Chapter Seventy Three - Running with Fear

'Henry' her words broken as the air restored itself within her lungs. 'Oh Henry' she echoed, a hint of doubt and confusion in her voice.

'Don't' he whispered, his hand running to her cheek as he took the opportunity to feel her skin against his, 'Don't push me away when I've just this second got you back in my arms, If even for a moment, just don't' he pleaded with her. Elizabeth sighed heavily and shook her head, giggling slightly at the irony of it all.

'You must be on some good pain relief' she joked and he shook his head in response

'Don't' he repeated and she dipped her head, her humor and deflection was not working. Her fingers gently played with his hand in his lap, softly pulling and releasing at his fingertips whilst she worked out if she wanted to hold them or not.

'I thought you were going to die' she whispered sadly. Her sorrow filled eyes poured into his as she reconnected their gaze 'I thought I lost you'

'I know, I was stupid-'

'Yes you were!' She cut across, 'So stupid Henry, What would we have done? What would the kids have done if they lost their father? What would have happened? What about me? What would I have done if I lost you for good? A divorce is one thing, but that-' she paused, glancing up at the ceiling as she felt the panic rise in her chest once again, she couldn't let it take a hold, she was already physically worn.

'I'm sorry'

'I don't want you to be sorry Henry, I just…It's been a long day' she confessed and he nodded, a statement he could fully appreciate.

'That kiss-'

'Not now Henry, my head can't take anymore confusion today' she sighed, completely shutting down their moment earlier, scared of the hope in her head. Henry watched her with a broken heart, he had her in his arms, he had finally been able to hold her, touch her, kiss her again, she was right here with him, but at the same time, she was just out of reach. They sat in silence, his fingers gripping at hers, this thumb caressing her skin, gently tracing each finger, stopping at the spot where her wedding band usually sat. He squeezed down a little harder, as the empty space tore his heart to shreds.

'Arh Dr McCord, it's great to see you awake, How are you feeling?' The doctor asked as she walked into the room interrupting their moment. Elizabeth stood and removed herself from him, instantly feeling the cold as his hands left hers. She Brushed herself down and walked to the bottom of the bed, granting the doctor access to Henry.

'Yeah, fine thanks. What were my last results?' Henry asked, Elizabeth rolled her eyes and chuckled slightly

'Eager to get home are you?' The doctor teased.

Henry glanced at Elizabeth and pressed his lips together 'Something like that' he mumbled. Elizabeth broke eye contact with him, her cheeks flushing as he looked at her lovingly.

'Well your recent results show that your levels have dropped again to 40mg, we're really pleased with that progress. We are happy to send you home, I can get the forms and get you discharged and on your way. You should take a week, maybe two to recovery but apart from that you should be fine' She smiled

'Thank you Doctor' Henry smiled

'Thank you so much Dr Nicholas' Elizabeth beamed with relief as she smiled back at Henry.

'Yay' he mocked 'I'm free' he laughed. Elizabeth shook her head and laughed at his actions, she really did find him a goofball.

'You can come home with us, stay for a week, or two while you recover. I can't put that pressure on Jase and Ali, and well, I want to make sure you're ok too' She smiled nervously. Henry smiled at her words, thankful that he was somehow breaking through her barrier, but also a little deflated at the first boundaries in place. He hoped that things might get easier in the next few days.

'Thank you Elizabeth, I appreciate that'

'I think the kids will benefit from it too' she placed a barrier between them, her stomach churning as her mind threw her an infinite amount of possibilities as to what the next few days would be like.

'Dad the doctors said you can come home!' Alison grinned as she walked into the room, flying past her mother and standing at her fathers bedside.

'yeah'

'Here is your chocolate, wait if I hand it to you, am I going to get toxic and die?' Jason glanced around the room, everyone laughing at him.

'Death Rays coming at you' Henry mocked as he held his hands up in claw positions and pretended to attack his son. Elizabeth burst out laughing at the foot of his bed, shaking her head at the humor In the room despite the chaos that surrounded them.

'Mom?' Alison caught her attention nervously, Elizabeth smiled gently at her daughter, she knew what was coming before she even asked.

'Dad's going to come home to DC for a while, all of you are. While he recovers, we will all stay under one roof. I can get Blake to contact your schools for work or something'

'Thanks Mom' Alison moved and hugged her, squeezing the air from her lungs as she gripped her tightly. Elizabeth rubbed her daughters back soothingly and kissed her head.

'Everything is going to be ok baby' she soothed. 'All of you, Everything will be ok' she reassured them, pulling them all in close as she continued to be the anchor to their ship.

MS -

It wasn't too much longer before all of them were leaving the hospital and wheeling Henry out in a chair towards the motorcade. Elizabeth hung back a little and glanced at Blake and her DS agents, her heart soaring as she realized he had stayed this entire time, just for her. She slipped her hand into her pocket and for the first time in hours checked her phone. Her eyes scanned over the notifications and messages of support from everyone, as well as requests for an update on Henry's health from Conrad and Russell.

She held her phone tight in her hands and walked towards the family, smiling as Stevie and Jason helped Henry stand a little before he was about to climb into the motorcade.

'Hey you guys, I have to go back to work, I am so sorry' She lied

'It's ok, I've got these three, go save the world' he winked at her. Elizabeth let out a slow breath, struggling to slip into the old ways he was offering her.

'Make sure he goes straight to bed for rest, I'll be home as soon as I can' she grimaced and lovingly waved her goodbyes to her family as she climbed into a separate motorcade, running away to the white house with her fears. She took a few short shallow breaths as the vision of going home to a full house drowned her. She didn't know how she was going to do it, especially after hearing Henry's confession in a whisper the other night, I still love you.