Another chapter. Enjoy!
"I'm not sure what happened, Babe. Are you in pain?" Henry asked, frowning. He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying to comfort her and warm her up.
She looked around the bathroom frantically, breaths coming out in short pants. "I don't remember. Why don't I remember?" she whispered.
He pulled her in close against his chest. "I don't know, but it's okay. You're safe now."
Did she fall? Hit her head?
Elizabeth continued to tremble against him and he tightened his hold on her. She buried her face in his neck and he searched the bathroom for a towel or her robe so that she would stop shivering. Spotting her robe hanging near the shower, he relaxed his grip on her momentarily so he could reach for it.
"No…" she whimpered, digging her fingers into his forearm.
I cannot bear to see you like this. It's not fair.
He kissed her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere. Just trying to get you warm, okay? I was getting your robe."
She nodded imperceptibly, but still clung to his hand.
He reached up from their position on the floor of the bathroom and pulled the robe down off the hook. Once he had the robe in his grasp, he helped her put her arms through the holes and then tied it shut around her.
"Better?" he asked, as she remained pressed up against his chest.
Elizabeth stayed silent and Henry listened to her breathing, happy that her panic seemed to be subsiding.
"I'm scared, Henry."
I've been terrified of losing you for days. What if I didn't come upstairs when I did?
He pulled her more fully into his lap, slowly swaying back and forth. "I know."
She clutched at his shirt and he felt a tremor wrack her frame.
"Are you still cold?" he asked.
"A little," she said.
"Let's get you into bed, then."
He stood up from the bathroom floor, still holding her close. He took two steps forward before she stumbled and he gripped her arms, steadying her.
"Easy, Babe."
"Henry…" she whispered. Her legs crumpled beneath her and he watched in horror as her eyes rolled back into her head.
"Elizabeth!" he yelled, catching her in his arms. He gently tapped her cheek, trying to get her to open her eyes. "Wake up for me, Babe. Come on."
As he studied her face, he noticed the pallor of her skin and the sweat near her hairline. He cradled her head in his hands, checking her temperature. He leaned down to kiss her forehead and felt the heat coming off of her skin.
She was shivering earlier and now she's sweating? Does she have an infection from the surgery? How did I miss this?
Elizabeth remained unconscious in his arms. He glanced toward the phone in the bedroom, torn with indecision.
I don't want to leave her, but she needs the hospital.
Henry gently laid her down. "Hang on for me, Babe." He ran to the phone in the bedroom, dialing security and then returning to check on Elizabeth.
"Hello? Yes, it's Dr. McCord. We need to take my wife to the hospital! I'm upstairs in the ensuite bathroom. Hurry!" he shouted into the phone.
He heard a flurry of activity downstairs as the Secret Service agents came in through the front door. Mike B shouted something unintelligible and Henry could hear footsteps bounding up the stairs.
Two Secret Service agents came in the bedroom, guns drawn, looking around frantically for his wife.
"She's in here!" Henry called from the bathroom, pulling her closer.
Come on, Baby. Wake up.
The agents entered the bathroom and took in the scene. "What's going on?" they asked, guns still in hand, but pointed downward.
"She passed out in the shower. Woke up and then passed out again. I think she has a fever. Probably an infection from the surgery she had a few days ago. Can you drive us to the hospital or should we call an ambulance?" Henry asked, stroking his wife's hair, tenderly. She remained still.
"Dad?!" Stevie called, running up the stairs. Jason and Alison followed behind her.
"We can drive her. Do you need help carrying her?" one of the agents asked Henry.
And chance her waking up in a strange man's arms—sorry, we still don't fully trust you—while wearing only a robe? No way.
Henry shook his head. "No, I've got her. But we need to move now." He moved to stand up with Elizabeth cradled against his chest, in a bridal carry.
It's okay, Babe. We're going to get you some help. I'm sorry I didn't see it before.
Henry had just made it out into the bedroom with his wife in his arms when Stevie entered. "Dad? What's going on? Why are there agents in the house?" she asked, sounding slightly panicked.
Alison walked in next, followed by Jason. "Oh my God! What happened to Mom?"
