It was Just another day at the firehouse, with some minor calls that some of the team would consider a waste of their time and why do they have to do it, case in point: helping a fat ginger cat out of the tree it got stuck in. The 118 team are currently watching as Eddie slowly climbs the ladder to collect the cat out of the tree.
"Come on old man, I know you can move quicker than that." Buck shouts up jokingly.
"Shut up." Eddie snaps back crankily.
"Ooooh someone is moody today." Hen jokes as she pats Buck on his shoulder.
"Just let me focus on the job at hand, not all of us can have an easy job of standing there doing nothing can we?" Eddie shouts as he continues up.
Buck and Hen look at each other and start laughing and then they look at Bobby who shakes his head at them. He walks over to where the ladder is with Chimney at the bottom holding it steady for Eddie.
"Diaz come on. I want to be out of here in five minutes." Bobby shouts with some authority.
"Okay, Cap" Eddie shouts back.
Once he reaches the top of the ladder he shuffles on to the branch and sits awkwardly and he feels a pull in his groin but he ignores it as he works his way to the cat which is hissing and clawing at him.
"Come on, you stupid cat." Eddie whispers at it.
As he reaches out to grab the cat. It lashes out and claws at his glove and that was the last straw so he snaps and just grabs it by the scruff on its neck and once he has it close to his chest listening to it hiss and growl, he starts to shuffle back. He sees Buck climbing up to get hold of it.
"I'll take it." Buck says giving Eddie a big smile.
"Fine." He snorts.
He passes the cat to Buck and waits for Buck to get down, listening to Buck talk to the cat like it was a baby and Eddie shakes his head at him so he can start coming down, as he climbs down, he can hear the family thanking the team as he reaches the bottom Chimney pats him on the back.
"Evil things aren't they" Chimney jokes.
"Yeah" Eddie says before walking off and heading to the truck, the rest of the team say their goodbyes and head to the truck and join Eddie who is now sitting in the truck.
"You ok, Eds?" Buck asks
"I'm fine. I just don't see why we are wasted on dumb things like that." Eddie says.
"It's part of the job, but I agree it seems a waste to have us come out, what would have happened if there was something major at the other side of town and we were late for helping a cat?" Hen adds.
"Lucky that didn't happen, what was up Diaz you seemed sluggish getting up there?" Bobby asked
"He's just showing his age." Buck jokes.
"Why is everything got be a joke with you?" Eddie snaps at Buck who looks shocked the rest of the team goes quiet "I'll be quicker next time Cap." He says looking at Bobby.
"Sorry, Eddie" Buck says sheepishly.
Eddie does not even look at him just rests his head against the window of the truck hoping to get some peace and quiet.
"Someone needs to have a proper nap." Chim snarks.
"Chim, I can hear you, you're on the same headset channel" Eddie snarks as he looks over
Chimney just goes red and Buck nudges Chimney and laughs at him. Eddie returns to resting his head against the window, as the truck continues the way back, they start to pull in, as they do the radio goes off about a fire at a factory.
"Hen and Chim, you two jump out and get in the ambulance and follow us." Bobby says.
Eddie just continues to have his head against the window, he knew the world would not let him have at least a few minutes of rest.
"Right, it's a major fire when we get there, Buck, you and Johnson will head in and look for anyone who may be trapped in there." Bobby starts
"Cap, I'm better prepared for this kind of thing, no offense Johnson." Eddie pipes up
"Yeah, but after seeing how slow you were and how tired you do look now, you will be more of a problem. So, you will be on hose duty and keeping the flames down as well as you can or at least until the whole team is out." Bobby says in a firm tone.
"Ok Cap." Eddie responds and sits there looking down at his feet.
Eddie could not believe he was getting put on hose duty, yes, he was tired and a bit sluggish, but he was way better than Johnson even when tired. But he did not want to be pulled up by Bobby for insubordination, so he just kept quiet. He notices that Buck moved closer to him and taps him on his shoulder, he looks up at them big blue eyes and smiles a dull smile at him, Buck indicates to pull his headset off just like Buck had.
"Eds, what is up? You look tired." Buck says worriedly.
"Nothing, I'm fine just one of them days that's all, sorry for snapping at you before." Eddie explains lying to his friend.
