letsdosciencetoit

[letsdosciencetoit]

Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Tommy Kinard, Henrietta "Hen" Wilson/Karen Wilson, Maddie Buckley/Howie "Chimney" Han, May Grant/Ravi Panikkar Characters: Evan "Buck" Buckley, Howie "Chimney" Han, Maddie Buckley, Henrietta "Hen" Wilson, Ravi Panikkar, Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Christopher Diaz (9-1-1 TV), May Grant (9-1-1 TV), Sal Deluca (9-1-1 TV), Lucy Donato Additional Tags: 5+1 Things, Secretly Married, Not Beta Read, post Season 8 finale, pure fluff, Everyone is remarkably self-aware, More of a 5 + 5 thing, Evan Buckley leaves the 118

Summary: Five times the 118 worries about telling Buck that Tommy got married and the one time they realize they don’t have to.

[letsdosciencetoit]

Several Sentences Sunday

Thanks @chococara25 for the tag. I've been trying to edit my 5+1 today, so here's a part of "I'm Where the Spiders Go," my S1 AU where Tommy never left the 118, so Buck was assigned to the 122 instead.

I'm Where the Spiders Go

Oscar and Maria turn their stares from Evan’s retreating form back to him.  Tommy leans back and shrugs.  They don’t comment any further and return to their conversation, so Tommy figures this sort of behaviour might be par for the course with Evan.

He turns to Sal.  “So I guess letting your probie out on calls is working out?”

Sal shrugs.  “Kid works hard, makes solid calls, and is great at improvisation.  He’s a little impulsive, but give him a little experience and he’s going to be one hell of a firefighter.”

“That’s high praise from Lieutenant Deluca,” Tommy says, mirroring his earlier words.  “That’s a far cry from wanting to get the kid fired.  I’m guessing the sexcapades are under control.”

“The kid just needed a firm hand and a little direction,” Sal explains.  “I have him training during his downtime at the station.  Giving him an outlet for his energy is doing wonders.”

Tommy huffs a laugh.  “Glad it’s working out for you.  Definitely feels like you landed on your feet with the transfer.”

Sal’s smile drops, and his eyes narrow a little.  “Don’t say this to Nash, but the transfer was probably the kindest thing he could have done for me.  I needed the kick in the ass to get my head on straight, and I’m going to make Captain soon.”

“Oh really?  With such confidence, too.”  Tommy’s eyebrows raise in response.

“Between you and I,” Sal starts in a hushed tone, “Captain Warren is retiring in about 12 months.  I’ve already written the captain’s exams, and he’s prepping me to take over when he steps down.”

Reaching across the table, Sal grabs Tommy by the forearm. “I could use a good Lieutenant when that happens.  The 118 can’t be as much fun without me there.”

Tommy looks down at where Sal’s hand is on his arm before flicking back up to meet Sal’s eyes.  He’s ready to offer up a hundred and one reasons why it would be a bad idea.  He doesn’t want to work his way up the ranks. He doesn’t want to leave the 118.  He’d rather have Sal as a friend than a colleague.  He’s saved from providing a response by Evan returning and slamming another pitcher of beer on the table.

The force of the gesture sends Sal’s half-full pint glass tipping over, beer flooding into Sal’s arm and off the table into his lap.  Conveniently, Tommy manages to avoid the spill, and he would deny his quick reflexes had anything to do with tipping the rickety table away from him.

Evan wears a look of absolute horror on his face. 

Sal stands up with enough force to send his chair clattering behind him. 

Oscar is already up from their table flagging down a staff member for some napkins.

“Shit, Buckley!,” Sal yells, loud enough to make the bar go quiet.  “For someone so coordinated in the field you are the clumsiest mother fucker I know.  I should send you my drycleaning bill.”

Evan, to his credit, does not grab the napkins and immediately try to pat Sal down.  He hands a wad to Sal to clean himself up, and uses the rest to start mopping up the spill. 

“Like you own anything that needs drycleaning,” Gabriel calls out.  “And don’t think we haven’t caught you trying to sneak your civies into the station laundry.”

The comment brings a smile to Sal’s face, no shame at being called out.  “Fair enough.  I guess this is my sign to clear out.  Gina will be happy to have me home early, even if I do end up smelling like a brewery.”

Sal pulls his wallet out of his damp pocket and holds it up for the team to see.  “I’m going to clear our tab.  Next round is on our Probie to make up for his lack of house training.  Make sure to order something top shelf.”

Maria, Oscar and Gabriel cheer as Sal walks to the bar to pay down the tab, then grab the pitcher already on the table and split it between the three of them.  Maria holds the empty pitcher up, and shakes it at Evan. 

Evan grabs it without a word, and brings it back to the bar where Sal is standing.  He says something to Sal, but Tommy can’t hear it over the sounds of the bar.  Sal shakes his head eyes full of mirth, and whatever he says clearly puts Evan at ease, because the kid has a smile on his face once again when he comes back with another pitcher. 

Setting it down with more care this time, Evan takes a seat again next to Tommy.  Tommy knocks their legs together under the table, and offers the kid a smile.  “You know, if you wanted to get my attention there are better ways to go about it.”

I'm still wrapping my mind around tagging games, so I'm not tagging anyone back yet (it is also 1 hour until Monday here).

Tag list for I'm Where the Spiders Go: @teabroomsandbooks, @adian-ua

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP - BuckTommy - 5+1 - Part 6e

5 times the 118 worries about how to tell Buck that Tommy got married, and 1 time they realize they don't have to.

I'm pretty sure this is the end of the short little self-indulgent piece that ended up being around 9000 words. Thanks for everyone who came along for the ride. I have loose plans to write how Buck and Tommy reconcile, as well as their points of view during their encounters with their friends. I'm going to get this cleaned up and posted to AO3 at some point soon.

If you have any questions, or want to see any extras from this little world, I'm happy to accept prompts. I had a lot of fun with this one.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 +1 a +1b +1c +1d

+1 - Ravi

The party has been underway for about an hour, and Buck has been popping in and out of the house for the finishing touches.  He’s had enough of a presence in the backyard that people aren’t suspicious, but Ravi can tell the guests are starting to get restless.  It’s definitely starting to feel like they’re all waiting for something.

Ravi gabs Buck by the arm to get his attention as he was bouncing between groups of people.  “You think it’s time to get this show started?”

Buck took in the crowd of friends and family gathered in the back yard and smiled. “Yeah.  I think everyone is here and ready to go.  Can you get the mic to Sal, and I’ll turn the sound system on when I head inside.”

Ravi snags the microphone from where they’d left it charging and pocketed it before he made his way over to where Sal is standing with his wife, chatting with a group of firefighters from their station.  Sal jerks his head in a nod when Ravi approaches and palms him the microphone. 

Buck’s parents are off in the side yard, chatting with the head of the catering team. The two people Buck hired as bartenders are waiting with them, nearly bouncing with excitement. From what Buck said all of their vendors were ready to jump on board as soon as they learned they were doing a surprise reception.

Ravi’s job now was to make sure the photographer and her assistant were able to set up without being noticed. Ravi feels honoured that Buck considered him close enough to be involved in the surprise.  It was probably partly partnering with Buck for months, and actively supporting Buck and Tommy getting back together, but he never would have pictured himself in this kind of situation.

May and Athena are running interference so the newcomers go unnoticed as they get set up.  Ravi gets the photographer set up to have the best vantage point in the yard so she’ll be able to capture everyone’s reactions. 

His phone vibrates with a text from Buck, telling them everyone is ready inside.  Tommy’s been hanging out in the garage with everyone he’d invited to the party that would have raised suspicion.  Ravi looks to Sal, who nods back, and moves to stand on the dance floor.

Sal turns the microphone on and taps in quick succession to get everyone’s attention.  The loud drone of conversation peters out, though the kids continue making noise off to the side. A lot of the faces in the crowd show confusion, and Ravi is pretty sure he hears someone call out “Who the hell gave Deluca a microphone?”

