INT. POLICE STATION BULL PEN - DAY

Nora is on the phone in the bull pen when Matthew races in.

MATTHEW
Hi mom!

NORA
Hi sweetheart! How was your first
day of school?

MATTHEW
It was great!

NORA
It was huh? Where's your dad?

MATTHEW
He had to stop at appendix.

NORA
At what?

MATTHEW
Appendix, you know, the place
where they look at little things
and tell you what kind of gun
someone used and stuff.

NORA
Oh, forensics.
(laughing)
So do you like your new teacher?

MATTHEW
Yeah, she's ok. I wish that Stevie
was in my class this year though.

NORA
I know. I'll tell you what, Mary Anne
won't be back for a couple more days
so I was going to pick you up at school
tomorrow. Why don't you have Stevie
come with us too and I'll get some work
done at the house while the two of you
play.

MATTHEW
Really?

NORA
Really.

MATTHEW
Could he sleep over too?

NORA
If it's ok with his mom.

MATTHEW
Could I go call him?

NORA
Sure. Let me get you the number.

MATTHEW
It's ok mom, I got it memorized.

NORA
You do?

Matthew nods.
NORA
Wow. Ok. Why don't you call him
from the phone in dad's office.

Running to the office Matthew turns the knob and steps inside just as Bo enters
the bull pen.

BO
Hey Red.

NORA
Oh, hey.

BO
Where's Matthew?

NORA
Calling a friend from the phone in
your office. Thanks for picking him
up today.

BO
No problem. It was great to hear all
about his first day of school.

Finished with his phone call Matthew joins his parents.

MATTHEW
Stevie's mom said yes. Hi dad.

BO
Hey sport. You and Stevie have big
plans?

MATTHEW
Not today, tomorrow.

BO
I see.

MATTHEW
Today me and mom have first day
of school night.

BO
First day of school night?

NORA
It's a tradition Matthew and I started.
Every year on the first day of school
we go out for burgers and root beer
floats and Matthew tells me about his
day.

BO
Well that sounds like a mighty fine
tradition.

MATTHEW
Could you come too dad?

BO
To first day of school night?

MATTHEW
Uh huh.

BO
Are you sure you don't mind someone
barging in on your tradition?

MATTHEW
You're not someone, you're my dad.

BO
Oh, well, since you put it that way. Is
it ok with you mom?

NORA
The more the merrier.

BO
In that case, I wouldn't miss it for the
world.

Matthew smiles a big grin that mirrors his dad's.

NORA
Ok sweetie but your dad and I have
some things we need to finish up before
we go. Do you think you can go in and
play the computer in dad's office for a
little while?
(to Bo)
That's ok isn't it?

BO
Absolutely.

MATHEW
Ok.

Matthew goes into Bo's office while Bo and Nora talk shop.

BO
How is everything coming on the
Romirez case?

NORA
I think it's pretty cut and dry. All
of the evidence is pretty strong and
the defense really doesn't have
much to go on. I wouldn't be to
surprised if they decide to plead
it out.

BO
Good. Any more leads on that
thing over at Llanview U?

NORA
I spoke with the roommate of that
student who called the rape report
in again. She still isn't back yet
but the semester starts in just a
couple of days so I should talk to
her soon.

BO
Any leads on where the drugs may
be coming from?

NORA
Detective Carter turned up a couple
of names for me but I don't have a
confirmation on anything yet. Oh,
I did speak with the Sergeant in
charge of filing all of those reports
Danny took when he was working
for campus police. Sergeant Bedford
told me that he began filing Danny's
reports according to procedure when
his superior stepped in and told him
he would handle them from now on.

BO
Did he give him a reason?

NORA
No, just said he knew how hard he was
working and that he thought he deserved
a little break. The Sergeant never saw
those reports again after that.

BO
I don't get it.

NORA
What?

BO
It obvious that someone over there is
trying to cover something up but, I
don't know, to me it seems a little too
obvious.

