Rules and Broken Trust Chapter 22

Continuation of the fishing trip...plus....

and if you guys want more....you know what to do...read AND review! lol

'Still no word Faith?" Fred hesitantly watched from the bedroom doorway as Faith dressed for work. He could see the toll Bosco's disappearance was taking on her. He felt helpless as he watched her shake her head sadly. He also knew that most thought the man was dead. And the last few days he could see Faith had begun to think that also. He and Bosco at one time had been good friends, until Bosco had started to be careless about Faith's safety. Fred knew she was as much at fault as he was, but he somehow had never been able to stop blaming him for her getting shot. Though with his disappearance Fred was hoping for a second chance at doing just that. If Bosco was found he'd decided to talk things over with him. If he was found.

"No," her one word reply usually followed by a 'not yet, but we're getting closer' was left standing between them alone this time. Fred lowered his eyes looking at the ruffle on the bottom of the bed, asking, "Babe, are you okay?" Glancing back over at her as she sat on the edge of the bed, he saw her shoulders give a soft shrug as she pulled her boot on. As he entered the room he watched as her head dropped and her shoulders began to shake. Moving to sit beside her Fred didn't speak, he simply took her into his arms as she began to cry. For the first time, real fear began to eat at him. If Faith had given up hope, then Bosco was probably dead. He knew from talking to Sullivan, that when the others started to believe that, she and Ty were the ones convinced he was still alive. A few days ago, Ty had confessed to Faith that he was losing hope. Now for her to do so... "Faith, honey look at me, please." Taking her face between his hands, he wiped the tears away from her cheeks, "Don't give up! Promise me, okay. Just don't. Bosco's strong. Remember we use to hang out together, I know how he is. Stubborn and yeah okay, sometimes dumber than me," at her gentle chuckle he continued, "but he's a fighter. Look at everything he's been through in his life. You don't give up. He's waiting for you guys to find him. So you keep looking."

Faith looked at her gentle giant of a husband, a wondering look on her face. Stroking his face, then leaning away she finished dressing, "How do you know Fred? How do you know he's still thinks we're looking, if he is alive. That he's not given up on us or knows we haven't given up on him after all this time?" Fred smiled at her, kissing her forehead as he stood up. Starting out of the room, he firmly stated, "Because Babe, you never give up on people you love, none of you do. You're all a bunch of stubborn one track minded bulldozers. If it was me, I would be expecting the door to bust in any second. I know you'd find me, no matter what it took. After twelve years of being partners even with all the crap that happened, you really think Bosco would think any different? If he's still alive? He's still waiting for that door to bust open Faith. Now its up to you guys to find the right door." Looking back at her as she stood astonished, watching him, he added, "Don't give up looking Faith. If it was you, he wouldn't stop until he had proof otherwise or you were home. I might have blamed him for allot of things, and I was always worried you'd follow him right into a bullet," he gave a hard laugh, followed by a sigh, "but I never had any doubts that if something happened to you, if you went missing, he'd do everything it took to get you back home to us. Isn't that what you've been drilling into my stubborn head for twelve years? Partners are always there for each other? Always got each others backs, no matter what?" Walking to the door following him from the room she smirked behind his back, "Yeah Fred, I just never knew you were listening." His soft chuckle as he went to get his keys to go pick up Charlie from school followed her as she left the apartment. His words of 'faith' and encouragement giving her another push to keep trying. To keep her faith that Bosco was indeed still alive.

"Leo, I know what you're going to say, and no you're not coming with me," the man moved around his bedroom packing a suitcase. Removing shirts from a dresser he glanced over at the man Leo giving him a stern look. Unfazed by his argument, Leo countered, "Look, I'm not staying here. I told you the other day I would be there to support you in this. And I meant it. You are always helping me out, let me be there for you! Besides, I already bought my ticket, told Helena I was taking my leave of absence and I'm packed. So, I'm ready and its in the car waiting."

