A tear escaped from my eye as I watched Bosco slam the diner door shut behind him. I wanted to run after him and tell him that it meant nothing to me. Jimmy meant nothing to me. He was just a way to spend a lonely evening. But I didn't. He didn't want my explanation and I think I'd lost the right to having him listen to one.

Damn it. I really screwed up this time. Royally. The last time I had lied to Bosco I'd felt guilty for months. Hiding the fact that I had cancer from him was the hardest thing I'd ever done and when he'd found out he was so hurt that I knew I couldn't risk keeping things from him ever again. Not if I wanted to keep my partner and my friendship.

I was feeling sorry for myself as I walked home in the rain. It dripped off my hair and ran into my eyes, making everything blurry as I made my way back to my empty apartment. I was almost glad that I'd taken Jimmy's sweater with me. That was until my cell phone rang.

I ran under a magazine stand and flipped it open. The guy working the stand started over to me.

"Hey! This ain't no pit stop lady! Buy somethin' or get the hell out of here!"

"Hold on, yourself, there buddy! I'm a cop! You wanna say that to me again?" I barked, while pointing my finger at him and giving my best tough voice. He shook his head and walked back behind the counter stand.

Hoping it was Bosco, I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey there. Why did ya run out on me like that this morning?"

I blinked and then shook my head. No! It wasn't supposed to happen like this! He wasn't supposed to call!

I could still get out of this conversation. It was still pelting rain and the wind was picking up, so technically I could get away with a little lie. One more couldn't hurt, right?

I took a deep breath and shouted into the phone. "Last night was a mistake, Jimmy. Let's just forget it ever happened. You've got Kim to think about and I...I...just can't deal with this right now and I can't hear you good. Bad reception. I'll call you later."

I shoved the phone back into my pocket, hoping that he got the hint. I just wanted to get home and throw up. Then, I wanted to lie down in my own bed and get a couple hours of sleep before work. I dreaded going into work.

My phone rang again. Oh, let it be Bos. Let it be Bos. I thought silently.

"Hello"?

"Faith! Don't hang up!" It was Jimmy again.

"Jimmy..I said I'd call you later. I can't hear you good and I......"

"I thought I'd let you know about your keys".

"My keys? What about my keys?"

His deep voice chuckled. "You left your keys at my place." He said in a slightly sing song voice.

His tone implied that maybe I'd known all along that I'd left them there, just so I could go back.

Choosing to ignore the immature remark, I slapped my hand against my jeans pocket. There were no keys in there.

"Those must be somebody else's cause mine are right here in my......" I drove my hand into the pocket of the sweatshirt. Nothing.

"Don't tell me...oh damnit!" I growled, knowing that I couldn't avoid him now.

"Where are you?" He asked.

"Uh, I'm at the corner of Arthur and Muldoon". I said, checking the street sign behind me.

"I'll be there in two minutes. Hang on."

I closed my phone again and stuffed it back into my pocket. The magazine guy was looking pointedly at me again. Was it a crime for me to stand under the lousy paper stand for more than two minutes?

I dug a dollar out and slapped it down on the counter. "Fine! I'll take the paper". I said, snidely, grabbing the Post and stuffing it under my sweater. "But I won't ever buy anything from you again, mister" I lectured, pointing at him again.

"Oh! Boo hoo!" He threw back, just as snidely. He snatched the dollar and put it in his cash box.

"You really should be ashamed of yourself, you know". I continued as I stood under the canopy, knowing full well that I was just blowing off steam on this poor man, because I was mad at myself.

He raised his eyebrows at me. "Oh really, I" he pointed at his chest. "I should be ashamed? Because I'm trying to make a living, I should be ashamed?"

He came out from around his little counter and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Seems like you should be ashamed of yourself." He said, smiling smugly.

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe you should stay home instead of making mistakes that you have to correct over the phone the next day".

"What? Did you just say....what....WHAT?" I sputtered, so shocked and angry at this stranger's intrusive line of questioning. I could hardly believe what he had just said to me.

I took the paper out from under my sweater and started to roll it up. He looked at me incredulously. What I did next I couldn't even believe myself. I have never been what you'd call a violent person, but this guy just pushed me too far!

I walked over and hit him over the head with it, the black ink making a big smudge over his forehead. "That's for listening in on my conversation"! I yelled.

Then I swatted him again. This time across the side of his head. "And that is for commenting on something that you know nothing about".

His face was the picture of shock and then outrage. Pure outrage. His eyes became as big as saucers and his chest heaved in and out, complemented by his huge nostrils flaring. He was starting to remind me of a bull.

He reached out and grabbed the paper out of my hand and smacked me clear across the face with it! Then he pushed my shoulder and sent me flying backwards onto my ass. I landed in a cold, deep puddle. The water running over my legs and feet. It was one BIG puddle.

I jumped up, ready to go as long as it took to kick his ass, when a pair of strong hands grabbed me around the waist.

I bucked and threw my head back, feeling the cracking of bone and then I dropped to the ground once again, as the hands dropped from my waist.

"UHHHH! YOU BROKE MY NOSE!"

I looked up to see Jimmy standing over top of me, his hands cupped around his face, the blood flowing freely through.

Magazine guy came rushing over toward Jimmy with a Kleenex. "She assaulted me. Are you a police officer?" He tattled.

I looked up and gave Jimmy a desperate pleading look. I knew I'd lost my temper and made yet ANOTHER mistake. I was racking them up pretty good today. If this man decided to press charges against me, I'd be fried for sure.

Jimmy sensed my plea and reached out for the Kleenex, after giving me a dirty look.

He turned to face the magazine man after rolling up the Kleenex and stuffing it in his nose. He looked ridiculous, standing there like that, but I'd just broken his nose, so I had no room to comment.

"Yes. I'm Officer Dor...Dorigan. From the 21st Precinct. I'll see to it that this young lady is reprimanded and looses three days pay".

"Three days pay for assaulting my face"? He cried " That's not right...that's just not right".

"Well sir, what exactly did she do to your face?" Jimmy asked, putting on a pretty good impression.

He blanched. "Well, it's not exactly what she did, it's how she did it."

Jimmy raised his eyebrow. "What did she do?"

He turned his nose up. "She...she slapped me with her...her... newspaper." He said, dramatically.

Jimmy suppressed a laugh and then turned to me. "Is that true, miss?" his eyes were twinkling with mischief.

I nodded. " But he hit me back with the paper in question and he also pushed me in this here mud puddle...and now my back feels like it may be really hurt". I whined, and rubbed my back.

Jimmy turned back. " Well sir, if that's true then I'll have to escort the young lady to the hospital and I'll tell you that if she's been hurt" he turned toward me " there might be a court case in which you'll be charged with assault as well." He said, winking at me.

Magazine guy took that in. " Well. Maybe we can settle this right now then. We'll just forget this ever happened." He said

Jimmy nodded and started forward, his hand outstretched.

"The City of New York thanks you sir, for your compassion and your smart thinking. Have a good day now."

He turned back to me and gave me a look. He reached out and grabbed me by the arm and dragged me toward his car.

I looked back at the magazine guy and stuck out my tongue. He gave me the finger in response.

"How's your nose"? I asked, apologetically, hoping he wasn't too mad.

He looked over at me and shook his head, pretending to be mad.

" Are you ever gonna get a spanking"!