Hey Boy! Hey Girl! Another chapter up. HERE WE GO! (Guess the lyrics ;D)

Thank you Gumbycan!

Characters: Harold Finch, John Reese, Lionel Fusco, Joss Carter.

Pairing: Rinch

Status: Incomplete

Notes: Enjoy!

~POI~

Lionel Fusco wasn't a man of many words. He usually did what he was told and what was expected of him. Though, he did start to speak up much more than he ever did since meeting the Man-in-a-Suit.

Ever since he came into his life things have been hell, to say the least. He always called, made Lionel run errands, hell he had even saved John's life! But this hell have made into a pathway to his redemption. Somehow, someway, Mr. Wonderboy had him doing good things. Things that he can say he was proud of doing. Proud to be someone his son can look up to. He noticed that when he was in the forest, when he was ready to die. Instead, Reese came in just in time to save him. He knew then and there that he was doing good. That he was making a difference. That he didn't have to be a dirty cop anymore. And for that he was grateful that both Wonderboy and Mr. Vocabulary came into his life, and made him start anew.

Not that he will ever admit to them.

Now he was worried for Reese. Sure he got hurt nearly every time they saw each other, but this time something told him that Reese got more than what he bargained for. For starters he didn't think when Finch called them, that they would meet someone crazy enough to light a building up. (Okay, he can name a few, but still that man was crazy!). When Carter ran for the guy, he immediately ran inside. It was foolish he thought, Reese would have probably gotten out by now. If he was then Fusco had a good complaint waiting for him.

He thought of what he would tell the taller man as he looked around. He looked around the building. Nothing. When he looked at the middle, he saw him. On the floor knocked out, and the fire nearing his unconscious body. He quickly placed his gun away and ran towards Reese. He wasn't moving at all, Fusco feared for the worst, but couldn't stay long to confirm. The fire was getting closer, and they needed to get out. He placed an arm around him, Fusco dragged him outside. Only when they were a good distance away did he gently lay him down and properly check on him. He had a pulse 'good' a weak one, but a pulse, nonetheless.

Carter managed to catch up with the psycho, and Finch had arrived. Fusco had to yell at him to get him back to reality, luckily for him, Finch did. They managed to get him in the town car, and away from the scene. He then helped Finch get him inside a house and into a bedroom. The entire time he was helping he couldn't help but notice how the smaller man looked at Reese. It wasn't those 'I'm worried about you' looks; it was the type of a love-sick person, who is too shy about admitting their feelings. But he won't get into that matter, not right now at least. Right now Reese is injured and needed some help, when he asked Finch said that he did have someone and he thanked him. Knowing a good 'get out' when he heard one, Fusco then left. If Finch needed anything he would call them.

Carter came with her phone in her ear, mentioning him to come with her. "It's Finch" she said. That was good enough reason to get up and out of the precinct, with the excuse of getting something to eat, she left. Once out and about a block away from the precinct, she placed her cell onto speakerphone.

"Okay, Finch we're here." she assured.

"First of all, I want to thank you both for rescuing John. Second, he just woke up -"

"So soon? But what about his injuries?" Carter interrupted.

"I'm quite surprised as you are, Detective, but he is fine. Mostly."

"Mostly? What the hell happened to him?" Fusco asked.

"Let's just say he will be unavailable for quite awhile. Do either of you two have the next few days off?"

"I do, why?" Fusco answered. His son will be visiting relatives, and he had nothing else to do, and nowhere to go.

"Can you meet me at the place where John currently resides, Detective Fusco? I would stay, but I need to do few things."

"Uh sure. What time?"

"As early as possible. Thank you, Detective."

"You're Welcome"

A click and the end of the line could be heard soon afterwards. Both Detectives looked at each other.

"Wonder what happened to him?" Carter wandered.

"Beats me. Now that were outside, want to go and get something to eat?"

"Yeah, sure."

~POI~

Fusco arrived at the safe house, wondering why he was needed to babysit Reese. Surely the taller man can take care of himself, despite his injuries. Maybe Finch was too scared that he would be up and about, so he wanted someone to keep an eye on him.

"Detective Fusco, thank you for coming" Finch led the detective inside.

"Welcome. So what do you need me for?"

"Mr. Reese sustained an injury; he's not taking it well."

"Injury? What kind of injury?"

"One that requires some research, Detective"

"So you're gonna do some research?"

"Yes. Unfortunately my research would take me away from here, so you see why I need your help"

"Sure, but what kind of injury is it?"

"He's blind, detective. It seems he was hit too many times in the head, the last hit was too much for his brain."

"Ouch. So that's your research?"

"Yes. I have to go now, Detective. He's on the second door to your left. Thank You" Finch went to gather his coat, "Oh and detective? I noticed you did not bring any sort of entertainment, so please do make yourself at home" and with that he left.

Fusco stood there for a few minutes. So Reese is blind. For a minute he couldn't believe the man who turned his life upside down, was blind. He had to see this for himself, there was just no way that this man had come down to this.

Going to the room he was told, he half expected Reese be up and about, saying something about him being in HR and the progress they have been making. Instead he sees Reese in the bed, sitting up.

"Who's there?" Reese asked, his head faced the door. His eyes were bandaged up. His hair was a bit disheveled, and he was shirtless.

