Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Fifteen

It was morning. Hope quietly watched the sunrise and listened to the sound of Bo's breathing. She was still in his arms. They'd both slept soundly through the night. She felt content, despite the fact that nothing about their current situation was normal. She didn't know where they were going next, or how long they'd stay here. Quiet stirring outside of their bedroom perked her curiosity.

She gently and quietly removed herself from Bo's side, careful not to wake him. She dressed in some random lounge clothes Shane had stocked the house with and pulled her hair into a pony tail.

She padded down the hallway, not really sure where she was headed. She didn't know this house. She found Kayla and Marlena sitting at barstools around a kitchen island. They sipped coffee and wore tired, somber, faces.

"Hey," Hope greeted quietly.

"Morning," Kayla mumbled.

"Hello," Marlena sighed.

Hope paused her quest for her own cup of coffee and turned to look at them, "You two okay?"

They were silent. Hope poured herself a cup and turned around to face them. She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter, "Where are John and Steve?"

"On the back porch," Marlena replied. She took a long sip of her own coffee.

"Isn't that a little risky?" Hope questioned, "People could see them."

"They're talking to Shane," Kayla informed, "They're wearing ball caps. Because that's a great disguise."

"I take it you two didn't get any sleep?" Hope questioned as she eyed them, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"We're basically on a killing spree," Kayla replied, "How are you sleeping?"

Hope thought carefully, "Would you rather it be one of us?"

"Of course not," Kayla argued, "But what the hell are we doing? I'm not cut out for this. This is… This is… serious. It's dangerous. We're at risk every second of every day. How am I supposed to sleep if I'm always looking over my shoulder?!"

Hope reached across the counter and gave Kayla's hand a gentle squeeze, "It has to end eventually. At least you get the chance to spend time with Steve."

"Are you kidding me?" Kayla almost laughed sarcastically, "I could kill him for getting involved in this. For dragging all of us into this."

Hope's throat tightened. She couldn't say the same.

"You disagree?" Marlena observed.

"You like this?" Kayla almost accused.

Hope stared at them seriously, "If Steve didn't get involved in this, Bo would still be in some godforsaken prison in Peru. If he didn't get us involved in this, I would still be wondering where the hell my husband is and why he left me all alone to raise our daughter. So no, I don't agree. I'm not mad. I'm relieved. Do I love this? No. Do I want to have to kill someone? Of course not, but it's us or them."

Kayla stared at her coffee in silence. Marlena sighed, "We have to stick together. That's the only way we're all going to make it."

"Maybe you two should start by not being so hard on your husbands." Hope raised a teasing eyebrow.

Marlena smirked at her, "I heard yelling from your room last night. How did that end?"

Hope smiled. Before she could answer, a loud commotion came from down the hall. All three women looked nervously in that direction. Bo appeared in a rush looking panicked. His eyes landed on Hope and relief and embarrassment washed over him.

She went to him, "Hey."

He was breathing hard. He rubbed his eyes, wishing Kayla and Marlena weren't staring at him.

Hope grabbed his hand and squeezed it, "You okay?"

He nodded, "Fine."

She hugged him, giving him the opportunity to compose himself. He whispered in her ear, "I thought you were gone. I thought someone took you. Dammit."

She pulled away just enough to look at him. She knew he was cursing his anxiety more than her, "Everything is okay. I'm safe."

He nodded, "I hate this feeling."

She kissed him quickly, "Coffee?"

He nodded again. He needed the distraction. The feeling would pass for now. As long as she was in danger, he was afraid he would never overcome the constant fear of losing her.

Hope handed him a cup of coffee. He smiled softly at her and kissed her cheek, "Morning."

"Good morning," Hope smiled back. Her eyes sparkled back at him. Pleasant memories of the night before gave them both a warm feeling inside.

"The guys are outside," Kayla announced.

"Thanks," Bo nodded at Kayla and disappeared.

"Is he okay?" Kayla asked when Bo was gone.

Hope sighed, "Yeah. He's just going through a lot."

"I'm sure whatever he went through in Peru was pretty traumatizing," Marlena nodded, "I can't imagine."

"Hopefully this will be over soon and we can get back to our normal lives," Hope replied, "I don't think this lifestyle is good for him after experiencing all of that. He's anxious all of the time."

"Aren't we all," Kayla sighed, "I can't wait until this is over either. I'm worried about everyone, all the time."

Hope stared at her coffee, lost in thought. She had to believe everything would be okay. They would outsmart this organization. They would survive. In the meantime, she had her husband back in her arms and that was all that mattered.