Archive of Our Own

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Bobby couldn't remember the last time he laughed this hard. Watching a bunch of grown men and women running around after a rooster was a hilarious sight. They flinched and ran around the yard not sure how to handle him. Though in all fairness Maurice did have knives strapped on to his feet. Bobby laughed as he grabbed the towel and gently grabbed the knife wielding rooster just as it jumped onto the plastic wall of the pool. As he spoke soothing words to the rooster trying to calm it down.

“West coast, meet midwest,” he said, still smiling as he disarmed the said rooster. His new team just looked at him. They were out of breath and slightly embarrassed. Police sirens had been going for a few seconds as he wrapped up the rooster. Bobby and the others walked towards the gate as he held the rooster in the towel. With a smile so wide it hurt his face. And that's when she walked into the yard.  Bobby looked up just as she walked through the gate. The stern look across her face. Her shoulders squared back. Despite only being 5’4 she held herself like she was ten feet tall. She was already leaving quite the first impression. 

So saying one Captain Robert Wade Nash didn't notice the beautiful police sergeant. He would have looked at the person like they were crazy. Because he noticed. God did he notice. 

Short answer he could have said of course he noticed the beautiful police Sergeant. But he wasn't paying that much attention. He was a married man after all. (At least that's what he told everyone.)

Long answer? That he had to keep cool because he could have sworn the Greek goddess Athena stood before him herself. How could he not notice her?! He'd have to be blind to not notice how beautiful she was. He just refused to do anything about it. He didn’t think he deserved to do anything about it. He had to save those lives then he was done. But fuck did he notice. 

“LAPD Sergeant Grant we got a call about a stabbing,” She introduced as she met Bobby in the middle of the walkway towards the open gate. “Unknown assailant,” she stopped in front of Bobby. Bobby wore a half amused smile. 

“Actually his name is Maurice,” he said as he dropped the rooster into her arms. Her mouth dropped open and eyes widened as he stepped away leaving the rooster in her arms. “Go easy on him, sergeant,” he said with amusement in his voice as she looked down at the rooster in her arms. 

“What?” 

“Don’t worry he’s disarmed,” he told her, still smiling as he started to walk away, the guilt of what he did while having a good day started to worm its way into his heart. All while Athena:

“No nono no no!” Athena may not have the best first impression of him. Well mostly she thought he was some joking pain in the ass fire captain. She just hoped he wasn’t like any of the other fire captains that the 118 had. For both herself and Hen’s sake. 

The next time they ran into each other Athena had pulled up to the burnt out restaurant. She had responded to the same call as the 118 did. Burnt down family restaurant. But something didn't feel right about it. She couldn’t even sit with her family at dinner it had been nagging at the back of her mind since the fire. She laid in bed staring at the ceiling, her husband Michael already deep asleep May and Harry also deep asleep… well May was, she could hear Harry trying to sneak playing one of his portable video games. But the fire had her mind occupied. She just couldn’t help but wonder why the sprinkler system didn’t go off. It wasn’t till she heard the game shut off that she finally got out of bed putting fresh clothes on, grabbed her firearm and got into her personal car and drove down to the restaurant. She pulled up and saw an older blue ford f150 with faded paint around the roof and hood with Minnesota plates. She frowned as she went into her glove box fishing out her flashlight. She got out of her car pulling out her gun as she walked to the restaurant. She quietly entered through the doors. And her annoyance was upped a few notches as she saw the 118’s new fire captain looking around. She put away her gun as he walked around with his own flash light. She had already pegged him as just annoying and not a physical threat. 

“Step away, hands in the air!” she ordered. Bobby spun around hands in the air. 

“Sargent grant!” he said both with a mix of surprise but also an even tone. “It’s just me, Captain Nash,” he announced. 

“I know,” she used an unamused tone with him. 

“You still upset about the rooster?” he smiled at her and oh… she narrowed her eyes at him as she recognized a mildly flirty tone. He was definitely annoying and a bit of a flirt. The glare from the flash light hid the fact she rolled her eyes at him. 

“What are you doing here Captain?” she asked as she took a few steps closer to him. She looked around the charred remains of the restaurant. 

“Just following a hunch I guess, you?” he asked. 

“Same laying in bed. Trying to sleep and I started thinking,” she told him, still looking around at the charred ceiling and dry sprinkler heads. “When it rains it pours but not in here,” she aimed her flash light at the one sprinkler head in view. “The sprinkler system never went off. And the wife said it was serviced just last month. Seems the water valve around the back was shut off." They both were looking at the ceiling now. “You have the same hunch?” she looked back at the fire captain. 

“No,” he admitted, looking back down at her with an impressed expression on his face. “Mine was about the source of the fire,” he told her. “Typically these things are electrical,” he aimed his flashlight to a far wall. “Breaker is untouched. Plus powered down. I followed the burn patterns here,” he took a few steps and stopped his flashlight now aimed at the floor. “This is where I found the father,” it was her turn to feel impressed. 

“Man runs into a burning building and into the worst of it?” She was questioning the father in the restaurant fire. Both of them seem to be heading to the same conclusion. 

“Only how would he know where it is unless,” he knelt down pushing debris out of the way revealing some wire and a battery. 

“What’s that?” she asked him both their flashlights aimed at the cause of the fire. 

“Nine volt battery,” he stated. “And steel wool,” Athena nodded, understanding what it was now. 

“Improvised incendiary device,” 

“Probably set it before he left and didn’t expect his kid to go back inside.”

“Runs inside and doesn't see his son. Tries to put out the fire but it’s too late,” she sighed. 

“This was arson,” he stated. She made a disappointed sigh again. 

“Yeah. man sets his own place on fire” The next day they show up to the hospital to arrest the father. It didn’t go very well. The son was there to witness it despite both Bobby and Athena trying to make sure the man’s family didn’t see it. The son was angry and the mother heartbroken. The man himself took the arrest. He blamed himself for nearly harming his son. Neither his family or Bobby heard him blaming himself. But Athena did. She couldn’t blame him. She really couldn’t. She showed up later that day with two coffees at the 118 station. Bobby was up on the loft floor in the kitchen cooking. The smell of enchiladas in the air. And honestly she was surprised with how good they smelled like they actually were made correctly and not like how white people cook! She honestly could smell seasonings! It even made her stomach growl with how good they smelled. 

Now if you ask one Athena Grant how she started to fall in love with Bobby. She wouldn’t even lie. She’d happily say that moment when she smelt his cooking for the first time!

