Chapter 1
Bo just made it back to his apartment from spending endless hours at his
office working on Mitch Laurence's case. It was quiet and dark in the living
room, Bo turned on the light and walked quietly toward their bedroom.
Gabrielle was already asleep, Bo felt awful that he had been away so much
that he hardly spent any time with her for the past few weeks. He was careful
not to wake her up, he tiptoed over to her and kissed her forehead as she
stirred.
"Bo?" Gabrielle asked sleepily.
Bo "Hi honey, I didn't mean to wake you up."
Gabrielle rubbed her eyes and smiled at him "I am just glad you're home. I
miss you so much." He bent down to kiss her lips.
Bo caressed her face "I am so sorry that I have been away so much but guess
what? I have the day off tomorrow."
Gabrielle sat up and was ecstatic "You are? You're not kidding me are you?"
Bo sat next to her on the bed and put one arm around her "No I am not, I want
to spend some time with you. You know I feel really guilty for being gone too
much. I want to make it up to you."
Gabrielle "So is Natalie free of Mitch Laurence now?"
Bo "No, far from it."
Gabrielle "Poor girl."
Bo "We just have to be patient."
Gabrielle "Are you hungry? Do you want me to fix you a sandwich or something?
It's too late to order anything."
Bo loosened his tie and responded "No I just had dinner."
Gabrielle "Oh?"
Bo "Yeah, Nora and I were working on the case all day so she went out and
bought us dinner. We ate in my office and continued to work until 10:45."
Gabrielle "I see."
Bo "Anyway, I am looking forward to spending the day with you tomorrow."
Gabrielle "Me too. So what have you got planned?"
Bo "Well I'll leave that up to you because you always have great ideas on
what we can do with our time."
Gabrielle "We'll decide tomorrow, I am just glad you're here with me. I've
been so lonely without you, do you know how many books I've read? Al tries to
come over here as often as he can but I don't want him to feel sorry for his
poor old mom." she laughed.
Bo "I apologize for that. I just pray that this whole nightmare with Mitch is
over soon."
Gabrielle "So do I."
Bo "I am going to take a shower and be back soon."
Gabrielle raised one eyebrow "Mind if I join you?"
Bo grinned "I'd love for you to join me."
Chapter 2
Bo and Gabrielle stayed in bed the next morning and he surprised her by
making her breakfast in bed. Bo placed the tray by her as Gabrielle tried to
sit up "Good morning sweetheart, I made breakfast for you."
Gabrielle "Aw Bo, that's so sweet of you. What did I do to deserve this?"
Bo kissed her cheek "For being patient with me."
There was a knock at the door and Bo went to answer it. Meanwhile, Gabrielle
placed the tray on the table beside the bed, got dressed and she followed Bo
into the living room.
Bo opened the door and it was Nora. When Gabrielle heard Nora's voice, she
decided to stay behind the bedroom door.
Nora "Good morning Bo. I tried to call your cell phone but you turned it
off."
Bo "Oh no problem. Come on in."
Nora "Sorry to interrupt I know you need your rest today."
Bo "Don't worry about it."
Nora "I looked over the papers and there are a couple documents missing and I
need them from you immediately."
Bo "Alright, I'll get them for you. Just a minute ok?"
Nora "Yeah, I stayed up pretty late last night working on this. When I get
these documents from you, we are ready to go to court and rid Natalie of
Mitch for good."
Bo "We're making progress. That's great news Nora."
Bo ran into their bedroom to get the papers.
Just then Gabrielle walked out into the living room.
Nora "Good morning Gabrielle. Sorry to interrupt but this will only take a
few minutes, I just need some important papers from Bo."
Gabrielle feigned a smile "It's fine, really. Have a seat Nora."
Nora "I am ok, when Bo gets back with the papers and I'll be on my way so."
Gabrielle "Ok."
Nora attempted to break the awkward silence "It must be great that you both
can take the same day off. That rarely happens with Troy and me, our
schedules always conflicted."
Gabrielle "Yeah I am glad. So........ have you and Troy set a date yet?"
Nora "We're getting married on Valentine's day."
