Chapter 3
Summary: My take on why Bosco and Sully don't get along. Takes place shortly after Bosco graduates from the Police Academy
Disclaimer: I don't own Third Watch or any of its characters.
A/N: This story previously posted on another Third Watch site but I was encouraged to post it here as well by Joey and Orison. Enjoy.
First of all, I would like to apologize for the delay in posting this chapter because I know how anxious the readers get for updates, but I blame it all on the computer gods.
And secondly, I'm always amazed at the wonderful feedback the readers provide, especially those of you that have already read the story and know the outcome. Thanks!
TW~TW~TW
Giambetti and Michaels saunter back to the RMP after checking into a false alarm at one of the shops on 83rd, they're chatting and laughing about their previous call.
"Did you see the look on the guys face when he heard the banging from the trunk." Michaels snorts then imitates the perp. "Officer, what's that noise? You got someone in your trunk?"
Giambetti turns and laughs. "Yeah, but did you see his reaction when you told him if he didn't shut-up, he was gonna get thrown in there too."
They both get in the RMP and sit for a couple of seconds before Michaels starts the engine.
Giambetti turns toward the back seat listening for sounds. "He stopped banging around back there, you think he's okay?"
"I'm surprised the son of a bitch lasted this long. Remember that kid O'Reilly, he stopped kicking 10 minutes and we didn't even give him the full treatment like Boscorelli." Michaels gloats. "Yeah, we even had to call his partner to pick him up."
"Maybe we should call Sully," Giambetti offers.
"Nah, let's just dump him as per the plan. Sullivan might not appreciate us babysitting his rookie. Remember what happened last time?" Michaels snickers and drives off towards the bridge.
A couple of minutes later, they park in an empty, grassy lot under the bridge. Michaels walks towards the trunk, opening it with his key. Bosco is curled up on his side and his breathing is rapid. He blinks against the lights assaulting his unaccustomed eyes.
"Boscorelli, I'm glad to see you're still with us," Michaels chuckles menacingly. He pulls Bosco up from the back of his collar and hauls him up dangling him halfway out of the trunk. Bosco struggles, mumbling something unintelligible.
"What's that Boscorelli? You don't need my help," says Michaels mockingly. "Okay, have it your way." He suddenly lets go of Bosco who isn't able to brace himself and slams into the ground face first.
Michaels looks over at Giambetti and shrugs his shoulders apologetically. "Oops." They both roar out laughing. Michaels rolls Bosco over onto his side with a push of his foot and notices the blood flowing from his nose. "We better get rid of the evidence before Sully gets here."
Giambetti nods his agreement and kneels next to Bosco. He pulls out a pocketknife and starts to slice through the electrical tape holding his arms together, ripping it off then rolling it up into a ball before placing it in his pocket. Bosco's arms fall limply to his side.
Michaels bends down, grabs hold of a corner of the tape over Bosco's mouth and rips it off forcefully. Bosco manages a weak groan but doesn't open his eyes. Michaels stares at him for a moment before wiping a few drops of blood off his hands.
"Looks like he's out cold," comments Giambetti.
"Yeah, and it's a cold night," replies Michaels as he gets up and rubs his hands, "I hope his partner gets here soon." Michaels drops Bosco's radio next to him and laughs loudly as he motions for Giambetti to head out.
TW~TW~TW
Sully turns the RMP quickly into the grassy field under the bridge; where he's supposed to pick-up Bosco. He gets out of the vehicle and looks around hoping to see Bosco coming towards him, cursing him out about the goose chase he's been on for the last two hours.
Sully doesn't see anyone. He grabs his mike off his shoulder clip. "55-Frank to Central, please advise status of 55-David."
"55-Frank, 55-David is back at the house, over."
Sully stares at his mike as he is lost in thought. "Copy Central."
Sully pulls out his flashlight and starts to roam in the field. "Bosco," he calls out.
Sully considers whether he should radio his partner since this would alert everyone listening that he doesn't know his whereabouts. "Damnit, Bosco answer me if you're here." Sully listens for any noise, turning and scanning the area completely, stopping when he sees a figure stumble in the distance.
"Shit," he mutters as he starts to jog in that direction.
He slows to a walk and picks up the radio lying on the ground. "Bosco?" he asks as he approaches cautiously.
Bosco is doubled over, his arms wound tightly around his abdomen, trying to catch his breath. When he notices Sully approaching he starts to limp away slowly but doesn't get very far before he stumbles and falls on his knees. He lets out a low moan and Sully approaches quickly.
"Get away from me," Bosco says desperately as he tries to crawl away from Sully.
"Bosco...I'm not gonna hurt you," Sully reassures him.
"I said... stay away," Bosco pants nervously.
