Walk the Distance Part 6

Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 5. Anything regarding pregnancy that might be off, just remember I'm not an expert. I'm just going by what people have told me and what's on the internet.

Feedback: Please? I get the feeling that my other story is more popular. It may be. But . . . I love reviews. So, pretty please.

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She was furious. Stark raving mad at him. It had only been two weeks since she told Bosco about her pregnancy and he already insisted she go on desk duty. Ha! That was a laugh riot. No one besides Faith and Alex knew about her pregnancy. Faith knew only because Maurice insisted that if she had Alex to talk to then he should be allowed to tell Faith. Sadie really couldn't argue with that. Alex was her best friend and Faith was his.

Everyone at the precinct knew she and Bosco were a couple. Rumors started flying the moment he kissed her outside the precinct after her first day at the 55. Of course after his show for Sully and Davis the rumors spiraled out of control. The stories going around were ridiculous.

"Logan, you ride with Sully today." Lieu came up to her before roll call.

"What about Steve?"

"Called in sick. Davis took a personal day so I thought you and Sully could pair up."

"Yeah, sure." Sadie turned and took her seat next to Bosco and Faith. After roll call she caught up with Sully. Bosco and Faith weren't far behind.

"Keep an eye on her, Sul," Bosco warned.

"I'm a big girl." She stepped up.

"Be careful. That's all." He closed the space between them and for a moment leaned in as to kiss her. Instead he just put his hand on her cheek for a second or two then turned and left.

"What was that all about?" Sully asked once Bosco and Faith were gone.

"Overprotective is the word. Let's go."

"You and Bosco huh? Never would have guessed." Sully opened the driver's side door and got in.

"I didn't fall for Bosco the cop. I fell in love with Maurice the man. He really can be two different people, ya know? I wish everyone could see more of Maurice." She rested her head back on the seat as Sully peeled away. "I hope Steve is ok."

"I'm sure Gusler is fine. You know I think you and Faith are the only ones who have the patience for him."

"He's a good kid. I think with more experience he'll be a great cop." She took a deep breath before speaking again. "Any news on DiPaulo?"

"Some guys said they say him coming and going out of a small coffee shop a few blocks from here."

"I want to nail his ass," she admitted. Those weren't just words either. She meant them. Every single fiber of her being wanted to take him down.

"I still can't believe charges weren't pressed for what he did to you." Sully glanced her way.

"Yeah, well he managed to get an alibi. Apparently someone is looking out for him." Sadie kept her eyes on the buildings going by. "Where's this place?"

"We aren't going. I'm not allowing you to jeopardize yourself or your career," Sully barked.

"You and Maurice," she hissed. "I've gotten this far in life without people protecting me. I'm a big girl. I can handle things," she softened her tone regretting the harsh way she first spoke. "Besides, you aren't my dad, Sully. You know though, right now you sound like him."

"Yeah, well Bosco is just concerned. So am I. And as for your dad, he must be a smart guy." Sully pulled the car over and shut off the ignition. "Let's walk."

Sadie threw open the door and leaned against the car. Sully had already began to walk away but soon noticed his partner wasn't following. She laughed as he threw his arms up as if to say 'what are you waiting for?'. She quickly hid her smile. Her brain told her now wasn't the time to play games and be happy. She crossed her arms and looked straight ahead.

"Logan, come on."

"I need to catch him."

"I know." Sully jammed his hands in his pockets.

"No you don't. Not completely anyway." She turned to look at Sully. "I live in fear that each night may be my last. I think that maybe the delivery boy isn't really coming to deliver my pizza. That guy," she said as she pointed to a guy standing in a doorway. "That guy could very well be watching me and waiting to kill me."

"Everyone is trying to get him. Bosco probably is dragging Faith all over the precinct trying to get dirt on him. DiPaulo won't hurt you." Sully leaned against the car next to Sadie.

"I wish I could believe that." She pushed herself of the car. "Let's walk."

Sadie and Sully began to walk down the sidewalk. She felt paranoid and couldn't help but keep her hand over her side arm. The slightest sound caused her to jump. They walked a few blocks then decided to go back to the car. On their way they passed a newsstand.

"I'll meet you in the car," she said. She scanned the selection and grabbed what she wanted along with a newspaper. "Thanks." She wrapped her book in the newspaper and went to join Sully.