She climbed the stairs where a few of the fire fighters were loudging on couches reading books, watching tv or scrolling on their phones. But there was bobby in the kitchen and Athena couldn’t help but smile at that. She never saw any of the other fire captains cooking. Especially never that Captain Gerrard. So despite him annoying her and him being a bit of a flirt she liked him a lot better than the other captains she’s run into over the years. Even Hen who hasn’t known him too long had some positive reviews… despite him keeping everyone at a distance. Bobby looked up from the bowl of salad he was putting together and once again his flirty smile appeared. 

“Sargent Grant,” he greeted.

“Captain,” she gave a slight nod as she walked up to him setting the coffees on the counter. “ smells wonderful in here.” which caused him to smile a little wider. 

“Well I've been cooking dinners since….” his smile faltered which caused her to frown. But he turned on the smile back on with a little less flirtation. “How can i help you this evening?” he asked changing the subject. Athena decided to let it slide since she had her own demons that she still hadn’t wanted to speak about. Both at home and ones from almost thirty years ago.

“I came bearing coffee to say thank you for the assist earlier,” she took out the cup of coffee leaving two of the three cups in the carrier and handed it to him.(The other was for Hen and herself) “Hen told me your preferred order,” Bobby’s smile turned a bit genuine as he took his coffee. 

“Thank you. And it was nice working with you,” and once again the flirty smile turned on. Which if Athena was a better person she’d shut down the flirting. But given things had been rocky with micheal for a bit… she enjoyed the flirting a bit. She’ll tell him to stop another time. “We should do this again,” Bobby smiled at her once again he was flirting with the pretty police captain. And she returned his smile. 

“Well I often run into the 118. So you’ll see me till your sick of me,” she returned the flirt. He smiled a little wider. 

“How can could anyone get sick of you,” which got a chuckle out of her. 

“I’m a police officer. People get sick of me pretty easily,” she smiled taking her own coffee and taking a sip. The oven beeped both of them looking at the source. Bobby grabbed oven mitts so he can take the baking dish out of the oven.

“Care to stay for dinner Sargent Grant?” he asked her. 

“As good as that smells. I can’t” she kept smiling at him. She couldn’t understand why she kept smiling around him. “And it’s Athena,” she corrected. 

“Athena,” he corrected himself. “Would you at least like a slice of enchiladas to go?” he asked.

“Now that i can’t refuse” 

She certainly started to fall in love with his cooking first. 

There was a car accident on the 405. It was a massive pile up due to the rain. People in California didn’t seem to know how to drive in the rain. At least that’s how Bobby felt and from how a few of the fire fighters under him complained. Yet he also saw the fire fighters who were born and raised in California just standing in the rain, some in their turnout, some just in their basic uniforms and a few in their gym gear. And a couple who looked to be changing from one to the other (cut off sleeve LAFD shirt and uniform pants) and were just letting the rain hit their skin. A few even laying on the drive way just taking in the rain. Which seeing a few twenty to fifty somethings just soaking up the rain like they're kids. (There was also a chorus of “we really needed this”) It got a laugh out of Bobby. Californians were weird. That had been an hour before the 405 pile up call though. 

The call took them a long time. A few hours to be exact they got the critically injured out and eventually the minor injuries. It was the kind of call that was going to send Bobby to the bottle. Yet when they got out of the trucks he watched all of the fire fighters walk out into the rain again. All of them in states of their turnouts laying on the driveway. They looked tired and he realized that’s how they were processing everything and recharging. Especially the younger firefighters. And even the ones he knew weren’t California natives were just laying there in the rain. Bobby hung up his turn out coat and walked out just as he saw Chimney and Hen join their team in soaking up the rain. 

“What are you doing?” he asked, despite already figuring it out. He just wanted to hear it from them 

“Enjoying the rain,” Hen told him as she took off her glasses and closed her eyes as she let the rain hit her face. “We haven’t gotten that much rain in decades. Used to be a lot more rain when I was younger. We really needed this,” Hen sighed.

“We like rain out here,” Chimney informed him also closing his eyes. “Even if it causes a lot of car accidents.” Hen made a hum of agreement. “care to join us?” he asked popping an eye open. Bobby chuckled and he knelt down so he was laying by both Hen and chimney’s booted feet. He smiled softly closing his eyes. The thought of how his kids would have loved if he did this with them. But the thought had been interrupted by the cheers from the fire captain joining their shenanigans. “I think this is a first we got a captain to join us,” Chimney commented. Which caused Bobby to chuckle. Despite him trying to keep his distance from the sounds of it they still like him better than most of the other captains they’ve had. He didn’t know how long they were all taking in the rain. Bobby felt his LAFD t-shirt eventually stick to his chest from how soaked he was getting. He was just so lost in the feeling that he never noticed the sound of smaller but heavier style boots that weren’t common around the station. 

“What’s going on here?” Athena asked. Bobby opened one eye looking up at Athena. She was dressed in a more rain friendly attire than all the firefighters laying on the rain soaked driveway. 

“Just enjoying the rain,” he told her. She looked at the firefighters around her. They all looked like they had been pins in a bowling ally that were now scattered everywhere. 

“I expected this from them,” she pointed to Chimney and Hen. “But you? I Thought they weren’t big on weather in St. Paul,” she stated, raising her eyebrow above her sunglasses. 

“Well when in Rome do as the Romans do,” he closed his eyes letting the rain drops hit his face. 

“See he’s got the spirit!” Chimney’s hand shot into the air. 

“Yes Join us ‘Thena!” Hen held out her arms. As she made grabbing hands like a toddler asking to be picked up. 

“Yes, join us!” Chimney called from next to her. “We even got, Cap!” the two started their chanting of “join us! Join us!” Bobby started laughing and soon even started the chanting with his crew “join us!” (Buck and Eddie in a few years would join the rest in begging Athena with the rest. Because they only heard of what happened next and never saw it for themselves. Because what is about to happen was the one and only time Athena Grant was convinced of this behavior) Athena looked down at Bobby who gave her a half smile. She rolled her eyes and knelt down on the ground causing all of the 118 to start cheering that they got the oh so serious Sargent Athena Grant to lay in their driveway and enjoy the rain with them. She snorted as she settled next to Bobby on the ground. 

“Californians are so weird,” she mumbled. They had talked about her growing up in Florida and moving out here for college. Bobby of course mentioned so little of his life. But she at least knew he was from St Paul, Minnesota. 

“They are,” Bobby agreed. “But sometimes it’s nice to go with the flow.” Athena chuckled, closing her eyes behind her sunglasses (she wore them in this weather to keep the rain out of her eyes). They didn’t mention how close their hands were nor the fraction of an inch between the backs of their hands. Bobby’s breath caught in his chest and his heart sped up. Athena wouldn’t mention that her own did the same. And the part of her brain that now knew why her and Michael's marriage was going so wrong now. The part that said it was okay to show interest that she shut down instantly. 

