Author's Note: I hope you enjoy this chapter! I've been meaning to have Henry quote Thomas Aquinas for some time now, and this felt right. Feedback and comments are what keep me going!

"Our flight leaves later today. We should be home late tonight," Henry told Stevie on the phone. He changed into a new pair of pants and pulled a sweater over his head, folding his dirty clothes and shoving them back into the bag he brought to France.

"We miss you guys. How's Mom?" Stevie asked.

"She's doing better. You want to talk to her? She's coming out of the bathroom now."

Elizabeth caught Henry's eyes as she slowly walked back over to the bed, sat down, and silently mouthed "who is that?"

Henry handed his phone over and said "Stevie."

She held the phone up to her ear. "Hey, Baby. What's up?"

"Mom! Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, I'm walking better on my own now. Still in some pain, but your dad is taking good care of me," she said while smiling at Henry. "I miss you and Ali and Jason so much."

"We miss you too, Mom. Do we get to know what happened or is it classified?" Stevie asked.

Elizabeth sighed. "Some of it is, yeah."

"We're just glad you're healing. Get home safe, okay?"

"We will, Baby. Love you," Elizabeth replied and then hung up the phone. She handed it to Henry.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Just thinking about what we're going to say to the kids about what happened. Is it right to keep things from them?"

Henry took Elizabeth's hand in his and kissed her knuckles. "I think the decision to tell them anything is entirely up to you."

She smiled at him. "Thanks."

He leaned in and kissed her softly. "Mhmmm. You taste like syrup," Henry said, chuckling.

"Thanks to you."

I'm so glad she actually ate something today. She seems to be in much better spirits.

"Knock, Knock," Dr. Green said, opening the door and walking in.

Henry and Elizabeth quickly broke their kiss.

"Good morning," she said to Dr. Green, still holding Henry's hand.

"Ready to get discharged?" he asked, holding up a stack of papers.

"Yes. You have no idea."

Dr. Green smiled. "Oh, I can imagine. Three days in the hospital is plenty for most people. You just need to sign these and then we'll get you in a wheelchair and on your way."

"A wheelchair? Elizabeth asked, frowning.

"It's protocol. You are still weak and we don't want to take any chances while you are walking out to your car."

"Even if Henry helps me?"

Dr. Green shook his head. "Sorry, no."

Henry wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Come on, Babe. It's only to get you out of the hospital."

"But I…"

Henry met her gaze. "It doesn't mean you're weak," he whispered.

She nodded. "Okay."

I hate that she has to consider the public and how it looks to be wheeled out to the car. How dare anyone make an assumption about why she's hurt in the first place. I wish I could shield her from all of this for a little while. Then, she could just be Elizabeth and not the Secretary of State. The possibility of another photo is very high and I know that's what she is worried about…

"Glad we got that cleared up. Why don't you fill out the paperwork so we can get you home and ready to leave?" Dr. Green asked.

"Sounds good. Thanks Dr. Green," Henry said, taking the papers from him and putting them on the bed next to Elizabeth.

"I'll be back in twenty minutes or so. I want to go over some information about how to take care of the wound on her leg and what prescriptions she'll need to get filled in the States."

Henry nodded and shook Dr. Green's hand.

Alone at last, Elizabeth turned to Henry, crossing her arms against her chest. "Whose side are you on?"

"Yours, Babe."

"Doesn't sound like it. You don't think I should walk on my own to the car?"

He gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "I think we should do whatever Dr. Green says so we can get on a plane and go home."

Elizabeth's face fell and a tear escaped even though she tried to keep it from falling. "It's humiliating."

Oh, Babe. You've been through so much.

"I know. But I don't think a wheelchair means you're weak. I think it means you survived," he said, kissing her.

Elizabeth gave him a small half-smile.

"We'll get through this. And the sooner we sign these discharge papers, the sooner you get to actually shower and see the kids."

Elizabeth closed her eyes momentarily at his suggestion. "A shower sounds heavenly right now…"

Henry smirked. "If I knew all I had to do was mention a shower to get you on board with leaving in a wheelchair, I would have suggested that from the beginning."

"Haha. Very funny," Elizabeth said, sarcastically. She reached down to grab the papers and flipped through the stack. "How many of these things do I have to sign?"

"Do you want me to help? I can sign for you."

"That sounds like forgery. A little unethical, professor. Are you feeling okay?" Elizabeth teased.

Henry wiggled his eyebrows. "Do you want out of here or not? Hand me a pen!"

Elizabeth laughed and smacked him with the papers.

I love watching you laugh. I'm so glad you feel a little better, Babe.

As she flipped through and signed the discharge papers, Henry gathered all of the clothes and other toiletries that he packed to make sure they were all in the bag.

