January 7, 2019

"Russell, you can't think I would do something like that," Kincaid begins pleading his case immediately on the way to the outer office.

"I've never known Elizabeth McCord to be a liar," Russell deadpans, "Usually, she's much too honest for my taste. And I never knew Henry McCord was capable of losing his cool to the point of physical violence."

"Come on, man, you know me," Kincaid argues.

"I do. And I've always thought you were an asshole." Russell spits.

"Russell," Kincaid whines.

"Just so you and I are clear—there are sides to be taken in this, and I am absolutely on hers." Russell snaps. There are days when he hates being a fixer and having to clean up messes, and today is one of those days.

"So you are going to side with some hysterical woman who doesn't know what she's saying?" Kincaid says.

"Don't you dare insult Bess one more time," Russell's tone doesn't leave much room for question.

Kincaid runs his hand through his hair. He can feel the walls closing in around him. He can tell he's underestimated the friendships Conrad and Russell have with the woman he remembers fondly as the blonde in the park. He's got to find a way to make this work.

"Russell, I'm not saying I'm a good guy, but I'm not a rapist," He says smoothly. He can't let his mask slip. He needs to walk out of here as innocent as he walked in here. He will not let that little bitch ruin his future plans.

"That's not good enough." Russell snaps, "We are not talking about you not recycling or accidentally cutting a line. This isn't a speeding ticket. This is a serious crime. A woman whom I know is implicitly honest, kind, loyal, has an impeccable service record, and a reputation for integrity is accusing you of raping her."

"That's ridiculous. No one is going to believe that," Kincaid says dismissively.

"I believe her," Russell says, leaving no room for argument. He leads Kincaid to a seat at his conference table before sticking his head out of his door.

"Adele, please call the White House doc and have him come to my office. I need something to clean up some blood as well and a clean men's button-up—extra-large. And uh, send Stevie on an errand, please." He gives the orders in quick succession, always relying on Adele's master discretion, "That last part is really important. I don't want Stevie in my office under any circumstances until I say otherwise."

Russell feels the need to protect the young McCord from all of this. He doesn't know what knowledge she has of her mother's history with the man sitting in his office. He also knows how much Stevie looks like Elizabeth, and he doesn't want the man who hurt his friend anywhere near her.

Russell retreats into his office, shutting the door behind him. He grabs a bottle of water and hands it to Kincaid.

"So, are you going to have the man who assaulted me arrested?" Kincaid sneers.

"Wouldn't count on it," Russell sneers, "Shut up and wait for the doctor,"

…X…X…X…

Henry wipes the blood off his knuckles with Conrad's pocket square.

"I should go get her," He sighs, looking down.

"I think she's trying to get a minute alone. I think that includes you, too, right now," Conrad advises. He wouldn't try to stop Henry from going outside to his wife if he tried, but he thinks it's probably the wrong move right now.

Henry nods. He can't shake the guilt and the shame that he caused all of this. He is angry at the man who did this to her, but he's angrier at himself for making this situation harder on her.

"I shouldn't have hit him. You think I scared her?" He asks. He knows Elizabeth has always looked up to Conrad, she had lost her father so young, and Conrad had taken a paternal role in her life.

"No, I don't think she's scared of you. I think she is overwhelmed. You both are obviously going through a lot. You are both hurting. But I need you to promise me you won't go after Kincaid again."

"I can't," Henry shakes his head. He's never been much of a liar.

"Henry, you doing something that can't be undone will not help Elizabeth," Conrad says gently, "She does not need you to murder him. She only needs you to stand by her."

Henry nods. Conrad has a point. His actions have to have consequences, but Elizabeth's safety and sanity come first. He has to make sure he doesn't screw up any more than he already has. He looks out to the colonnade where his wife is standing with her hands wrapped around her middle, her posture rigid.

"I'll give her two more minutes, but then I'm going to get her," Henry decides.

"Okay," Conrad nods.

…X…X…X…

She breathes in the cold winter air as she gathers her thoughts. She knows what she wants on her next journey. She has months preparing. She has lunch after lunch with Russell Jackson, filled with advice on domestic politics. She has had meeting after meeting with Mike B preparing campaign slogans, ads, and potential funding. She and Jay have spent hours of their limited free time crafting her policy platform. She knows what she wants, and she's prepared to go for it.

And this man has worked his way back into her life. He's invading her space once again.

But she can't let him. She can't let him ruin the next chapter of her life. The best revenge is living well, and she can't live well if she's too consumed with this man. She knows she can make him lose. As Nadine had once told her, her reputation is above reproach. She could publicly tell the truth and ruin his name. However, there is a part of her-misguided or not- that feels like she would be ruining her own, too. People would see her differently. Her career would be forever tarnished by the fact that a man had raped her. She would become a victim instead of a powerful leader.

So, the solution is simple. She takes one more breath and returns to the Oval Office.

"I want to keep him from running. Do you think we can do that?" She asks the question of the two men as soon as the door is shut behind her.

"Um, we could try," Henry says. Henry doesn't pretend to be a political animal. He never even pretends to enjoy politics. He understands them, and he understands the need for progressive policy. And he believes in her ability to create ethical and needed policies while playing the game. But as far as playing the game of politics himself, he's not sure he could help her.

"I would think it'd be a pretty hard sell for him," Conrad answers honestly.

"I want to talk to him again," She decides. She feels as if the threat that needs to be made will only have an effect if it comes from her.

"Elizabeth," Henry sighs.

"I know," She cuts him off, "I know how you feel about me being in a room with him. But I'm a big girl. I can handle it."

"You just had a panic attack in here," He points out.

"Henry, I'm not asking for your permission," She snaps at her husband. If it were any other time, she would immediately feel bad. But the fire inside her is burning too brightly to care, "I want to talk to him. Can you make that happen, Mr. President?"

Conrad takes a moment and then nods, "Russell stays in the room."

"Of course, sir,"

"Babe," Henry tries again.

"It's going to happen, Henry. It needs to happen."

Henry watches her. He sees the determination in her eyes. He has always known how strong she is. He has seen her survive things he doesn't even know how.

"Can I go with you?" He asks, bowing to defeat.

"Are you going to keep your hands to yourself?" She challenges, raising her eyebrow.

"I don't like this," Henry whispers, taking a step toward her.

"I know," She sighs, "I know. I need to do this for me. I'm sorry, but it isn't about you. If you can't stay calm, I cannot have you in there."

"I'll behave. I promise." He swears, running his fingers across her cheek.

She sighs, and she leans into his touch, "Fine. Okay. Let's get this over with."