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Buck watched as Chimney paced back and forth in front of him. Maddie had left around eight days ago and Buck knew where she was and why she had left, and he was proud of her for getting the help she needed. Though he was a little mad that she just left again but at least she had promised to keep in contact as long as Buck didn’t tell anyone.
Suddenly Chim stopped and turned to Buck with narrowed eyes, “Why weren't you surprised?”
“What?” Buck looked at him, trying to stay calm.
“When I told you that Jee-Yun almost drowned, you didn’t even blink,” Chimney’s voice had gone dark and the look in his eyes scared Buck.
“Chim…” Buck began.
“It wasn’t until I said I was going after Maddie…” Chim glared at him with something dark deep in his eyes. “Did you know?”
“Chimney, liste-“ Buck did his best to not show how scared he was.
“Did you know?!” Chim demanded to know.
“Ch-Chimney,” Buck backed up a little, trying to put some distance between himself and the very angry man in front of him.
“She told you? Is that it?” Chimney advanced on Buck. “She called you and you already knew about this because she told you. Where is she, Buck?”
“I-I-I can't tell you,” Buck stuttered out. No matter how sacred he was he was not about to betray his sister’s trust.
“Eight days,” Chimney growled. “You’ve watched me lose it for eight days!”
“She's fine, Chim,” Buck murmured, swallowing around the lump in his throat. “And I don’t care that you're angry but I will not betray my sister’s trust. You know, the woman who raised me.”
“Tell me where she is, Buckley!” Chimney demanded lowly with something very dark in his voice.
Buck took another step back and sucked in a deep breath, “No.”
One second he was looking at Chimney, the next he was looking at the floor and there was a burning pain in the left side of his face. Buck slowly brought a hand up to his face as he looked at Chimney with shock.
“What…?” Buck couldn’t really comprehend what had just happened before pain exploded in his face again and Buck could swear he heard something crunch.
“You useless piece of shit,” Chimney spit down at Buck where he had landed on floor after the second hit. “You're such a waste of space!”
The kick Chimney aimed at him made the air leave Buck's lungs in a pain gasp as he curled up to protect himself from the onslaught of kicks and blows.
“You're just dumb muscle,” Chimney said, spit flying from his mouth. “No one wants you around.”
Buck had no idea how long the assault goes on for, he's just doing his best to protect himself. When the attack suddenly comes to a halt Buck slowly relaxes but that turned out to be the worst idea because before Buck knows it Chim is straddling him and his hands are wrapped like a vice around his throat.
Buck's eyes burst open as he grabbed onto Chimney’s wrist to try and get him off. The look in Chimney’s eyes as Buck struggles to breathe and to get Chim off is so dark and monstrous that Buck's surprised by it.
No matter what Buck did, Chimney didn’t let go and before long Buck's struggles were slowing down. The last thing Buck hears before darkness took him was Chimney muttering, “It’s not like anyone will miss you.”
***
Eddie doesn’t know what it is but something in his very soul was telling him that something was wrong. He's feeling angsty and jittery, there's an itch deep in his bones that just won't go away and his mind is filled with Buck.
He's been trying to ignore it for the last hour but now that Christopher has left for a classmate’s birthday party Eddie can't ignore it anymore. He pulls out his phone and calls Buck. The itch and angsty feeling grows the longer it takes for Buck to answer.
After trying to get a hold of his best friend, the love of his life, really, but no one knows that except Eddie, five times without an answer, Eddie had finally had enough. Moving quickly he made sure everything was locked before he jumped into his truck and drove towards Buck's apartment.
The feeling of dread gnawed in his stomach as he pulled into the parking space beside Buck's Jeep. Something was wrong no matter what everything looked like. Taking the stairs two at a time Eddie banged on Buck's door before walking in.
“Buck, are yo-” Eddie froze when he saw the beaten and bloody body on the floor. “Buck!”
Eddie rushed forward, falling to his knees and desperately trying to find Buck's pulse, horrified at the bruises under his fingers. For one long moment he couldn’t feel anything and his eyes burned, but then, like some miracle from a God he wasn’t sure he believed in, Eddie felt a small flutter under his fingers.
“Oh, gracias a Dios,” Eddie breathed out and pulled out his phone.
“911, what's your emergency?”
“This is off duty firefighter Eddie Diaz with the 118,” Eddie said strongly as he put the phone on speaker and then he rabbled up Buck's address before continuing. “I need an ambulance. Victim is Evan Buckley, also an off duty firefighter with the 118. He's been beaten and strangled, pulse is weak and thready.”
“An ambulance is on its way,” the dispatcher said calmly. “Do you know what happened?”
“No,” Eddie almost growled. “I was just coming to check on him because he wasn’t answering his phone and I found him like this.”
“Is the patient conscious?”
“No, and he has no reaction to sternal rub,” Eddie tried again with no result. “Breath is wet and rattling and I think one lung has collapsed or at least is on the verge to.”
“The paramedics has been advice and Police has been dispatched to the scene.”
“Thank you,” Eddie said distractedly as he focused on Buck who gave a single rattling breath before everything went quiet. “Buck? Evan?!”
Eddie leaned forward to listen at Buck's chest, but he couldn’t hear or feel Buck's heartbeat and his breathing had stopped.
“He's not breathing! Starting CPR,” Eddie shouted at the phone and got to work. “Come on, Evan, you are not allowed to leave me!”
He has no idea how long he did compressions on Buck when the EMTs arrived but it can't have been long even if it felt like an eternity. The EMTs took over and got Buck back quickly, much to Eddie’s relief.
“We need to load him up,” paramedic #1 said. “Are you riding with him to the hospital?”
“Yes,” Eddie didn’t even have to think about it.
As the EMTs lifted Buck onto a backboard and then onto the gurney, Athena arrived followed by a Detective Eddie thought looked familiar.
“Eddie?” Athena hurried over. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” Eddie shook his head. “And I don’t have time to stay.”
“Yeah, of course,” Athena nodded quickly. “Go with our Buckaroo.”
“Here’s the key,” Eddie handed over the key to Athena.
“I will take care of this, I promise,” Athena assured before pushing him towards the door were the EMTs were wheeling Buck out. “Now go!”
Eddie climbed into the ambulance just as paramedic #2 was about to close the door.
The ride to the hospital was a blur especially the moment Buck's heart stopped again and Eddie didn’t breathe until he was back again.
Sinking down into one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs in the waiting room Eddie finally cried. Tears ran down his face as he shook uncontrollably, Buck's blood drying on his pants and on his hands, while Eddie tried his best not to lose it completely.
---
An hour later Eddie leaned against his Abuela while Pepa sat on his other side, all their hands wrapped in Abuela’s rosary beads as Abuela led a prayer for Buck.
It was both hilarious and heartwarming the way Abuela had adopted Buck almost as soon as she had met him, Tía Pepa following closely after. Buck was like the sun and everyone worth anything gravitated towards him and around him.
So instead of calling the so called ‘FireFam’ Eddie had called the family he knew loved Buck unconditionally and not only when it was convenient for them. Abuela and Pepa had arrived within 15 minutes of him calling them, making sure to bring a change of clothes and helping Eddie wash the blood from his hands and arms.
“Family of Evan Buckley?” A voice called out making Eddie jump up, almost ripping his Abuela’s rosary beads.
“That’s us,” Eddie hurried over with Abuela and Pepa close on his heels. “I'm Eddie Diaz.”
“Eddie Diaz?” the Doctor looked down before smiling. “Seems like you are both emergency contact, next of kin and Power of Attorney to one Evan Buckley. Do you want to take this privately or?”
“This is my Abuela Isabel and my Tía Josephina,” Eddie introduced quickly. “They can hear what you have to say. Now, how’s Evan?”
The Doctor got a sad look in his eyes and Eddie felt his stomach tie itself in knots before the Doctor spoke, “First thing you should know is that Mr. Buckley is alive.”
“Gracias a Dios,” Abuela thanked God with a relived sigh.
“That’s sadly where the good news stops,” the Doctor took a deep breath. “Mr. Buckley had a crushed larynx from the pressure of the strangulation and we had to surgically repair it and insert a tracheostomy to help Mr. Buckley breathe and heal. This along with several cracked and broken ribs, one of which pierced his lung, a cracked cheek bone and orbital bone, the crack in his pelvis and bruised organs has resulted in Mr. Buckley slipping into a coma.”
“No,” Pepa gasped and grabbed Eddie's arm.
“When will he wake up?” Abuela wanted to know, tears in her eyes.
“It’s less of a when and more of an if, I'm sorry to say,” the Doctor looked at them with sympathy. “A nurse will be by to lead you to Mr. Buckley’s room once he's been situated.”
“Can you make sure the police gets everything they need?” Eddie mumbled as he stared at the wall.
“I’ll make sure all of us who worked on Mr. Buckley sends in everything we have to the police,” the Doctor assured kindly.
“Thank you,” Pepa said before the Doctor walked away.
Eddie was numb. He didn’t know what to do or how to feel. Someone had beat the love of his life, strangled him, and just left him there like yesterday's trash.
Eddie wanted to punch something, or more accurately, someone. If he ever ended up in the same room with the person who did this to Buck Eddie would end up going to prison for murder, that was for sure.
***
It had been three days since Buck was beaten and almost killed and Eddie had spent most of the time at the hospital at the urging of his son who didn’t want his Bucky to be alone.
Sadly it was time to get back to work, and Eddie did wonder how that was gonna go seeing as his mind would be with Buck at the hospital most of the time.
Eddie walked up the stairs, about to tell A-Shift that Buck was in the hospital in a coma and ready to scold them for not answering their phones so he could tell them about Buck, when he heard Hen and Bobby mention Buck. Slowing down so he could listen Eddie felt his anger grow.
“So you're saying that Buck knew the whole time where Maddie was and didn’t tell Chim?” Bobby asked, the disappointment and sneer in his voice obvious.
“Yeah, but Chim left to look for her, to make sure Maddie knew she wasn’t alone,” Hen said with a little confusion.
“Buck really needs to stop being so jealous,” Bobby huffed. “And he needs to drop the whole attitude where he thinks he knows best.”
“Bobby…” Hen tried to interrupt.
“He really needs to grow up and realize everything isn’t about him,” Bobby continued without listening to Hen. “Buck needs to learn how to listen to others that know better, if he did the whole Lawsuit wouldn’t have happened and Chim and Maddie would be together raising little Jee-Yun.”
“That’s not true,” Hen protested.
“He should also learn how to take responsibility for his actions,” Bobby seemed to be on a roll. “He's probably home nursing a hangover, which is why he's late and I will have to reprimand him when he gets his ass here.”
“Actually,” Eddie growled, having enough. “Buck is in a coma at Cedar-Sinai. Has been for three days. Which you would have known if any of you picked up the phone!”
“Is he okay?” Bobby demanded to know. “What happened?”
“None of your business,” Eddie glared and crossed his arms. “I've been trying to reach all of you for three days and no one answered their fucking phone!”
“Eddie,” Hen began.
“No,” Eddie held up his hand. “I am not saying anything about Buck right now. Dios, I can't even look at you people.”
“Tell me what happened!” Bobby ordered and walked closer to Eddie, trying to be intimidating. “He's my son!”
Eddie raised an unimpressed eyebrow, not the least bit intimidated, “No he's not. Buck is a full grown man and you have no right to anything about him.”
“Tell me!” Bobby’s eyes flashed darkly.
“Or what?” Eddie sneered. “You gonna shove me up against a wall with your arm across my throat? That’s what you do with people who don’t obey or break your rules, right?”
Before anything else could happen Athena and the Detective from Buck's loft walked in and interrupted everything, which disappointed Eddie a little bit, he wanted Bobby to attack him so he could hit back for everything Bobby had done to Buck and how he kept on treating him.
“Captain Nash,” Athena was full on Sergeant Grant at that moment. “Where is Firefighter Howard Han?”
“He's out on leave,” Bobby said as he turned to his wife and the detective. “Why?”
“Any idea where he's gone?” the detective asked with a frown.
“He went looking for his girlfriend,” Hen spoke up. “What is this about?”
“Firefighter Howard Han has a warrant out for his arrest,” the detective, Lou Ransone if Eddie remembered correctly, informed.
“For what?” Bobby chuckled. “Unpaid parking tickets?”
“The assault and attempt murder of Evan Buckley,” Detective Ransone said simply.
“It was Chim?!” Eddie felt rage boil under his skin as he clenched his fists until his knuckles were completely white, mind filled with static.
“Eddie, Eddie, I need you to breathe,” Hen’s voice broke through the mess chaos in his head.
‘Breathe?’ Eddie thought. ‘I am breathing.’
As soon as the thought had entered he felt the burning in his lungs and somehow forced himself to take a breath. Black spots danced across is vision as Hen counted and help him breathe.
After he had managed to calm down Eddie turned to Detective Ransone, “What's being done about it?”
“We have a BOLO out for Han and we are looking for clues,” Detective Ransone explained.
“You should know,” Hen hesitated before continuing. “You should know that Chim is driving around looking for Maddie. He has Jee-Yun with him.”
“He's planning on just driving around for several hours a day with a three month old?!” Athena sounded appalled at the mere prospect.
“So we can add Child Endangerment and Child Neglect to the list,” Detective Ransone muttered and noted it down.
“Child Endangerment and Child Neglect?” Hen asked in confusion.
“Tell me Henrietta,” Athena looked at Hen with a deadpan sort of look. “You are an EMT/Paramedic that’s studying to be a Doctor, in what world is it okay to have a three month old child stuck in a car seat for several hours, several days in a row?”
Eddie could see the moment it hit Hen how neglectful and almost right out abusive it could be, “Oh God.”
“I’ll talk to the Chief,” Bobby spoke up.
“Chief Alonso already knows,” Athena told him. “We went to him first so he would know why we were arresting one of his firefighters.”
“Oh, that wasn’t-” Bobby cleared his throat. “That’s good but it wasn’t what I was referring to.”
“Then why would you talk to the Chief?” Eddie could feel the growl deep in his chest, he had a feeling he already knew why.
“Buck will need to go on light duty after this,” Bobby said like it was obvious. “He can work with Angela to handle all the paperwork and all of that stuff.”
“What are you talking about?” Hen frowned in confusion. “Buck is coming back to the team.”
“I can't have him back on the team,” Bobby sounded so sure and reasonable, like he truly believed what he was saying. “Buck keeps getting hurt and I have more than one firefighter I need to look out for. If Buck comes back he will be a liability.”
Eddie was about to do something that would probably get him arrested but before he could Athena’s voice rang out, “Robert Nash, I cannot believe you!”
“What?” Bobby looked confused.
“If you can't treat one of your firefighters professionally on the job then that’s a you problem,” Athena had a looked of slight anger mixed with disappointment on her face. “You are not going to punish Buckaroo for Chimney’s crime, is that understood?”
“But Athe-,” Bobby began.
“Is that understood?!” Athena repeated with a cold voice.
“Yes,” Bobby muttered but Eddie could see he didn’t really mean it.
“Good,” Athena nodded once before she turned to leave with Ransone. “Oh, and you are sleeping on the couch tonight.”
“Athena?!” Bobby looked so shocked and confused that Eddie had to bite his lip not to laugh.
“The couch!” Athena repeated before her and Ransone were gone.
***
“Hey Buck,” Maddie smiled slightly, glad to talk to her brother again.
“I am so sorry Maddie,” Eddie’s voice came through the other end and Maddie could hear the tears in his voice.
“Where is Buck?” Maddie needed to know, fear and worry warring in her chest as her therapist sat up straighter, hearing both sides of the conversation thanks to the phone being on speaker. “Is he okay?”
“Buck’s in the hospital, in a coma,” Eddie sobbed out.
“Oh God,” Maddie gasped and brought her hands up to her mouth. “What happened? Did something go wrong on a call?”
“No, he-” Eddie’s voice broke as he stopped.
“Eddie, tell me!” Maddie demanded.
“I don’t know if I should,” Eddie admitted slowly. “Buck didn’t tell me where you are but he told me why.”
“I know he told you,” Maddie said quietly. “He asked me first if he was allowed to tell you.”
“Eddie, my name is Jane Redcliffe,” Maddie’s therapist spoke up. “I'm here with Maddie and it’s better if you tell her what you know now so we can deal with it all instead of Maddie finding out later and losing progress in her therapy.”
“If you're sure,” Eddie murmured hesitantly.
“Just tell me,” Maddie ordered. “What happened to my brother?”
“He was attacked in his apartment, beaten severely and strangled,” Eddie rushed out with a sob. “It was so bad that he crashed once while we waited for the ambulance and once on the way to the hospital. And then he slipped into a coma. The Doctor said that it’s more of an if he wakes up instead of a when.”
Maddie had started crying at the start of Eddie’s explanation and was out right sobbing at the end. “Who-Who would do something like this?”
Eddie took a shuddering breath, “Chimney.”
Maddie’s whole world froze, “What?”
“From what Athena and Detective Ransone told me, Chimney found out that Buck knows where you are and lost it when Buck refused to tell him,” Eddie sniffled softly.
“Chimney beat my baby brother?” Maddie growled, feeling rage like she never had before. “My baby?!”
“Maddie,” Eddie murmured cautiously. “He didn’t just beat Buck up, he actively tried to kill him by strangulation.”
Maddie clenched her fists, “I'm going to kill him.”
“Maddie, you need to calm down,” Jane said calmly.
“How the hell am I supposed to calm down?!” Maddie demanded. “My boyfriend tried to kill my son, my baby!”
“Buck is your brother, Maddie,” Jane pointed out.
“By blood? Yes,” Maddie agreed, murder in her eyes. “But by everything that matters he's my son. I raised him, I kept him fed, I loved him, I took care of him, I made sure he was safe. He's my baby and nothing you say will change that!”
“He loves you too, Maddie,” Eddie told her and Maddie could her the slight smile in his voice.
“Where is the dead man walking right now?” Maddie knew her voice was dark but she didn’t care.
“No one knows,” Eddie growled and Maddie joined in. “After he had assaulted Buck he left with Jee-Yun to look for you.”
Maddie felt her heart squeeze in her chest, “What if he hurts Jee?”
“He wouldn’t do that,” Eddie said but it sounded more like a question.
Maddie thought about it before a slightly evil smirk grew on her face, “If I'm right then Chimney isn’t mentioned on any of the paperwork naming him Jee-Yun’s father and/or legal guardian.”
Eddie was silent on the other end for a while, “So you're the only legal guardian Jee-Yun has?”
“No,” Maddie felt her smirk grow. “Buck is her other legal guardian. I needed to put down someone, and while Chimney seemed to drag his feet with signing all the paperwork Buck was there within five minutes of me calling him.”
“So Jee-Yun’s father isn’t named on any paperwork?” Jane piped into the conversation.
“Nope,” Maddie chuckled darkly. “Chimney always seemed to procrastinate all of that.”
“Maddie, I think this is important information for Athena and Detective Ransone,” Eddie spoke up with a thoughtful tone. “Is it okay if I tell them and give them the number to the clinic you are at?”
“Yes,” Maddie agreed quickly. “As long as they promise not to tell anyone else.”
“Thank you, Maddie,” Eddie sounded relieved.
“Anything for my baby,” Maddie declared strongly. “Just… keep me updated?”
“Absolutely,” Eddie agreed quickly. “Do you want texts, emails or calls?”
“Texts work,” Maddie decided. “But if it’s urgent, call.”
“That sounds fine by me,” Eddie hummed. “I'm gonna hang up now so I can call Athena. You take care, Maddie and know that you are loved by several people here.”
“I love you guys too,” Maddie sniffled around a smile, knowing Eddie was talking about Buck, himself, Christopher and also his Abuela and Pepa. “Take care of Buck for me and tell him I love him when he wakes up.”
“I will,” Eddie promised before hanging up.
Maddie spent the rest of her meeting with Jane talking about everything they had learned while silently planning murder. Maddie knew she hadn't always been the best sister/mom to Buck but she was going to do better and if killing someone would keep Evan safe then she would do it. It would be the first time she killed someone after all and everyone said the first time was the hardest…
***
Buck had been in a coma for almost a month when police finally caught up to Chimney. In the end Athena wanted to hit herself because he would have been caught earlier if they had just followed the complaints of reckless driving and road rage.
Arresting the former firefighter had ended in Lou having a broken nose due to Chimney resisting arrest and punching the man, which only added to all the shit they already had on him. And even after being handcuffed Han had kept on screaming about it all being Buck's fault and that they should be thanking him for getting rid of the useless waste of space for them.
It had taken everything in Athena not to hit him right then and there. This was the man who had beaten and almost strangled her Buckaroo to death, her Buckaroo who was still in a coma because of said beating and strangulation.
It got even worse when she had found Jee-Yun in the backseat of the car. The little girl had been emaciated, cowered in filth and had hand shaped bruises on her tiny arms. The doctors at the hospital had said that little Jee-Yun hadn't been fed or changed for at least two, maybe three, days and had sores on her rump that had gotten infected due to this.
Lou had later told her that Han hadn't even mentioned Jee-Yun once since his arrest, only raging about finding Maddie, how she needed him and that he needed to take care of her. Never before had Athena been so glad that she wasn’t allowed into the interrogation room, otherwise she would probably have to share a cell with the man after beating the crap out of him.
“Buuh…” Athena was knocked out of her dark thoughts by the baby in her arms blowing a spit bubble.
“Come on, Princess,” Athena chuckled. “Grandma Athena’s gonna take you to your Buck.”
Athena remembered the conversation she had had with Maddie, about how even if Chimney somehow got out of doing time he would never ever be allowed close to Maddie’s daughter again. Maddie had even gone so far as to take out a restraining order so the man couldn't come close to her or Jee ever again.
“And there he is,” Athena smiled as she walked into Buck's hospital room.
“Buuhh,” Jee-Yun blew another spit bubble.
“Hey Athena,” Eddie looked up at her with a slight smile.
“Hey Eddie,” Athena walked over and placed a hand on Eddie's arm. “How’re you holding up?”
Eddie shrugged, his hands clasping one of Buck's, “Honestly? The only reason I'm even functioning is because I have to. Part of me wants to just crawl into a corner and cry until Buck wakes up.”
“He will wake up,” Athena said with conviction, believing it completely. “He’s a fighter and he wouldn’t leave you or Chris.”
“You're right,” Eddie kissed the back of Buck's hand before letting go and turning to Athena completely. “That Jee-Yun?”
Athena smiled and handed the little girl over to a surprised looking Eddie, “Yeah, she's been missing her Buck.”
“Her Buck, huh?” Eddie tickled the baby’s tummy. “I think she's gonna have to share with Christopher though.”
“Buck has so much love to give that that shouldn't be a problem,” Athena smiled softly from where she was stroking a gentle hand through Buck's hair. "You and Buck should think about having more kids. You are fantastic parents."
“What?” Eddie looked confused.
Athena chuckled, her eyes never leaving Buck's sleeping face. "Buck would definitly want more kids with you."
“What?” Eddie repeated with wide eyes.
Athena chuckled, “I think everyone that has ever met you and Buck knows that you love him and he loves you. Well, everyone but you and Buck that is.”
“I-I-I…” Eddie stuttered out. “He-he loves me too?”
“Oh, Buckaroo has been gone on you for years,” Athena laughed softly before looking down on her son in the bed. “But he will never be the one to take the first step.”
“Why not?” Eddie frowned.
“He’s so used to people only liking him as long as he's useful,” Athena murmured. “And he's scared to ruin your friendship. He rather have you in his life as a friend than not have you at all.”
“He's an idiot,” Eddie muttered making Jee-Yun giggle. “Yes, your Buck is an idiot but don’t you worry, Princess, I’ll set him straight.”
“Not too straight, I hope,” Athena smirked over at him.
“Athena!” Eddie blushed as Athena laughed.
“Anyway,” Athena’s smirk turned into a smile. “Has he had any visitors besides you and your Abuela and Aunt Pepa?”
“May was here earlier before she had to leave for work,” Eddie sat down again and placed Jee-Yun on the bed with Buck. “Michael and David was here yesterday with Harry. Hen and Karen comes by when they can. Maddie calls every day. Chief Alonso visits every now and again…”
Athena looked up with a frown, “Not Bobby?”
“I haven’t seen or heard from Bobby except on shift,” Eddie shrugged.
“What is going on in that man’s head,” Athena muttered in annoyance before focusing back on Buck, letting a companionable silence fill the room.