Ravi is pretty sure it’s one of the guys from the 122, but Chimney follows quickly after with, “You’d better not be doing karaoke, Sal.  We’ve heard you sing once, and that was enough!”

There is a chuckle that ripples through the crowd, and Sal is smiling on stage.

“Fortunately for all of our ears, I’m not singing,” Sal jokes back, and a smattering of laughs ring out again.  He lets it die down before continuing.  “A lot of you are probably wondering who I am, and where I got the microphone.  I’m Salvator Deluca and I’m Buck’s captain at the 122. 

“Under better circumstances it would have been someone else up hear saying what I’m saying, but they had to settle for me.”

The mood turns a little somber, but Chimney saves it by shouting out, “What are we settling for?”

“They got me up here to tell you guys that Buck invited you all here under false pretenses.”  The people gathered start to exchange glances, and murmur to one another.  “Buck wanted an excuse to invite all of his nearest and dearest over so that I could have the pleasure of acting as master of ceremonies tonight, and introduce you all to the almost new Mr. and Mr. Kinard!”

Unsurprisingly, the group gathered erupts into noise as an upbeat song starts playing and Buck and Tommy come out of the house in matching cream linen suits. Ravi has never seen the two of them look as happy as they do now.

He’s pretty sure he hears Karen yell out, “I called it!” and looked over to see Josh and Linda handing her money.

Buck and Tommy don’t even make it to the dance floor before they’re swarmed by the Hans and the Wilsons.  He hears Maddie sniffling, and catches her saying “Of course I’m happy for you. I just wish I could have been there!”

May sneaks up on him, and Ravi doesn’t even realize she’s by his side until she’s slipping her hand into his, interlacing their fingers. He hears the lyrics “I’m so happy, I am just where I want to be,” and can’t agree more. 

Tommy’s crew and friends are now mingling with the rest, the service staff is set up to start passing out more food, and the bar looks open for business.  The surprised party goers are now starting to crowd around Buck and Tommy to pass along their congratulations.  The rest of the evening is going to have dinner, drinks and dancing, maybe some speeches, and everyone is going to leave feeling hopeful and full of love.

Beside him, May starts laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Ravi asks, a little afraid to hear the answer.

“I’m pretty sure the song they picked for their grand entrance is about being kidnapped.”

Tag List: @fenrirscarsback, @gayjaytodd, @wiay04, @daughterofscotland, @thuperrah, @anniegraceinreallife, @v88sy @chemistry66, @partofthelouniverse, @teabroomsandbooks, @buffaluff, @theallyandhisbeast, @mysterious-skin, @kinardsevan, @hcrm, @cliophilyra, @shushshesbeingsmart, @buck-up-buck, @pikaguppy, @bigheartbuck, @thats-the-biz-babe,

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP - BuckTommy 5+1 - Part 6d

We're getting into the home stretch now. I'm crossing my fingers that there will be one last piece out before the end of the weekend.

Five times the 118 worried about telling Buck that Tommy got married and one time they realize they didn't have to.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 +1 a +1b +1c

+1 - Eddie

Eddie turns onto the street Buck had given the address for, and he gets an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.  The houses look familiar, and he’s surprised to see the street parking is taken up already despite the fact that Eddie has arrived early to make sure Chris doesn’t have to walk.

“Everything alright, Dad,” Chris asks, from the seat beside him, sensing his dad’s frustration.  Eddie still feels something that his kid is old enough to ride in the front seat and has been for a few years now.

“I’m just surprised about how busy it is,” Eddie admits, not mentioning the familiarity of the neighbourhood.

“Are you sure you have the right time?” Chris asks, as though Eddie hadn’t compulsively checked the message Buck had sent him.  Just two lines: an address and a time.

“I’m sure,” Eddie gritted back, before taking a deep breath to center himself.  “I’ll drop you off at the end of the driveway and then find a place to park.”

With the windows rolled down, Eddie can already hear the indistinct noise of a gathering in the back yard. As he pulls to a stop in front of the address Eddie finally clues in as to where they are.  It’s familiar because he’s been here before, several times.

Ravi surprises Eddie at the end of the driveway. “Eddie! You made it!  I’ll make sure Chris makes it back to Harry, Denny and the other kids if you want to get parked. Just head into the house when you get here.  Buck wanted to talk to you about something.”

Eddie swallows his unease at Ravi’s words. He’s starting to think he was given the wrong time on purpose.

Chris doesn’t notice his discomfort.  He hops out of the running car and heads to the back, engaging Ravi in easy conversation.  He barely spares Eddie a backwards glance, clearly happy to be seeing his friends.

Eddie pulls away from the house and  finds a spot to park his car further up the street.  One of the many benefits of the smaller vehicle is that he can fit the car in place the truck would never go.  He grabs the pack of beer and the small house plant he’d picked up for Buck and walked back to the house he knew belonged to Tommy.

Eddie let himself in the front door when he arrived, sees Buck sitting on the kitchen island smiling at his phone, and doesn’t think before he calls out, “I didn’t realize we were having a house warming to another place you’re crashing.”

He regrets the words as soon as they’re out of his mouth.  He watches Buck clench his jaw, close his eyes and take a deep breath. 

“Shit, I’m sorry man,” Eddie immediately apologizes. “I didn’t mean it like that.  My therapist tells me I use my words as a defense mechanism so I don’t have to deal with my discomfort.  I’m trying to do better, but… ah.”

Buck raises an eyebrow and tilts his head to the side. “But I make you uncomfortable?”

Eddie looks away. “Not like that. I was an asshole to you, and I need to apologize.  I’m just, uh, not very good at that.”

“You really aren’t,” Buck agrees, with a snort of laughter. “So you’re seeing Frank again?”

“No,” Eddie explains.  “Someone outside of the department.  The last year has shown me I have a lot to work on outside of my work-related trauma.”

“That’s good,” Buck offered, hoping off the counter.  “Sounds like it’s helping.”

“It’s a work in progress,” Eddie admits, bringing a had up to rub at the back of his neck. He still hasn’t apologized to Buck, but his body is feeling physically itchy from the stress, and he desperately wants to change the topic.  “So you’re living with Tommy now?”

“Yep,” is all Buck replies, eyeing Eddie like he’s waiting for something else.

“So you’ve met his husband, then,” Eddie concludes.  “And it’s not awkward.”

“I would hope not,” Buck responds, mouth pulling into a grin, still waiting.

Eddie feels wrong footed, so he looks away from Buck to the rest of the room. 

A lot of it is the same from last year, but as he takes it in he starts to notice the changes.  A different couch.  A piece of art that used to be displayed proudly in the loft, or more recently in Eddie’s house.  More and more, he starts to see Buck’s influence in what had previously been Tommy’s home alone.  They’re lives have been intertwined, and it’s on full display if you know what to look for.

With all of the puzzle pieces in place, Eddie feels like a fucking idiot.  Buck smiles with his whole face when he sees that Eddie has clued in.

“So you guys…” Eddie trails off.

Buck nodded in earnest.  “We did, a few months ago.”

“And this is going to be your…”

“It is,” Buck agrees.  “That’s why I needed to make sure you arrived last. You would have given away the surprise.  I’m sorry that made things hard for parking.”

“I get why you didn’t say anything,” Eddie offers, “and if this is what you want, then I’m happy for the two of you.”

“Your not upset that I’m making everything all about me?” Buck can’t help but throw out, taking in Eddie’s reaction.

Eddie stops himself from retreating into himself or letting the anger take over.  He knows he’s earned Buck’s reaction.  Instead, he says, “I’m sorry for how I handled myself in the last year.  I took advantage of your friendship, and lashed out at you.  If you’ll let me, I’d like to make it up to you, but today is not the day for that.   If there’s one time that you should make everything about yourself, it’s definitely today.”

