Chapter 6

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 was previously posted on another Third Watch site but I was encouraged to post it here by Joey and Orison.

Thanks for your wonderful reviews.

TW~TW~TW

They respond to call after call until the night is a haze of fender benders, false alarms and petty crimes. Bosco doesn't want to have to think about tonight's conversation, or about the fact that Sully tried to apologize and maybe, just maybe he meant it.

He watches Sully write in his notebook as the latest victim gives their account of another senseless, idiotic crime.

Bosco stands back, leaning his frame on the RMP for support. His leg is killing him and his shoulders and neck are sorer now than yesterday. A dull, pounding headache has made its way into his skull since early in the shift.

He rubs the back of his neck and watches the parade of freaks on a typical New York City evening. He feels incredibly tired all of a sudden. The rage and anger he felt mere hours ago is pushed aside by the physical fatigue.

He watches Sully and his thoughts turn back to a partner. He knows no one else at the 55th would want him as a partner except maybe for Faith. But that's because she has no idea what she's getting herself into.

Sully, he's all talk. It's just his guilt keeping him here. That's the only reason he hasn't dumped him yet which means, at most, they still have three more months together until the end of probation.

"Bosco, let's go," Sully says as he peers at him from the driver's seat.

Bosco looks around confused. The victim's gone and Sully's back in the car. He must have zoned out for a few minutes.

He gets back into the vehicle and prays there are no more calls tonight. He doesn't think he can make it into and out of the RMP one more time.

Sully stops for coffee and returns to the RMP with another bottle of water for Bosco.

He holds it out to Bosco without saying a word. The little bit of conversation they've had tonight has not gone well, so he decides to speak as little as possible.

Bosco stares at it with glassy eyes and reaches out for it. "Thanks," he murmurs.

"You're welcome," responds Sully softly. He glances at his watch and notices they still have almost an hour to go. He grabs his clipboard and starts on the paperwork. He feels rusty as he stares at the form in front of him. He hasn't done any paperwork in months.

He's so engrossed in what he's doing that he's startled when he hears a loud swishing clunk. Sully's eyes shoot up instantly and he turns to find the source of the noise. He spots the bottle of water rolling on the floor and is about to make some snide comment about Bosco's clumsiness when he notices Bosco's hand is open, his head is turned to side, and his eyes are closed.

He stares at him for a minute, not having realized that the rhythm of the evening's calls had taken such a toll on the kid. He decides they're not taking any more calls so he radios in to central to put them out of service.

About 30 minutes later, he finishes the paperwork and places the clipboard back in its place. He starts the car again and drives towards the house.

Bosco stirs as the car starts to move. He opens his eyes slowly, staring out the window. He looks down at his feet when he hears the bottle of water rolling about. He grabs the dash with his left hand to steady himself as he reaches over to pick it up. He pushes himself back into the seat and holds the bottle loosely in his lap.

"You okay?" Sully asks without looking at him.

"Yeah."

"You want me to drive you straight home?"

"Nah." Bosco shakes his head slightly as he lets his eyes droop shut.

They ride in silence the rest of the way. A few minutes later they pull up to the station and both make their way into the house. Sully stops to drop off the paperwork as Bosco shuffles into the locker room. He notices the room is empty so he opens his locker and starts to strip off his uniform.

Bosco is pulling off his vest when Sully walks in. His t-shirt lifts and exposes his abdomen and side. Sully notices deep, discoloured bruising going down below the belt and slows to take a closer look. He finds more bruises and chafing around Bosco's wrists and elbows. He feels his guilt and rage swim up from the pit of his stomach.

"What the hell did they do to you?" Sully asks angrily as he moves and pulls up the corner of Bosco's t-shirt.

Bosco pulls it down quickly. "Nothing."

"And is this nothing too?" Sully grabs Bosco's wrist and turns it over.

Bosco yanks it out of Sully's grasp. "It's nothing to you."

