Chapter 8: Buck, Actually

"Why do I keep getting the weird calls when I'm on shift with you guys? I didn't even get these weird shifts in El Paso." Alisa raised an eyebrow as she strapped on her harness.

"This is LA not El Paso, Alisa." Buck replied.

"There must be something in the water here cause not even in New York did some person stand on a freeway sign and hold up traffic in their bathrobe." Alisa added.

"Okay, line is secured and you're ready to go." Eddie replied.

"Roger that." Alisa waved with her left hand and made her way over to the woman on the freeway sign.

Eddie smiled when he saw the navy blue silicone ring on her wedding finger that matched his. He recently purchased a new pair for the both of them since she started working part-time with the 118 to keep their wedding bands in pristine condition and safe in their lockers when they were working at the station.

"Psst. Stop ogling and concentrate!" Buck teased Eddie as Alisa proceeded to climb over.

"I am, hermano." Eddie smirked as they followed Alisa.

"See me now, Norman!?" the lady, Lola, screamed and opened her bathrobe, flashing everyone in her birthday suit.

"Oh man…" Eddie and Buck looked a little green, not expecting that from a middle-aged woman stopping traffic in the busy district of LA.

"Hey, Lola!" Alisa's calm voice echoed in the area with her arms showing she meant no harm.

"No! No no no no no!" Lola shook her head and raised a gun at Alisa, "Go away! I'm not going anywhere until Norman gets here!"

Ever the calm one at work, Alisa nodded, "Alright, that's no problem. I'm just here to make sure you don't fall and hurt yourself." she knew Eddie and Buck looked ready to intervene though, "I don't know who Norman is but I'm sure he wouldn't want you hurt."

Lola saw the bag inflating below them, "No! I- I told you all no!" she shot the bags before shakily pointed the gun at Alisa again.

"Ma'am, listen carefully." Athena's voice was heard from the megaphone she held, "One, that was for your safety. Two, you now have every gun in the greater LA area pointed at you. If you continue and shoot that first responder, we will fire."

"Hey, Lola. It's going to be alright." Alisa offered her hand, "Let's put that down and talk about it." she gently said, "We can't help you with you going GI Jane on us, can we?"

"I- I just want Norman to see me…" Lola's frustrated tears shone in her eyes.

"Is Norman your husband?" she asked, inching a little closer to her.

"He is…" Lola replied, "But I don't want to be ignored anymore… He doesn't see me!"

"I'm sure he does. A beautiful woman like you?" Alisa smiled, despite the gun being pointed at her.

"What do you know!? You're beautiful!" Lola angrily said.

"And so are you, Lola." Alisa inched a bit closer, "Don't think any different. I'm sure Norman loves you, just as much as my husband loves me."

"You're married?" Lola asked.

"Yes, I am. I am married to that fellow over there." Alisa pointed at Eddie, "Don't let his good looks fool you. He's quite emotionally stunted at times but I love him lots."

"Did he ignore you too?" Lola asked.

"He used to be afraid of falling in love again, Lola, but when—" Alisa was cut off by Eddie.

"When I met her, I knew I had to put a ring on it and never let her go!" Eddie replied, "She… she helped me process my emotions better than my shrink, Lola! Through thick and thin, mi esposa would always hang the stars whenever I lost my way."

"You sap!" Buck looked ready to cry, "Stop being such a youtube moment!"

Lola looked very touched when she saw how Eddie looked at Alisa, who was standing infront of her, still smiling and patiently waiting. "Norman's like that too… especially when he was about your age."

"Uh… uh… Lola!" a hesitant voice rung in the air via the megaphone of Athena, "I see you! I've always seen you!"

"Liar! You… you haven't shown it!" Lola angrily fired back, "I'm just there!"

"No, I really see you, Lola! I see and love you! Please put the gun down so I could also show you!" he raised his phone and a song started to play, "I see the girl who used to sneak out of the beach bonfires and listen to The Psychedelic Furs and the Cure."

Lola started tearing up, "He's playing the song from our first date…" Alisa pried the gun from her fingers and removed the bullets before handing it to Buck who jumped over behind her.

