Chapter 6: Dosed

Maddie Buckley Residence

"Okay, you've reached Fort Knox-level security." Chimney looked up at Maddie Buckley from the living room.

"Do you think it's too much?" Maddie shyly asked.

"You can never be too careful, Maddie. Extra-precaution is always good." Alisa reassured her upon entering the older girl's living area with the boxes of pizza.

"Really?" the brunette asked as she went down the stairs of her new apartment.

"Yup! You're a female, living alone in a new city. It's only natural." the auburn-haired girl smiled, "Now, where should I put this while Eddie and Buck attempt to bring in your couch?"

"Kitchen's that way, Alisa." Maddie pointed out, "Thanks so much for doing this even if you don't really know me so well."

"Nonsense. You're family now, my son already adopted your brother without our knowledge." she laughed, "That automatically makes you another Diaz AND my new female friend. It also means we get to spend more time with each other if you'd like."

"I would love that very much, Alisa." Maddie gave her a hug.

Maybe we should use the jaws of life?

Maddie rushed towards her front door, "No! I measured that twice! It'll fit!"

Alisa and Chimney laughed quietly at the three while walking toward the kitchen to lay out the pizza. "Oh yeah, where's young Christopher by the way?" Chimney asked.

"He's spending some time with Abuela. He's ecstatic because he gets to have a sleepover since it's the weekend." Alisa replied.

"Any plans today after this?" he took a slice of pepperoni pizza.

"A day out with my husband, definitely." she smiled.

"Oooh, a date?" Chimney wiggled his eyebrows causing her to laugh and swat his arm.

"Also, you got a little drool dripping from your mouth, young man." Alisa pointed out, "Wouldn't want Maddie to see huh?" Chimney blushed and wiped his mouth as Alisa giggled.

Diaz Residence

After spending half the day with the Buckleys and Chimney at Maddie's new home, Eddie and Alisa spent a few hours wandering around LA and walking down the beach. When evening came, they took advantage of being alone in their home after so long after Eddie had wined and dined Alisa. Eddie was quite the passionate lover in bed and enjoyed the sounds Alisa made when he found all her spots over and over again while she was just as passionate as she reciprocated his actions. Their lovemaking ranged from gentle to passionate to hungry, depending on their moods. "Edmundo," she purred as he pulled her closer.

"Si, mi amor?" he looked down at her as she got comfortable on his bare chest.

She kissed his chest before snuggling against him, giggling when he growled, "I think I want to go for another round…"

"Donde?" his hands started traveling down her body and smirked at her moaning a bit.

"In the bath."

Needless to say, the couple spent the entire night wrapped in each other's arms again.

9-1-1, What's your emergency?

This is Taylor Kelly with your morning traffic update… and we are going down!

The 118 arrived at a baseball pitch to find a helicopter stuck on the benches, the propellers and engine still running. Athena Grant, Field Sergeant at the LAFD and Bobby's girlfriend, was their police escort and was shouting for the civilians to stay down and stay put as the rocks in the area were flying all over the place like bullets. "What's the situation?" Bobby asked when she ran to them behind the truck as they stayed put as well until they had an idea.

"When the pilot radioed, they were having mechanical trouble. Looks like he tried to put it down on the field over there." Athena pointed.

"Yeah, it got close." Bobby took a peek.

"Yeah, not close enough." Athena added, "Get down, people! Move! Move! Go!"

The civilians were making their way out to safety while trying to take a video of the incident.

"Okay, we're going to have to fan out." Bobby wore his helmet, "Eddie, after we get the people out, you think you can kill that engine?"

Eddie looked at the helicopter's position as he put down the visor of his helmet, "Think so, I'm just worried about the dynamic rollover."

"The dynamic what?" Buck asked from behind.

"We change the weight ratio by pulling out, the whole thing could tip over, rotors could snap off." Eddie explained.

"And then flying rocks are gonna be the least of our problems." Buck understood.

Nodding, Bobby leads them to the helicopter, "Visors down, let's go!"

After getting one of the passengers out slowly, Eddie quickly got in the pilot's seat and shut down the engine while the others rushed the pilot, cameraman, and the redhead woman to the ambulance. Hen was looking over the redhead while Athena was checking up on how she was feeling. "Hey, can you do me a favor?" he had a mischievous smile plastered on his face, "Uh, say, 'And on the 405, speeds are under five miles an hour, making your morning commute a rough one.'" the girl looked at him in disbelief.

"Seriously?" Hen looked unamused.

