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Crisis & Catharsis -- Part X Nora walked back into the living room after showing Bo out, picking up Matthew’s things along the way. She was startled by a knock at the door. Assuming Bo had forgotten something, she walked back to the door and pulled it open, surprised to see Rex standing on her doorstep.   Rex smiled awkwardly, nervously turning his head from side to side. “Evening, Mrs. um… Ms. … DA… Hanen, right?”   “Rex, what are you doing here?”   Rex shifted from side to side continuing to look around. “I um… I need to… Michael McBain sent me.”   “Dr. McBain sent you for what?”   Rex looked around nervously. “Can I come in?”   Nora looked where he had been looking. “Is someone following you? Why are you so jittery? What’s going on?”   Rex moved toward the opening. “Can I just come in?”   Nora backed away from the door and Rex moved inside, looking outside again before closing the door carefully behind him. He turned to face Nora, who was watching him curiously. “Are you running from the law or something?”   Rex cocked his head at her. “Um, I saw the Commish leave. He’s gone for the night, right?”   Nora nodded slowly, watching him carefully. “You’re hiding from Bo?”   “No!” Rex said quickly. “Well, yes. Maybe. Um… Look, Dr. McBain said he talked to you this morning…”   “Yes, Michael came by. What does that have to do with you hiding from Bo?”   Rex took a deep breath. He didn’t want to say more than he had to. “Did I say I was hiding from Bo?”   Nora frowned at him. “Out with it, Rex. What are you doing here? What does it have to do with Michael and Bo?”   Instead of answering, Rex moved past Nora into the living room, looking around the room. Nora followed him. He turned abruptly. “Okay, Ms. DA. Here’s the deal…” He stopped and looked around the room nervously again. “Are we alone?”   Nora was getting exasperated by Rex’s strange behavior. “My children are upstairs, Rex. Now, unless you tell me why you are here and acting so strangely, I will call Bo and ask him.”   Rex shook his head. “No need to do that. The Commish knows about this…” He looked down and continued under his breath, “in a manner of speaking.”   Nora looked at him dubiously. “What does that mean?”   Rex’s head shot back up. “Okay, here’s the deal. Michael sent me over here to get samples of things in your house. I already got stuff out of the yard while you were yelling at the Commish. Nice job on that, by the way. I’d like to learn your secret sometime…” Rex broke off when he saw Nora staring at him. “What?” he asked innocently.   Nora shook her head. “How does Bo put up with you?”   Rex smirked at her. “It’s my boyish charm.”   “Rex!” Nora yelled impatiently. “What are you doing here?”   Rex jumped. “Okay, no need to get testy. Mind if I sit down? I’ve been in the yard waiting for Bo to leave for quite a while.”   Rex moved to the sofa. Nora followed him and sat with her arms crossed, watching him, waiting for him to answer her questions.   “Okay,” Rex began. “Dr. McBain is working on your case, right?” Nora nodded. “Okay and he was running some extra tests last time you were in the hospital, right?” Again Nora nodded. “Right, well the smiling barracuda lady didn’t want him to run the extra tests…” Rex stopped. “What?”   Nora looked at him curiously. “The ‘smiling barracuda lady?’”   Rex grinned at her. “That’s Michael’s name for the illustrious Chief of Staff. Kinda catchy, don’t ya think?”   Nora frowned at him. “What does Paige have to do with you skulking around my house?”   Rex shifted nervously, looking around again. Nora tried not to lose her patience. “Rex, please?”   “Okay, sorry. Michael is curious about something he found in your test results. He asked Bo about it but given your less than happy feelings about your ex these days. Not that I blame you… I mean, exes can be a tricky thing…”   Nora put her hands to her head. “Rex, you are giving me a headache. Will you please just get to the point!”   “Right. Okay, look, don’t get upset. I don’t want to have to call 911. Um, so because you don’t want the Commish to be privy to your medical info, Michael asked Bo to help him with a hypothetical patient who may be being poisoned.”   Nora looked up at him. “Michael thinks I’m being poisoned?”   Rex nodded. “He found something in the blood work. Don’t ask me what because blood talk kinda makes me woozy…” Nora glared at him and he rushed on. “Anyway, he asked Bo to run tests for him if he got samples. Bo asked me to help Michael with the hypothetical patient and… here I am.”   Nora sat for several moments, trying to take in what Rex had said. Rex eyed her curiously, not knowing if she was waiting for him to continue or if she was having one of her dizzy spells. “Are you okay,” he finally asked, putting his hand in front of her face. “How many fingers am I holding up?”   