Love Always

<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>Josh's secret admirer may not be as harmless as he thinks...</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>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boomerang"><U>Boomerang</U></A>   |   <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>   |   <B>Love Always</B>   |   <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> Love Always</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How did the meeting go?" Donna asked as Josh entered the bullpen and </div> <div> headed towards </div> <div> his office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good, I think," he answered tiredly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Was Toby's friend able to help you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, she was great. In fact, Toby is still over there with her, </div> <div> getting some more </div> <div> information. Lily Wharton knows where all of the skeletons are in the </div> <div> closets of Big </div> <div> Tobacco. I really think we're going to be able to use the stuff she </div> <div> gave us."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna followed Josh into his office and closed the door behind them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's good news," she said cheerily, reaching out and helping him </div> <div> off with his jacket.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked at his watch, and then looked at Donna with pathetic puppy </div> <div> dog eyes. "Any </div> <div> chance I might talk you into staying for a while and helping me </div> <div> organize all of this </div> <div> material that Lily gave us?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna hated the puppy dog eyes because she just couldn't say no to </div> <div> them. "I suppose," </div> <div> she said with an exasperated sigh. "But only for an hour or so. I </div> <div> need to get some sleep."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's a deal," Josh said with a smile, handing her the notes that he </div> <div> had taken at the </div> <div> meeting.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's going to be more than an hour, isn't it?" Donna asked, looking </div> <div> at the stack of papers </div> <div> in her hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Probably," Josh laughed, "but you already said you'd help."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You are impossible," Donna said with a smile in her voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As Josh approached Donna's desk the next morning, he saw her staring </div> <div> in amazement at </div> <div> a huge bouquet of mixed flowers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's this?" Josh asked, trying hard to keep a teasing tone in his </div> <div> voice,  "A new gomer </div> <div> I haven't heard about?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna smirked as she looked up, "They aren't for me," she </div> <div> said, "They're for you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Josh asked, wondering if Donna was playing a game with him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nice flowers, Donna," CJ said as she walked up behind Josh, "Who are </div> <div> they from?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They aren't mine. They're Josh's," Donna said, a small hint of </div> <div> discomfort in her voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" CJ asked. "Is there something you haven't told us, Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There must be some kind of mistake," Josh insisted, "I have no idea </div> <div> who these are </div> <div> from."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why don't you read the card?" Donna suggested as she pulled it from </div> <div> the holder deep </div> <div> within the flowers and handed it to him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh opened the envelope and pulled out the small card. Donna and CJ </div> <div> gave him their </div> <div> undivided attention as he read,</div> <bR> <bR> <div>           Joshua,</div> <div>                 I saw these flowers in the window of a shop and I just</div> <div>                knew they were meant for you. I hope they brighten your</div> <div>                day as much as seeing you brightens mine.</div> <div>                                                        Love Always</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Love Always...who?" CJ asked impatiently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's all it says," Josh said, eyeing the card in his hand </div> <div> suspiciously. "There is no </div> <div> name."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Joshua?" Donna asked, arching her eyebrow.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have no idea what this is all about," Josh said defensively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Uh-huh," Donna and CJ said as they walked away laughing.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want you to sit in on the next meeting that Toby and I have with </div> <div> Lily Wharton," Josh </div> <div> said, as they sat in his office going over his schedule.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna stared at the flowers on his desk, appearing to barely hear a </div> <div> word he was saying.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who do you suppose sent those?" she asked, her brows knit in deep </div> <div> concentration.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna," Josh said with an exaggerated sigh, "it's been two days and </div> <div> you have asked me </div> <div> at least a hundred times who sent them, and my answer is always the </div> <div> same. I have no </div> <div> idea."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had put up with two full days of teasing from every person in </div> <div> the west wing. "Guess </div> <div> who Josh's admirer is" seemed to be everyone's new favorite pastime.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They're beautiful," Donna sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, they are," Josh answered. He cleared his throat, and tried to </div> <div> find the right words for </div> <div> the question that had been on his mind since the flowers arrived. "It </div> <div> wasn't you was it?" </div> <div> he stammered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Me?" Donna asked incredulously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I just meant that...you know...maybe as a joke," Josh </div> <div> sputtered. He had been </div> <div> harboring a secret hope that Donna had been the one to send the </div> <div> flowers, but he could tell </div> <div> by the look on her face that he had clearly been wrong.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That bouquet cost more than I make in a month," Donna snorted. "That </div> <div> would be a </div> <div> fairly expensive joke, don't you think?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I guess so," Josh sighed disappointedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna gathered up Josh's schedule book and headed out of the office. </div> <div> As she reached the </div> <div> door, she turned around and said quietly, "It doesn't mean I don't </div> <div> agree with the </div> <div> sentiment on the card though."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked into her eyes, unable to think of what he should say </div> <div> next. She gave him a shy </div> <div> smile and went back to her desk.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Alright, I want to know who is behind this little game, and I want </div> <div> to know now," Josh </div> <div> demanded as he walked into the senior staff meeting the next morning.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excuse me?" Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This!" Josh continued, holding up a basket containing several </div> <div> bottles of expensive wine, </div> <div> and two hand cut crystal wine glasses.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is that supposed to mean something to the rest of us?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh glared back at him. "It arrived this morning with another </div> <div> cryptic, unsigned note."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What does this one say?" CJ asked, jumping up and grabbing the card </div> <div> from Josh's hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The corners of her mouth curled in a smile as she read,</div> <bR> <bR> <div>             Joshua,</div> <div>                  Here's to hoping that we still have many good times</div> <div>                  ahead of us and that we can enjoy these bottles             </div> <div>                  together sometime soon.</div> <div>                                       Love Always </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No signature, same as last time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come on," Sam smiled, slapping his friend on the back, "you have to </div> <div> have some idea </div> <div> who these are from. This is some expensive wine. People just don't </div> <div> send gifts like this on </div> <div> a whim."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have no idea," Josh said, shaking his head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, it certainly wasn't me," CJ said. "For one thing, this is </div> <div> imported wine, I would </div> <div> have sent you something from California. I also wouldn't have wasted </div> <div> nearly this much </div> <div> money on someone with tastes like yours."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gee, thanks," Josh grumbled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think we can safely rule out the members of your fan club, since </div> <div> most of them aren't </div> <div> old enough to buy liquor," Toby smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very funny," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think it's cool," Sam said, eyes dancing mischievously. "It's like </div> <div> having a mystery to </div> <div> solve...a love mystery."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo stared at Sam, his mouth set in a tight scowl, while CJ snickered </div> <div> and Toby dropped </div> <div> his head to his hands.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're a dork," Josh snapped, setting the wine basket on the coffee </div> <div> table, and taking a </div> <div> seat on the couch next to CJ.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are we through trying to solve the case of Josh's secret admirer?" </div> <div> Leo asked pointedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For now," Sam chirped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," Leo said, "then lets get on with the country's business."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't believe all of this paperwork," Donna grumbled as she spread </div> <div> out the notes from </div> <div> the latest meeting with Lily Wharton.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's part of Big Tobacco's strategy," Toby said. "They bury you </div> <div> under paperwork, and </div> <div> hope that by the time you find what you're looking for, it's too late.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, they seem to be very good at it," Donna sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> For the next several hours, Donna, Josh, and Toby worked in relative </div> <div> silence. They were </div> <div> busy scanning all of the new material, highlighting relevant facts, </div> <div> and separating the </div> <div> information into legal and medical related piles.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> An hour into the project, Sam poked his head in to see how things </div> <div> were going and was </div> <div> immediately put to work.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> It was nearly 10 PM when CJ entered the room with a huge smile on her </div> <div> face. She was </div> <div> carrying a large tray of assorted cheese and crackers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you bring us a little snack, CJ?" Toby asked warily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's not from me," CJ smiled. "It's courtesy of Josh's secret </div> <div> admirer."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Josh asked, looking at the tray as CJ placed it in the middle </div> <div> of the table.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When did that arrive?" Donna asked, unable to hide the irritation in </div> <div> her voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It just got here a few minutes ago. I figured you guys might need a </div> <div> snack so I brought it </div> <div> on down," CJ answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh reached out and snatched the note that was taped to the cover of </div> <div> the tray.              </div> <bR> <bR> <div>            Joshua,</div> <div>                 Please enjoy this variety of delicacies. Someday   </div> <div>                 soon, we will enjoy the finer things in life together.</div> <div>                                                           Love Always</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll say this for her, she has exquisite taste," Sam said, as he </div> <div> lifted the lid off of the tray </div> <div> and sampled the Brie.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, that's nice to know," Josh chuckled. "And she apparently </div> <div> thinks that I am worth </div> <div> lavishing money and attention on, so she must be very intelligent </div> <div> also."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh brother," Toby growled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Be nice to me or I won't let you share my delicacies," Josh teased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just what you needed," CJ snorted, "Something to make your ego even </div> <div> bigger."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The group spent the next several minutes tasting all of the various </div> <div> gourmet cheeses on the </div> <div> tray. They were all quiet, mostly attributable to the fact that their </div> <div> mouths were full. Josh </div> <div> noticed that Donna hadn't left her seat at the other end of the table </div> <div> where she was busily </div> <div> transcribing notes from the earlier meeting.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey, Donna. Why don't you take a break and have a snack?" Josh said </div> <div> lightly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, thank you," Donna said coldly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was taken aback by her tone of voice and decided to try to kid </div> <div> her out of whatever </div> <div> was causing her mood.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come on," he said, "have some. You should get used to this kind of </div> <div> thing since, being </div> <div> my loyal and trusted assistant, you will be with me all the way, </div> <div> sharing all of the spoils </div> <div> bestowed on me in admiration by my secret admirer."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's face dropped. "That's me," she said, tears pooling in her </div> <div> eyes, "the loyal and </div> <div> trusted assistant."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Everyone turned to face Donna, suddenly realizing how upset she had </div> <div> been by the </div> <div> onslaught of gifts Josh was receiving. Donna refused to look up, but </div> <div> rather busied herself </div> <div> gathering all of the notes together and jamming them into an envelope.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think I'll finish this at home, if that's ok," she said, still </div> <div> refusing to make eye contact.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok?" Josh asked, the concern clearly evident in his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm just tired," she insisted, "Is it ok if I finish these notes at </div> <div> home?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure," Josh said, "if that's what you want."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great," Donna said, quickly moving towards the door, "I'll see you </div> <div> tomorrow. I'll be in </div> <div> early."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I was only kidding," Josh said defensively after Donna had gone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," CJ said reassuringly. "Donna's just tired. She's been </div> <div> working hard lately and </div> <div> this whole secret admirer thing is starting to get to her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's just a joke," Josh answered. "In fact, when the flowers first </div> <div> arrived, I thought maybe </div> <div> Donna was the one who had sent them. You know..maybe as payback for </div> <div> the ones I sent </div> <div> her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you ask her about it?" Sam asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Josh said softly, remembering the comment Donna had made in </div> <div> his office, "it </div> <div> definitely wasn't her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Everyone in the room was well aware that Josh and Donna's growing </div> <div> attachment to each </div> <div> other wouldn't be able to be held at bay for much longer. Donna's </div> <div> jealousy and Josh's </div> <div> reaction to it were proof of that.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll call her later and apologize," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good idea," CJ agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Why did I react like that?' Donna thought as she walked towards her </div> <div> car. 'Josh certainly </div> <div> has a right to his own life. I should be happy for him.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She sighed, 'I should be..but I'm not...I'm miserable. Who is this </div> <div> woman? What if she's </div> <div> someone wonderful and amazing...What if?'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was so lost in her thoughts as she approached her car, she </div> <div> didn't see the person </div> <div> standing there, until she was almost on top of them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, Donna," the voice said cheerily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, you scared me," Donna said, putting her hand over her heart and </div> <div> feeling it pound in </div> <div> her chest, "I didn't expect anyone to be standing there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to scare you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok. Did you need something?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As a matter of fact, yes. I've realized that if I ever want Josh to </div> <div> pay any attention to me at all, I need you </div> <div> out of the way," the voice said, turning sinister.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wh..What are you talking about?" Donna asked fearfully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I really didn't want it to come to this," the voice said, raising a </div> <div> hand, and bringing an </div> <div> iron pipe down hard against the back of Donna's head.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excuse me," the security guard said, as he peeked his head in the </div> <div> door of the Mural </div> <div> Room, "Where is Ms. Moss?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She's already left for the night," Josh said, "Is something wrong?