Buck was surprised to realise he was standing outside Christopher's school looking at none other than Christopher, how did he get here? Why did he get here? Eddie was gonna be mad at him, even more than he already was

"Does this mean you're feeling better? Did daddy send you?" Christopher asked and Buck looked at him bewildered

"Christopher?" Buck asked confused

"Did daddy give you the present?" Christopher asked excitedly

"Present?" Buck asked even more confused, why would Eddie give him a present?

"I've missed you Bucky" Chris said and hugged his legs, Buck hadn't even realised the little boy had come over to him. "Oh no did I do something wrong, I'm sorry Bucky" Chris said alarmed when Buck started to cry

"No buddy no, I've just missed you so much" Buck cried, he knew he was gonna be in trouble with Eddie later, but it was worth it for just a glimpse of Christopher and now he was being hugged and the thoughts were all quiet. He wanted to pick Christopher up, to give him a proper hug, but he knew that he couldn't because of his ribs so instead he fell to his knees so that he could be in Christopher's height, he cupped the boys face in his palms and looked at his with tears running down his cheeks. "Thank you buddy"

"I'm so glad you're here" Christopher said and hugged him again, and even though it hurt his ribs Buck didn't pull away, this was exactly what he needed. All too soon the school bell rang and Christopher had to go to class, Buck watched him as he went in.

"Buck you can't just walk out on me like that" Maddie said when he came back, he was smiling still going over the conversation he had had with Christopher

"Daddy said you were feeling bad and that was why you weren't coming to see us, was it something I did" Christopher had asked with tears in his eyes

"No buddy never" Buck had answered

"But are you feeling better, is that why you're here?" Chris had asked hopefully

"No buddy, I'm afraid not, I just needed some air" Buck had told him, not knowing how to explain that he hadn't meant to come, that he hadn't known where he was going or even where he was before he was there. He hadn't known how to explain that what was wrong with him was Eddie's words and that he wasn't around because he had made a mistake that he didn't know how to fix. He especially couldn't let Chris know that this little visit was properly gonna anger Eddie even more

"But when you feel better you'll come and play again?" Chris had asked

"Everything for you superman" Buck had said, knowing full well it was a promise he couldn't keep

"Yeah" Christopher had squealed in excitement

Just then the bell had rang and Christopher was gone.

"Buck?" Maddie had asked worried when he didn't answer her

"I'm okay Maddie" Buck said still smiling from remembering Christopher, he couldn't even remember when he had last seen the boy and he didn't wanna think about it, didn't wanna wake up the thoughts again, right now the memory of Christopher kept them quiet

"I better call Athena and let her know that you're home safe" Maddie said

"Wait, what, Athena?" Buck asked confused, suddenly all awake from his trance

"I didn't know where you were going or what you were going to do so I called Athena" Maddie said embarrassed

"I was just going for a walk" Buck said a little more angrily than intended, Maddie shrugged uncomfortably under his harsh tone, memories of Doug coming up. "I'm sorry Maddie, I didn't mean it like that"

"I'm fine" Maddie said and stood up straight again. "I better go call Athena" Maddie said and went into her bedroom to be alone. Buck felt horrible, he had snapped at Maddie knowing her past with Doug he had still snapped at her. He wanted to scream but knew it would only startle Maddie further so he kept it in. Eddie's words from the supermarked rang in his head again and the rest of the thoughts followed, he sighed he should have known better than to think he could escape them