Title: Hurt on the Job. Again
Rating: T
Pairings/Characters: Buck/Eddie, , Captain Mehta, OC, Chimney, Hen, Bobby
Warning: flashback to trauma, panic attack Hurt!Buck
Word Count: 4,054
Notes: 9-1-1 Bingo Square: lightning strike / Buddie Bingo Square: hurt on the job
No idea of protocols. This story is probably very inaccurate.
Hurt on the Job. Again
Buck stared up at the darkening sky. It did not look good. But it would be even worse for the three teenagers that were lost in the woods after wandering away from their parents' campsite.
Captain Mehta's team was also assisting with the search since it was such a large expanse of land.
He kept trudging through the dense foliage. Eddie was a couple of feet in front of him. He had more experience with this kind of thing from his time in the army, so he was taking the lead.
Suddenly a boom of thunder sounded far above their head.
Eddie glanced up at the sky. "That sounds ominous."
"We can't stop until those kids are found," Buck said.
"Maybe, but we won't be any good to them if we get hurt either. I'm going to radio Bobby to see what he wants us to do."
Buck sighed. As Eddie radioed Bobby, he moved to where there was a group of three trees that sat in a triangle. He did not want to be pulled just because there was a little thunder. A little noise never hurt anyone.
He ignored the fact that he knew if there was thunder, there was lightning as well. As if his thoughts summoned it a flash of lightning lit up the darkened sky. Buck remembered the 30-30 rule. He started counting in his head. 'One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eight—' There was another boom of thunder.
Buck nodded to himself. Okay, the lightning was close. Extremely close. Not good. But they couldn't call it quits now! If it was close to them, it was close to the lost kids as well.
Still, it was best to move away from the trees he stood next to.
Eddie, while speaking to Bobby, wasn't paying attention to his surroundings as much as he usually did. He was leaning against some trees while lightning flashed up above.
As thunder boomed again, Buck hurried over and silently pulled Eddie so he stood in the middle of a clearing, as far away from the trees as humanly possible in the woods.
Suddenly, lightning struck the ground near where they stood. Which was also near a tree. Instead of catching on fire, like Buck thought would happen, the tree broke off at the base and start pitching towards them.
Eddie, seeing what was going on, grabbed Buck and they ran for it, trying to avoid the tree. But suddenly, Buck went down, and the wind got knocked out of him as he hit the hard, unforgiving ground.
He did his best to catch his breath, and then tried to get up, but he couldn't. He was stuck.
And he couldn't move his legs.
And suddenly, he was back at the night of the fire truck bomb, pinned underneath the ladder truth. Everything hurt, and he couldn't move. He was helpless, waiting for others to save him. Even in the midst of all of that pain, he wondered if he'd ever be able to work again.
And now he couldn't breathe.
"Buck. Buck. Buck."
He thought he heard someone calling his name.
"Buck. Buck. Buck."
But he couldn't see who it was as he tried to catch his breath.
"Buck. Come on, man. Breathe. You can do it. You're having a panic attack, but you can do it. I need you to open your eyes and come back to me."
Buck slowly opened his eyes and met Eddie's concerned gaze. Then he looked around. He wasn't on a dark street, surrounded by debris from the fire truck. He was in the woods.
But his situation was no less dire. He still couldn't move his legs. It might not have been a fire truck, but…
"The tree is on me isn't it?"
Eddie slowly nodded.
"My legs are pinned?"
Eddie nodded again.
"Not again, not again, not again," Buck began chanting.
He couldn't do this again. He couldn't go through months of rehab and therapy. He couldn't fight for his job all over again. It wasn't fair!
"Buck. Buck. Buck! I need you to stay with me. Stop thinking about the worst-case scenario. We don't know how bad it is yet. What we need is to get this tree off of you and assess the situation. But I need you with me. Okay?"
"I'll try."
There was more thunder. Although Buck couldn't lift his head to look at the sky from his position, he was sure there had been lightning too.
