"I can't breathe! I can't breathe!"

"Everyone needs to calm down!"

Abby rolled her eyes at the small man attempting to take charge of an increasingly escalating situation. Excusing herself from her current patient, she stood, quickly crossing the crowded room.

"Ma'am if you do not calm down, I'll be forced—"

Abby stepped in front of the screaming reporter, addressing the hyperventilating woman, "Grab my hand." Her arm immediately shot out, wrapping around Abby in a vice-grip. She knelt closer to the woman, keeping her voice calm and soothing, "You're doing great. Everything's ok and we're just going to count to ten, alright? Think you can do that with me?"

The woman nodded fast, her eyes sliding shut, her face growing pale.

"10, 9, 8, 7…"

By the time she reached one, the woman's breathing, while still shallow, showed signs of improvement.

"You're doing great. Can you tell me your name?"

"Mary. Mary Torres."

"Well, Mary, my name is Abby and it's nice to meet you."

She scoffed, swallowing roughly. "I'm not usually like this."

"Wasted breath, love. On a day like today, I think we're all entitled to a little hand holding."

"Abby! Abby Wilson!"

Billy stood at the front of the cargo hold, waving frantically.

"I'll be right back, ok?"

Mary smiled weakly, "Thank you."

Abby nodded, glaring at the small man as she passed. By the time she reached the door, Billy already climbed half-way up the stairs to the passenger cabin.

Following him, she called, "What's going on?"

"She needs you!"

Three years ago, as her mother lay doubled over on her bedroom floor, coughing up blood, her father yelled the same words.

Abby's foot missed the stair and she cried out as her shin collided with metal. "Fraking gods!"

Pulling herself up, Abby ran up the stairs two at a time, passing Billy and entering the small room. Laura stood calmly in the center of the cabin, leading an active discussion with the small group huddled around her. Abby let out a shaky breath, dropping her head in relief and quietly muttering a string of obscenities towards her aunt's well-meaning assistant.

Laura appeared before her, her eyes furrowed in concern, "Are you alright, dear?"

Abby nodded quickly, placing her hands on her hips, "What do you need?"

She licked her lips, carefully removing her glasses, before responding softly, "I'm about to take the oath of the presidency."

Abby leaned her head back, smirking, "What?"

"We just received confirmation."

Abby's face fell, "You're serious?"

Laura nodded, the movement small and tight.

Her heart thudding in her ears, Abby's vision blurred around the edges as she stared at her aunt, attempting to make sense of the last few hours.

"I want you there beside me."

Nodding slowly, she answered, "Of course, Madam President."

Her aunt snorted, shaking her head. Placing a hand on her elbow, she addressed one of the men in the room, "Abby, this is Captain Apollo. Captain, this is my niece, Abby Wilson."

Still trying to shake the chill, Abby shivered, shaking the pilot's hand distractedly, "Nice to meet you, sir."

"The pleasure's mine. Are you feeling alright?"

Abby's gaze shot up before she answered hesitantly, "Yes?"

He pointed at her stomach, "There's blood on your dress."

Abby looked down at the stain on her navy blue dress as Laura chuckled beside her. "Just like your mother; can't sit still to save your life, much less a dress." Abby rolled her eyes, as Laura addressed the Captain, "Abby's a nurse. She's been aiding some of the injured we've taken aboard."

Abby glanced around the room, taking in the surreal scene before her. Reporters and witnesses alike packed tightly around Laura as she slowly and deliberately repeated the priest's words.

A sudden wave of nausea rolled over her. Keeping her face blank, she reached out, grabbing the Captain's forearm beside her. Lee tilted his head towards her, but Abby stared ahead at the cameras, her heart racing. Resuming his alert stance, Lee subtly shifted, his hand finding hers and grasping it tightly. Abby let out a measured breath, feeling the sweat fall down her back.

And with a murmur in the crowd and a flash of a camera, it was over as quickly as it began. Abby let go of the Captain's hand as Laura turned to her with a shaky smile. Her hand on her back, she ushered her aunt back into the passenger cabin, silently wondering what was yet to come.