Their relations were on the up-and-up. She pulled her punches. He was trying his hardest to be nice, sympathetic and chose his words particularly carefully. No hinting, tempting, arguing, he was like a lamb, boring and innocent. After a few days they were capable of having a civil conversation when driving together. It was purely professional, but well, he should be thankful for small mercies. With Cruz it has always been step-by-step. She slowly came to accept him when they were working together for the first time. She tried him in every possible way before she actually let him in. Tested whether she could rely on him, whether he would back her up when it was hotting up. He remembered pretty well how much effort he had to put to earn her approval. So now he didn't want to push his lack. She was talking to him and he didn't want to spoil it so he avoided sensitive topics. But the prospect of the big talk was hanging over and he had to admit that he was afraid of it. It was better to dodge the issue for the time being. The way she could react was unpredictable. She lived up to her reputation for temper, especially now. Showing her claws when somebody rubbed her up the wrong way. Making someone look small with just one look. And this someone was usually him. Now he was desperately trying to convince her that she needed him in ACU. It was like asking for the moon. He was sure that when he would become back number she would send him packing back to beat without sugaring the pill. He had to find a way that would allow him to stay here, close to her. Right now he was watching her as she was filling a report. Anti Crime was in a frenzy of activity today, thanks to her. She was acting strangely, running up and down, prodding everybody into working, rebuking like a mad.
"You know what came over Sarge?"- he asked Dade, when he saw that the ACU detective appeared upstairs.
"No idea. You?"- Dade was as clueless as Bosco.
"The same. Kinda suspicious, hmm?"- they were both standing and observing as she was agitated, giving instructions, chiding and showing who was the boss there.
"Yep."- he agreed. As they were pondering what could cause it they didn't anticipate her to transfer her attention on something so insignificant and unimportant as them. But two figures not moving frantically and chatting casually attracted her attention.
"Don't you have anything to do but schmooze and schlep around under my nose? If so, have fun with this."- she said and handed Dade roughly a huge pile of papers. Bosco flashed him a cheeky, satisfied grin. He was her partner so he would get away with paperwork.
"And by the way you two are working together today."- Cruz said seeing Bosco's face and the way his smile froze and faded.
"Why?"- he asked taken aback. He didn't like it.
"Because I have to leave earlier today."- she answered not giving too much. What she was going to do was her business.
" And you leave me hanging?"- that part bothered him most.
" I took care of it."- she rolled her eyes. That man was like a small, spoilt, sulky child that bristled around every time you didn't obey his wishes.
"Him?"- Bosco whined and looked at Dade, who seemed to be amused by their squabble.
"You have problem with that?"- he was getting on her nerves. Another one of his responses and he would be dead. Pity, he didn't see that coming.
"Yes, I want you."- he didn't knew whether he said it aloud or it stayed in his mind. Judging from the silence that fell and her shocked face it slipped out. Everybody was staring at them waiting for her answer.
"So you will have to do without me."- she said simply and retreated quickly. It was her way to finish something that she couldn't control. Leave. His words threw her off balance. Confused her. And she needed to cool off.
"Come on."- determined Bosco looked at Dade and made for stairs.
"What?"- his new partner hurried after him, praying that they weren't going after Cruz. You could expect everything from Bosco in his current state.
" I know somebody that will tell us what is going on."- he said smoothly as they were passing Lieu's desk.
"There she is, OH MONROE? You got a while?"- he said in a dulcet tone and tried to encircle her, so she wouldn't slip away so easily.
"Guys, maybe me later, Swersky needs me to …."- she tried to escape but no such luck.
"Now."- Bosco's tone was dangerous and threatening. Stalling wouldn't work, she was sure. He wanted some answers and he was ready to force them out of her. The whole thing seemed pretty screwy to him.
"What's going on?"- he asked.
"Nothing. Except maybe there has been a huge pile-up on …"- she said looking around as she was trying to find a way to get away.
"With her."- he added, not specifying who he was exactly talking about. But all of them knew whom it was about. Monroe had her back to the wall so she finally gave in.
"She has a date."- she revealed.
"And that's why AC is hustle and bustle? And she is leaving three hours earlier in a frantic rush?"- he didn't seem convinced. There had to be more and apparently was.
"It's kinda special date. OK? Now let me go."- she didn't want to divulge more. What Cruz told her was a secret. She confided in her as if they were friends and she didn't want to betray her trust.
"Meaning?"- Bosco was persistent; he wouldn't let her out so easily.
"He asked her out on a dinner date. Meaning: cozy, intimate and romantic."- she retorted.
"And Mr. Polite Manner couldn't pick her up when she finished? But she had to leave right now when she is supposed to be busting drug dealers with me?"- in his opinion Cruz would never do that. She was too addicted to her work to skip it in order to go on date. It'd rather be the other way around.
"Gee, and you consider yourself woman-expert? Let's see, maybe she would like to prepare herself for it? I'd say, get changed, put some make- up, do her hair? And then catch taxi and make it to his apartment on time?"- she said mockingly.
"His apartment? So this means…"- he was gawking at her.
"Yeah, that's what it exactly means."- she answered somehow sympathetically, looked at him, then at Dade and made for Lieu's desk.