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The dread that makes itself at home in Tommy, tightening around his chest, and laying heavy in his stomach, never would have existed if he’d stayed with the 118.
Now, sitting alone at the kitchen island, as the 217 swap sexist anecdotes, he longs for the harmless teasing with Hen and Howie. Or the heart-to-heart’s with Bobby that he’d grown to love in those wonderful, dream-like six months.
To make matters worse, a new recruit has entered the building, filled with the nerves and excitement every rookie has. And he is about to regret ever signing up.
The next victim of Captain Collins’ chopping block stops by the couch, where said Captain is reading the morning paper.
“Uh, hi. I'm Evan Buckley, new recruit,” he stammers, bashfully, with an awkwardness that has everybody there drawing up unfunny jokes they can hold against him. Well, everybody aside from Tommy. “I was told to report to Captain Collins.”
Nobody looks at him, but Tommy can’t help but stare.
Like the sun, he burns too brightly to be ignored.
Evan clears his throat. “But, um, you can call me Buck.” Fear takes hold, as he clings to the strap of his backpack. “If you want.”
“Tell me, Buck.” Captain Collins barks. He throws the paper down onto the coffee table and stands up. “Do you think it’s acceptable to show up on your first day in your sweats?”
All the color from Evan’s face is gone. “Uh, ur, my instructor told me.”
“Ur, ur. Well he’s not your instructor anymore.” Collins mocks. “This is my house, and you’ll listen to my rules.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“You can start by cleaning the trucks.”
Evan turns his head to where the muck covered trucks are sitting, engines still warm from their trip into flooded farmland.
It’s no wonder Captain Collins left them dirty since he must have known Evan would be arriving today.
Collins turns his attention away from Buck, returning to the group, who howl with laughter at something he whispers. He then, loudly complains, “Why do they keep sending us these fucking kids?”
Evan looks like he’s about to fall. So, he is lucky that Tommy is good at catching.
“Hey.” Tommy closes the distance between them. “I’m Tommy.” He nods his head backward. “Let me show you the ropes.”
Evan frowns. “Really?”
Tommy raises his eyebrows and smiles. “Really.”
Ignoring the hallow laughter of their team, Tommy leads Evan into the locker room, and finds him an empty locker. “Did you bring a lock?”
Evan’s eyes widen. “Oh, I didn’t know I needed one.”
“Don’t worry.” Tommy opens his locker and takes out his spare lock. “It was different at my old station, so I didn’t know either,” he reassures. “This is the one I use at the gym, you can borrow it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.” He rests his back against the wall. “Oh, and the code is 1-3-1-8.”
“Thanks.” Evan takes it off him, and then pulls off his backpack, to put inside.
“So, you just graduated.” Tommy crosses his arms. “Congrats.”
“Yeah, yeah, just finished the academy.” Evan’s smile returns, and the dread in Tommy’s chest starts to dissipate. “I’m excited to get started.”
“Look, follow me, and Captain Collins will leave you alone.” Tommy hums. “Mostly.”
“So, this isn’t like a twisted tough love bit that he does, then?”
“Unfortunately, not.” He huffs. “Just tough ‘teasing.’ Which is usually grounds for complaints to HR.” He lowers his voice to a whisper. “Between you and me, they’re waiting for when he reaches retirement.”
“Hopefully soon then,” Evan jokes.
Tommy chuckles. “Yeah.” He straightens his back and fixes his eyes on Evan. “Listen, kid, you’ve been dealt a shit hand, but don’t let it run you down. I had a Captain like him once, and I used to stoop to his level.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, I did.” He takes a deep breath. “I hurt people who I should have helped. I won’t repeat those mistakes.”
“I get that.” Evan wrings his hands. “So, are you new around here?” He jabs his thumb in the direction of the main entrance. “I didn’t see your picture on the wall.”
“Oh, apparently you have to earn your place.” Captain Collins explanation comes screaming back to him. “I’ve been here two months now, I was with the 118 before.”
“The 118? I was almost assigned there!” Evan exclaims. “But I twisted my ankle in training, got held back for a few months.”
Tommy hisses. “Tough break.”
Evan takes a long purposeful breath. “I can make this work.”
