OK, so this is my first attempt at Bosco/Faith shipper story! Let's see how
it goes.remember I'm not promising it will be good :o) Chapter 1 will set
up the story a little. Hope you enjoy.
Oh yeah, and I don't own anything related to TW.
Some 10-codes..10-34-Assault in progress 10-63---Meal
For Dem and Angie who talked me into this! ******
Let the Sun Shine Through
Chapter 1 ******
"Fred would you stop already?! I said I was sorry!" Faith was trying to stay calm.
"Sorry doesn't cut it Faith! I'm tired of it! Tired of never seeing you. Tired of you having to work such long hours! You're never here for me and the kids!"
"How was I supposed to know Fred?! How was I supposed to know Bosco and I would get stuck down at the station with that guy?! I can't see into the future!"
Tonight staying calm wasn't easy. It had been a very long night. Faith and Bosco had been at the station until three in the morning after arresting a suspect in a murder case. Two hours into filling out all the required paperwork the guy had confessed which called for a whole new set of forms. They were forced to stay into the next shift.
If that wasn't bad enough now Fred was pissed off because they had made plans to go to a midnight showing of a movie, and once again, due to Faith's job they had to cancel their plans. Faith was ready to smack Fred if he didn't drop this soon.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was to get someone to baby-sit at midnight?! Then I had to turn around and cancel!"
"Look I said I was sorry! What else do you want from me?!"
"I want you to quit this job! That's what I want!"
She shook her head not believing what she just heard. "I'm sorry, but it sounded like you said I should quit my job."
"Yes. I want you to quit," he repeated very seriously.
"Fred I can't quit. I'm a cop. It's my life. Being a cop is who I am." She couldn't believe how serious he was about this. Sure they'd argued about it before, but it was just something he said when he was scared that something would happen to her. Tonight though, it sounded different. She could tell that this time he really meant it.
"No, a cop is not who you are! You're a wife and a mother! You belong here," he pointed down at the floor. "Your place is here Faith, in our home! Not out on the streets with Bosco! It's just a job, and it's taking you away from your family."
Faith clenched her fists. She wanted so badly to hit him. How could he say this to her? Why was it that he was being so old fashioned and saying that her place was in the home? She was so mad she didn't know what to say so she just stood there glaring at him.
Fred moved closer to her, reaching out to pull her close. Faith backed away from him. "No. Don't touch me," she said as she put her hands up and retreated backward.
"I'm putting my foot down. It's time you quit this job and spend more time with us," he said softly. Once again Fred moved closer to her. He smiled. "Come on babe. You know I'm right about this."
"No Fred. You're not even close to being right." Faith turned and headed for the bedroom.
"Faith. Faith! Don't walk away from me!"
"This conversation is over!" and with that she slammed the bedroom door.
From where he stood Fred heard the sound of the door being locked. He walked over to the door. "OK. Why don't we talk about this later? When you've had a chance to sleep on it." He waited for her to answer, but he got no response. "Faith. Honey. Let me in."
"No."
"Damn it," Fred whispered as he headed for the couch. ***** There were still lights on in the bar when Bosco arrived. He tried the door, but it was locked. He put his hands up to the window to shield the light as he pressed his face against the glass. There was movement inside so he knocked on the door. Seconds later he was rewarded with the sound of the door unlocking.
"Hey Ma," he leaned forward to give his mother a kiss on the cheek, but she turned and walked away from him. He shrugged.
"You were supposed to be here hours ago Maurice."
"I know. Got caught up at work. I got here as soon as I could. What's up?"
"Your brother called me."
Bosco nodded his head then looked down at the floor. He shifted his weight nervously before raising his head slightly. "So what'd he say?"
"He said that you busted him again. I had to go post bail."
"I had to ma. I caught him dealing."
"Why do you always have to come down on him so hard Maurice?! Why? Mikey's a good boy."
"Yeah, then why's he dealin' drugs?! Huh mom? Tell me that."
"He just got in with the wrong crowd. Give him a break."
"I'm a cop! It's my job!"
"No! You're his brother!" Bosco shook his head. Why couldn't she see it? Why couldn't she admit that Michael wasn't who she thought he was? "You're family. You should be trying to help him."
"I am."
"By arresting him? You're not helping him. You're just costing me money."
"What do you want me to do ma? It's illegal! He's gotta learn. I thought this might straighten him out."
There was a pause as she finished wiping off the bar. When she was done she looked at her son. "I'm sorry we aren't as perfect as you Maurice."
"What?! I'm not perfect ma! Never said I was."
"Well, you walk around all high and mighty. The big policeman, but you know what?!" She leaned in close to him. "We're always going to be your family whether you like it or not!"
With a huff Bosco pushed himself away from the bar. "I'm outta here!" He slammed the door as he left.
