Faith paced one of the hospital's small waiting areas; a thousand "what-if's" filled her anguished mind. Feeling completely useless while the world around her bustled with a flurry of hectic activity, she pondered the known events of the past few hours while she anxiously waited for word on Bosco's condition.

She thought of the immediate response upon finding her missing partner. An instant of unbelievable relief followed by panic filled minutes as the medics assessed his injuries. She sat in the front of the bus as he was transported to Mercy; never taking her eyes off of the EMT's as they treated him. She caught phrases or words such as "head trauma", "possible brain injury", "severe concussion", even the constant evaluation of his vitals, all the while contemplating why Bosco kept everything from her. He once told her he had no one else but her to turn to in times of need. The fact that she could somehow have failed him when he needed her the most filled her with remorse.

She recalled the rush of the medical staff upon their arrival to Mercy, the sight of her injured friend being poked and prodded were a lot to take in. She realized it would take some time to determine the severity of his condition. She never moved until he was transferred from Trauma Two to Radiology for more testing. Almost another hour of anxious waiting elapsed before a nurse informed her that Bosco was rushed to the OR a short time ago.

The CAT scan revealed a skull fracture and an intracranial hemorrhage…emergency surgery was necessary to alleviate the swelling to his brain …there was a possibility of internal bleeding…damage to organs…it was too much to comprehend. She was thankful Swersky was behind her when she heard the news. His hand on her shoulder gave her some reassurance. Even though Dr. Miles, one of the ER physicians, explained as much as he knew and affirmed that Bosco was in the hands of an excellent surgical team, she wished she could do more than wait and pray.

Faith took a moment to call her family from the waiting area. Due to her hasty departure, she didn't take the time to leave a note and was sure Fred would be annoyed regarding her unexplained absence. Her husband answered on the first ring. He was frantic, not angry as she had anticipated. He even offered to wait with her but she was able to convince him to stay at home and wait for Charlie. Knowing how he felt about Bosco, his proposal surprised her. Since the Noble incident, he never kept his dislike for her partner a secret. It was a pity that any compassion her husband felt towards the fallen officer was only now evident because he was injured.

She tried to call Rose Boscorelli a few times until she remembered Bosco mentioning a trip his mother was taking. He never said where she was going or how long she'd be gone, except that she would be away throughout the weekend. All she could do was keep trying.

Sully and Davis refused to leave even though they were exhausted after their long shift. Last she noticed, they had both dozed off in the adjacent lounge.

Swersky was in and out, checking on Bosco's progress and keeping her filled-in on where the investigation stood. He reminded her of the statewide APB on Leonard and she was sure he'd be in custody before the end of the day. Even though there was no definite proof that he was behind the awful events at this time, there was little doubt that he was involved. There was no way the son-of-a-bitch was going to get away with what he did!

So she paced, mostly non-stop, from window to door, a short distance up and down the corridor leading to the secure entrance of the OR and back to the lounge again. She tried to sit but couldn't for more than a minute at a time. Why was it taking so damn long?

As word of the early morning attack spread, several police officers stopped by to check on her partner throughout the day. Regardless of whether an injured officer was a close acquaintance or not, members of the force still came to show their respect. It was the bond of a brotherhood not many could understand unless they were a cop. Even Lieutenant Andrews from Homicide came by to see if there was anything he could do. She'd always heard good things about the detective and his visit confirmed her admiration for the man.

Sully finally left the hospital about an hour ago to shower but insisted on returning to cover for Ty. Neither man could be persuaded to stay home and get some much-needed sleep.

The lengthy wait was taking a toll on her and she knew she couldn't take it much longer without some encouraging news. She had to know what was going on behind the closed off area soon, or she'd completely lose her mind. Davis' earlier words of solace were not enough to alleviate her fears.

The smell of the fresh coffee she savored all morning was now nauseating. If anyone offered her another cup, she would surely throw it at him or her. She was well aware of her fragile state and knew the only thing that would make her feel better was some good news about Bosco.

