Title: In a New York Minute (5/?)
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 Five)
"Call me as soon as you find out anything. I wanna know what he says," Bosco said seriously as they stood at the subway platform.
Faith gazed at him and nodded. "I will," she promised.
He set his bag down on the platform and wrapped his arms around her as the subcar pulled up. "I love you, Faith." His voice was soft.
"I love you, too," she whispered back, resting her forehead against his. "Be careful today."
"I always am." He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers lightly at first, then with a little more pressure as he deepened the kiss.
She brought her right hand up and caressed his cheek. "You're gonna be late," she murmured.
"Don't care," he responded, kissing her again as he pulled her closer.
Faith made no effort to pull away from the embrace.
Neither of them were aware of the people rushing by to get on and off the subway until the whistle blew.
"That's my cue," he said with a sigh, reluctantly pulling away from her.
She gazed at him, nodding silently.
Bosco looked back at her, searched her eyes, finding mixed emotions reflected there. He could tell she wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what. "What?" he asked.
Faith smiled faintly. "I just...I love you."
He returned her smile and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you tonight. Don't forget to call me."
"I won't."
He picked up his bag and stepped onto the subway car just before the doors started to shut. He stuck his foot in the way. "Faith?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you, too." He kept his eyes on her face and removed his foot from the doors, which slid closed. A moment later the car began to move.
Faith disappeared from his vision.
And a slight amount of uneasiness settled into his stomach.
Davis entered the locker room, a smile on his face as he whistled.
Sully looked over at him with raised eyebrows. "'Don't Worry, Be Happy?'"
"My new motto," he informed his partner, who rolled his eyes. He unlocked his locker and started to change clothes, continuing to whistle.
"Please tell me you aren't planning on doing that all day."
"Sully, man, you need to lighten up. It's a beautiful almost autumn day outside. The sun is shining, the birds are singing--"
"What birds?" Sully looked at him like he was crazy. "This is Manhattan, Davis, not an aviary."
This time Davis raised his eyebrows. "An aviary? I'm impressed, Sul. That word of the day calender I got you for Christmas is really expanding your vocabulary."
"Ha, ha."
A moment later the door flew open and Bosco rushed in. "I'm late!"
"Ah, just like the good old days," Sully said wryly.
Davis glanced around. "Where's your better half?"
"Doctor's appointment," he replied without looking up. He quickly stripped his shirt off.
"She okay?" There was concern in Sully's voice.
Bosco paused. "Yeah. She thinks she's just catchin' a cold or somethin'."
"Right. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."
Christopher stuck his head in the room. "Roll call in two minutes!" he called cheerfully.
Bosco threw a sour look toward the retreating sergeant, but resisted the urge to make a remark.
"One of us -really- needs to take the sergeant's exam and put that guy out of a job," Sully grumbled as he finished tying his shoelaces.
Davis grinned. "Oh, come on, Sul. He's not that bad."
Bosco and Sully both looked at him.
"All right, so he can be a jerk. But he's better than other sergeants. Or some of them at least."
"Oh, yeah? Name one."
"2-bag Cruz," Davis replied matter-of-factly.
Bosco shuddered. He'd heard horror stories about the woman's career history, how she'd ruined the jobs and lives of several of the officers in her Anti-Crime division when she'd been accused of being a dirty cop. She'd pinned many of her underhanded dealings on other officers, but in the end had been charged with murder in the first when she shot another officer at point blank range. Apparently the other officer had been trying to expose her dirty deeds. And now former-Sergeant Maritza Cruz was rotting in a prison cell where she belonged.
Yep, compared to that evil bitch, Sgt. Christopher was a saint.
"What's with you today, anyway?" Sully asked.
"What do you mean?" Davis was still grinning.
"He means your imitation of the damn Cheshire Cat," Bosco replied as he headed for the door.
"What? A guy can't just be in a good mood?" Davis followed him.
"Oh, yeah, putting my life on the line for a bunch of selfish ingrates always makes me smile, too," Sully said dryly.
"Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Davis ribbed him.
They all took seats in the roll call room.
Lt. Swersky took roll, then made all the daily announcements and assignments. "Boscorelli, you're on your own today. That's it. Keep your eyes and ears open out there."
Bosco sighed and stood up. It was going to be a long day without Faith there to talk to. He just prayed that she was all right.
* * *
Faith sat nervously in the waiting room of Dr. Smith's office as she thumbed through a magazine. She couldn't even recall what magazine she'd picked up. She glanced around the crowded office. Flu season, she thought grimly. She hoped she didn't catch that.
Of course, even the flu would be better than certain other afflictions that she was trying very hard not to think about. She knew exactly why Bosco was so worried. Why he'd insisted that she make a doctor's appointment.
'It comes back for some.'
She forced the thought out of her mind and focused her gaze on the painting hanging on the wall across from her.
It looked like someone had taken a paint brush full of red paint and flung it onto the canvas. She idly wondered how much money the painter had made off the piece of art and if anyone would pay her for doing something similar.
Probably not.
"Faith Boscorelli."
She jerked her head up to look over to the door that led further into the office. The nurse stood there, medical charts in her hand as she looked around.
Faith rose slowly to her feet and walked over to the nurse, tightly clutching onto her purse strap.
"Hello, Faith. If you'll just follow me." The nurse smiled at her.
She drew in a deep breath, said a silent prayer, and followed her down the hallway.
