Getting into the waiting black SUV, she wished she could just run far away all by herself. It was only 7:30 am and her head was already starting to hurt, she knew it was going to be a long day. Opening the door she made her way inside the State Department placing her purse and brief case on the belt at security. She swiped her badge proceeding through the metal detectors nodding at the guard. Opening the door to her outer office she could see Nadine standing there waiting for her. Oh, this can't be good! She thought to herself.
"Good Morning ma'am," Nadine greeted her boss trying to find a way to give her the news that Minister Chen had just dropped by unannounced.
"Morning Nadine," Elizabeth knew something was up by the look on her Chief of Staff's face.
Making their way toward her office, her Chief of Staff filled her in on the fact that Minister Chen had showed up without warning and was requesting a meeting with her. Almost making it her office, Nadine stopped dead in her tracks. She needed to make sure her boss was doing okay after the Iran Coup, take her temperature per say.
"Ma'am are you doing okay? Sleeping okay? You look tired." Nadine didn't try to hide the concern in her voice.
"I'm fine, and yes sleeping like a baby." Elizabeth tried to keep the frustration out of her voice. She did not like being handled. But on the other hand she was touched by Nadine's concern. They had a rocky start when she first became Secretary of State, maybe the tides were turning.
As Nadine and Elizabeth continued toward her office Matt and Daisy rounded the corner IPAD in hand video chatting with Jay. The proud father showing off his brand new baby girl.
Walking up to their boss and Nadine they could contain their excitement as the turned to the IPAD to their view. Elizabeth put her glass getting a better look at the tiny baby and her excited father on the screen.
"Well, hello there, beautiful," She cooed at the hours-old baby.
"Hey boss," Jay smiled back at her.
"Not you silly, the baby," Elizabeth joked with her staffer. "Oh Jay's she's beautiful."
"Wait to you hear her name ma'am" Daisy and Matt they said in unison.
"So what's her name, Jay?" Elizabeth was anxious to hear it.
"Chloe Elizabeth. She is named after two smart, beautiful ladies." Jay said smiling from ear to ear. "Her grandmother and you ma'am."
Elizabeth was taken back by this gesture. It melted her heart that her staffer thought that much of her.
Blake cleared his throat to get his boss's attention. "You have the Minister waiting ma'am, and you know how he hates to be left waiting."
"Bring her in soon Jay. I want to meet my namesake." Elizabeth headed off to what she knew was going to be unpleasant meeting.
Rubbing her temples her headache was not getting any better. She had been listening to the Minister for over 45 minutes and he was like a dog with a bone not giving up. She was not even sure where the train went of the tracks but it did. He was trying to push her around on the Ecuador issue and she wasn't having it. She could feel herself starting to get aggravated at him.
She jumped off the couch and paced the floor, trying to get him to understand the United States' stand on this matter. The discussion was getting heated she even tried to change the subject and asked about his children. Her heart was racing inside her chest, unable to control her breathing felt like someone was suffocating her. Putting her hand on the chair in front of her to steady herself she noticed her hands felt likes pins going through them. But the things that scared her the most was the pain in her chest. First thing that came to her mind was that she was having a heart attack, it scared her. What would the kids and Henry do without her?
"Excuse me Minster Chen," She made her way to her outer office praying Blake would be at his desk.
The slamming of the door startled Blake from the memo he was writing looking up the Secretary was standing there holding on to the wall her face pale and her breathing labored.
"Blake I need you to call 911, I think I'm having a heart attack," It was barely audible. Her knee's felt like they were going to give out on her; luckily the conference room was just feet away and she was able to make it into a chair before she fell.
"911 what is your emergency?" The calm operator asked.
"We need an ambulance to the State Department the Secretary of State is having a heart attack." Blake tried to stay calm but his heart was racing and he just wanted to get off the phone and get to the Secretary.
"Okay, sir is she conscience? Is she breathing?" 911 operators are trained to all a bunch of questions, but they were annoying him.
