Funny, this seemed longer when I was writing it. Now it seems short. Sigh. well, I think this contains enough to keep you guys happy for about...2 minutes. LOL

Enjoy! I know I did! ;)

Rules and Broken Trust

Chapter 28

"Is he awake?" Sully rousing from a light sleep, sitting up straighter in the deep leather chair, glanced up as Ty emerged from the hallway into the living room, "Where's Vetresco?" His anger tinged concern still evident in the sleep deprived voice.

"No," Ty shook his head negatively as he made his way into the kitchen for coffee, "he's still asleep. And Vetresco's still asleep. Faith's with them," heading off Sully's protest at him having left them in the room. Shrugging against the chill in the air, Ty wanted nothing more right now than a hot cup of coffee and to sit in front of that roaring fire for awhile. Sully had other ideas.

Blinking in disbelief that Ty would leave Faith alone with Vinny, Sully pushing his hands down on the wide cushioned arms for support rose from the chair, "Have you lost it? Where the hell is Vetresco sleeping? His ass better be on the damn floor!" Quiet as he was, he woke Dave on the couch, as his heavy footsteps pounded into the kitchen.

"John," Dave groaned sleepily, "please, give it a rest. I sent Markum in earlier to sit. When you were pacing around on the porch. Now, quiet already. Its going to be a long damn day tomorrow, just like today was. Or yesterday, whichever." Rolling to face the back of the couch, its leather creaking under his weight Dave closed his eyes again as Sully frowned over at the back of the brown leather cushions, "Sorry Dave."

Cutting his eyes to Ty standing in the kitchen sipping coffee, Sully walked more soft footed over to join him. Taking a water instead of coffee he quietly asked, "What happened earlier? I could hear talking going on. Was Vetresco trying to get out of this or what?"

"No," Ty stared down at the long planks of the golden colored floor, exhaustion evident in this posture, "no, he didn't try to get out of anything. He just keeps saying that, or he did earlier; 'whatever Maurice says happened, happened.' Whatever the hell that means." Yawning, Ty glanced over at Sully now, "I guess we'll have to wait until Bos can tell us what happened." Seeing Sully's angry face, redden more, Ty quickly added, "And Vinny's sleeping in a chair." Leaving out that the chair was next to the bed.

Whispering, angry still, "We know what the hell happened!" Sully nearly crushed his water bottle, "That bastard drugged him and took him out here. You saw the way Bosco was acting, did that look Normal to you? You EVER see him that freaked out? And I'm not talking like after 9/11 either Ty. That wasn't Bosco and you know it. I thought I would be sick, seeing him..." Sully had to stop realizing he was grinding his jaw in anger even as he spoke, the water pushed up in his grip on the plastic overflowing onto his hand.

"Hey," Ty concerned for Sully responded, "take it easy Sul. No one is more sickened by what happened than I am, but even I would have been totally freaked out by being blinded and..." lowering his gaze to the floor again, "shit Sul, he's deaf and blind. How the hell was he suppose to act? As far as he knew the gas blew or something. At least until Lawson and Faith touched him anyway. When Lawson sedated him, and gave him the pain killers he panicked. Al says he's in shock, they both are. Not to take anything we saw serious. That his reaction seems extreme, but he doesn't think its that far out of line considering they were here alone for so long. I don't know, like I said, maybe we should wait until Bosco can say what happened."

"Are you kidding me?" Sully was looking at him in shock, "He might be in shock, okay, I'll grant you that. And we might be to blame for some of that, but he wouldn't even be here if Vetresco hadn't drugged him. You didn't see what they found in that room over there earlier. Whole damn cabinet full of drugs, or it was anyway. Bunch of bottles, most of them empty. Looks to Hampton like there were lots more until recently. Now Hampton's saying he was probably drugged more than just to get him here."

"What kind of drugs?" Ty looking at the room, its door open the darkness again complete as the Agents responsible for its cataloging taking a nap, now turned back to Sully, their soft voices muffled to the others in the living room.

"Mostly just aspirin, cough stuff, but they seem to think there were other things," Sully turned his back to the living room and dining area now, "a few of the empty bottles had contained stuff that is 'borderline' legal according to Hampton's people. Course since this place first belonged to Vetresco's Father, that according to Hampton might not be a 'legal' issue." Derision in his voice, "Him having had a license and all. Say's 'it's not unusual' to find 'left over drugs' in a pharmacists home. But I say some of that 'missing' crap might have been used on Bosco. Vetresco needs to have his ass strung up!"

