By Friday, Abbey was so frustrated. All of them had been at the hospital every day, all day, with no changes in Jed's consciousness level.

On Thursday, she encouraged Liz to go back to Manchester and take care of her family. Abbey didn't know how long this could on and the grandchildren needed their mother home. Ellie knew she was missing days of her Residency that would be difficult to make up, but she was determined to stay. But her mother had a different perspective. After several heated discussions, Ellie gave up and left on Thursday as well. Both Liz and Ellie knew there was nothing they could do except sit around and stare at a body lying in a bed, but they still wanted to stay. But Abbey wouldn't hear of putting their lives on hold for their father anymore that they already had. They reluctantly left with the promise from their mother that she would call them about the slightest change.

The only one left was Zoey. And, even though there had been some heated discussions with her mother about returning to classes, she refused to go. "Mom, you're going have to drag me out of here. I'm not leaving Daddy's side." Abbey knew she was Daddy's little girl so she stopped nagging her and let her stay.

Abbey turned her frustration on Dr. Wilson. "Why can't you tell me why he's not waking up? You tell me the scans show nothing's physically wrong. There're no more clots or bruising or anything else that would cause this deep coma. So, tell me why he doesn't respond."

"Mrs. Bartlet…"

"Dr. Bartlet…" Abbey had pulled that card out of frustration.

"I'm sorry. Dr. Bartlet, I've had two other neuro specialists, one of whom is from Johns Hopkins, and they concur. There is no physical reason for the President's coma to be this deep for so long. We, as are you and your family, are just waiting. Waiting for him to decide to wake up or not."

"Are you trying to tell me it's his choice?"

"What I'm telling you is, in some people, they unconsciously choose when they wake up or even if. Medical journals have anecdotal reports of rare individuals who, after coming out of comas, report choosing the time of their awakening. I don't understand it myself and neither do others in the field, but reports are out there. And it could be the case here. There are no physical reasons for this continued state."

Abbey shook her head. She knew Jed Bartlet to be stubborn but if this was the case and she found out about it, well…let's just say it wouldn't be pretty. She already had a long list of things to talk over with him anyway.

"Well, as a physician myself, I can honestly say medical science doesn't know everything about the human body. But as a person, I think you are f***ing crazy." Both couldn't help bursting out laughing. The stress of the last week finally caught up with each of them and the laugh was good for its release.

"Yes, Ma'am. Somedays I do wonder about that myself."

"I'm sorry, Dr. Wilson. I'm just so frustrated."

"I really understand, Dr. Bartlet. You and your family have been through so much. It is easy to see how this would make you that way. If you will excuse me, I have to make rounds. If you need me, the nurses will be glad to call."

"Of course."

Abbey turned and entered the VIP room that Jed had been moved to on Wednesday. He had remained stable and didn't need the constant supervision of an ICU bed. He still had the heart monitor, the IV, and the catheter, but nothing major. Physical therapy came twice a day for range of motion exercises trying to keep his muscles toned, waiting for the day his coma would end and he would be out of bed.

The Senior Staff had visited him Thursday evening, but Leo reported afterwards that they had been so upset to see their vibrant President Bartlet just passively lying in the bed, he doubted they could handle a return visit. Abbey completely understood.

Charlie had been there as often as he could, mainly to support Zoey. He was a good man. Jed and her both would be happy if the two of them got married in the future. Carol Russell had called her several times to ask her if there was anything she needed. Abbey had graciously declined, stating that, until Jed's coma was reversed, there was nothing that really could be done. President Russell had yet to talk with her directly, only sending his best wishes through his wife and Leo. She guessed that was better than nothing.