Her pacing turned into a quest to find someone who could tell her what the hell was taking so long. It had been nearly four hours since her partner was taken to surgery. She was so focused on the passing minutes she could almost swear she heard the ticking of each fleeting second on the old wall clock.

Before she realized it, Faith found herself on the elevator heading for the ER. Perhaps Mary Proctor was on duty…she could certainly find out what was going on!

Sully drove back to Mercy; his concentration on the street ahead of him took second place to the concern he felt regarding his injured coworker. He was tired but sleep was the last thing on his mind.

Even though he and Bosco had their differences, he always thought Boscorelli was a good cop. Sometimes, the young officer even reminded him of himself several years ago. He still considered himself dedicated to the Job of course, but he knew he lost something over the years…his Spirit.

When he became a cop over twenty years ago, there was no stopping him from whatever it took to collar the City's wanted criminals. Now, more often than he'd like to admit, if the opportunity for another squad to respond to a call presented itself, he wouldn't take the effort to be the first on-site. Especially if the call was a domestic.

While Sully considered his take on police work as that of problem solver with as little physical confrontation as possible, Bosco's view was the complete opposite. The younger man's "shoot first, ask questions later" attitude was exasperating at times but the senior officer held the utmost respect for his colleague. If a perpetrator on the run needed to be brought down, no one could argue that Bosco was the cop to do it.

Sully knew a major part of his disillusionment concerning his job was the legal system. More often than not, a scumbag he arrested earlier in the day was out on bail before his shift ended.

He didn't need anyone to tell him that maybe it was time to think about retiring. The notion crossed his mind often during the past few months. He had to wonder if it was normal to feel this way after all the horrible things he'd witnessed during his years on the force.

Boscorelli was always anxious to do his best. When he set his mind on something there was no holding the guy back. At times, he got himself into trouble because of it, but his numerous arrests spoke volumes for his endless perseverance and dedication. The streets of New York were a safer place because of the cop lying in Mercy, fighting for his life, a life a thousand times more valuable than Vincent Leonard's. It disgusted him to no end that Leonard was out there, somewhere, probably planning his next robbery. He didn't know what it would take to get the bastard behind bars but he knew the son-of a-bitch wasn't gonna get away with what he did.

As she exited the OR waiting area, Proctor noticed the neuro-surgeon walking towards her. She opened the door and called to Faith, introducing the officer to the specialist and excusing herself, reminding Faith she would be in the ER if she needed her.

Faith didn't know what to expect as she shook the man's hand. His stoic facial expression was difficult to read and scared the hell out of her.

"Officer Yokas…" He began.

"How is he?" She anxiously interrupted, her pleading eyes begging for good news. Sully returned just minutes ago and was met by Davis and Swersky in the hallway.

"The surgery went as well as can be expected. His condition is very critical; however, we were able to stabilize him. The next forty-eight hours will be extremely crucial." The surgeon hesitated a moment before he continued. "Unfortunately, head wounds are very difficult to evaluate…we can always tell more when the patient regains consciousness."

Sully gave her shoulder a supportive squeeze as the doctor went on.

"He sustained two serious head injuries. The first, a basilar skull fracture, caused fluid to enter the inside of his skull. I had to insert a temporary shunt to drain the excess liquid and relieve the pressure around his brain. This is a fairly routine procedure when head trauma is diagnosed." The surgeon suggested they be seated in the lounge, noticing Faith's drained appearance, but she insisted he continue.

"The wound to his temple caused an epidural hematoma. We repaired the severed arteries this laceration caused. Due to the severe beating he sustained, he has a few fractured ribs and a fractured left wrist but the most serious was a splenic rupture. We felt the bleeding into his abdominal cavity was life threatening, therefore, it was necessary to remove the damaged organ, fortunately, there is no evidence of any other internal injury."

The doctor paused to gather his thoughts. "His head injuries concern us the most at this time. He'll be in the Critical Care Unit for the next couple of days where he will be closely monitored. Hopefully, we'll know more by then." He hesitated for a moment, knowing the information he bestowed upon the officer's friends was not what they hoped to hear. "I know this is difficult and I wish I had more encouraging news."