"Sul," Ty frowned at him, pushed off the counter he'd been leaning against, "you really think Bosco would just take shit without some kind of fight? No, man I don't think that would happen. Lawson says he's in good condition overall. Some bruises and stuff, but mostly that's from him falling after the grenade went off." Tossing the rest of his coffee into the sink, Ty set the cup down on the cabinet, "Well, I'm going to go see if I can find another bathroom."

"There's one in that other room," Sully pointing to the second bedroom, "doesn't have a light on the wall in the bedroom, just a couple of lamps. Couple of the agents are in there sleeping, don't step on any bodies."

Ty smirked, "Not as long as they're not between the door and the bathroom I won't." Leaving Sully alone in the kitchen to glower at the hallway door.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Afternoon daylight streamed into the open door along with the brisk mountain air as Swersky stepped out onto the porch, "He's awake." His low voice carrying over to Sully and Ty as they leaned over the now cleared porch's railing taking in the surrounding view. Turning as one they instantly asked, "Does he know what's happened yet? How is he?" Glancing at one another as a smirk slid over Swersky's face before disappearing.

"No," Dave confirmed, "he just woke up. And he's not happy. Lawson's asked that everyone stay out of the room for now. He says he's just getting more confused and upset." Before he turned to head back inside he added, "you know you two are starting to sound alike."

Sully cutting his eyes at Ty growled, "Don't say a word."

"Wouldn't think of it," Ty frowned yawning as he turned back to the view, having slept only a few hours he was still tired, asking, "were you around when they searched the shed?"

Nodding as he leaned over the railing again, Sully reached up to tug his hood tighter. The wind was beginning to pick up, though the sky today was a clear brilliant blue, with only the lightest touch of soft clouds on the horizon. "Mason says the car is in there, along with a couple of snowmobiles and yard stuff." Sully hesitated with adding more information.

"I know that look Sul," Ty turned to him, squinting against the glare from the sunlit snow, "what are you trying not to say?" Hands stuffed into his jackets pockets he waited.

"Found some blood on the backseat," Sully refused to look over at him, as he continued to stare at the trees across the yard, "Mason and Hampton seem to think..." He stopped, letting Ty draw whatever conclusion he would, but added, "and in the trunk." Now he turned his head slightly to his partner, "Distributor cap was off, guess he was making sure Bosco couldn't leave. Where it went to is anybody's guess, they didn't find it."

Standing silent, Ty nodded slowly his stomach clenching as unwanted visions of what must have happened flashed through his mind. Shaking the internal sights from his inner eye, "I'm gonna take a walk, Jackson says there's a lake or something through there," pointing to the trees at the right of the property, "he thinks from Starke's description that's where..." pausing a moment his face reflecting sudden memory. "Crap, Sul, did anyone tell Vinny about Starke still being alive?"

"No," Sully replied, "not while I was in there. Not unless you guys did earlier. Who cares anyway?"

"Just wondering," Ty commented, "what his reaction will be. That's all."

"Like I said," Sully glancing over at him before heading off the porch, "who cares."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Can you give him something for the pain?" Faith asked Lawson as she watched Bosco sitting on the side of the bed. He'd been arguing with Vinny since he woke up, and was in obvious pain.

"Sure," Lawson replied, "but I'd rather not sedate him again. If we can get him to take something, fine, but I'd rather not get another busted lip if that's okay with you."

Bosco was furious, again. "Don't fucking touch me you ass! How could you help them knock me out!" Shoving Vinny away, he nevertheless held on to his shirt, both angry enough to push him off and frightened to lose contact.

Vinny dropped his hands to his sides, not touching him, only allowing him to hold on the his shirt's front, looking helplessly at Lawson as Bosco continued his rant, "Did they come to take our shit? No, they'd be gone by now, right? Huh? Who are they Vin? Why'd you let them knock me out? Am I blind? What the hell did they do to me? YOU FUCKING ANSWER ME! YOU KNOW I CAN'T STAND THE DARK VIN! ANSWER ME!" Grabbing Vinny's shirt in both hands he shook him, though not achieving much movement considering the size difference, but his point was getting across.