Buck smiled even wider, and pulled Eddie into a hug.  “I’m glad you’re here.  I couldn’t imagine going through everything without my brother by my side.”

“No where else I’d rather be today,” Eddie agrees. 

“Alright.  Now, if you want to head outside, we’ll get the real party started momentarily.”

Next Part

Tag List: @fenrirscarsback, @gayjaytodd, @wiay04, @daughterofscotland, @thuperrah, @anniegraceinreallife, @v88sy @chemistry66, @partofthelouniverse, @teabroomsandbooks, @buffaluff, @theallyandhisbeast, @mysterious-skin, @kinardsevan, @hcrm, @cliophilyra, @shushshesbeingsmart, @buck-up-buck, @pikaguppy, @bigheartbuck, @thats-the-biz-babe,

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP - BuckTommy 5+1 - Part 6c

Let me add another 1000+ words to this simple 5+1 fic. It's got to be over at some point, right?

Five times the 118 worries about telling Buck that Tommy got married and one time they realized they didn't have to.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 +1 a +1b

+1 - Hen

The Wilson family is next to arrive, followed closely by Athene and Harry.  It’s a beautiful day, only slightly overcast, and people start to follow the noise and let themselves into the backyard.

Mara immediately makes a bee-line to where Jee is playing with a puppy.  Harry tries to play it more nonchalant, but as soon as he falls in step with Denny the two boys take off, racing each other to the pen. 

Hen shares a fond look with Karen, thinking back to Paisley.  She wonders if they might want to get another dog, but also wonders what the hell Buck is doing with one.  It can’t be easy to deal with a puppy  as a single man with their schedules.  Karen narrows her eyes, clearly seeing what Hen is thinking, so Hen drops the thought.  The point is to reconnect with Buck, not question his choices.

Hen heads over to give Athena a hug as she takes in more people arriving.  May arrives next, with Ravi close on her heels carrying bags of ice.  Hen watches Ravi let himself right into the house from the backyard, apparently comfortable enough with the layout to know where he’s going.

She’s about to follow him when she spots a familiar face arriving; someone she hasn’t seen in a very long while.

“Sal Deluca, as I live and breathe!” Hen calls out. “I didn’t realize you knew Buck.”

Sal pauses to say something to the beautiful woman he’s arrived with. There are two kids with him as well, probably around the same age as Mara.  They take off to the pen with the puppy as well before Sal and his partner approach Hen. Sal offers her a wide smile.  “Henrietta Wilson, it’s been too long!” he booms out before enveloping her in a surprisingly strong hug. Hen freezes and shoots Karen a look expressing how much she had not expected this.

Sal pulls back and puts his hand on the small of his partner’s back. 

“Hen, this is my wife Gina.  You might have met her briefly before I left the 118.”  Sal pauses, his expression turning somber.  “I’m sorry about Captain Nash.  We didn’t see eye to eye, but he was a good man, and world is lesser for his loss.”

“Um… thanks,” Hen responds.  She had not been prepared for this encounter, and her brain is taking longer to catch up than she would have liked.

She’s saved by Karen stepping in beside her and reaching a hand across in introduction.  “I’m Hen’s wife, Karen.  We would have met briefly, years ago.  How do you guys know Buck?”

Sal’s wide grin is back, and Gina smiles as well. “Buckley is one of my firefighters at the 122 now. I had to fight tooth and nail to get him assigned to my shift when he put in for a transfer.  That man was a hot commodity when the transfer hit the chief’s desk.”

“I can believe it,” Hen agreed.  “We’re definitely feeling his absence at the 118.  He left very big shoes to fill.”

And that’s the truth of it.  Hen had always seen Buck as a trouble-making little brother, but to those outside the family he was extremely competent and demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in the field.

Sal gets pulled away as more people arrive from the 122. Hen recognized a few of them in passing from calls. The backyard is starting to get more crowded. She catches more familiar faces moving about the yard. 

She sees Philip and Margaret Buckley standing huddled together watching Jee play,, and Hen is surprised Buck would have invited them to his housewarming.  Then again, she’s been surprised by a lot of the changes Buck’s made recently.

The one person she hasn’t spotted since they arrived was Buck.  It’s unexpected, since it’s his party.  Hen catches Karen’s eyes where she’s chatting with Josh and Linda by a table set up with finger foods.  Hen motions that she’s heading to the house to look for their errant host.

She spots him in the kitchen on the phone and pacing.  His hair looks dishevelled, like he’s been running his hands through it. 

Buck catches sight of her, and smiles. It’s bright, and reaching his eyes, and Hen forgot how much she missed seeing it on him. 

Buck ends his call, and comes over to to give her a hug.  “Hen! I’m so glad you guys made it.”

“Of course, Buck.”  Hen said, tilting her head to the side and offering him a soft smile.  “I’m sorry if I ever did anything that made you feel like we wouldn’t be here for you.”

“Hen, it’s okay,” Buck said softly, ready to excuse her behaviour, but Hen didn’t want to get off easy.

“Buck, it’s not okay,” Hen shot back.  “I wasn’t there for you after Bobby’s… after what happened to Bobby.  I can see now you were trying to hold us all together, but I didn’t stop to make sure you were okay.  I’m sorry for that, and I’m happy you seem to have found people to have your back.  Sal had some good things to say about you.”

“I forgot you would have known Sal back in the day,” Buck said, ducking his head to hid his cheeks flushing.  “But Hen, I meant what I said.  It’s okay.  You were grieving, too, and it wasn’t your job to manage my grief on top of your own.”

“I know that, Buck, but we could have sat in it together.  I was so wrapped up in my own life that I didn’t think check and make sure you had someone helping you manage.”  Hen paused, steeling herself before she continued.  “To be honest, I thought you had Eddie.”

Buck let out a wet chuckle, and Hen realized his eyes were welling up.  “Yeah, I kind of thought that too.  Turns out, not so much.”

“What happened there?” Hen asked, curiosity getting the better of her.  She never thought she would have seen a time when Buck and Eddie weren’t tight.

Buck offered her a wry smile.  “Eddie and I just had very different ways of processing our grief, and it turns out they weren’t very compatible.”

Hen wrapped an arm around Buck’s shoulder pulling him tight to her.  “I can’t picture a world where you an Eddie don’t have each other’s backs.  It might take a little time, but I know you guys will make it right.”

Buck shrugged against her.  “For the longest time, I thought the 118 was my only shot at family. It was the only place I ever felt like I belonged.  When everything else was a mess, I knew where I stood.”

Buck trailed off, and Hen finished for him.  “And the Bobby died, and it pulled the rug out from under you.”

“That’s one way to put it.”  Buck huffed out a laugh, but his expression was serious when he continued.  “You guys all turned to your person.  You and Karen, Chimney and Maddie, Eddie has Chris and his family.  And I was on the outside.  It kind of put things into perspective for me.”

“You’re allowed to grow, Buck.  None of us are going to hold it against you. I’m just happy you’re willing to share the new you with us.”

Buck smiled at her.  “I’m glad you wanted to be here.”

Hen pulled away and punched him in the arm. “New station, new house, new puppy.  Any other changes you’re going to spring on us?”

“Hey, Buck!” Ravi poked his into the house.  “People are starting to get restless.  We waiting on anyone else?”

Buck checked his watch. “Just Eddie.  You want to head him off and make sure they come through the house?”

“Sure thing, Buck. I’ll tell the other’s you guys will be out soon!”

Hen gave Buck a side eye.  “You really think that’s necessary?”

Buck shrugged, offering her a boyish grin.  “Just a precaution.  You’ll see.”

Next part

Tag List: @fenrirscarsback, @gayjaytodd, @wiay04, @daughterofscotland, @thuperrah, @anniegraceinreallife, @v88sy @chemistry66, @partofthelouniverse, @teabroomsandbooks, @buffaluff, @theallyandhisbeast, @mysterious-skin, @kinardsevan, @hcrm, @cliophilyra, @shushshesbeingsmart, @buck-up-buck, @pikaguppy, @bigheartbuck,

[letsdosciencetoit]

I watch this and can't help but smile back. 😍

So, how'd you sleep?

