Henry's heart threatened to beat out of his chest and he felt Elizabeth shaking as she pushed into his side.

"What?" he asked

"We are taking the Secretary to Iran. There's some people we need her to"—he glanced over at Rogers, smirking—"meet."

"Over my dead body," Henry replied, through gritted teeth.

He could sense Elizabeth's panic rising. He put his arm around her shoulder and brought her closer.

"We'd be happy to accommodate that," Valdez said, pulling a gun out from his waist and pointing it straight at Henry.

"No!" Elizabeth shouted, desperately.

Henry tried to push her behind him to protect her with his body.

I'm not letting you die, Babe.

Valdez walked closer to where Henry was sitting, gun still pointed at his chest. "So what's it going to be?" he demanded.

"Stop," she whispered. "Just stop. I'll meet with whoever you want. Just don't shoot Henry."

"Babe, no."

"It's okay. It's just a meeting, right?" she asked Agents Valdez and Rogers, eyes shining with unshed tears.

The gun pointed at Henry was lowered slightly.

"Yes, Madam Secretary. A meeting with the Foreign Minister of Iran. He's expecting you in" —Rogers glanced at his watch—"about six hours."

Elizabeth nodded. She was still shaking against Henry's side. "Can I ask why?"

"Why a meeting?" Valdez asked.

"Why are we going to Iran? We could have had a secure phone call set up back in my office."

Henry rubbed her shoulder, in a small attempt to comfort her.

"The Foreign Minister requested your presence personally. That's all I know."

"I see," Elizabeth replied, thinking.

She knows something. I can see it on her face.

"Cooperating is going to allow you and Henry to stay safe. You want everyone to be safe, right?" Valdez asked.

"Of course," she replied.

"Good. Now hand me your phone," Agent Valdez said, holding out his hand to Henry.

Henry glared at Valdez and made no move to reach for his phone.

I need the phone to possibly call for help. No way am I handing it to these jerks.

The seconds stretched on and no one moved.

"Oh. So that's how you want to play it?" Valdez taunted. He took a big step forward and reached for Elizabeth, grabbing her hard by the arm and shoulder. Caught by surprise, she gasped and tried to hold onto Henry, but Valdez was stronger and she was forced out of his hold. Valdez held her back against his chest with his left arm and pointed the gun at her temple with his right hand.

Terrified eyes met Henry's gaze. He watched as tears ran down her face.

Oh, Babe. You don't deserve this. I'm so sorry. I knew something was wrong with these two. I should have fought harder to convince President Dalton.

"Take it easy," Henry said, arms out in front of him like he was approaching a spooked animal. "Here's the phone." He reached into his pants pocket and threw it in Valdez's direction. It hit the floor and bounced under one of the seats. "Now let her go."

Don't hurt her. Please.

Valdez shoved Elizabeth away from his chest and bent down to search for the phone.

Thrown off balance, she fell directly into Henry's lap on the bench seat and he wrapped his arms around her immediately. "You're okay. I'm right here. I've got you," he whispered into her ear. She sobbed into his shoulder and he rubbed her back in soothing circles.

"Try anything funny again, and I won't hesitate to shoot her," Valdez said, pocketing Henry's phone.

Maybe I can try and get it back from him later.

Henry nodded and held Elizabeth closer.

"Boss said we need her alive, Kyle," Rogers said.

"Yeah, yeah," Valdez replied, rolling his eyes.

Henry watched the two agents interact as he continued to soothe his wife.

Was Valdez in charge? Who is their boss? Would Rogers be sympathetic toward Elizabeth?

"Enjoy the rest of the flight. We'll leave you two alone for now," Rogers said, nodding at Valdez. The two of them walked toward the front of the plane and took a seat around one of the tables, still in the line of sight of Henry and Elizabeth.

Great. So we won't get a chance to be alone.

Elizabeth rubbed her nose on Henry's shirt, still sniffling. "Sorry." She pushed back a little so she could look him in the eyes.

