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"Mom?" Jason asked. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, Jase. Just some stuff I have to talk to the President about," Elizabeth replied. "Go back to sleep."

She pushed the blanket off and stood up from her position leaning against Henry's chest. Elizabeth padded through the room, avoiding stepping on Alison and reaching down to ruffle Jason's hair. He rolled his eyes at her touch, but Henry knew deep down all three of his kids enjoyed the affection shown by both of their parents, even if he tried to hide it all the time.

Henry followed behind Elizabeth and pulled the door shut as they entered the other room of the bunker.

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked Ephraim Ware, as she sat down in one of the chairs. "Show me what you found."

"We found information in the last two encrypted folders." Ephraim took a deep breath in.

"And?"

"This won't happen. I can assure you that we are working in tandem with the FBI to make sure this is stopped."

Elizabeth crossed her arms. "Show me," she demanded.

Henry wrapped his arm around her shoulder, trying to ground her.

Whatever it is, we'll get through it together.

Ephraim nodded and then double clicked on one of the folders on the laptop. Elizabeth leaned in to get a better look.

What opened was a series of photos of Stevie, Alison, and Jason tied up, beaten, bloody, and half-dressed.

No. It can't be true.

"Oh my God. What is this?" Elizabeth said, voice trembling as she clicked through more and more photos of the kids.

Henry felt the blood rush to his face and his hands balled into fists instinctively. He could feel the heat through Elizabeth's shirt with his hand across her shoulder.

"I don't understand," Henry said, trying to keep the tremor out of his own voice.

"It appears as though Vice President Hurst had some photos doctored to make it look like your children were kidnapped and beaten," Ephraim Ware explained.

This didn't happen. The kids are fine. They're in the next room, sleeping.

"Why make fake photos?" Elizabeth asked. "How is this even possible?"

"Artificial Intelligence has some incredible capabilities these days. We believe the plan was to use the photos as leverage to force your resignation as Secretary of State and stop you from running for president."

Elizabeth swallowed, mouth suddenly thick. "Well it would have worked."

President Dalton cleared his throat. "No one would have blamed you, Bess."

"I blame me. I will not have my children used as pawns. They deserve more than that."

Henry reached for her hand, squeezing it.

Elizabeth turned back to look at Ephraim. "Do you think the photos will be released somewhere? Who else has access to them?"

"As far as we can tell, the person Vice President Hurst hired to make the photos lives in Iowa and he's being arrested as we speak."

"Do we have proof?" she asked.

"We have a transaction that shows she paid him the money through an online app. It's the exact amount she promised him in one of the emails."

"That's something." Elizabeth put her hands up to her temples and closed her eyes.

"Babe?" Henry asked, his concern growing.

"Give me a minute."

He rubbed her back and locked eyes with President Dalton. "We need to make this right, Conrad. I'm done."

The sincerity of Henry's tone made Elizabeth open her eyes.

"I'm with you and Bess one hundred percent. Just tell me what you need," President Dalton said.

Elizabeth huffed out a breath. "I need Farhad Azimi to stop saying that he and I were romantically involved when he tried to kill me in Geneva. I need my kids to be safe. I need the video of Teresa Hurst committing suicide and threatening me not to surface in the news cycle. I need the trial with Azimi to be over so I never have to look at his disgusting face ever again. Now tell me, Conrad. Can you do all of that?"

I wish I could stop all of it. I want a do-over on the last five days. Back to when our lives were simpler and you weren't suffering at the hands of Teresa Hurst.

"I assure you that we're doing everything we can to stop all of those things," President Dalton replied.

"You can't stop the trial. That's coming up soon. And you can't stop Farhad's defense. It's already out. People already think that I was meeting him for some sick, clandestine—"

"No, Babe. They know that's he's lying," Henry said, reassuring her.

She shook her head. "Public opinion is swayed very easily. I bet Russell could take a snap poll about the situation and there would be a great number of people who think that I was cheating on you. My job is very demanding and I travel so much already, it would be easy…"

"Can you excuse us for a minute?" Henry asked President Dalton and Ephraim Ware. He reached out to grab Elizabeth's hand and tugged her wrist gently so they could go out into the hallway by the bathroom again. She followed him, fully compliant which meant she wasn't in the right headspace at all right now.