"I-I-I know that voice." Buck said, "It's, uh, it's Taylor Kelly reporting, right? Skywitness News 8!"

"That's me." Taylor answered, smiling.

Athena and Hen looked at each other knowing that Buck was going to make a fool out of himself, judging from his nervous voice.

"You might want to Uber tomorrow." Taylor suggested.

Station 118

Eddie was working out in the gym area when he spotted Taylor Kelly and her cameraman enter the 118. He sat up in time to also find Bobby approaching her while Buck was washing the Battalion Chief's truck out of the blue while everyone else was doing maintenance and inventory, taking advantage of no calls yet. Bobby looked disgruntled as they spoke before one of the other members called for his attention that Chief Alonzo was on the phone for him. "Taylor Kelly? What are you doing here?" Buck entered the apparatus floor, taking a quick break from cleaning the Captain's Car.

"You can just call me Taylor." the redhead replied, the cameraman focusing on Buck, "How was your drive? Did you miss me?"

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Eddie got up and walked towards them, "Any side effects from the crash, Miss Kelly?"

"Oh, no. I'm great." she smiled, "Thanks to all of you." she gestured to everyone, "I'm actually here for all of you. I want to do a story about this amazing firehouse."

Chim, overhearing the reporter from the ambulance, walked towards the group with Hen, "I thought you were a traffic reporter?"

"I'm not quite ready to go back up into the sky after what happened. I'd like to stay on the ground to tell stories." Taylor replied.

"And use your newfound fame?" Hen interjected.

Unabashedly, the redhead nodded, "That too!"

"Smart girl." Hen raised an eyebrow, assessing what she felt.

"I can't wait to i–" Taylor was cut off by a familiar voice.

"Hey, everyone!" Alisa entered the firehouse with 2 big bags of groceries, "I was recruited as your cook for today." She approached the group, "Oh! It seems you have other visitors too."

"Hello?" Taylor tilted her head.

"Let me get that for you, mi amor." Eddie grabbed the bags and gave her a kiss on her temple, "Bobby called for you?"

"And Athena." Alisa replied, "Thank you."

The couple left the group with Eddie thanking her quietly because he didn't like people being too privy for information about his life at all. Alisa gave him a wink and signed that she will always save him from nosy people causing him to laugh.

The group on the apparatus floor watched the couple as Bobby came back. He looked disgruntled about the reporter being there as he confirmed that Chief Alonzo allowed her to run a story about the 118. "Don't worry, Capt. Nash! Your stories are in good hands." Taylor smirked, "I'm going to make you all famous."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Bobby muttered.

Alisa was washing the ingredients she bought for the day's meals and had Eddie and the other members of the 118 at the loft put the others away. She was able to maximize the budget she was given and even got vegan products for Buck, inclusivity was important to first responders after all. "Mi Amor," Alisa called for his attention.

"Si?" Eddie looked back from the cupboards.

"I'm picking up Christopher today so I'll just be here for a little bit. Also, remember, consent is important, especially when dealing with reporters." she said.

"I got it." he kissed her forehead, "What would I do without you in my life?"

"Probably looking for me until you find me." she replied, fondly gazing back.

"Guys… you're making us singles feel so… single. Stop it…" one of the 118 groaned causing the others to laugh.

"Sorry, Jackson." she giggled, "Go back to working out, älskling." he nodded and slid down the pole.

Alisa watched from the loft as the 118, especially Eddie and Bobby, avoid Taylor as much as possible. Bobby was able to escape to his office while the others would go to the locker room for a bit until she decided to get someone else. The reporter managed to get Hen and Chimney to do the interview before heading for Eddie. "What I missed most after leaving the Army is the camaraderie, um, working shoulder-to-shoulder with a great team, and there's none better than the one I found here." Eddie tried his best not to look at the camera directly.

"My sources told me that the lady upstairs was a former paramedic-firefighter and your wife. Did you meet on the job?" Taylor asked.

Eddie's demeanor changed, a wave of protectiveness bubbled inside of him, "No and that's all you need to know."

"Hey, Eds! Need help over here!" Buck called from the top of Ladder 118.

"Okay. Hold on!" Eddie gave Taylor a small nod and climbed up next to him.

Taylor sighed in frustration as Eddie escaped her. She tried to listen but the 2 firefighters spoke so quietly. Determined to know more, Taylor signaled for her cameraman to follow her upstairs but before they could, the alarms rang and dispatched Ladder 118 and EMS 118. Alisa waved as they all got in, "Food will be ready when you get back!"

