Faith put the presents for Charlie and Emily, that were wrapped in brightly coloured paper, into the box. She tossed in a few bags of candy that she'd picked up from the store and then balled up some newspaper to fill the box up completely.

When she stood up to look for the packing tape, there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" Faith called out, as she pulled open a drawer in the kitchen.

"It's me!"

Faith abandoned the drawer and walked over to the door. She turned the lock and unhooked the chain. Bosco's sullen face greeted her. "Hey Bos." Faith said and stepped aside so Bosco could come in.

Bosco entered the apartment and threw his jacket onto the floor. "They found my car." he stated.

"I take it that it's not good news?"

"They found it abandoned in an alley, after someone called the fire department because it was set on fire." Bosco and clenched his jaw muscles. "It's a write-off."

"Do they have any leads on who stole it?" Faith had gone back into the kitchen and was pulling through a different drawer now.

Bosco flopped down onto the couch and put his feet up on the coffee table. "No, nothing yet. But I'm telling you, if I get ever my hands on that bastard..."

Faith finally located the roll of packing tape and took to her box which was in the living room. "Sorry about your car Bos." she said and sat down on the floor. "I know how much it meant to you."

"It was a nice car Faith." Bosco said mournfully and reached for the remote. "Probably nothing on." he muttered and flipped the television on. "You finally mailing those presents?"

"I thought I'd run them down to the post office before our shift starts. Like I said, they'll be late, but it doesn't matter that much. Did you take a cab over then?"

"Yeah." Bosco said and then yawned. "But I guess I'll have mingle with the trash that takes the trains for a while, at least until I can afford a new car."

Faith pulled on the tape and winced as it made a loud ripping noise. "I wish they could find a way to make this tape less noisy."

"Why would anyone have taken my car in the first place? Why not take that red SUV that was parked to next to it?" Bosco said, not really talking to Faith. He was more wondering out loud.

"I doubt they were targeting you in specific Bos." Faith said and placed a strip of tape on the box. "Now if we had been in our precinct, I could think of a few people who might want to get their hands on Officer Boscorelli's car. Do you see a piece of paper with Fred's address on it on the coffee table anywhere?"

Bosco took his feet down and leaned forward. He moved a few newspapers and magazines then shook his head. "Nope, not here."

"Damn," Faith muttered. "I wonder what I did with it... Can you look around in the kitchen? I'll check the bedroom."

Bosco got off the couch and wandered into the living room, while Faith went into her bedroom and pulled through the pile of junk on the dresser. "I don't see it out here!" Bosco called and then appeared shortly after in the bedroom. "Wow, got enough crap in here?"

"Most of it is Fred's. I've been meaning to call him and ask him what he wants me to do with it, and the rest of the kids' stuff. I don't care if he told me not to call him, I'll damn well call him if I want to. I'm probably going to have to, to the get the address again." Faith tossed aside a few books.

Bosco sat down on the bed and bounced slightly. "How do you sleep with all this junk on your bed?"

Faith turned to look at Bosco. "I've been sleeping on the couch most nights." she admitted and looked a bit embarrassed. "The bed just feels too big and empty. Sometimes I can handle it, but other nights..."

Bosco nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean. After I've been with a girl for a while and then when she dumps me, I feel the same way. I mean, it must be ten times worse with you being with Fred for so long."

Faith smiled, surprised at how understanding Bosco was being. "I suppose I'll get used to it eventually. It's only been a month since he left."

"I'm sure this bed will get some action soon." Bosco said and thumped the mattress for emphasis. The junk on the bed jiggled.

"Oh? Why, do you know something that I don't?"

Bosco blushed slightly and shook his head. "No, I'm just sayin', you won't be alone forever Faith. Any guy would have to be crazy to turn you down."

"Thanks, I guess." Faith felt her own face flushing slightly as she looked at her handsome partner. "So, I guess I'd better give Fred a call."

Bosco picked an invisible piece of lint on his pants and nodded. "Guess you'd better."

Faith left the room and headed to the kitchen to use the phone out there. Thankfully she hadn't lost his number along with his address. Picking up the phone, she dialled the number and waited for an answer.

"Hello?" said a quiet voice that Faith immediately recognized and that made tears prick in her eyes.

"Hi sweetie." Faith said to her son. "How are you doing?"

"Mom? Is that you?!" Charlie sounded excited to be talking to his mother.

"Yeah, it's me. So, you must off school by now?"

"Yep," Charlie said. "And we've got plenty of snow to play in. Emily built a snowman with me in the park yesterday. We used an old hat that some old guy gave us!"

"The sounds great Charlie." Faith felt a lump growing in her throat and swallowed hard. "Do you guys have your tree up?"

"We've had one for a couple weeks now. We had to buy all new ornaments though. I miss that singing Santa mom."

