Third Watch Fic: Tying Up Loose Ends (1-2/?)
Title: Tying Up Loose Ends
Authors: X_tremeroswellian and NYPDBosco
Rating: Cool for fans of all ages
Summary: When he asked for her help one last time he swore he'd transfer if she wanted him to. When she found out she was paralyzed after having been shot while helping him she told him to go away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Faith tried her best to ignore the curious looks from her fellow co-workers as she walked up the steps to her boss's office. She knocked on the door and waited.
"Enter," he called out, not looking up from his paperwork.
Drawing in a breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Lieu?"
Hearing her voice he looked up, a smile on his face as he took off his glasses. "Faith. It's good to see you."
"Thanks." She offered him a smile before moving to sit down. "Uh...I'm here because my doctor says that I'm okay to come back to work."
"Really? That's fantastic."
"And I was hoping...that you would pair me back up with Bosco."
His eyebrows furrowed and he stared at her for a moment. "You're kidding, right?" He asked softly.
"I know it's a bizarre request after everything that's happened, but...I really think that's the only way I'm gonna be able to do this."
"Faith, I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Lieu, I know that Bosco and I still have some things to work through, but--"
"You mean you don't know?"
"Don't know what?" she asked in confusion.
He let out a breath. "Faith...Bosco doesn't work here anymore. He transferred."
She stared at him in disbelief. "That's not possible."
"I guess I thought you knew," he whispered.
Faith shook her head, still stunned. "Where did he transfer to? I'll go see him, I'll convince him to come back."
Swersky sighed. "I don't know where. All I know is that it was an out of state transfer and...his jacket's been sealed."
"He...what?" Her voice was barely audible.
"It's all they told me, Faith. A couple days after you were shot the brass came in and informed me that Bosco'd requested a transfer and that after all the documentation was done, that his personnel folder be sealed, and...that was it."
"No." She shook her head.
"I'm sorry," he told her softly. "I really thought you would have been told."
"This...no, this can't be right. Bosco wouldn't just up and leave like that."
"It was a shock to all of us. There was no explanation, no nothing. One day he was here, the next..."
"It was a shock to -you-?" She stared at him, rising to her feet. "I'm his partner but it was a shock to -you-?"
"Faith, I'm really sorry, but I don't know what to tell you. He went over my head. I didn't even get to talk to him before he left. He even left some of his stuff in his locker."
"This is not happening," she murmured as she headed for the door.
"Do you want his stuff?" He asked before she made it out of the office.
"Do I want his stuff?" she echoed.
"The stuff that was left in his locker," he said softly. "Would you like it? I haven't been able to get myself to throw it out or anything."
Faith stared at him for a moment. "No. No, I don't want his stuff, Lieu. I want him back." Without waiting for a response, tears stung her eyes as she left his office.
Swersky blew out a breath and leaned back in his chair. That wasn't the welcome back he'd hoped to give Faith.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*3 years later *
Bosco walked down to the end of the short driveway and pulled open the mailbox. Peering inside he found a large manila envelope with a return address of New York City. Knowing it was mail from his mother he opened it on his way back to the house. Inside, like always, was a large chunk of newspaper clippings about the NYPD. His mother had never been a fan of the internet and assumed that the only way he could keep up with happenings in New York was to read the newspaper. Along with the newspaper clippings was a smaller envelope with a note from his mother.
Maurice-
I wish you'd knock this off and just come home. It's been far too long and I'm tired of keeping this a secret and acting like I don't know where you are. I hate lying to your friends. They still ask about you, ya know.
This was sent to me. Somebody out there must figure I know how to get ahold of you.
Love,
Mom
His eyebrows furrowed as he dug a little deeper into the envelope, pulling out a fancy invitation. "Police Academy reunion?" He read aloud.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith managed to pull herself out of bed twelve hours after she collapsed in it from exhaustion. In the past four years, she felt like she'd aged about twenty. Each day was a little harder to face, a little more difficult to force herself to get up and greet the day. Sighing, she shuffled out of her small bedroom, down the hall and raked a hand haphazardly through her blonde hair. She groaned as she saw the pile of mail she'd dumped on the table by the door when she'd gotten home from work the night before, too tired to read any of it.
She begrudgingly picked it up and plopped down on the small dusty sofa, not bothering to turn on a light. There was enough light from the curtain-less window in the front room. She didn't need to rack her electric bill up any higher. She winced slightly when she saw the envelope from her landlord--her third overdue notice in a month. Then she frowned a little when she saw a fancy envelope with gold print. It simply had her name and address on it, no return address. For a moment, her heart stopped. Maybe, she thought. Maybe it was from Bosco. Then she realized he wouldn't have bothered with a fancy envelope.
Sighing, she tore it open, pulling out the small card. "Police Academy Reunion," she murmured, her eyebrows furrowed.
* * *
Part Two
He looked up at the sign on the front of the building then glanced down at the invitation in his hand. Yup, he was definitely in the right place for the reunion. After he'd received the invitation in the mail from his mother he'd tacked it up to the bulletin board in his kitchen. At the time he hadn't been sure why he'd done it. The last thing he wanted was to go back to New York and face everything that had happened.
But a couple weeks before the reunion he'd been cleaning out the garage and came across a box he'd yet to unpack, the box in which he'd packed everything he owned that would remind him of the NYPD...and that was when he'd found the picture. The picture of him and Faith at their graduation from the academy. After spending over an hour going through the box and remembering all the good times as well as the bad, he'd gone back into the house, picked up the phone and RSVP'd his attendance at the reunion. Moments later he had his plane ticket purchased.
