The morning after David Palmer's funeral Martha woke up late, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off her chest. She closed her eyes again and spent a full minute savoring the relief of knowing that particular ordeal was over and done with. Her thoughts drifted to the previous evening, when she'd found Aaron in the hallway grieving for David. During the past week she'd tried to explain away her attraction to him in various ways: as an adrenaline-fueled reaction to the fact that they'd both nearly lost their lives the day of the terrorist attack, as empathy for the injuries he'd suffered, or as appreciation for his unfailing support. After last night she knew she could no longer argue herself into believing that was all it was. She had gone to him intending to comfort him, but she'd been rocked by the intensity of her physical reaction when he put his arms around her. She was trying to relive exactly how wonderful it had felt when the phone rang.

"It's Susan Margate, Ms. Logan. I've got some news for you. I heard back from Joshua Tenney this morning."

"Yes?" Martha grabbed for a pen and notepad.

"Apparently your husband was very upset when he heard you were filing for divorce." The attorney was picking her words carefully. "He's insisting that he wants to see you; he refused even to discuss the possibility of divorce until he's had a chance to talk to you."

"To talk to me? What can he possibly have to say? Does he really think I'm going to change my mind about this?"

"I don't know what he's thinking, Ms. Logan. It's possible he isn't thinking at all. It's not unusual for people to have a huge emotional reaction when they hear their spouse is filing for divorce, no matter how many marital problems they've had."

"I see." Martha thought for a moment. "What did my husband's attorney have to say? Does he think I should see him?"

"He thought it would be a good idea if you did. I got the impression that he'd been trying to reason with your husband and had gotten nowhere. He's willing to make arrangements for you to see Mr. Logan today at his office."

"I could do that, I suppose." Martha hesitated. "I'll be honest with you, I'm a little nervous about this. My last interaction with my husband was very unpleasant." She closed her eyes and forced herself to add, "He hit me."

Susan Margate took this calmly. She gently asked, "Was this the first time, or has this happened before?"

"Oh, never. Never before. He was very angry; he'd realized that I was helping to gather evidence against him."

"Would it help if I came with you?"

Martha was incredibly relieved. "It would help a lot. Could you do that?"

"Of course."

"Thank you, Ms. Margate, I really appreciate this."

"Call me Susan, and you're very welcome." They settled on a time late that afternoon, and Susan rang off after promising to call Tenney back.

Martha glanced at her bedside clock, cursed under her breath, and hit speed dial. "Angie, I'm afraid I might be a little late…"

"It's okay, Aaron's running late as well. He had to meet with President Gardner and there's been a delay of some sort."

"Great. I'll be ready in twenty minutes."

Aaron's inspection of the apartment was quick. As Martha had expected, he focused on the building's security system, windows and doors and spoke to the building supervisor about surveillance arrangements; his only general remark was "It's a little on the small side."

"That doesn't bother me. I'll put some of my things into storage, but I'm going to donate or give away as much as I can."

He looked at her for a moment, puzzled by her lack of concern. "Security wise, I think this is fine, but are you sure it's what you want?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It's just temporary, and I need to move somewhere fast. The truth is I don't really know what I want right now, but I know I'm going to have to stay in Washington for the moment. At least until my divorce goes through," she added, stealing a glance at him. Getting no visible reaction, she swiftly turned to her assistant: "That reminds me, Angie, I've got a meeting at five. I need to meet with Charles – my husband – and his attorney."

"You're meeting with him? Why?" If Martha had wanted a reaction out of Aaron, she had one now; he sounded shocked and angry.

"When he found out I was filing for divorce, he lost it. He's refusing even to consider it. He's going to fight it tooth and nail unless I talk to him."

Aaron put his arm out, palm up. "Ma'am, I don't think that's a good idea."

Martha's temper started to flare. "Look, Aaron, I don't like this any more than you do, but I don't really have a choice. Charles' attorney tried to talk to him about it and he couldn't change his mind. He's actually the one requesting that I come to his office. I don't think he would do that unless he were desperate –"

"– or unless he were trying to get you there for some other reason. You know there were other people working with your husband. We know he didn't hire that attorney himself. We have to consider the possibility that you're being set up for some sort of attack." Aaron hadn't raised his voice, but he was getting steadily more emphatic.

"My attorney is coming with me, and Dunlap and Tenney is a well-known firm. If I were attacked in their office, what do you think would happen to their reputation? I see your point, but I really don't think anything's going to happen. If I get there and the lobby's filled with ninjas, you can say 'I told you so.'"

