Elizabeth sat on the couch in the Oval Office, just finishing a conversation with Russell and the President, when she said, "Mr. President, may I have a moment?"

Russell eyed her, not liking that she seemed to be the only member of his cabinet that could get in his ear without him around. "It's about a personal matter," she added and Russell's glace softened as he left the room.

"What is it, Bess? Conrad asked.

"Is anyone going to be at Camp David on President's Day weekend?"

"No, why?"

"I was wondering if perhaps I could borrow it for the weekend. Not to give you TMI or anything, but I could really use some private time with my husband."

Conrad looked at her and smiled, but didn't reply.

Frustrated with the silence as he pondered her question, she offered, "This can be the favor you owe me for going behind my back with Henry's NSA assignment."

He put a hand up. "Don't be silly. You are not calling in your favor. You can have the cabin for the weekend; hell, you can have it anytime you want. God knows my wife and I never use it. I'd rather it go to use to help keep someone's marriage happy in Washington. God knows mine hasn't been great in many years."

"Thank you, Conrad. But for the record, I'm not unhappy, I just want to do something nice for my husband," she defended, not 100% comfortable his last comment. "Also, I was wondering if maybe you would let me take Marine One, and let Henry drive it?" she added, making a squinting face, knowing her second request was a bit extreme but hoping he would agree.

He smirked at her facial expression, but agreed. "Fine. And make sure you get Russell your grocery list so your kitchen is stocked."

"Yes, sir," she said standing up to leave, but he pulled back on her hand.

"Bess, wait," he said, as she sat back down, crossing her legs. "I'm really sorry about what you thought I was insinuating earlier. As a friend, I want you to know I admire your marriage. I understand it's been a tough transition and you don't get as much time with your family as you used to. And again, I wanted to apologize if the NSA thing has put a rift between you and Henry."

"It caused a couple arguments, but its okay now that I have full transparency into the situation," she explained, not sure where the rest of the conversation was headed.

"What you and Henry have is real. I know you won't let Washington ruin it. And that part I mean as both as your friend and as the President. Your and Henry's happy public image bodes well for this administration, especially since the face Elaine and I put on for the camera is just a front. But people admire the two of you."

She looked at him perplexed, unsure of what to say, but he continued to speak. "Look, I'm just digging myself in a hole here. Let me rephrase: one, I'm glad I didn't cause too big a problem for you with the NSA thing; two, it takes a bad marriage to recognize a good one," he said, helping her to clarify. "So enjoy your weekend with your husband, but know that all the worrying you're doing right now is all in your head."

She nodded and left the room, glad she was able to get permission to use the cabin and helicopter for the weekend, but still very confused as to why Conrad was so interested in ensuring her marriage was not in peril. The conversation also forced her to question things she hadn't been questioning previously: was her marriage in trouble? She had not thought so an hour ago; she just thought she missed her husband, but now she was left wondering.

Upon returning to the State Department, she asked Fred to join her inside her office as he opened her car door. He nodded and followed her inside.

"Fred, I need your help with something," she said, giving him her 'I'm up to something' face, sitting at her desk as he sat in the chair in front of her.

"What's the request, ma'am?" he asked, noticing her facial expression. Last time she made that face, she had made him take her to her daughter's soccer game, despite his issues with the venue, and he wondered what she was going to ask for now.

"I got permission from POTUS to use Camp David next weekend. I want to surprise Henry and I need your help." She smiled.

Fred smiled back at her, glad at least her choice of venue was not questionable from a security standpoint. "What's your plan?"

"On Friday, Henry's classes end at 3pm. He usually stays till 5 or 6 to grade homework. I want you to like bust in his classroom and escort him out to the waiting car where I'll be waiting to surprise him. Make him think there is a real threat."

"Seems simple enough; that should be no problem."

"And I want to be picked up here at 2pm, so I can go home and pack for him without him knowing, and then we'll head over to Georgetown around 4."

"No problem, Madam Secretary. I'll coordinate this with Frank and Richard."

"Thank you, Fred," she said as he left her office.

Elizabeth picked up the phone and called Nadine to her office. A few moments later, Nadine knocked on her door before entering and sat in the same chair Fred occupied moments before. "You wanted to see me, Madam Secretary?"

"Yes. I wanted you to let everyone know that from 2pm next Friday through President's Day I will be unavailable. I'm surprising Henry with a weekend at Camp David and even POTUS has agreed to not disturb us. I trust that you can handle things if something does come up?"

"Absolutely. I'll make sure you have a quiet weekend."

"Thank you, Nadine. Don't forget this is a secret; no one better blab to Henry."

"Yes, ma'am."

After joining her children for dinner that night and spending time discussing their day, Henry had retired to bed and was continuing to work on his book.

Elizabeth told him she would be up soon, needing to discuss the weekend details with her children. "Hey kids, we need to have a quick talk." She called them over to the couch and they huddled around her waiting to hear what she had to say.

"As a surprise, I am planning to take your dad to Camp David next weekend."

"Wow, that's so cool. Can we come?" Jason asked.

"No, you dofus! It's Valentine's Day - mom and dad want to be alone." Ally said.

"Maybe we can take you another time. The President did say I could borrow it anytime I wanted," Elizabeth offered.

"Cool!" Jason exclaimed.

"Alright, so Stevie, are you going to be home next weekend?

"Yes."

"Okay then, Stevie will be here if you need anything. Remember, this is a surprise, so make sure you keep this a secret. And make sure he doesn't have any reason to come home early from work next Friday."

Her children nodded their understanding.

"That was it. Unless anyone wants to talk about anything else?" she asked, offering her kids some private "mom" time if they needed.

They all shook their heads and took turns giving her a hug and kiss goodnight before Elizabeth disappeared into her bedroom.

Elizabeth finally entered the bedroom, sliding into bed next to her husband. "What did you need the kids for?" he asked.

"Nothing." she shrugged, before adding, "Can't I spend a few minutes with my own kids before bed?"

Henry gave her a look, indicating that he didn't buy it.

She groaned pulling up the covers. "Henry, I think this spying thing has gone to your head. Stop overthinking things."

"Okay," he whispered, deciding to let it go as he gave her a goodnight kiss.