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Buck was never one to believe in the soul marks, they say that when you get your mark you just instantly find them. Buck growing up he found out that his parents didn’t have soul marks they didn’t believe in them. They found that they loved one another no mark needed, and no one could tear them apart. He and Maddie had talked over the years up until she left to be with Doug, she had fallen in love with him without a soul mark. Then he thought that since his parents weren’t soulmates that he and Maddie were meant to never find one.
After having Maddie leave him with their parents who were cold and distant to him. They left him alone all the time, never taking him places, and once in high school no matter how good he was it was never enough. So as soon as he turned 18 and graduated high school, he packed up his things and left home without telling them. It was one adventure after another doing odd jobs along the way, he worked on a ranch, in construction, as a bartender, as well as a Seal for six years. But never gaining his soul mark, it began to make him think that maybe there wasn’t someone out there for him.
Landing in LA when he was twenty-seven when he left the Seal’s entering the reserves, he saw the ads for the LA fire department he was game to give that a try. Knowing that his seal training would help him with the physical part of the training, but he still was going to do what he does best and that’s save people. The next six weeks were going to be so easy for him as he passed every test that the training program through at him, and every written exam he passed. Graduating at the top of his class he was happy with his self he was given a choice of two different houses.
Walking into the station on his first day he was in his glory that this was finally happening to him that he was a firefighter, he just had to get through his probationary period. Meeting the people, he was going to work with was fun and exciting, Capitan Nash was a decent man, then there was Henrietta Wilson the paramedic she was funny but liked to be called Hen, then there was Howard Han who was called Chimney. The rest of the crew was amazing took him in showed him what it was like to have friends as they slowly became a family.
Of course, right after he was a full-fledged firefighter, he started to party a little too much, trying to go out every night still after all these years trying to find his soul mark. He was going through a phase where he was sleeping around trying to find the one who he was meant to be with. Until he lost his job because he stole the fire truck for a hook up. But was given a second chance promising to leave that behind and just let things happen. Then he meant Abby and he felt like he didn’t need a soul mate when he was so in love with her, until her mother passed away and she needed to leave LA and find herself.
Rolling out of bed he stretched and headed to the shower he had a shift starting in about two hours. Letting the hot water wake him up getting him ready to start the day, just as he started to pull his shirt on, he noticed something on the back of his left shoulder. Looking into the mirror he noticed a set of dog tags with the Army medic logo on them. A smile crossed his face as he thought that maybe he wasn’t cursed as he thought he was like his sister and parents that there was someone out there for him.
Walking into the station he was greeted by Bobby, Hen and Chim standing there at the trucks talking. Having found his soul mark, he had an extra pep in his step as he got ready for the day.
“Good morning, all, how are you this fine day?” Buck asked
“Um, you ok their kid you are awful happy?” Bobby said
“Let me guess you got lucky last night?” Chim asked
“No, I haven’t done that since Abby left, but after this morning I know that she wasn’t it for me.” Buck said
“You finally got your mark?” Hen asked as Buck smiled, she was the only one who knew that he still didn’t have his mark.
“Wait you mean you haven’t gotten yours yet?” Bobby asked
“Not until this morning.” Buck said
“Don’t feel bad I haven’t gotten mine either.” Chim said
“Always felt since my parents never found there’s that Maddie and I were destined to never find ours.” Buck said
“I found mine when I meant Karen.” Hen said
“I never found mine either until recently.” Bobby said
“Wait Marcy wasn’t your soul mate?” Chim asked
“Nope. So, Buck what does your soul mark look like?” Bobby asked
“Well, it’s a set of dog tags.” Buck said
“So, your soul mate is in the armed forces?” Chim asked
“Yeah.” Buck said
“What branch?” Bobby asked
“Who the hell is that?” Buck asked as Hen and Chim turned around.
“He’s hot.” Chim said
“I not even gonna lie and I like girls.” Hen said
“That is Eddie Diaz, new recruit graduated top of his class.” Bobby said
“Just like you Buck.” Chim said
“He served two tours in Afghanistan, he’s a combat medic with a sliver star.” Bobby said as Buck coughed. “Come on I’ll interduce you.”