The team had been quiet soaking up the rain when the first snort came out of Athena. 

“What am I doing,” she laughed to herself. Bobby himself even cracked a smile and soon started laughing himself. At just the situation they were in. They were all laid out across the driveway of the fire station. What did that even look like to someone driving by?! 

“727-L30” dispatch radioed. Athena sighed, grabbing her radio.

“This is 727-L30,” she spoke. 

“We have a nude jogger in your area he had an iPhone sleeve on as well. Call came in from his wife and apparently he's trying to make a point,” Athena let out a groan. Bobby was up off the ground and holding out a hand to her. 

“Copy that,” she spoke into her radio before taking his hand. 

“Walk you to your car?” He offered. The two walked silently before he broke the silence again. “Was there a reason you stopped by or just saying hi?” He asked. 

“Oh there was a reason,” she told him with a storm look on her face. “I wanted to check in on you guys. Also hen said you were making some type of stew for lunch and I thought that sounded good for this weather,” that got a laugh out of him. 

“Oh so you're only friends with me because of how I cook!” He said in mock offense. 

“No it's just a bonus,” he kept chuckling. They finally reached her police cruiser and he opened the door for her. The small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. It dropped immediately as she realized she had to tell him.

“I should let you know I'm married,” Athena told him. Bobby’s smile faltered because he hadn’t realized he was flirting… again. But he continued to keep smiling at her. 

“So am I,” Bobby explained. “Sorry if i made you-” Athena made an amused snort sound. 

“Honestly it was nice. I feel like my husband hasn’t noticed me lately,” she mumbled. Keeping why to herself. Honestly she probably shouldn't have made that comment either.

“I think Chimney said something called platonic flirting was a thing,” Bobby suggested. He also mentally kicked himself because, platonic flirting? What was he doing! He couldn't do something that made him this happy. He didn't think he deserved to be that happy!

“Well as long as it stays platonic,” She smiled. 

“It will stay platonic I promise,” Bobby smiled.

“So I hear you're getting a new probie tomorrow to replace Tommy,” Athena stated. 

“Yeah, hopefully it will be a good fit. Graduated pretty high in his class but i was told he has a bit of a savior complex,” Bobby cringes. “Hope that doesn't cause problems. These guys with savior complexes can be a bit dangerous. Hell knew one guy back in Minnesota that had one on his crew and he ended up setting fires just for them or other houses to feel like a hero.” Athena grimaced. 

“Well, let's hope this guy is nothing like that.”

“We can only hope,” Bobby shook his head. 

“So how is it with the new probie?” Athena asked as they met for coffee after their shifts. Two weeks after the rain. This time it was sunny and the weather was warming up showing signs of the on coming summer. Which made it nice for sitting outside with their coffees outside of the coffee shop. Athena had gotten there first and had ordered for them. Bobby could help but notice how she had memorized his coffee order. He looked like a black coffee guy but he preferred a certain amount of creme and a lot of sugar (not the crazy amounts of sugar that you find in popular coffee places and not a oat milk guy like the new probie Buckley)

“Buck is a hot head. And one of those guys who sleeps around. But I think there's a good kid underneath all of that. I ended up getting concert tickets from the chief for my birthday and I tried to give them to someone else. Then Buck just offered to just go with me.” The two sat at the table drinking their coffee. Bobby smiled at the memory of the probie from last week. Buck's hopeful expression of offering to go with him to the concert if his wife couldn't go with him.

“So are you taking him?” Athena asked. 

“It was like I told my kids I was taking them to toys r us,” he chuckled. Remembering the excited expression on his face. “Chimney made a joke about his dad not spending enough time with him and now he's projecting his need for a dad on me,” Bobby shook his head. Athena caught the look. 

“What? Do you think he was right?’

“I do,” Bobby nodded. “He doesn't talk about his family. Just the places he's been and when Chimney made the joke. His whole demeanor changed. And… and I swore I saw some kid who just wanted attention and didn't know how to get it other than acting out,” which Buck often did. He acted so cocky around everyone. Yet when he set off the fire suppression system he stood there pretending to be annoyed that it happened but Bobby noticed how he seemed to brace himself ready to be scoulded. Like a kid who had been yelled at and ridiculed so often that they were used to it. 

“So instead of a probie. You got a kid,” she leaned back and let out a small snort. “Maybe you can get him out of this hero complex then”

“I can only hope. He has the potential he just lacks the discipline. And I worry what's going to happen when he loses his first person on a call,” Bobby shook his head leaning back as he took another sip of his coffee. Athena frowned at that and put a hand between his shoulder blades. 

“Well if you think there's a good kid underneath it all. I trust your judgement,” she shrugged. 

“I think he also has undiagnosed ADHD,” which caused Athena to snort again. 

“Honestly jobs like yours and military do have a tendency to attract Nerodivergent individuals. The routine usually is the benefit as well as the adrenaline,” she shrugged. “We got Harry diagnosed with it when he was 5. I did research on it. Turns out there is a lot more to it than just a school related only issues,” she set her cup on the table. 

“Like what?” Bobby never thought about it past school. Sure he heard of people who had problems with it in school. Just never thought of it afterwards.

“Some emotional regulation, rejection sensitivity, impulse control,” Bobby snorted and shook his head. 

“He certainly has trouble with impulse control.”

“Just because he has problems with his impulse control doesn't make him a bad kid,” Athena reminded him. 

“True but if he steals the fire truck one more time I'm going to have to fire him,” Athena snorted.

“He what?!” She was somewhere between annoyed and trying not to laugh. Bobby only saw the annoyed part though. She knew it was a lot more serious than how she was reacting. But someone actually had the balls to steal a fire engine?!

“Yeah he stole the truck for a hookup and I had to have it cleaned !” Bobby actually let out a laugh. He didn't laugh when Buck did it. Most of the house was asleep so he just spoke to him quietly and sent him to the bunk room that night. And yes he had it cleaned. 

“Let hope he took your warning to heart,” she once again took a drink of her coffee. 

“You and me both,” They sat in silence for a while drinking their coffees talking over the rest of their week. So bits of their personal lives came up. Athena spoke more than Bobby. They were becoming better friends each day. Yet if anyone looked at them. Bobby looked at her like she hung the moon in the sky.

Bobby was pissed the ladder truck was gone again. For the third time! Though Hen swore up and down she knew, and that she was the one who sent Buck to help Athena. It still didn’t soften his anger at all. That’s when his phone started ringing in his pocket as he was glaring where the 118 ladder truck used to be. He pulled out his phone and looked at the screen and Athena’s name glowed on the screen. 

“Hey Athena,” he greeted a little too harshly. 

