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Chapter 30 - Press Conference

The Doctor walked into Howie's hospital room carrying Genie. He was wearing his jacket that Genie told him made him look like Han Solo. Howie was sitting in a chair wearing a pair of jeans and an oxford shirt. "Hey! You brought my favorite niece!"

The Doctor sat Genie down and she ran to him. She climbed in his lap and they exchanged a bear hug. Both of them groaned as they squeezed the other one.

The Doctor shook hands with Varro. "Good to see you, Varro. Thank you for the updates."

Varro nodded his head and smiled. "Easy assignment. And good whiskey."

The Doctor laughed as he looked around the room, "This is a big room."

Howie rolled his eyes as Genie sat on his knee. "I'm the President, son. They don't give matchbooks to me."

He laughed as Pete walked in with Adriano.

Pete smiled as soon as he saw him, "Hey, you did make it!" Pete walked over and shook his hand. "He looks good, huh?"

The Doctor smiled, "Well, as good as he can. I'm not a miracle worker you know."

Howie pointed warningly at them. "There ain't nothing wrong with my hearing, gents."

The Doctor laughed and shook Adriano's hand. "Caroline get to the Library of Congress meeting alright?"

"Bassanio says she's fine. She's asked if he is Italian, too. Does she think I'm Italian?"

Pete pat him on the back. "I wouldn't argue with Caroline Shepherd."

Pete pointed at her as he realized Genie was in the room. "You brought Genie."

The Doctor smiled, "Yeah. We have a date after this for breakfast. How long will it last?"

Pete shook his head. "I have no idea. I'm not going to be on the panel. I'll keep an eye on her. Where's Legate? Isn't he the one usually with her?"

"He had her all night for me. He's helping Logan with a…. girlfriend problem."

Pete smiled, "Uh-oh. Trouble in Paradise."

"Just some growing he's doing." The Doctor looked around. "Listen, we need to have a chat before this conference." He motioned for Pete to join him as he walked over and sat down next to Howie in another chair. The Doctor sat to the other side of Howie.

Genie climbed out of his lap and stood in-between Pete's legs. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "My favorite granddaughter." He whispered in her ear.

She smiled up at him.

The Doctor pointed at Howie. "Okay, I've seen all of the tests and everything. Howie, you are a picture of health. There's no need for you to think about a resignation."

Howie crossed his arms, "Hell, I wasn't going to do that anyway."

Pete leaned down and said in Genie's ear, "Stubborn man."

Howie nodded his head. "I don't have the nickname 'mule' for my looks. Well, I might."

The Doctor smiled, "Howie. What do you think about running for office, again?"

Howie smiled, "I would love another seven years. Do you think this would set me back?" He pointed at his chest.

The Doctor shook his head. "I think it might help you win. I'll endorse you, and help in any way I can. I can't go into it here, but there was much more to this operation than anyone knew. Howie, you can't let that …. Hilling have any chance at winning."

Howie nodded his head. "He's an…." He glanced at Genie. "Ummm…"

The Doctor nodded. "Oh, he is. We can't talk about it here. But, he's not on your side at all."

Pete continued to hold Genie. "Do you think he's part of these terrorists?"

He held up his hand. "We can't talk about it here. Howie. I believe you need to announce your intention to run for office this morning at the press conference."

Howie's eyes got huge. "Without talking to Caroline!? Have you lost your marbles?"

The Doctor reached in his pocket and handed Howie his phone. "Call her now and get it sorted. It's important."

Howie glanced at Pete and took the phone.

The door opened and Doctor Smith walked in. Pete and the Doctor greeted him as they all, even Genie, shook his hand.

"He is doing great." The Doctor smiled as he looked back at Howie, who was talking to Caroline.

Doctor Smith nodded his head and smiled proudly. "He is. It's amazing. Better than our first patient did."

"Well, he had a lot of damage we had to repair, too."