"For what?" he asked. "You have nothing to apologize for."

"I'm sorry for bringing you into this mess. You shouldn't be here. It's me they want," she whispered, eyes shining with tears.

"I'm actually glad you aren't alone. You've been through enough as it is. At least now I can help protect you from these lunatics." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "In case I don't say it enough, I love you. So much."

"I love you too."

Elizabeth stole a quick glance at Rogers and Valdez sitting around the table, whispering to each other.

"How did they pass a background check and get top secret clearance? I don't understand any of this, Henry. What does the foreign minister of Iran want to talk to me about? Is this all because of Vice President Hurst? Is Farhad communicating with them somehow?"

Panic began to rise in her chest, and her breaths came in short bursts. Henry put his hands on her shoulders. "Breathe with me, Babe."

"I can't…"

"Yes, you can. Come on. Match my breaths."

"But I…"

"But nothing, Babe. You have to breathe with me, and then we'll figure it out together okay? In. Out. In. Out."

Tears flooded her face again and she leaned forward into his chest. "I can't do this Henry. It's too much."

"Baby, yes you can. I'm right here. I'm not letting you out of my sight. I promise. Now breathe with me."

Elizabeth took a big breath in and then let it out against Henry's chest. "There you go. Now do it again."

She repeated that pattern several more times before her breathing evened out.

Henry kissed the top of her head through her hair, and felt her arms wrap around his back. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Why does this keep happening?" she asked through tears.

"Because there is a lot of evil in the world. You didn't cause this, Babe."

She shook her head against his shirt. "It sure feels like it. I must be cursed."

I hate that you feel this way.

"You're not cursed. The job is cursed. You're just going to tell Conrad you need three months off when we make it back home."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Somehow I don't think I can take that much time off."

"You've earned it five times over, Babe. Trust me."

Several minutes passed in comfortable silence before Henry could no longer accept that they were helpless to stop Agents Valdez and Rogers. "Babe?" he whispered, turning away from the agents so they didn't hear.

"Hmm?"

"Does your plane have a phone? A panic button? Something we can use to contact someone back home and let them know that we're being kidnapped and taken to Iran?"

"There is a phone, but it's near the front where they are. They would see us reaching for it."

"What about a panic button or something similar?"

"Not that I'm aware of. My plane is supposed to be safe, so there wouldn't be a need for one," Elizabeth replied.

"I'm still trying to think of a way we could get my phone back from Valdez…"

"Henry, no! Please tell me you won't try anything. I don't want to see you hurt. I can't be alone with them. Please. Promise me," she begged, tears flooding her eyes again.

I'm not letting anyone near you.

Henry hugged her tighter. "I'm just thinking out loud. I'm not doing anything without telling you first. I'm also not leaving you alone. I promise."

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief.

"Want to get some rest?" Henry suggested.

Elizabeth wiped her eyes. "I'm exhausted. But I'm not sure I can actually fall asleep with them here," she said nodding her head toward Agents Valdez and Rogers.

"You don't have to sleep. Just lie down and rest your body. I'll be right here," Henry replied, smiling.

"I don't think I can relax. This is too much."

"Just please try? For me?"

She nodded and then reached for the blanket that had fallen on the floor. Henry situated himself on the bench seat so she could lay with her back against his chest. As soon as she was semi-comfortable, he pulled the blanket over both of them, and wrapped his arms around her. Elizabeth sighed deeply and then wriggled around until her face was in the crease between his neck and shoulder—her favorite spot. She inhaled his scent and made a soft humming sound.

Henry couldn't help but smile.

Some things never change.

"Comfortable?" he asked, teasing her.

"Very."

"Good."

Henry rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles and felt her heart rate slowing.

"You're going to make me fall asleep…"

"That's the plan, Babe," Henry said.

"No fair…"

He kissed her forehead and continued stroking her back.

We both deserve some peace. And rest. None of this is fair, but at least I'm here with you.

"Henry?" Elizabeth whispered, almost asleep.