"Of course you can." Tommy playfully nudges Evan’s shoulder as he heads for the door. “Everybody here is scared to go against Collins, but they will eventually open up when he’s not looking. You’ve just gotta find a common interest.”
“Common interest,” Buck repeats. “I can do that.”
Three months into Evan’s employment, and Tommy feels like he’s been watching an wounded animal take its first steps but slip over each hurdle.
It is no fault of Evan’s own.
He’s doing everything he can to impress people. It is a shame those people don’t deserve to be impressed by him.
They turn their noses up at his attempts of conversation. None of them interact with him on calls, unless Tommy pulls him in faster than they can ignore his existence.
Today though, is looking up.
As Tommy strides into work, he notices Evan sitting on the couch, engaged in a conversation with Joseph and Charlie.
If Evan wins their friendship, the tension will be sure to fade.
Charlie has turned a new shade of a red. “She called you firehose?!”
Joseph clicks his fingers as he flaps his hand in Evan’s direction. “I’m taking that!”
Evan half shrugs. “It’s worked for me.”
Charlie grips Evan’s shoulder. “Yeah, but you’re like half his age.”
“And he’s looking great,” Evan adds, with a wide smile.
“I love this kid!” Joseph shouts, drumming his hands against the arm of the couch.
“Our new hookup expert,” Charlie comments.
Tommy’s excitement levels plummet to the ground.
“So, this girl, you seeing her again?” Joseph asks.
“It was just a one-night thing,” Evan answers.
The pair start cooing in response, and then start talking over each-other.
“Who knew you were such a player, Buck!”
“I bet he doesn’t even remember her name!”
“He doesn’t! He sooo doesn’t!”
Evan catches Tommy’s gaze and smiles. “Hey Tommy!”
Tommy points to the trucks. “Can I get your help?”
“Sure!” Evan hops off the couch and follows Tommy around to the opposite side of the trucks. Before Tommy can even say a word, Evan’s smile morphs into a frown. “What’s wrong?”
“What was that?” Tommy snaps, keeping his voice low.
“Um, what?"
“I told you to find common interests.” Tommy tells him. “A movie, or a book, or a football team, not disrespecting women!”
“You don't understand--"
“This won't make them like you,” he interrupts. “They will like this version of yourself that you’ve decided to lead with.” He lays a hand against his own chest. “I was this guy, remember?"
“Tommy, I—”
“Do you remember her name?”
“What?”
“The woman you had sex with, do you remember her name?”
“Jessica,” Evan answers, without hesitation.
“Good, at least you’re not a complete tool.” Tommy squeezes Evan’s shoulder. “I know what this is like, feeling like you have to pretend to be somebody you’re not. But eventually, you’ll hate yourself, because you’ll become that person.”
“I don’t want that, Tommy,” Evan blurts. “I promise.”
“I know that,” Tommy says. “I’m sure if you go and mention football, they’ll forget about what they were talking about."
“I can try that.”
“Good luck.”
If Buck hadn’t met Tommy, he would have moved on by now. He hasn’t stayed in one place this long before. At least, not since Hershey, but he was tied down to his parents there.
Now, here in Los Angeles, it feels like he’s been cut free.
Still, not completely.
While the majority of the team have grown to tolerate or even like him, Captain Collins refuses to acknowledge him, unless it is to tease or complain.
They arrived at a fifteen-car pileup, with multiple causalities' and life-changing injuries.
Instead of spreading resources, Collins just asked Buck to hand out waters to victims who have managed to get out of their cars.
It is an important job, but one already completed by responding officers.
The 217 are all surrounding ground zero, attempting to save the driver who started it all.
Buck’s stops when he hears the distant sound of a child sobbing. He tries to concentrate over the chaos that surrounds him. Then, in the distance, three cars away from where the team are working, he notices a woman, who has extended her arm out of her window, to gain somebody’s attention.
Nobody has looked her way.
Buck grabs a crowbar from the truck and sprints over, remaining in the blind spots of his Captain. “Ma’am, LAFD,” he announces, leaning down for her to see.
“The door is stuck!” She slams her hand against it. “My son, is he, is he—”
Buck steps back, peeking through the smashed window. “He’s okay, just scared. Let’s get you both out of here.”
“Thank you, thank you.”