"Lola! Lola, I see you!" Norman repeated. "I see the girl who once drank nine shots of Jager and woke up without a hangover! Lola, I see you, I see the girl I love!"

The crowd that gathered had tears as they recorded the incident. Lola smiled in delight as she walked towards Norman.

"Lola! Wait! No! Not that way!" Alisa warned.

"Oh! Oh! Yeah!" Lola nervously laughed, "I'd like to go down now, if you don't mind."

When all was said and done, Buck helped her down where Athena waited for them with Eddie and Alisa following after they had a little moment of him needing to hug her behind the barrier. He was scared that Lola was going to shoot and he would lose her but she reassured him that she is here to stay until they were old and wrinkly, he laughed at that.

"Alright, so what are you guys doing after shift?" Chim asked as he approached the trio.

"Uh, Eddie and I were going to train at home." Alisa replied.

"Training? Firefighting?" Chim tilted his head.

"That's for us to know and you to never figure out." Eddie grinned, putting their equipment away.

"Well, whatever. Skip that. You two are coming with me!" Chimney declared, "How about you, Buck?"

"Uh, I was just planning to have a night in but okay, I guess?" Buck blinked owlishly as the 3 of them looked at each other as Chimney happily walked away from them.

"I think I'll check with Tia Pepa and Abuela if they could watch Christopher for the evening." Alisa pouted, "I just wanted to go home and cuddle with our child after shift."

"There, there. We can always leave early if you want." Eddie patted her back.

"Can I just say I'm amazed that you guys are so good at staying professional at work?" Buck observed.

"Thanks, Buck. I'm used to working with relatives, I did work with my dad and brother after all. It wasn't easy but compartmentalizing helps." Alisa replied.

"As soon as we're out the door though, well." Eddie had a shark-like grin on his face causing Buck to smother his face as Alisa laughed at their antics.

After dropping Christopher off at Abuela and Pepa's house for the night, the couple headed to Chimney's club of choice to join in the festivities, the irony is that everyone but Alisa was going to drink. Buck had texted them earlier that Chimney invited Maddie and he felt like he was 5th wheeling but the couple reassured them that he wasn't. "Hey, Buck!" Eddie called at the entrance, his arm around Alisa's waist.

"Hello, Buck!" Alisa greeted.

"Hey, guys!" the tall male brought them into a hug, "Everything good with Christopher before coming here?"

"Super. He's been asking for you to drop by again. He misses his Bucky. His words, not mine." Eddie replied, "Also, Abuela and tia want you over for dinner soon, they said to bring Maddie."

"What? Really!?" Buck was shocked.

"Why do you seem so shocked, Buck?" Alisa tilted her head, "You're part of our familia since you've got my husband's back and our child loves you to bits. How can we not?"

"Buck, are you crying?" Eddie asked, concerned.

"N-no! It's allergies!" Buck rubbed his eyes, "Let's go in!"

The trio entered the club and was surprised to find Chimney and Maddie huddled closely at one of the tables. Buck whispered to the couple that she had this really big crush on Chimney and Chimney had a huge crush on Maddie, he was sworn to secrecy. Though the trio didn't realize they also attracted the crowd as they passed by the club to get to their table. "Hey, you guys finally made it!" chimed Chimney.

"Have a seat! Have a seat!" Maddie gestured.

Eddie pulled out a seat for Alisa and she kissed him on the cheek in thanks before sitting down. He sat to her right while Buck sat to her left so he could sit beside Maddie. "Thanks for inviting us, Chimney. I don't know how long its been since Eddie and I went to a club at all." Alisa said.

"Yeah, thanks, man." Eddie nodded, "I don't think we've been to one since… yeah it's been a while."

"Happy to help!" Chimney nodded.

"Are you ready to order?" the waitress approached the table.

"A glass of chardonnay, please." Maddie replied.

"2 IPAs and 1 Pimm's cup." Eddie ordered for him and the boys.

"And for you, ma'am?" the lady blushed when Alisa smiled at her.

"Oh, just bottled water for me. Thank you, Layla." the auburn haired replied after looking at her nametag.

