Search and Rescue - 4 Lost Hearts...
Chapter Five:

Two black SUV’s pull up alongside the ELQ jet as it waits to take them all home, back to their children and their respective lives. Bo helps Nora get out of the vehicle, holding onto her arm as she struggles with her cast and the crutches they had given her at the hospital.

Ned holds out his hand helping her out of the car. She adjusts her cast in the sling they had given her in the hospital. He puts his arm around her as they make their way towards the plane.

He helps her up the steps of the plane, and notices the tension as she enters the cabin. She freezes, unable to complete the journey. He reaches underneath her legs, lifting her up, she buries her head into his shoulder as the tears start falling, "Shh, honey, it's okay, I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

He sets her down, next to the chair, "Oh Bo, I'm so sorry, I..."

"Hey, its okay, I understand," he puts his finger under her chin, "I understand; I really do."

She looks at him, seeing the love in his eyes, knowing it mirrors her own, needing to break the stare, she turns away. "Here let me help you get settled" he reaches for her arm, and the static causes a shock, they pull back from each other, a slight smile on each of their faces, "well, that's puts a whole new perspective on the term fireworks."

*~*

They stand outside; letting the other couple make their way onto the plane. He takes her good arm and they walk hand in hand onto the first step. He feels her hesitation; he sees the fear in her eyes. "You'll be okay honey. We'll do this together. Just hold on to me."

She smiles and nods her head. She knew with him beside her she could do this. She could get on that plane and make the journey home to their daughters.

"Did I thank you yet today for rescuing us?"

They take a few more steps but the fear overtakes her again. Her legs are barely holding her up. He looks down and smiles, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her onto the plane. "Why no Ms. Davis you haven't, but believe me it was my pleasure." She buries her head in the crook of his neck and lets the strength in his arms give her the strength to go on.

He sets her down; then sits in the seat beside her. She looks up at him and smiles a small smile, "I'm sorry I'm being such a baby."

"It's okay...I understand. Just lean on me and you'll make it home just fine." She nods and lays her head on his shoulder, not wanting their time to end, but wanting to get home to her life just as much.

He looks down at her as she looks up at him once more. He can see everything she's feeling reflected back at him, and he knows she can see it in his eyes too. She breaks the hold their eyes have on each other. It hurts too much knowing that even though they had separated for a time Skye was a part of his life again; the part that she used to occupy.

Ned reaches around and helps her with her seatbelt, his hands brushing against her skin, causing a flush to rise up the back of her neck. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. She looked up at him and he knew she was pulling away from him, he knew the fact that while she was gone his relationship with Skye had begun again was causing this distance between them.

"Why don't you try and get some rest, honey. We'll be home soon.”

*~*

On the other side of the plane Bo goes to help her with her seatbelt, "Its okay Bo, I can get it from here," she looks up at him, "Thank you."

He pulls his hand back, wanting to just sit down beside her, and take her in his arms, knowing that's not what she wants, "Anytime Red," He walks over to the other side of the plane.

Ned stood up and walked over to the other side of the plane when Alexis pulled away from him; lying her head against the back of the seat instead of resting it on his shoulder like it had been just moments before. He looked back over at her and he saw the vulnerability in her eyes. He wanted to be the one to comfort her but too much time had passed; too much hurt had come between them to ever go back. He would just have to get used to the fact that there was never going to be an "us" when it came to Ned and Alexis. Maybe it was time to just move on with his life; his life with Skye.

He poured himself a bourbon on the rocks, raising his hand toasting the air, "To what should have been." He knocked it back and poured himself another, as he looked over at her, facing the window, her body shaking, knowing she would push him away if he tried to comfort her. He went to the seats on the other side of the plane, as the captain announced, "We are getting ready for takeoff, please take your seats."

He walked over to the bar where Bo had stood and pulled out the bottle of Scotch. He poured himself a glass and made a silent toast; "Here's to what might have been." he gulps down the amber liquid and pours himself another.

She lifts her head up off the seat wishing sleep would come. She looked over at Ned as he absentmindedly swirled the liquid around in his glass. She knew he had something on his mind, something important, something that was bothering him, she still knew him so well. She looked out the window; her heart beginning to race as she heard the captain's announcement.

Ned looked over at her, the fear in her eyes was evident as she gripped the armrests, her knuckles so white he swore she would lose circulation. He wanted to put his arms around her and comfort her, but he knew she would push him away. He leaned his head back; the effects of the Scotch and the motion of the aircraft lulling him asleep.

She wanted, no she needed to feel Ned’s arms around her, holding her tight, telling her everything was going to be okay, but she knew that if she asked him to hold her she would never want him to let go, and in his arms is not where she belonged anymore. Someone else owned that luxury. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as the plane made its way down the runway; she quickly fell into a fitful sleep.

