Burning Flames ¦ Evan Buckley

Chapter 44 - Back To Work

The following day, El had no interest in wallowing in self worry, instead, she headed straight off to work as if nothing had happened. Upon arriving and changing into her uniform she was met with a confused Captain and Buck. "Why you guys looking at me like that?" El raised a brow as she headed for the coffee maker.

Bobby took a breath, "I just didn't expect to see you, I thought you were going to take some time off"

"Time off?" El raised a brow at him, "Nothing happened, I don't need time off" She spoke as she grabbed a cup of ice from the freezer.

"El" Buck spoke, concern in his voice.

"I know, I know" El rolled her eyes, "I was assaulted, I should be at home, resting. But guys" She turned around, "I'm okay. I want to be here. I want to do my job. And I want to stop talking about it. And please, stop looking at me like I'm some hurt puppy" She essentially pleaded with them.

"Okay.." Bobby put his hands up, "I'm trusting you on this"

"I know myself well enough Cap, And please, don't mention this to the rest of the team" El confirmed before finishing her coffee up as the rest of the team came upstairs to join them for breakfast.

-

Later in the shift when Buck and Eddie were training, Buck decided to ask for some advice. "So erm...Eddie, I need your advice on something" He spoke as he held the punching bag for him.

"You never listen, but go on," Eddie laughed.

"A friend of mine...they went through something recently, and erm...they're acting like it didn't happen and they won't really talk to me about it...and I just don't know how to help them" Buck spoke, not really making too much sense.

Eddie halted his punches and looked at him curiously, "Buck, the only friends you have are the people here, and this isn't about me, so..." Eddie tilted his head slightly.

"I'm not supposed to say anything and I won't. I want to keep my promise." Buck spoke, "I just need some advice on it"

"Well, from experience, the best thing to do is let them carry on the way they are and be their ear when they are ready to talk about what happened. The more you ask, the more you push, the further into themselves they will go" Eddie spoke, "Does that answer your advice?"

"Yeah...yeah it does...thanks" Buck spoke with a little nod.

-

The following day an unexpected guest waltzed into the firehouse, her heels clicking against the concrete floor. Attention was soon drawn towards the mystery noise, Eddie's voice sounding out "Daphne?" He questioned as he spotted El.

El sat up after placing down the bar, "Daphne?" El questioned.

"Daphneee" Buck said in an unusual tone. "Fancy seeing you here" He spoke in his mischievous tone.

"Eleanor" Daphne sassed, crossing her arms. "Colour me confused. So I went by your apartment, but you weren't there. So I picked the lock to see if you were sleeping, but you were no where in sight. I figured, you know what, she must be asleep but no. Maybe you had gone for a walk? So, I waited. So tell me, after an hour, I think about coming here and there are you, working, when you should be resting"

All while Daphne was talking, El was giving her a look to be quiet, not wanting her to reveal anything in front of the team however it was too late, everyone was looking her way perplexed.

"Why do you need to be resting?" Eddie asked as he turned to her.

"Erm..." El spoke, unsure of what to say.