A:N/ Thank you to everyone for sticking with me on this. Any feedback y'all have, good and bad, is greatly appreciated.
The closer Buck got to her door, the higher his hopes rose. This was their third attempt at going on a date this month; the first two being last minute cancellations. He tried to make light of the cancellations, bringing dinner or a new DVD over to her place those nights, complete with a different bottle of wine.
He didn't fail to notice how their phone conversations were getting shorter and further apart lately. She was becoming more and more reluctant to schedule a date with him. He kept telling himself it was because of her mom but the nagging little voice in the back of his mind kept trying to tell him otherwise.
Tonight, he held hope they would make their dinner reservations. He knocked then took a step back. When no answer came, he knocked again.
Receiving no response, he took a deep breath to squelch the panic trying to rise in his chest. He rushed back to his jeep to retrieve his phone. He hit the speed dial. Four rings and her voicemail filled his ear. The same thing happened when he tried Carla's number. He ran back up the stairs and knocked harder. "Abby. Please answer the door."
He dialed her number and pressed his ear against the door. He heard the faint sound of her ringtone on the other side.
He reached for the doorknob and found it unlocked. "Abby?" He called as he entered her apartment. He looked around and found no sign of them. "Carla?"
He went room to room, looking for any sign of something that could help him fill in the blanks. He found Abby's phone on Patricia's bed and saw her purse on her dresser, where she always kept it. Something wasn't right.
Suspecting the worst but praying for the best, he retrieved his phone and dialed the nearest hospital. The receptionist answered immediately. "Do you have a patient by the name of Patricia Clark?"
"One moment."
Buck paced the length of her kitchen as he waited. "Yes, sir."
"Can you tell me when she was admitted?"
"I'm sorry sir. I can't release any information over the phone."
He expelled a breath. "Thank you." He grabbed Abby's keys from the counter and locked up. Within minutes, he was on his way to the hospital.
Thanks to heavy LA traffic, his trip took twice as long. Worry for Patricia, as well as Abby, made his trip seem to take forever. He found the first spot he could in the emergency room parking lot and ran inside. Once he had Patricia's room number from reception, he walked as quickly as he could to her room.
His heart broke when he saw Abby with her head in her hands and Carla rubbing a comforting hand along her shoulders. "Abbs." He said as he softly knocked.
Her head snapped up. "Buck." She said as rushed into his arms.
His arms surrounded her. Worry radiated from her in waves. He held her as he rested his chin atop her head and ran his hand down the length of her back trying to comfort her. "What happened?" he asked moments later.
Her voice was muffled against his chest as she said, "I was helping Mom from the bathroom. We were almost to the bed when her knee gave out." She choked back a sob. "I tried to catch her, but she still hit her head against the bed."
He ran his hands down her back trying to comfort her. "Have they said anything?"
Abby pulled back slightly and shook her head. "They're doing a cat scan now." Her fingers grazed the wet spot on his shirt. "I'm sorry."
"That's the least of my worries." He said as he put his hand over hers.
Her eyes met his for the first time since he arrived. "How did you know we were here?" Her eyes went wide as she realized the answer. "Oh, Buck. I'm so sorry. Everything happened so fast…"
He pulled her against him, wrapping his arms tightly around her. "Don't worry about it. Please."
A knock sounded through the room. Everyone turned to the nurse standing in the doorway. "Abby?"
She pulled from his embrace. "That's me."
"Can you come with me please?"
Buck reluctantly let her go and waited until she was out of the room before taking the seat beside Carla.
"Patricia's probably giving them fits," Carla said with a soft chuckle.
"She definitely has some spunk in her step."
"I hope you didn't have something big planned." She said, eyeing his dress attire.
He looked down then shrugged. "Nothing as important as being here." Silence filled the space between them. Buck clasped his hands. "Do you think she'll be okay?"
Carla nodded her head. "I think so, but she did hit her head pretty hard."
It wasn't long before the nurse wheeled Patricia back into the room, with Abby holding her hand. "She wouldn't settle down without me."
Buck whistled to himself as he got a good look at the pink and blue coloring on the side of Patricia's face. She had to have taken a nasty fall for her to have that bad of a bruise. He stood to the side as Abby and Carla got Patricia settled in the bed.
