"I'm so sorry Taylor."

"Buck, it's fine. I'm glad I found you before you did anything stupid, I know that bar and some of the people there are not as we would say good."

Buck looks at her and can see she wants to say something but is holding back. He glances behind him and can see Chim has now joined Eddie.

"So, what are you holding back from me? I can see it in your facial expression."

"Nothing, look if you need a friend to talk to that's outside of this place." she stops as she points towards the station and more pointedly at Eddie, "You know where I am. I'd rather you come to me than get blind drunk on your own. We both know that's not a road you want to take."

Buck stands there and thinks about the last words and then realizes what she is on about

.

"I won't go that far, I've seen what it does. It was just one night after a bad day that's all."

"What about the next bad day? What will you do then? Something worse? Buck look, with us reconnecting and agreeing to be friends, listen to me please. Come to me if you need someone, don't bottle it up, especially if it's about Mr. Sour face behind you." Buck watches as she gives that knowing smirk.

'Crap, what did I say last night?'

"Please, please tell me I didn't."

"You didn't what?"

"You know what..." Buck says turning round looking at Eddie and Chim who are now joined by Hen all watching, he can see Hen and Chim smiling but Eddie well he looks grumpier than ever.

"Look, I can see sober... Well, hungover you won't admit it just yet, but don't worry you only admitted it to me. I kept you from blabbing to Mr. Sour face, I knew it wasn't the best time for you two to have that kind of conversation."

"Thanks, look I best head back, but text me."

"Yeah, I will." She says as she leans in and kisses Buck on the cheek, she giggles.

"What's got you giggling?"

"Oh nothing, see you later Buckley." She says as she walks off.

Buck watches her drive off and turns to head back to the station where he sees Hen and Chim smiling but no sign of Eddie. Much to his relief, he couldn't be facing Eddie anymore, but he knew Eddie would be going soon so he could just wallow in his self-pity as he knew the others would leave him alone.

"Looked cosy there, Buckaroo." Chim jokes, smiling at him.

"We're just friends," Buck says then looks around for a bit, wary of Eddie.

"If you're looking for Eddie he walked away earlier after your friend kissed you on the cheek." Hen says and looks like something was bothering her, "And he looked like he was pissed or something. He nearly ripped the rag to shreds over there." Hen says mouthing to a half ripped rag that was on the floor.

"Did you ask why?" Buck asks and he doesn't know why he did.

"I don't know. But he muttered 'idiot' before he walked off." Hen says then Buck thinks back to what Taylor was giggling about.

'No… It can't be." Buck thinks but just brushes it off because of the absurdity of the idea.

He then says that he needs some coffee so he continues to walk through the station, hoping to make it to the kitchen without being stopped. As he ventured up the stairs he prayed that no one would be there and he was shocked when he got to the top and no one was there. He quickly walked over to the kitchen, got a brew and bread before making his way to the couch, and sat down.

Buck takes a few sips of the coffee before closing his eyes. This day was just getting better and better.

"Buck." A voice calls out, but he doesn't open his eyes, he knows that voice and he doesn't want to face him, so remains still and eyes closed.

"Buck, I know you're awake, look I know you are grumpy but can you please look at me for a bit." Buck hated this side of Eddie. Sometimes he just knows him too well. "If you continue being grumpy, I'm going to make your nickname Marlin."

He lets a sigh out and opens his eyes as he moves to sit up straight, greeted by a smiling Eddie. Buck looked around and saw they were alone in the upper area which was great. He knew where this conversation was going to go quickly.

"What's up? Have I been summoned for chores?" He tries to joke but secretly he was hoping he was so he doesn't have to talk to him.

"No, I'm heading off now, I just wanted to see how you were, so how are you?"

"Yeah, all good, go on you best get off, don't want to be late." Buck says plastering a smile on his face.

"Ok, well you know you can call me anytime if you need to talk. Also, will you come next weekend? You know Chris will be upset if you don't." Emotional blackmail, Eddie knew Buck wouldn't say no to that.