"Yes, to all now just get here! We're in the conference room." Blake hung up the phone without even a good bye.
Blake wasn't sure where Nadine was but he knew he needed her. Picking up his phone he sent a quick text and headed into check on his boss.
"Secretary in medical distress come quickly conference room," His fingers moving quickly on the keyboard of his phone.
Walking into the conference room, he closed all the doors. He wanted to give her privacy. He didn't want the rest of the staff to see her like this, scared, and hurting. They would know soon enough when the ambulance, paramedics and secret service came crashing into the room.
"Ma'am can I get you anything? Water?" Blake's hands shook and heart pounded as he walked over to where his boss was sitting. He paced the floor back and fourth opening the door and closing it. He couldn't stand still. He never was good with emergency but this one was different.
"Blake would you sit down," Elizabeth said with labored breath. "Otherwise they will be taking you too."
"Ma'am are you sure you don't want any water?" Blake asked again.
"Your going to be fine ma'am just hang on." He sent up a silent prayer.
Nadine looked down at her cell phone the buzzing was driving her crazy it had been going off all day. She read the message twice before jumping out of her chair scrambling for the conference room. Upon arrival she not only saw the fear in her boss's eyes but also on Blake's. Poor kid, she thought to herself
"Ma'am?" She could see her boss struggling to breath. "Just hold on paramedics are in route." Just as she finished her sentence the paramedics and ambulance personnel come rushing in with the her detail hot on their trail
"Relax ma'am were going to take great care of you," The paramedic reassured her.
As quickly as they came in they gathered her vital signs, got her started on oxygen and loaded her up and out they went. Her detail clearing the way for them, hell bent on not letting anything happen to her.
Blake grabbed his coat he was hell bent on going with her, but she told him he was needed at the office. He knew the truth she didn't want him to see her like this.
As Nadine watched them take her boss off on a stretcher, her heart was broke. It was difficult seeing such a strong lady being taken out of the office like this. She picked up her phone and started dialing an all too familiar number. One that she had been dialing a lot lately. It was never good news she was giving the person on the other end of the phone either.
Henry had just walked in the door after his last class of the day. He was happy to finally be home. The end of the semester was coming quickly and his students were scrambling to get their class work finished. Opening the refrigerator door he tried to decide what sounded good for lunch. He was just about to take out the container of leftovers when his cell phone started ringing. Looking down at the caller id, This can't be good. He thought to himself.
"Henry, the Secretary is being rushed to George Washington University Hospital. They think she is having a heart attack." Her words were soft. She was trying not to let him hear the fear in her voice. She had seen the look of terror on her boss' face as they wheeled her into the waiting ambulance.
Grabbing his keys, he hurried out the door his heart was racing and hands shaking. He hoped that traffic would not be an issue for his drive across town. He knew she was going to the best hospital in DC but the thought of losing her was more than he could fathom. He drove quickly not really caring about the laws he may be breaking. All he just cared about getting to his wife and making sure she was okay.
This was his fault, he should have made her talk to him about what had happened in Iran. He could see what it was doing to her. He should have insisted that she take better care of her self — making sure she was sleeping and kept her stress level down.
"Oh Lizzy just hold on babe. You can't leave me now ."
His thoughts turned to their children. What would life be like for them without their mother around? He and Elizabeth had joked before she left for Iran about him remarrying and how he couldn't marry anyone under 40, who she disapproved of him marrying and worrying that once the new Mrs. McCord took her place, the kids would like their new mom better. He couldn't lose her, not yet! They had another 25 years to share together. Pulling into the parking garage at GW he found the first available parking spot. Luckily was even close to the door of the ER. Picking up the pace, he rushed in the ER door. He was grateful to see Carl and that meant she wasn't to far away.
"Where is she? Is she alive?" Henry's words coming rush.
Carl's heart went out to the man, this was the second time his wife's life hung in the balance. Without a word he pointed down the stark white hallway.
