Chapter 6

Buck found himself with some downtime on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn't often that it happened, but for once, none of his patients were sick and calling for him to come to their houses.

He stared at the television. There was some western movie playing, but he wasn't really watching it. His mind was wandering.

He thought about what Maddie had said to him that day after the park, when she realized he had already met the people she was beginning to think of as extended family.

"Ev, I want you to know that Eddie is a nice guy. You could do worse. Much worse. In fact, I think you have done worse."

Buck didn't deny it. There was no reason to insult her intelligence. 'Maybe, but that doesn't mean anything is going to happen between us."

Maddie sighed. "Why not? What are you so afraid of?"

"You know what. I'm never enough for people to stay. They take what they want from me, and then they ditch me when something better comes along."

Maddie put her head on his shoulder. "Eddie's not the kind of person to walk away for greener pastures. He's loyal. And I get that you're scared, but sooner or later you'll have to take a chance. Otherwise, you'll be alone for the rest of your life, and you'll never find the person that can make you happy. The person that can give you the family you crave. And I think Eddie is a good gamble to take. You know I wouldn't push you if I thought you'd be hurt. I truly don't think Eddie would hurt you."

Buck couldn't stop thinking about her words. He tried to, but they were always in the back of his mind.

He knew he was being chicken-shit. He hadn't known Eddie long, but he thought he knew what kind of guy Eddie was. Hard-working. A good friend. A good father. Sexy as sin. Loyal.

But that didn't stop the fear from eating at his innards.

His cell started ringing, it was the ringtone for his after hour's service. Buck sighed. He guessed one day off was too much to ask for.

He grabbed it and pressed the green answer key. "Yeah, Deidre?"

"Sorry to bother you, Buck. I was hoping I wouldn't have to call you today. But I got a call from Eddie Diaz."

Buck sat up ramrod straight, his shoulders stiff. "Is Christopher okay?"

"Well, Mr. Diaz feels bad about calling, but he says Christopher is coughing really badly. He described it as coughing up a lung. He's complaining about watery eyes but no fever. He also says it hurts to breathe, and his chest is achy."

Buck tapped his index finger against his mouth. "Sounds like it could be bronchitis. And if it's bronchitis, he'll need a prescription for antibiotics. Tell Mr. Diaz that I'm on my way."

"Will do, Buck."

He disconnected the call and stood up.

Buck shoved his phone in his pocket, grabbed his keys, and slipped his shoes onto his feet by the door. Then he was out of his loft and down to his car.

He made it to Eddie's house within fifteen minutes. He got out of his car and as he approached the house, the front door swung open.

Eddie looked frazzled, his hair messy as if he had been running his fingers through it for the last hour. "I'm so sorry to bother you on your day off. I wanted to take him to the urgent care center, but Chris refused. He just wanted his 'Doctor Buck' to check on him, and no other doctor would do."

Buck's heart warmed at the idea that Christopher had so much faith in his ability even if he didn't make him feel better last time.

"No worries, and if he has what I think he has, he's better off staying at home. Bronchitis is extremely contagious."

Eddie nodded. "Still, I feel bad about calling. After last time, and learning that you always did house calls without any assistance, I told myself I wasn't going to be one of those people that took advantage of your time and generosity."

"Eddie, don't worry about it. I want to help," Buck stated. "Is he in his room?"

"Yep, you know the way."

Buck came into the room. "Hey, Superman."

"Buck!" Christopher smiled, climbing out of bed and practically throwing himself into Buck's arms, wrapping his thin arms tightly around Buck's torso and squeezing for all that he was worth.

Buck furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Something didn't seem right. "Chris, how are you feeling?"

"Oh, um," Christopher pulled away and suddenly coughed in a hacking way that sounded completely fake. "Better now that you're here," he whispered, doing his best to look pitiful.

"Christopher, what is this about?" Eddie asked as he came into the room, his arms crossed over his chest. His very impressive chest.

Buck gulped. Now was not the time to be admiring Eddie's physique.

Christopher backed away with a sheepish smile on his face. "Nothing," he stated innocently.

Buck and Eddie shared a look. Neither of them believed that.

"Christopher," Buck began gently, "are you actually sick?"