He swallowed. "I found her passed out in the shower. She's got a fever. We're going to the hospital." Henry walked passed the kids and out into the hallway, Secret Service agents following behind.
"Can we come too?" Jason asked, turning to follow everyone out of the bedroom.
Henry sighed. "I don't know if that's a good idea. Let me get her to the hospital first and then I'll call you when I have more answers."
"But Dad!" Alison and Stevie said at the same time.
He hurried down the stairs, making sure that Elizabeth's head was protected against his chest. "I promise I'll call as soon as I can. Okay?" he said, walking toward the front door, stopping when he saw their house guest.
Crap. I forgot he was here.
"Oh my God. What happened?" Mike B shouted, while he leaned against the door to the office.
"I don't have time to explain right now, Mike."
One of the Secret Service agents opened the front door and he turned around to the face the kids one more time. "I'm sorry. I know you're all worried about your mom right now and it isn't fair, but I'm going to make sure she's okay." He looked to Mike. "And I'll have to get back with you later."
Alison started to run forward, but Stevie grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "Okay Dad. We'll talk soon. Tell Mom we love her."
Henry locked eyes with his oldest. "Thanks. I will."
She's so much like her mother.
The door closed behind him and he ran toward the SUV, arms starting to fatigue. One of the Secret Service agents opened the door to the backseat for him and he climbed inside with Elizabeth. As soon as the door closed, he looked down at her again. "It's okay, Babe. I'm right here."
The SUV pulled away from the curb and made its way to Georgetown. Henry stroked Elizabeth's cheek, willing her to wake up so he could make sure she was okay.
I need you to be okay.
The privacy screen came down and the Secret Service agent in the passenger seat turned to speak to Henry. "We'll be at Georgetown Hospital in about seven minutes, Dr. McCord."
"Thanks," Henry replied.
Elizabeth shivered against him, even though he could feel the sweat on the back of her legs.
Is she waking up?
He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying to let her know that he was with her. Her head moved slightly closer to his chest, as if seeking his warmth, and he froze.
"Babe? Are you with me?"
She made a soft humming sound and he lowered his lips to her forehead on instinct. "Elizabeth. Open your eyes for me. I'm right here," he whispered.
Her eyes blinked open slowly and she looked up at him, confused. "Henry?"
"The one and only. Welcome back. How are you feeling?" he asked, carding his fingers through her hair.
"Cold." She tried to focus on her surroundings, but the motion of the car made her dizzy, and she clutched at her head. "Why are we in the car?"
"I think you have a fever. I'm taking you to the hospital."
She blinked at him, processing what he said, but not really understanding. "Hospital?" she asked.
"Yeah, you passed out a few times. Scared me. You don't remember?" He furrowed his brow.
Her eyes welled up with tears.
He smiled, reassuring her. "No. Hey, you're okay. I think you have an infection from the surgery to remove the bullet. They can take care of that, no problem."
Elizabeth leaned into Henry's chest, eyes closed.
I can tell she's overwhelmed with everything.
He rubbed her back, making soothing circles with his hands. She trembled against him, tears soaking his shirt.
"Are you in pain?" he asked, concerned that this was more than confusion and emotional turmoil.
She shook her head against him. "Not really. My head hurts. And my leg is sort of numb."
He kissed the top of her head. "Okay. That's okay. The doctors are going to fix you right up."
They have to.
The SUV lurched to a stop and the Secret Service agents jumped out of their seats to open the door for Henry. Elizabeth's body tensed against him and he felt her breaths becoming more erratic. "It's okay. I've got you," he said.
One of the agents yelled for a wheelchair and Henry saw a doctor and some nurses approach the SUV. A doctor poked his head in the backseat and called out to Elizabeth. "Madam Secretary? Can you tell me what's wrong?"
She whimpered again and buried her face further into Henry's chest.
"She passed out twice. Her temperature is elevated, and she had surgery a few days ago to remove a bullet from her leg," Henry replied, speaking for his wife who was clearly not okay right now.
"Is she coherent?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, just scared." Henry swallowed, patting her back. "She's been through a lot."
The doctor nodded. "Understood. We do need to get her inside so we can examine her. You think you can convince her to get in a wheelchair?"
"I'll try."