***** Bosco sat in front of his locker. His mother's words from early that morning kept playing over and over in his head. He didn't even notice Faith come in, but that was all right because she was so deep in thought she didn't notice him sitting there.
Faith changed slowly then sat down. She stared at the floor. Sergeant Christopher pushed the locker room door open. "ROLL CALL!" Bosco and Faith stood up and followed the other officers down the hall.
They still didn't speak to each other as they took their regular seats. Bosco slouched in his chair. His elbow on the desk, and his hand propping his head up. "I'm sorry we aren't as perfect as you Maurice."
Faith sat in her chair with her notebook sitting on the desktop. She leaned forward resting her forearms on the desk and held her pen in her hands. She stared at the pen as she twirled it between her fingers. "I want you to quit this job!"
"We're always going to be your family whether you like it or not!"
"Your place is here Faith, in our home!"
Swersky's voice interrupted their thoughts. "Eyes and ears open out there. Have a good tour."
Boscorelli and Yokas signed out their radios and headed for their squad car. They passed Sullivan and Davis without saying a word or even glancing in their direction.
"What's with them?," asked Davis.
Sully sighed. "Beats me." *****
After driving for twenty minutes Bosco pulled into his favorite spot to lay low.underneath the bridge. He could tell something was really bugging Faith because she made no objection to him parking there. *****
Faith continued to stare out the passenger's side window. She knew Bosco had something on his mind. He allows stopped under the bridge when he needed to think. *****
For ten minutes they sat in complete silence. Occasionally Faith would glance over at Bosco, and once in awhile he'd steal a quick look at her. But now he was tired of the silence. He was tired of having nothing but his mother's words rattling around in his head. He looked at his partner. "Fred?"
She turned toward him. "Yeah," she answered quietly.
Bosco nodded. "What this time?"
Faith took a deep breath. "He wants me to quit the force."
"What?! Are you kidding?"
"No. He thinks I should spend more time at home."
"You aren't really considering it are you?"
"No. Not really."
"Good."
"I've just been thinking."
"About what?"
"About---"
"5-5 David we have a 10-34 at 103 and Oregon."
Faith keyed her radio. "5-5 David 103 and Oregon." She flipped on the siren as Bosco started the car. *****
"5-5 David requesting permission to go 10-63."
"10-4 5-5 David."
Bosco reattached his radio to his shirt and walked around the car to where Faith was leaning against the trunk of the squad. "All set. Where to?"
"How 'bout we get something quick and head over to the ballpark on 92nd? I really don't feel like being around people, and that place is usually pretty dead."
"Fine with me."
After they got their food Bosco drove them over to the park. It was a nice day so they decided to eat at one of the picnic tables rather than sit in the car.
They ate in silence.
When Bosco finished he crumpled up his wrapper and threw it into the bag. Then he leaned forward resting his left arm on the table and laying his chin on his arm. With his right hand he absently traced a crack in the wood of the table.
Faith looked at him with concern. "This about Mikey?"
He tilted his head to look at her, but didn't respond.
She read the look in his eyes. "You talked to your mom after work didn't you?"
Bosco took a deep breath. He sat up a little with his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands. "Yeah. Mikey called her for bail money, and now she's pissed at *me* again."
"You knew that was going to happen."
"Yeah, but.I don't know. I guess I thought maybe it would help straighten him out ya know." Faith nodded. "Ma thinks I should cut him some slack because he's my brother." Bosco set his jaw and shook his head. "No way. I'm a cop. If he's dealin' it's my job to put him away. Family or not!"
Silence filled the air. Bosco looked at Faith. "Right?" he asked with doubt. "I mean, I can't let him deal and risk the chance of ruining someone else's life. Can I?"
"You did the right thing Bos," Faith said as soothingly as possible.
"Yeah? Then why does my family hate me, and why do I feel like shit?" He grabbed the bag off the table and walked over to the garbage can. He headed for their RMP. "You ready?" *****
"So, you wanna go for a drink or something?"
"I don't know Bos. Fred was pretty pissed about last night. I should really go straight home."
Bosco stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah. OK." He turned to walk to his car. "See you tomorrow then."
Faith watched as Bosco walked away. There was something about his body language. He was lacking his confident strut. Tonight he looked worn and defeated. "Bosco!" she called after him. He turned around; a look of hope on his face. "Why don't you come over to the apartment?"
"I don't know if that's such a good idea Faith. I mean if Fred's already mad my showing up just adds more fuel to the fire."
"No. It'll be OK. Really. Why don't you come over?" She really wanted Bosco to come to the apartment. Maybe she could get him to talk some more about what was bothering him. However, deep down Faith had a feeling Fred would make her regret this. *****
Faith unlocked the apartment door, and Bosco followed her inside. Fred was sitting on the couch in front of the TV. "Hey babe," he greeted her with a big smile.
"Hi," she replied as she shrugged off her coat.
Fred saw Bosco for the first time as Faith moved toward the closet. Bosco saw the look on Fred's face. "Hey Fred."
