Leo, CJ, and Toby had already left the White House for Andrews where 28000 was waiting for them. Leo had requested the plane to be on standby to fly to Boston in case of the successful rescue of the President. And he had quietly informed Zoey and Ellie Bartlet of their parents' impending rescue attempt several hours earlier. Because of the secret nature of the night's activities and the need to keep it away from the media, he asked them to come to the Residence and wait there. If the attempt was successful, then they would be invited to accompany the Senior Staff to Boston to be reunited with their parents. Liz, who also been informed, would be driven down from Manchester by the Secret Service.
The helicopter landed on the rooftop of Mass General and were met by two medical teams. They had been notified by this time who was coming in and given some basic information. Abbey was offloaded first, as she was nearest the main door. Her stretcher was placed on a gurney and swiftly escorted to the elevator and taken downstairs to Trauma Room 2 in the ER. The President's stretcher followed immediately and he was placed in Trauma 3. Secret Service agents swarmed all over the ER and at least four agents were assigned to each room.
In Room 2, an IV was started after blood drawn, monitor leads attached, oxygen started, and a hospital gown exchanged for her clothes. An extensive physical was started to assess for any trauma or physical damage. Even though Abbey didn't think anything had occurred, she knew she had been unconscious for a significant period of time.
In Room 3, a similar routine was implemented. The only thing that was different was that lung x-rays were taken because of the waterboarding. Pulmonary specialists were called in because of the chance of the President developing pneumonia from getting water in his lungs. As the doctors were looking at an x-ray, the President began to stir.
"He's waking up," one of the nurses yelled.
That brought everyone's attention back to their patient.
"Mr. President, you're in the hospital. You've been transferred to Boston. Can you hear me?"
Jed wasn't sure he was hearing correctly. The last thing he remembered clearly was the cloth being placed over his face and the feeling of drowning when the water came pouring down his nose and throat. He tried to raise his arms to push the feeling of the cloth off his face and felt someone restraining them. The harder he tried, the harder they restrained him.
"Mr. President, please. Calm down. You are fine. You're in Boston. You are safe. Please calm down."
He eased off on trying to raise his arms and opened his eyes. But immediately closed them against the bright lights. Gradually, he opened them again and looked around. Everyone was dressed in scrubs, not in suits like his kidnappers had worn. He relaxed a little bit more.
He struggled to talk, but finally found his voice, "Abbey?"
"Your wife is safe. She's in the room next door. The doctors are checking her out."
Jed nodded and closed his eyes. Now he really could relax. Abbey was alive and safe.
"Please just lay here and let us do our job. You're going to be fine."
Jed again nodded.
"Sir, can you open your eyes? We need to ask you some questions."
He did as they requested.
"Sir, beside the waterboarding and the drugs, do you remember anything else? Did they hit you or push you or do anything to you physically?"
He nodded, "Yes."
"Do you remember what?"
Jed went back through his fuzzy memory and remembered the kicking in the side. "I got kicked in my right side. And it hurt like hell."
"We already took some x-rays. Your ribs are okay. Your side is bruised, but they didn't break anything."
Jed nodded. "Anything else wrong? What about, you know, the MS?"
"Sir, you do have some fluid in your lungs so we will be giving you some IV antibiotics as a precaution. And of course, we will watch for any development of symptoms of your MS. You have been under extreme stress for the past ten hours or so, but we just don't know how your body will react to it. And of course, we'll admit you for a couple of days as a precaution."
"I understand."
Ron stepped up. "Mr. President, Mr. McGarry will be here in a few hours as well. He's on his way with two of your daughters."
"Thanks, Ron."
The doctor stepped back in. "Why don't you just relax for the time being while we make the arrangements to get you transferred? You are very lucky, Mr. President."
"I know. It could have been a very different outcome. Ron?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"Who got us out of there?"
"The Navy Seals, Sir."
"Remind me to thank them."
"Yes, Sir."