"Yeah I'll be there, everyone else will be, and don't worry I won't interrupt your date. I promised Taylor I would call her later and chat. Go on, head off. I'll see you in the week." Buck says as he lays back down.

"Okay, later Buck." Eddie says and Buck can hear a different tone in Eddie's voice followed by the footsteps leaving him be. He sighs as he turns on the sofa hoping to get some more sleep but the caffeine wasn't helping. Still, he managed to drift off to sleep.

He doesn't know how long he sleeps before the sound of the alarm blares. He quickly jumps and heads down the stairs, grabbing his gear he gets into the cab awaiting information.

As they drive there, Bobby explains it's a simple job. Some kid got stuck in a slide so they had to go help. En route, Buck could see people were glancing at him but no one wanted to approach him so he sighs and gets his phone out, and sees Eddie had messaged him. Which he found weird because he should be on his date, so he opens it just in case there was a problem.

'Hey, I know we got Tuesday off together, was wondering if you wanted to go to the beach.'

Buck smiled at that. A day at the beach with just the three of them sounded exactly what he needed right now, he knew with Chris being cooped up at their home because of school, some time in the fresh air would be good. So with a smile, he sends a message back.

'Yeah be great take Chris, we can build sandcastles.' And he immediately regrets replying. He should have been avoiding him! Not talking to him! But… Ugh, God! Why was everything so complicated?

He watches as the three dots appear expecting Eddie to just use a simple emoji but the message back sets Buck off.

'Cool, well Ana will be with us. She wants to spend time with Chris, so we can hang out as they chat.'

Buck closes his phone and doesn't know what to do. A part of him wants to go, needs to go as he has nothing without them. But then he thinks if he does he will get the stares off Ana who has already indicated that Buck is sort of stopping their relationship growing even though she hadn't said it aloud it was evident from the way she was acting, and he didn't want to stop Eddie from being happy.

'That's a problem for later.' he thinks as the truck comes to a stop.

The call-out didn't take long, once they disassembled the slide it was easy enough to get the kid out without the jaws, the team wrapped up and headed back to the station. But while they were doing so, Buck was thinking of questions left and right. Should he go with them to the beach? And then, there was the get-together.

"What's eating you?" Hen asks as she moves over towards him.

"Nothing. Just having one of those days." he can see Chim staring.

"Hmmm, well I know it ain't the Albert thing. You wouldn't be hung up on that I get why you did it. It's something else and I know he," Hen says and points to Chim, "Chicken there knows but he won't spill, but I'm here for you."

"I know, but as I said, I'm all good. Thank you for the concern."

"Anyway, if there was something to tell I wouldn't be aloud, you know Maddie would kill me, plus I could do without stressing her out when she is so close to popping." Chim jokes.

"Eww, that's my sister you're talking about." Buck jokes back.

"You saw how mad she got yesterday when I said no to her having more coffee!" Chim laughs.

The team fell back into the old stride of jokes and comments, no one pushing Buck and he felt at ease. It felt like everything was falling back into place, well that may be as Eddie wasn't there. As they pulled back into the station Buck noticed it was only half an hour before he finished. But he didn't want to go home just yet, he was dreading Albert being there, most likely wanting to talk about what he had requested this morning and Chim hadn't confirmed that Albert had gone or not. He thinks back to earlier and Taylor. He could really do with a friend and he didn't fancy another heavy night of drinking especially when he had a 24-hour shift starting at 1 pm tomorrow, a shift with Clark of b-shift for he was covering Eddie, so he got his phone out, sat down on the bench and sent a simple text.

'Maybe I could do it with a friend right now, are you free in an hour?'

As he sent the message he noticed another one from Eddie.

'Hey, Buck. Are you busy?' he looked at the message and was perplexed because he knew without a shadow of a doubt Eddie would be well into his date but then thought to Tuesday.

'Sorry, was on call, shouldn't you be like in the middle of your date and focusing on her? Not texting me? Also, I can't do it, something came up. Tell Chris I'll take him another time, enjoy your date.'