Taking a deep breath he looked at his reflection in the window, straightened his suit and pulled open the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith climbed out of the back of the cab, still feeling nervous and uncertain as she paid the driver and stared up at the building, clutching her purse and the invitation tightly in her hands. He wouldn't be there, she told herself. Of course he wouldn't be there. He hadn't tried to contact her since the shooting, he had no idea what had been going on in her life, nor did he want to know. He certainly wouldn't risk showing up at the Academy Reunion and take the chance he'd run into her. No way in hell.
She turned to climb back in the cab and go home, but the car was already pulling away. "Dammit," she whispered, swallowing hard. She didn't want to see all these people. But she'd spent the money on her dress--a simple but elegant black dress. Black was the only color that seemed to fit her mood anymore. Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she held her chin up and headed for the entrance.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Having been sitting in the corner of the large room for close to an hour he needed to get up and move around, but more importantly he needed a drink. He wasn't even sure why he'd bothered to come all the way across the country in hopes of seeing someone he hadn't seen in close to four years. He hadn't contacted her in any way, and it would have been a hell of a lot easier to pick up the phone. Sighing, he pushed himself out of the chair and headed for the bar. At least the drinks are free, he thought.
Faith had been lingering in a far corner of the room the entire night so far when she saw a laughing couple pass by with drinks in their hands. "Alcohol. Just what I need," she mumbled, heading over to the bar.
He leaned against the bar. "Bottle of Sam Adams," he told the bartender.
"Vodka on the rocks," she told the other bartender.
Bosco gave the bartender a nod as he grabbed his bottle of beer then turned away. "Open bar," he mumbled. "Best thing ever invented."
"Amen to that," she replied as she picked up her drink.
Recognizing the voice his eyes widened and he slowly looked at the person next to him.
She didn't notice his gaze, nor had she recognized his voice. She took a long drink. "Thanks," she told the bartender.
He swallowed hard, and merely stared at her for another couple of moments. He hadn't actually figured out what he'd say if they ran into each other. "Faith?" He asked softly.
Startled that someone knew her name, she quickly turned to look, her eyes widening when she saw who it was.
"I was uh...I was wondering if you were here," he said quietly.
It took her a moment to find her voice to respond. "Well. I am."
"Yeah." He took a drink of his beer. "You look nice."
Shrugging, she looked down at her dress. "You too."
"Thanks," he murmured. Pressing his lips together he looked around a little, unsure of what to say now.
"Well. I'll let you get back to your date." Not waiting for a response, she turned and headed away, her heart pounding heavily in her chest.
"What date?"
She stopped in her tracks, realizing exactly how unprepared she was for an actual conversation with him.
"I'm here alone," he told her softly as he took a few steps toward her.
Swallowing hard, she quickly took another drink of her vodka. "That's gotta be a first, huh?"
"If you only knew," he chuckled. "What about you? Fred here?"
Her eyes darkened a little. "No. Fred's not here."
"Oh," he whispered before taking another drink.
She forced herself to take a deep breath. "I didn't really think you'd come."
"I wasn't really sure myself, but..." He shrugged, then pointed over his shoulder toward the table he'd been sitting at. "You wanna come sit down?"
"What? You avoid me for three years and then invite me to sit with you?"
"I thought that's what you wanted. I transferred just like I said I would."
"Like -I- wanted?" She shook her head. "This was never about what -I- wanted."
"Wasn't it? You told me to---"
"I just found I was paralyzed," she snapped. "What the hell was I supposed to say? I was in shock, Bosco."
"So was I," he hollered. Closing his eyes for a moment he took a breath and let it out slowly. "So I ran."
Faith looked away. "Yeah. You did."
"You're the reason I hopped on a plane and flew across the country to be here," he told her.
She flinched.
"I was...I was going through some stuff at my house and I found this box and...there was a picture of us. The next thing I remember I'd booked a flight."
"Why?" she asked, shaking her head. "Why, after all this time? What made you think I'd even be here?"
"I don't know. I guess I just couldn't do it anymore...I couldn't keep acting like everything was okay." He took another drink. "I guess I just hoped you'd be here."
Faith was silent for a moment. "Where have you been?"
"Just outside of Seattle," he told her softly.
She blinked back tears, swallowing hard. "You moved across the country to get away from me."
"No." He shook his head. "I moved across the country to get away from what I'd done."
Closing her eyes, she finished off her drink. "I'm goin' home."
"Faith, please. Don't go."
"Come with me."
There was a shocked expression on his face. "Really?"
Slowly opening her eyes to look at him once more, she nodded. "Yeah."
A faint smile touched his lips and he took a final drink of his beer before following her toward the exit.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith stepped out of the cab that had parked in front of her apartment building. She still wasn't used to the rundown place, though she'd been living there for nearly two years now. Drawing in a breath, she glanced at Bosco.
"Is this where..."
"Yeah. This is where I live." She didn't give him a chance to ask anymore questions as she headed for the door, pulling it open and stepping inside. She ignored the rat that scuttled across the lobby floor as she headed for the stairs.
He jumped slightly, startled by the rodent. "How long you been here?"
"Couple years."
"What happened?" He asked softly.
"What didn't?" She took the steps two at a time, pulling her keys out of her coat pocket.
"So...you probably didn't get the cards I sent you," he said quietly. "Seein' they had the wrong address on them."
"No. I didn't." Her voice was just as quiet.
"I didn't actually sign 'em or anything," he admitted. "Too chicken I guess. Figured Fred would get mad."
She didn't answer as she started to unlock her door, then realized it was already unlocked. And slightly ajar. "Dammit," she mumbled, pushing it open the rest of the way and flipping on the light.
"Faith, be careful," he told her softly.
"It's no big deal. Johnny from downstairs let himself in and helped himself to some vodka again, no doubt." She shook her head, shrugging out of her coat.
"Johnny?"
"Neighbor's seventeen year old son."
His eyes widened slightly. "This happens a lot?"
"At least once a week," she informed him, rolling her eyes. "He's a klepto."
