Dinner was mostly silent. Yes, silent, and filled with people who were feeling awkward, uncomfortable, angry, hurt, and highly offended.
After all the food had been consumed, no one hesitated in retreated to their respective rooms.
"Well," Abbey sighed, as she walked around the room, gradually preparing herself for bed. "This night didn't exactly go as planned, did it?"
Jed was already comfortably tucked into bed sitting up against the headboard.
"You can say that again."
"I just…honest to God, Jed, I can't even believe of all this. The last few hours…" She said, taking off her earrings.
"I know."
"I feel as if I've been juggling all night. Crisis to crisis," Abbey explained, taking off her shoes.
"I'm sorry about tonight."
"Why?"
"I told you I'd take you out tonight."
"That wasn't your fault, Jed."
"Yeah. And you were right," he said.
"Of course I was right. About what? Unzip me, will you?" She walked over to the bed, her back to him.
"Mmm hmm." He did as he was asked. "Talia Silverman really does hate you."
"Hey!" Abbey cried out.
"I'm sorry, honey, but…she does."
"I know."
She pulled her hair out of her clip and let it fall onto her shoulders.
"Why is that anyway?" Jed asked.
"PTA stuff."
"PTA? You've never been to a PTA meeting in your life!"
"One time. I went one time. And I stopped going because of her."
"What'd she do?"
"I'm not going there tonight, Jed."
"Really. What'd she do?"
"I was late," Abbey said.
"To the meeting?"
"Yeah. I was late, they asked why, and I said because I got held up in the operating room. They all thought I was joking, Talia in particular. I told them it was true, I am a doctor, and Talia said 'That's no excuse. If you're going to attend these meetings, you're going to have to show up on time, Mrs. Bartlet.'"
Jed laughed, thoroughly amused by the whole situation.
"And what did you say?"
"I said 'That's Dr. Bartlet to you, and excuse me if I prefer saving lives over planning bake sales.'"
"That's my girl!"
"So…that's why."
"How come you never told me that?" Jed questioned.
Abbey shrugged.
"I knew she was the Senator's wife and I didn't want to start any trouble, beyond the trouble you already had, with him professionally."
"Well, that's very admirable of you, Abigail," Jed replied, with a nod.
"Yes, well, I have a gift."
"Have I told you how fantastic you look in that dress?"
"Quite a few times tonight, in fact."
"Good, I'm smarter than I thought."
"Say goodbye to the little red dress," Abbey said, slipping the straps off her arms.
Jed pouted.
"Goodbye, little red dress."
The dress fell to the floor and Abbey walked into the bathroom.
"Hey, what do you think happened to Leo and Jenny tonight?" Jed called out to her.
"Oh. I don't know. That's an excellent question."
"Think they've come to some sort of agreement?"
Abbey laughed.
"No way. Mallory probably locked them in the basement or something."
"Only you could come up with something so wicked," Jed replied, with a chuckle.
"Oh my God, Jed."
Abbey emerged from the bathroom wearing her silk nightgown.
"What's the matter?"
"Mallory locked them in the basement!" She exclaimed.
"I thought you were joking!"
"I was!"
"But now you think…?"
"Come on."
Jed jumped out of bed and they both ran downstairs to the basement door.
"Open it, Jed."
"I can't. It's locked."
"Oh my God. Jen! Leo!" Abbey called.
No answer.
"They've been without food or water for hours. They're dead."
"We're a little dramatic, aren't we?"
"We have to get them out!"
"All right, all right, calm down. Do we have a spare key?" Jed asked.
"To the basement? We never even needed the original key before!"
"Grab me a knife."
"What the hell are you gonna do with a knife? Stab the door until it bleeds?"
"No, Abbey, I'm gonna pick the lock!"
"Right."
She ran over to the drawer by the refridgerator, grabbed a knife, then handed it to her husband. Within the minute, he had successfully picked the lock. Abbey ran in front of him and started down the stairs, with Jed following close behind her. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they found Leo and Jenny sound asleep on the couch, together. Abbey's hand involuntarily rose to her mouth.
"Awe."
"Remind me to tell Mal she's a smart girl," Jed said.
Abbey nodded, still focused on the sight before her.
"Come on, let's go to bed."
"Hey, if I take you out tomorrow night, will you promise to wear that dress again?"
Abbey sighed and started up the stairs.
"Let's go."
TBC.