"Will he be all right…I mean, without a spleen…my God…and brain surgery…you're not saying there could be some kind of permanent damage?" Faith worriedly asked. "Are you?"

The doctor answered sympathetically. "I know you all have a lot of questions but we can't worry about what could or might happen. The important thing to remember is that he got here before any more time elapsed and we were able to help him. He's healthy and in excellent physical condition, a definite plus for a positive recovery."

"Please… I need to see him…just for a minute?" Faith pleaded.

"He'll be in the recovery area for some time yet. I realize its hard right now but you should all get some rest…even if you choose do it here. I'll have one of the nurses keep you posted on how he is and you will be allowed to visit him for a minute or two when he's moved to the CCU."

"Thank you Doctor. One of us will be in the lounge down the hall at all times." Swersky replied.

"I sincerely hope the police department is able to apprehend whoever did this to him." The physician added as he turned to leave.

It was a long day but despite her coworkers coaxing, Faith refused to leave Mercy, even for a short time, until she could see Bosco. Since Rose couldn't be there, she had to be. Fred came by for an hour to take her to the cafeteria, which she only agreed to because Sully was available for any updates. She was overcome with exhaustion and after her husband left, she fell into a restless sleep on one of the chairs in the corner, resting her head against the wall.

Although it wasn't easy, Swersky convinced Davis and Sullivan to go home for awhile. They were both scheduled for duty in less than thirty-six hours, and, he reasoned, the exhausted, currently off-duty police officers would not do Bosco any good when he woke up. He assured the officers that someone would be with Faith when he couldn't be.

A nurse finally came by to inform the room's occupants that Bosco was in the CCU. Swersky gently woke the sleeping officer and gave her the news. Faith was greatly relieved to hear it but apprehensive as to how she would cope with seeing him in such a critical state.

She took a moment to gather herself together before she entered the thick double doors. She wasn't prepared for what she saw when she entered the unit. The hissing of oxygen hoses and beeping of various monitors filled the otherwise quiet area. Two other patients occupied the large, intimidating room as well.

She approached Bosco's bedside, her heart breaking with each advancing step. He was hooked up to several machines, each one with the sole purpose of sustaining his existence or monitoring his condition. She was taken aback by his badly bruised face and bandaged head. She sat on the vinyl chair next to his bed and took his hand, which felt colder than she expected. As she sat there, she swore to herself that Vincent Leonard, no matter where he was, would pay dearly for what he had done.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and Davis couldn't help wishing his mood could match the balmy weather. He gathered a few items from his bedroom and placed them into his gym bag. The few hours of sleep he got were not as helpful as he had anticipated. He kept thinking he would miss an important phone call from the Lieutenant if he were in a deep sleep.

He never imagined that he would be spending his off time at Mercy, worrying about the well being of another officer, but there was no where else he wanted to be.

Even though he was still tired, the four hours he slept helped somewhat, getting more than that was the last thing on his mind. He didn't want to leave the hospital but he knew it would be the only way the Lieutenant would take some time also.

He couldn't get the awful image of his friend's battered body out of his head. When he first saw Bosco at the docks, he was convinced the man was dead. There was no way any human being could survive those injuries; but then again, Boscorelli wasn't just any body. If anyone he ever knew had a strong and unrelenting will, it was Bos. The guy was not a quitter.

He picked up a hooded sweatshirt and his keys, locking the apartment door behind him. He was anxious to get back to the hospital hoping to hear some good news when he got there. Although he was eager to get back on patrol with the rest of the force and participate in the search for Leonard, his first priority was to be at Mercy with Yokas. If anything bad happened, she couldn't be alone. With Bosco's mother out of town and his brother and father no shows, his co-workers at the five-five were all he had.

Faith's routine for the next couple of days remained mostly the same. She split her time between the hospital and home, taking an additional day off at Swersky's insistence.

She had gotten use to the unnerving alarms the various monitors emitted at particular times during her visits. At first, she was convinced the unwelcome sounds signaled impending doom for Bosco. He had a high fever brought on by an infection that concerned his surgeon and kept the staff on full alert. It was of no comfort overhearing two of the CCU doctors discussing that his potential recovery could go either way during that period.

