WENSDAY MORNING

The phone call had been successful. The conversation had ended with a soft click and a promise to speak again. Now the phone was ringing at 4:00 am in her apartment near the White House. CJ glanced at the Caller ID screen: POTUS. Struggling to force cheer into her voice, she answered the phone with a groggy hello

"Good Morning Sir. What Can I do for you?" she asked in polite tones

"Something terrible has happened. We need you here right away."

"Yes sir, right away." she intoned anxiously.
The conversation ended abruptly as CJ slammed down the phone and scrambled to get dressed.

Later That Day: Situation Room

Someone was saying: "Sir a C 131 carrying some members of the press corps was shot down in Teheran, the capital city of Iran. A Syrian terrorist group, by the name of Freedom Fighters is claiming responsibility for the attack

Bartlett asked, "How many dead?"

"At least 50 sir and counting."

Bartlett sighed "All right, options?"

"Operation Arabian Nights is ready to go on your order."

"Two B-1 Bombers would deploy out of Andrews. The projected target is a federal building that controls intelligence. Possible Causalities is 50 at most."

"When do I give the order?" intoned the president solemnly.

"Whenever you're ready sir."

"Go get the press boys."

When CJ first heard the news about the plane, she was shocked. In an earlier conversation with Danny, CJ remembered him mentioning that he was going to Iran to cover the new president's election for the Post. She screamed as she realized that he was on the plane that had been shot down.

CJ let out a soft sob. He had promised her a first date when he returned but now it looked as though they would never get that chance.

She ran to the office and sat in her chair, no longer able to restrain her emotions. There was nothing she could do now except pray: "Dear God I never asked you for anything...But I'm asking you now. Please watch over Danny and keep him safe. Allow me to love him and keep him forever. Allow me to experience love for the first time."

CJ beat her fist on the desktop and screamed "Why me?"