TITLE: THE ONE CONSTANT
AUTHOR: MINN
DISCLAIMER: I don't own nothin' - mores the pity - just playing. No character was really harmed during the typing of this nonsense. The creators of Third Watch are, of course, gods
CHEERS! to all the kind folks who said such nice things about my maiden outing "Grace", and about the follow-up-story-that-isn't-really, "The Replacement".
EXPLAINATION: This here tale gets into the nuts and bolts of how Gracie came to be. If you have no idea who Gracie is, it might pay you to have a wee looksee at my other stories "Grace" and "The Replacement", which basically lead up to this here offering.
FORGIVE ME!: Everything I write I can guarantee is the work of my own sick and twisted little mind - but if anything I write does resemble something that's gone before I can assure you it's pure coincidence - (hangs head in shame) because I don't actually READ much fic (sorry to all the wonderful authors on this site!) But have had occasion to catch up with a few stories recommended by others and have enjoyed them immensely. (Can I stop greasing now?) Also, if you see a phrase or a word that seems a bit odd it's because I'M FOREIGN!!! New Zealand English is a WHOLE different animal - but I've tried to be careful.
SOMETHING ELSE TO NOTE: Season Four of Third Watch hasn't started screening in New Zealand yet so I haven't actually seen the 'new improved' Fr*d or The Anti Cruz. I promise I will do rewrites the MINUTE I do get the opportunity to see them, but in the meantime I beg your collective indulgence on this - if these two characters sound a little "off" in this fic, don't worry - I'll fix the blighters eventually! And so on with the show...
********
THE ONE CONSTANT
PART 6
"You OK?"
Bosco's voice barely penetrated the veil of preoccupation that surrounded her.
"You say somethin'?" Faith responded after a while.
"I asked if you were OK."
Faith frowned. "I'm fine. Why?"
"You haven't been asking me a million questions about what's going on in my life so I figure there must be something going on in yours," he muttered. "Has Jesus dumped your boy Fred?"
Faith gave her partner a look. He grinned. "Just messin' with ya Faith."
She returned to her own thoughts and they sat in silence for some time.
"If you wanna talk about it..."
She looked at him and was surprised to see genuine concern on his face. "Thanks," she said. "Really, I appreciate it. But it's not something you could help me with."
"Wasn't offering to fix it Faith," he said quietly. "Just offering to listen, if you need me to."
Faith stared at him. He seemed cautious, as if unsure how his offer would be received, but there was no look of pity to be found in his eyes. Just warmth.
"Thanks," she said softly, "but I'm good, really. Just need to think somethin' through, that's all."
Bosco nodded and returned his attention back to his contemplation of the neighbourhood around them. Tiring of that he then decided to rifle aimlessly through the glove box in front of him for the umpteenth time, something he did when he was bored.
Now there'd be a conversation to end them all, she thought as she watched him. Thanks for the offer to talk Bos - oh and by the way, we screwed each other's brains out in my dreams last night.
She shifted uncomfortably, all too aware that her skin had begun to tingle at the very thought. It wasn't the first time she'd had a dream like it; she'd had many similar during her sojourn with Manny and the others. But that had been so different - at the time she had no idea who she was or what any of the images in her head meant. This time there was no such excuse. This time she knew exactly who Bosco was.
Faith fidgeted again, torn between a sense of embarrassment and the guilt she felt. No matter how hard she fought it her mind drifted involuntarily to the memory of the kiss they'd shared, reliving again the passion and intensity between them. It had been some kiss.
You kissed BOSCO, for cryin' out loud! a little voice in her head taunted her. Maurice pain-in-the-ass Boscorelli...
I was just glad to see him 'cos I thought he was my husband, for godssake! she said in her own defence. And I didn't know till then whether he was alive or dead and there he was, just standing there, and the look he was giving me...
This is BOSCO we're talking about here!
It wasn't as if sex with Fred was in any way bad. It was...nice. Their conversations were...nice. Their time together was always...nice. Everything at home was...nice. But that look of pity in Fred's eyes. It haunted her. Why pity? Did he feel sorry for her in some way? In what way?
