Part 34:

 

Inside the cabin, Clancy pulls himself up clasping a hand over his shoulder, he mutters annoyed, "Just great! Shot twice in the same arm in a matter of weeks." He goes over to Chelsea and helps her up as she comes to shaking her head. He asks, "Are you okay?" She nods, her head still a bit clouded. He then goes over to Shawn and unties him. Shawn cries out as Clancy unties his legs. Clancy apologizes and with Chelsea's help gets Shawn to the bed.

 

Chelsea, more awake now asks frantically, "Aren't we going after them?" Shawn tries to sit up saying, "Hell yes we are!" then flinches at the pain in his leg. Clancy looks at him and says, "Don't be daft... you can't even stand. Look, it is pitch black and raining. We don't know what direction they went and we are all wounded." Shawn asks, "They took off on foot? Why didn't he take the car?" Clancy says motioning towards the table to Mason's keys laying on the table, "He left in too big a hurry."

 

Shawn sighs and says, "Great... so we just sit here and do nothing?" Clancy replies looking grim, "No. I'm going to call Roman and make sure he's on his way and tell him to search the woods. But yes... in the meantime I'm afraid Bo is on his own."  Shawn scowls not liking the sound of that but knowing there is nothing he can do.

 

Chelsea asks very anxiously, "He's going to kill Mason isn't he?" Clancy shrugs as he takes out his cell to call Roman, "He's still got the mind of a cop, plus we really do need Mason alive... but I know he will do what he has to in order to save Hope ... even kill." Chelsea sighs distraught.

 

The Woods:

 

Meanwhile deep in the woods Mason is dragging Hope along by the neck. The rain and the encroaching mud are only part of what is slowing him. Hope is fighting him every step of the way. Eventually she forces him to have to stop. He says, "If you were not so important to L I would gut you right here." Hope eyes are filled not just with fear but with anger. He presses the knife into her throat and looks at her seriously and says, "L wants you alive... but she did not say 'unharmed'..." He pauses for affect and adds, "Do you understand?" Hope hesitates and then nods with her eyes. They continue through the woods, and Hope does not fight him.

 

She looks back behind her every chance she gets hoping to see a glimpse of someone pursuing them, but it is pitch black and the rain makes it impossible for her to hear any footsteps. She closes her eyes for a moment in despair and in that brief moment she sees a flash in her minds-eye.... Bo drenched in rain, holding a gun... running through the woods. She opens her eyes with a start and we hear her thoughts, "Bo!"

 

After a ways they stop again as Mason looks around obviously lost. Hope says through the rain, “You’re lost aren’t you?” Mason doesn’t respond as he just continues to look around and gain some sense of direction, but with no moonlight, city light, or even stars it is impossible. He curses under his breath. Hope pleads, “Please… let me go and you can move quicker through the woods. You have a chance of escape… take it!!” Mason shoots her an angry glare and says, “You and I will part companies when we reach L, or reach death. Either way we are seeing this through to the end… together.” Hope says, “Why?! Who is L? Why are you doing all this?” Mason just glances at her smugly and says, “Telling you, is a moment I feel L would like to save for herself.”

 

He tugs on Hope’s bound hands and continues dragging her through the woods as fast as he can. Hope stammers out as they move blindly through the woods, “This is insane! You don’t even have a plan for getting us out of here do you?!” Mason says, “Just through these trees is the highway. We make it there, carjack a vehicle and make our way…” He stops short as they exit the mass of trees and find themselves overlooking the edge of the hillside. Mason stops abruptly which causes Hope to slam into him, he catches his balance having almost gone over the edge. She looks over his shoulder and sees the cliff and the shore far below. She says condescendingly, “The highway you said?” Mason says angrily, “Quiet!!”

 

He turns her around to head back into the woods just in time to see Bo emerge from the darkness, gun drawn. Mason quickly pulls Hope to him and puts the knife to her throat. Bo yells over the sound of the storm, “It’s over Mason! Let her go!” Mason spits back, “Never! Drop your gun and walk away or watch her die here and now! You’re choice hero!”

Bo does not move and says, “You won’t do it and we all know it! Your boss wants her alive!” Mason’s eyes dart as he frantically tries to think of a way out of his mess. Bo says, “Mason… we can work something out. Let her go, agree to help us bring down L, and we can protect you… maybe even make a deal for your freedom!” Mason’s attention is brought back to Bo at this and he laughs, “Ha! You expect me to believe that?!”

Bo says, “We aren’t like you. We keep our word. I promise you… you let her go and I’ll do everything in my power to protect you.” Mason just shakes his head and says, “You’re ‘power’? You have no power! You have no idea who you are dealing with. She will find me… she will find you and Hope… she will get what she wants and she will show no mercy.” Bo says, “We’ve heard that before! L will learn like they did that we won’t fall easily!”

Mason laughs, “Heard it about who? Stefano? Tony? North!? Armatures! You are fools! No one can stop her now. Even if you kill me, even if I agreed to help you, even if you hid from the world.. she would find you! As long as Hope lives L will come after her. You can’t stop her!” Bo yells, “Why?! Because of Gina!? Gina is dead and has been for years! Hope is NOT Gina!” Mason who is now dangerously close to the edge says, “Gina may be dead but the things she knows… the things Hope saw and did as Gina live on...” He taps the blade for a second on Hope’s temple, “…All locked up right in here.”

