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Chapter Text

Buck ignored Bobby yelling his name as he walked out of the station. He knew that there was something fishy in what the older man had just told him, but right then he was too pissed to realize what it was. He hadn’t been able to make it over to Bobby and Athena’s house the night before or for breakfast that morning because he had already had plans and he hadn’t wanted to change them. Instead, he had met Bobby at the firehouse after his breakfast out with Christopher, Tony Stark, and Peter Parker who were all out in Tony’s car waiting on him.

He nodded at Eddie, but ignored Hen and Chim as well and walked over to where Tony was parked and climbed into the car without looking back. “Get me out of here, Tony, please.”

Tony stark nodded and peeled out of the parking lot. He shot a look at Buck and frowned. “What happened, Evan? I haven’t seen you this pissed in a while. Are we still set to go to the pier with the little man in the back seat? Him and Peter are looking forward to it.”

Buck nodded and looked over his shoulder into the backseat where Christopher and Peter were animatedly chatting with one another. “Bobby told me that the Higher-ups don’t want me back at work just yet, but something there isn’t ringing true with me. I have been medically cleared by my surgeons, my regular doctor, the doctors that are in charge of the fire department, and all the psychologists I have had to see. So, how can the higher ups go against all that?

Tony frowned and shook his head. “They can’t go against that, Evan, unless they want hellfire reigned down on their heads. Them going against the word of all those medical professionals can and will call into question any and all medically cleared First Responders that have went back to work from injuries on the job.”

He took in a deep breath and let it out as his mind raced trying to come up with an answer that would satisfy the man he loved like a brother. “We’ll talk more tonight, but I see two options for you and while one is probably the right thing to do it is also the more problematic one to do unless you want a lot of people to lose their jobs. The union may be the proper way to handle things, but they also won’t have to stop when you tell them to. Let me have JARVIS and FRIDAY look into things while we’re having fun at the pier today and we’ll talk strategy tonight.”

Buck nodded and sent a text to Eddie letting him know that they changed plans and were going to the pier instead of the movies. After all his best friend was the only one who knew just who Chris and Buck were spending the day with.

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Eddie looked at Chim with a raised eyebrow when the other man poked him. He knew what Chim wanted but decided to make the other man work for it. He was done pandering to Chim and everyone else at the 118 when they were all in the wrong. “What, Chim?”

Chim motioned toward the bay area and parking lot. “Who does Buck know that owns a car like he just got into, Eddie? I know you have to know since you said you dropped Christopher off with Buck this morning. And did you notice that there was a government car tailing them once they peeled out of here like they did?”

Eddie rolled his eyes and ignored Chim for a minute in favor of checking his phone when it went off. After he read Buck's text he smiled, typed out a response to it, and then he looked back at Chim. "Of course, I know who Chris and Buck are spending the day with today, so yes I know who owns that car. And no I won't be telling you or the others because if Buck wanted you or anyone else to know he would have told you himself. Unlike you, Hen, and everyone else I'm not following Cap blindly and I have actually been around Buck lately. I am also not blindly listening to Maddie who hasn't been in Buck's life for at least eight years before she showed up almost a year ago."

He turned his head and glared at Bobby whom he knew had listened to his and Chim's conversation. "I hope that you know what you're doing because I'm not going to lie for you. You have just opened up a can of worms that can't be closed until and if Buck chooses to close it."

Bobby frowned at Eddie as he racked his brain to understand what Eddie was saying to him. "What are you talking about, Eddie?"

Eddie snorted and shook his head in exasperation. "Did the Brass really say Buck was unfit for duty after all of his doctors and the Fire Departments doctors cleared him for duty? Or was that your decision and you just blamed it on the Brass? I mean come on, Cap, he passed his recertification with flying colors and broke several records in the process of it. Either way you have just opened yourself, the Brass, the Fire Department itself, and the city to a shit load of legal trouble because of what you just did. You do realize that you just called into question every first responder that has ever been medically cleared by the Fire Departments doctors, right? And that is all because you have decided that Buck couldn't and shouldn't come back to work even though he's been cleared, right?"

