~*~Hold on My Heart : Chapter One~*~

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This started out as a "build your own adventure story" which is based off several characters from Days of Our Lives. I'd like to note that I do not own Days of Our Lives or the characters and I will NOT be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.

The main characters of this story will be Lawrence Alamain, Carly Manning, Hope Brady, Bo Brady, Billie Reed, and Justin Kiriakis.

~*~o~*~

Bo Brady arrived at the Cheat'n Heart at dusk to have a few drinks. It had been a particularly long day at the station, and he needed to relax and have a good time. It had been so long since he had actually enjoyed himself and forgot all about his work for awhile. A couple of drinks and a game of pool were the only things on his mind that evening.

Surprisingly when he stepped into the Heart, he found the place packed. He was glad business was good, but this night he had been hoping for something a bit more low-key. Lately he hadn't been part of the social scene, but that was due to the fact that his past relationships with the women in his life had gone sour. Bo knew he was probably to blame for a great deal of it, but he refused to let the might-of-beens overtake his thinking.

Justin Kiriakis had gone to the Cheat'n Heart as well that particular evening. He had taken a seat at a table in the far corner of the bar, eating cheese fries and having a cold beer. He too wasn't pleased with the direction his life had taken. His break-up with Adrienne was weighing heavily on his mind.

A woman sat at the bar, her face angled away from the crowd. She was alone, and she wanted it that way. Bo noticed her right away as he stepped forward, taking a seat on the bar stool right next to her. "What are you doing here?" he asked as she glanced over at him in surprise.

Without a doubt, Bo Brady was the last person she had hoped to meet up with that night.

Hope looked at Bo coldly as she placed her hands around her mug of beer. She had drank a bit too much, but she was beyond the point of caring. Bo had deserted her. He was always with the other women in his life, helping them. He didn't have time for her or Ciara.

"What does it look like I am doing?" Hope said. "I'm having a beer."

"Don't you think you've had enough?" Bo asked. "What about our daughter? Where is Ciara?"

"Julie's watching her," Hope stated. "And you have no right to tell me what to do. We are separated. Why aren't you with one of your other women? Lord knows you spend enough time with both of them."

"That's not fair, Hope, I-."

"You wanna know what's not fair? Well, I'll tell you..." Hope said angrily. "... I thought we had a wonderful marriage and nothing could shake it, but then Carly comes back into the picture, and you spend all your free time with her. And then there's Billie. You know she has you wrapped around her little finger."

"I'm sorry, Hope... just gimme another chance. I swear it will be different this time."

"No, Bo. I am done with you. I am so done," Hope said. Even as he protested, she stood up and left the bar. She was walking out of the Heart when she ran right into someone.

"Justin!" she gasped.

"Are you alright, Hope? I saw you arguing with Bo," Justin said with concern.

"No, Justin... I'm not alright," Hope replied. "I need to talk to you."

"Come on," Justin said as he took Hope's hand and lead her out of the tavern.

As soon as Hope left, Bo reached for her mug of beer and started to chug it's contents. He was feeling like hell, and he needed someone to talk to - someone who would listen and wouldn't judge him.

He reached into his pocket and withdrew his cell phone. He called the one person he knew would understand.