He looked from Bosco to Faith. "What's *he* doing here?!"
"I invited him over."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to talk to him. Is that a crime?"
"What? You don't get to talk to him enough at work?"
Bosco could see that if he didn't step in there was going to be a fight. As much as he wanted to stay and hang out with Faith he knew he needed to leave. "You know what? This was a bad idea. I should just go home."
"You're right, it was a bad idea," spat Fred. "You should go home."
"No. Bosco I invited you here, so stay."
"Faith I should really go."
"If he wants to go Faith let him go."
"Fred would you shut up?! I asked Bosco to come over here because I thought *you* would be happy that I was home early. If I would have known you were going to behave like a child I would have gone somewhere else and come home later!"
Both Fred and Bosco looked at Faith. Then Fred looked at Bosco. "Fine stay, but I'm going to bed." With that Fred stalked off to the bedroom.
There was silence in the living room. "Well, you want some coffee or something?" asked Faith as she walked into the kitchen.
"Uh, sure." Bosco looked back toward the closed bedroom door before making his way to the kitchen table. *****
Faith placed a cup of coffee on the table in front of Bosco. He thanked her, and she smiled. She sat down across from him and took a drink of her coffee. "Bosco can I ask you something?"
He looked at her and shrugged. "I guess."
"What did your mom say to you that's bothering you so much?"
"What?! Nothing. She didn't say anything," he was thrown off guard by her question. "Why do you think she said something?"
"Because I *know* you Bosco; better than you think I do. I could see it in you all day today. She must have said something."
"Well you're wrong," he said defensively.
"Am I?" she asked as she took another sip of coffee, and looked at him over the cup.
He hated that look. Every time something was bothering him and she gave him that look he knew it was over for him. Inside he smiled because he was truly grateful that she cared so much about him, but on the exterior he tried not to let it show. Bosco brought his coffee cup up to his lips.
Faith watched him as she set down her cup. She saw the look in his eyes, and could tell the wheels were turning. A warm feeling came over her as she knew that he would confide in her. He made her feel special and important when he shared his thoughts and feelings with her, but she never let him know that.
He put down his coffee, and took a deep breath. "I believe her exact words were 'I'm sorry we aren't as perfect as you', and 'we're always going to be your family whether you like it or not'." Bosco traced the rim of his coffee cup with his finger. "Oh, and there was something about me acting all high and mighty. 'The big policeman'."
"Why would she say that?"
"Maybe it's true."
"What? Maybe what's true?"
"Maybe I do act like I'm better than them. Maybe I do look down on them."
"No you don't Bosco."
"Then why would she say that? She wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Is she didn't see it."
"It's not true Bosco. I've seen you with your mom. I know how much you love her. And Mikey. I know you mean well."
"Maybe I need to back off. Stay out of it. You know, let them live their own lives." He looked down at the table. "They can't hate me any more than they already do."
"Bosco they don't hate you."
"You don't know that."
"Neither do you."
"I don't know. It's just.I'm a cop. I can't bend the rules just because he's my brother, but I don't think I'm better than him or my mom." He looked at Faith with a faint grin. "We both know I'm just as screwed up as they are. Just in a different way, but they don't see that."
"Not many people do Bos. You do a pretty good job of hiding it."
"Thanks."
She chuckled. "It's not a compliment."
"To me it is. I don't want people to be able to read me like that."
"I can."
He looked down at his coffee. "Yeah, but.that's different."
"How's that different?"
"Well," he looked at her. "You're my partner.my."
Faith could see the nervousness in his eyes as his voice trailed off. "You're my best friend too Bos." He smiled at her. Once again Faith had read him like a book. "So what are you going to do about your mom? You gonna try talking to her?"
"I don't know. I'm thinking maybe I'll give her some time to cool off."
"I'm sure she didn't mean what she said."
He shrugged. "Who knows." Bosco pointed toward Faith's bedroom. "What's Frederick's problem these days?"
Faith sighed. "I don't know. All of a sudden he's saying my place is here at home. He says I don't spend enough time with him and the kids, which is true. I don't get to spend enough time with them, but I can't change that right now. I don't have enough seniority." She shook her head. "Fred bitches about everything, but he never complains when he's out there spending my paycheck."
"Yeah. Fred's an ass."
"Bosco!"
"Well it's true isn't it? I mean he obviously doesn't see what a good thing he's got."
Faith looked at Bosco. The sincerity of his words shocked her.
"Oh no," Bosco thought. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Thanks Bosco."
"No problem," he tried to shrug it off like it was no big thing. He hoped it worked. *****
Faith came into the locker room rubbing her neck. "Yokas. You OK?" asked Bosco.
"My neck hurts. I ended up sleeping on the couch."
"Really? Why?" He walked over to her locker.
