Jerry and Danny grabbed a quick lunch before returning to the apartment. Jerry removed two guns from the desk as he answered a call.  Hearing half the conversation only, Danny surmised it was John Marbury calling to report that he'd arrived in Washington and nothing was happening to suggest anyone was aware of any terrorist action.  Jerry confirmed this for Danny with a single word "Marbury" as he hung up the phone.

"I've got to look my best for our trip to the firing range," Jerry said disappearing into the bathroom.  After 20 minutes, Danny started to get perplexed. He knocked on the door, "Just how long can you work on your hair?"

"I'm ready, sweetie," Jerry emerged grinning.  He'd donned a small mustache, goatee, and black wig that included a small pony tail. "Bonjour, Monsieur. Permettez-moi de me présenter, Rene Ginola," he said with a nod.  "Do you speak French?"

"No."

"Oh well, if I speak to you in French at the range, just follow my lead and reply 'oui' or 'non.'  Like my disguise?"

"Nice."

"Firing ranges attract law enforcement types.  Better to be safe than sorry, just in case one of them has seen my face on an FBI fugitive list."  Jerry grabbed the two guns from the desk and two boxes of ammo. "Allons, Daniel."

------------------------

It was probably a blessing that CJ had to appear normal and everything had to be routine at the White House.  The necessity of having to put one foot in front of the other ensured she did just that. Her routine busy day prevented her from dwelling on the personal consequences of her infection--she was distracted, but not incapacitated.  When her mind did wander, it wandered to Danny.  It was good that she had no way to contact him; if she had known how to reach him, she wasn't sure she'd be able resist the desire to call him and gain reassurance that things were going according to plan, that there was still hope.

The buzz in the briefing room was at a low this morning.  CJ proceeded through her daily list swiftly. "The President will be working with Senators Hagel, Helms, Craig, and Roberts to address global climate change issues in the context of a national energy policy that protects the environment, consumers, and economy.  The precise language of the President's letter on the Kyoto Protocol and its relationship to the Administration's policies is included in your press packet."

The back row of reporters were looking around quietly.  Were they sniffing the air, or was CJ starting to feel paranoid?

"Next, the President has continued the national emergency with respect to Iran pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.  This is the second time that the emergency has been renewed since issued in March 1995."

They were definitely wondering about the odor!  CJ pressed on.

"Finally, I was going to release four new nominations to fill staff positions today.  Then, I thought to hold it, but since someone would leak it to you later today anyway, I figured we might as well get on with it.  Also, in your press packet, the nominations for Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Community Planning and Development, General Counsel at the Department of Defense, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice.  That is all for this morning.  See you this afternoon."

CJ rushed out the door before the couple of reporters that were trying to get to her could catch up with her.  Carol trailed behind her with a puzzled look on her face.  CJ normally took more time answering even the most inane questions from the lowliest White House reporter in the morning.  And then there was the bleach odor that a couple of folks had pointed out to her.

------------------------

In a non-descript Georgetown apartment, Ahmed awoke.  Momentarily, he was at a loss as to where he was.  The grandfather clock in the corner struck 10am.  He couldn't believe that he had missed the morning prayer.  Not since ... well, not since the last time that he had snuck into Tel Aviv to eliminate a traitor had he missed prayer!  Slowly, he arose ... overnight, partly from a long day of manual labor and partly from being sick, he had gotten even more sore.

He started coughing again.  Turning on CNN, he sat down at his desk and turned on his computer.  The final phase of his work in Washington had to be completed.  Then, he would leave.  Then, he could use the vial of antidote that was sitting in his refrigerator.

Clearing his mind, he started typing.  He needed to get a succinct message down on paper so that it could be distributed throughout the American news media.  Silly really, but a demand was expected under these circumstances. How American!  They were completely missing the point of terrorism.

------------------------

Josh and Donna were working in the Map Room to escape the permeating odor of bleach in the corridors.  The room was quiet, warm and inviting.

"Remember when CJ thought that the Egyptian goddess Bast had put a curse on her," Donna asked.

"Yes?"

"This is worse.  We have reached new lows.  We are driven from our offices; mind you -- we do have automatically flushing toilets, but we also have a new chapter in the President's legacy that features plumbing!  You are trying to rationalize terrorists, while my office smells like the laundry room at college.  And I have to type and distribute the meeting notes from yesterday on the computer that I can't sit at?" Josh just bent over the table and started to beat his head against it.

"Now, if you wanted to make today that imaginary anniversary that you made up a few months ago ... you could improve the odor in my office with flowers."

"Yes, Donna.  I could."  Josh was feeling a little shell-shocked.  Again.

"You're just saying that.  I'm going to my office.  I have to finish the meeting notes."

------------------------

Jerry thought Danny a quick study; he taught him how to load and fire two different guns. Danny wasn't naturally a great shot, but he wasn't half bad either.

When they were by themselves, Jerry felt comfortable to speak in English.  He removed his headphones.  "Feels good to get in some practice.  You did well."

"Jerry, do you like this life you've chosen?"

"Are you interviewing me?"

"The story's been sent.  Off the record."

"I'm not sure I ever actively chose it.  My dad did, really.  When we lived in Australia, we were poor.  I've literally lived in the back of a car.  My life of crime started because I stole candy and toys for my little brother to make him happy.  My dad wanted a better life for his family; and I guess he chose to go in with the devil, so to speak. I just followed in his footsteps."