***
Another two weeks had passed since Chimney’s arrest and Buck hadn't woken up yet. Jee-Yun was settling in well in the Diaz household, she was being looked after by all of the firefam, of course, until Maddie was okay, and they switched every three day's on who Jee was staying with but it was mostly between Athena, Michael and David, and Eddie and his family. Hen and Karen also took Jee-Yun in every now and then but already having Danny and two foster kids it got a bit much so they didn't have Jee as often as the others. Abuela had been ecstatic about another "great-grandchild" and would often steal the little girl from Eddie’s arms as soon as Eddie arrived at her house.
Christopher was walking around with his head held high, proud of being a big brother. And every day he would read to his new "little sister", sitting curled up on the couch with her in his lap.
And Eddie? He loved it.
He had always wanted more kids, and he used to dream about living with Buck, Christopher and their children, maybe a dog and a white picket fence… And now he had it but instead of Buck being there beside him he was laying unmoving in a hospital bed thanks to a person that was supposed to be his friend and brother.
Work on the other hand had started being something Eddie dreaded. With Bobby muttering about Buck being irresponsible and a liability, how he needed to find a way to keep Buck back from going to calls along with some people from B-Shift, C-Shift and some floaters talking about Buck probably deserving whatever Chimney had done to him… Yeah, Eddie dreaded going to work.
“Dios,” Eddie murmured tiredly and lay his head down on Buck's chest, listening to his heart beat calmly. “I miss you, mi amor.”
Eddie kept looking at Buck's sleeping face. He had lost weight and looked a bit gaunt but he was still just as handsome as he was the first time Eddie saw him.
“The world is darker without you, cariño,” Eddie said before he started humming softly. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are gray, you'll never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away…”
Eddie fell asleep on Buck's chest, like he did most evenings after work. He knew that everyone in the hospital gossiped about it, saying how adorable Eddie was for falling asleep on his husband’s chest.
No one corrected them about Eddie and Buck's relationship, and if Eddie had started to think about them as husbands, well that was a private thought for no one but Eddie.
***
He's floating.
Everything is dark and he's floating.
He has no idea how long he floats.
Voices come and voices go.
He recognized Eddie and Christopher, Abuela, Pepa, May and Harry, Michael and David, Athena, Carla, Maddie… but he couldn't grasp what they're saying and so he floated.
“You're just dumb muscle.”
“I'm doing everyone a favor.”
“It’s not like anyone will miss you.”
Buck slipped further into the darkness as he heard the words whispered hatefully through his mind. Maybe the voice was right. Maybe he should just float away and save everyone the trouble.
“I miss you, mi amor.”
“The world is darker without you, cariño.”
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…”
He knew that voice!
That was Eddie. His Eddie!
But why was he sad? Eddie shouldn’t be sad. Maybe he needed a hug?
He fought his way up through the darkness. No matter what he would have Eddie’s back. He had made a promise!
***
“Hey cariño,” Eddie smiled slightly as he walked into Buck's room, a vase filled with sunflowers in his hands. “I brought you some flowers. I know sunflowers are your favorite and thought it could help brighten up your room a bit.”
Eddie placed the vase on the table by Buck's bed before stroking a hand through his blonde locks. Buck had now been in a coma for almost eleven weeks, the tube down his throat to help him breathe and heal had been removed three weeks ago, and Eddie missed him more and more every day.
“I'm thinking about switching houses,” Eddie admitted and sat down, interlacing his fingers with Buck's. “I can't work in the toxic environment that has developed at the 118 anymore.”
Eddie ran a soft hand over Buck's arm, laughing a little when he saw the blue doodle Jee-Yun had left there two days ago.
“And I'm sad to say that Hen and I are the only ones that wants you back,” Eddie looked down sadly. “I hope you are okay with moving houses, I don’t want to have anyone else watching my back.
“You go, I go,” a raspy voice whispered and Eddie's head jerked up fast enough to almost give whiplash.
“Buck?” Eddie gasped. “Am I dreaming again?”
“No… dream…” Buck rasped as he tried to smile.
“Evan,” Eddie leaned forward and kissed Buck softly on the lips before resting his forehead against Buck's. “You're awake.”
“Am bad bitch… can't ger rid… me,” Buck joked and Eddie laughed wetly.
“Stop quoting weird shit,” Eddie mock reprimanded.
“Never,” Buck closed his eyes again.
“Hey, don’t fall asleep again,” Eddie ordered. “I need to get your Doctor.”
The next part happened quickly. Doctors and nurses rushed in and started checking on Buck while Eddie refused to move out of the room. He was scared that if he let Buck out of his sights he was gonna fall back into a coma and so he stayed.
“Mr. Diaz,” Buck's Doctor, James Hamill, approached Eddie as the nurses and the other two doctors walked out of the room. “Your husband is a miracle. No one expected him to ever wake up, sad to say, but here he is, awake and talking.”
“I never doubted him,” Eddie told him, so used to Buck being called his husband that he didn’t even register it anymore.