"Thank you!"

Alisa was left to her own devices for a while as she waited for the baked lasagna to finish along with a vegan one for Buck. After cleaning up, she explored the 118 a bit more and felt nostalgic as she checked on the equipment before moving on to the medicine room. "Everything okay, Alisa?" Jackson approached her. He volunteered as the man behind.

"I'm good, Jackson. Thanks for asking." she smiled at him, "Just looking. Hen and Chim need to restock the medical supplies in here. Some are almost expiring… Sorry. It's a habit."

"No worries but I'll let them know." he nodded, "Shall we set the dining area?"

"You just want first dibs." she teased.

"There is no lie!"

Station 118

The following afternoon, Alisa dropped by the 118 once again because she picked up a package her dad wanted to give Bobby. When she arrived at the parking lot, she looked confused as to why people were looking up from across the street as she walked towards the apparatus floor. "Excuse me, what's happening?" she looked up and her eyes widened.

"Long story short, someone sent the 118 drugged brownies, and well… he was talking about someone named Brooke and–!" Taylor flinched when Alisa glared at her, "Wait! I called 911!"

"Stop filming this! It's unbecoming of a reporter!" Alisa glared even more before running up to the roof of 118, "You're a reporter not the paparazzi!"

The auburn-haired girl burst open the rooftop door and cautiously approached Bobby. The captain was looking far away on the highest point of the rooftop. "Bobby!" Alisa called, "Bobby, it's me, Alisa!"

"?" Bobby turned his head a little towards her, signaling he heard her.

"Can you take a step back and turn around?" Alisa asked gently but firmly as she reached a safe distance between them.

"Hey!" Bobby smiled, following as instructed, "Hey, Alisa!"

"Hey, Bobby." she softly smiled, "Would you like to tell me what's going on?"

"They get it wrong with saving lives. The ones we save are the ones we lose!" Bobby started, "That's why we save them up here…" he tapped his temple, "Like photographs." his smile got bigger as he spread his arms wide, "But this… this is so new! Brooke looks so bright and alive. Can you see her?"

"No." Alisa shook her head, feeling emotional, "No, it's not real, Bobby. You know that."

"No, Alisa. She's right over there, floating up in the sky." he insisted, "Behind you, she's floating right behind you and I'd like to follow her wherever she goes."

As he went into a monologue, she could hear the sirens of police cars approaching while she got up where Bobby was and slowly approached him. "Bobby, it's not real." she shook her head, "But maybe, it could be enough for you to say goodbye." he looked so heartbroken at that, "Maybe it's enough for her to say it's okay." she gulped while trying to keep herself from wavering, "Maybe it's enough of a glimpse for 1 more memory so when tomorrow comes, you had one last moment with her before seeing the new memories you have with others. What's around us every day."

"But she's right there, Alisa." he pointed out again.

"Bobby, you're real, I'm real. Your Brooke right now is just as real as… is just as real as the child I never knew I had and lost." Alisa's voice cracked and reached for his hand and pulled him into a hug, "We're real, Bobby. We're real, just as your love for Athena, is real." Alisa looked towards the Athena who had just arrived, eyes tearing up. Athena pulled both of them down for a hug.

Diaz Residence

"Mommy?" Christopher knocked on Alisa's home office door, "Mommy, can I come in?"

"J-just a minute, mijo." she replied from the closed door, ending the call with her family.

The door unlocked to find a disheveled-looking Alisa wearing her hair in a simple messy ponytail and had on Eddie's high school shirt and a pair of leggings. Her eyes were still red from crying upon coming home but she tried her best to clean herself up. "Hello, mijo." she smiled, "Are you okay? Have you eaten?"

"Mommy, can we take a nap together?" Christopher asked, "or just cuddle? I don't know how to help you when you're sad but when you give me hugs and cuddles, I always feel better."

Alisa sniffled and felt her eyes watering again, "I would like that, mijo." she pulled him into a hug, "You're such a good and smart boy, Christopher." she stroked his hair as she carried him towards the master bedroom.

"I love you, mommy." he wiped her tears away and pressed a kiss on her cheek, "I'm sure Peanut loved you too… even if we didn't know they were there."

"You're right…" Alisa slid in the bed with Christopher lying on her, "you're right. I love you, too, mijo. I'm so happy you're here with me." she began to hum him to sleep and she followed soon after.

