Author's note: This chapter contains brief mention of sexual assault. Nothing graphic though.

"You ready to change into a sweatshirt?" Henry asked Elizabeth, as she sat up on the hospital bed.

She nodded, looking unsure.

"What's wrong, Babe?" Henry asked.

"Nothing."

She's holding something back. Does she not want me to see all of her injuries?

He gently lifted her chin so she was forced to meet his eyes. "It's okay if you don't want me to see. I'll leave the room if you want. Or I can help you to the bathroom."

She shook her head. "No, it's okay. I just wish I could shower before changing clothes. I feel…dirty."

"Do you want me to ask a nurse to see what your options are?" he asked.

"If they offer to give me a sponge bath…no," Elizabeth replied. "Unless you do it," she said softly.

Henry smiled at her. "I would be happy to help if needed. Let me call and see what they say." He pushed the call button.

Elizabeth turned her attention back to the TV. "I still cannot believe that someone made a cake with cream cheese and fish in it. I know I can't cook, but come on. That was never going to work," she said, chuckling.

I'm so glad that she seems to be in better spirits today. Let's hope that talking to the police later goes well.

"Yeah, it looked disgusting," Henry agreed, smiling.

"I wouldn't have touched that with a ten foot pole. And I LOVE cream cheese."

"Speaking of cream cheese," Henry said. "Did you want to try the muffin?" He pointed to the breakfast tray that was brought in twenty minutes ago.

Elizabeth glanced over at the tray filled with strawberries, coffee, and a dry muffin.

"Henry, this muffin has come nowhere near any cream cheese this century. It looks like it was made using cardboard," she said, picking it up and sniffing it and then placing it back down on the tray.

"Babe, you have to eat something. You had juice for dinner last night."

She wrinkled her nose. "I'm still not hungry."

"Is your throat still bothering you?" he asked, concerned that she was still in pain.

"No. It's fine."

Henry sighed. "Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"

"I'm sure."

She's hiding something, but I don't know what it is.

The door opened and a nurse walked in, breaking Henry out of his thoughts.

"Did you need something, ma'am?" the nurse asked.

"Is there anywhere for me to take a shower?"

"There's a place down the hall where we can help you. Have you tried walking or standing on your left leg yet?"

"Not yet," Elizabeth replied, looking slightly ashamed.

You were shot. It's only been one day, Babe. Healing takes time.

"Well, until you're comfortable standing on that leg, your other option is a sponge bath, ma'am."

Elizabeth hesitated. "Does it have to be a nurse?"

"Ideally, yes. I promise it's nothing we haven't seen before." The nurse came up to the bed and checked Elizabeth's chart.

"Can my husband do it?" Elizabeth asked in a small voice.

"That's not really protocol."

Here we go again.

Henry stepped closer to Elizabeth and rubbed her shoulder. "Does it really matter if the nurses help her get clean or if I do?"

"We don't want you to exacerbate her injuries further. You aren't trained to clean around wounds."

He scoffed. "I might not be trained to clean around wounds, but I would know if I was hurting her or not."

Elizabeth reached for Henry's hand and linked it with hers.

"Suit yourself," the nurse said. "I'll bring the stuff in for you in about an hour."

"Thanks," Elizabeth replied.

The door closed and Henry and Elizabeth were alone again. "Were you worried about a nurse hurting you while helping you get clean?"

She shook her head.

"Well then why…"

Elizabeth closed her eyes. "I don't want strangers touching me right now. I just can't…"

Henry's heart sank. Of course.

"Completely understandable. Don't worry about it, Babe."

Henry sat down on the bed and hugged Elizabeth to him. She willingly rested her head on his shoulder. "I just want to feel normal again…"

"You will. It just takes time."

Elizabeth settled closer into Henry's side as she slept. His sweatshirt enveloped her small frame, but made her look more at ease than she had this whole time wearing a hospital gown. Henry carded his fingers through her hair, lost in thought.

How could someone hurt you so badly? You deserve to be treated so much better than this. Every bruise and handprint makes me want to kill Teresa Hurst and Farhad Azimi.

A stray tear ran down Henry's cheek as he recalled each bruise and wound he saw up close while helping her bathe. The sheer number of bruises and scrapes was enough to make Henry sick to his stomach. He was actually terrified of causing her more pain because so much of her body was covered in them.

He's a monster.

Elizabeth assured him earlier that he didn't hurt her any further with the sponge, but he saw the winces on her face that told a different story.

I'm so sorry.

Henry was content to let her sleep for now. He knew the police were coming soon to ask her questions and that it would take a toll on her mentally to relive what happened to her. If they pushed her too far, he had no problem kicking them out of the room to save her sanity and comfort.

Will she have to testify against Azimi in a trial?

Henry shook his head to rid himself of that thought.

We'll cross that bridge later.

Elizabeth whimpered in her sleep, and Henry rubbed her back in comforting circles.

Nightmare. Again. Can't she get some rest without being tortured in her sleep?

"Henry…" she called out softly.

"It's okay, Babe. I'm here. You're safe."

