I go to take the nice hot bath while Abbey goes to the kitchen, probably to annoy the staff until they just give up and let her cook. I told her not to go to any trouble. Chicken soup would be fine with me. Just the thought of anything spicy sends me into the need for some slow, deep breathing exercises.

I am just about to drift off in the bath when I hear Abbey come back into the bedroom. She comes in and sits on the side of the tub.

"I'd ask you to join me but I don't think I'm up to any recreational activities just yet"

"That's OK. I'd rather just spend the night fussing over you" as she tosses the washcloth on my head.

"Great, just what I want" I groan as I splash her.

"Why don't you get out. There's some soup and crackers on the coffee table"

"Abbey, I think I need a hand here. I guess taking a really hot bath wasn't such a great idea while I'm still kind of dizzy"

"Pretty good assumption, Mr. President" as she helps me out and hands me a towel. She grabs my bathrobe off the back of the door and tosses it to me on her way out of the bathroom.

I throw on my robe and run my fingers through my damp hair in front of the mirror. God, I look awful. I'm glad I insisted on no cameras at the meeting this afternoon. I promised the press they could have some on Monday morning.

Abbey's waiting on the couch for me. She sits while I eat. The soup goes down pretty easily. I can tell she wants to say something.

"What are you trying so hard not to say"

"I want to make an appointment for you at Bethesda, Monday afternoon, if possible. I want to run some tests and get some blood work done."

"Can't the doctor just come here"

"He could, but you will need to go there to have the tests done anyway"

"OK, make the arrangements. Monday afternoon, I have to go to the office in the morning. Americans need to know that I am still fit to run the country. OK?"

"Fine. I need to get some work done on that speech I am giving next week. All my material is in my office. Do you want me to go get it and work up here or do you want to be alone for a while"

"I'll be fine up here by myself. I'll call if I need anything. I'm just going to read for a while. Have you seen my glasses?"

"They're on the table next to the bed. You fell asleep wearing them last night. I'll be back in a few hours. Use the cane"

"Yes, Dr. Bartlet"

"I love you"

"Love you too"