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure she's gone?" the guard asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," Josh said, "she left about half an hour ago."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I just got a call from the guard in the lot who said that Ms </div> <div> Moss's car is there, and </div> <div> that the drivers side door is open. He was going down to check it, </div> <div> but he just wanted me </div> <div> to be sure to let her know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A cold chill ran up the spine of every person in the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll go check your office," Sam volunteered, "I'm sure she just came </div> <div> back in after </div> <div> something."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll check the ladies room," CJ offered, already on her way out the </div> <div> door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She might be making plans with Ginger or Bonnie," Toby said, picking </div> <div> up the phone on </div> <div> the table and dialing his extension, "I'll check."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Several minutes of frantic searching assured Josh that Donna was </div> <div> nowhere in the </div> <div> building. Sam and CJ returned to the Mural Room, just as Toby and </div> <div> Josh were headed for </div> <div> the parking lot.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time they reached Donna's car, several security guards were </div> <div> there, along with one </div> <div> secret service agent.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What happened?" Josh asked breathlessly as he came around to the </div> <div> driver’s side of the car with </div> <div> Sam, CJ, and Toby right behind him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight in front of him. The car </div> <div> door was open, and </div> <div> Donna's tote bag was sitting on the front seat. Her purse was lying </div> <div> on the ground, the </div> <div> contents spilled out onto the cement. Her car keys were laying </div> <div> several feet away.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, God," Josh whispered as his eyes settled on a small puddle on </div> <div> the ground, "Is that </div> <div> what I think it is?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm afraid so, sir. It's blood."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As Donna moved back towards consciousness, she tried desperately to </div> <div> sit up, but was </div> <div> stopped by a blinding pain in her head. When she tried to bring her </div> <div> hands up to find the </div> <div> exact source of the pain, she realized they were bound with tape, as </div> <div> were her feet.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She frantically searched her mind for a clue as to where she was, and </div> <div> how she had gotten </div> <div> there. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to make her </div> <div> mind focus.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Slowly, her eyes came open, and she began to survey her situation. </div> <div> She noticed sloped </div> <div> ceilings above her head on both sides of the room, which led her to </div> <div> believe that she must </div> <div> be in some sort of attic. Much of the room’s contents were covered by </div> <div> canvas drop cloths, </div> <div> and Donna could see dust floating in the beams of light filtering in </div> <div> through the window </div> <div> that was high up on the wall above her head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As she continued to struggle, she realized that she was on an old </div> <div> settee, arms and legs </div> <div> bound with strong tape, and that she was being further restrained by </div> <div> a thick chain which </div> <div> was fastened tightly around her waist and anchored to a large bolt </div> <div> sticking up out of the </div> <div> floor.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A terrified scream rose in Donna's throat, but it couldn't escape </div> <div> around the gag that had </div> <div> been placed over her mouth. As her panicked mind began to focus, a </div> <div> clearer picture of </div> <div> what had happened began to emerge.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She remembered walking to the parking lot, reaching her car, and then </div> <div> realizing that </div> <div> someone was standing there waiting for her. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps ascending </div> <div> the attic stairs. </div> <div> She turned slowly, her eyes wide with fear, just in time to see Lily </div> <div> Wharton come into </div> <div> view.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I see you're finally awake," Lily snarled, as she moved towards the </div> <div> settee.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna nodded, as she tried to ignore the pain in her head, and fight </div> <div> back the tears that </div> <div> were forming in her eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have to go out for a while. Don't bother trying to scream, there </div> <div> isn't a neighbor for </div> <div> miles around, no one will hear you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why are you doing this?" Donna asked, although her words were badly </div> <div> distorted by the </div> <div> material covering her mouth.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't have time to talk to you now," Lily said disdainfully. "I'll </div> <div> be back later."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Donna watched her descend the steps, and heard the sound of a </div> <div> heavy door slamming </div> <div> and being locked, she fell back against the arm of the settee and </div> <div> sobbed.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why didn't I walk her out to her car last night? Why did I let her </div> <div> go out there alone?" </div> <div> Josh asked for the thousandth time, as he paced from one end of the </div> <div> room to the other.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The members of the senior staff were gathered in Leo's office, </div> <div> waiting to hear if the </div> <div> DCPD had come up with anything new.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This isn't your fault, Josh," CJ said soothingly, "You couldn't </div> <div> possibly have known."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I knew she was upset," Josh snapped. "I should have walked her out, </div> <div> and apologized. </div> <div> Why did I say that I would call her later? Why was I so stupid?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam looked helplessly at Toby as both men saw Josh's anger, both at </div> <div> himself, and at </div> <div> whoever had taken Donna, grow exponentially.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen, Josh," Toby said sternly, trying to diffuse the </div> <div> situation, "beating yourself up over </div> <div> this isn't going to help anyone. Do you understand me? We need to be </div> <div> focused on what </div> <div> we can do here and now, not on what we should have done last night. </div> <div> So lets keep our </div> <div> heads in the game, alright?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's eyes flashed with anger, then Toby's words seemed to sink in.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're right," he said, his anger dissipating noticeably. "We need </div> <div> to figure out a way to </div> <div> get her back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And we will," Sam said, with more confidence that he actually felt.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Every head snapped up as Leo entered through the connecting door to </div> <div> the Oval Office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you find out anything?" Josh asked anxiously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just one thing," Leo answered quietly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Josh asked haltingly, not really sure if he wanted to know </div> <div> the answer.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The blood on the ground...well...it's the same type as Donna's."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh sank down onto the sofa and hung his head. Until he heard the </div> <div> words come out of </div> <div> Leo's mouth, he had been able to cling to some slim hope that Donna </div> <div> hadn't been </div> <div> injured.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It doesn't mean anything, Josh," Leo said, trying his best to </div> <div> reassure his deputy, "It's a </div> <div> small amount of blood. We have to believe that Donna is alive </div> <div> somewhere, and that we </div> <div> are going to find her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," Josh said, not raising his head, "I know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The Press has already gotten wind of this, and they want a </div> <div> statement," CJ said. "We have </div> <div> to decide what we want to say, and how we want to say it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Any suggestions?" Leo asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think we should use the Press as much as possible," CJ answered </div> <div> honestly. "Get the </div> <div> story out there, get Donna's picture out there. Maybe someone will </div> <div> see it and call in with </div> <div> some information."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?" Leo asked, raising an eyebrow.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm for anything that brings Donna home safely. If you think we can </div> <div> use the Press, CJ, </div> <div> then use them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The DCPD is interviewing anyone who might have seen anything last </div> <div> night. They have </div> <div> every available man on this case. They are searching Donna's </div> <div> apartment, and anywhere </div> <div> else they can think of," Leo said,  "We're going to find her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She might be hurt," Toby said. "Has anyone checked the hospitals?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They've all been contacted," Leo said. "If anyone matching Donna's </div> <div> description shows </div> <div> up, they'll call."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," Josh sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now, I know that we all would like to just spend the day sitting </div> <div> here waiting for news, </div> <div> but we do have a country to run. We need to try to get as much work </div> <div> done as possible."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can pick up the slack and take some of Josh's meetings," Sam </div> <div> said, "I'll have Bonnie </div> <div> grab the schedule and do a little juggling."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is there anything...and I mean anything...that I could be doing </div> <div> right now to help find </div> <div> Donna?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Leo said gently, "everything that can be done is being done. </div> <div> They'll let us know if </div> <div> there is anything we can do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then I'll take the meetings myself," Josh said, an edge of </div> <div> determination in his voice. </div> <div> "I'd rather keep busy. Plus, Donna will have a fit when she gets </div> <div> back, if she thinks I've </div> <div> been slacking off."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Sam asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive," Josh answered resolutely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, but just let me know if there's anything you want me to cover," </div> <div> Sam offered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will," Josh answered with a look of gratitude in his eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We have another meeting with Lily on the tobacco thing," Toby said </div> <div> to Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Where at?" Josh asked, trying to focus his mind on the task at hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I called her this morning, and asked her if we could move it to my </div> <div> office. That way, </div> <div> we're within easy reach, if we're needed."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good idea. Thanks," Josh said. "I'll just grab a few things out of </div> <div> my office, and be right </div> <div> over."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Ginger waved Josh directly into Toby's office where he found Toby and </div> <div> Lily hunched </div> <div> over a pile of manila folders.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh," Lily said sympathetically, as she stood up and enveloped him </div> <div> in a tight hug. "I'm </div> <div> so sorry. I heard about your secretary."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Assistant," Josh said automatically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry?" she said, loosening her hug, but leaving her arms draped </div> <div> casually around </div> <div> Josh's waist.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna isn't my secretary, she's my assistant," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Assistant then," Lily said. "If there's anything I can do, anything </div> <div> at all, please let me </div> <div> know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you, I will," Josh said, as he extricated himself from her </div> <div> arms and perched on the </div> <div> edge of Toby's desk.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I only met her that one time," Lily said as she sat down next to </div> <div> Josh and </div> <div> placed her hand on his knee, "but from all of the times I've heard </div> <div> you talk about her, I </div> <div> feel as if I know her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh managed a weak smile, then leaned over and picked up a folder </div> <div> off the pile in </div> <div> front of Toby.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This city just isn't safe for a young woman living alone, is it?" </div> <div> Lily asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are these the most current figures we have?" Toby asked, noticing </div> <div> that Josh was getting </div> <div> upset, and trying to steer the conversation to safer ground.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "1999 is as far as we have concrete numbers for," Lily said. "The </div> <div> projections for 2000 are </div> <div> in the green folder."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Does Donna have a boyfriend?" Lily asked Josh. "Someone she might </div> <div> have slipped </div> <div> away with?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No!" Josh said forcefully. "Donna didn't slip away. She wouldn't do </div> <div> something like </div> <div> that. And she wouldn't leave her car, and her purse, and everything </div> <div> else behind. She </div> <div> wouldn't leave without telling me!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The two of you seem very close," Lily said flatly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We are," Josh said. "Now can we get down to work? There's a lot more </div> <div> paperwork to go </div> <div> through."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Anything you want, Josh," Lily cooed. "Anything you want."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna shrank back against the settee as she heard footsteps stomping </div> <div> up the stairs </div> <div> towards the attic. She heard the lock turn, and then the door flew </div> <div> open, banging off of the </div> <div> wall behind it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily Wharton appeared at the top of the stairs, hate blazing in her </div> <div> eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's all about you!" she hissed. "Perfect Donna. Wonderful Donna. </div> <div> You're all Josh can </div> <div> think about."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You saw Josh?" Donna mumbled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What did you say?" Lily screamed, as she reached over and tore the </div> <div> gag from Donna's </div> <div> mouth, jerking her neck in the process, causing Donna to see stars.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I asked if you saw Josh," Donna said timidly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I saw him," Lily raged on, "and he was completely distracted by </div> <div> thoughts of you. </div> <div> He barely even knew I was in the room."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure that's not true," Donna said, trying to placate her captor.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It is true," Lily shouted, walking across the room and opening a </div> <div> small wooden chest.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, she wheeled around and looked at Donna somberly. "You've </div> <div> been a very bad </div> <div> girl," she scolded. "It's not right for you to get involved with your </div> <div> boss. You could hurt </div> <div> his reputation. You could ruin his career."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not involved with Josh," Donna insisted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't lie to me," Lily cautioned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not lying. I swear," Donna cried.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I guess I can forgive him for having a weakness for pretty young </div> <div> blondes," Lily said. </div> <div> "Of course, once we're together, he'll have to give up that little </div> <div> vice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You have to believe me," Donna pleaded. "It isn't like that. Josh </div> <div> and I aren't involved </div> <div> like that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not stupid," Lily said angrily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I didn't say you were," Donna said, trying to make her tone as </div> <div> conciliatory as possible.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can tell just by talking to Josh that there is something more than </div> <div> friendship between the </div> <div> two of you,"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna tried to protest but Lily just kept right on talking.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "although I can't imagine what kind of spell you've managed to cast </div> <div> on him. Blonde and </div> <div> pretty only goes so far. But at this point, I guess its blinding Josh </div> <div> to the obvious fact that </div> <div> you are not at all what he needs. He needs someone with breeding and </div> <div> education. </div> <div> Someone who will help advance his political career, as opposed to </div> <div> causing a scandal that </div> <div> might damage it irreparably."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Please," Donna sobbed, "you have to believe me. Josh and I aren't </div> <div> romantically </div> <div> involved."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ever since the first time Toby introduced us, I've seen a spark in </div> <div> his eye every time he </div> <div> mentions your name. And then when you sat in on that meeting, I saw </div> <div> how he lights up </div> <div> when you're around."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna realized that Lily wasn't hearing a word she was saying. She </div> <div> laid back and sobbed </div> <div> softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But I know that he can learn to adjust to you being gone," Lily said </div> <div> matter-of-factly. </div> <div> "He can find a new assistant, and I'll be there every step of the way </div> <div> to help ease his </div> <div> broken heart. You'll be gone and forgotten in no time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's sobs got stronger as she pulled against her restraints to no </div> <div> avail.