WEATHERING THE STORM

Chapter 5

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This one is rated somewhere between PG-13 and R :)

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Approx. 1 week later (give or take a day or two or three)

"Thank God," Bosco exclaimed as he reached down and rubbed his now extremely skinny lower leg. He closed his eyes and smiled. "This feels *so* much better."

Both Faith and the doctor chuckled as they watched him scratch and massage his recently "freed" foot. Faith handed Bosco the shoe and sock they had brought along. "So how long before he can go back to active duty?"

"Well the bone has healed nicely, and is as strong as ever." He looked at Bosco. "If you feel up to it, if you think you're ready you can go back tomorrow. But don't be surprised if long stretches of standing or walking cause you some discomfort." Bosco and Faith nodded. "Keep in mind there is a difference between pain and discomfort. If you're in *pain* you need to come back and see me. If it's just a little discomfort Tylenol will help with that. Any questions?"

Bosco shook his head. "No. I think that covers it."

The doctor extended his hand. "You two have a nice afternoon."

After Bosco laced up his shoe he gingerly climbed off the exam table. He put both feet flat on the floor, and looked down at them. He carefully bounced up and down a little to test his foot. Then he looked up at Faith and smiled. "Let's get out of here." He took her hand, and they walked out of the doctor's office.

******

In the car on the drive back to Faith's apartment she reached over and rested her hand on Bosco's thigh. He looked down at her hand on his leg. He smiled, and put his hand on top of hers. "What are you thinking?" he asked her.

"I was just thinking that it's been about a week since we were alone."

He sighed. "Yeah, feels like it was months ago."

"The kids go back to school on Monday."

"Yeah, so?" he didn't quite catch her meaning.

She looked at him. "We have the day off…the kids will be in school…we'll be *all* alone."

"Oh!" His eyes got wide, and a smile spread across his face.

******

SUNDAY

"POLICE! FREEZE!" Faith yelled as the purse-snatcher tore off down the street.

"Dammit," Bosco growled as he quickly holstered his gun and ran after the guy.

"I'll get the car," Faith mumbled as she watched her partner run. "Why can't he ever use the car?" She asked herself in annoyance. "If they wanted us to chase everyone on foot they wouldn't have given us a car," she grumbled as she slammed the door.

"You can run but you can't hide jag-off!" Bosco hollered as he chased the man. Four city blocks later with Bosco still hot on his heels the purse-snatcher turned to see where Bosco was, and ended up in a heap on the sidewalk after tripping over his own feet. Bosco came to a stop, and looked down at the man. "Oh *that* was graceful!" He cuffed the guy and hauled him to his feet as Faith pulled up in the RMP. Faith opened the backdoor of the squad, and Bosco made the introductions. "Faith, meet Grace," he chuckled as he shoved the man in the car.

After returning the purse to its owner, and taking her statement Bosco and Faith took the purse-snatcher into the station for processing. Faith sat at a desk working on the paperwork when she looked up and saw Bosco headed back from the holding cell. She frowned. "You OK?"

"Fine. Why?"

"You were limping."

"No I wasn't."

"Trust me. You were. Is your foot bothering you?"

"I'm fine Faith." He sat down in a chair next to the desk, and stretched his feet out in front of him.

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me."

He shook his head a little. "OK, so it hurts a little, but I did a lot of running today."

Faith looked at her watch. "We still have a few hours left in our shift." She sighed. "When you get home you should put your foot up and take some Tylenol."

"Yes mom."

*****

They finished their paperwork in record time, and after the Lieutenant saw Bosco limping around on his first day back he decided to let them leave early rather than risk sending Bosco back out onto the street.

It was just after 2:30 when Bosco and Faith stepped into the elevator. "You wanna stay for a little while? The Hansons took the kids out today, and they won't be back until four or so."

"Sure." Bosco followed her into the apartment.

Faith went straight into the kitchen and came back with two Tylenol and a glass of water. "Come sit on the couch." When he sat down she handed him the pills and water, which he gladly accepted. She sat down next to him. "Put your foot up."

"Huh?"

"Give me your foot. I want to see if it's swollen."

Knowing he wouldn't win this battle he reluctantly swung his foot up onto the couch. She guided his foot to her lap, and began to untie his shoe as he shifted on the couch to find a more comfortable position. She took off his sock and began to inspect his foot. "How's it feel?" she asked as she began to massage his foot.