The phone rang inside the room and Elizabeth jumped, not expecting the sound.

"Who could that be?" asked Henry, walking over toward the phone.

She shrugged. "No idea."

"Want me to answer it?" he asked.

"If you want," she replied.

Henry reached over her to grab the phone, brushing his arm across her shoulders. "Hello?"

"Dr. McCord, it's Matt. The doctor gave me Secretary McCord's room number. I hope that's okay."

"Matt, hi. How are you feeling?" Henry asked.

Elizabeth's eyes widened as she realized her DS agent was calling. She gestured for Henry to hand her the phone, but he waved her off momentarily.

"I'm doing good sir. Abdominal surgery is a beating though. Nothing like you see in the movies."

"I know that's the truth," Henry replied, smiling.

"How's the Secretary holding up?"

"She's doing okay. Thank you for saving her life, Matt. I'm forever grateful." Henry leaned down and kissed her forehead.

She closed her eyes at the contact.

"Just doing my job, Dr. McCord," Matt said, with sincerity.

"Do you want to talk to her?" Henry asked, locking eyes with Elizabeth.

"If she's available, yes."

"Here she is," Henry said, passing the phone to her.

Once Elizabeth was on the phone with Matt, Henry did his best to busy himself with packing. He knew that Matt saw protecting Elizabeth as his job, but he also knew that Elizabeth would blame herself for Matt being shot.

"You got shot because of me," Elizabeth said into the phone, tears flooding her eyes. She did an admiral job of keeping them from spilling over onto her cheeks.

I hate that she sees it that way.

"I know, but if we didn't go to Geneva in the first place…"

Oh Babe, you couldn't have known this was going to happen.

"Yes, Matt. I'm sure Henry agrees," she said, glancing at him.

Agrees with what?

"I will. Thanks again. I'll see you back home." Elizabeth hung up the phone and turned back to finish reading through and signing the discharge papers, like nothing happened.

"Babe?" he asked.

"Hmm?"

"What did you tell Matt I would agree with?"

She sighed and put the pen down for a second. "I said you would agree that I don't need to go back to work until after I testify on trial. Matt said to take it easy and give myself time to heal."

Henry smiled. "I always liked Matt."

"I can't hide from my duties forever! I'm the Secretary of State!" Elizabeth shouted, clearly frustrated.

I know you're the Secretary of State, but you're also the person I love more than anything in the world and the mother to my children. Isn't that important too? I just want to keep you safe.

Henry grabbed her hand gently and held her gaze. "I know that your job is important. I get that. But you need time to recover from your injuries. And not just the physical ones."

"So you do think I'm damaged," Elizabeth choked out, unable to keep the tears at bay anymore.

Henry squeezed her hand. "Baby, no. That's not what I meant. I just want you to be healed completely so when you do return to work, you aren't overwhelmed."

Elizabeth stared at him, unsure.

"I need you to hear me," Henry said. "You are the strongest woman I know. You survived something no one should have to go through. You made it back to me and you're still concerned about other people's well-being more than your own. There is so much power in your humility, but you have to know where your limits are. Those limits don't make you weak."

Elizabeth sniffled. "That sounds like a Thomas Aquinas quote…"

Henry chuckled. "So you do listen. The actual quote says: the virtue of humility consists of this, that one keep himself within his own limits; he does not stretch himself to what is above him, but he subjects himself to his superior."

"Your teachable moments always involve Thomas Aquinas. Can one man really have said all of that?" she asked.

"He was a theologian and philosopher. He had a lot of time to think."

"Clearly." She rolled her eyes.

"I happen to think he's right like ninety percent of the time."

"Says the religion professor."

"I know sound doctrine when I hear it."

"Henry?" Elizabeth said, beaming. "Don't ever change."

"Wasn't planning on it," he replied.

Elizabeth turned back to the discharge papers and signed a few more of them.

He rubbed her shoulder. "Waiting until after the trial to go back to work is a good thing, Babe. You deserve some time off to heal. Your staff can handle things at the State Department."

"Let's hope so," she replied.

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

"How's my favorite patient?" Dr. Green asked, opening the door and walking back into the room.

"Doing alright. Almost done with these papers," Elizabeth said.

"Excellent. Here's your prescription for pain medicine and the information about the dressing on your leg wound. Remove it to bathe and then redress it so that it heals properly. Remember the stiches will have to come out in a few days. You can see any physician for that." Dr. Green handed Elizabeth the medicine and the informational packet.

"Thanks, Dr. Green," she said, handing him the discharge papers.

"Do you have any questions?"

"I do," Henry said. "Is there anything we can do for her cigarette burns? Like a cream or a salve?"

"Any petroleum jelly will help seal the wounds and keep fabric from rubbing against them and hurting."