He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "If Buck goes through the Union, you can and probably will lose your job. If I had to take a guess Buck probably knows that, so that really only leaves him the option of suing you, the Higher-ups, the Department, and the city. Personally, if I were Buck I'd go through the Union because yours, Chim's, Hen's, and everyone else's action are all uncalled for. Do you really think I haven't heard what you guys have been saying? Why do you think I haven't been to any of the team gatherings you have had? You haven't even tried to invite Buck to them again. Now, if you'll excuse me I have some chores to get done until we have a call out. Besides, I don't really want to have be near you right now because all of you are fucking hypocrites."

He turned on his heel and walked further into the station before he lost his temper even more than he already had. He was already dealing with anger issues which the Psychologist Tony Stark had hooked him up with was working on him with. If it hadn't been for Tony he probably eventually would have done something he shouldn't have done. He knew how bad his temper could get and with him being so angry it just got that much worse. He still couldn't believe everything Tony has done for him in the short amount of time that they have known each other. He knew it was because Buck cared about him and that thought made him smile. He had Buck's back now and he always would. He's had the younger man's back since the day they met and he didn't see a circumstance where that would change at all.

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Once at the pier Tony waited until Peter has Chris distracted with a water gun game before he pushed his Raybans down his nose and looked at Buck with narrowed eyes. "I know I said we'd talk tonight, and we will, but, Evan, you look like you are about to blow. What is running through that mind of yours? Come on and talk to me while our kids are distracted."

Buck smiled slightly and snapped a picture of Chris and Peter playing the game. He sent the picture to Eddie in a text before he sighed. and looked at Tony. "I think that it is Bobby blocking me from going back to work and not the higher-ups like he says. I am not completely certain of that, but that is what I think and it is the feeling I get when I think about what he said to me. He had a look on his face when he told me that it was the higher-ups that made the decision. However, if the higher-ups are allowing Bobby to make the decision and determination that I'm not ready to go back to work they are just as culpable as Bobby is in stopping me. Right?"

Tony nodded. "Yes, they are. If they are going along with Captain Nash rather than what all of your doctors have signed off on then they are also to blame. Like I said in the car they are opening up Pandora's Box in regards to ever first responder that has been medically cleared. Eddie, Steve, Hondo, you, and me all talked about this last night. Fuck, Evan, you went so far as to even having the doctors that keep a close eye on the Accords signees to clear you and you don't even do the superhero gig full-time. Hetty had a world renown surgeon give you a full fucking exam to make sure that you are in perfect health after that pulmonary embolism came out of nowhere."

He ran a hand through his hair and shifted his body to stand closer to Buck. "What do you want to do, Evan? I and everyone else will back whatever play you want to make."

Buck sucked in a breath as he thought about everything. He knew that Eddie, Tony, and everyone else had his back and it made him feel better because he had a pretty good idea on what he was going to end up doing. "I think that the only way Bobby is going to learn a lesson is by me going after him, after the Chief, and after the Fire Department, Tony. Once I was medically cleared to return to duty they stopped paying me. He and everyone else in this cluster fuck need to learn a hard lesson. I may not need the money but how many other first responders have been in my position and not had someone in their corner? I may not want Bobby to lose his job completely but maybe he needs a demotion or something to teach him just who wrong he is. I mean if Owen can stand by and let TK back to work after he was shot while on the job with him being TK's actual father than Bobby should be able to do the exact same damn thing with me."

Tony smiled sharply at that. "I agree with you completely, Evan. Now, I think we need to talk about Maddie because if you keep holding in the anger you feel toward her you are going to blow. Does she even realize that your medical power of attorney is three fold? Barnes, Diaz, and me all hold your medical power of attorney and we also hold your regular power of attorney. Your surgeon, regular doctor, and physical therapist talked to all three of us before they talked to you about the additional surgery and aggressive physical therapy plan. We signed off on it before you were even approached."