He groaned softly at her touch. "Much better now."

A few minutes later she stopped massaging his foot and patted his leg. "OK, foot down."

Bosco put his foot on the coffee table, and wrapped his arm around Faith pulling her closer. "Thanks Faith. That felt good."

"No problem." She smiled as she curled up next to him and rested her hand on his chest. "So, the kids start school tomorrow. They'll leave around 7:15. Why don't you come over around 7:30?"

"Is this what it's like having kids?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you always have to plan out when you can," he paused, and then continued in a whisper, "have sex?" he asked seriously.

She chuckled. "Well, no but both kids are at the age where they understand all about the birds and the bees, and it's just a lot easier to actually be alone and not worry about it when you know the kids are gone."

"Oh."

Faith looked at him. "We've got time for a quickie if you're up to it."

His eyes shot wide open. "What?"

She laughed when she heard his voice crack. "Relax. I was only kidding."

He exhaled. "Oh, right. Sorry."

She put her hand on his neck, and rubbed her thumb back and forth over his jaw line. "Why are you so nervous about this?"

"I don't know," he replied softly.

Faith kissed him. "It's OK Reese. I think it's cute."

He reached up and took her hand in his. Bosco looked down at their hands. "I uh, I wanted to uh…well, you know I've had sex before…with more than one partner," he said nervously. He swallowed hard. "I just…I just wanted to let you know," he paused.

Faith squeezed his hand. "I know baby, and it doesn't bother me."

"No, uh that's not what I uh…I wanted to tell you that I uh, I got tested last week. You know, after we talked last time." He ran his free hand through his hair. "Don't get me wrong. It's been a long time since I've slept with anyone," he added quickly. "But I thought you know, with my history I should get tested you know. I just, I guess I just wanted to let you know that I don't have any diseases or anything," he stammered to a finish.

She sat up and turned so she was completely facing him. "You went and got tested?" He nodded. "Why? If you haven't been with anyone for…" her voice trailed off.

He looked away. "I love you. That's why. So I just wanted to make sure, and I thought you should know."

Faith turned his head so he was facing her. "You are the most incredible man I've ever met." They kissed deeply, and she ran her hand over his chest. She pulled away and looked into his eyes. "Don’t forget the condoms tomorrow."

"I won't," he breathed back.

*****

It was 9:30 when he crawled into bed. He was exhausted from his first day of active duty after having been on a desk for over a month. But now it was after midnight, and he hadn't been able to sleep a wink. He kept thinking about tomorrow, and the package of condoms that he had purchased at the drug store on his way home. He was scared, nervous and excited. Bosco went into the bathroom and downed three sleeping pills so he could make it through the night.

*****

"Charlie hurry up or we're going to be late!" Emily yelled down the hall to her little brother.

"Hold your horses! I'm almost ready!"

When both kids were gathering their things Faith handed each of them a brown paper bag. "Here guys. I made your lunches."

Emily looked at her mom. "You made our lunches?" she asked a little shocked seeing as she couldn't remember the last time her mom had the time to make lunches for them.

"Yeah," Faith smiled. "I got up early this morning and made them. I wanted you guys to start the school year right." In her head she added, "plus I had to do something to keep my mind off of Bosco for a little while."

Charlie stood at the door with his things. "Come on Emily!" He rolled his eyes. "And she thought *I* was going to make us late."

Faith couldn't help but chuckle as she kissed them both goodbye. After they closed the door Faith looked at the clock. "7:17. Thirteen more minutes." She smiled.

*****

Bosco stood in front of his closet with a towel wrapped around his waist. "What the hell am I supposed to wear?" he wondered. "Something nice? Something easy to get off?" He had no idea, as he'd never actually gotten dressed for this type of occasion.

He finally decided on a pair of jeans and a light blue button down shirt. After fixing his hair, and brushing his teeth three times he slapped on some cologne and headed out the door.

*****

Faith's heart leapt when she heard the knock on the door. When she answered Bosco stood on the other side. "Hey," he said softly. "This is for you." He handed her a small toy. It was a stuffed penguin named Chilly Willy. It was about six inches tall and had a white hat with a red fluffy ball on top of it. The penguin wore a purple shirt that said 'You Melt Me'. Bosco had found the small toy at the drugstore; not too far from the condoms.