Nora swatted his hand away. “Knock it off, Rex. I’m fine. I’m just stunned by what you’re saying. You said you needed samples. Samples of what?”   Rex looked around nervously again. Nora followed his gaze. “Why do you keep looking around? No one is following you.”   Rex turned back to Nora. “I thought I heard something. I’m a little nervous. If the Commish finds out that I’m here…”   Nora shook her head. “Bo isn’t coming back tonight. Now answer my question. What do you need samples of?”   Rex jumped off the couch, startling Nora. “Let’s start in the kitchen.” Before Nora could respond, Rex was gone. She shook her head and followed him.   As Bo was inserting the key in his door, he heard someone softly call his name. He turned to see Michael standing in the shadows at the end of the hall. Bo walked over to greet him. “Michael, what brings you by? And why are you hiding over here.”   Michael emerged from the shadows. “I was waiting for you. I need to talk to you.”   Bo nodded toward the garret. “Do you want to come in?”   Michael shook his head. “I’d rather not.”   “Okay, what can I do for you? Is Rex helping you like I asked?”   Michael nodded. “He’s getting the info I need right now. I need to know if you have contacted the lab about running the tests for me.”   Bo nodded. “Yes. When you go to the lab, ask for Benny. Just tell him I sent you and he’ll get you whatever you need.”   Michael let out a breath. “Thanks, Commissioner. I don’t know how I would deal with this case without your help.”   Bo smiled. “Your patient is very lucky to have such a conscientious doctor. I’ll be sure to mention to Paige what a great job you’re doing…” Bo stopped as Michael shook his head. “What?”   “You can’t let Paige know we’ve talked. I’m going out on a limb for this patient and if the Chief of Staff finds out I’m skirting the system, she could have my license.” Bo smiled. “I don’t see Paige doing that. She’s the first one to pull out all the stops for her patients.”   Michael shook his head. “Please, Commissioner. You promised to keep this between us. Can I trust you?”   Bo nodded. “Of course, but I don’t understand.”   “I know. Just trust me on this one, okay?”   “If that’s the way you want it. Let me know if you need anything else.”   Michael extended his hand. “Thanks, Commissioner. I really appreciate the help.”   Bo shook his hand. “Any time, Michael. I hope things work out for your patient.”   Michael walked down the hall and Bo returned to his door, entering the garret with a sigh. He moved to the stereo and turned on the CD player, enjoying the sounds of classic rock filling the garret. He headed to the terrace doors, opening them wide to enjoy a bit of fresh air. As he walked up the steps, he was reminded of his injury in the park. He rubbed his back absently as he headed to the kitchen for some ice. He stuffed some ice into a towel and grabbed a handful of cookies off the plate on the cabinet, making his way back into the living room and collapsing on the couch.   Bo turned when he heard the sound of a key in the door. Paige wandered in with a worried look that quickly morphed into a smile when she saw Bo on the couch. “Hi there! I didn’t expect you to be here. When did you get home?”   “Just a little bit ago. Did you bring dinner?”   Paige shook her head, smiling as she sat beside him. “No, but I see you started with dessert.”   Bo nodded. “I’m a little hungry and the cupboard is bare.”   Paige saw the towel he had wedged against his back. “What happened?”   Bo followed her gaze. “This?” Paige nodded. “It’s nothing. Matthew and I were tossing the football in the park and I popped something.”   She moved to grab the towel. “Let me see.”   Bo shook his head, fending her off. “It’s fine. I want to talk about Nora. I was over there this evening. Matthew called me because she had another dizzy spell. I know I can’t ask for specifics but do you have any ideas about what is causing that?”   Paige shook her head. “Not yet. I’m working on it.”   Bo looked at her carefully. “Well, I suggested that she get a second opinion in New York. Do you have someone you can recommend?”   Paige exploded. “What do you mean she's getting a second opinion? I’m her doctor. I’m the one who decides if she needs a referral to another doctor. Why would you encourage her to go around me?”   Bo was taken aback by her outburst. “Where is this coming from? Nora is perfectly within her rights to get another opinion. It’s not as if you’ve figured out what’s wrong with her.”   “Are you saying I’m not a good doctor? I am Chief of Staff of the hospital! I am perfectly capable of treating Nora. I resent you giving her the impression that I’m not giving her the highest quality care.”   