Stopping as he placed the shirts into the suitcase, he looked up, "Why? After all I told you? After what I did? Hell, I'm going to prison and I know it, you'd just be coming back here by yourself." Leo stood and rounded the bed, standing before him, "Then I'll just come back by myself. But, when you get out, I'll be there to pick you up." As the man grinned at him he added, "Besides my dearest, that's what friends do, right?" Leaning to him, "And besides, I thought we were more than that. Was I wrong?"

Running his hand lightly down Leo's arm, "No, you weren't wrong. But..." Leo had turned to the dresser and picked up a book lying there, tossing it in the suitcase, "But nothing, hurry up before we miss our plane!" The man nodded slowly, then went back to packing.

"Maurice! Wait up, why are you moving so fast?" Vinny grinned at his rush to the pond. Watching him stumble along through the trees, trying not to fall over roots and stumps Vinny rolled his eyes, "Great that's all we'd need, him with a broken leg!" Calling out now, "Maurice, slow down!" Narrowing his eyes as he refused to do so. Vinny stopped grinning, the slow burn anger he often felt coming into his voice, "I'm not telling you again, slow the hell down!"

Bosco plunged further into the trees, oblivious to Vinny's calls. The new found freedom, combined with the first real sunshine unfiltered by the cabins tinted windows he'd had in months was going straight to his head. It was briskly cold but not freezing today, and the smells of the mountain were adding to his lightening mood. The sweet smell of the wet earth's soft soil, the decomposing leaves from fall, combined with the pines scent were intoxicating after being cooped up for so long. Unfortunately it was also making him more careless than usual, something that seemed to occur more and more often now even as his control over Vinny grew. His boldness lately now that Vinny was convinced of his 'love' sometimes led him straight into problems, though so far small ones. Vinny though for his part seemed almost possessed to prove his patience and tolerance with trying to make him happy. Rushing ahead as he was, he figured Vinny was feeling the same way as he was, happy to be out. So he continued on, giving no sign he heard him calling. His mind was also dealing with his coming off the drugs cold turkey, trying to remain upright as his rush began to be a headlong flight. And as such, he ignored the warning signs both his body and Vinny were sending him.

Coming out of the trees he stopped short, nearly falling down the hillside, overwhelmed by the vista before him. Catching himself by grasping a tree at the edge of the trees, he exclaimed, "Oh MAN!" His enthusiastic shout was followed by more laughter as he charged down the small hillside to the ponds gravel banks. Stumbling to a stop he gaped at his surroundings.

Laid out before him was a medium size pond, its edges just beginning to freeze over with a nearly clear blue-white rind. Snow still lingered on the rinds surface, and would become ice as the days progressed into hard winter, more snow lay in blankets all along the shore, some joined some separate as the sun beat down this day. Layers of the sparkling white dust clung to the undergrowth of the trees at the far edges of the pond. Still more lay along the crevasses of the rock formation he was staring at. Surrounding the pond on his left and across it were stands of trees, thick and looking nearly impenetrable. At the farthest edge away from him to his right was a drop off. That was where the small waterfall he'd seen from the cabin windows was located. Nearest right leading from the waterfall to just about 25 feet away from where he now stood was the rock formation rising high above the pond. It reached its highest point as it curved off into the trees behind him, helping to create a higher point of the hill he'd just charged down so joyously. The top of it was tree laden but had large flat areas where you could stand if you wanted to, blanketed with the piles of snow now. He imagined in the summer you might be able to dive from there if the pond was deep enough. All he desired to do this moment was to look at it. The sun sparkled off the water, glinting against the rocks, and up into the tall stands of trees like small flashes from spotlights. Moving constantly to reflect itself, showing sections of the forest off making some areas look as if they were lit from within. The rocks having mica in them looked as though they were glowing in places as the sun danced over them. Even though it was winter, the trees being a variety of pines retained their greenness, the needles of the trees looking almost soft to the touch, adding to the almost fantasy like beauty of the place. If he had been a man of more articulate locution, 'ethereal' might have come from him just then. But as happened to him often is such circumstances he was struck wordless by the beauty.