"Thanks," Henry rushed off to be with his wife, moving at a fast pace he caught up with his wife on the stretcher. They had already started an IV in her hand, had the EKG lead's on her chest and an oxygen mask covering her nose and mouth. The paramedic's were call out to the doctor her vital sign's and what med's they had already given her in route.
Grabbing onto her hand, he wanted to make sure she knew that despite their issue of late he was there and not going anywhere. He tried to keep his voice calm and reassure her she was going to be fine.
"Babe, I'm right here," His heart broke in a thousand piece's when he saw the fear in her eyes as their eyes met. "Doctor, how is she?"
"We wont know until we run tests," the quick answer of the doctor told him this might be serious.
"Hang on sweetie. You're going to be okay." He tried to reassure her again, she looked so small laying on that gurney.
They wheeled her into a special part of the hospital, one used for VIP's, at least she would have some privacy he thought. Just before they got to the door the gurney stopped. "I'm sorry, sir. You can't go any farther, medical personnel only."
Henry held tight on to her hand not wanting to let go - he couldn't let go. The thought of her being in there all alone scared him. What if she needed him? He had almost lost her once and he was hell bent on making sure it didn't happen again. He gave her a small kiss on the forehead and a squeeze of her hand.
"Bring her back to me," Henry whispered as they wheeled her away tears streaming down his face.
After watching her go he took out his phone dialing his oldest daughters number from memory he waited for her to answer.
"Well hello there daddy o," She greeted him cheerfully.
He had hoped she wasn't in class he couldn't remember her scheduled. "Your mom," he stuttered "She's at GW". It took all his energy to get the words out.
"What, what happened? Dad?" The panic in her voice leapt out of the phone.
"They think she had a heart attack. She was at work when it happened." He retold the story of Nadine's call.
"I'm leaving now," she sounded rushed and panicked. "I will be there soon! Love you dad."
"Be careful. Love you too sweetie." He was gratefully she was on her way he needed her. She was growing up so fast, and despite the issue she had with her mom in the past she loved her mother very much.
Jason and Alison were both still in school and he didn't want them to worry unnecessarily until they knew exactly what they were dealing with.
He waited for what seemed like forever. Pacing the floor was the only thing that kept him from climbing the walls. He hoped Stevie would arrive soon. He needed his daughter's strength.
"Dr McCord?" The Dr. stepped into the waiting area he had been pacing.
"Is she okay? What happened?" Bombarding the young doctor with questions.
"Why don't you come with me? You can see your wife now he told the anxious Henry.
Stevie arrived at the hospital shortly after the phone call her dad. Her heart was beating wildly listening to him tell her that her mom had been rushed to the hospital. Arriving at the hospital her dad was no where in site, luckily her mom's secret service detail guided her into the private waiting room.
Walking down the hallway Henry tried to prepare himself for what coming next. Taking a deep breath he followed the Dr. into her room.
"Well the good news is that it wasn't a heart attack." He took in both their express as he delivered the good news.
Surprised at the news from the doctor "What was it then?" Henry asked.
"Although your wife's symptom's presented as a heart attack, it was actually a pain attack. They can often have the same symptom's." The Dr. explained.
The look on her face told him what he had suspected, that was not what she wanted to hear at all.
"Oh great! Is it bad that I wish I had actually had a heart attack. I can see the news now! Secretary of State goes around the bend and yells at the Minister of China." Sarcasm dripping from her tone.
Surprised by her outburst in front of the Dr. Henry grabbed her hand hoping it would calm her down.
"I would suggest you take a few days off Madam Secretary. Give yourself some time to rest. You have been quite busy the last several days, and go easy on the coffee. " Dr. Lawton explained.
"Thank you Dr." Henry shook the man's hand while glancing over at Elizabeth, he could tell she was still shaken by what happened.
Sitting down on the side of her bed he took her it broke his heart but he knew how hard headed she could be. "You need to take it easy," he tried to reassure her.