Her hands balled into fists against his shirt.

"No…" she said.

Should I wake her? She's clearly in distress.

"Babe? You're dreaming. I'm right here."

Elizabeth gasped and then opened her eyes, struggling to catch her breath. As reality sank in, she buried her face into Henry's neck. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. Just breathe." He kissed the top of her head.

Several minutes later, her breathing finally returned to normal, but a knock on the door caused Elizabeth to freeze in his arms.

What now?

Henry looked up to see who was coming into the room.

"I'm Officer Newton and this is Officer Gates. We're here to talk with Elizabeth McCord."

Henry gave them a weak smile. "Can you give us a minute?" he asked, gesturing to his wife who was still hiding her face in his neck.

"Sure. We'll wait outside," Officer Newton said.

"Thanks," Henry replied.

Hearing the door close, he rubbed Elizabeth's back. "Babe? Are you okay to do this? I know you just woke up and I have no issue turning them away if you need more time."

She mumbled something he couldn't make out.

"What was that, Babe?" he asked.

Elizabeth pushed back from Henry to speak more clearly.

"Let's just get this over with."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "You'll stay?"

He cupped her cheek. "Of course, Babe."

Elizabeth smiled back at him. "I'm so grateful that you're here."

"I'll always show up for you. Remember that," he said, kissing her lips softly.

Elizabeth sat up more fully on the bed as Henry pulled away and started to make his way to the door to let the police officers in. He stopped suddenly, and turned back to face her.

"Do you want me in the chair or on the bed with you?" he asked.

Elizabeth let the silence fill the room momentarily while she considered his question. "The chair, I think."

"No problem, Babe."

Henry stuck his head outside the room and told the officers that she was ready. They followed him inside and he took his seat in the chair. Elizabeth grabbed his hand and linked her hand with his.

"How are you Mrs. McCord?" Officer Newton asked.

"I've been better," she replied.

Henry stroked her hand with his thumb, reminding her that he was there.

"I'm sorry to hear that. We're here to get some answers about what happened," Officer Gates said, taking out a small notebook.

Elizabeth nodded.

"Can you tell me what happened when you left the embassy in Geneva?"

She took a shaky breath in and squeezed Henry's hand.

"I was walking with my assistant Blake, and three of my diplomatic security agents when a man approached us from my right side," she started. "He seemed agitated but it all happened so quickly. I heard a shot ring out and then Matt grabbed my arm, trying to shield me."

Elizabeth wiped away silent tears.

"Please go on. What happened next?" Officer Newton said.

"More shots rang out and then I felt a sharp pain in my leg. I was dragged by the man into an SUV."

"Did you see what happened to your other agents or your assistant before you were taken by the man?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, I found out what happened later. Only one of them made it." Her voice cracked on the last word, and Henry squeezed her hand.

I'm so sorry this happened. They were good people who protected you.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Mrs. McCord," Officer Gates said. "What happened once you were in the car with—" he paused to look at his notes—"Farhad Azimi?"

Elizabeth's breath hitched.

Henry stood up and put his arm around her. "It's okay, Babe. We can take a break."

He held up his hand to let both officers know that she needed a minute.

"Take your time, ma'am," Officer Newton said.

Henry rubbed Elizabeth's shoulder and whispered directly into her ear. "Are you okay to continue?"

She nodded and he sat back down in the chair. He kept his hand linked with hers.

"So what happened once you were in the car with him?" Officer Gates asked.

Elizabeth fiddled with her wedding ring and avoided looking either officer in the eyes. "He choked me until I passed out. I don't remember much else from the car ride. I woke up in the warehouse in Champfromier tied to a chair with my leg on fire."

Henry's gaze settled on the handprint around her throat and pushed his rage down. Elizabeth didn't need his righteous anger right now. She needed comfort.

Officer Newton wrote down some notes and then looked up at Elizabeth again. "Did Mr. Azimi tell you why he chose to hurt you?"

"No. He just said that he needed President Dalton and Vice President Hurst to resign. He said that I was collateral."

You're so much more than collateral.

"Why hurt you then?" Officer Gates asked.

Henry stood up abruptly, suddenly angry. "Are you blaming her?"

The officer's hands went up in surrender. "No. That's not what I meant. I'm just trying to piece together motive."

Elizabeth reached for Henry's hand. "It's okay, Babe. I'm fine."

Henry furrowed his brow, not liking Officer Gates' way of questioning his wife.

"Would you like to wait outside, Mr. McCord?" Officer Newton suggested. "We might get done faster."

"No! I want him to stay," Elizabeth replied, gripping Henry's arm.

Damn straight.

"Very well, then. Let's continue," Officer Gates said. "So you woke up in the warehouse, tied to a chair. What happened next?"

Elizabeth swallowed. "I remember…parts of the next few hours. It's a little fuzzy."

"She has a concussion," Henry explained.

Officer Newton nodded. "That's okay. Whatever you remember will be added to our report and help your government put Farhad Azimi on trial."

"Well…he threatened to kill Henry…and my kids…if I didn't tell him how we stopped the coup in Iran a few years ago."