Part of him wanted to tell Eddie to leave, to get to safety. He had Christopher to think about. The selfish part of him didn't want to be alone, though, and the larger part of him knew Eddie would be pissed if Buck tried to be self-sacrificing and would refuse to leave anyways.
Eddie moved to where the tree was pinned on his body. He shuffled through the leaves, looking to see exactly where he was pinned. He felt a hand move along his upper leg, just below his ass met his legs.
"Good news is that it's not on your back, so there's a very minimal chance there is any spinal injury."
"That's something," Buck muttered.
He knew that was good, but with his worry surrounding his legs, he couldn't find any way to be happy about that nugget of information.
"Does anything hurt?"
Buck couldn't move, but surprisingly, he didn't feel any pain. "Not right now, but I'm sure it's just the shock of it."
"Okay, we won't be able to figure out injured you are until we get the tree off of you."
"Eddie, you know you won't be able to lift the tree of me by yourself, right? You're not Superman."
Eddie didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, he picked up the radio that he had tossed aside some time between them running as the lightning struck and now.
"Hey, Captain. We have a situation."
"Go," Bobby ordered.
"Lightning struck a tree near us, and it fell over. Buck is pinned. It's not on his back, but we're not sure how extensive the injuries are. And we need a way to lift a tree up."
The radio crackled for a moment. "Okay, is there anything nearby that could be used as leverage? Like to prop it up?"
"It's wooded, Bobby. The only things readily available are trees, grass, and dirt."
"It was worth a try. Okay, we have a saw on the fire truck. The easiest and quickest way to get Buck free would be to chop up the tree enough that we can get Buck free from it. I'm contacting Captain Mehta. He's already searching by air for those kids and can get a saw to your position quicker than I can. I'll keep you in the loop. Just stay calm. Both of you."
'Easy for you to say,' Buck thought. All he could think about was once again not being able to do his job.
"Thanks, Bobby." He put the radio on his waistband. "See, Buck? It will be okay."
There was another boom of thunder. And despite what he knew the answer would be, he had to try. "Eddie, maybe—"
"If you tell me I should get out of here, I might punch you once you're free. I am not leaving you out here alone."
Buck's mouth snapped shut.
There is nothing by thunder. Frankly, it was a miracle it hadn't started raining yet, but it was only a matter of time.
"Eddie, why does this always happen to me? I mean, am I really that much of a bad luck magnet?"
"I don't know, Buck, but I know you don't deserve this. But you'll get through this. Just like you got through it last time. And you'll be as good as new."
"Maybe I'm tired of having to get through it. Maybe this kind of thing keeps happening to me because the universe is trying to tell me I shouldn't be a first responder anymore. And I just haven't been listening to what I'm being told. Maybe it's time for me to listen."
"Don't say that," Eddie admonished.
"Why not? I mean, I've been pinned by the legs twice now. Don't you think that's the universe telling me to find another job?"
"No, I think that's the universe telling you that you have a ton of bad luck. And you always seem to be in the wrong place in the wrong time. But the fact that you're able to survive, and heal, and get back to work means you belong with the 118 as a first responder still. If you weren't meant to continue with the job, you wouldn't heal. Or it would be a spinal injury which is much harder to come back from. Don't give up before we even know the extent of the injury."
Buck didn't answer. They were silent as minutes ticked by.
Claps of thunder and flashes of lightning kept coming, and Eddie kept a sharp eye on their surroundings. Just as another boom of thunder sounded, a light shone down on them.
Eddie looked towards the sky. "Mehta is here. You're going to be out very soon."
The pilot in the helicopter got it as low to the ground as he could. Mehta threw down the roped ladder, and with the saw flung over his shoulders by the strap, quickly, but carefully, climbed down the ladder. He had to pause every now and then because of the wind. A paramedic followed, with a backboard on her back, carefully putting one foot in each rung on the ladder.
Eddie held his breath and only started breathing when both touched down on the ground.
