"Terror By Night

Chapter 5

Disclaimers: I own nothing.

A/N: I just want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to read my story and give such wonderful reviews and feed back.

Bosco paced the room for a few minutes. No longer able to stand it he grabbed his keys and ran out the door. He had to find her. He couldn't let her go off like that thinking he didn't want her there. Once again he'd let his own emotions and fears get the better of him and now Faith was out there wondering the streets by herself. He had to find her and find her quick! What if something else happened to her? He would never be able to live with himself.

Deciding his chances would be better if he took the car he drove off tires squealing. His heart racing wildly at the thought of her out here alone with this rapist still on the loose.

He tried calling her cell, but no answer.

He left her one apologetic message after the other. Begging her to come back. The last one was in desperation hoping she would understand just how much she really meant to him whether she would ever feel the same or not.

His voice soft as he told her "Faith...I love you... Please come home. I'm sorry I hurt you."

He looked everywhere he could think of that she might possibly go. Then decided to check back at his own place just in case she had gotten his messages and returned.

He pulled up in front of his building to see her sitting on the front steps. He jumped out of the car leaving it parked on the side of the street. Running he stopped himself just in front of her where she was sitting holding her phone and staring at it. She was shivering from the cold as she looked up at him with a tear stained face.

"Bos..?" she said softly. He pulled her to her feet and hugged her as though she might slip away.

They both were crying now as relief washed over them both. She could feel him trembling as she held on to him.

"I'm so sorry Faith. I didn't mean it like it sounded." He held her out so he could face her as he told her. "I just wanna take care of you, keep you safe. I let my big mouth get in the way. And then I got so afraid. Afraid this bastard might of found you on the streets.

God...I love you! Can't you see that? It may not be what you wanna hear right now but...He paused for a moment looking down at her. "Just please don't leave me like that again. I was so scared." he said pulling her back in close to him.

She nodded into his shoulder. "I was scared too Bos."

"Come on. Let's get you back inside where it's warm. We can talk more then." Bosco said as he helped her back in his building.

He stood just outside the door of the building on the same steps now fuming with anger. He had watched the whole scene from across the street.

"I was so close to making her mine again until that smart ass cop had to show up." he grumbled to himself. He'd watched her every move staying several feet behind her waiting for his chance all this time, but she would never get away from the crowds of people long enough for him to get his hands on her until she came to a stop on those steps. He'd been just about to make his move when Bosco came speeding up to the curb.

She was different from the others. Something about her was just different. She had challenged him. She had fought back in a way that was giving him a new sense of urgency to have her again. He didn't care that she was a cop and his chances of getting caught were ten times greater.

'I need to get rid of that damn cop.' He thought to himself. "Your boyfriends gonna leave you alone there eventually. All I need is a few minutes to convince you that you belong to me now." he said aloud as if she were there listening to him.

His fists were clinched so hard he'd drawn blood with his own fingernails. He laughed at the sight of them. He needed to be in control again. He was gonna make sure she didn't forget him this time.

Once back inside of Bosco's apartment he took her coat from her and put it away. "I'm gonna make us some coffee okay?" he asked as she sat down on the couch staring at the floor.

When she didn't reply he watched her for a moment and then came back and sat in front of her taking her hands in his.

"Faith, I was way outta line talkin to you that way. He was about to try and explain once more when she interrupted him.

"Bos? Did you mean what you said about loving me?" she asked as she brought her eyes up to meet his.

"You have to know I did." he spoke gently. "Faith I thought the word was just a fable until you came along. Something people made up to get what they wanted. But you...." he sighed. "You've made it real to me. I didn't know it was possible to feel such a heavy emotional bond to somebody until you. I didn't know it was possible to love somebody so much that you actually hurt when they do or you feel yourself being happy when they are. Or to worry constantly that somebody's gonna take them away from you." he trailed off looking away for a moment.

Then looking straight into her eyes he spoke softly once more.

"That's how I feel about you Faith. I have for a long time but even more so now." he searched her eyes looking for anything that might reveal what she was thinking.

She let a small laugh escape before she began to cry again and nodded. "I love you too." she smiled at him through her tears. "I figured you would've thought of me as damaged goods." she looked away from him covering her mouth with her hand as she became completely lost in her tears.

She knew from the way he was describing his feelings that he really did mean it. She never in a million years thought this would come from Bosco. Truth was.... she'd been feeling it too. Long before this happened, but kept her guard up knowing how Bosco was with women.

He reached for her and she flung her arms around his neck. They sat there together that way until she got it all out of her system. He rocked her ever so gently stroking her hair.

"You're not damaged goods Faith. Don't even think stuff like that." His eyes burned from his own tears again as they fell one by one down his face. In his entire life he had never shed so many as he had with Faith since this had begun. "You gotta know I love you." he whispered in her ear as he held her.