Gabrielle "Oh how romantic."
Nora beamed "Yes."
Bo came back with the papers "Here they are Nora, if you have any questions
don't hesitate to give me a call ok?"
Nora "Ok, thanks. Well, have a great day both of you. I'll see you later Bo."
Bo followed Nora as she walked out the door; he locked it and turned to face
Gabrielle who was standing by the couch. He put his hands on her waist.
Bo "So what do you say we get back in bed and finish those strawberries and
whipped cream?"
Gabrielle "Yes and later."
Bo "Uh huh?"
Gabrielle "As much as I'd love to stay in bed with you all day, well the sun
is out and it looks to be a beautiful day so we should be going out on the
town."
Bo "Ok, ok we will do that."
Gabrielle "But what if there's an emergency when we're in the middle of
something?"
Bo "Don't worry about it."
Gabrielle "You just told Nora to call you anytime."
Bo "Yeah but I am pretty sure that she can handle it on her own." Gabrielle
looked a little distraught "Hey, is something bothering you? Are you upset?"
Gabrielle "No! I am not upset? I just don't want our day together to be
ruined when you get called away that's all."
Bo "I promise you that's not going to happen."
Gabrielle "I want to spend as much time with you as I can. It seems like Nora
has been spending more time with you than I have lately."
Bo "Are you ok with that?""
Gabrielle "Don't be silly. Of course I am."
Bo looked into her eyes as he questioned her "Gabrielle, I can read your
thoughts. We have been together long enough. You're not worried that Nora and
I are working closely together are you?"
Gabrielle "Why on earth would you think that? You told me that it was really
truly over between you two. Besides, Nora is getting married in a couple of
weeks!"
Bo "I just want you to know that I wouldn't even look at another woman, not
in a million years. Why should I get distracted by other women when I have
the most beautiful and incredibly sexy woman with me?"
Gabrielle blushed a little "Yes, I admit it. I am a little jealous, but not
the kind of jealousy that you're thinking. I am just jealous that you spend
more time with other people, whether it is with Nora, Viki or whoever."
Chapter 3
VALENTINE'S NIGHT
Bo wanted their first Valentine's Day together as a couple to be special, one
that they would always remember. That morning Bo had already sent a dozen of
roses to Gabrielle at the Banner and she was surprised he even remembered. It
seemed like he was so busy with work he hardly had time for anything else.
Gabrielle walked in the door and she didn't see Bo in the living room "Bo?
Darling, where are you?"
He came from behind her with a big grin on his face "Good evening my lovely
lady."
Gabrielle turned around and kissed him "Good evening to you handsome. Thank
you for the roses. I love them."
Bo he took her attached case and threw it on the desk as he led her to the
couch and ravished her body.
Bo "I am making up for lost time."
Gabrielle gushed "Oh and I do enjoy collecting."
In between kisses he told her "I know you are loving every second of this but
you have to go change soon because we have dinner reservation at seven."
Gabrielle "Ok, Ok I am going."
Bo playfully hit her butt as she ran into their bedroom.
Gabrielle showered and dressed for the occasion in a beautiful knee length
red dress. Bo couldn't keep his eyes and his hands off of her. Then he gave
Gabrielle a rectangular red box "I hope you like it."
Gabrielle opened it and she saw a garnet heart necklace "Oh Bo, it's beautiful and you have such great taste."
Bo joked "I did good?"
Gabrielle kissed him "Yes, you did good."
Bo "Here, let me put it on for you." Gabrielle turned her back to him and let him clasp the necklace on her.
Gabrielle "And this is what I got for you." She bought him a wrist watch and she joked"I bought this for you so you'll know what time to come home."
Accompanying the watch was a card that Gabrielle had spent at least half an hour at Halmark picking out. Bo read what she wrote on the card out loud
My darling Bo,
When I am with you everyday is Valentine's Day because you bring me the
greatest joy. You are truly everything I've ever dreamed of and I am so lucky
to be loved by you. You are my world and I cherish and love you with all my
heart and soul.
