INT. BO'S GARRETT - DAY

Gabrielle is up and on her way to The Banner when Bo comes through the front
door.

BO
Good morning honey.

GABRIELLE
Oh, welcome home.

Bo takes Gabrielle in his arms to kiss her. Despite being obviously annoyed she
returns the kiss then goes back to gather her things.

GABRIELLE
How's Matthew?

BO
He's doing much better this morning
but I'll tell ya, the poor little guy sure
wasn't feeling good last night.

GABRIELLE
Did you find Nora?

BO
She came home when she was done with
her meeting. The battery in her cell phone
died.

GABRIELLE
So she came home and you decided to
stay and help then?

BO
He was really miserable. We were up
most of the night with him until his
fever finally broke early this morning.

GABRIELLE
That was very nice of you to stay there
all night that way. I'm sure Nora had
it handled, I mean, she has been taking
care of him all these years without you
and -

Realizing what she's saying Gabrielle tries to stop herself but it's too late. Her
words sting, she can see it in Bo's eyes.

BO
I'm sure Nora had it handled too but
Matthew asked me to stay. I'm his
father Gabrielle. Nora's been doing
this on her own for a long time now
and it isn't right. I need to be there
for them.

GABRIELLE
She hasn't been on her own, Sam's
been - Well, I'm glad he's feeling better.
I have to get going, I'm going to be
late for my story meeting.

BO
Yeah, I have to get to the station. I'll
see you later.

A quick kiss on the cheek and Gabrielle is out the door leaving Bo alone in the
living room.

INT. POLICE STATION BULL PEN - DAY

Nora is just coming in for the day.

MARCI
ADA Buchanan?

NORA
Good morning Marci.

MARCI
Detective Carter called earlier,
he said to let you know he is
checking that name you gave him
with the Registrar's office and
will get back to you sometime
today.

NORA
Great, thank you.

MARCI
Also, ADA Coulson called to make
sure you were on your way to your
meeting at the Palace.

NORA
Oh! I was up all night going over a
case. I completely forgot. (Looking
at her watch) I'm late. If he calls
again tell him I'm on my way.

Turning around Nora hurries out the way she just came in, nearly knocking Hank
and Bo down on her way.

HANK
Whoa! Slow down there Counselor.

NORA
Sorry guys. I'm just in a hurry.

BO
What you got a hot date this morning?

NORA
Ha ha. Meeting with Coulson. Don't
ask.

The grimace on Bo's faces matches Nora's as she carries on her way.

BO
(calling out after her)
If you aren't back here in 2 hours I'm
calling out the SWAT team.

Nora laughs but doesn't turn around.

NORA
Goodbye boys.

Watching her go Bo still grins from ear to ear.

HANK
You two kill me you know that?

BO
What?

HANK
You and Nora.

BO
What do you mean "Me and Nora"?
There is no "Me and Nora" Hank.

HANK
Could have fooled me.

The two continue the conversation as the walk into Bo's office.

INT. BO'S OFFICE - DAY

BO
What are you talking about. Nora
and I are friends.

HANK
Very good friends.

BO
Yes, we are, very good friends.

HANK
And?
BO
And we happen to be raising a son
together.

HANK
And?

BO
And that's it. Come on, you know I'm
with Gabrielle.

HANK
I know that you and Gabrielle are going
through the motions.

BO
What?

HANK
Look partner, I know this is none of my
business but let me ask you this, does
Gabrielle make you happy?

BO
Sure, we're fine.

HANK
I didn't say fine Bo, I asked if she makes
you happy. Do the two of you have fun
together and laugh and enjoy each others
company?

BO
We do ok. I mean, it's not -

HANK
Like it was with Nora?

BO
Well, no, but Gabrielle isn't Nora, she's
different.
(a beat)
And besides, even if I were interested Nora
wouldn't -

HANK
You think Nora wouldn't want to try
it again.

BO
I know she wouldn't Hank. She's
moved on. I've moved on. We can't
go back to what we had before.

HANK
It looks to me like you already have
Bo.

Bo stares at him blankly.

HANK
Look at the two of you. Talking, laughing,
you have fun together just doing nothing.

BO
She's my best friend Hank, of course we
have fun together.

Hank shoots him an "I rest my case" glance.

BO
But that doesn't mean that things we're
back to where we were before. It would
never be the same Hank.

HANK
Maybe it would be better.

