Washington, D.C.
"Sir, you just canceled your trip to London," Leo said.
"Well, now I want to go again."
"Can I ask why?"
"She called Amy," Jed said.
"Sir?"
"Abbey. She called Amy and asked why the trip was canceled. She was expecting me to come."
"You can't be serious," Leo said.
"I am serious! It must have been a misunderstanding. I have to go to London, Leo. I have to talk to her."
Leo nodded.
"Okay. I'll see what I can do. But I don't think you'll be able to go until next week maybe."
"Fine," Jed said. "I can't lose her, Leo."
"You won't. You and Abbey weren't meant to be apart. You won't lose her. I'll make sure of it," Leo assured him.
"Thank you. Really."
"That's my job, sir."
"Leo, you're my Chief of Staff, it's not your…"
"I'm your best friend, Jed. It's my job."
London, England
Zoey Bartlet and Oliver Prescott sat in a small coffee shop near Hyde Park. Zoey had turned quiet after a few minutes, prefering to sip her latte in silence. The usually talkative young woman seemed to be at a loss for words these last couple of days, Oliver noticed. It worried him. Even when she was upset, she would talk to him. She was very much like her mother in that respect.
"Zoey."
"Hmm?"
Her fingers traced the rim of her coffee mug absently.
"What are you thinking?"
She shrugged.
"Nothing. How long have they been out there?"
"What?"
"Our parents. When did they leave?" Zoey asked.
"Oh…maybe an hour ago, I don't know. Why?"
"No reason. Just curious."
"You know, Dad was really surprised when your mother called him," Oliver said.
"I think Mom was just as surprised."
"Listen, Zoey, I know it…freaks you out, I guess is how you would put it. But Dad really likes her. And he's not going to hurt her."
"No, I know. It's not him. It's…anyone that's not my dad. You know?"
"I understand. It's different for me. My parents have been divorced for years. You'll recover soon enough."
Zoey stared at him in confusion.
"I'll recover from what?"
"Your parents divorcing," Oliver replied, nonchalantly.
"My parents are NOT divorcing!" She exclaimed.
"Zoey, come on."
"They're not! No!"
"Okay. Fine. They're not."
"They're not, Oliver," Zoey repeated, firmly.
"Yeah. Fine. Do you want another cup of coffee?"
"No. Thanks."
Hyde Park- London
"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you, Tony," Abbey said.
"It's quite all right. It's been bad back in Washington, hasn't it?"
Abbey nodded.
"The press is all over it. They're all angry with me because I won't give them any information."
"About us?"
"Yes."
"I've got a few questions about us as well," Tony said.
"That's what I was afraid of."
"Abbey, I don't want to push you. And I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me. But you must know how I feel about you."
"I do know."
"Then tell me where I stand."
"Well then, I guess it's time I told you what's been going on this past week. After the party, I came back to my hotel room to find it filled with roses, from my husband. There was a letter saying he was going to come to London the next day, to work things out. I worried that he wouldn't come, because of the picture, but I thought he would come anyway."
"And he didn't?"
"No," Abbey replied, desolately. "He didn't."
"I see."
"It has become quite apparent to me that he is no longer interested in repairing what's broken in our marriage. What started out as his fault, has become my fault. Since he doesn't…" Abbey paused as her voice began to break up and she held back her tears. "…want me anymore. He doesn't want me anymore."
She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Tony watched helplessly while the tears ran down her cheeks. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to her. She accepted it gratefully.
"I'm sorry. Really. I hadn't planned on breaking down like this."
"Don't apologize, Abbey. The breakdown of a marriage is very devastating, and it's difficult to accept. I know. I've been there. But it'll get easier. I promise you. It will."
Abbey nodded, wiping away her tears. She was more determined now.
"Tony, I'd like you to do me a favor."
"Anything."
"Schedule me a meeting with your lawyer. As soon as possible."