Constantly guarded by the Secret Service, he lay alone and unaware of everything going on around him. Monitors beeping, IV lines infusing life-giving fluids, tubes draining fluids in and out of his body twenty-four seven without the slightest conscious awareness of what others considered made Josiah Bartlet a human being. People constantly checking his reflexes, shining lights in his pupils, staff and family members constantly talking to him, but with no outward response from his brain. Even when his bed would be rapidly moved to the operating room or the endotracheal tube be reinserted or adjusted still no outward response. To an external observer, one would believe that the body was dead and only being kept alive by the machines and the interventions done on its behalf.

But in its internal consciousness, far away from the external reality of the hospital room, Jed Bartlet was alive and well. Thoughts that would not be remembered when and if reality came back, but real at that time and place. Random thoughts that wouldn't make any sense to a logical thinker in an external reality, but then they weren't supposed to. This brilliant brain, which in the external reality that the others knew had achieved a Nobel Prize in Economics, was able to speak extemporaneously with grace and eloquence, and love deeply, was not silent in this reality. It was still firing, yet unable to make the transference across the divide that joined the outward consciousness with the internal consciousness. Not until something or someone would come along with the strength to reach deeply into that internal consciousness, across that divide that few crossed on their own, to pull the brilliant brain of Jed Bartlet back to this reality. Back to the external reality that was this hospital. This family. This life.

Abbey and Leo walked slowly down to the cubicle in which had been Jed's home for the last few days. Abbey slowed down even more as she came close, knowing in her head what she was going to see, and knowing in her heart how hard it was going to be for her.

"Abbey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, just trying to steel myself for what I'm about to see. Seeing it for myself is so different that someone else telling me about it."

"I understand. Do you want me to go in with you?"

She shooked her head. "No. I have to do this myself. Thanks though, Leo. You're a good friend." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and walked forward by herself. It was just something she had to do.

She stopped in front of his cubicle and looked through the glass window. She automatically fell into doctor mode, making the person on the bed a patient, noting the machines, the IVs, the bandage around his head, the tubes draining fluids in and out. She quickly assessed the monitor lines, and they all seemed stable and within normal limits. That gave her strength to push the door open.

And once again the person on the bed became her husband. Sitting down by the bed, she reached out and touched his arm, being careful not to interfere with any lines or wires snaking around that area. The warmth of his skin reassured her that his heart was pumping adequate blood and was at least strong enough to maintain his life forces.

She stayed there, just looking and touching him, for an unknown period of time. Staff came in and out, carrying out their responsibilities but not wanting to disturb this long-delayed reunion. It wasn't until Ellie tapped on her shoulder did she realize how much time had passed. "Mom, I think you need to leave. It's after nine. You've been here almost six hours."

"What? How long?"

"I said, almost six hours. We've checked on you, but didn't want to disturb you. But you need to eat something. and maybe go back to the Residence with us."

"Any changes with your father?" Of course, Abbey could see that Jed had not regained consciousness or even changed position.

"No."

She stood, stretched, and moved towards the door. "Yeah, maybe I will leave and come back tomorrow. My time is still messed up, but I bet I could get some sleep. Let's go." But before she left, she bent down and left a small, gentle kiss on her husband's forehead. This time she didn't wipe the lipstick off.

They walked back to the waiting area. She waited until the girls had gathered up their stuff, and then headed back to the Residence. Tomorrow they would repeat the process.