Chapter 1 Gatherings and Surprises

The sun dawned bright and warm for Californians.

Something that the team was grateful for having.

Especially with the long and exhaustive shift A-shift had just come off of. For some reason, the heat seemed to make people moronic in nature and very temperamental.

For once, Chim was extremely excited about the upcoming get-together. Today was the first time that everyone's shifts lined up perfectly. Including his girlfriend, Maddie.

" you ready Mads? We need to leave soon." Chim called from the kitchen, checking that they had all the stuff packed and ready.

When Chim heard nothing more than muted shuffling he moved to the hallway that led to Maddie's room.

"Maddie?"

"I'm coming Howie, just had to change my shirt," Maddie said coming out of her room.

"Sweetheart, you met most of them already. And they like you." Chim said with a loving chuckle.

"I know Howie, but I only met most of them in small groups. Not everyone together in one big group. This is going to be a big group of people who matter to you." Maddie replied with a small smile.

" Mads it's okay they mean no harm and if it gets to be too much you say the word and we leave. Besides, the only one you haven't met yet is Eddie's wife. And I think you'll like her. She kinda reminds me of you. She is a real badass." Chim chuckled thinking back on the last BBQ where he saw Eddie's wife.

" I know it's silly but I want everyone to like me. And I want to meet Eddie's wife. She seems great from what you said." Maddie told Chimney.

"Well, let's go then. You'll love them."

With that Chim and Maddie left for the park where the 118 was gathering.

Neither one suspected the surprise that awaits around the corner for them all…

LA Park

Once Chim and Maddie arrived they got out and met up with the rest of the crew.

Chim noted that Eddies Denali was also not there yet. Upon noting the lack of Eddie and his family being there, Chim looked over at Bobby in silent question.

"running behind a bit. Eddie said they will be here soon."

"Cool. Hopefully, they get here soon." Chim said.

Bobby smiled and asked Chim in amusement "You seem anxious. You ok?"

"yeah, no. I'm good Bobby. Thanks. Just I want Maddie to meet Eddie's wife. You know it's kinda because of Eddie and Buck that I knew what I really want in a relationship. And more importantly, what I want with Maddie."

"Just remember, it takes hard work and communication to get there." Bobby reminded Chim before stopping to look over at the car park where they heard the sound of a truck pulling in.

The truck coming to a stop drew the attention of the 118 and their families.

The kids all rushed over to greet Chris. Ignoring their parents yelling out in caution.

Just as the kids got to the edge of the park, a pair of long golden legs jumped out and the kids all yelled an enthusiastic 'hello' to the blonde-haired woman they all quickly grew so fond of.

"Hey, guys!" A warm and friendly voice replied, laughing brightly.

With that Buck opened the back door and moved aside for Chris to get out of the truck. Eddie standing to the side with the boy's crutches.

"here you go bud. Mom and I will be right behind you. We just gotta grab the cooler box" Eddie told his son with a smile as the boy scurried off as fast as he could to meet his friends.

Grabbing the bag containing the chips and passing it off to Buck he took hold of the cooler and closed the door. Locking the truck and joining his wife.

"mi amor, shall we?" Eddie said lacing his fingers with Bucks and walking towards the group waiting for them with a smile.

"is that Eddie's wife?" Maddie asked squinting at the beautiful tall blond. A niggle at the back of her mind made her look more intently at the couple approaching their spot.

"yeah, that's her."

' she looks so familiar' Maddie thought confused.

After a round of greetings, Buck and Eddie made their way over to Chim and Maddie.

"Chim, good to see you. Maddie … I'd like to introduce you to my wife- Evalynn Diaz. Carinõ is Maddie Kendal. Chim's girlfriend." Eddie said introducing the two women.

"pleasure to meet you, Maddie," Buck said with a bright and cheerful smile, eyes warm and friendly, though Eddie noted there was a certain guarded quality to his wife's voice.

