I go in after a few more minutes. I glance at my watch, 1:23. He's still in the bathroom. I knock to check on him and I don't get an answer.

"Honey, are you OK. Do you want me to come in?"

"Yeah, come on in"

"Still queasy?"

"Yeah"

He's leaning on the sink splashing water on his face. I hand him a towel as he starts to leave the bathroom. I turn to watch him and I notice his gait is off. He seems to be favoring his left leg. I decide not to say anything just yet.

"Do you want to go out on the balcony for some air. Might help you relax, or I can give you something to help you sleep"

"No, I'm OK" And with those words the color drains from his face and he quickly returns to the bathroom, just in time. Once again I am holding his head and rubbing his back. This night already seems endless and I can't believe it is still 4 hours until dawn. He's exhausted and so am I. I stand up to get Jed a glass of water. I decide against trying to persuade him to go lie down on the couch and I just sit down on the floor next to him with my back against the wall. He takes a drink and leans back so I can hug him and I assume, give him some reassurance. But I can't, I'm scared and he knows it. I sit there quietly holding him, tears running down both our cheeks. After a while he takes deep breath and breaks the silence.

"I guess it is time to call Hackett. I don't seem to be keeping fluids down too well" He tries his best to laugh.

"You certainly are not, but I must commend you on your aim Mr. President"

"Thanks. Abbey, something was weird when I walked out of the bathroom before. My left leg felt strange. Like pins and needles"

"I noticed. Does it still feel that way?"

"Yeah"

I help him to his feet and he stumbles on the way to the couch. Things are not looking up. I need to call Hackett, now.

"Admiral Hackett, I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour. But it has been a long night. The short version, run down and tired for a few days, fever between 100.4 and 102.1 for at least 8 hours, he's had 2 doses of ibuprofen, vomited twice since 8:00 PM, can't keep anything down despite a shot of Compazine. I think an IV is needed. In the last half an hour he's been experiencing some weakness and tingling in his left leg. He had a shot of Betaseron almost 24 hours ago. I just want another opinion. I'll try to keep him quiet and still until you get here. Thanks."

"He will be here in 10 minutes"

"Do I look presentable, no presidential puke on me? Thanks for waiting so long to call Hackett. I know you wanted to call about 4 hours ago"

"That's for sure. I just think it is time for me to take a step back and not be the doctor, just be the wife. I'm as scared as you are and I am afraid I can't be objective."

"Honey, it's OK, I understand. I know I am not your idea of a perfect patient. Can you call Leo"

"Sure"

Admiral Hackett and Leo arrive at the same time. I decide to just let Hackett take over and Leo and I step into the hallway. Leo, God bless him, has brought fresh coffee.

"Thanks for calling me. I'm sure it was your idea and not the President's."

"Actually Jed asked me to call you back. You're good at calming him down and he knows it. I don't see us getting any sleep tonight so I guess he wants to talk about the meeting tomorrow. I think he's doing the right thing"

The door to the bedroom opens and Hackett appears. I send Leo in to be with Jed.

"Ma'am, let's sit down. His fever is back up to 101.1 so I gave him something to bring it down. He is slightly dehydrated, not bad but I started an IV just to be safe. His eyes look fine. Blood pressure is a little low, the fluids should help with that. I gave him Flumadine for the dizziness. I wanted to give him a shot of something to sleep but I think he wants to talk to you and Mr. McGarry before he falls asleep. The main concern is his leg. He's still complaining about tingling and numbness. He's walking with a clear limp. Because his condition is relapsing/remitting it should clear up when the flare up ends. I would like him to use a cane to cut down on the possibility of falling. I didn't mention that to him, maybe you could. If you need anything let me know. Just curious, has he considered telling his staff."

"Yes, I think he is going to tell them tomorrow. It will be so much better for everyone. Thank you so much for coming up"

"Your welcome, ma'am"

I hear Jed and Leo talking so I finish my coffee and wander the halls for a while. At 3:30 I head back, determined to get a few hours sleep, even if I have to take the sedative myself.

I return to the bedroom. The guys are in matching positions, glasses on with books across their chests, sound asleep. Leo is once again in the chair. I slip off his shoes, remove his glasses and his book and cover him up. I don't think I would have made it through the night without him. Jed has resigned himself to climbing in bed. I'm sure that's just because Hackett needed to hang the IV bag from the bedpost. He's propped up on the pillows looking more peaceful than he has in 12 hours. I check the IV, put away his glasses and book, cover him up and climb in bed next to him.