"He's adorable. Thank you." Bosco shut the apartment door, and just stood there. "You OK?"

"Yeah, but for the record I'd like to state that I feel really weird about this."

"Why is that?" She stepped up to him, and put her arms around him.

"Well, I've had a lot of girlfriends, but I've never actually made plans to do something like this," he smiled shyly.

She kissed him hoping to take away some of the nervousness that she knew he was feeling. "So, did you bring them?"

He pulled a box out of the inside pocket of his leather jacket. Faith took the box from him then grabbed his hand, and began to lead him toward the bedroom. Bosco stopped. "Faith?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think we should wait until we're married?"

"Married? Are we getting married?"

"Well uh, not any time soon, but I just thought maybe…I don't know, it's just…should we be waiting? I mean, I don't really know how to do all this the *right* way."

She smiled at him. "Reese if you love me then no matter what we do it will be the right way." She looked into his eyes. "Do you love me?"

"More than anything," he replied without hesitation.

"OK then." Once again she started to lead him to the bedroom. This time he didn't stop.

******

Faith placed the box of condoms on the nightstand, and turned back toward him. She couldn't help but notice how nervous he looked. Never in a million years did she expect him to be nervous about this. She wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him deeply. His response was rather slow. She pulled away from him slightly. "Do you want this?" she asked softly.

"Yes," he whispered back.

"Then in order to enjoy any of this you're going to have to loosen up a little."

He smiled. "I'll try… this being in love thing is kind of frightening," he admitted softly.

"It's OK baby." She backed him up against the wall, and began to unbutton his shirt. She knew if they were going to take the next step in their relationship she was going to have to initiate it. He seemed too afraid to mess things up, and she wanted him to know that she wanted him no matter what.

Faith removed his shirt and ran kisses down his chest. He began to follow his senses and started to remove her shirt as they necked. When she was free of her shirt, and as Bosco touched her breasts she reached down and unfastened his jeans. His heart began to race, and his breathing quickened as Faith lowered his zipper. She slid her hand inside his jeans, and felt him through his boxers. He froze under her touch, and looked into her eyes. "I love you Faith."

With all the passion and desire she had stored she kissed him as she began to lower his jeans and boxers. Not wanting to waste anymore time Bosco helped her remove his clothes. As he stepped out of his boxers Faith took a step back and admired his well-sculpted body. "Reese, you're beautiful," she whispered. He blushed.

Bosco led her over to the bed. He slowly helped her ease off the rest of her clothing. With strong hands he pulled her close and pressed himself against her. After a heated kiss Bosco sat her down on the edge of the bed, and reached for the box of condoms. His hands began to shake as he tried to open the box. Faith took the box from him, and took a package out. She looked up at him. "Do you want me to…?" He nodded, and she tore open the package. His eyes slipped closed and he bit his lip as he felt her gentle caress as she put the condom on him. She smiled when she heard him moan softly. As she settled back onto the bed she took his hand urging him to follow.

He crawled over to her, and positioned himself above her. With one hand on each side of her body Bosco lifted himself over her. He looked down into her eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked one final time.

"Yes," she whispered breathlessly. "I'm sure."

******

He lay next to her running his fingers through her hair. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "What did we just do?" he asked her quietly.

"I believe most people call it sex," she replied with a twinkle in her eye.

He shook his head. "That word just seems so dirty now."

"OK, then we made love."

"But we were all ready in love, so how could we make love?"

She smiled at how serious he was being. "We were intimate."

He smiled, and ran his hand down her arm. "That sounds better."

They laid there together in silence for a few more minutes until Bosco spoke again. "Faith can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Promise you won't laugh."

"I'll try not to," she grinned.

"Was I…was it…I mean…is it what you hoped it would be?"

Faith placed her hand on his cheek. "That and so much more."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "I was so afraid I might…you know, disappoint you or something. I didn't want to do anything wrong. I've never been that nervous."

She kissed him. "You were perfect. Now can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Promise you won't laugh."

"I'll try not to," he grinned.

"Was it good for you?"

He reached over her and grabbed a new condom off the nightstand. "Yeah," he kissed her. "Yeah it was, and I'd like to try it again if you're ready."

She took his face in her hands, and kissed him long and hard. "We've got the whole day Reese."