Chapter 2: Better Start Running, Bad Things Are Coming.

Buck woke early the next morning, tired but with a decision made.

It might've taken him a full night of tossing and turning, of weighing up the pros and cons of Lochert's offer, but he finally knew beyond a doubt that there was really only one answer to the lawyer's proposal:

A big, resounding no.

Buck loved his job, he really did, and he'd do absolutely anything in his power to get it back, but suing his family? That was always going to be a ridiculous plan. One that had no hope of achieving anything other than pissing his team off more than he likely already had when he'd quit in a fit of anger.

No, he wouldn't - he couldn't - do that to them. Because if he was honest with himself, no amount of money in the world could ever replace the sense of achievement and belonging that working at the 118 gave him. And even if, somehow, Lochert's crazy plan did work and the department gave him his job back? Things with Bobby and the others would be irreversibly changed. There was no way he was willing to risk that.

A small, selfish voice in the back of his head couldn't help but point out that surely he deserved some form of compensation for the agony and disruption the accident had caused, but Buck buried that thought with a quick shake of his head. If anything, the last five months had been a harsh lesson that he should take nothing for granted. Everything could be gone in an instant.

Mind made up, Buck grabbed his cellphone from the bedside table and scrolled until he found Kev Lochert's number, hitting the call button as he climbed out of bed and began a series of repetitive stretches - exercises set by his physiotherapist that were designed to keep the damaged muscles in his leg in good working order. The thick scars of his injury pulled uncomfortably, but he was adept at ignoring the discomfort by this point and Buck knew all too well how much worse things would be if he skipped a day, the pain and a telltale limp hounding his every step until he gave in and did them anyway.

The dial tone sounded in his ear as he grunted out his discomfort. There were several rings before the sound cut out, switching to an automated voice that prompted Buck to leave his message after the tone. The instant relief at not having to speak to Lochert in person was short-lived as the beep of the answer machine encouraged him to begin talking.

"Hey, it's Buck - Evan Buckley. We, uh, officially met last night. At the bar?" Giving up on his stretches for the moment, Buck began pacing the length of the room, overcome with a sudden nervous energy. "I've been thinking about your offer and... Thanks, I think? But I'm going to have to say no. It's just, I... They're my family and I can't do that to them. I am going to get my job back, but I'll do it my way."

Ending the call with a deflated sigh, Buck ignored the other notifications on the lit up screen - more missed calls and messages from Maddie and the team - and plugged the device in to charge, quickly finishing off his exercise routine and taking his blood thinners before dropping wearily onto the bed.

Running a hand through his sweaty hair, Buck couldn't help but think back to the angry conversation he'd had with Bobby the day before. Captain Nash, whether Buck liked to admit it or not, was more than just a work colleague. More than just his boss. Bobby had become somewhat of a substitute father figure; a guiding hand to keep him from going too far astray. Evan supposed that was why his betrayal with the board of the LAFD felt so much worse; why he'd reacted so poorly.

Buck's own father was... distant on the best of days and completely absent on the worst. Growing up, the only person he'd really had in his corner, showing him love and believing in him, was Maddie, but even she had left him behind eventually. Bobby, however, had chosen to stand by him through his lowest days - the self-destructive behaviour that'd nearly cost him his job; his self-diagnosed sex addiction; the breakup with Abby... even the long recovery from the recent accident - but he'd also been there for him through the good times, too. In fact, the more Buck thought about it, the more he realised just how much of an idiot he'd been about the whole situation.

Bobby had only ever wanted what was best for him, he could see that now. But as captain of the 118 he also had the rest of the team to look out for - a team that wouldn't be able to do their jobs properly if they were constantly having to keep a close eye on Buck to make sure he hadn't hurt himself whilst out in the field. With his track record, it was a given that something would inevitably go wrong - and while Buck might've survived a damn tsunami whilst still recovering and on his blood thinners, that sort of luck couldn't hold out forever. Not in their line of work.

Cursing softly, Buck knew he'd messed up and he needed to fix things before it was too late. He needed to go to Bobby and apologise - to him and to the rest of his team, his friends - for acting like a spoilt child. Hell, he'd get down on his knees and beg for their forgiveness if he had to...

Buck eyed his watch with a frown as he paid the Uber driver and thanked him for the ride to the station. It was several hours later than he'd originally planned, but by the time he'd showered, tidied his apartment and then stopped by the hospital to have his stitches checked and bandages replaced, half of the day was already over. Luckily the team would only be partway through a twenty-four hour shift.

Taking a deep breath, Buck turned his attention to the fire station before him, his heart swelling with longing at the familiar view. The tall brick building felt like the safest home he'd ever known, the one place where he could always be himself, but it had been so long since he'd stepped foot inside that he couldn't help but feel a little nervous too. Not because of what he was heading in there to do, but that there was a very strong possibility he might never be allowed back again. The thought sent his anxiety skyrocketing.

Not wanting to get caught wallowing, Buck pressed onwards, keeping his steps even despite the thundering of his heart inside his chest. As he walked through the shutter doors and into the apparatus bay, Buck let the familiarity wash over him, allowing it to soothe his nerves as he made a beeline for the day room. Someone could be heard clattering around in the kitchen, most likely Bobby cooking up a storm, so Buck headed in that direction, climbing the stairs as his gaze swept the rest of the floor in search of his friends.