"Fred was still being a jerk after you left. He locked me out of the room. I guess he was paying me back for locking him out the night before."
"Yeah, well if he wasn't being such a dick you wouldn't have had to lock him out the other night."
"Man," she continued to rub her sore neck.
"Here, sit down." Bosco motioned toward the bench. Faith sat down, and Bosco stood behind her. He began massaging her shoulders and working his way to the base of her neck.
Faith began to melt under his touch. "Wow Bos. You have the perfect touch. You ever thought of doing this for a living?"
"Hell no! Just think of all the gross, nasty people I'd have to touch. Yuck!"
She laughed. "Well it's good to know you don't consider me a gross, nasty person."
He leaned down close to her ear. "Far from it Faith." She blushed, and he smiled inwardly. "How's that?"
"Much better thanks."
"Good. Now hurry up and get changed." *****
"BOSCORELLI! YOKAS!" Sergeant Christopher beckoned them with a finger. "I NEED A WORD WITH YOU!"
Faith looked at Bosco. He put his hands up. "I didn't do anything I swear."
They walked to the front of the room. "Yeah Sarge."
"Once again it's time to rid your sector of working girls. And guess who gets that lovely task?" Christopher said cheerfully.
"Oh come on Jason. Not again. You know what happened last time."
"Yes I do Boscorelli. Don't let it happen again," Christopher started to walk away, but turned back toward Bosco. "On second thought, if it happens again I can fire your sorry ass."
Bosco took a step toward Jason, but Faith held him back. Christopher left the room laughing.
"Dammit! Why's it always us?"
"Um, I don't know. Maybe cause he doesn't like you."
"What'd I ever do to him?"
"I don't think it was anything you did to him. More of what you did *with* his fiancée`."
"Oh yeah. That's right." Bosco grinned.
"OK Don Juan let's go," laughed Faith. *****
After a few hours of asking "street hostesses" to vacate the area Bosco and Faith went for their dinner break. They sat staring at their food. It was as if their internal clocks were synchronized as they both spoke at the same time.
"I'm thinking about taking some time off." "I'm going to put in for some vacation."
They looked at each other, and once again spoke at the same time. "What?" They chuckled. Bosco pointed at Faith. "You first."
"I've decided to put in for some time off. Fred and I are having problems, and I just need a break from it all. My mom agreed to take the kids for a couple weeks so Fred doesn't have to worry about finding a sitter while he's at work."
"Wait. You're not going on a vacation with Fred? I thought maybe you'd want to spend some time with him. You know, see if you could figure things out."
Faith shook her head. "Fred's not who he used to be. I'm afraid we're growing apart. I want to see how it feels to be away from all the arguing for awhile." Bosco nodded, and picked at his salad with his fork. "So what were you going to say?"
"Oh, I uh, I was thinking about taking some time off too. Getting away from the city."
"Everything OK?"
"I don't know. I guess. It's just I've never really gone on a vacation or anything, and I think it's time. I need to go somewhere and clear my head."
"Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yeah.I will be," he picked at his food a little more. "So where you plan on going?"
"I don't know yet. How about you?"
"I was thinking Florida."
"Florida?"
"Yeah. I've never been there. Figured I'd hang out at the beach. Go clubbin' in Orlando." She started laughing. "What?"
"Sorry I just can't really picture you at a dance club."
"Hey. I can dance." *****
ONE WEEK LATER "Boscorelli. Yokas." Lieutenant Swersky handed them each an envelope. "Your vacation requests."
"Thanks Lieu."
"Thanks Boss." As soon as Swersky was out of sight Bosco tore into his envelope. "I better have gotten the dates I asked for. My trip is pretty much planned." He pulled out the letter. "YES! June 30th through July 13th. What'd you get?"
Faith carefully opened her envelope, and read the letter. "Huh, that's interesting."
"What is?"
"They gave us the same days off."
"Really? That's strange."
"Guess they were worried they wouldn't be able to find someone who could tolerate you while I was gone. Must have figured it would save them a big headache if they just gave us the same time off," she headed for the locker room.
"Hey! I resent that!" He followed her into the locker room. "Did you decide where you're going to go?"
"No, not yet."
Bosco started to unbutton his shirt. "Why don't you come with me to Florida?"
"Yeah right Bosco."
"I'm serious. Come with me. It'll be fun to have someone along."
"Sounds kinda weird to me. Here we are taking time off of work to get away, and now we're talking about going on vacation together."
"I'm taking vacation to get away from here, not you. And unless I'm mistaken you're taking time off to get away from Fred, not me."
"I don't know Bos. I don't think it's a good idea."
"Whatever you say, but the 'Bosco-mobile' pulls out at seven on Sunday morning if you change your mind." ***** SUNDAY MORNING 6:55 Bosco was just getting ready to close the trunk of his car. "Got room in there for my stuff?"
He whirled around to find Faith smiling back at him. "Yeah," he took her bags. "I was hoping you'd show up." He smiled.