And then there were the sounds. Birds that wintered here called from the trees around him, songs varied like the scenery laid out before him. The pines themselves rustled as the winters breeze blew across their tops. To his stunned mind, having become accustomed only to the sounds of his and Vinny's voices, the TV and stereo, this was sounding like a soft song played just for him. Played just for this moment in this place. The quiet roar of the waterfall rushing over the rock formations lowest point, loud enough to be heard, but soft enough to instantly lull the senses into a feeling of peace. Even the crunch of the multicolored gravel as he approached the waters rimed edge added to his experience with this magical place. Bosco for a few minutes forgot where he was, or why he was there. In those moments, in that place he stood in awe, the tackle box at his feet. He'd gently placed it on the gravel, before standing again to drink in the beauty and serenity of the ponds surroundings. He was untouched by what had happened in the preceding two months time. He was free.

Then the moment was shattered as Vinny came out of the trees, angry, and yelling at him for not obeying and waiting for him. "Maurice! DAMN ITT! I told you how many times to stop and wait?" His voice finally cut through into the fog of the withdrawals mood swing. His anger mixing with the sounds of the pond and Bosco found himself sharply brought back to the present. Like a slap to his senses, Vinny's angry voice shattered his mood.

Suddenly he was standing in the bitter of cold winters harsh grip, on sharp wet slippery stones, looking out at a dark, ice rimmed deep and dangerous body of water. Surrounded by lonely black forest, frightening in its looming vastness. Holding dangers only imagined in his nightmares. The waterfall becoming a sharp edged plunge to death as the rock formation became a prison wall, its glow mearly the dim lights of its cells. The blankets of snow melted yellow destroyed mounds. The sounds of the birds shrill and irritating, the rustle of the trees blending together, grating on his senses like nails on a chalkboard. And he was again a prisoner.

"Why the hell do you have to FUCKING RUIN EVERYTHING?" Whirling around as Vinny approached he charged up to him. "HUH? Why? Does it always have to be about YOU?" Vinny stood looking down at him, a mildly shocked look on his face as Bosco tossed the fishing pole to the ground. "I am so sick and tired of you always bitching when you don't get your way! Good God you act like every damn girlfriend I've ever had!" Shoving Vinny hard in the chest he stormed off to stand again at the edge of the pond. Muttering to himself, "And people wonder why I dump them so damn fast?" Breathing heavily his hands shaking. Finding himself sweating suddenly he swiped his coat sleeve across his forehead, trying to regain control of himself.

Vinny approached him cautiously, his anger dissipated as fast as it had come, concern in his voice as he saw him shaking, "Maurice, I've been calling to you to wait for me the entire way. Asking you to slow down, to stop and wait up." Bosco rolled his head to the side irritated before staring over at the rocks. "Yeah, well, maybe I didn't hear you." Whipping his head to look at Vinny, his mood growing more dangerous, a harsh tone to his voice, "Or, maybe I did and didn't WANT to stop! That ever occur to YOU?" A strange look creeping over his face, confusion mixed with pain. Vinny stood watching, unsure what was going on. His experience with the drugs had been completely recreational. And only at the cabin, so he was uncertain how to deal with Bosco now. Stomach tightening he wondered if he'd made a mistake making him go cold turkey. Now looking closer he saw signs that something serious was happening, even after only a night and morning without them.

Eyes not settling on any one thing for long, Bosco reached up under his jacket sleeve, scratching at his arm. Looking down at it as he did so, as if surprised. He was sweating even in the cold, and Vinny even after almost running to catch up to him, was not. A white line around the outer edges of his lips with the now flushed cheeks and white forehead made Vinny step towards him, "Maurice, maybe we better head back, we can come out here tomorrow. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to show you this myself. Watch your face the first time you saw it. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm sorry."

Bosco stepped back from him, more confusion as his anger also dissipated as fast as it had come upon him, but for a different reason. Squinting now against the once enjoyed, now harsh sunlight he turned away from Vinny, staggering towards the rocks. Confusion and fear in his voice, "No, no, its okay, Vin. We don't have to go back. I want to stay."

