Author: Kate Anderson
Email: sam_loves_jack@yahoo.ca
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine! They belong to Edward Allen Bernero and John Wells and um, some other people! No money is being made from this work. Don't sue!
Rating: PG-13, just be on the safe side
Pairing: Bosco/Faith, UST - eventual romance
Spoilers: None, I think (??)
Summary: After a criminal attempts to attack Faith's kids, Faith finds that her life is changing.
Author's Notes: sorry this part took me so long to get out. I've been really busy this past week!
Bosco looked at Faith sitting on his couch calmly reading the newspaper. She'd been staying with him for two weeks now and Bosco was more than happy to have her with him.
"What's so interesting on that page?" Bosco asked from his place in the kitchen where he was slapping some peanut butter on toast.
"Oh, it's the classifieds." Faith replied. "Just seeing if there's any good, cheap apartments available."
Bosco screwed the lid back on the peanut butter and stuffed a huge bite of toast into his mouth. "Finding anything?" he asked around his food.
Faith's head shook. "All the good ones are too expensive and the ones cheap enough are in terrible neighbourhoods. If I can't find a decent place, there's no way that I'll ever get the kids back from Fred." she said with sigh.
Bosco nodded knowing that her kids were always the first thing on Faith's mind. Faith hadn't been allowed to see them in the two weeks since the attempted attack and it was tearing Faith up inside. She had spoken with both of them on the phone several times, but Bosco knew that Faith wanted to see them and hold them.
"You know when the custody hearing is yet?" Bosco asked.
"Not sometime until the new year." Faith replied. "That gives me a bit of time to get my life sorted out."
"You'll get them back Faith, I know you will." Bosco said, trying to be supportive.
"Thanks Bos, but honestly, I'm in a dangerous line of work, I doubt that any judge would rule in my favour. I'm already not allowed to see them."
"Ever thought about leaving the force?" Bosco asked quietly.
Faith nodded. "Yeah, plenty of times but I couldn't do it Bos. It's my job, it's who I am."
Faith threw down the paper and stood up. "I'm going for a walk." she announced. Bosco looked up at her with an 'are you insane?' expression on his face. "It's freezing out there Faith!" he said.
"I need to clear my head." she said. "I'll see you later."
Bosco watched as Faith pulled on her heavy jacket and did up her boots. She grabbed a hat and gloves and went out the door. A part of him was glad that she'd said that she wouldn't leave the force, but another part was sorry that she was putting herself through this. Even if Faith got a desk job she might have some chance of gaining custody.
Bosco turned on the tv to keep himself company until Faith came back. The television was set to a cooking show and Bosco just left it on, deciding that learning how to make a souffle might some day come in handy. As the chef droned on and on, Bosco eventually tuned her out and began to think about Faith and her situation.
___________
It was two hours later by the time Faith had returned from her walk. Bosco was more than a little worried and told her so as she came through the door. Faith had shot him a nasty look but bit back any comment she might have had.
"Where did you go?" Bosco asked as Faith hung her jacket up.
Faith shrugged. "Around. I ended up in the park for a while, watching kids play."
"I can't believe parents actually let their kids play outside when it's this cold. Haven't they heard of frostbite or hypothermia?"
"It's better than having them run around in a small apartment." Faith replied. "And besides, they're constantly on the move, so I don't think the parents are too worried about their kids getting hypothermic."
"What are you watching?" Faith asked as she noticed the tv was on. "Is that the food network?"
"I'm trying to broaden my horizons." Bosco replied. "Actually, I turned the tv on and that's what was on, couldn't be bothered to change the channel."
"Does this mean that you're cooking supper tonight?"
"I thought maybe we'd order in. Pizza sound good to you?"
Faith nodded. "Sounds great. I'm starvin'."
Bosco grabbed the phone and placed their order and then joined Faith who had sat down on the couch. "I was talkin' to some guy down at the park." Faith said. "Said someone in his building is looking to move. He's willing to take whatever he can get for the place."
"He lives in this neighbourhood?" Bosco asked, trying to ignore the sick feeling in his stomach.
