Chapter 7
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. I've taken the liberty of editing this story, as when it was originally posted I was writing on the fly. Some of the chapters will be merged or changed slightly hopefully to enhance the story.
Thanks for your wonderful reviews.
TW~TW~TW
The lunch crowd starts to dissipate as Grady and Sully greet each other and grab a booth at the diner.
"So, what was so urgent that you couldn't wait until roll call to speak to me?" asks Grady
Sully grabs a menu, studying it before speaking. "I need your advice Grady." He shuts the menu and looks around the room. "I need your advice 'cause I feel like I can't do anything right anymore."
"Where is this coming from, Sul," Grady says with a bit of surprise in his voice.
Sully traces the edge of the menu nervously before looking up again. "I tried to apologize to Bosco, about what happened, but he's so angry at me that all we do is yell at each other every time we talk." Sully averts his eyes from Grady's gaze. He returns to tracing the menu patterns with his fingers.
Grady just nods and lets him continue at his own pace.
"I didn't think it would be this hard." Sully says softly.
"What's hard?" Grady asks not understanding what Sully is referring to.
"You know...partnering with someone. I've been alone so long, not having to put up with anyone and no one else having to put up with me. Hell, just trying to get through to him is near impossible. I just can't seem to say the right thing. I'd even settle for saying something that doesn't start a war." Sully says sadly.
"Did you ever think that maybe you're not the problem." Grady looks at Sully sympathetically.
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe Bosco has his own problems."
"Yeah, and I think I'm one of them." Sully looks down at the menu. "Last night, after the shift I saw bruises...on Bosco. When I asked him about it, he blurted out what they did to him." Sully shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "I'd say that that's a pretty big part of the problem and it's my fault."
"Sul, you both need to move past this, you never meant for that to happen."
"Doesn't matter whether I meant for it to happen or not 'cause it did. And honestly, I don't blame him for the way he's reacting." Sully resumes tracing the patterns on the menu. "You know, they beat him and then they tied and gagged him and threw him into the trunk. I don't know how to make it right. I don't know what to do about it."
"What does Bosco want to do about it?"
"I don't think he wants to do anything. He just wants to cover the whole thing up."
"Sometimes all you can do is back your partner and understand where he's coming from. Get to know him, find out who he is, maybe you'll understand why he needs it to be this way."
Sully sighs. "How do I do that when we can't even talk?"
Grady reaches over and pulls the menu away from Sully to get his undivided attention. "You have to really listen, not just with your ears but with your eyes and with this too." Grady taps his chest with his fingers. "That's how you listen to your partner."
Sully looks up at Grady. "I'm trying, I'm really trying...I just don't know if I can do this."
"Sul, it's not what you say that counts. It's what you do."
Sully stares out blankly, recalling painful memories of actions that cost his previous partner his life. "You're right, Grady. All the words in the world can't change what happened." Sully sits back and absentmindedly traces the pattern on the tablecloth.
TW~TW~TW
Sully knocks lightly and steps into Swersky's office. "Lieu, I need to speak to you about Boscorelli."
Lieu motions for Sully to enter and sit as he completes some paperwork in front of him.
"What about Boscorelli?" Lieu looks up and removes his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose.
Sully looks around the room nervously before clearing his throat. "I...um...I know Boscorelli's probation will be over in about three months, and I'm thinking that maybe I'd be interested in partnering up with him after that." Sully shifts uncomfortably.
"You want to partner up with Boscorelli?" Lieu raises his eyebrows in surprise. "I was under the impression that maybe you weren't the best of friends."
"Yeah, we've had some misunderstandings, but I think this partner thing could be good for both of us." Sully fidgets.
"Does Boscorelli want this too?"
"Um...well, I haven't really spoken to him about it." Sully looks around the room apprehensively.
"Sul, are you sure this is what you want?" Lieu waits patiently for a response.
"Yeah, yeah that's what I want," Sully says distantly and frowns as if deep in thought.
"Okay, come back and see me when his probation is almost over and we'll confirm it," Lieu responds matter of factly. "Oh, do you know anything about Michaels and Giambetti being involved in some hazing ritual recently?" Lieu narrows his eyes as he stares at Sully.
"No, haven't heard a thing, Lieu." Sully turns quickly and exits before he inadvertently gives too much away.
TW~TW~TW
Sully waits in the locker room for Bosco. He fiddles with his badge to pass the time. As he looks down at his shoes, he notices some lint on his pants and starts to pick at it. Suddenly, the million and one details that normally go undetected seem to be magnified tenfold; the small scuff mark on the toe of his left shoe, the loose thread on the end of his sleeve, the small stain on the front of his shirt.
The door swings open and Bosco arrives with barely five minutes to roll call.
Sully looks up and sees him in a state of dishevelment. When he takes a closer look he remarks that he's wearing the same clothes as last night.
Bosco moves as if on automatic pilot; he's doesn't acknowledge or notice anyone else in the room. He twirls his lock a couple of times before he gets it open.
