Disclaimer: I own nothing concerned with Third Watch.

This takes place after season six. It is somewhat of an AU, Faith is not with Det. Miller.

Chapter One: A Rainy Manhattan Night

The lights of the city flashed by, blurred by the heavy rain falling on the windshield. Detective Yokas sighed and rested her sweaty forehead against the cool glass of the passenger-side window. It had been a long shift, and already she was late to return home to Emily. She had promised her daughter that they would order food that night, and watch a movie. By the time Yokas got home, there would definitely be no time for a movie, and dinner would likely consist of whatever left-overs were left in the fridge.

Faith nodded to her partner, Detective Cartwright, as they pulled up in front of the house, the familiar greenlight lit up by the door, casting a greenish sheen on the wet pavement out front.

"I'll see you tomorrow Jack" she said with a tired smile.

"Absolutely Faith, have a good night." he replied as he wearily climbed from the driver's seat.

Faith had never imagined that working in the Major Cases department of the NYPD could be such a drain. She'd never been more tired in her life, that was for sure. Even back in the day when she was a beat cop. She walked towards the door, just as it swung open, barely missing getting the door in the face. A short, dark haired figure came barrelling out, walking like he clearly had a mission of some sort. He promptly walked right into the flustered Faith, nearly knocking her over. With a sigh, Faith recognized her old partner.

"Bosco? Where's the fire?"

"Faith?! I haven't seen you in months." he replied, clearly flustered by the meeting.

Since transferring to Major Cases for Faith, and Bed-sty for Bosco, there hadn't been much communication between the two of them. They worked very different schedules now, Faith mainly on days and Bosco still on the Third Watch. Not to mention following everything that had happened between them made communication somewhat awkward.

"Where ya headed, Bos?" She asked.

"Ummm... I was gunna go to Ma's bar. I just got a promotion." He said, looking down at his feet.

"You did!? That's fantastic Bos, where are you going?" She asked smiling at him broadly.

"I finally got ESU Faith." He said, and looked up at her. He didn't seem to be as happy as she would expect him to be. He'd been waiting for this for quite a long time.

"Congratulations, I'm really proud of you."

"You are?"

"Of course, how could I not be proud of my partner." She realized what she'd said as soon as it passed her lips. They weren't partners any more. They hadn't been for almost four years now.

"Uh. Right. You want a ride home? You look pretty beat." He said, looking out towards the street.

Normally, she would have chosen the quiet time she savoured on the subway ride to her apartment, but she was already late. What would it hurt to take a ride home from Bosco? She could deal with the awkward conversation for the 20 minutes it took to reach her place.

"Sure, why not? I promised Emily I'd be home hours ago. She must be worried. Just let me go inside and grab my stuff." She replied.

"I'll wait in the car." He said to her back as she retreated into the precinct.

Faith emerged from the doors ten minutes later, she had managed to brush most of the frizziness out of her damp blonde hair. Bosco admired the silhouette she made in the light cast from the station windows. He quickly shook the thought from his head, as she walked towards the idling car. She opened the door to the Mustang and climbed in beside him, giving him a small smile.

"Let's get out of here" She said softly.

Bosco nodded, and put the car into gear. They drove off down the street, heading towards Faith's apartment. Neither of them said a word, they couldn't think of anything to say that would fit.

As they neared Faith's apartment, Bosco turned and instead headed down towards the river.

"Where are you going Bos?" Faith asked him quietly.

"I thought maybe we could talk." He said, staring grimly at the road ahead.

She turned to study the man in the driver's seat. He looked a lot older than she remembered. There were wrinkles on his forehead that she hadn't remembered being there before. His blue-grey eyes looked more grey now. Like someone had washed the sparkle out them. She wondered to herself when this had happened. She silently cursed herself for now staying in touch. Maybe she could have helped. It certainly looked like he needed help, that was for sure. Her eyes travelled down his cheek to the very faint scar below his eye. She shuddered to remember that day, all it was in her mind now were shadow images. Shadow images and lots of blood. The taste of her partner's blood on her lips as she struggled to make keep him alive. That part at least was very vivid to her mind. She dreamt about it sometimes, waking up Emily with her screams. She shook the thought from her mind, and refocused her attention on the world outside her window.

Bosco noticed Faith shudder in the seat next to him, and watched her lay her head against the glass and stare blankly at the street. She looked awful, there were deep purple rings under her strikingly green eyes. He could always read what those eyes said, but right now they were vacant, and very tired. A strand of blonde hair fell across her cheek, and for some reason, he had the urge to brush it behind her ear. Idiot. He thought to himself. This is your old partner. Faith. What the hell are you thinking about?

He stopped at the red light at the intersection, still trying to get the thoughts out of his head. As he turned to look again, he suddenly heard breaking glass... Before he could look towards his breaking window, he felt cold metal against the side of his head.

"Don't move, or it will be the last thing you do."

To be continued...

Please R&R