Work Text:
Hold, hold on, hold onto me
'Cause I'm a little unsteady
A little unsteady
Hold, hold on, hold onto me
'Cause I'm a little unsteady
A little unsteady
It had been one of the worst calls that the 118 had ever been called to. A house fire had spread to the houses next door.
Buck's arm had been crushed by a support beam and Bobby's leg had been pinned under a piece of the roof that collapsed as they were trying to get out
Both of them were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
“I’m looking for a Robert Nash.” Athena says rushing to the nurses' desk. “And who are you?”
“I’m his wife Athena Nash. I’m also worried about another patient, Evan Buckley.” Athena says as Maddie rushes in. “I’m looking for information on Evan Buckley, he's my brother.” The nurse looks between the two women in front of him.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Both of them are in surgery and they will be for a while longer. Mrs. Nash, your husband’s left leg was broken in four different places and your brother's arm was broken in two places. Now we have our best surgeons working to make this as quick of a recovery as possible.” He looks at them both solemnly. “I know this is tough but the best thing you can do is hope for the best.” Maddie and Athena hug each other, both letting out a soft sob, before sitting down in the waiting room.
An hour passed and the rest of the 118 A-shift started to file in. Maddie and Chim embrace. “How are they?” Chim asks. with tears in her eyes and she just shakes her head before burying her face into her husbands shoulder. Eddies eyes go wide. “No.” He thinks. “No this can’t happen to him. It should’ve been me.” His breathing becomes irregular. “Eddie?” He snaps out of his spiral as Hen says his name. “What?”
“Want to go with me to grab coffee for everyone? I don’t think any of us are going home anytime soon.” Hen asks as she looks around the room to see everyone shaking their heads. “S-sure.”
He nods, walking off with Hen.
“How long have you two been dating behind everyone's back?” Hen asks as their walk back with coffee. Eddie coughs. “What?”
“I saw the look on your face, it wasn’t the look of oh shit my best friend is in the hospital. That was the look of my other half, my best half is in the hospital. You know how I know?” Hen asks. “How?
“Because it’s the same look I had on my face when Karen was in the hospital after that explosion at her work. It’s the same look that Athena had on her face when Bobby had his heart attack, the same look that Bobby had on his face after Hudson beat Athena. Whether you like it or even know it you are in love with Buck.” Eddie stares at the ground while they keep walking.
“We’ve been dating for six months. We didn’t know how to tell everyone and we were scared that we’d be split up and forced to work at different houses.”
“I’m sure Bobby would fight for you both.” She pats his back. “Both of them are fighters, Eddie, they'll get through this.” She looks down at the sidewalk. “They have too.”
Time skip
A nurse comes out hours later. “Family of Robert Nash?” Everyone stands up. “Uhm.” Athena cuts her off. “My husband’s a fire captain. This is his family. Anything you have to say to me you can say to them. “Well then. He’s out of surgery and things went well, but he’s under heavy sedation to allow him time to heal.” Maddie steps forward. “What about Evan Buckley? I’m his sister.” The nurse looks at Maddie and then around the room. “The same thing applies to Evan as Bobby.” The nurse nods. “He’s going to be okay.” Maddie looks at the nurse. “But?” She sighs. “But he lost his arm below the elbow. They did everything they could to try to save it.” Gasps are heard throughout the room. “Can I go see him?” Maddie says through tears.
"Of course. He's still asleep but I'm sure he'd love a familiar voice." The nurse takes Maddie back to Bucks' room. "Hey Buck." Maddie says sitting down next to his bed. "You're going to be okay. You have to be, no more recklessness. You hear me."
Meanwhile
"You've got to get better quick, Bobby Nash," Athena says, pulling up a chair next to his bed. You have so much more life to live, " she says, lightly grabbing his hand.
Years later
It was a crisp autumn day and the 118 however changed it may be, are having one of their picnics.
Bobby and Athena finally retired about a year after the accident. Buck and Eddie are happy together and still working together. Maddie and Chim are still just as in love as they were the day they got married. Everyone is happy, and the next generation of firefighters has stepped up to the plate.
Christopher James Diaz head dispatcher.
Denny Onyx Wilson followed in his mamas footsteps becoming one of the best paramedics on the force.
May Ivy Panikkar went back to dispatch, because she realized she liked helping people through their worst times.
Jee-Yun Buckley Han became the youngest probie to ever join the 118 firehouse.
And they lived happily.
~Fin