Faith nodded. "Yeah. The place is supposed to be quite nice. Only two bedrooms, but Charlie and Em are used to sharing a room."
Bosco nodded mutely as Faith continued. "He gave me the number to call and see if we can arrange a tour of the place. I think I'm going to give a call right now."
Faith jumped up and grabbed the phone off the counter. Bosco tried not to listen as Faith eagerly arranged a time to view the place. Was she that excited to get out of his place? Faith returned with a smile on her face, Bosco tried to smile back but he was afraid it looked more like a snarl.
"I'm supposed to come over tomorrow around noon and have a look." she said. "I told him that I'd be bringing you along, for moral support."
"That's great Faith." Bosco managed to get out.
Faith's smile broadened. "I"ll bet you can't wait to get your room back." she said. "It must be killing you. Two weeks without a girl, that's got to be a new record."
A knock sounded at the door, saving Bosco from making a reply to Faith's last statement. "Pizza's here." he said and ran for the door. He took the boxes from the delivery boy and stuffed a few crumpled bills into his hand. "Keep the change." he said and shut the door.
Faith was at the fridge grabbing a couple of beers so Bosco set the boxes down on the coffee table and sat down. "Smells wonderful." Faith said as she sat down next to Bosco again and handed him a bottle. "How about a toast?" Faith suggested.
"A toast? For what?" Bosco asked.
"For luck, tomorrow."
Bosco smiled weakly and held up his bottle. Faith clinked hers against his and smiled at him. "I really want this place Bos." she said. "It would be great to live near you, the kids love you and we could ride into work together."
"Yeah great." he echoed.
"You wouldn't have to worry about me taking the subway alone anymore." Faith said.
Bosco grabbed a slice of pizza and stuffed it in his mouth before he could say anything that he might later regret. Faith also reached for a slice and the two ate their dinner in silence.
____________
"How does my hair look?" Faith asked.
Bosco glanced at her. Her hair was neatly pulled back in her usual barrette. "Looks fine Faith. I don't see why you're so worried about how your hair looks though."
"I want to look good." Faith said. "You ready to go?"
"I don't see why I have to come with you." Bosco replied.
Faith stared at him. "I thought you would want to." she said. "But if you don't, please, don't feel that you have to."
Bosco could see that he'd upset Faith so he shook his head. "No, of course I'll come. Let's go."
The two left Bosco's apartment and headed out onto the street. "Wow." Bosco said as he breathed in the cold air. "I'm surprised it hasn't snowed yet. How far is it to this place?"
"Just a few blocks, don't be such a baby."
Once they reached the place, Bosco wasn't sure if his toes even existed or not. "I can't feel my toes Faith." he said. "And I think my nose is disappearing as well."
Faith looked at him. "Well, I can assure you that your nose is still firmly in place on your face." She then looked at the piece of paper she had clutched in her hand. "Number 23." she said.
"What's this guy's name anyway?" Bosco asked.
"Andrew." Faith said. "Didn't give a last name."
They entered the building and found their way to apartment 23. "This looks nice" said Faith as she knocked on the door.
A young man opened the door and smiled at Faith and Bosco. "You must be the woman I spoke with on the phone yesterday." he said. Faith nodded. "Come in, I'm Andrew." he said and ushered the two of them inside.
"Now, I'm afraid that it won't be coming furnished, but the appliances will remain here." he said. Faith nodded. "That's alright. I can always find some cheap furniture at an estate auction or something."
"This is kitchen slash dining area slash living room." Andrew said, gesturing around. "Do you two have any children?"
Bosco nearly choked and Faith quickly corrected Andrew's mistake. "Oh, we're not together." Faith said. "He's just my friend. I do have kids though, two of them."
Andrew nodded. "Sorry about that. I just assumed that..."
Faith smiled. "No problem. Can we take a look at the bedrooms?"
Andrew led them down a short hallway and showed Faith and Bosco the two bedrooms. "I've been using the other bedroom as a storage room." Andrew said. "But I'm sure that with a little paint or wallpaper, it would make a good room for your kids."
"This looks great." Faith said enthusiastically. "What do you think Bos?"
