A/N: Hi y'all! Thank you for going on this journey with me. This is my first published fanfiction so any constructive criticism is welcome. Super big shout-out to fbi-woman for reviewing this and giving me the courage to continue with it. It starts after 1.07 and will be mostly AU.

Disclaimer: I do not own 9-1-1 or any of its characters.

As Abby blinked slowly to rid her eyes of sleep, she realized that she was snuggled against his toned chest; his arm draped around her shoulders keeping her close while he slept. The sun had recently begun to peek through the curtains giving her a few moments to collect herself before he woke. Her fingers mindlessly drew circles over his chest as she fought with her heart. She knew getting involved with a younger man would have its drawbacks. They already had many things against them with their age difference, but as her fingers traced his tattoo on his chest, she decided to have fun for once. She owed herself that much. She couldn't remember the last time when she had felt so alive.

Buck chose that moment to stir. He rubbed his eyes before they focused on her and a smile graced his lips.

"Good morning."

"Good morning." He replied before brushing a kiss to the top of her head. "Sleep well?"

She tilted her head to see his face. "I did. Did you?"

"Best night of sleep in a long time."

She tried not to overthink that statement as she met his lips with hers.

"How are you feeling this morning?"

A soft giggle past her lips. When was the last time a man had asked her that question? "I'm okay. A little sore."

He flipped their positions, so he lay on top of her, using his elbows to keep from crushing her. He pushed a strand of hair from her face as he gazed into her eyes. "Do you know how beautiful you are?" Before she could respond, he lowered his lips to hers.

She slid her hands around his neck as she reacquainted her lips to his. His hands just began to roam when she heard her name being called from the other room.

A groan escaped her lips when she realized her mom was calling for her. If she didn't make an appearance soon, she was sure her mom would go looking for her.

She pushed on his chest to stop his advances. "I'm sorry. I have to go get her."

He placed a quick kiss to her lips then shifted off his weight off her. "It's fine. Do you mind if I grab a quick shower?"

"Sure."

She grabbed her glasses and donned a suit of clothes. She turned at the door and watched as he pulled his pants over his hips. She wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed and continue where they left off, but her mom needed her.

"Morning Mom." She said as she reached for the coffee maker. When she didn't reply, Abby placed the coffee pot down and made her way into the living room. Hoping her mom simply didn't hear her, she tried again. "Good morning Mom."

Patricia was staring into space when Abby placed a hand on her shoulder. Patricia jumped as her gaze crashed into Abby's. "Abby?"

Abby slowly pulled her hand away as a sinking feeling hit her in the pit of her stomach. "Mom. It's me. Didn't you hear me?"

"I… I was… I couldn't…" Abby's heart ached as she watched her mom struggle to describe what she had been thinking.

"It's okay, Mom. I'm about to start coffee. What would you like for breakfast?"

"I don't want to eat."

Abby tried to push the comment aside. "You have to eat. Is there anything special you would like this morning?"

"I don't want to eat."

Abby relented at the adamancy in her voice. "Okay."

Abby couldn't shake the feeling something wasn't right. She decided to text Carla to get her opinion. As she put down her phone, Buck appeared from her bedroom.

He rushed to her side the moment he noticed her expression. "Is everything okay?"

She shook her head. "Mom's not acting right." A soft ding filled the otherwise quiet room. She took a deep breath as she read the text. "Carla is on her way over."

When he took a step toward her, she held up her hand to stop him. "Please don't." The hurt in his eyes couldn't be missed. She couldn't deal with it all and at that moment, she really needed space to deal with her mom. "Can I call you later please?"

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay? For support?"

Abby shook her head. "I've made it this long alone. I'll be fine."

She watched as he hesitated before placing a kiss to her cheek. "I'll talk to you later."

Abby turned back to the task of making coffee after the door clicked closed. She knew she was pushing him away, but she had always taken care of her mom alone. She didn't know how to lean on someone else.

She poured two cups of coffee, placing sugar in one. She handed the one without sugar to her mom and placed hers on the hospital table beside the bed.

Patricia took one sip and coughed. "This is horrible."

Abby took the cup from her hands. "It's coffee Mom. Here," She gave Patricia her cup of coffee, "try this."

Patricia took a sip and coughed again. "That's worse."

"Okay. I'll get you some orange juice."

Abby dumped the coffee down the sink and fought the frustration trying to bubble to the surface. She knew the process of Alzheimer's and had even read stories of other's personal experiences, but nothing had prepared her for the moment when it all started to hit home.

A knock sounded through the room before Carla let herself in. "Hey, sweetheart." She placed her purse on the counter. "Are you okay?"

Abby shook her head. "She didn't want her coffee. She doesn't want to eat."

"Okay. Let me check on her." Carla patted Abby on the arm before she entered the dining room. "Good morning, Patricia."

Patricia turned her head toward her and stared. "Who are you?"

"Mom, it's Carla. She helps me take care of you." Abby said, desperation beginning to tint her tone.

Carla patted Abby on her arm. "It's okay baby." She returned her attention to Patricia. "Can I take your blood pressure?" She placed the cuff around her arm after receiving a nod.

As she started squeezing the bulb, Patricia's voice filled the air. "I hate doctors."

A smile tugged at Carla's lips. "It's a good thing I'm not doctor."

Patricia snatched the bulb from Carla's hand. "Then why are you doing this?"

"I need to make sure you're okay," Carla replied, taking the cuff from around Patricia's arm.

Patricia huffed. "I'm fine."

"Okay. Would you like the television on?"

