Altered States part 4

They get on the bike after breakfast and start back towards Llanview. The snow has started to pick up, heavier and wetter. They get about a half a mile from the truck stop.
Bo: (yelling back from under his helmet) We're not gonna make it to Llanview...back to the cabin.
He turns the bike around and they head back to the cabin, zipping past the truck stop. Once they get to the cabin, they shake off the snow and go in. Inside Bo starts to light the oil lamps and starts the pump.
Bo: I think I'd better bring the bike in, it looks like its getting bad out there.
Nora: I'll start the fire.
He gets the bike inside the door, and notices the fire taking shape.
Bo: Hey! You're a regular Boy Scout!
Nora: Dixie Scout, thank you. Five time champ in the Camp Days Survival Jamboree.
Bo: Dixie Scout? Midwest thing huh? Boy it is really coming down hard! I'm glad I stocked the wood pile. Looks like we're gonna be here another night. I'm kinda happy about it. I mean, I've got plenty of warm blankets, a roaring fire, adequate rations for a few days, extra sweats in the bedroom, and the woman of my dreams to share it all with.
He hugs her and starts to kisses her neck...
Bo: (whispering in her ear between kisses) Hey, I was thinking (kiss) since we've got so much time on our hands (kiss) with this storm and all (kiss) why don't we....
Nora pulls away. She fidgets nervously with her hands and walks toward the kitchen. She opens the small cabinets...
Nora: So, what kind of rations do you keep, Commissioner?
Bo: Nora...
Nora: Any chips? Chocolate? Cheezie-doodles?
Bo: Nora...
She looks in the small refrigerator, obviously trying to avoid the line of questioning.
Bo: Nora, what's wrong? Call me crazy, but I am definitely detecting avoidance. Am I...I don't know, moving to fast? Rushing you?
She has her back to him.
Bo: Sweetheart, talk to me.
Nora: Bo...
Bo: Honey, you run from me, you seem so distant. You won't talk, when I touch you, you pull away...(pause)I want you so bad I ache and I thought you still felt the same for me...now I don't know what to think.
Nora: Bo, it's not you. Please believe that. It's not you at all. It's me...
Bo: How is it you? It's me you're avoiding.
He walks over to her and puts his hands on her shoulders.
Bo: I want to ask you something. Please tell me the truth.
Nora: What.
Bo: Nora, do you love me?
Nora: Bo, that is just silly.
Bo: Is it? For the past twenty four hours I don't recall you saying it once. Do you love me?
Nora: Why? Because you want me? You want to just hit the sack and your conscience won't allow it unless I say it? I'm not in the mood for sex and you immediately doubt my feelings for you?
Bo: Listen to what you just said, doubt your feelings, not doubt your love. You don't love me. That's why you are so apprehensive. You can't be with someone you don't love.
He walks away into his bedroom and plops down on the bed. He was angry. And confused. He thought to himself...
Bo: (in his head) Get going Buchanan. Idiot! You tear her down not even and day after you're back together. Bad move...
His anger was still in control when Nora walked into the room...
Bo: Excuse me, Mrs. Rappaport, if there was a door on the room, it would be closed...and locked!
Nora: That's low...
Bo: Sorry. I have nothing better.
Nora: Bo, you're blowing this all out of hand...
Bo: I don't think so. As soon as the storm dies down, I will deliver you safely into the waiting arms of your husband.
Nora: Bo...stop it...this is not funny.
Bo: I am not laughing. That's about all I have to say, if you'll excuse me.
He rolls over to face the wall.
Nora: Fine.
She walks out into the living room, sits on the couch and starts to cry. Bo lays in his bed listening. After a while, he goes in to the living room and stands in front of her. She looks up at him, then puts her head down on her knee and continues to cry softly. He crouches next to her.
Bo: (quietly) Hey, I'm sorry. I was totally out of line to say that.
Nora: You think I like feeling like this? You think I like having you touch me, making me feel so good, getting lost in you, then having this dark feeling wash over me, making push you away? I want to tell you the things you want to hear. I want to make you feel the way you make me feel...(pause) I can't. I am afraid.
Bo: Afraid? Of what? What do you mean?
Nora: Afraid to totally give you my heart. Afraid you will break it, walk away. I remember, oh how I remember, before Drew died. When you said it at the hotel, how happy we were, that is what I want. I want to love you. I want you to touch me, hold me, but there is a part of me that just won't let me. Not yet at least.
Bo: Nora, honey, look at me (he lifts her chin) I am not going to hurt you, I'm not going to leave.
Nora: You used to tell me all the time, we would be together forever, nothing could come between us, or break us apart.
Bo: We are together
Nora: Now, yes, but the fact remains, we weren't. And we can't pretend it didn't happen. What about what just took place here? You jump to conclusions, and lash out at me--again.
Bo: OK, OK point taken and understood. But honey, all this I did for us, yeah, stupid as it is, you know how I feel about you. I love you. And when you are sad or scared or whatever, it makes me question if I am loving you enough...