[letsdosciencetoit]

I see your updates and idk what makes me happier, getting to read the nice words you write or seeing your puppy pfp

Thanks for your message. I hope this brings you some more happiness. The dog in my profile picture is my own beagle, Isaac. He's 3 years old. This is a picture of Quinn. She was 11 when the picture was taken, and 14 now.

This is Isaac as a puppy, and his friend Leah, in case anyone needs visual reference of what beagle puppies look like.

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP Wednesday! - BuckTommy 5+1 - Part 6b

"Just a short little +1 to wrap up my 5+1 story" I say as I type up another 1000 words of the final part without finishing it.

5 times the 118 worries about telling Buck that Tommy got married and 1 time they realize they didn't have to.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 +1 a

1b - Maddie

Buck couches down next to Chimney, eye level with Jee, and in his most serious voice admits to her, “Jee, I did get a puppy.  Her name is Quinn.  Would you like to meet her?”

Jee, to her credit, looks up at Maddie for permission before she turns back to Buck and nods enthusiastically.

He scoops her up under the arms and picks her up again to carry her out the back doors.  She starts talking a mile a minute, asking questions about the dog while Maddie and Chimney follow at a more sedate pace with Robert still in his car seat.

Maddie takes time to take in the main floor of the house as they pass through it. The kitchen is neat, without much in the way of food or supplies lying out.

What catches Maddie off guard is that all of the doors are closed.  With the loft, everything was open without any privacy.  Despite the open concept kitchen and living room, the house seems a little more closed off than the loft, or even Eddie’s place would have been.

Buck has left the patio doors open; large, sliding glass doors that span the whole wall. The open onto an expansive backyard that has a concrete wall at the far end and greenery that gives privacy from the neighbours. 

The backyard is definitely set up for a party. There are tables scattered about the yard, and a raised wooden dance floor set up in the middle. There’s an outdoor kitchen area close to the house, with a bar space set up.  To one side, there’s a fire pit and chairs, to the other is a small grassy area with a large dog pen set up where Jee sits squealing as a small beagle puppy tries to climb into her lap and lick her face.

Jee is nearly beside herself with joy, and Buck sits beside her, knees hugged to his chest, basking in it.  Maddie can’t remember the last time she’s seen him this happy.

The puppy spots the newcomers, and lets out a few  more yips.  Buck stands up, and motions for them to join him.  “You guys are a little earlier than I expected.  Do you mind watching Quinn with Jee while I get changed and make sure everything is ready to go?”

Chimney nods, and Maddie can tell he’s calculating what kind of mental manouvering he’s going to have to do with Jee to convince her they can’t get a dog.  She is already head over heels with this puppy.

Robert starts to wake up, face scrunching, and arms stretching out adorably. 

“Do you mind if I come inside with you?” Maddie asks.  “Just let me know where I can set up to change Robert, and then I’ll get out of your hair.”

Buck seems a little put off buy the suggestion, like he didn’t want her back in the house, but he says, “Sure!  Follow me – I can show you the guest room we have set up for Jee.  That can be yours for tonight if Robert needs a quite place, or you need to get a little quite time yourself.”

Maddie nods gratefully and follows him inside.  Buck leads her one of the closed doors on the main floor, and cracks it open for her.  It’s a small room with a single bed and a small pack and play set up.  There’s a small glider set up in one corner, and a small kids table and book shelf set up in another.  The room is packed, but Maddie catches that the bookshelf is full of Jee’s favourites. 

“Buck,” Maddie tries to say, eyes welling up with tears.  “You put this room together for the kids?”

Buck offers her a shy smile, like he was embarrassed to be caught out.  “Well, yeah.  I know you guys are still finding your own routine, but I wanted you to be comfortable coming to visit, especially if you wanted to get out of your house for a break.”

The tears start coming in earnest, and Buck takes a step back.  “No. I’m sorry Maddie.  I didn’t mean to over step.”

Maddie shook her head vehemently, and tried to scrub the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.  “It’s the damn hormones. Buck, it means so much to me that you would do this.  I’ve been so worried that you’ve been pulling away from all of us, but I know you needed the space out of the shadow of the 118.  And you’ve clearly been flourishing with these changes.  I just wasn’t sure you wanted to make room for us in this new life.”

“Awe Maddie, no,” Buck sighed, puling Maddie in for a hug.  “I’m always going to need my big sister, and you, Chim and the kids are always going to be my family.  I just needed some space to figure out who I was when I wasn’t Buck from the 118.”

Maddie pulls back from the hug, and looks up at Buck.  “And did you figure it out.”

He smiled back at her. “Yeah. I think I did.”

The moment was ended by the sound of something crashing on the floor above.

“Is someone else here?” Maddie asked, and she would have pressed further but Robert decided test out his lungs and voice his displeasure of at being left in the car seat.

Buck shook his head. “Must be some boxes upstairs falling over. I haven’t had the chance to unpack everything just yet.  You settle Robert.  I’ll check out what it was and meet you back outside.”

Buck left, closing the door as he did, and Maddie went to work undoing the buckles on Robert’s seat.  She pulled him out and held him close to her chest while she took in the room Buck had set up for her kids.  It was even painted her favourite colour, with a border of unicorns around the ceiling.  She breathed in the smell of Robert’s hair and felt more settled that she had in months. 

Next part

Tag List: @fenrirscarsback, @gayjaytodd, @wiay04, @daughterofscotland, @thuperrah, @anniegraceinreallife, @v88sy @chemistry66, @partofthelouniverse, @teabroomsandbooks, @buffaluff, @theallyandhisbeast, @mysterious-skin

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP - BuckTommy - 5 + 1 - Part 6a

The plus 1 part quickly got away from me, so I'm breaking it down to keep momentum going.

5 times the 118 was worried about telling Buck that Tommy got married, and 1 time they didn't have to.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

+1 a - Chimney

Maddie and Chimney show up to the house first.  Maddie had rushed Chimney out the door, kids in tow, to make sure they arrived before everyone else.  Maddie has Robert in the car seat, fast asleep from the drive over.  Chimney holds Jee’s hand as she takes in the new place with the same critical eye as her mother.

Chimney takes it in, too. If house hunting with Maddie taught him anything it’s that there is no way Buck would have been able to buy a place like this on his salary. 

The place has a well manicured yard, with cheerful flowers lining the front porch. Buck’s Jeep is parked in the driveway, outside the large garage. 

Renting, then,Chimney figures.  The owners must be using the garage for parking or storage.  It’s still a nice place, even if it’s not a forever home.

Maddie rings the door bell next to the light blue front door.  It chimes with a cheerful, lilting melody.  Jee shifts impatiently as they wait for the door to be answered.  Chimney hears the sound of clattering on the other side of the door before a flustered Buck throws it open.

He looks flustered, when he opens the door.  “Hey, guys!  You’re early!”

“Uncky Buck!” Jee exclaimed as soon as she saw him.  She raised her arms up to be picked up, and he immediately obliged, giving her a big hug before shifting her to one side.

“Hey sweetheart!  I’m so glad you’re here!  I can’t wait to show you around!” and Buck seems genuinely pleased as he says it.  It’s the happiest he’s seemed since… since before Tommy dumped him.  “I have a room set up just for you when you come over!”

“I want to see now!” Jee ordered.

“Oh!  Sorry Jee!” Buck tries to sooth.  “We’re going to go outside to play for now, but when you get tired we can head in and I can show you the room.”

“No!  Now!” Jee cried out, stomping her foot.

Chimney had to stop himself from laughing.  His small but mighty daughter has taken to trying to exert her control over situations, and it’s adorable to see, but not something he’s willing to indulge. Chimney can tell Buck is about to give in, no doubt destroying whatever carefully orchestrated plan of events.

