Sorry, I had writer's block. This is kind of the transition chapter, and, per usual, it says the EXACT SAME THING AS THE LAST FOURTEEN CHAPTERS! Oh well. And, now, since "The Cold" has aired, I'd like to say that this is all alternate universe to an extent. Well, actually, I guess it's just alternate universe to anything after "Duck and Cover." This is short, and I'm sorry, but at least I've started to write again… :) … even if this sort of, um, sucks.

Something had been going on even before they had begun their decent. The Secret Service seemed more nervous, more preoccupied. When they landed, however, Abbey really noticed the change. Instead of a few agents to bring her back to the White House in her limousine, there were masses of them, all guarding her and assisting her off the plane – courteously, of course.

"Katherine, what's going on here?" Mrs. Bartlet asked one of her staffers.

"I don't know, ma'am."

Abbey looked around for her head of security detail. Upon spotting him, she called out his name.

"Daniel!"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Daniel, can you tell me why it is there are so many agents here, and why it is on the plane you all were running around?"

"Ma'am, I am not at liberty to tell you—"

"Can you just generalize it?" Mrs. Bartlet interrupted.

"There was an incident earlier involving one of the detail's cars. We weren't sure at the time whether it was the work of terrorists, so we put your security on high alert."

Abbey's eyes widened. "Was anyone hurt?"

"One fatality so far, ma'am."

"And how many injured?"

"Two."

"Can you tell me who was in the car?"

"I have been ordered not to."

Mrs. Bartlet nodded her head. "Are the two injured okay?"

"Critical condition and stable condition between the two, ma'am."

"Thank you, Daniel," Abbey responded, walking towards her limo, somewhat dazed. She hopped in the car and sat down, staring out the window. Abbey didn't want to admit it, but something seemed funny about the news of this accident.

The partition between the driver and the back of the limo dropped.

"Mrs. Bartlet, the President is on the phone for you," Daniel said, sitting in the passenger's seat up front. Abbey hastily picked up the phone and the car began to roll.

"Jed?"

"Hey."

"There was a problem with a Secret Service car in the area?"

"Yeah."

There was a flatness to her husband's voice. Immediately Abbey sensed a problem. "Jed, what's the matter?"

"The car that crashed – they say the guy driving it had a seizure, but the thing is is that it was Leo in the car, Abbey, and he didn't make it."

"Oh, Jed," she gasped.

"Yeah. I'm not really quite sure what to do."

Abbey felt her eyes begin to tear up. "Have you called Mallory and Jenny?"

"They both started crying when I spoke to them."

"Oh, Jed."

"I haven't called any of our girls yet, though. I don't really know what to do. The news is new. We couldn't even find out for a while, and the public's not supposed to know until the FBI rules out foul play. But he suffered massive head trauma and his heart couldn't take it all and now he's gone."

"Was any of his staff in the car with him?"

"No, he was alone. He went in the car alone. He went out alone. And I can't help but think that someone should have been there with him."

By this time tears were rolling down Abbey's cheeks. Now she didn't know what to do. "I'll be there in a few minutes, all right?"

"I love you. I don't think I've said it enough lately."

She smiled and gave a small laugh. "You say it plenty enough, and I love you too. I'll be there soon."