TITLE: A Friend in Need
AUTHOR: trista groulx (the dustytiger)
DISCLAIMER: kim, faith, fred, joey, bobby, jimmy, bosco, davis, sully, none of these characters not are mine, i'm just boring them to play with them for a little while, they belong to their creator and the actors and actresses who portray them, i promise i'll be gentle, don't sue RATING: PG-13 tops currently
CONTENT: kim/faith friendship, fred/faith , kim/bobby ?
SPOILERS: 32 bullets and a broken heart (missing scene/continuation)
SUMMARY: Kim and Faith become friends after they share their heartaches that Valintines day.
AUTHORS NOTES: so this is part two, i want to make this a shortfic but i know that i've not been able to do that of late, i have at least one more part left (but it's more probably to be two or three parts long) anyway i'd love to hear what people are thinking about this

It was lunch time. Faith had had Bosco go to a diner not far from where Fred had stayed the night before. She hoped that she would at least be able to have a quick bite to eat before she had to get back to work. She needed to talk to him, and she hoped she could just get out what she had to, then leave. She didn't want another big fight with him, she needed to just do what she had come to do. She knocked on the door of the apartment. Fred answered the door.

"Hey," she said, unsure what else to say.

"What now, Faith?" Fred asked.

"We need to talk," she replied.

He didn't seem to be willing to let her inside. She felt like an idiot standing in the doorway talking to him, but at least he had not slammed to door in her face. He didn't smell like alcohol, so maybe something had gotten through to him.

"About what? You made it very clear how you felt yesterday," he snapped.

"I was angry!" she wanted to yell. "If I can't be there for my kids every second of the day the least I can do is keep them safe."

"Get off it Faith!" He went to shut the door.

She put her hand on the door, and he didn't keep pushing it. "That's why I did it! My job is to keep people safe, and that most certainly includes my kids!"

"Our kids Faith!"

"You were driving drunk to pick them up at school!"

"It was a mistake."

She shook her head. "You've been making a lot of those of late Fred!"

"And you haven't?"

"I'm not going to deny that. I'm not here to get into a fight about who did what to who right now, all right?"

"Then why are you here?"

"I got some advise from a friend today, and I've been thinking about last night."

"So what are you going to do now, file for divorce?"

She shook her head. "I don't want to do that right away. You can come back home, but there's conditions."

"Of course there are."

"I want us all to go to counseling. We need to go together, and with the kids. If they think we all need to see someone separately, then so be it."

"How can we afford that?"

"It's one of my benefits from working for the city. I've never really wanted to use it before, but I think it's a good idea."

"Do you think it'll help?"

She shrugged. "I really don't know. I do know what we're doing now isn't helping, so we should try something."

He nodded. "All right, and I'll even go to AA if you want."

"I'm not saying that it's going to end differently even if we work on our marriage, but at least we'll know we tried everything."

He nodded. "Thank you, I'm not going to let you down."

"I want to believe you."

"And I'm sorry about yesterday, it was stupid of me. I should have asked someone to pick them up for me. I wasn't thinking straight."

"I know. The kids aren't expecting you to pick them up, so if you hurry over you can surprise them."

He smiled at her, glad that she seemed to have relaxed a little, and had calmed down from the day before. He was curious about who she'd listen to about therapy, at that time he didn't care. He just wanted to see his kids.

Faith went to join her partner for lunch. Bosco was at a nearby diner having lunch, and waiting for his partner to return. She came back, smiling, happy that things seemed to be on the right track. She hoped she really had done the right thing.

"So he didn't get mad?" he asked.

"No, and he offered to go to AA," she replied.

"Maybe what you did wasn't such a terrible thing after all."

"Thanks, Bos. That looks really good." She went to take a bite.

"Get your own!"

XX

Meanwhile Kim and Bobby had stopped at deli for lunch, but desert was what they both had on their mind. The were locked together in the bathroom, there wasn't much room to move around.

She had her legs wrapped around his waist, and they were practically pinned against a wall. Her uniform shirt was unbuttoned, and her usually tied down hair was a mess.. Bobby's hands were under her tank top.

They were kissing frantically and breathing heavily She was trying hard not to make too much noise. It had all started innocently enough, them both trying to wash their hands in the tiny bathroom.

