Another chapter! Thanks to those of you that are still sticking with this story. Enjoy!

Henry slowly made his way toward Elizabeth as she continued to sob. Her knees were drawn up to her chest as if trying to make herself take up less space. He sat down next to her; just close enough so he didn't invade her space, but still letting her know he was present if she needed him.

"I'm here," he said.

"Henry…"

"I know, Babe. I know."

I get it. Whatever Daisy and Jay have to share is not going to be good news. You're bracing yourself, and emotionally, you're spent.

She closed her eyes and hid her face in her knees. "I'm sorry…I know I'm a mess…"

"Don't apologize, Elizabeth. Not about this. It's okay."

"I feel like I'm letting everyone down. I can't take one more thing," Elizabeth said through her tears.

You've never let me down.

Henry reached over and put his hand across her back, rubbing circles. "You could never let me down. Not in a million years."

She looked up at him. "Don't do that. Don't lie to me, Henry."

He scooted closer to her and wrapped his left arm around her back. She leaned into him, her body fitting perfectly into his side.

"I'm not lying. I'm proud of you. Every day, Babe," he said, rubbing her shoulder. "Especially now."

"I don't know how," she choked out.

He kissed her temple. "Because you've been through a lot and you're still here."

She continued to cry against him and he rubbed her back. "What is it that you feel like you can't do anymore?"

She sniffled, and reached up to wipe her cheeks. "Any of this. Jay and Daisy are only going to tell me something I can't deal with right now. I'm not stupid. They aren't here for a social visit."

That's likely true.

Elizabeth reached for Henry's hand and laced their fingers together, drawing strength from his touch.

"I can send them away if you want, Babe. I'll be the rude one. I don't mind."

She stared at their linked hands, playing with his fingers.

Henry smiled to himself. This is how she always calms herself down.

"It's not just Jay and Daisy. It's…everything. I feel like I can't catch my breath or process anything. And I know the world doesn't wait for me to feel better before another crisis happens, but I just need time that I don't have and the trial is coming up and all of the things surrounding that are still unknown and I know I won't react well when I see Farhad again and I need…"

"Shhh, Babe. I get it. It's okay," Henry replied, squeezing her hand.

"How is any of that okay?" Elizabeth questioned.

"Because we'll figure it out."

"But how? Henry, it's not that simple." Her brows knitted together as she sat, lost in thought.

He rubbed her shoulder and brought her closer to him as they sat on the floor and leaned against the bed. "It is that simple. You and the kids are safe. That's the important thing. The rest we can deal with."

Elizabeth scoffed. "The bar is that low?"

Henry smiled. "That is the only bar that matters to me. Always," he said, kissing her softly.

She closed her eyes and sighed, breathing easier and no longer sobbing.

My favorite thing about her is the vulnerability she shares with me in these quiet moments. The world sees Secretary of State McCord. I see Elizabeth.

He sat with her in the silence, just listening to her breathe.

I almost never got to sit with her again. Thank God she's here, alive.

"Feeling any better?" Henry asked.

"A little," she whispered, leaning more heavily into his side.

"Well, I have nowhere to be, so, take all the time you need," he said, smiling at her.

I hate that she pushes herself to be okay only a few days after an extremely traumatizing event. This is Iran all over again. I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure she takes it easy and lets herself process the last week before trying to deal with anything else.

"But Daisy and Jay are downstairs…"

"So?" Henry said, shrugging. "Babe, I don't care if it's rude to leave them down there all night. You need to take care of yourself."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't think I get that luxury right now. I'm still the Secretary of State."

And that is what it all comes back to, isn't it? This huge disruption in our lives where we barely have time to just be Elizabeth and Henry. I know she tells herself 'The needs of the country must come first,' but is it worth it if the cost is her peace? She has already given so much and suffered at the hands of people that deserve worse than death for what they've done to her. When does it stop?

Henry sighed. "I know."

Elizabeth rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for bringing all of this—" she said, waving her hand around "—into our lives. I know it's not fair to you or the kids."

"You don't have to apologize for being good at your job. I just hate that you don't get a break when you deserve one. Especially…"

"Especially when?" Elizabeth asked.

"When you could have died a few days ago. What would I have—" he choked out. He took a deep breath to keep the tears from spilling over.

She doesn't need this right now. I'm supposed to be comforting her.

"You would have taken care of the kids. And made sure that they were alright. Because that's the kind of father you are. And one of the reasons I married you," she said, smiling up at him.

"I would have been a mess, Babe. You have to understand that. I need you here, with me."