“We’ll come back tomorrow and do some more test but so far it looks really good. Though his voice will be rough and scratchy for a few days, maybe longer depending on how everything has healed and continues to heal.” Doctor Hamill smiled before walking out.
Eddie walked over to Buck and interlaced their fingers again.
“Husband?” Buck rasped with a smile and sparkling eyes.
“Well,” Eddie could feel the blush on his face.
“Love to… be your… husband,” Buck squeezed his hand. “You… ha-have to… ask… properly… when I… get out…”
“Really?” Eddie smiled brightly, tears of happiness in his eyes. “I will, I promise I will. I’ll do the whole romantic dinner and candlelight and get down on my knee.”
“Just need… you,” Buck’s eyes were dropping closed. “Kiss?”
Eddie smiled and leaned over to kiss him softly. “I’ll kiss you as much as you want.”
“Forever…” Buck smiled with his eyes closed. “Stay?”
“I’ll stay until you wake up,” Eddie whispered softly, smile never leaving his face.
While Buck slept, this time lightly and not in a coma, Eddie called everyone who deserved to know that Buck was awake. He made the first call to his Abuela because he knew that she would bring Christopher and Jee-Yun to the hospital as soon as she could.
Eddie felt like he was floating on clouds as he watched him, was Buck his fiancé now?, sleep.
Buck had woken up!
That was the only thought spinning around his mind, pure happiness filling his chest like a balloon. Buck had woken up and Eddie was so happy he could cry.
***
Buck had been awake for a month.
The surprise he had felt when he had been told he had been in a coma for over two months was nothing compared to the shock and joy he felt when he was told that Jee-Yun, was his in all but blood and that Maddie had shared custody with him while she got the help she needed and then further on.
Buck was so happy and from the sound of it so was Maddie. Last time they talked on the phone Maddie had sounded better and she had admitted that she was slowly but surely getting healthier both physically and psychologically.
“Evan,” Eddie stepped into the hospital room. “You ready to go home?”
Buck looked up at his fiancé, fiancé!, and smiled brightly. Eddie had offered to let him move in with him and Christopher, and Jee-Yun, after Buck found out that he had lost the loft. Turns out that no one had had enough thought about paying the rent while Buck was… sleeping, not that Buck blamed them.
“Let’s go,” Buck beamed before cringing as his voice broke.
Doctor Hamill had said that his voice would keep doing that while it healed, then he had muttered about miracles and guardian angels. Buck had ignored him and had just felt grateful that his voice wasn’t gone completely.
“I love you,” Eddie murmured as he interlaced his fingers with Buck's and ed the way out of the room.
“I love you too,” Buck smiled before getting a mischievous look on his face. “If I had known that all that was needed for you to tell me you loved me wa-”
“If you finish that sentence with ‘I would have ended up in a coma earlier’ I will make you walk home,” Eddie deadpanned making Buck laugh brightly.
The whole way home Buck couldn’t stop smiling because Eddie refused to let go of his hand for more than a few moments at a time. Buck had never felt so loved and safe with someone before Eddie and he wouldn’t be surprised if everyone could see his heart eyes every time he looked at the other man.
The moment he stepped into Eddie's house, soon to be their house, Buck's smile grew impossible wider at the cheers of ‘Welcome home!’
Everybody was there, Hen, Karen and Denny, Michael, David, Harry, May and Athena, Abuela, Pepa, Christopher and Jee-Yun, and finally Carla. Buck smiled at them all but he knew he couldn’t hide how his smile fell slightly when he didn’t see Bobby anywhere.
He was quickly distracted by Abuela placing Jee-Yun in his arms and Christopher demanding a hug. Everyone hugged him, one after the other, and Buck felt warmth fill him for all these people.
The party didn’t last more than a couple of hours due to Buck being tired from all the excitement, but it was a good party. And when Buck finally climbed into bed beside Eddie he felt content and loved, which meant so much to him.
***
Eddie could feel the slight tremble in Buck's hand as they entered firehouse 118.
Buck had healed and recertified a few weeks ago, though not breaking any records this time, and since then he had been trying to get back to the 118 but had been blocked at every turn. Finally he had had enough and he had gone to talk to Chief Alonso with Eddie by his side.
In the end they had come to the conclusion that if they couldn’t work at the 118 together then they would both transfer to a house that would accept them both. After Chief Alonso had put out some discreet feelers he had gotten in contact with Eddie and Buck with a couple of offers.
Firehouses 132, 91, 122 and the 136 all had offered them both spots with their crews which had shocked the two men. It turns out that Buck and Eddie had a reputation of being ‘The Team’ and lots of Captain’s wanted them but every time they put forward offers they had been told that Buck and Eddie had declined them.
After an inquiry it turned out that Bobby had not even asked Buck or Eddie if they wanted to move, instead he had decided for them. Chief Alonso had been incensed at how one of his Captains had abused their power and not for the first time.
Eddie and Buck had gone home after the lengthy talk with the Chief with the orders to think about what they wanted to do. They had talked to Chris, Maddie, Isabel, and Pepa and decided to join Firehouse 91.
