TITLE: THE ONE CONSTANT
AUTHOR: MINN
DISCLAIMER: I STILL 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. And so are the actors who portray the characters!
I'M STILL foreign, so cut me some slack if I use a phrase or two that don't make no sense.
GREETINGS and huge thanx to Angie (Cheers as always! Ah, Bosco, poor Bosco...), Helena (Peace, happiness and warm fuzzies - what more could you ask for?), Juls (*gasps in horror* no review! What have I done???!), DreamLoveBreathe, Winterwolf (*takes a bow*), Lifesaver55 (*takes another bow* sorry babe, hurry wasn't in the dictionary this time...), Kate Anderson (Bosco and Gracie *shakes head* are they cute or what? Hoy, no blowing up!), Ljae, Deliani, Meeko, mauriceboscorelli (hope you don't suffer from motion sickeness, cos this roller coaster just keeps on goin'...), AnnaDelAmico (One day we'll meet again! My puty doesn't seem to like the 3rdwatch site - wants to misbehave...yeah, Bos/Faith banter. Gotta do more of that.), Lauren Metal (I never get tired of hearing you tell me "this is my favourite part yet!" Don't worry if this one ain't - I know you'll forgive me!), Jazz (*watches Jazz jumping around* I dunno. I think you've had enough...maybe I should stop writing, give you a chance to calm down a bit...), phpa, Nyna Boscorelli, Maartje ("Wow" is a perfectly sound and much appreciated comment to make, babe!) Norla, Junglegirl, and jimmyschick (Welcome! And thank ya precious!) for taking the time to review so kindly - please forgive me if I've missed anyone. And to everyone else who's enjoying this as much as I am writing it - Cheers!!
----
THE ONE CONSTANT
PART 24
Isabelle watched him as he stood in the middle of the room and gazed around the light and airy apartment. Every once in a while his attention would leave his surroundings to concentrate for a moment upon the little girl he held in his arms.
"What do think Gracie?" he asked her softly.
His daughter stared back at him quizzically.
"You sure that's all they're asking for it?" Bosco inquired of Isabelle, who stood near the doorway behind them.
"That's all," she smiled. "I said I'd find them a good tenant, and, happily, the landlord trusts me implicitly."
"Faith warned me you were some kinda miracle worker," Bosco grinned. "I'll take it."
Isabelle beamed at him. "Leave it with me, Maurice," she said with a twinkle in her eye, listening with a growing sense of affection as Bosco chatted quietly to his daughter.
"How d'ya like daddy's new place, beautiful?" he asked her. Once more Gracie gazed up at him with a look of wide-eyed amazement. "What? Don't you like it?"
She stared at him, seemingly undecided.
"I'm gonna be just down the hall from you and your mom - if you're good I might let you hang out here occasionally."
Gracie cooed and beamed at him.
"I think Her Majesty approves," Isabelle murmured.
A wide smile of delight brightened Bosco's expression. Bringing his face close to Gracie's, he said quietly: "You're gorgeous, you know that?"
In response, Gracie grabbed his nose. Bosco grinned.
"You got me Gracie. Now what? You gonna read me my rights?"
Gracie turned her inquisitive gaze in Isabelle's direction as if looking for a translation. Isabelle couldn't help smiling.
Isabelle watched as Bosco took another turn around the apartment, nodding with approval and commenting to his daughter how lucky it was to find a place so close.
"Though I think maybe your mom would prefer it if I as a little further away," Isabelle heard him murmur. She frowned and moved towards him.
"Maurice, I don't think Faith intended what she said this morning to sound quite so...unkind," she said quietly as she approached him.
Bosco let his eyes drift to Gracie as the incident replayed in his mind.
He had expressed a wish to take their daughter out and about with him that day. Faith had looked at him as if he had suggested he was going to kidnap Gracie. He had challenged her on the look.
"Say you spot something going down - I know you, Bosco. You'll wanna do something about it, but I need you to think of Gracie first."
He stared at her, appalled. "What are you sayin' Faith? You think I'd just drop Gracie on the ground and go after a perp? That I'd put a collar before my own daughter? Jesus Faith..."
He could feel the anger rise within him now as it had this morning.
"You think I would actually DO that?"
Faith had refused to meet his eyes.
