Backstory- Abbey and Jed have been arguing since last night's State of the Union about him running again. Jed comes in to say goodbye while Abbey's packing for a trip. He tells her about the ambush in Columbia. Abbey asks Jed if he wants her to stay rather than go on her trip, but he says no. Then, Jed insists he hasn't decided to run again. Abbey gets mad and reminds him that they made a deal he'd only run for one term due to his MS. Abbey has to leave before they've resolved the issue. Jed asks Abbey to call him when she lands.

Chapter 1

"Hey. How was your flight?"

"Good. We made good time."

"I went to Dover to meet the bodies. In a little bit, I'm going to have to call their families."

"I'm sorry you have to go through this alone."

"I wish I'd been brave enough to ask you to stay. I hate that you know me better than I know myself."

"I'll be home soon." She added, "I marvel at how you can keep going when stuff like this happens. It takes a special kind of man to carry the weight of the world but stay optimistic."

"Or a masochist."

"Ha. True."

"Abbey, I want to run again. I feel like there's only so much I can do in four years. Think of what I could accomplish in eight. I know there will be more horrific stuff like this, but I genuinely believe I can do a lot of good to counteract that."

"Honey, it's not that I have any doubt in your ability to govern. You know that."

"Yeah. But like I said before I've had one attack in two years."

"That doesn't change what could happen."

"But why plan my life around what could happen?"

"Because I want as much time with you as possible! Jed, when I think about losing you, my heart rips open. It's our life, not just yours."

"I know."

"Think if it were reversed. What if I had MS? Wouldn't you feel the same way I do right now?"

"Abbey, if I lost you, I'd die. But I wouldn't want to keep you from your dreams."

"Jed, you minimize the seriousness of your disease. I'm so scared that because of the stress of being president, you'll deteriorate more quickly."

"I don't want you to think that I don't realize that. But I have a vision. And it seems like a waste not to use my talents to help people, to make better this country that I love."

"At the cost of living a long life with me?"

"I don't think they're mutually exclusive. And besides, I know that if you had a degenerative disease you'd end up resenting me if I tried to keep you from your work as a doctor."

Abbey sighed and was silent for a moment. "You're right," she said at last.

"We can keep talking about it. We don't have to make the decision one way or the other right now."

"Yeah." She already knew he wasn't going to change his mind.

"Listen, Charlie's telling me he has the first DEA agent's wife on the phone."

"I'll pray for them and for you."

"Thanks."

"I love you with all my heart, Jed."

"I love you to the moon and back, Abbey. Sweet dreams."

~The End~