Title: The Rules of the Game (12/?)
Author: X_tremeroswellian
Email: X_tremeroswellian@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Only in my dreams do I actually own anything. All are property of Edward Allen Bernero and John Wells.
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence and sexual content
Spoilers: Up through and including "233 Days."
Summary: Bosco and Faith find themselves in a predicament in which they can use only their instincts to survive.
Distribution: My site Only Time, 55-HQ, and fanfiction.net. Others, just ask and I'll probably say yes.
Category: Story
Subcategories: Action/adventure/thriller/suspense/romance/friendship/drama/angst...does that narrow it down too much? *wink wink*
Feedback: Makes me write faster.
Author's Note: I sort of got this idea from a third season episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But just for the very general plot idea. The rest came out of my own messed up mind. :)
Dedication: For Dem and Bree
The Rules of the Game (Part Twelve)
Bosco opened his eyes slowly, his gaze immediately locking on Faith's face. She was gazing back at him. "Hey," he said, his voice low.
"Morning," she murmured.
He leaned toward her and kissed her forehead, slightly startled by how natural making such a gesture of affection toward her felt lately. "How, uh...how are you feeling?"
"Sore," Faith admitted, her eyes still tired.
He nodded.
"What about you? How's your head?" There was a hint of worry in her voice.
It was almost ridiculous: just a few hours ago she'd been beaten and tortured by a psychopath and yet she was worried about him having a headache. "It's fine," he told her.
She reached out and gently touched the side of his head, wincing slightly. "You're pretty bruised up, Bosco."
He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not the only one."
Faith smiled faintly.
He smiled back, then turned his head and pressed a kiss into the palm of her hand, closing his eyes.
She bit her lip and removed her hand from his face.
Bosco opened his eyes again, looked over at her. "Faith?"
"We should, uh...we should figure out what we're gonna do." Her voice was quiet as she struggled to sit up, grimacing in pain, her hand coming to rest on her rib cage.
"Yeah, right. Of course," he said, feeling slightly confused as he, too, sat up. "Well...I don't think we should stay here. We need to figure out a way off this island."
She nodded her agreement, not looking at him.
Bosco thought for a moment. "We should take his horse. That way you don't have to worry about walking. Plus, it'll be faster."
"Good idea."
He hesitated, glancing at her. "You're gonna need a shirt." He quickly pulled off his t-shirt and handed it to her. "Here. It's dirty, but..." He shrugged.
Faith swallowed hard as she took the shirt from him, her eyes lingering on his bare chest. She felt her face flush with warmth and she tried to focus on pulling the shirt over her head. The material rubbed painfully against her back where the skin was burned, and she winced slightly. "Thanks," she murmured.
"Sure." He could tell that she wanted to say something, but wasn't sure how to say it. He knew because it was the same way he felt. "Faith, I--"
Just then, the door burst open.
Bosco grabbed the gun off the floor and aimed it at the man and the woman standing in the doorway, guns in hand. "Hold it right there," he commanded, rising to his feet.
"Officer Boscorelli? Officer Yokas?" the man asked.
"Maybe. Who the hell are you?"
"We're with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I'm Agent Reyes, this is Agent Doggett," the woman told him.
Faith looked up at Bosco with wide eyes.
"Yeah? Then I guess you won't mind showing us some I.D.," Bosco answered, still keeping the gun trained on them. He wasn't about to take any chances.
"Not a problem, Officer," Reyes told him. She slowly pulled out her badge and photo I.D., holding it out to him.
Bosco moved closer, glanced at the I.D. and quickly decided they were telling the truth. He turned to look at his partner and tucked the gun into the waistband of his jeans. "Looks like we're going home," he said as their eyes met.
She smiled at him. He returned it, then turned back to the two FBI agents. "What the hell took you guys so long?"
"What are you doing here so early?" Alex asked with a frown as she sat down across the table from Kim at the firehouse.
Kim smiled at her. "Just waiting," she answered, sipping her mug of coffee.
She raised an eyebrow. "For--?"
"News on Bosco and Faith."
"Ah." Alex's frown deepened slightly. "And just out of curiousity, what makes you think--?"
"I've just got a good feeling about it," Kim responded mysteriously. "What are you doing here already?"
She shrugged slightly. "I'm supposed to meet Ty for coffee in a little while. He wanted to swing by the precinct first, see if there had been any new developments in the search. Thought I'd wait here, do the same."
At that moment, Doc rushed into the room. "Have you guys heard the news?"
"What news?" Alex asked hopefully.