Speechless and all too aware of the hurt and frustration gnawing at him, Bosco had left the apartment. Faith's apology, on his eventual return, had been typically half-assed.
"It doesn't say much for her opinion of me does it Isabelle?" he grumbled.
"Maurice," Isabelle said comfortingly. "You've got to understand - Gracie is the centre of Faith's world and has been from the moment she was born, more so since Fred passed away. They've barely been apart, right up until Faith started work again."
"She's happy to leave Gracie with you though isn't she?"
"Well, I have child rearing experience - you don't," Isabelle said gently. "And it's barely been a couple of weeks since you found out Gracie even existed."
"I'm her father..." he muttered.
"...the man Faith has primarily experienced as a work partner, one who has shown an apparent tendency for acting first and considering the consequences later. One who, to Faith's knowledge, has no previous child rearing experience."
"So you're on her side?" Bosco glowered.
"It's not a matter of taking sides, Maurice. I am just trying to enlighten you as to the source of Faith's concerns." Isabelle paused and watched him cuddle Gracie closer. "Which is not to say I was impressed with Faith's attitude...it's just, from what I know of your situation, it's kind of understandable."
'You're useless!' Bosco heard his mother snarl spitefully. 'My son, the big fat hero...'
"I should be used to it," he conceded after a while. "It's not as if Faith's the only one who treats me like I'm some kinda idiot. I've spent a lifetime trying to prove other people wrong."
Isabelle smiled sympathetically. "Unfortunately, when you try so hard to prove others wrong, most of the time you just end up doing the very things that prove them right. Because on some level, part of you believes them."
Bosco stared at her. He wanted desperately to argue the point, but something small and traitorous within him was nodding its head in vigorous agreement.
"So how do I stop doing that?" Bosco murmured, not so much to Isabelle as to himself.
"You've taken the first steps by accepting the help you've been offered."
"Therapy you mean?"
Isabelle nodded. "It's a start. You can only go forward when you finally begin to realise you're not as all right as you would like to imagine you are, or would like to convince the world you are."
"So I'm the problem," he murmured sourly. "That's why my parents did what they did - because I'm the problem."
"That's what all people who have lived through abuse think, Maurice. But it's not true. Your parents problems ran so much deeper - you just happened to be in the firing line."
Isabelle watched as Bosco stared at Gracie.
"She deserves better than what happened to you, Maurice. But only you have the power to make sure history never repeats."
His eyes shot her way. "I'd never hurt them," he said sharply.
"You would never intend to, I know," Isabelle replied softly. "But stress and anger and fear - they do strange things to people."
Bosco stared into Isabelle's eyes. There was just something about the look he found there that was all too familiar.
"You've been there too," he murmured quietly.
Isabelle nodded gently. "I know just how hard those scars are to heal, Maurice. But I also know what kind of price you'll pay if you don't get serious about healing them."
He looked again at Gracie, who regarded him with such trusting innocence. A strong sense of resolve stirred within him.
"It's a huge thing to be responsible for another life, sometimes overwhelming," Isabelle said softly. "Give Faith time, Maurice. She has spent most of the last year assuming the father of her child had gone bad, become everything she ever feared you would become."
A vague look of hurt crossed Bosco's face.
"I don't doubt that's tough to hear," Isabelle said. "You think that indicates a low opinion of you. Well, maybe it does. But that can change, and it's within your power to be the cause of that change."
"Faith always treated me like I was one of her kids - the naughty one," Bosco reflected quietly.
"And you never behaved in any manner that would encourage such an opinion?"
Bosco watched Isabelle carefully and then shrugged. "Probably," he muttered sourly. "I feel like I have to prove myself to her."
"You do," Isabelle replied matter-of-factly. "Look Maurice, to Faith you're an unknown quantity in the committed relationship department - all she's ever seen you do is lurch from one physical relationship to another. Even her involvement with you she freely admits was mainly a physical one."
"Mainly?" he said, a spark of hope gleaming in his eyes.
Isabelle smiled. "I think Faith may well be fonder of you than she's comfortable in letting on right now. But her doubts are casting a big shadow over that at the moment. You would have to admit, Maurice - you have your troubles."
Bosco's eyes travelled straight to the floor.