He sighed in frustration and shook his head. "And then she had the nerve to not only call your parents but to talk to others about your medical condition without your approval. How the hell she passed Nursing school with the way she blabs her mouth I'll never know."

Buck snorted. "I have wondered the exact same thing myself many times, Tony. Lets shelve this conversation til tonight and join our boys who have already won two huge stuffed animals and have moved onto the ring toss game."

Tony laughed and called two suits to pick up the stuffed animals. He wasn't going to make Peter or Christopher lug them around all day. He ignored the looks people shot at him once the suits landed, grabbed the stuffed animals, and took flight again. He grinned at Christopher's shriek of delight. "Peter is loving this and so am I. We both needed a break from Rogers and his group. Hell, even Barnes needed to get away from them and that man is a little more patient than I am surprisingly when it comes to those assholes."

Buck rolled his eyes. "How are they taking the fact that you are not funding them any longer? Do they even realize that you are no longer making them gear for free or doing upgrades on their gear all the time?"

Tony smirked. "Oh, they know and realize that I am no longer making their gear or upgrading their gear for free. They don't like it at all, but there is nothing that they can do about it. Every property that I own including the compound they are currently living at is locked down and only my word gets them access to places inside of it. They only have access to their rooms, a common room of sorts, a communal kitchen, and the public gym. The armory is locked down. FRIDAY is locked down so they can't even give her orders or request her to open rooms up that they aren't permitted to enter. The rest of the compound is now set to where you need a card to get access to other areas along with an eye scan, fingerprint scan, and voice activation in some parts of the compound. I am taking no chances. If they want a phone, tablet, or laptop/desktop they have to pay for them out of their own pocket. I only make and supply things for you, Barnes, Peter, Rhodey, Clint, and myself. Clint, his wife, and the kids have all moved into the tower."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, and I make things for Coulson and his top team. They respect the fact that other than Clint's bow and arrows, Barnes' daggers, and the three suits that I make that I don't want to build weapons. I have upgraded their base, made sure that they have the best when it comes to bulletproof vests and clothing. I have also hooked them up with Professor Xavier since they now have two enhanced on their team."

Buck smiled. "I am glad that you're no longer funding the idiots. They used you for too long, Tony, and now it's time for them to reap what they've sown. You look happy and that is all that I have ever wanted for you. And how are things with Pepper now?"

Tony groaned and rubbed a hand down his face. He quickly looked over to where Peter and Christopher were to check on them and wasn't really surprised to see that JARVIS had piloted one back to stay with the two kids. He still couldn't believe that Buck had been able to get JARVIS back for him and for that he would always owe the younger man even if Buck didn't think Tony owed him anything. "She isn't happy that I have put boundaries in place. She hates that I no longer let her boss me around. Until Peter asked the question that he did I hadn't realized just how toxic our relationship had become. Okay, enough heavy shit for now. We are supposed to be having fun with our boys."

Buck grinned as he watched Peter help Chris win another game at the ring toss. "Something tells me that your Iron Legion suits are going to get a work out transporting all the stuffed animals Christopher and Peter seem set on winning. I have noticed that a few of them have come and gone three different times already on top of the first time you called them. Is FRIDAY monitoring them?"

Tony shook his head and smiled softly. "JARVIS is piloting the Iron Legion. He asked to be able to to do it as well as being my personal AI. I use FRIDAY when I'm out in public because not many people know that JARVIS is back yet. I plan on revealing that in the future at some point. Right now I am just enjoying having him back. I still can't thank you enough for getting him back for me. I don't know why I didn't remember that I had him backing himself up once a week. I owe you for remembering that and for making sure that my mind got cleared of Maximoff's magic."

Buck shrugged his shoulders. "I am just glad that you told me in a previous conversation that you had JARVIS backing himself up after the first time SHIELD hacked him to get in after you turned them away."

He snorted as two more Iron Legion landed beside Christopher and Peter and after ruffling both boys hair took flight again with yet another two stuffed animals. He snickered when he noticed that one looked to be a bear with a grumpy look on its face. "Seriously, Tony, your suits are going to end up making like a hundred trips by the looks of it."

