'Joe, you're driving me insane. Stop with the questions. I have everything and I am perfectly capable of walking by myself', Jill snapped as Joe opened his mouth to check that she had her face mask in her pocket. He closed it again. No point in saying anything when she was in a mood like this he knew.
Instead he got a fresh mask from the box permanently on the shelf by the door of the residence and slipped it in the inside pocket of his coat, along with mascara, eyeliner, lip balm, lipstick and concealer tubes he'd filched from her make-up collection. He'd asked Annie what would be best to conceal the bruising after the procedure, what might Jill need to make her feel, well, human again. What she could use to hide a little from the press and the all invasive and all pervasive cameras.
Annie had told him that she probably wouldn't be able to use anything so soon after the surgery but he wanted to be prepared nonetheless so he pressed her. They sat in the back of the Beast en route to a speech three days ago and he carefully wrote down everything Annie suggested. He peppered her with questions and asked her details about what kind of bottles or tubes he might be looking for.
Now as they were about to leave the White House bound for Walter Reed, multiple tubes hidden on his person, Jill was snappy; a sure sign she was nervous.
Joe couldn't actually imagine what kind of needles were going to be involved today. Knew her short fuse was just a cover for her long held, deep seated, somewhat irrational fear of needles. Well today she could shout at him all she wanted if it made her feel any better. It was going to be a long and anxious day. Hopefully with a positive outcome.
The trip on Marine One was short, and quiet. Jill wanted no chit chat and Joe was trying to do everything he could not to annoy her. He needed her as calm as possible entering the hospital, preparing for the procedure.
They left the helicopter, made the short walk to the motorcade, drove to the front door, and stepped out. They would have been better off to walk the short distance but that was out of the question.
As they prepared to step inside Joe took his mask from his pocket, Jill retrieved hers. Except she couldn't find it. She searched her pockets. Same result. No mask. Wordlessly Joe stretched his hand across and handed her the one he had taken for her before they left. She paused, reached out and accepted it gratefully.
'Thank you Joe', she said quietly, meaningfully.
'You're welcome', he said gently.
They fixed their masks in place and turned to begin their walk along the entrance foyer. He felt her slip her hand in his and step closer to him. 'I'm sorry about earlier', she said just loudly enough for him to hear. 'That's ok babe', he answered.
She squeezed his fingers and turned to look at him. Above the mask her eyes were smiling at him. He returned her smile.
They were in this together.
Whatever the next few hours would bring.
'Mr. President, I'm sorry to disturb you but ...'
'Is she ok?' Joe asked, unable to hide the concern in his voice.
'She's fine', Dr. O'Connor assured him but we've finished the examination and it's time to begin the procedure. I think it would be ... prudent if you could join us', the doctor said.
Joe humphed, 'she's getting agitated, I take it?' he asked.
'Since the moment you left the room', the doctor confirmed.
As they walked along the corridor Dr. O'Connor filled him in on the findings, the next steps, the back-up plan if it was required.
Joe fixed his mask at the door of her room.
