How Am I Supposed to Unlove You?

*The alternate version*

So this is the alternate version to my one shot "How Am I Supposed to Unlove You?" that I have been promising. What if Bo decided to go after Billie in this alternate version because he realized their love truly was worth fighting for? This is the story of that happening, with many bumps along the way.

Prologue

Rain was falling heavily on the deck just beyond the window as Bo Brady folded up the heartbreaking missive Billie had left behind. As he tucked it into a drawer, for the briefest moment, he was filled with indecision. He knew that things would be easier for everyone, especially her, if he didn't go after her but then he realized having things easy was not what he wanted. Anything worth having was worth the fight and Billie was worth all that and so much more. He still loved her with all his heart and he was not going to let her get away, never again. He may be selfish but he needed Billie to live, to breathe, to feel whole. And he knew she still loved him. She had said it in so many ways over the short years they had been together. Plus the words of her letter were seared into his heart forever.

"I think I was born to love you".

She had written that very thing in the letter and he clung desperately to the belief that despite the pain he had caused her, despite the stupidity he had exhibited of late, that her love for him would not evaporate in just mere hours. However, she might as well have evaporated herself. He had no clue where she could have gone.

He moved over to the little closet where she stored her things and yanked open the doors. He was surprised to see her clothes were all there. In fact, she had left everything behind it seemed. Including him …

"Dammit, Bo," he cursed himself. "This is your own damn fault. She's out there in the cold with only maybe a jacket and it's your fault. If you hadn't chased her away … She'd be here with you right now."

The thought of her shivering in the cold, drenched by rain, made his eyes tear up. If he had just reassured her enough, if he had just stopped running to Hope's side every time she asked for him …

He shook his head. The self-recriminations could eat him up inside but he needed to focus on finding Billie right now. He was not going to be able to keep going if he lost her forever...

XoXoXo

Kate Roberts was awakened with a start by the sound of someone pounding on her door. She shot up in bed and fumbled for the bedside light. "What the hell?" She wondered aloud as she saw that it was nearly three in the morning. "Who is it?" She demanded then. "And what do you want?"

"Ms. Roberts," Henderson's voice came through the door, "you are needed downstairs. Bo Brady is most anxious to speak with you."

Kate shoved back the covers and slid her feet into two fluffy silk slippers. She then wrapped herself in a red robe and opened the door to a sleepy-eyed Henderson. "What does Bo want? Is Billie okay?"

"That's what I'm wondering," Bo's voice came from the end of the hallway. He obviously really was anxious to speak with her. Kate felt her heart start to hammer in her chest. She had just found Billie, had finally made peace her … Was she about to lose her all over again?

"What do you mean, Bo?" She asked, playing with the hem of her right sleeve. "Where's Billie?"

"I don't know. I was hoping you would know. Maybe she told you where she was going …"

"I had no idea she was even leaving," Kate said and found herself snapping at him. "What did you do, Bo Brady? Does this have anything to do with that insipid Hope?"

Bo sighed. "Look you can chew me out later but for now, let's find Billie. She left me a letter saying she was leaving town and that I shouldn't look for her but I am not listening this time. I want her back."

"You don't deserve her!"

"I know," Bo said solemnly. "But I love her so much, Kate. And I am worried that she didn't tell you where she was going. I thought she'd at least call you or come by and say she was leaving town."

Kate crossed her arms. "Well she didn't. And Bo, I'm worried. I don't want to lose Billie again."

"Neither do I," Bo admitted. "I am going to start looking for her whether she wants me to or not and you – if you hear from her, please I am begging you, Kate, let me know."

Kate slowly nodded. "I will. And I want to find her just as much as you do. She probably hasn't gone very far but – but still-"

"You have a bad feeling?"

"Yes."

"That makes two of us …"

XoXoXo

The last thing Billie remembered was walking up the steps of the docks and spotting a shadowy figure at the top. Sensing the person was bad news, she had started to back away but someone then came up behind her and covered her mouth with a damp cloth. Now here she was, waking up in a dark room, chained to a chair or what she guessed was a chair. She was shaking but willed herself to concentrate and figure out how to get the hell out of here. She thought how worried Bo must be and then shook her head, tears flooding her eyes. She had asked him not to follow her. There was no way he would be looking for her. She was possibly very stuck here.

She tried wiggling her hands but they were bound tightly behind her and she could hardly move. All she could move was her mouth and though she was admittedly scared to find out whom or what was behind the closed door, she had to know so she could figure out how to get free.

"He-hello?" She called out.

"Hello?" She said, this time in a much calmer voice. "Is anyone there? Is this some kind of a practical joke or-" Her voice trailed off as she heard footsteps just beyond the door.

Soon the door was opening and three men stood there. Two, big, burly men – thugs and probably guards – and the third man was none other than Stefano Dimera. "Hello, Ms. Reed," he said in his familiar, unflappably calm, accented voice.

Billie tried bucking against her bindings but they didn't allow her to get very far, naturally. "What do you want, Stefano?" She bit out.

"That will all be revealed in good time, Ms. Reed," Stefano said. "Just wait until Bo realizes I have you …" He seemed giddy at the thought.

Billie shook her head. "No! No, you leave him out of whatever sick game you're playing. Besides, he has Hope back. He is going to be with her. He told me so himself."

"Did he?" Stefano said, rubbing his cheek and looking doubtful.

"Yes he did!" Billie said. She wanted to do anything she could to keep Stefano away from Bo. She knew firsthand now exactly how dangerous he was. "He loves Hope. He will always love Hope so you're wasting your time hoping he will come chase after me."

"Well if that's the case, then what do we do with you if you are of no use to my plan?" Stefano asked.

Billie gulped involuntarily as one of the goons produced a needle and stepped towards her. "Oh no, get that away from me. Get it away or –" She didn't get to say the rest as the needle was suddenly pricking her left arm and in the next moment, everything was dark...

TO BE CONTINUED