One other issue burned in her mind though after revealing herself to him. How long could he wait for her?

"Bos...we've gotten a lot of things out in the open tonight. I need you to understand something else though...its still going to take a while... before I can let myself be any closer to you than I am right now.

He knew what she was trying to say.

"Faith, I understand that. I'd never take advantage of you. When you're ready to take things a step further it'll be totally up to you how and when. I'm not going anywhere. Even if it never happens just being with you the way we are is enough for me. Given my history, I know that may be hard for you to believe...but everything is different now." he lifted her head up again so he could see her eyes. He needed so much for her to believe him.

She smiled back at him both thankful and relieved.

"I believe you."

That night they both slept with a sense of peace and well being that neither of them had felt in years.

The next day was a busy one with Faith preparing herself to go back to work that afternoon. Together they had both gone to pick up her uniforms from the cleaners on the way to work. Still feeling a twinge of nervousness, she headed off to the precinct with Bosco. She would be on a desk for the first few days as she had promised Swerskey, which was more than fine by Bosco. Even when those few days were up though he told himself, she would be with him back in 55 David where he could be sure to keep an eye on her.

They both walked into the locker room with greetings from most of her fellow workers. By now it was common knowledge that she was staying with Bosco so there were no suspicious glares when they came in together. Sasha grinned happy she was back and went over to tell her so.

Sully commented on how she brightened the room up again.

Everything and everyone looked the same, but she'd forgotten one thing. Having to change her clothes in front of the others. After staring at her locker for a moment. She took her uniform and decided to change in one of the bathroom stalls.

Sully and Ty frowned at each other and Sasha pretended not to notice as she did so. Ty walked over to Bosco asking him with concern if she was really ready to be here yet.

"Thanks for askin Davis, but she says she's fine, so she's fine. At least I hope so." Bosco trailed off.

Ty gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Everybody here is gonna be looking out for her Bosco. Try not to worry buddy." he said as he left the locker room with Sully and Sasha for roll call.

Bosco glanced back to the stall where Faith was just coming out with her street clothes in her hands. She put her things in her locker, finished straightening her uniform and then put her hair up in her usual clip. He noticed her slightly shaky hands as she had to re-do her hair a third time to get it to stay right.

"You okay?" he asked watching her carefully.

"Yeah! I'm good." she smiled at him. "This stupid clip just didn't want to work right today. Don't be late for roll call." she threw back over her shoulder as she exited the locker room. She seemed happy enough with herself as she walked with her head up for a change to Swerskys office to see what he had for her to do this afternoon.

Their shift passed by fairly quick enough. Bosco rode with Monroe while Faith was on desk duty. The night had gone by uneventfully with just the usual. Except for one thing that struck Faith as rather odd. Early on that afternoon a man had stopped by the front desk asking for directions. This in itself was not unusual at all. This man however had something familiar about him that made her feel uneasy. She didn't talk to him personally but had seen him from the top of the stairs and noticed how he'd glanced up at her looking her up and down before turning to leave. After he'd left she'd ask the desk sergeant who he was and he'd just told her somebody looking for directions. Finally after a while she blew if off as her mind playing tricks on her again.

For a while at first after the assault every man made her feel uneasy and she questioned herself constantly...was this the one? Particularly every tall muscular dark haired man. She had gotten herself in the habit of not looking at people at all. But she was back at work now and that meant paying attention to details.

This guy was blonde and really held no resemblance to the man at the store that night other than size maybe. Still she shuddered at the thought, making herself busy with work again.

She and Bosco left the precinct about 11:30. They talked about their shifts with Bosco complaining as usual. He couldn't help but notice though how happy Faith seemed to be back at work. She was smiling again and that made him happy too.

Once home Bosco realized he still had the keys to the RMP. He'd been so excited to be back with Faith that even when they changed back into their civies he'd slipped the keys in the pocket of his jeans intending to drop them off on the way out.

"Aw damn it. You're not gonna believe what I did. I gotta run these back to the house. Lieu's gonna be pitchin a fit. You coming with me?" he asked.

"Nah, I think I'm just going to stay here. It was good to be back, but I guess I'm a little tense from it all. I just want to relax for a while." she told him.

"Okay then. Shouldn't take over or twenty minutes or so." He stopped and thought for a minute then asked. "Hey Davis and Sully still pulling that double tonight? Maybe I can get them to meet me out front here and they can return them."

"Bosco, that's not their responsibility. They would have to come out of their way and then go all the way back to the precinct. I'm sure somebody's already looking for those keys as it is."

