Reading Time: 100 Minutes

Title: My Way
Author: Duochanfan
Fandom: 9-1-1
Genre: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash
Relationship(s): Evan Buckley/Eddie Diaz
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Hate Crimes/Hate Speech, Violence – Graphic , Dark Themes, Discussions of Rape/Hate Crimes/Homophobia, Homophobia, Past Rape, Canon Typical Situations, Stalking, Home Invasion, Work Place Bullying, Character Bashing,
Author Note: Thank you HarleyJQuin for being my sounding board, cheer squad and keeping me on track on this one.
Beta: Greeneyesblye, HarleyJQuin
Word Count: 96,744
Summary: When Buck couldn’t find Christopher at the VA, he went back out into Santa Monica to continue his search. Hours later Eddie and the rest of the 118 find him and bring him back to where Christopher was waiting for them all ,after making sure they went out to search for ‘His Bucky’. When Christopher’s fear of being separated from Buck makes itself known, Buck goes with the Diaz’s home, instead of going back to his empty loft. The ripples from that day start to spread as Buck and Eddie learn something new about each other, a sweet kiss is shared and a meeting with Bobby starts to put everything into place for the two men, until the past crawls from under a rock and their future is put in jeopardy by someone unknown
Artist: Penumbria

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Chapter Thirteen

Buck began to calm, he could hear Christopher sniffling from where he was pressed against him. The child’s arms were around him, as well as Eddie’s, though it took him a moment before he really registered that Eddie was there.

“Eds,” he murmured, “I… I didn’t know they were going to show that. I didn’t know I..” He trailed off, shaking his head as he pressed closer to Eddie.

“I know, I know. It’s why I rushed here as soon as I saw it. I knew it was going to hurt you to watch that. And with Chris here and watching…” Eddie sighed heavily, wishing that they had some warning about it all. Taylor had called, but he didn’t know what the call had entailed.

“Eddie, Chris,” Buck said as he began to pull away, “I’m okay, are you okay Chris?” he asked the eight year old.

Christopher looked at him and then burst into tears as he called out, “Bucky!” and wrapped himself tightly around him.

Buck held him as Eddie watched the two of them for a moment, a sad look in his eyes. “It’s okay Chris, I’m all better now. Okay. I don’t hurt anymore,” he added.

“But you were hurt. It was on you. That… that would have hurt you so much Bucky,” he snuffled. The child had only known that he had been hurt, not that he had been in a bombing and that the truck had landed on his leg. But they had shown that. They had shown the aftermath of it all. Buck had heard the echoes of his own screams in his head several times over the last few minutes.

“I know I was, but I’m right here now. I’m all better,” he told him. “We even went out, don’t forget that,” Buck was doing his all to reassure the child that he was fine. It took a few more minutes for him to get Christopher fully calmed down and accepting of the fact that Buck was actually alright.

“Okay,” Eddie said, sighing slightly in relief as his two boys were alright, for the most part. “Bobby has given me the rest of the day off and I suggest we do something fun, we need to get out. Have fun, be…”

“Normal?” Buck finished for him.

“Us,” Eddie smirked at him, “Just be us.”

“A family,” Christopher piped up from where he was leaning against Buck’s chest.

“Yeah,” Eddie smiled down at him. The three of them changed and got ready to go out for lunch.

XxXxX

Eddie was at the firehouse, showing Bosko around while she was staying with them. Someone had suggested that she used Buck’s locker at first, but Eddie had been quick to shoot that idea down and assigned her a temporary one that she could use. She was only going to be there a couple of weeks while the 136 was rebuilt and the firefighters healed. “And that’s it,” he said as he finished showing her around. “We’ll b-“ he began only for a familiar shout to get his attention.

“Daddy!” Christopher yelled out, the familiar clack of his crutches heading towards him.

Eddie grinned as he saw his son, and then glanced at the man that had brought him for a visit, “Hey mijo,” he greeted him, going over and picking him up for a hug. “Buck,” he then said as the man walked over to him.

“Thought it would be good to… get out a little, it’s been a few days since that newscast, but,” Buck shrugged. They had been recognized a few times when they had gone out since the news report, which had been repeated a few more times before they stopped. Even then it wasn’t out of people’s minds.

“That’s fine, I doubt Bobby will mind much at all,” Eddie said, “Oh, this is Lena Bosko, she’s going to be working with us while her house gets refitted,” he introduced as he saw Buck looking at her, looking a little lost at someone new being at the station.

“So this is the famous Buck,” Lena nodded, “Good to meet you.”

“Yeah, likewise,” Buck said, sounding unsure, “So anything else new?” he asked, it had been a while since he had last come to the 118.

“Not really, Bobby should be making lunch soon. No doubt he’ll be happy to have you both join us,” Eddie said as he began to make his way to the stairs.

Buck smiled and rushed to catch up. “Thought it would be good to get out, since school will be starting soon as well,” he added as he walked up their stairs beside Eddie.

Lena Bosko followed them, watching them as they interacted. There was something very close about the two.

“Yeah I know,” Eddie said, there was a hint of worry in his voice as they reached the top of the stairs and he put Christopher down.

“Buck! Chris!” Chim greeted them, waving an arm.

“Hey,” Christopher greeted as he went over, “Can I play pinball?” he asked.

“Sure,” he grinned down at him.

Hen walked over, and wrapped her arms around Buck, “Good to see you again,” she murmured, “How have you been?”

Buck hugged her back for a moment before letting her go, “I’m doing fine.”

Hen and Eddie both knew that wasn’t entirely the truth, but it was as close as they were going to get in such a public place. If they wanted the truth, they would have to corner him and ask him when he was alone. He was more prone to answering when he was cornered. “If you say so,” she said as she moved away, letting the man get into the loft properly.

“I do,” he said as he walked over to the table, Bobby was at the counter beyond it.

Bobby turned and nodded at him, “Good to see you here again, want to help?” he asked as he gestured to the food he was preparing.

“Sure,” Buck grinned as he went over and washed up before helping Bobby make lunch.

Eddie watched them for a bit and then glanced over to where Christopher was having fun on the pinball machine. He settled at the table and Lena sat down next to him. “You’ll be okay here,” he said to her.

“Yeah,” she said, not sounding happy. But then he didn’t blame her. Her captain had been hurt, as had most of her fellow firefighters. They were extremely lucky that they hadn’t lost anyone in the tsunami at all.

Hen walked over, as did some of the others of the A shift. Talk turned to work, as it often did, recounting a few of the calls they had been on to Buck. Buck looked wistful as he listened. He wanted nothing more than to come back to work. He had been told that he wasn’t able to yet, but he didn’t know how much longer he would be able to remain away. He missed everyone, seeing them, talking to them and just being there. Buck barely saw any of them now. Though since the tsunami he had seen Bobby a couple of times with Athena. Hen had stopped by, along with Maddie and Chim. But he missed them.

“I’ll be glad when I can come back,” Buck murmured, as he carried on listening to Chim and Hen talk of a few calls they had been on. He turned as he felt a squeeze on his hand, smiling at Eddie as he nodded.

“I’ll be glad when you’re back as well. I miss having you watch my back,” Eddie confessed to him.

“Here here!” Hen grinned at him, “It’s too quiet around here.”

Buck grinned over at her, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Well, let’s hope I can soon.”

The rest of the visit flew past and before Eddie knew it he was watching the two leave. He sighed as he went back up to the loft.

“How’s he really doing?” Hen asked him as soon as he walked over to the couch.

Eddie flopped down on it and sighed again, “He’s doing better. Physically he is fine. Not a problem, blood thinners are annoying, slight tap and he ends up with a bruise like someone punched him,” he snorted.

“Yeah, I saw one on his arm,” Chim said, “What did he do, go boxing?” he joked.

“Nope, Chris dropped one of his action figures on Buck’s arm while he was sleeping. It didn’t even wake him up. But the bruise was quick to come up. It was there before he woke up from his nap,” Eddie answered him as he looked over the back of the couch to see where the man was.

“Just that?” Chim said, shaking his head, “Just poke him a few times and he’d look like he’d gone ten round with Muhammad Ali,” he snorted as he went over to make himself a coffee.

“Yeah,” Eddie snorted, “He’s doing alright. Some days are hard. The tsunami has… made things hard,” he said. Thinking more about how both Christopher and Buck were dealing with their aversion to water. Neither of them could drink it. But they were getting better when it came to showering. As long as the water stayed hot. If it started to go cold, it caused problems. Reminding them more of the wave flowing over them.

“Yeah,” Hen murmured, “How are they with that? I know that they had a bad time when the news report came up.”

“Christopher now has new nightmares,” Eddie growled, hating the report that had show the aftermath o the Truck bombing. “He keeps dreaming about Buck being under the truck. He… clings to Buck a lot and doesn’t really let him go back to the loft. Not that I mind him at ours. He…” he sighed again, leaning back on the couch.

“Is Buck helping?” Hen asked, a little frown on her face as she glanced at the man.

Eddie nodded, his eyes closing, “He is, a lot. I don’t think I could ever thank him for all that he has done. He’s looked after Christopher, he really didn’t have to, but he has. Abuela has even made sure that the two of them go to hers at least twice so far,” he told them. “She’s adopted him into the family,” he snorted, his face looking pleased at the thought.

“Is there… something more going on here?” Hen asked him, a smirk on her face as she looked at him, observing the happiness that was radiating from him.

“I agree, something else is going on,” Chimney said as he walked back over, coffee in hand.

“None of your business,” Eddie told the two of them.

“Come on,” Chimney said, “Do you know how long we’ve been waiting for something to happen?” he added, going around the couch and taking a seat on Eddie’s other side. Leaving the man trapped between him and Hen.

“I know you have, I know about the bets. Neither of you are exactly subtle,” Eddie pointed out, looking between the two of them.

“So?” Hen and Chim badgered him.

“We’re together, it’s recent, basically the day after the tsunami,” he admitted, knowing he would never be able to get out of it.

“Eddie,” Bobby called from the other side of the room, “Mind if I talk to you for a moment?” he asked.

Eddie sighed and nodded, “Sure,” he got up and moved around Hen.

Entering Bobby’s office, Eddie felt a little nervous. “Everything alright?” he asked the older man.

“It’s all fine. Though when Buck comes back, you’ll both need to fill in a few forms for HR, but that’s about it,” he smiled at him, “Congratulations to you both, you took your heads out of your asses and did something,” he added, rolling his eyes as Eddie snorted.

“The thought of losing him, losing them both… well it made me think,” Eddie told him.

“It did me as well, but not in the way I thought it would. Would you ask Buck to head to mine for dinner tomorrow night?” Bobby told him, “I just need to speak to him about something.”

Eddie nodded, frowning slightly, “Sure.”

“Thanks, an-“ he stopped as the alarm rang, “Talk more later. Let’s go.”

Eddie nodded and the two headed out.

Chapter Fourteen

Buck looked nervously at the front door of the Grant-Nash household. Eddie had told him that May and Harry were going to be at their dad’s for the night, so it would be only him, Athena and Bobby. He knocked on the door and waited.

“Buckaroo,” Athena greeted him with a smile, welcoming him inside, “come, dinner is almost done. Bobby should be just finishing up.”

“Thanks Athena,” he said, a little more at ease. Though he couldn’t help but worry as he entered and followed her to the dining area. He could see Bobby in the kitchen pulling out the roast beef that he had cooked.

Bobby turned and smiled, “Come help me plate up?” he asked the young man hovering by the dining table.

“Sure,” Buck nodded, happy for something to do. It didn’t take long for the three of them to be sat around the table eating. “Hey Bobby,” he said as they were nearing the end of the meal.

“Yes?” Bobby said as he glanced over, seeing the nervous look on his face.

“Do you think you could talk to the brass about letting me back soon?” Buck asked him, “I really want to come back. I-“

“I’ve already done so,” Bobby told him, “And I need to apologize.”

“What for?” Buck frowned at him as he paused his eating, setting his knife and fork down.

Bobby sighed, “I was the one that recommended that you notcome back straight away.”

“What?!” Buck said, eyes going wide in shock, “Why… Why would you do that? You knew that all I wanted was to come back!”

“I know, but Buck. I-“

“No, you… why?”

“Let me explain, Please. Buck. Give me a few moments, please,” Bobby begged him.

Buck tried his best to calm himself down, “Fine, tell me. Why would you do that?”

“Thank you,” Bobby began as he then carried on, “You were hurt when Freddie came after me. You were hurt because of that, And then right here, you almost died a second time and I hated that. I hated that you had almost died twice right in front of me and I was powerless to do anything about it. To stop it from happening. When it came up again about letting you come back. I was given the option on stopping it, for a while. I took it. It wasn’t because you weren’t ready to come back, Buck. It was because I wasn’t ready to see you in harms way. I love you kid, I do. I said once that we weren’t family. But damn it, you became family to me,” he said emphatically.

“So I still can’t come back,” Buck said, his voice sounding small, “Bobby you are my family as well, but so is the rest of the 118. I miss being there.”

“I know, which is why the day after the tsunami I went to the brass and retracted my recommendation of more time for you. I’m not ready, but you are. You really are a hero kid. A damn good one, and damn good firefighter as well. How can I stop you from doing something that is your calling?” he said with a shake of his head, “I just… just promise me one thing?”

Buck looked at him, seeing the fear and pain in Bobby’s eyes. His hand was being gripped tightly in Athena’s as she tried to comfort him. “What?”

“Don’t be so quick to throw your life away. You mean so much to so many people. You’re like a son to me and Athena,” he answered softly.

“You’ve made us so proud Buck, so proud,” Athena said, reaching out a hand to him and squeezing hard. “But you scare us at times. We want you to be around for a long time. And sometimes you act a little reckless and get hurt. We understand that you want to save everyone,” she added with a proud smile at him.

“But sometimes it can’t always be possible. We want you to be careful,” Bobby finished, “Just. Be careful and think it through a little more. I know you have Eddie and Chris now to think of,” he smiled softly as he saw a blush on Buck’s cheeks.

