Here for you
Chap 3
She walked slowly, taking one step at a time. Henry had a hand pressed against her lower back, supporting her as they ventured through the hospital. She couldn't help but notice the pairs of curious eyes that followed her form as she passed by in the hallways. The unwanted attention made her head spin and her stomach flip. She twisted her wedding bands around her finger, nervously. She kept her head down and her eyes focused on the off white tile flooring, simply wanting to get to the car without any interruptions.
And finally when she thought her aching legs couldn't take anymore, the three SUVs came into view. She sighed and inhaled a breath of fresh air after stepping through the automatic opening doors. To her avail, just as her DS agents had promised, no press were in sight. That was truly a blessing. She and Henry were quickly escorted into the backseat of the car.
Once the heavy door was shut, her head feel back against the headrest with a thud. Henry eyed her, obviously worried. Elizabeth pulled at the collar of the uncomfortably tight blouse, hoping to loosen the fabric. The emergency outfit kept in her motorcade was not what she would prefer to be wearing at this very moment. "You okay?" Henry asked. He didn't expect her to be 'okay' after what had happened at the press conference. She glanced at him for the briefest of seconds before facing forwards again. "Yeah." She muttered, as the SUV pulled away from the curb. She focused her attention on the two men in the front seat.
"Does the FBI have any leads?" She pondered, asking the question she's been anxious to ask. But she knew the discussion should be away from prying eyes and curious ears. "Yes ma'am. The shooter's name was Peter Huffman." Matt answered. 'Was.' She thought. 'He said was. Did that mean he was dead?' She played in her mind. She couldn't imagine he would make it out of the situation any other way. "We believe the guy was working alone, going for suicide by cop." Matt went on. "He's dead?" She asked. "Yes, Madam Secretary." He told her.
"Are the kids still at The White House, Matt?" Henry questioned. "No. Agents are taking them home, and that's where we're heading now. You'll have a heavier security presence for a day or two, but your residence is secured." He informed him. Henry nodded his head. He looked to his right, stealing another glance at his wife. Her face was scrunched. Her eyebrows were furrowed together. She appeared to be conflicted.
She couldn't help but feel like she was forgetting something. Or rather someone. Her heart sped up, and that's when it dawned on her. "Is there any word on Jay?" She spit out quickly. "He was hit in the leg ma'am. He underwent surgery to remove the bullet. I'm not sure if the procedure has concluded, but the last time I checked Jay was doing great. He's expected to make a full recovery." The agent announced. Elizabeth placed a hand over her rapidly beating heart, and let out a sigh of relief. "Was there any other injuries… or even causalities?" Henry spoke. Bess stiffened at his words. 'Yes, our child.' Her mind screamed, but she couldn't let the words slip from her mouth. "No sir, nothing serious." Matt said.
She was grateful when the car came to a stop outside of their house. She couldn't bear one more minute in the suffocating, constricting SUV. After the door was opened for her, it was like she could breathe again.
Henry walked ahead while Matt and Frank trailed closely behind her. She took another step forward before flipping around. Frank nearly barreled into her, not expecting her quick motion. "You keep me updated on Jay." Elizabeth commanded. Her eyes flickered from Matt's to Frank's. "Yes ma'am." Frank responded. She was on her heel to turn back towards the house when a low voiced 'ma'am' sounded from behind. Henry was on the porch watching their exchange. Their eyes briefly met before she spun around to face Matt.
His hand slowly rose from his coat pocket, revealing two small bottles. Her gaze traveled from his hand to his face, silently questioning him. "The doctor thought it would be best…" He trailed off. "One's antibiotics and the other's your old prescription." Matt whispered. 'Prozac.' She thought. God she hated what the medication did to her. She had unwilling taken a pill after a rather harsh panic attack following the events of Iran. But gee did it work. She was out of it for hours on end. Her attention fell back on Matt, and she reluctantly accepted the pills, slipping the bottles into her jacket pocket. "Not a word about what happened to anyone… including my husband." She declared sternly. "Of course Madam Secretary." He replied.