Tony laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "It beats us or the boys lugging them around all day. Besides Peter promised Clint's kids that he would win them at least two stuffed animals each. There is no way we'd be able to carry all of them on our own. I did let the Accord committee and both Santa Monica and Los Angeles Police Departments know that some of the Iron Legion would be out and about today. I explained why and agreed to let some pictures be taken of them alone and with other people. I am just glad that J, FRIDAY, and ZEUS can operate them. JARVIS is operating the one that is staying near the boys while FRIDAY and ZEUS are mainly operating the other ones."

Buck chuckled and pointed at Christopher who was currently being held up in the air by one of the Legion. He pulled his cell phone out and snapped a couple pictures at the same time Tony did. He sent the pictures to Eddie and then uploaded them to his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. He showed Tony the caption he used and smirked. "Now, that is going to get people wondering. Maybe we should go get our pictures taken with the kids and a couple of the Legion and upload them too. It would be good press for both of us."

He led the way over to where Christopher and Peter were standing between two of the Iron Legion and grinned. He picked Chris up and put him on his shoulders while Tony did the same thing with Peter even though he was bigger than Chris. He knew that he wouldn't have to use his phone for the pictures and instead just posed for a couple pictures that he knew Tony was having JARVIS take. Once Tony tapped him he gently lifted Chris off his shoulders and placed him back on the ground. "Alright you two switch games for a while so that you don't end up winning all the stuffed animals at this game booth." He watched as Chris and Peter headed over to a ball toss and then looked at Tony. Send me those pictures real quick so I can text them to Eddie and upload them."

Tony snickered and texted Buck the pictures before he uploaded his own first set of pictures with the same caption Buck did and made sure to tag Buck, Eddie, Peter, Clint, James, Rhodey, Hondo, and Steve. He then uploaded the set of pictures with him and Buck holding Chris and Peter on their shoulders with a new caption and once again tagged the same people as the first set. He showed Buck the caption he used for the new set of pictures and waited on the other man to text Eddie the pictures and then upload them to his social media accounts with the same caption he used for the second set of pictures. "There lets see what people have to say. I love reading some of the comments when I upload pictures like I just did. At least I forewarned the PR department about today and what I was going to be doing. They will stay on top of things for us so that we can enjoy our day out with our kids."

Buck smirked deviously at that. "I have a feeling several people are going to need to reevaluate the things that they know or thought they knew about me by the end of the day. Thank you for coming with Chris and me, Tony. I didn't know how much I needed today until just now."

Tony clapped a hand on Buck's left shoulder and squeezed it. "Come on we should go get some more pictures taken with the kids and the Legion. Maybe we should do a couple with the huge ass stuffed animals around us before the Legion takes flight with them. The kids will enjoy it and so will we. Besides it will aggravate certain people and if we're honest with one another that is what we want it to do when we post online."

Buck laughed and followed Tony over to Chris and Peter who had just won another six stuffed animals. He posed for pictures with Chris, Peter, Tony separately, in pairs and all together. And the last picture taken was on with all three and six Iron Legion each of whom was holding a giant stuffed animal in their metal arms. He just knew that the rest of the day was going to be fun for him, the kids, and Tony. If only he knew what would be happening in the next hour or two. Luckily for him he was always good with thinking fast on his feet.

Chapter Text

Eddie heard his phone go off and he pulled it out of his pocket. He checked the notifications on it before he unlocked it and opened up the text message from Buck. He smiled at the pictures that Buck had sent him. He couldn't help but chuckle at a few of them because of how happy not only Chris looked but Buck looked also. His chuckle turned into a laugh when he checked his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. He retweeted both of the Twitter posts that Buck made and the two that Tony made and then liked the pictures on both Buck's and Tony's Instagram pages. He just knew that all of the pictures posted would end up with a huge following because of who was in them. He commented on all the pictures on all three sites and then sat back and waited for the surprise explosion that he knew would happen. After all nobody but him realized yet just who Buck and Chris were spending the day with.

