Bosco's a hell of a shot that's for sure, got Mercado right between the eyes. Sonofabitch never had a chance after shooting Faith. I offered to take this collar from Bosco, get it off his hands, because now that Mercado's dead there's gonna be a whole lotta paper work and Bosco's gonna be too busy worrying about Faith. Griffin's not much help either. When I dropped him off at the House he said he'd be taking the next couple of days off. I don't blame him, he practically threw up all over the RMP after seeing Mercado's body. He wanted to go back to the House to take a shower and call it a day. What can I say? Some people just aren't cut out for this line of work. Instead of helping situations, they make matters worse. Griffin's one of those guys, hell, he's Gustler junior if you ask me.
I hope Davis gets off desk duty soon. As much as I like riding solo, I miss my partner. But I agree with Lieu, Davis should take all the time he needs to recuperate. Thinking back on that day when those gunmen showed up at Mercy, it makes my skin crawl. Lucky I was carrying my off duty gun, and lucky Monroe noticed them running down the hall to Bosco's mom's room. I practically lived at Mercy for the couple of weeks Davis was in there after being shot. Monroe helped out a lot with Maggie, taking her home late at night, making sure she got some sleep, and even made sure she was eating. If that doesn't say, daughter-in-law, I don't know what does. The thought of losing her son, hit Maggie hard, but she wasn't the only one. I can't begin to imagine how my life would be like without Davis. That's why I was so set on him making it, the latter is unthinkable.
Well, this time Davis isn't the one in the hospital bed, it's Faith, and I think I can somewhat imagine what Bosco's going through right now. I was surprised when I got the call over the radio from Cruz. She sounded upset and I don't blame her. She left two members of her team without back up. I don't know why Lieu wanted her and Bosco working together to begin with. Those two have been at each other's throats for months now.
I called in before I came here. Mary said Faith's in a coma. I couldn't believe it when she told me. How can three bullets do that? None of them penetrated the vest, it's unbelievable how much damage was done. I've known Faith since she and Bosco came out of the Academy together and joined the 55. I know we haven't been as close as I am to Davis or the way she is with Bosco, but we've been through a lot over the years. 55-Charlie and 55-David have always been somewhat of an action tag team. We're each others back up most of the time, and when Faith and Bosco get into one of their 'old married couple' spats, one of them usually ends up riding with me. Even in her early days when she rode with me a few times, I respected her. Not many rookie cops get that from me. But she was different. She's got a good head on her shoulders, she gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. I guess that's what has allowed her to put up with Bosco all these years. She saw something in him that everyone couldn't, or refused to see. She saw pass his tough guy, super cop, exterior and found a person that she wants to take care of. A person who needs to be taken care of. That's why she mothers him so much.
As I walk through the Emergency sliding doors, I realize how it's never quiet here. There's always one complication after another at Mercy, never a day's rest. I see Mary behind the front desk, and I start toward her.
"Sully, you're here." Mary says, a surprised expression on her face when I arrive at the desk. She smiles politely, and I can't help but notice how tired her eyes are. She looks worn out and it's not even half way into her shift.
"Yeah, hi, Mary. I know we talked over the phone, I just wanted to come by and see her." I tell Mary as she nods her understanding, "where is she?"
"Down the hall, 102. Boscorelli's with her."
"Thanks, Mary."
"No problem, Sully." She says before I turn away and head slowly down the hall. I don't know why, but I'm kinda nervous to see Faith. I haven't really spoken to her much recently, ever since her and Fred gotta divorce, she's been quiet, always keeping to herself. Bosco's probably the only one she confides in, only one she really trusts. As I near Room 102, I can faintly hear Bosco's voice. I stop in the doorway of the room when I arrive, remaining there, as I witness the scene before me.
I was never much for eavesdropping, but something freezes me in place. Bosco's back is to me as he sits at Faith's bedside. It reminds me of the way I sat next to Davis's bedside day in, day out. He's slouched over and his hand is resting lightly on hers. Faith's so pale, I can't believe the woman in that bed is really her. I remain silent, listening to Bosco.
"—I need you to wake up, Faith. I need you to tell me what to do—," his voice cracks slightly, "I'll do anything you want—but I need you to wake up and tell me. I can't decide this on my own—."
I wonder what he's talking about, but before he says anything else Bosco breaks down, burying his face in Faith's hair. He wraps his arms around her the best he can and just pleads with her to hear him. I thought I lost my compassion, my sympathy, my emotion, but I was wrong because what I see right now is enough to bring tears to my eyes. It takes him a few minutes to regain his composure.
"I can't do this—," he starts again, pulling back and wiping his eyes, "not only because I'm scared to death you won't forgive me—I can't do this because—because I know I'll never forgive myself. You know me, I've always been a screw up. But you Faith, you've always been there to clean up the mess, always there to make sure I was all right—you've always helped me. And when you didn't care, you did. I don't deserve to have someone like you—I don't."
If I had heard him say that a few years ago I'd agree with him. I would have thought, of course he doesn't deserve her. But over the years, things changed. So did my opinion. I don't know the gravity of how deeply he cares for her, but I know he does. It's obvious. I saw it first hand that day when he was willing to throw his life away and go to jail, just as long as Faith was all right. How's that for loyalty? But it hasn't really occurred to me until now, that, well, he loves her. I'm not sure if he's in love with her, but I know he loves her. That's why he's crying, that's why he's pouring his heart and soul out to her, even if she's not awake, he knows she can hear him. They complement each other, that's just the way they work. I even like to think sometimes that she's his sanity, the only thing holding him back from completely losing it.