 

Bo glances at Hope’s face at this and we can tell both of them are unnerved about this realization. Just then in the distance we hear the sound of police sirens and movement in the woods. Within moments the sound of movement in the woods can be heard, and not to far off the sound of a helicopter. Bo says to Mason, “You hear that, Mason?! That’s the sound of backup! You can’t escape its over! You’re only choice now is cut a deal!”

 

Mason’s foot slips a little and he almost falls over the edge but catches himself and tightens his grip around Hope, pressing the knife almost too deeply to her throat. Hope gives a little gasp and Bo takes a step forward. Mason looks at him and turns the knife a little to make it clear to Bo that he will kill Hope if Bo takes another step. Mason looks around noticing where he is standing and listening to the sounds of the approaching police for a moment he looks like a caged animal; panicked, scared… but then his face changes as he realizes the only option he really does have.

 

He looks at Bo with cold calm eyes and says, “You’re right… I only have one choice now.” Mason gives and evil… almost primal smile and we can tell he is loosing it like a caged animal. He positions himself right at the edge of the cliff and say, “L gave me one last order… if I failed… I was to make sure that what’s in Hope’s head never falls into anyone else’s hands. If L can’t have her… no one will.”

Bo looks curious for a moment and then his face falls as he realizes Mason’s intent. He gasps, “No!” Mason smiles again and holding onto Hope says, “Say goodbye.” He then pushes off from the ground lunging backwards over the cliff taking Hope with him. Bo screams, “NO!!!!” And shoots right at the moment Mason’s feet leave the ground. The bullet catches Mason in the arm that is around Hope’s waist and causes him to release his grip. Hope, who was already tumbling backwards with Mason pushes with all her might against him. She stumbles but instantly turns around and falling flat on the ground reaches out and catches Mason’s arm, saving him from the fall. He dangles there hanging off the cliff edge. The helicopter now over head shoots its spotlight down on them through the rain.

 

Bo runs to her she yells, “We need him alive! He is the only lead we have to L!” Bo reaches down and grabs Mason’s arm trying to pull him up the side of the mountain. The rain and the mud making his struggle near impossible. Mason struggles and laughing manically yells, “You think you have won! You think this is the end?! This is only the beginning!” He swings his arm that is still holding the knife and cuts at Bo’s hand. Bo yells in pain as the blade cuts him and he instinctually releases his grip on Mason. Mason had grabbed on to the side of the hill before cutting Bo and reaching up with all his might, drops his knife and with his free hand grabs Hope’s shirt and pulls will all his strength. Hope yells and begins to slide over the edge.

 

Bo grabs Hope around the chest and with his foot kicks Mason in the face. He falls backwards away from the cliff and disappears into the black water below. Bo and Hope fall backwards onto the ground and then scrabble up to look over the cliff at were Mason fell. The helicopter shoots its beam downwards and all we see is the waves breaking against the rocky shore. Mason is no where to be seen having obviously fallen to his death. The helicopter flies downward searching the waters.

 

Rain is still falling down on them as the emotions of the night finally come to ahead for Hope as she looks over the cliff. She gasps as tears start rolling down her face mixing with the rain. Bo looks at her and she looks at him. Instantly he grabs her into his arms and holds her as she cries.

 

He holds her head to his chest and hugs her tightly whispering, “Its okay… it’s over… he’s gone.” Hope raises her head and they lock eyes… their faces close together. She says sobbingly, “Will it ever really be over?” Bo looks down at her; he strokes her hair with his hand, caressing her face. His eyes look deeply into hers as if for the first time. Tears well in his eyes and he says quietly but emphatically and with passionate determination, “It doesn’t matter… I will never let them near you again. I will never leave you again.” With that their lips touch and they sink into a long kiss so filled with emotions that time seems to stop for them.

 

As they kiss flashlights flicker over them and we hear a man’s voice yell, “Commander! We found them! They’re over here!”

 

The Cabin:

 

Awhile later at the hideout, the police have arrived along with a couple ambulances. The rain has stopped and the place is lit up with flashing red, blue, and white lights. There are also several men and women in black suits walking in and around the house who are obviously ISA.

 

Chelsea, Clancy, and Shawn are all outside being treated by the EMTs. Abe is talking with Clancy as we then see emerging from the woods, Bo and Hope flanked by Roman and a few uniformed police officers. Clancy and Shawn both see them first. Shawn cries out, “MOM!” Abe turns and seeing them he visibly sighs in relief.

 

Hope sees Shawn and runs too him and hugs him with all her strength. Bo watches and smiles and we can tell how much it means to him to see Shawn and Hope together. Roman notices his smile and puts a hand on his shoulder. Two paramedics rush over to Bo. The EMT motions to the cut on Bo’s hand where Mason had sliced him and says, “Sir… your hand. We should get that cleaned up.” Bo nods and they go over to the ambulances.

