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Evan Buckley was getting increasingly fed up with the 118. During his basic training and recertification he had some of the highest scores in LAFD history, Bobby would have known this but instead treated him like a probie. Even now Bobby refused to accept that he had been in the wrong to lie and obstruct Buck from returning to duty.
Despite the way Bobby acted there were many within the LAFD who knew the skills that Buck brought to the job. The night Bobby had told Buck that it was in fact him who was stopping Buck return to duty his first thought was to find a lawyer, instead he called one of the instructors from teh Academy who was one of the Union Representatives. Buck was no shrinking violet, however he learnt a few new swear words after he had finished explaining to his friend what had happened and how he was held to a different standard to everyone else. Paul had promised tyoo keep Buck updated but in the meantime not to say anything to anyone.
Two days later Buck was distrubed by a knocking on his door, pausing the movie he was watching he wet to open the door to ind Hen standing on the other side.
“Is everything ok?” Buck asked, “That is so typical of you Buckeroo.” Hen replied as she lent forward and kissed his cheek, “I am here to see how you are doing.” She explained to her friend.
“Oh….wow” Buck replied, “You are the first person from the 118 to actualy ask.” Hen frowned as Buck let her in. Hen was extremely close to Buck as was one of the first at the 118 to actualy get to know her and recognise her for her skills after the bad start at the 118 she had had with the asshole homophic Captain who was in command before Bobby took over.
Buck explained what had happened and how Bobby was the one stopping him from returning. “To be honest with you Buck, I agree with you, dont think I dont know some of the scores you got at the academy, you are not some green probie, whilst I loved the support from your guys when you got me that white coat, but I could have killed that guy, I was lucky to just get a written warning and not get fired, but Bobby should have been the one to have reported me. It was only for the fact the guy contacted Head Quarters to thank me for saving his life that I still have a job. If you need me as a witness count me in.” Hen said emphatialy as Buck hiugged her.
When the Chief had found out what had been going on he was raging and ordered a full investigation by Internal Affairs, it didn't take long for the Investigators to find about the accident with the rebar and also the accident that killed Shannon.
Whilst the investigation was ongoing the 118 had been ordered not to have nay contact with Buck. Eddie had reacted badly to the news believing Buck had told the investigators about Shannon, when in fact it was all in the accident investigation file.
Eddie was a boiling pot of emotions, when Shannon had said that she thought she was pregnant again he thought that he had a second chance to be a better husband than he had been the first time even if it meant putting his feelings for Buck to one side, feelings that had steadily ot stronger over the years to the point that it was common for people think Buck and Eddie were partners and were bringing Christopher up together, especially the teachers at Christopher's School who Eddie never corrected.
As soon as Eddie had shouted the hurtful words at Buck in the Convenience store he regretted it, he could see the hurt in Buck’s eyes.
Several weeks later when the investigation was concluded Bobby kept his job by the skin of his teeth however had a final written warning on his file. Eddie was still consumed with anger, more so at himself, anger that was only mae worse when Christopher asked why Buck didnt come around any more.
After Buck returned to operation duty Hen remained the only friend he had on the 118, he got on ok with the others except Eddie, Chim and Bobby. Through everything rather than support him Maddie had made her views clear that she thought Bobby was only trying to protect him, she didn't even try to ehar Buck’s side of things, Chim followed his dick and simply sided with Maddie. Despite being short on the truck and Bucks experience at heavy rescue Bobby insisted in keeping him behind and giving him all the menial chores.
This had not gone unnoticed by the Captain on B shift who had puled buck to one side whilst Bobby and the rest were out on a shout.
“Buckley, why the hell are you allowing this shit to go on?” Captain Ward demanded, “I am not going to give them the satisfaction.” Buck replied, “Well we have a spot on B shift Perkins is our heavy rescue specialist is transfering out soon as he is moving nearer his parents as his dad is ill, the spot is yours if you want it.” The Captain said.
“Wow thaks Cap will give it some thought and let you know. buck replied finaly getting recognised by someone at the 118 for his skills, even though it wasnt someone from his own shift.
The thought of changing shifts went to the bank of his mind. Buck had timed his leave to allow him a long weekend off for his birthday, prevously he would have spent with Eddie and Christopher, hwoever Eddie had made it clear that he wanted Buck to have nothing to do with his son. So instead Buck was going out with the Firefighters from B shift and Hen, netiher of them mentioning it to the rest of the team, even though they must have know it was Bucks birthday.
It was an enjoyable night out where Buck could forget all be it temporarily the pain of not spending his birthdya with Eddie and Chris.
