Well, it's not who you think it is.

Or is it?

Sorry if this reads a little OOC. I'm not as well-acquainted with the characters as I would like to be to do them justice.

'Glad you took the time to join us, Boscorelli.'

Bosco said nothing as he walked quickly to his customary seat at the back of the room. The other officers were so used to his tardiness that they ignored him. Sergeant Christopher glared at Bosco's back for a few moments, then cleared his throat and continued.

'Nothing terribly special happening tonight. The roads are a bit slick though. Drive carefully and watch yourselves. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some accidents tonight. Dismissed.'

Bosco groaned as the room stirred to life. He usually wasn't this late to roll call. He stood up and stretched. 'He's got it in for me, I swear.'

'If you weren't late so many times, there wouldn't be a problem.' His partner told him, tired of this same conversation. They had it every time the sergeant said anything to Bosco, whether it was a rebuke or not.

'Come on. Let's get out of here.' Bosco said grumpily, striding toward the door. It was already turning out to be a bad day.

'Why do we always get stuck with the small stuff?'

Faith shined her flashlight up the dimly lit staircase, making sure there was nothing on the steps that would get in the way. 'Somebody's got to do it, Bosco.'

'But why does it have to be us?' Bosco muttered, glancing around impatiently. 'There's nothing here. Let's get out of here.'

'Hello?' His partner ignored him and trotted up the narrow staircase. 'Is anyone here?'

Bosco rolled his eyes as he followed her. 'Why is it that every time I don't want to be here all the low-lives call us?'

'It's the job, Bosco.' Faith looked around before knocking firmly on the nearest door. 'Hello?'

No one answered her knock. She waited several seconds before knocking again. 'Hello?'

Again, no response. Bosco gave her an "I-told-you-so" look as he turned back toward the stairs. His partner sighed and reached up to the mic clipped her jacket. '55 David to Central.'

'Go ahead, 55 David.'

'No response to our knock. Nobody appears to be home. Be clear this location.'

'Ten-four, show you clear 1523.' The dispatcher replied.

'Man, it's not even three-thirty yet?' Bosco complained from downstairs.

'Can't you give it a rest? I'm already getting a headache.'

'Sooner we get out of here, sooner we can get some coffee.'

Faith suppressed an irritated sigh and followed her partner out into the rain. He was already in the cruiser, drumming his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. Determined to keep silent, she climbed into the passenger's seat and buckled herself in. Without a word, Bosco started the engine, glancing over his shoulder quickly to check traffic as he swung the cruiser away from the curb. He was itching to say something, uncomfortable with the silence.

'You catch the game last night?'

'What game?' His partner asked, reluctant to broach any topic as it was sure to quickly become one-sided.

'The Knicks. They creamed those Boston weenies.' Bosco told her, grinning. 'Man, that was a game.'

'Uh-huh.' Faith stared out the window and let him ramble on. She didn't like sports all that much, and this was part of the reason why. Out on the sidewalk was the usual bustle of people going about their business despite the rain. Nothing special happening, as Sergeant Christopher had said. She sighed inwardly and watched a pair of kids saunter along, their jackets unzipped and their pants hanging low around their hips. One of them wore his baseball cap on sideways, the flat brim protecting his ear from the rain instead of his face. The "gangsta" look that was all the rage amongst teenage males. She scanned the crowd with an experienced eye, picking out several known minor drug dealers. Luckily for them, they were only standing around looking irritated at the bad weather. Bosco was still talking, occasionally gesturing to emphasise his words. At least the coffee shop wasn't too far away. Faith glanced at an alley as the cruiser passed it, half-wondering if there was anybody there seeking the shelter of the surrounding buildings.

'Bosco, stop.'

'What?' He looked over at her in surprise. 'I was getting to the best part.'

'No, stop the car. I think I saw something.'

'You always see "something".' Bosco grumbled, but pulled over to the curb anyway. His partner grabbed her hat as she unfolded herself from the passenger's seat. 'What's so important that you're going to get soaked for?'

She glanced back at him. 'If you don't want to get wet, stay in the car.' She turned away and headed toward the alley. Behind her, she heard Bosco get out of the cruiser. He always followed her. She pulled her flashlight from its carrier on her belt and shined the light into the gloom of the alley.

'Bosco!'

'What?' He demanded. Faith had already moved out of sight into the alley. When he came around the corner, he saw her kneeling beside a body. She looked up at the sound of his approach, her face a little whiter than usual.

'We need a bus.'

Bosco stood back as the EMS crew came into the alley with their heavy bags over their shoulders, a grim expression on his face. The guy had clearly been dead for awhile, but the paramedics needed to confirm for the reports. Faith was leaning against the wall several feet away, silently watching Doc and Carlos work.

'He's dead.' Carlos said, rocking back on his heels, and Bosco snorted.

'Any idiot can see that. Thanks for enlightening us, Professor.'

Carlos scowled at the officer, but stood up and dusted off his trousers. 'What's with the attitude, Bosco? Somebody wake you up too early?'

'Enough, Carlos,' Doc said, already on his feet. 'Not much we can do for this one. We'll wait around until the detectives get here.'

'They're on their way.' Faith said. 'I'll go get the tape.'

'How long's he been here?'

Doc looked down at the body. 'Hard to say. Six hours at least.' He shrugged. 'Probably another gang-fight.'

'Oh great. That means revenge.' Bosco grumbled.

'Any ID on him?'

'Nothing. It was probably stolen.' Doc replied.

'What's your name, punk? Huh? You got a story worth tellin'?'

'Knock it off, Bos.' Faith returned with the crime scene tape. 'Back to the street, guys. Got to tape this area off.'

The three men filed back to the street whilst she sealed off the alley. Doc and Carlos retreated to the shelter of their bus, leaving the two officers standing out in the rain. Bosco frowned as he stood against the brick wall of the nearest building. It figured that they'd catch a dead body at the start of the shift. He plucked at the damp fabric of his jacket and sighed. Waiting for the detectives to show up was his least favourite thing in the world. They were always late.

'What are you starin' at?' He growled at somebody passing by. Embarrassed, the man quickened his pace.

'That's great, Bos. Way to endear yourself to the public.'

'He should keep his eyes on where he's goin'.'

'Maybe he's just curious.'

'Right. We should put up a sign, then. "There's a dead guy back there. Wanna take a look?" '

To his surprise, Faith chuckled. He looked at her in confusion.

'What's so funny?'

'You are. You're so obnoxious sometimes.'

'Me, obnoxious? Since when?'

'Since always.' His partner became serious again. 'What do you think happened to that guy?'

Bosco shrugged indifferently. 'Probably wouldn't give up his wallet. Happens all the time. Guy resists, he gets stabbed or shot, and we get to clean up the mess afterward.'

'That's so you. Always blaming the victims.'

'I don't – '

'The detectives are here.' Faith interrupted, walking toward the car that pulled up.

'What have you got?' One of them asked.

'White male lying with a knife in his back, age and name unknown. He's DOA.'

The detective sighed wearily. 'Another one. We'll take it from here, Officer.'

'It's all yours.' Faith told them, glad to that she and her partner could be on their way.