“Are you coming Buck?” Hen asked as he followed them into the locker room.
“Everyone I’d like to interduce you all to our newest recruit this is Eddie Diaz, Eddie this is Hen, Chim and that is Buck.” Bobby said
“Hi nice to meet you all, I am looking forward to working with you all.” Eddie said
“Likewise.” Hen said
“Same here.” Chim said
“Ok I am going to start breakfast Buck when you finished getting dressed come help me.” Bobby said as Buck walked away from them all.
“He, ok?” Eddie asked
“Yeah, he’s got a lot on his mind.” Hen said as she watched as Chim went and talked to him.
“Buck what’s up?” Chim asked
“My soul mark was of dog tags with combat medic symbol on them.” Buck said
“Wait so you think that Eddie might be your soul mate?” Chim asked
“I don’t know what to think. I mean I agree with you and Hen, he is hot as hell but every guy I have ever been with since I was fifteen have been ass holes. They say your mark shows up and within 24 hours, and it’s only been four.” Buck said
“Maybe he’s the right one. Only time will tell.” Chim said as Buck changed and headed up the steps. The rest of the day had gone by with one thing after another Buck was trying to get Eddie to agree to a nick name like the rest of them, but he wasn’t buying it. They were on their way to the call when they found out that a war collector had a practice round lodged in his leg, Bobby made him get into the ambulance with Eddie.
“Buck ride with him, this is right up both your ally’s now go.” Bobby said as they got into the ambulance.
“So what was Cap talking about right up your ally?” Eddie asked
“Nothing I can talk about.” Buck said
“Did you both serve?” Charlie asked
“Yes, sir I was a combat medic with the Army two tours in Afghanistan.” Eddie said as Buck took the dressing off to change it when he noticed the round.
“I thought this was a practice round?” Buck asked
“It is.” Charlie said as Buck looked panicked and looked to Eddie who saw what he did.
“Yeah, no that’s a live round it has a gold cap, practice rounds have a Blue cap...” Eddie said as he pounded on the window. “PULL OVER NOW.”
Getting out of the ambulance the two stood there as they talked to the cops as the bomb squad said that the army was going to send someone, but they were fifteen minutes out.
“Look they are 15 minutes out.” He said
“Cap he doesn’t have that kind of time.” Eddie said, “But I can do it I have seen this before.”
“I’ll do it.” Buck said as Bobby looked at him.
“Buck, you don’t have to do this.” Bobby said
“Besides I was in the army I am used to pulling shrapnel out of a body.” Eddie said
“Look it is nothing that I am not use to suit me up.” Buck said
“Buckley are you sure you know what you are doing.” The guy asked
“Yeah.” Buck said as he finished putting the gear on.
“Ok use this to pull out the round and place it into this box as carefully as you can.” He said as Buck got into the ambulance and Eddie followed.
“Maybe you should let me do this?” Eddie said, “I have a steadier hand.” Eddie said
“No, I got it.” Buck said, “Just hold the box ready.”
Buck looked at Charlie and then to Eddie as he cracked his neck and took his time using the tool to grab ahold of the grenade and slowly as he tried not to move it too much as he slowly and gently put it into the metal box. Eddie sat it on the seat as they quickly got Charlie out of there and off into the hospital staff that was waiting. Just as they were about thirty feet from the ambulance the round went off blowing up the ambulance.
“Good job you too.” Bobby said
“You are a badass under pressure brother, you can have my back anytime.” Eddie said as Buck knew that he could trust Eddie just as much as he could the rest of his team.
“Yeah, you know you can have mine.” Buck said as they all got themselves back in the truck and off to the station for their shift was over.
“Ok so Buck I know how that whole thing was up Eddie’s ally, Cap said both what’s he talking about?” Chim asked
“Yeah, Buckaroo what are you not telling us?” Hen asked
“Look, Guys leave him alone he’ll tell you when he’s ready.” Bobby said as Buck looked to his Capitan and then his teammates. The truck pulled into the station, and they all got out of the truck and headed for the showers. Buck has only ever told Bobby about this time in the Seals, he knew that he was going to have to tell the rest of them soon.