He places his phone in his pocket and joins the others up in the kitchen area.

"So Buck, you've met Ana, What's your honest opinion on her? Need the down low before the get-together?." Hen asks.

Buck was in two minds on what to say, he knew Chim got a full run down but he didn't want people going in looking at her negatively, he wanted people to be happy for Eddie. Hell, he wanted Eddie to be happy too.

"She is fine, the main thing is she makes Eddie happy and that's all we can ask for." He states and can see Chim's mouth slightly open and he just silently cringes.

"Well, you will have to tell me how it goes, me and Maddie aren't going." Explains Chim

'Welp, there goes my back up.' he thinks, how could he forget they wouldn't be able to go which meant he didn't have anyone else to hang around with, this party was sounding more and more like a nightmare.

"Yeah thought as much, would have expected Eddie to hold off, but he said Ana insisted on seeing who he keeps talking about. We're all vaccinated and he said they have all the sanitizing items ready so we should be clear." Bobby says.

"It will be fine, cap, just means you will have the lone wolf hovering around you, with his sister being at home." Chim jokes and Buck just throws a glare at him.

"Oh I'm sure Buck will help keep the kids entertained, I'm dreading telling Denny that we're going, he will be hyperactive." Hen chuckles.

"See Chim, I will be fine, plus it's Eddie's house and I'm not really a…"

"Guest." They all say in unison making them all laugh.

Though Buck did feel that was slipping away and soon he would be a guest especially when Eddie and Ana get closer to each other. Eventually, it was time for them to finish as the b-team started to appear so Buck and Chim made their way down to the lockers.

"Look, I know it was hard for you to keep quiet about yesterday, but I appreciate it, Chim."

"I know and just remember to keep your head up. Everything has a way of working out, but to warn you Hen knows somethings going on so eventually she will sniff it out." Chim said then looked at Buck, "Yeah, but thanks again, now the awkward question about Albert." Buck dreads to think what will be said.

"Look, he explained to me what kicked off and why you told him to get out, and I'm on your side. I said to Albert that he knew how you felt and to do that after everything with your parents. It was not ok. He is moving out though, give him some time." Chim explains as they walk into the lockers.

"Yeah, I'm heading to Taylor's for a chat anyway, where's he moving to?"

"Ermm, Veronica's." Chim says.

"Not surprised, I mean they've been together for like a few months and I'm guessing the nights he was away with a friend , he was with her. So it makes sense and at least I can keep an eye on him for you."

"Thanks, that would be great, especially with a baby so close. So you and Taylor?" He knew Chim would ask.

"Just friends, nothing else. Just someone who doesn't know the team personally. It's nice to be able to vent."

Chim nods and they continue to change, once done they're heading out after saying their goodbyes. Buck jumps in his uber and gets his phone out he had a text off Taylor saying it was fine though bring one bottle and the word one in capitals making Buck giggle. Then another off Eddie asking him to call, be it 20 mins ago, which made his stomach flutter. Once the uber dropped him at his apartment he quickly jumped into his jeep hoping to miss anyone seeing him. He set off and thoughts crept back to Eddie's text.

After everything, he kept telling himself should he just ignore it and call him just because he felt his stomach flutter? Deciding against his screaming mind, asking… No, begging him not to do it. He dialled his phone number and wait's.

"Hey, Eddie. You asked me to call you what's up?" Buck says.

"Oh hi Buck, Eddie is in the other room. I'm not sure what he wanted to say, but it couldn't be important for you to call this later right? Anyway, you're kind of ruining date night, again, so I'll tell him you called, bye." And the call ended.

The way she said it was so casual yet full of irritation. Buck knew that tone anywhere because today, he was the one giving it off to everyone else, especially towards Eddie. Somehow, it made Buck infuriated, that it was her that picked up the phone and not Eddie. Well, he should have expected something like this from her. It was supposed to be their night, and Eddie was texting Buck to call him. Why? Why would he even?

