The sun was setting. The glare was just at eye level. Faith put the visor down so she wouldn't be blinded. Today hadn't been a very good day. She just wanted to go home and relax. Bosco had been his normal-loud-mouth self, She had lost a perp, and her car had received a flat tire. Laying down in a hot bath washing her worries away sounded very good to her.

            Faith pulled into a parking space in front of her apartment. She hoped the kids were already eating and that their homework had been done. Her feet dragged along the pavement as she walked up the stairs. She unlocked the door as she ran her hand through her blond locks. I need to wash my hair.  She walked up the stairs to her apartment and walked in. It was quiet.

            "Fred?" She looked around the apartment, "Em? Charlie?" Still silence. She frowned slightly and walked to the kitchen. There was a note on the kitchen table.

Faith,

            I took the kids to my mothers for the night. I just needed a break from all your bull shit. Thank you for making it home in time for dinner. Happy anniversary.

                        Fred

            "Fuck." Faith groaned loudly. Their wedding anniversary. How could she have forgotten? She looked at the stove and saw there was still some dinner left. She grabbed the cold pasta and threw it in the microwave. She leaned against the counter cursing herself. This was the third year in a row that she had forgotten their anniversary. She had sworn up and down she wouldn't forget this year, but she did.

            Behind her, the microwave started to spark. Smoke bellowed out from beneath it. Faith backed away cursing for the hundredth time that night. With in a few seconds, Her dinner exploded all over the kitchen. Faith picked the spaghetti off of her.

            "Fuck this." She stomped out of the kitchen and grabbed her wallet. She was going out drinking.

*   *   *

            Faith threw back her third tequila shot. Her body shivered as the liquid burned her throat. There's nothing like drowning your sorrows with liquor. The heavy bass of the music pounded in the floor causing her next shot to shake slightly. She glanced over to a couple by the pool tables dancing closely. She sighed watching them. She threw her head back and drank her fourth shot.

            "Well, look who's here." Faith looked up at the familiar voice and sighed.

            "Bosco, what do you want?" She asked. He chuckled noting the empty shot glasses in front of her.

            "Just wanted to see how much you've been drinking." He said with a smirk. The bartender walked back over to Faith.

            "Can I get you anything else?" He asked. Faith nodded.

            "Give me a Rob Roy." She said. Bosco looked at her.

            "Faith, that's pretty strong. I think you should just get some coke." He said. Faith narrowed her eyes.

            "Who are you my mother? I can drink what I want." She said, "last time I checked being thirty-five allowed you to drink." The bartender put her drink in front of her.

            "Faith, you're pretty lit." Bosco said. Faith shrugged.

            "I don't have a marriage nor kids so what the fuck. Might as well drink myself into a stooper." She sipped her drink.

            "What do you mean? Where's Fred?" He sat next to her with concern.

            "His mothers." She said, "I think this is it. I fucked up again."

            "You?" Bosco frowned deeply, "What did you do?"

            "Forgot our wedding anniversary." She put he rhea don the bar. Bosco sighed deeply. This wasn't like Faith. She wasn't the type to go drink herself unconscious. He sighed glancing over to his date that was sitting in the booth putting on lipstick. He looked back over to his partner and put his hand on her back.

            "Faith, Come on. I'm taking you home." He said standing up. Faith groaned but didn't move. "Yokas now." He said firmly taking her arm. She sat up and drank the rest of her drink quickly. She shivered as she stood up. Faith stumbled, grabbing Bosco. "Steady."

            "I can walk." She said yanking her arm away from him and heading towards the door. Bosco walked behind her read to catch her if she fell. Faith stumbled to her car and started to unlock it.

            "What do you think you're doing?" Bosco asked.

            "Driving home. What does it look like?" Faith frowned. Bosco shook his head grabbing the keys from her.

            "You're not driving like this." He said, "I'll drive you home." Faith cursed under her breath, but got into the passenger side. Bosco got into the drivers side and pulled out of the space. He hated seeing Faith like this. If he saw Fred right now he would have torn him a new asshole. Regardless of whose fault this was. Nobody should make his partner cry.     

            "Thank you, Bosc." Faith whispered looking at him, "You're a good friend. Have I told you how much I love you?" He chuckled slightly.

            "No you haven't, but tell me that when you're not fucked up." He smiled. Faith sat up straight.

            "I'm not fucked up. I know my name still." She said looking at him, "You're true friend Bosco. Nobody would have ditched a hot chick to come to my rescue." Bosco looked at her seriously.

            "I'd ditch anyone to be able to come help you, Faith." He said. Faith smiled softly.

            "Thank you." She lay back against the seat and closed her eyes. Bosco cleared his throat and continued to drive to her apartment. That was the truth though. Bosco cared so much for Faith and he would protect his partner no matter what. As he got to her house, Faith had fallen asleep. Her breathing had deepened and Bosco's heart pitter-pattered as he listened to it. It was almost a shame to wake her up. He got out of the car and opened the passenger side. He shook her gently removing her belt.

            "Faith, wake up." He said softly. She groaned as Bosco pulled her legs out of the car, "Let's get you upstairs and in bed." Her blue eyes slowly opened as he put her arm around his neck.

            "I'm tired." She said pulling herself up. Bosco nodded.

            "I know. Come on." Carefully holding Faith, he led her upstairs to her apartment.

            "My microwave is broken." She groaned as Bosco pulled her into the apartment. Bosco nodded.

            "I'll look at it tomorrow." He said leading her down the hallway.

            "You're such a good friend." Faith grinned as he led her to the bed. "Empty. Forever empty." She fell onto the bed. Bosco grabbed her feet and took off her shoes.

            "If you need me faith, I will be on the couch." He pulled the blanket up around Faith and to her chin. Faith opened her eyes and looked at Bosco. He was taking care of her.

            "Thank you." Faith whispered. He looked into her eyes. They weren't glassy or blood shot anymore. They were filled with something he had never seen before.

            "You're welcome." He whispered leaning over and kissed her lips softly. Bosco pulled away, making sure the blanket was tucked under and he walked out of the room. Faith turned over and closed her eyes. The alcohol made her fall quickly asleep.

            Bosco sat on Faith's couch staring at the floor. He had kissed Faith. It was just a friendly kiss, he told himself, it was to comfort her. Bosco sighed deeply and lay down on the couch. It was just a friendly kiss.