Summary-When Jed suffers a relapse of MS, Abbey and Leo are in for a long night.

The POV is Abbey's

Part 1

I should have seen it coming. All of the signs were there. He's been cranky and tired the last couple of days. And as of this morning, light-headed and feverish, although I am sure he would not admit to the former. But after over 30 years of marriage and watching him suffer with MS for 7 years I can read him like a book. And he hates it. That he will admit to.

So when Leo called me a while ago I wasn't really surprised. He said Jed just wasn't himself and he was worried about him. Leo tried to talk to him but that, of course, didn't go over too well. Jed hates to be fussed over. Leo said he found Jed in the Oval Office struggling to get up out of the chair. When Jed refused to go back to the residence to rest because of the events scheduled for night ahead Leo cleared his schedule. Now Jed was out of excuses. So now I have the pleasure of returning from my late afternoon meeting and checking up on a very cranky patient. As I get to the door to the bedroom this is what I hear.

"Leo, you promised me you wouldn't call her. She'll just want to take my temperature and fuss over me. You know I hate that."

"Yes, Mr. President but I was more worried about not calling her. I don't want Abbey mad at me. You may be used to it but I am not."

"Will you stop with the "Mr. President stuff", no one else is in here."

"Sorry, Jed. You know we are just worried about you"

"I'm fine, the two of you can stop fussing. Abbey, I know you are out in the hallway listening"

Caught again. So I resign myself to being yelled at and just open the door, entering with my best smile.

"You didn't have to come, I'm fine"

"I will be the judge of that, after all I am the one who went to medical school" as I go to the closet and grab my bag. Jed is sitting on the couch with his tie undone and his jacket off. Looking tired, feverish, and God help me, more adorable than the day I married him. I take out the thermometer and he is complaining already,

"What happened to the ear one, it's quicker"

"Exactly, now put this under you tongue for 3 minutes so I can talk to Leo in peace" He does so reluctantly and not before sticking out his tongue at me.

"OK Leo, what happened"

"We had just ended a meeting and everyone left the Oval Office. I asked him if he was feeling OK because he looked like, well, crap. He made some comment about not sleeping well and dismissed me. When I left he was in his chair by the couch. I stuck my head back in the office a minute later and saw him try to stand up and he seemed to be having trouble. I helped him to the couch. And he did admit he was a little dizzy. He put his head down for a minute and I got him a glass of water. He seemed a little better but I wanted to call Hackett. He didn't think it was necessary and told me not to call you either. But I did anyway. We walked back here with him complaining all the way. And that brings us up to about 15 minutes ago.

"Hello, I am still in the room. Don't talk like I'm not here, please"

"Fine Jed, give me that."

The mercury on the thermometer confirms what I have been dreading all day, it looks like we are in for a long night.

"102.1, not good. Leo can you hand me the ibuprofen out of my bag and get a glass of water"

"Don't treat me like a child, I can get my own water"

"Fine, go and get it"

Leo and I manage to catch Jed before he hits the floor.

"Nice catch, can I have that water now Leo"

"Yes, Mr. President"

"Now what?, Do I have to sit on the couch for the rest of the evening dressed like this, or can I change clothes? I might was well get in to something more comfortable because I am sure you aren't going to let me go anywhere"

"That's right, I'll get you some sweats"

"Notre Dame please"

"Do you own any other kind?"

I hear Jed and Leo talking business while I hunt through Jed's closet. How can a man run an entire country and still not be able to put the dirty clothes in the hamper? I guess I will never know. I emerge with the requested attire.

"I think this is my cue to leave. I will be in the West Wing if you need me. I'll check in later. Behave yourself, Jed"

"I'll walk you out"

We leave the bedroom and start down the hall in silence. It is Leo who finally breaks it.

"Abbey, you really need to talk to him about keeping his condition a secret. It must be hard on him, on both of you. I think it is time to..."

"He refuses to discuss the matter. I guess he thinks it will go away if we don't acknowledge it. But I think things are getting a bit worse. His last flare up was right before the State of the Union. Less than a year ago. He used to go well over a year between relapses. He needs to have some tests and we need to rethink his course of treatment"

"Good luck with that conversation. Call me if you need anything, I'll be here until late tonight. Things seem quiet so hopefully he can get some rest"

"Thanks for calling me. I know how Jed can be when he's not in total control of his surroundings. I will keep you posted. I'll tell the agents outside the door you are free to come in."

And with a quick hug and kiss on the cheek I watch my husband's best friend walk away, while I quietly thank God for his support.