Washington, D.C.- White House Briefing Room
"CJ, what time is the President due to leave the White House?"
"The President is scheduled to leave in two hours time. That being said, I expect we'll be out of here in three or four hours."
"How long will the President be staying in London?"
"We're planning on two or three days," CJ replied.
"Will the President be visiting the First Lady?"
"Yes."
Noticing the obvious grin on CJ's face as she answered confidently, the press corps began writing notse down frantically.
"Will the First Lady be returning to Washington with the President?"
"I haven't spoken to the First Lady about this, but there is a distinct possibility that she will, yes."
"Are there any meetings with the Prime Minister scheduled during this trip?"
"Absolutely. The President will be meeting with Prime Minister Blair at least once, maybe more."
"What about Sir Anthony Prescott?"
"What about him?" CJ answered.
"Will the President be meeting with him as well?"
CJ shook her head.
"The President doesn't have any business with Sir Prescott at this time, and has no meetings scheduled. If they should happen to meet socially, that's something else."
"CJ, if Zoey Bartlet returns to Washington with them, will she be bringing Oliver Prescott with her?"
"Zoey has not revealed to me what her plans are as of yet."
"What can you tell us about the relationship between Zoey Bartlet and Oliver Prescott?"
"I don't have any information on that. When I do, I'll let you know. Okay, that's all, folks."
London, England, a few days earlier
It was after midnight when Zoey Bartlet knocked on the door of Oliver Prescott's flat in Knightsbridge. He had settled down on the couch, a bottle of beer in hand, watching the an old episode of Casualty from the '90s, wondering what was going to happen to Jude today.
The power banging on the door made Oliver jump up immediately and sprint to the front hall. He unhooked the chain that locked the door and opened it. Zoey stood before him, mascara smeared around her eyes as if she'd be crying. She pushed past him and sat down on the couch, without a single word. Oliver followed her suspiciously, and sat beside her.
"Zoey. Was there something you wanted to say to me?" Oliver asked, trying to keep from laughing.
"Don't be a jackass, Oliver."
He immediately put on a straight face.
"Okay. What's happened?"
"You know, I used to think my mother was the smartest person in the world."
"And…now she's not?"
"Well, she's not too good at decision-making," Zoey said.
"Explain."
"Do you know where she was today?"
"Uh…no," Oliver answered, honestly.
"You should."
"Why's that?"
"Because she was out with your father all day."
"Zoey, I don't know everything my father does. I'm not his secretary."
"And do you know where he took her?"
Oliver shrugged.
"Buckingham Palace."
"Wrong."
"I give up. Where did he take her?"
"He took her on a visit to his LAWYER!"
Oliver's eyebrows furrowed confusion.
"That doesn't sound very romantic. What the hell did he do that for?"
"She asked him to. Because, apparently, she's lost her mind!" Zoey shouted.
She stood up and began pacing the floor, back and forth.
"And she told me about it was like it was nothing at all! 'Hey, Zoey, I had some papers drawn up today…' Like it means zilch. Zip. Nada."
"What kind of papers, exactly?" Oliver asked.
Zoey paused, searching her brain.
"I don't know. I ran out of there before she could tell me!"
"Well, maybe it's not what you think."
"Oh, it's what I think, all right!"
"How do you know?"
"I know!"
"How?"
She sat down again, her expression turning into a pout.
"Okay, I don't know. But whatever it is, it's not good. Lawyers are a bad omen."
Oliver laughed.
"This from the girl who wants to enter law school in the fall?"
"That's right!"
"Listen, I think you need to calm down, okay? You don't know what's going on. Don't speculate."
Zoey sighed, miserably.
"Everything's falling apart, Oliver."
He slipped an arm around her shoulers.
"I know. It'll get better. It always does. Give it time."
"Everyone keeps telling me to give it time. Well, I've given it time, and everything's still a mess."
"Some things take longer than others," Oliver pointed out.
"How long is this going to take then?"
"I don't know," he said. "Awhile, I guess."
Zoey sat up, looking him directly in the eye.
"Are you happy about this?"
"No, I'm not happy that you're unhappy, Zoey. Come on."
"That's not what I mean. I mean about our parents. You're happy they're together, aren't you?"
"I like that my dad's happy. He hasn't been for so long. I'm just…sorry your mother had to be the one to do it."
"What, she's not good enough for him!" Zoey questioned, defensively.
"No! No, I mean, because of the situation. I'm sorry it's so complicated. You know I adore your mother, she's great. But this is just causing everyone pain. I wish it didn't have to be that way."
"You and me both. Oliver, my parents love each other. They really, really do."
Oliver nodded.
"I know. But sometimes…sometimes, love isn't enough."
"That's what my mother said too, weeks ago. I never thought this would still be going on by now. I thought it'd be over."
"What else is bothering you? There's something else."
"I don't know. I'm just…I'm worried about my dad. He's never gonna be able to make it without her."
"Well, if you ask me, he should have thought of that a long time ago."
Washington, D.C.
"You know, Leo, I'd really like to actually leave on time today," Jed said, glancing at his watch.
"Just a few more things to go over and then we can leave, Mr. President," Leo said.
"I have some very important…business to take care of in London, you know."
Leo grinned in return.
"I know, sir. I won't keep you much longer."
The President could barely conceal his excitement. He was finally going to get his wife back. It had been nearly two months since they'd had a proper conversation. Nothing could deter him now. He had a plan.
"Excuse me, Mr. President."
Charlie entered the room, a somber expression on his face. He was carrying a brown manila envelope.
"Charlie, I'm getting ready to leave. What is it?"
Charlie approached the President nervously, clutching the envelope.
"Sir, this was just delivered."
"What is it?" Jed asked, putting on his glasses and taking the envelope from him.
"I don't know, but I was told it was urgent."
Jed opened the envelope and pulled out the papers from inside. Charlie and Leo tried to figure out what the papers said by reading the President's facial expressions, yet it was still unclear. After a few moments, Jed puts the papers down and looked up at his Chief of Staff and personal aide.
"Sir?"
"Cancel the trip, Leo," Jed said, quietly.
"What!" Leo asked, stunned. "What did the papers say?"
Jed took a deep breath before responding.
"They're separation papers. Abbey would like me to sign them."