They tried to tag team Patricia to keep the ice pack on her head as much as possible, but she wasn't having any of it. The attempts stopped when Patricia got her hand over the ice pack and threw it across the room. "Okay." The comment came from Carla. "I think she's had enough."
Abby sighed and took a seat on the side of the hospital bed. "I know it's cold Mom, but it will help your head."
"My head is fine."
"Okay." She took her hand in hers, her thumb gingerly running across her mom's knuckles.
Buck noticed the sheen of tears in her eyes. He started massaging her shoulders, hoping to provide any comfort he could.
Thankfully, it wasn't long before the doctor returned. "Good news. No sign of concussion or fracture on her hip." Sighs of relief filled the room. "Just keep a close eye on her for the next 24 hours. I do want to caution you though. As her condition worsens, she will start to lose her balance more. Just be prepared for that."
Abby nodded.
"Do you have any more questions?"
"No."
"Okay. I'll go sign your discharge papers."
"Thank you, doctor."
Buck placed a kiss to her head. "I'll go pull my jeep to the entrance."
He breathed a sigh of relief as he slid into the driver seat of his jeep. He sent up a quick thank you for her safety before pulling into the pick-up area near the emergency room entrance. He sat there until he saw a nurse pushing Patricia in a wheelchair with Abby and Carla following close behind. Abby's red-rimmed eyes pulled at his heart. He wished he could wrap his arms around her and take every bit of this away from her, even if just for a day. He exited his jeep then went around to the passenger door and opened it.
Abby hesitated. "I don't know how we're going to get her in there."
Buck approached Patricia. "I'm going to lift you so I can put you in my jeep and take you home, okay?"
Her eyes studied him for a moment before she nodded.
He effortlessly lifted her in his arms and gently placed her into the back seat.
"That's one way to do it." He heard Abby behind him.
"I'll take the front seat," Carla told Abby as he closed the door.
He stopped Abby after she walked around to the other side and linked his fingers with hers. "Are you okay?"
Her smile was forced as she whispered, "Yeah."
He didn't completely buy it but he wasn't going to push. He gently caught her lips in a kiss before he opened to the door for her.
Once everyone was settled, they were on their way. There were just enough lights from passing cars for him to see her face. Sadness and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on, resided in her eyes. When he caught her gaze in the rear-view mirror, she quickly looked away. An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach. He prayed she wasn't trying to pull away from him because of this. If anything, it made him want to be there more for her.
When they arrived, Carla retrieved the wheelchair from Abby's apartment as they waited downstairs. The longer she remained quiet, the more worried he became. Silence between them was never uncomfortable but as they sat in his jeep, waiting for Carla, it felt awkward and he had no clue what to say to change it.
It took a little time before they had Patricia asleep in her bed and Carla said her goodbyes.
He closed the door behind Carla and turned to find Abby leaning against the counter, watching him. He could've sworn he saw tears in her eyes. He padded to her and placed his hands on her hips. "What's wrong?"
She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around her stomach. "I can't keep putting you through this. You deserve to have fun and enjoy life. Not here helping me take care of my mother."
Her words pulled at his heart. "Come here." He nudged her arms free and pulled her against him, letting his arms rest around her waist. "There is no place I would rather be than here with you. We're going to get through this, together."
Silence surrounded them until Abby's voice fills the air. "This isn't fair."
Buck leaned back so he could see her face. "Let me ask you something. If things were reversed, would you be here for me?"
"You know I would."
His fingertips grazed her temple as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Let me be here for you. No matter how hard this gets; I'm not going anywhere. Unless you don't want to be with me, for reasons other than you taking care of your mom, I'm going to be right here by your side, supporting you in any way I can." She laid her head against his chest. He took a deep breath and prayed what he was about to say, wasn't going to push her away. "You mean a lot to me, Abby."
She remained silent and he fought the panic trying to rise in his stomach. Had he said too much? Did she want to end their relationship? Relief filled his chest when she wrapped her arm around his neck, bringing his lips to hers. She rested her forehead against his as she spoke. "You mean a lot to me too." He lifted his eyes to hers as her soft-spoken words met his ears. "I do want to be with you. It's just… I hate asking so much when I don't have a lot to give."
