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"That went well," Henry said, closing the door to the bedroom.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she put lotion on her hands and changed into pajamas. She sat in front of the vanity and took off her jewelry, placing her watch and various rings in their nightly resting place.
"Babe, it's going to be fine."
She glared at him. "Were you in the room when our son said that he's tired of hearing my name smeared in the media?"
Henry took off his glasses and put them on the nightstand before walking over to where Elizabeth sat and began massaging her shoulders gently. "He's a teenager. He's tired of everyone and everything."
She shook her head. "Please don't make light of this."
He squeezed her shoulders. "I'm not. It's the truth. He's just upset right now. Once the trial is over—"
Elizabeth stood up abruptly from the chair. Pain shot through her leg, making her wince. Henry reached out to steady her.
"It's not just the trial, Henry. It's always something. It's not fair to the kids." She squeezed her eyes shut. "Or you."
I'm more worried about you.
"Come here," Henry said, reaching out to pull her in toward his chest. She wrapped her arms around him and let out a shaky breath.
"I'm so tired," she mumbled.
He rubbed her back. "I know. It's been a hell of a week. And the unknowns with the trial aren't helping." She shifted against him at the mention of the trial, burying her face deeper into his chest. "Let's go to bed, and we can regroup in the morning. I'm sure Mike B needs to talk strategy with you anyway. Do you think that will help?"
She mumbled something unintelligible.
"What was that, Babe?" Henry asked.
She pushed back from his chest slightly. "I don't know what will help."
Henry kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes at the contact. "Babe, sleep isn't going to make things worse."
She looked down, avoiding his gaze, worrying her bottom lip.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Elizabeth left his embrace quickly and moved to sit on the bed.
She's not telling me something.
Overcome with the need to comfort her, Henry slowly took two steps toward the bed and quietly sat down. Inches of space between them, he hesitated, not sure that she wanted to be touched at the moment. Elizabeth's shoulders were practically sitting up by her ears and she gripped the bed sheets so tight, her knuckles were white.
"Babe, what is it?" he whispered.
She exhaled slowly. "I know I'm going to dream of him tonight…"
Oh.
"Tell me what you need."
Her eyes flitted upward and tentatively met his. "I need you to make me forget."
Henry leaned in to capture her lips. She moaned into his mouth and pulled him closer, trying to surround herself with her husband. He gently cupped the back of her head at the same time that she pushed him down on the bed, straddling him, eyes full of desire. She momentarily broke their kiss, breaths coming in short pants, to pull her shirt over her head and toss it somewhere behind her. "Shirt off, now," she said, reaching for the hem of his shirt and tugging.
"Elizabeth, wait—" Henry whispered.
She stopped, her brow knitted in confusion. A look of hurt flashed across her face, as her eyes misted with tears. She moved away from him, cheeks flushing red.
Elizabeth sat with her back facing him. A sob escaped her throat and he reached out to put his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she choked out still facing away from him. "I know I'm damaged. I just needed—"
What? Is that what she thinks just happened?
"Baby," he said, turning her around to face him. "That is not why I stopped you. You are not damaged. You are perfect." Henry wiped away her tears with his thumb.
He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Nothing that has happened to you would ever make me think of you as damaged. I love your soul." He softly kissed her lips. "Your heart." He laced their fingers together and kissed her knuckles. "Your kindness." Another peck on the lips. "Your thoughtfulness." He kissed the tears on her cheeks. "Not just your body."
Her lower lip trembled and she exhaled, trying to maintain a sense of composure. She prided herself on keeping her emotions under control ninety percent of the time. Henry was always the exception.
"I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to hurt yourself. Your leg is still healing."
She chuckled. "You were worried about my leg?"
"Of course. I don't like seeing you in pain," he replied, as if it was a fact about the weather.
"I really don't deserve you, Henry."
It's the other way around, Babe.
He leaned in to kiss her again. "I know I married up."
She smiled against his lips, and couldn't help the squeal that came out of her mouth as he grabbed her shoulders and laid her back on the bed, hovering over her. She sank into the mattress, feeling his body cover hers.
He stared into her sky-blue eyes, running his thumbs over her cheeks. "You're so beautiful."
I will never tire of admiring your beauty. Inside and out.
"You sure this is okay?" he asked, draping himself across her body and capturing her lips once more.
I won't forgive myself if I hurt you.
