Rod hadn't gone back to the Residence that day. Under different circumstances, he probably would have ended up in a bar, getting drunk to forget everything that had happened, and to forget everything that should have happened.
But because things were as they were, he had to resort to roaming the White House grounds for hours on end, driving his Secret Service Agents almost mad with his restlessness.
He couldn't go back. He couldn't go back and look his wife in the eye, only to see that he had failed her. There was so little he could do for her these days, and now he had even failed at that.

But hours later, long after the sun had set, he realised that running away was not an option. He was already so very guilty as it was, and if he ran, his guilt would only increase tenfold. There were tough times ahead, and even though he had not been there for her when it had started, he was determined not to leave her side until it ended.

She still needed him. He had seen it. Her eyes had begged him to stay with her.
He would not run away again. This time, he would be there for her.
This time, he would hold her hand, no matter what.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

She was in the shower when he came home. For a moment, uncomfortable memories of their first fight resurfaced. She had shut herself into the bathroom that night. He could only imagine how she must have felt.

But tonight was going to be different.

When she came out of the bathroom and spotted him sitting on the bed, her face hardened.
He stood up and came towards her, his eyes never leaving hers'. He owed her an apology. Not only for running away like a goddamn coward, but for everything. He remembered what he had said earlier. 'What is your mind-blowing excuse, the reason that I should fall to my knees in front of you and ask you for forgiveness for every harsh word I ever said to you?' He was sure she remembered it as well.

He didn't know how else to begin, and so he did drop to his knees. It was one of the things you did when words failed you.

But she didn't seem to understand his silent plea for forgiveness, probably didn't want to understand. She simply walked past him.

Very well. He didn't deserve anything better. If she wanted him to beg, he would do it.

"Mac …"

No response.

"Mac, I – I'm sorry."

She finally looked at him. And he wished she wouldn't. Her face was nothing but anger, hurt and disappointment.

"Sorry? For what, Rod?"

"For everything. For believing Keaton's stupid story. For not being there for you. For not protecting you."

"Protecting me?"

God, why did she have to make it so hard?

"Yes. I – I should have watched out for you, I –"

"Rod, I don't need you to protect me. The Secret Service is more than capable of doing that, thank you very much."

Her words were like a slap in the face.

"Well, it doesn't seem like they're capable enough, does it? They couldn't even protect you from your own Vice President!"

"Oh, right, Superman.!" She was shouting. She was shouting at him. "Because you would have seen through him right away!"

"Well, I –"

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, leave me alone, Rod."

He swallowed. Why was it that lately, his apologies made her angrier than what he wanted to apologise for in the first place?

"Mac, please …"

"Just – just leave Rod. The last thing I need right now is to deal with you and your hurt ego."

He stood up. There was nothing to be done here. But before he left the room, he turned around.

"If you need me, I'll be next door."

She had her back turned on him and refused to answer.