" Dr. Bartlet isn't it true that you do not dress in a conservative manner? One that would more befit a doctor". Elliott Rhoush paced in front of Abbey who sat on the witness stand.

"I guess that would depend on how you define conservative Mr. Rhoush." Abbey said coolly. "I dress professionally".

"Well according to Mr. Hughes your manner of dress was more provocative than many of the other female doctors. Let's be honest Dr. Bartlet. You're a very good-looking woman and you know it. Weren't you looking for attention by dressing in a certain way?"

"No". She gave him an icy stare.

"You didn't want to tease Mr. Hughes, turn him on?"

"No".

" Isn't it true that you were lonely in the city and you turned to my client to ease that loneliness? Didn't you start a sexual affair with him then panic and cry rape when your husband caught the two of you".

"No" Abbey was obviously starting to get agitated. "I didn't even know him".

"Oh come on Dr.Bartlet. You'd say anything to keep your husband from finding out about your indiscretion wouldn't you? You wanted Mr. Hughes. You WANTED him". He wagged his finger in front of Abbey's face.

Jed clenched his fists willing himself not to get up and grab that mealy mouthed son of bitch by the throat.

"No!" Abbey cried for the first time losing her composure." No, I didn't want to be with any other man but my husband. I didn't want to be hurt".

"You're a sexy woman Dr. Bartlet. Tell me, do you enjoy rough sex?"

"I object. Dr. Bartlet's sex life is not on trial here".

"Oh yes it is" Rhoush argued.

"Overruled you may answer the question Dr. Bartlet".

"No" the word came out as a pain filled whisper. "Not like that".

"Sure you did. You like it rough. Admit it. You wanted it!"

"No! I didn't WANT a stranger to beat me and tear me up inside so badly that I'm lucky I can still have children. You think anyone would want to be hurt like that? Do you honestly think anyone could be SICK enough to want to violated like that" her words were choked out on a broken sob and the tears began to stream down her cheeks.

Jed leaned forward in his seat his heart breaking for her. John and Sally sat on each side of him both gripping an arm in restraint. He wanted to go to his wife and gather her in his arms to take her away from all of this. He wanted to strangle Elliott Rhoush for putting her through this humiliation. She was the victim here not that bastard Hughes.

He strained against the hands that held him back. Hughes turned around in his seat and gave him a malevolent, triumphant smile and suddenly Jed was plunged back into that brownstone hearing Abbey crying out his name. How long had she been crying for him to help her without a response? He opened the doors to the living room his body consumed by shock and outrage. Abbey was on her knees, her head held up by that bastard's hand fisted in her hair. Her clothes were torn, her lip was bleeding, and she was crying as he rutted into her from behind like an animal possessed. Her face contorted in pain with every grunting thrust Hughes made and when her eyes focused on Jed she began to plead.

"Jed…Jed, help me…Oh God help me." She was begging him, pleading with him…

"Abbey…Abbey…" He tossed and turned and suddenly woke with a start. His T-shirt clung to his chest with sweat and his heart was racing with anger. He looked down and saw that Abbey was still sound asleep curled up tightly to his side. He gently brushed a tendril of hair back off her cheek and felt the sting of tears in his eyes. She looked so innocent and defenseless with the moonlight touching her lovely features. He was too upset and restless from the nightmare to settle back to sleep and instead slid out from under her arms. He gently slipped his pillow back under them so as not to awaken her. He slowly got to his feet and peeled off his sweaty shirt, wiped his face with it, and threw on his bathrobe. He walked to his dresser and hidden way in the back he found his pack of cigarettes. He shook one out, grabbed his lighter, and went out on to the balcony to light up. His hand was still shaking from the pent up emotions the nightmare had released. He was almost halfway through the cigarette when he felt soft arms go around his waist. He released the smoke from his lungs and turned to face his wife.

" You're going to catch your death out here".

"The pillow didn't work?" he asked.

"It's softer than you. What's the matter? Can't sleep again?" she asked.

“Nope" he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Nightmares or too much on your mind?"

