Series: Snapshots of the Past

Story: Checkmate

Chapter 13

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Previously: Abbey and John talked about John's relationship with a young Jed

Summary: Jed and Abbey resolve a few things

"Were the girls up when you left?"

Jed relaxed his hands under his chin. Isolated in his inquisitive stare, Abbey ignored him as she swirled her utensils around her plate. But that didn't bother Jed. He continued to pry speechlessly until she was forced to surrender.

After 15 years, he knew her better than anyone. He knew the angry lines that formed on her forehead when she was mad at him, the way her smile lit up her face when she was happy. And those eyes. Abbey's eyes always led him to a gateway of emotions.

Ordinarily, they held a radiant glow that seemed to define her most joyous moods. Occasionally, they'd look red or glossy, a testament to her exhaustion after a long shift. Today, they were neither. On this day, those emerald orbs lacked illumination. They weren't swollen or puffy. They were simply vacant. And for that reason, he was mesmerized by every blink.

"Are you going to tell me what's up?" he finally asked her.

"My question came first. Were the girls up when you left?"

"Ellie and Lizzie were. I made them some pancakes, put a stack in the oven for Zoey, and told them you'd be home soon. Now what's the matter?"

She tried to brush him off. "Long night."

"Apparently," he replied. "What did he do?"

She looked at him then, feeling foolish for thinking she could keep it to herself. "He didn't DO anything."

"Come on. What did he say?"

"Jed..."

"Abbey, I asked you to look in on him from time to time. Now, he obviously did something to upset you and I want to know what it was."

"We discussed you."

Suddenly, no further explanation was necessary. If there was one thing that could drive Abbey out of her mind, it was John Bartlet's denial. "You know you shouldn't do that. Every time you and my father talk about me, it only infuriates you."

"I'm surprised he didn't tell you all about it when you went in there."

"He didn't mention a thing. He probably figured I knew the difference between his truth and THE truth." Jed reached for her hand. Abbey released her fingers from her fork and allowed his touch, curling her palm into his. "Tell me what he said, Honey."

"Nothing new. Vintage John, making excuses and pretending to be a saint."

"Well, it's over now. He'll be released from the hospital this morning and that'll be that. Right?"

"What happens then? Are you going to try again with him?"

Jed didn't respond. There was no response good enough to explain the deep-rooted desire to build a relationship with John. He realized that no one would understand why he'd let a selfish man like his father anywhere near him, but it wasn't up to them to understand. The bond between parent and child hadn't yet been severed and as long as their was hope of healing, Jed couldn't bring himself to desert the wounded fragments.

Abbey nodded when he let go of her hand and stared down at his breakfast. "I love you."

His head still hanging low, Jed threw her a glance. "That's it? You're not going to warn me that he'll never change and that I'm just setting myself up for another blow-up?"

"No," she said plainly. "I just love you."

Her unconditional support strengthened his resolve. He set aside his plate and leaned over the table to steal a kiss. "I love you too."

"Just do me a favor and keep him healthy. Dealing with him in his normal state is bad enough, but the last thing I want is another night with the cranky patient."

"I'll do my best." Jed laughed.

"Thank you."

As he relaxed again against his chair, he pulled his briefcase up to his lap and pulled out a folded newspaper. "On to happier things," he said, handing it to her. "Take a look."

"What is it?" She gazed at him curiously before she flipped through the pages.

"Guess."

"I hate when you make me guess."

"That's why I do it." He smirked. Snatching the edge of the paper to point her in the right direction, he led her to the editorial section. "Check it out. Three op-eds and four letters to the editor. And they're all about..."

"Medicinal marijuana," Abbey finished, pleasantly surprised.

"You wanted to bring attention to it. You did. And not just here either. This morning's paper back home in Manchester is buzzing with an editorial and two letters to the editor as well." He watched her lovingly as she ran her fingers over the print, a look of wonder in her eyes when she looked up at him.

"It sure took them long enough," she joked. "But just based on my quick skim, most of them are against it."

"Yeah, but that was expected, wasn't it?" She shrugged and he realized it wasn't. "Oh, Abbey. You knew going into this it would be an uphill battle."

"I guess I just hoped I could make a difference."

"You did. You got people talking. You've ensured your petition, at least in our district, haven't you? That's making a difference."

"I meant..."

"I know what you meant. But change never happens overnight."

"I swear, if you quote Max Weber to me, I'm going to take away your dessert."

"I wasn't going to quote Max Weber, Smartass."

"No?" Abbey suspiciously quizzed him.

"No." He wrapped her fingers around his, squeezing gently. "I was going to ask you a question."

"What's that?"

"When the state legislature reconvenes next year, I plan to stay true to my promise. I will back Larry Griggs's proposal for a discussion on legalization for medical purposes, which means we'll need some doctors to testify."