"Oh… okay. Uh, okay, I'll go and get your orders then." Layla nodded, "Anything else?"

"Oh! Get that thing we got last time." Maddie patted Chimney's arm.

"Last time? You mean… you guys already went on a date?" Buck raised an eyebrow.

"The Celine Dion Sanders Combo platter, if you please." Chimney added.

"Alright. I'll be back with your orders in a bit." Layla went to get their orders done.

"So, are you not drinking because you're driving or…" Buck asked.

"Evan!" Maddie pinched his arm.

"Ouch! Maddie!" he whined.

"Sorry, my brother speaks before he thinks sometimes." Maddie rolled her eyes.

"Oh, no worries. I wasn't bothered by it at all." Alisa reassured them, "Uh, it's by choice in solidarity of my brother's road to sobriety. When he reaches 1 year, I'm going to drink again, maybe. I never really drank alcohol, now that I think about it."

"You would have a bottle or 2 when we started dating, mi amor." Eddie supplied, "Until that thing with TK."

"Sounds about right." Alisa nodded.

A couple of hours passed, the trio watched Maddie and Chimney singing karaoke… badly. The trio was chuckling softly at them while they caught up with each other. Buck commented that Maddie was a great singer but there was alcohol involved so everyone was quite tipsy. "Are you up to sing?" Eddie asked.

"Oh, no, no. I can barely pass music class!" Buck shook his head furiously, "Dancing, yes cause I had no choice in Peru or my adoptive Abuelas over there would have my head if I denied dances."

"Oh, you dance too? So does Eddie!" Alisa chimed and clapped her hands together.

"Mi amor, that was supposed to be a secret." Eddie huffed, a little tipsy from the drinks as well, "Now you have to sing for us."

"When Maddie and Chimney are done." she laughed, "It's not like you never joke about your dancing skills."

"Hey guys…" Buck tilted his head towards them, "Have I been single since Abby left?"

"Buck," Alisa turned to face him, "I may not have met her but from what you've been telling us and how she's been treating you, you've been single for almost the whole year already."

"But she said she was coming back… and I didn't want to go back to being Buck 1.0" he sighed, nursing his bottle of beer.

"You haven't gone back to Buck 1.0 since I've known you, Buck." Eddie reassured him, "You've been loyal to a fault to this invisible girlfriend of yours, even if we joke about it a lot."

The auburn-haired girl gave him a sisterly hug and patted his head affectionately, "You've got a big heart, Buck. You deserve better. So much better."

"... I think I needed to hear that…" he sniffled a little, "Thanks, guys. I guess I should close that chapter in my life, huh?"

"Oh that was fun!" Maddie and Chimney came back to the table before Alisa and Eddie could reply to Buck.

"I've got your next round." Alisa stood up, "I'll tell the bartender I'm singing, as well."

The auburn-haired girl walked to the bar and ordered another round for the table and noticed a familiar redhead sitting at the end. She also let the bartender know she'd like to sing in a few minutes before heading to the one and only, "Taylor Kelly, how are you doing?" she smiled at the red head.

"Oh, hello! Alisa Diaz, right?" Taylor looked up at her, "I'm doing great… how are you?"

"Doing great as well." Alisa replied, "Everything good at the station?"

"Yeah, I've been… thoughtful with the stories they'd like for me to cover and what I can look into by myself. I… I followed your advice." she blushed, "I'm really sorry about you know…"

"I've forgiven you but it will take a while for me to forget." Alisa replied, "I'm glad you're doing what you've worked hard for t—"

"Hey, sweetcheeks!" a man grabbed Alisa's butt.

"Hey!" she immediately slapped him, Taylor looked surprised but stood behind Alisa with an angry expression, "Do not grab or touch me without my consent! Or any other woman at that!"

"Oh, feisty, I love a girl with fire." he reached for Alisa's arm and gripped it hard.

"Hey! She said to let her go!" Taylor yelled.

"If you don't let go of me right now, you're going to regret it." Alisa's eyes grew cold.

"What are you going to do, sweetcheeks?" he poured his drink down her chest.

