"Hey," Danny said knocking on C.J.'s door awhile later, "I heard a rumor you were in today." When she looked up from what she was reading, he felt his heart drop noticing the large bruise on her face. He had also visited the Oval Office today at The President's request.

"I'm here, but not really." She told him, standing and circling around her desk.

"Well, I'm not here as a reporter."

"I figured since you're the only reporter who knows my side of the story already."

"It'll stay that way unless you tell it."

She seemed to relax at this, "Thanks."

"How are you?"

She sighed, leaning back against her desk, "People keep asking me that today and I don't seem to be coming up with anything."

"You don't have to."

"Everyone seems to think I should talk to someone."

"Zoey is." Danny told her.

"How do you know that?"

"I caught Toby after the briefing and he told me that Zoey Bartlet wasn't going to give a statement except that she wants people to respect her privacy, at least until she's spoken with a someone about her ordeal. I was left to guess he meant a professional."

C.J. sighed, "The President offered, but talking to some stranger-" She cut off her own statement, "That just doesn't appeal to me."

"I can understand that." Danny offered, taking a step toward her, "We don't have to talk about, but I guess I thought since I was there, you wouldn't have to." He backpedaled, "What I'm saying is that I can be here and you won't have to talk directly about what happened for me to understand."

"Women in Qumar go through worse every day." C.J. pointed out.

"They could probably benefit from talking to someone too." Danny pointed out, "And just because some have been through more doesn't mean you ought to close off and pretend it's no big deal."

"What do you want me to say? I feel all the things I should feel." She told him, heatedly, "Helpless, nervous, scared, offended. I also feel lucky, fortunate, and like I have a second chance."

"Okay." Danny said, somewhat speechless.

"I just need some time." She sighed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you." Danny offered, sincerely.

C.J. nodded and after a pause that allowed the tension to escape the room, she said, "The President is going to mention you in his statement."

"I know." He waited for her to say it, but when she clearly wasn't going to, "He's going to mention you too."

"Your paper circulation will triple overnight." She decided to change the subject from her back to him again, "Everyone will want to read an article written by Zoey Bartlet's savior."

"I'm not Zoey Bartlet's savior, you were. And, the paper will probably sell better as a perk, but that's not why I did it." He said, pointedly.

The air in the room seemed to thicken and silence hung heavy in the atmosphere.

"I think the only way to stop feeling helpless and scared is to embrace the fact that you were far from helpless despite being scared." Danny pointed out, "Few people would have had the guts to do what you did."

C.J. swallowed, mulling over Danny's words, "What about you?"

"I've embraced my bravery and wear it with pride." He said with a smirk.

"I want to ask you why you put yourself in that situation last night, but I think I'm afraid of the answer."

"I won't give it unless you want it." Danny offered.

"I don't. At least, not yet." She said instantly, unsure if it was even the answer she wanted to give.

"Okay." Danny said, casually, "I'll see you later." He walked out.