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have you ever heard the joke about how you are supposed to break bad </div> <div> news to </div> <div> someone slowly, so they have a chance to prepare themselves?" Lily </div> <div> asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Donna sobbed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Lily smiled gleefully, "it goes like this.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Joe was keeping an eye on his neighbor's house while they were </div> <div> on vacation. The </div> <div> neighbor called home to see how everything was going and Joe </div> <div> said, 'Your cat is dead'.</div> <div>     The neighbor said 'Gee, Joe. You could have been a little gentler </div> <div> with the news. After </div> <div> all, we love that cat.'</div> <div>      So Joe said 'What do you mean?'</div> <div>      The neighbor said, 'Well the first day, you could have told me </div> <div> the cat was on the </div> <div> roof', then after I had time to get used to that, you could have </div> <div> said 'The cat fell off the </div> <div> roof', then after that sunk in, you could have said 'The cat died'."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna stared at Lily in terror, certain that she was completely </div> <div> delusional and not at all in </div> <div> touch with reality. Donna wondered how this woman, who had seemed so </div> <div> normal the first </div> <div> time she had met her, could actually be so totally psychotic.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily continued,</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     " Then the neighbor says, 'Well, how's the dog?' and Joe </div> <div> says, 'The dog is on the roof'. </div> <div> Get it!!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily reached her hand into the wooden box and extracted something </div> <div> shiny as she laughed </div> <div> uncontrollably at her own joke.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I asked you if you got it?" she said threateningly, as she walked </div> <div> towards Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not really," Donna admitted, as she tried in vain to back away.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, lets just say," Lily cackled, "that Josh is about to find out </div> <div> his assistant is on the </div> <div> roof."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's blood curdling scream echoed through the air, but the only </div> <div> person close enough </div> <div> to hear it was Lily Wharton, and she simply smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, this package just arrived for you," Ginger said from the </div> <div> doorway of his office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll look at it later," Josh said, not looking up from the report he </div> <div> was reading.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think you need to look at it now," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked up and saw Toby standing behind Ginger in the doorway. </div> <div> There was a </div> <div> security guard standing with them. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why?" Josh asked, "What's wrong?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Just then Sam and CJ came through the connecting door from her office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it?" Josh asked again, alarm rising in his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This package arrived for you," Ginger stammered. "I opened it to see </div> <div> what it was. I </div> <div> wasn't trying to be nosey."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's fine, Ginger," Josh said, still not understanding what had </div> <div> everyone so upset.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There was this note," Ginger said, holding the small slip of paper </div> <div> out towards Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Be careful handling that," Sam jumped in, "there may be </div> <div> fingerprints."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's heart began to pound and his stomach began to churn as he </div> <div> realized the </div> <div> implications of what they were trying to tell him. This was another </div> <div> package from his secret </div> <div> admirer, the person who he had laughed off as a joke. This was the </div> <div> person who had taken </div> <div> Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh grabbed the note carefully by the edges and read,</div> <bR> <bR> <div>             My dearest Joshua,</div> <div>               You may not believe this right now but I'm doing this</div> <div>               for you. She would only drag you down in the end. I</div> <div>               know what's best for you, and I'll take care of her. </div> <div>               Don't worry,</div> <div>               I'll keep your name out of it. Soon she'll be gone </div> <div>               and we </div> <div>               can be together. I live for that day.</div> <div>                                                       Love Always</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you open the box?" Josh asked shakily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," Ginger said, as the dam broke, and her tears began to flow.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The police are on the way," Leo said breathlessly, as he entered the </div> <div> office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's in the box?" Josh asked, holding out his hands to Ginger.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, there's no point..." Toby began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want to see what's in the damn box!" Josh demanded.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam moved closer to Josh, and placed a supportive hand on his friends </div> <div> shoulder, as Ginger </div> <div> handed him the box.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He opened the lid slowly, and saw all of Donna's jewelry. The gold </div> <div> locket that she </div> <div> always wore with the picture of her grandparents in it, a simple gold </div> <div> chain bracelet, a pair </div> <div> of earrings shaped like roses, and two delicate rings. His breath </div> <div> caught in his throat as he </div> <div> ran his fingers over each piece. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Then he realized that there was something else in the box. He pulled </div> <div> back the layer of </div> <div> gauze and his blood ran cold.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> What is it?" CJ asked, stepping forward. The room began to spin and </div> <div> she clutched Sam </div> <div> for support as she saw two pink fingernails, covered in blood, with </div> <div> small bits of skin still </div> <div> attached.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It looks like they were pulled off with pliers," Toby said somberly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, God," Josh said, as his knees gave out and he sank backwards </div> <div> into one of his </div> <div> visitors chairs.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh barely noticed the various police officers and Secret Service </div> <div> agents moving in and </div> <div> out of his office, gathering and cataloguing evidence. He sat quietly </div> <div> in the visitor's chair </div> <div> in front of his desk as the activity swirled around him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't erase the memory of those </div> <div> two blood-covered, </div> <div> pink fingernails. The officers had quickly taken the box away, to </div> <div> dust it for fingerprints, and </div> <div> search for any other microscopic trace evidence that might be </div> <div> present, but Josh could still </div> <div> see them. It was an image that was burned into his mind. He could </div> <div> only imagine what </div> <div> kind of brutality would be necessary to commit such an act. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> He closed his eyes tightly, and shuddered at the thought of what </div> <div> Donna must have gone </div> <div> through, the pain she must have felt as the nails were pulled off. A </div> <div> wave of nausea hit </div> <div> him, and he leapt to his feet and ran to the men's room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As his head hung over the bowl, he asked himself the same questions </div> <div> he had asked </div> <div> over and over since the moment he looked inside the package. Who </div> <div> could be doing this? </div> <div> Wouldn't he know if someone had these kinds of feelings towards him? </div> <div> Why hadn't he </div> <div> taken this whole thing more seriously? Why hadn't he seen the </div> <div> potential for trouble and </div> <div> made sure Donna was protected? </div> <bR> <bR> <div> He was unable to keep his mind from imagining what Donna had been </div> <div> going through </div> <div> since she was snatched from the parking lot. Alone, terrified, in </div> <div> pain. A new wave of nausea </div> <div> came over him as he imagined her, bleeding and frightened, trying to </div> <div> deal with this </div> <div> lunatic on her own.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When he finally managed to get his stomach under control, he returned </div> <div> to his office. Leo </div> <div> and Toby were standing in the corner, talking quietly to a DCPD </div> <div> officer, while CJ and </div> <div> Sam were standing at his desk, looking intently at his schedule book.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They all looked up when he entered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do we do next?" he asked, trying hard to keep his emotions in </div> <div> check, and focus on </div> <div> the task of getting Donna back safely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We need to try to come up with a list of people who might be sending </div> <div> you these notes </div> <div> and gifts," the officer said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Believe me, I've been wracking my brains trying to think of who it </div> <div> might be," Josh said, </div> <div> unable to hide the frustration in his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Has anyone been acting unusually flirtatious around you lately, </div> <div> finding excuses to spend </div> <div> extra time with you, making unusual comments or suggestions?" the </div> <div> officer asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not that I can think of," Josh said tiredly, as he dropped into the </div> <div> visitors chair he had </div> <div> vacated earlier.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Any little detail, even if it seems minor, might help," the officer </div> <div> reminded him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't you think I know that?" Josh barked. "Don't you think if I </div> <div> could think of </div> <div> anything, I'd tell you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh," Leo cautioned, moving across the room and placing his hand on </div> <div> Josh's shoulder, </div> <div> "he's only doing his job."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know that, Leo," Josh snapped. Then he took a deep breath and </div> <div> spoke again, the anger </div> <div> in his voice replaced by guilt and helplessness. "This is all my </div> <div> fault. Whoever took </div> <div> Donna, did it because of me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No!" Toby said forcefully, "The person who took Donna did it because </div> <div> they are sick </div> <div> and twisted. What they are feeling for you isn't love, Josh, it's </div> <div> obsession. There is no way that you could have anticipated this."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But..." Josh started, before Toby cut him off.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But nothing. The note clearly indicates that Donna is still alive. </div> <div> The clock may be </div> <div> ticking, but the fact is that she IS still alive. Lets concentrate on </div> <div> that. Lets do </div> <div> whatever we need to do to get her back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're right," Josh said, "I know you're right."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We've been looking at your schedule book," CJ said, trying to give </div> <div> Josh a place to focus </div> <div> his mind. "We've been paying specific attention to what you've been </div> <div> doing since the </div> <div> letters began arriving."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you find anything?" Josh asked hopefully, mentally trying to </div> <div> review his activities </div> <div> for the last week or so.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not yet," Sam said determinedly, "but being as you have no social </div> <div> life, and you spend </div> <div> 20 hours a day at work, it has to be here somewhere."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Josh said, "then lets get to work and find it."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna leaned back against the settee, listening to the sound of her </div> <div> heart beating in her </div> <div> chest, and trying to block out the searing pain in the fingertips of </div> <div> her left hand. She had </div> <div> spent the last several hours trying to press her fingers against the </div> <div> fabric of the settee, in </div> <div> order to apply some pressure, and stop the bleeding. The pain, </div> <div> however, made such a task </div> <div> next to impossible. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> The slightest bit of contact to the nail bed sent an excruciating </div> <div> pain shooting up her arm </div> <div> and throughout her entire body. Donna was trying desperately to </div> <div> gather her thoughts, but </div> <div> the constant pain was making it difficult.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She wondered how Josh had reacted when he opened the box. Lily had </div> <div> made a major </div> <div> production out of assembling her little surprise package right in </div> <div> front of Donna, making </div> <div> sure that she knew exactly what Josh would see when he opened it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna sent up a quick prayer that Josh hadn't been alone, that </div> <div> someone else had been </div> <div> there to help him deal with the initial shock.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She knew that he would be feeling tremendous guilt, and that was the </div> <div> last thing in the </div> <div> world that she wanted. There was no way that he could have prevented </div> <div> this.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily Wharton seemed, by all outward appearances, to be completely </div> <div> normal. She was </div> <div> bright, well educated, ambitious, and successful. Unfortunately, all </div> <div> of those traits masked the fact that she was completely insane.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna knew that Josh would be doing everything he could to find her, </div> <div> that all of her </div> <div> friends and co-workers would. She worried about what would happen to </div> <div> Josh if they </div> <div> didn't find her in time. What would happen if Lily found a way to get </div> <div> closer to him?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna felt an all too familiar clenching in her stomach as she </div> <div> thought of Josh and Lily </div> <div> together. She began to cry softly, as she finally admitted to herself </div> <div> the reason that the </div> <div> gifts from Josh's secret admirer had upset her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She was in love with Josh, and she had been for a while. She wasn't </div> <div> sure exactly when it </div> <div> happened. Thinking back, she couldn't remember a time, since her </div> <div> first day on the </div> <div> campaign, when she hadn't been in love with him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'I have to find a way to tell him,' Donna thought. 'Even if I don't </div> <div> make it through this, I </div> <div> have to find a way to tell him that I love him, and to warn him about </div> <div> Lily."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The staffers had moved into the Mural Room after Josh had begun to </div> <div> feel stifled in his </div> <div> office. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the picture of </div> <div> what he had seen in </div> <div> that box out of his head. And inevitably, that picture was followed </div> <div> by the picture of </div> <div> Donna, battered and bleeding, that his imagination painted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He was brought back to reality by the sound of Sam's voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Tuesday, you had a meeting at Senator Specter's office. Was there </div> <div> anyone new working </div> <div> there that you can remember?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I don't think so," Josh answered, trying to think back.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll call over there and check it out, just to be safe," CJ said, </div> <div> scribbling a note to herself </div> <div> on the pad in front of her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why don't you get a list of any new staffers that have started on </div> <div> the Hill in the last two </div> <div> weeks. Then call down to Personnel and get a list of anyone new here </div> <div> in this building," </div> <div> Leo suggested.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll take care of it," CJ said, as she got up and started back to </div> <div> her office. "I'm sure that </div> <div> I'm going to have to roust someone out of bed, but those are the </div> <div> breaks."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, what have we got?" Josh asked impatiently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," Sam said, glancing down at his notes, "not much, unless CJ </div> <div> comes up with </div> <div> something. The only new issue that you've been working on is the </div> <div> tobacco thing with </div> <div> Toby."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's right," Josh said dejectedly. "This is turning out to be a </div> <div> dead end. There has to be </div> <div> something, or someone, that I'm missing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Lets go back to tobacco for a minute," Toby said, the wheels in his </div> <div> mind beginning to </div> <div> spin, "Didn't CJ make a big deal to the Press that we were kicking </div> <div> off this new </div> <div> initiative?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, so what?" Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It just seems very coincidental to me," Toby said, arching his </div> <div> eyebrows.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You think the tobacco companies might be behind this?" Leo </div> <div> scoffed. "Come on, </div> <div> Toby."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I agree with Leo," Sam said. "I know they're capable of some dirty </div> <div> tricks, but I don't </div> <div> think even they would go this far."