His stomach which had been warning him from the outset of his race to leave the cabin, against pushing himself, now was yelling at him. Again he swiped his forehead, looking at the wet sleeve as if trying to comprehend what he was seeing. Stumbling a short distance further forward he found himself on his knees, Vinny calling his name out. A loud roaring was in his ears, seeming to come from inside his brain, unrelenting in its quest to exit. His skin felt like small insects were burrowing their way through him. His entire body flinching with irritation. Eyes blurring he felt hands on his shoulders holding him. Those same hands moving, one on his forehead the other around his back as his stomach finally won the argument. Fallen to his hands and knees, hands braced on the sharp stones. Vinny holding him, as he retched again and again. The hastily shoved down breakfast of eggs and coffee lost to the ponds gravel banks. Moaning as the burning acid forced its way across his throat. When he thought it was over, it started again. Dry heaves tore through him as his stomach muscles took the punishment and gave him pain back. Fifteen minutes passed before finally he was released from the torment. Collapsing as Vinny continued to talk to him, his voice trying to reassure, but his words lost as Bosco blacked out.

Stepping out of the cab in front of Station House 55 the man was met with shocked looks. Officers froze staring at him, a few began to approach then taking another look stopped. Confusion written on every face as he waited for his friend to emerge from the cab before heading inside. Every officer who saw him followed slowly behind as he entered. Meeting up with one who only saw the side of his face at the time, he was called to, "OH MY GOD BOSCO!" More heads turned to look, seeing him walking to the Sign in desk, everyone seemed frozen in place. As the one who called realized this could not be 'Bosco' he started forward to intercept the man. The man sidestepped him with an apologetic smile, knowing this was not someone of enough rank to talk to first.

Dave hearing the commotion looked up from the Sergeants desk where he'd been handling the calls while the Desk Sergeant was on dinner break. He dropped the file he was holding, set the phone back on the hook and took a second look. Quickly realizing that this was not Bosco but was indeed a man they'd thought dead he left the desk rapidly walking up to him, "Denver Starke?" The man looked down at Dave and nodded, "Yes sir," not hesitating he added, "I think I can maybe help you find your missing officer, Lieutenant," checking the man's nametag, "Swersky?"

"This way," Dave grabbed him by his arm, looking at the others, "GET BACK TO WORK!" He led Denver and his friend to his office, calling back he yelled at one of the officers, "Find Yokas, and Sullivan and Davis and tell them to get in here now! Yokas in at her desk, Sullivan and Davis are somewhere finishing up a collar." As a rapid and loud buzzing began to race over the precient house Dave left them staring at him, closing the door on the increasing noise he asked, "Coffee?" Motioning them to take a seat, he was staring at Denver as they both declined the offer of a cup and instead sat facing him as he went around to his desk.

"Lt. Swersky, "Denver started, jumping right into the situation, "I want to go on the record right now as saying I don't believe that Vincent would have kidnapped your officer. That is just not something he would do, sir." His coat and hat in his lap, he sat calmly before the Lt. but his stomach and chest were belying his calm exterior. Denver knew after he 'confessed' his actions to this man, he could and probably would be in serious trouble. But two years was long enough for one man to suffer, and his conscience was finally too much for him. "Maybe I better start at the beginning..."

Dave sat amazed at how much this man resembled Boscorelli. If he'd not seen him standing as he walked in, and not seen his eyes as he came closer he'd have believed it was him. That Bosco had suddenly decided to join the 'young-hip' crowd and dye his hair blonde. Trying not to yell, or show his deep anger he ground out, "Why don't you start at the end, and tell me where my Officers are?" He sat back in his chair, folding his hands across his stomach. What he really wanted to do was reach across this desk and shake the ever loving hell out of this man. Dave had a sinking feeling that before this was over, he knew a few others who would feel the same way.

Denver sat quietly, collecting his thoughts and words before he began. But as he opened his mouth to speak, the door to Swersky's office was flung open.