Sitting down next to him, Vinny simply sat there, now looking to Faith for help, "I don't know how to help him, what do I do...?" Bosco held tighter to his shirt, his face turned from the room, towards Vinny. Unlike the previous night, he wasn't clinging as tightly. Anger still radiating off of him, his lips tightly pinched the only definite emotional sign on his face with his eyes covered. Faith could tell from years of riding in the RMP and seeing him on the streets he was completely pissed off, and not going to react any other way until someone gave him what he was asking for. Sighing she stood up and approached the bed.

"Hold his wrists," Faith quietly told Vinny, "I don't want to get hit again." Lawson frowned at her, "Faith, what are you going to do? This might not be the time..." but quieted at her fierce look, stepping back to make room for her.

Swallowing hard, glancing at Bosco's bruised and angry face, Vinny took a deep breath. Knowing he would come unglued at being held down, he simply laid his hands on his wrists instead of taking them in his palms. Bosco tensed up, but allowed Vinny to draw his hands from his shirt. Pushing gently down on them Vinny made him set them on his lap, palms up, looking up to Faith to see if that was okay with her. She nodded as she moved closer to them, "That's fine, just don't let him go if he doesn't react well, one bruised head is enough."

Not allowing her distrust or dislike of Vinny to dissuade her, Faith stood toe to toe with Bosco, smiling for a second when she realized his feet were nowhere near the floor. Reaching into her pocket she pulled something from it. Placing the black jacketed badge in his palm she stepped back to await his reaction.

His brow furrowing, Bosco pulled his hands from under Vinny's. Fingers stroking the soft leather cover. His mouth pinching tightly as he carefully found the edges, and slowly opened it up. Vinny noticed he was holding his breath as his fingertips cautiously moved over the cold metal inside. A gasping short cry coming from him as he found the NYPD letters before he violently threw it away from him, "son of a...damn you! YOU DID THIS TO ME? WHO? HUH, WHO? SULLY? TY? HUH? WHO?" Standing now having jumped down from the bed, color rising in his cheeks before draining away, Vinny quickly standing with him, "how many of you stood around and watched...oh my god..." Bosco, ashen faced again, before they could register his intent, went around the end of the bed. Knowing the room as well as he did after so long sleeping in it he went straight for the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. A quick twist of the lock that Vinny had replaced weeks ago and they were left standing in shock. Listening to him rant and rave again, this time things were being thrown against the walls in time with his curses.

Sully, and Ty bursting into the room, Dave on their heels instantly went for Vinny. Faith yelling at them to stop as they grabbed him, "NO! Its okay, it was me. I did it."

As the sounds of loud cursing assaulted their ears, again something hit the wall, this time the sound of glass shattering joined in.

"What happened?" Dave moving to the bathroom door asked, "What could you possibly..." he trailed off as she leaned down and retrieved her badge to show him.

"I gave him this," she sighed, "and he didn't seem to take it well." Running her hand through her hair, she put the badge wallet back in her jacket, "Guess he didn't expect it to be New York's finest to have done the deed." Sitting on the edge of the bed, she gave a harsh laugh, "Knowing Bos, he won't be coming out soon," flinching as she heard one of his more colorful phrases screamed through the bathroom door, "so, who's going to go in after him?" Eyeing up each of the men in the room in turn, she waited to see who had the nerve to brave the angry tornado that was raging inside the small room.

Hampton having waved his people off, stepped inside, "Can I make a suggestion here?" Everyone's eyes on him, Sully about to comment stopped at a throat clearing warning from Dave, who shrugged as he answered, "Sure why not Keith, go ahead."

"How about NO one going after him?" moving further into the room, he gave his reasons why, "He's injured, pissed off, and now probably embarrassed to boot. Why make it worse? What can he really do in there? Break a few things, sure. Let him calm down, maybe he'll come out on his own. If not, in a half hour, I say send Vetresco in after him. At least then there's a chance he won't cut loose again?" Eyes on first Faith then Lawson, both unhappy, but nodding. Sully still angry gave a half snarl before he tore from the room, Hampton perplexed asking, "Someone want to tell me WHY he's the one so damn angry? Isn't Boscorelli Yokas's partner?"

