Hey all this is chapter 7…once again…Third Watch is not mine…but I sure wish Bosco was! ;) ~Enjoy!

Chapter 7

'I think I love you…so what am I so afraid of?'

~David Cassidy

The light gently flooded into the room through the curtains as Maurice gently stirred from his sleep. He opened his eyes to the familiarity of his own room, with two exceptions, one, he was naked, and two, her. She was sleeping peacefully next to him, her dark brown hair strewn around on the white pillow. The blankets gently wrapped around her shoulders. Maurice was filled with…something…it was a warm feeling, fuzzy almost. It wasn't a feeling he usually experienced 'the morning after'.

Katie slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times trying to adjust to the bright light flooding the room. When she turned away from the light she was greeted by coming face to face with him. He was staring at her with an expression of shock and amazement written allover his face. She stared back for a moment or two. Just taking in his features, His blue-green eyes, strong jaw, and thin lips. "How long are we just going to stare like this?" She questioned with a slight smile beginning to form on her face.

Maurice sheepishly looked away from her face, "I dunno…" he said returning to meet her gaze. "My shift starts at 3, so probably 2 or so?" he said sarcastically, smiling. "Sounds good to me," she said gently snuggling up to him. Katie gently rested her head against his bare chest and wrapped her arm snugly around his torso. "This is nice." He said chuckling as he ran his fingers gently through her hair. "Yeah, it is."

Three o'clock came around all too quickly. Maurice and Katie both went their separate ways for work. Katie walked into 78th bar and began helping Angela prepare for the day. "So how's my son doing?" Angela questioned as the two washed the empty glasses. "He's fine," Katie said sheepishly looking down and studying the glassware with a soft smiling playing on her lips. "You had sex with him didn't you?" Angela asked bluntly. And once again came the all to familiar… laugh, "Angela!"

Bosco and Faith rolled around the streets in the cruiser looking for trouble. "So how's Katie?" Faith asked, aware of her partner's new girlfriend. "She's great, she's amazing. I dunno what it is Yokas. She is so different from everyone else. But it's the good kind of different." "That's great Bos. I'm really happy for you. It's about time you found someone like her." "Yeah I guess it is." He trailed off.

Maurice walked into the bar at 11:45, the usual routine. Katie leaned over the counter and gently kissed him as he sat down at the bar. "Hey baby, how was your day?" she asked as she finished cleaning up. "Good, it was good. And you?" "It was normal." She said laughing at how boring their job conversation was. "So whats up with you?" she questioned seeing how Maurice wouldn't look her in the eye. "Can I talk to you?" "Sure," she said putting the dishrag down and leaning over the countertop. "No, over here." He said motioning to the empty barstool beside him. "Yeah…sure." Katie said slightly worried about what could be keeping Maurice so down. Katie sat down beside him, hands in her lap, worriedly staring at Maurice, who still had yet to raise his head and look her in the eye.

 "Are you breaking up with me, because if you are you don't really have to…" Katie rambled worriedly, "No! Oh no nothing like that its just…" "What?" Katie gently coaxed placing an encouraging hand on his shoulder. "This isn't where I imagined I would tell you, I didn't imagine it would be so goddamn hard either but, What Im trying to say is that these past few weeks have been really great. You are so different from anyone else I've ever met," Maurice was now standing in front of Katie, still slightly afraid to look her in the eye as he rambled. "Maurice," Katie sighed adoringly… "Shhh." He gently silenced her placing his index finger gently over her lips only inches from her face, he continued talking.

"So what I wanted to say, I mean what I want to say is that…Katie… I love you." Maurice finally brought his eyes up to meet hers. Her bright blue eyes were watering as if she might cry. But before he could question what emotion those tears were coming from, he was greeted by Katie jumping into his arms, and wrapping herself tightly around him with her lips against his. Maurice had never felt anything so wonderful in his entire life. He was in love with someone who loved and respected him right back. "I love you too Maurice." Katie whispered in his ear as she wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face into his neck.

            They stood in a tight embrace, and from behind the corner, Angela Boscorelli watched, a few tears escaping from her eyes. He had done it. Her son had finally found true love.  

Haha…don't be thinking that the stories over…its still in the beginning stages. This is really strange for me, writing a chapter on a Wednesday night. But I had reviews when I read my e-mail, thanks to everyone who responded, I've got nothing but love for all you guys! This chapter is definitely because of all of you guys. I hope you enjoy…if you want to read more, let me hear it! Thanks again! You guys rock!

~Arly