" please the pleasure is mine. Howie has spoken about you before and had nothing but good things to say." Maddie said with a warm smile, though her eyes were focused on Buck's eyebrow, specifically the birthmark on her brow.

"uh right. Well, I'm going to get some drinks. Eddie, Buck, Mads? What can I get you?" Chim asked trying to break the sudden tension that simmered in the air.

"yeah um I'll take a soda, thanks Chim," Maddie said absently, still staring at Buck.

"ah- no thank you Chim…well come on carinõ, it looks like Athena and Bobby are looking for us," Eddie said with a hint of confusion as he dragged Buck over to a quiet spot.

"mi amor? Are you okay? You seem tense. What's wrong? Are you feeling ill?" Eddie asked touching Buck's cheek.

" What? No, I'm fine. It's just Chim's girl? She feels familiar. Like I met her somewhere. I just can't seem to place where." Buck replied peeking over Eddie's shoulder at the woman in question.

"Well, maybe she just reminds you of someone you met. But if you feel uncomfortable just give me the word and we leave. Okay?"

"copy that. But I'm fine babe. Just surprised I guess. Let's go enjoy the afternoon ok?"

" Si carinõ," Eddie said following his wife over to Bobby at the grill.

Little did they know that much the same conversation was occurring between Maddie and Chim.

" Mads, what just happened?" Chim asked Maddie baffled.

" I don't know Howie. It just feels like I know her. She seems so familiar. Like I should know her. And a part of me feels like I've known her my whole life. But how can I? I've never met her. I'm sure I would remember someone like her."

" I dunno Mads. Sometimes people just have that familiar presence I guess." Chim said trying to offer an explanation that would help Maddie.

"Maybe," Maddie said unconvinced.

An hour later, most of the 118 crew were seated on blankets under a big tree while the kids and Buck rough-housed. Everyone was laughing at the frolicking group.

"All right, kids I think it's time to take a break and hydrate" Buck told the kids ushering them to the blankets and their respective parents. Grabbing Chris like a football and dropping down between Eddie's legs.

Eddie smiled at his family.

"tired mijo? Or did you tire out tù mama?" Eddie asked his flushed son with a laugh.

"n-no I'm not tired Dad! It's mama getting tired" Chris squealed with laughter.

"Hey! Et brute! Betrayed by my own son!" Buck gasped theatrically clutching her heart in mock injury.

It was silent for a moment before everyone burst out with laughter.

After a moment, everyone calmed down and started handing out snacks and drinks.

"so … um Buck, can I ask you a personal question?" Maddie asked nervously.

Buck looked over with a slight frown "Sure."

"alright…So um…where are you from?"

Buck looked at Maddie for a moment debating her question, before responding, "Pennsylvania. Or well born there…" Buck started but stopped suddenly.

Eddie took a look at his wife's face and knew that she was thinking of a past she would very much like to forget. He reached over, took her hand in his, and squeezed it tightly in encouragement.

Buck looked over at Eddie and smiled, thankful for his enduring support.

"Truth is I don't remember much of my younger years. I was about 4 years old when I was left at a fire station in Bellefonte- ironically, with only a small backpack and a note saying, 'My Name is Evalynn' and my year of birth. Nothing else was stated." Buck paused in thought before continuing.

"The police investigated. But they got nowhere. I was placed in a group home and spent the next 13 years bouncing from foster care to group homes. The day after I graduated from high school, I enlisted in the Navy. Haven't looked back since."

"Oh my." Maddie gasped, "I'm so sorry for asking. I really didn't mean to bring back bad memories."

"You didn't, but maybe you can tell me why you seemed confused when I walked up to you and Chim this morning?" Buck said arching her brow at Maddie.

"What? No, I mean…you must be mistaken." Maddie stuttered.

"Huh-huh. Ms. Kendal, I saw your face when I approached you. I am trained to read people. And I happen to be very good at it." Buck said in a challenging tone.