Bo doesn't say anything but his face tells Hank he is ready to be done with the
subject.

HANK
Ok, I'll let it go. You and Nora are just
two of my favorite people and I really
want to see you happy.

BO
Thanks partner. I really want to see her
happy too. Now, what is it you wanted
to talk to me about?

HANK
Well, I was actually hoping that Nora
would be here too so I'd only have to
do this once but-

BO
You're taking the job at the Law School.

HANK
I am. Bo, you know I love my job here
and I love working with you and with
Nora. I just think it's time for a change
though.

BO
Nora isn't going to like this one bit you
know.

HANK
Yeah.

BO
You leaving her here with ADA Coulson.
I can barely stand the guy myself but
Nora? I'll tell you those two are like oil
and water.

HANK
I know but he's a good prosecutor Bo.
He gets the job done.

BO
So when do you go?

HANK
I'll finish up here this week, turn my
cases over to Nora and Daniel and then
sometime next week the Governor
should make his decision on who will
act in my place until election time.

BO
Wow. It looks like you've got it all
worked out.

HANK
Yeah, I need to do this Bo. It's time
for me to move on to something else.
Besides, more time for fishing.

BO
Ah you see, now your talking. I'd
love to get Matthew out one more
time before he starts school again.

HANK
You really are enjoying him aren't
you?

BO
More than I could begin to tell you.

HANK
How's Asa taken to his new grandson?

BO
Are you kidding? My boy's already
got Pa wrapped around his little finger.
Asa's got him out there on the horses
every chance he gets. He's even got
a family picnic planned at the house
next week so the everyone can spend a
little time together.

HANK
Asa does?

BO
It's funny, he won't even let Renee help
him, says he wants to handle everything
himself.

HANK
So will the three of you be attending this
little soirée together?

BO
I invited Gabrielle but it looks like she'll
be out of town at a fashion conference.
(off Hank's look) Don't go there Hank.

HANK
Ok, ok. I'll let it go. For now. I've
got to get going anyway. Tell Nora
the news for me will you. I'm sure
I'll get a call from her later.

Hank turns to leave then, motioning to the photo of Bo, Nora, and Matthew
at Parent's Day on Bo's desk -

HANK
Nice picture.

BO
It's a gift from Matthew. There's a
picture of Gabrielle and I on my
desk too, they-

Ignoring him Hank just waves his arm in the air and leaves the office closing the
door behind him. Picking up the photo of the three of them Bo can't help but
think about what Hank said but then realizes how ridiculous it is, shakes his head
and gets back to work.

INT. PALACE RESTAURANT - DAY

Nora races in to find an agitated Daniel already drink in hand.

DANIEL
Nice of you to make it Nora.

NORA
I'm really sorry Daniel I got tied
up working on a case last night
and -

DANIEL
And decided to blow off your meeting
with me this morning.

NORA
No. I was running a little late Daniel.
(notices his drink)
Starting a little early this morning
aren't we?

DANIEL
Too bad I can't say the same for you
when it comes to your work schedule.

NORA
Ok, Daniel, why am I here because I
know it can't be to talk about your
drinking problem and my work habits
so what? What's this all about?

DANIEL
I wanted to go over the Skidders case
with you but being that you already
covered every nitty-gritty detail with
David last night -

NORA
I went over the deposition with him
Daniel, that's all.

DANIEL
That should have been me.

NORA
David told me you asked him to file
a motion to delay.

DANIEL
I did.

NORA
And I was just going over some
important details from the deposition
with him before he filed. I thought
I was doing you a favor Daniel.

DANIEL
Well don't. David is just a temporary
relief while we wrap up a couple of
these big cases and I don't want you
getting used to going around me on
things.

NORA
Going around you? I hate to point
this out Daniel but you're just an
Assistant District Attorney, same as me.

DANIEL
Senior Assistant District Attorney.
A distinction that will most definitely
change next week when the Governor
makes his decision on who will act
in Hank's place until the fall election.

NORA
Act in Hank's place? Daniel, what
are you talking about?

DANIEL
You didn't know?

NORA
Know what?

DANIEL
It appears that your ex-husband, the
first one, has taken a position at the
Llanview University School of Law.
He'll be leaving his post as D.A.
next week.

Nora doesn't say a word.

DANIEL
Nora?

NORA
Are we finished here?

