Title: Personal hero
author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Buck/Abby preship
notes set between 1x3 and 1x4
Fireman Evan "Buck" Buckley was actually having a decent day. Shift was half over and there'd been no crazy over the top calls. No murders, no jumpers just one car wreck, a near over dose and a small kitchen fire. Evan was going over the supplies in the truck when his cell phone rang. He smiled recognizing Abby's ring tone. Yes, he'd given her a ring tone. They'd become fast friends despite not having met in person yet. Buck pulled the phone out and held it with his chin and right shoulder as he answered. The young man continued with his inventory.
"Hi, how are…."Buck began but his friend interrupted.
"I'm so glad you always answer."Abby responded and he frowned at the fear in her voice.
"What's wrong?"Buck asked putting down his clipboard.
"I know I should've called the apartment super but…."Abby broke off and he heard a loud metal screech in the background.
"Abby!"Evan prompted worriedly. "What the hell was that?"
"Oh, just the elevator."Abby replied matter-of-factly.
"The elevator you're in?"Buck asked anxiously as he got out of the engine and caught Bobby's attention.
"It stopped between floors."The 911 operator explained. "Then I heard something snap and I was really, really hoping it wasn't a cable but…."
"That sound was probably the emergency brake or the car hitting the side of the shaft."Buck stated.
"Not helping."Abby said her voice small.
"You're at home?"Buck asked wanting to confirm.
"Yes was off today had an appointment."Abby replied.
"Test me your address."Buck said as he reached his superior. "We're on our way."
"Thank you."Abby acknowledged as she ended the call.
"On our way where?"Bobby asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry I know I jumped the chain of command…."Buck began.
"Just a little."Nash stated crisply.
"I told you about my friend Abby the 911 operator?"Buck said as Bobby nodded. "She's stuck in the elevator of her building and one of the cable's snapped."
"Let's go."Bobby said as he gestured to the others to gear up.
Buck nodded grimly and hopped back in the truck. As he did Abby's text with the address appeared on his cell phone which was still in his right hand. He replied back that they were rolling now. Buck gave Bobby the address and the sirens and lights came on and within minutes they were out of the station and into traffic.
"Buck, none of my business but I need to know where your head is."Bobby began as he drove. "You and Abby are…."
"Close friends."Buck responded staring out the front windshield. "We've only talked on the phone."
"Be hell of a first meeting."Bobby mused.
Buck nodded his jaw tight. As they sped through red lights and heavy traffic Evan willed the miles to disappear. He made a vow that he wasn't going to let their first meeting end badly. They had to get there in time; he wasn't adding this to the loss column.
Abby Clark sat in the far right corner of the slanted elevator. Her cell phone rested on her pulled up knees. She as seated as close as possible to the elevator doors as if that mattered. If she truly was between floors and they couldn't restart the elevator a rescue through the car's roof was the most likely option. The elevator creaked once more and Abby drew herself smaller into the corner. The lights flickered but stayed on.
Despite everything Abby found herself looking forward to seeing Buck. She had a feeling, a good feeling, that their friendship would survive the unlikely first meeting. That is of course if she did; Abby thought bleakly as the elevator groaned once more.
/Hurry, Buck./
Abby's head started to pound again. She'd hit it against the door when the elevator had lurched the first time and fallen. Abby blinked as her vision blurred; she must've hit it harder than she'd first realized. Her hands went to her phone and she cleared the screen suddenly fighting to keep two thoughts together. All she needed right now was a concussion. With effort Abby pulled up Buck's last text and sent a reply letting him know that she may not be of much help when they got here. Hitting send Abby leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes trying to ignore the pain.
Buck's phone beeped and he glanced at the screen frowning at Abby's message. He muttered a curse and Bobby cast a side long glance at him.
"What?"Bobby prompted.
"She's hurt; possible concussion."Buck replied jumping out as the engine came to a stop in front of Abby's building.
"She alone in the elevator?"Bobby asked as they grabbed the equipment they'd need and met the others at the front door.
"Don't know I didn't hear anyone else in the background."Buck responded grimly.
"We'll go on the assumption she's not alone."Bobby stated looking at the rest of his team. "Let's move people."
They pounded up the short steps and through the front door and into the main hall.
/We're coming, Abby./Buck thought solemnly.