"Oh my GOD!" Faith stood stock still staring at the man before her. Sully and Ty having been in one of the offices doing a report on a perp they'd brought in a half hour ago behind her, echoing her words, though more silently. A few moments passed as they stared then Swersky cleared his throat, "Umm, you want to come in and close the door? Mr. Starke here was just about to tell me where he thinks Boscorelli and Vetresco are."

Silently they entered, too shocked by both the man's appearance and the fact that contrary to very one else's belief he was not dead. "Take a seat, Yokas," Swersky indicated the chair next to his desk, Sully and Ty took up positions beside her and the filing cabinet. Glancing back at Starke he nodded, "Go on. You were about to tell me where my Officers are?"

Denver took a deep breath, unsure who these people were, but from the looks of shock he assumed they must either be friends or perhaps partner to Boscorelli. He was hoping that at least one felt that way about Vincent. "I'd rather start at the beginning, Sir. I need to explain why I think he couldn't have done this. And if he did, why he might have." At Swersky's dark look he paused, but then suddenly the Lt. sighed hard and nodded, replying, "Fine, but it better not take all night."

"Vincent was my partner," Denver started, "in Chicago. But I guess by now you already know that." He didn't wait for confirmation but continued. "I'd had partners before him, two in fact. One was killed in the line of duty 12 years ago, I was still a rookie. The second an older officer, decided 8 years ago to move up to a higher rank. That's when I was hooked up with Vincent." He glanced over at the female officer, eyes moving over the men standing next to her and against the cabinets, "Vincent was a good cop, and a good man. He loved his job and people. Always telling me that he'd decided to be a cop because he could make a difference in peoples lives." He looked down at his hands, "Unlike myself. I was a cop because it was expected of me. Both grandfathers and my father were Chicago PD. I really didn't care for it, until I hooked up with Vincent as a partner." He looked up at the Lt. again, "Vincent had a college education, could have gone on to be a Dr. or whatever he wanted. But all he ever wanted was to be a cop. His dad was pretty powerful in Chicago. Big shot Pharmacist. Owned a small chain of businesses. He wasn't real thrilled with the idea, but got over it when Vincent made the papers a few times. Medals have a way of making parents change their minds on career choices." His words were tumbling out rapidly as if he were afraid to lose his nerve if he didn't spill them out into the room.

"Look, I'm sure he was Mr. Superhero, but does this have a point? Cause if it doesn't and you're just yanking our chains...." Sully spoke up standing away from the filing cabinet, looking threateningly down at the man sitting in the chair. "John," Swersky warned, "enough." Pointedly looking at Starke, "Go ahead, but he's right, this had better have a point."

The man sitting next to Starke began to speak, but before he could get two words out, Starke stopped him, "No, Leo," his hand on his arm, "no, its okay." Looking at Dave, "Yes, it has a point. We'd been partners for two years, plus. Everything was going great. We'd become great friends. Were best friends as well as partners. Vincent's Dad had a cabin. We would go there to fish and hunt during the seasons. Just to hang out and get away from the job stress other times."

"We know about a cabin," Faith finally finding her voice as she continued to stare at this near replica of Bosco, "but it was sold." She was finding it hard to sit still watching him. His mannerisms were similar to Bosco's, but his size difference and eye color were keeping her thrown. It was like looking at a photo that had been retouched to make the person into someone else. Real and yet not. Then he smiled, she felt herself pale as she saw Bosco's smile issue from this stranger. Ty seeing this dropped his hand onto her shoulder as a show of support. He was feeling the strain of looking at this man, and could only imagine what she must be going through.

"Actually, yes and no on that." Starke gave the quick smile, then continued, "One day Vincent came to me upset, his Dad had sold the cabin. He didn't know we were using it so much. They weren't as close as they'd been, and he was in a panic. Sometimes his Dad did some strange things. I told him to buy it back, he could afford it. So he tried. But it had gone to a couple who divorced right after the sale went through. The wife got it, I still have no idea how. And she turned around and sold it to a group of businessmen who thought that a cabin in the mountains would be a fun getaway. We went to them and made an offer. I helped him buy it. But he was afraid that if his Dad found out about it, he would stop the sale. Like I said, his Dad sometimes had weird ways about him. So we bought it under my name. Or rather," he gave a smirk, "under my Mother's maiden name, and my middle name. It's under Jared Benton. You would never have figured that one out. We put it in a blind trust, and resold the property to ourselves twice more before I convinced him enough was enough."