Sully stares down at Bosco. Every time they talk it comes out all wrong. He needs to think before speaking. He needs to get through to this kid by reasoning with him.

"Bosco, you can't let them get away with this."

Bosco's eyes cloud over instantly. "Oh really, you think I just sat there and let them do this?" He says incredulously. "Go ahead boys, why don't you kick me around some and when you're through with that, feel free to tie me up and gag me and throw me into your trunk, 'cause I've never ridden in the trunk of an RMP before." Bosco moves in towards Sully and stares at him accusingly. "Funny, I don't remember ME letting THEM get away with this so don't even try to dump this one on me. It's not my fault. You hear me, it's not my fault."

Sully turns away reluctantly. He keeps his mouth shut because every conversation tonight has resulted in one or both of them being pissed off and this one is no different.

Bosco turns back to his locker and quickly pulls on a shirt because he needs to be done before the other officers come in. He leans down and removes his pants and pulls his jeans up. He peers over at Sully who thankfully isn't able to catch a glimpse of the bruising on the back of his leg.

He slows down now that he's covered up. His fingers fumble with the buttons on his shirt as the fatigue seeps into his body again. He purposely leaves his shirt hanging out and he jams his feet back into his shoes before doing them up. He doesn't even look back before he grabs his bag and makes for the exit. He needs to clear his head and he can't do it with Sully around.

TW~TW~TW

Rose is resting on the couch, sipping her drink and watching TV. She giggles her approval at a comedy routine playing out before her when she hears a light knock on her door. She sits up as she lowers the volume.

"Ma, it's me."

Rose gets up quickly and moves to the door. She takes a look through the peephole before unlocking it.

"Maurice, baby. Are you okay?" She ushers him into the living room and guides him to the couch.

Bosco slumps down into the soft pillows and peers over at the late night program. He pretends to be interested in what's playing.

Rose runs her hand gently over his cheek and turns his face back to her. She stares intently into his eyes looking for something only a mother can see. "Maurice, it's almost 2 o'clock. What is it? What's wrong?" She runs her fingers over his bruises and his swollen lip.

He shrugs away from her hand and looks back at the television. "Nothing's wrong, Ma. Why does something have to be wrong for me to visit you?"

"Where have you been?" She feels him shiver and notices he isn't wearing any gloves or a hat.

"Just walking." He still doesn't turn to look at her.

Rose tentatively rests her hand on his forearm. Through her touch she feels the tension and the tightness in his muscles. She watches his demeanour and sees the anger in his posture, and the hurt in his eyes. "Did you have another nightmare?" she asks worriedly.

She watches him as he lets out a slow breath. Since he's returned from his tour, the nightmares have been getting worse and worse. Sometimes it's so bad he gets dressed and comes by in the middle of the night.

She takes his hand and kisses it gently and wishes he was still a little boy and this was enough to make it all better.

Bosco sighs deeply and continues to stare at the TV. "Why?" he asks softly.

"Oh baby. Don't do this, please." She begs of him while pulling him closer. He resists, he always does, so she shifts until she is right beside him.

"Why?" he repeats and lowers his head.

"Shhh...baby?" she coos softly as she kisses him on the forehead. "I love you. I love you so much."

He shakes his head but doesn't have the courage to look at her.

Rose feels dread tugging at her heart. This isn't like the other times. "Baby, you can tell me."

Rose sees the cracks in his armour; the way he bites his lip, the nervous bounce in his leg, the way his eyes can't seem to focus on any one object. She feels her chest tighten as she realizes the depth of his pain. "Maurice..."

"Why can't he love us?" He whispers longingly. "Why can't he love me?"

Rose feels her heart break into a thousand pieces. Bosco never questioned why his father couldn't love him. It was something that was just a fact of life, never to be questioned until tonight. Worse still, she can't make it better. She can't kiss it and make it go away.

Bosco lets out a shaky breath before he gets up. Rose watches helplessly as he leaves without looking back.

TBC...