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't mean the tobacco companies themselves," Toby retorted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then what are you talking about?" Josh asked interestedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A case like this brings the crazies out of the woodwork. It could be </div> <div> someone who is </div> <div> associated peripherally with tobacco, or smoking, but not one of the </div> <div> major players."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But what's their angle?" Leo asked, willing to at least listen to </div> <div> Toby's theory.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Distract Josh. Focus his attention elsewhere. Throw us all off our </div> <div> game."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "To gain what?" Leo asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who knows? The person is obviously crazy. They may not have a </div> <div> specifically defined </div> <div> goal," Toby snapped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But why Donna?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Maybe they knew that she was the perfect tool to use to get to you. </div> <div> Or maybe it was just </div> <div> a lucky guess. Or maybe just a crime of opportunity," Toby surmised.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But the notes..." Josh began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What better way," Sam said, as the light bulb went on above his head </div> <div> and he started to </div> <div> see exactly what Toby was thinking. "Making this look like some kind </div> <div> of crazed stalker </div> <div> thing to send us off looking in the wrong direction."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you really believe that?" Josh asked, looking from Sam to Toby to </div> <div> Leo.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know," Toby sighed, "but right now, it's all we have."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Lets pursue it and see if it leads anywhere," Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," Toby answered. "Sam, you help CJ check out any names she gets </div> <div> from </div> <div> Personnel. Josh, why don't you and I swing by the police station and </div> <div> talk to the detective </div> <div> in charge. See if they got any identifiable fingerprints. Then we can </div> <div> swing out to Virginia to see Lily. </div> <div> If there are any crazies hiding in the woodwork of the tobacco </div> <div> movement, she'll know </div> <div> about them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sounds good," Leo said, "Keep me informed."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, isn't this an interesting little development?" Lily hissed as </div> <div> she entered the attic </div> <div> room, carrying a large length of rope. "I just got a phone call and </div> <div> it appears we're going to have visitors. I guess I </div> <div> better make sure that we're both prepared for company."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As she finished speaking, Lily began binding Donna to the settee, </div> <div> constructing a virtual </div> <div> cocoon with the rope.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Please," Donna begged, "don't do this. Just let me go. I won't say </div> <div> anything to anyone. </div> <div> You can go far away from here, and no one will ever know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's exactly what you want," Lily screamed as she backhanded Donna </div> <div> across the face. </div> <div> "That way you can have Josh all to yourself. Well, that isn't ever </div> <div> going to happen! Josh is </div> <div> mine; he belongs to me. And as soon as I can get you out of the way, </div> <div> I know that he'll see </div> <div> that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna struggled against her restraints but it was no use. She lay </div> <div> there helplessly as Lily </div> <div> wrapped the rope tightly around her entire body. When she was bound </div> <div> to the settee from </div> <div> neck to feet, Lily picked up the gag that she had discarded earlier.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh will never love you!" Donna screamed in frustration. Before she </div> <div> could say another </div> <div> word, Lily yanked her head upwards by the hair, and jammed the gag in </div> <div> Donna's mouth using </div> <div> her entire fist. Donna cried out as she felt a tooth snap off, and </div> <div> coughed as the blood began </div> <div> to trickle down the back of her throat. Lily tied the gag as tightly </div> <div> as possible, cast an evil </div> <div> smile in Donna's direction, and then headed down the stairs, locking </div> <div> the door behind her.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come in, come in," Lily said as she opened the front door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're sorry to intrude on your personal time like this, Lily," Toby </div> <div> said apologetically, </div> <div> "but we're working on a clock here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So you said in your phone call," Lily smiled, leading them into the </div> <div> living room, </div> <div> and motioning for them to take a seat. Toby sat in the overstuffed </div> <div> armchair beside the </div> <div> fireplace, and Josh perched on the edge of the couch, trying hard to </div> <div> corral his nervous </div> <div> energy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I appreciate your help with this," Josh said gratefully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> One floor above, in the attic, Donna's eyes popped open. Could it be? </div> <div> Was it possible? </div> <div> Was that really Josh's voice she heard coming through the air vent?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nonsense. I'm happy to do whatever I can," Lily chirped. "Can I get </div> <div> you something to </div> <div> drink before we start?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, thank you," Toby and Josh said in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then lets get right to it," Lily said, as she sat down next to Josh </div> <div> on the couch. "What </div> <div> exactly do you need me to do?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We need you to tell us about any crazies that might be lurking </div> <div> around, trying to throw a </div> <div> wrench into any legal actions against the tobacco industry," Josh </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna struggled as hard as she could against her bindings, but it was </div> <div> no use. They didn't </div> <div> give an inch. She gathered every ounce of energy she had and tried to </div> <div> scream, but </div> <div> no sound would come out. Tears began to stream down her face as she </div> <div> realized that Josh </div> <div> was one floor below her. She tried desperately to find a way to </div> <div> communicate with him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wow," Lily exhaled, "that's a tough one. The tobacco industry </div> <div> encompasses a large and </div> <div> diverse group of people, from the companies themselves, to the </div> <div> growers, to the </div> <div> processors, to just your garden variety whackos who like to align </div> <div> themselves with the </div> <div> cause dujour."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We understand that," Toby said patiently, "but we need to know if </div> <div> anyone stands out. If </div> <div> any one person or group seems a little more dangerous than the </div> <div> others. Time is of the essence on this one, Lily."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let me make a few calls," Lily said, "I'll let you know if I find </div> <div> anything out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Josh said appreciatively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you want to wait while I consult my database?" Lily asked. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't think so," Josh said, as he fidgeted nervously. "I want to </div> <div> talk to some of Donna's </div> <div> friends, then go back and see if the police have turned up anything </div> <div> new."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'No, no please don't leave!!' Donna cried inwardly. 'I'm right here. </div> <div> I'm right above you.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Suit yourself," Lily said frostily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look, Lily, I really appreciate what you're doing here," Josh said </div> <div> quietly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It seems very important to you," Lily said, in a slightly accusatory </div> <div> manner. Toby looked at </div> <div> her oddly for a moment, before deciding that he had probably </div> <div> misinterpreted her tone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's more important to me than anything else in the world," Josh </div> <div> said honestly. "I have to </div> <div> find her, before it's too late."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll do what I can," Lily said flatly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's tears flowed faster, and she had trouble catching her breath </div> <div> through the gag that </div> <div> was wrapped tightly around her face. She strained to hear every word </div> <div> Josh said. His voice </div> <div> began to fade, as they were apparently walking away from the vent, </div> <div> and towards the front </div> <div> door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh believed that if Donna's abductor was involved with the tobacco </div> <div> industry in any </div> <div> way, Lily was their best bet at learning his/her identity. He wanted </div> <div> Lily to understand </div> <div> how much this meant to him, and so he looked her in the eyes, and </div> <div> admitted something to </div> <div> her that he had only just managed to admit to himself.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love her, Lily, with all my heart. I can't even begin to fathom </div> <div> how I could live without </div> <div> her. I need her, and I'll do anything to get her back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's heart soared as she listened to Josh's words. She had been so </div> <div> afraid that her </div> <div> feelings could never be returned, and now she knew that they were. </div> <div> For one split second, </div> <div> she was able to forget the horrible situation she was in, and just </div> <div> revel in the knowledge </div> <div> that Josh loved her as much as she loved him. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily's face flinched, almost imperceptibly. "You love her, don't </div> <div> you?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I do," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna laid her head back and tried to concentrate on Josh's words. </div> <div> She was so </div> <div> completely wrapped up in her own thoughts, she didn't hear Lily say </div> <div> goodbye to Josh </div> <div> and Toby. She didn't even hear the front door close.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Her happiness was short lived, however, as she was jolted back to </div> <div> reality by the sound of </div> <div> Lily's unmistakably angry footsteps stomping up the attic stairs.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's heart pounded as she listened to the footsteps stomping </div> <div> angrily up the stairs. Her </div> <div> eyes widened with fear when Lily entered the attic, and  Donna saw </div> <div> the large kitchen </div> <div> scissors in her hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How dare he say that he loves you!" Lily screamed furiously. "I </div> <div> don't know what kind </div> <div> of hold you have on him, but I intend to break it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Please," Donna implored, but her voice was muted by the gag tied </div> <div> tightly around her </div> <div> face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily continued on unabated. "Lets see if he loves you after I'm done </div> <div> with you. After I </div> <div> have turned his little blonde Barbie doll into an ugly witch."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna couldn't take her eyes off the gleaming silver blades of the </div> <div> scissors. In one quick </div> <div> movement, Lily grabbed a handful of Donna's hair and began cutting </div> <div> out large chunks.</div> <div> Donna sobbed as the sharp blades moved towards her head, gouging </div> <div> large sections out of </div> <div> her long blonde hair.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going to make sure that when they finally find you, you'll look </div> <div> hideous. I want </div> <div> Josh's last memory of you to be an ugly one."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The floor around the settee was soon covered with piles of Donna's </div> <div> soft blonde hair. </div> <div> "Let's see what Josh thinks about you now," Lily hissed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna stiffened, deciding that staying still was her best alternative </div> <div> with Lily still angrily </div> <div> cutting away at her hair.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After a few minutes, Lily stepped back to admire her </div> <div> handiwork. "There," she said </div> <div> triumphantly, thrusting the scissors in the air, "that's much </div> <div> better." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> She walked across the room and dug in an old trunk until she found an </div> <div> antique hand </div> <div> mirror. She held it up in front of Donna's face and sneered, "What do </div> <div> you think?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna battled back her tears, not wanting to give Lily the </div> <div> satisfaction of seeing her cry.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wait! I want you to get the full effect," Lily laughed wildly, as </div> <div> she reached up with the </div> <div> scissors and cut away Donna's gag.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna cringed as she saw herself in the mirror. Her hair had been cut </div> <div> out in large chunks, </div> <div> and there was an angry red scrape above her left eye where her head </div> <div> had hit the pavement </div> <div> in the parking lot on the night she was abducted. One of her top </div> <div> front teeth was gone </div> <div> completely, and the other was broken off, and digging painfully into </div> <div> her lip.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you think of yourself now?" Lily taunted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You'll never get away with this," Donna spat. "You'll never make </div> <div> Josh fall in love with </div> <div> you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh yes I will," Lily cackled. "And Josh and Toby gave me the perfect </div> <div> way to do it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean?" Donna questioned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They think that some whacko from the tobacco industry is behind </div> <div> this," Lily laughed </div> <div> derisively. "They came to me for help. All I need to do is give them </div> <div> a few possible </div> <div> suspects, and send them off searching in the opposite direction."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You won't be able to fool them," Donna said defiantly, "they will </div> <div> figure it out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, Princess," Lily chuckled, "I'm afraid you're wrong there. No one </div> <div> is going to ride in </div> <div> to save the fair maiden this time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna bit her lip and looked directly at Lily, refusing to cower in </div> <div> fear. She would not let </div> <div> this woman beat her. Somehow she would find a way to survive.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now I need to get to work," Lily said purposefully. "I need to find </div> <div> someone to pin your </div> <div> murder on."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna watched helplessly as Lily hurried down the attic stairs, </div> <div> whistling to herself as she </div> <div> went.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "There is a Lily Wharton on the phone for you," Bonnie said, as she </div> <div> stuck her head in </div> <div> Toby's open door. "She said it's urgent."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Put her right through," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Knowing that time was of the essence, Toby dispensed with the usual </div> <div> pleasantries and </div> <div> got right to the point. "Lily, did you find anything for us?" he </div> <div> asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, you didn't give me much time," Lily said defensively, "but I </div> <div> did come up with </div> <div> five likely candidates. These guys would seem to fit the description </div> <div> of the kind of psycho </div> <div> we are talking about."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Any of them local?" Toby demanded, as much as asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just one so far," Lily said, "but these aren't exactly the kind of </div> <div> people who put down </div> <div> roots in the community. They move around a lot. There's really no </div> <div> telling where they are </div> <div> at any given moment."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then we better get started checking them out. Can you fax their </div> <div> bio's over to me right </div> <div> away?" Toby asked, already jotting down a list of calls for Ginger </div> <div> and Bonnie to make as </div> <div> soon as he had the names.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure don't want me to bring these over myself? Maybe I can </div> <div> spot something </div> <div> you guys missed. Sometimes an objective pair of eyes can make all the </div> <div> difference."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I appreciate the offer," Toby said, "but we're all set. Information </div> <div> gathering is one of our </div> <div> specialties."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's really no trouble," Lily said, a slight whine in her voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, but thanks all the same," Toby said impatiently. "I really just </div> <div> need you to fax the </div> <div> information you have to me right away, so we can get to work. I'm </div> <div> afraid we are starting </div> <div> to run out of time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine," Lily said testily, "I'll send it right over."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby started to say thank you, but was cut off by the buzzing of a </div> <div> dial tone on the other </div> <div> end of the phone. 'That's strange,' he thought, as an indefinable </div> <div> sense that he was </div> <div> missing something began to stew in the back of his mind.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's head was still spinning with possible methods of escape when </div> <div> Lily returned, </div> <div> carrying a small cardboard box.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I've decided to let you say goodbye to Josh after all," she chirped, </div> <div> as she set the box on </div> <div> the floor beside the settee, and removed a small note card and a pen.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean?" Donna asked warily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going to let you write a note to your precious boss," Lily said </div> <div> scornfully. "It will </div> <div> make your death that much more poignant."