Title: In a New York Minute (2/?)

Author: X_tremeroswellian

Email: X_tremeroswellian@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: Are not, have not and will not ever be mine.

Rating: PG-13/R for language, violence, and sexual content. *Deals with issues of rape, domestic violence, child abuse, torture and homicide.

Spoilers: Up through and including "Act Brave." Also major spoilers for my other fic, "No Mercy."

Summary: Someone from Faith and Bosco's past threatens their happiness with his plans to enact revenge on them for the death of his brother.

Distribution: If you want it, take it. Just let me know where it's going.

Category: Story sequel

Subcategories: Suspense/romance/angst/thriller and a touch of the supernatural.

Feedback: Helps me write faster and is always appreciated.

Author's Note: This is a sequel to my fic, "No Mercy." If you haven't read that one, you're going to be confused.

In a New York Minute (Part Two)

Bosco woke up slowly, bright light filtering into the bedroom from the partially closed window blinds. He squinted against the light and snuggled up behind Faith a little closer. His right arm was draped around her waist, his left hand buried under the pillows beneath their heads.

She was still resting peacefully.

He smiled softly without opening his eyes again. He could smell the sweet peach scented shampoo she had washed her hair with the night before. It was a smell he now automatically associated with his wife.

His wife.

Bosco's smile widened slightly. They'd been married almost one year and all his divorced and married friends-with the exception of John Sullivan-said that the honeymoon would end once he and Faith had hit the six month mark. Show's how much they know, he thought.

If anything, he and Faith were closer now than they'd ever been. He never got tired of being with her. Even if they were just watching television and not talking, Bosco could always feel the strong bond that they shared.

He opened his eyes and leaned up on his left elbow to gaze down at her. Something about the way the sun rays filtered through the blinds and danced across her pale skin made her seem almost other-worldly, like an ethereal dream or vision. Almostangelic.

She was a mysterious puzzle of contradictions to him. Fragile, but stronger than anyone else he'd ever known. A chicken when it came to horror flicks, but able to take down some of the worst criminals on the streets without batting an eye. Sometimes a bit detached from those around her, and five minutes later the most compassionate, supportive person in the room.

Being married to Faith was not unlike discovering the seven wonders of the world on a daily basis. He loved her more than he thought he could love anyone -ever- .

She stirred slightly, as though somehow her subconscious knew that he was watching her as she slept. She turned her head toward him slightly, a soft smile on her lips though her eyes remained shut.

Bosco leaned down just a bit and brushed his lips against hers gently.

"Morning," she murmured, opening her eyes and looking at him.

"Actually," he answered, kissing her temple. "Good afternoon."

"Afternoon?" she repeated, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Yep. It's 12:30," Bosco told her, rubbing her arm gently.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Not long," he assured her with a smile. He lowered his lips and pressed a kiss to her shoulder blade.

Faith's eyes closed again and she leaned her head back against his bare chest.

"How does French toast and bacon sound to you?" he asked, kissing her temple once more.

"If you're cookin', it sounds great," she answered, grinning.

Bosco grinned back and pressed his lips against hers. "You stay here and relax," he told her as he started to climb out of bed.

"Breakfast in bed?" Faith turned over so she was facing him, a surprised expression on her face.

"Yep." He smiled at her and headed for the door in only his boxer shorts.

"What'd I do to deserve that?"

He paused in the doorway and turned to look at her, a soft smile on his face. "Maybe I just think my wife deserves to be treated like a queen."

She gazed at him, her blue eyes sparkling in the sunbeams like ocean waters. "I love you."

He held her gaze. "I love you, too," he echoed. They both smiled. Then he left to go make breakfast.

"This is the one she wanted," Faith said, tapping her fingernail against the glass countertop.

"It's a very nice ring," the saleswoman acknowledged, smiling.

Bosco looked down at it, his chin resting on Faith's shoulder as he stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist. "It's small. She must take after you," he said, indicating the small diamond on her left hand. He had wanted to buy her a much more expensive, larger wedding ring, but she'd been drawn to the smaller one instead. He really didn't care as long as she was happy with it.

