Forgiveness 6

Disclaimers: I don't claim any of these characters as my own. Please forgive any medical inaccuracies.

Spoilers: Cruz does not exist in this universe. Takes place after the start of season 4.

I walk towards the room with apprehension. Faith told me what happened when Bosco woke up, but I still don't understand why he would ask for me. I don't feel like I'm the best person for him to talk to because part of me just wants to knock some sense into him for Faith's sake.

I push the door open slowly. He is curled up on his side, back to the door. I enter cautiously and clear my throat to get his attention. The door shuts quietly behind me and I take a couple of tentative steps forward.

"Bosco?" I wait for a few seconds but there is no response. I imagine he's sleeping and I move back towards the door.

"Fred," he calls out weakly.

I turn back into the room. "Yeah, Bosco."

He doesn't turn or answer. Faith warned me he wasn't himself anymore.

I wait but he doesn't turn or tell me what he wants me to do. I jam my hands deeper into my pockets debating whether I should just leave.

"Fred." I look up but Bosco is still lying on his side. I guess him calling me means he wants to talk.

I walk around the bed and pull up a chair. I notice the gauntness of his face, how his features are sharper. His eyes are dark and cloudy and deep in the sockets giving him a haunted look. He seems devoid of any emotion. He stares straight ahead, not looking at me. The silent treatment is giving me the creeps and I feel the need to say something.

"Bosco, if you don't feel up to talking, I could come back later," I offer.

He blinks a couple of times, as if to focus back on this conversation and sighs before he begins. "I want you to keep Faith away from me," he says softly.

It's not exactly what I was expecting to hear. I just sit there and stare at him.

He senses my confusion and turns to look at me. "I want you to tell her that I don't ever want to see her again," he says.

My confusion turns to anger. "You want her to stay away from you?" I say incredulously. I could not believe my ears. This guy had some nerve.

"She hasn't slept in two days because she's been by your bed the whole time and you want her - the only person who cared enough to stand by you - to leave you alone."

I stare at him until he has to turn away which angers me even more. "And, you want me to tell her? I guess you don't have the b-lls to do it yourself." I snarl at him.

I get up and move away from him not trusting what I'm going to do next because I want to hurt him like he's hurting Faith.

I turn back to him but he doesn't have the nerve to look me in the eye. I can't stand the sight of him and I rush towards him grab him and pull him up towards me.

He doesn't resist or try to defend himself.

"I always knew you were a b-stard but I never thought you could be so heartless. You listen to me Bosco. She blames herself for you being in the hospital. She is running herself ragged, and she told me that all she needs is for you to be okay." He turns his head away not daring to look me in the eye. "What, no smart-ss reply to that?" I say as I push him back into the bed.

"I'm not okay," he says softly.

"What?" I manage to muster. I'm stunned by his admission. The indestructible Maurice Boscorelli is not okay.

His stare does not waver as if to confirm the seriousness of his situation. He takes the opportunity to continue. "I want you to promise me you'll do everything you can to keep her away from me."

I don't know what to say. I don't know what to think. He takes my lack of reaction as a lack of understanding.

"Don't you get it? She'll only end up hurt… or worse. You were right Fred I'm no good. I'll only cause her more pain. She doesn't deserve that. This is your chance to help Faith. Don't let her come back to see me. Please Fred...don't…I don't want to hurt her… " his voice catches and he can't continue.

I stare down at him and for the first time I begin to understand their relationship.

I always felt that Faith gave more than she got, and maybe it was true to some extent. But as partners, I know each of them would do whatever it took to protect one another.

I watch Bosco, as he tries not to breakdown. I can see how much it took for him to ask for my help. I can feel the depth of his devotion to Faith in every shaky breath he takes trying to hold back his tears.

I see the Bosco that Faith knows, a man who would rather cut himself off from his partner and friend than risk hurting her. I don't think I could ever do that for anyone, not even Faith.

I see the crossroads I'm at and see this as my chance…my chance to be the husband that Faith needs me to be. This is the chance for me to stand up for us, to take care of Faith and do what she needs me to do. I won't let her down.

"Bosco, I can't help you. What you are asking me to do is not what Faith wants. If that's the way you feel, you should tell her yourself." I stare at him but he doesn't let on if he's disappointed or mad at me. He seems devoid of emption. Faith warned me he's not himself anymore.

I take a deep breath before I turn and walk out of the room knowing I did the right thing.

TBC…