As hopeless as his prognosis seemed at times to everyone else, Faith was always sure that her partner would pull through.

When she spoke to the surgeon the evening of the third day, he was carefully optimistic. Bosco was off the breathing machine, a good sign. His blood pressure and other vital statistics were now stable and not supported by medications. What they hoped and prayed for now was for the unconscious patient to awaken.

Faith was finally able to contact Rose, who had been trying to get in touch with her son since her return. Upon her arrival to the hospital, a visibly shaken Mrs. Boscorelli couldn't stop blaming herself for being away and having a wonderful time while her Maurice was in such dire condition. She was constantly by his side whenever she was allowed to visit, first in the Critical Care Unit, then in the Intensive Care Unit. She was immensely appreciative for the emotional support from Faith and the rest of the force.

Faith returned to work four days after Bosco's surgery. As much as she would have preferred to spend more time at the hospital, she knew her assistance in Leonard's apprehension would be more beneficial to her partner. She always stopped by Mercy before and after her shift, and most days, sometime during meal break. Her visits enabled Rose to take short breaks, which she didn't want but Faith and the staff insisted upon.

While she sat with her partner and held his hand, she spoke soothingly to him, the nurses encouraging her to do so. Everyday she came, she hoped it would be the day he would finally wake up. The most recent tests showed that the swelling was beginning to subside. The doctor's latest prognosis was encouraging but nothing would mean more than to see her partner open his eyes and acknowledge her.

That finally happened on the ninth day during her break time visit. She was just about to leave for a minute to use the restroom when she heard her name uttered. It was a mere whisper but there was no mistaking his voice. She rushed to his side, as did the ICU nurse on duty, who promptly summoned the physician on call.

"Hey…" Faith quietly greeted her partner. "Welcome back Bosco…we were all so worried about you." Her elation evident to anyone who would have been there. She held his hand and was rewarded with a slight squeeze. The small gesture as he acknowledged her presence warmed her breaking heart.

"What…happ…?" He forced the words, his voice weaker than he would like. His throat parched and sore.

"Shhhh Bos…you're all right…you're recuperating at Mercy." She gently answered, as the doctor on call entered.

"Welcome back Officer Boscorelli. You gave your friends quite a scare…" He continued to speak to her partner as a nurse led Faith to the near-by-waiting area.

While she waited for the doctor to examine Bosco, she called the precinct and gave Lieutenant Swersky the much-anticipated news. She also phoned Fred, who was genuinely happy for the promising update, assuring him she'd be home after her shift.

As she made her way to the cafeteria to tell Rose her son was awake; tears of relief began to flow from her weary eyes. Her prayers were answered. Her partner was awake and she knew he would be all right.

As the days passed and each one brought more certainty for a full recovery, Bosco began to recollect bits and pieces of his brutal encounter with the wanted fugitive. His short-term memory was affected by the ordeal, and even though there was major improvement in his recollection of the attack, he was still unclear about the majority of the time he spent with the vicious killer. He relayed everything he remembered to Swersky and the detectives on the case. Since the crime was originally classified as a kidnapping, there was also some brief FBI involvement, nevertheless, all the time and effort put into the investigation by the authorities wasn't enough to apprehend Leonard.

The following weeks were a hectic sucssession of doctor appointments and getting himself fit for duty. He started running as soon as he was given the okay from his surgeon and spent most of his time working out or practicing at the range. Some days were more difficult than others, and if he pushed himself too hard, the random headaches he now suffered reminded him to slow down, however, nothing could deter him from getting back to work as soon as possible.

He dropped by the precinct often and even sat in on roll call a few times, all the while anxious to return to active duty.

His sleep was frequently interrupted by recurring nightmares of Leonard and sometimes of another individual's presence. After awhile, he wasn't sure if what he remembered was factual or part of an awful dream.

He was finally cleared for full duty almost four and a half months after the attack. He tried to put the brutal encounter behind him. There was nothing to be gained by dwelling on it; nonetheless, he would never stop scrutinizing the face of every individual he came into contact with. He swore if he ever-crossed paths with the lunatic again, he would be ready for him.