"And you haven't turned him in?"
"The cops don't really respond to this neighborhood." She shrugged and took the clip out of her hair, letting it spill down to her shoulders.
He chuckled softly. "What are you talkin' about? You're a cop."
"Was a cop." She raked a hand through her hair.
"Whoa. Back up. What?"
She shrugged, her eyes emotionless. "I quit."
"When? Why?"
"Three years ago. You know why." She turned away. "I'm gonna change clothes. Make yourself comfortable."
"Are you sayin' you quit because of me or because of what happened?"
"Take your pick." She didn't look back at him as she disappeared into the bedroom.
He blew out a breath and took off his suit jacket before moving over to the sofa and sitting down as he loosened his tie.
"There's beer in the fridge. If Johnny left any."
"You want one?" He asked as he stood back up and headed for the tiny kitchen.
"No. Thanks." She changed into an old, worn-out sweatshirt and sweat pants, then headed into the living room, carrying a bottle of vodka she'd hidden under her bed.
Coming back into the living room with a can of beer his eyes widened when he saw the bottle she was carrying. "You uh...always keep a supply?"
"When I can afford it." She moved into the kitchen, pulled out a glass and poured herself some of the alcohol.
"So...what do you do now...for a living?" He questioned, almost afraid to ask.
"Waitress at a coffee shop down the street."
"Do you like your job?"
"It pays the bills."
He nodded his head and took a long drink of his beer. "I take it you're divorced," he said softly.
"Yep." She showed him her ringless finger, leaning back against the sofa as she took a drink of her vodka.
"Me too," he whispered.
She looked at him quickly, startled by his words. "What?"
"Couple years ago I married this woman...Renee. We were in love, or at least we thought so. Even tried havin' kids." He was quiet for a moment as he stared down at the floor. "After she...she had a miscarriage I kinda threw myself into the job. One night it was raining real bad and I was in this pursuit...this car just...came outta nowhere and I..."
"You what?" she whispered, staring at him.
"I remember slamming on the brakes so I wouldn't hit it, and the squad hit a slick spot and there was this light pole." He swallowed hard. "The last thing I remember was putting up my hand to brace myself. Then I woke up in the hospital all banged up." He showed her his hand. "It took three surgeries to piece everything back together. After I recovered from the first one Renee packed up and left. Said I wasn't married to her, I was married to my job."
It took her a moment to respond, sadness and heartache reflected in her own eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Thanks, but it's my own damn fault," he whispered back.
She bit her lower lip and looked down at the floor.
"I couldn't talk to Renee at all about how I felt. She was my wife and I couldn't...I couldn't tell her how sad I was about the baby. So I worked my ass off to try and hide it all. Then this..." He held up his hand.
She closed her eyes. "Are you still workin'?" she asked.
"I'm a house mouse," he told her quietly.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, too, Faith."
She finished off her vodka, then stood up. "You want another beer?"
"I'm okay for now, thanks."
"Sure." She headed into the kitchen, poured herself another glass, then returned to the sofa, sitting down and raking one hand through her hair.
"How are the kids?" He asked softly.
"Emily's away at school. U of I."
"Iowa?"
"Illinois."
"Oh." He nodded. "And Charlie?"
She downed her whole drink, then stood up to get another.
"Faith. Slow down," he told her softly.
"I'm good," she said tensely, moving back to the kitchen.
"Come on," he whispered as he stood up and followed her. "It's just me."
"You, whom I haven't talked to or seen in over three years."
"Look, I know. I'm sorry about that. I never shoulda left, and I know that. But I just...I didn't know what to do."
She didn't answer as she took a long drink of her vodka.
Bosco grabbed the glass from her. "Whatever it is, this isn't helping."
Faith glared at him.
"I came here to see you, Faith. To try and make this right. I can't do that if you're drunk."
"I'm not gonna get drunk."
"Let's just stop with the drinking for now...both of us," he said softly.
"I'm a big girl, Bosco."
He closed his eyes and ran his hands through his hair. "I know," he whispered.
She took her glass back, then reluctantly set it on the counter.
"You never said how Charlie is."
She stared at the countertop for a long moment. "Charlie's dead."
"He's w-what?"
"He's dead," she repeated, her voice dull. She picked up her glass and finished off the drink.
"When? What happened, Faith?"
Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes, leaning against the counter. "December 31st, 2003," she whispered.
"How?"
It took her a moment to answer. She reached up and rubbed the back of her neck. "He uh...got hit by a drunk driver."
"Oh, God. Faith...I'm so sorry." Without thinking about it he reached out to touch her arm. "I shoulda been here."
Shaking her head, she moved away from him, reaching up into one of the cabinets and pulling out a pill bottle.
"Faith, what are those?"
"Xanax." She popped one in her mouth and swallowed it down.
"You probably shouldn't be taking that with alcohol," he said, his voice full of concern.
"Hasn't killed me yet."
"You gotta stop, Faith."
She laughed, but it was a harsh, bitter sound devoid of any happiness. "Why? Because you say so?"
"No." He shook his head. "Because you need to."
She didn't look at him.
"How long you been doin' this?" He asked softly, a worried look on his face.
"Doing what?"
"The pills and the drinking."
Faith glared at him, her eyes dark and narrow. "I'm not addicted, if that's what you're implying."
"No?"
"No." Her voice was sharp.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Let's have a soda and go sit and talk."
It took her a few moments to get her emotions under control before she grabbed a couple of sodas out of the fridge. She handed one to him wordlessly before leaving the kitchen.
Bosco stood in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do, what to say, before he followed her and took a seat on the sofa. "I'm really sorry about Charlie," he whispered. "I wish I woulda been here for you."
Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the sofa, letting out a breath. "I wouldn't have let you anyway."
He shrugged and popped open his can of soda. After taking a drink he looked at her. "But at least you woulda known that I was there...if you needed me, but instead...instead I was across the country." He shook his head.