Elizabeth looked down at their linked hands, avoiding his gaze.

"I do know that. It's why I called you when I thought it was over for me. I'm sorry you had to go through that thinking that I was…" she said.

Never been so terrified on a phone call in my life.

"It's okay," he said.

"I love you." She leaned up to kiss him.

Best day of my life was the day I met you.

"I love you, too," he replied, cupping her cheek.

"Mom?" Stevie asked, entering their bedroom. She saw her parents sitting on the floor beside the bed, facing the window. Henry looked at Stevie's confusion and tried to reassure her with a smile. "Hey Stevie," he said, arm still wrapped around Elizabeth.

"Jay and Daisy are here. Did you know that? I went downstairs to go get a drink and ran into them," Stevie said, pointing towards the formal living room.

"Yeah, I know," Elizabeth said in a small voice.

No need to be embarrassed.

He looked at his wife, pulling her close and catching her eye. "We just needed a minute. Right, Babe?"

She nodded.

"So…are you going to talk to them?" Stevie asked, frozen in her indecision about whether to send Daisy and Jay away or tell them it would be just a little longer.

"Yeah, we'll be right down," Henry said.

Stevie nodded and then turned to walk out of the bedroom. "Okay. I'll go tell them to expect you shortly."

Henry took a second to check on Elizabeth. "You ready? If you aren't, that's fine too."

"I guess I have to be," she replied, sighing.

"I'll stay with you."

As if there was any way that they could make me leave you alone right now.

"Thanks," she said, moving to stand.

Henry helped her get up and pulled her into a hug. She pressed her face into his chest momentarily, drawing strength from him. He kissed the top of her head.

"It's okay. We'll figure it out," he said.

Elizabeth pulled out of the hug and grabbed his hand so they could walk downstairs and face whatever was coming next.

"Hey Jay. Daisy," Elizabeth said, walking hand in hand with Henry down the stairs. She plastered a smile on her face and tried to keep her tone light. "What brings you here?"

Daisy looked down at her tablet, frowning. "Not good news, I'm afraid."

Jay locked eyes with Elizabeth while she moved to sit down on the couch next to Henry, so close their knees were touching.

"How are you ma'am?" he asked.

"I'm doing okay."

"The office isn't the same without you," Jay replied.

Henry rubbed circles with his thumb on the back of her hand to remind her that he was right there with her.

"I appreciate that, Jay" Elizabeth said.

"Ma'am, we need you to take a look at something," Daisy said curtly, flashing her iPad.

Elizabeth sighed. "Let me see." She gestured for the tablet and Daisy stood up from her chair to pass it to her.

Daisy held the iPad against her chest for a moment, standing in front of Elizabeth with her lips pursed. "Before you watch it, I want you to know this is not the opinion of everyone. Only the protestors. Online polls show that there are people on your side."

"Protestors?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

Henry wrapped his arm around Elizabeth and rubbed her shoulder.

It's okay. I'm here.

She handed the iPad to Elizabeth who reached for her glasses before grabbing the tablet and then pressing play.

Henry watched in horror as the video showed protestors on the South Lawn of the White House yelling that they wanted his wife out of office because she couldn't be trusted.

This is insane.

He felt Elizabeth's body tense against him, and he wished that he could take her upstairs and protect her from all of this.

"Did they say why my word can't be trusted?" she asked Daisy.

"I mean, your guess is as good as mine." Daisy looked at Jay, and sighed. "But we believe that it's because of Farhad Azimi and your…tryst…in Geneva. Some of these protestors think that you are using State Department money to gallivant all over the world."

Elizabeth inhaled sharply.

"She did not have an affair with that man." Henry said, eyes darkening.

How many times was this going to be used against her?

"I know, Dr. McCord. But the public doesn't. I think it may be time to reconsider a statement. It might slow the protests down. Especially the calls to have her removed from office."

He shook his head. "You cannot force her to give a statement."

Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "It's okay, Henry."

"Babe, you don't have to respond to these ridiculous allegations."

"It's completely unfair," Jay said, unable to stop from voicing his opinion. "I realize that this would never happen to a male Secretary of State, but ma'am, the administration wants us to make this go away. So, if you have any other ideas, I'm all ears."

"What about the people online who support me? What are they saying?" Elizabeth asked Daisy, trying to wrap her head around what the next course of action is that she should take.

"Many of them are saying that an affair should not make you lose your position. They believe in separating personal from professional. Others don't believe the affair happened and are asking for evidence. It varies, honestly."

Elizabeth closed her eyes, thinking.