"A little of both I guess". He brought the cigarette up to his lips and Abbey pulled it away.

"This isn't going to help matters," she told him and proceeded to stub it out in a flowerpot.

"I know" he sighed. "But nothing seems to help".

Abbey knew something that usually helped, but she just wasn't' sure if she was ready for that yet.

"Want me to make you some warm milk?"

"No"

"Want me to give you a massage?"

"No"

"What do you want Jed?"

"I want this to all go away. I want to go back to where we were last month before all of this happened."

"Me too. But unfortunately I can't help you there. Come back to bed. I'll tell you the name of every bone in the human body. By the time I get to the last phalange you'll be out like a light".

* * * *

"Nicholas Josiah Bartlet if you spit this food at me one more time you are not going to get any breakfast this morning ". Abbey's words were spoken with frustration as she tried to place another spoonful of food into her reluctant son's mouth. Nicholas moved his head from side to side trying to avoid his mother's spoon. Abbey was exhausted and didn't have a lot of patience this morning.

"Look at your sister, she ate it ". Abbey turned to the high chair on her right and rolled her eyes when she saw that Aislinn had mashed her baby oatmeal into her wispy blond hair and it was now sticking up in little spikes. "Well, some of it anyway". She removed the bowl out of Aislinn's reach and sprinkled some "Cheerios" on the tray of her highchair to keep her amused.

"All right Nicholas. One bite for Mommy. Please sweetheart". Nicholas gave her a heart-melting smile and Abbey knew he was ready to acquiesce. That's a good boy ". Her hand began to descend but just as the spoon hit his lips he batted her hand away sending a gob of the sticky oatmeal into Abbey's face.

"OK young man, that's it, you're not getting any breakfast". Abbey felt the baby food slide down her cheek and her tongue swiped it off the corner of her lip. When she looked up Jed was standing in the doorway. He had been watching the mother/son struggle for a little while and was trying desperately to hide his amusement.

"I swear to God Jed, if you laugh right now you will be walking funny down to the Oval office".

"Hey" he put his hands up. "Did I laugh?" He moved forward and stood in front of his son's high chair, his hands on his hips, eyeing him sternly. "I'll handle this Abbey".

"Be my guest".

"Now that was not very gentlemanly behavior at all young man". Nicholas grinned at his father and reached his arms out to him.

"Oh no, you may have worn your mother down, but this is me your dealing with now. You are going to eat your breakfast".

Abbey watched with amusement while she cleaned Aislinn up. Jed wasn't having any better luck than her as Nicholas spit out bite after bite.

"There is nothing wrong with this food Nicholas. Watch, daddy will eat it". Jed took a bite before Abbey could warn him not to and she saw his face start to twist in disgust.

"Don't even think about making a face right now," Abbey warned. ""And DON'T spit it out".

Jed gave her a baleful look and swallowed trying not to grimace.

"God that's as bad as some of the crap your mother makes ME eat". He commiserated with his son.

"Jed don't swear in front of the babies". Abbey glared at him pulling Aislinn in close to her chest. "Don't listen to your daddy Ash, he likes to curse."

"I didn't' swear," he protested.

"You said C.R.A.P." she spelled the word out out.

"Last I knew Abigail that was not a swear, and if that is the worse they hear me say they will be lucky".

Abbey shook her head and looked up to see Leo in the doorway grinning broadly at the first family.

"Mr. President. We were supposed to have a breakfast meeting". Jed looked down at his watch.

"Oh shit," he cursed.

"JED!" Abbey exclaimed.

"Oh Abbey they aren't talking yet".

"Yet is the operative word. Do you want your son's first word to be c.r.a.p. Or s.h.i.t?"

"Could be worse with him for a father" Leo grinned.

"I appreciate the help Leo".

"Anytime Mr. President. That's what I'm here for. Now about that meeting".

* * * *

"Margaret, get Toby in here pronto. The President wants to re-vamp the…" Leo's voice trailed off as he saw Abigail Bartlet seated inside his office. He ignored what Margaret was saying and immediately entered the office shutting the door behind him.