Things are good at home! she scolded herself. Nice. Why are you looking for trouble? Fred looks at you with pity, so what? Maybe what he experienced was so amazing he feels sorry that you couldn't experience it too. Yeah. That's it. That's gotta be it...Stop making it into a big deal. It's no big deal.
So why am I having fantasies about Bosco?
The little voice had no answer for her.
"I must be goin' crazy, you know?"
Bosco looked up. "Crazy?"
"Yeah."
"About what?"
"About the way things are with Fred."
Why the hell are you talking to Bosco about this? asked the voice.
"He OK?" Bosco asked.
"Yeah, he's doing good..." She paused.
"But...?" he prompted her.
You can't seriously be considering talking to Bosco about...
"It's different, you know?"
...this. Dammit!
"Different?"
"Different," she reiterated, trying to ignore the voice of protest in her head.
Bosco watched her expectantly, but when nothing more was forthcoming he started to fidget. "Look, Faith, I'm no mind reader, OK? If you wanna talk you're gonna actually have to use your mouth."
Faith felt a small smile creep across her lips.
"Fred's not having trouble getting' it up is he?"
She stared at him, appalled. See THIS is why talking to Bosco is such a bad idea...
"Why would I tell YOU if he was?"
"You've shared that nasty little detail with me before, Faith, remember? 'Last night my husband was so drunk he couldn't get it up...'"
"I SAID that?" she said, stunned. "Did I actually tell you that?"
"I think you were trying to shock me," he grinned.
"I was probably trying to get you to shut the hell up!" she retorted sharply.
"I was probably tired of hearing about the gorier details of your own sick little adventures."
"Adventures?" he chuckled. "Look Faith, as much as I'd like to discuss your sex life..."
"It's got nothing to do with sex!" The hell it hasn't! said the voice in her head. Last night you and he were goin' at it like...Dammit! Would YOU shut the hell up...
"Is it 'cos of the Jesus thing?"
Now you didn't expect him to get that, did you? the voice sneered.
Faith found herself nodding.
"Fred's been through a lot, Faith."
"We all have," she replied and then paused. "He gave me a book to read."
"The Bible," Bosco smirked.
"No, smartass, somethin' called "Transformed By the Light" or somethin'. It's about near death experiences."
Bosco frowned. "Is that what he had?"
"That's what he reckons," she replied.
Bosco raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Have you read it?"
Faith tapped the steering wheel in front of her. "I tried. But I was havin' trouble getting my head around it. I mean, does that make ANY sense? More than anythin' in the world I want to understand what Fred went through, but I can't even read a book that'll apparently help me to do that!"
Bosco sat in thoughtful silence. "You scared maybe?"
"Of what?"
He shrugged and thought some more. "Of finding out how different Fred really is?"
Faith sat and considered the notion. "Maybe I am," she murmured. "Maybe I'm happier not knowing 'cos there's part of me that's scared he's never gonna be the old Fred again."
Bosco frowned. "Why the hell would you want the old Fred back?"
Faith shrugged. "I guess 'cos at least I knew where he was comin' from, you know? I don't get where Fred's head is any more and that makes me a little uncomfortable sometimes. The old Fred may have been a pain in the ass but at least we were on the same page."
"Now he's on a whole new book," Bosco grinned. "The kids coping OK?"
"They're closer to him than ever," she answered, not able to hide the sour note that crept into her tone. "Guess I'm feelin' a little left out there."
"So read the book."
Faith turned to her partner.
"What?" he said, seeing the look she was giving him. "He's giving you an engraved invitation to be part of the new Fred. Be thankful he still wants you around."
Her eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"He could have come back and said: 'Right, you're outta here Faith, I feel like a change of scenery'. Doubt whether he'd be Jesus' best buddy right now if he had..."
Faith watched him smirk at her cheekily. "You know, you're alright when you're not being a total jerk."
"But apparently it's the word that describes me best," he muttered.
Faith frowned.
"Fifty two people gave me 3 words each to describe me and only 9 of them DIDN'T use the word jerk."
"Ouch," she said.
Bosco just shrugged. "If that's the way they see me, fine..."
"Bos," she began, but then stopped abruptly as something outside the car caught her eye. She turned and focused on it for a moment and then quickly got out of the RMP.
Bosco had to jog to catch up with her as she marched towards one of the seedier drinking establishments on their beat.
