Brave Enough

Eleven

"Crazy in love with you," Buck says to James. Her heart rate starts to pick. "Don't say it back James. I just needed to get it off my chest. You are the one I love and I needed you to know," Maddie gasps and James's jaw drops.

"Buck? You love me? How could you love someone like me? I'm damaged goods raising a four year old," James says.

"Because you're amazing. You're smart. You took in a three year old when you could have just said no and left her to the dirt. You have an amazing heart. And honestly baby I'm in love with Cleo. She's stolen a piece of my heart. I love the package deal I've received," Buck says. "How could I not love you?"

Maddie smiles. "God my baby brother is seriously so grown up. He's right though James you and Cleo are family. Everyone loves you. You've made Buck a better man. You may not realize it but you really have. I couldn't more proud of the man he's become. You're good for him."

"You've changed me too Evan. I was always scared and untrusting after Colin. But with you I feel safe. I'm not as afraid and I for the first time actually feel loved and appreciated. With Colin I felt used and disgusting, like nothing I did was right, but I never knew how to leave." James motions for him to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I just want you to know I couldn't... wouldn't change a thing even if I wanted to. We're going to be a family one day. You are mine baby girl. Just remember that," he says kissing James. "We're going to find that asshole and we're going to end everything...." Buck pauses realizing his mistake. James's eyes go wide and Maddie looks at him with questions in her eyes.

"What do you mean everything?" James asks. Buck's eyes go wide. He pulls his phone out.

Buck: I fucked up. Like really bad.
Marcus: What did you do?
Buck: she knows about the serial murders.
Marcus: fuck. Okay just don't tell her everything.
Buck: I'll try but you know James.

     "So there may or may not be a serial killer in Gainesville. That may or may not seem eerily similar to how you got that scar. Don't panic though it's contained and they aren't telling civilians yet," Buck says. He scratches the back of his neck. "I'm sorry please don't worry. I didn't want to worry you. Then I accidentally slipped."

     James is concerned now because she knows Buck would never stress her out intentionally which means this is stressing him out. "Evan?" She says softly but it comes out as a question. "Baby who told you this?" He shifts his eyes so he's not looking at her.

    "Evan Buckley. You better answer her. Right now," Maddie says.

     "Yeah Buckley. I'd like to know the answer to that question as well. I'd also like to know why I was not alerted to this. One of my babies is in the hospital, another is staying with a stranger, and my other two want to know when they're coming home. So do tell me Buck why were you with holding information from me?" The voice of absolute control and demand shocks everyone in the room. All three heads turn to find Athena standing arms crossed and serious.

"Uh. Um. Well Marcus had to rush back down to Florida under emergency circumstances. He called soon after with the news. He didn't want Aless knowing so I was sworn to secrecy. I was going to tell you Athena. I swear I was. The timing was just wrong. And I was so angry. I still am," Buck says.

••••

"So you're telling me they're keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn't make a move?" Buck nods. "Crap this is going to be messy. Okay well now we'll keep Aless in the loop and not tell Marcus. We can start our own investigation and Aless will be able to untangle some parts. He's going down."

Marcus: how's Aless? Is she okay? Cleo?
Buck: the girls are fine and safe. Anymore details?
Marcus: another body was found. Further west than the rest of the bodies. He's traveling now. Yesterday was his day off.
Buck: shit. Okay. Keep me posted. Athena wants details. Adding her into a group.
Athena: why the hell did you not tell me?
Marcus: sorry. It's all been really crazy Thena.

"Okay. You go back to work. I'm going home to start an investigation room. I'm telling the rest of our people. I'm also bringing in the big guns," Athena says.

"Jerome? He's crazy."

"But effective. He's also a genius and we need a hacker and surveillance. He can leave and completely bug the house and all electronics and be back in no time," Buck nods. As weird as Jerome seems he was a great asset and he's always up for a challenge.

"Fine but I think we should bring in Talia. She works well with Aless and is great with investigations. She also loves doing stuff we wouldn't normally be able to do," Buck brings up a second tech analyst means double the work done the same amount of time.

"Deal. We'll tell Aless when she gets discharged."