INT. PALACE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Bo and Gabrielle are sharing a table for two.

GABRIELLE
I can't believe that I have you all to
myself tonight.

BO
Believe it. I'm all yours. I'm sorry
that I do have to go back to the office
in a little while but -

GABRIELLE
That's ok. I'll take what I can get.

Suddenly something catches Bo's eye. It's Nora. Entering the restaurant it's
obvious she is looking for someone. Spotting Renee Nora heads in her

direction.

RENEE
Hi darlin'. How are you?

NORA
I'm fine, thanks. You?

RENEE
Couldn't be better.

NORA
Thanks for letting Matthew come
up to the house today. He had
the greatest time.

RENEE
Don't think a thing of it. I think
I'm as sad about Matthew having
to go back to school as he is.

NORA
You and Asa have been so good to
him. He really loves you a lot.

RENEE
Well we love him too. That little
boy of yours is the apple of his
grandpa's eye you know.

NORA
Yeah.

RENEE
Now. What brings you out this
evening? A hot date by chance?

NORA
Afraid not. I actually have a little
meeting with Daniel Coulson.

RENEE
The new ADA?

NORA
Yeah. You haven't seen him have
you?

RENEE
Check the bar.

Turning to the bar Nora sees Daniel there, drink in hand.

NORA
Thanks Renee.

RENEE
Good luck honey.

Walking toward the bar Nora doesn't notice that Bo's eyes are following her.

GABRIELLE
So I was thinking that we could
at least look into some reservations
and then set a date that's flexible.
What do you think?

BO
(not really listening)
Sure honey.

Stepping up next to Daniel, Nora clears her throat.

DANIEL
Nora. Glad you could make it.

NORA
Hi Daniel.

DANIEL
Can I get you a drink?

NORA
No, I'm ok. Thank you.

DANIEL
Suit yourself.

NORA
Actually Daniel my little boy is
home with a sitter and I'd really
love to get this meeting underway
so I can get back to him if that's
ok.

DANIEL
Of course. They have a table
all ready for us right over here.

Daniel stands and leads Nora to a table that isn't far from Bo's and Gabrielle's.
Nora turns to sit down and is surprised to find Daniel there pulling her chair out
for her.

NORA
Wow. Thank you Daniel.

DANIEL
(sitting down himself)
Don't act so surprised Nora, my
mother did teach me a thing or
two.

Nora doesn't say a word.

DANIEL
I asked you to meet me tonight because
as I'm sure you know the Governor
just appointed me District Attorney -

NORA
Acting District Attorney.

DANIEL
Acting District Attorney now that Hank
has decided to step down. Now, I know
that this isn't going to be easy for you
and that the transition will take some
getting used to but I thought we could sit
down tonight and decide, together, how
best to keep things running smoothly
until November when I take over
permanently.

NORA
What are you talking about Daniel?

DANIEL
When I officially become D.A. of course.

NORA
Of course.

DANIEL
The way I look at it we are at a real
advantage here Nora.

Nora looks confused.

DANIEL
We have the opportunity right now
to get things the way that we want
them before the election in November.
We have a chance to have everything
in line months before everything is
official.

NORA
I'm sorry Daniel, I really don't
understand why it is I'm here.

DANIEL
Because I'm going to need you Nora.
I'm going to need you to be my right
hand man in the office from now on.
With me in the Captain's chair and you
at my side there are going to be some
major changes come down both in
the District Attorney's office and at
the LPD.

NORA
Forgive me Daniel but, don't you think
it's a little premature to make too many
drastic changes. You are only Acting
District Attorney after all.

DANIEL
But that is all going to change come
November. The elections just a
technicality.

NORA
I hate to be the one to point this out
but there is a chance someone could
run against you for District Attorney
Daniel. They could run against you
and they could win.

DANIEL
Don't be silly Nora. Now, as I was
saying, there are a lot of changes
that need to be made, starting with
that mess that is the LPD.

NORA
What's wrong with the LPD?

DANIEL
Well, I know he's your ex-husband
and I don't want you to take this the
wrong way but Bo Buchanan does
not know the first thing about running
a police department.

NORA
Excuse me?

DANIEL
Look, he's a good guy but he just
doesn't have what it takes to do
the job. There needs to be a change.

Bo and Gabrielle are still dining, Gabrielle still going on about a vacation, Bo's
eyes still fixed on Nora.

GABRIELLE
I know that you said you would
like to take Matthew with us but
I was thinking, he starts school in
just a day or two and that really
wouldn't be a good time for a
family trip.

BO
Sure.

Nora can't believe what she is hearing.

NORA
A change? Look Daniel, as far as I'm
concerned the only change that needs to
be made in that office is you.

DANIEL
What?

NORA
Bo Buchanan has done more for the
Llanview police department than the
last five Police Commissioners
combined.

DANIEL
Oh please don't tell me you're going to
fight with me over your ex.

NORA
And another thing Daniel, I do think that there
are people who may oppose you in the up-
coming election and yes, I do think that
someone else may have a shot at winning.

DANIEL
Look Nora, I didn't invite you down here
to fight. I wanted to talk about how we
can improve the office of the Dis-

NORA
Oh come off it Daniel. You called me
down here to gloat about your appointment
to Acting District Attorney and to make
sure that I would be ok with playing
second fiddle to your one man, over the
top, big brass band.

DANIEL
I asked you down here to do my best to
make this transition as easy on you as
possible.

NORA
Well I appreciate that. Now, if you
don't mind, I have somewhere to be.

Bo is still watching as Nora has her words with Daniel and stands to go.
Watching Daniel stand too Bo doesn't like what he sees.

DANIEL
Nora.

Standing himself Daniel reaches out and takes Nora by the arm before she can
walk away. Surprised Nora looks down at the grip Daniel has on her arm.

NORA
I had a lovely evening Daniel.
(pulling her arm away)
Thanks for the invitation.

Turning from him Nora makes her way toward the exit.

GABRIELLE
I think that would be the best
thing for now. Bo? Bo?

Watching Daniel put his hand on Nora Bo's first instinct was to jump from his
chair and punch the smug son of a bitch in the jaw. He controlled himself but
now he has something to say.

BO
Excuse me honey.

Bo leaves Gabrielle alone and walks over to the table where Nora just left Daniel
standing alone. Turning to watch Gabrielle doesn't like what she sees. Rounding
the table Bo steps in behind Daniel and takes him by the arm speaking quietly
but with force and warning in his ear.

BO
I'm not here to cause a scene and I
have something to get back to so
I'm going to say this once and only
once. If I ever see you lay a hand
on Nora Buchanan again, I promise
you that our exchange will not be
a pleasant one.

Letting go of his arm Bo straightens Daniel's collar.

BO
Have a nice evening.

Walking away Bo returns to Gabrielle at the table.

DANIEL
(the wheels are turning)
Well, well, well, it looks the
Commissioner of Police is still a
little protective of his ex-wife.

BO
Sorry about that honey.

GABRIELLE
Is everything ok?

BO
Yeah. Fine.

Bo still has his eyes fixed on Coulson and his mind on something else. Gabrielle
knows it and she doesn't like it one bit.