Chapter Text
The hospital was bustling and busy, never the place to have quiet, or a moment of peace. There was always something going on, especially in the emergency room. Someone hurting, someone healing, families grieving, families celebrating. A lot of things went down at the hospital, both good and bad. Sometimes losing a life, sometimes gaining a life. Sometimes life hanging in the balance. This was one of those times.
Captain Bobby Nash of the 118 was brought in just a few hours prior. He’d been injected with the cure of a virus he contracted at the lab. While Chimney seemed to steadily improve after his dose of the cure, Bobby seemed to need more time. After decontaminating both Bobby and Chimney back in the tent on sight, they were both brought in.
The 118 family seemed to always be caught back in the emergency room. They never seemed to be gone for long.
While Chimney swiftly moved to a recovery room where he was resting, Bobby needed to be placed in a medically induced coma. They needed to give his body a chance to heal, suppressing brain activity, and thus conserving energy.
Apparently the doctors thought that Bobby could make a full recovery, but needed just a bit more time while Chimney awoke with his family.
“Look who’s finally up,” Maddie spoke up, sitting by Chimney’s bedside.
“There’s my beautiful wife,” Chimney mumbled out, still tired from the traumatic toll the virus took on him. “How are Bobby and Hen?”
While Hen was not infected with the virus, she had to undergo surgery after suffering a collapsed lung back in the lab.
“She’s fine, she’s resting in another room with Karen,” Maddie informs him.
“Mmm that’s good,” Chimney says, slowly closing his eyes again. “And Bobby?” Chim cared so much for his captain. He was so much more than that to him, to all of them. Bobby was a very close friend of his and Chimney would be devastated to lose him.
“Well the good news is they finally moved him to a room,” Maddie says, “Bad news is they’re still not allowing any visitors yet.”
Chimney’s eyes snap open, “Didn’t he get the cure too?” He’s confused. Bobby should be healing like him, why is he taking longer?
“He did, it’s just taking him some extra time to heal,” Maddie assures him, “He should be fine in no time. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated on everything I hear.”
Just then, someone walks slowly into the room, “Yeah, everything you hear from me…” It’s Buck. “It’s nice to see you awake, Chim.” Buck sounds exhausted, he was not in a good way after being separated from his team for so long. Now with 3 of them down and Eddie 12 hours away, it’s getting harder for him to stay positive about anything.
“Hey Buckaroo,” Chimney manages a small smile in his direction.
“Anything new?” Maddie asks her little brother.
“Nope, but I am getting a lot of steps bouncing around being everyone’s little messenger.” Buck complains. “Not that I need them, Athena and I were running all over the city today.”
“How’s she doing with all of this?” Maddie questions. This cannot be easy on Athena, constantly seeing Bobby hurt.
Buck gives a big sigh. He doesn’t think any one of them are doing okay, let alone how Athena’s handling it. “She’s impatient mostly,” Buck says “wants to see Bobby herself, sit by him… I do too.” Maddie notices the red-rimmed eyes of her baby brother.
She stands to give him a hug. “He’s going to be okay Buck, all 3 of them are,” She rubs his back a bit, that always used to comfort him when he was little. “It’s just going to take time.”
“Yeah, before you know it we’ll all be back together at work,” Chimney pipes up. He’s looking sleepy again. It would do him some good to get some more rest.
Maddie lets go of Buck and turns to her husband. “Go back to sleep, honey, I’ll wake you up with any news, okay?”
“Okay,” Chimney responds softly, eyes already closed, drifting off to sleep.
Maddie smiles and turns back to Buck. She takes his hand in hers and lifts her other hand to smooth her thumb on his cheek, under his blood-shot eyes. “Why don’t we go wash your face and then take a trip to see Hen, huh?”
Buck closes his eyes and leans into her hand, allowing himself to soak up the comfort. He slowly nods his head.
Maddie leans up to plant a kiss on his cheek “C’mon, Howie will be fine for a bit.” Still holding his hand, she leads him out the door.
They find a family bathroom just down the hall and head in, locking the door behind them.
Maddie guides him over to the sink, grabbing some paper towels as well. “How are you feeling Buck?”