It took her a moment to respond. "You coulda been next door and it wouldn't have mattered."
"Either way, Faith...I'm sorry."
"I know. Me too."
Shifting on the sofa he turned so he was facing her and rested his elbow on the back of the sofa, resting his head against his fist. "So whatcha been doing all this time?"
A wry smile tugged at her lips. "Working mostly."
"At the diner?"
"Yeah. What about you?"
"Just workin' at the PD. Doin' a little studying."
"Studying?" Her eyebrows furrowed a little.
"I uh...I'm taking some classes," he told her quietly. "Crime scene investigation."
"Really? That's great, Bosco."
He smiled softly. "When they took me off patrol causa my hand...I just needed to do something, ya know?"
Nodding slightly, she gazed at him. "Yeah."
"I'm not doin' too bad in the classes, but...it's definitely a lot harder when you don't have a study partner," he said softly.
"You mean you haven't hooked up with a study buddy?"
"Would you believe I'm shy?"
She snorted. "No."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "Well I am."
She gave him a look. "Since when?"
"Since I decided to start over, since the divorce." He ran a hand through his hair. "Nothin' like puttin' your heart out there for somebody, and..."
"Havin' it ripped outta your chest," she finished softly.
"Exactly." He took a long drink of his soda.
"How'd you meet her?" she whispered.
"I was doin' this charity thing with the department. A Christmas toy drive. She was the liaison with the community."
She bit her lower lip, nodding a little. "So was it...love at first sight, or...?"
"Not really. We talked a little and I didn't really think much of it. A few days after, she came to the station to tie up some loose ends and we decided to go out for coffee. After that we dated for a few months and it just..." He paused. "I don't know, Faith. I was so head over heels at the time, and then we talked about having kids and I remember thinking that this was the woman I was gonna spend the rest of my life with and I was alright with that. But..."
"But what?"
He sighed. "I could never really talk to her. I mean we talked, but...I couldn't share with her. I never told her about why I left New York. She was my wife and I couldn't tell her."
She swallowed hard, looking away.
"And then we lost the baby," he whispered.
"Bosco, I'm so sorry."
"It was a girl."
"How far along..."
"Six months," he murmured.
"God." She closed her eyes.
"It felt like...like I died," he told her softly.
Tears stung her eyelids. "I know."
"It musta been how you felt too, huh?"
Nodding, she swallowed hard, unable to speak.
Biting his lip he hesitated for a moment before reaching out and placing his hand over hers.
She slid her fingers through his without hesitation.
"Do you and Em talk?" He asked softly.
"Not very often." She drew in a breath. "She's busy. With school."
"But you get along?"
"When we talk. Yeah."
"Well that's good." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
She turned her head to look at him, her eyes full of sadness. "What about you and Renee...do you still talk at all?"
"She called to see how I was doin' after my surgeries, but that's it."
"Do you still...." She bit her lower lip.
"What?" He asked softly.
"Love her?"
"I think I always will, but...not like I used to."
She nodded slightly, falling silent as she looked down at their hands.
"What about you...and Fred?" He questioned.
"No. I don't love Fred anymore."
"If you don't mind me asking..."
"Go ahead."
"What happened with Fred?"
Her jaw tense, she stared out the window. "He admitted that he'd been cheating on me with my so-called-friend Holly."
"That son of a bitch. How could he do that?" He questioned, his voice full of anger.
She shrugged, not responding.
"How long's it been?"
"Since the divorce?"
"Yeah." He nodded.
"Almost three years."
Closing his eyes he let out a breath. "You must really hate me," he whispered.
"Hate -you-? No. You're not the one I hate."
"Well I hate me."
"Don't say that."
"I never shoulda left, Faith. It was stupid and selfish and..."
"Completely the right thing."
His eyebrows furrowed.
"It was the right thing for you," she whispered.
A humorless chuckle escaped him. "Who woulda thought the right thing would have ended up with me not talking to my best friend for three years, getting married, losing a baby, screwing up my hand and getting divorced?"
"Bosco, don't..."
"And all this time...you've been goin' through your own personal hell. I shoulda been here."
She closed her eyes, the sedative effects of the powerful anti-anxiety drug she'd taken starting to weigh upon her. Sighing softly, she hesitated a moment, then leaned against him.
"Are you okay," he asked softly, instinctively setting down his soda and putting his arm around her.
"Yeah, just sleepy," she murmured.
"We should get you into bed," he whispered.
"Yeah. When are you goin' back?" she whispered.
"Honestly?"
"Yeah."
"I didn't know how long this would take, so...I bought a one-way ticket," he told her softly.
She lifted her head up, more than a hint of surprise on her face.
"I told myself that if I was coming back here that I was gonna make things right. I couldn't put a time limit on that."
"I don't want you stayin' here because you feel like you owe me something."
"I'd be lyin' if I said this was just for you," he whispered.
Swallowing hard, she held his gaze, her eyes tired. "Okay," she whispered back.
"Mind if I crash on your sofa for the night?"
"No...it's fine," she said softly. "There's...extra blankets in the closet and you can use a couple of my pillows."
"Thanks." He stood up and reached for her hand. "Come on," he whispered. "You look like you might pass out before you get down the hall."
"It's possible," she admitted tiredly, taking his hand.
Bosco helped her up and slid an arm around her waist to help her down the hall, immediately taking back the role of protector that he'd reluctantly given up so many years ago.
Leaning against him, her eyelids drooped as he helped her back to her bedroom. "Thanks," she whispered.
"You're welcome," he whispered back, pulling the covers up to tuck her in after she laid down.
She immediately closed her eyes, sighing softly as she rested her head on the pillow.
He gazed down at her for a moment. "I've missed you," he told her softly, his voice barely audible.
