INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT

Larry is just finishing up Matthew's examination. Bo and Nora sit side by
side next to Matthew's bed, Bo holding his son's hand, Nora stroking his head
as their tired little boy does his best to be brave.

LARRY
Ok, it looks like we're all done.

MATTHEW
Could we go home now?

LARRY
Pretty soon buddy. I do need to
talk to your mom and dad for a
minute though. I saw your cousin
Joe in the patient's room next door,
do you think it would be ok if he
came in at sat with you for a minute?

Matthew looks up at his parents, thinking about it for a second.

NORA
We'll be just outside the door sweet heart.

MATTHEW
Ok.

Larry steps outside then right back in with JOE.

JOE
Hey Matthew. It's good to see you.

MATTHEW
Hi Joe.

Standing up Bo and Nora leave a place for Joe to sit next to Matthew.

BO
We're going to be right outside ok?

Matthew nods as Bo kisses him on the forehead. Taking Nora by the hand the
two of them follow Larry into the hall and close the door.

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - NIGHT

NORA
How is he Larry?

LARRY
Physically, aside from a few scratches,
some bruises and being extremely cold
he's ok. He was a little dehydrated but
it looks like the I.V. took care of that.

BO
Emotionally?

LARRY
Well, psychologically I don't know.

NORA
What are you saying Larry?

Suddenly a look of dread washes over Nora's face.

NORA
Larry was he -

Sensing her fears and feeling the same Bo pulls Nora close.

LARRY
There's no sign of any sexual
abuse Nora.

NORA
Thank God.

LARRY
But he was frightened, that much is
clear. The police haven't questioned
him yet have they?

BO
No, and no one will, not today
anyway.

LARRY
That's good. Look, Matthew's
ok but he's scared.

NORA
Well of course he's scared, he thought
that man was going to hurt him.

LARRY
Yes, there is that but -

NORA
But what?

LARRY
Judging from his behavior I would
actually have to say that Matthew
is more afraid for the two of you.

BO
For us?

LARRY
(nodding)
Of loosing one or both of you, of
someone hurting you. I wouldn't
be surprised if when you talk to
Matthew you find out that this
guy who took him did a pretty
job of making threats toward the
two of you.

NORA
So what do we do?

LARRY
Just be there for him. Listen to him.
Make sure he knows that you love
him and that he's safe and that you're
safe and that you're not going anywhere.
He's going to need you both now more
than ever.

BO
Done. Can we take him home?

LARRY
I need to have you fill out a little
bit of paper work and then you'll
be free to go. I'll go have a nurse
get it together for you.

Larry exits leaving the two of them alone. Bo sighs a heavy sigh of relief and
runs his hands through his hair.

NORA
How about you Commissioner?
Are you ok?

BO
Me?

NORA
Yes, you. You were out there in the
cold for several hours Bo, don't you
think maybe we should have Larry
check you out? Just to be sure?

BO
I'm ok Red.

NORA
(protesting)
Bo.

BO
As long as I know that you and
Matthew are ok, I'm fine.

Bo looks into Nora's eyes and is instantly lost. Nora can't believe that even as
tired as he is that sparkle is still there in those baby blue eyes staring back at her.
Reaching up Nora takes Bo's face in her hand, brushing his cheek with her thumb.

NORA
We're ok.

NURSE
Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan?

It's the second time someone has mistaken them for husband and wife tonight and
the second time neither one of them made a correction.

BO
Yes?

NURSE
The doctor asked me to have you fill
these out.

NORA
Thank you.

Making their way to two chairs in the hall Bo and Nora sit down next to each
other to fill out Matthew's paper work.

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - NIGHT

Nora has finished the paperwork and is just looking over it one more time before
signing.

NORA
I think that's everything.

BO
(taking Nora by the hand and standing)
Let's go get our boy then.

NORA
Bo, just a second, I want to ask you
something.

BO
(returning to his seat)
What is it?

NORA
How did you know?

BO
Know what?

NORA
Where to find Matthew. All of the
sudden it was like a light came on
for you. How did you know?

BO
It was something you said.

NORA
Something I said?

BO
(nodding)
I told Matthew a story once when we
were fishing about a time I got lost
in the mountains when I was a little
boy. Pa had taught me that if you are
ever lost in the mountains you find
the biggest rock or stump or hollow
log, something that will cover and
protect you a little bit, mark it on the
outside so someone will know you're
there and then crawl inside and wait
for someone to find you.

NORA
And you did that?

BO
I did. I got lost up in the mountains
one day and all I could think was to
find a safe place to wait it out. I found
a big hollow log, stuck my hanky on
a stick on the outside and waited until
Pa came along and found me.

NORA
And Matthew?

BO
The little guy was all curled up, sleeping
under a great big rock overhang, his shoes
dangling from a long stick in the ground.

Nora smiles, a tear in her eye, and takes Bo by the hand.

NORA
Like father like son.

BO
Yeah.

The door to Matthew's room opens and Joe steps out in the hallway.

JOE
Sorry to interrupt you guys. Matthew
is asking for you.