“What’s got your britches in a bunch,” she teased. Bobby pinched the bridge of his nose. 

“Buck,” he told her. 

“Ah the pain in the ass probie,” 

“That would be the one,” he grumbled. She huffed a laugh. And was silent for a moment. 

“Did Hen tell you what happened?” she asked him. 

“I know she gave him permission to steal the ladder truck again.” 

“Yeah and helped me save a little girl’s life today,” she informed him. Bobby frowned he knew Buck was heading to help Athena he just wasn't aware of why till now. 

“He did?” Athena then told him the whole story. Including the part where he had used a hose to knock a home invader off his motorcycle while he had been firing at Athena. All to protect Athena the little girl and her mother.

 “Despite the arrogance. I think there is a good kid under it all. I think this play boy hot head thing is just an act. You also should have seen him with the little girl. He’s good with kids. Well better than I thought he was when I first met him.” she told him. 

“What do you want me to go easy on him?” Bobby asked he looked up from his spot as the doors started to roll back and the back of the ladder truck appeared. 

“I didn’t say that. Just keep in mind what I said. There is a good kid under it all like you originally thought. Just has a mask on… a lot like someone else I know,” Bobby knew she was talking about him. They had been friends long enough for her to notice he keeps everyone at a distance. . “He's an asset to your team. Whether you see it or not,” Bobby sighed. 

“I'll keep that in mind,” they hung up and he watched as Buck climbed out of the truck.

Bobby took a couple days off after the plane crash. He had drank himself into unconsciousness only to wake up to what felt like Hen and Buck trying to drown him in the shower. Then try to drown him by being supportive. And Chimney was still in the hospital. It had been too much for him in so many days. Now he sat at home the empty scotch bottles still on the counter. Buck had dumped them all down the sink while Hen had continued to talk to him. Then after being back at work he told everyone everything about himself and what he did. He felt raw after wards and he had to take a few days off. Now he was on his couch again sitting there just not sure what to do. He probably should throw the bottles away like he told Hen and Buck he would. Buck did go through all the trouble of looking all over his apartment to find each bottle and had found bottles Bobby had forgotten about. 

So he pushed himself off the couch and grabbed a paper bag. As he picked up the first bottle to check the CRV because that's something California does. Get cash from collecting bottles and cans. He could direct the extra cash to either his gas tank or making a nice dinner for the team. What was something that those two would like? He certainly had to owe it to Hen and Buck to coming and finding him when he needed them. Because when was the last time he relied on someone like that? Of course he could rely on them out on a call. But at home?

 A knock on his front door had him looking up and setting the empty glass bottle back on the counter. He walked over the short distance and opened the door. And there stood Athena. She looked a little worse for wear but still wore a smile on her face and then she held up a bag of food. 

“I hope you like Tai,” Bobby smiled and stepped aside. “Haven’t seen you since the plane crash,” she stated as she walked through the door. 

“I can say the same about you,” he stated closing the door behind her and following her to the table. He frowned as he realized. “How did you get my address?”

“Hen,” He nodded. As he watched her set the take out boxes on the table. He watched her as she walked over grabbing two plates out of his cabinets. He felt his insides clawing and tearing himself apart. He was waiting for her to ask. 

“How’s May?” he asked, trying to avoid her own questions. 

“She’s good,” she rolled her eyes more at herself. “Well good as she can be. Tired. Happy to be home. We’re giving her a couple days at home. Mental health days as Michael calls them. Normally I would be saying no mental health days. But after what happened." She stopped and placed the plates on the table. 

“I’m personally not against mental health days,” Bobby shrugged and leaned against the counter that was on the same side of the small apartment as the dining room table and couch. “I’m taking a couple now,” he admitted. Athena looked around the apartment and frowned and Bobby felt his insides freeze.  She was really looking around his apartment now. She was frowning as she looked at the barewalls, back to the cabinet and to the plates. One which looked more worn than the other. Athena was a smart woman. Bobby knew that, that's what he liked about her. Bobby cleared his throat trying to get his voice to work. That’s when her eyes landed on all the empty bottles near the sink. “You… you probably just noticed i live alone,” he said trying to sound sure of himself. Everyone else knew. Hell he even told chimney while his eyes were still swollen shut but he was talking when he told him. Chimney had teased him then thanked him for being honest with him. Athena was the last person he had to tell. 

“My family…” he swallowed hard past the knot in his throat. He found it so hard to admit what he did to his family. But he was tired of hiding it. But telling Athena of all people why was it so hard? Father Brian? the father before him? Easy. Telling the 118? Buck Chimney and Hen? Tricky but they already had there suspicions. Athena was completely different. “I killed them,” he stated. Athena raised her eyebrow at him. He sat her down and he told her everything. The painkillers, the alcohol, the fire, the 148 lives he had taken. He told her all of it. And once again he found himself crying. She pulled him into her arms and held him as he cried. He couldn’t believe she was hugging him after everything. He even said that the past few weeks had been hard for him. Chimney, the plane crash, the venue collapse it just had been things stacking on top of each other. But once he calmed down Athena had moved them to the couch. “Sorry,” he said and let out a self deprecating laugh. 

“Thank you for telling me,” Athena said softly. She rubbed his shoulder. 

“It… it was a couple years ago,” he said while nodding. “I just haven’t told anyone here yet. Well” he looked at the ceiling. “Actually I have told people now. You’re the last to know… and I was worried about telling you the most,” he had thought before telling people that he thought telling his team would be the hardest but telling Athena was actually the hardest. Bobby was mildly startled when he looked down at Athena’s fingers threading between his own. She squeezed his hand. When he met her eyes she had a sad yet warm smile. 

“Sometimes things that happened a long time ago will always hurt,” Bobby could tell she was speaking from experience. He just didn’t want to press it. “I don’t know what it’s like to lose a child or children… I got close,” her voice cracked at that. She cleared her throat. “So i… i can only imagine what it’s like,” Bobby nodded because she was the closest person to understand how he felt about that. 

“How is May?” that caused Athena to laugh. 

“You asked that already,” he laughed this time. 

“Well sometimes it’s easier to care about other people’s pain than your own sometimes,” Athena snorted, finally letting go of his hand and getting up to cross the room back towards the table with take out. She stopped placing her hands on the back of the chair. She took in a deep breath and let it out. 

“I definitely know that part,” Bobby frowned at that. 

“Is everything okay at home?” he asked. Athena dropped her head back. 

“Micheal and I are getting a divorce,” she shook her head. Bobby stood up now. 

“What happened?” Bobby asked as he crossed the living room and rubbed her upper back. Athena shrugged then huffed. 

