'Hey! If you need, I can grab your new table.' Dot's coworker, Eva, said to her. Dot glanced up from the tray she was loading to look at her with furrowed brows.

'Uh, thanks? But I'm good. And aren't you busy?'

'I'm just saying, if you need help, I'm totally able to help.' Eva tried again, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder. Dot liked Eva, she was a sweet girl, always had a new joke to tell, but if she was being this pushy, it meant that her new table potentially had some hot guys at it. Dot finished loading her tray and picked it up, turning to look at the newly taken table in her section. Huffing a laugh, she saw Buck and Eddie sitting at the table, looking at the snack menu there. She looked back over her shoulder to see Eva already flirting with a new guy at the counter. She shook her head and walked towards the two firefighters, dropping off drinks on her way. Once she got to the table, she pulled two coasters out from her apron.

'Hello boys. Anyone else joining tonight?' Dot asked loudly over the sounds of the basketball game on the TVs, dropping the coasters in front of the boys.

'Nope,' Eddie started. 'Everyone else had plans tonight-'

'And Christopher is with Abuela.' Buck butted in.

'So we decided to have some drinks, enjoy some shitty food, and visit our favourite waitress.' Eddie finished.

'Well aren't you a suck up.' Dot laughed at him. 'So what can I get you guys?'

'Two IPAs and a giant plate of nachos!' Buck responded excitedly.

'Alright guys, coming right up!' Dot smiled, patting Buck on the shoulder, as she walked away to go input their order. Buck's eyes followed her to the computer she was at.

'You're staring.' Eddie startled Buck, without taking his own eyes off the TV.

'W-what?' Buck stumbled. Eddie took his eyes away from the game, and settled on his best friend sitting across from him. He could see how much Buck liked Dot, even if Buck thought he wasn't being obvious.

'You were staring at her. You should just ask her out already.' Eddie shrugged, playing with the coaster in front of him. They were both quiet for a moment before Buck spoke up.

'Okay, maybe I like her. But she has so much shit going on. I don't want to add any stress to her life right now.'

'But dating isn't supposed to be stressful! It should be fun.'

'What should be fun?' Dot startled the two firefighters, appearing beside them placing down their beers and plates for their nachos.

'Dating.' Eddie smirked at Buck, taking a drink of his beer. Buck glared at him over his own glass.

'Ah. Well I wish I could help you out with that, but I have basically zero experience when it comes to dating.' Dot shrugged, leaning against Eddie's side, smiling at the two. They both looked up at her in surprise. 'What?'

'Really? You haven't dated?' Eddie asked.

'Uh not really. Is that okay?' Dot laughed.

'Yeah, it's just a bit surprising. You're cute, fun, a sweetheart, who wouldn't want to date you?'

'Okay kiss ass. I can't really swing anything free for you right now. But thanks for buttering me up.' Dot patted Eddie's shoulder before turning and walking away. Eddie and Buck sat watching the game, just enjoying each other's company and the atmosphere. Dot had returned after a few minutes with their nachos, dropping them off before speeding to another table. Everyone was out, enjoying themselves with their friends and just having a good time.

'Can I take Christopher to the movies?' Buck broke the silence at their table. Eddie looked at him for a moment before replying.

'Yeah, of course. But where is this coming from?'

'I wanna spend some time with your kid. Is that not okay?'

'Mhmm… you wanna invite Dot don't you?' Eddie eyed Buck suspiciously.

'Maybe? Like I feel like it would be an easy way to kind of go out without it being a full blown date, just to see, you know?'

'I get it. Just let me know when.'

'Great!' Buck yelled, looking around. He spotted Dot at the bar counter and got up to go talk to her. Eddie laughed to himself, taking a drink of his beer and returning his attention to the game on the TV.

Buck weaved his way through the tables and people in the bar. He passed some girls who looked him up and down, and tried to get his attention, but his eyes were focussed on Dot. The closer he got, the more nervous he felt. He knew he wasn't asking her on an official date, but to him it was more of a date than other times they had hung out. He got to where Dot was standing at the counter. She was looking at her phone, not paying attention.

'Hey.' Buck approached.

'Oh, hey!' Dot looked up at him. She turned off her phone and shoved it in her apron. 'Sorry, was texting May. What's up? Need another round?'

'Uh, no. We're good for now. Hey I was wondering, what are you doing on Friday?'

'I think I'm working during the day, why?' Dot said, while wiping some trays clean.