"Faith's had it rough," Isabelle said gently. "She wants guarantees but she knows there are none and she's scared as hell about what the future is going to bring. You two have to get to know each other in a whole new context, and let me tell you, that has it's challenges under the best of conditions, let alone in the kind of situation you both find yourselves in."
"I have no idea how to be what Faith needs me to be," he murmured softly. "I'm not even sure I know what that is."
"Ah, the age old question - what do women want?" Isabelle's eyes were twinkling with good humour. "How would you like an interfering old crone to give you some tips from the feminine perspective every once in a while?"
Bosco let a quiet smile play across his lips. "I think I need all the help I can get," he replied.
Isabelle regarded him quietly for some moments. "Do you love her? Faith, I mean."
He nodded and let his eyes travel to Gracie. "Have done for years," he admitted softly.
Isabelle seemed surprised. "Does Faith know?"
Bosco shrugged. "I think she thinks I'm just in it for the sex."
"Which you are..."
He grinned. "We've got great chemistry there..."
"I know, I've heard," Isabelle said with a cheeky grin.
"Oh god..." Bosco murmured.
"Don't be embarrassed - it's nice to see Faith come to breakfast smiling for a change. God knows she was a miserable wench before you came back."
He laughed and Gracie chuckled. He regarded Isabelle fondly.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"For what?"
"For keeping them both safe for me."
Isabelle smiled and reached out to stroke Gracie's cheek. "You are more than welcome, Maurice."
---
He was waiting up for her when Faith arrived home after her shift.
The minute she entered the apartment he turned off the television and sat watching her expectantly. To Faith he seemed open and friendly, even glad to see her, which surprised her somewhat. She had been prepared to arrive home and find him gone, or worse, sulking.
It was Fred who used to sulk for days, a little voice in her head said softly. He's not Fred...
"Hey," said Bosco tentatively.
"Hey," she responded, lingering hesitantly by the door. "Everything OK?"
"Gracie kicked up a bit about going to sleep, but she's fine," he reported. Good shift?"
Faith shrugged, slowly making her way over to where he sat. "The usual, pretty much. There's a new rookie on the squad and he's a royal pain in the ass."
"They had you baby-sitting?" Bosco asked, watching as she settled herself next to him.
"No, they had Harris looking after him," Faith murmured, searching his face for any sign of antagonism. "All the time I've known Ken, I've never heard him swear like he did today. I didn't think he even knew those kinda words."
"Never knew Powderpuff had it in him," Bosco smirked. "This new guy must be a real piece of work."
Faith held her tongue. She didn't imagine comparing the newbie to Bosco would do anything to mend the fences between them.
"How'd your day go?" she inquired lightly.
"Great - that apartment Isabelle was gonna take me to see? It's in the building here."
"You're kidding?" Faith said, amazed.
"End of the hall," he murmured. "Is that OK?"
Faith stared at him quizzically. "Of course it is. Couldn't be better."
She seemed genuine, Bosco thought as he watched her carefully for any sign of disquiet. "It's just, after this morning..."
Faith watched him shrug and saw his eyes dart to the floor. A huge wave of guilt broke over her. "Bos, I'm sorry...about what I said this morning."
He eyed her suspiciously. "It hurt, Faith. I mean, I know you're only looking out for Gracie, but...you seriously think I'd do something that dumb?"
Faith's face became a picture of contrition. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just...we've worked together so long, and that's how you approach everything you do, you just react..."
She stopped, aware of the intense look of hurt that began to cloud his face.
"Would it kill you to start giving me a bit of credit Faith? Please?" he asked softly. There was no anger in his tone, just disappointment, even sadness. "You gotta know I'd never do anything intentionally to hurt you or Gracie."
Faith gazed at him a moment, and nodded. "This isn't easy for me, Bos."
"It's not exactly a walk in the park for me, either. I wanna be something I have no idea how to be, and I keep hearin' you tellin' me I'm useless."
"I don't think you're useless, Bosco."
"But you don't exactly respect me either," he retorted. "I feel like you're keeping me at arms length 'cos you're sure sooner or later I'm gonna screw up. Well you're not exactly perfect yourself, Faith."
Faith looked away. "I never said I was," she murmured.
"You act like you think you're better than me Faith. You always have."