Buck pushes the crowbar into the door, and pops it open with ease.
Collins’ voice booms. “Buckley!”
The Mother half hangs out of the door, blood seeping from her side. “Oh, hey, hey.” Evan catches her weight. “I’ve got you – I need help!”
Two paramedics from another station, who must have recently arrived, charge over. “We’ll take it from here.”
Evan steps back, but the Mother follows him, with wild eyes. “My baby!”
Evan pries open the back door and leans inside. “Hey, little guy.” He checks his vitals and looks for any noticeable injuries, but he finds nothing. “Let’s get—” his arm catches a shards of glass, cutting into his skin, he hisses through the sting, as he gathers the baby into his arms.
“I can take him,” one of the paramedics, says, reaching over.
“Thank you.” Buck sighs, as he hands the child over.
“Buckley, over here now!” Collins is standing on the side, hands pressed against his hips.
Reluctantly, Buck walks towards him.
“You could have killed somebody,” Collins spits.
“But I didn’t, right?” Buck isn’t sure where the confidence has come from, but he leans into it. “I just saved a mother and her baby, that you abandoned!”
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Collins presses his face close to Buck’s. “I tell you to do something, you do it!”
“Not one person checked on her!” Buck screams. “You chose the guy who caused this mess, over the helpless victims!”
“Okay, okay! That is enough!” A Sergeant stands between them. She sends a glare in Collins direction. “We will discuss how to talk to our subordinates later, Captain!”
Collins says nothing as he strides away.
“And you…” The Sergeant turns to Buck. “You do not get to choose who lives and who dies.”
“Really?” Buck tilts his head. “I was under the impression that kind of was my job.”
A gentle hand grips onto Buck’s shoulder and hauls him aside. “I will handle this, Athena,” Tommy says.
“Okay.” Athena darts her eyes between them. “Tell your friend to be careful next time or he’ll have me to answer to.”
“He understands,” Tommy replies.
Without once taking his hand away from Buck’s arm, Tommy guides him over to the back of an empty ambulance and sits him down.
“Let me see your arm,” Tommy holds out his palm and waits.
With great difficulty, Buck rolls up with sleeve, with a little help from Tommy. “You won’t need stitches, at least.” Tommy gathers supplies. “You’re an idiot, by the way – the last person you want to anger in this world is Athena.”
Buck hisses. “She took his side.”
“She didn’t take a side, Evan. This isn’t a playground.” Tommy corrects. “Lashing out in anger isn’t going to fix all your problems for you.”
Buck doesn’t say anything. He wishes anger fixed everything, since he’s filled with it. Words he never said to his parents lay underneath his skin and become insults hurled at people who dare push his buttons.
“I had spoken to that mother already, but we knew it was safer to get that driver out first,” Tommy tells him, and Buck’s certainty crumbles into nothing. “Because his car was leaking fuel. But you didn’t know that, you didn’t have the whole picture. You got lucky, that your decision didn’t cost that man his life.”
Guilt swallows him whole, and he’s left without anything to say.
“And he isn’t drunk.” Tommy might as well be pouring salt on his open wound. “Not from what we can tell, but even if he were drunk, and he’d caused all of this, he still deserved to be saved. It is your job to unlearn those prejudices that you have.”
“And I will,” Buck finally speaks. “I’m sorry, Tommy. I just wanted to save them.”
“I know you did.” Tommy tilts Buck’s head up, to face him. “And I know, we both hate Collins, but we still have to follow his lead.”
Buck nods, slowly.
Tommy finishes tying the bandage. “Let’s grab a beer later, and we can talk?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
Buck tucks himself into the corner of the booth, with his beer in his hand, as Tommy takes a seat opposite. “Did you invite the others?”
“No.” Tommy sips his drink. “The less time I spend with them, the better.”
“But not me?”
“When it’s just us, you’re actually Evan Buckley. Not the caricature they all know.”
Buck can’t remember the last time he was open with somebody about how he was feeling. It was likely Maddie, or a college friend.
Nothing in his life has ever worked out the way he planned, and he doesn’t want to chase Tommy away.
But he can’t escape Tommy’s eagerness to know the real him.
“Not many people like the real me,” Buck says.
“I do.”