Wait, maybe he should have thought of that also before calling. He knew that Eddie and Ana would be in the middle of a date right now, but he still called. As if there wasn't anything wrong with it. Well, there wasn't right? But then there's a part of him saying that he should be Eddie's wingman on this one, the one providing support from afar, the one who shouldn't have feelings for the Goddamned person he was supposed to be helping in getting laid!

What was wrong with him? Why was he being so irrational towards Eddie? Buck's thoughts were then forced back as he heard a loud horn blare out and he sees that he's driving on the wrong side of the freeway nearly crashing into a trailer truck! Buck just barely swerved back to the right lane narrowly missing him being crushed like a pancake.

Nerves frayed, mind tired and panicked, Buck looked around for a safe place to park for a bit. And in a matter of seconds, he found a mini-mart parking lot and he went there. While he was doing so, he was shaking. Buck tries his best to drive carefully into a slot but with everything going on with him at that moment makes everything harder than it should. Breathing felt shallow, shaking hands, and vision blurry… Buck knew these symptoms, he wasn't qualified to diagnose himself but knew he was having a panic attack.

He closed his eyes, firstly, he knew he should calm down his breathing by focusing on something…

With what? WHAT SHOULD HE FOCUS ON!

His best friend was hitting it off with a wonderful woman and he was freaking jealous of that and said girlfriend seems to be very adamant in staking her claim to him which made Buck even more jealous and infuriated. Another thing! His so-called roommate whom he trusted stabbed him at the back and he felt played, used for their entertainment, disguised as kindness.

"FUCK!" Buck screams slamming the steering wheel allowing the horn to blare off. At that moment, he felt relieved of his sudden outburst but he instantly covered his mouth. He hasn't cursed before, not even once, because it felt horrible and it means ill things. His breathing was still shallow and his heart was running a marathon. He needed to calm down now, he still had an appointment to go to.

'Taylor, maybe she can help me.' Buck thinks and that's when he focuses on her and all the things she taught him for the previous six weeks, he remembered his sister also. All those times Maddie was there for him, that time when they were kids and she patiently taught him how to ride a bike, and that time she stole Doug's jeep so she could give it to him… That sweet memory turned sour suddenly as he remembered what Chim told him. She was beaten the next day because of that, and thus the reason why she couldn't come with him. She couldn't get away. Shaking that memory past him, he focused on Bobby. His pseudo-father figure when he got here. Honestly, maybe he already is his father in some sense and Athena could be his mother also. The thought of it made Buck feel calmer and he could feel his breathing regulate itself. He did feel safe when it came to Bobby and Athena, and that's the end of that.

When he opened his eyes he felt better, somewhat. He looked around and he was still at the mini-mart and almost no one was around. Buck checked his phone and saw a text message from Taylor asking where he was at, and he just replied that he was on his way. After quickly grabbing a bottle of wine and paying for it he made his way to Taylor's.

When Buck arrived at Taylor's apartment he remembered the first time he went there six weeks ago. When she opened the door, Buck took a step back and tried his damndest to not gasp in surprise. She was just wearing sweatpants, a white shirt with Kim Possible printed on it.

"What?" She asked Buck.

"Nothing, I was just… I'm just used to seeing you wearing a blazer and not… Kim over there." Buck says, trying to hide his laugh.

This time around, she was just wearing a hoodie, sweatpants and she looked like she just got off the shower.

"So, you gonna stand there and stare at me like that all night or we gonna drink this." She says grabbing the bottle off him "Though I think it's mostly me drinking and you spilling more tea."

Proceeding to Taylor's kitchen she hands him a glass of wine, noticing his glass was far less full than hers. When he gave her a questioning look she simply replied 'you're driving' with a smile. They head to the front room where they spend the next few hours talking, mostly Buck playing cops and robbers with a journalist until eventually, the topic falls on Eddie and Ana. Buck explains himself to her asking if he had crossed a line and she simply says no. She explains that Buck needs to have a word with Eddie, explaining what's going on and that Buck should tell Ana that she should get used to him being around. Even once he explains himself more about not wanting to ruin a potential new romance for his friend. He watches as Taylor quotes 'Bros before Hoes' which gets Buck laughing, they change the topic and talk about how the news this year was mainly about covid.

