"Eddie, Eddie he's going to be okay. Buck is a fighter." Hen's face matched her soothing voice in a mix of sympathy, empathy, and sadness as well.

Eddie wasn't sure which was worse to be honest telling Christopher his favorite person was hurt...

Again, or waiting around the hospital worry gnawing at his gut while he waited for someone, anyone to tell him if his best friend was okay.

Eddie just nodded absently at Hen and told her that he was going to go home and tell Christopher.

She nodded told him that she had already called Cap and that the rest of the team was coming straight to the hospital after they finished cleaning the accident up.

Eddie flashed her a weak teary eyed smile and walked hurriedly out of the ER doors when he realized that he didn't have his car with him.

He raked a frustrated hand through his already messy hair and sighed a very long sigh trying to keep the anger that Buck had gotten hurt again from exploding within him.

A horn honking from down the sidewalk made him look up and upon seeing Chimney's smiling face he smiled as well.

"Need a lift there Sir. This bus is going all the way back to the station where I believe your motorized transportation is waiting for you."

Chimney wisecracked and he grinned harder when he saw a flash of a smile cross Eddie's downturned lips and a tiny snort of laughter.

"Chim, I... Thank you."

Eddie walked around and climbed up into the passenger seat of the Ambo feeling weird that he was sitting up front when not to long ago he was in the back holding onto Buck for dear life while he seized.

He shook the thoughts from his head and turned to his phone to text Carla and apologize, when he saw that he had several missed texts from said woman and even a missed call.

Eddie texted her back immediately apologizing, telling her about Buck and that he was going to be home within the hour.

Carla texted back her assurances that it was fine, not to rush and have 2 of her favorite people in the hospital and to keep her updated on her Buckaroo.

He promised to do so then slumped down in the seat enjoying the silence as Chimney unexpectedly kept quiet for the rest of the trip.

They arrived at the station, Eddie jumping out and racing to his car before the Ambo even came to a full stop.

He unlocked his truck, hopping up and into it in one quick fluid motion.

Realizing he should probably text Bobby and tell him that he was leaving work he pulled out his phone and fired a text off to Bobby before starting up his truck.

Bobby told him he figured as much and that they would keep him informed on Buck.

Eddie grinned at how Bobby was always thinking ahead and shifted the gear stick from park to drive.

He slowly turned the engine off, unbuckled his seatbelt and directly as soon as his hand reached for the door handle he stiffened with dread.

What was he going to tell Christopher? HOW could he tell him?

Chris still occasionally had nightmares from the Tsunami and sometimes they got so bad he couldn't be consoled unless he talked to Buck on the phone or Buck was there in the flesh.

Hence why Eddie knew that Buck also had nightmares though his seemed far worse than Chris's ever were.

Just another trauma to put on the poor kid , his brain unhelpfully told him.

Eddie sighed and got out of his vehicle his mind thinking how it was so freaking coincidental that he had to tell his son that Buck wasn't coming just as Buck had when Eddie had gotten shot.

He rubbed his shoulder at the reminder grimacing as old phantom flares of the bullet tearing through skin, muscles, and the blood pouring out of his wound ran through his shoulder.

Shaking his head he opened the door to his house only to have Christopher barrel into him and wrap his arms as tightly around his waist as he could with his crutches.

"Woah. Easy there Buddy. What's wrong?"

Eddie hugged Christopher back and ran a hand through his golden locks when it became clear that he wasn't going to let go of his dad.

"He saw your texts on my phone when I left my phone on the table. i forgot to lock it and he saw what you said about Buck."

Carla stood in the kitchen her face twisted up into a smile but the sadness wouldn't stay contained and rolled of her in waves.

"W-Why did he get hu- hurt Dad? Why'd you let him get hurt?"

A knife stabbed Eddie in the gut as Chris's anguish and his accusing words hit him full force.

"Why?"

Chris sniffled and shook off his dad's hand.

He took a step back from Eddie and glared up into his dad's shocked face.

"You should have been there! I-I thought Buck was your best friend!"

His son's angry voice shook Eddie harder than anything even Shannon's death had done.

Chris never got angry...Ever.

"I-I didnt let him get hurt Christopher. He was in a car accident. I didn't even know."

Eddie's own words rang in his ears, sounding like a pathetic bunch of excuses.

"You do-dont even care about him do you!"

All Eddie could do is stare at his son silently, too shocked to say anything but Carla though shocked definitely had something to say.

TBC