"This is a one time thing. I'm fine lets just move on." She wasn't sure which one she was trying to convince.
"You have to get help you can't wait if you don't then its going to get worse before it gets better." He needed her to understand that this was serious.
"I can't just take a spa day because I'm sad, you know what that would do to my creditability? I more messed up then I was ready to admit, one minute I'm fine, the next minute I'm angry, then I'm numb. To be honest I'm just not ready to talk to anybody about what happened." She was finally starting let her guard down. "I'm sorry I have been yelling at you so much lately, were alright - right.
Rubbing her arm "Its okay, I understand. It's been kind of fun." He gave one of his handsome smiles.
"I'm going to go out and let Stevie come in. She's worried about you." He knew his daughter was waiting patiently to see her mother.
"Is she okay?" Stevie ran up to her dad when she saw him walk out of her mothers hospital room.
"She going to be just fine," Wrapping his arm's around his oldest child, he knew she was scared. "Go on in and see her, she could use a hug from you."
Looking up Henry saw Russell Jackson coming thru the door, "Who let him in he thought to himself?" Rolling his eyes he shook Russell's hand. "Elizabeth is fine, she is resting." he told Jackson protecting his wife at all cost.
"I just wanted to give her these flowers and let her know that President Dalton sends his regards." Russell tried to push his way past Henry.
"I said she is fine and sleeping," Henry's tone was cold and harsh. "I will tell her you came by Russell." Taking the flowers from Russell's hand and turning to walk away.
"Okay thanks," Russell turning walking out the door.
Walking back toward her room carrying the flowers, he stopped at the nurses station to see if her discharge papers where ready. The nurse assured him they needed about 10 more minutes and they would be in to discharge her. He just wanted to take her home and tuck her their bed and wait on her hand and foot, but he knew that wouldn't be possible. If he was a betting man he would put on odds that she was going back to the office after her discharge.
"Are those for me? wow what is it not even my birthday?" She tried to joke with him and Stevie.
"Actually, yes there from your favorite person Russell Jackson." They heard the distain in his voice when he said it. "I think he just wanted to make sure you had gone around the bend and needed a trip to the loony bend."
Her husbands distain for Russell Jackson was evident by the way he spoke about the man. It made her heart smile that he was so protective of her.
The nurse walked in just in the nick of time to break the tension in the air, once she signed the papers. She had Stevie help her get redressed.
As bad as Henry just wanted to take her home tuck her in bed and take care of her. He knew her too well and if she wanted to go back to work she would.
"Liz I really wish you wouldn't go back to work," Henry tried to persuade his wife.
"Babe, "I heard what the doctor said but I have to go back into the office." She held her breath waiting for a fight after she got the words out. "I have to fix my mess with Minster Chen before I get my ass handed to me by President Dalton.
"Okay, but you call me if you need anything. I still don't like this but you have made up your mind." He didn't feel like arguing with her.
Stevie remained quiet watching her parents argue with each other, she knew better than to give her opinion. She just hoped her mom was doing the right thing.
A wheel chair was brought in to wheel her out to waiting SUV, she was also give a prescription for Zoloft. She stuck the prescription in her pocket with no intentions of getting it filled. She knew if anyone ever found out she was taking anxiety medication they would never trust her. Her job would be over she would be the laughing stock of the beltway. She shuddered at the fact that she was about to tell her husband she was headed back to the office.
Henry opened the door of the SUV for her and waited for to finish saying good bye to their daughter. He kissed her good-bye, and she actually kissed him back.
Once she had said her good byes and the car took off thru the city she closed her eyes taking in the quiet before they arrived back at the office. Truth be told she was nervous about going into the office after the way she had left. Nervous about what everyone thought about her she was never one for office politics' but after everything that had happened she was nervous. She had sent Blake and Mike B a text that she would be returning to the office and wasn't surprised when neither one of them tired to talk her out of it.