Faith didn't hear his whispered words. She was already asleep.
Authors: X_tremeroswellian and NYPDBosco
Rating: Cool for fans of all ages
Summary: When he asked for her help one last time he swore he'd transfer if she wanted him to. When she found out she was paralyzed after having been shot while helping him she told him to go away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Faith tried her best to ignore the curious looks from her fellow co-workers as she walked up the steps to her boss's office. She knocked on the door and waited.
"Enter," he called out, not looking up from his paperwork.
Drawing in a breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Lieu?"
Hearing her voice he looked up, a smile on his face as he took off his glasses. "Faith. It's good to see you."
"Thanks." She offered him a smile before moving to sit down. "Uh...I'm here because my doctor says that I'm okay to come back to work."
"Really? That's fantastic."
"And I was hoping...that you would pair me back up with Bosco."
His eyebrows furrowed and he stared at her for a moment. "You're kidding, right?" He asked softly.
"I know it's a bizarre request after everything that's happened, but...I really think that's the only way I'm gonna be able to do this."
"Faith, I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Lieu, I know that Bosco and I still have some things to work through, but--"
"You mean you don't know?"
"Don't know what?" she asked in confusion.
He let out a breath. "Faith...Bosco doesn't work here anymore. He transferred."
She stared at him in disbelief. "That's not possible."
"I guess I thought you knew," he whispered.
Faith shook her head, still stunned. "Where did he transfer to? I'll go see him, I'll convince him to come back."
Swersky sighed. "I don't know where. All I know is that it was an out of state transfer and...his jacket's been sealed."
"He...what?" Her voice was barely audible.
"It's all they told me, Faith. A couple days after you were shot the brass came in and informed me that Bosco'd requested a transfer and that after all the documentation was done, that his personnel folder be sealed, and...that was it."
"No." She shook her head.
"I'm sorry," he told her softly. "I really thought you would have been told."
"This...no, this can't be right. Bosco wouldn't just up and leave like that."
"It was a shock to all of us. There was no explanation, no nothing. One day he was here, the next..."
"It was a shock to -you-?" She stared at him, rising to her feet. "I'm his partner but it was a shock to -you-?"
"Faith, I'm really sorry, but I don't know what to tell you. He went over my head. I didn't even get to talk to him before he left. He even left some of his stuff in his locker."
"This is not happening," she murmured as she headed for the door.
"Do you want his stuff?" He asked before she made it out of the office.
"Do I want his stuff?" she echoed.
"The stuff that was left in his locker," he said softly. "Would you like it? I haven't been able to get myself to throw it out or anything."
Faith stared at him for a moment. "No. No, I don't want his stuff, Lieu. I want him back." Without waiting for a response, tears stung her eyes as she left his office.
Swersky blew out a breath and leaned back in his chair. That wasn't the welcome back he'd hoped to give Faith.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*3 years later *
Bosco walked down to the end of the short driveway and pulled open the mailbox. Peering inside he found a large manila envelope with a return address of New York City. Knowing it was mail from his mother he opened it on his way back to the house. Inside, like always, was a large chunk of newspaper clippings about the NYPD. His mother had never been a fan of the internet and assumed that the only way he could keep up with happenings in New York was to read the newspaper. Along with the newspaper clippings was a smaller envelope with a note from his mother.
Maurice-
I wish you'd knock this off and just come home. It's been far too long and I'm tired of keeping this a secret and acting like I don't know where you are. I hate lying to your friends. They still ask about you, ya know.
This was sent to me. Somebody out there must figure I know how to get ahold of you.
Love,
Mom
His eyebrows furrowed as he dug a little deeper into the envelope, pulling out a fancy invitation. "Police Academy reunion?" He read aloud.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith managed to pull herself out of bed twelve hours after she collapsed in it from exhaustion. In the past four years, she felt like she'd aged about twenty. Each day was a little harder to face, a little more difficult to force herself to get up and greet the day. Sighing, she shuffled out of her small bedroom, down the hall and raked a hand haphazardly through her blonde hair. She groaned as she saw the pile of mail she'd dumped on the table by the door when she'd gotten home from work the night before, too tired to read any of it.
She begrudgingly picked it up and plopped down on the small dusty sofa, not bothering to turn on a light. There was enough light from the curtain-less window in the front room. She didn't need to rack her electric bill up any higher. She winced slightly when she saw the envelope from her landlord--her third overdue notice in a month. Then she frowned a little when she saw a fancy envelope with gold print. It simply had her name and address on it, no return address. For a moment, her heart stopped. Maybe, she thought. Maybe it was from Bosco. Then she realized he wouldn't have bothered with a fancy envelope.
Sighing, she tore it open, pulling out the small card. "Police Academy Reunion," she murmured, her eyebrows furrowed.
* * *
Part Two
He looked up at the sign on the front of the building then glanced down at the invitation in his hand. Yup, he was definitely in the right place for the reunion. After he'd received the invitation in the mail from his mother he'd tacked it up to the bulletin board in his kitchen. At the time he hadn't been sure why he'd done it. The last thing he wanted was to go back to New York and face everything that had happened.
But a couple weeks before the reunion he'd been cleaning out the garage and came across a box he'd yet to unpack, the box in which he'd packed everything he owned that would remind him of the NYPD...and that was when he'd found the picture. The picture of him and Faith at their graduation from the academy. After spending over an hour going through the box and remembering all the good times as well as the bad, he'd gone back into the house, picked up the phone and RSVP'd his attendance at the reunion. Moments later he had his plane ticket purchased.
Taking a deep breath he looked at his reflection in the window, straightened his suit and pulled open the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith climbed out of the back of the cab, still feeling nervous and uncertain as she paid the driver and stared up at the building, clutching her purse and the invitation tightly in her hands. He wouldn't be there, she told herself. Of course he wouldn't be there. He hadn't tried to contact her since the shooting, he had no idea what had been going on in her life, nor did he want to know. He certainly wouldn't risk showing up at the Academy Reunion and take the chance he'd run into her. No way in hell.