Lieutenant Andrews sat at the old mahogany table on the well-worn leather chair his late wife had given him years earlier. His simple yet efficient office at One Police Plaza could not compare to the elaborate one the Group rented near Central Park in one of the City's newly renovated high-rises, yet, he preferred the present location to the latter one.

He stared at the muted television screen, the evening news broadcasting another senseless murder committed sometime during the previous night, a crime being investigated by detectives at the thirty-eighth precinct.

He reflected on all the favorable deeds the Group had accomplished during the past few months.

Since Leonard's demise, the team had the good fortune of terminating a major gang member who ordered the execution of a young woman who was a witness to one of his heinous crimes. They also intervened on behalf of a rapist/murderer who had eluded the City for weeks. Two less court cases the dedicated but overworked DA's office would eventually have to prosecute, not to mention the staggering tax dollars that would be saved on trials and imprisonment, but even more significant, two less scum-bags to wreak havoc on his beloved City. He briefly pondered the dozens of worthless lives sacrificed to save countless of worthwhile ones and knew there could be no other alternative.

The Lieutenant turned up the volume, wondering if any other members of the Group were watching the broadcast.

The driver of the police cruiser was completely focused on the speeding '88 Lincoln Continental he chased through the moderately busy street. The RMP's lights and sirens signaling its approach to any unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians. The squad's passenger maintained constant radio contact while casting an occasional look of concern in the driver's direction. It wasn't the health or well being of her partner that concerned her at the moment, but that of her own.

While he negotiated the squad with his usual expertise, she noticed his desire to apprehend the reckless individual was more ambitious than usual.

"Bosco!" Faith cried out, louder than she expected to, sure he didn't see the taxi cab approaching the intersection.

"I see it Faith!" He snapped back, never taking his eyes off his prey. "Is it clear?" He asked, somewhat annoyed that he had to inquire.

"Yeah, just be careful, alright!" She demanded, relaying their location to Central as Bosco rambled off a few expletives at the uncooperative driver ahead of them.

"…ucking jag-off!" Her partner shouted out of his window as they caught sight of 5-5 Charlie joining in the chase.

Even though the search for Vincent Leonard was still active, thus far, all leads had been extinguished. It seemed as though the fugitive had disappeared from the face of the earth. For all she cared, the son-of-a-bitch should be rotting away in the bottom of the Hudson. On second thought, that was too good of an ending for the murderous bastard.

Bosco's last vivid memory of that night was the confrontation at his apartment. He didn't like talking about it and she didn't force the issue but she made it known that if he ever needed to, she was there to listen.

He never brought up being at the docks, leading her and everyone else to believe he didn't remember the whole incident. The doctors had no way of knowing if the memory loss was temporary or permanent, however, Bosco did confide to her that the police psychologist suggested that his selective memory could be some sort of defense mechanism his mind regressed to in order to forget the terrible ordeal. Whatever the reason, she was glad to be in 5-5 David with him once again.

"Don't you just love this Faith?" His unexpected gleeful comment brought her back to the situation at hand.

"Obviously not as much as you do!" She answered. "Just get us back to the House in one piece! Okay?" Her statement was more of a demand than a request.

It had been a long convalescence but everything was once again as it should be. After days of uncertainty, weeks of recovery, and months of healing, her partner was finally back on The Job!

At that same moment, a middle aged, dark haired man looked upon the commotion from his private balcony as it passed by his building. The cops hadn't been a problem for him so far and he planned to keep it that way.

Donald Mann entered the living room of his penthouse, closing the glass doors behind him.

THE END

Thank you to all who took the time to critique. It means a lot and kept me going to finish. As you can see, it took over a year from beginning to end.

I did have an idea for a new fic but since the TV series is now history, it's kind of difficult to focus on another story, but I'll have to wait and see.

Please recommend this fic to others who you think might be entertained by my musings. Once again, many thanks to all, especially the following. I appreciate your generous reviews and always looked forward to them!

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Please give a final critique and thank you so much for reading!