Chapter Thirteen - The tide began to Change

7 Months ago…(one month after the car crash)

'Woah Mom! You look amazing' Alison beamed as her mother walked down the stairs, into the kitchen, but Elizabeth instantly rolled her eyes

'Does everything have to be about a woman's appearance' she sighed.

'I was only trying to be nice' Alison snapped and pushed past her mother taking herself upstairs. Henry raised an eyebrow in Elizabeth's direction but she dismissed it.

'So where are you going?' Jason asked as he took some food from the fridge.

'Just for food with Conrad and Lydia' Elizabeth smiled and leant on the fridge door looking at Jason.

'Is that not a bit formal, what you're wearing I mean?' Stevie asked and Elizabeth shot Henry a look.

'See, always about a woman's appearance' she shook her head disapprovingly.

'Ok Kids, your mother has had a long day with some sleazy diplomats who have lusted after her legs-'

'Ew'

'Gross'

'Yes, now imagine how your mother feels. So let's leave the appearances out if it, say goodnight as we have to get going' Henry continued but it still wasn't helping Elizabeth's mood. In truth her earlier conversation with Henry was really the root of her annoyance…

'Does this look ok?' She asked, twisting and turning her body in front of the bathroom mirror. Her body was wrapped in a figure hugging black dress which stopped just below the knees. Henry smiled and nodded as he brushed his teeth beside her

'It's fine'

'Fine? It can't be just fine Henry it needs to be formal but casual' she moaned

'Babe that doesn't even make sense. The dress is fine, its formal, its nice, you don't need to dress up for Conrad'

'Dress up for Conrad?' She echoed her face falling as she looked at him 'Why would I dress up for Conrad?'

'I didn't mean it like that, I just mean he is an old friend, he isn't going to care what you turn up in' Henry walked into the bedroom and started get dressed

'But why would you think I was dressing up for POTUS'

'Elizabeth relax, comments have been all over social media and the news about your appearance all day and I think you're getting a little oversensitive now' he huffed. He had to endure the entire day of hearing people lust after his wife and her legs, the hashtag madam sexyteary was something he had heard all his students muttering throughout the day.

'Oversensitive?' She cleared her throat and he silently cursed himself

'Elizabeth you look beautiful, you don't need nice clothes to look beautiful, you don't need to do your hair all fancy, you don't need to worry about a silly hashtag either, I think you're perfect the way you are, and along as you feel comfortable that is all that matters' he attempted to rectify his previous comment. She walked into the bedroom and stopped, watching him fasten his belt and tuck his shirt in.

'I was comfortable until the entire world decided to turn me into a global sex icon'

'Ok, slightly dramatic but you can't blame them, you are sexy' he teased but it fell flat.

'Not funny Henry, it always comes down to a women's appearance '

'What is this really about?' He asked

'Nothing' she grumbled, slipping her shoes on.

'Fine' he gave in, he slipped his coat on and grabbed her from the wardrobe holding it out for her. She smiled gratefully as he slipped it on her shoulders. She turned to face him and leant up placing a soft kiss on his lips, Henry went to deepen the kiss but she pulled back.

'I'm feeling a little oversensitive' she mocked and stepped away from and into the bathroom.

- - - - MS - - - -

Later that evening Elizabeth's mood had appeared to have shifted entirely as pleasantries were exchanged over the duration of the night. Elizabeth and Lydia were talking about the children when Conrad intercepted the conversation.

'I've been meaning to ask Elizabeth, how has the family been since you've moved to DC?'

'Meaning?' Henry cut in. His conversation with Stevie a month ago is still fresh in their minds. Elizabeth glanced out the corner of her eye at Henry, she knew where the question was directed from, and in part she blamed herself for telling him the comments Conrad made that day when he was taken into hospital.

'I just wondered how everyone was holding up' He smiled, Conrad knew that Henry understood what he was really asking, that much was evident.

``We're fine,'' Henry ended the conversation. Conrad nodded

'We're ok thank you, things have had their moments but I think we're coming through now' she smiled at her boss.

'Why are you telling him? I think Stevie already told him enough' Henry moaned like a child.

