A/N: Currently wrote this chapter at 12-1 in the morning and I really need sleep but I couldn't wait any longer so here it is!
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"You lookin good Athena," Buck smiled at Athena.
"Thank you Buckaroo," Athena smiled.
It was time for the gala, Buck had agreed to take Athena since he was going himself along with the rest of the 118. She didn't ask, he just offered and she wanted to turn it down but he mentioned how Bobby would want him to take care of her and that had got to Athena.
Athena had on a sleek, floor-length black satin gown with a deep V-neckline and structured shoulders. The gown features a high front slit to show off some powerful heels.
Mmm
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Bobby was back again but this time he was on a beach with Brook. "You back," his daughter looked at him before returning to her sandcastle.
"It seems that way," Bobby smiled softly, sitting down in the sand watching his daughter. "Where's your mom and brother?"
"It's my turn to talk with you," Brook told him Bobby opened his mouth but Brook followed her sentence with a question. "Do you love them?"
"Love who, sweetheart?" Bobby asked.
"Your new family, do you love them?" She clarified.
Bobby's heart squeezed at the question, something he'd always expect someone from his past to ask him.
"Every single one of them."
"More than us?"
"No baby," Bobby brushed some hair out of Brooks face. "I love everyone equally no matter if they are my old family or new family."
Brook nodded. The two sat in silence for a few minutes. The only sound that could be heard was the ocean waves splashing.
"Why do you want to leave them?"
Bobby turned around to find Robert Jr behind him. "I don't want to leave them," Bobby sighed. "My body is just very weak from an evil lady doing bad things to me."
"You have to fight it daddy," Brooke told him. "Like how you promised mom, please don't break another promise."
Boys workin' on empty
Is that the kinda way to face the burning heat?
I just think about my baby
I'm so full of love I could barely eat
There's nothing sweeter than my baby
I'd never want once from the cherry tree
'Cause my baby's sweet as can be
She give me toothaches just from kissin' me
Hen and Karen walked through the doors of the hotel, they spotted Chimney and Albert waiting for them.
"You ladies look beautiful," Chimney commented, hugging both of them.
"Thank you," Hen smiled.
"No Maddie tonight?" Karen asked.
"Unfortunately she has to work," Chimney said, making the couple frown. "But I have my bro here as a plus one."
"Anytime," Albert patted Chimney on the shoulder.
The doors opened again and the entire group from Mid-Wilshire was there plus Bailey, Luna, James and Wesley.
Angela had wanted to stay home because of Wesley's head injury but since she would be receiving a reward Wesley dragged her there.
"Hey guys!" Bailey smiled, spotting Chimney and Hen.
"Hey," Chimney greeted Bailey.
"This is my husband John Nolan," Bailey said. "This is Chimney and Hen from the 118," she told John.
"We've heard stories about you," Hen laughed. "How many cruisers did you actually destroy as a rookie?" she asked.
"Not that many."
"It was a lot," Lucy said smiling. "Hi –"
"Lucy?" Buck's voice interrupted her.
Everyone turned their heads to see Buck and Athena walking closer to them
"Evan!" Lucy beamed.
"Evan?" Chimney, Hen, and Athena repeated, along with Tim but there was something in his tone that didn't go past Angela's ears and she began to smirk.
"I didn't know you were a first responder," Buck said as he and Lucy hugged everyone watching.
"Police officer!" Lucy beamed.
"How do you two know each other?" Tim cleared his throat.
"Oh I was having lunch with May and accidently met Tamara and Lucy," Buck explained.
"Tamara is May's new roommate," Lucy added on.
"Oh, May didn't mention anything about having a new roommate," Athena said.
"Oh you know May?" Lucy asked.
"Athena is May's mom," Buck said.
Tim looked between Lucy and Buck, he couldn't help the jealousy that bubbled inside of him at the sight of them.
When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her
Bobby was no longer on a beach but in a church and he sat next to Wendell.
"It's too soon for you to be here Bobby," Wendell had said, keeping his eyes forward, not looking at the man next to him.
"Yeah a lot of people are telling me that," Bobby sighed. He was not surprised that he was seeing Wendell but he knew that now he was dead and there was nothing he could do about it.
"You are not dead yet," Wendell told him as if he could hear his thoughts. "You have a few more heartbeats left before you die."
"I doubt it," Bobby scoffed/laughed "Have you seen my body? It was pale, weak."
"Bobby, it's not your time yet."
That's when my baby found me
I was three days on a drunken sin
I woke with her walls around me
Nothin' in her room, but an empty crib
And I was burnin' up a fever
I didn't care much, how long I lived
But I swear I thought I dreamed her
She never asked me once about the wrong I did
When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her
Back at the Gala everyone stood around chatting, drinking, enjoying the buffet, especially Smitty.
