Decided to keep going with this one. All responses welcome and please, be honest. If you don't like the way I'm writing something or one of the characters let me know so I can change it! Thank you. xxx

2. So please baby try and use me/for what I'm good for/ it ain't sayin' goodbye/that's knocking down the door of your candy store

It was coming again. That time of year was approaching but this time not as quickly as Bosco had hoped for. Last year, when Faith had came, everything changed. He didn't mind the policemen's ball anymore. Hell. He enjoyed it now.

She however was still kicking up a bit of a fuss on having to attend this year. She moped around the house with a look on her face that Bosco knew all to well. She used it on him often enough. It was the one were she was pretending to look pissed, even though she wasn't. And he adored it. It reminded him of when they were still partners, still bustling along together every shift, still telling each other everything. Ok…so they still did one of those things, but he still missed her more than he'd ever be able to say.

Bosco was never very good with words. He was always a man of action. But how do you show someone that you miss them? You can't, he supposed. You just have to grin and bare it. It's why loneliness is one of the most complex emotions for Bosco. He can't make it physically manifest in any one way so as to communicate to her what he's feeling. And he can't tell her because, Heaven knows, Maurice Boscorelli can never let his guard down.

Even with his best friend.

Even with Faith.

So instead, he buried it. Buried it deep inside his infallible mind, into the dark depths of his soul to where she could never reach it. Because God only knows what would happen if she did. And everyday he tried to ignore it. He tried to ignore the constricting pain in his chest everytime she'd say good night, everytime she'd wave wildly to him exiting the house, everytime she smiled, everytime she spoke…

He missed his best friend and he wanted her back.

But he would never tell her. Never.

He stood at the desk, leaning on the counter top, reading the paper. His shift was just about to start, but for the first time in ages he had been early and so had time to kill. His being late was an accident. Nothing to do with the fact that if he were to be early he might bump into Faith and they might just have a conversation. Dressed and ready he waited. Waited for what he wasn't sure but he did. Occasionally he glanced up, usually when he heard the door open, just out of hope that he might see her. But so far nothing.

Suddenly, he felt a cold pair of hands clamp down over his eyes, arms resting on his shoulders. The body pressed against him gently, moulding with his. It felt pretty good.

"Guess who," Davis's voice came from behind. Jesus! He jumped forward, shrugging off who he thought was Davis, being sure to elbow him in the ribs. Punishment for the jag-off.

"What the hell-!" he stopped immediately as he came face to face with Ty and Faith, laughing hysterically at his reaction. Faith was bent over clutching at the spot where his elbow had made contact with her side, but she was still laughing.

"You shoulda seen your face man!" Davis gasped, patting Faith on her shoulder. "You're right Faith. That was funny."

She grinned, straightening up. "Oh Bosco! That's the best laugh I've had in ages. Thank you!"

He mimicked her laugh, trying his hardest to be annoyed at her. But it was hard to be when he heard her hearty laugh. She was right – she hadn't laughed like that in a while.

"Are you ok?" he asked, noticing her wince as she hand trailed along her side. She nodded, maintaining a wide smile.

"Fine, I've been hit harder," she replied, dropping her hand down.

"It was meant for Davis, not for you," he said, glaring at Ty. All he could do was laugh. His colleague sure was grim today. He was gonna be a joy to work with.

"Thanks," he replied, making some sort of face at Faith, "so… we all goin' to the dance this year?"

Bosco nodded, placing his hands on his hips, while Faith snorted. "Stupid ball," she muttered tugging on the sleeves of her fitted black jacket.

"You seemed to enjoy it last year." Davis's words dripped with innuendo and Faith didn't seem to appreciate it. She scoffed, tapping her toe off the floor. Realising he had insulted her Davis retreated, gazing a little helplessly at Bosco. He noted his friend's desperation and swooped in with what he thought was a good conversation starter.

"So you got a date lined up Davis?"

"Well I'm flattered Bosco, really I am, but your not my type."

Bosco pulled his face into a frown and Faith giggled again, slightly amused by the situation and the discomfort it was causing him. Bosco was never really comfortable with the whole 'gay' issue. Not that he would go out and beat the first gay he saw, he just didn't like them up in his face. Davis on the other hand, was more chilled about it all. Maybe it was because he himself had suffered prejudice through the years because of his colour. Or maybe he was more mature. Either way he was able to handle a joke about his sexuality and never hit out. Bosco was a little more uptight about it though.

"You are such a big homo," he mumbled, rolling his eyes. Davis looked mildly offended by the derogatory comment but waved it off.

"Oh stop!" he cried, in a high-pitched voice. Faith chuckled, eyeing Bosco playful.

"Lighten up Bos," she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. She sound of her voice and the tenderness of her touch calmed him in such a way that for a second he forgot that he was pissed off at her and Davis for being such jerks/assholes. Instead a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth and she rewarded him with one of her one hundred watt smiles.

But of course Davis had to break the mood.

"So what about you? Found any nice boys to bring to the ball?" Davis asked Bosco. He knew he was spoiling for a fight, and for one second Bosco was going to rise to it.

But then he looked at her.

Her eyes begged him to keep his cool. Telling him it was only a joke. And he listened.

"No. But after last year I've decided I need to bring someone," he replied, "I think we all need dates."

"Amen," Davis confirmed, gripping at his utility belt.

"And halleluiah," Faith added with a sigh.

"Got anyone in mind?" Davis asked. Bosco shook his head, glancing towards Faith.

"Me either," she said, letting another sigh escape her full lips, "Aren't we pathetic?"

"Hey!" Bosco responded, quick to jump to his own defence, "I've been concentrating really hard on work this past year."

"That's a lame excuse for not getting any Bosco," Davis stated, raising an eyebrow. Faith smirked.

"I agree."

"It's the truth!" he said a little meekly, "It's been a tuff year."

"Yeah," the other two agreed in unison.

"We need to be on the lookout for dates," Davis commented.

"Duh," Bosco teased.

"Well I'm not gonna stand here, moping about with you two," Faith piped up suddenly. Both men looked at her as she closed her coat, and pulled on her gloves. "I," she continued as she put on her hat, "have work to do."

She smiled at both of them, flicked back her blonde hair and marched off confidently out the front doors.

"She's right, we're moping," Davis sighed heading off to the locker rooms. Bosco's eyes were still firmly fixed on the door, Faith had just left from.

Yeah…he missed her.