From the sound of clanging weights and upbeat music, Eddie was most likely letting off some steam in the gym between calls. Buck felt a stab of guilt at knowing he'd purposefully ignored the messages of concern from his best friend, but hopefully, once he'd cleared the air with Bobby, he could fix that too; offer to take him and Christopher out for dinner as an apology.

A loud cackle - easily recognisable as Hen - and Chim's whining tone echoed suddenly through the building. Buck couldn't help a grin of his own at the sound, pausing midstep to listen in on his bickering friends. He couldn't see where the troublesome two were exactly, but he knew whatever they were up to was bound to cause Bobby some grief later when he had to put a stop to their mischief.

Shaking his head, Evan finally reached the top of the stairs where he paused and stole a moment to watch Bobby as he worked. The older man had his back to him, but Buck could see him stirring something in a saucepan with one hand while the other searched the cupboard above him- most likely for a jar of spices. Bobby did love his spices. The smell reminded Buck that he hadn't eaten since late last night as his stomach gave an appreciative rumble.

Knowing the bell could go off at any moment to call the team away, Buck cleared his throat gently and watched as Bobby spun to face him, a look of surprise on his face.

"Buck?"

"Hi, Bobby." Ignoring the way his voice cracked, Evan offered an uncertain smile as he kept his distance, shoving both hands deep into his pockets to hide the fact that they were shaking. After the way he'd left things with his captain the last time they'd spoken, Buck wasn't wholly certain of how welcome his visit today would be.

Bobby turned back to the food he was preparing, lowering the heat and giving the contents one final stir before giving Buck his full attention. "What are you doing here?"

The words weren't unkind, but they weren't filled with their usual warmth either. Buck shuffled from foot to foot, suddenly unsure. Maybe he should've just called...

"I, uh- I wanted to talk, if that's okay? About our conversation yesterday."

Bobby stayed silent and Buck watched as the older man studied him, light brown eyes trailing from the curls on his head to the boots on his feet and back again. What he was looking for, Evan had no clue but he felt his face heat all the same.

"Sure, let's talk," Bobby finally responded, grabbing the towel thrown over one shoulder and wiping his hands. "Do you want to do this here, or shall I call the rest of the team up too? They might want to hear what you have to say for yourself."

Buck frowned, not fully comprehending what was being implied. "Bobby, I-"

"I haven't told them yet, if that's what you're worried about," he interrupted.

"Told them?" Buck took a step closer, as if that would help to clear up the confusion. "Told them what, exactly? I came here to apologise."

Bobby raised a disbelieving eyebrow, reaching into his back pocket before pulling out a folded piece of paper. Stalking towards Buck as he smoothed the sheet out to its full size, Captain Nash slapped the document against Buck's chest, making the taller man fall back a step as he pinned it in place with the sharp jab of his finger.

"This is a funny way of apologising, Buck. Suing me? Suing the department? What were you thinking?"

Buck flinched at the unexpected anger radiating from the usually kind man in front of him, stumbling over words that refused to come as he struggled to fully comprehend what was being said. He snatched the piece of paper, needing to see for himself, and felt the colour drain from his face as he spied Lochert's name signed in bold at the bottom of the page. That sonofa-

"Wait, Bobby, I... This isn't what it looks like."

"It looks perfectly clear to me, Buck. In fact it's right there in black and white, or have you forgotten how to read since I saw you last?"

"No, there's been some kind of mistake - you have to believe me." Chest tightening with growing panic, Buck crumpled the offending letter beneath sweaty fingers. "I wouldn't..."

Any further protest of innocence died on his lips at the look of sheer disappointment written all over Bobby's face and Buck felt his heart shatter, tears stinging at his eyes. Fight or flight instinct kicking in, he shoved the offending sheet of paper into his pocket and spun on his heel, all but tripping down the stairs in his haste to get away, unable to handle the weight of the false accusations.

"Buck, wait!"

Ignoring Bobby's call, Evan took the stairs two at a time, blinking to clear his blurred vision. Too distracted to focus to what was going on around him, he crashed into a solid wall of flesh with a thud.

"Whoa!"

A warm and steadying hand kept him from falling to the ground. Buck swiped hurriedly at the tears still clouding his vision and was rewarded with the sight of a sweaty but concerned Eddie standing in front of him. Buck's apparent replacement, Lena Bosko, was at his side.

"Hey," Eddie murmured. "Are you okay?"

Evan shrugged out of his best friend's grip, not finding enough oxygen left in his lungs to form a response. The sound of Bobby's hurried footsteps on the stairs behind him reminded him of the urge to get out of there and thankfully the bell chose that moment to ring, signalling an emergency for the team to respond to.

Buck used the distraction to make his escape before he made much more of a scene, keeping his head down as he hurried around the side of the building and out of sight. Collapsing against the solid brick wall he had to work hard to force air into his lungs, the growing panic a tight band across his chest that caused his vision to tunnel.

Waiting until the rig roared past, sirens blaring, Buck allowed his knees to give way beneath him.