Buck slowly awoke he could feel the cold damp snow under him which had started to melt from his ever dwindling body heat, he tried to move but could barely move due to his injuries and the cold making it hard to stay awake he manged to roll on to his back as he did he noticed the red stain that was in the snow and knew he was bleeding as he rolled on to his back he started looking up at the clear dark sky seeing all the stars in the sky hoping that someone would save him, but who would no one knew where he was or what had happened to him as he lay looking up he just wanted someone anyone to save him, as he looked round through the one eye that hadn't swelled up he saw a window with s dim light on and knew it would be the only way he would get any help.
'I'm so weak everyone would be best if I died here, no I must survive I will survive'
With what little strength he had he got to his knees looking at the window then down to the ground looking for something anything he could use to make a noise as his hands searched the snow he found a small pebble as he looked at the window he looked he could feel the dizziness coming back and knew he didn't have long as he throws the pebble at the window he starts to fall as his face hits the snow he hears the pang of the glass as the pebble bounces off it and passes out
"BUCK" screams Chris as he's awoken by the sound of something hitting his window he was dreaming of Buck as he missed him so much and with everything that had been said to him by Aaron it was giving him nightmares that he would lose Buck forever, his door flung open a shirtless Eddie stood there in just pjs bottoms
"What's up son?" he asks Chris looks at him a tears rolling down his cheeks
"I dreamt something bad happened to Buck again and that he needed us but we weren't there to help him, but then something hit the window and woke me" Chris says as he points to the window in his room
"It was just a nightmare buddy don't worry about it Buck is safe and sound, you will see him I promise, now let's get you all tucked in" Eddie says as he tucks Chris in and kisses him on his forehead
"just check the window dad please" Chris asks as he points to the window, Eddie walks over to the window to put his son at ease that there wasn't anything hiding out there, as he stares out in to the dark void of the outside world he looks out surveying the garden he doesn't see anything as he turns to tell Chris there's nothing there he catches a glimpse of something on the floor
"Stay here Chris" He says as he runs to the back door
"Is it a monster dad" Chris asks as he ducks under the covers to hide
"no don't worry its nothing scary most likely a stray dog, just stay in your bed" Eddie says as he reaches the back door laughing to himself at the thought of a monster in his garden with a smile on his face he opens the back door and turns on the rear light and as it lights up the backyard and his eyes adjust he is shocked when he sees Buck laying there the snow turning red from the blood leaving his body around him.
"Buck, no no no it can't be, what's happened?" Eddie says as he picks Buck up and rolls him on to his back he can see Buck is out cold and in bad shape, he scoops Buck up and brings him in to the house and places him on the kitchen floor so he can assess what is wrong with him he can see the bruises and cuts on his hands and arms the swelling of his eye Eddie didn't want look but he slowly lifted the wet shirt up and off and gasped out when he saw the black bruises all over his torso, as he looks at the body he doesn't notice Chris walk towards him
"Daddy what's wrong with Buck" Chris says as he walks out to see his dad with Buck on the floor not looking good
"I need you to be a big boy and get me your cover he's very cold ok" Eddie asks his son who wanders off to his room and brings him his duvet
"Good boy now go get my phone for me we need call for help" Eddie says as Chris wanders off he looks at Buck who could do such damage to gentle Buck, his first responder instincts kick in and he knows he needs to get him warm and quick, he picks up Buck and cradles him Bucks shirtless torso against his shirtless torso trying get buck warm as he wraps the little duvet over him, he sees Chris coming to him as quick as he can
"Here daddy I got towels to" He says as he passes the towels and phone, Eddie wraps the towel round the back of Bucks head and over his hands to try slow the bleeding as he doing this he calls 9-1-1 as they answer he knows who it is straight away
"9-1-1 what's your emergency" Maddie states down the phone
"Maddie its Eddie I need police and ambulance at my house now hurry please" Eddie says
"What going on" Maddie asks
"Just do it please" Eddie says as he drops the phone not hanging up the call as he is so distracted with Buck and Maddie can hear what's going on
"Please hold on Buck I've got help coming I can't lose you to Buck I'm in love with you please be strong and ill say it when your awake I promise" Eddie says to Buck as Maddie hears this she arranges the first responders and a colleague takes over as she explains it's her brother and knows Eddies isn't far away.