"Well, I'll come round later and cook for us, I'm sure Chris would like to have a happy person round instead of Mr grumpy gills." Buck smiles as he pats Eddie on his knee.
"Ugh, do you really have to keep referring me as that? Chris called it me once, you are never going let it go, are you? But yeah, that would actually be good." Eddie says.
"Cool, well best put our headsets back on before we get told off." Buck says with a grin.
They both place there headsets on and Buck doesn't move just sits next to Eddie keeping him grounded, he knew he should have said no to Buck. But if he could get an easy night later he was going take it. They arrive at the fire and it is in full effect they all jump out the trucks. Hen and Chimney start on the injured, Buck and Johnson quickly gear up ready to enter, while Eddie and some others quickly unravel the hose and instantly start hosing the Factory and trying get the flames under control. Eddie listens into the radio as Bobby gives orders.
"Buck and Johnson, we've been told there at least one person in there still somewhere along the lower levels. So, go in get them, if you can find them get them but no heroics understood? You guys have to be in and out quickly as possible, hose teams please make sure we have a steady spread over the entrance and the lower windows." Bobby says
"Copy that." the whole team said.
Eddie works on spraying the main entrance and watches as Buck and Johnson run in, he spends the next five minutes making sure the lower level is well saturated and keeping the other team's hose team focused on keeping their level under control.
"Buck, Johnson report." Bobby says over the radio
"No, luck yet. We're moving to the last room." Johnson replies
"Cap, I found them but they're dead" Buck states over the radio.
As they talk a loud crash can be heard and then nothing, Eddie looks to the left and see's that the wall has fallen and looks like it has set off the rest of the building.
"Buck, Johnson get out now the building is coming down!" Bobby states on the radio.
"Were on our way, heading towards main entrance." Buck states
A few minutes go by and no one appears there is a few rumbles and another crash and smoke comes billowing out the main entrance door and a figure falls out. Eddie runs over just as Bobby gets there its Johnson, Eddie pulls off the mask and tank, to help her breathe.
"Where's Buck?" Eddie asks panicked.
"He was right behind me." She states as she starts coughing.
"Buck do you copy?" Bobby states the sound of silence follows
Eddie looks at the tank it is ¾ full he slips it on and starts putting the mask on.
"Diaz, what do you think you are doing?" Bobby asks
"I am not going leave him in there, you get her over to Hen. I'll be in and out I promise" Eddie says as he pulls the mask over and stands up and makes his way in.
As he walks through the main entrance its full of smoke and orange light, he can feel the pull in his groin and it hurts but he blocks it out, remembering what his dad use to say 'we are Diaz men, we let nothing faze us or bother us we must be strong to look after the ones we love, our needs come last' with that thought in his head he pushes through and continues walking looking for Buck, and he finally sees him and he is pinned under a stack of shelves.
"Buck are you ok?" Eddie asks as he kneels.
"Yeah, Eddie but I'm pinned I can't move my leg." Buck says.
"Hey, Cap I have him, but he is pinned going be a few minutes longer." Eddie says
"Hurry up were not sure how long you got." Bobby says and Eddie ignores replying his main goal get Buck out, he looks down at Buck.
"Don't worry I got you." Eddie says and knows this must be bringing back bad memories for Buck.
"Hey, look at me tell me, what are you cooking later?" Eddie says
"What the fuck Eddie? This isn't the place to talk about food." Buck says
"Just do it." Eddie says as he stands up and starts moving debris.
"Do you fancy pancakes? Or I could do tacos?" Buck says the latter as if to himself.
Eddie laughs and says "Well, we both know what Chris will want but let's do tacos and not mention pancakes."
He moves the last bit of the debris from the shelves and tries lift and Buck lets out a loud scream and Eddie stops.
"It hurts" Buck says
"I know I'm sorry, look I need to lift and it's going to hurt but when I say three, you need pull yourself out understand?" Eddie says looking at Buck
"Okay." Buck nods, gritting his teeth in determination.
"On three. One, two, three." Eddies says as he lifts on three and Buck pulls him self out clawing at the floor to get out once Eddie sees Buck is out, he drops the shelves.
