You're All I Need: Squeal of "Transfer to Help Himself"

Chapter 7- 118 Visits the 126

The fire stations were finally being pulled out to go home and the 126 couldn't have been more happy. They were ready to get to their own beds and sleep for an eternity. Buck and TK were more happy to finally see Carlos again. They missed their counterpart.

For the 3 and a half hour drive back to Austin, most of the team were asleep. Owen couldn't for now because of his concussion, and Buck was trying to fall asleep. He was listening to one of his podcasts and thinking of the events that happened the previous night. And his thoughts kept bringing up old memories. The 118, Maddie, his parents... The letter.

The same letter that has taken residence in his bedside drawer. The same letter that kept haunting him. Buck had forgotten all about the letter until now. The events of last night...she was right, he did misbehave a lot. Hell, he even brought TK into his misbehavior. The last time he had done something like that, it ended horribly for him.

Then he thought of the way TK had snapped at him. Buck had just wanted help TK, but he had made it seem like he didn't care about Owen or Hen. Buck didn't mean to do that, he was just someone who didn't understand certain situations. Abby had been the one who brought it to his attention on how he tried to make people feel better by trying to take their mind off of what was troubling them. It created many arguments when they were together.

An hour had passed and Buck still hadn't fallen asleep. He kept moving, trying to get comfortable, but he couldn't. All of his moving had woken TK up beside him. "Hmm, Buck? You good?" TK asked tiredly. Buck nodded and stopped moving around. "Buck...I know something is wrong. Tell me, please?" TK wrapped his arm around Buck and Buck tensed a little. "Buck?"

"I was just thinking. That's all, really." Buck responded. TK doubted that was all, but he let it slide for now, just holding Buck close to him. Buck rested his head on TK's shoulder and put his earbuds back in. He didn't want TK to be upset about what he was thinking. It wasn't TK's fault, it was Buck's.

They finally arrived back at the station 2 and a half hours later. Tommy and her team walked out to greet them. Winter pulled Buck and TK into a hug before heading over to Mateo and Judd. A few seconds later, the 118 truck pulled in and Eddie was the first to hop out. "So this is the 126? Looks a lot livelier than the 118. Might have to get the chief to agree on revamping the fire house." Eddie said. Hen was the next to follow him along with Ravi and Captain Murphey.

"Hello, I am Captain Vega. Owen didn't tell us we would be having guests." Tommy said, turning her attention to Owen. Owen sheepishly ducked his head before walking into the station. "I am Captain Murphey of L.A. 118. Nice to meet you, Ma'am."

"Wait, Buck, why do you guys have two captains?" Hen asked. "Texas stations are split into two, fire and medical. Captain Vega, Tommy, is the captain of the medical team while Owen is the captain of the fire team. The only person here who is cross trained besides TK and I, is Winter. They are over there beside Mateo and Paul."

"You say 'they', why?" Eddie asked. Buck rubbed his neck before explaining. "Winter is non-binary. They use they/she pronouns. I will not hesitate to hurt anyone who disrespects Winter." Eddie put his hands up and Hen laughed a little. "By the way, Hen. How's Karen and Denny?" Buck asked.

"They are good, though Karen is threatening to make me sleep on the couch if I don't get you to call her."

"That sounds like Karen, alright. Don't worry, Hen. I'll save you from the couch." Buck laughed out. Hen hugged Buck and went to talk to Tommy about the medical team. Eddie was on the phone with, Buck assumed, was either Chris or his new girl. Buck still needed to ask Eddie who she was, of course, Buck was his best friend. Buck waited until Eddie was off the phone to bombard him with questions.

"So, Edmundo, was that Chris? Or was it the new lady friend Hen was talking about?" Buck said, nudging Eddie's arm. Eddie slapped Buck's arm before turning away and mumbling. "What was that, Edmundo?"

"I said, her name is Lilian."

Buck gave Eddie a little nudge and laughed. "You have to tell me all about her, Eds. I need to make sure that she's good for my best friend." Eddie pulled up his gallery and showed Buck a picture of Lilian and Christopher. "Oh wow. You really know how to choose them, Eds." Eddie blushed and closed his phone before following Buck into the fire house.

"How in the world did the city allow Captain Strand to make the station so open?" Eddie asked in awe. Buck chuckled and TK was the one who answered. "The city let Dad do whatever he wanted with it since he came down here to rebuild the station and team." Eddie nodded along before being bombarded by a dog. "Oh, that's Buttercup, the station dog. He's very nice and friendly."

Eddie bent down and petted Buttercup. "I should Cap if we could get one, but his answer is always no because 'it's L.A, dumb shit happens all the time and no one will take care of it'."

"Yeah, we mainly leave Buttercup at Owen's house, but Tommy brought him today since we were coming back."

Eddie was distracted by Buttercup, so Buck just made his way to the Rec Room. TK had followed him, not being satisfied with the information Buck gave him on the ride back. "Buck, are you sure everything is ok?"

"T, I'm sure. If anything is wrong, I'll let you know, ok?" TK sighed and sat beside Buck. "You know I know that something is up, but I won't pressure you to talk about it since your friends are here. Just know that you can always talk to me, ok?"

"Of course, T."

"Yo, this rec room is so much better than ours," Ravi said in astonishment. "Yeah, Owen wanted us to have total comfort when we had time. It's pretty cool." Buck replied.

The 118 stayed for a few hours before heading back to L.A. They were going to stop by Eddie's mom and dad's place in El Paso before heading back. Buck was ready to get home. He was exhausted. Mentally and physically. TK had promised not to ask Buck about what was wrong, and he made it through on that promise. TK just cuddled Buck extra tight when they laid down and allowed Buck to choose the movie. They had video called Carlos, who was still working, and then went to sleep.

Buck woke up a few hours later, his nightmares coming back. TK was sleeping soundly, so Buck was careful not to wake him when he got out of bed. He headed to the living room and turned the T.V on quietly, as to not wake Owen or TK. That's where the two found him in the morning, tear stained face from the nightmare and hugging a pillow close to him.