“I’ll try Bobby, you know I will. For them and you,” he nodded, “I just want to come home. I feel so lost Bobby and so alone all the time. Chris is great, and he’s kept me going but he’ll be going back to school soon and then there will be nothing in my head to keep me from going insane.”

“You’ve got another two weeks before you can come back. That is to make sure that everyone gets the last bit of training with the surgical glue. I’m taking no chances, and making sure everyone knows how to use it,” Bobby gave him hope that this long nightmare was soon going to be over, “we’ll be having it all over the station and the trucks just in case. Now. There is one last thing I need to know,” he started quietly, “How are you doing after the tsunami? Truthfully please.”

“I’m doing better, I had a bit of trouble at the start, with water, and being near it. It was so stupid Bobby, it is so stupid. I… can be around it now. I don’t have any trouble now. But I don’t think I’ll be up for any water rescues for a bit. I’ll be trying to get over that. I promise Bobby, but-“

“It’s fine. I just need to know so for those types of rescues that come up. I don’t want something that is going to put you on edge at all,” Bobby reassured him, “That’s all I need to know.”

“I-“

“You went through something traumatic,” Athena began, “It’s going to take time to recover from that. Take the time you need, you don’t have to force yourself to be better before you’re ready.”

Buck nodded, Eddie had been telling him the same. He had even organized for someone to speak with Christopher about it. The nightmares were still coming and every now and then they seemed worse, but Christopher would refuse to speak of them about it when he woke up. “So, I’ll be able to come back to work in two weeks?” he asked as he looked at Bobby.

Bobby nodded, “You should get the notice through later this week. They are just going through the recommendations for everything from your health team one last time and then putting into effect what I want to happen.”

“Okay. And thank you.”

“I’m sorry, for keeping you away for so long,” Bobby apologized, “I shouldn’t have done it without talking to you.”

“At least you… you changed it, so I can come back” Buck smiled a little.

“Right, now, dessert,” Athena said as she let go of the two hands she was still holding, “I made Apple pie,” she added as she headed to the kitchen.

The two men shared a smile as they called out that yes, they would like some.

XxXxX

Buck was silent as he entered Eddie’s house. The man had insisted that he come back to his place, no matter how late it got. He took off his boots and headed into the living room, quietly placing his keys in the bowl. He stopped as he saw Eddie half asleep on the couch.

“You should have gone to bed,” Buck admonished him as he went over and sat down. He was exhausted, not only physically but emotionally. The talk with Bobby had gone well and he would be going back to work.

“How was it?” Eddie yawned, as he rubbed at his eyes, irritated that he had begun to fall asleep.

“It was… good. I talked to Bobby about when I could come back to work. He finally gave me an answer,” Buck said, a little smile appearing on his face.

“Yeah, that’s great, so when am I going to get my partner back?” he asked, as Buck leaned against him. He wrapped an arm around him, pulling him closer.

“Two weeks. He wants to make sure that everyone can use the surgical glue, just in case. So that means a little training for everyone so they are certified. I think he wants me to join in with that as well,” he snorted remembering Bobby hinting at him to do so.

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to do so. We all use it while on calls when we get hurt and we don’t have the time to get a couple of stitches,” he pointed out. “The more of us that can do it, the safer we’ll be later on, not just for you as well.”

“Yeah,” he sighed, relaxing into Eddie’s side, “Glad to be home,” he murmured.

“Glad you came back here. This is your home. I wouldn’t mind if you moved in, you know,” Eddie said a little hesitantly.

“Don’t you think that’s a little too soon? We haven’t been dating that long,” Buck snorted, though there was a happy smile beginning to bloom on his face.

“Feels like we’ve been dating forever,” Eddie tells him, his voice soft, “How could it not? We’ve done almost everything together Buck. Since I came here, since I started at the 118.”

“Well, not since you started at the 118, but a day or so after,” Buck grinned.

“Yeah, you didn’t like me,” Eddie snorted, “But as soon as we became friends, you’ve been there. You brought Carla to me and Chris, made us feel at home. Happy. You’ve been… family.”

“Glad about that, and I’ll think about moving. I know I’m spending all my time here, but I… like it here,” he said, nervous about messing something up.

“Then start moving in, take it as a slow move in,” Eddie suggested, looking at him, “Oh, and Bobby said when you come back we’ve got some forms to fill out for HR. As long as we can keep it together while we work and not let the relationship get in the way,we’re good to remain as partners at work.”

Buck sagged in relief, he had been worried about that. “Yeah, a slow move sounds good. I don’t want to-“

“Buck, there is no way you could ever out stay your welcome. Both Chris and I would love nothing more than for you to live here all the time,” Eddie stopped him from saying anything, knowing the self doubt that was plaguing Buck at the moment. The man was second guessing nearly everything he was doing. Thinking things over more and more, worried that he would do something that would end up with someone else getting hurt or getting into a situation like the tsunami.

“Okay,” he muttered, burying closer to him, “Do you think we should go to bed?” he asked, though he was comfortable where he was.

“Yeah, it’s getting late and I have an early start,” Eddie groaned, he would be in work at 6am, though it did mean that he would be back home by 7pm, since he only had a twelve hour shift.

“Come on then old man,” Buck grinned as he stood up and then held out a hand for Eddie to take. The teasing look Buck had on his face caused Eddie to roll his eyes at him.

“I’m not old,” Eddie grunted as he got up, ignoring Buck’s hand for a moment, before taking it and pulling him towards the bedroom. “And I’ll show you that,” he smirked.

Buck laughed lightly as he let himself be pulled towards the bedroom. “We’ll see,” he teased him, as he was pulled sharply towards Eddie and pulled down a little so he could kiss him.

“Does that show you a little,” Eddie smirked at how red and out of breath Buck was when he finished. Buck said nothing as they continued to Eddie’s bedroom and the door closed quickly behind them.

Chapter Fifteen

Eddie looked around the office he was in. It was a couple of days before school would begin for Christopher, but he had called them and asked to set up a meeting before it did. He needed to speak to someone about the eight year old, to make sure that they knew what was going on with him. While Christopher was now able to have a shower with mostly no problems, Eddie knew that doing his swim classes with the school, would be out. Not only that, but he was still refusing and oftentimes choking when he tried to drink plain water. Instead he would often have a tiny bit of cordial in his water bottle to flavor it slightly. Helping to make it taste different. Even Buck was having the same trouble.

“Mr Diaz,” the headmistress of the school greeted him, “Sorry for the wait,” she said as she walked around her desk and sat down. “Now, you have come about Christopher?”

“Yeah,” he said, sitting up a little straighter, wishing Buck was there with him.

“So…” she prompted as the man remained quiet before her.

“Chris was in the tsunami,” he blurted out, “He’s fine, for the most part. But he’s having difficulty being around water as you can imagine. He’s having a hard time drinking water, plain water. I know that you don’t allow flavored water or flavor added to the water bottles they have during lessons. But at the moment, that is all my son will drink. He can’t drink plain water without almost choking and crying. It reminds him of being in the water,” he sighed as he finished, sitting back a little in the chair he was in.

“Ah, I see. Of course we will allow him to have flavored water,” she said, her eyes showing her sympathy and worry for her student, “How is he doing?”

“Like I said, he is mostly fine. Nightmares as you can imagine. He’s seeing someone already, but it’s going to be a process. I would also like to take him out of swim classes for a while. Just until he is able to go again. I know myself and Buck, who was also in the tsunami with Christopher, are planning on trying to take him swimming every now and then to help with the trauma that they both share,” he added quietly. He leaned forwards as he began to say something more, “I don’t know how long this is going to be, there is… it could be the entire year. I just needed to make sure that you were informed about what was going on and that there could be a few problems if water goes near him at the moment.”

“Thank you for doing so, we don’t mind how long this is going to take. I’ll be speaking to all of his teachers about it, so you don’t have to worry about doing so,” she smiled at him, hoping that it would reassure the agitated father that his son would be well taken care of when he arrived.

“Thank you,” he said, giving her a small smile. He stood up, “I think, that’s all I needed to talk to you about. You have my contact details and Buck’s just in case,” he added.

“Yes, we’ve changed so next would be Mr. Buckley, and then Mrs. Isobel Diaz,” she nodded, standing and shaking his hand, “I can show you out if you like.”

“No, that’s fine,” he nodded as he then headed out of the office. He was soon out of the school, heading towards the parking lot when he was stopped.

“Mr. Diaz,” a teacher called out.

“Miss Flores,” he nodded, remembering her slightly from last year. She had been one of the teachers that would guard the gate and often tried talking to him when he went to pick Christopher up.

“Please, call me Ana,” she smiled as she reached him, “I’m looking forward to having Christopher in my classroom this year,” she added.

“I feel that might be inappropriate, Miss Flores,” he told her, a slight frown on his face.

“Edmundo,” she began.

“It’s Mr. Diaz, not Edmundo,” he told her and began to walk away.

Ana Flores huffed a little as she walked quickly to keep up with him, “I was just wondering if we should have a small meeting to talk about Christopher and his needs while in my classroom.”

Eddie stopped and looked at her, “Miss Flores,” he began, “His needs haven’t really changed from last year. The school will no doubt be informing you of anything else that you need to be aware of.” Part of him was tempted to tell her about the tsunami and warn her what Christopher may have problems with. But he’d rather not be in the woman’s presence for much longer. She had a tendency to be overly friendly with him and he had felt uncomfortable around her each time.

“It would be no trouble to go to my classroom now and do so?” she suggested, smiling sweetly at him.

“Sorry I need to get home to Chris and Buck. They were in the middle of a large Lego build,” he told her, letting it imply that he would be joining in with the endeavor, when really he had a book he was going to read while the two played.

“Of course,” she said slowly, her smile now appearing forced.

Eddie nodded once and then hurried to his car and headed home.

XxXxX

Arriving home a surge of relief washed over him as he opened the door to the laughter of Buck and Christopher. The two were in the middle of the living room, the coffee table in front of them covered in Lego. It didn’t help that half the floor around them was covered in the same. Sometimes Eddie forgot how much Lego they had gotten the eight year old over the last year. “Hey,” he called out as he toed off his boots and tossed his keys into the bowl.

Buck glanced up, “Hey, Eddie,” he grinned.

“Dad!” Christopher yelled out as he slowly got to his feet and headed towards him, “enjoy your walk?” he asked. That had been what the eight year old had been told, wanting to talk to his headmistress before they told him that he would be able to get out of swim lessons and the water bottle situation.

“It was good,” he said as he looked at Buck and nodded, letting the other know that things had gone well and that the school was going to allow a few new things for Christopher.

“Okay,” Buck grinned, happy that they were doing so.

Eddie picked Christopher up and held him for a moment before walking over to where Buck was and setting the eight year old back onto his feet, “Why don’t you play while I talk to Buck,” he told him.

Christopher’s eyes narrowed and looked, “Is this going to be a boring adult talk?” he asked.

“It is,” Eddie grinned at him, ruffling his hair.

“Then go and be boring elsewhere,” Christopher said as he sat back down on the floor, “Don’t ruin the mood in here,” he sassed with a cheeky grin on his face.

“Of course not bud,” Buck said as he got up and the two headed into the kitchen.

“He does not get that snark from me,” Eddie grumbled.

Buck looked at him, eyebrow raised and a look that screamed ‘oh really?’. “Eddie,” he began, remembering all the times the man would throw out a sarcastic comment or insult that would leave people blinking in surprise for a few moments before he would add something else and people would forget. “He gets that all from you,” he told him, “You… do the same thing,” he pointed out.

“No I don’t,” he shook his head, huffing.

“Really, you do. He gets it all from you,” Buck insisted, about to give a few examples.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, holding up a hand. “Anyway, they are going to allow it. Taking him out of swimming lessons, and letting him flavor his water for now,” he sighed, feeling relieved that they would be making the concessions.

“That’s good to know. At least he shouldn’t have too bad of a time going back,” Buck grinned at him, resting against a counter.

“I know,” Eddie smiled as he stood by the sink. “Are you all ready to come back to work next week?” he asked him.

“I am, I got certified for the Surgical glue. Bobby has told me that nearly everyone on A-shift has done so and some of those on B and C shifts have as well, in case I end up working with them at some point,” he answered, a large smile on his face at the thought of going back to work.

“I can’t wait to have my partner back. Bosko isn’t bad, but she isn’t you,” he added.

“Will she still be there?” Buck asked him, eyes showing a little of his worry.

“She will be, but she might be moving to B-Shift for a while. It’s only going to be another month with us before the 136 reopens”, he reassured him quickly.

“Right,” Buck sighed, “Sorry, I’m being stupid.”

“It’s not stupid Buck, you’ve been out of the firehouse for six months. Six months is a damn long time without working. It’s going to feel odd going back, and it’s going to be odd for us having you back. But I’m also damn relieved you will be,” he told him, moving closer, “Evan,” he whispered as he reached him and pulled him into his arms, “We’re partners at work and at home. I’ve no doubt that when you heard about Bosko joining us you felt like we were trying to replace you,” he told him.

Buck nodded, “It did.”

“We’re not. And at the moment, as she is still healing up from her injuries during the tsunami, so she is on light duty. She is also the man behind. When you come back, she’ll be able to join us on the calls as well. We’ll likely have the three of us working together. Since we’re all the heavy hitters,” he grinned, “She’s not bad once you get to know her.”

“I’ll try,” he said, resting against Eddie slightly.

“Though, I need to know if you are okay in taking Chris to school on his first day, since I couldn’t get it off this year?” he then asked.

“Of course, and I can pick him up. I’m not back on until the next day,” Buck grinned. Eddie had a twelve hour shift that day.

“Thanks, for doing this,” he told Buck, kissing him lightly.

“Gross!” came a yell as Christopher walked into the room and spotted them kissing.

“What are you doing here buddy?” Buck asked, going a little red.