"They've just found Faith and Bosco. They're on a helicopter on their way back to the city. They need some buses to meet the choppers and transport to Mercy." Doc looked at them. "If you guys want to go, suit up and clock yourselves in."
"Doc, wait." Alex shook her head, confused. "How many buses do they need for two people?"
"Apparently they weren't the only two on the island," he replied, disappearing down the steps.
Kim and Alex exchanged a look, then quickly headed up the stairs to change into uniform.
Bosco peered out the window of the helicopter, his eyes widening slightly as he saw the crowd down below them. "There must be five hundred people out there!"
Faith leaned over and looked, too. "Are they all there because of us?" she asked, shocked as she looked at Agents Doggett and Reyes.
Reyes smiled. "Looks like."
"When we land, an ambulance will transport you to the hospital. Your families are there waiting for you. There's extra security there to help you avoid the reporters," Doggett informed them.
Faith glanced at Bosco, who smiled at her. She smiled back.
The helicopter landed a few moments later. Doggett got out first, holding the door open as he ducked his head. Bosco followed him out, then turned and held his hand out to help his partner down. She slid her hand into his, allowing him to help her. She leaned against him for support as her ankle throbbed.
The instant they were both out of the chopper, cheers rang out from the crowd. Camera flashes went off in every direction.
It was more than a little disorienting.
Bosco let go of her hand and quickly wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him protectively as they were instantly surrounded by reporters. He squinted his eyes from the flashing lights.
"What was it like being stranded on an island?"
"What did you do for food for the past four days?"
"How do you feel right now?"
"Everyone back up! Give them some space!" a familiar voice shouted.
He looked up and saw Sully, Davis, Gusler, Swersky, Christopher, and several other officers from the 55th precinct working crowd control. They managed to get the reporters back as two ambulances pulled up toward them and stopped.
"You two all right?" Sully asked, making his way toward them.
Bosco glanced down at Faith, who gave Sully a smile. "We're okay," he told his friend, nodding.
"Man, are we glad to see you two," Alex Taylor exclaimed, grinning broadly as she, Kim, Doc and Carlos pushed through the crowd to get to them.
"Amen to that," Kim agreed.
"Are either of you hurt?" Doc asked, concern in his eyes.
"We need to get Faith to the hospital right away," Bosco answered, relieved to see their friends, but worried about his partner's injuries.
"I'm okay," she said, though she was talking more to him than the others.
"We're taking you both to Mercy just to be on the safe side," Carlos replied.
"Fred and the kids are already there waiting, and so is your mom, Bosco," Kim told them.
"If one of you wants to come with me and Carlos, the other can go with Kim and Alex," Doc said.
"No, we go together," Bosco replied instantly, anxiety forming in his stomach at the thought of leaving her side. She moved closer to him--such a small movement that the others didn't even realize she'd moved. But he knew.
Doc looked back and forth between the two of them, then nodded. "Okay, why don't you two ride over with Kim and Taylor and Carlos and I will wait for the next chopper. But we'll see you at the hospital in a little while."
"Thanks, Doc." Faith smiled at him.
"I'm glad you're both safe," he answered, returning the smile. He and Carlos headed away.
"You guys ready?" Kim asked, glancing at them, then back at the crowd.
"Yeah, let's get out of here," he answered, helping Faith toward the ambulance as Kim and Alex led the way.
As they reached the back of the bus, Davis and Swersky greeted them. "You guys okay?" Davis asked immediately.
Faith glanced at Bosco. "I think we'll live," she answered, trace of a smile on her lips.
"Good to know," he replied, smiling back, a relieved look on his face.
"We'll give you an escort to Mercy," Swersky told them.
"Thanks, Sir," Bosco said, nodding at him.
The lieutenant started to turn and walk away. He paused, then turned to face them again. "It's good to have you back. Both of you," he said, his voice low as he gazed at them.
"It's good to be back," Faith said seriously. "Thanks for everything you've done. Agent Reyes told us about all the efforts you and everyone at the 55th went through to find us."
Swersky smiled at her. "We take care of our own," he replied. Without another word, he turned and walked toward one of the squad cars.
"Glad you guys are okay," Davis said again, then turned and followed his boss.
Bosco glanced at Faith, then at Alex and Kim. "Let's get to the hospital."
"I'll drive," Alex volunteered, heading to the front of the ambulance.
Kim stepped up into the back of the bus, and motioned for them to follow.
He followed her in, then reached down to help lift Faith up. She winced slightly as she stepped up, but quickly leaned against him to take the pressure off her foot. He helped her sit down on the bench and then sat down next to her. Kim closed the doors behind them.