"What's up?" he asked. She didn't answer and never slowed her pace until she was inside. One quick look at the bar's clientele gave Bosco his answer.
"Mom?!"
"Mom?!" exclaimed the gangly unkempt young man in Emily's company. "Your mom's a cop?"
A look from Faith silenced him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Faith loudly demanded. The youth and the two other girls he was with cowered. "You should be at home, studyin'!"
"Studyin'? You told me she was legal!" the barman snarled at the youth.
Bosco turned his attentions to the man. "You should know better, Gill, a man of your years and experience," he said, beginning a casual sweep of the rest of the patrons. "So lets see who else you've got here."
As Bosco did the rounds he listened to Faith chewing Emily out. Emily managed to hold her own for a while but was no match for a Faith in full battle dress. After ten minutes Emily waved the white flag, albeit under duress.
"Your partner's one scary dame," Gill muttered as Bosco leant back on the bar to watch, knowing better than to interfere.
"Ain't she though?" Bosco responded with admiration, never once taking his eyes off Faith.
In exasperation Emily suddenly turned to where he stood and implored: "Tell her she's being unreasonable Uncle Bosco!"
"'Uncle' Bosco?" Gill drawled.
"You have a problem with that Gillard?" Bosco inquired, pushing himself away from the bar.
"You gonna try and tell me I'm bein' unreasonable Bosco?" Faith demanded as he approached.
"What do I look like, a man with a death wish?" He turned to Emily. "Here's how it goes, Em. Normally things are bad when people dressed like us find people your age dressed like hookers hangin' out in places like this. In your case you're in twice the crap 'cos the nice lady in uniform here also happens to be your mom." He made an expansive gesture with his hands. "What were you thinking Em? Going to a bar on your mom's precinct? How dumb is that?"
Emily glared at him poisonously.
"Out!" Faith ordered.
Emily pouted and turned to her companions.
"Now! Or I start shootin' your friends!"
Bosco turned to the trio behind Em. "She means it too."
Emily about-faced and flounced to the door, Faith hot on her tail. Bosco trailed behind them, shaking his head. He had a feeling the shift was just about to get ugly.
------
TBC - stick around.
AUTHOR: MINN
DISCLAIMER: I don't own nothin' - mores the pity - just playing. No character was really harmed during the typing of this nonsense. The creators of Third Watch are, of course, gods
CHEERS! to all the kind folks who said such nice things about my maiden outing "Grace", and about the follow-up-story-that-isn't-really, "The Replacement".
EXPLAINATION: This here tale gets into the nuts and bolts of how Gracie came to be. If you have no idea who Gracie is, it might pay you to have a wee looksee at my other stories "Grace" and "The Replacement", which basically lead up to this here offering.
FORGIVE ME!: Everything I write I can guarantee is the work of my own sick and twisted little mind - but if anything I write does resemble something that's gone before I can assure you it's pure coincidence - (hangs head in shame) because I don't actually READ much fic (sorry to all the wonderful authors on this site!) But have had occasion to catch up with a few stories recommended by others and have enjoyed them immensely. (Can I stop greasing now?) Also, if you see a phrase or a word that seems a bit odd it's because I'M FOREIGN!!! New Zealand English is a WHOLE different animal - but I've tried to be careful.
SOMETHING ELSE TO NOTE: Season Four of Third Watch hasn't started screening in New Zealand yet so I haven't actually seen the 'new improved' Fr*d or The Anti Cruz. I promise I will do rewrites the MINUTE I do get the opportunity to see them, but in the meantime I beg your collective indulgence on this - if these two characters sound a little "off" in this fic, don't worry - I'll fix the blighters eventually! And so on with the show...
********
THE ONE CONSTANT
PART 6
"You OK?"
Bosco's voice barely penetrated the veil of preoccupation that surrounded her.
"You say somethin'?" Faith responded after a while.
"I asked if you were OK."
Faith frowned. "I'm fine. Why?"
"You haven't been asking me a million questions about what's going on in my life so I figure there must be something going on in yours," he muttered. "Has Jesus dumped your boy Fred?"
Faith gave her partner a look. He grinned. "Just messin' with ya Faith."
She returned to her own thoughts and they sat in silence for some time.
"If you wanna talk about it..."