“I wanted a drink, and I wondered if the boring adult talk was over yet. I think we should watch a movie together, we don’t have long left until I’m back at school,” he grinned.

“True,” Eddie said, as he glanced at Buck before letting him go.

“We can choose a movie and maybe your dad can make us all some popcorn?” Buck suggested as he glanced at the man.

“Sure,” he nodded, it was only midday, he had the day off so he was good to spend the day in front of the TV with his family.

“I vote for Tangled,” Christopher said as he headed back into the living room, “And don’t forget the drinks dad!” he yelled out.

“I won’t,” Eddie said, rolling his eyes at his son and heading over to get drinks and popcorn ready for them all.

“Need any help?” Buck asked, walking up behind him and wrapping his arms around Eddie’s waist.

“No, and if you stay here, we’re going to be called gross again by an eight year old,” Eddie warned him.

“Okay,” he muttered, placing a kiss on the back of Eddie’s neck, making him shiver. “Things will have to wait until tonight.”

“Are you two being gross again?” Christopher called out from the living room. “Dad, leave my Bucky alone, he has to come and sit with me,” he added.

“So much sass,” Buck laughed as he walked away from Eddie and left him to prepare for their snacks.

Chapter Sixteen

Buck looked down at Christopher and grinned. It was the eight year old’s first day back at school. And like he had promised he was going to be the one to take Christopher to school. Other parents were doing the same, and the walk towards the main entrance was a little crowded. Not that either of them minded. Christopher had been excited this morning about going to school. Happy to see his friends again. He had been a little upset when Eddie had to leave for work, but he had already known that Buck would be the one to take him to school and get him that afternoon.

“Hey Buck,” Christopher said as they were walking through the gate.

“Yeah Superman?” he asked, glancing down at him.

“Do you think we can go to the museum again this weekend?” he asked him.

Buck frowned, “Me and your dad are going to be working Sunday, so we might be able to go on Saturday,” he said, they would be extremely tired as they would be coming off a twenty four hour shift. But it wouldn’t be the first time that they had forgone sleep to spend the day with Christopher. Eddie’s Abuela would have Christopher Saturday night until Sunday night, when they would finish a small twelve hour shift.

“That would be fine,” he grinned, “I love going to the museum with you Buck. You know so much,” he added as they made it to the gated area where they would be saying goodbye.

“I love going with you as well, we learn so much together,” Buck said as he knelt and hugged Christopher tightly, “Well, you need to head inside. I hope your first day goes really well,” he added with a grin.

Christopher grinned back, “It will,” he nodded, “I get to see my friends again.”

“That you will,” he nodded as he stood up. He saw one of the teachers nearby, almost glaring at him. “Who is that,” he muttered.

“That’s Miss Flores,” Christopher said as he glanced behind him, “She’s my English teacher.”

“Okay,” he nodded, “Well,” he added, looking down at Christopher, “I’ll be picking you up tonight. So behave.”

“I always do Buck,” Christopher sassed slightly, a grin on his face.

“You are too much like your dad,” he sighed, shaking his head before ruffling the kids’ hair.

“Hey, not on the first day!” he yelled out, shaking his head and trying to avoid the large hand. Though the eight year old was laughing happily.

“See you later buddy,” Buck said again as he then watched the kid head inside. He was being greeted warmly by Miss Flores, who scowled at him once again as he turned and walked away.

Pick up later that day would also be full of scowls aimed at him from the English teacher.

XxXxX

Buck was nervous. He and Eddie had been able to drop Christopher off at school together. Buck had spent the night at the Diaz home again. Though he had to be honest, he had only stayed at the loft once overnight in the last two weeks.

“You okay?” Eddie asked as he walked beside him. Both heading into the firehouse.

“A little nervous about being back,” he admitted quietly.

Eddie smiled, “Nothing to be nervous about. We’re happy to have you back,” he told him, patting him on the back before letting his hand fall to the small of Buck’s back and guiding him inside.

Buck nodded and let himself be led, enjoying the comfort of Eddie’s hand on his back. They headed straight to the changing room and got ready for work before heading up to the loft area. Buck stopped and grinned as he saw the banner on the beams.

‘Welcome Back Buck’

On the table was a feast and a cake. It may be early morning but no one in the firehouse was one to say no to a cake of any sort.

“Welcome back Buck!” came the chorus of voices that greeted him from those of the A-Shift.

“Thanks,” he grinned at them all, getting a hug from most of them, or a pat on his shoulder from others.

“Let’s eat this food before it goes cold,” Bobby suggested as soon as everyone had finished hugging him.

Everyone settled at the table quickly. Not one of them was going to try and miss the chance to eat Bobby’s Michelin star level cooking.

“Right,” Hen said as they began to eat, the little green book of bets beside her, “Since you weren’t able to join us yesterday,” she began, “we’re doing our weekly bets today.”

Buck laughed, “Right, so which ones are we betting on this time?” he asked her.

“This week we have,” she began as Chim mimicked a drum roll on the table. “How Many Cat Rescues? How many times Eddie/Buck are hit on? How many times Bobby rolls his eyes? How many times do we end up with burnt food? How many times Xiaoli is called a baby boy?” she began to list the bets down.

“I propose adding a new one to the list,” Chim said, a grin on his face.

“Oh, and what would that be?” Bobby asked, eyes narrowed slightly. New bets aren’t often added to the little green book.

“How many times Buck and Eddie share that sickly in love look?” he suggested.

“No,” Hen and Bobby said together, “We’d lose count on that,” Hen carried on.

“Which also reminds me,” Bobby said as he turned to Buck and Eddie, “paperwork needs to be done, and as I won the bet on you two, I’ve booked you a table at a nice place next week. It’s Tuesday, your day off, and Athena and I are offering to look after Chris for the night as well. Your meal and drinks will be fully paid for.”

Buck and Eddie shared a grin. “That sounds good, just send us the details,” Eddie said with a large smile on his face.

A Relationship bet lasted for nine months. If nothing happened during that time, then it would be forgotten and never bet on again. The money in the pot would be split into two and each person the bet was the subject of would be able to donate their portion of the pot to a charity of their choice. The bet on Buck and Eddie had been on month eight when it had been won by Bobby. And all Relationship bets had the same rule. If won, part of the winnings goes to the happy couple to either send them on a date or to get them both something nice to share. It all depended on how much was won. And Buck and Eddie’s bet had ended up with one of the largest pots.

“Right,” Hen said, “So start placing your bets for this week. You all have your usual fifteen points and five dollars to spend. The one with the most points gets out of chores for next week. And the Second place gets their top choice of two chores for the week, as do you all,” she told them.

A yell of noise began as Hen jotted down everyone’s bets for the coming week. As soon as it was over, so was the food. The only thing left was the cake. A knife was handed over to Buck and he looked at it. He could see the others grinning at him. Shaking his head he cut into the cake and took out a small slice.

Buck couldn’t help but laugh as red syrup spilled out, “Nice,” he grinned as he looked around wondering which one had thought of it.

“I thought it would be a nice addition,” Hen grinned back at him.

“Welcome back Buck,” Bobby told him once again.

“Thanks Bobby, thanks, all of you,” Buck said, feeling Eddie putting a hand on his back as he cut up more of the cake to be handed out. Taking the last two slices and putting them on the paper plates he handed one over to Eddie and took the last for himself. The cake was light and fluffy, the syrup a nice sweet strawberry flavor.

The morning was, thankfully, quiet. Not a single call out until it hit lunch time when there was nothing but back to back for the next several hours. So much so that they hadn’t even been able to get back to the firehouse until almost eight that night.

“Hey Diaz!” Bosko called out as she looked over the railing and down to where the trucks had pulled in. Firefighters come out, tired and worn after a long seven hours of being out of the firehouse with no break.

“Bosko,” he frowned, she was the only one that called him by his last name. Everyone else called him Eddie. The first time it happened he got an odd look from Buck. In the end, Bosko had been the one to tell him that she wasn’t used to calling people by their names, only nicknames that were given on the job or last names. Using Eddie had felt odd and weird to her.

“Something arrived for you,” she told him, going back to where she had been setting out the take out that had been ordered for them. Bobby didn’t really have the energy to cook. Bosko wasn’t much of one either, she could if she had to, but preferred not to.

“Okay,” he said, “I’ll shower and see what it is,” he added a little wary of something arriving for him at the station. It wasn’t like it didn’t happen, but after the fiasco of the spiked brownies, food of any type had been part of the banned list of items that they had to throw away. Only family were now allowed to bring in food to the station, and from delivery places that they knew and trusted.

Eddie walked beside Buck up the stairs. On the table looked like a small gift box and a card next to it. Frowning, he walked over and glanced at them, not sure if he wanted to open them and see what it all was or just throw them again.

“Oh, does Buck have some competition?” Chim asked, seeing how very romantic the gift box looked. And the smell of perfume coming from the card was almost overpowering.

“Whoever it is, I don’t like it,” Eddie muttered as he opened the card and read the message.

“Well?” Chim asked, curious as he grabbed a plate of food.

“Someone admires what I do and how dedicated I am to my job and my son,” he murmured, a twinge of worry going through him at the mention of his son.

“Odd, you don’t speak of Chris when we’re on a call,” Buck said, glancing at the box.

“No I don’t,” he nodded, setting the card aside and looking at the box. He opened it and frowned even more as he pulled out a single red velvet cupcake according to the note inside and a mention that the person who sent it had known it was their favorite type.

“In the bin,” Bobby told him as he saw it, “Sorry Eddie, you know the rules.”

“Yeah I know,” Eddie agreed, he wasn’t even going to attempt to eat it. “I don’t know who sent them, but I want nothing to do with them,” he added as he took everything from the table and headed straight to the bin and dumped it all inside. He shuddered again at the thought of someone knowing of his son and then went and took the plate of food that Buck had made for him. All of his favorites on it.

“You okay?” Buck asked him as they sat beside each other, that little bit closer than most would.

“Yeah, just a little out of sorts with that,” he said, gesturing to his head as he then glanced over at Bosko and tried to find out who had delivered it. Only to find out that it was just an ordinary delivery man from the local Cafe.

Chapter Seventeen

Buck’s first week at work went quickly and with a high volume of calls that were easy to take care of. Bosko had joined them on a couple of calls at the end of the week, no longer always being the man behind. Going home that Friday afternoon before Christopher would be let out. Buck and Eddie had quickly crashed into bed for some sleep before picking up Christopher from school

“Hello?” Eddie frowned, as he had seen the number of Christopher’s school. Worry jolted him wide awake as he sat up in bed, Buck waking from the sudden movement.

“This is Miss Flores from Durand,” the caller introduced herself, “I would like to arrange a meeting between us concerning Christopher, there are a few things I would like to talk to you about him,” she said.

Eddie froze, “Is everything alright?” he asked, “Is Chris okay?”

“It’s nothing much to worry about. I just wish to speak with you about a small matter that has come to my attention. We could arrange a meeting on Monday?” she asked him, her voice cheerful.

“Yes, of course,” Eddie agreed easily, “I’m free that day, I don’t have work.”

“Okay, I shall pencil you in for one on Monday, if that is okay?” she asked him.

“Yeah, that’s fine, I’ll be there,” Eddie said as said goodbye before Ana Flores could talk to him more. He put his phone down, staring at it, “Something’s going on at school with Chris,” he told Buck, seeing the question in his partner’s eyes, hair mused from their precious few moments of sleep.

“Want me to come with you?” he asked him, sitting up on the bed.

“Please,” Eddie nodded, “I wonder what the problem is? She didn’t say.”

“Which teacher?” Buck asked as he got up, heading to the kitchen, “and do you want some coffee?”

“Sure on the coffee and Miss Flores is his English teacher,” he said, slipping out of the bed and following him to the kitchen.

“Ohh,” Buck nodded slowly, turning on the coffee maker. “She glared at me when I dropped Chris off that first day. And then again when I went to pick him up.”

“She’s pushy,” Eddie added, “She’s a good teacher from what I know. But she has this need to speak to me each time she sees me,” he pulled a face.

“Yeah, I noticed,” Buck laughed lightly. He had seen her last year when he had gone with Eddie to Christopher’s science fair.

“She is a little annoying. But she doesn’t seem to get it that I’m just not interested. And now… well,” he shrugged a shoulder as he rested against the counter, letting Buck make them both some coffee.

“I’ll be with you again and if you need to, well, we could always kiss,” Buck grinned at him, winking.

“Evan,” Eddie warned him lightly, though there was a little smile on his face as he contemplated doing just that. Some of the parents were the same type of pushy. The mothers and fathers.

“What? It would make your point that you are taken and quite happily as well,” Buck smirked unrepentant.

“Maybe,” he rolled his eyes, smiling on his face as Buck finished the coffee and handed a mug over. “Come on, let’s put something boring on and cuddle, I don’t think I could go back to sleep now,” he suggested.

“Same, though put on an alarm in case it’s too boring and we fall asleep,” Buck laughed. Eddie snorted, but did so as they settled down on the couch.

XxXxX

The weekend had been part long and part way too short. They had taken Christopher to the museum, where Buck and Christopher had learned all they could about dinosaurs. And their Sunday shift had taken them until 3 in the morning. Now after only a short time asleep. They were awake again, not to send Christopher off to school, though he had said goodbye before Carla had taken him. But to go to the meeting with Miss Flores. Buck yawned a little as he got into Eddie’s truck. The man insisting they take that and not Buck’s jeep he had been able to recover after the Tsunami.

“What do you think she wants to talk about?” Buck asked as soon as Eddie started up the truck and pulled away from his home.

“No idea. She didn’t even say anything, just mentioned that something has come up. Chris hasn’t said anything about problems at school either. He’s doing well according to him and Carla. And I know neither of them would lie about that,” Eddie answered, frustrated and worried that something was really wrong.

“Well, he’s a great kid, so I’m not expecting too much. And Miss Flores is his English teacher, so maybe it’s about extra reading?” he suggested, looking out of the window and observing the traffic.

