"Perfect, we should make it just in time," Bosco said breaking the silence when an information sign caught his attention.
"In time for what?" Faith grumbled sleepily. She must have dozed off sometime between New York and - where the hell were they?
"We're gonna see the Liberty Bell," Bosco stated changing lanes and exiting the interstate.
"What? The Liberty Bell? I didn't take ya for a history buff," Faith said shifting in her seat in an effort to wake up.
"There's a lotta stuff you don't know about me. I'm not just a pretty face, ya know," Bosco said smirking. That earned him a full burst of laughter. The first in God new how many months. Part one of mission accomplished he thought as he pasted on a fake offended scowl.
He followed the signs that lead him to a parking garage under the visitor's center and quickly found a parking spot. Jumping out, he went around the back of the car opening the trunk.
"Hey, Faith? You bring your gun? I don't think they'll let us in this place with 'em," Bosco called as he took his gun out from under his jacket. He pulled out a case then locked it inside. He felt naked without his gun, but if he was gonna touch the Liberty Bell, he had to leave it behind. He pulled out the crutches and walked around to her door.
"No, Bos. I don't have an unnatural attachment to my gun the way you do. Anyway, I couldn't reach it up in the back of the closet," Faith said taking the crutches from him and standing.
"I don't have an unnatural attachment to my gun," Bosco mumbled locking and closing her door then following her to the elevator.
"Oh, please. How long did ya stand there starin' at it in the case before you closed the trunk?"
"Ya know, you coulda stayed in the car."
"And put up with ya poutin' all the way to where ever it is we're goin'? I don't think so," Faith said as the doors opened to reveal the interior of the visitor's center.
"Would ya look at this place? I'll get us a map. Looks like we're in time for the last tour for today of Liberty Hall too. I'll get the tickets," Bosco said crossing from the elevator to a rack displaying maps and attractions around Philadelphia then over to the ticket desk.
Faith watched as Bosco all but scampered across the room. He was such a kid sometimes. She was stiff from the ride and therefore only made it half the distance before Bosco came charging back in her direction. She fought a grin as she took in the way he was struggling with the map. She also had to fight to remember she was still mad at him.
"Looks like if we go out those doors over there and go two blocks south we'll get to Independence Hall then we'll walk back to see the Liberty Bell and back here to the car," Bosco said showing her where they were and where he wanted to go.
"Okay, whatever. Let's get this over with," Faith replied rolling her eyes.
"Just a minute, I'll be right back," Bosco said moving toward an information desk. When he returned to her, he was pushing a wheelchair.
"No, Bosco. I'm not gettin' in one of those ever again."
"But...." Bosco wanted to argue that they wouldn't make it before the Liberty Bell Pavilion closed at the rate she was going, but stopped short. Nodding he turned around and took the chair back.
"I'll just have ta carry ya again," Bosco said when he came back.
"No way. You're not throwin' me over your shoulder again. It was embarrassing enough the first time. I'll get there, you go on ahead and I'll catch up," Faith said turning toward the door he had indicated earlier.
"It's the chair or me, Faith. We're in this together."
"I'm not gettin' in a chair," Faith said quietly as she made her way slowly toward the door.
"Me then," Bosco said before scooping her up. This time he was carrying her in front of him instead of over his shoulder. He was afraid that the crutches, one behind his head in Faith's right hand and one in front of him in her left, would become weapons at any second, but it was a risk he had to take.
"Boscorelli, put me down this minute," Faith whispered through clenched teeth unwilling to make a scene - yet.
"No," was the only response Bosco offered. He pushed through the doors and out onto the Mall.
"Bosco, you can't carry me two blocks."
"It's more like one and a half," Bosco grunted ducking as Faith moved both crutches to her right hand.
"Don't drop me."
"Don't give me a reason to. Move the crutches to your left hand," Bosco said as they rounded the corner in front of Independence Hall.
"Why?"
"I don't like you havin' a weapon behind my head."
Faith snickered, but did as he asked. As soon as she did, he dropped onto a bench in the shade of a large tree, Faith on his lap.
"Let me up, Bosco," Faith growled trying to move off his lap and onto the bench beside him.
"No more Cheezits for you, Faith. Geez, I thought you were gonna kill me," Bosco teased settling back against the bench once Faith had moved to his side. He wasn't surprised when he felt the crutch connect with his shin. He risked a second blow when he just laughed. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had this much fun.