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Chapter 35 – The first 3 days

72 long hours had passed, Elizabeth hadn't been home, she was working endlessly to try and establish a relationship with the Syrian embassy, they were outraged at the US government and vice versa.

'I appreciate your frustrations sir but a terrorist group on your soil bombed and potentially killed 8 American lives, work with us to tackle this group' Elizabeth pleaded, she was not interested in negotiating terms and one up man ship anymore, she just wanted to be honest. She knew the Embassy was weak and hoped they could join forces

'Madam Secretary, You were invading out country'

'Do you really think I would send my fiancé to invade Syria? Knowing it would likely result in his death and a war between us?' She reasoned, Her fiancé, oh god Henry I miss you

'Very well, we will let you into the bomb site to look for your people, and we can work from there' the ambassador reasoned

'Thank you' she smiled and ended to call

'Blake, we need to go to the white house' She shouted

'yes Mam, here have some food' He offered her a small option of breakfast

'later' she brushed him off

'Madam Secretary you've hardly slept or eaten now eat' He spoke sternly

'Blake I will, I just really need to get to the white house, this is urgent' She reasoned and he signed

'Fine but I am forcing this muffin on you' he smiled and handed her a blueberry muffin which she accepted.

Elizabeth sat in her SUV on the way to the white house with Blake and Nadine, she was picking at her muffin and frantically trying to call Henry. Like she had done for the last 3 days, only for the line to be cut dead each time.

These first 3 days have been the hardest, a month ago I was happy, ready to marry the man of my dreams, the I find out he cheated, and now he's likely to be dead. How did this even happen? Why? Henry please come home to me

'We're here' Frank called from the front of the vehicle.

Elizabeth hurried to the white house to deliver the news to the president, she wasn't even sure how she was functioning these last few days, Blake had been home and got her a selection of clothes, she hadn't left the white house until the threat against her was cleared and since then she still hasn't been home. Truth was she couldn't go home without knowing the truth about Henry, she didn't want to be in that house alone anymore.

'Mr President, Russell, I've just spoke to the ambassador and we can send our men in to search the bomb site' she explained a little relieved

'Fantastic, let's set it up' Conrad stood up heading to the situation room

'It's time to bring our men home' He stated humbly.

They were now stood in the situation room, watching men search the bombing remains for the 8 missing Americans.

Elizabeth's stomach was turning, she wasn't sure how much longer she could watch this, yet she couldn't pull her eyes away, she needed to see Henry; dead or alive. The screen was a blur, a tear forming in her eyes as a body was pulled from the wreckage, she placed her head in her hands and ran her fingers through her hair.

'Sir this is Captain Martinez' a voice came over the conference and a wave of relief and sadness flooded Elizabeth.

The time continued to pass and 4 more men were pulled from the wreck

'Mr President there are no survivors here, but 3 of our men are unaccounted for' Elizabeth looked up at the screen, fear infecting her eyes

'Sir there is no evidence of the remaining 3 men ever being at the scene here'

'Who are we missing?' Conrad asked.

'Anna Stones, Donate Marcus and Henry McCord'

Missing, not at the scene, is he alive? Where is he? Henry?' her mind was on overdrive

'Let's get looking, we will assume they are MIA until further notice' Conrad ordered and the call ended

Elizabeth couldn't take much more

'Sir may I' she gestured to leave the room which he nodded.

She frantically grabbed her phone and attempted to call Henry, only for it to not ring out, again. She threw her phone in frustration and threw her head back trying to contain the tears. Her lips trembled and her eyes burned from the tears she was holding back.

'It's ok Bess' Conrad spoke softly

'we will get him home'

'I hope so Sir, Sir if I may, I wanted to have a word with you...this job has ruined my relationship with Henry, I told you that I wouldn't let that happen and I did, so... you'll have my letter or resignation on your desk as soon as all 8 service men and women are accounted for and on their way home' She warned him

'I don't accept, this is emotion talking' He argued

'Sorry but you do not get to refuse my resignation' she argued back, as Russell stepped into the room with them

'Yes I do I am the President of the United States, and your boss' He bit back, he was annoyed by her tone

'Yes, and you sent my fiancé into a war zone, so much for protecting the people you care about' she snapped and stormed off.

'Sir, let's leave it for now' Russell was actually the voice of reason

'These first 3 days have been tough Russell but she cannot speak to me like that?' He argued with a hint of anger in his voice

'It's been 3 days for us Sir, she's had a whole month, cut her some slack, her fiancé who cheated was presumed dead and is now MIA, her head must be a mess'

'I am not accepting her resignation'

'I'll talk to her' Russell agreed and Conrad nodded before stepping back inside the situation room.