"But you do. You're strong, smart and caring. You're funny. You're a kick-ass 9-1-1 operator." A smile curved her lips. He placed his hand on the side of her face, letting his thumb run along her bottom lip. "I love to see you smile." He captured her lips in a brief kiss.
"You're an incredible woman." His hands threaded through her hair, punctuating each word with a kiss to her face. "Without a doubt, the most amazing woman I've ever met." He loved hearing her quiet moan as he hit that certain spot below her ear. Still holding onto his restraint, he placed a long kiss to her lips then pulled back slightly. Her arms tightened her hold around him, keeping him in place. Her hand slid around his neck pulled him back to her. He indulged her then pulled his lips a breath away from hers. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Absolutely."
His lips covered hers and she reached her tongue out to trace his lip. Screw composure, she needed him inside her bedroom as fast as possible. When he lifted her from the ground, she wrapped her legs around his back, bringing their hips together. He moaned deep in his throat when she pressed herself against his erection. She smiled against his lips when she felt his step falter. She slid her feet from his back once he came to stop near her bed.
Tongues battled for control as her fingers played with the hair at the base of his neck. His hands slid up her sides, taking her shirt with them. He dealt with the clasp of her bra and it joined her shirt to some unknown destination in the room.
In one swift movement, she had his shirt following her things. She kept her lips on his as he followed her onto the bed. Her nails lightly scratched his back as he kissed his way down her body, stopping to lavish attention to one breast then the other. She dug her nails into his shoulders when he placed a kiss just above her waistband. She knew where he was headed, and heaven help her, she couldn't wait.
He dealt with the button and slowly slid the zipper down. She wiggled her hips trying to hurry him along. He hooked his fingers inside the belt loops. "Is this what you want?"
"Yes." Her breathless whisper. He discarded her pants, leaving her panties.
"What about this?" He placed a kiss to the inside of her thigh. Instead of trying to speak, she just nodded. "Or this?" He planted another kiss a little higher.
"Buck." She whimpered, her voice full of need. Her legs tighten around his back in hopes of bringing him closer to she desperately wanted him.
He chuckled against her skin; his breath warm against her thigh sent another rush of desire straight to her core. "What do you want sweetheart?" She scarcely recognized the endearment when he kissed the inside of her leg, just shy of where skin met lace.
"More." She forced out a breathless whisper.
"More of what?" He asked as he tugged on the straps of her panties. She lifted her hips so he could pull them down her legs.
"More of this?" He placed a kiss slightly shy her center. If he didn't make a move soon, she was going to take matters into her own hands.
"Buck." She moaned his name in frustration.
His mouth closed over her center and a strangled cry past her lips. He gently caressed her before slipping two fingers inside her. Her hips came off the bed on their own accord. He used his fingers and tongue to drive her closer to the edge. One more swipe of his tongue and she cried his name as she tumbled over the edge. He continued to stroke her until the last waves of pleasure faded.
He shifted his weight to her side as he waited for her to catch her breath. A few deep breaths and she was reaching for his pants. She made quick work of the button and zipper and slid her hand inside. His eyes rolled back and his hands fisted in the cover as she closed her hand around him. She stroked him a few times before pulling his pants and boxers down his legs. She retrieved a condom before returning to his side. In two strokes, she had him covered.
He nudged her shoulder and she laid on her back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing his lips back to hers. She broke the kiss with a moan when he settled between her legs. His lips trailed down her neck. He nipped her shoulder, leaving the smallest of a mark behind.
"Faster." She urged him as she wrapped her legs around his back allowing him to sink a little deeper with each thrust.
She felt her orgasm start low in her belly. She tried to hold off but he reached between them to tease her center and her release hit. He kept his frantic pace a little longer before he followed her into oblivion.
She ran her hands over the taut muscles of his back while they lay together, catching their breaths; their bodies still intimately joined. She wasn't sure why, but she felt a loss every time he pulled away from her. It was something she only experienced with him and she wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
When he returned to her side, she curled into him. Then, she remembered something. "Did you call me sweetheart?"
He wrinkled his nose. "Too much?"
She placed a kiss to his lips. "No." It felt right, somehow. Weird, in a way, but still right. She never, in a million years, would have thought their relationship would have made it this far. Yet here he was, lying beside her, calling her sweetheart. She drifted to sleep wondering how she got so lucky to have him in her life.
