Just a little one shot about Henry loving his wife after a long tiring week. Somewhere in season 3. I thought I published this two weeks ago but I guess the app didn't take it.

I am cleaning up and publishing all my little WIP's. Hope you like them. Reviews make me smile.

Brenda

...

Elizabeth edged open the door to her home and entered slowly. She lowered the bag to the floor- kicked off her shoes and removed her coat, which was unceremoniously tossed in the direction of the coat tree.

All she wanted was food and a shower, and some time with her husband and kids. It had been nearly four days and she honestly wanted to burn the outfit she was in. She eyed it with distaste. It had been expensive. It was fairly new. She looked good in it. But after that many days of it - it could walk itself to the fireplace. She had replaced the blouse once- fair enough. But it has been too busy to really worry about changing clothing.

She sighed. It would be laundered and dry cleaned and she would wear it again. It was a patterned blouse and beige slacks and Ally had chosen it for her because "if you buy anymore white blouses and grey or black pants I will disown you mother."

Allison was a fashion plate. She was not a DC bureaucrat who needed everything to mix and match and be long lasting. Trendy outfits cost a lot and called attention to themselves. Basic simple colours worked for Elizabeth. Or Blue. Sometimes red if she was feeling feisty.

Tonight the feisty was more like feral.

Even the jewellery was coming off tonight. She felt as disgusting as she used to coming home from trips to the Middle East when she worked operations.

This was likely because she was accustomed to hygiene again. It had been years since she had to be gross on purpose. Camping with her family was different. That was relaxing and there were fish to catch, hikes to take and campfires to cuddle by. The Truman Building was supposed to be professional. She had to dress up to be there. If one was supposed to be sweaty there should be yoga pants and t-shirts. Nothing felt more awful than damp silk, crumpled linen and sweaty feet in those fancy shoes. It felt good to kick them off but when she saw Blake's nose crinkle she knew to keep them on. Uncomfortable and embarrassing. One could only freshen up so many times in that tiny little bathroom.

Tonight it was going to be the longest, hottest shower she could stand. With leg shaving and real shampoo- lather rinse and repeat- thank you very much Toothpaste and floss - not the waxy crap Henry liked. Then she was going to eat chocolate and drink wine and finally she was going to sleep for about 24 hours.

Somewhere in there she wanted Advil and sex. Pizza and sex, greasy Chinese and a game night with the kids and a foot massage. She eyed the one hour shoes that had lasted for over eighty and decided that the dress code was for suckers. If Conrad or Russell wanted to say anything about sneakers and jeans - they would meet a version of Elizabeth almost no one knew.Exhausted beyond measure menopausal and miserable.

Henry heard the door and came to find her. He knew this version and he was familiar with how much work she had been doing. Truth be told he had been worried about her - and had been speaking with Blake. There had been some water, too much coffee and far too many pastries.

But America wasn't going to war with Russia or China for the next couple of days. According to Blake - Avdonin and Chen were actually a little frightened to piss her off anymore; and he was proud. Henry knew she felt like these guys were like children sometimes. He had seen her parent their own brood when they needed prodding - and he knew to back down when her eyebrows knit, her eyes flashed and she said "don't".

Wordlessly he took her hand and lead her to the bedroom - keeping his thoughts about her appearance and slightly sour smell to himself. It wasn't her fault. She was human, or so he tried to remind her.

He said nothing as she peeled off her clothing and dropped it as she walked. He knew her and while she was sleeping he would deal with the laundry. She enquired about the kids - and he told her that Stevie was out, Jason was asleep and Ally was sleeping over at Molly's. He saw her shoulders sag a little and he said that tomorrow night would be a family night. Burgers and bowling for five. The lift in her step was noticeable. His heart sang. There was no doubt where Mrs Mcord wanted to be.

Her eyes brightened as she arrived in the bedroom. Laid out on the bed was a yellow Frampton T-shirt. Some plaid pajama pants. Clean underwear and her navy house shoes. She was practically in tears as she entered the bathroom to discover a stack of towels and her favourite toiletries laid out for her. He whispered that tomorrow he would give her a bath but tonight she needed the shower. Oh she loved this man

Thirty minutes later she was comfortable again and Henry had made her a bowl of chicken soup with vegetables. You need protein and something gentle ... she knew the words even unspoken. Over the years he did this for her and now after 27 years they could communicate wordlessly.

She did utter a plea "stay with me til I fall asleep?" And he moved the empty tray to the floor and cuddled her for while. She mumbled something about missing her family and could they have onion rings and curly fries tomorrow night? Then she was out. He stayed with her a bit and when she was truly asleep, he made sure she was covered in their soft blanket and that the light was off.

If she was going to save the world the least he could do was be there for her when she came home to be herself.

He found her phone and took it with him to the kitchen. He cleaned it, freshened her shoes and coat, put her purse beside the coat rack and thanked DS for bringing her home. Then he returned to his beloved. The least he could do for the Secretary of State was to be good to his wife.

Fin