"Yeah, well don't make me regret it," she smiled back.
Oh yeah, and I don't own anything related to TW.
Some 10-codes..10-34-Assault in progress 10-63---Meal
For Dem and Angie who talked me into this! ******
Let the Sun Shine Through
Chapter 1 ******
"Fred would you stop already?! I said I was sorry!" Faith was trying to stay calm.
"Sorry doesn't cut it Faith! I'm tired of it! Tired of never seeing you. Tired of you having to work such long hours! You're never here for me and the kids!"
"How was I supposed to know Fred?! How was I supposed to know Bosco and I would get stuck down at the station with that guy?! I can't see into the future!"
Tonight staying calm wasn't easy. It had been a very long night. Faith and Bosco had been at the station until three in the morning after arresting a suspect in a murder case. Two hours into filling out all the required paperwork the guy had confessed which called for a whole new set of forms. They were forced to stay into the next shift.
If that wasn't bad enough now Fred was pissed off because they had made plans to go to a midnight showing of a movie, and once again, due to Faith's job they had to cancel their plans. Faith was ready to smack Fred if he didn't drop this soon.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was to get someone to baby-sit at midnight?! Then I had to turn around and cancel!"
"Look I said I was sorry! What else do you want from me?!"
"I want you to quit this job! That's what I want!"
She shook her head not believing what she just heard. "I'm sorry, but it sounded like you said I should quit my job."
"Yes. I want you to quit," he repeated very seriously.
"Fred I can't quit. I'm a cop. It's my life. Being a cop is who I am." She couldn't believe how serious he was about this. Sure they'd argued about it before, but it was just something he said when he was scared that something would happen to her. Tonight though, it sounded different. She could tell that this time he really meant it.
"No, a cop is not who you are! You're a wife and a mother! You belong here," he pointed down at the floor. "Your place is here Faith, in our home! Not out on the streets with Bosco! It's just a job, and it's taking you away from your family."
Faith clenched her fists. She wanted so badly to hit him. How could he say this to her? Why was it that he was being so old fashioned and saying that her place was in the home? She was so mad she didn't know what to say so she just stood there glaring at him.
Fred moved closer to her, reaching out to pull her close. Faith backed away from him. "No. Don't touch me," she said as she put her hands up and retreated backward.
"I'm putting my foot down. It's time you quit this job and spend more time with us," he said softly. Once again Fred moved closer to her. He smiled. "Come on babe. You know I'm right about this."
"No Fred. You're not even close to being right." Faith turned and headed for the bedroom.
"Faith. Faith! Don't walk away from me!"
"This conversation is over!" and with that she slammed the bedroom door.
From where he stood Fred heard the sound of the door being locked. He walked over to the door. "OK. Why don't we talk about this later? When you've had a chance to sleep on it." He waited for her to answer, but he got no response. "Faith. Honey. Let me in."
"No."
"Damn it," Fred whispered as he headed for the couch. ***** There were still lights on in the bar when Bosco arrived. He tried the door, but it was locked. He put his hands up to the window to shield the light as he pressed his face against the glass. There was movement inside so he knocked on the door. Seconds later he was rewarded with the sound of the door unlocking.
"Hey Ma," he leaned forward to give his mother a kiss on the cheek, but she turned and walked away from him. He shrugged.
"You were supposed to be here hours ago Maurice."
"I know. Got caught up at work. I got here as soon as I could. What's up?"
"Your brother called me."
Bosco nodded his head then looked down at the floor. He shifted his weight nervously before raising his head slightly. "So what'd he say?"
"He said that you busted him again. I had to go post bail."
"I had to ma. I caught him dealing."
"Why do you always have to come down on him so hard Maurice?! Why? Mikey's a good boy."
"Yeah, then why's he dealin' drugs?! Huh mom? Tell me that."
"He just got in with the wrong crowd. Give him a break."
"I'm a cop! It's my job!"
"No! You're his brother!" Bosco shook his head. Why couldn't she see it? Why couldn't she admit that Michael wasn't who she thought he was? "You're family. You should be trying to help him."
"I am."
"By arresting him? You're not helping him. You're just costing me money."
"What do you want me to do ma? It's illegal! He's gotta learn. I thought this might straighten him out."
There was a pause as she finished wiping off the bar. When she was done she looked at her son. "I'm sorry we aren't as perfect as you Maurice."
"What?! I'm not perfect ma! Never said I was."
"Well, you walk around all high and mighty. The big policeman, but you know what?!" She leaned in close to him. "We're always going to be your family whether you like it or not!"
With a huff Bosco pushed himself away from the bar. "I'm outta here!" He slammed the door as he left.
***** Bosco sat in front of his locker. His mother's words from early that morning kept playing over and over in his head. He didn't even notice Faith come in, but that was all right because she was so deep in thought she didn't notice him sitting there.