“So, why have you never taken me out in the helicopter?” Buck asks, with a smile.
“You’ve never asked.”
Buck leans closer. “Can I—"
“I’ll take you out in a helicopter.”
Buck chuckles as he settles back. “When did you start learning to fly?”
“I was a pilot in the army first.” Tommy beams. “I love it up there; I feel free, like I can really be me."
“That’s good.”
“Do you have any hobbies?”
“No.” Buck shakes his head. “Not really.”
Worry fills Tommy’s eyes. “Evan—”
“These past few years, I’ve gone in circles,” Buck explains. “Leaving jobs, leaving states, and leaving everything behind.”
“You’re a great firefighter,” Tommy says, for the hundredth time. “You’re just stuck with a shitty Captain who hates anybody who isn’t old enough to remember bread costing a nickel.”
Buck snorts, ducking his head.
“You should stay—I believe this is your calling.” Tommy takes a swig of his beer. “And you’re still young, it will get better.”
“I hope so.”
“I never should have left the 118,” Tommy admits. “That place was starting to feel like home.”
Tommy doesn’t share much about the 118. Aside from one story. Two months into Buck’s employment, Tommy’s friend and former colleague, Howie, was involved in a car accident that should have been fatal, but he survived. Nobody can discuss it without denying the plausibility of it all.
“We got a new Captain, and he ran things better than anybody,” Tommy continues. “I had a good friends there, too.”
“Well, I’m glad I got assigned to the 217.”
Tommy scrunches his nose. “Why?”
“Because I met you."
“Yeah.” Tommy grins. “I’m great.”
Buck smiles fondly.
“And so are you,” Tommy adds, nudging Buck’s leg with his foot.
“Where else would I get these life lessons?” Buck asks, leaning his chin in his hands.
“My fees are competitive.”
“Oh, so this wisdom isn’t free?”
“The trial has ended.”
“I’ll buy your next round?”
“…Good enough.”
Tommy has two things he needs to tell Evan Buckley, and still, not a single word about either has passed his lips.
He doesn’t usually get tongue-tied or flustered, but he hasn’t cared about anyone as deeply as he does about Evan, for such a long time.
He feels an innate need to keep him sheltered from whatever may try to hurt him, and that includes the news he is harbouring.
It can’t be a text, it can’t be a phone call, and it certainly cannot be at work.
He paces his apartment, and eyes his keys on the table, wondering if it would be wrong to drive straight to Evan’s place.
But Evan lives with five other guys, in what can only be described as a frat house, and they don’t need an audience.
Before he can make a decision, there is a knock at his door, and as he pulls it open, all his prayers are answered. “Evan—”
The world around them darkens when Tommy notices the sadness in Evan’s pinched expression.
“What’s wrong?” Tommy asks.
“When are you leaving?” There’s such a heaviness in Evan’s tone, and he must be trying so hard not to seem upset.
Out of all the ways it could have happened, Tommy didn’t want this. He can’t believe he forgot Evan was working a shift without him, and Collins cannot keep his mouth shut. “Come inside.”
Tommy is barely done closing the door when Evan speaks up. “It’s true?”
“I was going to tell you.”
“But you didn’t.”
“This isn’t about you, Evan.” Tommy crosses his arms. “This is my dream. This is all I’ve wanted, and I can do it now. There’s nothing holding me back.”
“Nothing?” Evan’s voice cracks.
“I know that you’re scared, about being left behind, and that’s why I wanted to do this, on my terms.” Tommy steps closer. “You won’t lose me. I’m your friend, I won’t just disappear.”
Buck takes a desperate breath.
“I start in a few months.” The dread makes itself known again in Tommy’s chest. “The team are growing to like you, and they’ll cut you slack, I know they will.”
“I don’t care about that—I just, I just, ur,” Evan stammers. “I don’t have anybody; I don’t talk to my parents. I don’t even—” He looks away, tears filling his eyes. “I don’t talk to my sister, and I will always regret leaving without her. And the people I live with, they are loud, messy, and I barely know them.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Evan.” Tommy stands, nearly toe-to-toe with him. “I don’t wanna lose you either.”
Evan’s tone changes, filled with equal parts hope and fear. “You promise?”