She looked at him and was surprised to see genuine concern on his face. "Thanks," she said. "Really, I appreciate it. But it's not something you could help me with."
"Wasn't offering to fix it Faith," he said quietly. "Just offering to listen, if you need me to."
Faith stared at him. He seemed cautious, as if unsure how his offer would be received, but there was no look of pity to be found in his eyes. Just warmth.
"Thanks," she said softly, "but I'm good, really. Just need to think somethin' through, that's all."
Bosco nodded and returned his attention back to his contemplation of the neighbourhood around them. Tiring of that he then decided to rifle aimlessly through the glove box in front of him for the umpteenth time, something he did when he was bored.
Now there'd be a conversation to end them all, she thought as she watched him. Thanks for the offer to talk Bos - oh and by the way, we screwed each other's brains out in my dreams last night.
She shifted uncomfortably, all too aware that her skin had begun to tingle at the very thought. It wasn't the first time she'd had a dream like it; she'd had many similar during her sojourn with Manny and the others. But that had been so different - at the time she had no idea who she was or what any of the images in her head meant. This time there was no such excuse. This time she knew exactly who Bosco was.
Faith fidgeted again, torn between a sense of embarrassment and the guilt she felt. No matter how hard she fought it her mind drifted involuntarily to the memory of the kiss they'd shared, reliving again the passion and intensity between them. It had been some kiss.
You kissed BOSCO, for cryin' out loud! a little voice in her head taunted her. Maurice pain-in-the-ass Boscorelli...
I was just glad to see him 'cos I thought he was my husband, for godssake! she said in her own defence. And I didn't know till then whether he was alive or dead and there he was, just standing there, and the look he was giving me...
This is BOSCO we're talking about here!
It wasn't as if sex with Fred was in any way bad. It was...nice. Their conversations were...nice. Their time together was always...nice. Everything at home was...nice. But that look of pity in Fred's eyes. It haunted her. Why pity? Did he feel sorry for her in some way? In what way?
Things are good at home! she scolded herself. Nice. Why are you looking for trouble? Fred looks at you with pity, so what? Maybe what he experienced was so amazing he feels sorry that you couldn't experience it too. Yeah. That's it. That's gotta be it...Stop making it into a big deal. It's no big deal.
So why am I having fantasies about Bosco?
The little voice had no answer for her.
"I must be goin' crazy, you know?"
Bosco looked up. "Crazy?"
"Yeah."
"About what?"
"About the way things are with Fred."
Why the hell are you talking to Bosco about this? asked the voice.
"He OK?" Bosco asked.
"Yeah, he's doing good..." She paused.
"But...?" he prompted her.
You can't seriously be considering talking to Bosco about...
"It's different, you know?"
...this. Dammit!
"Different?"
"Different," she reiterated, trying to ignore the voice of protest in her head.
Bosco watched her expectantly, but when nothing more was forthcoming he started to fidget. "Look, Faith, I'm no mind reader, OK? If you wanna talk you're gonna actually have to use your mouth."
Faith felt a small smile creep across her lips.
"Fred's not having trouble getting' it up is he?"
She stared at him, appalled. See THIS is why talking to Bosco is such a bad idea...
"Why would I tell YOU if he was?"
"You've shared that nasty little detail with me before, Faith, remember? 'Last night my husband was so drunk he couldn't get it up...'"
"I SAID that?" she said, stunned. "Did I actually tell you that?"
"I think you were trying to shock me," he grinned.
"I was probably trying to get you to shut the hell up!" she retorted sharply.
"I was probably tired of hearing about the gorier details of your own sick little adventures."
"Adventures?" he chuckled. "Look Faith, as much as I'd like to discuss your sex life..."
"It's got nothing to do with sex!" The hell it hasn't! said the voice in her head. Last night you and he were goin' at it like...Dammit! Would YOU shut the hell up...
"Is it 'cos of the Jesus thing?"
Now you didn't expect him to get that, did you? the voice sneered.
Faith found herself nodding.
"Fred's been through a lot, Faith."
"We all have," she replied and then paused. "He gave me a book to read."
"The Bible," Bosco smirked.
"No, smartass, somethin' called "Transformed By the Light" or somethin'. It's about near death experiences."
Bosco frowned. "Is that what he had?"
