Ice Cold

Bucks POV

It could be said that Buck was lucky, getting his job back after the depths he went to sue the city and his boss, he didn't feel lucky.

Not that he would tell Bobby, despite the hostility wearing off on the surface after Bobby invited him for a meal and made his own personal apology, for that he was grateful but the Captain side of Bobby still held a grudge, keeping him as the man behind in the station more often than he was allowed on calls.

Chim, unaware of this development had very limited interactions with Buck if Eddie, Bobby or one of the other crew was beside them. He had taken to inviting Buck out drinking several times, a couple of times with Maddie if her shifts didn't clash.

Buck had tried to talk to Eddie, not to apologise as much as he'd long exhausted that option by saying sorry to Eddie everytime he was near him for the first month. Eddie would often ignore him or simply walk away, an action that would sting Buck so he stopped bothering him.

Although Buck missed what he had with Eddie, he found himself missing Christopher more, hoping the tsunami hadn't crushed his spirit that could make anyone around him smile, almost forgetting why they're sad.

***

Buck was left man behind again, cleaning every surface until he could see his own reflection, from the kitchen, gym, locker room, shower and the great shiny floor. After this he gathered the dishes from the table, another fire family meal he'd missed out on. Bobby had saves him some leftovers which he would take home and heat up, it never felt the same in the vast apartment with the slight chill of December creeping in.

After cleaning the floor, Buck could hear the rush of tyres and the flashing lights of the 118 truck. He went to the locker room to change as his shift was ending whilst they all jumped off the truck, laughter and conversation filling the silence Buck became familiar with. Once he was changed he left the locker room and ran into Bobby.

"We missed you out there today, see you on Saturday"

"Thank you" Buck replied as he headed towards the jeep, knowing that the "we" Bobby mentioned was him, Hen and Chim.

He was slightly envious that his shift was shorter, only 6 hours whilst the others were on for 12 hours. However he was looking forward to heating the leftovers Bobby made, a frown settled upon his face as he checked through the bag, a slight set of dread coming in as he'd realised he left the leftovers in the fridge, begrudgingly setting off back in to gather them.

He made it to the fridge unbothered whilst everyone was in the shower, save Bobby in his office as he was working on the never ending paperwork. Safely storing the tupperware he made his way downstairs.

Only to be stopped by Eddie, his hair sopping wet from the shower and drooping in his face and a permanent scowl set on his face. A scowl directed at him with a tone to match it,

"What are you still doing here?"

"I was just leaving actually, would you mind getting out of my way"

Buck reciprocated the harsh tone back as he made his way round Eddie, heading back into the jeep and driving off.

***

Buck decided to go for a drive instead of going straight home. Driving until the motorways intersecting the streets of LA dwindled down to country roads with rivers flowing alongside. This allowed Buck to just sit and be with the world. However the bitter breeze prevented Buck from sitting and watching the rivers, driving at a steady speed.

Until his vision was suddenly blinded by lights and a car unable to stop in time crashed into the side. Despite the seat belt keeping him in his seat, Buck felt an uncontrollable jolt move him towards the wheel, the airbags blowing up just in time to prevent him from sustaining a serious brain injury. His head flung back against the headrest.

Wincing at the sound of metal against metal until there was silence again, asides from the constant ringing in Bucks ears, his eyes opening and adjusting to the darkness that stretched out.

After several seconds to adjust, Buck winced slightly, unclipping his seat belt and opening the door. He was slightly unsteady on his feet and stood against the door to adjust to the movement that his body felt in the past five minutes.

In the distance he could see the other driver, a young woman in her 20's who appeared alert regardless of the blood slowly dripping down her face. Buck found his phone, still in the coat relatively unscathed and called 9-1-1.

"9-1-1, whats your emergency" Crap it was Sue.

"Hi Sue, it's Evan Buckley, a firefighter at the 118. I've just been in a car accident on West Silver Lake Drive and there looks to be a driver, female, early 20's with a superficial bleed"

Buck heard Sue gasp as she took in what she said,

"What about you Evan Buckley, any injuries?"

Buck felt his head, a little bit of blood appeared from a hairline fracture,

"Small laceration on the hairline, I'm alright" The feeling of light-headedness returned, he placed his hand on the car for support, and placed his phone on the roof of the car as Sue finished up typing.

"Fire service and ambulance are 15 minutes out, Buck, Buck?" Sue shouted.

Buck couldn't hear, where was he, was Christopher safe, Christopher, Christopher. He took one step towards what he thought was solid ground.

Only to fall into the air and tumble through the rough weeds lining the harsh rocks until his back hit something ice cold, water.

The water made little time before soaking Bucks clothes, the harsh cold made Bucks teeth chatter as the air clung to the water.

Buck tried to focus, but started to close his eyes. He thought of Eddie and Christopher, wheres Christopher, his eyes shot open

"Christopher" He tried yelling only to barely hear the words come out of his mouth. He tried focusing on where he was,

Water

The promenade, where he and Christopher were last at the fair, staring into the water, the water disappeared, Christopher disappeared. He couldn't find Christopher.

Devastation ran through his body, making him shiver against the cool December air. Unknowingly not realising that he was soaked from the ravine having falling into a dip of water.

With little strength he clamboured up and started walking, he will find Christopher, he will. He won't let Eddie down, he couldn't, he didn't want to see the disappointment on his face after he told him he lost his son.