Doctor Smith nodded in agreement. "That's very true. I need a quick word with you, Doctor Smith. If you don't mind. Before the conference?"

"Sure."

"In private, if possible."

The Doctor rose his eyebrows in surprise. "Sure. Genie. Stay here with Grandfather."

Pete tickled her. "I've got her."

Genie giggled.

The Doctor and Doctor Smith walked into the hallway. Doctor Smith looked around. Marines stood guarding the door. Nurses worked at their station directly in front of them. The Doctor walked down the hallway with Doctor Smith to the end of the hall to his office. He held the door opened and the Doctor walked inside the room.

The room was very cozy, for an office. The walls were wooden and a long, black sofa sat to one side of the room. A large desk, with a computer, sat in the middle of the room. The desk was full of files and paperwork. A window overlooked the parking lot. The plastic drapes were opened and the sun reflected the light off of the snow.

Doctor Smith pointed to the sofa. "Relax, Doctor Smith. I'm not going to bite you."

The Doctor smiled as he sat on the sofa, "I'm not worried about that. Call me, John."

The Smith sat on the other side of the sofa. "Right. Well, I suppose you should call me Lawrence. If we're going to be on first name basis."

The Doctor nodded. "What's on your mind, Lawrence?"

He could feel Lawrence was extremely nervous about what he had to say. He tossed his hand up, "I'm just going to come out and ask. Where did you get this heart that you brought yesterday?"

The Doctor bit his lip. "Why? Is there a problem?"

"It had been out of the donor body less than 10 minutes!"

"What makes you think that?"

"That it was still beating was my first clue."

The Doctor sighed and looked out of the window. "Who else knows?"

"No one. I was careful not to let anyone else see it."

He was already nodding his head. "This is classified information. I was instructed to bring the President a heart, and I did. You understand this is a matter of National Security and it can't be known."

Lawrence nodded his head. "I understand that. I've worked here at Walter Reed for years."

The Doctor looked Lawrence up and down. "So, I can trust you will keep it to yourself?"

"Of course. I just felt that I needed to tell you that I knew."

"Lawrence. Often in my line of work, I am in need of a medical doctor who can keep classified information to himself. I have sources who have told me how you were so incredibility upset over the delay in receiving the heart yesterday. Your reaction makes me realize that you are the sort of man I need on my team. What would you say if I told you there was never a heart on its way to the operation?"

Lawrence sighed, "It wouldn't surprise me at all. Seems like a great way to kill off a President-"

"And ruin a long career of an amazing Doctor. I don't trust many people, at all. The list is very short. But after yesterday, and you coming to me to discuss this, I feel that I can put you on that list."

Lawrence smiled and shook the Doctor's hand. "Ink it in."

The Doctor smiled back at him.

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The hospital's conference room was full of press. The television cameras were everywhere. A stage with a long table sat at the front of the room with a white table cloth. Several Marines walked out and took their positions near the table.

The audience applauded and cheered as the Doctor Lawrence Smith, the Doctor, Miles Richfield and President Howard Shepherd walked out on the stage and sat down behind the table. As soon as the crowd saw Howie, they cheered loudly and stood up.

Howie smiled and waved to the crowd gathered.

Pete Tyler stood next to Adriano, holding Genie in his arms. A photographer took a picture of them as Genie clapped with the crowd. Pete chuckled.

As the crowd settled down, Doctor Lawrence Smith began. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming out this cold morning. I'm Doctor Lawrence Smith, the Chief Surgeon here at Walter Reed. Next to me, is Doctor Johnathon Smith, of London. There on the end is the White House's Chief of Staff, Mr. Miles Richfield. And, of course, next Doctor Smith is President Howard Shepherd."

The crowd cheered loudly again. Howie laughed as he looked over at the Doctor and shook his head in disbelief. The Doctor pat Howie on the back and returned his smile.