She wets the towels and begins lightly dapping at his face. Buck would normally brush her off in his moment, claiming he’s doing fine, just worried for the others, which is true… But it’s deeper than that. And this was his big sister asking him, just them two. So he’s honest, “I’m scared,” he says in a small voice.
It was jarring to see this side of Buck come out. For the typical loud and energetic guy he was, to see him sad was unnatural, but somehow it happens quite often. Buck usually spreads happiness and joy, wanting to lift everyone up. Watching him opening up to Maddie in this moment was powerful. She’s honest right back. “Me too,” she says.
She takes a second to wipe her own tears, pregnancy hormones making their appearance, then continues, “But we’re gonna make it through this, just like we always do. Our family is too strong to be stopped by this.”
Buck nods, hearing her words, and tries forcing a small smile. “Promise?” The Buckley siblings know there’s power in their pinky promises. It’s one of Buck’s favorite things he shares with Maddie, that was only theirs.
Maddie huffs a laugh, looking into his eyes. “I promise,” she says, holding out her pinky. “And I will always be right by your side to face this, and anything else that comes our way.”
Buck lets out a breath he’s seemingly been holding in. He’s been trying to hold it together for everyone else, be strong for them. The one time he was truly allowed to break was just after he left Bobby behind the glass, letting Athena help with getting him out and getting him the cure. He couldn’t handle it at first, hearing Bobby say “I love you Kid” and thinking he wasn’t gonna make it out of there alive. Buck sobbed in the hallway outside the door, scared he was losing the only father he’s ever felt seen with.
It wasn’t until Athena came out of the room, with many other men in protective suits, wheeling out an unconscious Bobby rather than a body bag, did he realize what was going on around him. That Bobby was alive and they’d given him a dose of the cure. He was going to be okay. Athena was the one to pull him up from the ground and march with him out of that godforsaken lab. He never wants to think about it ever again.
Maddie pulls him from his thoughts, literally pulling him back towards the door, throwing away the damp paper towels. “Have you heard anything from Eddie yet?” Maddie asks as she opens the bathroom door and they start making their way down the hall towards Hen’s room.
Buck had called Eddie earlier, after they first got to the hospital, informing him of the close call and how Bobby, Chimney, and Hen had all landed a stay in the hospital. “Not since I last called him,” Buck responds. “It’s late over there, he probably fell asleep. I can call him in the morning.”
Maddie knows how close Buck and Eddie are and knows Buck will have even more comfort talking with Eddie about what is happening. But Buck doesn’t want to bother him with his troubles. It’s one thing to cry to your big sister, something else to cry to your best friend who isn’t in the same state. Gosh, he wishes Eddie were here.
The phone in Buck’s pocket suddenly starts ringing. Who could be calling him right now? Everyone he knows is here in this hospital or sleeping in Texas. Buck pulls the phone out and reads the caller ID. Okay, apparently awake in Texas. “It’s Eddie,” Buck tells Maddie, looking back up at her.
“Well speak of the devil,” Maddie says. Eddie really has impeccable timing. Maddie gives him a look ”Aren’t you going to answer it?” They’ve arrived at Hen’s room, waiting outside the door.
“Uhh, Yeah, I guess I should,” Buck says to himself more than her. He hits the green accept button. “Hey Eddie,” Buck clears his throat, motioning for Maddie to head inside the room on her own.
“Hey Buck, how are you doing? Have you seen them yet?” Maddie hears Eddie respond over the phone and knows her brother is in good hands. She makes her way inside Hen’s room, closing the door to give Buck some privacy.
Karen looks back and smiles at her. “Hey Maddie, Chimney resting?”
“Yup, I just left him, he’s doing well. Buck and I thought we’d come give you guys a little visit.”
Hen speaks up from her bed, “Yeah Buck’s been bouncing back and forth between you, us, and Athena,” Hen laughs, “Feels like he’s going to collapse and need a bed of his own soon.”
Maddie sighs, “Let’s hope not.” Maybe Eddie will talk some sense into him and tell him he needs some rest, he did work a full shift today after all. But then again, “I don’t think Buck is stepping foot outside this hospital without seeing Bobby with his own two eyes…”
“Understandable,” Karen smiles. She looks back and sees Buck through the window of the door, talking on the phone, he looks more at ease then he’s been all night, happier. “Who’s he on the phone with?”
