INT. BO'S OFFICE - DAY

Bo sits at his desk mulling over the file of the Mirror Lake attacks. There are so
many similarities it just can't be coincidence. Nora knocks at the door as she
peaks her head into the office.

BO
Come on in, I'm just -

Still avoiding direct eye contact with Bo Nora steps into the office and places a
file on the Commissioner's desk.

NORA
I'm sorry to bother you I just wanted to make
sure you have a copy of the Caravante file
before tomorrow.

Picking the file up Bo smiles.

BO
Thanks.

NORA
(turning to go)
Don't mention it.

BO
Hey Red? Are we going to talk about
this morning or are you just going to go
around staring at walls every time we
see each other from now on.

Nora stops.

NORA
(turning to Bo)
No, of course not. I just - well, I don't
know that there is anything to talk about.

Bo's surprised.

BO
Well, we did find ourselves in a
somewhat compromising, not to
mention surprising position today.

NORA
(smiles)
Yeah, I guess we did.

BO
(lightening the mood)
Saved by the old D.A.

NORA
Yeah, Hank always did have
impeccable timing didn't he?

BO
Yeah.

NORA
Look Bo, don't worry about this morning.
Nothing happened. You are one of my
best friends in the world and you always
will be. I know that you love Gabrielle.
This morning doesn't change anything.

Bo nods his head in understanding but isn't so sure that he agrees.

BO
(changing the subject)
How about that dance last night eh?

NORA
(laughing)
Was that something or what?

BO
We may be a little sore today but we showed
those "youngens" that we still got it.

NORA
There was one little guy that was especially
impressed.

BO
Yeah.

NORA
He hasn't stopped talking about it Bo.
"Mommy you and Bo did this and then
Bo did that and then-"

BO
I know, he called and gave me the play by
play on the phone this morning.

Nora didn't know.

NORA
He called you? Was it early?

Bo doesn't answer.

NORA
It was early. Oh Bo, I'm so sorry. I
told him -

BO
No, no, Nora, it's fine. As a matter of
fact, it's great! He's my son, I want him
to call me. I want Matthew to know that
he can call me at anytime about anything,
I'll always be here for him. Always.

It means so much to Nora to hear that. Bo and Nora continue to talk as Gabrielle
appears in the door way of the side door to Bo's office. She is there to surprise
Bo but something stops her from interrupting. All she can do is listen.

NORA
Thanks Bo.

BO
That goes for you too you know.

NORA
What?

BO
Well, it's just like you said. You're
one of my best friends in the world
Red and I'll always be here for you
too. (Looking her dead in the eyes)
Always.

Nora smiles. She knows that Bo means what he says and it sure does mean a lot
to have him there to count on.

Gabrielle doesn't move, a look of shock and pain, but not surprise,
written all over her face she changes her mind about surprising Bo.
Fairly certain neither
Bo or Nora saw her there she turns away and leaves unnoticed.

NORA
Thanks Bo.

Eyes locked there's a beat. Then -

(telephone rings)

BO
Buchanan. Uh huh. yes.

Nora sees how busy he is and has work to get to herself. Getting Bo's attention
she silently mouths the words "I'm gonna go," points toward the door and turns
to leave.

BO
(into the phone)
Just one second.

Putting the phone on hold Bo calls after Nora.

BO
Uh, Nora? I somehow ended up with
some movie passes to that new
animated thing they have playing over
there at the Cineplex.

NORA
The one with the sea monster and the
flying ship and -

BO
Oh, so you know it?

NORA
Are you kidding? Matthew's hasn't
stopped talking about it since the
day he heard it was coming to town.

BO
(smiles)
Good. Well, if it's ok I was thinking
maybe I'd take him to see it tonight.
I promise to take him to the early show
and have him home by bed time.

NORA
I think that would be great Bo.

BO
Ok. Then I'll swing by the house to
pick him up about six.

NORA
Ok.

Closing the door behind her Nora takes one more long glance at Bo through the
glass window of the door. Matthew sure does have a wonderful father. She is
lost in thought only momentarily before shifting back into work mode and
heading for her desk.

INT. BO'S GARRETT - EARLY EVENING

Letting himself in the door Bo's all smiles.

BO
Gabrielle?! Honey, are you ready to go?

Walking to the desk he checks to see if he has any messages. Nothing.

BO
Gabrielle!? Come on honey, I'm sure
you look beautiful. We've gotta get going,
we still have to pick Matthew up at Nora's
and you know how I hate to miss the previews.

The photo album of Matthew that Nora gave him catches his eye. Thumbing
through it quickly pride spreads across Bo's face.

BO
(to himself)
What a kid.