Set to follow Sully to talk to him, Ty paused, "Sul feels responsible for Bosco ending up here. He felt something was..." a quick glance back at Vinny, "wrong with Vetresco's attitude towards Bos. But he let Bosco convince him he was wrong. Now he thinks he should have done more to report it." Eyeing the floor beneath his feet, "We all do." Ty left the room to join Sully outside.

A slow nod now from Hampton, "Well," he caught Dave's eye, "everyone makes mistakes. If Boscorelli refused Sully's advice, that doesn't make Sullivan responsible," cutting his gaze to Vinny, "does it?" Vinny gave him a quick glance, but said nothing, instead he looked down at the floor, making no attempt to defend himself.

Rising from the bed, Faith taking in his silent demeanor commented, "No, but until Bosco decides to tell us what exactly went on," swallowing her anger, "we don't know what happened. Right?" Sometimes she really hated it when her sense of justice came into play. "Fine, if he doesn't come out, we let him go in." Heading out of the room now, "I need something to eat, and a bathroom." Dave instantly following her, commenting to Keith, "You'll stay right?" His hard stare getting a quick nod as Keith responded, "Sure, no problem."

Vinny's quiet voice startled Lawson as he sat down on the end of the bed beginning to check his medical bag, "He was in a lot of pain earlier. Is that gone, now? Did it stop?" The concerned worry to his tone making Keith pay attention as he sat waiting for Boscorelli to emerge.

"No," Lawson wearily replied, "but he's so angry right now, he's not feeling it." Counting the bandages for the third time, his mind refusing to keep track, he paused, glancing over at Vinny, "When it comes back, as he calms down, you'll know." A quick look at the door before settling on Keith, "We'll all know."

An answering chuckle from Hampton, now startling Vinny, "Yea, we will." Seeing the puzzled look from the large man, "A few years ago, it happened to me. I didn't get out of the way, during a hostage negotiation thing. Busted my left eardrum. Hurts like a muther. I got mad and didn't feel it but when it hit, son of a ...lets just say not something I ever want to go through again."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Inside the bathroom:

"BASTARDS!" yet another object thrown, he couldn't even tell what it was, just that is satisfied the anger god inside of him. Not so gone that he threw anything at the mirror, or shower stall, Bosco kept as best he could away from what he'd found out was broken glass on the floor. Unable to hear the thunks or shattering of the thrown objects he instead relished the physical release the act of finding and then pitching the items full force gave him. Pacing as he found new items to throw, knowing he would soon run out, he fumed over the fact that more than likely his fellow officers had seen him so helpless earlier. Humiliated and embarrassed to his soul, Bosco's misdirected anger knew no real limits. But finally he began to tire, the injuries and rage taking its toll on him. Collapsing down on the toilet's lid, he sat breathing heavily, sweat wringing off of him, he swiped his forehead. Leaning back against the shelving behind him, he felt a sting behind his lids as tears of frustration sprang loose.

Several long minutes later, it occurred to him that on one had burst in after him to 'restrain' or 'stop' him. Standing again, slapping the lid up on the toilet, as he realized he had a need for one. Now he had a dilemma. Use the toilet and risk yet more humiliation from someone coming in, or wait until they came to get him, something he had no doubt they were going to do. And have to ASK to use the bathroom. "Could this shit get any fucking worse?" he muttered to himself. Deciding to hell with them all, he yanked the cording loose on his sweats, 'let um come the hell in, serve um right!' A few minutes later, washing his hands, a bitter laugh escaping him, he came to a decision. One he knew was going to piss some people off probably, no, would indeed piss them off, "Like I give a shit! I'm the one fucked up here." His laugh fading as the pain began to make itself louder known. "Now or never Maurice," he carefully made his way to the door, managing to avoid most of the glass and broken ceramics on the floor. The few cuts he got, nearly unnoticed as his head began to ring again with the stinging from the eardrums as well as his eyes.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The bathroom had been nearly silent for some time now. The men waiting checking silently with one another on whether they should go in, or wait. The flushing of the toilet, then the running of the sink, bringing a nod from Hampton, "Sounds like someone may be ready to be reasoned with. However we accomplish that." Lawson gave a quick smirk that faded as fast as it came, his acerbic, "I have a feeling no one's going to like how this turns out Boss." Bringing a frown to Hampton's face, "Most of the time these things seldom make people happy Al." Vinny remained silent, as he stared at the door.