The whole time, Buck stayed quiet.
That worried Eddie. It was as if Buck had already given up, despite the fact that rescue was here, and that just wasn't like the younger man.
Captain Mehta shook his head as he pointed to the paramedic behind him. "This is Lucy." He stared at them for a moment. "I knew it was the two of you before Bobby even said the names. Trouble seems to find the two of you way too much. Do you guys trade off or something?
"I think I might be way ahead of Eddie," Buck grumbled.
Captain Mehta's expression showed his surprise. He didn't know Buck as well as Eddie, but even he knew there was something off about Buck's disposition.
Eddie minutely shook his head. He'd worry about Buck's feelings after he was safe. Right now, getting Buck out of here was the top priority.
Eddie helped get the saw off of Captain Mehta's back but then stood back as Captain Mehta started it up. The smell of gasoline filled the air. "I think I'll be fine, but I want you to be my second pair of eyes," he ordered over the roar of the engine.
Eddie nodded and knelt on the ground, so he could see the tree and Buck clearly.
Captain Mehta meticulously began chopping up the tree with the saw, and Eddie watched, making sure it was only the tree the saw was going towards and none of Buck's body parts.
After a few minutes of the chopping, Buck said, "I can wiggle my leg," Buck said.
Eddie heard him, but he was close to where Buck lay. Mehta must have not heard since he didn't stop with the saw. He tapped the captain on the shoulder.
Mehta looked up and turned the saw off.
"Buck can wiggle his legs. We might be able to get him out now."
The captain nodded. "Lucy, I need you to come over here. We need to know how extensive his injuries are before moving him."
Lucy, who up until then, had stayed out of the way, nodded. She took the backboard off of her back.
"I did do a brief assessment when it happened. The tree wasn't on his back, so there is minimal chance of spinal injury. He wasn't in any pain at the time, but he admitted that it might have been shock."
Lucy knelt down as she asked, "Any nausea? Headaches? Double vision?"
"Nausea and headaches, yes. Double vision, no."
She nodded, "Probably a slight concussion then." She started feeling along Buck's body, through the branches and leaves. "Buck, do you feel this?"
"Your hand on my back? Yes. And no, it doesn't hurt. At all."
"Good," Lucy murmured. She moved her hand lower. "How about this?"
"Yes, I feel your hand on my hamstring. And there's definitely some pain there."
"Okay," Lucy answered in a soothing voice. She moved lower. "And this?"
"You're touching my knee, and rubbing you hand down to my calf. And there is a tiny bit of discomfort there, but not much."
Lucy nodded. "Thank you. One more question. Can you wiggle your toes?"
"They're a bit cold from the rain, but yes, I can wiggle them."
"Okay, whatever injury you might have doesn't look to be as serious as it could be. Frankly, you're extremely lucky the tree didn't land on your back. Of course, you'll need to be transported to the hospital to know for sure, but I do believe it's safe to move you." She stood up and grabbed the backboard. "I'm going to need help, sliding this backboard under him."
Eddie moved to the other side of Buck's head and together, the two of them managed to get the backboard underneath his head. And working together, with Mehta's help when it came to gently lifting Buck an inch above the ground, they slid the backboard completely under his body.
Eddie began clearing some of the tree off of Buck, moving the bigger pieces away.
Lucy began sliding him from under the tree, slowly, since he wasn't strapped down yet. Captain Mehta assisted, keeping his hand firmly on Buck's chest, so he didn't tumble off the backboard.
And when Buck was finally 100% free of the tree, Lucy quickly strapped him down. Mehta and Eddie took up both sides of Buck, with Mehta at the head and Eddie at the feet. And together, they lifted Buck and carried him to the helicopter.
Lucy grabbed the hook from the winch that Eddie only just noticed. And when Buck was secure, Lucy signaled above.
The pilot must have had some training because he masterfully began pulling Buck up with the winch, slowly. He knew exactly what to do to avoid Buck getting battered too much by the wind.
