Concrete Angel Part 5

Note: Hey, wow. We're up and running again? Now, it's not really my fault for the delay in updating. Hehe. Excuses Excuses. Anyway, here's another chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed my last chapter. It means so much that you take the time you share your thoughts with me. You're all the greatest.

Feedback: Very much appreciated.

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Faith felt dizzy as Bosco paced back and forth. The two officers who had brought in Meg's dad left an hour ago. The doctor had come in and said they were taking her up to surgery to stop some internal bleeding. They had moved from the lounge in the ER to the waiting room in the OR.

"We do have today off, right?" Bosco asked out of nowhere.

"Yeah, we do. Want a coffee or something?"

"No thanks."

"I need some. I'll be back." Faith smiled weakly then turned to leave.

She was surprised at how Bosco was reacting to the whole situation. Meg had been stabilized while in the ER for a few hours she started having a seizure or something Faith wasn't sure. Next thing they knew she was being rushed to the OR. It was all so sad and stupid. A little girl shouldn't be on an operating table fighting for her life because the man who was supposed to protect her beat her. It made Faith sick.

She didn't make it her coffee. Instead she ran straight to the bathroom. Images of Meg on the floor flashed through her mind. Then she started to imagine her own daughter Emily. She leaned her against the bathroom stall and allowed her tears to fall. Thank you god Emily has a loving father who would never hurt her, Faith thought.

"Ma'am? You alright?" an nurse questioned.

"Yeah, sorry." Faith slowly got up and walked to the sink. After washing her face she made her way back upstairs to the OR completely forgetting about her coffee. She quickened her pace when she saw Bosco talking to a doctor.

"She's out of surgery now. We'll have her in recovery for awhile. You won't be able to see her until we move her to her own room." He took off his glasses. "It's nice to know that little girl has someone looking out for her," the doctor said.

"How bad is she?" Faith asked.

"She had a ruptured spleen and a broken rib. The broken rib caused the internal bleeding. From my end, she'll recover. I'm just the surgeon. Her primary doctor is with her now. Dr. Kost is a great doctor. I can tell you that her leg was set in a cast. A few fingers on her right hand were broken as well," he said. "Why don't you two go home and come back in a few hours. You'll be able to see her then."

"I'm staying," Bosco stated.

"Go home, get cleaned up and then you can stay all you want. You two look like you could use some sleep as well."

"Here's his cell phone number. Call us if there are any changes." Faith grabbed Bosco's arm and began to pull him away. "We look like crap. You don't want to scare her, do ya?"

"No."

"Come on then. We'll shower, eat something then come back."

Bosco and Faith were at the hospital no more than two hours after they left. Faith knew he was concerned but she was starting to question Bosco's motives. Sure, she was worried about the little girl, but he was consumed with it. Faith had to basically force him to eat and change. His mind seemed somewhere else. Her heart broke for him.

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"I still don't get it Faith," Bosco said while they were waiting to see Meg.

"Get what?"

"What makes a man hurt the one person he is supposed to love unconditionally. I don't get it. I'll never understand it."

"No, you probably won't. I wish I could help you with that, but . . . ," she trailed off. "You grew attached to Meg?"

"Yeah."

"I can see how. Sweet, loving kid. Just from the few times I saw her, I could tell she cared about you. I suppose she saw you as the father she should have had." Faith placed her hand on his shoulder.

"If she was my daughter, I wouldn't lay a hand on her. Not even to spank her. Nothing. She would be treated like a princess," Bosco admitted.

"I know, Bosco. I know."

"Faith? Bosco? Proctor said you were here," Davis approached them.

"What are you doing here?" Faith questioned.

"Drunk and disorderly smashed a beer bottle on Sully's head. He just needs a few stitches. Proctor said you two were here, so I thought I'd see what was up."

"A friend is sick," Bosco said looking up at Ty.

"Sorry to hear that man. If you need anything . . .," he began.

"Thanks, but there's nothing you can do."

"If you think of anything, let me know. Oh, and I'm still not knowing about you two." He winked.

"Thanks, Ty."

"No problem. I better get back to Sully. He was being a big baby about the whole thing. He says I ducked and that's why he got hit. To be honest, I wasn't even near him," Ty laughed.

