Buck turned over on the uncomfortable motel mattress and reached for his girlfriend, sounding a noise of vague discontent when he found the other side of the bed empty and cold. He slowly blinked himself to full consciousness and rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling and wondering where she could have got to. It was possible, of course, that Taylor had merely run out for coffee or breakfast, something for both of them to enjoy quickly before they had to head to the airport and catch their flight back to LA. But Buck had a feeling that that wasn't where she'd gone.

It was only when he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed that he caught sight of the scrap bit of paper lying on the bedside table, the message scrawled on it short and simple:

Gone to visit Mum.

The short note was followed by the address of a cemetery, and Buck found himself a little surprised that it had been included. When they'd first started seeing each, even before he'd followed her to her home-town for her father's trial, he wouldn't have expected her to include the address, or leave a note explaining where she was at all. She was fiercely independent and there was an invitation in this note, though many might not have seen it. She hadn't woken him, asked him to come, for she was still learning to be vulnerable like that, but she'd left this note, offering, if he wanted, to join her. The thought warmed his heart and had him reaching for clean clothes to pull on.

The town was small enough that Buck was sure he could have found the cemetery even without the address, but having it certainly made it easier as he punched it into his rental car's navigation. As he drove, he couldn't help but notice how idyllic it all was, how quintessential small town America it was, and he almost wondered why Taylor wouldn't want to come back more often. But besides the obvious reason, he had an idea about this kind of place, how small it was, how familiar, where not only did everyone know everyone and their business, but where every single place came attached with a million memories. Buck looked around and wondered if there was a single corner in this small town where Taylor would be able to escape the memories of her parents.

She was easy enough to spot when he eased into the cemetery parking lot, her hair a splash of colour against the horizon of grey and brown. It was like the sky had picked up on their mood, the reason they were here, for even it was devoid of colour. But not Taylor, she was the bright spot in a dark world. She was standing before a simple, yet elegant headstone and Buck made his way slowly towards her; he could see her mouth moving and purposefully didn't hurry, giving her the space and privacy to talk to her mother.

Despite his intentions her words drifted back towards him. "...seeing a guy," she was saying softly, gently scuffing the toe of her shoe into the grass. The movement made her seem infinitely younger. "He's… he's pretty great. The kind of great that flies all the way here to be with me even though I told him not to. I know what you'd say if you were here," Taylor continued, her voice a little choked though Buck thought she might be smiling through the tears. "That if he's a good one then I'd better keep him and not go all Taylor on him. Well, I'm trying, Mum, I'm really trying." There was a pause, then, "I miss you. I still miss you so much." And Buck knew those tears she'd been trying to hold back were finally breaking free.

The sound of her sobs tore through him and he felt himself moving faster without making the conscious decision to do so.

"Hey," he murmured as he reached her, pulling her into his arms and holding her tight while her body shook. "It's okay, I'm here. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere."

"I miss her, Buck," she cried into his shoulder. "I miss her so much."

"I know," he said quietly, stroking a hand down her hair.

They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped around one another, just listening to the sound of Taylor's shuddering breaths as her tears fell and then eventually eased. But Taylor didn't lift her head, didn't try to pull away, she just let Buck be her strength until she found her own strength to talk.

"She was the best person I knew," she said quietly, gazing at her mother's headstone. Buck didn't say anything but instinctively knew that he didn't have to, that all Taylor needed was for him to be there and listen. "She always knew the right thing to say, always knew what to do. And she was kind, too kind for this world, and too kind for-" She didn't finish the sentence, as if unwilling to bring her father's name to this place, her mother's final resting place. "And she was happy," she whispered. "So happy, despite it all. She always found something to be grateful for, even if she deserved better than what she got."

"She sounds pretty amazing," Buck said truthfully.

"She was."

"I wish I could have met her," he offered, hoping it wasn't overstepping.

Taylor didn't answer at first, but slowly she leaned back and looked up into Buck's face. "I wish she could have met you too," she said quietly, tears lining her eyes once again. "I- I think she would have really liked you."

Buck managed a smile, and Taylor eased her head back onto his chest, and he resumed the comforting stroking of her hair, just standing and being together. She wasn't ready to leave, not when she knew she might not be strong enough to return to this place for some time. But Buck didn't mind, didn't push her, he just stood there with her; he wasn't going anywhere.


As the summary suggests, this can be read somewhat as an episode coda to 5x9 after Taylor goes to her father's trial/hearing. Just a sweet moment between the two. Hope you enjoyed x