Henry stroked Elizabeth's hair. "Hey, Babe. We're at the hospital. Think you can let them wheel you into a room? They'll probably give you something to make you feel better," he said softly so that no one else could hear.
Her arms wrapped around him tighter, in protest.
"I'll be right beside you. I promise."
I'm not leaving you.
She pushed back from his chest a fraction of an inch and nodded. "Okay."
"That's my girl," Henry said.
"What are we doing here, Dr. McCord?" the doctor asked, still leaning his head into the backseat.
"Get the wheelchair ready. I'm coming with. No exceptions."
The doctor nodded and then turned around to the nurses that came out to meet them. "Wheelchair is a go."
Henry moved so that Elizabeth was sitting next to him instead of against him and he stepped out of the backseat and onto the ground first. He hovered, standing next to her. The nurses brought the wheelchair closer and one of them reached for Elizabeth's hand to try and help her into it safely. She flinched hard and shrank back into Henry. "She's a little out of it right now," Henry explained.
"That's okay," the nurse said.
"Here, let me help you, Babe." Henry reached for her hand and slowly guided her into the wheelchair. The death-grip she had on his hand indicated to him how uncomfortable she was at the moment, and he kissed her knuckles, trying to reassure her that she was okay.
He knelt down in front of her face. "I'm right here. Let's get you to a room."
She nodded, but refused to let his hand go as he walked alongside her wheelchair. He could see her shivering in her robe and he cursed himself for not grabbing a blanket or a coat as they left the house earlier.
I was a little preoccupied with making sure she was alive. I can't keep almost losing her like this.
They were taken into a hallway and then stopped in front of an elevator. One of the nurses pressed the number three, and they all waited for it to ding, signaling its arrival.
The doctor spoke to Henry, hoping to get more information out of him about the Secretary's condition. "So you said she passed out?"
He nodded. "Once in the shower and then again a few minutes later when I tried to get her to bed."
Elizabeth squeezed his hand.
Right here, Babe.
"And you said she has a fever?"
"I didn't take her temperature, but yeah. She feels warm. And since she had surgery a few days ago, I'm thinking it's a post-op fever. I'm not a medical doctor, but those are pretty common right?"
The doctor nodded. "They can be. We'll run some tests and see what we find."
"How long will that take?" Henry asked.
"It varies," the doctor said. The elevator dinged and the nurse pushed Elizabeth forward. Henry followed and stood next to her as they rode it up to the third floor. He rested his hand on her shoulder, reminding her that she wasn't alone.
Two hours later, Henry sat in a chair next to Elizabeth's bed, holding her hand. His thumb made light strokes on the side of her hand, avoiding the IV port administering the broad spectrum antibiotics. Turns out he was right: she did have an infection.
Henry watched her as she slept, exhausted from all the tests. His phone vibrated and he looked down to see that Stevie had texted him for an update on Elizabeth. He texted Stevie that she had an infection and that they were giving her antibiotics, but that he didn't know how long they were staying.
Elizabeth's hand twitched in his and he leaned forward, looking for more signs of her waking up.
"Babe? You okay?" he asked.
She frowned in her sleep.
The door to the room opened and a doctor stepped inside. "Dr. McCord, I'm Dr. Stewart. How's the Secretary?"
"She's sleeping. Seems a little restless though," Henry said, still watching over her.
Dr. Stewart approached the bed and looked through her chart. "That's normal. Her temperature is down from when she first came into the hospital, which means the antibiotics are working against the infection."
Henry nodded. "So what happens now?" he asked, still stroking her hand with his thumb. Her frown eased slightly and Henry smiled to himself.
At least she recognizes I'm here.
"We'll keep her here for a few more hours. She's dehydrated so I want to get a bag of IV fluids in her before she is released," Dr. Stewart said.
"Any medicines we need to continue at home?"
"Just a course of oral antibiotics and ibuprofen for pain."
Henry continued to stare at his wife, brow furrowed.
She doesn't deserve this. Any of it.
"She's going to be okay, Dr. McCord."
Henry looked up at Dr. Stewart from his chair beside Elizabeth's bed. "I hope you're right."
"Her infection is mild. Her fever is already breaking with the antibiotics. The only other thing that will help is rest and reducing her stress levels."