"Just get him some donuts and he'll be good as new," Bosco joked as Davis walked away.

"Officers? I'm Dr. Kost." A short red headed woman appeared. "I'm Meg's doctor."

"Can we see her now?" Bosco jumped up.

"Yes, you may." She smiled. "I hear you two are hard to convince to go home. Personally I think if Meg feels safe around you and calm then you can stay all you want."

Bosco felt his heart jump as they entered Meg's room. She seemed to get lost in the bed. Her blonde hair fell on the pillow and her face. Her right hand was propped up with a pillow and had a pink cast on it. Her right leg was propped up as well. She was hooked up to so many machined that Bosco was afraid to go near for fear he'd bump one and hurt her more.

"She's sleeping. The pain medication will make her sleepy. She may wake up, but fall asleep soon after. You two can visit, but then I mean it, get some sleep. You'll do her no good if you're exhausted."

"Thank you doctor," Faith said.

Bosco slid a chair up next to Meg. He grabbed her uninjured hand and held it. He glanced over and saw Faith standing in the corner. They held eye contact for a few seconds then he broke it to look down at Meg. They sat there for about ten minutes before Bosco decided to talk to Meg.

"Meg? Munchkin? Can you wake up for me?" Bosco called out.

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Meg felt no pain. There should have pain. Then again she was standing in a field of flowers and she knew she shouldn't be. It was a dream. A dream and a lot of pain medication, she assumed. The most important thing: no pain.

"Meg?" a girl about her age called out.

"How'd you know my name?" Meg walked toward the girl.

"I'm your guardian angel."

"I'm dead then," she said sadly.

"No. It's not your time yet. Your time isn't for a long while. You'll outlive your dad and your mom."

"You're wrong. My mom is already dead."

"I know. She wants you to know she loves you." The girl handed Meg five flowers. "If you go back you'll have a new mom and dad along with a brother and sister. It won't happen right away, and not everyone will be together at first. But in time it will."

"I had a sister, I think. Mommy talked about her. Dad never did." Meg saw the girl start to back up. "I'll really have a new family?"

"Really. I've been looking out for you since you were born. Some things I couldn't stop. Like your dad. I brought Maurice into your life though. I knew he'd do the things I couldn't."

"Maurice?"

"Oh, Mr. Bosco to you. He's my best friend. Can you tell him that I've always looked out for him? That I always will?" The girl's eyes were watering.

"When?"

"As soon as you decide you want to go back."

"No one wants me there."

"Oh, Meg. That's not true. You have to believe in the one who has been there for you."

"Mr. Bosco?"

"Yeah. He needs you as much as you need him. Go back and you'll get the love you deserved."

"You sound much older than you look," Meg said.

"I am much older than I look. I'm older than Mr. Bosco actually. I just never got to grow up."

"You mean you died when you were that young?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I get to look after you and Maurice. It's the best job I could ever have. Now go back. You need to."

"I won't forget you."

"You will forget me," she said sadly.

"What's your name?" Meg was starting to feel the pain and the field disappear.

"Tina."

Meg felt the pain course through her body. It wasn't as bad as earlier. Her hands felt enclosed. The one hand was covered in something hard and cold. The other was warm and soft. She heard his voice call to her. The field and the girl were now forgotten.

"Bosco, it's just the medicine. She'll wake up on her own."

"And I'll stay until she does," Bosco said. He saw Meg's eyes flutter open. "Meg?"

"Mr. Bosco?" She coughed. "You're here?" Her voice was scratchy.

"I had to see those blue eyes of yours. Besides, we had a date to watch those cartoons of yours."

"Thank you for helping me."

"I'd do anything for you."

Meg smiled brightly at Bosco. That's how her dad should have been. She wasn't stupid. She knew her dad was a bad man. He had been for a long time. The only thing Meg had that reminded her that at one time he actually cared for her were a few pictures of him holding her. He looked so happy. He had that look on his face that Mr. Bosco did. She hadn't seen the look on her dad's face in a long time.

"My dad isn't here is he?" She suddenly got afraid and her eyes were wide.

"No. You're ok. He can't hurt you," Bosco soothed.

