Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Twenty Four

Hope sat on the edge of her bed, lost in thought. Her anger was fading and her heart throbbed with pain and distress. She ran her hand mindlessly across the bedspread, remembering the last time she and Bo had made love. Her body ached in response. She closed her eyes. She could feel him on every inch of her skin. She saw his eyes staring so powerfully back at her. She longed to be in that moment again.

She opened her eyes and wiped away a lone tear that managed to escape. She had no control and she hated it. She missed him already.

"Hey," Kayla called softly from the doorway, "You okay?"

Hope nodded quickly, "I'm okay."

"You're sad," Kayla observed as she sat down next to Hope on the bed.

Hope nodded, "I'm so mad at him… but I miss him so much."

Kayla pulled Hope into a secure side hug, "It's a confusing feeling."

"I'm so worried," Hope confessed. She hated saying it out loud. It made it real. It made her feel like there was something she should be worried about, "How do you do this all the time?"

"Steve is an idiot," Kayla sighed, "But somehow I always manage to fall for him all over again every time he comes back to me. He's the father of my children. He's my husband. It hurts more to try to stop loving him than to let him run off on some mission."

"Aren't you scared?" Hope questioned, "What if he doesn't come back?"

Kayla grabbed Hope's hand, "I know this is new for you. I know you have a fresh wound, but you have to focus on the fact that Bo did come back to you. He did. It took him a long time, but he came for you. He will be back this time too. He's strong. He's smart. He loves you. You know he doesn't want to be separated from you for long."

Hope smiled softly, "I don't know if I want to slap him or hug him when he gets back."

Kayla laughed softly, "I usually do both."

"Are you guys okay?" Hope questioned.

"Me and Steve?" Kayla eyed her. Hope nodded. Kayla sighed, "I don't know what we are. We're just us. There's tension… as you know, there's a lot going on… but I know that he has my best interest and he'll do anything to keep me and our children safe. We love each other, but we haven't talked about it. Maybe when this is all over, we will quit arguing with each other and make up."

Hope smiled, "I hope you do."

"Me too," Kayla smiled back and then nudged Hope's shoulder with her own, "And I hope you and Bo do the same."

Hope rolled her eyes, "When have I ever been able to resist that man?"

Kayla laughed, "Thankfully for him and my family… Never."

Hope shook her head. She wanted to hold him. She wanted to feel him. She needed to hear him.

"Shane's here," Marlena called seriously from the doorway, "Come to the living room."

Hope didn't like the expression Marlena wore. She looked at Kayla and they both stood from the bed, rushing to follow her down the hallway.

They found Shane dressed in all black with blood and dirt covering his face and clothes. He held a weak and delirious Caroline in his arms.

"Mom!" Kayla gasped and ran to her, "What the hell? Is she okay?"

Shane nodded. He walked around to the other side of the couch and placed Caroline in the lying position, "There was an explosion."

Hope instantly felt sick to her stomach. Her world spun.

"Where are the others?" Marlena asked.

"They haven't resurfaced. I'm trying to track them down," Shane replied with a voice laced with regret.

"When did you see them last?" Kayla asked, "How did this happen?"

"Bo rescued Caroline and removed her from the building," Shane began, "He went back in for Steve. He was unconscious. He was hit in the back of the head in a shootout. I had communication with John before the explosion, but then everything went dark. I haven't heard from any of them since."

"Steve could have a brain bleed," Kayla panicked, "A concussion. A TBI."

Marlena watched Kayla as she trailed off. She didn't want to say what Kayla wouldn't. Steve could be dead. So could John.

Hope rushed to the nearest bathroom, heaving her stomach contents into the toilet. She tried to gain control, but her body rebelled against her. She heaved again.

"I have more bad news," Shane stood ominously behind her. His sudden appearance almost startled her. He waited for her to gain an ounce of composure, "I didn't want to tell you in front of the others. I'm sorry to spring it on you like this."

Hope gripped the toilet seat. Her hands were shaking as her body attempted to settle down from the violent emesis that had just rattled her system. She couldn't look at him. Instead she chose to wait for the devastating news she was terrified he would deliver by hovering over the toilet.

"Ciara's been kidnapped," Shane sighed, "Victor and Maggie too. I'm afraid this time we're against the Peruvian mafia. Not Stephano."

Hope stood with a new strength, "Let me out of this house Shane."

"Hope," Shane started to argue.

"I swear to God," Hope almost growled at him, "If you don't let me out, I will find a way out."

Shane stared at her. His eyes were tired, "These people aren't fucking around Hope."

"Neither am I," Hope glared at him, "You can either help me or make this hard for me, but I'm going after my daughter regardless of the choice you make."

"I'm going with you," Shane replied, "You need supplies. You need back up. These guys are serious trouble. The real deal. Bo's going to kill me."

Hope swallowed, "Well, we can worry about that later. I'm going to get my daughter."

Hope rushed passed Shane and into the living room. Her heart raced. She couldn't imagine how scared her little girl was.

"Hope," Caroline called her name quietly from the couch. She waved weakly to her daughter-in-law.

Hope stared at her. She felt a hint of resentment and instantly scolded herself. She was being selfish. She reluctantly went to her and tried to smile. Her mind raced, "Hey Caroline."

"Bo is here," Caroline announced as if Hope didn't know, "He's alive. He's back. He came home to you."

Hope's eyes burned again, "Yeah?"

Caroline nodded triumphantly, "I knew my son would come back. He saved me."

Hope felt that familiar guilt tug at her. Caroline knew all along that he would be back. She'd told Hope. She tried to soothe her and convince her to wait. Caroline had faith in her son. Hope had lost it.

"He is still out there," Caroline added. She smiled weakly at Hope, "Everything will be okay."

Hope prayed she was right. She didn't have time to worry about Bo. She had to save Ciara.

"Are you ready?" Shane asked from the doorway, "The trackers are on the move."

"What trackers?" Kayla asked, "Where are you going?"

"Ciara's been kidnapped," Hope replied, "I'm going after her."

"Oh my God," Kayla gasped. Her face went pale.

"I'll let you know as soon as I get contact with John or Steve," Shane added, "We'll see you both soon."

"Hope, be careful!" Marlena screamed.

Hope nodded, "I will."

Kayla and Marlena watched her go. They were locked in the safe house once again, not knowing if they would ever see anyone from the outside again.