See Me Through Chapter 9

Note: So, I didn't fall into a black hole like I'm sure some were thinking. I'd make up excuses, but I think I've used them all before. It's already been established I'm not real good with updating frequently, but I've always thought better late than never. This is for those of you who have been wondering just what the heck happened to this story. Who knows, maybe I can get my bum in gear and try to write some more. Enjoy. Oh, I also felt guilty because I started to write an Alias fic, but no one there likes to review so I thought maybe I should head back to where people actually like my stuff.

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Bosco fidgeted impatiently for Faith. He was getting released today and couldn't wait to go home. He hadn't really thought of his new place. Faith had said that it was all set up so he wasn't worried. The thing that worried him was that Faith had said she wanted to stay at his place to keep an eye on him for a while.

"Where's Noah?" Bosco questioned when Faith walked in alone.

"He was behind me," Faith said. She turned around and waited. "Did you get it?"

"Yep." Noah grinned and was holding a bear.

"A candy striper was handing out bears to the kids," Faith explained.

"Look." Noah handed his father the stuffed animal. "We get to take you home today."

"Yeah. I know." Bosco smiled. "So, Faith. You gonna spring me?"

"I don't know . . .," she trailed off. "Hang on, I'll get the doctor."

"Good. Oh, and I hope you cook better than the cooks here."

"You only wish I was going to cook for you. It's frozen dinners for you." Faith laughed.

"Come here," Bosco said to Noah once Faith was gone.

"I won't hurt you?"

"Nah." Bosco slid over to make room for Noah.

"Guess who called Grandma," Noah said as he shifted in Bosco's bed.

"Who?"

"Momma!" Noah beamed. "Grandma and Faith were talking about it. They didn't seem happy. Why wouldn't they be happy about Momma calling?"

Bosco looked at Noah. Ashley had called? He hoped it wasn't her calling to say she was being released and wanted Noah back. There was no way he would let that happen. His son was the best thing in his life. Ashley caused him to loose five years already. He wasn't about to miss anymore.

"Oh, she did?" Bosco tried to squash his fears. "I'm sure Faith and your Grandma were just surprised she called."

"When can I see her?"

"Your mom?" Bosco chocked out. "I don't know." He closed his eyes for a few seconds then opened them. "How's Patch doing?" He asked in hopes of changing the subject. It always worked with Noah.

"She's great. Carlos and I took her for a walk yesterday." Noah smiled.

"That's right. I heard they had a barbeque yesterday. Faith said you hung around Carlos the whole time."

"Yeah. He's fun." Noah suddenly looked sad. "He tried to get me to hang out with the other guys. He seemed sad. But then we took Patch for a walk and he seemed better."

"Somebody ready to go home?" Faith asked from the doorway.

"Never been more ready."

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"You think this is too much?" Kim asked as she put the finishing touches on a welcome home banner.

"Probably," Jimmy joked.

"Emily and Charlie are pretty quiet," Kim said pointing to Faith's kids.

"They don't know any of us real well. Probably just a little shy," Doc responded.

"It still can't believe how well we are getting along," Jimmy spoke up.

"Yeah, you doughnut dopes are the enemy," Alex joked.

"Yeah if I ever need a cop I just run into the nearest Krispy Kreme," Jimmy laughed.

"Can't come up with anything more original, Bucket Boy?" Sully teased. "Oh, crap. I think I just used a Bosco term." He laughed as his wife playfully slapped his arm.

Kim laughed along with everyone else. It was her and Faith's idea to have a get together for a welcome home for Bosco. Alex, Doc, Carlos, Jimmy, Sully, Tatiana and Davis were there. So were Faith's kids and Joey.

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"I hope you don't mind how we set up the place." Faith handed Bosco the key.

"I'm sure its fine." Bosco opened the door and walked in.

He had been holding Noah's hand when he heard the collective yell of 'WELCOME HOME'. He turned to Faith then back to the group. Everyone was there. Everyone but his mother. He saw two very familiar and very happy faces near the front.

"Bosco!" Charlie yelled as he rushed up.

"Char." Bosco hi-fived the boy.

"I'm glad you're out of the hospital," Emily said as she gave Bosco a small hug.

"Me too." Bosco smiled. "The place looks nice."

"We weren't sure how or where you'd want things. If you want anything moved, let us know," Alex said.

"This is fine. Really. Thanks guys." Bosco scanned the room once more. "Ma?" he asked Faith.

"Mikey had a slight problem. She wanted to be here," Faith explained.

"Is it serious?"

"Actually, no. I'll tell you about it later. You have friends to entertain."

"Me? Entertain?" Bosco laughed.

"I'd rather he not try," Sully teased.

"Sure, tease the invalid." Bosco walked farther into the apartment and sat down on the couch. "I'm surprised you all came."

"Why?" Doc asked. "D. K., Walsh and Lombardo wanted to come too but they picked up some extra shifts."

