The next fifteen minutes were the most torturous of Henry's life. His eyes began to feel increasingly sticky, swearing he saw a rut forming in the stark, white tile. He felt his head began to spin as he lifted his head, spotting the arrival of her detail. Rushing to meet Frank near the doorway, he nearly fell to his knees.

"How is she? Can I see her? Is she hurt?" The questions spewed, not knowing they had all been pent up inside his mind.

Frank gently placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him. "Sir, breathe." Henry took a step back, trying his hardest to follow the instructions. "She is in pain, but doesn't appear to have any serious injuries. She is a bit shaken up, though."

He was relieved when the nurse came into the waiting room to notify him of her condition. If he was forced to wait any longer, he was certain he would have begun to rub his skin raw with anxiety.

Upon entering her room he laid eyes on her exhausted body, motionless in the bed as she stared at the ceiling. "Baby," He rushed to her bedside, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, down the bridge of her nose, and finally landing on her lips with the gentlest of kisses.

Her eyes drifted from the ceiling tiles, resting in his gaze. She tried to speak, tried to push herself up on her elbows, but found it impossibly difficult. "No, baby," he gently held her shoulder on the bed. "Don't try to move." Her eyes met his once again, silently pleading for his warm embrace.

Taking the hint, he carefully slid into bed next to her, enveloping her in his arms. Almost immediately he felt a moisture cling to the skin of his neck. Without missing a beat, he threaded a hand through her hair and kissed the top of her head. "It's going to be okay." He ran soothing circles over her arm, whispering gentle words into her ear. "Shh, I'm here now."

She opened her mouth again to speak, but felt trapped by the lack of air passing through her throat. Even if she wanted to convey her fear, she was in no condition to do so at the moment. Instead, she leaned deeper into Henry's embrace, counting the minutes until she would be released. All she wanted was to return home.


After signing release forms, Henry quickly helped her into a pair of sweatpants and his over-sized crew neck. They had given her a mild painkiller to soothe her aching muscles, and pounding head, and it had taken full effect faster than she anticipated. She struggled to keep her eyes open as he pulled the sweatshirt over her head and onto her arms.

She curled back into bed as the doctor came to relay her final thoughts and protocol for the next few days. "Nothing is broken, just a few scrapes and bruises. That doesn't mean I recommend an immediate return to work, though. She'll need some time to recuperate."

Henry nodded, knowing that would be the hardest part, keeping her away from the office for a few days. He quietly helped her from the bed and into the wheelchair as the detail led them out a side door to the awaiting motorcade.

He slid into the back seat, letting her body fall heavily against his side as he made her as comfortable as he could. "We'll be home soon enough." He wasn't completely convinced she heard him, nor was he completely convinced she was conscious. Regardless, he held her in his arms the entire drive home.


Upon their arrival, he thanked the detail for taking such good care of her, and quickly scooped her exhausted body into his arms and made his way straight through the foyer and into the safety of their bedroom.

He tucked her under the covers, grateful it wasn't simply her sweater. She was home, in the flesh, and there was no substitute for that. She snuggled into his embrace, resting her head heavily on his chest. She let out a labored breath, wanting desperately to speak.

He could hear her breath become difficult as she gripped tightly at his shirt. "Henry," her throat was tight, her voice barely audible only inches from her husband's ear. That one word seemed to drain her, but there was so much more she needed to say. Her breathing intensified yet again as she prepared to speak.

He took that opportunity to rest his hand atop hers, stroking it gently. "Shh," he whispered against her cheek. "We don't have to resolve anything tonight." She wove her fingers between his and buried her nose in the crook of his neck, letting his scent, his voice, his presence all ease her to sleep.


They were awoken the next morning by the early January sunrise streaming through the bedroom window. Henry ran his fingers through Elizabeth's ragged, mussed locks as he took in every inch of her face. For the first time since he had seen her at the hospital, she didn't look stressed. She had managed to fall asleep, probably due to a combination of pain killers and Henry's arms. None the less, he was glad she was getting much needed rest.

She shifted, keeping her eyes closed as she placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heart beat through the fabric of his shirt. "I love you." She whispered, hot breath lingering on his neck.

"I love you too." He kissed her hairline softly. "More than anything."

She finally let her eyes flutter open, meeting his for the first time that morning. She gazed up at him silently for a long while before finally deciding to speak again. "Why does this keep happening, Henry?"

His eyes fell closed, feeling the formation of a lump in the back of his throat. "I don't know, baby." He met her eyes again, stroking her shoulder. "I don't know."

They remained in bed, knowing there was no reason for them to leave the warm comfort of their room. With no children and no work, they were determined to stay under the covers for as long as possible. Elizabeth dozed in and out of sleep, trying her hardest to forget the events of the previous day.

"You promised you would make pancakes."

He smiled, finally seeing an expression resembling happiness cross his wife's face. "I did. I also promised lots of chocolate chips." She hurriedly sat up, determined to get to the kitchen sooner rather than later. She wasn't going to pass up his pancakes… ever.

She, unfortunately, failed to remember the pain within her muscles that had been sedated the night before and twisted her face into a grimace, placing her hand on her lower back. Henry coaxed her back into the bed, assuring her that he would bring a delicious breakfast up in no time.

"I want to watch you cook, though." Her voice was tender, nearly pleading as she placed her palm upon his chest. "Please?"

He caved, lifting her into his arms as he carried her down the steps into the kitchen. He placed her atop the island counter top and sent he a warning glance. "You have to promise to stay put."

"Okay." She nodded as though she were a child obeying orders from a parent. "I promise." She leaned forward to seal their deal with a kiss before gently pushing him toward the pantry.

As he placed the final pancake on their plate, the room fell silent. She tore a piece off for herself, averting her eyes from his. "Babe?" His voice was reluctant as he tried desperately to meet her eyes. "Babe?" he repeated.

She finally swallowed her bite and lifted her gaze to meet his as she spoke timidly. "Henry," she twisted her wedding ring nervously. "I don't have a good feeling about this."

He broke off a piece for himself taking the plate to the table. "About the pancakes?" He made his way back to the island, helping her gently to the floor. "I know we haven't had them for a while, but I promise they're still better than yours…" He pulled the chair out, allowing her to sit beside him. Her face only continued to become more grave as she bit her lip and forcefully fought the tears pooling in her eyes.

She shook her head before meeting his gaze. "No, not about the pancakes, about the plane."

A/N: Y'all are seriously the best! I am so glad you're enjoying this! It feels wonderful to be writing again! I know some of you have raised questions about the site and means of the crash, everything will be opened up and explored more in the next chapter. Also, for timeline purposes, i have tried working it out in my head so that it occurs in place of the season 1 finale. As always i hope you enjoyed this chapter. Your reviews are much too kind and make my day! (: