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 Twenty Five

Eddie jogged up the stairs to the loft. Halloween was approaching and Buck and Eddie would be the ones to hand out the candy at the station. Taking turns on who stayed behind on the calls. “Hey,” he greeted, putting down the box of decorations that he had been told to find.

“Great, you found them all,” Bobby said as he walked over, “I think we might have to find a few new ones,” he said as he began to pull a few out of the box. Some of them were damaged. Mostly those that hung around the table. Over-eager children squashing and bending them all out of shape and occasionally breaking them when their costumes caught on them.

“Yeah,” Eddie nodded as he helped Bobby start sorting through them, hoping to see what could be salvaged.

“Hey Eds,” Buck said as he slowly walked up the stairs to the loft. A box was in his hands, an envelope attached to it.

“What’s that Buck?” he asked, seeing the frown on his boyfriend’s face.

“Something was delivered to the station, it’s addressed to you,” he added, as he looked up and walked over to the table and set it down.

Eddie looked at it, “What the hell could it be?” he murmured.

“Don’t know,” Buck shrugged, “Open it and find out?” he suggested quietly.

Eddie nodded, taking the letter first and opening it. He read through it and frowned. “Eddie Diaz, I know that’s not your actual name but a nickname, which is horrid. You need something more majestic to be your name. I do know it. But I won’t put it here for now. I’ve watched you for a few weeks now, you are an amazing man. I hoped my gift from last time reached you. You are strong, kind and loving, I know. I hope one day I will have the courage to really talk to you, and for us to get to know each other outside of the roles that the world has put us in.”

“That… is creepy,” Buck said.

“Yeah,” Eddie shivered as though he could feel someone’s unwelcomed gaze on him already. He looked at the box and then slowly opened it. “It’s a red velvet cake,” he said, picking it out and dumping it straight into the bin.

“Should have gotten Athena to test it,” Buck said off-handedly.

Bobby and Eddie glanced at him, “What do you mean?”

“Drugs,” Buck said, huffing, “We all remember what the brownies were like. And I don’t ever want that to happen again,” he added, “Look, I’m just saying that it would be best to know if the person sending these were doing something like that. It could be drugs or it could even be a poison. Yes, the letter is sounding more like what someone would expect a very creepy stalker slash secret admirer would be like.”

“But we all know how quickly those things can change,” Bobby nodded, remembering Athena talking about such cases.

“Exactly, we should keep an eye on that,” Buck suggested. “Just let Athena test it, or maybe just send it off to a lab ourselves. At least that way we will know and when it changes we will know that they might be more dangerous.”

“You really see only the negative,” Chimney said when he joined them, Hen walking beside him. They had just finished stocking the ambulance after the last call.

“I know,” Buck said, “I just know how some of these can end. There are a number of statistics about this. About how often a secret admirer will turn to stalking. And how often that they are actually already stalkers when they make first contact. That’s mainly because they have had to watch their crush to find out where best to leave a gift. Like this one, they know that Eddie is here a lot. And from the letter we can see that this one has been watching Eddie, knows Eddie is a nickname and says they know it. Maybe they do. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next letter they send will actually use the name they think Eddie has,” he finished, seeing the looks aimed at him.

“You’re… smart,” Chimney said, “I don’t know why, but it still surprises me. I know,” he said holding up a hand before anyone could say anything, “I know I should have known that from the start. I let what you were like cloud my vision of who you truly are,” he added as he looked at Buck, giving him a small smile.

Buck smiled warmly. “I just read a lot,” he shrugged.

Chimney shook his head, “You don’t just read Buck, you pay attention, you listen and learn and keep information in that head of yours.”

Buck shrugged, “Yeah, well,” he broke off.

“Which… Well, Buck, Can I talk to you for a second? It’s something private,” Chimney said, standing there and feeling awkward.

“Sure,” Buck said, frowning as he walked over. Chimney looked worried as he led the way downstairs and to the empty bunk room. “What’s wrong?” he asked, sitting on one of the bunks.

Chimney sat on the one opposite him. Sighing heavily, “So, Maddie,” he began, “Recently she’s been talking to this woman. Someone she met. Now, I thought it was all fine, that there was nothing wrong with meeting and making a new friend. But then Maddie… she told me that the woman was from one of her calls. That she had called and hung up a few times. Just like Maddie had done when she was with Doug.”

“She… is talking to this woman?” Buck asked.

Chimney nodded, “Look, Buck, she’s worrying me. She’s been obsessed with trying to befriend this woman and see about getting her away from her husband. She believes that he is abusive, and from what I’ve heard he is. She doesn’t want to listen to me when I tell her that she needs to be truthful with the woman. That she is being… a stalker in a sense. I even talked with my therapist about it, and he agrees that she is acting… out.”

Buck nodded, “And you don’t think she is going to stop? That she’ll tell this woman who she is and why she is there?”

Chimney shook his head, “Buck, if this woman finds out it could cost her, her job,” he pointed out to him, “I don’t know what to do Buck, she just won’t listen to me at all about it. I’ve tried and tried, and it’s like slamming myself into a brick wall. I’ve learned that lying to someone isn’t the way to build trust. I didn’t learn that with Tatiana, but I’m determined to learn it properly now.”

Buck smiled slightly, “I’ll see about talking to her after shift. Is she working today?”

“She finishes a few hours before us,” Chimney said quietly, “I’m sorry to bring this to you Buck, I tried talking to her myself as soon as she told me what she was doing. But… she won’t listen to me, I’m hoping that she might listen to you instead.”

“I’ll try,” Buck sighed as he stood up. “The thing about abusive victims, is that they have to be ready to leave. If they aren’t, then they are going to dig their heels in and stay there, even knowing they should leave.”

Chimney looked at him, “Is… is that what Maddie did?”

Buck turned to look at him and nodded. “Things were bad with Doug when I left home. I asked her to come with me. That she should, begged and pleaded with her. But she didn’t. It’s hard to leave. You still feel the love that you held for them, the hope that they will stop hurting you, but in the end they won’t change. They will keep doing it until they go too far. Maddie didn’t want to come because she still held out hope that Doug would change, and she loved him. She still loved him. And a part of her always will, no matter that he’s dead,” he told him.

“Thanks Buck, I hope she listens to you,” Chimney sighed, as he stayed on the bunk and lay back

Buck stared at him for a moment, the man looked pensive and worried. “I hope she will as well,” he said as he then left Chimney to his thoughts.

“I’ll go back to mine instead of hers, after work, so you can talk without me there. She’s going to be angry that I told you, but… it’s worth it,” Chimney said quietly.

Buck nodded as he walked out the room and closed the door behind him.

XxXxX

Buck looked at his sister as she let him into her apartment. She looked like her usual self, except there was a small tightness around her eyes. She was stressing about something and Buck had a feeling it was about the woman that she was speaking with. “So,” he began as he followed her into the kitchen.

“Evan,” she smiled at him, “It’s good to see you, though I’m surprised that you’re on my doorstep at the moment.”

Well, you’re my sister and I thought it would be nice to catch up,” he grinned, “So what’s new with you?” he asked, as she made them something to drink.

“Nothing,” she said quickly. A little too quick for Buck.

“Now, doesn’t sound like there’s nothing going on,” Buck said, looking at her, the smile dropping somewhat from his face, “What’s going on Maddie,” he presses, waiting for her to speak, as she just busied herself around the kitchen, making a drink and putting things away. All ways to avoid talking to him. “Maddie,” he pressed a little more.

Maddie sighed, “I’m talking with someone, she’s in the same situation that I was in. I want to help her get out of it.”

“And is she ready to leave?” Buck asked her, it was a little blunt.

“Of course she is, she is being beaten up by her husband. Like… Like Doug,” she snapped at him, turning around and glaring.

Buck shook his head, “That doesn’t answer it, has she told you she wants to leave him?”

Maddie shook her head, “No, not… not really. But Buck, there were so many times that I wished I had someone in my corner, that reached out and told me that things would be alright. That I could leave and it would be fine.”

Buck’s heart sank. “I tried to get you out. I sent you postcard after postcard, telling you where I was, that you could join me. Each and every single time. You didn’t answer my calls, my messages, nothing, but they all said the same things. That I’m there for you, that I was waiting for you to come to me. To say one word and then I would have flown in and taken you away. And then you came, you knew that you would be safe with me, that’s why you came to me.”

“I… I was scared. Buck,” she said, her voice making her sound so small, “I was scared of what he would do. It’s why I was staying.”

“And she might be in that place at the moment, scared, but not ready to leave. She loves him, just as you once loved Doug. I hate the bastard for what he did, but for a time he did make you happy. Just like this woman’s husband is doing for her. Until she gets to the point where she wants to leave, that she is ready to make that courageous leap, she is going to stay with him and deny anything said against him,” he told her, “Just like you did.”

“I just want to help,” she said, looking at her brother.

Buck smiled slightly, “I know, and we’ll find a way to do so. Give her information about shelters and places that will be able to help her. But Maddie, I think you need to walk away from this one. You need some help Mads, and you know you do. Don’t… don’t be like our parents, please. Don’t let their idiocy stop you from getting better. I know what they think of therapy. It’s helping me, it’s helping Chim, and others. Do it and give it a proper chance Maddie, I want to see you happy with Chimney. But you’re a shadow as he still looms over you.”

“I’m fine, I don’t-”

“You do, just… ten weeks, do that, ten weeks, and do it properly, not just giving the answer you think they want to hear, I know you. So please, for me, for Chimney and for your own peace of mind, try,” Buck pushed her a little more, he had been trying to talk to her about finding someone for months, but she had denied any need for help.

“I’ll try,” she gave in, “Chim, he said it’s helped him see what he was doing better. To change bits of him that he hated.”

Buck walked around the counter and brought her into his arms, “I’m proud of you sis, and things will get better. I promise. It’s us against the world, don’t forget.”

Maddie hugged her brother tightly, “It is,” she nodded, agreeing, the tension starting to drain away.

Chapter Twenty Six

Chimney walked into the station two days after Buck had been able to talk to Maddie and he had seen a change in his girlfriend. They had talked and Chimney was happy with how things were going. Maddie had come forward to Tara, telling her a little of what happened to her and giving her some information on if she ever wanted to leave. Maddie had promised that she wouldn’t go and speak to Tara again. He changed quickly and rushed off to find Buck, only to find him on the couch up in the loft, Eddie seated beside him as they were looking through something.

“Hey guys,” he greeted them with a smile on his face as he went over, “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Eddie said looking up at him, “Chris wants us to do something together this weekend, since me and Buck are both off.”

“Do something fun with him, take him somewhere,” Chimney suggested, “Camping, I think he would enjoy that.”

Eddie and Buck looked at each other, “That… doesn’t sound like a bad idea, and there are plenty of places that we could go,” Buck said, “Two nights out there, I have a lot of the stuff already, just need to get a few more things and we should be able to go,” he added, looking at his phone and already writing out a small list of things he would need to take with them.

Eddie nodded, “It would be nice,” he said, “Get away from everything for a couple of days, just you, me and Chris, I think it would be great.”

“Then I’ll sort that out,” Buck grinned.

“Hey, Buck, about what we talked about. Maddie had given her the information for the shelters and is breaking contact,” Chimney said cryptically.

Buck sighed in relief, “That’s, that’s good. I’m glad that she is taking a step back. That could have ended really badly.”

“I know,” Chimney said, “I’ve been trying to tell her as soon as I learned what she was doing. But at least now she has booked her first appointment as well,” he added.

“Good, I hope she sticks with it. I know she tried when it first happened, she had to, to go back to work. But she just said the right things and got the all clear,” Buck huffed, knowing exactly what his sister would have done.

“Well, she’s taking it seriously this time,” Chimney said, “she’s actually ready to do so this time.”

Buck nodded as he carried on planning their camping trip. Christopher had a Friday off in two weeks. A training day for the teachers. The bell soon rang and their day started.

XxXxX

The day seemed to drag and go by all too quickly. Their afternoon had been filled with saving a couple of kids from crows. And now Chimney was convinced that one was following him everywhere. Buck would have been amused by the man’s paranoia if he hadn’t seen the crow himself hanging around while they were handing out some candy to trick-or-treaters. The worst call came in, Athena had come across a house with several children chained up. Buck had grabbed Eddie’s hand as they journeyed over in the truck.

“Right, lets get some lighting down there so that we can see what we’re doing,” Bobby began, “Buck you take down the bolt cutters, Hen, Chim, Eddie, and Ross you are assessing them. Huang, you and Iverson are on lights. We have another ambulance crew joining us in a few more minutes, but I want all the children out of there before they arrive.”

“Cap, best not have the bright lights. Sergeant Grant said it looked like they had been locked down there for a long time. If that’s the case, the light might hurt them,” Buck quickly said before anyone could move. Bobby nodded his agreement with him.

“We’ll bring the other lights then, they should be dim enough not to hurt,” Huang said as he and Iverson headed off to the truck to get them.

“I’ll head down with the bolt cutters now,” Buck said, following the two towards the truck.

“I’ll split up some of the supplies that we might need,” Hen added as she grabbed the others and headed to the ambulance to do just that.

“Bobby,” Athena said as she walked over to him. And Bobby could easily tell that she was shaken by what she had found. She would never call him by name like that on a scene, it was always Captain Nash.

“‘Thena,” he said softly, “you alright?” he asked and then shook his head, “Of course not,” he murmured, reaching out and squeezing her arm. “We’ll get these kids out of there, and they will be fine. And the ones behind this will be found. I know you Athena, you won’t rest until they are being cuffed.”

“Damn straight,” she nodded, “Glad you’re here,” she told him, “Captain Nash,” she said, pulling herself together to make sure she could do her job. She couldn’t wait until she could take the uniform off that night. A glass of wine and a long soak with a good novel would be her way to relax that night.

“Sargent Grant,” he nodded at her and then began to follow everyone into the basement so he could assess the situation first hand.

Huang and Iverson put up the lights, turning them to face the walls, so the light didn’t shine on the children. Buck was kneeling beside one girl, she looked a little younger than Christopher. She was shaking like a leaf, her thin arms wrapped around herself as she flinched away from Buck.

“It’s okay, we’re just going to get you out of here so that you can be checked out. These are all my friends, and we’re firefighters and paramedics, we help people,” Buck said as he then started to tell the children about each of the team around him, hoping it would help in easing the children’s fears as he began to cut them free. Hen took over the first one that was free.

Bobby watched as Buck went to each one, introducing himself and then the one that would be checking them over. Not once did the children speak. The fear around each of them could be felt by the crew of the 118. Slowly the first started to be taken from the room, only for the others to start to panic.

“Hey, shush, it’s okay, you’ll all be able to see each other as soon as you get out of here. They’ll do their best to make sure you will be with each other when you go to the hospital,” Buck said, trying to reassure and calm them down.

One of the youngest of the children was quick to grab onto Buck’s sleeve as he tried to move away. She gave a little whimper, her large brown eyes just staring at him. He turned and knelt again, “It’s okay little flower,” he told her, “Eddie here is going to check you over and make sure you’re okay. He’s really nice, and he’ll make sure that you’ll feel better soon,” he told her a small smile on his face.

“Stay, scared,” came two very quiet words.

Buck nodded, “Okay,” he said as he sat on the edge of the bed nearby and let the little girl sit beside him as Eddie checked her over. “See, it’s all going to be just fine.”

“Okay,” Eddie said looking at Buck, “Same as the others,” he added.

Buck nodded, “okay then little flower, let’s get you outside with the others,” he said, giving her a smile. He picked her up carefully and took her outside with the others.

Buck hung around the ambulances, talking to the children as Hen was doing the same. Chimney did what he could as well. Ross was working quietly with one of the older children. Eddie and the others had gone back inside to have a good look around, to see if they could find anything that would tell them who the children belonged to. It was when Hen was talking to one of the children that they learned the heart wrenching truth. It had been their own parents that had chained them in the basement. Buck and the others took great satisfaction when the parents came back and were arrested.

“I hope they throw the book at them and lock them away for the rest of their lives,” Buck hissed as they were taken away. The ambulances were being closed up, the children settled between three of them.

“Same,” most of the others said, as some just nodded in agreement.

XxXxX

When they arrived back at the station, the place was almost empty a few last minute trick-or-treaters being seen to by one of the men that had stayed behind.

“Eddie, Buck, would you be able to clean up?” Bobby asked, “Someone else is going to restock.”

“Yeah, sure,” Eddie said. Buck had been quiet in the truck the entire way back to the station.

Buck nodded once and began the clean up of the Halloween decorations. He was done, he hated what he had seen, but he knew the others had seen the same thing. The little girl he had been with hadn’t wanted him to leave, having latched onto him. He could still hear her heart wrenching sobs and cries as he had to leave her in the ambulance.

Eddie watched his boyfriend, who was going through the motions of clearing up and taking things to be put away. “Buck,” he called to him after a while.

“Eds,” Buck’s voice sounded small, broken.

Eddie walked over to him and wrapped his arms around him and held him. “What’s going on?” he asked him softly.

“That little girl. She was so scared, Eds, so scared and she didn’t want me to leave and I had to. And it… I didn’t want to leave her alone, Eddie,” he whispered brokenly.

“I know, Evan,” he murmured, rubbing his back. He glanced up and he could see Bobby standing on the balcony above them.

“I… sorry,” Buck said, “I shouldn’t be this bad,” he added, trying to pull away and wipe away his tears.

“So am I, all I can think of is Chris. It’s what sometimes I think my parents want to do with Chris, lock him away to keep in a way to keep him safe. But… it would be a crime to do it to him, he’s such a free spirit, but I know they would try to limit him,” Eddie told him, “We’re both upset about what we found. All we can do is hope that the kids will be treated well from now on.”

“Buck, Eddie,” Bobby said as he walked down the stairs and over to them.

“Bobby,” Buck said pushing away from Eddie, he wiped the last of his tears away, “sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about, this type of thing will get to you. Why don’t the two of you go home. This was a tough one and I’m going to bring in some of B-Shift to cover for you two and for Hen. I’m going to be sending her home as well,” he said as he looked at the two of them, “Go home, see Chris, give him a big hug, because that is what’s needed at the moment. To remind ourselves of the good things. And I know it’s what you both need.”

“We… we still have over half a shift,” Buck told him.

“I know, but it’ll be fine. I’ve already sent word to the chief that I will be taking a few of you off rotation especially those who are parents,” he told him, “Now, go home, B-Shift will be coming in to take over everyone for the most part. Only I will remain, as well as Chim, until morning.”

“But-”

“No buts, Buck, home, both of you.”

“Yes Cap,” Eddie said, taking Buck by the arm, “Come on, we’ll go home, see if Chris is still awake, and give him a hug as we tuck him into bed,” he told him, guiding him to the changing room so they could go home.

Chapter Twenty Seven

“Buck,” Eddie said as they left the station.

“I need to fill up, so I’ll grab some snacks for us. We’ll watch a film? After we check on Chris?” Buck suggested.

Eddie nodded, “Sure, sounds like a plan. Chris should still be up, I’ll let him stay up until you get there,” he said as he squeezed Buck’s arm and got into his truck.

Buck smiled softly as he went over to his jeep and jumped in. Heading off to the gas station to see about filling up and snacks. He pulled up, frowning at the weird car with the man in the windshield. Thinking it was a Halloween prop, he got out of his jeep and then saw what he thought was a mannequin move. enough that Buck realized that it was an actual person. “Hey!” he yelled as he tried to stop the woman from driving off. “Damn it!” he yelled out as he went back to his jeep and chased after her. Using the hand’s free he called 9-1-1.

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” came the male voice.

“This is off duty LAFD firefighter, Evan Buckley. I’m going south down Vermont after a gold four door sedan. There’s a man in the windshield. He’s alive,” he said quickly.

“What? That’s real? We’ve been getting reports of that for the last day or so, but no ones been able to find them,” he said, sending someone out to them.

“I’m going to try and pull them over,” Buck said as he began to speed up to try and overtake the sedan that was ahead of him. He sped up a little more, able to pull ahead, he could see the man in the windshield moving a little more. Overtaking, he pulled in front and stopped his car, making sure that the woman couldn’t get past him. Jumping out of his jeep, the woman doing the same.

“What are you crazy!” she demanded to know.

Buck got a good look at her, seeing the large lump that was on her forehead, “Are you okay Miss? Have you hit your head recently?” he asked her.

“What… no… I don’t… I don’t think so,” she shook her head, frowning at him.

“Okay, please, stay right there, okay,” he said, moving her to the side as he heard a groan coming from the car. He jumped in and moved over, hissing in pain for a second before saying, “Hey, help is on the way, okay.” Buck was doing the best that he could to help the man that was in the windshield. The woman outside of the car came over.

“What are you doing in my car? You need to get out. I will call the police on you,” she said, phone already in her hand.

“Ma’am, I’m a firefighter and you have someone in your windshield,” he tried to tell her, as he carried on rendering what first aid he could to the man.

“No there isn’t, there’s no one there,” she said, “I’m calling the police,” She said moving away from the car.

“Do what you want,” he muttered, as finally he could hear the sirens and see the lights of the ambulance and fire truck heading their way.

“What do we have?” someone asked minutes later as the paramedics came over.

“Male, early thirties I would say. From what I’ve heard, he may have been here for at least twenty four hours or more. Hasn’t regained consciousness at all. I think you need to speak with the driver as well. She has a hell of a large lump on her forehead,” Buck said as he let them take over.

“We’ve got someone else speaking with her,” she said as she and her partner got to work.

Buck was able to get out of the car and moved away watching what was going on. One of the firefighters approached him, “You did well,” he told him.

“Yeah,” Buck sighed, “Do you think he’ll be okay?” he asked, knowing that they really couldn’t get an answer.

“It looks good at the moment for the both of them,” he answered him, “Now what about you?” he gestured to the blood on his arm and hand.

“Oh… erm that’s fine, it’s not mine,” he said, and then looked at his arms, seeing the cut that was there. It wasn’t too deep or long, but it was bleeding a lot, “Okay,” he murmured, “I think I might need a little help.”

“Okay,” he nodded, gesturing to someone to come over.

“I’m on blood thinners,” he said.

“Okay, we’ll be taking you to the hospital as well,” he said as the other paramedic walked over and saw to Buck.

XxXxX

Eddie arrived home not long after leaving the 118. He sighed in relief as he saw home. The children, all of them, had gotten to him. He pretended for the entire call that it hadn’t, but the thought of someone locking their child away for so long was horrific. Shuddering, he took a steadying breath and got out of his truck. Entering the house he saw Carla and Christopher on the couch, the younger one already in his pajamas ready for bed.

“Daddy!” Christopher said as he turned, hearing the front door open.

“Hey, mijo,” he grinned, quickly going around the couch and kneeling so he could wrap his arms around his son and hold him as tightly as he could, “I’ve missed you.”

“Bad day, dad?” Christopher asked him, looking at him, putting his hands on his dad’s face so he could stare at him properly.

“Just a bit,” he said, a small smile on his face. “Buck’s going to be joining us soon as well. He said he wants a big hug from his Superman.”

“Is Bucky sad too?” he asked him.

Eddie nodded, “Yeah, he’s sad like me. We had a very hard day at work today.”

“I assume that is why you are both early,” Carla said softly as she stood up.

Eddie glanced up at her, “It is, you don’t have to leave, I don’t mind having you here while we wait for Buck, I think he wouldn’t mind a hug from one of his favorite ladies either.”

“I’ll stay and cook something up for you both,” she said, heading towards the kitchen.

“You really don’t have to do that Carla,” he said, picking his son up as he followed the woman.

“I don’t mind,” she told him, “I already prepared a few things, was going to make it up and leave it aside for you and Buck to warm up when you got home in the morning. Since I know that you normally wouldn’t come back home until after I had taken Christopher to school, and you boys are hungry when you get home from a shift most days.”

Eddie smiled, “What would I do without you, Carla?”

“Be lost in paperwork,” she teased him, laughing with him as she settled down to start cooking the meal that she had planned for the two men.

“That wouldn’t surprise me at all,” he snorted in laughter.

“When will Bucky come?” Christopher asked, resting his head on his dad’s shoulder.

“He should be here soon, he said he was going to pick a few things up and come and join us,” Eddie told him as he set him down.

“Can I go play?” he asked, “I know I have to go to bed soon, but please,” he begged his dad.

Eddie smiled, “Of course you can mijo, just know that as soon as Buck has said goodnight, you have to go to sleep,” he told him.

“I will,” Christopher grinned as he slowly made his way out of the kitchen and back to the living room.

Eddie and Carla talked for a while as she cooked. Eddie was frowning at his phone as she turned from the stove.

“Is everything okay?” she asked him.

“Buck’s not answering, he should have been here by now,” he added, glancing up for a second.

“You worried about the call that caused you two to be sent home?” Carla questioned, she hadn’t asked what it had been about, but she could see the tenseness in Eddie.

“I think being with Christopher would have helped more than anything,” he murmured, “Children, locked up in a basement, half starved, dehydrated, and with illnesses that… well, can only come from neglect. We got them out, of course. But it… shook us up a bit. One of the little ones, a little girl, latched on to Buck. He… he was upset, she was crying and calling for him when they took her away in the ambulance.”

“I can see why,” Carla hummed, “That boy adores children, and he hates to see them upset.”

“I know, it’s part of the reason that Bobby talked with the Chief about letting those with children go a little earlier than normal,” Eddie sighed as he sent another message to Buck.

“That was nice, normally you wouldn’t get that break,” Carla said quietly.

“No, I think it was more because of Buck and how he was reacting to it all. He was so upset about it, Carla. Worse than myself and Hen,” Eddie sighed, rubbing his face.

“That boy of ours wears his heart on his sleeve and always has, even when I first met him, it was right there on show,” she smiled softly as she remembered a slightly younger Buck.

“Yeah,” Eddie nodded, his phone giving a ring as it sat on the counter. “Hello?”

Carla turned to look at him, seeing Eddie face going from curious to worried in a split second.

“Yeah, I’ll… I’ll be there soon, he’s okay though?” he asked, nodding as he got his answer. “Thank you,” he said ending the call, his hand shaking slightly. He took a calming breath, “Food’s going to have to wait a bit. Buck’s at the hospital. He got taken in. He has a cut on his arm, but he is fine,” he told her, seeing the question on her face.

“Right, then you need to head down there. I’ll finish cooking this and let you go and get him. I’ll also get Christopher to bed,” she told him.

“Yeah, though if he doesn’t want to go, don’t force him. He’ll fall asleep on the couch, just leave him there and I’ll put him to bed when I get back,” Eddie said as he headed out of the kitchen and over to where Christopher was sat on the floor by the coffee table, lego spread over it.

“Dad,” Christopher grinned as he looked up at him. Though the smile didn’t remain for long. “What’s wrong?” he frowned.

“Bucky had a little accident and he needed to get his cut seen to. So I have to go and get him from the hospital,” he answered him, telling him what he knew.

“But’s Buck’s okay?” he asked again, moving around to face his dad.

“Yes, he’s okay,” Eddie smiled slightly, “I just need to go and get him.”

“Okay, but I’m not going to bed until I see Bucky,” Christopher told him, arms folded in front of him, “I want to make sure he’s okay,” he added a little quieter.

“Alright, but if you do go to bed, you can see Buck in the morning,” he said, ruffling his son’s hair before standing up straight and headed to the front door.

“Maybe, Dad,” Christoph giggled, “just go get Bucky, he needs to rest at home.”

Eddie turned and smiled at him, “That he does, we’ll make sure he is well taken care of won’t we?”

“Yep!” he yelled out. His dad gave him one last smile before heading out of the front door and closing it behind him.

Reaching his truck he took another breath and muttered, “Seriously Buck, all the damn time with the heart attacks.” He started up his truck and headed out. Glad that it was getting late enough that traffic wasn’t so bad. Reaching the hospital a little sooner than he thought he would. He parked up and headed inside, asking for Buck.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Eddie was finally let into the room where Buck was. The man was sitting joking on the edge of the bed as a nurse was suturing the cut on his arm. It was long, and not as deep as Eddie had feared, but he could see that it was still bleeding slightly. “Buck,” he said, as he caught the attention of the younger man.

“Hey Eds, sorry about this,” he said softly, “I just have to wait until the police can take my statement,” he added, as the nurse finished and started to cover it up.

“You know the deal, keep it clean,” she said as she looked at him, “I take it you are the former army medic now firefighter boyfriend?”

“That I am,” Eddie drawled, his Texan accent coming through for a moment.

“Well, take care of him,” she said, “Mr. Buckley, do try not to end up in here again.”

Buck just grinned, “Thanks for coming to get me,” he said, “Sorry that we now have to wait around,” he added.

“No, no waiting around, we have a son at home that wants to see his Bucky,” he told him, “So, why don’t we find one of those officers and see about getting your statement done now instead of hours down the line where you’ll be in time for breakfast instead of a late dinner,” he added, giving the man a look.

Buck smiled slowly, “Yeah, I think that is the better option,” he said, sliding off the bed and following Eddie out of the cubicle.

“How are you?” he asked, gesturing to the arm.

“It’s not bad, they put some stitches in and not glue, but it will still heal fine. Just gotta keep it clean, you know the same old same old,” he shrugged, holding out his arm and seeing the bandage on it.

“Well, at least you got it sorted,” Eddie sighed, “Though really, getting a call not even two hours after I see you from the hospital, and you also not answering my messages and calls. You have no idea how worried I was.”

“Sorry, I left my phone in the jeep, didn’t bring it with me. So I had to get the hospital to call you,” Buck winced, “Really, sorry,” he repeated.

“It’s fine,” he shook his head, “Just… try and give me a heads up when you are going to be a hero outside of work,” he told him, laughing lightly as he saw the grin spreading on Buck’s face.

“Oh, Officer,” Buck called out to the young man in uniform.

“Yes, can I help you?” he asked, turning to face him.

“I was the one that called in the windshield incident, just wanted to know if you want my statement now or you can come to my home. I had only just gotten off work and could really do with getting home,” Buck said.

“Our son is staying up past his bedtime to be able to see him and make sure he’s okay,” Eddie added, hoping that would get the officer to hurry up. It might not work, but it didn’t hurt to try.

“I’ll just call the detective, she wants to talk with you about what you saw,” he said, “I’ll go and get her,” he added as he then walked off.

“Thank you,” Buck called out after him, and the two of them waited, “How was Chris?” he asked Eddie.

“He was fine, happy to see me before bed, but he clocked on that it had been a bad day. He wants to give you a couple of cuddles before he goes to bed,” he smiled softly as he thought of his son.

“He’s too smart, that kid,” Buck smiled softly, “I’m sorry for dragging you out,” he told him.

“It’s fi-” he began, only to feel his phone vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out with a frown on his face as he saw that it was Bobby, “Hey, Cap, everything okay?” he asked.

“I just got a call from the hospital that Buck was admitted,” Bobby answered him, “I-”

“I’m at the hospital with him, and Buck is standing right in front of me, you want to talk to him?” Eddie said before Bobby could worry any further.

“Please,” Bobby said, sighing in relief when he could detect no worry in Eddie’s voice.

“Hey, Bobby,” Buck said as soon as he was handed the phone.

“Are you okay?” he asked quickly.

“Yeah, just a cut, needed to be stitched up a bit, but other than that, I’m just fine. There was a man in a windshield and I had to help, Bobby. I know I should have been more careful, but-” he cut himself off, pulling a face.

“But it’s who you are, I know,” Bobby snorted, “And I’m just glad that you’re alright. What did the doc say about work?” he asked him.

Buck sighed, “just to be careful and to do light duties for a week until the stitches come out so I don’t pull them.”

“Right, then that’s what we’ll do. Just take care of yourself, please for me and Eddie and for Christopher. We worry about you kid, you have more than yourself to think of now,” he pointed out to the young man.

Eddie nodded to the woman and the returning officer as Buck finished up his call with Bobby. “Thanks,” he said as he took the phone back.

“Sorry for the wait Mr. Buckley,” the detective said as she stepped forwards, “I’m Detective Anderson, normally a Sargent would be covering this case, but there is a mess of things going on,” she snorted.

“So you got grabbed for it,” Buck nodded.

“Something like that, we’re trying to figure out who the man is at the moment, we have no prints on record for him and no missing persons have turned up,” she told him, “He had no ID on him either.”

“I hope you find out who he is, no doubt there is family out there missing him,” Buck said quietly.

“No doubt,” she agreed with him, “Can I get a quick statement from you about what you saw and where you first saw them? This might help in tracing the women’s movements.”

“Yeah sure,” Buck nodded, “I don’t mind that at all. Though I would like to know how they are both doing.”

“How about you give your statement and I’ll see what I can find out,” Eddie said, patting the man on the shoulder.

“Sure,” Buck nodded, as he was escorted to a private waiting room so he could give a statement.

Eddie went off to see what he could find out. Which wasn’t a lot, since he wasn’t related to either of them. But it would, at least, be enough to ease Buck’s mind. When he returned, he had to wait a little bit before the man was able to finish his statement and answer what questions that they could come up with.

“Done?” he asked as he looked at him, he had been at the hospital for a while, and Carla had messaged that Christopher had fallen asleep on the couch.

“Yeah, sorry,” Buck winced, “I need to get my jeep and then we can go home,” he told him. Eddie nodded, already knowing that would be the case.

“Let’s get going, Chris is asleep on the couch, so we’re going to have to get him into bed,” Eddie said, “And he will be wanting to wake up to know that you’re okay and to give you a hug,” he added, giving the man a smile as they left the hospital and headed for Eddie’s truck.

“Okay,” Buck smiled. They got in and headed to where Buck had left his jeep. Getting into it, he saw that he had a few missed calls and messages. He sighed as he started up his jeep and followed Eddie back home.

XxXxX

Eddie waited outside for Buck to pull up, the front door was open slightly as Buck parked his jeep and jogged over to him. “Come on,” he said, opening the door fully and walking inside. Carla was already up as she saw Buck walk in behind Eddie.

“Hey boo, how are you?” she asked him, seeing his arm and being careful, she hugged him tightly.

“I’m fine, really,” Buck reassured her, squeezing her just as hard, “Thanks,” he said softly.

“I made dinner, it’s still hot since I finished it a few moments ago. Go and eat and then wake Chris to take him to bed. And I’ll see you in the morning to take Mr. Sunshine to school,” she told the two of them, it was her day to remain at the school with Christopher and help him with anything.

“Thanks Carla,” Buck grinned as he could already smell something really nice.

“Yeah, thanks,” Eddie said as he let the woman collect her things before seeing her out.

Buck was already in the kitchen, making sure the chicken stir fry was hot and served it for the two of them, “This smells so nice,” he said, stomach grumbling and mouth watering.

“She might not be Bobby, but she’s still a damn good cook,” Eddie praised as he sat down next to Buck at the table, their voices quiet so they didn’t wake Christopher up.

As Eddie cleaned up after they had finished, Buck walked into the living room and knelt beside the couch. Christopher was still asleep, though he was beginning to move around.

He brushed blond curls from Christopher’s eyes, “Hey Chris,” he said as sleepy eyes began to open.

“Papa,” Christopher said, a smile forming on his face as he reached out his arms, “Miss you, love you,” he added.

“Love you to kid,” Buck said as he pulled Christopher into his arms, slowly standing up with him. He wanted to cry as he heard Christopher call him papa. Eddie had told him that the kid had been wanting to do so, warning him, but he hadn’t believed it. And while Christopher might be a little sleepy, Buck held on to the little hope that Christopher would feel comfortable in calling him papa again when he was more awake.

“You okay?” Christopher asked as he woke up a little more, seeing Buck and smiled at him.

“I’m fine now buddy, I have you to hug,” he said, giving the kid a little squeeze as he walked towards Christopher’s bedroom.

“Good,” he nodded before resting his head against Buck’s shoulder, “Dad said you had a bad day,” he added, patting him on the shoulder a few times.

“We did, but it’s all better now that I’ve been able to see you. Sometimes, seeing you makes the day sooo much better,” he said, entering the bedroom and putting Christopher down on the bed. Tugging up the blankets, “Sleep kid,” he told him.

“Okay,” he yawned, “Night Papa, tell Daddy good night too,” he mumbled already drifting off back to sleep.

Buck tucked him in, placing a kiss on Christopher’s forehead before leaving the room, only to find Eddie standing in the doorway. “Hey,” he smiled.

“Already asleep,” Eddie murmured as he walked around Buck and over to the bed and did the same as Buck, kissing his son’s forehead before going back towards Buck.

“Of course, it’s really late, I’m surprised you let him stay up so long,” Buck added as they left Christopher’s room, closing the door quietly behind them.

“I knew you needed to see him, hold him,” Eddie said, “When I got back and held him all the tension from that call just seemed like it was far away. It was something I needed, and you as well.”

Buck nodded as they headed back to the living room and went about finding a film to watch before they would head to bed themselves. “You’re right, I did,” he said, sitting beside his boyfriend and leaning over for a kiss before settling against him. Eddie wrapped an arm around him, pulling him as close as he could. With a happy sigh the two settled down to watch a movie.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Bobby looked at the package that was on the table of the loft. They had gone out on a call, and now came back to this. He was on edge, this was the second one that had turned up in the last couple of weeks. The first had been for Eddie, and as he walked over, he could see that this one was as well. “I really don’t like these turning up,” he said as he looked to the others.

“Neither do I cap,” Eddie sighed as he glimpsed his name on the parcel. It was his full name this time. “Do I even want to open it?” he said as he just stared at it.

“Want me to have Athena come by, so she could take it?” Bobby asked, looking concerned at the younger man.

“Is there a point? It’s not going to stop the person that’s doing this,” he sighed as he walked over.

Buck jogged up the stairs and stopped. “Another one,” he shook his head, knowing that his boyfriend wasn’t keen on these packages coming.

Eddie nodded, “Looks like it,” he said, as he carefully opened the box. It had gone through the proper channels before being delivered to the station. A letter was on top, taking it he peeled it open and took out the letter. “Same thing, they know me, watch me and I am getting creeped out,” he said.

“I’ve messaged Athena, she is at least going to take them and keep a record of it on file with the police. Just in case they start getting worse,” Bobby told him, putting his phone away.

“Thanks Bobby,” Buck said as he placed a hand on Eddie’s back, giving the man some comfort.

Eddie smiled at Buck and then took out the smaller box that was inside. He opened it, his eyes going wide, “A… watch,” he said, frowning.

“That’s not cheap,” Buck said as he noticed the branding on it, he frowned at it, wondering who would do something like that. It was a very forward and almost intimate gift to give someone you don’t actually know.

“Buck, I mentioned a few times that I needed a new watch, as mine has been messing around. We got one yesterday, remember,” he told him.

“I know, so… they must have heard you maybe?” Buck suggested, getting a nod.

“Don’t touch it, let Athena take it, could be used as evidence if it’s needed,” Bobby advised the two of them before they could touch the watch themselves.

“Yeah,” Eddie said, putting it back into the box with the letter, “I really hate this, don’t even know why,” he added, shaking his head and moving away.

“Athena will take care of things,” Buck reassured him, wrapping his arms around Eddie and holding him tightly.

“I hope so, I hate this type of thing,” he muttered.

“What’s going on?” Chimney asked as he and Hen walked up, along with the rest of their shift. Each of them could feel the tension in the loft and knew it was to do with the package that was on the table.

“Another package,” Bobby was the one to answer, “Athena’s coming to get it.”

“Right,” Chimney nodded, “Getting serious,” he murmured.

Buck and Eddie were glad that they would be able to leave soon, they had less than two hours of shift left. Eddie was starting to feel a little uncomfortable at work when things would turn up. Athena soon came, and took them away, reassuring him that she’ll file a report with one of the others.

XxXxX

Buck was smiling as he and Eddie were waiting for Christopher to be let out. They were surrounded by so many other parents waiting for their children to arrive. “Oh, hello,” came the all too peppy voice of one of the mothers that had walked over to him. Buck was too busy talking to one of the other parents. He knew he should try and remember the names of them all, but he left that with Buck.

“Afternoon,” Eddie said, barely sparing her a glance as he kept an eye out for Christopher and hoped that Buck would turn his attention back to him so he could escape the woman. He hated talking to the parents, he knew what a lot of the single ones were after. The ones that were married or in a committed relationship, may give him a glance, like they do Buck, but he had more of a chance of getting decent conversation from them.

“It’s nice to see you again, Edwardo,” she smiled at him, “So nice to see a father here, waiting for this child.”

“It’s not Edwardo,” he told her, almost glaring. He ignores her a little as Buck turns back to him, “Finished talking?” he asked, reaching out a hand.

“Yeah, they want to see if Chris would be good for a sleepover in a few days. I told them that it would be best to speak with you about that,” he answered him, taking the offered hand and moving to stand beside Eddie. “Oh, hello,” he nodded to the woman that was now glaring at him.

“Who is this?” she said, looking at him in distaste.

“You’ve met me before Miss Canning, at Theo’s birthday party, I was the one that brought Christopher, since Eddie here was busy with Abuela,” he said, keeping a pleasant smile on his face.

“Yes, I pegged you for being one of… those types when I met you,” she sneered at him, “Don’t know what you would be doing around someone like Eddie here,” she said as she turned to Eddie and smiled sweetly.

“Well, since he’s my boyfriend, he should be here when we meet our son from school,” Eddie was the one to speak up, feeling annoyed at the woman.

Miss Canning rolled her eyes, “No doubt he duped you into believing that you are. You have a son, one that is yours. I know his last name is the same as yours, Nothing to do with… that side piece,” she said, giving a little flutter of her fingers in Buck’s direction.

“Ma’am,” Eddie said as he looked down at her, “Considering I’m the one that made the first move. I don’t think he was the one that duped me. It would have been the other way around.”

“Didn’t dupe me at all, I happily fell for you,” Buck said with a grin as he leaned against Eddie a little.

“Good thing too, I think Christopher and some of the others were going to get ready to lock us in a closet somewhere,” he laughed.

Buck laughed as well, “Well, would have been just about right to come out of, then,” he grinned, Eddie snorted and rolled his eyes.

“How disgusting,” Miss Canning snapped, “How could you flaunt yourself like that. Really Eddie, I would have thought you would think more of your son than to try and confuse him with such behaviors. I know you are such a good father to Christopher. My son Theo thinks the world of you as well. He knows that you’re a great firefighter, and that you’re a hero.”

“And so is Buck,” Eddie said, “If I am, so is he, since we’re both firefighters.”

“And I bet if they knew that you were together that one of you, mainly him,” she said motioning towards Buck, “Would be fired.”

“Not a chance,” Eddie told her, “He’s one of the best.”

“It’s disgusting, gay people like him, those with funny ideas about their… sexuality,” she sneered at Buck, “Should be kept well away from children. I shall be making a complaint at the school about him being around.”

“Wow,” Buck snorted, shaking his head, “What year are you living in?” he asked her, “Because seriously, you must be living in another century. Get with the times, the only ones that care about a kid having two dads or two moms or anything like that, is homophobic assholes like you,” he told her, keeping his voice down a little as he swore. Wouldn’t do for a kid to over hear. But then again, what child over five hasn’t at least heard several dozen of them already.

“How rude, and I’m not homophobic,” she snapped at him.

“You are. You are saying that children shouldn’t be around anyone that is gay or lesbian, or bi, or ace?” he asked her, getting a glare in return. “It’s not up to you how someone else parents their child. It’s not up to you to try and dictate how someone lives their life and who they love. What is up to you is to shut your mouth and get with the times, before someone realizes what a piece of shit you actually are,” he said, glaring. He turned away from her, “Oh, Chris,” Buck said as he spotted the eight year old coming out of the school building. A teacher leading the class.

“Go and get him,” Eddie said, “he’ll be happy to see you,” he added.

Buck just grinned. “Yeah, think I better before I say something else,” he added.

Eddie watched as Buck left, smiling as he saw the man pick up his son and his son’s very happy shout of Papa, easily heard above the others.

“Really,” Miss Canning sneered as she watched, “I don’t know why you would want your son to be near him. I have no doubt that you are a perfect gentleman compared to him. Looks like he must do… drugs of some kind to get those type of muscles.”

“Can you please stop talking, you are really beginning to annoy me. My choice in partner is not up to you. I love Buck very much, and so does our son,” Eddie snapped at her, “And you daring to imply such a thing about him is way out of line. Please leave me alone, leave us all alone and never speak to us again. I just hope that your son will have more sense than you,” he finished, giving her a glare as he went to meet up with Buck and Christopher, who were slowly making their way over to him.

“I have no doubt that you will soon come to your senses. And when you do. I’ll be waiting for you to help you and your poor son. Hopefully the damage won’t be too great, but then again there are some good therapy places for such things, may have to travel, but worth it,” she simpered as she went off to find her own son.

“That woman,” Eddie huffed as he went over to Buck and wrapped him and Christopher into his arms, “Sometimes I don’t like the other parents.”

“Were they being mean, Daddy?” Christopher giggled.

“Very,” Eddie answered him, pouting.

Christopher’s laugh got louder as he reached up from where he was sat on Buck’s hip and patted his dad on the head, “Po- poor Daddy.”

“Yes, poor Daddy,” Eddie laughed, “Come on, let’s go home.”

“Okay,” Christopher nodded, wiggling to get down. Buck let him down and the eight year old walked ahead of them, heading to where Eddie always parked the truck.

“That woman,” Buck murmured.

“Don’t I know,” Eddie sighed, “She was still pushy when you left. Told her to leave me alone. I don’t know if I will be letting Christopher go near her place if she is like that. I think she was hinting at conversion therapy…” he trailed off shuddering.

“That… yeah, we’re not letting Christopher near her place. I don’t mind her kid, as, well he’s just a kid. But no, if there is a party at their house, we’re going to be doing something fun ourselves to make sure,” Buck agreed, shaking his head. He could see Miss Canning nearby, glaring at him. “Good thing it’s banned in California,” he added quietly.

“Good to hear, the thought of that… sickens me,” Eddie confessed as they finally reached his truck.

“I think most of the world’s populace would agree,” Buck nodded as he then got Christopher in his seat, “Let’s get going, home work to do and dinner to cook.”

“Can we have spaghetti and meatballs, Papa?” Chris asked.

“Only if your dad’s going to make his amazing meatballs,” Buck answered with a grin as he glanced over at Eddie.

Eddie snorted, “Fine, a trip to the store first then,” he agreed easily, starting up the truck and pulling away from the school.

Chapter Thirty

Buck walked into his loft; it had been a few days since he had last spent time there. He needed to collect his mail at the very least. Though he was going to spend the night. Christopher had tried to talk him into staying another night. But he was still a little scared of out-staying his welcome. So he was going home, and Christopher’s begging hadn’t worked, not even Eddie’s pouting had worked. Though there was another reason why he was going home, and that was to meet up with Maddie and to spend a little time with his sister and see what was going on in her life.

Buck walked around, feeling like something was out of place. Pictures looked like they had moved. Shaking his head, “Just my imagination, no one else has been in here but me,” he sighed. The place didn’t look like it had been broken into. The door was fine, and nothing seemed to really be out of place. He showered and changed, pulling out a bottle of wine he knew his sister liked, while grabbing a beer for himself.

“Really, I hate LA traffic,” came Maddie’s voice as she let herself into the apartment.

“Don’t we all,” Buck laughed as his sister sighed as she took the offered glass.

“Thank you so much Buck.” she said, taking a sip, “Oh, you have my favorite,” she smiled at him.

“Of course, only the best for my big sister,” he teased lightly as he went and sat down, “How are you?”

“Some days I am sick of that question,” she snorted following him and sitting down on the couch, toeing off her shoes, she curled up on it and looked at him, “Doing a lot better than I thought I would be doing. I’m seeing someone called Anita, she is a domestic abuse survivor as well. So she actually knows what she is talking about more in my eyes. She understands why I never want to think or even speak of it. I… loved Doug, and a part of me always will. I was always holding out that hope that things would go right and that we would have that wonderful spark we had when we first met.”

“I know,” Buck sighed, “That is something that I don’t like, I hate the fact that you do. But… I understand that you can’t control what you feel,” he said looking at her.

“Yeah,” she nodded, “I wish I had done things differently, wish that I… I hadn’t killed him.”

Buck moved closer and drew his sister into his arms, “We all wish that things were different, all we can do is move forward and hope,” he said softly.

“Tara called me yesterday,” Maddie said as she was let go, picking up her wine again and sipping at it.

“Yeah? How is she?” he asked, knowing the woman she was on about.

Maddie smiled, “She left him. She’s been in one of the shelters for the last few days. Part of her wants to go back, because she still loves him. That’s, that’s going to be the hardest part of it for her I think. She wasn’t ready, she wasn’t ready to leave until now. I talked to her about Doug, that even now I still love him. That she may end up feeling the same even as time goes on. But she needs to be strong, to not go back to that. To not have to live in fear of what he might do next. I… I couldn’t tell her that I killed Doug, I couldn’t.”

“You don’t have to,” Buck told her, reaching out and taking her hand, “You are one badass lady, never forget that, sis. You survived, you got out and you got away. He could have left it at that, he made the choice not to. You are not to blame,” he reminded her.

“I know, I do,” she smiled at him, it was a little weak, but it was there. “Talking to her,” she sighed, “I’m reminded a lot of what happened when I made that decision to leave. I had to do it quickly, so he wouldn’t know. She did the same. I’m so happy that she got out. She… thanked me for the information, without it she wouldn’t have left.”

“I’m glad for that,” Buck smiled.

“Thank you, for talking me out of doing something stupid. I… I think I could have made it worse with what I was doing, Anita thinks that it would have caused her to cling to her husband even more,” she told him, her voice was quiet, looking away ashamed of her actions.

“Chim was worried about you, he wanted you to be okay and he knew you weren’t,” Buck said, squeezing her hand.

“We’re going to couples therapy, so that I know better than to ignore something, and he wants to get better at being there and helping. And to do better as a partner. He said he made some really serious mistakes in the past. Enough that he doesn’t know if he even trusts himself to start a relationship with me now. But when I suggested couples therapy, I think it will help us both reach a point where we can be happy in our relationship together,” she smiled, “Now, enough about me, please. I think I’ve talked about things enough, for now.”

“Okay,” he grinned. “Oh, found out something about Bobby, he did figure skating,” he smirked, “I even looked online and was able to find his old partner, she is sending me a few old pictures of them. Told me to tell him hello and to give him her email. She’d like to catch up,” he laughed, as he grabbed his phone to find the pictures. “Here, look.” He handed over his phone as his sister giggled at the pictures.

“What are you up to with them?” she asked him.

Buck laughed, “Well, I am getting a cardboard cut out of one of them. Sent it off, should be ready just before shift tomorrow. So I will pick it up on my way to work.”

“I’ll ask Chim to record what happens,” Maddie smirked at him, “How are things going with Eddie? Not so much of a boy crush now,” she teased him.

“No, it really isn’t,” he smiled warmly, “Mads, I… never thought this would happen to me. I kind of hoped, I really did. And then Eddie came along, and I was gone. I really was, Mads,” he said, leaning back and drinking the last of his beer.

“I could tell when you told me about him and Christopher. He also was so insistent on taking you home after… after the tsunami. He begged me, Evan, he begged. And I wanted you with me, I really did, but I think maybe looking back I made the right choice in letting you go to him,” she shook her head.

“If you hadn’t, Eddie and I might still be dancing around our feelings,” Buck pointed out to her, “Want another glass?” he asked, getting up to get himself another beer.

“Sure, one more, and then I should head home, and yes, I’ll be calling an Uber, I knew I would be drinking so I took one here,” she smiled at him before he could say anything about her driving home.

“Good, I never ever want to get a call where I have to rescue family,” he told her, taking her glass and heading into the kitchen area to refill it and grab himself a beer.

“It’s nice to know that things are going well though. How is Chris finding the change?” she asked as he walked back towards her.

“He’s loving it. Doesn’t want me to come home at all. Always begging me to stay. I think in the last few weeks, I’ve stayed here twice. And now a third time,” he snorted, “Eddie and Chris tried to get me to stay.”

“But we needed a Buckley Bonding Night,” Maddie said, nodding, “Yeah, hard to do with two Diaz’s in the house. But they would be welcome additions I think.”

“Yeah,” he smiled, handing over the glass before sitting down to tell her more of what was going on in his life.

XxXxX

Bobby’s reaction to the cut out had been funny. He didn’t believe that Buck had managed to get in touch with his old partner. And now the two were talking and acting like old friends. Even Athena had spoken to Heidi and gotten her to promise to send down more pictures and even footage of the two of them and their competition skates. Though the jovial atmosphere of the 118 was gone now. Instead it was tense.

“They aren’t going to find anything though right?” Xiaoli asked as he and the others sat around the table. The crash of the Ambulance had shaken them all. Hen was now suspended with pay pending an investigation into how it happened. The woman was upset and no one knew how to console her. Athena had been called and had gotten her home. Leaving the rest of the 118 crew sitting in the loft as they were taken offline for a few hours.

“Hen’s not the type to not forget anything,” Chim reminded them, “She…”

“We’ll just have to wait. It might take a couple of weeks, at the moment,” Bobby began, “All we can do is stand by her side. We know Hen, and she is devastated,” he added, thinking of what Athena had messaged him. “Chim, you have your statement to do,” he reminded him.

Chimney nodded, “Yeah, I’ll be doing that soon. The LAFD and the LAPD are doing the investigation,” he said, “I just hope this ends soon, I…” he sighed, rubbing his face.

“I think we all do, this doesn’t happen often. But there are procedures in place. All we can do is wait,” Bobby sighed, he knew that his crew morale was down. They were going to be offline for a little while. A replacement ambulance would be loaned to them for awhile as one was set up for them.

Buck was quiet as he leaned against Eddie. Buck had watched Hen break down as she realized that the young girl they had crashed into had died. “Do you think Hen will be okay?” he asked Eddie softly.

Eddie put an arm around him, “I don’t. We can hope, but something like that. It will be hard to come to terms with. No matter what the investigation says, she’ll still feel like it was her fault. That she should have done something different,” he told him quietly, glancing down at him as Buck rested his head against his shoulder for a bit.

“Hmm,” Buck sighed, he glanced around, seeing the others just as subdued. He stood up and joined Bobby who had walked into the kitchen to make them all something to eat. “Bobby,” he said, “When they clear Hen, she’ll be able to come back right?” he asked him, needing an answer. He wanted to help Hen, she had been quiet and distant the last few weeks as well. And Buck hadn’t been able to even get her to talk about what was going on.

Bobby turned and nodded. “She will. It will be up to her if she wants to do so. She’ll need to see a therapist to get cleared for work again though.”

Buck nodded and began to help him in the kitchen, talking quietly about what Bobby was going to be cooking them all. The others were sitting around the loft, not much conversation going on. No games were being played, the TV wasn’t even on. As most of what was being shown was the news of the crash. And no one wanted to watch that and see public opinion on them at that moment in time. Half an hour later a temporary ambulance was given to them. and they were back online.

Chapter Thirty One

Buck yawned as they finished a shift. It had been a busy one. Kathy Ross and Chimney had taken over the last call since it was medical. He changed and realized that he would need to go back to his place. “Hey Eds,” he said as he got the other man’s attention.

“Yeah, Buck?” Eddie said as he pulled a t-shirt over his head. The rays of the early morning sun were quickly warming the world up. The two of them wanted to get home early enough that they would be able to see Christopher before they headed to bed to sleep.

“I think I’m going to have to head home for a bit. I need to pick up the mail. I haven’t been back to the loft in a week,” he told him.

“We should have enough time to grab your mail and get back in time to see Chris,” Eddie suggested.

Buck gave a nod, “Yeah, I can grab some of my clothes as well. I need something different to wear. I’ve had the same three things for the last two weeks,” he pointed out.

Eddie smirked, “Not my fault that each time I suggest you just move in you’ve said no.”

Buck shook his head, “I do want to move in. But, I want to do it slowly. I don’t-”

“We’re not going to get sick of you,” Eddie reminded him again, “Now, we’ll go to yours, grab your mail, you can grab some extra clothes. At least this time you’re not dropping off some,” he rolled his eyes.

“Eddie,” Buck said in a slightly warning tone.

“We all want you to move in. You want to move in as well. I just don’t see why you want to wait,” Eddie shrugged.

Buck sighed, but there was a smile on his face as he replied, “I want to take things a little slowly. I don’t want to ruin this Eddie. I love you both so much, that-”

“You feel like you’re going to lose everything should you do one thing wrong,” Eddie said as they walked out of the locker room. The others in there rolling their eyes at the conversation they were overhearing. “Buck, you’re not the only one that fears that. But I am not going to let it get in the way of a relationship that I know is going to last for the rest of my life,” he said as he grabbed Buck’s hand and pulled him closer.

“Eddie,” Buck smiled, “I know it’s going to last forever. But, damn, does it fill me with fear at times,” he murmured.

Eddie smiled as he kissed him, arms pulling him as close as he could.

“Hey!” Chimney yelled, “No PDA in the station, you know that!”

“We’re not on duty Chim,” Buck said as he glared at him.

“And we’re not in the station,” Eddie said as he gestured to the fact that they were just outside the bay doors.

“Still on station grounds,” Chimney grumbled, shooting the two of them a look.

“But the rule was no PDA in the station, Chim,” Buck reminded him, “and being outside of it means that we can do this,” he said, wrapping his arms around Eddie, sneaking a hand up his back and neck and pulling him in for a longer heated kiss.

“Oh, Come on!” Chimney said, “No, this isn’t fair.”

Eddie and Buck broke apart as they heard Bobby clear his throat. “Nice to see you both so happy,” was all he commented, smiling as Chimney looked at him in betrayal.

Buck laughed at the look on the man’s face, “Sorry,” he said, totally not sorry at all.

“I hate you,” Chimney grumbled as he walked past them. Though both men could tell he didn’t mean it at all as he walked past them.

“Come on, we need to get to yours, and with traffic as bad as always, it’s going to be tight to get back before Chris goes off to school,” Eddie said, taking hold of Buck’s hand and almost dragging him over to his old truck.

“Yeah,” Buck grinned as he followed him willingly. The drive to Buck’s took a while, but not as long as the two of them had feared.

Buck pulled out his keys and grabbed his mail from his slot in the foyer of his building. “A few letters,” he murmured as he headed towards the lift that would take him up to the third floor. Eddie joining him.

“No bills?” Eddie asked him.

“A few,” Buck shrugged, “But when doesn’t someone want money from you?” he laughed, shaking his head.

“Truer words have never been spoken,” he grinned at Buck.

Buck laughed, “You know the origin of that quote is from a Scottish politician Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, shortened to M.E Grant Duff. He actually said, ‘Never were truer words spoken’, in the British House of Commons in 1878,” he told him.

“Hm,” Eddie nodded, “Never knew that,” he said.

“Not many do,” Buck grinned at him, he tossed his mail onto the table as soon as they entered the apartment. He would deal with it when he got to Eddie’s. He was about to go up the stairs when he stopped. He looked around as something didn’t feel right.

“Hey, Buck!” Eddie called from the kitchen, where he was getting a glass of water for himself.

“Yeah?” he yelled back. Buck walked over to see Eddie looking in the cupboard where he keeps his glasses.

“They were all like this,” he said. Both of them stacked the tumbler glasses in twos. Always, even at Eddie’s it was the same. Inside they were all singled. And one of the six was missing. There were only five inside the cupboard.

“Eddie,” Buck said, his voice sounding a little distant. “Look in the trash?”

Eddie nodded and did so as Buck began to go through his kitchen, finding other things that had been changed around. “Broken tumbler,” he said, looking at it. It was laying at the bottom. Because Buck hadn’t been home in a while, there had been no build up of trash to take out.

“Other things are out of place,” Buck said, “Someone has been in here,” he added.

“Maybe it was Maddie, she has a key to this place,” Eddie reminded him.

“Yeah, but she normally tells me if she is coming by and it’s usually only because she is dropping something off. She never just comes here and goes through things. She’s… not like that,” he frowned.

“Message her, and see,” he suggested as he went over to the couch and sat down, only to stop when he realized that the coffee table was closer to the couch than normal. Eddie knew that Buck had made sure that there was always enough space for Christopher to move around freely in his home.

Buck nodded as he did so and it didn’t take long for a message to be sent back. “No she hasn’t been here since we had the last Buckley Bonding Night,” he sighed as he walked over and sat down, frowning.

“Yeah, the coffee table is too close,” Eddie told him, seeing the questioning look on his face.

“So, it’s not Maddie, and the only one that has a key is you. And I know you wouldn’t do that either,” Buck said as he looked around.

“Go and get what you need,” Eddie said, “We’ll head out in a bit,” he reminded him that they don’t have that much time left before Christopher would be off to school.

Buck nodded and quickly went to the stairs and stopped. His bed was a mess, and he knew that he hadn’t left his bedroom like that. “Eds, they’ve been up here as well. Can you call Athena please, I don’t…” he shuddered.

“Already dialing,” Eddie called as he went back to speaking with Athena.

Buck nodded and just grabbed a few things, seeing a number of his pictures on the bedside table. Walking back down stairs he found Eddie at the dining table instead. Seeing his mail, he walked over, “Should we go?”

“Athena’s coming here, she wants to have a look around and talk to the two of us about what’s been going on,” Eddie said, “I’ve already called Carla and she knows to take Chris to school, that we’re going to be here longer than we thought.”

“I’m sorry,” Buck said, frowning as he sat down heavily in a chair.

Eddie reached out, taking a hand, “It’s fine. This is something that needs to be sorted now,” he said, “Someone has come into your apartment and moved things around. Broken a tumbler, even been in your bedroom area. That…”

“I know,” Buck said in a rush, clinging to Eddie’s hand, “I… I don’t feel safe here.”

“It’s fine. As soon as we can, we can start moving your things over to mine, to our home,” Eddie said, giving him a pointed look.

Buck gave him a weak smile, “I suppose you got your way after all,” he said, trying to lighten the mood a little, to stop himself from thinking how violated he felt knowing that someone had been in his home.

“I would rather it hadn’t happened like this,” Eddie told him gently.

“I know,” he murmured, “I just… I just don’t like the thought of someone coming into my home and going around it. Using my things, doing anything. part of me wants to just leave everything behind and not even go near it again. It doesn’t feel like it’s mind anymore,” he told him, looking at him, and squeezing his hand again.

Eddie nodded, moving his chair closer so he could wrap an arm around him. Twenty minutes passed before there was a knock on their door. Getting up, Eddie left Buck at the table as he let Athena into the apartment.

“Buck,” she called out seeing the lost look on the young man’s face. “What’s going on?” she asked, as she looked from Buck to Eddie and back again.

“May as well sit down Athena,” Eddie said, gesturing to a chair. “We came here to grab the mail for Buck. Instead we find a broken tumbler glass in the trash, and the place has been messed around with.”

“My bed was messed up, the pictures that I have in a drawer in my bedside table were moved,” Buck said as he looked up at her, “‘Thena, someone’s been in my house, but nothing is missing. Anything valuable is at Eddie’s,” he finished quietly.

“The things here have been put away differently, like they were all taken out and then put back together. I know how Buck sorts things out, he’s done the same to my place,” Eddie snorted lightly.

“Your place was not organized at all, don’t know how you found anything there,” Buck retorted, grabbing on to the jab at him.

“I still can’t now,” Eddie reminded him.

Buck just gave him a grin, “All you have to do is ask,” he said.

Athena huffed, “Boys,” she called to them, “tell me everything,” she said waiting for them to actually continue with what was going on.

Buck was quick to tell her what he had found around the apartment. He also told them both about how each time he had come back over the last couple of weeks, the place had felt off to him. That something had been wrong. Things were out of place. It had never been so blatant as it was now.

Athena looked at the two of them, “I’m going to report this,” she told the two. “Since you’ve both been around there might not be that much evidence left now. But I’ll see about trying to get someone to come in and have a look around.”

“Thanks,” Buck said, smiling slightly, “I thought I was just imagining things, but really not now,” he murmured.

“I’ll do what I can,” she reassured him, “Now go on, get out of here,” she told him, “Lock up and don’t come back until I say it’s fine. So make sure you have everything you’ll need.”

“I will,” Buck said as he got up and gathered a few more things. Eddie put away the mail that he had gotten to deal with another time. Leaving, Athena took his key. Buck made sure Maddie knew not to go there either since she and Eddie were the only ones with a key for Buck’s apartment.

Chapter Thirty Two

Buck sighed as he walked into Eddie’s house. Eddie was at Isabel’s helping with something for a moment, so Buck had been told to head to his to wait there. He still hadn’t gone back to the apartment, even though Athena had said that the police had finished with it. The only time he had even gone near it was to grab some mail. Which he had just done. He was about to throw the two new letters he had received onto the side table inside the house when he stopped. There was already a pile that he had gotten the last time he was there. Sighing he grabbed them and went to the table in the dining area.

Opening them one by one, he found a couple of bills and then a letter from the District Attorney. Dr. Wells’ case was now fully in the hands of the police and they had laid charges against her for sexual assault of her patients. As he read through it, he felt sick. With shaking hands he put it down, he couldn’t read any more. He knew he was going to have to testify, but he didn’t want to now. If he hadn’t said something, the investigation wouldn’t have kicked off. No one wanted to stand up and be that first one. But as soon as one did, more came forward.

Buck rested his head on his arms for a moment, trying to center himself as he pushed away the feelings that the letter had brought up. He could forget about it most days. Except when he had therapy. He was slowly working through the tsunami, his parents and Dr. Wells, as well as a few other things that were creeping up on him. He sat up, stared at the letter and decided it would be better to wait to deal with it. To let Eddie be there for him, he knew it would be better to do that than to force himself. His therapist had been telling him to take the help offered to him by those that loved him instead of struggling to get through things alone. He started to go through the other letter, nothing of importance until he got to the hand printed one.

It didn’t have his actual name on it, it was just Buck. A name that he used everywhere except on official documents. Hell, those at Christopher school knew him as Buck and not Evan Buckley. The only time he had to use his actual name was when he was added to the list of emergency contacts for Christopher. He opened it slowly and began to read. He shuddered at the words. They were vile and he knew he couldn’t let Christopher see this one. Buck knew that he would have to let Eddie see it and Athena as well. The way that it was worded seemed familiar to him.

Tucking it away again and putting it up, he sent himself a note on his phone to ping later to remind him to show Eddie. If he didn’t he would just forget about the letter and the one from the District Attorney as well.

Eddie returned home with Christopher an hour later, as Buck was cooking dinner for them all. He smiled when Christopher called out for him. “Hey buddy,” he called back as Christopher entered the kitchen and hovered by the door. He had been told not to fully enter the kitchen if someone was cooking unless it was safe to enter.

Christopher grinned at Buck, “Buck, we made tres leches cake. Well, Abuela made it with my help. Dad was fixing the fence.”

“Well, that will go great for later then,” Buck said, “I’m making a stir fry tonight,” he said as he carried on preparing the vegetables, “Do you want to help me?” he asked, grinning at the eight year old.

“Yes!” Christopher nodded rapidly as Eddie walked into the kitchen, quickly going around his son to put the cake into the fridge for later.

“Go wash your hands first,” he told him, glancing over at Eddie, “Welcome home,” he smiled as he received a sweet kiss.

“Ugh, being gross,” Christopher said as he was leaving the room. But both men could see the happy little grin on his face as he left.

“That kid,” Eddie rolled his eyes, closing the fridge door, “Need any help?” he asked.

“Yeah, prepare the meat?” he asked him, “I thought chicken would be nice to add.”

“Sounds good to me,” Eddie said as he went back into the fridge and grabbed the pack of chicken breasts that was in there. He took up a space on the other side of the kitchen grabbing the meat board and getting to work.

Buck smiled as he watched for a bit until Christopher came back in and started to help him.

XxXxX

“And asleep,” Buck sighed as he dropped onto the sofa. “Three chapters, three full chapters,” he muttered, though he appeared annoyed he was in fact delighted to have been able to spend a little more time with him.

“You can always say no,” Eddie laughed, shaking his head as Buck curled up against him.

“I can’t, I can’t say no to Chris, that’s… that’s like kicking a puppy. It’s just not done,” Buck said, wide-eyed as he stared at Eddie, who rolled his eyes at him.

“You’re going to have to learn how to do so. He’s going to need boundaries from you eventually. You can’t always be the fun dad you know,” Eddie reminded him.

Buck pouted, “I know,” he muttered, “doesn’t stop me from wanting it.”

“You do give him some boundaries at times, but sometimes you fall back,” Eddie pointed out to him gently, “You’re great with him though,” he added, kissing him lightly, “Now, something’s going on, you’ve been a li-” he began only for Buck’s phone to start beeping.

“Well, it seems the right time to tell you,” he snorted, though he didn’t look happy as he got back up and retrieved the two letters he had put away. “So, let’s… let’s get this one out of the way first,” he said as he handed over the official letter he had received. “I… didn’t read it all. I couldn’t,” he said, moving closer to Eddie and waiting for the man to put his arm around him.

Eddie nodded, “Then let’s get through it together,” he said, as quietly he began to read it aloud, he paused every now and then when he felt Buck tense up beside him. “So,” he said, after he finished, “They are going to be calling you as a witness, your statement is what started this off. The LAFD have turned over everything they found to the police and an arrest has been made. Not only that but she has now been charged,” he sighed.

“She did it to over forty of us, over four years. That’s…,” Buck shuddered.

“I know, I know cariño. I’m right here for you, and the others are all going to be getting help like you are. They won’t be alone,” Eddie reassured him, holding him tightly. “There is something in there as well that said when this is over, when the trial is over that some of her… victims,” he hesitated over the word for a moment, “May wish to reach out to others,” he said.

Buck nodded, “Yeah, I think I might take them up on that, but it could take months for this to be over with. They are pushing this to start within the month,” he said, remembering the dates that they had been given.

“They have a lot against her, testimonies of over forty individual firefighters from different stations, some from the same station. No one knew of the others. The way she moved against you, befriending you and such,” Eddie said, unsure of what he could say. He hoped that this would be one of those trials that went a little quicker than most. Didn’t happen often, but he could hope for Buck’s sake that it would soon be over.

Buck closed his eyes, “I could maybe see a few of them later, but not now. I need time to… come to terms with things,” he told him.

“Yeah,” Eddie sighed, kissing his head, “What’s the other letter?” he asked, wondering if that was more news that had upset Buck.

Buck glanced at him, before grabbing it from the coffee table and handing it over. He let Eddie read it. “I think the handwriting looks like something I’ve seen,” he said.

“That’s because it is,” Eddie said sombrely, “It’s the same as the handwriting that’s on the letters that I get with those damn gifts,” he told him.

“So it’s the same… person?” Buck froze, looking at Eddie, “But why would they-”

“Obviously they must know that we’re together. The way that they are threatening to… to harm you if you keep seeing me,” Eddie said, wanting nothing more than to keep Buck safe, to hide him away.

“We’re going to have to call Athena again,” Buck sighed, knowing it was necessary.

“We are, but that can wait for tonight. Just tell her that we’ll talk to her if she comes by the station. We’ll bring the letter so she can take it with her,” Eddie said, not wanting to bring Athena over again, even though it was always best to try and sort this out sooner. But with the news from the district attorney, Eddie just wanted to get Buck to relax for the rest of the night and not worry about things.

“Yeah okay,” Buck nodded, leaning against Eddie again. The other man wrapped his arms around him. Buck settled into them, letting the feeling of safety envelope him. He closed his eyes and let the sound of the TV and Eddie heartbeat thumping under his ear sooth him into a light sleep.

Eddie waited until Buck was asleep before he reached for his phone, careful not to disturb him. He quickly sent a message to Athena.

Eddie

Athena, think you can stop by the station tomorrow while we’re on? Need to talk to you about the stalker thing.

Athena

Sure. Is everything okay?

Eddie

Buck got a threatening letter. I think whoever might be breaking into his place sent it.

Athena

Keep it safe and I’ll grab it tomorrow. Tell Buck to stay away from his apartment for a while longer. I don’t want him in any danger. Going to tell Bobby about this as well. Keep an eye out at the station.

Eddie

The handwriting looks like the one that is sending the letters to me.

Athena

So you believe it’s the same person?

Eddie

I do, just something about the writing and the way that it is worded. You’ll see what I mean when I show you tomorrow. Even Buck said it looked the same in a way.

Athena

Right, I’ll stop by tomorrow around lunch. Bring it with you then.

Eddie

Will do, night Athena, tell Bobby night as well.

Athena

Will do, night.

Eddie put his phone down, and looked at the TV, barely watching what was playing. He sighed and turned it over to another movie channel. Finding something he could actually stand to watch, he let his mind go over what was going on in their lives. This stalker was now targeting Buck and he didn’t like that. He wished he could tell this person to stay away from him. But he had a feeling it wouldn’t matter at all. He let Buck sleep a little longer, before waking him, knowing if he slept anymore he would be awake all night. The man grumbled but woke up enough for them to enjoy a movie before bed as well as a couple of beers. Eddie let Buck head to bed as he put the stalking letter away in his bag for tomorrow and filed the other letter away in case it was needed before following Buck to bed.

Chapter Thirty Three

Eddie was a little on edge as he worked the next day. The letter that Buck had received was still in his bag. He had told Buck that he would take care of it, seeing the stressed look that his boyfriend had been wearing since yesterday. They had gotten the news that Hen was now cleared of any wrongdoing in the accident. But that didn’t stop her feeling that she was at fault. Karen had conspired to take her away for a couple of days, hoping to help her. Buck and Eddie had been quick to volunteer to take Denny so the two could spend some much needed time with each other. They had all noticed something was going on with the couple. In the end Denny, had ended up going with the Grant-Nash family for the next couple of days.

Athena walked up the stairs of the 118, seeing Eddie alone in the loft. She had already said hello to Bobby who was with Buck as they went over the last of the inspections on the rigs. Buck was one of two engineers for the 118 A-Shift. Walking over she could see the man was deep in thought. “Eddie,” she called to him, seeing him jump slightly as he turned to face her.

“Athena,” he said, giving her a tight smile.

“You alright?” she asked him, giving him that look she had that would make any criminal want to confess.

“As well as I can be with all that is going on,” he sighed, “let… let me go grab it,” he said, rushing down the stairs to his locker.

Athena frowned, something else was going on with him. With a sigh she sat down and waited for him to return. He came back up the stairs and handed it over to her. She put it away in an evidence bag straight away, not even reading it. “Want to tell me what else is going on?” she asked, waiting for him to sit down.

Eddie sighed as he sunk into a chair, he put his head in his hands and rubbed his face. “Buck got a letter from the District attorney about Wells,” he said quietly. He knew that the rest of the shift was all downstairs. “He will have to testify and he’ll need to go in to talk to them about his statement as well. He is stressing over it. And the letter said that some of the others want to reach out to each other. They said they will not allow that until after the trial. Which starts just after the new year. They’ve already said that they will be calling him up.”

“Well, it is needed. He was basically the one that started the ball rolling on this. I know he won’t see it as a good thing but it is. Bobby told me a little, not much, but enough,” she said, “All we can do is be there for him when things start coming out. And they will. They always do.”

“Yeah, he’s afraid of that happening. He already had to deal with people recognising him for what happened with the truck. A few have done the same about the tsunami as well. I know Cap has been keeping people away from him as soon as he started back up and after the news about him being in the tsunami,” he sighed, sitting up straight for a moment before getting up and making some coffee for the two of them.

“You’re worried about the stalker, the trial and more,” Athena said after a while, “I can see why, it’s a lot for him to have to deal with all in one go.”

“I am, each time someone speaks to him, it feels like he is taking a step back. He goes quiet for part of the day. Chris and I can get him to smile most of the time,” he shook his head, walking over and putting the mug down in front of her, “He is taking everything to heart. My parents are wanting to come down to see Christopher. They weren’t happy that he was at the pier, thankfully they haven’t tried to blame Buck for him being there. I know if they did, I would have… well I would have told them where to go in the most unpleasant way possible,” he said, grimacing as he thought of Helena and Ramon Diaz. He knew his parents cared, but they often went about it in the wrong way.

“Hmm,” she hummed, pursing her lips before taking a sip of her coffee. “Will they be coming down?”

“I don’t know, they’ve been talking about it. And with Christmas not that far away either, they will be wanting to visit. I may be able to hold them off until the new year, since Christmas is too close. But no longer than that. They will just show up. I’m not expecting it to be pleasant. I… haven’t told them that I’m dating Buck yet. Everyone else knows, but they don’t. They-” he drank his coffee.

“You don’t think they would be happy?” Athena asked him.

Eddie shook his head, “They hated Shannon, and I do mean hated her before she even ran off. She didn’t want to bend to their will and give Christopher to them. I came here when they started trying to get me to give Christopher over to them as well. So they were never happy. I don’t even know why they wanted Chris, he… they…” he paused trying to put into words what he thought they wanted. “I think they wanted a do over with Chris, they see me as a failure. That I could never do what they wanted me to do. They wanted this perfect son and they didn’t get it. They… argued with me when I was a teen, I told them that I liked boys and girls. Papa wasn’t happy at all. He made sure I knew what he expected of me,” he murmured.

“You know Bobby and I will be here for you, as well as the others,” Athena pointed out to him, drinking the last of her coffee. She needed to return to her patrols and to drop off the letter that Buck had received.

“I know, and I know you’ve all been so supportive of me, Buck, and of each other all the time. It’s so different from what I had in El Paso. I felt so alone there, even more so when Shannon left,” he leaned back, “they are in my head all the time. And I don’t want them to be. They were here a while ago for my shield and Shannon’s funeral. They didn’t even wait an hour after she was laid to rest to tell me that I should hand Christopher over to them. That I should move back to El Paso. She had a hard time with them, and when she left they thought her a monster. I think they believe that of me when I was in the army. I should have been at home, working instead of being shot at.”

“Well, don’t go borrowing trouble,” she warned him as she stood up, “You need anything, you know we’re here for you Eddie. We’re family around here,” she reminded him.

Eddie nodded, “Yeah, thanks Athena,” he got up, taking both their mugs to be washed up.

Athena nodded to him as she walked away, kissing Bobby as she went past and giving Buck a hug, “you take care, alright. You need me, you call me Buckaroo,” she said as she then left the station.

Buck watched her go before heading up to find Eddie. He knew that he would have told her about the letter, and handed it over. He didn’t even want to really think of it at all. He sat with his boyfriend as they talked quietly. Bobby and the others all starting to join them in the loft as they waited for the next call to come in.

XxXxX

Heading to a tunnel fire, they were some of the worst things you could go to. Limited in the way you could get in. Most of the time the engines couldn’t get anywhere near the fires. And people got trapped within them easily. Lost in the smoke that would fill the tunnel. This time it was different. As they arrived Bobby looked at his crew, “Right, listen up. We have a hazardous materials recycling truck, two victims are in there. Grab the CO2 detection equipment, and everybody, you will be in full turnouts and BA’s, get moving!” he yelled out.

“On it!” They called back as they got ready to go into the tunnel.

Buck and Eddie were quick to change. Kathy was with Chimney as they guided the gurney into the tunnel. “White flames,” Buck said, frowning, “Magnesium,” he said as he looked at his Captain.

Bobby nodded as he heard him, “Right, Ross, Chim, on the vic over there. Buck and Eddie, see to the driver. Everyone, make sure this place is locked down, no one in, exclusion zone,” Bobby called out as he then informed dispatch of what they needed.

“Cap, we’re getting this one out,” Chimney called as they loaded up the young man that was on the ground onto the gurney.

“The smoke is going to get bad, so move it,” Bobby ordered as he looked back at the fire for a second and then towards Buck and Eddie who were already starting to try and get the driver out.

“Cap,” Eddie said from the passenger side of the truck, “He’s stuck in, we’re going to need a damn jackhammer to get this done.”

“We don’t have time, get him out now,” Bobby ordered.

“Shit, Cap, the saw just isn’t going to cut it,” Buck called out from where he was working.

“Oh, God!” the man yelled as he woke up, the pain the first thing that registered in his mind.

Bobby nodded to Eddie and Buck, silently telling them to keep working. “Sir, try and stay calm, can you tell me your name?” he said as he looked at the gray haired man.

“Er… Ernest,” he stammered, trying to glanced around him, he froze as he saw what was in his side mirror, “The magnesium’s burning. You… you really need to get out of here,” he told the three around him.

“Sir, it’s okay. We’re going to get you out of this truck and we have liquid nitrogen on it’s way to stop the fire. Just keep calm and my boys will get you out of here.”

Ernest was shaking his head, “No, no you don’t- That’s not all that’s in there,” he said, eyes worried and fearful.

Bobby stared at him, “What else is back there then, Ernest?”

“Cobalt-60,” he was quick to answer.

Bobby’s eyes went wide. “You were transporting radioactive waste?!” he called out, “And you were doing it through the middle of downtown Los Angeles?!”

Ernest nodded, “Com- company’s cutting corners.”

Bobby wanted to swear, he really did, he turned as he let Buck and Eddie continue for a moment to try and free Ernest from the truck. “Dispatch, be advised, be advised. This truck also contains Cobalt-60. I need you to start evacuating this area in a three-block radius and order all nonessential personnel outside the perimeter now!”

Eddie looked down at Buck as Bobby turned back, “As soon as they burn through those drums this entire tunnel is gonna turn into another Chernobyl.”

Bobby nodded, “Hazmat and nitrogen will be here any minute, which is why you two are both out of here.”

“Cap!” Buck began to protest.

“Buck, it’s okay, get going, everyone!” he ordered once more, making sure the others in the tunnel could hear his command. “I’ll get Ernest, you need to be out there ready to get things to put out this fire. Now that’s an order, I’ll be right behind you both. Go!”

Buck didn’t look happy as he nodded, “Okay,” he said, “Right, let’s go now everyone. Out, out, out!” he called out as he started to herd the rest of the 118 out of the tunnel. Eddie quickly joined him.

Chapter Thirty Four

Buck watched the tunnel, hoping for Bobby to walk out with Ernest. But there was nothing. He could hear Eddie talking with Chimney for a moment, asking where the Nitrogen and Hazmat unit was. “Buck,” Eddie said as he put a hand on his shoulder.

“Eds, he’s not come out,” he said.

“Hazmat and the Nitrogen are stuck because of traffic, it’s going to take a few more minutes for them to get here,” Eddie told him.

Buck looked at him in horror, “I’m going back in-”

“No, you’re not, Cap gave orders, we’re needed here to bring the nitrogen in, we’re going to have to trust Cap knows what he’s doing to keep himself as safe as he can,” Eddie told him, stopping his boyfriend from running back into the tunnel.

“Eddie,” Buck said, sounded like a wounded animal at the thought of leaving Bobby in the tunnel any longer.

“I know, cariño, but you can’t. We have our orders, no matter how much we all want to disobey them,” Eddie said, keeping a hand on him, “We wait, and then we’ll go in as soon as the nitrogen is here.”

Buck looked pained as he nodded, “Okay,” he said as he and the others of their crew waited for one of two things to happen. Bobby appeared or the Nitrogen arrived. They turned as they heard a beeping. The Nitrogen and the hazmat unit had arrived. Chimney went to brief the hazmat unit as Buck and Eddie got to work getting the tanker backed up enough that they would be able to reach the fire with the long hose.

“Alright,” Chimney said, “You know what to do, so get to it!” he yelled out.

Buck and Eddie shared a quick look at each other as they went back in the tunnel and took care of the fire. Hazmat moving quickly to get Bobby out of there.

XxXxX

Buck had been quick to change as soon as the shift had ended. Bobby was at the hospital and Athena was with him. Eddie was doing the same, knowing that Buck wanted to see the man. To make sure he was okay. Bobby hadn’t even been able to say anything to them before he had been hurried to the hospital. Eddie had to send a text to Athena to warn her that Buck wasn’t going to stop until he saw Bobby.

Athena was the one to meet them, “Boys,” she said as she looked at the worry that was etched on Buck’s face, “He’s doing fine. They aren’t worrying too much at the moment. Everything looks clear but they’ll need to test him again in around seven days,” she told the two of them, hoping it would ease their worry.

“He’s really okay?” Buck asked, biting his lip, looking past her as though he expected to see Bobby standing there.

“Yes, he’s okay, they are going to let him go home now. He’s getting changed. He feels fin–”

“But he could,” Buck began, only to be stopped when Eddie pulled him into his arms.

“He’s going to be fine. We’ll keep an eye on him. No doubt he will be back to work next shift,” Eddie murmured, rubbing his back. He had seen how tense Buck had been through the last of their shift. Thankfully it had only been a couple of hours since they had seen Bobby.

“They put a rush on his blood work, and we got results for mostly everything,” Athena said, “As I told you, it’s clear, functions are good. He’s coming home. We’re going to order in and rest. Michael has the kids at the moment, so it will be quiet.”

“Are you sure he’s going to be okay?” Buck asked, needing that reassurance.

“He will, because I’m not willing to be a widow any time soon,” she told the two, “Now, you can see him as we leave here, but go home, rest yourselves as well,” she advised them both.

Eddie nodded, “We will,” he promised, he would make sure of that.

Athena went back as the two men waited a little while longer. It didn’t take that long for her to come back. Bobby walking beside her in clean clothing. His own stuff had been taken away to be destroyed.

“Bobby,” Buck said as he pulled away from Eddie and rushed over, “You okay?” he asked, looking him over and doing a visual inspection of the man.

Bobby smiled, putting a hand on Buck’s shoulder, “I’m fine, at the moment there is nothing to worry about. They will be doing more tests, but they said it should be fine as I’m doing well,” he tried to reassure him, repeating what Athena had told him not fifteen minutes before.

“You sure?” he asked again.

“I am, now go home. I’ll be fine, and I will see you again on our next shift. That’s how fine I am, I don’t even need some time off,” he smiled at him, hoping that would reassure him.

Eddie walked over and pulled Buck away a little, “See, he’s going to be just fine. No need to borrow trouble,” he told him, “Let’s go home cariño, Christopher is waiting.”

Buck looked at Bobby one last time before quickly hugging him and walking away. Eddie nodded at his captain and his wife before following his boyfriend out of the hospital.

“That boy worries too much sometimes,” Athena said, even though she was feeling the same worry and fear Buck was.

Bobby nodded, “Let’s go home,” he smiled down at her. Nodding, the two of them left the hospital to go home.

XxXxX

Eddie got them home, letting Buck keep his silence as they drove through the streets of LA. He knew Buck was worried, he was worried as well. But neither of them would be able to do anything to help the situation, all they could do was keep an eye on things when Bobby was at work. And Eddie knew that Buck was going to be doing a research spiral about Cobalt-60 and its effects. there was no way he wasn’t going to, and no way that Eddie was going to be able to stop him.

Carla was there as soon as the door was opened, “How are you both?” she asked, looking at them worriedly. She knew that if there had been anything serious they would have been in the hospital. As it was, they were both late coming home, even though they had messaged her.

“Bobby had to be checked out,” Eddie said as Buck carried on his silence. “Buck,” he called to him, “cariño,” he said again as the man ignored him.

“I’m sorry,” Buck said, shaking his head “I’m just-”

“Going through every single worst case scenario that you can,” Eddie told him, “I know.” He turned back towards Carla, “We’re okay, it wasn’t a good one. And a dangerous one if it had gone wrong. Thankfully it didn’t, but avoid the area for a bit. They are cleaning up there now.”

“I will,” she smiled, grateful for the warning. “Christopher has done his homework and eaten dinner. There is some left in the oven for the both of you,” she told them, “And are you sure you’re both okay? I saw the news, and no Chris didn’t see,” she added as she was given two looks.

“Thanks, Carla. What would I do without you?” Eddie said, hugging her tightly. “We’ll be okay. A bit shaken by Bobby, but they said he should be okay. So, I’m not going to borrow trouble,” he told her.

“Good,” she smiled hugging him back and then doing the same to Buck, “You take care. Oh, and there was something left here for you Eddie. I didn’t touch it, you should have seen it when you came in.”

Eddie frowned as he looked to the front door, “I’ll check,” he said, wondering what it could be, he knew he and Buck hadn’t ordered anything.

“I’ll gather my things,” Carla told the two as she went to do so, Christopher standing and watching them as his dad went back outside and Buck hovered at the door.

“Well?” Buck asked.

Eddie was crouched by the package, ever since the bombing no one was really happy about getting packages delivered to their home unexpectedly. Since it happened each time something was to be sent to one of the others, it would always be told to them. No one wanted a repeat. Eddie’s family all knew this, and everyone made sure to keep each other informed.

“It’s the same handwriting on it,” Eddie said as he stood up. He wanted to call Athena but instead he found himself calling Rick Romero. Athena had told him that the detective was taking a bit of an interest in his stalking case. Though it may have been something to do with Athena getting him to help her with it.

“Romero,” came the voice over the phone.

“Hey Detective, this is Eddie Diaz,” he began.

“Sergeant Grant’s Eddie Diaz, works with her husband?” he asked him.

Eddie gave a tight smile as he answered, “Yes, that one. I have a package that was delivered to my home. I know that Athena has her hands full at the moment with her husband. The handwriting looks like the stalker that has been sending me things.”

“Right,” he murmured, “But with what happened with the bombing, you can’t be too careful,” he said.

“No, I can’t. It might be a whole lot of nothing, but I don’t think I can take that chance. I have a kid here, Detective, and I worry for his safety, along with myself and boyfriend, Buck,” Eddie added as he stood up and took a step away from the packet and walked over to Buck.

“I’ll get someone sent around, rather not take any chances again,” he said, “I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”

“Thank you Detective Romero,” Eddie said as he ended the call. He then informed Buck what was going on. Carla headed home, after making sure that she would be called if she was needed.

Buck went inside to keep Christopher occupied as Eddie remained outside waiting for Detective Romero and what he was going to be doing. Buck smiled as Christopher cuddled against him, keeping him outside the back a little. It was late, and he wondered if he should have taken Christopher somewhere else for a bit. His phone buzzed almost an hour later. He had heard a little of what was going on, but didn’t really know as he could barely make things out.

Buck took Christopher back inside, now that Eddie had sent a message that everything was safe. “Come on you, bed time, say night to your dad,” he told him.

“Okay Papa,” he sighed the heavy sigh of a kid that really didn’t want to go to bed but knew it was better to go than argue.

Eddie walked back inside, closing the door, he smiled at Christopher and hugged him tightly, “Night bud,” he told him.

“Come on Papa, you have to read me a story,” he said as he let his dad go. Buck followed and did as he was asked, reading him half a chapter before the eight year old was asleep.

“Well?” Buck asked half an hour later when he stepped into the living room with two beers.

“Nothing bad, another stupid gift and letter. Romero is in charge of the stalker case. Even though Athena has basically been our point of contact. They are both working it,” Eddie answered him as they curled up against each other.

“That’s good to hear,” Buck sighed, leaning against him, “Today has been,” he trailed off.

“Rough, hard, could sleep all night and all day if we didn’t have a kid?” Eddie guessed, looking at his boyfriend.

Buck snorted, “Yeah, to all of that. Though, I think an afternoon with Christopher after he finishes school wouldn’t be half bad either,” he pointed out.

“A good way to relax,” Eddie agreed, turning on the TV and quickly putting something on so they didn’t have to see the newscast about Ernest or anything. Just to spend it together, relaxing before bed.

Chapter Thirty Five

Buck felt horrible. He looked at Christopher who was just walking along in front of them. They had spent a little time at Hen’s; she was going to be returning to work during their next shift. Hen had called them over so that Christopher and Denny could make the gingerbread houses for Christmas. Christopher wasn’t happy when he had found out that Eddie was going to be working on Christmas day. And now, after they were having so much fun and asking Buck if he could stay with him, he had found out that they were both working. It had been a blow to the eight year old. Both Buck and Eddie felt guilty about it.

They were heading home, walking to where they had parked at Hen’s. “I hate this, I just-” Buck grumbled as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

“I know. Last year, it was great, he had his mother again. It was special. He wished for her and that’s what he got. This year, he won’t have that. I know this time it’s going to remind him more of losing his mother than anything,” Eddie’s voice was pained as he thought of Shannon. He knew that she would always hold a place in his heart, even though he was now with Buck. He just wished that she was still alive for Christopher. The tsunami had taught him that his son missed his mother and hadn’t fully dealt with her passing.

“We should try and do something before Christmas with him. Just the three of us, something special,” Buck suggested, though he didn’t really have an idea as to what.

Eddie moved a little closer to him and nodded, “Yeah, I think we should. Just a day for the three of us. A day out, there are a few places we could go. We haven’t really done anything in a while.”

“Not since the camping trip,” he nodded, “Maybe… maybe we should ask Chris what he would like to do?” he suggested as they reached the truck.

Eddie smiled at him, “Good idea, cariño,” he murmured, kissing him as he turned to Christopher, “Hey Chris,” he called to his son.

Christopher turned to look at him, a disgruntled look on his face, “Yes?” he asked.

“Chris, please, ” Eddie said, hearing the attitude in his voice, “I know you’re unhappy about us working. But we take it in turns for working Christmas Day, this year it’s our turn so those that couldn’t be with their kids last year, can be this year,” he said, trying to get Christopher to understand.

Christopher slumped, “I know that dad, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it,” he told him.

Buck wanted to snort at that, to laugh as they had always told him to be truthful about what he liked and didn’t like, after all. “Okay, we know, but please, don’t take it out on us, I know you’re mad about it. We’re not that happy either, because really buddy, we would love nothing more than to spend Christmas day with you. We love you bud,” he finished softly.

“Love you too Papa, Dad,” Christopher said as he fell towards them, knowing they would catch him and hug him just as tightly as he needed.

“Now, I know that Christmas Day isn’t going to be the same. How about we do something together on Christmas Eve? All three of us could do something fun and special. You, get to chose,” Eddie said, hugging his two boys as close as he could.

“Can I think about it?” Christopher asked them.

“Sure, you have four more days until then,” Buck reminded him how close it was to Christmas.

“I will think really hard, Papa,” Christopher murmured, “And I’m sorry for being rude a lot,” he told the two adults.

“We know and understand why, we all want to just be together for the holidays,” Eddie said as he stood up, smiling down at his son as he then helped him get in.

“We do,” Buck agreed as he walked around to the passenger side, “We want to be today, every family wants to be together.”

“But you have to help people, and I wish you didn’t,” Christopher sighed as he buckled into his seat.

“Yeah,” Eddie sighed as he closed the door and got in, heading back home after a fun afternoon with Hen and Denny.

XxXxX

Buck watched as Bobby walked out of the changing room on his first shift back after the tunnel fire. “You okay Bobby?” he asked as he walked over.

Bobby wanted to sigh and shake his head. He knew that the young man would be hovering around. He had stopped by their home and dropped off a really nice mushroom risotto and lemon chicken for them to enjoy. Enough for the entire family. That was yesterday, Christopher had come with him to drop the food off, telling Athena what to do to finish the meal off. Buck had made sure Bobby was okay and then left again. Athena hadn’t been amused to find out that Romero had stopped by theirs after they had left the hospital. Buck had been lucky to escape her questions until she got him on the phone later that night and grilled him.

“I’m fine, really Buck, now, Hen is returning today,” he said as he looked at those that had gathered. She was already in the locker room, putting things away.

“It’s nice to have everyone back again,” Buck nodded, “And I know what you’re trying to do,” he said he gave Bobby a slight glare.

“There really is no need to worry Buck,” he said again, sighing and shaking his head as Hen finally walked out of the locker room.

“Hen!” Buck grinned as he bound over to her, hugging her tightly, “Welcome back,” he said, a little quieter.

Hen hugged him just as tightly, “Thanks Buck,” she said, “I’m glad to be back,” she murmured as she let him go and then looked at Bobby and the others were starting to get closer. “Heard I missed all the excitement,” she said as she stared at Bobby, “You doing okay Cap?”

“Yeah, I’m good,” he smiled, “Welcome back,” he added.

As soon as Bobby began to hug Hen, Buck did the same, grinning as Chim and Eddie joined it.

“Oh Group HUG!” Xiaoli yelled out as he joined in, prompting a few of the others to do so.

Laughing as they greeted and welcomed Hen back to the 118, the alarm rang overhead.

“Well, looks like we got to get to work,” Bobby said as he headed to the truck. Hen and Chimney towards the ambulance with Hen taking the driving seat.

