11. I'm gonna let you down/I know that now/make you cry/I know I will/why should you believe I would never leave/but that I love you still /for all the by and by/and hard as we try/The bile breaks/and the cradle falls/For everything I do/that will tear at you/let me say I'm sorry now/so you can sing your song/you can get it wrong/you can kiss the rock of ages/in your wildest dreams/you might see between/the liars and the soldiers. 'I'll Say I'm Sorry Now' - Shawn Colvin

Bosco walked slowly up the stairs of Faith's apartment building. He'd promised yesterday that he'd keep an eye on Emily while she was out on her date with Gerard. She didn't completely trust her daughter yet, and Bosco knew he was in for a night of sulking faces and slammed doors. And that was just from Faith.

He'd actually be lucky if she let him in after how he embarrassed her earlier. She was probably gonna kick his ass. He stopped at the door, taking a breath. His hand hung like a lead weight in the air as he prepared to knock.

But he didn't need to.

The door flew open in his face and he was greeted with Emily frowning at him.

"Oh…. it's you," she said, looking him up and down. He forced a smile at the hormonal teen.

"Yeah…how are-"

Emily stalked off towards the living room leaving the door wide open. He rolled his eyes, not trying to figure out the trappings of a teenage girls mind. He walked in, glancing around him. "Where's your mother?"

"Trying on outfits," she replied, taking her headphones off the coffee table, "Do you want something to drink?"

He shook his head, digging his hands into his pockets. "Nah. I'm good."

She nodded and watched him with her dark eyes. He manoeuvred his way around the sofa and flopped down, staring at the TV screen. Music blared from Emily's chair and he wondered how on earth she wasn't deaf yet. The volume was uncomfortable for him and he didn't even have the speakers on. He looked at her face. She was still looking at him and he shifted uncomfortably under her intense gaze. Her straight brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, her face done heavily in make-up, her top revealing way too much skin in his opinion and those jeans could've done to be a bit looser. It was the protective uncle side coming out in him and he hated it. He was looked at himself as the cool guy who'd come round and you could talk about anything in front of because he wouldn't even bat an eyelid.

But more and more he found himself become increasingly protective over both girls. He didn't want Emily giving boys the wrong impression and he hated it when men took advantage of her mother. Not that she'd give them half the chance but if anyone tried, he'd probably kill them.

Anyway he fought the urge to tell her to go dress into something more appropriate by biting down his tongue. He was sure he drew blood. The phone startled him, buzzing through the apartment but Emily was oblivious to it, her head bouncing to the music. He tried to catch her attention but instead picked the phone off the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Hi…" the young female voice said on the other end. She sounded a little confused. "I must have the wrong number."

"No. Hold up. Who you looking for?" Bosco asked. The girl stopped considering his question.

"Uh…Emily," she replied apprehensively.

"I'll just get her for you."

He stood up off the sofa and nudged the pretty teen on her shoulder with the phone. She rolled her eyes and slid off the headphones. "What?" she snapped, staring up at him.

"For you," he replied gesturing the phone in front of her face. She took it off him, pulling herself up.

"Hello?" she said, "Oh hi Jenny. Yeah…no I know…yeah it's just Bosco. My mum's…friend…"

Bosco frowned at the tone used for the last word and she looked back at him smirking. "Yeah that's him. Yeah I agree but he's not too quick…"

He couldn't believe she was talking about him as if he wasn't even there. "Yeah. No he's just visiting. My mum's going out. Yeah, some hot guy from work. No, not Bosco…Bosco's my babysitter…I know can you believe it! You'd think I was seven not seventeen!"

And with that she disappeared into her bedroom the sound of her voice merely a muffled sound in his ears. It was going to be a long night. He sat there for several minutes flicking through a Cosmo magazine that Faith had left sitting on the table. He was faced with several women's 'situations', fashion, and problem pages before deciding it wasn't exactly his taste.

Then he came across an article, more like a questionnaire. 'How To Tell if You're In Love With Him' read the headline. Bosco's eyes darted down the paragraph taking in every second word.

'Do you spend most of your time with him and always enjoy it even if you're fighting…do you want to be with him more…do you love to talk to him even if it's about nothing…'

Bosco wasn't sure why but he tore out the article, folding it up neatly and stuffing it into his coat pocket. He then threw the magazine back onto the table, propping his feet up against the edge.

"Hey Em. Could you do up my zip…"

Faith strolled in, her tussled hair falling over her face, her hands crossed behind her back as she tried to pull up the zipper of her black dress. Bosco stopped, his breath catching in the back of his throat. She looked up and met his gaze, a blush rising on her pale cheeks. She was beautiful. Why hadn't he seen it before?

"Oh…hi Bosco…I didn't hear you come in," she choked out, her voice low. He couldn't respond, instead his eyes following the length of her bare legs that disappeared up her skirt just above the knee.

"Uh…Emily let me in," he told her, gulping hard.

"Ok…well…" Her hands kept the back of her dress closed to conceal as much skin as possible and she stood staring awkwardly at the floor. He wrung his hands nervously, clearing his throat.