“Of course, I promise, and—”
Buck catches Tommy’s elbow and draws him into a kiss.
Tommy closes his eyes and forgets what he was about to say. He traces his hand down Evan’s back, before gripping his shirt with all his might. He has to savour everything; the quickened pace of his heart, the tightness of Evan’s grip on his arm, and the relief that overwhelms him.
Buck pulls apart, and stumbles back, his mouth hanging open. “Sorry.”
Tommy is too caught in the moment, that he isn’t quick enough to catch Evan before he flees. “Evan!”
He grabs his keys and sprints out, to where Evan is racing toward his car.
“Evan, stop!”
“Let me go, Tommy,” Evan pleads, his voice tangled with hiccupped cries.
Tommy stops, searching for a way to keep him there. “Buck, please.”
Evan skids his feet against the gravel but doesn’t turn. “I’m sorry, okay?” He cries. “I understand if you never wanna talk to me again or—”
Tommy grabs his hand and stands in front of him. “It’s okay.” He presses a kiss against Evan’s forehead. “It was more than okay.”
Evan trembles, gripping onto Tommy’s hand with everything he has. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Tommy nods frantically. “Are you?”
“Yes.”
“Come inside,” Tommy begs, clinging to Evan’s shaking hands. “I don’t want you driving like this.”
“Okay.”
“And we can talk, about everything or nothing. Whatever you need right now.”
Evan falls him into his open arms, and Tommy isn’t sure he can ever let him go.
Buck has always put the rainbow flag in his Instagram bio during pride month. Now, it’s there permanently, alongside pink, purple, and blue hearts.
After hours of being held tightly in Tommy’s arms while he scrolls his phone, taking BuzzFeed quizzes, and researching queer history, he landed on his conclusion.
He is bisexual.
There are no words, in any language, to define the feeling of relief when he finally found the answers about himself that he’s been looking for.
There’s only one thing missing. He bought a postcard with a rainbow on the front and said everything he wishes he could say to Maddie.
Even if the silence between them persists, he knows that she’s thinking of him, and that is enough for now.
Buck and Tommy have spent three months, as Buck and Tommy.
Captain Collins must see their paperwork filled out for HR, but never says a word, to their surprise. He likely has one too many strikes against him and must be concerned about the possibility of losing his pension.
“Oh, you’re adorable,” Tommy coos, as he turns the firetruck down into the residential road.
“What?”
“Revenge of the Sith beats Return of the Jedi, every time.” Tommy pulls to a stop.
“Stop lying to yourself, babe.”
“You’re lucky we’ve arrived.” Tommy unclips his belt and jumps out.
Buck circles the truck to meet him on the grass verge. “I would have won.”
“We’ll see about that later.”
Buck looks up to the house and his stomach turns when he recognizes the Sergeant leaving the house. “Sergeant Grant?”
She eyes him, up and down. “Oh, it’s you.”
Buck ducks his head. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“Guess this is your second chance.” Athena gestures to the house. “The victim is inside. Daylight robbery, two masked men, they weren’t aware the mother and child were home sleeping. Left pretty quickly when they realized.”
Buck and Tommy navigate broken glass across the hardwood floors, as Athena leads them into the kitchen.
“This is Cassandra,” Athena introduces—Cassandra is sitting on the floor, blood gushing out of a head wound to her right temple. She is cradling her baby daughter close to her chest.
“I’m okay,” Cassandra hiccups. “I just tripped trying to hide.”
Tommy kneels in front of her and softens his voice. “Well, let us take a look, to make sure you’re okay.”
“Okay.”
Buck kneels, and immediately the little girl holds out a curious hand. “Oh, hey there,” Buck sings, allowing her to grip his finger.
“Robin,” Cassandra tells him.
Buck smiles, wide. “Hello, Robin.”
“She was saint.” Cassandra sniffs. “Didn’t cry once.”
“Must get her bravery from her mom,” Tommy says, as he gently pads around her wound.
“I have another unit on their way,” Athena announces. “I’ll be outside if you need me.”
“Thank you,” Buck replies.
Athena steps outside but leaves the front door half open.
“I’ve heard about these daylight robberies, but I never thought it would happen to us.” Cassandra grits her teeth, through her clear pain. “Naïve, I know.”