"If there was another way, if I could save you both, you know I would—I'm so sorry. I'm sorry—even when I know 'sorry' isn't gonna be enough." There he goes, blaming himself again. "I have to do this—I can't lose you, Faith—not you and as happy as I know this baby would've made you—for my own selfish reasons—I just—I need you." Baby? Wait. What baby? I think I've heard way more than I should've. I clear my throat to get Bosco's attention.
He turns around and looks at me and for the first time I see the redness in his eyes.
"Hey," I greet innocently, trying not to let him think I overheard anything. He gets out of the chair and walks over to me. "I wanted to stop by, see how she was doing."
"Don't worry bout the collar, I'll handle everything." I tell him, hoping to give him at least a little relief.
"Thanks, Sul." He utters as he turns his head so he can look back at Faith. He sighs heavily and then looks back at me, "she's in a coma."
"I know. Mary told me over the phone on my way here." I stuff my hands into my pockets. I don't know what else to do with them. I don't think Bosco would feel comfortable if I pull him into a friendly hug and tell him he can cry on my shoulder if he wants to. The only shoulder he'd let himself cry on is Faith's and she's not up for that at the moment. That's why he's like this, that's why he looks so broken and fragile.
"The doctors are hoping to get her into surgery as soon as—," he stops himself and I know the reason has to be related to this baby he was talking about a few minutes ago.
"Well, let's hope it goes well." I say to him. I don't want him feeling like he has to finish his sentence. If he's not comfortable with whatever's going on with Faith, then I sure don't need to know about it. It's probably something personal, something between him and Faith.
"Yeah." Bosco runs his fingers through his hair, and looks down.
"Boscorelli," It's Mary, she glances briefly at me before returning her attention to Bosco, "you ready?" Bosco looks at her, something changing in his eyes. A few seconds ago he was just frail and broken, now he's completely lifeless. There's nothing in his eyes as I look at him. It's as if he's empty inside and I'm clue less as to why.
Bosco opens his mouth to speak but ends up just nodding. I feel for the guy, I really do. This is so wrong, it's not fair, for both of them. Bosco and Faith have been through so much in the past year, this is just on more problem they're facing. At least they're in this one together. But then again, I really can't imagine them not having one another in times of need.
"I'll call the doctor." Mary says and then turns to leave. Bosco and I walk out into the hall. He leans back against the wall and I remain near the doorway to Faith's room. He looks tired, his eyes half closed as he stares off into the distance.
"Did you go by the House?" He asks, breaking the silence that was starting to get a bit uncomfortable.
"Yeah."
"Was Cruz there?"
"Sure was. She was going in when I was leaving. Marched herself right up to her office and slammed the door. Lieu went and talked to her, I heard her saying something about filing assault charges on someone, I don't know, she sounded pretty pissed off." I tell him, "did she come by here?"
"Wouldn't be Cruz if she didn't show up here, rubbing it in my face how this is my fault." Bosco tells me, "assault charges, really?"
Oh no. "Yeah, why? You didn't hit her did you?"
Bosco smirks, and I'm glad to have cheered him up, at least a little. "No, but I can't say I didn't think about it."
"It's a good thing you didn't. Lieu wants to speak with you, I think he might come down here later, if he's not already on his way. You okay, here? I can stay and hang out for a while." I offer. I don't think he should be alone at a time like this. He needs a friend, I'm willing to be that friend if he lets me. I've known him for too long not to care.
"Nah, I'm good." He lies. Before I can protest, a tall, lanky man arrives, behind him is Mary.
"Which one of you is Officer Boscorelli?" He asks looking from me to Bosco. Bosco steps forward, crossing his arms in front of his chest as the doctor turns to him, "I'm Dr. McMillian. I'm handling your partner's—."
"Good." Bosco interrupts the doctor, glancing nervously at me, "just do it."
"Okay." The doctor steps pass Bosco and into the room. I watch from the doorway as the doctor pulls out a syringe and a bottle of yellowish liquid. He fills the needle with the liquid then moves to inject it into Faith.
The three of us are outside, watching the doctor do his thing. I know now what's been eating him up inside. It's the baby, he had to give the 'okay' to terminate it. It's the only way to insure Faith's survival. I can't imagine how this much be eating him up inside.
"She won't feel anything Boscorelli." Mary assures him. My eyes turn to Bosco, he swallows hard, his full attention on Faith. Mary's words seem to have had an effect on him.
"Not physically." He whispers a reply. A tear falls from his eye and he quickly wipes it away. "It's not fair. I just found out—I didn't even have time to—to let it sink in. I didn't have time to even be happy about it."
"I know." I put my hand on his shoulder, offer my support.
Just as the doctor's about to inject the liquid into Faith, Bosco pounds on the glass, obviously seeing something I wasn't.
"Wait!" He shouts, "Don't do it!"
"Bosco, he has to." I tell him, but then his eyes lock with mine.
"No, you don't understand. She's awake."