The boys spend some time at the 126.

Chapter Text

The movie night had gone off without a hitch, other than the sight of four grown men crying at the possible fate of some toys. Christopher wouldn't let them live that down for several days. There were several more meet ups, in different groupings, as they had time off, including quite a bit of Buttercup time for Chris, who was ecstatic with his access to a dog, without the responsibility.

Things had certainly improved for the 118 family, including a gathering at the Nash-Grant household that had included both Carlos and TK. There was a bit of confusion, for the extended family as to who was dating who, and more than a few private 'what the fuck' conversations.

Athena had taken one look at the foursome, and how Christopher reacted to each of them, and just raised an eyebrow. "Glad to see you boys all worked out your differences." Then smirked and walked away, leaving four blushing men in her wake.

Maddie kept glancing at them most of the night, confused by the dynamic. Chim promised to explain what he knew later, but that only led to a blushing Maddie when she attempted to ambush Buck at his apartment a few days later, and instead walked in on TK kneeling beside Buck in nothing but a collar, while Eddie lounged in a chair nursing a beer and watching, stroking himself.

Hen and Karen giggled, slightly tipsy, every time they caught sight of the foursome, especially after overhearing the conversation between Harry, Denny and Chris, discussing their various lists of parental figures. Chris was currently behind Denny's two moms and a sort of dad on the side, and Harry's two dads and a mom, but he was bragging about how his dad was working on making it four dads and a dog. Harry and Denny were both impressed, by the dog at least.

A week or so after the 'Oh God, Oh, God! My eyes, Evan.' incident, which Buck still holds that she deserved for just walking in, Buck had OT scheduled with the 126. With Tim's absence they were perpetually a man down and until Captain Vega could find a permanent replacement, they would remain that way.

Carlos worked for part of their shift, due to the much shorter hours for police officers, and Eddie was doing a partial shift substitution for the 118 B shift. TK rode in with Buck in his Jeep.

They were hoping to talk to Judd, maybe everyone really about the situation with the 118, before any more bad blood got started. It wasn't their fault some higher up decided to be petty. None of them wanted trouble between the pseudo in-laws, not to mention Eddie.

Unfortunately the day was call after call after call. Then the baby paramedic for today was causing problems. This one made Eddie's anger issues seem tame. Mid call, she'd headbutted a man. Needless to say she was out of Tommy's pilot program, before end of day and they'd called in the next recruit to sub. They were three hours in.

The second candidate seemed to have a few minor red flags, but passed out twice in the same run, needing transported himself. He was swiftly let go with their thanks, and a suggestion to find a different calling.

Candidate number 3 seemed to have a subconscious need to maim Nancy. First he'd nearly taken her head off with a damaged O2 canister, then he'd actually ran over her foot. The cursing Nancy let out was impressive, and the third candidate was swiftly let go.

Tommy was determined though, and once Nancy was back from the hospital she scheduled one more interview.

When the man stepped into the firehouse Buck let out a gasping squeak and pulled TK to him, and the pair of them around the corner and out of sight. He watched eyes narrowing as the man made his way to Captain Vega's office.

"What the Hell is he doing here?" Buck hissed, glaring.

"He who?" TK said, peering up at the window to Tommy's office as he stepped inside and took a seat.

"Pearse Risher. He was a trainer in the SEALs, now he's a paramedic, prides himself on his so called record. His claim is he's never lost a patient. Thing is for that to mean something you actually have to be doing the work. I can't imagine why he'd want to work here, down in the muck with us mortals." Buck said, his immense distaste for the man obvious in the glare he was directing at Tommy's office. "My working theory based on what I know of him from the SEALs, and what I've seen of him in the field, is the man is brilliant and a complete fucking sociopath."

"Wait, really?" TK turned to stare at him.

"Have you ever met someone who made you feel like they were measuring you for an unmarked grave? That's what I've felt every time I've had the misfortune to be near that guy." Buck said, grimly.

"Shit." TK said, with feeling.

"That man is the reason I decided I wasn't cut out to be a Seal. If he was what they wanted, then I wanted no part in it. Only medic I've ever met without an ounce of empathy." Buck pulled TK away, further into the building.

"Have you ever said anything to anyone about him?"

"I don't have any actual proof, only how the man makes me feel. His supposed record speaks for him. He manages to make saves on people who are 'important' like the Lt. Governor last year."