"And there are plenty of guys from the House that would have come too had we invited them," Davis added.

"But it's better this way. You've got the best of the best here," Jimmy joked.

"Faith, you say I have a big ego?" Bosco laughed. He noticed the kids were gone. "Where'd the kids go?"

"Probably Noah's room." Kim looked down the hall. "I hear giggling."

"Anyone bring food? I'm starving," Bosco said.

"I think I can call Mercy and have the cafeteria send some food," Alex laughed.

"Taylor, the man just got out of the hospital. You want to put him back there?" Carlos spoke up.

"Yeah, c'mon." Bosco flashed a grin. "I know you women know how to feed me properly?"

"That's only for the bed stricken friends. For the newly sprung, we order pizza." Kim picked up the phone.

"I get to pick the place though, right?" Bosco whined.

"It'd good to have you back Bosco," Davis laughed.

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Bosco was on the couch as he watched Faith pick up. The party wiped him out. He just wanted to sleep. Emily, Charlie and Noah were on the floor watching TV. He couldn't help but smile. This was what he had wanted for himself. A family. Too bad it wasn't his family. But the five of them together was what he would give anything for.

"Boz? You look exhausted. Why don't you go to sleep." Faith stood over him.

"You still need to tell me about Mikey."

"Hey, kids. Can you go to Noah's room? Bosco and I need to talk."

"Do we have to?" Noah asked.

"You can finish watching it in my room." Bosco looked at Faith. "There is no way I am moving from this couch anytime soon."

"Can you go to Bosco's room then?"

"Sure." Emily stood up. "Let's go." She turned to her mom. "We don't have to go home until later, right?"

"We'll talk about that in a bit. Now, go mess up Bosco's room." Faith laughed. She waited until all three were gone. "Mikey got arrested last night."

"Arrested? Not a shock there. Drugs?"

"Yeah. Possession. Your mom called me last night. She was pretty mad at Mikey." Faith shrugged. "She said she knows why you arrested him. She was ready to kill him."

"If you knew last night, why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked trying not to get mad.

"I wanted you to enjoy today, and you did." She placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "I talked to the arresting officer. He lost the evidence."

"What?" Bosco shot out.

"On the condition Mikey goes to Rehab. That's where your mom is. She is getting him settled in. I still can't believe the guy did that for Mikey. He said arresting guys like that only keeps 'em off the streets and drugs temporarily."

"Rehab won't help Mikey if he doesn't want it."

"He wants it." Faith took a deep breath. "Your mom said he'd been doing so well. Then he met this girl. Last night they were found in a crack house. She was dead and Mikey was coming down. He doesn't want to end up like that."

"I don't know what to say."

"This is a good thing in a way. He'll finally get clean," Faith said. "Your mom is gonna call or stop by tomorrow."

Bosco closed his eyes lightly. If his almost dying wasn't enough heartache on his mother, she now had to deal with this. He just prayed this time would clean Mikey up because if it didn't Noah would never get to know his Uncle Mikey. That was one thing Bosco didn't want to happen.

"I just want to get up and kick Mikey's ass, but I barely have the energy to keep my eyes open."

"Sleep. I'll keep the kids quiet."

"Actually, they can come back. I sort of like having them around."

"You sure?" Faith questioned.

"Yeah."

He heard Faith walk away and soon three new voices filled the room. He could hear Emily telling the boys to be quiet. The sound of the television and the kids whispering somehow calm him. Before he knew it he was asleep. When Bosco opened his eyes hours later, it was dark out and the kids were no where to be found.

"Faith?" he called out. His hand fell to the floor and landed on a warm body. "Noah?"

"Bosco? What's wrong?" Faith came into the room. "I was just about to call Fred and have him get Charlie and Em." She looked down at Noah. "He wouldn't leave you. Charlie and Em are in his room."

"It's late?"

"Yeah."

"Mom?" Emily walked into the room. She motioned for Faith to come. "Can we stay here tonight? You know, to make sure Noah and Bosco will be ok in their new place?"

"I'm gonna stay. Dad is gonna get you and your brother."

"Please, mom?" Emily pleaded.

"Faith?" Bosco called once again. "They can stay. You and Emily can take my room. Charlie can stay in Noah's."

"You need rest . . . in your own bed." Faith now stood over him.

"Do you know how often I sleep on this couch? It should be my bed. Now, please. Don't fight me on this."

"Fine, but when you wake up early tomorrow because of the kids, don't blame me." Faith then fixed the blanket on Noah. "If he wakes up try to get him to his room." She then turned to Emily and ushered her to Bosco's room.

Bosco watched her leave. He closed his eyes and smiled. For one night everything was how he wanted. Not that he would go around admitting that he like domestic life to anyone. But he did. It was something he never had growing up and now longed for in his later years. He put his hand on Noah's head and then drifted back to sleep.