Eddie was next up the ladder, keeping a close eye on Buck. Lucy and Captain Mehta followed behind them. The climb up the ladder to the helicopter was a slow process, but soon, they were all inside.
Everyone, even Buck, was given headsets, in case they had to communicate.
"To the nearest hospital," Mehta ordered once Buck was secured behind the seats. Eddie wanted to sit next to Buck, but with one look from Mehta, Eddie forced himself to sit in an actual seat, with a seatbelt on and everything. It didn't stop him from turning in his seat, as much as the seatbelt would allow, to check up on Buck, though.
"What about the kids?" Buck asked.
"The others are still searching. And I'll be rejoining once you're dropped off," Captain Mehta promised.
"Eddie, I know you're going to fight me on it, but once I'm at the hospital, you should go back with Captain Mehta and Lucy to help."
Eddie opened his mouth, ready to fight, just as Buck had predicted.
Buck continued, "The more people that are searching, the better chance of those kids being found relatively unharmed. How would you feel if it was Chris missing?"
"Low blow, Buck," Eddie admonished.
"Maybe, but I knew that's a surefire way to get you to go back to the search."
Eddie didn't bother arguing. When Buck was right, he was right. If Christopher was missing, he would hope every available fire responder would be assisting with the search. And once Buck was in the back with the doctors, probably doing x-rays and other tests, Eddie wouldn't be able to sit with him anyway. And who knew how long it would until Eddie could see Buck?
Captain Mehta had radioed ahead, so when they landed on the helicopter pad on the roof, there were nurses ready with a bed for Buck. And soon as Buck was lifted down, he was taken off of the backboard and transferred to the bed.
He was wheeled away as the preliminary assessments began.
"You coming with us, Eddie?"
"As much as I hate leaving him, Buck was right. I'm needed more in the search than I am here."
He followed Lucy and Mehta back into the helicopter, and it took off, headed back to the woods.
Hopefully, he'd be able to tell Buck good news the next time they saw each other. He did not want to see Buck's face if those kids weren't found safe, or at least relatively unharmed.
xXx
Buck was in a hospital bed in a private room when Eddie, Hen, and Chimney walked in hours later.
"The kids?" Buck asked before anything else could be said.
"Safe. A little cold and hungry. And the oldest son has a sprained ankle, but they will make a full recovery," Eddie promised.
Buck nodded. "Good."
Hen placed her hand on Buck's head, caressing it with light fingers. "Bobby and Athena are going to come, but they need to finish up at the site first."
Chimney snapped his gum. "They were being nice to let us go early so we could come to check on you."
"What's the verdict?" Eddie asked.
"It's not a crush injury. A regular broken leg. They're keeping me overnight to monitor me because I also have a slight concussion."
"That's great," Hen breathed.
"You'll be back at work before you know it," Chim said with a smile.
Buck didn't answer. Instead, he kept his eyes averted.
Eddie narrowed his eyes and wondered if Buck was thinking about whether he still belonged as a first responder. He wouldn't bring it up in front of the others, but he was planning to talk to Buck once they were alone.
Hen and Chim stayed for an hour or so, telling Buck about how and where the kids were found, and once again, they reassured Buck there were no lasting injuries to the kids.
When they left, Eddie took a seat.
"Shouldn't you get home to Chris?"
"He's spending the night with Abuela, remember?"
"Then go home and go to sleep. It's been a long day."
"Buck, I need to ask. Now that you know it's a normal broken leg and nothing more serious, are you still thinking about whether you belong as a first responder?"
Buck's spine was stiff. "Yeah."
"Why? It's a regular broken leg. You might have to do some physical therapy to get the strength back, but it won't be the same intensive rehab that you went through last time."
"I still keep getting hurt. No matter how careful I am, something seems to happen. And every time I get hurt, I worry I'll never be able to do the job again. This fear is overwhelmingly stressful."