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What if I say no?" Donna asked rebelliously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You won't," Lily said confidently. "You might hate me, but you would </div> <div> never pass up </div> <div> the chance to say goodbye to the man you love."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's anger flared hearing Lily talk about the feelings that she </div> <div> had for Josh. She made </div> <div> up her mind then and there that she would find a way to warn him. </div> <div> Even if she lost her </div> <div> own life, she had to find a way to save his. Her mind began grasping </div> <div> at any and every </div> <div> possible idea.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So what's the verdict?" Lily asked, in a patronizing tone that made </div> <div> Donna's skin crawl.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll write the letter," Donna acquiesced, keeping her voice as even </div> <div> as possible, </div> <div> determined not to do anything that might spoil her only chance at </div> <div> getting a message to </div> <div> Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I knew you would," Lily said with a smug grin. She reached down and </div> <div> began loosening </div> <div> the ropes from around Donna's upper body. "Now don't try anything </div> <div> stupid, Princess. </div> <div> I'm going to untie your hands for a few minutes."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After she had removed the ropes, Lily roughly cut away the tape that </div> <div> was binding </div> <div> Donna's wrists. Donna looked down at the fingers on her left hand. </div> <div> The nail beds, where </div> <div> the fingernails had been removed, were bright red and oozing. She </div> <div> still suffered </div> <div> excruciating pain each time anything came in contact with her </div> <div> fingertips, both of which </div> <div> were swelled and warm to the touch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good thing you're right handed," Lily sneered as she placed the note </div> <div> card and the pen </div> <div> down beside Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna flexed her right hand in an attempt to get the circulation </div> <div> back, and then reached </div> <div> down, and awkwardly picked up the pen.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Please, Josh," she thought. 'Please read between the lines.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No tricks," Lily growled, as she began gathering up the hair off of </div> <div> the floor and putting </div> <div> it in the box. "And hurry up, I don't have all day."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna thought for a second longer, then made her decision, and began </div> <div> to write,</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    My dearest Joshua,</div> <div>         Please don't worry about me, Gulliver.</div> <div>         Whatever happens, I'll be all right, as </div> <div>         long as I know that you are safe. </div> <div>         I love you, and no matter what happens, </div> <div>         I always will. Be safe and be happy.</div> <div>                                           Donna </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> She carefully folded the note card and laid it beside her on the </div> <div> settee.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let me see that," Lily said scornfully. She perused the note </div> <div> quickly, and then looked at </div> <div> Donna with a raised eyebrow.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gulliver?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's my nickname for Josh," Donna said evenly. "That way, he'll know </div> <div> that the note is </div> <div> really from me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gulliver?" Lily repeated.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's because I consider him a giant among men," Donna said, thinking </div> <div> on her feet.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Isn't that adorable," Lily hissed. "Well, we'll just put the note </div> <div> right here in the box </div> <div> where Gulliver will see it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna watched, with tears in her eyes, as Lily gathered the last of </div> <div> the hair off of the </div> <div> floor, placed her note in the box, then taped it closed. She then re-</div> <div> taped Donna's wrists, </div> <div> making sure to cause as much pain as possible to her inflamed </div> <div> fingertips, and rebound her </div> <div> upper body with rope.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have to go now," Lily said lightly, "but I'll be back. And when I </div> <div> return, it will be time </div> <div> for you to meet with your untimely demise."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna held back her tears until she heard the door at the bottom of </div> <div> the steps lock, and </div> <div> then she began to sob, as she sent up a silent prayer that she had </div> <div> given Josh the </div> <div> information he needed to find her.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> With the help of Ginger and Bonnie, Toby had managed to track the </div> <div> whereabouts of three </div> <div> of Lily's five possible suspects in less than two hours. He gathered </div> <div> up all of the </div> <div> information and headed for Josh's office to fill him in. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Halfway across the bullpen, he ran in to Sam and CJ.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Find anything?" he asked, as all three headed towards Josh's office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There are about 25 new employees all together. We're checking </div> <div> backgrounds on all of </div> <div> them now," CJ answered. "How about you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So far dead ends, but we have to keep trying," he said, the </div> <div> determination clear in his </div> <div> tone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Toby entered the doorway to Josh's office, he stopped suddenly. He </div> <div> saw Josh sitting </div> <div> at his desk, intently studying a series of folders spread out in </div> <div> front of him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily was leaning in tightly over his left shoulder, brushing her arm </div> <div> lightly against his, as </div> <div> she pointed out various details.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you doing here, Lily?" Toby asked, a little more sharply </div> <div> than he had intended.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I came by to go over this list of possible suspects with Josh," Lily </div> <div> said, as her hands </div> <div> began to massage Josh's shoulders.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh seemed completely oblivious to her, as he stared intently at the </div> <div> names and faces in </div> <div> front of him. If one of these men had Donna, he wanted to find out </div> <div> everything there was </div> <div> to know about them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just felt so helpless sitting at home," Lily continued, without </div> <div> removing her hands from </div> <div> Josh's shoulders. "I thought that I could be more help here. Besides, </div> <div> I wanted to be here </div> <div> for Josh, in case he needed someone to talk to."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> That annoying feeling in Toby's brain that told him he was missing </div> <div> something began to </div> <div> pick up steam. As he was trying to decide whether or not he was </div> <div> making a mountain out </div> <div> of a molehill, Bonnie appeared in the doorway.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The front gate just called, they have a package for Josh," she said </div> <div> breathlessly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, God," CJ whispered, as Sam squeezed her hand supportively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Call Leo. Then tell the gate to send the box up with a security </div> <div> officer right away," Toby </div> <div> said to Bonnie. As she turned to go, he grabbed her arm lightly and </div> <div> lowered his voice, </div> <div> "Tell them to ask the delivery boy to wait. I may need to talk to </div> <div> him," he whispered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh jumped up from behind his desk and began pacing frantically. </div> <div> Toby watched him </div> <div> protectively, and then he noticed Lily out of the corner of his eye. </div> <div> She was sitting </div> <div> serenely in Josh's chair, smiling happily as she ran her hands over </div> <div> his leather desk </div> <div> blotter.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Minutes later, an officer appeared with the package, and Josh </div> <div> snatched it from his hands </div> <div> immediately.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Be careful..." the officer began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," Josh said angrily, "Preserve the evidence." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> He carefully began to unwrap the box, trying hard not to disturb any </div> <div> possible clues. He </div> <div> knew that there would be no fingerprints, just as there hadn't been </div> <div> on any of the previous </div> <div> packages. They were dealing with someone who was far too clever for </div> <div> that.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> But there was something different about this package. There was no </div> <div> note taped to the top </div> <div> like there had been on the others. Josh pulled back the tape </div> <div> carefully, and gently lifted the </div> <div> lid. When he saw the contents of the box, he let out an audible gasp. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> His eyes welled up with tears as he looked at Donna's beautiful hair. </div> <div> His heart began to </div> <div> beat angrily when he spotted a lock in the corner of the box that was </div> <div> caked with dried </div> <div> blood.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, God," he said, as he picked it up and turned it over in his </div> <div> hands.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Lets not jump to any conclusions," Toby said calmly, as he moved </div> <div> over to look into the </div> <div> box. CJ and Sam joined them, and they all stood staring wordlessly at </div> <div> Donna's blonde </div> <div> locks. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> What's that?" Sam asked, as he spied the corner of the note card.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh reached in and pulled it out. He flipped it open, and </div> <div> immediately recognized </div> <div> Donna's handwriting. "It's from Donna," he said, quickly scanning the </div> <div> words.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> His heart leapt to his throat as he read Donna's declaration of love. </div> <div> His voice cracked and </div> <div> his eyes filled with tears as he repeated the words she had written.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As he read them aloud, Toby noticed that Lily hadn't moved from </div> <div> Josh's chair. She was </div> <div> running her hands slowly up and down the arms of his suit jacket, </div> <div> which was hanging </div> <div> over the back.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo entered the office followed by a secret service agent; several DC </div> <div> police officers </div> <div> entered minutes later. As the office became a flurry of activity, </div> <div> Toby pulled Sam, CJ and </div> <div> Josh aside.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you suppose that note meant, Josh?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean?" Josh asked, the confusion clear in his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gulliver? Why did she call you Gulliver?" he asked more sternly, </div> <div> trying to get Josh to </div> <div> focus.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh just kept staring at the flakes of dried blood on his hands and </div> <div> trying to fight back </div> <div> another wave of nausea. "I don't know," he said distractedly, "she </div> <div> probably just wrote it </div> <div> absentmindedly. I can only imagine how scared she must be."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's hands began to shake as new images of Donna, bruised, bloodied </div> <div> and terrified </div> <div> flooded his mind.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Something in the back of his mind just wouldn't let Toby accept that </div> <div> explanation.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can we step outside for a minute, Leo?" he asked, as the police </div> <div> began to question Josh, </div> <div> CJ, Sam and Lily about what, if anything, they had seen.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it?" Leo asked, sensing Toby was on to something.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't be sure," Toby said, "it's just a bad feeling."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What, Toby?" Leo demanded.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The note," Toby said. "Donna called Josh, Gulliver."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So?" Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have you ever heard her refer to him as Gulliver," Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, but like he said, she's under a lot of pressure," Leo reasoned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is Donna we're talking about," Toby said decisively. "Have you </div> <div> ever known her to </div> <div> use words carelessly?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I guess not," Leo agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gulliver. He was a giant," Toby said, trying desperately trying to </div> <div> remember the story.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And he was held hostage," Leo said, the wheels beginning to turn in </div> <div> his head also.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "By the Lilliputians," Toby said, as all of the pieces slid into </div> <div> place. "That's the message. </div> <div> Donna was trying to tell Josh she was being held hostage by..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The Lilliputians?" Leo asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The Lily-putians," Toby said angrily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He wheeled around quickly and screamed for Bonnie. "Tell the front </div> <div> gate to escort the </div> <div> delivery boy to my office right away. I want to talk to him." Then he </div> <div> turned back to Leo </div> <div> and said, "Whatever you do, don't let Lily Wharton leave this </div> <div> building!"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "My name is Toby Ziegler, and I have a few questions to ask you. I </div> <div> need you to answer </div> <div> as quickly and as accurately as possible," Toby said hurriedly as he </div> <div> entered his office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The young delivery boy stood frozen in terror, wondering what he </div> <div> could possibly have </div> <div> done to warrant being summoned to the office of one of the White </div> <div> House senior staffers. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," he stammered nervously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby noticed the fear in the young man's voice. He softened his </div> <div> delivery and began </div> <div> again. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need to know about the person who hired you to deliver the package </div> <div> to Mr. Lyman."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Am..am I in trouble? Was there something illegal in the box?" he </div> <div> asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby decided to change gears, hoping that it might relax the boy and </div> <div> help him get the </div> <div> answers he wanted more quickly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's your name?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Daniel Owens, sir."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "All right, Daniel, let me assure you that you are not in any trouble </div> <div> at all. Unfortunately, </div> <div> someone else is, and that's why we need your help."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Daniel said, relaxing a bit but still clearly unnerved by the </div> <div> entire situation.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need you to tell me everything you can about the person who hired </div> <div> you to deliver the </div> <div> package."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, it was a woman," Daniel began. "She approached me when I came </div> <div> out of the </div> <div> OEOB on another delivery. She said she needed a package delivered to </div> <div> Mr. Lyman</div> <div> as soon as possible. She said that she would be willing to pay me </div> <div> cash, and that my boss </div> <div> never had to know about it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And you agreed?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I agreed to deliver the package," Daniel said defensively, "but I </div> <div> called my boss when I </div> <div> was on my way over here, to tell him that I picked up another </div> <div> delivery. I wasn't trying to </div> <div> rip anybody off."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure you weren't," Toby said confidently. "What can you tell me </div> <div> about the woman?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She was pretty tall," Daniel said, trying to recall as many details </div> <div> as possible. </div> <div> "She was thin too. I can't really say what she looked like because </div> <div> she had on sunglasses </div> <div> and a baseball hat. She was wearing a ratty old denim jacket."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Would you recognize her if you saw her again?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not sure," Daniel said apologetically. "Maybe if she still had </div> <div> the hat and glasses on. </div> <div> I just can't guarantee anything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Would you be willing to sit down with a police artist and do a </div> <div> sketch?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sure," Daniel answered eagerly, "if you think it would help."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It can't hurt," Toby sighed. "Come with me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They began walking towards Josh's office so that Toby could find an </div> <div> officer to take </div> <div> Daniel to the police station. He was careful to keep the boy out of </div> <div> Lily's sight though; he </div> <div> didn't want to tip his hand too early, in case his suspicions were </div> <div> correct.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As they got closer, a voice rang out above all of the chaos.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why can't you people stop asking your silly little questions, and go </div> <div> out and actually do </div> <div> something?" Lily demanded haughtily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's her! That's the woman!" Daniel said excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you absolutely sure?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm positive," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ginger!" Toby yelled. She appeared almost immediately and Toby </div> <div> said, "Please escort </div> <div> Daniel back to the front gate, and make sure that you get his phone </div> <div> number so we can </div> <div> contact him later."