“Yeah,” Eddie sighed, the two going quiet and the only sound coming from the car stereo as music played quietly from it.

Buck glanced as Durand finally came into view. “Well, that wasn’t as long as it is in the morning,” he muttered at the slightly quicker drive to the school.

“Be thankful, I’ve been late a few times getting him to school,” Eddie snorted.

Buck laughed, “Yeah, I can believe that, I’ve done the same with traffic around here,” he added as they walked into the building heading straight for the office.

“Hello, we’re here for an appointment with Miss Flores, I’m Eddie Diaz,” Eddie said as soon as the woman looked up at him.

“Yes, Miss Flores said that you would be coming in today,” she nodded, “She will be coming to see you in one of our meeting rooms. May I see both of your ID’s please, so I can get you both signed in,” she added as she looked towards Buck.

“Sure,” Buck nodded as the two of them fished out their ID’s and signed into the school. The two were asked to sit and wait until Miss Flores showed up to take them to one of the meeting rooms.

It was a little before one when the English teacher showed up. She walked in and smiled as she saw Eddie, though it froze on her face when she noticed that Buck was sitting beside the man. “Mr. Diaz,” she said, “I asked for this meeting between the two of us,” she added as she glanced towards Buck.

“Buck is Christopher’s other parent,” Eddie told her, “He’s my partner.”

Miss Flores shook her head, “A partner at work doesn’t really count as a parent, Mr. Diaz.”

“It does when he isn’t just my partner at work, Miss Flores,” Eddie said getting a little angry at the woman, “He is my partner in life as well,” he added, taking Buck’s hand in his, “And we want to know what is wrong with Christopher to call for this meeting.”

“Very well,” she said, a frozen smile on her face, “Then please come with me.”

Buck and Eddie stood up and followed her into the small hallway off to one side. There were a number of meeting rooms there. She walked into one of the meeting rooms and headed over to one side of the coffee table. She turned and smiled at Eddie and patted the armchair next to her. Instead he ignored it and the two went to the other side of the coffee table and sat down opposite her.

“So, what’s going on with Christopher? I thought everything was going well with his first week,” Eddie began.

Buck nodded, “We’ve noticed no problems, and neither has Carla.”

Miss Flores smiled at them, though she was mostly focused on Eddie as she spoke. “I’ve noticed that he has been avoiding water the last few times in my class. Now I know I’m an English teacher, but we were illustrating our essays about the summer and how it went,” she began, “Someone decided to use paints instead and he moved away from the table when the water glass was put on it. We have assigned seating and he refused to be at the table.”

“You were told what happened during the summer?” Eddie asked her, feeling some relief that it was this and nothing serious, in a sense.

“Yes, but that happened a month ago now. He should be-“

“Trauma doesn’t have a time limit,” Buck was the one to interrupt her, shaking his head, “What we went through still affects the both of us now. Neither of us are comfortable when taking a shower. Even drinking water is hard most of the time. At the moment Chris copes with flavoring and coloring the water so it doesn’t look like water. I bet that as soon as paint was added to the water and it went to a color he was fine sitting there again.”

“He was,” she frowned, turning from Buck to look back at Eddie, “Edmun-“

“It’s either Eddie, or Mr. Diaz,” Eddie said firmly before she could finish saying his given name, “Please respect my choice.”

“Oh… of course,” She stammered a little, “Eddie,” she said, giving a little wrinkle of her nose.

“Now, why was this meeting called?” Eddie asked, hoping to get to the bottom of things, “We told the school about the water problem. That he will be a little off for a while. He is seeing someone at the moment as well, to help him with the trauma that he has been through.”

“I was worried,” she said softly, “He is a bright and happy child. To see him subdued when water is around was concerning.” Her words were coming off as a concerned teacher, but the way she was acting was a little off for that to be true.

“As we said, Miss Flores,” Buck began, “We’re helping him through what has been a major trauma. No one comes out the other side perfect and happy. It’s only been a month and you can still see some of the devastation from the tsunami. That’s the same with people. We take time to rebuild. We won’t ever be the same, but we’ll be close to it. Chris and I went through something that, to be honest, you would never be able to understand.”

“Not even I do,” Eddie added as he reached over and took Buck’s hand, “We’re both there for Christopher, to help him. What he needs is understanding from his teachers, that at the moment, he may do a few things that aren’t like him.”

“I’ve noticed that he has been taken from swimming lessons as well,” Miss Flores added, looking directly at Eddie, “Don’t you think that could be dangerous? If you continue to cater to what is wrong, there is no telling when he might be able to get back to normal.”

Eddie almost growled, “He has been taken from them for now, he will be doing swimming with us when he is ready. That might be another month from now or even a year from now. It doesn’t matter.”

Miss Flores nodded, “I was worried about him, as I said he is a bright and happy child. To see him so upset was concerning.” And she played up the concerned teacher as she sat forward on her seat, shifting so she was more in front of Eddie.

Buck almost rolled his eyes at her as he said, “Miss Flores, at the moment Chris is doing well with all that has gone on. We’ll keep the school informed should anything change.”

“I think we’re done here,” Eddie added as he began to feel uncomfortable with the way that Miss Flores was staring at him.

“Oh, yes, that was the only worry I had. Thank you for coming Edmundo,” she smiled at him.

“Once again, I ask that you respect my choice, I don’t like to be called Edmundo. And those that do are my family, and you aren’t,” Eddie pointed out again to the woman as they began to stand.

“My apologies, it’s just-“

“I don’t care the reason for it,” Eddie interrupted her, “It’s a name only my family has the right to call me.”

“I understand,” she smiled though it looked a little shaky.

Buck and Eddie got out of there quickly and signed out. Buck could tell that Eddie was angry at the woman and how she kept calling him Edmundo. He reached out and took Eddie’s hand, squeezing it. “You okay?” he asked him.

“Will be if I don’t have to see her again. Can you believe the audacity of her?!” he exclaimed as he began to calm, Buck’s presence soothing his anger. They got in Eddie’s truck and Buck let the man rant about Miss Flores all the way back home.

Chapter Eighteen

Buck jumped into the cab after Eddie, Another call had come in. Their seventh that shift. And they still had four hours to go. It had been a mostly calm twenty-four hour shift so far. Nothing too drastic had happened. The worst had been a car accident, but both of those involved had been fine, only minor injuries for them both. Now it was the middle of the day, dinner was going on and so were a few parties.

Bobby sat in front as always as he began to explain the situation that the team would be walking into. “So, a garden party gone wrong,” he started, “Explosion from the propane tank that was used in the barbecue. Minor injuries for the most part, the fire was put out quickly by the owners,” he finished, giving a few more bits of details when the others asked. Hen and Chim were in the ambulance behind them.

“Right, at least it should be an easy call,” Buck grinned as they headed through the traffic to the residence that they were called to.

Bobby was the first out of the truck, the others quickly followed him. Hen pulled up behind them and got out, both her and Chim grabbing their equipment before following the lone woman that was waiting outside of the gated garden for them. “So what is the problem?” Bobby asked as he followed her.

“Nothing much, the fire is mostly under control, my sister in law is hurt, but looks okay. The idiots decided to get into an argument and didn’t look at what they were doing,” she said as she guided them to the trouble.

Buck and Eddie were quickly sent to deal with the fire. Which wasn’t bad at all. Standing to the side, they watched as Hen and Chimney dealt with the poor woman that was bleeding, and also yelling at some of the people around her.

“It wasn’t us, you should blame that idiot of a husband of yours. He was the one that decided that it would be fun to push people around. That’s why the gas exploded. So you can shove that up your fucking arse!” one of the men yelled at the injured woman.

“Sir,” Buck said as he took a cautious step towards him. Bobby was already radioing for police assistance, as he didn’t like the way the people were yelling. It could easily and quickly escalate.

“Hey, leave my wife out of this,” another man said, stepping in the way and ignoring Buck as he stepped closer to the two men.

“Sirs, please, you need to calm down,” he tried once more to calm the situation, “We’re trying to help at the moment,” he added.

He was ignored as the two men got that little bit too close to each other. One of the other women rushed over. “Hey break it up, I don’t need more people hurt here. You have caused enough,” she then said as he poked the second guy in the chest.

It happened too quickly for Buck or anyone to stop as the woman was hit on the head as the two men lunged towards each other. Without a sound she slipped back and into the water of the swimming pool. Buck reacted without thought as he dived in and grabbed her. Pulling her out of the water and into Eddie’s waiting grasp. Buck was shaking as he got out of the pool, shivering from something other than cold, since it was really warm that day.

Buck moved as far away from the water as he could, wrapping his arms around himself as he tried to fight his rising panic. he needed to be anywhere else, somewhere that wasn’t near that pool. It didn’t take long for Eddie to help the woman as she began to come around. He quickly passed her off to Chim to check over properly. He darted over to Buck and wrapped an arm around him, glancing over at Bobby, who nodded his head, and then walked Buck back to the truck.

“Buck,” he called out quietly, seeing the pale face and wide eyes. He knew that Buck could easily slip into shock if he wasn’t careful. The man had been avoiding all water type rescues for a reason after all. While he was trying his best to get through that, he wasn’t quite there yet.

“Ed… Eddie,” Buck answered after a few moments, his voice shaking badly as he turned wide eyes to his boyfriend.

“Come on, let’s get you in the truck,” Eddie said gently as he opened up the back and got the man to climb in. Eddie silently cursed as he wished that there was a way to get the man dry, knowing that would help Buck more than just sitting there. He grabbed one of the blankets that was stocked in the cabin and wrapped it around Buck, “Come on, let’s get warm and then when we get back to the station you can get dry.”

Buck just gave an absent nod as he pulled the blanket around himself as tightly as he could. Eddie wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close. The two remained there until the others came back. Keeping close they headed back to the station.

Bobby gave Buck a concerned look as he was helped from the truck and into the changing rooms. Where Eddie took care of him.

“I don’t like this, Cap,” Hen said as she watched.

“None of us do,” Bobby nodded his agreement, “He’s been through something we can’t even imagine. All we can do is to be there for him and help when we can. At the moment Eddie is taking care of him and helping him.”

Chimney nodded “Yeah,” he sighed, watching for a moment before heading up to the loft.

“He needs to see someone, Cap. Is he?” Hen asked Bobby. She had wanted to ask Buck himself, but the man would shoot any talk of that down each time it was brought up.

“No, I almost made it mandatory for him,” Bobby winced, wondering if he should have. “I’ll bring it up with him later on. Let him rest for now,” he said as he then headed up to the loft. Hen followed him. It was dinner time, and food needed to be cooked.

XxXxX

Eddie looked down at Buck as he sat up. The narrow cot that they were laying on made him feel like he was about to fall out of it at any second. He almost jumped when he saw that Buck’s eyes were open. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

Buck was silent for a few moments as what happened came back to him. “I feel better than when I first got back to the station,” he murmured as he sat up, almost falling off the cot. Only Eddie grabbing him and pulling him closer stopped the fall.

“These things are too narrow,” Eddie muttered.

“Weren’t really meant for sharing though,” Buck grinned a little, some of his humor coming back.

“No they weren’t. Doesn’t mean that there aren’t some that do,” Eddie smiled at him as he carefully got off the cot and stood up, holding out a hand for Buck.

Buck stared at it for a moment before grabbing it and getting pulled to his feet. “You know,” he said quietly, “I didn’t even think when I went into the water. It wasn’t until I was out that it hit me what I just did.”

“Yeah, I know,” Eddie said, wrapping him in his arms for a moment, “You did what any one of us would have done. Because of you she was out of the water before she even had a chance to drown.”

“Yeah,” he sighed.

“Are you two going to come out or what?” Hen asked, a soft smile on her face as she watched the two of them, “cap has dinner cooked and ready for us,” she added.

“I can smell,” Buck grinned at her as the two of them followed the woman out of the bunk room and headed up to the loft.

Bobby looked up from where he was setting out the pasta bake he had finished cooking in the oven. “You doing alright?” he asked him as soon as Buck approached.

“Yeah,” Buck nodded, seeing the eyes of the rest of the A-Shift looking at him.

“Come and sit, let’s eat,” Bobby smiled at him, seeing how uncomfortable the young man was beginning to look.

XxXxX

There were two hours left of shift as dinner finished. Buck and Eddie were tasked with washing up. While Chim and Hen would clean up the table and bring over the empty plates. It was extremely rare that there would be anything left after a meal cooked by Bobby.

“Buck,” Hen said as she approached quietly, bringing over a few more plates and setting them down.

“Yeah?” he asked as he glanced up from swilling off plates before loading up the dishwasher.

Hen looked at him, could see that he was still tense, there was a pinch around his eyes that just didn’t sit well with the paramedic. “Have you… thought about talking to someone?” she asked him.

Buck froze at the words. He wanted to talk to someone about what had happened over the last several months. But part of him didn’t know if he could trust a therapist again, or even himself being around one. His hands shook a little. “Not… I…” he trailed off, shaking his head, “Let me finish washing up,” he said as he took one of the plates she had brought over. He hoped to stall having to answer.

“Why would Buck want to go to another therapist, he has a boyfriend these days,” Chim laughed from where he had put a few things on the side to be washed up.

Eddie frowned as he looked at the man, “What the hell do you mean by that?” he asked him, glancing at the now extremely pale Buck at the sink.

“Just… drop it please Eddie,” Buck said quietly.

Eddie looked at him and was about to nod when Chimney spoke up again. “Really Buck, I would have said that you should have a male therapist this time when you need to talk to someone. But since you’re Bi, it doesn’t really help.”

Buck shrunk in on himself as he tried to block out what Chimney was saying.

“Okay, what the hell are you going on about?” Eddie asked, glaring at Chimney for the way he was speaking.

“Buck here, slept with his therapist. This was before you came,” Chimney answered him, shrugging.