“Not naïve, no.” Tommy reassures her. “It’s hard to imagine an emergency happening to you, until it does. But you were great, and you kept the little one safe.”
Before Cassandra can speak again, there are four distant booms, which send them all into panicked silence.
“Oh, my god!” Cassandra draws Robin closer to her.
Buck slowly stands up, peering his head down the hallway, toward the front door.
“Suspect on a motorcycle, heading east on Lambert!” Athena screams, from outside, into her radio.
“They’re coming back,” Buck whispers.
Tommy grabs the cuff of his trousers. “Stay low!”
Buck pulls free, edging closer to the front door.
Tommy pleads, “Evan—"
“The door is open.”
“Please don’t.”
Buck doesn’t look at Tommy, because if he does, then he won’t be able to leave. So, instead he speeds across the room, and rushes for the front door.
Outside, Athena is in the street, gun raised, and one of the perpetrators is speeding towards her, his weapon in hand.
Perhaps it isn’t logical, but Buck sprints to the firetruck, climbs onto the roof, and grabs the firehose. He’s just in time, to send a blast of water in the perp’s direction, knocking him off the bike and onto the sidewalk opposite.
Athena looks back, relief flooding her face. She nods, as a thank you, and charges over to cuff him.
Buck leans backwards, allowing his shoulders sag and his defences to fall.
His ears perk up, to the sound of another engine. There were two robberies, which means two motorcycles and two guns.
There are two police cars on the perp’s tail, but they’re far behind.
Buck then notices that this time, the gun is aimed at him.
“Get down!” Athena bellows.
The weapon is fired, Buck narrowly misses the bullet as he scrambles away.
He doesn’t realize he’s falling until it is too late.
Tommy doesn’t see what happens. All he hears is Evan’s blood curling scream that follows.
“Evan!” He doesn’t even consider the danger when he darts across the lawn to his partner’s side. “Evan, Evan—"
Tears are pouring down Evan’s face, his eyes are squeezed shut, and sobs keep catching in his throat. “Tommy?"
“Evan.” Tommy doesn’t know where to put his hands. He can’t cause him pain, he refuses to. “Are you hit? Are you—”
“No, no,” Evan pants, his wavering tone breaks Tommy’s heart. “My arm.”
“Hey, baby.” Tommy brushes a gentle hand through Evan’s hair. "I'm so sorry, I'm sorry."
He wasn't quick enough to catch him this time.
Evan must have fallen off the firetruck. Tommy didn’t see any of it, but there must have been a reason. Evan may be reckless, but he always has a reason.
Evan leans into Tommy’s touch and takes slow breaths. “Is she okay?”
She? Then, Tommy realizes. “Athena!”
Seconds later she charges toward them. Uninjured, but on high alert. She speaks into her radio, “727-L-30 requesting R.A. unit to Lambert. I have a firefighter in need of medical attention.”
“Are you okay?” Tommy asks her.
She stops. “I’m okay.”
Tommy feels Evan move below him, as he attempts to sit up.
“Hey, hey, stop.” Tommy rushes support Evan’s back.
“It hurts, it hurts,” Evan sobs, dropping forward.
“I know, baby, I know.” Tommy presses a kiss against Evan’s temple.
Evan lays his head against the nook of Tommy’s shoulder, as his cries overwhelm him.
“I’ll grab him some water.” Athena heads into the house, as fast as possible.
“Help is coming,” Tommy whispers into his ear.
It isn’t long until the sirens of an ambulance and firetruck can be heard. And like a beacon of hope, the numbers 118 are printed on the side.
Tommy starts beckoning toward them. “Hen, Howie, over here!”
Evan whimpers. “What?”
“Oh, hey Tommy,” Howie greets.
Hen kneels beside them. “This must be Buck.”
Evan hums but doesn’t say much else. Tommy’s sure that when he’s recovered, he’ll have plenty of questions about how Hen already knew his name.
“He played the hero and got hurt,” Tommy assumes. From the look of fear in Athena’s eyes, seconds ago, it’s the only possible conclusion.
“Well, that’s how origin stories are born!” Howie hypes him up, as he does with everybody. “Right, Buckaroo?"
“Mhm,” Evan replies.
