The bustling sounds of the fire station filled the air as the crew gathered for dinner. Buck sat at the long table, digging into a generous portion of spaghetti, his laughter mingling with the chatter of his fellow firefighters. Eddie, sitting across from him, managed a smile, but Buck noticed the way Eddie's hands gripped the edge of the table a bit too tightly, his knuckles white against the smooth wood.

"Everything okay, Ed?" Buck asked, concern edging his voice. He had learned to read Eddie's expressions—especially when something was bothering him. Eddie looked up, meeting Buck's gaze with a forced smile.

"Yeah, just… a little tired," he replied, though Buck could see the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. It was a warm evening, but Eddie's discomfort seemed to stem from something deeper.

As they continued to eat, Buck couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Eddie's leg bounced slightly beneath the table, a telltale sign of his anxiety. They had just reached the point of discussing the latest firefighting techniques when Eddie suddenly stilled, his face paling. Buck leaned in closer, ready to ask if he needed anything, when he saw Eddie's eyes widen slightly.

"Eddie?" Buck's voice was low, filled with concern. "You sure you're okay?"

"Shh," Eddie hissed, glancing around to see if anyone else had noticed. "Not here."

Buck's protective instincts kicked in. He stood up, casually nudging his chair back, and leaned closer to Eddie, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Let's get you out of here."

"No, I can't," Eddie insisted, but Buck could see the tension in his husband's body. "I don't want to make a scene."

"You're not making a scene, Ed. You're having a baby," Buck urged, his eyes softening with affection and determination. "Let me help you. We can sneak out the back."

Eddie hesitated, his eyes darting around the room. The other firefighters were too absorbed in their food and conversation to notice the growing tension between the two men. With a reluctant nod, Eddie finally relented, pushing his chair back and standing up, though he swayed slightly on his feet.

"Careful," Buck said, reaching out to steady him. He quickly wrapped an arm around Eddie's waist, supporting him as they made their way toward the exit. Eddie leaned into Buck's side, his breath coming in quick bursts, and Buck could feel the subtle contractions that rippled through Eddie's body.

As they slipped outside into the cool evening air, Buck led Eddie to the car parked in the fire station lot. The drive to the hospital should have taken about fifteen minutes, but Buck's stomach churned with unease at the thought of how things might go if they hit traffic. He helped Eddie into the passenger seat, his heart racing at how pale Eddie looked.

"Just breathe, okay?" Buck instructed gently, brushing his fingers along Eddie's arm. "You've got this."

"I know," Eddie replied, though his voice was shaky. "Just… hurry."

They were on their way, but Buck's optimism was short-lived. They barely made it a block before they were met with the dreaded red brake lights in front of them.

"Come on," Buck muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. He glanced over at Eddie, whose face had taken on a more strained expression. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just… just give me a second," Eddie said, his voice strained as he leaned back in his seat, trying to find a comfortable position. Buck watched in helpless concern as Eddie's hand found its way back to his belly, pressing against it as if it would somehow help.

"Eddie, you need to focus on breathing," Buck reminded him, glancing back at the traffic ahead. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. You can do this."

"I know," Eddie gasped, his eyes closing as another contraction hit him. Buck could see the tension coiling in Eddie's muscles, the way his face scrunched in concentration and discomfort. He wanted to reach over and take Eddie's hand, but the traffic was barely moving, and Buck was forced to keep his attention on the road.

"Just a little bit longer," Buck reassured him. "I'll get you to the hospital as soon as I can."

Eddie nodded but the strain on his face was unmistakable. "Buck… I don't think I can hold on much longer."

Panic flared in Buck's chest at those words. "Okay, listen, I might have to call for an ambulance," he said, quickly glancing around at the gridlocked cars surrounding them. "We can't stay stuck like this."

"No! Don't call an ambulance!" Eddie pleaded, his voice rising slightly in panic. "I'm okay. Just… just give me a minute!"

Buck felt torn, his instincts screaming at him to take action. "Eddie, you're in labor. I don't want to take any chances. We need to get you—"

"I can do this!" Eddie insisted, his eyes wide and desperate. "I'm fine. Just… focus on getting us to the hospital, okay?"

"Alright, I believe you," Buck said, though doubt lingered in his mind. "But I want you to promise me that if it gets too much, you'll let me know. No arguments."

"Fine, I promise," Eddie said, but Buck could hear the uncertainty in his voice. Another contraction hit Eddie, and he let out a soft groan, his fingers digging into the seat. Buck felt his heart drop, frustration mixing with worry as the cars ahead barely moved.

"Come on, come on!" Buck urged under his breath, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as if it would somehow push the traffic along. He stole a glance at Eddie, whose face had paled even further, the pain evident as he tried to breathe through it.

"I'm okay," Eddie gasped, but Buck could hear the strain in his voice. "Really."

"Eddie, you look like you're about to pass out," Buck said, gripping the wheel tighter. "If you need me to pull over—"

"No! I don't want to stop," Eddie insisted, squeezing his eyes shut as another contraction rolled through him. "I can't have the baby in the car."

Buck felt the panic surge again, but he fought it down. "Just keep breathing, Ed. In through your nose, out through your mouth," he repeated, trying to keep his voice steady. He felt utterly helpless, the frustration of the standstill traffic and Eddie's suffering mixing together in a cocktail of anxiety.

"Please," Eddie said, his voice barely above a whisper, his hand finding Buck's thigh. "Just… don't leave me."

Buck's heart melted at that. "I'm right here," he promised, covering Eddie's hand with his own. "We're going to get you to the hospital, I swear. Just hold on."

Minutes felt like hours as they crawled through traffic. Buck's eyes darted between the road and Eddie, who was doing his best to focus but couldn't hide the pain any longer. Sweat glistened on his brow, and Buck could see the muscles in Eddie's jaw clench with each wave of contraction.

"Breathe, Eddie," Buck said, squeezing his hand. "Just a little longer, okay? We're almost there."

"I don't know if I can—" Eddie started, but Buck cut him off.

"Yes, you can! You've come this far. You're the strongest person I know, Eddie." Buck took a deep breath, willing the traffic to clear. "Just a bit more. I can see the hospital sign!"

Eddie's breaths were quick and shallow now. "Buck… I need you to help me," he gasped, his voice shaky. "I'm scared."

Buck's heart ached at the vulnerability in Eddie's words. "You're not alone, Eddie. I'm here. You're going to be okay," he said, leaning closer. "I'm right here with you."

"Okay," Eddie whispered, his grip tightening on Buck's thigh. "I trust you."

Just as Buck thought they were making progress, they hit another patch of stopped cars. "No, no, no!" Buck exclaimed, slamming his hands on the steering wheel. The frustration boiled over. "Come on, we can't do this right now!"

"Buck!" Eddie gasped, squeezing his eyes shut as another contraction hit. "Focus on me!"

Buck swallowed hard, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Right. You're right." He turned to Eddie, trying to ignore the panic clawing at his chest. "Just breathe. In through your nose, out through your mouth."

Eddie nodded, his breath shaky as he tried to follow Buck's instructions. "I… I think it's getting worse," he admitted, his voice strained.

"Just a little longer," Buck promised, glancing at the hospital sign in the distance, almost tauntingly close yet still so far. "I'll get you there, I swear."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the traffic began to move again. Buck's heart raced with a renewed sense of urgency. "We're moving! Just hold on, Ed. Just a few more minutes."

As Buck weaved through the last few blocks, he felt Eddie's grip on his thigh tighten. "It's coming! Buck, it's coming!" Eddie cried out, panic lacing his voice.

"Okay, okay!" Buck said, feeling his own pulse quick.