Madam Secretary Prompt: Instead of an ultimatum, what if Henry told Elizabeth a lie, and that's what convinced her not to take the job of Baghdad Station Chief?

The Lie

Henry felt the chill in the air, seeping deep inside of him even though the sun shone brightly in the sky. The sun was meant to radiate its warmth over the earth; instead it seemed to just use its light to highlight The Lie Henry had told Elizabeth.

Henry had no doubt he felt guilty. The Lie he told her had morphed into a dark twisted vein of guilt that never stopped. The darkness permeated his soul every time she smiled, every time they laughed together, every time they kissed and every time they made love. A year had passed since she left the CIA. Twelve months during which he withheld the truth. 365 days of living with guilt.

It was harder today for some reason and he couldn't bear to be around her so he made some mumbled excuse about needing to tidy their yard. He needed air, he needed to clear his conscience. He needed to tell her.

The thought of telling her made his blood run cold, realizing he should have done so months ago- no, a year ago. It should never have even happened. Every sweep of the brush against the cold ground was fruitless, the leaves just blew straight back and never quite left the path, just like The Lie never left his thoughts.

Pausing, Henry looked through the window at Elizabeth who was merrily playing with the kids. She caught his eye then and her smile radiated out towards him through the glass. His gloved hands gripped the broom tighter as he attempted to smile back at her, to let her know he was okay. That they were okay.

They weren't though.

They were far from okay and he was the reason.

Huffing, he threw the broom down to the ground, the clatter sounding louder than it was in the cold air. It was time. It was time to come clean; he needed to tell her. Pushing away his selfish thoughts and her feelings, he marched straight to the door, taking his gloves off as he went. He held the gloves tightly in one hand and he reached out and gripped the cold door handle with the other, forcefully bursting through into the warmth inside.

A squeal from another room preceded a thunderous pattern as three pairs of small feet ran to great him, all clambering to get to him first. Henry was so focused on Elizabeth he looked straight over their heads to seek her out. Elizabeth's hands reached up to tuck her hair behind her ears as she laughingly called out to the kids to 'slow down', as she followed them into the hall to meet Henry.

Her smile dropped when she saw his face. He had been hiding something, she knew that much, but she didn't expect this now. She didn't expect this disruption to their weekend. She didn't expect him to look so…so...broken. His eyes were darkened, his cheeks flushed from the cold and his lips were pressed tightly together.

She watched as he raised his eyebrows and blew out his cheeks, contorting his face like an awkward clown.

She had been dreading this moment; she wasn't ready to hear what he had to say. The sounds surrounding them were now muffled, like she was suddenly thrust underwater. Elizabeth felt her heart constrict, like her body was willing time to stop before he could speak. But he spoke her name in earnest.

"Elizabeth, I…."

"Henry, don't."

He paused watching as a wall shot up around her. Her posture stiffened. Her hands morphed into fists, her knuckles white.

"I have to- I need to tell you."

"Henry, please ...," she pleaded, her voice straining with desperation. She didn't want to admit that it was a Lie. She couldn't. What would it do to them? One child was now hanging off Elizabeth, who was statue still. Little fists were grasping at her clothes, desperately scrabbling up her body. She didn't know which child it was nor did she care at this point. She just didn't want her world to fall apart. All Elizabeth could do was stare at Henry's face and into his eyes that were glazed over, wide and panicked.

"I Lied Elizabeth. I told you a Lie to get you to stay," he admitted, loud, unwavering. All the hurt and guilt escaped his body in that moment.

A sad cry escaped her and ripped through her heart, leaving it broken, the pieces settling in the pit of the stomach. Her worst fear came true, the small niggle that had plagued her for months was confirmed. She needed to get out of there. She needed to process, she needed to stop looking at the man that she trusted.

That she loved.

That she loves.

Elizabeth shook her head from side to side like she was trying to shake off the overwhelming disappointment that engulfed her body. Her hair fell out from behind her ears with each shake and now hung loosely around her face.

"I can't handle this now. I need some time. Some air." Her voice was quieter than just moments before when she was pleading with him.

Henry watched as she disentangled herself from Alison.

He watched as she grabbed her coat and keys as her eyes filled with unshed tears.

He watched her leave and as the door slammed shut behind her he sucked in a deep breath, not realizing that he had been holding it the whole time.

What had the Lie done? What had he done?

End.

Just to clarify I don't think he lied in the show but it was fun to explore. This is the first thing I've written in a long time so it's a start.