Chris is watching his dad hold Buck trying to get him warm so he grabs Bucks hand to try and help to noticing the blood on Bucks hand but he doesn't care he wants his Buck to know he's there
"Hey Bucky im here so is dad please wake up" Chris says as he starts to cry
"He will be fine ok mate I need you go get me my duvet from my bed ok he's still very cold and we need keep him warm till help arrives" Eddie ask and Chris goes to get the duvet
He sees Buck stir abit and open one eye as the other has now swollen up and unable to see out of it, Buck starts to shake as he doesn't know where he is but calms once he hears a friendly voice
'Im safe'
"hey you're ok your with me now im not letting you go Buck I should have told you a long time ago I love you so please hold on" Eddie says as he stokes Buck face and Buck passes out again and Eddie starts crying, Chris wanders through dragging the duvet through the hall and passes it to Eddie who places it on top of the other duvet Bucks under, Eddie reaches for his phone he needs to let people know he dials and the phone rings knowing there will be an answer no matter the time of day
"Eddie do you know what time it is "Athena says down the phone as she rolls to turn the light on her bedside lamp
"please Athena its Buck he's hurt and its bad the ambulance is on its way but I don't know what do" Eddie says as he cries down the phone looking at Buck his tears dropping on to Bucks forehead he looks up watching Chris hold Bucks hand trying to get him wake back up
"We are on our way" She says as she wakes Bobby up "come on we need get to Eddies now and call Hen and Chim on the way Buck is hurt" she says the shock on Bobby's face said it all
"I knew something was going on, why I didn't ask" He starts saying but Athena cuts him off
"No time for the I knew BS, let's get to Eddie and help best we can" They get the car and drive off to Eddies and Athena calls Hen and Chim
Back at Eddies there's a knock at the door
"Hey buddy can you go get the door I can't move Buck and it could be the ambulance and they need get in so they can help" Eddie asks Chris
"Ok" he replies and goes to open the door and there stands Maddie who picks Chris up and sees Eddie on the floor with Buck held against him and under duvets she runs towards Eddie holding Chris tight to her as not to drop him
"What's happened" she asks as she sees Eddie on the floor holding Buck close under the duvets
"I don't know I was sleeping and got woke to Chris shouting for Buck he's been having nightmares recently about Buck and said he heard a bang on his window I looked and saw something and I opened the door and there was Buck" He replies as she looks down at her brother she is taken back to how bad he is worrying just how bad it really, she hears a sound of people turning up at the door she looks to see the first responders and police turn up and the responders slowly take Buck off Eddie so they can start their work as they lay him down
"We need to work please stand back, what's his name and any medical conditions?" They say looking at Eddie who's in shock not knowing what to do
"His name is Evan he's on blood thinners to please help him" Maddie says as police offices move them to the front room to give the ambulance crew space to work, as they sit Eddie takes hold of his son and holds him tight
"Will Bucky be ok daddy" Chris asks but Eddie can't answer he just stares at Buck laying on the floor not moving worrying what is going to happen to the man he loves
"He will be fine mate don't you worry" Maddie says noticing Eddie just watching knowing what she had heard Eddie say to Buck she knew it must be hitting him hard
The police can be heard at the door
"Im sorry no one can enter the building" the police officer states
"Son im Sgt Athena Grant so move and let me in the rest will stay outside" as she turns to look at Bobby, Hen and Chim the officer stands to one side and lets her pass as she walks in she can see the ambulance crew working on Buck and is taken back at the way he looks the crew had him strapped to the monitors and working on bandaging the cuts over his body.