"No." Christopher pouted as he suddenly found the floor fascinating, shuffling his feet.

"The symptoms that were described to me sounded just like bronchitis. How did you know what to fake?"

"Google."

Buck knew he shouldn't laugh, but it was hard not to.

"No more internet for you. Unless it's for school, and you'll be watched when you go on. You're cut off for the next two weeks," Eddie punished.

"I know kids fake being sick when it's a school day. But it's Saturday. Why would you pretend to be sick?" Buck asked.

"I wanted to see you," Christopher answered guilelessly, suddenly peeking up at Buck from underneath the fringe of his bangs.

Buck's breath caught in his throat. How could he be angry at this kid for faking being sick? Just to see him?

"Christopher," Eddie shook his head. "Today was Buck's day off. He might have had plans."

"Why can't his plans not include us?" Christopher asked. He turned his fluttering eyelashes onto Buck. "You like spending time with us, don't you?"

Buck was stuck between a hard plan and a rock. "Of course I do, but it's not nice to lie. Do you know how scared your dad probably was, thinking something was really wrong with you?"

Christopher lost the guileless expression and finally looked remorseful. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I know it's not nice to lie. I just really wanted to see Buck, and I didn't know if he'd come over if we just asked."

"You're still being punished with no non-school-related internet for two weeks."

"I understand, Dad. But now that Buck is here, can we stay?" Christopher asked hopefully.

Buck and Eddie looked at each other. Eddie conveyed how sorry he was with his eyes.

Buck nodded silently. It wasn't Eddie's fault that his kid was so sneaky and knew just how to get what he wanted. "Well, I was only gonna spend the day watching tv, so if it's okay with your dad, I guess I can hang out."

"Please, Daddy?" Christopher asked, doing his best puppy dog eyes.

Eddie sighed. "I should say 'no' and make it part of your punishment. You should not be awarded for your scheme. But considering Buck had to come all the way here for no reason, I would be a very bad host if I kicked him out."

"Yay!" Christopher cheered, squeezing Buck in another hug.

"So, before Christopher's act," he tickled Christopher's stomach, so the boy squirmed away with a fit of giggles, "what were the plans for the day?"

Eddie shrugged. "We were just going to hang around the house. Maybe play Legos or watch a movie. Or work on one of Christopher's many puzzles. Depending on what Christopher wanted."

Buck looked at the boy. "Well, you're in charge. What do you want to do first?"

Christopher smiled. "Movie. I want to watch Tarzan."

Eddie gave Buck another apologetic look. "Go set the DVD player up. We'll be out in a minute."

Christopher grabbed his crutches and moved as quickly as he could out of the bedroom.

When the adults were left alone, the silence felt a bit awkward.

Eddie pulled his bottom lip in between his teeth. "I really am sorry you got pulled into this."

Buck shook his head. "It's fine. I really was just going to watch TV anyways. I can do that at my loft, or I can do it here. Doesn't matter."

"Christopher is a pretty outgoing kid, but he is really taken with you. I've never known him to lie just for the chance to spend time with someone."

"I'll take his deceitfulness as a compliment then."

Eddie's eyes turned serious. He opened his mouth to say something.

Buck, afraid of what it was going to be, and not ready for any deep talks, brushed past Eddie. "We better get to the living room before Mr. Christopher comes looking for us."

"Of course," Eddie muttered.

Buck pretended he didn't hear the disappointment in his voice.

They got to the living room and the TV was on with the Disc menu displaying. When Christopher saw them coming, he quickly sat on the left end of the couch, making sure he was squished all the way on the end.

Buck furrowed his eyebrows. Eddie moved to the right end of the couch and made himself comfortable, slouching against the back of the couch a bit. His lap was on full display, and Buck did his best to keep his eyes up. He could not ogle Christopher's dad right in front of Christopher. Talk about indecent!

Buck moved to sit on the single chair.

"No!" Christopher shouted.

Buck froze in his tracks. "What's wrong?" he asked, looking on the floor, making sure he didn't accidentally step on something, breaking it.

"You need to sit here. Between me and dad." Christopher patted the middle seat. Maybe a kid could fit there, but he was a grown man and not a small one, either.

"Chris, buddy, Buck is way too big to fit there. It would be extremely uncomfortable for him."