“He’s gay,” she admitted. “I know there is nothing wrong with that fact. Just,” she shrugged “I still can’t help being angry. And I should have known… Well, I did, I just didn't want to think about it. So we’re getting divorced before I resent him. He’s still the father of my children and he was… is my best friend after Henrietta,” Bobby nodded. 

“So you’re now here with tai food,” he said with a half smile. 

“Checking in on you because I didn't want to deal with my problems,” Athena shook her head and looked up at the ceiling. Bobby looked down at the food and then gave her a warm smile. 

“How about we sit on the couch watch tv eat this lovely food you brought and we just don’t deal with our problems?” Athena raised an eyebrow at him. “For now. We did talk about them for a little bit. So now lets put them on the back burner for now,” a half smile formed on her face. 

“I think that sounds fantastic,” so that's what they did. Neither mentioned how close they sat. her knee pressed against his. His arm on the back of the uncomfortable couch right behind her. Her legs pulled up onto the couch. All while one of Athena’s reality tv shows played. Bobby felt really lost but was content. 

It had been a few weeks since that night in his apartment. Things had been going smoother in his life both at home and work…. Well most of his life had been just work. Bobby was still cringing from his most recent blood donation. And still supported the bandage from it. He was considering giving Chimney an ear full cause he… he fainted again. He really hated needles. He could deliver a baby, he could hold gaze to a bullet would he could even get vomited on. Needles? Yeah they could burn in the deepest parts of hell…. So could tapeworms actually. 

Hen was laughing when Bobby walked up the stairs. 

“Her keys were on the belt and they were handcuffed to the head board!” she laughed Bobby frowned as he came up seeing Buck, Hen and Chimney all out the couch. 

“Please tell me you got a picture!” Chimney laughed. Buck made a slightly cringing face while rubbing his own hand at the thumb knuckle. 

“I don’t want to see it!” Buck said, waving his hand as he released his right hand. “Really none of my business!”

“I wasn’t going to show you guys anyways,” Hen rolled her eyes then turned to Buck. “I’m surprised you wouldn’t Buck,” 

“I’ve gotten nudes from my friends of their girlfriends before. It’s an invasion of her privacy," Buck went back to rubbing his thumb. “And I've been in a similar situation before… at least neither of them had to dislocate their thumb,” Now that had Bobby curious. The three of them were spread across the couches of the living room part of the loft. 

“What’s going on?” he asked, stopping in front of them. Each of them looked up Hen and Chimney wearing amused expressions while Buck was still scowling and rubbing his thumb.

“Athena had a date turn into a 9-1-1 call,” Chimney chuckled. Bobby’s eyebrows shot up. 

“Hold on,” Hen held a finger up to him. “Everyone was fine. Embarrassed but fine. Things got steamy and he ended up handcuffing themselves to the headboard with the keys still on the floor. She only had 9-1-1 memorized. I was very shocked when Buck’s girlfriend called me.” Buck’s face turned into a deep shade of pink and he smiled slightly. 

“She’s not my girlfriend!” he defended. But seeing the dopey look on his face told everyone otherwise. Bobby was happy for him… 

“Anyways,” Hen segued. “ I got there and it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever seen her in. not including the time we got her to lay on the driveway in the rain with us,” Buck gave her a confused look. Due to it being the first time he heard about it. “But she looked happy especially with the on coming divorce.” Bobby walked away towards the kitchen after that. He felt his jaw tighten and his stomach twist. Whoever this guy was he didn’t like him immed…. Shit was he jealous? He had stopped both the thoughts of whoever Athena went home with and his possible jealousy and went back to trying to make breakfast for his team. Yet his mind kept going back to who the guy could have been. How did she meet him? Was it serious? 

The thoughts swirled as he kept trying to focus on the breakfast as he tried not to burn it. 

“Ugh guys,” everyone looked up when Buck spoke. Buck was looking at his phone his eyebrows drawn together and his mouth dropped open. “I have to cut early… Abby’s mom died,” Hen and Chimney looked over at him. Buck’s focus remained on his phone. That cleared Bobby’s own mind enough to go back into captain mode. 

“Go ahead we have things covered here,” Buck didn’t even look his way as he pushed himself off the couch and he ran down the stairs of the loft. Both Hen and Chimney watched him run down the stairs before getting up and walking over to the counter where Bobby had breakfast going. Which was apparently some form of omelette now that Bobby was out of his head. 

“Poor Abby,” Hen shook her head. 

“Yeah,” Chimney agreed. “And what a way to end half of a 48hr finding out your girlfriend’s mom died.” Bobby frowned into the raw eggs. “But speaking of dating, when are you getting back out there cap?” Chimney turned a cocky smile back to Bobby which earned a slap in the arm from Chimney. “Ow!” 

“Not a good way to change topics” Hen scolded. 

“Oh come on you’re fixing things with Karen, i’m back on Romancing The Uniform… which i’m considering deleting,” Chimney frowned then changed his tone pointing out the now sounds of a barely dressed Buck running out of the station. They figured he was half changed out of the uniform given someone yelled at him to at least have his jeans actually pulled over his ass if he was leaving. And that shirtless was fine. “Then there is the player down there who even has a girlfriend. What’s stopping you from getting back out there?” Chimney asked. Bobby rolled his eyes at Chimney. 

“Chim he barely told us about how he lost his wife and kids,” Hen was giving him a stern look. “and you think he wants to start dating?” 

“What Athena is only separated at the moment and she's starting to date again,” Bobby looked up at the ceiling and shook his head. As he went back to his eggs he thought about it. Maybe… maybe he would try again. Things were a bit better. He was talked out of ending things once he reached his quota…. Just the only person he’d consider trying to date again… well… she was just found handcuffed to another man. 

Yup he was jealous.

He couldn’t do it. Bobby watched as they hauled the two pieces of the man up onto the gurney. The cherry red motorcycle feet away. An officer was on the phone with his wife now. The young woman who had been part of the accident in the blue car was shaking. The man in the black truck who had hit the both had his hands in his hair and had gone pale. He wasn’t drunk he was just in a rush because he was late for his first day of work. He had just turned his life around. And… Bobby couldn’t do it. He had been fine as he held the phone to the man’s ear so he could talk to his son. Then when Bobby thought the man slipped away. He uttered out “I love you son,” it wasn’t that he had died before then. He had thought he would be. It was the moment he realized he wasn’t going to make it. He couldn’t hold it back. So he stepped away, sat on the curb and he kept the tears back. That was till Athena sat down next to him.

“I’m sorry that was so unprofessional,” he said, still trying to hold back the tears. Anyone who probably knew about his own wife and children would have thought he was thinking of his own son and daughter. How he was a hero to them. But no. He thought of waking up that one summer morning. After his fight with his father. His music had been so loud trying to drown out his dad yelling apologies as his face burned from where he was hit. Finding him dead having tripped and hitting his head on the coffee table.  