"Mrs. Logan, as the First Lady –"

"I am not the First Lady! You can't tell me what to do any more, Aaron." Martha stormed into the bedroom and slammed the door just before the lump in her throat overwhelmed her. I'm just another responsibility to him, she thought as tears streamed down her cheeks. I'm such an idiot.

On the other side of the door, Aaron looked helplessly at Angie. She beckoned him a safe distance away, then muttered, "Well, that didn't go too well, did it."

"She can't see him. I won't allow it." Aaron was staring worriedly toward the closed door.

Angie moved to stand in front of him. "Aaron, what's going on here? You got me into this and I need to know what kind of situation I'm dealing with."

"You heard what I said; I just don't think it's safe. I don't know what she's thinking. To see him again…." His sentence trailed off. Avoiding Angie's gaze, Aaron began moving around the apartment again. "This place is all wrong for her. I wish she'd stay at the White House."

"For her, or for you?"

Aaron finally stopped and stared at Angie. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about, Aaron. Stop trying to sell me a bill of goods. I haven't seen you like this since Diane left."

"I care about her safety. I care about her." After a moment he looked down. "You're right, Angie, I can't think straight where she's concerned. She's one of the best people I've ever met in my life and if she gets hurt again I don't think I could stand it."

"She couldn't stop talking about you the other day. I got the impression she wanted to know all about you, but she was trying to restrain herself." Aaron stared in surprise; Angie met his look and nodded. "I think you're right to be concerned, but she's right too. She isn't your responsibility any more, that's the reason you got me here in the first place. You have to let her make her own decisions. Give me a chance to talk to her?"

Aaron shrugged. "Go ahead."

Angie rapped on the door. On the other side, Martha hastily crushed out her cigarette on the window ledge. "Yes?"

"Ma'am, it's Angie. Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Is Agent Pierce still there?"

"Yes, ma'am. I don't think he's going to be leaving in the immediate future. Shall I send him in?"

"No!"

"Well, Mrs. Logan, either you come out or he goes in there. We need to talk to you about this meeting to see how we can best assist you."

Ten seconds later Martha emerged from the bedroom. "There's no lock on that door," she muttered. "Report that to the realtor, will you, Angie?"

"I'll get right on it, ma'am." Angie made a note.

Reluctantly, Martha started to smile. "Have you ever considered a career as a lion tamer?"

"Been there, done that, ma'am," Angie responded, completely deadpan.

At five o'clock that afternoon Martha arrived at the offices of Dunlap and Tenney with both Susan and Angie in tow. Angie had diplomatically solved the problem of Martha's safety by suggesting that she accompany them, making sure Martha knew she was armed. Their group was quickly escorted into a pleasant-looking room lined with legal tomes. Knowing the reputation of the firm, Martha had expected a plush, even garish setting; she was mildly surprised to see what was clearly a comfortable but basic workspace.

Joshua Tenney rose from his desk and offered Martha his hand. "I appreciate your coming, Mrs. Logan." She introduced her companions and he greeted them pleasantly, raising an eyebrow at Susan Margate: "I don't believe we've met before, Counselor, but I certainly know your reputation. It's a pleasure."

"Same here," Susan replied with a grin.

Tenney quickly ushered Martha into a smaller room directly connected to his office. Sensing her jumpiness, he offered her the seat nearest the door. "We'll be right outside, Mrs. Logan. I'll talk to your attorney for a bit while you and Charles meet. Just call if you need us." He must be used to nervous spouses, she thought.

A minute later Charles came in. She stood, and they looked at each other silently for a few moments.

"You're looking well, Charles. I see you got your clothes?" He was wearing suit and tie, and was shaved. He might have been headed for a Cabinet meeting rather than a jail cell.

"Yes." He was looking at her in a way she couldn't quite define. He'd come in looking angry, but now he looked as if she'd surprised him in some way. "You're looking well yourself. I suppose being single agrees with you."

"As a matter of fact, it does. So does not being the First Lady anymore."

"Joshua Tenney tells me you're finding a new place to live."

"After Beth Gardner put me in the guest bedroom, I realized she was trying to tell me something."

He snorted in disgust. "I suppose she's reveling in being the First Lady?"

"She is. To be honest, she'll probably do a better job than I ever did."

The preliminaries over with, they were both now seated. Charles assumed his "be reasonable" look and placed his folded hands on the table as if he were conducting a meeting. "Now, Marty. I wanted to talk to you about this divorce idea of yours. Do you really think that's… necessary?"

"Yes, Charles. I don't want to be married to you anymore. Surely you don't need to ask why?"

"What does Dr. Young think about this?"