"Well it's not like they don't have a spare." He stated but gave in quickly as she glared back at him. "Alright, alright. Anything you need while I'm out?" He couldn't help but smile a little at her remark. She sounded so much like her old self again.

"Nope! Just hurry back and be careful." she replied flashing her beautiful smile at him. She was proud of herself and the hurdle she had crossed this afternoon at work.

He quickly leaned in and kissed her forehead catching her off guard, then took off as if he'd stolen it from her as she laughed at him. "Hey you stole that!" Faith yelled after him jokingly.

"So call a cop!" he replied back happy that he'd made her laugh.

Bosco was soon out the door and on his way to his car when he thought he noticed a shadow rounding the corner of his building. He waited for a moment then walked around the corner to see for himself.

Finally satisfied that no one unusual was there he left to return the keys.

She was about to go get her shower when she remembered she needed to double-check the locks on the door again. A routine she'd gotten used to whenever Bosco left. Coming down the hallway, she stopped cold when she caught sight of the doorknob being turned slightly making it click against the lock.

Fear struck her instantly as she quickly retrieved her gun from her purse before looking out of the peephole. She saw the same man from earlier that evening at the house. He was rattling the doorknob now shaking it furiously in his frustration. She slowly backed away from the door and took aim when suddenly there was silence. With her gun in her hand she inched her way back close to the door and carefully looked out of the peephole again to see no one there. Grabbing her phone she immediately dialed Bosco's number telling him what she saw.

"I'm on my way! Faith listen to me okay? I want you to hide in the closet in my room with your gun and stay there till I get back. If he tries to come in shoot him!" he told her frantically. He hung up and then called the police for back up as he spun his car around racing back towards his apartment. It might have been a false alarm, but he wasn't taking any chances. Not after last time.

She couldn't just hide. She told herself. If this monster had come back for her then she was going to face him down herself. She was armed this time and she had to do it. She was sick of hiding and living in fear of this guy. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she slowly unlocked the door. "This has gotta end now!" she said aloud to herself. Her gun shaking slightly in her hands as she aimed for the door.

Still it was quiet. Several minutes passed by and nothing. Finally unable to bear it any longer she opened the door herself and carefully with her gun ready she stepped through the threshold. Aiming in both directions she saw no one. Still holding her breath she lowered her weapon towards the floor.

'Great!' she thought as she willed herself to calm down. 'Peace in the daylight, terror by night. Just like some damn horror movie!'

Stepping back inside and locking the door again she let out a slight sigh of relief and laid her gun on the table near the door. Just as she did he grabbed her from behind with both of his arms in a tight grip caging her in.

"I told you I'd be back." he whispered in a husky voice in her ear. "Did you forget me so soon?" she struggled to get out of his grip.

"Let go of me!" she yelled back at him.

She knew his voice the instant he spoke. "No!" she shook her head. "You're not doing this to me again!" she screamed at him as he tightened his grip on her. She could hardly breath from fear, but she was just as angry as she was afraid. She'd die fighting before she'd let him beat her again.

"Oh you think not huh? I done told you bitch I own you!" He said as he bit down on her neck.

Pushing backwards with everything she had in her, she slammed him into the wall causing him to loosen his hold on her enough to get one elbow free in which she pummeled it into his face and his stomach knocking some of the wind out of him. Free of him now she reached towards her gun, but missed just as he grabbed for her legs causing her to hit the floor. She tried to kick herself free making contact with his face causing him tocry out this time. He wore the same frightful mask as before.

Trying again, she stretched out her hand to reach for her gun, but he was on top of her in seconds ripping her blouse open. She screamed for Bosco as he reared his fist back to hit her hard in the face when something caught him. Faith had closed her eyes preparing for the strike.

"You wanna hit somebody you son-of-a-bitch! Hit me!" Bosco yelled pulling him off of Faith. "Come on ass wipe. Hit me!" he yelled with fire in his eyes landing one hard blow after the other. Then pulling the mask off. His adrenaline was pumping hard giving him extra strength. It was the same man who had been in the precinct earlier and on the other side of the door only moments before.

"What you gotta hide behind a mask and force women to get your jollies you filthy scum bag!" he said kicking him hard in the stomach and ribs just as Ty and Sully showed up. They helped Faith to her feet and continued to watch with folded arms as Bosco pulled the man to a standing position leaning him up against the wall punching him again and again. When he dropped to the floor Faith gripping her blouse together, promptly went over and kicked him hard in the groin several times before Davis pulled her back. She swung herself out of his hold and grabbed her gun that had still been on the table. She aimed squarely at her attacker while Sully took hold of Bosco saying he'd had enough.

"Like hell!" Bosco shouted. "Let go of me Sully! He warned "I'm gonna kill that sick bastard. He ain't had enough! He won't ever have enough for what he did to her!" he said with pure hatred in his eyes.

