Title: Forgiveness 9

Disclaimers: I don't own them I just wish I did.

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

Summary: Bosco blames himself for Mikey's death. Can Faith help him?

I am awakened by the gentle sound of the ocean waves. I feel the harshness of the sand against my cheek and I know I must be dreaming because the last thing I remember is my failed escape attempt from the hospital.

The cool breeze caresses me and sprays me with the cleansing ocean mist. I don't dare open my eyes in case the spell is broken and I find myself back at Mercy.

The sound of the waves lulls me into a false sense of security as the gulls caw their discontent from a distance.

"Mo." It's Mikey. I'd recognize that voice anywhere. I roll towards him and peel my eyes open. The brightness of the day causes me to squint and hold my hand up against my eyes.

"Mo, let's go." He playfully lobs a clump of sand that hits me in the chest.

I look up at him in disbelief. It is Mikey. He's really here. "Mikey…" is all my voice can manage as he looms over me.

"Come on bro. Get up. I don't have all day to watch you catching up on your beauty sleep," he says in exasperation.

I prop myself up on my elbows as his flops down beside me. I can't even ask the million questions that run through my brain.

"Bro, we made it to California. We can't sleep our days away. We have places to go, people to meet, chicks to pick up." He smiles slyly at me with that last phrase as his eyes narrow dreamily.

"Mo, did you have a little too much to drink last night?" He waits for my reply, but I have no voice. "You know, it took 8 days of almost non-stop driving, or pushing that old jalopy of yours, to get here." He kicks the sand absentmindedly with the toe of his sneaker. "And I'm not wasting another minute." He shouts as he gets up.

I rub the sand out of my eyes, literally and sit up to take in the view. By God, I think we are in California. Mikey always dreamed about taking a road trip to the West Coast. We planned it one long ago summer, but it never worked out. Life got in the way; I joined the Rangers and he couldn't bring himself to leave Ma by herself.

"Let's go," he yells as he jogs away. He beckons me with a wave of his arm but I'm unable to follow, unable to rise from my spot. I want to tell him to stop, to come back for me, but the ocean drowns my voice out as he fades from view.

I knock on the window to alert Faith that I'm here. Shelooks towards me and motions for me to enter.

She turns back towards Bosco without a word to me as I enter the room. Her hands work at smoothing out the edge of the bed sheet, and she does it without taking her eyes off him. The movement is automatic, without thought.

I move closer and stand behind her. I look down at Bosco. His sleep does not look restful and his appearance looks worse than the last time I saw him.

Bosco's hands and ankles are wrapped in restraints. This was all Faith's doing and I don't blame her for the way she reacted when she heard they had found Bosco shivering on the floor. She knew exactly what he was up to even if the nurses dismissed this as confusion on Bosco's part. She managed to convince the doctor this was the best thing for Bosco.

"How's he doing?" I ask.

I hear her sigh and see her shake her head slightly. The fact that she doesn't turn to look at me unnerves me somewhat.

"They had to up the antibiotics. He must have been lying on that floor for hours before they found him. His fever spiked back up and they're not sure the same medication will be effective now."

I see her hands reach up to swipe at her cheeks and her shoulders sag from the invisible weight she is carrying.

"Faith, I'll sit with him for a while. Why don't you take a break?"

I feel silly talking to her back, watching the thinnest strands of her blonde hair flutter and float around her neck.

"That's what got him here," She replies angrily but I know her anger is not directed at me.

"Okay, then I'll sit with you." I pull up another chair and position it next to hers. We sit in silence for the longest time.

Eventually, the silence is broken by Bosco's mumbling. He is dreaming and calls out for Mikey. Faith grabs his hand and then smoothes out his hair as if she were waking Charlie from a bad dream.

Bosco's opens his eyes and I watch his expression darken when he takes in his surroundings.

He tries to pull up his hands, but they are held down by the restraints. He looks down and notices the bonds around his wrists.

"What's this?" he asks in a hoarse but incredulous tone.

"Bosco, it's for your own good," Faith replies calmly. Her voice strong and unwavering tells me she has no doubts about her decision.

"You're not my mother, Faith," he says angrily.

"No, I'm your friend, Bosco."

"You're not my friend either," he says as he pulls hard on the restraints.

Faith's mouth is set in a thin line as she purses her lips. She doesn't want to get in a war of words with him. It will only make matters worse, but I can see the hurt in her expression and it takes all of her willpower not to answer back.

"Get these things off of me," Bosco yells and rattles the bed rails with the force of his movements.

He becomes flushed as his efforts intensify. It doesn't take long before he's panting from the exertion and then eventually runs out of steam. The room quiets except for the sound of his breathing.

"I want you to leave," he orders.

"No, I won't. I told you I wouldn't, and I'm sorry I left you that night at the house. I should have never left you with Davis then."

"You would have left me lot sooner if you had any brains," he lashes out with the only weapon he has left, his words.

"Why do you want me to leave? We're partners, friends and I'm sorry Boz…" she says not looking away from him.

"Because, it's for you own good," he throws back.

I feel like an intruder. I shouldn't be here. Quietly, I stand to leave.

"This is not about me, is it Boz?" she says gently.

The sound of her voice forces me to turn and look at her. Her eyes are so full of understanding and compassion as if she's read his deepest, darkest thoughts.

"It hurts. I know it hurts," she whispers

Bosco sucks in a deep breath and seeks out Faith with his eyes. He stares at her as if she is the only person left in this world. "It was just a dream," he says sadly and closes his eyes to stem the tears.

"I know, Boz," Faith coos softly to him. "I know." She lets out a breath, grateful that he didn't push her away this time.

TBC…