'Well I'm taking care of Christopher that day, and we're gonna go to a movie so I thought maybe you'd want to join us.' Buck breathed out quickly. Dot stopped cleaning, and looked up at him beaming. Buck's breath hitched for a second.

'A movie date with you AND Christopher? How could I say no? Uh, I think I get off 7-ish, so I should be free around 7:30. Is that okay?' She asked, loading one of the trays with a few drinks.

'Yeah, yeah totally. Christopher's gonna be so excited.'

'Great! I'll text you Friday to double check everything.'

'Awesome. I will see you on Friday.'

'Well I'll see you in about 5 minutes when I bring you guys another round, but I'll see you on Friday too.' Dot laughed, passing by him going towards another table.

Buck stayed in his spot for a moment, smiling at Dot's retreating figure. He took a breath then began to make his way back to Eddie. Sitting down, he grabbed his beer and chugged the rest of it. Eddie watched him drink with a smirk.

'It went well, I take it?'

'Christopher and I have a date!'

'Dot!' Christopher shouted seeing his second best friend, after Buck of course, crossing the parking lot. Dot saw Christopher standing with Buck, causing a giant smile to bloom on her face as she waved at them. Getting to the sidewalk, she bent over and hugged Christopher tightly for a moment, Christopher laughing in her ear. She set him down and went to hug Buck, who gripped her tightly for a moment as well. Separating, she sighed and grabbed Buck's arm, and they all began walking to the doors.

'So what are we seeing?' Dot inquired.

'Disney!' Was Christopher's excited answer.

'Uh yeah, we were gonna see the new Disney movie. That work for you?' Buck checked.

'Totally! I love Disney.' Dot agreed.

The group got up to the ticket booth, Buck ordering the tickets and paying, with Dot arguing the whole time. She may not have a whole lot of money, but she could pay her way dammit! Buck wouldn't let her. The trio walked into the building and stopped before the concession. Christopher of course got a kids pack, and the adults decided to share a large popcorn with a drink each. Dot attempted to pay again, but Buck got Christopher to distract her. Dot carried the drinks, while Buck carried the popcorn and Christopher's pack to their theatre.

Christopher made Buck sit between him and Dot. He said it was so they could share their popcorn, but Buck and Christopher knew it was because Buck wanted to sit beside her. They chatted for a few minutes while waiting for the movie. Christopher excitedly told them about what he was learning in science class, volcanoes currently, and that he was going to be having a sleepover at a friend's house the next night for their birthday. The lights started going down, so they settled in to watch the movie.

Throughout the movie, they all laughed, ate some popcorn and just generally enjoyed themselves. About half way through, Dot had her hand on the arm rest between her and Buck. She felt a warmth beside her hand for a moment before Buck gripped her hand in his own. They sat there holding hands for a while, shifting at one point to entwine their fingers. Near the end of the movie Buck started to rub circles on the back of her hand with his thumb.

Dot was content. She didn't have a lot of experience with guys, but she was comfortable with Buck. She wanted to ask Buck out, but didn't want to embarrass herself. And she really didn't want to be as awkward as she knew she would be with Christopher there. Dot was lost in her thoughts as the movie ended. She blinked back to reality when the lights slowly got brighter, and Christopher started yawning. She looked at Buck to see him already watching her. She squeezed his hand with a smile, then pulled away and they slowly got ready to leave. While they walked down the stairs to the door of the theatre, Buck grabbed Dot's hand again and they stayed together as the trio left the building.

The two adults didn't say anything; they were comfortable in their silence. Once they got out the door, they had to separate as Christopher was tired and asked Buck to carry him. Buck picked him up, and Dot followed them to Buck's Jeep. Once they were at the Jeep and Christopher was situated in the back seat, Buck and Dot turned to each other. They stood in silence for a moment before Buck broke it.

'I can drive you home.' Buck offered quietly. Dot shook her head.

'Thanks, but I think I'm gonna go on my own.' Dot responded. 'I have some things to think about.'

Buck nodded along. He understood what she was referring to.

'Text me when you get home.' He said.

'You too.'

Buck grabbed Dot's hands again. He lifted her right hand and laid a gentle kiss to the back of it, before smiling down at her. Dot smiled back up at him and squeezed his hands before dropping them gently and beginning to walk backwards. She waved once she was a few feet away, then turned around to make her way to the bus stop. Buck watched her go for a few moments before turning to his Jeep and jumping in the driver's seat.

'I like Dot.' Christopher murmured sleepily from the back.

'Me too buddy.' Buck responded before turning on his truck and leaving the parking lot.