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 6

A short while later Tom escorted them to a private room with a great view of the city.

"Make yourself comfortable, I'm going to make sure the MRI technician is ready. There's a gown in the bathroom, I'll have a nurse start an IV and we will give you something to help you relax. I'll see you after the procedure." Tom then turned to Abbey and said "You can accompany him to the room and join me during the actual procedure if you'd like."

Abbey nodded yes and he left to go check on things. Jed put on the gown and climbed on the gurney. It was only a few minutes until the nurse came in to start the IV.

Luckily she got it on the first try. She reached for the sedative.

"What is that?" Jed eyed the syringe warily.

"Versed, it probably won't knock you out but it will calm you down." answered
Abbey. "Use the deep breathing exercises if you have to once you get in the machine."

"Abbey, I don't know about this... Jed whined.

"Jed, you'll be fine, I'll just be in the next room. You'll be able to hear me, OK?"

"OK"

An orderly came to take them to the MRI room. Abbey stayed with him as long as she could. She joined Tom and the MRI technician in the small room.

The test started and for a while Jed seemed to be doing pretty well. Then Abbey could tell he was starting to get agitated. She tried to calm him down over the speaker but she didn't wasn't having much luck. She turned to Tom.

"How much longer?" she asked nervously chewing on a thumbnail.

"At least 15 minutes"

Abbey continued to talk to Jed through the speaker, trying to keep him calm. The minute the tech gave her the sign she ran into the room.

"Honey, don't sit up, just roll on your side. It's over. Take a deep breath...Jed, concentrate.. take a deep breath and hold it...Jed listen to me..." pleaded Abbey as Jed really started to hyperventilate. His blue eyes were wide with fear when Tom came up behind her with a paper bag.

"Here, try this" Tom held the paperbag over Jed's mouth and nose while Abbey held his hand and rubbed his back. Despite their efforts Jed didn't calm down and much to his embarrassment he did pass out. Tom handed Abbey some smelling salts and she held them up to Jed's nose. He sputtered, coughed and then came around.

"Oh, God, I passed out, didn't I"

"Yeah, honey, you did. Just lay still for a minute." said Abbey soothingly as she wiped his face with a damp cloth.

Tom handed her a cup of orange juice. "I'm willing to bet he hasn't had too much to eat or drink today. See if you can get him to drink something. Any fluids you can get into him will help. I'll open up the IV a bit too."

"Sounds like a good idea."

Abbey got Jed settled back down in his room by 7:00. Tom wanted him to have some time to calm down and rest a while before the spinal tap.

"Jed, I should really call the girls and let them know where we are." remarked Abbey as she ate the dinner that had been brought up for her.

"Yeah, I guess so. See if Elizabeth can keep Zoe for a few more days. I'm sure Zoe is having a great time with Annie, I don't think she'll mind. Be vague, I don't want the three of them panicking. And I certainly don't want Eleanor thinking she has to come here from school. Her classes are more important. I don't want anyone making a fuss, at least until we know what we are dealing with."

"Do you want to talk to them too?" asked Abbey as she reached for the phone.

Jed shook his head no, "I can't"

"It's OK, I can do it. Try to drink something. Being well hydrated will help lessen the side effects of the spinal tap."

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

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