Chapter 51

'I owe you my life.' Olivia said. 'I won't forget what you did.'

'You don't owe me anything, Olivia. I couldn't let that bastard kill you. What mattered to me at that moment was your safety.' EJ squeezed her hands before pulling her close, revelling in the soft, slim body against his, one hand reaching up to stroke her curls.

He smiled when he felt her arms encircle his neck, but when he moved his lips towards hers, Olivia backed away. After kissing Nathan, doing the same to EJ would be sheer sacrilege.

'You have to leave; my sister and grandmother will be back any minute and the last thing I need is them finding us like this.' She shifted away from him.

'I wish you wouldn't be so afraid of me.'

Olivia looked at him coldly. 'I'm afraid of nothing, least of all you.'

That was true, but she was afraid all the same. Afraid of how he made her feel. The whole thing still horrified her but she was determined to quell these feelings for her own sake; she simply couldn't fall in love with a DiMera.

'Alright, I'm sorry for putting it that way. But I won't apologise for what I feel for you.'

'AND I'm sorry but I don't intend to be Salem's Lolita.' Olivia said bluntly. She saw the hurt in his eyes but went on. 'I'm being realistic here. It's not just the age difference, I'm a Brady and you're a DiMera... you're my cousin's ex-husband for God sake!'

'If I wasn't a DiMera, will all that matter to you?' EJ asked, equally bluntly.

Olivia stared at him in frustration. It was like talking to a brick wall.

'You seem to also forget all the misery you caused Sami; you want me to just overlook that? '

'If you knew of Samantha's crimes too, you wouldn't be too quick to judge me. No wait,' he grabbed her hand as she made a noise of disgust. 'I'm not trying to justify myself; for a long time I was ashamed of what I did. I'm not that man anymore Olivia, I swear! I need for you to believe that and the love I have for you.'

Olivia exhaled sharply. 'Please don't say that to me.'

'Why?' he insisted.

'Because we can never be together and you're putting me in a very awkward position!' she snapped. 'My parents and the family... your family! I know all about the feud, not just about you and Sami; we can't be the cause of another altercation between them!'

EJ was silent for a while.

'I don't want an altercation either. But I'm not ready to give up my feelings just like that all the same. And why do I get this idea that you are using the feud between our families to hide your own feelings?'

'I don't know what I feel for you!' she cried, then clamped a hand to her mouth. EJ stared at her, a smile lightening his face.

'So... you do feel something. Look at me!' he closed his hand over the back of her neck, forcing her to face him. The exquisitely beautiful face was bright red, her eyes filled with emotion.

'Olivia, tell me the truth... do you love me?'

She shook her head. 'I don't know.'

'You hate me?'

Hesitation then another shake of the head. 'No.'

EJ moved his face towards hers again but she turned away just in time. 'I want you to leave, EJ... I can't be around you right now.'

'Olivia, don't you see, this was meant to be!' EJ insisted, holding her face between his hands. 'I knew it... I just knew you felt something too, I never gave up on that.'

'This is wrong...' she whispered.

'You can't call something Fate brought about wrong.' EJ disagreed. 'We're meant to be together.'

'EJ, I don't want you having false hopes. Yes, I do have feelings for you... but it's probably just infatuation... a crush if you will...'

'From any other young girl I would believe that, from you... no.'

Olivia pulled away. 'It doesn't matter what you believe. We can never be together.' looking at him she added firmly, 'this time it's me talking. I can't be with you because you're a complication I don't need in my life. And that's the truth.' She raised her chin, her eyes fixed on his.

Without a word, EJ pressed his lips against her hand and left the room, closing the door silently behind him.

I did the right thing, Olivia told herself.

Yes? A voice in her head mocked her. Then why do you feel like running after him?

Before she could allow herself give in to tears, a loud knock on the door startled her.

'Knock, Knock...' Brady sing songed before entering, followed by Phillip, Max and the girls. After a while, more members of the family trouped in and Olivia momentarily forgot her inner sadness.

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The first thing Bo did when Gus was led into the interrogation room was punch him squarely in the mouth, sending him sprawling on the ground. Gus' lip, already split and swollen from EJ's fist the previous night started bleeding again. Davidson pulled him roughly to his feet, loathing all over her face.

'Bo, he's not worth it.' Hope admonished.

'Don't start telling me what I can or cannot do! ' Bo's voice shook with rage as he glared at the lout who almost brought about the deaths of his daughter and the woman he loved.