Faith changed slowly then sat down. She stared at the floor. Sergeant Christopher pushed the locker room door open. "ROLL CALL!" Bosco and Faith stood up and followed the other officers down the hall.
They still didn't speak to each other as they took their regular seats. Bosco slouched in his chair. His elbow on the desk, and his hand propping his head up. "I'm sorry we aren't as perfect as you Maurice."
Faith sat in her chair with her notebook sitting on the desktop. She leaned forward resting her forearms on the desk and held her pen in her hands. She stared at the pen as she twirled it between her fingers. "I want you to quit this job!"
"We're always going to be your family whether you like it or not!"
"Your place is here Faith, in our home!"
Swersky's voice interrupted their thoughts. "Eyes and ears open out there. Have a good tour."
Boscorelli and Yokas signed out their radios and headed for their squad car. They passed Sullivan and Davis without saying a word or even glancing in their direction.
"What's with them?," asked Davis.
Sully sighed. "Beats me." *****
After driving for twenty minutes Bosco pulled into his favorite spot to lay low.underneath the bridge. He could tell something was really bugging Faith because she made no objection to him parking there. *****
Faith continued to stare out the passenger's side window. She knew Bosco had something on his mind. He allows stopped under the bridge when he needed to think. *****
For ten minutes they sat in complete silence. Occasionally Faith would glance over at Bosco, and once in awhile he'd steal a quick look at her. But now he was tired of the silence. He was tired of having nothing but his mother's words rattling around in his head. He looked at his partner. "Fred?"
She turned toward him. "Yeah," she answered quietly.
Bosco nodded. "What this time?"
Faith took a deep breath. "He wants me to quit the force."
"What?! Are you kidding?"
"No. He thinks I should spend more time at home."
"You aren't really considering it are you?"
"No. Not really."
"Good."
"I've just been thinking."
"About what?"
"About---"
"5-5 David we have a 10-34 at 103 and Oregon."
Faith keyed her radio. "5-5 David 103 and Oregon." She flipped on the siren as Bosco started the car. *****
"5-5 David requesting permission to go 10-63."
"10-4 5-5 David."
Bosco reattached his radio to his shirt and walked around the car to where Faith was leaning against the trunk of the squad. "All set. Where to?"
"How 'bout we get something quick and head over to the ballpark on 92nd? I really don't feel like being around people, and that place is usually pretty dead."
"Fine with me."
After they got their food Bosco drove them over to the park. It was a nice day so they decided to eat at one of the picnic tables rather than sit in the car.
They ate in silence.
When Bosco finished he crumpled up his wrapper and threw it into the bag. Then he leaned forward resting his left arm on the table and laying his chin on his arm. With his right hand he absently traced a crack in the wood of the table.
Faith looked at him with concern. "This about Mikey?"
He tilted his head to look at her, but didn't respond.
She read the look in his eyes. "You talked to your mom after work didn't you?"
Bosco took a deep breath. He sat up a little with his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands. "Yeah. Mikey called her for bail money, and now she's pissed at *me* again."
"You knew that was going to happen."
"Yeah, but.I don't know. I guess I thought maybe it would help straighten him out ya know." Faith nodded. "Ma thinks I should cut him some slack because he's my brother." Bosco set his jaw and shook his head. "No way. I'm a cop. If he's dealin' it's my job to put him away. Family or not!"
Silence filled the air. Bosco looked at Faith. "Right?" he asked with doubt. "I mean, I can't let him deal and risk the chance of ruining someone else's life. Can I?"
"You did the right thing Bos," Faith said as soothingly as possible.
"Yeah? Then why does my family hate me, and why do I feel like shit?" He grabbed the bag off the table and walked over to the garbage can. He headed for their RMP. "You ready?" *****
"So, you wanna go for a drink or something?"
"I don't know Bos. Fred was pretty pissed about last night. I should really go straight home."
Bosco stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah. OK." He turned to walk to his car. "See you tomorrow then."
Faith watched as Bosco walked away. There was something about his body language. He was lacking his confident strut. Tonight he looked worn and defeated. "Bosco!" she called after him. He turned around; a look of hope on his face. "Why don't you come over to the apartment?"
"I don't know if that's such a good idea Faith. I mean if Fred's already mad my showing up just adds more fuel to the fire."
"No. It'll be OK. Really. Why don't you come over?" She really wanted Bosco to come to the apartment. Maybe she could get him to talk some more about what was bothering him. However, deep down Faith had a feeling Fred would make her regret this. *****
Faith unlocked the apartment door, and Bosco followed her inside. Fred was sitting on the couch in front of the TV. "Hey babe," he greeted her with a big smile.
"Hi," she replied as she shrugged off her coat.
Fred saw Bosco for the first time as Faith moved toward the closet. Bosco saw the look on Fred's face. "Hey Fred."
He looked from Bosco to Faith. "What's *he* doing here?!"