Realizing what time it is Bo calls out for Gabrielle one more time.

BO
Sweet heart we really do have to
get going. We -

Setting the photo album back on the desk Bo notices a note.

BO
(reading aloud)
Something came up with Max and I
can't make it tonight.

Ok. Bo understands. He has certainly stood her up plenty of times "in the line
of duty." Figuring it probably has to do with Al Bo tosses the note in the trash
can, grabs his keys and heads for the door.

INT. NORA'S LIVING ROOM - EARLY EVENING

Nora is busy straightening a mess of comic books that lay on the living room
couch.

NORA
(calling toward the stairs)
Matthew honey you better hurry,
Bo's going to be here any minute.

Racing down the stairs Matthew has a fist full of comic books.

MATTHEW
I know mom but I can't find my sea
creature special edition and I wanted
to show it to Bo before the movie
so he won't be confused.

NORA
I know sweet heart but we've looked
everywhere and - are you sure you
didn't leave it at Dusty's?

MATTHEW
(still looking through the books)
I'm sure.

NORA
Well, we can look through here
one more time but -

(a knock at the door)

NORA
That's Bo -

MATTHEW
COME IN!!

NORA
(stunned)
Matthew! (scolding Matthew as the
door opens slowly) You don't just yell
out toward the door that way you-

Matthew isn't listening. Jumping with excitement he rushes toward the door
when he sees Bo enter.

MATTHEW
Hi Bo!

Arms out Matthew is ready for a hug. Bo stoops down just as excited.

BO
Hey buddy!

Noticing Nora Bo walks toward the mess in the living room.

BO
Hey Nora. What's this? (teasing)
Are you working on a case?

NORA
(smiling)
Well, something kind of like that. It
seems Matthew has misplaced the comic
book he wanted to show you.

MATTHEW
Yeah. I was going to go over the
sea creature history with you before
we see the movie so you wouldn't
get confused.

BO
You were?

MATTHEW
Yeah, but now I can't find the book,
and you're not going to get the movie.

Taking Matthew by the hand Nora pulls him toward her and up onto her lap on
the couch.

NORA
You know what, I'm going to tell you
a little secret.

MATTHEW
What?

NORA
You see the Police Commissioner standing
over there?

MATTEHW
(looking up at his dad)
Bo?

NORA
Yeah, Bo. It turns out he is actually
a pretty smart guy when he wants to
be.

Bo smiles at Matthew who smiles back.

NORA
I'm thinking that even if you don't
have the book, he may be ok at the
movie tonight.

Hearing their conversation Bo interrupts.

BO
Oh, I don't know about that.
That's why, I think it's a good
thing (reaching up under his
jacket Bo pulls something out of
its hiding place) that I stopped
and picked this up.

Jumping from his seat on Nora's lap Matthew runs to Bo, taking the item from
Bo's outstretched hand.

MATTHEW
It's the sea creature comic!! You
bought it? I can't believe it!

Nora smiles at Bo.

BO
Well, I didn't know that you already
had it but it looks like it's ok that
I got another one anyway.

MATTHEW
It's more than ok! This is great!

Nora is enjoying this so much but realizes it's getting late.

NORA
Ok sport. You better give me a kiss
and get going or you boys are going
to be late for the movie.

MATTHEW
(taking Bo by the hand)
Oh yeah! Come on Bo, I hate it when
I miss the previews.

BO
Ok. Ok. Just one second buddy.

MATTHEW
(stops dead in his tracks)
Why?

BO
(looking at Nora)
Well, it seems that I have three tickets
to this little shindig and I thought that
maybe your mom would like to join us.

MATTHEW
Yeah!

Nora's surprised. Matthew is ecstatic! It's just like Starr said!
And he didn't even have to do a thing this time. It was all Bo's
idea.

NORA
Me? (Bo nods) Where's Gabrielle?
I assumed she was waiting in the
car. I -

BO
Gabrielle is busy tonight. I thought
it would be fun if the three of us
went.

NORA
(uncertain)
Bo I -

MATTHEW
Come on Mom! I promise to explain
things to you if you get lost.

BO
Yeah, come on Mom! We'll make sure
you understand.

MATTHEW
(doing a puppy dog face)
Please.

BO
(pulling the same face)
Please.

NORA
(laughing)
Well who could say no to those faces.

MATTHEW
(high fiving Bo)
Alright!

NORA
But only on one condition.

Both the boys stop dead in their celebratory tracks.

BO
What's that?

NORA
I want popcorn.

BO
(smiling)
With extra butter?

NORA
(Continuing the conversation
as the three make their way
to the front door)
Wouldn't have it any other way.

Hitting the lights Nora locks and pulls the door closed behind them.