he told Donna's story.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are those?" Toby demanded as Josh handed the papers to Ainsley.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Those are the papers the bank manager gave Donna yesterday. They </div> <div> show hundreds of </div> <div> thousands of dollars moving through Donna's bank account in the last </div> <div> few months."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" CJ screamed. "That's ridiculous."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know. I know. But this is what makes me think that---whatever this </div> <div> is---it isn't over </div> <div> yet. In fact, it may be just beginning."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All of the sudden Ainsley, who has barely spoken a word since she </div> <div> entered the room, </div> <div> looked up from the bank records. “Well all I can say is that it looks </div> <div> like someone is fixin </div> <div> to take Donna down hard. Whether this is directed at her, or whether </div> <div> someone is trying to </div> <div> get to the administration through her, the bottom line is that Donna </div> <div> is in deep-probably </div> <div> over her head."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well then, what do we do?" Sam asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We fight back" Toby said forcefully, rising from his chair. "We find </div> <div> out who is behind </div> <div> this and we take them out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh couldn't help but smile to himself. Toby would never admit it </div> <div> but a had a deep and </div> <div> abiding affection for Donna. They had developed a special bond since </div> <div> the night in the </div> <div> waiting room after the Newseum. He was not about to allow anything </div> <div> bad to happen to </div> <div> her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All of the sudden, Toby began barking orders. "Ainsley, I'd like you </div> <div> to prepare me a </div> <div> memo outlining the possible ramifications of the information in those </div> <div> bank records </div> <div> including any and all possible legal fallout. CJ-keep your ears open </div> <div> in the pressroom and </div> <div> see if any of the reporters are starting to sniff around this story. </div> <div> Josh, you cover the </div> <div> landlords angle. Find out everything you can about them. Sam-you </div> <div> handle all of the credit </div> <div> cards. Find out where all these phantom charges came from. I'll </div> <div> handle the banking end </div> <div> of this. I want you all to get back to me by early afternoon with </div> <div> your preliminary </div> <div> findings." He paused to glance at Leo. " Don't worry, we are all </div> <div> accomplished multi-</div> <div> taskers and we won't let this interfere with government business."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just keep me informed. I don't want to be blindsided by anything." </div> <div> Leo warned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby then turned to Josh. "Where is Donna now?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Waiting in my office."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need to talk to her. Let's go."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going back downstairs to do a little research." Ainsley said </div> <div> distractedly "I'll have the </div> <div> memo to you ASAP"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam, Toby, CJ and Josh all headed back towards Josh's office. They </div> <div> entered and found </div> <div> Donna trying to make some order out of the clutter of files on the </div> <div> desk.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, Josh has filled us in on your situation." Toby said, getting </div> <div> right to the point. "I </div> <div> need you to listen to me very carefully. From this moment forward, </div> <div> you do not leave the </div> <div> building unescorted. You let one of us know where you are at all </div> <div> times. You let Bonnie </div> <div> and Ginger handle all incoming telephone calls. You don't sign for </div> <div> anything-even </div> <div> deliveries. And if anything at all out the ordinary happens, you call </div> <div> me immediately. Do </div> <div> you understand?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, but........."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No buts, Donna" Toby growled</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "See, I told you so." Josh smirked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're gonna take care of this, Donna. Don't worry." Toby said in a </div> <div> much gentler tone of </div> <div> voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks." Donna replied trying to choke back her tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After everyone went back to their respective offices to start doing </div> <div> their research, Josh </div> <div> watched Donna  through his open office door. He knew that she was </div> <div> embarrassed by the </div> <div> fact that everyone knew what was going on. But he was glad that he </div> <div> was able to sell her </div> <div> on the idea of confiding in their friends. He had made the mistake </div> <div> before of thinking that </div> <div> he could handle things on his own, and it had almost destroyed him. </div> <div> He wasn't about to </div> <div> let that happen to Donna. Her safety and well-being were too </div> <div> important to him. He was </div> <div> gonna spare her as much pain and suffering as he possibly could.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby managed to touch base with everyone at some point during the </div> <div> afternoon but it was </div> <div> difficult for him to get a coherent picture of what was going on </div> <div> without being able to talk </div> <div> to everyone together. He decided that the best course of action would </div> <div> be for everyone to </div> <div> get together for a debriefing later in the night. They all decided to </div> <div> meet at Josh's </div> <div> apartment after work.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 9:45 PM</div> <div> Josh's Apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna were the first to arrive. There had been no major </div> <div> incidents over the </div> <div> course of the day and Donna had managed to relax a little. She </div> <div> changed out of her work </div> <div> clothes and into a pair of Josh's sweat pants and an old worn Harvard </div> <div> t-shirt. They were </div> <div> sitting on the couch sharing a beer and waiting for the others to </div> <div> arrive.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok sweetheart? You seem a little quiet."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine. Just thinking."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "About what?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "About who could hate me enough to go to all this trouble. I mean </div> <div> what must I have done </div> <div> to them to make them want to hurt me this bad?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Shush, Donna. You didn't do anything to deserve this. Don't even </div> <div> think that." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna stared intently into each others eyes, both seeing a </div> <div> depth of feeling that </div> <div> they hadn't noticed, or hadn't allowed themselves to notice before. </div> <div> Before either one </div> <div> actually knew what was happening, they leaned in and found themselves </div> <div> embroiled in a </div> <div> passionate kiss. A kiss that spoke volumes of words they had never </div> <div> allowed themselves </div> <div> to say out loud. They were interrupted by a knock on the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll finish this later?" Josh asked hopefully</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Definitely" Donna whispered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh opened the door to find Sam and Ainsley juggling boxes of </div> <div> papers. CJ and Toby </div> <div> were just exiting the elevator after parking the car. They all came </div> <div> in, grabbed a beer and </div> <div> settled down to work. Everyone listened intently as Ainsley discussed </div> <div> possible legal </div> <div> ramifications.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The way I see it, there are four possible legal ramifications </div> <div> involved here. First, you </div> <div> could be sued by your rental company for non-payment of rent and </div> <div> possible breach-of-</div> <div> contract for failing to fulfill your lease. That would be a fairly </div> <div> easy one to take care of </div> <div> though because the lessor can't demand anything more than the amount </div> <div> that the contract </div> <div> would have brought in."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Meaning?" Donna asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Meaning they can't sue you for anything more than the back rent plus </div> <div> the rent for any </div> <div> remaining months left on the lease."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, being as I have NO money, that could be a problem."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry about it, Donna" Josh said "I told you before I'll lend </div> <div> you the money till we </div> <div> get this straightened out. Continue please Ainsley"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Secondly, we have the matter of the credit cards. Each company will </div> <div> deal with this  </div> <div> according to their own policy. This actually puts you in very little </div> <div> legal jeopardy as most </div> <div> companies won't actually take you to court for an unpaid balance. The </div> <div> effect it will have </div> <div> your credit rating, however, could be devastating. But I would say </div> <div> that this is one of your </div> <div> smaller problems right now and can definitely be put on the back </div> <div> burner."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's comforting."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thirdly, we have the matter of the checks that were returned by your </div> <div> bank for non-</div> <div> sufficient funds. Those are something that we will need to take care </div> <div> of right away. You </div> <div> could face charges on those ranging from theft-by-deception to fraud </div> <div> depending on the </div> <div> size of the check. There is some good news here though also. By law, </div> <div> the people who you </div> <div> bounced the check on must notify you by registered mail and give you </div> <div> a chance to make </div> <div> the check good. As soon as you get any notifications, we will take </div> <div> care of them </div> <div> immediately."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have to go to my old apartment to check my mail." Donna suddenly </div> <div> remembered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Go to the post office first thing in the morning and fill out a </div> <div> change of address form." </div> <div> Toby suggested. "Have all of your mail delivered here. Is that all </div> <div> right Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Absolutely." Josh said looking at Donna. "We'll stop by your </div> <div> apartment tomorrow </div> <div> morning, pick up some more stuff for you, grab the mail, then stop at </div> <div> the post office and </div> <div> take care of having everything forwarded here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley shuffled her feet a bit before she continued. "The last </div> <div> possibility is by far the </div> <div> most serious."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All the blood drained from Donna's face and Josh grabbed her hand. It </div> <div> was ice cold.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The problem is all of the money that bank records show has passed </div> <div> through Donna's </div> <div> account in the last 3 months. 948,118 dollars to be exact. All of the </div> <div> money came in </div> <div> through large cash deposits and went out the next day to offshore </div> <div> accounts."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But that never happened." Donna said, trying hard not to let any </div> <div> tears fall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know that Donna" Ainsley assured her. "We all know that, but the </div> <div> problem is what is </div> <div> written on these papers. I have to be honest with you, it looks bad. </div> <div> If the police can trace </div> <div> those offshore accounts, they can use this paper trail to connect you </div> <div> to whatever illegal </div> <div> activities the owners of those accounts may be involved in. This is </div> <div> by far worst area of </div> <div> potential legal trouble."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok" CJ said emphatically. "Then this is the area we concentrate on. </div> <div> First rule of being a </div> <div> good press secretary is-put out the biggest fire first. So what do we </div> <div> do?" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We try to trace these deposits ourselves. If we can prove that they </div> <div> either never existed-</div> <div> or that Donna could not have possibly had any knowledge..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley is interrupted by a knock on the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Leo must have decided to stop by after all." Toby said getting up. </div> <div> But when he opened </div> <div> the door, what he saw instead of Leo was 5 uniformed DCPD officers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Mr. Lyman?" the officer asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, my name is Toby Ziegler."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm Lieutenant Stoebner from the DCPD. I have a search warrant. May </div> <div> I come in?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby stood back and let the officers pass. Josh stepped forward and </div> <div> said "I'm Josh </div> <div> Lyman. Can I see the search warrant please?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The officer handed the warrant to Josh who glanced at it and handed </div> <div> it off to Sam. Sam </div> <div> and Ainsley quickly scanned the document looking for any glaring </div> <div> legal mistakes that </div> <div> would declare in null and void. There were none.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have a warrant for the arrest of a Miss Donna Moss."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are the charges?" Toby demanded</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Right now the charges are racketeering and money laundering. </div> <div> However, the complaint </div> <div> has been left open and other charges can be added later. Are you </div> <div> Donna Moss ma'am?" </div> <div> the Lt asked directing his attention to Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh quickly moved to stand between the officers and Donna who was </div> <div> still rooted to the </div> <div> same spot in the living room, frozen in terror. "There has been a </div> <div> huge mistake here" he </div> <div> began. "You can't arrest her. You don't understand what's going on </div> <div> here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Toby stepped forward and grabbed Josh's arm. "Please, Josh" he </div> <div> begged. "Don't make </div> <div> this any worse than it already is."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Mr. Lyman, I can have you arrested also if you interfere with the </div> <div> execution of either one </div> <div> of these warrants." Lt Stoebner said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> That threat snapped Donna out of her trance like state. "No don't </div> <div> arrest him" she said </div> <div> "I'm Donna Moss. I'll go with you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Two of the officers moved towards Donna. "Put your hands against the </div> <div> wall please, Miss </div> <div> Moss and spread your legs shoulder width apart." As Donna complied, </div> <div> the female officer </div> <div> began a none-to-gentle pat down search. Donna cringed. She prayed for </div> <div> the floor to open </div> <div> up and swallow her. This couldn't be happening to her. Not in front </div> <div> of these people </div> <div> who's respect she had fought so hard to gain. She wondered in her </div> <div> heart if they would </div> <div> ever be able to look at her the same way again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby's firm grip on Josh's arm was all that was kept him from </div> <div> launching himself across </div> <div> the living room and tearing the female officer away from Donna. He </div> <div> could see her </div> <div> shoulders shaking and he knew that she was trying very hard not to </div> <div> cry. A dull ache </div> <div> began in his heart because he was sure that she was trying to make </div> <div> this easier on him. She </div> <div> didn't want him getting upset, or worse yet, saying the wrong thing </div> <div> and getting arrested </div> <div> himself. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer that she would </div> <div> be alright, that she </div> <div> could manage to hold on until he could figure out a way to get her </div> <div> back home with </div> <div> him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam looked slowly around the room, taking in the entire scene. It all </div> <div> seemed too surreal.  </div> <div> He could see the wheels turning in Ainsley's head. He knew that she, </div> <div> much like himself, </div> <div> was already trying to formulate a legal strategy to help Donna. CJ </div> <div> was already in the </div> <div> press room in her mind, dealing with the reporters, trying not to let </div> <div> Donna become just </div> <div> another sordid tabloid story. It was going to take a lot of effort, </div> <div> but she was determined to </div> <div> help her friend in any way possible. Toby's eyes were burning with </div> <div> rage. Sam knew that </div> <div> he desperately wanted to do or say something to make this situation </div> <div> more bearable. But </div> <div> right now he couldn't, because right now he had all of concentration </div> <div> focused on Josh, </div> <div> determined to keep him from doing something stupid. Sam could barely </div> <div> force himself to </div> <div> look at Josh. He had never seen his friend look so utterly and </div> <div> completely helpless. That </div> <div> look tugged at Sam's heart and he knew that Josh would trade places </div> <div> with Donna in a </div> <div> second if he could. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are those handcuffs really necessary?" CJ asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Department policy ma'am. Let's go Miss Moss."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wait" Josh said turning to Donna "Don't say anything angel. We are </div> <div> gonna take care of </div> <div> this ok? I promise. Just wait for your lawyer to get there okay? And </div> <div> we'll have you out of </div> <div> there ASAP. I love you Donna. I'm gonna fix this ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK, Josh. I love you too."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Those words rang in Josh's ears as he stood watching Donna and the </div> <div> officers disappear </div> <div> into the elevator. CJ grabbed the phone and called Leo immediately. </div> <div> Sam and Ainsley  </div> <div> were discussing who the best lawyer to call would be. Toby stepped </div> <div> forward and stood </div> <div> beside Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok?" he asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why is this happening, Toby? Why Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know Josh. But I'm damn sure going to find out. And when I </div> <div> do, whoever it is is </div> <div> gonna pay."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Exactly, but right now, we need to find a way to get Donna out of </div> <div> jail"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Agreed."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Across town Mandy was smirking while she talked on the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes Mandy, I'm sure. Donna has been taken onto custody."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And Josh was there right? I mean he was right there when she got </div> <div> arrested? And there </div> <div> was nothing he could do about it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Exactly"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Perfect Jim. Thanks a million. And keep me posted ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure thing"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy disconnected the phone and sank back into the couch saying to </div> <div> no one in </div> <div> particular---"God I love this plan."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> You know how sometimes you anticipate something so much-your </div> <div> expectations </div> <div> are so high-that there's no way the actual event can live up to it? </div> <div> Well, that's not what's </div> <div> happening here. The decimation of Donna Moss is even more fun than I </div> <div> thought it would </div> <div> be. I haven't felt this good since…..well since before the little </div> <div> witch walked into the </div> <div> campaign offices in New Hampshire. She's in jail now, facing enough </div> <div> charges to keep </div> <div> her there for the rest of her life. I hope it's horrible there. I </div> <div> hope every ugly story I ever </div> <div> heard about prison is true because I want her to suffer.</div> <div> And you want to know the best part?  Josh was there when she got </div> <div> arrested. He </div> <div> was there and there was nothing he could do to stop it. I am so happy </div> <div> I could sing!! I </div> <div> must admit that there was one unusual thing though. Not only was Josh </div> <div> there but so were </div> <div> CJ, Sam, Toby and some blonde lawyer chick. That confuses me a </div> <div> little. I know that Josh </div> <div> wouldn't have asked for their help, so they must have had something </div> <div> else going on. </div> <div> Probably one of their ridiculous little birthday celebrations. Oh </div> <div> well, it doesn't matter. </div> <div> Phase II is right on schedule. She's in jail, now I just have to make </div> <div> sure she stays there. I </div> <div> just wish I didn't have to go to work today, revenge is much more </div> <div> fun. But a girl has to </div> <div> pay the bills. And this new job is better than politics, plus it has </div> <div> certainly come </div> <div> in handy lately. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 11:15 PM</div> <div> Josh's Apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      Josh's apartment became a flurry of activity almost as soon </div> <div> as the police took </div> <div> Donna away. CJ called Leo to give him a heads up. She was certain </div> <div> that Donna's arrest </div> <div> would hit the papers fairly quickly since all arrests are a matter of </div> <div> public record. She was </div> <div> determined not to let this story get ahead of her. This time it </div> <div> mattered, it wasn't just spin.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Toby stood in the kitchen talking in hushed tones on his cell </div> <div> phone. He was </div> <div> calling in every favor he possibly could in an effort to find out who </div> <div> was behind this.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Sam and Ainsley were huddled together, trying to decide who </div> <div> the best attorney to </div> <div> call would be. They needed someone good but also someone who could </div> <div> drop everything </div> <div> and start working on this case right away. They needed to find </div> <div> someone who would make </div> <div> this case their top priority. Someone needed to get to the police </div> <div> station soon before the </div> <div> police tried to question Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      After Josh recovered from the initial shock of the look in </div> <div> Donna's eyes as she was </div> <div> being led away, he began making a mental list of things that needed </div> <div> done immediately. </div> <div> He needed to find Donna a lawyer, free up as many assets as possible </div> <div> so that he could </div> <div> arrange for her bail, get someone to pack up her old apartment and </div> <div> bring all the boxes to </div> <div> his place. His mental list making was interrupted by Ainsley tapping </div> <div> him on the shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I quit." She said. "Effective immediately."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The entire room went quiet.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excuse me?" Josh said, not certain he had heard her correctly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look, I know that you aren't my supervisor, and I realize that I </div> <div> should technically be </div> <div> giving my resignation to Mr. Tribbey, but he's not here right now and </div> <div> you are, so you'll </div> <div> have to do. I quit. So please pass the word along and make sure you </div> <div> note that my </div> <div> resignation was effective as of 11:29 PM."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley, what are you talking about? This really isn't the time." </div> <div> Sam said moving </div> <div> towards her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is exactly the time Sam. You said it yourself. We need to find </div> <div> an attorney who is up </div> <div> to speed on this case. Someone who can hit the ground running. And </div> <div> maybe most </div> <div> importantly, someone who believes without a doubt that Donna is </div> <div> innocent. And that </div> <div> someone, is me. I can't work in the White House and be Donna's </div> <div> attorney, it wouldn't be </div> <div> allowed. So as of two and a half minutes ago, I am no longer employed </div> <div> by the federal </div> <div> government. Here is my ID badge. Please make sure it gets returned to </div> <div> the proper </div> <div> authorities."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you serious? I mean---are you sure?" Josh stammered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive" Ainsley said stuffing a few papers in her brief case and </div> <div> heading for the door.</div> <div> "Now I'm off to the police station."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll come with you." Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, Josh. You can't go." Ainsley said firmly leaving very little </div> <div> room for negotiation.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Of course I'm going. I have to see Donna. I want to make sure she's </div> <div> ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know that, Josh" Ainsley explained slowly slipping into lawyer </div> <div> mode. "But that just </div> <div> isn't going to be possible right now. It's going to take a couple of </div> <div> hours for them to </div> <div> process her into the system. Then they aren't going to let anyone see </div> <div> her but her attorney. </div> <div> So there is really no use in you going." Her voice softened when she </div> <div> saw Josh's sad eyes. </div> <div> "Don't worry, I'll make sure she's ok. I'll make sure they do </div> <div> everything by the book.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But..I'm a lawyer…I could…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Forget it, Josh" CJ chimed in. "Your presence at the police station </div> <div> would only add to the </div> <div> media frenzy. It's already gonna be enough of a zoo as it is. Let </div> <div> Ainsley handle it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then what am I supposed to do?" Josh asked, the desperation slipping </div> <div> back into his </div> <div> voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll tell you exactly what you are supposed to do." Ainsley </div> <div> said "Find out who is behind </div> <div> this. Use every contact you have, call in every favor you were ever </div> <div> owed. Get me some </div> <div> concrete evidence that I can show to a judge." With that said, she </div> <div> turned to Sam. "I rode </div> <div> over here with you but I really need a car right now. Can I take </div> <div> yours?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem" Sam said pulling the keys out of his pocket. "I'll walk </div> <div> you down."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When they reached his car, Sam opened the door for her and waited for </div> <div> her to get in and </div> <div> adjust the seat. Then he handed her the keys. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We've got to fix this." He said in a voice barely above a whisper.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We will, Sam. I promise." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Their eyes locked for a minute and Sam was surprised by the jolt of </div> <div> electricity that shot </div> <div> through him. Without thinking, he leaned over and kissed her </div> <div> cheek. "Thanks for </div> <div> everything, Ains."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Then he closed the door and she drove away. He stood watching the car </div> <div> disappear into the night and wondered how it had all come to this.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As he was entering the building again, he ran into Leo.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fill me in." Leo growled as they headed for the elevator.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time they reached Josh's floor, Sam had filled Leo in on </div> <div> everything that had </div> <div> happened since the staff meeting. He told Leo about Donna's arrest </div> <div> and that Ainsley had </div> <div> resigned to work as her attorney. The door to Josh's apartment was </div> <div> open and they entered </div> <div> to find Toby and Josh furiously weeding through all the paperwork. </div> <div> They acknowledged </div> <div> Leo's arrival but didn't stop what they were doing.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What about the press?" Leo asked turning to CJ "Where do we stand </div> <div> with them?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Well, I'm sure they're on the story." She said rubbing her forehead </div> <div> trying to forestall the </div> <div> headache that was about to explode behind her eyes. "I'd like to wait </div> <div> till the morning </div> <div> briefing in the hopes I'll have a little more information by then. I </div> <div> want to stay ahead of </div> <div> this story though, we can't let it spin out of control. I'm going to </div> <div> head back to my office </div> <div> and call a few people and try to get a feeling for how the press is </div> <div> going to handle this. I'll </div> <div> let you know what I find out?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Keep us informed." Leo said joining the other men in looking through </div> <div> reams and reams </div> <div> of paper. "I'll see you in my office before the press briefing. I </div> <div> want to discuss exactly </div> <div> what our response to the press is going to be."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok. I'll see you then. Good luck guys."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 2:20 AM</div> <div> DC Police Station</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley had been sitting in the squad room alone for over two hours </div> <div> waiting for a chance </div> <div> to see Donna. The officers kept insisting that there was a backlog of </div> <div> prisoners that needed </div> <div> processed but Ainsley got a feeling it was something else. They were </div> <div> trying to intimidate </div> <div> her. Trying to scare the bejeebers out of the little southern belle. </div> <div> She smiled to herself. If </div> <div> they only knew. She had spent the last year working in a den of </div> <div> democrats. A few police </div> <div> officers didn't scare her at all.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      It was almost three by the time she was finally allowed to </div> <div> see Donna. The female </div> <div> officer who had been at Josh's apartment earlier led her to an </div> <div> interrogation room. Ainsley </div> <div> slipped in the door and saw Donna sitting, back straight, with tears </div> <div> in her eyes and a </div> <div> piece of paper towel in her hands. She was desperately trying to rub </div> <div> away the black ink </div> <div> stains left from the fingerprinting. She was rubbing so intently that </div> <div> she didn't seem to </div> <div> notice Ainsley's arrival until she spoke.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna? Are you ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna raised her head to look at Ainsley but she didn't stop rubbing </div> <div> at the ink.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley? What are you doing here? They said my lawyer was here to </div> <div> see me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But..but..you can't be my lawyer. You work at the White House…</div> <div> they'll never let </div> <div> you…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're right, they wouldn't. That's why I quit my job."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No no no..I won't let you do that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's done now Donna. So lets get down to business." Ainsley said </div> <div> sternly, effectively </div> <div> ending any further discussion of the topic. "Has anyone tried to ask </div> <div> you any questions </div> <div> about the case?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's eyes went to the floor as soon as the question was out of </div> <div> Ainsley's mouth</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What happened?? Tell me everything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> In the car on the way here, the detective said…well he said…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What did he say, Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He said that it would really be better if I just confessed. He said </div> <div> that if I didn't, they </div> <div> would have to conduct a thorough investigation and that other people </div> <div> close to me might </div> <div> get hurt."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He was just trying to scare you, Donna. You didn't say anything to </div> <div> him did you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't let this hurt anyone else. Especially not Josh. I won't let </div> <div> him get caught up in </div> <div> this. I'll say I'm guilty before I'll let that happen."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It wont come to that, Donna. I promise."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can you do me a favor? I'm not asking you as my lawyer, I'm asking </div> <div> you as my friend."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will you keep an eye on Josh? Make sure that he eats and don't let </div> <div> him sleep in his </div> <div> office, ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure. But, believe me, it's not a job I intend on having for too </div> <div> long. As soon as we get </div> <div> you out on bail, he's all yours again."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How long do you think that will be?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need you to be prepared Donna. I'll try at the arraignment but it </div> <div> probably wont happen. </div> <div> We are going to have to wait till all the charges are in. A week </div> <div> maybe-two at the most."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK" Donna said trying in vain to blink back the tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They're going to take you over to the jail tonight. I've already </div> <div> informed them that they </div> <div> aren't to try to question you without me present but I will reiterate </div> <div> that to them before I </div> <div> leave. I'll meet you back here at 9:00 AM. Don't say anything till I </div> <div> get here. Here's my </div> <div> cell phone number, call me if you need anything at all ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Anything else I can do for you tonight?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah-tell Josh I'll get his shirt back to him as soon as they give </div> <div> me something else to </div> <div> wear. It's his favorite. I know he's gonna want it back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley's brow creased. She worried that Donna was developing a mild </div> <div> case of shock. </div> <div> Josh's shirt should be the last thing on her mind right now. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The only way Josh  wants that shirt back is with you in it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You think so?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know so. Now you hold tight and I'll see you in the morning."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> It was 3:45 by the time Ainsley arrived back at Josh's apartment. She </div> <div> had no doubt that </div> <div> he would still be awake., that they would all still be awake, </div> <div> searching for the proverbial </div> <div> needle in the haystack. Josh pounced as soon as he opened the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you see Donna? Is she ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She's doing as well as can be expected Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When can I go and see her?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not for awhile. I'm meeting her back at the station at 9:00 AM for </div> <div> questioning. I'll find </div> <div> out the details of the arraignment then. It wont be till after that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want to see her ASAP Ainsley."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know that, Josh. But the best way to do that is to figure out who </div> <div> is behind this so we </div> <div> can get her released. Have you found anything out yet?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not yet. We're trying to track down anybody that the bank, the </div> <div> landlord and the </div> <div> credit card companies might have in common. We are looking for the </div> <div> common thread."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good luck," she said tossing Sam his car keys. "I just wanted to </div> <div> check in. I'm headed </div> <div> back to my place to do some prep work before I have to be back at the </div> <div> police station. If </div> <div> you find anything-and I mean ANYTHING-please call me immediately."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK. We're headed in to work for a staff meeting in a couple of hours </div> <div> but we'll keep in </div> <div> touch."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh stepped out into the hall with Ainsley.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When you see Donna…will you tell her…tell her I love her ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure thing"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wee hours of the morning</div> <div> DC Jail</div> <bR> <bR> <div> If there was one thing Donna should have learned over the last few </div> <div> days it was to never </div> <div> think things couldn't get any worse. Just a few short hours ago, she </div> <div> would have said that </div> <div> getting patted down and arrested in front of her friends was the </div> <div> worst thing that had ever </div> <div> happened. Then she would have amended it to say that the humiliation </div> <div> of  fingerprints </div> <div> and mug shots was the worst. But none of that even compared to what </div> <div> was happening </div> <div> now. The thought of a full body cavity search had never entered </div> <div> Donnas mind until the </div> <div> female officers told her to remove all of her clothing. This was </div> <div> beyond humiliation. This </div> <div> was violation. This was too much for her brain to process.</div> <div>      She didn't even remember getting dressed in a denim prison </div> <div> jumpsuit. She didn't </div> <div> remember the officers leading her to a cell. All she could remember </div> <div> was the feeling of the </div> <div> officers’ hands and the noise. The roaring in her ears couldn't drown </div> <div> out all the noise of a </div> <div> prison at night. She lay down on the bare mattress and closed her </div> <div> eyes. 'Please God' she </div> <div> thought 'Don't let it get any worse than this.'</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 8:15 AM</div> <div> White House Press Room</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  After making a brief statement about the matters of the day, CJ </div> <div> opened the floor up for </div> <div> questions.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Does the White House have any comment about the arrest of Donna </div> <div> Moss?" half a </div> <div> dozen reporters shouted at once.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We are making no comment about the specifics of the case at this </div> <div> time but we would </div> <div> like to remind you that Ms Moss is innocent until proven guilty. We </div> <div> stand behind her </div> <div> 100% and we believe that this will be proven to have been a giant </div> <div> mistake."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Any truth to the rumor that the investigation may widen to include </div> <div> other members of the </div> <div> staff?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We have no reason to believe that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will Josh Lyman be making a statement considering that Ms Moss is </div> <div> his assistant?" </div> <div> asked Matt Wagner.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ felt her teeth start to grind. She hated Matt Wagner. He was an </div> <div> ultra right wing </div> <div> columnist out of Texas. He never missed a chance to take a shot at </div> <div> the administration. He </div> <div> was also one of those journalists who never let truth get in the way </div> <div> of a good story.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Mr. Lyman has no comment at this time except to say that he supports </div> <div> Ms Moss and is </div> <div> confident that she will be exonerated."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Considering their long standing personal relationship, can we assume </div> <div> that Mr. Lyman </div> <div> might also be a target of investigators?" Wagner shouted as a follow </div> <div> up.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Maybe it was the fact that she hadn't slept in 24 hours, or maybe it </div> <div> was the fact that one </div> <div> of her best friends was behind bars for a crime she didn't commit or </div> <div> that another friend </div> <div> was tearing himself up with feelings of helplessness. Whatever it </div> <div> was, something inside </div> <div> of CJ snapped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No Matt" she said with barely contained fury "We cannot assume Mr. </div> <div> Lyman will be a </div> <div> target of investigators. As I mentioned before, we have no reason to </div> <div> believe that any </div> <div> other staffer will be involved. But on a strictly personal level </div> <div> Matt, and I reiterate I am </div> <div> not speaking for the White House but rather for myself, you had </div> <div> better be careful about </div> <div> what you choose to write. I would lay off the tawdry references to </div> <div> secret lives and </div> <div> "longstanding personal relationships". Because when Donna is </div> <div> exonerated, and I assure </div> <div> that she will be, I will not only make you eat those words, I will </div> <div> use a slingshot to shove </div> <div> them so far down your throat that you will be picking smarmy innuendo </div> <div> out of your colon </div> <div> for the next year. Understand?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> And with that, she dismounted the podium and exited the room while </div> <div> the reporters all sat </div> <div> in stunned silence.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 11:00 AM</div> <div> West Wing</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh, Sam had Toby had all rearranged their schedules and farmed out </div> <div> as much work as </div> <div> possible. There were however still meetings to be attended and </div> <div> government business that </div> <div> needed done. They got through their work as quickly as possible and  </div> <div> were comparing </div> <div> notes over burgers from the mess in Toby's office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have you heard anything from Ainsley yet?" Toby asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nothing"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All of the sudden, Sam's head shot up and he said "I think I have </div> <div> something."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it?" Josh and Toby said in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A computer security firm that the bank, the landlord and at least </div> <div> one of the credit card </div> <div> companies have in common. Simmons and West. It's a company right here </div> <div> in DC. They </div> <div> apparently help keep computer systems secure."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Does that ring any bells Josh?" Toby asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not off the top of my head"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you know if Donna has ever dealt with them for any reason?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wouldn't know why she would have"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well lets call and find out a little more about them" Toby said </div> <div> reaching in to his top </div> <div> drawer and pulling out a cell phone. "This one is unlisted" he </div> <div> explained pointing to the </div> <div> phone as he dialed "In case they have caller ID, there is no use in </div> <div> letting them know who </div> <div> they are talking to. It might tend to seal their lips."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When the receptionist answered, Toby explained that he was doing some </div> <div> research on </div> <div> computer safety and that he was looking for some information on the </div> <div> kinds of services </div> <div> that her company offered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you looking to hire us?" the receptionist asked in a confused </div> <div> voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No" Toby said with more patience than he was actually feeling. "I'm </div> <div> just looking for </div> <div> some information about your company and the kind of services you </div> <div> provide."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hold on, sir. I'll put you through to the Public Relations </div> <div> Department."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby didn't relish the idea of working his way through a whole string </div> <div> of idiots just to try </div> <div> to get the information he wanted. However, he didn't want to arouse </div> <div> any suspicion. He </div> <div> was trying to figure out the quickest way to get the information he </div> <div> wanted when the voice </div> <div> on the other end of the phone froze him in his tracks.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Public Relations. Mandy Hampton speaking. Can I help you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby disconnected without saying a word and looked at Josh and Sam in </div> <div> disbelief.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it?" they both asked at the same time.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did either of you know that Mandy was back in town?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> And suddenly it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 11:15 AM</div> <div> Simmons and West</div> <div> PR office</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy slammed down the phone when the party on the other end hung up </div> <div> without </div> <div> speaking. 'Idiot' she thought. </div> <div> She went on with her work without giving it another thought. She was </div> <div> completely </div> <div> unaware that at that very moment, on the other side of town,  the </div> <div> boomerang of revenge </div> <div> had turned and was heading back in her direction.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> It's a beautiful morning here in the nations capital. Spring has </div> <div> sprung and the cherry </div> <div> blossoms will soon be in bloom. I sit on the balcony every morning, </div> <div> like I'm doing now, </div> <div> and just enjoy nature's rebirth. Maybe that seems a little overly </div> <div> sentimental, but this </div> <div> spring I have a lot to be happy about. And you know what the best </div> <div> part is? Little Miss </div> <div> Perfect is in jail. That's right-the slammer-the big house. And if I </div> <div> have anything to say </div> <div> about it, she will be there for a very, very long time. Forever even. </div> <div> I would have given </div> <div> anything to be there when she was arrested. To see the look on her </div> <div> face. And the look on </div> <div> Josh's face. I'm sure it was priceless. You might think I've gotten </div> <div> everything I wanted </div> <div> out of this deal. But you'd be wrong. Believe me when I tell you that </div> <div> this far from over. </div> <div> Blondie still has a lot more suffering to do. You see, prison is a </div> <div> very dangerous place. By </div> <div> the time I'm through with her, she's going to curse the day she ever </div> <div> left Wisconsin.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 9:47 AM</div> <div> Police Headquarters</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Miss Moss" Lt. Stoebner continued in an exasperated tone. "You can't </div> <div> possibly expect </div> <div> me to believe that you masterminded this entire plot all by yourself </div> <div> can you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have no idea what you're talking about" Donna said for what seemed </div> <div> like the </div> <div> thousandth time.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nearly a million dollars is what I'm talking about." The Lt. said, </div> <div> his voice rising. "That's </div> <div> a lot of money. It would take some real know how to move that much </div> <div> money around and </div> <div> keep it all straight."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I told you, I have no idea how that money ended up in my account."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, are you saying that you aren't the person who actually made the </div> <div> deposits?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine, then give me the names of your partners. If you were just an </div> <div> innocent dupe I might </div> <div> be able to help you out." The Lt. said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't have any partners. I don't know anything about the money." </div> <div> Donna said holding </div> <div> back tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you think Miss Moss? Do you think that because your friends </div> <div> work at the </div> <div> White House I can't…I won't…find out the truth? It always comes out. </div> <div> The past should </div> <div> prove that. I assure you, I'll dig as far as I need to to find the </div> <div> truth."