All my love,
Gabrielle
They kissed and Gabrielle whispered softly "I love you, Bo."
Bo smiled at her "And I love you, with all my heart."
Gabrielle giggled as they pulled apart "Ok, shall we go now?"
Bo "Yeah because I have a lot of things planned for us tonight."
Gabrielle "Oh I can't wait."
They went to THE PALACE for dinner and they also rented a room there with a
Jacuzzi to spend the evening there. After dinner Bo and Gabrielle head for
their hotel room, they were laughing as they entered the room. Candles were
lit, beautiful roses everywhere, and romantic ballads were playing in the
background. A bottle of champagne was already chilled and Bo poured two
glasses for them. She walked over and ran her fingers up his back and kissed
his neck which sent chills up his spine. He kissed her and handed her a glass
as he proposed a toast.
Bo raised his glass "A toast to us. May this Valentine be the first of many
to come"
Gabrielle also held hers up "I'll drink to that."
After a couple of sips they placed their glasses down, Bo took her hand and
they started dancing. He nibbled her ear and whispered sweet nothings to
arouse her. They danced through the third song and he had to peel off her
dress. She unbuttoned his shirt and unzipped his pants. He gently laid her on
top of the satin sheets and trailed his fingers across her hips, up to her
belly then her chest. Every time his hands brushed against her skin, she felt
an electrical current shot through her whole body. He then held her hands in
his as he made sweet, passionate love to her.
Chapter 4
The news of Nora's disastrous wedding was all over Llanview and she didn't
even show up at her meetings with Bo to continue on the case until a week
later. Nora was still a wreck, she showed up but she was in no condition to
focus on work. Bo tried his best to reassure her that things were going to
get better. He offered to take her out to lunch to cheer her up and get her
mind off of how horrible things had been for her. They had lunch at
Carlottla's diner where they sat at a booth across from each other and Nora
barely touched her food.
Bo "Nora, you have to keep your head up high and pick yourself up because I
know you are strong."
Nora "It's easy for you to say Bo because you have this perfect life with
Gabrielle. My life on the other side is turned upside down, it was all a lie.
He made a fool out of me, he slept with Lindsay when we were going to be
married God it's revolting Bo. I thought that I had everything I ever wanted
then it all fell apart."
Bo "Nora, I've been there before."
Nora started bawling hysterically and all Bo could do was come over to sit
next to her and let her cry on his shoulder.
Bo "Shhh, crying like this is not going to make things better Nora."
Nora "I know but right now I feel humiliated, betrayed, and I don't know what
to do. They ripped my heart out and stomped on it."
Bo "Everything's going to be alright Nora."
Gabrielle stopped by Carlotta's diner not knowing that Bo and Nora were
there. Bo was holding Nora's hand and comforted her as she rested her head on
his chest.
Gabrielle entered the diner and startled both Bo and Nora "Bo, I didn't know
you were going to be here. Nora, are you alright?"
Bo let go of Nora's hand and stood up to greet Gabrielle with a kiss "Hey
honey I um... well I suppose you've heard what happened between Nora and
Troy. I was just comforting her, she's so emotionally fragile right now."
Gabrielle gently put her hand on Nora's shoulder and spoke to her with great
empathy "Nora, I am so sorry about what happened."
Nora blew her nose loudly and said "Thanks, uh I am going to go so the two of
you can have lunch together, the last thing you need to worry about is me."
Nora walked out of Carlotta's diner before either Bo or Gabrielle could say anything.
Bo "I feel so bad for her."
Gabrielle "So do I."
Bo "I thought she finally found someone that she'd be happy with but it didn't turn out that way."
Gabrielle "Yeah lies, that's what they do, they destroy lives."
Chapter 5
Gabrielle knew she hadn't jumped to the wrong conclusion this time.
She couldn't just brush it off as another "Bo comforting Nora" moment and that there was nothing else.
She could've barged in his office and gave Nora a piece of her mind but she was afraid that Bo would've had to arrest her for
assault.
