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 10

By 10:00 Jed was more than ready to go. His headache which had all but disappeared after the ibuprofen was starting to return and he was getting very anxious to get out of the hospital. Everytime the door opened he expected to see the press. So far things had been quiet. Mike, his press secretary was planning to brief the press in an hour and Jed wanted to be as far away from Boston as possible.

Tom had already been back in to see them and to answer some of their questions. He had arranged for Jed to see a doctor in Concord. He also assured them that no one else in the hospital knew of the diagnosis. He had run all of the tests himself. For that Jed and Abbey would be eternally grateful.

Abbey packed up their things and signed all of the paperwork for his release. Jed resigned himself to taking the required wheelchair ride out to the car, but he was secretly relieved at not having to walk, he was still kind of groggy and weak.

The ride back to the farm went quickly and uneventfully. They arrived around noon to find the girls already waiting. They all ran out to the driveway to greet their parents. The girls were shocked at how tired and worn out their Dad appeared. He tried his best to look cheerful and upbeat but it was a losing battle. He went into the house and all but collapsed on the couch in the living room. Before she could even get near the living room the girls cornered Abbey in the kitchen.

"Mom, what is going on. As far as I knew, as far as the three of us knew, Dad was fine. Then yesterday you call to tell us he is in the hospital for tests, what gives?" demanded Elizabeth, the oldest of the Bartlet daughters.

Abbey took a deep breath and waved them into the living room where Jed was sitting on the couch.

"Jed, you really shouldn't be sitting up, lie down, please" said Abbey, giving him the look that said don't even think about arguing with me. Jed stretched out on the couch and was quickly joined there by Annie, his 5 year old grand-daughter. She snuggled up to him and kissed his cheek. Elizabeth started to take her off the couch but Jed shook his head, no.

Elizabeth, Eleanor and Zoe all looked at Abbey and then at Jed with a combination of confusion and fear. Jed looked to Abbey to speak first.

"Girls, I'm not sure where to start..you know how Dad has always been a little...well..clumsy"

They all groaned, even Jed.

"Seriously, over the past year he has been having some trouble on and off with balance, dizziness and fatigue. He had an episode on Friday that resulted in his falling and my stitching him up." said Abbey.

Zoe moved over to sit on the floor in front of the couch and get a better look at her Dad's cheek.

"That's pretty cool Dad, Mom sewed you up? How come you wouldn't let her sew up my knee when I fell off my bike" she asked with a typical 12 year old tone in her voice.

"She can sew you up next time, OK?" he promised as he reached over to tousle her hair.

Abbey smiled at the sight of Jed and Annie snuggled together on the couch with Zoe on the floor in front of them, leaning back so her head rested on Jed's shoulder. She took a deep breath and prepared to shatter the moment. But before she could speak Jed took over the story.

"Your Mom and I talked yesterday morning about going to see a friend of hers who is a neurologist. He was able to see us yesterday and run some tests." explained Jed.

"So why did you have to stay overnight, what kind of tests" asked Eleanor.

"I had an MRI and a spinal tap as well as a neurological exam."

Elizabeth's and Eleanor's eyes widened at the mention of the MRI and spinal tap. Zoe's 12 year old innocence kept her from reacting.

Jed nodded for Abbey to continue the story.

"Dad had to rest flat on his back for a few hours after the spinal tap so we ended up staying instead of driving back here in the middle of the night. We got some of the test results back and Tom was able to make a diagnosis based on the results and the symptoms Dad was experiencing. Girls, Dad has Multiple Sclerosis" Abbey paused to give the girls a chance to react.

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

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