Sully swallows as the words catch in his throat. "Bosco, I'm sorry." He moves in closer, noticing Bosco's flushed appearance. There's blood on his face, the beads of sweat rolling off his forehead, and dirt and mud caked onto his uniform. "Son of a bitch," he curses angrily.
Bosco ignores Sully and attempts to stand. He manages to push himself up to a semi standing position and limps badly as he makes his way towards the street.
Sully follows him, watching Bosco take a few painful steps then turns and walks away. A minute later, he manoeuvres the RMP right next to Bosco who hasn't managed to get very far.
He continues to follow from the vehicle until Bosco stops again to try and catch his breath. Sully takes the opportunity to jump out, walk over to the passenger side and open the door. "I'll take you home," he offers and waits patiently.
Bosco weighs his options. He doesn't move for about 30 seconds but then slowly turns towards the RMP and limps towards the open door.
Sully moves aside as Bosco painfully lets himself into the car. Sully closes the door and moves to the driver's seat.
He looks over at Bosco who has his eyes closed and is shivering slightly. Sully notices Bosco's jacket in the back seat. He leans over and fiddles with the heater settings before cranking the fan on high.
They ride in silence except for the occasional groan from Bosco. They finally arrive outside Bosco's building a short time later.
"Bosco," Sully waits for an acknowledgment.
Bosco turns his head and stares at Sully, his eyes display both weariness and sadness at the same time. "Why, Sully? You're supposed to be my partner," he says weakly.
"Bosco, I'm sorry. I had no idea those guys would get involved. I never meant for this to happen..."
"I don't care about them." He swallows then closes his eyes. "You're just like everybody else, always trying to get rid of me," he whispers softly.
Sully turns away and looks down in shame. "I'm sorry," he whispers. He waits for Bosco to tell him to stuff his apology but he doesn't get a response. He looks over at Bosco who shivers slightly. "Do you want me to take you to a hospital?" Sully asks worriedly.
Bosco shakes his head no. "I just want to go to bed...no hospitals," he murmurs groggily.
"Okay let's get you upstairs."
Bosco refuses help so Sully is forced to follow closely and keep his eye on him. Slowly and painfully Bosco limps and drags his way to his apartment door.
By now, he's sweating profusely and panting. He searches for his keys inside his pocket and retrieves them slowly. He has little strength in his hands from his arms being forced back for such a long period of time. The muscles in his shoulders and neck burn and his hands tremble weakly. He is unable to insert the key in the hole and he leans his head against the door and closes his eyes in frustration.
Sully reaches over, takes the keys from his loose fingers and unlocks the door. He notices Bosco is unaware of his actions and announces, "It's unlocked."
Bosco opens his eyes wearily then looks down at his hands. He pushes away from the door frame, turns the handle before shoving the door weakly. He limps in but doesn't bother to flick on the light, feeling his way around the furniture and making his way to the washroom. Sully follows dutifully, turning the light on in the washroom for him.
Bosco moves towards the toilet and starts to unzip his pants. He turns to eye Sully. "Do you mind?" he asks hoarsely.
Sully turns and walks to the kitchen. He searches the freezer for ice then rummages through the drawers for a plastic bag and a dishcloth. He stops suddenly when he hears a loud moan, rushing over to the washroom.
"You okay, Bosco?" He asks through the door.
A few seconds later Bosco limps out but doesn't bother to answer Sully. The pained look on his face alerts Sully that something is wrong. Sully takes a hold of Bosco's elbow and guides him to the couch.
Bosco lets himself down into a sitting position, then leans his head back and closes his eyes.
Sully watches him for a second then makes his way back to the washroom, looks down into the bowl to a sea of red. "Sh-t," he murmurs, flushes then goes back to the living room.
"Bosco, you need a doctor, you're peeing blood."
"It's nothing," Bosco murmurs without opening his eyes.
"It's not nothing Bosco. You need to see a doctor." Sully insists as he moves to look for a telephone.
Bosco opens his eyes slowly. "Leave, Sully."
The coldness in Bosco's eyes takes Sully by surprise. He remains frozen to the spot unable to respond and debating what to do next.
Bosco sighs loudly and as if to appease Sully says, "I'll be okay. I've been through this before. It's nothing. Just leave."
Sully stares back in disbelief, disturbed by the idea that Bosco is used to getting beat up, or peeing blood or both. He tries to process this information then decides he doesn't need to upset Bosco right now. He turns back to the kitchen, brings out the ice bag and a glass of water, placing them on the table next to him.
Bosco relaxes as he watches Sully move to the door, then allows his eyes to shut when he is assured Sully is leaving.
Sully takes one last look back at Bosco. "I'll be back later," he says quickly before exiting, not allowing Bosco a chance to respond.
He leaves with one thing on his mind, catching up to Michaels and Giambetti.
TBC...