She nodded, eyes full of want, and deepened the kiss. "Make me forget, Henry."
Beams of sunlight streamed into the bedroom and a bird chirped its song outside of the bedroom window as awareness came to Henry. He inhaled, Elizabeth's golden hair tickling his nose. She lay across his chest, her head directly over his heart, fully relaxed in sleep. Almost every part of her skin was touching his under the covers, and truthfully, it was the best night's sleep that both of them have had since she was shot and then taken hostage in Geneva.
The trial starts tomorrow and it is going to be extremely hard for her to sit in a room with Farhad again and tell a judge and everyone else what happened. I know she is going to act like everything is okay, but I know she won't be. She could barely tell me the details of what happened when we were in that hospital in France talking to the Police. I hope I can get her to practice with Mike B today so that it's easier…
"Hmmm" she mumbled, tightening her arms around him.
He smiled.
She's waking up.
"Good morning, Babe," he said, kissing the top of her head. "How did you sleep?"
Please tell me you didn't have nightmares about that monster hurting you.
"Best sleep I've had in a while," she replied, smiling.
"I'm happy to hear that. You needed the rest."
"Can we stay here all day?" she asked, burying her face in his chest.
"You've got my vote, but I think the kids might get worried eventually."
"They're old enough to fend for themselves…"
He chuckled, pulling her closer against him. "I will always be on board with any plan that involves you and me in a bed all day."
"Henry?" she asked, tone turning serious.
"Hmm?"
"What if Farhad doesn't get charged for what he did to me? What if he goes free?"
He rubbed her back. "I highly doubt that will happen. There is a mountain of evidence against him."
Evidence of his handprint around your throat. Bruises. The files from Teresa Hurst's computer.
"It's just all happening so fast. What if I mess up during my testimony and they think I'm lying? Or that I'm actually having an affair with him? I know I'll be nervous and I can't…"
"Hey," he said, wrapping his arms around her. "You can't mess up your testimony if you're telling the truth. Remember St. Augustine said 'The truth is like a lion; you don't have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.'"
"I seem to remember that same quote said outside of a senate hearing many years ago…"
"It's still true, Babe."
She rolled her eyes. "You know too many quotes for your own good, Dr. McCord."
At least she's relaxed enough to tease me.
"You're just mad because I'm right."
"Whatever you say," she replied, untangling herself from his grip.
He grabbed her hand, pulling her back to him. "Hey, what happened to staying here all day?"
"I need to shower. You're welcome to join me if you want…"
He grinned. "You don't have to tell me twice."
Elizabeth sat at the desk in the front office, phone held up to her ear. "Mr. President, I need more Diplomatic Security candidates."
"Neither of the ones I sent yesterday worked out?" he asked on the other end of the phone.
"No, Sir."
"I'll have Russell look again." Several seconds of silence passed. "How are you feeling about the trial tomorrow?"
She sighed, absentmindedly playing with some of Henry's papers scattered on the desk. "Unprepared. Mike B is coming over in a little bit so we can go over my testimony and other logistics."
"Bess, I'm sorry that this is all happening so soon."
"Thanks, Conrad. I'm just ready for it to be over."
Henry entered the office and smiled at Elizabeth as he held up a mug of hot tea. He placed it on the desk in front of her and leaned over to kiss the crown of her head.
She mouthed 'thanks' as he left the room.
"Is Farhad still using the 'we were having an affair' defense on the news? Henry isn't really letting me turn on the TV too much these days." Elizabeth steeped the peppermint tea and smiled to herself thinking about how lucky she truly was to be married to Henry McCord.
"I'm not sure. Russell has the Snap poll numbers if you want to talk to him about it," President Dalton said.
"No, that's okay. I was just curious."
"Bess, the people that matter don't believe that nonsense for a second."
She took a small sip of the peppermint tea. It warmed her throat on the way down. "Thanks."
"I'll send some Diplomatic Security candidate files over for you to review. Absolutely no rush. You can take Secret Service agents to the trial tomorrow."
"Sounds good."
"Take care of yourself, Bess."
"I will, Conrad," she replied, hanging up the phone.
She took another long drink of peppermint tea and closed her eyes, steeling herself for the day ahead. Mike was coming over shortly to prep her for the trial and reliving everything again had her stomach in knots. It was embarrassing that a member of the presidential cabinet could get overpowered by someone like that. Not to mention, the amount of planning against her and Dalton that was orchestrated under their noses. It still didn't seem real.