He crouches down next to Jee, ready to try and forestall her tantrum before it’s too late, but his words are interrupted by the sound of a dog barking from the back doors.

Jee’s tantrum is immediately stopped.  She looks up at Buck with bright, wide eyes.  “Uncky Buck!  Did you get a puppy?”

Chimney catches the look on Maddie's face, more concern than joy.

Tag List: @fenrirscarsback, @gayjaytodd, @wiay04, @daughterofscotland, @thuperrah, @anniegraceinreallife, @v88sy @chemistry66, @partofthelouniverse, @teabroomsandbooks, @buffaluff, @theallyandhisbeast, @mysterious-skin

Chimney raises an eyebrow at Buck and says, “Yeah Uncle Buck. Did you get a puppy?”

+1b

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP - BuckTommy 5+1

Under promise and over deliver - Part 5 of 5 times the 118 worried about telling Buck that Tommy got married and one time they realized they didn't have to.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

5. Eddie

Eddie is quiet on the ride back to the station.  The call was routine, or as routine as a three alarm fire can be.  The building was empty when the fire started, and they get it under control.  The work is exhausting, but it isn’t hard.  Ravi is a good partner, and good at the job.  He’s been trained well, but they don’t have the years of experience working together on calls.  Buck always seemed to know what he needed before he needed it.

Seeing Tommy on the call has given him a lot to think about though.

He was wrong to cut off Tommy when he and Buck broke up.  Buck had never asked that of him, and he’d been friends with Tommy before the two of them had started dating.  Not for long, obviously, but long enough. 

His therapist has helped him realize that he lashes out and cuts people off when they don’t behave the way he expects they should.  It’s his salt and burn strategy to avoid dealing with any emotion other than anger or the uncomfortable conversations that need to happen. 

Learning that Ravi is still tight with Buck gives him even more to think about.

A two years ago, Eddie wouldn’t have been able to imagine a world where he and Buck weren’t best friends – brothers even.  Now he doesn’t know how to reach out to Buck now to apologize. 

It’s actually part of his therapy homework.  Identify the people he needs to make amends to so that they can figure out why he acted the way he did and develop better coping strategies.

Chris was the first person he held himself accountable for.  Therapy had been one of Chris’ conditions for moving back to LA with him.  They still go monthly, slowly working through the trauma of Shannon’s death, and their tumultuous relationship before that.

It’s helping. He feels lighter at home, and he’s doing well at work.  They’re settling into a new routine with Chimney as Captain at the station.  The only thing that’s missing is Buck.

At first he’d wanted to give Buck space to calm down. Eddie had made the grand gesture of bringing Chris back to LA, so they should be back to normal.  His therapist had pointed it he had the tendency to make grand gestures rather than apologizing or admitting what was wrong.

But then Buck had moved out, and then transferred stations, and then it was hard not to get his back up because it felt like Buck was punishing with his choices.  His therapist reminds him that he is not responsible for other peoples’ choices, and that their actions are not a reflection on him.

Now the space between them feels insurmountable, and Eddie knows that if he wants to repair it he has to make a meaningful apology and do the work. 

He just doesn’t know how to make the first step.

If they’d still been talking, he would have shown up at Buck’s place with a six pack of beers and just flat out told him Tommy had gotten married. Now he doesn’t even know where Buck lives, and that’s on him.

***9-1-1***

Eddie is sitting at the table, staring at his phone screen, when Chris gets home from school.  His little boy is already in high school.

“Hi Dad,” Chris greets him as he lets himself into the house.  Chris hangs up his bag, and makes his way past Eddie to the kitchen.  When Eddie doesn’t answer him, he turns back around and comes into the living room.  “Are you okay Dad?”

Eddie shakes his head, “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry Chris. Hi. How was your day?”

Chris just tilts his head to one side. “Reallly Dad?”

“Sorry buddy,” Eddie replies. “Just a lot on my mind right now. I’m seeing Dr. Medina again tomorrow.”

Nodding with understanding, Chris comes to sit next to his dad on the couch.  “Therapy homework?”

“Therapy homework,” Eddie acknowledges.  He sets his phone, face down on the table, and angles his body towards Chris.  “Say, you’ve been talking to Buck, right?”

“Yeah,” Chris answers hesitantly, like he’s worried he’s going to get in trouble for it.

“No, that’s good,” Eddie is quick to explain. “Does he seem happy right now? He’s not regretting the transfer?”

“I’m not your spy, Dad,” Chris huffs, rolling his eyes. 

Eddie thinks how he would have been reprimanded for talking back to his parents like that. Eddie doesn’t comment on it, because Chris has a point, and he wants his son to be comfortable enough to speak up.  “Sorry, Chris. You’re right. I just found out something at work today that made me think of him.”

“If you want to find out how he’s doing, maybe you should call him and ask him,” Chris explained to him with all of the wisdom of a 14 year old boy.

“No, you’re right kid,” Eddie agreed.  “I should call him.”

“Good talk dad,” Chris replied, before pushing himself to a stand.  “I’m going to do my homework, then log on with Katie and Alex to play Fortnight.”

Chris doesn’t wait for a response before going to his room and shutting the door.

Eddie picks up his phone and unlocks the messenger app.  He has to scroll down to find his last conversation with Buck.  He’s ashamed to see it’s his offer to pick up groceries.  Has he really not reached out to Buck since that awful night?

He’s too much of a coward to call Buck, but he does type out a message, putting the ball in Buck’s court.

Eddie: You have every right to not want to talk to me, or to be angry with me, but I owe you an apology, and I’d like to give it to you face to face.   You pick the time and place.

Eddie puts the phone face down on the coffee table again and goes to the kitchen to start dinner.  They don’t eat as well as when Buck was in the kitchen, but his regular Facetime cooking lessons in El Paso have helped and he’s able to feed his son without burning something nine times out of ten.

He doesn’t check his phone again until after they’ve eaten.  Buck hasn’t even read the message, but there’s a new unread message in the team’s group chat.  The same one they haven’t kicked Buck out of.

Buck: I know it’s short notice, but I’m having a house warming party on Saturday.

Buck: I checked with Maddie that you weren’t on shift.

Buck: Be there or be square 🤓

Buck: P.S. The only presents needed is your presence.  Seriously, I have too much stuff already.

Part 6a

Tag List: @fenrirscarsback, @gayjaytodd, @wiay04, @daughterofscotland, @thuperrah (I'm sorry if I missed anyone. I'm new to tag lists).

I'm brainstorming a follow up to this - 5 times Buck and Tommy almost spill the beans about their marriage + how they got back together.

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP BuckTommy 5 + 1 - Part 4

5 times the 118 worries about telling Buck that Tommy got married, and 1 time they realized they didn't have to. Part 4, as promised this evening. Part five and the +1 may need to wait until next week.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

4. Ravi

It’s three in the morning when they get called to a three alarm fire.  The captain Reed of the 133 is IC, so Chimney splits them off to join another crew on the Charlie side.  Ravi heads off with Eddie and Patrick with their gear, ready to get to work.

Ravi had clocked that the 133, the 162 and the 217 are there already, but he almost stops short when he sees Tommy and Lucy working a line together.

Patrick bumps into him as he rushes by, and Ravi and Eddie get their line set up to add more water to the flames.  He and Eddie don’t operate as smoothly in the field as he and Buck did.  He’d like to say it’s because he hasn’t worked with Eddie as long, but he’s come to realize Buck would probably have chemistry with a door when it comes to the job.

Ravi loses track of time, but eventually they beat the fire back and manage to save the building.  It’s going to need extensive remediation, but it’s structurally sound.

With the hoses off, and the fire gone, the quite almost rings in Ravi’s ears.  He looks over to Tommy and Lucy and calls out, “They had you guys working ground crew?”

