Heartbreak Warfare :: Chapter Fourteen

"Why didn't you tell us about my brother?" Kayla tried to sound calm, but Hope could hear the accusation in her voice.

Hope stared at her tea. Mute. She pulled Bo's jacket tighter to her body. She didn't understand why hospitals always had to be so cold. She would be happy to wear his leather jacket even if she were hot. It smelled like him. Being wrapped up in it's warmth brought her comfort.

"Hope?" Kayla prodded, "Why didn't you tell me? I had a right to know."

Hope finally looked up at Kayla, "He begged me not to tell anyone Kay. I'm his wife. I thought I was doing what was best for him. I promised I wouldn't tell, so I didn't. He was doing better. I thought we were almost past the biggest hurdle."

Kayla could see the exhaustion settling on Hope's face. It had been five hours since Bo had been rushed into the Emergency Room and transferred to ICU.

"Heroin addicts experience a high unlike any other drug." Kayla whispered, "It is the most addictive drug there is. He has a long road ahead of him."

"I don't need a guilt trip okay?" Hope snapped, "Do you think I like this? Any of it?"

"Of course not." Kayla snapped back, "But he is going to need a lot of support and a lot of love to get through this. That means including people like me, his sister, in this situation."

Hope rubbed her temples. She was not in the mood, nor did she have the energy to fight with Kayla.

"Ladies, let's step back and take it easy." Steve interrupted. His voice cleared the air of the tension hanging between the two women, "Bo has been a victim here. He didn't choose to shoot up with heroin every day. That's got to be killing him more than the actual withdrawals. He's a proud, stubborn, man. We all love him. We're all worried about him. We're all going to help him kick this. We're in this together."

Hope exhaled, nodding at Steve. He was right. She needed help. She wanted help. Going at it alone with Bo had been overwhelming.

"Hope, I'm sorry." Steve said softly, "I wish I would have known. I never would have let him drink that much."

"His body was demanding the heroin high…" Kayla shrugged, "He didn't know. You didn't know. He probably didn't realize what he was doing. In an attempt to kick his withdrawal symptoms from heroin, he drank excessively. He may have even found it harmless because it's not a narcotic. He didn't have time to think about the fact that alcohol was a depressant, or that after not eating for days his body couldn't take that much alcohol in that short amount of time."

Hope swallowed slowly, "I should have told you… I'm sorry."

"He's stable." Kayla reminded, "His body just needs time to detox. You got him here in time."

Hope placed her tea on the desk of the nursing station and fell into Kayla's chest. The two women embraced in a tight, emotional, hug.

"He's going to be okay." Kayla whispered into Hope's hair, "He's strong."

"He's so vulnerable right now," Hope sighed, "He's been through so much."

They parted, still holding each other's arms.

"I'm going to put a consult into Marlena…" Kayla frowned, "He doesn't need to carry all of this around on his shoulders. She can help."

Hope bit her lip, "Kay…"

"This is about so much more than heroin." Kayla shook her head, "It's about being held prisoner, about being tortured, about living in a pit so far from home. It's about being away from his family, about his wife moving on. He needs therapy Hope."

Hope's heart stung. She knew Kayla was right, "I want what's best for him. I hear what you're saying. I just know he would prefer that the fewest people possible be involved. He's embarrassed. You know how much he hates drugs. He's a cop. He's been on the good side of the drug war for at least half of his career. "

"She's got that right," Steve sighed.

"Look, do whatever you want." Hope shrugged, "Just help him be my husband again."

Kayla nodded, "That's all I want."

"It's getting late. You look exhausted." Steve announced, "Let me drive you home."

Hope shook her head, "You know me better than that Steve."

"You're sleeping in Bo's room." Steve half smiled, "I had to offer."

"Thanks." Hope nodded, "For everything."

"I didn't do much." Steve shook his head, "But, I'm here to help. Let me know. I'll do anything."

"Me too," Kayla agreed.

"I'm just glad I'm not in this alone anymore." Hope sighed with relief, "Get some sleep. I need to go be with Bo."

"Goodnight," Kayla smiled, "Say your prayers."

Hope walked down the hall. The hospital was dimly lit. Bo's door was open and she hovered near the doorframe. She stared quietly at him, hugging his jacket to her body. Usually, she'd hate to see him hooked up to machines, but tonight she was grateful. They gave proof of his life. He was healing. She walked slowly into his room. The beeping of his heart monitor soothed her. He was alive. He was here and he was going to conquer this battle.

She carefully crawled into his bed, shrinking herself to fit next to him. Her body melted into his and she immediately felt content. She knew Kayla was right. Bo had a long way to go, but Hope was ready for the war. If their past was any indication, together they could do anything. Hope placed a soft kiss on Bo's cheek. The stubble from his unshaven face tickled her nose. She let her cheek scrape against it, nuzzling him. Before long, her heavy eyes lured her into a deep sleep. Together they slept side by side, kicking off the road to forever once again.