Once Sadie entered the car Sully took off. They drove around for a few hours and responded to two calls. She couldn't help herself from listening to what calls Bosco and Faith were taking. Her heart had almost stopped when she heard them respond to a possible armed robbery.

She wanted to go and back them up but they had already been on their way to a traffic accident. Sully had reassured her that they would be fine. He said that she knew better than anyone that Bosco could take care of himself. It didn't surprise her too much then when Bosco's voice came over saying they apprehended the suspect.

"Do you do that when you work with Gusler?" Sully asked an hour later.

"What?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe pay a little too much attention to what calls Bosco and Faith take."

"Can't help it. Sorry." She smiled sheepishly

"Yeah, well I'm willing to bet he's just as bad." Sully pulled the RMP in front of a small deli. "I'm starving. What do you say we eat?"

"I'm with you."

Sadie called it in and then she and Sully made their way to the small deli. Upon entrance they soon realized they wouldn't get a table. Sadie had made the suggestion they get it to go and then park somewhere. After placing their orders the pair made their way back to their squad. Sully was the first to notice the man leaning against the car.

"Can I help you sir?" he questioned.

"No, but she can." The man pointed to Sadie.

"That's it. I'm getting a restraining order." Sadie set her food on the hood.

"Is that any way to talk to an old friend?" He laughed. "Your Lieutenant wouldn't tell me where you were, but I found a very helpful Sergeant. Christopher, I think. Told me you were with the old man today. Just happened to come along and see the squad."

"Old man? I'll show you old man," Sully growled. "Logan, who is this joker?" Sully set his food next to Sadie's.

"This is Aaron Murdock. He is quite possibly the most corrupt cop in the 29th." Sadie shot daggers at Murdock.

"Don't go throwing accusations around like that little girl."

"Yeah, and if you don't get out of my face I'll be throwing more than accusations at you. I'm not the same person I was six months ago, and that's thanks to you. I'm not afraid of you." Sadie tried her best to put on her little act. Inside she was terrified. "As for the accusation . . . imagine my surprise when Connors told me all about your little meeting with DiPaulo. Good upstanding Officer Murdock, having lunch with a known criminal. Makes me kinda wonder, Murdock. Did you tip him off about me?"

"I'm the reason you are alive," he hissed as he got in her face.

"He buddy, back off. NOW!" Sully pushed Murdock away and stepped in between him and Sadie. "Were you just threatening my partner?"

"Just making it clear that I'm in control of things. Have a nice day." Murdock slowly backed away.

"Next time you come near me your ass will be in jail!" she called at his retreating back. She snatched her food and jumped in the car.

"I really didn't like the way he was looking at you." Sully started the car.

"That's why I transferred out of the 29th. The thing that really terrifies me is that Murdock and DiPaulo appear to me involved somehow."

"I'd get that restraining order if I were you," Sully said seriously.

"Get right on that, Pops." Sadie laughed at the look on Sully's face.

"Pops?" Sully glanced over at Sadie as he parked the car in an empty parking lot.

"The more time I'm around you the more you remind me of my father. I'll stop. I don't mean to be disrespectful." Sadie lifted open the box to her sandwich and began to eat.

"Maybe your manners will rub off on Bosco."

"You think I'm some kind of miracle worker?"

"What was I thinking?" Sully chuckled. He glanced down and saw the paper Sadie had bought earlier. "You mind?"

"Huh?" Sadie noticed what he was talking about and tried to stop him before he saw the other item she had purchased. It was too late.

"What's in name?" Sully held the small book with a baby on the cover.

"I have some . . . fish. Never named them. You know, calling them 'fish' just seemed wrong." She snatched the book from the older Officer.

"Fish?" Sully grinned. "You can do better than that."

"Fine. It was lame."

"I'd say. So, you're pregnant then?"

"Judging from the morning sickness, yep." She turned in her seat and looked Sully in the eye. "Only Maurice, Faith and Alex know. Ty doesn't even know, and Alex is a blabbermouth. Now you know. Please don't say anything."

"My lips are sealed."

"Thanks, Pops." Sadie took another bite out of her sandwich.

"What happened to being respectful?" Sully asked after swallowing his own food.

