All You Need is Love...............part 1

A deli in New York City

For the 10th time that day, he pulled out the newspaper article from his shirt pocket and read every word. He would have missed it all together if he hadn't recognized the picture that was connected to the story. Why would anyone do such a horrible thing to Nora? Kidnap her, keep her away from her family and friends for months, and drug her? Not Nora. How could people like this Lindsay Rappaport be so evil? Unfortunately he knew all too well. He had just escaped from the same thing, but for him it was for over 10 years.

At the same time, Llanview - Nora's house

Nora: Hi, come in
Bo: Hi yourself, how are you?
They walk into the living room and sit down
Nora: Sorry I didn't answer your calls. I've been meaning to, but you know
Bo: Lindsay's confession on the stand yesterday was amazing wasn't it? Hank Gannon at his very best.
Nora in a soft voice: Yea, it was great
Bo: Nora, it's all over! You should be celebrating
Nora looks at the floor: I should, shouldn't I
Bo: I'll say. You got your truth that you needed. She instigated the kidnapping, she drugged you and now that she's confessed she'll pay for it for a very long time.
Nora lifts her head up and blankly stares at the opposite wall: A very long time
Bo: Nora, I know it won't make up for all the pain she put you through but at least she is going to pay for it. Doesn't that help?
Nora: She can't harm anyone else
Bo: No, you are right, she can't. I thought this would make you happy. This is not happy.
Nora shakes her head as if to clear her mind: Bo, I'm sorry. Of course this is good news. I went through an awful lot because of Lindsay and now she will pay.
Bo: Ummm Nora... have you talked to anyone about everything that happened to you. A professional I mean.
Nora: Why would you ask that?
Bo: Well...um...if anything happened to me like what happened to you, I don't know if I could handle it myself
Nora: Sus and I talk from time to time
Bo: Well...good...that's good. I worry about you sometimes Red
Nora: Bo, I'm fine. Really, everything has just been so overwhelming it'll take time for my mind to sort it all out.
Bo: You need anything, and I'll be here for you. And so will Hank and Renee and all your friends. Got it?
Nora tries to hold back the tears forming in her eyes: Got it. (Nora gets up) I'm sorry to cut this short but I have to pick up Matthew from daycare. Thanks for coming over Bo. I needed to hear what you had to say.
Bo: You want to join Melanie and me for dinner?
Nora: No thanks Bo. I'm fine, don't worry about me
Bo: I'll call you tomorrow.
And with that Bo left for the station.

Hank's office

Hank: Hey Bo, what's up?
Bo: Just came back to finish up some paperwork. I went to see Nora
Hank: And?
Bo: I don't know. She says she's ok, but I don't think she is Hank. She doesn't seem to be getting any satisfaction from what happened yesterday.
Hank: She's been through a lot, hasn't she? Maybe she needs a bit of time to absorb it all
Bo: That's what she said, but I think it might be more.
Hank: You know Nora, she needs to work things out on her own. She'll come around soon, I'm sure of it
Bo: I just hate thinking of her there all alone. I offered her dinner with Melanie and me but she said no.
Hank: You know, sometimes you can be so dense. Bo, I think the last thing Nora needs right now is to see you two together, happy. This is one of the things she needs to adjust to - your divorce and your engagement to Melanie.
Bo shoves his hands in his pockets and looks down at the floor: Damn, I didn't mean to make things worse. Hank will you keep an eye on her, I think I better back off before I do more damage.
Hank: No way! She needs us all Bo. You can't desert her now. We all need to be there for her, even if it's just a call to say hi.
Bo: You're right....as always. I just hate seeing her so unsettled.

Later that night

Nora: Matthew! What are you doing up? I put you to bed an hour ago
Matthew climbs onto the couch and pulls in really close to Nora: Are you staying home tonight?
Nora: Yes sweetie, I'm going to be here all night
Matthew: I don't want you to go out
Nora: I'm not, honestly Matthew. I know that I've been very busy lately and you've been here with Mary Ann a lot, but this is all going to change now. I'm gonna be home so much with my favourite guy (she tickles him) that you're gonna say "hey mommy, aren't you ever gonna go out?"
Matthew: No way. I like you here with me.
Nora: Honey, there is no where else I want to be. Now you get upstairs and I'll tuck you in, in about a minute, K?
Matthew gives Nora a big hug and runs upstairs leaving her alone to cry. She grabs a tissue from the box on the coffee table and dries her eyes. " Buchanan, get yourself together".

The next day Nora wakes up early and makes her way downstairs. She makes some coffee, grabs the paper from the door and sits down in the living room.
"Not more about the trial! It's over and done with. I don't want to read about it, or think about it ever again. Reality check Nora. This is going to haunt me forever. Another chapter to add to ‘Todd attacks poor blind Nora'." The phone rings and brings her back
Hank: Hey baby
Nora: Hank, the wonder DA! Nice going by the way
Hank: All in a day's work my dear
Nora: I thought she'd squirm out of it yet again, but you got her. Amazing!
Hank: Sentencing is later today. Do you want to participate?
Nora: Not in the least Hank. I think Judge Fitzwater will be fair and give Lindsay what's coming to her. She doesn't need my help.
Hank: Whatever you want baby. You ok?
Nora clenches her jaw: It'll take a bit of time, but I'll make it. I always do, right?
Hank: You always do. If you need me for anything just give me a shout alright
Nora: Will do friend. Ummm Hank.....I haven't called Rachel yet - just can't do it
Hank: I'll keep that front covered for now. Maybe in a day or two though ok, Rachel needs to hear you're doing alright
Nora: I'll try tomorrow. Thanks for... well, you know
Hank: I know Nora. I'll call later. Bye.

Llanview Park

Matthew: Mommy there's Jeremy. Can I go play with him?
Nora: Of course honey. Just always keep where I can see you ok
Matthew: I will mommy. Oh mommy?
Nora: Hummm?
Matthew: Thank you for bringing me to the park today. I love you
Nora gives him a big hug: I love you too, now scoot!

Nora walks around the park, occasionally glancing at Matthew and smiling at him as he hangs upside down on the monkey bars. But the smile soon fades as she notices the plaque on the wall, the one they had placed in memory of her. Every time she looked at it, it was like being stabbed in the heart. She really must tell Hank to take it down. She walked closer to it and started to finger the lettering
Man from NY: Very fitting tribute
Nora keeps her back to him: Is it?
Man: Nora?
Nora slowly turns around and stares at this man for a minute or so: Hi, sorry for staring. You just remind me so much of...
Man: I am that person Nora
Nora: David? Oh my God... DAVID!!
David: Nora, my sweet, sweet Nora
They fell into each other arms and laughed and cried and laughed some more hugging each other with all their strength. Nora traced his face with her fingers, finding it unbelievable that he was standing in front of her. After all these years thinking he was gone forever, after being listed MIA in the Persian Gulf, how could he possibly be alive. Nora couldn't take her eyes off of him and for once was speechless as she wiped away her tears.

Matthew came running up to them with a very worried look and tried to shove David away.
Matthew: Hey leave my mommy alone. You're making her cry
Nora was now smiling through her tears like she hadn't smiled in years: Matthew... Matthew it's ok. David this is my son Matthew Hanen Buchanan. Matthew this is your uncle, David Hanen, my wonderful, incredible, gorgeous brother.

To be continued

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