Abbey arrives at the hospital – she rushes through the door with several Secret Service and spots Leo.

"Leo!" She grabs him and hugs him.

"Abbey. What are you…"

"I got here as fast as I could. What's happening?"

"I don't know. The doctors aren't telling me. They're…" He gestures towards the doors. "She's in the O.R."

Abbey walks away from him and grabs a nurse outside the waiting room. "I need to speak to someone on the team for Annabeth Schott."

She looks back at Leo, who is sitting in a chair in the waiting area, head in his hands.

About 20 mins later – Abbey walks back in the room. Leo stands up.

"Annabeth was shot once in the chest. The bullet lacerated her pulmonary artery. They are doing everything they can, Leo. Her surgeons are among the best in the business and they are…"

Leo sits down. "Abbey. I cannot lose her. I cannot…"

"I know. You're not going to, Leo. Her doctors are doing everything right. She's a fighter and she pulls through this."

Abbey sits down next to Leo and takes his hand. "She's going to be in surgery for 12 or more hours, Leo. What can I get you? Do you want me to send someone to your house?"

"No. I'm…I don't need anything. Julia, Annabeth's sister, she's flying in from Georgia. I should…" He starts to stand up. Abbey grabs his arm. "Leo, sit down. You don't need to do anything. Margaret will take care of it."

Leo looks at her, clearly trying to pull himself together. "The President. He needs…"

"Leo. Look at me. You don't need to do anything. The President is fine. The White House is still standing. Josh is stepping up. Everybody is stepping up. They want you to be here."

Leo sits back down. "I love her so much, Abbey. I don't know what to…" He starts to cry, his shoulders and chest heaving in silent sobs.

Abbey kneels in front of him, and pulls his head against her chest. "I know, Leo. I know."

Six hours later/Eight hours since Annabeth arrived at the hospital.

Abbey and Leo are still in the waiting room. A woman who looks just like Annabeth comes through the doors.

Leo stands up. "Julia?"

Julia is wild-eyed with fear. "Where is she?"

"Julia. I'm Leo McGarry."

"Oh my God, Leo." She throws her arms around him. "What's going on?"

"She's in surgery. It's going to be a few more hours."

Abbey stands up. "Julia, I'm Abbey Bartlet."

Julia looks at Leo and then back at Abbey. "Yes. Dr. Bartlet. I know who you are. I'm sorry. I didn't…"

Abbey looks back at Leo. "I'm going to step outside."

Julia looks at Leo, searching his face for answers.

"She was shot in the chest, Julia. The bullet…it hit an artery."

Julia puts her hand over her mouth. "Is she going to be…what are they saying about her chances?"

"They aren't saying anything. We're just waiting for the surgeons."

Julia sits down. Leo sits down next to her. Julia takes his hand. Leo looks down at his hand in hers. "You look just like Annabeth."

"We both look like our mom."

Abbey comes back in the room. "Leo, Jed's on the phone." She holds out her cell phone. Leo takes it and walks out of the room. Abbey sits down next to Julia.

"Dr. Bartlet. Do you know more than what…"

"No, honey. I don't."

"Okay." Annabeth takes a deep breath and stands up. "This is surreal. I was just getting my daughter ready for school when I got the call from Annabeth's office. I couldn't understand what they were telling me. I had to ask them to repeat it three or four times."

"When Jed was shot, I tried to just focus on what I could control."

Julia turns to her. "And what was that?"

"Nothing." She takes Julia's hand. "Not a damn thing. All you can do is wait."

Leo walks back in. He hands Abbey back her phone and she stands up. "I have to go." She takes Leo's face in her hands. "I love you, Leo. So does Jed." Leo nods.

"Sam's been on the phone with Annabeth's office. He has some information for you. Whenever you want it." Abbey turns to Julia. "I am so sorry to be meeting you like this."