“Eddie,” Maddie tells them.
“Isn’t it like the middle of the night in El Paso?” Hen questions.
Maddie shrugs. Eddie cares so much for their family, his family, back home in LA.
It’s at this moment that Buck comes into the room. Up close, he definitely seems happier.
Karen is the first to ask. “What happened Buck?”
“That was Eddie… He.. he and C-Christopher are coming home.” Buck smiles.
Everyone seems to be shocked by the news. Maddie stands. “That’s great Buck, you must be so happy they’ll be back.” Maddie looks toward Hen and Karen, eyebrows raised, then back to Buck.
“Yes, yes of course I am. I've been waiting for them to come back. This was a wake up call, that Eddie needs to be here, with us all…” Buck trails off. He goes to sit down in a chair placed against the window. His head is down, he’s playing and fidgeting with his fingers.
Maddie recognizes that look on her little brother, he’s nervous. “You okay?”
Buck looks up quickly, giving her a small smile before looking back down at his hands again, “Yeah, yeah of course.” He takes a breath. “I- I guess I need to find a new place to stay though,” he chuckles lightly.
Karen scrunches her eyebrows, then gives him a soft look, “I’m sure Eddie would let you stay with them, you’re already there.”
“Yeah, I don’t know... Shouldn’t Eddie and Chris get their time to adjust back to LA alone? I don’t want to impose on their relationship, they are still fixing things between them. I’d just be in the way.”
Hen speaks up, “You wouldn’t be in the way Buck. They both love you and would be happy to have you there.”
Maddie still notices the hesitant and nervous look on her brother’s face. “Hey, I’ll be right back, I need to go grab something.” She looks at Buck, “I’ll see you back in Chim’s room in a bit?”
Buck clears his throat, “Yeah, sure.”
“Good,” she smiles, heading towards the door. “It was nice seeing you Hen, feel better.”
“Thank you Maddie, I appreciate it. Take care of Chim,” Hen replies.
“Of course,” Maddie says, stepping out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
She can hear their conversation pick back up inside. Hen and Karen continue to tell Buck how Eddie and Chris care for him and that he shouldn’t worry about moving out right away. She smiles and starts walking towards the elevators, she knows he’s in good hands. While Maddie is Buck’s big sister, he seemed to gain a few other siblings along the way. And she knows they all care for him like he is their own little brother. She couldn’t be happier to have people she can trust with him.
And speaking of people she can trust with Buck. Maddie sees another one of these people as she is stepping off the elevator, onto the first floor.
There, sitting in one of the uncomfortable waiting room chairs, is Athena. The police sergeant has been sitting there all night, waiting for any news on her husband’s health. Bobby Nash was a friend to all and she knew how much Bobby and Athena loved each other. As well as her brother. They had both taken a liking to him and had treated him as one of their own before Maddie had even made it to LA.
Maddie will always be incredibly grateful that Buck found his 118 family, and thus Athena too. Maddie came down to not only check on Athena, and hear anything about Bobby, but also to hear what she thinks of the news Buck just dropped.
“Athena,” Maddie calls over. “Any news?” Maddie herself has been sick of the ‘how are you?’ questions. When your husband is fighting for his life, there’s no way you are anything close to fine. She spares Athena from lying about that.
Athena lifts her head up, giving Maddie a small smile, “A doctor was just out here, said they should have Bobby set up in a room for me to visit in a few minutes.”
Maddie takes a seat in the chair directly next to her, “That’s great. They took him off the sedation?”
“Yeah, he may be able to wake up soon,” she nods. Maddie grabs her hand that was resting on her lap. She’s offering as much comfort as she can in this moment.
“I’m so happy to hear that. Buck will be thrilled,” Maddie shares.
“I was disappointed the doctor showed up just as Buck went up to check on Chimney, but I knew he would make his way back around to me,” Athena says. “He’s been especially worried.”
Maddie nods, “He really is.” She takes her hand from Athena’s and rests them both in her own lap. “Looks like he’s getting another piece of good news when he learns about Bobby.”
“Oh yeah? What was the first?” Athena asks.
