"Sam,"C.J. called quietly as she leaned against the wall,"What's our clock?"

Seaborn glanced at his watch then warily at the four-armed terrorists patrolling the room. "We've got just under an hour left before the deadline runs out."

The Press Secretary gestured toward the flashing police lights outside. "They obviously have the place surrounded. What are they waiting for?"

Sam motioned toward the terrified partygoers clustered around them. "Look around, C.J.. This place is full of Washington's upper crust. The cops don't want to make a rash move that will end in a fatality."

Josh Lyman couldn't stand it any longer. One way or the other he had to know if Donna was dead. No matter what the risk. He had made it half way to Donna's still form before Sam noticed he was gone.

"Damn it, Josh."Seaborn called in a loud whisper. "Get back here."

Lyman ignored him as he risked a glance at the gunmen. One was by the stairs, one by the front door and one by the far window, and one was with the leader in the main room behind them. None had noticed him yet. It was only when Josh reached Donna's side that he saw the large pool of blood emerging from her left side.

"Oh God."Josh whispered as he quickly reached for a pulse. He had to look away from the blood or he knew he'd faint. Josh nearly jumped out of his skin when his fingers found a pulse.

"Donna?"Josh called softly as he gently turned her onto her back risking a glance at the terrorists.

"She alive?"Sam asked with concern as he reached his friend's side.

"Yeah."Lyman replied relief clearly in his voice,"Help me carry her back. We need to get the bleeding under control."

******

"What do the press know?"Bartlet asked quietly.

Toby Zielger shook his head slightly. "Considering we found out about the attack from the Press I'd say they know more than we do."

Before Bartlet could reply his long time secretary stepped into the room.

"Sorry for the interruption, Sir."Mrs Landingham stated quietly as she stepped into the room, "But the Secretary of State is on the phone regarding the situation in Turkey."

"Tell him I'll call him back."Bartlet replied as he stood.

"He said it was urgent, Sir."Landingham replied as she stepped out of the office.

"It always is."The President muttered under his breath.

******

C.J. glanced at the guards warily as Sam and Josh quickly carried Donna's still form back to their spot near the wall. "Is she alive?"The red haired woman asked with concern as the two men gently laid Donna onto her back.

Sam nodded tightly. "Yeah, but barely. Looks like the bullet grazed her left side."

C.J. glanced at him in surprise. "When did you go to medical school?"

Sam shrugged. "That's what my parents wanted me to do so I took a few medical courses before switching to law."

Josh quickly took off his tuxedo jacket. He folded it up and pressed it firmly against Donna's wound.
"We've got to get her to a hospital."Josh stated in a tight voice barely keeping a reign on his emotions. He glanced down at his wadded up coat, his hands were covered in blood. He swallowed hard and looked away.

"I don't think these guys are going to let us just walk out of here."C.J. replied as she took off her red shawl and gently placed it over Donna not liking at all how pale the younger woman's face was.

Josh's eyes narrowed dangerously. "They will if they want a chance in hell of the President agreeing to their demands."

C.J. tried to grab Lyman's right arm as he stood but he shook her off. Sam quickly took his place continuing to apply pressure to Donna's wound.

"Josh!"C.J. called not caring who heard. She'd never seen that look on his face before and she wasn't sure what he was going to do.

The Deputy Chief of staff ignored his friend as he crossed the short space to the main room of the embassy. Three terrorists quickly blocked his path. Josh tried to move around them and was rewarded with the barrel of a gun smashing into his rib cage. Fiery pain swept through his mid-section causing him to instantly double over.

Sam instantly started to stand to go to his friend's aide but C.J.'s restraining hand stopped him.

"Sit down!"The terrorist on the right of the trio ordered as he raised his gun.

Despite the deadly circumstances Josh glared at the man as he straightened ignoring the pain. "You have no idea who I am, do you?! My name is Josh Lyman and I'm Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States."

Recognition flashed across the men's faces as Josh took a step forward. "Yeah that's right. So if your leader there wants any chance of getting what he wants he'll let me talk to him."

"Let him in."A voice commanded from the room beyond.

The trio of terrorists reluctantly parted allowing Josh entrance into the room.

C.J. exchanged an anxious glance with Sam. "Does he know what he's doing?"

"God,I hope so."Sam replied quietly as he glanced down at Donna's still form.

******

Mrs. Landingham returned to her desk and sat down. As she picked up a file she noticed a folded piece of paper that she was sure hadn't been there a few moments earlier.

Recognizing Danny Concanon's handwriting the blonde woman skimmed the information. Standing quickly she retraced her steps to the Oval Office.

********