"There was a coup?" Officer Newton asked.

"Almost. But how we stopped it is classified. And I wasn't going to give up the secrets of the United States to some crazy guy holding me hostage."

You're amazing, Babe.

"When the threats didn't work, he resorted to hitting me. Burning me with cigarettes. Putting his hand…"

Elizabeth stopped. Her eyes welled up with tears and she turned away from Henry and both police officers.

I knew there was more to the story. My God, Baby. I am so sorry.

"Ma'am?" Officer Gates asked, trying to get her to continue her statement.

"Give us a minute," Henry replied.

Both officers left the room momentarily.

Henry rubbed Elizabeth's shoulder but didn't sit down on the bed.

She probably wants some space.

"Babe? Are you okay? We don't have to talk about it if it upsets you."

Elizabeth buried face in the hospital pillow, still crying.

I hate this for her.

"Tell me how to help you. What do you need?"

Elizabeth turned over to look Henry in the eye. "A time machine. To two days ago. When none of this happened and I wasn't damaged goods."

"Baby, I need you to hear me," he said, cupping her cheek and wiping some of her tears away. "You aren't damaged. No matter what happened, I don't think that. I would never blame you."

She pulled him in for a hug and sobbed into his chest.

"Let it all out. I know this is hard. It's okay."

Elizabeth cried harder.

The minutes ticked by and Henry's brain was in overdrive.

Did he violate her? Is that why she doesn't want to be touched by strangers? Especially men?

"He didn't rape me," Elizabeth said in a small voice.

Thank God.

Henry rubbed her back while she kept her face hidden in his chest. "Whatever you're comfortable telling me is fine, Babe. No pressure at all."

She continued. "After a particularly hard blow to the head, I must have passed out. When I woke up, his hand was…under my shirt…touching my breasts…"

He kissed the top of her head. "I am so sorry. You didn't deserve that. And it's not your fault. Not even close."

I want him dead.

"I couldn't fight him off because my hands were tied behind my back…"

"This is not your fault. I don't blame you, Babe. And I certainly don't think any less of you. You survived and came back to me," Henry said. "Anything you need, just ask. If I make you uncomfortable, please tell me." He continued to rub her back in soothing circles.

Elizabeth pushed away from his chest momentarily. "No, Henry. You make me feel safe. And loved."

I wish I was there to protect you from this chauvinistic pig who assaulted you.

"I'm glad," Henry said, smiling.

She sniffled, attempting to stop her tears. "Do I have to tell the officers about where he touched me?" Elizabeth asked in a small voice.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do."

"It just feels too…personal," she explained.

"It's okay. I'll tell them to move on from that line of questioning when they come back in."

Elizabeth nodded. "Thanks."

Thank you for trusting me with what really happened.

"You ready for them to come back in?" Henry asked.

She shrugged. "I guess. I'm just ready for it to be over."

"I hear you, Babe." He kissed her forehead.

Henry got out of the bed and walked back to the door to let the officers in. "We're ready to continue," he said.

Both officers gave a brief head nod to Henry and then walked towards the bed.

"You were explaining what happened in the warehouse with Mr. Azimi," Officer Gates said.

She took a deep breath. "He beat me, touched me inappropriately, and burned me. I passed out several times," Elizabeth recapped. Her voice was very clinical and Henry could tell she was trying to detach herself from what happened to her. She was just reporting the facts.

"I don't know how much time passed, but I remember being slapped awake and told that I needed to unlock my phone and make a call to whoever would make the President and Vice President of the United States resign. I refused and got punched in the face for that."

Henry swallowed. This is horrific.

"When I came to again, my left eye was swollen shut. Farhad Azimi then took out a gun and told me I was going to be shot in the head if I didn't unlock my phone."

Both officers write down notes and then waited for her to continue.

"I believed I was going to die," Elizabeth said, eyes welling up with tears again. "So I gave him the code and told him to call Henry."

Henry squeezed her hand. You're doing great, Babe.

"After the phone call, Farhad mostly left me alone. Just slaps here and there. I was still in and out of consciousness and the pain in my leg was getting worse. Sometime later, I remember him talking to the President on my phone, but the rest is fuzzy."

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mrs. McCord. Any other details you remember, feel free to call this number," Officer Newton said, handing her a card with his contact information. "We're going to give your government a copy of this report as well."

Both officers shook Elizabeth's hand.

"Thank you for your time," Officer Gates said.

Henry nodded and then showed them out of the room.

Once they were gone, he approached her bed and rubbed her shoulder. "You did amazing, Babe. I know that was hard."

Elizabeth gave him a small smile. "Thank you for staying with me."

"Wouldn't dream of being anywhere else." He sat down on the bed and pulled Elizabeth close to his side. She relaxed and closed her eyes.

Maybe she'll take a nap. God knows she needs the rest.

Henry was dozing with Elizabeth in his arms, when his phone alerted him to a text notification. Reaching over to grab his phone off the table, he saw that it was a text from Russell Jackson.

His heart stopped when he read the short message.

Teresa Hurst is dead.