"He's still here." Faith said quietly. "I got him out. Bosco likes to play with him."

"Can you come visit us?" Charlie asked, his voice sounded very small. "I asked dad, but he said that you were too busy."

"He's right sweetie, I have to work through Christmas this year. I'd love to come visit you guys, but I think it's best if your dad and I don't see each other right now. You guys are going to come stay with me sometime next year though."

"Oh, okay." Charlie said with a sigh. "Dad's in the room now, I think he wants to talk to you. Can I give him the phone?"

"Okay, you can give him the phone. I love you Charlie." Faith picked up a pen and waited for Charlie to hand the phone to Fred. Bosco had strolled into the kitchen a few moments earlier and had heard the last part of Faith's conversation with her son. He frowned and opened a few cupboards, thinking about how unfair Fred was being.

"Hi Fred." Faith said and nervously tapped her fingernails on the counter top.

"Faith? I thought I told you not to call me!"

"I lost your address, I need it so I can mail the parcel to the kids."

"It won't be here in time for Christmas." Fred stated. His voice held no particular emotion, making it difficult for Faith to determine exactly what he was thinking.

"I realize that." Faith replied. "But I haven't had time to get in the mail before today."

"What are you so busy with?"

"The blizzard, work, shopping..." Faith said. Bosco found a bag of chips that Faith had bought the other day and poured some into a bowl.

"Is there someone else in the apartment?" Fred asked. "I thought I heard a lot of noise in the background.

"Just Bosco." Faith replied. "Can I have the address please?"

"Just Bosco?" Bosco repeated what Faith had said. "How am I 'just Bosco'?"

Faith waved a hand dismissively and Bosco made a face and took his bowl of chips to the couch. "So what, is he living there now that I'm gone?" Fred asked. His voice was still even and devoid of emotion.

"No Fred, he's not living here, he just likes to come over and eat my food all the time. Not that it should really matter to you what Bosco does."

"It was just a question Faith." Fred said. "Actually, I'm glad that you aren't alone."

Faith almost choked. She hadn't expected Fred to say that. "Pardon?"

"It's good that Bosco's over there and that you aren't alone. No one should have to be alone during the holidays."

"I wouldn't have been in a position where I could be if you hadn't left." Faith hissed. She was growing increasingly confused and irate with each sentence Fred uttered.

"Faith, I already told why I left." Fred said. "I think we should just get on with our lives now. You and Bosco. Me and whomever."

"Me and Bosco?" Faith repeated quietly. Bosco had turned on the television on again, but he had the volume low and Faith suspected he was more listening to her conversation than what the television was saying. "We're friends Fred, nothing more."

"My mistake." Fred said evenly. "Anyway, the address..."

After Fred had given Faith his address again, Faith hung up the phone and slumped against the counter. "So how's Fred doing?" Bosco asked from the couch.

"Great. Fred's doing great." Faith replied and clutched the piece of paper with Fred's address on it. She needed to find a permanent marker now to write it on the box.

"Why's Fred so concerned about whether or not I live here?" Bosco asked. He didn't turn his head around, he just kept staring at the tv.

Faith grabbed a marker from a drawer and took it into the living room. "Because he's nosy." she replied and began to write the address on the box.

"It was nice that you got to talk to Charlie." Bosco said and glanced at Faith. "These are good chips by the way, want one?" He held the bowl out towards her.

"No thanks, I'm not really hungry." Faith replied. "Well, this is ready to go now. We can just leave for work a little early and drop it off on the way. There's a post office not far from the station." She sat down on the couch next to Bosco. "Whatcha watchin'?"

Bosco turned the volume up slightly and shrugged. "I think it's a movie. Not sure though." He put a chip in his mouth and crunched softly on it. "You sure you don't want any?"

Faith looked into the bowl that was sitting on Bosco's lap. "Well okay, maybe just one or two." She took a few from the bowl and ate them.

"You haven't been eating much since Fred left." Bosco commented. "You barely had any food in your house before and actually, you still don't."

"I eat when we're out." Faith replied.

"You're losing weight."

Faith shrugged. "And that's a bad thing?"

Bosco popped another chip in his mouth. "You didn't need to lose any weight. I'm just concerned about you, that's all."

"Well thanks, but I'm fine."

Bosco sighed quietly and turned the volume up a bit more until he could hear it above the noise he was making chewing. Both Bosco and Faith trained their gazes on the tv and didn't say anything as they watched the movie.

________________

Before heading to the station house, Faith dropped her parcel off at the post office and got it in the mail. The woman behind the counter assured her that it would at least make it there by New Years. Faith realized after she'd sent it that she could have sent it by Fed-Ex or something so it would have arrived by Christmas, but it was too late.