“Hey no one bats a thousand,” she said “Not with the things we see everyday. When I'm on duty this is who I need to be.” she took a deep breath still meeting his eyes. “But the moment I step through that door tonight. I turn into a completely different person. Everyone here looks fine and holding it together. No doubt they’re going through a box of tissues tonight. Is there anything I can do to help with this?” she asked. He had watched her talk the whole time, the tears easing their need for escape. 

“Yeah, would you go somewhere with me?” She placed a hand on his knee. 

“Anywhere,” she smiled softly. He nodded and that's when they finally released. The tears couldn’t be stopped anymore. She placed her between his shoulders and rubbed soft circles saying soft words. Her hand between his shoulder blades and he wept. He let out shaking sobs. He tried to be quiet with his sobs because someone out there had just lost a husband. A little boy just lost his dad. And in this man’s last moments while his brain was catching up with the fact he was dead. He said good bye to his son. He didn’t even tell him not to ride motorcycles. That they were dangerous. No. he only spoke of the positives freeing and like he was flying. He didn’t want him to fear their little dream they had. 

“I’m sorry,” he said to Athena trying to settle down. 

“It’s alright,” she said quietly. He managed to quickly get back under control and clear his throat. It wasn’t long before the wreckage and the body were cleared from the road did the 118 pack it in and roll back the station. But before he left Bobby gave her the address to his church. 

“Asking to marry me?” Athena teased. 

“Well not yet,” he gave her a half smile. “Just the place I go when i just need to think or talk” she nodded when he couldn’t bring himself to form words. 

“I’ll be there in an hour,” she promised. “Will that give you enough time to get you and your team squared away. And if not i’ll wait for you,” she patted his shoulder. He gave her a grateful nod. 

“Thanks Athena,” he said once everyone was loaded back in the truck. They made their way to the station. Course when they got there Buck’s problem came back rearing it’s ugly head. Another woman came in screaming for Buck and how he ghosted her. Chimney grabbed the woman and started talking her down. Bobby pulled them offline before leaving to meet Athena at his church.

The church was quiet Athena held Bobby's hand as he worked out how bad the call was. Man cut in half on a motorcycle. It wasn't the first time for either of them to respond to a bad accident involving a motorcycle. But the guy was still alive enough to say goodbye to his son. And that really affected Bobby. It made him think of his own wife and children… and his own father. He had taken up the habit of going to church and drinking like his own father had. Which after falling off the wagon again he still aimed to at least keep the church habit up. It may have also helped that Athena was here with him holding his hand. She squeezed his hand trying to let him process again but Bobby just sat in silence and reverence. The sun shone through the stain glass windows painting the room in a rainbow of colors. It was beautiful. He honestly was happy to have brought her here during this time of day just so she could see how the colorful light of the stained glass sparkled across the nave. Bobby took in a deep breath as he spoke. 

“Thanks for coming here with me,” he turned to her slightly. “Do you ever go to church?” he asked he never asked her before. In their whole year of friendship he didn’t ask. Though that had been pretty on par for him these days. He had been trying to learn more about his team and athena. Hell only recently did he learn things that both Chimney and Buck had siblings! At least he could say was he knew Athena was an only child. 

“Every Sunday,” she said still looking forward till she turned slightly speaking with her hand. “But i’m baptist so we don’t ‘go to church’ we do church,” Bobby smiled at her words before turned back to face the alter.

“I’m here three or four times a week, keeps me out of trouble” he told her. “When i’m here alone i can confess and pray. Find the quiet to forgive and forget,” he thought how ironic that he used to see his father do the very same thing back when he was alive. Back then he saw his father could do no wrong so why would he ask for forgiveness? Now as a fire captain himself with his own mistakes. He understood his father a bit more. 

“You think coming here and praying it away can work?” she asked him almost skeptically. 

“Works for me, most of the time, some things are hard to shake,” he admits. 

“Oh the life we chose,” she said thoughtfully “no one on the outside can understand it,” she sighed heavily. 

“Whenever i walk into a new place, the first thing i do is look for something i can use as a splint,” he wore a half smile as he admitted that. Athena leaned forward closing the gap between them. 

“I check to see if anyone is carrying a gun,” that got a laugh out of bobby and a light chuckle out of her. “It’s exhausting,” she admits. 

“Yeah,” he agreed. “But it can be so damn fun,” he didn’t want to admit he still gets a little giddy when they drive in the fire truck with the sirens on. Like he’s twelve in the back of the firetruck while his father was in the captain’s seat all over again. “Can I ask you to pray with me?” he asked her after a moment of silence between them. 

“I’d like that,” both closed their eyes and bent their heads to pray their silent prayers. 

Bobby prayed for the man on the motorcycle, his family and forgiveness and for Abby Clark’s mother. 

Athena prayed for Bobby. 

It was dark by the time they decided to leave the church. And like a gentleman Bobby walked Athena to her police cruiser. They walked in silence tell they reached her car both content with the evening. 

“You know I've been asked on stranger dates,” Athena teased. Which got a good laugh out of Bobby. 

"Like that guy Hen found you handcuffed too," Bobby teased which earned an eyeroll from her. 

"you hear about that?" she asked. 

"I did," he smiled still trying to tease but he could feel that jealousy curling again in his stomach. "how are things going with you and...."

"Aaron," she filled him in. then sighed. "i ended things with him. he was nice an all but i just wasn't feeling it. he cook me a nice dinner and the sex was nice," she then winced wondering if she said too much. "It just wasn't the right fit," she admitted. "and certainly never took me to his church as a date," she teased Bobby. which caused the jealousy to turn into a laugh. He was also a little relieved that things ended with Aaron. which he also felt guilty about because he didn't want Athena to not be happy. he wanted her to be happy so he played into her joke.

“Oh trust me if i were to ask you on a date it wouldn’t be to church. I would do something a lot nicer,” she was smiling as she opened her car door and slid into the driver’s side. Bobby stood there for a moment as she closed the door and rolled down her window. “I’m probably going to ask you the strangest question,” Bobby said while smiling at her. because why not what did he have to loose and the worst she could say was no.

“And what is that? Baby sit Buck?” she teased earning a laugh out of him. 

“He’s twenty-six he shouldn’t need a babysitter. He’s also taking Abby to the airport tonight,” he informed her. he had received a text from him earlier after the apparent catfish was found dead in his home. he recived that update a while they were in the church that buck was taking Abby to the airport. 

“Okay now I’m curious,” she said as she took out her sunglasses. 