"I haven't asked her, Charles. She's my psychiatrist, not my life advisor. The only topic I discuss with her is my medication dosage." Martha took a moment to congratulate herself on staying calm. Charles was looking more and more surprised. He thought he'd be able to talk me out of it, she realized. Well, he can't.

"I don't know that this is a good idea, Martha. I really don't."

She stared at him. "Do you know what's been going on the last couple of days, Charles? Have your attorneys brought you up to speed? I thought things were bad when you were arrested at the airport, but it's only been getting worse. Do you know Evelyn and her daughter are dead? They were murdered by that man you hired, Christopher Henderson" – she saw his reaction and answered it – "yes, I know who he is. After Evelyn made that recording implicating you, he got it from her by kidnapping her daughter. She was eleven years old, Charles! Eleven!" Martha gripped the table edge, willing herself not to cry. "How can you possibly justify that?"

For the first time he looked honestly shocked. "I didn't know, Marty! I swear to God I didn't know!"

"You just told Henderson to fix it'? Is that all?"

"I had to get that recording back. I didn't know what he was going to do."

"You know the tragic part about this, Charles? None of it had to happen. We would never have set the world on fire, but we could have been happy. You would have done well enough as President, but you had to make a grab for instant immortality."

"It wasn't supposed to end like this, Marty."

"I know that. It all happened step by step, didn't it? That's how evil starts, Charles. Nobody wakes up one day and says, I'm going to spearhead an operation that will kill dozens of innocent Americans and lead to the biggest government coverup in history.' It all happens one step at a time. That's how those people you worked for drew you in –"

"Shhh!" She stared at him.

"Charles, CTU knows –"

"I said be quiet! Are you trying to get me killed?" She was stunned at the look of terror on his face, but obediently lowered her voice.

"Charles, it's just you and me in here. I'm not trying to get you to tell me anything incriminating. I told you, I already know. Surely it's got to be safe here?"

"Who do you think Tenney works for? It isn't me. He's right outside that door. If he overhears us I'm as good as dead."

Martha felt a sudden stab of pity for her husband. "But he's defending you, Charles. He seems like he knows what he's doing."

"He does. But he'll only defend me as long as I behave myself. I take the fall. Those are the rules. I instigated this plot and that's all anyone is ever going to hear from me."

Martha stared at him. It's a trap, she thought. She realized that Charles was completely without options. He deserved to go to jail, but he would take all the blame and his co-conspirators would go free, untouched even by suspicion. She leaned forward:

"Charles, listen. Just do as he says. From what I've heard, you won't be in jail for very long. You'll have a chance to rebuild your life when you get out."

"If I knew you'd be waiting for me, Marty, I could do that."

"That isn't going to happen, Charles. I'm sorry, but it's not. I've learned a lot about myself this week. I'm not anywhere near as helpless as you thought I was. I've been making my own decisions and I like it. Some of them will probably be mistakes, but no matter what I'm not going back to you." She saw the desolation on his face and forced herself to remember his ugly behavior toward her the last time she'd seen him. "I've learned to depend on myself and so can you."

"You owe me, Martha."

"I owe you? After everything that's happened? Trying to send me back to Vermont, letting me think you didn't believe me, leaving me to die in the motorcade attack –"

"I tried to get you out. I was trying to protect you. Everything I did that day, I did with you in mind."

Martha shook her head. "I can't believe you're saying this."

"Why do you think I finally told you, Marty? God knows I didn't want to. I knew it would make you hate me. But I did it to save your life. They –" he nodded toward the door – "wanted you dead. I told them no. I told them I could convince you to stay quiet."

"And it almost worked." Remembering the events of that night, Martha grew angry enough to confront him: "I saw Agent Adams attack Aaron Pierce. Did your attorney tell you that? I know you told Adams to kill Aaron. How can you possibly explain ordering the death of an innocent man?"

"It isn't what you think! I didn't want Aaron killed. I gave him a choice. I offered to set him free, I offered him any job he wanted and he refused."

Martha was stunned, then deeply indignant. "You tried to bargain with Aaron?"

"I tried to reason with him. I treated him with respect, Martha, and he…" Charles' face darkened, remembering.

"He what, Charles?" He didn't seem to have heard her, and she did not ask again. They sat in silence for a few moments.

"Charles. You told me you did what you did for the sake of the country. If you meant that, there's still something you can do."

"What is it?"

"Resign. You'll never get the Presidency back; you know that isn't going to happen. If you resign, Hal can assume full Presidential duties and start trying to put the country back together. He's got enough on his plate as it is. The least you can do is to do that for him."

