(A 911 Buddie fanfic) Every Breath You Take (I'll be watching you...)

Chapter 5

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Chapter 5

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Buck wasn't sure what he expected when he volunteered as bait, but it certainly didn't involve him sitting alone at the bar of the Midnight Ace on the Saturday night before Halloween. Given that his stalker had already killed someone and was now leaving 'gifts' at Eddie's, it was only a matter of time before Shawn made his move, and this was their attempt at taking control of the situation. Not that Buck felt all that in control.

Exposed. Vulnerable. Hell, he would even admit that he was scared.

It didn't help that so many other customers were wearing masks and costumes, and Buck found himself wondering whenever someone stared in his direction a little too long. But amongst the lights and music and alcohol fuelled crazy, there was Athena and other officers, keeping an eye but also keeping enough distance that it wouldn't be suspicious.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked, leaning forward across the bar and offering up a bright smile.

Buck cleared his throat, tearing his gaze away from the crowd to look at the man in front of him. "Er, soda water, thanks."

"Sure, no problem."

He inclined his head a little and grabbed a glass from under the bar. He motioned toward the ice but Buck shook his head, finding himself distracted by a skeleton near the entrance who seemed to be fumbling with the bouncer. He found he could only breathe again once they'd taken their mask off to reveal a young blond man who looked nothing like Shawn. The clink of the glass on the bar brought his attention back to the bartender and he reached for his wallet to pay.

"No, no… it's on the house." The bartender shook his head and waved his hands. "It's the least I can do for a knight in shining armour."

Buck's brow furrowed, questioning, tilting his head to the side slightly in confusion.

"I recognise you," the bartender continued on in explanation. "You're a firefighter, right? You er, you probably don't remember but the last time you were here, you stopped a drunk guy that was harassing us."

A knot formed in Buck's stomach, his chest tightening. How could he forget? He was the reason said drunk guy was now lying in the morgue. Fredrick Galloway. Who probably had a family, people that missed him and cared about him. And now he was gone because he had chosen the wrong night to get drunk and rowdy and because Buck… Buck took a breath, trying to steady himself and push the thoughts away.

"Anyway, thank you… for that," the bartender said, before reaching a hand across the bar. "I'm David, by the way."

Buck took his hand and shook it, offering up a strained smile. "Buck."

"Well, enjoy your night, Buck," David said with a smile, his gaze darting toward another waiting customer.

"Thanks," was all Buck found he could say.

This was not a night he would enjoy. He knew that deep down inside, sure of it as he gripped his glass and took a long drink in an attempt to steady himself.

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It made Bobby uneasy to see how busy the club was. He slipped through the crowd and found Athena standing by a table, and in any other circumstance, the sight of her would have sent him wild. Her outfit, the way she held herself, the power and attitude… but tonight, his mind was far too filled with worry to entertain other thoughts.

"Bobby?" she questioned when she saw him, the confusion quickly turning to admonishment. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I wasn't going to let him be out here alone," Bobby answered, coming to stand beside her and looking out over the crowd toward the bar and taking in Buck.