The Deployment Notice

6.

He probably shouldn't have been as surprised as he was that everyone was waiting for him in his apartment. The 118 and Co had always been good at gatherings, he should've figured they would've made a thing out of his send off.

He was glad they were here though. Bobby, Hen, Chim, Maddie, Athena, Carla, Karen, May, Harry, Denny, Nia, Eddie's abuela, and tía Pepa were all scattered across his apartment when they walked in. They'd also brought over a feast for them to eat, apparently wanting to ensure that he didn't leave hungry.

He was greeted by hugs from everyone and then sent up to shower and get ready while they finished setting up dinner. He took a quick shower to wash the beach away, then shaved and put on his fatigues. He checked his pack to make sure everything was in it, laced up his boots, and walked down the stairs of the loft.

Everyone turned to look at him, expressions soft and strange. It was odd being dressed like this in front of them, it was a new side of him they were seeing and he could tell it was strange for them too. Pepa got over it first.

"Come Evanito, it's time to eat." She said shooing him towards the counter where the food was laid out, "we can't have you leaving hungry!"

He just smiled at her, "thank you." He said quietly and that seemed to be the cue for everyone to grab a plate and start serving food.

It was normal, everyone seemed to be ignoring the elephant in the room that was Buck's departure and were just doing their best to enjoy their time together.

Just then there was a knock at the door, and Buck looked around, but no everyone who he'd expect to be here was already here.

"It's open!" He called getting up to go greet whoever was there.

The door swung open revealing two figures standing there, "didn't think I'd miss your send off, did you Kid?"

"Luca!" He called, and was pulled into a hug by the older man, "you're supposed to be at work? You both are." He said looking over to the man's partner, Lena Bosko, who was grinning at him.

He'd texted Luca yesterday to let him know that he wouldn't be able to make it to coffee next week and why, but he hadn't been expecting to see him before he left.

"We got someone to cover a couple hours of our shift." Bosko explained with a shrug then pointed to Luca, "besides, he's your ride to the airport."

"Bosko?" Eddie's voice called, clearly confused, "you guys know each other?"

Bosko just laughed, "hey Diaz, long time no see, and yeah, Tripoli is my partner. I met Kid, here years ago, even helped out when he was training at the academy."

"I'm not sure I would've passed the chemistry section without her!" Buck exclaimed with a laugh pulling her into a hug, "it's good to see you."

"Well my mind is officially blown." Chim said miming his head exploding, "I didn't think that was possible after yesterday, but here we are."

That got a chuckle out of everyone and Bosko and Luca grabbed a plate and joined everyone else.

"Oh, Captain Nash, send us Buck's schedule and we'll pick up any shifts of his that we can." Luca offered and Bosko nodded in agreement.