“Not everyone knew that,” Buck whispered. He had accidently let it slip to one of the other firefighters before they transferred out and Chimney had overheard. The man had taken to teasing him about it. But Buck didn’t think it was funny. While when it had happened he had felt fine at first. But after a few hours the reason why he had gone there in the first place was back and he felt even worse when he remembered what he had done with Dr Wells.

“He was sleeping with anyo-”

“Chim!” Hen yelled at him, for the first time in a long time. She could see how Buck was trying to just shrink in on himself as the man carried on.

“Come on Hen, the kid slept with his therapist,” Chimney said, rolling his eyes. “He was doing that all the time.”

“What happened?” Bobby asked as he came up behind them, having finished the paperwork in his office.

“Nothing!” Buck yelled out as he began to focus on his task and to try and block out all that was going on around him. He didn’t want to talk about it, he hated what happened with Dr Wells and he knew that the sick feeling in his stomach when he talked about her and what happened wouldn’t go away for a while. He wanted to finish his chore and head to the bunk room to hide.

Chapter Nineteen

Chimney looked behind him to see Bobby standing there with an unreadable expression on his face, “What happened?” he asked again as he looked at each of the four that were still in the loft area of the station.

Buck ignored them, rushing through the last of the washing up.

“Cap,” Chimney nodded, “Just that if Buck wants to talk to a therapist he needs to have supervision. He slept with the last one we sent him to,” he said, his voice taking on a teasing and joking tone. But no one else was smiling or laughing.

“Buck,” Bobby said as he walked over to the young man that still had his back turned to the rest of the room, “Buck,” he tried again, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Buck jumped, dropping the plate that he had been holding. It smashed on the hard flooring, “So… sorry,” he stammered, bending down and starting to grab the pieces to clean it up before anyone could stop him.

“Buck!” Bobby yelled out, causing the young man to jump again. Bobby squatted and pulled him to his feet, “Let them clean it up, I think we should talk in my office for a few moments,” he told him, “Hen, can you bring in a first aid kit as well as some surgical glue,” he added as he could see blood welling quickly in Buck’s hand.

“Sure,” she said as she darted off.

“Chim, clean up,” Bobby ordered the other man, “come on Buck,” he said as he began to guide the quiet young man to his office. Hoping that the privacy of it would get the young man to actually speak.

Chimney watched them go, “What is their problem?” he muttered.

Eddie looked at him and shook his head, “You really have no idea what you just said and what it means. What it actually means?” he questioned him.

“Look, Buck was going through a phase back then, always finding another girl to sleep with and doing so. Nothing stopped him. He even stole the truck twice for hook-ups,” Chimney shrugged heading over to the broken plate. There was a little blood on one of the pieces. He sighed as he began to clean up.

XxXxX

Bobby looked at Buck as Hen finished cleaning up his hand and bandaging it. It wasn’t that large of a cut, but thanks to the blood thinners he bled a little more than they had been comfortable with. “Now,” he said as soon as the woman had left his office.

“Please, Bobby, I just…” Buck began, only to trail off full of nervousness and even some fear. “I know I made a lot of mistakes back there. I know I shouldn’t have slept with her. I did, really. I felt… and still feel really bad about that. Kinda… sick like,” he was almost babbling as he tried to get his words out.

Bobby looked at him, “Hey, Buck, slow down okay. It’s alright,” he said, not reaching out to him, even though he wanted to.

“I didn’t want to Bobby, really, I didn’t. She just… she made it seem like I should and that she, she wouldn’t let me come back. Said that she only had to say something and I wouldn’t be able to come back to work,” he shuddered at the thought of that happening again.

“Buck,” he called, stopping the cascade of words that were now running from Buck’s mouth. Bobby didn’t think that Buck was even aware of everything that he was saying.

“Bobby,” Buck said, voice still shaking.

“It’s alright.”

“I know I fucked up Bobby, I know that I went there to get help. But I just… I didn’t…” he shook his head.

“Buck,” Bobby sighed slightly, moving closer, “I’m going to hug you alright.”

Buck stared at him blinking a few times before he gave a small nod. Bobby reached out and slowly took the young man into his arms and held him. He could feel Buck shaking, there was tension in his whole body. “I’m sorry Bobby. I’m sorry.”

“Buck, you have nothing to be sorry about. Now. Was this Dr. Wells or someone else?” he asked, wanting to make sure.

“Dr. Wells. I went to her office, like I was told to. To talk to her. She was talking and then came close, putting her hand on my knee. It didn’t feel right, so I just… I then realized that she was on my Facebook. She had been friends with me there. She said yes, that she saw me on TV and wanted… to know me better,” he said. Slowly wrapping his arms around Bobby, feeling safe and secure for a moment.

“Right,” Bobby said, his gut clenching as he realized what Buck was telling him. “Buck,” he began slowly, keeping hold of the young man. “You know what she did was wrong? She shouldn’t have done that at all. She is in the wrong, she…” he tailed off not really know what he could say.

“But I… I let it happen, I didn’t say no,” Buck said as he let Bobby go and looked up at him.

“Buck, it doesn’t matter. She is… a professional. Her job was to talk with you, help you through your trauma. Not… to sleep with you. That’s…” Bobby almost growled in frustration. “Look, all I need to know at the moment is if you would want to press charges against her. She is in the wrong. Even if you don’t, I am still going to be opening up an investigation into her behavior in case there are others that she has done this with. It’s unethical, and dangerous,not to mention illegal.”

“I… I don’t know. I really don’t Bobby,” he shook his head moving away a little.

Bobby let him go fully and went to his desk, “It’s up to you in the end. But I’m going to have to talk to the Chief about what we’ve found out. He needs to have an investigation opened and other stations will be spoken to about Dr. Wells,” he told him.

“Are you…” Buck shook his head, “There could be others?”

“Dr. Wells has been with the department for around four years. She was said to be one of the best, as she had a good reputation for getting people back to work fast. It… might have been the case that she got what she wanted and let them go so she wouldn’t have to see them again. You only had the one session with her and I got a letter from her saying you were fit to return to duty,” Bobby explained to him.

Buck nodded, “But… I don’t think I was, maybe. I don’t know,” he rubbed his hands over his face a few times.

“Buck…” Bobby began, “This is going to be hard. You and the others will all be talked to at some point. We’ve… never really had to deal with this before. But this will end up with her losing her license at the very least, and she’ll even face some prison time. What she has done has serious consequences for you and others that this may have happened to.”

“Oh… okay,” Buck murmured.

“Buck, you can talk to me about anything, you know that,” he reminded him.

Buck was silent for a while before he began to talk, telling him exactly what he could remember about his meeting with Dr. Wells.

XxXxX

Eddie watched Hen head into Bobby’s office and he turned on Chimney. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he asked him, eyes narrowing as he took a step towards the man as he crouched to clean up the broken plate.

Chimney stood up, broken plate in hand. He ignored Eddie for a moment as he tossed it away and washed his hands. “What the hell do you mean by that?” Chimney finally said as he turned to face him, “I was just saying it like it is. Buck knows that-”

“Doesn’t matter. What you said… it was out of line. Way over the fucking line if you ask me. It doesn’t matter if he slept through a whole host of women and men. That woman, that doctor, was a professional. And as such they shouldn’t have slept with any of their patients. It’s….”

“Look, you didn’t know Buck back then. He was always sleeping with someone. Always getting them easily. Flirting on the job was normal. And so was stealing a fire truck and hooking up with someone. So he may have calmed down. But when he went and saw that Doc, well. It was classic Buck. He slept with her and that’s it,” Chimney shrugged.

“Not it’s not. If Buck went there with a problem, for a problem he was having. Then he was in no state to consent to sleeping with her. He was compromised. And you should know what that means,” Eddie stared at him.

“Come on,” Chimney said, shaking his head, “This is just how Buck was. Really, you-”

“It’s still. Its still fucking rape Chimney. No matter how you want to explain it. She was in a position of power and she abused it,” Eddie hissed. He didn’t want anyone else to overhear what they were saying.

Chimney rolled his eyes, dismissive of what Eddie was saying. “You’re only saying that because you’re now dating him. You have to be on his side. You just don’t want to admit what he was like before you met him. He…” he sighed, “He was a punk ass kid, still is in some ways. Yeah, he seems to have grown up some. But that’s more because of Abby and him finding someone stable to be around. I think he would have gone back to acting like that eventually if you and he hadn’t gotten together. Even Ali helped keep him from running around.”

“Is that really what you think?” he asked, shaking his head, “Buck really has changed and all you can see is who he used to be. He looks after my kid like Chris is his own. Chris has been asking me when it would be the right time to call him Papa even though we haven’t been together for that long. How can you not see the person behind all that. Didn’t you even notice that most of the time he was lonely? Just wanting someone there for him, if only for a bit,” he added softly. The two of them had a long talk about what he had done in the past, including his very active sex life.

“Look, it’s on Buck, he could never keep it in his pants,” Chimney snorted.

Eddie growled in frustration, “You know what,” he said, “Let’s put it this way. If a woman went to a male therapist and they had sex. Would you blame the woman? The woman went there for help, and they had sex?” Putting his arms across his chest he waited for Chimney to answer him.

“Well, no of course I wouldn’t. She wouldn’t have been in the right mind to consent to that!” he exclaimed, an almost horrified look on his face.

“Exactly. So why, just because the roles are reversed do you blame Buck? Buck went there for help and ended up having sex. That’s not on him, that’s on her,” he stated. “Now, think on what you just said. And I know you Chim, I bet you’ve had this so-called teasing tone with Buck about this. With the way he reacted when you brought it up. It’s not funny at all.”

“You’re right,” Hen said as she walked over, “Buck is about to break down in there.” She had been listening in for a bit after cleaning up Buck’s hand. “He’s not doing well. Thinks that because of what he was like, he was asking for it. And Eddie’s right, if it was a male therapist and a female patient. We’d be all over it and that doc would never work again. But because it is a female, well, we ignore it and think and believe it can’t happen. But it does. And he is living with it because he thinks it was him that did this.”

The two men were quiet as they stared at the office door where Buck and Bobby were talking.

Chapter Twenty

Eddie closed his eyes for a moment as he walked over to the table and sat down at it. With his head in his hands he sighed heavily. “Chim,” he began slowly, looking up at the man, “He went to that woman for help. And she took advantage of him.”

Hen nodded as she went and sat down at the table, “I never really thought of it like that. I knew he had slept with her, he mentioned it in passing. But now that I think about it, the look on his face when he said it. He was hurting and then Chim just teased him, like normal and…” she sighed as she trailed off, shaking her head.

Eddie glanced over, arms folded in front of him. “Which you do,” he sighed. “Ever since I came here, you keep shaming Buck for what he did before he got with Abby. There is no shame in what he did, none at all. Some people have very active sex lives. Buck was one of them. That’s all. It shouldn’t matter at all,” he added.

“You’re right, it shouldn’t. He’s changed a lot since then. He was such a cocky little shit at times,” Hen smiled, “He had a good heart though. That was on show all the time.”

Chimney stood there, shaking his head, “He might have a good heart,” he began, getting twin glares from the other two, “Okay, he does have a good heart,” he rolled his eyes, “But that doesn’t change who he was back then. He may have calmed down as you say, but who are we to know? He might just be keeping-”

“You forget that Buck and I are together?” Eddie asked him, clenching his fists. “Howard,” he said, “You keep bringing up what Buck has done in the past and that has no bearing on what is going on.”

Chimney stood straighter, “Don’t call me that!”

Hen sighed, “Chim,” she called to her friend, “He’s right, you do keep bringing up what Buck did in the past. Like the catfishing thing. When that woman came in and slapped him, if she had made any type of accusation against him at that point, he could have easily been fired. Yeah, it may have come out that he had nothing to do with anything, but it would have still ruined his reputation.”

“What reputation? He was sleeping around,” Chimney snorted.

“No he wasn’t. He was dating Abby at the time. He stopped all that, and he may have had his fun, but who doesn’t at times. You were dating Tatiana, taking credit for what Buck had done during the rescues. Passing off Bobby’s cooking as your own,” Hen reminded him, shaking her head, “You forget that you have pulled a few things as well, Chim. Things that have never been brought up after it was over. But you do that to Buck,” she added, frowning.

“He always got the girl. Even now they still flirt with him, ask him out, ask for his number, hand them their numbers. All the time,” Chimney said, shaking his head, “He-”

“You’re jealous,” Eddie said, eyes wide as he looked at the older man, “you’re jealous of the attention he got and gets still.”

“No. I’m not,” Chimney defended himself, “I’m just trying to remind everyone that Buck was a bit of a playboy back then.”

“No, you’re not doing that at all. You bring up his past and shaming him about it. Making him feel bad about it all the time. He isn’t like that, and he wasn’t back then either. He enjoyed himself, met people that were like-minded and had some fun. But when things got real, so did he. He put his all into dating Abby,” Eddie told him, reminding him, “He was truthful to her, making sure she knew that she could go to him.”

Hen nodded, remembering some of the grand gestures that Buck arranged for Abby over the months that they had dated. “He did a lot to see her smile. To make her happy,” she said, sighing a little as she remembered how it had all ended for the young man. “She broke his heart.”

“She did, but he’s over that now, it still hurts him, I know that,” Eddie said, grimacing at the mention of Abby. He didn’t like the way that she had ghosted him at all.

“I can see why Eddie said you’re jealous. Buck was able to be truthful with his partner, all of them. Two left him. One to find themselves, one because they couldn’t cope with a firefighter, and the other,” she glanced over at Eddie, who gave her a smile. “You hid behind Buck’s achievements and Bobby’s ability to cook and lied to her. With Tatiana, well.” she grimaced.

“Yes, and the end of that happened with a rebar in my head,” Chimney spat, arms folding in front of him, defending himself from the other two.

“The rebar,” Hen said, shuddering, “That… it was a miracle that you survived that night. It could have ended up a lot worse. And you… we find out that you were driving recklessly that night, that’s how it happened. But they didn’t prosecute you due to your injuries.” It was a harsh reminder that Chimney wasn’t exactly a saint either. No one was.