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna stared at the floor as she felt Ainsley give her arm a </div> <div> reassuring squeeze.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Again, I have no idea what you're talking about." Donna said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine, Miss Moss. We'll just have to keep digging till we find out </div> <div> who was in this with </div> <div> you. Since Mr. Lyman is your direct superior, he would be a logical </div> <div> place to start."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Leave Josh alone." Donna snapped</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Does he have something to hide" the Lt. asked leaning across the </div> <div> table very close to </div> <div> Donna's face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, he doesn't and neither do I."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you protecting him? Are you protecting someone else you work </div> <div> with?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna couldn't hold back the tears of frustration any longer. Why </div> <div> couldn't she convince </div> <div> the police of the truth? Why couldn't she find the right words? There </div> <div> was one thing she </div> <div> knew for sure. She wasn't going to let anyone else be hurt by this. </div> <div> Not Toby, not CJ, not </div> <div> Sam and especially not Josh. She would do or say whatever she had to </div> <div> in order to protect </div> <div> them. She wouldn't allow any of them to go through the horror she was </div> <div> going through </div> <div> now. She looked down at her hands. She could still see traces of the </div> <div> black fingerprint ink.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So Miss Moss" the Lt continued "who else at the White House is </div> <div> involved?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Before Donna could answer, Ainsley spoke up.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This interview is over Lt. It has become quite obvious to me that </div> <div> you don't really want </div> <div> to hear the truth. You just want to my client to tell you what you </div> <div> want to hear. And so, </div> <div> she won't be saying anything else at all."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As you wish Miss Hayes, but I'm only trying to help her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, I'm certain you have Donna's best interest at heart." Ainsley </div> <div> said sarcastically. </div> <div> "Now please give us a moment alone."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The Lt. gathered up his papers and walked slowly out of the room, </div> <div> slamming the door </div> <div> behind him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  As soon as he left, Ainsley turned to face Donna. "You look awful. </div> <div> Did something </div> <div> happen? Anything you want to talk to me about?" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna hesitated for a moment then spoke very softly. "Last night, </div> <div> when I got to the jail, </div> <div> before they put me in my cell, they did a body cavity search." she </div> <div> said dropping her head. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry" Ainsley said with genuine concern in her voice. "I didn't </div> <div> know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wasn't expecting it. I mean, the thought never occurred to me. </div> <div> They took me into a </div> <div> room with all these hideously bright fluorescent lights. They made me </div> <div> take off every </div> <div> stitch of clothing. First they made me stand up perfectly straight </div> <div> while they ran their </div> <div> hands over my entire body, and through my hair. They made me open my </div> <div> mouth and they </div> <div> stuck their fingers so far in it made me gag.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, Donna" Ainsley said fighting back tears of her own.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then they made me lean over and touch my toes" Donna continued in a </div> <div> voice barely </div> <div> above a whisper. "and they used their fingers to….they said they had </div> <div> to check for </div> <div> hidden…" Donna dissolved in tears and couldn't go on.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley reached out and wrapped Donna in a tight hug." I'm so sorry, </div> <div> Donna. I'll talk to </div> <div> the warden and see if there is anything I can do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey, I have a message for you from Josh." Ainsley said desperately </div> <div> searching for a </div> <div> way to alleviate the fear and pain in Donna's eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The words had the desired effect as the mention of Josh's name made </div> <div> Donna's eyes light </div> <div> up.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He said to tell you that he loves you, and that he will visit you as </div> <div> soon as he is allowed."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is he ok? I mean really? Is he eating? You have to watch him or </div> <div> he'll live on burgers </div> <div> and fries. And make sure he sleeps-in his bed not at his desk."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He's fine, Donna other than the fact that he misses you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will you tell him when you see him that…I love him too….and I miss </div> <div> him."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When do you think I might be able to see him?" Donna asked trying </div> <div> not to seem </div> <div> desperate.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll make it happen" Ainsley promised</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay thanks"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They were both startled by the sound of Ainsley's beeper. She studied </div> <div> the display intently </div> <div> and said "Speak of the devil. Josh needs to see me right away. Maybe </div> <div> he has some info. </div> <div> Let's keep our fingers crossed."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll try but its kind of hard to keep a good thought with several </div> <div> pairs of cold hands </div> <div> roaming over your body. Most of the men I've dated have never touched </div> <div> me in the places </div> <div> those guards have." Donna said as the tears threatened to fall again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm really sorry Donna. I'll see what I can do. You be strong okay?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok. I'll try"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 12:10 PM</div> <div> Houlihan's Pub</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Sam sat in silence in a corner booth near the back of the </div> <div> restaurant waiting for </div> <div> Toby and Ainsley to join them. Josh hadn't had much to say since he </div> <div> had found out that </div> <div> not only was Mandy back in town, but that she in fact working for a </div> <div> company that was </div> <div> looking more and more like it had a role in what happened to Donna. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had  known that Mandy resented Donna's place in his life when </div> <div> they were together </div> <div> but that was years ago. Had Mandy really harbored a grudge for this </div> <div> long? How could her </div> <div> anger and hatred have gotten this far out of control. It wasn't like </div> <div> they had been a happy </div> <div> couple before Donna came along. They had always had a stormy </div> <div> relationship. Donna </div> <div> hadn't been responsible for their breakup in any way. He wanted to </div> <div> find Mandy and force </div> <div> the truth out of her. He quickly batted the thought away. He knew it </div> <div> wasn't feasible. A </div> <div> confrontation with Josh would only make her more determined. It would </div> <div> also give her a </div> <div> chance to cover her tracks. If she knew that they were on to her, she </div> <div> would have a chance </div> <div> to bury any evidence that might clear Donna so deep it would take </div> <div> them years to find it. </div> <div> He was lost so deeply in his own thoughts that he didn't see Ainsley </div> <div> until she slid into the </div> <div> booth beside Sam.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How is Donna this morning?" he asked immediately.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley had tried to decide on the way over whether she should tell </div> <div> Josh how upset </div> <div> Donna was or not. She had finally decided to be as open with him as </div> <div> possible, it would be </div> <div> better for everyone in the long run.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She had a bit of a rough night, Josh, but she is handling it as best </div> <div> she can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean a rough night?" Josh was immediately alarmed</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Apparently when she arrived at the jail last night, the guards </div> <div> performed a full body </div> <div> cavity search."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You've GOT to be kidding me." Josh screamed </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ains was that really necessary?" Sam asked wincing</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Definitely not" Ainsley responded</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is ridiculous" Josh continued "This is Washington DC not some </div> <div> backwoods prison </div> <div> movie."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I intend to talk to the warden about it" Ainsley said "But </div> <div> unfortunately it's completely </div> <div> legal"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well they better be good and sure that they followed every rule </div> <div> right to the letter" Sam </div> <div> stormed "because if they didn't, I'll not only have their jobs but </div> <div> I'll have them up on </div> <div> assault charges."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna's not some hardened criminal. How could they have done that to </div> <div> her? WHY </div> <div> would they have done that to her?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They are really tightening the screws on her. They want a quick </div> <div> confession." Ainsley </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean tightening the screws?" Josh asked growing angrier </div> <div> by the minute.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They are trying to intimidate her. Trying to convince her that she </div> <div> needs to confess </div> <div> before the rest of you get subjected to an investigation I've assured </div> <div> her that they are </div> <div> bluffing but they know that they are hitting a raw nerve. It's her </div> <div> worst fear, hurting any </div> <div> other member of the staff." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh God, Ainsley. Is she o.k…..I mean really?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She's doing her best." Ainsley's voice softened as she saw the pain </div> <div> in Josh's eyes." She </div> <div> said to tell you that she loves you, she wants you to eat your </div> <div> vegetables, and don't sleep at </div> <div> your desk."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh smiled at the thought that, even in her darkest hours, Donna was </div> <div> worried about </div> <div> whether or not he was taking care of himself.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We've got to get her out of there." Josh whispered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We will." Sam and Ainsley said almost in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So" Ainsley asked hopefully. "What did you find out?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Just then Toby strode across the restaurant and slid into the booth.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, we have a definite lead." Sam said "We found a computer </div> <div> security firm that is </div> <div> linked to the bank, the rental company and at least one of the credit </div> <div> card companies. </div> <div> We're checking the other credit card companies now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's great" Ainsley said. "Any idea who at that company might be </div> <div> involved?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As a matter of fact, yes." Sam said casting a sideways glance at </div> <div> Josh. "We think it's </div> <div> Mandy Hampton."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Mandy Hampton?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah. She used to be a PR consultant for the DNC. She also happens </div> <div> to </div> <div> be…..um…Josh's ex-girlfriend."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley's eyebrows shot up. "That's interesting."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very interesting" Toby said dryly. "Mandy Hampton is basically some </div> <div> low level little </div> <div> pissant with delusions of grandeur. I never trusted her, always </div> <div> thought she was a bit off </div> <div> balance but I certainly never thought it would go this far. But she </div> <div> slipped up and now we </div> <div> have our opening.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So where do we go from here?" Ainsley asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," Toby said "First we gather enough evidence to get Donna out </div> <div> of jail. That has to </div> <div> be our top priority. Then we make damn sure the illustrious Ms </div> <div> Hampton gets what she </div> <div> has coming to her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Amen" Josh and Sam muttered in unison</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "To that end" Toby continued "I just got off the phone with some </div> <div> friends at Justice who </div> <div> specialize in these types of cases. They recommended we hire someone </div> <div> who can go at </div> <div> this investigation in cyberspace. We are going to need to trace every </div> <div> single transaction </div> <div> back to its point of origin."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did they have any recommendations"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As a matter of fact yes"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have a name right here. They aren't high profile, they tend to </div> <div> operate mostly in the </div> <div> shadows, but  they are the best in the business. They don't come </div> <div> cheap but they produce </div> <div> results."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great, call them. I'll get the money, no matter what it costs. Make </div> <div> sure they know that  </div> <div> we need them to get started right away." Josh said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll set up a meeting sometime today. We will give them all the </div> <div> information we have and </div> <div> they can get started." Toby said</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 3:00 PM</div> <div> DC Jail</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna didn't know how she had managed to make it through the </div> <div> violation of another </div> <div> body cavity search. She thought maybe the shock wouldn't be as great </div> <div> the second time </div> <div> but it was. The officers seemed to be being intentionally rough and </div> <div> several times Donna </div> <div> had to bite her lip to keep from crying out in pain. The pat down </div> <div> portion of the search </div> <div> was much rougher than the first time. Donna's breasts had been </div> <div> squeezed with such force </div> <div> that she was certain there would be bruising. When the other officer </div> <div> once again told </div> <div> Donna to bend over she did with a glint in her eyes. "I guess this is </div> <div> a long fall down from </div> <div> the White House" she said as she used her entire hand to probe the </div> <div> most intimate parts of </div> <div> Donna's body. </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  She had been glad half an hour later, when the guard had come to </div> <div> tell her that it was time </div> <div> for her shower. She wanted to try to wash all of the ugliness off of </div> <div> her body. When she </div> <div> reached the shower room, her stomach fell. A large leering male guard </div> <div> stood outside of </div> <div> the stall. The stall with no curtain. There was no privacy of any </div> <div> kind. Donna hesitated </div> <div> until the guard said. "Hurry up goldilocks, you have 5 minutes."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna kept her back to the guard as she undressed. She stepped into </div> <div> the shower and tried </div> <div> to let the warm water relax her a bit, but that wasn't really </div> <div> possible with a stranger </div> <div> standing 5 feet away. Donna could feel his eyes on her body. She </div> <div> showered as quickly as </div> <div> possible, towel dried herself, and slipped back into her clothes, all </div> <div> without making eye </div> <div> contact with the guard. She was led back to her cell where she </div> <div> promptly lay down on the </div> <div> bed and cried.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 6:00 PM</div> <div> Ainsley's Apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The knock on her door initially startled Ainsley. She looked through </div> <div> the peephole to see </div> <div> Sam juggling multiple containers of Chinese takeout.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey Sam."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi there. I thought you might too be busy to get yourself any dinner </div> <div> so I grabbed some </div> <div> Chinese. Are you hungry?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley laughed</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah. I guess that's a stupid question." Sam said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have a seat" Ainsley gestured to the living room as she moved toward </div> <div> the kitchen. "I'll </div> <div> get some plates."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Just as they began to eat, Ainsley's phone rang.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley Hayes….Donna? Is that you? Okay slow down….I can barely </div> <div> understand </div> <div> you…hold on….listen Donna, is it okay if I  put you on speakerphone? </div> <div> Okay hold </div> <div> on…"Ainsley said as she transferred Donna to speakerphone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sam is here with me" Ainsley said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi Sam"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi Donna. Everything okay?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well…" Donna hesitated " I just called to see if Ainsley had gotten </div> <div> a chance to talk to </div> <div> the warden about the body cavity searches." Donna choked out unable </div> <div> to hold back the </div> <div> tears. "I know I'm gonna have to leave here for the arraignment and I </div> <div> was just hoping to </div> <div> avoid….I mean I can't go through….today was worse than the first one."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Try to calm down" Ainsley said trying desperately to soothe her </div> <div> friend "Tell me what </div> <div> happened"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam shot up off the couch and began pacing. Ainsley thought that he </div> <div> looked as if he </div> <div> wanted to hit something..or someone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They were just very rough. My breasts are bruised and….well I'm so </div> <div> sore that I can </div> <div> barely sit down." She said hoping that they got her meaning and she </div> <div> wouldn't have to be </div> <div> any more graphic. "I think they did it on purpose."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What makes you say that?" Sam asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The guard who was.." Donna hesitated "well the one who was </div> <div> conducting the "internal" </div> <div> search" Donna's voice broke again, "she made a comment about it being </div> <div> a long fall from </div> <div> the White House."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam and Ainsley were trying to desperately to digest this new </div> <div> information. Sam made a </div> <div> mental note to check on any connections Mandy might have with anyone </div> <div> at the prison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> There was a click on the line." Oh, my time is up. I have to go. </div> <div> Could you talk to the </div> <div> warden Ainsley, please?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I promise Donna. I'll do what I can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks. Bye"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem." Ainsley said looking warily at Sam</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Bye Donna" Sam said "Listen, you hang in there. We're gonna take </div> <div> care of this."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay, bye"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam and Ainsley sat listening to the buzz of the dial tone for a </div> <div> minute after Donna hung </div> <div> up. They were both lost in their own thoughts, both afraid to share </div> <div> the fear they felt for </div> <div> Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is getting out of control" Sam seethed</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I agree" Ainsley sighed </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 7:00 PM</div> <div> Josh's office</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby had managed to get an appointment with the "cyber sleuths" for </div> <div> 6:00 PM. Josh </div> <div> wasn't able to attend because he had a meeting on the hill. Toby had </div> <div> taken copies of all </div> <div> their records and had promised to report back. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had been pacing in his office for 20 minutes when CJ walked in.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley called." she said "The arraignment has been set for </div> <div> tomorrow."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay thanks. What time?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "8:00 AM. Have you eaten dinner yet?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't start ,CJ"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm just saying Josh you have to eat, because I'm not willing to </div> <div> face the wrath of Donna </div> <div> when she gets back here if you haven't been taking care of yourself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh smiled, picturing Donna admonishing them all for not taking care </div> <div> of themselves </div> <div> when she returned. Just then Toby strode in.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How did it go?" Josh asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They're going to start working on it right away. Top priority."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great. Did they say how long till we heard something?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's not an easy process, Josh. It could take awhile but they are </div> <div> going to move as fast </div> <div> as they can. They are going to put a full team on it. Work round the </div> <div> clock. We'll know as </div> <div> soon as they get anything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How much, Toby?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry. It's taken care of."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How much?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "One hundred thousand retainer against final expenses."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll need some time to liquidate a few things but I'll get it to </div> <div> them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I said its taken care of Josh. Don't argue with me. You haven't </div> <div> slept in 2 days. Now go </div> <div> home and get some rest. There's nothing here that can't wait till </div> <div> tomorrow."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Toby I….."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I said go home Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok -but you'll call me if there's any news right?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Absolutely"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After Josh left, CJ and Toby adjourned to the couch in her office. </div> <div> They sat quietly for a </div> <div> long time until CJ finally broke the silence.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A hundred grand is a lot of money, Toby"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes it is"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why did you do it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who says I did?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They had to get the money somewhere Toby. They don't sound like the </div> <div> kind of </div> <div> company that carries a lot of accounts receivable."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You want to know why CJ? Honestly?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes I do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Because Donna isn't like the rest of us. She hasn't had time to </div> <div> become jaded, politics </div> <div> hasn't made her cynical yet. Or maybe she is just stronger than us </div> <div> and hasn't let it make </div> <div> her cynical. She still believes that good always wins in the end and </div> <div> she still believes that </div> <div> any righteous battle is worth fighting. And seeing her everyday helps </div> <div> me believe those </div> <div> things a little too. It helps me remember why I got into politics in </div> <div> the first place. And I'm </div> <div> not ready to give that up without a fight."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You really are a very sweet man Toby Ziegler"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah well-don't spread it around."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 11:00 PM</div> <div> DC Jail</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna lay on her bunk staring at the ceiling and wishing for just a </div> <div> few minutes of </div> <div> quiet. All night long she could hear the various shouts and moans of </div> <div> her fellow inmates. </div> <div> 'Her fellow inmates'. The phrase made Donna cringe. How had it gotten </div> <div> this bad, this </div> <div> fast.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Worse than anything, she wanted to see Josh. She wanted him to tell </div> <div> her that </div> <div> everything was going to be ok.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Her stomach twisted in knots. She couldn't remember the last time </div> <div> she had eaten. It must </div> <div> have been yesterday-or maybe the day before. She hadn't even bothered </div> <div> to take any food </div> <div> tonight in the cafeteria. She knew she would never be able to keep it </div> <div> down.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  She wondered where Josh was right now. She sent up a silent prayer </div> <div> that he was all right. </div> <div> She hoped that Ainsley would keep her promise to look after him. She </div> <div> thought back to </div> <div> the kiss they had shared  on his couch. Had that only been a little </div> <div> over </div> <div> 24 hours ago. It seemed like an eternity. She wished that she could </div> <div> turn the clocks back </div> <div> and live in that moment forever. But the noise from outside her cell </div> <div> brought her back to </div> <div> reality and the tears began to flow as she stared at the ceiling </div> <div> while the minutes and hours </div> <div> ticked by,</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Thursday</div> <div> 1:00 AM</div> <div> Josh's Apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh lay staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Every time he close </div> <div> his eyes he pictured </div> <div> what Donna must be going through and it tore him up. He knew how much </div> <div> Donna </div> <div> enjoyed her friends and her job and he was sure that being cut off </div> <div> from them was torture </div> <div> for her. As strong as Donna was, he was certain that she was </div> <div> terrified. Anyone in her </div> <div> position would be. He tried not to picture what the body cavity </div> <div> search must have been </div> <div> like, tried not to picture strangers violating her body.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  What had she done to deserve this? How could Mandy possible hate her </div> <div> this much? Josh </div> <div> knew Mandy well enough to know that she only went after the person </div> <div> she intended. At </div> <div> first he had pondered the idea that this was all about getting back </div> <div> at him in some way but </div> <div> he quickly dismissed that. He couldn't think about Mandy now.  He </div> <div> knew that Toby was </div> <div> right.  His first concern had to be getting Donna out of jail then he </div> <div> would make sure </div> <div> Mandy got what she deserved. She was going to pay for every tear that </div> <div> Donna shed over </div> <div> this. He would see to it personally.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  His thoughts drifted back to Donna again. He wanted to be strong for </div> <div> her the way she </div> <div> had been strong so many times for him. He wondered why he had denied </div> <div> his feelings for </div> <div> so long? What had he been afraid of? Why hadn't he realized that her </div> <div> love was worth any </div> <div> of the repercussions that might come from it. He knew that it would </div> <div> take some time for </div> <div> Donna to recover from this once they got her home, and he made a vow </div> <div> to himself as he </div> <div> stared at the ceiling, that he would be there for her every step of </div> <div> the way.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Thursday</div> <div> 8:00 AM</div> <div> Courthouse</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As the officers escorted Donna down the hall towards the courtroom, </div> <div> she saw Ainsley in </div> <div> animated conversation with the prosecutor. Her hands were balled into </div> <div> fists and she was </div> <div> obviously upset. When she saw Donna approaching, she came to meet her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's wrong?" Donna asked , not really sure if she wanted to know.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They've added some charges." Ainsley said angrily. " They traced one </div> <div> of the offshore </div> <div> accounts to a Columbian drug lord named Ramon Rodriquez and now they </div> <div> are trying to </div> <div> link you to him."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh my God" Donna said with a look of shock on her face. "What does </div> <div> this mean?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> **********************************************************************</div> <div> **</div> <div> CJ, Sam, Josh, Toby and Leo were all gathered around a television </div> <div> monitor in Leo's </div> <div> office watching a live feed of the arraignment. Josh's heart jumped </div> <div> when the camera </div> <div> caught Donna and Ainsley entering the courtroom. Ainsley was </div> <div> whispering intently and </div> <div> Donna had a stricken look on her face. This couldn't be good news. </div> <div> Josh's stomach </div> <div> began to constrict.</div> <div> **********************************************************************</div> <div> **</div> <div> Suddenly the bailiff said:</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "People vs. Donna Moss Docket number 45230A"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna and Ainsley stepped up to the podium. The prosecutor stood at a </div> <div> similar one five </div> <div> feet away.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The people would like to point out that we have filed amended </div> <div> charges within the last 30 </div> <div> minutes your honor. We have provided the defense with a copy and we </div> <div> have a copy for </div> <div> the bench also."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are the charges?" the judge asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Miss Moss is charged with cocaine trafficking, conspiracy to </div> <div> contribute cocaine, money </div> <div> laundering, illegal use of bank facilities, criminal conspiracy and </div> <div> racketeering."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How do you plead?" the judge asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not guilty on all counts" Ainsley said as she recovered from the </div> <div> shock of hearing the </div> <div> charges read out loud." We request bail your honor" she said even </div> <div> though she knew it </div> <div> was useless.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The state strongly objects your honor. The defendant quite possibly </div> <div> has a large amount </div> <div> of cash hidden somewhere and she also has connections with powerful </div> <div> people who could </div> <div> easily facilitate her disappearance. We feel this makes her a strong </div> <div> flight risk."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your honor, I respectfully disagree." Ainsley said ready to launch </div> <div> into what she knew </div> <div> was a futile argument.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Forget it Miss Hayes" the judge interrupted "Bail is denied. Well </div> <div> move forward as </div> <div> quickly as possible. I'll hear preliminary motions three weeks from </div> <div> today. Next case"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> And with that, the officers led Donna from the courthouse.</div> <div> **********************************************************************</div> <div> **</div> <div> A stunned and angry silence fell over Leo's office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is unreal" CJ screamed "What the hell is going on?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Obviously" Toby said through clenched teeth "we underestimated </div> <div> Mandy. I think it's </div> <div> time to take the gloves off and get down to business." he said as he </div> <div> stalked off towards </div> <div> his own office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam looked nervously at Josh who had been frozen to the same spot </div> <div> since he heard the </div> <div> charges . "Are you okay?" Sam asked putting his hand on his friends </div> <div> shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No" Josh responded "Not even close"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Thursday</div> <div> 9:30 AM</div> <div> Josh's office</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The morning press briefing had been a zoo, and CJ was hiding in </div> <div> Josh's office trying to </div> <div> escape the chaos for a few short minutes. News of the added drug </div> <div> charges had created a </div> <div> media frenzy. As she mentally planned how she was going to handle the </div> <div> rest of the day, </div> <div> CJ looked at Josh. She could see the pain clearly etched on his face. </div> <div> He was shuffling </div> <div> papers around on his desk and doing his best to pretend he wasn't </div> <div> simply waiting for the </div> <div> phone to ring. Finally it did.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Lyman" he barked into the phone</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi Josh, its Ainsley"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> " How's Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Doing as well as can be expected. I think hearing all those charges </div> <div> read out loud </div> <div> shocked her, actually I think it shocked both of us. She's on her way </div> <div> back to the jail now" </div> <div> Ainsley sent up a quick prayer that her talk with the warden about </div> <div> strip searches had been </div> <div> successful and that Donna didn't have to endure another one upon her </div> <div> return.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When can I see her? You said we could arrange it after the </div> <div> arraignment."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will Josh. I'll set it up for tomorrow. That's the best I'm going </div> <div> to be able to do. I'll get </div> <div> back to you with a time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay. Thanks"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Friday</div> <div> 1:45 PM</div> <div> DC Jail</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh waited  impatiently to clear the security checks needed before </div> <div> he would be allowed </div> <div> to see Donna. Sam had decided to accompany him but  Josh barely </div> <div> noticed his </div> <div> presence. They passed through a metal detector, emptied the contents </div> <div> of their pockets and </div> <div> answered an endless series of questions about past criminal history </div> <div> etc. They were finally </div> <div> admitted to a small room with a series of glass partitions and </div> <div> instructed to sit at the first </div> <div> one.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh tapped his hand impatiently waiting for Donna to arrive. When </div> <div> the door opened and </div> <div> he saw her-his heart jumped. Then he noticed the way she looked. Her </div> <div> shoulders were </div> <div> slumped, her eyes were downcast, her entire posture was in defeatist </div> <div> mode. When she </div> <div> looked up and saw Josh, her eyes lit up. Not the typical Donna Moss </div> <div> wattage but there </div> <div> was definitely a light. She moved quickly to the other side of the </div> <div> partition.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "15 minutes" the guard said as he pushed Donna down into the </div> <div> chair. "And don't touch </div> <div> the glass."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, honey. Are you ok?" Josh asked leaning as close as possible </div> <div> to the glass. He </div> <div> wanted to look at her, to know for sure that she was ok.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine Josh." Donna said tying to smile. "Are you ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry about me" he said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They stared deeply into each other's eyes. Sam realized that they </div> <div> were communicating </div> <div> things that mere words could never convey. Finally Donna broke the </div> <div> silence.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley said that you had a lead. She said that you might know who </div> <div> was behind this. </div> <div> She wouldn't tell me who though. She said you wanted to tell me </div> <div> yourself. Who is it </div> <div> Josh? Do you know?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh hesitated. He had begged Ainsley to let him be the one to tell </div> <div> Donna about Mandy. </div> <div> He wasn't sure how she was going to take the news. And now sitting </div> <div> here looking at the </div> <div> circles under her eyes and her sad, tired countenance, he wanted to </div> <div> shield her from the </div> <div> pain once again. But he knew he couldn't.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We think the damage is coming from a computer security firm called </div> <div> Simmons and </div> <div> West" he said. "They are a company right here in DC. And their PR </div> <div> chief is….Mandy </div> <div> Hampton"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Donna asked with a look of disbelief on her face. Mandy?. </div> <div> Why? What had </div> <div> Donna ever done to her?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh watched Donna eyes as she processed the information. It was </div> <div> almost more than he </div> <div> could stand. She looked unhappy-distant somehow-like it was all </div> <div> becoming more than </div> <div> she could handle.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen Donna. This is good news. Now that we know the source, we can </div> <div> trace things </div> <div> back and find a way to get you out of here," Sam said, speaking for </div> <div> the first time since </div> <div> they had arrived.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna momentarily took her gaze off of Josh and looked towards Sam. </div> <div> The expression </div> <div> on her face was one of pure terror. She turned back to Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, what is it? Please say something."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> But Donna couldn't say a word. She was struck dumb with fear. Mandy </div> <div> had powerful </div> <div> friends. She had the clout to make this stick. All along she had </div> <div> harbored the hope that this </div> <div> was the work of a low level psycho. But for the first time she </div> <div> realized just how serious </div> <div> this had the potential to be. She realized that Mandy could take </div> <div> everything that mattered </div> <div> away from her forever, her friends, her job, her freedom and most </div> <div> importantly the man </div> <div> she loved.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna talk to me" Josh said louder and with more panic than he </div> <div> intended.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm ok" Donna said trying to look confident. She had to help Josh. </div> <div> She was worried </div> <div> about him. She wondered if he was next on Mandy's list. God she hoped </div> <div> not. She loved </div> <div> him so much, she didn't want him to get hurt.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is good Donna. Really. I'm gonna get you out of here. I </div> <div> promise. We have people </div> <div> working right now to track all of the transactions back to their </div> <div> source. It's only a matter </div> <div> of time. You believe that don't you"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes" Donna said as the guard yelled "5 more minutes"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna please tell me you're all right." Josh begged. The look on her </div> <div> face was making </div> <div> his heart ache. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be fine"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You look tired. Are you getting any sleep"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Some"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You need to take care of yourself Donna"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How are things at the office?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry about the office Donna. You'll be back there soon </div> <div> enough."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I hope so" Donna whispered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> And all too soon the fifteen minutes was over. The guard approached </div> <div> Donna to take her </div> <div> back to her cell. "Josh leaned in and said "I love you Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too" she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as they were gone, Sam put his hand on Josh's shoulder. "Lets </div> <div> go" he said But </div> <div> Josh couldn't seem to stand up. His legs didn't want to work. It had </div> <div> all gone by so fast. </div> <div> He wanted to yell-to make the guard stop-to say that he wasn't done </div> <div> yet. There was so </div> <div> much more he wanted to say. Finally, wordlessly, he stood up and </div> <div> followed Sam out of </div> <div> the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Friday</div> <div> 5:00 PM</div> <div> Josh's Apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Sam sat drinking scotch when Ainsley arrived. Sam had called </div> <div> her and asked </div> <div> her to meet them there and she could tell by his voice that the visit </div> <div> had not gone well. </div> <div> Sam let her in and she immediately crossed to the couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok Josh?" she asked as she watched him down what was left in </div> <div> his glass in one </div> <div> swallow.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh couldn't find the words to describe how he was feeling. The look </div> <div> in Donna's eyes </div> <div> when she found out about Mandy had been devastating. It was like she </div> <div> lost hope. And </div> <div> that was the one thing Josh couldn't abide.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We have to get her out of there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know Josh"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh got up wordlessly and went out to the balcony to stare at the </div> <div> city below. Ainsley </div> <div> started after him but Sam said "Let him be alone for awhile. The </div> <div> visit this afternoon was </div> <div> really tough on him."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can imagine. How about you Sam-are you ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know. I mean, seeing Donna this afternoon, in that place, it </div> <div> was awful. She looks </div> <div> so frightened. I know that place is horrible and it breaks my heart </div> <div> that she is there. And I </div> <div> also know the effect this is having on Josh. It's killing him to see </div> <div> her like that. Josh and </div> <div> Donna have been through so much lately, and now this. It makes me </div> <div> want to just find </div> <div> Mandy and strangle her. I hate myself for feeling that way but I do. </div> <div> As soon as we get </div> <div> Donna back here where she belongs, I'm personally going to make sure </div> <div> that Mandy </div> <div> pays."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know Sam. I'm going to do everything I can to help Josh and Donna. </div> <div> And I've never </div> <div> even met Mandy Hampton but she seems like a woman in desperate need </div> <div> of a trip to the </div> <div> woodshed, as my daddy would say. And I would be honored if you would </div> <div> allow me to </div> <div> help you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal. I just hope we get it done before there is any irreparable </div> <div> harm."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We will Sam. I'm far from defeated yet. These people don't know what </div> <div> they're dealing </div> <div> with here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley suddenly had a realization. She didn't know Mandy Hampton and </div> <div> could never </div> <div> hope to understand her motivations. So she would leave the sleuthing </div> <div> to Toby and Sam </div> <div> and Josh. She would let them track down the information that would </div> <div> set Donna free. She </div> <div> would let CJ handle the press since she did it better than anyone. </div> <div> Her role was to make </div> <div> sure that Donna came through this intact, with as little damage as </div> <div> possible. And that was </div> <div> precisely what she intended to do.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Saturday</div> <div> 9:45 AM</div> <div> West Wing</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby, Sam, Josh and CJ were sifting through all of the new papers </div> <div> that have been faxed </div> <div> to them, trying to connect Simmons and West to as many of the </div> <div> companies in question as </div> <div> possible when the phone rang.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh Lyman. Oh hi Ainsley, what's up?…Really?….Are you sure it's </div> <div> ok?…Definitely…..I'm on my way…..I'll meet you there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looks up at the others in the room as he grabs his coat and </div> <div> smiles. "Ainsley has </div> <div> arranged for me to have another visit with Donna today. I've got to </div> <div> meet her at the jail </div> <div> right now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh that's wonderful" CJ beamed "Would it be ok if Toby and I came </div> <div> too. Just so Donna </div> <div> can see we're all behind her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't see why not"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Send her my love" Sam said "I saw her yesterday so I'll stay here </div> <div> and keep going </div> <div> through these records."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks buddy" Josh said as he slipped out the door with Sam and CJ </div> <div> close behind.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Saturday</div> <div> 10:30 AM</div> <div> DC Jail</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh sat in the same place as he had the day before and  waited for </div> <div> Donna to enter the </div> <div> room. CJ and Toby sat nervously beside him. All three of their hearts </div> <div> dropped as soon as </div> <div> Donna entered the room. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. She </div> <div> had enormous dark </div> <div> circles under her eyes and her skin had taken on a gray pallor. She </div> <div> smiled when she saw </div> <div> them but it wasn't very convincing. Josh just wanted to jump over the </div> <div> glass partition and </div> <div> wrap his arms around her and tell her that everything would be ok.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As she moved across the room and sat down in the chair on the </div> <div> opposite side of the glass, </div> <div> Josh noticed  a large purple bruise on her cheekbone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What the hell happened?" Josh choked out. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine" Donna said with a vacant look in her eyes. "It's nothing. </div> <div> I'm fine.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, where did you get that bruise?" Josh thundered. Suddenly he </div> <div> felt CJ's hand on </div> <div> his shoulder and he realized that his anger and fear weren't helping </div> <div> Donna at all. He </div> <div> calmed himself down before he spoke again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sweetheart" he said more softly "Tell me what happened"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I didn't move fast enough this morning at breakfast when someone </div> <div> told me too" she said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean?" he said trying hard to maintain control</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry, Josh. I can handle it" she said trying to alleviate </div> <div> some of the worry in his </div> <div> eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you see a doctor?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's nothing. I'm fine. Can we please not talk about it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay" Josh reluctantly dropped the subject but made a mental note to </div> <div> talk to Ainsley </div> <div> about moving Donna to a more secure location.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You look tired. Are you sleeping?" Josh asked though the answer was </div> <div> written all over </div> <div> her face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Some" she hesitated then continued "Listen Josh I've been </div> <div> thinking….if I just say that I </div> <div> did it…and I tell them that it was all me……"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you talking about?