Title: Betrayal by Omission
Rating: T
Pairings/Characters: Buck/Eddie, past Eddie/Shannon
Warning: Not Shannon friendly
Word Count: 3,020

Notes: 9-1-1 Bingo Square: Free Space / Buddie Bingo Square: Betrayal

Betrayal by Omission

Buck grinned at him.

Eddie smiled back, but his heart wasn't in it.

Buck, being Buck, noticed something was off. "Is everything okay?"

That was a loaded question. And for some reason, he decided to lie. "Of course."

"Are you sure?"

Eddie pressed his lips against his lover's in a brief kiss. "I'm sure. Now, do you want to continue talking, or do you want to do something a little more fun?"

Buck grinned as he wrapped his legs around Eddie's waist and flipped them so now he was on top. "I vote for fun. And adult. Very adult." He leaned down and pressed his lips against Eddie's in another kiss.

Eddie returned it even as his mind thought about what he could do about the situation he found himself in.

xXx

Eddie stared at the television. It was on, but he wasn't paying attention to the movie that was playing.

The doorbell rang. Eddie looked at it. He stood up and cautiously walked to it. He reached for the handle but hesitated. He was acting like it was a bomb, and in a way, it was. What was on the other side of the door had the chance of blowing up everything good in his life.

But he had to face what was on the other side. He took a deep breath, grabbed the doorknob, and opened the door.

And he was left staring at his wife, a woman he hadn't seen for about two years. "Hello, Shannon."

Shannon smiled. "Can I come in?"

Eddie nodded and stepped aside after a quick look to once again confirm that all pictures of Buck were absent. He felt horrible about the subterfuge, but he didn't want to take the chance of Shannon not being agreeable, especially since this was the best place for Christopher. He closed the door after she stepped inside. "I appreciate you coming by. I just, I really want to get Christopher in a good school, and they need to meet both parents because we're not officially divorced, and –"

"Of course, I'd be here for Christopher."

Eddie felt like asking, 'What do you mean of course? Where was that attitude for the last two years?' but he bit his tongue. If he accused her of anything, she was liable to turn around and walk right back out without meeting with the school

He just had to keep reminding himself that this was for Christopher.

"Of course," he forced a smile.

"I have to admit, I was surprised when I heard you were in Los Angeles. You didn't seem interested in coming when I was still in Texas."

Eddie frowned. "You never really gave me a chance. One day, you told me about your mother being sick, and then a couple of days later, you were gone. And after you were gone, I realized that if I ever wanted to raise Christopher the way I thought was right, we needed a fresh start. And it doesn't hurt that I have family here."

Shannon nodded. "And you became a first responder. Why am I not surprised?"

Eddie detected some judgment in her voice and fought to keep his temper in check. 'Remember, this is for Christopher,' he reminded himself. "I like helping people, and it's what I'm good at. A perfect fit."

Shannon nodded. She looked around, pausing at the picture of Christopher that was taken last Christmas. He had a huge smile on his face as he sat in front of a Christmas tree, reindeer antlers tilted at a weird angle on his head. Eddie remembered how those antlers kept falling off whenever Christopher got excited and jumped around.

"When can I see Christopher?"

Eddie sighed. He knew that was coming. He expected it. And he had his answer ready. "When I can trust you won't disappear from his life once again. I don't want to have to put my son's broken heart back together for the second time."

"You expect me to do you a favor by talking to his school, but you won't let me see him?" she asked, her face taut with anger as she faced him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"No, I expect you to do a favor for your son by going to his school. This school can provide him with the individualized attention he needs so he doesn't fall through the cracks. And as his mother, I would think you'd want that."

She glared at him.

He glared back. He might need her for the school, but he wasn't going to let her bully him into giving her what she wanted. Christopher was too precious, and Eddie needed to make sure she wasn't going to walk away before he allowed mother and son to reunite.

Christopher's well-being was what mattered. Everything else was secondary.

"Fine," she snapped, finally seeing he wasn't budging. And if she didn't go to the school, she really would look like a bitch that didn't care about her son's needs, and that would not help her argument about why she should be allowed to see Christopher.

"Great, tomorrow morning at 9 am is the meeting."

"Fine. Text me the address. I'll meet you there." And with that, Shannon turned around, stomped to the door, opened it, and closed it behind her. And she was gone as quickly as she arrived.

xXx

Eddie stared at the text message as he leaned against his truck that was parked outside of the school.

B: Want me to come by? Maybe provide some moral support?

He really wanted to text yes. Dealing with Shannon and her attitude made him realize how lucky he was to have Buck. His lover was such a steady presence in both his and his son's life. Always there. Never wavering in his support. Someone he could depend on 100 percent.