"You want names?"

Jed shook his head. "I want you."

"To...testify? Jed, there are so many other qualified doctors."

"You know this issue better than any other doctor I've met. I am so impressed with how many minds you were able to change just in the past month. The best thing for your cause would be you telling me and my colleagues why we should vote in your favor - as long as you understand I'm not guaranteeing my vote one way or the other."

"One way or the other? That means you're considering changing your position?"

"I'll hear you out - you and the other doctors. I'll listen to the advocates and then I'll make up my mind."

"I thought you already made up your mind."

"That was before you got everyone talking about it."

"A little conversation was all you needed, apparently," she told him with the return of a spirited twinkle in her eye.

"Before you get cocky, I''ll tell you a secret," he continued softly. "I've learned a few things I didn't know, both about the proposal and about my constituents."

"That was supposed to make me more humble?"

"It not all because of you. The voters had a lot to do with it."

"The voters," she repeated, nodding.

"Okay, okay. You get the credit for lighting a fire under the whole thing."

"It's not about credit, Hon. I was just playing with you."

"And I know how you love to do that." He flirtatiously winked at her. "The point is, I'm a fair man, Abbey. If your side can convince me I was wrong, I'll admit it."

"So you're opening your mind to the possibility?"

"That's right. But I won't make anymore promises. I don't want you to be disappointed if, after all is said and done, I still disagree with you in the end."

"You know what?"

"What?"

"You are a fair man."

"You just figured that out?"

"No. I was just reminded of it."

He gazed at her adoringly and then said, "So, we have a deal? You'll testify and you won't expect anything I can't deliver, right?"

"Yeah. We have a deal," she assured him, a bit of apprehension lacing her tone.

"Then what's the problem?"

"Who said there's a problem?"

"You're hesitating."

Abbey rolled her lips and considered her options. Though she knew it might lead them down a path she didn't want to visit, she ultimately decided to be honest. "I just assumed you'd want another doctor."

"No." Once again, Jed shook his head. "I want you and so does everyone who agrees with you. You're the best person for this job."

When Larry Griggs introduced the topic of medicinal marijuana, Jed chose to go to someone else. Another doctor briefed him on the benefits of marijuana for the terminally ill. It wasn't because he didn't trust Abbey's medical expertise or because he thought she would led him astray. The only reason he didn't turn to her was because he knew the subject would awaken a passion so powerful that it would almost certainly lead to an argument between them.

It was the right decision, he had convinced himself. It wasn't until the night she found out he sought another doctor's advice that he regretted what he had done. The look in her eyes filled him with remorse, with guilt even. He hurt her that night and in true Jed Bartlet fashion, he had been looking for a way to make it up to her ever since.

Abbey feared the invitation to speak to the legislature was his answer. "If this is because of what happened a couple of weeks ago, you don't have to do this."

"It's not about that," Jed answered impulsively. "Well, maybe it is a little, but not in the way you think. I'm not trying to smooth things over or make you feel better. As much as I want to do that, that isn't why I asked you to be part of this. I really do think you're the one to do this based on everything I've learned in the past month."

"What have you learned?"

"Among other things, I've learned how much you know and how much you care about this topic. You're not just a fantastic scientist, Abbey. You're absolutely amazing. In every way, you're amazing. Your tenacity, your passion, your dedication to what you think is right...I mean, I always knew those things about you, but for the first time, I got to see it from the other side."

"The opposing side."

"It's no fun challenging you."

"You got through it unscathed."

"That's only because you pulled a few punches," he reminded her with a lighthearted grin. "Seriously, you did one hell of a job. Even if you were a total stranger, I'd pick you to represent your side at the state house."

"If I was a total stranger, you couldn't stop me."

"But since you're not?"

Her expression overflowing with gratitude, she replied, "What the hell. I'd still really like to address the legislature!"

"Good! Now that that's settled, may I propose that in the future, we're not going to do this. From now on, we're going to be on the same side of every issue."

"Yeah, right." Abbey sputtered.

"You think I'm joking. Truth is, I'm really not. It's hard work fighting you."

"It's not like it took a lot of effort, Jed. You did half the work I did and you won."

"You got enough signatures, didn't you?"

"Only in a few districts. Not statewide." She gave him a bashful smile of concession. "Just like you predicted."

"You got Manchester. That's nothing to sneeze at."

"Almost. I need eleven more signatures."

"That'll be a piece of cake."

"We'll find out tonight."

"Well, either way, I told you I'm going to back up Griggs. We'll have the debate, regardless of what happens. That was your goal all along."

"It would have a better chance of getting past the hearing stage if there was more constituent support behind it."

"You just started this, Abbey. In a few short weeks, you were able to do what I considered pretty much impossible. Give yourself some credit."