Christopher frowned.

Buck saw the wheels turning in his head. "It's fine, Superman. I'll sit on the chair. Not a big deal."

"No, wait," Christopher said. He got up and carefully walked over to the chair, plopping down on it. "You can have my seat on the couch."

Buck and Eddie stared at Christopher. "Is there a reason it's so important for me to sit on the couch?"

Christopher's grin was almost maniacal. "Noooo, I just thought you'd be more comfortable."

"Uh-huh, I almost believe that. But I won't question it anymore." Buck went and sat on the couch, making sure nothing of his was pressed against nothing of Eddie's.

Eddie had sat up straight when he realized what Christopher was doing, and he no longer looked quite as comfortable in his skin.

Buck had never seen the movie. They didn't really surprise him. His family was never one for childish movies. Not even when he and Maddie were children.

He found himself fascinated by the idea of a human boy being raised by a gorilla and befriending a bunch of animals. And how he had to fight to be respected by the other animals, to prove that he belonged there, that he was strong enough to stay in the jungle.

In fact, he was completely engrossed in the movie, more than he thought he'd be. He found himself gripping the fabric of his pants in the tense scenes and holding back tears in the emotional scenes. And when Tarzan and Jane got their happy ending, he wanted to cry out his relief.

And when the ending credits rolled on the screen, he saw Christopher dozing, his chin touching his chest. And instead of watching the movie, Eddie was watching him.

Buck cleared his throat self-consciously. "What?"

"Nothing, I'm just really glad you enjoyed the movie. I thought you'd be bored by a cartoon."

Buck shrugged. "It might be a cartoon, but it's a well-written cartoon. I can't believe Christopher fell asleep, though," he exclaimed, affronted on behalf of Tarzan, and all of the people it took to make such a splendid movie.

"Well, to be fair, Christopher has seen this movie about twenty times. And he's probably exhausted from all that fake coughing.

Buck chuckled. "I still can't believe he faked being sick just so I'd come over."

"I think it was more than that," Eddie admitted.

Buck tilted his head and waited.

Eddie took a deep breath. "He does adore you, but I think it was more about Christopher trying to play matchmaker. Hence, making us sit on the couch together."

"Oh." Buck blinked. "I thought nine-year-olds were too young to know how to play matchmaker.

"Christopher is very advanced for his age."

"Maybe I should go. The last thing I want to do is to give Christopher the wrong idea."

Eddie scooted on the couch, so he was closer to Buck. "And what's the wrong idea?"

Buck gulped, suddenly feeling unbearably warm. "Well, that there is anything between us?" It came out as a quest8on.

"Isn't there? Christopher is a smart kid. He sensed there was something between us."

Buck shook his head. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Eddie moved even closer so their thighs pressed together. "Well, I know we almost kissed. And I know you freaked out. And I know you've done your best to avoid having this conversation. I just don't know why the idea of us getting together bothers you so much."

Buck stood up, needing some space between their bodies before he did something he shouldn't do. Like jump Eddie's bones and have his wicked way with the other man. "Your son is my patient. I make sure to never get involved in any way with parents of my patients."

"Then I'll find Christopher a new doctor."

Buck hadn't expected that. "Christopher wouldn't be happy," he tried.

"I think Christopher would survive. I actually think he'd rather have us dating than you being his doctor. I can ask him if it would make you feel better."

Buck scratched his head. "Why are you doing this to me?" he whined.

"Isn't it obvious? I like you. I'm usually not this forward when I like someone. In fact, I almost always overanalyze it, especially since I have Christopher to consider. I don't bring anyone new into his life without making sure it's the right decision. But with you, it's easy for me to decide what to do. I know you're the right person for us. I can't explain it, but I just know that if you become a part of our family, I won't regret it."

Buck took a shuddering breath. "I have so much baggage with my family. I'm messed up. You'd be better off with someone less messed up."

"I have baggage too, so your baggage does not scare me away. "

"It should. I'm not good enough for you and Christopher. I'm never good enough for anyone."

Eddie stood up. He looked over his shoulder where Christopher was still lightly snoring. He grabbed Buck's hand and pulled him to the kitchen. Just in case Christopher was only pretending to be sleeping so he could eavesdrop. He wouldn't put it past the evil genius.

When they were in the kitchen, Eddie backed Buck up so his back hit the refrigerator door. He cupped Buck's cheek, his thumb massaging the cheekbone. The rough pad of his thumb felt oh-so-sensual against his skin.

Buck shuddered. "Eddie?" he asked, his eyes hooded.

"I don't know who made you feel that you were so unworthy. But I don't care. If they could make you feel like that, they're not worthy of you. They're not even worthy enough to lick the bottom of your shoes. I haven't known you long, so I definitely don't know all of your quirks, but I know enough to know what a great person you are. You're kind, compassionate, and great at your job. You truly care about every kid you take care of, and that's why you always do the house calls, no matter how little free time you have because of it. You're a beautiful person. And I'm not just talking about physical beauty, which you definitely have. In fact, I haven't found myself this attracted to another person in a long time. Kind of takes my breath away how much I want you."

"If all you want is sex—"Buck began, his tone stoic and his eyes cool.

"No," Eddie interrupted. "Have you not been listening to me? Yes, you are physically beautiful and I'm attracted to you, but I want more than that. I see the future we could have if you just let me in. I'm not going to leave you if things get tough. I just want you."

"Eddie, I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll give me a chance. Say you'll give us a chance."

"I want to, but—"

"No, no buts. Stop thinking and feel. What do you feel?"

Buck was silent. "I feel like I want you. I want you so badly," he admitted.

Eddie smiled. "That's actually what I wanted to hear." He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Buck's in a gentle kiss. He didn't put too much pressure on it, afraid Buck would spook.

He shouldn't have worried about that, though.

If there was one thing Buck excelled at, it was shutting his mind off as he kissed. He wound his arms around Eddie's neck as he returned the kiss. His tongue probed the seam of Eddie's lips, and they opened with a groan from Eddie.

Buck mapped out Eddie's mouth, making sure to taste every hidden corner of it.

Their bodies pressed against each other, their burgeoning erections trapped by their very confining pants.

Eddie broke the kiss, only to pepper soft butterfly kisses to Buck's neck. "God, I want you so badly," he moaned against Buck's skin in between light kisses and nips.

Buck panted heavily, his hands gripping Eddie's hair in order to drag their mouths back together for another kiss. Buck's hands moved from Eddie's hair and went down to rest against Eddie's chest, feeling the muscles rippling underneath the shirt.

When their kiss broke again, Buck smirked and couldn't help his next comment. "Firefighting must keep you in very good shape from what I can feel."

Eddie's answer was another kiss, and Buck happily returned it. He couldn't get enough of Eddie's lips.

Buck's hands rubbed Eddie's pectorals through his shirt, groaning as Eddie sucked on his tongue, making his whole body come alive. They thrust against each other, rubbing their erections together.

Giggles interrupted the heated moment, and they jumped away from each other as if simultaneously electrocuted.

Eddie cleared his throat as they both liked at a happy Christopher. "Hey, Chris, I guess you woke up. I can explain."

Christopher continued grinning. "My plan worked. I'm the best." He nodded, very happy with the outcome.

Eddie arched an eyebrow. "You're plan, huh?"

Christopher unrepentantly shrugged. "I was tired of waiting for you to make a move. I had to do something to help you. You're welcome. And you can get me a new Lego set as a thank you." He strutted out of the kitchen, pumping his hand into the air in a victory salute.

Eddie shook his head. "That kid…"

Buck laughed. "He definitely knows what he wants."

Eddie gave him a look. "And thankfully, what he wants is the same thing that I want."

Buck blushed. "Yeah, thankfully." He looked to the entrance of the kitchen. "How long do you think Christopher will leave us alone?"

"Well, we have at least 10 minutes since he's so happy his plan worked. But he will come back and demand our attention eventually."

Buck gripped Eddie's shoulder. "Then we should make these next ten minutes count." And their mouths crashed together in another kiss that turn hard and dirty fast.


Notes: Just one more chapter left. The epilogue. This story was only about Buddie getting together. But I may make it into a collection of interconnected stories within the Doctor Buck universe. Because I know there's a lot more to tell when it comes to Buck and Eddie's baggage.