"I'll make sure to pick some up at the pharmacy when we get the other medicine. Thanks." Henry shook his hand.

Dr. Green nodded. "If there's nothing else, you take care, Mrs. McCord. A nurse is on the way with a wheelchair."

"I will. Thanks," she replied.

Dr. Green left the room and quietly closed the door behind him.

"Ready to blow this joint?" Henry asked.

"More than ever," she said, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

Henry watched her wince in pain.

"Babe, take it easy. We don't have to go fast."

"I know. I'm just ready to leave. I promise it doesn't hurt that bad," she replied.

The door opened and nurse Jasmine entered the room. "I'm here with your wheelchair, Mrs. McCord."

"Thanks," Henry said. He grabbed Elizabeth's left arm and helped her stand. She leaned on him heavily, but then righted herself and stood tall.

I'm so proud of you, Babe.

Jasmine brought the wheelchair to where Elizabeth was standing and Henry helped ease her into it.

"I'll get the bag," Henry said. He shoved the informational packet and the prescription into the front pocket. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he took it out to look at it. "Just got the text from one of the replacement DS agents. Motorcade will be out front in seven minutes."

Elizabeth studied her lap, avoiding Henry's gaze.

He knelt down next to the wheelchair she sat in, tilting her chin up gently to look her in the eyes. "I know it's hard to think about all the people who died protecting you, but we have to take your safety into consideration. It will be okay, Babe."

She nodded, a single tear escaping. "I hate that Blake isn't here. And Matt…"

Henry closed his eyes. "I know. It isn't fair. And you know Matt would come with us if he could."

"So much has changed…"

He stroked her arm. "I know. It's hard. But I'm still here, okay? I'll be with you the whole time."

You're not going anywhere alone for a while. I'll make sure of that.

She gave him the tiniest smile.

"We really need to be going, Mrs. McCord," Jasmine said.

Henry stood up and grabbed the bag he packed. "Let's roll," he said, squeezing Elizabeth's hand.

Jasmine pushed Elizabeth down the hallway carefully, Henry not far behind. They rode the elevator down to the ground floor and walked through the waiting area. As soon as they got outside, a crowd of people approached Elizabeth with cameras and phones in her face.

What the hell?! Where did all of these people come from?

"Secretary McCord, are you hurt?" one man asked.

Another man chimed in. "Madam Secretary, are you going to press charges for what happened to you?"

"What is your attacker's name?"

Her breath came in short pants and Henry could see panic written all over her face. He stood in front of Elizabeth, blocking her from view of the crowd.

Where the hell is Diplomatic Security? Didn't they know this would happen?

"Secretary McCord is not taking questions at this time. Now, if you'll excuse me, my wife and I are going home."

"What happened to Secretary McCord?" a man asked from the crowd.

A woman stuck her phone in Henry's face. "Does President Dalton know?"

These people are relentless. It's disgusting.

"Where is hospital security?" Henry asked, turning to Jasmine, desperate for someone to help.

Sirens were heard, and her motorcade pulled up to the entrance. Two Diplomatic Security agents hopped out. "Step away from the Secretary!" one of them shouted, running over to Elizabeth and Henry with his gun drawn. He stood to Henry's right and the other stood on his left, surrounding Elizabeth.

What took you so long?

The crowd of people backed up momentarily, and Henry turned around to look at Elizabeth. She was staring straight ahead. "Babe? Are you okay?" he asked, reaching for her hand. He knelt in front of her, hoping to block out the crowd and everything that was scaring her right now.

"Henry…" she whispered.

"I'm right here, Babe."

"Stay back!" one of the DS agents shouted when a man from the crowd approached again.

Henry looked at the agent. "Can we get her into the car before this gets worse?"

The agent nodded.

"Jasmine, do you want me to push her?" Henry asked.

"No, I can do it. You just help her get into the car."

Henry stood in front of Elizabeth, his eyes never leaving hers. He walked backwards slowly, the DS agents flanking both sides of her wheelchair that Jasmine pushed. When he reached the SUV, Henry opened the door and grabbed Elizabeth under her armpits to help her stand. She leaned into his chest, burying her face in his shirt, and blocking out everything around her.

"It's okay, Baby. I'm right here," he said, rubbing her back.

He helped her into the SUV and one of the DS agents closed the door. Finally alone, Elizabeth broke out into sobs against his neck. He wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her as best he could.

"Henry…"

"I know, Babe. I know. That never should have happened."

"All those people saw…"

"It's okay. I'm here," he repeated, at a loss for words. He held her tighter and kissed the top of her head.

Henry didn't know how on earth such an egregious error happened. A crowd of people attacking his wife like that should have never been possible. They should have never been allowed to get that close to her. But he knew one thing for sure.

Someone in Diplomatic Security was going to pay.