* * *
Sully kept glancing over to where his partner sat in the passenger seat, smiling. He let out an exasperated sigh. "Would you tell me what's got you in such a good mood today?"
"I think it's more fun to see you get all pissed about my good mood," Davis responded with a wide grin.
"You would," he said sourly.
"All right, all right. You really wanna know?"
"Davis!"
He chuckled. "Okay, easy, Sul. The reason I'm in such a good mood is...I asked Alex to marry me." He paused. "She said yes."
Sully's eyes widened and he pulled the car off to the side of the road. "You're getting married?"
"That I am."
He stared at Davis.
"I was hopin' I could talk you into bein' my best man."
Sully's eyes widened a little more. "You're serious."
"Well, yeah, you're like my best friend. Of course I want you to be my best man."
He opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head, grinning. "Of course I'll be your best man. Congratulations!" He gave Davis an awkward hug.
"Thanks, Sul."
"Married. My little Davis is all grown up," Sully mused.
"Hey, hey. Watch it, old man," he warned, shooting his partner a mock glare.
They looked at each other and laughed.
* * *
"Fatigue, restlessness, anxiety attacks, headaches and dizziness. Are you under a lot of stress?" Dr. Smith asked.
"No more than usual," Faith answered tiredly. She tucked a strand of strawberry blond hair behind her ear.
"Well, then I'm gonna run a few tests, take some blood, check your white and red blood cell count, as well as your blood sugar level."
"Will that tell you if...if the cancer's back?" Her voice was barely audible.
"It would indicate whether it's a possibility, yes."
Faith nodded mutely, trying not to jump to any conclusions without proof.
"I'll send the nurse in. We can do a blood sample here in the office. It's cheaper and quicker than going to the hospital's labs."
"Right." She watched as he left the room and shut the door behind him. Then she closed her eyes.
She really wished Bosco was there.
* * *
"All right, Taylor, what gives?"
Alex looked up and smiled mysteriously at Jimmy Doherty. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
He stared at her in disbelief. "You -hate- cooking. You never volunteer. So what gives?"
She shrugged. "Guess I'm just in the mood to fix dinner."
"She's been in a good mood all day so far," D.K. informed him, glancing up from the table where he sat reading the newspaper.
"It's kind of eerie," Walsh added with a grin.
"Maybe I'm just in a good mood because I have a three day weekend coming up and I don't have to hang out with you guys," Alex joked, her eyes twinkling.
"You know you love us," D.K. said good-naturedly.
"Please say you don't love me," Carlos said quickly.
"Don't worry, Carlos. I still despise you as much as I did the day we met," she assured him.
"Thank God."
Doc shook his head and smiled at the light-hearted banter. He couldn't help but wonder, like his co-workers, what had Taylor in such good spirits, but he figured if she wanted them to know, she'd tell them sooner or later.
Just then, Kim walked in.
Jimmy turned to her. "How's Joey?"
"Doctor Fisher said he just has a touch of the flu and he'll be better in a couple days. I took him to my mother's," she added, giving him a small smile.
"Good. I'll pick him up after the shift. He show you his math homework?"
"You mean his A+ math homework?"
Jimmy smiled proudly. "The kid's brilliant in math."
"Takes after his father." Their eyes met for a moment. She shifted her gaze to Alex. "You're cooking dinner?" There was a hint of disbelief to her tone.
"Yep." Alex smiled at her.
Kim cocked her head to the side, studying her intently. "There's something different about you today."
"Oh?" She stirred the noodles into the spaghetti sauce.
"Yeah, you seem..." Kim's gaze dropped to Alex's hand and her eyes widened. "Oh, my God!"
Alex grinned broadly. Somehow she knew Kim would be the first to figure it out.
"What? What is it?" Doc asked curiously.
"Congratulations!" Kim hugged her tightly. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Did we miss something?" Jimmy asked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
Kim grabbed Alex's hand and waved it, flashing the diamond ring around.
"You're getting married?" D.K. asked, eyes widening.
"Yeah. Davis popped the question last night." Her eyes shone with excitement.
"I can't believe you guys didn't notice! Look at this thing, it's huge!" Kim exclaimed, examining the stone.
"Congratulations, Taylor," Doc told her with a kind smile.
"Yeah, congratulations," Jimmy echoed, grinning.
"So that's what you and Davis were making so much noise about last night?" Carlos asked.
Kim and Alex both shot him a glare.
"What? What'd I say?"
* * *
Faith bit down nervously on her lower lip as she sat on the examining table, now fully dressed. She'd been at the doctor's office for nearly three hours and with each passing moment, she felt her anxiety grow a little more. It was starting to make her feel sick to her stomach, and if she didn't get some answers soon, she was afraid she'd lose her mind.
There was a knock on the door and before she even had a chance to say 'come in,' the door opened. She wondered why doctors and nurses even bothered to knock at all.
Dr. Smith stepped inside, carrying her chart. He sat down at the small desk in the corner and looked up at her. "I have the results of your blood tests. I put a rush on them."
She nodded, feeling her muscles stiffen up with tension. "Is it the cancer?" Her voice was hushed.
"On the contrary. You're perfectly healthy, Faith."
She stared at him in confusion. "But the headaches and dizziness and fatigue--"
"Are completely normal for a woman in your condition."
Faith stared at him blankly. "I'm sorry, I don't understand. What condition?"
Dr. Smith smiled a ther. "Congratulations, Mrs. Boscorelli. You're pregnant."