"Yeah?"

"I'm scared."

"I know. I am too," he replied, rubbing her back again.

I wish I could get us off this plane and away from these agents. It's my job to protect you. And I've failed. I'm so sorry.

Henry felt tears soaking his neck, and pulled Elizabeth closer.

"Our kids might lose both of us," she choked out through tears. "I know what that feels like and I can't let them go through what Will and I did. I won't."

Henry turned his body so he could look at Elizabeth. "I'm not letting you die."

I would give my life for yours in a heartbeat.

She looked down for a second and then locked her gaze with his. "I can't live without you." Tears ran down her cheeks and Henry reached up with his sleeve to wipe them away.

"Well then I guess we'll both have to get out of here alive," he replied, sincerely.

Elizabeth collapsed back into Henry, trying to get as close to him as possible.

"I am so glad you're here," she said, burying her face in his neck again.

"Me too, Babe." He pulled the blanket around them and tried to get her to relax again. His hand made soothing motions on her back and her breathing against his neck deepened.

Maybe she'll actually go to sleep. God knows she needs the rest.

Elizabeth shifted so her arms were wrapped around Henry.

That's it, Babe. Go to sleep. I'll be right here when you wake up.

"Madam Secretary! Get up!" Agent Valdez shouted.

What's going on? I must have drifted off unintentionally.

The blanket was pulled off them and Henry grabbed Elizabeth closer on instinct. She showed no signs of waking, but Henry popped his eyes open. He was met with an angry look from Valdez.

"Wake her up or we'll do it for you!" Valdez demanded.

"Why? What's going on?" he asked, arms still fully wrapped around Elizabeth.

"We need her to answer the phone on the plane. The president asked to talk to the Secretary. He didn't believe that she was just asleep when I told him. He'll suspect something is wrong if she avoids answering."

Henry nodded. "I'll wake her. Give me a second."

"Babe?" he asked gently, stroking her cheek. "Time to wake up."

She buried her face further into Henry, too comfortable to wake up.

"Come on Elizabeth. I need you to open your eyes for me," he said.

"This is taking too long!" Valdez said, reaching to grab her by the shoulder and pull her away from Henry.

Elizabeth's eyes opened immediately at the loss of contact with Henry and the stranger's unwelcomed touch.

"No!" she shouted, voice full of panic. She reached for Henry and he pulled her back into his chest.

"Don't touch her!" He could feel her shaking again.

"We don't have time for this!" Valdez shouted back. "Come answer the phone now."

"Why?" Elizabeth asked, confused.

Valdez rolled his eyes. "Because President Dalton asked to speak with you."

"But I don't understand."

"Maybe this will help you understand," he said, pulling his gun out and pointing it at Elizabeth.

She gasped and froze against Henry.

"Now get up and follow me to the front of the plane. Don't try anything."

These men are pure evil.

Shaking, Elizabeth reluctantly stood up and peeled herself away from Henry. He linked his hand with hers, trying to provide her some comfort as she took a step forward. Henry stood to follow her and Agent Valdez to the front of the plane, but Valdez shook his gun in Henry's direction. "No. Only the Secretary."

"But I…"

Valdez glared at Henry. "I said no."

Elizabeth looked back at him, tears in her eyes. "It's okay. I'll be right back." She let his hand go, and turned around to face Valdez.

Agent Valdez walked her over to the phone at gunpoint and it broke Henry's heart to see her going through this.

Couldn't she catch a break?

Elizabeth sat at the table and grabbed the phone off the wall. Valdez pointed the gun at her temple and it took everything inside of Henry to not try and wrestle the gun away.

How can I sit back and watch when you have a gun to your head? I wish I could trade places with you.

Henry strained his ears to listen to her side of the call so he could try and piece together the reason for President Dalton contacting her mid-flight. It wasn't normal.

"Yes, Mr. President." Elizabeth cleared her throat. "I think there must be something wrong with the communications on the plane." She cleared her throat again. "Really bad timing."