"That's what he reckons," she replied.
Bosco raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Have you read it?"
Faith tapped the steering wheel in front of her. "I tried. But I was havin' trouble getting my head around it. I mean, does that make ANY sense? More than anythin' in the world I want to understand what Fred went through, but I can't even read a book that'll apparently help me to do that!"
Bosco sat in thoughtful silence. "You scared maybe?"
"Of what?"
He shrugged and thought some more. "Of finding out how different Fred really is?"
Faith sat and considered the notion. "Maybe I am," she murmured. "Maybe I'm happier not knowing 'cos there's part of me that's scared he's never gonna be the old Fred again."
Bosco frowned. "Why the hell would you want the old Fred back?"
Faith shrugged. "I guess 'cos at least I knew where he was comin' from, you know? I don't get where Fred's head is any more and that makes me a little uncomfortable sometimes. The old Fred may have been a pain in the ass but at least we were on the same page."
"Now he's on a whole new book," Bosco grinned. "The kids coping OK?"
"They're closer to him than ever," she answered, not able to hide the sour note that crept into her tone. "Guess I'm feelin' a little left out there."
"So read the book."
Faith turned to her partner.
"What?" he said, seeing the look she was giving him. "He's giving you an engraved invitation to be part of the new Fred. Be thankful he still wants you around."
Her eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"He could have come back and said: 'Right, you're outta here Faith, I feel like a change of scenery'. Doubt whether he'd be Jesus' best buddy right now if he had..."
Faith watched him smirk at her cheekily. "You know, you're alright when you're not being a total jerk."
"But apparently it's the word that describes me best," he muttered.
Faith frowned.
"Fifty two people gave me 3 words each to describe me and only 9 of them DIDN'T use the word jerk."
"Ouch," she said.
Bosco just shrugged. "If that's the way they see me, fine..."
"Bos," she began, but then stopped abruptly as something outside the car caught her eye. She turned and focused on it for a moment and then quickly got out of the RMP.
Bosco had to jog to catch up with her as she marched towards one of the seedier drinking establishments on their beat.
"What's up?" he asked. She didn't answer and never slowed her pace until she was inside. One quick look at the bar's clientele gave Bosco his answer.
"Mom?!"
"Mom?!" exclaimed the gangly unkempt young man in Emily's company. "Your mom's a cop?"
A look from Faith silenced him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Faith loudly demanded. The youth and the two other girls he was with cowered. "You should be at home, studyin'!"
"Studyin'? You told me she was legal!" the barman snarled at the youth.
Bosco turned his attentions to the man. "You should know better, Gill, a man of your years and experience," he said, beginning a casual sweep of the rest of the patrons. "So lets see who else you've got here."
As Bosco did the rounds he listened to Faith chewing Emily out. Emily managed to hold her own for a while but was no match for a Faith in full battle dress. After ten minutes Emily waved the white flag, albeit under duress.
"Your partner's one scary dame," Gill muttered as Bosco leant back on the bar to watch, knowing better than to interfere.
"Ain't she though?" Bosco responded with admiration, never once taking his eyes off Faith.
In exasperation Emily suddenly turned to where he stood and implored: "Tell her she's being unreasonable Uncle Bosco!"
"'Uncle' Bosco?" Gill drawled.
"You have a problem with that Gillard?" Bosco inquired, pushing himself away from the bar.
"You gonna try and tell me I'm bein' unreasonable Bosco?" Faith demanded as he approached.
"What do I look like, a man with a death wish?" He turned to Emily. "Here's how it goes, Em. Normally things are bad when people dressed like us find people your age dressed like hookers hangin' out in places like this. In your case you're in twice the crap 'cos the nice lady in uniform here also happens to be your mom." He made an expansive gesture with his hands. "What were you thinking Em? Going to a bar on your mom's precinct? How dumb is that?"
Emily glared at him poisonously.
"Out!" Faith ordered.
Emily pouted and turned to her companions.
"Now! Or I start shootin' your friends!"
Bosco turned to the trio behind Em. "She means it too."
Emily about-faced and flounced to the door, Faith hot on her tail. Bosco trailed behind them, shaking his head. He had a feeling the shift was just about to get ugly.
------
TBC - stick around.