Just Like Life Lunch Meeting, an uc: undercover fanfic

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A/N – I can't go another chapter longer without ranting. So, as I take a few minutes of your time, Gentle Reader, please understand that there is no other way for me to do this.

I've gotten a few reviews from someone using the name 'Shirl'. She signs anonymously and does not leave an email address. What I'm bothered by is her lack of anything positive to say about my work. Bad reviews happen and I know that she is entitled to her opinion and entitled to post them publicly. Yes, I accept all forms of critique, praise and criticism. If it merits a response in my mind or asks a question, then I'll answer or respond.

However, in the four or five reviews she has left me, both for this story and another one, she has had NOTHING good to say about my work. I find myself asking the computer screen when I read her reviews, if she has anything good to say to anyone about anything at all. Perhaps she doesn't like my work. If she doesn't, that's fine. But that begs the question – if she doesn't like my work/stories, why the bloody hell is she reading them then?

Sorry, I had to let that vent Shirl. Your continual negative and flaming reviews without anything good to say for ANY part of my work at all is, well, depressing. I would have addressed this issue in private email with you and not here, but there isn't any other way to reach you. So, I am forced to do this publicly.

If you do not like my work, why do you read it? If you feel that my work is beneath you, then I am sorry. But whatever the situation might be, please do remember that while I do accept bad reviews and do not delete anonymous reviews… it does hurt when given a continual negative response.

Thank you.

"Central, 55-David." Bosco thumbed the radio mic on his shoulder as he got out of the car.

"Go ahead 55-David."

"55-David going 10-63."

"10-4 55-David."

Faith looked over at Bosco, then into the diner. It didn't appear that Aja had arrived yet. "You think she'll show?"

Faith looked back at Bosco. "This is Aja we're talking about Bosco. It's not like she's a snitch. She'll be here if she said she would be. Be patient."

"My patience ran out about 3 years ago Faith."

Faith shook her head as she entered the diner behind Bosco. She knew that he was anxious to see her again and no matter what might be said between them as partners, he would never let on just how bad he had it for her. The fact that he didn't talk about her much at all led Faith to believe he was really hurting over her. Even in the Academy Bosco had always talked about his girlfriends of chicks he was hot for.

Aja sat in the taxi around the corner. She'd watched the police car pull up and the two officers get out. Neither one had changed in three years. Bosco had cut his hair even shorter and Faith looked more like a veteran cop. She had to chuckle. Sometimes things change only to remain the same. Handing the $20 to the driver, she opened the door and got out. She looked around briefly, subconsciously checking for anyone who was paying closer attention then they should have. It came second nature to her to look over her shoulder now. The last time she was in New York, she didn't. Things like that will change a person for the rest of their lives.

Bosco looked up from the menu at the waitress. "Coffee and I'll take the tuna."

"Coffee, chicken salad sandwich." Faith handed the menu to the waitress and stood. "I'll be right back Bos. Keep an eye out for Aja, 'kay?"

"Yeah, sure. If I recognize her."

Faith chuckled and headed towards the back where the ladies room was. Bosco fidgeted, looking around the diner and out the window. His eyes caught a woman walking up the sidewalk. His jaw dropped slightly as she entered the diner. She had on a black ankle-length sweater coat with a shaggy black fur collar and cuffs. Underneath she wore a black leather skirt and a tight black turtleneck sweater that just barely covered her stomach. Bosco caught glimpses of creamy flesh when she took steps. Her eyes were hid behind opaque black sunglasses and her long black hair draped over her shoulders, fluttering lightly as she walked. He watched her come towards the table, then brush right behind him. For a moment he swore he could feel a hand brushing over the back of his neck as she walked behind him. Turning to watch, he caught sight of high-heeled knee boots that supported a confident gait. She was headed towards a table in the back. "Wow." He sighed. "Now why can't I snag a woman like that?"

Aja chuckled. Bosco, as usual, was oblivious. She'd come towards him, giving him a full view of her and he still hadn't recognized her. Maybe it was the long hair. She looked back over her shoulder to see Bosco looking the other direction. With a smile, she ducked into the ladies' room. This time she didn't really need Bosco asking too many questions. The file Cody had pulled for her showed that he'd had a lot of problems in the last year and a half - including visits to a shrink for PTSD. This might be another trigger… then again, maybe not.