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Then he turned his attention back to Daniel and said, "I can't thank </div> <div> you enough. You may </div> <div> have just helped save someone's life."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Ginger guided Daniel out of the bullpen, Toby stuck his head in </div> <div> the door of Josh's </div> <div> office and caught Leo's attention. He cocked his head and motioned </div> <div> for Leo to meet him </div> <div> in the hall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's up?" Leo asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby's eyes blazed with unrestrained fury. "It's her," he hissed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Leo asked, although the look on Toby's face left no </div> <div> doubt.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive," Toby fumed. "The delivery boy recognized her voice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do we know about her background?" Leo questioned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not as much as we'll know in a few minutes," Toby said </div> <div> purposefully. "I'm going to </div> <div> call my contact at the FBI."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Call from my office," Leo said. "I'll meet you there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby headed down the hall, and Leo went back into Josh's office. He </div> <div> grabbed one of the </div> <div> officers and said, "I don't want anyone leaving this office right </div> <div> now, especially Ms. </div> <div> Wharton. Do you understand me? If anyone has a problem with that, you </div> <div> call me right </div> <div> away."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, sir," the officer replied, as Leo headed out the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Thirty minutes later, Leo and Toby stood staring impatiently at the </div> <div> fax machine. They </div> <div> were waiting for Lily Wharton's FBI dossier. Toby's contact, </div> <div> understanding the </div> <div> seriousness of the situation, had agreed to expedite matters, and </div> <div> send the file over </div> <div> immediately.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, the fax machine began to hum. Toby grabbed the first page </div> <div> and began </div> <div> reviewing it, as Leo read over his shoulder. By the time page three </div> <div> arrived, they knew </div> <div> what they had to do. Leo headed off down the hall.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm very sorry, Lily," Leo said as he entered Josh's office, trying </div> <div> desperately not to let </div> <div> his true emotions towards her show, "but I need to borrow my staff </div> <div> for a few minutes. </div> <div> Something has come up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I should go anyway," Lily said, "I have a few things to take </div> <div> care of."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I need you to stay here," Leo said adamantly, searching for a </div> <div> reason to make her </div> <div> stay without arousing her suspicions. "I'm calling in an expert from </div> <div> the FBI. He is going </div> <div> to want to interview everyone who was here when the package arrived."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Alright," Lily said resignedly, as she sat back down in Josh's </div> <div> chair. "I'll wait here then."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This shouldn't take long," Leo assured her as CJ, Sam, and Josh </div> <div> followed him into the </div> <div> hall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What..." Sam began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My office, NOW!" Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's going on?" Josh demanded as they entered Leo's office.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo looked at Toby, then motioned for him to begin.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think I have a lead that may help us find Donna," Toby blurted out.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" CJ and Sam exclaimed in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then what are we doing standing around here? Where is she? Is she </div> <div> ok?" Josh asked </div> <div> excitedly as he moved across the room and stood face to face with </div> <div> Toby. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's not what we thought, Josh," Toby said slowly. He knew that </div> <div> Josh's reaction to the </div> <div> news would be volatile. He wanted to find a way to help Josh keep his </div> <div> emotions in check, </div> <div> as much as possible, until they actually found Donna. He couldn't </div> <div> even begin to imagine </div> <div> what his friend was feeling right now, but he knew that having Josh </div> <div> fly off the handle </div> <div> wouldn't help the situation at all.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean?" Josh asked warily, his eyes narrowing.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It isn't a complete stranger," Toby said. "It's someone we know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who?" Josh asked, the decibel level of his voice rising dramatically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Lily Wharton," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ let out an audible gasp, while Sam stared incredulously at Toby.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It appears to be true," Leo agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What in the hell are you saying?" Josh thundered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen to me," Toby said, battling his own growing sense of </div> <div> panic, "the delivery boy </div> <div> positively identified her voice as the voice of the person who gave </div> <div> him the package."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And that's all you have to go on?" CJ asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, there's more," Leo said as he came around his desk to place a </div> <div> restraining hand on </div> <div> Josh's shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The timing fits," Toby continued. "The letters started right after I </div> <div> pulled you in on the </div> <div> tobacco initiative."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby began to pace, as the thoughts that had been haunting his mind </div> <div> began to spill out. </div> <div> "There was something about her behavior towards Josh that bothered </div> <div> me, but I just </div> <div> couldn't put my finger on it, until tonight."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure about this?" Josh asked, his tone full of measured fury.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then there was the clue in Donna's note," Toby continued, as if </div> <div> trying to convince </div> <div> himself that there was no flaw in his logic. No matter how many times </div> <div> he traced the </div> <div> clues, they always brought him to the same conclusion.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What clue?" Josh asked, confusion evident in his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gulliver," Toby said. "I knew that there had to be some meaning </div> <div> there. I've never </div> <div> known Donna to throw words around carelessly. She uses them in </div> <div> exactly the manner she </div> <div> means to use them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you think she was trying to say?" Sam asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gulliver was held hostage by the Lilliputians," Josh snapped. "Why </div> <div> didn't I see that? </div> <div> How could I have missed it? Donna was reaching out to me for help, </div> <div> and I overlooked </div> <div> it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're under a lot of pressure, Josh. It isn't important who figured </div> <div> it out first," Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh continued to mentally berate himself, while Toby explained the </div> <div> rest of his reasoning.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "After I got confirmation from the delivery boy, I made a quick call </div> <div> to my contact at the </div> <div> bureau. He faxed over her file," Toby said, holding up the fax. "It </div> <div> seems Lily has a </div> <div> history of disturbing behavior."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She's done this before?" CJ asked incredulously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We've only gotten a cursory glance," Toby answered, "but it seems </div> <div> that there have been </div> <div> instances of obsessive behavior in the past. Nothing could ever be </div> <div> proven though."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Where is Donna?" Josh asked, in a tone so measured it was </div> <div> frightening.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not sure..." Toby began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I'm about to find out," Josh fumed as he barreled out of Leo's </div> <div> office and down the </div> <div> hall towards his own, with the rest of the staff in hot pursuit.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh stormed through the door to his office, then froze in his </div> <div> tracks. The security officer </div> <div> was lying on the floor, Josh's shattered desk lamp in pieces around </div> <div> his head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, God," Sam said as he kneeled down and felt for a pulse. "He's </div> <div> alive," he said with </div> <div> relief in voice as he felt the man's heart beating.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh bolted out the door and across the bullpen without a word.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Call the police," Toby said quickly, "Tell them to meet us at Lily's </div> <div> house in Virginia. </div> <div> The address is in my Rolodex." Then he turned and headed out after </div> <div> Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily raced up the attic stairs with a wild look in her eyes, and </div> <div> rushed towards a terrified </div> <div> Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is it!" she screamed maniacally, "You are dead!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What happened?" Donna asked desperately.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They think they're smarter than me," Lily spat, "They think I'm </div> <div> stupid. Well, I'll show </div> <div> them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Tell me what happened," Donna pleaded. "Is Josh ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your friends just signed your death warrant," Lily cackled evilly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is Josh ok?" Donna asked again, more insistently this time, trying </div> <div> as hard as possible to </div> <div> control her own panic, and somehow break through Lily's madness.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You make me sick," Lily said disgustedly. "I've just told you that </div> <div> you are about to die, </div> <div> and all you ask about is Josh! Well, forget Josh. He can't help you </div> <div> now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen to me..." Donna yelled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "NO!" Lily screamed even more loudly. "The time for listening is </div> <div> over."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She reached down and began to unwind the rope that bound Donna to the </div> <div> settee. When </div> <div> she was finished, she glanced at her nemesis, still bound by heavy </div> <div> tape at the wrists and </div> <div> ankles, and secured to the floor by a chain.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily began to talk in a singsong voice as she undid the padlock and </div> <div> yanked Donna into a </div> <div> sitting position. "I can't kill you here, it would make such a mess </div> <div> in the attic. I guess </div> <div> we'll have to go somewhere else."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily grabbed the piece of material she had been using as a gag </div> <div> previously and tied it </div> <div> tightly around Donna's eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise for you," Lily said </div> <div> excitedly. "I want to keep you </div> <div> guessing. I wonder what that feels like? Knowing that you are going </div> <div> to die soon, but not </div> <div> knowing exactly when, or even how. Maybe I'll shoot you, maybe I'll </div> <div> stab you, or slit </div> <div> your throat, or push you out the window." Lily continued on </div> <div> animatedly, as though she </div> <div> was making her Christmas wish list.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna began to think that there was no way to escape her fate. She </div> <div> silently prayed, for </div> <div> herself, for Josh, and for her friends.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Time to go," Lily commanded, "because as soon as I'm done with you, </div> <div> I have to take </div> <div> care of Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean?" Donna asked desperately. "I thought you loved </div> <div> Josh. I thought you </div> <div> were going to make a life with him."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He betrayed me!" Lily screamed. "I offered him everything, but he </div> <div> was too blind to see </div> <div> it. All he could see was you. So I've decided to give him what he </div> <div> wants. I'll let the two of </div> <div> you be together in Hell!!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> From somewhere deep within, Donna found an unexpected strength, and </div> <div> an unbreakable </div> <div> will to survive. She raised up her legs, her feet still bound </div> <div> together, and shoved Lily </div> <div> backward with all her might.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The sounds of Lily careening into a pile of boxes obscured the sound </div> <div> of a car screeching </div> <div> to a stop in the driveway. As Josh and Toby jumped out, they could </div> <div> hear the sound of </div> <div> approaching sirens.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They ran through the front door and were immediately greeted by the </div> <div> sounds of a scuffle </div> <div> coming from the attic. They both raced towards the stairs.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You bitch!" Lily said viciously, as she advanced on Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna!!" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh!!" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, there was a large crash and the sound of a woman screaming </div> <div> filled the air. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna!" Josh screamed as he raced towards the attic.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He opened the door just in time to see a body hit the landing at the </div> <div> bottom of the stairs. </div> <div> He exhaled with relief when he saw the brown hair, realizing for </div> <div> certain that it wasn't </div> <div> Donna. He looked desperately up the stairs, and it was then that he </div> <div> saw her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She was teetering dangerously close to the edge, unable to catch her </div> <div> balance because her </div> <div> arms and legs were bound. The blindfold over her eyes left her </div> <div> completely unaware of </div> <div> her current position. Josh hurdled Lily's body, even as she began </div> <div> struggling to get up, and </div> <div> raced up the stairs.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He grabbed Donna just as she was about to fall. She struggled against </div> <div> his hands, trying </div> <div> desperately to get away.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, it's me," Josh said, trying to ease her panic. "It's ok, I'm </div> <div> here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh? Is it really you?" Donna sobbed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's me," Josh assured her, as he made no attempt to control his own </div> <div> tears. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, thank God," Donna said as she leaned against his chest. "I was </div> <div> afraid I would never </div> <div> see you again."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," Josh said soothingly, "but I'm here now. Everything is </div> <div> going to be ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He held Donna tightly as her whole body trembled uncontrollably and </div> <div> she sobbed into his </div> <div> chest. "It's ok, you're safe now," he repeated over and over, as he </div> <div> rubbed her back </div> <div> rhythmically in an attempt to calm her down.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After a few minutes, Donna's heartbeat began to slow down and she </div> <div> began to bring her </div> <div> breathing under control.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh lifted her into his arms, and carried her back into the attic </div> <div> room. He couldn't help </div> <div> but shudder as he looked around and saw the signs of the struggle </div> <div> that had taken place </div> <div> there.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He placed Donna gently on the settee, then knelt in front of her. He </div> <div> carefully removed the </div> <div> blindfold, and took her face in his hands.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh no you don't," Toby growled, grabbing Lily's ankles as she tried </div> <div> to claw her way </div> <div> back up the stairs.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You stay out of this. It doesn't concern you," she hissed, as she </div> <div> struggled to get free.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's where you're wrong. Anything that concerns my friends </div> <div> concerns me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let me go!" she screamed. "I have a job to finish. I'm going to take </div> <div> care of that little </div> <div> princess if it's the last thing I do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're going to shut your mouth and leave Donna alone, do you </div> <div> understand me?" Toby </div> <div> snapped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can't stop me," Lily spat, as she twisted her head sideways in </div> <div> an attempt to bite </div> <div> Toby's wrist.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Something inside of Toby snapped. He pulled Lily up off of the stairs </div> <div> and slammed her </div> <div> against the wall. He placed his hand around her throat.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have never in my life harmed a woman," he raged, "but there has </div> <div> never been one who </div> <div> has given me as good a reason as you have."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you threatening me?" Lily asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm just saying give me a reason," Toby said coldly.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok?" Josh asked as he looked deeply into Donna's eyes. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think so," Donna said, "but my hands hurt."