Jay leaned forward in the chair he sat in, hands clasped together. "Ma'am I know this isn't ideal, but with the bruises you have on your face, it might convince people that you were kidnapped by Farhad instead of meeting him for a romantic endeavor."

Henry let go of Elizabeth and stood up from the couch immediately. He took a step toward Jay. "Tell me you aren't suggesting that she show off her injuries on TV to prove to people that she hasn't been unfaithful. Are you insane?" he shouted.

"I know it seems untoward, but I really think—"

"No!" Henry shouted, cutting Jay off. He ran his hands through his hair, chest heaving.

"Dad?" Jason asked, practically running down the stairs and stopping on the second to last step. "What's with all the yelling?"

"Nothing, Jason. Go back upstairs," Henry said, hands on his hips. He paced, trying to rid his body of the energy he had built up about what Jay suggested.

No way am I going to ask her to appear on camera to show off the way that disgusting man beat her.

"Is this about the protests?" Jason asked, looking everywhere but at Henry.

Elizabeth's head turned in Jason's direction. "How do you know about the protests?" she asked.

Jason swallowed. "Stevie found the video a few hours ago and showed it to us. We didn't want to wake you guys up with bad news so we decided to wait…"

Henry's eyes softened, and he took a seat next to Elizabeth on the couch again. "It's okay, Jase."

Jason held his parents' gaze. "For the record, I don't think you should leave office, Mom. You've done too much good to give up now. No matter what these protestors or anyone else says."

Tears instantly welled up in Elizabeth's eyes, and if Henry was honest with himself, he was misty-eyed too.

"Come here, Jase," Elizabeth said, opening her arms.

Jason walked down the last two steps and went to give his mom a hug. She pulled him in close, overwhelmed with emotion that her 'little anarchist' was growing up and supporting her role in the government. "Thanks, Baby," she said, kissing his forehead.

"Oh, Mom. Gross," he replied, trying to save face in front of Jay and Daisy. He pulled out of the hug.

Elizabeth chuckled. "Oh, you love it."

"What's for dinner?" Jason asked Henry.

"Not sure yet. We'll be done shortly, and then I'll see what I can make."

"Alright. I'm going to play Call of Duty in the other room then," Jason replied.

Henry nodded at Jason, and watched him walk away.

I'm glad he came downstairs. I was about to lose it on Jay.

"So what do you think, ma'am?" Daisy asked. "Do you want to release a statement to clear your name about the affair and show the public that you are still up to the job, but recovering at this time?"

Elizabeth released a long breath and looked at Henry. "I suppose that is preferable to a video conference."

You don't have to, Babe.

Jay shook his head. "Ma'am I didn't mean—"

She put her hand up in the air to stop him. "No, it's quite clear what you meant, Jay. And I get it. The optics of my bruises would help the public understand a little more about what transpired a few days ago when I thought I might never see my family again." She paused, collecting herself. "But I'm not willing to stand in front of the camera just yet." Henry watched her play with a stray piece of lint on the couch, avoiding everyone's eyes. "Maybe in a few weeks, but not yet."

Jay nodded. "Understood, ma'am."

"I'll have Matt write up a draft for your statement that we'll send to you for approval," Daisy said, taking the iPad from Elizabeth and walking toward the door. "Have a good evening, ma'am."

"You too," Elizabeth replied, leaning back into the couch.

Jay got up from his chair and followed Daisy to the door. "Goodnight, ma'am."

Henry glanced over at his wife.

She looks so defeated.

"What sounds good for dinner?" he asked, trying to distract her from the images of the protestors on the South Lawn demanding that she leave office.

"I'm not hungry," she mumbled.

"You have to eat, Babe," Henry said, squeezing her shoulder lightly.

She got from the couch and made her way toward the stairs, stopping to look at Henry. "I'm going to go lay down."

"Are you sure? I'll come with you."

Elizabeth smiled at him. "I'm sure. Go make dinner for you and the kids. I'll be okay."

You're not okay in the slightest, but I'll let it slide for now. I know you want to be alone and think about what we just learned, but I'm coming to check on you right after dinner. I don't want you to have another nightmare and wake up without me.

Henry nodded and then turned to make his way to the kitchen to see what he could scrounge up for dinner.

Henry chopped the last of the mushrooms and added it to the pan with the other vegetables he was stir frying. He turned the heat up after adding his special blend of seasonings and then opened the lid to the pot of rice to let some of the steam out. He estimated that he still had about ten minutes before dinner was totally done. His thoughts drifted back to the video Daisy showed them of the protestors.

