Henry looked at her stunned.

There was silence for what felt like forever before he spoke. "I don't know what to say."

Elizabeth nodded, "There is nothing you can say."

Henry looked at her and stuttered as he tried to form words, "Elizabeth, I- I knew something had happened, I just wasn't sure what. But I never imagined something like this." He looked at her tear stained face and his eyes fell to the jagged scar on her arm. "Is that why you-"

Her eyes dropped to her arm, "Yes, but I wasn't trying to die. I just wanted to get transferred to a unit for suicidal people. To get away from him."

"Elizabeth you almost died, you shouldn't have had to do that. You almost died and I didn't even know why."

Elizabeth's blue eyes where covered in tears. "I didn't know what else to do. I lost myself in there."

They both nodded and sat in silence for a few minutes.

Elizabeth looked at him finally, "I want to work on our relationship. Because I am so lonely here without you, we've always been on the same page, but ever since we got out of prison things have been so quiet. I feel so lonely. I know we are supposed to be dating or whatever Dr. Andrews said but now that you know what happened for real I am worried you won't want to. But Henry I need you. You and the kids are the only reason I didn't end it for real." She let out a sob that startled Hope. "Please don't leave me."

Henry looked startled, "Elizabeth I would never!" He moved closer to her, "Can I hold your hand?"

She held out her hand, "Yes."

Henry held it, "I adore you. I would do anything to protect you. And I know I haven't said it since we got back but I love you. I have and always will love you. I could never leave you. But I do agree that we need to work on our relationship. We can take things slow. I won't touch you without permission but I do want to touch you and talk to you. So let's date. Let's really date. Let's go get ice-cream right now. I promise to have you home by curfew."

Elizabeth smiled and reached out to kiss his cheek. "Can Hope come?"

Henry smiled, "Of course!" He stood up and offered his hand to her to help her stand.

~Madam Secretary~

Two weeks had passed and Henry and Elizabeth had grown closer Elizabeth was no longer warry about his proximity to her. They had dated nearly every night if scrabble counted. But Elizabeth was clearly board. She had read every book in their library and had taken to the cook books in the kitchen. Henry's solution was simple. And they were being delivered while he and Elizabeth where at therapy. As they pulled down the driveway after a quick lunch in town Henry was trying to hide his glee.

"What did you do?" Elizabeth asked looking at him.

"Nothing. Well not nothing its defiantly something."

Elizabeth giggled, "What did you do? Are the kids here or something?"

His eyes glittered with excitement, "No. We do have house guests though."

"Who? Will?"

"Want to go see?" Henry asked as he stopped the car.

She rolled her eyes, "Is that even a question?" She started towards the house.

"Real quick let's take a walk. Give our guests a chance to settle in."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "OK. You are acting weird. You planning to botch another marriage proposal or something?"

Henry laughed as they neared the barn, "No no sorry to disappoint." He opened the barn door. "So your house guests are actually in here." As if on cue a black mare stuck her head over the stall door.

Elizabeth looked at him in surprise, "Seriously?"

Henry nodded, "This one here is Buttercup's niece." He thought about how confusing horse lineage was, "Kinda" he added. "And the bay one over here, well I just liked her and the seller said he was, bomb proof, which apparently is a good thing for awful riders like me."

Elizabeth deserted his side to great the horses. "Are they ours?"

Henry smiled, "Yes! I could see how board you are and to be honest once I fix the washer I am going to need something to do to so I thought we could enjoy these wonderful animals and perhaps you can finally teach me to be a good rider."

Elizabeth laughed, "We can try. But I don't think that's possible." She turned back to the horse, "Hi. How are you."

Henry's heart felt warm as she turned around to look at him with a smile that light up the dingy old barn.

And then she surprised Henry by rushing towards him and wrapping him in a hug. "I love you." She whispered.

Henry hadn't realized how much he had been missing those words. But when he heard them he suddenly felt broken and started to cry. Mabey things would be alright now.

Getting close to the end! ust a few more chapters to go! Thanks for the revews!