His own thoughts jumbled, he both wanted Bosco, for his own safety to emerge, and feared what would happen when he did. Would he tell them what had really happened? Staring down at the floor, his heart pounding, he accepted that now that he knew who had come for him, he would do just that. Vinny knew that if he went back to prison, he would die. If not at the hands of the inmates, he knew he'd kill himself. There was no way he could go through that again. Clenching his hands together to stop their shaking, he swallowed the bile rising in his throat. Thoughts of escape flitting only a second through his mind, he made a vow to himself and to Maurice, his love for the other man making him restrain himself. Vinny knew he was going no where. He'd cause him no more grief if he could, and that included these people who'd come for Maurice. Hot tears stinging his eyes, he forced them down and away. Fear eating at him hard, he jumped when the bathroom door slammed open, banging against the inner wall.

"GET THE HELL OUT!" Bosco yelled, his voice deep with barely restrained anger, "GET OUT! I WANT ALL OF YOU OUT OF MY FUCKING HOUSE NOW!" Standing just back inside the bedroom, his face a deep shade of red, lips rimmed with white, he stood hands clenched down at his side. Feet planted he was shaking in fury.

Lawson slid off the bed, shock on his face. Chancing a quick look over at Hampton who was also standing in shock as the others again came running in, "Boss..." Hampton put up his hand to halt the others, "Hang on, he just came out, nothings happened." Waving his people off again, he was about to comment to Vetresco when Bosco started again.

"YOU PEOPLE HEAR ME?" Moving a short distance further, "Vin! Where are you? Get your ass over here, now!" Folding his arms across his chest, Bosco was putting on a good show, or so he prayed.

A short nod from Hampton as the 55's Officers gaped at them, and Vinny headed around the bed. Sully stepping forward was stopped by Swersky's arm across his chest, "No. Don't make things worse John."

Faith and Ty exchanged looks, both knowing whatever Bosco had in mind would be bad, he seldom went with what they expected of him, and he would again prove that to be true.

When Vinny reached Bosco, lightly touching his arm, Bosco reached out and returned the touch. His hand moving up as if to identify the person before him, he seemed satisfied after passing his hand quickly along Vinny's mouth and face. Loudly, no one sure if it was because he couldn't really hear himself, or if he was making sure they heard him, he snarled, "Is this my house too? Yes or no Vin, just shake your head yes or no?" His hand on the underside of Vinny's chin, he felt Vinny hesitate as he attempted to turn to look behind him. Bosco grabbed his chin in his hand, "Answer me! Yes or no!"

Swallowing hard, Vinny nodded yes to him. Bosco seemed to visibly relax then, a soft, "Good," issuing from him, he lay his right arm along Vinny's right arm and pushed him to the side. Facing the people he knew had to be in the room behind Vinny, his much harsher as well as louder words stunned them.

"This is MY house, and you are NOT WELCOME!" Stepping forward, Bosco again had his fists clenched, "GET OUT! NOW!" Vinny reached out to stop him, forgetting he couldn't hear him, "No, Maurice, don't." But Bosco shook him off, even without hearing the words, he knew what Vinny would do. After the revelations and confessions from them both, after what had gone on between them since coming here, he knew Vinny would now if he allowed it, fall on his sword. And he'd be damned if he let that happen. Especially if it meant the secrets here would be found out. No one would EVER know what had happened to him if he could help it. Not now, not ever. Finding a strength in himself he thought he'd lost long before Vinny came into his life, Bosco stood his ground, "I mean it. I want everyone out of this house in 10 minutes. Pack up whatever shit you brought, and leave! I don't care who you are, or why you thought you needed to come and do this!" Now he would test his level of inner strength, knowing that he would leave here, on his own terms, and would want to go back to his job, his life.

"I have my reasons for leaving like I did," taking a breath, his energy fast waning, Bosco steeled himself, "and none of them are your business." Making his voice softer, not knowing if he was loud or low, "Someone stole the carburetor off of the car. And some other stuff after we got here, things we should have locked up inside, not left in the shed. Maybe you could help with that, least you could do after screwing my head up like this. Then I want you gone." A wave of dizziness overcoming him suddenly, he swayed. Reaching out, he snagged Vinny's shirt, Vinny instantly giving him support, stunned by what Maurice had just said and done, he without a word helped him to the bed to sit.