"Yes."

Abby returned to the kitchen as Carla turned on the tv. The grim look on Carla's face did nothing to help the knots in her stomach. "She's declining, isn't she?" She asked after Carla joined her.

"It's hard to say, sweetheart. She's doing okay, health-wise. Her blood pressure is a little elevated but nothing to be real concerned about."

Abby rolled her lips together to stop the tears threating to fall. "I don't understand it. She wasn't like this yesterday."

"That's the way Alzheimer's works. There really is no way to predict what will happen next."

Abby crossed her arms against her chest as she fought to keep her emotions under control. "What do we do now?" Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

"Keep her calm. Keep her comfortable. That's all we can do." Carla pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry baby."

Abby managed to hold in the tears as they planned a doctor visit then said their goodbyes but as soon as the door closed, those stubborn tears fell. She went to her mom and wrapped her arms around her. "Oh, Mom." A brief flare of hope reached her heart when Patricia returned her embrace.

Three days later, Abby rolled over and hit the snooze on her alarm clock. She was exhausted. The past forty-eight hours had taken its toll on her mind and body as she tried to adjust to her new role in her mom's life: from helping her from the bed more often to making any food her mom would eat. Two 10 hour shifts on top of that and she couldn't wait for a day off.

Abby threw the covers over her head and willed the sun to go away for a few more minutes. Only a minute later, she heard her mom in the other room. "Help."

Abby tossed the covers back and ran into the dining room. "I'm here." Abby took Patricia by the arm and helped her stand.

"Do you need any help?" Abby asked as she opened the bathroom door.

"No."

Abby leaned against the door as she waited. A minute later, she heard a crash. She yanked the door open and found her mom trying to bend over to pick up the soap dish from the floor. "No Mom. It's okay. I've got it." Taking her mom by the arm, she guided her back to the bed. "What would you like for breakfast?" Abby asked as she clicked on the television.

"I'm not hungry."

"Ok."

Abby took several cleansing breaths as she went to the bathroom and returned the soap dish to its home then headed to the kitchen to start breakfast. Hoping her mom would eat an old favorite, she gathered the ingredients for oatmeal then placed a pot of water on the stove. As she waited for the water to begin boiling, she braced her arms on the counter and watched her mom stare at the television. Her heart broke for the hundredth time in two days. Her mom was literally slipping away before her eyes and there wasn't a thing she could do about it.

When a knock sounded through the room, Abby furiously wiped away the tears stinging her cheeks. She was stronger than this. She opened the door, already knowing Carla was on the other side.

"Come here, baby." Abby stepped into Carla's outstretched arms and let comfort surround her until the tears subsided.

"I'm sorry," Abby whispered as she grabbed a tissue from the table.

"Don't be, honey. It's what I'm here for. I have a shoulder to cry on anytime." Carla patted Abby on her arm before going to check on Patricia.

Abby finished the oatmeal and took it to Carla, who had just finished taking Patricia's blood pressure. "Mmm. It smells good." Carla said as she pulled the hospital table over Patricia's lap and placed the bowl in front of her.

Patricia pushed the bowl away. "You eat it."

"Come on, Patricia. I bet its delicious. It smells wonderful."

"No, thank you."

Abby stepped in. "Come on, Mom. You love oatmeal. We had it every morning."

"I hate oatmeal. I only eat it, so Adam will be happy. Where is he anyway?"

"Dad's at work, Mom. Will you please try it?'

"Fine."

Abby took a deep breath and slid the bowl back to her. It was a small feat but still a victory none the less. She headed back to the kitchen with Carla close behind.

"I don't know if I can handle this," Abby said once Carla joined her.

Carla pulled her into a hug. "You are doing a wonderful job, sweetheart. She's doing as well as can be. You're doing everything you need to be doing."

Abby pulled away and shook her head. "I'm not so sure."

A rapid knock sounded through the room. Abby checked the peephole before opening it. A delivery man stood holding a stunning arrangement of roses and tiger lilies. "Abby Clark?"

"That's me."

The man handed her the vase with a smile. "These are for you. Have a blessed day."

"One second and I'll grab a tip."

The delivery man shook his head. "It's already taken care of."

Carla rounded the corner as Abby placed the flowers on the table. "Those are gorgeous. Who are they from?"

Deep down, she knew. She went in search for a card and found it tucked inside the bouquet. A soft smile touched her lips as she slid the card from its envelope.

I miss you.

Buck

Even after she hadn't returned his calls or texts over the past two days, he was still trying to reach her.

Carla was the first to speak. "From Buck?"

Abby nodded.

"They're beautiful. Any special occasion?"

"No. He's probably trying to figure out what he did wrong." When Carla raised her brows, she continued. "I, sort of, kicked him out Sunday. I was so upset about mom, I just… I handled it the only way I knew how." She shrugged a shoulder. "I asked him to leave so I could deal with it on my own." She took a seat in the nearby chair and ran her hands down her face. "I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can to drag him through this."

Carla nodded in understanding. "Have you talked to him about it?"

"I haven't talked to him since Sunday."

"Why don't you call him? You're off today right?"

"Yes."

"Call him. He might surprise you."

Abby studied the flowers as she debated her options. She knew she needed to talk to him about their relationship. She couldn't stop the feeling of wanting to hold the whole conversation off. She knew once they talked, everything would change. For better or for worse she wasn't sure, but she needed to find out. "Would you be okay with me going out for a while?"

Carla sent her a 'are you kidding me' look eliciting a giggle from Abby.

"Okay. Thank you, Carla."