He sits next to Buck a min just to catch his breath the adrenaline is starting to wear off and he can feel the tiredness coming, he knows he has to push through and be strong, he stands up and holds his hand out to help Buck up, he pulls him up and helps him walk but he struggles and the sound of the falling burning is getting closer, he stops looks at Buck and picks him up and puts him in a fireman carry and walks towards the exit.
"DIAZ, BUCKLEY where are you!?" Bobby is shouting down the radio.
Eddie cannot answer he is using all his strength to carry Buck. He finally can see the daylight; he keeps going until they finally make it out. Eddie falls to his knees and Bobby helps pull Buck off him as Chimney checks over Eddie and takes off the mask and tank.
"You ok, Diaz?" Chimney asks.
"Yeah fine. Check on Buck, his leg was pinned." Eddie says and gives Bobby a look of concern.
"Ok, Chim let's get Buck to the ambulance, Eddie you move over to Hen." Bobby says.
He watches as Chim and Bobby carry Buck to the ambulance and Eddie walks over to Hen who is by the truck. She looks at him and smiles.
"That boy loves getting himself in trouble, doesn't he?" Hen says, shaking her head.
"That he does." He replies as he sits down
"You okay, you look exhausted." Hen asks with a worried look.
"Wouldn't you be when you have to carry out the blue-eyed wannabe hero." Eddie jokes as he rubs his groin.
"Very true. you pull something?" Hen says
"Yeh from that stupid cat call, and then the extra weight of carrying Buck didn't exactly help. I'll be fine once I rest." Eddie says.
"Here, get some of this down into you and you will need a shower you're filthy." Hen laughs as she passes him a bottle of water.
They sit there as they watch the factory basically crumble. Eddie enjoys the cool water as it flows down his throat, he looks over and sees Bobby walking over to him he knows he is going get told off but he doesn't care he saved Buck so it will be worth it.
"Diaz, when I give you an order you follow it understand?" Bobby says, and Hen turns away.
"Yes Cap, but we both know if I hadn't had gone in you would have." Eddie replies
"That would be my call not yours. But having said that, good work you got him out safe." Bobby says with a smile. "Just no more heroics." Bobby jokes.
"How are they?" Hen asks.
"Johnson will be fine, and Buck is getting checked over his leg going bruise but that's it." Bobby says
"Bet he was scared when he was pinned bringing up the memories of what happened" Hen says looking at Eddie.
"Yeah he didn't say anything, but I could see it, I got him to talk about what he was cooking later to keep his mind off it." Eddie says.
"What did he say? I bet it was pancakes." Bobby lets out a laugh.
"Yup. But we decided tacos, even though I know he will mention pancakes to Christopher so we will end up with them or he will play the 'I'm injured' card so they're easier to make." Eddie jokes
"Here he comes, the wanna be hero." Hen shouts as Buck gets closer.
Eddie stands up watching as Buck limps over to them, he is ready to head back and have a rest. Thank god their shift is nearly over. As he turns around to get in the truck, he feels a tap on his shoulder, and he turns round and is embraced in Buck's strong arms.
"Thanks, Eds, for getting me out of there and keeping my mind off well… you know." Buck says as he pulls him tighter in and Eddie folds his arms round Buck.
"Any time, we have each other's back remember?" Eddie says as he breaks the hug.
"True." Buck smiles and they all climb in the truck.
The truck ride back is slightly silent the hum of the engine and Eddie looks over to Buck who is massaging his leg.
"Hey Eddie, I know we said tacos later but seeing as my leg hurts, I'll do pancakes it'll be easier." Buck says as he looks over to Eddie.
There is sound of laughter coming over the headsets from Bobby, Chimney and Hen.
"What?" Buck asks looking confused.
"I said you would play that card so you can do pancakes" Eddie says shaking his head.
"Rude." Buck snips, but he smiles.
Eddie places his head against the window and must have nodded off, as the next thing he remembers is the truck pulling back into the station. The team were all covered in soot and crap from the fire, the factory was a total loss and luckily only one person had died and that was even before the fire. Everyone else made it out, as the team got out the truck and all headed off in their different directions, placing their dirty turncoats and equipment down to be cleaned. Eddie watched as Buck and Chimney head into the shower, Buck limping a bit more now. He starts to follow and sits down, he was feeling drained had been for the last few days, but he puts it down to the lack of sleep along with the extra shifts he's been picking up just to keep ahead of the bills and the fact that Christopher isn't playing ball when it comes to bed time. He was always pushing his luck with how late he can stay up. He is hoping with Buck there tonight, he might go bed at the right time, but he knew it could backfire and end up with him been up later.