She calmed down. Faith was standing behind Bosco looking on. Meg waved to her and smiled. Faith looked like she was tired. So did Mr. Bosco. She couldn't help but wonder if they had stayed there the whole time, however long that was.

"What's going to happen to me?" Meg questioned.

"I'm not too sure, but I . . . if you want . . . I could . . .," he tried to say.

"Meg, what he's trying to say is that if you want he'll try to see if he take care of you," Faith piped up.

"Like my new dad?"

"Would you like that?" Bosco asked.

"Very much so."

"I can guarantee anything Meg. I promise I will try my hardest."

"Thank you." Meg smiled. "Can you stay with me until I fall asleep? I know you said he couldn't get near me, but . . .," she stopped.

"Sure."

"Bosco? Ty's here." Faith motioned to the door.

"I'll be right back." Bosco got up and left the room. "Yeah?"

"Some Detective came to the house asking about you. A lady from child services was with him." Ty shifted uncomfortably.

"Yeah?"

"Swersky told 'em you suspected child abuse with your neighbor. Then the lady told Swersky she just found out you had filled out an application to be an adoptive parent. Swersky was speechless. I was too."

"Me three," Faith chimed in.

"I'm here to offer you two help."

"Why?" Bosco leaned against the door.

"I don't know. Maybe it's because you and Faith haven't left this place all day. I thought I could maybe help you out. I can't stand it when kids are hurt."

"Hang on one second, Davis," Faith said. She turned to Bosco. "Application to adopt? What? When? Huh?" She looked at him intensely.

"Yeah, so? It was just an application. That has to be accepted first. Then I can start my home study."

"Oh, Bosco. Why haven't you mentioned it?"

"She had a dad. Now, I'd rather burn in hell before that man gets to hurt her again. I don't even know why I did it. I just did." Bosco admitted.

"Mr. Bosco?" Meg cried out.

"What's wrong?" Bosco ran through the doors followed by Faith and Davis.

"Don't leave me alone."

"Hey, Bosco. I can stay with her while you and Faith get some sleep." He jammed his hands in his pockets.

"Who are you?" Meg looked at Ty. He seemed to tower over Bosco, but he had a friendly face.

"I'm Ty. I work with Faith and Bosco."

"He's ok then, if he's a cop," Meg said.

Meg watched as Bosco exchanged looks with Faith. Then his gaze shifted back and forth between Meg and Ty. She was fine with Ty, as long as she wasn't alone. Mr. Bosco and Faith needed sleep. Ty could protect her. If he wasn't a good guy then he couldn't be a cop and Mr. Bosco wouldn't have let him in. What she couldn't figure out was why a complete stranger would offer to stay with her.

"I can stay." Bosco took her hand.

"It's ok. I just don't want to be alone. Ty can keep me safe."

"You don't mind?" Faith asked Davis.

"I wouldn't offer if I did. Go. Sleep. You need it."

"You call me if anything happens." Bosco leaned down to look Meg in the eye. "Have him call if you need me."

"Ok. I'll be fine." Meg smiled as Faith pulled Bosco away. They said goodbye leaving it just Meg and Ty. "So, you're a cop too?"

"Yep."

"You are taller than Mr. Bosco, but he has more hair." Meg giggled.

"Yeah, well I'm also younger," Ty joked.

"Mr. Bosco and Faith better sleep. They need it."

"They'll sleep. Maybe you should too."

"I am sleepy." Meg reached for Ty's hand. "You promise not to leave until Mr. Bosco gets back?"

"Cross my heart."

"Can you tell me a story? I know I'm not a baby anymore, but it helps me to fall asleep."

"I can try." Ty pulled his seat up closer.

Meg closed her eyes and let only Ty's voice in. She imagined she was in the story he was telling. It wasn't one that she knew, so Meg figured he was making it up. The princess ran away from home and ran into some trouble. Then out of nowhere a knight on a white horse galloped in and saved her.

She was the princess and Mr. Bosco was the knight. She started to create a new story, a different version from the one Ty was telling. In her story, the knight took the princess home to his castle. Instead of falling in love, like in Ty's story, the knight adopted the princess and became her father. The knight showered the princess with love.