Standard disclaimers applied.

Author's Note: I would just like to remind everyone right now that this is a fic that explores relationships and friendships. There will be no slash, so what goes on in this chapter should be strictly interpret as a friendship only!

Part XI: To Share the Burdens

Story of my life
Searching for the right
But it keeps avoiding me
Sorrow in my soul
Cause it seems that wrong
Really loves my company

Rihanna - Unfaithful

The two women - one a NYPD police officer and the other an ER doctor had never expected to find companionship over a meeting at a 24-hour grocery store. Yet, here they were, settled down for a coffee at a place close to Jing-Mei's apartment. They had been talking all night, with Faith unwinding the burdens of the last few weeks to a sympathetic ear. Jing-Mei of course, had the syndicated version of it from Davis, but still, this wasn't the same.

Faith told her how Bosco and her erupted in the locker room after the bank robbery. She accused him of things that were partly true and other things that were exaggerated at the heat of the moment. However, it had been too late to retract her words. "It hadn't been Bosco's fault. Fred and I were having problems from the moment that we were married."

Faith told her about being married to Fred at a young age and then having the kids before going back to join the police force. At one point of the conversation, Jing-Mei feeling that the conversation shouldn't been made in a public setting, invited Faith up to her apartment. "I don't have a roommate."

Faith agreed because she simply did not want to spend another night by herself, knowing that her kids won't be there again. The walk up to the apartment was silent, but it wasn't as awkward as their first encounter.

The blonde took an appraising look at the decor of Jing-Mei's apartment. There were still a couple of unopened boxes, but most of the furniture were sophisticated and classy - Alfred Sung adorned the room. The window overlooked some of NYC's tallest skyscrapers, as it allowed the moonlight to illuminate the living room. A couple of pictures of Jing-Mei and another male lined the shelves. "Who is that," Faith asked out of curiosity.

"That's John."

At the unspoken question, Jing-Mei added, "He's my husband."

At this, Faith couldn't help but glance down at the Chinese woman's left hand. The ring finger was bare. Jing-Mei didn't offer another comment, as she then gestured for Faith to sit on the couch. She herself, settled on the loveseat. Wrapping her arms around a pillow, she told Faith the reason for coming to NYC.

"The job had been a wonderful opportunity. Don't get me wrong, I love the people and the staff here. In a lot of ways, things are the same but at times, the dynamic is truly unique. I needed the space and time to think about my marriage. The only thing that I am certain about is that I do love him. I don't think I can ever stop, but I don't want to sound too needy. How would I know how he feels when he's not there half the time? How am I supposed to react when he chooses to his closest friend over his wife?"

Faith whispered, "What happens when you realize that love isn't enough? Where do you draw the line between friendship and love?"

They contemplated this one point, as they both relished this quiet moment. For Faith being one of the few women on the force, did not offer her much of female company. Jing- Mei welcomed another feminine take on things. They were both facing troubles in their respective personal lives, but they understood each other better than either of them ever thought possible.

"So how did you guys meet?"

"What?"

"You and John. How did you guys meet?"

Jing-Mei was initially startled by Faith's question. Faith watched the myriad of emotions on the Chinese woman's face and then raised her eyebrow at the secretive smile on Jing-Mei's face. "What's so funny? I didn't think there was so much humor in the question."

Jing-Mei turned her attention back to the officer in front of her. "Oh, it wasn't supposed to be humorous but it certainly brought back a lot of memories. You see, John and I go way back. We went to medical school together but we were always so competitive. We wanted the best traumas, the best surgeries ... two rich kids who wanted the best in everything. Of course, it doesn't always turn out the way that we want it to be but somehow through it all, he had always been there."

She paused as she hugged the pillow closer to her chest before gathering her thoughts again. Faith waited.

"You have to understand no matter how much we bicker or compete, John is the perfect gentleman. He has certain charm that makes woman feel special. His smile alone, makes you think that you are the single most important thing in his life. He has been there for everything. I ... well ..."

She paused as if to gauge the other woman's potential response. In all fairness, they were only acquainted for this one night alone but Jing-Mei realized that this was something that needed to be said. "I was pregnant before, but the father of the baby was somebody who my family would never approve of. I could just hear my mother now, telling me about bringing shame to the family name. I wasn't ready, even though, I was at the point of my life where I could comfortably support a child. Instead, I gave Michael up for adoption and it was probably one of the hardest thing that I had to do. John had been there through it all, in fact, he was my labour coach. Nobody except for him knew the entire truth behind the pregnancy and as far as I know, it had been our secret to keep."

Faith had been surprised. She did not initially peg Jing-Mei Chen to have been a mother before. However, she realized that she completely understand. "I know what it's like to give up a child. After Emily and Charlie, I knew that I didn't want another child. As much as I loved being a mother, we just couldn't afford to. Money was always so tight and I wouldn't be able to raise another child to be best of my ability, so I had an abortion. I told Fred that I had a miscarriage on the job and it was probably the biggest secret that I kept from him. Bosco, of course blamed himself, but it wasn't his fault. It was my choice, because I knew that despite all the love that I could give, I wasn't able to raise another baby."

The two women felt silent. No words were needed as they weighted the gravity of the situation. There needed to be no justification on either side because they both did something that they had both felt justified at the time. They themselves were their own judges and were living the consequences.

It was a long time before Jing-Mei found voice to ask the question that both women had been secretly longing to ask. "Do you ever regret it?"

"I have a lot of regrets in my life, but I can't turn back time. I remember the first time that I met Bosco. One of the first things that he asked me was whether or not I was a mother. A bizarre thing to ask but so typical of him. He told me that I looked like a mother and of course, I don't know whether to take it as a compliment or an insult, but that's Bosco for you. He is not the perfect gentleman, in fact, the two words don't belong in the same sentence. Bosco is a guy; he's a cop but he is loyal. He gives up a part of himself to the people that he trusts. He is my partner and there is no other person that I would trust more with my life. Each time I get into the 55-David, I know that Bosco will give everything to keep me safe and I would gladly to do the same thing for him. Then again, the first thing that he comments about me is motherhood. I love my kids and it breaks my heart for Fred to assume that I would knowingly put them in danger."

"You miss them and Bosco too." Jing-Mei said softly.

Faith gave a wry smile and ruefully remarked, "And, I'm sure you miss him as well."

End of Part XI

AN: Just a short one, hope you guys enjoyed it. The lyrics from the beginning are from the song, Unfaithful by Rihanna, which doesn't belong to me.