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Memories of the fingernails in the box came rushing back to Josh and </div> <div> his stomach </div> <div> lurched. He looked around for something to take the tape off with, </div> <div> and spotted the </div> <div> kitchen shears lying beside the settee. Donna shuddered involuntarily </div> <div> at the sight of them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh moved around behind her and began gingerly cutting the tape off </div> <div> her wrists. He </div> <div> removed it as gently as he could, not wanting to cause her any </div> <div> further pain. When he was </div> <div> finished, he knelt in front of her again and removed the bindings </div> <div> from her ankles.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna held her hands out in front of her and examined the damage. The </div> <div> nail beds on her </div> <div> left hand, where her fingernails had been removed, were still red, </div> <div> and they were oozing </div> <div> worse than ever. Her wrists were red and swollen where the tape had </div> <div> been.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked at her hands, and the anger and guilt inside him began to </div> <div> grow. For a few </div> <div> minutes, he couldn't bear to look her in the eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?" Donna said softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He looked up at her face, and the guilt spilled over into his eyes. </div> <div> If only he had seen what </div> <div> Lily was like. If only he hadn't brought Donna to the meeting. If </div> <div> only he had figured it </div> <div> out sooner.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna mistook the guilt in his eyes for something else and she </div> <div> recoiled, pulling her hands </div> <div> away. Maybe Lily had been right. She was hideous looking, and Josh </div> <div> couldn't stand the </div> <div> sight of her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry," she sobbed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For what?" Josh asked, reaching for her hands again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Now it was Donna's turn to stare at the floor. "I didn't want you to </div> <div> see me like </div> <div> this...looking like this...I'm sorry..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you talking about?" Josh asked incredulously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I saw the look on your face..." Donna began, before she broke down </div> <div> sobbing.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> It took a minute for Josh to realize what Donna was talking about. </div> <div> When he finally did, </div> <div> his heart ached. The only thing that upset him at all about the way </div> <div> she looked was that he </div> <div> knew what kind of pain she had suffered through, and how frightened </div> <div> she must have </div> <div> been. He needed to make her understand that her safety was all that </div> <div> mattered to him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, look at me," Josh said softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When she continued to look at the floor and sob, Josh placed his hand </div> <div> under her chin and </div> <div> lifted her head up until their eyes met.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you talking about?" he asked her softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know what I look like," Donna sobbed. "I saw myself in the mirror."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I don't know what you think you saw," Josh said </div> <div> sincerely, "but what I see is the </div> <div> most beautiful sight in the world."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Donna asked, looking into his eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You are beautiful, Donna," Josh said, trying desperately to convey </div> <div> his deepest feelings. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, Josh..." she said, as she saw the love and sincerity in his </div> <div> eyes. She realized that he </div> <div> hadn't been repulsed when he looked at her; she had simply been </div> <div> projecting her own </div> <div> insecurities onto him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I was so afraid that I would never see you again, Donna. The thought </div> <div> of going through </div> <div> even one day without you made me feel completely empty. If anything </div> <div> had happened to </div> <div> you, I would have lost my whole life, and I would have lost my will </div> <div> to go on."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Tears were running down his face as he continued. "Seeing you again </div> <div> is the answer to my </div> <div> prayers. I don't love you because of what you look like; I love you </div> <div> because of who you </div> <div> are. You are the most important person in the world to me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He reached up and placed his hand on her cheek. "I love you, Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too," she said as she placed her forehead against his.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm so sorry," Josh whispered, "This is all my fault.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't say that," Donna insisted. "You couldn't possibly have known </div> <div> that Lily was </div> <div> crazy."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But I should have..." Josh started to say, but he was cut off by </div> <div> Donna's lips softly </div> <div> touching his.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're in the attic," Toby yelled as he heard the officers enter the </div> <div> house. Seconds later, </div> <div> the room was flooded with half a dozen members of the DCPD. They </div> <div> cuffed Lily and led </div> <div> her up the stairs to the attic.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby whipped out his cell phone and quickly dialed Leo's private </div> <div> number.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's happening?" Leo asked as he picked up on the first ring.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We got here in time," Toby said, the relief evident in his </div> <div> voice. "Donna is ok, Josh is </div> <div> with her now. The police have Lily in custody."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank God," Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How's the security guard?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He was conscious when the paramedics took him away. But the press </div> <div> got wind of an </div> <div> injury in the West Wing and this is all about to hit the fan."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be back there as soon as I can," Toby said. "I'll fill you in </div> <div> on all of the details then. </div> <div> Can you give Sam and CJ the news?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm on my way to do that now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, I'll be there soon," Toby said as he disconnected the phone </div> <div> and stuffed it back </div> <div> in his pocket.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you alright?" one of the officers asked as he approached Josh </div> <div> and Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think we're going to be just fine," Josh said with a soft smile, </div> <div> as he sat down next to </div> <div> Donna and placed an arm protectively around her waist.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you need to go to the hospital?" he asked, noticing Donna's </div> <div> ragged appearance.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," Josh said, "we need to get her to a doctor as soon as </div> <div> possible."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll call an ambulance," the officer replied, reaching for the radio </div> <div> hanging on his belt.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't want to ride in an ambulance, Josh," Donna said, her voice </div> <div> growing shaky. "It </div> <div> brings back too many bad memories. Please, can't we find another way?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked at her trembling lips and said, "It's no problem, </div> <div> sweetheart. We can go in my </div> <div> car."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," she said softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll give you an escort," the officer said. "Just let me know when </div> <div> you're ready to go."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Isn't that just adorable," Lily snarled from across the room. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Shut up!" Josh snapped, standing up to face her. "No one wants to </div> <div> hear anything you </div> <div> have to say."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't believe you're keeping up the charade, Josh."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh began to turn away from her, refusing to play whatever twisted </div> <div> game she had in </div> <div> mind.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The only thing she had ever had going for her was her looks. She </div> <div> isn't educated, she has </div> <div> no class, and she’s totally beneath you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I said SHUT UP!" Josh snarled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How long are you going to pretend you still care about her, just so </div> <div> people think you're a </div> <div> nice guy?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had heard all he could stand. He stalked across the room until </div> <div> he and Lily stood nose </div> <div> to nose. His hands were balled in fists at his side. He wanted </div> <div> nothing worse than to wrap </div> <div> them around her neck, but he resisted the urge.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You have no idea what you're talking about," he said, fury blazing </div> <div> in his eyes. "Donna </div> <div> is one of the smartest people I know, and she has more grace and </div> <div> class in her little finger </div> <div> than most people could ever dream of having."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily laughed derisively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And what I feel for her has nothing to do with how she looks," Josh </div> <div> continued. "It has to </div> <div> do with the fact that my life is empty without her, that she is the </div> <div> best part of my </div> <div> existence, that without her, I would only be surviving, not living."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're a fool," Lily snorted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh turned and walked back towards Donna. He knew that trying to </div> <div> have a rational </div> <div> conversation with Lily was an exercise in futility. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll get her one way or the other," Lily taunted, "This isn't over </div> <div> by a long shot."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh wheeled around and Toby saw the rage in his eyes. He took a few </div> <div> steps forward and </div> <div> placed a restraining hand on Josh's chest.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She isn't worth it," Toby said as calmly as possible.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're right," Josh agreed as he allowed Toby to guide him towards </div> <div> the opposite wall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "All I can say is, it's too bad those gunmen didn't have better aim," </div> <div> Lily yelled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby and Josh stared at her incredulously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What did you say?" Donna demanded, still sitting on the settee.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I said that those white supremacists should have killed him when </div> <div> they had the chance."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The rage that had been building inside of Donna since the night she </div> <div> was abducted in the </div> <div> parking lot began to boil over.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How dare you!" she cried, glaring at Lily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's true," Lily said smugly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As Donna clutched the settee in anger, her hand fell on the chain </div> <div> that had been fastened </div> <div> around her waist. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wish you had died on that sidewalk," Lily screamed at Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> In the blink of an eye, Donna grabbed the chain with her right hand </div> <div> and swung it as hard </div> <div> as she could. It flew through the air, and the padlock caught Lily </div> <div> square in the mouth. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Blood and pieces of tooth sprayed everywhere. Lily leaned forward, </div> <div> choking, and pulled </div> <div> against the handcuffs, which were keeping her from bringing a hand to </div> <div> her mouth.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> For a second, everyone stood frozen in shock. Then Josh and Toby </div> <div> rushed to Donna's </div> <div> side.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I couldn't let her say something like that," Donna said </div> <div> defiantly. "I don't care if she is </div> <div> crazy; I couldn't let her ever say something like that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's ok," Josh assured her as he place a kiss on her forehead.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Actually, I wish I had been the one to do it," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That bitch assaulted me," Lily screamed, as the blood continued to </div> <div> flow out of her </div> <div> mouth. "I'm going to sue. You're all my witnesses."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I didn't see a thing," Toby said flatly. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Me either," Josh agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How about you, Officer? What did you see?" Toby asked the officer </div> <div> standing nearest to </div> <div> him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As far as I can remember, Ms. Wharton's mouth was bleeding when we </div> <div> arrived. I have </div> <div> no idea how it happened."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All of the other officers nodded their heads in agreement.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Lily tried to say something else, but her words were muffled when one </div> <div> of the officers </div> <div> placed a towel over her mouth.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Simply trying to help stop the bleeding," he said with a wink.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I appreciate that," Toby smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> It took three policemen to force Lily down the stairs and out into </div> <div> the waiting police car. </div> <div> As soon as they had driven away, Josh turned to Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ready to head to the hospital?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I guess so," she sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going to catch a ride back to the White House with one of the </div> <div> officers," Toby said. </div> <div> "I want to fill everyone in on exactly what happened and help CJ </div> <div> prepare for the </div> <div> onslaught of questions from the press."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, Toby," Josh said, "I mean for everything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby held up his hand and waved off any further comments. Josh made a </div> <div> mental note to </div> <div> talk to him later, and tell him how grateful he was for everything </div> <div> that Toby had done to </div> <div> help get Donna back safely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh placed his arm around Donna and began to lead her towards the </div> <div> stairs. She stumbled </div> <div> slightly as they were halfway there.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok?" Josh asked worriedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I guess I'm just not used to walking," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh swept her up in his arms and began heading towards the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can't carry me all the way to the car," Donna protested.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I would carry you anywhere," Josh smiled as he started down the </div> <div> stairs. He didn't put </div> <div> Donna back on her feet until they were standing beside his car.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll put on my lights and lead you in," one of the officers yelled </div> <div> as he got into his </div> <div> cruiser.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Josh answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He opened his car door and helped Donna inside. As soon as she was </div> <div> comfortable, he </div> <div> reached over her and fastened her seat belt.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you," he said, placing a soft kiss on her lips.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too," she said breathlessly.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is there anything I can get you?" Josh asked, after the last of the </div> <div> doctors finally left the </div> <div> room, and he was alone with Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I'm fine," she said tiredly. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" he asked, sitting down on the bed beside her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I am now," she smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist and </div> <div> laid her head </div> <div> against his chest. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh sat quietly, savoring the soft sound of Donna's breathing and </div> <div> the feel of her body </div> <div> against his.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You should get some sleep," he whispered, reluctantly breaking the </div> <div> silence.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Uh-huh," Donna mumbled, never raising her head from his chest.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come on, lay down," Josh chuckled, "You need your rest."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you leaving?" Donna asked anxiously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No way," he said as he leaned back against the pillows, pulling her </div> <div> with him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm glad that CJ and Sam could get away for a few minutes to come </div> <div> over and visit. It </div> <div> was good to see them," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure they'll stay longer tomorrow," Josh assured her, "They've </div> <div> got a lot to do </div> <div> tonight trying to deal with...you know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," Donna said softly. "I wish Toby had come though. I wanted </div> <div> to tell him thank </div> <div> you for everything he did."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure he'll be by tomorrow," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I hope so," Donna said, as she snuggled in closer and wrapped her </div> <div> arm around Josh's </div> <div> waist.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?" she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hmmm?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can't be comfortable trying to sleep while you're dressed like </div> <div> that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna," Josh said with exaggerated shock, "are you trying to talk me </div> <div> out of my </div> <div> clothes?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh," Donna admonished as she blushed furiously, "I'm just saying..