Station 118

A few hours later, when the effects of the LSD had disappeared from their systems, the A-shift of the 118 was sent home while the B-shift took over. Eddie checked his phone to see a number of calls from his brother-in-law and decided to call him back. "Hello, sorry I wasn't able to answer your calls earlier. Our station got drugged by LSD brownies." Eddie sighed, "Everything okay?"

TK: I heard. I thought you were just ignoring me.

"You know I wouldn't do that unless we were on call." Eddie replied.

TK: Are you home yet?

"No, I'm just about to head home. The LSD just got flushed from everyone a few minutes ago." he started to become anxious.

TK: Eddie, it's Alisa. Anyway, mom is already handling Channel 8 News.

"What do you mean?"

TK: Alisa called the family earlier, she… she wasn't doing well. Bobby was drugged as well and she was the one who got him down from the roof while Channel 8 was still filming.

"What!?" Eddie felt the anger bubbling inside.

TK: Don't worry, mom's helping out your lawyers. Just get home to her. Alisa said Bobby was hallucinating his deceased child and she didn't have a choice but to share Peanut, too.

"Thanks for letting me know, TK. Stay safe." Eddie hung up and ran to his truck.

"Yo, Eddie! Everything okay?" Buck called from his jeep.

Eddie slammed his door shut and opened the window, "You better make sure I do not see Taylor Kelly for a long while, Buck." his voice cold, surprising the younger firefighter.

Diaz Residence

"Alisa? Christopher?" Eddie entered his home and rushed to find his family, "Carla?"

"Shh." Carla gestured, "They're asleep in your room. I didn't have the heart to leave them alone after seeing Alisa."

"I got it from here, Carla." he hugged her, "Thank you. Thank you."

"What's family for, Eddie?" she smiled softly, "I'll see you all tomorrow." Carla got her things and left.

Eddie walked towards his bedroom and saw his family sleeping. He quickly freshened up before joining them in bed, pulling them close to his person. "I'm here, mi amor." he whispered, "We're here for you."

"Eddie…" she turned around to look at him, Christopher still in her arms, "Eddie…" the tears came again.

"I know… I know…" Eddie kissed her forehead, feeling his own tears surfacing.

"Peanut would have been 2…" she sobbed quietly, "We would have had another child…"

"Mi amor," Eddie looked her in the eyes, "just let me know when you're ready, alright?"

"But you're also hurting, Eddie…" she cupped his cheek, "I'm making you wait too long…"

"No, no. Never." he shook his head, "Don't ever think that."

"Mommy? Daddy?" Christopher sleepily called.

"Go back to sleep, mijo." Eddie asked, stroking the boy's curls.

"Hnn…" he yawned and fell asleep again, listening to his mom's heartbeat, "Te amo…" Eddie and Alisa pulled him closer, their little sun was blasting through their grey clouds bit by bit.

It was safe to say that Channel 8 News was not ready for the onslaught of Gwyneth Morgan, formerly Strand, on the panel of lawyers of the LAFD all the way from New York. Buck was informed by TK about his mom helping out to make sure it doesn't happen again to anyone else. When Buck asked why his mom was on the panel, TK just responded that Alisa requested it.

When Buck met up with Taylor, he knew that she was wary about what happened, her usual wit was subdued. "Taylor, I may not like your job but a job is a job." Buck said, "But it becomes exploitation when you didn't get the consent of the others who were clearly incapacitated while you filmed. Luckily, your news company was smart not to add whatever happened to Bobby and Alisa up there." she looked hurt, "You can tell stories, yeah, but you look like someone whose story doesn't want to be told." he slowly walked away after handing her a box, "Make sure not to bump into Eddie and Alisa for a while by the way. Eddie's pissed as hell but this box is from Alisa."

"Man, you guys should just get it on." the cameraman rolled his eyes from the van.

"..." Taylor bit her lip, her pride and conscience clashing inside of her as she opened the box, "Oh… she sent me stickers of me with… quotes…" she picked up the note, 'Consent is sexy, don't forget. People have stories they don't want to tell, too. You have a bright future ahead of you, don't stray away from your goals by trying to get ahead while leaving a trail of animosity from people who don't deserve to be taken advantage of. Make stories with a purpose. Hope you like these. I made them for you in case you need a pick me up.' Taylor felt tears stinging her eyes, "I feel like a total bitch now. She sent me a gift."

"Charge to experience." her cameraman commented.

A/N: I would just like to tell my readers "thank you!" You've all been a source of confidence to me as I post and write this fanfic! I hope you don't mind that I kinda switched Athena's role here and a little drama never hurt anyone. Enjoy reading!