Firehouse 91 was the firehouse in LA that dealt with all the heavy and complicated rescues. Underwater, mountain, technical and all the rescues in-between. They had really wanted Buck and Eddie on their team, especially after knowing about Buck being crushed by their ladder truck, then only to survive a tsunami, and that Eddie was a former Army Medic.
Hearing the stories firsthand on how Evan managed to survive the first wave and save so many people that fateful day was impressive, and while on blood thinners.
It was during their meeting that Buck and Eddie had learned some harsh truths about their Captain and how far he was willing to go to keep Buck safe and at his station.
It was also a shock for them to learn that Buck had certifications well beyond that of a standard first responder.
Turns out that Bobby was editing his resume. All his achievements/skills had been redacted and it was made out that Evan was only able to help with standard rescues. Not anything dangerous.
They had been keen on having them on their team, they had even offered a significant salary increase. This resulted in Eddie and Buck buying a new house closer to firehouse 91 which they had just finished moving into.
“Let’s do this,” Buck murmured before straightening and getting a look of cold determination on his face.
Eddie nodded as he did his best to hide his smirk. If anyone tried to stop them or fucked with them they would get to see a side of Buck that Eddie found incredibly sexy.
They made their way to the locker room to pack their stuff and luckily they managed to do that without interruption. It was as they made their way out that things changed.
“Eddie, Buck, what are you doing here?” Captain Nash called out. “You know that Buck isn’t allowed to work here right now.”
“Oh, don’t worry Captain Nash,” Buck said calmly as the rest of the firefighters gathered around. “We’re just here to get our things.”
“Oh,” Nash said, looking pleased. “So you have finally accepted your limitations.”
“First off, Captain Nash, you will find that I don’t have whatever limitations you are talking about,” Buck told him. “Second, we won’t be here to bother you anymore.”
“Wait,” Markham spoke up. “What do you mean ‘we’? Just because you can’t work doesn’t mean Diaz has to stop. Him we actually like.”
“Well, I don’t like you and I wouldn’t want to stay close in case your stupidity is catching,” Eddie smirked.
“Buck, you need to grow up,” Nash tutted like he was talking to a small child. “I know what's best for you.”
“Oh please,” Buck scoffed. “You don’t know what's best for anyone. You are an egotistical, scared little man that can't handle others being stronger and better than you.”
“I love you like a son,” Nash said before straightening in anger, “You can't talk to me like that, Buckley! I am your Captain!”
“No you're not,” Eddie pointed out calmly.
“And seriously? If this is how you think loving someone as your own kid is supposed to be like, I suggest you go to therapy,” Buck looked at Bobby with a freaked out look. “I am NOT your son by the way,” Buck said as he stepped back. “If what Eddie said wasn’t clear enough; We don’t work here anymore so you can't order us around.”
“You transferred?” Hen spoke up with a smile.
“Yeah,” Eddie nodded happily. “Our first shift with firehouse 91 starts on Thursday.”
“I'm hap-” Hen began to say.
“I didn’t authorize that transfer,” Bobby growled, stalking up to them, “So you can't leave.”
“Our transfer was authorized/handled by Chief Alonso,” Buck informed him with a cold look. “You have nothing to do with that, thank God.”
“If you have a problem (which I am sure you do) take it up with the Chief,” Eddie added, equally as cold.
“If that’s all, we’re leaving,” Buck said and started to turn around.
Before Eddie knew it he had Nash on his knees with his arm behind his back. The moment Bobby had raised his hand to hit Buck Eddie had reacted on instinct, quickly neutralizing the treat to his soon to be husband.
“Captain Nash, your office, now!” Chief Alonso thundered before softening as he turned to Eddie. “Diaz, Eddie, you can let go now.”
Eddie gave a quick nod and let go, shoving Nash as he stepped back.
“Chief, I want to press charges against Firefighter Diaz for assault,” Nash seethed as he stood up with a pained grimace.
“Don’t try it, Nash,” Chief Alonso growled. “I saw everything. Firefighter Diaz only grabbed you to defend Firefighter Buckley who you were going to hit.”
“It was nice seeing you, Chief,” Buck smiled as he grabbed Eddie’s hand. “We’ll be in touch in a couple of weeks about that thing we were talking about.”
“Sounds good, Buck,” Chief Alonso smiled. “And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Drew?”
“At least once more, Chief,” Buck said, laughing cheekily.
“Get outta here,” Andrew chuckled and waved them off.
“Onto a new chapter?” Eddie asked with a smile as he grabbed Buck's hand.
“As long as it’s with you?” Buck kissed Eddie’s cheek. “Absolutely.”
“Oh, and Captain Nash?” Eddie called out just before they left.
“Don’t contact us anymore,” Buck spoke as Bobby turned to them. “We aren’t interested in anything you have to say.”
“So long and thanks for all the fish,” Eddie waved before stopping with a laugh. “No, wait, that’s A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, sorry.”
Together Buck and Eddie walked out of Firehouse 118, hand in hand and with excitement for the future. Who knew, maybe there was a dog and a white picket fence in their future…