She gets out of Harborview Medical Center on Wednesday.

For nearly six weeks Layla was in intensive care - she couldn't even roll over in bed - but now after three weeks of physical and occupational therapy, she's out of bed, building her strength and learning to walk again.

"She's my hero," says Layla's dad, Brad Bush. "I asked the question if I could be this strong and come through like she has."

Every step is a challenge for Layla. She's still carrying a bullet in her back - lodged in her spine. Doctors say it's safer to leave it.

"It made me realize life is short. We have to live every moment for what it is," she said.

Layla, the Jewish Federations receptionist, was first to encounter the gunman. She says Naveed Haq ranted about U.S. support to Israel and demanded she get her boss. Layla did just as he said, but the gunman shot her anyway.

"Mostly what was running through my mind was keeping myself alive and fear that my co-workers were killed," said Layla.

Minutes later, the gunman came back and shot Layla again - this time in her shoulder. The bullet hit an inch from her heart.

"It was like wow...I made it through," says Layla. She watched as the gunman shot her manager, Carol Goldman. "I was convinced Carol was dead," she said.

"It just seems so surreal," said Carol Goldman. She was reaching for the phone to call 911 when it happened. "I saw him aim the gun and shoot at me," she said. "I didn't realize I'd been shot."

Carol's quadricep was ripped apart and her elbow grazed.

Both woman will make a full recovery.

Their focus now is on the future, not the past.

As for the gunman's future, they say getting the death penalty would be getting off too easy.

Layla goes home Wednesday, but faces about nine months of therapy before she can walk on her own. She said the first thing she'll do when she gets home is cook - specifically, a grilled cheese sandwich with pickles.

The accused gunman, Naveed Haq, is charged with murder and other crimes.

Three other women were shot. Christina Rexroad and Dayna Klein survived.

The Federation's fundraiser, Pam Waechter was shot and killed.