Upset, she drove out of the parking lot as she kept telling herself that she
shouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly. But how would one rationalize that
scene? If she had entered his office he probably told her that Nora couldn't
pull herself together once again. Gabrielle kept on driving through the
blizzard, her teary eyes made it harder to focus on the dark road. The road
was slick and Gabrielle cursed through gritted teeth "Damn this bloody
blizzard! Just when I think things can't get any worse." Gabrielle was
startled when her cell phone rang, she saw Bo's number on the caller ID. She
didn't answer it and he left her a voice mail.
Gabrielle "Damn you Bo Buchanan! If you have something to say, say it to my
face. Don't call me." She got choked up again.
Gabrielle dialed her voicemail to see what Bo said to her.
Bo's voice "Hey honey, it's me. The snow is coming down really hard to be
careful driving home from work. I am stuck at the office right now and I will
try to make it home as soon as I can. I'll talk to you soon, I love you."
Gabrielle "Yeah, I'll bet you're really stuck there."
It was pitch black as she was driving along Llantano River, her car skidded
and jammed into the rails on the side of the bridge. Gabrielle's head hit the
steering wheel, she bounced back to the seat and the car stopped. There was a
salty taste in her mouth, Gabrielle reached the rearview mirror to lower it
and to her horror blood was trailing down one side of face. Before she could
get the door open she fainted. Minutes later, another car drove by and saw
Gabrielle's car and stopped. A woman stepped out of her car and she walked
closer to the damaged vehicle. She looked inside she was horrified to see an
unconscious Gabrielle "Ga-Gabrielle?"
The woman tried with all her might to open the car door but it was stuck, she
pounded her fists on it hoping that Gabrielle would come to but she didn't.
Gabrielle didn't move and she started panicking "Ok, Lindsay you've got to
stay calm." She pulled her cell phone out of her purse and dialed 911
"Hello!"
Operator "911, what's your emergency?"
Lindsay "There's an unconscious woman right here, she's Commissioner
Buchanan's girlfriend. She ran her car into the rail of the bridge and she's
stuck in the car, we need an ambulance out here by Llantano River."
Operator "We'll send one out ASAP."
Lindsay "Thank you." she hung up "Come on Gabrielle, hang in there. Help is
on the way."
Lindsay walked over to the passenger's side of Gabrielle's car and attempted
to open it. She kicked it a couple of times but couldn't get it open so all
she could do was waited for help to come. Finally the EMT came; they
retrieved Gabrielle from the car and laid her on the gurney. They covered her
petite body with several thick blankets to keep her warm. Gabrielle was
rushed into the ER of Llanview Hospital. Bo ran into the hospital, his face
pale. He had no idea why Gabrielle was driving by Llantano River because that
was not the route she would take home from work.
Bo "Is she ok?" Bo asked Dr. Troy McIver.
Troy "Bo, she just has a small cut on her forehead it's not serious so she'll
be ok."
Bo "Thank you doctor and thank you so much Lindsay."
Bo patted Troy's shoulder and walked past him into Gabrielle's cubicle.
Bo "Honey, it's me. Can you hear me? How are you feeling?"
Gabrielle didn't say anything, she felt a hot tear rolled down her cheek.
Bo took her hand "It's alright, I am here. Everything's going to be alright.
What were you doing driving by Llantano River anyway?"
Gabrielle closed her eyes and more tears flooded out, she didn't want to
discuss what she witnessed. Not then anyway.
Bo "Ok, Ok I won't ask you anymore questions."
Chapter 6
The next day Gabrielle was released from the hospital. They still hadn't
talked about why she was driving by Llantano River in the first place. He had
left her to rest because her head and her chest still ached and from the
accident. Gabrielle didn't know if the pain on her chest was the heartache
that she felt or it was just simply the physical pain itself. Gabrielle
struggled to sit up and Bo helped her.
Bo put his arms around her but she didn't feel the warmth from it like she
used to "I am so sorry this happened to you. What were you doing driving that
route anyway? It's very dangerous when it snows."
Gabrielle still hadn't uttered a word, her eyes just welled up.
Bo's voice was very concerned "Honey, what is it? Please talk to me because
you haven't said a word since we left the hospital."