Then the kissing had started, now she was wrapped around him, dry humping him, as he played with her breasts. Both trying to be as quiet as possible so not to get caught.

"Bobby!" she said her voice lusty, louder then she would have liked.

"Shh, they'll figure out what we're doing in here," he whispered, trying to unzip her pants, but not having much luck in the postion they were in.

"No, stop, Bobby, we can't."

"Yeah, you're just gonna have to move for a minute."

"Not that. We can't do this here, now."

"I'll be quick."

"I've heard you tell me that before, and it wasn't quick."

He smiled at her, innocently, not computing what she was saying. She needed to stop right there before it all got out of hand again. She was now standing in front of him, facing him.

"I promise, it will this time," he assured her, working on the button of her pants first.

"Bobby, stop please. We can't have sex right now."

"That hurts."

"Just for a little while, this how things got so messed up in the fist place."

"All right." He kissed her lightly. "You're right."

She was glad that he had actually stopped when she got uncomfortable like he had promised.

"Shit!" she exclaimed.

"What?" he asked.

"Where's my hair tie?"

"Don't look at me."

"You're the one who pulled it out. You're the one who likes my hair down so he can run his fingers through it."

"On the floor?"

She looked down and saw in a puddle from where the toilet leaked. "I can't wear that now."

"You've probably got one in the rig, and if not I'll buy you a pack from the drugstore."

"All right."

"I'll get out here first. I'll give you some time to do something with your hair, and come out in minute all right?"

"Yeah."

He opened the door, someone was standing there waiting. They were both surprised to learn that it was Jimmy waiting to use that bathroom. Kim was fixing her tank top, and had not even started to rebutton her uniform top. Her hair was down, and in her face. They were both red from both embarrassment and having stopped their activities.

Jimmy smiled at them, and shook his head. Thinking that what he had just walked in was a trick he'd normally pull. She started to quickly button her shirt.

"Kimmy, you must be kidding," Jimmy laughed.

She didn't even look at him, she just scurried past him, still buttoning her shirt, her hair sill mussed. She needed to get as far away from him as she possibly could. If she talked to him she'd start doubting going to Bobby again.

Of all the rotten luck, she thought to herself. Half the squad had thought to go to the same deli for lunch that day. The group suddenly went quiet upon seeing her rush past them, Bobby in toe. They could tell that the two of them had been up to something.

She needed to get to the bus, she needed to get away from them. She opened the door, and started going through what was in the glove compartment.

Bobby came up behind her, asking, "what's wrong?"

"You'd think I could find a hair tie! You'd think I'd have an extra one. They break, and fall out, and-" she babbled.

"No, Kim, why are you really out here?"

"Can we go somewhere else?"

"They'll know sooner or later. Us leaving just make it seem worse." He reasoned.

"I don't want to hear what they have say. I don't care what they say, as long as I don't have to hear it."

"All right."

"There's a diner just around the corner."

He drove up to the diner, surprised to see a police car parked out front. They both got out of the rig, and went inside. Kim noticed Faith right away, and went over to sit with her. Bobby followed, and ended up sitting next to Bosco.

"Hey," said Faith, casually.

"Hi, how are the kids?" Kim asked.

"Chicks," Bosco grumbled. "I hate hen parties. Could you let me out?"

Bobby got up again, and let Bosco out. Kim and Faith had struck up quiet the conversation, about their kids. Bobby decided to follow Bosco, who moved to sit at the counter, and had ordered a cup of coffee. Bobby ordered a hamburger platter with fries.

"So did you talk to your husband yet?" Kim asked.

"Yeah," Faith replied. "He stayed with some friends around here last night."

"How did it go?"

"He even offered to go to AA."

"That's great!"

"Thank you for the advice."

"No problem."

"So what about you and Romeo over there?"

Kim smiled. "We're gonna take it slower from now on. Thank you for your advice."

"Not a problem, I'm glad I could help."

At the counter Bobby had started eating, while Bosco sipped his coffee.

"They hardly know each other and they just strike up a conversation. Women, huh?" Bosco said shaking his head.

"They both have kids, that's something to talk about," Bobby reasoned.