"Athena" Maddie shouts and Athena walks over to them and gives Maddie a big hug and then looks at Eddie and Chris
"You ok pumpkin?" she says asking Chris
"Im ok im just sad Buck is hurt" he replies
"I know hunny but he will be ok, can you go with Maddie outside so I can talk to your dad please" Athena asks as Chris nods and climbs on to Maddie and she walks outside carrying Chris where they are met with by the rest of the team who wrap a blanket round them to keep them warm
"What's going on" Bobby asks
"Im not sure all I know is I was at work got a call from Eddie saying Buck was hurt and I got here as quick as I could, he found him outside the back door I don't know what's going on" She replies
Back in the house Athena sits next to Eddie who hasn't stopped looking at Buck as the ambulance crew continue to work on him, there is a flurry of things going on
"Want tell me what's going on" she says taking hold of Eddies hand
"I can't lose him I can't I love him" he says realising he has said it out loud and that Athena heard
"well wasn't what I was expecting but look our boy needs you be strong for both him and Chris , just explain what happened how did he end up here?" she asks
"To be honest I have no idea I was in bed Chris woke up shouting Bucks name as he had a nightmare he explained he heard something at his window I looked out caught a glimpse of something so went to the back door and there he was" Eddie explained
"Ok we will get to the bottom of it don't you worry" Athena says as she rubs Eddies back "go get dressed we will need go the hospital" She says and Eddie starts to wander to his room to get dressed but stopped in his tracks as the sound he didn't want hear started on the monitor
"He's flat lining" One of the responders shout
"Starting compressions the states as they start cpr and the others work quickly injecting and getting the paddles ready, Athena rushes over to Eddie who just crumbles to the floor and holds him as they watch the paddles placed on Bucks chest
"Clear" the responder shouts as the paddles shock and the sound of the flat line continues
"Buckkk" Eddies shouts as the shock again, this time the heartbeat comes back
"Ok we have a weak but steady pulse let's get him moved" the responder says and the move him on to the stretcher and start walking out wheeling him past Eddie
"Don't worry Buck I will be at the hospital waiting for you" Eddie says as he rubs Bucks passing hand on the stretcher, Athena points to Eddie to go get changed as she starts to walk up to the back door she turns to watch the ambulance team walk out the front door
"Hold on Buck" she says trying to hold back the tears she continues to walk to the back door, she looks at the red stained snow and gets her phone out and turns on the torch she sees a trail of blood and follows it to the bush where he had hid from Aaron and then round to the front and sees a big stain from when he stood at the front door and it trailed down the street she walks up to 2 officers
"I need you to go to this address and tell me if someone is there or the apartment is empty" she explains as she writes down Bucks address
"What is it Athena" Bobby asks as they watch Buck been put in to the ambulance
"Im not sure but It looks like where ever he was attacked he walked all this way to get to safety I'm guessing his apartment as he had no jacket or wallet or keys, but whoever it was must have followed as he was at the front door but then hid in the bush round the corner before finally ending up at the back door" she explains
"Shouldn't we call his Boyfriend" Chim Asks
"I don't think that's a good idea till we know what's going on" Athena replies
"You don't seriously think he did that to Buck" Maddie's ask
"I do, I said there was something wrong with that lad" Eddie says as he walks out the door zipping up his grey hoodie, they watch as the ambulance drives off and they start to pile in the cars to head off to the hospital Eddie and Chris ride with Athena and Bobby, in the car Eddie holds his sons hand as he texts Carla to meet them at hospital as Athena drives she gets a call from the officers she sent to Bucks apartment
"Hey Sgt we got to the apartment there no sign of anyone but the place is a mess and there's blood stains what do you want us do" The officer asks
"You stay there do not let anyone in or out, call for forensics and I'll be there in a min" she says as she looks at the others in the car
Once they got to the apt block they got out the car and walked to the lift where police were stood and they could see the little blobs leading to the lift
"I need one officer come with me and the other to stay here, Eddie I need you and Chirs to wait here ok" she says looking at Eddie
"No I want go with you please" Eddie says looking at her
"I'll stay with Chris, Eddie and don't worry he will be ok with me" Bobby explains
Eddie hands Chris to Bobby and follows Athena in to the lift with the other office they press the button to Bucks floor Athena can see Eddie getting agitated
"Eddie no matter what happens I need you to keep you cool do you understand me" Athena says looking at him
"yes" He responds as the lift door opens they can see the trail of blood leading them straight to Bucks door which is ajar Athena signals the office to open it and she charges in her gun pointed ready but no one is there they look round and are shocked to see the place trashed and Eddie looks at the kitchen and realises this is where it happened where Buck was attacked looking at the shattered glass and food on the floor mixed with blood
"How, how could someone do this to Buck" he says as he starts to break down, Athena walks over to him and takes hold of him as the forensic team turn up
"I know but we need be strong for Buck lets head to the hospital the team needs space to go through the apartment" she says before they head out and back to lift once at the car they get in and head to the hospital dreading what news awaits them.