"Do you want me to do that for you?" The words came out before his mind could catch up. Because if he had of thought about it, he would've realised that it was a bad idea to offer to zip up his best friends dress and would've never let those words escape.

She shrugged, forcing a smile as he stood up and made his way toward her. She turned her back around and he felt his heart pound against his rib cage as his eyes followed the curve of her back, her soft skin begging to be touched. He held up her hair, handing the blonde strands to her over her shoulder. She mumbled something about being sorry and used her fingers to keep it out of his way. He placed one hand on her bare shoulder using it as leverage while his other grasped clumsily at the zip.

Faith held her breath as she felt the zip close excruciatingly slowly, his fingers positioned just below her shoulder caressing her skin. She wasn't sure if he intended on doing that or if it was just an accident, but she never said a word. Finally she felt it snap shut at the top and his arm moved over her shoulder, taking back her hair and brushing so as it flowed down her back.

She turned around, her gaze meeting his. Bosco thought her usually sharp blue eyes looked dilated and unfocused, and he wanted to ask her what was wrong. But instead he stared down into her eyes, his breathing becoming more than laboured as her face came within inches of his. His breath blew wisps of hair into her eyes and his hand twitched, slowly making the journey towards her face. But something stopped him and he frowned, confused by the atmosphere surrounding them.

"Mum?" Emily's voice entered Faith's head like glass shattering and she gulped as she turned her head to her daughter. Emily stood in the hallway, frowning at the pair, that bewildered look of hers etched into her attractive face. "Where you calling me?"

She coughed into her hand, shaking her head. "No. It's alright sweetie. Bosco helped me out."

"Ok…you're going to be late though," the young girl, reminded her glancing at Bosco.

"Yeah…sorry," Faith mumbled, pushing her hair back from her face. "I'll just grab my purse…"

"Hey Faith," Bosco choked out, "I'm sorry about this morning."

Her brow furrowed as if she were confused by his apology. Her eyes widened in recognition and she nodded. "Oh that. Yeah, don't worry about it. My fault. I showed have realised when you didn't turn up that you…"

She trailed off looking towards Emily. She obviously wanted to shelter her too. "Anyway. Don't waste your time thinking 'bout it yeah? I need to learn when to read the signals."

She laughed and he joined in, but his effort was half-hearted. A knock rose from the door and both females looked startled.

"Mum!" Emily scolded hurrying her to the bedroom, "I told you!"

Faith smiled at him rather helplessly and he watched her disappear, briefly lost in the moment (at least that's what he thought it was…) they just shared. Another, more impatient, knock snapped him back to reality and he opened the door. Gerard grinned, roses in hand, suited and booted. He frowned on seeing Bosco's face. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi to you too," Bosco retorted, scowling.

"Isn't she ready yet?" Gerard asked, following him inside. Bosco shook his head and Emily appeared again smiling courteously. She didn't smile like that when Bosco arrived…

"Hi!" she breathed, "Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? Beer?"

He shook his head and she glanced towards Bosco, as if to confirm the mans answer. Bosco just smiled reassuringly. "Ok. Well I gotta go help Mum. She'll be out in a second."

And with that she disappeared again leaving both men alone.

"A kid huh?" Gerard commented, "Well I guess everything has its…disadvantages…"

Bosco frowned, disgusted by his statement. But he didn't have time to challenge him on it. Faith reappeared, with a smile on her face that would melt butter. Gerard was floored, his mouth hanging open. "Wow," he managed. She held his gaze, eyeing him a little seductively. Bosco had to look away for a reason unknown to him. It was probably just that protective trait coming out in him again…

She moved over to him, taking the flowers and letting him kiss her cheek. "Thank you…" she whispered, their faces unbearably close.

"You're welcome," he replied. She grabbed her coat off the chair and he took it, offering it to her. She smiled again, sliding into it. Emily leaned against the wall, grinning at the pair.

"You two be good now," Emily said, winking at her mother. Faith sighed, exasperated with her daughter's over-maturity and kissed her on the forehead.

"You do everything Bosco says, and don't give him any trouble ok?" Faith ordered glancing towards her best friend. Emily rolled her eyes.

"Yes m'am," she replied, "Now go. I'll see you later."

"I won't be back too late," Bosco heard Faith say, her voice merely a noise in his perplexed mind. "Bosco?" he heard her say a little urgently. He turned his head, meeting her eyes.

"I said if you need anything call my cell," she repeated, "Are you feelin' ok?"

"Yeah, get outta here you two," he said, chuckling lamely. She smiled and looked at both of them.

"I love you," she announced, glancing between them. And although Bosco knew her statement wasn't directed at him, he felt his stomach dip and his heart flutter. He put it down to a bad Mexican from earlier. And she was gone, the door closing behind her. He looked towards Emily who stared at him, her expression one of disgust and perhaps total disillusionment.

"What?" he spat out, sinking back onto the sofa.

"Nothing," she shrugged, "Nothing that matters I guess."

He watched her go into her bedroom and he clutched his head in his hands, his emotions overwhelming him for one terrifying second.