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

Chapter 12- Coming Back

Buck was scheduled to come back to work the next day and he was nervous. He hadn't seen the team since coming back from San Angelo and he didn't know how they would act around him. If Winter knew what happened between the three, then everyone else did. Owen was a little hesitant around him after the greeting but quickly fell back into routine once they ate dinner. Buck had been up since 5, going for a run outside and came back at 6, where TK and Owen were waiting in the kitchen for him.

"Where did you go, B?" TK asked. Buck grabbed a water bottle and sat down next to him. "Just for a run. Had to run off my nerves, ya know". TK nodded and handed him a plate of food before getting up to grab another cup of coffee. "Well next time, you could let the both of us know," Owen said. Buck sheepishly ducked his head before eating his food. He guessed he should have, but he didn't want them to get worried.

They left at 6:30 and arrived at the firehouse a little after 7. B shift was cleaning up for the end of their shift and Tommy's group was stocking the ambulance. Winter had been officially moved to the paramedics side a few days ago and they were joking around with Nancy, trying to get her to smile. The rest of the A shift had arrived just in time for their shifts to start. Buck tried his best to stay away from everyone so he could assess their feelings, but Mateo had physically pulled him to join them in the rec room to play some pool. Paul had been reading some book that Buck couldn't make out the title, while Judd and TK were playing a round. Marjan just watched and laughed when Judd would accuse TK of cheating. Buck sat down on the couch away from most of the group and pulled out his phone to call Eddie.

It was around 5 in L.A due to the time difference, but Buck knew Eddie would most likely be up. Eddie answered the phone and instantly greeted Buck. "Mornin' Buck! How are you?" Buck learned over time that when Eddie was either really tired or had just woken up, his Texan accent was thicker than during the day.

"Morning Eds. I'm alright. Do you have time to talk?" Buck asked, looking up to see TK watching him with a smile. "Of course. I got a little before Chris has to be awake and Lils has already gone to work." Buck smiled, though Eddie couldn't see it over the phone.

They talked for a good hour before Chris woke up and the 126 bell went off. Buck got to say hi to Chris before the call ended, making him the last one to the truck. Paul was subtly staring at Buck and Buck started to get uncomfortable. He knew Paul didn't mean anything bad with the stare, he was probably trying to read Buck for a good reason, but that didn't mean Buck was nervous. They arrived on scene, which was a simple structure fire, and immediately got to work. Tommy and her team were assessing the injured and Owen was commanding his team in what they needed to do.

Buck was to go on the ladder and try to put out the fire on the roof while TK spots him, and the others would go at it from the bottom. They were making a good hit on the fires, but of course, the Buckley luck just had to strike at that moment. The hose nozzle had started to come loose a little and was dripping water on the ladder steps. Buck started to step up one more to get a good reach when he had slipped and started to fall over the side of the ladder. Judd saw what was happening and immediately ran to the ladder and caught Buck before he hit the ground.

Buck looked up, shocked and a little shaken by what just happened. "T-thanks Judd".

"No problem, Buck. It's what family does. Help each other." Judd said and put Buck down, calling Tommy over to make sure Buck wasn't hurt. After getting the ok from Tommy, Judd brought Buck over to the rest and they huddled around him all asking if he was ok. If Buck had any doubt about how they would treat him, it was all washed away with the genuine concern he heard from the group.