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, I saw the paper today. They were talking about starting an </div> <div> investigation of you. I </div> <div> can't let that happen. I'll say it was me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What paper did you see Donna?" CJ asked making a mental note to </div> <div> destroy whatever </div> <div> reporter wrote it.</div> <div> "I'm not sure which one it was. Someone cut the article out and left </div> <div> it in my cell when I </div> <div> was at breakfast. I won't let that happen Josh. I won't let it happen </div> <div> to any of you. I don't </div> <div> care what anybody says."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Stop it Donna" Toby growled, finally unable to control his boiling </div> <div> anger any longer. </div> <div> They all turned to look at him. "Josh isn't going to get investigated </div> <div> and you are not going </div> <div> to plead guilty to something you didn't do and we're going to get you </div> <div> out of here before </div> <div> you end up with any more bruises."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But Toby…….."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No buts Donna. I mean it. We are very very close to getting to the </div> <div> bottom of this."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just don't want anybody else to get hurt."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No one will" except for Mandy Hampton he thought to himself, and she </div> <div> was most </div> <div> definitely going to hurt</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly Josh leaned towards the glass and his voice got very </div> <div> serious. "Do you trust me </div> <div> Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "With all my heart and soul."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then trust my word. I'm going to get you out of here and it's going </div> <div> to be soon. Do you </div> <div> believe me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes I do" Donna said with tears flowing down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. </div> <div> I know you're all </div> <div> working as hard as you can. I'll try to be stronger."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You are plenty strong Donna. This is a horrible situation. I just </div> <div> need you to hang on for </div> <div> a little while longer."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The guard started to move towards Donna and Josh knew their time was </div> <div> up. He locked </div> <div> eyes with her and said "I love you"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too" she said "And I really do trust you"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good" he said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She turned to Toby and CJ and said "Thanks for coming"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll see you soon" Toby said</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Saturday</div> <div> 7:00 PM</div> <div> Josh's apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had returned from the west wing to find the entire contents of </div> <div> Donna's apartment in </div> <div> his living room. The furniture belonged to the landlord, so Josh had </div> <div> only had to worry </div> <div> about getting Donnas personal belongings out. He had luckily been </div> <div> able to find a moving </div> <div> company willing to do it on such short notice. He reached down and </div> <div> opened a </div> <div> box marked bathroom and was staring wistfully at an amazing array of </div> <div> shampoos and </div> <div> body washes that helped to create the scent that was singularly </div> <div> Donna. He was broken out </div> <div> of his reverie by a knock at the door. He opened to find Ainsley </div> <div> carrying an armload of </div> <div> Styrofoam takeout containers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let me help you with those" Josh said "What's in them anyway."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A healthy meal from Antonio's and you're going to eat it." Ainsley </div> <div> said stubbornly. "I </div> <div> promised Donna I'd watch over you till she gets back and I don't </div> <div> break my promises."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm gonna pass on the obvious "read my lips" joke here Ainsley </div> <div> because I appreciate </div> <div> you getting me an extra visit with Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gee thanks. How was she today?" Ainsley shouted to the kitchen where </div> <div> Josh was </div> <div> getting plates and silverware.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She's holding on but just barely. She has a nasty bruise on her </div> <div> face. She won't say </div> <div> exactly how it happened but I have a pretty good idea. I need you </div> <div> talk to the warden </div> <div> about the security in that place."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will" Ainsley promised. "First thing in the morning"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is this all Donna's stuff?" Ainsley asked gesturing at the boxes</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I had it packed up. The landlord was threatening to throw it </div> <div> out on the street so I </div> <div> just had it brought here. I never liked the neighborhood Donna lived </div> <div> in anyway. This will </div> <div> give me an excuse to insist she get a new apartment in a better area."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Like this neighborhood perhaps?" Ainsley asked with a knowing smile</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's eyes told the whole story as he looked back at Ainsley.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll keep my fingers crossed" she said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as Josh had eaten his entire dinner, he carried the dishes to </div> <div> the kitchen. When he </div> <div> returned to the living room Ainsley was gathering up her things and </div> <div> getting ready to </div> <div> leave.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now the second part of my promise to Donna. Go to bed Josh. Get a </div> <div> good nights sleep."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will Ainsley, thanks. Do you want me to drive you home?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I'm fine. I think I'm gonna stop by Sam's and discuss some legal </div> <div> strategy" </div> <div> she said trying to sound nonchalant. When she looked up she caught a </div> <div> definite twinkle in </div> <div> Josh's eye.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Good luck with that" Josh smiled. "I'll keep my fingers crossed." He </div> <div> said as he winked at </div> <div> her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She ducked her head on the way out the door hoping Josh didn't see </div> <div> her blush.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh turned back to the boxes until he located the ones labeled </div> <div> bedroom. He searched </div> <div> through them until he found Donna's pillow. As he removed it from the </div> <div> box, he heard </div> <div> something fall to the floor. His heart lurched when he looked down </div> <div> and saw Donna's </div> <div> campaign ID. He didn't even realize that she had kept it. His </div> <div> thoughts drifted back to </div> <div> New Hampshire. She had been so uncertain of herself then. Dr Freeride </div> <div> had robbed her of </div> <div> all of her self-confidence. She had been so frightened, yet so </div> <div> determined to find a new </div> <div> start. Her optimism and her love of life had shown through even then. </div> <div> Josh wasn't going </div> <div> to let that part of her be destroyed. He grabbed the pillow and  </div> <div> moved back to the </div> <div> bedroom and threw it on the bed. After he had showered, he crawled </div> <div> under the covers and </div> <div> pulled the pillow close to him. It still smelled like Donna and he </div> <div> could almost imagine </div> <div> her laying there with him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Soon Donnatella" he whispered. "Soon"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sunday</div> <div> 10:45 AM</div> <div> DC Jail</div> <div> Recreation Yard</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna stood against the wall of the building all by herself. She </div> <div> couldn't even manage to </div> <div> enjoy the spring air. She just wanted to retreat to her cell. The </div> <div> noise of the yard was going </div> <div> through her head like a knife through butter. Suddenly a large group </div> <div> of  women </div> <div> approached her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey Blondie, why so unsociable" one of them asked as they closed in </div> <div> on her effectively </div> <div> pinning her to the wall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No reason" Donna stammered. I'm just not feeling well.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You think you're too good for us Miss White House?" another of the </div> <div> women asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's heart was now pounding in her ears as she looked around for a </div> <div> way to escape. </div> <div> "No, as I said, I just don't feel well."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, we just want to make sure you know missy. We don't care who </div> <div> your old boss was. </div> <div> This is our yard and we run things around here." As she finished her </div> <div> sentence, her fist </div> <div> connected with Donnas jaw. Donna's head snapped back and she saw </div> <div> stars. Before she </div> <div> could think, she felt another fist slam into her stomach. She was </div> <div> gasping for air. She </div> <div> couldn't get enough breath to call for help. Blood was pouring from </div> <div> her nose and mouth. </div> <div> Where were the guards? She wondered. Donna's panic became as intense </div> <div> as her pain. She </div> <div> was leaning over trying to protect herself when she felt a knee rise </div> <div> up and make contact </div> <div> with her forehead. The world started to spin but not before Donna </div> <div> felt another fist slam </div> <div> into her stomach. As she lost consciousness, she was vaguely aware of </div> <div> feet slamming into </div> <div> her back and head. And then there was just darkness.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sunday</div> <div> 12:25 PM</div> <div> Josh's apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh, Sam, CJ and Toby continued to try to make sense of all the </div> <div> papers strewn about </div> <div> Josh's apartment. Since their visits with Donna, they all seemed to </div> <div> be attacking the task </div> <div> with a renewed sense of determination.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam had yet to tell Josh everything he knew about Donna's second body </div> <div> cavity search. </div> <div> He couldn't get the pain in Donna's voice out of his head. She was </div> <div> like the little sister he </div> <div> never had. He loved her, and he knew that Josh loved her too. Telling </div> <div> Josh what he knew </div> <div> would only make an already bad situation worse. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ and Toby had waited until they were alone in his office before </div> <div> they discussed their </div> <div> visit with Donna. The bruise on her cheek had been a jolt to both of </div> <div> them. It brought the </div> <div> entire situation into sharp focus. Mandy was playing a very dangerous </div> <div> game, one that </div> <div> could have tragic results if they didn't move fast. </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  They had even convinced Leo to help them on the belief  that every </div> <div> extra set of hands </div> <div> helped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The "cyber sleuths", as they had been nicknamed, were continuing to </div> <div> move along with </div> <div> their investigation and the staff was attacking it from a different </div> <div> angle. They were trying </div> <div> to document Mandy's involvement with Simmons and West. Once the </div> <div> transactions were </div> <div> traced back, they would need to find a way to attribute all this </div> <div> chaos to Mandy. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley was furiously taking notes as they yelled facts back and </div> <div> forth hoping that she </div> <div> would find something she could take to a judge to convince him to </div> <div> give Donna bail. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> At the sound of a cell phone ringing, everyone looked for his or hers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's me" Ainsley says as she flipped her phone open. "Ainsley Hayes. </div> <div> Oh no. Oh no. Oh </div> <div> my God. All right. I'm on my way. I'll be right there. Tell her I'll </div> <div> be right there. </div> <div> Goodbye."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it?" Josh asked with panic rising in his voice "Is it Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes" Ainsley said trying to remain calm as the whole room on full </div> <div> alert." There was </div> <div> apparently some kind of altercation. She is in the prison infirmary."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going with you" Josh said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh…" Ainsley started but she knew it was no use.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look, I'm a lawyer, too. You can get me in." he turned to Leo and </div> <div> said "I'm sorry Leo </div> <div> but I quit."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo waved him off. "Josh, this isn't the time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But White House policy forbids…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Forget policy right now Josh just go"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll work something out" Ainsley said "I'll make sure you get to see </div> <div> her Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> And with that they disappeared out the door almost at a dead run.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sunday</div> <div> 12:50 PM</div> <div> DC Jail</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley had been in whispered conversation with the warden since they </div> <div> arrived. It </div> <div> seemed innocent enough but Ainsley had a look in her eyes Josh had </div> <div> never seen before. It </div> <div> almost seemed as if she was threatening him. Maybe claiming that his </div> <div> guards were </div> <div> negligent in allowing this to happen. Josh really didn't care what </div> <div> her argument was. He </div> <div> just hoped she was successful because he had no intention of leaving </div> <div> here without seeing </div> <div> Donna. Suddenly, Ainsley moved toward him and said "Let's go". Josh </div> <div> didn't need to be </div> <div> asked twice and followed her immediately.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As they approached the infirmary, Josh saw Donna through the window. </div> <div> She was lying </div> <div> on the bed with her head propped up and her eyes closed. He felt the </div> <div> anger welling up in </div> <div> his chest but he knew that he had to control it. Donna needed him to </div> <div> remain in control.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He approached the doctor who was studying her chart. Ainsley was </div> <div> right on his heels.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How is she? Is she alright?" he demanded</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who are you?" the doctor asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley stepped around Josh and extended her hand. "Ainsley Hayes </div> <div> doctor. I'm Ms </div> <div> Moss's attorney. Mr. Lyman is also an attorney." She said hoping the </div> <div> doctor didn't push it </div> <div> any farther. "How is she?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Her condition is stable. She has a fairly serious concussion but we </div> <div> don't believe that her </div> <div> skull is fractured. We will be watching her carefully for the next 48 </div> <div> hours. She has four </div> <div> broken ribs and an assortment of contusions. Her jaw was dislocated </div> <div> but we have put it </div> <div> back in place. I am  waiting for more x-rays to come down from the </div> <div> lab. I believe that she </div> <div> has a broken left arm and several broken fingers on her right hand. </div> <div> She will be in a </div> <div> considerable amount of pain for awhile but I have every reason to </div> <div> believe that she will </div> <div> make a complete recovery."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh could barely breathe. He hadn't taken his eyes off Donna's still </div> <div> form the entire time </div> <div> the doctor had been speaking. Suddenly he wheeled around to face the </div> <div> warden.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How did this happen? How did you allow this to happen? Don't you </div> <div> have guards in this </div> <div> place? Don't you…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh" Ainsley cut in and stopped him before he went any </div> <div> further "This wont help </div> <div> anything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want her seen by a specialist. I want her moved to the hospital." </div> <div> Josh said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We can't allow her to be moved at this point" the warden </div> <div> said "However, I'll certainly </div> <div> help in any way I can if you would like her to be examined by an </div> <div> outside physician."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's exactly what I want" Josh snapped</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll make the arrangements right away" Ainsley said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's eyes turned back to Donna "Can I see her?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She's not conscious right now" the doctor countered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It doesn't matter" Josh said "I need to talk to her. She'll hear me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The doctor shot a questioning look at the warden who said "Two </div> <div> minutes Mr. Lyman"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks" Josh said moving immediately towards the door to Donna's room</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi sweetheart" he whispered as he lifted her hand to his mouth and </div> <div> planted a kiss in the </div> <div> palm. "I only have a few minutes. I just wanted to tell you that I </div> <div> love you. We all do. </div> <div> We're gonna get you out of here, I promise. You just hold on, okay? </div> <div> I'll be back to get </div> <div> you soon. I love you, Donna" he said as he planted a soft kiss on her </div> <div> lips.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sunday</div> <div> 2:35 PM</div> <div> Josh's apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh charged back into the apartment barely containing his fury with </div> <div> Ainsley close </div> <div> behind.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How's Donna?" Sam asked </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not good" Josh said "The doctor said he expects a full recovery but…</div> <div> I mean she </div> <div> looks…and she's so pale.." Josh couldn't continue and CJ enveloped </div> <div> him in a tight </div> <div> embrace.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She has a concussion" Ainsley said "broken ribs, a broken arm and </div> <div> some broken fingers. </div> <div> Her jaw was dislocated but it has been repaired. They are watching </div> <div> her closely for signs </div> <div> of brain swelling or internal bleeding"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh God" CJ whispered into Josh's shoulder "Poor Donna"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam couldn't stand to hear anymore. The descriptions of Donna's </div> <div> injuries were more </div> <div> than he could take. He liked to think he had a good legal mind. And </div> <div> yet he couldn't find </div> <div> anyway to help Donna. He couldn't think of any strategy to get her </div> <div> out of this horrible </div> <div> situation that threatened to destroy her. And Sam knew for certain </div> <div> that anything that </div> <div> destroyed Donna would surely destroy Josh too. There had to be a </div> <div> solution. Sam just </div> <div> prayed he could find it before it was too late, before Donna ended up </div> <div> damaged beyond </div> <div> repair either physically or emotionally.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby moved back to the piles of paperwork stacked on every flat </div> <div> surface in the living </div> <div> room. His jaw was clenched in anger. He knew that he needed to keep </div> <div> himself together. </div> <div> He needed to channel his anger. He had never felt this helpless in </div> <div> his entire life. He was </div> <div> wordlessly searching through Donna's bank records for some kind of </div> <div> clue when CJ </div> <div> approached him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We have to find a way out of this" CJ said angrily. "We have to get </div> <div> Donna out of there </div> <div> before something even worse happens."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't you think I know that CJ" Toby snapped "Don't you think it is </div> <div> driving me crazy </div> <div> that we know who is behind all this and can't prove it? Don't you </div> <div> think that I would give </div> <div> anything to be able to fix this right now? Don't you think I would </div> <div> trade places with her </div> <div> right this second so she didn't have to endure any more pain?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry Toby. I know you would. I'm just so angry I could spit. </div> <div> Donna and Josh have </div> <div> been through so much in the last year. They deserve a little </div> <div> happiness. I'm just afraid that </div> <div> this is going to set them both back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Here's what we have to do" Toby said loudly enough to get the </div> <div> attention of everyone in </div> <div> the apartment. "We all have to find a way to channel our anger to a </div> <div> more positive end. </div> <div> We need to buckle down and find what we need to free Donna by any </div> <div> means necessary. </div> <div> Because the sooner we do that, the sooner we can make sure Mandy gets </div> <div> what's coming </div> <div> to her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> With that, he went right back to sorting through records  and was </div> <div> soon joined by Sam and </div> <div> CJ.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley thought to herself how wrong her initial impression had been </div> <div> of these people. </div> <div> She was proud to stand beside them. Proud to call them friends. She </div> <div> felt as though she let </div> <div> them down by not getting Donna out on bail. She made up her mind to </div> <div> find a way to get </div> <div> Donna home.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh surveyed all of the activity around him. He knew how lucky he </div> <div> was to have such </div> <div> good friends, and how lucky Donna was. He knew that between all of </div> <div> them, they would </div> <div> be able to find a way to bring Donna home. He just prayed that it </div> <div> wouldn't be too late. </div> <div> That Donna would still be whole both physically and emotionally. He </div> <div> was scared because </div> <div> he felt her slipping away from him. She was trying to be strong but </div> <div> this situation was </div> <div> quickly becoming unbearable. He had to get her out of that place. </div> <div> Bring her home where </div> <div> he could take care of her and help her heal. Nothing he had ever </div> <div> accomplished in his life </div> <div> would mean anything if he couldn't save Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sunday</div> <div> 8:00 PM</div> <div> Mandy's Hotel Room</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent. That's even better than I hoped for. I guess the girls </div> <div> got a little carried away. </div> <div> Tell them I'll make sure they get duly compensated" Mandy said with a </div> <div> laugh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will do, Ms. Hampton. Is there anything else I can do for you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   "I'll let you know as soon as I'm ready to take the next step."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, I'll talk to you soon then."</div> <div> Mandy disconnected, threw the phone on the bed, and walked to the </div> <div> balcony to enjoy the </div> <div> beautiful spring night. The calm of her hotel room was in direct </div> <div> contrast to the frantic </div> <div> activity across town at Josh's apartment.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> I'm getting really tired of hiding. I've been trying to keep a low </div> <div> profile ever since I got </div> <div> back into town. It's best if Josh doesn't know I'm here-yet. I'll </div> <div> reveal myself when the </div> <div> time is right. When I've won. But for right now I have to be content </div> <div> to watch from a </div> <div> distance. To watch the slow and steady decline of Miss Donna Moss. </div> <div> And to watch </div> <div> Josh's reaction when he realizes that his white horse has come up </div> <div> lame this time. I always </div> <div> knew that hero complex of his would get him into trouble.  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Monday</div> <div> 6:30 AM</div> <div> Prison Infirmary</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna awoke, scared and confused by her surroundings. It took her a </div> <div> moment to realize </div> <div> where she was. She tried to sit up but was stopped by sharp pain in </div> <div> her chest and </div> <div> abdomen.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, all of the memories came flooding back. The altercation in </div> <div> the prison yard, the </div> <div> doctors, the pain. She remembered hearing Josh's voice and wondered </div> <div> if she had dreamt </div> <div> that. She could almost feel him touching her hand. She closed her </div> <div> eyes and tried to focus </div> <div> on Josh-to forget the pain.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She tried desperately to push down the fear and the despair that </div> <div> enveloped her. She </div> <div> wanted to be strong. Josh had asked her to trust him, and she did, </div> <div> but she wasn't sure how </div> <div> much longer she could hang on. She felt the fists and the feet of the </div> <div> other inmates in the </div> <div> yard, she felt the rough hands of the guards during the body cavity </div> <div> searches. She </div> <div> wondered if she would ever be able to get past this. Would Josh ever </div> <div> be able to love her </div> <div> after this? Would he ever want to touch her again and would she ever </div> <div> want to be </div> <div> touched? There would always be people who believed that she was </div> <div> guilty no matter what. </div> <div> Would she become a political liability? Was she going to have a job </div> <div> to go back to?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Oh, God. Even if she did get exonerated was her life ruined? Had </div> <div> Mandy won? Was that </div> <div> the plan all along?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly Donna clutched her chest, the pain becoming more intense. </div> <div> Her heart was </div> <div> pounding like a drum. She was having trouble catching her breath. She </div> <div> searched </div> <div> frantically for the call button as she felt dizziness begin to take </div> <div> over. Her hands were </div> <div> shaking badly, but even if they hadn't been, her injuries made </div> <div> pushing the small button </div> <div> difficult if not impossible. She wanted to scream-but no sound would </div> <div> come out. Her </div> <div> vocal cords were frozen with fear. She suddenly wondered if this was </div> <div> what going crazy </div> <div> felt like. Her world was suddenly a very disturbing place.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The nurse entered the room and saw Donna's distress. She left and </div> <div> returned a few </div> <div> minutes later with a syringe, which she injected into Donna's iv tube.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This will help." she said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> But somehow Donna had her doubts.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Monday </div> <div> 9:00 AM</div> <div> Toby's Office</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had been quiet, verging on silent, since his return from the </div> <div> prison last night. Toby </div> <div> knew that he needed to talk about his feelings. They had all learned </div> <div> the hard way what </div> <div> happened to Josh when he kept his feelings bottled up. Toby </div> <div> understood Josh's fears. He </div> <div> knew helplessness was the worst feeling in the world for a man like </div> <div> Josh-a man who was </div> <div> used to being a problem solver. He picked up the phone to call </div> <div> the "cyber-sleuths" for the </div> <div> third time that morning. He desperately wanted a piece of good news </div> <div> to give to his friend.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Monday</div> <div> 9:15 AM</div> <div> Josh's office</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh heard someone rap on his doorframe and looked up to see Toby </div> <div> standing in the </div> <div> doorway.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come in."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, I may have some good news for you." Toby said cautiously</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I could sure use it, Toby."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The "sleuths" may have a lead."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's head snapped up, "Really?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't get excited yet. They don't have anything concrete but they </div> <div> feel they are very </div> <div> close."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How long until we know?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Two days-three tops."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh God Toby, I hope you're right. We have to get her out of that </div> <div> place."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can feel her slipping away," Josh said running his hands through </div> <div> his hair "And there's </div> <div> nothing I can do about it. I feel utterly helpless. She was there for </div> <div> me when I needed her </div> <div> and now I'm letting her down."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're not letting her down, Josh. She knows you're doing everything </div> <div> you can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Unfortunately, that's not enough" Josh said wryly</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now you know how she felt after you were shot. She wanted to make </div> <div> you well right </div> <div> away. It almost killed her to watch you suffer through the early </div> <div> stages of your recovery. </div> <div> But she came to understand that she couldn't snap her fingers and </div> <div> make everything </div> <div> better. There was a process that needed to be followed. And now </div> <div> you're finding out the </div> <div> same thing. Donna is going through something very frightening, it </div> <div> isn't going to </div> <div> disappear overnight."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What if I'm not as strong as her? What if I can't save her the way </div> <div> she saved me? What if </div> <div> I fail?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You won't fail, Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How can you be so sure?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "I wont let you" Toby stated matter-of-factly. Then he turned to </div> <div> leave.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey Toby?" Josh called as he reached the door</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You really are a good person, you know that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't spread it around" Toby said realizing that this was the second </div> <div> time he had been </div> <div> told that this week. As soon as Donna was safely home, he thought, he </div> <div> was going to have </div> <div> to dispel all the myths about his nice-ness.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Monday</div> <div> 10:00 AM</div> <div> Prison Infirmary</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Ainsley slipped into Donna's room and was immediately shocked by her </div> <div> friends </div> <div> appearance. It wasn't just the bruising or the cuts; it was the look </div> <div> in Donna's eyes and her </div> <div> entire demeanor. She looked-for lack of a better word---terrified. </div> <div> Fear seemed to ooze </div> <div> out of every pore in her body.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley approached the bed slowly. When she placed her hand on </div> <div> Donna's arm, Donna </div> <div> recoiled pushing herself as far away as she could without tumbling </div> <div> off the other side of </div> <div> the bed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna are you ok?" Ainsley asked, even though the answer was quite </div> <div> obviously no.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure, I'm fine" Donna said vacantly</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is there anything I can get you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen, Donna. I talked to the warden. He has agreed that it would </div> <div> be best if we placed </div> <div> you in isolation for a while. It will be safer for you there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna stared at Ainsley, her fear growing even more intense. "I'm </div> <div> going to be here for a </div> <div> long time aren't I?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that I think it would be best </div> <div> for now"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay" Donna said "Whatever you want"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, look at me! We haven't given up. We can beat this. It's just </div> <div> going to take a little </div> <div> time ok? Don't give up hope."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not." Donna said even though her eyes told a different story.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going to try to arrange for everyone to come and visit you as </div> <div> soon as you're out of </div> <div> the infirmary. Ainsley said hoping to raise her friend's spirits.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really? I'd like that." Donna said. Then the insecurity and fear </div> <div> that she had managed to </div> <div> forget for a brief moment returned. "But I know that everyone is busy-</div> <div> you know-</div> <div> running a country and all. If they're too busy-I understand."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't do this Donna" Ainsley begged "Don't give up on us now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not. I'm just being realistic."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 8:00 AM</div> <div> DC Jail</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Two days passed before Ainsley could get the warden to agree to her </div> <div> plan for a large-</div> <div> scale visitation. She wanted everyone to visit at the same time, </div> <div> hoping that, as a group, </div> <div> they would be able to bolster Donna's spirits. It had taken equal </div> <div> parts of cajoling and </div> <div> threatening but the visit was finally arranged.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> One of Ainsley's hard won concessions was that the visit could take </div> <div> place in the </div> <div> minimum-security visitation room. They would still have to deal with </div> <div> a glass partition, </div> <div> but at least the room offered a little more privacy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The guard opened the door in the rear of the room and Donna shuffled </div> <div> in. It was obvious </div> <div> that she was in pain. But the thing that struck Josh, in fact the </div> <div> thing that struck them all </div> <div> was the look in her eyes. It was fear, pure and simple. There was no </div> <div> escaping it. She </div> <div> inched over to the chair directly across from Josh and sat down.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna?" he asked tentatively "Are you ok sweetheart?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine." she said "Are you ok? You look tired-have you been </div> <div> getting enough sleep?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry about me Donna. What did the Dr. say?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He said I'm fine. Just a concussion, no fracture."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, I still want you to be seen in a real hospital. I'm gonna </div> <div> try…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "NO!" her scream startled everyone in the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna? What is it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No hospital visits. I won't go. I won't leave here because when I </div> <div> come back they will do </div> <div> another…another search." she said as she struggled to hold back her </div> <div> tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> At that precise instant, Josh knew what it felt like to have your </div> <div> heart break. He was </div> <div> completely overcome with feelings of helplessness. He peered deep </div> <div> into Donna's eyes </div> <div> looking for some trace of the light that used to reside there. He </div> <div> could still see it, well feel </div> <div> it more than see it, but it was buried under so much fear and pain </div> <div> that he wondered what </div> <div> it was going to take to get it back again. Whatever it took, he knew </div> <div> he was willing to do </div> <div> it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, Ok. Whatever you want." Josh said soothingly and Donna seemed to </div> <div> calm a little.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen Donna" Toby said stepping towards the window. He desperately </div> <div> wanted to give </div> <div> her something to hold on to. "The cyber sleuths think they have a </div> <div> solid lead. They are </div> <div> close-very close. So I just need you to hold on for a little while </div> <div> longer. Then we can get </div> <div> you back to work because frankly, we're all tired of trying to handle </div> <div> Josh without you </div> <div> and the temp pool has barricaded their door and they are refusing to </div> <div> send anyone else </div> <div> up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A small played on Donna's lips.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you really think I'll be back soon?" she asked earnestly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know you will" Toby said trying to impart some of his confidence </div> <div> to Donna</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But after everything that's been said, everything that's been </div> <div> written in the paper…I'm </div> <div> not sure the President will want me to come back.."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't even say that" CJ jumped in "I'll handle the media. Everything </div> <div> will be fine. I have </div> <div> a list you know" she whispered conspiratorially "Its of all the </div> <div> people who have pissed me </div> <div> off by the way they handled this story. I'm gonna start at the top </div> <div> and work my way down </div> <div> and by the time I'm done, there are gonna be writers crying over </div> <div> their laptops from one </div> <div> end of this country to the other."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh goody. I haven't seen CJ decimate the press corps in quite </div> <div> awhile." Sam said, hoping </div> <div> that his light-hearted tone might brighten Donna's spirits. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> The warden came in to signal that the visit was over.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh leaned forward, not caring anymore about the rules, and placed </div> <div> his open hand </div> <div> against the glass. Donna looked at him with tears in her eyes and </div> <div> placed her hand on the </div> <div> other side desperately trying to feel his touch through the glass.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you," he said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hold on, Donna. I'll be back soon"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 9:45 AM</div> <div> West Wing</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The ride back to the White House was silent. Each staff member was </div> <div> lost in his or her </div> <div> own thoughts. Each trying desperately to think of a solution that </div> <div> would get them out of </div> <div> this nightmare. When they finally made it back to the west wing, they </div> <div> scattered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ was surprised when Carol poked her head in to say that Ainsley was </div> <div> here to see her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Send her in," CJ said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Am I interrupting something?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, not at all. I'm just getting ready for my next briefing. I </div> <div> didn't expect to see you </div> <div> here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I won't keep you. I was just here to clean out my desk."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have a seat"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "CJ, I just wanted to ask you about what Toby said. I mean…is it </div> <div> true? Are they really </div> <div> close to finding some evidence I can use or was he just trying to </div> <div> give Donna some hope."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Both I think. I know Toby's been pushing hard so I think they should </div> <div> have something </div> <div> soon."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They better" Ainsley said, "I don't know how much longer Donna can </div> <div> hold on."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen, Ainsley. I appreciate all of the sacrifices you've made and </div> <div> everything you've </div> <div> done for us so far and I know this is asking a lot but…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, you realize that getting Donna home isn't the end right?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How so?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Once Donna's home and safe, I want to-no I NEED to-make sure that </div> <div> Mandy gets </div> <div> what's coming to her"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Amen. Just let me know what I can do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well its up to we members of the sisterhood to police our own ranks. </div> <div> We have to deal </div> <div> with troublemakers in our own way."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Count me in"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby walked into Leo's outer office and Margaret motioned for him to </div> <div> go right in.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How'd it go?" Leo asked without preamble</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not well," Toby said as he sunk down into a chair. "Not well at all."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Anything I can do?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just help me find a way to get her out of there Leo. And then turn </div> <div> your head while I </div> <div> obliterate Mandy Hampton from the face of the earth."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It really got to you didn't it Toby?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's the look in her eyes Leo. Like she's drowning. Like she's </div> <div> flailing away in the </div> <div> middle of the ocean. And as long as she's in that place, no one can </div> <div> reach her. And the </div> <div> only way we can fix things is to get her out of there"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then that's what we have to do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know." Toby said as he headed back to his office to call </div> <div> the "cyber sleuths" yet again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey Toby." Leo called after him</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If you're planning on telling me I'm a nice person Leo skip it, I </div> <div> never want to hear those </div> <div> words again." He said without turning back to see the smile on Leos </div> <div> face.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> What do you know about body cavity searches? Josh asked as soon as </div> <div> Sam walked into </div> <div> his office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why?" Sam asked nervously</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just want to know. I mean-if the search that Donna went through </div> <div> the night she got </div> <div> arrested was bad enough to make her not want to leave that place to </div> <div> go to a hospital for </div> <div> fear of going through it again----well----I want to know Sam."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam bit his lip. He knew that eventually Josh would find out about </div> <div> the second search and </div> <div> decided it was better to hear it from him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, sit down."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just sit down."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it Sam?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There was a second search, Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What? When? Why wasn't I told? And why do you know about it and I </div> <div> don't?" Josh </div> <div> thundered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Calm down. I was at Ainsley's apartment when Donna called her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When was this Sam?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was the day of the interrogation. After they brought her back </div> <div> from the police station. </div> <div> She knew she had to leave again the next day for the arraignment and </div> <div> she wanted Ainsley </div> <div> to make sure she didn't have to go through another search."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What did she say?" Josh asked, no longer able to mask his fury</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She said that she thought they were trying to send her a message </div> <div> with the second search" </div> <div> Sam tried to choose his words wisely knowing that Josh was about to </div> <div> blow up. They were </div> <div> rough…there was bruising…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A loud crash interrupted Sam's words as Josh swept everything off of </div> <div> the top of his desk </div> <div> and sent it sailing. It was quickly followed by all of the books </div> <div> being tossed off the closest </div> <div> shelf of the bookcase.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What the hell happened?" CJ asked as she and Ainsley ran through the </div> <div> door. They were </div> <div> greeted by the sight of Sam's eyes as wide as saucers and Josh, </div> <div> standing in the rubble, </div> <div> looking for something else to throw.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly Toby appeared breathlessly in the doorway, not even pausing </div> <div> to notice the </div> <div> carnage around him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They did it," he said as all eyes turned to him "They found the </div> <div> evidence."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Josh asked stepping over the piles of books and papers "Are </div> <div> they sure?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're meeting them at Houlihan’s in 30 minutes." Toby said grasping </div> <div> his shoulders. </div> <div> "This is it, we're gonna get her out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then what are we waiting for. Let's go."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> With that Josh and Toby bolted from the office with Ainsley right </div> <div> behind.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Call us as soon as you know anything" Sam called after their </div> <div> retreating backs as he and </div> <div> CJ leaned over to pick up the mess and try to restore order to Josh's </div> <div> office.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 11:30 AM</div> <div> Houlihan's Pub</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked nervously from Ainsley to the "cyber sleuth" whose name </div> <div> he had found out </div> <div> was Chad (no last name just Chad) and back again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What exactly do these records prove?" he asked anxiously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's actually quite simple" Chad said with an elusive smile. "We </div> <div> were able to track each </div> <div> of the cash deposit records back to a single source. In other words, </div> <div> each deposit was </div> <div> made from the same terminal meaning that the same teller information </div> <div> was used for each </div> <div> one."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are the odds" Toby asked "that a person would use the same </div> <div> teller every time they </div> <div> went to a bank that size?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Astronomical" Chad replied "But we can actually do better than that. </div> <div> We can prove that </div> <div> even though these deposits occurred over a four-month span according </div> <div> to Ms Moss' bank </div> <div> records, they were all actually entered on one of three dates within </div> <div> the last three weeks."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you saying?" Josh asked. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Someone deliberately altered the records after the fact. We have </div> <div> absolutely irrefutable </div> <div> proof. Now if you need to know who did it, that will take awhile </div> <div> longer."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We know who did it" Toby growled. "And believe me she will pay </div> <div> dearly."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So do you want us to keep digging?" Chad asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Absolutely" Toby said, "I want every single transaction from the </div> <div> bank, the landlord and </div> <div> the credit card companies tracked. I also want some concrete proof of </div> <div> the source of all </div> <div> this destruction."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will do." Chad said. "If you don't need anything else I'll get back </div> <div> to work."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, Chad," Toby said, "I'll be in touch."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," Josh said standing up and shaking Chad's hand "You may </div> <div> literally have </div> <div> saved a life."