Title: Turned Loose 3

Author: Mandi

Disclaimer: They're Not Mine

AN: The last chapter was mostly Bosco/Cruz, this one's mostly Bosco/Faith.

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"Are we gonna talk about what happened?" Bosco asked before he popped another piece of bacon into his mouth. His eyes remained focused down on his food, unable to look Faith in the eyes.

"Do you really wanna do that now?" Faith replied looking around the small but cozy diner the two were in. They occupied a booth near the front corner of the diner, wanting as much privacy as the place could give them.

"It's either we talk now or we never bring the subject up again. That's how it is with you." Bosco shot back, taking a somewhat violent bite out of his toast.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, let's see—we don't talk about anything because you never want to."

"That's not true."

"Yeah, right." His sarcastic tone was beginning to get on Faith's nerves. It's been nearly a month since Bosco's almost near fatal panic attack. He had to learn the hard way, from Cruz, the truth about what really went down the day Donald Mann was killed. Though now that he knew the truth, Faith still wouldn't open up to him about it. Her mind was set only on helping him recover before having to upload all her problems on him. Bosco however, was finding it more and more difficult to put off not talking about the situation as the weeks progressed. The ordeal still laid heavily over both their heads and Bosco was frustrated Faith kept putting it off.

"Look, Bosco." Faith started, putting down her fork and lacing her fingers together on the table, "all I wanted to do was bring you out for a nice, quiet breakfast because I think you deserve to get out after how hard you've been working for the past couple of weeks."

"And now you think I'm ruining our little get together because I wanna talk?" Bosco snickered, stuffing some eggs into his mouth.

"We talk all the time."

"Not about our problems."

"We don't have problems."

Bosco practically threw down the fork in his hands. It hit the surface of his plate with a startling clang. Faith met his eyes, hers now very round, "Bosco—what the hell's the matter with you?" She hissed, her eyes scanning the diner for any unwanted attention by other customers.

Bosco leaned in toward her, his voice low and dark, "we don't got problems? Faith, you shot and killed a man, I'd say that counts as a 'problem'."

Faith shook her head, leaning back into her seat, "Yeah—and it's my problem, not yours."

"No—ya see it became my problem because you did it for me."

"Bosco—really, don't..."

"Don't what? It's about time you heard the truth out loud," Bosco's frustration was obviously growing as he gripped the edge of their table till his knuckles were white, "just admit it Faith, once and for all. You shot Donald Mann because you thought he killed me, you thought I was dead."

Faith shot him a threatening look but he wasn't about to back down, "speak any louder, Boz, I think maybe the mayor will hear you."

"Good—let him hear me, let anyone hear me, as long as it'll get you talkin' again," he was trying everything in his power to keep his voice down, but it was so difficult now a days with Faith. It was like talking to a wall, she'd never really talk back to him.

"Bosco—I really don't wanna talk about this now."

Bosco shook his head, defeat slumping his shoulders as he lowered his head. The anger was still in his eyes though when he looked back up at her, "well, you know what Faith? Let me know when you do—I'm outta here." and with that he grabbed his jacket next to him and took off.

Faith sighed heavily, propping her elbows on the table in front of her and rubbing her tired eyes with her palms. A few seconds later, she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. It startled her as she looked up into the familiar eyes of Scott Vincent. Prison Guard Scott Vincent.

"Scott?" Faith uttered, blinking a few times to make sure her vision was clear.

"Thought that was you—how ya been, Faith? Haven't seen you around lately," he replied, flashing his pearly whites.

"Yeah, well, you know—me being outta prison and all."

Scott chuckled, "Yeah, I guess that could be it."

Faith took a moment to wipe away at the tears that had threatened her eyes when Bosco walked out on her only seconds ago. She was so fed up with him pushing her to talk about Mann. But she knew they had to get things out on the table, for too long they've been keeping a lot inside.

Scott's hand gently moved from her shoulder to her back as he leaned forward slightly to get a better look at her, "hey, what's wrong?"

Faith met his concerned eyes and she shook her head slightly, "Oh–ah, nothing...it's nothing."

"Was it that guy that just walked outta here? What, is he your boyfriend?"

"What? Oh—no, no. That was Bosco...yeah, um, he's...he's my partner—we, um...worked together."

"As in past tense? You two don't work together anymore?"

"Well, he was injured in the line of duty a few months back so—he's been recovering. He is recovering—he'll be back to work soon though, he's strong." Faith was talking more to herself than she was to Scott. Bosco not coming back to work was unthinkable. Even when the doctor told her Bosco would never be able to do anything on his own again, Faith had believed otherwise. No one knew Bosco like she did, she'd always believe in him.

Scott's features were turning more and more sympathetic by the minute as he gazed down at Faith, "I'm sorry—did you two have an argument?"

"He's—well, he's stubborn sometimes. But we're good, he just needs to cool off."

"Hey, ya know, I'm starved. Ya mind if I join you?"

"No, not at all." Faith smiled, gesturing to the seat that only moments before Bosco occupied. While Scott ordered his food, Faith took the time to study him. Something she had done a lot while stuck in prison for a month. Scott was great to her in there, always made sure she and Cruz weren't hassled too often by the other inmates. In the short time they were in prison Faith formed quiet a nice friendship with the young man. The young man with the gorgeous blue eyes, the short spiked brown hair, the strong facial features and the smile to die for. Faith couldn't help but be a little attracted to him, it was only natural that a newly single woman to be.

After he finished ordering, Scott's complete focus was now on Faith as he just gazed back at her. Faith was growing rather uncomfortable by the unwavering attention but she couldn't decide whether she liked it or not. She should be flattered that such a handsome man would look at her the way Scott was looking at her right now. When Faith finally found the courage to meet his eyes, a wide grin spread across his face.

"Ya know, Faith, I've gotta be honest with you...I've been thinking about you a lot lately—it's just—I don't know, I really enjoyed our conversations when you were in—ah—you know..."

"When I was in prison you mean? And you were the CO?"

Scott laughed, "You think it's a little off don't you? I mean, we met under unusual circumstances but it's not like you're still an inmate or anything."

"Yeah, you're right. What are you getting at here?"

"Truth is—I like you, Faith. I know this is gonna sound cliche but I do, I like you a lot. You're just—you're like no one I've met before."

"Is that a good thing?"

Scott nodded slowly as he reached out to take her hands into his. He looked deeply into her eyes before whispering, "I think so."

"Scott..." Faith said, trying to pull her hands from his, but he wouldn't let go so she was forced to look him in the eyes again.

"Look Faith, I'm not asking you to marry me or anything, I just—I wanna take you out some time—on a date. Get outta the house, do something fun for a change."

Faith couldn't argue with him there. She really did need to get out of her new but lonely apartment. And helping Bosco with his therapy for the past couple of weeks has certainly taken a toll on her both mentally and emotionally. Scott gave her hand a gentle squeeze and she looked back at him.

"What ya say?"

After a moment, Faith smiled, "I'd like that."

Scott could do nothing but smile back. He lifted her right hand from the table and lightly brushed his lips against it. Faith was amazed at what a gentleman he was. So caring and so tender and no one could mistake the adoration in his eyes when he looked at her. Faith was about to say something, but another voice interrupted.

"Faith—look, I'm sorry—I didn't mean to..." Bosco voice came out weak and remorseful, but he stopped himself as his eyes found his now occupied seat. His eyes quickly darted from Scott and Faith's joined hands, to Faith's face, and when they finally found Scott's, Bosco's features suddenly darkened.

"Who the hell are you?" Bosco demanded.

And from the tone in his voice, Faith knew things weren't gonna go smoothly.