“Do you want to go to dinner with me? As an actual date?” he asked her. She looked up at him, her jaw dropping slightly. “You don’t have to, I know you’re still technically married,” he said quickly. She looked out the windshield and chuckled a smile forming on her lips. 

“You know what. I’d love to,” her smile was warm. “Tonight?” she asked. 

“Eight o’clock? I’ll send you the address,” he smiled. 

“It’s a date.”

Bobby was nervous as he fixed his tie in the mirror of the locker room. He had made a quick stop to pick up a suit the store. It wasn’t like the one he had lost in the fire nor was it like his dress blues provided by the city of Los Angeles. But it was nice enough. And it was his first date in years. So yeah he was nervous. And he swore he knew how to tie a tie! Hadn’t he done this for Buck a few months ago for valentines day?! Which led to him thinking. 

This date can’t go as bad as Buck’s right? As long as he didn’t end up in the ER things were already going to be on the better end. 

“Hey boss i put you down for tacos!” Chimney announced. Bobby looked away from the mirror just as he rounded the corner. Chimney’s easy smile faltered into a second of confusion. “Oh,” he clapped “ not exactly game night attire,” he commented. 

“I can’t make it tonight,” Bobby explained causing Chim to raise an eyebrow. “I have a date,” Chimney then smiled with pride.

“No way,” he said as he put his hands in his pockets and leaned against one of the locker room shelves/lockers. “You actually found a match with that times capsule post?” Chimney teased referring to his profile on Romancing The Badge. Which Athena did see and laughed at. And then asked him how he could watch Dexter with all of the medical inaccuracies. Which he then had to explain he liked Micheal C Hall from a different TV show. And then he had to promise to make Athena a flan. “So what’s the plan?” Chimney asked, still in his teasing mood. “A little ER marathon followed by a little Montell Jordan as you move into the bedroom.” Bobby wasn’t too big of fan of the old jokes since there was at most a ten year difference in their ages (Bobby needed to ask or just look at his file again.) or he was just calling him boring. Or worse case scenario. Both.

“Alright, how do I look?” Bobby asked as he finished tying his tie and turned to face Chimney. Chimney took in a deep breath and looked him once over. Then winced. 

“I’d loose the tie,” he told him. 

“I gotta wear the tie!” Bobby defended but was already turning back to the mirror to undo his work. 

“You look like a lawyer,” well he wasn’t wrong so that made bobby take the tie off even faster. He even unbuttoned the one button that went behind the tie. “How’s that?” he asked

“Wait,” Chimney walked up fixed his collar and unbuttoning one more button. “Much better!”

“Not too much?” he asked nervously. 

“Not too much perfect,” Chimney looked him up and down and said. “I don’t think i’ve ever seen you this nervous.” Bobby took in a deep breath and he decided that he was going to voice his feeling and add some wisdom to it. 

“Well, It’s kind of weird, once you get out of your own way, you start to see everything and everyone in a whole new light.” he could help but think of seeing athena in the church and the light from the stain glassed window. He eyes closed and her head bent forward in prayer. She looked like an angel in that moment. 

“All right,” Chimney turned to leave the locker room heading back to the loft. “Have fun tonight Cap!” he yelled back behind him. 

“Thanks Chim,” Bobby called back. He emptied out his pockets deciding that some of the things he had grabbed incase of an emergency weren’t necessary. Then he finished out the book. The book that he kept the names of those he saved. His ledger he had been hanging on to for so long. He could thing of all the lives he saved while being in California these last months. But he also thought of the lives he couldn’t. A woman who had jumped to her death a few months ago. The baby Mica in the fire. And others who he couldn’t save. But he also thought of those he could save. From his blood donations and who he saved on the daily basis. He knew he’d be working every day for the rest of his life to make up for those lives he took. Maybe god was telling him now. That it was okay to enjoy the time he had left while he made up for those lives. So as he left the locker room he dropped the ledger in the trash can and went out to his truck. He popped the keys into the ignition and drove to the restaurant. 

He swore butterflies were actually in his stomach when he walked into the restaurant. He had parked and let the velvet take his truck to be parked. And now he was at the host stand. 

“Reservation under Nash,” he spoke to the Host who quickly found his name and ushered him towards the table. He was sat on the far wall but he was able to have a good view on the door. He took a deep breath as he sat down and ordered a glass of water just for himself as he waited. Luckily he didn’t have to wait long as he was able to see Athena walk through the door. He took in a deep breath as she spoke to the host and pointed at him. Bobby of course stood up as she walked around the host, across the floor of the restaurant and he was able to get a better look at her.  And holy mother of god was she stunning! She walked up to him a beautiful warm yet shy smile. (she’d say it wasn’t shy while Bobby would then agree with her but he still thought of it as a little shy) she wore a brown dress that hugged her nicely. And her back and arms were obviously toned and he honestly couldn’t believe a beautiful woman as her, had agreed to go to dinner with a schmuck like him! HIM!

“You look beautiful,” he said, smiling at her. 

“Thank you,” she gave him a nice look up and down “you clean up nice too,” He smiled and walked to her side of the table and pulled her chair out for her. She smiled a little wider as he pushed her in. “such a gentleman,” she commented as he took his seat again. “How did you get a reservation so quickly?” Bobby smiled half heartedly. 

“This place is a bit underrated and always has a few empty tables. It's usually really busy around valentines day.” he told her as he took a drink of his water. “You can order wine if you want,” Bobby told her with a nervous yet flirty half smile. 

“I'll be fine,” Athena waved him off. 

“No seriously, it won't bother me. Just because I'm-”

“Bobby,” Athena interrupted as she picked up her complementary glass to sip her water. “I'll order wine next time. But as our first date I'd like to even the playing field.” Bobby nodded just as their waiter walked up handing them their menus. Bobby tried not to ask too many questions knowing it could get annoying especially if it’s about seasonings. Well he mostly asked what was cooked in alcohol for obvious reasons. Once they got their orders in they sat in silence for a moment. It was a little awkward till Bobby broke the silence.

“It’s certain been a while since I last had a first day,” he said nervously. 

“This is my second first date since the divorce started,” she told him. “So I get it,” that got a chuckle out of both of them. “Well there are some things we don’t know about each other,” She started. Then she smiled at the idea she had. “How about two truths and a lie?” 

“Oh that classic icebreaker,” he laughed. “Okay sure,” he shrugged. 

“Okay me first, I am a college drop out and I was studying law. My soon to be ex husband is gay but still my best friend. And my father drives a 1987 convertible,”  Bobby narrowed his eyes at Athena. 

“The convertible,” he stated. 

“Too easy?” 

“A bit you’re too smart to not have done some college,” she smiled at that and held herself a little straighter. 

“Well thank you. Now it’s your turn,” Bobby laughed. And though for a moment. 