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as Chad left the table, Toby and Josh both turned expectantly </div> <div> to Ainsley who </div> <div> was studying the printouts that Chad had given her. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is it enough?" Josh asked. "Can we get her out?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, it's certainly enough to get me another bail hearing" she said </div> <div> rising from her chair. </div> <div> I'm on my way over to the DA's office and I'll set up a hearing from </div> <div> there. I'll call you </div> <div> as soon as I have the particulars.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Wednesday</div> <div> 4:45 PM</div> <div> DC Courthouse</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh sat nervously in the last row of seats in the courtroom. He was </div> <div> both thankful and </div> <div> amazed that Ainsley had managed to get a bail hearing so quickly. He </div> <div> was grateful to her </div> <div> for the way she had come through for Donna. Josh knew how hard it had </div> <div> been for </div> <div> Ainsley to quit her job at the White House but she had done it </div> <div> without a word of </div> <div> complaint. He made a mental note to talk to Leo after this was all </div> <div> over about hiring her </div> <div> back; she had certainly proven her loyalty to all of them. Not bad </div> <div> for a republican, he </div> <div> thought.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Finally the bailiff called the case and Josh's heart was in his </div> <div> throat.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "People vs. Donna Moss docket number 45230A"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Didn't I already hear this one?" the judge asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes sir," Ainsley said seizing the reins "We are here to reopen the </div> <div> matter of bail. I </div> <div> believe that the new evidence before you, your honor, casts serious </div> <div> doubts on the </div> <div> prosecutions claims that Ms Moss has a large hidden stash of cash </div> <div> which she will use to </div> <div> escape. The evidence in fact proves that no such cash ever existed."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're not trying the case here Miss Hayes, we're only talking about </div> <div> bail. And why isn't </div> <div> your client present?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley continued undaunted. "My client, sir, is currently recovering </div> <div> from serious </div> <div> injuries she received inside the prison walls and is therefore unable </div> <div> to attend. I realize </div> <div> that we are not trying the case here, however, the prosecution </div> <div> contends that Ms Moss is a </div> <div> flight risk because she has access to a large cash reserve and the </div> <div> fact that such a reserve </div> <div> never existed means the risk of flight moves from likely to minimal."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure that your honor is aware that the defendant is employed at </div> <div> the White House. I </div> <div> would say that she would therefore have connections which would still </div> <div> make her a flight </div> <div> risk." The prosecutor said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh come off it" Ainsley said losing just a bit of her southern </div> <div> charm "I hardly think that </div> <div> the president is going to smuggle her out of the country on Air Force </div> <div> One."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Still…." The prosecutor began but Ainsley cut him off</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your honor. We do not agree with the prosecutions assessment of Ms </div> <div> Moss's flight risk </div> <div> but we are willing to agree to electronic monitoring in order to ease </div> <div> their mind."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your honor, we still contend…</div> <bR> <bR> <div> This time it was the judge that interrupted the prosecutor. "Miss </div> <div> Hayes makes a good </div> <div> case here counselor. So I'm going to try to make both of you happy. </div> <div> Miss Moss can have </div> <div> bail under the following conditions: 250,000 dollars cash or bond and </div> <div> 24 hour electronic </div> <div> monitoring with daily "in person" check-ins. Anything else?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No sir" the prosecutor mumbled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No sir, thank you sir" Ainsley beamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's all then" the judge said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley turned around and bounded to the back of the courtroom and </div> <div> gave Josh a huge </div> <div> hug.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We did it," she said jubilantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you" he said brushing back a tear. "Now how do we go about </div> <div> getting her out?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You arrange for the bail. Its 250,000 cash or bond. That means </div> <div> you'll have to come up </div> <div> with 10% in cash and collateral for the rest. Can you do it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem. I'll find a way."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good. While you're doing that I'll go and make the arrangements for </div> <div> the electronic </div> <div> monitoring. We should be able to get her out first thing tomorrow </div> <div> morning."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok then, lets get to work" Josh said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hold on Donnatella, for just a few more hours," he whispered as he </div> <div> ran out of the </div> <div> courthouse towards his car.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 7:00 PM</div> <div> Mandy's Hotel Room</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean she's being released on bail?" Mandy screamed into </div> <div> the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just what I said." The voice on the other end answered. "They </div> <div> presented new evidence </div> <div> to the judge, and he thought it was compelling enough that he granted </div> <div> her bail."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What new evidence?" Mandy asked with just a hint of fear inching </div> <div> into her voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not sure but I'll let you know as soon as I find out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You do that-and soon" Mandy hissed as she hung up the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> So Josh, she thought, you're a little smarter than I gave you credit </div> <div> for. You've managed </div> <div> to score a temporary reprieve for the fair maiden. But I haven't come </div> <div> this far just to give </div> <div> up when I hit a little snag. I just need to do a little revising of </div> <div> my plan. But trust me-this </div> <div> isn't over.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> I can't believe that little witch made bail. New evidence they said. </div> <div> That's why she got </div> <div> out---new evidence. What the hell evidence could they have found? I </div> <div> covered my tracks </div> <div> well. I know I did. This no time to panic. There is no way I can ever </div> <div> be tied to any of this. </div> <div> In fact, I've managed to find the perfect dupe. Poor, stupid Larry. </div> <div> He called me last night </div> <div> and told me that he wanted no part of the plan anymore. He said that </div> <div> he was starting to </div> <div> have second thoughts. He claimed that he didn't realize how serious </div> <div> this was, he thought </div> <div> that I was just going to give Donna few minor inconveniences. HA. </div> <div> Well, this is what it's </div> <div> like when you play in the big leagues Larry. And if you try to back </div> <div> out now, this whole </div> <div> thing is going to land right in your lap. Because you see, I've </div> <div> finally found a use for that </div> <div> little piece of info you gave me about the great anniversary flower </div> <div> debacle of 2001. </div> <div> Donna may be getting out today, but I have one more trick up my </div> <div> sleeve before she goes. </div> <div> They say it pays to know people in high places-but sometimes it pays </div> <div> to know people in </div> <div> low places too.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was stunned when Ainsley called her with the news that she was </div> <div> getting out. The </div> <div> judge had granted her request for bail. She had no idea where Josh </div> <div> had come up with that </div> <div> much money but she was grateful that he had. All she had to do now </div> <div> was be fitted with an </div> <div> electronic monitoring device and she could be on her way. She wasn't </div> <div> happy about the </div> <div> idea of someone being able to track her movements 24 hours a day, but </div> <div> if it meant getting </div> <div> out of this horrible place, she would find a way to handle it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Two unfamiliar guards led her to a room, ostensibly to be processed </div> <div> for release. She saw </div> <div> the electronic "ankle bracelet" lying on the table. It was smaller </div> <div> than she thought it would </div> <div> be. Maybe it would become a fashion statement. She smiled as she </div> <div> wondered how it </div> <div> would look with three-inch heels. Suddenly one of the guards crossed </div> <div> to the door and </div> <div> locked it. Donna immediately felt uncomfortable.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's going on?" she asked backing away.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Didn't they tell you?" the guard asked not even bothering to attempt </div> <div> to hide a smile. </div> <div> "We have to do a search to make sure that you aren't smuggling any </div> <div> contraband out of </div> <div> the prison. We have had prisoners who tried to hide electronic </div> <div> scramblers on their body </div> <div> so that we couldn't calibrate the monitoring equipment correctly. We </div> <div> have to be sure we </div> <div> do this right because we certainly don't want to lose track of you </div> <div> Blondie." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No you can't do this" Donna cried. "I'm going home today. I want to </div> <div> see my lawyer. </div> <div> You can't do this."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As long as you're still a prisoner here, we can do anything we want. </div> <div> Now please remove </div> <div> all of your clothes or I'll do it for you." the guard said, taking a </div> <div> menacing step forward.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna sobbed as she fought to get her clothes off. Her hands were </div> <div> shaking and the splints </div> <div> on her fingers made dealing with the buttons almost impossible. She </div> <div> couldn't lift her </div> <div> arms over her head because of the pain from her broken ribs. </div> <div> Suddenly, the guard stepped </div> <div> forward and yanked the prison jumpsuit from Donna's shoulders. Donna </div> <div> screamed out in </div> <div> pain. All she could think of was that Josh was waiting for her, she </div> <div> was going home, and </div> <div> she couldn't believe this was going to happen again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Maybe if you're good," the guard leered "I'll send you flowers next </div> <div> year to </div> <div> commemorate our anniversary, but I'll make sure that I get the date </div> <div> right."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's head swam. How did the guard know about the flowers Josh had </div> <div> sent her? </div> <div> Suddenly it was all very clear. MANDY. She was behind this. Somehow </div> <div> she had </div> <div> arranged for this search. Donna began to shake uncontrollably. </div> <div> Someone in the west wing </div> <div> must have told her about Josh's flowers. But who?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The search itself was almost unbearable and made worse by the fact </div> <div> that Donna knew </div> <div> that it had been arranged simply to hurt her. She winced as the guard </div> <div> roughly patted her </div> <div> broken ribs. Donna's already bruised and battered body couldn't stand </div> <div> any more </div> <div> punishment. She cried out several times unable to stand the pain. </div> <div> When the guard forced </div> <div> her to lean over and grab her ankles, she very nearly passed out from </div> <div> a mixture of pain </div> <div> and humiliation.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As the brutal search continued, the guard leered at Donna. "Well, I </div> <div> guess we won't be </div> <div> seeing you around here anymore Blondie. Unless of course you're </div> <div> starting to like this"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After the search was over, the guard tossed Donna a paper bag; inside </div> <div> were the clothes </div> <div> that she had been wearing when she was arrested and said, "Put these </div> <div> on." </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Donna opened the bag. The sight of Josh's Harvard t-shirt made her </div> <div> cry even harder. She </div> <div> stared at the wall, sobbing, until a technician entered the room to </div> <div> attach the ankle </div> <div> bracelet. Donna didn't hear a word he said as he explained the rules </div> <div> she had to follow. </div> <div> She just took the papers that he handed her and continued to stare at </div> <div> the wall.</div> <div> **********************************************************************</div> <div> **</div> <div> Ainsley stood waiting impatiently for Donna at the release desk. </div> <div> After what seemed like </div> <div> an eternity, she spoke to the officer on duty.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Could you kindly tell me what is taking so long?" she asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The guard peered at Donna's paperwork and said, "It looks like they </div> <div> have her scheduled </div> <div> for a final search and the attachment of the monitoring device. She </div> <div> should be out any </div> <div> minute."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean a final search?" Ainsley voice rose sharply "That </div> <div> can't be."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Its policy ma'am." the guard said. "We do a final search to make </div> <div> sure that nothing is </div> <div> being smuggled out of the prison. We also make sure that the prisoner </div> <div> is not hiding any </div> <div> item that may be used to block the signal of the monitoring device. </div> <div> If we don't get the </div> <div> frequency right the first time, the device is useless. I assure you </div> <div> ma'am, it's all perfectly </div> <div> legal."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Get me the warden RIGHT NOW." Ainsley screamed trying to fight the </div> <div> rising panic in </div> <div> her stomach. She had to stop this. She couldn't let it happen again. </div> <div> Not now, not when </div> <div> they had finally arranged for Donna to be free. The warden had </div> <div> promised that this </div> <div> wouldn't happen. Ainsley still knew very little about Mandy Hampton, </div> <div> but somehow she </div> <div> knew that she was behind this. Her rage burned white hot as she vowed </div> <div> revenge against </div> <div> this woman she had never even met.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As the guard at the desk picked up the phone to summon the warden, a </div> <div> door down the </div> <div> corridor opened and Ainsley heard the sound of a Donna sobbing. She </div> <div> wheeled around </div> <div> and saw Donna emerging from the room in near hysteria. Ainsley ran to </div> <div> her. She tried to </div> <div> speak to Donna, tried to comfort her but she was battling tears of </div> <div> her own. She looked at </div> <div> the guards standing in the doorway and said, "you haven't heard the </div> <div> last of this. I assure </div> <div> you of that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley led Donna to the desk where the guard shoved an envelope </div> <div> containing her </div> <div> personal effects at her and said, "you'll have to sign for these".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna could barely hold the pencil let alone sign her name. Between </div> <div> her taped fingers </div> <div> and her wracking sobs, her signature came out as nothing more than </div> <div> chicken scratch. </div> <div> Ainsley placed her arm around Donna's shoulder and said, "Let's go".</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Sam had been pacing outside for over 45 minutes. Josh was </div> <div> just about to go in </div> <div> to see what was taking so long when the door opened and Ainsley and </div> <div> Donna appeared. </div> <div> Josh tensed immediately when he saw Donna crying. Crying wasn't </div> <div> really an apt </div> <div> description, her entire body was shaking and she seemed to be having </div> <div> trouble catching </div> <div> her breath. Josh ran towards them with Sam hot on his heels.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He placed his arm around Donna's shoulders and felt her </div> <div> recoil. "Donna honey, what's </div> <div> wrong?" he said softly into her ear. She turned to look at him and he </div> <div> was overwhelmed </div> <div> by the fear and sadness in her eyes. There was a fresh trickle of </div> <div> blood coming from one </div> <div> of the cuts on her lip.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What the hell happened?" he asked Ainsley through clenched teeth.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They did another search," Ainsley screamed no longer able to control </div> <div> her own anger </div> <div> "those sons of bitches did another search. I swear I didn't know they </div> <div> were doing it until it </div> <div> was over. I would have stopped it. Somehow I would have stopped it. I </div> <div> had an agreement </div> <div> with the warden. Mandy had to have gotten to someone. It had to have </div> <div> been her." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam surveyed the people in front of him and knew he had to make a </div> <div> quick decision </div> <div> before the situation became totally unmanageable. He could see that </div> <div> Donna was clearly in </div> <div> terrible condition. The last thing she needed right now was to be </div> <div> confronted with any </div> <div> more anger. He mentally agreed with Ainsley's assessment, this stunt </div> <div> had Mandy written </div> <div> all over it. Worse than anything, Sam wanted Mandy to feel some of </div> <div> the pain that he saw </div> <div> in Donna's eyes right now. However he had more immediate problems to </div> <div> deal with, as </div> <div> both Josh and Ainsley seemed to be bordering on losing control. He </div> <div> stepped over beside </div> <div> Josh and placed one hand on Ainsley's shoulder and one hand on </div> <div> Donna's elbow. He </div> <div> cringed when Donna let out a small yelp. He pulled his hand back. He </div> <div> wasn't sure </div> <div> whether he had caused her physical pain or emotional pain but either </div> <div> way, it broke his </div> <div> heart. "Its ok, Donna." He said as soothingly as he possibly </div> <div> could "It's gonna be ok now, </div> <div> we're gonna take you home."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You two take Donna to my place." Josh said through clenched </div> <div> teeth. "I have something </div> <div> to take care of. I'll meet you there as soon as I can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh wait" Sam said grabbing his friends arm "this isn't going to </div> <div> help anything".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm gonna find Mandy, Sam-and I swear I'm gonna make her pay."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can't do that Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have to Sam. I can't let her get away with this."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She wont get away with it-you have my word." Sam said trying to find </div> <div> a way to deal </div> <div> with the blind fury in his friend's eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen to me Josh" Sam said in a stern tone that he couldn't </div> <div> remember ever using with a </div> <div> friend before. He grabbed Josh's shoulders forcing him to look him in </div> <div> the eyes. "Listen to </div> <div> me" he repeated "This is it buddy. This is the big test. This is </div> <div> where we separate the men </div> <div> from the boys. Donna needs you now. Are you gonna be there for her, </div> <div> or are you more </div> <div> concerned about Mandy and the idiots inside that building. Who is </div> <div> more important Josh? </div> <div> You have to decide. Because you're not gonna get two chances to make </div> <div> the right </div> <div> decision."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But look at her Sam. I can't let Mandy get away…" gesturing towards </div> <div> Donna and </div> <div> battling with his own rage at the same time.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She won't." Sam said. "I promise. But we will take care of her </div> <div> later. Right now Donna </div> <div> is our main concern."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're right. I'm sorry. I just lost my head for a minute." Josh </div> <div> said returning his </div> <div> attention to Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  He wrapped his arms lightly around her shoulders and steered her </div> <div> across the lot to Sam's </div> <div> car. Sam unlocked the doors as they approached. Josh opened the back </div> <div> door and helped </div> <div> Donna inside. She was still sobbing and shaking. Josh winced as he </div> <div> saw her gingerly sit </div> <div> down. He secured her seat belt before carefully closing the door. He </div> <div> went quickly around </div> <div> to the other side of the car and slid in beside Donna as Sam and </div> <div> Ainsley got into the front </div> <div> seat. Donna was doubled over with her head on her knees. She was </div> <div> still sobbing and was </div> <div> taking in breath in large gulps. Josh leaned his head close to her </div> <div> ear and spoke in tones as </div> <div> soothing as he could muster. "Its ok, Donna. You're safe now. Try to </div> <div> breathe deep. Try to </div> <div> calm down angel. You're making yourself sick. Please try to calm </div> <div> down."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry, Josh." she sobbed. "I'm sorry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "SShhhhhh. You have nothing to be sorry for. Everything is going to </div> <div> be ok now. I know </div> <div> it might not feel like that right now but it is. I promise."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> They rode in silence for several minutes, everyone in the car </div> <div> struggling to regain control. </div> <div> As they made their way toward Josh's apartment, he leaned over and </div> <div> stroked Donna's </div> <div> hair. "I love you, Donna." he said softly  "I'm sorry about this, but </div> <div> I won't let anyone </div> <div> hurt you ever again. I promise. I'm so sorry this happened angel."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna raised her head up off of her knees and looked directly into </div> <div> Josh's eyes. " This </div> <div> wasn't your fault Josh, you have nothing to apologize for." she </div> <div> said, "You promised me </div> <div> that you would get me out and you did. This isn't your fault. I love </div> <div> you, too. I just </div> <div> can't…I mean right now…it just hurts so much." she said dissolving </div> <div> again into wracking </div> <div> sobs.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know." Josh said "Its ok. You just tell me what you need. I'll </div> <div> take care of it for you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know what I need," she whispered</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well then we'll figure it out together," he said </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time they reached the apartment, Josh and Ainsley were calmer </div> <div> but only </div> <div> marginally. They helped Donna, who was still crying but had managed </div> <div> to calm down a </div> <div> bit, inside and sat her on the couch. Josh immediately sat down </div> <div> beside her. He wanted </div> <div> desperately to take her in his arms but he had a sense that being </div> <div> touched right now was </div> <div> not what she needed. Ainsley appeared with a glass of water and some </div> <div> pills that the </div> <div> prison doctor had prescribed for the pain.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Take these," she said, "they'll make you feel a little better."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna reached for the pills but was unable to grasp them because of </div> <div> the splints on her </div> <div> fingers. Her frustration was evident.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let me help you." Josh said as he reached up and gently placed the </div> <div> pills in Donna's </div> <div> mouth. He lifted the water glass to her lips as she drank just enough </div> <div> to get the pills down, </div> <div> wincing at the pain that the newly opened cut on her lip was causing.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Those should help her get some rest." Ainsley said to Sam</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam hoped that was true because he knew that Donna needed to sleep, </div> <div> but he also knew </div> <div> that both Josh and Ainsley needed some time to pull themselves </div> <div> together. Ainsley </div> <div> signaled to Sam to join her on the terrace. Once there, she pulled </div> <div> out the cell phone and </div> <div> began angrily punching numbers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not letting this go, Sam." she said, "This is unforgivable".</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  It only took her a moment to get CJ on the line. She quickly </div> <div> recounted the mornings </div> <div> events growing angrier by the minute. "We need to start avenging the </div> <div> sisterhood." Sam </div> <div> heard her say "and we need to do it right now. I need you to get me </div> <div> all available </div> <div> background info on Mandy- I have some digging to do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Ainsley disconnected the phone she turned to Sam and said. "My </div> <div> daddy always said </div> <div> you should know your enemy well-and that's exactly what I intend to </div> <div> do."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you tired, angel?" Josh asked. "Maybe you should lay down and </div> <div> try to get some </div> <div> sleep." He hoped that sleep might give Donna some much-needed relief </div> <div> from the pain. </div> <div> Even if it was only temporary.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." Donna said curling up into a very tight ball on the corner of </div> <div> the couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wouldn't you be more comfortable in bed?" Josh asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't think so."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, I'll get you a pillow and a blanket."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh returned with her pillow, the one he had been sleeping with </div> <div> since her things were </div> <div> delivered to his apartment, and a blanket. He lifted her head gently, </div> <div> trying hard not to </div> <div> hurt her and placed the pillow underneath her. He then covered her </div> <div> with a blanket.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh??" she said sleepily, trying hard to fight the effects of the </div> <div> pills she had taken.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is everything really going to be ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I promise." he said meaning it with every fiber of his being. "Now </div> <div> you sleep, and I'll be </div> <div> right here when you wake up".</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> When Donna awoke several hours later, Josh was sitting in the chair </div> <div> across from her </div> <div> thumbing through a file. She watched him for a moment before he </div> <div> glanced up and </div> <div> realized that she was awake.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Feeling better?" he asked dropping the file and kneeling on the </div> <div> floor in front of her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A little." she said trying to sit up but being stopped by both the </div> <div> pain and the dizziness.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her and felt Donna's </div> <div> entire body tense.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry." he said, "did I hurt you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No" she said "its just…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh God. I'm sorry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What? Tell me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Its just that…. every time I feel a hand on me… I get taken right </div> <div> back to those horrible </div> <div> searches and…" Donna trailed off as she tried to hold back the tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Its ok, sweetheart. Its just gonna take some time that's all."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry, Josh- I know that you're not them but..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I understand, Donna." he said, "We'll find a way to work this out".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked deeply into Donna's eyes searching for some sign of which </div> <div> direction he </div> <div> should go. He wanted so desperately to do or say the right thing. He </div> <div> knew that the old </div> <div> Donna spirit was still in there, he could feel it, he just needed to </div> <div> find a way to help her get </div> <div> it back. A knock on the door broke the spell. Josh looked out the </div> <div> peephole to see Toby </div> <div> and CJ carrying a pizza box and a six-pack of beer. He opened the </div> <div> door and welcomed </div> <div> them, at the same time shooting them a look that clearly said that </div> <div> Donna was not yet in a </div> <div> party mood. Sam had already filled them in, so they were prepared.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna rose from the couch and tried to welcome them with a smile. She </div> <div> knew that they </div> <div> had worked very hard to get her released and it was important to her </div> <div> that they realize how </div> <div> much she appreciated it. She knew how lucky she was to have such good </div> <div> friends. </div> <div> Unfortunately, her fear and anger were preventing her from allowing </div> <div> herself to feel the </div> <div> comfort that they wanted to give her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  She began to feel an increasing sense of panic as the noise level in </div> <div> the apartment rose but </div> <div> she kept reminding herself that these were her friends, not the other </div> <div> inmates at the jail.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Soon they were all settled comfortably in the living room. CJ noticed </div> <div> that Josh was sitting </div> <div> very close to Donna on the couch, but was avoiding touching her as </div> <div> much as possible. </div> <div> She gave him credit for understanding. It was going to be a tough </div> <div> road back but at that </div> <div> moment, when she saw that Donna's comfort was more important to Josh </div> <div> than his own, </div> <div> she knew that they would find a way to make it through. She looked </div> <div> over at Toby and </div> <div> when their eyes met, a small smile crossed his lips and she knew that </div> <div> he was thinking </div> <div> exactly the same thing. 'He really is a nice person' she </div> <div> thought 'Even if he won't let </div> <div> anybody see it.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh went into the kitchen and returned with a can of soda for Donna. </div> <div> He knew that she </div> <div> shouldn't have a beer because of her pain medications. He had managed </div> <div> to scrape up a </div> <div> straw from somewhere, probably left over from a takeout meal long </div> <div> forgotten. He retook </div> <div> his seat on the couch and held the can out towards Donna. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks." she said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem." he said not removing his hand from the can when she </div> <div> grabbed it between </div> <div> hers, but rather casually leaving it there to steady the can while </div> <div> she took a drink. He then </div> <div> placed the can on the table and handed her a piece of pizza, which </div> <div> she refused. She knew </div> <div> that she couldn't possibly eat it without help and she refused to be </div> <div> fed like a child. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You need to eat something," Josh said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm just not hungry now-maybe later." she said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She rose unsteadily off the couch and said, "I'm going to use the </div> <div> powder room. I'll be </div> <div> right back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A few minutes passed and Donna called for CJ, who stood up and bolted </div> <div> back to the </div> <div> bathroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Everything ok?" she asked as she slipped in the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't get these sweat pants retied." Donna said as two tears </div> <div> slipped down her face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem." CJ said. "We'll get you fixed right up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When the women returned to the living room, Josh and Toby were both </div> <div> sitting in an </div> <div> awkward silence. They were both dealing with the same guilt, even </div> <div> though neither one </div> <div> knew of the others feelings. They were each thinking that they should </div> <div> have done </div> <div> something sooner. They should have found a way to keep Donna out of </div> <div> jail altogether, </div> <div> and then she wouldn't be suffering like this. They noticed Donna's </div> <div> red eyes but neither </div> <div> one commented. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna couldn't believe what was happening to her. She had worked so </div> <div> hard to win these </div> <div> peoples respect and now she was reduced to being like a three year </div> <div> old in front of them, </div> <div> unable to complete the smallest task without help.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna," Toby began " Leo and the president would like to see you as </div> <div> soon as possible, </div> <div> maybe even tomorrow if you feel up to it".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "See me?? For what? Are they going to fire me?" she asked unable to </div> <div> hide the fear in her </div> <div> voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No." Toby said, "It would be a cold day in hell before I'd let you </div> <div> lose your job over a </div> <div> bitch like Mandy. They just need to discuss the special arrangements </div> <div> for your electronic </div> <div> monitoring while you are inside the White House".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna automatically looked down at the intrusive black box around her </div> <div> ankle and </div> <div> attempted to pull the leg of her sweat pants down.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Special arrangements?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes." Toby answered. "For security reasons, the signal on your ankle </div> <div> bracelet will be </div> <div> jammed when you are inside the White House".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Does that mean I cant go back to work?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, but it means that special arrangements have to be made. The </div> <div> President himself </div> <div> called the judge and worked out the details. I'm not exactly sure </div> <div> what they are but I'm </div> <div> sure the he will explain it to you when he sees you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Along with all pertinent trivia related to the subject." CJ snorted </div> <div> trying to lighten the </div> <div> mood.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Was there any special time he wanted to see me?" Donna asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He said that he could fit you in first thing in the morning if you </div> <div> felt up to it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure Donna?" Josh asked "I think it might be a little soon. </div> <div> Maybe you should </div> <div> wait until Monday."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No I'm sure. The sooner I can get back to my normal life-the better. </div> <div> Besides I didn't </div> <div> say I was coming back to work-I mean-look at me-I can hardly type. I </div> <div> just want to </div> <div> try to get back to my normal routine ASAP."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok-but its gonna be a short day. And if you get tired, you let me </div> <div> know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> After a few hours, Toby and CJ departed for home to try to get much-</div> <div> needed good nights </div> <div> sleep. They were both glad they had come though. They had needed to </div> <div> see Donna, to </div> <div> convince themselves that she was in fact home. To see that the tide </div> <div> had turned and that </div> <div> Mandy was no longer calling the shots. They both knew that they would </div> <div> somehow need </div> <div> to take an active role in her recovery. But as they looked at her and </div> <div> saw the destruction </div> <div> that Mandy had caused, each of them began to formulate thoughts of </div> <div> revenge.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Josh carried the dishes to the kitchen and threw the empty bottles </div> <div> in the recycling. Then </div> <div> he came back in and sat down beside Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Tired?" he asked knowing that she needed to catch up on her sleep.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Kind of." she said "But what I would really like is a nice hot </div> <div> bath." Donna couldn't help </div> <div> but remember the humiliation of the guard watching her while she took </div> <div> showers. It would </div> <div> be nice to have a little privacy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." Josh said remembering the box marked bathroom from her </div> <div> apartment. " I even </div> <div> know exactly where all that stuff you use is."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Stuff?" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You know-all that girly stuff."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A small smile crossed Donna's lips. "How did all of my stuff get </div> <div> here?" she asked </div> <div> noticing for the first time the stacks of boxes in the hallway.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I had it brought here because your smarmy landlord was threatening </div> <div> to throw it out on </div> <div> the street."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you pack it up?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No I hired a company."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna blanched at the thought of perfect strangers going through her </div> <div> belongings.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is that ok?" he asked eyeing her warily " I would have done it </div> <div> myself but I just couldn't </div> <div> find the time. Between going through the records trying to find some </div> <div> evidence and trying </div> <div> to keep up with work…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's ok." Donna said, "Don't worry about it." but she made a mental </div> <div> note to wash all of </div> <div> her clothes as soon as she got a chance.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok-I'll run a bath for you." he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As the hot water began to flow, Josh added the contents of a bottle </div> <div> and watched as the </div> <div> bubbles filled the tub. He turned around and saw Donna standing in </div> <div> the doorway behind </div> <div> him. Her hands were crossed over her chest. She looked very ill at </div> <div> ease. She seemed to be </div> <div> waiting for him to leave before she entered the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be in the living room if you need anything." he said looking </div> <div> down.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks." she said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After a few minutes, Josh heard Donna struggling. He hesitated at the </div> <div> door before </div> <div> entering.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can I come in?" he said trying to respect her privacy. Then he heard </div> <div> her softly crying </div> <div> from the other side of the door. He poked his head in and saw her </div> <div> sitting on the edge of </div> <div> the tub. Her sweat pants were thrown over the towel rack and she was </div> <div> struggling to get </div> <div> her socks off. Her fingers had swelled from the activity of the day </div> <div> and were unable to </div> <div> remove the remainder of her clothing. Josh froze momentarily not </div> <div> exactly sure what to </div> <div> do. He took note of the helpless look in her eyes and knew exactly </div> <div> how she felt. It was </div> <div> the same way he had felt after the shooting. He knew he needed to </div> <div> find a way to help her </div> <div> without making her feel even worse.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't even get my stupid clothes off so that I can take a bath </div> <div> myself" Donna spit out </div> <div> angrily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh reached behind her and shut off the water, which was threatening </div> <div> to overflow. Then </div> <div> he carefully knelt down in front of Donna and removed her </div> <div> socks. "It's just going to take </div> <div> a little while." he said "This is your first day home, don't put too </div> <div> much pressure on </div> <div> yourself." Then he took Donna's hand gently and stood her up. He </div> <div> proceeded to remove </div> <div> the remainder of her clothes as gingerly as possible and without </div> <div> breaking eye contact. He </div> <div> then steadied her while she stepped in to the tub and sank down in </div> <div> the relaxing water.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you." she said turning her eyes to the wall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem," he said "just call me when you're ready to get out. I </div> <div> don't want you to </div> <div> slip."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Tears stung Donna's eyes. She hated being this helpless. She was used </div> <div> to being the strong </div> <div> one, the caregiver. She hated feeling weak and out of control. She </div> <div> laid her head back and </div> <div> wondered when this nightmare was going to be over. By the time water </div> <div> began to turn </div> <div> cooler, Donna's muscles had loosened up considerably. She managed to </div> <div> get out of the tub </div> <div> herself and put on Josh's robe. She emerged from the bathroom and </div> <div> almost ran straight </div> <div> into Josh who was leaning against the wall just outside the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You scared me." he said as she crossed the room and stood against </div> <div> the opposite wall. </div> <div> She looked down and noticed that her hands were trembling. "Please </div> <div> don't do that </div> <div> anymore."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is something wrong?" he asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's tears began to fall again. 'God, I'm sick of crying she </div> <div> thought to herself.' "The </div> <div> shower in the prison didn't have a curtain on it." she said suddenly </div> <div> needing to try to share </div> <div> the horror of her ordeal with him. "There was a guard standing right </div> <div> outside of it </div> <div> watching the entire time I took a shower. It was awful." she said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> " I'm sorry." Josh said,  "I didn't know. I just wanted to be close </div> <div> in case you needed me. </div> <div> I'll never do it again. I'll respect your privacy, I promise." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks" Donna said. She wanted to so badly to reach out and hug him </div> <div> but she just </div> <div> couldn't bring herself to do it. She knew that Josh was only trying </div> <div> to help. He was really </div> <div> being very sweet. She wondered if he had felt this helpless after the </div> <div> shooting. He had </div> <div> been so angry during those first few weeks and she wondered if that </div> <div> anger was anything </div> <div> like the anger she was feeling now. Was it fueled by the same kind of </div> <div> feelings of </div> <div> helplessness?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well the bath did the trick." she said "I'm really tired now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good." he said "I put the boxes marked clothes in the bedroom so </div> <div> maybe we can find </div> <div> you a pair of pjs."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Um…I really don't want to wear any of that stuff until I wash it." </div> <div> she said " I'm </div> <div> probably overreacting but I can't stand the thought of a strangers </div> <div> hands all over my </div> <div> things…." She said choking back tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry. I never thought of that," he said. "Do you want me to </div> <div> grab you some sweats </div> <div> to sleep in?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That'd be great thanks," Donna said as Josh went to the dresser and </div> <div> tossed a pair of </div> <div> sweats on to the bed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Um …Josh, "she said nervously". I can't…I mean I just don't feel </div> <div> comfortable…. I </div> <div> mean its not you but…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I understand," he said moving to stand beside her but not touching </div> <div> her. "I've already put </div> <div> my stuff out on the couch. You sleep in here where you'll be more </div> <div> comfortable."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry," she said looking down at the ground.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not a problem." he said "You'll call me if you need anything?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Absolutely." she said as Josh retreated to the living room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh waited a while until it sounded as though Donna had managed to </div> <div> get settled and he </div> <div> took his pillow and blanket and stretched out on the floor in front </div> <div> of the bedroom door. </div> <div> He wanted to be as close as possible in case she needed him. When </div> <div> sleep wouldn't come, </div> <div> he began formulating a plan to get back at Mandy.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna arose in the morning, still looking haggard but having </div> <div> definitely been helped by </div> <div> her best nights sleep since the ordeal began. She dug through the </div> <div> boxes of her clothing </div> <div> carefully looking for something to wear to work. She found a spring </div> <div> sweater set and a </div> <div> pair of pants that were still sealed in dry cleaning bags and so she </div> <div> decided to wear those. </div> <div> She tried valiantly to dress herself but once again her sore and </div> <div> swollen fingers didn't </div> <div> want to cooperate. Josh helped her willingly, trying to be as </div> <div> nonchalant as possible. She </div> <div> tried to control it, but every time his hand brushed her skin she </div> <div> flinched. She just couldn't </div> <div> get the memory of the guard's hands out of her mind.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry," she said "its not you, its me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Please stop apologizing." Josh told her "You just tell me what YOU </div> <div> want, what YOU </div> <div> need."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just wish I could turn time to before this all started."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Me too." Josh said as he finished tying her shoes. "Are you ready to </div> <div> go?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As ready as I'll ever be." she said as Josh picked up his backpack </div> <div> and they moved </div> <div> towards the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna perched nervously on the edge of a chair in the oval office as </div> <div> Leo and the </div> <div> president explained the internal monitoring procedures to her. She </div> <div> would be under the </div> <div> direct supervision of the assigned security guard. She would need to </div> <div> report her </div> <div> movements to him as well as check in with him personally several </div> <div> times a day. Under no </div> <div> condition could she leave the premises without him knowing. Donna </div> <div> felt like she was </div> <div> back in prison. The thought of someone having to know her whereabouts </div> <div> every minute </div> <div> disturbed her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know these rules seem harsh Donna," Leo said "but it's the only </div> <div> way. Without these </div> <div> concessions, you wouldn't be able to come back to work."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I understand," she said somewhat bitterly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look Donna," the president spoke softly as if addressing one of his </div> <div> own daughters </div> <div> "what happened to you isn't fair, and it certainly wasn't your fault, </div> <div> but we need to just </div> <div> play by the rules until we can get the whole thing straightened out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know sir, and I appreciate all your help. Both of you." she said </div> <div> indicating Leo "I'm just </div> <div> grateful that you aren't firing me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Firing you?" the president asked incredulously "Where would you get </div> <div> a crazy idea like </div> <div> that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well I just thought that after everything. I might be..you know..a </div> <div> liability."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You are no such thing, Donna and I don't want to hear anymore talk </div> <div> like that. This is all </div> <div> gonna work out fine."