"Kind of a strange guy himself doing that wouldn't you say?" Swersky was frowning. Starke smirked, "Well you'd have to know his Dad. He liked to make the rules but didn't want to play by them. If he'd gotten mad about Vincent repurchasing the property, he had enough connections he could have done something to either prevent the sale or make it so hard we would have given up. Vincent loved his Dad, and the feeling was mutual...well until." he stopped again. Swallowing he looked at them each again, "I'm sorry, this is all my fault. And its hard. I know after I tell what happened, I'm going to be in serious trouble. And while my conscience is making me do this, I'm still finding it hard to do."

"You mean because your lack of conscience might have gotten a friend of mine killed? Or because you're afraid of what jail might be like?" Ty spoke up, anger evident in his voice, "Cause if its jail, you should know that's the last thing you should be afraid of if my friends dead because of something you did."

Faith put her hand over Ty's, "Ty don't, let him talk, the longer this takes the longer it is before we can find Bosco." Staring him down, satisfied to see him flush and lower his eyes, Ty replied, "Yea, you're right Faith, just as long as he understands me."

Starke still staring at his hands, Leo watching him closely sat silently, as he continued, "A few weeks after the sale was final, and Vincent was convinced his Dad had no idea about it, we went back to the cabin. To celebrate our victory, and our first purchase of 'vacation' property. We planned on buying more of the land at that time, build a few cabins and rent them out to some of the other Officers as a getaway." He looked off into space a moment as if remembering something. A small quiet smile flickered over his features as he told them about it.

Vinny moved him a short distance away from where he'd been sick, and laid Bosco down on the rocks. Quickly removing his own jacket to place under his head. Checking him and finding him still breathing he found the tackle box and opened it. Inside was a small first aid kit. He removed the ace bandage from it and went to the pond. Dipping it into the icy water he returned and washed his face. Wiping the sweat and vomit from him. Rinsing it in the pond again, he returned and continued wiping his face, trying to cool him. Slowly Bosco regained consciousness. As Bosco opened his eyes fully, "Stop, that's cold shit!" Vinny smiling, giving a heartfelt sigh of relief, as he started to move around, shoving the cloth away, "Don't you do that again! I thought you were dead there for a minute! How are you feeling?"

Bosco blinked slowly at him, moving his head to look to see where he was. The gravel under him shifting with a crunch as he did so. "Oh, man my head. What happened?" Reaching his hand up he took the 'towel' from Vinny. Placing it over his eyes, "I feel like a truck ran me over." Coughing as his raw throat reminded him of being sick a few minutes before. Groaning he laid an arm over his stomach, clenching down to keep the sore muscles from too much movement.

"No, just you ran over you. Well, you and two months of bingeing." Vinny watched him carefully as he tried to sit up, "Whoa, you sure you shouldn't just lay there a minute?" Helping him as Bosco gingerly shook his head no, "Hell no, its cold down here." Looking around him he weakly grinned, "So, we catch any fish yet?" Vinny laughed outloud his relief evident as he helped him regain his feet, "No, you scared them all away. But I think its time to go back now anyhow. You need to rest up a bit, then we're heading back."

"No," Bosco walked over to the hillside slowly, finding a large root to sit on, "not yet anyway. I want to stay out here awhile." Taking in the scenery again, "Tell me how you found this place." Looking over at Vinny as he collected their gear, "You said your Dad owned it? He inherit it or buy it?"

