Title: Late night conversations
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
As soon as Abby opened the front door and Buck saw how tired she was he immediately regretted his phone call. She'd been through hell the last week as much as he had.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have woken you."Buck apologized stepping back and headed to the sidewalk. "Go back to sleep."
"It's okay, Buck."Abby replied with a smile. "Come in; please."
"Thanks."Buck acknowledged both for the invite and for what was to come.
The tea kettle had just started to whistle when they walked in and Abby raced to the stove to catch it before it woke her mother. After a few tense minutes it was clear Patricia was still asleep. Abby poured the hot water into two blue mugs and added the tea bags.
"Lemon? Sugar?"Abby asked Buck who had sat down at the tiny two person table in the kitchen.
Buck raised an eyebrow in response. Abby grinned.
"Right."Abby replied as she grabbed a bottle of lemon juice from the fridge and the bowl of sugar from the counter and placed both on the table.
A few minutes later Abby placed a mug in front of Buck and one at her seat and sat down. The tea was still too hot to drink but Abby wrapped her hands around the mug enjoying the warmth. She smiled watching Buck eye the tea bag like it was a object from another planet. He picked it up by the string and dunked it. Then picked up the spoon and poked it.
"Let it soak into the water a bit more."Abby advised.
"What does it taste like?"Buck asked.
"Peppermint."Abby responded.
Buck nodded and glanced at the dark dining room where Patricia slept.
"How's she doing?"The fireman inquired with concern.
"Tired but okay."Abby stated following his gaze. "Doesn't seem to remember her adventure in South Los Angeles. Or at least she hasn't mentioned it in her coherent moments."
"Probably a blessing."Buck commented.
"What do you remember of the nightmare?"Abby asked broaching the subject of why he was here.
Buck fiddled with the spoon in his mug for a moment as he gathered his thoughts which were still spinning. The dream still fresh. Taking a deep breath he met his friend's gaze.
"Same as the one I had earlier in the week."Buck began quietly. "I think I told you that Bobby, my captain, was the last off the plane?"
"Yes there was a woman who's legs were pinned."Abby responded softly.
"Well he ordered everyone out. The plane was filling with water too fast."Buck continued as he took a sip of the tea and put the mug back down. "I ignored the order and went back to help."
"I imagine he didn't like that."Abby said as she drank her own tea.
"Furious, but I think he was grateful too because he needed another set of hands."Buck stated with a shake of his head. "Her legs were crushed under the seat in front of her. Would've taken us at least an hour on dry land to get her free and that with the needed equipment. What I didn't tell you is that there was a large wave that sucked me right out of the plane; then it went down."
"Oh my God."Abby exclaimed quietly. "Bobby was still on board?"
Buck nodded bleakly.
"I made it to the rescue boat where Henritta was waiting. She pulled me in."Buck explained. "We both sat there staring at the water not believing what was happening. There was a chopper above us and they'd dropped a rope we had hoped to use them to airlift her out once we got her free, but it went under too quick."
"What happened?"Abby prompted her eyes wide.
"Just like in the movies."Buck said with a wide grin. "Seconds later there was a huge splash and the chopper pulled upward swinging below was Bobby and he was holding the woman by her arms. They were hanging like two kids at a playground but he hadn't had time to pull her into a more secure hold."
"Incredible."Abby agreed.
With a sigh Buck sat back in his set and pushed the mug aside.
"In my dream I'm still in the water; near the boat. Plane's just gone under."Buck continued softly. "I'm screaming for Bobby, but there's no last minute heroics; they're just gone. Nothing but darkness fire and so much water."
Abby reached across the table and took both of Buck's hands in hers covering them. Buck squeezed them showing his gratitude.
"In the dream I couldn't reach him; couldn't get to him."Buck stated.
"It was an intense traumatic experience for everyone."Abby said softly. "Your dreams are a way of healing; a normal outlet."
"Tell that to my roommates."Buck muttered. "If I wake them up one more time..."
"You can talk to them too."Abby pointed out. "They know you went through something most people don't. Tell them as much or as little as you want. They may surprise you."
"Maybe."Buck agreed as he gently pulled his hands free.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Buck took a bit more of the tea now that it had cooled and smiled at Abby.
"That's not half bad."Buck complimented.
"Glad you like it."Abby said with a quiet laugh.
"Thank you."Buck stated a few minutes later.
"For what?"Abby asked.
"For this."Buck replied quietly. "You know...for listening."
"Anytime."Abby replied as she stood to gather their cups and took them to the sink.
Buck watched her for a long moment knowing she meant that. Not many people would serve you tea at three in the morning on a week day. Even fewer would lose their own sleep to listen to your problems. Buck was, not for the first time, grateful for whatever had brought Abby into his life.