C.J. glanced to her left where there was a small office just off the main entrance of the embassy. The door was open and perched on a small coffee table was a television apparently linked to a close circuit network similar to what the White House had.

The press secretary blinked in surprise as the image on the screen suddenly shifted and Danny Concanon's familiar face appeared.

C.J. elbowed Sam in the ribcage to gain his attention. "Look."She whispered gesturing toward the office.

Sam's eyes widened as he recognized Danny. "We see it how do we get them to notice it?"

"Notice what?"Josh whispered.

However one of the other party guests took the problem out of their hands. The balding man in his early fifties stood gaining the head terrorist's attention.

"Did I say you could stand?!"The terrorist barked stalking toward the frightened man.

The man however stood his ground and motioned toward the office. "That guy's a White House reporter....you might want to turn the volume up and hear what he's saying."

The terrorist glanced at the television before roughly shoving the man into a sitting position. He turned and walked toward one of his men. "Go turn it up."

"This could be a trick."The younger man replied glancing warily at the trio of White House employees.

The leader grabbed him by the collar and propelled him toward the office. "Don't you think I know that?! Do what I say!"

The younger terrorist regained his footing and quickly entered the office. He picked up the TV and brought it into the room as far as the cord would allow. As he set it down on the floor he cranked the volume almost all the way up.

/.......to recap this historic moment.....just moments ago President Josiah Bartlet and the Secretary of the United Nations struck a deal that will free the hostages trapped in the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington. Details of the deal have not yet been released.....stay tuned for more details on this breaking story. This is Danny Concanon reporting for channel three..../

A terrorist holding a young woman whirled her around so they were facing his boss. "That means nothing! There is no car, no helicopter....."

"The President keeps his word."Josh stated quietly drawing the men's attention. "If he says it'll happen it'll happen."

The head terrorist chuckled. "Since when do American politicians keep their word?"

"This one does."C.J. interjected wondering what Bartlet had up his sleeve.

Before the head of Black Moon could reply they all heard the sound of a helicopter approaching.

One of the terrorists closest to the window looked out and saw a green helicopter landing in a large parking lot a few buildings down.

********

Detective Mark Newman stared at the Assistant Director of the FBI as if she'd suddenly grown four heads. "Bartlet wants us to do what?"

"Leave."Valerie Gibson replied as she tucked a stray piece of blonde hair behind her left ear.

Newman shook his head in amazement. "We've got over fifty hostages including half of his senior staff under the gun and he wants us to leave?!"

Gibson nodded. "Yes, and you have less than ten minutes to do so."

******

"Is the fact that the cops are leaving a good or bad sign?"Josh whispered as he stared incredulously out the window

"I'm hoping it's a good thing."C.J. replied quietly as she drew her knees to her chest. She knew how terrified Danny was of speaking in front of a camera and she was pretty sure that the President knew that as well. So it was a safe bet that Bartlet's back was up against the wall. C.J. shuddered, if the President's plan didn't work she didn't want to think of how much innocent blood would be shed.

"Now that's more like it."The head terrorist commented with a wide smile. He turned away from the entrance and strode toward the back wall where C.J. sat.

"I've always admired a woman in red."The leader stated as he reached forward and snagged CJ by the wrist yanking her to her feet.

Josh rose to his feet. "You got what you want. You have a safe passage, you don't need her."

The leader's eyes narrowed sharply. "You have been nothing but trouble......"He began as he aimed his gun at Lyman's head.

Josh stiffened and Sam slowly rose to his feet searching for a way to help his friends.

C.J. placed a hand on the barrel of the gun gaining the man's attention. "I'll go with you willingly if you promise not to hurt them."

"C.J......"Sam warned as he took a step forward.

For a long moment the head terrorist remained silent his weapon still trained on Josh. Sam wasn't even sure he had heard CJ's offer.

Finally the man lowered his weapon and turned on his heel dragging C.J. toward the door.
The leader paused in the doorway keeping a tight grip on C.J. despite her offer. He turned to face the group of party guests. "If anybody tries to follow us this woman won't be the only dead body lying on the street."

The young woman who had been held by the terrorist earlier cried out as the man roughly shoved her. She stumbled, lost her balance and fell hard to the floor near the small television.

The terrorists turned as a group and left the embassy with their single hostage.

Josh instantly started toward the door but Sam held him back.

"I want to help her too."Sam replied quietly. "But we have to trust Bartlet."

Lyman whirled to face his friend. "I don't think them taking C.J. was part of his plan."

*********

Outside the embassy the members of Black Moon quickly made their way toward the helicopter. None of them noticed the lone member of the National Guard perched on the Embassy roof, rifle poised.

*********