"Do you have any pain in your ribs?"
Bosco gazed through the window to the next trauma room and saw Faith gazing back at him as Dr. Thomas talked to her.
"Officer Boscorelli?"
He relunctantly looked away from his partner's face and turned his gaze on the doctor. "What?"
"Do you have any pain in your ribs?"
"No, I told you, I'm fine. Are we done here?" he asked impatiently, glancing back at Faith again.
"I'd like to keep you overnight. A concussion's a very serious--"
"Forget it," Bosco interuppted, sliding down off the exam table. "Where do I sign out?"
"Right here," the young doctor replied, handing him a clipboard.
Bosco looked at him in surprise.
"Dr. Thomas warned me about you."
He couldn't help smiling as he signed the release form. He turned and walked out the door, finding himself instantly surrounded by his friends and colleagues.
"You all right, man?" Donaldson asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said quickly, edging his way toward the next trauma room.
"Anything we can get you? Something to eat?" Sully suggested.
"Oh, hell yes," Bosco replied, his stomach growling loudly at the thought of food.
"What do you want?"
He opened his mouth and started to say 'pizza' but then changed his mind. "You know that little Mexican joint on Division Street?"
"Yeah," Davis said, nodding.
"Faith loves their burritos, so get plenty of those. We've barely eaten in four days."
"Got it."
"How is Yokas?" Turner asked.
"I'll let you know," Bosco replied, turning and opening the door of the trauma room she was in.
Proctor turned to kick out whoever had just walked in, but when she saw Bosco, she just smiled and turned back to Faith. "I'll get Dr. Thomas back in here." She left the room.
He walked over to her. "So, what's the news?" he asked, worried.
"Sprained ankle, some cuts and bruises. Dr. Thomas said in a couple weeks we'll do the skin-grafting for the burn." She looked down at the floor, then back up at him. "What about you?"
"Mild concussion, nothing to worry about," he assured her. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You sure you're okay?"
"I'm okay," she promised, gazing at him. "Proctor went to get Dr. Thomas to do a couple stitches."
Bosco studied the gash on the side of her head, then leaned forward and kissed it gently. He pulled away slowly, his eyes locked on her face.
Faith broke the gaze, shifting uncomfortably. "Chevchinko's dead."
He frowned, perturbed by her change of behavior in the last twenty-four hours. "Yeah, I heard. Good riddance."
She nodded her agreement.
"Sullivan and Davis went to get us some food from that Mexican joint you like so much."
"Thank God. I'm starving."
"You and me both." Bosco sat down beside her on the exam table and waited.
Dr. Thomas returned a moment later. "Okay, let's get this over with so you can see your families."
"That would be good," she agreed.
"This is going to sting a bit," he told her.
Wordlessly, Bosco reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently. She squeezed it back in silent thanks.
It only took a couple minutes to stitch her up. "Your families are down the hall in one of the private rooms on the right," Dr. Thomas told them. He walked over to where one of the nurses had leaned a pair of crutches against the wall. He brought them over to Faith.
"Thank you," she said gratefully. She slid slowly off the table, hoisting herself onto the crutches with ease.
Bosco held the door open for her, then followed her out of the room.
"Yokas, you all right?" Garrison asked.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just a sprained ankle," she told her colleagues with a smile. "I'm on my way to see my kids."
"If you two need anything..." Alex said, gazing at them. Kim nodded her support.
"Thanks," Bosco said to them.
"Ma'am?"
Faith turned and saw Gusler standing a few feet away, clutching his service cap in his hands nervously. "Hi, Steve."
He gave her a shy smile. "I'm glad you're okay." He glanced at Bosco nervously. "You, too."
She smiled at him. "Thanks."
Bosco glanced at Faith, then back at Gusler. He extended his hand out. "Thanks, Gusler."
Gusler's eyes widened as he shook Bosco's hand.
Faith smiled gently before she turned and headed down the hallway on her crutches, Bosco following behind her. She glanecd into each room until she spotted Angela Boscorelli pacing nervously inside the third room on the right. She stopped abruptly and looked at her partner.
He looked into the room, then back at her.
She saw the apprehension in his eyes. "Everything's gonna be fine," she promised, her voice low.
Bosco smiled at her slightly and nodded. "Thanks." He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans and moved to the doorway. "Ma?"
Angela turned around, her eyes widening and filling with tears. Wordlessly, she rushed toward him and threw her arms around his waist.