It wasn't snowing out, but it was cold as Bosco and Faith made their way to the station. As they passed by the firehouse Bosco stopped dead in his tracks. "Oh no, oh no no no." he said quietly.

"What?" Faith tried to follow Bosco's gaze, but she wasn't sure what she was supposed to be seeing.

"Please tell me that isn't Heather with Doherty?"

Faith squinted and then saw Jimmy talking with a tall brunette. "I dunno, I never saw Heather."

Bosco narrowed his eyes and walked into the bay where the firetrucks are. The woman talking to Jimmy turned to look at Bosco and then froze. Faith hovered closely behind Bosco.

"Hi Maurice."

Jimmy smirked and looked at Bosco. "You two know each other?"

"We've met." Heather said and smiled at Bosco.

"What happened to Kimberly?" Bosco asked. "She finally get a clue and leave you?"

"She's dirty man." Jimmy replied. "I had to decide what would be best for myself and my son and I chose to leave her." He smiled winningly at Heather.

Bosco rolled his eyes. "Oh that is such a load of crap!"

Jimmy shrugged. "It's the truth. I wouldn't expect you to ever understand that though."

Faith put a hand on Bosco's shoulder. "Come on Bos, let's just go. We're going to be late and I really don't want to see the look on Christopher's face if we're late again."

Bosco glared at Jimmy and then turned to follow Faith. "I can't believe it!" he said once they were out of earshot. "I can't believe she stood me up so she could hook up with Doherty!"

"You're just not having a good time with women these days, are you Bos." Faith said and grinned. "They all keep leaving you for Jimmy."

"What do they see in him anyway? He's an arrogant bastard, plus he's got a kid!"

"It's the dimples." Faith replied.

"What's so attractive about having holes in your cheeks when you smile? Looks weird to me, like someone poked him too hard when he was a baby."

Faith laughed and stopped walking. "It's a woman thing, you wouldn't get it. Besides, he's a firefighter."

"I'm a cop! I have a gun!" Bosco exclaimed. "Maybe if I had dimples..."

Faith shook her head. "You don't need dimples Bos. You're cute enough without them, you just need someone who won't leave you for Jimmy!"

They started walking again and entered the station. Christopher was standing by the front desk and saw them come in. "Ah, Bosco and Yokas, how nice of you to grace us all with your presence today!"

"Shove it Christopher." Bosco muttered and stalked off towards the locker room. Faith followed, ignoring Christopher's comment. Christopher smirked and went back to looking through folders.

________________

The shift passed by without any exciting incidents, according to Bosco, and after Faith and Bosco changed back into their civvies, they walked out of the station together. "I still can't believe Heather ditched me for Doherty!" Bosco glanced over at the firehouse. "Out of all the firefighters in this damn city, why him? If she's got some fetish, she could have at least picked a different one!"

Faith pulled her hat onto her head and shivered slightly. "Ever heard of letting something go Bosco?"

Bosco jammed his hands into his pockets and kicked at a clump of snow. "So, you heading home now?"

Faith nodded. "I was planning on it, why?"

"Just thought maybe we could hit the bar or something. Get a drink, hang out."

"You're not sick of me yet? I mean, we've spent a lot of time together recently."

Bosco shook his head. "Nah, come on, let's go. You kept saying before that you wanted to get drunk and now I feel like joining you."

"I don't want to get piss drunk." Faith replied. "Maybe just happy drunk."

Bosco smiled and took one hand out of his pocket. He held it out towards Faith. "Shall we?"

Faith chuckled and slipped her hand into his. "I think we shall."

Once they reached the bar, they found it fairly quiet. Only a few other patrons there were, and they were playing pool. One guy sat alone at the bar and he looked as though he were about to pass out. Bosco and Faith took a seat as far away from that guy as they could.

"Slow night." the bartender said as he approached the two of them. "What can I get ya?"

"I'll have a beer." Bosco said.

"Make that two." Faith added.

"It's so quiet in here." Bosco said and looked around.

"That a problem?"

Bosco shook his head. "No, not a problem, just unusual. You'd think seeing as it's so close to Christmas that more people would need to get drunk and hang out."

"I guess we're some of the only saps that need to." Faith replied and pushed her hair back from her face.

"We need some tunes." Bosco looked over at the jukebox. "Liven this place up a bit! Any requests?"

"No Christmas songs! That's my only request! I've heard Silent Night enough to last me through to the next decade."

Bosco laughed and headed over to the jukebox. As he browsed through the song selection, the bartender appeared and set two mugs down. "You two are partners?" he asked.

Faith nodded. "We've been in here a few times before."

The bartender nodded. "Thought I recognized you. I recognize most of the cops that come in here."

"Hey Faith, how does Steppenwolf sound to you?" Bosco called over to Faith.

"Born to Be Wild?" Bosco nodded. "Sounds great, put it on!"