Doctor Lawrence Smith began to speak again. "I'll fully admit this is the first press conference I've ever been a part of. So, I apologize in advance if I don't do this, properly. President Howard Shepherd suffered a heart attack exactly a week ago, while in the residence of the White House. He was transported here, where it was determined that he was in need of a transplant. Thankfully, a donor heart was found, and the surgery necessary to correct this problem was done yesterday. This surgery was a bit irregular. Not only because of the patient, but because of the way it was done. All incisions were healed and there were no stitches administered due to the use of a device of Doctor Johnathon Smith's creation. Due to this, President Shepherd is doing remarkability well, and I have now released him into Doctor Johnathon Smith's care. He will be fit to resume his Presidential duties, without any further delay, within 48 hours."

The crowd gasp.

Doctor Lawrence Smith tapped the table and looked back at the other men. They all exchanged nods and then he looked back at the room, "We can take a few questions now."

The room erupted with hands and reporters wanting to ask questions. Doctor Smith pointed to a lady down front.

"CNN News – You have released the President into Doctor Smith's care. What does that mean?"

"Doctor Smith lives nearby and has offered to take the President to his home to relax. Because of his medical knowledge, I'm confident in his abilities if a situation arises. But, there shouldn't be any problems. "

Doctor Smith pointed at another reporter.

"ABC News, New York – If the President has been out of office for a week, who has been in charge? Why wasn't the public notified until now?"

Doctor Smith nodded his head. Miles Richfield spoke, "It does seem irregular, but it is the way our National Secretary is arranged. The Vice President took the Oath of Office the day of the heart attack, and has been acting President since. He will remain in that position, for the next 48 hours. At such time, President Shepherd will return to work. He will be part of the security briefing tomorrow morning, and will be able to hit the ground running Monday morning."

Doctor Smith pointed to another reporter.

"BBC News, sir. Thank you – President Shepherd. You gave the world a fright."

President Shepherd laughed, "Hell, I gave myself a good scare!"

The room laughed.

The reporter continued, "How are you feeling? Do you really think it's a good idea to continue your role as President with a heart condition?"

The Doctor waved his hand, "There is no heart condition any longer. His heart is fine. Lawrence and I have pronounced him in excellent health. And to how he's feeling…"

The Doctor looked at Howie, "Hell, I feel great! Better than I've felt in months! I'd like a drink!"

The room laughed.

Lawrence pointed at another reporter. "Down here."

A lady stood up, "Mr. President. Were there any warning signs that you were having problems with your heart?"

Howie shook his head. "None that I noticed."

Lawrence added, "The President's yearly physical pronounced him in good health. There was no reason to look any further. We are looking at that examination to try to determine if there was anything that could have been done differently. This was as big of a surprise to us, as it was to Howie, and the world."

Howie crossed his arms, sat back and laughed, "Hell, I always thought it would have been my liver!"

The room laughed.

Another reporter asked, "What sort of medication is the President on at this time?"

The Doctor leaned into the microphone. "We've reviewed all of his tests and have been able to take President Shepherd off of all medications. Well…. With the exception of anti-rejection pills. I've also given him a mild sleeping pill, just for him to take tonight. He stayed up most of the night after being sedated for the surgery, so he needs a good nap and a good night's sleep. He'll be fine tomorrow, but Lawrence and I have agreed to have him rest one more day, just to be certain."

A reporter asked, "Where is the First Lady?"

Miles answered, "Mrs. Shepherd has kept her appointments today. She has rescheduled most of her appointments this past week so she could be the President. She was here most of the night. She will be rejoining him within the next few hours."

Another reporter stood up, "Not to be disrespectful, at all. But, it seems very convenient that your best friend's son in law, has used this device that has not only saved your life, but is certain to be the new way this surgery and many more will be handled."

Howie rubbed his chin. "Make your point, son."

"Could this just be a publicity stunt for your friends' business?"

