"Do you know how many photo ops they're wanting to schedule this week? I mean, how is anything supposed to get done with a schedule like this? I have no idea how I'm going to balance everything the White House wants you to attend with all our normal regular commitments, clearly they don't think anyone needs sleep." Blake drew a breath, giving Elizabeth an opportunity to cut in.
"Blake. We'll fit in what we can and then make excuses for the rest."
"Yeah, yeah, of course… I need to head in. It's going to be a madhouse."
"Blake!" She called out, failing to get him to stop before he darted out the door.
"Is Blake okay?" Alison carefully came in. "He seems a bit…"
"He'll be fine. He's just a little stressed right now is all."
"This is totally like Twilight Zone, you're cool, calm, and collected and Blake's the one rushing around in a panic."
"Yeah. And I have a feeling it'll be Blake pulling all nighters this week. There's a lot of protocol and stuff that goes into this week and they get testy, he likes to keep in touch with the protocol office. He's also a little worried about the parade, Conrad asked me to walk it with him and it's turning into a two-mile nightmare." Alison gave her a confused look and Elizabeth chuckled. "Blake is worried about quite a few things, one of which is my safety walking the parade route."
"Oh. Is there a reason to be worried?"
"I think it's one of the most secure events there is. Conrad will have his fleet of agents and cars, I'll have mine. There haven't been any threats of any merit, so no more than any other day. It'll be fine, I just think he's getting overwhelmed with all of it."
"Okay. Well, keep an eye on him, Mom."
"I will, Noodle."
=MS=
"Nadine, I need your help." Elizabeth stepped into her chief of staff's office days later. "I have to go to the White House; can you please look after Blake? I think he's already had too much coffee today, this whole inauguration week has been winding him up and… I think he needs a lot of supervision today."
"Okay."
"I sent him to sign for something at the Port of Baltimore, Matt's dealing with the gifts. I advise not letting Blake back into the conference room until it's been cleared?"
"I'll look after him." She assured. "Ma'am?"
"Yeah."
"He was here before me again this morning…"
"I think he's been staying here overnight. Like I said, it's been winding him up. If you see any chance to send him off on even the tiniest task to get him away from the office, do it." She sighed. "It's an hour or more each way to the Port, I'm hoping that will give him some time to chill."
"Ha. Because Blake behind the wheel in traffic when he's already stressed out will just calm him right down."
Her comment made Elizabeth hesitate. "Maybe I should have made him take some of my security. I mean, technically it's business."
"Pretty gray area there, Ma'am."
"Yeah. Keep an eye on him."
"Will do."
=MS=
Nadine did her best all day to keep track of Blake. When he called her about the protesters, she was almost headed for her own car to go to him until she realized how silly that would be. Once she'd gotten him calmed down and set on a course to clean up and pull himself together, she focused on keeping the seventh floor ticking along without him there.
The whole horse thing was ridiculous, who sent a live animal anymore as a gift? She could only shake her head as she tracked down Daisy to begin figuring out how the protesters even knew Blake was at the Port in the first place.
Once the horse situation was sorted, Nadine walked with Blake as he gathered his things to leave. "I'm sorry it's been a rough week for you."
He seemed surprised. "I- thanks. I keep reminding myself I just have to get through today and then life goes back to normal." He pulled on his coat and turned to head down to meet the DS agents he was riding to the parade staring point with.
She eyed him. "You got a bit attached to the horse. Have you been to the farm at all?"
It seemed to take him a second to follow her question. "Oh, no. It's been so busy…"
"Perhaps you should suggest it. The Secretary has horses, maybe you could transfer some of that attachment to one of them?" She patted his arm. "Talk to her, take a long weekend. It might do everyone some good to get away after what's been going on." She walked with him all the way to the SUV. "Think about it. I'll see you after the parade."
Climbing into the SUV, Blake considered Nadine's suggestion as he rode the short distance to the meeting point.
"Matt says they've arrived now." The driver stated. "We'll be there in about two minutes."
"Good." He checked his phone one last time before tucking it away. When the vehicle stopped, he climbed out and headed for the one in front, opening the door. "Ready for this?"
Elizabeth studied him. "You know you don't have to walk with me, right? I can walk with Conrad and Lydia."
Blake shook his head. "By your side, always."
She rolled her eyes at him but took his hand when he offered it and let him help her out.
"Hey." He caught her arm gently, stopping her from heading straight for the limo he knew the Dalton's were waiting in. "I'm sorry if my freaking out this week has made life harder for you."
"You were fine, I'm glad you're okay."
He watched her head to the limo, greeting POTUS and FLOTUS when they got out. He hung back as he always did, letting them talk until it was time to start walking and Elizabeth called him over. "How many secret service are here?" He couldn't help asking.
Elizabeth laughed. "All of them, between he and Theresa Hurst." She looked around. "And I think all of Diplomatic Security are here too." She followed Blake as he headed for the point where they would officially start the walk, surrounded by the agents. "Lots of smiling and waving today."
"The coat was a good choice, Elizabeth, but are you sure it's warm enough?"
"Once we're moving, I'll be fine." She hooked one hand around his elbow. "And you'll be right here, by my side."