"... this was one of my favorite shirts…" Alisa muttered, "!" she swung her arm that was grabbed and managed to get herself free before grabbing the man's arm and slamming his face and torso on the bar, "Never, I mean, never… disrespect women again, you slimy puta!"

"Alisa, the bouncer's here." Taylor said from behind them, "And uh, I think your husband and Buck are coming, too."

"Ow, ow! Let go of my arm, you bitch!" the guy tried to free himself from the smaller and lighter female but she had a good grip on him, Taylor stomped on his foot for good measure with her heel.

The bouncer reached them and got the drunken male and reassured the women that the guy was no longer welcome at the club or any other establishment connected to them. For good measure and pettiness of women, Alisa and Taylor dumped drinks on the male as well before he was thrown out. "Well, that was so badass! You just freaking leveled a male twice your size and height!" Taylor felt herself suddenly fangirling, "Do you mind if I post what happened on Instagram, please? It's to raise awareness and there's this awesome part-time firefighter being a badass."

"Oh! Haha sure, I guess?" Alisa smiled, "But you're also a badass yourself, Taylor. You did survive a heli crash after all." she tried to clean herself up with tissues from the bartender, "I'd hug you but I don't want you to stink of beer." her nose crinkled.

"How about a photo?" Taylor took out her phone and took their photo when Alisa gave her consent, "Thank you. Friends?"

"Friends." Alisa nodded.

"Alisa!" Eddie grabbed and smothered her in a hug, "Are you okay? What did that asshole do to you? Are you hurt?" he patted her here and there and frowned when she flinched a little when he felt her wrist, "I'm going to hurt him!"

"I'm alright now. I wasn't alone." Alisa replied, "Taylor was there with me and we took the idiot down."

Eddie looked at the redhead, "Thanks for not leaving her."

"You're welcome. We're friends now." Taylor smiled, "Just followed each other on Instagram, too!"

"Oh no, I don't think LA is ready for a team-up with you two." Buck groaned then cleared his throat, "Nice to see you again, Taylor." his eyes darkening at her.

"You too, Buck." she replied, eyeing him hungrily.

"I think… I want to go home now." Alisa stated, "Can we?"

"Sure. Singing can wait another time." He removed his jacket and placed it around her shoulders, "Buck, we're gonna head home ea… and he's gone." Eddie rolled his eyes.

"Let him have some fun. He just realized he's been single all this time." Alisa tried to remove his jacket, "It's going to stink!"

"You're going to get cold!" Eddie zipped it up so she couldn't remove it, "And those males are staring at your chest!" ever the protective male that he is glared at any male as they passed by.

"Mi caballero." Alisa giggled.

Diaz Residence

"Oh, this feels really nice…" Alisa relaxed against Eddie in their bathtub after a few rounds of lovemaking in the bedroom and shower.

"I also loved the way you screamed earlier, mi amor." he kissed her shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

"You were just as loud, darling." she giggled and pressed a kiss to his cheek, "thankfully, no one called the cops on us." she joked.

"As if anyone can hear us with the way you designed the house." Eddie chuckled, "Also, you just looked so hot taking down that disgusting male earlier. I couldn't help myself."

"I know, you basically ripped off my clothes… unsalvageable!" Alisa's laugh echoed in the bathroom and suddenly moaned, "Eddie!" he chuckled and pulled her even closer to him, nuzzling her neck.

Hours later, Alisa found herself waking up to Eddie's heartbeat and slowly extracted herself from him, she didn't have to heart to wake him as he looked so peaceful and relaxed. She walked to their bathroom and prepared for the day. She decided to wear one of Eddie's old high school shirts and paired it with her light-colored jogger pants and her hair in a messy bun. She exited the bathroom in time for the doorbell to ring. "Hm?"

"Mommy!" Christopher's voice rang on the intercom monitor when she reached the entryway.

"Mija, we wanted to surprise you!" Abuela appeared behind him.

"Oh!" she opened the door, "Abuela, Christopher! I thought we were going to pick him up at 11?"

"Mija, it's lunchtime." Abuela pointed out, "Had a good night, mija? Am I going to get a new great-grandson? Great-grandniece?" she teased.

