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

Chapter 18: This Christmas Year

 Buck never really celebrated Christmas. Sure, Maddie and him would get each other presents, but their parents never made it special. Last Christmas, he had Athena help him bring everyone to the station so the team could be with their families for Christmas. Bobby had let them leave early, so they got to go home, but Buck went to an empty apartment. He had spent many Christmases by himself, why would that one be any different? So, Buck really didn't feel like celebrating this year.

He couldn't say the same for his team and their families. Although they had lost a friend this year, the 126 was decorating the station like there was nothing else to do. Every day leading to Christmas, which they all had to work, someone was decorating something. TK put a Menorah on the table for the 8 days of Hanukkah, which he and Gwyn mostly celebrated. Marjan didn't really celebrate Christmas, but she was ready to be in a festive mood for everyone. The rest were wearing something Christmas-y everyday. Buck was the only one who didn't. He didn't see any reason to. When asked, Buck would say that he was waiting until it was closer to Christmas.

The day before Christmas Eve, Eddie had called and told Buck that they weren't able to come down to Austin until after Christmas because Eddie's parents had breathed down his throat to bring Chris to El Paso for Christmas, "Probably to try and get him to live with them" Eddie had said. Buck understood, although he knew Eddie would probably leave earlier, knowing how the Diaz's are. Buck really did understand, but it did dampen his mood a little. TK and Gwyn noticed the shift in Buck's mood and had made his favorite food for dinner. Buck had extra TK cuddles that night.

Christmas Eve, Hen and Karen video called Buck so Denny could see him. May and Harry did the same thing. They were sad that Buck couldn't come up for Christmas or that they couldn't go down, but this would be good enough. The 126 had joined in on those calls and told stories of having to work Christmas days at their other stations. Buck enjoyed having his family around him.

Christmas day, TK had woke Buck up earlier than needed, in Buck's opinion since their shift didn't start until 9 and TK woke him up at 4. His excuse? He wanted Buck to cook instead of his mom or Owen. "Your cooking is good, what can I say?" So that's how Gwyn finds them this morning. Buck standing by the stove cooking while TK is watching something on his phone and drinking coffee.

"I take it TK woke you up to make breakfast?" Gwyn asked. Buck groaned and nodded, still not fully awake. Gwyn laughed and sat down next to her son. TK leaned on her and they watched Buck, occasionally Gwyn would ask Buck about what he was making. Around 6, Buck had finished breakfast and plated the food right as Owen walked in.

They had a nice Christmas breakfast, with Gwyn and TK lighting the second to last candle on their Menorah. By the time the three men had to leave for their shift, Gwyn had washed the dishes and gave them some gifts to open at the station. Some of the gifts were for the team as well. Buck had already brought the gifts he had to the station the day prior, mainly because TK was trying to pry into his present. Buck might not feel like celebrating, but that doesn't mean that he couldn't get his family gifts.

They had a peaceful shift. No calls were really coming in, so they got to enjoy watching Christmas movies and playing around. Buck just sat and watched them all. He never knew if the moment would last. He might not be celebrating with his team, but he loved watching them be happy.

Everyone was at the station. Gwyn and Grace were cooking dinner, Tommy's twins were hanging with Judd and Mateo, Carlos brought his parents. Winter invited their roommate and two other people, which they explained later was Abby and her fiance when they didn't show up. The gifts sat perfectly under the little tree that Paul had brought. It was nice to not be running around and fighting fires on a holiday for once.

When it was time to open gifts, Buck wasn't expecting to get any. Maybe two, one from Carlos and one from TK, but he wasn't expecting the whole team to as well. He was surprised and shocked. A lot of the gifts were related to something he had rambled on about in his bouts of research binging. From a book about True Crime to natural disasters (he had binged research on any and all natural disasters after the tsunami and tornado). He loved what he was given and had thanked his friends. They thanked him for the gifts he bought. It was a good night.

After they celebrated, the team, sans Buck, went to the bunks while the rest of the visitors left for their homes. Buck stayed in the rec room, reading his true crime book. The first chapter was on serial killers, which was something he was interested in learning about. Buck was so interested in the book that he didn't feel TK come and sit down beside him. "Are you planning to sleep soon, or are you going to finish that book tonight?" TK asked, startling Buck. Buck looked at TK and then put a bookmark in the book to save his place. "Sorry, I just wanted to read as much as I could right now." He put the book on the table before turning to TK. "Are you ok, B? I've noticed that you weren't really in the Christmas Spirit this year", TK said.

"I didn't really feel like celebrating this year after everything that has gone down. And besides, I've never really celebrated since I was usually alone. The first time I really celebrated was with the 118 last year." Buck responded. TK nodded and laid down on Buck's lap. "Well, I understand that. I'm sorry you never really got to celebrate it. But I think we all had a good time today. If it's ok with you, I'll just lay here and you can read the book to me. I might not understand most of it, but we can spend time together". Buck smiled and started reading the book while brushing his hands through TK's hair. TK fell asleep shortly after and Buck took a picture to send to Carlos. After being chastised for being up late by said man, Buck put the book down and got comfortable. He reckoned that there was no use in trying to get TK up. This, so far, has been the best Christmas yet.