Bosco plunked a few coins into the slot and pushed a few buttons. Loud music began to play, causing the guys at the pool table to look over at Bosco. Bosco waved and the guys nodded.

Faith took a sip of her beer as Bosco sat back down. "I programmed a few songs." he said and picked up his own beer. "Good beer." he said after taking a sip.

Faith nodded. "Great beer."

They sat together, drinking their beer and talking mostly about what had happened on their shift. When Bosco finished his beer, he pushed the mug towards the bartender and asked for a refill. Faith was only part way through hers.

"So, what do you want to do tomorrow?" Bosco asked while he waited for his beer.

"What do I want to do tomorrow?"

"Yeah, we have the day off. I just wondered if there was anything in particular that you wanted to do."

Faith shrugged. "You don't have to hang out with me Bos."

"I like hanging out with you. You wanna go skating again?"

Faith shook her head. "No, how about something that won't cause either of us to go into debt!"

"We could check out a movie or something. Movie and lunch or movie and dinner." The bartender set the full mug of beer down in front of Bosco and Bosco nodded at him.

"Is there anything good playing? I don't usually check the movie listings."

"We can check it out, if that's something that you want to do."

"I haven't been to the cinema in ages. I think the last time I went, I took Charlie and a few of his friends. I bought them sodas and by the end of the movie, they were running wild all over the theatre!"

"Well, I don't think you need to worry about that with me."

Faith raised an eyebrow. "Good to know."

"I mean, I can usually stay in my seat."

"I'm telling you this now Bos," Faith said with a grin. "I am not sitting at the back and making out with, if that's what you're thinking of doing."

"I would do no such thing." Bosco said and sipped at his beer. "Though it might be nice."

Faith, who had just taken a sip of beer, promptly spat it out all over the bar. She started coughing and Bosco just grinned at her. "I think I'll go program more sounds on that jukebox." Bosco said and got up.

Faith just sat in her seat and tried to think of any possible reason for Bosco to have said what he just said. She turned her head and looked at him, standing in front of the jukebox with his hands in his back pockets.

"Hey baby." said a very drunken sounding voice. Faith turned her head and saw that the extremely drunk man who had been sitting down was now hovering over her. "You're boyfriend's not looking right now, so how about you and me, we can go back to my place."

Faith grimaced as the stench of alcohol on the man's breath hit her nose. "I don't think so." she said firmly. "Thanks anyway."

The man swayed slightly. "Come on, that guy, he's so short, he can't possibly satisfy a nice big lady like yourself."

"He satisfies me just fine." Faith said.

The bartender had noticed that the guy was bothering Faith, so he walked around to the other side of the bar and approached the guy. "Hey buddy, I think it's time to call you cab."

"Leave me alone! I'm tryin' to talk to this purty lady here."

"I don't think the lady wants to talk." the bartender said and tried to lead the man away from Faith. Faith stood up and backed away.

Bosco glanced away from the jukebox and saw that there appeared to be a bit of problem by the bar, so he went over to help. "Look, let's just get a cab and you can go home!" the bartender said, but the man was refusing to leave.

"Hey you!" Bosco said loudly. "Do what he says. I'm a cop, and do you know I can do because I'm a cop?"

The man stumbled slightly and threw his weight on the bartender. "Your girlfriend's hot."

"Yeah, and she's mine, so I think it's time you left." Bosco stepped closer to the man. "Leave before I do something that'll make you ever regret opening your mouth!"

"Okay, okay, you don't need to get mean about it." the drunken man said and looked up at the bartender. "Call me a cab."

The bartender nodded and dragged the man away. Faith sat back down on the stool and Bosco joined her on the next stool. "That's pathetic." Bosco said.

Faith nodded. "Yeah it is, thanks for the help. I could have handled him myself though."

"Hey, no one talks to my girl like that and gets away with it." Bosco said and drained the last of his beer from his mug. "You wanna get out of here?"

Faith looked into her own, now empty, mug. "Sure. I'm feeling pretty tired anyway."

Bosco nodded. "I'll pay the tab and then we'll go over to the trainstation."

Bosco paid for their drinks and then after the jackets were buttoned up and the hats were put back on, they stepped outside into the cold night. "So cold." Faith said and exhaled heavily. Her breath seemed to hang in the air.

"Just walk faster." Bosco said and picked up a brisk pace. Faith matched his pace and they made it to the trainstation fairly quickly.

They boarded the train and just before Faith's stop came up Bosco said, "So, I'll call you tomorrow morning about the movies, okay? We can decide what show we want to go to."

Faith nodded and stood up. "Thanks for the drink."

The train slowed down and came to a halt. The doors slid open and Bosco said, "No problem. Have a good sleep."

Faith smiled and then stepped off the train and onto the platform.