"Abbey?" he asked.

"Hi Leo" she gave him a forced smile. Fully dressed the changes in her appearance and demeanor made him ache inside. It was more than the weight loss and the haunted look in her big blue-green eyes; it was the loss of that special spark that was Abigail Bartlet. "Do you have a few minutes?"

"For you" he touched her cheek "I have all the time you need".

"I know you don't, but thanks for saying so".

"I haven't had a chance to talk to you since I found out what's been going on, but I just want to say I'm so sorry that this is happening to you."

"Thank you. That's actually what brings me here. I'm worried about Jed".

"Jed?" Leo's eyes widened with surprise. Then he shook his head with a chuckle. Leave it to Abbey to be worried about everybody else but herself.

"What's so funny?" Abbey frowned.

"You. Honey, everybody's worried about you and here you are telling me you're worried about Jed".

"Well I am. I've tried to keep my nightmares from bothering him, but now he is starting to be plagued by them. Between the kids waking up and the two of us tossing and turning we're lucky if we get a couple hours of sleep a night. I heard you arguing with him at your breakfast meeting that he wasn't concentrating on the State of the Union. I know how important that speech is, especially this year. I'm worried that he is focusing so much attention on Marcus Hughes and on me that he isn't concentrating as much on his job as he should be".

"Of course he's preoccupied Abbey, and yes I want him to spend more time on the State of the Union, but he can run the country AND look after you".

"He shouldn't have to Leo. I'm a big girl. I was thinking about maybe staying at Harmony Point with the kids for a while after the Superbowl and give him a chance to get down to business".

"Don't do that Abbey. That will only make it worse on him. He damn near went crazy when you were in New York City. He wants you close by so he can protect you".

Leo watched Abbey's eyes fill with tears and his heart overflowed with the tender, yearning love that he had for her.

"I just don't know what to do. I'm really scared Leo. This guy REALLY scares me. I'm scared for Jed, I'm scared for my kids, and I'm scared for myself. What if he gets to me? I can't go through that again".

Leo fought the urge to pull the frightened woman into his arms and hold her tightly to him for comfort. Instead he took her two hands in his own.

"He won't honey. There are guards everywhere. I promise you none of us are going to let him near you. You have Josh and Toby and Sam and myself looking out for you". He wiped a tear from her cheek. "And you have Jed. That man would fight till the death before he let anyone hurt you".

"Sometimes that's what I'm afraid of most".

* * * *

"Look, you only have about fifteen minutes" Lori told Marcus as they stood in the doorway to the first couple's bedroom at Harmony Point. "The First Lady is out for a walk with the dog and the President will be here soon. You need to be out of here before his detail gets here".

"I will, I will, " Marcus said with irritation.

"I don't like this, " Lori said nervously. "I think this is really pushing it. I could have done whatever you wanted just like I have been".

"No. I need to do this. You go stand guard. I won't be long".

"OK, OK, but don' t go near the babies. The nanny is in the room next door".

Marcus gave her an icy glare that caused Lori to shiver with apprehension. There was something about Marcus' single minded and increasing preoccupation with the First Lady that was causing her to question getting involved in all of this.

As soon as Lori left the room Marcus went to work. He was overcome with a sense of excitement at being in the room where Abigail slept and at seeing her things. He moved forward to touch the big four poster bed where she slept. He ran his hand over the handmade quilt, then gently caressed the soft pillow. He leaned forward to see if he could still smell her, then suddenly jerked back with a start at the realization that he might be touching HIS side of the bed. It made him physically nauseous to think that there was another man who shared her bed and her life. He scowled and turned away before his anger erupted causing the pressure to rise up in his head.

His eyes were drawn to the dainty antique vanity table that was covered with Abigail's perfumes and make up. His fingers grazed over her lipsticks and atomizers. He lifted the lid to a container of "White Shoulders" talcum powder and lifted the powder puff to his nose. He sprayed a floral essence perfume into the air to inhale. His senses filled with the scent of her, he picked up a heavy silver brush that had her initials A.A.B engraved in it and pulled a couple strands of her coppery hair from it. He imagined what she looked like sitting here running this brush through her silky tresses. As he reluctantly turned from the vanity, aware that he was running out of time, he pocketed a bottle of "Chanel" perfume.

