Henry was stroking Elizabeth's hair with his left hand, while her head rested in his lap. He was looking toward the front of the plane, willing his cell phone to jump out of Valdez's pocket.

If I could just text someone…

He hoped Elizabeth was taking a nap, but he could feel the tension in her body and knew that she was worried. He tried massaging her shoulders, but nothing seemed to be working.

I'm worried too, Babe. What if Dalton doesn't piece together your code? What if Valdez shoots us? You've already been through so much.

"What happens when we land?" Elizabeth whispered.

He stopped stroking her hair. "What do you mean?" Henry asked.

She sat up so she could face Henry better. "I'm supposed to meet with the Iranian Foreign Minister. He's part of the plot with Farhad Azimi right? What if he kills me?"

He linked his hand with hers. "I'm inclined to make sure that meeting doesn't happen."

"Henry…how can you stop Valdez and Rogers from forcing me to go? They have guns. I already told you I don't want you getting shot because of me."

He kissed her hand. "And I already told you, I'm not letting you die."

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes softening. "You sure have a lot of faith in things working out."

"I'm a praying man when it counts," he replied.

"We need all of your Saints on board, Henry. I don't like our odds…"

Henry's attention was drawn to Agent Valdez walking toward them. "We land in about an hour. The Secretary needs to come with me. We'll have a car waiting to take her to the Foreign Minister's residence."

No way in Hell am I allowing her to meet the Foreign Minister at his house.

"What? Why am I going to his home? What about the embassy?" Elizabeth asked.

Valdez shrugged. "His request was for you to come to his residence. Only you." He glanced at Elizabeth.

Henry stood up, looking Agent Valdez in the eyes. "This is not happening. She can meet with him at the embassy or not at all."

"That's not your call to make, Dr. McCord," Valdez said.

"It's entirely against protocol!" Henry seethed.

Valdez took a step forward to get in Henry's face. He was about an inch taller and at least fifty pounds heavier. "Do I need to remind you that you are outranked by everyone on this plane?"

"Henry…" Elizabeth said in a small voice, reaching for his hand. "It's okay. Let's not make this worse."

He turned to face her and gently put his hands on her shoulders. "Babe. No. I can't let you go to that meeting at that man's house without me. What if he…"

Henry sucked in a breath, unable to finish that sentence. Standing by and letting his wife be killed, beaten, or possibly assaulted again was not even remotely fathomable.

She held his gaze, eyes shining with tears. "I don't want to do this either, but if it keeps you safe…"

He stroked her cheek with his right hand. "No. There has to be another way. Both of us are going home to the kids."

Silent tears ran down her face, and Henry wiped them away with his thumb.

None of this is fair. How am I supposed to be okay with my wife putting her life in danger over and over when there's a chance I can stop it?

"Madam Secretary?" Rogers asked, interrupting their moment.

Elizabeth turned to face Agent Rogers, Henry's arm around her shoulder.

"I don't see an issue with Dr. McCord accompanying us on the ride to the Foreign Minister's residence."

"The Foreign Minister requested only the Secretary, George. We shouldn't change the plans," Agent Valdez reminded.

"I'm aware of the plans, Kyle. But what difference does it make if her husband holds her hand in the car?"

Henry exchanged looks with Elizabeth.

Was Rogers actually being nice? What's his motive? Could he be trusted?

"It lets her think she can get what she wants. And that's not the case. Or do I need to remind you of that too, George?" Valdez said, raising his voice.

"Oh for Pete's sake! It's a car ride. We'll still bring her to meet the Minister alone."

"Do you guys need some time alone? Or…" Elizabeth asked, trying to lighten the mood. Henry squeezed her shoulder, warning her to be careful.

Agent Valdez looked Rogers up and down, disgust written on his face. "What is this? Are you developing a soft spot for the Secretary and her husband?"

"I didn't sign up to be cruel! It's a job, Kyle! I have a kid back home. And a wife."

Valdez shook his head. "You're either all in, or not. There is no in between."

Henry looked from Valdez to Rogers as they continued to argue. He pulled Elizabeth closer, just in case the agents decided to get physical. She leaned back into his chest, slightly tense on her left side.

Her leg is probably bothering her.

He whispered in her ear, so no one else could hear. "Do you need to sit down?"