 

As they are all tended too at the scene Bo and Hope are a couple ambulances apart. They steal looks at each other the entire time. Bo’s hand is patched up as Hope is checked over and is obviously relaying the night’s events to an ISA agent.

 

Roman comes over to Bo and tells him, “The cabin is pretty clean… not much info we can gather there but we’ll keep looking.” Bo nods. He is thoughtful for a moment and looking at Hope he flashes back to the cliff. He remembers Mason’s almost killing Hope. His saying how L will never stop coming for Hope. Bo then remembers kissing Hope and telling her he will never let them hurt her again.

 

Back to the present the EMT’s are getting ready to take them all to the hospital. Roman puts a hand on Bo’s shoulder and says, “Thank you… brother or not, you saved Hope and Shawn’s lives.” He looks at Bo sincerely and adds, “I’ll meet you at the hospital later. I’m going to head down to the beach with the search party… see if we can’t find Mason’s body.” Bo stands up and says, “I’m coming with you..” Roman looks at him a little shocked and says, “Hey, I understand why you would want to but you’ve had one hell of a night. You should go with Hope and Shawn.” Bo shakes his head and says, “No. I need to know that bastard is dead… and if he isn’t then I want to be there when he is found.”

 

Roman sighs and says, “Look… there is no way he could have survived that fall. He’s gone. Go to the hospital and…” Bo’s look silences him and Roman can tell that he is not talking Bo out of this one. He sighs and shakes his head and says, “Okay… well at least get a dry jacket from my car.” Bo nods and says, “Thank you… thanks for understanding.” Roman just smiles at Bo’s stubbornness and gives a “yeah, yeah.”

 

Bo goes over to Hope and Shawn and tells them, “I’ll meet you both at the hospital soon.” He kisses Hope on the head. He looks at Shawn and takes his hand and says with a chocked up voice, “I’m … SO glad you are okay.” Shawn looks back at him holding back his emotions and then just as Bo is about to step away pulls him too him and hugs him. Bo closes his eyes moved deeply by being hugged by his son. The two separate and without words just nod and smile at each other. Bo turns and joins Roman. Shawn looks at his mom and they both share a smile.

 

The Beach:

 

Bo and Roman, along with a good number of police and search and rescue personal are combing the beach. Roman tells Bo, “We have boats in the water, but with the storm I doubt they’ll find much.” Bo asks, “What about the helicopter?” Roman looks at him oddly and says, “What helicopter?” Bo, now confused says, “The one that was searching the woods. It flew right over us while we were fighting Mason. Didn’t you see it? It had a spotlight on us! I assumed it had to be Salem PD!” Roman shakes his head and has a concerned look on his face. He says, “It wasn’t Salem PD or Search and Rescue. They were out on the eastside helping some sailors who got caught in the storm.”

Bo and Roman look at each other both thinking the same thing. Bo finally vocalizes their thoughts, “So if it wasn’t ours… who’s was it?” Roman scowls and then looking back up the cliff says, “Listen… even if the helicopter was here to help Mason… he fell. You saw him fall. There is no way he could have survived. And even if he did, the helicopter wouldn’t have had time to get him out of the water before he drowned, or my men got here.”

 

Bo nods knowing Roman speaks logic but we can tell he is still worried. Roman sees his concern and says, “Hey… nothing we can do about it right now either way. We’re searching best we can… that’s all we can do. And you… you should get to the hospital and be with your family. Bo nods but then raises and eyebrow and looks at Roman and says, “Family? You saying you believe I am Bo?” Roman gives a chortle and with a smile says, “Well if you aren’t then… well… I’d prefer to go with ‘ignorance is bliss’.” He smiles and slaps Bo on the arm affectionately. He says, “I’m going to call back to HQ and tell them about the helicopter… maybe we can find out where it landed.” Bo says, “Thanks.” And we can tell he isn’t just referring to Roman’s calling about the helicopter but rather to his affirmation that he feels he is Bo. Roman nods walks off leaving Bo on the shore.

Bo sighs and shaking his head looks up and down the beach. He stares out onto the water for a long moment, he then closes his eyes tightly and we hear him pray, “Please God… I need to know… I need a sign. I love Hope… with everything I am. If I am not her husband I don’t want to hurt her any more then she has been. Please, Lord… give me a sign… no tests, no drugs… just a sign from you is all I need. I beg you. If I am not Bo… I need to know now, I can’t keep Hope suffering like this.”

 

Bo opens his eyes to the same view he closed them too. He stands there unmoving for a moment, then feeling no sign is coming he sighs deeply and starts to turn to walk away. As he does, his eyes glance downward to the edge of the water. He does a double take and squints to try and figure out what he is seeing. He walks towards the edge of the water. There are the remains of an old fishing net washed up on the shore. It is covers with seaweed and shells and sand but something shinny is in it, catching the light of the flashlights searching the beach in the distance. Bo kneels down and digs it out. He cleans it off and looks at it. He gasps almost laughs in realization and smiles. He closes it in his hands and looks heavenward and smiles in thanks. He opens his hand again and we see what he found… it is Hope’s wedding ring.