With Determination and Honor

by: Ginny

Pairing(s):Jed/Abbey
Category(s):General
Rating: YTEEN
Disclaimer: The usual.
Summary: Something is wrong with Gov. Jed Bartlet.
Feedback: Feedback is greatly appreciated.
Author's Note:Thanks to Becky who boosted my self esteem more than once and to Janie, our medical advisor.

Part 4

The next morning Abbey woke up to find Jed's side of the bed empty. She heard the TV on downstairs and got out of bed to go find him. As she crossed the room she glanced down at the chair where she had been sitting the night before. The book on neurological disorders and her notepad were missing.

She threw on her robe and ran down the stairs. Jed wasn't in the kitchen but the books were opened on the counter next to an untouched cup of tea and some uneaten toast.

"Jed, where are you?"

No answer. His coat was on the hook by the door so she didn't think he had gone outside. She turned to go down the hall and saw the door to the study was closed. She knocked lightly before going in.

"Honey, can I come in?"

Again no answer, she touched the doorknob, it was not locked. She let herself in. Jed was sitting on the window seat behind his desk looking out the window. He gave her a quick glance when she entered and then went back to looking out the window.

"Jed, talk to me, please" pleaded Abbey as she crossed the room and went behind the desk. He made no effort to move over in the window seat to give her room so she just leaned against the desk.

"Josiah Thomas, talk to me." she said in a voice that told him she meant business.

"OK" he whispered trying to control all that was going on inside him, the feelings of anger, fear and the dull ache in his head.

He moved over enough to let her sit next to him. He sat crossed legged on the window seat with his elbows on his knees, his hands clenched into fists.

"How in the hell could you have kept your suspicions from me all this time?" he asked bitterly.

"Jed, my suspicions about MS first occurred to me last night, after you fell asleep, I swear." She reached out to caress his cheek but he turned away.

"What if I don't believe you?"

"That's up to you, but if I had these suspicions earlier, believe me, you would have already been examined by a neurologist. I'm going to call Tom in a little while. Hopefully he will be able to see you soon. How much did you read in my book?" inquired Abbey as she once again reached out to caress his cheek, this time he didn't pull away.

"Enough to start to panic" he sighed as he put his head in his hands.

"Do you want to talk about what you read? I'll try and answer any questions you might have." offered Abbey as she reached over to rub his back.

"I don't want to talk now" he stated as he motioned for her to move so he could get up. He walked out, closed the door behind him and left Abbey sitting on the window seat, close to tears.

Part of her wanted to run after him but knowing him as she did she knew he needed a few minutes to himself.She wandered out into the kitchen. She noticed his coat was missing, he must have gone outside. She stayed the kitchen and made herself some tea. From the window over the sink she could see Jed sitting on the bench by the pond, smoking, much to her disappointment. She was ready to go out and grab the cigarette from him but she stopped just short of the door. She knew the only time he ever smoked was when he was completely and utterly stressed out. And this was most definitely one of those times. So she decided to ignore it.

She went upstairs to find Tom's number and called his service. He returned her call within 10 minutes. He told her to have Jed at Massachusetts General at 3:00 that afternoon. While she was grateful to get an appointment with him so soon she was also worried. Tom was very concerned about the symptoms she had described and wanted to see Jed as soon as possible.

Abbey heard the kitchen door slam and then the study door slam. She took a deep breath and descended down the stairs to talk to Jed.

He was in the study, sitting on the couch and holding a pillow to his chest. He had kicked off his shoes and put his feet on the coffee table. He gave Abbey a weak smile when she sat down next to him.

"I talked to Tom, he would like to see you this afternoon." she blurted out as fast as she could.

"This afternoon? What's he going to do?" asked Jed curiously.

"I'm not positive, probably a neurological exam, he wants to see my notes and to talk to both of us. He'll probably want to do an MRI either today or sometime very soon."

"It all sounds very ominous." He put his head back and took a deep breath. "But I guess it's time we found out what's going on." said Jed with resignation in his voice.

"Honey, everything will be OK, whatever this is we will get through it, together, like we always do. What do you always tell the girls... with the determination and honor that comes along with being a Bartlet" teased Abbey as she did her best impression of her husband. Jed did manage a small smile. She turned sideways on the couch so she could face him. He looked so tired and worn out to her. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

"No, not really" he sighed

She watched him as the tears started to fall. She took the pillow from his hands and gently pulled him down until his head was in her lap. She held him while he sobbed, wiping his tears with one hand and her own with the other. After a long time he started to settle down. She stroked his hair and his cheek until he fell asleep. When she was sure he was sleeping she covered him with a blanket and crept out to the kitchen to get her notes together. Then she went up to take a shower.

When she was ready to go she went down to wake Jed. He was already awake but still on the couch when she entered the study.

"Honey, it's time to get ready to go"

"Yeah, I'll be ready in 20 minutes."

The ride down to Boston went quickly. They had decided to go alone, leaving behind the driver and the limo. Abbey did convince Jed to let her drive the Explorer. They arrived in the parking deck at 2:45.

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

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