Nora: Please understand this. If you love me as much as you say, understand just this, what happened three years ago was bad. Very bad for both of us. We need to reconnect. I just married another man and realize that it is you I belong with. My head is spinning. I am questioning myself. I can't be all hot and happy Nora. Not yet. We need to find that special place again.
Bo: You need to trust me again.
Nora: Among other things. Sweetheart, I would love nothing more than to spend the entire day making love to you, but the fact remains, I am guarded by my own conscience, and right now it is on red-alert and won't let me. We just have to take it slow. OK?
Bo: OK. But it's going to be sooo hard (sighs)
Nora: What?
Bo: Not touching you...
Nora: I didn't say we couldn't touch, just don't expect every hug or kiss to turn into me falling into bed with you.
Bo: I know. I was just kidding.
Nora: For the record, I do love you.
Bo: (pulling his elbow back in victory) YESSSSS!
She laughs.
Nora: Will you give us that time to trust and find that place again? Without timelines or pressure?
Bo: I will give you all the time in the world.
Nora: Will you sit with me?
Bo: With pleasure.
He gets up and sits on the couch with her. She takes his arm and puts it around her shoulder and puts her head on his chest. They sit there in the quiet for quite some time.
Nora: After the storm ends I want to go back to Llanview and face the music. The sooner I get it over with the sooner I can focus on us. Let's go for a walk.
Bo: What? Honey, there's a blizzard out there...
Nora: Adventure, excitement...maybe even romance
Bo: Maybe even Blair Witch Project! Sweetheart, we do not want to get lost out there in a blizzard. How bout you let me beat the pants off you in poker?
Nora: You? Beat me? HA! A gambling man, eh?
Bo: I took a gamble on us, it worked. I'm on a roll!
Nora: One for one? Alright, you're on.
They play cards most of the afternoon, into the early evening.Bo looks up occasionally and sees her deep in concentration, his heart skips a beat.
Bo: I love you.
She looks up and smiles, lays her cards on the table...
Nora: I win!! I win!! Whipped you good!
Bo: Hey look. It stopped snowing! Let's go have a look...
They get dressed and head out side.
Nora: God. It is so beautiful out here! So serene!
Bo: Will ya look at that moon. So full and bright.
They start to walk along the edge of the trees, where the path is supposed to be and come to a little clearing. Two trees have been cut down and a board nailed across them to fashion a bench.
Bo: This s my spot. I come out here to think. Care to sit and think?
They brush off the snow and sit.
Nora: I love this weather. Cold, but not frigid, quiet, bright...
Bo: Nothing like winter in Pennsylvania.
Nora: No. Nothing like winter in Chicago. Brutal! That wind! Cuts through a body like glass. My Dad used to tell me and Suzanne if we didn't cover our noses and ears, they'd crack and fall off. Can you imagine the horror at eight and five? Uh! We wrapped our heads like mummies! For years we thought old man Brooks who ran the deli had succumbed to the crack and fall off theory, wasn't til high school that we found out he lost his ear in the war! (pause) Hey! I want to go ice skating!
Bo: (he looks at her confused) Where in the world is that coming from?
Nora: All this talk of winter and cold and well, I used to skate all the time when I was a kid...
Bo is trying to hide his blatant amusement...
Nora: I know you're not laughing at me. Cuz if you were lashing at me, I would definitely have to teach you a lesson or two...
Bo: Oh yeah, I'd love to see you try, Dorothy Hammill, or is it Peggy Flemming?
Nora: That's it! Now you suffer the wrath of Nora!
She grabs a handful of snow and goes to throw it point blank in Bo's face, he reacts fast this time grabbing her throwing arm and in one swift move, pulls her off the bench and on to the ground on her back where he proceeds to kneel over her pinning her down. He has a handful of snow perched precariously over her face.
Bo: You think you're pretty slick with that snow in the face move, huh?
Nora: Bo, you wouldn't...
Bo: Oh, wouldn't I? (in a Cagney-like gangster voice) What's it worth to ya doll? To ah, keep dis here snow outta dat pretty mug of yers?
Nora: Bo! I was just playin! I wasn't really...
Bo: Sure! That's what they all say!
He gets off her and helps her up. They start walking back towards the cabin.
Nora: My butt's cold and wet!
Bo: I'll warm it and dry it.
Nora: I'll bet.
He puts his arm around her as they head into the cabin, Once inside-
Bo: Coffee?
Nora: definitely! I need to get out of these wet clothes. You said something about...
Bo: Second box in the stack, corner of the bedroom.
Nora: Thanks.
Once in the room she starts to change and talk to herself
Nora: This is so perfect. All I need to do was talk to him. I feel so good, I wish we could stay here. I know this is what is right, me and Bo...
Bo: Honey (calling from the living room) You hiding someone in there? Come on slowpoke! I made some sandwiches!
She comes out of the bedroom and he just stares at her...
Nora: I'm here, I'm here...what. What are you looking at?
Bo: How great you look...how lucky I am. Come on sit, have a bite to eat.
She sits on the couch across from him and start to eat.
Nora: So...you were serious about the Aspen thing? I've been thinking about it, and I actually think it would be great!
Bo: Really?
She puts her sandwich down and scoots across the couch to him, leans over and gives him a quick kiss
Nora: Yeah, really.
