Thanks to everyone that didn't hold a grudge when I didn't update for an eternity ;) You guys are awesome, and I can only hope that I can supply you with writing that justifies your support.

Thanks so much!

~Joey~

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

-A Fine Balance-

Chapter 9

Bosco was struggling to maintain a semi-normal breathing pattern as he made his way to the vehicle. His mind had succeeded in forming a barrier that served to block out the pain that each and every movement instigated, but he subconsciously knew that his body was quickly faltering and he prayed that he could make it to Faith's truck without falling flat on his face.

Faith found herself breaking into a slight jog every few steps as she tried to keep up with Bosco, who was covering a substantial amount of ground despite his laborious actions. She noticed his pace gradually slowing as he got closer to his target, which afforded her the opportunity to catch up and open his door, avoiding the struggle that would undoubtedly be enormously frustrating to watch had he tried to do it unassisted.

As Faith methodically latched her seatbelt and turned the key in the ignition, she caught something disturbing in the corner of her eye. She turned her head slightly towards Bosco to see that his hand was gripping the door handle with one hand; his eyes clenched shut, as if trying desperately to block out a deafening noise.

"I don't know" Bosco started, shaky at first but slightly more stable after a short intermission, "I don't know if I can should do this."

Faith shook her head instantly, confused and feeling mislead by the statement.

"Well, we don't have to go, Bos. It's just I mean, it's your mom and I thought that you I thought you wanted to be there."

There was no response from the passenger; he just remained frozen and rigid, holding his ground in a cloud of uncertainty.

"If I get there, what am I going to do?"

Faith wasn't sure if his question was rhetorical in nature, or if he really expected her to come up with an answer. Surely he realized the severity of the situation, but his sudden change in demeanor had thrown her. And what was he implying with the 'if'? Was he planning on bailing halfway there?

Bosco wasn't actually listening or anticipating a response, and was unsure whether or not Faith had attempted to answer his question.

"You know, as well as I do" Bosco swallowed, barely able to finish his sentence due to the sudden overwhelming emotion that had run away with any shred of composure he had previously possessed, "that these things never work out."

She couldn't argue with that, but she also could not remember a single time in the ten years she and Bosco had been paired, when he took the time the analyze the statistics of a situation. As a result, often his ignorance granted him the ability to beat the odds. Why, now, was he being analytical and tentative? Now, when it really mattered - when she needed him to be himself.

"That's not true, Bos. They'll get her out of there. She'll be"

"Alive?" Bosco interrupted her. "They'll get her out, but will she be alive?" his eyes shot open and he glared hard at his partner. "I can't watch them carry my mother out unless she's alive."

Faith felt her eyes start to water. Bosco had a tendency to be gullible at times, but she could not sit across from him and guarantee that he would talk to his mother again, and it was killing her - it was killing him.

"Go."

Faith jumped slightly at the demand. Bosco had turned his face away from her and was staring straight ahead out the window. His face was cold and emotionless, as if he had suddenly managed to block all personal feelings and just go through the motions, similar to the day of the accident.

Faith responded to him the only way she figured she could, she shifted the car into drive and headed towards Rose's.

*********************

"MY SON!"

Sully shook his head. This lunatic just expected everyone to know what the hell, or more importantly, who the hell he was talking about. Sully glanced over his shoulder towards Davis, as if to share a mental laugh about the mental case they were trying to stall.

Davis shrugged his shoulders at Sully's 'is this guy crazy, or what?' look.

Just as Sully was about to turn around, Davis' eyes widened as if he had just experienced an epiphany.

"The kid!" Davis whispered, his face still bright with his newfound realization.

"What kid?" Sully shot back, confusion slowly churning into more frustration for the older cop. "Davis?!" Sully harshly whispered again, after Ty didn't immediately answer his question.

"The kid. You know, from the accident."

Before Sully could even begin to formulate a response to Davis' revelation, sirens pierced through the tense, still air.

"I TOLD YOU!" The man screamed out at the announcement of the arrival of backup. Davis, Sully and the third officer barely had time to jerk backwards before the frightened man began firing again. The three bolted to the exit to the soundtrack of repetitive bullets missing their intended target.

"What the hell kind of farce are we a part of?!" Sully screamed, pressed against the outer wall of the building, trying vehemently to catch his breathe and steady his weapon.

The new officers on the scene were crouching behind the RMP in which they had arrived, guns drawn in anticipation, though no clear shot of the man could be visualized from anyone's point of view.

The younger officer that Sully had instructed to call for help, was also pinning himself against the exterior of the bar, his hands shaking from sheer panic.

"Didn't you tell them about the situation?!" Sully spat at the shaken cop. "I thought you were going to have them send ESU?!"

"I just requested backup I thought that was the right thing to do." came the unsure reply.

Sully and Davis both sighed in annoyance. Davis couldn't help but wonder what the hell they were teaching kids at the Academy these days, then mentally laughed at himself for sounding so much like Sully. Now they were all trapped and there was no communication with the guy.

'This is going to get ugly,' he thought to himself.

*********************

Faith slowed as she rounded the corner, spotting two RMPs from a distance.

"Stop here," Bosco said quietly, but steadily.

Faith obeyed, not wanting to get too close in case the place wasn't already secured.

Bosco swung his door open, and very carefully allowed his body to lower until his feet softly connected with the ground below. Despite the delicacy of his movement, he gasped when he made contact - reminding him that certain degrees of pain couldn't always be ignored.

He quickly found the inner strength to recover, not even bothering to grab his crutches before he awkwardly limped to the front of the truck, trying to assess the situation occurring a couple hundred feet in front of him.

"Do you want me to call in and see what's" Faith's voice trailed off when she caught the sound of approaching sirens.

Both officers turned to see the speeding RMP race by them and slam to a halt in the back parking lot beside the other two RMPs. As the wheels finished there final rotation before coming to a complete stop, the stinging sound of gunfire permeated the surrounding air.

Faith raised a hand to her mouth, unsure of who was shooting at what, but ultimately fearing the worst. As the fifth and final shot was fired, Faith spun on her heel to face Bosco, whose posture would suggest he was at the receiving end of every single one of those bullets. She shuddered at the sight of her partner. His face was white in complexion and his eyes were fixed, dark and cold. It appeared as though he had shut down, no longer feeling or functioning.

Bosco could literally feel his heart stop as the sound of bullets reached his ears. His breath was quickly stolen, as if someone had repetitively punched him in the stomach, allowing no time for recovery between the violent blows.

Once the gunfire had ceased, he found himself unable to breathe, every passing second causing the panic to mount until he felt lightheaded from the lack of oxygen. He could hear his name being spoken from a distance, but couldn't respond in any way.

He could feel a hand on his shoulder, but the sensation was distant, like he was dreaming. He wanted to push it away. He wanted it all to go away. He wanted to scream. He wanted to cry. But most of all, he wanted to breathe.

TBC.