DANIEL
We still haven't discussed the
Skidders case but -

NORA
Oh drop it Daniel we both know
that isn't why you called me down
here. Now, are we finished?

DANIEL
For now.

NORA
I have to get back to work. Enjoy
the drink. Give me a call if you
need a ride back to the office.

With that Nora takes her bag and leaves Daniel sitting alone. Making a beeline
for the exit she bumps into Vicki.

NORA
Vicki! I'm so sorry I didn't see you
there.

VICKI
That's ok it looks like you're in a
hurry. Is everything ok?

NORA
Everything's fine, I just finished a
less than pleasant meeting and was
doing my best to get out of here
before I lost my cool. How are you?

VICKI
I'm fine. Busy as ever but that's the
best way to be isn't it?

NORA
That's what they tell me.

Nora's cell phone rings.

NORA
Oh, excuse me one second. Nora
Buchanan. Oh, hi sweet heart! Are
you back from camp already? You
did? Oh honey I don't know where
it is. No, actually, I think it may be
in your dad's car. I'll tell you what,
I'll give Mary Anne a call and have
her meet me at the station to get it
and bring it up to you ok? Alright,
I'll see you tonight. I love you too.
(smiles)
I'll tell him. Bye.

Nora hangs up her phone and turns back to her conversation with Vicki.

NORA
Sorry about that. Matthew left his
bug box in Bo's car and apparently
they need it to catch bugs at camp
today.

VICKI
He really is such a great kid Nora.

NORA
Thanks. I think he's pretty great.

VICKI
The two of you make Bo so happy.

A beat as Vicki realizes what she said.

VICKI
I mean. You know what I mean.

NORA
Of course.

VICKI
I assume the three of you will be
attending this big picnic Asa's
planning.

NORA
We'll be there with bells on. And
maybe protective gear. I hear Asa
is handling this entire thing himself?

VICKI
Yeah, he won't let Renee lift a finger.
It should definitely be interesting.

NORA
To say the least.

VICKI
I should let you get going.

NORA
I guess I better. I have a little bone to
pick with someone. It was great to see
you.

VICKI
You too. I'll see you at Asa's.

NORA
Ok.

A quick hug for her former sister-in-law and Nora is on her way.

INT. BO'S OFFICE - DAY

Bo is sitting at his desk when, without a knock Nora comes through the door.

BO
Hey Red!

Without missing a beat Bo reads the look on Nora's face.

BO
You heard about Hank.

NORA
Just when were the two of you going
to tell me that he was stepping down?

BO
Who did you hear it from?

NORA
Well, not from who I should have been
hearing it from.

BO
Who?

NORA
Coulson.

BO
Aw, damn it. How did he know?

NORA
I don't know but he knew and he
took great pleasure in being the
one to break it to me. Why didn't
you tell me Bo?

BO
I didn't even know until a little
while ago. Hank just told me and
then asked me to break it to you
when you came in.

NORA
Didn't want to tell me himself huh?

BO
He planned to tell us together but
you took off in a pretty big hurry
this morning. I don't know how
Coulson knew though.

NORA
Nothing about the man surprises
me Bo. He thrives on making
people squirm.

BO
(standing and walking toward Nora)
I am sorry you had to find out that way.

NORA
Forgiven. I'm sorry I came storming
in the way I did.

BO
Forgiven.

NORA
I just can't believe it Bo. You know
the Governor is going put Coulson in
as acting D.A. I don't know if I can
work under him for that long. And
then - oh no!

Nora puts her head against Bo's chest.

BO
What is it?

NORA
He's going to run for D.A. Bo, I
guarantee he is. I can't work for
that man, I'd go crazy.

BO
Come on Red, let's just wait and
see what happens. Besides, I
have a funny feeling that you
can hold your own when it comes
to Daniel Coulson.

NORA
Yeah well, oh! I almost forgot.
Did Matthew leave his bug box in
your car?

BO
He did and Mary Anne came by
and picked it up and it should be
arriving at camp for Matthew any
minute.

NORA
You're a saint Bo Buchanan. You
are. This is the craziest day and
you just gave me one less thing to
worry about. Thank you.

Taking his face in her hands Nora gives Bo a quick, noisy peck on the
lips before turning to go.

BO
Hey where are you going?

NORA
I have to be in court in 10 minutes.
Stop by to see Matthew tonight if
you'd like. We'll be home.