'Henry' she hissed quietly to her side 'I think you've had enough to drink.' She lowered her voice leaning into him trying to keep a degree of respect for herself and her husband in front of the president and first lady. Henry shook his head and scowled.

'Henry, I asked you here tonight to see if you would accompany Elizabeth to Geneva' Conrad changed the subject, capturing both their attention.

Geneva?' He asked

'Yes, we're going and hoping to reason with Maria Ostrav. I hope to end this feud between Russia and America, you're the only one who Dimitri will trust, I aim to get him out of there and bring down Maria at the same time. Will you join us?'

'Yes, Sir' Henry nodded and took a swig of his drink. Elizabeth cleared her throat as the tension lay thick between them. She smiled awkwardly at Lydia and inhaled deeply.

'Thank you for tonight, it was nice to get out'

'And get dressed up' Henry mocked, his tipsy state of mind taking over. Elizabeth didn't dare look at him as she knew she would flip out on him. Instead she rose from the table and leant over to shake Conrad and Lydia's hands, a formal goodbye creating a clear barrier between them.

'Thank you again' she smiled and looked at Henry. ``We're leaving,'' she glared down at him.

'Finally' he muttered under his breath, thankfully only Elizabeth heard him as she walked on ahead and into her motorcade. The journey back to their brownstone was a long and silent one. Elizabeth was seething, the humiliation crept in and she was ready to bubble over. She averted her gaze from the window and glanced at Henry who sat swaying with the motion of the car. A disappointing shake of her head caught his attention, but the time he looked at her the car had drawn to a halt and her security detail were opening her door.

'Give us a moment Matt' she pulled the door back towards her, slamming it shut. Henry glanced at her sheepishly and went to open his mouth

'Don't!' She scowled. 'I have never felt so humiliated by you. What on Earth were you thinking Henry?' Her body coiled tightly as the anger coursed through her veins.

'What gives him the right to ask about our marriage? Why does he even care?'

'Because we're about to attend a really important state matter as a married couple, he needs to know our relationship is stable, so your cover of being there isn't blown' she reasoned

'Of course you'd defend him'

'What is that even supposed to mean? DO you seriously think I would side with Conrad over you if I thought you were right? What is your hang up about him? Are you jealous of our relationship?' She fired off the questions as her anger came spilling out.

'No!' He snapped back and she raised ad eye

'So yes then. Henry, why on earth are you jealous of Conrad and I? You've got nothing to worry about' her tone softened, the thought of another husband feeling like that really did upset her. She had never intentionally set out to make him feel uncomfortable.

'It's got nothing to do with you Elizabeth. He signed off on a young kid becoming a spy, a Russian spy at that' Henry argued back.

'No, not this again' she placed her hands on her head and attempted to hold back the anger that was ready to pour out like hot lava.

'Yes this again. Elizabeth Dimitri is a young kid'

'FOR GOD SAKES HENRY SHUT UP ABOUT DIMITRI' she spilled over, the hot molten that was her words drowning them both.

'Can't you see what's happening? Henry our marriage is falling apart and you cannot even see it because you're too wrapped up in your double agent life'

'Or marriage isn't falling apart, don't be so silly' he brushed her comment aside.

So I'm oversensitive and silly now. Henry I've never known you to insult me. You need to join me at Geneva, get Dimitri out and then cut all ties. This ends in Geneva Henry' she warned him. 'Henry if you don't get out of this, it's going to destroy us'

'No it won't Elizabeth, we survived years of you in the CIA'

'And you gave me an ultimatum over it, remember? Baghdad or our family, our marriage. That's when it became too much for us to handle. Well, Henry this is your ultimatum. It stops in Geneva or -'

'Or what?' His anger surfaced.

'Or we're going to struggle, and I cannot promise our marriage will survive another blow' she sighed sadly and opened the door stepping out. She turned and lowered her head back into the motorcade and locked her eyes on his. His usual warm orbs were burning with rage. She pressed her lips together and swallowed back her tears.

'Please don't join me in bed tonight. I need some space' she croaked sternly, closing the car door behind her.