“It’s not like I…” he hissed, trying to defend himself. He shook his head, “It doesn’t even matter at the moment, we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about Buck who slept around a lot, and is now getting someone in trouble for it.”

“It’s rape,” Eddie said, putting the word out there again. “That’s what it is. No matter how you look at it. That woman raped him,” he said, feeling a tightening in his gut.

Hen was silent as she took in what Eddie had said.

“No, it… can’t be,” Chimney said, shaking his head. “Buck was just going through a phase.”

“What she did was illegal Chim,” Hen pointed out. “I know I only heard of what happened in passing. But we both should have reported it as soon as it happened. As soon as we found out.”

“You’ve been teasing him about it, haven’t you?” Eddie stated.

Chimney glanced at him, “So what? Why can’t I tease him?” he demanded to know. “He’s just a kid.”

“No he isn’t, he’s a full grown adult, that you decided isn’t mature. But you… you really don’t see him as anything but the young man you first met. I’ve watched him grow from someone who was insecure and scared that his place was going to be taken, to someone that is working hard on improving himself in every way that he can,” Eddie frowned at him, “And it’s not teasing, it’s bullying. He doesn’t find it funny that you keep bringing up his past. You’ve teased him about the catfishing as well. Do you know how scared he got about that?”

“Come on, he wasn’t scared, he was just embarrassed that they kept coming to him and finding him here,” Chimney snorted.

“No,” Eddie told him, “Buck told me that it had actually scared him. That he was scared that one of the woman’s friends, or something might even try coming after him. He feels like he can’t go to you, and he can’t go to Hen either,” he said as glanced from the man to the woman now seated at the table.

“Of course he could come to me,” Hen frowned, sitting up straighter, “He’s always been able to.”

“Not with you and Chimney being so close. You both tease him the same way. Most of it, he knows you are both just being friendly and fun. But every now and then you’ll both say something that will hurt him. You don’t even realize it most of the time. But you put him down. Insult his intelligence a lot. Make fun of the relationship that he had with Abby,” he sighed, rubbing his face again as he sat back on his chair.

“He’s-” Chimney began, only to stop when the door to Bobby’s office opened. Buck walked out, he was pale as he made a beeline for Eddie.

Eddie jumped from his chair as he went to meet Buck halfway across the loft, “Cariño,” he murmured as he wrapped his arms around him.

“Eddie, take him home. You both have today and tomorrow off. I’m going to call in Ross and Huang to take over, since they had today off,” Bobby said as he followed Buck out of the office.

“Sure,” Eddie nodded as he guided Buck towards the stairs.

Bobby looked at Chimney and Hen, “An investigation is going to be launched. I’ll be talking to the Chief in a moment to get that started. Buck has been… shoving this down a lot because of the teasing.” He sighed heavily as he went over to the coffee maker and poured himself a mug. Adding a little milk and sugar to it, he gulped it down. He turned to face the two of them. “I found out that Chimney, you knew about this,” he stated.

“Yeah, but as I was saying to them, Buck was going through a phase at the time. It’s not like he wasn’t already sleeping his way through the single population of California at the time, Bobby,” Chimney stated, rolling his eyes a little. He didn’t even want to try and think about what Eddie had said.

“You should have told me. She broke the law Chimney. And Buck felt like he couldn’t say anything. Because the both of you tease him… bully him practically about what he was like when he first joined us. He mentioned that because you, Chimney, kept telling him that it was on him. He-” Bobby broke off, “I should have stopped it right from the start.”

“I didn’t even think it was a problem. Buck never said,” Hen murmured, “Though, I supposed that doesn’t really mean much.”

“It doesn’t. Buck felt like he couldn’t say anything. And when he has in the past..” Bobby looked between the two of them. He was disappointed not only in himself but in them as well.

“We brushed it aside and carried on,” Hen finished for him, nodding, “I’ll apologize to him. I think I’m going to go and have a few moments,” she said as she got up and headed to the bunk room to lay down and think over what she had learned.

“Bobby,” Chimney began, “We’re only having a bit of fun.”

“That bit of fun came at the cost of a young man’s wish to come forward to report a crime. How many others may have heard your teasing about such things around here and felt that they couldn’t come forward and do the same. How many could there be Chim? You really need to think. Buck was raped, and there may be others out there in the same position as him. You’re going to be man behind on the next one, since Ross is a backup paramedic. I’ve also sent word to Iverson to come in and help as well. I need you to really think Chim, what you’ve said and how they could be interpreted to others in the station. I’ve let that happen, and I shouldn’t have done that. We all tease each other, we all have our fun. But when the butt of the jokes isn’t smiling or laughing honestly with us. Then it crosses the line into bullying. And that is what some of us have been doing when it comes to Buck,” he told him, shaking his head. “I think we all need to have a good long hard think of who Buck actually is. I know what I still see him as at times, and I’m working on it. You and Hen both see him as the punk kid that first walked through those doors. But he isn’t that anymore, hasn’t been for a long time.”

“Bobby, come on, you don’t need to bench me,” Chimney pleaded.

“It’s mainly you that came up during conversation with Buck about the teasing. It was you that stopped him from reaching out to me about Dr Wells. If you hadn’t brushed this aside, made jokes about it, like everything else, then this… he wouldn’t have been so damn scared to get therapy after everything he’s been through,” Bobby told him.

Chimney watched as Bobby moved away and headed back to his office. The man went over to the table and sat down, head in his hand as he tried to make sense of everything.

Chapter Twenty One

Bobby walked back into his office and closed the door. He slid into his chair and sat there, just staring at the door for a while. The things that he had heard from Buck had shocked him. To find out that the teasing he thought was going on was actually bullying. It hurt to know that he had let it happen. He knew that they teased Buck, but as he started to go over all the things that had been said over the last two and a bit years since the man had joined them at the 118. Bobby was slowly coming to the realization that it was bullying. There was no way it could be anything else.

Picking up the phone he called the Chief. “Chief Alonzo,” he greeted as soon as the call got through to the man himself and not just his secretary.

“Captain Nash, what can I do for you?” he asked. His voice was gruff and commanding.

“I think this might be better to have you come down to the 118 to speak. I am also going to request some extra training for those within my station, all shifts to be taking part over the next month or so,” Bobby told him, it had been a while since he had spoken to the man. Not since he withdrew his recommendation that Buck take another month or two off before returning to work.

“I will come by now then. I have no meetings today at all. So if you get a call out, we can always continue afterwards,” Chief Alonzo told him, “I should be there soon.”

“We have Howard Han being man behind for the rest of the day. And yes Sir, there is a reason for it. But I will speak with you in person about it,” Bobby told him and quickly added. It wasn’t often that the same person would be man behind for an entire shift. It was a rotation, usually Bobby would make the decision as soon as he found out a little about the call and who and what might be needed for it. There was of course, someone from admin always there, but if there was an emergency that came to the station she wasn’t fully trained to help.

“Very well Captain Nash, I shall be with you shortly,” he repeated once more before hanging up.

Bobby sighed and hoped that he would be able to get his crew through this without someone being suspended. But it wouldn’t be surprising if he, Hen and Chimney ended up being so for a week or two. Chimney mainly for knowing and the bullying. Hen for helping slightly and him for ignoring it all. He wasn’t happy with himself and wondered why he hadn’t seen it, why he had brushed it all aside. He knew Buck was more than what he once was. He knew the man, and yet, he ignored it all and carried on as though nothing in the world had changed. Buck had grown up before his eyes and he still sometimes saw the young punk that walked in, cocky and sure of himself. Though as he sat there thinking about it. Maybe it wasn’t cockiness and surety, but insecurity coming out in a different way. False bravado. He had seen a lot of it over the years, as probies and firefighters had come and gone.

Bobby didn’t know how long he had been sitting there for, going over everything he had said and done concerning Buck. But there was a knock on the door. He stood up, quickly opening it to see Chief Alonzo standing there. “Chief Alonzo,” he greeted, “Sorry to call you out like this. But I’ve found a problem, well two. One very serious and the other serious,” he said quietly as he let the man inside.

“Well, lets see how much we can hash out before the alarm goes,” he said as he stepped into the office and sat down.

“Yeah,” he nodded, “Right, the first thing that I need to bring to your attention,” he said as he began. “Dr. Wells, a therapist that works with the LAFD.”

“Yes, I know of her, she has one of the highest rates of return after trauma. And usually after only a few sessions,” he nodded, knowing of the woman in question.

“There might be a more… sinister reason for that,” Bobby told him. “Evan Buckley. During his first year on the job here at the 118, I sent him to the department therapist. He had an appointment with Dr. Wells. It has just come to my attention that she has slept with one of her patients.”

“You are talking about Firefighter Buckley?” he asked.

Bobby nodded and sighed, “Yes. He went to her because of a loss during a call. His first. He only went to one session. He never reported it at the time, but has now. With her record, I’m worried that she has done this to others and they have been scared to come forward at any time.”

“Hm,” Chief Alonzo nodded slowly, “I will have to get a list of those that have seen her and had only a few sessions before returning to work. I will also send the word out to the Captains to see if they can recall any odd behavior from anyone after they have been to her.”

“Thank you Chief,” he nodded.

“I will have to have the LAPD involved, as it is considered rape and is illegal to sleep with any patient. There will be a full investigation. All that have seen her will be talked to at some point. They will, of course start with Firefighter Buckley,” he told the captain.

He nodded his head before taking a breath, “The next thing I’m going to talk about is workplace bullying,” he sighed heavily.

Chief Alonzo sat up straighter as he stared at the man, “And how did that come up?” he asked.

“The reason that it has taken so long for Buck… Firefighter Buckley didn’t come forward because when someone else in the station found out about it, he was teased. I think it wasn’t teasing but more of a case of bullying. I think there are a lot of things that are going on in this fire house that have crossed that line. I want to make sure that everyone in the firehouse is up to speed with anti bullying. Because that line has been crossed and I’m only now just realizing it,” he said quietly.

“That… is serious, you do know that Captain Nash?” he asked him.

“I do Sir, which is why I want the entire house to go through workplace bullying seminars, all of us. Myself included. I let this slide, and now I’m realizing it. It’s caused harm to one of mine and I am ashamed of that,” he said, looking down, “I let them down,” he added quietly.

“I will start the investigation into Dr. Wells. For now, that is all that I will do. I will also have it mandated for the house to go through training on workplace bullying. I will have that set up within the next month. Keep the house clean Captain Nash, and if there is another problem, I may start an investigation into the 118,” he informed Bobby.

“I will, and if it is needed, it is needed. I know I dropped the ball badly here sir. I’m… surprised that you aren’t going to,” Bobby said, he didn’t know if he should be relieved or not.

“I think we should deal with the serious problem first. Let’s get that sorted, and if there is still a problem after that, then we will address it. I am hoping that you can sort all this out,” Chief Alonzo warned him.

“I will be sending a few people to training as soon as they are organized,” Bobby said, “I think I will go first as well, to make sure that I will catch anything further that crosses that line,” he added.

“Good,” Chief Alonzo nodded, standing up, “if that is all Captain Nash, I’m going to have some very angry captains on my hands soon. This investigation into Dr Wells is going to cause a number of problems. Some of our firefighters are going to have to attend mandated therapy.”

“Yes, Sir, it will,” Bobby stood up. He escorted the Chief out of his office and down the stairs. He could see Xiaoli ‘Li’ Huang arriving. The first of the three replacements to arrive.

“Captain Nash,” Chief Alonzo said as he then left.

Bobby sighed and rubbed his face, “Huang, you’re on the ladder for today.”

“Sure Cap!” Xiaoli nodded, a bounce in his step as he headed to the changing room.

Bobby headed back up, he could see Chimney still at the table. He walked over, “Chim,” he began, not sure what he could say to the man.

“I just…” Chimney shook his head, “It’s just teasing Cap,” he said as he glanced over.

“To you it may seem like it. But to those that it’s aimed at?” he questioned. “How would you feel if someone was constantly just telling you you got through life on your looks. That, that was all you were worth?” he asked him, knowing that some of what Chimney had done was point out Buck’s looks and how things always came to him easily.

“He does though. He does get by on them at times though Bobby,” Chimney said, “I just point out what most of us are thinking.”

“No, Chim, you don’t. Buck worked hard. And even I didn’t see how much he has changed since he first walked through those doors. He’s no longer the little punk he was. He’s a confident young man, who knows what he is doing. He has two degrees, and it took me a while to remember that. While one he got while on the job, the other he took before that, he finished it while travelling. He’s smart, a hard worker and all we see is the punk.” Bobby walked over and sat down, “We need to realize a few things Chim, I dropped the ball, the so called teasing turning into bullying right before my eyes and I didn’t do anything. We’re all going to have to take a step back, Chim. All of us. The Chief knows there is a problem and is giving me a little time to get it sorted.”

“What happens if we don’t?” Chimney couldn’t help but ask.

Bobby stared at him, “Then an investigation starts. Mostly likely we will be doing anti bullying seminars again, since I already want us to do them over the next month, and suspension for some of us. Me and you will be the top ones to be suspended.”

Chimney nodded, “I’ll try.”

“It’s not just try Chim, we have to do this. I won’t let it keep happening. I will be calling people out on it from now on,” Bobby warned him, “It will no longer be tolerated in this house. Teasing, as long as the victim is smiling and happy, fine, but it crosses that line…” he trailed off, leaving the threat hanging there.

Chimney nodded once more, “Right.”

Bobby stood up, “I’m going to make a start on dinner, get it ready, just in case,” he said as he headed to the kitchen area and began to prep.

Chimney remained seated, thinking deeply of what the others had said. He glanced up when he heard footsteps. “Hey Li,” he greeted the young man as he entered the loft.

