Bringing Abbey Home

NOTE: Trying to fit this series into the actual timeline was not feasible. So, this is AU. It starts in the summer of 2003. Zoey is a junior in college and has not been kidnapped. Hoynes is still Vice-President.

Chapter 1

"Abbey, I hope you have a good time, but I do wish I could stay with you. I'm jealous…"

A knock on the cabin door interrupted Jed. "Come in."

"Sir, we're about to land at Heathrow. Are Mrs. Bartlet's bags ready?"

"Yes, Charlie. They're all over there. All except the one on the far left are to be taken off. That one will be taken back to Washington with me."

"Thank you, Sir." Charlie motioned to the steward behind him to help him grab the First Lady's suitcases so they could be off loaded quickly.

Finally, the door was shut again and the First Couple sat down and fastened their seat belts in anticipation of landing.

"I know you are sweetheart, but it's a perfect opportunity for Zoey and I to take a small vacation. I haven't had any time off since before the campaign and the Inauguration and she's been in school since January. This is now June so we are going to take a week and do some fun things. She's arriving tonight and it made sense for me to be dropped off on our return trip from Germany."

"But a whole week?"

"Now Jed, I've been on longer trips for business. A week is not that long. Zoey and I are going to Wimbledon and museums and shopping. Funs things for mothers and daughters to do. We deserve it."

"I know. I just wish I could join you."

"But if you did, it would just be so formal and so many people. This way we fly a little under the radar. Yes, we'll have Secret Service but only one vehicle, not ten or twelve. I'm sure Charlie will take good care of you while we're over here."

The plane jerked as it touched down and taxied to an isolated part of Heathrow for the First Lady to deplane.

Jed and Abbey released their seat belts and opened the cabin door.

"Give me a good bye kiss and I'll let you go," Jed teased his wife.

Abbey smiled in return. "If you insist." She gave him what he wanted, then turned and went down the staircase. At the bottom, she turned back, waved to him, and entered one of the two black Land Rovers Scotland Yard had loaned the Secret Service for the week.

Jed watched as the luggage was loaded in the second vehicle and the four agents split themselves between them. He waved goodbye, hoping she was looking, and then turned back inside. "Let's go," he softly said to the steward. Even before she had left the airport, he was already missing her and would until she returned to Washington in a week.