NORA
Yeah, you've got a point. What do
we do?

BO
Just keep doing what you have been
and we'll hope something comes up.

NORA
Ok.
(a beat)
I have a couple of phone calls I should
make before we take off. Is he ok in
there?

BO
Of course.

NORA
Thanks.

BO
Hey Red. You're telling me everything
about this thing at the University right?

NORA
Everything there is to tell.

Bo watches as Nora leaves to make her phone calls. For some reason something
just doesn't feel right and he doesn't like it one bit.

INT. POLICE STATION BULL PEN - DAY

Bo is standing in the bull pen talking to an officer when Daniel Coulson walks
in.

BO
Can you see that a copy of this file get
to ADA Buchanan right away? Thanks.

Bo heads toward his office and Daniel follows him in.

DANIEL
I assume you'll be copying me on that
file as well Commissioner?

BO
Well, it is a case that Nora has been
handling and we typically try to save
a whole lot of paper and a little bit of
time by not inundating ourselves with
a lot of unnecessary copying but -

DANIEL
As the District Attorney I should have
a copy of that file.

BO
Yes Daniel you should and I'm sure Nora
will be providing you with an updated
file as soon as she has a chance to go over
the information I'm just now providing
her.

DANIEL
There is no reason that I should not have
access to every bit of information that
comes into this office in regards to a case.

BO
Ok Daniel, if that's the way you want it,
but let me remind you of a thing or two.
You are only the Acting District Attorney
and don't think that there isn't a person
here who isn't very aware of that fact.

DANIEL
Yes but -

BO
And in the event that you actually do
become the next D.A. I should warn
you that it would be a good idea to go
ahead and trust the attorneys who work
with you to do their jobs.

Neither Bo or Daniel notices that Gabrielle has entered and is standing in the
doorway.

DANIEL
There is nothing wrong with me wanting
to keep on top of the work done by the
people I oversee.

BO
Nora Buchanan is one hell of a good
attorney Daniel. Twice the attorney
you could ever hope to be. Why don't
you back off and let her do her job.
before she has yours.

DANIEL
I appreciate the advice Commissioner.
Now I have a little of my own. If I
were you, I'd worry a little less about
the details of my ex-wife's job and
a little more about the security of my
own.

Turning from Bo Daniel walks through the open door and past Gabrielle who
is standing, back to the doorway, doing her best to act as if she
didn't hear what just took place. Watching Daniel storm away she
turns and enters Bo's office.

GABRIELLE
Knock knock.

BO
Hi.

GABRIELLE
Everything ok?

BO
Sure, just butting heads with the ADA
there.

GABRIELLE
Yes, I heard.

BO
What brings you here?

GABRIELLE
Well, I didn't hear you come in last
night and you left before I got up
this morning so I thought I would
come down and see how you are.

BO
Yeah honey, I'm sorry about that.
Matthew asked me to come to his
first day of school night and I
promised him I'd go but I had all
of these reports to catch up and the
only way I could make it was to
come back in last night and again
this morning to get them done.

GABRIELLE
I see. First day of school night?
Is that like Parent's Night or
something?

BO
No, it's actually something Matthew
made up a few years ago and it's
kind of been a tradition for he and
Nora ever since.

GABRIELLE
Oh, so it was just the three of you?

BO
Yeah, he really wanted me to be
there.

Gabrielle just nods, forcing a smile.

GABRIELLE
Of course, you're his father. I can't
imagine your not being there for him.

Bo just smiles.

GABRIELLE
It seems that you are doing a very
good job being there for Nora as
well.

BO
What do you mean?

GABRIELLE
You and Mr. Coulson there seem to
be butting heads more and more
lately. I'm a little surprised. Nora
strikes me as someone who likes
to fight her own battles.

BO
Oh that? It's nothing. Nora does
a fine job of putting Daniel in his
place, sometimes someone just
needs to remind him where that
place is.