Buck was just getting changed at the start of his shift in silence as Chim and Eddie were also in the locker room when they were disturbed by a deep voice shouting out, “BUCKLEY” Ken Johnston called out form B Shift, “Next time we go out to celebrate your birthday I am not getting into a competition with you again, I thought my head was going to fall off.” Buck just laughed, not seeing the pained look on the face of Eddie and Chim who had totally forgot that it was Buck’s birthday.
Eddie tentativley turned to Buck. “Buck about your birthday…” He began before being faced with and angry Buck, a look he had never seen before.
Firefighter diaz, my birthday has nothing to do with you.” Buck said angrily. Eddie was taken aback, he had seen Buck angry before when someone had said something about Chris on one of their days out, but that anger had never been aimed at him.
“Why are you callig me Firefighter Diaz?” Eddie asked
“Because Firefighter Diaz, we are nothing more than colleagues on teh same shift even though I am not allowed out on calls, you made it publicly clear that we are not friends so lets keep it professional and the name is uckley, only friends call me Buck.” Buck declared as he pushed pashed a shocked and upset Eddie.
Hearing the raised voice Bobby entered the locker room to see what was going on, “Is there a problem?” He asked. “No Captain Nash.” Buck replied, “Nothing that is work related” Buck said as he walked off.
Edie saw any further hope of repairing his relationship with Buck slipping away and no one was to blame but him.
Ken Johnston wanted to make a point to the hot shots on A shift exactley how much they had fucked up, “Wilson” he said, “You have some skills, have never seen anyone drink the Cap under the table before, you are always welcome next time we go out.” Hen just smirked proudley at Ken, “I will be there is there is anyone else up for a challenge.”
As the rest of teh team except for Hen had made their views known Buck no longer ate with the rest of the team, instead bringing his own food in and spending any down time between calls in the gym.
It was the end of the week before Buck saw Captain Ward again to tell him that he wanted to take him up on the offer, instead of Captain Ward approaching Bobby he went straight to the Battalion Chief. even thought Captain Ward had wanted to tell the Chief exactly what had gone on, he had promised Buck not to.
It was a week later before Captain Ward got office notification of the transfer in the email, he was staying after his shift to clear up some paperwork so there was an overlap with A shift, spotting Buck coming out of the locker room he went down to give him the news. Bobby was too far away to hear what they were talking about, unaware of anything Buck would need to talk to the other Captain about.
“Thanks Cap.” Buck said smiling to his new Captain who had just told him it was his last duty with A shift. “What was that about Buck?” Bobby asked. Buck had had enough of being pushed around, channeling one of his SEAL instructors he stood talk, “Nothing you need to be concerned about Captain Nash” Buck replied. Hearing Buck call Captain Ward Cap, hurt, as that was what Buck always called him.
“It wasn't a question Buckley.” Bobby replied, “I am your Captain.” Buck had been pushed as far as he could go, totally unaware of both A and B shift nearly all listening.
“You may be my Captain for now Captain Nash but that doesn't give you the right to interfere in my private business, I can talk to however I want without having to run it by you. Since I came back on shift I have been treated like a fucking maid by you doing every menial chore you cna think of, there is a reason you have a written warning as you broke the law when you allowed your emotions to effect your duties as a Captain, there is no regulation that states I have to run every conversation by you.”
There was complete silence as Buck tore into Bobby, “I will write you up for Insubordination” Before Bobby could continue Captain Ward called out, “Under what regulation Captain Nash, i heard exactly what Buckley said, my conversation with him i private, however if you had asked I would have explained that you have an email from the Batallion cheif confirming bukley’s permanent transfer to b shift, you ever try that shift again with Buckley or any other firefight I will contact IA myself, I doubt you will survive another Investigaiton.Yu will stay away from Buckley, if you need o talk to him about anything work related you will only do so with me present. Now the rest of you have jobs to do so get to it.” He ordered.
Any last hope Eddie had was lost, “Your leaving… what do I tell Chris?” he asked on the verge of tears.
“You are fucking kidding me” Buck cried out angrilly, “You are such a maniplative asshole, you made youself clear in your temper tantrum that you didnt want me anywhere near Chris even though you knew how much I cared about him, especialy after the fucking sumani. Now you tried to use him to try and guilt me, you really are a piece of shit using him like that, just stay the hell away from me.”
As Buck was officially part of B shift Captain Ward ordered him home as he was in no emotional state to remain on shift.
Meanwhile Hen had found a quiet corner to call Athena as it was clear that Bobby was struggling and if he continued then he would likely lose his job.
The mood on A shift was heavy and sombre as they had began to realise they they had lost the friendship of one of the most kindest people they knew, all Eddie could think about was what to tell Christopher who had asked his dad if Buck had stopped visiting because he didn't love him any more.
