Leo awoke to a strange feeling. He looked at the lighted dial of his watch and noted it was only 2:15 am. He sat up and tried to figure out what was wrong. Realizing that he was having some really intense indigestion, he turned on the small lamp by the sofa and reached into his travel bag for some antacids. He chewed a couple of them and waited a few minutes for them to work. But they didn't. Just as precaution, he reached for the phone and waited for the plane operator to pick up.

"Yes, sir?"

"Yes, this is Leo McGarry. I'm in the President's office and I would like to speak with the Flight Surgeon. It is about myself. The President is not with me. He is in his cabin." The last thing he wanted to do was make the operator think something was wrong with the President.

"Yes, sir. Just a minute."

Leo waited patiently for the connection to be made. Within 15 seconds, a strong voice answered. "Mr. McGarry, this is Dr. Miller. How can I help you?"

"Sorry to bother you, but I thought I might want to let you know that I'm having severe indigestion not relieved by antacids. I had a pastrami sandwich for dinner and it is probably nothing, but my cardiologist tells me that I have a touch of cardiac disease so I guess I am just being cautious."

"No problem. Would you like to meet me at the infirmary or would you like me to meet you where you are?"

"Well, I really don't want to wake anyone. Can you come to me? I'm in the President's office. I was asleep on the couch when the indigestion woke me up."

"Yes, sir. Let me grab some items and I'll be right there."

"Thanks. I'll be waiting."

Leo stood up and closed the blinds that were on the door to the office and on the few windows facing the hallway. He then settled down to wait for the doctor to arrive.

It only took Dr. Miller a couple of minutes. The door opened and a tall, blond headed gentleman, dressed in jeans and a polo shirt entered. "Mr. McGarry, hi, I'm Dr. Miller. I apologize for the clothes. I just grabbed the nearest clothes to my bunk."

"No problem. Have a seat."

Both heads turned as a tentative knock was heard. Leo stood and went to the door. He cracked it open, not knowing who would he would see on the other side.

"Charlie? What are you doing up?"

"I was asleep in the chair right outside, and woke up to see the doctor coming in and wanted to know if I could help in any way."

Leo's heart sank. He had been hoping no one would know about this. "Charlie, come on in."

Charlie came in and sat down.

"You have to keep this from the President. From anyone. Promise?"

"Yes, sir."

"Okay. Now, Dr. Miller, where were we?"

"Mr. McGarry, tell me your symptoms"

"I woke up about thirty minutes ago with severe indigestion. I took a couple of antacids, but they didn't help."

"Any pain or tightness in your chest? Or in your arms?"

"Just a little tightness in my chest."

"Any shortness of breath?"

"No."

"Okay. Medical history."

"Addiction to pills and alcohol. Sober for a number of years. Injured leg in Vietnam. I was shot down and was pinned down in the jungle three days before rescue. Nothing much since then. I've been seeing a cardiologist at Bethesda. He says I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, you know typical old man stuff." Leo glanced over at Charlie. He prayed Charlie would keep his promise about not telling the President anything discussed here.

"Okay. Have you ever had any of these symptoms previously?"

"No."

"Have you ever been told to have a cardiac catherization?"

"No."

"Okay. Let me check your vital signs."

Dr. Miller checked Leo's blood pressure and pulse. "What's your normal blood pressure? I mean, what was it at your last check up?"

"165 over 110."

"Are you on medication for it?"

"Yes."

"Do you take it regularly?"

"Yes."

"When did you last take it?"

Leo paused. "Um, I think it was yesterday morning."

"Monday or Sunday?"

"Sunday."

"Well, that explains your blood pressure right now."

"What is it?"

"178/115"

"You're kidding me."

"No, sir. It happens when you miss even one day."

Dr. Miller took a small bottle out of his pocket and unscrewed the cap. He shook a small white pill out of it. "Here, put this under your tongue and let it dissolve."

Leo did as he was told.

After a couple of minutes, Dr. Miller asked. "Is the tightness any better?"

Leo shook his head.

"Okay, let's try another." Dr. Miller gave Leo another and he repeated the process.

After another couple of minutes, Leo finally noted the tightness being relieved.

"It's better. I believe it's gone."

"Is the indigestion gone?"

"Pretty much."

"Good. Now, keep these pills on you at all times. These are nitroglycerin tablets. Anytime you get pressure or discomfort in your chest, put one under your tongue until you get relief, for a maximum of three. If you still do not get relief after three, get medical treatment right away. Now these will tend to drop your blood pressure as well. But it is critically important that you continue to take your blood pressure medicine on a regular basis. Do not miss a dose. I cannot emphasize that enough."

"Okay. I guess no one has ever explained to me how important it was to take the medicine every day."

Dr. Miller only shrugged. Any health professional would have explained the importance. But the patient may not have listened.

"Alright, Mr. McGarry, anything else?"

"No. Thank you for coming. I'll see you around."

"No problem. That's why I'm here. Good Night, or good morning. Whatever it is."

After the doctor left, Leo turned to Charlie.

"Now, you promised."

"Don't worry, Mr. McGarry. I keep secrets very well. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No, Charlie. But thanks for worrying. I appreciate it." Leo looked at his watch. It was 4:15 am. They wouldn't land until nine due to the time change so there were still a few more flight hours. "Try and get some more sleep. I'm going to do some reading. I doubt I can sleep right now. And I doubt the President will be asleep much longer. So get some sleep while you can."

"Yes, sir. Good night."

"Good Night, Charlie."

After Charlie closed the door, Leo sat back on the sofa. But he did fall back to sleep. And slept soundly until the President woke him up two hours later.