"Oh, my God."
"Cruz, what are you—how long have you been standing there?"
"I—I um—wanted to stop by and—Bosco? Is that true? I can't believ—you and Bosco."
"It was one night, it just happened. You can't—this is my secret, Cruz."
"Your secret?"
Life's really been hard on me for a while now. Most of the complications I've had in my life stem from my drive and need to bring down the bad guys. I used to be all about getting those 'bad' guys in jail, using any means necessary to do so. I did the things I did only because it's my job to clean up the streets, it's my job to protect others, make the world a better place so to speak. Okay, so my methods weren't always by the book. Screw the book, I've locked up a hell of a lot more people than most and I ain't got a single regret in doing so. With the exception of Michael Boscorelli that is. Bosco still hasn't forgiven me for his brother's death. I can't blame him, I should've slowed down when he asked me to. But hell, I'm sick and tired of Bosco blaming every little bad thing that happens in his life on me. It's been nearly two years since that incident that happened in that hotel room.
"He doesn't know?"
"No. And he never will."
"Faith."
"Cruz, this is my child. I get the right to decide, not you."
"Bosco's gotta right too. Why don't you ask him how he feels about it?"
Bosco was a huge disappointment, but I should've never expected him to be my star. He already belonged to someone else, but he didn't even know it. I still don't think he knows. I used to hate Yokas. Mostly because Bosco would never look at me the way he looked at her. Even when they weren't speaking to each other, every time she came near, I'd watch him watch her. It was sickening really, I mean I was the one he was sleeping with, but she was the one that still had him wrapped around her finger. I don't think he'd ever admit it out loud how much he admires and respects her. Damn fool, adores her, practically worships the ground she walks on. That's the reason why after I shot her, I lost him forever. I know he'll never forgive me for nearly killing his partner, and the fact that he still blames his brother's death on me doesn't help the chance of Bosco being decent to me one day. So I've made mistakes, a lot, but I'd like to think I changed after what happened on my undercover assignment a while back. Even if I won't admit it out loud, I'm grateful to Monroe for being so supportive through those times. Yeah, it was tough, that's why I knew then that I needed to change, for the better.
"So, you're gonna raise this child alone?"
"That's the plan, yeah."
"Every kid needs a father."
"Not every child grows up with a father, most turn out fine."
"And the others become serial killers."
I was still motivated though and Yokas wasn't making it any easier for me. She was constantly getting in my face, shadowing my every move. One slip and I knew she'd turn my ass into IAB. But then she goes all heroic on me again, and saves my life. I didn't even see the bastard behind me, I thought for sure Yokas was gonna shoot me, but she didn't. Instead, she saved my life. As much as she hated me for everything that went on between us, she still saved my life, yet again. Maybe it was then that I started to ease off a little, but then that whole thing with her and Bosco and their need to upstage me when it came to the ecstasy collar, well, I couldn't have that. That drove yet another wedge between us. But soon I found that we finally had a common goal, bring down Donald Mann. He killed Wynn, wounded my guys, and even had the balls to attack Bosco while at his brother's wake. So while I sat in that hospital room with Bosco, Yokas, and Davis, when that shooter came, I don't even know what came over me. I took that bullet for Yokas without even giving it a second thought. For so long I had carried this guilt with me over what I did to her, a woman who has saved my life more than once, I finally was able to repay her.
"He's marrying Grace. He's happy, for the first time in a long time. How can I take that from him?"
"How can you keep his own child from him?"
"I have my reasons."
"And of course they're selfless, but keeping Bosco from his own child? It's wrong and you know it."
"You've got no right to stand there and judge me. I lost everything when my Fred took my family from me. This baby is all I have left. It's different for Bosco. He doesn't only have this baby, he doesn't only have me anymore. He has Grace and he loves her and he's gonna marry her. I'm not going to keep him from the life he—he wants. The life he wants—with Grace, not the life he got stuck with because he got—his—his one night stand pregnant."
"It's okay, Faith. Hey, it's alright. I understand. This is a mother's decision, but Bosco—lov—he loves you, Faith. He'd take care of you."
"I'm his best friend, nothing more. I care about him too much—I can't keep being a burden to him. It's gotta stop sometime and that time is now."