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Go home, Donna and enjoy the weekend. Get some sleep and spend some </div> <div> time healing. </div> <div> Start back fresh on Monday morning-if you're ready." Leo said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok thanks, I think I will"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Just then, Mrs. Landingham poked her head in to say that the senior </div> <div> staff was waiting </div> <div> outside. As they filed in, Donna pulled Josh aside and told him that </div> <div> she was going to go </div> <div> back to the apartment. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll call and check on you in a little bit." Josh said as she turned </div> <div> to go</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh called two hours after Donna got home with the news that there </div> <div> was a hostage </div> <div> standoff at a courthouse in Illinois. He didn't know how long it was </div> <div> going to take to </div> <div> resolve but it looked like it might be awhile. He said that he was </div> <div> sending someone by to </div> <div> pick up a few things. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you want me to ask Bonnie or Ginger to come by and stay with </div> <div> you?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No that's ok, I'll be fine." she assured him thinking that she could </div> <div> actually use some </div> <div> time to herself. "But will you promise me that you'll try to get a </div> <div> little rest?" she added</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll do what I can," he said. "I'll call you as soon as I get a </div> <div> chance."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna sat in the apartment mentally replaying the events of the last </div> <div> few weeks in her </div> <div> head. Was there anything she could have done differently? Was there </div> <div> any way she could </div> <div> have seen it coming? How could she not have seen the depth of Mandy's </div> <div> hatred?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh finally arrived home late Saturday night and found Donna sitting </div> <div> in the darkened </div> <div> living room crying. He rushed to her side.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, are you ok? Did something happen?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I ran out of laundry detergent." she sobbed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh smiled. "Well Donna, that's hardly worth crying over. We'll just </div> <div> go the store and get </div> <div> some more tomorrow."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "That's just my point." she said "I went to the store to get it, and </div> <div> I was almost in the </div> <div> checkout line before I realized that I couldn't do it. I don't have </div> <div> any money, I don't have </div> <div> a bank account, I can't write a check and all of my credit cards have </div> <div> been cancelled. I </div> <div> can't even go to the store and buy laundry detergent." she sobbed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh continued to smile, mostly a smile of relief that this was an </div> <div> easily fixable problem.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you think this is funny?" Donna said, "Does this amuse you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not laughing at you." Josh said suddenly sensing that Donna was </div> <div> taking this very </div> <div> seriously. "I'm just glad that it wasn't something more serious you </div> <div> were upset over."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well it may be a simple thing to you but it isn't to me. It took me </div> <div> all morning to get the </div> <div> laundry unpacked and separated. I worked really hard at it. Then I </div> <div> realized I can't even </div> <div> go to the store and buy detergent!!" she said as her voice escalated.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know, Donna. I'm sorry that I laughed." Josh said trying to calm </div> <div> her all the while </div> <div> trying to push down his own feelings of dread. The old Donna-his </div> <div> Donna-would never </div> <div> have been so thrown by such a minor detail. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen," he said,  "When you get your next check, we'll open a new </div> <div> account for you so </div> <div> you'll have a checkbook. We'll get your credit cards straightened out </div> <div> eventually. And in </div> <div> the mean time, I'll give you a little money to tide you over."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You don't have to do that." Donna said, drying her tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want to." Josh replied. "And you just let me know if there's </div> <div> anything else you need </div> <div> ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." Donna said with a sigh that said more than her words ever could.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was feeling a bit better by the time she walked into the west </div> <div> wing on Monday </div> <div> morning. Josh left the apartment very early so she came in alone. </div> <div> Though she had </div> <div> managed to get dressed by herself, she was wearing no jewelry because </div> <div> she absolutely </div> <div> couldn't handle the clasps by herself. She wore a small amount of </div> <div> makeup, which had </div> <div> taken her nearly an hour to apply.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She walked out to the bullpen to find Larry standing beside her desk. </div> <div> He took one look at </div> <div> the bruises on her face and the cast on her arm and all of the color </div> <div> drained from his face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Larry?" Donna asked, "Are you ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine" Larry said as he fled the bullpen without a backward glance</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna glanced at Josh's schedule and saw that he was conducting a </div> <div> tour for the </div> <div> Georgetown interns right before lunch. She noticed that the rest of </div> <div> his day was fairly light </div> <div> and she thought that she might be able convince him to go home early </div> <div> since she was </div> <div> certain that he hadn't got much rest all weekend.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A shadow crossed over Donna's desk and she looked up to see a </div> <div> uniformed guard </div> <div> standing over her. Donna recognized him; she had seen him around the </div> <div> grounds many </div> <div> times. Despite that, her heart was racing and her hands began to </div> <div> shake. He introduced </div> <div> himself and said that he would be in charge of monitoring her </div> <div> movements while she was </div> <div> in the White House. He assured her that he anticipated no problems </div> <div> and didn't want to </div> <div> intrude on her work activities. He asked her to simply make sure she </div> <div> let him know when </div> <div> she intended to leave the building etc… Donna could barely hear him </div> <div> speaking over the </div> <div> roaring in her ears. There was something about his uniform that sent </div> <div> her mind flying back </div> <div> to those guards…those horrible guards.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you all right?" he asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be fine," she said </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time that Josh returned from his meeting, Donna was sitting at </div> <div> her desk trying to </div> <div> regain control. He motioned for her to follow him into his office and </div> <div> closed the door </div> <div> behind them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "Are you ok? Are you sure you're ready to come back?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure," she said, giving him a small smile to show that she </div> <div> appreciated his concern. </div> <div> The writing in your schedule book will be even more distinctive than </div> <div> usual for a while </div> <div> though. At least until I get these stupid splints off."</div> <div> "Don't worry about that." Josh said crossing to stand in front of her </div> <div> but being careful to </div> <div> give her some space "If there's anything you can't do, anything you </div> <div> need help with, you </div> <div> let me know ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." She said switching quickly into assistant mode "The interns </div> <div> will be here any </div> <div> minute. Is there anything you need me to do while you are giving them </div> <div> the tour?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You could get me some research on the transportation thing if you </div> <div> feel up to it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But don't over do it Donna. Take it slow."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes boss."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was sitting at her desk when it began. Toby and CJ were </div> <div> standing just outside of </div> <div> her office arguing over how to best handle a rogue senator from </div> <div> Texas. Josh and Sam </div> <div> were showing a large group of interns the way the bullpen system </div> <div> worked. The noise </div> <div> suddenly became overwhelming. All of the sudden Donna's heart began </div> <div> to pound like it </div> <div> was going to explode. Her hand went instinctively to her chest. She </div> <div> wanted to get away-</div> <div> needed to escape but she couldn't make her legs work. Suddenly she </div> <div> couldn't catch her </div> <div> breath. The room began to spin and Donna felt sick to her stomach. CJ </div> <div> was the first to </div> <div> notice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna are you ok?" she said "Donna-say something!!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna tried to speak but no words would come out. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna!!" CJ said loudly enough that she caught Josh's attention </div> <div> across the room. Josh </div> <div> looked up, saw the fear in Donna's eyes and immediately ran to her </div> <div> side."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, are you ok?" he asked in a panicked voice but there was still </div> <div> no answer.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let's get her in your office." Toby said trying to keep the </div> <div> situation from spinning out of </div> <div> control.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Get a Dr." Josh said to Carol as he lifted Donna from her chair and </div> <div> steered her towards </div> <div> his office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Once inside the office, away from the crowd and the noise, Donna </div> <div> seemed to calm down </div> <div> a little. She said she was all right but Josh still insisted that the </div> <div> staff Dr. check her over. </div> <div> Sam managed to pass the interns off to a junior staffer and made his </div> <div> way over to Josh's </div> <div> office in time to hear the Dr. say that he believed Donna had </div> <div> suffered a panic attack.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Has this ever happened to you before?" the Dr. asked </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just once," Donna admitted  "the morning I woke up in the infirmary."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well it's not an unusual occurrence for a person who has been through </div> <div> what you've been </div> <div> through" the Dr said. "Still, its nothing to take lightly. If it </div> <div> happens again, you will need </div> <div> to see your physician immediately."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you Dr. I will" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> After the Dr left, the office was silent for a few minutes then CJ </div> <div> spoke.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, I think you need to talk about what happened to you in </div> <div> prison. You can talk to </div> <div> us, or you can talk to a professional but you definitely need to talk </div> <div> it out. You're holding </div> <div> it inside and it's starting to eat you up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine CJ." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're not fine Donna. That's quite obvious."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's just the noise. It threw me that's all."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well noise is something you can't escape around her Donna" Toby </div> <div> said, "if you're </div> <div> having trouble dealing with it, then we need to do something about </div> <div> it. Maybe talking to </div> <div> someone would be the best thing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I told you, I'm fine! Can we please just forget this and get back to </div> <div> work?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, Donna" Toby said, "We can't just pretend everything is normal. </div> <div> It isn't"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So you're saying that you think I can't handle it?" Donna asked as </div> <div> tears began to flow </div> <div> down her cheeks "you think I can't do my job anymore?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No one said that" Sam said stepping in to try to restore calm. "We </div> <div> just think you might </div> <div> need to talk to someone. Let's not forget the lessons we learned </div> <div> after Rosslyn. Holding </div> <div> things in only leads to trouble Donna. Were just trying to head it </div> <div> off at the pass."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What about you?" Donna wheeled around and faced Josh "Do you think I </div> <div> need help </div> <div> too?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think that you are very frightened right now Donna. And I want to </div> <div> give you what you </div> <div> need but I'm just not sure what that is. I just don't want you to be </div> <div> in this much pain </div> <div> anymore. I've been in that place Donna and I know how lonely and </div> <div> scary it is. I want to </div> <div> help you get out of that place. And if I can't get you out-I want to </div> <div> find someone who </div> <div> can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going home," Donna said turning on her heels. "Obviously you </div> <div> don't think I can do </div> <div> my job so I may as well leave." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh chased after her and caught up with her in the hallway.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They---we----all of us-----we're only trying to help you Donna. We </div> <div> all want you to feel </div> <div> better. I'll do anything to make you feel better. I just need you to </div> <div> figure out what you </div> <div> want so you can tell me"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I understand that Joshua, but right now I just don't feel like I can </div> <div> talk to anyone."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I felt that way too Donna. But once I talked to Stanley, things </div> <div> started looking up. I want </div> <div> things to start getting better for you before you put your hand </div> <div> through a window?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I appreciate that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good, let me grab my stuff and I'll take you home. After this </div> <div> weekend I deserve to get </div> <div> out of here early."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna felt somewhat silly by the time she arrived back at work on </div> <div> Tuesday. She knew </div> <div> that the others were only trying to help her. She had very little </div> <div> time to think about it </div> <div> though. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> The day became a swirl of activity when a few key house members </div> <div> decided to withdraw </div> <div> their support of the president's newest crime initiative. Sam, Toby </div> <div> and Josh all spent the </div> <div> biggest part of the day running back and forth to the hill trying to </div> <div> marshal support.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  They found themselves in the mural room at 10 PM comparing notes. </div> <div> They all felt </div> <div> confident that they would be able to get the votes they needed and </div> <div> the mood began to </div> <div> lighten, another crisis averted. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and CJ were bickering over the way that the entire situation </div> <div> should be spun to the </div> <div> press. Toby was watching CNN trying to gauge the opposition's </div> <div> response to the day's </div> <div> events. Sam began singing some silly show tune to try to annoy Toby. </div> <div> Toby responded </div> <div> by increasing the volume on the TV. Suddenly Sam grabbed the remote </div> <div> and began </div> <div> flipping quickly through all of the channels. He began taunting Toby </div> <div> by holding the </div> <div> remote just out of his reach. CJ joined the fray yelling, "Boys, lets </div> <div> show a little decorum" </div> <div> and trying to wrestle the remote away from Sam.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Finally, Donna snapped. "Stop it. Just stop it." she yelled as she </div> <div> began picking up cans, </div> <div> folders and anything in sight and throwing them at Sam and Toby  "Why </div> <div> do you always </div> <div> have to act like children? Can't you just behave like adults for </div> <div> once? I am so tired of </div> <div> this…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> There was a dull thud as an unopened can of soda made contact with </div> <div> Sam's head. His </div> <div> hand flew up to feel the spot and when he pulled it back, he saw a </div> <div> small spot of blood. He </div> <div> turned to stare at Donna. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is happening to you?" he asked incredulously </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is happening to me?" she screamed  "Do you really want to know </div> <div> what is </div> <div> happening to me?" she said as she resumed the search for something </div> <div> else to throw. Her </div> <div> eyes landed on the remains of the Chinese food that had eaten for </div> <div> dinner. Suddenly, she </div> <div> began throwing the containers at the wall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Josh jumped up and grabbed Donna's arms but she continued to flail </div> <div> away. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Calm down Donna" he said but she continued to rage on unabated.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Finally Josh had to restrain her in a bear hug." Donna stop" he said </div> <div> over and over "they </div> <div> were only kidding. Stop" but she continued to struggle to get free.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ stepped directly in front of her. "Donna, you need to calm down. </div> <div> Everyone here is </div> <div> trying to help you. Just tell us what we can do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We want to help you" Toby said standing up "but you have to tell us </div> <div> what you need."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna returned her eyes to CJ. "They can't possibly understand," she </div> <div> said indicating the </div> <div> men in the room. "They can't know what it feels like to have every </div> <div> inch of your body </div> <div> violated by total strangers. They can't know how it feels to have </div> <div> your breast squeezed so </div> <div> hard that they end up bruised. They can't know what its like to have </div> <div> a stranger stick their </div> <div> entire hand into the most intimate corners of your body. To have </div> <div> swelling and bruising so </div> <div> bad that you can't sit down. To know that the whole event is being </div> <div> looked on as a source </div> <div> of amusement. You say you want to help me? Well how come you couldn't </div> <div> help me </div> <div> then? How come you couldn't help me to avoid those searches? Where </div> <div> were you when </div> <div> those guards had their hands all over me? How am I supposed to get </div> <div> over that CJ?" she </div> <div> asked, begging for an answer. "How am I ever supposed to forget </div> <div> that?" Donna said as </div> <div> she collapsed in angry sobs.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All three of the men in the room were stunned. None of them had ever </div> <div> stopped to </div> <div> consider the physical realities of a body cavity search. They </div> <div> suddenly realized that what </div> <div> Donna had been through amounted to rape, and it had happened to her </div> <div> three separate </div> <div> times. They would never know what she had felt like during those </div> <div> searches. But each of </div> <div> them could see how deeply it had affected her and each wanted nothing </div> <div> more than to take </div> <div> away her pain.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You just don't understand. You have no idea what it was like" she </div> <div> said breaking free </div> <div> and fleeing out the door and towards the ladies room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A silence hung over the room, everyone trying to deal with what had </div> <div> just happened.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We have to get her some help" CJ said "and I mean NOW, Josh. She </div> <div> can't get past this </div> <div> alone."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was having trouble speaking. He was still trying to come to </div> <div> grips with Donna's </div> <div> anger and her fear. He didn't know how to fix this. He didn't know </div> <div> what to say. She was </div> <div> right in that he would never be able to know how she felt during </div> <div> those horrible searches. </div> <div> He had to find someone who could help her through this.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "This is bigger than any of us knew, Josh." Toby said, "She looked </div> <div> like a caged animal. </div> <div> I've never seen that much fear in one person's eyes before. We need </div> <div> to get her some </div> <div> help."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, I love Donna. We all do." Sam said. "And that's why we are so </div> <div> worried about her. </div> <div> We need to take care of this before she really hurts someone-or </div> <div> before she really hurts </div> <div> herself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam's words hung ominously in the air.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll talk to her about it tonight" Josh said grabbing his things and </div> <div> turning to go</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was in no shape to discuss seeing a therapist. She stared out </div> <div> the window of the car </div> <div> and sobbed all the way home. As soon as they entered the apartment, </div> <div> she collapsed on the </div> <div> bed without a word and was sound asleep in no time. Josh sat on the </div> <div> sofa all night </div> <div> contemplating his next move. He decided that he would call Stanley in </div> <div> the morning and </div> <div> get Donna an appointment. She might resist at first but he knew that </div> <div> it would be the best </div> <div> thing for her.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> When Josh and Donna arrived in the bullpen the next morning they were </div> <div> greeted by </div> <div> complete silence. Donna felt every eye in the place watching her for </div> <div> any sign that she </div> <div> was about to have another meltdown. Leo appeared outside of her </div> <div> cubicle only minutes </div> <div> after they arrived.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna. My office. Now." Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna turned and looked at him. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "NOW." he repeated.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh began to walk down the hallway towards Leo's office but Leo </div> <div> stopped him with a </div> <div> glare. "I want to talk to her alone." he said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh began to protest but quickly realized it was no use. "Please </div> <div> Leo, take it easy on her. </div> <div> I'm gonna get her an appointment with Stanley as soon as I can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Once they were inside his office, Leo turned to Donna and his voice </div> <div> softened a bit.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, I heard what happened last night. I don't want you to think </div> <div> that anyone was </div> <div> tattling on you, they are simply concerned. You need to get yourself </div> <div> some help," he said. </div> <div> "I can't allow anything like that to ever happen inside this building </div> <div> again. I want you to </div> <div> take some more time off. Do whatever you need to do. If you want to </div> <div> talk, I'm here. If </div> <div> you need professional help, I'll find someone for you. But you need </div> <div> to do something </div> <div> Donna. I don't want you back at work till you've done something."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you firing me?" she asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I hope it doesn't come to that" Leo said solemnly "but I can't have </div> <div> you working here in </div> <div> your current condition. I think maybe you should consider an </div> <div> inpatient care facility."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" she screamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just for an evaluation, Donna. Just so you can get a handle on this </div> <div> thing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine" Donna said as she fled the office. She didn't even bother to </div> <div> return to the bullpen </div> <div> but rather headed straight for the door. She headed off down the </div> <div> street not having any </div> <div> idea where she was going-and not really caring.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She wasn't sure how long she had been running when she finally found </div> <div> herself in a little </div> <div> park. Her feet hurt and she was looking for a place to sit down. The </div> <div> monitoring device on </div> <div> her ankle banged into the bench and she suddenly remembered that she </div> <div> had left without a </div> <div> word to the security guard. She wondered if anyone was looking for </div> <div> her. She sat down on </div> <div> the bench and buried her head in her hands. She had no idea what to </div> <div> do next. She was </div> <div> suddenly unable to see any options. Leo thought she was crazy. Sam, </div> <div> CJ, and Toby </div> <div> probably did too. She didn't even want to think about what Josh </div> <div> thought of her after last </div> <div> night. They had barely spoken a word since the incident. Maybe they </div> <div> were all right-</div> <div> maybe she was crazy. Maybe they would all be better off if she wasn't </div> <div> around anymore. </div> <div> She was desperately trying to clear her head and figure out what her </div> <div> next move should be </div> <div> when she looked up and couldn't believe who she saw. Standing almost </div> <div> right in front of </div> <div> her was ----MANDY.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello Donna" she said flatly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wh..wh..What are you doing here?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why Donna, you don't seem happy to see me!!!" Mandy said in a mock-</div> <div> wounded tone</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna stood her ground." Why are you doing this to me? What did I </div> <div> ever do to you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy threw her head back and laughed derisively." Don't play </div> <div> innocent with me" she </div> <div> said. "I knew my days were numbered as soon as you walked into that </div> <div> office. All of the </div> <div> sudden it was Donna this and Donna that. Everyone thought that you </div> <div> were so refreshing </div> <div> and so wonderful and so delightfully quirky."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you saying Mandy? How could you have been jealous of me? </div> <div> You had </div> <div> everything. An education, power, influence and a man who loved you"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh never loved me. We had a relationship yes, but it was never </div> <div> love. And he barely </div> <div> noticed me after you arrived."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's not true"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh but it is. And deep down you know it. I worked hard to be a </div> <div> player in politics. I </div> <div> thought I'd finally made it. I was going to have the ear of the </div> <div> president and a major role </div> <div> in his administration. But you took that all away from me. And now </div> <div> I'm going to take </div> <div> everything away from you"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Donna looked at Mandy, she couldn't believe how cold her eyes </div> <div> were. It was as if </div> <div> something inside of Mandy had died. Donna recoiled at the thought </div> <div> that her eyes might </div> <div> someday look like that. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, like being hit by the proverbial lightning bolt from the </div> <div> sky, it all became </div> <div> perfectly clear to Donna. Mandy was only winning because Donna was </div> <div> letting her. She </div> <div> was playing right into Mandy's hands. She was letting her anger; </div> <div> fear, frustration and </div> <div> confusion cloud her own better judgment. CJ, Sam, Toby and Leo </div> <div> weren't the enemy. </div> <div> They were her friends. They had fought hard to get her out of jail. </div> <div> They cared about her </div> <div> and they wanted her to be happy. They were only trying to look out </div> <div> for her best interests. </div> <div> She probably did need to see someone-someone who could help her find </div> <div> her way out of </div> <div> all this fear and anger.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  And then there was Josh. She loved him with all her heart and yet </div> <div> she continued to keep </div> <div> him at a distance. She had been doing everything she could to push </div> <div> him away ever since </div> <div> she had gotten released and he had been nothing but patient and </div> <div> supportive. She had </div> <div> waited her whole life for someone to love her like that. She realized </div> <div> with amazing clarity </div> <div> that she had a long way to go to get back to normal,  but running </div> <div> away from her friends </div> <div> and the man she loved was definitely taking things in the wrong </div> <div> direction.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna looked back at Mandy who was still talking, then turned and ran </div> <div> back in the </div> <div> direction off the White House.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They had searched the west wing top to bottom to no avail. There was </div> <div> no sign of Donna. </div> <div> They were desperately trying to convince the security guard to give </div> <div> them more time </div> <div> before he reported her missing.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  All of the sudden, they heard a commotion and turned to see Donna as </div> <div> she came sailing </div> <div> across the bullpen, tears streaming down her face and directly into </div> <div> Josh's arms. He was </div> <div> momentarily shocked by the move but quickly wrapped his arms around </div> <div> her. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Its ok." he murmured in her ear "its ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> She pulled back but left her arms wrapped around his neck. "I'm so </div> <div> sorry" she said " the </div> <div> words tumbling out of her mouth like a waterfall " I shouldn't have </div> <div> shut you out. </div> <div> Shouldn't have pushed you away. I was so confused. There is just so </div> <div> much pain and so </div> <div> much anger. I didn't know how to deal with it. I'm still not sure I </div> <div> know how. I know that </div> <div> I need to talk to someone-a counselor of some kind- but I also know </div> <div> that it will be easier </div> <div> if I let you help me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He looked into her eyes and to his great delight; he saw that the </div> <div> light was back. It wasn't </div> <div> full strength by any means but it was back. He knew that Donna was </div> <div> ready to fight and </div> <div> that she was determined to win. He pulled her back into his embrace </div> <div> and said, "I love you </div> <div> Donna. Everything is gonna be ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too," she said, crying tears of happiness and relief.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, she turned to Sam, Toby and CJ. "I owe you all an apology" </div> <div> she said, "I'm </div> <div> sorry for the way I've been acting. I should have had as much faith </div> <div> in you as you had in </div> <div> me. I'm so so sorry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Its ok." CJ said wrapping Donna in a warm embrace  "We were just </div> <div> worried about you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna turned towards Toby and said, "I appreciate everything you've </div> <div> done for me. You </div> <div> deserved better treatment. Can you ever forgive me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's already done. You can see the right path now and that's all </div> <div> that matters." Toby said </div> <div> opening his arms and giving Donna a nervous hug." Now that that's out </div> <div> of the way" he </div> <div> growled " I will be reverting immediately to the nasty cynical man I </div> <div> used to be."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sam" Donna said taking his hand and looking sadly at the bruise on </div> <div> his head. "thanks so </div> <div> much for everything you've done. You're a good friend and I'm sorry </div> <div> if I don't tell you </div> <div> that enough."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Seeing the light starting to come back to your eyes is all the </div> <div> thanks I need," he said</div> <div> as he kissed her on the forehead.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Where's Ainsley?" Donna asked. "I need to thank her too"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She's working on a bit of a project," Sam said casting a nervous </div> <div> glance at CJ. "She'll be </div> <div> by to see you later.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So," Josh asked pulling Donna back in his arms, and pressing his </div> <div> forehead to hers, "Not </div> <div> that I'm complaining but what brought on this change of heart?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I saw Mandy in the park today" Donna said </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "WHAT????" they all said in unison</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy's Hotel</div> <bR> <bR> <div> I can't believe that little witch walked away from me! I was right in </div> <div> the middle of a </div> <div> sentence and she just turned around and ran. Who the hell does she </div> <div> think she is? I saw the </div> <div> look in her eyes when she came in to the park and saw me-it was pure </div> <div> fear. God, I love </div> <div> that look. The one that tells you that you are in charge because the </div> <div> person you are looking </div> <div> at is too scared to challenge you. But that wasn't the look she had </div> <div> on her face when she </div> <div> left. She looked like she had just realized something. Like a light </div> <div> bulb had just gone on. I </div> <div> wonder what the hell was going on in that little blonde head of hers. </div> <div> Well, since my </div> <div> presence here isn't a secret anymore, I guess it's time for me to </div> <div> prepare to confront Josh </div> <div> and whomever else he might have dragged in on his little project. Oh </div> <div> goody-this should </div> <div> be interesting!!</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> OK Fine. I know that I may have made a slight tactical error by </div> <div> approaching the little </div> <div> witch in the park. But I just couldn't resist. You know what I mean? </div> <div> I just wanted to see </div> <div> the look in her eyes. Up close. The panic and the disappointment. And </div> <div> I did see that, for a </div> <div> few minutes. But then everything changed. A whole different look </div> <div> cropped up and I have </div> <div> to say that I can't exactly put my finger on what it was. But, </div> <div> whatever it was, it won't </div> <div> last. I didn't get into this battle to lose it. I still have a lot of </div> <div> fight in me. So if Blondie </div> <div> thinks she's in the clear, she's sadly mistaken. I just need to drop </div> <div> back a little and rethink </div> <div> my strategy. But I'm not worried, I still have the upper hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ looked at her watch as she hurried towards the door of Josh's </div> <div> apartment. She had </div> <div> promised to meet everyone there as soon as possible but a press </div> <div> briefing, which ran long, </div> <div> had held her up. As she rounded the corner and looked down the hall, </div> <div> she saw Ainsley </div> <div> about to knock.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey, what's up?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not much. I've just been going over all of the information you gave </div> <div> me about Mandy."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Find anything interesting?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not yet, but I know it's there. I can feel it." Ainsley said as she </div> <div> knocked on the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can feel it?" CJ asked with a smile. "I thought lawyers needed </div> <div> something more </div> <div> concrete than feelings to go on."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." Ainsley chuckled "Let's chalk it up to women's intuition."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Josh opened the door he heard them say in unison "Long live the </div> <div> sisterhood". He just </div> <div> rolled his eyes and motioned for them to come in.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The scene in the living room brought a smile to both of the women's </div> <div> faces. Sam and </div> <div> Toby were sitting, relaxed and comfortable, over a slew of Chinese </div> <div> takeout containers. </div> <div> Josh returned immediately to his place on the couch next to Donna, </div> <div> who was eating an </div> <div> egg roll, which she was managing to hold on to despite the splints on </div> <div> her fingers. It was </div> <div> good to see everyone so relaxed for a change.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley grabbed a plate and a fork and dug into the Kung Pao chicken.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hungry?" Sam asked with a smile</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Bite me, Sam." Ainsley shot back.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey!! You've been spending too much time with CJ!!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Long live the sisterhood." Ainsley laughed</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Amen." Donna added. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna leaned back against Josh, as he placed his arm lightly around </div> <div> her shoulders. The </div> <div> noise level in the apartment was rising but she kept reminding </div> <div> herself to breathe and to </div> <div> remember that these were her friends. The feelings of panic, while </div> <div> still present, were no </div> <div> longer threatening to overwhelm her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  As soon as everyone had settled in, she recounted her meeting with </div> <div> Mandy in the park.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She really didn't say that much. It was more the look in her eyes. </div> <div> They were empty and </div> <div> ice cold. I've never seen pure hatred before but I have now. I've </div> <div> never seen anything like </div> <div> it. It was quite scary, really." she said as her voice broke, </div> <div> remembering the way she had </div> <div> felt in the park, talking to Mandy. Josh squeezed her forearm </div> <div> reassuringly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did she admit anything to you about what she had done?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not directly." Donna said. "All she really said was that I had taken </div> <div> her job away from </div> <div> her. She said the President was her big chance to be a major player </div> <div> and that I had taken </div> <div> that away from her by forcing her out. It really didn't make any </div> <div> sense."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, what she's doing certainly doesn't make any sense so I'm not </div> <div> sure we should be </div> <div> looking for logic in her actions." Sam said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She didn't threaten you, did she?" Josh asked worriedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No." Donna said, smiling at the concern in his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Regardless," Toby said "I still think it's best if you observe extra </div> <div> caution until Mandy </div> <div> gets what she has coming to her. Don't go anywhere alone etc…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay, I'll be careful." Donna promised</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So…" Sam spoke up "Speaking of getting what she deserves, where do </div> <div> we stand on </div> <div> that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have a meeting with Chad tomorrow to go over what he has found so </div> <div> far." Toby said, </div> <div> "Then we will make a decision as how to proceed from there. It's only </div> <div> a matter of time </div> <div> but I just want to make sure we do this right every step of the way. </div> <div> No way I'm letting </div> <div> her slip through our fingers."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam glanced at CJ and Ainsley who were both staring intently at their </div> <div> plates. "Does the </div> <div> sisterhood have anything to report?" he asked with a barely concealed </div> <div> grin.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not yet but we're working on it." Ainsley said. "We need a good </div> <div> codename though. You </div> <div> know..Operation…..??"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why do you need a codename?" Toby asked derisively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "All good operations have a codename." Ainsley countered. "We need a </div> <div> good one. I'll </div> <div> think about it and let you know what I come up with."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll be waiting with baited breath." Toby growled as everyone else </div> <div> in the room </div> <div> chuckled.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam gathered up a few dirty dishes and carried them to the kitchen. </div> <div> Donna excused </div> <div> herself and followed him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sam?" she said as he stood at the sink with his back to her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" he said turning around.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wanted to say again how sorry I am for…well for…my behavior the </div> <div> other night." She </div> <div> said pointing to the bruise on his forehead as tears sprung to her </div> <div> eyes. "I really don't </div> <div> know what came over me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's okay, Donna. Don't worry about it. I know that you were under a </div> <div> lot of stress. I </div> <div> should have been more sensitive to that. I'm the one who should be </div> <div> sorry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No." she said. "It wasn't your fault. I just couldn't get past the </div> <div> anger and the pain. I took </div> <div> it out on you when it wasn't your fault at all."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok." he said, "I'll tell you what, I'll make you a deal".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll volunteer to be the target of your anger anytime if it helps </div> <div> you to feel better. If you </div> <div> need to get some things off your chest-I'm your guy. You can yell at </div> <div> me, you can </div> <div> scream at me-----just stay away from the full soda cans ok? Empties </div> <div> only!!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal." Donna said with a smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's good to see you smile again." Sam said sincerely dropping an </div> <div> arm around her </div> <div> shoulders.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's good to smile again," Donna said as they returned to the living </div> <div> room to join the </div> <div> others.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> After everyone left for home, Josh carried the dishes and the empty </div> <div> takeout containers to </div> <div> the kitchen and sat them on the counter. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll take care of this stuff tomorrow." he said with a yawn</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Tired?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A little." he shrugged "I think everything is just finally catching </div> <div> up with me".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You need to get a good nights sleep." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We both do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh…" she said hesitantly. "I feel like I had a real breakthrough </div> <div> this afternoon in the </div> <div> park, but I'm still not ready to…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I understand." he said, "Don't worry about it. I'm just gonna tuck </div> <div> you in and then I'll </div> <div> sleep on the couch."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I could sleep on the couch." she said "I feel bad kicking you out of </div> <div> your own bed."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's not a problem, Donnatella."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna went into the bathroom and slipped into Josh's worn Yale t-</div> <div> shirt and a pair of </div> <div> boxers. Even though she had washed all of her own pajamas, she still </div> <div> enjoyed sleeping in </div> <div> Josh's clothes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure you don't want me to take the couch tonight?" she asked </div> <div> as she reentered </div> <div> the bedroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you Josh," she said looking deeply into his eyes. "Not just </div> <div> for sleeping on the </div> <div> couch but for understanding, for being there, for everything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're welcome," he said wrapping his arms around her </div> <div> waist. "Anytime."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was so relieved to see the light back in Donna's eyes. There </div> <div> were moments </div> <div> over the last few weeks when he was worried that he would never see </div> <div> it again. He found </div> <div> himself completely hypnotized. He leaned forward and placed a gentle </div> <div> kiss on her </div> <div> lips. He closed his eyes, reveling in the feel of her lips on his and </div> <div> thought how he could </div> <div> stay right here, in this moment, forever. Donna wrapped her arms </div> <div> around his neck. The </div> <div> kiss quickly deepened. After a few minutes, Josh reluctantly pulled </div> <div> away. He knew that </div> <div> Donna wasn't ready, either physically or emotionally, to escalate </div> <div> their relationship. The </div> <div> last thing he wanted to do was rush her into something she wasn't </div> <div> ready for. He was </div> <div> willing to take it as slowly as she needed to.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you.," he said placing his forehead against hers but not </div> <div> removing his arms from </div> <div> her waist</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too." She sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now let's get some sleep" he said turning to pull back the covers on </div> <div> the bed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna climbed in and Josh pulled the comforter over her. He leaned in </div> <div> and gave her a </div> <div> kiss on the forehead.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be in the living room if you need anything." Josh said as he </div> <div> turned out the lamp on </div> <div> the bedside table.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay." she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Within 10 minutes, they were both sound asleep.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 6:30 AM</div> <div> Josh's Apartment</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What time is your appointment with Stanley?" Josh asked for the </div> <div> tenth time.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "9:45."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And you're sure you don't want me to go with you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, but you'll call me as soon as you're done right?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I promise."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Be careful. Remember what Toby said about taking extra precautions."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll call a cab, Josh and I wont leave the building till I see it </div> <div> out front."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok-I'm not trying to be a nag but…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I understand. Now get to work before you're late for the staff </div> <div> meeting."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Slave driver."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's right."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you," he said leaning in and kissing her on the lips.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too. Now go." Donna said literally pushing Josh out the </div> <div> door. He stood in the </div> <div> hallway for a few minutes until he heard Donna latch the locks and </div> <div> then he walked down </div> <div> the hallway towards the elevator, happier than he had been in weeks.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 6:45 AM</div> <div> Sam's office</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam's head jerked up at the sound of a knock on his door. He thought </div> <div> he was the only </div> <div> one in this early on his end of the building.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come in." he said eyeing the door curiously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Larry asked hesitantly</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure, Larry. What's up?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well-it's about everything that's been going on lately…with Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam suddenly sensed the edge in Larry's voice and asked, "Do you know </div> <div> something </div> <div> about what's been going on?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes" Larry said in a voice barely above a whisper. "In fact, I'm </div> <div> pretty sure I contributed </div> <div> to it. But I certainly never knew it was going to go this far when </div> <div> she contacted me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When you say "she" I assume you mean Mandy?