But Buck still didn't know about Shannon's reappearance in his life. And from what Shannon had said yesterday, she wasn't planning on leaving any time soon.

Eddie needed to tell Buck soon. But Buck finding out in the middle of the school's parking lot wasn't the way for it to happen.

And when Shannon walked out, they had words. Other than making sure Christopher's chances at getting accepted into the school wasn't totally screwed up, Eddie couldn't say what she actually said to him.

But then she was stepping forward and kissing him before he knew what was going on.

As soon as his brain computed that this wasn't Buck and no way in hell should he be kissing her, he pushed her away. Lightly enough so she didn't get knocked to the ground but firm enough so she got the point that kissing him was not okay.

And just as Shannon stumbled back, a jeep drove into the parking lot, stopping a few feet from where they stood.

Eddie's heart jumped up to his throat as Buck stepped out, his eyes going between the two of them. And he realized he never texted Buck that he shouldn't come by, too distracted by wanting him to be there.

"Buck," Eddie whispered.

Buck looked between the two of them. "When you didn't answer my text, I figured that was a 'yes.' I guess I was wrong," he stated. It was said so monotonously that it scared Eddie.

"It's not what it looks like," Eddie pled. He wasn't sure how much Buck saw, but even if Buck hadn't seen the kiss, he had seen pictures of Shannon, so he would know who she was. And Shannon being here without Buck being told was as bad as a kiss.

Buck swallowed, his gaze unwavering as he turned it on Eddie. "What it looks like is your wife kissing you, and you pushing her away. Or do I have that wrong?"

"Well, no, that part was right," Eddie conceded.

Buck nodded. "And is it also correct that it slipped your mind when it came to telling me that she was around?"

"I was trying to figure out how to do it."

Buck scoffed. "Sorry I ruined the surprise."

"What's going on, Eddie? Who is this?" Shannon demanded.

He wasn't looking at her—his eyes were only for Buck—but he could tell from the tone of voice that her arms were crossed over her chest, and her foot was tapping against the ground.

Buck's smile was fake, and a fake smile did not belong on his face ever. "My name is Buck. I work with Eddie and babysit Christopher if it's needed."

"Buck is also my boyfriend. Or lover. Or whatever you want to call us," Eddie said. He wasn't going to let Buck have Shannon believe that he was so unimportant to Eddie and Christopher.

"Nice of you to let me know, Eddie," Shannon sarcastically snipped at him.

He finally tore his eyes away from Buck's face, where he had been trying to get a read on him, to look at Shannon. "I don't owe you anything."

"We're still married," Shannon tried.

"Maybe in name, but you walked out on us two years ago. You lost any right to my loyalty and fidelity."

Shannon turned accusing eyes onto Buck. "Did you know he was a married man? Or did you know and just not care? Did you get off on sleeping with a married man? Being a homewrecker?"

"Leave him alone," Eddie demanded.

"I knew," Buck spoke. "But since you've been separated for two years, I really don't think you have a claim on him. And I'm certainly not a homewrecker. That home was already wrecked when I met Eddie. And I can't help that I met and become partners at work with an amazing man, and I can't help that I fell for him and his adorable son. And I've made it a personal mission to be there for them in every way they need me to be."

Shannon glared at him. "Didn't stop him from reaching out to me? I guess you can't do everything for them that Eddie needs."

Buck's spine stiffened.

Eddie walked over to Buck and took his hand and turned a glare onto her. "The only reason I had to call you is that after I sent you the divorce papers, you never signed them, so we're still legally married, so don't you dare act as if I wanted you here. You conveniently forget that I sent you the papers three months ago so we could finally be divorced. Didn't you wonder why I was suddenly doing that after two years of separation? It was because I met someone. And I wanted to be all in with him, which I couldn't do while still legally married. So get off your high horse. You wouldn't even be here if you hadn't held those papers hostage."

Shannon lost her glare, and she turned a pleading expression to Eddie, one that used to always soften Eddie's ire. "I'm here now. My mom is no longer sick, so I can be here for you and Christopher. We can be a family again."

"You're not the only one that gets to decide whether we can be a family or not. Two people get to be in on that decision. And I no longer want to be a family with you. Once I trust you, I'll let you see Christopher. I'll let you be his mom. But you and I are done. I have Buck now, and Buck is who I want. Take it or leave it."

"You can't be with Buck if I never sign those papers," Shannon gloated.

"Maybe I can't marry Buck, but as long as he doesn't mind living in sin with me, I'll still be with him."

"I'll take you to court. Sue you for full custody of Christopher," she threatened.

