Elizabeth could only remember bits and pieces from her journey home. On the flight out of Iran she felt numb. Her trauma was too recent, she was unable to fully process what was happening. The most clear parts of the journey were in Landstuhl. The team stopped to regroup and receive medical treatment in Germany.
Elizabeth felt like she was in a daze. She had been lead into a private hospital room and given a hospital gown. She simply could not bring herself to put it on. Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall. The walls were on off white color. Every dull. The concentrated on the paint, anything was better than allowing her mind to roam.
The knock at the door took Elizabeth's attention away from the blank wall.
A young doctor walked into the room. She had long brown hair tied back into a ponytail. She could have not been more than thirty- five. The doctors dark brown eyes were trained on the secretary.
"Hello Madam Secretary, I'm Dr. Benman," she spoke kindly in an American accent. This detail was not lost on Elizabeth. Her CIA training always gave her comfort. She liked to be able to read situations and people. She had been expecting a German doctor, so she took note of the detail wondering if it was planned.
"Call me Elizabeth," she said returning the smile the doctor offered.
"Elizabeth, are you aware of any other injuries besides the contusion on your back?" Dr. Benman asked softly.
"No," Elizabeth answer avoiding eye contact.
"I'm sorry I have to ask you this, but Elizabeth.." she took a slight pause, "were you sexually assaulted?"
Elizabeth knew they would ask. She knew this was going to happen but the question still shocked her.
She took a deep breath and said, just above a whisper, "Yes."
"Did this assault include vaginal penetration?" she continued.
Elizabeth took a deep breath but didn't reply. She looked up back at the spot on the wall she was staring at before, to get her courage back up to answer the question. Answering the question made this nightmare real. She would have to accept that this was not something she would wake up from.
"Elizabeth, I know this is difficult but I need you to answer. I need to know. This will impact your treatment," the doctor explained.
Elizabeth knew this, she tried to prepare herself for the questions before they arrived at the hospital.
"Yes," she whispered.
The doctor stitched up her back, preformed a pelvic exam, and administered the proper medications. She never mentioned that Elizabeth did not changed into the gown. Before leaving, she was given a new outfit from her suitcase. Blake had given the staff a turtle neck and pants. She was happy to be wearing clean cloths.
…
Finally, the secretary was home. Safe in the United States, at her own door step. Elizabeth was relieved to finally be home. She came into the door and was first greeted by Henry. She walked in and instantly fell into his arms. His arms always made her feel safe. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her husband. She instantly felt warm and loved. The feel and smell of her husband gave her great comfort.
Henry instinctively wrapped his arms around his wife returning the embrace. She instantly tensed up. Elizabeth's feelings of security quickly vanished. His arms around her were too much, it felt like he was strangling her. Quickly, the secretary pulled away. Henry looked back at her confused but before he had time to ask about her reaction their kids arrived excited to see their mother.