“We were both up just checking in on Hen, she’s doing well by the way,” Maddie shares, she knows her and Hen are close friends and have been for so long. “He was on the phone with Eddie, who is apparently coming home, with Chris.”
Athena turns to look at her, “He must be so glad to have them come back where they belong.”
“Yes, he was for the most part. He also seemed to be worried about the fact that he needs a new place.” Maddie tells her. “We all tried to tell him that Eddie would be more than happy to have him stay, but he was adamant about leaving. He wants to make sure Eddie and Chris have their own space.”
Athena shakes her head, “That boy, always thinking he doesn’t belong. That he isn’t wanted.” Athena has heard so many stories from Bobby, as well as seen with her own eyes, how much Buck seems to talk down on himself. He has a loving family around him that would do anything to make him see how much he is loved. How much they all care for him. “Anyone would be happy to have him.” They love him for who he is, which evidently includes his kind heart. It’s so Buck to want to give Eddie and Chris all the space they need to heal their relationship. He tries his best to make sure he isn’t being too selfish and only taking. There are times he will but for the most part, the people around him need to remind him that it is okay for him to want and to do things for himself. Maybe that’s just what he needs, a constant reminder that he is loved, or rather two constant reminders. She’ll need to speak to Bobby first of course.
“Mrs. Grant-Nash?” says a doctor, pulling her from her thoughts.
Athena quickly looks up at him, standing in front of the chair she’s been wasting away in. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt but you can see your husband now.”
Athena quickly stands, finally stretching out her legs. She doesn’t know how long she’s been in that chair, waiting for this. She only had her thoughts and occasionally Buck to keep herself occupied. She begins following the doctor, no moment to waste, she needs to see Bobby.
Maddie calls out from where she is still by the chairs, “I’ll let Buck know.”
“Yes, Bobby needs him too,” Athena turns back to tell her. Bobby needs his wife, but he also needs his son. And they all know Buck is just as eager to see Bobby as she has been.
Athena follows the doctor to the elevators, going up 2 floors before landing on the 3rd. He leads her down the hallway to room 3012. She finally sees her husband through the window of the door. He’s laying in the bed, sleeping away. He’s paler than normal, but he's alive.
“The sedation is completely out of his system, he’s just sleeping,” the doctor informs her. “He may be able to wake up and talk to you.” He opens the door to let Athena in.
She grabs one of the chairs against the wall and places it right by Bobby’s bedside to sit. She then grabs his hand, bringing it up to her lips in a kiss.
“If he does wake up and is in pain for any reason just hit the call button,” he says pointing to a red button by Bobby’s bed railing. “Otherwise, a nurse will be around periodically to check on him.”
Athena rests their joined hands on the bed, staring at Bobby’s resting face. “Thank you doctor. For everything.”
The doctor opens the door, “My pleasure,” he says, leaving the husband and wife to themselves.
Athena waits in the silence for a moment before speaking. Bobby looks so pale, laying on the bed. “I’m here honey,” she speaks to him. “You can wake up now.” When no movement comes, she sighs and begins moving her thumb back and forth against the top of Bobby’s hand.
“Wake up Baby, please.” Athena lowers her head and rests it on Bobby’s covered leg, just waiting.
It isn’t until 5 minutes later that Bobby slowly blinks his eyes awake. It takes a moment for him to adjust to the bright lights of the hospital room. He feels a weight on his leg and hand, looking down to see his wife. Athena hasn’t noticed he’s awake yet, head still down, tracing patterns with her finger absentmindedly.
“Honey,” Bobby finally says in a hoarse voice. He’s been out for hours now. He clears his throat while Athena’s eyes snap up to meet his. They both smile at each other.
“You’re okay Baby,” she smiles, standing up to press a kiss to his head. “You’re all going to be okay. You, Hen, and Chim.”
“That’s good to hear,” he mumbles back softly. “And how is Buck doing?” After their ‘goodbye’ when Bobby thought he was really gone forever, it must have taken a big toll on him.
