"But do you really think, because we have an extra ten reporters that
this is really necessary?" Bartlet asked.

Leo looked at Ron for a moment. He wasn't sure if this explanation would
satisfy the President or not. Toby saved Leo from having to say anything
when he broke the silence.

"Sir, it's just a precaution. You can never be too careful."

CJ followed Toby's lead and added, "Sir, let them do what they think is
best. The Press Corp is quit a bit bigger than it usually is. Not to
mention that Abbey and Annie are coming as well."

"You can never be too careful, Mr. President," Sam added.

The President looked over to his Chief of Staff. "Leo, what do you
think?"

"I think that they are all correct Mr. President. Let 'em do what they
want."

"Okay." Bartlet responded as Abbey and Annie arrived and they all
prepared to leave for the Rose Garden.

Annie went over and put an arm around her Grandfather. "You ready?" she
asked.

"Yes, I think I am sweetie."

"Jed," came Abbey's voice. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yeah, I'm sure," he said as he came up to her with Annie behind him.

"Annie would you please wait outside with everyone. I need to talk to
your grandfather alone for a minute." Everyone started to exit. Leo
lagged behind he had known Abbey for thirty-five years and he knew her
well enough to know when she wanted to be alone.

"Annie come on honey, let your grandparents alone." Leo guided her out
the door and they joined the rest of the staff, including Josh who had
just arrived and waited for the President.

~*~*~*~

"Jed, I'm really not sure about this." Abbey said as she sat down with
him on the couch.

"I know but you went to Leo…"

"How did you know I went to Leo?"

"Because you always go to Leo when you're worried about me. Listen to me
for a second, I love you nothing will ever change that." Jed took
Abbey's hand and pulled her closer, kissed her ever so lightly on the
lips, and looked into her eyes. "You know I wouldn't be doing this if
the service thought it was to dangerous."

"Yeah I know but, I still have a funny feeling about this, maybe the
dream has just stuck with me. I don't know." They got up and kissed again
before walking out of the Oval Office to meet Annie and the rest of the
staff.

~*~*~*~

CJ approached the President and staff after making a last minute check
to make sure everything was ready. "Sir," CJ said as she came up to the
President. "The press is ready and the Senators are seated and waiting."

"Thank you CJ." The President said as the Secret Service surrounded The
First Family and Senior Staff. CJ dropped back next to Leo. "Are you
sure you have enough agents?" She asked looking around at the endless
sea of black jackets that surrounded them.

As Hail to the Chief began to play Leo turned to CJ and said. "You can
never have enough." She looked at him for a moment and then nodded in
agreement.

Josh, Sam, Toby, and Leo took their seats. Abbey was seated between Leo
and Jed. She leaned of and whispered into Leo's ear "Are you sure about
this?"

"Abbey there are twenty-four well trained agents surrounding your
husband and another twenty some odd agents in the crowd. It'll be fine."
He answered as CJ approached the podium.

"Good Afternoon, before we begin the ceremony I would like to introduce
our guests for this afternoon: Senators John Moore and Franklin Woods."
The Senators stood and were acknowledged. CJ continued. "Also joining us
this afternoon is Ms. Annie Mae Bartlet, the President and First Lady's
granddaughter. Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The President of
the United States, Josiah Bartlet."

As the President approached the podium, CJ backed away and stood next to
Annie. Before the President began to speak a scream was heard from the
crowd. Everyone looked into the crowd and saw a young woman come towards
the President with a gun pointed right at him.

The President, his family and staff were in such shock none of them
could move. The Secret Service approached the President but were not
close enough to grab him before they heard first shots.

The President fell on the ground right next to Abbey. She knelt down to
try and control the bleeding. "Jed!" She screamed. "Josiah!!" He didn't
respond and there was too much blood. He was shot in the chest and it
was too much for one person to handle.

Annie sat in shock looking down at her bleeding grandfather. CJ and Leo
ran to help. CJ quickly took Annie in her arms and shielded her from the
sight. "CJ!" Someone yelled. CJ held Annie tightly as she ran for the
door. "CJ!" Danny yelled again as he came up behind her. "Danny, give me
some help with her. She is in shock and I can't carrier her any
further." Danny grabbed Annie out of CJ arms and they all ran for the
door that Donna was holding open.

Donna yelled one question over the commotion when all three were safely
inside, "Where the Hell is the Secret Service?"

"I don't know but Leo is still trying to get Mrs. Bartlet inside and the
President is hurt really bad! CJ replied holding a crying Annie in her
arms.

"Should I go call someone?" Donna asked.

"Yeah we'll probably need an ambulance."

"Okay." Donna said as she ran down the hall.

~*~*~*~*