Josiah Bartlet for the other character meme? :)
or, get proof I occasionally dabble in other fandoms
You’re upset. He knew exactly who the voice at the back of his mind belonged to, and what it was going to say next. Don’t get on the bike.
For one thing, he had every right to be upset. And for another— well, did there have to be a second reason? As much as Jed Bartlet loved and respected his wife, even listened to her once in a while, he needed the fresh air. To get the stench out of his nostrils if he could.
Legs pumped relentlessly, unheeding of the ache of taxed muscles. He wasn’t running. It was just better for everybody if he wasn’t around people while his blood ran this hot. He’d been in the deadly serious game of politics for years now. He knew not to let things slip under his skin; even the smallest sliver could turn into an infection. But this time he hadn’t been the target. It was like watching someone kick a puppy, only it was wearing your granddaughter’s face.
It was moments like these that made his faith waver— in humanity more than God, but both were vulnerable— and for that he hated it. Faith was at his core. No one should get to cut his moorings like that, least of all a load of hate-filled hypocrites.
It was moments like what followed that made him remember. More often than not, his wife was right.
“I don’t need the hospital,” he insisted while secret service crawled all over him like ants.
“You need an x-ray, sir.”
“To tell us what we already know? That I don’t need a hospital?”
“To make sure it’s not broken, sir.”
“Yes, we can see that, sir, but— we’re going to have to call the First Lady.”
Jed grimaced. “Of course you are. And she’ll make sure I get an x-ray whether I want one or not. Well, go on then. Let’s do this. I’ve still got a country to run.”