Black And Blue-E.Buckley (9-1-1)

ThirtyFive

While I'm doing the best that I can

To live with the broken pieces of me

After getting the phone call from the hospital informing her that Buck was brought in she raced there. She was in such a race she couldn't even remember if she had locked the door on her way out. She drove as fast as she could while still staying within the speed limit. 

Eleanor was rushing toward the doors of the hospital when she heard someone call her name. She turned and found Bobby rushing toward the doors as well. "Bobby? What are you doing here?"

"They called me about Buck."

"They called you too?" Bobby nodded. The pair walked in together, stopping at the desk to check for Buck.

"Eleanor? Bobby?" Buck's voice sounded from the waiting room.

"Are you okay?" Eleanor blurted as she rushed to his side. She held him at arm's length, inspecting him for any injuries.

"The nurse said were injured, that you cut yourself," Bobby also looked over Buck, inspecting for any visible injuries.

"Yeah. I just got some shallow cuts from the broken windshield glass. I told the paramedics I was on blood thinners and they sealed up the wounds."

"But they sent you to the ER?"

"What broken windshield?" Confusion covered Eleanor's face.

"Right, no, they thought I should get checked out. I just finished giving the police my statement. It was crazy. This lady hit this guy two days ago. She must have hit her head pretty bad cause they found a brain bleed. Probably why she was so confused."

"And what about the guy in the windshield?"

"He's in surgery. Docs say he's got a fair chance."

"That's because you jumped in there and saved him. Probably didn't even occur to you to worry about yourself." A faint smile appeared on Eleanor's face as she noticed the look of pride on Bobby's face.

"Yeah, I know, I know. I didn't think just rushed in like I always do. I guess it's like the uniform is my costume. You know, I put it on and suddenly I'm brave and I'm strong. I make a difference. Feels like without it, I'm not much of anything."

"Buck you saved two lives without the uniform. It's not a costume. It's who you are."

"Does this mean that you're ready to let me back for real?" They all shared a small laugh.

"Doesn't matter if I'm ready. You are. It's time for me to get out of your way." Buck's face lit up as he pulled Bobby in for a hug. 

"Hey, I'm kind of hungry," Eleanor and Bobby looked at each other, knowing they were thinking the same thing. Buck is always hungry. "Wanna join us?" Bobby nodded and gave Buck an appreciative smile. Buck walked toward the door, not even paying attention to ensure Eleanor and Bobby were following. 

"Bobby," Eleanor spoke and he turned to look at her. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"I know what you did was a hard decision. And I know the lawsuit was a mess and tough for you all. But thank you for still being here for him, for not giving up on him. He really looks up to you."

"That's what family does." The pair shared another smile before finally following after Buck.

****

"Hold still," Eleanor grabbed Buck's arm and straightened it out for the millionth time. "You are the worst patient."

"Me? Have you met yourself?" Eleanor narrowed her eyes at him. "That just makes you cuter, not intimidating." Buck leaned forward and kissed her forehead as she finished applying the ointment to the cuts on his arm. "So what did you and Maddie do?"

"Looked through some wedding stuff. Gossiped. I asked her to be my maid of honor.."

"What'd she say?"

"She said no, in fact, she's not even coming to the wedding." Now it was Buck's turn to narrow his eyes at her. "She said yes. Also, we have a cake-tasting appointment next week." Eleanor got up to put the ointment away and on her way back to the living room she grabbed the magazines off the table. She set them down on the coffee table in front of Buck, his eyes went wide.

"How many of those do you have?"

"..A few." She grabbed a smaller stack and set it on her lap. She began flipping to the pages that she and Maddie had tabbed. She scooted a little closer to Buck so that he could see as she flipped through the pages. 

"That's pretty," he pointed at one of the centerpiece decorations Maddie had picked.

"That's just one on the list of twelve."

"Twelve?"

"Yeah, we picked out a couple of options and then you and I will go through and finalize."

"And how many things do we have to finalize?"

"Well, there's venue, food, cake decor, cake type, flowers, photographer, music.."

Buck cut her off. "Are you sure we can't elope?" Eleanor shook her head.

"I've dreamed of this since I was little and I lost hope of getting to actually experience it. Now thanks to you, I get to. And I am so excited."

"I'm glad. You deserve the world, Eleanor. And I'm happy to be the one by side experiencing it all with you."

Eleanor leaned over and pressed her lips against his. Buck took the magazines out of her hands and set them on the table. He grabbed her hips, pulling her over onto his lap. Eleanor planted her hands on either side of his head, cradling his head in her hands. Buck gripped her hips, holding her in place on his lap. They reconnected their lips, moving sync as they deepened the kiss.