Howie chuckled, "Listen here. Let's fix your flint right now! I love Pete Tyler better than a brother. His son in law, Doctor Johnathon Smith, is my Wheel Horse. To you people, not from Texas, a Wheel Horse is another word for what you city slickers would call your right-hand man. I trust them both with my very life, which is why I'm still sitting here instead of being poked in a dirt hole. I hope their business is successful and I'd do just about anything for either of them. But, if you think I would let anyone whittle on me, just to promote something, you are clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed!"

You could have heard a pin drop the room was so quite.

Miles spoke into the microphone, "Well, as you can see, the President's speech writer has the day off, too."

The room laughed.

The Doctor spoke into the microphone, "I'd like to say thank you to Howie, for that explaination. I've always wondered why you called me that."

Howie smiled as he patted him on the back. "You're clearly not from Texas."

"Clearly!"

The room continued to laugh.

Another reporter asked, "I suppose my question if for the Chief of Staff."

Miles nodded his head. "Go ahead."

"Why did it take five days before Vice President Hilling made a call to put the President at the top of the list? Wouldn't that be something that should have been done immediately?"

Miles sighed, "This has been discussed a lot through the media and within the walls of the White House. I cannot speak for the Vice President, or offer any explanation. But, that he did call and make the Executive Order is what we should take away from that situation."

Howie nodded his head. "Indeed."

Another reporter asked, "Mr. President. Have you given any thought to the possibility of running for re-election? Will this surgery have any effect on that decision?

Howie chuckled, "It has everything to do with my decision. Well, 40% of the decision. My wife maintains 50% of the decision on that. I talked to Caroline about it just a few minutes ago. Let me be clear, if I was to walk out here, and announce my intentions to do something that big without talking to her first….son. Just because she's the First Lady, that will not stop her from throwing my stuff all out on the front lawn of the White House. She's already broken my favorite fishing poles when I screwed up two months ago."

The room laughed.

The Doctor and Lawrence looked at one another, laughing, and rolled their eyes.

The reporter smiled, "The other 10%, sir?"

Howie leaned on the table and nodded his head. "The remaining 10%, is my decision. What do I want to do? And that 10% is very powerful, indeed. My heart has always bled red, white and blue and I've always felt that I could do a lot to help the people of this great country. I've never been a quitter, and promised the American people that if they would take a chance on me, I wouldn't let them down by one day tossing up my hands and giving up on this job. It's a hell of a job, and not a decision to be taken lightly or even joke around about. The power of this office affects people I'll never meet in countries I'll never be able to pronounce. The magnitude of what's at stake is overwhelming to even think about."

"When this first happened last week, I was encouraged to resign by my doctors, family and friends. I simply refused and instead reminded them of the promise that I made six years ago when I ran for office that I would not resign. I'm a man of my word. John here, warned me that it would certainly kill me, in the condition I was in. I still refused. I made him and my closest friend, aware of my final wishes. I made my peace with every moment that I could spend with my wife, and my son, knowing it could very well be the last time I saw her smile, or heard Jacob's laugh."

"That sortof thing really will mess with a man's mind. You start to think of things you would have done differently, and things you wish you had done. In my case, I realized how much that still needed to do to help my country, its people, and the people of the world. My office and I have accomplished a lot, and for that, I couldn't be prouder or more grateful. However, there is still so much I still see that needs to be done."

"And now, suddenly, I have this new heart! Lawrence and John have both pronounced me in excellent health. Don't tell Caroline, but I even had a drink last night."

The room laughed.

"John explained to me today that if I wanted to serve another term as President, it would be completely alright. It hit me in that moment that I was really going to be alright. It's a big job. And I love it. I can't sit here and tell you that I will be your President for another term. I have to be hired by the people of this wonderful nation. But, I can tell you that it would be the greatest honor, and privilege, to have that opportunity. I'd like to take this moment to officially announce my intention to run for the office of President again, and would humbly ask for your vote."

The room erupted in cheers.

The Doctor leaned over and smiled at Howie. "And that's sorted."

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