Buck squeezed Eddie's hand. "Who do you think the court is going to award custody to? A war hero who is also a first responder? Someone dedicated to his son as well as helping people. Or a mother who walked out of her son's life two years ago and hasn't seen or spoken to him since? And do you even have a job? Because courts will look at that as well."

"I'd hate for Christopher to have to through a custody case, but if it comes down to it, you won't like the outcome," Eddie said. Because he knew Buck was right. The fact that she hadn't seen Christopher for two years would be enough for the courts to doubt whether she could be a full-time parent to a disabled child.

Shannon looked at Eddie. "You'll regret this. You'll see this man can't give you want you want, what I can give you. But I won't take you back. If I walk away now, we're done for good."

"Then please sign those divorce papers I mailed to you, so we can make it official and both of us can move on with our lives."

She whirled around and stomped away to her car, her long black hair swaying against her back with the angry movements.

When she got in her car and started it up, she quickly reversed and sped away, her tires squealing slightly.

"Hope she doesn't get into an accident," Buck muttered.

Eddie looked over at his boyfriend. Or at least at the man he still hoped was his boyfriend. "I know I screwed up."

"Why didn't you tell me you had called Shannon here? You know that's suspicious behavior, right? And if I didn't know you so well, know what kind of man you are, I would have been suspicious."

"I know, and I'm so lucky that you trust me, and you didn't walk away as soon as you saw the kiss."

Buck nodded. "So? Why not tell me?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure why. It's not that I didn't think you'd understand. I know how much you love Christopher, and you want the best for him. And I truly believe this school is the best for him."

"But?" Buck encouraged.

"But, " Eddie continued, "I was afraid you'd want to be with me when Shannon was around. And I was afraid if Shannon knew about you, she might not cooperate when it came to the school."

"Well, considering how she acted when she found out about us, your fears seemed to be right on the mark."

"Yeah," Eddie groaned. "I don't really think she'll try to fight me for custody. I think it was a scare tactic in order to get her way. She would not want to be a full-time single parent. She didn't want to do it in Texas while I was deployed. And she certainly won't want to do it now."

Buck nodded. "You didn't tell me you sent her divorce papers."

Eddie blushed. "I know, and since she never signed them, I'm glad I never told you. But did you think we would just keep sleeping together while I was married to her? That I was going to keep you as my piece on the side?" Eddie joked.

Buck chuckled, "No, but I thought you were afraid to take that next step. And I thought you were keeping the marriage so you'd have a safety net in case we didn't work out."

Eddie cupped Buck's cheek. "I'm sorry that by not telling you, I made you feel like I wasn't with you completely. But I am. And I hope you know that now."

Buck touched the hand that was on his cheek. "Then you have to know how I feel bout lying, Eddie."

"I know. Trust me. I knew that as I made the decision to not tell you, I was committing one of the biggest betrayals in your eyes. But you need to know that whatever Shannon might have thought, me reaching out to her had nothing to do with us rekindling our relationship."

"I never thought it did. Especially since I now know about the divorce papers that I hope she'll finally sign. But Eddie, you can't lie to me. Even though you think I might not like what you have to tell me, you need to be honest. No matter what. Otherwise, how can I trust you if I always worry about whether you're telling me the truth?"

Eddie nodded. "Okay. I promise. From now on, no more lies. I will tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."

"Good." He moved his head to press a slight kiss to the hand. "So, you think it went well with the school?"

"I should know in a couple of days."

Buck nodded. "Do you have the rest of the day free?"

"I do."

He wrapped his arms around Eddie's neck, and Eddie's hand dropped to Buck's waist. "And how would you like to spend the rest of the day?"

Buck's grin was positively wicked. "You and me in a bed."

Eddie's forehead pressed against Buck's as they breathed in each other's air. "I can get behind that idea." He tilted his face up just enough so their lips could meet in a kiss.

Buck groaned as the kiss deepened, and he hardened in his pants. He broke it and took a step bed, ignoring Eddie's whine of protest. "Sorry that I have to be the adult, but no matter how much I love where this is going, we should take this somewhere more private. You still want to leave a good impression on the school right?"

Eddie nodded, panting heavily, his eyes dark and pupils wide with lust.

"Well, making out like a couple of teenagers in the parking lot won't do it. I'll meet you at your house. And then we can continue."

"Now I just have to get home in one piece," Eddie muttered, quickly getting in his truck.

Buck got in his jeep.

And on the way home, if Eddie drove a little bit faster than the posted speed limit, Buck didn't tease him once they got to the house. After all, Buck was following him at the same, a little fast, speed.

Notes: I don't know anything about the law, so I'm not sure if anything I said is accurate.