He was shocked by his mother's reaction. Before he and Faith had disappeared, he and his mom hadn't talked in weeks. She'd still been angry with him for arresting Mikey.
"Thank God you're all right, Maurice."
He hesitated only a moment, then he hugged her back tightly.
"I was afraid I'd never see you again." His mom pulled away from him and looked up at his face, resting her hand against his cheek.
"Me too," he admitted, swallowing hard.
Faith watched as Bosco and his mom hugged again and she felt tears shining in her eyes. Bosco turned to look at her and she smiled at him. He smiled back, holding her gaze as he and his mom hugged.
"MOM!"
She quickly tore her eyes away from her partner's face as she heard the familiar voices. She turned and saw her kids running toward her, Fred a few steps behind them.
Charlie threw his arms around her waist, hugging her fiercely. "Mom, I missed you so much!"
She instantly hugged him back, pressing her lips to the top of his head. "Me, too, baby," she whispered.
Emily joined in the hug, tears in her eyes. "We were so worried about you. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, Em, I'm okay. Just a sprained ankle, no big deal," Faith told her, kissing her forehead. She looked up at her husband, who was gazing at her silently. "Hi."
Fred smiled at her. "Hi."
"Uncle Bosco!" Charlie ran over and hugged him tightly, as well.
"Hey, Champ," Bosco said, smiling down at him. He hugged Faith's son, then her daughter as Emily rushed to his side, too.
Faith watched her kids with her partner and swallowed hard as a rush of unidentifiable emotions swept over her.
"You really okay?"
She turned to look at Fred, who wore a concerned expression on his face. "Yeah, I'm okay."
He nodded, glanced past her to where Bosco and the kids were. Then his eyes focused on her again. "For what it's worth...I'm really glad you're both all right."
Faith gazed at him, somewhat surprised by his words. "Thank you. It means a lot," she said softly.
"Uncle Bosco, I knew Mom was going to be okay because I knew you'd take care of her," Charlie told him, grinning.
Bosco gave him a half-smile, his gaze flickering over to Faith. "Actually, it was the other way around," he said, meeting his partner's gaze.
"Thank you for taking care of my son," Angela said as she walked over to Faith's side and gave her a quick hug.
Faith smiled at her, then looked at Bosco. "Well, the truth is...we took care of each other," she said quietly.
Bosco smiled back at her, not sure if that was really true, but it felt good to hear her say the words anyway.
"Hate to break up the reunion, but we're going to need you both to come down to the station to fill out reports," Christoper said as he walked up.
"Can't it wait?" Bosco demanded, giving him a dirty look.
"No, it can't. You've been missing for four days. We need to know everything that happened so we can put all the people responsible behind bars as soon as possible."
Faith glanced at Bosco, then Christopher and sighed. "Can you give us a couple more minutes? Please?"
He nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Sure." He turned and walked away.
She looked down at her kids, who were hugging her again. "I have to go to work for a few hours, but I'll see you both again in a little while, okay?"
Emily and Charlie both nodded, then let go of her. Fred put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Just call the cell phone when you're ready, I'll bring them right over."
Faith nodded. "Thanks, Fred." She glanced at Bosco, who was watching her intently. "You ready?"
He nodded, glanced at Fred, then back at her. "Yeah."
"Let's get this over with."
"I can't believe it." Alex shook her head.
"It's weird," Davis agreed as he sat at the firehouse with her, Kim, Doc and Carlos.
"How did she get loose? That's what I don't get," Carlos said, frowning.
"She said it's like someone untied the ropes," Davis told him, shrugging. "But no one was there."
"That is bizarre."
"I don't know. I believe in a higher power," Doc spoke up, his voice quiet. "Miracles happen all the time."
"Yeah, they do," Kim said softly, gazing at the tabletop. She slowly rose to her feet. "Well, I'm gonna head home. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"Bye, Kim," Alex said, nodding at her.
She waved at them, then headed down the steps of the firehouse. She walked outside, looked up at the night sky at all of the stars twinkling above her. "Night, Bobby," she whispered. "Thanks for helping them."
There was a brief, comforting squeeze on her shoulder and she knew if she turned around, no one would be standing there. At least not physically. A small smile touched Kim's lips as she felt that peaceful feeling wash over her again.
Everything was going to be all right.
Still smiling, she took a deep breath of the fresh, cool night air and started to walk home.
Note: Agents Doggett and Reyes are not mine. They belong to Chris Carter and Fox. I had not planned to do an X-Files crossover with this fic, so imagine my surprise when they showed up at the cabin. ;) Couldn't be helped.