"He bought it," Vinny dropped the tackle box and poles near, slipped back into his coat and took a seat next to him, "I was a teenager when he got it. We had a rental one for years, but after my Mom died, he decided he didn't want to do the camping thing anymore." Smiling as he also took in the ponds view, "I almost had a fit when I found out his decision. Talked him into buying our own place. Told him it would be a good investment. So he found this place. He didn't come out after the first time. Said it wasn't the same without Mom."

"But you kept coming?" Bosco was hoping to get to the picture of the two men he'd found in the cabin, find out who that man was. Nodding Vinny stared over at the rocks, a small frown furrowing his brow, then he looked down, "Yeah, until he sold it anyway. But I bought it back finally. A friend helped me find out who had it, and buy it."

"That the guy in the picture?" Keeping his voice light, as he fought off the pounding in his head, Bosco tensed, hoping Vinny wouldn't freak out. He quickly added as Vinny turned to look at him, "Well I noticed its the same pond in it. And you two looked like you are good friends."

"Yea," Vinny searched his face, "that's him. You know you look a lot like him. Not the eyes or hair, but the features." Bosco wouldn't have been more surprised that Vinny admitted that to him, than if the man had suddenly appeared before them. "The first time I saw you, I thought it was him." He reached up and pushed Bosco's hair behind his ear, "its getting long." Continuing, "You were sitting at the Sign in desk, Swersky was giving you a hard time about making a personal call on HIS phone. You had your head turned some and I couldn't see your eyes, or," he grinned at him, "how tall you were." Bosco rolled his eyes at him grinning, "Yea whatever, enough with the short jokes."

"Okay, okay," Vinny leaned forward opening the tackle box and removing a couple of sandwiches from it, "here, eat this, or at least try. Its a long, SLOW walk back, you're gonna need something." As he watched him begin to try to eat, "I nearly called you by his name. But then you turned and I saw those blue eyes weren't green after all. Took me awhile to stop staring at you. I had to take a personal day to stop myself from making a fool of myself."

Watching him as he chewed, Bosco swallowed, waiting a moment to be sure it would stay down, then asked, "What happened to him? He still keep in contact?" It never occurred to him that the man might be dead. But he was almost certain that the man and Vinny had been 'together'.

"Eat," Vinny got quiet, his features masking as they did whenever he was getting uptight about something. Bosco had learned to read him, and let it go. "I'm done." Handing him the paper back, "Got anything to drink in there? I'm about to die of thirst here." Vinny gave a snort, "I think you could die of allot of things in this forest, but with that pond thirst wouldn't be one of them!" Bosco made a face, "Drink dirty pond water? Not likely! No telling what died in there! OR peed in there!" Standing he missed the shocked look on Vinny's face, adding, "I'm ready, you ready? I think I do need to go back to the cabin. I'm feeling kind of tired, and sick again. So you find anything to drink yet? Cause this man ain't drinking no pond water."

"Yea," Vinny, recovering quickly handed him a bottled water, "you're looking kind of pasty there Boscorelli. Sure you can make it?" Unscrewing the cap Bosco took a swig then nodded, "Sure, I'm fine now, lets head out." Vinny sat examining him, "You puked for like fifteen or more minutes, maybe you should rest a little more?" Bosco narrowed his eyes over the bottle as he drank again, commanding as he lowered the bottle, "GET UP and LETS GO!! I'm FINE!" As Vinny began to frown, he laughed, "Lets go, Vin."

Standing with him, Vinny picked up the tacklebox and poles, tossing the poles to Bosco, "Here Maurice you can maybe use those like walking sticks if you need to, because I really don't want to carry your sick ass all the way back if you get dizzy, or pass out." Bosco suddenly got a silly look on his face as he held the poles, holding them out away from his sides, he dropped into a defensive stance, "Don't make me jack you up with my Karate! If I say carry me, you'll carry me grasshopper!" Tapping the poles ends on the ground as Vinny laughing, asked, "Have you lost your mind?" Standing straight again, Bosco brushed past him, smirking, "Yep, probably!" His mood again on the 'super happy highway'. Vinny wondered how long it would be before he was raging or puking again as he followed him slowly up the sloping hillside.

TBC...