Getting out of the shower he got dressed and headed up stairs to see that everyone was sitting at the table already. He took the last seat and thought about what he wanted to say without telling them everything about his past and his horrible parents.
“Ok so here’s the deal, a week after my 18th birthday I enlisted in the Navy and then just before my 19th birthday I joined the Seals. I spent the next seven years of my contract with my Seal team going on missions all over the world. I didn’t renew my contract which my team was sad to see me go, but I entered the reserves in which one week every six months I go for training.” Buck said as Bobby stood next to him with a hand on his shoulder, Hen smiled and Chim was just sitting there with his mouth open. He looked to Eddie who was sitting there with a shocked expression on his face.
“You were in the Navy as a Seal what was your specialty?” Hen asked as Buck rubbed the back of his neck.
“Sniper and Bomb expert.” Buck said
“So, you really did know what you were doing out there?” Eddie asked
“Yeah, I am sorry I never told you all about it, it was the best way I could to escape home hoping my parents would be somewhat proud.” Buck said
“Bad parents too?” Eddie asked
“Yeah, they were never present only when I was hurt did, they care, so I thought joining the service though they would be proud of what I was choosing to do with my life, too bad they still didn’t care. Haven’t talked or heard from them in ten years they never answer my calls, and my letters are always returned.” Buck said
“Well, that’s why you have the 118, we are your family now.” Bobby said
“Yes, speaking of your nephew want to show you his new game.” Hen said
“How about Friday night were off and you and Karen can have a date night, heck if you and Athena want a date night too drop Harry off as well.” Buck said
“I am sure Harry would love that he was just asking about hanging out with you again.” Bobby said as the oven went off Buck looked around to see Eddie just sitting there looking at his phone.
“You ok there Eddie?” Buck asked
“Yeah, just texting my Abuela she’s watching my son.” Eddie said
“You got a kid?” Chim asked looking to Buck who then looked to Eddie
“Yeah, he’s eight, names Christopher.” Eddie said showing a picture of him to everyone.
“He’s cute, I love kids as if you couldn’t tell.” Buck said
“It because you are still one of them.” Chim said
“Well, I love this one, he’s the best.” Eddie said as Hen looked at the picture.
“He got CP?” Hen asked
“Yeah, born with it, but he doesn’t let it stop him, back in Texas my parents coddled him, wouldn’t let him do things because he has CP he could get hurt. And I didn’t want that for my son, so we left Texas and here we are in LA.” Eddie said
“What about Christopher’s mother?” Bobby asked
“Were separated I guess you could say, she walked out on Chris and me two weeks after I finished my last tour, that was four years ago.” Eddie said
“So, your soul mate walked out on you?” Chim asked
“No, she and I weren’t soulmates, just high school sweethearts.” Eddie said as Chim kicked Buck under the table.
“Being a parent isn’t easy, but a single parent is even harder.” Hen said
“I have my Abuela and Tia.” Eddie said as they all started to dish out their plates so they could eat. The rest of the shift went by as they there was only an hour left when the bell rang again, and they all headed for the trucks. It was a car accident, so things didn’t take long, there was no injuries. It was mostly clean up and directing traffic. By time they got back to the station Buck walked into the locker room and grabbed his bag, having to get to his new apartment to sign the lease.
“Night all I have to go sign my lease I’ll see you all tomorrow.” Buck said as he was gone. Hen and Chim were waiting outside the locker room while Eddie got changed into his civilian clothes. Hen gasped as Chime covered his mouth as they saw the mark on Eddie shoulder after pulling on his shirt, he turned to see the two of them standing there.
“Ok what are you two staring at?” Eddie asked
“The tattoo on your shoulder it’s amazing.” Hen said
“What I…I don’t have a tattoo?” Eddie asked as the two looked at him, Hen walked in and took a picture of his shoulder to show him. Eddie took the phone and looked at the mark and there he saw on his right shoulder was a set of dog tags with the Navy Seal logo in them.
“Yeah, you do?” Chim said
“That wasn’t there this morning. Chris would have said something.” Eddie said as he looked up at the two of them as Bobby walked in to see the mark as well.
