Chapter 36-If I Have To April 6, 2003

Ty and Alex headed back to work after their vacation. They really enjoyed spending time at the shore and with Heather and Jason. Ty watched Alex walk into the firehouse from outside the police station. He always did that, just to make sure she got in ok. Ty headed into the locker room to get changed. Bosco was already in the locker room halfway changed.

"Hey Davis, nice to see you back," Bosco said.

"Thanks man, it's weird being back without Sully."

"It must be. I hear you're taking the sergeants exam?"

"Yeah, in May. I don't really want to be on the street anymore."

"Just don't take lessons from Christopher."

"Don't worry, I won't."

Bosco turned back around to finish getting changed and it dawned on him Faith hadn't shown up yet.

"You see Yokas out there Davis?"

"No. Sorry."

"It's just not like her to be late."

"We know, that's your job."

"Funny."

"Maybe she called in sick."

"She usually calls me though."

"I'm sure everything is fine."

"You're right, I'll see you in roll call."

Bosco got up and walked out of the room. Ty finished getting dressed and headed to roll call himself. He found a seat in the back of the room. Just after he sat down the lieutenant began his speech. Ty wasn't really interested; he was staring into the empty seat that Sully would have been occupying.

"And I would like to welcome Officer Davis back to the watch," those words got Ty's attention.

"That's all, be careful out there. Davis, Boscorelli I would like to see you."

Ty and Bosco looked at each other with confused looks. It was Ty's first day back so he knew he couldn't have done anything wrong. Bosco, on the other hand, could have a laundry list of things he did. They walked up to the front of the room.

"Ok, this is going to be news for both of you, but Davis this is completely your decision. Faith called today and requested several days off."

"Why?" Bosco asked immediately.

"I'm not at liberty to say, she asked that I tell you to call her as soon as you can. Anyway, since Faith won't be in for a couple days Bosco doesn't have a partner. I would like to have you partner up with him Davis until Faith returns. I will understand completely if you do not want to, I will just have to put you at a desk Bosco."

Bosco looked at Ty, he didn't want to be at a desk, but he understood that Ty didn't want to be on the road without Sully.

"I guess I can do it for a couple days, and because it's Bosco."

"Thank you Davis. I really appreciate it. Have a good tour you two." With that the lieutenant walked out of the room.

"I know you know how much I hate the desk, but I would have understood if you said no."

"Bosco, I don't want to be at a desk either, but I didn't want to have to train someone to take Sully's place. We're friends and you know what goes on. It's hard to put into words, I guess instead of thinking of someone as Sully's replacement, I'll be thinking of myself as Faith's replacement. Make sense?"

"I think so. We'll try to lay low, I promise."

"Thanks Bosco."

They signed out radios and headed for the RMP. Bosco drove while Ty just stared out the window.

"You sure you are ok with this man?"

"It's my first day back Bos, I still have to get used to the feeling."

"Ok, just let me know if you want out."

"Thanks."

Bosco drove to the bridge that he and Faith always sat under when they wanted to be away from everything. He figured this would be a good time to call Faith. He stepped outside the car and dialed her number on his phone.

"Hello?" came a faint voice.

"Faith?"

"Bosco."

"What's the matter? Lieu told me you wanted me to call you."

"I won't be in for a couple days."

"He mentioned that too, why not?"

"I'm having some problems here."

"Faith what the hell did Fred do now?"

"Bos." Faith trailed off. Bosco could hear her start crying.

"Faith, you have to talk to me."

"Bos, Fred died this morning."

"What?!? How?"

"Alcohol poisoning."

"Oh god Faith, I'm so sorry. Do Emily and Charlie know?"

"No not yet, they think I am at work. I don't even know what to say to them."

"Do you want me to go pick them up and bring them and you can tell them? I'll stay with you."

"I'm not ready to tell them yet."

"Faith, you'll never be ready to tell them that their father died."

"I never thought I would have to."

"Faith, I'll drop Davis back off at the station, talk to Lieu and I'll get the kids and come over."

"Ok."

"I'll see you in about half an hour."

"Thanks Bos."

"Don't worry about it."

Bosco hung up the phone and just stood outside the car for a minute, soaking up what Faith had just told him. After he composed himself he got back in the car.

"Everything ok with Faith?"

"No, I need to drop you back off at the house. I need the night off."

"What happened Bosco?"

"This doesn't leave the car Davis."

"I swear to it."

"Fred died this morning and Faith has to tell Emily and Charlie."

"Died?"

"Yup."

"Damn."

They sat in silence all the way back to the station. Ty waited outside while Bosco went to talk to Lieu. He didn't even want to know details. After about five minutes Bosco came out of the office and headed for the locker room.

"Davis? You out there?" came Lieu's voice.

"Right here sir."

"Come in and shut the door."

"I assume Bosco told you what happened."

"Yes he did sir."

"He will also be taking some time off to help Faith. That leaves you as my eldest officer."

"Meaning what exactly?"

"I really need your help in training the new officers."

"Didn't I pick a hell of a day to come back?"

"I can split it with desk time if you want, I at least need two patrol days from you."

"I'll do the four on patrol, but I still plan on taking the sergeants test and the second watch position."

"Davis you have no idea how grateful I am. I completely understand you wanting the position and I will do everything in my power to make it yours."

"Thank you sir."

Ty walked out of the office, not completely believing what had just happened. He just wanted to go home and go to sleep, but he couldn't, he was working desk duty the rest of the night.

Finally 11:00 came and Ty headed into the locker room to change. Then he walked outside and across the street to wait for Alex outside the firehouse.

"Hey baby, how was your day?" Alex asked when she saw Ty.

"Well, it started off with me having to go back out on patrol with Bosco, then I was told I would be the eldest officer on the watch for the next week and I finished the evening with desk duty."

"Jesus, what the hell happened?"

"Well it all started when Faith called out today. Lieu asked if I would ride with Bosco, I figured since it was Bosco I would be able to handle it. Well, we had some down time and Bosco called Faith. Long story short, Fred passed away this morning, so Lieu gave Bosco time off to help Faith and the kids out. So instead of being at the desk, I will be training new officers."

"Fred died?"

"Yeah, alcohol poisoning."

"Damn."

"But Lieu did say that he was grateful and would do everything in his power to make sure I got the sergeants position on the second watch."

"That's good."

"Yeah, so how was your day?"

"Not nearly as eventful."

"I think that is a good thing."

"Me too."

They walked back to their apartment and went straight to bed, both were exhausted from the first day back.