"I invited him over."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to talk to him. Is that a crime?"
"What? You don't get to talk to him enough at work?"
Bosco could see that if he didn't step in there was going to be a fight. As much as he wanted to stay and hang out with Faith he knew he needed to leave. "You know what? This was a bad idea. I should just go home."
"You're right, it was a bad idea," spat Fred. "You should go home."
"No. Bosco I invited you here, so stay."
"Faith I should really go."
"If he wants to go Faith let him go."
"Fred would you shut up?! I asked Bosco to come over here because I thought *you* would be happy that I was home early. If I would have known you were going to behave like a child I would have gone somewhere else and come home later!"
Both Fred and Bosco looked at Faith. Then Fred looked at Bosco. "Fine stay, but I'm going to bed." With that Fred stalked off to the bedroom.
There was silence in the living room. "Well, you want some coffee or something?" asked Faith as she walked into the kitchen.
"Uh, sure." Bosco looked back toward the closed bedroom door before making his way to the kitchen table. *****
Faith placed a cup of coffee on the table in front of Bosco. He thanked her, and she smiled. She sat down across from him and took a drink of her coffee. "Bosco can I ask you something?"
He looked at her and shrugged. "I guess."
"What did your mom say to you that's bothering you so much?"
"What?! Nothing. She didn't say anything," he was thrown off guard by her question. "Why do you think she said something?"
"Because I *know* you Bosco; better than you think I do. I could see it in you all day today. She must have said something."
"Well you're wrong," he said defensively.
"Am I?" she asked as she took another sip of coffee, and looked at him over the cup.
He hated that look. Every time something was bothering him and she gave him that look he knew it was over for him. Inside he smiled because he was truly grateful that she cared so much about him, but on the exterior he tried not to let it show. Bosco brought his coffee cup up to his lips.
Faith watched him as she set down her cup. She saw the look in his eyes, and could tell the wheels were turning. A warm feeling came over her as she knew that he would confide in her. He made her feel special and important when he shared his thoughts and feelings with her, but she never let him know that.
He put down his coffee, and took a deep breath. "I believe her exact words were 'I'm sorry we aren't as perfect as you', and 'we're always going to be your family whether you like it or not'." Bosco traced the rim of his coffee cup with his finger. "Oh, and there was something about me acting all high and mighty. 'The big policeman'."
"Why would she say that?"
"Maybe it's true."
"What? Maybe what's true?"
"Maybe I do act like I'm better than them. Maybe I do look down on them."
"No you don't Bosco."
"Then why would she say that? She wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Is she didn't see it."
"It's not true Bosco. I've seen you with your mom. I know how much you love her. And Mikey. I know you mean well."
"Maybe I need to back off. Stay out of it. You know, let them live their own lives." He looked down at the table. "They can't hate me any more than they already do."
"Bosco they don't hate you."
"You don't know that."
"Neither do you."
"I don't know. It's just.I'm a cop. I can't bend the rules just because he's my brother, but I don't think I'm better than him or my mom." He looked at Faith with a faint grin. "We both know I'm just as screwed up as they are. Just in a different way, but they don't see that."
"Not many people do Bos. You do a pretty good job of hiding it."
"Thanks."
She chuckled. "It's not a compliment."
"To me it is. I don't want people to be able to read me like that."
"I can."
He looked down at his coffee. "Yeah, but.that's different."
"How's that different?"
"Well," he looked at her. "You're my partner.my."
Faith could see the nervousness in his eyes as his voice trailed off. "You're my best friend too Bos." He smiled at her. Once again Faith had read him like a book. "So what are you going to do about your mom? You gonna try talking to her?"
"I don't know. I'm thinking maybe I'll give her some time to cool off."
"I'm sure she didn't mean what she said."
He shrugged. "Who knows." Bosco pointed toward Faith's bedroom. "What's Frederick's problem these days?"
Faith sighed. "I don't know. All of a sudden he's saying my place is here at home. He says I don't spend enough time with him and the kids, which is true. I don't get to spend enough time with them, but I can't change that right now. I don't have enough seniority." She shook her head. "Fred bitches about everything, but he never complains when he's out there spending my paycheck."
"Yeah. Fred's an ass."
"Bosco!"
"Well it's true isn't it? I mean he obviously doesn't see what a good thing he's got."
Faith looked at Bosco. The sincerity of his words shocked her.
"Oh no," Bosco thought. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Thanks Bosco."
"No problem," he tried to shrug it off like it was no big thing. He hoped it worked. *****
Faith came into the locker room rubbing her neck. "Yokas. You OK?" asked Bosco.
"My neck hurts. I ended up sleeping on the couch."
"Really? Why?" He walked over to her locker.
"Fred was still being a jerk after you left. He locked me out of the room. I guess he was paying me back for locking him out the night before."