“You ok Eddie?” Bobby asked
“Yeah, he said it wasn’t there this morning.” Chime said
“So, you got your mark, what are you thinking about?” Bobby asked
“That Buck might be my soulmate.” Eddie said as he sat down. “How do I know for sure it’s him?”
“Talk to him, tell him that it just showed up and show him the picture.” Hen said as she sent it to him.
“1108 W Olympic Blvd, apartment 401.” Bobby said as Eddie finished packing his bag as he went out to his truck and headed off to Buck’s apartment
Traffic through the city was crazy for this time of night it was going on 7pm, he was glad that Chris was spending the night with his Abuela. It took Eddie almost an hour to get to the apartment complex that Bobby had given him. He parked his car across the street and made his way to the main door, walking in he found lobby amazing. Going to the elevator he hit the button as the doors opened there was an older lady, she got out and Eddie got in hitting 4. The elevator opened and there was Buck in the hall getting ready to leave the apartment.
“Eddie what are you doing here?” Buck asked
“Um, I was wondering if we could talk, Hen and Chim brought something to my attrition, and Bobby said I needed to talk to you.” Eddie said
“Sure, come in and I’ll order Pizza.” Buck said as they went into the apartment and Eddie followed, looking around to see everything was so open.
“This place is nice. How long you lived here?” Eddie asked
“A week, I had to sign some new papers because they had to fix the downstairs bathroom. Make yourself at home while I order Pizza, anything particular?” Buck asked
“No, I’m not picky.” Eddie said
“Sausage and Pepperoni, ok?” Buck asked
“Yeah good.” Eddie replied as he took a seat on the bar stool as Buck ordered the pizza. After about ten minutes Buck hung up and turned to his new teammate and possible soulmate.
“So, what’s did Hen and Chim do now?” Buck asked
“It’s not what they did as much as point something out.” Eddie said
“Ok I am lost.” Buck said
“I woke up this morning got my kid up did his stretches and he never said anything, and he’s got a great eyes for things that weren’t there before. As I said Hen said she like my tattoo on my shoulder. But I don’t have a tattoo on my shoulder, so she took a picture and showed me. The first thing I thought of was you.” Eddie said
“Why?” Buck asked as Eddie pulled out his phone and brought up the picture and handing the phone to Buck. Buck took the phone into his hand and looked at the picture and was shocked to see a set of dog tags and the Seals logo in them. Buck handed Eddie his phone back and nodded his head
“After Bobby saw it, he asked what I thought, and all my thoughts went to you. Up until today I didn’t know anyone in the Navy, let alone a Seal.” Eddie said as he watched as Buck pulled off his hoodie, he was in just a tank top.
“I woke up this morning and got a shower and as I was drying off, I noticed this on my right shoulder.” Buck said as he turned so Eddie could see his mark. “Two hours later I walk into the station and there you were an Army Medic. Chim asked me what I thought after meeting you.” Buck said as Eddie listened as he reached out and traced a finger over the mark. “Can I see it?”
“Yeah.” Eddie said as he took off his black Henley and was in a tank top too, so he could show Buck his mark. Buck reached out to trace the mark just as Eddie had with his fingers shaking the whole time. “Buck it’s ok, to touch it.”
“I know, part of me is scared.” Buck said as Eddie turned to look at him with a smile.
“Scared of what?” Eddie asked Buck walked over to the couch and sat down. “Buck you can talk to me.”
“I found out you were an Army Medic, and my mind went straight to maybe you were my soulmate. But then I thought about every boyfriend I have ever had, and they have been assholes.” Buck said as Eddie leaned in and took Buck’s hand and laced their fingers together.
“I promise you; Buck I am nothing like those assholes. I will tell you that I am still technically still married to Shannon, but she walked out on me. I feel it in my heart that you are my other half, my soul mate. Let me work on the divorce papers and finding her.” Eddie said as he pulled Buck closer. “I promise you that we’ll take it nice and slow.”
“I believe you.” Buck said as he smiled as Eddie wrapped his arms around Buck holding him close as he kissed Buck’s cheek. Letting the other man know that he will be there and put him second right behind his son.