GABRIELLE
Right. Uh, Bo -

Bo's phone rings.

BO
Hold that thought honey. Buchanan.
What? No. No that isn't what I
said. No, don't do anything, I'll be
right there.
(Hangs up)
I'm sorry, I have to go.

GABRIELLE
No, of course, do your job. I'll see
you at home tonight.

BO
(kissing her cheek as he leaves)
You bet.

Left there alone in Bo's office the look on Gabrielle's face is anything but a
happy one. Clutching her bag under her arm she heads for the door just as
Nora pokes her head in.

NORA
Bo, I have those - Oh! Hi Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Hello Nora.

NORA
I'm sorry, I just wanted to drop some
files off for Bo.

GABRIELLE
He isn't here.

NORA
Ok, I'll come back. It was nice to see
you again.

GABRIELLE
It was nice to see you too.

Just as Nora turns to go a wave of jealousy overcomes Gabrielle and she just can't
help herself.

GABRIELLE
Nora?

NORA
Yes?

GABRIELLE
Is everything ok with you?

NORA
Yes, everything is fine, why do you
ask?

GABRIELLE
Nothing, I just wanted to make sure,
what with the threats Daniel Coulson
has made toward you and all.

NORA
What threats?

GABRIELLE
You mean Daniel hasn't threatened to
hurt you?

NORA
I'm sorry Gabrielle, I'm a little
confused. What are you talking about?

GABRIELLE
Oh, I must have misunderstood. I guess
when I heard Bo threaten Daniel that
he better stay away from you I assumed
he must have threatened to hurt you in
some way.

NORA
Bo was fighting with Daniel about me?

GABRIELLE
Not so much fighting really, it was
more like he was standing up for you,
protecting you. I just assumed that
Daniel must have done something
horrible because I can't imagine you
allowing Bo to be so protective. I've
just always seen you as a woman who
insists on fighting her own battles.
(looks at her watch)
Oh gosh, look at the time. I really do
have to go. It was good to see you
Nora.

NORA
(lost in thought)
You too.

Knowing that her work is done Gabrielle goes, leaving Nora alone with her
thoughts.

INT. BO'S OFFICE - DAY

Still alone in his office Nora is thinking through what Gabrielle told her when Bo
walks in.

BO
Hey Red.
(noticing the files in her hand)
Oh good, you brought the files.

NORA
What's going on with you and Coulson?

BO
Me and Coulson.

NORA
Yeah. What's this I hear about the two
of you fighting about me?

BO
Fighting?
(Bo remembers)
Oh that. Nora, Coulson and I were not
fighting about you.

NORA
Did you threaten him?

BO
What?

NORA
Did you threaten Daniel Coulson?

BO
No. What's this all about Nora?

NORA
Apparently you've been doing
your best to stand up for me
around here.

Bo doesn't say anything.

NORA
I'm a big girl, I don't need someone
fighting my battles for me Bo.

BO
Don't you think I know that?

NORA
Then what are you doing butting heads
with Coulson?

BO
Look Red, it wasn't like that-

Suddenly there is a knock at the door and Marci pokes her head in.

MARCI
I'm sorry to interrupt. ADA
Buchanan? You wanted me to
remind you when it was 2:30.

Still heated Nora looks down at her watch.

NORA
That's right. Thanks Marci.

Marci smiles and closes the door behind her.

NORA
I have to go I promised Matthew I'd
pick him up from school. I want to
finish this later Bo.

BO
Nora, I -

NORA
I'll talk to you about it later.

With that Nora turns and leaves Bo alone, a confused look splashed all over his
face. Thinking for a moment he grabs his jacket off it's hook, his keys from the
desk and heads into the bull pen.

INT. POLICE STATION BULL PEN - CONTINUING

Bee-lining for the door Bo talks to Marci on his way by.

BO
I have to run home for a bit Marci.
You can get me on my cell.

MARCI
Ok Commissioner.