"A lot of that was thanks to your help. I don't deserve the credit. We both do."

Jed pressed his finger to his lips. "Shh. Don't tell my colleagues."

"It's our secret," Abbey agreed, laughing. "Maybe next time this comes up, it'll go over better."

"Uh oh, here we go."

"What?"

"You're already planning another campaign because you're convinced this one won't get the amount of attention you think it deserves. It's that type A personality of yours. You're never satisfied."

"I most certainly am satisfied when things go my way."

"If that was true, you'd stay at Dartmouth-Hitchcock for your fellowship instead of commuting to Boston every day." He swirled the syrup over his breakfast

She stared at him incredulously. "That just happened. How did you find out I was accepted to Boston?"

"I have my ways," he told her as he cut his French Toast.

"Still bitter about that, Darling?" she asked, sipping her orange juice.

"Not so much bitter as I am confused. You've had a good run in Hanover."

"I have, but residency is over and it's time for a new experience."

"See? Never satisfied."

"Neither are you, Dr. Bartlet, Mr.-I-took-my-SATs-twice-because-I-got-a-1580-Overachiever since the day he first talked."

"The day I first crawled," he corrected. "And it was a 1590. Get it right."

"Oh, sorry." She feigned regret.

"It's that little voice inside your head that whispers, 'Abbey, so what if you completed four years of college with a near-perfect GPA and then used your stellar MCAT scores to get admitted into one of the most prestigious medical schools in the world, where you graduated at the top of your class and had programs falling all over themselves to offer you a residency on Match Day. You still have to try harder for a fellowship that more accurately reflects your incredibly high standards.'"

"Hey! Don't insult my standards. It was those high standards that brought me luck in the love department." Taking hold of his hand, she raised it to kiss his knuckle.

"Then I take it all back."

"Yeah?"

"Anything that brought you to me can't be all bad."

"I didn't think so. Eat your breakfast."

"You just want my muffin."

"I won't lie."

Jed picked up the blueberry muffin on the side of his plate. "How much for half?"

"You're going to charge me?"

"Yep! The currency is love."

Abbey paused, trying to suppress the chuckle that threatened to disturb the moment. "That's about the corniest thing you've ever said."

"Pstt," he whispered. "Wrong answer." She watched as he set the muffin to the side furthest away from her.

"That's fine. I'll just resist the urge to tell you something you want to know."

"If you think that's going to work on me, you little manipulator, you're sadly mistaken."

"It's not a trick."

Her strong tone almost persuaded him, but he resisted. "Yeah, sure it's not."

"Am I tempting you?"

"Not at all."

"Okay." Abbey toyed with him, playfully twirling her fingers around one another while her eyes danced with his until he finally dropped his fork.

"What?"

Her lips parted into a half-smile as she straightened her back and told him, "You should check your sources. I'm not taking the fellowship in Boston."

"You're not?"

"I kind of like working just down the road from you. I like to know I can show up at your office and check in on you at any time of the day and night to fight off those lusty coeds."

"They don't stand a chance next to you, Sweet Knees." Delighted, he smiled back at her. "For real though, tell me why you're not taking it."

"Because when you put in as many hours as I do, there's a certain amount of comfort in knowing your husband is only a few blocks away. If I was commuting back and forth to Boston while you had to drive back and forth to Hanover every day, I have no idea when we'd see each other."

"So you turned it down."

"Besides, I couldn't ask for a better group of colleagues at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. The only reason I considered Boston was because of my old Harvard professors."

"Are you sure you made the right choice?"

"Yeah. I'm happy where I am. But I do have my eyes on Boston Mercy, so somehow, some way, I expect you to figure out how we can have a normal marriage while living in Manchester when my fellowship is over."

"Have you ever wanted normal?"

"I did...before I met you."

"And now you'll bid farewell to that fantasy?"

"Now I have a new fantasy." She scooted in towards the table, her chin resting on her palms and her elbows supporting her. "It involves you, me, and our daughters living out this incredible life we created."

"Happily ever after?"

"Just like the fairytales."

"I like this story." He gave her his undivided attention. "Tell me more."

Her voice faltered slightly as she slipped her feet from her shoes to massage his leg with her bare toes. Blue eyes locked into green ones and in that instant, the noise that filled the hospital cafeteria faded into oblivion, replaced by Abbey's sultry tone and a few quiet sighs that escaped Jed's serious demeanor.

They never even noticed John being wheeled to the entrance. Once he overheard a snippet of conversation, he looked to his nurse to take him back upstairs.

It was a platonic story, devoid of a graphic love scene. But it didn't matter. John could see the lust from a mile away. Even in the company of strangers, the looks exchanged between Jed and Abbey were those of lovers, of a husband and wife so engaged in one another that nothing - and no one - could disrupt the harmony between them.

TBC