The Deployment Notice

7.

The tentative happiness of the gathering didn't last for long though, and soon it was time for him and Luca to leave.

Everyone took their turns hugging him and most of them were valiantly, but not effectively, holding back their tears.

"Be safe, please." Bobby implored him.

"I'll do my best." He replied smiling at him and Bobby just sighed and pulled him back into another hug, "no offense, but that's kind of what I'm afraid of, Son."

Buck laughed at that and part of him figured that that was fair enough given his track record at the 118, but another part of him was buzzing as it always did when Bobby called him Son.

Then it was Lena's turn, their hug was brief.

"Don't let him start fighting again, please, whatever happens. Take him to a goddamn gym or something this time." She laughed at that.

"I promise." She said and then he was being passed off to Hen and Chim who wrapped him in a hug at the same time.

"No stupid stunts, promise." Hen demanded.

"I'm a SEAL, Hen. That's kind of the job." He replied with a soft grin.

"Just minimize the stupidity then, alright, things aren't the same without you around." Chim clapped him on the back.

"I'll do my best." He promised, and then it was Pepa and Isabel's turn.

"Come back to your family." Isabel said, hands holding his face.

"I will do my best Mrs. Diaz, I promise." He said hugging her.

"Call me abuela." She insisted.

"You're part of this family too now." Pepa added with a decisive nod.

"Ok." He said and quickly wiped a tear off his cheek, he couldn't break down yet.

Then it was Maddie who just hugged him too tightly, but he'd let her break every bone in his body before he dared complain. Especially while there were tears pouring down her face like they were now.

"I'll do my best to be safe Mads, I promise, I'll be back soon." She nodded and struggled to make herself let him go, Chim wrapping his arms around her as he moved on to Carla.

"Come back soon." She said as she pulled him into a hug and placed a kiss on his cheek. "I love those two, but I don't want to be looking after them without you."

"I will." He nodded at her, and then was passed off to Athena.

"Oh Buckaroo," she sighed pulling him down into her arms, "just try and be safe."

"I'll do my best." He repeated for what felt like the millionth time, squeezing her tight and then letting go.

It was the kids turn now and Nia and Denny fell into his arms as he knelt down. He didn't think Nia really understood what was happening, but she was more than happy to give her Uncle Buck a hug.

He wiped the tears off Denny's face, "I'll be back soon, be good for your moms." Denny nodded and then it was Harry in his arms and Buck repeated the same platitudes.