Chimney followed Maddie into his apartment; closing and locking the door quietly as he watched his girlfriend make her way to the couch. He had no idea what to do for the woman. Her brother was fighting for his life at the hospital right now and Chimney felt so guilty. He knew it wasn't his fault; know knew that the blame laid with Elaine Mackey, and her husband. But that didn't stop Chimney from feeling like if he had been the friend to Buck like he was suppose to; maybe stood up for the younger man; done something; maybe Buck never would have gotten mixed up with that lawyer and his problems. Of course that doesn't mean Chimney blames Buck for anything either; he never fully blamed the kid for suing.

He was hurt more then anything about the way Buck went about it. He wishes Buck had come to them, even after learning that it was Bobby that had been stopping him - and Chimney was a little angry at Cap for that himself - maybe they would have been able to help Buck themselves? There were so many what ifs and maybes floating around but Chimney knew that no matter what from this day forward he would need to be there for Buck - once the younger man woke from his coma. For now though he was going to be there for his girlfriend; if she would let him after he talks to her.

Because he knows he needs to talk to Maddie; tell her everything that's been going on since Buck's return to the firehouse. He knew they had all messed up royally; him more then anyone else. He was dating Buck's sister; Buck's older - very protective - sister. If he survived the next twelve hours after talking with Maddie he would count himself a lucky man. He just feared he was going to lose Maddie because of his fuck up - and he wouldn't blame the woman for leaving him. If the roles were reversed and it was his brother (and that hurt to think because Chimney started looking at Buck like an annoying little brother about three months into knowing the kid when Buck had first joined the team) - Chimney knew he probably wouldn't be able to be with the person who hurt his sibling in any way; unintentional or not.

"Maddie?"

The brunette looked up from where she had curled herself into the corner of the couch furthest from the door; pillow clenched to her chest and knees brought up to rest her chin on. Her mascara was streaked down her cheeks as she hadn't stopped crying since getting the news of her brother's shooting. He had no idea how he was going to do this; he was about to break his girlfriend's already broken heart even more. With a deep breath, Chimney sat down on the couch, leaving a bit of space between them as he leaned forward with elbows on his knees. He wanted to give Maddie space for what he was about to tell her. Maddie was watching him through tear filled eyes.

"I don't really know how to start this..."

Maddie sniffed. "Howie?"

Chimney closed his eyes for a second as he wrung his hands together; blew out another deep breath before opening his eyes and staring at Maddie through the reflection of the television screen. "I need to tell you what's been going on since Buck returned to work."

Maddie sat up straight. "Does this have anything to do with the looks I saw on all your faces when we were talking about the money he turned down?"

Chimney winced but nodded. "I didn't even know he turned down a settlement. We were just told he had dropped the suit and would be returning to work around Halloween." He swallowed. "But that's not what... I need you to know..."

"Chimney, what's going on?"

"We haven't exactly been treating Buck too nicely since he returned." Chimney rushed out and once he had finally started he couldn't stop. "Bobby's kept him as man behind this whole time and we... we've been ignoring him. Pretending he isn't there. I've been ignoring him."

Out of the corner of his eye he could see as Maddie shifted so her feet were on the ground and the pillow she had been hugging was placed on the couch between them; her hand fisting into the fabric. He could see that she had a confused look on her face as she tried to understand what he had just told her. He didn't dare breath loudly or move a muscle. He knew any minute now the small woman would come to a realization of what Chimney had just told her meant. He'll be lucky if he's able to call 911 for himself shortly.

"You've been ignoring him." Maddie's voice was low and soft and it scared Chimney more then having a gun pointed at him. "Why?"

"At first it was because of the lawsuit. We were still upset by it. Then it just..." Chimney shrugged, he really had no clear answer.

Suddenly Maddie was on her feet and rounding on him. He flinched at the movement but didn't pull away as the pillow landed on his shoulder as Maddie swung it at him as she let out what could only be descripted as a growl.

"He filed that stupid thing." Maddie swung the pillow again. "To get back to you guys." Another swing. "He wanted his family back!" Swing. "He felt like he was being abandoned." Swing. "Left behind again." Swing, this one with less force. "This is why he's pulled away from me." The pillow dropped to the floor as Maddie whimpered.

Chimney jumped to his feet them and wrapped his arms around his girlfriend. Maddie resisted as she tried to push him away, actually punching him in the chest - it was very half-heartedly so it didn't even hurt - but Chimney just held on. He would take all the abuse Maddie needed to unleash as long as he got to hold her in the end. Another shove before Maddie whimpered again and wrapped her arms around Chimney and clung to him just as tightly. Chimney knew he wasn't off the hook yet, and wouldn't be for a long time coming; but he was willing to hold and and fight through if it meant he got to keep Maddie - and Buck - in his life.

He doesn't know how long they stand there but eventually he feels Maddie sag against him slightly and he knows they need to get some sleep. He kissed her temple before pulling away just enough to guide her back towards the bedroom. They both silently change into sleep clothes before Maddie climbs into bed. Not wanting to push his luck, Chimney grabs for his pillow with intentions of going to sleep on the couch but a hand catches his wrist that instantly has him climbing into bed next to his girlfriend. Maddie tucked her head into his shoulder and wraps an arm around him as they settle under the covers.

"This doesn't mean I'm not so angry with you I don't want to shoot you myself." Maddie huffed, her breath ghosting over the thin material of his t-shirt. "But I can't be alone right now."

Chimney nodded and hummed as he wrapped his own arm around Maddie and held her tight. They would deal with more in the morning. They weren't alright, not yet and probably wouldn't be for a long time, but he was willing to wait it out and work to fix everything.