Chapter 2

"Leo, how are things going back in Washington? Russell holding the fort?"

"Yeah. No trouble on that end. I told Josh and Toby to give him some room. But he won't do anything without your knowledge. I promise that."

"I guess I should have invoked the Twenty-Fifth but it's kind of hard when you're unconscious."

"If anything needed to be done I could have directed Debbie to pull the letter from the file but thankfully it wasn't. For once, the world is kind of quiet."

"Yeah, that's surprising."

"Sir, how is Abbey doing? I've heard her doctor talk to the press but really, is she recovering okay?"

"Yes, thank God. She'll be fine. She's having one more test which should clear her for discharge. I'm so ready to go home."

"How are your hands?" Leo glanced at the gauze bandages still covering the President's hands.

"Healing. No signs of infection or anything else. They still hurt like hell. Ron told me that some of the burning debris landed on my hands and my chest but it seems like my hands got the worst of it."

"You know you're lucky."

"Of course. Both of us are and we know it."

The door opened and a smiling Zoey Bartlet breezed in. "Hi Daddy. Leo." Looking around the room she noticed that someone was not there. 'Where's Mom?"

"She's just having another test. Don't worry. The doctors just want to check her over one more time. We're still planning on leaving tomorrow."

"I bet she's directing them, don't you?"

Both men laughed, picturing the scene in Radiology. "Yeah, I doubt your Mom is going to be quiet."

Leo turned to the door. "Well, Mr. President, I'll leave you and go check on things. Bye."

"Come back in a couple of hours and update me."

"Yes, sir. Try to rest."

"Yes, dear." Both men laughed at the President's words as Leo walked out of the room.

Zoey walked over to her dad's bed and sat down on the edge.

"Dad, I'm going to take a nap. I still have jet lag from the flight over and really need a rest. Ron has a room down the hall where I can lay down for a little while."

"You didn't have to come. You had talked to me and I told you everyone was going to be fine."

Zoey leaned over and kissed her father gently on the cheek. "I had to see for myself."

Jed smiled. "Yeah, you're a Bartlet for sure."

"Thanks Dad. That's a compliment. See you in a couple of hours."

"Do me a favor."

"Sure."

"Would you let the staff know that I need some pain medication? These burns can do a job on a person."

"Sure. Somebody will be in a minute. They wouldn't dare let YOU hurt any longer than necessary."

"Get out of here." Both laughed as Zoey left.

Jed felt relieved that the worse was over with. Both he and Abbey needed some down time to really heal. And that would occur when they were back at the White House, in their own room, in their own bed. Together.

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.