Where the Wild Red Roses Grow [Evan Buckley]

Chapter Thriteen: Identified

Emma felt as though she was floating the next morning when she got into work. Her mind was on one thing and one thing alone: Evan Buckley. Their date was nothing short of magical. Emma still tasted Buck on her lips when she stepped off the elevator to a mostly dead emergency room.

She made her way to her small desk, setting up her computer. Austin was on their other side of her, engrossed in whatever he was working on.

"Good morning to you too." Emma said, firing up her laptop.

Austin raised his brow at her, running a hand over his soft buzz hair.

"Why are you so obsessed with me?" He asked.

Emma laughed, pulling out her phone. "You usually have some snarky comment."

Austin shrugged, going back to his laptop. "What can I say? The chase is over, you bore me to teras now."

Emma chuckled, looking at her messages. She had one from Buck.

Are you still thinking about last night too?

Emma blushed slightly at his words. It was like he could read her mind.

Yes, it was wonderful.

She replied, hitting send.

Emma pulled up Eddie's labs from yesterday. Everything was looking very well for him.

"I'm going to go see Mr.Diaz." Emma said, standing. Her blonde hair falling in her eyes.

"I won't miss you at all." Austin said sarcastically.

Emma rolled her eyes, walking to Eddie's room. When she got there, he was watching TV. He turned to face his door, a wide smile spreading across his face.

"Hey doc." He said, "What's up?"

Emma smiled, checking his vitals.

"Just good news." She said, meeting Eddie's gaze. "You can be discharged on Friday."

"That's great news!"

"I thought you would be happy."

Eddie smiled, "I will have to tell everyone when they stop by."

"Take care, Eddie." Emma said, turning on her heels.

"Wait." Eddie said.

Emma turned back to face him. "Is something wrong?"

"Just, thank you Emma. For everything you have done for me."

Emma smiled, "You are welcome."

"Also, thank you for breathing life back into Buck."

Emma blushed gently. "Eddie, I would appreciate it if you could keep that on the down low around here."

Eddie nodded, putting his finger to his lips. This caused Emma to chuckle and make her way back to her desk. She charted her visit with Eddie. She just finished typing when she heard her name from behind her.

Emma jumped in her chair, quickly turning to see Buck. He was dressed in his uniform, a smile on his handsome face.

"Buck." She breathed, standing up. "What are you doing here?"

"This guy bothering you?" Austin asked, coming back to his desk.

"No, Austin. This is Eddie's friend Evan. Evan Buckley, this is Austin Hill. The bane of my existence."

Austin extended a hand and Buck shook it. "We've met before." Austin said, sitting back at his computer.

"Can we talk?" Buck asked.

Emma nodded, "I will be back Austin."

Emma followed Buck outside the hospital. He looked rigid and his energy was off. Once they were in a quiet enough place, Buck turned to face her.

"What's wrong, Buck?" Emma asked.

Buck took her hand, kissing the back of it.

"Emma, they have identified the man who attacked you."

Emma's mouth went dry. "What?" She asked.

Buck nodded, "They know who he is, Emma."

Emma swallowed; this was news she had waited years for. However, it was bittersweet. If they identified him, that meant court and a trial.

"Emma?" Buck asked.

"I'm sorry." She said, "I just am feeling overwhelmed."

Buck tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I wanted to wait until you were off because I knew it would be a lot. But I couldn't keep this from you either."

Emma pulled Buck into a hug. Something about being in his embrace made Emma feel like home. She nuzzled her nose in his neck, soaking in the smell of his cologne.

"Who is it?" Emma asked, whispering in his ear.

"His name is Toby Allen White."

Emma pulled away, looking at him puzzled.

"I've never heard that name in my life."

Buck nodded, "I know, her has been flying under the radar for years. Lynch told Athena they had plans to raid his house this afternoon. His address is still in Kentucky."

"How did he send me flowers and pay cash?"

"I don't know." Buck admitted. "But, Emma, I promise you I will keep you safe from him."

Emma nodded, "I know you will."

Buck rubbed her cheek with his thumb.

"Are you going to be OK to finish out the day?"

Emma nodded, "I think so."

Buck leaned in for a kiss, but Emma pulled back.

"What?" He asked.

"Just not here, in front of the hospital."

Buck chuckled and nodded. "Message me when you get off tonight and if I hear anything, I will call you first thing."

Emma nodded, "Thank you, Buck."

Buck walked her back to the front door and watched as she entered. Making her way back to her desk, Emma's mind was everywhere. She was very happy the monster had been identified. However, being identified and being caught are two different things.

Austin was smiling when she made it back to her desk.

"What?" She demanded.

"Emma and Evan sitting in a tree," he teased.

Emma threw a pen and hit him in the shoulder, causing Austin to laugh.

"I'm just teasing." Austin said, "But, Evan Buckely is the luckiest son of a bitch this side of Nevada."

Emma smiled. "That's nice of you to say, Austin."

"You are a special girl, Emma. I hope he realizes that and treats you like a gem."

Emma nodded, "He really does."

Emma sat down and started her paperwork, filling her mind with work so she did not have to think about her future.

--

I owe you ALL a formal apology. I am so sorry it has been so long since my last update. However, I am a working grad student so my life is a bit hectic. I appreciate the patience and just know I will be updating all my stories hopefully this week. I have not forgotten you.

-k