Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Twelve

Bo was stretched out on a bed that was less than comfortable. He didn't have the energy to care. Sleep beckoned him. Riding a motorcycle was fun, but for long distances it was hard. The stress of being on the run and trying to survive was getting to him. His eyes opened when he heard Hope come out of the bathroom. She was freshly showered and minus her auburn wig. He liked her that way. A small smile tugged at his lips at the sight of her. He was still trying to get used to the fact that she was here. He was no longer dreaming. She was real.

"Feel better?" Bo asked.

"Much," Hope sighed with relief. She sat on the edge of the bed. They stared at each other in silence.

"What are you thinking?" Bo asked.

"How I want to ask you about the pit… and prison." Hope confessed softly.

Bo looked into her eyes, "What do you want to know?"

"How you got there." Hope whispered. She needed to know. She wanted to try to make sense of how she could assume the worst in him so quickly.

"I was drugged." Bo replied matter of factly, "I went to meet with a doctor about a cure for Ma. It was a scam. The next thing I knew I was in a prison cell chained to a wall."

"Did they hurt you?" Hope asked, not really wanting to know the answer. She slowly turned to face him, but kept her distance. She crossed her legs and peered innocently at him from the foot of the bed.

"Yeah," Bo sighed, "They did. Every day."

"What did they do?" Hope asked. Her heart ached for him. The idea of him being physically tortured made her sick.

"I'd rather not tell you," Bo replied quietly, "It was ugly. Let's leave it at that. I promise you don't really want to know."

She trusted him. She nodded in understanding. She didn't know what else to say. It scared her. His physical strength had always almost been superhuman. She couldn't imagine a group of men that could overpower him.

"I'm sorry that I ever left you," Bo whispered. His eyes were dark. They held guilt, shame, and hurt.

Hope shook her head, "No. Stop."

Bo obeyed. He did stop. He was still sorry. He hated the distance between them. He didn't want a divorce. He wanted to close his eyes, open them, and pretend nothing ever happened.

"I'm the one who should be sorry." Hope replied, "I am sorry. I'd do anything to go back to the day I stopped hearing from you. I should have known that something was wrong."

"It's okay," Bo replied, "It's over. We're here now."

"We're here now," Hope nodded.

"I was only trying to protect you," Bo said quietly. He'd do anything to keep her safe, including sacrifice himself.

"I know," Hope nodded, "You always do."

They stared at each other in silence again. It wasn't awkward. It wasn't sad. It held regret and longing. It was the first time they'd really been alone together. It was the first time they had time to talk.

"Are you going to stay at the foot of the bed all night?" Bo asked finally breaking the silence. His body longed for her; to smell her, to feel her, to be lost in her. He needed to feel loved. He needed to feel human.

Hope shrugged sheepishly, "I don't want to push you. Or rush you. I'm trying to respect your boundaries."

"I don't have any boundaries with you," Bo replied. He sat up and reached for her forearm; dragging her across the bed and up to his chest.

"Bo," Hope protested, but he silenced her with a hungry kiss. It awakened places inside of her that had been dormant for far too long.

"I missed having you in my arms for three whole years," Bo spoke evenly, but she could hear the hint of emotion he was attempting to hide, "I'm not missing another second of it."

Hope smiled at him and eagerly snuggled closer to his chest. His heartbeat greeted her ear. It was a sound that filled her with joy. She'd spent many sleepless nights longing for it; longing for this. His strong arms were wrapped securely around her. She exhaled happily.

"Hope?" Bo asked quietly. He started to play with her hair.

"Hmm?" Hope mumbled quietly. Her eyes were heavy. She was relaxed in his arms. She too had dreamed of moments like this.

"Did he make you happy?" Bo wondered out loud. He didn't like his undying need to know. He felt insecure. Insecurity made him mad.

"I don't know," Hope answered honestly, "I was attracted to him. I liked him. I liked the distraction. He was supportive. He challenged me… but he was just a distraction. I missed you every day and he knew that. I never stopped loving you. I was just hurt and angry. I was being selfish."

"So if he was still alive and not after your trust fund?" Bo asked vulnerably.

"I'd still be right here in your arms if you'd let me," Hope replied, "No question."

"He didn't replace me?" Bo asked, hating the fact that his insecurities were taking over. It made him feel weak and needy.

Hope sat up and stared at him with serious eyes, "Brady. No one on this Earth could ever replace you. I don't care what happens between us. No one could ever take your place." She went back to his arms and placed a soft kiss on his lips, "I will always choose you. You're my world," Hope spoke softly and kissed him again, "Which is probably why I act like such an idiot when you're gone for too long."

Bo laughed out loud and she laughed with him. There was truth in her statement. He grounded her. He guided her.

"I'm serious!" Hope laughed, "I'm a mess. I don't know one way from the other."

"I don't either," Bo shook his head, "That makes two of us."

Hope sighed. This talk and a couple hundred miles on a motorcycle was just what they needed.

"I love you," Bo whispered with tears in his eyes, "Just for the record, I'll always choose you too."

Hope's eyes mirrored his, "I love you. I tried so hard to stop while you were gone. It's impossible. I was lying to myself every day."

Bo caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch. He smiled, "I'm glad that's the one thing in this world that Hope Williams Brady can't do."

She almost laughed. Her hand traveled up to hold his as he kissed her forehead. With one more kiss goodnight, both of them were satisfied. Sleep called to them. Bo finally felt a sense of peace. Sleep would come easy tonight. Hope found her favorite spot and drifted off to sleep to the sound of Bo's strong heartbeat. Tomorrow they would be back on the run, but tonight they were home in each other's arms.