As he leaves they agree to make it a regular thing, hanging out and the idea puts Buck to ease. He heads home hoping Albert has packed and went off because he really could do with avoiding that mess right now. The drive home is filled with silence and he goes on to autopilot not noticing until he was standing in his loft apartment. The silence was almost eerie and unsettling. He looks around and can see that any traces of Albert are gone and a note is left on the kitchen island.

He looks at it and it just says sorry .

The following days seem to go like a blur. Buck turned up to work, did his job, tried to keep his distance from Eddie, and went on. But his charade with Eddie became more intense especially on Monday when Eddie wouldn't stop pestering him to come to the beach even after saying no. Eventually, he had to get Chim to explain to Eddie that they were helping Maddie, so he was unable to go to the beach.

Tuesday came and he ended up spending the day with Taylor at a dog show she was reporting on. She explained he didn't need to stay but he just said she was distracting him from something else so she left it at that, the rest of the week was talk about the party to which Buck was dreading listening to all the things Ana was doing. He could see on Hen's face she wasn't impressed by what Eddie was saying but she painted a smile on just like he was doing as no one had seen Eddie this happy, the night before the party Eddie stopped Buck from leaving early to make sure he was still coming.

"Yeah, I'll be there, what time?." Buck asks.

"Was hoping you could come early. Chris hasn't seen you much recently." Eddie says and he knows he wants to know why.

"I just thought it would be best to let you and Ana you know get adjusted, without me getting in the way." He lets out and can see Eddie looking at him coyly.

"You wouldn't get in the way with your family." Eddie states and Bucks heart flutters. This again sets him off balance. He was honoured to be included as a family to him and while it was nice, he knew the consequences. He wanted to get away from Eddie as far as he could but with him standing there, asking him to be family, he could barely fight back the words from coming out but he just said it.

"Ok, I'll be there a few hours beforehand and I'll bring some food." Buck says smiling. Even with him being so complicated he still wanted to be nice to people. So why not go to their party? What could go wrong, right?

"You don't have to." Eddie states.

"I do, but I need to ask you something first, and don't go silent on me ok?." He can see Eddie staring intently at him.

"Go on."

"Don't you think that maybe you and Ana are rushing a bit?" And he can see the look on Eddie's face. He didn't look impressed.

"Is this what Hen has been preaching about? I told her the other day that we just clicked and it's falling into place. Look I get that you are worried but it's all ok I promise. Just be happy for me." Eddie says and before Buck could say anything Eddie had walked off.

"You have no idea." Buck wistfully said before walking off also.

After that conversation and a quick talk with Hen, he didn't feel too bad about questioning the relationship Eddie and Ana had as others felt it too. But after Eddie's little fit, Buck pushed it away. He had spent the night making cakes and brownies with the thought of giving these to Eddie and Ana.

Admittedly he wasn't their biggest fan, but just like what he has done up until now, he just wanted to be happy for them.

The next morning, Buck was now standing on the porch of the Diaz home, four hours before anyone else would turn up. He looked around and saw Ana's car. Guilt set in as he stood there holding his key to let himself into the Diaz home. He didn't feel like he had the right so thinking against it, he slipped the key away and knocked on the door.

Buck waits for the door to open. On the other side of it, he can hear Eddie's voice so Buck starts to smile like a teenage boy who just got acknowledged by their crush at high school. It soon disappears when Ana opens the door open looking unimpressed.

"You're early." She says crossing her arms

"Who is it?" Eddie's voice inquires from inside.

"Buck." Ana says rolling her eyes knowing full well Buck can see her doing it. Before he can say anything he sees Eddie running towards them.

"I forgot to say, I asked Buck to come early to help... Well to mainly keep Chris occupied while we get set up, sorry." Eddie says with a smile and Buck watches as Ana faintly smiles and signals Buck to enter following Eddie down the hall.