TK looked around and then pulled Buck into a hug. He looked shaken up, and the conviction in his voice had TK worried. "So, what are we going to do?"

"We can't actually do anything, I don't think, but keep an eye on your people. I'm here for a couple days, maybe we'll get lucky and he won't take the position, but somehow I doubt it. The pilot program of separate paramedic teams here at the 126 is in theory a good fit for him, since he doesn't have firefighter training."

"After that last one, I think the captain is getting a little desperate. Unless he has a reason to change his mind she's gonna take him on." TK said, sneaking a look out into the bay. "There he goes. Should I have a word with Tommy?"

"Nah, what can you say really? Buck has a bad feeling about the mean medic? Just keep an eye out." He reeled TK in and kissed the top of his head.

Buck shook off his mood, and then caught sight of Nancy glaring at the stairs and then at her crutches. He rushed forward. "In need of a noble steed, fair Nancy?" He asked with an exaggerated bow. "Or just a hand down the stairs?" in his normal voice.

"I gotta figure it out sometime, but, uh... could you maybe just spot me, on the way down?"

"Sure, I can't have you beating my hospital visit record." He said with a grin.

She made her way down cautiously. "Thanks, Buck." She said, waving before heading out.

Buck looked around for TK and saw him heading into his dad's office. Buck went off to see if Paul needed any help in the kitchen. He was still learning how to cook around the dietary needs at the 126, and Paul was amazing at transforming standard recipes to fit their requirements.

Fifteen minutes later, TK rushed past the two of them without a word. Buck shared a look with Paul, who nodded, and Buck followed after TK.

Buck took off in a jog, until he caught up with TK. "Hey, what's wrong?"

TK's hair was sticking up from where he'd obviously been tugging on it, and his eyes were red. He was pacing back and forth in the alley.

"So my dad just signed his power of attorney over to me."

"Uh, okay, why did he do that." Buck was confused.

"He's having surgery in two weeks." TK said, bitterly.

"Wait, the surgery you been on him to get done, or something else?"

"Oh, no that's the one. He finally found an important enough reason to get it done." TK said, not looking at Buck, hand slipping back up to tug at his hair again. Buck reached out and took it in his own hand, instead.

"Okay?" Buck asked, eyes locked on TK.

"Yeah, he's going to be a father. I guess I somehow don't count." TK said, finally looking at Buck, who pulled him in and wrapped his arms around him.

"I swear to God, your old man is, well he can be amazing, but I have honestly never met anyone who was better at cramming their own foot in their mouth than Owen Strand."

Buck held TK and they stayed where they were for awhile. If the bell rang, they'd have to run, but TK needed the distance, and Buck very much needed to not punch the captain of the 126.

Finally, when they both felt they'd probably pushed their luck enough, they made their way back to the house, only to walk right into Pearse Risher. He looked at the pair, and smiled. TK felt a chill go up his spine, and forced a smile back.

"Buckley, I didn't know you finally shook off the 118. It's going to be interesting working with you again."

"Just getting some OT. I'm still on the roster for the 118." Buck said, worried about what Risher considered interesting, especially considering the last few days he spent in Seal training. He'd always felt the man had taken a special interest in him, not sexually, more like studying an insect, while thinking about pulling its limbs off.

"So, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you're TK Strand. I've been introduced to everyone else on the shift, since Captain Vega asked me to start early, due to her staffing issues."

"Yeah, I'm TK. Nice to meet you." He offered a hand, which the man took, and kept just a moment too long, before releasing it. He turned to Buck, who he could tell was getting antsy. "Hey, Buck, can you come help me with that uh, thing, the uh... weights?"

Buck answered, not looking away from Risher. "Sure I can spot you. After you." He said and waited until TK was moving towards the back of the bay, before following.

When they were on the other side of the building, TK leaned into him, and spoke quietly. "I feel like I just stared down a shark, and somehow got away without being bitten. He is creepy as fuck."

They got called out to an accident scene; a flower delivery van had flipped over. Buck was having flashbacks to his first Valentine as a firefighter when he looked at all the scattered flowers on the pavement.

"Cherry laurel." Buck said, when they stepped through them. "Fun fact, they give off cyanide gas."

TK shook his head, with a smile. Buck's knowledge of odd facts was always a wonder. They separated and got to work.