Athena chuckles, of course that would be Bobby’s first question after waking up. “He’s alright. He’ll be better once he actually sees you.” Athena knows Buck has been waiting this entire time to make sure Bobby is alright and see him with his own two eyes. Speaking of- Maddie should have told him by now, he should be here at any moment. She should probably share her idea with Bobby. “Eddie called him, said he and Christopher are moving back, that their family is here,” she shares.
Bobby’s eyes light up, “Really? That’s great. They belong here,” he smiles, it’s the most emotion he’s shown since waking up. “Buck must be thrilled,” says Bobby, grinning.
“Ha, that’s one word for it,” Athena tells him. “Based on what Maddie was telling me, he’s happy, but he’s insisting that he needs to find a new place to live.”
“What? Why would he think that?”
“You know how our boy is. Stubborn thinking and all.”
“Our?” Bobby questions with a grin. “Don’t tell me you’ve now claimed him alongside me.” Bobby has been a father figure turned father to Buck for many years now. And while Buck and Athena’s relationship did start off a bit rocky, she still grew to love the wonderful young man he’s become.
“Well you know what May says… While I brought 2 kids into the marriage, you brought one too. And that’s actually what I wanted to ask you about.”
Bobby chuckles, he knows where this is going. “Go on…”
“I don’t know how that boy wormed his way into my heart but he did. And I think right now he needs a reminder that he’s in our hearts,” Athena says. “The house has just finished, and we have plenty of room. We should ask him if he wants to live with us.”
Bobby gives her the biggest grin that he can manage. He ducks his head a bit to meet her eye, “I think that’s a great idea.”
“I’m glad you agree,” Athena goes to meet him for a kiss. “And this way, we can keep a closer eye on him.”
“I love your thinking Honey,” Bobby winks at her.
Just then, the door to the hospital room bursts open. It’s Buck. Athena stands and moves back to make room for Buck to go up to Bobby’s bedside.
“Hey kid,” Bobby says softly, grinning at him. Buck takes a deep breath, unable to stop the smile forming on his face, he moves closer to Bobby.
Coming up to his bed, Buck slowly wraps his arms around Bobby in a hug, careful not to hurt him.
“I love you too, Pops.” Buck reluctantly pulls back, Bobby notices his teary eyes. “I never said it back.”
The older man lifts his hand to hold the side of Buck’s face. “I know you felt the same. You never had to say a word.”
Buck goes back in for the hug. “Still, I wanted to say it.”
Bobby presses a kiss to Buck’s head that is tucked against his neck. “Well aren't you two a cute father son duo,” Athena teases. Immediately, Buck hides his face away. A bright pink hue appearing on his cheeks.
Meanwhile, Bobby gives his wife a smirk. “And what about his dear mother?”
“Quiet you.” Sergeant Grant quickly taps her husband's shoulder in a playful form of a smack. She loved Buck deeply. That was her sweet boy cuddled up in his father's arms. Yet, she is certain Buck doesn't feel the same. She could have nothing more than a step-mother relationship with him, if she was lucky.
Her attention is pulled back to her duo by Buck shifting in the hug. As Buck pulls away and goes to sit in the seat previously occupied by Athena, he hears her behind him. “By the way, Buckaroo, we have something to ask you,” she says.
Buck is confused for a moment. He shoots Bobby a questioning look then looks back at Athena. “What?”
“We heard that Eddie is moving back and that you were looking for somewhere new to stay,” Athena explains. “And while Eddie would of course love to keep you, Bobby and I were thinking that you could move in with us if you wanted.”
Buck opens his mouth to respond, then closes it again, not sure how to respond.
Bobby adds his take, “We have plenty of space in the new place. And besides, you'd bring some life into the house.”
“No, I can’t impose, that’s your dream home, for you and Athena.”
“Which is too empty and way too big for just the two of us,” Athena says. “You’d be doing us a favor Buck, we want you there.”
“Are you guys sure?” Buck still seems hesitant at the idea. It isn’t like he wouldn’t love to live with them, he loves Bobby and Athena. “Wouldn’t I be in the way?”
“Not at all,” Athena reassures him. “You can come live with us for a bit, see how you feel, and then look for your own place if you really want to.”
Buck takes a moment to look back and forth between Bobby and Athena, contemplating. “Okay,” Buck says, giving them a small smile. It could be fun having roommates again. Maybe he won’t feel so alone.