“We maxed out on our flight hours,” Tommy called back, helping Lucy coil the hose. 

Lucy scoffed.  “Speak for yourself, Kinard!  I’m just here to make sure your sorry ass makes it home.”

“Fuck off, Lucy,” Tommy said jokingly. “You’d be lost without me.”

“Oi, Kinard!  You kiss your husband with that mouth?” Lucy shot back, grinning ear to ear.

Ravi nearly dropped his hose.  “Shit!  You guys actually tied the knot?  Where was my invite?”

“These assholes flew to Vegas!” Lucy threw out. “They purposely went to Vegas, got hitched while sober, and didn’t get an Elvis impersonator to do it.”

“Those are tacky,” Ravi offers, trying to support Tommy while still wrapping his mind around it.

Lucy scoffs again.  “Like a Vegas elopement isn’t tacky!”

“You’ve made your opinion clear,” Tommy says with a smile and a shrug. “It worked for us.  Besides, we actually got married, and then we flew to Vegas.”

Before Ravi has a chance to ask any more questions, Chimney’s voice crackles over the radio.  “Pannikar, Diaz, Grundy!  We’ve been relieved, and we’re clearing out in five. Back to the trucks or you’re walking!”

Ravi offers a short wave to Lucy and Tommy, then the three of them double time it back to the truck and get their gear stowed away.

Eddie has a pinched look on his face when they sit down, but keeps quiet.  Patrick, on the other hand, is a notorious gossip.

“You still hang out with Buckley, right Pannikar?” Patrick asks, leaning forward as the truck pulls away.

“Yep,” Ravi offers back.

“You going to tell him his ex got hitched?” he asks, a little too gleefully.

Ravi shakes his head, asking himself: What is wrong with people these days.  Instead, he just says to Patrick, “Not really my place to be saying anything.”

Patrick clearly notes Ravi’s unimpressed tone, and the rest of the drive is quiet.

*** 9-1-1***

Ravi heads straight home after showering at the station at the end of shift.  He’s wiped, and just wants to get to bed.

He unlocks the door to see his girlfriend sitting on the couch, her bare feet up on the coffee table, textbook propped in her lap.

“Hey babe,” she calls.  “Tough shift?”

“Three am call.  We didn’t get much rest,” Ravi explains.  He bends over and plants a kiss on her forehead as he walks past her to the kitchen.  “I’m going to grab a shake and head to bed.  You want one?”

“No thanks,” she responds, turning back to her textbook. 

Ravi busies himself in the kitchen, blending the smoothie, and washing out the pitcher before downing the whole thing fast enough to give himself brain freeze.  He feels like a zombie as he crawls into bed.

Minutes later, his girlfriend slips into the bed next to him, settles herself propped up against some pillows, and cards her fingers through his hair.  She likes to listen to audiobooks while he sleeps off a shift, and he loves having her near him.

“Did you know they got married?” Ravi asks her, not even having to say who.

Her finger’s still in his hair, and she’s silent for a moment before she replies.  “Yes.  Mom and I were the witnesses.”

Ravi sits with that for a minute, then asks a question he already knows the answer to.  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

May’s quiet again for a pause.  “They didn’t want to let the news out right away.”

“You’re a good friend to them,” Ravi mumbles back. 

May’s fingers go back to carding through his hair as he drifts off to sleep.

Part 5

Tag list: @fenrirscarsback, @thuperrah

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP - BuckTommy 5+1 - Part 3

Wanted to have this written yesterday, but got sick. Here's part 3 of 5 times the 118 worries about telling Buck that Tommy got married, and 1 time they realize they don't have to.

Part 1 Part 2

3. Hen

Hen has just finished her last 24 for the rotation and is looking forward to four days off.  Karen will be at work, while Denny and Mara are in school, so she has the day to herself until they get home.

She goes to the Trader Joes near the station before heading home to pick up some groceries, and the ingredients to make a big batch of Bobby’s chili.  It never comes out the same when she makes it.  The only other person who knew how to make it right was Buck, and she hasn’t seen him since the transfer.

There are no family meals at the station now, and she misses it. She wonders if she should reach out to Buck while she’s off, but she doesn’t know his schedule now. Maybe she should reach out to Chimney and see…

She stops before she rounds the corner when she hears a familiar voice in the next aisle.

“Sweetheart, I am not driving to Whole Foods if they don’t have fresh tagliatelle,” she hears Tommy argue, but the tone is fond, rather than exacerbated. He pauses to let the other person speak.  “Look, they have fettuccini or pappardelle.  Can I please grab one of those and come home?”

Hen pushes the cart forward, and sees Tommy leaning against a post with his phone up to his ear.  He’s smiling at whatever the other person is saying, then lets out a huff of laughter.  “I’m Italian, or course I know how to make tagliatelle. And you’d do that thing anyway.”

Hen takes Tommy in, seeing his smile, and how light he seems. The man pauses again, before he says, “Okay. I should be home in thirty. I love you, too.”

He hangs up the phone, and before he has the chance to clock Hen, she says, “I hear congratulations are in order.”

Tommy’s head jerks up, and he offers her a small smile.  “I guess Chimney told you the news?”

Hen nodded.  “I’ll say I’m surprised you moved so quickly, but I’m not really one to talk considering how Karent and I got together.”

Tommy smiles wider, clearly remembering the whirlwind romance, buying a house, and adopting Denny in short order.  “Yeah, we weren’t quite that quick with the U-haul.”

Hen snorts at the teasing jab. “So what brings you all the way to our Trader Joes?  You move with the marriage?”

Tommy shakes his head. “Not exactly, but apparently this store has the best selection of pasta, and he’s unwilling to compromise on his recipe.  I offered to come out after I got off today, but apparently I’m stuck making it from scratch after I catch up on some sleep.”

Hen is happy to see Tommy so smitten with his new man.  Still, she wants to check in with him.  “Rough shift, or something else?”

“No worse than normal, but I’ve been having some late nights at home,” Tommy answers, and on anyone else it would be a leer, but with Tommy, his tone and expression just let her know that if she’s going to pry he’s going to give her more information that she wants.

“Okay!  Still in the honeymoon period!  I got it!” she says, laughing and putting her hands up in the air in surrender.  “If you can tear yourself away from your new beau, you two should come over for dinner with Karen and I.  I don’t want to lose touch with you again.”

Tommy’s face shutters a little, and Hen is quickly reminded about how they’d lost touch after the transfer, and again after he and Buck split.

“I mean it,” Hen implores.  “I don’t want it to be another 7 years before we see each other again.”

“Okay,” Tommy answers, and Hen can’t tell if he’s serious, or just humouring her. “I’ll check our schedules and give you a call.  But the phone works both ways, Hen.”

“Yeah,” Hen admitted. “I deserve that.  I’ll do better.”

“That’s all we can try to do,” Tommy acknowledged. “But I’d better get this home so I can nap before I’m put to work in the kitchen.”

Hen waves him on.  “Yeah, yeah!  Get out of here and get your beauty sleep.”

Tommy just smiled and shook his head before he walked off.

*** 9-1-1 ***

Hen has the chili done by the time everyone gets home for the evening.  She’s even made corn bread with a photocopied recipe card Buck had given her, along with annotations in his hand writing on how to make it fool-proof for her.

They enjoy the meal together, even if it isn’t as good as Bobby’s, and she counts her blessings at how lucky she is to have the little family they’ve built.

After they get the kids ready for bed, she and Karen sit on the couch together and scroll on their phones.

“Tommy got married,” she offers up to Karen.

“Good for him,” is all Karen responds.

“I’m worried about how Buck will take it, if he finds out,” Hen says.

Karen puts down her phone and looks directly at Hen. “When was the last time you spoke with Buck?”

If she really things about it, she knows it’s been more than a month since he transferred stations.

Karen looks at her knowingly.  “I don’t really think you need to be worried about breaking the news to Buck.”