She gave a slight nod and Henry turned them around so they could sit down on the bench seat. It had become their private escape from Agents Valdez and Rogers and Henry was planning to do everything he could to bring her comfort before they landed in Iran.

"What are you doing?" demanded Valdez.

Henry kept his eyes on Elizabeth. "Sitting down with my wife. Her leg is injured. I know you don't care about anyone but yourself, but some of us actually don't enjoy seeing the people we love in pain." He situated himself behind her and propped her leg up on the bench seat. "Better?" he asked Elizabeth.

"Yeah, thanks."

Henry wrapped his arms around her more fully and felt her sink into his embrace.

"Well she needs to be ready to walk out of this plane in less than thirty minutes. Without you," Valdez said, pointing at Henry. "I've got no problem helping her." He smirked.

Henry felt Elizabeth freeze. "No."

"No what?" Valdez asked.

"I don't need your help. I can walk on my own."

"Whatever." Valdez turned and walked away back toward the front of the plane, leaving Henry and Elizabeth alone.

Henry watched as Agent Rogers and Agent Valdez continued their argument and he was pretty sure he heard Rogers say something about the comfort of the Secretary before he turned his attention back to Elizabeth.

"Hey. Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, trying to ease her worry about leaving him soon.

"I wish we had more time. I wish I never went to Geneva. I wish Blake wasn't dead. I wish I could talk to the kids. I wish I could lay here with you for hours. I wish all of this never happened."

"That's worth at least a dollar."

"Henry…" Elizabeth said, voice cracking. "I can't…"

He pulled her closer. "I know, Babe. I was kidding. I wish all of those things too. You have to know that I hate seeing you like this. Especially since I feel like nothing I do is helping."

"How can one person hate me so much to go through all this trouble? Would I really have made that bad of a president? I don't even want to run…"

Henry kissed the top of her head. "You would make a great president, Babe. Teresa Hurst was jealous and apparently psychotic. No sane human would do this to another person."

Elizabeth turned so she was facing Henry. "Do you think I should quit my job as Secretary of State?" she whispered, as if afraid of his answer.

Henry sighed. He stroked her hair and tucked a piece behind her ear. "I think that decision is entirely up to you."

"Henry…" Elizabeth said.

"You know I'll always stand by any decision that you make. But I'm not going to pretend that the thought of you quitting hasn't crossed my mind several times over the last few days. Especially when I saw you in that warehouse."

Seeing you hurt and terrified broke my heart.

Elizabeth reached for his hand. "I don't think I ever said thank you for telling President Dalton and making sure I got out of that warehouse."

Henry smiled. "You don't need to say thank you. I would have done anything to get you out."

She brought her lips to his and lost herself in Henry's kiss.

I'm so grateful you made it back to me.

Moments later, Elizabeth pulled away from Henry. She wished she could kiss him forever, but she had to be mindful of the fact that they weren't alone. Henry kept his gaze locked with hers, soaking in every last minute they had together.

"I agreed to help out Conrad because he told me I could affect real change in the world, which I think I've done. But these last few days were not part of the job description. What if I make the wrong decision?"

"You don't have to make the decision today, Babe." He gently stroked her cheek.

"I don't want people to think I'm weak," she replied in a small voice.

"No one thinks that. And if they did, who cares? I already told you that you're the strongest woman I know." He kissed her briefly. "Follow your conscience. That's the best advice I can give."

She smiled. "Thanks, Professor."

Motion caught Henry's eye, and he looked over to see Agent Rogers walking toward the back of the plane where they were sitting. Henry wrapped his arms around Elizabeth on instinct.

I don't want her to get hurt again.

"It's time, Madam Secretary. We land in ten minutes," Agent Rogers said.

She nodded at him and turned her face into Henry's shoulder, inhaling his scent one last time.

Rogers stood awkwardly in his spot and Henry was about to tell him to leave them alone so they could say goodbye, when he spoke. "By the way, I convinced Agent Valdez to let Henry ride in the car on the way to the Foreign Minister's residence. Thought you might want to know."

Elizabeth lifted her head from Henry's shoulder. "What? How?"

Agent Rogers shrugged. "It's not important."

"Thank you. I appreciate it," Elizabeth told him.

Henry nodded and watched Agent Rogers turn around to walk back to the front of the plane.