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know what you're saying," Josh smiled as he removed his shoes, his </div> <div> tie and his belt </div> <div> and placed them in a pile beside the bed. He then removed his wallet </div> <div> from his back </div> <div> pocket and placed it on the bedside table along with his watch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's better," Donna said as she once again snuggled against Josh's </div> <div> side, burying her </div> <div> head in his neck.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh smiled happily as he felt Donna's breath against his neck.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you," he said, planting a kiss on the top of her head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too," she sighed happily.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Knock, knock," CJ said, as she entered the room carrying a huge </div> <div> bouquet of roses and a </div> <div> dozen balloons.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was sitting on the bed, picking disinterestedly at her </div> <div> breakfast tray, while Josh sat </div> <div> in the chair beside the bed skimming the morning papers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi, CJ," Donna said cheerily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "These are from everyone," CJ said, as she sat the gifts on the </div> <div> bedside table. "The others </div> <div> wanted to come, but they're scrambling to try to convince our </div> <div> supporters that the tobacco </div> <div> initiative is still in good shape."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh," Donna said, turning to face him, "you should probably go to </div> <div> the office."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As a matter of fact," CJ said hesitantly, "Leo wanted me to tell you </div> <div> that he needs you to </div> <div> take a few meetings on the hill this morning. He wants you in his </div> <div> office in 45 minutes."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Can't Toby or Sam cover them?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They both have their hands full," CJ answered. "It has to be you. </div> <div> Leo said he needs that </div> <div> 'special touch' you have with certain members of Congress."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna snorted. "You better go, apparently there are a few arms that </div> <div> need twisting. I'll be </div> <div> fine."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Josh asked. "I don't like the idea of you being here </div> <div> alone."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll stay," CJ said. "I've cleared my schedule till the afternoon </div> <div> briefing, and I told Carol </div> <div> to call me here if anything important comes up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, CJ, I appreciate it," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He turned back towards Donna, then leaned in and gave her a soft kiss </div> <div> on the tip of her </div> <div> nose. "I'll be back as soon as I can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Take as much time as you need," Donna assured him. "I'll be fine."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too," she smiled, placing her hands on his cheeks and </div> <div> pulling him in for a </div> <div> kiss.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ahem," CJ said after a minute, clearing her throat dramatically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I get your point," Josh chuckled, as he pulled away and moved </div> <div> towards the door. "I'll be </div> <div> back as soon as I can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as he was out the door, CJ turned to Donna. "Now that he's </div> <div> gone, we have things </div> <div> to do."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What things?" Donna asked, confusion clear in her voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," CJ said with a mischievous grin, "I made a few calls, applied </div> <div> a little gentle </div> <div> pressure, and managed to get a dentist AND a hairdresser to come here </div> <div> this afternoon."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Donna asked excitedly. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," CJ said triumphantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But how..." Donna started, before her tears choked off her words.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ sat down beside her on the bed, and wrapped her arm gently around </div> <div> Donna's </div> <div> shoulders. "When I came by last night, I noticed how self-conscious </div> <div> you were about your </div> <div> injuries."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's just that..." Donna said, as she nervously tugged at the ragged </div> <div> edges of her hair.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look," CJ said emphatically, "none of us care what you look like, </div> <div> least of all Josh. But I </div> <div> know that that doesn't just magically make everything better, so I </div> <div> decided to get things </div> <div> fixed up for you as soon as possible."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," Donna said quietly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We members of the sisterhood have to stick together," CJ said. "The </div> <div> men just don't </div> <div> understand what it's like."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But how did you get them to agree to come to the hospital?" Donna </div> <div> asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You don't want to know," CJ laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Several minutes later, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," </div> <div> Donna called out. The </div> <div> door opened slowly, and a man wearing a white lab coat entered </div> <div> carrying an armload of </div> <div> equipment. He was followed by his assistant who was also loaded down </div> <div> with supplies.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Dr. Winters," CJ said, "thanks very much for coming."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, when I get a call from the President of the United States at </div> <div> 3:00 AM asking me for </div> <div> a personal favor, it's hard to say no."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna looked at CJ with a shocked expression on her face and CJ </div> <div> whispered, "I told you </div> <div> you didn't want to know."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ninety minutes later, Donna had been fitted with two temporary caps </div> <div> and the doctor had </div> <div> promised to have the permanent ones ready as soon as possible. As </div> <div> Donna checked out </div> <div> his handiwork in a small hand mirror, there was another knock on the </div> <div> door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come in," CJ called.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The door opened quickly and CJ's own hairstylist entered. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Jake, thanks for coming," CJ said sincerely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My pleasure, dear," the man said slyly. "The middle of the night </div> <div> phone call from the </div> <div> President wasn't really necessary. I would have come anyway."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I was working on a deadline," CJ said sheepishly, "I just decided to </div> <div> go with the big guns </div> <div> right out of the gate."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I noticed," Jake laughed as he crossed the room and stood next to </div> <div> Donna. "Well, let's </div> <div> get on to what I came here for. I see that psycho bitch I heard about </div> <div> on TV did a real job </div> <div> on your hair."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Donna smiled, amused by the way Jake described Lily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you think you can fix it?" CJ asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Jake looked at her as though he had never heard a more stupid </div> <div> question in his life. "Of </div> <div> course I can. Now lets make magic."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey," Josh said as he entered Toby's office and flopped down on the </div> <div> couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How did the meetings go?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine. They're all still on board. There won't be any problems," Josh </div> <div> assured him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's good to hear," Toby said, looking nervously at the papers on </div> <div> the desk in front of </div> <div> him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is something wrong?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, what makes you think that?" Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, maybe it's the fact that you haven't looked me in the eyes </div> <div> since I came in, and that </div> <div> you didn't come by the hospital last night to see Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wasn't sure she would want to see me," Toby said. "I wasn't sure </div> <div> you would either."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you talking about?" Josh asked incredulously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come on, Josh," Toby snapped. "I'm the one that brought Lily in on </div> <div> the tobacco project. </div> <div> I didn't vette her as well as I should have. She had an impeccable </div> <div> reputation in the field, </div> <div> and I just took her at face value. If I had done my job, none of this </div> <div> would have </div> <div> happened."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't beat yourself up over this, Toby. There was no way you could </div> <div> have seen it </div> <div> coming. You asked the questions you thought needed asked," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I should have asked more," Toby insisted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And I should have taken the whole situation much more seriously when </div> <div> the first package </div> <div> arrived," Josh countered. "So I guess there's plenty of guilt to go </div> <div> around."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Still..." Toby began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Still nothing," Josh said with finality in his voice. "this was a </div> <div> tragic accident. Thank </div> <div> heavens we managed to get to Donna in time. No one is to blame. In </div> <div> fact, I owe you a </div> <div> huge debt of gratitude."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How so?" Toby asked quizzically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If you hadn't figured things out when you did," Josh said as a dark </div> <div> shadow crossed his </div> <div> eyes, "there's no telling what might have happened. I didn't see the </div> <div> clue that Donna sent, </div> <div> but you did. You very likely saved her life, and there is never going </div> <div> to be enough I can do </div> <div> to thank you for that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No thanks are necessary," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If you have a little time this afternoon," Josh said, "I know that </div> <div> Donna would love to see </div> <div> you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Toby asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She asked about you this morning," Josh assured him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I have some free time now, maybe I'll run over to the hospital </div> <div> for a visit," Toby </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure Donna will be thrilled," Josh said. "I have to meet with </div> <div> Leo and brief him on </div> <div> this afternoon's meetings, then I'll be right over. Tell Donna I'll </div> <div> be there soon."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, I will," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "CJ, this is just wonderful. I can't thank you enough," Donna said as </div> <div> she looked at her </div> <div> new haircut in the bathroom mirror. It was still quite a shock seeing </div> <div> her hair short, but </div> <div> Jake had done a great job giving her a cut that she could live with </div> <div> while she waited for </div> <div> her hair to grow out.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was walking back towards the bed when the door opened, and Toby </div> <div> peeked his </div> <div> head in.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Toby!" she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi, Donna," he said quietly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna took a few steps forward and wrapped Toby in a tight hug. Toby </div> <div> stiffened at first, </div> <div> then loosened up and returned the hug warmly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I have to run," CJ said. "I've got a briefing in an hour. I'll </div> <div> stop by later."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks for everything, CJ," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My pleasure," CJ answered as she breezed out the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So," Toby said nervously, "you look great."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Donna said, "CJ arranged for a dentist and a hairdresser to </div> <div> come by today. </div> <div> Actually, I think she made the President call and ask them."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That sounds like her," Toby laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So is everything ok with the tobacco initiative?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, fine," Toby said. "Josh worked his magic over on the Hill this </div> <div> afternoon. He's </div> <div> filling Leo in on all the details, but he said to tell you he'll be </div> <div> here soon."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," Donna said. "Before he gets here, I wanted to thank you for </div> <div> everything you did </div> <div> during…you know…everything that went on."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You certainly don't owe me any thanks, Donna. I was the one who </div> <div> brought you and Josh </div> <div> into contact with Lily to begin with."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't blame yourself," Donna said soothingly, "she had us all </div> <div> fooled."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But…" Toby began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No buts," Donna said. "Josh told me that you were the one who </div> <div> figured out the clue in </div> <div> my note."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Gulliver---very clever," Toby smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was the best I could come up with under the circumstances," Donna </div> <div> grinned. "But the </div> <div> point is, you figured it out. Thanks to you, I'm here today."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was my pleasure," Toby smiled. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And," Donna said taking his hand in hers, "I wanted to thank you for </div> <div> looking out for </div> <div> Josh while I was…away."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, I didn't do anything special," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, you did," Donna said certainly. "I'm on to you Toby Ziegler. I </div> <div> know your secret."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What secret is that?" Toby asked curiously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That you are a sweet, caring man. And that you have a very big </div> <div> heart," Donna said </div> <div> softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, lets just keep that between you and me, ok?" Toby said. "I </div> <div> have a reputation to </div> <div> uphold."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's a deal," Donna said, as she wrapped him in a tight hug. This </div> <div> time, he returned the </div> <div> hug wholeheartedly. Donna was probably the only person who he would </div> <div> allow to get </div> <div> away with calling him sweet. There was something so pure and </div> <div> unspoiled about her spirit </div> <div> that it never failed to make Toby feel a renewal of his own.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Would you like me to come back later?" an amused voice asked from </div> <div> the doorway.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, Josh, now that you mention it…..," Toby joked as he pulled </div> <div> away and winked at </div> <div> Donna, who laughed out loud for the first time since the ordeal had </div> <div> begun.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very funny," Josh grumbled as he turned his attention to </div> <div> Donna. "Hey, you look great," </div> <div> he said. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," she answered cheerily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well as much as I'd love to stay here and listen to you gush at each </div> <div> other all day, I have </div> <div> to get back to the office and crack the whip so we can get a few </div> <div> things done. Donna, by </div> <div> the time you get back, I'm sure Ginger and Bonnie will be brimming </div> <div> over with stories </div> <div> about what a slave driver their boss is," Toby grumbled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure they will be," Donna smiled, "so I won't say anything to </div> <div> ruin your image."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I appreciate that," Toby said, smiling broadly as he moved towards </div> <div> the door. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> After Toby had gone, Josh and Donna lay curled up together on the </div> <div> bed, watching as </div> <div> CNN dissected the ins and outs of the administration's new tobacco </div> <div> policy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's going to be a hit," Donna said excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, it is," Josh agreed, placing his hand on Donna's cheek and </div> <div> turning her face towards </div> <div> his. He slowly ran his fingers through her new hairdo.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It'll grow back," Donna said shyly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I told you before, sweetheart," Josh said, "I don't care about your </div> <div> hair. I don't care about </div> <div> your looks at all. I only care about you. I love you no matter what."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna looked in to Josh's eyes and saw a depth of feeling that </div> <div> rendered her speechless. </div> <div> After a few moments, she regained her voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too, Josh," she whispered. "I'm just sorry that it took </div> <div> something like this to </div> <div> make me admit it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Me too," Josh said, "but you'll never have to worry about that </div> <div> again. I'm going to tell </div> <div> you how much I love you ten times a day, everyday, for the rest of </div> <div> our lives."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can live with that," Donna smiled as she leaned in and captured </div> <div> his lips in a deep, </div> <div> passionate kiss.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> E-Mail me: kuebsr@hotmail.com</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>