Back at the hospital everyone is sat at the waiting room waiting for answers they see Athena, Bobby, Eddie and Chris turn up and Maddie looks at Athena and just nods she knows what has happened and breaks down
"How could I not notice he was in trouble" She blurts out as Chim holds her
"We all didn't notice" Hen explains rubbing her arm
"We all thought he was ok he was coming to work doing his jobs and not once moaning about anything, he wanted things to be kept on a work level and nothing personal I knew I should have pushed him to explain what was going on" Bobby says
As they stand there Carla comes in and Eddie just hugs her
"I couldn't protect him, I've let him down big time" he says
"Don't be silly you weren't to know, the main thing now is were here for him and focus on him" she says as she looks at Eddie and he nods as they talk about the situation in which he found Buck the doctor comes down the Corridor
"Can I talk to a Maddie Buckley please" she asks looking at the crowd
"That's me "Maddie's replies and the doctor gestures that they move to one side to talk
"There all family so you can speak in front of them" she explains knowing it be easier for the doctor to explain what has happened than her having to explain after
"Ok if you're sure, as you know Evan was in bad shape and lost a lot of blood and he flat lined but we didn't know how serious till he got here, he has several broken ribs, ones that aren't broken are badly bruised he has multiple bruising up and down his body his left eye socket has been fractured and bruising on the spine as well as been underweight and showing signs of exhaustion and malnutrition " she explains as everyone looks in shock at just how bad he is "also has he been injured recently at work? "The doctor asks
"No he's been at the fire station doing chores and hasn't been on any calls why" Bobby asks
"Well we found evidence of a pretty bad burn which looks like he took care of himself it's all healed just some scaring from where it was but after we found that we looked and he has serval other older bruises all over" she explains
Everyone just looked at each other and realised this had been going on for ages and no one noticed they just thought he was been funny with them as they were funny with them but didn't expect this
"Why didn't he just say to us something was wrong" Eddie says
"Because depending on what's happened he may have been made to feel asking for a help makes him weak, I don't know till we speak to him" Maddie says
"well for now he's stable and is going need plenty of rest so the best thing now you can do for him is go home and come back in the morning he's in safe hands" the doctor explains
"Im staying till he wakes" Eddie says "I... We all failed him so I will stay and wait till he wakes up, Carla can you take Chris to yours for the night please" he explains
"Of course I can, come on Chris lets go back to mine while your dad looks after Buck ok" She says
"Ok, but dad give Buck a hug from me when he wakes up and say I'll be back soon to visit" Chris says as he hugs his dad goodbye, everyone disappears and leaves Maddie Chim and Eddie,
"Chim can you stay with me tonight?" Maddie asks knowing this has hit home everything she had been through
"Of course" He replies
"I'll meet you at the car just need speak to Eddie" She says and Chim walks off to go get the car
"Eddie I need ask you something" She looks at Eddie
"Yeah what's up" He replies
"When you rung for help and told me to send the first responders you dropped the phone but I heard you say to Buck that you can't lose him to I need you and need him to be strong and that you love him" she looks at Eddie who can't look her in the eye
"Might as well come clean to you, im in love with Buck have been for a while but I didn't say or do anything as I didn't think he would feel the same and then this new lad comes on the scene and messed everything up" he explains
"well now you need be here for him and show him he's got the support and don't forget you promised him you would tell him when he's awake so ill hold you to that" She says as she hugs him and leaves the hospital and Eddie walks up to the room where Buck is and looks at him through the window lying there wires coming in and out of him
"You can sit with him if you want" A nurse says looking at Eddie
"I thought only family could go in "He replies
"Yes normally but the doctor said that you were all family so let you if you wanted to just be quiet he needs his rest ok" The nurse explains and Eddie smiles as he walks in and sits on the seat next to Buck and take hold of his hand and starts crying
"Im sorry I let you down, I promise I won't let you down I'll be there for you from now" He says as he kisses Bucks hand, he feels Buck move a finger and looks at his face and can see Buck is awake and tear roll down his cheek he stands up and goes to wipe it and Buck flinches and tries to move away
"It's ok Buck I won't hurt you" He says not moving any closer
"You lie everyone lies, just leave me alone" Buck replies
"Whatever he did im not him Buck I promise I will be here and I won't leave you," Eddie explains looking at him he then walks and holds Buck hand as he looking at his hand " I made a promise as I held you at mine that when you wake I would tell you so here it is Evan Buckley I'm madly and deeply in love with you I just wished I said it sooner" Eddie says not noticing that Buck had drifted back to sleep, he looks down and smiles realising what had happened
"Next time" Eddie says as he smiles down at Buck, he decides to nip out and get a drink and some chocolate before he settled down for a long night next to Buck
Buck woke when he felt something touching his hand when he woke up he saw Aaron smiling down at him not knowing where Eddie was
'Eddie said he would be here and he wouldn't leave me, oh god what is he going do to me'
"I've been so worried about you Buck why you go run off like that and look your all alone" He whispers and Aaron starts squeezing Bucks wrist "we haven't finished yet" Aaron says