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes." Larry said sheepishly</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam listened as Larry spilled out the details of his initial meeting </div> <div> with Mandy. How he </div> <div> thought it had been a coincidence when he had run into her the night </div> <div> that they had tried to </div> <div> fix the speech for the correspondent’s dinner. How she had invited him </div> <div> to breakfast at an </div> <div> all night diner across town. How they had spent the night gossiping </div> <div> about what had </div> <div> happened in the White House since her departure. How she had asked </div> <div> nonchalantly about </div> <div> many people including Josh and Donna and how he had recounted the </div> <div> story of their </div> <div> argument earlier in the night over the flowers."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did she tell you what she was planning?" Sam asked unable to hide </div> <div> the anger in his </div> <div> words.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not exactly." Larry said staring at the floor.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She said that she wanted to have a little fun, to pay Donna back, </div> <div> she didn't really say </div> <div> what for. She asked me if I could get her some information from </div> <div> Donna's personnel file </div> <div> like her social security number and her date of birth."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And you did?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I never guessed that she was gonna do something this serious. I </div> <div> swear."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But why?" Sam asked, "Why would you even do anything like that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know. I asked Donna out a few times when we first got to the </div> <div> White House. She </div> <div> turned me down. I guess I still hold a little grudge. But I swear Sam </div> <div> I never thought it </div> <div> would go this far. I'm really sorry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well it's a little late for that now isn't it?" Sam said angrily as </div> <div> he realized that he needed </div> <div> time to think. "I think you need to take a few days off Larry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fired, aren't I?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Right now, I can't even think about that. I'm going to have to talk </div> <div> to Toby. I just need </div> <div> you not to be here today, ok? I'll call you when I decide what I'm </div> <div> going to do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." Larry said heading for the door. As he reached it he turned and </div> <div> said " Sam?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I am really sorry Donna got hurt."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I believe you, but it doesn't change the fact that she did. And not </div> <div> only Donna, but a lot </div> <div> of other people as well."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know" Larry said as he turned and left the office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Sam pounded his fist on the desk. Larry!! One of his own employees. </div> <div> He tried to decide </div> <div> how and when would be the best time to tell Toby about this.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 8:00 AM</div> <div> The Capital Diner</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby spotted Chad as soon as he entered the diner. He was sitting in </div> <div> a booth in the back </div> <div> nibbling on a bagel. Toby crossed the room and took the seat directly </div> <div> across from him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just coffee please" he told the waitress as she approached with a </div> <div> menu.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What have you found out?" Toby asked getting right down to business.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, we're getting much closer." Chad said not disturbed at all by </div> <div> Toby's brusque </div> <div> manner. "We have managed to track about 50 percent of the transaction </div> <div> so far back to </div> <div> their source. But it isn't Simmons and West like we thought. They </div> <div> only served as a </div> <div> clearinghouse. The transactions seem to have originated with a </div> <div> company out of New </div> <div> York called Foster Group Ltd. As far as I can tell, they are pretty </div> <div> much of a shell </div> <div> company."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Any idea who owns them?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Some big time marketing and PR firm called Lennox Chase."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby laughed out loud.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" he asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "About 90 %" Chad said "Is there something funny about that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just that I can't believe that Mandy was stupid enough to try to </div> <div> hide this stuff behind </div> <div> Lennox Chase. She used to work for them so she must have a working </div> <div> knowledge of their </div> <div> computer system, which helps explain how she managed to do it. But </div> <div> somehow I don't </div> <div> think the brass over there is going to relish the idea of being drawn </div> <div> into this scandal. </div> <div> Something tells me I wont have much trouble convincing them to </div> <div> cooperate" Toby said </div> <div> with a smile. "Do you have copies of everything you've found?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep. Here they are" Chad said handing Toby a thick stack of computer </div> <div> printouts. "I'll </div> <div> get the rest to you as they come in."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks a million, Chad" Toby said as he got up and through some </div> <div> money on the table. </div> <div> "Breakfast is on me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks." Chad laughed "I'll get more info to you soon."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby smiled to himself as he walked out of the diner. This was going </div> <div> to be even more fun </div> <div> than he had anticipated. He was looking forward to calling the folks </div> <div> at Lennox Chase. </div> <div> 'You've made a major tactical error, Mandy' he thought to himself, </div> <div> and I'm going to take </div> <div> full advantage of it.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 11:50 AM</div> <div> White House</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was surprised when he looked up and saw Donna standing in the </div> <div> doorway of his </div> <div> office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey," he said, "What the heck are you doing here?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gee, Josh. That's the kind of greeting every girl dreams of </div> <div> hearing." she said </div> <div> sarcastically</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just meant…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know what you meant," she said with a laugh as she dropped into </div> <div> the visitor's chair.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So how was you meeting with Stanley?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good. Really. I'm glad I went."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So you're going back?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wanna talk about it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not right now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But if you do?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know where you are."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK" Josh smiled. He knew that dealing with what had happened to her </div> <div> in prison would </div> <div> be tough for Donna, but he could see that her old spirit had </div> <div> returned. She was ready now </div> <div> to fight the demons. He marveled at how strong she was. He was just </div> <div> about to tell her </div> <div> how impressive he thought she was when CJ came through the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I thought I saw you come in here." She said as she crossed the room </div> <div> and gave Donna a </div> <div> hug. "How are you today?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good thanks. I had an appointment with Stanley this morning. I still </div> <div> have a long way to </div> <div> go but it definitely helped."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great." CJ said with a smile. She was glad to see Donna taking </div> <div> control of her </div> <div> life again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She suddenly remembered what she had come in for in the first place </div> <div> and turned her </div> <div> attention to Josh. "I just wanted to drop off this information for </div> <div> you before you went over </div> <div> to the hill to have lunch with Matt Skinner. I thought you might be </div> <div> able to use it to </div> <div> convince him."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, CJ"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So I guess that means you can't have lunch with me?" Donna pouted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, sorry I can't. I really need to try to get Matt's support on </div> <div> this."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey" CJ piped up "I'm meeting Ainsley over at Houlihan's for lunch. </div> <div> Why don't you </div> <div> join us?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Maybe I will." Donna said actually relishing the thought of a nice </div> <div> leisurely lunch out.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is this a meeting about Operation whatever?" Josh asked with a </div> <div> smirk. "Has Ainsley </div> <div> come up with a name yet?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not yet" CJ said shooting Josh a warning glance "But don't jest, </div> <div> Josh".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not. I swear."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll see you later" Donna said moving around the desk and leaning </div> <div> over to brush a quick </div> <div> kiss across Josh's cheek.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK have fun-and be careful"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We will."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good luck with Matt Skinner." CJ called over her shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good luck with Operation whatever." Josh called back.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't mock the sisterhood, Josh" Donna warned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh just rolled his eyes and watched them walk across the bullpen.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 12:20 PM</div> <div> Houlihan's Tavern</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley was already halfway through an order of potato skins when </div> <div> Donna and CJ </div> <div> arrived.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna!!" she said obviously happy to see her friend. "I wasn't </div> <div> expecting you. How are </div> <div> you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good thanks. Very good as a matter of fact."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The waitress came to the table to take CJ and Donnas drink order and </div> <div> Ainsley said, "You </div> <div> better bring us more potato skins."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ and Donna exchanged amused smiles.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So," CJ said getting down to business "You have a very enigmatic </div> <div> smile on your face </div> <div> Miss Hayes. Could it be that you have discovered something?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why yes, Ms Cregg. I believe I have."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do tell."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok. But first, I've decided on a name."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A name?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For the operation."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok what is it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Operation Porter." Ainsley said with a flourish that indicated she </div> <div> had put quite a bit of </div> <div> thought into the selection of just the right moniker.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Operation Porter?" CJ and Donna said simultaneously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes. Porter. You know….that's the name of the guy Mel Gibson played </div> <div> in that movie."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What movie?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Payback."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Aha. Now I get the connection."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But that was a terrible movie." Donna said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But Mel looked good." Ainsley offered</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "True," they all agreed, "Nice eyes…nice ass…Operation Porter it is."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." CJ said, "Now that that's settled, tell us what you found out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "Well I've been doing a little digging into Mandy's bank records."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really? Where did you get a hold of her bank records?" Donna asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have some powerful connections of my own." Ainsley answered</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You had Mel's twinkle right there." Donna observed</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "In your eyes. When you talked about having connections. You had that </div> <div> Mel Gibson </div> <div> twinkle. I think Operation Porter is the perfect name."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why thank you." Ainsley beamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're quite welcome."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So," Ainsley continued. "Would you be surprised if I told you that </div> <div> Mandy Hampton has </div> <div> an off shore bank account in the Cayman Islands?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" CJ said, "That's very interesting."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, that isn't even the interesting part of it." Ainsley said </div> <div> positively bursting with news.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do tell." CJ said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's a joint account. And would you like to know the other name on </div> <div> the account?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Senator Lloyd Russell" Ainsley said unable to hide her glee any </div> <div> longer.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you kidding me?" CJ and Donna asked in unison as they both </div> <div> stared at Ainsley </div> <div> trying to absorb this new information.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And there's more." Ainsley continued "Would you like to know how </div> <div> much money is in </div> <div> it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How much?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "7.5 million dollars!!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No" CJ said smiling as she considered all of the possible </div> <div> implications of this news.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes." Ainsley replied happily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Kind of makes you wonder where all that money came from doesn't it?" </div> <div> Donna asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It certainly does." CJ said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And more to the point, why they need to hide it offshore." Ainsley </div> <div> wondered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think we have a little more digging to do." CJ said. "And I think </div> <div> I know just where to </div> <div> start. Do you have the name of the offshore bank involved?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Right here." Ainsley said passing her a slip of paper. "And that's </div> <div> the account number."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great. I have a friend at justice who should be able to help us get </div> <div> some more </div> <div> information."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "In the meantime, Donna, can you go through the financial disclosures </div> <div> from the last few </div> <div> years and find out if there is any explanation for how all Senator </div> <div> Russell came into all </div> <div> this money."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure thing." Donna said. "As soon as I talk to Leo and make sure I </div> <div> still have a job."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You do." CJ said "Don't worry. Leo was just concerned about you. Now </div> <div> that he knows </div> <div> you're seeing Stanley, everything will be fine."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I hope so." Donna said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I guarantee it." CJ said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well good. Then as soon as I talk to him, I'll get right on this."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And I am going to do a little digging in Mandy's tax records." </div> <div> Ainsley said. "Something </div> <div> tells me she may just have forgotten to mention any of this money to </div> <div> the IRS."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Something tells me, there may be a lot of things about this story </div> <div> that Mandy has </div> <div> conveniently forgotten to mention." CJ said. "And I intend to find </div> <div> out every single one of </div> <div> them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let's toast" Ainsley said "To Operation Porter"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They all laughed as they clinked their glasses together.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh returned from his meeting with Matt Skinner and found that CJ </div> <div> and Donna weren't </div> <div> back from lunch yet. He glanced at his schedule and saw that, aside </div> <div> from a few phone </div> <div> calls that needed to be made, his afternoon was basically free. He </div> <div> made a quick decision.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He reached his destination fairly quickly through surprisingly light </div> <div> afternoon traffic. As </div> <div> he approached the receptionist, he tried to think of the best way to </div> <div> handle the situation.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'd like to see Ms. Hampton." he said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is she expecting you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can I tell her your name?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Actually" Josh said leaning in and flashing the receptionist a full </div> <div> dimpled smile, "It's </div> <div> kind of a surprise. I'm an old friend of hers. I'd like to just pop </div> <div> back unannounced if I </div> <div> can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After hesitating for a moment, the receptionist said, "Well, I'm sure </div> <div> it will be ok. It's </div> <div> down that hallway, the last office on the right."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks." Josh said as he walked away.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come in." Mandy said in an irritated voice as she heard the knock. </div> <div> She hated </div> <div> unannounced visitors. Suddenly the door flung open.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, Josh" she said "I've been expecting you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> It took every ounce of strength Josh had to keep from launching </div> <div> himself across the office </div> <div> and strangling the life out of Mandy. He wanted nothing worse than to </div> <div> wrap his hands </div> <div> around her throat. To make her feel some of the pain, the fear and </div> <div> the panic that he knew </div> <div> Donna must have felt during those hideous searches. But he knew that </div> <div> he couldn't do it. </div> <div> He knew that he had to maintain control, for his sake, as well as for </div> <div> Donna's.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You were expecting me?" he asked in a measured tone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Of course." Mandy said turning to look out the window. "I figured </div> <div> that eventually you </div> <div> would have to ride your trusty white steed over here to defend the </div> <div> fair maiden against the </div> <div> evil witch."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What in the hell are you talking about?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She turned and lashed out at him, anger blazing in her eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't play games with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about. </div> <div> You're only here </div> <div> because of HER. You've only lowered yourself to speak to me again </div> <div> because of HER. </div> <div> You're just dying to be HER hero. Well, too bad. You're not going to </div> <div> get that chance, I'll </div> <div> make sure of it. You can just sit there and watch her go down in </div> <div> flames."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh fought hard to control his rising anger, determined to hold his </div> <div> temper. He kept </div> <div> reminding himself that Mandy was only baiting him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna's not going down in flames, Mandy. You should be able to see </div> <div> that. We </div> <div> obviously found enough evidence to convince a judge to give her bail. </div> <div> We know what </div> <div> you did, and we know how you did it. It's just a matter of time until </div> <div> we prove that Donna </div> <div> is completely innocent."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy was momentarily taken back. She was surprised by his references </div> <div> to other people. </div> <div> "We" found enough evidence and "We" know what you did. She had been </div> <div> so sure that </div> <div> Josh would want to handle this alone. Had he really allowed other </div> <div> people in to help? The </div> <div> old Josh, the Josh she knew, would never have admitted he needed </div> <div> help. He would never </div> <div> have admitted that there was any situation that he couldn't handle </div> <div> himself.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll just have to wait and see, Josh." she said breaking herself </div> <div> free from those </div> <div> troubling thoughts. "This isn't over by a long shot."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then let's end it, Mandy. Right here. Right now." Josh yelled, </div> <div> losing his grip on his </div> <div> emotions for a split second before pulling himself back </div> <div> together. "Tell me what this is </div> <div> really all about. Tell me what all of this pain and suffering has </div> <div> been about."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Margaret wasn't at her desk when Donna entered Leo's outer office. </div> <div> Through the crack in </div> <div> the door, she could see him poring over files. She took a deep breath </div> <div> and knocked lightly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Leo?" she said sticking her head in just far enough so that he could </div> <div> see her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, come on in." he said with a smile, rising and crossing over </div> <div> to meet her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you have a minute?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For you? Anytime." He said motioning for her to sit on the couch. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna perched nervously on the edge of the cushion and Leo sat down </div> <div> in the overstuffed </div> <div> armchair facing her. She stared intently at the floor, her hands </div> <div> shaking slightly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's on your mind?" Leo asked attempting to put her at ease.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna lifted her eyes to meet Leo's. "I wanted to apologize for what </div> <div> happened in the </div> <div> Mural Room the other night. And also for the way I behaved yesterday </div> <div> here in your </div> <div> office. I know that you were only trying to help me, Leo and I'm </div> <div> sorry. I overreacted. I </div> <div> don't know what was going on in my head. I'm really sorry…" she said </div> <div> sniffling back </div> <div> tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry about it. It's already forgotten." Leo said handing her </div> <div> a box of Kleenex.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want to assure you that nothing like that will ever happen again. </div> <div> I promise."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay, then." Leo said. "Did you talk to Stanley this morning?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, how did you know?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh mentioned that he was going to get you an appointment. Did it </div> <div> help?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes it did. I know that this isn't going to go away overnight. I </div> <div> know that it's going to </div> <div> take a lot of work. But I think I'm back on the right track now. I </div> <div> know that I was focusing </div> <div> my anger on the wrong people, on the people who were trying to help </div> <div> me. I won't be </div> <div> doing that anymore."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo looked in her eyes and he knew that she was telling him the </div> <div> truth. She had turned a </div> <div> corner, and while it was still a long way back, she was at least </div> <div> headed in the right </div> <div> direction. With the help and support of the people who loved her, he </div> <div> knew she would </div> <div> make it back. Just as he had.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good." he said, "That's all I wanted to hear."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna hesitated, looking for the nerve to ask the next question.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When would it be ok for me to….well….um…..would it be ok for me to </div> <div> come back to </div> <div> work?" Donna stammered, afraid that he was going to tell her that she </div> <div> no longer had a job </div> <div> there.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As soon as you feel up to it." Leo said patting her knee gently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's body relaxed immediately. She exhaled deeply as she dried her </div> <div> remaining tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I was just worried about you, Donna. We all were. I want you to </div> <div> realize that. When CJ </div> <div> and Toby came to me about what happened in the Mural Room, their only </div> <div> concern was </div> <div> your well being. They saw that you were in pain and they wanted to </div> <div> help. And when I </div> <div> told you that you needed to seek treatment, your welfare was my only </div> <div> concern. It was </div> <div> never my intention to make you think that your job here wasn't </div> <div> secure. It is."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you." she said softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Anytime." he said. "Now let's get back to work."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." she smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna?" he said as she reached the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You know that my door is always open right? That you can come to me </div> <div> if you need to </div> <div> talk?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes I do," she said "and I appreciate it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna smiled as she walked back down the hall towards the bullpen, </div> <div> thinking how very </div> <div> lucky she was to have these people in her life, and how close she had </div> <div> come to letting </div> <div> Mandy take it all away from her.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "You know exactly what it's about." Mandy hissed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I really don't." Josh said. "Why don't you enlighten me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's all about her. Donna. And the fact that she took everything I </div> <div> wanted away from me. </div> <div> Right when it was within my grasp, she yanked it all away. And now </div> <div> I'm going to do the </div> <div> same thing to her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What did Donna take from you, Mandy?" Josh asked no longer able to </div> <div> contain his </div> <div> anger. "Because the way I see it, you willingly gave it all up. You </div> <div> ended our relationship, </div> <div> you quit your job, you left town. How is any of that Donna's fault?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's all her fault, Josh. She took you away from me and you took </div> <div> everything else with </div> <div> you when you went."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna didn't take me away from you, Mandy." Josh exploded. "Our </div> <div> relationship was </div> <div> never going to work. You've said that yourself a million times. We </div> <div> were like fire and </div> <div> gasoline. It was only a matter of time until the explosion came."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's right." Mandy said crossing over to stand directly in front </div> <div> of Josh. "But I was the </div> <div> one holding the match. I was supposed to be the one to decide when </div> <div> the explosion came."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They were standing face to face now, screaming at each other.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So it's all about the fact that you didn't get to control where and </div> <div> when the relationship </div> <div> ended?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No it's not about that. Don't kid yourself into thinking this is all </div> <div> some elaborate plan to </div> <div> get back at the man who broke my heart. Our relationship was never </div> <div> like that. It was </div> <div> never all hearts and flowers. I needed you for something else, </div> <div> something much bigger. </div> <div> Bartlet was my ticket to the top Josh. My chance to be somebody </div> <div> important. My chance </div> <div> to make a name for myself. To be a real player. I was going to have </div> <div> the ear of a president. </div> <div> And everybody would know that. They would all have to go through me </div> <div> to get whatever </div> <div> they wanted. I was right on the threshold of feeling real power Josh. </div> <div> But I needed you to </div> <div> get there. Because Bartlet may have been my ticket to the top, but </div> <div> you were my ticket to </div> <div> Bartlet. You were my in. I knew that if it came down to the two of </div> <div> us, he would keep you </div> <div> around over me. I needed to keep you close so that I could stay close </div> <div> to him. But the day </div> <div> you met HER, it all started to fall apart."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can't think that's true. Not even you are that delusional." Josh </div> <div> said clenching his </div> <div> fists at his side.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It is true Josh and you were the only one who couldn't see it. You </div> <div> may have convinced </div> <div> yourself that you took her in for purely professional reasons but you </div> <div> sure as hell never </div> <div> convinced anybody else." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm tired of this argument Mandy. Donna had nothing to do with the </div> <div> end of our </div> <div> relationship. I've told you that a thousand times."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A thousand more and I might actually believe it-more to the point </div> <div> you might actually </div> <div> believe it yourself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There was nothing between Donna and I during the campaign."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There's been something between you and Donna from day one. But you </div> <div> know what? </div> <div> That isn't even the point. You could have screwed your secretary on </div> <div> the side for all I </div> <div> cared. I could have lived with that. But I needed you for what we </div> <div> could have </div> <div> accomplished professionally."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not having this argument again Mandy. That's not what I came </div> <div> here for."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What did you come here for Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I told you-I came here to end this-once and for all."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam entered Toby's office just as Toby was hanging up the phone. He </div> <div> couldn't help but </div> <div> notice that Toby looked very pleased and wondered if now was the best </div> <div> time to break the </div> <div> news to him about Larry.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good news?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Indeed." Toby said making a few final notes on the paper in front of </div> <div> him. "That was </div> <div> Jack Harmon from Lennox Chase. He was quite surprised to hear that </div> <div> one of his </div> <div> companies was apparently involved in what happened to Donna. When I </div> <div> told him that we </div> <div> believed that Mandy was behind it, he told me a little story of his </div> <div> own. One of </div> <div> approximately 3 million dollars systematically pilfered from various </div> <div> Lennox Chase </div> <div> accounts over the last 2 years. He's faxing all of the information </div> <div> they have over to Chad, </div> <div> as we speak, to see if we can make any connections." Toby leaned back </div> <div> and clasped his </div> <div> hands behind his head. "We're close Sam. I can feel it. It won't be </div> <div> long now. And I'm </div> <div> going to be the one who tells her she's been nailed. I want to see </div> <div> the look on her face."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well you deserve to enjoy that moment Toby. You've certainly earned </div> <div> it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just want to make sure she gets what she has coming Sam. I want to </div> <div> see her pay for </div> <div> what happened to Donna. She can't be allowed to get away with it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And she won't"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam cleared his throat and shuffled his feet uncomfortably.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Was there something you needed?" Toby asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Actually, yes" Sam said sinking down onto Toby's couch and trying to </div> <div> decide where to </div> <div> begin. "I had a conversation with Larry earlier."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Speaking of Larry, where is he? I haven't seen him all day."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I sent him home." Sam said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is he ill?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then what, Sam. Spit it out." Toby said impatiently, wanting to get </div> <div> to the point so he </div> <div> could move on to other things.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Larry told me this morning that he is the person inside the White </div> <div> House who has been </div> <div> feeding Mandy information."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Toby said, convinced that he had misunderstood Sam's </div> <div> statement.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Larry was the one who gave Mandy Donna's social security number and </div> <div> personal </div> <div> information. He is the one who told her about the flowers."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When? Why?" Toby screamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He ran into her the night we stayed late trying to punch up the </div> <div> speech for the </div> <div> correspondent's dinner. He said he had no idea what Mandy was up to, </div> <div> how bad things </div> <div> were going to get. He just wanted to pay Donna back for a little case </div> <div> of unrequited love."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, this is quite a little payback isn't it?" Toby thundered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know. Look, I didn't know what to do. I sent him home and I told </div> <div> him we'd call him </div> <div> when we knew what our next step was going to be. I know it doesn't </div> <div> mean much now, </div> <div> but he definitely seemed sorry. I think Mandy really manipulated him. </div> <div> I know that </div> <div> doesn't excuse his behavior."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, it doesn't." Toby growled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, what are you going to do about him?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not sure yet. I need time to think. But the first thing he is </div> <div> going to have to do is </div> <div> apologize to Donna face to face. Let him look her in the eye and see </div> <div> what he's done. </div> <div> After that, we'll decide."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok. I'll call him." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam walked back to his office to call Larry. He would have to get </div> <div> with Donna to set up a </div> <div> time for them to talk. He wasn't sure that hearing Larry's confession </div> <div> was exactly what </div> <div> Donna needed right now but better that she hear it from him than that </div> <div> she pick it up off </div> <div> the grapevine.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts when he entered his office </div> <div> that he didn't see </div> <div> Ainsley sitting on the couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey" she said causing him to jump a foot in the air. "Sorry, I </div> <div> didn't mean to startle you. </div> <div> Cathy wasn't at her desk so I just let myself in. Is everything ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, everything's fine." Sam said regaining his composure. "To what </div> <div> do I owe the </div> <div> pleasure of this visit?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just got back from having lunch with CJ and Donna and I thought </div> <div> I'd stop by to see </div> <div> how you were doing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I'm better now that you're here." he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley felt a slight blush creeping up her face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So how goes Operation??. Have you come up with a name yet?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Operation Porter."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Porter?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes. In honor of the character Mel Gibson played in Payback."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK" Sam said with a grin.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't make fun of the codename Sam. I worked very hard on it. It's </div> <div> completely fitting."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, I'll take your word for it. So has Operation Porter dug up </div> <div> anything?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh yes, quite a bit."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really. Like what?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Like an offshore bank account with over 7 million dollars, which is </div> <div> jointly held between </div> <div> Mandy and Senator Lloyd Russell."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you kidding me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No. CJ's getting all of the details now from someone she knows at </div> <div> justice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well that's very interesting considering that Toby just talked to </div> <div> the people at Lennox </div> <div> Chase and they are missing over 3 million dollars."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do they think Mandy was involved somehow?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They do now. They are sending the information to Chad and he is </div> <div> going to try to see if </div> <div> he can come up with anything more concrete."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is great Sam. We're closing in." Ainsley said with a satisfied </div> <div> smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know. This nightmare might be about to come to a close."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wish it was all going to be that easy, ending it I mean. I think </div> <div> we're close to nailing </div> <div> Mandy and exonerating Donna, but we will be dealing with the fallout </div> <div> from this for a </div> <div> long, long time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Including the fact that I need to start thinking about what I'm </div> <div> going to do for a job. It's </div> <div> expensive living in DC, a girls gotta work."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam noticed the sad look in her eyes that she attempted to hide </div> <div> behind her glib statement.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm so sorry. I know how much you gave up to help Donna and I can't </div> <div> even begin to </div> <div> express how much I appreciate it. How much we all appreciate it ." he </div> <div> said as he sat </div> <div> down beside her on the couch and took her hand in his.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know. It's fine. I did it because I wanted to. I don't have any </div> <div> regrets it’s just…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She was interrupted by a knock on the door. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come in." Sam said without removing his hand from Ainsley's.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I heard you were in here, Ainsley" Leo said as he stepped into the </div> <div> office. He couldn't </div> <div> help but notice their linked hands. He made a mental note to tell </div> <div> personnel that they were </div> <div> not to hire anymore leggy blondes.  They seemed to weave some kind of </div> <div> magical spell </div> <div> over the male members of his senior staff. The thought that he might </div> <div> some day have to </div> <div> watch Toby swoon like Sam and Josh were was too much for him to </div> <div> handle. 'Brunettes it </div> <div> is from now on' he said to himself.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Was there something in particular you needed from me, sir?" Ainsley </div> <div> asked breaking </div> <div> him out of his reverie.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just wanted to see how your vacation was going?" he said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your vacation. I wanted to see if you were getting the personal </div> <div> problem straightened </div> <div> out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you are talking about." Ainsley said, </div> <div> no longer able to </div> <div> mask her confusion.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh told me that you needed to take some vacation time to deal with </div> <div> a personal matter." </div> <div> Leo said with a twinkle in his eye. "I just wondered when it might be </div> <div> cleared up and </div> <div> when we might be getting you back here working for us?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you serious Leo?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley, listen to me. As soon as you get your personal matter taken </div> <div> care of, you start </div> <div> right back to work here. If you want to that is."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If I want to?" Ainsley squealed, "Of course I want to."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great." Leo said. "When do you think we might be seeing you back?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, if things continue down their current path at their current </div> <div> speed, I should be back </div> <div> from "vacation" within a week."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great, see you then." he said as he left Sam's office closing the </div> <div> door behind him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I still have my job!!!" Ainsley squealed as she impulsively wrapped </div> <div> her arms around </div> <div> Sam's neck.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, you do." Sam said, enjoying the feel of her in his arms and </div> <div> suddenly having to fight </div> <div> back a very strong desire to kiss her. 'Oh yeah,' he thought to </div> <div> himself. 'I definitely have a </div> <div> lot of thinking to do'. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy glared triumphantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well you don't have the power to end it Josh. This is between Donna </div> <div> and me. It doesn't </div> <div> end till I say it ends."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm warning you right now Mandy. You leave Donna alone. You stay </div> <div> away from her. </div> <div> Because if you don't, it'll be the biggest mistake you ever made."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Aren't you cute when you're lovesick?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I mean it Mandy."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, she found herself wanting desperately to broach the one </div> <div> topic that she had </div> <div> promised herself she would stay away from, that she would never bring </div> <div> up with him </div> <div> again. Why her? Why Donna? What was so special about her? Why had she </div> <div> been able to </div> <div> have this effect on Josh's life that no one else could. She simply </div> <div> couldn't stop herself </div> <div> from asking the question even though she dreaded the answer.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "You know there is one thing I'm curious about though. What is it </div> <div> you see in her? It's </div> <div> obviously not her education, her breeding, her class….what is it? I </div> <div> mean there are a lot of </div> <div> pretty faces in the world, why her?" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You have no idea what you're talking about. You don't know Donna. </div> <div> You don't know </div> <div> the first thing about her. And I'm certainly not going to stand here </div> <div> and defend her to </div> <div> you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "All I can say is---she must be one hell of a lay." Mandy said </div> <div> needing to believe that </div> <div> Josh's attraction to Donna was that basic-that elemental.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly Josh realized why Mandy was asking.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wouldn't know." he said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He watched as Mandy digested those words. Her eyes widened. She </div> <div> couldn't believe it. </div> <div> Couldn't believe that they had never slept together. All that </div> <div> attraction-all that chemistry. </div> <div> She had been so sure that they had acted upon it during the campaign. </div> <div> But she could see </div> <div> that Josh was telling the truth. She had always been able to tell </div> <div> when he was lying.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh my God." Mandy rasped. "You really do love her, don't you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> For some reason that she couldn't explain, that revelation rocked her </div> <div> to her very core. </div> <div> This wasn't a fling, wasn't some tawdry affair. Josh really loved </div> <div> Donna. In a way that he </div> <div> had never even come close to loving her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And I guess I should really thank you for making me realize that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you talking about?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm saying that there is one good thing that came out of all this </div> <div> Mandy. It made me </div> <div> realize how much I love Donna. I was buried so deep in denial before </div> <div> any of this </div> <div> happened that it's doubtful I would have ever dug my way out. And </div> <div> even if I had, I'm </div> <div> sure Donna would probably have given up on me and moved on long </div> <div> before it happened. </div> <div> So I guess I really should say thank you." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy's mind was reeling. She couldn't believe what he was saying. It </div> <div> wasn't possible. </div> <div> He couldn't possibly mean that she had been responsible for bringing </div> <div> them together. </div> <div> Since the day she had met Donna, she was only focused on keeping them </div> <div> apart. On </div> <div> getting Donna out of Josh's life. The thought that she might actually </div> <div> have brought them </div> <div> closer together made her nauseous.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fuck you, Josh" she screamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh knew her well enough to read the look in her eyes. He had </div> <div> devastated her, and he </div> <div> was glad. Let the others handle the legal revenge. He had done his </div> <div> part. He had come </div> <div> here to see hurt in Mandy's eyes and now he saw it. He wondered why </div> <div> he didn't feel bad </div> <div> about it. He had cared about her once after all. But then he </div> <div> remembered the look in </div> <div> Donna's eyes that night in the Mural Room. And he knew that the pain </div> <div> Mandy was </div> <div> feeling now was nothing compared to what Donna had gone through. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> He turned and walked out the door. Just as it closed behind him, he </div> <div> heard Mandy begin to </div> <div> throw things against the wall.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna?" CJ said as she entered the bullpen. "I need to see you, </div> <div> Josh, Toby, Sam and </div> <div> Ainsley."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you find something?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think so. I have to check on a few things first. I also need you </div> <div> to do a little digging for </div> <div> me. Find out as much as you can about the balance in Senator </div> <div> Russell's reelection fund. </div> <div> Ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure thing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "See if you can get everybody to my office in an hour, ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will do."