She turned and stared at him. The expression of hurt on his face was heartbreaking and the moment of awkward silence between them dragged interminably.
"So where'd you go today, you and Gracie?"
Bosco was both thrown by and grateful for the rapid change of subject. "Went to see O'malley."
Faith gazed at him steadily. "You took our daughter to your therapy session?"
Bosco tried to cover the smirk that suddenly played across his lips. "With us for parents, I didn't think it would hurt to get Gracie used to it early."
It was Faith's turn to try and hide a small smile. "Does O'malley do couples counselling?"
Bosco laughed. "Oh man, I doubt it. But bein' as it's us he might make an exception."
A broader grin brightened Faith's expression. "What did O'malley do when you walked in with a baby and a diaper bag?"
"Oh my god - the look on his face..." Bosco grinned. "And thank you, by the way."
"For what?"
"For buyin' a diaper bag a guy wouldn't be totally embarrassed to carry around with him."
Faith smirked and drew closer to him. "Actually, that old one's just about had it. I was gonna buy a really cute pink one with little white fluffy ducks on it..."
"Fluffy ducks don't go with the leather jacket, Faith," Bosco protested, taking her in his arms. "I've got an image to protect, remember?"
Faith giggled. "Sure you do, honey," she teased. Her giggling intensified.
"What?" he demanded.
"I'm just picturing you walkin' through the precinct wearin' a pink bag with ducks on it..." She dissolved into laughter.
"You're gonna wake the baby," he scolded her, slapping her on the rump.
"You wanna try that again short-ass?" she grinned, pinning him against the back of the couch.
"You gonna cuff me officer?" he smirked.
Faith smiled cheekily then watched him a while. He returned her gaze with a soft look of fondness in his eyes, and let his hand wander lazily over her body.
"Bos," Faith said gently. "I really am sorry about this morning."
Bosco gazed back at her and then shrugged. "We gotta long way to go," he murmured.
Faith stared at her partner a moment, then leaning forward tenderly pressed her lips to his.
"Maybe not so far," she murmured softly.
----
TBC - er, don't hold your breath for the next one to pop up quickly, guys...sorry...
AUTHOR: MINN
DISCLAIMER: I STILL 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. And so are the actors who portray the characters!
I'M STILL foreign, so cut me some slack if I use a phrase or two that don't make no sense.
GREETINGS and huge thanx to Angie (Cheers as always! Ah, Bosco, poor Bosco...), Helena (Peace, happiness and warm fuzzies - what more could you ask for?), Juls (*gasps in horror* no review! What have I done???!), DreamLoveBreathe, Winterwolf (*takes a bow*), Lifesaver55 (*takes another bow* sorry babe, hurry wasn't in the dictionary this time...), Kate Anderson (Bosco and Gracie *shakes head* are they cute or what? Hoy, no blowing up!), Ljae, Deliani, Meeko, mauriceboscorelli (hope you don't suffer from motion sickeness, cos this roller coaster just keeps on goin'...), AnnaDelAmico (One day we'll meet again! My puty doesn't seem to like the 3rdwatch site - wants to misbehave...yeah, Bos/Faith banter. Gotta do more of that.), Lauren Metal (I never get tired of hearing you tell me "this is my favourite part yet!" Don't worry if this one ain't - I know you'll forgive me!), Jazz (*watches Jazz jumping around* I dunno. I think you've had enough...maybe I should stop writing, give you a chance to calm down a bit...), phpa, Nyna Boscorelli, Maartje ("Wow" is a perfectly sound and much appreciated comment to make, babe!) Norla, Junglegirl, and jimmyschick (Welcome! And thank ya precious!) for taking the time to review so kindly - please forgive me if I've missed anyone. And to everyone else who's enjoying this as much as I am writing it - Cheers!!
----
THE ONE CONSTANT
PART 24
Isabelle watched him as he stood in the middle of the room and gazed around the light and airy apartment. Every once in a while his attention would leave his surroundings to concentrate for a moment upon the little girl he held in his arms.
"What do think Gracie?" he asked her softly.
His daughter stared back at him quizzically.
"You sure that's all they're asking for it?" Bosco inquired of Isabelle, who stood near the doorway behind them.