Faith was washing her hands at the sink when she heard the door open. She looked up in the mirror to see a tall woman in black standing behind her with sunglasses on - staring right at her in the mirror's reflection. Hackles went up on the back of her neck and she spun around to confront the woman.

Aja grinned as Faith whirled around. One hand clamped over Faith's mouth while the other laid a single finger to her own lips. "Sssh, easy there Yokas."

Faith visibly relaxed and leaned against the sink as Aja lowered her hand. "Aja?! Good God you look different."

"Three years will change a person." She embraced her friend tightly, then stood back. "I'm sorry to corner you in the john, but I don't want to get Bosco in on this yet. I think it's best that he don't know right now what's going on."

"You don't trust him?"

"It's not that Faith. He still doesn't know I'm Federal." Aja reached over and flipped the deadbolt on the bathroom door. She obviously wanted to keep the conversation private. "I don't want him to get the wrong idea."

"OK, I'll see if I can keep him on the straight and narrow about this. But Aja, you're gonna have to tell him when this is over that you're a Fed."

"I know. And I will, I promise. Look, I'm with a team now. We've got an operation running - a big black tie party and we're aiming to take him down tonight."

"Him, who?"

"His name is Hererra."

"Oh my God," Faith gasped. "This is the same case you were working on?"

"Yeah. It is. That's why I'm letting you in on it. If Bosco found out this were the same case, he'd be antsy, possibly jump the gun. I know he's got it for me and his feelings might override his common sense."

"Yeah, this is Bosco we're talking about. OK, so why tell me to begin with?"

"My boss is talking with the local branch and I'm sure word will filter down-"

The radio on Faith's shoulder crackled to life. "Hey Faith, you're food's here."

"Got it," she answered, thumbing the switch. "Be right out." She looked up and sighed.

"Yeah, make it quick." Aja laughed. "Story of my life. Look, I'm sure that it's going to wind up with nothing spectacular, but I'll call you if I find out more particular details."

"Got it, I'll leave the phone on. You joining us for lunch?"

Aja winked and put a finger to her lips, making a 'shh' noise. "Nope. I have a party to attend tonight. I have to look spectacular."

As Faith exited the ladies' room, Aja ducked out behind her the opposite way and out the back door. By the time Faith was sitting down at the table with Bosco, Aja was opening a cab door and giving directions on where to go.

"Took ya long enough."

"Oh be quiet." She spied his half-eaten sandwich. "Hungry?"

"You were in there forever Faith. I was beginning to think I'd have to call for back-up."

"Sorry. I was contemplating something."

"Like I needed to know that." He looked up and around, like he was looking for someone. "No sign of Aja yet. I don't think she'll show Faith."

"Then try looking outside instead of inside."

"Huh? Oh, sorry. I was trying to find someone. You should have seen her Faith, she was HOT!"

"She?" She took a sip of the coffee and raised both eyebrows.

"Yeah, right after you took 5, this woman comes in looking like a model from uptown. Dressed all in black. Walked right by me and I swear I think she brushed the back of my neck."

Faith had to blink hard and try not to choke on the bite of sandwich as she stifled a laugh. He'd seen Aja and she'd come right by him and he didn't even know it was her. Sometimes observation wasn't his strongest character. "Oh? Where is she?"

"I dunno. She headed towards a table in the back, but I lost her. How hard can it be to find her, stunner like that?"

"Maybe she got a whiff of your aftershave and bolted out the back door?"

Bosco made a face at his partner and tossed down the last of the sandwich onto the plate. "She ain't comin' Faith, just like I thought. I should have known. I mean, she took off from the hospital without an explanation or a phone call. Shoulda known better."

Faith chuckled as she picked up her sandwich and left a tip. Bosco stood up at the same time and called into dispatch that they were back from lunch and available for call. By the time they got into the car, Faith took some measure of mercy.

"She was here Bos."

"No, Faith, she wasn't!"

"The hot model? That was her. She cornered me in the bathroom and had a little chat. C'mon, head to the precinct and I'll explain it to you and the Sergeant at the same time."

Bosco simply stared at his partner. He replayed the woman's entrance in his mind. That was Aja? When this was over, he was going to have to strap her down and get some answers out of her once and for all…

why, do you like playing around with

my narrow scope of reality

i can feel it all start slippin'

i think i'm breaking down

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