A small thrill went up his spine as he stood before her dresser and opened the lingerie drawer. He caught his breath at the array of silky underwear in a variety of colors. Lacy bra's and skimpy bikini panty sets in black, rose, midnight blue, leopard prints, and virginal white. Sexy garter belts, naughty little bustiers, and delicate silky camisoles and teddy's. He lifted a handful of silk and buried his face in it inhaling deeply.

He fingered a pretty white bra that's front clasp was a tiny pink rosebud and imagined what it would be like to open that rosebud and allow Abigail's breasts to spill into his hands. However, in the end, he chose to take the leopard print set to go with his perfume.

The closet held just as many tantalizing items. Romantic peignoir's, satin pajamas, and even a long, completely sheer nightgown. Just the thought of seeing Abbey's amazing nude body shadowed under the sheer material had him hard and throbbing. The evidence of her sexuality and completely sensual femininity almost caused him to lose his head and forget his purpose.

As he regained control of his raging hormones he moved into the bathroom. There were two large medicine cabinets, one of which was filled with body lotions, massage oils, bubble bath, aromatherapy bath oils and salts and an array of candles for those long romantic bubble baths she loved so much. The next cabinet was more utilitarian and filled with the necessities of everyday life. Cough syrups, toothpaste, antacids, Advil and the proof that his love shared her life with another man. Abigail's Midol and tampons sat side by side with HIS shaving cream and bay rum aftershave. Beside the bottle of aftershave sat a small round package of prescription birth contol pills made out to Abigail Bartlet. Marcus felt it, the pressure rising within, and as he grabbed the plastic container his head began to pound painfully.

That little whore needed to be taught a lesson. He'd warned her. He'd told her he was coming for her and that it was time to purify herself, yet all that time she was still fucking HIM. He stuck the birth control pills in his pocket with all the other goodies he had taken. Without these little insurance policies against more little Bartlet babies he doubted Abigail would chance having sex. He knew she could easily refill the prescription but for a few days she would be pure.

* * * *

Wearing jeans, hiking boots and an old barn jacket that overwhelmed her small frame, Abbey walked along the edge of the bay with Max at her heels. Her hands were shoved into her pockets and her head was down to combat the wind. Most of the heavy snow was gone, but there was still enough to cause her feet to crunch as she walked along lost in thought. She hated the person she was slowly becoming. This person who flinched when somebody touched her, who jumped when a hand was placed on her shoulder, whom wanted to stay hidden away inside so she wouldn't be confronted by her demons. She hated this woman who couldn't allow her husband to make love to her because she still felt that residual shame. The fear that Jed would see her as “dirty” or “soiled” in some way ate away at her usual sexual confidence.

She thought about the men who surrounded her. Jed's assurance's that he would die before he let anything happen to her. Ron stating that he and his agents would never let anyone get to her. Leo saying that he, Toby, Sam and Josh would protect her from the man who wanted to harm her. She hated being thought of as the weak, vulnerable female, but she was also savvy enough to realize that she was at risk. The last time Hughes had attacked her he had flung her around as if she weighed nothing. Her fighting had barely deterred him at all and he had been able to do exactly what he wanted with her. Somehow she had to do something about that. Maybe if she knew how to protect herself she would feel better and more in control of what was happening to her.

Beside her, Max gave a deep growl that pulled Abbey out of her thoughts.

"What is it Max?" Abbey asked. She felt a shiver of apprehension as she looked toward the edge of the woods and placed her hand on the dog's head. Max gave another deep warning growl, this time with his teeth bared and the hackles on his back at full attention. Abbey turned toward where the dog was looking.

"What do you see Max?" her eyes scanned the darkness at the edge of the woods trying to see what the dog saw. She took a step back, not blinking, and suddenly her heart gave a jerk as she saw something move in the shadows. They were not alone.

TBC...