"Yeah, well if he wasn't being such a dick you wouldn't have had to lock him out the other night."
"Man," she continued to rub her sore neck.
"Here, sit down." Bosco motioned toward the bench. Faith sat down, and Bosco stood behind her. He began massaging her shoulders and working his way to the base of her neck.
Faith began to melt under his touch. "Wow Bos. You have the perfect touch. You ever thought of doing this for a living?"
"Hell no! Just think of all the gross, nasty people I'd have to touch. Yuck!"
She laughed. "Well it's good to know you don't consider me a gross, nasty person."
He leaned down close to her ear. "Far from it Faith." She blushed, and he smiled inwardly. "How's that?"
"Much better thanks."
"Good. Now hurry up and get changed." *****
"BOSCORELLI! YOKAS!" Sergeant Christopher beckoned them with a finger. "I NEED A WORD WITH YOU!"
Faith looked at Bosco. He put his hands up. "I didn't do anything I swear."
They walked to the front of the room. "Yeah Sarge."
"Once again it's time to rid your sector of working girls. And guess who gets that lovely task?" Christopher said cheerfully.
"Oh come on Jason. Not again. You know what happened last time."
"Yes I do Boscorelli. Don't let it happen again," Christopher started to walk away, but turned back toward Bosco. "On second thought, if it happens again I can fire your sorry ass."
Bosco took a step toward Jason, but Faith held him back. Christopher left the room laughing.
"Dammit! Why's it always us?"
"Um, I don't know. Maybe cause he doesn't like you."
"What'd I ever do to him?"
"I don't think it was anything you did to him. More of what you did *with* his fiancée`."
"Oh yeah. That's right." Bosco grinned.
"OK Don Juan let's go," laughed Faith. *****
After a few hours of asking "street hostesses" to vacate the area Bosco and Faith went for their dinner break. They sat staring at their food. It was as if their internal clocks were synchronized as they both spoke at the same time.
"I'm thinking about taking some time off." "I'm going to put in for some vacation."
They looked at each other, and once again spoke at the same time. "What?" They chuckled. Bosco pointed at Faith. "You first."
"I've decided to put in for some time off. Fred and I are having problems, and I just need a break from it all. My mom agreed to take the kids for a couple weeks so Fred doesn't have to worry about finding a sitter while he's at work."
"Wait. You're not going on a vacation with Fred? I thought maybe you'd want to spend some time with him. You know, see if you could figure things out."
Faith shook her head. "Fred's not who he used to be. I'm afraid we're growing apart. I want to see how it feels to be away from all the arguing for awhile." Bosco nodded, and picked at his salad with his fork. "So what were you going to say?"
"Oh, I uh, I was thinking about taking some time off too. Getting away from the city."
"Everything OK?"
"I don't know. I guess. It's just I've never really gone on a vacation or anything, and I think it's time. I need to go somewhere and clear my head."
"Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yeah.I will be," he picked at his food a little more. "So where you plan on going?"
"I don't know yet. How about you?"
"I was thinking Florida."
"Florida?"
"Yeah. I've never been there. Figured I'd hang out at the beach. Go clubbin' in Orlando." She started laughing. "What?"
"Sorry I just can't really picture you at a dance club."
"Hey. I can dance." *****
ONE WEEK LATER "Boscorelli. Yokas." Lieutenant Swersky handed them each an envelope. "Your vacation requests."
"Thanks Lieu."
"Thanks Boss." As soon as Swersky was out of sight Bosco tore into his envelope. "I better have gotten the dates I asked for. My trip is pretty much planned." He pulled out the letter. "YES! June 30th through July 13th. What'd you get?"
Faith carefully opened her envelope, and read the letter. "Huh, that's interesting."
"What is?"
"They gave us the same days off."
"Really? That's strange."
"Guess they were worried they wouldn't be able to find someone who could tolerate you while I was gone. Must have figured it would save them a big headache if they just gave us the same time off," she headed for the locker room.
"Hey! I resent that!" He followed her into the locker room. "Did you decide where you're going to go?"
"No, not yet."
Bosco started to unbutton his shirt. "Why don't you come with me to Florida?"
"Yeah right Bosco."
"I'm serious. Come with me. It'll be fun to have someone along."
"Sounds kinda weird to me. Here we are taking time off of work to get away, and now we're talking about going on vacation together."
"I'm taking vacation to get away from here, not you. And unless I'm mistaken you're taking time off to get away from Fred, not me."
"I don't know Bos. I don't think it's a good idea."
"Whatever you say, but the 'Bosco-mobile' pulls out at seven on Sunday morning if you change your mind." ***** SUNDAY MORNING 6:55 Bosco was just getting ready to close the trunk of his car. "Got room in there for my stuff?"
He whirled around to find Faith smiling back at him. "Yeah," he took her bags. "I was hoping you'd show up." He smiled.
"Yeah, well don't make me regret it," she smiled back.