Henry watched on as she walked up the pathway. He was staring at her funny. His glare was unusual, seeming as if all of his emotions were showing on his face. "What was that about?" Her husband pressed her as she stepped onto the porch. She shook her head, and brushed him off. "Just asking about the rest of my staff." She lied, as she opened the front door.
Three sets of eyes shot up towards the doorway. The children had been waiting anxiously in the foyer for the return of their parents. Stevie rose from her spot on the staircase, while Ally ran towards her mother. "Mom." The middle child called out, tears streaming down her cheeks. Elizabeth hushed her, taking her daughter into her arms. "I was so scared." Ally admitted. "I know. I'm okay." She comforted the crying child, running a soothing hand along her back.
Ally moved on to give her father a hug, while Stevie embraced their mom. Looking over her eldest daughter's shoulder, Elizabeth noticed Jason hanging back by the staircase. "Get over here Jace." She called. Her son moved forwards, and Bess wrapped her arms around her youngest, and kissed the top his head.
"Are you okay, mom?" Stevie asked what all the McCord kids were wondering. "I'm fine." She told them and gave a small smile. "Did they get the guy?" Ally asked. She was still latched onto her father. Allison was the family's worrier, always thinking about the worst. "Yes. He's no longer a threat." Bess answered. "Why'd he do it?" Jason asked bluntly. Elizabeth inhaled sharply and then slightly shrugged. "I don't have all the details, but it appears the man wasn't in a good place." She explained, honestly. The boy nodded.
After a moment of silence, Henry said, "Alright let's give mom some space. Why don't you make her some tea or something small to eat." The thought of eating something made her stomach turn. "Do you need anything?" He asked once the children had disappeared. "I just need to sit." She declared, before walking towards the couch. He didn't follow her, instead joining his kids in the kitchen, deciding to let her be for a bit.
Her head was hurting. She felt dizzy. She was nauseous and tired. Her stomach ached, and so did her heart. She thought about taking one of the pills Matt had given her, but quickly decided against the idea. She wanted to be present, well as present as she could manage, with her family. "Can I sit?" She nearly jumped, surprised by his 'sudden' appearance. Her legs were already tucked under her body, but she scooted to the right, making more room for her husband on the couch. He took her action as a yes, and sat down next to her. He motioned to the cup of tea on the table, silently asking if she wanted it, but she shook her head no.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He filled the silence, staring at the side of her face. She didn't answer, simply stared ahead. "I don't even know what happened." She whispered. "It all happened so fast." She went on. Henry reached out and grabbed her hand. She closed her eyes harshly at the action, but she didn't pull away. "I didn't hear it at first. Only heard the people screaming. That's when I felt the first bullet whizz by and hit Jay. And then I froze." She admitted, finally turning her head to meet his gaze. "I was in the CIA for god's sake… and I froze. It was like I forgot everything I had learned to do." She said, angry at herself for what she did… or didn't do. "Babe, you were in shock." He pointed out. She shook her head, and pulled her hand away, out of Henry's grasp.
If only she had moved faster, talked faster. She went off script. The speech could have been over. Was the shooting the reason she had lost the baby? Or was it the stress of the job? Her age? Which of the things that she had done wrong was the reason her baby was gone? This was her fault. If only she hadn't of been working so late these past few weeks. If only she had been eating better. She had a few glasses of wine the other night. Could that have done it?
"I… I'm hurting them." She mumbled, but Henry didn't know who she was referring to. "No one was severely hurt." He reminded her. "This time." She countered. "Next it could be Daisy, Matt, Blake, me… you, god forbid the kids." She cried, thinking about the numerous times he and the kids had come to hear her talk. "We have protection. DS does a great job. And they did exactly what they were supposed to today." Henry tried to reassure her. "I'm putting the kids in danger." She fought. "You're not." He argued. She turned to him, teary eyed, and said, "But I am."
AN: I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I just finished exams and I graduate next Tuesday, so there should be more over the summer! But being honest I am struggling a bit with this story. This chapter is kind of just a filler, and I'm not that happy with it. But I am amazed with all the reviews from you all!