I Need Them

The Threat

Buck’s looking at his phone when he hears off to the side, “Buck!”

Buck looks, and upon seeing Bobby, he stops. “Hey, Bobby.”

Bobby looks crushed, but still asks, “You been avoiding me?”

Confused, Buck replies, “No, why would you think that?”

And then it all comes out in a rush, “Because I’m the one that kept you from coming back, and basically pushed you in Mackey’s direction. I just want you to know, I never would’ve done that if I thought it was going to come back to haunt us like this-- ”

Buck holds out a hand to stop Bobby’s mini meltdown, “I know, Bobby. Trust me, I know.”

But Bobby doesn’t look convinced, “I’m sorry, Buck.”

Buck’s quick to tell him, “Hey, don’t freak out on me. It’s okay.”

Bobby shakes his head, “I feel terrible.”

But Buck is adamant, “Mackey loves looking for weaknesses and exploiting them. I just happened to be the fall guy. I’m even willing to bet I’m not the only person he’s done it to.”

Here, Buck shakes his head at himself, “I’m sorry. I know he hurt you too when he dragged up your past because of what I told him--”

Now Bobby’s the one cutting him off, “No, you’re right. You don’t ever have to apologize for badmouthing Mackey to me. Not after what he did.”

Eddie’s just grabbing a meal to take home, and who should he see but Mackey himself, sitting at a table.

Eddie knows he shouldn’t intervene, that it would just make everything worse in the long run, but at seeing that bastard’s face, he knows he can’t.

Eddie marches right up to him, and orders, “Get the hell out of here.”

Mackey just nonchalantly sips his drink, “Really good coffee. I’ll take this place over Starbucks any day.”

That pisses Eddie off even more, “Are you hard of hearing?”

Mack answers immediately, “I’m not.”, then looks up, “And if I were you, I’d get used to the idea of me popping up in places you all frequent. Cause I’m not going anywhere.”

Eddie almost wants to snap again, but decides to change tactics, “Let’s say you do get your money. How are you gonna sleep at night knowing you took an innocent child away from his father just to make it happen?”

“Who says I took your son away from you?”

“I wasn’t talking about me. Buck is well aware of what you’re trying to make him do. He just won’t talk about it.”

At that, Mackey turns away before turning to look at Eddie, “Buck remembers very well exactly how much money they offered him in the settlement. He knows how good a life he could have with that money.”

Eddie snaps, “So good you had to ruin his life just to make it happen?”

Mackey chuckles, “Buck’s pretty good at doing that all by himself. He didn’t even need me to do it.”

That hits a nerve, but Mackey’s not done as he sets his coffee down, “He’s all about your fire family now, but I remember not too long ago he was so angry at his captain, he was willing to file a lawsuit for not letting him come back, and even threw you all under the bus to twist the knife.”

Eddie knows all this, just like he knows Mackey’s trying to manipulate him, so he has no problem shooting that down, “He was hurt and angry.”

Mackey goes on, “And if Buck hadn’t said no to the settlement, or been invited back to the 118 anyway, you two wouldn’t be so cozy like you are now, would you?”

Mackey turns away again, “That would be me.”

Eddie states, “Buck loves Chris, and he loves me. And when he realizes you’re actually serious about this he’s gonna--”

“He’s gonna what?” Mackey cuts him off. “Decide it’s better to have you hate him for losing your son than to just reopen the lawsuit and take the money? Buck knows damn well if he decides to fight me on this, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

Eddie can’t take it anymore, “You bastard!”

“Buck’s made a lot of questionable decisions in his life.” Mackey keeps talking. “And I’m not just talking about the lawsuit. I’m talking about him all the times he was supposed to be suspended, and he stepped in to help anyway.”

That gets Eddie’s attention, and Mackey knows it, “And if CPS finds out how easily Buck ignores the rules...there’s no way in hell they’ll let him anywhere near that little boy, now or ever.”

At that, Eddie realizes the truth, “You don’t care about anyone you’re hurting, do you?”

Mackey snaps back, “You have no right to tell me how I feel about anything.”

Eddie goes on, “You just want Buck to be your little bitch, and go get your money for you.”

Mackey doesn’t take the bait, “I guess you and your honeybunch, Bobby and the rest, better start praying to whoever listening that Buck does.”

Mackey stands up, getting right in Eddie’s face, “Do you even know how sick and tired I am of all of you acting like you’re the ones in control here? Like you’re going to walk away the victor here? You’re an army man. Try and teach them a thing or two about following orders.”

Mackey stops here, to make sure he has Eddie’s complete attention, “Because you all answer to me now.”

With that, he dumps his coffee on Eddie’s shoes, and walks out.

After taking a moment to compose himself, Eddie pulls out his phone, tells Buck, “Hey, it’s Eddie. I’m going to be a little late with dinner. Say goodnight to Chris for me, would you?” then hangs up, one destination in mind.