As soon as they were alone in the hallway, Henry turned to look at Elizabeth. "Babe. What's wrong? You sound agitated more than usual about what Farhad has been saying."

"I just hate that everyone is going to think I could cheat on you with that….sleaze. I wanted nothing more than to make it home to you when I was there. I thought my life was over and he's saying that I was there to be unfaithful. I would never…" Her eyes misted as she explained how she felt.

Oh, Babe. I'm so sorry.

He pulled her in for a hug. "I know the truth. I have no doubts about what happened."

She buried her face into his chest and released a breath. "I hate this. I don't want the public thinking any of that is true. What about your family? Maureen already hates me…"

Henry wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. "She doesn't hate you. And I don't care what she thinks." He kissed her temple.

She sighed against his chest, arms wrapped around his back. "Those photos, Henry. I can't deal with anything happening to the kids."

"I know. It's horrific."

"Do you think she would actually have them kidnapped just to make me quit?" she mumbled against him.

"I would like to say no, but honestly? I'm not sure."

I wish I could stop all of it.

"I'm not letting her get to the kids. I can't," she said.

Henry nodded, and tightened his hold around her.

The silence stretched on between them, and Henry took a moment to just hold Elizabeth. She only slept for a few hours before they were woken up by Ephraim Ware with the news about the photos. Elizabeth's body sagged in his arms, and he wished more than anything that they were able to go home and truly rest. He had enough of Teresa Hurst and all the drama she'd caused Elizabeth the last few days.

"Penny for your thoughts, Babe," he said.

"I'm thinking that resigning as Secretary of State now won't make a difference. It won't change anything that's happened."

Strongest woman I know.

"The decision is still yours, Babe. I don't think you have to decide today, but I'll support you either way."

"You won't be mad?" she asked softly, as if afraid of his answer.

"Never," he said, kissing her cheek. "Ready to go back in and talk to President Dalton?"

"I kind of exploded at him, didn't I?" she asked, sheepishly.

"I'm sure he'll forgive you. Tensions are high right now."

"Maybe he'll fire me and I won't have to quit…"

Henry chuckled. "You're too valuable. He's not firing you," he said, while grabbing her hand and leading her through the door back into the room with President Dalton, Lydia, and Ephraim Ware.

"You okay, Bess?" Conrad asked as soon as they entered.

"Sir, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn't mean—"

President Dalton held up a hand. "It's fine. No harm, no foul. You're forgiven."

Henry looked at Elizabeth and gave her a look that said 'I told you so' while smirking.

She playfully slapped his chest, and took a seat. He sat down next to her, grabbed her hand, and turned his attention back to the laptop. "So what was in the other folder?"

"A plot to have President Dalton killed."

"What!?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yeah, it seems her plans went well beyond harming Elizabeth."

Henry chewed on his nail. "Is there credibility to her plans to kill Conrad?"

"Some. It was the second part of her plan to become president. Once Elizabeth was…out of the way, Teresa would be free to take President Dalton down."

Out of the way? You mean dead?

"And how was she planning to do that?" Henry asked.

Conrad folded his hands in his a lap. "By means of medication."

Elizabeth's brows knitted in confusion. "Doesn't medication have to be approved by the White House doctor?"

"Yes. But she had her own doctor ready to go to put this plan into motion."

Elizabeth threw up her hands. "This is insane. I mean…it feels like one thing after another and none of us are keeping up."

President Dalton held up his hand, stopping Elizabeth's thought process. "Now, hang on. That's not true. We uncovered most of this entire plot because you had the strength to survive."

Elizabeth's hand tensed in Henry's.

Thank God you survived.

"If you had died at the hands of Farhad Azimi, we would have been none the wiser and Teresa Hurst would be carrying out her plan to kill me."

A tear rolled down Elizabeth's cheek and she reached up with her free hand to wipe it away discreetly.

"I don't…" she started.