He stealthily set his phone up to record when he saw Bobby, Hen, Chim, Maddie, Athena, and other firefighters on shift pull out their cell phones to check on the notifications they had just been pinged with. He just knew that their reactions were going to be good and he wanted to catch them for Buck. He winked at Athena when she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He knew that she was wondering why he wasn't checking his phone like everyone else was. He was surprised that she hadn't caught him looking at his phone when he laughed a minute ago.

Athena knew something was up as soon as she saw how relaxed Eddie was. She unlocked her cell phone and then opened her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram apps. Her eyes widened in shock at what she saw and she looked back at Eddie with wide eyes. "Buck and Christopher are spending the day with Tony fucking Stark! How in the hell did that happen, Eddie? From the look of it Buck knows Stark pretty damn well with how much he's relaxed and close with him. Christopher looks like he is having a blast!"

Eddie smiled softly. "Chris has been having a blast since last night, Athena. We went bowling last night and Christopher got to throw the ball on his own for the very first time. As to your question, Buck has known Tony Stark for years. It is not my place to tell you how he knows Stark and I refuse to betray his trust like that."

Athena nodded slowly and looked back down at her phone. She flipped through the pictures and grinned at the ones of the two men, two children, and six Iron Legion. She chuckled as she looked back up from her phone. "Christopher seems to be relaxed in the presence of the Iron Legion. For that matter Buck does too. Your son looks like he's being spoiled rotten and if the captions are anything to go by he's going to enjoy the rest of his time out and about today. At least now I understand the memo that the brass sent out today about the Iron Legion being out and about today and to ignore them when and where possible."

Eddie snorted and nodded. "Yeah Tony warned me this morning about the media possibly getting pictures of Chris. I trust, Buck, Tony, and Peter to make sure that Chris is safe." He shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "Besides it isn't as if they are actually there without some kind of security watching their backs. I know that others are tailing them to make sure that nobody bothers them too much. It doesn't hurt that the Iron Legion is also out in force. Even without the Legion though I trust Buck, Tony, and Peter with my son's safety."

Athena chuckled at that as she ran a hand through her hair. Her mind was putting pieces together that she had somehow overlooked when it came to Buck. She bit her lip as she thought about what question she wanted to ask the most. "How long have you known that Buck is friends with Tony Stark, Eddie?"

Eddie didn't bat an eye at Athena's question because he expected it. He rubbed a hand down his face in frustration because he owed Tony ten dollars now sice he had thought either Bobby or Maddie would have asked that particular question. "I have known that Buck was close friends with Tony since the day we had the 7.1. earthquake. It was Tony who helped me find the school that Chris now goes to because a teacher at his old school made him feel uncomfortable. Buck asked Tony for a recommendation for a new school and Tony not only gave one, but he also ran background checks on all the teachers, teacher assistants, janitorial workers, and all other staff. He has even picked Chris up from school for me when our calls have run past quitting time and Abuela, Pepa, or Carla couldn't."

He rolled his eyes at the looks on everyone's faces bar Athena. "Tony is the one who made sure Buck had the best doctors and surgeons after the ladder truck. He's also filed a lawsuit and won against a couple news stations and reporters that have taken to harassing Buck. Why do you think Buck's new place has suck tight security? Oh, wait none of you would know except for Athena because nobody has been by his place since before the pulmonary embolism. Did you really think that Buck had no support system outside of the 118? I have met several firefighters who have made it a point to visit Buck including ones from out of state! I have met first responders from Texas, Chicago, New York, and Miami. Hell not all of them are firefighters or EMT's. I have met several Detectives and police officers as well."

Athena snorted at that and then laughed. "Yeah, I overheard one of the police chiefs the other day talking about an influx of out of state visitors from other police departments. In fact the Heads of the New York and Miami crime labs are here for the next two weeks to help get the new L.A. crime lab set up properly. They've also brought some of their people to help make sure those that are staffing the lab know how to properly do their jobs."

