Disclaimer: I don't own anything that originally belonged to this wonderful show, much cleverer people have claim to that...however Seraphina, Haylee and others come from my own little imagination...

A/N - It's been a long time coming but here is the next chapter...I haven't forgotten about this story I promise. It's just my muse is being sadistic at the moment she only comes out to play when I have essays due or semseter exams to study for - Cheeky wench. Anyway enjoy please read and review...you know how I love it xOx Flame

2.04am Friday

Bosco slid behind the wheel of the patrol car easing it out of the hospital parking lot flicking on the lights and sirens as he sped towards the address of the shots fired. 7am was not going to come fast enough tonight…although at least now he had something to keep him occupied. Earlier he was driving around aimlessly just searching for somebody breaking the law somewhere. Usually once flu season hit and the number of officers visible on the streets dropped crime rates soared – well apparently this year either all the dumb ass criminals had also caught the flu or were hiding inside not wanting to catch it.

Bosco pulled up at the street front of Edgerton Sporting goods. He looked around the street, no other patrol cars were visible – protocol was for him to wait for back up before entering the premises. He knew that, Faith reminded him every single time they pulled up to a shots fired job. He didn't even have Faith with him now, she was at home tucked up in bed – she'd left shift right on 11, refusing to stay back for paperwork or to pull a double. Charlie had caught the flu and Fred was bitching and moaning about having to take care of the kid – told Faith that was her job. No you numb skull Faith's job is to be out here watching my ass – you're the kids father would it kill you to watch him for a few hours? Bosco thought to himself, hesitating not wanting to enter to building until he at least knew that back up was imminent.

"55-David to central. What's the ETA on my back up?" He waited impatiently for an answer.

"55-Central to 55-David nearest unit is 7 minutes away barring further incident."

Bosco glared at his radio in disbelief – "What was my damned hurry then!" He asked it pevishly. He took a deep breath perching himself on the hood of the squad looking like a dick hanging about waiting for one of his friends in blue to be allowed to come out and play. Bosco was still there 5 minutes later, ready to ream the first unit that bothered to respond – if they weren't so short handed he would go in on his own. God only knew how long it would take someone to respond to officer in distress call.

2:17am Friday

A light switching on inside the store caught Bosco's attention – he ducked down behind the opposite side of the squad watching, waiting for any further movement inside. His patience was rewarded, two perps walked along the front display taking the mannequin apart and dueling with it's arms. Bosco rolled his eyes; they were only kids…maybe he could handle them on his own. He waited until he could see the two head further down the store before approaching the front door it was still locked tight, they must have found another entrance.

"55-David to Central. I have visual of 2 teenaged suspects in jeans and hoodies, front door is secure, I'm checking the perimeter for alternate entry points." He keyed his mike, hugging the walls his flashlight sweeping the ground, his other hand resting at the handle of his service weapon.

"Central to 55-David, you are to hold your position until back up arrives." The terse woman on dispatch informed him.

"I don't got till Christmas lady! These kids are here now – free up a unit and send them over." Bosco shot back without thinking twice.

He moved around the building, pausing as he reached the fire escape the ladder was pulled down far enough for him to grasp it. Using his well honed muscles Bosco pulled himself up the rungs of the ladder until his could get his footing; silently praising himself for the hours he'd spent in the gym working on his upper body strength. He climbed through to the landing noticing that the door on this level had been jimmied open. He looked around at his feet, discarded cigarette butts were littered all about the place the door didn't have much in the way of a lock the owners probably thought it was too awkward to access. Think again bright spark.

As he slipped into the store Bosco paused, waiting a moment whilst his eyes adjusted to the darkness in the store. He had to be careful, there were 2 of them and one of him – he knew they were only kids but that didn't stop them from being vicious or more likely drunk or stoned off their faces. He slid along the wall keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of movement – finally he spotted one of them messing about in a hockey display. The other idiot joined him and once again they began dueling, this time with hockey sticks – they had the forethought to thrown on a football helmet each. I think it's a little late to avoid loosing a few more brain cells morons. Bosco thought to himself moving towards them. The two boys quickly grew tired of their game threw their sticks aside and headed in search of something new to play with.

"Yo Turps! Come check this out!" the smaller one called out.

Turps ambled over and let out a gwaffing laugh seeing the smaller skinny kid decked out in gridiron padding complete with two thick black lines drawn under his eyes.

"Dream on Kennedy!"

The skinny kid look offended, "Hey, I could so take you Turp."

"Try it hero!" the other guy egged on.

Bosco rolled his eyes reaching for his radio, "55-David to Central where the hell is my back up this is ridiculous!" He hissed trying to get his point across without being overheard by the bumbling perps.

"Central to 55-David. Back up from sector 11 is en-route, sit tight."

2:25am Friday

Another eyeball roll and some mental knuckle cracking and Bosco can to a decision…it was time to end this crap and get back on the road. He stood, taking a breath to shout out at the perps as the smaller guy ran head first at 'Turps'. Bosco cringed as the two boys made contact; the sound was sickening as the smaller guy seemed to bounce off the other one and crash into a display of assorted sporting paraphernalia. He watched the big guy roar with laughter. The smaller kid got up tears stinging his eyes, humiliation burning in his chest. Bosco could only watch as the Kennedy stood to his full height, all 5 foot 4 of him, his face set in fury.

