*Please note my mistake of addressing President Shiraz as the Iranian guard in the last chapter. I realized upon writing this chapter that President Shiraz did not meet with Elizabeth until later in the episode "Tamerlane"


She didn't press any further as she took the glass out. It made a little ping noise each time it hit the metal pan. Each time it did, I had to take in a deep breath. I wondered if the bomb had made some kind of similar noise before it had gone off and we missed it.

I thought back to my training again but couldn't recall anything useful. My mind felt a little clearer, yet so jumbled as I laid on my side and she sat behind me stitching me up. I was grateful she was enveloped in her work so I could have my thoughts to myself. Although something in the back of my mind told me that probably wasn't a good thing. Give yourself too much time and you begin overthinking every single thing in your life. Even things you hadn't thought about in years.

Like my parents. I found myself in these times when I was without my family when I was wounded and felt overwhelmed, that I could somehow talk to my mom again. It had been so many years since I had heard her voice and I wanted her to tell me everything would be okay. You'd think a grown woman would be able to do things on her own. The thing was if I didn't have Henry next to me, I thought about her.

"You can sit up now." Abilene snapped off her gloves, which brought me partially out of my thoughts. "A dressing has been placed over your stitches and I've placed a topical over your burn. You can leave your dressings on today, as long as they stay dry. However, you should be changing them at least every four hours to prevent infection."

"Every four to five hours. Got it." Making a mental note, I carefully sat up, swaying slightly at being upright. At least that's what I hoped it was. If it was something else, I didn't know if I could handle another thing going wrong at this time. "When do I need to get the stitches out?"

"If you continue to heal well, I would say in a week or two. I expect you to visit your primary physician when you make it home just to make sure everything is still going well." Pushing the stool back from the exam table, she quickly washed her hands in the sink and dried them off with a paper towel.. "I know you are a busy person, Secretary Mccord. I know you are eager to get back to your work and undoubtedly your family, but don't forget to take care of yourself."

I didn't respond verbally, suddenly feeling drained from everything that had happened lately. She crossed the room, pulling open a bigger cabinet and handed me a bag full of supplies she had put together and an olive-colored blanket.

"I'll check up on you in a few hours." She shot me a comforting smile before leaving the room and I heaved in a big sigh as soon as I was alone It took me a few minutes as I mustered the strength to walk back down the hall, but it felt like I was walking in slow motion. It was an odd sensation to have but with all my thoughts swirling around me, it was hard to concentrate on reality.

People were injured, displaced, marked with ash and soot. Here I was eager to go home when to many, this was their home. Iran was their reality. Oh, my head hurt just thinking about it that I had to sit down.

"Excuse me, Secretary Mccord.' Someone spoke up with a familiar voice as I continued to rub at my temples. When I opened my eyes, I saw President Shiraz standing there in front of me and I stood up to greet him.

"President Shiraz." I was more than relieved to see him. It was a little more comforting knowing there was another familiar face in this place. "I'm glad you're okay."

"I can say the same to you." He replied gently, motioning for me to take my seat and then pulled up another chair in front of me.

"Should I assume since you're here that the coup has failed?" I asked hopefully. Oh, I needed one good thing to come out of all of this. Those who died deserved to have justice for their bravery.

"Yes." He reassured me in his own way as he took his seat. "In part because of the information your government provided. If you hadn't come, we might have assumed the United States backed it."

"Minister Javani is dead " I struggled to find the words, still heavy in my own grief. I still couldn't believe it, even though I had thought about and said those words out loud many times in the past several hours.

"Yes." This times his words took on a dark tone. I was sure in some way, he too was grieving the fact someone could do such a thing to his country and to his people. "A tragic loss. Zahed was my friend. And partner."

By this point, I felt overwhelmed with emotions as he described the man I felt like had been a friend to me as well. Zahed never had to stop me in Turkey, but he did. He had given us valuable information after putting the thumb drive of Samilia Madhavi's laptop in my hand, which in return made me realize we had a good ally working with us.

"Mine, too." I returned, swallowing down some of the emotions I felt. I felt like desperately sobbing at everything I felt, and I would eventually do just that, but not until I was alone. "I'm sorry."

"He respected you." He revealed, which blew me away. If only there was more of that in the world where we respected each other, no matter where we were from. "I'm speaking on behalf of President Dalton when I say that I hope that our peace talks will move forward."

"I share this hope. But now, I fear there will be too many bodies to bury." I closed my eyes, trying to take in a few deep breaths knowing we may not be able to salvage our relationship from this point on. "I should get back and see what I can do. Please excuse me."