INT. NORA'S LIVING ROOM- VERY EARLY MORNING

Both Nora and Bo are exhausted when they rush through Nora's front door.
RENEE, SARAH, and OFFICER HANDLE are all in the living room.

RENEE
(standing)
Hey you two.

NORA
Hi Renee.

BO
Hi.

Bo stops to talk to Officer Handle while Renee takes Nora by the hand and pulls her into a hug.

RENEE
They're going to find him darlin'.
They are.

Nora nods her head.

NORA
Thanks Renee.

RENEE
Is there anything I can do for you?

NORA
You're already doing it. Thank you.
(a beat)
Actually, I need to find something for Bo.
Excuse me.

RENEE
Sure honey.

Going over to the desk Nora takes the letter from the drawer. Turning
it over in her hands she looks again for any clues as to who may have
sent it.

BO
Is that it?

Nora turns to find Bo standing behind her.

NORA
Yeah.

Taking it from her Bo reads through the letter.

BO
And this is the only one?

Nora nods.

BO
Handle? I want you to take this letter
to the lab to be analyzed right away.
Tell them to call me here with any
results the minute they have them.

HANDLE
Yes sir.

Nora doesn't say a word, she can't even bring herself to look at Bo. Sensing
Bo and Nora need some time alone Renee takes action.

RENEE
The two of you must be starving.
Sarah honey why don't you help me
in the kitchen.

Flash stands to follow her "grandma."

FLASH
Matthew's a tough kid Nora. I know
they're going to find him.

NORA
Thanks.

Flash and Renee exit as Bo and Nora continue to stand there saying nothing.
Finally Bo breaks the silence.

BO
Red.

NORA
I know what you're going to say Bo.
I should have told you about the
letter. I was stupid and I ignored it
and now our son is out there with God
knows who and it's my fault.

Stepping closer to her Bo puts his hand on Nora's shoulder.

BO
Nora.

NORA
(rambling)
I know Bo. I know this is my fault.
I just, I didn't think there was anything
to those calls. I thought it was kids
playing a prank and I was wrong and I
know. I know that I -

BO
(turning her to face him)
Nora stop. Look at me.

She doesn't look up.

BO
Look at me.

Taking her face in his hand Bo draws her eyes to his.

BO
This is not your fault.

NORA
Bo -

BO
Ok, yes. You should have told
me about the letter I asked you
over and over again if you were
leaving anything out and you
told me that everything was ok.

Nora looks down again but Bo catches her and pulls her back to his eyes.

BO
But what happened to Matthew is
not your fault.

NORA
I'm his mother Bo. I'm his mother
and it's my job to protect him, not
put him in danger.

BO
And I'm his father and I didn't do
such a bang up job of keeping him
safe either did I? Hell, I knew
something wasn't right here and I
didn't do anything about it.

NORA
What do you mean?

BO
I knew you were keeping something
from me and I didn't do anything
about it. So if you think about it
I'm as much to blame here as -

NORA
No. This is not your fault Bo.
It isn't.

A silent pause.

BO
Aw honey, this isn't getting us
anywhere. I just need you to look
at me and promise me no more
guilt ok?

Nora looks away again.

BO

(finding her eyes with his)
Ok?

NORA
Ok.

BO
Now. Look at you, you've been up all
night and you're exhausted. Why don't
you lay down and try to get some rest.

NORA
Are you planning to lay down and get
some rest?

BO
Ok, you got me there. Why don't we
at least sit down then?

Nora agrees and she and Bo sit down together on the sofa. Wrapping
his arms around her Bo pulls Nora into his body. There isn't an ounce
of her that wants to protest as Nora leans back settling her head on
Bo's shoulder. Both heave a heavy sigh and relax into one another, Bo taking in the deep scent of Nora's soft hair.

NORA
Bo?

BO
Uh huh?

NORA
I'm sorry about before.

BO
What about before?

NORA
The thing with Coulson. I'm
sorry I yelled at you like that.
You were just trying to help.

BO
Don't worry about it. I'm sorry
sometimes I still get a little
protective. I know that you can
take care of yourself Nora it's
just -

Bo stops dead in his tracks and pauses. Turning to him Nora wants to hear what
he has to say.

NORA
Just what?

BO
Nothing.
(a beat)
I just don't know what I'd do if anything
ever happened to you that's all.

Eyes locked on Bo's Nora reaches out taking Bo's face in her hand. Bo closes
his eyes at the warmth of her touch to his skin. How can something as simple
as this feel so good? Suddenly the sound of the ringing phone shatters the
moment.

NORA
(rushing to her feet)
Hello? Yes it's me. Ok. I'll tell
him. Thank you.
(Hangs up)
The lab is looking at the letter now.

Bo can see her disappointment. He feels it too. Standing up behind her he wraps
his arms around Nora and pulls her close.

BO
We're going to find him Red.

NORA
It's almost been a full day Bo. Where
could he be?

BO
I don't know.

INT. NORA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Hours have passed and Bo and Nora still sit side by side on the sofa waiting for
any news. Renee and Sarah are there along with trays of food untouched by
Matthew's worried parents.

RENEE
You really should eat something.

BO
She's right Red. We aren't going
to be of any use to Matthew if we
don't keep our strength up.

Bo's right, Nora knows he is, she just can't begin to imagine eating something
with this knot that is tied in her stomach.

NORA
I will when we find him.

There is a knock at the door and Bo nods to the officer on the landing to answer.
Gabrielle enters to find Bo and Nora sitting together on the sofa.

BO
Honey, what are you doing here?

GABRIELLE
I just came to check on everyone.

Bo stands and gives Gabrielle a kiss on the cheek.

GABRIELLE
They are going to find him you know
Nora.

NORA
Thanks Gabrielle.

BO
Is there still someone at the house
to answer the phone if it rings?

GABRIELLE
Yes Max is there now.

BO
Ok.

GABRIELLE
No word at all then?

Bo shakes his head. Unable to sit still any longer Nora stands and starts to pace
the floor. Bo watches her walk as Gabrielle puts her arm around him and pulls
him close. But he can't take his eyes off of Nora. This is killing her. Even if
she refuses to admit it it's killing her. He knows because it's killing him to and
right now the only person that can help is over there pacing in the corner alone.

BO
Gabrielle, I think -

The phone rings and Nora jumps and races to answer it, Bo at her heels.

NORA
Hello? Yes, he's right here.
(Hands the phone to Bo)
It's Antonio.

BO
Hi Antonio, what ya got? What?
You did? Ok. We'll be right
there.

Hanging up the phone Bo turns taking Nora's shoulders in his hands.

NORA
Bo what is it?

BO
They found him.

NORA
They found Matthew?

BO
(realizing his mistake)
No honey, they found the man
who took Matthew.

NORA
What? Where is he? Is Matthew
with him?

BO
They're holding him at Llantano
Mountain until we get there. I'll
explain the rest on the way.

NORA
Renee -

RENEE
Go honey, everything will fine here.

NORA
Thank you.

BO
(to Gabrielle)
We'll call you when we know something.

Taking Nora by the hand and ignoring all else Bo grabs his keys and the two of them head for the door, Gabrielle watching them as they go.