"That's all," she smiled. "I said I'd find them a good tenant, and, happily, the landlord trusts me implicitly."
"Faith warned me you were some kinda miracle worker," Bosco grinned. "I'll take it."
Isabelle beamed at him. "Leave it with me, Maurice," she said with a twinkle in her eye, listening with a growing sense of affection as Bosco chatted quietly to his daughter.
"How d'ya like daddy's new place, beautiful?" he asked her. Once more Gracie gazed up at him with a look of wide-eyed amazement. "What? Don't you like it?"
She stared at him, seemingly undecided.
"I'm gonna be just down the hall from you and your mom - if you're good I might let you hang out here occasionally."
Gracie cooed and beamed at him.
"I think Her Majesty approves," Isabelle murmured.
A wide smile of delight brightened Bosco's expression. Bringing his face close to Gracie's, he said quietly: "You're gorgeous, you know that?"
In response, Gracie grabbed his nose. Bosco grinned.
"You got me Gracie. Now what? You gonna read me my rights?"
Gracie turned her inquisitive gaze in Isabelle's direction as if looking for a translation. Isabelle couldn't help smiling.
Isabelle watched as Bosco took another turn around the apartment, nodding with approval and commenting to his daughter how lucky it was to find a place so close.
"Though I think maybe your mom would prefer it if I as a little further away," Isabelle heard him murmur. She frowned and moved towards him.
"Maurice, I don't think Faith intended what she said this morning to sound quite so...unkind," she said quietly as she approached him.
Bosco let his eyes drift to Gracie as the incident replayed in his mind.
He had expressed a wish to take their daughter out and about with him that day. Faith had looked at him as if he had suggested he was going to kidnap Gracie. He had challenged her on the look.
"Say you spot something going down - I know you, Bosco. You'll wanna do something about it, but I need you to think of Gracie first."
He stared at her, appalled. "What are you sayin' Faith? You think I'd just drop Gracie on the ground and go after a perp? That I'd put a collar before my own daughter? Jesus Faith..."
He could feel the anger rise within him now as it had this morning.
"You think I would actually DO that?"
Faith had refused to meet his eyes.
Speechless and all too aware of the hurt and frustration gnawing at him, Bosco had left the apartment. Faith's apology, on his eventual return, had been typically half-assed.
"It doesn't say much for her opinion of me does it Isabelle?" he grumbled.
"Maurice," Isabelle said comfortingly. "You've got to understand - Gracie is the centre of Faith's world and has been from the moment she was born, more so since Fred passed away. They've barely been apart, right up until Faith started work again."
"She's happy to leave Gracie with you though isn't she?"
"Well, I have child rearing experience - you don't," Isabelle said gently. "And it's barely been a couple of weeks since you found out Gracie even existed."
"I'm her father..." he muttered.
"...the man Faith has primarily experienced as a work partner, one who has shown an apparent tendency for acting first and considering the consequences later. One who, to Faith's knowledge, has no previous child rearing experience."
"So you're on her side?" Bosco glowered.
"It's not a matter of taking sides, Maurice. I am just trying to enlighten you as to the source of Faith's concerns." Isabelle paused and watched him cuddle Gracie closer. "Which is not to say I was impressed with Faith's attitude...it's just, from what I know of your situation, it's kind of understandable."
'You're useless!' Bosco heard his mother snarl spitefully. 'My son, the big fat hero...'
"I should be used to it," he conceded after a while. "It's not as if Faith's the only one who treats me like I'm some kinda idiot. I've spent a lifetime trying to prove other people wrong."
Isabelle smiled sympathetically. "Unfortunately, when you try so hard to prove others wrong, most of the time you just end up doing the very things that prove them right. Because on some level, part of you believes them."
Bosco stared at her. He wanted desperately to argue the point, but something small and traitorous within him was nodding its head in vigorous agreement.
"So how do I stop doing that?" Bosco murmured, not so much to Isabelle as to himself.
"You've taken the first steps by accepting the help you've been offered."
"Therapy you mean?"
Isabelle nodded. "It's a start. You can only go forward when you finally begin to realise you're not as all right as you would like to imagine you are, or would like to convince the world you are."
"So I'm the problem," he murmured sourly. "That's why my parents did what they did - because I'm the problem."
