Underneath the Armor

Stepping Into the Unknown

The next few days at the station were a blur of calls and work, but something felt different. The way Buck and Eddie interacted with her, the way they subtly made space for her, it was as though a new layer had been added to their relationship. They weren't just colleagues anymore. They were something more—something that neither she nor they could fully define, but it was there, hanging in the air like the calm before a storm.

She caught herself stealing glances at them when they weren't looking, trying to make sense of what was happening between them. There was still so much she hadn't shared. So many things that weighed on her heart, things she wasn't sure she was ready to bring to light. But the way they had been there for her—just being present, not pushing her for more than she could give—it was enough to make her wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was a place for her in their lives.

And yet, despite the quiet moments they shared and the unspoken bond between them, she still carried the weight of her responsibilities. Her mother's health was deteriorating, and her children needed her more than ever. The thought of possibly opening herself up to something with either Buck or Eddie was complicated, to say the least.

But when the station received a call later that week, everything seemed to shift.

The alarm sounded, jolting them all into action. The urgency of the situation was clear from the moment they heard the details—an industrial accident at a local warehouse, multiple casualties. The team moved swiftly, their movements choreographed by years of experience. She, Buck, and Eddie were together again, a unit that had fallen into sync with each other despite the chaos around them.

The scene was a disaster. The warehouse had collapsed in part, trapping several people under the wreckage. Firefighters were already working to stabilize the area, but it was clear that it would take everything they had to get everyone out safely.

The trio moved quickly through the wreckage, coordinating with the rest of the team as they tended to the injured. There was so much to do, so much to handle at once. It was exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but there was something about the way they worked together that made her feel like they could handle anything.

She and Eddie worked on one of the trapped victims, their faces grim as they assessed the damage. The tight space between them was a constant reminder of their unspoken connection, but neither of them said anything. They didn't need to. Not right now.

"We need to get this beam off of him," Eddie said, his voice steady despite the tension in his movements.

"On it," she replied, her heart pounding in her chest. She positioned herself carefully, wincing as she moved the wreckage with Eddie by her side. Their hands brushed together several times as they worked, the physical contact so brief but charged with meaning.

Her focus snapped back to the patient as he groaned in pain, but Eddie's hand was there again, steadying her as she moved to assess the situation further.

"You okay?" Eddie's voice was low, but there was an edge of concern to it that made her heart twist in her chest.

"Yeah," she said, offering a tight smile. "Just a little more to do."

They managed to free the victim, and as they carefully loaded him into the ambulance, she found herself standing next to Eddie, their shoulders just barely touching. Her heart was racing, and she had to take a deep breath to steady herself. She wasn't sure if it was the adrenaline of the situation or the fact that they were so close, but she felt everything. Every glance, every touch. The pull between them was magnetic, undeniable.

Buck appeared beside them then, a slight grin on his face despite the chaos. "You two look like you're about to kiss," he said, his tone light but with a teasing edge.

She rolled her eyes, but her stomach fluttered at the thought. "Not now, Buck," she said, trying to brush off the comment.

But Buck wasn't done. He moved closer, his voice dropping lower. "I'm serious," he said, his eyes scanning her face. "You both have this... tension. It's hard to ignore."

She froze, unsure how to respond. She could feel Eddie's gaze on her too, but this time, it wasn't just concern—it was something else. Something she didn't have the words for.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing," Buck continued, still looking between them, his grin widening. "It's just... obvious. You two have something, and it's hard to miss."

Eddie shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable with Buck's probing. "We're just doing our job, Buck," he said, though there was a slight tightness in his voice. He glanced at her, a flicker of something in his eyes. "But we should focus on the task at hand."

She nodded quickly, desperate to change the subject. "Yeah, we've got work to do."

Buck smirked, clearly sensing the shift, but didn't push further. "Alright, alright. But just so you know, I'm here for whatever happens next. Just sayin'."

The rest of the shift passed in a blur. The team worked seamlessly, but every time she caught a glimpse of Buck or Eddie, the weight of their presence lingered in the back of her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was slowly shifting between them, but what it was—what it meant—was still unclear.

Later that evening, after the adrenaline of the day had worn off, the team gathered upstairs, talking and eating dinner. The familiar rhythm of their routine made her feel slightly at ease, but the tension between her and the two men was hard to ignore. Every time she laughed, she felt Buck's eyes on her. Every time Eddie spoke, she felt the warmth of his presence beside her.

It was Buck who broke the silence first, his voice light but his eyes serious. "So, I've been thinking," he started, glancing at Eddie before turning back to her. "We've been through a lot together, right? As a team. But we don't really talk about anything. Not really. I mean, we're always saving lives and running around, but when do we actually... just be?"

Eddie looked at him, an eyebrow raised, but he didn't interrupt.

She shrugged, feeling a little unsure of where this conversation was going. "We're here to do our jobs, Buck."

Buck leaned forward, his gaze locking with hers. "Yeah, but it's more than that. We've all been through our own stuff. And maybe it's time to stop pretending everything's fine. It's okay to talk about what's going on in here." He tapped his chest. "And, you know, maybe... it's okay to feel something."

Eddie's expression softened, and for a brief moment, she saw something in his eyes that made her heart race. He wasn't just talking about work anymore.

She opened her mouth to respond, but Buck interrupted before she could say anything. "We don't have to figure it all out right now," he said quickly, sensing her hesitation. "But just know that, no matter what, we're here. You're not alone."

Her breath hitched in her throat, and for the first time in a long time, she felt something shift in her chest. Not just because of what they said, but because she felt it in her bones. She wasn't alone anymore. And that was everything.

"Thanks," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Eddie reached over, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "We've got your back," he said softly.

And for the first time, she allowed herself to believe them.