By the time Leo got to the third floor of GW, he had several missed calls. He excused himself from Zoey and found a quiet place to return the calls. The first one was from Stanley.

"I'm at the Marriott, Leo. I'll just shower and change clothes."

"Great. Then take a cab and come to the third floor waiting room at GW. I'll be here waiting on you."

"Okay. I should be there in about an hour."

The second call was from Margaret. "Hi Margaret."

"Hi Leo, any news?"

"I just got here."

"All right. Mr. Wright, the Chief Usher called me and wants to know if the moving plans for tomorrow have changed."

"I really don't know. Let me get my bearings here and I'll call you back."

"Okay. I'll let him know to standby."

The third missed call had a GW prefix. He hoped it was from the Psychiatric Unit. It rang a few times and an unknown voice picked up. "Dr. Anderson speaking."

"Dr. Anderson. My name is Leo McGarry and I'm a close family friend of Abigail Bartlet. I'm the one who asked the nurses to have you call me about Abbey. What can you tell me?"

"Mr. McGarry, I don't normally discuss a patient's health matters with anyone except family."

"I understand, doctor. Her husband, the former President, is currently in the Neuro ICU in a coma and their children don't have the background to understand what is going on with the former First Lady. I have been an extremely close family friend of theirs for close to forty years and I can assure you there is no problem discussing her case with me."

Leo could tell there was still hesitation on the doctor's part. "I have invited a well renowned psychiatrist to consult on her case and he will be here in about an hour. You may know him, Dr. Stanley Keyworth from San Francisco."

"Well, yes, I am very familiar with his work."

"Can we meet with you in your office to discuss Mrs. Bartlet's case when he arrives? At that time, I will be glad to bring a signed waiver by one of her daughters if that will ease you mind."

Dr. Anderson was impressed by this man bringing such a qualified expert to Washington on short notice. "It will be my pleasure, Mr. McGarry. My office is room 677, just outside the Psych unit. I look forward to meeting you and Dr. Keyworth in about an hour."

"Thank you, Dr. Anderson. We'll be there."

Leo returned to the waiting room to find that Ellie had arrived. He was glad that Zoey finally had someone to keep her company. He hugged them both and updated them on Abbey's condition. "I have brought in a very well-respected psychiatrist from the West coast and have a scheduled meeting with your mother's doctor in an hour. Hopefully we'll know more after that meeting. Liz will probably be down here later this afternoon. Zoey, have you had a chance to visit with your dad yet?"

"No."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No. Now that Ellie is here, we can go together."

"Then go ahead. I'll be here for a little while. Let me know how he is."

Leo watched how the two them held hands as they went down the hall, sharing strength with each other. They paused a minute outside and then disappeared inside the cubicle.

Leo sat down and tried to digest the morning and trying to plan the day's activities. But he knew better than anyone that plans were never solid and had to kept flexible.

Zoey and Ellie finally returned, smiles across their faces.

"Good news girls?"

"Yes."

"He responded to our commands. He squeezed our hands and we could see that he was trying to open his eyes, but he couldn't quite do so. The nurse was pleased, but said we shouldn't push him too much. That we need to give him rest so we came out. She said we could try later. But it was progress."

"Yes, that is progress."

About that time, Stanley got off the elevator and saw Leo in the waiting room. Leo stood and shook hands with him. "Stanley, let me introduce you to President Bartlet's adult children. First, this is Dr. Eleanor Bartlet, we call her Ellie. She's his middle child. Ellie this is Dr. Stanley Keyworth."

"Glad to meet you, Dr. Bartlet."

"Same to you, Dr. Keyworth."

"And Stanley, this is Zoey Bartlet, Jed's youngest."

"Glad to meet to you, Zoey."

"Same here, Dr. Keyworth."

"Jed's oldest, Elizabeth, is on her way from New Hampshire. Stanley, we're ready to go upstairs. Ladies, we'll be back in a little while. If you need me just call, okay?"

"Okay."