"I just don't get it. There's something to be said about silence."

"There's something to be said about conversation."

Bosco shrugged, and heard the two women laugh at something.

"So what's he like?" Faith asked.

Kim blushed. "He's really good."

"That always helps."

"What do you think your partner there would be like?" She motioned in Bosco's direction.

"I don't even want to think about that!"

"Come on you've never thought about it?"

"I know more about that man's sex life then I'd like to. I'm not interested in finding out about it for myself."

Kim laughed. "Fine, I'll drop it."

Meanwhile at the counter, Bosco was still watching them. Especially after he noticed Kim point in their direction.

"What do you think they're talking about?" he asked Bobby.

Bobby swallowed a bite of his burger. "I don't know."

"Think they're talking about us?"

"Doubt it."

"Why do you think that?"

"I think they probably have more important things to talk about then their partners." Bobby reasoned.

"Is everything okay here?" the waitress asked Bobby.

"Yeah great," Bobby nodded. "Put whatever my partner orders on my bill please."

"No problem."

Bosco laughed. "Someone's whipped."

"Whatever, I just thought I'd be nice. Maybe you should try it sometime."

The waitress went over and put down Kim's lunch. Kim was glad to be able to eat. She had decided to drop the Bosco topic cause it wasn't something. It had gone silent for moment.

"Why's your hair down?" Faith asked.

Kim blushed. "I dropped it in a bathroom and didn't want to pick it up off the floor."

"I see. Why'd you blush?"

"Just thinking about something."

Faith wasn't sure she actually wanted to know the answer to the question, not that Kim was about to give it up.

"You wouldn't have happen to have an extra hair tie so I don't have to stop at pharmacy and buy a pack, would you?" Kim asked.

Faith checked her pockets, a pulled a black hair tie out. "I keep them almost everywhere in case I need to put my daughter's hair up."

She laughed. "Maybe I should do that for myself." She pulled her hair into a ponytail, and quickly looped the tie through. "Thanks."

"No problem."

Back at the counter Bobby had finished his plate, and the waitress cleared it away. Bosco had stopped even pretending to drink the coffee, and watched the women at the table.

"That's an ass I'd like to tap," Bosco muttered, not realizing he had said it out loud.

"What? Who?" Bobby asked.

"Just admiring your partner."

"Right."

"You don't think she's hot?"

Bobby shrugged. "I guess so."

"She's a MILF."

"MILF?"

"Mommy I'd like to fuck," laughed Bosco. "You can't say she's not easy on the eyes."

Bobby shook his head. "You're something else, you know that?"

"What it's a crime to admire a pretty face?"

"Kim doesn't need an admirer like you."

"What are you, her protector?"

"After Doherty I don't like to see her hurt."

"Calm down White Knight, I'm just looking. I mean she has a kid. I wouldn't wanna try anything with someone who's got a kid. You know, just in case."

"You really are something else, Julio."

"Like you've never noticed her. That smile, those lips. And that body, it's a work of art! Those breasts are outta this world. When you can tell in a uniform she's gotta be hot."

Bobby shook his head. "I don't believe what I'm hearing."

"Look me in the face the face and tell me you've never imagined what she'd be like in bed."

Bobby looked right at Bosco. "I don't have to imagine."

He then dropped some money on the counter for their meals. He then went over to the table where Kim was sitting. Bosco just sat there, his mouth agape. He couldn't tell him Bobby had been serious, but he wasn't stupid enough to ask.

"I hate to interrupt, but it's about time to get back," Bobby reminded her her.

"Yeah, I know." Kim agreed. "I just need to pay,"

"I took care of it."

She smiled at him. While Faith smiled knowingly at Kim, Bobby couldn't help but see the look she had given her. He wondered if she knew the truth. Had Kim to told her, he wondered. Kim nodded back at her friend.

"I'll talk to you later, Faith," Kim assured her friend.

"I'll call you tonight, all right?" Faith asked.

"Sound great!"

Bobby and Kim left the diner, and stopped in front of the rig. He glanced inside, and noticed Bosco was watching them.

"What?" Kim asked, innocently.

"So that's your friend?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Remind me to thank her." He kissed her lightly on the lips, then went to the driver's side of the bus. She got into the bus too, and smiled at him.