"Babe?" Henry asked, entering the office again.
Her eyes popped open. "Yeah?"
"Just checking on you. What did Dalton say?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the desk.
"Nothing really. I asked him to find me some more DS candidates and he asked how I felt about the trial."
Henry's eyes softened as he reached out to hold her hand. "It's going to be hard, I won't lie to you, Babe. But I've said it before, and I'll say it again until you believe me. You are so strong. I'm proud of you. Always."
The phone rang making Elizabeth jump.
"I'll get it," Henry said, standing up from his position against the desk and reaching for the land line in the office. "Hello?"
"Yeah, you can let him in." He hung up the phone. "Mike's here."
Elizabeth let out a shaky breath, one hand still wrapped around the mug of hot tea.
"Do you want me to stay while you guys prep for tomorrow?" Henry asked.
I'll do whatever you need me to do.
"No, I think I'll be okay for now."
He nodded and stood, walking toward the front door to let Mike B in. "Come get me if you change your mind, Babe."
"I will."
He opened the door and greeted Mike. "She's in the office. Don't push her too hard," Henry warned.
Mike put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "I wouldn't dream of it. I come in peace."
"Uh huh."
If he upsets her, I will ask him to leave the house so fast…
Henry walked Mike over to where Elizabeth sat nursing her peppermint tea in the office. "I'll be in the living room if you need anything," he said, locking eyes with Elizabeth to make sure she knew he was close by.
He left, intentionally leaving the French doors open so they remained in earshot.
An hour later, Henry sat on the couch flipping through channels on the TV, not really paying attention to anything that was on. He had one ear listening out for the conversation between Elizabeth and Mike B. All seemed fine so far.
"Hey, Dad," Ali said, walking in to sit next to him on the couch. "What are you watching?"
"Hey, Noodle. Nothing really. Just passing the time."
She watched him flipping through more channels, purposely avoiding the news.
I don't need to hear anything else right now about Elizabeth and that sleaze.
"Do you want to play chess with me?" Ali asked.
He smiled at her. "Sure. Go grab the board."
As soon as Alison left to go get the chess set, Henry's attention turned back to Elizabeth and Mike.
"Do you honestly think that Farhad's lawyer won't ask that? You have to be prepared to answer that question," Mike said, voice a little louder than Henry liked.
"I just need a minute," Elizabeth said softly.
Is she upset? If Mike made her cry…
Henry jumped up from the couch and made his way into the office. "What happened?" he asked, walking straight over to Elizabeth who was sheepishly wiping away a tear that rolled down her cheek. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I'm fine, Henry."
You're crying. Which means you're obviously not fine.
Henry turned to face Mike. "What did you say to her?" he asked through gritted teeth.
Mike shrugged and picked up a paper weight that was on the desk. He passed it back and forth between his hands, mindlessly. "I asked if Farhad touching her under her shirt could be mistaken as romantic and—"
"You what?!" Henry yelled, anger coursing through him.
Is he insane?
"It's a perfectly acceptable line of questioning following her testimony. The defense is trying to prove—"
Henry took a step forward and shoved Mike. "Get out."
"Henry…" Elizabeth pleaded.
"I'm here to help prepare her for the trial tomorrow!" Mike replied. "Do you want the first time she hears these questions to be in front of everyone else?"
"I want you to leave this office and give her some space right now," Henry retorted.
Mike lowered his voice as he took three steps toward the living room through the French doors. "We don't have all night. The trial is tomorrow, Henry. She has to expect the unexpected."
Henry waved Mike off and turned back to look at Elizabeth. He crouched in front of her, gently rubbing circles on her knee.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded, and let out a breath. "I just wasn't expecting him to say…that…about Farhad touching my breasts..."
Henry wrapped his arms around her. "I know. It's disgusting."
Your hands were tied behind your back. In no way was that romantic or even consensual.
"How am I supposed to do this tomorrow?" she asked, burying her face in the crook of his neck. "It's exactly what I was worried about. People not believing me and him walking free." Her breath hitched, and she couldn't help the sob that escaped. He pulled her closer and soothed her with his hands tracing patterns across her back.
"Dad? What's wrong with Mom?" Ali asked, standing by the French doors. She held the chess board and bag of pieces in her hand.
