Love On The Front Line - BUDDIE

Chapter Twenty Nine

It had been six months since Eddie had been attacked in his own home, within this time - Buck had moved back in to support Eddie and Chris.
The emotional trauma was hitting Eddie like a ton of bricks - some days he could get out of bed and others he'd hide himself in his bedroom, pushing everyone including Buck away.
They tried therapy, but that didn't work - it would normally end up in Eddie walking out within the first five minutes of every session.

Buck didn't know what to do, that was until Athena and Bobby helped them both. Bobby had taken Eddie for a psych evaluation, which they ruled out anxiety and depression. Buck felt relief when Bobby had explained exactly what the doctor had said about Eddie. He finally thought they where getting back on track with things.

"Hey Ed's, have you taken your medication today?" He whispers out, trying to unravel himself from Eddies tight grip. "Ed's?"

"Yeah... Bobby came round earlier to take Chris to Hens. He's sleeping round theres for a day or so I think." Eddie nodded. "He made me take my meds, he said 'I looked as if I was contemplating putting them down the drain' in which I wasn't. I was just deep in thought"

"We can never be too careful though." He sighed, rolling onto his back. "What do you want to do today? Are we feeling good enough to go out?"

"I... ugh - I want to go see everyone at the firehouse. If that's alright with you" Eddie let out a nervous sigh.

"Hey, that's a good idea. Shall we stay in bed for a little longer or do you just want to get up and out before you panic?" He smiled, playing with Eddies hair.

"Yeah... I guess we can"

Buck rolled towards Eddie "Never doubt yourself babe. You've got this and I'm so proud of you" he whispers, as he kissed the top of his head.

"Thanks" he sighed out, barely audible.

~

Buck and Eddie where finally in Bucks truck. It had taken a little while for Eddie to get out the house - this was a constant battle with his mind, ever since he had gotten jumped.
But once he would step over that fresh hold of his front door, he would be completely fine in the apartment building.

"I'm so proud of you babe. This is an improvement. I'm sure everyone at the firehouse would be so proud of you right now" Buck smiled, wrapping his hand around eddies noticing how much Eddie was now shaking. "Just keep breathing... like we practiced" Eddie nodded, as he looked out his window, still gripping onto Bucks hand.

After a fifth teen minute drive they pulled up to the firehouse. Luckily for Eddie all the fire trucks where out meaning there wasn't going to be many people in the firehouse.
"Are you ready? Or do you want to stay in here for a little longer?"

Buck never got a response, just Eddie loosening his grip before finally letting go of bucks hand, opening the door and walking straight towards the firehouse. Buck was completely confused, Eddie had never walked away from Buck since the accident. But this, was an improvement.

"Eddie! It's good to see you, how are you holding up" Bobby called from his office, noticing the two walking into the firehouse.
Eddie just froze, looking up at Bobby - Buck couldn't tell what was going on inside that head of his but whatever he was thinking... you could clearly see the cogs turning in his head.
"Why don't you two come up here, it's more quieter in my office and we can talk some stuff through"

"Yeah, that would be a great idea." Buck smiled back, answering for Eddie. "Come on Ed's, it'll be less of an overload up there than down here" he whispered, wrapping his hand around Eddies, as soon as that contact happened, Eddie squeezed like his life depended on it.

"You're okay, just breath"