Faith watched as the doctors wheeled Bosco off into an exam room. Logically, she knew he was going to be just fine. He'd be sore, have a broken rib at worst, but he would be fine. She just wished her heart would hurry up and get the message so it would stop beating painfully in her chest. She wished that the overwhelming urge to follow after him and refuse to leave his side would pass so she could start feeling in control of her emotions again.

She sighed and moved to sit in the waiting area. She hated that part of the hospital. The hospital stench seemed to be stronger, the seats hard and uncomfortable. She knew it was in her head, but every time she was sitting there, she was wondering if this was the time that they'd tell her that her partner's luck had finally run out.

"How're you doin', Faith?" Kim asked, sitting down beside her.

Faith shrugged. "I'm not the one that was shot," she replied.

"No, but you were a bit upset back at the scene," Kim pointed out. "And I know how much the hormones mess with your emotions when you're pregnant."

Faith gaped at her. "How did you-?"

Kim shrugged. "Just something Bosco said earlier, about having a soft spot for pregnant women. I got the feeling it was directed at you."

Faith sniffled a little. "I thought I'd lost him tonight, Kim, and he would have died thinking that I didn't want to have his baby."

It was Kim's turn to gape. "Are you saying you're having Bosco's baby?" she asked, shock clear in her voice.

"Didn't you know?" Faith asked. "I figured that was what you were getting at."

Kim shook her head. "No, I just assumed it was Fred's." She sat back in her seat. "Wow."

"This isn't public knowledge," Faith warned.

"I won't tell," Kim assured her.

Faith nodded. "Thanks, I appreciate it."

"Faith?"

Faith looked up and saw Mary Proctor standing by the door. "How is he?" she asked, getting to her feet.

"Complaining, which I guess is a good sign for Bosco."

"Was there a break?" Kim asked.

Proctor shook her head. "Hairline fracture. If we can manage to keep him out of mischief for a few weeks, it'll heal just fine."

"Difficult task," Faith agreed. "Can I see him?"

"Please. You might be able to get him to behave."

Kim laughed. "That's my cue. I'll catch you later, Faith."

"Thanks, Kim," Faith replied, as she followed the nurse.

"Come on!" came the indignant protest, from behind the curtain.

"If you keep complaining, I'll keep you in overnight," Fields threatened.

"But I said I was fine."

"I just want to be sure the shock's worn off, okay? So quit being an ass and enjoy the break."

"You're not still making trouble, are you?" Faith said, smiling at her pouting partner.

He turned pleading eyes to her. "Faith, get me out'a here," he begged.

She shook her head. "Wasn't it you who was talking about following doctor's orders earlier?"

He sighed and slumped back on the bed, grimacing at the movement. "Thanks a lot, Yokas," he grumbled.

She chuckled and pulled up a chair. "Anytime, Bos."

He glared at her before closing his eyes. Five minutes later, he was fast asleep.

"How do you do that?" Proctor asked, when she came to check on him half an hour later.

Faith smiled and shrugged. "I guess after ten years I should be able to control him," she joked.

Proctor nodded, chuckling. "How are you doing, Faith," the nurse asked, her voice turning serious.

Faith sighed and looked away, her eyes resting on her partner's peaceful features. "I guess you saw what happened last night?" Faith asked.

"It was hard to miss," Proctor pointed out.

Faith nodded. "I'm doing okay, Mary." She saw Bosco twitch in his sleep. "It's been a hell of a couple of months, but it's gotta get better sometime, right?" She frowned as she watched Bosco's features tighten and he started to move.

"A nightmare?" Mary asked, as Faith got to her feet.

"Looks like it," Faith replied, reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder. "Bos?"

He jumped, waking with a start and gasping for breath. He looked around wildly for a moment, before seemingly realizing where he was and collapsing back on the bed.

"You okay?" she asked, rubbing his shoulder.

He nodded tersely. "I'm fine," he replied.