Henry's head shot up to meet Ali's confused gaze. "She's having a hard time right now, Noodle. I've got her. Wait for me in the living room."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yeah, just give us a minute."
She nodded and then walked back through the open doors to join Mike in the living room.
Henry stroked Elizabeth's hair. "Mike never should have said that to you."
This is exactly why I'm going to be in the court room. There is no telling what will be asked tomorrow.
She hiccupped, and dug her fingers into Henry's back, trying to stop herself from crying. "Mike was trying to prepare me for what's coming. It just caught me off guard…"
Because you were sexually assaulted. And haven't had time to work through it.
"I know, it's okay. You have every right to be upset." He kissed her temple. "I need you to know none of what happened to you is your fault." A sob escaped her throat and Henry tightened his hold on her. "I know I've said that before, but I still mean it. Please don't blame yourself."
"I'm sorry," she choked out. "I'm a mess."
"Babe, you don't have to apologize. Take all the time you need."
Forcing her to confront the person that caused her physical and emotional harm so soon after it happened is completely unfair. No wonder she's traumatized. Mike's attitude about all of this isn't helping either.
Henry adjusted his hold on her slightly, and Elizabeth pushed back from him. Her right arm still gripped his shoulder, while she reached up to wipe her tears away with her left.
She gave him the slightest smile. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful," he replied, looking at her with adoration and love.
She scoffed. "Uh huh. Swollen eyes and red, blotchy skin just screams beauty."
"It does to me." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Elizabeth closed her eyes at the contact, letting her head fall forward onto Henry's shoulder.
You can always lean on me. Every time.
"Check mate!" Mike yelled from the other room.
"What is happening in the living room?" Elizabeth mumbled against Henry, sounding exhausted.
"Alison and I were going to play chess. I guess Mike got bored with waiting," Henry explained.
"You cheated!" Ali yelled.
"You wish! I was playing chess long before you were even a thought in your parents' minds," Mike shouted back.
Loud footsteps retreated up the stairs.
Well, Alison has always been a sore loser…
She chuckled, pushing back from Henry and sitting up straighter in the chair. "Well, that's my cue to go get Mike so we can continue with the questions…"
"I'm not leaving you alone, Babe."
Elizabeth picked at her fingernails, looking down at her lap. "I hate this. I should be able to handle a few questions from Mike. I'm responsible for bringing peace to foreign dignitaries who are often rough around the edges. Why is this so hard?"
Henry gently cupped her chin. "Because this is personal."
Elizabeth exhaled loudly, finally conceding. "I suppose you're right."
"Of course I'm right," Henry said, smirking. He stood from his kneeling position in front of the chair, stretching his back, and pretending his knees didn't crack.
I'm too old to be squatting that long…
"Mike, she's ready!" Henry called out from the office.
Footsteps approached the French doors and Mike B came back into view. He slapped his hands together, eager to continue. "You ready to keep going?" he asked Elizabeth.
She gave a hesitant nod.
Henry held up his hand. "Hang on. I'm staying this time, so no pestering her with questions that are uncalled for. You hear me?"
"They weren't uncalled for. It was what someone might ask if they were trying to prove Elizabeth and Farhad were having an affair. I don't agree with it, but those are the facts," Mike explained, crossing his arms.
Elizabeth reached out and tugged on the bottom of Henry's shirt, getting his attention. "It's okay."
He turned around to face her. "I refuse to stand by and listen to questions that will upset you, Elizabeth. I can't," he said, shaking his head to rid his mind of that horrible thought.
She met his eyes. "You're going to have to tomorrow."
Henry's face fell.
Don't remind me. It's going to take everything in me to not jump to your defense in that courtroom…
Mike's eyes volleyed between the two of them. "If you two lovebirds are done, I'd like to prep Elizabeth some more."
Henry sighed. "I guess I'll be over here in the corner. Carry on," he said, gesturing vaguely with his hand.
Mike leaned against Henry's desk. "So, Secretary McCord, can you please tell the court what happened once you woke up in the warehouse with Mr. Azimi."
Henry half-listened to the words coming out of her mouth as Elizabeth detailed what she went through. He was more focused on the way her voice trembled slightly when she said Farhad's name. Or the way her hands were fidgeting with her wedding ring the entire time she recounted what happened. Her arms were right against her sides, as if trying to make herself look smaller and draw less attention to herself.