Buck heard Strand asking about Risher, and paid a little more attention than he probably should have, hearing Strand talking about feeling a chill from TK, and making the leap that TK's upset was because of the baby.

Buck knew he should keep his mouth shut, but when Captain Vega moved to work on the patient he sidled up to Captain Strand.

"You know, I think anyone might be upset, if they begged their father for weeks to do something that could save their lives, then when they change their mind, its because they're going to be a father. Just saying." Buck said, throwing his arms out before walking away, leaving Owen standing there, face pale, as he realized what he'd said to his son.

He turned to look at TK, was walking towards Buck who led him towards the ladder truck. His eyes narrowed, wondering at their closeness, then shook his head. Buck was a good friend, that's all. Risher had made an exceptional save, so at least Tommy seemed pleased with his competence.

They were back at the station fifteen minutes, before Eddie slipped in, looking nervously about before bee-lining straight for them. TK and Buck caught sight of Judd's dark look and shared an 'oh fuck' one between themselves before rushing forward to cut off any unpleasantness before it started.

"Eddie!" TK said, smiling and pulling him away, while Buck moved towards Judd.

"So, did I mention how I found out some asshole lied to Captain Nash about the lawsuit?" He started, pulling Judd back towards the kitchen.

Judd, who had been glaring at Eddie focused on Buck.

"Nah, you didn't. So mention it now." Judd waited.

"So, first off, I never told Eddie that Bobby was blocking me from going back. He didn't know I had lost disability, or why I was pissed enough to sue. Then, when I agreed to turn down the settlement, whoever informed Cap made it sound like I blackmailed them to get back. Whoever it was also kept the fact that the minute I re-certified I lost benefits from him."

"Who did it?" Judd asked, pissed.

"I don't know, but imagine you got this guy, who let his lawyer throw around some of your lowest moments to prove a point you don't know needs proven, and yet he swears he only did it to come back to you, then he starts taking every shift he can at other stations without an explanation?"

"Well with that information, I guess I'd think he was a liar and was treating me like a fool." Judd allowed.

"Eddie's a good guy, and Captain Nash, well I believe he meant well, he just went about it in a really shitty way, but he apologized. He was hurt by the lawsuit and well, this part is, well not a secret, but I'd appreciate it if it didn't go beyond us. Cap lost his wife and two kids in a fire, before he came to LA, and he... we were, are close. Near as I can tell, after I nearly bled out in his backyard he was convinced he was gonna lose another kid, and was trying to keep that from happening."

Judd's eyes widened in understanding. "So, I'm glad you had my back, but I'm good with them now, and honestly, I really think you'd like them, now that all the crap has been cleared away."

"Well shit you're practically family now, as much time as you're here, I guess we'll have to play nice with the in-laws." Judd clapped him on the back, and headed to find TK and Diaz.

Before Buck could catch up with Judd, he was looking at something Buck couldn't see, face furious. He spun on his heels and walked back towards Buck.

Before he could say anything the alarm sounded. Owen walked past talking to someone about mines.

Buck jogged after him, after throwing Judd a questioning glance, confused by the abrupt change. "Cap, did you say mines? Like landmines?"

"Yeah, couple kids trapped in a field filled with landmines." He confirmed.

"Eddie Diaz is here, off duty, and I'm not sure if he'll know shit about mines, but one of our first runs together was removing a live grenade from a guys leg. He knows at least something about ordinance. Might be worth asking him to ride along."

"Do it." Strand agreed.

Judd looked somehow even more pissed, and just turned to gear up, while Buck turned to get Eddie.

Buck rushed to get Eddie, passing TK who was grinning as he rushed to gear up. Eddie was leaning against a wall with a satisfied smirk and ruffled hair. Buck immediately suspected what might have set Judd off.

"Might wanna wipe your mouth, love." He said, just to be a shit. Grinning as Eddie swiped at his face for non-existent cum.

Finally he caught sight of Buck's shit eating grin "Dick."

"No man, that's what you just had in your mouth. I'm Buck." He joked before continuing. "We got a call about a couple kids trapped in a minefield. Any of that extensive Army knowledge you have tucked away about landmines? If so, Cap is good with you riding along, in case you might be able to help."

Eddie pulled away from the wall. "Yeah, lets go."

