Evan Buckley

Chapter 10: Shannon

Today marked Maddie's first day back at work, and Buck couldn't shake the nerves that fluttered in his stomach. He had seen her resilience through tough times, and deep down, he believed she was more than capable of handling the pressures of the job. Still, the thought of her back on the line stirred a mix of pride and anxiety in him. As for Chimney, he was supposed to be on bed rest, a concept that Buck found hard to reconcile with his friend's personality. Chimney had never been one to stay put for long, and Buck knew that the moment he got home, he'd likely find ways to sidestep the doctor's orders. The idea of Chimney taking it easy was almost laughable; Buck could picture him bouncing back to life, itching to jump into action despite the restrictions. It was just like him to be restless, even in recovery. Buck couldn't help but chuckle at the thought, knowing that the station would feel a bit more complete when Chimney was back, even if it meant more chaos.

Buck returned to the station, the days having been uneventful so far. It was just a string of routine calls: a few minor fires that barely sparked any excitement, a couple of fender benders that left no serious injuries, and the bizarre incident with a kid who somehow managed to wedge his head between two fence posts. That last one lingered in Buck's mind, making him reflect on parenthood and the chaos it could bring.

Buck was thrilled to be back at the firehouse. After spending weeks taking care of Maddie during her recovery, he felt a restless energy coursing through him. He loved being there for her, but nothing compared to the exhilaration of saving lives and diving into the heart of the action. Today was supposed to mark a return to that adrenaline-fueled purpose he craved.

However, the day quickly spiraled into chaos. A statewide power outage had sent everything into disarray. At first, it seemed manageable, just a series of minor car accidents as drivers grappled with traffic lights that weren't functioning. But as the hours ticked by, the situation grew increasingly complicated. Dispatch struggled to keep up, sending multiple trucks to the same locations by mistake and misdirecting resources all over LA.

Then came the call that shattered the rhythm of the day. A woman had gone into labor in the lobby of a hotel, but somehow, the 118 was dispatched to the wrong address. Buck's heart raced as they sped to the scene, adrenaline spiking with every turn. When they finally arrived, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The woman was in dire straits, her face pale and drenched in sweat, the urgency of her situation clear.

As they sprang into action, they quickly assessed her condition. The panic in the room was palpable, the clock ticking down as they worked frantically to stabilize her. But just as they prepared to move her to the ambulance, she went into cardiac arrest. Buck's heart sank. He had trained for moments like this, but nothing could prepare him for the weight of the situation every-time.

Hen immediately began CPR, pushing down with all her strength, willing her heart to start beating again. Each compress felt like an eternity as she fought against despair. Nearby, the woman's husband held their newborn baby, tears streaming down his face, the little one swaddled tightly in a blanket. Buck could hear the man's anguished cries, pleading for his wife not to leave them, expressing his fear and helplessness over how he would raise their child alone.

In that moment, Buck remembered the power of connection. He urged the father to lay the baby on the mother's chest, hoping that the physical contact might trigger something deep within her. As soon as the baby was placed against her, Buck felt a shift in the air—like a flicker of hope. It was as if the mother's body recognized the life she had brought into the world. For a brief moment, her heart seemed to respond, pumping as if it were fighting back against the darkness.

"That was amazing," Eddie breathed, exhaustion etched into her features as they worked.

"No, that was a miracle," Buck replied, disbelief coloring his voice. It felt surreal, the line between life and death blurring in front of him.