He looked over at her one last time, aching to hold her. He remembered watching the door slam as he talked to Gabrielle earlier that day. He sat down and buckled in, closing his eyes as he leaned his head back against the seat.

She sat in the chair, willing herself not to ask him to hold her, so terrified of flying she was shaking, but she just couldn't stand him being close to her knowing she couldn't spend forever in his arms. She sat her head back and closed her eyes as the plane took off down the runway. Within minutes of takeoff, she had fallen into a restless sleep, a smile playing on her lips.

Love came to me that day
Stayed longer than I planned
But change is good, they say
So I rearranged my world for them

He stands staring at the Christmas tree, holding the ornament in his hands. She sees him standing there as she comes down the steps, and quietly walks over to him, sliding her arms around his waist. "He's asleep." He turns to look at her. "He had a long day." "Well, he had a lot of presents to open, between you and Asa." "Well, I can't help it, I mean” a tear came to his eye. "I know Bo, it's your son's first Christmas...believe me I know"

He turned around so he was facing her, "Merry Christmas Red," He leans in kissing her gently. She mumbles, "Merry Christmas," as they continue to kiss, "why don't we take this upstairs so I can give you the rest of your Christmas present." With that he picks her up, and carries her to their room.

*~*

She looks down at the little girl wrapped in a pink blanket; her father's hazel eyes looking up at her. "She's so beautiful Ned, and she's ours, yours and mine. We created this little life. I never thought I would be a wife let alone a mother, and now look at us, ready to celebrate our second anniversary and we're parents. He smiles at her and kisses her tenderly, "Welcome to the world little one, Happy Birthday." He walks over to the book sitting on the table and picks up the pen, “November 19th 2002....Kristina Lila Davis-Ashton.”

She tosses in her sleep, her mind saying “She should’ve been yours, Ned. She should’ve been yours.”

For her and love and,
here I go again
I spoke to my heart
Said, "Open up wide"

Then got the message you had changed your mind

He turned in his seat as he continued to dream….

He sits at his desk, staring at the family photo taken just a few short weeks ago, for Matthew's first Birthday....he runs his hand over her face, "I don't know what I would do if I hadn't met you, I have to be the luckiest man alive," She walks up to the slightly opened door, and hears him talking to himself, a smile on her lips as she opens the door, he looks up, "And just when I thought my life couldn't get any more perfect, a beautiful woman walks in my office." She walks over to his chair as she looks around, "Where???" He smiles as he pulls her down into his lap, pulling her into a passionate kiss, he pulls back, "There is no woman in this world as beautiful as you," "Well, I have a feeling you might change your mind about that." He looks at her as if she is crazy, "Not a chance, so to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, I thought you were taking the day off." "I am, but I wanted to come by to give you this." He takes the small gift wrapped box from her hand, "What's this?" "Open it." He opens the package, taking out a pacifier, "Look I know I was acting like a baby while I was sick, but this was hardly necessary." Barely able to control her laughter, "Bo, it's not for you." "Well then for who?" She takes his hand, placing it on her stomach......he looks at their hands...and up into her eyes, "Really?" She nods. "I guess I was right, I am the luckiest man alive."

He turns to his side; a smile playing across his face as he dreams…

He walked into the Gatehouse and looked around. The lights were off and candles were every where. He walked over to the coffee table and saw a note. "Follow the trail and your dreams will come true." He looks towards the stairs and sees the rose petals spread across the floor. He walks upstairs following the trail to their bedroom door. He walks in and a smile spreads across his face as he sees her lying there, waiting for him, with a nightgown on that leaves very little to the imagination, "Happy Anniversary, honey." She hands him a package; a huge smile on her face; the tears already starting to fall. “I thought we had already given each other our gifts this morning.” She looks down at the ring on her right hand and smiled, “I had one more to give you, now are you going to open it or not?” He unties the ribbon and lifts the lid off the box, a small rattle lies against the paper. He looks up at her and smiles, “Is this what I think it is?” “Happy Third Anniversary, daddy.” He leans in and kisses her; pulling her down onto the bed with him.

And now here I am and I just don't understand
Baby, if you talk to me then I will listen
There can't be no "us" honey, if "you" are missin'
Yes I love you, yes I need you
ain't no world for me without you

She turns again, trying to get comfortable…still lost in her dreams….

