The timeline for Zoey's kidnapping was all messed up on the show, making it tricky to write about it fluidly. She was kidnapped right after graduation, which was the end of May. She was gone for three days. Yet somehow, despite minor injuries (which would imply a brief hospitalization), she doesn't leave DC until July 4th. I assume that Abbey wouldn't have waited a month (until July) before deciding to take Zoey to New Hampshire, given how much she feared for Zoey's safety and how angry she was at Jed. So, for the purposes of this story, I'm going to pretend there wasn't such a huge gap between when Zoey was found and when she left for New Hampshire.

If there was some detail said on the show that I missed which explains the timeline, please message me J

This story covers when Abbey tells Jed she's taking Zoey to New Hampshire, then months later after the episode, "Abu El Banat." As always, reviews are appreciated!

June 2003

Abbey walked, determined, into the Oval Office and addressed Jed directly, foregoing a greeting. It was the first time they'd spoken in days. Abbey had spent every minute at the hospital with Zoey until their daughter was discharged. She had been giving Jed the silent treatment since she found out about Shareef's assassination. Her silence was slowly crushing him. Coping with Zoey's kidnapping and rescue was difficult enough, but now his wife was angry with him, and Jed felt all alone.

He barely had a chance to stand up before Abbey began. "I'm taking Zoey to New Hampshire. I don't want her here," she declared coldly. She turned to leave, as she didn't care to hear his response.

Jed knew better than to argue. "Abbey, wait. When do you leave?"

"As soon as possible," Abbey stated, turning on her heel and disappearing out the door and down the portico.

The president collapsed back down in his chair, vanquished, exhausted. The barely veiled meaning of Abbey's declaration was that she didn't want to be in the White House or around her husband, in addition to thinking that New Hampshire was safer for Zoey.

The irony was he needed her most at the exact time she was leaving. How the hell was he supposed to resume running the country after what had happened to their baby girl?

December 2003

Jed left an exhausted Gus with Liz and then headed back to his own bedroom. He was unsure how he'd find Abbey after their last encounter at the dinner table. They were on speaking terms now, mostly sticking to safe topics like the kids. It had been too painful, too awkward to delve right into a serious discussion. Jed realized he'd caught her off guard this evening asking if she'd be at his deathbed. He intended it as both a reminder that they had to stop clinging to the superficial conversations and as a genuine concern that she might leave again. He knew that they were not back to their old dynamic. Jed was so relieved to have Abbey back that he was afraid to broach the painful subjects, but they had to.

"Hey," he said quietly as he walked into the bedroom and saw Abbey sitting on the sofa. She was staring dejectedly out into nothing. She seemed so small, dwarfed by the upholstery.

"Hi," she said looking up at him sadly. He could feel the pain radiating from her when she spoke.

He came over and sat down next to her. There was no one else Jed loved talking to more, yet there was also no one else whom he avoided as carefully when the conversation was fraught. But it was time. "Can we talk?"

"Yeah." Abbey shifted uncomfortably. "I'll start. Jed, I was so mad and so hurt after Zoey's kidnapping. But, I never meant for you to think that I was bailing on us, that I wouldn't be there at …" her voice cracked. She couldn't bring herself to say the words 'your deathbed.'

Abbey took a weak breath, trying to regain her composure. "I never meant for you to think that I don't love you." She took his hand in hers. "I'm so sorry, Jed. I'm so sorry. I love you to pieces." Her eyes welled with tears. He took her in his arms, feeling her forgiveness, her love, as she wept against his chest.

"I love you with all my heart," he whispered into her hair. God how he'd missed her.

They broke apart gently, and Abbey continued, her voice shaky at first. "Jed, you have to be your own man again. Obviously, you have to communicate with me more. You have to tell me what you're feeling and thinking. And I'll give you advice. But, you were elected president. Not Leo. Your decisions need to be your own from now on. I know you had the final say on killing Shareef, but Leo pushed you into it. The only way you're going to face yourself is if you make your own decisions from now on."

Jed knew Abbey was right. "I'm going to need your help. I don't want to—I can't— do this without you."

She knew he meant both the presidency and his MS.

"I want us to be a team again. You left me all alone." Abbey paused, trying to contain her emotions. "It broke me, Jed. I didn't understand what I'd done."

Jed took her in his arms again. "Oh Abbey...I'll never forgive myself for hurting you."

She squeezed him tighter. "Just don't let me go."

"I won't. Ever."