The rest of the Bartlet family was treated and released from Manchester General. Doug took Annie and Gus home while the girls went back to the farm.
They changed into warm clothes and set about shutting the open windows.
While they had been in Manchester, the Service had called a furnace repairman who had found that the pilot light had somehow gone out and that had been the cause of the leak of carbon monoxide.
The Service also installed three carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house so the next time there would be a warning. But nobody wanted the next time to occur.
Ellie asked one of the agents about their parents. She was told that they had been transported to Boston for treatment and their conditions were stable at last contact. But he would get another update in a few minutes.
When the next update came, it was not good news. Their father was in CCU because of arrthymias and cardiac arrest, and their mother had experienced a respiratory arrest and both were in critical condition.
"I'm going to Boston," Liz immediately said when she heard about her parents' condition.
"Well, I'm going too." Ellie was not about to be left behind. Her medical training told her that this was very serious.
"Count me in," Zoey replied.
"How are they? Any more news?" Ellie asked her agent.
"No, Ma'am. No changes that we've been told."
"Oh god, I hope we get there in time."
There was only silence in reply to Zoey's wish.
By the time they arrived, it had been decided that Zoey would go see their dad and Liz and Ellie would check on their mom. They were grateful to have each other at such a frightening time.
An agent took Zoey to Coronary Care to see about her father. She was told what to expect and then escorted in.
Her strong, vibrant father was pale and lying limp in the bed. He had tubes coming from almost every opening and wires snaked from his chest to a bank of overheard monitors. He was intubated and all Zoey could hear was the quiet whooshing sound of the ventilator. Zoey touched his hand, which was cool to the touch.
"Dad? Please be okay." Zoey was trying not to cry.
Liz and Ellie were taken to see their mother. Wires snaked from her to the bedside monitor. Ellie quickly assessed the pattern and was pleased that it was normal sinus rhythm. At least her heart was doing okay.
She was also intubated and the only sound in the room was the same, whoosh, whoosh in a rhythmic pattern.
Touching each hand, the two older girls said a silent prayer for Abbey's recovery.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
A man in a white lab coat opened the door and entered.
"Hello, you must be the children. I was told you were on your way. I'm Dr. Harris and in charge of Mrs. Bartlet's case. Let me give you a quick update. When the First Lady was admitted, she was conscious, but very dizzy and nauseated. That was expected. We treated it with medication and then transferred her here.
"However, shortly after she was transferred here, she experienced respiratory arrest and we had to place her on the ventilator. That could be a side effect of the carbon monoxide she inhaled in the house. But normally, if she was going to stop breathing, it should have happened at the house or on the flight here. By now, her body should have thrown off the most serious side effects. So this is a complication that we didn't expect. The most serious item is that she's unresponsive to any kind of stimulus. Her coma, this late in the process, worries me a great deal. I'm waiting to see when she comes out of this. I hope soon. Any questions?"
Liz and Ellie shook their head.
"We're going to stay here with her. And my sister, who is checking on my father, should be here shortly."
"That's fine. If you need anything, please tell the staff. We're here to help you as well. If nothing else, I will leave you alone. I'll be right outside if you need me."
"Thanks."
The girls sat down to wait.
That was about all they could do for their parents right now. But they were glad they had come. The family needed to be together right now.