Henry scoffed. "Yeah. Because being Secretary of State is a stress-free job."
"I understand it's difficult to—"
"No offense, but you really don't. Is there anything else I need to know about her prognosis for now?" Henry asked.
Dr. Stewart sighed. "Not at this time. A nurse will be by in a little while to hang a bag of fluids. Have a good night, Dr. McCord."
Henry ran his hand down his face.
Everything is so messed up, Babe. Maybe Alison is right. Maybe we should move back to the horse farm…
Elizabeth shifted in the hospital bed, wrinkling her nose. Henry reached forward to rub her shoulder and make sure his face was in her line of sight so she wouldn't wake up alone.
"Babe? You awake?" he whispered.
"Hmm…"
"I'm right here," he said, stroking her hair.
Her eyes opened and she blinked up at Henry. "What time is it?"
"A little after eight. How are you feeling?"
She squeezed his hand and closed her eyes again. "Tired."
"That's okay. I like watching you sleep," Henry said, smiling.
She frowned. "Why am I so tired?"
"You're fighting off an infection. That's why you had a fever. Probably also why you passed out in the shower earlier…"
Her eyes turned to look at him, brimming with tears. "I thought a shower would help me feel better. I didn't mean to cause more trouble."
"Hey, it's okay. I know you would have asked for help if you thought you needed it."
She looked down, toying with her wedding ring.
"Babe, what is it?"
"I feel like a burden lately. Everything is spinning out of control…"
Henry stood up from his chair and moved so that he could climb into the hospital bed with Elizabeth. "Scoot over," he said, opening the blankets.
"You don't have to—"
He pulled her against his side and waited until she righted herself and leaned her head on his shoulder. He kissed her temple, feeling her body relax. "You. Are. Not. A. Burden. Not this week. Not ever."
For better or worse. In sickness and in health. Always.
She wrapped her arms around his middle, seeking his warmth. "What did the doctor say about when I could leave?"
"Dr. Stewart said that they were going to give you IV fluids in a little bit and when that was done, we're free to leave. Oh, and you'll get some antibiotics to continue taking at the house, but nothing crazy."
She nodded against him and closed her eyes.
"Good. I'm sure the kids are worried…"
"I updated Stevie just before you woke up. I'll text her when we're on the way home."
The silence stretched on while Henry listened to Elizabeth's breath's even out.
A nurse entered the room and glanced at Henry sharing the hospital bed with Elizabeth. As she approached the bed, she gave Henry a disapproving look.
Here we go again. I'm not moving. She's clearly resting just fine.
"I need to access the port in her hand so I can make sure these fluids are administered correctly."
Henry took stock of where Elizabeth's right hand was, feeling it buried behind his back. Frowning, he knew that he was going to have to wake her so that the nurse could change the tubing for the IV fluids.
"Babe?" he asked, stroking her arm.
She groaned, not wanting to wake up or move.
"Can you move your right hand for me? The nurse needs your IV port."
Her eyes popped open and she froze.
"It's okay. She's just going to change out your fluids. Then you can go back to sleep."
Elizabeth nodded in understanding and extracted herself from Henry's side. She removed the hand from behind his back and sat up, offering it to the nurse.
"Madam Secretary," the nurse said.
"Elizabeth, please."
"Alright, Elizabeth. I need to change out the antibiotics to a bag of fluids. You're a little dehydrated so don't leave until the entire bag is empty. Doctor's orders." The nurse busied herself changing the bag out and then checking the port in Elizabeth's hand to make sure the needle was still in the vein properly.
The bag started dripping fluids and the nurse turned to look at Elizabeth. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
Elizabeth shrugged. "I'm fine. Just tired."
Henry rubbed her shoulder, still sitting next to her on the bed.
The nurse nodded. "That's normal when you've had a fever. The fluids will help get you back to normal in no time. I know you've got a country to help run!"
Elizabeth smiled, but Henry noted that it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Thanks for reminding her that she's not doing her job at the moment. Even though the things that have happened are out of her control, I know she feels responsible for missing work.
"Any questions?" the nurse asked.
"I've got one," Henry said. "Dr. Stewart said that he was going to prescribe oral antibiotics for her to continue at home. Can that be filled here?"