She turned to climb back in the cab and go home, but the car was already pulling away. "Dammit," she whispered, swallowing hard. She didn't want to see all these people. But she'd spent the money on her dress--a simple but elegant black dress. Black was the only color that seemed to fit her mood anymore. Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she held her chin up and headed for the entrance.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Having been sitting in the corner of the large room for close to an hour he needed to get up and move around, but more importantly he needed a drink. He wasn't even sure why he'd bothered to come all the way across the country in hopes of seeing someone he hadn't seen in close to four years. He hadn't contacted her in any way, and it would have been a hell of a lot easier to pick up the phone. Sighing, he pushed himself out of the chair and headed for the bar. At least the drinks are free, he thought.
Faith had been lingering in a far corner of the room the entire night so far when she saw a laughing couple pass by with drinks in their hands. "Alcohol. Just what I need," she mumbled, heading over to the bar.
He leaned against the bar. "Bottle of Sam Adams," he told the bartender.
"Vodka on the rocks," she told the other bartender.
Bosco gave the bartender a nod as he grabbed his bottle of beer then turned away. "Open bar," he mumbled. "Best thing ever invented."
"Amen to that," she replied as she picked up her drink.
Recognizing the voice his eyes widened and he slowly looked at the person next to him.
She didn't notice his gaze, nor had she recognized his voice. She took a long drink. "Thanks," she told the bartender.
He swallowed hard, and merely stared at her for another couple of moments. He hadn't actually figured out what he'd say if they ran into each other. "Faith?" He asked softly.
Startled that someone knew her name, she quickly turned to look, her eyes widening when she saw who it was.
"I was uh...I was wondering if you were here," he said quietly.
It took her a moment to find her voice to respond. "Well. I am."
"Yeah." He took a drink of his beer. "You look nice."
Shrugging, she looked down at her dress. "You too."
"Thanks," he murmured. Pressing his lips together he looked around a little, unsure of what to say now.
"Well. I'll let you get back to your date." Not waiting for a response, she turned and headed away, her heart pounding heavily in her chest.
"What date?"
She stopped in her tracks, realizing exactly how unprepared she was for an actual conversation with him.
"I'm here alone," he told her softly as he took a few steps toward her.
Swallowing hard, she quickly took another drink of her vodka. "That's gotta be a first, huh?"
"If you only knew," he chuckled. "What about you? Fred here?"
Her eyes darkened a little. "No. Fred's not here."
"Oh," he whispered before taking another drink.
She forced herself to take a deep breath. "I didn't really think you'd come."
"I wasn't really sure myself, but..." He shrugged, then pointed over his shoulder toward the table he'd been sitting at. "You wanna come sit down?"
"What? You avoid me for three years and then invite me to sit with you?"
"I thought that's what you wanted. I transferred just like I said I would."
"Like -I- wanted?" She shook her head. "This was never about what -I- wanted."
"Wasn't it? You told me to---"
"I just found I was paralyzed," she snapped. "What the hell was I supposed to say? I was in shock, Bosco."
"So was I," he hollered. Closing his eyes for a moment he took a breath and let it out slowly. "So I ran."
Faith looked away. "Yeah. You did."
"You're the reason I hopped on a plane and flew across the country to be here," he told her.
She flinched.
"I was...I was going through some stuff at my house and I found this box and...there was a picture of us. The next thing I remember I'd booked a flight."
"Why?" she asked, shaking her head. "Why, after all this time? What made you think I'd even be here?"
"I don't know. I guess I just couldn't do it anymore...I couldn't keep acting like everything was okay." He took another drink. "I guess I just hoped you'd be here."
Faith was silent for a moment. "Where have you been?"
"Just outside of Seattle," he told her softly.
She blinked back tears, swallowing hard. "You moved across the country to get away from me."
"No." He shook his head. "I moved across the country to get away from what I'd done."
Closing her eyes, she finished off her drink. "I'm goin' home."
"Faith, please. Don't go."
"Come with me."
There was a shocked expression on his face. "Really?"
Slowly opening her eyes to look at him once more, she nodded. "Yeah."
A faint smile touched his lips and he took a final drink of his beer before following her toward the exit.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith stepped out of the cab that had parked in front of her apartment building. She still wasn't used to the rundown place, though she'd been living there for nearly two years now. Drawing in a breath, she glanced at Bosco.
"Is this where..."
"Yeah. This is where I live." She didn't give him a chance to ask anymore questions as she headed for the door, pulling it open and stepping inside. She ignored the rat that scuttled across the lobby floor as she headed for the stairs.
He jumped slightly, startled by the rodent. "How long you been here?"
"Couple years."
"What happened?" He asked softly.
"What didn't?" She took the steps two at a time, pulling her keys out of her coat pocket.
"So...you probably didn't get the cards I sent you," he said quietly. "Seein' they had the wrong address on them."
"No. I didn't." Her voice was just as quiet.
"I didn't actually sign 'em or anything," he admitted. "Too chicken I guess. Figured Fred would get mad."
She didn't answer as she started to unlock her door, then realized it was already unlocked. And slightly ajar. "Dammit," she mumbled, pushing it open the rest of the way and flipping on the light.
"Faith, be careful," he told her softly.
"It's no big deal. Johnny from downstairs let himself in and helped himself to some vodka again, no doubt." She shook her head, shrugging out of her coat.
"Johnny?"
"Neighbor's seventeen year old son."
His eyes widened slightly. "This happens a lot?"
"At least once a week," she informed him, rolling her eyes. "He's a klepto."
"And you haven't turned him in?"