Ty noticed Faith first as he made an attempt to stop her just as she was about to shoot. "Faith no! Put the gun down! You don't wanna do this he's not worth it man!"

She held her stance as tears filled her angry eyes. Her hands shaking as she kept the gun trained on her own rapist. "He's gonna be right back out there in a few years or so and you know it Davis!" she exclaimed.

Bosco focused his attention on Faith now. Still breathing heavily from the struggle, he saw the look on her face, knowing she was about to shoot. His rage turning to fear of what would happen to her if she shot him

"Faith no!" he looked from her to the man lying on the floor then back to her. "You kill him and you'll be the one going to jail. Listen to me please?" he pleaded with her. "He assaulted and raped a New York City police officer! He's not gonna be getting out for a long time." He softened his voice somewhat as he tried to reason with her.

"Please Faith don't. You kill him and you've just as well as killed us both. That means he wins."

He slowly moved his way closer to her until he was between her and the man on the floor who was groaning in pain.

She raised her eyes to look up at him lowering the gun slightly as the tears streamed down her face. She tilted her head to one side looking at him as if confused for a moment.

Bosco continued. "I wanna kill him too, but that would be way too easy for him. This way at least he suffers too. We got him. He can't hurt you anymore Faith." he slowly reached up and took the gun from her wrapping her in his arms and holding her head as she sobbed. "It's over Faith. We got him now. It's over babe." he all but whispered to her. His own voice heavy with emotion again. Trying to comfort her as well as himself.

"Get that piece a crap outta here Sully." he told him.

She was shaking so hard she wondered if she might get sick as she took in deep breaths. Bosco's hold was working though and she slowly began to feel herself calm.

Ty cuffed him. He and Sully had to practically carry him down to their squad car. "The inmates at Rikers are gonna love you. You sick piece of filth. I'm gonna make sure they know what you're in for too." Sully grumbled at him with disgust. He looked up at Ty and then back to their prisoner. "Shame you took such a fall down that stairwell trying to get away like that."

Looking at him slumped over groaning in the back seat for a minute; Davis suggested maybe they should run him by Mercy to take a look at him. Bosco had beaten him up pretty good. They thought for a moment as he began cussing them out and shouting obscenities. Looking at each other over the top of the car they both said in unison. "Nah!" and slammed the back door.

Davis called Bosco back to mention the stairwell incident and that they only saw him chasing the guy and nothing else. "I told ya we'd look out for her bro. That meant looking out for you too. You guys really need each other right now and not I.A.B breathing down your necks for tuning this guy up. So... you cool with this?" he asked standing just outside the car door.

"Yeah, yeah. That's good by us. He said looking over at Faith. Hey Davis...uh thanks man. You and Sully." he replied as he hung up the phone. Faith looked at Bosco inquiring as to what the call was about. He explained that Ty and Sully were covering for them.

"Central, this is 55 Charlie. We have the suspect in custody." Sully said proudly as he got in the car

"Wow." she stated softly. "That's pretty out of character for Davis."

"Yeah well. You got people that really care about you Faith." he told her as they waited for

the detectives to arrive.

She was still a very shaken Faith. She sat there clutching her blouse together with no readable expression on her face. He looked at her for a moment. In all the commotion he'd forgotten to see if she was hurt.

"Hey you okay? Did he hurt you anywhere?" he said checking her over quickly. He winced as he saw the bite mark on her neck and a few other bruises forming on her arms. When she didn't respond to his probing, he raises her chin up to look into her sad eyes. She'd been so happy earlier in her achievement of returning to work.

"I was gonna kill him Bos. He was down and I was gonna kill him anyway. Is this what I've become? I was anything but a police officer tonight." she ran her fingers through her hair to get it out of her face.

"Faith you'd been attacked by this guy. It wasn't about you being a cop tonight." He paused for a moment.

"I understand what you're saying though." he told her. "I would've killed him too had Davis and Sully not shown up when they did. I wanted him dead I think as much as you did. I still do, but not at your expense."

They were silent for few minutes, both lost in their own thoughts before he spoke again.

"Remember back several years ago when we were all talking about capital punishment and stuff at that campaign dinner? You said something about in the heat of the moment that it seemed

justified?"

She nodded in reply.

"I think that's all this was Faith. God knows we had reason to kill him, but now I want him to suffer. I want him to have to live what you've gone through while he's in prison. And they will get him."

She nodded again resting her head on Bosco's shoulder. Remembering the words he had spoken to her earlier. "It over Faith." he'd said. But she couldn't help but wonder would it ever truly be over for her.

TBC

Literally

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but FAITH looks up!