Bo stared at her, noticing that her ever-present smile had cracked. “Take a breath, Paige. Where did you get the idea that I don’t think you’re a good doctor?”   Paige jumped to her feet. “I can’t believe you have so little faith in me!”   Before Bo could respond, Paige turned on her heel and stormed out of the garret. Bo shook his head. “What just happened here?” he asked the empty room.   Paige huffed down the hallway, snapping open her cell phone. “Meet me at Rodi’s NOW!” she hissed into the phone, snapping it shut again.   Nora closed the door behind Rex. He is one strange character, she thought as she walked back into the living room and dropped down on the couch. Rachel came down the stairs, sitting beside her on the couch. “What’s that look, mom?”   Nora glanced over at Rachel. “Oh, it’s just Rex. He came by to collect samples of the food in the kitchen. It seems he is working with Michael and he has a theory that my dizziness may be caused by something I’m eating.”   Rachel looked at her oddly. “That doesn’t make sense. We’ve all been eating the same things. Matthew is living here and he’s not getting sick.”   Nora shrugged. “I have no idea. Rex wasn’t exactly long on details. He just grabbed up a bunch of food out of the kitchen and made a hasty retreat. Since they haven’t given me any idea as to why I’m getting dizzy, I’ll take any theory they can give. I just want to feel better and take that worried look out of Matthew’s eyes. This has been really hard on him.”   Rachel nodded. “I know. I think he’s doing better now that Bo’s not being such a jerk.”   “And because you’re here,” Nora added. “He really needs his big sister right now, too.”   Rachel smiled. “And I’m happy to be here – for both of you.”   Paige marched into Rodi’s and dropped her purse on the bar. “Give me a whiskey on the rocks. And leave the bottle.”   “You always did like the hard stuff,” came a voice from behind her. Paige turned to see Spencer leering at her. “Didn’t you give that stuff up?”   Paige glared at him. “Lay off, Spencer. I’m not having a good day.”   Spencer chuckled. “So it seems. Trouble in paradise?”   “Stay out of my personal life. It’s none of your business.”   Spencer smirked at her. “You called this little meeting. What do you want?”   Paige took a deep breath, fixing her plastic smile on her face as she stared at Spencer. “I got your little note you left in my office earlier.”   “And?” Spencer smiled back at her.   “And,” Paige growled, “I cannot meet your demands. I want you to back off or I tell Bo everything.”   Spencer smirked again. “You and I both know you’re not going to do that, Paige. Bo is the key to your ‘happy little family’ dream. Are you ready to let him and his son slip through your fingers?” Paige looked away. “Didn’t think so. Why don’t you stop making empty threats and start figuring out how you’re going to pay my fee.”   Paige shook her head, inexplicably continuing to smile at him. “I can’t come up with that kind of money and you know it.”   “Use your head, Paige. You’re a bright lady. I have every confidence you can think of a way to get the money out of your boyfriend.”   “Bo and I had a fight,” Paige whined. “There is no way I can ask him for money right now.”   “Tsk tsk, Paige. Don’t you know better than to make him mad when you need something from him? Surely you must have something that he wants…”   “You’re a pig, Spencer,” Paige spat at him. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”   Spencer shook his head. “You know I can’t do that. Not when I’ve worked so hard to get you just where I want you.”   As Paige and Spencer were having their heated exchange, Rex walked into the bar. He watched as Paige argued with Spencer, staying out of their line of vision, inching closer to hear what the argument was about. Paige didn’t see him but Spencer noticed him eavesdropping on their conversation.   “So what about your other project?” Spencer asked.   Paige looked at him curiously. “What other project?”   Spencer smirked. “You know what I’m talking about. Remember the ingredient you asked me to get?”   Paige nodded with a smile. “Oh, that. Yes, where do we stand on that? Do you have any more? I ran out.”   Spencer shook his head. “It’s not easy to get my hands on. I’ll be in touch.” He leaned forward and kissed Paige on the cheek, whispering in her ear. “See you in the park tomorrow.”   Spencer walked away before Paige could respond. She finally saw Rex standing beside her at the bar. Her plastic smile returned. “Rex, how long have you been here?”   Rex eyed her cautiously. “Just got here. Looks like you started with the hard stuff.”   Paige followed his gaze to her untouched drink. “Long day,” she smiled. “I’ve changed my mind. I think I’ll just head home and relax with Bo.”   “Right,” Rex said as she collected her purse and strode out of the bar.   TBC