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

FortySix

If I lay here

If I just lay here

Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Eleanor was on her laptop at the table when Buck walked in the door. She had been searching all morning. Searching for answers to the whole Michael situation. Researching baby stuff, she had no clue what she was doing or what to expect. 

"Uh, is that some kind of riddle? Like 'who watches the watchmen?'" Eleanor couldn't hear who was on the other end. "Nope, pretty chill morning." Buck put his phone on speaker and set it on the table as he emptied the bag. "Wait, why are you calling 9-1-1? Is everything okay?"

Eleanor gave Buck a concerned look, he just shrugged in response. Chim's voice sounded through the phone a moment later. "Your sister said that she loved me."

Buck and Eleanor shared a confused look. "Yeah, wasn't that the whole point in that big date you had last night? You declared your love and declares hers."

"Yeah, I know, okay, but she didn't, all right? At least not last night. Look, she made this big deal saying that she couldn't say those words and then this morning she blurts them out and hangs up on me."

"It's still not quite sounding like an emergency."

"Because I sound insane. She's at the call center. What could happen there, right?"

"Crazy things happen. I mean, hospitals get attacked all the time." Buck looked at Eleanor, his mouth slightly open. 

"Not helping." Eleanor mouthed a sorry and went back to her laptop screen.

"You know what, forget it. I'm just being crazy." The other end went silent as Chim hung up.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking. I hope I didn't freak him out more."

"He's freaking himself out, it doesn't matter what anyone else says." Buck walked over and stood behind Eleanor. He put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing gently. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah.. I don't know. I'm trying not to stress but it's really hard." Eleanor leaned back further into Buck's touch.

He continued rubbing her shoulders. "Anything you wanna talk about?"

Eleanor sighed. "He forged my signature, Buck. We're legally married. I should've known it wouldn't be this easy to escape him." 

"Hey, we'll figure it out."

"And what about the baby? If we're legally married does he have rights? Can he take the baby?"

"Over my dead body. He will never lay a hand on our baby. Or you ever again."

Eleanor sighed again, putting her hands over her face to hide the tears. "I feel like a giant burden."

"Look at me," Buck knelt down beside her chair. Eleanor turned slightly to face Buck. "Listen, you are not a burden, you're never a burden. Not to me. Okay? A burden is something you're forced to carry, I chose you. And I'll choose you over and over. I am not going anywhere."

"Okay," Buck reached up, wiping away a few tears. 

****

Eleanor was in the kitchen baking, attempting to occupy her racing mind. Buck rushed down the stairs. He grabbed his keys and jacket, pulling it on as he walked over to Eleanor. He quickly kissed her cheek before rushing to the door again. "I gotta go, I'll call you."

Eleanor stood still, dumbfounded for a moment. What just happened? She turned back to the counter, grabbed a handful of flour, and threw it on the counter. She grabbed the dough and started to roll it out when her phone rang.

She blindly tapped the answer button and then the speaker. "Hello?"

"Hey, sorry for rushing out like that."

"What's wrong? Is it Chim?"

"Yeah, kind of. And Maddie. Chim thinks something is wrong at the call center."

"So you two are going over there instead of calling Athena..?"

"Well, yeah. I know it sounds crazy but he has a really good theory."

"Just don't get arrested and keep me updated. I hope Maddie is okay."

"Me too, I'll call you later." Sirens sounded in the background.

"Buck.." Before she could say anything else the line went dead. Eleanor took a deep breath and held it for a moment before releasing it. Dealing with a toddler and Buck at the same time was going to be an adventure she thought to herself. Once again she went back to the dough in front of her. Taking out some of the frustration on kneading it.

****

It had been a couple of hours since Eleanor heard from Buck. She decided to text him and check-in. She also texted Chim just in case. A knock on the door startled her, making her jump slightly. She set her phone on the coffee table and went to answer the door. 

"Hello Eleanor," her mother was on the other side.

"Hi? What are you doing here?"

"Is that any way to greet your mother?" Elizabeth pushed past Eleanor, taking a seat at the table. "I-" She started but stopped when Eleanor turned. "You're pregnant?"

Eleanor looked down, cupping her growing bump. "Yeah."

"How long?"

"Like fourteen weeks. I don't mean to sound rude but why are you here?"

"I wanted to tell you that your father is in on this marriage thing with Michael."

"What?"

"Michael and Victoria came to us and asked for help. Your father helped him forge your signature from papers he had at the house."

"Why?" Eleanor shook with anger.

"Your father was.. upset when he found out about your recent life choices. You know he's always loved Michael. And he has always wanted a certain lifestyle for you."

"Well, it's my life and I can make my own decisions. Does he not care that Michael almost killed me?" Eleanor's yell echoed slightly. 

The door opened and closed, followed by Buck's voice. "What's going on?" He stood beside Eleanor.

"I'm sorry, there was nothing I could do."

"Bullshit!" Buck looked between the two as Elizabeth talked so calmly and Eleanor yelled.

"Eleanor, I really-"

"No, get out."

"Eleanor," her mother tried again.

"Get out of my house!" 

Elizabeth sighed. On her way to the door, she stopped beside Eleanor. "Watch your back. Protect that baby. I am so sorry," she whispered before leaving. Once Eleanor heard the door close she lost it. 

Buck quickly grabbed her, holding her up so that she didn't fall to the floor. Eleanor gripped his shirt tightly as she sobbed into his shoulder. Buck held her as she cried, rubbing her back gently. After a few moments when she had calmed down a little, he finally asked. "What happened? Why was she here?"

"My father was in on the whole thing with Michael. My mother told him everything. She told him about you and where I was and that we were getting married." 

"What did she whisper to you?"

"She said to watch my back and protect the baby. Buck, he's gonna try and take our baby." Eleanor sobbed again. Buck held her in his arms, letting her cry it out for as long as she needed.