Buck grabbed his gear and rushed towards the engine, Eddie right on his heels. They met up with TK as he was climbing in, and followed him into the cab.

The three of them stood watching as the two captains assessed the situation. Owen turned away, determination on his face, as he began to issue orders. TK looked at Buck, when his dad approached Risher. Buck just shook his head, already seeing the way this particular wind was going to blow.

When TK volunteered, Buck and Eddie both groaned, and then shot out their fists, shaking them three times. Buck let out scissors, but Eddie had rock.

"Well, I lost, guess that's me up." Buck said, trying to step away, before Eddie jerked him to a stop.

"Yeah, no that's not how this works. I won, I pick and I pick me." Eddie stepped up. "Cap, I can take point on this. I'm a medic so I can assist TK if he needs it, I'm qualified in heavy rescue, and I have an idea of how hard these mines need to be hit to trigger, so you don't get a false positive then jump and boom."

Buck, winced as Captain Strand looked at TK and then back to Eddie and nodded, passing over the gear. Once they were ready, Buck led them back to the end of the truck to start up the ladder.

He looked around to see if anyone was watching, and saw only Judd, controlling the ladder. He pulled Eddie in for a kiss, which caused Judd to frown, eyes narrowing at Eddie. At least until Buck turned and did the same thing to TK.

"The both of you be fucking careful. This is all that cowardly piece of shit Risher's fault. Eddie looked confused, but TK looked worried for Buck.

"Don't start anything with him over this. At least not until we're around to have your back. Okay?" Buck nodded, and then patted the both of them on the back as they climbed the ladder and made their way out into the field.

Buck split his time glaring at Risher, and watching them move out the ladder. He prayed the ladder didn't break like it had the day they'd water bombed a cul-de-sac. The two of them made it to the end of the ladder and then Eddie slammed the bag down, as hard as he could, everyone, except fucking Risher, jumped.

Nothing happened and Buck could almost breath again when Eddie made his jump. He balanced, carefully and then painted around the duffel.

"Don't start down, until I clear a couple circles ahead." Eddie said working his way off the duffel before picking it up and once again slamming into the ground in front of him. He repeated it once more, before turning to wait for TK to jump.

Once TK made his first leap, Eddie started forward again. They kept up like that, two rings apart, until what would have been the last leap. Eddie slammed down the duffel, and a mine blew.

"EDDIE!" Came from both Buck and TK. After four of the longest seconds of his life, Buck could breath again when Eddie coughed and called out.

"I'm good. TK? Shrapnel?"

"No, I'm good, Eds."

"Okay, lets go." He jumped into the middle of the shallow crater created by the mine's explosion, and then to the boys. TK followed two jumps later.

Eddie took a look at the situation. "You did a heck of a job helping your big brother." He said, clapping the younger boy on the shoulder before they got to work on his brother.

TK got the blood ready to go, while Eddie applied the tourniquet. TK called to the captain, about his lack of pulse, she and Eddie said compressions at the same time. TK jumped into place and began perform compressions. Eddie waited to take over if need be, but the boy responded.

Buck could finally breath again, as the Bomb Squad pulled into the dusty drive. He caught an almost disappointed look on Risher's face, and he grabbed a hold of Judd, whispering.

"I promised I wouldn't start something, and knocking his teeth in is something. Please don't let me."

"Can't say as I'd blame you." Judd spoke softly. "Coward put both yer boys in danger. So, TK break it off with Reyes?" Judd asked, carefully.

"Nope, he's one of my boys, too." Buck said with a smirk.

"Sheee-it, nothing like havin' yer own harem, o' pretty boys." Judd said, eyes crinkled in laughter.

"You have no idea." Buck said, with a smug grin.

Less than fifteen minutes after they got back to the station, Risher headed to Captain Vega's office, with purpose. Buck caught TK's eye and they rushed to get close enough to hear at least a little.

TK literally hissed when he heard him reference Tim's death, like a fucking lava bomb was somehow Tommy's fault. They could tell when he was leaving, and TK tried dragging Buck away. He pointed to the kitchen, but stayed leaning against the stairs. TK stepped away, but kept an eye on Buck.

Risher came down the stairs in what looked calm to anyone else, but Buck recognized the fury in his eyes. When he caught sight of Buck at the base of the stairs, he stopped. "I was looking forward to getting reacquainted, Buckley, its too bad, this isn't the right fit for me."