"Great. Wonderful. I think you should take it." Bosco replied hurriedly.
Andrew took Faith's arm. "I think you and I should take a seat in the living room and discuss some offers." he said. Faith followed Andrew to the couch with Bosco trailing behind.
"So Faith." Andrew said. "What is it that you do?"
"I'm a cop." Faith replied.
Andrew looked a bit startled. "A cop?" he asked and then composed himself. "I'm sorry." he said. "I just assumed seeing as you said you had two kids that you were, well, something other than a cop."
Faith laughed. "Don't worry about it." she said. "I get that all the time."
Faith and Andrew idly chatted for a few more minutes before getting down to business. Faith told Andrew what she was able to pay and though Andrew looked slightly less than impressed he never the less nodded and smiled at her. Bosco stood by the window watching the two of them.
"Well Faith, or should I say Officer Yokas?" Andrew said.
Faith laughed. "No, Faith is fine."
"Okay Faith. I've got a few more people who are interested in the place and then I'll make my final decision. I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
"Thanks." Faith said standing up. "It was nice to meet you!"
Andrew smiled and looked over at Bosco. "It was good to meet you too." he said. Bosco just nodded and began zipping up his jacket again.
"That went well." Faith said once she and Bosco were outside.
"That guy was all over you." Bosco said.
"Oh please Bos. He's almost young enough to be my son."
"Maybe he likes older women." Bosco said.
"What's with you today Bos?" Faith asked. "You're acting like you don't want me to get this place."
Bosco shrugged. "Maybe I don't." he said quietly. Faith stopped in her tracks. "What?" she said.
"Never mind." Bosco said. "I just didn't like that guy."
Faith looked at Bosco curiously and decided not to press the matter any further. She pulled her scarf up over her mouth and continued back to Bosco's place in silence.
_____________
"55-David we have reports of shots fired at 1623 West Broadway." said the male voice over the radio.
"10-4 Central." Faith replied. "55-David responding to 1623 West Broadway."
Bosco stepped on the gas and steered the RMP towards the address. Faith pulled her cell phone from out of under the seat and checked for messages.
"Still nothing?" Bosco asked, turning his head slightly to look at Faith.
Faith sighed. "Nope. I'm starting to think that maybe I didn't get it."
"Hey, didn't he say he'd call you when he made a decision? He didn't say he'd call just if you got the place. Maybe he's having a hard time choosing."
"Yeah maybe." Faith replied half-heartedly.
"Well, this is the place." Bosco said as he pulled up along side a curb outside an apartment building. He turned off the car and grabbed the keys from the ignition. "Better check it out."
He and Faith exited the car and looked around, taking note of who was in the area. A few young women stood near the steps and Bosco approached them.
"Heard anything around here?" he asked them. The girls all shook their heads. "We ain't heard nothing." one of them replied.
"We got a call about possible shots fired at this location." Faith asked. "You guys sure you heard nothing?"
They all nodded. "Come on." Bosco said to Faith. "Let's check out inside."
They cautiously entered the building and looked around. It appeared to be empty. Both had their guns drawn just in case. "Hello?" Faith called. Silence.
"Anyone here?" Bosco yelled.
The two exchanged glances. Bosco motioned towards a corridor with his head. Faith nodded and followed him down it.
"Did you hear that?" Faith whispered.
"Hear what?" Bosco asked.
"A clicking noise."
"Clicking noise?"
Faith held her breath but didn't hear anything more. "Maybe it was just my boot." she said and they continued.
As Bosco turned the corner Faith heard a loud bang and the terrible sound of Bosco crying out. "Bosco!" she shouted.
Bosco lay on the ground clutching his chest. Faith activated her radio. "This is 55-David!" she said. "We need assistance and a bus on the rush. We have an officer down! I repeat we have a 10-13 and we need a bus!"
As she was calling it in, Faith was frantically looking around for the shooter. "Bosco!" she said. "Did you get a look at who shot you?"
Bosco groaned. Faith knelt down beside him and ripped his shirt open. Off in the distance she heard the wail of sirens. "Help will be here soon." she said and prayed that the shooter wouldn't be stupid enough to hit her too.