After his shit he went to his grandmother's house to pick up Christopher. As soon as his grandmother opened the door she knew that something was wrong, leading Eddie into the kitchen she sat him down, “Edito what is wrong?” she asked.
“I have messed everything up……” He began as tears started to roll down his cheeks as he explained, totally unaware that Christopher was standing in the doorway looking furious, “YOU MADE MY BUCK LEAVE…..” He said crying, “I hate you I wish you were gone instead of mom as you make everyone who loves me leave” he roared before turning and rushing back to his room falling on the bed sobbing into his pillow totally unaware that his father had broken down knowing that he had hurt his precious son.
Isobel looked disappointedly at her grandson, “You need to think how you are going to fix this mess you have caused, words have consequences and now you need to deal with them” as she walked off to comfort Chris.
After comforting Christopher the elder Diaz returned to the kitchen, “Now tell me exactly what has been going on.” She demanded.
“Did anyone bothered to visit that poor boy after the bombing, especialy as he saved Christopher at the pier.” When Eddie didn't reply she raised her eyebrow. “Well….?”
“no I didn't, I was so caught up with my other problems, I didn't bother even though Buck has always been there to support me and Christopher.” Eddie replied. If Christopher hadn't been so settled in LA wit a great school, CArla and all his friends Eddie began to wonder if his parents were right and that Christopher would be better off in El Paso.
That evening Eddie sat alone at home with his Grandmother's words rining in his ear, rather than upset Christopher more who was refusing to talk to his dad it was agreed that Christopher would stay with his great grandmother.
As the weeks progressed Buck settled in well with B Shift surprised at how the experienced firefighters would defer to Buck when it came to the heavy rescues, especially when they learnt of his service in the SEALS and with the rescues they new he had done whilst with the LAFD.
Eddie was not the only member of A shift in turmoil. After Hen’s call Athena had raged at Bobby.
*******FLASHBACK******
Bobby returned him still disturbed by the confrontation at the firehouse, now sure how he was going to tell Athena as he had still not told her about the final warning he had been given.
As soon as Bobby saw Athena’s face he knew that it was too late and that Athena knew something, “Robert Nash, you have some explaining to do.” She said glaring, “So you better start with the truth and do not think about hiding anything.” She said fiercely. Taking a deep breath he told her everything. By the time he had finished she was absolutely raging.
“How dare you lie to me, you led me to believe that it was the department that was stopping Buck returning to duty, you made me a part of this lie, now you have risked everything, you career over what….” Bobby had no answer he could give.
“I can't even look at you right now, that boy, despite everything, was born to be a firefighter, you had no right to interfere the way you did, if you can not separate your emotions from your job you really need to think if its the right job for you. whilst I am at work you should move your things into the spare room.” Athena didn't leave Bobby a chance to respond as she stormed out of the kitchen to go to work.
******END FLASHBACK******
Buck had been surprised to find Athea at his door, expecting her to rage at him because of what had happened to Bobby he was shocked when she wrapped him in a hug because slapping him at the beck of the heard, “Boy why didn't you tell me what was going on at the firehouse so I could knock some sense into those fools.” When he found out about the disagreement between Bobby and Athena he kept apologising until Athena spoke to him in her Sargeant voice, the voice Buck knew not to agrue with.
“Don't you dare apologise for his foolishness. Whilst I love him at my husband he is a damn fool, he should know better that actions have consequences and he needs to face up to his.”
by the time Athena left Buck was a great deal calmer, he had no relationship with his own parents, the fatherly relationship with Bobby was now gone and he desperately didn’t want to lose the only mother figure he had.
He was even more surprised two days later when an angry Isabel Diaz was at the door, as soon as he opened his door he was greeted with her tuttun about how thin he was and that it was a good job she brought some food as she pushed past him.
When Buck asked her why she was there, in her no nonsense tone she replied, “What ever has happened with your relationship with Eddie, you are still the dear sweet boy who risked his life for my precious Christopher and nothing will ever change that.”
“Thank you.” Buck said with a lump in his throat. “Now about Christopher, I have been speaking to Edito about you seeing him. Eddie has agreed that he will stay away away, you can either visit Christopher at my house or CArla or I can bring him here, please do not l that boy suffer because of the breakdown in your relationship.”
“I can realy see him?” Buck asked hopefully, “Yes starting this afternoon, Carla will be dropping him off at my house, now go and get yourself ready and we can leave.”
As soon as Christopher saw Buck he cried out tearfully “BUCKY” as he dropped his crutches and rushed forward in Buck's arms, as soon as he made contact the tears rolling down his cheeks.