As they enter the kitchen Eddie has already got a beer out of the fridge and passes him one. Buck places the boxes of cakes onto the table to take them off Eddie as Ana joins linking Eddie's arm.

.

"Why did you knock?" Eddie questions and Buck looks at Eddie. He can see Eddie's gaze was firmly affixed on Buck and as he glances at Ana who seems to be scowling.

"Had my hands full didn't I?" Signalling to the boxes, "I know I can come and go when I like but yeah. Where is my main man anyway?" Buck questions realizing he hadn't seen Chris or heard him yet.

"Oh, he is hiding so he can scare you, so act surprised. Once I told him about today Chris, Denny and Harry started plotting on making videos where they scare people. And strangely enough, you are their prime target." Eddie chuckles.

"Should you really let him do that? What if something happens?." Ana questions.

"I'll go find Chris, speak to you in a bit." Buck says. "Chris?"

There's no answer but Buck hears a faint rustle coming from the bathroom so he opens the door and sees the shower curtains were pulled slightly to the sides. Slowly he walks up to it, his hand outreached.

"Raghhh!" Chris shouts.

"Gaah!" Buck fake jumps "You got me."

"Yes!" Chris says moving towards the cabinet picking up his phone and smiling. "Prime material."

"What's prime material?" Buck asks already knowing the answer

"Nothing, I'm glad you are here…" Chris fell silent for a bit and Buck could see that Chris was holding something back.

"What's wrong?" Buck asks and kneels to place his arms around Chris, "You can tell me."

"It was getting boring... And Miss. Flores and dad were fighting..." Chris says as he taps away on his phone.

"About what buddy?"

"Earlier I heard them fight again, Mrs. Flores isn't happy about some things that happen around here and she wants them to change. And then dad told her, no, and then she went all grinchy, saying something about relationship and compr... Compris… some silly word." Chris says

"Compromise?" Buck states.

"That's the one, what does it mean?"

"When people have an argument they will make a compromise. Remember that one time where you wanted chocolate but I wanted vanilla ice cream? What did we do?" Buck says and waits on Chris to answer.

"We bought both vanilla and chocolate ice cream." Chris says.

"That's what we call a compromise. We reached an agreement . But it's nothing for you to worry about, how about we go play in the garden for a bit?" Buck says. Part of him was happy that there was tension between Eddie and Ana already but another part of him wanted to know what she wanted Eddie to give up.

As Chis played in the garden Buck kept an eye on the house, he could see into the kitchen quite easily thanks to his tall frame and he could see Eddie moving around and Ana helping until she looked at the window and would scowl at Buck but stop the second Eddie looked. Maybe he was overstepping and she was annoyed at him not taking the hint, but Eddie did invite him. It's not his fault Eddie forgot like he always does.

'Why am I justifying him? What the?'

"Buck, when can we go to the beach?" Chris asks gloomily, making Buck's thoughts stop.

"I'm not sure, I will look at what shifts I'm working, but did you have fun the other day? Your dad said you had fun." Buck says trying to make the conversation light.

"You won't hate me if I tell you something?" The question through Buck, he could see the worry in Chris's eyes.

"Never buddy, you know that."

"I don't like her. All she did at the beach was ask what my dad liked and didn't seem like she wanted to be with me. But when Dad asked me if I enjoyed the day I smiled and said she was nice, as I haven't seen him smile like that since..."

"Christopher, Buck, can you come in and help Eddie set some plates please?" Ana's voice rang.

Before Buck could ask anything, Chris was making his way into the house. This time Buck noticed that Chris was glummier than he lets on and Buck didn't know what to do. The next few hours seem to fly by, and soon enough people were arriving for which Buck was grateful for as he felt like a third wheel. Whenever he tried to get Eddie on his own Ana would somehow appear, Buck wanted to bring up what Chris had said. He knew Eddie would most likely brush it off but he had a right to know his son wasn't happy. He was hoping now that the others were here, he would find it easier to get Eddie alone but yet again he was wrong.

