Chapter 10

"I'm trying to, sir. We have moved the First Lady and her assistant to the most secure place in Portland which is the City Emergency Operations Center. The hotel at which she was supposed to speak at partially collapsed as she arrived and her agents quickly took other actions to secure her."

Both men listening to Ron's report were overwhelmed. "How many died there, Ron?"

"We lost five agents and the civilian casualty numbers at that one location will be high."

Jed sat down. "I'm sorry about the agents, Ron. Give me their names and I'll call their families."

"Thank you, sir. Now about Mrs. Bartlet. We can't get her out until the airport reopens. She's secure, but a little upset." Ron glanced toward the desk, which had one flashing light on the display. "Mr. President, we have a satellite telephone hook-up if you would like to speak with Mrs. Bartlet."

Jed followed his gaze and saw the blinking light for himself. He ran to the phone and grabbed the phone piece. "Abbey? Abbey, are you there?"

"Yeah. I can't be anywhere else can I?"

Jed gave a sigh of relief. "Babe, are you okay?"

"I'm fine but there are people here that need my help and they won't let me go. I'm a doctor and I can help. It's got to be bad outside. And I need to help."

"Abbey, listen to me. Ron and his agents know what's best for you. Just stay there and stay safe. Do you hear me?"

"But Jed..."

Jed turned his back to the other two men in the room. "Abbey, please follow your agents' directions. All they want to do is to keep you safe until the airport reopens. I'll keep in touch. Do you hear me?"

By this time Leo had turned on the televisions located on the side wall of the Oval Office. The major networks were just now getting overhead shots of the destruction of the earthquake. The city of Portland had sustained major damage. The sun was beginning to set and fires were being seen all over the city. It would be daylight before any initial help could arrive.

"Abbey, please listen to me. I want you home safely. Okay? I'll come as soon as I can."

Jed paused, waiting for a response. The next sound he heard surprised him. Soft crying carried its way across the phone lines. "Oh baby. Don't cry. You're safe and I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I know, Jed. But I also know I should be helping. I should be doing my job."

Jed's heart broke. He knew Abbey wanted desperately to offer her surgical skills to the victims but circumstances just wouldn't allow her. And it was breaking her heart. And his.

"You are doing your job just by being there. I love you, Abbey. Just stay safe. Promise me you'll stay safe."

Again a pause, waiting for a word from her. Finally, Jed spoke again. "Abbey, hon, I can't hear you nodding your head. You have to say something."

"Sorry, Jed. I'll stay here. But I won't like it. You get here as soon as you can, okay?"

"Okay. I love you, Abbey."

"I love you too, Jed. Now go be the President. You do it so well."

"That's my girl. Bye."

"Bye."

Jed hung up the phone and sat down hard in his desk chair. He whispered again, "I love you Abbey. Don't do anything foolish."