He decides to go get showered as he stands up, his phone starts ringing and its Carla.
"Hey Carla, everything okay?" Eddie asks concernedly.
"Not really. Christopher is throwing up I have put him on the couch, I just wanted give you a heads up." Carla says
"Ok, I'm pretty much done. I'll see if I can get to leave now and head home." Eddie says
"See you soon." Carla says as she hangs up
Eddie grabs his stuff he knows he should shower but if Chris is sick he wants get home and look after him he can easily shower when home, he walks out the locker room and looks for Bobby who is luckily at the front talking to the next shift.
"Hey Bobby, you got a second?" Eddie asks
"Yeah what's up"?" Bobby asks
"Is it okay if I shoot off now, Carla just rung me, and Christopher is sick." Eddie says.
"Yeah, you go. You were due finish in twenty minutes, anyway, I'll see you tomorrow you are still ok for the 10am shift till 10pm?" Bobby questions
"Thanks Cap, and yeah I am, see you in the morning" Eddie says as he starts to walk off, feeling the twinge in his groin and just shakes his leg, trying to get rid of it.
He jumps into his truck and autopilots home once he pulls in the driveway, he says his goodbyes to Carla and goes to check on Christopher, who is on the sofa with a blanket on and a bowl next to him.
"Hey buddy, how are you feeling?" Eddie asks
"Not good, my tummy hurts." Chris says
"I know it will pass soon" Eddie replies "I'll go get some water." he continues
He walks in to the kitchen to get a glass of water for Christopher and one for himself, he drinks his as he walks over to the sofa and sits next to Christopher he knows he should change, but he's tired and knows he can clean the sofa later as the likely hood of Chris been sick on it is high. He lets Chris have a sip of water and watches as he nods off watching tv. Eddie can feel himself nodding off and falls asleep.
When he finally wakes, he looks over to his side to see if Christopher is awake and panic sets in. He was not there, and there was no sign of the blanket or bowl.
"Chris-" Eddie starts to say in a loud tone.
"SHHHH!" Buck shushes as he walks into the living room limping still.
"Buck what are you doing here?" Eddie asks shocked to see him
"Remember I was coming round to make pancakes, But when I got out the shower and dressed and I couldn't find you, I asked Bobby and he explained Chris was sick so you went off, which by the way thanks for texting me to let me know." Buck says with a grin
"Sorry, I must have fallen asleep. I remember getting him a glass of water and then I sat down. Sorry, it was just a long day." He replies.
"It has. Well in the three hours I have been here, I have put Chris in his own bed tidied up and got the pancake mix ready. I'll be making you some food soon." Buck says as he sits down on the sofa.
"What!? Three hours, I couldn't have been out that long." Eddie says shocked. Buck just nods "And you didn't have to tidy up I was going do it later." He finishes.
"Its fine, now you go shower and change, you stink." Buck says as he yawns
"Yeah I will, and don't you fall asleep on me you have food to make." Eddie laughs.
He gets up and starts to head out he turns and looks over at Buck who is sat there his eyes half opened and closed he knew by the time he got out the shower and changed Buck would be out cold and he would have to attempt make the pancakes on his own. he shakes his head at that thought and heads into his room he picks up some clean clothes and heads into the bathroom.
In the bathroom he sheds his clothes and looks in the mirror at the dirt on his face, he turns the shower on and waits for it to warm up, once its hot enough he jumps in and starts cleaning away the grime and muck, really lathering his hair with shampoo and watches as the dirt washes down. Once he has cleaned his hair, he starts on his body. He wiped the body wash over his chest before letting the warm water run over him. he starts on his lower half. As, he brushes over his left testicular it felt a bit sore, so he runs his fingers over it and stops when he feels a lump. he stands there for a second and then quickly finishes up showering and steps out and dries off he starts feeling again trying to see if he can find a lump but just as he is about to start checking he hears Christopher, so he quickly gets change and heads in to Christopher's room.
"What's up buddy?" Eddie asks.
