Chapter 9

Abbey never moved from her spot in front of the window. Doctors and nurses came and went, taking the time to dress in the isolation gowns and gloves, doing their work, and then throwing the materials in a red-lined trash can which noted the contents as contaminated materials. These bags would be bagged a second time and destroyed as medical waste.

Leo had long ago gone back to the White House. He was arranging the transfer of power to the Vice-President. Leo only hoped it would be temporary.

Abbey had called the girls and had encouraged them to stay where they were until there was a change, one way or the other. Zoey was in Europe on a study trip, Ellie was experiencing the trauma of being a second-year Resident, and Gus had an ear infection which kept Liz at home.

"Mrs. Bartlet, I need to give you an update." Dr. Wilson had walked up to her side.

"Okay."

"Let's go to the conference room."

"No. I want to stay here."

"Okay. The President's temperature is still high but is beginning to come down."

"That's good news."

"It's 102.9 degrees so there really hasn't been a significant change except that it is finally headed down. But he's really struggling to breathe. It could be the pneumonia or something we don't even know about. There's not much data on how to treat these patients. As I told you earlier, medical care consists of mainly supportive things, taking care of problems as they arise, and then just waiting."

"How is Diane Black doing? Is she experiencing the same symptom progression as my husband?"

"She died thirty minutes ago from respiratory arrest."

Abbey quickly turned to look at the doctor. "That means Jed's….."

"Not if I can help it. That's what I wanted to talk with you about. I'm worried that he could progress in the same direction so I'm going to intubate him and put him on a ventilator."

Abbey was still shocked at the death of Diane Black. That meant that Jed was the only living victim of this whole ugly mess. What could possibly happen next?

She really didn't want to think about it. Finally she realized the doctor was waiting for her to answer.

"I guess there's really no choice. But I have a favor to ask."

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Before you do that, I want to see him, to touch him and to see if he'll respond to me. I'll put on the gown, mask and gloves but I want to be with him for just a few minutes." What she didn't add were the words 'possibly for the last time'.

"When?"

"Now."

"Okay. But if he gets worse I'll have to intubate right away. Right now it's a precaution but it could very easily turn into an emergency. You do understand that?"

Abbey smiled for the first time in two days. "Of course."

Dr. Wilson then realized how he had sounded. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Bartlet. I don't talk too often to a person with your background and experience. I didn't mean to talk down to you."

"That's okay. It happens. Now, can I see my husband?"

"Yes, ma'am. You know what to do. I'll be out here if you need me."

"Thanks."

As Dr. Wilson walked away, Abbey called him back.

"Dr. Wilson?"

"Yes?"

In a quiet voice Abbey asked, "Have you gotten the test results back?"

Dr. Wilson instantly knew which test results she meant.

"No, ma'am. The lab is still working on it."

"Okay. Thanks."