A/N: A very irate and inconsiderate individual without my permission a few months ago finished this story. It was rude yes and this person went in ways that in my opinion didn't make sense, but then this person wasn't me. That person's "story" has since been removed. I have now decided to finish it and as I said in a pervious A/N it's much different than I could ever have imagined. Also, be advised that my normal Beta is busy at the moment. I'm doing this myself. All mistakes are mine. Enjoy.

Chapter 4: The Value of a Proportional Response

The senior staff walked solemnly into Leo's office. "Toby handed Leo a folder. "Statement is done. We have to get to the networks. How's CJ holding up?"

"Not well." Leo said putting the folder on his desk. "Margaret you, Ginger, Carol and Donna can come in." The assistants entered as Leo leaned up against his desk. "Alright, people, there is no easy way to break this. Early today a bomb was detonated outside of our embassy in Jordan. Two Americans were Killed and an undetermined number were wounded. One of the causalities was Danny.

An audible gasp could be heard around the room.

Josh snapped back to the present first. "CJ?" Leo?"

Leo held up his hand. "CJ is grieving Josh, at the moment she is resting in the residence as a guest of Mrs. Bartlet."

"Poor CJ." Donna said. Margaret was clearly crying."

"I need you all to focus. Sam I'm temporarily putting you in charge of the Press Corp."

"Leo, Sam has to write, I'll take care of it." Josh said as he stood up.

Leo deadpanned. "CJ has enough to worry about Josh, you're not going in front of the press for this. Sam can handle it."

"Sam, have the press called back in we need the networks to give us thirty minutes." Sam stood up and nodded toward Carol. The two exited the room quietly still in shock. "Toby has written the statement and…"

Charlie appeared at the door.

"What's up Charlie?" Leo asked looking over at the young man.

"He'd like to see the senior staff."

Leo nodded and the senior staff walked through Leo's office door and into the Oval Office.

"Mr. President?"

"Please sit down." Bartlet joined the staff, who sat on the chair and sofas in the Oval Office. "I just got off the phone with the Israeli Prime Minister. Danny's remains have been found and are being transported home for burial. They will arrive at Dover tomorrow night."

The Senior Staff all remained quiet. "I'll let CJ know." Leo stood up and went over to the desk to make the call.

The President turned to his friend,"Leo, I called Abbey and told her. She called the doctor to see CJ and he gave her something to relax."

"Yes, Sir." Leo put the handset back into the cradle and leaned against the back on the sofa.

"Toby, this statement is strong but after talking to the Prime Minister we have some minor changes to make."

"Yes, sir." Toby stood up and joined the President and began discussing the statement.

Bartlet looked up at everyone in the room. "I know this is difficult for all of us, especially CJ, Sam make her proud in there."

"Yes, Mr. President…I intend to."

"Okay, people we all have work to do." The staff stood up and all left the Oval except for Leo. Toby hange back as well and was the last to leave with new notes to fix the statement."

"What's on your mind Leo." Jed Bartlet turned to his oldest friend and sat in the chair next to the sofa.

"CJ, world security, the United States taking it's foreign policy lead from Israel, any number of things really Sir. Jed… this is dangerous."

"I spoke with State and NSA. Nancy and Fitz agree."

"I'm sorry sir I wasn't aware that…forget it…"

"We're all a little busy with different things. Abbey tells me CJ is going home with you tonight."

"I offered. She shouldn't be alone."

Jed Bartlet approached his friend and put a hand on his shoulder. "You're a good person Leo McGarry. " Jed returned to his desk. "Listen after the network address, you should come upstairs and we can talk about how we're going to get her to Dover."

"Yes, sir. You've have to sit room in fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Leo." Jed sat down and put on his glasses he opened the folder and began to read the revised statement. "Leo, is it enough."

"It has to be. It's a proportional response."

"I seem to remember talking to you about this when Morris Tollerver was killed. Someday someone is going to have to explain to me the value of a proportional response." Bartlet threw his glasses across the desk. "We are talking about Danny. He was a member of the press, but he's also one of our own."

"They all are Mr. President."

"Not like this."

"Yes, Sir." Leo said as he walked back into his office from the Oval.

----

"Kathy!" Sam poked his head out of his office in the communications bullpen. "I need two minutes with the President."

"I'll call over."

"Sam." Carol walked into his office. "The Senior Correspondents are in the Press Room per your request." Sam took a visible breath and blew it out. "Thank you, Carol." Sam replied with a somber tone."

Sam walked out of his office and toward the Press Room. "Sam, the President is with the NSC. Leo has just stepped out of the meeting and has two mintues."

"Thanks Carol. I'll swing by and tell Leo and Charlie on my way to the room."

---

"Leo, the statement is finished."

"Good Toby." Leo said taking a copy of the statement from him. " I have to get back in the here." Leo said as he pointed the door connecting his office with the Oval. "I give this to him."

Sam flew by the door and stopped. "Networks didn't give us a problem Leo and I'm on my way to break the news to the senior correspondents."

"Gently Sam, break it Gently." Leo said as he put his hand on the doorknob.

"Will do Leo."

---

Abbey ran as fast as she could toward the screaming the came from CJ's bedroom. The Secret Service opened the door, but at this point knew exactly what the problem was.

Abbey walked quickly to the bedside and shook CJ awake, the same way she used to wake Liz, Ellie and Zoey from their nightmares.

"CJ, CJ …CJ!" She woke with a start and fell right into Abbey open arms and sobbed. "Shhhh CJ breath. Take a deep breath."

"I….wish…it was….just …a …dream." CJ said as she once again continued to cry and gasp for breath.

"I know CJ, I know." Abbey held and rocked her as she continued to cry.

CJ wiped her eyes after a few minutes and looked at Abbey. "It wasn't a dream was it Ma'am?" Abbey heart broke for the young woman in front of her. "He's dead…He's really dead." Abbey watched as new tears appeared in CJ eyes.

"I'm so sorry CJ." Abbey said as she held her again, this time holding back her own tears.

---

"Ladies and Gentlemen thank you from coming back on short notice. As you no doubt are aware there has been a terrorist attack in Jordan. "What is not common knowledge is that there were a number of people who lost their lives as a result. I've asked you here before the regular Press to let you know that one of the American causality is Washington Post Editor Danny Cancannon."

"Oh my…"

"Is CJ…"

"At the moment CJ is resting comfortably as a guest of the President and Mrs. Bartlet. As a friend I would ask that you respect her wishes for space in her time of grief."

"Sam can you tell us anything about the attack."

"I'll be more then happy to answer those questions in front of the full press corp. I will have more updated information then."

"Are there plans for a memorial service for Danny?

"We will be making plans, but at the moment we are concerned with the security of the nation and respecting the personal space of his family and loved ones. As information becomes available I will pass it along to you.

"Thank you, Sam."

"I'll see you all in the room in few minutes."

---

The Oval Office was bustling with activity to prepare for the address but it became a solemn place as the Jed Bartlet, President of the United States spoke. "….This act has not gone unnoticed…we've lost a great many innocent Americans and their lives will not be lost in vain. The prayers of the nation are with the families of those lost and injuried. … We will find the people responsible and there will be justice…

The address was blur for CJ. She insisted on watching it with Abbey. She could see the President's lips moving and she could hear the words but they didn't make sense. Nothing made sense anymore. Danny was gone…forever ….he wasn't coming back.