So, the final few chapters have surprised even me. I expected this story to go one way, and it organically just seemed to flow in a direction i wasn't expecting AT ALL. i'll give you a bit more insight with the next chapter. Thank you for all the reviews, they make my day! And it made me realize things might not being occurring as you expected either! Let me know your thoughts! Enjoy!

Elizabeth peeked through the curtains of the kitchen window, frowning when she saw an unmarked vehicle pull behind the motorcade. Her grimace intensified when she saw two marine corps officers exiting the car and approaching the front door.

"Madam Secretary." They both greeted her politely as she opened the door, wrapping her cashmere cardigan tighter around her body.

"Come in, come in!" She opened the door wider, allowing them to step into the foyer. She offered them a cup of coffee before noticing the somber looks upon both faces. "No? No coffee?" she laughed nervously before bracing herself. What business could two young officers have in her Georgetown home?

"Ma'am, we've been sent to notify you of the death of Captain Henry McCord."

She stiffened in confusion, crossing her arms across her chest. "No," she shook her head. "He was honorably discharged years ago. You must be mistaken."

The two men glanced knowingly at each other before one pulled a slip of paper from his pocket. "He was traveling to Russia. Is this correct?" She bit her lip, nodding with narrowed eyes. "It seems his plane went down over the Baltic Sea, Ma'am."

What? Why? How? Thousands of questions ran through her mind, her head suddenly feeling foggy. "What?" she was finally able to rasp.

It was as if her word had shifted the conversation, they immediately relaxed their bodies and leaned against the wall. "Yeah, I guess Juliet and her cronies were really pissed off that you survived. She knew you weren't going to be traveling anytime soon, but she knew she could get to Henry. It wasn't ideal, because he does not hold the position of power that you do, but she was tired of inaction."

Elizabeth immediately shot up, her eyes meeting the blackness of the darkened bedroom. She gasped feeling her heart race as her stomach turned. Quickly she jumped from the comfort of the bed, making her way into the bathroom with little time to spare as she emptied her stomach, body retching as she gripped the corner of the counter tightly.

After rinsing her mouth, she placed a hand tightly over her lips. It was just a dream. It was just a dream. It was just a dream. She repeated the statement to herself until she wandered back into the bedroom, eyes focusing on her husband's sleeping form. She swiftly bundled herself under the covers and curled herself into his warm embrace, fighting the tears she knew were bound to come.

She couldn't take it anymore. These dreams, these nightmares, though inconvenient, were tolerable in sparsity, had become unbearable when occurring every time she closed her eyes. If it wasn't Henry, it was her children, if it wasn't her children it was an old, reoccurring nightmare detailing the death of her parents.

She gripped the puffed fabric of the duvet and wrapped it around her hands, pulling it to her chin. She fought against the exhaustion that had consumed her entire body, knowing she would certainly see the appearance of another horrific nightmare.


Henry awoke to the piercing ring of his alarm clock filling the peaceful silence left by the night. He hurried to turn it off before running a hand over his face, letting his eyes fall closed for "just a few more minutes."

He opened them reluctantly, turning his head to search for Elizabeth. When his temple hit the pillow he was met with the sight of his wife, muscles tense while she frantically fluttered her closing eyelids. He moved his head to her pillow running a hand across her forehead and through her hair.

"Babe, did you sleep at all?" She groaned in response, forcing her heavy eyelids open.

He pulled her into his arms, running his hand over her back. He felt her pound his chest, trying to escape his hold. 'No…work…" her eyes rolled back as she spoke drowsily, only giving Henry more pressure to continue.

"Baby," He held her tighter, knowing the exhaustion would surely get the best of her. "Baby, you need to sleep."

"No!" She tried to shout, yet it was delivered as a whimper.

He moved an arm under her body, placing a hand on her back as the fingers of his other hand ran slowly up and down the ridges of her spine. He had never understood the significance, but long ago he had discovered on of the only actions that could calm a hysterical Elizabeth was holding her close and running a touch down her spine.

In a matter of moments his wife's pounding against his chest had ceased, she clung to the neck of the sweatshirt she was wearing, and for the first time in hours, she had allowed her eyes to close. He was certain that she had fallen asleep within a matter of very few steadied breaths.

He didn't dare move, not in fears she would awaken. He was certain her exhaustion would keep her asleep. No, he was afraid to move fearing a lost embrace would flood her mind with continuous nightmares. It wasn't the most logical thought he had ever had, but he continued his fingers running atop her spine, holding her tightly. He needed to protect her.

"It's going to be alright, baby." He whispered softly against her cheek. "We're going to get you out of here."


When Elizabeth made it into the office, she was surprised when the elevator doors opened and she was only greeted by her chief of staff.

"Good morning, Nadine." It was a rarity, but one she would be more than happy to welcome.

"Good morning, ma'am."

Nadine briefed her on the schedule for the day, various meetings with foreign ministers and ambassadors before settling on a point she knew her boss would want to hear. "You have about an hour free after lunch, so do with it what you will."

Elizabeth smiled kindly before retreating to her office and preparing herself for the day. Sure, the schedule reading didn't sound too bad, but she knew things were always bound to become more complicated when meeting after meeting ensued.


She continued texting Henry throughout the day, feeling the knot in her stomach tighten as lunch drew nearer.

I don't want to let him down again.

Babe, we've already talked about this and made a decision. Don't back out because you are afraid of disappointing your boss again.

She sighed heavily after reading Henry's response. She and Henry had discussed their plans intensely. They held countless family meetings, and the children had weighed in on their thoughts of another move.

She was aware of each family member's opinion, and she felt fairly confident in the decision she, her husband, and her children had come to, yet a temporary feeling of safety within the white house, and the disappointed eyes of Conrad were enough to change her mind, she feared.

Wish me luck. Xo

She sent a final text to Henry as she impatiently awaiting the ending of the president's 12:30 meeting. When the door opened and Russell popped his head out into the hallway, she let out a deep sigh before smoothing her skirt and holding her head high as she walked into the oval office.