Not a sound was made in the room, not even Sully spoke. Minds reeling as Bosco's words sank in, most not believing what they had heard. Sully red faced again, opened his mouth to speak, closed it and repeated the action three times before he realized he was too shocked to actually have anything to say. Turning he left the room, a sick sinking feeling radiating throughout his body. He didn't think he'd ever been so completely taken aback as he was now.

Faith stood staring at the back of Bosco's head as Lawson went to him. Watching as Bosco accepted his help without argument this time, Vinny hovering over him, she felt hot tears streaming down her face. All she could think was 'how could he get so lost?' While inside she knew how, and a deep sadness grew deeper as her stomach clenched up. Swiping the back of her fist across her cheek she knew she had to try to reach him. "Lieu," her soft voice bringing Dave's own stunned attention round to her, "could you guys leave us for a minute?" Nodding, giving her a comforting pat, Dave gave Ty a head toss indicating he should join him, Hampton already heading for the door. Now nearly alone, Faith taking a steadying breath approached the bed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I'm only going to give him something for the pain," Lawson told Vinny as Faith came up, "I don't think knocking him out again would make him very receptive to further help later." Drawing the hypodermic from the small bottle, "Hope he doesn't get pissed off again." His hand sliding up Bosco's arm under his sleeve moving it out of the way, meeting no resistance this time. Bosco was in a great deal of pain again, and after his tirade he didn't really care if he got knocked out, but he didn't voice that. He simply sat still, barely flinching as Lawson administered the shot. "Well," Al gave a nervous laugh, "that went better than I anticipated. Now," setting the recovered needle back into the case, "lets see about getting some food in him." Glancing up at Vinny, "you too. And something to drink, I don't really want to run another IV. Him yanking one out when he woke up earlier was enough."

"Should I go?" Vinny looked to Lawson for permission, not wanting to risk the ire of the officers outside the room.

"No," Al shook his head, his voice sarcastic, "I don't need another patient. I'll get it." Giving Faith a quick nod, along with a reassuring smile, he headed out of the room, "Oh and don't let him wander around until we see how he reacts to those meds. Stitches he don't need!"

Bosco sat rubbing his arm, a frown on his face, he asked quietly, or as quietly as he could, "Are we alone, Vinny, did anyone leave?" Vinny not knowing how to answer as Faith was still there, but the others having left stood a moment doing nothing. Bosco sighed, "No one left? Or no one but that guy with the damn needles was in here to begin with?" Thinking to himself, 'great all that wasted on the guy who makes this damn headache stop!' His pain beginning to ease off now, he was beginning to relax more. A new wave of exhaustion beginning to over take him. "Look, just nod if they left or hell nod if most left." Shaking his head slightly, "okay, make that nod if most left, um, and ..." an unbidden snicker coming from him as he found he couldn't really think straight. "Oh screw it, did they leave, yes or no!" His hand rising again, Vinny quickly nodding, then shaking his head as Bosco touched his face.

Another laugh, "Okay, so some left, but not all?" Vinny in relief nodded as again Bosco gave another giggle.

Faith rolled her eyes a pained harsh laugh breaking out, commenting, "Great now he's drunk."

Taking a chance he wouldn't have another cow, she reached out and took his hand in hers. Hoping he would; though holding his hand not something she'd done; recognize it was a woman, and not hit her for it. Seeing him freeze as she did so, she held her breath as he started to jerk back. Stopping, a hiss of breath escaping him, Bosco instead of jerking his hand away; feeling the wedding band on her finger; slowly pulled it away, his face growing red again. His soft bitter words, ripping her heart out, "Go away Faith. I especially don't want or need you here." His hands shaking, he turned from her to Vinny, gaining his help, pulling himself up from the bottom of the bed, he moved past him to the head, hands patting the bed to find his placement, "For God's sake did the entire damn precient COME HERE TO SEE THIS? JESUS! GET OUT!!"

Seeing him sitting his back rigid to her, facing the headboard, Faith swallowed the bitter words he spoke. Tears renewed she glanced at Vinny standing a few feet away, head lowered as he tried not to be a part of what was going on between them. Speaking not a word, she turned and walked quietly from the room. Hearing Bosco ask, "Did she leave?" Then as she closed the door behind her, "Good, now maybe they'll all leave! I want a shower, is the water working yet? Or do I still have to use melted snow for water?" His obvious dismissal; moving quickly to the next subject, shaking her to her core.

TBC...