Maddie sighed and looked around with nerves fluttering in her belly.

"Honestly? You seem so familiar. Like I feel I know you. But that's not possible. Right?" Maddie said stiffly looking at the almost cold and calculating icy blue eyes in front of her.

The rest of the team and their families watched the scene with rapid fascination, while Eddie's eyes held concern and some anger in his chocolate brown eyes. Jaw tense as he waited to see if he should cut the day short and pull his wife out before the memories of her childhood got to her.

"Well, it's not too far off from what I felt myself. I told Eddie it felt like I knew you from somewhere. And in my experience, I've learned to trust my instincts. I just don't know what it was telling me yet. How about you tell me where you are from and maybe something about you? Because I agree you feel familiar." Buck suggested.

" um…well, I was born in Pennsylvania. Stanton, to be exact. I had an older brother Daniel. He got sick when I was about 6 years old. And I had a younger sister whose name was also Evalynn, and she had a mark above her eye like yours, beautiful blue eyes, and blond ringlets. Daniel died due to cancer a year after Evie was born. And it was horrible but Evie and I had each other." Maddie paused and took in a shuddering breath, grabbing Chim's hand.

"I promised to look after her. But 3 years later I got home from school after a school camp. It was only a week away but when I got home my parents were packing up and Evie was gone. I asked what was going on and where my sister was. My mom just said there was an accident and that my sister died and that they couldn't stay in Stanton. That they had Evie buried and didn't want me to see it because they didn't want to put me through another funeral. We moved to Hershey and my parents never spoke of Daniel or Evalynn." Maddie explained and could see the blue eyes think and assess her and what she had to say.

"When was your sister born and when did she die?" Buck asked with a thoughtful look.

"1991. 27 June 1991 and she died on August the 3rd 1995." Maddie whispered.

"How?"

"they said it was an accident. She was riding on her training tricycle and someone struck her and drove off. They never even stopped. They said Evie died before the ambulance got there" Maddie said as a tear slowly carved a bitter trail down her cheek.

"I see. I am sorry to hear about your brother and the loss of your sister." Buck murmured eyes distant and lost in thought.

" Carinó, que paso?" Eddie asked in concern while sparing a glance at Chim pointedly and flicking his eyes at Maddie. Chim was quick to catch on and take hold of Maddie. Putting his arms around her in comfort.

" I don't know Eds. Something just feels off like something is missing." Buck murmured.

"I'm not lying to you," Maddie said anger coating her voice.

"whoa, Ms. Kendall, I'm not saying you are. I believe every word you said. I know you told the truth as you have it. I merely meant that I don't think that you were given the full account of what happened. That's all." Buck said as she thought back to her childhood.

" let me explain my reasoning and you will understand why I say this. In August of '95, I was left at a fire station in Bellefonte. In my backpack, a piece of paper stating that my name is Evalynn. And I was born in 1991. Nothing more than that. No last name no place of birth and no date of birth. When the state took me in I became Evalynn Smith. Born on the 5th of August 1991-the date used is the same one as when my assigned social worker filed the papers related to my case. Parents unknown. Birthplace unknown." Buck explained. And could see that there was shock written on everyone's faces.

"wow that's kinda scary" Hen breathed out, while the others nodded their heads.

Maddie herself looked startled at the information she just heard.

"my god, they wouldn't have actually lied to me like that, would they?" Maddie asked horrified at the implications of what she just heard.

"Perhaps the best solution is for you both to have a DNA test done to determine whether or not you share a familial connection" Athena suggested, finally voicing what everyone else is thinking.

Maddie looked at everyone, almost as though she forgot about their presence until Athena had spoken, and then looked at Buck.

"I agree that might be the best way to get answers if you are okay with that Maddie?" Buck asked the overwhelmed woman in front of her.

"yeah, I am fine with that. I want to know the truth." Maddie said firmly.

It wasn't long after that, that the team and their family members all packed up and headed home.