"So what? You just give up and don't do it anyways. I know you. You could never imagine doing anything else.
"At least if I left the job now, it would be of my own volition. I wouldn't be forced out of it by an injury."
Eddie sighed. He took Buck's hand. "I know you got scared today. And I understand why. I'm not saying there was no reason to be scared because I know what you went through last time. I get that, and I don't blame you for that fear. But you can't give in to the fear. You can't just give up because you're afraid of what might happen. If you stopped being a first responder right now, what would you do for a job?"
"I don't know."
"And I don't know what I'd do without my partner watching my back."
Buck stared into Eddie's eyes. "The thought of losing this because of an injury, it terrifies me so much. It's almost like I can't breathe sometimes. The fear just takes over."
Eddie cupped his cheek. "I get that. I understand that fear. But you can't let it win. You were born to do this. And I can't imagine having a better partner at my side."
Buck closed his eyes as he leaned into Eddie's touch. "Partner."
"Yes, partner. Both in the field and out of the field." He stood up, leaned forward, and pressed a kiss to Buck's lips.
Buck returned the gentle kiss. Their lips moved against each other in a dance they both knew by heart.
A throat cleared, interrupting the moment.
Eddie ripped his lips away from Buck's and jumped away from the hospital bed.
Both of them took them turned their eyes to the doorway where Bobby stood, arms crossed his chest. "How long?" He didn't look surprised. Or angry. Just curious."
Buck bit his bottom lip. "About a month."
"And is there a reason I wasn't informed so the proper paperwork could be filed?"
"We wanted to wait. To make sure this was going to work out. Before we told anyone else. We were afraid of all of the helpful advice we might receive from well-meaning teammates slash friends, and we wanted to figure it out on our own. Without everyone's opinion," Eddie explained.
"I can understand that. I know Hen and Chim can be rather nosy. But I should have been informed."
"That was my fault," Buck admitted. "I was afraid that Eddie and I would be split up at work if we told you about the change in our relationship right away. I thought if we could prove that we could be in a relationship and still do the job well together, without anyone seeing a difference in how we acted at work before we came out, then we'd have a better chance of staying partners once we told you."
Bobby nodded. "Okay, and I haven't noticed any difference in how you two work together. Which is good. But guys, I wouldn't have split you up anyways. Not unless you gave me a reason to believe you couldn't continue working together. And until I saw something out in the field that made me believe that, I would have kept you guys as partners."
"Sorry," Buck muttered.
"Sorry," Eddie echoed.
"Buck, I know you'll be out for a few weeks while your leg heals, and then whatever physical therapy you have to do, but once you're back, both of you will have paperwork to sign for HR. Understand?"
Both nodded.
"I'll leave then. Obviously, you have someone to look after you tonight, and I'm sure you would prefer Eddie at your bedside than me."
"Thanks, Bobby. Goodnight," Buck murmured. When Bobby was gone, he looked at Eddie. "He didn't think there would be any problem with me coming back to work."
Eddie smiled. "Bobby probably learned his lesson from last time. There's no way he's going to try to stop you from coming back, no matter how worried he is for your safety. He knows, just like I know, that this is where you belong."
Buck grabbed Eddie's neck and dragged him down so they could kiss again. Against his lips, he muttered, "At least we don't have to hide anymore."
"Thank God," Eddie whispered, pressing soft kisses to Buck's lips before he pulled back. "You should get some rest. And don't worry. I'm not going anywhere tonight."
"You could go home. The hospital chair won't be comfortable."
Eddie sat down. "Nope, I'm right where I want to be. Go to sleep."
"Yes, sir," Buck lightly joked as he closed his eyes, knowing that usually, Eddie got turned on when he was called 'sir.'
"Ha ha. Save that for when you're out of here, and we can actually do something with that."
"Of course, sir."
Eddie watched him sleep for a while before he allowed himself to slouch in his chair and closed his own eyes. Letting sleep claim him too.
Notes: S