"That's all? I asked you to come here so we could try to stay together, and that's all you have to say to me?"

"You're right that I owe you, Charles." Martha spoke reluctantly, but she knew what he'd told her was the truth. "I know you saved my life, and I appreciate it. I'll do what I can for you, but what I do is up to me, not you. If you need anything, have your attorneys get in touch with me and I'll get it for you. If you want me to call, if you want me to visit, I'll do it. But that's as far as it goes. Everything's changed, and it's over. I'm telling you to resign for your good, not just Hal's, not just the country's. Trying to hang on to the Presidency won't get you anywhere. You might as well do the honorable thing."

He swallowed, looked down at the table, and nodded. "All right, Marty."

As Charles was escorted out, Martha, Susan and Angie stood waiting in Joshua Tenney's office. Martha was feeling slightly lightheaded with triumph. As Tenney returned, she stepped forward. "Could I have a word with you for just a second?" She gestured toward the room where she'd met with Charles. He looked puzzled, but agreed and followed her into the room.

Martha didn't sit down. "Mr. Tenney, as you know I'm planning to divorce Charles, but his safety is still my concern. If anything happens to him, a lot of questions are going to be asked and I'll make it my business to find out who's responsible." She gave him a direct look and added, "I think you know what I'm talking about."

Tenney frowned briefly. "I do, Mrs. Logan. I can assure you that as far as I'm concerned your husband is quite safe. My job is to defend him, and I'm doing that to the best of my ability. He's been suspicious of me ever since I started working with him. I won't go so far as to say paranoid,' but it's been difficult enough that we offered him the option to seek another firm to defend him. He refused."

"I see. Well, I can give you one piece of good news. I think I've convinced him to resign."

Tenney gave her a look of real gratitude. "Thank you, Mrs. Logan. That will help a lot. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"If you can convince him not to fight the divorce, you'll have done me a huge favor. I did promise him I would stay in touch. If he needs anything or if he wants me to visit, let me know."

Tenney looked slightly surprised. "I will. It's kind of you to do that."

"I realized today that I'm the closest thing to a friend he has left. Besides, we were married almost twenty-five years. It's not so easy to walk away from that."

"Unfortunately, many of my clients don't seem to have a problem doing exactly that," Tenney responded cynically. "But I appreciate it, Mrs. Logan, and I will stay in touch. Besides," he added with a smile, "I like your attorney. I think working with her will prove to be a challenge."

After dropping Susan back at her office, Martha and Angie returned to the White House to finalize arrangements for Martha's move. As soon as they'd left Dunlap and Tenney, Angie had called Aaron to let him know that everything had gone well. He met them on the way to Martha's room, looking mildly anxious.

"How are you?"

Martha smiled and took his hand. "I'm fine, Aaron."

Angie gave them a quick look. "I'll go ahead and meet you there." She slipped away before Martha could say anything.

"Why don't we go in here. I'd like to talk to you for a minute." Aaron gestured to a small meeting room down the hall. Once inside, he closed the door and looked at her for a second, then walked over to where she was standing.

"I wanted a chance to apologize. I overreacted this morning."

"You didn't overreact. Everything went fine, but the truth is, you could have been right. It never occurred to me that it might have been a setup for an attack. I was glad Angie was there."

"It wasn't just that. Angie made me admit this morning that there's more to this than me feeling responsible for your safety." They were looking directly at each other now. "I was terrified that he'd convince you to go back to him, that he'd somehow talk you into it."

"He tried. I told him no. I did promise to visit him, I felt I had to do that much. But I told him there was no way we were going to stay married."

"Visit him?" He shook his head. "If you'll forgive my saying so, that's more than he deserves."

"You're probably right, but he did save my life. Those people he worked with apparently wanted me dead too, but he convinced them that I would stay quiet. That's why he told me everything." She hesitated. "He told me more than that. He told me he'd tried to get you to do the same thing. I don't know what to say, Aaron…"

"You don't have to say anything, Martha."

"I feel ashamed. I really do."

He took her gently by the shoulders. "Well, for one thing, he was your husband, so it's understandable that you'd listen to him. And for another, you changed your mind. You're the one who stopped him, not me." He paused for a moment. "There's one more thing. Ever since last night I've been wanting to thank you for everything you've done for me this week."

"What I've done for you? That can't have been all that much, compared to everything you've done for me."

"You made me believe in myself again. If it weren't for you I would have quit my job. And last night you were there for me when I needed you."

Martha reached up and pulled him closer. "You've always been there for me." They looked at each other for a moment and then, unable to stand it any longer, he leaned in and kissed her. She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

"Martha –"

"Do it again."