Chapter 3


"Want to tell me why there's a rumor going around that this wasn't an accident but attempted murder?"

Jax gulped at the tone of the man's voice. How the hell was he going to explain this, especially when he knew--- hell they all knew--- the there was no way the DA's office would prosecute. "It's complicated."

"Then start talking," Leo said evenly as his cell phone rang a second time. Automatically he hit send as he pulled it up to his ear. "WHAT?"

"And a good morning to you too, Leo," came the all too cheery voice, causing Leo to automatically sit up straighter. Somehow, no matter how long you had been friends with a man, no matter the crises you faced together, the fact that he was a former President of the United States caused you to come to some semblance of attention. "Morning sir," Leo said automatically slipping into old habits.

On the other end of the line Jed Bartlett sighed, "Leo, how many times do I have to tell you. . ."

"Force of habit."

"Right," Jed sighed, knowing there was no fighting it and that he didn't have the time to with his wife hovering nearby ready to pull the phone from his hands. "So is there any news?"

"Nothing to report right now, although you should know someone spoke to one of the reporters under Toby. You might be walking into a full on press assault."

"Since when has that ever stopped any of us?"

"True," Leo sighed as he looked out the window frowning as he wondered about how much information to give to his friend and former boss.

"Leo, there's something else isn't there?"

"Truthfully, I'm not sure yet."

Jed Bartlett frowned at that as his wife came over and reached for the phone. "Look, Leo, Abbey's standing right next to me and she wants the phone."

"Put on her on and I'll tell her what little I know."

"Like either of us really has a choice in the matter?" Jed laughed as Abbey gave him a mock glare and took the phone from him. "Leo, what have you got for me?"

"Not much. Apparently the hospital is giving them a hard time about paper work. I called Oliver about getting a copy of her medical power of attorney. I think I was named as the alternative," Leo started.

"Sounds about right," Abbey sighed as she gabbed the notepad and pen Jed offered her and tried to mentally review who among her husband's former senior staff had who's medical power of attorney. "Anything else?"

"Her doctors' names are Tony Jones, Eve Lambert, and Chris Ramsey," Leo continued, earning a surprise glance from Jax that he remembered the names. "Supposedly, Jones is one of the best."

"That's debatable," Abbey sighed as she wrote down the names and tried to avoid Jed's prying eyes. "What tests have they run? What are the extent of her injuries? And most of all what the HELL happened?"

"I don't know. Don't know. And it apparently depends on who you ask."

"Leo, don't pull the evasive act on me. I will kick your ass."

"Yes, ma'am," Leo sighed, deciding to go into briefing mode. "I just got into Port Charles about 15 minutes ago. As I said, her boss gave me the names of her doctors, and told me about the problems with the hospital fear of liability. I then called Oliver. He's looking for the paperwork. Before I got the chance to ask Mr. Jacks anything else I got a call from Toby about a rumor one of his cubs received concerning what happened. All I know for sure is that Donna's injuries were caused by a fall down a flight of stairs. It was, depending on who you ask, accidental or. . ." he trailed off.

"Who the hell would want to hurt Donna?" Abbey couldn't help but ask, earning a questioning look from her husband.

"That's what I intend to find out," Leo admitted. "As for Donna, the only other thing I know is that she's still unconscious."

"I see. Call me as soon as you find out anything else. And I do mean anything Leo. Just because it doesn't seem to matter to you. . ."

"Abbey, I'll call as soon as I know anything. Besides, if I don't check in you'll be calling looking for me!"

"Got that right," Abbey laughed slightly. "We'll be there later this afternoon. If any of the staff give you a hard time, tell them it's an executive order!"

"I don't expect much trouble on that front. There has never been a time when they all haven't pulled together. Although, I have to admit, I am not looking forward to breaking this news to Josh."

"He's stronger than we give him credit for."

"And most of the time it was due to Donna reining him in."

"We'll be there for him. For both of them."

"Right. I'll call as soon as I know something for sure," Leo said ending the call.

Abbey looked at the phone in her hand for a few moments before placing it on the desk. "What's going on?"

"Huh?" she asked as she looked over to her husband who frowned at her as she put the notepad and pen next to it. "Sorry. Leo doesn't really know anything right now."

"And that worries you?"

"I just have a feeling that something isn't right," she said as she moved to sit on his lap. "Leo can't even get a straight answer on how this happened!"

"I was wondering. Last night he said it was an accident and today you're asking him about who would want to hurt her. . ."

"Something just doesn't fit. I'll feel a lot better when we're there and I can see what's going on myself."

"And direct it, I'm sure."

"D@mned right! The lead doctor on her case is Tony Jones."

"Weren't we supposed to see him when I was first diagnosed?"

"Yeah."

"Remind me again why we didn't?"

"He was facing kidnapping charges after a nervous breakdown," Abbey sighed. "So can you understand why I'm a little worried?"

"Ron's going to have a coronary on you going there. . ."

"He's not going to have a choice."

"Hey, I'm not arguing. Just stating a fact."

"Jed, he's going to have to understand. She's family."

"I never said she wasn't. Never would. Heck, you know I think of the whole crazy lot of them that way. I'm just wondering how we're going to convince him."

"You won't need to, Sir," Secret Service Agent Ron Butterfield said from where he stood in the doorway. "Dr. Bartlett is right. She's family and it's my job, as well as that of those under me, to protect you and your family. Of course you both have to understand that your security is my foremost concern."

The couple only shook their heads slightly and then turned their attention back to him, "so what concessions are we talking about here?" Abbey sighed as she rose and moved to her husband's side, her hand still resting on his shoulder, his over hers.

"Let's go over that now. . ."