Chapter 4

AN: Here is the next chapter. I am beyond excited that Madam Secretary season 2 is coming to the UK next week; however that won't change this story so please remember it comes at the end of season 1. Thanks for all the reviews and comments. I really appreciate them.

"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked Nadine as she ended the call with her family.

Nadine didn't know what to say. Her boss would have to know this information but they had only just got her calmed down. She paused for too long and Elizabeth spoke again.

"Tell me Nadine, I know I'm not in a good state but I would rather you tell me here than someone else does out there."

"The second explosion we heard was at the White House, your daughter told me when I told her that the family might be here."

"Oh my God" Elizabeth was stunned. She looked at Blake, "Call Daisy and Matt in their car, I want to know everything that is on the news. Then get me Russell Jackson so I can get the real story."

"Yes Ma'am." Blake answered as he dialled the familiar number of their colleagues.

"Daisy, message from M'Sec, she needs a briefing on everything the internet and news networks have on the incidents tonight." Blake ended the call before Daisy could suggest anything putting their boss in a press conference.

Blake rang Jackson's number, who answered succinctly, "Jackson."

"Sir I have Secretary McCord for you." Blake stated and handed the phone to Elizabeth who took a deep breath and started to speak.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, she needed to push through this and the first thing was to get confirmation on the situation with the President. "Russell, I assume the President and first family are safe?" She decided to err on the side of positive as the other option was unthinkable.

"Yeah we moved them right after the briefing ended, although I gotta say that I didn't expect them to get the White House."

"Are you here at Andrew's?"

"Yes we are setting up in a hanger, the Secret Service are doing a thorough sweep now. We have also taken a barrack block, it's early and most people here have not slept in a while."

"We are just going through security now." Elizabeth said, her breathing coming easier now that her attack was fading.

"Good meet with us when you are ready, the guards have been briefed to direct everyone to the barracks, get them assigned and then allow them to the hangar."

"My family are coming." Elizabeth stated.

There was a pause, "It that really a good idea?"

"Russell, you were at the briefing, yes the threat to family was unsubstantiated but considering my office just got bombed I don't think it was over the top to get my family to a safe location." Elizabeth felt totally justified in her decision and she was not going to let Jackson derail her.

"Did they at least get out without the press seeing, the last thing we need is to cause a panic."

Elizabeth took a fortifying breath, sometimes this guy really annoyed her.

"Russell, given the White House was just attacked I suspect there will enough panic. I think most of the press core will be focussed on the two bombs that have gone off rather than if my family was moved in the middle of the night."

"Very well, I'll let the commander here know to arrange several rooms for you."

"Thank you, now what more do you know about this since the last time we spoke."

"Eh…..that's the problem Elizabeth, we know nothing, we don't know what the threat is or where it might strike again."

"Nothing! That is impossible." The car began moving again and she really needed to see her family to check they were ok. "Russell, we are moving again, let me get my staff set up, they had all the office files backed up but it will take time before we have contact with the rest of the State department personnel."

"We have sectioned off the hangar, the West Wing staff are on route, well those who are able."

"Had you evacuated?" She asked quietly.

"Not enough."

"How many?"

"No details yet, the security guys were doing a sweep and some staff hadn't left for the night yet, we are expecting casualties."

"Ma'am we have arrived." The agent in the front of her vehicle butted in to the conversation.

"Russell, keep me in the loop, I will be in the hangar when I get my family set up, they are right behind us."

"Elizabeth….I'm glad you got out safely." Russell added with emotion in his voice.

Elizabeth was caught off guard a little, then realised that Russell was a human too and he had showed her kindness at times. "Me too, for you." She replied and hung up the phone ready to face the next thing.

Blake waited until the call was ended and he had the signal from his boss before moving.

Elizabeth cleared her throat and made to move off the seat. Before she let the door be opened she spoke to her two trusted advisors. "Nadine, make sure that all the staff have a room in the barracks that the commander has set up. Blake get yourself organised then check the area set up for my family. Get Matt and Daisy to get set up in the hangar but let Jay get his family settled before bothering him."

"Yes Ma'am" they both said.

The agent opened the door for Elizabeth and she stood out of the car, grateful that there seemed to be no prying eyes of the press and she could spend a few minutes calming down completely. It always amazed her when she had the attacks that fresh air could be so comforting, although this was the worst attack she had experienced since ending up in the hospital. She also realised at that moment that she didn't have her medication. She hoped that Henry had some, although she had never taken any, they did help her to calm down by just being there.

"Madam Secretary, if you could follow me please." An officer appeared at the side of the car and pointed to the barracks building.

"Major, do you have rooms for my staff?" Elizabeth asked the man indicating to the small group who had gathered around her.

"Yes ma'am the State Department has been given the third floor of the barracks, there are more than enough room for you all."

"And my family?"

"Yes Ma'am I have just sent word to the gate to have them directed here, they have just arrived."

"I'd like to wait for them before going in but please see that my staff are settled."

"Very good Ma'am." The major looked around at the staff, several of whom looked fairly petrified, the younger ones in particular. He quickly locked eyes with Nadine, sensing she was in charge. A brief nod from the older woman confirmed that fact.

"If you folks would like to follow me, we will get your accommodations organised." He looked between Matt, Jay and Blake. "Eh….Mr Whitman" Jay waved briefly to the officer to indicate who he was, "your family arrived about 10 minutes ago, they are already in the barracks."

"Thanks." Jay replied, his relief at knowing they were safe was obvious. The small group followed the officer and Elizabeth was left beside her vehicle feeling quite alone. She looked around and had to allow herself a wry smile, off course she was not alone, her agents were surrounding her and the base was filled with personnel, both military and secret service.

A few minutes passed and she spotted the SUV she had sent to get her family coming across the base. She pulled her jacket tighter around her; the cold was beginning to bite. The car drew up beside her motorcade and before it stopped she saw Henry jump out of the car and run towards her. She let herself be pulled into his embrace and then felt rather than saw the children joining them.

"God I was so worried babe." Henry murmured into her hair.

"I was so scared." She whispered back.

Henry pulled her tighter and just delighted in the fact that he was holding her at a time when she may have been taken from him.

"Ma'am" Frank spoke to her from beside the vehicle he had driven up in. "It's time to get you inside." He indicated to the building and Elizabeth nodded.

"Do you have your bags?" She asked looking at her husband and children, giving them all a good look over to ensure they were safe. They nodded back and she made sure to give them each some comfort. She watched as they all went back to the car and collected their belongings, she looked to Matt, her security driver and saw that he had her bag which she gratefully took from him. Henry was quickly back at her side and she took the hand he offered her. She held it tightly and followed the kids after Frank and Matt into the barracks. She had no idea what the next few hours would bring but she would be able to focus more now that her family was beside her.

AN: So I was wondering if anyone would be willing to beta my Madam Secretary work, knowledge of the show and UK spelling and grammar would be fab. Can you P'M me if you are interested. Thanks.

Hope to post more before the weekend, when another threat is revealed.