"It's the hormones. What can I say?"
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Bosco sat on his couch watching a repeat of SportsCenter. It was after his shift and he was winding down. Sully had told him of their run in with Murdock. Bosco had waited for Sadie to say something as he drove her home, but she didn't say a word. So, naturally he brought it up. All that got him was a 'I don't want to talk about it' look from Sadie and a long kiss goodnight.

The only light in the small apartment came from the TV. Bosco sat there not really watching the TV but thinking of Sadie. She was usually open about her feelings but tonight she kept them to herself. A light knocking at the door tore him from his thoughts.

"Coming." He dragged himself to the door. "Taylor?" He looked at Alex. Why was she here?

"Can I talk to you?"

"Yeah, sure." He opened the door all the way. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Just wanted to know where you stand with Sadie," Alex said. "I don't want her to get hurt."

"She won't. Not by me." Bosco walked to the couch and sat down.

"You say that now, but . . . ," she trailed off. "Everyone in Sadie's life has left her in some way. You can't put your name on that list."

"Like I said before, Taylor. I won't hurt her."

"What did she tell you about her parents?" Alex sat down in the chair.

"Not much really. Just that her dad raised her and after he died her Aunt Carol took her in."

"How much detail did she go in?"

"Just that. I didn't push it. She never wanted to talk about it."

"That's what I thought."

"What?" Bosco questioned.

"You have to understand that her life pretty much was one heartbreak after another. I won't let you put her through another. That's why if you hurt her I'll rip your heart out."

"Rip my heart out?" Bosco rubbed his hands together nervously. "Thanks for the heads up."

"Only fair," Alex said. "I shouldn't tell you this. Sadie wouldn't want me to. That's why I'm going to."

"I don't follow."

"You need to know. Sadie won't tell you. It's been so long since she actually talked about it. This is the real story. Sadie's mom was only 21 when she had her. She died giving birth. Her father wasn't anywhere in the picture. Sadie's uncle, Dan, stepped up and adopted her. He was the only father she knew. She didn't know for the longest time that he wasn't her dad. One day, her real dad showed up."

Bosco listened to every word Alex said. At first the story didn't seem like much. He couldn't figure out why Sadie never talked about it. Then Alex started talking about her real dad. Her real father showed up one day while they eating at a McDonalds. He had been following them for weeks. He pulled a gun and demanded that everyone leave but Sadie and her dad.

"They had been in there for close to four hours. Her birth father wanted Dan to give him Sadie. That's why he held them hostage. In the end, Dan was shot. He bled to death while Sadie watched. Then her birth father was killed by the police," Alex explained.

"Oh, wow," was all Bosco could say.

"Yeah, wow. Her Aunt Carol then took her in. She's still around, but she only took Sadie in for the money Dan left. As soon as Sadie turned 18 she was gone. Anyone who was supposed to be stable in her life wasn't. And boyfriends? None that I knew of. She kept herself blocked off. Even pushed me away. After years of it, I gave up. I shouldn't have, but I did. We kept in touch until she left my dad's squad. Now, I want to make up for it."

"Well, any one who'd rip my heart out for their friend, is . . . well, let's just say I'm glad she's got a friend like you."

"I wouldn't actually rip your heart out. Land you in the hospital, yeah. I just want you to know that she needs one good thing in her life. It's been nothing but hard times."

"I was a jerk before. I didn't let her explain. We are fine now. I love her. Never thought I could love someone that much. I do. And the fact that she is having our baby makes me love her even more." Bosco looked in her eyes. "If you tell Davis how soft I've gone, we'll have some problems."

"Yeah? He already thinks you've gone soft. Ty even suggested we go on a double date. I knocked that one down real fast," Alex said.

"Why?"

"You wouldn't want to spend time with the two of us."

"That's not true. I'm just not that good with people. Never really have been." Bosco rubbed his jaw. "If you and Davis ever want to do that, call us."

"You mean it?"

"You're Sadie's best friend. I want her to be happy."

"She is. For the first time in a long time." Alex stood up. "I should get going. Sorry if I dragged your night down. It was just something I felt you needed to know."

"Thank you." Bosco followed Alex to the door. "Need a lift?"

"Nah, I stole Ty's car. See ya later Bosco."

He followed Alex down the hall. When he could no longer see her he retreated to his own apartment. His mind was reeling from what Alex told him. No wonder Sadie had a fear of people leaving her. Both her parents were dead. She had no family. That wasn't true though, because they were a family now.