"Yeah, a real tragedy, but I guess you have to protect that perfect record somehow, right?" Buck said, a smile on his face and 'fuck off' in his eyes.

Risher narrowed his eyes, "Yeah, I prefer to preserve perfect things." He glanced up at Buck's birthmark, with a sneer, and then turned to leave, raising a hand and calling out "Later." to the rest of the crew.

Buck joined them in the kitchen as they began to discuss the captains lack of luck with candidates. TK was being especially vocal, and Buck just watched him, an idea of what he might be thinking about. Eddie texted just then, to let them know he got home safe.

Buck replied, and then looked in as Judd was leading Carlos in, with a smirk on his face. Carlos looked confused, and a little worried. TK and Buck both jumped up and led Carlos away from the kitchen, and Judd's amused and knowing look.

As soon as they were around a corner Carlos looked at them, wondering what was going on. TK still looked a little confused too.

"What was that about?" Carlos asked.

"Oh, yeah, Judd knows you're part of my harem of pretty boys." Buck said, nonchalantly.

Both of them whipped their heads around to stare at Buck. "He asked. It was tell him the truth or let him think TK was cheating on you with me and Eddie. Especially after Eddie gave the puppy a blowjob against that wall, and saw me kiss the both of them for luck before they crossed a minefield."

TK winced as Carlos spun face him, "He did... you did what?"

"Snitch." He hissed at Buck. "Buck here taunted a guy we're pretty certain is a sociopath."

Carlos stepped back so he could glare at them both. "Am I going to have to quit my job and spend my life following the three of you around to keep you out of trouble?"

"Well, no, but if you want to quit and be our kept boy, we could work something out. But before you put in your papers, maybe do a tiny little background check... pretty please, for me?" Buck looked at him with a jutting out lip and sad puppy eyes.

Carlos groaned. "Or you could you know, ask your mom, she has better access than I do."

Buck brightened up at the suggestion. "And she might be happy I ask her instead of investigating on my own. That always puts her in a bad mood. She had to spring me from hospital jail when all that shit with Maddie and that ass Doug went down."

"Speaking of changing jobs, anything you wanna tell us, TK?" Buck asked, eyes back on TK, who looked decidedly shifty.

"I uh, might have dropped my application into the pile of paramedic applicants. I'm still qualified, and I just, I think I might need out from under dad, and I like the idea of helping people."

Buck and Carlos wrapped him up, between them and held him close for a moment or two. "That's great, TK."

"Yeah, until she laughs her ass off and throws it away, or tells my dad." He said morosely.

"Well, pretty sure he's gonna notice if you get the job, and I don't think she'd really tell him unless she wants to hire you. In which case, better her than you."

TK looked a little brighter at that idea. "True."

"Say, Cap, there's uh, a question I had, about the coffee maker, uh, Gracie she likes some of those fancy drinks, y'all make, and I was wondering if there was something a little less um... Italian, that might make regular coffee too." Judd said, loud and with a hint of panic.

The three men shared a look and moved back to the kitchen, each of them sending thankful looks at Judd's attempt to protect their privacy.

"I can help you with that, Judd." Buck spoke up. "Cap's tastes are probably a little much for Gracie, but if you can get her to show me how she makes her sweet tea, I can put you onto this neat little machine Bobby and Athena swear by." The relief in Judd's eyes as Buck cut off the captains undoubtedly long winded rant on coffee types, almost had Buck giggling.

When the shift ends, Buck attempted to sneak away, to speak with Athena by himself, but neither Carlos nor TK trusted him to tell her the whole truth, and TK was convinced Risher was an actual risk. Buck hadn't exaggerated the slimy feel of a predator studying it's chosen prey.

They didn't exactly want her to go after the man without just because, but at the least he should be on her radar, particularly after his parting shot to Buck about perfect things. Outwardly, it seemed like a dig at Buck's birthmark, but it felt deeper, more sinister, to TK.

It was early evening and both Bobby and Athena should be home. Athena answered the door, and then smiled at the trio, before letting them in and offering coffee. Buck giggled at the offer and just shook his head when she raised an eyebrow.

"So what brings three of fourths of a whole idiot to our door this evening?" She said, with a grin to take the sting out of the joke.

