Bosco stormed out of the apartment building and got quickly into his car. He stuck the key in the ignition and forcefully turned it, the Mustang roaring to life. Putting it into gear, he peeled out of the parking space and down the street.

He was livid. He couldn't believe that Faith would make a decision like that without consulting him. Then again, he thought bitterly. It's not the first time she's done it. He hadn't agreed with her decision then and he certainly didn't agree with her decision now. It took two people to make a baby and it should take those same two people to make the decision on whether or not to end its life.

So intent on his internal barrage, he didn't even notice the red light until he was halfway through the intersection. He looked up and was relieved to see that there wasn't anyone coming the other way. He cursed his inattention and pulled over to the side of the road. He had to get a grip. He could have gotten himself or, worse still, someone else killed because he was so angry.

"God, I need a drink," he muttered.

With that thought in mind, he pulled his car back onto the road and headed for the nearest bar. Bosco wasn't one to drink heavily often - having two alcoholic parents put a stop to that - but at that moment he just wanted to have enough alcohol in his system to numb the pain and make him forget the confusion.

Heading into the dark and smoky establishment, he moved to a seat at the end of the bar and ordered a whiskey with a beer chaser. He downed the shot quickly and the beer was finished not long after. "Keep 'em coming, buddy," he told the bartender.

He was into his third round when he felt someone take a seat beside him. He turned, first noticing a pair of long legs, then a short skirt and a tight fitting shirt that barely contained a pair of ample breasts. Finally he met the woman's face, taking in her sparkling green eyes and long, blonde hair.

"What are you doing hiding in the corner?" she asked, her smile showing off a set of pearly white teeth.

Bosco shrugged. "Didn't think I'd be great company at the moment," he replied.

She smiled and licked her full lips. "If you don't mind me saying, I think you look like you'd be great company," she returned.

Bosco took another look at the woman sitting next to him. She was hot and she was obviously interested. If she bent over any more her bust would spill out in his lap. He grinned. "Kind of you to say."

Her smile widened and she held out her hand. "I'm Rebecca."

"Bosco," he replied, taking her hand in his.

She raised a delicate eyebrow. "Bosco?" she questioned.

"My nickname, short for Boscorelli."

"Which I assume is your surname. So what's your first name?"

He grinned. "You have to get to know me a whole lot better before I tell you that."

Her smile was seductive. "I can't wait."

"Oh, God, Bosco," Rebecca moaned, as they stumbled out of the elevator and towards her apartment. "You keep kissing me like that and we're not gonna make it to the bedroom."

Bosco grinned. "And that's a bad thing how?" he asked.

"Shut up and kiss me," she ordered, all but dragging him into her apartment.

His shirt was off by the time they made it to her bedroom and her skirt was hitched over her hips as they tumbled to the bed. Bosco could feel his arousal mounting as he moved over her, but then he paused to look at her face and all he could see was Faith and how beautiful she'd looked in the throes of passion.

He rolled off Rebecca and moved to lie on his back, panting for breath. "Shit!" he cursed.

"Are you okay?" Rebecca asked.

He shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't do this," he said, getting up off the bed.

Rebecca sighed and sat up, rearranging her shirt. "Had a fight with the missus, did you?" she asked, sounding more resigned than angry.

He shook his head. "I wish it were that simple."

Moving to the edge of the bed, Rebecca patted the space beside her, indicating he sit down. "Well, since we're here and it doesn't seem that I'm getting laid anytime soon, you might as well tell me."

"I'm really sorry," he said again. "And I wasn't using you to get back at someone else. I just... my partner and I had this thing one night and then tonight she told me that she's pregnant. Then in the next sentence she says she's getting rid of it."

"So you were using me to forget?" she asked.

"I'm sorry," he said again.

"Listen, Bosco, stop apologizing. We came here to have sex, not start a deep and meaningful relationship."

"So why do I feel like the world's biggest asshole then?" he asked.

She smiled. "Could it be that you actually like your partner?" she asked.

He frowned at her. "What are you, a shrink?" he asked.

She chuckled. "Actually, I am."

He groaned and slumped back down on the bed. "Tell me you're kidding?"

She laughed. "Sorry, by day I am a psychiatrist."

"And by night a seductress?" he finished with a laugh. "Isn't picking up guys for meaningless sex a bad thing in a shrink's book?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I like sex."

Bosco sighed. "Yeah, so do I."

"You wanna talk about it?" she asked, moving to lay down beside him.

He shook his head. "I'm not real good with shrinks," he replied.

"You were doing pretty good with me before," she teased.

He chuckled. "Yeah, well that wasn't talking," he replied.

Her look was heated. "No, it certainly wasn't."

He shook his head and got to his feet. "I should go."

Rebecca also got to her feet and reached for her purse. "I'll tell you what. I'll give you my card. Then you can call me if you want to talk... or not talk."