I think she knows why I risked my life for her, and that's why we've been on good terms ever since. We don't bicker, we don't fight, we're pass it all now, and I can't explain what a relief that is. The problem though, is since Yokas and I have been getting along, her partner's been hating every minute of it. He hates that she's nice to me, he hates that he's gotta act decent to me when she's around. He hates me and every time he comes near, I can't help but feel uncomfortable. I've butted heads with a lot of people in my lifetime but none have looked at me with such contempt and loathing the way Bosco looks at me. And to think, he's the same guy that couldn't get enough of me two years ago. We've come a long way since then. But as much as we're not too fond of each other, keeping him from his natural right as a father, is something I find very wrong. If Faith cares for Bosco so much, how can she keep something like this from him? I've been asking myself that same question since I found out seven weeks ago. And it's beyond me why I've been keeping this secret for her.
"You're what?!" I hear Bosco voice from the locker room when I arrive at work. I glance down at my watch. Wow, that's a surprise, he's early. As I near the locker room another voice from inside catches my attention.
"We talked about it all last night." Yokas said, her tone obviously trying to get Bosco to calm down. Whatever they were talking about is getting him pretty frustrated.
"You talked about what? You've got nothing to talk about with that jagoff, Faith. I can't believe you're even considering taking him back." Bosco's building up an audience outside of the locker room, a few Officers linger close trying to catch another episode of the Bosco/Yokas drama.
"I miss my children! They miss me! I need them Bosco, I need them. I can't keep living so far away. I can't. You don't know how lonely it is to go home every night. To walk into an empty apartment. An apartment that was never empty before. I used to have a family, now I have nothing."
"You've got me, Faith!" I think I actually hear desperation in his voice. I can just picture the two of them right now, both in tears. "Call me when you're lonely. You know I'll come. I'll always be there for—."
"And I'm sure Grace will just love that—wake up, Boz. You're getting married in a week."
"You've been married since before we met, but that didn't stop us from being friends, Faith. Just because I'm gonna be married—well, it doesn't change anything!" Bosco shouts back, I've never heard him speak to her in such an angry tone before. I wish someone would go in to the locker room and get Yokas out of there instead of everyone just standing right outside of the door listening. Some of the guys are snickering, saying Bosco should be marrying Yokas not Grace because they're already acting like an old married couple.
It's then that I hear a third party in the locker room with them, "Just back off, Bosco." Sasha's voice is firm as she enters the dispute. I wouldn't have thought she was in there. Then again, she is Bosco's partner and the reason why he's probably on time.
"Stay out of this, Monroe!" Bosco barks. And seconds later Sasha's heading out of the locker room. I tell the Officers crowded around the locker room door to take a hike before I approach Sasha. She looks stressed as she glances back at the door, deciding whether to go back in or not.
"What's happening in there?" I ask.
"Faith came in like 10 minutes ago and told Bosco she was planning on getting back together with Fred." She informs me.
"What?" Well, my suspicions are confirmed, but why would Yokas want to go back to that guy. He really did a number on her, probably the reason why she turned to Bosco for comfort.
"Yeah, and Bosco's not too happy about it as you can probably tell. Sorry, Cruz, I gotta go call Lieu. He's the only one that can break those two apart."
Soon after Sasha leaves, Bosco starts up again, "you get it out of your head, Faith, because you're not going back to him." Whoa, that's pushing it, Bosco. If I know Yokas, which I hardly do, but if I didn't know her at all I could certainly tell by just looking at her that she's not the kind of woman that likes being told what to do. She actually hates it. And sure enough, Yokas snaps.
"Who the hell do you think you are? How is it that you think I'm gonna do what you want me to do? I'm sick and tired of this, Bosco. I have to make things work with Fred—for my kids sake at least. They love their father."
"Just shut up about Fred will you? He cheated on you remember? He left you for another woman, why can't you get that through your thick head and stop defending him to me. I know him well enough to hate him because he hurt you Faith. He hurt you worse than anyone else possibly could, and you're standing there telling me you're planning on going back to that loser."
"He's the father of my children."
"Doesn't make him any less of a loser—," I hear Bosco breathe in deeply before saying, "does he know you're pregnant?...yeah, I didn't think so."
"He'll understand—."