Hen feels a little ashamed, and Tommy’s words ring in her head.  “The phone works both ways.”

Buck had been reaching out, and reaching out, and reaching out for connection before he’d transferred. Maybe it was her turn to reach out now.

She sends him a short text, given the hour. 

HEN: Let me know your schedule, Buckaroo.  We’re long overdue for a date with a bottle of Tequila.

The message remains unread until she goes to bed.  When she wakes up, Buck has left a thumbs up, and nothing else.

Part 4

Tag List: @fenrirscarsback

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP Wednesday - 5 + 1 BuckTommy - Part 2

Five times the 118 finds out that Tommy is married, and 1 time they find out Buck is, too.

Part 1

2. Maddie

Post partum after baby Robert has been both easier and more challenging than before. 

It’s easier now because covid is a distant memory, there’s no city wide black out, they have a house, and they have a well-established network of family and friends who might as well be family stopping by and helping out.  She knows what she’s doing, and what to expect to an extent, too.

It’s harder, too, though.  When Robert cries, she can’t drop everything to help him, because she has Jee to consider, too.  Jee is 4, and craves her independence, but also needs help and is prone to meltdowns that seem to be without provocation.

As hard as it was on Chimney, Buck leaving the 118 has been a godsend to her.  He’s on a different shift than Chimney now, so he’s able to come by when Chimney is working and help her with Robert and Jee. 

Buck is more than happy to take baby Robert off her hand so she can spend some one-on-one time with Jee.  He’s happy to help get Robert down to sleep so that he and Jee can bake cookies in the kitchen.  Buck always seems so happy and full of energy when he comes to visit, but when the kids don’t occupy him, he’s more quite than she’s used to. 

She used to be able to read Buck better than she can now. Something shifted when she implied he had feelings for Eddie. She’s aware she maybe overstepped, but before she could consider apologizing she’d lost her voice, then Bobby died, and then Robert was born, and she just hasn’t been able to check in the way she wanted to.

Buck has Robert and Jee at the park while Chimney is playing basketball with the other first responders. Maddie takes the opportunity to have a shower, unload the dishwasher, and then puts her feet up to catch up on a little sleep. 

She wakes an hour later to Jee climbing into bed with her.  She opens her arms and pulls Jee to her.  “Where are Robert and Uncle Buck?” she asks, her voice a little gravely.

“Unky Buck is making sure Bobert goes for a nap,” Jee offers, and Maddie knows she’s going to be so sad when Jee finally starts saying their names properly.

“Do you want to have a nap with me, Jee?” Maddie asks, brushing Jee’s hair out of her face. 

“No mommy. I want to watch Bluey,” Jee declares, like Maddie was crazy for thinking otherwise.

Maddie gives her daughter another squeeze, and moves to push herself up off the bed.  “Okay sweetheart.  Lets get you a snack, and we’ll get Bluey on the TV for you.”

When they come out of the room, Buck is backing out of Robert’s room, pulling the door shut with a quiet click of the latch.  He grins softly at Maddie, and she has no doubt that Buck loves her kids as if they were his own.  

“Out like a light,” Buck offers.  “He was absolutely in love with watching the leaves on the trees.   The fresh air and stimulation did him some good.”

 “Jee looks like she had a good time, too.” Maddie smiles back.  “Thanks for this. Do you want to stick around until Chimney’s back? He’s going to pick up Thai for dinner.  I can ask him to grab something for you too.”

Buck gives her a rueful smile and a small shake of his head. “No, thanks Maddie. I’ve got to grab some groceries.  I’m planning on cooking dinner at home tonight.  Tell Chimney I say hi, though.”

***9-1-1***

Chimney gets home about 45 minutes after Buck has left.  He’s practically vibrating as he walks through the door, and Maddie has come to realize this means he’s learned something he doesn’t want to know and he needs to share the burden.  She keeps quiet, knowing he’s going to spill as soon as he gets his bag put away.

“Tommy’s married!” he blurts as he comes back into the kitchen.  Jee is thankfully distracted and painting.  She periodically still asks about “Unky Tommy,” and Maddie doesn’t want to have to explain to her again why they don’t see him any more.

“I’m sorry,”  Maddie responds. “Tommy’s married?  To who?”

Chimney shook his head.  “I was a little blindsided, I didn’t think to ask.  All I know is they got married a month ago, and he looks so disgustingly in love.  Do we need to tell Buck?  We can’t tell Buck, can we?  We just got our fridge space back.”

Maddie pauses, and thinks it over for a second. “Buck finally seems to be in a good space with his new station.  I don’t think we need to mention anything to him.  It’s not like the two of them really cross paths these days.”

Chimney deflates. “I want to be happy for Tommy. He seems really happy.  I just wish it wasn’t at Buck’s expense.” 

Part 3 Part 4

[letsdosciencetoit]

I cannot get over how much he's changed in the last 8 years. So happy to have this in my feed.

Evan 'Buck' Buckley - S1 versus S8 9-1-1

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP Wednesday - 5 + 1 BuckTommy

Needed a distraction from what I've been writing, so here's five times the 118 clocks that Tommy got married, and one time they realize Buck did as well.

This is the first time.

Chimney

Things change wildly for Chimney in very short order.   He loses Bobby, he welcomes his son into the world, he gets captaincy of the 118, and then his brother-in-law, who he previously saw on an almost daily basis, is transferred to a different station.  Sure he still has Hen, Eddie and Ravi around, but the station isn’t nearly as lively as it used to be.

It’s not to say he doesn’t see Buck that often, but it’s different when he comes by the house.  They spend their time talking about the strangest calls they’ve been on, and then Buck will go and take Jee and Robert off their hands, either to their play room or to a park, and that’s it.

Buck is still showing up with baked goods each visit, but Chim isn’t sure if it’s because he’s still pining, or if Jee would riot if Uncle Buck didn’t show up with a freshly baked treat.

Buck seems more settled, now, with the transfer to the new station and the new house he hasn’t invited anyone to yet, but Chim isn’t sure if he’s happy.  He jokes around about it, but he doesn’t know how to bring it up with Buck without upsetting him, so he keeps his mouth shut.

Chimney figures Buck will tell Maddie if there’s anything more serious going on.

***9-1-1***

Chim sees Tommy semi-regularly at basketball again after everything went down.  The shared trauma and loss with Bobby’s death provided a good stepping stone.  That Tommy would do a favour for him and Buck, no questions asks, makes it hard to give the guy the cold shoulder.

They’ve wrapped up their game, and are shooting the shit on the benches. Chim is showing the rest of the guys some pictures of Jee with Robert.  Most of them are ribbing him for being so obsessed. Tommy just sits quietly, drinking from his water bottle, wearing a soft smile.

One by one the guys clear out, until it’s just Chim and Tommy remaining at the court. Chim starts to gather the rest of his things when he sees it.  Tommy takes a chain off his neck and takes off a simple, gold band. He slides it on his ring finger before pulling the chain back over his neck. 

“Shit!” Chimney exclaims.  “You’re married?”

Tommy offers him a wry smile.  “Yeah, about a month now.”

“Seems a little sudden,” Chim commented. He knows he should be supportive, but this is also the man who broke his brother-in-law’s heart when he asked Tommy to move in with him. Now he’s married?

Tommy shrugged again, and his eyes turn wistful.  “When you know, you now, I guess.  After everything we’ve been through I didn’t want to waste another minute. Why be apart when we can be together.”

Chim can’t fault him for that logic. Instead, he offers, “Congratulations, then.  He should know he’s one lucky guy.”

Tommy shrugs. “Pretty sure I’m the lucky one.”

Part 2 Part 3

[letsdosciencetoit]

Snippet from "I'm Where the Spiders Go." Buck Tommy S1AU

I finally have Buck and Tommy meeting for the first time in my canon-divergent season 1 AU - Buck was assigned to the 122 for his probie year, Tommy remains at the 118.