"The cops don't really respond to this neighborhood." She shrugged and took the clip out of her hair, letting it spill down to her shoulders.
He chuckled softly. "What are you talkin' about? You're a cop."
"Was a cop." She raked a hand through her hair.
"Whoa. Back up. What?"
She shrugged, her eyes emotionless. "I quit."
"When? Why?"
"Three years ago. You know why." She turned away. "I'm gonna change clothes. Make yourself comfortable."
"Are you sayin' you quit because of me or because of what happened?"
"Take your pick." She didn't look back at him as she disappeared into the bedroom.
He blew out a breath and took off his suit jacket before moving over to the sofa and sitting down as he loosened his tie.
"There's beer in the fridge. If Johnny left any."
"You want one?" He asked as he stood back up and headed for the tiny kitchen.
"No. Thanks." She changed into an old, worn-out sweatshirt and sweat pants, then headed into the living room, carrying a bottle of vodka she'd hidden under her bed.
Coming back into the living room with a can of beer his eyes widened when he saw the bottle she was carrying. "You uh...always keep a supply?"
"When I can afford it." She moved into the kitchen, pulled out a glass and poured herself some of the alcohol.
"So...what do you do now...for a living?" He questioned, almost afraid to ask.
"Waitress at a coffee shop down the street."
"Do you like your job?"
"It pays the bills."
He nodded his head and took a long drink of his beer. "I take it you're divorced," he said softly.
"Yep." She showed him her ringless finger, leaning back against the sofa as she took a drink of her vodka.
"Me too," he whispered.
She looked at him quickly, startled by his words. "What?"
"Couple years ago I married this woman...Renee. We were in love, or at least we thought so. Even tried havin' kids." He was quiet for a moment as he stared down at the floor. "After she...she had a miscarriage I kinda threw myself into the job. One night it was raining real bad and I was in this pursuit...this car just...came outta nowhere and I..."
"You what?" she whispered, staring at him.
"I remember slamming on the brakes so I wouldn't hit it, and the squad hit a slick spot and there was this light pole." He swallowed hard. "The last thing I remember was putting up my hand to brace myself. Then I woke up in the hospital all banged up." He showed her his hand. "It took three surgeries to piece everything back together. After I recovered from the first one Renee packed up and left. Said I wasn't married to her, I was married to my job."
It took her a moment to respond, sadness and heartache reflected in her own eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Thanks, but it's my own damn fault," he whispered back.
She bit her lower lip and looked down at the floor.
"I couldn't talk to Renee at all about how I felt. She was my wife and I couldn't...I couldn't tell her how sad I was about the baby. So I worked my ass off to try and hide it all. Then this..." He held up his hand.
She closed her eyes. "Are you still workin'?" she asked.
"I'm a house mouse," he told her quietly.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, too, Faith."
She finished off her vodka, then stood up. "You want another beer?"
"I'm okay for now, thanks."
"Sure." She headed into the kitchen, poured herself another glass, then returned to the sofa, sitting down and raking one hand through her hair.
"How are the kids?" He asked softly.
"Emily's away at school. U of I."
"Iowa?"
"Illinois."
"Oh." He nodded. "And Charlie?"
She downed her whole drink, then stood up to get another.
"Faith. Slow down," he told her softly.
"I'm good," she said tensely, moving back to the kitchen.
"Come on," he whispered as he stood up and followed her. "It's just me."
"You, whom I haven't talked to or seen in over three years."
"Look, I know. I'm sorry about that. I never shoulda left, and I know that. But I just...I didn't know what to do."
She didn't answer as she took a long drink of her vodka.
Bosco grabbed the glass from her. "Whatever it is, this isn't helping."
Faith glared at him.
"I came here to see you, Faith. To try and make this right. I can't do that if you're drunk."
"I'm not gonna get drunk."
"Let's just stop with the drinking for now...both of us," he said softly.
"I'm a big girl, Bosco."
He closed his eyes and ran his hands through his hair. "I know," he whispered.
She took her glass back, then reluctantly set it on the counter.
"You never said how Charlie is."
She stared at the countertop for a long moment. "Charlie's dead."
"He's w-what?"
"He's dead," she repeated, her voice dull. She picked up her glass and finished off the drink.
"When? What happened, Faith?"
Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes, leaning against the counter. "December 31st, 2003," she whispered.
"How?"
It took her a moment to answer. She reached up and rubbed the back of her neck. "He uh...got hit by a drunk driver."
"Oh, God. Faith...I'm so sorry." Without thinking about it he reached out to touch her arm. "I shoulda been here."
Shaking her head, she moved away from him, reaching up into one of the cabinets and pulling out a pill bottle.
"Faith, what are those?"
"Xanax." She popped one in her mouth and swallowed it down.
"You probably shouldn't be taking that with alcohol," he said, his voice full of concern.
"Hasn't killed me yet."
"You gotta stop, Faith."
She laughed, but it was a harsh, bitter sound devoid of any happiness. "Why? Because you say so?"
"No." He shook his head. "Because you need to."
She didn't look at him.
"How long you been doin' this?" He asked softly, a worried look on his face.
"Doing what?"
"The pills and the drinking."
Faith glared at him, her eyes dark and narrow. "I'm not addicted, if that's what you're implying."
"No?"
"No." Her voice was sharp.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Let's have a soda and go sit and talk."
It took her a few moments to get her emotions under control before she grabbed a couple of sodas out of the fridge. She handed one to him wordlessly before leaving the kitchen.
Bosco stood in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do, what to say, before he followed her and took a seat on the sofa. "I'm really sorry about Charlie," he whispered. "I wish I woulda been here for you."
Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the sofa, letting out a breath. "I wouldn't have let you anyway."
He shrugged and popped open his can of soda. After taking a drink he looked at her. "But at least you woulda known that I was there...if you needed me, but instead...instead I was across the country." He shook his head.
