Chapter 27 – Act Like it

It was a cold early morning in January, Elizabeth wasn't feeling great today, she had a pounding headache and her body was aching. She glanced at her alarm clock which read '5.59am' 'great' she mumbled to herself knowing it would be going off in precisely 1 minute

'Beep, beep' the sound of the alarm didn't have time to echo through the room due to her hand crashing down on top and switching it off. She rolled to turn to Henry but remembered he wasn't home. She sighed, He had been away twice since they got engaged 3 months ago, the first time she thought was difficult but this time around was harder, he was however due back today. When she remembered this a smile immediately rose across her face. She pushed her feelings of ill health aside and headed for the shower.

A little over an hour later and Elizabeth was waiting for the lift to reach the seventh floor; she heard the bell and the doors began to open, she was immediately faced with all her staff

'Oh this can't be good' she threw her head back in frustration she was already feeling like rubbish and really didn't need a busy day, she just wanted Henry.

'Morning Mam. Coffee' Blake spoke out first

'Mam there has been an earthquake in Haiti' Nadine started

'The press are all over it' Daisy flustered

'Were reaching a humanitarian crisis as we need to give aid but we don't have the budget' Jay advised

'I just came for the ride' Matt grinned but immediately stopped when he saw his boss's glare

'ok, meeting in my office in 10' she gestured for everyone to leave her

'Madam Secretary are you ok? You look rather pale?' Blake questioned

'Yeah just tired, what time is Henry's flight again?'

'He will be returning around 3pm today' Blake smiled knowing she was missing him terribly

'Thank you' she smiled closing the door behind her. She had to sit down; she had no energy and felt a little faint. She placed her hands in her head and attempted to hold the tears back, she felt awful, how was she going to get through the day?

Moments later the staff arrived and Blake knocked on her door

'Madam Secretary are you ready for the morning meeting?' He asked, her noticed that she looked rather pale, and like she was going to be sick or pass out. He made a mental note to keep an eye on her

'Yeah, let's go' She stood up slowly as she felt rather faint.

'Ok so what's today's agenda, obviously the main issue is financing aid for Haiti' she began as the room span around her

'Well we need to also discuss your wedding venue Mam, the press are on my back and as long as there interested in that important issue like the earthquake in Haiti are not priority for them' Daisy spoke, she hadn't notice the expression on Elizabeth's face otherwise she would have stopped mid sentence

'YOU KNOW WHAT, I AM SICK OF THIS BUZZ AROUND THE WEDDING, I DO NOT CARE IF THE PRESS WANT INFORMATION HENRY AND I HAVE NOT DECIDED, WE INFORMED THEM WE WOULD TELL THEM DETAILS WHEN APPROPRIATE, NOW DASIY DO YOUR JOB AND KEEP THEM ON TOPICAL POINTS SUCH AS THIS AWFUL DISASTER, AND NOT A BLOODY WEDDING' Elizabeth ranted, her breathe becoming quicker and quicker, she clutched at her chest and turned to Blake

'Call 911 I think I'm having a heart attack' She gasped, Matt rushed to her side and sat her down, Jay brought her some water over, within minutes the State department medical team had arrived and they were rushing her into hospital.

'Blake go with her, I'll get a message to Russell Jackson, Daisy do as she says and I have to admit the press need to drop this wedding fiasco, Matt Draw up a speech about the Haiti incident and Jay get working on finance' Nadine called as she left the room, it was time to take control.

'It's ok Madam Secretary I am right here' Blake called following her into the hospital, kicking himself as he knew there was something wrong with her

'Blake, Henry' She gasped for breathe

'He's been called and put on the next plane over, he should be landing in about 2 hours' Blake squeezed her hand knowing she needed someone

'Wait here Sir' A doctor called to Blake as they wheeled Elizabeth into a room and carried out some tests.

It wasn't long before Blake was joined by Conrad and Russell

'Blake where is she?' Russell called

'Mr Jackson Hi, Mr President, she is in there' He pointed

'What the hell happened?'

'She was urm, shouting at Daisy because of the media and then couldn't breathe, she looked clammy and her lips looked a little blue' Blake trailed off as a Doctor walked out

'Hi, Mr President, it's a pleasure, the Secretary of state is going to be fine, she had a sever panic attack and she is quite dehydrated, but no other concerns, she will be fine, you can go in if you like' He spoke and they all nodded

'I'll wait here' Blake called as Conrad and Russell walked into the room

'Bloody Hell Bess' Russell laughed

'I am so sorry sir' She turned to Conrad

'Bess don't be silly, I am just glad you're alright, you're the best secretary of state there has ever been, I don't know who Id replace you with' he teased her slightly

'Why was you shouting at Daisy?' Russell interjected

'The media are driving me insane with the wedding details, I've asked she keeps them at bay, it's not her fault I know it's her job to ask' She mumbled

'Does this have more to do with Henry being away?, Bess just say no when I ask if I can send him! I know your past with your parents, I know the anxiety it causing when we send him into war zones' Conrad spoke and she dipped her head

'Sir I am just not used to all this attention and without Henry around I don't feel I can give them something to elevate the issues as I want to consult him' she felt like a child, not a powerful leader

'Bess, you're a strong and smart women, act like it' Russell sighed and she nodded

'Get some rest, We will see you when you're better' Conrad spoke and softly rubbed her shoulder goodbye.

Blake came into the room with a smile on his face

'Madam Secretary, You have a visitor' He spoke as Henry rushed up the hallway into her room, he flung his arms around her and held her tight, the tears she had been holding in were escaping

'I'll speak to you later' Blake called and left the room'

'Babe, what the Hell?' He asked searching her face for answers

'I just didn't feel well this morning and everything got too much' she cried

'It's ok, come here' he soothed her until she was calm enough to speak

'I haven't slept much this week, I've missed you so much, I have a pounding headache and I shouted at Daisy' she reeled off

'Babe the Doctors said you were slightly dehydrated, when was the last time you ate or drank?' he asked

'Urm, I had coffee this morning, oh no I didn't drink that, I don't know Henry it's been such a busy week' she dipped her head embarrassed that she was the secretary of state and couldn't look after herself

'Hey, what is this about?' He asked her, holding her face gently

'Henry I'm scared' she finally admitted

'Of what?'

'You, I'm scared you won't come home, you're so important to me and I cannot lose you Henry, I wanted to tell Conrad not to send you away but we have a sense of duty and I don't want to let him down, Henry sometimes this is all a little too much' She cried a little, Henry used his thumb to wipe away her tear

'Babe, I am not going anywhere, I will never put myself in harm's way intentionally, I am here to stay, and I am here for you. I know you lost your parents but you won't lose me' He held her tight

'I just feel so stupid, Russell told me to start acting like an adult earlier, well not in so many words but basically, I've just got so caught up in everything I've forgotten how to manage' She explained

'and that's fine, the key is to remember you do not need to manage alone, Everything is ok Elizabeth, I will always be here for you' He replied, and sat next to her on her bed; he pulled her into his warm embrace and soothed her.