XxXxX

Buck jumped from the truck and waited as Bobby got out. “Bobby-”

“No, go and get changed,” Bobby ordered before the young man could say anything more. He knew he was worried. But Hen had quickly checked him over and found nothing before she left with Chim and their patient. Everything was normal across the board. And he wasn’t going to be heading back to the hospital or something as small as a nose bleed.

Buck stood there, frowning and shaking his head, “Bu-”

“Change,” Bobby ordered once again, this time Buck listened and walked off, though he was stomping as he headed to the changing rooms. Bobby sighed and shook his head, following a few moments later to do the same. He could feel the eyes of the others in the station on him. Each of them worried for their captain’s health. He grinned to himself as he came up with the perfect solution to change the subject. As soon as he was done he headed up to the loft. In his office he began to prepare what he was to do. Leaving with a small box in hand and paper and pens ready. “Okay, gather round!” he yelled out as Hen and Chim arrived back.

“Cap,” Eddie said as he hung by Buck, who still wanted to hover around Bobby.

“Okay, we are on shift Christmas day, and yes I know you all hate that. But someone’s got to do it,” he said, getting a few groans at the reminder. “Now, Christmas Day dinner, you all get a say in what we are having, so take a pen and some paper and write down your vote. No telling each other,” he warned, mostly looking at Eddie and Buck.

“Cap, come on,” Eddie protested, “I don’t always tell Buck everything.”

The crew just stared at him.

“I don’t!” he carried on.

“Most of the time you do,” Xiaoli said, smiling at the two of them, “But then again, you are together, so it’s expected.”

“Right,” Bobby said, gaining everyone’s attention again, “Let’s move on before it delves any further into how close those two are. Make your choices now. I will be looking through the vote in a moment.”

Everyone began to rush over, Hen and Chim joining in a few minutes later after being told what was going on. Bobby took the box as everyone then started to talk about their choices. He knew that they would speak of it. Buck followed Bobby down to where the truck was. Somewhere quiet so he could count the votes.

“Bobby,” Buck said as he reached him.

“Buck,” Bobby warned gently.

Buck sighed, “Look, I’m worried okay. I can’t help it. Bobby you… you mean a lot to me, a hell of a lot. You-” he cut himself off, trying to find the words he wanted to say and he knew he was going to say something that could change their relationship.

“Buck,” Bobby said, putting the box aside, “I know you are. But I’ll be fine.”

Buck looked at him, the fear in his eyes, the worry in every line of his face. “Bobby,” he began, “You mean a damn lot to me. My parent’s, I never talk about them as I haven’t spoken to them since I was nineteen and I dropped out of college. They barely spoke to me even before I left. They were never parents to me, but you… you’ve been more of a dad to me in the last couple of years than my own had been in my entire life. You took that place in my head and I can’t help but feel worry when something happens to you. Like you,” he stopped, closing his eyes.

Bobby walked to him, placing his hands on Buck’s shoulder, “I know. You’re my kid. So I know, I know,” he murmured as Buck opened his eyes to look at him.

Buck nodded, “So when I say I’m worried, I’m worried.”

Bobby nodded, “I know,” he said, “Now,” he said as he pulled the small box to him and started going through the votes. Buck hovering, but he let him, counting through and sighed, “Well, we have a tie,” he said.

“Oh?” Buck asked, peering over to see them.

“Chinese or Burgers,” Bobby said, “I am too tired to even think about cooking so, I think I’ll change my vote to Chinese.”

“But I voted turkey,” he pouted and then what Bobby had said registered with him, “Tired, that’s… that could be a symptom as well. And there are others as well. Have you had any other symptoms, headache? Dizziness? Irregular heartbeat? A rash anywhere? Are you?” he asked him.

“I’m not Buck,” Bobby told him trying to calm him down, “I’m not at all.”

Buck shook his head, “Bobby, you were in that tunnel for a really long time. And with that much radiation, well it can cause Aplastic Anima and that is what killed Marie Curie and she was a damn smart lady and still died from it,” he told him.

Bobby looked at him, “I am not surprised that you know that,” he sighed, “You’ve been researching again Buck, you need to stop, don’t go borrowing trouble,” he said, repeating a lot of what Eddie had said over the last day each time.

“But–”

“No buts, I’m fine, I will be fine. I’ve got some more tests coming up on Christmas Eve and I will make sure to send you the results as well so you can see for yourself. No more research spirals about radiation poisoning, I’ve already had to stop Athena doing the same,” he told him.

Buck pouted at him and then nodded as he started to complain about having to have Chinese for Christmas dinner while they worked.

Chapter Thirty Six

Buck glanced at Eddie as his phone started to ring. He nodded at him, seeing the curious look on Eddie’s face, as he went into the kitchen and answered the call. “Abuela,” he smiled.

“Evanito,” she greeted, he could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke. “Things are going well for our plans. Athena is a strong and wonderful woman, and your sister is the same,” she told him, “We’ve finished the planning, and thank you for what you are doing as well.”

“Three days,” Buck smiled, “I can’t believe the plan is actually coming together. I think Eddie is getting suspicious of me now though,” he murmured as he opened the kitchen door and peeked around it. He could see Eddie giving the kitchen door a curious glance every now and then as he and Christopher carried on watching their movie.

“Nothing you can do for that child,” she said, “now, don’t forget to send a warning to us so we know when to come.”

“I won’t,” he promised her, “And thank you, for everything. You, Josephina, Athena and Maddie, you’ve all done so much.”

“And you,” Isabel said, “You who have been running all over the place to make this happen. To get people on side and ready to do this, to surprise everyone there.”

“I just want to make sure that Eddie and the others can all see their families on Christmas Day. No one wants to work on that day, especially those with family. I know Eddie is upset that he’s not going to see Chris, and even I am. So… I understand,” he sighed, “We want to see him, so I’m kind of being selfish.”

“But it’s the good kind, now, I shall let you go back to my nietos,” She told him.

“Thank you, and them for all the help in getting this sorted, I know it’s a lot. But we got the head count at last,” Buck smiled, “Bye Abuela,” he told her. She returned the goodbye and hung up. Buck tucked away his phone, smiling as he went back out to his Diaz boys.

He settled back down and Christopher climbed onto his lap again, “You missed so much Papa,” he told him, giving him a quick rundown of what he had missed while he was on the phone.

XxXxX

Eddie looked at his phone. Another call coming in, he answered, “Hello,” he said, his stomach feeling a little knotted. He had been getting a few calls over the last couple of days. Just random calls that he mostly let go to voicemail as he didn’t know the numbers. And there were a few of them. He heard a small giggle on the other side and a whisper. He could just about make out someone calling Edmundo.

“Eddie,” Buck called to him, seeing the paleness of his boyfriend, “Hey, who?” he began as Eddie was quick to hang up.

“I think… I think the stalker has my number,” he said, voice shaking a little.

“Right, we’ll tell Athena that as well as Romero. He’s in charge of things,” Buck said, comforting his boyfriend. “And I think we should change your number as well,” he added, as he pulled his phone and sent a message to Athena asking her to get in touch with Romero.

“Buck, how the hell did they get my number. I don’t give it out to anyone. I just. It’s just family, the 118 and that’s it,” he shook his head.

Buck sighed softly, “I don’t know how they got it Eddie, but we’ll sort this out alright. Don’t you worry, everything is going to be fine. We’ll get through this and get a new number tomorrow, we have our day off.”

“We’re supposed to go out with Christopher, Christmas Eve day out, remember,” Eddie reminded him.

“Then… then we’ll have to do it after Christmas,” Buck sighed, “Eddie, I don’t think Chris would mind if we have to make a quick stop at the phone store to sort it out,” he said, his phone buzzing as Athena said she and Romero would meet at Eddie’s home.

“I don’t want Chris to find out what is going on. I-”

“I know, neither do I. I don’t want him scared at all. But he already knows something is going on. The package a few days ago, the one on the doorstep. He’s a smart kid,” Buck reminded him, shaking his head.

“He is,” Eddie agreed, sighing heavily.

“We both want to protect him, I get that, but changing your number is going to be the least of what we need to do. Athena is sending Romero here. He’s going to talk with us. Athena wants to know what is going on, and since she knows, so will Bobby. Don’t… stress,” he snorted, “I know you want to, I know it’s going to play on your mind as to who this is. It’s doing the same thing to me,” he murmured, resting his forehead against Eddie’s.

Eddie stood up, wrapping his arms around Buck and held him, kissing him lightly, “Glad that you’re in this with me,” he said, giving a little sigh. The two remained like that until Athena and Romero turned up.

XxXxX

Christmas Eve turned out to be a lot of fun, the stress of the last few days melting away in the light of Christopher’s bright smile and enthusiasm. The family of three had taken to going around and finding things to do. They had breakfast at Christopher’s favorite place. A stack of pancakes had been demolished easily by the eight year old. Buck had made them stop at the phone shop. Christopher had pulled a slight face at it, but had said nothing as Eddie was sorted out with a new number.

Lunch was eaten on the go as they went around the small craft fair that had been set up, hand-made gifts were bought, extra things for those they loved. Dinner had been at the place with a play area for Christopher to enjoy. Now, night was setting in, and in a few hours, just before midnight Buck and Eddie would be leaving to head to work for a twenty four hour shift. They would spend the entirety of Christmas Day at work. Not leaving until midnight hit.

“I wish you didn’t have to go to work,” Christopher murmured as he looked at his dad and Buck. It was time for him to be dropped off at Isabel’s, who would be taking him for the night.

“I know you do buddy,” Buck was the one to speak, “We want to spend the day with you as well. You know that,” he added, shaking his head slightly.

Christopher gave a heavy sigh, “Yeah,” he mumbled as he hugged him tightly before getting in the truck.

Eddie and Buck’s plans for the rest of the night was to sleep a little before they had to be at work. Christmas could bring in some of the strangest of calls. And sometimes even the most heart breaking of ones.

“Mijo,” Eddie sighed slightly as he let his son strap himself in, only checking to make sure it was done right before he climbed into the driver’s seat, Buck now in the passenger side.

“I know dad,” Christopher gave him a look, “I know, but it doesn’t stop the way I feel about it.”

Eddie snorted, “No it doesn’t, and you’re not the only one that doesn’t like it,” he said. He had been saying the same thing for days, as had Buck. Not one of them were happy about it. Hen had said that Christopher would forget about it soon enough, but Eddie didn’t think he would, not for a while anyway.

“Do you think Abuela will let me stay up late so I can watch a movie with her?” Christopher asked.

“You’ll have to ask, but don’t forget, if you don’t sleep at a good time, then Santa won’t come and visit,” Eddie warned him.

“I won’t,” Christopher grinned.

Buck smiled at the two, “You’ll have to tell us all about what you watch tonight. Since your dad and I are going to be sleeping.”

Christopher looked at the two of them, “Will Santa come and visit you? Since you won’t be asleep when he comes.” he asked them curiously.

“Well,” Buck began, glancing at Eddie.

“Santa knows that we have very important work. Just as his work is really important,” Eddie carried on.

Buck smiled, “So, while we are awake, he doesn’t deliver to the fire station, he delivers anything to our homes, to where our families are asleep,” he finished.

Christopher tilted his head and nodded, “Okay, I just wanted to make sure that Santa wouldn’t forget you. You’re both heroes,” he smiled.

Buck and Eddie laughed lightly and nodded, “He won’t,” Buck said.

It was almost fifteen minutes later when they pulled up at Isabel Diaz’s home. The elderly woman was standing out on her porch, waiting for them. “Eddie, Buck and Christopher,” she smiled as she greeted them all as they got out of the truck.

“Bisabuela!” Christopher grinned as he rushed towards her.

The woman made her way down the steps and hugged him tightly, “Oh my sweet child, popcorn and cookies are ready along with juice for our late night movie,” she told him, “I am looking forward to watching Toy Story with you,” she smiled, kissing him on the head.

“Awesome,” he grinned as he turned to Buck and Eddie, “Love you dad, love you papa,” he told the two before he made his way back to them and hugged them both tightly. “Stay safe,” he ordered.

“We will mijo,” Eddie smiled down at him, kissing him on the head as Buck then did the same.

“Promise,” Buck added.

Christopher let them go and headed inside. Eddie followed and took Christopher’s things with him.

“We all set for tomorrow?” Buck asked Isabel.

“We are,” she smiled, laughing, “I can’t believe that we are doing this,” she added, shaking her head, “You have a good heart Evanito, one that is very precious,” she patted him on the chest.

“I know that they are all unhappy about being away from family,” he said, “I want them to have that time with family, even if only for a few hours. We’re having our two and a half hours offline to eat and rest before we carry on. I’ll message you when you should head over.”

“We shall all be waiting,” Isabel said, nodding as Eddie came back out.

“Abuela, you need to get to him he is saying he will eat all the popcorn first,” Eddie told her, smiling widely as he hugged her tightly, “Thank you, for doing this. I’ve already brought his presents over for the morning as well. Though we are keeping a couple back to open together,” he added.

“I know,” she nodded, “Neito, you need to get going, I have this well in hand,” she told him, “Be safe tomorrow, and I shall see you soon.

“Yeah,” Buck grinned at her as Eddie kissed her cheek. Buck quickly doing the same before they headed home. Reaching home, the two flopped onto the couch for a few moments before Buck helped Eddie set up his new phone number, sending it out to the rest of the 118.

“Sleep?” Eddie said as he finally stood up, holding out his hand.

“Yeah,” Buck smiled at him. As they stood up they stopped as a shadow passed by the window. Buck was quick to move as he rushed towards the door. He opened it and darted out, but only got a glimpse of a car as it drove away. He couldn’t make out the number plate at all. All he could tell was that it was a dark colored car. “Damn it,” he cursed as he looked down, seeing another small package.

Eddie sighed, shaking his head, “I’m getting sick of this Buck.”

“Not the only one,” he replied, already on the phone to Romero. Looked like sleep wasn’t going to happen, instead they would spend what little time they had before work talking with Romero.

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