Protesting her position as Secretary of State is completely insane. What does the public expect to happen? Is President Dalton supposed to fire her and replace her with someone else? None of this is even her fault! The administration is already having to clean up mess after mess with Teresa Hurst's death coming out and now this business with an affair between Farhad and Elizabeth...

I know some people will be swayed by the statement, but the worst part is that she shouldn't have to make one in the first place. And Jay asking her to show people how she's been hurt in order to prove that she was kidnapped is ridiculous. He wanted to parade her around like a zoo animal to appease the public. Absolutely not what Elizabeth needs right now. I wish we could fast forward to a few weeks from now when the trial is over and I never have to hear Farhad's name again…

Henry shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thoughts surrounding Elizabeth and that awful man. "Jason!" he called into the living room where he was still playing Call of Duty. "Come set the table!"

He took the lid off the pot of rice and scooped it out into a bowl.

Should I take Elizabeth some food? I know she has to be hungry and she needs to eat to keep her strength up. But if she's resting, I don't want to disturb her.

"Jason!" He called again.

"I'm right here, Dad," Jason said, reaching for the bowl of rice to take it to the table.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you walk in the kitchen," Henry replied.

Jason walked over to the cabinets to grab the plates. "It's fine. I know there's a lot going on right now."

When did he get so mature?

"Stevie! Alison! Dinner!" Henry shouted, while taking the stir dry off the heat and putting it onto a serving platter.

Both girls came down the stairs at the same time. "What are we having?" Stevie asked.

"Stir fry," Henry said.

"Nice. Where's Mom?" she asked, brows knitted together in confusion when she looked around the kitchen and didn't see Elizabeth.

Henry caught Stevie's eye. "She's upstairs resting."

"Everything okay?" Ali asked, sounding worried.

"Yeah, Noodle. Mom's just tired. I'll take her some food later, I promise."

Both girls nodded and then walked over to the table to take their seats.

They served themselves and chatted about meaningless things the entire meal. Henry laughed at one of Ali's stories about her friend that designed a shirt without a hem on the bottom so the whole thing kept unravelling when she tried to take it off. "And she wants to design clothes for a living?" he asked, smiling.

"Yes! It was so funny."

His eyes involuntarily glanced upstairs, subconsciously willing Elizabeth to come join them.

I hope these protestors don't' influence her into quitting just because people are demanding it. She's the best Secretary of State this country has seen in many years. If she decides to quit, I hope it's not because she felt pressured into it.

"I wouldn't trust your friend to make me a pair of socks," Stevie said, laughing.

The house phone rang, breaking Henry out of his thoughts. "Hang on guys, I'll be right back," he said, leaving the table.

"Hello?"

"Dr. McCord, a Michael Barnow is here to see the Secretary. Is she expecting him?" one of the Secret Service agents said.

"Yes, you can let him in."

He hung up the phone. "Stevie can you let Mike B. in and show him to the office? I need to go tell your mom he's here."

"Yeah, sure" she replied, getting up from the table.

Henry made his way upstairs.

I hope she's not sleeping. I would hate to wake her up right now.

"Babe?" he called entering the bedroom. "Mike B. is here," he said, expecting her to be on the bed, but not seeing her there.

Where is she?

He heard the shower running and turned to push open the bathroom door. "Babe? Mike B is downstairs. You almost done?" he asked, entering the ensuite.

Henry froze, taking in the scene around him.

The shower door was open, water spilling everywhere. Elizabeth was laying on the shower floor, half under the water, half out, eyes closed.

Oh my God, Babe. Please be okay. Please be okay.

"Elizabeth!" he shouted, running to her.

He shut the freezing cold water off quickly and then pushed his fingers against her neck to check for a pulse. It was very weak, but it was there.

Thank God.

Henry cradled her head in his lap and cupped Elizabeth's cheek. "Baby, wake up. Come on. Please."

What happened? Did she fall? Did she pass out?

"Elizabeth, please. Wake up," Henry said, tears filling his eyes.

He looked up and down her body checking for anything that might have caused her to fall or pass out. He saw the stitches from her surgery on her leg, and the same bruises across her arms and abdomen, but nothing else seemed amiss.

I can't lose her.

Elizabeth winced and then moved her head slightly, groaning like she was in pain.

"Babe? Are you with me?" Henry asked, overcome with relief that she was awake.

He pulled her close and rubbed his hands up and down her arms, trying to stop her from shivering. She slowly opened her eyes.

"Henry? What happened?"