"Can we trust him?" Elizabeth asked, leaning into Henry's side.

Henry sighed. "The jury is still out on that one. I feel like he's nicer than Valdez by a mile, but it also could be part of a 'good-cop-bad-cop' routine to win us over. I'm not letting my guard down yet."

"I feel the same way," Elizabeth replied.

Henry rubbed her shoulders, trying to relax her a little bit. "You know," he said. "I wonder if the kids have texted or called."

"I'm sure they have. They must be worried sick. Too bad Agent Valdez has your phone."

I know. I'm going to try and get it back from him. I don't know how yet.

The plane jolted as the wheels hit the runway and Elizabeth grabbed Henry's arm for support.

"You okay?" he asked her.

She nodded. "I'm good. It just took me by surprise, that's all."

Once the plane came to a complete stop, Henry linked his hand with Elizabeth's. "It's going to be okay, Babe. I have faith that Dalton will figure out your code."

Worry lined her face. "You might need to keep the faith for both of us."

"Let's go! I don't want to keep the Foreign Minister waiting. The car is ready to go on the tarmac," Agent Valdez shouted toward the back of the plane.

Henry rolled his eyes at the dramatics.

The car can wait five minutes.

"Ready?" he asked Elizabeth, still holding her hand tight.

She nodded and then stood slowly from the bench seat. He reached down to grab their packed bag and flung it over his shoulder. Henry helped her walk down the aisle toward the front of the plane. Once they reached the steps, he moved to Elizabeth's injured side. Valdez glared at both of them as they descended the stairs slowly.

He can glare all he wants. I'm not going to let her fall.

Elizabeth was panting slightly, and he could feel her leaning more heavily on him the closer they got to the car.

"Almost there, Babe. You're doing great," he reassured.

Agent Rogers reached the car first, and opened the back seat for Elizabeth and Henry to climb into.

"Thanks," Henry said. He gently helped her into the car, and then got in himself, closing the door. The driver got out, and had a conversation with Agents Rogers and Valdez.

"You okay, Babe?" Henry asked, taking advantage of their time alone.

"Yeah, just tired. Walking is still not that easy," she replied, scooting over so she was sidled up next to Henry.

He wrapped his arms around her. "I know. It will get better with time."

Three doors opened at once, startling Elizabeth. Henry pulled her more fully against his chest, as he leaned against the door. He could feel the tension in her upper body and wished he could help her relax, but there was no way that was happening any time soon with all of these men surrounding her in tight quarters.

Agent Rogers climbed into the back seat and Agent Valdez got into the front seat, allowing Henry to breathe a little easier.

I'm still not letting either one of them near you.

The driver started the car, and began driving them toward what was presumably the Foreign Minister's house. Agent Valdez reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a phone. For a brief second, Henry thought it was his phone, and he got his hopes up at the opportunity to knock it out of his hand and try to contact someone to help. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the phone wasn't his, and he sank back into the seat, pulling Elizabeth even closer.

Damn. So close.

"Hello?" Agent Valdez said into his phone. "Yeah, we're driving there now." He glanced at his watch. "Should be there in about half an hour."

Who is he talking to?

"Yeah, the Secretary is here in the car with us," Valdez said.

Elizabeth froze against Henry and let out a tiny gasp.

"Yeah, hang on." Valdez turned around to face the backseat. He held out the phone to Elizabeth, but she made no attempt to grab it. Instead, she pushed further back into Henry.

"Who is that?" Henry asked, knowing that Elizabeth was still not okay.

"The assistant to the Foreign Minister. He wants to talk to her," Valdez replied.

"About what?" Elizabeth choked out.

"Beats me. But you probably shouldn't keep him waiting any longer." Valdez pushed the phone toward her and she reluctantly grabbed it.

Henry linked his left hand with hers, reminding her that he was there.

"Hello?" Elizabeth said into the phone.

Henry could just barely make out the man's voice on the other line since his face was so close to hers. "Ahhh. Madam Secretary. So good to hear from you. I trust my nephew Farhad treated you well?"

Elizabeth's breath hitched. "What do you want?" she said.

I'm so sorry, Babe.

"I'm just welcoming you to beautiful Iran. I suggest you take in the scenery. It'll be the last country you ever see."