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh shot the receptionist a full dimpled smile as he sailed past her </div> <div> towards the elevator. </div> <div> He could tell by the horrified look on her face that she had heard </div> <div> the screaming.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As he stepped out onto the ground floor, his phone rang.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh Lyman." he said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna Moss." came the reply.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi there. How was lunch?" he asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good. Where are you? CJ wants to see everyone in her office in an </div> <div> hour."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I had an errand to run but I'm on my way back now. I'll be there in </div> <div> plenty of time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "An errand?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll tell you all about it when I get there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok. See you in a bit."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donnatella?" he said, "I love you." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Love you too, Joshua. Hurry back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh found himself actually whistling as he walked through the </div> <div> parking garage to his car.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I talked to Mark Wilkins at the Justice Department." CJ said as soon </div> <div> as everyone was </div> <div> assembled in her office. "He was very interested to hear about the </div> <div> off shore account for a </div> <div> variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it is illegal for </div> <div> a US Senator to be a party </div> <div> to such an account."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I would think so." Toby snorted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you find out anything about his reelection fund, Donna?" CJ asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I did." Donna said proudly. "As a matter of fact, within the </div> <div> last week, several very </div> <div> large chunks of cash have been withdrawn, ostensibly to pay </div> <div> consulting fees, however, as </div> <div> far as I can tell, the money never made it to the consulting company."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh could tell by the look on Donna's face that there was more to </div> <div> the story. She had </div> <div> another piece of news that she was just dying to share. He decided to </div> <div> give her the opening </div> <div> she needed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who is the consulting firm involved?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The gleam in Donna's eyes was blinding. "Lennox Chase," she said with </div> <div> a smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Amazing." Sam said. "I can't believe she thought she could pull it </div> <div> off."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Stealing from Lennox Chase and the Senator's reelection fund? How </div> <div> did they think they </div> <div> would get away with it?" Ainsley asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Lack of confidence was never Mandy's problem." Josh said derisively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby's phone began to ring and he stepped out in to the hallway so </div> <div> that he could hear </div> <div> better. When he came back in, he was wearing the biggest smile anyone </div> <div> had ever seen </div> <div> Toby wear.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We've got her!" he said, "Dead to rights."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Donna asked standing to face Toby. "Are you sure?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "100%." he assured her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna sat back down on the couch and wrapped her arms around Josh. As </div> <div> the tears fell </div> <div> down her face she said, "It's over. It's really over."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not quite," CJ said with a grin. "We still have to confront Ms </div> <div> Hampton with the </div> <div> evidence."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Exactly." said Toby  "This is going to be the fun part".</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The mood in CJ's office was jubilant. Josh and Donna sat on the </div> <div> couch, arms wrapped </div> <div> firmly around each other, finally allowing themselves to believe that </div> <div> this nightmare might </div> <div> actually be close to an end. Sam wrapped Ainsley in a big bear hug </div> <div> and whispered, "We </div> <div> did it, we really did it," over and over again in her ear while she </div> <div> giggled gleefully. CJ and </div> <div> Toby locked eyes across the office and shared a wry smile, each </div> <div> understanding exactly </div> <div> what the other was thinking and wanting to savor this moment. This </div> <div> was what they had </div> <div> all been working so hard for. This was the moment in which they knew </div> <div> they had won. </div> <div> Mandy would not be successful. And not only that, but she would pay, </div> <div> and pay big for </div> <div> what she had done to Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby wanted the moment to last forever but he knew full well that </div> <div> there was still a lot of </div> <div> work to be done. "I'm going to meet with Chad to collect hard copies </div> <div> of all of the </div> <div> evidence he dug up." he said, "Then I'm going to call Jack Harmon </div> <div> back and give him </div> <div> the news. I think he will be very happy to know that we have located </div> <div> the money missing </div> <div> from the Lennox Chase accounts."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good idea." CJ said. "As soon as you get your hands on the proof, we </div> <div> need to get it over </div> <div> to Mark Wilkins at justice. We also need to get him everything we </div> <div> have on the </div> <div> irregularities with Senator Russell's re-election fund. Do you have </div> <div> printed copies of the </div> <div> information you dug up this afternoon, Donna?" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> When she didn't get a response, CJ glanced over at the couch and saw </div> <div> that Donna was </div> <div> still wrapped in Josh's arms. She could tell by the shaking of her </div> <div> shoulders that Donna </div> <div> was crying, but for the first time in a long time, CJ was certain </div> <div> that they were tears of </div> <div> happiness. Josh was stroking her hair and gently rubbing her back all </div> <div> of the while cooing </div> <div> softly in her ear. CJ hated to interrupt but she needed the </div> <div> information. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna?" she asked again more softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes?" Donna said looking up but not removing herself from Josh's </div> <div> arms.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you have copies of the information that you got on Senator </div> <div> Russell's campaign funds </div> <div> this afternoon?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I do." Donna said, picking up the stack of papers lying beside </div> <div> her on the couch. </div> <div> "All I need to do is make a few more phone calls to confirm some of </div> <div> these numbers…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why don't you let me do that?" Sam said gently, reaching out and </div> <div> taking the papers </div> <div> from her hand. "I think you need to go home and get a little rest. </div> <div> It's been a long day."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, really. I'm ok…" Donna protested as she wiped the tears from her </div> <div> face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Please," Sam said softly. "I want to do this. I'll make a few calls. </div> <div> It's not a big deal."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, Sam." Donna said, "I really appreciate it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem," Sam assured her.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need to get copies of all of the information you get from Chad </div> <div> ASAP." Ainsley said </div> <div> turning to Toby. "If the evidence is as iron clad as he claims it is, </div> <div> I should be able to use </div> <div> it to convince the DA to drop all of the charges against Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank God," they all said in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby noticed that Josh hadn't said much since entering CJ's office. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?" he said eyeing his friend warily. "You've been awfully quiet </div> <div> this evening. Is </div> <div> anything wrong?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not really," Josh began, pausing momentarily trying to decide the </div> <div> best way to break the </div> <div> news. "The fact is I went to see Mandy this afternoon."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You what?" Five shocked voices asked in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I went to pay Mandy a visit," he said. "I had a few things I needed </div> <div> to clear up with her. </div> <div> A few things I wanted to say to her face to face while I had a </div> <div> chance." Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is she still alive?" Toby asked with a smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She was when I left." Josh smirked. "Although it sounded as though </div> <div> she was hurling the </div> <div> entire contents of her office against the door as I was walking down </div> <div> the hall."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What were you hoping to accomplish by seeing her? CJ asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I needed to look her in the eyes and ask her why she did this. I </div> <div> needed to hear her </div> <div> answers for myself. And most of all, I needed to see her face when </div> <div> she realized that she </div> <div> had failed. That Donna was strong enough to survive and that we would </div> <div> get through this </div> <div> together." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh tightened his grip on Donna as he continued. "I also told her </div> <div> that in some twisted </div> <div> way, I owed her a thank you. She finally forced me to admit how I </div> <div> really felt. I might </div> <div> have stayed in denial about my feelings for Donna forever. And heaven </div> <div> knows she </div> <div> probably would have given up on me and moved on long before I wised </div> <div> up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I would never have given up on you." Donna said as she planted a </div> <div> kiss on his cheek.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh smiled at her, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was going. It was </div> <div> kind of a spur of the </div> <div> moment thing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok," Donna said. "I understand."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So how did she react to the news?" Sam asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, like I said," Josh laughed, "She was throwing things when I </div> <div> left."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby couldn't help smiling. He was glad that Josh had gotten his </div> <div> chance to have his say </div> <div> with Mandy, but now it was time to put the rest of the plan into </div> <div> action.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Okay then," he said. " It's time to finish the job that Josh has so </div> <div> ably begun for us. Let's </div> <div> get to work. We have a lot to do before morning. Ainsley, I'm on my </div> <div> way to meet with </div> <div> Chad, would you like to join me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Definitely," Ainsley said gathering up her things and following Toby </div> <div> out of the office. </div> <div> "Let's go get the evidence we need so I can go to the DA."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam rose from the chair "I'll make these calls from my office." he </div> <div> said, "I'll let you </div> <div> know what I find out, CJ."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks." CJ with a mischievous grin "I have a few phone calls of my </div> <div> own to make."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you up to something?" Sam asked warily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Always." CJ said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Long live the sisterhood" Donna said without lifting her head off of </div> <div> Josh's shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam rolled his eyes as he left the office mumbling something to </div> <div> himself about Operation </div> <div> Porter.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ looked at Josh and Donna sitting on the couch. They both looked </div> <div> exhausted. "Hey, </div> <div> why don't you two call it a night? I think we have everything under </div> <div> control here. Go </div> <div> home and get some rest. I'll let you know was soon as there is </div> <div> anything to report."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent idea." Josh said without putting up even the smallest </div> <div> argument.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Donna asked, "Isn't there something I should be </div> <div> doing? You are all </div> <div> doing so much for me-I feel like I should be doing more."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nonsense, Donna. The only thing we want you to do is to take care of </div> <div> yourself. So go </div> <div> home, let Josh buy you a nice dinner, then just relax. Tomorrow is </div> <div> going to be a big day."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If you're sure." Donna said, secretly loving the idea of going home </div> <div> and putting her feet </div> <div> up.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure." CJ said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." Donna agreed. "But you promise you'll call if you need </div> <div> anything?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I promise," CJ said "Now go."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh went to his office to collect his things and on the way back </div> <div> through the bullpen he </div> <div> grabbed Donna's coat and bag. Meanwhile, Donna lingered in the </div> <div> doorway of CJ's </div> <div> office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, CJ." she said "And I mean for everything. You've been a real </div> <div> rock through this </div> <div> whole ordeal and I will never be able to tell you how much I </div> <div> appreciate it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem," CJ said, "Just defending the sisterhood."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Donna said, "It's gone way above and beyond that. I don't know </div> <div> how I can ever </div> <div> thank you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No thanks needed. Now you go home and get some rest ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK. Goodnight."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh came up behind Donna and slipped an arm protectively around her </div> <div> waist. "Ready to </div> <div> go?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep." She said as smiled up at him with a look of absolute adoration.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Goodnight CJ," they said in unison as they headed across the bullpen </div> <div> arm in arm.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Goodnight," CJ said watching them leave with a wistful smile. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby and Ainsley spotted Chad sitting in a corner booth as soon as </div> <div> they entered </div> <div> Houlihan's. In front of him, on the table, sat a large stack of </div> <div> computer printouts.</div> <div> He was so engrossed in what he was reading that he didn't notice them </div> <div> until they were </div> <div> standing right beside him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, hi," he said </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello." Toby answered. "Tell us what you've got."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> By now, Chad was used to Toby's habit of getting right to the point.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I was just sitting here marveling at the absolute brilliance </div> <div> of it. She almost pulled </div> <div> it off. It was just simple mistake that brought the entire thing </div> <div> crashing down."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It usually always is." Toby said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "True." Chad replied</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Pardon me for being slow," Ainsley said "But which little mistake </div> <div> was it that tripped her </div> <div> up?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Answering her own phone." Toby said with a smile while Chad laughed </div> <div> in agreement.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let me lay it all out for you." Chad said shifting in his seat and </div> <div> flipping through the </div> <div> paperwork in front of him. "Mandy was very familiar with the computer </div> <div> system at </div> <div> Lennox Chase from the time she spent working there. She knew that </div> <div> there was a soft </div> <div> spot."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A soft spot?" Ainsley asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," Chad explained. "A portal where she could get in past the </div> <div> security system. She </div> <div> used the knowledge she had to get in and to siphon money slowly out </div> <div> of their so-called </div> <div> "soft-accounts." Accounts that she knew would draw the least amount </div> <div> of attention. Then </div> <div> she entered in a few dummy entries to make it look as though the </div> <div> money had disappeared </div> <div> legitimately."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wouldn't those dummy entries eventually be discovered?" Ainsley </div> <div> asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Of course they would," Toby said. "But my guess is that by then, she </div> <div> intended to be in </div> <div> the Cayman's keeping her money company."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're probably right," Chad said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, please continue." Ainsley said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "All right," Chad went on. "After she had the money out of the Lennox </div> <div> Chase accounts, </div> <div> she set up an off shore account in the Cayman's. That wasn't </div> <div> difficult at all I'm sure. The </div> <div> reason people choose the Cayman's is because they have a very </div> <div> liberal "don't ask/don't </div> <div> tell" policy about where the money came from. Then it was a simple </div> <div> matter of getting the </div> <div> money there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So that's where Donna comes in." Ainsley said as the whole plan </div> <div> began to be very clear </div> <div> to her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Exactly." Toby said, "She saw a chance to kill two birds with one </div> <div> stone. She could get </div> <div> back at Donna and make herself rich at the same time. She used </div> <div> Donna's bank account as </div> <div> a front to move the money off to the Cayman's."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Right." Chad said, "Except she made a very important mistake. She </div> <div> ran all of the money </div> <div> through Ms. Moss's account during a very short period of time. Three </div> <div> dates to be exact. </div> <div> And three dates that just happen to coincide with dates on which </div> <div> large sums of money </div> <div> disappeared from Lennox Chase accounts. Then she went back and </div> <div> altered the bank </div> <div> records to make it look as if the transactions had taken place over a </div> <div> longer period of time. </div> <div> She assumed, apparently correctly, that the police and the DA would </div> <div> simply follow the </div> <div> flow of money out of the accounts without really looking to closely </div> <div> at where it came in."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Was someone at the bank in on it with her?" Ainsley asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't think so." Chad said. "The bank was a customer of Simmons </div> <div> and West. I think </div> <div> she simply used her position there to get a hold of their password </div> <div> information. She then </div> <div> broke into their system and used a particular teller's information to </div> <div> complete the </div> <div> transactions. She was very careful to use the same teller information </div> <div> every time. No </div> <div> doubt she thought that, even if someone did manage to track the </div> <div> deposits, the police </div> <div> would simply assume that the teller was Donna's accomplice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No doubt." Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Once she had the bank misinformation in place," Chad continued, "she </div> <div> started on the </div> <div> credit card companies and the landlord. Making it look like the rent </div> <div> had never been paid </div> <div> was fairly easy. The landlord only offered online payment as a </div> <div> convenience. It was a </div> <div> secure site but far from impenetrable. She simply got into the system </div> <div> and deleted the </div> <div> confirmation numbers. She left the money in the landlords account. </div> <div> She knew that </div> <div> eventually they would realize that the money was indeed there, but </div> <div> she figured that by the </div> <div> time they did, it would be too late."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Amazing." Ainsley said shaking her head. "Absolutely amazing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And don't even get me started on the credit card companies." Chad </div> <div> said shaking his </div> <div> head in disgust. "Those computers are an absolute cesspool. They </div> <div> can't see a mistake if </div> <div> it's staring them right in the face. She just got in there and </div> <div> overloaded the system with </div> <div> fake transactions The credit card providers are notorious for being </div> <div> easy to hack in to."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But you managed to get it all tracked right?" Toby asked. "We need </div> <div> to be able to prove </div> <div> that every one of these entries is fake."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry." Chad said patting the stack of papers in front of </div> <div> him. "It's all right here. </div> <div> Every single transaction."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But I still don't understand how Mandy answering her own phone was </div> <div> her downfall." </div> <div> Ainsley asked quizzically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Simple," Chad said. "You see, she was very good at covering her </div> <div> tracks. When we first </div> <div> followed the evidence back to Simmons and West, we assumed that </div> <div> someone had used </div> <div> them as a pass through. As a front. They would have been an obvious </div> <div> choice because of </div> <div> the kind of business they are in. Who knows how many blind alleys we </div> <div> would have gone </div> <div> down trying to figure out who was behind all this. Searching for this </div> <div> kind of evidence is </div> <div> like looking for a needle in a haystack. That's why the damage that </div> <div> comes from cyber-</div> <div> crime is so devastating. The shear volume of misinformation that can </div> <div> be perpetrated in a </div> <div> few seconds is mind-boggling. Mandy made it much easier on us by </div> <div> giving us a place to </div> <div> focus our search. If she hadn't answered her own phone that day, we </div> <div> might still not even </div> <div> know she worked there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well then, thank heavens she did." Ainsley said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Amen," Toby answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, here you go" Chad said pushing the files toward Toby. "This </div> <div> should be everything </div> <div> you need. I've laid it all out step by step so no one should have any </div> <div> problem following it. </div> <div> You're going to take it to the police I assume?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Eventually," Toby said. "But first I have a little plan of my own </div> <div> for Mandy."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I'm gonna take it to the DA first thing in the morning. It </div> <div> should be plenty of proof </div> <div> for him to drop the charges against Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," Chad said, "If anyone has any other questions or if you need </div> <div> anything else, Toby </div> <div> knows how to get in contact with me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks again," Toby said as Chad stood up to leave. Suddenly he had </div> <div> an idea, "Would </div> <div> you like to be there when Mandy goes down?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just let me know where and when," Chad said, smiling as he walked </div> <div> away.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you headed back to the White House?" Toby asked Ainsley as he </div> <div> took some money </div> <div> from his wallet and dropped it on the table. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I need to talk to Sam." She answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok then, let's go."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ knocked lightly on the door then poked her head into Sam's office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How's it going?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great." Sam said with a broad smile. "I think we have just about </div> <div> everything we need. </div> <div> I'm just waiting for one more fax to come in. Then we will have </div> <div> irrefutable proof that </div> <div> there are over 4 million dollars missing from Senator Russell's </div> <div> campaign fund."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great" CJ said "Because my friend at justice has been tracking the </div> <div> influx of money into </div> <div> Mandy's Cayman's account. All we need to do is match up the dates and </div> <div> we will be set."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, that's good to hear" Toby said, as a startled CJ jumped </div> <div> backwards almost falling </div> <div> into his arms. "Because between that and what we have, I'd say its </div> <div> time to drop the net."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, I take it the two of you had a successful meeting with Chad." CJ </div> <div> said after she </div> <div> regained her composure.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very much so. I think we're ready to go. I say we close in </div> <div> tomorrow." Toby said </div> <div> triumphantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can't be too soon for me," CJ said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Amen," Sam and Ainsley agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have to go call Jack Harmon and fill him in. Then I'm going to </div> <div> talk to your friend over </div> <div> at justice, CJ. When we have a firm plan in place, I'll let everyone </div> <div> know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> With that, Toby turned and walked towards his own office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great," CJ said. "And I suggest that we all go home and get some </div> <div> rest. Tomorrow is </div> <div> going to be "our day of jubilee" and we should all be awake enough to </div> <div> enjoy it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good idea." Sam said. "I'll be heading out as soon as my fax comes."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll wait here with you," Ainsley said "Just to make sure I have all </div> <div> the available facts to </div> <div> present to the DA."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK" CJ said rolling her eyes. "I'll see you both in the morning." As </div> <div> she turned to leave, </div> <div> she saw Sam and Ainsley, eyes locked, grinning shyly at each </div> <div> other. 'Oh great,' she </div> <div> thought, 'Here we go again.'</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "That was yummy." Donna said as she carried the dirty dishes to the </div> <div> kitchen. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes it was," Josh said "And to think, I ordered it all by myself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh my," Donna laughed. "You must be worn out from the exhaustion of </div> <div> it all. Maybe </div> <div> you should go rest on the couch while I finish cleaning up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, no. I'll help. I just wanted to make sure I got credit for all </div> <div> my hard work." He </div> <div> smirked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're a saint." Donna laughed as she set the dishes in the sink. "I </div> <div> don't deserve you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  When she turned around Josh was standing directly in front of her </div> <div> with a look that </div> <div> Donna found impossible to read.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't say that." He said firmly. "Don't ever say that you don't </div> <div> deserve me. I'm the one </div> <div> who isn't deserving Donna. I want you to always remember that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's first instinct was to make a smart remark but the look in </div> <div> Josh's eyes were so </div> <div> intense that she didn't dare. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why would you say that, Josh? Why would you ever say that you don't </div> <div> deserve me?" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Because it's true, Donna. You could do much better than me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There is no one better than you, Josh." Donna said sincerely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The look in Josh's eyes told her everything she needed to know. It </div> <div> erased any doubts she </div> <div> might have had about his feelings for her. She leaned in and placed a </div> <div> sweet gentle kiss on </div> <div> his lips. She knew that she was ready to take their relationship </div> <div> farther. She also knew that </div> <div> Josh was holding back because he didn't want to push her. She decided </div> <div> that she would </div> <div> have to take the lead.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't think you need to sleep on the couch tonight," she said </div> <div> softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" he asked. "I mean are you really sure, Donna. I don't </div> <div> want to rush you </div> <div> into anything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure." She said breathlessly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Slowly, they turned and walked towards the bedroom, turning out </div> <div> lights as they went. </div> <div> Josh sat on the bed while Donna went into the bathroom. He knew what </div> <div> he wanted, he </div> <div> had no doubts. But he didn't want to rush Donna. He wanted her to be </div> <div> ready. She was </div> <div> finally making some real progress and he didn't want to do anything </div> <div> that would interfere </div> <div> with that. Suddenly, the bathroom door opened and Donna stepped out.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What in the hell did you do?" Josh asked staring at Donna's right </div> <div> hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I took my splints off. I couldn't stand them anymore."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Put them back on! The Dr. didn't say you could take them off."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine, Josh. Look, they can bend and everything." she said </div> <div> flexing her fingers. "And </div> <div> they hardly hurt anymore."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, please" Josh said moving over to stand directly in front of </div> <div> her. "I want you to </div> <div> take care of yourself. You shouldn't take the splints off till the </div> <div> Dr. says it's ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine, Josh. Besides," she said seductively "I need this hand."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For what?" he asked unable to control his curiosity.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For this," she said as she grasped the back of his head and pulled </div> <div> his lips down to hers. </div> <div> The kiss started out softly but quickly deepened. When they came up </div> <div> for air, Donna </div> <div> began planting a line of kisses across the bridge of his nose and to </div> <div> his ear. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh shuddered when Donna began to nibble on his ear.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And for this," she whispered as her hand moved down and found its </div> <div> way under Josh's </div> <div> shirt. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> The feel of her warm hand on his bare chest made Josh moan. His sense </div> <div> of resolve was </div> <div> fading quickly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna," he moaned. "Are you sure?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna didn't answer but simply moved her hand lower yet until she </div> <div> reached the front of </div> <div> Josh's pants.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And for this." She said as she ran her hand over Josh's arousal.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, God" he said wrapping his arms tightly around Donna and moving </div> <div> her towards the </div> <div> bed. "I love you, Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too, Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't care what he's doing" Mandy screamed into the phone, "You </div> <div> tell Senator Russell </div> <div> to call me back right away or he'll be sorry!! Do you understand me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She disconnected the phone and hurled it at the wall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'This isn't happening' she thought. 'There is no way this is going to </div> <div> fall apart. I will not </div> <div> be left holding the bag. It won't happen. I had this all planned. How </div> <div> could it have gone so </div> <div> wrong? My plan was foolproof. Except for the one thing I never </div> <div> counted on, the one </div> <div> variable that I never even considered. It never crossed my mind that </div> <div> Josh really loved the </div> <div> little witch. I wasn't even sure that Mr. Wrapped-Up-In-Himself was </div> <div> capable of those </div> <div> kinds of feelings. I certainly never dreamed that he would pull out </div> <div> all the stops to save </div> <div> her, that he would get so many other people involved.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She reached for the room's phone book and looked up the number she </div> <div> wanted. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Well they aren't going to get me. I've got everything I need waiting </div> <div> for me in the </div> <div> Cayman's. All I need is a couple of days to wrap things up here and </div> <div> then I'm off. I'll </div> <div> never have to deal with these idiots again. Let Josh live happily </div> <div> ever after with the bitch. </div> <div> See if I care. I'll be sitting pretty in the Cayman's with all the </div> <div> money and well built pool </div> <div> boys that a girl could ask for.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The ringing of the phone startled her back to reality. She had to go </div> <div> to the other room </div> <div> since she had hurled the phone from the living room against the wall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello," she barked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, Mandy" came Lloyd Russell's tight voice over the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, hello Lloyd," she said sarcastically "How nice of you to get </div> <div> back to me so </div> <div> promptly."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need to see you," he said wanting to avoid a long dramatic </div> <div> conversation. "In my office </div> <div> tomorrow. 1:00 PM.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be there." She said and hung up the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lloyd Russell hung up the phone and turned to the man standing across </div> <div> the desk from </div> <div> him "It's done. She'll be here," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Perfect," Toby said. We'll be waiting for her.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna were lying naked and content, wrapped in each other's </div> <div> arms. Both of </div> <div> them knew that they had to get up and get going, but neither wanted </div> <div> to leave the bed. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?" Donna said without raising her head off of his chest.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hmmm??" he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Shouldn't we be getting up?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Why not?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Because I don't ever want to get out of this bed." He said kissing </div> <div> the top of her head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As much as I like that idea, there is still that pesky matter of a </div> <div> country to run."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "True."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So we're getting up?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're impossible."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And that's why you love me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What? </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I only put up with you being impossible because I love you." Donna </div> <div> said as she leaned </div> <div> upward and placed a kiss on Josh's lips. "Now let's get up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Josh said rewarding her with a full dimpled smile. "But only on </div> <div> one condition."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We agree to meet right back here in say…12 hours?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh leaned in to seal the deal with a kiss but was interrupted by </div> <div> the ringing of the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh Lyman," he growled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, it's Toby."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey, what's up?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We have a meeting today at Senator Russell's office at 1:00 PM. Can </div> <div> you and Donna </div> <div> make it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh don't worry, we'll be there. But do you think the Senator's </div> <div> office is the best place to </div> <div> do this?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's the perfect place. I'll fill you in on all the details when I </div> <div> see you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, we'll be there in an hour."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh leaned over and kissed Donna on the forehead as he disconnected </div> <div> the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That was Toby." He said trying carefully to gauge her reaction. "We </div> <div> have a meeting at </div> <div> Senator Russell's office at 1:00. Is that ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If that's what Toby thinks is best," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok, Donna? Because if you aren't we don't have to go."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I want to be there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But if you change your mind, you'll tell me right?" Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I promise," she said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok then, we'd better get ready."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you tell Toby we'd be there in an hour?" Donna asked with a </div> <div> glint in her eye.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, why?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, then in the interest of time, I think we better share a </div> <div> shower." Donna said with a </div> <div> wicked smile as she dropped the sheet from in front of her naked body </div> <div> and headed for the </div> <div> bathroom. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh stared at her back for a few seconds before he could will his </div> <div> legs to move. When he </div> <div> finally got his breath back, he bounced all of the way to the shower.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Go right in," Margaret said as Josh entered Leo's outer office. "I </div> <div> think they've already </div> <div> started."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh entered the office and saw that everyone else was, indeed, </div> <div> already present.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Morning, Josh. Glad you could join us." Leo said sternly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sorry." Josh said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You don't look very sorry." Sam said with a snicker.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," Leo said, "Can we discuss Josh's obvious happiness later. We </div> <div> have a lot to cover </div> <div> this morning. Just because the President is out of town doesn't mean </div> <div> that we have a free </div> <div> day."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The staff meeting drug on for close to 90 minutes. Just as it seemed </div> <div> to finally be </div> <div> wrapping up, Margaret tapped lightly on the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes?" Leo asked</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ainsley Hayes is here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Send her in." Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley burst through the door grinning from ear to ear.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry to interrupt, sir," she said with barely concealed glee.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, Ainsley. You look nearly as happy as Josh this morning."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I am very happy, sir. You see I'm starting back to work today, if </div> <div> that's all right with </div> <div> you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Starting back? So are you telling me that your little problem has </div> <div> been cleared up?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, sir it has"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Completely cleared up?" Josh asked rising from his seat on the couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Completely cleared up" Ainsley beamed. " I had a breakfast meeting </div> <div> with the DA </div> <div> himself this morning. All of the charges have been dropped. Donna is </div> <div> completely in the </div> <div> clear."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh gathered Ainsley up in a huge hug. "Thank you" he said "Thank </div> <div> you, thank you </div> <div> Thank you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My pleasure." Ainsley said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Does Donna know?" Josh asked anxiously</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I called her as soon as I knew for sure. As a matter of fact, the </div> <div> technician is here right </div> <div> now to remove the electronic monitoring device."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked at the door then back at Leo.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Meeting dismissed." Leo said with a smile. "Get going."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh ran down the hall towards the bullpen with Toby, Sam, Ainsley, </div> <div> and CJ close </div> <div> behind. As they approached her cubicle, they saw the technician </div> <div> leaning down in front of </div> <div> Donna removing the bracelet. She looked up as she heard them coming. </div> <div> As soon as the </div> <div> technician finished Donna jumped up and wrapped her arms around Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's really over" she said, "They dropped all the charges. It's </div> <div> over."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well this part is over." Josh whispered into her ear. "But the good </div> <div> part is just </div> <div> beginning."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," Toby interrupted. "As much as I'd like to stay and celebrate, </div> <div> we have a lot to get </div> <div> done before if we want to get out of here this afternoon"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very true," Sam said. Then he turned to Ainsley and held out his </div> <div> arm. "May I escort you </div> <div> to the steam pipe distribution center Miss Hayes?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'd be honored." Ainsley giggled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They could still hear Sam and Ainsley giggling and talking excitedly </div> <div> as the exited the </div> <div> bullpen.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have a briefing to get ready for. CJ said as she strolled away. </div> <div> I'm definitely going to </div> <div> enjoy making the announcement that Donna has been cleared. More than </div> <div> a few reporters </div> <div> will be eating crow this afternoon." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have some phone calls to make," Josh said as he headed back to his </div> <div> office. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you coming?" he asked when he realized that Donna wasn't </div> <div> following him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be right there," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh nodded as Donna followed Toby back the hall towards his office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Toby?" she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," he said stopping and turning back to face her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just wanted to say thank you again for everything you've done." </div> <div> Donna said. "There is </div> <div> no way I'll ever be able to repay you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, its fine," Toby said. "I'm glad I could help. Knowing that </div> <div> you are in the clear </div> <div> and on the road to feeling better is all the thanks I need."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna impulsively threw her arms around his neck. At first, Toby </div> <div> froze but then he </div> <div> awkwardly returned the hug. When they broke apart, Donna said, "Well </div> <div> I guess I better </div> <div> get back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Me too," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He watched her walk back towards the bullpen and smiled. Seeing her </div> <div> this happy </div> <div> reminded him of exactly why he had done everything he had done.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Oh yeah,' he thought 'Making Mandy pay is going to feel good.'</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The entire staff, with Chad in tow, arrived at Senator Russell's </div> <div> office at 12:30. They </div> <div> wanted to make sure that they were there well before Mandy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok?" Josh asked Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine," she said "I just can't believe that it's really </div> <div> happening."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Believe it," Josh said squeezing her hand "Mandy is finally going to </div> <div> pay."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  The Senator sent his entire staff out to lunch with orders not to </div> <div> return until 2:00 PM. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Right on schedule, Mandy entered his outer office. She didn't </div> <div> immediately react to the </div> <div> fact that it was deserted. She knocked on the Senator's inner office </div> <div> door and barged right </div> <div> in without waiting to be invited.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As she entered the office, she froze. She was shocked to see Josh, </div> <div> Donna, CJ and Sam </div> <div> sitting there, along with some scruffy guy she had never seen before </div> <div> and an attractive </div> <div> blonde.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What the hell is going on?" she asked as she began to back towards </div> <div> the door thinking </div> <div> about making a quick escape.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're all here to see YOU." Toby said stepping into the office </div> <div> behind Mandy and </div> <div> blocking her access to the door. "You weren't thinking of leaving </div> <div> were you? We haven't </div> <div> had a chance to talk yet."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Mandy's eyes began darting around the room. "What's this all about, </div> <div> Lloyd?" she said </div> <div> focusing her attention on the senator.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, Mr. Ziegler and his friends have been filling me in on the </div> <div> details of a very </div> <div> interesting story, Mandy. The story of a large amount of money </div> <div> missing from my </div> <div> campaign fund. Money that was apparently redirected to an offshore </div> <div> account in the </div> <div> Cayman Islands."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy's eyes narrowed with fury as she looked at Lloyd Russell. She </div> <div> realized in a flash </div> <div> that he was going to try to deny any involvement. That son of a bitch </div> <div> was going to hang </div> <div> her out to dry. After everything she had done for him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't get cute with me," she spat "You're in this just as deep as I </div> <div> am."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have no idea what you're talking about. I had nothing to do with </div> <div> any of this." The </div> <div> senator said. "These people have just been filling me in on the </div> <div> details and frankly I'm </div> <div> shocked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy began to panic. There was no direct evidence linking any of </div> <div> this to the senator. </div> <div> She had made sure of that. She had decided she couldn't take a chance </div> <div> on the plan </div> <div> blowing up too soon due to the diligence of some oversight committee. </div> <div> She had even put </div> <div> his name on the account in the Cayman's without his signature. Now it </div> <div> would come down </div> <div> to her word against his.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'This isn't happening,' Mandy thought.