"Come on honey, one more, just one more push." He wipes the hair of her forehead as he holds onto her back. "I swear, you are NEVER touching me again! UGGGHHHHHH!" A baby's cries fill the room, Nora lies her head against Bo's chest, as Larry holds their newest addition up for them to see, "Here is your little girl," Bo pulls Nora closer as he looks at her, "Look at her Red, she's beautiful, just like you." "I love you Bo," He leans into kiss her. "I love you too."

She pulls the blanket up tight under her chin; her mind taking her to what could’ve been if she hadn’t ran away…

They both stare at the screen in front of them; tears rolling down their face much like they had a year and a half earlier when they saw their daughter for the first time, "Congratulations you two, it's a boy." She turns to look at him, the tears still falling from his eyes. She lifts up her hand and wipes a tear away with her thumb, “A son, you’re finally going to have a son.” He looks down at her and brings their hands together, lying them across her stomach, “No, honey, we’re having a son.”

I want you, I'm just too proud to beg
So sad the journey made
So high the price we have to pay
All for love...
And it hurts you anyway

A smile crosses his face, as he continues to dream…

A smile crosses his face as he hears her singing upstairs, he quietly make his way to her room, he looks in, and falls in love all over again, as he watches her feed their little girl, in the most intimate of ways, she looks up when she senses him looking at her, "Hi ya handsome," she looks down at their little girl, "daddy's home angel." Her little hand reaches up towards her daddy, as he goes over to her, "Hey there beautiful, how's my princess," taking her hand in his.

He sighs as he continues to dream, completely lost it what could’ve been…

“Come on, Alexis. Come on, honey, just one more. Just one more push and he’ll be here.” She looks at him as he wipes the sweat from her brow, “That’s easy for you to say, Mister, you’re not trying to push a baby out of you. I swear this is it, you’re never ever touching me again.” He just smiled, “You said that the last time, dear.” She grabbed his shirt and pulled him close, “This time I mean it.” The doctor looks over at him and smiles, “Okay, Alexis, one more really good push and your son will be here.” A few moments later his cries fill the room. The nurse hands her the blue bundle. She reaches out and takes him from the nurse; looking up at Ned. They both look down at their son, “Welcome to the world, Alexander Edward Davis-Ashton.”

I can't lose my soul to hope and wishing
You don't understand me, I know that you think...
I don't love you, I don't need you
But, my intentions are to love you

She pulls the blanket tighter around her, her smile widening…

She walks down into the bedroom, and stares at the sight before her a huge smile on her face, Bo asleep, Matthew sprawled in the bed next to him, their little girl cooing quietly in his arms, popcorn all over the bed. She shakes her head as she goes to pick up their little girl, she whispers, "Hey there little one, you been taking care of our boys?" as she goes to pick her up, he wakes up, pulling her down on the bed with them, "Bout time you came home," she laughed and, their little girl giggled, "You think that's funny don't you angel?”

She turns once more grimacing in her sleep at the pain in her arm, finally smiling as she settles back into her dream…

She walks into the house and smiles as she hears his voice coming from upstairs. She walks towards their bedroom and leans her head against the door frame as she watches him sing them to sleep. Brook sound asleep in the chair in the corner. Kristina, her chestnut curls spread across the pillow; her hazel eyes closed in sleep. Alexander; the spitting image of his father; except for his mother’s eyes; lies asleep in Ned’s arms. His eyes are closed his voice slowly fading as they all fall asleep. Alexis walks over to the bed and kisses them each once on the forehead before turning out the light as she quietly crawls into bed with them.

I can't lose my soul to hope and wishing
You don't understand me, I know that you think...
I don't love you, I don't need you
But, my intentions are to love you

He shifts in his seat, chuckling….

She wipes the tears from her eyes, he catches her with a smile on his face, "It's okay Red," She sniffles, "But that's out little boy." He puts his arm around her, "Honey, it's just his Kindergarten graduation, it's not like he is getting married or anything." she smacks him, "Don't even joke about that."

He turns to his side, a smile spreading across his face…

They walk into the auditorium hand in hand, her tears already falling and the program hasn't even begun, "Honey what's with the tears; it's only her Kindergarten graduation." "But she's growing up so fast, Ned. She's not going to be our little girl pretty soon." "Oh honey, she'll always be our little girl, so you can stop crying now.” She looks up at him and kisses his cheek, “Just you wait until it’s time to walk Daddy’s little girl down the aisle, we’ll see who’s crying then.” He looks at her for a moment as the tears begin to well up in his eyes.

See, I want you, I'm just too proud...
To beg for your love
So don't put me through it
Take a little time to think about what you're doing
And try to understand why...