"Yes. Just take it to the pharmacy downstairs."
"Okay, thanks. Babe? Do you have any questions?"
She shook her head.
The nurse walked toward the door to leave the room. "I'll leave you both to it. Remember. Full bag needs to be emptied," she said, narrowing her eyes.
"Got it," Henry replied.
As soon as the door shut, Elizabeth collapsed against Henry.
"You okay?" he asked, concerned that she was in pain.
She buried her face in his chest. "Yeah. It's just hard hearing how I'm not doing my job right now."
I knew that nurse's comment bothered her.
"Babe, it's okay. You've been a little busy trying to survive the antics of some deranged people. I think you get a pass."
She huffed out a breath. "But I'm supposed to be helping President Dalton run the country."
Henry carded his fingers through her hair. "Conrad knows why you can't right now. No one blames you."
Elizabeth remained silent.
Of course she blames herself.
He pulled her against him and rubbed her arm, trying to bring her some comfort. "You know, Dr. Stewart told me you can get better faster if you reduce your levels of stress."
"My job is nothing but stress. You know that, Henry."
"I do. That's actually what I told him. But I think right now, you have a chance to take a step back, and let some other people figure things out. You need to focus on getting better."
"And the trial," she mumbled against him, starting to succumb to the exhaustion plaguing her.
"Right. And the trial."
I'm already done hearing about it and the trial hasn't even started yet.
Her breaths slowed considerably and Henry couldn't help but think about how close he'd come to losing her. Again. This was too much for his heart to handle in one week. Finding her unconscious in their bathroom while he was downstairs just cooking and hanging out with the kids was terrifying. If he had waited any longer to go upstairs…
Henry's phone buzzed in the chair he vacated earlier and he looked over to see who was calling: Mike B.
I don't have time for this right now. Elizabeth is sick.
"Who's that?" she asked, snuggling into his side.
"Mike B. I'm not answering him right now." He rubbed her side and pulled her closer, letting the phone continue to ring. "Go back to sleep."
Elizabeth opened her eyes and sat up abruptly. "Maybe he found something out I need to know."
"Yeah, I'm sure he did. He was at the house earlier but you were unconscious so I was a little preoccupied with making sure you were okay. He can wait to tell you whatever bombshell he's going to drop on you."
"Henry, it could be really important. Call him back."
"Babe, I really think it can wait," Henry begged.
She held his gaze. "You said you trusted my CIA instincts when I told you that I had a bad feeling about the trial and the judge and Farhad's lawyer."
He sighed, lightly gripping her shoulder. "I do."
"Then please, let's call Mike back." She reached up to hold his hand touching her shoulder.
Henry conceded, reaching over to grab the phone from the chair. "Okay." He unlocked his phone, found the missed call, and called Mike B back. He put it on speaker as it rang.
"Hello?" Mike said.
"I'm here with Elizabeth." Henry said.
"Is she okay?" Mike asked.
"I'm fine, Mike. Just an infection from the surgery I had to remove the bullet in my leg and some mild dehydration."
"Well I'm glad to hear it. You didn't look so hot earlier."
Elizabeth looked at Henry and rolled her eyes.
Trust me, he's right. I was terrified.
"So, what did you call for?" Henry asked into the phone.
"I don't know if this line is secure."
"Oh for Pete's sake, Mike. No one is tapping Henry's phone. Just tell me what you found out."
"Okay, but I'll deny we ever had this conversation…"
"We know the drill by now. Spill," Elizabeth said.
Mike took a deep breath. "Guess where the judge presiding over the trial is from?"
"Where?" Elizabeth asked, leaning closer to Henry so she could hear.
"Pennsylvania. As in Senator Teresa Hurst turned Vice President from Pennsylvania."
Henry frowned. "That could be a coincidence, right?" He asked, hopeful.
"Have you learned nothing about Washington the whole time your wife has been Secretary of State? There are no coincidences. Teresa Hurst and the judge went to the same college."
Elizabeth gasped and grabbed Henry's hand to ground herself.
This is unbelievable.
"I just…where does it all stop?" Henry asked.
Mike scoffed into the phone. "You really aren't going to like this next part. Farhad's lawyer…same fraternity as the judge."