Buck figured he'd start. "Basically there's this guy working as a medic. He was one of my trainers in the SEALs, and there's something off about him. I know you can't really do anything, but he worries me, and I might have just pissed him off, So I kind of wanted to make sure you had an eye on him, you know if I suddenly disappear."

"Now, Buck, I can't imagine someone with your charms pissing someone off enough that they might want to make you disappear." Athena said with an serene smile. "Still, what can you tell me about this guy?"

"His name is Pearse Risher, and-"

"The guy who saved the Lt Governor last year?" Bobby said, leaning forward. "Hot shot with a perfect record?"

"Oh yeah, that's him. We know how he has that, by the way. He doesn't takes on risky cases. He was trying for Captain Vega's pilot program with the 126, did about half a shift, which is where we were reacquainted. He did two runs, one a flower truck wreck where he impressed the captain." Buck started.

"Yeah, with the same fact you already told me." TK cut in. "You know the whole flowers that give off cyanide. That's how he made the save."

"Huh, well anyway, the second run was these two kids who'd wandered into a mine field after their drone."

"Excuse me... did you say mine field?" Athena said, voice getting high.

Bobby looked at Buck. "Please tell me you did not go out into a mine field, Buck."

"Oh, no I didn't. I lost rock, paper, scissors to Eddie, so him and TK went." Buck said, hiding a smirk as Bobby's head whipped around.

"What was Eddie doing out there? He was subbing for B-Shift most of the day."

"Yeah, well, he stopped by the 126 in time for the call to go out about the mines, and I asked Captain Strand if having someone with ordinance knowledge on a ride along might possibly help. He agreed that it might, and we asked Eddie to ride along. Captain Strand was going to take point, and asked Risher to go with him, He flat out refused, and when Captain Vega was going to join Strand, TK volunteered. Which led to Eddie winning and offering to go, instead."

"I know you weren't there, and you were obviously busy, but that fucker didn't flinch, at all." He said to Carlos and TK respectively. "Then when the two of you were safe, he looked disappointed. I had to ask Judd to stop me from going after him right then."

"I guess he decided the 126 fostered a 'cowboy culture' and then made out like Tim's death was because of that."

Bobby was staring at him. "Strand and Vega? Those are two of the most level headed Captains in the LAFD, and he's accusing them of fostering a cowboy culture?"

"You're telling me, I swear I wanted to make a 'New York City! Salsa reference." Buck said with a grin.

TK smacked him on the back of the head, looking mock offended. "Hey... I can be cowboy!"

"Sure you can, baby." Carlos said kissing his cheek. TK turned his glare on Carlos.

"Line dancing doesn't count." Buck said with a grin.

"Anyway, this guy gives me the heebies and all the jeebies. You remember me talking about that emotional switch back then? Now, its like his is always set to off. The only things I get from this guy that feel like real human emotions are that he's always sizing people up, and you don't want him to find you interesting." Buck was looking off into space, remembering.

"I think he might have found something interesting about me during training. Everywhere I turned, he'd be watching and assessing, and I don't mean in a trainer sense, or even in an attracted way. It was very unnerving. He's still that way." Buck shivered, and then shook it off.

"I've always tried to follow along when I get a weird feeling, and more often than not, the feeling pans out. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't trust this guy, and I'd much rather let you know, than have you kicking my ass later when something goes wrong and I didn't say anything."

Things were running fairly smoothly for all four of them over the next few days, as TK spent his time hiding from his dad, and screwing his boyfriends. Until he was cornered, working on restocking the trucks.

He was checking the compartments and tags, making sure everything was set on the truck, when his dad stepped around the end.

"Checking the gear?" He asked in that fake nonchalant way that always set TK's teeth on edge.

It meant his dad had something on him, but was giving him a little rope to hang himself. It was probably the paramedic thing, but it could also be the dating three other guys thing or the 'slowly packing up his shit to move' thing. Then again, it could also be some weird 'Hey let's fuck with TK's mommy and daddy issues' thing, but usually the pair of them liked to double team when it came to that one.

"Sure, lets go with that." He said, tightly, before shutting the compartment and turning to face his dad, fully. "Look, we both know you're here to have a talk with me about something, so why don't we just start with whatever it is you want to tell me. That would save me a bit of stress, and move this whole thing along, cause I'm off duty in ten minutes, and I have plans." He tried to keep it light, and pleasant, but honestly he was well past done, and just wanted whatever this was over with.