"I suppose there's never a dull moment ... on the run from the authorities, always dealing with shady characters that live their lives on the other side of the law?  Danger, women, any extravagance that money can buy?"

"There are dull moments.  Sitting in a ratty hotel room watching Mike listen to Arabic conversations and the long, long periods of just listening to silence so he could sleep when they weren't talking was pretty dull.  And there are certain types of dull moments you have in an 'ordinary life' that I do miss.  Like doing the dishes after I've surprised my lady love with a champagne brunch."

"Lady love?"

"Yeah, I was in love once.  Part of the reason I wanted to be able to go back to the States, that and to work with Jax again. Although I hear my lady love has moved on.  I pretty much blew my chance with her.  Thought I could have her and live on the edge.  Problem was, I got a little careless and I got caught and I lost her."

"Sorry."  Danny said, feeling genuinely sorry for him.

"What about you?  Unmarried and no kids?  Haven't stumbled on the love of your life yet?"

"I don't know.  I think I have.  I had a different problem than you though.  She isn't available."

"Married?"

"To her job."

"You let that stop you?"

"It's important to her.  There's no good solution, either she gives up her job or I give up mine.  We would end up resenting each other.  I didn't consciously plan to wait for her.  But it's worked out that way.  I compare other women to her and they don't compare."

"Well, aren't we the pair?  I can help you though ... if you want to amuse yourself with brainless, but beautiful, women while you're waiting?  I can show you some tricks with women."

Danny laughed and played along. "I have no doubt.  Maybe when all of this is said and done."

"Perhaps we should pack up the guns. By the way, do you have experience with explosives?"

"Eh, no."

"Okay, we'll do that between dinner and the flight. A little Alaskan flambé for dessert." Jerry grinned, shaking his head at some unknown personal joke. Then in the next moment he was back to business. "How about surface-to-air missiles?"

"I'm drawing the line at surface-to-air missiles."

"That's okay, we don't have those anyway."

------------------------

CJ figured that she wasn't infectious ... yet ... even though her surroundings likely were.  Preparing for the worst, she slipped out for an hour after the briefing to go home. 

She packed a bag with some of her favorite comfortable clothes, toiletries, a few CDs, and some pictures of her family.  On her way out the door, she thought better of her choices and went back for some work attire. After all, she'd still need to do her job, no matter what happened.  On her way back she stopped at the pharmacy for some of the masks that people with allergies wear in the spring.  She didn't know if they would make a difference once she got sick, but she didn't want to infect anyone.  She headed into the pet shop next door for some food for Gail. If she was going to be stuck in the White House, she wanted to be as comfortable as she could be.

Flowers would be nice, she stopped at the flower shop on the next corner. Breathing deeply as she stepped into the humid air at the florist, she looked for something cheerful.

------------------------

It was a cold night in London. Jerry, as Baden Walker, Danny, two American doctors, one American veterinarian, and two British epidemiologists boarded a flight at Heathrow at just before 9:00 pm.  They would arrive at King Khaled International Airport at 6:30 am. The scientists were excited to apply their knowledge and their program to a real-world situation. Jerry was eager to see to his little brother. Danny was more than ready to be one step nearer to the antidote for CJ.

"Can you sleep on the plane?" Jerry enquired of Danny.

"Probably, unless you snore.  You don't snore, do you?"

"I'm told it depends on how much bourbon I've had."

"I'm going back to sit with Dr. Rainyer.  She's going to show me the Associate program."

"She's cute for a veterinarian."

"I've got work to do."

------------------------

Josh popped into CJ's office to find her reading.  "CJ, do all the bathrooms smell funny to you today?  Really, this entire floor of the White House."

"I think it's bleach.  Probably the plumbers cleaning up after themselves." She hardly smelled it anymore. Maybe she'd deadened the inside of her nose.

"Nice flowers! Is it your birthday again?"

"No, I just wanted something to brighten up the office."

Leaning over to smell the roses, Josh sniffed, "It's a pity, even these can't cover up the smell." Looking at CJ he added, "I'm not sure new toilets are worth it--this is not a pleasant work environment, particularly because Donna won't shut up about it.  Maybe I should get her some flowers!"

"What?"

"Nothing, what are you reading?"

She held up what appeared to be some sort of government report, Ethical Issues in Gene Therapy.

"Has that issue come up?"

"Some news report about a 'boy in a bubble' in France.  Realized I didn't know anything about the topic."

"Okay, but we need to work something up for the transportation bill later. I need a break from this smell. I'm going out for sushi at Mara Lin's ... want me to bring you something?"

CJ realized she hadn't eaten today. She wondered if her lack of appetite was worry for Danny or the first sign she was getting sick. "No, nothing for me, thanks Josh."

------------------------

Danny returned to his seat next to Jerry with the Associate CD.  Mission accomplished.  He slipped it into Jerry's bag. 

Jerry opened one eye only.  "Thanks mate.  Get some sleep."

Danny put his seat back, grabbed a pillow and closed his eyes.  What he really wanted to do was call CJ -- to see how she was holding up. But he couldn't do that now.  He remembered the last time he was on a plane with her.  He'd gotten her but good, pretending he wouldn't give Sam's draft of the speech back, just to annoy her and to make her pay some attention to him.  He remembered how she looked in the baseball cap.  She hated wearing it, with good reason. She was far too elegant a woman to wear a baseball cap.  It didn't suit her.  He drifted off to sleep picturing her leaning over the airline seat in front of him.

TBC