He starts to change out of his clothes. He pulls off his shirt before reaching for his vest inside the locker. Bosco tosses it on but winces as he tries to reach back and position it correctly before trying to fasten down the straps. That task seems agonizingly slow.
Sully gets up and walks towards him. He stops and leans on the locker a few feet away from Bosco.
"Don't even say it," growls out Bosco.
"I wasn't gonna say anything." Sully continues to lean back and watch. Bosco who seems a little too pale today with eyes that are not only bruised but red rimmed as well. Maybe, he didn't sleep well or at all.
Bosco turns back and stares at Sully angrily. "What?" he yells out.
"I'm just waiting for you," Sully says evenly. "If you're gonna be late, we may as well both be late."
Bosco looks at him suspiciously.
Sully senses the mistrust and decides to give Bosco some space. "I'll just wait for you by the door."
Bosco hesitates before going back to changing into his uniform. He looks up at the clock one last time before slamming his locker shut and walking out.
Sully follows closely behind as they make their way to roll call. Bosco opts to sit at the back and Sully positions himself right in front of Bosco to shield him from Swersky, hoping he won't notice the state he's in.
Roll call ends in record time and they both make their way to the RMP. Sully watches as Bosco walks purposefully towards the vehicle, even his walk looks angry. Sully slows down allowing Bosco to make the first move; maybe today he'll want to drive, but he automatically moves to the passenger side.
They take their familiar positions within the unit. Sully turns the key in the ignition as Bosco fidgets in his seat; he can't seem to get comfortable. It's gonna be a long night he thinks to himself.
They sit in silence; Sully deep in thought, rehearsing how to broach the partner topic, Bosco resting his head on the headrest, staring off into the distance.
Sully clears his throat a couple of times to get Bosco's attention but Bosco continues to stare out the passenger window.
"Bosco?" Sully turns.
"What?"
"I spoke to Lieu today - about us." Sully starts tentatively.
"Here we go," Bosco mutters.
"I asked if we could pair up after your probation is over." Sully peers at Bosco to see if there is any reaction to this news. "I've been without a partner for three years now, and ...I just thought this might be good for both of us."
"And what makes you think that?" Bosco asks without turning to look at Sully.
Sully lowers his eyes. "Well, I know we could make a great team together. You being so fast and me being, well," Sully thinks and sees Bosco looking at him, "me being such a good driver." Sully smiles sheepishly.
Bosco snorts lightly before resuming his stare out his window.
"Anyway, if you want to, I'd be more than willing to partner up with you." Sully feels relief at getting this out but doesn't feel he's made any headway when all he gets is silence.
Sully lets out a long breath and tries a different approach. "I need someone who's willing to take a chance on me, you know. Someone who isn't afraid of what happened to my last partner."
Bosco turns back, understanding in his eyes. "I ain't afraid," he says defiantly.
Sully nods. "I know that's why we'd make such a good team together. You're fearless and I'm too cautious. I need someone to balance me out."
Bosco looks at Sully for a few moments before talking. "I'll think about it."
Sully nods thankfully before the car goes silent again.
TW~TW~TW
The baby's screams are deafening. Each new cry louder than the one before until it becomes the only thing Bosco hears.
Sully stands off to one side trying to reason with the woman. Bosco's job is to keep the man away from her, so he stands steadfast before this man, stands before this man who beats his wife, this man who frightens his child. This man who cares more about trying to get at his wife now than trying to comfort his screaming baby.
He tries to block the baby out. But the screams...the screams are overwhelming him.
He rubs his temple nervously. Each scream piercing through his brain like a dull knife. Each scream calling out to a dread deep in the pit of his stomach.
He feels his heart rate speeding up to the rhythm of the pounding in his ears. His mouth suddenly feels like it's filled with cotton. He tries to swallow but he can't even manage that. A terrible heat overtakes him and smothers the air out of his lungs.
He lifts one arm and lightly rests it against his abdomen to soothe the feeling of nausea rising in his belly. The non-stop screaming pounds into him until it threatens to topple him. He opens his mouth to yell for everyone to stop but he can't tell if any sound came out.
He wonders if anyone heard him because the baby's screaming is the only sound he can make out, the only sound still invading his brain.
He turns to face the woman who stands stock still, staring at him, her hand frozen in an incomplete gesture, her mouth agape, her argument against all of this insanity unfinished.
He tries to speak, but just like in his nightmares nothing comes out.
He wants to turn and walk away. He wants to get away from this place but his body betrays him when it refuses to move. He looks down at his feet in confusion, not understanding why his body can't comply with this simple command.
He looks back up again when he feels a hand on his arm. Sully is standing before him mouthing something that he can't quite make out because the baby's screams are impenetrable.
The room starts to sway, the walls undulating as they start to close in on him. He feels the heat rising causing his heart to thud against his chest while his stomach turns slowly as if performing somersaults.
Mercifully, his vision blurs until all he sees is a white haze. He shuts his eyes tightly and feels relief as the baby's screams are replaced by a rushing sound in his ears. The relief is short lived as he loses his grip on reality and feels his world sink down into emptiness.
TBC...