"Well, I guess it's good you're keeping up on restocking, there's a lot more of that on an ambulance than you'd think. Higher turnover at any rate."

"So, you heard." TK said.

"That you're looking for a new captain? Yeah I heard." He said, passive aggressive as ever.

"I didn't want to jinx it, I mean I figured it was a long shot at best, and stirring everything up over a job I probably wasn't going to get seemed silly. Besides you have other things to worry about than a silly whim."

"I don't think it's silly, or a long shot for that matter. The woman would be a fool not to hire you, and if there's one thing Tommy Vega is not, it's stupid. Besides, no matter what I've got going on, I always have time for you, TK. You are my son and I love you, and I'm sorry I misspoke the other day, and made you feel like you don't count." He said, looking at TK.

"And it only took someone else pointing it out and three days for that heartfelt apology, I think that might be your personal best, a new record."

"TK, clearly you're feeling a bit emotional, about the baby and my, somewhat poorly thought out choice of words. Is that what this whole switching to paramedics thing is? An emotional reaction?" Owen asked, looking at him, with that 'I'm ready to support your stupidity and not speak my mind' mask firmly in place.

The idea of seeing that face, after Alex... Hell, he'd seen it before Alex, and he didn't want to see it now. "An emotional reaction? What like a tantrum?"

"I did not say tantrum. I just want to make sure this is what you really want, not just jumping into something to get away from me and your mom and everything to do with the baby." That, that actually stung, and he was a little angry with himself for feeling it.

"No, Captain Strand, my choice to try something new, to help people was not an emotional response, but this is. Should Captain Vega decide I'm not the candidate for her, I'll be putting in a request for a transfer to the 118. Clearly I must be compromised emotionally, by working under your command, so I'll take steps to correct that, before my tantrums cause problems with you and with the rest of the house."

TK walked away, and kept moving when Owen managed to recover enough to call after him.

Eddie walked into the 126, just in time to hear Captain Strand calling out.

"TK, that isn't what I meant. TK? Come on, stop being ridiculous." As he moved further into the house, apparently calling after TK.

"Captain Strand?" He called out, hopefully giving TK enough time to get a head start.

"Firefighter Diaz, hello. What can I do for you?" Owen asked, shifting back to his more restrained personality.

"Oh, I didn't need anything, Captain, you just seemed to be unaware that other people could hear you, as you chased a grown man around and talked to him like he was a three year old. I figured I'd remind you that others can hear you, and might accidentally hold your fatherly concern, while on the job, as a slight against TK's maturity, instead of a mark of your own unprofessional attitude." Eddie turned and walked away, leaving Owen gaping like a fish.

TK was leaning against the Denali waiting, when Eddie returned. "Thanks." He muttered before kissing Eddie. They climbed into the truck and left, leaving a confused and conflicted Mateo in their wake.

Paul and Marjan were standing in the kitchen, trying to somehow forget the fight between Cap and TK. They didn't want to get involved in family business, though neither wanted to lose TK from their team. Still working with a parent can be a tough time. Both were looking for something to break up the uncomfortable silence, so Mateo coming in looking guilty and twitchy was a relief for both of them.

"Hey, Probie, what's wrong?" Marjan asked, bumping his shoulder.

"I was wondering is TK still dating Carlos? I mean I know they were together the last time we did a get together, but did they like break up or something?"

Paul and Marjan shared a confused look. "Nah man, they're still together, TK mentioned going to his place today, why?"

"Today? Like he mentioned it today about today or like he mentioned a while ago that he was going today?" He asked, obviously grasping at straws.

"Today, and today, why what's going on?" Paul asked.

"Cause, I just saw him kissing that Diaz guy, out front and then climb in his truck and drive away."

"Diaz just helped distract Cap, so he could get out, cause him and Cap were having issues, so was it maybe like a thank you kiss?"

"Full make-out city. TK was pressed up against the side of his truck, so, no unless he was thanking him for a hell of a lot more than that." Mateo said, wincing at his own words. "Man, poor Carlos."

"Shit. I didn't think TK was the type to cheat." Paul started, before Owen spoke up behind him.

"He's not, not usually. Unless he's using again."