'Believe me; I know how you feel...I'd probably do the same if he hurt Ciara.' Hope pointed out. 'But all the same, you have the satisfaction of knowing he'll be facing hard time with what we're charging him with.'

She glared at Gus, wishing Vivian was there to face her sentence as well. She'd met several criminals during the course of her career but no one came close to Evil personified like Vivian Alamain; sending her henchman to finish off Olivia, not at all contented she'd succeeded in poisoning her, then having Carly buried far out in Green Oaks of all places. Right now Roman and Rafe were out there, exhuming the body of Rex Cole, the delivery boy who Gus had killed before taking his identity that fateful night, according to the written statement she obtained after telling him Carly had been rescued. She'd relished the look of incredulous anger and bitter resignation all over that arrogant face.

'All I did was follow orders...' Gus made the mistake to say quietly.

Bo lurched towards him again but Hope prevented him. 'No, Bo!'

Bo pulled his arm from her grip, itching to reach for his gun and simply just kill the bastard right there and then. But Hope was right, he wasn't worth swinging for. Besides, there was still two more pieces left in the puzzle and he needed Gus to fill it.

'Leave us alone, Hope.'

Hope looked at him suspiciously. With the mood he was in he could easily lose control.

'I don't think that's a good idea.'

Bo gave a look that said it all and she stepped back obediently, praying he wouldn't do anything stupid.

After she left, Bo surveyed the prisoner coldly for a while. Gus kept his head bent, not daring to meet Bo's angry eyes or make any movement.

'The law's the only thing protecting you from me, because I could really kill you for what you did to Carly and my daughter.' Bo bit out.

'Like I said...'

'Repeat that statement and you'll know the real meaning of pain.'

Gus wisely shut up.

Bo moved to sit across from him. 'I'm going to ask you a few questions and you're going to tell me the truth.'

Gus finally raised his head, watching Bo warily. 'Will this give me immunity?'

Bo struggled to control his temper. 'No deals. Two questions and you will answer them... or else.'

Gus swallowed at the sheer look of hatred in Bo's eyes. 'I'm listening.'

Bo leaned forward in his seat. 'First question: was Victor Kiriakis involved in Vivian's plans to kill my daughter and Dr. Manning. Second question: who is Catherine Francesca Alamain?'

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Two hours later, Bo was walking towards Carly's room after stopping to see Olivia first. Her tight hug and kisses of gratitude almost made him cry with her but he basked in her pride and love for him for saving her mother. As he got to Carly's door, he could hear loud pitched laughter. Grinning, he entered, acknowledging everyone's enthusiastic greetings but his eyes were only for the woman in the hospital bed, flowers and balloons in every corner of the room. John was quick to see the look that passed between the couple, thinking somebody should have an extinguisher handy to hose them down; that look was intense enough to make them burst into flames.

'Come on everybody, I think a certain pair really need to be alone.'

Laughing again, they hugged Carly in turn before departing in a body. As soon as the door closed, Bo sat on the bed; drawing Carly in his arms, pressing his face against her neck.

Carly felt him tremble. 'Bo, what's wrong?' she asked anxiously.

'Let's not talk right now, princess.' Bo held her tighter. 'Right now I just want to sit here and hold you.'

'Okay.' She whispered, rubbing his back.

The more he thought over what Gus Pascal and Gabi Hernandez had told him, the more the hatred burning within him intensified. Carly and their precious daughter had almost died... Victor had been a part of Vivian's diabolical crime. The whole time Olivia lay between life and death he'd known Vivian had poisoned her, had defended her and Bo finally knew the reason why. The man was simply pure evil and right now he was undecided on how he was going to punish him.

If Carly and Olivia had died...

Blinking back tears, Bo kissed Carly's neck, moving up to her cheek then mouth. Her fingers gripped his hair, holding his head down as they kissed hotly and hungrily. Using his tongue to the utmost, Bo poured all the love he had for Carly in the kiss, unable to get enough of the soft sweet mouth; her heart beating against his chest as her arms tightened round his neck.

Finally he raised his head. Carly's face was flushed, lips pink and slightly swollen from the kiss; Nile-green eyes glowing.

'I wish I had enough words to tell you just how much I love you.' he murmured.

'Remember what you once said years ago?' Carly replied softly, her thumb rubbing his lower lip. 'We don't need words.'