It took her a moment to respond. "You coulda been next door and it wouldn't have mattered."
"Either way, Faith...I'm sorry."
"I know. Me too."
Shifting on the sofa he turned so he was facing her and rested his elbow on the back of the sofa, resting his head against his fist. "So whatcha been doing all this time?"
A wry smile tugged at her lips. "Working mostly."
"At the diner?"
"Yeah. What about you?"
"Just workin' at the PD. Doin' a little studying."
"Studying?" Her eyebrows furrowed a little.
"I uh...I'm taking some classes," he told her quietly. "Crime scene investigation."
"Really? That's great, Bosco."
He smiled softly. "When they took me off patrol causa my hand...I just needed to do something, ya know?"
Nodding slightly, she gazed at him. "Yeah."
"I'm not doin' too bad in the classes, but...it's definitely a lot harder when you don't have a study partner," he said softly.
"You mean you haven't hooked up with a study buddy?"
"Would you believe I'm shy?"
She snorted. "No."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "Well I am."
She gave him a look. "Since when?"
"Since I decided to start over, since the divorce." He ran a hand through his hair. "Nothin' like puttin' your heart out there for somebody, and..."
"Havin' it ripped outta your chest," she finished softly.
"Exactly." He took a long drink of his soda.
"How'd you meet her?" she whispered.
"I was doin' this charity thing with the department. A Christmas toy drive. She was the liaison with the community."
She bit her lower lip, nodding a little. "So was it...love at first sight, or...?"
"Not really. We talked a little and I didn't really think much of it. A few days after, she came to the station to tie up some loose ends and we decided to go out for coffee. After that we dated for a few months and it just..." He paused. "I don't know, Faith. I was so head over heels at the time, and then we talked about having kids and I remember thinking that this was the woman I was gonna spend the rest of my life with and I was alright with that. But..."
"But what?"
He sighed. "I could never really talk to her. I mean we talked, but...I couldn't share with her. I never told her about why I left New York. She was my wife and I couldn't tell her."
She swallowed hard, looking away.
"And then we lost the baby," he whispered.
"Bosco, I'm so sorry."
"It was a girl."
"How far along..."
"Six months," he murmured.
"God." She closed her eyes.
"It felt like...like I died," he told her softly.
Tears stung her eyelids. "I know."
"It musta been how you felt too, huh?"
Nodding, she swallowed hard, unable to speak.
Biting his lip he hesitated for a moment before reaching out and placing his hand over hers.
She slid her fingers through his without hesitation.
"Do you and Em talk?" He asked softly.
"Not very often." She drew in a breath. "She's busy. With school."
"But you get along?"
"When we talk. Yeah."
"Well that's good." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
She turned her head to look at him, her eyes full of sadness. "What about you and Renee...do you still talk at all?"
"She called to see how I was doin' after my surgeries, but that's it."
"Do you still...." She bit her lower lip.
"What?" He asked softly.
"Love her?"
"I think I always will, but...not like I used to."
She nodded slightly, falling silent as she looked down at their hands.
"What about you...and Fred?" He questioned.
"No. I don't love Fred anymore."
"If you don't mind me asking..."
"Go ahead."
"What happened with Fred?"
Her jaw tense, she stared out the window. "He admitted that he'd been cheating on me with my so-called-friend Holly."
"That son of a bitch. How could he do that?" He questioned, his voice full of anger.
She shrugged, not responding.
"How long's it been?"
"Since the divorce?"
"Yeah." He nodded.
"Almost three years."
Closing his eyes he let out a breath. "You must really hate me," he whispered.
"Hate -you-? No. You're not the one I hate."
"Well I hate me."
"Don't say that."
"I never shoulda left, Faith. It was stupid and selfish and..."
"Completely the right thing."
His eyebrows furrowed.
"It was the right thing for you," she whispered.
A humorless chuckle escaped him. "Who woulda thought the right thing would have ended up with me not talking to my best friend for three years, getting married, losing a baby, screwing up my hand and getting divorced?"
"Bosco, don't..."
"And all this time...you've been goin' through your own personal hell. I shoulda been here."
She closed her eyes, the sedative effects of the powerful anti-anxiety drug she'd taken starting to weigh upon her. Sighing softly, she hesitated a moment, then leaned against him.
"Are you okay," he asked softly, instinctively setting down his soda and putting his arm around her.
"Yeah, just sleepy," she murmured.
"We should get you into bed," he whispered.
"Yeah. When are you goin' back?" she whispered.
"Honestly?"
"Yeah."
"I didn't know how long this would take, so...I bought a one-way ticket," he told her softly.
She lifted her head up, more than a hint of surprise on her face.
"I told myself that if I was coming back here that I was gonna make things right. I couldn't put a time limit on that."
"I don't want you stayin' here because you feel like you owe me something."
"I'd be lyin' if I said this was just for you," he whispered.
Swallowing hard, she held his gaze, her eyes tired. "Okay," she whispered back.
"Mind if I crash on your sofa for the night?"
"No...it's fine," she said softly. "There's...extra blankets in the closet and you can use a couple of my pillows."
"Thanks." He stood up and reached for her hand. "Come on," he whispered. "You look like you might pass out before you get down the hall."
"It's possible," she admitted tiredly, taking his hand.
Bosco helped her up and slid an arm around her waist to help her down the hall, immediately taking back the role of protector that he'd reluctantly given up so many years ago.
Leaning against him, her eyelids drooped as he helped her back to her bedroom. "Thanks," she whispered.
"You're welcome," he whispered back, pulling the covers up to tuck her in after she laid down.
She immediately closed her eyes, sighing softly as she rested her head on the pillow.
He gazed down at her for a moment. "I've missed you," he told her softly, his voice barely audible.
Faith didn't hear his whispered words. She was already asleep.