Faith sighed, seeing he was embarrassed. "How much longer until we can get out of here, Mary?" she asked.

"How are you feeling?" Proctor asked, thankfully brushing the dream under the carpet.

"I'm fine," was the automatic reply.

"Bosco," Faith warned.

"I'm not lying," he assured her, looking at her.

Faith studied him for a few moments, checking his sincerity, before deciding he was telling the truth. "Okay."

"Excellent," he replied, sitting up. "Can you pass me my shirt?"

She did as he asked and he started dressing in record speed. "The pregnant woman who was brought in"

"She's up in the maternity ward. She asked that you went up and saw her before you left." Proctor smiled. "One of the nurses up there said that the woman was pushing a baby out and all she could keep asking was if they knew how Bosco was."

"So she and the baby are okay?" he asked, as he got to his feet.

"They're both fine. Her husband got here just in time for the main event."

He nodded, relieved. "That's good. I think she was a little bit worried having me as her coach," he joked.

"I'm sure she could have done worse," Proctor disagreed.

He shook his head and laughed. "I had no idea what I was doing."

"You did good," she assured him. "Now, I don't want to see either of you in here unless it's work-related." She laughed. "And I don't mean a work-related injury. Got it?"

Bosco laughed. "Yes, ma'am."

Proctor left and Faith fell into step beside Bosco as they left the room. "You mind if we duck upstairs before we go?" he asked.

She shook her head. "You should stop off at the gift shop," she told him.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Why?"

"To buy a gift for the baby," she replied, rolling her eyes.

"A gift? I took a bullet for it and now I have to buy it a gift?"

She laughed and they quickly found the gift shop. Bosco chose a white bear with a yellow bow, since Faith pointed out they didn't know the baby's sex. Bosco made her carry it up to the ward but took it just before they entered Mrs. Collins' room.

"Mind if we come in?" he asked, poking his head around the door before walking into the room.

"Oh, Bosco, you're okay?" Mrs. Collins cried, tears immediately forming in her eyes.

"I'm fine," he assured her. "Just some bruising and a cracked rib."

She smiled. "They kept telling me you were okay, but I wouldn't believe them. I couldn't see how you could have been shot and be fine."

"That's what they give us a vest for," he told her. "It did its job."

"Thank God," Mrs. Collins muttered.

Bosco smiled, looking embarrassed by the woman's worrying. "Well, I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doin' and get a look at the one causing all the fuss," told her, placing the bear of her bed.

"It's a beautiful bear, thank you," Mrs. Collins smiled. "Would you like to hold her?" she asked.

Bosco shook his head. "Oh, I'm not real great with babies," he protested.

"You won't hurt her," her husband assured him, gently handing over his child.

Faith watched Bosco as he tentatively cradled the child close to him. She was mesmerized by the sight. He looked so good holding the baby and she could see him holding their own. The sight was almost enough to bring tears to her eyes and she wanted to tell him then and there that he was going to be a father. But it wasn't the right time. This was the Collins' moment to thank their hero.

"She's beautiful, Rita," Bosco told the woman.

"We want you to name her," Mrs. Collins replied.

Bosco shook his head, looking surprised. "Oh, I couldn't"

"Please?" her husband asked. "She wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."

He looked down at the bundle in his arms and then looked across at Faith. He met her eyes and smiled softly. "How about Faith?" he asked, turning to the Collins'. "After the strongest woman I know."

"Faith Collins," Mrs. Collins said, testing out the name. "I think it's perfect, Bosco, and fitting as well."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well I had faith that you were going to get us out of there," she told him.

Bosco looked moved by the woman's reply and he looked down at the baby, blinking a few times. Faith was sure that she'd seen a tear in his eye as he'd looked away. "We should go now," he said, carefully handing the baby back to her mother. "Let you get some rest."

"I'll never forget what you did for us," Mrs. Collins returned, her own eyes teary.

"Bye," Faith called, as she preceded her partner out the door.

TBC