“Chim,” Xiaoli grinned at him. It didn’t take long for the rest of the firehouse to begin gathering for dinner. Bobby watched as they interacted, Hen joining him in helping to prepare dinner. She gave him a small smile. He knew he would have to address what had happened as people were confused as to why Ross, Huang and Iverson were at the station and that Buck and Eddie had gone. Nodding to himself he stepped forwards, and began, only saying that an investigation was starting to look into something that happened a while ago, but not giving anything else away. He wouldn’t mention the bullying just yet. It would seem like Buck and Eddie were involved if he did and he didn’t want that. He would address the house another time. As soon as the seminars were set up for them all.

Chapter Twenty Two

Eddie glanced at Buck who was quiet and pale on the couch. Instead of making them some coffee, he had made tea, one of the ones that Buck had brought over last time. “Hey,” he said, calling to the other as he set down the mug on the coffee table. “Made up some of that tea you like,” he said. The smell of the rose tea was subtle. He had even made himself a cup.

Buck glanced up and nodded. “Thanks,” he murmured, not reaching for it but sitting back against the couch. “I just…”

“Take your time Buck,” Eddie told him softly, “Drink some tea and let yourself have five, alright.”

Buck looked at him again, seeing the reassurance in Eddie’s eye. Nodding, he reached forward and grabbed the mug. Holding it in both hands he blew on it and took a tentative sip. He let his mind wander. Knowing that he would have to talk to someone officially about what happened soon. He didn’t know who would be investigating, if it would be the Police or the Fire service itself. Or maybe even both. So much would now need to be done with what he had revealed. From what Bobby had told him both doing the investigation would be likely.

“I never really thought it was wrong for a while,” Buck said quietly, “Chim was always teasing me about it. So I thought I was the one in the wrong for so long. When I finally realized that I wasn’t, that she… she had done something wrong. I didn’t know how to come forward. To say something and with Chim always bringing it up when he talked about how I was back then. Like it was just something I would do. But it wasn’t. I wanted help Eds. All I could see was Devon falling, each time I went to sleep, each time we went out I wondered if I would fuck it up again and someone else would die,” he told him, his voice cracking at the end.

“Buck, he was in the wrong to tease you about it. He should have reported it, it was his duty to do so,” Eddie told him gently.

“Bobby… Bobby said the same. That as soon as he learned of it, Chimney should have told him. That it was against the law. He… he called it rape and I wasn’t, it isn’t…” he shook his head, not wanting to think of what happened in such terms.

“Buck,” Eddie began only to stop and sigh. “Evan,” he said softly, “It is rape. I know you don’t want to think about that, but it is. What she did was illegal. She should never have done it.”

Buck looked at him, “I… Eds,” he said as he finally broke.

Eddie was quick to react, taking the mug and putting it aside as he gathered the man in his arms. “I’m right here. You’re okay Evan, you’re okay.”

Buck clung to him for a while, crying as he finally let what happened to him out. He was in no way recovered from what he had gone through, he still needed to go to therapy. But at least now he admitted, even to himself that something had happened. That Dr. Wells had violated him. Eddie held him and was just there for him. He wished there was something more he could do for his boyfriend. He just held him as the man let out the bottled up feelings he had.

XxXxX

It was evening, Christopher in his room working on his homework alone before he would ask his dad and Buck to look over it. There was a knock on the door and Buck looked apprehensive towards Eddie as he went to answer it. “Hello?” Eddie answered as he looked at the two men that were standing there.

“We’re here to speak with Evan Buckley, we were told he would be here,” the taller of the two answered.

“And this is in regards to what?” Eddie asked them.

“We’re with the police. I’m Detective David Graves, this is Detective Mathew Home. We’re investigating Dr. Wells,” David said as he looked at the man.

“Okay,” Eddie nodded, “I’m Eddie Diaz, Buck’s my partner,” he introduced himself.

Buck stood up as he looked at the two men. “Hello,” he greeted, feeling unsure of himself once more.

“Mr. Buckley,” Mathew said, his voice was gentle, “I wish we could meet under better circumstances, Sergeant Grant talks about you often.”

“Oh,” Buck blinked, not expecting that at all.

“Please sit down, do you want something to drink?” Eddie asked the two detectives as they sat down.

“No, thank you,” David nodded at him.

“I’m going to tell Chris to remain in his room. I don’t want him to overhear anything,” Eddie said, kissing Buck on his cheek to give him some reassurance that things would be fine.

“Mr. Buckley,” David started.

“Please, call me Buck,” he asked them, “I prefer that.”

“Okay, Buck,” Mathew agreed, “We want to talk to you about Dr. Wells. Can you tell us what happened that day?”

Buck was quiet for a moment before he began to talk. His voice was shaking, though it steadied a little when he felt Eddie sit beside him, a hand taking hold of his as he carried on. “And that’s it,” he finished, leaning against Eddie and taking some strength from him.

“Thank you, Chief Alonzo is also investigating, as soon as he finds someone that has had a similar experience they inform us so we can take statements,” David explained what they were doing.

“Okay,” Buck said.

“Thank you, for talking to us. We’ll let you know how the investigation is going,” Mathew said as he stood up, closing the notebook he had with him. “We’ll be asking for a formal statement from you in a few days. For now we just need to know what happened,” he added.

“We’ll be asking you to come to the station to give it, you are free to have someone come with you,” David told him, standing up as well.

“Yeah, okay,” Buck nodded, knowing he would want Eddie to come with him, and maybe Athena to be around just in case as well.

“We’ll call you soon,” David added, he had gathered the man’s information so they could contact him later.

Eddie showed the two men out as Buck curled on the couch and waited for Eddie to come back. As soon as the man did he settled beside him and pulled the younger man. “You okay?” Eddie asked, wincing as he knew that Buck wasn’t fine.

“I don’t know what to feel at the moment, I really don’t,” Buck answered honestly, leaning against Eddie and closed his eyes.

“How about we order Chinese for dinner, so we don’t have to cook?” he suggested.

“Yeah,” Buck murmured tiredly.

Eddie grabbed his phone and made the order, “I’m going to grab Chris,” he said quickly, getting up and going to get the eight year old from his room. “Thanks for staying in here mijo. I think Buck could do with some of our special hugs. So why don’t you go out there and join us for a movie,” he said.

“Okay dad,” Christopher nodded as he got up and the two went back into the living room to be with Buck. Curling up against each other as they waited for food to arrive, a movie now playing on the TV.

XxXxX

Buck was unsure of himself when he walked into work three days later. Having been given a few days off to deal with what had happened, and to make sure that he was able to give his statement. Later finding out that there were four other victims and more may still be found. He felt Eddie placing a hand on his lower back and felt reassured.

“It’s fine you know. No one but Hen, Chim and Bobby know. Chimney’s been warned not to speak to anyone else about it,” Eddie said quietly as he guided him inside and over to the changing rooms.

“Right, no doubt that he’ll tell Maddie though,” Buck said. He had a few missed calls from her, but he wasn’t up to talking to his sister about what happened. Not yet.

“No doubt,” Eddie sighed, knowing that was true. Chimney couldn’t keep anything secret for long, especially with those he was close to. Anything told to Chimney would often be heard by Hen and now Maddie since the two of them were getting closer all the time.

Buck sighed and changed quickly. Eddie doing the same beside him. Heading up to the loft, they could see it was full already, breakfast was being set out and shared around. The two snorted and joined in. Buck could feel Chimney almost staring at him for most of the meal. “Not going to be able to get out of talking with him,” Buck murmured to Eddie as breakfast finished and the empty dishes were being cleared away.

“Doubt it, I could try and distract him?” Eddie offered.

“No, may as well get it over with,” Buck sighed as he stood up, seeing Bobby giving him a nod to let him go. Chimney was quick to follow, even though Bobby tried to call him back.

“Buck,” Chimney called out.

“What?” Buck turned to ask. Already down the stairs and heading to a supply cupboard to get started on his usual morning checks on the trucks.

“I just… I want to talk, that’s all,” Chimney said, now feeling awkward.

Buck looked at him, “What about?”

“Just…” Chimney began, frustrated not only with himself but the situation, “It’s not, you were just…”

“I wasn’t just anything. She came on to me. She friended me on Facebook, said she wanted to get to know me better. She touched my knee, flirted. She made it seem like if I didn’t she would take my job from me. I wanted my job, I couldn’t let it be taken from me. She told me that with one word she could make it that I would never be able to be a firefighter again, anywhere,” Buck’s voice was shaking. “You have no idea how horrible I felt. First I tried to brush it off, made myself believe that it was all on me. But after a few days, I knew it wasn’t right, that it had been wrong. And then you were there, found out. You teased me and it made it all so much worse for me. I tried to push it aside, I did, and then I met Abby and she, she was the one that got me to take my mind off things. To focus on her instead of what that woman did to me,” his words were let out in a rush, his voice quiet as he finished.

“I-”

“You hurt me Chim, and so has Hen in a way. Both of you knew what happened and neither of you saw the wrongness of it. Instead you both made fun of me. It made it seem like I was in the wrong and that hurt. You… you do that a lot. Do you even know that I actually have two degrees?” he said. “you both think I’m just some dumb kid, and yeah sometimes I play that up a bit. But I ain’t.”

Hen moved closer as she had been just to one side, wanting to speak with Buck as well. “I’m sorry Buck,” she said as the two men turned to look at her.

“You both hurt me, thinking that I’m just an idiot. I got my Fire Science degree a few months ago. I have one in Emergency and Disaster Management. I’m a lot more than what people think, and you both always paint me as this dumb blond that cant do anything,” he told them, “I…”

“I’m sorry,” Chimney said, looking at him, “I did the same to you as was done to me. I believed you to be the stereotype. And I didn’t bother to see beyond that.”

“We all need help I think,” Hen said. She had been thinking about seeing a therapist for the last few weeks. She stil had a few nightmares about the bombing.

“Maybe,” Chimney said.

“We do,” Buck told him, “You stereotyped me when you knew better than to do it. So get help. Sort it out, be the best you can be. I’m going to find help as well,” he said as he then turned and went to carry out the checks.

Chapter Twenty Three

Hen and Chimney walked back up to the loft, feeling dejected with how the talk went with Buck. Eddie stood watching them, shaking his head. He said nothing as he waited for the rest of the crew to head out for their own early morning chores or to hit the gym. As soon as the three of them were alone he walked over. “Did you really expect it to go differently?” he asked the two of them.

“I didn’t realized how much we’ve actually fucked up,” Hen said as he looked at him.

“It was something I noticed when I first got here. But I didn’t say anything because I was the probie,” he told them. “But you both did the same thing. You made fun of him a lot, always put him down. Yeah, you would tease him, and he would take it like most would. But then sometimes you both cross that line and I can see it in Buck’s eyes that it hurts him. That sometimes he believes you think so low of him.”

Chimney nods, “Yeah. I’ve been thinking,” he said as he looked at Eddie, “A few days ago, when… when this all started. You mentioned that I was jealous of him. You’re right, I was… am,” he sighed, “Buck had it all, the looks, the women all the time. He didn’t have to lie to get someone to pay a little bit of attention to him. I lied so much. To my family, to those I thought I loved. And I keep doing it. And I think I’m lying to myself the most.”

“Get some help Chimney,” Eddie told him bluntly, “Lying to your partner, to your family. That… that is some…” he shook his head.

“I know,” Chimney murmured, “I didn’t even realize it. Didn’t even think about it till that day. Bobby was right to leave me behind. He told me I really needed to think about things. And I did, still am.” His words were quiet, his mind going over all the things he had done with Buck since they had met and he could see that at times Buck’s eyes had dimmed.

“I may talk to someone a bit as well,” Hen said, looking over at Eddie. “We both made fun of him for something that he was struggling with. That… that isn’t right.”

“Get yourselves sorted. Buck loves the two of you. You’re his family and it hurts him that you sometimes don’t see him but an image you have of him,” Eddie said before leaving the two of them to their thoughts and heading down to help Buck.

XxXxX

Bobby looked over A-Shift over two weeks after Buck’s confession had happened. Before him was a full shift for once instead of having one or two rotated off. “Right,” he said as he addressed them all. It wasn’t often he had to do a shift wide announcement like this. “I never thought I would have to have a talk with you all about something like this. As you may have noticed we have been given a mandated Workplace Bullying Course that we are to take part in. All of us are going to be doing it over the next month. Even myself and the other shift captains. No one is getting out of it, refusal is not optional. It may seem dumb and silly to you, but I’ve noticed something recently and that some of the teasing that we do has crossed that very fine line from harmless teasing to bullying. You may not even have realized that you’ve done such. But it’s happening. We are a family and we will tease and rib each other, as all families do. But as I said, be wary of some of the words that you chose and the things you are teasing about. We’ve all done some dumb things in our past that will be the butt of the jokes. But make sure that those the jokes are about are laughing. And if someone has said something, teased you about something that you don’t find a joke, speak up, please. Sometimes we don’t know that someone teasing us about something can hurt. We may think it’s all in good fun, but in reality it could be bringing up some really unpleasant memories.”

Chimney stepped forward, “I’ve been teasing someone and I’ve realized that it’s turned to bullying recently. I want to apologize to anyone else that I have done this with,” he said as he turned to face the rest of the crew. “I know I’m this fun guy, and I always believed that of myself. But I’ve had a few things pointed out to me recently. I need to change as well,” he added, “So I’m sorry to anyone that I’ve hurt with my actions.”

Everyone broke out into whispers as Chimney moved back in with the crowd. Buck glanced at him and nodded, the man had gone to two sessions with a therapist already and he was seeing small changes in the man. He still joked and teased, but they weren’t like before, the man thought more about his words.

“The course should be fine to go through,” Xiaoli said as he went over to the table and sat down as soon as Bobby had dismissed them.

“Yeah,” Buck nodded as he looked at the shorter man sitting beside him.

“It’s needed,” Chimney added quietly.

“Hmm,” Buck nodded, feeling a little awkward as he knew that this was all because of him and what he had said to Bobby.

“Buck, want to help me with lunch?” Bobby asked as he walked past.