“I am a fourth generation firefighter. I used to be in junior couples figure skating. I grew up on a farm,” Athena laughed. 

“Oh that’s easy the figure skating is the lie,” she smiled proudly. Bobby smiled athena’s smile dropped. 

“I was born and raised in st paul. I didn’t grow up on a farm,” her jaw dropped. 

“You used to be a figure skater!” which got bobby laughing. 

“We got gold a few years in a row. And funny enough despite it being the 80s and that my father was a fire captain like myself. He was actually very proud of me and showed the video of all of my meets to the guys at his station,”  He smiled fondly at the memory. “And it would be your turn again.” he took a drink of his water. Athena though for a moment. 

“I used to play in orange groves when i was a kid, i broke my arm roller skating and….” she thought for a long moment the said. “I’ve never been to disneyland,” She smiled. Bobby narrowed his eyes at her. 

“Disneyland is the lie,” she made a face. 

“It was my ankle not my arm,” Bobby rolled his eyes at that and laughed. 

“Okay I have a tattoo, I played hockey and I failed in band class,” Bobby leaned forward smiling in a challenging way. Athena narrowed her eyes at him. 

“Now I know that hockey is going to be the truth. Because it’s too obvious. I also know that iceskating can be a beneficial skill when it comes to hockey. So I'm going to say the tattoo is the lie,” she said proudly. 

“I don’t have any tattoos,” Athena leaned back with pride across her face. 

“You don’t look like a tattoo guy,” Bobby shrugged. 

“I’m afraid of needles.” he admitted. “I even fainted when I had my blood drawn. How chimney talked me into donating blood I have no idea. Nor how I got talked into donating monthly,” he cringed. 

“Monthly?” she asked. Bobby huffed and rolled his eyes. 

“There is this thing in my blood that helps newborns with this disease. It can be fatal but with this certain thing with my blood. They get a transfusion or treatment and they survive.”

“That's amazing. Are you sure you didn’t make that up to impress me?” she teased as she drained her cup of water. 

“Trust me, I wish I made it up,” he laughed. “But more people who live to see another day,” he said but thought. 

And one less set of parents who bury a child. 

“Well I have a few fears that I wouldn't be too keen on living through myself. So I understand hating needles,” Athena commented. “Do you have any siblings?” she asked changing the subject and forgetting all about their game. 

“Yeah I have an older brother named Charlie,” Athena nodded. 

“You do give off as a youngest,” which got a laugh out of him. 

“What about you,” she shrugged with her hand. 

“Only child. Was a bit lonely and I thought having two was a good idea,” then she cringed. Which again got a laugh out of Bobby. 

“I know the feeling some days they’re the best of friends others-”

“Mortal enemies,” Bobby chuckled at that. “Who was older?” She asked. 

“Bobby jr was,” He smiled softly. “Brooke wasn’t that much younger. She was born in 2005, while Bobby jr was born in 2004,” Athena smiled softly. 

“He was a year younger than May,” He nodded and cleared his throat. He still didn’t talk about his kid much. It was still hard for him to talk about them. But thinking how his children were close in age to May. May was fifteen Bobby jr would have been fourteen and Brooke twelve. “Do you want to change the subject,” Bobby took a deep breath. 

“Yeah its easier talking about them only for a little bit at a time but it gets easier talking about them,” Athen nodded as he picked up his water to take a drink. 

“So what about your parents?” Athena asked. Bobby nearly choked on his water. He swallowed it down and cleared his throat. He was suddenly wondering if he could just choke on the bread on the table and bail out via tracheostomy. That wasn't a question he liked talking about either. Not as much as how he accidentally caused the death of his wife and children. But his parents were a close second. At least he was more comfortable talking about his father than his mother. 

“Well my dad died when I was twelve,” he started. “Uh he was mad I accidentally nearly burnt the kitchen down trying to make us dinner. He was drunk and trying to beg for forgiveness… I turned on my walkman and fell asleep. Apparently he had tripped and hit his head on the coffee table… I found him the next morning,” he took a deep drink of his water. 

“I'm so sorry,” Athena said quietly. “Your mother?” He sat there frozen for a moment. How do you explain your mother might as well be a cult leader? She was a wealthy “faith healer” which he knew was a scam. Luckily Athena must have noticed his hesitation. “Is she the reason you were into ice skating?” Bobby snorted a laugh and rubbed his face. 

“I regret the two truths and a lie,” Bobby laughed. 

“Honestly I think it's cute!” She smiled. “Your dad really was okay with you being a figure skater?” Bobby shrugged but smiled because those events were the only times his family felt like a family and his father was sober. 

“He wasn't a fan at first. But after a few meets even when Heidi and I lost he still looked so proud of me he even dragged a few of his guys to see us. Which seeing a bunch of firefighters watching a junior figure skating meet was quite the sight on its own,” he smiled then thought of her original question.  “My mom introduced me to it while watching the Olympics one year and I wanted to try it out. My brother Charlie sometimes took me when he had hockey practice later that day at the same rink,”

“What did your brother think?”

“He teased the shit out of me. But any of his hockey team mates said anything he'd say ‘he skates a hell of a lot better than half of you. And it improved his own hockey skills!’ which it did,” Bobby smiled at the memory. Those really were some of his happiest memories as a kid. He hadn't spoken to Charlie in just as long as his mother. Or nearly as long. Charlie was a Mama's boy through and through and not in a toxic way… okay it was close but as far as he knew his mother never hated his girlfriends or wives. He just took care of their mother the same way Bobby took care of their dad. Which is probably not a good thing to be taking care of a parent while you’re under the age of eighteen. 

Dinner came and went they kept talking and talking and they ordered a dessert or three till the staff began to close. They talked about home, their families. And about their coworkers. Bobby even talked about his sponsor Wendall. The night went easier and easier until they were told to leave. They packed the last of their dessert into their togo boxes and walked out to the curb. The velvet had gone home already so the two had to walk to their cars. Bobby once again walked Athena out to the car. It was a comfortable silence. It felt nice while being in the warm spring almost summer air. And to be with such good company. Once he returned her to the car she turned to him with her togo box that held her tiramisu. 

“I had fun tonight,” she smiled. 

“I’m glad, does that mean i can take you out on a second date?” he asked. 

“I don’t know,” she gave him a flirty smile, taking a step towards him. “Can you?” and she pressed a kiss to his cheek near the corner of his mouth. She took one step away and he closed the gap, capturing her lips with his. She cupped his cheek and melted into the kiss. “Tomorrow night,” she smiled softly. 

“Tomorrow night?” he repeated. 

“Tomorrow night we’ll see a movie. I’ll pay,"Bobby gave her another kiss on the lips. 

“It’s a date.”