"Don't you dare laugh at me Turp! It's not funny."

"You should have seen you face Ken! That was fucking hilarious!"

"Stop it! Don't laugh at me!" The other kid shrieked.

"Don't get your panties in a twist pansy!"

"I've told you to shut up!" he screamed throwing his football helmet across at Turp, striking his chest solidly.

"You little dipshit, I'll get you for that!" Turps growled lunging forward.

Kennedy made a sudden, unexpected move and everybody in the store froze - Bosco included. Bosco watched in horror as the kid pulled a handgun out of the waistband of his baggy jeans; he cocked the hammer and pointed it in his friends face.

"You always laughing at me! It ain't funny!" Kennedy growled, waving the gun about. Bosco wanted to shout for backup into his radio but Kennedy had moved too close to him, if the kid took another step to his right he would be right on top of Bosco.

"Don't be a dickhead Ken; we were just having some fun."

"I'm not having fun, you insultin' my manhood, you think I'm gonna let you get away wit dat? Huh punk?"

"Punk? I'm gonna whip your pussy ass as soon as you drop that gun. You don't even know how to use the damn thing."

"Don't I?" Kennedy asked taking a step closer to his target his eyes locked on his friend.

The fine hairs on Bosco's neck stood on end, he had to intervene he couldn't stand there doing nothing. He skulked back around the wall moving to approach Kennedy in such a way that his dumb ass friend was behind Bosco. He was nearly there when Turps opened his big fat mouth and taunted his friend again.

"Come on you big pussy, put the damn gun down, lets get the cash an bolt."

"Pussy? I'm a pussy huh?" Kennedy raised the gun and before anyone could blink he fired two quick shots into the ceiling.

"Would a pussy do that huh?" He demanded grinning madly.

Bosco took a deep breath and revealed himself to the two teens. "NYPD! Drop the gun and get down on the ground!" he shouted, pointing his weapon at Kennedy.

"Fuck man it's the police! Look what you done now you fucking pussy!" Turps cursed from behind Bosco.

"I'm not a pussy!" Kennedy shrieked, his voice escalating to a note Bosco hadn't been able to hit since he was about 10.

"Nah you're right, your no pussy man…you know what your doing with that gun. You got some fine skills there but I won't tell you again to put it down." The kid merely glared at Bosco, ignored the barrel of the gun staring him down. "Look, I didn't get into this job to shot kids so you'd better just put the weapon down before you force me to do something we're both going to regret." Bosco could feel the sweat trickle along his brow, the uncomfortable pressure of his Kevlar vest had never seemed so reassuring as it did right now. He was having trouble keeping both boys in his line of sight.

"Yo, kid you stay behind unless you want your buddy here to pop a cap in your ass." Bosco ordered as Turps attempted to move around him.

"This fool ain't gonna do nothing', he's a pussy. You think you a gangsta now huh? Wave a small piece like that about and all a sudden you big time? Nah uh fool. Damned pussy assed punk!"

Bosco turned to Turps miraculously managing to quell the urge to either shoot him or punch him in the face.

"Not helping. Sit your fat ass on the ground. Piss me off again and I'll shoot you myself!" Bosco threatened. "As for you Kennedy – so far all you've done is break and enter, you've made a bit of a mess. You put that gun down you won't get nothing more than a slap on the wrist. They won't send a kid like you to jail…you just need to put the gun down."

Kennedy looked at Bosco his brown eyes hesitant, he didn't want to go to jail but he couldn't chicken out in front of his buddy either. He was looking between Bosco and the front door trying to gauge whether he could make it or not.

"I wouldn't try it kid." Bosco warned him lightly. His gun never wavered, his finger resting lightly against the trigger, his gun was cocked – he would use it if he had too but he was hoping the situation wasn't going to escalate to that but damn he was no negotiator – that was Faith's gig not his. It was at moments like this he realized just how much he took her granted. He was trying to channel the sense of inner calm she brought with her to a situation like this…all he succeeded in doing was getting further pissed off at his shortcomings.

Turps ignored Bosco's earlier warning and moved in front of the officer again and once more began stupidly taunting his gun waving friend.

"This is whack fool, I'm outta here." Turps made an obscene gesture before heading towards the front door.

Kennedy flushed red, furious at his friends mockery of the situation he did the only thing he could think of, he pointed the gun at his friend and fired. Turps let out a howl and slumped to the ground wailing and clutching his thigh.

"You fuckin' shot me!"

Kennedy turned away from his fallen friend glaring at Bosco with glassy eyes the gun pointed squarely at Bosco's chest…

Uh oh! What happens next?!

***The next piece is all written, edited and awaiting publishing but first I wanna hear what you think...Outbursts, suggestions, criticisms, love, greetings I accept them all heartily... Love Flame xOx