“Sure, Cap,” Buck said, glad for something to do and to get away from the conversation that was now taking place at the table.

“You alright?” Bobby asked him quietly.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Buck looked at him nodding as he was put on peeling and chopping duty. “They called again, there are a few more coming forward now.”

“I wish it was different,” Bobby said, shaking his head, “A full investigation going on by the police and the Chief is also asking for an investigation into all of the department therapists to make sure she is the only one.”

“That’s… that’s good,” Buck nodded, not looking at him as he concentrated on peeling the carrots. “I just wish it wasn’t needed.”

“Yeah, I know,” he smiled at him, patting him on the back as he went back. Before they could even fully start the alarm rang and off they went.

XxXxX

Their thirty six hour shift was almost over. Buck and Eddie were on the couch, watching as Hen and Xiaoli went head to head on Super Mario Cart. Buck leaned his head on Eddie’s shoulder as the other was scrolling on his phone, shaking his head at all the pictures that Christopher had been able to sneak on it when Eddie wasn’t looking. “I like that one,” Buck said as Eddie stopped on one.

“He’s a sneaky little brat,” Eddie snorted. It was a picture of Christopher, a selfie with a sleeping Eddie in the background on the couch. The man’s mouth was wide open and Christopher had a large grin on his face and looked to be just about stopping himself from bursting into laughter.

“Very attractive,” Buck teased him.

“Yea-” he paused as his phone started to ring. It was the school. Frowning he answered, “Hello.”

“Mr. Diaz?” the man on the other end of the line asked.

“Yes, this is he. Is Christopher okay?” he asked, worried about his son. It wasn’t often that the school called.

“Christopher is very upset at the moment and we are unable to calm him down,” he told him, “Something happened in his lesson that has upset him.”

“Should I come and pick him up?” he questioned, already believing that he should.

“Please, I don’t think it would be fair to make him go back to class with how he has reacted,” the man answered.

Eddie got up, Buck doing the same as he could just about hear what was being said. “I’ll ask Cap,” Buck said as he headed to find Bobby. “Hey Bobby,” he greeted the man as soon as he spotted him going through a few things at the table.

“Buck,” he nodded, a smile on his face, “Everything okay?” he then frowned as he saw the worried look on the other man’s face.

“Eddie just got a call from the school. Chris is really upset and they’ve suggested that he be picked up,” he told him, “I know it’s a little early, but Ilya and Li are both here so we should be covered if me and Eddie go and get him,” Buck asked the man, biting his lip for a second.

Bobby nodded, “Okay, there are only a couple of hours left of your shift, go ahead,” he smiled.

“Thanks Bobby,” Buck grinned and he darted back to Eddie who was just finishing the call. “Bobby said we can go,” he told him.

Eddie nodded, looking relieved as they headed to grab their things and to Eddies’ old truck which they had taken to work that day. The drive to the school was quiet. They reached the school and headed straight to the office. “Eddie Diaz, and Evan Buckley. We’ve come to pick up Christopher Diaz,” he said as the two of them pulled out their IDs.

“Mr. Diaz and Mr. Buckley, welcome, and sorry to have had to call you out,” the receptionist said as he glanced at the ID’s to make sure they matched up.

“What happened?” Eddie asked, frowning as he was let through to a quiet meeting room.

“The teacher is with him at the moment, she will be able to explain a little better,” he said, “Sorry that I don’t know any more than that he was upset in her class and couldn’t be calmed down. He was able to be brought here. I know normally that Mrs. Price is with him during some of his days here.”

“She comes to school with him three times a week,” Buck said as they could now hear Christopher crying through the door before them.

Eddie rushed inside, dropping to his knees as he saw his sobbing son, “Oh Chris, mijo, I’m here, Dad’s here,” he said, gathering him into his arms and holding him tightly.

Buck walked over as well, dropping beside them and holding the two of them. The woman that was in the room coughed a little to get their attention, sending them a disapproving look. Buck ignored her and waited a little longer before letting the two go and helping Eddie stand up with Christopher in his arms and settle on the chair that Christopher had been on.

Eddie looked at the woman in the room, “What happened, Chris?” he asked as he glanced down at his son, who was now beginning to calm with the two men there with him.

“M… Miss Flores t… took my water bottle,” Christopher stammered out, hiccupping as he explained.

“Why?” Eddie frowned, all students were allowed a water bottle during their classes.

“The rules stated that it should be plain water, no flavor added,” Miss Flores said, shaking her head, “The rules are specific about it. It will be replaced with water should it be found.”

“And at the moment Christopher has special permission to have some flavor added to his water. I already cleared this with Principal Summers and we spoke to you about this arrangement,” Eddie frowned, “Hey Buck, can you take Christopher out for me? I think I need to have a quick meeting with Principal Summers and Miss Flores about this,” he added as he looked at Buck.

“Sure,” he nodded as he knelt, “Hey Superman, want to come with me?” he asked, holding out his arms.

Christopher looked unsure before nodding and letting himself be held by Buck. The man grabbed Christopher’s things and left the room. The receptionist was watching them.

“Can you please inform Principal Summers that I would like a quick meeting between the three of us?” Eddie said to the poor man.

“Of course,” he said, heading out to do that.

Chapter Twenty Four

Eddie could see that Miss Flores was trying to get his attention enough to talk. The man wasn’t happy at all with what had happened. He had spoken to Principal Summers before school began about what had happened with Christopher and how he was coping with being around water. The woman soon called them both inside.

“Mr. Diaz, it’s good to see you again. I understand that there is a problem?” Principal Summers asked as soon as the door was closed and the two were sitting down.

“Yes, my son said that Miss Flores took away his water bottle. I learned from Miss Flores that this was because there was a little bit of flavoring inside,” he answered her, keeping a tight control on his anger.

“Miss Flores, you were made aware that this would be the case for a while,” Principal Summers said, frowning at the English Teacher.

“Principal Summer,” Miss Flores began, “Christopher is one of our most popular students and a lot of the others are beginning to complain about the special treatment that he is getting. We have to make sure that they are all treated the same. Since it is against the rules, I decided that to stop any arguments from coming up that I would take the water bottle from him and replace it with plain water, like everyone else has.”

“Let me guess. Christopher didn’t know that you had done this?” Eddie asked her.

“No, I did not think it would be such a problem. Everyone else is fine to drink plain water, even we teachers do the same to show solidarity to the students and to set a good example, which at the moment Christopher is failing to do,” she explained as she stared at Eddie.

“Several weeks ago Christopher was at the Pier with Buck, when the tsunami hit. They almost died. I almost lost them both,” he said, shaking his head, “Christopher and Buck both have a problem at the moment trying to drink plain water as it reminds them of what happened. Even showering can be a problem some days. It’s also why I’ve pulled Christopher from the swimming lessons. I have no doubt Christopher reacted badly to tasting the water from his bottle. Last time he did so he was sick and shaking so badly that it took Buck and I almost an hour to calm him down, and his nightmares about what happened got a lot worse.”

Miss Flores looked at him, “I’m sorry that he was in such a place. But that-”

“No, Christopher went through something that I can’t even imagine. Only Buck is able to do so, and that was because he was there for it. They are helping each other, and at the moment Christopher is avoiding water. Both of them are seeking therapy to help with their aquaphobia. Buck is a little further along, but that’s more because of work. Christopher is doing better than he was when he couldn’t even be near water, even if it was just a couple of drops on a counter.”

“Miss Flores,” Principal Summers began, “The entire staff was informed of what was going on with Christopher Diaz. And that permission was given for him to have different water. If the children complain they were to be taken aside and explained that there was a special reason for it. We even suggested that we use the excuse that there is medicine in it to make it a different color and flavor.”

Miss Flores sat there, “The children should all be treated the same, it sets a dangerous precedent to let one of them change things.”

“So if a student had to have a special diet, that would be forbidden in your eyes Miss Flores?” Eddie asked her, glaring. “This is the second time that you have put your nose into our business. You’ve already shown disapproval about Christopher not taking part in his swimming lessons, and now this. You saw back then that he was subdued around water and now you are trying to force an issue that can cause more harm than help.”

“Edmundo, I have already told you that catering to the child will only lead to problems. You need to take a firm hand with things like this. His aquaphobia would not even be a thing if you and Mr. Buckley,” she almost spat the name as she talked, “had-”

“Enough, and I will remind you again Miss Flores,” Eddie gritted his teeth as he spoke, “That I’ve asked you to call me Mr. Diaz, I do not wish to be addressed so informally by you. The name Edmundo is only to be used by members of my family, which you are not, so do not do so again,” he glared at her.

Miss Flores stared back, shaking her head about to speak.

“Miss Flores, I will back Mr. Diaz on this, you are not to address the parents so informally,” Principal Summers reprimanded, “Do not do so.”

“Principal Summer, Mr. Diaz,” she almost growled as she replied, “my apologies.” Though it sounded very fake to both of the other two in the room.

“Now, you are to leave my son alone. He is doing what he needs to do to recover from his trauma. Principal Summers, I ask that the interaction between my son and Miss Flores here are monitored. I will be asking my Home Health Aid, Carla Price, to try and make sure that she will be able to take the days that he has lessons with her instead of their current scheduled days. I hope this is fine with you?” he asked, turning his attention to the Principal of Durand.

“Of course,” Principal Summers agreed, “I’ll make a note of things.”

“Thank you, now I need to get back to my son and partner,” he said as he stood up.

He could hear the two women talking behind him as he closed the door. Eddie was quick to get back to his truck, seeing Buck in the back with Christopher. “You okay now Chris?” he asked him gently.

“Dad,” Christopher said, reaching out his arms.

Eddie pulled him into his arms, holding him tightly as he rubbed his back. Soothing the child as he began to cry. “It’s okay Mijo, it’s okay,” he murmured over and over as he waited a while for his son to calm down once more.

“Are we going home now?” Christopher asked as he hiccupped, pulling back from his dad and looked at him.

Eddie smiled softly, “Yeah, we are. We’ll have some fun and you can do your homework a little later instead of straight away, okay.”

Christopher nodded as he let himself be buckled into his seat. Buck getting out of the back and taking his place in the front passenger side. Eddie drove back home. Buck talked to Chris about what movie they could watch. While Christopher was talking, he was more subdued than normal. Arriving home, Eddie told Buck to take Christopher into the living room, while he headed to the kitchen. He called a familiar number and waited until it connected.

“Hey, Eddie, everything okay?” came the calm voice of Carla.

“Hey Carla. I know you were going to be picking up Christopher for us, but the school called and asked me to pick him up. I am hoping that we might be able to change the schedule that you have with him for going to school. I know this is a big thing to ask. Miss Flores took Chris’ water bottle and filled it with plain water. Without telling him or anything. So of course he panicked when it was plain water and became upset. He’s really subdued. This is the second time that she has tried to tell me how to parent Chris. That I shouldn’t cater to his phobias or problems. That I should make him go swimming and make him drink plain water no matter the trauma that would cause him. I… I don’t trust this woman around my son,” Eddie said in a jumbled rush.

“So you’re wanting to see if I can change my days to be around when he has class with Miss Flores. Well, I only need to change one day. And that’s for today. He has her three times a week. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. So I just need to change Friday. I should be able to work it. Might take me a week or two to get that sorted,” Carla told him, “Now, you go and take care of that sweet boy of yours.”

“I will, and thank you Carla, I know it’s a pain and it feels silly to ask you to be there to watch over how a teacher interacts with my son. But something about her just sets me off. She also calls me Edmundo. I’ve told her not to twice now. She isn’t listening. She even did so in front of Principal Summers,” Eddie ranted a bit.

“Odd, I’ll make sure to keep an eye on things, not go,” Carla reassured him.

“Thanks Carla, for everything,” he said as he hung up after her own goodbye.

Eddie sighed, putting his phone away as he started to make something for the three of them to eat. It wasn’t exactly dinner time yet, but a small snack would be nice. It also gave him a little time to calm down, he was feeling a rising anger again at what happened. And with the way that Miss Flores had been acting.

“Dad!” Christopher called out, his voice sounding that little bit more cheerful that it was the last time.

“Hey Bud,” he said as he picked up the sandwiches that he had made and brought them out.

“Ohh food,” Buck said, rubbing his hands together.

Christopher laughed, as he leaned against him on the couch. “Food is good,” he smiled at his dad, “We’re going to watch Tangled,” he added as he took one of the sandwiches from the plate and took a large bite.

“Good choice. I love Maximus, he’s the best,” Eddie grinned at his son as he took his place on Christopher’s other side.

They didn’t even get halfway through the film before Christopher fell asleep, the emotions of the day tiring him out. Buck looked at Eddie as soon as he returned from laying Christopher on his bed and covering him with a light blanket.

“So what did she have to say?” Buck asked.

Eddie quickly told him what he had learned in the meeting. “Buck, I really don’t like this woman, she is… Something just doesn’t sit right with her. I asked Carla to change a day so that she would be in the class with Christopher when he has to be around Flores. I don’t trust her around our son.”

Buck nodded and then paused, “Our?”

Eddie looked at him, “yes our son. Buck, since the moment we met you’ve been helping me. You love him as much as I do. You would walk through fire and to the ends of the earth for him, just like I would. You are a parent to him Buck. And I would never take him away from you.”

Buck nodded, “How could I not adore and love that kid. He’s amazing Eddie, you’ve done a great job raising him.”

“I can’t take full credit for that. I know Shannon raised him when he was little. She… she was a good mom to him,” Eddie murmured.

“But you carry it on,” Buck said, “Right, do dinner?” he asked, “What do you think we should have?”

“Stir fry?” Eddie suggested, “it’s been a while.”

“I’ll do some egg noodles as well. I think we have everything for that,” Buck said, getting up to check what they had in the kitchen. “We have everything, so no trip to the store is needed,” he called out before walking back into the living room.

“Want to get a start on the prep?” Eddie stood.

Buck nodded, they didn’t know how long Christopher would sleep for. But the two men were going to give him another hour before they would wake him.

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