“Let’s get you sorted out,” Hen speaks softly.
After being treated, and given a few rounds of pain medication, they transfer Evan onto a gurney.
Howie rest a hand on Tommy’s back. “You riding with him, Tommy?”
“Yes.” Tommy clings to Buck’s hand. “Oh, wait, the truck—"
“We can get that taken back to your station,” Bobby informs him.
“Thanks, Bobby.”
Bobby looks around, confused. “Where’s the rest of your team?”
“I assume they’re at the station.”
Bobby narrows his eyes. “Two of you, for a high priority call?”
“You can’t interrupt Captain Collins during a poker game,” Buck babbles.
Bobby hums, judgement laced in his tone. “It is good to meet you, Buck.” He smiles. “We’ll talk when you’re feeling better.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Tommy says, before Bobby walks away.
Athena stops him. “Everything okay?”
“I need to talk to the chief,” Bobby tells her, taking out his personal phone.
Evan’s eyes double in size. “Am I in trouble?”
Tommy chuckles fondly. “No, you’re not in trouble.”
“Good.”
“But the daredevil routine?” Tommy kisses his cheek. “Never do that again.”
“No promises.”
Tommy catches a glimpse of Hen’s smile. They have plenty to catch up on.
“Oh, hey ‘Thena!” Evan exclaims, with a drunken grin.
Athena offers him her warmest smile. “Thank you for saving my life.”
“No problem!” He shouts, high-pitched.
Tommy squeezes the bridge of his nose. “He’s quite high right now.”
“No, you’re high,” Evan slurs.
Tommy pulls Athena into a half-hug, not willing to free his one hand from Evan’s grip. “See you around, Athena.”
“I am so hungry,” Evan announces as he takes a seat on Tommy’s couch.
Tommy gabs his thumb backward. “You had like six pudding cups at the hospital.”
“Those portion sizes are for children!”
“Sure.” Tommy snorts. “How did you get so many?”
“The Nurse was nice.”
Tommy tilts his head to his shoulder. “Did she give you a sticker, too?” he teases.
Evan playfully nudges him with his foot.
Tommy scrolls his phone. “Hen and Howie would like to meet you properly.”
“Oh, really?” The doorbell rings, and Evan lights up. “Is that food?”
“I haven’t even ordered yet.” It’s nearing ten o’clock, there’s not many people it can be. Tommy swings open the door. “Oh, hey Bobby.”
“Do you have five minutes?”
“Yeah.” Tommy ushers him inside and closes the door.
“Oh, good, you’re here too, Buck.” Bobby smiles. “How are you feeling?”
“Um, ur, good,” Evan stammers. “Thanks to your team.” He stands up and shakes Bobby’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too, by the way.”
"Likewise." Bobby laughs gently. “Sergeant Grant was singing your praises earlier. Said you were real asset.”
Tommy watches the color flood Evan’s cheeks.
“I want you to join us, at the 118.”
Evan stares at him, mouth hanging open. It takes him a while to compute what he is hearing. “Really?”
“Your talents would be valued, and so would you.”
Evan’s gaze moves onto Tommy, who can’t hide his grin. “I would love that, thank you.”
“Tommy, we have space for you, too.” Bobby says. “Everybody would love to have you back.”
“As much as I would love that, I’m transferring to air operations.”
“I wondered when you’d end up there.” Bobby’s forehead creases as he thinks. “I believe Chim owes Hen twenty bucks.”
“I owe her forty,” Tommy adds.
“You’ll do brilliantly,” Bobby praises. He turns his attention to Evan. “How long are you off active duty?” He gestures to the sling which is holding Evan’s casted left arm into position.
“Eight weeks,” Evan complains.
“He’ll be climbing the walls,” Tommy teases.
Bobby steps toward the door. “Well, the 118 will be waiting for you!”
“Thank you so much,” Evan is speaking at a mile a minute, like a kid on Christmas morning.
“I’ll leave you two to your evening.”
The three of them echo their goodbyes, and then Bobby is gone.
But he’s part of their life permanently now, and Tommy couldn’t be more glad.
Evan ducks his forehead against Tommy’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Thank you?” Tommy tilts Evan’s chin up with his two fingers. “For what?”
“For everything."