She snuggles next to him on the couch, they sit and watch the fire.
Nora: Ya know, I missed this...
Bo: Cold sandwiches, weak coffee, my old sweats...
Nora: No silly, this...us...you holding me. Bo, I used to dream that you want to hold me again.
He hugs her tight.
Bo: I was a damned fool. Never again will you have to dream it. You will know it. I'll hold you as long as you like.
He kisses the top of her head.
Bo: I love you
She looks in to his eyes and moves closer to him til their lips are barely separated
Nora: I love you too
She kisses him, and keeps kissing him, more passionately than he remembered. He didn't want to stop. She ran her fingers through his hair and climbs on to his lap. She feels his excitement as their kissing becomes more and more intense. He runs his hands up her back, then up her back under the sweatshirt. She unbuttons his flannel shirt and takes in his lingering aftershave scent, then hungrily kisses his chest. He stops her.
Bo: Hey (nearly out of breath) are you sure?
Nora: Oh, yes. I want us. I want you. I need you to kiss me, to touch me.
He kisses her feverishly and moves his hands around under the sweatshirt to her sides, he gently rubs up and down her sides...
Nora: Touch me...
He moves his hands to the front of her body and lightly massages her breasts. She arches slightly and lets out a hushed groan.
Nora: Oh...Bo...I want to make love to you, now, tonight, all night, like we used to...
He pulls the sweatshirt off her and they move to the mattress on the floor in front of the fire.
He moves his hand behind her neck and pulls her mouth to his. He kisses her and lets his tongue explore her mouth. They finally make love. Before they realize it the fire have almost gone out, but their passion continued through out the night. They finally fall asleep in each others arms.
************************************************
When Nora wakes up she sees the sun is already shining. She looks at Bo as he sleeps, she traces his face lightly with her finger. His eyes flutter open...
Bo: Morning beautiful...
She kisses him
Nora: Morning yourself, handsome.
Bo: Ooooh...pinch me...I must still be asleep. Can I really be lying here with my ex-wife
He moves to kiss her
Nora: You know, that is such an ugly word-ex-wife...
Bo: Woke up in bed with the love of my life
She smiles and kisses him
Nora: Much better...We have to go back to Llanview today..
Bo: We could stay here...
Nora: We could, but then I'd still be married to Sam. No, I have to face him, annul the marriage. I wouldn't feel right.
Bo: This doesn't feel right?
He kisses her
Nora: Oh...that feel sooo right.
He runs his hand down her side to her stomach were he starts to trace little circle as he kisses her neck and shoulders
Bo: Does this feel right?
Nora: Uh-huh...
One thing leads to another and they spend the rest of the morning in bed doing what they do best, before heading back to Llanview.
************************************************
They pull up at Andrew's rectory.
They walk up to the door and Nora knocks.
Nora: I'm nervous.
Bo: I'm right here. I love you.
Nora: Thank you. I love you too.
Andrew opens the door.
Andrew: Oh! My! Nora! I have been trying to contact you! Where have you been! I'll call Sam...
Nora: No! (pauses) Wait. Andrew I need help.
Andrew: Come in...Bo...how are you?
Bo: Fine.
Andrew: Nora, I need to tell...
Nora: Wait. Andrew, I made a huge mistake. You see (she begins to pace) Andrew, I'm a bad person, I can't believe I am capable of causing so much pain...
Andrew looks confused
Bo: She's in love with me.
Andrew: Oh. OH! I see. I guess...
Nora: I need to figure out a way to end the marriage to Sam. Andrew it's true, I love Bo. I never meant to hurt Sam, but I have to be true to my heart. I love Bo (looks at Bo and smiles) I want to be with him.
Bo hugs her from behind.
Andrew: You two have been together the past two days?
Nora: Yes.
Andrew: You have not spoken to anyone today?
Nora: No. Why? What is going on? Did Sam do something to hurt himself?
Andrew: No. but he is trying to find you. Well, here's what is happening. You need to go with Sam to the court house and reapply for your marriage certificate.
Nora: Why?
Andrew: There was a computer virus and all the files for the past month were destroyed. All certificates, records, licenses gone. So you marriage doesn't exist. Now, considering the circumstances, I doubt you will be going to re-apply.
Bo: But what about you Andrew? The power vested by the state, yada yada yada...
Andrew: I have a piece of paper that is not recognized by the state, unless a proper license is applied for, so what do I have? (he crumples the paper) nothing. You have to let Sam know what is happening. If you need my help. call me.
Bo: We will.
Andrew: Nora, Bo, I am happy for you.
Nora: Thanks Andrew.
They walk out of the rectory calmly, but once they are in the parking lot Bo gives out a loud victory yell, picks Nora up and spins her around.
Bo: Oh baby! We're free! We can go anywhere, do anything!
Nora: Whoa! Bo! Put me down!
He puts her down and hugs her
Nora: I'm gonna throw up!
Bo: Lemme kiss you first...
He starts kissing her
Bo: I love you so much!
The happiness of their celebration is cut short by the sound of a gun shot ringing out in the silence of the early evening.

To be continued....

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