after season seven

Chapter 24: Buck

Talking to TK after everything that happened tonight is exactly what I needed. My mind is still processing the revelation that I have been in love with Eddie all these years but it's a lot easier to take in now.

TK is telling me more about his husband, Carlos, when we hear the distinct sound of a car accident not far in the distance.

Both of us immediately stand and rush out of the bar without thinking. We are firefighters after all.

At the end of the street, there looks to be a two car collision at the intersection. TK and I take off running as I pull out my phone and dial 9-1-1.

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

"Maddie?"

"Buck? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but there was a car accident down the street from me just now." I pant.

I give Maddie the location of the crash and hang up right as we make it to the cars.

That's when I realized I know one of the cars. My heart sinks to the bottom of my stomach.

"EDDIE!" I yell as I rush over to the driver's window and see his unconscious body and blood dripping down his face.

I continue to yell his name and pound on the window without thinking when I feel arms grab me from behind and pull me away.

"Buck, calm down. We're gonna get him out of there." TK firmly says in my ear.

All of the power leaves my body as I sink down to the floor. Tears stream down my face as I watch TK attempt to open every car door but they're all stuck. He runs over to the other car to check on the driver. Once he's determined that the other man is okay, he starts looking around for something to break the car window with.

Seconds later, firefighters arrive and quickly get to work on prying Eddie's door open. Once they do, I get up to go see Eddie when TK holds me back.

"I have to see him!" I yell.

"How do you know this man?" One of the firefighters on the scene asks.

"H- he's my best friend. We're both firefighters from the 118. I can help."

"Okay. Give my team a moment to tend to his injuries and then you can ride in the ambulance with him and our paramedic."

I stand off to the side with TK as we watch them perform all of the procedures on Eddie. The second I see his eyes open, I try to run back towards him when TK grabs my arm again, forcing me to stay put.

After what feels like hours, they load Eddie up on a gurney and roll him towards the ambulance. I run over towards him so I can see that he's okay with my own eyes.

"Eddie." I whisper as he's loaded into the ambulance and I look back at TK and wave goodbye before climbing up after him. He's slipping in and out of consciousness when he finally turns his head towards me.

"Buck. You came."

"Of course I did." I grab his hand.

Eddie glances down at our two hands connected and I see the slightest smile fall across his lips before his eyes close again.

"Is he going to be okay?" I worriedly ask the paramedic.

"He'll need to have some scans done to make sure but it looks like he's going to be just fine.

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"Buck, what happened?" Chim asks as he and the rest of the 118 arrive in the hospital waiting room that I have been in for the past hour.

I called them once we made it to the hospital and I also thought about calling Christopher but I remembered Eddie telling me he was at a sleepover and I didn't want to ruin his night.

"Eddie got into a car accident."

"Yeah, but why were you there?" Bobby asks.

"I didn't know it was him. The accident happened outside the bar I was at and I went out to check and-" my voice breaks off.

Hen sits down beside me and rubs my shoulder. "Is there any news yet?"

"No."

We all sit around in silence, restless, waiting for word that Eddie is okay when a doctor finally shows up.

"Are you all here for Edmundo Diaz?"

We all respond "Yes." in unison.

"Well, I have good news for you all tonight. We had to perform a minor surgery but it all went very well. There are still some results we are waiting to get back but it's nothing life threatening. Sadly, visiting hours are over so only relatives can see him at this time."

I let out a deep breath as I feel the anxiety leave my body. "Is he awake now?"

"He's been slipping in and out of consciousness since the surgery but it's been a while since he last did so we are assuming he's asleep for the night. He should be awake in the morning once his body gets more energy. You are welcome to stay here for a few hours but we don't allow visitors to stay overnight."

"Of course. We'll be on our way in a bit." Bobby replies.

"Come on, Buck. I'll drive you home." Chim tells me.
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I toss and turn all night before settling down and only end up getting about 3 hours asleep. Regardless, I have no trouble getting out of bed and rushing out of my apartment down to my car.

Every fiber of my being wants to go straight to the hospital to see Eddie but logically, I need to go get Christopher from his friend's house. I have no clue where the house is so I call him.

"Buck?"

"Hey, kid! I'm picking you up this morning so can you get the address of the house you're at?" It physically pains me to fake enthusiasm but I don't want him to worry any more that he will soon.

"Yeah, but where's Dad?"

"It's a long story but I'll let you know in the car."

Chris gives me the address and we say our goodbyes before I drive over to get him. I drive as quickly as I can without breaking any laws and before I know it, I'm at the house.

As I walk up to the house, the door swings open and Chris is there.

I help him make his way out of the house and glance back to see if his friend's parents are around but I can't see anyone from where I'm standing.

"Do they know you're leaving?" I ask him.

"Yeah, I already said bye."

I look down at him and fake a smile as we walk the rest of the way back to my car. Once Chris is settles inside, the questions start.

"What happened to Dad?" He asks softly.

"He's okay." I assure him. "He was just in an accident. I'm taking you to see him now."

"He's in the hospital?"

"Yeah."

Chris has a dejected look on his face and he sits back and stares out the window. I drive more carefully with him in the car and we finally make it to the hospital, where I can finally see Eddie again.