NORA

(wiping the tear away)
No, of course, thank you for
sitting with him Joe.

Bo and Nora stand and make their way toward Matthew's room.

JOE
He's a great kid.

BO
Thanks.

JOE
Let me know if you need anything
else at all ok?

NORA
We will Joe. Thanks again.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT

Bo opens the door a crack and peaks his head inside.

MATTHEW
Hi dad. Where's mom?

Bo steps into the room Nora at his side.

NORA
Right here sport. You all ready to
go home?

Matthew nods.

BO
We better get going then.

Stepping to the bed Bo leans in to picks up his son and helps him down off of the
bed.

BO
All set?

MATTHEW
Yeah. Dad?

BO
Yeah?

MATTHEW
Could you and mom both take me
home?

BO
That's the plan buddy.

Looking up at his parents Matthew takes their hands in each of his as they walk
toward the door.

INT. MATTHEW'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bo smiles at Nora as they tuck a sleepy Matthew into his bed.

NORA
(kissing Matthew on the forehead)
There you go sweet heart. Are
you warm enough?

Matthew nods.

NORA
You get some sleep ok?

MATTHEW
Ok. Dad?

BO
Yeah sport?

MATTHEW
Thanks for finding me.

The tears begin to fill Bo's eyes.

BO
You're welcome.

MATTHEW
I love you.

BO
I love you too.

Bo leans in and kisses his little boy on the head. Matthew keeps talking but he
can barely keep his eyes open.

MATTHEW
Mom?

NORA
Uh huh?

MATTHEW
I love you.

NORA
I love you. So much. Now
you get some sleep ok and we'll
both be here if you need anything.

MATTHEW
You'll both be here right?

BO
(nods)
Both of us.

MATTHEW
(almost asleep now)
Ok. Mom and Dad?

NORA
Yeah sweetie?

MATTHEW
I'm glad you're here.

NORA
(tears fill her eyes)
Oh baby, we're glad you're here.

BO
Very glad.

Both Bo and Nora kiss their son on the forehead as he drifts into sleep. Fighting
the tears back Nora stands and steps away from the bed, her back to Bo. Stepping
up behind her Bo places his hands on Nora's shoulders and pulls her into him.

BO
Some night huh?

Nora nods her head, the fear of her tears falling leaving her unable to speak.

BO
He's ok Red. Look.

Still standing behind her Bo turns with Nora until they are facing Matthew,
sleeping peacefully in his bed. Pulling Nora even closer, Bo wraps his arms
around her speaking softly in her ear.

BO
See? There he is, safe and sound
at home where he belongs.

NORA
I was just so scared Bo.

BO
Me too.

NORA
If you hadn't found him I-

She can't help it anymore and the tears begin to slide down Nora's soft cheeks.

BO
(holding her tighter)
I know.

NORA
Thank you Bo.

BO
For what?

NORA
For Matthew.

BO
Oh honey, you don't have to thank
me for finding our son.

NORA

(turning to Bo)
That's not what I'm talking about.
I mean - of course, thank you for
finding him but -

Tears still falling Nora takes Bo's face in her hands and looks into his eyes.

NORA
Thank you for giving him to me.
Thank you for making him with me.
He's the most perfect, most amazing -

The look in Bo's eyes takes Nora's breath away. Reaching up Bo takes
Nora's face in his hand and brushes her tears away with his thumb.
Their faces are so close now, they're breathing the same air. Leaning
in toward her he can feel her
soft breath mix with his as he softly presses his lips to hers. Nora hesitates, just
a bit, but is so quickly overcome by the new and yet familiar feel of Bo's kiss.
Wrapping his arms around her Bo pulls Nora close their kiss growing stronger.
Unable to help herself Nora does the same, pulling Bo's body closer to hers.
Suddenly all of the fear, the excitement, the relief, the emotional rollercoaster
of the last couple of days has all culminated and is taking them both for a ride that
neither Bo or Nora wants to stop when -

MATTHEW
No! Please! Get away from them!
Please!

Hearing Matthew's cries Bo and Nora break from their kiss, looking at one
another for just a moment before hurrying to Matthew's side. Sitting on the
edge of the bed Nora pulls Matthew into her arms and strokes his soft brown
hair.

NORA
It's ok. We're right here.

MATTHEW
(still half asleep)
No! Mom! Dad!

NORA
We're right here sweetie. It's ok.
It was just a dream.

MATTHEW
(awake but groggy)
Mom? Dad?

Sliding into bed next to Nora Bo rubs Matthew's belly doing his best to help calm
his little boy.

BO
Right here sport. .

MATTHEW
Don't - don't leave me.

NORA
It's ok sweet heart, we're right here,
we're both right here.

BO
We're not going anywhere.

MATTHEW
Promise?

BO
Promise.

Holding Matthew close between them Bo and Nora do their best to comfort him
as he drifts back to sleep. Minds still racing neither Bo or Nora knows what to make of what just happened tonight. What were they doing just now? They're only friends, right? But if they're nothing more than friends why did that kiss feel so good? And where exactly do they go from here?