Tim sat in a chair watching Buck and Lucy laugh and talk when he felt Angela lean down in his ear. "Looks like she's moving on."
"Shut up," Tim said sharply, his eyes focused on the pair until his gaze met Lucy's, then he quickly looked away drinking from his cup and Angela just laughed sitting next to him.
"Oh man you are jealous man," Angela laughed even harder.
"I don't get jealous," Tim sat his cup down.
When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her
Tamara and May sat in their apartment studying. Tamara looked up at May seeing a photo hanging up on the wall.
"Who's that?" Tamara asked, pointing to the photo of May, Bobby, and Harry at the ice skating rink from when he had taken them.
May looked up at the photo, her eyes squeezed tightly as she tried not to allow any sadness or heartbreak in her voice. "My stepdad," May answered. "He uh...he died last month."
"Oh," Tamara frowned. "I'm sorry," she sat her books down, moving over to sit next to May.
"It's fine," May shook her head, blinking away the tears. "I'm fine it's just...I..."
"Hey," Tamara said softly, pulling May into a hug. "It's okay, I'm sorry for bringing it up."
May pulled away but her hand had grabbed onto the Tamara's. "You didn't know."
The two held eye contact as they were leaning in the book that sat on May's lap hitting the floor as their lips connected.
My babe would never fret none
About what my hands and my body done
If the Lord don't forgive me
I'd still have my baby and my babe would have me
When I was kissing on my baby
And she put her love down soft and sweet
In the low lamp light I was free
Heaven and hell were words to me
Everyone was seated, they had given out rewards, the side door opened and Eddie walked in quietly making his way to sit on the other side of Buck.
"Am I late?" Eddie whispered.
"Nope," Buck stood up. "Just in time," he said as the chief of police said his name.
"Buck's getting a reward?" Albert looked at Chimney with confusion.
"Nope."
"Uh hi everyone," Buck said into the mic. "My name is Evan Buckley, I am a firefighter at the 118 and I am here to announce this next award," Buck said "Now originally my captain Bobby Nash was supposed to do this but uhm he died," he said "He uh had this whole speech down on how amazing his wife was and why she deserved this promotion in his office and I completely agree with everything he wrote down."
Athena's eyes widened slightly. "What is he talking about?" She looked at Elaine and Hen.
"Now the members of the 118 agreed that I would be a better choice of giving a speech and this award towards Athena so I'm not gonna use Bobby's words I'm gonna use my own," Buck sucked in a breath before exhaling.
"Athena? She's... she's a force of nature. Like, if justice had a face, it'd probably look a lot like hers. She's got this presence you feel it the second she walks into a room. Doesn't matter if you're a cop, a firefighter, or a punk with an attitude you listen when Athena talks," everyone in the room laughed and Chimney let out a small 'cheers to that' as Buck continued "But here's the thing yeah, she's tough as nails, and she can stare down a hurricane if she had to but she's also got this huge heart. She fights for people. Stands up for what's right, even when it's hard. Honestly? She's kind of the glue. Like, if you're in trouble and Athena's on the case? You breathe easier. She's a role model. Not just for me, but for a lot of us. She reminds you what it means to do the job with purpose, with dignity... and maybe a little side of sass."
Athena wiped away the little tears that had escaped. "So it's my pleasure on the half of the 118 and the LAPD to promote Sergeant Athena Grant to Captain Athena Grant-Nash! Come on up here Athena!"
Everyone clapped as Athena stood up making her way to the stage. "Thank you Buckaroo," Athena whispered as she hugged the young fireman.
When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her
"Bobby Nash."
Bobby turned his head to see who had called his name, his eyes widened. Emmett Washington. He had easily recognized the man from photos Beatrice had shown them years back.
Bobby stood up walking over to Emmett. "I would first like to thank you," Emmett started.
"Thank me for what?" Bobby asked.
This one came as a shock to him. He understood why he had seen Brook, Marcy, Robert Jr, and Wendell. He had special connections to him but the only thing he and Emmett shared was their love for Athena.
"For taking care of Athena," Emmett smiled. "She really loves you and you make her truly happy."
"You've been watching over her?" Bobby guessed.
"Every single day since I died," Emmett nodded. "Do me a favor when you see her again? Tell her I don't blame her for my death. Tell her I love her."
"I can't...I don't know if I'll make it back to her."
"Yes you will," Emmett smiled.
When Bobby had opened his eyes, he was in his coffin, the one he had been buried in, he saw nothing but darkness but he felt something.
He did the best he could to reach in his pants pocket and pull out the small cellphone. He smiled dialing a three digit number.
"9-1-1 what's your emergency?" Maddie answered the call.
"I'm being buried alive."
Maddie froze at the sound of the voice she thought she was hearing things.
"Bobby?"
When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her
A/N: He's going back to her!