Lydia Dalton caught Elizabeth's gaze and held it. "I owe you Conrad's life," she said, voice breaking on the last word.

Henry put his arm around Elizabeth's shoulder to comfort her and ground himself.

Great, now we're all crying.

"Anyway," President Dalton said, trying to save face and move the conversation along. "It seems that we have enough information to stop anything further plan from being carried out. The fake photos are in our possession and the name of the doctor and medication she was planning for my demise have been noted. I think it's safe to say you and your family can return home if you would like."

"Really? Right now?" Elizabeth asked.

"If you wish. You could also wait until later this morning. I can have Chef Melissa whip you guys up some breakfast."

Elizabeth locked eyes with Henry. "I want to go home," she whispered, eyes brimming with tears.

"Let's go wake the kids," he replied, smiling.

They stood up from their chairs to head to the other room, when President Dalton spoke again.

"Oh, and Elizabeth, I want to increase the number of Diplomatic Security agents assigned to you for a while. You, and everyone in your family, will have two agents with you at all times until after the trial."

"I thought I was going to approve everyone on my detail?" she asked.

"You are. As soon as you feel comfortable, I will send over the files and we can set up some video calls so you can interview the candidates. Then we can have you meet them in person when you're ready. For now, I'll have to send you with Secret Service agents."

Elizabeth nodded. "Thanks, Mr. President."

"Of course. If you need anything else, let me know."

Henry and Elizabeth walked hand in hand into the other room to wake the kids. "Hey guys," Henry said, turning on the lights. "Time to wake up. We're headed home."

"What?" Jason asked, sitting up from his position on the floor.

"We're leaving, Jase," Elizabeth replied.

Stevie groaned and covered her head with a blanket at the bright lights that flooded the room. "Five more minutes," she grumbled.

Henry chuckled.

Some things never change.

"What time is it?" Alison asked, sitting up and squinting.

Henry clapped his hands together. "Time to leave. Come on, fold up that blanket and get a move on."

"We're leaving?" Jason asked, unsure. "Is it safe?"

Elizabeth froze, her heart breaking. Henry wrapped her in a hug and rubbed her back.

It's okay. I'm here.

"Yes, Jase. It's safe. We're going home," Henry replied.

I have to believe that it's safe; otherwise, I would never let any of you out of my sight.

Elizabeth freed herself from Henry's arms and walked over to the couch where Stevie was still covered up with a blanket over her head. "Come on, Baby. It's time to go home."

Stevie threw the blanket off and sat up. She rubbed her face. "Finally. This couch is lumpy and this place gives me the creeps."

"Sorry it wasn't up to your expectations. I'll remember that next time there's a threat." Elizabeth smiled at Stevie, letting her know that she was teasing.

"Who's ready to blow this Popsicle stand?" Henry asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Later, in the car on the way back to the house Elizabeth was dozing against Henry's shoulder. Her even breaths were tickling his neck and he smiled to himself thinking that there was nowhere else he would rather be than here with her and the kids in the backseat.

Today was such a whirlwind of craziness. From being shot at, taken to the White House Bunker, learning all of Teresa Hurst's plans to harm Elizabeth and President Dalton, Farhad saying disgusting things about his wife…

He pulled Elizabeth closer against his side and she let out a soft hum.

She really needs to sleep.

The car stopped outside of the house, and one of the Secret Service agents turned around to alert them that they were at their destination.

"Madam Secretary, we're here."

Elizabeth rubbed her nose against Henry's neck and moved closer to him. Henry couldn't help but smile.

Luckiest guy in the world.

"Babe, we're home. We have to go inside," he said, stroking her hair.

She groaned and opened her eyes.

"I mean if you want to sleep in the car, that's fine with me, but the kids want to go inside."

She sat up fully then. "I'm good. Let's go."

He chuckled. "That's what I thought."

The Secret Service agent opened the door to the backseat and Henry climbed out, pulling Elizabeth with him. Stevie crawled out next, followed by Jason who shoved Alison out of the way to get out the door first.

"Hey, no fighting guys," Henry said, shaking his head.

"Jason started it," Ali replied.