"Who the fuck is there, Goddamit?" Reese growled. He could sense someone in the room, but his injuries would make him a perfect target.

"Hey, easy it's me" Fusco assured, still surprised to see him like this.

"Lionel? What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Glasses asked me to come and babysit you while he goes and do some research." he sat in the chair that was next to the bed.

"Research? I told him to leave." Reese whispered, gripping the sheets again. Why? Why would Finch stick around? He was useless to him; he served no purpose as long as he is blind. He can't help with the Numbers anymore. So why?

"Want to tell me what happened yesterday?" Fusco asked.

"That's none of your business, Lionel."

"No, but sure as hell it will make you feel better talking about rather than keeping it inside."

When Reese didn't answer, Fusco tried again. Knowing that he is stuck with the detective, Reese told what happened the day before.

"So that's it?" Fusco asked after Reese told him everything. Reese didn't bother to say anything.

"You're giving up?"

"I just told you, Lionel. Why would Finch need me around for? Thanks to this head injury, I'm blind."

"I just didn't see you as the type to give up so easily. You're always fightin', you know."

"Given the circumstances, Lionel, I think it's time to throw in the towel."

"You maybe, but for Mr. Glasses? No."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that you may have given up on yourself, but he hasn't. He's still fighting for you, trying to see if there is any chance to get your eyesight back. "

"Why try when you know it will all be in vain, Lionel. Admit it now, before you end up getting your hopes crushed. "

"How do you if you haven't tried?"

"Lionel –"

"No you listen to me, buddy. When you blackmailed me, I gave you all the reasons to kill me. But you didn't. Instead you gave me more chances and I deserved and never gave up on me. You've helped me become a better man, someone for my son to look up to. Now it's your turn. You may have given up on yourself, but Glasses hasn't. And I won't either."

"…"

"I know the doc said the chances are slim, but it's still a chance to get it back. The question is: do you want to take that chance? If you didn't get your eyesight back, you can at least say you tried. If you did, then this would have been all worth it. Think about that for a while, I'm going to get something to eat." Fusco got up and left the room.

~POI~

Reese just sat there. How dare Fusco tell him this? What does he know about chances? He's a corrupt cop, who made a bad deal with his former partner.

But you did give him a chance. You got him to work for you, to help you with the 'numbers'. Hell, he even saved your life! Sure, he gave you as much reason to kill him, but you just gave him a warning and a chance. You never gave up on him, and he came back to helping you and saving your life. (Even though he tends to complain once in a while). You had given him a reason to be a clean cop, to be someone his son could look up to.

So why is it so hard to get that small chance?

Because I'm afraid. Afraid that I will never see again. To see the world again. To see helping the people i save. To never see him again. Never see Finch. Never see the look on his face when he tries to surprise him, or to annoy him.

That is what he was afraid of. He was so scared when Megan told them about the injury and the consequences, that he was already admitting defeat. Accept it now or be heartbroken. That was easier for him. Easier than go through months of rest, and testing, only to find that there is nothing they could do.

Then again this could be a temporary thing.

Dammit, he let Fusco into his brain. But in his defense he did have a point. How can he quit now when he didn't even try? And he won't be alone in this. He didn't know if Carter knew about his situation, but in the meantime he had Fusco and Finch. Finch? Finch!

Oh God, Finch. How could have he been so stupid and yell at him? He covered his face with his hands. He needed to apologize to him. That'll be the first thing he'll do when he comes in. If he comes in here at all, he thought sadly. Not that he would blame him if Finch avoided him. He did yell at him pretty harsh, and he quitting was not helping either. He'll try, though. When they are both alone, he'll try.

He heard Fusco come back.

"Here, made some hotdogs. Should be something easy for you to handle" he placed the plate in front of Reese. Then he helped place a hand on top of the hot dog when he saw Reese's hands trying to locate the plate.

Reese gave a short laugh. This was also going to get some used to. Getting help from others, but he was glad that there was someone there to help him.

"Thanks Fusco" he took a bite.

"You're welcome."

~POI~

Reese and Fusco chatted for a while. When Reese wanted to rest, the cop would leave the room. He would come and check on him once in a while. Now that he had a will to get his eyesight back, he was only more than happy to help.

When he heard the front door open and close he knew that Finch had returned. Only Finch and Fusco knew the location, and Fusco wouldn't have left him. A soft chat could be heard but with the door almost shut it was impossible to make out what they were saying. The sound of the door opening and closing signaled that someone had left.

When he heard uneven steps coming down the hallway, he knew it was Finch who stayed and Fusco left for the …. Whatever time of the day it was.

"Finch?" he called out.

"Yes, Mr. Reese?"

"Can we talk?" he asked. Uncertain if his boss would want to talk to him right now.

Finch was surprised that he wanted to talk to him. For sure, he thought, he would want to avoid him at all costs. But if he wanted to talk, he won't deny his request. He also wanted to talk to his employee.

"Of course, Mr. Reese"

~POI~

Yay for Fusco! Let's have some Lionel Fusco appreciation Chapter. Though I don't think something like this may happen on the show, I would want for Fusco to give advice or knock some sense to Reese. Something like that.

Anyway please R&R!