Chapter 2
"Oh God, Abbey, I don't need this right now." Jed leaned his head back against the headboard. Two agents had picked him up off the floor and placed him back in bed. Abbey had called for the on-call physician from the Medical Office and he was due here any minute.
"Shhh. We'll deal with it Jed. It'll be okay." Her warm hand stroked Jed's forehead, trying to get him calmed down. "You've been under tremendous stress these past few days. Have you taken your betaseron?"
"I don't remember. It's been so hectic I don't remember the last time I gave it to myself."
"Well, let's don't jump to a conclusion quite yet. It could be a number of things."
Abbey looked in her husband's eyes, knowing he could see the lie in eyes.
"Abbey, don't lie to me. Not now. We both know what it is."
"All I'm saying is that it 'could' be something else."
Jed closed his eyes. "No, we know what 'this' is."
Knock!
Abbey got up from the bed and opened the door. "Ron, we have a little problem."
"Yes, ma'am. That's why I'm here. What can I do?"
Looking back at Jed, Abbey lowered her voice. "Call CJ and ask her to come in. Then find Curtis. We'll need him sometime today I'm sure."
"Yes ma'am. I'll make sure those people are notified. I'll be here when you need something."
"Thanks, Ron."
"Yes, ma'am."
"What's the problem, Mrs. Bartlet?" A different voice asked the question.
"Oh hi. I didn't see you come up. My husband has been under tremendous stress over the past week and tonight, as he attempted to get out of bed, his legs gave out on him and he collapsed on the floor."
"Yes, ma'am."
Abbey stood aside while Dr. Hasbert entered. She watched him go over to the bed and start talking with Jed. Sighing, she closed the door and walked over to see what Jed was saying.
"Mr. President, I brought the records with me. You're overdue for your next dose of betaseron. It's been over a week since you had your last one."
"A WEEK! Jed, how could you? How could you forget such a thing?"
Bowing his head, Jed replied, "Abbey, it's been crazy. With the election and everything and then Leo," his voice caught on the words but he soon continued, "with Leo gone I just forgot."
"God Jed, how could you?" Abbey didn't know how to feel. Angry at him for forgetting something so essential to his life or pity for the emotional trauma this past month has brought.
"I'm sorry Abbey. But I'm the one paying for it now. Not you."
"NOT ME! How could you say something like that? I'm here Jed. I've been here. I suffer when you get sick. I'm paying for it as well."
Dr. Hasbert moved silently away from the bed. He wanted to leave but felt the distraction of the door would interrupt the First Couple's heated discussion. They had forgotten another person was present. Overwhelming fatigue and their drained emotional state continued to feed the flames of the argument.
"JED! Answer me. You know I'm paying for it as well."
"Hell, Abbey! What do you want me to do? Get down on my KNEES and apologize? I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry." His voice cracked as the tears started again.