For context, Buck still helped Athena with the home invasion - Abby is friends with Sal's SO, Gina, so she calls Sal for a fire engine, and Buck was man behind. This occurs when the team goes out after the call.

I'm Where the Spiders Go - Snippet

The bar is busy when Buck finally makes it.  He’s running late.  He’s Jeep has been running a little rough, so he’s called an Uber first, and the drive took longer than expected to arrive.

He spots his team shortly after entering the bar, and smiles when he sees they’ve saved him a spot.  It’s taken him a while to feel like he’s actually part of the team, but he’s starting to feel like they want him around, rather than just tolerating him.

“Probie!  If it isn’t the hero of the hour!” Oscar calls out, waving him over.

Buck ducks his head, and he can feel his cheeks flushing.  He feels a little a little foolish that they’re making such a big deal of it.  He rubs at the back of neck, trying to hid his discomfort at the attention, but he’s still smiling.

He’s smile falls a little when he sees a stranger sitting at the table as well.  He straightens his shoulders and takes the empty seat next to the man.   He doesn’t get the chance to introduce himself before Sal is reaching over and clapping him on the shoulder.

“Tommy, this is our probie, Evan Buckley.” Sal’s voice booms. “He just stopped an armed robbery with the deluge gun today.  Buck, this is Tommy Kinard, from my old station.  He likes us better than his own crew, so he comes out with us to celebrate the 4 off.”

Buck watches Tommy slug Sal in the shoulder and mutters an “asshole” under his breath, but his eyes are smiling.  Buck smiles brightens again as he takes in the banter, comfortable now that Tommy isn’t there to take his place, just another figher fighter out for a drink.

Buck takes in Tommy’s sharp features, and the cleft in his chin.  The man sits with an air of confidence that Buck only wishes he could emulate.  Tommy catches him staring and raises an eyebrow while tilting his head, an unspoken question.

Looking away, Buck distracts himself with finding an empty cup and filling it from the pitcher.  He empties it into his glass for half a pint, and gets up without a word to head to the bar to fill it.

When he returns to the table with the fresh pitcher Sal and Gabriel are at the pool table, while Oscar and Maria are in a heated conversation about the LA Kings.  Buck pays more attention to hockey than some of the other professional sports, but he doesn’t follow enough to contribute, or even want to pay attention to what they’re arguing about.  Those two can make anything a contest.

He sits back down next to Tommy, and tops his glass, eyes on anything but the man sitting next to him. 

“So how did you manage to become a vigilante on your shift?” Tommy asks, lips quirked in a wry grin.  The man’s tone is beyond dry, but Buck catches the teasing in it, and it puts him at ease.

He takes a drink of his beer to help his suddenly dry mouth. He tries to down play it when he starts talking.  “I was man behind, and they needed an engine to help pinpoint the location of a house with an active robbery and a minor inside.  I just drove the engine with the siren on until they could hear it on the call.”

“Hmm,” Tommy starts with another raised eyebrow.  “That doesn’t really explain the deluge gun.”

The sarcasm startles a chuckle out of Buck.  “Um, yeah.  Sergeant Grant got one of the guys at he house, but the other tried to take off on his motorcycle.  I may have used the deluge gun to shot him off the bike.”

Tommy almost snorted his beer, whether at Buck’s statement or the way he delivered it.  “Shit, kid!  Everyone alright?”

Buck grinned at Tommy’s reaction, leaning in a little closer.  “Everyone’s fine.  Bad guys arrested, kid’s home with her parents, and no one was hurt.”

“Except for the man you knocked off the bike,” Tommy pointed out.

Buck shook his head, placing both hands on the table for emphasis. “No!  Even him. Minor scrapes.  They were able to take him straight to booking.”

“And Sergeant Grant called Captain Warran to sing your praises,” Sal interrupted, resting a heavy hand on Buck’s shoulders before taking a seat next to him again.  “She said you were a quick thinker and an asset to have on our team.”

“That’s high praise from Sergeant Grant,” Tommy offered, raising his glass in a mock toast.  “That woman does not pay compliments lightly.”

Buck feels his cheeks flushing again, and he looks down at the table to try to hide it.  “I just did what anyone would have done.”

“I’m not sure just anyone would have thought to man the gun,” Tommy points out, putting a warm hand on Buck’s shoulder.  The heat radiates down his arm and spreads through his chest.  He meets Tommy’s gaze, and is pinned by the sincerity in it.  Buck can’t remember the last time he felt seen, like what he does matters, and someone recognized it.

The intensity of the moment becomes too much for him, and Buck breaks eye contact first, reaching for his glass and downing the rest of it.

“I’ll get the next round,” he says, and pushes away from the table with a screech of his chair.  Oscar and Maria stop arguing and shoot a sharp look his way, but Buck already has his back to the table, making his way to the bar with the empty pitcher.

[letsdosciencetoit]

WIP Wednesday - BuckTommy AU - I'm Where the Spiders Go

Another snipped from my Season 1 Canon Divergent AU.

BuckTommy - finally fleshing out their first meeting, but still very much a work in progress.

Premise: Tommy never left the 118 and Buck was assigned to the 122 instead.

Tommy is ten hours into his four days off, and he’s feeling restless.  He’s cleaned his house, picked up groceries at the local farmers market, and changed the oil on is truck.  He’s been contemplating working up the courage to head out to West Hollywood to try his hands at one of the clubs/ He’s still having trouble wrapping his mind around being out in public, even in a relatively safe place.

He bites the inside of his cheek while he contemplates the takeout menus in his drawer.  It would be easy to order something, pick it up, and spend first his evening off watching one of the Hallmark Christmas Movies he has saved to his DVR from December.  He’ll watch something comforting and predictable and wake up in the exact same place he is right now.

His phone pings with a message – he opens it immediately and see’s Sal’s messaged him.

Sal: Silver Spoon at 7:30.  Few of my shift are going out. You in?

Tommy considers it, and he already knows he doesn’t want to spend the night at home alone.  He’ll go out, have drinks with a friend, and get out of his head for a few hours.  He even likes some of the people on Sal’s crew.  It’s a solid, non-nonsense group, quite unlike the family Captain Nash is starting to bring together a the 118.

Tommy: I’m in.  You’re getting the first round.

He has an hour to get ready before he needs to head out.  He takes a quick shower, adds some gel to his hair, and throws on a henley and a pair of dark jeans that don’t have grease stains.  He makes a quick protein shake, and chokes it down before he has to head out the door.  He’ll have something more substantial when he gets to the pub.

He drives to the pub, only planning on having a pint or two. The drive is easy, and he pulls up to the bar right at 7:30. Sal already has a table in the back, but the pool tables.  He recognizes Gabriel, Osar and Maria from the 122.  There’s two empty chairs, and Tommy claims the one next to Sal.

“I got you your fancy fru fru beer,” Sal comments, sliding full pint down the table to him. 

Without question, Tommy takes a sip. It’s strong with fruity notes.  Tommy can tell Sal’s ordered him a double IPA, which while very good, is going to mean he’s only nursing the one drink for the evening.  One day he’ll make a point of downloading Uber, but tonight is not that night. 

He makes a note to ask the server what the beer is after he takes a second sip.  He actually really likes it.  Sal would rather drink whatever domestic brand they have on tap, and Tommy is certain that’s what’s in the pitcher on the table.

Leaning back, Tommy takes in the rest of the bar.  He’s about to ask if the remaining seat is saved for someone when he clocks movement at the entrance.  The kid walking in is wearing tight ripped jeans, boots, and a leather jacket that is definitely too warm for the weather they’re having.  Tommy clocks the birthmark above his left eye, and the way his whole face lights up when he spots his team at the table.

The kid practically bounces over to the table, and Oscar calls out, “Probie!  If it isn’t the hero of the hour!”

The probie ducks his head, and his whole face flushes.  Tommy already knows he’s in trouble.