"I heard something in the living room, it sounded like a cry." Chris says
"I'll go check. I know Buck is in there, he most likely watching a film too loud you go back sleep." Eddie says
"Okay, goodnight Dad." Christopher says.
Eddie smiles and kisses his forehead before heading out, as he closes the door. He starts walking down the hall, he starts to wonder about the lump, maybe it was nothing he was tired and was not paying much attention, it could have easily been some dirt. As he continues to think about it, his thoughts are stopped when he hears a sound and it did not sound like the TV. It sounded more like Buck. Eddie moved quicker and looked in the living room. Buck was laying down and twitching, he looked like he was having a nightmare he walked over and tapped his shoulder, he did not wake, and Buck started mumbling "Please get it off, it hurts." Buck mumbles.
Eddie knew straight away what was happening, so he gently lifted Bucks head up and slid him self under so he can rest Bucks head on his lap and stroked his hair running his fingers through the curls. He knew this was something more than friends would do but he did not care he wanted to make Buck feel safe.
"Come on Buck, wake up. You're fine I'm here." Eddie says.
Eventually, Buck opens his eyes and sees Eddie smiling at him.
"Well this is erm cosy isn't it and I'm sorry, I came round to look after you and your looking after me." Buck says sitting up
"Hey! First off, I do not need looking after. Yeah guess it did look a bit cosy but I know when I do it for Chris when he has nightmares it helps, so if it made you feel awkward, plus I am more than capable of looking after myself and Chris and your wannabe hero ass. I knew it would bring up memories of the truck. Don't worry as long as you're okay and you know I'm here but let us go make pancakes." Eddie says as he gets up rubbing his groin.
"Are you okay? You keep rubbing your groin." Buck asks
"Yeah, I think I just pulled it getting that stupid cat." Eddie smiled
'We are Diaz men; we must be strong for the ones we love.' Eddie starts to think and knows he needs focus on Chris and Buck they both need him. He will worry about himself another time.
"Eddie, you're my best friend if your hurt I can help." Buck says with a worried look.
"It will be okay, just need to rest it." Eddie explains and turns round.
They walk into the kitchen and start making pancakes as they last lot is cooking Buck turns to Eddie and pulls him in for a hug.
"Thanks for today and just, I don't know where I be without a friend like you in my life." Buck says and Eddie feels his heart ache at that he wants Buck so much.
"You know I always have your back, now let's eat." Eddie says holding on to the hug a bit longer than he should.
They finish up eating and clean up they sit at the table and talk about random stuff from the calls and it starts getting late.
"You best be going its late." Eddie says.
"DAD!" Chris shouts before Buck can answer.
Eddie heads to Christopher's room. As he walks through the door, he is greeted to the sight of Chris puking all over the bed.
"Oh Christopher, you got it everywhere but the bowl!" Eddie tuts, shaking his head
"I'm sorry." Chris says.
"Don't be. Come on, I'll put you on the sofa, at least you didn't get any on your pjs." He says as he picks up Chris and the bowl and walks to his room, he sets him down on the sofa.
"I'll go and clean your bed quickly. If you feel you going be sick again, aim for the bowl this time." Eddie says with a smile.
As he walks to Chris room, he see's Buck walk out with the sheets and smiles.
"What are you doing?" He asks
"Cleaning the sheets. Look Eddie, you may not want to admit it to me, but you are exhausted. You need to rest so I'll stay the night, I'm off tomorrow and you're doing yet another extra shift and it's a long one at that, so you go to bed I'll sit with Christopher and look after him tomorrow." Buck says with a smile
"I can't ask you do that Buck." Eddie says.
"You're not asking. I'm doing it, it's what friends do now go bed." Buck finishes and Eddie will not admit hearing Buck refer to him as friend hurts. He wanted nothing more but to add the boy to the friend word to form the word 'boyfriend'.
"Fine, just make sure that you're prepared for a long night and if you need me just come get me." Eddie says.
Buck limps over and shoves Eddie to his bedroom door, Eddie takes the hint and walks in he heads to the bed and lays down his head, enjoying the comfort of the pillow. His mind wanders to earlier in the shower and that he should really double check to make sure it was okay, but sleep starts to hit him, and he falls asleep, forgetting.