"Abuela!" Alisa blushed furiously, "We were out so late, lo siento. Eddie's still asleep though and I just got out of bed a few minutes ago."

"That's okay, mommy! Abuela made us lunch." Christopher chimed, hugging her waist.

"Muchos gracias, Abuela!" Alisa smiled, "You're a lifesaver!"

Abuela ushered her granddaughter-in-law and great-grandson and shooed them away so she could heat up the food. Alisa had offered but one look from Abuela Isabel and she knew to back down. While Abuela cooked, she helped Christopher to his room so he could put his things away and promised to do something with him in the afternoon before going to the master's bedroom to wake Eddie up. "God morgon, älskling!" Alisa sat on his side of the bed and kissed him on the lips, "Christopher's home."

"Hm?" Eddie blinked his eyes open, "Why are you clothed?" he mumbled, sleepily, "Is that my shirt?"

Alisa giggles and kisses his nose, "It's a good thing I am now. Abuela brought Christopher home. We're late."

"What!?" He sat up and almost collided with Alisa if she didn't back away a little bit.

"Yes, now, go get ready for the day." Alisa kissed him again, "Abuela's heating up lunch. She brought tostadas, I believe."

"Okay, okay." he nodded and cuddled her a bit more before letting go, "Are you sure I can't convince you to join me shower?"

"Sorry, my favorite Diaz is back home." Alisa teased as he got out of bed, ogling at his firm backside.

"Fine, fine." he chuckled and shut the bathroom door.

"Mommy!" Christopher called, "Bisabuela said lunch is ready! Vamonos aqui! She wants to eat on the patio!"

"Coming!" Alisa replied.

"That's what you said last night!" Eddie yelled back.

"Edmundo Diaz!" Alisa's face flushed as she opened the door, "Our son could have heard you!" his laughter was his reply.

Alisa went to the patio where Christopher and Abuela were already seated and had the table ready. She hugged the both of them before seating herself beside Christopher.

"And where's Eddito?" Abuela asked.

"Taking a shower." Alisa replied.

"Can we eat now? I'm hungry and bisabuela's tostadas look really good." Christopher was ready to get a piece.

"He should be quick, mijo." Alisa said.

"I'm here! I'm here and I smell a tostada with my name on it!" Eddie appeared on the patio dressed in his jeans and LAFD black shirt, "Abuela! Christopher!" he gave them kisses on the cheek, "And who are you?" he teased Alisa.

"Your Abuela's favorite." Alisa teased back, "Christopher, just who is that? Stranger danger?" the boy giggled in his hands.

Abuela laughed heartily, "Sit down, Eddito. Christopher is hungry already."

"Si, si. Sorry about that." Eddie kissed Alisa before sitting down beside Abuela.

"Can I say grace?" Christopher asked.

"Si, mijo." the adults said in unison and he proceeded to do so.

After the last call of the day with a couple in a store, Buck had pulled Eddie aside to give him some clarity. He had a little epiphany as he watched the couple argue, or former couple, it was complicated, and could somewhat remember the Diaz couple giving him advice at the club. "After careful consideration," Buck cleared his throat while Eddie looked at him expectantly, "I've decided to move out of Abby's place and get my own."

"That's great, Buck! Have you started looking?" Eddie felt proud of his best friend.

"I have an appointment this Friday and I was hoping you guys could come with me? I think I need your wife's expertise and want to make sure I'm not getting tricked or anything." Buck shyly asked.

"Oh, yeah sure. That's on our day off right? We should be free and as a matter of fact, you're invited to Abuela's for dinner on that day." Eddie grinned.

"Oh, sweet!" Buck laughed, "I'm so ready for this, Eddie!"

"Felicidades, amigo." Eddie gave him a quick hug, "Well, I gotta go. I promised Christopher I'm tucking him in bed tonight after Alisa reads him Harry Potter. See you!"

"See you!"

A/n: Hello everyone! Apologies for the late update but here you go :) I'm sorry if the formatting is confusing. FF doesn't want to accept my edits or format :( Please enjoy this new chapter! :)