Title: Turmoil

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

A whole week and a half passed since the last fire. The news media was speculating that maybe the fires weren't connected after all. The LAFD had linked three of the fires to the same arsonist. They were all started the same way. With that the LAPD and the LAFD had formed a task force. Eddie had been chosen by his captain to be on the combined team. Mid-Wilshire had been chosen as the base for the task force with Talia and Detective Wolf being chosen for the task force.

While Lucy had been disappointed she and Lydell hadn't been picked for the task force there was more than enough work to go around with the investigation. Even though they weren't officially a part of the task force Lucy and her T.O were helping out mainly pulling old files and trying to narrow the suspect field. Still it was almost task force experience that Lucy could put on her resume.

The downside of that meant extra hours and cancellation of plans. It was past six on a wednesday and Lucy sat in the bull pen frowning at her cell phone. She and Tim had been supposed to have dinner but she'd had to reschedule. Lucy knew he understood but still with all the other fall out tension in their lives Lucy had not wanted to postpone plans. Even if it had just been take out dinner and watching a movie at home.

"You okay?"Eddie asked as he crossed the bull pen.

Lucy glanced up at the firefighter. Eddie was in civilian clothes; jeans and a navy blue short sleeved shirt, sun glasses perched on top of his head. He and Lydell had gone out to get food for everyone that was staying late.

"Yes."Lucy answered as she held up her phone. "Just called Tim to cancel dinner plans."

"Unfortunately comes with the job. The sacrifice of personal time."Eddie responded gently. "Was he upset?"

"No, he understood."Lucy said as she massaged her forehead with one hand. "Just with everything else..."

Eddie sat down on the desk Lucy was sitting next to. She could smell chicken and Mexican spices from the large bag Eddie was holding. Lucy put her phone back in her purse. As she did Lucy saw Eddie glance around the bull pen before leaning close.

"Have you had more trouble with co-workers?"Eddie asked in a hushed concerned voice.

Lucy had filled him in on what had happened since Tim had stepped aside as her T. O.

"No, nothing to speak of."Lucy replied. "I'm starved, what smells so good?"

"Tacos."Eddie said with a grin as he stood and pulled Lucy to her feet. "Come on, help me set it up."

"Should be plates in the break room."Lucy stated as she led the way out of the bull pen.

Ten minutes later the break room was filled with task force members and support staff. Eddie sat across from Lucy at a table with Bishop, Nolan and Wolf. Even though the events that had brought this task force together were sad and horrible Eddie was still grateful to work with these people.

"Do you have time to come by the firehouse tomorrow?"Eddie asked as he ate a spoonful of rice.

"Maybe, why?"Lucy asked as she took a sip of soda.

"Christopher will be there for a bit after school."Eddie explained with a smile. "Be a good time if you still want to meet him."

"Of course I do."Lucy said with a smile. "Around four then?"

"Sure."Eddie acknowledged with a nod.

The task force worked for another hour and a half before calling it a day. When Lucy got home she called Tim and they talked for a few minutes. She took a shower and got ready for bed. As she crawled into bed and turned off the light Lucy was exhausted. She was grateful tomorrow was a scheduled day off. Sleep came quickly.


Mid-afternoon found Buc doing inventory on one of the fire trucks. He heard footsteps and turned to see a young brown haired woman.

"Hi, can I help you?"Buc greeted as he straightened walking forward carrying a clip board

"Hi, I'm Lucy Chen I was supposed to meet Eddie Diaz here."The woman explained with a smile.

"You're Lucy."Buc responded with a wide grin. "I'm Evan Buckley but everyone calls me..."

"Buc."Lucy interrupted as she shook the hand Buc offered. "Eddie's told me a lot about you."

"Don't believe all of it."Buc commented with a laugh. "Come on, I'll show you to Eddie."

"Thanks."Lucy replied.

Lucy had been in a fire station once or twice but not for very long. She took everything in as she followed Buc. A familiar voice drew her attention from the surroundings.

"Lucy!"Eddie called. "Glad you made it."

"Thanks for inviting me."Lucy said with a smile. "Buc was nice enough to make sure I found my way."

"If you told me she was coming I would've kept an eye out."Buc commented giving Eddie a pointed look.

"Thought I did; sorry."Eddie replied.

"No, definitely did not."Buc muttered as he walked away. "I'll be back doing not exciting inventory if you need me."

"Nice to meet you."Lucy called after him.

"You too."Buc responded with a grin.

"Christopher."Eddie said to the young boy sitting on a sofa in a small rec area. "This is the friend I told you about. She's a police officer. Her name is Lucy."

Lucy saw the pair of crutches propped against the right end of the sofa. She smiled at the boy of about ten as she crouched in front of him. Light brown hair, glasses and a smile that was so like his father's.

"Hi, Christopher."Lucy greeted with a smile. "It's nice to meet you."

The boy leaned forward and hugged Lucy.

"Thank you."Christopher said quietly.

"For what?"Lucy asked.

"Saving my Dad."The youth explained as he pulled away.

Lucy exchanged a glance with Eddie before looking back at Christopher.

"You are welcome, I'm just glad I could help."Lucy said as she stood

"Let's sit."Eddie suggested.

The three sat in the rec area and for the next half an hour they played games with Christopher. Lucy couldn't remember the last time she'd had that much fun.