Gabrielle scolded "What is there to talk about?"
Bo "Sweetheart, what is bothering you? Why are you not talking to me? Did I
do something wrong?"
Gabrielle "I am just in too much pain that's all."
Bo "Gabrielle, you can't hide it from me. You have to tell me so that I can
help you."
Gabrielle "You can't help me Bo! Because you're the one that caused all
this!"
Bo still had no clue what she was talking about "Honey, how could I have
caused you to have this accident?"
Gabrielle berated Bo and pushed him away from her "You really want to know?
You really want to know why I drove by Llantano River and ran into the side
of the bridge? You asked for it so here's your story. After work I decided to
come by your office and surprise you and what did I see. I saw you and Nora!
That's right, I saw her in your arms Bo. I was so hurt by what I saw that I
just ran out of the police station. All I could do was cry my eyes out and I
didn't care where I was going. The road was dark and its condition was
dangerous. I was terrified but I kept on driving until my car slammed into
the rail of the bridge. The next thing I knew I was in the hospital with a
gash on my forehead. Are you happy? You got your answer now are you
satisfied?" Gabrielle was now hysterical.
A wave of guilt wash over Bo, he had no idea Gabrielle saw that "Oh my god I
am so sorry but it wasn't what it looked like. I swear to you."
Gabrielle "It doesn't matter now because I saw it and don't tell me that my
jealousy clouded my judgment."
Bo "You totally misinterpreted what you saw. Nora was there but her mind was
miles away then she broke down and all I could do was hold her. I would've
done that for anyone, not just her. I don't love her Gabrielle, I love you."
Gabrielle "She probably took advantage of the situation and you let her. You
probably fell for her crocodile tears in a flat second. You spend days and
nights with her. She sees you more than I do so you can't blame me if I
suspect that your feelings for your ex might have resurfaced."
Bo gazed into her misty eyes and she began to feel the warmth pouring from
his eyes to her soul "Honey, please don't say that. I love you more than life
itself, I would never hurt you. You have to trust me on that." Bo put his
arms around her again this time and she didn't shun him as he reassured her
that she was the only woman he loved. He wiped her tears away, kissed her
cheek and continued to hold her for a long time. Gabrielle felt Bo's hot skin
through his shirt; she looked up to his face and let him kiss her. His lips
met hers, he kissed her neck and whispered in her ear "You're the only one
that I want."
Chapter 7
Lindsay "Hi Bo, I just came by to see if Gabrielle is doing alright."
Bo "Come in Lindsay. Thanks again for helping Gabrielle."
Lindsay "No problem."
Bo "Well, I've got to run an errand so you two will have some time to talk."
Gabrielle came out from their bedroom "Hello Lindsay, thank you so much for
what you did for me."
Bo "I'll be back later, honey." He kissed Gabrielle's cheek before he left.
Lindsay "I did what anyone would've done and I've got to admit that it does
feel good to do a good deed for once. How are you doing?"
Gabrielle "I am doing better, thanks. If it wasn't for Nora none of this
would've happened."
Bewildered, Lindsay asked "What? Nora had something to do with this?"
Gabrielle "Yes, let's just say that I was upset after I saw her and Bo in a
very comfortable situation. But Bo and I have straightened everything out so
we're fine."
Lindsay "Don't let that home wrecker ruin what you have."
Gabrielle "Oh she won't because she'll be sorry if she messes with Gabrielle
Medina."
Lindsay "That's the spirit! Somehow, Nora thinks that she can get any man in
Llanview. You probably don't know this but every man I ever loved left me for
her."
Gabrielle "Well, Nora is not going to do that to me."
Lindsay "You have to do what you have to do to keep your man. Don't let that
holier than thou charade fool you, Nora is nothing but a slut."
Gabrielle "Thanks for the warning Lindsay.You know we are not exactly close
but after today I have a feeling that we can become close friends down the
road."
Lindsay "Any enemy of Nora's is a friend of mine." They both laughed.
There was a knock at the door and Gabrielle opened it and there was Nora,
Gabrielle looked annoyed as she thought to herself "The nerve of this woman,
showing up here when she knows full well that I am here."