Eddie snickered. "That would be Detective Mac Taylor and Lieutenant Horatio Caine. Christopher and I met them a couple days ago when Buck had them and us over for dinner. We have also met their teams. They are all nice people and are rabid in making sure that Buck has everything he needs and that he's taking care of himself. They spend their days off helping Buck to unpack and move things to where he wants them. Mac and Detective Don Flack also from New York along with Sergeant Barnes and Colonel Rhodes spent the day before yesterday making sure Buck's weapon certification is up to date. They have also made the time to answer any and all of Chris' questions. Sergeant Barnes has also taken to showing Chris some self defense moves that he can use even with having CP. Stark makes sure that Chris has all the new tech to help with his schooling. They are all important to Buck so they're important to me."

Athena's eyes widened in shock and she ignored everyone else whom were sputtering. "You are talking about Sergeant James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, right? Wow!"

Eddie grinned. "I am talking about him. He is great with Chris. He knew someone with CP at some point which is why he knows so much about it. Him, Dr. Bruce Banner, and Dr. Helen Cho are all working on something that will help Chris with his CP. Why do you think that I always comment about how full Chris' days have been lately? I get to see him first thing in the morning and right before he goes to bed if I'm not working for the most part. I do see him on my days off but that is only between whatever he has going on that day. I am happy that Chris is having fun because he deserves it after everything he's been through in his short life."

Bobby finally regained his faculties and demanded, "How come Buck never told us that he knew those kinds of people? How in the hell was he able to keep it a secret? He tells us everything else including things we don't want to know!"

Eddie snorted and shook his head in disgust. "You don't really pay much attention to what Buck actually says, Bobby, because if you did you would have realized something important by now. If you haven't figured it out on your own by now then you're an idiot. The stuff Buck says is his way of deflecting speculation about his life! He started it after Abby left for many reasons, the chief reason being you guys teasing him about Abby!"

He stood up from his seat and paced the loft. He ignored his phone for a minute as he tried to order his thoughts because he didn't want to say something that Buck wouldn't want the others to know. He was agitated and pissed off enough to say something he wouldn't regret in the least as it was. "You guys teased him so much about Abby leaving that he felt he couldn't trust you with anything personal in case of you saying something you shouldn't. I noticed on my first day here at the 118 that he closed a part of himself off from all of you. It didn't take me more than a day to figure out why he did what he did. I am not going to break his trust to placate any one of you, so don't even think about demanding answers. If you want to know something then fucking ask Buck. That is what I did and he had no problem answering my questions. In fact he was happy to answer my questions because it proved that I cared about him as a person and not just what he could do on the mother fucking job!"

Maddie looked at Eddie and paled slightly when she saw the look on his face and in his eyes. "I am Buck's sister and I haven't made fun of him. So, why didn't he tell me he knew Iron Man? He knows that I am a big fan. I can't believe he so selfishly kept this part of his life to himself! Now, I understand why I have been told to call him before showing up at his place."

Eddie whipped around and glared at Maddie with cold eyes. "You are one to talk about being selfish, Maddie. After all you have done but belittle Buck since the firetruck bombing. Hell even before that you had a fucking tendency to talk down to him. Maybe if you hadn't checked out of his life for basically eight years you'd know about this part of his life. Buck is a grown ass man and he doesn't have to tell you anything that he doesn't want to. Maybe if you weren't so fucking step self centered Buck would have introduced you to Tony."

He smirked and then meanly added, "Besides Buck asked Tony if he wanted to meet you and the man flat out said no. He told Buck he didn't want to meet anyone who treated Buck like he didn't have a right to make his own choices. Stark doesn't have time for people who shamelessly uses those around them to make themselves feel about themselves. Tony Stark doesn't like people who don't know how to see right from wrong. He doesn't suffer fools if he can help it and you should know that from everything that he has said to reporters who have ambushed him."

Chim stood up and glared at Eddie. "What the fuck man? Watch how you talk to and about Maddie! She hasn't done anything to Buck!"