"Goodnight, Madam Secretary," the agent said, nodding.

"Goodnight." Elizabeth gripped Henry's hand and let him lead her to the steps so they could go inside. The agents stationed at the door stepped aside to let them in.

"I'm going to crash," Jason said, walking up the stairs to his room as soon as they entered the foyer.

Stevie yawned and stretched. "Me too. Goodnight."

"Don't you mean Good morning?" Ali asked, smirking.

"Yeah, yeah," Stevie replied, waving her sister off.

After watching Stevie walk up the stairs, Henry looked at his middle child and noticed that she looked uneasy. "Noodle? Don't you want to go to bed too? I know it's almost sunrise, but sleeping on the floor cannot be that comfortable."

"Are we one hundred percent sure it's safe to be here?" she whispered.

Henry let go of Elizabeth's hand for a second and reached out to pull Alison in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around him, seeking comfort. "Yes, Noodle. We're sure. I can't tell you why because it's classified, but there is no more threat."

"I just want Mom to be okay."

Our children are amazing.

His heart shattered right there as he pulled Alison in closer against him. "Me too, Noodle."

She pulled out of the hug and kissed Henry on the cheek. "Goodnight, Dad." Alison hugged her mom next and then walked up the stairs to go to bed like her siblings.

"Shall we?" Henry asked, gesturing at the stairs, and kissing her softly.

"I'm going to sleep for ten hours."

"That sounds like Heaven," he replied.

Together, they walked up the stairs, and once their bed was in his eye sight, he let out a breath of relief.

"This has been the longest day," Elizabeth said.

"I know, Babe. But we got through it."

Elizabeth got under the covers and moved so that she was snuggled up next to Henry. "Barely. I still can't get over Teresa Hurst and everything that she planned. Did I really deserve all of this?" she asked.

No. Never.

Henry pulled her closer so that she was resting her head on his chest. "Of course not. She's a psycho. You have to know that you did nothing wrong."

Elizabeth's hand drew circles on Henry's arm while she laid silent, thinking.

Henry relaxed into the mattress, finally attempting to sleep. Several minutes passed and his breaths started to even out.

"Henry?" she asked, trying to see if he was still awake.

"Hmm?"

"What if Farhad Azimi doesn't get convicted? What then?"

Henry kissed her temple. "He will. There's too much evidence against him and with your testimony…"

"But what if that's not enough? What if his lawyer really convinces the judge that he didn't do anything wrong and that I really was meeting him in Geneva because of a romantic tryst and—"

"Breathe, Babe," Henry said, feeling her breaths becoming shallower. "That's not going to happen."

Elizabeth sat up, now too worked up to sleep. "You don't know that. And if he's not in jail or dead, I won't ever feel safe again. No matter how much security Conrad gives me."

Henry took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles. "Babe, it will be fine. Remember when you said earlier that you feel safe with me? Focus on that."

She gave him the tiniest smile.

At least she still believes that to be true.

She fell back into his chest, wrapping her arms around his midsection. "I just…"

"Just what, Babe?" he asked, kissing her temple.

"I have a bad feeling about this trial."

"I think it's nerves. Not to mention, you're exhausted," Henry said, yawning.

"No, Henry, it's not just nerves. This is a feeling that comes from being a CIA analyst for twenty years. There's something I'm missing."

He moved so that he could look her in the eye, realizing that she was serious. "Like what?"

"I don't know yet. But I can't shake this feeling."

I believe you, Babe.

"Okay. I believe you. We'll look into everything we can tomorrow. Do you want to contact Mike B?" he asked, rubbing her back in an attempt to soothe her frazzled nerves.

"I think that's a good idea."

"So it's settled then. We'll contact Mike B and see what we can find out about the judge, Farhad's lawyer, and anyone else you want to look into. But first, sleep, Babe. I know you must be dead on your feet."

"Thank you for trusting my feelings," she whispered, settling against Henry.

He kissed the top of her head. "Always. You have good instincts."

"I'm glad I followed the instinct that said to marry you…"

He smiled. "Me too, Babe. Now go to sleep." Henry wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and held her close.