Buck ended up playing games with the kids, mainly Buck having to be found by them and being jump scared. Eventually, they stopped to eat and chat. Buck looked for Eddie but saw he had no chance as Ana was perched on his lap as he spoke to Bobby and Ana's gaze was firmly on Buck.

'What's her problem?'

After the food, he spent ages with Hen and Karen who pointed out the looks Ana kept giving them, mostly towards Buck. Buck joked that she may be threatened by Karen which set Hen laughing. Eventually, Denny came running over asking for Buck's attention.

"What's up bud?" Buck questioned knowing where this would be going.

"We want to play water guns." Which took Buck by surprise. 'Kids with water guns? Oh boy, this will be messy. That is if that were their intention in the first place.'

"Ok, I'll go ask Eddie where the guns are and get them ready." Buck says with a smile.

"Oh they're in the utility room, Chris told me, we will meet you outside." Denny explains before running off.

"Don't get them soaked, you don't wanna have to deal with the aftermath." Hen states and Buck waves her off.

"Nah, I know they're getting ready to scare me while they have their phones out recording. Probably." Buck reassures Hen before he makes his way through the party towards Eddie. And as he gets closer he sees Ana sees him and moves to Eddie, he shakes his head and walks up to them.

"Hey, the kids want to play with the water guns is that ok with you?" Buck asks while he plasters a fake smile.

"Yeah, just let them play outside and not inside." Eddie calm says taking a sip of his beer

"Great, I'll go sort them." Buck says quickly pivoting around and was ready to power walk away from them.

"Hang on you don't know where they are." Eddie states.

"In the utility room, Chris knows, may need to find a better hiding spot." Buck says as he walks to the utility room.

As he walks to the utility room he looks out the window and sees all the kids outside playing, which sets his guard down for any oncoming pranks. When he enters the room he looks in the cupboard of the small room which had towels and blankets piled up on the shelves along the wall facing the door and the washer and dryer on the other side. Opposite the sink, he finds the guns and starts to fill them with water as the door opens he looks and sees Ana.

'Well, this will be fun.'

"You ok there Ana?" He asks after finishing filling up the last gun before turning to her.

"Yeah, well no. Why are you so intent on ruining my and Eddie's relationship with you constantly pining him. It's sick and ridiculous." She states shushing her voice

"I'm what? What are you talking about? I'm not trying to ruin your relationship." Buck says alarmed by her aggressiveness. 'Wait, was this why she was glaring at him since way back when? But… How did she know she had feelings for Eddie? No, that couldn't be it. Still, the way she said it was like she knows.'

"Yes you are, constantly being around, always on the topic of conversations it's getting kind of ridiculous don't you think?"

"Well, if it bothers you so much tell Eddie." Buck throws back at her. As if Buck wanted to fall for his best friend! But this was also why he was avoiding Eddie. In the hopes that he will realize that this is just a phase and that he could move on from it.

"He says you're part of the family, so you won't be going nowhere. And I can't have that!" She snarls.

"Ana you in here?" Eddie's voice can be heard from outside and the next thing Buck feels is being pulled towards Ana, her lips on his, and then hands pushing against his chest.

"Buck, I said I wasn't interested in you! I said NO!" Ana screams at him.

"Buck what the fuck!" Eddie shouts

"Eddie, he tried to take advantage of me. God knows what would have happened if you hadn't walked in!" She starts to sob.

Buck looks at her and then Eddie panicked and then the next thing he sees is Eddie's first landing square on his nose Buck falls to the ground.

"Eddie no." Bobby's voice calls out making Eddie back down.

Buck takes this chance to charge through the house out the door ignoring everyone calling at him.

He had just been punched by his best friend.

Ana had lied and Eddie believed her without a second thought.

He actually believed her.

He gets through the door and jumps in his car, tears start to fall. What had happened? He knew this could only get worse. So he decides to drive off. He sees people in the rear-view mirror calling out at Buck to come back. But he didn't want to return. Not anymore. The party ruined because of him.