4
"Mr. President, I want to give you something to relax you." Dr. Hackett was worried about the President's blood pressure, which was still dangerously high.
"No. Not until I know about my wife. You did it to me once before and I'm not going back to sleep until I know something one way or another. I'll take my chances."
"Mr. President…"
"I said NO!" I have to know what happening with Abbey. Once I know, I'll do whatever you want. I'll lay down here. Charlie can babysit me. But I will not go to sleep. And there will be no further discussion. It will be daylight shortly, and I have to be awake. I have to know if…" Jed couldn't finish the sentence.
Hackett sighed. Usually he could persuade the President or at least compromise with him, but this time he had to grudgingly agree with him. He wouldn't want to be asleep if his wife was in an unknown situation, and he was waiting on news. "Okay. I'll check on you every hour. But if you develop a bad headache or get really dizzy, will you call me or have Charlie call me? Those are bad signs that I have to intervene in. Can I get you to at least promise me that?"
Jed knew that the doctor only had his best interest at heart, so he reluctantly agreed. "Okay. I will promise that."
Hackett sighed. "Charlie, if you see any of those signs, let me know immediately. Do not allow the President to talk you out of calling me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir. I promise."
Hackett and Ron left the Oval. Charlie was left behind to manage the President. Of course, the only one that could really manage the President was thousands of miles away, and barely able to manage herself at this particular minute.
The three rafts bobbed in the ocean, each trying to maintain some closeness to each other. Abbey looked at her colleagues, trying to determine if any of them were in distress. It seemed that everyone was physically fine and so far, they had remained calm. Everybody seemed to be handling things well so far, but then a quick glance at her watch showed barely an hour had passed.
Abbey turned to Deborah and asked her how she was doing. "Fine, Ma'am. How was your conversation with the President?"
"He was fine. We got interrupted when the Secret Service told me to check my seat belt as the plane was about to hit the water. He thought he might send Air Force One to get us back home. I'm sure that would please everyone here."
"Yes, Ma'am." Deborah couldn't help but smile. She had heard from Lili how luxurious that plane was, but had never thought she would ever get a chance herself to fly on such a nice plane. If they got out of this mess, maybe her dream would come through.
"Ma'am, can I ask you a personal question?"
"Of course, Deborah."
"Are you scared?"
Abbey paused, trying to think how to answer the question honestly. "Deborah, I could be, but I'm not."
"How come?"
"I have faith that everything that could be done is being done. I figure that with the short period of communication we had the Air Force knew our position and I know the pilots would alert everyone to our situation. They would alert any county nearby, like Australia, where we were and request assistance, who I think would give it quickly. And knowing my husband, being the person he is, is probably sending the whole United States Navy to find us."
Deborah couldn't help but laugh at that last statement. She didn't know the President that well. But she had heard the gossip around the East Wing of how close the First Couple was, and how devoted they were to each other. Therefore, it would make perfect sense that he would send the Navy to rescue his wife.
"Ma'am, please take this next statement with respect. If I had to stranded in the middle of the ocean with one person, I'm glad it's with you."
Both women laughed, which helped to ease the tension a little. But Abbey knew how true that statement was. She knew Jed was pulling every string he had in his power to find them, and it wouldn't take long before rescue would arrive.
Still another hour went by with the three rafts bobbing in the ocean. The sun was hot and there was nothing to provide any shade to the occupants. Abbey knew they couldn't survive a lengthy wait without adequate water and shade, and hoped that rescue was just a short distance away. Just as she was going to request someone to find her a bottle of water, a roaring of airplanes was heard. Thirty pairs of eyes scanned the horizon. Two jets with Australian Air Force markings flew overhead and. in passing, wiggled their wings in the universal sign of saying they had noticed the rafts below. A cheer went up from the group of survivors. Help would soon be on its way.
The phone rang in Leo's office. He quickly picked up and the Senior Staff looked at his face, trying to determine what kind of news the call was bringing. It didn't take but a second to see it was good news. The grin on Leo's face said it all. "Thank you, General Barker. I know the President will be thrilled to hear this. And please call me as soon as they are aboard the ships. Thank you, sir." The minute Leo hung up the phone, he nodded to his staff, "The plane did have to ditch, but all of the passengers have been accounted for. They are waiting for the rescue ships to arrive. I need to go tell the President."
He didn't wait for a response, but headed directly into the Oval Office. Charlie saw him first and moved away from the sofa where Jed was lying down with his eyes closed. This was definitely good news, and Charlie didn't have to worry about his boss this time.
"Jed?" Leo's voice and soft touch on his arm made Jed open his eyes. He saw Leo's grin first. "Abbey?"
"Yes. Good news. The jets located them. All are accounted for and the ships are an hour away from picking them up. Apparently, the plane did have to ditch but, according to the pilots from the jets, they all look okay."
Jed sat up and grinned for the first time. "How long before I can talk with her?"
"It could take a couple of hours. The ships will be there within the hour, but they have to get all the plane's passengers on board. But they are okay. They are all okay. And I bet she will have quite a story to tell."
"I bet she will. Thank you, Leo. I really appreciate all you have done. Now, when can I go and pick her up?"
"We'll talk about that later. Why don't you go on back and I'll route the call upstairs when it comes in? Take a shower and then lay down. You have to be exhausted."
"Well, I am."
"Charlie, go with him, will you? "
"Leo, will you promise to send the call upstairs?"
"Of course, Mr. President. Since we don't know how long it will be, you'll be more comfortable upstairs. And call the girls while you're waiting."
Jed stood. "I will. Charlie, come on. Someone has to tuck me in."
Sequel: Fallout