Eddie stepped forward and poked Chim in the chest. He only did it once because he knew if he did it more than once then he'd probably end up punching the other man. "Open your damn eyes, Chim, and realize your little girlfriend isn't even close to perfect. Ever since you got with her you stopped seeing Buck as an actual person whether you want to admit it or not. Has your little girlfriend told you about the fact that she and Buck have another brother? Has she told you that her parents got rid of Buck as soon as he did the job that he was specifically born for? What about the fact that she only got in touch with Buck eight years ago because her other brother Daniel refused to have anything to do with her or her parents because of what they did to Buck?"

He shook his head and chuckled darkly. "Even now Daniel Buckley wants nothing to do with Maddie or her parents. Hell he's been in California for three months and refuses to even consider seeing Maddie. Not that I can blame the man. He in fact has a restraining order against Maddie and her parents. So, why don't you grow a fucking pair, Chim, and be the friend to Buck you keep trying to say that you are instead of your girlfriend's little lap dog bitch? Huh?"

Athena got up and pushed Chim back so she could step in between him and Eddie. She understood why Eddie was pissed, but she didn't want to have to arrest him. "Eddie, you need to calm down because I don't want to have to arrest you for assault. Now, this Daniel guy would it be the one I met a couple weeks ago that picked Buck after his checkup? The FBI Agent that was with Agent Ian Edgerton? And speaking of Edgerton how does he know Buck so well?"

Eddie smirked wickedly at Athena. "Have you ever tried to run a background check on Buck, Athena?"

Athena frowned and shook her head. "No, I haven't. Why?"

Eddie grinned then. "If you ever do you will get a phone call from some people. Buck's name is flagged because of work he's done in the past. Chief Alonzo himself makes sure that Buck has the same three weeks off every year for vacation because Buck's vacation time isn't exactly vacation time if you get my drift. Edgerton knows him from work Buck did before he became a firefighter. I am sure if you ask Buck he will tell what he can. After all unlike the others, you have been there for Buck, Athena."

Athena smiled at Eddie. "I will call him late and see if I can crash the dinner you guys will be having tonight no doubt. I would like to meet his friends and not just because his friends seem to be famous."

Eddie snickered as he sat back down finally. He was calm or as calm as he could be right then once more. "Tony has something for you anyways since he knows Buck worries about you. I think tonight is Greek food so I hope you like it. Buck has a whole meal planned and Chris is excited about it."

Athena's eyes widened in surprise. "I will be happy to try it. I miss Buck's cooking. I got used to his and my lunches when we were both off shift. He always cooked for us. Lately I haven't had a day off that coincided with a free day for him so we've only been meeting for a quick coffee here and there. At least now I know that he actually isn't avoiding me like I had thought he was."

Eddie shook his head. "No, Athena, he hasn't been avoiding you. If Buck isn't with Chris, at an appointment, or with Tony he is doing something for someone he knows. He hasn't told me what he was asked to do, but he has told me that it was for someone he knows from before he joined the 118. I trust him to know when to ask for help if he needs it."

Athena nodded. "Yeah, Buck knows when to ask for help when and if he needs it. He also knows when to help someone else who needs it even if that person hasn't asked for it. I will definitely make it a point to crash your dinner tonight because I want to see how he is doing with everything. Bobby told me that the higher-ups are keeping Buck from coming back to work because of him being on blood thinners."

Eddie rolled his eyes and huffed. "Athena, I think that your husband is lying to you. Before you tell me I'm wrong I want you to think about something. Buck has been cleared by all of his doctors and the doctors that keep an eye on injured firefighters. Now, do you really think that the higher-ups are stupid enough to go against the very doctors who have cleared other firefighters? Especially since that could and would call into question any firefighter or first responder that has been injured on the job and cleared to work again. If it is the higher-ups keeping Buck from working then they are opening themselves, the fire department, and the city up to legal action since he was completely cleared to return to work. Hell he fucking passed his recertification twice and broke records doing it. So, the question is do you really think that it is the higher-ups keeping Buck from returning to work or is it your husband keeping him from returning to work for some fucked up reason?"