He sat back down on the couch. On the coffee table was a framed photo of himself and Sadie in the park. Joy seemed to radiate from her. It was in that moment that Bosco vowed that his and Sadie's child would grow up loved and that he would do everything in his power to make that baby's life the best he could.

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Sadie sat nervously in the waiting room. It was the first doctor's visit that Bosco would be at. She was now into her twelfth week, the end of her third trimester. Her doctor said today it would be possible to hear the baby's heartbeat. She looked at her watch. Her appointment was in five minutes and he was late.

"How far along are you?" a young girl asked.

"Twelve weeks. How 'bout you?" Sadie looked at the girl who looked in her teens.

"34 weeks. I can't wait until Tracy gets here. She's a kicker, I'll tell ya." The girl smiled. "Waiting for someone?"

"Yeah, my boyfriend. He's never on time."

"Be glad he's in your life. Tracy's daddy left us. We don't need him anyway. After Tracy's born, I'm going back to school. My older brother is helping me out a lot. He even got a three bedroom place for me, him and Tracy. He wants me to go to college."

"You should. It sounds like you have a great older brother," Sadie thinking of her father.

"I do. He's the greatest." The girl reached out her hand. "I'm Gwen."

"Sadie." She looked up as Bosco flew in.

"I'm sorry I was late. Faith and I had to testify at a court hearing. My car's still at the station, Faith had to drop me off. I didn't miss it, did I?" Bosco rushed.

"No, you didn't. Sit. Breath." Sadie took in his appearance. He was still in his uniform. "Gwen and I were just talking."

"Gwen?" Bosco questioned.

"I'm Gwen," the girl said nervously.

"Don't worry about him. He's a model. Not actually a cop," Sadie chuckled.

"Funny. Very funny."

"That's right, you aren't tall enough to be a model."

"Hey, I'll be the one all dressed and ready for roll call today. You on the other hand . . .," Bosco started.

"Shut up!" She slapped him playfully. "It'd be a one time thing. Anyway, if Christopher gives me a hard time, you'll knock him out."

"How I'd love to." Bosco grinned.

"Sadie? We're ready for you," a nurse said.

"Good luck, Gwen," Sadie called before following the nurse.

Sadie and Bosco followed the nurse to the examining room after she was weighed. She tried her amusement at the obvious discomfort Bosco showed. He looked around at tall the various poster of the stages of pregnancy. She could have sworn he jumped when the doctor walked in.

"Good afternoon, Sadie," an older woman said.

"Afternoon, Dr. Nichols. This is my boyfriend, Maurice."

"I see you and Sadie share the same dangerous profession." She extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you. Now, are you ready to hear your baby's heartbeat?"

Sadie laid down on the table as Dr. Nichols explained she needed to use a special device in order to hear the baby's heart. She reached for Bosco's hand as the she began. It was amazing. A thump thump. That was their baby's heartbeat.

"You hear it?" Sadie asked.

"Yeah." Bosco smiled down at her.

"Everything sounds normal. Time for the ultrasound."

Once again Sadie watched Bosco. He looked so intense while listening to the heartbeat. It almost looked like he would cry at any given moment. Then, Dr. Nichols began with the ultrasound. She couldn't help but smile even more when he asked if it was a boy.

"Four or five more weeks. Then."

"Can I have a copy? Of the picture?" Bosco asked.

"Of course."

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"How was the appointment?" Faith questioned Bosco.

"Ok," he answered nonchalantly.

"Just ok? Come on." Faith looked at Bosco from across the table. "Get to see the baby? Fred nearly cried each time."

"I didn't cry. But, yeah. They gave me a picture." He slowly pulled the ultrasound photo out.

"It's amazing that something so small can be so important and precious." Faith handed him back the picture.

Bosco noticed the far away look in Faith's eyes. He wondered what caused her sudden mood change. Then it hit him. What if she was thinking about the baby she aborted.

"Faith? You ok?"

"Just thinking."

"About . . .," Bosco began.

"You know, Bosco."

"Wondering what your baby would be like?"

"Yeah." She pushed her salad around. "Hey, don't even think about feeling bad. It was my choice. I have to live with that. You better tell me everything about your baby. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Now, about this surprise party this weekend. Is it all set up?" Faith asked with a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"Sadie will never know it's coming." Bosco smiled.