Henry could see her nodding her head. She cleared her throat again. "And I don't know what happened with the flight path. I was asleep until just now. Sorry, Mr. President."

What's with all the throat clearing? Is she nervous? I wouldn't blame her if she was.

She cleared her throat again. "No, sir. Everything is fine." Elizabeth put the receiver of the phone away from her mouth momentarily and looked at Valdez. "Can he talk to one of the pilots? The President wants to check and make sure the GPS isn't malfunctioning."

Valdez nodded and Elizabeth spoke into the phone again. "Sir? They are going to put you in contact with the cockpit. I think they were having some issues earlier, but they are fixed now. I'll see you at the White House after we land at Andrews."

She locked eyes with Henry.

Conrad knew that we wouldn't see him for a while. He agreed that Elizabeth needed some time off. Was she trying to give him a signal that something was amiss?

"Yes, Mr. President. You too," Elizabeth said, handing the phone back to Valdez so he could hang it up.

"Now was that so hard?" Agent Valdez asked.

"Forgive me. I don't normally talk on the phone with a gun to my head," Elizabeth replied.

Agent Valdez slapped her, hard.

Henry saw red and ran to his wife's side. "Touch her again and it will be the last thing you ever do. You understand?"

"Remember, I'm the one with the gun, Dr. McCord."

Agent Rogers stepped in between Agent Valdez and Henry. "Everybody calm down." He turned to Valdez. "Kyle, go talk to the pilots. President Dalton is waiting. Make sure they don't tip him off."

Agent Valdez seemed to consider punching Henry for a moment before retreating into the cockpit.

"Thank you," Henry said to Agent Rogers.

"No problem. We were given strict orders to make sure that the Secretary arrives in Iran in one piece. I would like to get paid. Agent Valdez is just a hot head. Sorry about that."

At least Rogers seems to be somewhat reasonable.

Turning back to Elizabeth, Henry put his hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Babe. Let's go sit back down."

Elizabeth nodded and linked her hand with his. She stood up from the table and followed him to the back of the plane and all but collapsed on the bench seat. "Let me see," he said, raising her chin gently.

Her lip was bleeding.

"I'm going to kill him."

Elizabeth gave him a half smile. "It's okay. I shouldn't have riled him up."

Henry's eyes darkened. "You cannot blame yourself for this. He should never have hit you."

"I'm okay. Really."

He rubbed her shoulders. "I just want you safe. Away from all of these people that want to hurt you."

"I love you for that."

Henry pulled her into his side and let her settle against him on the bench. He looked around to make sure that Agent Rogers wasn't listening. "Hey, can I ask you why you told President Dalton we would meet him at the White House? I thought we agreed to give you some time off."

Elizabeth sighed. "Yeah, I was hoping that Conrad picked up on that conflicting information."

"So you were tipping him off?" Henry whispered.

"Yeah. Between that and the throat clearing, he should be working to fix this as we speak."

"Throat clearing?" Henry asked, confused.

Elizabeth snuggled into his side, resting her head on his shoulder. "Yeah, it's an old CIA tactic when Morse code won't work. I thought the agents might have picked up on me tapping out sounds, so I couldn't risk it. But I cleared my throat before the beginning letter of each sentence that I wanted Conrad to pay attention to."

Henry beamed at his wife.

She's a genius. Truly. And she did all of this with a gun pointed at her temple.

"And President Dalton knows that code?" Henry asked.

Elizabeth nodded against his shoulder. "Yeah. Everyone in the CIA when he was director knew it. I'm counting on him to remember."

Henry rubbed her upper arm as she continued to lean against him. "What did you spell out?"

"Iran."

Authors Note: Obviously I don't work for the CIA, but I thought the code stuff would be fun. Elizabeth is smart and she has good instincts, so I gave it a shot. If you go back and look at the first letter of each sentence after she clears her throat, it does spell out "Iran." Happy reading! Comments and reviews are welcome!