Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 101

Scene: At the Station

As Buck and Eddie stepped through the familiar doors of Station 118, the distinct, comforting scent of coffee, engine oil, and the faint trace of smoke instantly filled their senses. The hum of everyday activity surrounded them—the clank of gear, the distant whirring of tools—but before they could take more than a few steps, a chorus of voices erupted around them, catching both men off guard.

Firehouse Crew: “Welcome back!”

The surprise greeting echoed throughout the common room, and Buck and Eddie froze, their eyes widening as they took in the scene before them. The room was festively adorned with colorful streamers, balloons bobbing along the ceiling, and a massive banner stretched across the back wall, proudly displaying the words “Welcome Back, Buck and Eddie!”

The long table in the middle of the room was piled high with an array of food—pastries, donuts, homemade muffins, and, of course, a fresh pot of coffee brewing at the end of the spread. The entire crew was gathered around the table, their faces lit up with excitement. Chimney stood with his arms crossed, a wide grin on his face, while Hen waved them over enthusiastically. Even Ravi, typically quieter and more reserved, had a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he stood at the edge of the crowd.

Chimney (grinning): “What? You thought we’d just let you sneak back in like nothing happened? Not a chance. We’ve been planning this for days.”

Buck, visibly touched, exchanged a look with Eddie, whose grin mirrored his own. The nervous energy that had been buzzing in his chest since they left home seemed to dissipate, replaced with a rush of gratitude. These people were more than just his colleagues—they were his family.

Buck (laughing): “I should’ve known you’d be up to something. You guys never disappoint.”

Eddie nodded in agreement, still chuckling as he looked around at the room filled with love and camaraderie.

Eddie (teasing): “Honestly, I expected nothing less. It feels good to be back.”

Hen stepped forward first, a warm smile on her face as she pulled Buck and Eddie into a tight hug.

Hen: “We missed you both so much. The place just isn’t the same without you.”

Buck (smiling): “We missed you too, Hen. All of you.”

As they embraced, Chimney moved in for his turn, throwing his arms around both men with dramatic flair.

Chimney (mocking): “Yeah, yeah, enough of the mushy stuff. Get ready to work. I need a break from all the real rescuing I’ve been doing while you two were slacking off.”

Buck chuckled, playfully shoving Chimney away.

Buck (smirking): “Real rescuing, huh? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Ravi, standing nearby, chimed in nervously but with a smile.

Ravi: “Honestly, we’re all glad to have you back. It’s been... well, let’s just say it’ll be nice to not be the new guy anymore.”

Everyone laughed, lightheartedly teasing Ravi about his eagerness to have some of the pressure taken off. The warmth in the room was palpable, a shared sense of relief and joy now that their team felt whole again.

The next few minutes were filled with more hugs, high-fives, and the kind of easy banter that made the firehouse feel like home. They traded stories of the last few months—Eddie talking about Christopher's school adventures, Hen and Chimney recounting some of the more bizarre calls they'd been on, and Ravi trying to recall every mistake he’d made with a sheepish grin. It was as if no time had passed at all, the camaraderie instantly pulling Buck and Eddie back into the fold.

Hen (grinning): “So, did you two enjoy the break, or were you just itching to get back?”

Eddie raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the table with a smirk.

Eddie: “A little bit of both, I think. Well not exactly, the first part of the break, when Buck wasn't fine was awful, but since he came back home, we had great times. And it’s nice to have time with Christopher, but... it’s weird being away from here. You start to miss the chaos.”

Buck nodded in agreement, adding in his usual humor.

Buck: “Plus, Chimney here needed some rescuing from his own jokes.”

Chimney groaned dramatically, throwing a hand over his heart.

Chimney (mock-offended): “You wound me, Buck. You wound me deeply.”

The room erupted into laughter again, the lighthearted atmosphere making it easy to forget the gravity of why they had been gone in the first place. For a few more minutes, they enjoyed the food, catching up and teasing each other like no time had passed at all.

Amidst the laughter, Bobby entered the room with his signature calm, fatherly demeanor. He didn’t have to say much—just his presence alone commanded attention. His eyes softened as he looked at Buck and Eddie, pride evident in the way he regarded them. He approached quietly, pulling them both into a quick embrace.

Bobby (gruff but warm): “It’s good to have you back. We’ve missed you both.”

Buck smiled, nodding.

Buck: “It’s good to be back, Cap. Really.”

As Bobby looked at them, there was a moment of silence, unspoken understanding passing between them. He knew what it had taken for both men to walk back into the firehouse, to face the memories of what had happened. And he was proud of them.

Bobby (teasing, breaking the moment): “Now, don’t think just because we threw a party, you’re getting out of paperwork.”

Eddie chuckled, shaking his head.

Eddie: “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

As the crew continued to chat and joke, Bobby stepped back to give them space, watching his team interact with a satisfied smile. It was good to see them all together again, their spirits high, the firehouse buzzing with life once more.

Chimney, still standing close to Buck, took a bite of a donut before nudging him with his elbow.

Chimney (mischievous): “So, you’re really back, huh? You sure you’re ready for this? No more days off pretending to be a couch potato?”

Buck rolled his eyes, playfully shoving him in return.

Buck (laughing): “Oh, I’m ready. I just hope you’re ready to keep up.”

Hen (smirking): “I’m sure Chim’s got plenty of stories to catch you up on.”

As the lighthearted banter continued, the crew gradually began to disperse. Ravi and Chimney returned to tinkering with the equipment, Hen took a call from Karen, and the normal rhythms of the station started to settle in. But the warmth of the welcome still lingered, the reminder that Buck and Eddie were finally back home, where they belonged.

Eventually, Bobby glanced at the clock and gave a small nod to Buck and Eddie.

Bobby: “Alright, let’s get the paperwork out of the way so you’re both officially back on the roster.”

With a final nod to the others, Buck and Eddie followed Bobby toward his office, ready to handle the next step in their return. But the feeling of the celebration, the joy and the love from their firehouse family, remained with them as they walked. It was a perfect reminder that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they wouldn’t be facing them alone.