Work Text:
Eddie Diaz looked up from restocking the ladder truck just in time to see Chief Alonzo walk into the firehouse. He glanced at Hen Wilson in surprise since he had never seen the chief make a personal visit to the firehouse before.
“Chief? How can I help you?” Captain Bobby Nash walked down the stairs to join his boss.
Chief Alonzo handed over one of the folders that he was holding. “These are Firefighter Buckley’s official reinstatement papers. I have already added them to his file. But I thought I would personally bring you a copy.”
Bobby looked up from the folder. “Buck isn’t ready to return to work! He’s not cleared yet.”
Alonzo glanced around the firehouse at everyone that was watching what was going on. “We should finish this conversation in your office.”
Bobby also looked around before nodding and leading the way to his office.
Eddie looked over at Hen and Chimney Han. “What’s going on? I thought Buck wasn’t cleared yet. Isn’t that what both Maddie and Bobby said?”
Chim had his phone out and was clearly debating about whether to call his girlfriend. “That’s what they said.”
Hen pushed his hand down. “It might be better to wait until we know what is going on.”
***9-1-1***9-1-1***9-1-1***
Bobby paused before sitting in his chair and watched Chief Alonzo make himself comfortable across from him.
“When a member of my department is blown up on live TV, I take a special interest in their recovery.”
Bobby was a little startled at the seemingly random comment.
“A few days after the bombing, I reached out to Buckley. I let him know that if he needed anything; rides to appointments, someone to pick up his groceries, anything at all; he was to call my office. I gave him my direct line and my assistant’s number. And he did call a few times for help. Mostly for rides to his appointments.”
Bobby couldn’t believe that Buck had never mentioned this to him before. He knew the department was at least a little aware of Buck’s recovery. But this sounded like a lot more than that.
“I also had Buckley keep me updated on the status of his recovery. He sent me emails after each appointment. So, I know that Buckley was cleared by his doctors to come back to work. And I know that he cleared all of our requirements. Just like I know that Buckley saved many lives during the tsunami without help or any protective gear.”
The chief settled back into his chair and studied the captain across from him for a moment.
“I was very surprised when Buckley called me and asked why the department was blocking his return to work. I told him I was unaware of the situation, and I would investigate what was going on.”
Alonzo laid another folder on Bobby’s desk.
“I was only slightly surprised to see that it was you personally blocking Buckley’s return. When I met with Buckley this morning, he was extremely surprised that it was his captain blocking his return. And also very upset. We went over what paperwork was needed to return to full duty.”
Bobby was stunned at the turn in the conversation. He couldn’t believe Buck hadn’t called him to yell at him or to ask him why he had blocked Buck’s return.
“Buckley will not be returning to the 118. Neither he nor I are comfortable with him returning to work under your command.”
Bobby leaned forward. “Buck was pushing too hard! He had already caused blood clots. I was just trying to protect him!”
“If you repeat that statement again, I will personally write you up. The blood clots were not his fault despite what the doctor in the ER said. The tests proved that it was the hardware that caused them.”
Alonzo pushed the folder towards Bobby.
“This is a copy of your official reprimand for acting above your authority. You will also be closely monitored for the next year. Your position as captain in the LAFD does not give you unilateral authority with regards to those in your command.”
Alonzo stood up and turned towards the door. “If you harass Firefighter Buckley, I will suspend you from duty.”
***9-1-1***9-1-1***9-1-1***
Alonzo paused beside Eddie as he headed out of the firehouse.
“Walk with me, Diaz.”
Eddie handed the bag he was holding to Chim before following the chief outside.
“I cannot personally give you the details about what has happened. But I recommend that you reach out to Buckley as soon as possible. He will not be returning to the 118. But I also do not want to lose an amazing rescue pair. He knows what options are available for the both of you to continue working together. It will be up to you whether you take any of the options. But I hope you do decide to stick with Buckley.”
Alonzo looked at Eddie for another minute before climbing into his SUV and driving away.
Eddie quickly walked back inside. Bobby owed everyone some answers.
When Hen and Chimney tried to ask him what was going on, he simply told them to follow him. He quickly found Bobby upstairs at the table with his head in his hands.
“Was Buck cleared to return to work or not?”
Bobby looked at Eddie in silence for a minute. “He was not ready to return to work.”
Eddie took a minute to calm down before speaking. “That’s not what I asked. You and Maddie both said Buck was not cleared to return to work. Were you both lying to us?”
Bobby’s silence was all the answer that Eddie needed. He turned away from the captain that he had trusted before he said something he would regret.
He heard Hen move and sit down. “Bobby, you don’t get to make those kinds of choices for any of us. We are all adults. You don’t get to punish Buck for something that was not his fault. He didn’t make a bad decision on a call. He was severely injured in an attack on this house.”
“I wasn’t punishing him! I was protecting him!”
Chim spoke up for the first time since Alonzo had left. “I don’t see it that way. And I doubt Buck will either.”
Eddie glanced back at the table. Bobby looked upset but still seemed determined that he had made the right decision. That alone confirmed his decision to visit Buck after his shift.