"That's what all people who have lived through abuse think, Maurice. But it's not true. Your parents problems ran so much deeper - you just happened to be in the firing line."
Isabelle watched as Bosco stared at Gracie.
"She deserves better than what happened to you, Maurice. But only you have the power to make sure history never repeats."
His eyes shot her way. "I'd never hurt them," he said sharply.
"You would never intend to, I know," Isabelle replied softly. "But stress and anger and fear - they do strange things to people."
Bosco stared into Isabelle's eyes. There was just something about the look he found there that was all too familiar.
"You've been there too," he murmured quietly.
Isabelle nodded gently. "I know just how hard those scars are to heal, Maurice. But I also know what kind of price you'll pay if you don't get serious about healing them."
He looked again at Gracie, who regarded him with such trusting innocence. A strong sense of resolve stirred within him.
"It's a huge thing to be responsible for another life, sometimes overwhelming," Isabelle said softly. "Give Faith time, Maurice. She has spent most of the last year assuming the father of her child had gone bad, become everything she ever feared you would become."
A vague look of hurt crossed Bosco's face.
"I don't doubt that's tough to hear," Isabelle said. "You think that indicates a low opinion of you. Well, maybe it does. But that can change, and it's within your power to be the cause of that change."
"Faith always treated me like I was one of her kids - the naughty one," Bosco reflected quietly.
"And you never behaved in any manner that would encourage such an opinion?"
Bosco watched Isabelle carefully and then shrugged. "Probably," he muttered sourly. "I feel like I have to prove myself to her."
"You do," Isabelle replied matter-of-factly. "Look Maurice, to Faith you're an unknown quantity in the committed relationship department - all she's ever seen you do is lurch from one physical relationship to another. Even her involvement with you she freely admits was mainly a physical one."
"Mainly?" he said, a spark of hope gleaming in his eyes.
Isabelle smiled. "I think Faith may well be fonder of you than she's comfortable in letting on right now. But her doubts are casting a big shadow over that at the moment. You would have to admit, Maurice - you have your troubles."
Bosco's eyes travelled straight to the floor.
"Faith's had it rough," Isabelle said gently. "She wants guarantees but she knows there are none and she's scared as hell about what the future is going to bring. You two have to get to know each other in a whole new context, and let me tell you, that has it's challenges under the best of conditions, let alone in the kind of situation you both find yourselves in."
"I have no idea how to be what Faith needs me to be," he murmured softly. "I'm not even sure I know what that is."
"Ah, the age old question - what do women want?" Isabelle's eyes were twinkling with good humour. "How would you like an interfering old crone to give you some tips from the feminine perspective every once in a while?"
Bosco let a quiet smile play across his lips. "I think I need all the help I can get," he replied.
Isabelle regarded him quietly for some moments. "Do you love her? Faith, I mean."
He nodded and let his eyes travel to Gracie. "Have done for years," he admitted softly.
Isabelle seemed surprised. "Does Faith know?"
Bosco shrugged. "I think she thinks I'm just in it for the sex."
"Which you are..."
He grinned. "We've got great chemistry there..."
"I know, I've heard," Isabelle said with a cheeky grin.
"Oh god..." Bosco murmured.
"Don't be embarrassed - it's nice to see Faith come to breakfast smiling for a change. God knows she was a miserable wench before you came back."
He laughed and Gracie chuckled. He regarded Isabelle fondly.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"For what?"
"For keeping them both safe for me."
Isabelle smiled and reached out to stroke Gracie's cheek. "You are more than welcome, Maurice."
---
He was waiting up for her when Faith arrived home after her shift.
The minute she entered the apartment he turned off the television and sat watching her expectantly. To Faith he seemed open and friendly, even glad to see her, which surprised her somewhat. She had been prepared to arrive home and find him gone, or worse, sulking.
It was Fred who used to sulk for days, a little voice in her head said softly. He's not Fred...
"Hey," said Bosco tentatively.
"Hey," she responded, lingering hesitantly by the door. "Everything OK?"
"Gracie kicked up a bit about going to sleep, but she's fine," he reported. Good shift?"
Faith shrugged, slowly making her way over to where he sat. "The usual, pretty much. There's a new rookie on the squad and he's a royal pain in the ass."