"Thank you for lunch, but you didn't have to pay."

"I wanted to."

They put their radios back on, and were asked to go immediately to a fire. They raced off to the location. Bosco watched the whole thing from inside the diner. He went back to where his partner was sitting. "Are they?" he asked, not even having to finish the sentence.

"Yeah," Faith replied.

"Lucky bastard."

"You've got Nicole, remember?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, but Kim's still hot."

She shook her head. "You're too much."

"Screwing your partner that can only lead to trouble."

"This from the man that slept with the captain's daughter?"

"You'll never let me live that down will 'ya?"

"No. We should get back out there, they may need us wherever they just went off to."

"Yeah."

Faith threw some money on the table, and then they went outside. She radioed to say that they were off lunch, and were given a location immediately. When they got there they saw Kim and Bobby already working on someone. Doc and Carlos were also there, as well as the fire squad.

"Crowd control for the bucket boys," Bosco laughed. "This must be my lucky day!"

"Suck it up, princess," Faith retorted.

XX

Fred was excited that Faith had actually agreed to let him pick up the kids and surprise them. He had called the babysitter and told her that he was going to be picking them up. Before he went to the school had gone to the apartment to drop his things back, so they wouldn't ask any more questions.

He waited by the main door of the school, so they couldn't miss him. They were all bundled in their winter stuff, and looked adorable. Emily's curly hair was everywhere. They came out holding hands, and looking for the sitter.

When they saw their father they started running toward him, stopping only when the crashed in him. Both of them hugging him.

"Daddy!" they both exclaimed.

"I thought you weren't supposed to be picking us up for a little while," Emily reasoned.

"Your mother changed her mind," he explained.

"Why weren't you at home this morning?" Charlie asked.

Fred looked at the ground. "I did something stupid yesterday, and your mother wanted me to think about it for a little while."

"Did you get in trouble?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Are you in trouble still?"

"Kind of, yes. Your mother and me will explain everything to you as soon as we get a chance."

They accepted that, glad that they their father was there to pick them up. They had to walk because the car was still in the shop, but it didn't bother any of them. They were on each side of him. One holding each of his hands. It wasn't a far walk, but he was glad to see the apartment complex come into view.

Once they got inside, the kids went right to the fridge for their after school snacks. Fred just savoured the feeling of being at home again. Emily poured them each a bowl of cereal as their snack. She handed one to Charlie, and he gave her a spoon. The two of them brought the bowls into the living room, and sat down on the couch after putting on the television.

"How much homework do you have Emily?" Fred asked.

"Not much, I promise," she replied.

"Once this one is over, I'd like you to get it done."

"Okay."

He sat down on a chair opposite them, and realized just how much he could have lost had he not hit that pole. He was so mad at Faith he couldn't see past the anger. But watching them sit and watch TV, he realized what he could have done.

Faith was right to not want him around them. He had almost put their lives in danger. If something had happened, how would he be able to live with guilt if he had hurt them? He knew that God played cruel tricks, and had he gone to pick them up, it would be his kids who were hurt, not him.

He also knew that Faith had seen things like that so many times before, and that's why she reacted the way she did. He didn't want to imagine how many times she had seen car wrecks where kids were hurt by drunk drivers.

He knew that no matter how much he wanted to make what she had done something vindictive, it wasn't. It had really been about protecting the kids. He knew that they had a lot to work on, but he knew he really did want to work on everything. He wanted everything to be good between them again.

He just hoped he hadn't done too much damage that could not be repaired. The show ended, and Emily disappeared into her room to do her homework, and he began to make supper. He hoped that Faith would peak in, and see that things were back to normal, for the time being.

He was actually excited about getting counseling, he just hoped that his wife didn't have a change of heart. He wanted everything to work out between them. He didn't' want to lose his family. He knew if he could stick with AA he'd probably be able to keep them. He just hoped he was strong enough to what he had to.

tbc...

end notes: i have at least one more part of this prolly two trying to figure what exactly i'm gonna do tho, i'm wanting this to be a short fic cause i've got two long ones on the go, but who knows, the bathroom scene was just something i couldn't get out of my head how 'ya like, tell me what 'ya think i love to hear it ;)