She nodded slightly and leaned her head against his. "That's a good thing," she replied, glancing at the prices of some of the larger saphires.

"Definitely," Bosco agreed.

"So this is the one you want?" the saleswoman asked.

Faith glanced sideways at her husband. "What do you think?"

He nodded. "It's fine with me. Em's a good kid. She deserves it."

She smiled softly, then turned her attention back to the woman behind the counter. "We'll take it."

"Wonderful choice. I'm sure your daughter will love it." The woman beamed and unlocked the glass counter. She removed the ring and scanned the box for the price tag. "That will be $128.76. How would you like to pay for it?"

Faith moved to get into her purse, but Bosco stopped her. "I'll just put it on the VISA and pay it off Friday when we get paid."

"You sure?"

He nodded and pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. He pulled the credit card out and handed it to the woman.

She ran it through the machine, typed something in and handed it back to him. She focused her attention on Faith. "Would you fill out a short survey about our store before you go? My manager is asking me to try and get twenty filled out by the end of the day."

Faith smiled at her and tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear. "Sure, no problem."

Bosco kissed her cheek lightly. "I'm gonna wait outside, okay?"

She nodded, kissing him on the lips briefly. "Okay."

He smiled at her and left the store.

"Newlyweds?" the woman asked, grinning.

Faith looked over at her. "Actually our one year anniversary is in a couple weeks."

"Wow. Congratulations."

"Thanks."

Bosco stood on the sidewalk outside the jewelry store, his hands stuffed into his jean pockets. He rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, feeling restless. He'd been feeling that way a lot lately and he wasn't sure why.

He squinted against the sunlight as it beamed down on him. He cast a glance over his shoulder and saw Faith still inside at the counter. He smiled slightly, then crossed the street. He slid some coins into the newspaper machine and pulled out a copy of The New York Times. He glanced at the front page, then waited for the light to change so he could cross the street again.

When it turned green, Bosco stepped out onto the crosswalk, still scanning the headlines.

He didn't see the truck headed straight for him.

Faith thanked the saleswoman and took her sack as she headed for the door. She drew in a deep breath of air and glanced around, looking for her husband.

She saw him crossing the street, walking toward her as he read a newspaper. She jerked her had to the right, her eyes widening with horror as she watched a black truck barrel right toward him.

She opened her mouth to scream, to warn him, but no words came out. It was going to hit him.

Bosco, look out! her mind screamed as her body froze in terror.

Faith's terrified scream rang in his ears and he instantly jerked his head up. His eyes widened in shock and he barely managed to jump back out of the way as the truck roared over where he'd just been standing.

His heart pounded in his chest and his gaze locked on his wife, who stood on the sidewalk in front of the jewelry store. Even from where he stood across the road, he could see that her face had drained of all color. The newspaper slipped out of his hand and he didn't bother to pick it up.

Bosco glanced both ways, then jogged across the street until he was standing right in front of Faith, whose eyes were full of tears, terror. "I'm okay, Faith," he said, reaching out and putting his hands on her arms. "I'm okay."

"Bosco-" she choked out.

He pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as closely as he could. "I'm all right. It's okay."

She trembled in his arms as she clung to him. "I thought-"

"Shh. It's okay. I'm all right, Faith. You saved my life, I'm okay."

She pulled away from him just slightly. "What?"

"If you hadn't screamed, I never woulda got out of the way in time."

Faith stared at him.

He searched her eyes, trying to figure out what she was thinking.

"I didn't scream." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"What? Yes you did. You screamed my name, told me to look out," he said in confusion.

Faith's eyes never left his as she shook her head slowly. "I didn't scream. I froze," she whispered.

A chill ran down his spine as he stared at her.

"I froze, Boz. I didn't screamI couldn't scream." Her eyes were wide with anxiety, confusion.

Bosco tried to think of something to say, how to respond.

But no words came to mind.

They stood in the middle of the sidewalk, staring at each other.