Thank you all for the replies. I hope you're still following this one, I think I've a fair idea now where it's going! xxx

I catch sight of Bosco out the corner of my eye. He's coming in the front doors, perp handcuffed and being pushed along. I watch as he pulls him towards a cell, stuffing him in and grinning as the criminal hits the bars aggressively.

"The angrier you get, the worse my report is," he says winking, "You have a good day now."

He turns around and notices me for the first time, giving a wide smile. "Hey Yokas!" he says, sprinting over to me.

"I spoke to Swersky," I inform him, "He's done up all the paper work and stuff. You're with me again."

"Good…ah…yeah…" he trails off, his gaze falling to the floor.

"Somethin' wrong?" I ask, trying my best to sound indifferent. He shrugs.

"I was thinkin', me workin' with you and Jelly. Maybe I'm better out there on the streets, you know, what can I offer to this?" he says, digging his hands into his trouser pockets. I frown.

"You were up for it earlier, what's changed?"

"Nothin'. I was just thinkin'. I mean you probably know this case inside out, I just wouldn't want to get in the way," he explains. I examine him closely, trying to decipher what he's actually telling me. He rubs the back of his neck, like he's frustrated or something.

It then hits me.

He doesn't want to be with me.

"Oh…ok…" I drag off, my stomach suddenly turning. I don't want to lose my best friend and somehow I think that's happening. I never wanted any of this.

"It's not that I don't want to work with you," he tries, gesturing the palm of his hand out. I stare at the ground afraid that if I look up he'll see me for what I really am. A vulnerable woman who's scared and alone and desperate to have her best friend back.

Or worse he'll see the tears I feel prick against my eyes.

Way to be strong Faith.

"No, I get it," I say waving him off, "It's fine."

I keep my head down, my eyes boring holes into the tiled floor.

"Look at me Faith," he orders with a sigh. I pretend I don't hear him as if that is in some way plausible despite the fact he standing a few mere inches in front of me. "Look at me," he repeats.

I guess I can't avoid him forever. I slowly raise my head, my gaze locking with those startlingly sweet eyes of his. "It's not you ok?"

"Bosco it's ok. I know I've screwed up…"

"Hey!" he says intercepting me before I can even begin, "You didn't screw up anything right? If anything this is my doing."

"How do you work that?" I say, now staring at my hands. I grind my heel into the tile, shuffling it against the surface, causing long black scorch marks to appear on the polish.

"If I hadn't have kissed Cruz…hell if I hadn't got involved with her in the first place," he says with a sigh, "I thought we were gonna forget about the other day?"

I want to shake him. Why the hell can't he see how embarrassed I am about it all? What on this earth is wrong with him? Is he really that clueless? I just want for us to get back to normal.

"It was a mistake, I wasn't thinking," I mumble.

"Exactly. Faith... I understand about what you said ok? I get it! You were lonely and missed me like mad," he says, exaggerating on his last words. He looked up to catch my grin but I hope that strictness is still evident in my eyes. "Anyway. I understand. And although you may never truly get over me…"

"Bosco…" I warn, mildly amused.

"I think we can put it past us. I mean after twelve years of friendship…if we can't move past this…"

I nod, silently agreeing with him.

"So…we a'right?" he asks. I raise my eyebrows a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. His fist hangs in the air waiting for the seal of approval. I clench my hand up and hit against his gently.

"Yeah…we a'right," I reply mimicking his tone. I chuckle shaking my head. "You know you're not right in the head don't ya?"

"It's why you love me," he responded winking.

"So you still not gonna help me out on this case?" I ask, feeling a little more at ease now.

"Well that depends," he says, "Do you actually want my help or is it just 'cause you want for us to move on?"

"Does it matter?" I counter. He gazes at me for a second and for that second it's like he can see right through me. Right through my clothes, my skin, my soul – and it's like he sees me. I mean really sees me. And I feel comfortable.

"I guess not," he replies, chuckling. "But I have a few ground rules."

I groan rolling my eyes as I turn away from him. "I'm not doin' any paper work…I'm not gonna be you or Jelly's errand boy… and I don't want you usin' me for any jobs you hate. I suppose if you want you can use me in some other way though…"

I throw him a withering glance and his jaw snaps shut. "Ok, we're finished with the jokes about that then huh?"

I nod and he nods along with me. "Thought so."

"Bosco I honestly want your help ok? You won't be anyone's errand boy. I won't let you be," I smile, swiping a file off the desk. "But I have a few rules of my own."

"Shoot."

"You will be on time, you will listen to what I tell you, you will not hit any perp no matter how much they piss you off, you will not jeopardise this case in any way. You will pay attention to me when I'm telling you somethin'. And finally you can wear uniform or plain clothes or whatever the hell you want, as long as your doin' your job right," I say finishing in a very matter-off-fact way.

He grins, saluting me. "Yes M'am!"

"And Bosco, you will not mock me," I add, backing away from him.

"Is there ever a time when I have?" he jokes. I can't help but smile at him. All his boyish charm and innocence seems to come back in that one cheeky smile he gives me and it feels good. It feels familiar.

"I'll see you later Bosco, and you better be on time," I call out, pushing open the office door.

"What? What did you say? I couldn't hear you over all the feminists giving their speeches!"

I decide it's better to let him have the last word than to get drawn into another sparring match and so close the door, grinning from ear to ear.