He sat alone at the back of the bar. His mother knew something big had happened, but knew from past experience that he wouldn't talk about - not until he was ready - maybe never. She walked back, bringing him another beer.

"What happened?" she asked him, not expecting an answer - just trying to let him know that she was there for him.

"Ma," he said, warning her off.

"Okay, okay. But, I'm here if you need or want to talk about it," she offered. "Kim?" she asked, wondering if it was something between the two of them.

"No," he said, taking a long drink of his beer.

"Kids?"

"No," he replied, aggravation in his voice.

"Okay, but that's all you're getting and you're not driving yourself home," Rose told her son. She knew by the way he walked and then when she looked at his eyes when he came in that this wasn't his first stop. She walked back to the bar and finished up with Last Call, watching her son out of the corner of her eye. Something bad had happened, she just hoped that he'd be able to work it out - whatever it was.

Bosco finished the last of his beer and stood up, somewhat unsteadily. His brother Mikey appeared seemingly out of nowhere. His mother had called him and he chuckled to himself at her ability to do things like that.

"Hey, Mo. What's up?" Mikey asked his brother.

"Nothin' much. Ma called you?" Bosco replied, sitting down next to his brother.

Mikey shrugged. "She thought you could use a ride home," he said quietly. "What's goin' on, Bro?"

"I'm not sure myself, Mikey. Look, take me home, will ya'," he said, giving his brother his keys.

"Whoa, you MUST be trashed if you're letting ME drive your car," Mikey said, taking the keys from him. They walked toward the door. "See ya, Ma," both boys said at the same time.

"G'night, Maurice. Thanks, Michael," Rose said to her sons.

Mikey nodded and Bosco just waved as he leaned slightly against his brother on the way out.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Mikey snuck a sideways glance at Bosco during the drive home. His brother sat with his head back against the seat, eyes closed.

"So, what's goin' on, Mo?" he asked him.

"Mikey, please," Bosco said, bringing his hand up to rub his eyes.

"Okay, okay, but Ma's worried. For that matter, so am I. You haven't been like this in a long time," his brother said with concern. "Not since you took up with Kim."

"'Took up' with Kim?" he repeated back to his brother, with a smirk.

Mikey shrugged. "You know what I mean. Is everything okay between you two? Something with the kids?"

"No. Everything's fine with Kim and the kids. It's work.. Look, Mikey. I'm sorry, but I really can't talk about this right now," Bosco said, letting out a breath in exasperation.

"Alright, but I'm here. Ma too," Mikey offered as he pulled up to Bosco's building. He looked up at the building. "You got your cell phone, because it looks like your place is all dark. I don't want to wake anyone up calling for a cab," Mikey said.

Bosco looked up and took let out a sigh. "Yeah, I told her not to wait up. You can take my car. I'll get it from you tomorrow. Give me a call," he said, opening the door. He looked over at his brother. "Don't wreck my car, Mikey," he warned.

"I won't. I'll go right home, Mo. Promise," Mikey told him.

Bosco looked over at his brother. "What?" Mikey asked him.

Bosco shook his head. "Nothin', Mikey. You're doin' good?" he asked.

"I'm good, Mo," Mikey answered.

"I'm proud of you, Mikey. You've come a long way, little brother," he said, lightly punching his brother in the arm. "Thanks for bringing me home."

"You sure you're okay, Bro?" Mikey asked again. Bosco nodded his head. "Yeah, Mikey. Go home." Bosco stood up and closed the door. He watched his brother drive off and turned to go upstairs, slightly off balance from the alcohol he'd had during the night.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**^

Kim lay awake in her bed. She'd checked on the kids for the eighth time and they were all sound asleep. Now, if only Bosco would come home. He'd called her at the firehouse from the precinct to tell her to head home without him. He was going out for a little bit - needed some time by himself. She tried to find out what had happened, but he said it was okay and he'd see her in a little while. Faith was already gone when she'd walked across the street to see if she knew what had happened.

"I'm fine," he said to her concern about him being hurt. "Kiss the kids goodnight for me," he said to her before hanging up.

Now, here she was, listening to the clock tick on the wall and hearing the cars passing on the street below. Finally, she heard the unmistakable sound of his car pulling up outside the building. She laid there, not knowing if she should get up to greet him, or if she should let him come to her.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**

Bosco used his key to open the door. The apartment was dark and he smiled to himself when he thought of how pitiful it was before he'd met Kim. Coming home to a dark, empty apartment night after night. Now he came home to an apartment filled with the sights and sounds of love, family. He was lucky.

He'd secretly wondered how long this happiness would last before something happened and he guessed this was the beginning of finding out. He walked over and hung up his coat. He moved over to the couch, turning on a small light and picking the mail up off the table, going through it without really reading it. He put the mail back down and walked to the window, staring out at the sky that was lightening with the first signs of the dawn. He thought back to what he and Faith had said to each other. He thought about the events of his shift. "How'd things get so screwed up?" he asked himself.

Suddenly, he felt overwhelmed with fatigue - both from the stress of events and from the alcohol. He stood up and walked down the hallway. He stopped and looked in on the boys. They were sound asleep. He shut their door and crossed over to Amanda's room. He walked in and covered her up again - "She's a restless one," he smiled to himself. She moved slightly, mumbling something and snuggling further under the covers. He put a hand on her cheek. He closed her door and went into the bathroom, getting ready for bed.

*^*^*^*^*^*

Kim lay awake, listening to him moving around. Her stomach told her something was going on, but she didn't want to push him. She knew that would only push him further away. She'd have to wait until he came to her. She listened to the shower run, then sink has he brushed his teeth. The door to the bathroom opened and the light switch was turned off.

Bosco came into the room, letting his eyes adjust to the dark. He took in the form of Kim in his bed and he felt the love he had for her. He dropped the towel on the floor and climbed in alongside her. She turned to him and put her arm on his chest.

"You okay?" she asked him quietly.

He nodded his head and pulled her close. "I love you, Kim," he said, beginning to kiss her. She felt his need for her, held him close and made love to him. He seemed to need that tonight. No words - just love.