Chapter Text
The station had been strangely calm, like all the activity in LA had just stopped. almost like the calm before a storm. It never fails to put everyone on high alert for when the calm finally breaks and chaos ensues.
They had only had a handful of calls, and for the most part, they had been fairly easy to complete, with rescuing pets from trees that only took around 30 minutes to complete. The biggest call they had was a small fire that had broken out in a restaurant.
They only had four more hours until B shift turns up and they can all go home. Everyone was trying to find ways of entertaining themselves. Eddie and Hen were challenging each other on the Xbox.
By the look on Eddie's face, it was clear he wasn't winning anytime soon. Chim was on the phone talking to Maddie and Jee. Maddie was updating him on her day and all the crazy calls she received.
“We had someone who called because they got their tie stuck in the door and couldn't get to their keys.” Maddie laughed. Buck always liked seeing how much Chimmy brightened his sister's life.
Bobby and Buck were busy making dinner together. Buck always felt calmer when cooking, especially when he was making food for his family. The more he cooked, the less he had to think; it became almost like second nature to him.
Everything was calm until Buck’s phone quietly buzzed in his pocket. he temporarily excused himself from the kitchen, letting Bobby take over.
Buck pulled his phone out of his pocket and walked over to the stairs. As soon as Buck saw the name on the screen, he froze. It was a name that he hadn't seen in years.
This name was part of a past that the Buck was ready to leave behind. But Buck knew that it must be important, Peter isn't someone who massages people for no reason, Buck thought as he unlocked his phone.
Unknowingly, Buck's posture had almost immediately changed since reading the name on his phone. His whole body became more rigid and controlled, with him standing up straighter than he normally would.
Eddie, at some point, must have finished his game since he was looking over in Bucks' direction with a look of concern. Buck always admired Eddie's ability to tell when something was wrong.
Eddie walked closer to Buck and went to reach out for Buck's hand before Buck flinched away “Hey, Buck, everything ok?” Eddie said in a tone he usually uses when talking to Chris, it usually melts Buck's heart, but this time he was so wrapped up in his thoughts to respond properly.
Buck quickly cleared his throat, which was surprisingly tight. “Bobby, is it ok if I excuse myself for a little bit?”
Bobby also gave Buck a concerned look, but still gave Buck a small nod, which was all it took for Buck to turn away from his team and head down towards the bunk room.
He knew nobody would be in there since pretty much everyone had slept and was about to sit down and have dinner together.
As he was walking off, he could hear Eddie shouting his name, not in a harsh tone, it was more like when he ran away on a bike during a call.
As soon as Buck was in the bunk room, he made sure to look around, making sure he was 100% alone. Only once Buck was satisfied that he was alone did Buck sit down on his bed and pull his phone out of his pocket and ring Peter's number.
The phone only rang two times before Peter answered. Buck felt his heart pounding in his chest as he heard Peter's voice echo through the phone.
Peter
Is this Evan Buckley that I'm talking to
Buck
This is Evan Buckley, sir
Peter
Are you in a secure location where you can talk freely? This is a matter of national security.
Buck
I can speak freely at this moment in time
Buck hated when he had to use his military voice; it had no personality in it, and it just didn't sound like him at all. What also scared him more was how easily he fell back into the voice, almost like second nature.
Peter
What I'm telling you is for your safety, and I don't have official clearance to be telling you this information…
There was a long pause, and Buck was worried that they had lost connection; the only way Buck knew that he was still there was because he could hear Peter's breathing.
Peter
Last night, Tirich and Layla broke out of prison, and I have reason to believe that they will come after you.
Buck's blood ran cold. How was this allowed to happen? They were being held in a maximum security prison. Buck could feel anger surging through him. Buck usually wasn't an angry person, so these emotions took Buck by surprise.
There was a long pause between them before Peter continued. Buck could tell from the strain in his voice that he was finding it hard to relay this information.
Peter
I only tell you, since I don't want to see you get hurt!
Buck
How? How did this happen? They… they were meant to never…
Buck couldn't get a full sentence out; his mind was spinning, his hands were shaking, and his vision was going blurry.
Peter
Unfortunately, I can't disclose any more information, but please, if you know what's good for you, hide! I'm sorry I've already told you more than I should have. I have to go stay safe, Evan.
And with that, Buck was left alone with his thoughts, but that was short-lived as well, as the bell rang out through the firehouse.
As Buck was leaving the bunk room, it was like his mind was flashing images from the past. Memories Buck thought he had buried and moved on from, but now it felt like he was about to fall apart.
Before Buck could spiral any further, he caught sight of Eddie running towards his turnouts and was quickly putting them on before sprinting towards the firetruck. Even though Eddie has done nothing, just his presence helps Buck calm down, almost like a safety blanket.
Buck wasn't far behind the rest of the team, but was still the last one to get into the engine before they pulled out of the station towards whatever emergency they were going to.
The whole ride towards the emergency was a blur. Buck was still trying to get his breathing under control, but also trying not to show his laboured breath since it would come with the question of what's wrong?
Bobby started talking to the team, and Buck tried his hardest to use his voice as an anchor and also take in the information that was being given to him. From what Buck got out of the conversation was there was a nearby electrical fire that happened from a lithium battery catching fire.
When they got there, the whole back of the house was on fire and was spreading quickly due to the high winds blowing the fire towards the rest of the building. Buck was trying to clear his mind, focusing on the emergency in front of him.
“Hen and chim, I want you to secure the area and check on the residents of the house!” Bobby says in an authoritative but gentle voice. Hen and chim are quick to get into action and carry out what's asked of them.
“The power is out in the house, so I want Eddie and Buck to go into the house and get the fire under control and make sure there is no one else in the house!”
“Copy that cap!” Buck shouts before putting his gear on and picking up the fire extinguisher, and running towards the house with Eddie.
As soon as they got into the house, Buck started shouting out “LAFD call out!” but he got no response. They quickly worked their way to the back of the house, but the visibility wasn't great since it was dark outside and all electricity had been cut off. The only light they had was from a small torch.
It didn't take long for them to find the fire. As soon as they found it, they started to contain the fire using their fire extinguisher.
“Diaz, Buckley report on the fire and your position”, Bobby's voice came through their radios right as they put off the fire.
“Firefighter Diaz", the fire is out and the house has been cleared, heading back out." As soon as the fire was out and the danger was no longer a threat, Buck could feel his mind slipping again.
“Copy that diaz” on the way out was awkward. Neither one of them talked usually; they would make sure they were both fine and ready to head back out. This time, however, Buck was busy sorting through all the thoughts in his head that he forgot to even check on Eddie, and Eddie was just staring at Buck with a look of concern. He knew that Buck wouldn't stay quiet unless something was wrong.
Buck knew what these people were capable of and knew that the first palace they would look for him was the station. It hurt because Buck knew there was nothing he could do to protect his family.
Hide and they get hurt, don't hide and he will get hurt, and most likely his family will still be hurt in the process. Buck was trying to find a way to get help without revealing his past and also tipping people higher up that he has access to secret information.
Buck quickly gathered all his gear and placed it back onto the truck. As soon as he was back on the engine, he slumped down in his seat and immediately stared out the window, lost in his thoughts.
How long did he have? Who could he go to? How could he protect his family?
He barely even noticed Eddie sitting in front of him until Eddie slightly tapped Buck on his foot. That was their silent way of asking if they're ok without saying it aloud for everyone else to hear.
But instead of looking at Eddie and nodding or shaking his head, this time, Buck flinched and only calmed down when he realised that it was just Eddie. This led to Eddie's face taking on a concerned look. Buck knew that Eddie was going to want to talk to him when they got back.