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

Chapter 20- Please Look at Me

 It's been two weeks. The doctors said they didn't know when Buck would wake up...if he would. TK and Carlos practically lived in Buck's hospital room. The only time they ever left was to get something to eat or if Carlos had to go to work. It hurt to see their partner lying in that bed. He looked so peaceful, even with the bandages surrounding his body. Buck had taken the brunt of the blast, having been close to the Captain's office. It was a miracle he was even in one piece, let alone stay awake long enough to call for help.

TK never moved. He sat there, watching intently. If only TK had made Buck come down with him when Marjan was calling them. TK knew not to blame himself, Buck was-is-a stubborn man. It just seemed right to blame someone. TK blamed the man that planted the explosives. He blamed his dad for investigating into it instead of leaving it be. He blamed Carlos for not telling him what Owen and Mr. Reyes was doing. But he blamed himself the most. Buck had been through too much, and now he has another bombing to add to the list.

If he wakes up.

The doctors told the team that there is a 50 percent chance Buck would not wake up due to the internal hemorrhaging he suffered during the blast and surgery. They just had to wait and play it safe. Tommy, Winter and Nancy did their best to help Buck until more help could arrive, but there was only so much they could have done without any of their supplies.

TK was staring at Buck until he heard the door opening and two familiar voices come in. He looked up and saw Eddie with Christopher. "Hey TK. How's he doing?" Eddie asked after he made sure the door was shut. Christopher walked over to Buck while TK stood up and got close so he could whisper it to Eddie. "The doctors say he hasn't improved any. The internal bleeding he suffered during the blast and surgery is still taking its toll," he explained. Eddie solemnly nodded and wrapped his arms around TK. "He'll be ok, man. It's Buck. He's survived everything. It makes him a hero." TK sighed and reciprocated the hug before heading back to the two others in the room.

"Hey little man. How are you?" TK asked Chris, running his hand over the boy's hair, messing it up. Chris shooed TK's hand away before smacking at him. "I'm ok. I miss my Bucky though. But he's strong, like Dad is. I read where people who are sleeping like Bucky can hear the outside world. That's why I wanted to tell him to hurry and wake up because you and Mr. Carlos are sad he's sleeping." TK was always shocked at how smart Chris is. Right after the explosion, Winter had called Eddie to tell him the news. Chris had answered first, though, and told Winter 'Bucky's hurt, isn't he? Carla is watching the news.' Winter couldn't deny it. It made them tear up when Chris had told them that 'His Bucky was strong. He could make it again.'

TK tried to hold his tears back, but when Chris hugged him, that's when he let go. He had been keeping it in since the bombing. Eddie tried his best to help TK and just stayed there with Chris until visiting time was over. They left, with Eddie promising to come back the next day. Carlos was working, so TK was by himself. He sat down by Buck again and grabbed his hand. "Please wake up, B. I need you. We all need you. Please don't leave us. I love you, you fool. So come back to us." He laid back in the chair and fell into a silent slumber.

Owen found him in the same position the next day. Having been in TK's position before, Owen had grabbed a pillow from TK's room before he had headed to the hospital. He carefully placed it behind TK's back and covered him with a blanket. Owen then sat at the window sill, opening the blinds a little bit to see outside. Buck's room was in the ICU, which was on the Third floor, so Owen saw the parking lot and the buildings beside it. He couldn't help but to think back to the last time he was in the ICU. It was after TK's last relapse. He never wanted to be back in the hospital when it was someone he truly cared about. Having lived with Buck and working with him for almost a year, Owen thought of him like a son.

He didn't want to look away from Buck when he was first brought to the hospital. If only he had been able to warn them earlier, Buck wouldn't be in this position. He would be awake and laughing with his team. Owen wouldn't admit it to being him, but there were a few new holes in his bedroom walls. He knew he had anger issues, but he was Owen Strand. Owen could work through anything. Even this. Though, it didn't help that he was reminded everyday when he would wake up in an empty and quiet house. Everyday, he woke up and the instant regret of not being enough filled him. For failing Buck. But Owen knew he shouldn't blame himself. Owen did all that he could. Now, he will do everything to make things right.

Owen didn't know how long he had been looking out of the window, but when he heard rustling, he stood up and felt his joints pop. "Morning, TK. How'd you sleep?" He asked, walking over to his son. "Horrible. And stiff." Owen sighed and patted TK on his shoulder. "How about you go home and sleep on your bed? I'll stay here with Buck until Carlos gets here. You need rest, son." Right after Owen said that, Buck's doctors walked in to check on him again. TK and Owen had to leave the room and they were met with Marjan and Grace bringing them coffee. "Mornin guys. How are y'all?" Grace asked. TK shrugged his shoulders and took his coffee, before sitting down away from everyone. Owen grabbed his cup from Marjan and thanked her before answering Grace. "We could be better. TK stayed here all night and I told him to go home to get some actual rest". Grace nodded and sat beside Owen. Eddie and Chris were the next to show up, greeting Owen and them before Eddie told Chris to start on his school work.

"Hen and Chimney have been asking me how he is doing. Any updates?" Eddie asked after checking his texts. "He's still the same. Not getting any better. The doctors are in there now. Hopefully, they will come back with good news." Owen explained. Eddie nodded and texted Chimney and Hen the news. They talked for a little before the doctors came out. TK stood up, being Buck's emergency contact, and talked to the doctors.

They talked for a little while before TK came back. "They said that he has started to breathe by himself. So they were planning on moving him to a better room." TK explained. The people who were there smiled and Owen hugged his son. "That means he's getting better, TK. You should head home and get some rest. He'll still be here tomorrow." Owen replied, before turning to the others. "How about we all get something to eat. If not for hunger, then to be in a new environment for a while." Everyone agreed, and Chris said, "Good, because I can't eat Dad's cooking". That got a chuckle out of TK, making Chris smile. Buck might not be 100% yet, but he was slowly getting there.