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

Chapter 8

TRIGGER WARNING: NEEDLES/DRUGS

Notes: Am I posting this at 3AM in the morning when I have to be up in 2 hours for work? Yes, yes, I am. Am I going to regret the lack of sleep? Probably. Do I really care? Naaaaah... It's totally worth it.

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Chapter 8

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"I thought you were taking him home?" Bobby's raised eyebrow and thinned lips echoed the disapproval in his words, his gaze landing on Chimney.

"Funny thing," Chimney started, shuffling from foot to foot and clearing his throat. "I started to and then, I guess we somehow took a wrong turn?"

"A wrong turn through the wrong door?" Athena shook her head, sliding her gun away and clipping it back into place. "Do you two have any idea what you've just done? All this evidence could be thrown out for tampering when this all goes to trial."

"You're acting like I plan on giving this guy the chance to go to trial," Eddie answered, voice as hollow as his glare and jaw tight.

"I will pretend," Athena said, slow and steady, closing her eyes briefly, "that I did not just hear you say that."

"Eddie, we have to let the cops handle this." Bobby tilted his head, his tone pleading, but really, Eddie wasn't in the mood.

"Oh really?" Eddie took a step forward, pointing at Bobby. "Kind of like how you are?" But before Bobby could say anything to defend himself, Eddie continued on. "It's Buck, Bobby. You really think I can just sit back and wait for someone else to find him. Look at this place. We already know what this guy is capable of, and he has Buck."

"I hate to say it," Chimney said, taking a step forward and passing one of the photos in his hands over to Bobby, "but Eddie's right. Buck isn't the only person this guy has been watching, but he's the one he really wants."

"What is this?" Bobby asked, frowning at the photo.

"Look familiar?" Chimney raised an eyebrow before answering his own question. "That's our OD guy from the club. We just assumed he did it to himself, but what if he didn't?"

"What are you saying?"

"The locked door? The missing key? If it had taken us any longer to get to him, he could be dead right now. What if he found out this Carter guy had been watching him? What if he did something he didn't like?"

Bobby was quiet, withdrawn almost, as he looked down at the photograph, and for the longest moment, Eddie thought he would relent. He allowed himself to hope that Bobby would let them tag along, let them help find Buck.

"You're right," Bobby said finally, straightening up and putting the photo down. "We do know exactly what this guy is capable of, which is why I can't let you get involved in this-"

"I'm already involved!" Eddie glowered at him.

"You could get hurt, and not just some minor cuts and bruises. Do you think Buck would ever forgive me if I let anything happen to you? Do you think he'd forgive himself?"

"He doesn't exactly get a say in this right now." Eddie took a breath, steadying himself. "Bobby, please…"

But Bobby shook his head and took a step to the side, creating an opening for Eddie and Chimney to pass through. "Chim, please… take him home, and try not to take anymore wrong turns this time."

Chimney looked between Bobby and Eddie before sighing and nodding his head. He placed a gentle hand on Eddie's arm, guiding him toward the doorway. "Sure thing, Cap."