Gabrielle greeted Nora sarcastically "Nora, it's so nice to see you."
Nora was stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Lindsay sitting on the couch
grinning from ear to ear. Nora froze and thought to herself "What the hell is
Lindsay Rappaport doing here?"
Nora was silent so Gabrielle asked "What are you doing here? You need more
papers from Bo?"
Lindsay "Yes Nora, what are you doing here?"
Nora "I should ask you the same question."
Lindsay "Well, because of you Gabrielle got in a car accident and I was there
to help save her. I just came to see how she's doing."
Nora retorted "You? Help? Ha! That's a good one Lindsay. First you blamed me
for your daughter's miscarriage and now Gabrielle's accident. Are you going
to blame me for global warming too Lindsay?"
Lindsay chuckled "Oh please, you are not exactly a saint now are you? You
should try to get off your high horse Nora."
Nora "I was wondering if Bo's home it's important that I talk to him as soon
as possible."
Gabrielle "Don't you think that you spend enough time with him at the office?
That you don't need to come knocking on our door almost everyday?"
Nora "This is serious Gabrielle."
Lindsay "Oh come on Nora."
Gabrielle "I suppose you don't need his shoulder to cry on today too do you?
Are you really vulnerable right now Nora? Are you an emotional basket case
again today? Well here's an advice for you, go cry in your box of tissue
because Bo is not going to be there to comfort you."
Nora "What are you talking about?"
Gabrielle "You can stop the innocent act now Nora. If you think you can use
this as an excuse to get your hook back into Bo think again."
Nora "Bo loves you, you know that."
Lindsay "That's funny Nora because it never stopped you from stealing the men
I loved away from me. So how does it feel to be dumped this time?"
Nora "First of all, you and Troy deserve each other and secondly I don't have
to take this from both of you. My relationship with Bo is strictly
professional."
Gabrielle "And that's the way it's going to stay. I am warning you Nora,
that's the way it should be or you are going to regret it if you cross the
line."
Nora "Am I supposed to be quaking in my boots by now because of your
threats?"
Gabrielle "Do whatever you want, I am just telling you what to expect if you
attempt to ruin what Bo and I have together."
Nora "So is Bo here or not?"
Gabrielle "No and call him the next time you have a question for him instead
of showing up here. I don't appreciate it."
Nora "Alright." she walked out of the apartment and muttered to herself "What
does Bo see in that vicious ex-con anyway? Oh well, I guess he does have a
thing for bad girls." She shrugged and left.
Moments after Nora left Bo returned to their apartment.
Bo "Hey I am back."
Lindsay stood up knowing it was her cue to exit "Well I better get going.
I'll be in touch Gabrielle. Good bye Bo."
Bo politely said "Hey Lindsay you don't have to leave on my account."
Lindsay "I've got to take care of something."
Bo "Ok, thanks again."
Lindsay "See you both later."
Gabrielle "Bye Lindsay."
Gabrielle locked the door behind her.
Bo "What were you and Lindsay talk about?"
Gabrielle "Oh just getting to know each other better and I have a feeling
we'll be good friends."
Bo "Gabrielle, I don't know about that. Lindsay is...well let's just say that
you shouldn't be too close with her."
Gabrielle "She's my type of gal and besides not a lot of people here like me
so I can use a friend. Oh and Nora was here by the way."
Bo "Yeah?"
Gabrielle "She was looking for you and I told her that if she wants something
just call and not stop by."
Bo "Did she specifically say what she wanted?"
Gabrielle "No but my guess is you."
Bo "Oh geez there you go again."
Gabrielle "I was just merely stating that she should remember that her
relationship with you is going to stay professional."
Bo "And that's the way it is, I hope you're convinced."
Gabrielle "I trust you but I don't trust that woman."
Bo "I've said it before and I'll say it again, Nora is nothing more than just
an old friend. I love you and only you." Bo sealed his declaration with a
kiss. Nora was just a little curve on the road and Gabrielle was more
confident than ever that Bo's love for her only grew stronger and stronger
everyday.