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It seems that they have proof, Mandy. It's all here in black and </div> <div> white. I can't believe you </div> <div> would do something like this to me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You won't get away with this," she screamed. "None of you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She wheeled and faced Donna, "I hate you," she hissed. "I've hated </div> <div> you since the first </div> <div> day I met you. You may think you've won but you haven't. You're still </div> <div> going to do time </div> <div> for this."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's where you're wrong, Ms. Hampton." Ainsley piped up. "All of </div> <div> the charges </div> <div> against Donna have been dropped. The DA knows that she is completely </div> <div> innocent."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look toots," Mandy said derisively, "I don't even know who you are </div> <div> but I really don't </div> <div> need to hear your opinion on anything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh how rude of me," Ainsley said drawling even more than usual. "My </div> <div> name is Ainsley </div> <div> Hayes. I'm an associate White House Counsel, who also served as </div> <div> Donna's lawyer. But </div> <div> that was when Donna needed a lawyer, which she doesn't anymore." The </div> <div> glint in </div> <div> Ainsley's eye was unmistakable.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "White House counsel?" Mandy asked incredulously. "What is blonde </div> <div> hair a new </div> <div> requirement for getting employment in the Bartlet administration?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Knock it off," Sam jumped in. "This isn't about Ainsley, it's about </div> <div> you Mandy. We </div> <div> certainly had our differences through the years, but this is over the </div> <div> top, even for you. I </div> <div> was there the whole time Mandy. From the first day Donna started with </div> <div> the campaign. </div> <div> You and I both know that whatever problems you had, you brought on </div> <div> yourself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's not true, Sam" she hissed "Everything was fine until the day </div> <div> SHE showed up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Finally CJ couldn't hold her tongue any longer.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard, Mandy. You and </div> <div> Josh were never really </div> <div> happy together and you know it. And as far as your work on the </div> <div> campaign goes, we </div> <div> tolerated you because you managed to get the job done. You were never </div> <div> as close to </div> <div> power as you thought you were. You were never going to be in the </div> <div> inner circle. And the </div> <div> only thing that happened when Donna came to work with us, is that </div> <div> Josh got a chance to </div> <div> see what it was like to spend time with someone who was supportive </div> <div> and caring. </div> <div> Someone who wanted to build him up as opposed to tearing him down."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't have to stand here and listen to this," Mandy said "You have </div> <div> absolutely no </div> <div> proof."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh that's where you're wrong" Toby said still standing in the </div> <div> doorway. "We can pin </div> <div> everything on you. All of the money missing from the Senators </div> <div> reelection fund, all of the </div> <div> money missing from Lennox Chase, all of the false transactions at </div> <div> Donna's bank, her </div> <div> landlord and her credit card companies. It can all be traced directly </div> <div> back to you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're lying," She spat. "And worse, than that you're lying to </div> <div> protect this two bit piece </div> <div> of trash…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Shut up.." Toby screamed as something inside him that he had managed </div> <div> to keep under </div> <div> control for a very long time snapped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You don't get to talk anymore, do you understand me? We have heard </div> <div> quite enough </div> <div> from you and we don't intend to hear anymore. I can't even begin to </div> <div> fathom what you </div> <div> were thinking, Mandy. How in the world you thought you could get away </div> <div> with this. You </div> <div> underestimated Donna and more importantly you underestimated her </div> <div> friends. She may </div> <div> not have your breeding Mandy or your education, but she's 100 times </div> <div> the person you ever </div> <div> were or ever will be. She is kind and decent and smart and loyal. She </div> <div> is too strong to </div> <div> allow herself to be destroyed by the likes of you. She not only fits </div> <div> in at the White House </div> <div> but she is an integral part of all we do there. I am proud to call </div> <div> her my friend. I hope she </div> <div> feels the same way."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I do," Donna said, tears coursing down her cheeks. "Thank you, Toby."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well that's just fine and dandy," Mandy said. "You can all just hang </div> <div> around here and </div> <div> talk about how wonderful Donna is but I have things to do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> With that she turned and stalked out of the office. Toby let her pass </div> <div> and the entire </div> <div> assemblage followed her out into the hall. Just as she was leaving, </div> <div> three DC police </div> <div> officers stepped into her path.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Madeline Hampton?" Lt Stoebner said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes." Mandy hissed</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have a warrant for your arrest ma'am. Please turn and place your </div> <div> hands against the </div> <div> wall and spread your legs shoulder width apart."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What the hell are you talking about? What are the charges?" Mandy </div> <div> screamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lt. Stoebner began to tick off the list. "Embezzlement, theft by </div> <div> deception, money-</div> <div> laundering, fraud, harassment, and electronic fraud to start with."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All activity in the hallway ceased as everyone turned to stare at </div> <div> Mandy. As she looked </div> <div> over the policeman's shoulder, she saw the unmistakable glare of </div> <div> television cameras. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What the fuck are they doing here?" she screamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ looked around triumphantly. "The reporters are here courtesy of </div> <div> Operation Porter," </div> <div> she said. The staff broke out into wide grins.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Say it," CJ said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Long live the sisterhood," they all muttered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Damn straight," Donna said as she put her arm around Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Please step against the wall," Lt Stoebner said again. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy turned around and looked. There was no avenue of escape. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You did this," she said as she lunged at Donna. Josh stepped </div> <div> protectively in front of </div> <div> Donna, as did Toby.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The uniformed officer grabbed Mandy and pushed her against the wall. </div> <div> She then </div> <div> proceeded to pat her down as hundreds of people gathered to watch and </div> <div> the television </div> <div> cameras whirred.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think that's a great idea. I'll see you as soon as we land then. I </div> <div> love you. Bye." Josh </div> <div> smiled as he hung up the phone on Air Force One.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He turned to Sam who was half asleep in the seat across the </div> <div> aisle. "Donna and Ainsley </div> <div> are going to meet us at the airport."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent," Sam said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So is tonight the night that you tell Ainsley how you feel about </div> <div> her?" Josh asked with a </div> <div> smile. It was the same question he had asked Sam almost daily for the </div> <div> last month.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have no idea what you're talking about, Josh. Ainsley and I are </div> <div> friends. That's all."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "God, you sound just like I did, you know that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Again, I have no idea…" Sam began before Josh cut him off.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look, all I'm saying is that I know denial when I see it. I stared </div> <div> at in the mirror for three </div> <div> long years. I'm just hoping that you don't waste as much time as I </div> <div> did."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam just closed his eyes, put his head back and tried to go back to </div> <div> sleep.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Denial…" was the last thing he heard Josh say before he drifted off.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can I talk to you for a minute?" a tentative voice asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was taken aback when she looked up and saw Larry standing in </div> <div> front of her desk, </div> <div> shifting his weight and looking at the floor.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, Larry." She said. "Can I help you with something?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just wanted to say thank you again, Donna." he said nervously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's not necessary." Donna assured him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes it is. I really owe you big. I know that Toby and Sam both </div> <div> wanted me fired, and I'm </div> <div> pretty sure that Josh wanted me dead. I'd be out of a job right now </div> <div> if it hadn't been for </div> <div> you. I think I got off easy with 60 days unpaid suspension and a </div> <div> transfer. It's a better deal </div> <div> than I deserved."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna looked at him sympathetically. She didn't blame Larry for what </div> <div> had happened. </div> <div> She knew that he had been used. If Mandy hadn't gotten the </div> <div> information from him, she </div> <div> would have gotten it somewhere else.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's ok," Donna said. "I know that you were manipulated. It doesn't </div> <div> excuse what you did </div> <div> but I know how Mandy can play mind games. I just don't want to see </div> <div> her hurt anymore </div> <div> people than she already has, and that includes you. Let's just put </div> <div> this behind us and move </div> <div> on."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have you gotten your new assignment yet?" Donna asked, eager to stop </div> <div> talking about </div> <div> the past and start talking about the future.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I start Monday in the Travel Office. I was just down there </div> <div> filling out some forms. </div> <div> I think I'll like it there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good. I hope everything works out for you, Larry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He continued to shuffle his feet as he glanced nervously at Josh's </div> <div> office door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you think Josh is ready to hear my apology yet?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know. He may need a little more time. Anyway, he's not here </div> <div> right now but I'll </div> <div> let him know that you stopped by."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Will you at least tell him again how sorry I am?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes I will. And don't worry, Larry, he'll come around."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I hope so. Well, I guess I'll be going now. See you around."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Bye, Larry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Larry exited the bullpen, he ran smack into CJ who was walking </div> <div> hurriedly with her </div> <div> head down. When she looked up and saw him, she fixed him with a </div> <div> steely gaze.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Larry." She said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, CJ." He said as he shuffled down the corridor, wondering why </div> <div> it was that all of </div> <div> Donna's friends were so much less willing to forgive him than she </div> <div> herself was.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What was HE doing here?" CJ asked as she flopped down in the chair </div> <div> beside Donna's </div> <div> desk.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna sighed. "He came to apologize yet again, and to thank me for </div> <div> saving his job."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, well he ought to thank you," CJ snapped. "I still can't figure </div> <div> out why you </div> <div> wouldn't let Toby fire him-or have him arrested-or both."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I told you, CJ…." Donna began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know. I know." CJ said waving her hand in surrender.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There is no way I'm going to let Mandy do any more damage than she </div> <div> already has."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're a good person, Donna." CJ said sincerely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I'm a regular saint." Donna snorted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you eat lunch today?" CJ asked in an abrupt change of topic.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Um..yes." Donna laughed. "Why are you asking? It's almost 6:00."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well Josh has called me at least twice a day for the entire week </div> <div> he's been gone and he </div> <div> always seems inordinately interested in your food intake. Is Donna </div> <div> eating lunch? Did </div> <div> Donna have dinner? So I know that when he calls me before they land </div> <div> he's going to ask </div> <div> and I just want to have an answer prepared."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna couldn't help but smile at Josh's concern. "It's the first time </div> <div> we've been apart </div> <div> since…you know." She said quietly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I know." CJ said. "I actually think it's kind of sweet. </div> <div> Nauseating but sweet."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna smiled and swatted CJ on the arm. "Well at least they'll be </div> <div> back tonight so you </div> <div> won't have to worry about my eating habits anymore."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Speaking of eating habits," CJ said with a smile as she saw Ainsley </div> <div> approaching.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey guys," Ainsley said. "Are we talking about food, because I'm </div> <div> starved."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gee, that's a switch." CJ laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are we still headed out to the airport this evening?" Ainsley asked </div> <div> Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep." Donna answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great. Maybe we can grab something to eat before we go."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I really want to change out of my work clothes. Maybe we can swing </div> <div> by the apartment </div> <div> and just order some takeout?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sounds fine to me." Ainsley said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can you join us CJ?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks but no. I have a pile of work on my desk. Besides, touching </div> <div> reunions make me </div> <div> want to hurl." She snorted as she rose and headed towards her office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna and Ainsley both smiled. They knew that despite her cynical </div> <div> exterior, CJ was </div> <div> really just a romantic at heart. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What sounds good to you?" Ainsley asked. "And when will you be ready </div> <div> to go?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Anything -you pick." Donna answered. "And how about right now?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She looked at the work on her desk and momentarily considered putting </div> <div> it in her </div> <div> tote bag to take home. She decided against it. Josh had been gone for </div> <div> an entire week and </div> <div> there was no way that they were going to work tonight.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> They arrived at Josh's apartment about 15 minutes later. Donna still </div> <div> couldn't help but </div> <div> think of it as Josh's apartment, even though she had been living </div> <div> there for two months </div> <div> now. At first, she had assumed that she would find a new apartment as </div> <div> soon as her </div> <div> injuries were healed. Her old landlord had even offered to let her </div> <div> have her old place back, </div> <div> along with several months free rent to make up for the mix-up. But </div> <div> Josh seemed reluctant </div> <div> to have her move out and she had to admit, she didn't relish the idea </div> <div> of living alone </div> <div> again. Actually what she didn't relish was the idea of not living </div> <div> with Josh. She was quite </div> <div> happy exactly where she was thankyouverymuch. She needed to start </div> <div> thinking of this as </div> <div> "their" apartment as opposed to "his apartment." Donna began to </div> <div> ponder the possibility </div> <div> of them finding a new place together. A place that could both think </div> <div> of as home. A place </div> <div> without the memories of Josh's recovery from the shooting, or her </div> <div> recovery from her </div> <div> prison ordeal hanging over it. She made a mental note to talk about </div> <div> it with Josh this </div> <div> weekend. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Help yourself to something to drink." Donna said as she moved </div> <div> towards the bedroom to </div> <div> change out of her work clothes. "There's all kinds of stuff in the </div> <div> fridge. I'm pretty sure </div> <div> there's even a Fresca. I'll call Wong's while I'm changing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok great," Ainsley said heading to the kitchen.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna emerged a few minutes later looking much more relaxed and </div> <div> casual in a pair of </div> <div> jeans and a cropped t-shirt. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a </div> <div> bottle of water before </div> <div> joining Ainsley in the living room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So?" Donna asked. "Anything new on the Sam front?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The Sam front?" Ainsley laughed. "That sounds like some 70's radical </div> <div> group."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You know what I mean." Donna said. "Has he made his move yet?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not yet. I don't really think he feels that way about me…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna laughed so hard that water came perilously close to shooting </div> <div> out her nose.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's so funny?" Ainsley asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nothing. You just sounded exactly like-well, me---when you said </div> <div> that. I sang that song </div> <div> for three long years. And it took something as horrible as what </div> <div> happened to me to get </div> <div> Josh and I to admit our feelings." Donna's face suddenly got more </div> <div> serious. "Don't let that happen to </div> <div> you. Make the first move yourself if you have to. Just don't let it </div> <div> go as long as Josh and </div> <div> I did. Sometimes I want to cry when I think about all the time we </div> <div> wasted."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know." Ainsley sighed. "But you guys have figured it out now and </div> <div> that's all that </div> <div> matters."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "True." Donna smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The doorbell startled them both out of their private thoughts.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That was fast!" Ainsley said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The delivery people all know us." Donna chuckled as she grabbed her </div> <div> purse.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When she opened the apartment door, she froze. There in the hallway, </div> <div> holding two bags </div> <div> of Chinese takeout, stood Mandy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I met the delivery boy on the way up and told him I'd be happy to </div> <div> bring this up for you." </div> <div> She said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna moved quickly to close the door but Mandy shoved her way in. It </div> <div> wasn't until </div> <div> then that Donna saw the gun in Mandy's hand. Mandy dropped the food </div> <div> in the entryway </div> <div> and pointed the gun at Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now that wasn't very nice, Donna." She said. "This is an awful lot </div> <div> of food for one </div> <div> person, and since I know that Josh is out of town, I wonder who is </div> <div> here. Let's go in and </div> <div> see shall we?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was frozen to the spot. She couldn't move until Mandy pressed </div> <div> the gun against her </div> <div> side and began to force her into the living room. Her senses were </div> <div> overloaded with the </div> <div> memories of the aftermath of Josh's shooting.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did they remember….." Ainsley stopped mid sentence when she saw the </div> <div> two women </div> <div> enter the living room. She couldn't actually see the gun but by the </div> <div> look on Donna's face </div> <div> she knew it was there.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, well Miss Hayes," Mandy hissed. "It's so nice to see you </div> <div> again."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ needed a break from the endless stack of paperwork on her desk </div> <div> that never seemed to </div> <div> get any smaller. She knew that Toby was still in his office and she </div> <div> needed to get some </div> <div> notes from him on the President's schedule for next week. She decided </div> <div> to walk over to </div> <div> his office instead of calling. Maybe, if she was lucky, he would let </div> <div> her play with one of </div> <div> his stress balls.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey," CJ said as she entered through his open office door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey, yourself," he answered barely looking up from the folder he was </div> <div> reading.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you have a copy of next months schedule?" she asked. "I need to </div> <div> get the info to the </div> <div> press corps."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have it right here," he said reaching for a folder in his out </div> <div> box. "I was going to have </div> <div> one of the interns bring it over to you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok, I needed the break." She said sinking into his couch and </div> <div> closing </div> <div> her eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why can't you take a nap in your own office?" he growled playfully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your couch is more comfortable," she countered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The ringing of the phone roused CJ just as she was about to drift off.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Toby Zeigler," she heard him say. "No, I don't think she's here </div> <div> right now. Hold on."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He punched the hold button on the phone and turned to CJ.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The switchboard says they have an urgent call for Donna. Do you know </div> <div> where she is?" </div> <div> he asked with a somewhat nervous tone. He hoped it wasn't bad news.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She and Ainsley are headed back to Josh's place to get some dinner, </div> <div> then they're going </div> <div> out to the airport to meet the plane."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby punched the hold button again and said, "She's not in the </div> <div> building. Have they tried </div> <div> her cell phone?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The growing look of concern on Toby's face caused CJ to sit up and </div> <div> pay attention.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Put him through to me." he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's the warden from the prison," he said to CJ as he quickly </div> <div> switched the call to </div> <div> speakerphone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello?" came a voice from the other end of the line.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, warden" Toby said. "This is Toby Zeigler. I have you on </div> <div> speakerphone and CJ </div> <div> Cregg is listening also. How can I help you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's very important that I reach Ms. Moss as soon as possible. We </div> <div> are having a bit of a </div> <div> problem here at the prison."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A bit of a problem?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, the truth is….." the warden stammered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Get to the point, warden," Toby said in the tone that left little </div> <div> doubt that he wanted a </div> <div> straight answer NOW.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, the truth is, it seems we came up one prisoner short at the </div> <div> roll call this evening."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Both Toby and CJ knew what he was going to say next before the words </div> <div> were even out of </div> <div> his mouth.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The missing prisoner is Madeline Hampton. Ms. Moss is on the list of </div> <div> people to contact </div> <div> in case an escape ever happens."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> His words hung in the air for a split second before either Toby or CJ </div> <div> could react.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I've also been trying to reach Mr. Lyman," the warden continued. "I </div> <div> can't seem to locate </div> <div> him either."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He's on Air Force One right now, on his way back from California. </div> <div> They should be </div> <div> landing in about 60 minutes." CJ said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Could you possibly get word to him and let him know what's going </div> <div> on?" the warden </div> <div> asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," Toby answered gruffly. "Have the police been notified?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We are following our usual procedure in these cases."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have the police been notified?" Toby screamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," the warden answered defensively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine," Toby continued. "We will try to reach Ms. Moss from here. </div> <div> We'll notify you </div> <div> as soon as we find her. Please keep us informed of any new </div> <div> developments on your end." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby punched the button and disconnected the phone without waiting </div> <div> for a reply.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going to head over to Josh and Donna's place and try to head </div> <div> them off. You better </div> <div> call Lt. Stoebner and ask him to meet me there. Then call Josh and </div> <div> give him a heads up </div> <div> before some reporter gets the story off of the scanners and gets to </div> <div> him first." Toby </div> <div> barked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," CJ said reaching for the phone. "Be careful," she yelled at his </div> <div> receding back.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ quickly called Lt. Stoebner and filled him in on what was </div> <div> happening. She gave him </div> <div> the address of Josh's apartment and he promised to meet Toby there </div> <div> right away. She </div> <div> quickly tried both Donna and Ainsley's cell phones praying one of </div> <div> them would answer. </div> <div> When neither one did, she took a deep breath and dialed Air Force One.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You have a phone call, Mr. Lyman." The porter said as he placed the </div> <div> phone on the table </div> <div> next to Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who is it?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ms. Cregg," the porter answered as he backed away to give Josh some </div> <div> privacy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh picked up the phone and said, "Hey CJ, what's up?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, we have a little problem here." CJ said trying to decide the </div> <div> best way to break the </div> <div> news to him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What kind of little problem?" Josh asked as the tingle of fear began </div> <div> to dance up his </div> <div> spine. "Is it Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The mention of Donna's name combined with the look of rising panic on </div> <div> Josh's face </div> <div> caught Sam's attention. He came over and sat directly in front of </div> <div> Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is something wrong?" he mouthed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The warden from the women's prison called." CJ said. "Look I'm not </div> <div> going to beat </div> <div> around the bush. Mandy has escaped."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "WHAT?" Josh screamed. "HOW?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know the details," CJ continued trying to be as calm as </div> <div> possible. "He called here </div> <div> looking for Donna because she was the first person on the list of </div> <div> people to be contacted in </div> <div> case something like this happened. I tried to reach both Donna and </div> <div> Ainsley and they </div> <div> aren't answering their cells. As far as I know, they were going to </div> <div> your apartment to order </div> <div> some dinner and then they were heading out to meet you. Toby is out </div> <div> trying to retrace </div> <div> their steps right now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh my God. Oh my God." Josh muttered, seemingly unable to form a </div> <div> coherent thought.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, are you ok?" CJ asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need to try to call Donna," he said methodically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen, Josh. At this point, we have no reason to think anything bad </div> <div> has happened. I'll </div> <div> keep trying to reach her too. I'll call you as soon as Toby finds </div> <div> them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Toby will find them, Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," he said as he hung up.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's wrong?" Sam asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Mandy has escaped." Josh said, the shock he felt evidenced by his </div> <div> shaky voice. "The </div> <div> warden of the prison called the White House looking for Donna. He </div> <div> said that she needed </div> <div> to be notified. She and Ainsley were supposedly headed for the </div> <div> apartment to get some </div> <div> dinner before they came to the airport."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked at Sam, letting the words he had just said sink in. He </div> <div> knew he had to tell </div> <div> Sam the rest.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Neither one of them are answering their cell phones," Josh said in a </div> <div> choked voice that </div> <div> came out barely above a whisper.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam and Josh both sat stunned for a moment before instinctively </div> <div> reaching for their </div> <div> phones. Each dialed a number they knew by heart. And each looked at </div> <div> the other, their </div> <div> countenance dropping when the voice mail picked up. Each man looked </div> <div> at his watch and </div> <div> had the exact same thought. 45 minutes till landing.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why are you doing this, Mandy?" Donna asked as she and Ainsley stood </div> <div> side by side, </div> <div> backed up against the glass doors to the balcony. "Haven't you had </div> <div> enough yet? Since </div> <div> you obviously managed to escape, why didn't you just run? Why did you </div> <div> come back </div> <div> here?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You know the answer to that." Mandy said with a deranged smile. "I </div> <div> told you this </div> <div> wasn't over. I told you that I wouldn't rest until I know that you </div> <div> have been destroyed."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine," Donna said trying to remain calm. "Your problem is with me. </div> <div> Why don't you and </div> <div> I just go somewhere? Leave Ainsley here. You can tie her up so she </div> <div> doesn't call for help. </div> <div> And we can settle this once and for all."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My, my aren't you noble Donna? Trying to bargain to save your </div> <div> friend. Well sorry, it </div> <div> isn't going to happen that way. I'm sorry Miss Hayes got caught up in </div> <div> this. I guess we'll </div> <div> just have to consider her as an unlucky victim of circumstance. Just </div> <div> in the wrong place at </div> <div> the wrong time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's mind whirled as she tried to formulate a plan. She looked at </div> <div> her watch. Less than </div> <div> an hour to go till the plane landed. If they weren't at the airport, </div> <div> Sam and Josh would </div> <div> come straight to the apartment. She couldn't let that happen. She had </div> <div> to think of a plan.</div> <div> The simultaneous ringing of two cell phones broke her reverie.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Isn't that a coincidence? " Mandy snarled as she snatched the cell </div> <div> phones off of the </div> <div> living room table. "Sam and Josh deciding to call at exactly the same </div> <div> moment. Something </div> <div> tells me that my escape has been discovered. They must have heard the </div> <div> good news. And </div> <div> they're calling to see if you both are safe. Isn't that sweet? Too </div> <div> bad that they are going to </div> <div> have to find you both dead when they get here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley stifled a sob and grabbed onto Donna's arm for support. She </div> <div> wanted nothing </div> <div> more than to be able to see Sam one last time. To admit her feelings </div> <div> to him. She </div> <div> wondered why she hadn't listened to that advice when Donna gave it to </div> <div> her. She closed </div> <div> her eyes and said a silent prayer for strength.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You see," Mandy continued. "I want to see the look on Josh's face </div> <div> when he realizes that </div> <div> he's too late. I considered waiting till he got here and killing you </div> <div> in front of him, but I </div> <div> think that this will be much more tortuous for him. Let him think </div> <div> about what you were </div> <div> thinking in your last moments. Rob him of the chance to say any final </div> <div> words."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I talked to Josh a little while ago." Donna said, forcing herself to </div> <div> look Mandy in the eye. </div> <div> "Our final words to each other confirmed our love. You'll never be </div> <div> able to erase that. No </div> <div> matter how badly you want to."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mandy's face contorted with rage. She lifted the gun to Donna's eye </div> <div> level and pulled </div> <div> back the hammer.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby reached the front door of the apartment at the same time as the </div> <div> DC police. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know they're in there," he said to Lt. Stoebner as they entered </div> <div> the front door of the </div> <div> building. "Donna's car is out front. But they aren't answering the </div> <div> apartment phone or </div> <div> their cell phones."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The men approached the apartment in relative silence. Lt. Stoebner </div> <div> motioned for Toby to </div> <div> stand back. He approached the door and knocked. Once. Twice. No </div> <div> response. Suddenly </div> <div> the sound of gunshots pierced the air followed by the sound of </div> <div> shattering glass. The </div> <div> lieutenant reared back and kicked the door in. He had no time at all </div> <div> to react. All that he </div> <div> saw was the glint of the pistol as it turned in his direction. He </div> <div> fired one shot, hitting </div> <div> Mandy in the right shoulder and knocking her backwards. The gun flew </div> <div> out of her hand </div> <div> and landed with a thud on the ceramic tile. She looked at him, </div> <div> glaring, before finally </div> <div> falling to the ground. He moved towards her, keeping his gun trained </div> <div> on her chest. She </div> <div> was conscious but in obvious pain. With his gun still pointing </div> <div> towards her, he pulled out </div> <div> his cell phone and called for backup and an ambulance.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't move a muscle," he growled "Or I swear I'll kill you."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> After being momentarily paralyzed with fear, Toby moved into the </div> <div> apartment. He saw </div> <div> Donna and Ainsley on the floor by the shattered window and moved </div> <div> quickly towards </div> <div> them. He saw blood on Donna's shoulder and began to panic. By the </div> <div> time he reached </div> <div> them, they had both managed to stand up and were staring, wide eyed, </div> <div> at the scene in </div> <div> front of them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you two okay?" Toby asked as he reached their side</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think so," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just scared to death," Ainsley replied. She looked at Donna and saw </div> <div> the bloodstain </div> <div> spreading on her blouse. "Oh God, Donna you're bleeding."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's just from the glass," Donna assured her trying to remain as </div> <div> calm as possible.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive." Donna said grabbing a pillow off of the chair and using </div> <div> it to apply pressure to </div> <div> her wound.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A plethora of backup officers arrived almost immediately. After they </div> <div> read Mandy her </div> <div> rights and rearrested her, they took her away in the ambulance. Lt. </div> <div> Stoebner crossed the </div> <div> apartment to speak to Donna and Ainsley. He noticed the pillow that </div> <div> Toby was now </div> <div> helping  Donna hold to her cut.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you injured Ms. Moss?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just a cut from the flying glass," Donna assured him. "Of course, it </div> <div> would have been </div> <div> much worse if you hadn't gotten here when you did. Thank you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't thank me," he said modestly "thank Mr. Zeigler and Ms Cregg. </div> <div> They're the ones </div> <div> who tipped me off to where you were."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks Toby," Donna said as she slung her good arm over his shoulder </div> <div> pulling him to </div> <div> her side. "You saved me again."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, thanks." Ainsley added.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby blushed and rushed to change the subject. "I think we better </div> <div> make a call to Air </div> <div> Force One before Sam and Josh have strokes." He said. "Then I think </div> <div> we better get you </div> <div> to the emergency room to have that shoulder looked at, Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Donna said. She considered arguing but the pain in her shoulder </div> <div> was getting more </div> <div> severe and she thought a trip to the ER might be a good idea.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's cell phone was the first to ring.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Lyman," he barked into the receiver.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?" Donna said softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh God, Donna. Are you ok? Is everything ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Everything's just fine here, Josh. Are you ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I am now that I hear your voice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna smiled. "Listen," she said. "I'll fill you in on all the </div> <div> details later. Right now I have </div> <div> something to tell you and I need you not to freak out. Can you do </div> <div> that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gee, Donna. That kind of setup just invites a freak out don't you </div> <div> think?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Please Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK, I promise."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK. I'm going to the emergency room….." That was all the farther </div> <div> Donna got before </div> <div> Josh cut her off.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why? What's wrong? You said you were ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh," Donna said, raising her voice to get his attention. "I am ok. </div> <div> I'm talking to you </div> <div> aren't I? I just have a little cut on my shoulder that I think might </div> <div> need stitches. It's not a </div> <div> big deal."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you telling me the truth, Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes I am."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok then. I'll meet you at the ER as soon as the plane lands."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal," Donna said. "Now I better get going. I'll see you in a little </div> <div> while."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok." Josh said reluctantly, not wanting to hang up. "I love you, </div> <div> Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too, Josh. I'll see you soon.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As Josh disconnected, he saw Sam sinking down into a chair as he </div> <div> answered his phone. </div> <div> His eyes were blinking back tears of relief.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure you're ok?" he asked her for the third time.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, Sam I'm sure." Ainsley answered. "I'm going to the ER with </div> <div> Donna to get her </div> <div> shoulder stitched."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But you're both ok right?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, Sam." She said as her heart soared at the sound of such intense </div> <div> concern in his </div> <div> voice. "Will you meet us at the ER?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be there," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok. See you soon." She said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Ainsley hung up the phone and walked back towards the broken </div> <div> window, Toby </div> <div> looked at his watch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If I leave now," he said "I can get to the airport in time to pick </div> <div> up Sam and Josh and </div> <div> keep them from hijacking the presidential limo."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That might be a good idea," Donna laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok getting to the hospital by yourselves?" he asked Donna </div> <div> and Ainsley.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Without giving them a chance to answer, Lt. Stoebner assured Toby </div> <div> that he would get </div> <div> them there safely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll call CJ from the car and let her know what's going on." He </div> <div> yelled over his shoulder </div> <div> as he left the apartment.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Ainsley and Donna yelled in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Thirty minutes later, Donna was sitting in the curtained area of the </div> <div> ER, waiting for </div> <div> someone to stitch her shoulder. A very distinguished looking female </div> <div> Dr. walked in. She was </div> <div> wearing a black evening dress under her lab coat. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Hello, I'm Dr. Wagner. I'm the chief of Emergency Medicine here at </div> <div> GW." She said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna couldn't help but be taken aback. "Is my little cut that </div> <div> serious?" she asked only </div> <div> half joking.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," Dr. Wagner smiled. "When I get a call directly from the </div> <div> President of the United </div> <div> States asking me to forsake my orchestra tickets for Tosca to come </div> <div> over here and look at </div> <div> your shoulder, what am I supposed to say?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, I'm so sorry," Donna said hanging her head in embarrassment. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's ok," the Dr. smiled. "I'll just catch it next time. And in </div> <div> return for this evening, I </div> <div> expect to see it while sitting in the presidential box."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now Mr. Lyman is a different story," she continued as Donna </div> <div> cringed. "He has called </div> <div> me four times in the last 30 minutes to ask me if I had arrived and </div> <div> looked at your </div> <div> shoulder yet."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna smiled. "I'm sorry Dr.. It's just that we've had a rough couple </div> <div> of months….."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No need to explain. I read the paper. I wish all of my patients had </div> <div> someone who cared </div> <div> about them as much as he obviously cares about you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> There was a sudden racket and raised voices outside of the curtain.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want to see Donna Moss right now." A male voice demanded.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Speak of the devil" said Dr Wagner as she peeked her head out of the </div> <div> curtain and said </div> <div> "This way, Mr. Lyman."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam spotted Ainsley across the waiting room. She had her back to him </div> <div> and was fidgeting </div> <div> nervously. He waited until he was less than five feet away before he </div> <div> called her name. She </div> <div> turned around and flung herself into his arms.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, Sam. Oh, Sam" she said over and over. "I was so scared."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," he said rubbing her back gently. "but its ok now. You're </div> <div> safe."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ainsley pulled back and looked in Sam's eyes. She gathered her </div> <div> courage and decided to </div> <div> take Donna's advice. She had never been very good at this kind of </div> <div> thing. The right words </div> <div> always seemed to desert her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There was one thing I was terrified I was going to die without </div> <div> getting a chance to do." </div> <div> She said staring intently into his eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Me too," Sam said with a shy smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly each one realized that the other was thinking the same </div> <div> thing. All of their </div> <div> surroundings simply faded away as their lips moved towards each other </div> <div> and met in a very </div> <div> sweet but unmistakably passionate kiss.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Later that evening, Josh and Donna sat on the living room couch </div> <div> staring at the plywood </div> <div> that had been put in place to cover the shattered window until it </div> <div> could be replaced. Her </div> <div> head was on his shoulder. He had his arm wrapped securely around her </div> <div> waist and was </div> <div> using his free hand to hold an ice pack on her sore shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The landlord is going to start charging us a deposit for all the </div> <div> broken glass," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh laughed but he also saw his opportunity to bring up a subject he </div> <div> had been thinking a </div> <div> lot about as of late.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna," he started "How would you feel about us getting a new place? </div> <div> Something we </div> <div> pick out together, that can be OUR home?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna looked up at him with tears shining in her eyes. "Really, Josh? </div> <div> Because I was </div> <div> thinking the same thing earlier today. But are you sure? I know how </div> <div> much you love this </div> <div> apartment."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh leaned in and kissed Donna gently on the lips. "No, I love you," </div> <div> he said. "This is just </div> <div> an apartment. I want a new place. A place where we can start our life </div> <div> together without all </div> <div> of the ghosts of the unhappy past hanging around. So what do you </div> <div> think?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world." Donna sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I'm the lucky one" Josh said as he leaned down and captured her </div> <div> lips in another </div> <div> kiss. A kiss that held the promise of a lifetime together.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> THE END</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> E-Mail me: kuebsr@hotmail.com</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>