She reaches out, grabbing the pillow next to her, pulling it close,…

She walked in the house, and was surrounded by the smell of fresh flowers, the lights were off, candlelight was casting a glow around the room, Kenny G was playing on the radio, "Oh, Bo, what have you done?" He came down the stairs, "Hey there beautiful! Happy 10th Anniversary ."She turns into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, "You shouldn't have done this, we said we weren't doing anything this year, because of the trip to Hawaii with the kids." "No, honey, YOU said we didn't need to do anything, I never agreed, cuz you see," he pulls her closer, "I'm not giving up any opportunity to spend the night with you, alone!" He takes her lips in his, as he picks her up carrying her to the couch.

She once again pulls the blanket close against her chest; feeling as though she was in his arms, as she dreamt.

He walks into their bedroom, hiding something behind his back. She sits up in their bed and smiles, “Whatcha hiding back there?” He walks over and sits down on the bed. He leans in and kisses her; taking her breath away. He breaks their kiss and smiles revealing the box he held behind his back, “Welcome to our 10th annual Valentine’s Day Date. You’ve already received the customary flowers and chocolate, now here’s your mystery gift.” She looks up at him and smiles through her tears; thinking about how lucky she was to have found the love she has with Ned. She pulls the ribbon off the box and lifts out the gold chain, the diamond pendant sparkling at the end of it. She looks up at him, “It’s beautiful, Ned.” She leans in and runs a finger across her cheek; wiping a tear away, “Not half as beautiful as you.” He pulls her close and together they fall back onto the bed, celebrating their 10th Valentine’s Day together the best way they know how.

Yes I love you, yes I need you
ain't no world for me without you
I want you, I'm just too proud to beg

He reaches out, grabbing the cushion next to him,

She grabs his hand pulling him towards Space Mountain, "Come on dad, you promised." Being dragged by his little girl, he continues to hold onto his wife’s hand, "Come on Red, WE promised." Laughing as she follows him, "But, but,” "No buts mom," their son said grabbing her other hand, "this is a family mission," "That's right mom, a Buchanan Family Mission." "You heard them Red, a FAMILY mission." He pulls her into an embrace, as they reach the line and their children drop their hands, "Maybe I ought to give you a kiss for luck." He leans in taking her lips in his, as Matthew and Abby in chorus, "Don't do that in PUBLIC!"

He leans back further in his seat, his dream of what could’ve been still playing through his mind…

They lay in bed that morning after having made love most of the night, praying for a few more moments alone. He leaned in and kissed her quickly pulling away when their bedroom door swings open, Brook, Kristina, and Alexander all jumping on the bed at once, “Come on Mom, Dad, it’s Christmas morning,” Alexander yells as the pulls on his father’s arm. “Whoa, what makes you think Santa even came today?” “Because I’ve been the bestest boy there ever was.” Ned and Alexis laugh as Ned reaches around and tousles their son’s jet black hair. “Oh you have have you?” Alexander nods his head as they turn their attention to Kristina, “What about you young lady? Do you think Santa came last night?” “I’ve been very good this year Daddy, just ask my teacher.” “Well we’ll just take your word for it, princess.” Ned looks over at Alexis and winks, “Alright Brook, and you two let’s go see what Santa left.” All three of them climbed off the bed and ran out of the room, leaving Ned just enough time to sneak another kiss, “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.” “Merry Christmas, Ned.”

So sad the journey made
So high the price we have to pay
All for love...
And it hurts you anyway

*~*

She opens her eyes, the smile still on her lips, expecting to be holding him in her arms, then remembering where she is, she whispers to herself, “We missed so much Bo, it would have been wonderful……”

He opens his eyes, expecting her to be lying next to him, looking around realizing it was all just a dream, “What have we done Red, what have we lost……”

*~*

She opens her eyes, a small tear escapes as she looks over at him, realizing where she is, instead of where she was in her dreams, “It could’ve been so perfect, Ned. If only I wasn’t such a coward….”

He opens his eyes, wishing it hadn’t been a dream. He looks over at her as their eyes lock, each oblivious to the fact that they were sharing the same pain, “If only we had been able to find a way to make it work, if only we had been able to find our way home…”

“Ladies and Gentleman, this is your captain speaking, we’re preparing to make our final decent into Llanview. Welcome home, Mr. and Ms. Buchanan. Mr. Ashton, Ms. Davis we’ll be taking off for Port Charles within the hour.”

Nora hobbled over to Alexis, giving her a hug, promising to stay in touch. Bo went to Ned and shook his hand, making plans for a round of golf come spring. She turned when she felt his arm on her elbow. They turned back to face their newfound friends, each exchanged glances as their journey together was about to end; a journey that had taken them from such sorrow to such joy, ending with them all in the same places they were before they left; only now knowing how precious and fragile life can be…

Luther Vandross....Too Proud To Beg

TBC....