Chapter 1

Leo and the Senior staff were exhausted. It had been a long and emotional night, but with a positive outcome. Abbey, and all of the other passengers and crew, were going to be safe. Now it was going to be just a matter of the ships arriving and picking them up. And then getting them back to Perth. They all knew that the President wouldn't rest until the group was all back home, whether that meant he personally went for them, or he sent a plane for them. But Leo would discuss that after everybody had some rest. Especially the President.

"You all go home. Get some rest. It's been a long night and don't come back until tomorrow. By then a decision will have been made as to who will go to pick up the First Lady. Understand?"

"Leo, do you really think that this news won't get out today?" CJ was worried. She figured that by now the Australian news had it and it would shortly hit the American channels. If nothing else, CNN would have it momentarily. "I think I need to stay around and handle the onslaught. The press won't be very happy that we didn't let them know."

"CJ, I really don't give a damn about how the press feels. You were here. You know how it was. And how the President was. If it had gotten out about his state of mind, it would have been hell to pay. Why don't you go back to your office and see what's going on? If nothing, then go home. Guys, I don't think you need to stay though. CJ can handle the press and I will need people who are not sleepwalking through the day."

Josh, Toby, and Sam nodded. They were exhausted and had been yawning for several hours now. The adrenaline that had been keeping them going had finally evaporated, and they were almost sleepwalking at that very moment.

"What about you, Leo? When are you going to sleep?" Josh was concerned for his boss. In reality, they are all were.

"I have a few things to do here. Then I'll sleep for a while." The looks of disbelief on the staff's faces required Leo to repeat his promise. "I swear guys. I promise I'll get some sleep today. Now go."

They nodded and left Leo to get his tasks done. They all knew that one of his tasks had to do with the President. And they were glad that it was his task, not theirs.

Leo was catching up on paperwork when his direct line rang. "Yes?"

"Mrs. Bartlet on line 1."

"Thank you."

"Leo, why did the switchboard direct the call to you? Is something wrong with Jed?"

"Well, hello to you too, Abbey. Glad to hear your voice. How are you doing?"

"Sorry. I deserved that. Now, where is my husband and what is wrong?"

Leo sighed. The First Lady had a one-track mind, but he really couldn't blame her, given all that had gone on. "Abbey, he's fine. I swear. It's been a long night and I didn't know when you would call, so I sent him back to the Residence to get a shower and a nap."

"So he's fine?" Abbey replied, trying not to let her emotions get the better of her.

"Yes, Abbey. He's fine." Leo hoped he wouldn't get struck by lightning for lying. But Abbey didn't need to hear about the President's earlier health crisis. She couldn't do anything about it anyway.

"Well then, can I speak with him?"

"Of course. But before I do, I just want to say how thankful I am that you are okay."

"Thanks, Leo. I know you and the Senior Staff had to work hard to rescue us and be sure to thank the Prime Minister for his assistance. It's a big ocean out there and I can't imagine us being out any longer than we were."

"I'll be sure to do so. Now, wait just a second while I transfer the call. See you soon."

Jed was asleep when the phone rang. But he woke instantly and grabbed the phone, knowing it meant that Abbey was on the line. And he was anxious to talk with her after all the nervous moments waiting to hear that she was okay.

"Abbey?"

"Yes babe, it's me."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Tears welled up in her eyes, but she kept her voice calm. "I love you. I didn't get to finish that statement a few hours ago."

"It's so good to hear your voice. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Jed. And everyone else is well. My agent hurt her shoulder when the plane hit the water, but she'll be fine. We are all on board an Australian warship. They were having war game maneuvers near our flight path and quickly came to our rescue. We were very lucky. You need to thank the Prime Minister for his assistance. And the Captain has insisted that I take his cabin."

"That's very nice of him. God, it's so good to hear your voice."

"Have you told the girls yet?"

"Yes. I called them after I knew you were safe. They all send their love." Of course, what she didn't know is that he had been in constant contact with them. He had needed their strength to help him get through the last few hours.

"Well, tell them I'm fine. Just a little sunburned and dehydrated, but then we were in the middle of the Indian Ocean."

"Please don't remind me."

"Jed, listen to me. Leo told me he had sent you upstairs, and it sounds like I woke you up. I bet you have been up all night, haven't you?"

He paused, debating what to tell her. He finally decided to tall her the truth. She would figure it out anyway. "Yes, most of it anyway."

"Then I am going to cut the conversation short, and I want you to go back to sleep. At least four or five hours. Do you promise me? We can talk more later. The captain told us it would be at least 36 hours before we're back in Perth so there's more time to talk. After you get some sleep. Agree?"

"Agreed. I love you."

"I love you too. Bye."

"Bye."

The line clicked. He was exhausted. But now he could sleep in peace. He knew Abbey was safe and healthy and with that knowledge, he knew he would sleep easier. For the first time in hours, his heart was eased from the heaviness that had been his constant companion.