'No, we don't.' Bo agreed, kissing her again, more gently but possessively all the same.

'Arianna gave me your message.'

'Yeah, I had to make arrangements to see that scum is put away for a very long time.' Bo replied grimly.

'So who is he?'

'Augustus Pascal, Vivian's bodyguard/goon. He came with Vivian but kept a low profile the whole time, all the better to carry out her orders. He can never hurt you or our little girl... ever again. In the meantime, how's my lady?'

'Better. Lexie said I'll be discharged tomorrow but Olivia has to stay a while for a series of injections.'

'Tomorrow can't come soon enough; I can't stand facing an empty bed tonight.' Bo grumbled.

Carly chuckled, kissing him. 'Just one more day.'

Bo smiled, running his hands over her hair. 'I got a few things planned for us.'

'Like what?' she asked, interested.

'Well we'll go sailing for the whole day like I promised once Olivia's comes home. Afterwards, what do you say we go up to the cabin?'

'I would love that!' Carly exclaimed. 'Olivia will love it there...'

'Whoa, slow down, princess! Kitten's not invited.'

'What?' Carly slapped his shoulder indignantly. 'What do you mean she's not invited?'

'Because much as I love our daughter, I want you all to myself for a while; our romantic date got interrupted remember? Besides, Ciara doesn't want Olivia out of her sight; this whole thing with the poisoning really scared her. I already told Olivia and she agreed with me.'

'Really agreed with you or you managed to persuade her not to come with us?'

'I swear she's okay with it and she really wants to spend time with Ciara... and Nathan I think.'

Carly's eyebrows went up. 'Nathan Horton? Really?'

'You don't mind do you?'

'Of course I don't mind, it's just after Mickey died... she didn't seem so keen on Nathan anymore. But if they want to start a relationship now, I'm fine with it; she really needs to lead her own life now. And he really came through for her last night.'

'Nathan's a great guy,' Bo agreed, 'but I hope he takes things slow; Olivia's been through enough. On the other hand, I'd choose Nathan over that...' he stopped himself short.

'Over who?' Carly asked sharply.

Bo could have kicked himself but it was already too late. 'EJ DiMera was here last night too. Apparently, Olivia was talking a little walk and EJ pulled her to safety when Gus fired at her.'

Carly was surprised. Olivia hadn't mentioned him; she only said "someone" had pulled her away.

'Oh. So... he saved her, what are you worried about?'

'I just don't want Stefano hanging the fact that his son saved Olivia from being shot over my head; using it to call in a favour or something.'

Carly watched him intently. 'That's the only thing bothering you?'

'Well, I can't stomach the idea of EJ's hands on my daughter. I'm glad she's safe and sound but I don't want Olivia indebted to EJ DiMera in anyway. If he comes anywhere near to remind her what he did, he'll lose an arm.' Bo said, ominously.

'Slow down Bo, Olivia can handle herself...'

'I'm her father and I'll protect her with any means necessary.' Bo bit out, his eyes flashing as he remembered Brady's warning. A young woman like Olivia appealed to bad boys like EJ DiMera and he vowed to keep him from her.

Carly hugged him, willing him to calm down. Gradually she felt his shoulders relax and he hugged her back.

'Forget him in the meantime.' She said softly. 'We have a lot ahead of us, remember? Our sailing trip first, then the cabin...'

Bo grinned, anger forgotten. 'Yeah and let's not forget two more events coming up.'

Carly raised her eyebrows again.

'Our wedding and what comes after.' Bo reminded, tweaking her nose.

Carly smiled back. 'Most definitely. A whole lifetime with you.' she kissed him. 'It's going to be like Heaven on Earth.' She laughed suddenly. 'This trip to the cabin wouldn't by any chance be for the long awaited fishing rematch?'

'What, you think you'll win me again after all these years?' Bo asked, affronted by her laughter.

'I don't think that at all, I know I'll beat you again.' she laughed.

Bo glared at her. 'Care to make a wager on that?'

Carly glared back, struggling not to smile. 'Name your terms, Commissioner.'

Bo looked deep in the crystalline eyes. 'I catch the most fish, you'll have to clean and cook them without my help.'

'Suppose I win?'

'You're not going to win.'

'Bo!'

'Alright, alright... if you win, I'll clean and cook your catch.'

'Just make sure you don't burn them this time because I can still clearly recall...' Carly's words were cut short by his mouth descending on hers again and for a long while, there was no talking.