Bosco took the card and glanced at it, before placing it in his back pocket. "Thanks and I really am sorry."

She smiled sweetly at him. "You need me to call you a cab?" she asked.

"Nah, I think I could use the fresh air." He gave her a rueful smile. "Thanks, for being so understanding."

Rebecca laughed quietly. "Joys of being a shrink, I guess." She walked over to him and gently kissed his cheek. "Take care, Bosco. I hope everything works out for you."

He was tempted by her, he really was, but he had a feeling that - even if he wanted to - his body wouldn't be in it if he tried anything. He was embarrassed enough as it was, he certainly didn't want to rub anymore salt into his wounds. "Maybe I'll see you around," he said, putting on his shirt and jacket as he headed for the door.

"I hope so," she replied, watching from the middle of the living room.

His last image, as he closed the door, was of a beautiful woman looking deliciously mussed and totally frustrated. "You really are an idiot," he muttered to himself, as he left the apartment and headed out into the cold night air.

Faith packed the last item into a bag, zipping it up before getting to her feet. She looked at the bags before her. That was all of it, the last of her husband's possessions were neatly packed into four bags. The locksmith had already been and changed the locks and once she gave Fred his things then she was well on the road to ending their marriage.

She'd seen a lawyer and knew there had to be a period of separation before she could file the divorce papers, but the woman had advised her to make sure it looked like a permanent separation. Erasing her husband from the apartment where they'd lived together for fifteen years seemed permanent to her.

She was ready to go, but she dithered a little longer. She hated to admit it, but she was scared as hell about what his reaction would be. She was still undecided as to whether she should tell him about the baby. It would make him realize it really was over, but it could also drive him over the edge again. She held a protective hand over her stomach for a moment. Whether or not she wanted to keep the baby was irrelevant. It was her decision to make and she didn't want Fred taking it from her. She'd have to be careful, she'd been lucky when she'd been attacked last time she was pregnant. She didn't want to try her luck a second time.

"Stop being a coward and get your ass moving," she growled to herself, grabbing the bags and hauling them out of the room.

She made her way across town to the apartment her husband had found. She was driving his truck, which he had left for her to use, but she decided that she'd give it back to him as well. She didn't want him to have anything over her and she knew he'd find some way to use it against her if he wanted to be petty.

Parking it in a spot down the block, Faith paused for a minute, taking a few deep breaths before she got out and headed to the apartment building. This was her last chance to pull out. She could get back in the truck, go home and forget about the divorce. She could take him back and they could try again. There was a time when she thought that there would never be anyone who could make her feel as good as Fred did. One night with Bosco had taught her that she was in fact settling. She was settling for stable and familiar Fred. Was it because she was afraid to find out what could be out there for her? She wasn't sure, but she did know that if she stayed with him, it would be the cowardly thing to do. She could very well end up like those battered wives she always pitied and she didn't want her children to see her like that.

She shook her head and resolutely made her way up to Fred's apartment. She wouldn't do that to herself or to her children. Still, she lingered in the hall before knocking on the door, but once the door opened and he was standing in front of her, she knew she was making the right choice. Her heart didn't flutter for him like it used to and she could honestly say she was not in love with him any longer.

"Faith, hi," he greeted, his surprise showing on his face. "Come in."

She nodded her greeting and walked into the apartment. It was the first time she'd been in there and she took a quick look around, noting its Spartan appearance. It was obvious he was set up with the intention of not being there long.

"Have a seat," he said, indicating the only piece of furniture in the room.

She shook her head. "I'm not staying, I just brought you the rest of your things," she said, handing him the bags. "I've changed the locks, so you wouldn't have been able to get in the apartment if you wanted them."

He gaped at her. "You've changed the locks? Damn it, Faith, that's a bit final isn't it?"

She shrugged. "I talked to a lawyer last week. She said that I had to wait twelve months after we separated before I could file for divorce. She told me if I'd made a complaint against you for hurting me, I could have done it immediately, but..." she shook her head. "I couldn't do that, Fred. Not to you and not to the kids."

"A divorce? Come on, Faith, this is crazy. I've been going back to A.A., I'm trying my hardest here." He swallowed hard and pinned her with a sad look. "I want you back," he said, his voice quiet.

She shook her head. "It's too late for that."

He moved closer to her, reaching out a hand but stopping when she moved away from him. "No, it's not, Faith. We can still make this work."

She moved toward the door and then turned back to look at him. "I'm pregnant, Fred," she told him.

He looked like she could have knocked him over with a feather. "Pregnant?"

She nodded. "About six weeks gone."

His brows furrowed. "Six weeks? But-"

"That's right, Fred. I slept with someone and now I'm pregnant." She turned and left his apartment before he had time to get mad. As she stepped into the elevator, she was sure she heard the crash of glass breaking.

TBC