"No, he won't understand. You should know that. He'll never accept you having someone else's child. He'll call you dirty, he'll treat you no better than he did before, he'll hurt you all over again, Faith, is that what you want? Tell me, is that what you want for this baby?"
"Fred's a good father."
Then Bosco's voice is suddenly just above a whisper, but full of rage, "Fred is no better than the ground I walk on, and if you go back to him, neither are you." My mouth is hung open, I can't believe he just told her that. It's then that I hear I sudden crack, the sound of hand connecting with cheek. Yokas has had enough, she finally slapped him. I think this is the first time she's ever done something like this because soon after I hear her apologizing.
"Bosco—I'm—I'm sorry, I didn't mean—Boz," Faith pleads with him.
"Don't touch me. I'm through with you. Go back to him, I don't care. I can't stand to look at you anymore." I hear a locker slam and then the door to the locker room flies open and Bosco exits just as Sasha arrives with Lieu in tow. I notice the slight redness on Bosco's left cheek. Yokas got him a good one.
"Boscorelli, what's going on?" Lieu demands, his face a mixture of fear and anger.
"Let's go, Monroe." Bosco snaps, pushing pass me on his way out. Even when Lieu's calling after him, he doesn't turn, he just keeps walking, straight out of the House. Lieu glances from me, Sasha, and the locker room door, before his eyes finally settle on Monroe.
"Calm him down, Sasha. Watch him today." He orders, Sasha nods, and runs off after Bosco. I don't know if she'll be able to calm him when he's this angry. The one person who possibly can is ironically the same person that got him so upset. But I've got faith in Sasha, she's got a good head on those shoulders. Lieu looks at me, "I guess I should go in there and speak to her."
I stop him, "let me go—I'll talk to her." He looks at me a moment, deciding to agree or not. He sighs heavily then nods. I force a smile, breathe in deeply then I push open the locker room door. As soon as I get in there, I see Faith, leaning against the wall by the sink. She's drying her eyes with some tissue, and right now, I feel so bad for her. She's giving birth soon, it should be a joyous time for her, she shouldn't be crying like this. Bosco, you jerk.
"Yokas?" I say, in a very uncharacteristic gentle tone. Where'd that voice come from? Certainly not me, right? I watch as she looks up at me, her eyes slightly puffy.
"Hey."
"You okay?"
"It's the hormones, that's all. I always get emotional—it's nothing." But soon after she tells me that, she breaks down and I help her to the bench. Her belly is enormous, looks like she can pop anytime now. For the next few minutes I just pat her back gently while she cries.
A week goes by pretty quickly. Bosco and Yokas still haven't spoken to one another since that day in the locker room. Bosco's being stubborn if you ask me. I know he wants Yokas at his wedding, but it's his damn pride that's keeping him from calling her. He acts like he doesn't care, but I heard him a few days ago ask Monroe if she'd talk to Yokas lately, and seemed disappointed when Monroe said 'no'. I've been thinking for a week, what to do about this rift between Bosco and Yokas and well, I came up with a plan that I hope will work.
Maybe I should put the sirens on, that'll get me there faster. Yep, these jagoffs in front of me are finally moving out of my way. Well, anyway, as I was saying, I've devised a plan to get Bosco talking to Yokas again. I'm seeing it ending up one of two ways. The first way is Bosco and Yokas finally talking to one another and dealing with all their issues. The latter is Bosco and Yokas finally talking to one another, dealing with all their issues, and then killing each other because they just can't resolve their problems. I've been carrying a heavy load on my shoulders since the day Yokas told me she was having Bosco's baby and well, I think what I'm about to do will change more than just the lives of Bosco and Yokas. A lot of people are involved in this now.
Is this the place? Wow, it's nothing like I imagined. Grace always looked like the kind of girl who'd want to get married in a nice, little, white chapel. I don't even bother to park the car nicely, I hop the curb with my front two tires and then start quickly towards the entrance. I listen in just to make sure it's the right place before I burst through the front doors.
"If there is anyone present here who objects and can show just cause as to why these two should not wed, speak now or forever hold your peace—." The minister says. Talk about perfect timing.
I clear my throat and as loud and firm as I can, I say, "I object."
I hold my breath as everyone in the church turns around to look at me. There's no going back now. God, help me.