Can other people read her body language like I can? She is so obviously uncomfortable talking about this.
"The next time I woke up, he told me that I needed to choose a person to call…" she continued.
And she chose me. Thank God. I don't even want to think about if someone else had answered her phone call and didn't take her seriously.
"That's good, Elizabeth. Bring the attention back to you and Henry being happily married, so you called him. It will break down the accusation of the affair."
"We are happily married, Mike!" Elizabeth said, a little too loudly.
"It doesn't matter if it's true. It matters that the judge believes it," Mike replied.
Henry locked eyes with Elizabeth.
I'm right here, Babe. Happily married to you forever.
"Okay, what happened after the phone call to Henry?"
"Hmm. I think he punched or slapped me again. I must have passed out…"
Mike shook his head, and stood up from where he was leaning against the desk. He took two steps forward to stand in front of Elizabeth. "You think? You need to forget that word exists. Remove it from your vocabulary. 'Think' means you are unsure, and therefore less believable as a witness."
Elizabeth deflated, shrinking back into the chair she sat in, fidgeting with her wedding ring again.
"Whose side are you on, Mike?" Henry asked, his tone dripping with accusation.
He threw his hands up in the air, frustrated. "I'm on the side of winning! You people never seem to get that!"
"There is no need to shout," Henry said, checking to see how Elizabeth was doing. He shot her a look.
You okay to continue?
She gave a tiny nod and then started again. "I won't say 'think' if it makes you stop. Farhad slapped me in the face so hard I passed out. The next time I woke up, he held a gun to my head and told me that I was going to be killed if President Dalton and Teresa Hurst didn't resign."
"Did you try to fight Mr. Azimi off during the time he held you hostage?"
Elizabeth froze.
Is he suggesting she is to blame? I went through this with the police officers in that hospital. I have no problem stopping this line of questioning.
Henry took one step forward, ready to say something if he needed to.
"My hands were tied behind my back. I didn't have a lot of options to fight off any of the punches, slaps, or—" she swallowed. "Unwanted touches."
"Secretary McCord, how long did you work in the Central Intelligence Agency as an analyst?" Mike asked.
Elizabeth's brow knitted in confusion at the change in topic. "What does that have to do with—"
"Answer the question."
"I worked in the CIA for twenty years," she replied, flatly.
Mike picked up the paperweight from the desk again, passing it back and forth between his hands. "And during that time, were you trained in basic combat techniques?"
Where is Mike going with this?
"Yes. All analysts are."
"So is it safe to say that you had the means to escape your hostage situation with Mr. Azimi due to this combat training?"
Henry saw the hurt flash across her face as she clenched her jaw and tried to keep it together.
"Escaping ropes is not the same thing as—" Elizabeth stammered out.
Henry closed the distance between himself and his wife, shoving past Mike and putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. She reached up for his hand immediately.
I'm right here.
"Time for a break," Henry said.
Mike B shook his head. "She won't get a break in court tomorrow. Coddling her won't help."
Elizabeth closed her eyes and laced her fingers through Henry's hand where it rested on her shoulder.
Coddling her? It's called caring. And knowing my wife. No wonder Mike and his ex-wife got divorced.
"I'm aware. But this is my house, and right now, I can tell she needs a break." He squeezed her hand.
Mike rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'm getting a drink," he said, turning to leave the office.
Alone again, Henry hovered near Elizabeth, letting her take all the time she needed to collect her thoughts.
The man is insane.
"Babe, sometimes, I want to punch Mike," he said, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb, calming himself while comforting her.
Elizabeth sighed. "Maybe practice today was a bad idea."
"I think you were right to want to be prepared. I'm just not sure Mike was the best choice…"
"He's my lawyer, Henry."
Doesn't mean I have to like his approach.
"For the record," he said, kneeling in front of Elizabeth again. "What Mike said about the ropes…you know that was a crappy thing to say, right?"
Elizabeth looked down at her lap. "What if he was right? Maybe I should have tried to get out of them and then I could have—"
Henry shook his head and rubbed circles on her knee. "No, Babe. He's just getting in your head. Combat training as an analyst is not the same thing as learning how to escape ropes with your hands behind your back. Not to mention you were shot in the leg. It's not your fault."
She gave him a half-hearted smile. "I just hope other people agree with you…"
"They will. And remember, I'll be right there with you every step of the way."