"They had you baby-sitting?" Bosco asked, watching as she settled herself next to him.
"No, they had Harris looking after him," Faith murmured, searching his face for any sign of antagonism. "All the time I've known Ken, I've never heard him swear like he did today. I didn't think he even knew those kinda words."
"Never knew Powderpuff had it in him," Bosco smirked. "This new guy must be a real piece of work."
Faith held her tongue. She didn't imagine comparing the newbie to Bosco would do anything to mend the fences between them.
"How'd your day go?" she inquired lightly.
"Great - that apartment Isabelle was gonna take me to see? It's in the building here."
"You're kidding?" Faith said, amazed.
"End of the hall," he murmured. "Is that OK?"
Faith stared at him quizzically. "Of course it is. Couldn't be better."
She seemed genuine, Bosco thought as he watched her carefully for any sign of disquiet. "It's just, after this morning..."
Faith watched him shrug and saw his eyes dart to the floor. A huge wave of guilt broke over her. "Bos, I'm sorry...about what I said this morning."
He eyed her suspiciously. "It hurt, Faith. I mean, I know you're only looking out for Gracie, but...you seriously think I'd do something that dumb?"
Faith's face became a picture of contrition. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just...we've worked together so long, and that's how you approach everything you do, you just react..."
She stopped, aware of the intense look of hurt that began to cloud his face.
"Would it kill you to start giving me a bit of credit Faith? Please?" he asked softly. There was no anger in his tone, just disappointment, even sadness. "You gotta know I'd never do anything intentionally to hurt you or Gracie."
Faith gazed at him a moment, and nodded. "This isn't easy for me, Bos."
"It's not exactly a walk in the park for me, either. I wanna be something I have no idea how to be, and I keep hearin' you tellin' me I'm useless."
"I don't think you're useless, Bosco."
"But you don't exactly respect me either," he retorted. "I feel like you're keeping me at arms length 'cos you're sure sooner or later I'm gonna screw up. Well you're not exactly perfect yourself, Faith."
Faith looked away. "I never said I was," she murmured.
"You act like you think you're better than me Faith. You always have."
She turned and stared at him. The expression of hurt on his face was heartbreaking and the moment of awkward silence between them dragged interminably.
"So where'd you go today, you and Gracie?"
Bosco was both thrown by and grateful for the rapid change of subject. "Went to see O'malley."
Faith gazed at him steadily. "You took our daughter to your therapy session?"
Bosco tried to cover the smirk that suddenly played across his lips. "With us for parents, I didn't think it would hurt to get Gracie used to it early."
It was Faith's turn to try and hide a small smile. "Does O'malley do couples counselling?"
Bosco laughed. "Oh man, I doubt it. But bein' as it's us he might make an exception."
A broader grin brightened Faith's expression. "What did O'malley do when you walked in with a baby and a diaper bag?"
"Oh my god - the look on his face..." Bosco grinned. "And thank you, by the way."
"For what?"
"For buyin' a diaper bag a guy wouldn't be totally embarrassed to carry around with him."
Faith smirked and drew closer to him. "Actually, that old one's just about had it. I was gonna buy a really cute pink one with little white fluffy ducks on it..."
"Fluffy ducks don't go with the leather jacket, Faith," Bosco protested, taking her in his arms. "I've got an image to protect, remember?"
Faith giggled. "Sure you do, honey," she teased. Her giggling intensified.
"What?" he demanded.
"I'm just picturing you walkin' through the precinct wearin' a pink bag with ducks on it..." She dissolved into laughter.
"You're gonna wake the baby," he scolded her, slapping her on the rump.
"You wanna try that again short-ass?" she grinned, pinning him against the back of the couch.
"You gonna cuff me officer?" he smirked.
Faith smiled cheekily then watched him a while. He returned her gaze with a soft look of fondness in his eyes, and let his hand wander lazily over her body.
"Bos," Faith said gently. "I really am sorry about this morning."
Bosco gazed back at her and then shrugged. "We gotta long way to go," he murmured.
Faith stared at her partner a moment, then leaning forward tenderly pressed her lips to his.
"Maybe not so far," she murmured softly.
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TBC - er, don't hold your breath for the next one to pop up quickly, guys...sorry...