Lonely Hearts Club
By Maquis Leader
Rated R
Author’s note: This story is set in the Season 6: Reloaded universe. It stands alone and you don't need to read the other chapters before you read this one. Please see the note on the main page.
Previously on Third Watch
Bosco came to the realization that he loved Faith, beyond what was proper for
partners, when she lay bleeding in his arms that night in Nobel's hotel room.
But she was married and he hid his feelings, doing what he thought was best for
her and the kids.
When Mann's gunmen had them in their sights, Bosco's only thought was to
protect Faith. He loved her more than he loved his own life and he was willing
to die to prove it. Awakening months later, he found that Faith was no longer a
married woman. Bosco wanted to tell her his true feelings, but his ego made him
wait, wanting to be a whole man again. Before that day, Faith introduced him to
John Miller, the new man in her life.
Returning to work, Bosco was partnered with someone else, but still saw Faith
on a daily basis. He was a part of her life once again, but not where he wanted
to be. Grace Foster unexpectedly filled the void in his life. A loner like
himself and someone wanting someone to love.
Partnered once again after capturing Yoshi, Bosco and Faith are once again
working side by side. And once again, Bosco's keeping silent about his love for
Faith.
Episode 66: Lonely Hearts Club
Bosco stared out the window at the early morning fog curling along the tops of
the buildings. He should be happy, he had everything.
After nearly dying, he’d clawed his way back to work and been promoted to
detective. He and Faith were partners again and as detectives they could make
more of a difference than before.
He should be happy, he had everything.
Last night’s impromptu celebration party had proven that wrong.
“Here’s to the return of 55 David!” Lieu lifted his beer bottle. “It’s good to
have you back.”
“Yeah, ‘cos nobody else can work with Bosco.” Davis joked.
“Whatever, smartass.” Bosco lifted his own beer bottle and clinked it against
Faith’s. “Maybe I’m the only one that can put up with her, you ever think of
that?”
“You’re both colossal pains in the ass.” Jelly slapped him on the back. “The
two of you deserve each other.”
“You’re just pissed you’ll have to get your own donuts from now on.” When Jelly
leaned over to hug her, Faith was surprised, she hadn’t thought Jelly cared
that much for her.
“The little prick steps out of line, you tell me and I’ll kick his ass.” He
said as he gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, hey!” Miller protested. “Go find yourself another girl!”
“You can have her. I’d just end up paying more alimony.” There was a laugh as
the hefty detective headed for the bar.
“My luck, I’d end up paying him.” Faith laughed and leaned against Miller. “I’m
staying a free woman from now on.”
“Ah, I don’t believe that.” Miller put his arm around her shoulders. “What do
you think, Bosco? Think she’s had it with marriage?”
“I dunno.” Looking away, Bosco tried to hide the ache in his heart. “She got
hurt pretty bad, I’d think it’d take a hell of a man to make her take a chance
again.”
“They haven’t made the man.” When Bosco turned back to look at her, Faith
winked at him. “Isn’t that right, Bos?”
Leaning closer, Miller whispered. “Maybe I can change your mind?”
Bosco turned away again as they kissed. His stomach rolled over and he stood
up. Faith was happy with Miller and he was happy for her, but he couldn’t
watch.
The kiss ended and Faith saw that Bosco was putting his jacket on. “Hey, where
you going? The party’s just getting started.”
“That’s the idea.” He patted her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow, partner.”
“Hey.” Catching his hand, she squeezed gently. “It’s good to have you back,
Bosco.”
“Yeah.” He didn’t have to fake the smile at the thought of them working
together once again. “See you in the morning.”
“Night, Bos.”
“See you later, Bosco.” Miller called after him. “You take care of my girl.”
“I always have.” Bosco muttered as he walked away.
Walking back to the 55 from Haggerty’s, Bosco jumped as siren went off right
behind him. Turning, he saw an ambulance creeping along the street behind him.
Grace leaned out the window. “Hey there!”
“Hey.” As the bus pulled up beside him, Bosco walked over. “You nearly gave me
a heart attack.”
“That was Carlos’ idea.” She reached out and ran her hand along his shoulder.
“He thinks it was funny.”
“It was!” Carlos snickered. “He jumped like a foot off the ground.”
“Good to see you haven’t changed any, Nieto.”
“Once a child, always a child.” Grace smirked. “So what are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“My shift’s over, if you want company.” She smiled at him.
The only company he’d planned on having was Jack Daniels, but he and Grace had
been dating for a few weeks and she seemed to understand his moods. She had a
few of her own.
Maybe it was time to move on. “Sure.”
“Maurice.”
Bosco turned to look at her. “Yeah?”
“Do you have something you want to tell me?” Grace sat up and pulled the sheet
around her. “Because it’s okay.”
“I like you a lot, Gracie.” He looked out the window again. “I don’t want to
hurt you or lie to you.”
“Then don’t.”
“I’m going to be totally honest – which may or may not be a good thing.” Bosco
laughed softly. “I made a decision tonight. I’m going to move on with my life,
and I’d like you to be a part of that. But I need to tell you something first.”
“Okay.” She wanted to save him the trouble, tell him it didn’t matter. But they
were both trying to change, and change meant doing things the hard way.
“I love someone. Someone who’ll never love me back.” His breath caught in his
throat as he said the words aloud. “Someone who loves someone else.”
Grace was familiar with the situation, afterall she was sitting right in the
middle of it. “It hurts.”
“Yeah. It does.”
“If it helps, I know that you love someone else. And I know that if she so much
as crooks her finger, you’ll run to her.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, Gracie.” Getting up, Bosco went to her. “I need to
move on. Need to just get on with my life and forget her.”
“That’s going to be hard, seeing her every day.”
“Well, I’ve done it before.” When Faith had been married, he’d kept his
feelings to himself. He could do it again. “I’d like to keep seeing you,
Gracie. I really like you – a lot. But I want to be honest for once. I want you
to know that I’m hurting.”
“I know that, too.” She held out her arms to him.
Sitting on the bed next to her, Bosco let her wrap her arms around him. He laid
his head on her shoulder.
“And I want you to know that I’m going to do my best to hang on to you,
Maurice.” Grace rubbed a hand up and down his back. “I’m going to fight to keep
you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
That was a depressing thought, that he would be the best thing in anybody's
life. He lifted his head to look at her. “I’m going to try hard, Gracie. I’m
going to try real hard to do things right. I’m not real good at it, but I’ll
try.”
“I’ve never tried.” A grin curved her lips.
“Honestly, I haven’t either.” Laughing, he brushed a kiss across her lips.
“We’re a pair – the blind leading the blind.”
“Hey, even the blind dog catches a rabbit sometimes.” She looked into the
midnight blue eyes, already half in love with him.
“Maybe this is what we both need. A fresh start.”
Grace nodded and pulled him close again, wrapping her arms around him and
holding him to her. Faith might own his heart for now, but she was going to
give her a hell of a run for her money.